bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational climate for safe and effective inter‐unit handoffs in Japanese hospitals
Authors: Gu Xiuzhu , Itoh Kenji 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo extract the organizational climate factors that contribute to safe and effective inter‐unit patient handoffs, as well as to capture their crucial characteristics in the context of current Japanese hospitals.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among nursing staff in 31 general hospitals, collecting a total of 5117 valid responses (69% response rate).ResultsA five‐factor model was established to determine the inter‐unit handoff climate within hospitals. This comprised information and responsibility‐related risk, role understanding, communication, handoff environment, and guidelines and process. Based on nursing staff perceptions, the inter‐unit handoff climate in Japanese hospitals were generally found to be moderate or moderate‐to‐high levels across all five of the factors. Nursing staff's perceptions of all five climate factors differed significantly across hospitals and work units, rather than working conditions (full‐time vs. part‐time) or professions (nurse vs. nurse assistant). All five handoff factors were verified their significant impacts on patient safety awareness and handoff quality. Furthermore, in hospitals where staff perceptions of handoff climate were more positive, information was transferred more effectively.ConclusionsAn inter‐unit handoff climate structure was extracted and verified its impact on handoff quality and safety. Due to moderate climate levels in Japanese hospitals, as well as background factors such as low risk awareness among staff and busy situations, promoting a more positive organizational culture is suggested for creating safer and more effective inter‐unit handoffs. Improving the current handoff guidelines and processes in hospitals and using non‐licensed assistive staff more effectively are also recommended.
Subalpine forest water use behaviour and evapotranspiration during two hydrologically contrasting growing seasons in the Canadian Rockies
Authors: Langs Lindsey E. , Petrone Richard M. , Pomeroy John W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHydrological processes in mountain headwater basins are changing as climate and vegetation change. Interactions between hydrological processes and subalpine forest ecological function are important to mountain water supplies due to their control on evapotranspiration (ET). Improved understanding of the sensitivity of these interactions to seasonal and interannual changes in snowmelt and summer rainfall is needed as these interactions can impact forest growth, succession, health, and susceptibility to wildfire. To better understand this sensitivity, this research examined ET for a sub‐alpine forest in the Canadian Rockies over two contrasting growing seasons and quantified the contribution of transpiration (T) from the younger tree population to overall stand ET. The younger population was focused on to permit examination of trees that have grown under the effect of recent climate change and will contribute to treeline migration, and subalpine forest densification and succession. Research sites were located at Fortress Mountain Research Basin, Kananaskis, Alberta, where the subalpine forest examined is composed of Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir) and Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce). Seasonal changes in water availability from snowmelt, precipitation, soil moisture reserves yielded stark differences in T and ET between 2016 and 2017. ET was higher in the drier year (2017), which had late snowmelt and lower summer rainfall than in the wetter year (2016) that had lower snowmelt and a rainy summer, highlighting the importance of spring snowmelt recharge of soil moisture. However, stand T of the younger trees (73% of forest population) was greater (64 mm) in 2016 (275 mm summer rainfall) than 2017 (39 mm T, 147 mm summer rainfall), and appears to be sensitive to soil moisture decreases in fall, which are largely a function of summer period rainfall. Relationships between subalpine forest water use and different growing season and antecedent (snowmelt period) hydrological conditions clarify the interactions between forest water use and alpine hydrology, which can lead to better anticipation of the hydrological response of subalpine forest‐dominated basins to climate variability and change.
Contrasting physical and chemical conditions of two rock glacier springs
Authors: Brighenti Stefano , Engel Michael , Tolotti Monica , Bruno Maria Cristina , Wharton Geraldene , Comiti Francesco , Tirler Werner , Cerasino Leonardo , Bertoldi Walter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRock glaciers are increasingly influencing the hydrology and water chemistry of Alpine catchments. During three consecutive summers (2017–2019), we monitored by recording probes and fortnightly/monthly field campaigns the physical and chemical conditions of two rock glacier springs (ZRG, SRG) in the Zay and Solda/Sulden catchments (Eastern Italian Alps). The springs have contrasting hydrological conditions with ZRG emerging with evident ponding (pond‐like), and SRG being a typical high‐elevation seep (stream‐like). Water temperature was constantly low (mean 1.2°C, standard deviation 0.1°C) at both springs. Concentrations of major ions (dominated by SO42−, HCO3−, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and trace elements (As, Sr, Ba, U, Rb) increased, and water became more enriched in heavy stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) towards autumn. This solute and isotopic enrichment had an asymptotic trend at SRG, and a unimodal pattern at ZRG, where peaks occurred 60–80 days after the snowmelt end. Wavelet analysis of electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature records revealed daily cycles only at SRG, and significant weekly/biweekly fluctuations at both springs attributable to oscillations of meteorological conditions. Several rainfall events triggered a transient (0.5–2 h) EC drop (of 5–240 μS cm−1) and water temperature rise (of 0.2–1.4°C) at SRG (dilution and warming), whereas only intense rainfall events occasionally increased EC (by 15–85 μS cm−1) at ZRG (solute enrichment and thermal buffering), with a long‐lasting effect (6–48 h). Building on previous research, we suggest that rock glacier springs with differing flow conditions, that is, stream‐like and pond‐like, have contrasting fluctuations of water parameters at different timescales. Thus, for pond‐like springs, peaks of EC/solute concentrations might indicate a seasonal window of major permafrost thaw. Our quantitative description of the hydrochemical seasonality in rock glacier outflows and the physical and chemical response to precipitation events provides relevant information for water management in mountain areas under climate change.
A comprehensive review on automated systems for severity grading of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema
Authors: Mathews Mili Rosline , Anzar S. M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDiabetes mellitus is a major medical concern worldwide. Long‐term diabetes can affect the retina of the eye and lead to diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Proper screening and consultation with an ophthalmologist are necessary to prevent avoidable vision loss. As DR and DME have become more prevalent, automated screening is essential to provide cost‐effective and rapid solutions with reduced human resources requirements. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on computer‐aided diagnosis of DR and DME. We identified the studies on automated five‐class grading of DR according to International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy severity scale and three class grading of diabetic maculopathy, using fundus images. A systematic search on research repositories was conducted, and relevant studies were scrutinized and included in the review. The studies were reported in nearly 100 different journals. We have reviewed the studies in all aspects including datasets, preprocessing, non‐deep learning, and deep learning‐based algorithms, and evaluation metrics. Significant contributions in developing automated tools for DR/DME grading are highlighted. We have identified and discussed research gaps and challenges. This will help researchers to get an updated summary of work done in the area. Deep learning‐based algorithms have outperformed the traditional algorithms in the domain. Despite their promising performance, these algorithms reveal the potential for significant improvements to become a reliable tool in clinical settings.
Improvement of thin retinal vessel extraction using mean matting method
Authors: Sathananthavathi V. , Indumathi G. , Mahiya Rita , Priyadarshini S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a new mean matting method based on mean correlation is proposed to extract thin blood vessels precisely. The proposed algorithm is the combination of both supervised and unsupervised method. The supervised methodology performs well in extracting thick blood vessels; however, thin vessels are not precisely extracted. Even the capability of unsupervised method is better in extracting thin vessels; it has some artifacts in the output. The proposed method combines the advantages of both supervised and unsupervised method to extract vessel regions more precisely irrespective of their thickness. Using supervised methodology, thick blood vessels are extracted by training the classifier with the significant features describing the vessel regions. Trimap is generated on the unsupervised output and mean correlation is computed for all unknown pixels in the trimap to classify those pixels into vessels or background. The proposed matting method has less computational complexity compared to other existing matting methods. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated in detail on DRIVE and STARE datasets.
Irrigation management in Nigeria: Lessons from the Kano River irrigation scheme*
Authors: Oluniyi Esther Oyeronke , Bala Muhammad Sani 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNigeria has, in the past, tried various rural development strategies to achieve agricultural development and national food security. Among these has been the setting up of farm settlement schemes, marketing boards, the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, Operation Feed the Nation, the Land Use Decree, etc. These could not achieve much because of various political, economic and social characteristics of the Nigerian population. As a further step, river basin development authorities (RBDAs) were established. The objectives of the RBDAs and their geographical coverage brought the confidence and the possibility of finally achieving the goal of rural transformation. However, like other schemes, the RBDAs are beset with problems which are also inherent in the present economic set‐up of the country, and which would require double the energy spent in the past, to have the RBDAs perform the wonders, which the other strategies have failed to achieve.In redoubling efforts towards improved rural transformation, participatory irrigation management (PIM) began to occupy the irrigation space of the RBDAs, especially in the northern part of the country in the mid‐1990s. These efforts were then met with challenges that threatened the PIM initiatives a few years after inception.This paper examines these challenges and the current efforts by government in addressing the challenges, with a view to refocusing future public irrigation development and management in Nigeria.
Management of leaf and sheath spot (mini ring) on hybrid bermudagrass in Hawaii
Authors: Cheng Zhiqiang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLeaf and sheath spot (mini ring) is a turfgrass fungal disease that has been reported in some states in the USA. The causal pathogen is Waitea circinata var. zeae, also known as Rhizoctonia zeae. This disease typically causes thinned turf areas and/or rings of full, half, or quarter circles. Turfgrass under stress or irrigated with high salinity water is more prone to infestation. Seven fungicide programs were evaluated on ‘TifEagle’ hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] at a golf course on Maui, Hawaii. Four replications (plots) per treatment were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Disease severity and turfgrass quality were measured prior to treatment and after each application. Azoxystrobin showed the best suppression of disease and improvement of turfgrass quality, followed by chlorothalonil + acibenzolar‐S‐methyl. These two fungicide programs can be rotated to minimize possible resistance, and should also be used in conjunction with beneficial cultural practices to manage mini ring disease.
The automatic and high‐throughput purification and enrichment of microalgae cells using deterministic lateral displacement arrays with different post shapes
Authors: Wang Yanjuan , Wang Junsheng , Wu Yanghao , Dong Jianhong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicroalgae is an important natural resource, which has been used in various fields such as health care, chemical industry, clean energy, and environmental protection. However, microalgae samples are prone to be contaminated by bacteria, impurities, or other hybrid microalgae species. Enrichment and purification must be carried out before further research and utilization.RESULTHerein, a microfluidic microalgae enrichment and purification system based on the principle of deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) was proposed. Two different shapes of micro‐post, circular and triangular, were designed. The performance of the two chips was analyzed from many aspects, such as stability, throughput, recovery efficiency, purity, and enrichment factor. Using Platymonas cells as the samples, enrichment and purification were performed with the two chips. Experimental investigations revealed that the triangular‐shaped chip has a better performance than circular‐shaped chip; the recovery efficiency of Platymonas cells of the triangular‐shaped chip was 85.7%, the purity was 89.4%, and the maximum throughput was 500 μL/min, the enrichment factor was 92.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first time that DLD technology has been applied to the enrichment and purification of microalgae cells. In addition, the performance of different chips was discussed. Those findings should make a driving contribution to the enrichment and purification of microalgae, DLD technology, and the utilization of microalgae resources. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Declining North American snow cover ablation frequency
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. , Leathers Daniel J. , Mote Thomas L. , Henderson Gina R. , Estilow Thomas W. , Wachowicz Lori J. , Robinson David A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAt a continental scale, trends in aggregate ablation frequency inform changes in snow cover extent, however the variability and trends in the frequency and magnitude of snow ablation events at regional scales are less well understood. Determining such variability is critical in describing regional hydroclimate, where snow ablation can influence streamflow, soil moisture and groundwater supplies. This study uses a gridded dataset of United States and Canadian snow ablation events derived from 1960 to 2009 surface observations to examine spatial and temporal variations of snow ablation frequency. Here, we show a relatively narrow band of peak ablation frequency seasonally advances and recedes over North America, forced by variations in snow depth and meteorological conditions suitable for ablation. Particularly in more moist regions away from the continent's interior, hydrologically relevant ablation events of at least 10.0 cm occur on an approximately yearly basis. Collectively, ablation events became significantly less frequent with time, where events specifically in the Appalachians and in Great Lakes regions declined by as much as 75% over the 50‐year period. Decreases in ablation frequency across the study region are primarily driven by significant decreases in snow cover, inhibiting the potential for ablation to occur due to a lack of sufficiently deep snowpacks. These results point to important snow cover related changes in the hydrologic cycle in a warming climate and highlight specific areas of interest where more localized analysis of ablation trends and forcing mechanisms would be appropriate.
Effects of growth‐stage‐based limited irrigation management on the growth, yields, and radiation utilization efficiency of winter wheat in northwest China
Authors: Cao Yuxin , Cai Huanjie , Sun Shikun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAs a common abiotic stress, water deficit stress has a negative impact on the growth and yield of many field crops worldwide. In this study, a mobile rain shelter experiment was conducted in the 2017–2019 growing seasons to investigate the effects of water stress at different growth stages on various traits in winter wheat, including plant height, leaf area index (LAI), biomass, radiation use efficiency (RUE), leaf photosynthetic traits, and yield.RESULTSThree different limited irrigation treatments were applied: no irrigation at all stages (T0), no irrigation at the reviving and jointing stages (T1), and no irrigation at the heading and grain‐filling stages (T2). In all treatments, 2‐year averages showed that T1 resulted in the highest grain yield (6470 kg ha−1). The plant height and LAI of winter wheat increased in the order of T0 < T1 < T2. In addition, T1 increased post‐anthesis biomass. The net photosynthetic rate and RUE were significantly higher in T1 than in other treatments. T1 could improve leaf photosynthetic traits by increasing Gs, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, and qP, thus increasing RUE and grain yield.CONCLUSIONWe propose that irrigation at the heading and grain‐filling stages was the optimal limited irrigation practice for efficient radiation use and high yields in winter wheat in the arid and semi‐arid area of northwest China. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Rheological and textural properties of goat's milk set‐type yoghurt as affected by heat treatment, transglutaminase addition and storage
Authors: Hovjecki Marina , Miloradovic Zorana , Mirkovic Nemanja , Radulovic Ana , Pudja Predrag , Miocinovic Jelena 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDProduction of goat's milk set‐style yoghurt encounters challenges in achieving the texture characteristic for this type of product, primarily due to protein composition of this milk. This study evaluated the effects of using microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) concomitantly with starter culture in the production of goat's milk yoghurt – a method that has not been employed with this milk type until now– indicating the potential of the enzyme to change yoghurt's textural properties. Goat's milk set yoghurts were produced from milk heated at 72 °C/30 s and 90 °C/5 min, without (G72 and G90) and with mTGase (G72TG and G90TG) and starter culture addition. Protein profiles of goat's milks and yoghurts were also examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Yoghurts were evaluated for rheological properties, texture, microbiological and sensory profile over 2 weeks to study the influence of mTGase, pasteurization and storage.RESULTSThe enzyme caused significant increases of storage moduli at the end of fermentation: 8.32 ± 0.27 Pa (G90TG) and 2.89 ± 0.18 Pa (G72TG) vs. 6.13 ± 0.07 Pa (G90) and 1.27 ± 0.18 Pa (G72) without enzyme. Lower loss tangent values indicated the enhanced elastic character of the gels with enzyme. Enzyme increased yoghurt's firmness from 49.69 ± 2.61 g (G90) to 60.81 ± 5.29 g (G90TG) after 1 day and from 58.21 ± 0.53 g (G90) to 80.45 ± 0.59 g (G90TG) after 15 days’ storage. Enzyme improved starter bacteria survivability during storage of G72TG yoghurt.CONCLUSIONmTGase can be used simultaneously with the starter culture to improve the rheological properties and texture of goat's milk yoghurt, without deteriorating effect on its flavour. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Applicability of Selective Electrical Surface Stimulation in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis
Authors: Kurz Annabella , Leonhard Matthias , Ho Guan‐Yuh , Kansy Ines , Schneider‐Stickler Berit 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveSelective electrical surface stimulation (SES) of the larynx is not yet routinely considered therapy option in treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Goal of this monocentric feasibility study was to provide systematic data on applicability of SES of intrinsic laryngeal muscles in UVFP under consideration of sensitivity and discomfort thresholds and nonselective side effects.MethodsThirty‐two UVFP patients were included in the study. Symmetric triangular‐shape, charge‐balanced pulse widths (PWs) of 1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 milliseconds (ms) were tested with increasing amplitudes (AMPs). The stimulation was delivered as a train of five pulses using square surface electrodes. Selective laryngeal responses were examined by flexible laryngoscopy. Nonselective side effects (swallowing reflex, coughing, different severity degrees of unspecific strap muscle/platysma response) were judged by observation.ResultsSelective laryngeal response could be triggered in 28/32 (87.5%) patients during respiration/rest and in 26/32 (81.3%) patients during phonation. The most effective PWs for the selective eliciting of selective bilateral vocal fold adduction are comprised between 50 and 100 ms in combination with an average AMP comprised between 7.1 and 7.2 mA.ConclusionOur results indicate that, in UVFP patients, PWs comprised between 50 and 100 ms in combination with a median AMP between 7.1 and 7.2 mA are expected to deliver in >75% of the cases a specific, effective, and safe bilateral adduction of the VF.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2566–E2572, 2021
Appearance‐Related Distress and Social Functioning after Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Authors: Zebolsky Aaron L. , Ochoa Edgar , Badran Karam W. , Heaton Chase , Park Andrea , Seth Rahul , Knott P. Daniel 
Published: April 2021

Objectives/HypothesisTo better understand aesthetic patient‐reported outcomes and psychosocial quality of life (QOL) after head and neck microvascular reconstruction for benign or malignant tumors.Study DesignSingle‐center prospectively obtained in‐office validated questionnaire‐based study.MethodsAnalysis of prospectively collected surveys at a tertiary care academic center from June 2018 to February 2021. Patients completed two FACE‐Q scales: Appearance‐Related Psychosocial Distress (ARPD) and Social Function (SF). Survey scores, demographics, operative course, and adjuvant therapy data underwent univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsOne hundred and three patients completed surveys at a median of 13.5 months postoperatively (interquartile range: 5.2–30.8). Mean ARPD from 0 (no distress) to 100 (maximum distress) was 32.4 (standard error of the mean [SEM]: 2.7). Mean SF from 0 (worst functioning) to 100 (best functioning) was 55.5 (SEM: 2.7). Postoperative adjuvant radiation was associated with 13.9% higher ARPD (95% CI: 3.4–24.4, P = .019) and 10.4% lower SF (95% CI: −20.7 to −0.1, P = .047). Each appearance‐related question on the ARPD scale independently predicted impaired SF (P < .001 for all questions). Upon multivariable logistic regression, osteocutaneous reconstruction, compared to soft tissue alone (P = .043), and postoperative adjuvant radiation (P = .014) were associated with higher levels of ARPD. Age, sex, relationship status, anxiety or depression history, defect location, and hospital stay were not significantly associated with ARPD or SF scores.ConclusionsAesthetic outcomes are important determinants of psychosocial QOL following head and neck microvascular reconstruction: an effect that is worsened by adjuvant radiation. Reconstructive surgeons should prioritize aesthetic outcomes, in addition to functional restoration, to optimize social functioning in patients with head and neck tumors.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2204–E2211, 2021