bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Ground and Helicopter Surveys for Breeding Waterfowl in New Jersey
Authors: Nichols Theodore C. , Clark Lisa A. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTNew Jersey has participated in the Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey by conducting ground surveys in the salt marsh strata, which are important for breeding waterfowl, particularly American black ducks (Anas rubripes). Ground surveys in salt marshes are time‐intensive, tide dependent, costly, and take several days to complete. We investigated the use of helicopters and compared the results of mallard (Anas platyrhnchos), black duck, and Canada goose (Branta canadensis) estimates to ground surveys. Expected mean point estimates for all species were consistently higher during ground than helicopter surveys. Expected mean point estimates were higher during both ground and helicopter surveys at twilight than at midday for Canada geese and black ducks, whereas mallard observations were higher during midday than twilight for both survey methods. We found no differences in results from helicopter surveys conducted at high versus low tide. Although helicopter contracts are expensive, ground surveys took 8.5 times more staff time to complete, resulting in similar cost between survey platforms. Helicopters provide an alternative for ground surveys in salt marshes of the Atlantic Flyway, and we provide recommendations to develop visibility correction factors for different species groupings to account for visibility bias associated with helicopter observations. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Daily activity profile of the golden mantella in the “Froggotron”—A replicated behavioral monitoring system for amphibians
Authors: Edwards Wayne M. , Bungard Michael J. , Griffiths Richard A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractResearch on threatened species in zoos can provide vital information to inform conservation planning and implementation in the field. This is particularly important for rare and cryptic species with behavior patterns that are difficult to observe in the wild. The Critically Endangered golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is an iconic, endemic frog confined to mid‐altitude subhumid forest in Moramanga District, Madagascar. Ecological and behavioral data for this highly threatened species are sparse, and conservation work will need to be informed by both in situ and ex situ research on behavior and habitat preferences. This study utilized environmental information gathered in the field to design a system where behavior and microhabitat use could be measured in captivity. Using replicated climatically controlled chambers (the “Froggotrons”), we analysed the 24‐h activity profile of the golden mantella in relation to temperature and humidity. Golden mantellas showed a bimodal pattern of activity during the day with much less activity during the night. Frogs kept at warmer temperatures (20–25°C) were more active than those kept under cooler conditions (16–19°C). However, the bimodal pattern was retained under the different temperatures, although the second peak occurred slightly earlier under warmer conditions. Most activity was observed when humidity levels were above 85%, although less than half of the mantellas were active outside leaf microhabitats during peak periods. These findings can inform ongoing field surveys through determining the optimum times of day to either capture or count golden mantellas for further conservation actions.
Holographic approach of the spinodal instability to criticality
Authors: Attems Maximilian 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A smoking gun signature for a first-order phase transition with negative speed of sound squared $$ {c}_s^2 $$

c
s
2

is the occurrence of a spinodal instability. In the gauge/gravity duality it corresponds to a Gregory-Laflamme type instability, which can be numerically simulated as the evolution of unstable planar black branes. Making use of holography its dynamics is studied far from and near a critical point with the following results. Near a critical point the interface between cold and hot stable phases, given by its width and surface tension, is found to feature a wider phase separation and a smaller surface tension. Far away from a critical point the formation time of the spinodal instability is reduced. Across softer and harder phase transitions, it is demonstrated that mergers of equilibrated peaks and unstable plateaux lead to the preferred final single phase separated solution. Finally, a new atypical setup with dissipation of a peak into a plateau is discovered. In order to distinguish the inhomogeneous states I propose a new criterium based on the maximum of the transverse pressure at the interface which encodes phase-mixed peaks versus fully phase separated plateaux.
Quark Mass Models and Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Harvey T. R. , Lukas A. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we apply reinforcement learning to the problem of constructing models in particle physics. As an example environment, we use the space of Froggatt-Nielsen type models for quark masses. Using a basic policy-based algorithm we show that neural networks can be successfully trained to construct Froggatt-Nielsen models which are consistent with the observed quark masses and mixing. The trained policy networks lead from random to phenomenologically acceptable models for over 90% of episodes and after an average episode length of about 20 steps. We also show that the networks are capable of finding models proposed in the literature when starting at nearby configurations.
Arousing a wide range of emotions within educational virtual reality simulation about major depressive disorder affects knowledge retention
Authors: Hadjipanayi Christos , Michael-Grigoriou Despina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe experience of using an educational application, concerning a major depressive disorder simulation, could be anything but pleasant, so the challenges of creating such an application are ample. In this research, the effects of the emotional experience of the players, deriving from the positive ending of the virtual reality (VR) simulation’s embedded narrative or the lack of it, are evaluated. Alongside the investigation of a possible link between the emotional impact of the simulation and information retention, the overall effect of the application in relation to VR presence and body ownership is appraised. Thirty participants over 18 years old tested the application, using an Oculus Rift head-mounted display with a joystick, and their data were recorded by a pre- and a post-questionnaire. The 30 participants have been separated into groups of 15, where the positive ending was accessible to only one of the two groups. The group which experienced the positive ending reported a significant correlation of emotional impact and knowledge retention.
Girl Champ in eSwatini: A Strategic Marketing Campaign to Promote Demand for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Young Women
Authors: Brault Marie A. , Christie Sarah , Manchia Amanda , Mabuza Khabonina , Dlamini Muhle , Linnander Erika L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEfforts to engage adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in HIV services have struggled, in part, due to limited awareness of services and stigma. Strategic marketing is a promising approach, but the impact on youth behavior change is unclear. We report findings from a mixed methods evaluation of the Girl Champ campaign, designed to generate demand for sexual and reproductive services among AGYW, and piloted in three clinics in the Manzini region of eSwatini. We analyzed and integrated data from longitudinal, clinic-level databases on health service utilization among AGYW before and after the pilot, qualitative interviews with stakeholders responsible for the implementation of the pilot, and participant feedback surveys from attendees of Girl Champ events. Girl Champ was well received by most stakeholders based on event attendance and participant feedback, and associated with longitudinal improvements in demand for HIV services. Findings can inform future HIV demand creation interventions for youth.
Characterization of clinical Ralstonia strains and their taxonomic position
Authors: Fluit Ad C. , Bayjanov Jumamurat R. , Aguilar María Díez , Cantón Rafael , Tunney Michael M. , Elborn J. Stuart , van Westreenen Mireille , Ekkelenkamp Miquel B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTo improve understanding of the role of Ralstonia in cystic fibrosis (CF), whole genomes of 18 strains from clinical samples were sequenced using Illumina technology. Sequences were analysed by core genome Multi-Locus Sequence Typing, Average Nucleotide Identity based on BLAST (ANIb), RAST annotation, and by ResFinder. Phylogenetic analysis was performed for the 16S rRNA gene, and the OXA-22 and OXA-60 ß-lactamase families. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using broth microdilution. ANIb data for the 18 isolates and 54 strains from GenBank, supported by phylogenetic analysis, showed that 8 groups of clusters (A-H), as well as subgroups that should be considered as species or subspecies. Groups A-C contain strains previously identified as Ralstonia solanacearum and Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum. We propose that group A is a novel species. Group B and C are Ralstonia syzygii, Ralstonia solanacearum, respectively. Group D is composed of Ralstonia mannitolilytica and Group E of Ralstonia pickettii. Group F and G should be considered novel species. Group H strains belong to R. insidiosa. OXA-22 and OXA-60 family ß-lactamases were encoded by all strains. Co-trimoxazole generally showed high activity with low MICs (≤1 mg/l) as did ciprofloxacin (≤0.12 mg/l). MICs against the other antibiotics were more variable, but generally high. RAST annotation revealed limited differences between the strains, and virulence factors were not identified. The taxonomy of the genus Ralstonia is in need of revision, but sequencing additional isolates is needed. Antibiotic resistance levels are high. Annotation did not identify potential virulence factors.
Occulter to earth: prospects for studying earth-like planets with the E-ELT and a space-based occulter
Authors: Janson Markus , Henning Thomas , Quanz Sascha P. , Asensio-Torres Ruben , Buchhave Lars , Krause Oliver , Palle Enric , Brandeker Alexis 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDirect detection and characterization of Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars is a core task for evaluating the prevalence of habitability and life in the Universe. Here, we discuss a promising option for achieving this goal, which is based on placing an occulter in orbit and having it project its shadow onto the E-ELT at the surface of Earth, thus providing a sufficient contrast for imaging and taking spectra of Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. Doing so at a sensible fuel budget will require tailored orbits, an occulter with a high area-to-mass ratio, and appropriate instrumentation at the E-ELT. In this White Paper, submitted in response to the ESA Voyage 2050 Call, we outline the fundamental aspects of the concept, and the most important technical developments that will be required to develop a full mission.
Avoidance of the Plant Hormone Cis-Jasmone by Aedes aegypti Depends On Mosquito Age in Both Plant and Human Odor Backgrounds
Authors: de Boer Jetske G. , Kuiper Aron P. S. , Groot Joeri , van Loon Joop J. A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAdults of many mosquito species feed on plants to obtain metabolic energy and to enhance reproduction. Mosquitoes primarily rely on olfaction to locate plants and are known to respond to a range of plant volatiles. We studied the olfactory response of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and cis-jasmone (CiJA), volatile compounds originating from the octadecanoid signaling pathway that plays a key role in plant defense against herbivores. Specifically, we investigated how Ae. aegypti of different ages responded to elevated levels of CiJA in two attractive odor contexts, either derived from Lima bean plants or human skin. Aedes aegypti females landed significantly less often on a surface with CiJA and MeJA compared to the solvent control, CiJA exerting a stronger reduction in landing than MeJA. Odor context (plant or human) had no significant main effect on the olfactory responses of Ae. aegypti females to CiJA. Mosquito age significantly affected the olfactory response, older females (7–9 d) responding more strongly to elevated levels of CiJA than young females (1–3 d) in either odor context. Our results show that avoidance of CiJA by Ae. aegypti is independent of odor background, suggesting that jasmonates are inherently aversive cues to these mosquitoes. We propose that avoidance of plants with elevated levels of jasmonates is adaptive to mosquitoes to reduce the risk of encountering predators that is higher on these plants, i.e. by avoiding ‘enemy-dense-space’.
Petrosal Anatomy of the Paleocene Eutherian Mammal Deltatherium fundaminis (Cope, 1881)
Authors: Shelley Sarah L. , Bertrand Ornella C. , Brusatte Stephen L. , Williamson Thomas E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe describe the tympanic anatomy of the petrosal of Deltatherium fundaminis, an enigmatic Paleocene mammal based on cranial specimens recovered from New Mexico, U.S.A. Although the ear region of Deltatherium has previously been described, there has not been a comprehensive, well-illustrated contribution using current anatomical terminology. The dental and cranial anatomy of Deltatherium is a chimera, with morphological similarities to both ‘condylarth’ and ‘cimolestan’ taxa. As such, the phylogenetic relationships of this taxon have remained elusive since its discovery, and it has variably been associated with Arctocyonidae, Pantodonta and Tillodontia. The petrosal of Deltatherium is anteriorly bordered by an open space comprising a contiguous carotid opening and pyriform fenestra. The promontorium features both a small rostral tympanic process and small epitympanic wing but lacks well-marked sulci. A large ventral facing external aperture of the canaliculus cochleae is present and bordered posteriorly by a well-developed caudal tympanic process. The hiatus Fallopii opens on the ventral surface of the petrosal. The tegmen tympani is mediolaterally broad and anteriorly expanded, and its anterior margin is perforated by a foramen for the ramus superior of the stapedial artery. The tympanohyal is small but approximates the caudal tympanic process to nearly enclose the stylomastoid notch. The mastoid is widely exposed on the basicranium and bears an enlarged mastoid process, separate from the paraoccipital process. These new observations provide novel anatomical data corroborating previous hypotheses regarding the plesiomorphic eutherian condition but also reveal subtle differences among Paleocene eutherians that have the potential to help inform the phylogeny of Deltatherium.
Typing of inflammatory lesions of the pituitary
Authors: Warmbier J. , Lüdecke D. K. , Flitsch J. , Buchfelder M. , Fahlbusch R. , Knappe U. J. , Kreutzer J. , Buslei R. , Bergmann M. , Heppner F. , Glatzel M. , Saeger W. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInflammatory pituitary lesions account for 1.8% of all specimens from the German Pituitary Tumor Registry. They occure in 0.5% of the autoptical specimens and in 2.2% of the surgical cases. Women are significantly more often affected than men and are often younger when first diagnosed. In general, primary and secondary inflammation can be distinguished, with secondary types occurring more frequently (75.1%) than idiopathic inflammatory lesions (15.4%). In primary inflammation, the lymphocytic type is more common (88.5%) than the granulomatous type of hypophysitis (11.5%). The most common causes of secondary inflammation are Rathke’s cleft cysts (48.6%), followed by tumors (17.4%) such as the craniopharyngioma (9.1%), adenoma (5.5%) or germinoma (2.0%). More causes are tumor-like lesions (7.1%) such as xanthogranuloma (3.5%) or Langerhans histiocytosis (3.5%), abscesses (5.5%), generalized infections (5.1%), spreaded inflammations (4.7%) and previous surgeries (4.0%). In 1.6% of all specimens the reason for the inflammation remains unclear. The described classification of hypophysitis is important for specific treatment planning after surgery.
Increasing the Prediction Accuracy for Thyroid Disease: A Step Towards Better Health for Society
Authors: Jha Ritesh , Bhattacharjee Vandana , Mustafi Abhijit 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA healthy life is essential for a happy society, however it is a fact that seemingly invisible diseases plague our families and people suffer. The thyroid disease falls in such a category. Thyroid disorders are long-term and with carefully handled illnesses, people with thyroid disorders may also live stable and normal lives. Thyroid diagnosis, particularly for an inexperienced clinician, is a difficult proposal. Many researchers have established various methods for the diagnosis of the disease and several models for disease prediction have been developed. As with several other domains, machine learning approaches to modelling health care problems is gaining popularity. This study aims at providing solutions towards such a thyroid disease prediction. Dimension reduction techniques are applied, and reduced dimension data input to classifiers. Also, data augmentation is applied so as to be able to generate sufficient data for deep neural network model. Classifier prediction is compared to other similar researches. Real life dataset for thyroid disease has been used, and experiments conducted in distributed environment. Our proposed two stage approach gives a maximum accuracy of 99.95% which is very good as compared to existing techniques. We have shown that dimension reduction and data augmentation can be used very efficiently for achieving high accuracy of disease prediction.
Managing customer satisfaction after a product recall: the joint role of remedy, brand equity, and severity
Authors: Mafael Alexander , Raithel Sascha , Hock Stefan J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFirms struggle to respond to product recalls and manage post-recall customer satisfaction. In three studies, we examine the impact of firms’ remedy choice on satisfaction and provide evidence that firms’ post-recall remedy efforts are often not optimal. In Study 1 (field study), we estimate the longer-term effects of remedy on different satisfaction metrics and show that offering full remedy is much more important for low and high (vs. medium) brand equity firms, especially when failure severity is high. In Study 2 (experiment), we find further evidence that the positive impact of full remedy on satisfaction is moderated by brand equity in a u-shaped fashion. Finally, Study 3 (experiment) provides further evidence that the relationship between remedy and brand equity is contingent on failure severity. The findings contribute to the literature on firms’ management of negative relationship events and provide managers with the empirically grounded 5R guidelines to make better remedy decisions in response to product recalls.
The Essential Need for a Validated Potency Assay for Cell-Based Therapies in Cardiac Regenerative and Reparative Medicine. A Practical Approach to Test Development
Authors: Gómez-Cid Lidia , Grigorian-Shamagian Lilian , Sanz-Ruiz Ricardo , de la Nava Ana S. , Fernández Ana I. , Fernández-Santos María Eugenia , Fernández-Avilés Francisco 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBiological treatments are one of the medical breakthroughs in the twenty-first century. The initial enthusiasm pushed the field towards indiscriminatory use of cell therapy regardless of the pathophysiological particularities of underlying conditions. In the reparative and regenerative cardiovascular field, the results of the over two decades of research in cell-based therapies, although promising still could not be translated into clinical scenario. Now, when we identified possible deficiencies and try to rebuild its foundations rigorously on scientific evidence, development of potency assays for the potential therapeutic product is one of the steps which will bring our goal of clinical translation closer. Although, highly challenging, the potency tests for cell products are considered as a priority by the regulatory agencies. In this paper we describe the main characteristics and challenges for a cell therapy potency test focusing on the cardiovascular field. Moreover, we discuss different steps and types of assays that should be taken into consideration for an eventual potency test development by tying together two fundamental concepts: target disease and expected mechanism of action.
Graphical Abstract
Development of potency assays for cell-based products consists in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease, identifying potential mechanisms of action (MoA) to counteract it and finding the most suitable cell-based product that exhibits these MoA. When applied, the potency assay needs to correlate bioactivity of the product, via a measurement related to the MoA, with treatment efficacy. However, in the cardiovascular field, the process faces several challenges and high requirements.
A novel solution with rapid Voronoi-based coverage path planning in irregular environment for robotic mowing systems
Authors: Huang Kuo-Chun , Lian Feng-Li , Chen Chien-Tung , Wu Chung-Hou , Chen Chao-Cheng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a novel solution of coverage path planning for robotic mowing applications. The planning algorithm is based on the Boustrophedon motions and the rapid Voronoi diagram. The coordinate conversion and the sweeping vector is defined by minimum bounding box and the Voronoi travel paths are designed to reduce the computational cost and execution time compared to conventional heuristic methods. The tracked path is controlled via dynamic feedback in standard lawn mowing robots under robot operating system (ROS). Within ROS, the information exchanging among different tasks of both extensive simulation cases and experimental field tests can be conducted easily. When meeting unknown obstacles, the proposed algorithm can re-plan its paths dynamically. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared to several conventional coverage algorithms in terms of time efficiency, coverage, repetition, and robustness with respect to both concave and convex shapes. The field tests are conducted to demonstrate that the applicability of the sensor fusion and robustness of the proposed algorithm for the complete coverage tasks by robotic mowers.
An experimental approach to the influence of partial rebar corrosion and concrete degradation on behavior of FRP-strengthened RC beams
Authors: Abbasi M. , Naderpour H. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHuman factors are one of the main reasons for structural damage as they decrease the bearing capacity and also lead to an inaccurate estimation of the structure. Previous studies show that the use of CFRP in the damaged structures can significantly increase their bending and shear capacity. This study examines the capacity and cracks distribution in eight RC (reinforced concrete) beams (210 × 250 × 250 cm), each of which was rehabilitated with seven CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer) strips using the strip method. Each beam, except for the control specimen, experiences different types of concrete and rebar damages, which are finally compared with those of the control specimen. The results indicated that rebar damage in all the beams was significant and the effects of concrete damage were minimized by CFRP strips. Moreover, the force–displacement diagrams indicate the greatest force for the control specimen. Other specimens reached up to 80% of the force experienced by the control specimen. Finally, the parametric study showed that the influence of the crack width on decreasing the bearing capacity was more significant compared with the other parameters.