bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterizing fluid delivery of targeted application devices for weed control
Authors: Peppers John M. , Askew Shawn D. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPrecision weed management in turfgrass and ornamental landscape systems is utilized to offset chemical costs, reduce nontarget plant injury, and control potential herbicide‐resistant weed escapes. Targeted application devices (TADs), sold as wands, dabbers, daubers, sponges, and so forth, are regularly marketed for use in turfgrass and ornamental landscape systems, but TAD use has been limited to nonselective herbicides due to limited information regarding their calibration and use. Five commonly utilized TADs were evaluated to test for variability in fluid output within a given device and between evaluated devices. Fluid output for all evaluated devices ranged 3.2–6.9 kL ha−1 and were higher than spray outputs typical of broadcast applications. High levels of variability were detected within and among specific devices. Variance of output from devices with large fluid reservoirs was driven by reservoir fill level, with more fluid output decreasing linearly as reservoir fill level decreased. Additionally, when airlock was not maintained during application, fluid output was ∼178% greater than when airlock was maintained. Average force, maximum force, contact time, and fluid output following 25 applications were measured from five TAD users. Contact time was highly correlated (R2 = 0.93) to fluid output, with fluid output increasing as contact time increased. Subsequent economic analysis indicated the maximum percentage weed coverage ha−1 at which TAD use is economically equivalent or less than broadcast application is 3%, 8.1%, 4.3%, and 0.1% with iron HEDTA (hydroxyethlethydiaminetriacetate), acetic acid, methiozolin, and glyphosate, respectively. These data indicate the primary sources of TAD output variability are reservoir fluid fill level, reservoir airlock, and duration of application.
Book Value Forecast Quality: Financial Versus Nonfinancial Firms
Authors: Caylor Marcus , McCoy Chris , Street Daniel 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the quality and usefulness of analysts’ book value forecasts for financial firms relative to nonfinancial firms. We examine whether forecast properties (accuracy, bias, and dispersion) of book value forecasts and the market reaction to unexpected book value surprises differ between financial and nonfinancial firms. We find that book value forecasts are more accurate, less biased, and less dispersed for financial firms compared to nonfinancial firms. In addition, we show that these results are not simply a result of differences in earnings per share (EPS) forecast quality. We also provide evidence that book value forecasts are incrementally helpful to analysts in forecasting earnings for financial firms. In addition, we find evidence that the stock price drift following an earnings announcement is more pronounced when book value per share (BPS) surprises are considered in addition to EPS surprises. However, this finding only holds for financial firms. We find that this delayed reaction can form the basis for a profitable trading strategy.
Quantitative MRI for Monitoring Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Test–Retest Repeatability Study
Authors: Beyer Cayden , Andersson Anneli , Shumbayawonda Elizabeth , Alkhouri Naim , Banerjee Ami , Pandya Prashant , Harisinghani Mukesh , Corey Kathleen , Dennis Andrea , Pansini Michele 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundQuantitative magnetic resonance imaging metrics iron‐corrected T1 (cT1) and liver fat from proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF) are both commonly used as noninvasive biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH); however, their repeatability in this population has rarely been characterized.PurposeTo quantify the variability of cT1 and liver fat fraction from PDFF in patients with biopsy‐confirmed metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and MASH.Study TypeProspective, single center.PopulationTwenty‐one participants (female = 11, mean age 53 ± 24 years) with biopsy‐confirmed MASLD, including 6 with MASH and fibrosis ≥2.Field Strength/Sequence3 T; T1 and T2* mapping for the generation of cT1 (shMOLLI: CardioMaps and 2D MDE, T1map‐FIESTA and LMS MOST: StarMap, 2D Multi‐Echo FSPGR) and magnitude‐only PDFF sequence for liver fat quantification (LMS IDEAL: StarMap, 2D Multi‐Echo FSPGR).AssessmentT1 mapping and PDFF scans were performed twice on the same day for all participants (N = 21), with an additional scan 2–4 weeks later for MASH patients with fibrosis ≥2 (N = 6). Whole liver segmentation masks were generated semi‐automatically and average pixel counts within these masks were used for the calculation of cT1 and liver fat fraction.Statistical TestsBland–Altman analysis for repeatability coefficient (RC) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsSame‐day RC was 32.1 msec (95% LOA: −36.6 to 24.2 msec) for cT1 and 0.6% (95% LOA: −0.5% to 0.7%) for liver fat fraction; the ICCs were 0.98 (0.96–0.99) and 1.0, respectively. Short‐term RC was 65.2 msec (95% LOA: −63.8 to 76.5 msec) for cT1 and 2.6% (95% LOA: −2.8% to 3.1%) for liver fat fraction.Data ConclusionIn participants with MASLD and MASH, cT1 and liver fat fraction measurements show excellent test–retest repeatability, supporting their use in monitoring MASLD and MASH.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 2
Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder Based on Individualized Brain Functional and Structural Connectivity
Authors: Guo Yuting , Chu Tongpeng , Li Qinghe , Gai Qun , Ma Heng , Shi Yinghong , Che Kaili , Dong Fanghui , Zhao Feng , Chen Danni , Jing Wanying , Shen Xiaojun , Hou Gangqiang , Song Xicheng , Mao Ning , Wang Peiyuan 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundTraditional neuroimaging studies have primarily emphasized analysis at the group level, often neglecting the specificity at the individual level. Recently, there has been a growing interest in individual differences in brain connectivity. Investigating individual‐specific connectivity is important for understanding the mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the variations among individuals.PurposeTo integrate individualized functional connectivity and structural connectivity with machine learning techniques to distinguish people with MDD and healthy controls (HCs).Study TypeProspective.SubjectsA total of 182 patients with MDD and 157 HCs and a verification cohort including 54 patients and 46 HCs.Field Strength/Sequence3.0 T/T1‐weighted imaging, resting‐state functional MRI with echo‐planar sequence, and diffusion tensor imaging with single‐shot spin echo.AssessmentFunctional and structural brain networks from rs‐fMRI and DTI data were constructed, respectively. Based on these networks, individualized functional connectivity (IFC) and individualized structural connectivity (ISC) were extracted using common orthogonal basis extraction (COBE). Subsequently, multimodal canonical correlation analysis combined with joint independent component analysis (mCCA + jICA) was conducted to fusion analysis to identify the joint and unique independent components (ICs) across multiple modes. These ICs were utilized to generate features, and a support vector machine (SVM) model was implemented for the classification of MDD.Statistical TestsThe differences in individualized connectivity between patients and controls were compared using two‐sample t test, with a significance threshold set at P < 0.05. The established model was tested and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsThe classification performance of the constructed individualized connectivity feature model after multisequence fusion increased from 72.2% to 90.3%. Furthermore, the prediction model showed significant predictive power for assessing the severity of depression in patients with MDD (r = 0.544).Data ConclusionThe integration of IFC and ISC through multisequence fusion enhances our capacity to identify MDD, highlighting the advantages of the individualized approach and underscoring its significance in MDD research.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 2
Upcycling food waste as a low‐cost cultivation medium for Chlorella sp. microalgae
Authors: Ramandani Adityas Agung , Sun Yi‐Ming , Lan John Chi‐Wei , Lim Jun Wei , Chang Jo‐Shu , Srinuanpan Sirasit , Khoo Kuan Shiong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDGlobal food loss and waste have raised environmental concerns regarding the generation of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane gas), which directly contribute to climate change. To address these concerns, the present research aims to upcycle food waste into an alternative culture medium for the cultivation of microalgae. Various parameters including pretreatment of food waste (i.e., autoclave and non‐autoclave), concentration of food waste culture medium (i.e., 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% and 100%), harvesting efficiency and biochemical compounds of Chlorella sp. microalgae were carried out.RESULTSBased on the preliminary findings, the highest biomass concentration obtained from 10% food waste culture medium in the autoclave for Chlorella sp., including strains FSP‐E, ESP‐31 and CY‐1, were 2.869 ± 0.022, 2.385 ± 0.018 and 0.985 ± 0.0026 g L−1, respectively. Since Chlorella vulgaris FSP‐E exhibited the highest biomass concentration, this microalgal strain was selected to examine the subsequent parameters. Cultivation of C. vulgaris FSP‐E in 100FW achieves a biomass concentration of 4.465 ± 0.008 g L−1 with biochemical compounds of 6.94 ± 1.396, 248.24 ± 0.976 and 406.23 ± 0.593 mg g−1 for lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis study shows that using food waste as an alternative culture medium for C. vulgaris FSP‐E can achieve substantial biomass productivity and biochemical content. This research work would contribute to the concept of net zero emission and transitioning toward a circular bioeconomy by upcycling food waste as an alternative culture medium for the cultivation of microalgae. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Polymer‐Based Polar Stationary Phase Grafted With Modified Lysine for Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography
Authors: Shen Yufeng , Jin Rui , Zhang Feifang , Yang Bingcheng 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe high hydrophobicity and chemical inertness of poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene) (PS‐DVB) microspheres make their surface hydrophilic modification difficult. Here we describe a facile way to convert PS‐DVB microspheres to hydrophilic, then can be used as polar stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography. This approach utilizes the grafting of an acrylamide‐terminated lysine zwitterionic monomer onto PS‐DVB microspheres via free radical polymerization. The obtained stationary phase shows good hydrophilicity and a typical retention mechanism of hydrophilic interaction chromatography toward several model polar analytes. It also exhibits obvious zwitterionic properties and is capable of separating cationic and anionic analytes simultaneously. The column shows negligible bleeding level, much superior to silica‐based ones.
Eco‐friendly synthesis of non‐isocyanate polyurea using PET and CO2 upcycling: A double green approach
Authors: Shojaei Behrouz , Najafi Mohammad 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFrom the perspective of sustainability, this research explored both the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into polymer materials. To this end, a series of copolyurea specimens were synthesized through the polycondensation of carbon dioxide with hexamethylenediamine (HDA) and terephthalic dihydrazide (TDH), where TDH was derived from the chemical recycling of PET via the aminolysis method. FTIR spectroscopy, 1H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) characterized the products of PET recycling and synthesized copolyureas. Additionally, we sought to identify the optimal parameters for both the recycling and copolymerization processes. The results of identification analyses for both the recycling and copolymerization reactions confirmed the formation of the desired structures. An increase in the hard segment (TDH) led to discrepancies between the intended and actual monomer ratios in the synthesis, possibly due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solubility issues or unreacted TDH. Furthermore, the TGA analysis indicated that the initial degradation temperature (Td,5%) of the copolymer increased with the proportion of aromatic rings in the hard segment, underscoring the complex interactions within the copolymer matrix affecting its thermal and structural properties. The DSC results revealed that for copolyureas with the formula HDAxTDH100–x (where x = 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), reducing the x fraction or increasing the TDH content lowered the melting temperature. Furthermore, at a high percentage of TDH, the melting point disappeared entirely due to the destruction of the crystalline structure, indicating a critical threshold where the copolymer transitions from a semi‐crystalline to an amorphous state.
Crystallization mechanism and performance of polylactic acid regulated by the synergistic action of nanocrystalline cellulose and polyethylene glycol
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Zeng Guangsheng , Hu Can , Huang Xinping 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPolylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most widely used biodegradable materials at present due to its excellent reproducibility and degradability. However, PLA still suffers from poor crystallinity, which seriously affects its development and application. Therefore, PLA/cellulose nanocrystalline (CNC)‐polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite (PLA/CNC‐PEG) was prepared by melt blending using CNC as nucleating agent and PEG as compatibilizer. The effect of PEG with different molecular weights (MW) on the properties of PLA/CNC‐PEG composite was investigated. The experimental results shown that the crystallization properties of PLA were greatly improved under the synthetic action of CNC and PEG. With the increasing MW from 400 to 20,000 of PEG, the crystallinity of PLA/CNC‐PEG composite decreased from 32.1% to 13.3%. In addition, the crystallization model of PLA/CNC‐PEG was constructed to explore the mechanism of crystallization growth of PLA, effectively guiding the reduction of crystallization activation energy of PLA. Furthermore, it was found that PLA/CNC‐PEG exhibited good thermal stability, mechanical properties, and hydrophilicity with the addition of CNC and PEG400. Therefore, the synthetic action of CNC and PEG well regulated the performance of PLA. The proposed work is of hopeful to expand the application of PLA in production and life.
Multiple cavitary pulmonary metastases from pancreatic cancer diagnosed using transbronchial lung cryobiopsy
Authors: Funasaka Takashi , Makino Yasushi , Shibata Tomofumi , Yasui Hirotoshi , Fukui Yasutaka , Odate Mitsuru , Ito Takayasu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMultiple cavitary pulmonary metastases are rare, and cavitary lung lesions have various aetiologies and differential diagnoses. Therefore, radiological diagnosis of lung cavities is extremely difficult. Herein, we report a case of pancreatic cancer with multiple cavitary pulmonary metastases diagnosed using transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC), that required differentiation from pulmonary lesions of Sjögren's syndrome whose pulmonary manifestation may present as bronchiectasis and cystic change. TBLC may be useful for the diagnosis of multiple lesions because sufficiently large specimens can be obtained to allow pathological evaluation of the lung parenchyma and bronchiolar lesions.
Tunisia
Authors: Hassen Majdi , Marouani Mohamed Ali , Wojcieszynski Emilie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe chapter highlights that Tunisia leveraged its well-trained medical staff and specialized health institutions at the National level, which were mobilized immediately to manage the crisis. The speed of the response and the significant restrictions that were introduced allowed the country to dodge the first wave of COVID-19. However, the continuity of services and their quality proved to be a constraint, particularly in the context of the specific needs associated with the health crisis. The health crisis also weakened the social protection programmes and worker protection focus that was in existence. At the same time, the reallocation of government budgets and international donor investment projects allowed for the acceleration of the allocation of resources to vulnerable groups. However, despite the urgency, administrative procedures delayed the release of international funds. The multiple constraints in reaching vulnerable groups form a structural problem that should be overcome by strengthening social protection institutions.
Burkina Faso
Authors: Wayack-Pambè Madeleine , Thorsen Dorte , Darkwah Akosua K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBurkina Faso has been reeling under multiple socioeconomic and political turbulences prior to 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country. Similarly, structural inequalities based on gender and location determined the intensity of Covid-19 impacts on the population. The chapter analysed Burkina Faso’s pandemic responses within these contexts and growing distrust of the state. Drawing from secondary data sets and literature and framed within a feminist intersectional analytical framework, we highlighted that while several mitigation measures were instituted, the poor Burkinabe, mainly women, people in rural areas and the urban poor, had the worse experience of Covid-19. Again, while the state instituted measures to improve public trust in governance and management of the pandemic, there were pushbacks by citizens, forcing the state to reconsider some of its measures.
Ghana
Authors: Osei-Boateng Clara , Vlaminck Zjos 
Published: September 2024

AbstractGhana’s Covid-19 experience and responses to the same are situated in a pre-existing macroeconomic structure of debt distress, high unemployment, and a high informal sector. In addition, geographical, gender and generational inequalities, and vulnerabilities determined how people experienced the pandemic. The chapter examined Ghana's Covid-19 responses with a particular focus on three social groups, namely Chorkor community residents and migrant head porters in Accra and market traders in Bolgatanga. The analysis highlights the ambivalences and ambiguities of Covid-19 measures and the implications and impacts for some of the most vulnerable social groups with little access to public services and social protection. The reflections on the findings show a weakness in social policy and unavailability of robust data on socioeconomic and social protection programmes to protect the vulnerable adequately. Tackling fallouts of (health) crises crucially depends on a robust political structure that distributes infrastructure, social services and resources equitably and transparently.
Kenya
Authors: Ferguson Laura , Satchi Krishni , Kizito Irene , Kuria Shiphrah 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEven before the pandemic, there were inequalities showing that health and ill-health were not equally distributed in the country. History has shown that public health emergencies such as Covid-19 can disproportionately impact communities that are already disadvantaged. Drawing from these existing structural issues documented in the literature and media reports, qualitative interviews were conducted to examine the impacts of Covid-19 mitigation measures on sectors and vulnerable segments of the Kenyan society. We highlighted that insufficient attention paid to existing inequalities and the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups subjected them to a higher risk of infection and undermined the broader Covid-19 response. We also shed light on the impacts of the pandemic on the health sector and access to health care. We argue that the mitigation measures were inadequate to protect vulnerable groups from harm; therefore, the responses exacerbated their socioeconomic status and health.
Understanding the Co-Evolution of Research and Water Protection Policies: From Single Technologies to Systemic Integrated Approaches for the Sustainable Use of Water
Authors: Hillenbrand Thomas , Hiessl Harald , Marscheider-Weidemann Frank , Niederste-Hollenberg Jutta , Sartorius Christian , Walz Rainer 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOver the last 50 years, water research has been strongly driven by the poor condition of water bodies underpinned by growing environmental awareness in society. This was characterised by interactions between the state of the environment, policy making and water research. Three phases can be distinguished: In the first phase (1970s and 1980s), the focus of activities in the establishment of environmental policy was on improving the precarious state of the environment in the water sector (first phase “establishment”). From 1990s to around 2010, further environmental pressures and new findings on the causes and changed framework conditions led to a need for further action. The interactions with other issues and a systemic perspective gained in importance (second phase “expansion”). In the years since 2010, the pressure to act has increased once again, particularly due to climate change. The need for systemic change is becoming increasingly clear (third phase “transformation”). The development is also characterised by an internal dynamic that is constantly increasing the scope and complexity of water research. The focus has shifted from individual technologies to systemic solutions. The need for transformation in the water sector is reflected, for example, in the national water strategy.
Development of Innovation Monitoring and Innovation Indicators in the Past 50 Years
Authors: Frietsch Rainer , Reiß Thomas , Schmoch Ulrich 
Published: September 2024

AbstractInnovation indicators are instruments to systematically analyse the performance of innovation processes and systems. In this chapter we discuss the evolution of innovation indicators alongside conceptual developments as well as technical and methodological progress. We identify four driving factors, namely (1) new theories/concepts, (2) lower technical thresholds for data analyses and availability of new data, (3) increasing policy demands and (4) technological and economic developments. Our discussion shows that at different stages of the indicator development different factors were the driving forces. The early innovation indicators were mainly R&D-centred with a strong focus on the manufacturing industry and R&D processes in companies as well as the science systems. The innovation system’s perspective widened the focus and introduced additional indicators, among them indicators on transfer and collaboration. Data availability and better options for data treatment and analysis gave another push. More recently, information and computer science methods have entered the innovation indicators scene and widened the scope even further. We conclude that indicators are a means to measure and assess constructs which are otherwise not directly measurable. They should not become a means in itself.