bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post-Hurricane Sandy Benthic Habitat Mapping at Fire Island National Seashore, New York, USA, Utilizing the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)
Authors: LaFrance Bartley Monique , King John W. , Oakley Bryan A. , Caccioppoli Brian J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn 2012, Hurricane Sandy created a new tidal inlet at Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) in New York, USA, consequently altering environmental conditions within Great South Bay. This event presented a unique opportunity to establish new ecological baselines, assess resulting ecological change, and explore management implications. This study focuses on benthic mapping within the bayside of FIIS using acoustic, grab sample, and imagery data. Biotope (habitat) maps were developed describing relationships between macrofaunal communities and their environment. Additionally, biotopes were prioritized by “ecological value” based on user-defined criteria (presence of seagrass and potential for higher trophic level interactions) to guide management. While there are limited pre-Sandy data for comparison, findings from this study suggest the inlet has been a positive ecological influence on the nearby area. Dense concentrations of mature blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) documented near the inlet are considered ecologically beneficial and represent a post-Sandy distinction in ecosystem structure;M. eduliswas last common when the inlet was previously open (early 1800s). The inlet is also likely responsible for seagrass expansion near the inlet but decline in other areas. This study advances the utility of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) by including CMECS-defined data in analyses and expanding the definition of “dominance.” CMECS played a key role in developing map units, interpreting biotopes, and establishing statistically significant and ecologically meaningful biotic–abiotic relationships. This study also highlights the value and management applications of benthic mapping specific to FIIS and more broadly and advocates for similar studies elsewhere.
Analysing the interactions and complexities of the operations in the production area of an FPSO platform using the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM)
Authors: França Josué E. M. , Hollnagel Erik , Praetorius Gesa 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe technological evolution of several productive sectors of society has demanded the same level of evolution for the oil and gas industry, both for energy production and their own systems’ functioning. The production of crude oil and natural gas in offshore units is one of the answers to this demand. However, these offshore units have critical onboard activities and risks, notably FPSO units; it is necessary to have adequate recognition of the elements that can support these activities and manage these risks, enabling productive and safe operations. In this sense, this article aims to increase the understanding of the complex interactions and inherent safety issues that arise in the operations of FPSOs, observing and analysing the work done onboard such platforms. The FRAM methodology has been chosen because it allows for the recognition and analysis of the complex interactions involving workers, equipment, system and offshore environment, focusing on the oil treatment area of the process plant. The results demonstrated some interesting findings regarding onboard safety and the relationship between human competences, work demands and process safety.
Suitable dam site identification using GIS-based MCDA: a case study of Chemoga watershed, Ethiopia
Authors: Hagos Yonas Gebresilasie , Andualem Tesfa Gebrie , Mengie Mequanent Abathun , Ayele Workineh Tadesse , Malede Demelash Ademe 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEthiopia is Africa's second-most populous country, after Nigeria, and is primarily a farming community with low productivity that is heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Water scarcity, global warming, and rising population all necessitate more effective water conservation methods. As a result, the demand for dams is increasing dramatically in order to provide the community with safe drinking water, electricity, and irrigation to ensure food security. The goal of this study was to use remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques in conjunction with the dam suitability stream model and multi-criteria decision analysis to identify potential sites for multi-purpose dam construction. The study used six influencing factors to find suitable dam sites, with the model's suitability stream and overall suitability output maps proposed and evaluated as a result. Based on the topography and land use, the results showed that three proposed dam sites in the upper part of the watershed are likely preferable for irrigation, fishery, and clean drinking water supply. The three proposed dam sites in the watershed's lower reaches, however, are better suited to hydropower generation. In addition, remote sensing and GIS are useful in dam/reservoir site selection because they allow decision-makers to create, manipulate, and manage relevant thematic layers.
Assessing groundwater quality using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and GIS in the Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Authors: Piyathilake I. D. U. H. , Ranaweera L. V. , Udayakumara E. P. N. , Gunatilake S. K. , Dissanayake C. B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe prime objective of this study is to develop a water quality index (WQI) to identify the relationship between the drinking water quality and the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) in the Uva Province (UP). For this, all CKDu patients in the province were recorded. 251 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for their major cations and anions. Following this procedure, the spatial distribution maps for CKDu patients, water quality parameters and WQI were generated. The results revealed that, 20.3% of groundwater samples are categorized under “excellent” in terms of the drinking water quality, 21.2% of the samples are categorized under “good”, 20.3% of the samples are categorized under “poor”, 9.9% of the samples are categorized under “very poor”, and 28.3% of the samples are categorized under “unsuitable” in terms of the WQI. According to the results, the most significant correlation was recorded between fluoride content in the samples and WQI (0.96). Statistical analysis showed that the WQI has a strong positive correlation (0.68) with the spatial distribution of CKDu patients in the UP inferring that groundwater quality has a significant effect on the prevalence of CKDu in the UP. Moreover, these maps can be effectively used by decision makers for groundwater quality management activities in the UP, Sri Lanka.
Evaluation of the edaphic and water properties of Diu coast (Saurashtra, Gujarat, India) in relation to the population density of Avicennia marina
Authors: Patale Varsha V. , Tank Jigna G. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Diu Island is the natural habitat dominated by Avicennia marina mangrove species in the southeast coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat State of India. Since it is a famous industrial and tourism place, survival of these mangrove species is threatened due to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, to conserve the natural habitat of Avicennia marina, it is necessary to evaluate the influence of water quality and edaphic factors on growth of Avicennia marina species in this region. In order to study the quality of soil and water, samples were collected from the sediments of five different habitats during each season (summer, winter and monsoon) and physicochemical parameters were measured. The quality of water and soil was influenced by seasonal changes due to change in temperature, pH, macroelements (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphate, sulfur, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and microelements (zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron and nickel) content which in turn increases TDS, TSS, TS, alkalinity, COD and BOD of water. These parameters were correlated with the population density of plants growing in the sediments to observe its effect on growth of plants in each habitat. Hence, it was concluded that there was significant influence of seasonal changes on the physicochemical parameters of water and soil which in turn changed the density of plants (site:3 > site:1 > site:2 > site:5 > site:4) at all five sites. Multivariate cluster analysis, MDS and PCA, identified spatial and temporal characteristics of five habitats and suggested that site-4 and site-5 are more polluted as compared to other sites and require restoration and conservation.
An Oligopoly-Fringe Model with HARA Preferences
Authors: van der Meijden Gerard , Withagen Cees , Benchekroun Hassan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractInspired by empirical evidence from the oil market, we build a model of an oligopoly facing a fringe as well as competition from renewable resources. We explore different subclasses of HARA utility functions (Cobb–Douglas, power and quadratic utility) to check the robustness of results found in the previous literature. For isoelastic demand, we characterize the equilibrium extraction rates of the fringe and the oligopolists. There always exists a phase of simultaneous supply of the oligopolists and the fringe, implying an inefficient order of use of resources since the oligopolists have smaller unit extraction costs and carbon emissions than the fringe. We calibrate our model to the oil market to quantify this sequence effect. In our benchmark calibration, we find for the three HARA subclasses that the sequence effect is responsible for almost all of the welfare loss compared to the first-best. It becomes smaller as market power decreases. Furthermore, we show that climate damage and Green Paradox effects depend non-monotonically on the degree of market power.
Surgical site infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms: a case–control study in general surgery
Authors: Foschi Diego , Yakushkina Al’ona , Cammarata Francesco , Lamperti Giulia , Colombo Francesco , Rimoldi Sara , Antinori Spinello , Sampietro Gianluca M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMulti-drug resistant organisms (MDR-Os) are emerging as a significant cause of surgical site infections (SSI), but clinical outcomes and risk factors associated to MDR-Os-SSI have been poorly investigated in general surgery. Aims were to investigate risk factors, clinical outcomes and costs of care of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDR-Os-SSI) in general surgery. From January 2018 to December 2019, all the consecutive, unselected patients affected by MDR-O SSI were prospectively evaluated. In the same period, patients with non-MDR-O SSI and without SSI, matched for clinical and surgical data were used as control groups. Risk factors for infection, clinical outcome, and costs of care were compared by univariate and multivariate analysis. Among 3494 patients operated on during the study period, 47 presented an MDR-O SSI. Two control groups of 47 patients with non-MDR-O SSI and without SSI were identified. MDR-Os SSI were caused by poly-microbial etiology, meanly related to Gram negative Enterobacteriales. MDR-Os-SSI were related to major postoperative complications. At univariate analysis, iterative surgery, open abdomen, intensive care, hospital stay, and use of aggressive and expensive therapies were associated to MDR-Os-SSI. At multivariate analysis, only iterative surgery and the need of total parenteral and immune-nutrition were significantly associated to MDR-Os-SSI. The extra-cost of MDR-Os-SSI treatment was 150% in comparison to uncomplicated patients. MDR-Os SSI seems to be associated with major postoperative complications and reoperative surgery, they are demanding in terms of clinical workload and costs of care, they are rare but increasing, and difficult to prevent with current strategies.
Graft weight integration in the early allograft dysfunction formula improves the prediction of early graft loss after liver transplantation
Authors: Manzia Tommaso Maria , Lai Quirino , Hartog Hermien , Aijtink Virginia , Pellicciaro Marco , Angelico Roberta , Gazia Carlo , Polak Wojciech G. , Rossi Massimo , Tisone Giuseppe 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe role of the graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) in adult liver transplantation (LT) has been poorly investigated so far. The aim is to evaluate the contribution of the GRWR to the well-recognized early allograft dysfunction (EAD) model (i.e., Olthoff model) for the prediction of 90-day graft loss after LT in adults. Three hundred thirty-one consecutive adult patients undergoing LT between 2009 and 2018 at Tor Vergata and Sapienza University in Rome, Italy, served as the Training-Set. The Validation-Set included 123 LTs performed at the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The mEAD model for 90-day graft loss included the following variables: GRWR $$\le $$
≤
1.57 = 2.5, GRWR $$\ge $$
≥
2.13 = 2.5, total bilirubin ≥ 10.0 mg/dL = 2.0, INR ≥ 1.60 = 2.3, and aminotransferase > 2000 IU/L = 2.2. The mEAD model showed an AUC = 0.74 (95%CI = 0.66–0.82; p < 0.001) and AUC = 0.68 (95%CI = 0.58–0.88; p = 0.01) in the Training-Set and Validation-Set, respectively, outperforming conventional EAD in both cohorts (Training-Set: AUC = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.57–0.72; p = 0.001; Validation-Set: AUC = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.35–0.69, p = 0.87). Incorporation of graft weight in a composite multivariate model allowed for better prediction of patients who presented an aminotransferase peak > 2000 IU/L after LT (OR = 2.39, 95%CI = 1.47–3.93, p = 0.0005). The GRWR is important in determining early graft loss after adult LT, and the mEAD model is a useful predictive tool in this perspective, which may assist in improving the graft allocation process.
Jordan structures of irreducible totally nonnegative matrices with a prescribed sequence of the first p-indices
Authors: Cantó Begoña , Cantó Rafael , Urbano Ana María 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLet $$A \in {\mathbb {R}}^{n \times n}$$

A
∈

R

n
×
n

be an irreducible totally nonnegative matrix with rank r and principal rank p, that is, A is irreducible with all minors nonnegative, r is the size of the largest invertible square submatrix of A and p is the size of its largest invertible principal submatrix. We consider the sequence $$\{1,i_2,\ldots ,i_p\}$$

{
1
,

i
2

,
…
,

i
p

}

of the first p-indices of A as the first initial row and column indices of a $$p \times p$$

p
×
p

invertible principal submatrix of A. A triple (n, r, p) is called $$(1,i_2,\ldots ,i_p)$$

(
1
,

i
2

,
…
,

i
p

)

-realizable if there exists an irreducible totally nonnegative matrix $$A \in {\mathbb {R}}^{n \times n}$$

A
∈

R

n
×
n

with rank r, principal rank p, and $$\{1,i_2,\ldots ,i_p\}$$

{
1
,

i
2

,
…
,

i
p

}

is the sequence of its first p-indices. In this work we study the Jordan structures corresponding to the zero eigenvalue of irreducible totally nonnegative matrices associated with a triple (n, r, p) $$(1,i_2,\ldots ,i_p)$$

(
1
,

i
2

,
…
,

i
p

)

-realizable.
GH/IGF-1 axis in a large cohort of ß-thalassemia major adult patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gagliardi I. , Mungari R. , Gamberini M. R. , Fortini M. , Dassie F. , Putti M. C. , Maffei P. , Aliberti L. , Bondanelli M. , Zatelli M. C. , Ambrosio M. R. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
GH deficit (GHD) could represent an endocrine issue in ß-Thalassemia Major (ßTM) patients. GH/IGF-1 axis has not been extensively explored in ßTM adults, so far. We aim to assess GHD and IGF-1 deficiency prevalence in ßTM adult population, focusing on the relationship with liver disease.

Methods
Cross-sectional multi-centre study conducted on 81 adult ßTM patients (44 males, mean age 41 ± 8 years) on transfusion and chelation therapy. GHD was investigated by GHRH + arginine test. IGF-1 levels, routine biochemical exams, Fibroscan, Hepatic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and pituitary MRI were collected.

Results
Eighteen patients were affected by GHD and 63 were not (nGHD) according to GHRH + arginine test, while basal GH levels did not differ. GHD was associated with a higher BMI and a worse lipid profile (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed regarding liver function between the two groups. Pituitary MRI scan was normal except for one case of empty sella. The 94.4% and 93.6% of GHD and nGHD, respectively, presented lower IGF-1 levels than the reference range, and mean IGF-1 SDS was significantly lower in GHD patients.

Conclusion
GHD is frequent in adult ßTM patients and is associated with higher BMI and worse lipid profile. nGHD patients present lower IGF-1 levels as well. There was no relationship between IGF-1 levels and liver disease. Further, multicentric studies with larger cohorts and standardized diagnostic protocols are needed.
Environmentally Tough and Stretchable MXene Organohydrogel with Exceptionally Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Performances
Authors: Yu Yuanhang , Yi Peng , Xu Wenbin , Sun Xin , Deng Gao , Liu Xiaofang , Shui Jianglan , Yu Ronghai 
Published: March 2022

AbstractConductive hydrogels have potential applications in shielding electromagnetic (EM) radiation interference in deformable and wearable electronic devices, but usually suffer from poor environmental stability and stretching-induced shielding performance degradation. Although organohydrogels can improve the environmental stability of materials, their development is at the expense of reducing electrical conductivity and thus weakening EM interference shielding ability. Here, a MXene organohydrogel is prepared which is composed of MXene network for electron conduction, binary solvent channels for ion conduction, and abundant solvent-polymer-MXene interfaces for EM wave scattering. This organohydrogel possesses excellent anti-drying ability, low-temperature tolerance, stretchability, shape adaptability, adhesion and rapid self-healing ability. Two effective strategies have been proposed to solve the problems of current organohydrogel shielding materials. By reasonably controlling the MXene content and the glycerol-water ratio in the gel, MXene organohydrogel can exhibit exceptionally enhanced EM interference shielding performances compared to MXene hydrogel due to the increased physical cross-linking density of the gel. Moreover, MXene organohydrogel shows attractive stretching-enhanced interference effectiveness, caused by the connection and parallel arrangement of MXene nanosheets. This well-designed MXene organohydrogel has potential applications in shielding EM interference in deformable and wearable electronic devices.
An analysis of the effects of territory properties on population behaviors and evacuation management during disasters using coupled dynamical systems
Authors: Lanza Valentina , Dubos-Paillard Edwige , Charrier Rodolphe , Provitolo Damienne , Berred Alexandre 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOne of the major current challenges in the field of security and safety of populations is to advance further in the understanding and the ability to anticipate their behaviors when faced with threats or disasters. Several factors such as the hazard properties or the culture of risk can influence people behavior during a disaster. In this paper, we assume that the spatial configuration of the site where the disaster takes place has also a significant impact on collective behaviors. For this, we use a mathematical model based on meta-population networks, in order to design realistic evacuation scenarios. This model, called the Alert-Panic-Control model, allows, on the one hand, to take into account the temporal dynamics of collective behaviors in front of disaster and on the other hand, the spatial context considered in terms of site maximum capacity. From the results of a in situ experiment carried out in 2019 with the population of Le Havre (France) concerning an industrial accident hypothesis, and in particular from the different evacuation paths chosen by the respondents, three scenarios of evacuation of the place located below the street level and in front of the Niemeyer Cultural Centre were built. The results are able to quantify how the contagion of panic has a major impact or not on an evacuation forced by specific territorial properties. Too narrow paths can cause panic phenomena due to bottleneck. They also highlight that the function of the refuge places, recreational function in this case, must be taken into account insofar as they can gather many people, impeding the evacuation of the population exposed to the danger.
Ortai, the Yongzheng Emperor, and the Multicolored World of China's Southwestern Frontier
Authors: Bellemare Julie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBy examining a series of events involving sightings of multicolored clouds and discoveries of colorful minerals in China's southwestern provinces, this article considers the political implications of natural manifestations of polychromy in the Yongzheng period. Through previously unexamined written and material correspondence between governor-general Ortai (1680–1745) and the Yongzheng emperor (r. 1723–35), I argue that physical occurrences of color, both above and below ground, were understood as signs of Heavenly approval of the emperor's governance at a time of questionable military expansion into the Southwest. I also consider how celestial phenomena and colorful stones were translated into design motifs and carved into exclusive items at the Qing court, positing that these objects were understood as signs of the Yongzheng emperor's political legitimacy and concrete evidence of Qing control over the remote reaches of the empire.
Absolute Paleointensity Experiments on Aged Thermoremanent Magnetization: Assessment of Reliability of the Tsunakawa‐Shaw and Other Methods With Implications for “Fragile” Curvature
Authors: Yamamoto Y. , Tauxe L. , Ahn H. , Santos C. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAbsolute paleointensity (API) of the geomagnetic field can be estimated from volcanic rocks by comparing the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) to a laboratory‐induced thermoremanent magnetization (Lab‐TRM). Plots of NRM unblocking versus Lab‐TRM blocking from API experiments often exhibit nonideal curvature, which can result in biased estimates. Previous work showed that curvature can increase with age; however, selection criteria designed to eliminate such behavior yielded accurate estimates for two‐year‐aged specimens (70.3 ± 3.8 μT;N = 96 specimens out of 120 experiments). API can also be estimated in coercivity space. Here, we use the Tsunakawa‐Shaw (TS) method applied to 20 specimens aged in the laboratory field of 70.0 μT for 4 years, after acquisition of zero‐age (fresh) Lab‐TRM in the same field. Selection criteria for the TS experiment also yielded accurate results (68.5 ± 4.5 μT;N = 17 specimens). In thermal API experiments, curvature is related to internal structure with more single domain‐like behavior having the least curvature. Here we show that the fraction of anhysteretic remanent magnetization demagnetized by low‐temperature treatment was larger for samples with larger thermal curvatures suggesting a magnetocrystalline anisotropy source. We also tested experimental remedies that have been proposed to improve the accuracy of paleointensity estimates. In particular, we test the efficacy of the multi‐specimen approach and a strategy pretreating specimens with low field alternating field demagnetization prior to the paleointensity experiment. Neither yielded accurate results.