bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction to: A scalar field inducing a non-metrical contribution to gravitational acceleration and a compatible add-on to light deflection
Authors: Scholz Erhard
Published: June 2022

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10714-020-02693-z
A Sojourn-Based Approach to Semi-Markov Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Ascione Giacomo , Cuomo Salvatore
Published: June 2022

In this paper we introduce a new approach to discrete-time semi-Markov decision processes based on the sojourn time process. Different characterizations of discrete-time semi-Markov processes are exploited and decision processes are constructed by their means. With this new approach, the agent is allowed to consider different actions depending also on the sojourn time of the process in the current state. A numerical method based on Q-learning algorithms for finite horizon reinforcement learning and stochastic recursive relations is investigated. Finally, we consider two toy examples: one in which the reward depends on the sojourn-time, according to the gambler’s fallacy; the other in which the environment is semi-Markov even if the reward function does not depend on the sojourn time. These are used to carry on some numerical evaluations on the previously presented Q-learning algorithm and on a different naive method based on deep reinforcement learning.
On the tractability of hard scheduling problems with generalized due-dates with respect to the number of different due-dates
Authors: Mosheiov Gur , Oron Daniel , Shabtay Dvir
Published: June 2022

We study two $$\mathcal {NP}$$
NP
-hard single-machine scheduling problems with generalized due-dates. In such problems, due-dates are associated with positions in the job sequence rather than with jobs. Accordingly, the job that is assigned to position j in the job processing order (job sequence), is assigned with a predefined due-date, $$\delta _{j}$$

δ
j

. In the first problem, the objective consists of finding a job schedule that minimizes the maximal absolute lateness, while in the second problem, we aim to maximize the weighted number of jobs completed exactly at their due-date. Both problems are known to be strongly $$\mathcal {NP}$$
NP
-hard when the instance includes an arbitrary number of different due-dates. Our objective is to study the tractability of both problems with respect to the number of different due-dates in the instance, $$\nu _{d}$$

ν
d

. We show that both problems remain $$ \mathcal {NP}$$
NP
-hard even when $$\nu _{d}=2$$

ν
d

=
2

, and are solvable in pseudo-polynomial time when the value of $$\nu _{d}$$

ν
d

is upper bounded by a constant. To complement our results, we show that both problems are fixed parameterized tractable (FPT) when we combine the two parameters of number of different due-dates ($$\nu _{d}$$

ν
d

) and number of different processing times ($$\nu _{p}$$

ν
p

).
Scarcity, Property Rights, Irresponsibility: How Intellectual Property Deals with Neglected Tropical Diseases
Authors: Astone Daniel Pinheiro
Published: June 2022

The article addresses the role of scarcity in negotiating the relationship between intellectual property, particularly from a legal-economic perspective, and property rights, as understood by transaction cost economics, to shed light on the deadlock faced by those suffering from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The consistency of the law and economics fundamentals that support the trade on knowledge goods, namely patents on essential medicines, is put under check by Scott Veitch’s scholarship on legal irresponsibility. The damages that emerge from the operations of the intellectual property system are registered in the novel concept of negative public domain, and are due mainly to the lack of access to treatments that end up being unaffordable, or to innovation that leads to new drugs that is not sufficiently incentivised though price signals. The accountability for such damages is taken into consideration by arguing that the disavowal of responsibility is made possible by the negative public domain, which is balanced by the construction of a positive response through the language of rights. As such, responsibility per se is preserved, evading one instantiation of Teubner’s legal paradoxes, but rendered ineffective by design. In other words, even if the harms endured by those affected by the NTDs can be traced back to the operations of the intellectual property system, there is no one to hold accountable. The main goal pursued through the article is to make such an arrangement explicit, by giving centrality to the notion of scarcity and its interplay between legal and economic theory, alongside the novel concept of negative public domain as a site where the actual consequences of irresponsibility lie, to hopefully inform further critique in subsequent works.
Upscaled Dynamic Relative Permeability for Unstable CO2 Flow in Stratified Porous Media
Authors: Youssef AbdAllah A. , Matthäi S. K.
Published: June 2022

In geologic porous media, layering is ubiquitous on all length scales ranging from sub-mm compositional laminations to km-thick formations. The current study presents a general framework for estimating the two-phase viscous limit dynamic relative permeability $$(k_{r} )$$

(

k
r

)

for non-communicating stratified sedimentary rocks. The approach is a two-stage upscaling taking into account the influence of nested heterogeneity at intra- and inter-layer scales. Sub-layer heterogeneities, promoting microflow instabilities in individual layers, are modelled by tuning input relative permeability parameters based on the viscosity contrast between fluids. Macroscopic flow instability at the domain scale is tackled by a new analytical solution for the saturation distribution in stratified media considering the complexities of frontal advance theory. For each layer, three flow stages are considered, each with its unique time-dependent behaviour. The overall solution is presented as a set of equations derived by overlapping of the solutions in different layers. The upscaled dynamic $$k_{r}$$

k
r

is figured out by history matching. The practicality of the method is demonstrated in application to measurements collected from the Otway International Research Facility, Victoria, Australia. The results show the significant impact of layer separation on the upscaled endpoint saturations in addition to required modifications on the current $$k_{r}$$

k
r

formulas. A comparison with conventionally modelled steady-state sweep highlights the inadequacy of steady-state upscaling for viscous limit flows. The applicability of the method to estimate $$k_{r}$$

k
r

from the unsteady-state lab experiments conducted on heterogeneous cores is also discussed.
Genetic quality: a complex issue for experimental study reproducibility
Authors: Yoshiki Atsushi , Ballard Gregory , Perez Ana V.
Published: June 2022

Laboratory animal research involving mice, requires consideration of many factors to be controlled. Genetic quality is one factor that is often overlooked but is essential for the generation of reproducible experimental results. Whether experimental research involves inbred mice, spontaneous mutant, or genetically modified strains, exercising genetic quality through careful breeding, good recordkeeping, and prudent quality control steps such as validation of the presence of mutations and verification of the genetic background, will help ensure that experimental results are accurate and that reference controls are representative for the particular experiment. In this review paper, we will discuss various techniques used for the generation of genetically altered mice, and the different aspects to be considered regarding genetic quality, including inbred strains and substrains used, quality check controls during and after genetic manipulation and breeding. We also provide examples for when to use the different techniques and considerations on genetic quality checks. Further, we emphasize on the importance of establishing an in-house genetic quality program.
Improving Quality of Service for Cell-Edge Users in D2D-Relay Networks
Authors: Xing Xuefeng , Cao Jing , Zhou Hongtao
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we build a D2D-relay communications model where the D2D user is selected as a relay to forward data for the users at the edge of the networks. We aim at maximizing the achievable data rates of the cell-edge users, a resource allocation problem is formulated and an iterative power allocation algorithm is proposed. We derive the optimal closed-form power allocation expressions by the Lagrange dual method. Simulation results show that our communication scheme can achieve greater spectral efficiency than the traditional cellular-relay communication scheme.
Assessing the effects of alternative fuel treatments to reduce wildfire exposure
Authors: Jahdi Roghayeh , Del Giudice Liliana , Melis Massimo , Lovreglio Raffaella , Salis Michele , Arca Bachisio , Duce Pierpaolo
Published: June 2022

Effective landscape-scale fuel management strategies are essential for reducing wildfire risk in Mediterranean fire-prone areas. In this study, the minimum travel time (MTT) fire-spread algorithm as implemented in FlamMap was applied to assess the potential of alternative fuel treatments for lowering wildfire losses in a 5,740-ha study area in eastern Sardinia, Italy. Twenty-seven wildfires at 10-m resolution were simulated considering three wind speeds (15, 18, and 21 km h−1) to compare fuel treatments: no treatment (NT), irrigated agroforestry areas with shrub clearing (T1), prescribed fire in eucalyptus stands (T2), and irrigated grasslands (T3). The simulations replicated a recent large wildfire that occurred in the study area (Orrì wildfire, 2019) and considered the weather and fuel moisture conditions associated with this event. The average wildfire exposure outputs (burned area, probability of burning, conditional flame length, potential crown fire occurrence, and surfaces withflame lengths above 2.5 m) decreased after fuel treatments, compared to no treatment. T1 was the most effective strategy in mitigating wildfire hazards and provided the most significant performance for several wildfire exposure indicators. Treating only 0.5% of the study area (~ 30 ha) resulted in a decrease in all wildfire exposure metrics to ~ 10% within the study area. In addition, the total surface characterized by high flame length (average > 2.5 m) was the lowest in the T1 treatment. This study can help land and fire managers optimize fuel treatment opportunities and wildfire risk mitigation strategies in Mediterranean areas.
C-Terminal Proarginine Vasopressin is Associated with Disease Outcome and Mortality, but not with Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Critically Ill Patients with an Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: van Oers Jos A. H. , Ramnarain Dharmanand , Oldenbeuving Annemarie , Vos Piet , Roks Gerwin , Kluiters Yvette , Beishuizen Albertus , de Lange Dylan W. , de Grooth Harm-Jan , Girbes Armand R. J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is an important indication for intensive care unit admission and may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We assessed the ability of C-terminal proarginine vasopressin (CT-proAVP) to predict disease outcome, mortality, and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in critically ill patients with aSAH compared with the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score and Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation IV (APACHE IV) model.

Methods

C-terminal proarginine vasopressin was collected on admission in this single-center, prospective, observational cohort study. The primary aim was to investigate the relationship between CT-proAVP and poor functional outcome at 1 year (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 1–3) in a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for WFNS and APACHE IV scores. Secondary aims were mortality and DCI. The multivariable logistic regression model for DCI was also adjusted for the modified Fisher scale.

Results

In 100 patients, the median CT-proAVP level was 24.9 pmol/L (interquartile range 11.5–53.8); 45 patients had a poor 1-year functional outcome, 19 patients died within 30 days, 25 patients died within 1 year, and DCI occurred in 28 patients. Receiver operating characteristics curves revealed high accuracy for CT-proAVP to identify patients with poor 1-year functional outcome (area under the curve [AUC] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.92, p < 0.001), 30-day mortality (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.76–0.93, p < 0.001), and 1-year mortality (AUC 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.89, p < 0.001). CT-proAVP had a low AUC for identifying patients with DCI (AUC 0.67, 95% CI 0.55–0.79, p 0.008). CT-proAVP ≥ 24.9 pmo/L proved to be a significant predictor for poor 1-year functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] 8.04, 95% CI 2.97–21.75, p < 0.001), and CT-proAVP ≥ 29.1 pmol/L and ≥ 27.7 pmol/L were significant predictors for 30-day and 1-year mortality (OR 9.31, 95% CI 1.55–56.07, p 0.015 and OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.48–17.93, p 0.010) in multivariable models with WFNS and APACHE IV scores. CT-proAVP ≥ 29.5 pmol/L was not a significant predictor for DCI in a multivariable model adjusted for the modified Fisher scale (p = 0.061).

Conclusions

C-terminal proarginine vasopressin was able to predict poor functional outcome and mortality in critically ill patients with aSAH. Its prognostic ability to predict DCI was low.

Trial Registration

Nederlands Trial Register: NTR4118.
Assessment of perceived support in the context of emergency: Development and validation of the psycho-social support scale
Authors: Panzeri Anna , Bettinardi Ornella , Bottesi Gioia , Bertolotti Giorgio , Brambatti Luca , Monfredo Michela , Mignemi Giuseppe , Bruno Giovanni , Vidotto Giulio , Spoto Andrea , Frattola Paola , Chiesa Silvia
Published: June 2022

In research and clinical contexts, it is important to briefly evaluate perceived Psychological and Social Support (PSS) to plan psychological interventions and allocate efforts and resources. However, an appropriate brief assessment tool for PSS was lacking. This study aimed at developing a brief and accurate scale to specifically measure PSS in clinical and emergency contexts, with specific, relevant, targeted, and irredundant items. Experienced clinicians developed the perceived Psycho-Social Support Scale (PSSS) and administered it to a clinical sample (N = 112) seeking psychological help during the COVID-19 emergency. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis examined the PSSS internal structure, and a Multiple Indicator and Multiple Causes model investigated its association with the number of sessions and emotional symptoms. The PSSS showed good psychometric properties and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis provided acceptable fit indexes for a unidimensional structure. The Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes revealed that more sessions and emotional symptoms were associated with lower PSSS scores. The PSSS is a reliable brief tool to measure PS and could be useful to individualize treatments (i.e., number of sessions) to efficiently allocate efforts and resources in clinical contexts and emergencies (e.g., earthquake, COVID-19 pandemic).
Environmental DNA Methods for Ecological Monitoring and Biodiversity Assessment in Estuaries
Authors: Nagarajan Raman P. , Bedwell Mallory , Holmes Ann E. , Sanches Thiago , Acuña Shawn , Baerwald Melinda , Barnes Matthew A. , Blankenship Scott , Connon Richard E. , Deiner Kristy , Gille Daphne , Goldberg Caren S. , Hunter Margaret E. , Jerde Christopher L. , Luikart Gordon , Meyer Rachel S. , Watts Alison , Schreier Andrea
Published: June 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection methods can complement traditional biomonitoring to yield new ecological insights in aquatic systems. However, the conceptual and methodological frameworks for aquatic eDNA detection and interpretation were developed primarily in freshwater environments and have not been well established for estuaries and marine environments that are by nature dynamic, turbid, and hydrologically complex. Environmental context and species life history are critical for successful application of eDNA methods, and the challenges associated with eDNA detection in estuaries were the subject of a symposium held at the University of California Davis on January 29, 2020 (https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/engagement/past-events/edna). Here, we elaborate upon topics addressed in the symposium to evaluate eDNA methods in the context of monitoring and biodiversity studies in estuaries. We first provide a concise overview of eDNA science and methods, and then examine the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) as a case study to illustrate how eDNA detection can complement traditional monitoring programs and provide regional guidance on future potential eDNA applications. Additionally, we offer recommendations for enhancing communication between eDNA scientists and natural resource managers, which is essential for integrating eDNA methods into existing monitoring programs. Our intent is to create a resource that is accessible to those outside the field of eDNA, especially managers, without oversimplifying the challenges or advantages of these methods.
Route Stability Index (RSI): an Index for the Assessment of Rockfall-Related Hazards in Rock Slopes Equipped for Sport Climbing
Authors: Beni Tommaso , Gigli Giovanni , Lombardi Luca , Carlà Tommaso , Casagli Nicola
Published: June 2022

A multidisciplinary geomechanical method to evaluate and quantify rockfall hazards in rock slopes equipped for sport climbing is presented. This method exploits close-range survey data obtained from terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and unmanned aerial vehicle-based digital photogrammetry (UAV-DP) and integrates them with traditional scanline survey data collected in the field. Based on the acquired information, a kinematic analysis is performed to predict the location of structurally controlled rock failure mechanisms. An index denoted as route stability index (RSI) is then proposed to quantify the associated hazard along sport climbing routes in the study area. In addition, hazard is also assessed at the overall slope scale. The method was successfully applied at an abandoned climbing site historically affected by rockfalls, 5 km north of Florence (Italy). RSI can be adopted as part of the planning and monitoring strategies for the management of risk related to outdoor climbing activities, which are becoming an important part of Italian and European geo-tourism.
Psychobiotic Potential of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid–Producing Marine Enterococcus faecium SH9 from Marine Shrimp
Authors: Sakkaa Shimaa El , Zaghloul Eman H. , Ghanem Khaled M.
Published: June 2022

Psychobiotics are a novel class of probiotics with potential to confer mental wellness via production of neuroactive compounds such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The demand for new biological sources of GABA has increased steadily. Therefore, the current study reports the isolation of 17 presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from marine samples and their screening for GABA synthesis from monosodium glutamate (MSG) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The isolate SH9 was selected as a high GABA producing strain. The GABA content of SH9 cell free supernatant (CFS) was quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to be 0.97 g/L. SH9 was identified biochemically and molecularly as Enterococcus faecium (identity 99%). Moreover, SH9 demonstrated promising probiotic potentials; it gave no signs of hemolysis and could survive at low pH values and high bile salt concentrations. It also exhibited antimicrobial activity against highly pathogenic strains and the ability to grow at 6.5% NaCl. In addition, SH9 CFS showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene was detected in SH9 by using specific primers. Product of 540 bp was obtained, sequenced, and analyzed (accession number: MW713382). The inferred amino acid sequence was 99.3% identical to Lactobacillus plantarum M-6 gadB gene. The findings of this study suggest that the marine isolate E. faecium SH9 could be used as a novel psychobiotics in the development of GABA rich healthy products.
Permeability extraction from multiple well logs using particle swarm optimization based factor analysis
Authors: Szabó Norbert Péter , Abordán Armand , Dobróka Mihály
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we present an innovative factor analysis algorithm for hydrocarbon exploration to estimate the intrinsic permeability of reservoir rocks from well logs. Unlike conventional evaluation methods that employ a single or a limited number of data types, we process simultaneously all available data to derive the first statistical factor and relate it to permeability by regression analysis. For solving the problem of factor analysis, we introduce an improved particle swarm optimization method, which searches for the global minimum of the distance between the observed and calculated data and gives a quick estimation for the factor scores. The learning factors of the intelligent computational technique such as the cognitive and social constants are specified as hyperparameters and calculated by using simulated annealing algorithm as heuristic hyperparameter estimator. Instead of the arbitrary fixation of these hyperparameters, we refine them in an iterative process to give reliable estimation both for the statistical factors and formation permeability. The estimated learning parameters are consistent with literature recommendations. We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed well-log analysis method by a Hungarian oilfield study involving open-hole wireline logs and core data. We determine the spatial distribution of permeability both along a borehole and between more wells using the factor analysis approach, which serves as efficient and reliable multivariate statistical tool for advanced formation evaluation and reservoir modeling.
Navigating the neo-academy: Experiences of liminality and identity construction among early career researchers at one Australian regional university
Authors: Larsen Ellen , Brandenburg Robyn
Published: June 2022

Across the world, many university-based early career researchers (ECRs) are experiencing an unprecedented intensification of research expectations on transition from doctoral research to academic life. Countries such as Australia have put into place national frameworks of research excellence to remain globally competitive. Pressure on universities to elevate global research rankings has soared, with many regional universities and disciplines such as education responding with a rapid escalation of research performance expectations for academics. Consequently, concerns have been raised for ECRs embroiled in intensified research agendas in these contexts. Framed by concepts of liminality and identity construction, we argue that intensified expectations do not take account of liminality experienced by ECRs during times of transition, compromising perceived academic progress. We report on the identity journeys of ECRs in a School of Education at one regional Australian university. Data was collected from nine ECRs using online focus groups and analysed using a hybrid thematic approach. Key findings indicate that ECRs transition into the Academy post-doctorate with varying experiences of identity liminality that impact their capacity to manage research expectations. ECRs experiencing shorter periods of liminality are best positioned to manage the intensified expectations of academic life while ECRs experiencing persistent liminality and identity ‘struggle’ are more likely to perceive a diminished sense of achievement and support. These findings have significant implications for university leadership and research supervisors, in Australia and globally, regarding the ways they support ECRs to productively navigate the hyper-invigilated audit cultures of what we have termed the neo-academy.
Architecture entropy sampling-based evolutionary neural architecture search and its application in osteoporosis diagnosis
Authors: Chu Jianjun , Yu Xiaoshan , Yang Shangshang , Qiu Jianfeng , Wang Qijun
Published: June 2022

In recent years, neural architecture search (NAS) has achieved unprecedented development because of its ability to automatically achieve high-performance neural networks in various tasks. Among these, the evolutionary neural architecture search (ENAS) has impressed the researchers due to the excellent heuristic exploration capability. However, the evolutionary algorithm-based NAS are prone to the loss of population diversity in the search process, causing that the structure of the surviving individuals is exceedingly similar, which will lead to premature convergence and fail to explore the search space comprehensively and effectively. To address this issue, we propose a novel indicator, named architecture entropy, which is used to measure the architecture diversity of population. Based on this indicator, an effective sampling strategy is proposed to select the candidate individuals with the potential to maintain the population diversity for environmental selection. In addition, an unified encoding scheme of topological structure and computing operation is designed to efficiently express the search space, and the corresponding population update strategies are suggested to promote the convergence. The experimental results on several image classification benchmark datasets CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100 demonstrate the superiority of our proposed method over the state-of-the-art comparison ones. To further validate the effectiveness of our method in real applications, our proposed NAS method is applied in the identification of lumbar spine X-ray images for osteoporosis diagnosis, and can achieve a better performance than the commonly used methods. Our source codes are available at https://github.com/LabyrinthineLeo/AEMONAS.
Division of carbon sink functional areas and path to carbon neutrality in coal mines
Authors: Yang Boyu , Bai Zhongke , Fu Shuai , Cao Yingui
Published: June 2022

Remote sensing image data of typical mining areas in the Loess Plateau from 1986 to 2018 were used to analyze the evolution of land use, explore the division of carbon sink functional areas, and propose carbon neutrality paths to provide a reference for the coal industry carbon peak, carbon-neutral action plan. Results show that (1) land use has changed significantly in the Pingshuo mining area over the past 30 years. Damaged land in industrial, opencast, stripping, and dumping areas comprises 4482.5 ha of cultivated land, 1648.13 ha of grassland, and 963.49 ha of forestland. (2) The carbon sink functional areas of the Pingshuo mining land is divided into invariant, enhancement, low carbon optimization, and carbon emission control areas. The proportion of carbon sinks in the invariant area is decreasing, whereas the proportion in enhancement, low carbon optimization, and carbon emission control areas is gradually increasing. (3) The carbon neutrality of the mining area must be reduced from the entire process of stripping–mining–transport–disposal–reclamation, and carbon emissions and carbon sink accounting must start from the life cycle of coal resources. Therefore, carbon neutrality in mining areas must follow the 5R principles of reduction, reuse, recycling, redevelopment, and restoration, and attention must be paid to the potential of carbon sinks in ecological protection and restoration projects in the future.
A Wasserstein-based measure of conditional dependence
Authors: Etesami Jalal , Zhang Kun , Kiyavash Negar
Published: June 2022

Measuring conditional dependencies among the variables of a network is of great interest to many disciplines. This paper studies some shortcomings of the existing dependency measures in detecting direct causal influences or their lack of ability for group selection to capture strong dependencies and accordingly introduces a new statistical dependency measure to overcome them. This measure is inspired by Dobrushin’s coefficients and based on the fact that there is no dependency betweenXandYgiven another variableZ, if and only if the conditional distribution ofYgiven$$X=x$$X=xand$$Z=z$$Z=zdoes not change whenXtakes another realization$$x'$$x′whileZtakes the same realizationz. We show the advantages of this measure over the related measures in the literature. Moreover, we establish the connection between our measure and the integral probability metric (IPM) that helps to develop estimators of the measure with lower complexity compared to other relevant information theoretic-based measures. Finally, we show the performance of this measure through numerical simulations.
Stability of trigonometric approximation in $$L^p$$ and applications to prediction theory
Authors: Frank Michael , Klotz Lutz
Published: June 2022

Let $$\Gamma $$
Γ
be an LCA group and $$(\mu _n)$$

(

μ
n

)

be a sequence of bounded regular Borel measures on $$\Gamma $$
Γ
tending to a measure $$\mu _0$$

μ
0

. Let G be the dual group of $$\Gamma $$
Γ
, S be a non-empty subset of $$G \setminus \{ 0 \}$$

G
\
{
0
}

, and $$[{\mathcal T}(S)]_{\mu _n,p}$$

[
T

(
S
)

]

μ
n

,
p

the subspace of $$L^p(\mu _n)$$

L
p

(

μ
n

)

, $$p \in (0,\infty )$$

p
∈
(
0
,
∞
)

, spanned by the characters of $$\Gamma $$
Γ
which are generated by the elements of S. The limit behaviour of the sequence of metric projections of the function 1 onto $$[{\mathcal T}(S)]_{\mu _n,p}$$

[
T

(
S
)

]

μ
n

,
p

as well as of the sequence of the corresponding approximation errors are studied. The results are applied to obtain stability theorems for prediction of weakly stationary or harmonizable symmetric p-stable stochastic processes. Along with the general problem the particular cases of linear interpolation or extrapolation as well as of a finite or periodic observation set are studied in detail and compared to each other.
The statistical fairness field guide: perspectives from social and formal sciences
Authors: Carey Alycia N. , Wu Xintao
Published: June 2022

Over the past several years, a multitude of methods to measure the fairness of a machine learning model have been proposed. However, despite the growing number of publications and implementations, there is still a critical lack of literature that explains the interplay of fair machine learning with the social sciences of philosophy, sociology, and law. We hope to remedy this issue by accumulating and expounding upon the thoughts and discussions of fair machine learning produced by both social and formal (i.e., machine learning and statistics) sciences in this field guide. Specifically, in addition to giving the mathematical and algorithmic backgrounds of several popular statistics-based fair machine learning metrics used in fair machine learning, we explain the underlying philosophical and legal thoughts that support them. Furthermore, we explore several criticisms of the current approaches to fair machine learning from sociological, philosophical, and legal viewpoints. It is our hope that this field guide helps machine learning practitioners identify and remediate cases where algorithms violate human rights and values.
Incidence, Mortality Features and Lifetime Risk Estimation of Digestive Tract Cancers in an Urban District of Shanghai, China
Authors: Bi Jing-Hao , Yuan Hui-Yun , Jiang Yu , Zhang Yun , Zheng Wen-Wei , Zhang Lei , Li Zhuo-Ying , Li Hong-Lan , Tan Yu-Ting , Zhao Wen-Sui , Xiang Yong-Bing
Published: June 2022

Digestive tract cancers are the common cause of cancer deaths in both China and worldwide. This study aimed to describe the burden, recent trends and lifetime risks in the incidence and mortality of digestive tract cancers in an urban district of Shanghai, China. Our study extracted data on stomach, colon, rectum and liver cancers diagnosed in Changning District between 2010 and 2019 from the Shanghai Cancer Registry. We calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, the risks of developing and dying from cancer, and the estimated annual percent changes. Between 2010 and 2019, 8619 new cases and 5775 deaths were registered with digestive tract cancers in the district. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of liver cancer decreased steadily, whereas the ASIRs of stomach, colon and rectum cancers remained stable from 2010 to 2019. The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of stomach and liver cancers showed significant declining changes from 2010 to 2019 in both sexes, but that of colon and rectum cancers remained stable during the entire period. The risks of developing and dying from digestive tract cancers were substantially higher in men than women. The burden of digestive tract cancer and its disparities between sex and age group remain major public health challenges in urban Shanghai. To reduce the burden of digestive tract cancers, the government and researchers should develop and promote a healthy diet, organize a screening, and reduce the prevalence of smoking, alcohol drinking, and hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections.
Homogeneous Ordered Graphs, Metrically Homogeneous Graphs, and Beyond
Authors: Cherlin Gregory
Published: June 2022

This is the first of two volumes by Professor Cherlin presenting the state of the art in the classification of homogeneous structures in binary languages and related problems in the intersection of model theory and combinatorics. Researchers and graduate students in the area will find in these volumes many far-reaching results and interesting new research directions to pursue. In this volume, Cherlin develops a complete classification of homogeneous ordered graphs and provides a full proof. He then proposes a new family of metrically homogeneous graphs, a weakening of the usual homogeneity condition. A general classification conjecture is presented, together with general structure theory and applications to a general classification conjecture for such graphs. It also includes introductory chapters giving an overview of the results and methods of both volumes, and an appendix surveying recent developments in the area. An extensive accompanying bibliography of related literature, organized by topic, is available online.
Impact of Changing Winds on the Mauna Loa CO2 Seasonal Cycle in Relation to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Authors: Jin Yuming , Keeling Ralph F. , Rödenbeck Christian , Patra Prabir K. , Piper Stephen C. , Schwartzman Armin
Published: June 2022

Long‐term measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) show that the CO2 seasonal cycle amplitude (SCA) increased from 1959 to 2019 at an overall rate of 0.22  0.034 ppm decade−1 while also varying on interannual to decadal time scales. These SCA changes are a signature of changes in land ecological CO2 fluxes as well as shifting winds. Simulations with the TM3 tracer transport model and CO2 fluxes from the Jena CarboScope CO2 Inversion suggest that shifting winds alone have contributed to a decrease in SCA of −0.10  0.022 ppm decade−1 from 1959 to 2019, partly offsetting the observed long‐term SCA increase associated with enhanced ecosystem net primary production. According to these simulations and MIROC‐ACTM simulations, the shorter‐term variability of MLO SCA is nearly equally driven by varying ecological CO2 fluxes (49%) and varying winds (51%). We also show that the MLO SCA is strongly correlated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) due to varying winds, as well as with a closely related wind index (U‐PDO). Since 1980, 44% of the wind‐driven SCA decrease has been tied to a secular trend in the U‐PDO, which is associated with a progressive weakening of westerly winds at 700 mbar over the central Pacific from 20°N to 40°N. Similar impacts of varying winds on the SCA are seen in simulations at other low‐latitude Pacific stations, illustrating the difficulty of constraining trend and variability of land CO2 fluxes using observations from low latitudes due to the complexity of circulation changes.
Modeling Studies of Gravity Wave Dynamics in Highly Structured Environments: Reflection, Trapping, Instability, Momentum Transport, Secondary Gravity Waves, and Induced Flow Responses
Authors: Dong Wenjun , Fritts David C. , Hickey Michael P. , Liu Alan Z. , Lund Thomas S. , Zhang Shaodong , Yan Yanying , Yang Fan
Published: June 2022

A compressible numerical model is applied for three‐dimensional (3‐D) gravity wave (GW) packets undergoing momentum deposition, self‐acceleration (SA), breaking, and secondary GW (SGW) generation in the presence of highly‐structured environments enabling thermal and/or Doppler ducts, such as a mesospheric inversion layer (MIL), tidal wind (TW), or combination of MIL and TW. Simulations reveal that ducts can strongly modulate GW dynamics. Responses modeled here include reflection, trapping, suppressed transmission, strong local instabilities, reduced SGW generations, higher altitude SGW responses, and induced large‐scale flows. Instabilities that arise in ducts experience strong dissipation after they emerge, while trapped smaller‐amplitude and smaller‐scale GWs can survive in ducts to much later times. Additionally, GW breaking and its associated dynamics enhance the local wind along the GW propagation direction in the ducts, and yield layering in the wind field. However, these dynamics do not yield significant heat transport in the ducts. The failure of GW breaking to induce stratified layers in the temperature field suggests that such heat transport might not be as strong as previously assumed or inferred from observations and theoretical assessments. The present numerical simulations confirm previous finding that MIL generation may not be caused by the breaking of a transient high‐frequency GW packet alone.
Deformation and Material Transfer in a Fossil Subduction Channel: Evidence From the Island of Elba (Italy)
Authors: Papeschi Samuele , Vannucchi Paola , Hirose Takehiro , Okazaki Keishi
Published: June 2022

We document an exhumed plate boundary shear zone—a subduction channel—developed at the contact between a fossil Cretaceous‐Eocene accretionary prism (Ligurian Units) and the underlying continent‐derived nappes of the Northern Apennines. The subduction channel, referred to as the Norsi‐Cavo Complex (NCC), is continuously exposed for ∼10 km along strike on the island of Elba. The NCC consists of oceanic sediments and serpentinites, coupled at the base of the prism. In its northernmost exposures the NCC crops out as a serpentinite mélange with blocks of sedimentary rocks. There, evidence of pervasive fluid‐rock interaction is present. We interpret this mélange as the result of material transfer from the upper plate to the subduction channel through tectonic erosion at the base of the prism. The southern part of the NCC preserves a series of tectonic slices of shales and limestones (Palombini shales) coupled with ultramafic rocks through serpentinite shear zones containing lenses of massive serpentinites, mafic rocks, and sediments. Since sedimentary slices preserve the same structures of the overlying Ligurian Units, produced by accretionary prism deformation, we interpret this complex as the result of material transfer from the prism to the subduction channel and its subsequent underplating at the base of the prism. Based on our interpretation, the NCC fossil subduction channel formed during E‐verging deformation over the W‐directed subduction of the Ligurian Ocean during the early development stages of the Apennines. This deformation terminated when the continental margin entered the subduction.
Ionospheric Boundaries Derived From Auroral Images
Authors: Chisham G. , Burrell A. G. , Thomas E. G. , Chen Y.‐J.
Published: June 2022

This paper presents updated methods for locating the Poleward and Equatorward Auroral Luminosity Boundaries (PALB and EALB) directly from IMAGE Far UltraViolet (FUV) images of the Northern Hemisphere auroral oval. Separate boundaries are determined from images measured at different FUV wavelengths. In addition, new methods for indirectly estimating the Open‐Closed magnetic field line Boundary (OCB) and the Equatorward Precipitation Boundary (EPB) locations are presented; these new boundaries are derived from a combination of the auroral luminosity boundary estimates with statistical latitudinal offsets derived from comparisons with low‐altitude spacecraft Particle Precipitation Boundaries (PPBs). Subsequently, we derive new circle model fits for all these boundary data sets, as well as new quality control criteria for these model fits. The suitability of circle fits for each of the data sets is discussed, and the OCB and PALB circle fits are validated against the Convection Reversal Boundary (CRB), as measured by low‐altitude in situ spacecraft. All the new boundary data sets, covering the epoch May 2000 to October 2002, are freely available online.
ROTI‐Based Stochastic Model to Improve GNSS Precise Point Positioning Under Severe Geomagnetic Storm Activity
Authors: Luo Xiaomin , Du Junfeng , Galera Monico João Francisco , Xiong Chao , Liu Jingbin , Liang Xinmei
Published: June 2022

For global navigation satellite system (GNSS), ionospheric disturbances caused by the geomagnetic storm can reduce the accuracy and reliability of precision point positioning (PPP). At present, common stochastic models in GNSS PPP, such as the elevation angle stochastic (EAS) model or carrier‐to‐noise power‐density ratio () based SIGMA‐ model, do not properly consider storm effects on GNSS measurements. To mitigate severe storm effects on GNSS PPP, this study further implements the rate of total electron content index (ROTI) parameter into the EAS model referred to as the EAS‐ROTI model. This model contains two operations. The first one is to adjust variance of GNSS measurements using ROTI observations on EAS model. The second one is to determine the ratio of the priori variance factor between pseudorange and carrier phase measurements during severe storm conditions. The performance of EAS‐ROTI model is verified by using a large number of international GNSS service stations datasets on 17 March and 23 June in 2015. Experimental results indicate that on a global scale, the EAS‐ROTI model improves the PPP accuracy in 3D direction by approximately 12.9%–14.7% compared with the EAS model, and by about 24.8%–45.9% compared with the SIGMA‐ model.
Misconfigured striatal connectivity profiles in smokers
Authors: Korponay Cole , Stein Elliot A. , Ross Thomas J.
Published: June 2022

Dysregulation of frontal cortical inputs to the striatum is foundational in the neural basis of substance use disorder (SUD). Neuroanatomical and electrophysiological data increasingly show that striatal nodes receive appreciable input from numerous cortical areas, and that the combinational properties of these multivariate “connectivity profiles” play a predominant role in shaping striatal activity and function. Yet, how abnormal configuration of striatal connectivity profiles might contribute to SUD is unknown. Here, we implemented a novel “connectivity profile analysis” (CPA) approach using resting-state functional connectivity data to facilitate detection of different types of connectivity profile “misconfiguration” that may reflect distinct forms of aberrant circuit plasticity in SUD. We examined 46 nicotine-dependent smokers and 33 non-smokers and showed that both dorsal striatum (DS) and ventral striatum (VS) connectivity profiles with frontal cortex were misconfigured in smokers—but in doubly distinct fashions. DS misconfigurations were stable across sated and acute abstinent states (indicative of a “trait” circuit adaptation) whereas VS misconfigurations emerged only during acute abstinence (indicative of a “state” circuit adaptation). Moreover, DS misconfigurations involved abnormal connection strength rank order arrangement, whereas VS misconfigurations involved abnormal aggregate strength. We found that caudal ventral putamen in smokers uniquely displayed multiple types of connectivity profile misconfiguration, whose interactive magnitude was linked to dependence severity, and that VS misconfiguration magnitude correlated positively with withdrawal severity during acute abstinence. Findings underscore the potential for approaches that more aptly model the neurobiological composition of corticostriatal circuits to yield deeper insights into the neural basis of SUD.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: pathogenesis, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, interaction with host, technology advances and emerging therapeutics
Authors: Qin Shugang , Xiao Wen , Zhou Chuanmin , Pu Qinqin , Deng Xin , Lan Lefu , Liang Haihua , Song Xiangrong , Wu Min
Published: June 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that infects patients with cystic fibrosis, burn wounds, immunodeficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cancer, and severe infection requiring ventilation, such as COVID-19. P. aeruginosa is also a widely-used model bacterium for all biological areas. In addition to continued, intense efforts in understanding bacterial pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa including virulence factors (LPS, quorum sensing, two-component systems, 6 type secretion systems, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), CRISPR-Cas and their regulation), rapid progress has been made in further studying host-pathogen interaction, particularly host immune networks involving autophagy, inflammasome, non-coding RNAs, cGAS, etc. Furthermore, numerous technologic advances, such as bioinformatics, metabolomics, scRNA-seq, nanoparticles, drug screening, and phage therapy, have been used to improve our understanding of P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and host defense. Nevertheless, much remains to be uncovered about interactions between P. aeruginosa and host immune responses, including mechanisms of drug resistance by known or unannotated bacterial virulence factors as well as mammalian cell signaling pathways. The widespread use of antibiotics and the slow development of effective antimicrobials present daunting challenges and necessitate new theoretical and practical platforms to screen and develop mechanism-tested novel drugs to treat intractable infections, especially those caused by multi-drug resistance strains. Benefited from has advancing in research tools and technology, dissecting this pathogen’s feature has entered into molecular and mechanistic details as well as dynamic and holistic views. Herein, we comprehensively review the progress and discuss the current status of P. aeruginosa biophysical traits, behaviors, virulence factors, invasive regulators, and host defense patterns against its infection, which point out new directions for future investigation and add to the design of novel and/or alternative therapeutics to combat this clinically significant pathogen.
Kinetics of disappearance and appearance of isoagglutinins A and B after ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lemaire Baptiste , Combescure Christophe , Chalandon Yves , Vuilleumier Nicolas , Waldvogel Abramowski Sophie
Published: June 2022

ABO-incompatible allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be complicated by poor red cell engraftment and hemolysis, both mediated by isoagglutinins. Anecdotally, isoagglutinins indicates an activation of donor’s immunity or even relapse. Consequently, the routine monitoring of isoagglutinins could help physicians to predict the risk of complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the time to disappearance and appearance of isoagglutinins after ABO-incompatible allogeneic HSCT. In a one-year follow-up, data of 136 ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) allogeneic transplanted patients were studied, of which 60 had major, 61 minor and 15 bidirectional incompatibility. Survival analyses were conducted and association with hematological diseases, HLA-compatibility and transplantation strategy was investigated. We observed a disappearance of isoagglutinin A in 82.0% of cases at one year with a median and 75th percentile of 38.4 and 138.6 days, respectively. For isoagglutinin B, these same values were 96.4%, 15.9 and 29.1 days, respectively. The appearance of isoagglutinin A occurred in 10.7% of cases. Disappearance of isoagglutinin A was significantly slower in patients with myeloid diseases compared to other diseases. The results of this study provide useful values to detect early risks of preventable immunohematological complications and possibly, in exceptional cases, relapse.