bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field assessment of a pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system applying different spray volumes: duty cycle and forward speed effects on vines spray coverage
Authors: Grella Marco , Gioelli Fabrizio , Marucco Paolo , Zwertvaegher Ingrid , Mozzanini Eric , Mylonas Nikolaos , Nuyttens David , Balsari Paolo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system is the most advanced technology to obtain variable rate spray application without varying the operative sprayer parameters (e.g. spray pressure, nozzle size). According to the precision agriculture principles, PWM is the prime technology that allows to spray the required amount where needed without varying the droplet size spectra which benefits both the uniformity of spray quality and the spray drift reduction. However, some concerns related to the effect of on–off solenoid valves and the alternating on/off action of adjacent nozzles on final uneven spray coverage (SC) have arisen. Further evaluations of PWM systems used for spraying 3D crops under field conditions are welcomed. A tower-shaped airblast sprayer equipped with a PWM was tested in a vineyard. Twelve configurations, combining duty cycles (DC: 30, 50, 70, 100%) and forward speeds (FS: 4, 6, 8 km h−1), were tested. Two methodologies, namely field-standardized and real field conditions, were adopted to evaluate the effect of DC and FS on (1) SC variability (CV%) along both the sprayer travel direction and the vertical spray profile using long water sensitive papers (WSP), and (2) SC uniformity (IU, index value) within the canopy at different depths and heights, respectively. Furthermore, the SC (%) and deposit density (Nst, no stains cm−2), determined using short WSP, were used to evaluate the spray application performances taking into account the spray volumes applied. Under field-controlled conditions, the pulsing of the PWM system affects both the SC variability measured along the sprayer travel direction and along the vertical spray profile. In contrast, under real field conditions, the PWM system does not affect the uniformity of SC measured within the canopy. The relationship between SC and Nst allowed identification of the ranges of 200–250 and 300–370 l ha−1 as the most suitable spray volumes to be applied for insecticide and fungicide plant protection products, respectively.
A dual compartment cuvette system for correcting scattering in whole-cell absorbance spectroscopy of photosynthetic microorganisms
Authors: Hervey John R. D. , Bombelli Paolo , Lea-Smith David J. , Hulme Alan K. , Hulme Nathan R. , Rullay Atvinder K. , Keighley Robert , Howe Christopher J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAbsorption spectroscopy is widely used to determine absorption and transmission spectra of chromophores in solution, in addition to suspensions of particles, including micro-organisms. Light scattering, caused by photons deflected from part or all of the cells or other particles in suspension, results in distortions to the absorption spectra, lost information and poor resolution. A spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere may be used to alleviate this problem. However, these instruments are not universally available in biology laboratories, for reasons such as cost. Here, we describe a novel, rapid, and inexpensive technique that minimises the effect of light scattering when performing whole-cell spectroscopy. This method involves using a custom made dual compartment cuvette containing titanium dioxide in one chamber as a scattering agent. Measurements were conducted of a range of different photosynthetic micro-organisms of varying cell size and morphology, including cyanobacteria, eukaryotic microalgae and a purple non-sulphur bacterium. A concentration of 1 mg ml−1 titanium dioxide, using a spectrophotometer with a slit width of 5 nm, produced spectra for cyanobacteria and microalgae similar (1–4% difference) to those obtained using an integrating sphere. The spectrum > 520 nm was similar to that with an integrating sphere with the purple non-sulphur bacterium. This system produced superior results to those obtained using a recently reported method, the application of the diffusing agent, Scotch™ Magic tape, to the side of the cuvette. The protocol can be completed in an equivalent period of time to standard whole-cell absorbance spectroscopy techniques, and is, in principle, suitable for any dual-beam spectrophotometer.
Learning science through argumentative synthesis writing and deliberative dialogues: a comprehensive and effective methodology in secondary education
Authors: Casado-Ledesma Lidia , Cuevas Isabel , Martín Elena 
Published: August 2021

AbstractScientific literacy can be promoted through oral and written argumentative practice. Collaborative discourse has proven effective in fostering conceptual understanding, especially when discussions are developed under deliberative goals. Likewise, writing tasks as argumentative syntheses stand out for its epistemic value and its contribution to constructive learning processes. However, there are no known educational interventions that have combined these two didactic activities to teach science. The objective of this research was to compare the impact of four intervention programs, based on deliberative dialogues and argumentative synthesis writing activities, on the learning of socio-scientific content. The four programs resulted from the combination of two instructional components (Explicit Instruction; Guide), while deliberative dialogues and argumentative syntheses were constant elements. We conducted a pre-post quasi-experimental study in which participated 151 Spanish third grade secondary school students. Socio-scientific learning was evaluated through a content test made up of open questions. The results showed all students progressed in their socio-scientific knowledge. Instructional practices did not have a direct effect on content learning. However, we observed an indirect effect of explicit instruction on learning socio-scientific content, through learning of argumentative synthesis writing. Besides, we found a positive relation between progression in synthesis writing and knowledge acquisition.
Uncertainty modelling and computational aspects of data association
Authors: Houssineau Jeremie , Zeng Jiajie , Jasra Ajay 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA novel solution to the smoothing problem for multi-object dynamical systems is proposed and evaluated. The systems of interest contain an unknown and varying number of dynamical objects that are partially observed under noisy and corrupted observations. In order to account for the lack of information about the different aspects of this type of complex system, an alternative representation of uncertainty based on possibility theory is considered. It is shown how analogues of usual concepts such as Markov chains and hidden Markov models (HMMs) can be introduced in this context. In particular, the considered statistical model for multiple dynamical objects can be formulated as a hierarchical model consisting of conditionally independent HMMs. This structure is leveraged to propose an efficient method in the context of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) by relying on an approximate solution to the corresponding filtering problem, in a similar fashion to particle MCMC. This approach is shown to outperform existing algorithms in a range of scenarios.
The knowledge norm of assertion: keep it simple
Authors: Lewis Max 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe simple knowledge norm of assertion (SKNA) holds that one may (epistemically permissibly) assert thatponly if one knows thatp. Turri (Aust J Philos 89(1):37–45, 2011) and Williamson (Knowledge and its limits, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000) both argue that more is required for epistemically permissible assertion. In particular, they both think that the asserter must assert on the basis of her knowledge. Turri calls this the express knowledge norm of assertion (EKNA). I defend SKNA and argue against EKNA. First, I argue that EKNA faces counterexamples. Second, I argue that EKNA assumes an implausible view of permissibility on which an assertion is epistemically permissible only if it is made for a right reason, i.e., a reason that contributes to making it the case that it is epistemically permissible to make that assertion. However, the analogous view in other normative domains is both controversial and implausible. This is because it doesn’t make it possible for one to act or react rightly for the wrong reason. I suggest that proponents of EKNA have conflated requirements for φ-ing rightly (or permissibly) with requirements for φ-ing well. Finally, I argue that proponents of SKNA can explain the intuitive defectiveness of asserting on the basis of an epistemically bad reason (e.g., a random guess), even when the asserters know the content of their assertion, by arguing that the asserters are epistemically blameworthy.
Aborjinia corallicola sp. n., a new nematode species (Nematoda: Marimermithidae) associated with the bamboo coral Acanella arbuscula (Johnson)
Authors: Westerman Rickard , de Moura Neves Bárbara , Ahmed Mohammed , Holovachov Oleksandr 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new species ofAborjiniaÖzdikmen, 2010 is described from the tissues of the cold-water bamboo coralAcanella arbuscula(Johnson) from the northwest Atlantic.Aborjinia corallicolasp. n.is characterized by 18.4–33.2 mm long body in adults; outer labial and cephalic sensilla papilliform and located 14–21 µm from anterior end, amphideal aperture located 22–41 µm from anterior end, excretory pore indistinct, rectum and anal opening functional, convex-conoid tail with broadly rounded terminus, spinneret subventral. It is placed in the genusAborjiniabased on the combination of the following characters: outer labial and cephalic sensilla papilliform in shape and located in one circle, contrary toMarimermisRutsov & Platonova, 1974 (outer labial and cephalic sensilla setiform) andAnanusRubtsov, 1977 andThalassonemaWard, 1933 (outer labial and cephalic sensilla in separate circles, if known). FromAborjinia eulagiscaeTchesunov & Spiridonov, 1985 the new species differs in much shorter body, much shorter tail, presence of caudal glands and spinneret in adults, different host species.Our finding represents the first report of a nematode in a parasitic relationship with a cold-water octocoral. Phylogenetic relationships betweenAborjiniaand other nematodes are analyzed based on 18S rDNA sequences. Summary of all presently known species and genera of the family Marimermithidae is also given.
Understanding Test Modalities of Tire Grip and Laboratory-Road Correlations with Modeling
Authors: Salehi Marzieh , Noordermeer Jacques W. M. , Reuvekamp Louis A. E. M. , Blume Anke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe present study is meant to obtain tribological insight into the interface of a rolling rubber wheel on a counter-surface disk based on the work of the previous study Salehi et al. (Tribol Lett 68(1):37, 2020), in which a new test method was developed to rapidly predict tire grip in a laboratory environment. A Laboratory Abrasion Tester (LAT100) was used and exploited as a tribometer. This opened a new cost- and time-effective horizon for tire material development in a laboratory environment rather than having to test tread compounds by building full-scale tires. The method was validated by a comprehensive study for six different tire tread compositions, by correlating the laboratory data for solid rubber wheels as LAT100 specimens with real tire results in two test modalities: lateral (α) and longitudinal (κ) sweep tests on a dry road. It was demonstrated that the LAT100 can be exploited to simulate the $$\alpha$$
α
-sweep tire tests, but not the $$\kappa$$
κ
-sweep. The dynamics and physics of a rolling rubber wheel on a counter-surface disk of the LAT100 test step-up are investigated utilizing the renowned physical “brush model” in comparison to full-scale tire tests. The type of test modality leads to different friction mechanisms in the contact patch even at similar test conditions. This is substantiated by recognizing the two regions: stationary and non-stationary, in the contact area which results in different friction components and mechanisms. The behavior of the rolling wheel in lateral and longitudinal movements at the same test conditions is comparable if the contributions of the mentioned regions in the contact area are similar.
On Opening Crack Propagation in Viscoelastic Solids
Authors: Persson B. N. J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe show that the Persson-Brener theory of crack propagation in viscoelastic solids gives a viscoelastic fracture energy factor $$G/G_0 = 1+f$$

G
/

G
0

=
1
+
f

which is nearly the same as the viscoelastic factor obtained using the cohesive-zone model. We also discuss finite size effects and comment on the use of crack propagation theories for “solids” with a viscoelastic modulus that vanishes at zero frequency.
Graphical Abstract
Optimal portfolios in the presence of stress scenarios A worst-case approach
Authors: Korn Ralf , Müller Lukas 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInsurance companies and banks regularly have to face stress tests performed by regulatory instances. To model their investment decision problems that includes stress scenarios, we propose the worst-case portfolio approach. Thus, the resulting optimal portfolios are already stress test prone by construction. A central issue of the worst-case portfolio approach is that neither the time nor the order of occurrence of the stress scenarios are known. Even more, there are no probabilistic assumptions regarding the occurrence of the stresses. By defining the relative worst-case loss and introducing the concept of minimum constant portfolio processes, we generalize the traditional concepts of the indifference frontier and the indifference-optimality principle. We prove the existence of a minimum constant portfolio process that is optimal for the multi-stress worst-case problem. As a main result we derive a verification theorem that provides conditions on Lagrange multipliers and nonlinear ordinary differential equations that support the construction of optimal worst-case portfolio strategies. The practical applicability of the verification theorem is demonstrated via numerical solution of various worst-case problems with stresses. There, it is in particular shown that an investor who chooses the worst-case optimal portfolio process may have a preference regarding the order of stresses, but there may also be stress scenarios where he/she is indifferent regarding the order and time of occurrence.
Reproducibility of diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) for evaluating interstitial fluid diffusivity and glymphatic function: CHanges in Alps index on Multiple conditiON acquIsition eXperiment (CHAMONIX) study
Authors: Taoka Toshiaki , Ito Rintaro , Nakamichi Rei , Kamagata Koji , Sakai Mayuko , Kawai Hisashi , Nakane Toshiki , Abe Takashi , Ichikawa Kazushige , Kikuta Junko , Aoki Shigeki , Naganawa Shinji 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeThe diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) method was developed to evaluate the brain’s glymphatic function or interstitial fluid dynamics. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of the DTI-ALPS method and the effect of modifications in the imaging method and data evaluation.Materials and methodsSeven healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Image acquisition was performed for this test–retest study using a fixed imaging sequence and modified imaging methods which included the placement of region of interest (ROI), imaging plane, head position, averaging, number of motion-proving gradients, echo time (TE), and a different scanner. The ALPS-index values were evaluated for the change of conditions listed above.ResultsThis test–retest study by a fixed imaging sequence showed very high reproducibility (intraclass coefficient = 0.828) for the ALPS-index value. The bilateral ROI placement showed higher reproducibility. The number of averaging and the difference of the scanner did not influence the ALPS-index values. However, modification of the imaging plane and head position impaired reproducibility, and the number of motion-proving gradients affected the ALPS-index value. The ALPS-index values from 12-axis DTI and 3-axis diffusion-weighted image (DWI) showed good correlation (r = 0.86). Also, a shorter TE resulted in a larger value of the ALPS-index.ConclusionALPS index was robust under the fixed imaging method even when different scanners were used. ALPS index was influenced by the imaging plane, the number of motion-proving gradient axes, and TE in the imaging sequence. These factors should be uniformed in the planning ALPS method studies. The possibility to develop a 3-axis DWI-ALPS method using three axes of the motion-proving gradient was also suggested.
Enablers and challenges when engaging local communities for urban biodiversity conservation in Australian cities
Authors: Taylor Lucy , Maller Cecily J. , Soanes Kylie , Ramalho Cristina E. , Aiyer Abhilasha , Parris Kirsten M. , Threlfall Caragh G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAcross all landscape types, environmental managers work with communities to conserve biodiversity. The effectiveness of conservation practice, however, relies on acknowledging differences in preferences and values of nature. Implementing urban conservation is challenging because cities have diverse social, cultural and ecological attributes, meaning there are no simple solutions for the management or co-management of biodiversity. There is little guidance for urban environmental managers on how to 1) engage local urban communities and 2), implement conservation actions specific to cities and their communities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 environmental managers from government and not-for-profit organizations across five Australian capital cities to 1) explore how environmental managers engaged local communities, and 2) understand the factors that enabled or constrained that engagement in conservation. Our aim was to understand the enablers and constraints of engagement with a view to share insights and patterns in the context of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework’s recognition of the diversity of values associated with nature’s contributions to people (NCP). We found that urban environmental managers facilitated NCP by working to improve people’s relationship with nature. Interviewees reported a range of enablers for community-based biodiversity conservation, including supportive organizational policies and strategies, community support, engaging Indigenous advisory groups, and deploying multi-use, integrative human-nature designs. Constraints and challenges included a lack of top-down commitment, reliance on individuals, and overly simplistic engagement strategies. Based on these findings, we identified opportunities for improved community engagement relevant to organizations responsible for urban environmental management.
Subgroup identification in individual participant data meta-analysis using model-based recursive partitioning
Authors: Huber Cynthia , Benda Norbert , Friede Tim 
Published: August 2021

AbstractModel-based recursive partitioning (MOB) can be used to identify subgroups with differing treatment effects. The detection rate of treatment-by-covariate interactions and the accuracy of identified subgroups using MOB depend strongly on the sample size. Using data from multiple randomized controlled clinical trials can overcome the problem of too small samples. However, naively pooling data from multiple trials may result in the identification of spurious subgroups as differences in study design, subject selection and other sources of between-trial heterogeneity are ignored. In order to account for between-trial heterogeneity in individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis random-effect models are frequently used. Commonly, heterogeneity in the treatment effect is modelled using random effects whereas heterogeneity in the baseline risks is modelled by either fixed effects or random effects. In this article, we propose metaMOB, a procedure using the generalized mixed-effects model tree (GLMM tree) algorithm for subgroup identification in IPD meta-analysis. Although the application of metaMOB is potentially wider, e.g. randomized experiments with participants in social sciences or preclinical experiments in life sciences, we focus on randomized controlled clinical trials. In a simulation study, metaMOB outperformed GLMM trees assuming a random intercept only and model-based recursive partitioning (MOB), whose algorithm is the basis for GLMM trees, with respect to the false discovery rates, accuracy of identified subgroups and accuracy of estimated treatment effect. The most robust and therefore most promising method is metaMOB with fixed effects for modelling the between-trial heterogeneity in the baseline risks.
Spectroscopic detection of forest diseases: a review (1970–2020)
Authors: Cotrozzi Lorenzo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSustainable forest management is essential to confront the detrimental impacts of diseases on forest ecosystems. This review highlights the potential of vegetation spectroscopy in improving the feasibility of assessing forest disturbances induced by diseases in a timely and cost-effective manner. The basic concepts of vegetation spectroscopy and its application in phytopathology are first outlined then the literature on the topic is discussed. Using several optical sensors from leaf to landscape-level, a number of forest diseases characterized by variable pathogenic processes have been detected, identified and quantified in many country sites worldwide. Overall, these reviewed studies have pointed out the green and red regions of the visible spectrum, the red-edge and the early near-infrared as the spectral regions most sensitive to the disease development as they are mostly related to chlorophyll changes and symptom development. Late disease conditions particularly affect the shortwave-infrared region, mostly related to water content. This review also highlights some major issues to be addressed such as the need to explore other major forest diseases and geographic areas, to further develop hyperspectral sensors for early detection and discrimination of forest disturbances, to improve devices for remote sensing, to implement long-term monitoring, and to advance algorithms for exploitation of spectral data. Achieving of these goals will enhance the capability of vegetation spectroscopy in early detection of forest stress and in managing forest diseases.