bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking deep networks for facial emotion recognition in the wild
Authors: Greco Antonio , Strisciuglio Nicola , Vento Mario , Vigilante Vincenzo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEmotion recognition from face images is a challenging task that gained interest in recent years for its applications to business intelligence and social robotics. Researchers in computer vision and affective computing focused on optimizing the classification error on benchmark data sets, which do not extensively cover possible variations that face images may undergo in real environments. Following on investigations carried out in the field of object recognition, we evaluated the robustness of existing methods for emotion recognition when their input is subjected to corruptions caused by factors present in real-world scenarios. We constructed two data sets on top of the RAF-DB test set, named RAF-DB-C and RAF-DB-P, that contain images modified with 18 types of corruption and 10 of perturbation. We benchmarked existing networks (VGG, DenseNet, SENet and Xception) trained on the original images of RAF-DB and compared them with ARM, the current state-of-the-art method on the RAF-DB test set. We carried out an extensive study on the effects that modifications to the training data or network architecture have on the classification of corrupted and perturbed data. We observed a drop of recognition performance of ARM, with the classification error raising up to 200% of that achieved on the original RAF-DB test set. We demonstrate that the use of the AutoAugment data augmentation and an anti-aliasing filter within down-sampling layers provide existing networks with increased robustness to out-of-distribution variations, substantially reducing the error on corrupted inputs and outperforming ARM. We provide insights about the resilience of existing emotion recognition methods and an estimation of their performance in real scenarios. The processing time required by the modifications we investigated (35 ms in the worst case) supports their suitability for application in real-world scenarios. The RAF-DB-C and RAF-DB-P test sets, trained models and evaluation framework are available at https://github.com/MiviaLab/emotion-robustness.
A tool to assess livelihood preparedness for disasters: a study of Kaikōura earthquake in New Zealand
Authors: Kwazu Gerald Chidozie , Chang-Richards Alice 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOver the past decade, the cost of disasters on lives and livelihoods has increased many folds. However, there are few tools available that can be used to measure the level of livelihood preparedness for disruptions caused by natural hazards. By studying the experience and perceptions of communities affected by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake in New Zealand, this paper aims to develop an assessment tool for measuring livelihood preparedness. Results from a survey of 140 residents in Kaikōura who lived through the earthquake and its aftermath identified four indicators of livelihood preparedness, namely (1) resource accessibility, (2) individual adaptive capacity, (3) livelihood diversity, and (4) the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction (DRR) measure. Structural equation modelling approach was used to establish the quantification of these four indicators, and as a result, a numerical model was developed that can be used as a tool to assess livelihood preparedness at an individual level. It is hoped that this tool will be used by policymakers and individuals living in hazard prone locations to evaluate livelihood preparedness prior to a disaster to facilitate improvement or as a forensic tool post disaster.
Plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi efficiently acquire Nitrogen from substrate additions by shaping the decomposer community composition and their net plant carbon demand
Authors: Chowdhury Somak , Lange Markus , Malik Ashish A. , Goodall Timothy , Huang Jianbei , Griffiths Robert I. , Gleixner Gerd 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Aims
We investigated the role of plants and their plant-derived carbon in shaping the microbial community that decomposes substrates and traced the return of nutrients from decomposition back to plant shoots in order to understand the importance of plants for ecosystem element cycling.

Methods
We performed a greenhouse experiment having plant communities with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and ingrowth cores that held different 15N labeled substrates. We determined the microbial community structure using molecular sequencing and the net assimilation of plant carbon into soil microorganisms using a 13CO2 pulse and 13C measurements of microbial biomarkers. We determined the return of nitrogen back to the shoots using the 15N signal, which was provided from the decomposition of the substrate added to the ingrowth cores.

Results
We observed that the microbial community composition in the ingrowth cores and their net 13C assimilation depended on the presence of AMF and the added substrate. Both plant communities had similar 15N uptake into their shoots, but the net N uptake cost was significantly lower in presence of AMF. In the presence of AMF also lower net N uptake cost was observed for the decomposition of plant-derived and microorganism-derived substrates compared to inorganic nitrogen suggesting that AMF actively controls the decomposer comunity and their carbon demand.

Conclusion
Our results identify for the first time a functional overlap of soil microorganisms as identical substrate is decomposed by different microorganisms suggesting functional redundancy of microbial communities. In consequence a better understanding of ecosystem element cycling can only be achieved when the whole plant-microorganism-organic matter-soil continuum is investigated.
The “qualitative” in qualitative comparative analysis (QCA): research moves, case-intimacy and face-to-face interviews
Authors: Pagliarin Sofia , La Mendola Salvatore , Vis Barbara 
Published: March 2022

AbstractQualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) includes two main components: QCA “as a research approach” and QCA “as a method”. In this study, we focus on the former and, by means of the “interpretive spiral”, we critically look at the research process of QCA. We show how QCA as a research approach is composed of (1) an “analytical move”, where cases, conditions and outcome(s) are conceptualised in terms of sets, and (2) a “membership move”, where set membership values are qualitatively assigned by the researcher (i.e. calibration). Moreover, we show that QCA scholars have not sufficiently acknowledged the data generation process as a constituent research phase (or “move”) for the performance of QCA. This is particularly relevant when qualitative data–e.g. interviews, focus groups, documents–are used for subsequent analysis and calibration (i.e. analytical and membership moves). We call the qualitative data collection process “relational move” because, for data gathering, researchers establish the social relation “interview” with the study participants. By using examples from our own research, we show how a dialogical interviewing style can help researchers gain the in-depth knowledge necessary to meaningfully represent qualitative data into set membership values for QCA, hence improving our ability to account for the “qualitative” in QCA.
A Late Antique Rabbinic Discourse on the Linguistic (In-)determinacy of the Law
Authors: Kiesele Eva 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe late antique rabbis of Roman Palestine were seasoned jurists, experts on exegesis and legal interpretation. Yet rabbinic literature does not theorize. A positive account of rabbinic conceptions of language therefore remains a desideratum. I choose an alternative approach. Legal reasoning relies on language to ground the determinacy of the law. Jurists must thus confront language when it threatens to undermine the latter. Conversely, they may hold language to safeguard legal determinacy. Drawing on insights from legal theory, I turn to an unusual rabbinic rule of inference. Its earliest attested version suggests a universal possibility of inference “from the category of yes that of no, from the category of no that of yes.” I show that the ever-evolving uses of this rule allow us to observe a shift in linguistic attitude, increasingly acknowledging linguistic uncertainty. My findings tie in with recent advances in the study of rabbinic exegesis.
Effect of substrate properties and phosphorus supply on facilitating the uptake of rare earth elements (REE) in mixed culture cropping systems of Hordeum vulgare, Lupinus albus and Lupinus angustifolius
Authors: Monei Nthati , Hitch Michael , Heim Juliane , Pourret Olivier , Heilmeier Hermann , Wiche Oliver 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study presents how phosphate (P) availability and intercropping may influence the migration of rare earth elements (REEs) in legume–grass associations. In a replacement model, Hordeum vulgare was intercropped with 11% Lupinus albus and 11% Lupinus angustifolius. They were cultivated on two substrates, A (pH = 7.8) and B (pH = 6.6), and treated with 1.5 g P m−2 or 3 g P m−2. Simultaneously, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to quantify carboxylate release. There, one group of L. albus and L. angustifolius was supplied with either 200 µmol L-1 P or 20 µmol L-1 P. L. albus released higher amounts of carboxylates at low P supply than L. angustifolius, while L. angustifolius showed the opposite response. Plants cultivated on substrate B accumulated substantially higher amounts of nutrients and REE, compared to substrate A. Higher P supply did not influence the leaf and stem P concentrations of H. vulgare. Addition of P decreased REE accumulation in barley monocultures on alkaline soil A. However, when H. vulgare was cultivated in mixed culture with L. angustifolius on alkaline substrate A with high P supply, the accumulation of REE in H. vulgare significantly increased. Conversely, on acidic substrate B, intercropping with L. albus decreased REE accumulation in H. vulgare. Our findings suggest a predominant effect of soil properties on the soil–plant transfer of REEs. However, in plant communities and within a certain soil environment, interspecific root interactions determined by species-specific strategies related to P acquisition in concert with the plant’s nutrient supply impact REE fluxes between neighbouring plants.
Efficacy of a Bariatric Surgery Clinic-Based Pharmacist
Authors: Han Althea , Nguyen Nicole Yvonne , Hung Nancy , Kamalay Salem 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the impact of a bariatric clinic-based pharmacist on inpatient length of stay, medication errors, and patient experience.

Materials and Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study comparing patients who received a pre-operative pharmacist consultation to historical cases without pre-operative pharmacist consultation prior to admission for bariatric surgery. A patient experience survey was administered post-operatively to the intervention group. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included corrected medication errors on reconciliation, pharmacist interventions, adverse drug event (ADE) prevention, and patient satisfaction.

Results
With 68 patients in the intervention group and 67 patients in the control group, the majority were female (76%) and received either laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (53%) or sleeve gastrectomy (47%). The median LOS in the intervention group was 55.5 h, which did not significantly differ from the median 57.9 h in the control group (p = 0.56). The clinic-based pharmacist made an average of 13 interventions per patient. Surveys were distributed to 73 patients with a 60% response rate. High overall satisfaction with the pre-operative pharmacist consultation was reported by 97% of patients.

Conclusion
Although hospital LOS did not significantly differ between groups, pre-operative pharmacist consultation prevented potential ADEs, and provided strong patient satisfaction. Having pharmacists as part of a multidisciplinary approach to bariatric surgery patient care can prevent medication-related adverse events and improve patient satisfaction.

Graphic Abstract
Writing and choosing problems for a popular high school mathematics competition
Authors: Geretschläger Robert , Donner Lukas 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the issues involved in creating appropriate problems for a popular mathematics competition, and how such problems differ from problems typically encountered in a classroom. We discuss the differences and similarities in school curricula versus the generally agreed upon topics encountered in international competitions. The question of inspiration for the development of competition problems is dealt with from the standpoint of the problem author, while aspects related to the motivation of the contest participant, objective and subjective problem difficulty and mathematical precision in mathematics competitions are also discussed.
Determination of the indoor radon concentration in schools of Tenerife (Canary Islands): a comparative study
Authors: López-Pérez María , Hernández Francisco , Díaz Juan Pedro , Salazar-Carballo Pedro A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA radon survey was carried out in 18 high schools located in Tenerife Island when anti-pandemic strategies were used to reduce COVID-19 dissemination during 2021. High schools were located in radon-prone areas previously identified by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council. Our results showed that 12 high schools presented radon activities lower than 100 Bq/m3, 5 high schools presented values in the range 100–200 Bq/m3, and only 1 high school presented radon activity concentration higher than 200 Bq/m3. Such values are below the reference level (300 Bq/m3) recommended by the Spanish legislation in the Basics Document of Health Standards (section HS6) of the Technical Building Code and the European Union directive (2013/59/EURATOM). Assuming an indoor occupancy time of about 1620 h per year, the annual dose contribution due to indoor radon exposure ranged from 0.07 to 1.18 mSv/year. Comparing such result against previous values reported in the literature on the island of Tenerife, we conclude that during the pandemic situation the indoor radon concentration (median valued) was reduced from 130.9 (2007) to 73.5 (2021) Bq/m3. Finally, continuous indoor radon concentration measurements were obtained to study short-time fluctuations (intra-day changes) under different ventilation conditions.
The Ubuntu Robot: Towards a Relational Conceptual Framework for Intercultural Robotics
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRecently there has been more attention to the cultural aspects of social robots. This paper contributes to this effort by offering a philosophical, in particular Wittgensteinian framework for conceptualizing in what sense and how robots are related to culture and by exploring what it would mean to create an “Ubuntu Robot”. In addition, the paper gestures towards a more culturally diverse and more relational approach to social robotics and emphasizes the role technology can play in addressing the challenges of modernity and in assisting cultural change: it argues that robots can help us to engage in cultural dialogue, reflect on our own culture, and change how we do things. In this way, the paper contributes to the growing literature on cross-cultural approaches to social robotics.
Down-regulation of miR-7-5p and miR-548ar-5p predicts malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules negative for BRAF and RAS mutations
Authors: Macerola Elisabetta , Poma Anello Marcello , Proietti Agnese , Rago Teresa , Romani Rossana , Vignali Paola , Ugolini Clara , Torregrossa Liborio , Basolo Alessio , Santini Ferruccio , Basolo Fulvio 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The value of molecular markers in refining preoperative risk assessment of indeterminate thyroid nodules is being widely investigated. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are emerging as promising biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The aim of this study is to identify miRNAs specifically deregulated in mutation-negative indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Methods
Ninety-eight nodules preoperatively diagnosed as TIR 3A or TIR 3B with available histological diagnosis of follicular adenoma (FA), noninvasive follicular neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FV-PTC) have been retrospectively selected. Mutations in BRAF and RAS genes have been tested in all samples by real-time PCR; miRNAs were purified from cytology slides of 60 samples; expression analysis of 798 miRNAs was measured by the nCounter system.

Results
Point mutations in BRAF and RAS genes were detected in 32 out of 98 nodules (32.7%), the majority of which in FV-PTCs. Differential expression of miRNA in wild-type nodules highlighted that two miRNAs, namely miR-7-5p and miR-548ar-5p, were downregulated in FV-PTCs compared to FAs. The combined expression of these miRNAs, tested by ROC analysis, showed an area under the curve of 0.79. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were high both in wild-type (93% and 92%, respectively) and in mutated nodules (94% and 85%, respectively).

Conclusion
The analysis of miR-7-5p and miR-548ar-5p expression in indeterminate thyroid nodules demonstrated a promising value in ruling out malignancy.
Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Latest Findings and Critical Thinking on Future Study Design
Authors: Yu Wengui , Higashida Randall T. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated powerful efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. The effect of EVT for acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) in the posterior circulation remains unproven. Here, we highlight the latest findings of observational studies and RCTs of EVT for BAO, with a focus on the predictors of functional outcomes, the limitations of recent RCTs, and critical thinking on future study design. Pooled data from large retrospective studies showed 36.4% favorable outcome at 3 months and 4.6% symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that higher baseline NIHSS score, pc-ASPECTS < 8, extensive baseline infarction, large pontine infarct, and sICH were independent predictors of poor outcome. Two recent randomized trial BEST (Endovascular treatment vs. standard medical treatment for vertebrobasilar artery occlusion) and BASICS (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study) failed to demonstrate significant benefit of EVT within 6 or 8 h after stroke symptom onset. The limitations of these studies include slow enrollment, selection bias, high crossover rate, and inclusion of patients with mild deficit. To improve enrollment and minimize risk of diluting the overall treatment effect, futile recanalization and re-occlusion, optimal inclusion/exclusion criteria, including enrollment within 24 h of last known well, NIHSS score ≥ 10, pc-ASPECTS ≥ 8, no large pontine infarct, and the use of rescue therapy for underlying atherosclerotic stenosis, should be considered for future clinical trials.
QTL mapping for adult plant resistance to wheat stripe rust in M96-5 × Guixie 3 wheat population
Authors: Cheng Bin , Gao Xu , Cao Ning , Ding Yanqing , Chen Tianqing , Zhou Qiang , Gao Yu , Xin Zhihai , Zhang Liyi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDevelopment of cultivars with multiple resistances has proven to be an effective way to prevent diseases in wheat breeding. The Guixie 3 variety (GX3) has shown excellent performance in resistance to stripe rust in field for many years. The purpose of this study was to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to stripe rust in the adult plant stage and determine closely linked molecular markers. A population of recombinant inbred lines (n = 228) was derived from a cross between the susceptible landrace Mian 96–5 (M96-5) and GX3 variety and evaluated in multiple field studies, and QTL analysis enabled to elucidate genetic architecture of wheat resistance to stripe rust. A total of 19 QTL for stripe rust resistance were mapped on 12 chromosomes using phenotypic data from multiple field tests over the course of 6 years. These chromosomes included 1B (2), 1D (2), 2A (2), 2B (2), 2D (1), 4B (2), 4D (1), 5A (3), 5B (1), 6A (1), 6B (1), and 7B (1). Two stable QTL on chromosomes 2AS (Qyr.gaas.2A) and 6AL (Qyr.gaas.6A) were detected in six and five different environments, respectively; in both QTL, positive allele was contributed by GX3 variety. Qyr.gaas.2A was found to be crucial for increasing adult plant resistance, which may explain the large phenotypic variation of 45.52%. Our results provide theoretical and molecular insight for wheat breeding and suggest the cloning of genes associated with the GX3 variety may be beneficial in future studies.
An averaging process on hypergraphs
Authors: Spiro Sam 
Published: March 2022

AbstractConsider the following iterated process on a hypergraph H. Each vertex v starts with some initial weight
$x_v$
. At each step, uniformly at random select an edge e in H, and for each vertex v in e replace the weight of v by the average value of the vertex weights over all vertices in e. This is a generalization of an interactive process on graphs which was first introduced by Aldous and Lanoue. In this paper we use the eigenvalues of a Laplacian for hypergraphs to bound the rate of convergence for this iterated averaging process.
Do typological differences in the expression of causality influence preschool children’s causal event construal?
Authors: Ger Ebru , Küntay Aylin C. , Göksun Tilbe , Stoll Sabine , Daum Moritz M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study investigated whether cross-linguistic differences in causal expressions influence the mapping of causal language on causal events in three- to four-year-old Swiss-German learners and Turkish learners. In Swiss-German, causality is mainly expressed syntactically with lexical causatives (e.g.,ässe‘to eat’ vs.füettere‘to feed’). In Turkish, causality is expressed both syntactically and morphologically – with a verbal suffix (e.g.,yemek‘to eat’ vs.yeDIRmek‘to feed’). Moreover, unlike Swiss-German, Turkish allows argument ellipsis (e.g., ‘The mother feeds [∅]’). Here, we used pseudo-verbs to test whether and how well Swiss-German-learning children inferred a causal meaning from lexical causatives compared to Turkish-learning children tested in three conditions: lexical causatives, morphological causatives, and morphological causatives with object ellipsis. Swiss-German-learning children and Turkish-learning children in all three conditions reliably inferred causal meanings, and did so to a similar extent. The findings suggest that, as young as age 3, children learning two different languages similarly make use of language-specific causality cues (syntactic and morphological alike) to infer causal meanings.