bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracking canopy gaps in mangroves remotely using deep learning
Authors: Lassalle Guillaume , de Souza Filho Carlos Roberto 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMangroves are among the most ecologically valuable ecosystems of the globe. Reliable remote sensing solutions are required to assist their management and conservation at broad scale. Canopy gaps are part of forests' turnover and rejuvenation, but yet no method has been proposed to map their occurrence and recovery in mangroves. Here, were propose an approach based on a deep learning framework called Mask R‐CNN to achieve automatic detection and delineation of gaps using very‐high‐resolution satellite imagery (<1 m). The Mask R‐CNN combines a series of neural network architectures to identify and delineate gaps, determine their recovery stage, and estimate their morphological attributes. The approach was tested on four mangroves from different regions of the globe with high concentration of gaps of various origins (lightning strikes, oil spills, cutting, pests). The Mask R‐CNN performed well to detect gaps, and accurately delineated gap contours (F1‐score of segmentation ≥0.89). The model also succeeded in distinguishing among five recovery stages of gaps, from their onset to closure (Overall Accuracy = 91.4, Kappa = 0.89). Accurate retrieval of gap area, eccentricity, and compactness – three relevant morphological attributes – were obtained (R2 ≥ 0.83, NRMSE ≤10%). Several sources of confusion and misdelineation were identified. Our approach shows promising transferability to other mangrove sites and optical sensors and could help monitor canopy recovery in mangroves. It also opens promising perspectives for identifying the origin of gaps (natural or human‐induced). It is intended to assist environmental managers and field experts in the management and conservation of these fragile ecosystems.
Skew‐cyclic codes based public‐key cryptosystem approach
Authors: Güzeltepe Murat , Çalkavur Selda 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis is a survey on the theory of skew‐cyclic codes over the ring , where v2 = v. Coding theory plays an important role in the constructing cryptosystems. In this survey, we propose a public‐key cryptosystem using skew‐cyclic codes. The encryption is done by the Gray map ψ and the projection map φ is used for decryption. This approach is different from the others. More importantly, it is a secure system.
Study on Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Modified Corn Starch: Comparison of Ultrasound, Stirring, and Lactic Acid Treatments
Authors: Fashi Armin , Delavar Ali Fallah , Zamani Abbasali , Noshiranzadeh Nader , Zahraei Hashem 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUltra‐sonication has been growingly utilized in starch modification as a green and non‐thermal technology. In this research, the effect of ultrasonic, stirring, and lactic acid treatments alone and with their combination (binary and ternary) on the properties and structure of corn starch is investigated. In the ternary treatment, degree of substitution of lactate on the polymeric chains of the starch is increased, inducing an esterified structure, which imparted to the modified starch a higher swelling power, water holding capacity, water absorption index, oil absorption rate, and amylose content along with lower viscosity and activation energy of gelatinization than native starch and the rest of the treatments. Also, the in vitro starch digestibility test with ternary treatment exhibits lowest rapidly digestible starch fraction, and highest slowly digestible starch and resistant starch fractions. The XRD patterns demonstrate a reduction in crystallinity percentage of the modified starch by the ternary treatment compared to native starch. The images of SEM indicate that ultra‐sonication and acid hydrolysis result in the damage of granules' surface, while sample agitation by stirring causes no change. Esterification of corn starch is proved by FT‐IR. Starch modification by the proposed ternary treatment can be utilized in production of low‐calorie foods.
Selenium deficiency aggravates bisphenol A‐induced autophagy in chicken kidney through regulation of nitric oxide and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Huijie , Zhang Yue , Qi Xue , Shi Xu , Huang Xiaodan , Xu Shi‐Wen 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA), a phenolic compound, is harmful to humans and animals as its residue in the water threatens multiple organs, especially the kidney. Low selenium (Se) diets are consumed in many regions of the world, and poor Se status has exacerbating effect on toxicity of several environmental chemicals. Here, we described the discovery path of Se deficiency aggravation on autophagy in BPA treated chicken kidney through regulating nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways. The actual dietary Se intake for chickens was 0.30 mg/kg in control group and 0.03 mg/kg in Low‐Se group, and BPA exposure concentration for chickens was 0.05 g/kg. Chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells were used in vitro and the BPA exposure concentration for CEK cells was 150 nM. We found that BPA significantly increased levels of NO and inducible nitric oxide synthase, activated AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways, thereby triggering p62/LC3/Beclin1 signaling, resulting in formations of autophagosome and autolysosome, and finally stimulating autophagy in the chicken kidney. Additionally, Se deficiency promoted the occurrence of autophagy in BPA‐treated kidneys. Altogether, our findings showed that Se deficiency exacerbates BPA‐induced renal autophagy in chickens via regulation of NO and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways. These findings will improve our understandings of the mechanisms of nephrotoxicity of BPA and detoxification by Se in chickens. In addition, further work is required to determine if Se status of exposed populations needs to be considered in future epidemiological assessments.
Games in youth leadership learning
Authors: Cantrell Megan S. , Stedman Nicole L. P. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGames allow adult facilitators to develop youth participants’ leadership learning in a meaningful and educational way. When working with youth as the audience there are particular elements that need to be considered to guarantee applicable leadership development. This article discusses the model of youth leadership development, youth‐specific facilitation practices, as well as examples of games that can be integrated into leadership development programs.
Game design: Re‐imagining learning and teaching leadership through active gameplay
Authors: Lebrón Mariana J. , Lasley Joe 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGames aren't just useful products, the process of creating games is playful and full of learning potential. This article builds upon a discussion of game‐based learning as a cyclical, iterative process that includes motivation, action, and feedback by taking the discussion of the activity of creating games as learning activity. Leadership students first interact with predesigned gaming environments and then, as further demonstration of the confluence of game‐learned skills/knowledge and theory, they come to create their own cooperative gaming worlds.
Approximation by Szász‐Chlodowsky type operators associating 2D‐Appell polynomials
Authors: Ali Mahvish , Kadak Ugur 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this article, a Chlodowsky type generalization of Szász operators is considered in terms of the 2D Appell polynomials. Convergence properties of these operators are verified with the help of the universal Korovkin‐type property and the order of approximation is calculated by using classical modulus of continuity. Furthermore, weighted ‐statistical convergence and statistical weighted ‐ summability properties of the operators are obtained. Voronovskaja type results are established. The convergence of these operators are also discussed in weighted spaces of functions on the positive semi‐axis and estimate the approximation with the help of weighted modulus of continuity. Moreover, some numerical and graphical examples are also given to justify the results. Lastly, error bounds are calculated associated with the different choice of sequence .
Propagation of electroelastic waves in a continuously inhomogeneous piezoceramic solid cylinder†
Authors: Grigorenko Alexander , Loza Igor , Sperkach Svetlana , Bezuglaya Anna 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe propagation of axisymmetric electroelastic waves in solid inhomogeneous piezoceramic cylinders based on 3D electroelasticity is considered. The surface of the cylinder is free of loads and covered with thin electrodes. A resolving system of differential equations in partial derivatives with variable coefficients is presented. An efficient numerical–analytical method to solve this problem is proposed. Components of the elasticity tensor, of the mechanical and electric displacement vector, the electrostatic potential and of the components of the stress tensor are presented by running waves in an axial direction. The three‐dimensional system of resolving equation is reduced to a boundary‐value problem described by a system of differential equations. The spectral characteristics of running waves in the solid cylinders for homogeneous and continuously heterogeneous piezoceramic materials are presented and comparative analysis is carried out.
Institutional Infrastructures for Open, Distance, and Digital Education
Authors: Benke Meg , Widger Laura 
Published: July 2022

AbstractInfrastructure for open, distance, and digital education (ODDE) needs to have the capability to dynamically develop to accommodate varying models for the delivery of the curriculum and the changing needs of students and institutions. The capability to dynamically develop can be instilled within the institutional infrastructure for ODDE which includes areas such as information technology (IT), emerging technologies, marketing and recruitment, student prospect lead management, registration, educational materials, libraries, and student supports. Organizationally, infrastructures to support affordability, scalability, sustainability, and support must be developed. Open questions and directions for future research on institutional infrastructure for ODDE along with implications for ODDE practice that arise from this research are included.
Complete theory of radiative corrections to Kℓ3 decays and the Vus update
Authors: Seng Chien-Yeah , Galviz Daniel , Gorchtein Mikhail , Meißner Ulf-G. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
We fill up the missing piece in our own re-analysis of the long-distance electromagnetic radiative corrections to semileptonic kaon decays by performing a rigorous study in the K → πμ+νμ(γ) channels. With appropriate experimental and lattice inputs, we achieve a precision level of 10−4 in these channels. This is comparable to our previous analysis in the K → πe+νe(γ) channels. With this new result, we present an updated global analysis to extract the Standard Model parameter |Vus| from semileptonic kaon decays. We obtain |Vus| = 0.22308(55) and 0.22356(73), using the lattice average of the K0→ π− transition form factor at Nf = 2 + 1 + 1 and Nf = 2 + 1, respectively.
Existence of Dissipative Solutions to the Compressible Navier-Stokes System with Potential Temperature Transport
Authors: Lukáčová-Medvid’ová Mária , Schömer Andreas 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe introduce dissipative solutions to the compressible Navier-Stokes system with potential temperature transport motivated by the concept of Young measures. We prove their global-in-time existence by means of convergence analysis of a mixed finite element-finite volume method. If a strong solution to the compressible Navier-Stokes system with potential temperature transport exists, we prove the strong convergence of numerical solutions. Our results hold for the full range of adiabatic indices including the physically relevant cases in which the existence of global-in-time weak solutions is open.
Assessing the between-country genetic correlation in maize yield using German and Polish official variety trials
Authors: Malik Waqas Ahmed , Buntaran Harimurti , Przystalski Marcin , Lenartowicz Tomasz , Piepho Hans-Peter 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Key message
We assess the genetic gain and genetic correlation in maize yield using German and Polish official variety trials. The random coefficient models were fitted to assess the genetic correlation.

Abstract
Official variety testing is performed in many countries by statutory agencies in order to identify the best candidates and make decisions on the addition to the national list. Neighbouring countries can have similarities in agroecological conditions, so it is worthwhile to consider a joint analysis of data from national list trials to assess the similarity in performance of those varieties tested in both countries. Here, maize yield data from official German and Poland variety trials for cultivation and use (VCU) were analysed for the period from 1987 to 2017. Several statistical models that incorporate environmental covariates were fitted. The best fitting model was used to compute estimates of genotype main effects for each country. It is demonstrated that a model with random genotype-by-country effects can be used to borrow strength across countries. The genetic correlation between cultivars from the two countries equalled 0.89. The analysis based on agroecological zones showed high correlation between zones in the two countries. The results also showed that 22 agroecological zones in Germany can be merged into five zones, whereas the six zones in Poland had very high correlation and can be considered as a single zone for maize. The 43 common varieties which were tested in both countries performed equally in both countries. The mean performances of these common varieties in both countries were highly correlated.
Chlorhexidine residues in sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants: analytical determination and toxicity evaluation
Authors: Golpe Miguel Cobo , Castro Gabriela , Ramil Maria , Cela Rafael , Santos Ysabel , Rodríguez Isaac 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this work, a procedure for the sensitive and selective determination of chlorhexidine in sludge from municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs) based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was optimized and validated. Analysis of sewage sludge samples, obtained from different STPs in Northwest Spain from 2018 to 2021, showed that chlorhexidine was ubiquitous in this environmental compartment with concentrations between 0.3 and 16 µg g−1. The toxicity of this pollutant was assessed in in vitro assays considering three different model organisms: Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. C. albicans was the most sensitive of the tested microorganisms to chlorhexidine with a lethal threshold concentration of 0.1 mg L−1. Thus, the lowest observed sludge residue was 3 times higher than the acute toxicity threshold measured for C. albicans. Moreover, E. coli and S. aureus were also affected at chlorhexidine concentrations around 1.8 mg L−1 and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively. So, chlorhexidine residues might affect the population of microorganisms existing in STPs. In addition, the potential phytotoxicity of the compound was evaluated with germination experiments using different model seeds. At the evaluated dose (10 µg g−1 dried soil), chlorhexidine did not affect the germination of Sorghum saccharatum, Lepidium sativum, or Sinapis alba seeds. Thus, amending agriculture soils with chlorhexidine containing sludge is unlikely to affect the germination of plants.
Generation of Cross‐Specialty Consensus Statements on Soft Tissue Management via a Modified Delphi Method
Authors: Matic Damir , Cheng Joseph S. , Gauthier Olivier , Harder Yves , Lettieri Salvatore C. , Chatterjee Sandipan , Chen Maio , Volgas David 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundSoft tissue management (STM) training programs for surgeons are largely tradition based, and substantial differences exist among different surgical specialties. The lack of comprehensive and systematic clinical evidence on how surgical techniques and implants affect soft tissue healing makes it difficult to develop evidence‐based curricula. As a curriculum development group (CDG), we set out to find common grounds in the form of a set of consensus statements to serve as the basis for surgical soft tissue education.MethodsFollowing a backward planning process and Kern's six‐step approach, the group selected 13 topics to build a cross‐specialty STM curriculum. A set of statements based on the curriculum topics were generated by the CDG through discussions and a literature review of three topics. A modified Delphi process including one round of pilot voting through a face‐to‐face CDG meeting and two rounds of web‐based survey involving 22 panelists were utilized for the generation of consensus statements.ResultsSeventy‐one statements were evaluated, and 56 statements reached the 80% consensus for “can be taught as is.”ConclusionsUsing a modified Delphi method, a set of cross‐specialty consensus statements on soft tissue management were generated. These consensus statements can be used as a foundation for multi‐specialty surgical education. Similar methods that combine expert experience and clinical evidence can be used to develop specialty‐specific consensus on soft tissue handling.
Modification on antibacterial activity of PVC/PVDF blend filled with CuO NPs using laser ablation technique
Authors: Ibrahim A. S. , Ayad D. M. , Menazea A. A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractNanocomposite of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) have been in situ synthesized. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have been prepared via using the laser ablation technique. Nanoparticles were added to the blend. The properties of the blend were studied before and after adding CuONPs. These properties were characterized by different techniques. Antimicrobial activity of the prepared nanocomposite film was investigated. FTIR data show vibrational spectral bands and the shift of the bands is related to the interaction and the complexation that occurs between blend and nanoparticles. Structural properties and crystallinity of the samples were investigated using XRD diffraction. XRD results illustrated the effect of CuONPs at two new peaks 2θ = 26.25º and 38.41º. These results confirmed the interaction CuO NPs and PVDF/PVC matrix. UV–Visible analyses confirmed the existing of copper oxide nanoparticles and were also used for determining the optical absorption edge. The absorption edges have been obtained at 430–520 nm for all of the doping films. The obtained values for indirect and direct bandgaps were reduced by raising the nanoparticles because of the presence of charge transfer between PVC/PVDF and CuONPs. SEM images illustrateed the presence of CuONPs on the surface of the blend and the morphology changes which occurred to the blend. The antibacterial activity for the nanocomposite proved the antimicrobial effect of copper oxide nanoparticles. The prepared PVC/PVDF/CuONPs are potentially suggesting to be applied for biomedical applications.
Trabekulektomie mit Mitomycin C und Ologen®-Implantat im Vergleich zur klassischen Trabekulektomie
Authors: Helmers Gloria , Munteanu Cristian , Löw Ursula , Seitz Berthold 
Published: July 2022

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die Trabekulektomie (TE) mit Mitomycin C (MMC) gilt als Goldstandard der Glaukomchirurgie. Eine neuere Modifikation ist die Verwendung von Ologen®-Implantaten (AEON Astron Europe B.V., Leiden, Niederlande) bei der TE, die in dieser Studie bewertet und mit der klassischen TE verglichen werden soll.

Patienten und Methoden
In die Studie wurden 98 Augen nach TE mit MMC (Gruppe 1) sowie 70 Augen nach TE mit Ologen® und MMC (Gruppe 2) aufgenommen. Beide Gruppen wurden hinsichtlich des intraokulären Drucks (IOD), der medikamentösen Glaukomtherapie sowie Komplikationen und Nachbehandlungen verglichen. Die Daten wurden präoperativ und bis 2 Jahre postoperativ erhoben.

Ergebnisse
In Gruppe 1 verringerte sich der IOD von 28,0 mmHg (95 %-Konfidenzintervall: 26,6–29,4 mmHg) präoperativ auf 16,0 mmHg (14,0–18,1) nach 2 Jahren. In Gruppe 2 wurde der IOD von 28,5 mmHg (26,8–30,1) auf 14,3 mmHg (11,7–17) gesenkt. Zu allen Zeitpunkten war die Drucksenkung in beiden Gruppen signifikant (p < 0,001), zwischen den Gruppen bestand kein Unterschied (p > 0,05). Alle glaukomspezifischen Nachbehandlungen waren in Gruppe 1 häufiger, jedoch nicht signifikant.

Schlussfolgerung
Beide Verfahren zeigten sich gleichwertig effektiv bezüglich der IOD-Reduktion. In unserer Studienpopulation waren nach TE mit Ologen® weniger Nachbehandlungen und folglich seltener Klinikaufenthalte nötig.
Combining advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with finite element (FE) analysis for characterising subject-specific injury patterns in the brain after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Shim Vickie , Tayebi Maryam , Kwon Eryn , Guild Sarah-Jane , Scadeng Miriam , Dubowitz David , McBryde Fiona , Rosset Samuel , Wang Alan , Fernandez Justin , Li Shaofan , Holdsworth Samantha 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. The way mechanical impact is transferred to the brain has been shown to be a major determinant for structural damage and subsequent pathological sequalae. Although finite element (FE) models have been used extensively in the investigation of various aspects of TBI and have been instrumental in characterising a TBI injury threshold and the pattern of diffuse axonal injuries, subject-specific analysis has been difficult to perform due to the complexity of brain structures and its material properties. We have developed an efficient computational pipeline that can generate subject-specific FE models of the brain made up of conforming hexahedral elements directly from advanced MRI scans. This pipeline was applied and validated in our sheep model of TBI. Our FE model of the sheep brain accurately predicted the damage pattern seen on post-impact MRI scans. Furthermore, our model also showed a complex time-varying strain distribution pattern, which was not present in the homogeneous model without subject-specific material descriptions. To our knowledge, this is the first fully subject-specific FE model of the sheep brain able to predict structural damage after a head impact. The pipeline developed has the potential to augment the analysis of human brain MRI scans to detect changes in brain structures and function after TBI.