bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auction-Based Task Allocation and Motion Planning for Multi-Robot Systems with Human Supervision
Authors: Galati Giada , Primatesta Stefano , Rizzo Alessandro 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a task allocation strategy for a multi-robot system with a human supervisor. The multi-robot system consists of a team of heterogeneous robots with different capabilities that operate in a dynamic scenario that can change in the robots’ capabilities or in the operational requirements. The human supervisor can intervene in the operation scenario by approving the final plan before its execution or forcing a robot to execute a specific task. The proposed task allocation strategy leverages an auction-based method in combination with a sampling-based multi-goal motion planning. The latter is used to evaluate the costs of execution of tasks based on realistic features of paths. The proposed architecture enables the allocation of tasks accounting for priorities and precedence constraints, as well as the quick re-allocation of tasks after a dynamic perturbation occurs –a crucial feature when the human supervisor preempts the outcome of the algorithm and makes manual adjustments. An extensive simulation campaign in a rescue scenario validates our approach in dynamic scenarios comprising a sensor failure of a robot, a total failure of a robot, and a human-driven re-allocation. We highlight the benefits of the proposed multi-goal strategy by comparing it with single-goal motion planning strategies at the state of the art. Finally, we provide evidence for the system efficiency by demonstrating the powerful synergistic combination of the auction-based allocation and the multi-goal motion planning approach.
Cultural Identity and the Academic, Social, and Psychological Adjustment of Adolescents with Immigration Background
Authors: Baumert Jürgen , Becker Michael , Jansen Malte , Köller Olaf 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs Western societies become more ethnically and culturally diverse, understanding the acculturation of immigrant youth is essential for fostering social cohesion. How the cultural identity formation of ethnic minority adolescents relates to their academic, social, and psychological adjustment is an important and as yet unresolved research question. This study examined to what extent identifying with the heritage and/or host culture is an individual resource or risk factor for the adjustment of immigrant youth in Germany. A random sample of 15–17-year-olds (N = 1992; Mage_w1 = 15.3 years, SD = 0.64; 44.5% girls; 44.7% students with immigrant background) was assessed twice: at the end of 9th and 10th grade. Academic performance and three dimensions of social/psychological adjustment (school attachment, self-esteem, and life satisfaction) were examined. Results showed that biculturalism was the modal identification pattern. Contrary to expectations, cultural identification did not differ systematically with perceived distance from the majority culture. Multivariate structural equation modeling revealed that both heritage and host identification can be developmental resources, but that their effects are dependent on the dimension of adjustment; biculturalism only proved to be a cumulative resource for school attachment. The domain specificity of the findings challenges the generalization claims of predominant acculturation theories.
Insectivorous bats in Indian rice fields respond to moonlight, temperature, and insect activity
Authors: Bhalla Iqbal Singh , Razgour Orly , Rigal François , Whittaker Robert J. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Context
Rice, India’s most widely grown crop, suffers substantial and increasing yield loss to insect pests. Insectivorous bats are known suppressors of insect pests, providing significant economic value to agricultural systems worldwide, yet their ecology in Indian agricultural landscapes is poorly understood.

Objectives
We assess the influence of key biotic and abiotic factors on the activity of insectivorous bats over the growing season and within a night in a rice cultivation landscape.

Methods
Passive acoustic recorders were used to track bat activity in a rice field in the Sonitpur district of Assam, India. We used generalised linear mixed models to analyse the effect of temperature, insect activity, and moonlight intensity on the activity of six bat sonotypes. We also used a multimodal analysis to describe the within-night activity patterns of these sonotypes.

Results
Minimum nightly temperature and moonlight intensity had a positive and negative influence, respectively, on the activity of six bat sonotypes, while the activity of four bat sonotypes increased with insect activity. Within-night activity showed one of two patterns: three sonotypes displayed a dusk peak in activity, while the three other sonotypes were active through the night.

Conclusion
The potential to maximise natural pest control in agricultural landscapes can only be realised through understanding the ecology of natural enemies in these landscapes. Our findings suggest that bats in rice fields are tracking insects over a season and within a night, pointing to a valuable ecosystem service in Indian agriculture that is yet to be quantified.
The regularization of Dotsenko–Fateev integrals
Authors: Sussman Ethan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe discuss the regularization of certain hypergeometric integrals appearing in 2D CFT, a step needed in the construction of the BPZ minimal models via the Coulomb gas formalism. The method is a generalization of Pochhammer’s regularization of the Euler Beta-function. The constructions of the relevant homology classes are inspired by a recent singular-geometric analysis of the Dotsenko–Fateev integrand.
Exploring the impact of an instructional web-based healthcare app for relieving back pain from spinal compression fractures: an observational study
Authors: Liao Pei-Hung , Chu William 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
With the expected rise of patients with osteoporosis-induced fractures, it has become increasingly urgent to design and use specialized health education materials to ease pain and improve bodily functions. This study designed web-based app for pain relief instructions for women with spinal compression fractures. An observational study was conducted at an educational hospital in northern Taiwan between October 2018 and September 2019. Using random assignment based on their presentation order, we divided patients into an experimental (n = 87) and control (n = 84) group. The experimental and control groups received web app healthcare instructions for relieving back pain and regular nursing care instructions, respectively. Taiwanese versions of the Brief Pain Inventory and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were used to collect data. We collected patients’ pain rating data the day before, one month after, and three months after providing them with the instructions. Pain intensity differed significantly between the two groups, and it interacted with time. Pain impact did not significantly differ between groups; however, it interacted with time. Relieving back pain is a primary concern for those affected by it. This study presents a consistent, easy-to-use instructional healthcare web-based app that may provide knowledge of pain relief and reduce mobility impairments.

Trial registration
first registration on 18/05/2022, NCT05386212.
Are the invasive Acacia melanoxylon and Eucalyptus globulus drivers of other species invasion? Testing their allelochemical effects on germination
Authors: Riveiro Sheila F. , Cruz Óscar , Reyes Otilia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMany invasive alien species (IAS) produce secondary metabolites that affect how other plants function (allelopathic compounds) and can drive other species invasion, as proposed by the invasional meltdown hypothesis. Acacia melanoxylon and Eucalyptus globulus are two of such species. In this study, we analyzed the germination response of seven IAS (Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia longifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Paraserianthes lophantha, Phytolacca americana) and a native biotest species (Lactuca sativa) to the application of two different aqueous extracts at two different concentrations of donor species A. melanoxylon and E. globulus. Extract compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Eucalyptus aqueous extracts significantly reduced germination in three species (A. dealbata, E. globulus, P. americana). The germination of all the species tested was reduced with acacia aqueous extracts. Our results support the postulates of the Biochemical Recognition Hypothesis in that seeds gauge establishment potential based on phytochemical release of other plants. Furthermore, A. melanoxylon and E. globulus lowered their own germination, suggesting that these species exhibit intraspecific biochemical recognition. We also found support for the Novel Weapons Hypothesis in the case of L. sativa as a native species. Our research shows that phytochemicals are a component of plant-plant interactions, including the invasion process.
Efficacy Comparison of Three Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Sources for Soybean Seed Treatment: Plasma Characteristics, Seed Properties, Germination
Authors: Ďurčányová Sandra , Slováková Ľudmila , Klas Matej , Tomeková Juliána , Ďurina Pavol , Stupavská Monika , Kováčik Dušan , Zahoranová Anna 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPlasma seed treatment has proven to be a useful technique for improving germination, growth dynamics, as well as plant resistance. In this paper, we studied the efficacy of soybean seeds treatment using various sources of cold atmospheric pressure plasma generated in air. We compared three types of plasma treatments: direct treatment with plasma generated by a diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD), direct treatment with plasma generated by a multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge, and indirect treatment using the gaseous products of plasma generated by an air plasma jet. The composition of plasma generated by each of the sources was analysed using optical emission spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Parameters of the plasma treatments have been optimized to improve soybean germination. Plasma-treated seeds were examined by the means of water contact angle, surface free energy and imbibition measurements, attenuated total reflectance FTIR (ATR-FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses. Surface analysis by ATR-FTIR and XPS showed changes in the chemical bonds on the surface of the plasma-treated seeds, which led to an increase in wettability and imbibition. SEM analysis confirmed that the plasma treatment is non-invasive and does not cause changes in seed surface morphology. Among the studied sources, DCSBD proved to be the best suited for soybean seed treatment in terms of germination improvement as well as treatment time and energy efficiency.
A note on functional form specification in random coefficients stochastic frontier models
Authors: Skevas Ioannis 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study presents a random coefficients stochastic frontier model that can accommodate the flexible translog functional form without being computationally demanding and thus time consuming to estimate. This is achieved by restricting the second-order frontier parameters to be common to all firms. For comparison, random coefficients stochastic frontier models with Cobb–Douglas, semi-translog and translog specifications with all parameters being firm-specific are estimated. The models are applied to an unbalanced panel of German dairy farms, and Bayesian techniques are used for the estimation. The results suggest that the time needed for the sampler to complete in the proposed model reduces dramatically as opposed to a translog model where all parameters are firm-specific. The elasticities exhibit some differences, depending on the choice of functional form, whilst the efficiency scores are less affected. Bayes factors suggest that the proposed model fits the data best.
Preference-based measures of health-related quality of life in Indigenous people: a systematic review
Authors: Roy Lilla M. , Neill Aidan , Swampy Kristen , Auger Juliette , Campbell Sandra M. , Chatwood Susan , Al Sayah Fatima , Johnson Jeffrey A. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In many countries, there are calls to address health inequalities experienced by Indigenous people. Preference-based measures (PBMs) provide a measurement of health-related quality of life and can support resource allocation decisions. This review aimed to identify, summarize, and appraise the literature reporting the use and performance of PBMs with Indigenous people.

Methods
Eleven major databases were searched from inception to August 31, 2022. Records in English that (1) assessed any measurement property of PBMs, (2) directly elicited health preferences, (3) reported the development or translation of PBMs for Indigenous people, or (4) measured health-related quality of life (HRQL) using PBMs were included. Ethically engaged research with Indigenous people was considered as an element of methodological quality. Data was synthesized descriptively (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020205239).

Results
Of 3139 records identified, 81 were eligible, describing psychometric evaluation (n = 4), preference elicitation (n = 4), development (n = 4), translation (n = 2), and HRQL measurement (n = 71). 31 reported ethically engaged research. Reports originated primarily from Australia (n = 38), New Zealand (n = 20), USA (n = 9) and Canada (n = 6). Nearly all (n = 73) reported indirect, multi-attribute PBMs, the most common of which was the EQ-5D (n = 50).

Conclusion
A large number of recent publications from diverse disciplines report the use of PBMs with Indigenous people, despite little evidence on measurement properties in these populations. Understanding the measurement properties of PBMs with Indigenous people is important to better understand how these measures might, or might not, be used in policy and resource decisions affecting Indigenous people. (Funding: EuroQoL Research Foundation).
Design dimensions of corporate venture capital programs—a systematic literature review
Authors: Frey Philipp , Kanbach Dominik K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThere is a plethora of research on organisational design elements of corporate venture capital (CVC) programs. However, the fragmented nature of this vein of corporate venturing research has led to an inconsistent picture regarding the organisational design of CVC programs. The goal of this study is to provide a holistic picture for both scholars and practitioners by integrating empirical research on the design of CVC programs. Therefore, the study employs a systematic literature review approach including a sample of 41 studies published from 1987 to 2023. For a systematic assessment of design elements of CVC programs, an inductive concept development approach is used to illustrate four main design dimensions–personnel, corporate relationship management, investment operating model and portfolio relationship management–which reflect 69 descriptive design elements. While previous studies have mainly looked at individual design dimensions of CVC programs from a strategic perspective, this paper presents comprehensive view on organisational structures of CVC programs by identifying building blocks of CVC design according to chosen objectives and available typologies. By specifying and allocating design dimensions to structural types and objectives of CVC programs, this study may also serve as a foundation for further research on the concepts which prevent high rates of early abandonment of CVCs.
Associations of circulating GDF15 with combined cognitive frailty and depression in older adults of the MARK-AGE study
Authors: Kochlik Bastian , Herpich Catrin , Moreno-Villanueva María , Klaus Susanne , Müller-Werdan Ursula , Weinberger Birgit , Fiegl Simone , Toussaint Olivier , Debacq-Chainiaux Florence , Schön Christiane , Bernhard Jürgen , Breusing Nicolle , Gonos Efstathios S. , Franceschi Claudio , Capri Miriam , Sikora Ewa , Hervonen Antti , Hurme Mikko , Slagboom P. Eline , Dollé Martijn E. T. , Jansen Eugene , Grune Tilman , Bürkle Alexander , Norman Kristina 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGrowth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) might be involved in the development of cognitive frailty and depression. Therefore, we evaluated cross-sectional associations of plasma GDF15 with combined cognitive-frailty-and-depression in older (i.e. ≥ 55 years) and younger adults of the MARK-AGE study. In the present work, samples and data of MARK-AGE (“European study to establish bioMARKers of human AGEing“) participants (N = 2736) were analyzed. Cognitive frailty was determined by the global cognitive functioning score (GCF) and depression by the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS score). Adults were classified into three groups: (I) neither-cognitive-frailty-nor-depression, (II) either-cognitive-frailty-or-depression or (III) both-cognitive-frailty-and-depression. Cross-sectional associations were determined by unadjusted and by age, BMI, sex, comorbidities and hsCRP-adjusted linear and logistic regression analyses. Cognitive frailty, depression, age and GDF15 were significantly related within the whole study sample. High GDF15 levels were significantly associated with both-cognitive-frailty-and-depression (adjusted β = 0.177 [0.044 – 0.310], p = 0.009), and with low GCF scores and high SDS scores. High GDF15 concentrations and quartiles were significantly associated with higher odds to have both-cognitive-frailty-and-depression (adjusted odds ratio = 2.353 [1.267 – 4.372], p = 0.007; and adjusted odds ratio = 1.414 [1.025 – 1.951], p = 0.035, respectively) independent of age, BMI, sex, comorbidities and hsCRP. These associations remained significant when evaluating older adults. We conclude that plasma GDF15 concentrations are significantly associated with combined cognitive-frailty-and-depression status and, with cognitive frailty and depressive symptoms separately in old as well as young community-dwelling adults.
5′-O-methyl-14-hydroxyarmillane, a new armillane-type sesquiterpene from cultures of Guyanagaster necrorhiza
Authors: Pfütze Sebastian , Nedder Dana Leoni , Surup Frank , Stadler Marc 
Published: September 2023

AbstractProtoilludene-type sesquiterpene aryl esters are a unique and very diverse compound class that were exclusively isolated from members of the genus Armillaria (Agaricomycetes, Physalacriaceae) up to this point. Herein, we describe the isolation and structural characterization of 5′-O-methyl-14-hydroxyarmillane (1), a new armillane-type derivative, that was obtained from submerged cultures of Guyanagaster necrorhiza (CBS 138623) together with the known congeners melleolide G (2), melleolide B (3), and 10-dehydroxy-melleolide B (4). ROESY data and coupling constants assigned the relative configurations of 1, while common absolute configurations were confirmed from comparison of its ECD spectrum to the one of 10-hydroxy-5′-methoxy-6′-chloroarmillane (5). Additionally, the configuration of melleolide G (2) was revised based on observed ROESY correlations. It is the first time that protoilludene-type sesquiterpene aryl esters were isolated from another genus, namely, Guyanagaster, that is closely related to Armillaria. 1–4 were evaluated for their biological activities in a serial dilution assay against several yeast, fungi, and bacteria, as well as in a cytotoxicity assay against different cell lines. Compound 4 was moderately active against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mucor hiemalis. Furthermore, 1, 3, and 4 showed weak cytotoxic effects against the mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and the cervix carcinoma cell line KB3.1.
Spectral and Energy–Lyapunov stability of streamwise Couette–Poiseuille and spanwise Poiseuille base flows
Authors: Giacobbe Andrea , Perrone Carla 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWhen a fluid fills an infinite layer between two rigid plates in relative motion, and it is simultaneously subject to a gradient of pressure not parallel to the motion, the base flow is a combination of Couette–Poiseuille in the direction along the boundaries’ relative motion, but it also possess a Poiseuille component in the transverse direction. For this reason the linearised equations include all variables x, y, z, and not only explicitly two variables x, z as it typically happens in the literature. For convenience, we indicate as streamwise the direction of the relative motions of the plates, and spanwise the orthogonal direction. We use Chebyshev collocation method to investigate the monotonic behaviour of the energy along perturbations of general streamwise Couette–Poiseuille plus spanwise Poiseuille base flow, thus obtaining energy-critical Reynolds numbers depending on two parameters. We finally compute the spectrum of the linearisation at such base flows, and hence determine spectrum-critical Reynolds numbers depending on the two parameters. The choice of convex combinations of Couette and Poiseuille flows along the streamwise direction, and spanwise Poiseuille flow, affects the value of the energy-critical Reynolds and wave numbers in interesting ways. Also the spectrum-critical Reynolds and wave numbers depend on the type of base flow in peculiar ways. These dependencies are not described in the literature.
Two-year cardio-pulmonary follow-up after severe COVID-19: a prospective study
Authors: Faverio Paola , Paciocco Giuseppe , Tassistro Elena , Rebora Paola , Rossi Emanuela , Monzani Anna , Tundo Marta , Milano Chiara , Messa Martina , Marocchi Raffaele , Pesci Alberto , Foti Giuseppe , Squillace Nicola , Cogliandro Viola , Lettino Maddalena , Strepparava Maria Grazia , Bellelli Giuseppe , Ferrarese Carlo , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Bonfanti Paolo , Luppi Fabrizio ,   The STORM Long-COVID Team, Pollastri Ester , Caramma Ilaria , Cappelletti Anna , Bonaffini Luca , Valagussa Laura , Salvarani Valerio , Pozzi Matteo , Beretta Simone , Mori Silvia , Rossi Emanuela 
Published: September 2023

AbstractShort- and medium-term cardio-pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 have been extensively studied. However, studies with longer follow-ups are required. This study aims to identify and characterise cardio-pulmonary sequelae, in patients hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, at 24 months follow-up. This is a prospective, observational cohort study conducted on consecutive patients hospitalised for COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure. Patients were followed up at 24 months with complete pulmonary function tests (PFTs), 6-min walking test and a dyspnoea score (Modified Medical Research Council scale). A subgroup of patients with at least one clinical or functional sign suggestive of increased pulmonary pressures also underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to evaluate the presence of direct or indirect signs of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Ninety consecutive patients (74% men, median age 59.1 years) were enrolled in the study. In regard to PFTs, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) impairment was observed in 23 cases (26%), in all cases of mild entity. When considering the dyspnoea, 30 (34%) patients showed some degree of breathlessness. Forty patients underwent TTE. No patients had overt PH or chronic thromboembolic PH. However, all patients showed a hyperdynamic state of the right ventricle, and 8 (20%) patients had a decreased acceleration time on pulmonary valve, signs of increased pulmonary vasculature resistances and afterload elevation. At 24-month follow-up after severe COVID-19, DLCO and TTE prove to be the most sensitive tool to detect cardio-pulmonary sequelae. Dyspnoea is still present in about one-third of patients and requires a multidisciplinary approach.