bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Counting dandelion blooms in field plots using an image processing program
Authors: Patton Aaron J. , Higginbotham Ross A. , Law Quincy D. , Weisenberger Daniel V. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDigital image analysis provides researchers a method to accurately and efficiently analyze turfgrass parameters including cover, color, disease severity, and more. Opportunities for processing images has increased due to the free and open‐source nature of many new programs. We developed a macro (set of macroinstructions) within the open‐source software ImageJ that is able to count the number and quantify the percent coverage of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.) blooms in field plot images, which allows for collection of objective data on broadleaf weeds. A particle analysis function in ImageJ was used to distinguish dandelion blooms from other yellow objects (e.g. chlorotic turfgrass leaves) based on their size and circularity. We also explored the use of binary watershed segmentation to separate groupings of dandelion blooms into individual blooms that could be counted. To verify the accuracy of the macro, we analyzed 164 images for the number of dandelion blooms with the macro and regressed data against visual counts of dandelion bloom. The resulting linear regression analysis (visual count vs. macro) had a slope of 1.034 and an R2 value of 0.9795. This macro provides researchers with a rapid and accurate method of determining the number and percent coverage of dandelion blooms in field plots using image analysis.
Species, cultivar and seeding rate effects on non‐irrigated, pesticide‐free athletic fields playing surface quality
Authors: Maxey Garrett L. , Wallace Victoria H. , Guillard Karl , Henderson Jason J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMaintaining high‐quality athletic field playing surfaces without the use of synthetic pesticides is challenging. Little research is available regarding the best overseeding strategies for non‐irrigated, pesticide‐free, cool‐season athletic fields. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of turfgrass species, cultivar, seeding rate, and seasons on turfgrass color, dark green color index (DGCI), cover, weeds, overall quality, surface hardness and volumetric water content when overseeded under trafficked conditions. Experiments were set out as randomized complete block designs arranged in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial with three replications. Treatments consisted of three turfgrass species, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (PRG), tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumont] (TF), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (KBG), two overseeding rates, low and high, and two cultivar types, inclusion or exclusion of cultivars on the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) list. Mean responses across three locations and three years indicated that species selection has the most influence on successful overseeding with little differences detected between rate of overseeding or cultivar selection. Perennial ryegrass, regardless of seeding rate, had significantly higher color, quality, percent turfgrass cover, desirable species index, and least percent weed cover compared with TF or KBG. Based on the results of this study, the most effective overseeding strategy for improving playing surface conditions on heavily trafficked, non‐irrigated, pesticide‐free, cool‐season athletic fields is overseeding with PRG.
Brillouin microscopy for the evaluation of hair micromechanics and effect of bleaching
Authors: Correa Noemi , Alunni Cardinali Martina , Bailey Michelle , Fioretto Daniele , Pudney Paul D. A. , Palombo Francesca 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBrillouin microscopy is a new form of optical elastography and an emerging technique in mechanobiology and biomedical physics. It was applied here to map the viscoelastic properties of human hair and to determine the effect of bleaching on hair properties. For hair samples, longitudinal measurements (i.e. along the fibre axis) revealed peaks at 18.7 and 20.7 GHz at the location of the cuticle and cortex, respectively. For hair treated with a bleaching agent, the frequency shifts for the cuticle and cortex were 19.7 and 21.0 GHz, respectively, suggesting that bleaching increases the cuticle modulus and—to a minor extent—the cortex modulus. These results demonstrate the capability of Brillouin spectroscopy to address questions on micromechanical properties of hair and to validate the effect of applied treatments.
Efficacy of Triprolidine in the Treatment of Temporary Sleep Disturbance
Authors: Cravo Ana Santos , Shephard Adrian , Shea Tim 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTriprolidine, a first‐generation antihistamine for allergic rhinitis, has a shorter half‐life and fewer persistent effects relative to other antihistamines and may be useful in the treatment of temporary sleep disturbance. Patients aged ≥18 years old were randomized 1:1:1 to receive either triprolidine 2.5 mg (n = 65), triprolidine 5 mg (n = 66), or placebo (n = 67) on 3 consecutive nights. Sleep disturbance index was monitored via wrist actimeter. Subjective measures were assessed via diary card. Triprolidine 2.5 mg had a significantly lower sleep disturbance index versus placebo on night 1 (P = .02); however, when adjusted for outliers, sleep disturbance index did not significantly differ between either dose of triprolidine versus placebo on night 1. Adjusted sleep disturbance index was significantly lower with triprolidine 2.5 and 5 mg versus placebo on night 3 (P = .0017 and P = .011, respectively) and for the mean of all 3 nights (P = .01 and P = .015, respectively). Sleep latency was significantly improved for triprolidine 2.5 mg versus placebo on nights 2 and 3 and for the mean of all 3 nights and for triprolidine 5 mg versus placebo for the mean of all 3 nights. Subjective measures showed those on both doses of triprolidine felt more refreshed on awakening versus placebo for the mean of all 3 nights, with no increase in daytime sleepiness. The frequency of adverse events was similar across groups. The optimum dose of triprolidine for treatment of temporary sleep disturbance was 2.5 mg. There were improvements in both objective and subjective measures of sleep quality versus placebo, with no safety concerns raised.
Atrophy of remnant pancreas after pancreatoduodenectomy: Risk factors and effects on quality of life, nutritional status, and pancreatic function
Authors: Jung Woohyun , Kim Hongbeom , Kwon Wooil , Jang Jin‐Young 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundFactors aggravating remnant pancreas atrophy following pancreatoduodenectomy and the effects of atrophy have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical factors affecting remnant pancreas atrophy and assess the effects of atrophy on quality of life, nutritional status, and pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions.MethodsData collected prospectively from 122 patients who completed 12 months of follow‐up, including computed tomography and the quality‐of‐life questionnaire, were analyzed. Pancreas volume was measured using a computed tomography volumetry program. Endocrine and exocrine functions were evaluated.ResultsMalignancy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were associated with severity of atrophy. At 12 postoperative months, quality‐of‐life scores and nutritional indexes were mostly not associated with atrophy, but stool elastase level decreased significantly and incidence of new‐onset diabetes mellitus was higher in the severe atrophy group. Postprandial 2‐hour blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were also higher in this group.ConclusionsRemnant pancreas atrophy was more severe in patients with malignant disease who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and was associated with pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions. More careful monitoring and active management of exocrine and endocrine deficiencies are necessary for patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for malignant disease and received chemoradiotherapy.
Climatological intraseasonal oscillation in the middle–upper troposphere and its effect on the northward migration of the East Asian westerly jet and rain belt over eastern China
Authors: Li Jianying , Liu Boqi , Mao Jiangyu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUsing daily atmospheric circulation data for 1981–2010, we identify the climatological intraseasonal oscillation (CISO) in the mid–upper troposphere and reveal its critical role in anchoring the Meiyu season to the period from mid‐June to mid‐July and the rainfall episode of northeastern China to begin in late July. Wavelet analysis shows a significant 20–90‐day period in the climatological 200‐ and 500‐hPa zonal winds during boreal summer, indicating the existence of the zonal wind CISO in the mid–upper troposphere. The leading mode of zonal wind CISO features a dipole pattern along the coast of East Asia controlled by convection over the southeastern China–western North Pacific (SC–WNP). In mid‐June, suppressed convection over the SC–WNP induces the negative phase of intraseasonal Pacific–Japan pattern, leading to the strong anticyclone with a poleward tilt with height to dominate over the WNP. Consequently, more moisture are transported to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley (YRV), and the mid‐tropospheric (upper‐tropospheric) East Asian westerly jet (EAWJ) is shifted north of 32°N (36°N), which further increases the YRV rainfall through enhancing warm advection and upper‐tropospheric divergence, thus facilitating the initiation of Meiyu season. In mid‐July, active convection occupies the SC–WNP instead, with the reversed circulation pattern terminating the Meiyu season. In late July, active convection shifts from the equator to the tropical western Pacific, leading to the second mode of zonal wind CISO, which is characterized by a quasi‐barotropic Mongolian anticyclone in the mid–upper troposphere. The upper‐tropospheric EAWJ is further shifted to 45°N, displacing the induced upper‐tropospheric divergence northward, thus initiating the rainfall episode of northeastern China.
Topology Reliable LCST‐Type Behavior of ABA Triblock Polymer and Influence on Water Condensation and Crystallization
Authors: Chen Jing , Qiu Teng , Guo Longhai , He Lifan , Li Xiaoyu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAs a kind of smart material, thermoresponsive hydrogels are widely investigated and applied in many fields. Due to the limitation of the freezing temperature of the water, it is a challenge to further broaden their sol–gel transition temperature (Tgel) range, especially below 0 °C. Herein, the lower critical solution temperature type of amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers, synthesized via two‐step reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is demonstrated. The hydrophilic A‐block and the hydrophobic B‐block are composed of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAA) and poly(diacetone acrylamide) (PDAAM), respectively. The degree of polymerization (DP) of both A‐block and B‐block shows a significant influence on theTgelof triblock copolymer dispersion. By changing the length of these two blocks or physically blending these copolymers dispersions, theTgelcan be well adjusted in a temperature range from 45 to −10 °C. Moreover, When theTgelis higher than 4 °C, the triblock copolymer coatings show a good anti‐fogging property. And when theTgelis around or lower than the freezing temperature of the water, aqueous dispersions of the triblock copolymer have an ice recrystallization inhibition activity, resulting in the decrease of average maximum grain size (MLGS) of ice crystal.
Symmetric high order microplane model for damage localization and size effect in quasi‐brittle materials
Authors: Lale Erol , Cusatis Gianluca 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the so‐called symmetric high‐order microplane (SYHOM) model for the simulation of damage localization and size effect in quasi‐brittle materials. Contrarily to its predecessor, the high order microplane (HOM) model, SYHOM is formulated without rotational degrees of freedom, does not require couple stresses, and solves stability issues created by the antisymmetric components of stress and high order stress tensors. Furthermore, the formulation features variable, damage‐dependent localization limiter and nonlocal characteristic length that allows reproducing correctly size and shape of the fracture process zone during the entire softening process: from crack initiation to the formation of a stress‐free fracture. The paper highlights the implementation of SYHOM via isogeometric analysis with quadratic shape functions and presents several numerical simulations to demonstrate SYHOM's ability to simulate damage evolution during softening. Finally, SYHOM is validated by simulating experimental data relevant to the size effect on structural strength of notched concrete samples.
Synthesis of benzyl chlorine‐free poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) via cationic polymerization followed by Friedel‐Crafts alkylation
Authors: Wen Shuai , Liu Qiang , Liang Wentian 
Published: March 2021

The linear benzyl chlorine‐free poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) (PSTO) with low polydispersity (Mw/Mn = 1.3) is obtained through anisole quenching of the living polymerization of 4‐acetoxystyrene initiated with the St–Cl/SnCl4/n‐Bu4NBr system in CH2Cl2. The alkylation reaction rate increases with increasing anisole concentration and temperature. With a 4‐fold excess of anisole over the initiator, end‐chlorine groups are completely capped by anisole in 30 minutes at −15°C through adding extra SnCl4 prior to the alkylation reaction. In addition, by using 2‐methylanisole and 2,6‐dimethylanisole as capping agents, it is verified that both para‐ and ortho‐positions substitution of living PSTO cations to the anisole occur during alkylation reactions.
Effects of microstructural tailoring on Na storage performance of graphene
Authors: Yao Li‐Hua , Zhao Jian‐Guo , Li Jing‐Wei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe probe the effects of microstructural tailoring on Na storage performance of graphene by using the density functional theory (DFT). The results indicate that four types of graphenes with microstructural tailoring, that is, B‐doped‐graphene (B‐graphene), O‐doped‐graphene (O‐graphene), vacancy graphene (V‐graphene) and pyrrolic graphene (D‐graphene) exhibit improved Na storage performance involve adsorption energy, theoretical specific capacity, electronic structure and average potentials. These four types of graphenes exhibit reduced adsorption energies of −3.250, −4.347, −2.666, and −4.531 eV, and increased theoretical specific capacities of 634, 683, 720, and 720 mA h/g, respectively. Graphene with microstructural tailoring by N doping (N‐graphene) shows a poor Na storage performance (the adsorption energy is −1.161 eV and the theoretical specific capacity is 275 mA h/g). This is due to the strong interactions between B‐graphene, O‐graphene, V‐graphene, and D‐graphene and Na, which can be rationalized by the observed orbital hybridizations. The results suggest that the four types of microstructural tailoring (B‐graphene, O‐graphene, V‐graphene, and D‐graphene) are expected to improve the Na storage performance of graphene.
In silico search for planar hexacoordinate silicon atom: A kinetically viable species
Authors: Kalita Amlan J. , Rohman Shahnaz S. , Kashyap Chayanika , Ullah Sabnam S. , Baruah Indrani , Mazumder Lakhya J. , Guha Ankur K. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn silico search for planar hexacoordinate silicon center has been initiated by global minimum screening with density functional theory and energy refinement using coupled cluster theory. The search resulted in a local minimum of SiAl3Mg3H2+structure which contains a planar hexacoordinate silicon center (phSi). The phSi structure is 5.8 kcal/mol higher in energy than the global minimum. However, kinetic studies reveal that the local minimum structure has enough stability to be detected experimentally. Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the phSi structure can be maintained up to 20 ps at 400 K. The formation of multiple bonds between the central silicon atom and framework aluminum atom is the key stabilizing factor for the planar structure.
Professional Development on Digital Literacy and Transformative Teaching in a Low‐Income Country: A Case Study of Rural Kenya
Authors: Kerkhoff Shea N. , Makubuya Timothy 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years, the government of Kenya has implemented programs with the hope of moving the country to middle‐income status. The government has implemented the Digital Literacy Programme, distributing tablets to schools across the country, and also a new curriculum, promoting innovative teaching that includes digital literacy, learner‐centered teaching, and relevance to students’ lives. Our purpose in this research was to explore culturally sustaining teaching methods in line with the Kenyan government’s push for innovative teaching and digital literacy attainment for all students. We used case study methods to describe Kenyan teachers’ perceptions of innovative teaching and digital literacy while participating in the Inquiry Initiative, a three‐day professional development series. Participants included preschool, primary, and secondary teachers from Trans Nzoia County. Data sources were pre‐ and post‐surveys, participant‐generated artifacts, and interviews. Our participants perceived the following needs: new literacies for learners, creativity for learners, collaboration and group work, and creativity to overcome technological challenges. Overall, participants embraced learner‐centered teaching theoretically but found that the lack of technological resources created barriers to teaching digital literacy in a learner‐centered fashion. We found that teachers reported mostly using technology for teaching preparation and record keeping rather than engaging students in digital literacy practices. To solve technological challenges, teachers described having students work in groups and using smartphones. Future research could share more creative solutions to technical challenges in low‐income countries.
21 000 birds in 4.5 h: efficient large‐scale seabird detection with machine learning
Authors: Kellenberger Benjamin , Veen Thor , Folmer Eelke , Tuia Devis 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe address the task of automatically detecting and counting seabirds in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery using deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Our study area, the coast of West Africa, harbours significant breeding colonies of terns and gulls, which as top predators in the food web function as important bioindicators for the health of the marine ecosystem. Surveys to estimate breeding numbers have hitherto been carried out on foot, which is tedious, imprecise and causes disturbance. By using UAVs and CNNs that allow localizing tens of thousands of birds automatically, we show that all three limitations can be addressed elegantly. As we employ a lightweight CNN architecture and incorporate prior knowledge about the spatial distribution of birds within the colonies, we were able to reduce the number of bird annotations required for CNN training to just 200 examples per class. Our model obtains good accuracy for the most abundant species of royal terns (90% precision at 90% recall), but is less accurate for the rarer Caspian terns and gull species (60% precision at 68% recall, respectively 20% precision at 88% recall), which amounts to around 7% of all individuals present. In sum, our results show that we can detect and classify the majority of 21 000 birds in just 4.5 h, start to finish, as opposed to about 3 weeks of tediously identifying and labelling all birds by hand.
Rapid Electrochemical Quantification for In Vitro Release Trait of Ophthalmic Drug Loaded within Mucoadhesive Metal Organic Framework (MOF)
Authors: Chansi  , Upreti Shikha , Punya  , Singh Jay , Ghosh Madhumita P , Basu Tinku 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLimited residence time of drugs in the ocular surface, poor bioavailability and side effects are the major challenges in ophthalmic treatment. From the last decade, the pharmaceutical industry is in search of a reliable ophthalmic drug delivery system. In the present study, we demonstrate amine‐functionalized mucoadhesive MIL88B(FeMOF) as a drug delivery cargo to encapsulate ophthalmic drug Timolol (TM) at a rate of 195 μg/mg. Invitro release of TM (only upto 63 %) from loaded FeMOF (TM@FeMOF) within 10 h without burst effect was a noticeable feature that anticipates enhanced preocular retention by the sustained release of TM through extensive H‐bonding of the amine group of MOFs with mucin. A novel and facile approach using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) were harnessed for rapid quantification of TM during in‐vitro release studies, further validated by HPLC measurement(<10 % deviation). The encouraging results from in‐vitro studies forecast the success story of TM@FeMOF as a biocompatible, biodegradable, and sustainable ophthalmic drug delivery system.
Oxidation Adsorptive Desulfurization of Jet Fuel Using Mesoporous Sieve Loaded with TiO2
Authors: Zhang Zongwei , Wei Keheng , Li Chao , Deng Zhenhong , Chu Feixue 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHerein we report a simple process involving catalytic adsorptive desulfurization (CADS) of model jet fuel under mild conditions with H2O2 using TiO2 loaded on MCM‐41, SBA‐15, or multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) prepared by ultrasonic assisted initial wetting impregnation. The removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was investigated in terms of the oxygen/sulfur ratio, temperature, loading capacity, competitive components and adsorption kinetics. The adsorption capacity and adsorption strength of TiO2/MCM‐41 were higher than those of TiO2/SBA‐15, which are related to the higher SBET of MCM‐41, or the presence of numerous silanol groups. The TiO2/MWCNTs also showed excellent DBT adsorption capacities. TiO2/MCM‐41 exhibited better selectivity toward the oxidative‐adsorptive desulfurization of DBT owing to the weak influence of competitive adsorption of aromatics; this was explained by the lack of micropores in the one‐dimensional mesoporous structure. The sample with 1 % TiO2/MCM‐41 showed a high DBT adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics, and thus proved to be an inexpensive and effective desulfurization adsorbent for producing clean jet fuel.
Novel Magnetic Mesoporous Micro‐nano Particles Immobilized with Palladium Complex: An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reaction in Ethanol
Authors: Cao Bingbing , Deng Qinyue , Zuo Bin , Li Wanfang , Huang Mingxian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNovel and stable magnetic mesoporous silica micro‐nano catalyst immobilized with palladium complex of N‐heterocyclic carbene were readily synthesized with a well‐designed process, which exhibited extremely high catalytic activity in Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions in ethanol. The double‐template micelle system was used to prepare the mesoporous silica coating layer, which has the characteristics of a large specific surface area and adjustable pore size. Remarkably, the catalyst could be recycled 14 times without significant decrease in activity. It reflects the effectiveness of our strategy of combining the activity of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) with specificity of the mesoporous silica to improve the catalyst catalytic activity and load stability.
The Motifs from Isocytosine and Fused Isocytosine with Quinazoline: Organocatalytic Cascade Reaction of β‐Ketoamides
Authors: Üngören Ş. Hakan , Öztürk Merve , Değerli E. Aysel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA method for the synthesis of isocytosine analogs from β‐ketoamides was investigated. Application of the method to β‐ketoamides including a 2‐cyanoaryl group leads to isocytosine fused quinazolines by the organocatalytic Cascade reaction. 20 examples of pyrimidone derivatives were synthesized in different patterns.