bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid identification of pyoverdines of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. by UHPLC-IM-MS
Authors: Rehm Karoline , Vollenweider Vera , Kümmerli Rolf , Bigler Laurent 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSiderophores are iron-chelating molecules produced by bacteria and other microbes. They are involved with virulence in infections and play key roles in bacterial community assembly and as plant protectants due to their pathogen control properties. Although assays exist to screen whether newly isolated bacteria can produce siderophores, the chemical structures of many of these bio-active molecules remain unidentified due to the lack of rapid analytical procedures. An important group of siderophores are pyoverdines. They consist of a structurally diverse group of chromopeptides, whose amino acid sequence is characteristic for the fluorescent Pseudomonas species that secrets them. Although over 60 pyoverdine structures have been described so far, their characterization is cumbersome and several methods (isoelectrofocusing, iron uptake measurement, mass determination) are typically combined as ambiguous results are often achieved by a single method. Those additional experiments consume valuable time and resources and prevent high-throughput analysis. In this work, we present a new pyoverdine characterisation option by recording their collision cross sections (CCS) using trapped ion mobility spectrometry. This can be done simultaneously in combination with UHPLC and high-resolution MS resulting in a rapid identification of pyoverdines. The high specificity of CCS values is presented for 17 pyoverdines secreted by different Pseudomonas strains. The pyoverdine mass determination by full scan MS was supported by fragments obtained from broadband collision induced dissociation (bbCID). As iron contaminations in laboratories are not uncommon, CCS values of ferripyoverdines were also evaluated. Thereby, unusual and highly characteristic ion mobility patterns were obtained that are suitable as an alternative identification marker.
Evaluation of a Web-based Information Platform for Youths on Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Primbs Regine , Piechaczek Charlotte Elisabeth , Iglhaut Lucia , Grill Patricia , Feldmann Lisa , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Greimel Ellen 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDuring the corona pandemic, youths were confronted with substantial challenges and in urgent need of information on how to prevent mental health problems. This experimental pre-post-follow-up study examined the efficacy and reception of an innovative website (www.corona-und-du.info) containing evidence-based information for youths on how to overcome psychological distress during the pandemic. 34 youths aged 11–18 years were presented domains of the website in the laboratory. Standardized questionnaires were applied to assess changes in knowledge, the reception of the website, and changes in behavioral intention to seek psychological help. For all content domains, we found a significant knowledge gain with large effect sizes from pre to post, and from pre to follow-up. The reception of the website was very positive, and participants indicated increased intention to seek psychological support when needed. The results constitute an important basis for future attempts to promote mental health information in youths in times of crisis.
Tackling the challenge of peer learning in hybrid and online universities
Authors: Mendieta-Aragón Adrián , Arguedas-Sanz Raquel , Ruiz-Gómez Luis Manuel , Navío-Marco Julio 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPeer learning is not fully developed or researched in online and hybrid higher education. This research analyses a peer learning experience in the asynchronous part of hybrid teaching, in one of the largest blended universities in Europe, promoting students to act as teachers of their peers, by preparing digital content (videos) for the course. This article studies whether there are behaviour patterns and different perceptions associated between students who act as teachers, and those who only act as students. The results indicate, among other findings, that students demand this type of activities, and value them very positively. Specifically, the “teachers” consider that this activity increases their motivation for the subject and their performance; they also consider that it significantly improves their creativity and communication skills, and they would definitely participate in the project again. The assessment of the students who merely view the materials is also very positive, and they prefer a learning method through classmate videos than the traditional learning method with printed materials. The research is also a boost to finding ways to promote learning among equals in non-classroom teaching in digital environments.
Next-generation universal hereditary cancer screening: implementation of an automated hereditary cancer screening program for patients with advanced cancer undergoing tumor sequencing in a large HMO
Authors: Hoffman Trevor L. , Kershberg Hilary , Goff John , Holmquist Kimberly J. , Haque Reina , Alvarado Monica 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVariants in hereditary cancer risk genes are frequently identified following tumor-based DNA sequencing and represent an opportunity to diagnose hereditary cancer. We implemented an automated hereditary cancer screening program in a large HMO for all patients who underwent tumor-based DNA sequencing to identify patients with hereditary cancer and determine if this approach augmented existing genetic counseling approaches driven by personal/family history criteria. Regular automated searches of a centralized tumor DNA variant database were performed for ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, and/or PMS2 variants, and germline hereditary cancer gene panel testing was offered to patients with tumor variants who had never undergone germline testing. Patients completing germline testing due to their tumor DNA test results were considered part of the tumor DNA safety net. Patients previously completing germline testing via traditional genetic counseling and tumor DNA safety net were compared for demographics, tumor type, presence of germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant, and whether NCCN criteria were met for hereditary cancer genetic testing. Germline P/LP variants were common in both groups. Patients who received germline testing through traditional genetic counseling were more likely to have cardinal hereditary tumors than the tumor DNA safety net group. Patients identified with hereditary cancer through traditional genetic counseling were more likely to meet NCCN personal/family history criteria for germline testing than the tumor DNA safety net group (99% versus 34%). A universal tumor DNA safety net screen is an important diagnostic strategy which augments traditional genetic counseling approaches based on personal/family history.
Faculty Motivation for OER Textbook Adoption and Future Use
Authors: Herbert Michael J. , Clinton-Lisell Virginia , Stupnisky Robert H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMost postsecondary instructors in the United States require students to use textbooks in their courses; however, the cost of commercial materials has increased, and copyright policies impede sharing, editing, and customizations of materials. The current study aimed to examine faculty motivation to adopt Open Educational Resources (OER) and how OER use relates to effective teaching practices. Survey data from 469 professors, instructors, lecturers, and research scientists were analyzed using structural equation modeling, which found that autonomous motivation (engagement with OER textbooks based on enjoyment, value) was the strongest positive predictor of current and future OER textbook use. However, use of OER textbooks was not related to self-reported teaching success. The results of this study contribute to better understanding faculty perceptions of and motivation for OER textbook use, along with informing OER adoption initiatives at postsecondary institutions.
Improved Efficiency of Multilevel Monte Carlo for Stochastic PDE through Strong Pairwise Coupling
Authors: Chada N. K. , Hoel H. , Jasra A. , Zouraris G. E. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMultilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) has become an important methodology in applied mathematics for reducing the computational cost of weak approximations. For many problems, it is well-known that strong pairwise coupling of numerical solutions in the multilevel hierarchy is needed to obtain efficiency gains. In this work, we show that strong pairwise coupling indeed is also important when MLMC is applied to stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) of reaction-diffusion type, as it can improve the rate of convergence and thus improve tractability. For the MLMC method with strong pairwise coupling that was developed and studied numerically on filtering problems in (Chernov in Num Math 147:71-125, 2021), we prove that the rate of computational efficiency is higher than for existing methods. We also provide numerical comparisons with alternative coupling ideas on linear and nonlinear SPDE to illustrate the importance of this feature.
Decontamination of 137Cs,95Zr, 154Eu and 144Ce from aqueous solutions using polyacrylamide titanium tungstosilicate
Authors: Mahrous Sara S. , Mansy Muhammad S. , Abdel Galil E. A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPolyacrylamide titanium tungstosilicate (PAM/TiWSi) composite was synthesised using a sol–gel process and characterized via FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and TGA methods. The effects of several factors on the adsorption of Cs+, Eu3+, Ce3+and Zr4+ have been studied, including contact duration, pH, temperature, and starting concentration. PAM/TiWSi sorption of Cs+, Eu3+, Ce3+and Zr4+ was studied in terms of isotherms and kinetics. The Freundlich model was better linked with isotherm data than the Langmuir model. Cs+, Eu3+, Ce3+and Zr4+ have maximum sorption capacities (Qmax) of 30.7, 26.6, 25,3 and 29.7 mg.g−1, respectively. Furthermore, the sorption process was found based on pseudo-second-order.
Smoothing policies and safe policy gradients
Authors: Papini Matteo , Pirotta Matteo , Restelli Marcello 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPolicy gradient (PG) algorithms are among the best candidates for the much-anticipated applications of reinforcement learning to real-world control tasks, such as robotics. However, the trial-and-error nature of these methods poses safety issues whenever the learning process itself must be performed on a physical system or involves any form of human-computer interaction. In this paper, we address a specific safety formulation, where both goals and dangers are encoded in a scalar reward signal and the learning agent is constrained to never worsen its performance, measured as the expected sum of rewards. By studying actor-only PG from a stochastic optimization perspective, we establish improvement guarantees for a wide class of parametric policies, generalizing existing results on Gaussian policies. This, together with novel upper bounds on the variance of PG estimators, allows us to identify meta-parameter schedules that guarantee monotonic improvement with high probability. The two key meta-parameters are the step size of the parameter updates and the batch size of the gradient estimates. Through a joint, adaptive selection of these meta-parameters, we obtain a PG algorithm with monotonic improvement guarantees.
Riemannian block SPD coupling manifold and its application to optimal transport
Authors: Han Andi , Mishra Bamdev , Jawanpuria Pratik , Gao Junbin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this work, we study the optimal transport (OT) problem between symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrix-valued measures. We formulate the above as a generalized optimal transport problem where the cost, the marginals, and the coupling are represented as block matrices and each component block is a SPD matrix. The summation of row blocks and column blocks in the coupling matrix are constrained by the given block-SPD marginals. We endow the set of such block-coupling matrices with a novel Riemannian manifold structure. This allows to exploit the versatile Riemannian optimization framework to solve generic SPD matrix-valued OT problems. We illustrate the usefulness of the proposed approach in several applications.
Skills futures in Africa
Authors: McGrath Simon 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education imagines a positive future in which skills development can be harnessed for the benefits of people and planet, in line with the loftiest vision of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, skills systems often remain marginalized within educational debates and plans, with vocational learning often dismissed as low quality and low status. Reflecting on the work done for the commission on future skills, this article considers the nature of the challenges of the present in building better skills futures for Africa. It argues that we must be clear-sighted regarding the failings of past theory and practice if, together, we are to construct better futures for learning, working, and living. Only then can we develop institutions, programmes, and curricula that can meet the challenges and realize the opportunities of the future.
Sustainability objectives and collaboration lifecycle in cluster organizations
Authors: LIS Anna Maria , Rozkwitalska Malgorzata , LIS Adrian 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn our paper, we combine two issues, collaboration in cluster organizations and sustainability, aiming to answer the question: Does complex governance structure of cluster organizations support members in formulating and reaching sustainability objectives? Based on four case studies of cluster organizations and a still novel abductive approach, we present the ways in which sustainability was executed in their functioning. Our study shows that the role of cluster organizations in formulating and reaching sustainability objectives varied with regard to their collaboration life cycle. The “Formation” stage laid the foundations for collaboration and relational governance, the “Growth” stage aimed at improving the economic performance of cluster members, while the “Extension” stage impacted more cluster stakeholders with regard to the economic, social and environmental sustainability objectives. Nevertheless, stakeholders’ self-interest induced collaboration, whereas relational governance was its essential feature. Moreover, the potential of cluster organizations’ governance structures was not fully exploited in the context of sustainability, their structures have played a role in raising awareness, but it was more the competitive factors that drove companies to engage in an activity because they wanted to stay in the market, change the conditions and keep up with trends. Our research also provides practical implications for various cluster organizations’ stakeholders.
VGLM proportional odds model to infer hosts’ Airbnb performance
Authors: Contu Giulia , Frigau Luca , Ortu Marco 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe investigated aspects of host activities that influence and enhance host performance in an effort to achieve best results in terms of the occupancy rate and the overall rating. The occupancy rate measures the percentage of reserved days with respect to available days. The overall rating identifies the satisfaction level of guests that booked an Airbnb accommodation. We used the proportional odds model to estimate the impact of the managerial variables and the characteristics of the accommodation on host performance. Five different levels of the occupancy and the overall rating were investigated to understand which features impact them and support the effort to move from the lowest to the highest level. The analysis was carried out for Italy’s most visited cities: Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence. We focused on the year 2016. Moreover, we investigated different impact levels in terms of the overall rating during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate possible differences. Our findings show the relevance of some variables, such as the number of reviews, services, and typology of the rented accommodation. Moreover, the results show differences among cities and in time for the relevant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short- and long-term effects of reminders on panellists’ survey participation in a probability-based panel study with a sequential mixed-mode design
Authors: Becker Rolf 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn recent panel studies, besides other methods such as sequential mixed-mode design, push-to-web method, and prepaid monetary incentives, follow-up contacts such as personalised electronic mails (e-mails) or short message service are often used to motivate nonrespondents to complete the questionnaire, increase the response rate within a limited fieldwork period, and minimise panel attrition. Since it is still unclear when and how often non-complying panellists should be reminded to take part in a survey, this contribution analyses the short- and long-term effects of digital reminders across the fieldwork period. For this purpose, longitudinal data and statistical procedures of event history analysis are applied to reveal the effects of reminders on the likelihood, timing, and social structure of Swiss juveniles’ survey participation. On the one hand, there are short-term and long-term effects of multiple early reminders on the response of panellists receiving reminders. On the other hand, there are no cumulative effects across the fieldwork period or overlapping effects of reminders across the mixed survey modes. Considering the social structure of nonrespondents who receive reminders, it appears plausible that there may be a selective response in terms of the panellists’ social origin, educational level, and language proficiency.
The Diffraction-Limited Near-Infrared Spectropolarimeter (DL-NIRSP) of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST)
Authors: Jaeggli Sarah A. , Lin Haosheng , Onaka Peter , Yamada Hubert , Anan Tetsu , Bonnet Morgan , Ching Gregory , Huang Xiao-Pei , Kramar Maxim , McGregor Helen , Nitta Garry , Rae Craig , Robertson Louis , Schad Thomas A. , Toyama Paul , Young Jessica , Berst Chris , Harrington David M. , Liang Mary , Puentes Myles , Sekulic Predrag , Smith Brett , Sueoka Stacey R. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTheDiffraction-Limited Near-Infrared Spectropolarimeter(DL-NIRSP) is one of the first-light instruments for the National Science Foundation’sDaniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope(DKIST). DL-NIRSP is an integral-field, dual-beam spectropolarimeter intended for studying magnetically sensitive spectral lines in the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and corona with high spectral resolution and polarimetric accuracy. Two novel fiber-optic integral-field units (IFUs), paired with selectable feed optics and a field-scanning mirror provide great flexibility in spatial sampling ($0.03^{\prime\prime}$0.03″,$0.08^{\prime\prime}$0.08″, and$0.5^{\prime \prime}$0.5″) and field coverage ($2^{\prime} \times 2^{\prime }$2′×2′). The IFUs allow DL-NIRSP to record all the spectra from a 2D field of view simultaneously, enabling the instrument to study the evolution of highly dynamic events. The spectrograph is an all-reflecting, near-Littrow design, which achieves a resolving power of approximately 125,000. Multiple wavelengths can be observed simultaneously using three spectral arms: one for visible wavelengths (500 – 900 nm) and two for infrared wavelengths (900 – 1350 nm and 1350 – 1800 nm). Each supporting camera sub-system is capable of a 30-Hz frame rate, making it possible to track dynamic phenomena on the Sun.
Photosynthetic and antioxidant activity in the sex-related heat stress response of the dioecious species Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh.
Authors: Gozdur Kacper , Ślesak Ireneusz , Ślesak Halina 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh. is a dioecious species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Due to sexual dimorphism and the content of bioactive constituents used in pharmacology, this species is an interesting object of study. A complex analysis of selected physiological and biochemical aspects of the sex-related response to heat stress in vitro and in vivo was carried out. The experiment included in vitro regenerated plants and plants obtained from seeds. Regenerants were obtained from hypocotyls on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.27 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). The sex of the plants was determined by molecular analysis based on genetic sex markers. Analysis of the main photosynthetic parameters indicated that in vitro regenerated plants showed a decrease in photosystem II (PSII) activity when directly exposed to a stressor. However, in contrast to the seed-derived plants, they adapted efficiently to the recovery conditions within 1 week after the stress was terminated. Furthermore, in vitro regenerated male and female plants acclimatised well to field conditions and showed greater stress tolerance based on better efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and the highest chlorophyll a/b ratio. In case of plants derived from seeds, male plants were less sensitive to heat stress and showed greater stability of PSII at high temperatures compared to female plants. The results showed that the response to high-temperature stress depends on the sex and the origin of the plants, i. e. in vitro regenerated plants versus plants obtained from seeds. Even short-term heat stress resulted in differences in photosynthetic efficiency. Biochemical analysis of antioxidant activity in response to heat stress, carried out for the first time in Rumex thyrsiflorus, has allowed the identification of the following forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD): manganese (MnSOD), iron (FeSOD) and two copper-zinc isoforms (Cu/ZnSOD I and Cu/ZnSOD II).
Are Wittgenstein’s Hinges Rational World-Pictures? The Groundlessness Theory Reconsidered
Authors: García-Valdecasas Miguel 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSome philosophers have argued that Wittgenstein’s hinges, the centrepiece of his book On Certainty, are the “ungrounded ground” on which knowledge rests. It is usually understood by this that hinges provide a foundation for knowledge without being themselves epistemically warranted. In fact, Wittgenstein articulates that hinges lack any truth-value and are neither justified nor unjustified. This inevitably places them wholly outside the categorial framework of JTB epistemology. What I call the “groundlessness interpretation”, inspired by OC 166, understands the fundamental pieces of our cognitive scaffolding this way. The view has been largely successful. I argue that this interpretation is incomplete for two basic reasons: first, it is not based on undisputed evidence; second, by assuming that hinges are committed to reality by epistemic fiat, it looks as if Wittgenstein is asking us to blindly trust them regardless of their actual content. Contrary to this, I argue that Wittgenstein describes hinges as illuminating world-pictures that reflect reality and are answerable to facts in a derivate way. As the book shows, hinges originate in our engagement with reality and, while considered unquestionable, could be challenged, reassessed, and replaced by new ones. This indicates that hinges are both the result of knowledge-acquisition and somewhat continuous with one’s set of beliefs. It follows that hinges are ultimately rational, and so, apt instruments to confront scepticism.