bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing dark QCD sector through the Higgs portal with machine learning at the LHC
Authors: Lu Chih-Ting , Lv Huifang , Shen Wei , Wu Lei , Zhang Jia
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The QCD-like dark sector with GeV-scale dark hadrons has the potential to generate new signatures at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In this paper, we consider a singlet scalar mediator in the tens of GeV-scale that connects the dark sector and the Standard Model (SM) sector via the Higgs portal. We focus on the Higgs-strahlung process, $$ q\overline{q} $$
q

q
¯

′ → W* → WH, to produce a highly boosted Higgs boson. Our scenario predicts two different processes that can generate dark mesons: (1) the cascade decay from the Higgs boson to two light scalar mediators and then to four dark mesons; (2) the Higgs boson decaying to two dark quarks, which then undergo a QCD-like shower and hadronization to produce dark mesons. We apply machine learning techniques, such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Energy Flow Network (EFN), to the fat-jet structure to distinguish these signal processes from large SM backgrounds. We find that the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to two light scalar mediators can be constrained to be less than about 10% at 14 TeV LHC with $$ \mathcal{L} $$
L
= 3000 fb−1.
A stringy massive double copy
Authors: Lüst Dieter , Markou Chrysoula , Mazloumi Pouria , Stieberger Stephan
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We derive a massive double copy construction within string theory. To this end, we use massive vectors of the open string spectrum that appear in compactifications to four dimensions and construct massive spin-2 tensors as closed string states, thereby mimicking the structure of the massless graviton. We then compute three-point amplitudes for the scattering of massless and massive spin-2 closed string states and reveal the double copy structure of the latter. With these results being finite in the string scale, we are further able to reproduce the cubic Lagrangian of ghost-free bimetric theory around flat spacetime for bulk massive spin-2 states originating in products of vectors of extended brane supersymmetry.
Worldline effective field theory of inspiralling black hole binaries in presence of dark photon and axionic dark matter
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arpan , Ghosh Saptaswa , Pal Sounak
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We investigate the correction to the potential that gives rise to the bound orbits and radiation from non-spinning inspiralling binary black holes in a dark matter environment consisting of axion-like particles and dark photons using the techniques of Worldline Effective Field Theory. We compute the conservative dynamics up to 1PN order for gravitational, electromagnetic, and Proca fields and up to 2PN order for the scalar field. The effect of axion-electromagnetic coupling (gaγγ) arises to the conservative dynamics at 2.5PN order and the kinetic mixing constant (γ) at 1PN order. Furthermore, we calculate the radiation due to the various fields present in our theory. We find that the contribution of gaγγ to the gravitational radiation appears at N(7)LO and to the scalar radiation appears at N(5)LO. We also find that these radiative corrections due to the coupling gaγγ vanishes for any orbit confined to a plane because of the existence of a binormal like term in effective radiative action but give rise to non-zero contributions for any orbit that lies in three dimensions. Last but not the least, γ contributes to the gravitational radiation at N(2)LO and N(4)LO.
On the spectrum and structure constants of short operators in N=4 SYM at strong coupling
Authors: Alday Luis F. , Hansen Tobias , Silva Joao A.
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We study short operators in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM at strong coupling, for general spin and SO(6) symmetric traceless representations. At strong coupling their dimension grows like $$ \Delta \sim 2\sqrt{\delta }{\lambda}^{1/4} $$
∆
~
2

δ

λ

1
/
4

and their spectrum of degeneracies can be analysed by considering the massive spectrum of type II strings in flat space-time. We furthermore compute their structure constants with two arbitrary chiral primary operators. This is done by considering the four-point correlator of arbitrary chiral primary operators at strong coupling in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM, including the supergravity approximation plus the infinite tower of stringy corrections that contributes in the flat space limit. Our results are valid for generic rank n symmetric traceless representations of SO(6) and in particular for n ≫ 1, as long as n ≪ λ1/4.
Bringing precision medicine to the management of pregnancy in women with glucokinase-MODY: a study of diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of non-invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Hughes Alice E. , Houghton Jayne A. L. , Bunce Benjamin , Chakera Ali J. , Spyer Gill , Shepherd Maggie H. , Flanagan Sarah E. , Hattersley Andrew T.
Published: August 2023

Aims/hypothesis

In pregnancies where the mother has glucokinase-MODY (GCK-MODY), fetal growth is determined by fetal genotype. When the fetus inherits a maternal pathogenic GCK variant, normal fetal growth is anticipated, and insulin treatment of maternal hyperglycaemia is not recommended. At present, fetal genotype is estimated from measurement of fetal abdominal circumference on ultrasound. Non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal GCK genotype (NIPT-GCK) using cell-free DNA in maternal blood has recently been developed. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of NIPT-GCK with that of ultrasound, and determine the feasibility of using NIPT-GCK to guide pregnancy management.

Methods

We studied an international cohort of pregnant women with hyperglycaemia due to GCK-MODY. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of NIPT-GCK with that of measurement of fetal abdominal circumference at 28 weeks’ gestation (n=38) using a directly genotyped offspring sample as the reference standard. In a feasibility study, we assessed the time to result given to clinicians in 43 consecutive pregnancies affected by GCK-MODY between July 2019 and September 2021.

Results

In terms of diagnostic accuracy, NIPT-GCK was more sensitive and specific than ultrasound in predicting fetal genotype (sensitivity 100% and specificity 96% for NIPT-GCK vs sensitivity 53% and specificity 61% for fetal abdominal circumference 75th percentile). In terms of feasibility, a valid NIPT-GCK fetal genotype (≥95% probability) was reported in all 38 pregnancies with an amenable variant and repeated samples when needed. The median time to report was 5 weeks (IQR 3–8 weeks). For the 25 samples received before 20 weeks’ gestation, results were reported at a median gestational age of 20 weeks (IQR 18–24), with 23/25 (92%) reported before 28 weeks.

Conclusions/interpretation

Non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal genotype in GCK-MODY pregnancies is highly accurate and is capable of providing a result before the last trimester for most patients. This means that non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal genotype is the optimal approach to management of GCK-MODY pregnancies.

Graphical Abstract
Advantages in the production of power transmitting gears by fineblanking
Authors: Nürnberger Anian , Müller Daniel , Martinitz Lukas , Hartmann Christoph , Tobie Thomas , Stahl Karsten , Volk Wolfram
Published: August 2023

Fineblanking of gears has an enormous time and cost saving potential as well as the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to conventional manufacturing of gears. Conventional manufacturing of gears consists of at least three steps such as milling, case hardening, and grinding. With fineblanking, only one manufacturing step is necessary. However, the load-carrying capacity regarding different gear fatigue failure modes, such as pitting or tooth root breakage, is stated significantly lower for the commonly used shear-cutting steels compared to the conventional case-hardened gears made out of high-strength hardened steels. This work shows the possibility of utilizing compressive residual stresses that are induced by the fineblanking process to increase the load-carrying capacity regarding tooth root breakage up to the level of case-carburized gears. Pinions and wheels made of S355MC (1.0976) and S500MC (1.0984) are fineblanked using parameters determined in previous works with a focus on the induction of high compressive residual stresses into the finished products. The variants are investigated regarding, e.g., cut surface characteristics, hardness, and residual stresses. For the two steels, as well as a stress relived variant, the tooth root bending strength is also determined in pulsator tests with the fineblanked pinions.
CT-guided percutaneous marking of small pulmonary nodules with [99mTc]Tc-Macrosalb is very accurate and allows minimally invasive lung-sparing resection: a single-centre quality control
Authors: Doncic Nikola , Zech Christoph J. , Wild Damian , Bachmann Helga , Mallaev Makhmudbek , Tsvetkov Nikolay , Hojski Aljaz , Takes Martin T. L. , Lardinois Didier
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The detection of small lung nodules in thoracoscopic procedure is difficult when the lesions are not located within the outer border of the lung. In the case of ground-glass opacities, it is often impossible to palpate the lesion. Marking lung nodules using a radiotracer is a known technique. We analysed the accuracy and safety of the technique and the potential benefits of operating in a hybrid operating room.

Methods

57 patients, including 33 (58%) females with a median age of 67 years (range 21-82) were included. In 27 patients, we marked and resected the lesion in a hybrid room. In 30 patients, the lesion was marked at the department of radiology the day before resection. [99mTc]Tc-Macrosalb (Pulmocis®) was used at an activity of 1 MBq in the hybrid room and at an activity of 3 MBq the day before to get technical feasible results. Radioactivity was detected using the Neoprobe® detection system.

Results

Precise detection and resection of the nodules was possible in 95% of the lesions and in 93% of the patients. Complete thoracoscopic resection was possible in 90% of the patients. Total conversion rate was 10%, but conversion due to failure of the marking of the nodule was observed in only 5% of the patients. Histology revealed 28 (37%) primary lung cancers, 24 (32%) metastases and 21 (28%) benign lesions. In 13 (23%) patients, minor complications were observed. None of them required additional interventions.

Conclusion

The radio-guided detection of small pulmonary nodules is very accurate and safe after CT-guided injection of [99mTc]Tc-Macrosalb. Performing the operation in a hybrid room has several logistic advantages and allows using lower technetium-99m activities. The technique allows minimally invasive lung sparing resection and prevents overtreatment of benign and metastatic lesions.
Misdiagnosis and Treatment of Corneal Complications Caused by Suture Exposure After Buried-Suture Double-Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Authors: Jin Xin , Jin Hao , Wang Jingrao , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to summarize the misdiagnosis and treatment of corneal complications associated with suture exposure in cases of buried-suture double-eyelid blepharoplasty.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 14 patients with palpebral conjunctival and corneal complications due to suture exposure after buried-suture double-eyelid blepharoplasty at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2020 to July 2022. The patients’ clinical symptoms included photophobia, lacrimation, pain, foreign body sensation, swelling of the eyelids, conjunctival hyperemia, secretion, etc. We recorded the patient's sex, age, surgical method, length of exposed suture, suture type, number of double-eyelid surgeries, surgical site, timepoint when eye discomfort occurred, misdiagnosed disease and treatment.

Results

Three patients were misdiagnosed with dry eye, nine patients were misdiagnosed with viral keratitis, and two patients were misdiagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis. All 14 patients had manifestations of photophobia, lacrimation, pain, foreign body sensation and conjunctival hyperemia. Eight patients had manifestations of swelling of the eyelids. Five patients had manifestations of eye secretions. There were 8 patients with corneal epithelial injuries and 6 patients with corneal ulcers. All patients underwent suture removal without further progression. Ten patients were treated with artificial tears, and 4 patients were treated with calf serum deproteinized gel after suture removal.

Conclusion

If there is postoperative eye discomfort caused by eyelid and corneal complications in patients after buried-suture double-eyelid blepharoplasty, clinicians should carefully check whether there is suture exposure and determine the cause in a timely manner. Suture removal is the best way to treat this complication.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Capturing nystagmus during vertigo attacks using a smartphone: adherence, characteristics, pearls and pitfalls
Authors: Melliti Ali , van de Berg Maurice , van de Berg Raymond
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate adherence, characteristics, and first clinical experiences of capturing ictal nystagmus at home, which can be performed to complement the diagnostic process in patients with episodic vestibular symptoms.

Methods

Patients were recruited at a tertiary referral center in case capturing ictal nystagmus could contribute to the diagnostic process (e.g., to detect or rule out BPPV). They were asked to capture ictal nystagmus with their own smartphone at home, using a smartphone-based adapter (Nystagmocatcher, Balansdiagnos, Stockholm, Sweden). All recordings were analyzed by the last author (RvdB), and the adherence, characteristics, and first clinical experiences were evaluated.

Results

Seventy patients with vestibular symptoms were asked to participate in this study. Sixty-two (89%) agreed to participate. The median period of participation was 86 days. Fifty-one patients experienced attacks during the study period. Eventually, 51% of them provided eye movement recordings sufficient for analysis. Different types of nystagmus were observed: positional nystagmus related to BPPV, positional nystagmus not related to BPPV, functional eye movements, and the absence of nystagmus or functional eye movements. Capturing ictal nystagmus could contribute to the diagnostic process in several ways, including to detect or rule out BPPV, to detect or rule out vestibular origin of symptoms, to determine the affected side, telemedicine, to monitor attack frequency, and to detect malingering. Furthermore, strict guidance of patients was necessary, which could be time-consuming.

Conclusion

Capturing ictal nystagmus can contribute to the diagnostic process in several ways, which motivates to rethink current clinical workflow in vestibular medicine. However, strict guidance is necessary and not all patients provide ictal recordings. In an outpatient setting, it would be advised to use ictal nystagmus recordings on indication, to complement the diagnostic process.
Arc Diagrams on 3-Manifold Spines
Authors: Brand Jack , Burton Benjamin A. , Dancso Zsuzsanna , He Alexander , Jackson Adele , Licata Joan
Published: August 2023

We develop a theory of link projections to trivalent spines of 3-manifolds. We prove a Reidemeister Theorem providing a set of combinatorial moves sufficient to relate the projections of isotopic links. We also show that any link admits a crossingless projection to any special spine and we refine our theorem to provide a set of combinatorial moves sufficient to relate crossingless diagrams. Finally, we discuss the connection to Turaev’s shadow world, interpreting our result as a statement about shadow equivalence of a class of 4-manifolds.
The Vienna idiopathic intracranial hypertension database—An Austrian registry
Authors: Pruckner Philip , Mitsch Christoph , Macher Stefan , Krajnc Nik , Marik Wolfgang , Novak Klaus , Wöber Christian , Pemp Berthold , Bsteh Gabriel
Published: August 2023

Background

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is becoming increasingly more prevalent bearing the risk of visual impairment and affecting the quality of life. Clinical presentation and outcome are heterogeneous. Large, well-characterized cohorts are scarce.

Objective

To characterize the clinical spectrum, diagnostic findings, therapeutic management, and outcome of IIH.

Methods

We identified patients with IIH according to modified Friedman criteria treated at our center between 2014 and 2021. The Vienna IIH database is described in detail.

Results

Of 113 patients 89% were female (mean age 32.3 years). Median body mass index (BMI) was 31.8, with 85% overweight (BMI > 25) and 5% were classified as IIH without papilledema. Headache was present in 84% and showed migraine features in 43%. Median opening pressure in lumbar puncture was 31 cmH2O. Pharmacotherapy (predominantly acetazolamide) was established in 99%, 56% required at least 1 therapeutic lumbar puncture and 13% a surgical intervention. After a median 3.7 years follow-up, 57% had achieved significant weight loss, papilledema was present in 59% and headache in 76% (58% improved). Comparing initial presentation to follow-up, perimetry was abnormal in 67% vs. 50% (8% worsened, 24% improved) and transorbital sonography in 87% vs. 65% with a median optic nerve sheath diameter of 5.4 mm vs. 4.9 mm. Median peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreased from 199 µm to 99 µm and ganglion cell layer volume from 1.13 mm3 to 1.05 mm3.

Conclusion

The large representative Vienna IIH cohort characterizes IIH-related symptoms, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome emphasizing substantial long-term sequelae of IIH. Future analyses will aim to refine phenotyping and identify factors predicting outcome.
Developing a new tool for scoliosis screening in a tertiary specialistic setting using artificial intelligence: a retrospective study on 10,813 patients: 2023 SOSORT award winner
Authors: Negrini Francesco , Cina Andrea , Ferrario Irene , Zaina Fabio , Donzelli Sabrina , Galbusera Fabio , Negrini Stefano
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The study aims to assess if the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) in combination with other readily measurable clinical parameters allows for effective non-invasive scoliosis screening.

Methods

We analysed 10,813 patients (4–18 years old) who underwent clinical and radiological evaluation for scoliosis in a tertiary clinic specialised in spinal deformities. We considered as predictors ATR, Prominence (mm), visible asymmetry of the waist, scapulae and shoulders, familiarity, sex, BMI, age, menarche, and localisation of the curve. We implemented a Logistic Regression model to classify the Cobb angle of the major curve according to thresholds of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 degrees, by randomly splitting the dataset into 80–20% for training and testing, respectively.

Results

The model showed accuracies of 74, 81, 79, 79, and 84% for 15-, 20-, 25-, 30- and 40-degrees thresholds, respectively. For all the thresholds ATR, Prominence, and visible asymmetry of the waist were the top five most important variables for the prediction. Samples that were wrongly classified as negatives had always statistically significant (p ≪ 0.01) lower values of ATR and Prominence. This confirmed that these two parameters were very important for the correct classification of the Cobb angle. The model showed better performances than using the 5 and 7 degrees ATR thresholds to prescribe a radiological examination.

Conclusions

Machine-learning-based classification models have the potential to effectively improve the non-invasive screening for AIS. The results of the study constitute the basis for the development of easy-to-use tools enabling physicians to decide whether to prescribe radiographic imaging.
A concept for comparison of new and aged lubricants in transmissions of electric vehicles and a method of oil aging on a test rig
Authors: König Timo , Cadau Luca , Steidle Lukas , Güney Didem Cansu , Albrecht Joachim , Weber Katharina , Kley Markus
Published: August 2023

Currently, the demand for electric vehicles is growing. In order to make them even more environmentally friendly, there is the possibility to replace conventional transmission oils with sustainable alternatives that must have at least the same positive properties. Therefore, the properties of a conventional oil must be determined. In this publication, which is part of a larger project, the properties of conventional oil are measured and evaluated at different stages of aging using suitable measurement methods. A test program is designed and carried out including various laboratory equipment such as a rheometer or a tribometer. The results of the investigation of the conventional oil show that there are differences between new and used conditions, even if these are small, as expected from a professional oil. In addition, a test rig setup with a specified load collective is presented to age oil on a test rig. Based on this, the sustainable oil can be aged, tested, and compared with the conventional lubricant in the further course of the project.
Incisional hernias post cytoreductive surgery/peritonectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mac Curtain B. M. , Qian W. , Temperley H. C. , Simpkin A. J. , Ng Z. Q.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is often combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the treatment of peritoneal tumour deposits. Considering CRS, the evidence relating the large incisions, local chemotherapy and abdominal wall trauma to incisional hernias (IH) has not been synthesized. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the proportion of IH present in patients post CRS and the effect HIPEC had on these rates.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Trials were searched up to June 2023 to examine studies relating IH and CRS plus or minus HIPEC. The most up to date PRISMA guidelines were followed. Pertinent clinical information was synthesized in tabular form. A meta-analysis reporting the pooled proportions of IH post CRS plus or minus HIPEC, the odds of IH in HIPEC versus non-HIPEC CRS and the difference in follow-up time between groups was conducted.

Results

Nine studies comprising 1416 patients were included. The pooled proportion of IH post CRS was 12% (95% confidence interval (CI) 8–16%) in HIPEC and 7% (95% CI 4–10%) in non-HIPEC patients and 11% (95% CI 7–14%) overall. Previously reported rates of IH in midline laparotomy range from 10 to 30%. The odds of IH in the HIPEC was 1.9 times higher compared to non-HIPEC cohorts however this was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% 0.7–5.2; p = 0.21). There was no significant difference in average follow-up times between HIPEC and non-HIPEC cohorts.

Conclusions

IH post CRS plus or minus HIPEC were in the expected range for midline laparotomies. IH in patients receiving HIPEC may occur at a greater proportion than in non-HIPEC patients, however, there were too few studies in our meta-analysis to determine this with statistical significance.
Trends in outcomes of 862 giant hiatus hernia repairs over 30 years
Authors: Nguyen C. L. , Tovmassian D. , Isaacs A. , Gooley S. , Falk G. L.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Laparoscopic giant hiatus hernia repair is technically difficult with ongoing debate regarding the most effective surgical technique. Repair of small hernia has been well described but data for giant hernia is variable. This study evaluated trends in outcomes of laparoscopic non-mesh repair of giant paraesophageal hernia (PEH) over 30 years.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a single-surgeon prospective database. Laparoscopic non-mesh repairs for giant PEH between 1991 and 2021 included. Three-hundred-sixty-degree fundoplication was performed routinely, evolving into “composite repair” (esophagopexy and cardiopexy to the right crus). Cases were chronologically divided into tertiles based on operation date (Group 1, 1991–2002; Group 2, 2003–2012; Group 3, 2012–2021) with trends in casemix, operative factors and outcomes evaluated. Hernia recurrence was plotted using weighted moving average and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis.

Results

862 giant PEH repairs met selection criteria. There was an increasing proportion of “composite repair” after the first decade (Group 1, 2.7%; Group 2, 81.9%; Group 3, 100%; p < 0.001). There were less anatomical hernia recurrence (Group 1, 36.6%; Group 2, 22.9%; Group 3, 22.7%; p < 0.001) and symptomatic recurrence (Group 1, 34.2%; Group 2, 21.9%; Group 3, 7%; p < 0.001) over time. The incidence of anatomical recurrence declined over time, decreasing from 30.8% and plateauing below 17.6% near the study’s end. Median followup (months) in the first decade was higher but followup between the latter two decades comparable (Group 1, 49 [IQR 20, 81]; Group 2, 30 [IQR 15, 65]; Group 3, 24 [14, 56]; p < 0.001). There were 10 (1.2%) Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ III complications including two perioperative deaths (0.2%).

Conclusion

Hernia recurrence rates decreased with increasing case volume. This coincided with the increasing adoption of “composite repair”, supporting the possible improvement in recurrence rates with this approach.
Photobehaviours guided by simple photoreceptor systems
Authors: Brodrick Emelie , Jékely Gáspár
Published: August 2023

Light provides a widely abundant energy source and valuable sensory cue in nature. Most animals exposed to light have photoreceptor cells and in addition to eyes, there are many extraocular strategies for light sensing. Here, we review how these simpler forms of detecting light can mediate rapid behavioural responses in animals. Examples of these behaviours include photophobic (light avoidance) or scotophobic (shadow) responses, photokinesis, phototaxis and wavelength discrimination. We review the cells and response mechanisms in these forms of elementary light detection, focusing on aquatic invertebrates with some protist and terrestrial examples to illustrate the general principles. Light cues can be used very efficiently by these simple photosensitive systems to effectively guide animal behaviours without investment in complex and energetically expensive visual structures.
Multifocal neuropathy and Horner’s syndrome due to disseminated pyomyositis in an intravenous drug user
Authors: de Souza Aaron , Liew Brian Z.
Published: August 2023

Background

The formation of abscesses with necrosis within large, striated muscles leads to pyomyositis, a condition relatively rarely encountered outside the tropics. Intravenous drug users and other immunocompromised individuals are predisposed toward this infection, which may occur due to local or haematogenous spread of infection to skeletal muscles previously damaged by trauma, exercise, or rhabdomyolysis.

Methods

We report a young male intravenous drug user with rhabdomyolysis due to use of a synthetic opioid, in whom disseminated pyomyositis was detected following evaluation for sciatic and radial neuropathies and Horner’s syndrome and review available reports of peripheral nerve dysfunction in the setting of this uncommon infection. We searched online databases to identify all published reports on adult patients with pyomyositis complicated by peripheral nerve dysfunction.

Conclusions

Peripheral nerve dysfunction may rarely occur via local spread of infection or compression from abscesses.
The dysregulation of miRNAs in epilepsy and their regulatory role in inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Xie Guoping , Chen Huan , He Chan , Hu Siheng , Xiao Xue , Luo Qunying
Published: August 2023

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide, and it is characterized by the occurrence of recurrent seizures. The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex, involving dysregulation of various genes and signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that play a vital role in the regulation of gene expression. They have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, acting as key regulators of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the miRNA regulatory network in epilepsy. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the regulatory miRNAs involved in inflammation and apoptosis in epilepsy and discusses its potential as a new avenue for developing targeted therapies for the treatment of epilepsy.
How to train your pre-trained GAN models
Authors: Park Sung-Wook , Kim Jun-Yeong , Park Jun , Jung Se-Hoon , Sim Chun-Bo
Published: August 2023

Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) show excellent performance in various problems of computer vision, computer graphics, and machine learning, but require large amounts of data and huge computational resources. There is also the issue of unstable training. If the generator and discriminator diverge during the training process, the GAN is subsequently difficult to converge. In order to tackle these problems, various transfer learning methods have been introduced; however, mode collapse, which is a form of overfitting, often arises. Moreover, there were limitations in learning the distribution of the training data. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the latest transfer learning methods as a solution to the problem, propose the most effective method of fixing some layers of the generator and discriminator, and discuss future prospects. The model to be used for the experiment is StyleGAN, and the performance evaluation uses Fréchet Inception Distance (FID), coverage, and density. Results of the experiment revealed that the proposed method did not overfit. The model was able to learn the distribution of the training data relatively well compared to the previously proposed methods. Moreover, it outperformed existing methods at the Stanford Cars, Stanford Dogs, Oxford Flower, Caltech-256, CUB-200–2011, and Insect-30 datasets.
Sea-lice regulation in salmon-farming countries: how science shape policies for protecting wild salmon
Authors: Vormedal Irja
Published: August 2023

The proliferation of sea lice from aquaculture may substantially aggravate the decline in marine survival of wild salmons. In some countries, this risk has motivated regulators to adopt more precautionary policies; in other countries, however, regulators have disputed the need for stricter regulation. This article compares the sea-lice regulations of Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada (British Columbia), showing how varying interpretations of the science on farm–wild interactions have shaped efforts to scale up regulatory measures for mitigating health hazards and mortality risks for wild salmon. In Norway and Scotland, scientific consensus has expedited cooperation between research and governing institutions and facilitated ambitious policy reforms. In Ireland and Canada, by contrast, scientific controversy around the scale of farm-lice impacts on wild salmon populations has led to conflict and disagreement between researchers and policymakers, and to failure of reform attempts desired by wild salmon stakeholders.
From complexity to clarity: how directed acyclic graphs enhance the study design of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Dijk Stijntje W. , Caulley Lisa M. , Hunink Myriam , Labrecque Jeremy
Published: August 2023

While frameworks to systematically assess bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) and frameworks on causal inference are well established, they are less frequently integrated beyond the data analysis stages. This paper proposes the use of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) in the design stage of SRMAs. We hypothesize that DAGs created and registered a priori can offer a useful approach to more effective and efficient evidence synthesis. DAGs provide a visual representation of the complex assumed relationships between variables within and beyond individual studies prior to data analysis, facilitating discussion among researchers, guiding data analysis, and may lead to more targeted inclusion criteria or set of data extraction items. We illustrate this argument through both experimental and observational case examples.
Development of statistical regression and artificial neural network models for estimating nitrogen, phosphorus, COD, and suspended solid concentrations in eutrophic rivers using UV–Vis spectroscopy
Authors: Lyu Yanping , Zhao Wenpeng , Kinouchi Tsuyoshi , Nagano Tadahiro , Tanaka Shigeo
Published: August 2023

River water quality monitoring is crucial for understanding water dynamics and formulating policies to conserve the water environment. In situ ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry holds great potential for real-time monitoring of multiple water quality parameters. However, establishing a reliable methodology to link absorption spectra to specific water quality parameters remains challenging, particularly for eutrophic rivers under various flow and water quality conditions. To address this, a framework integrating desktop and in situ UV–Vis spectrometers was developed to establish reliable conversion models. The absorption spectra obtained from a desktop spectrometer were utilized to create models for estimating nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), and suspended solids (SS). We validated these models using the absorption spectra obtained from an in situ spectrometer. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) employing selected wavelengths and principal component regression (PCR) employing all wavelengths demonstrated high accuracy in estimating NO3-N and COD, respectively. The artificial neural network (ANN) was proved suitable for predicting TN in stream water with low NH4-N concentration using all wavelengths. Due to the dominance of photo-responsive phosphorus species adsorbed onto suspended solids, PLSR and PCR methods utilizing all wavelengths effectively estimated TP and SS, respectively. The determination coefficients (R2) of all the calibrated models exceeded 0.6, and most of the normalized root mean square errors (NRMSEs) were within 0.4. Our approach shows excellent efficiency and potential in establishing reliable models monitoring nitrogen, phosphorus, COD, and SS simultaneously. This approach eliminates the need for time-consuming and uncertain in situ absorption spectrum measurements during model setup, which may be affected by fluctuating natural and anthropogenic environmental conditions.
On the Notion of Observers
Authors: Pawluszewicz Ewa , Molaei Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2023

By considering the idea and the notion of observers of dynamical systems, it is shown that relative semidynamical systems can be a suitable model for inserting an observer as a realistic fact to systems theory. Multi-dimensional observers and their affect on semidynamical systems are considered. Locally distinguishable semidynamical systems are introduced, and it is proved that this property preserves under relative conjugate relations which preserves observers. For an application of the role of observer relative topological entropy for relative semidynamical systems on compact relative topological spaces are considered.
The Geometry of Riemannian Curvature Radii
Authors: Bellini Eugenio
Published: August 2023

We study the geometric structures associated with curvature radii of curves with values on a Riemannian manifold (M, g). We show the existence of sub-Riemannian manifolds naturally associated with the curvature radii and we investigate their properties. In the particular case of surfaces these sub-Riemannian structures are of Engel type. The main character of our construction is a pair of global vector fields $$f_1,f_2$$

f
1

,

f
2

, which encodes intrinsic information on the geometry of (M, g).
Did You Commit a Crime There? Investigating the Visual Exploration Patterns of Guilty, Innocent, Honest, and Dishonest Subjects When Viewing a Complex Mock Crime Scene
Authors: Colasanti Marco , Melis Giulia , Monaro Merylin , Ricci Eleonora , Bosco Francesca , Rossi Michela , Biondi Silvia , Verrocchio Maria Cristina , Di Domenico Alberto , Mazza Cristina , Roma Paolo
Published: August 2023

Previous studies with the eye-tracking technology have predominantly tracked eye parameters in response to a single simple stimulus, and have generated interesting - sometimes inconsistent - results in research on deceptive behavior. The present study analyzed visual patterns in response to a complex image, to investigate potential differences in eye fixation between guilty versus innocent, and honest versus dishonest participants.

One hundred and sixty participants were assigned to one of four experimental groups, defined by the parameters of honesty (dishonesty) and guilt (innocence), and asked to complete a computer-based task, looking at neutral and target images (i.e., images of the mock crime scene). RealEye software was used to capture participants’ eye movements when viewing the images.

The findings revealed significant differences in eye movements between the four experimental groups in the pictures in which the area where the crime took place was clearly visible. Dishonest and guilty participants recorded fewer and shorter fixations in the area of the image where the crime took place than those who entered the crime scene but did not commit the crime. No differences between groups emerged in the visual patterns in response to neutral images, confirming that the number and duration of fixations in response to the target images may be attributed to the experimental condition.
HyNet: A novel hybrid deep learning approach for efficient interior design texture retrieval
Authors: Chen Junming , Shao Zichun , Cen Caichun , Li Jiaqi
Published: August 2023

Interior designers are suffering from a lack of intelligent design methods. This study aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of retrieval textures for interior design, which is a crucial step toward intelligent design. Currently, interior designers rely on repetitive tasks to obtain textures from websites, which is ineffective as a interior design often requires hundreds of textures. To address this issue, this study proposes a hybrid deep learning approach, HyNet, which boosts retrieval efficiency by recommending similar textures instead of blindly searching. Additionally, a new indoor texture dataset is created to support the application of artificial intelligence in this field. The results demonstrate that the proposed method’s ten recommended images achieve a high accuracy rate of 91.41%. This is a significant improvement in efficiency, which can facilitate the design industry’s progression towards intelligence. Overall, this study offers a promising solution to the challenges facing interior designers, and it has the potential to significantly enhance the industry’s productivity and innovation.
Distance-based affective states in cellular automata pedestrian simulation
Authors: Bandini Stefania , Briola Daniela , Dennunzio Alberto , Gasparini Francesca , Giltri Marta , Vizzari Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Cellular Automata have successfully been successfully applied to the modeling and simulation of pedestrian and crowd dynamics. In particular, the investigated scenarios have often been focused on the evaluation of medium–high population density situations, in which the motivation of pedestrians to reach a certain location overcomes their tendency to naturally respect proxemic distances. The global COVID-19 outbreak, though, has shown that sometimes it is crucial to contemplate how proxemic tendencies are emphasized and amplified by the affective state of the individuals involved in the scenario, representing an important factor to take into consideration when investigating the behaviour of a crowd. In this paper we present a research effort aimed at integrating results of quantitative analyses regarding the effects of affective states on the perception of distances maintained by different types of pedestrians with the modeling of pedestrian movement choices in a cellular automata framework.
Pulse ideotypes for abiotic constraint alleviation in Australia
Authors: Rao Shiwangni , Silva-Perez Viridiana , Armstrong Roger , Tefera Abeya Temesgen , Brand Jason , Riffkin Penny , Rosewarne Garry
Published: August 2023

Background

Pulses are cultivated across a range of soil and climatic conditions that often have many abiotic constraints to production. Whilst water stress has been identified as the greatest constraint in Australian pulse cultivation, other limitations include heat, frost, nutrient deficiency, and a variety of soil physiochemical constraints. Several studies on various pulses have examined shoot and root architecture and their ability to mitigate specific abiotic constraints. However, these studies have been conducted independently of each other, and there is a lack of amalgamated information combining both shoot and root responses that can address production constraints.

Scope

This review examines the shoot and root system architecture of key pulses used for human consumption grown in Australia including chickpea, lentil, faba bean, field pea and lupin; and where possible it provides a comparison with relevant research from other crops, especially cereals. It examines research conducted on adaptations to drought, waterlogging, temperature extremes, soil chemical toxicities and high soil strength.

Conclusion

The review utilises a physiological framework to identify trait combinations that define theoretical ideotypes of pulse crops that would be better able to mitigate abiotic constraints currently limiting Australian pulse productivity. This framework can be extended directly to other similar environments globally or be used to develop new ideotypes that are better adapted to a wider range of regions within Australia.
Prediction of the Maximum Amplitude of Solar Cycle 25 Using the Ascending Inflection Point
Authors: Aparicio A. J. P. , Carrasco V. M. S. , Vaquero J. M.
Published: August 2023

In this work, we predict the maximum amplitude (using the 13-month smoothed Solar Influences Data Analysis Center (SILSO) Sunspot Number, version 2) of Solar Cycle 25 using as a predictor the slope of the inflection point during the ascending part of the cycle. After a description of the data and methodology employed in this work, we obtain a value of 131 ± 32 for the maximum amplitude of Solar Cycle 25. Finally, we discuss this result in the context of the current debate on the prediction of solar activity and compare it with other predictions of Solar Cycle 25 obtained by other methods.
A Continuation Technique for Maximum Likelihood Estimators in Biological Models
Authors: Cassidy Tyler
Published: August 2023

Estimating model parameters is a crucial step in mathematical modelling and typically involves minimizing the disagreement between model predictions and experimental data. This calibration data can change throughout a study, particularly if modelling is performed simultaneously with the calibration experiments, or during an on-going public health crisis as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the optimal parameter set, or maximal likelihood estimator (MLE), is a function of the experimental data set. Here, we develop a numerical technique to predict the evolution of the MLE as a function of the experimental data. We show that, when considering perturbations from an initial data set, our approach is significantly more computationally efficient that re-fitting model parameters while producing acceptable model fits to the updated data. We use the continuation technique to develop an explicit functional relationship between fit model parameters and experimental data that can be used to measure the sensitivity of the MLE to experimental data. We then leverage this technique to select between model fits with similar information criteria, a priori determine the experimental measurements to which the MLE is most sensitive, and suggest additional experiment measurements that can resolve parameter uncertainty.
Temperature Evolution, Material Flow, and Resulting Mechanical Properties as a Function of Tool Geometry during Friction Stir Welding of AA6082
Authors: Laska Aleksandra , Sadeghi Behzad , Sadeghian Behzad , Taherizadeh Aboozar , Szkodo Marek , Cavaliere Pasquale
Published: August 2023

The friction stir welding process was simulated for joining AA6082 aluminum alloy with the use of the computational fluid dynamics method. Two different tool geometries were used—a tapered cylindrical pin (simple pin) and a hexagonal pin with grooves (complex pin). The analysis of the simulations performed was discussed in terms of temperature evolution during the process, total heat input, residual stresses and material flow. Simulations revealed that a 5% higher temperature, equal to maximum 406 °C, was provided when using the complex pin than with the simple pin. Higher temperature and higher shear stresses during the welding with the complex pin caused the introduction of higher residual stresses in the weld. Experimental results on the produced welds allowed observation of the microstructure of the joints, hardness tests in cross sections and tensile strength tests. Due to the higher temperature during the process with the complex pin and the more efficient recrystallization process, grain refinement in the SZ was more pronounced. The average grain size in the stir zone for the weld produced with the complex pin was equal to 11 ± 1 µm, and in the case of the simple pin 14 ± 1 µm. The presented hardness profiles revealed that the weld produced with a complex pin had higher hardness in the stir zone, equal to 89.5 ± 1.3 HV, which is consistent with the Hall-Petch relationship. The obtained UTS values corresponded to the joint efficiency of 72.5 ± 4.9% and 55.8 ± 8.6% for the weld produced with the complex pin and the simple pin.
A Critical Assessment Regarding Two-Temperature Models: An Investigation of the Different Forms of Two-Temperature Models, the Various Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Models and Computational Methods
Authors: Alexopoulou Vasiliki E. , Markopoulos Angelos P.
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, lasers are used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes, such as cutting, sintering and welding. The evolution of laser technologies has led to the creation of ultrashort pulsed lasers, with a pulse duration below 10 ps, which have the ability, on the contrary with the conventional lasers, to stimulate separately the electrons and the lattice. Thus, two different temperatures, the electron temperature and the lattice temperature appear. This cannot be described by the classical Fourier heat equations and thus the Two-Temperature Model (TTM) has been proposed. In the TTM, a heat equation that describes the electron temperature is conjugated with a heat equation that describes the lattice temperature. Except from the correct implementation of the heat equations, other factors that should be taken into consideration during the development of the TTM simulation are the correct and accurate modelling of the ultrashort pulsed laser and the appropriate selection of the computational method regarding the targets of each specific study. The aim of this review paper is not only to present the current literature regarding the different TTMs, ultrashort pulsed laser models and computational methods, but also to create mind maps that will help the researcher to choose the most appropriate TTM and computational method regarding the targets of each specific study. Moreover, in this review paper, recommendations for future work are given, regarding the more accurate and realistic modelling of the laser source.