bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance-driven scheduling for malleable workloads
Authors: Almaaitah Njoud O. , Singh David E. , Özden Taylan , Carretero Jesus
Published: January 2024

The development of adaptive scheduling algorithms that take advantage of malleability has become a crucial area of research in many large-scale projects. Malleable workloads can improve the system’s performance but, at the same time, provide an extra dimension to the scheduling problem. This paper proposes an adaptive, performance-based job scheduling method that emphasizes the backfilling concept with malleability. The proposed method performs the malleability operations only when the estimated execution time of the involved applications is better than or equal to the execution time on the allocated resources without reconfiguration. The reconfiguration feasibility is determined by performance models considering the application scalability and reconfiguration overheads. Different policies for implementing malleability are presented, each targeting a specific workload in terms of job size and scalability. The comprehensive evaluation shows an improvement in the slowdown up to 49% compared to the non-adaptive baseline scheduling algorithm.
On Hostile and Oppressive Affective Technologies
Authors: Spurrett David
Published: January 2024

4E approaches to affective technology tend to focus on how ‘users’ manage their situated affectivity, analogously to how they help themselves cognitively through epistemic actions or using artefacts and scaffolding. Here I focus on cases where the function of affective technology is to exploit or manipulate the agent engaging with it. My opening example is the cigarette, where technological refinements have harmfully transformed the affective process of consuming nicotine. I proceed to develop case studies of two very different but also harmful affective technologies. Casinos and electronic gambling machines deploy computationally intensive scaffolding to shape the onset and continuation of gambling episodes. High-heeled shoes affectively engineer wearers’ relationships to their own embodied capacities and are predominantly expected to be worn by women. I conclude with a discussion of the need for study of affective technology to focus other-directed applications, some of which will serve competing or antagonistic interests.
Putting the SWORD to the Test: Finding Workarounds with Process Mining
Authors: van der Waal Wouter , van de Weerd Inge , Beerepoot Iris , Lu Xixi , Kappen Teus , Haitjema Saskia , Reijers Hajo A.
Published: January 2024

Workarounds, or deviations from standardized operating procedures, can indicate discrepancies between theory and practice in work processes. Traditionally, observations and interviews have been used to identify workarounds, but these methods can be time-consuming and may not capture all workarounds. The paper presents the Semi-automated WORkaround Detection (SWORD) framework, which leverages event log traces to help process analysts identify workarounds. The framework is evaluated in a multiple-case study of two hospital departments. The results of the study indicate that with SWORD we were able to identify 11 unique workaround types, with limited knowledge about the actual processes. The framework thus supports the discovery of workarounds while minimizing the dependence on domain knowledge, which limits the time investment required by domain experts. The findings highlight the importance of leveraging technology to improve the detection of workarounds and to support process improvement efforts in organizations.
Construction and in vitro evaluation of pH-sensitive nanoparticles to reverse drug resistance of breast cancer stem cells
Authors: Li Weinan , Fu Yuhan , Sun Jialin , Gong Hexin , Yan Ru , Wang Yanhong
Published: January 2024

Breast cancer is a major threat to safety and health of women. The breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have multi-drug resistance to chemotherapy drugs, which leads to chemotherapy failure. We proposed a strategy of delivery of tumor-killing drugs and a resistance reversal agent, to enhance inhibition of BCSCs. Here, schisandrin B (SchB)/AP NPs are constructed using acid-grafted-poly (β-amino ester) (ATRA-g-PBAE, AP) grafted polymer nanoparticle encapsulated SchB, with pH-sensitive release function. This drug delivery system has good pharmacological properties and can increase the SchB release with the decrease of pH. The NPs showed cytotoxic effects in reversing ATRA resistance to BCSCs. Lysosomal escape was achieved when the nanoparticles were taken up by BCSCs. In addition, we found that NPs may reverse MDR by inhibiting the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and affecting the energy supply of drug efflux. This study provides a nanodelivery therapy strategy that reverses BCSCs multidrug resistance (MDR) and demonstrates that it did so by interfering with cancer cell energy metabolism. Therefore, the co-delivery strategy of ATRA and SchB provides a new option for the treatment of breast cancer.
The Equity of Class Ability Grouping Practices in Australian Education: Findings from a Survey in Western Australia and Queensland
Authors: Johnston Olivia , Spooner-Lane Rebecca , Zhang Wei , Macqueen Suzanne , Spina Nerida
Published: January 2024

Grouping students into separate classes according to their ‘ability’ is an inequitable practice that does not, overall, improve academic outcomes. Research has continued to show that class ability grouping widens the educational gap between students from disadvantaged and privileged backgrounds. PISA data analysis suggests that class ability grouping continues to be used in Australian schools, at least in Year 10. However, no research has characterized the existing class ability grouping practices being used in secondary schools from Years 7 to 9. The findings reported in this paper add quantitative evidence to the literature, showing that students are experiencing different class ability grouping practices according to their year group, subjects, and locations. An across-state survey about class ability grouping was conducted with respondents from 143 schools providing data about the schools’ class ability grouping practices. The findings reveal variations in how class grouping practices are used by schools in Australia that have been not captured in other research: Class ability grouping was activated differently in different schools, increased as students’ year levels increased, was most prevalent in Maths and English, and was used more extensively in Western Australia than in Queensland. The findings use descriptive statistics to show that students in Australia are experiencing different grouping practices, with discussion of how some practices are more inequitable than others. This raises questions about how the varied forms of class ability grouping that are being employed are contributing to educational inequalities in Australia and how future research can address this problem.
Teaching plant biology through “Plant senses”—a more engaging, holistic approach and introduction
Authors: Krtková Jana
Published: January 2024

Higher education offers unique ways to provide students with knowledge of plant biology, as well as an engaging lens through which plants may be seen and appreciated. The tremendous volume of knowledge sometimes calls for introducing a different conceptual view to students who aim to become involved in plant research and related fields. It requires stepping back to consider the plant as a whole organism, connected to other organisms within an ecosystem and as a complex living form with its own plant-specific senses. Inspired by several bestselling books in this field, I launched a Plant Senses course. When using the Plant Senses tool to teach plant biology it is challenging to prevent students from over-interpreting and projecting animal features onto the plants, yet avoid an elitist zoocentric position that denies plant capacities we cannot observe with our animal perception. My course attempts to stimulate students to see the ecological importance of plants for much of life on this planet and to draw their attention to the economic value of plants to human societies. Here, I present the structure of the course and the topics covered. Further, I discuss the potential to spread this approach to other curricula and how these different fields may benefit from implementing such a course.
A Multi-Scale Residual Graph Convolution Network with hierarchical attention for predicting traffic flow in urban mobility
Authors: Ling Jiahao , Lan Yuanchun , Huang Xiaohui , Yang Xiaofei
Published: January 2024

Accurate prediction of traffic flow is essential for optimizing transportation resource allocation and enhancing urban mobility efficiency. However, traffic data generated daily are vast and complex, involving dynamic and intricate changes in the traffic road network and traffic flow. Therefore, real-time and accurate prediction of traffic flow is a challenging task that requires modeling the intricate spatial–temporal dynamics of traffic data. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for traffic flow prediction, based on a Multi-Scale Residual Graph Convolution Network with hierarchical attention. First, we design a novel encoder–decoder with multi-independent channels to capture traffic flow information from different time scales and diverse temporal dependencies. Second, we employ a coupled graph convolution network with residual graph attention to dynamically learn the varying spatial features among and within traffic stations. Third, we utilize channel attention to fuse the multi-scale spatial–temporal dependencies and accurately predict traffic flow. We evaluate the proposed approach on multiple benchmark datasets, and the experimental results demonstrate its superior performance compared to state-of-the-art approaches in terms of various metrics.
Macroporous Directed and Interconnected Carbon Architectures Endow Amorphous Silicon Nanodots as Low-Strain and Fast-Charging Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Zhenwei , Han Meisheng , Yu Peilun , Lin Junsheng , Yu Jie
Published: January 2024

Fabricating low-strain and fast-charging silicon-carbon composite anodes is highly desired but remains a huge challenge for lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we report a unique silicon-carbon composite fabricated by uniformly dispersing amorphous Si nanodots (SiNDs) in carbon nanospheres (SiNDs/C) that are welded on the wall of the macroporous carbon framework (MPCF) by vertical graphene (VG), labeled as MPCF@VG@SiNDs/C. The high dispersity and amorphous features of ultrasmall SiNDs (~ 0.7 nm), the flexible and directed electron/Li+ transport channels of VG, and the MPCF impart the MPCF@VG@SiNDs/C more lithium storage sites, rapid Li+ transport path, and unique low-strain property during Li+ storage. Consequently, the MPCF@VG@SiNDs/C exhibits high cycle stability (1301.4 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles without apparent decay) and high rate capacity (910.3 mAh g−1, 20 A g−1) in half cells based on industrial electrode standards. The assembled pouch full cell delivers a high energy density (1694.0 Wh L−1; 602.8 Wh kg−1) and an excellent fast-charging capability (498.5 Wh kg−1, charging for 16.8 min at 3 C). This study opens new possibilities for preparing advanced silicon-carbon composite anodes for practical applications.
Quantum Spin Exchange Interactions to Accelerate the Redox Kinetics in Li–S Batteries
Authors: Du Yu , Chen Weijie , Wang Yu , Yu Yue , Guo Kai , Qu Gan , Zhang Jianan
Published: January 2024

Spin-engineering with electrocatalysts have been exploited to suppress the “shuttle effect” in Li–S batteries. Spin selection, spin-dependent electron mobility and spin potentials in activation barriers can be optimized as quantum spin exchange interactions leading to a significant reduction of the electronic repulsions in the orbitals of catalysts. Herein, we anchor the MgPc molecules on fluorinated carbon nanotubes (MgPc@FCNT), which exhibits the single active Mg sites with axial displacement. According to the density functional theory calculations, the electronic spin polarization in MgPc@FCNT not only increases the adsorption energy toward LiPSs intermediates but also facilitates the tunneling process of electron in Li–S batteries. As a result, the MgPc@FCNT provides an initial capacity of 6.1 mAh cm−2 even when the high sulfur loading is 4.5 mg cm−2, and still maintains 5.1 mAh cm−2 after 100 cycles. This work provides a new perspective to extend the main group single-atom catalysts enabling high-performance Li–S batteries.
A coupled hydro-thermo-mechanical model based on TLF-SPH for simulating crack propagation in fractured rock mass
Authors: Mu Dianrui , Zhang Ke , Ma Qing , Wang Junjie
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a hydro-thermo-mechanical coupling model based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics with total Lagrangian formula (HTM-TLF-SPH) is proposed to simulate the crack propagation and instability process of fractured rock mass. TLF-SPH uses the Lagrangian kernel approximation, that is, the kernel function and its gradient need only be calculated once in the initial configuration, which is much more efficient than the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) based on the Euler kernel approximation. In TLF-SPH, particles interact with each other through virtual link, and the crack propagation path of rock mass is tracked dynamically by capturing the fracture of virtual link. Firstly, the accuracy and robustness of the HTM-TLF-SPH coupling model are verified by a reference example of drilling cold shock, and the simulation results agree well with the analytical solutions. Then, the crack propagation law of surrounding rock and the evolution characteristics of physical fields (displacement, seepage and temperature fields) after excavation and unloading of deep roadway under the coupling condition of hydro-thermo-mechanical are investigated. In addition, the seepage and heat transfer processes of the surrounding rock of Daqiang coal mine under different coupling conditions are successfully simulated. Meanwhile, the effect of the boundary water pressure difference on the temperature and seepage fields under the hydro-thermal coupling condition is quantitatively analyzed.
Testing theories of gravity with planetary ephemerides
Authors: Fienga Agnès , Minazzoli Olivier
Published: January 2024

We describe here how planetary ephemerides are built in the framework of General Relativity and how they can be used to test alternative theories. We focus on the definition of the reference frame (space and time) in which the planetary ephemeris is described, the equations of motion that govern the orbits of solar system bodies and electromagnetic waves. After a review on the existing planetary and lunar ephemerides, we summarize the results obtained considering full modifications of the ephemeris framework with direct comparisons with the observations of planetary systems, with a specific attention for the PPN formalism. We then discuss other formalisms such as Einstein-dilaton theories, the massless graviton and MOND. The paper finally concludes on some comments and recommendations regarding misinterpreted measurements of the advance of perihelia.
Practical Guidelines for Standardised Resolution of Important Protocol Deviations in Clinical Trials Conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Zemsi Armel , Nekame Lorraine Jinette Guedem , Mohammed Nuredin , Batchilly Elizabeth Stanley , Dabira Edgard , Sillah Sheikh Omar , Sey Gibbi , Williams Daisy H. , Dondeh Bai-Lamin , Cerami Carla , Clarke Ed , D’Alessandro Umberto
Published: January 2024

A clinical trial is any research on human subjects that involves an investigational medicinal product or device. Investigational medicinal products include unlicensed drugs or drugs used outside the product license (e.g. for a new indication) (ICH-GCP). As per the internationally accepted ICH-GCP guidelines, clinical trials should be conducted strictly per the approved protocol. However, during the lifecycle of a trial, protocol deviations may occur. Under ICH efficacy guidelines, protocol deviations are divided into non-important (minor) or important (major), and the latter can jeopardise the participant’s rights, safety or the quality of data generated by the study. Existing guidelines on protocol deviation management do not detail or standardise actions to be taken for participants, investigational products, data or samples as part of a holistic management of important protocol deviations. Herein, we propose guidelines to address the current literature gap and promote the standardisation of actions to address important protocol deviations in clinical trials. The advised actions should complement the existing local institutional review board and national regulatory authority requirements.
Modeling and characterization of shallow aquifer water based on ion concentrations to salinity variations using multivariate statistical approach
Authors: Khan Riaz Hossain
Published: January 2024

Water chemistry data (1965–2015) from the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in Nueces and Kleberg counties of Texas were analyzed to assess the hydrogeochemical processes based on variations in ion concentrations affecting groundwater salinity levels in those coastal aquifers. A further aim of this study was to identify a proxy using major-ion concentrations to predict groundwater salinity. Correlation analysis suggests that the hydrogeochemical processes operating in these aquifers differ significantly. In principal component analyses, the first three principal components explain 91% and 94.8% of the total variabilities of the variation of groundwater chemistry in the Evangeline and Chicot aquifers, respectively. The rotated factors (factors 1, 2, and 3) using the varimax rotation method implied that depth control and salinity variations predominantly cause the highest variabilities in water chemistry in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the study area. Results showed depth control on water quality parameters was more pronounced in the Evangeline aquifer compared to the Chicot aquifer. Stepwise elimination of the least significant predictors to identify the proxy for groundwater salinity revealed chloride (Cl) could be the most significant predictor to estimate groundwater salinity variations in both aquifers. However, regression models generated from 75% of the training datasets predicted total dissolved solid (TDS) variations with 78% and 43% accuracies in Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, indicating that Cl can be considered the proxy for the Chicot aquifer only but not suitable for the Evangeline aquifer in the study area.
Reflectance Transformation Imaging for the Recording of Incised Graffiti
Authors: Taylor Rachel Gill , Callaghan Michael , Kovacevich Brigitte , Cardona Caravantes Karla J. , Clarke Mary
Published: January 2024

Precolumbian Maya graffiti is challenging to document because it is complex, multilayered, and difficult to see with the naked eye. In the Maya Lowlands, precolumbian graffiti occurs as etched palimpsests on parts of substructures such as stucco walls of residences, palaces, and temples that are frequently only accessible through dark and narrow tunnel excavations. Experienced iconographers or epigraphers with advanced drawing skills are the most qualified researchers to accurately record, analyze, and interpret precolumbian Maya graffiti. Because these scholars have a vast knowledge of conventions and styles from multiple time periods and sites, they are less likely to document the complex and seemingly chaotic incisions incorrectly. But as with many specialists in Maya archaeology, iconographers and epigraphers are not always available to collaborate in the field. This raises the question, how might an archaeologist without advanced training in iconography accurately record graffiti in subterranean excavations? Advances in digital applications of archaeological field recording have opened new avenues for documenting graffiti. One of these is Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a method that uses a moving light source and photography in order to visualize, interact with, and analyze a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional image. With practice, RTI images can easily be produced in the field and later shared with specialists for the purposes of analysis and interpretation. Performed on a series of 20 unique graffiti from the Maya archaeological site of Holtun (two examples are presented here), RTI shows promise as a viable technique for documenting and preserving graffiti as cultural heritage.
Individual social capital and expectations of career advancement
Authors: Rungo Paolo , Sánchez-Santos José Manuel , Pena-López Atilano
Published: January 2024

This article studies the association between the characteristics of individuals’ social networks and expectations of career advancement, including pay raises and job promotions. The literature has extensively documented the role of social capital as a determinant of labour market outcomes. However, the formation of expectations constitutes another critical path by which social ties may affect work through their influence on individual motivation and behaviour. This study attempts to explain the relationship between social capital and career-related expectations and empirically assesses these associations by employing data from a survey administered to a representative sample of the Spanish population. Our findings suggest that the ability to mobilise network resources is positively linked with both measures of career advancement. However, access to the upper class is only positively associated with expecting a pay rise. Additionally, for non-employed individuals, higher mobilisation is positively associated with the expectation of an increase in income.
Human trafficking and forced prostitution under article 4 of the European convention on human rights
Authors: Turanjanin Veljko , Stanisavljević Jelena
Published: January 2024

We discuss the issue of bringing human trafficking and forced prostitution within the purview of Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Rantsev v. Cyprus and Russia marked a turning point by classifying forced prostitution through human trafficking under Article 4. However, in the judgment in S.M. v. Croatia, the ECtHR further reinforced its view that human trafficking and forced prostitution constitute a violation of Article 4.

We explain human trafficking and forced prostitution both theoretically and through a number of international legal acts. We then explain Article 4 of the Convention and provide a comprehensive analysis of the material and procedural guarantees against human trafficking and forced prostitution. We also comment on the positive obligations that the ECtHR set for Member States. The authors believe that, despite numerous criticisms, the ECtHR’s position is correct and that both human trafficking and forced prostitution violate the principles of democratic society. Therefore, victims must enjoy the protection afforded by Article 4 of the Human Rights Convention and other conventions if their life situation falls within their scope.
Long-term interactive impacts of the invasive shrubLonicera maackiiand white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a deciduous forest understory
Authors: Donoso Marco U. , Leonard Hanna , Gorchov David L.
Published: January 2024

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (hereafter, ‘deer’) and invasive plants affect forest understories, but few studies have investigated their interaction. We investigated long-term (11-yr) effects of excluding deer and removing the invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii(Rupr.) Herder], on plants in southwest Ohio. Deer exclusion enhanced tree seedling richness and density, but reduced annual and bare ground cover. Vine density was reduced byLonicera, especially where deer were excluded. Seedlings of several tree species, the invasive shrub, burning bush  [Euonymus alatus(Thunb.) Siebold], and the invasive vine, winter creeper [Euonymous fortunei(Turcz.) Hand.-Maz.], were indicator species of the deer exclosure byLoniceraremoval treatment combination. The effect of deer on cover of native species depended onLoniceratreatment: where shrubs were removed, cover was higher where deer were excluded, but where shrubs were present, cover was higher where deer had access. We attribute these interactions to the reduced growth of, and shading by,Lonicerawhere deer had access and browsed this invasive shrub. Some of these effects were evident in the first 6 yr, but are now larger. Other effects were not evident in the earlier evaluation. These findings inform management of areas with high densities of deer and invasive shrubs palatable to deer. Control of only invasive shrubs will reduce native cover and not improve tree regeneration. Managing only deer will increase woody plants but reduce native cover. Management of both stressors is needed to promote tree regeneration and restoration of plant communities.
Type material ofParaconularia planicostata(Dawson) from the Upper Mississippian of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada
Authors: Van Iten Heyo , Snyder Mo , Tollerton Victor P.
Published: January 2024

Paraconularia planicostata(Dawson, 1868) is one of two species in this genus (Sinclair, 1940) of conulariid cnidarian currently known from Mississippian strata in the Maritimes Basin in Atlantic Canada (Babcock and Feldmann, 1986). A salient characteristic of the species is the presence of a low and narrow internal carina at or near the longitudinal midline of each of the four faces of the gently tapered periderm (Van Iten et al., 2020).Paraconularia planicostataoccurs in marine carbonates in the Upper Mississippian lower Windsor and lower Codroy groups in Nova Scotia and western Newfoundland, respectively (e.g., Bell, 1929; Stacy, 1953; Dix and James, 1988; Boehner et al., 1989; Boehner and Prime, 1993; Lavoie and Sami, 1998; Jutras et al., 2006; Ryan and Giles, 2017; Van Iten et al., 2020). The species is exceptionally abundant, with richly fossiliferous biohermal limestones containing up to approximately 20 specimens per 1000 cm3of host rock (Van Iten, unpublished observations)—a volumetric density matched by few other conulariid-bearing rock units.
Survey and monitoring of ASKAP’s RFI environment and trends I: Flagging statistics
Authors: Lourenço L. , Chippendale A.P. , Indermuehle B. , Moss V.A. , Murphy Tara , Galvin T.J. , Hellbourg G. , Hotan A.W. , Lenc E. , Whiting M.T.
Published: January 2024

We present an initial analysis of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) flagging statistics from archived Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) observations for the ‘Survey and Monitoring of ASKAP’s RFI environment and Trends’ (SMART) project. SMART is a two-part observatoryled project combining analysis of archived observations with a dedicated, comprehensive RFI survey. The survey component covers ASKAP’s full 700–1 800 MHz frequency range, including bands not typically used due to severe RFI. Observations are underway to capture a detailed snapshot of the ASKAP RFI environment over representative 24 h periods. In addition to this dedicated survey, we routinely archive and analyse flagging statistics for all scientific observations to monitor the observatory’s RFI environment in near real-time. We use the telescope itself as a very sensitive RFI monitor and directly assess the fraction of scientific observations impacted by RFI. To this end, flag tables are now automatically ingested and aggregated as part of routine ASKAP operations for all science observations, as a function of frequency and time. The data presented in this paper come from processing all archived data for several ASKAP Survey Science Projects (SSPs). We found that the average amount of flagging due to RFI across the routinely used ‘clean’ continuum science bands is 3%. The ‘clean’ mid band from 1 293 to 1 437 MHz (excluding the 144 MHz below 1293 MHz impacted by radionavigation-satellites which is discarded before processing) is the least affected by RFI, followed by the ‘clean’ low band from 742 to 1 085 MHz. ASKAP SSPs lose most of their data to the mobile service in the low band, aeronautical service in the mid band and satellite navigation service in the 1 510–1 797 MHz high band. We also show that for some of these services, the percentage of discarded data has been increasing year-on-year. SMART provides a unique opportunity to study ASKAP’s changing RFI environment, including understanding and updating the default flagging behaviour, inferring the suitability of and calibrating RFI monitoring equipment, monitoring spectrum management compliance in the Australian Radio Quiet Zone – Western Australia (ARQZWA), and informing the implementation of a suite of RFI mitigation techniques.
A commensal Fast Radio Burst search pipeline for the Murchison Widefield Array
Authors: Sokolowski M. , Morrison I.S. , Price D. C. , Sleap G. , Crosse B. , Williams A. , Williams L. , James C. , Meyers B.W. , McSweeney S. , Bhat N.D.R. , Anderson G.
Published: January 2024

We present a demonstration version of a commensal pipeline for Fast Radio Burst (FRB) searches using a real-time incoherent beam from the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The main science target of the pipeline are bright nearby FRBs from the local Universe (including Galactic FRBs like from SGR 1935+2154) which are the best candidates to probe FRB progenitors and understand physical mechanisms powering these extremely energetic events. Recent FRB detections by LOFAR (down to 110 MHz), the Green Bank Telescope (at 350 MHz), and Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) detections extending down to 400 MHz, prove that there is a population of FRBs that can be detected below 350 MHz. The new MWA beamformer, known as the ‘MWAX multibeam beamformer’, can form multiple incoherent and coherent beams (with different parameters) commensally to any ongoing MWA observations. One of the beams is currently used for FRB searches (tested in 10 kHz frequency resolution and time resolutions between 0.1 and 100 ms). A second beam (in 1 Hz and 1 s frequency and time resolutions, respectively) is used for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project. This paper focuses on the FRB search pipeline and its verification on selected known bright pulsars. The pipeline uses the FREDDA implementation of the Fast Dispersion Measure Transform algorithm (FDMT) for single pulse searches. Initially, it was tested during standard MWA observations, and more recently using dedicated observations of a sample of 11 bright pulsars. The pulsar PSR J0835-4510 (Vela) has been routinely used as the primary probe of the data quality because its folded profile was always detected in the frequency band 200 – 230 MHz with typical signal-to-noise ratio$>$10, which agrees with the expectations. Similarly, the low dispersion measure pulsar PSR B0950+08 was always detected in folded profile in the frequency band 140–170 MHz and so far has been the only object for which single pulses were detected. We present the estimated sensitivity of the search in the currently limited observing bandwidth of a single MWA coarse channel (1.28 MHz) and for the upgraded, future system with 12.8 MHz (10 channels) of bandwidth. Based on expected sensitivity and existing FRB rate measurements, we project an FRB detection rate between a few and a few tens per year with large uncertainty due to unknown FRB rates at low frequencies.
Coup-proofing: latent concept and measurement
Authors: Jin Hwalmin
Published: January 2024

The study of coup-proofing holds significant importance in political science as it offers insights into critical topics such as military coups, authoritarian governance, and international conflicts. However, due to the multifaceted nature of coup-proofing and empirical inconsistencies with existing indicators, there is a need for a more profound understanding and a new measurement methodology. We propose a new measure of the extent of coup-proofing, utilizing a Bayesian item response theory. We estimate the extent of coup-proofing using a sample of 76 countries between 1965 and 2005 and theoretically relevant observed indicators. The findings from the estimation demonstrate that the extent of coup-proofing varies across regime type, country, and time. Furthermore, we verify the construct validity of our measurement.
HOMOLOGICAL LINEAR QUOTIENTS AND EDGE IDEALS OF GRAPHS
Authors: TAGHIPOUR NADIA , BAYATI SHAMILA , RAHMATI FARHAD
Published: January 2024

It is well known that the edge ideal
$I(G)$
of a simple graph G has linear quotients if and only if
$G^c$
is chordal. We investigate when the property of having linear quotients is inherited by homological shift ideals of an edge ideal. We will see that adding a cluster to the graph
$G^c$
when
$I(G)$
has homological linear quotients results in a graph with the same property. In particular,
$I(G)$
has homological linear quotients when
$G^c$
is a block graph. We also show that adding pinnacles to trees preserves the property of having homological linear quotients for the edge ideal of their complements. Furthermore,
$I(G)$
has homological linear quotients for every graph G such that
$G^c$
is a
$\lambda $
-minimal chordal graph.
CONGRUENCES FOR RANKS OF PARTITIONS
Authors: MAO RENRONG
Published: January 2024

Ranks of partitions play an important role in the theory of partitions. They provide combinatorial interpretations for Ramanujan’s famous congruences for partition functions. We establish a family of congruences modulo powers of
$5$
for ranks of partitions.
Priestly Offering: Law and Narrative in the Aramaic Levi Document
Authors: Mali Hillel
Published: January 2024

In this article, I propose a new reading for both law and narrative in the Aramaic Levi Document (ALD). In the first section, I show that the passage of “the law of the priesthood” pertains to the daily morning service in the Temple. In the second section, I suggest that the narrative that contains these instructions, in which Isaac speaks to Levi at Abraham’s home, exegetically connects the laws to the story of Isaac, whose father offered him up on an altar, and reflects a priestly theology that views the priest himself as an offering.
’Ενευλογηθήσονται as a Speech Action Middle in Genesis 12:3b LXX
Authors: York Dan
Published: January 2024

Interpreters unanimously read ἐνευλογηθήσονται in Gen 12:3b LXX as a passive. Good evidence, however, exists to challenge and problematize this conclusion. Recent linguistic studies on the ancient Greek middle voice reveal that aorist and future -θη- forms express a semantically middle domain. When we reexamine the word ἐνευλογέομαι within this light, a better option emerges for seeing its -θη- forms as manifestations of speech actions within this middle domain. In their own unique ways, the LXX as well as Philo, Paul, and Acts further corroborate this alternative. As a result, we may read ἐνευλογηθήσονται in Gen 12:3b LXX as a speech action middle: “to pronounce blessings.” The proposed reading promotes a better understanding of Abraham within Genesis LXX. Rather than a means to an end, Abraham remains at the center of God’s blessing as the earth’s families cry out: “God make me like Abraham!”
Acoustic correlates of word stress and focus marking in Udmurt
Authors: Borise Lena , Georgieva Ekaterina
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we investigate the prosodic realization of stress and focus in Udmurt (Uralic, Permic). According to the literature, Udmurt has fixed final stress, but also has several sets of morphosyntactic exceptions with initial stress. We report the results of two production studies. The first one targets nominals with final stress, and the second one investigates the stress properties of minimal pairs consisting of (i) indicative verbs (prs.3sg; final stress) and (ii) imperative verbs (imp.2sg/pl; initial stress). To control for the information-structural contexts, the test words are studied in contexts that elicit narrow focus either on the test word (‘F’ condition) or on another constituent (‘non-F’ condition). The results show that all four acoustic parameters surveyed in the paper – duration, intensity, fundamental frequency (f0), and first formant (F1) values – participate in stress marking in Udmurt. The results for focus marking vary by study and demonstrate that all cues except for intensity may be involved in focus marking. At the same time, we find wide interspeaker variation with respect to the acoustic cues marking stress and/or focus. Finally, we outline a preliminary Autosegmental-Metrical interpretation of our f0 results; a full account of Udmurt intonation awaits further research.
Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic animals from Campeche, México, reveals virulent genotypes and a recombinant ROP5 allele
Authors: Rico-Torres Claudia Patricia , Valenzuela-Moreno Luis Fernando , Robles-González Elvira , Cruz-Tamayo Alvar Alonzo , Huchin-Cab Miguel , Pérez-Flores Jonathan , Xicoténcatl-García Lizbeth , Luna-Pastén Héctor , Ortiz-Alegría Luz Belinda , Cañedo-Solares Irma , Cedillo-Peláez Carlos , García-Lacy Fernando , Caballero-Ortega Heriberto
Published: January 2024

Toxoplasma gondii has at least 318 genotypes distributed worldwide, and tropical regions usually have greater genetic diversity. Campeche is a state located in the southeastern region of México and has favourable climate conditions for the replication and dissemination of this protozoan, similar to those in South American countries where broad genetic diversity has been described. Thus, in this study, 4 T. gondii isolates were obtained from tissues of stray dogs and free-range chickens in Campeche, México, and were genotyped by Mn-PCR-RFLP with 10 typing markers (SAG1, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) and 5 virulence markers (CS3, ROP16, ROP17, ROP18 and ROP5) to provide new information about the distribution and virulence prediction of T. gondii genotypes. Two isolates of T. gondii genotype #116 and 2 of genotype #38 were obtained from stray dogs and chickens, respectively. The parasite load found in these species was between <50 and more than 35 000 tachyzoites per mg of tissue. Virulence marker genotyping revealed a recombinant 1&3 ROP5 RFLP pattern in 2 ToxoDB #116 isolates with no prediction of virulence in a murine model, while in the 2 ToxoDB #38 isolates, the ROP18/ROP5 combination predicted high virulence. Considering all the typed markers, there is a predominance of type I and III alleles, as constantly reported for the isolates characterized in various regions of México. It is crucial to determine their phenotype to corroborate the genetic virulence profile of the T. gondii isolates obtained in this study.
Early technology review: towards an expedited pathway
Authors: Levin Leslie , Sheldon Murray , McDonough Robert S. , Aronson Naomi , Rovers Maroeska , Gibson C. Michael , Tunis Sean Robert , Kuntz Richard E.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Evidence development for medical devices is often focused on satisfying regulatory requirements with the result that health professional and payer expectations may not be met, despite considerable investment in clinical trials. Early engagement with payers and health professionals could allow companies to understand these expectations and reflect them in clinical study design, increasing chances of positive coverage determination and adoption into clinical practice.

Methods

An example of early engagement through the EXCITE International model using an early technology review (ETR) is described which includes engagement with payers and health professionals to better inform companies to develop data that meet their expectations. ETR is based on an early evidence review, a framework of expectations that guides the process and identified gaps in evidence. The first fourteen ETRs were reviewed for examples of advice to companies that provided additional information from payers and health professionals that was thought likely to impact on downstream outcomes or strategic direction. Given that limitations were imposed by confidentiality, examples were genericized.

Results

Advice through early engagement can inform evidence development that coincides with expectations of payers and health professionals through a structured, objective, evidence-based approach. This could reduce the risk of business-related adverse outcomes such as failure to secure a positive coverage determination and/or acceptance by expert health professionals.

Conclusions

Early engagement with key stakeholders exemplified by the ETR approach offers an alternative to the current approach of focusing on regulatory expectations. This could reduce the time to reimbursement and clinical adoption and benefit patient outcomes and/or health system efficiencies.
Log-concavity and relative log-concave ordering of compound distributions
Authors: Xia Wanwan , Lv Wenhua
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we compare the entropy of the original distribution and its corresponding compound distribution. Several results are established based on convex order and relative log-concave order. The necessary and sufficient condition for a compound distribution to be log-concave is also discussed, including compound geometric distribution, compound negative binomial distribution and compound binomial distribution.
Possessive pronouns in Welsh: Stylistic variation and the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence
Authors: Young Katharine , Durham Mercedes , Morris Jonathan
Published: January 2024

This paper examines possessive pronoun forms in Welsh, a feature thought to be undergoing change (Davies, 2016). First, we seek to add to the understanding about how and in which stylistic contexts these forms are used. Second, we examine whether students in Welsh-medium schools with different home language backgrounds show the same sociolinguistic competence. In contrast to what is prescribed in many grammar books, the colloquial form mam fi ‘my mum’ is used at much higher rates than the traditional literary fy mam and sandwich variants fy mam i. This is particularly the case in more casual styles. We also find differences between north and south Wales in overall rates of use, but within the two schools studied, the English home language students broadly show the same patterns and constraints as the Welsh home language students, underlining that language background does not affect the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence.
Naturalistic assessment of reaction time variability in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Welhaf Matthew S. , Wilks Hannah , Aschenbrenner Andrew J. , Balota David A. , Schindler Suzanne E. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Gordon Brian A. , Cruchaga Carlos , Xiong Chengjie , Morris John C. , Hassenstab Jason
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Maintaining attention underlies many aspects of cognition and becomes compromised early in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The consistency of maintaining attention can be measured with reaction time (RT) variability. Previous work has focused on measuring such fluctuations during in-clinic testing, but recent developments in remote, smartphone-based cognitive assessments can allow one to test if these fluctuations in attention are evident in naturalistic settings and if they are sensitive to traditional clinical and cognitive markers of AD.

Method:

Three hundred and seventy older adults (aged 75.8 +/− 5.8 years) completed a week of remote daily testing on the Ambulatory Research in Cognition (ARC) smartphone platform and also completed clinical, genetic, and conventional in-clinic cognitive assessments. RT variability was assessed in a brief (20-40 seconds) processing speed task using two different measures of variability, the Coefficient of Variation (CoV) and the Root Mean Squared Successive Difference (RMSSD) of RTs on correct trials.

Results:

Symptomatic participants showed greater variability compared to cognitively normal participants. When restricted to cognitively normal participants, APOE ε4 carriers exhibited greater variability than noncarriers. Both CoV and RMSSD showed significant, and similar, correlations with several in-clinic cognitive composites. Finally, both RT variability measures significantly mediated the relationship between APOE ε4 status and several in-clinic cognition composites.

Conclusions:

Attentional fluctuations over 20–40 seconds assessed in daily life, are sensitive to clinical status and genetic risk for AD. RT variability appears to be an important predictor of cognitive deficits during the preclinical disease stage.
Emergence timing of smallflower umbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), and bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca spp. fascicularis) in California water-seeded rice
Authors: Driver Katie E. , Becerra-Alvarez Aaron , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Al-Khatib Kassim
Published: January 2024

Late-season weed emergence in California rice fields complicates decisions concerning the timing of control measures. The objective of this study was to predict the emergence of three problematic weed species in rice using thermal time models. Smallflower umbrella sedge, barnyardgrass, and bearded sprangletop seedlings were counted and removed daily at three locations across the Sacramento Valley rice-growing region in 2018. The accumulation of thermal time (growing degree days; GDD) commenced with the initial flooding of the fields at each location, utilizing the specific base temperatures corresponding to each species. The pattern of emergence as a function of GDD was modeled with a Weibull function. Root-mean-square values for comparing actual and model-predicted cumulative emergence values were 6% to 23%. Percent cumulative emergence initially increased rapidly for smallflower umbrella sedge and reached 90% emergence with accumulation of 13 GDD. Barnyardgrass emerged after smallflower umbrella sedge and reached 90% emergence with an accumulation of 124 GDD. Bearded sprangletop had a delay of 64 GDD compared to barnyardgrass to reach first emergence and reached 90% emergence at 215 GDD. The period of weed emergence at all field sites differed across the three species and led to a continuous spectrum of weed emergence over time. This study characterizes the emergence of three economically important rice weeds and provides useful information for the timing of weed management. Typical herbicide applications on the day of seeding may have less efficacy on the late-emerging weeds, causing reduced weed control. Delayed herbicide application, overlay of residual herbicides, or use of herbicides with longer residual activity are suggested to control late-emerging weeds.
Automated Nighttime Cloud Detection Using Keograms When Aurora Is Present
Authors: English Alex , Stuart David J. , Hampton Donald L. , Datta‐Barua Seebany
Published: January 2024

We present a binary hypothesis test for detecting clear sky in auroral all‐sky images based on single‐wavelength keograms. The coefficient of variation c, the ratio of the sample standard deviation to the mean over elevation angle along the meridian, is the test statistic. After image‐correcting keograms and excluding dark sky intervals, detection performance is compared to true conditions as determined by Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite imagery. The cloud mask, an index of cloud cover, is selected at the corresponding nearest time and location to the site of a meridian spectrograph at Poker Flat Research Range. With training data from 2014 to 2016, theoretical Rayleigh distributions fit to the histograms show a decision threshold of 0.40 could yield an accuracy of about 80%. Separately, we numerically compute the false alarm and missed detection statistics of the greenline 557.7 nm emission and of the redline 630.0 nm emission. We find a threshold of 0.25 for the greenline c maximizes the percent of events correctly identified at 76%. Applied to testing data from 2015 to 2017, the 0.25 threshold yields an accuracy of 68%. Diffuse aurora can have coefficient of variation around 0.2 to 0.5, which would be included by the numerical minimum, but partly excluded by the theoretical model obtained. Numerical results are a few percent worse for the redline emission.