nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The effects of a wetland restoration project on the Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) population and stopover habitat in Momoge National Nature Reserve, China

An assessment of wetland restoration project and their restoration impacts can provide a reference for effective management and habitat improvements. In this paper, a monitoring program was conducted before and after the stopover habitat of the Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus was restored. The results indicated that the Siberian crane population and its primary food Scirpus planiculmis distribution area increased in the first three years of the restoration project relative to the levels prior to the project. The daily water levels ranged from approximately 20 cm to 20 cm, which is ideal for a stopover habitat for this waterbird. An obvious effect was observed as a result of the restoration of Siberian crane habitat. However, Siberian crane numbers sharply decreased in the later period of the restoration project to 10 40% of the values prior to restoration. The average daily water level was approximately 60 cm, and the distribution area of S. planiculmis decreased, which affected the incidence of Siberian crane stopovers. Furthermore, an effective water management strategy was established to protect Siberian crane populations and habitats. In summer, continuous water supplementation based on varying water demands was used to guarantee the growth of S. planiculmis and provide a suitable water level for Siberian crane stopovers in autumn. At the end of autumn, rapid water supplementation was used to maintain suitable water levels for the following spring. These results can serve as a reference point for protecting and restoring similar waterbird habitats.
Community perspectives on an internationally funded mangrove restoration project: Kien Giang province, Vietnam

It is common for environmental restoration projects to be reviewed by the administering organizations but it is much less common for the communities that the projects are meant to serve to detail their experiences and perceptions of the outcomes. We evaluate an internationally funded mangrove restoration project and reflect upon the lessons learned in regard to the project strategies and interventions, particularly from the perspective of the local community. The Vam Ray coast, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, was seriously eroded by 2008. In May 2009, a demonstration project was established which achieved a high survival rate of transplanted mangroves and sea mud accumulation. This study used participatory action research methods (literature review, semi structured interviews, field visits, and peer debriefing) to evaluate the project outcomes. Despite the project being generally very successful, its implementation and results were inadequately documented by agencies involved due in large part to insufficient local involvement during the reporting process, even though the local community was fully involved in the project planning and implementation. Inadequate documentation has led to mistakes being made when attempts have been made to replicate the project elsewhere, and incomplete findings have been incorporated into mangrove management plans at the provincial and regional levels. Using the community knowledge from the time of the project implementation and since, we detail the successes and problems encountered to provide more complete reporting, to assist transferability of the methods to other eroding muddy coasts in Vietnam and potentially elsewhere.
Risk Factors for Failure of Male Slings and Artificial Urinary Sphincters: Results from a Large Middle European Cohort Study
Venue: Urologia Internationalis

We analysed the impact of predefined risk factors: age, diabetes, history of pelvic irradiation, prior surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) prior urethral stricture, additional procedure during SUI surgery, duration of incontinence, ASA classification and cause for incontinence on failure and complications in male SUI surgery.  We retrospectively identified 506 patients with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and 513 patients with a male sling (MS) in a multicenter cohort study. Complication rates were correlated to the risk factors in univariate analysis. Subsequently, a multivariate logistic regression adjusted to the risk factors was performed. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.  A history of pelvic irradiation was an independent risk factor for explantation in AUS (p 0.001) and MS (p 0.018) Moreover, prior urethral stricture (p 0.036) and higher ASA classification (p 0.039) were positively correlated with explantation in univariate analysis for AUS. Urethral erosion was correlated with prior urethral stricture (p 0.001) and a history of pelvic irradiation (p 0.001) in AUS. Furthermore, infection was correlated with additional procedures during SUI surgery in univariate analysis (p 0.037) in MS.  We first identified the correlation of higher ASA classification and explantation in AUS. Nevertheless, only a few novel risk factors had a significant influence on the failure of MS or AUS.
Reactions to tokenism: The role of individual characteristics in shaping responses to token decisions

When only a handful of members from a disadvantaged group occupy positions of power, they are considered tokens. Previous research suggests that observers tend to consider tokenism as an egalitarian practice. Given its ambiguous nature, we hypothesized that reactions to tokenism would be shaped by individuals' sensitivity to inequality. In Study 1, we showed that women (vs. men) and individuals low (vs. high) on social dominance orientation differentiated more between a token and an egalitarian decision in the context of gender related practices. Similar findings were observed in Study 2, which involved gender and feminist identification as independent variables. Additional support, particularly for the role of social dominance orientation, was found in Study 3, which involved an ethnic token. Together, results demonstrate the role of individuals' chronic sensitivity to inequality in shaping their reactions to token practices. Theoretical and practical implications regarding the effect of tokenism on individuals' evaluations and responses to inequality are discussed.
Feasible water flow filter with facilely functionalized Fe3O4 non oxidative graphene/CNT composites for arsenic removal

Practical applications of carbon based nanomaterials are important issues for water treatment technologies, especially for heavy metal adsorption. For the applications, a facile method to functionalize the carbon based nanomaterials and a strategy for their typical uses are required. Here, we report a highly feasible water flow filter filled with Fe3O4 functionalized non oxidative graphene/CNT prepared via facile functionalization in a Couette Taylor flow reactor for arsenic removal. Fe3O4 was uniformly functionalized on the CNTs and the non oxidative graphene using the Couette Taylor flow method, which allows fast production of a large number of filters. The hybrid composite of Fe3O4 functionalized non oxidative graphene/CNT demonstrated an improvement in the arsenic removal efficiency when it served as a flow filter rather than when used in the batch method because its 3D structure enhanced both the water flow pathway and the contact area with Fe3O4. Adaption for household use for continuous purification of water is simple for this proposed filter.
Development of VHF (240 270 MHz) antennas for SoOp (signal of opportunity) receiver for 6U Cubesat platforms
Venue: 2016 Progress in Electromagnetic Research Symposium (PIERS)

The main goal of this research is to design, fabricate, and test deployable VHF antennas for 6U Cubesat platforms to enable validation of root zone soil moisture (RZSM) estimation algorithms for signal of opportunity (SoOp) remote sensing over the 240 270MHz frequency band. The proposed work provides a strong foundation for establishing a technology development path for maturing a truly global direct surface soil moisture (SM) and RZSM measurement system  over a variety of land covers with limited density restrictions. In SoOp methodology, signals transmitted by already existing transmitters (known as transmitters of opportunity, in this case the Military Satellite Communication (MilSatCom) System's UHF Follow On program) are utilized to measure properties of reflecting targets by recording reflected signals using a simple passive microwave receiver.
Attenuated anticorrelation between the default and dorsal attention networks with aging: evidence from task and rest
Venue: Neurobiology of Aging

Anticorrelation between the default and dorsal attention networks is a central feature of human functional brain organization. Hallmarks of aging include impaired default network modulation and declining medial temporal lobe (MTL) function. However, it remains unclear if this anticorrelation is preserved into older adulthood during task performance, or how this is related to the intrinsic architecture of the brain. We hypothesized that older adults would show reduced within and increased between network functional connectivity (FC) across the default and dorsal attention networks. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of aging on task related and intrinsic FC using functional magnetic resonance imaging during an autobiographical planning task known to engage the default network and during rest, respectively, with young (n 72) and older (n 79) participants. The task related FC analysis revealed reduced anticorrelation with aging. At rest, there was a robust double dissociation, with older adults showing a pattern of reduced within network FC, but increased between network FC, across both networks, relative to young adults. Moreover, older adults showed reduced intrinsic resting state FC of the MTL with both networks suggesting a fractionation of the MTL memory system in healthy aging. These findings demonstrate age related dedifferentiation among these competitive large scale networks during both task and rest, consistent with the idea that age related changes are associated with a breakdown in the intrinsic functional architecture within and among large scale brain networks.
Decomposition Based Algorithms Using Pareto Adaptive Scalarizing Methods
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation

Decomposition based algorithms have become increasingly popular for evolutionary multiobjective optimization. However, the effect of scalarizing methods used in these algorithms is still far from being well understood. This paper analyzes a family of frequently used scalarizing methods, the Lp methods, and shows that the p value is crucial to balance the selective pressure toward the Pareto optimal and the algorithm robustness to Pareto optimal front (PF) geometries. It demonstrates that an Lp method that can maximize the search ability of a decomposition based algorithm exists and guarantees that, given some weight, any solution along the PF can be found. Moreover, a simple yet effective method called Pareto adaptive scalarizing (PaS) approximation is proposed to approximate the optimal p value. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of PaS, we incorporate PaS into a state of the art decomposition based algorithm, i.e. multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) and compare the resultant MOEA/D PaS with some other MOEA/D variants on a set of problems with different PF geometries and up to seven conflicting objectives. Experimental results demonstrate that the PaS is effective.
Robust underwater obstacle detection and collision avoidance
Venue: Auton. Robots

A robust obstacle detection and avoidance system is essential for long term autonomy of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) Forward looking sonars are usually used to detect and localize obstacles. However, high amounts of background noise and clutter present in underwater environments makes it difficult to detect obstacles reliably. Moreover, lack of GPS signals in underwater environments leads to poor localization of the AUV. This translates to uncertainty in the position of the obstacle relative to a global frame of reference. We propose an obstacle detection and avoidance algorithm for AUVs which differs from existing techniques in two aspects. First, we use a local occupancy grid that is attached to the body frame of the AUV, and not to the global frame in order to localize the obstacle accurately with respect to the AUV alone. Second, our technique adopts a probabilistic framework which makes use of probabilities of detection and false alarm to deal with the high amounts of noise and clutter present in the sonar data. This local probabilistic occupancy grid is used to extract potential obstacles which are then sent to the command and control (C2) system of the AUV. The C2 system checks for possible collision and carries out an evasive maneuver accordingly. Experiments are carried out to show the viability of the proposed algorithm.
Comparaison des performances et de la qualite d'image clinique d'un TEP/TDM derniere generation et d'un TEP/IRM TOF

Objectifs En septembre 2015, un TEP/IRM (TEP/MR 3T TOF Signa, General Electric) a ete installe sur le groupe hospitalier Pitie Salpetriere avec la mission d'evaluer les performances de l'equipement et l'impact sur la prise en charge des patients en pratique clinique. Un des defis de cet appareil est la problematique de la correction d'attenuation basee sur la sequence IRM de DIXON. Un appareil TEP/TDM (Biograph 20 mCT flow, Siemens) de derniere generation a ete installe simultanement dans le service. Notre objectif est de comparer les performances des 2 equipements selon la norme internationale NEMA a l'aide d'objets test puis de comparer la qualite des images et des SUV obtenues dans les conditions cliniques chez deux patients. Materiels et methodes Les performances suivantes sont mesurees selon les normes NEMA 2007 resolution spatiale, fraction de diffuse, taux de comptage, sensibilite et qualite d'image. Pour le TEP/IRM, l'attenuation utilisee lors des tests NEMA est derivee du TDM des objets test. Pour deux patients, un examen corps entier a ete realise successivement avec le TEP/TDM avec les bras au dessus de la tete puis avec le TEP/IRM bras le long du corps apres injection de 3,7 MBq/kg de18F FDG. L'acquisition a ete realisee selon le mode clinique habituel mais le temps d'acquisition a ete rallonge selon le delai entre les 2 examens pour le TEP/IRM. Les SUV ont ete mesurees pour les reconstructions realisees selon l'algorithme du constructeur incluant la correction de resolution spatiale et le temps de vol. Resultats La sensibilite pour le TEP/IRM est de 23,5 cps/kBq et pour le TEP/TDM de 9,5 cps/kBq. Le taux de diffuse est de 44 pour le TEP/IRM contre 36 pour le TEP/TDM. La valeur maximale du NECR est de 223 kcps a 18,9 kBq/mL pour le TEP/IRM et de 183 kcps a 28,7 kBq/mL pour le TEP/TDM. Les coefficients de recouvrement mesures sont meilleurs pour le TEP/IRM. La qualite d'image a ete jugee equivalente par les medecins nucleaires pour les deux patients. Les images ne presentaient pas d'artefact. Pour un ganglion cervical, le SUV moyen mesure est de 3,95 0,77 en TEP/IRM et 2,88 0,51 en TEP/TDM et pour une surrenale atypique de 2,95 0,35 et 3,12 0,33, respectivement. La difference entre SUV moyen du TEP/IRM et du TEP/TDM dans le foie, la rate, les poumons, le muscle et la graisse varie de 0,08 a 0,03.  Certaines performances du TEP/IRM sont superieures a celles du TEP/TDM (sensibilite et la qualite image) D'autres caracteristiques, comme la fraction de diffuse, sont en faveur du TEP/TDM. Ces resultats ne tiennent cependant pas compte des erreurs introduites par la correction d'attenuation en IRM. La comparaison des images et des SUV n'a pas montre de difference consequente entre les 2 appareils.
Teachers' perceptions and concerns about the implementation of the 2005 preschool curriculum in Tanzania

The aim of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions and concerns about the implementation of the preschool curriculum developed over 10 years (2005 2015) This paper reports findings from an interpretive case study design in four preschool settings in Tanzania with 12 teachers and 8 parent participants. Data were generated using interviews and documentation. The research focus was on how teachers have implemented the 2005 preschool curriculum. The findings indicate that the implementation of the curriculum was problematic due to teachers' lack of knowledge of a child centred pedagogy. In addition there were no teachers qualified to work with young children, overcrowded classrooms, poor teaching and learning environments, and insufficient teaching and learning materials and facilities. This study recommends that to improve the current situation and attain quality provision of early education, teachers need to develop their professional knowledge through in service training. The government policy planners need to provide initial teacher education, professional development, and conducive teaching and learning environments with available resources for effective teaching and learning practices.
Environmental pollution of electronic waste recycling in India: A critical review.
Venue: Environmental pollution

The rapid growth of the production of electrical and electronic products has meant an equally rapid growth in the amount of electronic waste (e waste) much of which is illegally imported to India, for disposal presenting a serious environmental challenge. The environmental impact during e waste recycling was investigated and metal as well as other pollutants [e.g. polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found in excessive levels in soil, water and other habitats. The most e waste is dealt with as general or crudely often by open burning, acid baths, with recovery of only a few materials of value. As resulted of these process; dioxins, furans, and heavy metals are released and harmful to the surrounding environment, engaged workers, and also residents inhabiting near the sites. The informal e waste sectors are growing rapidly in the developing countries over than in the developed countries because of cheapest labor cost and week legislations systems. It has been confirmed that contaminates are moving through the food chain via root plant translocation system, to the human body thereby threatening human health. We have suggested some possible solution toward in which plants and microbes combine to remediate highly contaminated sites.
Relationship between e waste recycling and human health risk in India: a critical review
Venue: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Informal recycling of waste (including e waste) is an emerging source of environmental pollution in India. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and heavy metals, among other substances, are a major health concern for workers engaged in waste disposal and processing, and for residents living near these facilities, and are also a detriment to the natural environment. The main objective of this review article was to evaluate the status of these impacts. The review found that, huge quantity of e waste/waste generated, only a small amount is treated formally; the remainder is processed through the informal sector. We also evaluated the exposure pathways, both direct and indirect, and the human body load markers (e.g. serum, blood, breast milk, urine, and hair) and assessed the evidence for the association between these markers and e waste exposure. Our results indicated that the open dumping and informal e waste recycling systems should be replaced by the best available technology and environmental practices, with proper monitoring and regular awareness programs for workers and residents. Further and more detailed investigation in this area is also recommended.
LESS VULNERABLE CONFIDENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE PROCEDURES FOR LOCATION BASED ON A SINGLE SAMPLE TRIMMING/WINSORIZATION 1

The vulnerability of Student's t, insofar as efficiency and power are concerned, leads to consideration of substitutes. Among the most promising are ratios of trimmed means to square roots of suitable quadratic forms involving the same order statistics. Matching, across underlying distri butions, of ratios of average of denominator to variance of numerator leads to selection of the Winsorized sum of squared deviations as the basis for a denominator. The resulting trimmed t should prove more useful when the amount of trimming is made to depend on the individual sample in a suitably prescribed manner. Exact critical values for the resulting tailored t seem to require Monte Carlo computation, but use of asimple modified denominator for trimmed t allows us to use the conventional t tables as a reasonable approximation.
A process simulation based quantitative HAZOP analysis method
Venue: 2016 IEEE International Conference on Service Operations and Logistics, and Informatics (SOLI)

Hazard and operability (HAZOP) methodology is an important Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) technique for ensuring safety production in chemical industry. Due to the lacks of accuracy and reliability in manual HAZOP analysis, the quantitative HAZOP analysis has gained more and more attention. In this work, a process simulation based HAZOP analysis method and its flow chart are proposed. And the proposed method is applied to a steam generation subsystem in an ethylene pyrolysis unit on a dynamic process simulation platform. All deviation parameters of system can be calculated and described quantitatively. The case study shows the proposed method is useful for the effective risk prevention and control measures in a chemical process.
ANALISIS HAZARD AND OPERABILITY (HAZOP) UNTUK DETEKSI BAHAYA DAN MANAJEMEN RISIKO PADA UNIT BOILER (B 6203) DI PABRIK III PT.PETROKIMIA GRESIK

In line with the advancement in the industry and protection assurance of health, safety and environment for the workers. Thus necessary to held the study about hazard and risk management. One of the company concerns with the health safety and environment issues is PT.Petrokimia Gresik, which was one of the biggest fertilizer producer in Indonesia. During production process in PT. Petrokimia Gresik, boiler become one of highly risk equipment. Hazard analysis in this research using HAZOP method. Node study that have been identified is economizer, steam drum, superheater, and burner, which was the main component composing boiler. According to analysis result, some components having highest hazard risk are pressure indicator inlet steam drum, temperature indicator (TI 6211) and temperature indicator outlet superheater (TI 6214) which had extreme risk with tehe value of using AS/NZS 4360:2004 standard. Each node in the boiler having SIL 1 criteria, with the value of risk reduction factor 50 for economizer, 39,1 for steam drum and 30 for superheater and burner, means that there having low level of system reliability. Treatment can be applied to decrease hazard risk and increase system reliability are arranging maintenance and calibration routinely, adding transmitter redundant, and arranging proof test interval in the sensor, transmitter, and final control element once a month. Highest hazard risk in the whole node of boiler is fire. Thus have been done emergency response plan analysis for fire condition to identifying the responsibilities of each division, preventing, and also handling step.