bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed morphology, germination, and seedling vigor characteristics of fine fescue taxa and other cool‐season turfgrass species
Authors: Braun Ross C. , Courtney Lauren E. , Patton Aaron J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFine fescue taxa differ in their field establishment rate but it is unclear if this is due to differences in germination rate or seedling growth rate. Research at Purdue University quantified differences in seed morphology, germination vigor, and seedling vigor among 30 cultivars of fine fescue (FF) taxa (Festuca spp.). Strong creeping red fescue (STCRF) (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra), slender creeping red fescue (SLCRF) (F. rubra ssp. littoralis), Chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. commutata), hard fescue (Festuca brevipila), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) were compared with tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis), and, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Seed morphological characteristics differed among FF cultivars and species; however, there was no strong relationship between morphological characteristics and germination vigor. Estimated number of days until 50% germination and mean germination time among the 30 FF cultivars varied, with sheep fescue and Chewings fescue consistently having the slowest germinating cultivars and STCRF cultivars generally the fastest. Species with the fastest to slowest germination ranked as follows: perennial ryegrass > STCRF ≥ SLCRF ≥ hard fescue ≥ Chewings fescue ≥ sheep fescue ≥ tall fescue > Kentucky bluegrass. Seedling vigor measurements among FF indicated the three F. rubra ssp. (STCRF, SLCRF, and Chewings fescue) exhibited faster seedling vigor and greater shoot mass than hard fescue or sheep fescue. Results indicate that past observations of reduced field establishment rates of hard fescue and sheep fescue is primarily due to their slow seedling growth and not reduced germination speed.
Voltage–current locus‐based stator winding inter‐turn fault detection in induction motors
Authors: Dongare Ujwala V. , Umre Bhimrao S. , Ballal Makarand S. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryMonitoring the condition of induction motors requires continuous inspection of all motor components. The three‐phase stator windings forming the critical components of the motors and handling heavy currents as high as twice the blocked rotor current under inter‐turn short circuits necessitate a fault detection system that is efficient, appropriate, and worthwhile. The proposed algorithm takes measurements of the three‐phase supply voltages and phase currents and plots their loci for each cycle under various fault levels. The proposed simple, nonintrusive, less expensive, and fault‐sensitive voltage–current loci (£(v–i))‐based technique accurately identifies the faulty phase and detects stator inter‐turn faults (SITFs). In addition, the algorithm corrects supply voltage imbalances, winding asymmetries, and calibration errors of sensing elements. It contributes to examining the insulation condition of the stator windings at the onset and identifying the faulty phase of a motor. The experimental results for a 1 hp, 415 V squirrel‐cage induction motor (SCIM) in a laboratory investigation validate the competence of the proposed technique under various fault levels and load conditions.
Parasite detection and quantification in avian blood is dependent on storage medium and duration
Authors: Lynton‐Jenkins Joshua G. , Chaine Alexis S. , Russell Andrew F. , Bonneaud Camille 
Published: February 2023

AbstractStudies of parasites in wild animal populations often rely on molecular methods to both detect and quantify infections. However, method accuracy is likely to be influenced by the sampling approach taken prior to nucleic acid extraction. Avian Haemosporidia are studied primarily through the screening of host blood, and a range of storage mediums are available for the short‐ to long‐term preservation of samples. Previous research has suggested that storage medium choice may impact the accuracy of PCR‐based parasite detection, however, this relationship has never been explicitly tested and may be exacerbated by the duration of sample storage. These considerations could also be especially critical for sensitive molecular methods used to quantify infection (qPCR). To test the effect of storage medium and duration on Plasmodium detection and quantification, we split blood samples collected from wild birds across three medium types (filter paper, Queen's lysis buffer, and 96% ethanol) and carried out DNA extractions at five time points (1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post‐sampling). First, we found variation in DNA yield obtained from blood samples dependent on their storage medium which had subsequent negative impacts on both detection and estimates of Plasmodium copy number. Second, we found that detection accuracy (incidence of true positives) was highest for filter‐paper‐stored samples (97%), while accuracy for ethanol and Queen's lysis buffer‐stored samples was influenced by either storage duration or extraction yield, respectively. Lastly, longer storage durations were associated with decreased copy number estimates across all storage mediums; equating to a 58% reduction between the first‐ and third‐year post‐sampling for lysis‐stored samples. These results raise questions regarding the utility of standardizing samples by dilution, while also illustrating the critical importance of considering storage approaches in studies of Haemosporidia comparing samples subjected to different storage regimes and/or stored for varying lengths of time.
Theory amidst complexity – using process tracing in ex‐post evaluations
Authors: Krueger Kate , Wright Molly 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEvaluators who take a complexity‐aware approach must consider tradeoffs related to theoretical parsimony, falsifiability, and measurement validity. These tradeoffs may be particularly pronounced with ex‐post evaluation designs in which program theory development and monitoring frameworks are often completed before the evaluator is engaged. In this chapter, we argue that theory‐based evaluation (TBE) approaches can address unique ex‐post evaluation challenges that complexity‐aware evaluation (CAE) alone cannot, and that these two sets of approaches are complimentary. We will outline strategies that evaluators may use to conduct rigorous ex‐post evaluations of democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) interventions that merge CAE's inductive approaches with a theory‐testing structure. It will illustrate these strategies with two case studies of ex‐post evaluation using process tracing (PT).
Soot sheet characteristics of turbulent diffusion fire using equivalent ellipse method
Authors: Bi Yubo , Hu Yanghui , Lu Shouxiang , Cong Haiyong , Gao Wei , Bi Mingshu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the soot sheet characteristics of buoyant turbulent fires using laser‐induced incandescence technique. Experiments are carried out for four fires using propane and nitrogen hybrid gases as fuel with propane fractions of 1.0–0.4. An equivalent ellipse method in previous literature was employed to evaluate soot sheet characteristics. The results show that soot sheet mainly exists in two kinds of morphology: one is small piece and the other is narrow and long piece. Both the probability density functions of the length and width of the equivalent ellipse and soot volume fraction of soot sheet are strongly dependent on height. In addition, the effect of propane fraction on the probability density functions is always opposite in the lower and middle part of the fires, while no obvious effect can be found in the upper part of the fires. Soot sheet number is found to increase with height except when propane fraction is 0.4. The total soot sheet number increases linearly with height within the scope of this paper.
Study on the effect of different treatments on soy flour, and quality and sensory evaluation of prepared biscuits incorporated with oats and soy flour
Authors: Pokharel Anusha , Dangal Anish , Karki Sunita , Lamichhane Sujata , Timsina Prekshya , Bohara Anamika 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study analyzed the effect of various treatment methods on the nutritional quality of soybean flour, as well as the study on the impact of soy flour and oats on the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of the prepared biscuit containing oats and soy flour. Six formulations of biscuit were designed using a design expert, prepared with soy flour, wheat flour, and oats flour. Autoclaved and germination followed by roasted soy flour were used differently with wheat and oats flour to prepare six samples of biscuit each. The soy flour was varied from 5% to 20% and oats flour from 5% to 15%, respectively. Raw soybean had tannin content of 500 mgTAE kg−1 and phytic acid content of 13,280 μg kg−1. Tannin content of autoclaved, germinated, and germination followed by roasted soybean was reduced by 22%, 38%, and 52%, respectively. The phytic acid content of soybean autoclaved, germinated, and germination followed by roasted was reduced by 30.6%, 46.8%, and 59.3% respectively. Sample D was found to be the best (p < 0.05) of the two superior samples (i.e., D and D′). The best product had 1.6% moisture, 23.2% crude protein, 25.2% crude fat, 1.3% total ash, 5.6% crude fiber, 44.8% carbohydrate, 120 μg kg−1 phytic acid, and 50 mgTAE kg−1 tannin content. The biscuit prepared from germination followed by roasted soybean flour had less anti‐nutritional factor compared with biscuit prepared from autoclaved soybean flour. Thus, in a composite flour, flour prepared after processing of soybean can be used to prepare nutritious and consumer appealing biscuit, with significant reduction in the quantity of anti‐nutritional factors.
MP‐RAVE:IR‐Prepared T1‐WeightedRadialStack‐of‐Stars 3D GREimaging with retrospective motion correction
Authors: Solomon Eddy , Lotan Eyal , Zan Elcin , Sodickson Daniel K. , Block Kai Tobias , Chandarana Hersh 
Published: February 2023

PurposeTo describe an inversion‐recovery T1‐weighted radial stack‐of‐stars 3D gradient echo (GRE) sequence with comparable image quality to conventional MP‐RAGE and to demonstrate how the radial acquisition scheme can be utilized for additional retrospective motion correction to improve robustness to head motion.MethodsThe proposed sequence, named MP‐RAVE, has been derived from a previously described radial stack‐of‐stars 3D GRE sequence (RAVE) and includes a 180° inversion recovery pulse that is generated once for every stack of radial views. The sequence is combined with retrospective 3D motion correction to improve robustness. The effectiveness has been evaluated in phantoms and healthy volunteers and compared to conventional MP‐RAGE acquisition.ResultsMP‐RAGE and MP‐RAVE anatomical images were rated “good” to “excellent” in overall image quality, with artifact level between “mild” and “no artifacts”, and with no statistically significant difference between methods. During head motion, MP‐RAVE showed higher inherent robustness with artifacts confined to local brain regions. In combination with motion correction, MP‐RAVE provided noticeably improved image quality during different head motion and showed statistically significant improvement in image sharpness.ConclusionMP‐RAVE provides comparable image quality and contrast to conventional MP‐RAGE with improved robustness to head motion. In combination with retrospective 3D motion correction, MP‐RAVE can be a useful alternative to MP‐RAGE, especially in non‐cooperative or pediatric patients.
Effect of Seasonality for Optimization of Germ Cell Extraction from Mature Blue Catfish
Authors: Hettiarachchi Darshika Udari , Alston Veronica N. , Gurbatow Jeremy , Hess Hana N. , Su Baofeng , Johnson Andrew , Coogan Michael P. , Wang Jinhai , Xing De , Li Shangjia , Creamer David , Zadmajid Vahid , Butts Ian A.E. , Dunham Rex A. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Xenogenesis is an innovative tool for hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) seed production, accomplished by transplanting undifferentiated germ cells derived from a donor diploid fish into a sterile recipient, which then enables recipient fish to produce donor-derived gametes. There is potential to collect donor-derived germ cells from mature fish during certain times of the year depending upon seasonal temperature and serum sex steroid hormonal fluctuations. The objective of this study was to evaluate seasonal variations in germ cell counts and serum sex steroid hormonal profiles in mature Blue Catfish. Mature fish were collected monthly over the full annual cycle to quantify the number of live germ cells (spermatogonia A, oogonia), viability of germ cells, and levels of serum sex steroid hormones, including testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and 17β estradiol. Extracted spermatogonia A counts were highest from April to June, whereas a significant decline was detected from July to November. Extracted live oogonia counts were highest in April and gradually decreased to zero over the months of May to August. Seasonal variations in serum testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and 17β estradiol followed a similar pattern as the live spermatogonia A and oogonia counts. Even though spermatogonia A counts were relatively lower in mature than in immature Blue Catfish males, extracting spermatogonia A from mature Blue Catfish males during April to June provides an added advantage to the process of artificial fertilization, as it is required to sacrifice these fish to collect sperm.
Single‐stage chemical recycling of plastic waste to yield durable composites via a tandem transesterification‐thiocracking process
Authors: Maladeniya Charini P. , Tennyson Andrew G. , Smith Rhett C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEnvironmental contamination by plastic waste is a growing threat to the environment and human health. Unfortunately, most post‐consumer plastics are still disposed of in landfills, even plastics that could be easily recycled via simple chemical processes. This disconnect between technology and implementation is partly due to the economic barrier posed by multi‐step processes that convert plastic waste into commodity goods. There is an urgent need for green methods to convert plastic waste directly into marketable commodities via simple processes. Herein we report a simple, single‐stage process to chemically recycle poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to yield composites having thermal and mechanical properties that are competitive with commercial structural materials like Portland cement. In this protocol, a mixture of PET and geraniol are heated with elemental sulfur. In this process, transesterification between geraniol and PET with concomitant thiocracking of the PET backbone leads to the formation of a highly‐crosslinked sulfur–PET–geraniol (SPG) network composite. The composite exhibited compressive strength (23.1 MPa) greater than that required for Portland cement to be used in building foundations. This new, single‐stage chemical recycling strategy thus employs a bio‐olefin and waste sulfur to convert PET waste into a durable composite that could serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional cements.
Efficient model-correction-based reliability analysis of uncertain dynamical systems
Authors: Hirzinger Benjamin , Nackenhorst Udo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe scope of this paper is to apply a model-correction-based strategy for efficient reliability analysis of uncertain dynamical systems based on a low-fidelity (LF) model whose outcomes are corrected in a probabilistic sense to represent the more realistic outcomes of a high-fidelity (HF) model. In the model-correction approach utilized, the LF model is calibrated to the HF model close to the so-called most probable point in standard normal space, which allows a more realistic assessment of the considered complex dynamical system. Since only few expensive limit state function evaluations of the HF model are required, an efficient reliability analysis is enabled. In an application example, the LF model describes an existing single-span railway bridge modelled as simply supported Euler–Bernoulli beam subjected to moving single forces representing the axle loads of a moving train. The HF modelling approach accounts for the bridge–train interaction by modelling the passing train as mass-spring-damper system, however increasing the computational effort of the limit state function evaluations. Failure probabilities evaluated with the model-correction approach are contrasted and discussed with failure probabilities of the sophisticated bridge–train interaction model evaluated with the first-order reliability method (FORM). It is demonstrated that the efficiency of the method depends on the correlation between the LF and the HF model. A comparison of the results of FORM and the model-correction-based approach shows that the latter provides reliable failure probability prediction of the HF model while leading to a significant reduction in computational effort.
Multi-period power utility optimization under stock return predictability
Authors: Bodnar Taras , Ivasiuk Dmytro , Parolya Nestor , Schmid Wolfgang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we derive an analytical solution to the dynamic optimal portfolio choice problem in the case of an investor equipped with a power utility function of wealth. The results are established by solving the Bellman backward recursion under the assumption that the vector of asset returns follows a vector-autoregressive process with predictable variables. In an empirical study, the performance of the derived solution is compared with the one obtained by applying the numerical method. The comparison is performed in terms of the final wealth and its expected utility. It is documented that the application of the analytical solution to the multi-period portfolio choice problem leads to higher values of both the final wealth and the expected utility.
Evaluating the role of waste-to-energy and cogeneration units in district heatings and electricity markets
Authors: Allevi Elisabetta , De Giuli Maria Elena , Domínguez Ruth , Oggioni Giorgia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the activity of a multi-utility that uses Waste-to-Energy (WtE) and cogeneration (COG) plants to provide services in the heat and in the electricity markets. We assume that it employs WtE and COG units to participate in the day-ahead and real-time electricity markets and, with the support of heat-only units, it satisfies the heat demand of local district heating areas (DHAs). We use stochastic programming to develop three linked problems that describe the sequence of the decision process regarding the operation of WtE and COG facilities: (i) the first problem considers the point of view of the multi-utility that defines the day-ahead and the real-time heat scheduling of its plants and the maximum amount of electricity that WtE and COG units can offer in the day-ahead electricity market, taking into account the uncertainty of the real-time heat demand; (ii) the second problem models the day-ahead electricity market cleared by the Power Exchange, where the electricity dispatch of WtE and COG units is limited by the maximum power offers defined in step (i); and (iii) given the heat and power schedules respectively determined in steps (i) and (ii), the last problem describes the activity of theTransmission System Operator that re-dispatches WtE and COG outputs and decides their participation in the reserves and the real-time electricity markets, incorporating uncertain electricity demand and renewable power generation. Italian data are taken to investigate the operation of the WtE and COG plants under different assumptions. A reference analysis shows that these facilities obtain stable revenues from the heating market, but those from the electricity markets are very variable and mainly derives from reserve procurement. In addition, we perform two sensitivity analyses: in the first one, where we consider high natural gas and CO$$_2$$

2

prices, the use of WtE and COG units increases to substitute gas-fueled plants with a consequent increase of their profits; in the second one, which describes an electricity market with a high renewable penetration, the activity of these facilities becomes more irregular because of the augmented penetration of intermitted renewable generation.
Non-native Douglas fir promotes epigeal spider density, but has a mixed effect on functional diversity
Authors: Matevski Dragan , Schuldt Andreas 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWith climate change altering ecosystems worldwide, forest management in Europe is increasingly relying on more adaptable non-native tree species, such as Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). However, the ecological consequences of the increased utilization of Douglas fir on arthropod diversity and ecosystem functioning are not fully known. Here we assessed how non-native Douglas fir as well as large- and small-scale differences in the environmental context, affect epigeal spider abundance, biomass, taxonomic and functional diversity, and community structure in Central European forests. Our study sites were divided into two regions with large differences in environmental conditions, with seven replicates of five stand types, including monocultures of native European beech (Fagus sylvatica), non-native Douglas fir and native Norway spruce (Picea abies), as well as two-species mixtures of European beech and each of the conifers. Contrary to our expectations, Douglas fir promoted small-scale spider diversity, and abundance and biomass (activity density). On the other hand, it decreased spider functional divergence and altered spider community structure. Microhabitat characteristics had opposing effects on spider diversity and activity density, with more open stands harboring a more diverse but less abundant spider community. Overall, our findings suggest that increasing Douglas fir utilization at the expense of Norway spruce does not necessarily decrease the diversity of epigeal arthropods and may even promote local spider diversity and activity density. However, care needs to be taken in terms of biodiversity conservation because typical forest spider species and their functional divergence were more strongly associated with native beech than with coniferous stands.
Legal reviews of in situ learning in autonomous weapons
Authors: McFarland Tim , Assaad Zena 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA legal obligation to conduct weapons reviews is a means by which the international community can ensure that States assess whether the use of new types of weapons in armed conflict would raise humanitarian concerns. The use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems greatly complicates the process of conducting reviews, particularly where a weapon system is capable of continuing to ‘learn’ on its own after being deployed on the battlefield. This paper surveys current understandings of the weapons review challenges presented by in situ learning and outlines some concepts which may inform appropriate changes to existing weapons review processes. The main arguments made are that: a distinction should be drawn between learning capabilities that are limited to optimising existing behaviour and capabilities that extend to acquiring new behaviours; and the extent of a weapon system’s learning capabilities should be used as the basis for defining a schedule of weapons reviews.