bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multispecies detection and identification of African mammals in aerial imagery using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Delplanque Alexandre , Foucher Samuel , Lejeune Philippe , Linchant Julie , Théau Jérôme 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSurvey and monitoring of wildlife populations are among the key elements in nature conservation. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles and light aircrafts as aerial image acquisition systems is growing, as they are cheaper alternatives to traditional census methods. However, the manual localization and identification of species within imagery can be time‐consuming and complex. Object detection algorithms, based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have shown a good capacity for animal detection. Nevertheless, most of the work has focused on binary detection cases (animal vs. background). The main objective of this study is to compare three recent detection algorithms to detect and identify African mammal species based on high‐resolution aerial images. We evaluated the performance of three multi‐class CNN algorithms: Faster‐RCNN, Libra‐RCNN and RetinaNet. Six species were targeted: topis (Damaliscus lunatus jimela), buffalos (Syncerus caffer), elephants (Loxodonta africana), kobs (Kobus kob), warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) and waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). The best model was then applied to a case study using an independent dataset. The best model was the Libra‐RCNN, with the best mean average precision (0.80 ± 0.02), the lowest degree of interspecies confusion (3.5 ± 1.4%) and the lowest false positive per true positive ratio (1.7 ± 0.2) on the test set. This model was able to detect and correctly identify 73% of all individuals (1115), find 43 individuals of species other than those targeted and detect 84 missed individuals on our independent UAV dataset, with an average processing speed of 12 s/image. This model showed better detection performance than previous studies dealing with similar habitats. It was able to differentiate six animal species in nadir aerial images. Although limitations were observed with warthog identification and individual detection in herds, this model can save time and can perform precise surveys in open savanna.
Nonlinear small-gain theorems for input-to-state stability of infinite interconnections
Authors: Mironchenko Andrii , Kawan Christoph , Glück Jochen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe consider infinite heterogeneous networks, consisting of input-to-state stable subsystems of possibly infinite dimension. We show that the network is input-to-state stable, provided that the gain operator satisfies a certain small-gain condition. We show that for finite networks of nonlinear systems this condition is equivalent to the so-called strong small-gain condition of the gain operator (and thus our results extend available results for finite networks), and for infinite networks with a linear gain operator they correspond to the condition that the spectral radius of the gain operator is less than one. We provide efficient criteria for input-to-state stability of infinite networks with linear gains, governed by linear and homogeneous gain operators, respectively.
The contribution of the Italian residents in neurology to the COVID-19 crisis: admirable generosity but neurological training remains their priority
Authors: Tassorelli Cristina , Silani Vincenzo , Padovani Alessandro , Barone Paolo , Calabresi Paolo , Girlanda Paolo , Lopiano Leopnardo , Massacesi Luca , Monaco Salvatore , Onofrj Marco , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Berardelli Alfredo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the Italian healthcare system, underscoring a dramatic shortage of specialized doctors in many disciplines. The situation affected the activity of the residents in neurology, who were also offered the possibility of being formally hired before their training completion.

Aims
(1) To showcase examples of clinical and research activity of residents in neurology during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and (2) to illustrate the point of view of Italian residents in neurology about the possibility of being hired before the completion of their residency program.

Results
Real-life reports from several areas in Lombardia—one of the Italian regions more affected by COVID-19—show that residents in neurology gave an outstanding demonstration of generosity, collaboration, reliability, and adaptation to the changing environment, while continuing their clinical training and research activities. A very small minority of the residents participated in the dedicated selections for being hired before completion of their training program. The large majority of them prioritized their training over the option of earlier employment.

Conclusions
Italian residents in neurology generously contributed to the healthcare management of the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways, while remaining determined to pursue their training. Neurology is a rapidly evolving clinical field due to continuous diagnostic and therapeutic progress. Stakeholders need to listen to the strong message conveyed by our residents in neurology and endeavor to provide them with the most adequate training, to ensure high quality of care and excellence in research in the future.
CD19 + CD21lo/neg cells are increased in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Wilfong Erin M. , Vowell Katherine N. , Bunn Kaitlyn E. , Rizzi Elise , Annapureddy Narender , Dudenhofer Rosemarie B. , Barnado April , Bonami Rachel H. , Johnson Joyce E. , Crofford Leslie J. , Kendall Peggy L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInterstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The purpose of this study was to examine recirculating lymphocytes from SSc patients for potential biomarkers of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with SSc and healthy controls enrolled in the Vanderbilt University Myositis and Scleroderma Treatment Initiative Center cohort between 9/2017–6/2019. Clinical phenotyping was performed by chart abstraction. Immunophenotyping was performed using both mass cytometry and fluorescence cytometry combined with t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analysis and traditional biaxial gating. This study included 34 patients with SSc-ILD, 14 patients without SSc-ILD, and 25 healthy controls. CD21lo/neg cells are significantly increased in SSc-ILD but not in SSc without ILD (15.4 ± 13.3% vs. 5.8 ± 0.9%, p = 0.002) or healthy controls (5.0 ± 0.5%, p < 0.0001). While CD21lo/neg B cells can be identified from a single biaxial gate, tSNE analysis reveals that the biaxial gate is comprised of multiple distinct subsets, all of which are increased in SSc-ILD. CD21lo/neg cells in both healthy controls and SSc-ILD are predominantly tBET positive and do not have intracellular CD21. Immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that CD21lo/neg B cells diffusely infiltrate the lung parenchyma of an SSc-ILD patient. Additional work is needed to validate this biomarker in larger cohorts and longitudinal studies and to understand the role of these cells in SSc-ILD.
Minimal brain PBPK model to support the preclinical and clinical development of antibody therapeutics for CNS diseases
Authors: Bloomingdale Peter , Bakshi Suruchi , Maass Christian , van Maanen Eline , Pichardo-Almarza Cesar , Yadav Daniela Bumbaca , van der Graaf Piet , Mehrotra Nitin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThere are several antibody therapeutics in preclinical and clinical development, industry-wide, for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Due to the limited permeability of antibodies across brain barriers, the quantitative understanding of antibody exposure in the CNS is important for the design of antibody drug characteristics and determining appropriate dosing regimens. We have developed a minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (mPBPK) model of the brain for antibody therapeutics, which was reduced from an existing multi-species platform brain PBPK model. All non-brain compartments were combined into a single tissue compartment and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) compartments were combined into a single CSF compartment. The mPBPK model contains 16 differential equations, compared to 100 in the original PBPK model, and improved simulation speed approximately 11-fold. Area under the curve ratios for minimal versus full PBPK models were close to 1 across species for both brain and plasma compartments, which indicates the reduced model simulations are similar to those of the original model. The minimal model retained detailed physiological processes of the brain while not significantly affecting model predictability, which supports the law of parsimony in the context of balancing model complexity with added predictive power. The minimal model has a variety of applications for supporting the preclinical development of antibody therapeutics and can be expanded to include target information for evaluating target engagement to inform clinical dose selection.
Marae-opoly: supporting localised Māori climate adaptation decisions with serious games in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Blackett Paula , FitzHerbert Stephen , Luttrell Jordan , Hopmans Tania , Lawrence Hayley , Colliar Jackie 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFar from being passive and/or static victims of climate change, indigenous peoples are hybridizing knowledge systems, and challenging and negotiating new environmental and social realities to develop their own adaptation options within their own registers of what is place and culture appropriate. Our paper seeks to demonstrate how we, as guests on Māori land, were able to develop a partnership with a Māori community facing difficult adaptation decisions regarding climate change hazards through the pragmatic navigation of multi-disciplinary research and practice. In particular, we co-developed and tested the potential of a serious game (Marae-opoly) approach as a platform which assembles cross-cultural climate change knowledge to learn, safely experiment and inform adaptation decisions. Marae-opoly was developed bespoke to its intended context—to support the creation of mutually agreeable dynamic adaptive policy pathways (DAPP) for localized flood adaptation. Game material was generated by drawing together detailed local knowledge (i.e. hydrology, climate data, mātauranga hapū) and situated adaptation options and accurate contextual data to create a credible gaming experience for the hapū of Tangoio Marae. We argue that the in-situ co-development process used to co-create Marae-opoly was fundamental in its success in achieving outcomes for the hapū. It also provided important lessons for the research team regarding how to enter as respectful guests and work together effectively to provide a resource to support our partners' adaptation decisions. The paper discusses the steps taken to establish research partnerships and develop the serious game and its subsequent playing, albeit we do not evaluate our indigenous research partners' adaptation decisions. Our contribution with this paper is in sharing an approach which cultivated the ground to enter as respectful guests and work together effectively to provide a resource for our partners' adaptation decisions.
Correlation Between Granule Strength and Green Strength at Compaction of Cemented Carbide Powder Materials
Authors: Salmi Kristin , Könberg Erik , Staf Hjalmar , Larsson Per-Lennart 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe correlation between granule strength and green strength of hard metal powders is examined. The approach is based on experiments and numerics. In the latter case, a Design of Experiment software is used. The granule strength of the powder (particle) is determined by GFP-measurements (“Granularfestigkeits-Prüfsystem”). During this test, a single particle is pressed from one side until breakage. The corresponding measurements of the green strength are done using three-point bend (3PB) testing. The experimental results show that the pressing agent has a strong influence on the behavior of both quantities. The statistical evaluation shows that the relation between the two strength properties is very close to linear with coefficient of determination R2 taking on the value 0.97. This of course indicates that it is possible to get information about one of the properties for a similar set of materials by experimentally determining the other one. This is of substantial practical importance as for one thing it can limit the amount of testing required. Even though the present investigation is pertinent to hard metal powders, the results could be of value for many other types of powder materials.
The Level of Cadmium Impurities in Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products with Plantago lanceolata L., folium (Ribwort Plantain Leaves) Available in Polish Pharmacies — Comprehensive Toxicological Risk Assessment Including Regulatory Point of View and ICH Q3D Elemental Impurities Guideline
Authors: Jurowski Kamil , Fołta Maria , Tatar Barbara , Krośniak Mirosław 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPlantago lanceolata L., folium (ribwort plantain) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) available in pharmacies as a demulcent for the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritations and associated dry cough. This kind of THMP is widely applied among the European population; however, recently, voices have been heard in the public about alleged cadmium impurities. The idea of our study was a comprehensive risk assessment of the Cd impurity exposure and its effect on human health. Our assessment strategy was based on regulatory aspects (raw results versus limits set by FAO/WHO for herbal medicines) and toxicological risk assessment approach based on ICH Q3D guideline for elemental impurities in final pharmaceutical products. The cadmium was determined by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry based on our previously described methodology. Obtained results show that all analysed THMP with P. lanceolata L., folium available in the Polish pharmacies contain cadmium impurities, but at a very low level (ranged 0.73 – 20.6 μg/L). The content of Cd in a single dose (ng/single dose) is also very low and is not a threat to patients. The estimated maximum daily exposure (ng/day) of Cd based on the ‘worst-case scenario’ (maximum concentrations by oral administration) meets the standards of ICH Q3D guideline (all results were below oral permitted daily exposure; PDE for Cd, i.e. < 5.0 µg/day). It can be concluded that all analysed samples of THMP with P. lanceolata L., folium should not represent any health hazard to the patients due to cadmium levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about Cd impurity level in THMP with P. lanceolata L., folium (ribwort plantain leaves) available in European pharmacies.
The Comprehensive Toxicological Assessment of Total Chromium Impurities in Traditional Herbal Medicinal Product with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) Available in Pharmacies in Poland: Short Communication
Authors: Jurowski Kamil , Fołta Maria , Tatar Barbara , Krośniak Mirosław 
Published: August 2021

AbstractScientific reports about elemental impurities in final pharmaceutical products are essential from a regulatory point of view; unfortunately, there is a lack of studies about this important toxicological topic. The aim of our short communication was determination of total Cr impurities in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) available in Polish pharmacies (n = 6, because only six manufacturers produce this kind of pharmaceutical products in Poland). The total content of Cr impurities was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using electrothermal atomization (ETAAS). Applied comprehensive toxicological risk assessment was based on three main tiers: Tier 1, the comparison of raw results as total Cr impurities profile (metal per L of THMP) with ICH Q3D guideline standards; Tier 2, the estimation of total Cr exposure with a single dose; and Tier 3, the estimation of total Cr daily exposure. We confirmed that total Cr impurities were present in all analyzed THMP with thymi herba (the observed level was below 6.0 µg/L). Total Cr concentration in a single dose can be deceptively high in comparison to the raw results but is not a threat to patients (20.15–63.45 ng/single dose). Moreover, the estimation of total Cr daily exposure shows that all analyzed THMP are characterized by daily dose (40.30–181.41 ng/day) below PDE value (10,700 mg/day); hence, all products meet the standards of ICH Q3D elemental impurities guideline.
Illegal dogfighting: sport or crime?
Authors: Siegel Dina , van Uhm Daan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn recent years there is increasing public attention for dog fighting in Europe. This article focuses on this phenomenon in the Netherlands: its organisation, various actors, modus operandi and possible involvement of organized crime. This qualitative research is based on semi-structured interviews, analysis of police files, observations and online methods. As the result of criminalisation, dogfighting in the Netherlands went underground, creating an illegal market and a sub-culture of dogmen and dogwomen involved. Reputation, status and trust are among the most prominent features of this sub-culture, which is manifested in their analysed communications.
Health-related fitness knowledge in adolescence: evaluation of a new test considering different psychometric approaches (CTT and IRT)
Authors: Volk Carmen , Rosenstiel Stephanie , Demetriou Yolanda , Sudeck Gorden , Thiel Ansgar , Wagner Wolfgang , Höner Oliver 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFostering health-related fitness knowledge is a common goal across physical education curricula. However, carefully developed knowledge tests that satisfy the psychometric criteria of educational assessment are lacking. Therefore, two studies were conducted to evaluate a newly developed health-related fitness knowledge test within the framework of classical test and item response theory regarding item quality, test reliability, construct validity, and dimensionality. Overall, 794 ninth graders (Mage = 14.3 years, 50.6% girls) took part in Study 1. They differed in the type of physical education classes (minor or major subject) and school (lower or higher educational level) they attended. Study 2 incorporated 834 ninth graders at the same educational level (Mage = 14.2 years, 52.5% girls). Item–test correlation, test reliability, and validity were examined. In addition, item and test quality were investigated using unidimensional two-parameter logistic item response models. In Study 1, pupils at the same educational level with physical education as a major achieved higher knowledge scores than pupils with physical education as a minor (t = −5.99, p < 0.001; d = 0.58), which confirmed the test’s construct validity. In Study 2, the weighted likelihood estimate reliability of the final 27 items was 0.65, and the test–retest reliability reached rtt = 0.70. The items satisfied the assumption of local independence. The final test fulfilled the psychometric criteria of reliability and construct validity to assess health-related fitness knowledge in cross-sectional and interventional studies. This test extends the possibilities of research on health-related fitness knowledge in physical education.
An enhanced group teaching optimization algorithm for multi-product disassembly line balancing problems
Authors: Liang Pei , Fu Yaping , Gao Kaizhou , Sun Hao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBig data have been widely studied by numerous scholars and enterprises due to its great power in making highly reliable decisions for various complex systems. Remanufacturing systems have recently received much attention, because they play significant roles in end-of-life product recovery, environment protection and resource conservation. Disassembly is treated as a critical step in remanufacturing systems. In practice, it is difficult to know the accurate data of end-of-life products such as disassembly time because of their various usage processes, leading to the great difficulty of making effective and reliable decisions. Thus, it is necessary to model the disassembly process with stochastic programming method where the past collected data are fitted into stochastic distributions of parameters by applying big data technology. Additionally, designing and applying highly efficient intelligent optimization algorithms to handle a variety of complex problems in the disassembly process are urgently needed. To achieve the global optimization of disassembling multiple products simultaneously, this work studies a stochastic multi-product disassembly line balancing problem with maximal disassembly profit while meeting disassembly time requirements. Moreover, a chance-constrained programming model is correspondingly formulated, and then, an enhanced group teaching optimization algorithm incorporating a stochastic simulation method is developed by considering this model’s features. Via performing simulation experiments on real-life cases and comparing it with five popularly known approaches, we verify the excellent performance of the designed method in solving the studied problem.
An exsitu underground coal gasification experiment with a siderite interlayer: course of the process, production gas, temperatures and energy efficiency
Authors: Wiatowski Marian , Kapusta Krzysztof , Nowak Jacek , Szyja Marcin , Basa Wioleta 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA 72-h ex situ hard coal gasification test in one large block of coal was carried out. The gasifying agent was oxygen with a constant flow rate of 4.5 m3/h. The surroundings of coal were simulated with wet sand with 11% moisture content. A 2-cm interlayer of siderite was placed in the horizontal cut of the coal block. As a result of this process, gas with an average flow rate of 12.46 m3/h was produced. No direct influence of siderite on the gasification process was observed; however, measurements of CO2 content in the siderite interlayer before and after the process allow to determine the location of high-temperature zones in the reactor. The greatest influence on the efficiency of the gasification process was exerted by water contained in wet sand. At the high temperature that prevailed in the reactor, this water evaporated and reacted with the incandescent coal, producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This reaction contributes to the relatively high calorific value of the resulting process gas, averaging 9.41 MJ/kmol, and to the high energy efficiency of the whole gasification process, which amounts to approximately 70%.