bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software‐defined content delivery network at the edge for adaptive video streaming
Authors: Kumar Akhilesh , Banerjea Shashwati , Jain Rishabh , Pandey Mayank
Published: August 2022

In DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), it is required to store multiple encoding for same video segments which increases the storage requirement of CDN (content delivery network) servers. Further, to keep network delay in check, it is not feasible to continuously increase the number of CDN servers in different geographical locations as per the ever‐increasing demand. Peer‐to‐peer (P2P) CDN acts as an elegant alternative to supplement existing CDN servers to harness the benefits of both P2P and CDN technologies. We present the concept of “CDN at the edge,” where end hosts can collaborate for video streaming in pure P2P manner to provide better QoE (Quality of Experience). However, dynamically changing behavior of underlying network, uncertain leaving, joining pattern of clients, and frequent change in source node during video streaming session make the selection of the desired bitrate (at any given time) extremely difficult. In this paper, we have designed and implemented a software‐defined network (SDN)‐based P2P CDN system that supports browser‐based adaptive video streaming. SDN provides global view of the topology and thus assists in providing timely information about leaving or joining peers in the proposed “CDN at the edge.” Further, this SDN‐based P2P CDN is compared with non‐SDN‐based P2P CDN using both virtual switch‐based emulations and physical switch‐based actual implementation. The comparison is performed under different churn rates with respect to QoE parameters such as start‐up delay, bitrate, stall count, and its duration. The experimental results prove the applicability of our approach.
Obesity and diabetes in pregnancy: a perfect storm for transgenerational health
Authors: Ochoa‐Moreno Ivan , Hanson Mark
Published: August 2022

The period of conception, pregnancy and the first 1000 days of life are crucial for a person's lifelong health. The recent rises in obesity before conception, through pregnancy and during childhood are increasing the risk of a non‐communicable disease epidemic in the near future. Preventive measures targeted at the community level and implemented by local authorities may be the most effective way of creating healthy environments that improve lifelong health.
Mechanism study on gliding arc (GA) plasma reforming: A combination approach of experiment and modeling
Authors: Liu Jing‐Lin , Gao Yu , Sun Bing , Zhu Bin , Li Xiao‐Song , Zhu Ai‐Min
Published: August 2022

Aiming at a deep understanding of the reaction kinetics of gliding arc (GA) plasma reforming, a new approach to combining simulation and experiment is reported. By adding thermodynamic module and conservation equations of mass and energy into the conventional 0D plasma kinetics model, an effective link between experimental diagnostics and reaction kinetics simulation is established for dry reforming of CH4 in GA plasma. The GA plasma parameters are diagnosed experimentally as electron density of 1.4 × 1014 cm−3, electron temperature of 1.5 eV, and arc gas temperature of 2500 K. The kinetics simulation is implemented based on the obtained plasma parameters and verified by the online analysis of gaseous products. Consequently, the reaction mechanism is revealed by the reliable model.
Comparison of 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT and mp‐MRI in regard to local staging for prostate cancer with histopathological results: A retrospective study
Authors: Ucar Taha , Gunduz Nesrin , Demirci Emre , Culpan Meftun , Gunel Humeyra , Kir Gozde , Atis Ramazan Gokhan , Yildirim Asif
Published: August 2022

Background

Imaging modalities are used to diagnose and clinical grading of clinically significant prostate cancer. In this study, 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT (PSMA) and multiparametric prostate MRI (mp‐MRI) were compared in regard to locating intraprostatic tumor and locoregional staging.

Methods

After ethics committee approval, a total of 49 patients with prostate cancer who had mp‐MRI and PSMA before radical prostatectomy were included. Preoperative and postoperative PSA, transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy (TRUS‐Bx) ISUP grade, radical prostatectomy ISUP grade, body mass index (BMI), TRUS prostate volume, mp‐MRI tumor mapping, PSMAtumor mapping, pathologic tumor mapping, extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), lymph node invasion (LNI), and bladder neck invasion (BNI)were retrospectively evaluated. Index tumor was located by uroradiologist, nuclear medicine specialist, and uropathologist on a 12‐sector prostate pathology map and compared with each other in terms of accuracy and locoregional clinical staging.

Results

Mean age of the patients was 66.18 ± 6.67 years and the mean of preoperative PSA results was 21.11 ± 32.56 ng/ml. Nearly half of the patients' (44.9%) pathology was reported as ISUP grade 4 and 5% and 18.4% of patients were surgical margin positive. According to the pathological findings, 362 out of 588 sectors were tumor‐positive, 174 out of 362 sectors were tumor‐positive in mp‐MRI, and 175 out of 362 sectors were tumor‐positive in PSMA. Both PSMA and mp‐MRI were comparable (p = 0.823) and accurate to detect the location of the intraprostatic index tumor (AUC = 0.66 vs. 0.69 respectively, p = 0.82). The sensitivity and the specificity of the PSMA and mp‐MRI for localizing intraprostatic index tumors were 42.5% versus 49.5% and 90.7% versus 88.6% respectively. mp‐MRI was more accurate than PSMA in terms of EPE (AUC = 0.8 vs. AUC = 0.57 respectively, p = 0.027) and both methods were comparable in terms of SVI (AUC = 0.75 vs. AUC = 0.75, p = 0.886) and BNI (AUC = 0.51 vs. AUC = 0.59, p = 0.597). PSMA and mp‐MRI were comparable in terms of LNI (AUC = 0.76 vs. AUC = 0.64, p = 0.39).

Conclusion

mp‐MRI should be considered for its high accuracy in the diagnosis of EPE, especially before decision‐making for nerve‐sparing surgery in high‐risk patients. Both imaging modalities were accurate for localizing intraprostatic index tumor. PSMA is accurate for detecting LNI.
Association between duration of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist use and cardiovascular risks: A population‐based competing‐risk analysis
Authors: Chan Jeffrey S. K. , Tang Pias , Hui Jeremy M. Ho , Lee Yan H. A. , Dee Edward C. , Ng Kenrick , Liu Kang , Tse Gary , Ng Chi Fai
Published: August 2022

Background

Although androgen deprivation therapy has known cardiovascular risks, it is unclear if its duration is related to cardiovascular risks. This study thus aimed to investigate the associations between gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist use duration and cardiovascular risks.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients with prostate cancer receiving GnRH agonists in Hong Kong during 1999–2021. Patients who switched to GnRH antagonists, underwent bilateral orchidectomy, had <6 months of GnRH agonist, prior myocardial infarction (MI), or prior stroke was excluded. All patients were followed up until September 2021 for a composite endpoint of MI and stroke. Multivariable competing‐risk regression using the Fine‐Gray subdistribution model was used, with mortality from any cause as the competing event.

Results

In total, 4038 patients were analyzed (median age 74.9 years old, interquartile range (IQR) 68.7–80.8 years old). Over a median follow‐up of 4.1 years (IQR 2.1–7.5 years), longer GnRH agonists use was associated with higher risk of the endpoint (sub‐hazard ratio per year 1.04 [1.01–1.06], p = 0.001), with those using GnRH agonists for ≥2 years having an estimated 23% increase in the sub‐hazard of the endpoint (sub‐hazard ratio 1.23 [1.04–1.46], p = 0.017).

Conclusion

Longer GnRH agonist use may be associated with greater cardiovascular risks.
The Magnetic Phase Transition of FeRh Modulated by AC Magnetic Field
Authors: Liu Xindan , Wu Huiliang , Gao Runliang , Mi Shuai , Qiao Huifang , Wu Shuxuan , Xue Jiangtao , Wang Xiangqian , Han Gengliang , Wang Jiangbo , Liu Qingfang
Published: August 2022

It is well known that CsCl‐type FeRh undergoes from antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition near room temperature with large thermal hysteresis. Therefore, it is particularly essential to find new methods to manipulate the magnetic order of FeRh and reduce thermal hysteresis. Herein, the magnetic phase transition of FeRh film by applying a low‐frequency in‐plane alternating current (AC) magnetic field is successfully manipulated. It is found that under the AC magnetic field, the phase transition of the FM–AFM is promoted, and the heating branch shifts at a rate of −8 K T−1, which causes the thermal hysteresis of FeRh reduction of about 2 K. These phenomena may be attributed to the Zeeman energy and the periodic vibration of domain walls. This work provides the possibility for the realization of low‐power spintronic devices.
Andrographolide suppresses breast cancer progression by modulating tumor‐associated macrophage polarization through the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Li Lin , Yang Li‐Li , Yang Song‐Lin , Wang Run‐Qing , Gao Hui , Lin Zhu‐Ying , Zhao Yi‐Yi , Tang Wei‐Wei , Han Rui , Wang Wen‐Ju , Liu Ping , Hou Zong‐Liu , Meng Ming‐Yao , Liao Li‐Wei
Published: August 2022

Andrographolide(ADE) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth through direct cytotoxicity on tumor cells. However, its potential activity on tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), composed mainly of M2 macrophages, are the key cells that create an immunosuppressive TME by secretion of cytokines, thus enhancing tumor progression. Re‐polarized subpopulations of macrophages may represent vital new therapeutic alternatives. Our previous studies showed that ADE possessed anti‐metastasis and anoikis‐sensitization effects. Here, we demonstrated that ADE significantly suppressed M2‐like polarization and enhanced M1‐like polarization of macrophages. Moreover, ADE inhibited the migration of M2 and tube formation in HUVECs under M2 stimulation. In vivo studies showed that ADE restrained the growth of MDA‐MB‐231 and HCC1806 human breast tumor xenografts and 4T‐1 mammary gland tumors through TAMs. Wnt5a/β‐catenin pathway and MMPs were particularly associated with ADE's regulatory mechanisms to M2 according to RNA‐seq and bioinformatics analysis. Moreover， western blot also verified the expressions of these proteins were declined with ADE exposure. Among the cytokines released by M2, PDGF‐AA and CCL2 were reduced. Our current findings for the first time elucidated that ADE could modulate macrophage polarization and function through Wnt5a signaling pathway, thereby playing its role in inhibition of triple‐negative breast cancer.
Investigations of structure strength and ventilation performance for agriproduct corrugated cartons under long‐term transportation trip
Authors: Huang Ting‐Chuan , Wang Tan‐Feng , Liao Kuo‐Chi
Published: August 2022

Load‐carrying capability of corrugated cartons packaging fresh agriproducts must be significant enough. Collapse of the carton stacked on the pallet in an environment‐controlled container is commonly observed during the shipping trip. A homogenization approach of the corrugated paperboard is adopted to dramatically reduce the computational time in the present study. A creep model is further implemented into the numerical analysis to describe the stiffness decay of the carton over the relatively long period. A finite element analysis is conducted to investigate the mechanical performance of the carton locating at bottom of the stacked pile. Simulation results show that the carton performs local buckling deformations similar to the experimental observations. The vented carton based on the modified design exhibits rather smaller deformations after the transportation journey. Moreover, the modified design provides better uniformity of ventilation based on the computational fluid dynamics analysis. Current procedure is promising for the selection of liner and fluting that compose the corrugated paperboard and the assessment of the ventilation of cartons in the early design stage.
Development of bullous lung disease with pneumothorax following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Abdullah Hafizah , Wong Yen Shen , Ibrahim Muhammad Amin , Natasya Musa Aisya , Jayaraman Thevaraajan , Mohd Zim Mohd Arif
Published: August 2022

Cystic lung formation secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection was described during coronavirus disease pandemic, but with relatively low prevalence. A rare yet under‐recognized complication is that these cystic areas may progress to bullae, cavities and pneumothorax. We reported two cases of ruptured bullae with pneumothorax following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Two patients were discharged following SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia, which did not require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, both patients presented again a month later with shortness of breath. Repeated computed tomography (CT) thorax showed development of bullous lung disease and pneumothorax. The first patient underwent surgical intervention whilst the second patient was treated conservatively. Development of bullous lung disease following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is rare but may be associated with serious morbidity. Patients whose general condition permits should be offered surgical intervention whilst conservative management is reserved for non‐surgical candidates.
Metal‐Free, Biomass‐Derived Nano‐Architectured Carbon Quantum Dots as an Efficient Acid‐Base Bifunctional Catalyst for Facile Synthesis of Benzo[g]chromene and Pyrimidine Analogs
Authors: Singh Amanpreet , Singh Gagandeep , Sharma Shilpa , Kaur Navneet , Singh Narinder
Published: August 2022

Perusal of literature reports revealed that variedly functionalized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been extensively studied as sustainable alternative to conventional nanomaterials in catalysis. In this context, herein, we have designed and developed an efficient, metal free, green and heterogeneous sulfonic acid functionalized carbon quantum dots (CQDs)‐based catalyst derived from biomass for one pot multicomponent reactions. The developed catalyst has been fully characterized using various techniques such as DLS, IR spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. The synthesized catalyst acts as a bipolar catalyst which can activate all the three components via hydrogen bond donor as well as hydrogen bond acceptor sites in the reaction mixture, to synthesize pyrimidine and 4H‐benzo[g]chromene derivatives in pure aqueous medium. Further, the catalyst exhibits significant reusability up to six cycles without any significant loss in its catalytic activity. Therefore, an economical and sustainable protocol has been developed for facile syntheses of biologically important heterocycles through an efficient and easily recoverable biomass derived catalyst in pure aqueous medium. Apparently, the developed strategy provides good eco‐scale and E‐factor values, which are acceptable according to green chemistry protocols.
Performance of Direct Formate/Sodium Persulfate Microfluidic Fuel Cells with Carbon Paper and Graphite Felt Electrodes
Authors: Liu Chun‐Mei , Gao Yan‐Jun , Liu Lei , Jiang Peng‐Fei , Liu Jing‐Jie
Published: August 2022

Microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) are potential micro power sources for portable electronics. MFCs utilize the co‐laminar flowing of the solutions in the microchannel and remove the membranes in the traditional fuel cells. Flow‐through electrodes exploit the internal electrode surfaces and improve the MFC performance. Carbon paper (CP) has been widely used as a flow‐through electrode with a limited specific surface area. We have also used graphite felt (GF) with a high specific surface area as the electrode and then compared the performance of the MFCs with the CP and GF as the electrodes, respectively. Firstly, we showed the SEM surface morphologies of the two electrodes with or without the Pd catalysts. Secondly, we compared the electrochemical activities of the two electrodes in the solutions, respectively. The GF electrode always showed higher electrochemical activities than the CP electrode, since the GF electrode owned its larger accessible electrochemical surface area and less electrode resistance than the CP electrode. Thirdly, we compared the performance of the MFCs with the two electrodes. The results showed that the performance of the MFC with the GF electrodes electrodes was optimum, with the peak power density of 175.60 mW cm−2 and limiting current density of 616.53 mA cm−2. Finally, we conducted the discharge performance of the MFCs with the two electrodes. There existed a minor variation in the discharge current densities of the MFCs with the CP cathodes.
Strong and Elastic Membranes via Hydrogen Bonding Directed Self‐Assembly of Atomically Precise Nanoclusters
Authors: Som Anirban , Griffo Alessandra , Chakraborty Indranath , Hähl Hendrik , Mondal Biswajit , Chakraborty Amrita , Jacobs Karin , Laaksonen Päivi , Ikkala Olli , Pradeep Thalappil , Nonappa
Published: August 2022

2D nanomaterials have provided an extraordinary palette of mechanical, electrical, optical, and catalytic properties. Ultrathin 2D nanomaterials are classically produced via exfoliation, delamination, deposition, or advanced synthesis methods using a handful of starting materials. Thus, there is a need to explore more generic avenues to expand the feasibility to the next generation 2D materials beyond atomic and molecular‐level covalent networks. In this context, self‐assembly of atomically precise noble nanoclusters can, in principle, suggest modular approaches for new generation 2D materials, provided that the ligand engineering allows symmetry breaking and directional internanoparticle interactions. Here the self‐assembly of silver nanoclusters (NCs) capped with p‐mercaptobenzoic acid ligands (Na4Ag44‐pMBA30) into large‐area freestanding membranes by trapping the NCs in a transient solvent layer at air–solvent interfaces is demonstrated. The patchy distribution of ligand bundles facilitates symmetry breaking and preferential intralayer hydrogen bondings resulting in strong and elastic membranes. The membranes with Young's modulus of 14.5 ± 0.2 GPa can readily be transferred to different substrates. The assemblies allow detection of Raman active antibiotic molecules with high reproducibility without any need for substrate pretreatment.
Distributing epistemic functions and tasks—A framework for augmenting human analytic power with machine learning in science education research
Authors: Kubsch Marcus , Krist Christina , Rosenberg Joshua M.
Published: August 2022

Machine learning (ML) has become commonplace in educational research and science education research, especially to support assessment efforts. Such applications of machine learning have shown their promise in replicating and scaling human‐driven codes of students' work. Despite this promise, we and other scholars argue that machine learning has not yet achieved its transformational potential. We argue that this is because our field is currently lacking frameworks for supporting creative, principled, and critical endeavors to use machine learning in science education research. To offer considerations for science education researchers' use of ML, we present a framework, Distributing Epistemic Functions and Tasks (DEFT), that highlights the functions and tasks that pertain to generating knowledge that can be carried out by either trained researchers or machine learning algorithms. Such considerations are critical decisions that should occur alongside those about, for instance, the type of data or algorithm used. We apply this framework to two cases, one that exemplifies the cutting‐edge use of machine learning in science education research and another that offers a wholly different means of using machine learning and human‐driven inquiry together. We conclude with strategies for researchers to adopt machine learning and call for the field to rethink how we prepare science education researchers in an era of great advances in computational power and access to machine learning methods.
Augmented Reality Brain–Computer Interface with Spatial Awareness
Authors: Sugino Masato , Mori Fumina , Tanaka Mai , Kotani Kiyoshi , Jimbo Yasuhiko
Published: August 2022

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) measure brain waves to assist communication and operation of equipment. However, for application of BCIs in real life settings, portability and environmental adaptability are crucial. For BCIs using visual stimuli, portability can be achieved by using augmented reality (AR) with head‐mounted displays, but prior placement of markers in the physical space is required for displaying appropriate choices. In this study, we demonstrate an environmentally adaptable AR‐BCI that uses machine learning and depth sensors. The virtual marker that the user is focusing on through the transmissive AR display is estimated from the user's electroencephalograms (EEG), and preliminary accuracy exceeds chance level. These results suggest that the use of machine learning and AR head‐mounted displays can increase the adaptability of BCIs. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Tetramethyl bisphenol A stimulates proliferation but inhibits fetal Leydig cell function in male rats by targeting estrogen receptor α after in utero exposure
Authors: Li Xueyun , Meng Fangyan , Ye Lei , Qiao Xinyi , Li Jingjing , Tian Lili , Su Ming , Lin Liben , Ge Ren‐shan , Wang Yiyan
Published: August 2022

Tetramethyl bisphenol A (TMBPA) is a widely used flame retardant. TMBPA has been a toxic to Leydig cells in puberty, but it remains unclear whether TMBPA has a similar inhibitor effect on fetal Leydig cells (FLCs). This study reported morphological and functional alterations of FLCs in the testes of male offspring at birth after in utero exposure to TMBPA. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were dosed via continuous gavage of TMBPA (0, 10, 50, and 200 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 14 to 21. TMBPA markedly raised serum total testosterone level, testicular volume, and FLC number of male offspring at 200 mg/kg dose. The up‐regulation of Insl3, Star, and Cyp11a1 mRNAs was observed after 200 mg/kg TMBPA exposure. After normalization to the number of FLCs, TMBPA significantly reduced Lhcgr and Hsd3b1 expressions at 10 mg/kg, and Cyp17a1 at 200 mg/kg paralleling with their protein levels. TMBPA compromised the expression of Esr1, while increased the expression of Cdk2 and Cdk4 as well as their protein levels. TMBPA particularly increased the phosphorylation of AKT1 and AKT2 at 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, the present study suggests that TMBPA may promote FLC proliferation via ESR1‐CDK2/4‐AKT pathway, while inhibits the function of FLCs by reducing steroidogenic enzyme activity.
Veterinary students’ views on surgical entrustable professional activities and the impact of COVID‐19 on clinical competence development
Authors: Thompson Jamie‐Leigh , MacKay Jill , Blacklock Kelly Bowlt
Published: August 2022

Background

The primary purpose of this study was to understand veterinary students’ views on the described key surgical entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and to understand how COVID‐19 restrictions have impacted their clinical skill and competence development.

Methods

Final‐year veterinary students at a single institute completed a web‐based survey distributed by email. The survey aimed to characterise five constructs regarding EPAs, and a specific five‐point Likert‐like scale was created asking explicitly worded questions for each construct.

Results

One hundred and ten students responded. The cohort agreed that the previously described key surgical EPAs were clinically important and relevant, but over 50% of the respondents felt that they had no substantial experience with them and were not confident or comfortable performing them. Additionally, most students (95%) felt their clinical development was negatively impacted by COVID‐19.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that the key EPAs proposed are considered important skills by the undergraduate cohort described and that experience levels when entering the final year are lacking, potentially due to reduced exposure to clinical cases influenced by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
[U(NH3)10]4+ Cations in Azide, Bromide, and Iodide Ammoniates and a Hydrolysis Product with an unprecedented [U(H2O)9]4+ Cation
Authors: Rudel Stefan S. , Deubner H. Lars , Müller Thomas G. , Graubner Tim , Ivlev Sergei I. , Kraus Florian
Published: August 2022

[U(NH3)10]4+ cations with bicapped square‐antiprismatic coordination spheres were discovered in the compounds [U(NH3)10]I4 ⋅ 17.37NH3, [U(NH3)10]I4 ⋅ 9NH3, [U(NH3)10](N3)4 ⋅ 9NH3, “[U(NH3)10]Br4 ⋅ 9NH3”, and [U(NH3)10]Br4 ⋅ 8NH3 that resulted from reactions of the uranium halides UBr3, UBr4, UBr5, and UI4 with/in anhydrous liquid ammonia (aNH3). Ag+ cations acted as an oxidizing agent and converted U(III) to U(IV), while no oxidation of U(IV) was observed under the experimental conditions. The compound [UBr(H2O)8][U(H2O)9]Br7 ⋅ 2H2O was obtained by unintentional hydrolysis and allowed for the first unambiguous structural characterization of the nonaaquauranium(IV) complex cation [U(H2O)9]4+ by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Simplicial Sets
Authors: Heuts Gijs , Moerdijk Ieke
Published: August 2022

Simplicial sets form a very convenient tool to study the homotopy theory of topological spaces. In this chapter we will present an introduction to the theory of simplicial sets. We assume some basic acquaintance with the language of category theory, but no prior knowledge of simplicial sets on the side of the reader. We present the basic definitions and constructions, including the geometric realization of a simplicial set, the nerve of a category, and the description of the product of two simplicial sets in terms of shuffles.
Three Model Structures on the Category of Dendroidal Sets
Authors: Heuts Gijs , Moerdijk Ieke
Published: August 2022

In this chapter we will construct several model structures on the category of dendroidal sets. For the different model structures, the fibrant objects and fibrations will be the different types of dendroidal Kan complexes and dendroidal fibrations introduced in Chapter 6. For example, we will construct the operadic model structure, for which the fibrant objects will be the ∞-operads and the fibrations between fibrant objects will be the J-fibrations, so that this model structures describes the homotopy theory of ∞-operads.
4d strings at strong coupling
Authors: Marchesano Fernando , Wiesner Max
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Weakly coupled regions of 4d EFTs coupled to gravity are particularly suitable to describe the backreaction of BPS fundamental axionic strings, dubbed EFT strings, in a local patch of spacetime around their core. We study the extension of these local solutions to global ones, which implies probing regions of strong coupling and provides an estimate of the EFT string tension therein. We conjecture that for the EFT string charge generators such a global extension is always possible and yields a sub-Planckian tension. We substantiate this claim by analysing global solutions of 4d strings made up from NS5-branes wrapping Calabi-Yau threefold divisors in either type IIA or heterotic string theory. We argue that in this case the global, non-perturbative data of the backreaction can be simply encoded in terms of a GLSM describing the compactification, as we demonstrate in explicit examples.
General Reiteration Theorems for $${{\mathcal {R}}}$$ and $${{\mathcal {L}}}$$ Classes: Case of Right $${{\mathcal {R}}}$$-Spaces and Left $${{\mathcal {L}}}$$-Spaces
Authors: Fernández-Martínez Pedro , Signes Teresa M.
Published: August 2022

Given $$E_0, E_1, E, F$$

E
0

,

E
1

,
E
,
F

rearrangement invariant spaces, $$a, \mathrm {b}, \mathrm {b}_0, \mathrm {b}_1$$

a
,
b
,

b
0

,

b
1

slowly varying functions and $$0\le \theta _0<\theta _1\le 1$$

0
≤

θ
0

<

θ
1

≤
1

, we characterize the interpolation spaces $$\begin{aligned} ({\overline{X}}_{\theta _0,\mathrm {b}_0,E_0}, {\overline{X}}^{{\mathcal {R}}}_{\theta _1, \mathrm {b}_1,E_1,a,F})_{\theta ,\mathrm {b},E}\quad \text {and}\quad ({\overline{X}}^{{\mathcal {L}}}_{\theta _0, \mathrm {b}_0,E_0,a,F}, {\overline{X}}_{\theta _1,\mathrm {b}_1,E_1})_{\theta ,\mathrm {b},E}, \end{aligned}$$

(

X
¯

θ
0

,

b
0

,

E
0

,

X
¯

θ
1

,

b
1

,

E
1

,
a
,
F

R

)

θ
,
b
,
E

and

(

X
¯

θ
0

,

b
0

,

E
0

,
a
,
F

L

,

X
¯

θ
1

,

b
1

,

E
1

)

θ
,
b
,
E

,

for all possible values of $$\theta \in [0,1]$$

θ
∈
[
0
,
1
]

. Applications to interpolation identities for grand and small Lebesgue spaces, Gamma spaces and A and B-type spaces are given.
Primitive shape recognition from real-life scenes using the PointNet deep neural network
Authors: Zheng Senjing , Castellani Marco
Published: August 2022

In many industrial applications, it is possible to approximate the shape of mechanical parts with geometric primitives such as spheres, boxes, and cylinders. This information can be used to plan robotic grasping and manipulation procedures. The work presented in this paper investigated the use of the state-of-the-art PointNet deep neural network for primitive shape recognition in 3D scans of real-life objects. To obviate the need of collecting a large set of training models, it was decided to train PointNet using examples generated from artificial geometric models. The motivation of the study was the achievement of fully automated disassembly operations in remanufacturing applications. PointNet was chosen due to its suitability to process 3D models, and ability to recognise objects irrespective of their poses. The use of simpler shallow neural network procedures was also evaluated. Twenty-eight point cloud scenes of everyday objects selected from the popular Yale-CMU-Berkeley benchmark model set were used in the experiments. Experimental evidence showed that PointNet is able to generalise the knowledge gained on artificial shapes, to recognise shapes in ordinary objects with reasonable accuracy. However, the experiments showed some limitations in this ability of generalisation, in terms of average accuracy (78% circa) and consistency of the learning procedure. Using a feature extraction procedure, a multi-layer-perceptron architecture was able to achieve nearly 83% classification accuracy. A practical solution was proposed to improve PointNet generalisation capabilities: by training the neural network using an error-corrupted scene, its accuracy could be raised to nearly 86%, and the consistency of the learning results was visibly improved.
Engineering geomorphological and InSAR investigation of an urban landslide, Gisborne, New Zealand
Authors: Cook Matthew E. , Brook Martin S. , Hamling Ian J. , Cave Murry , Tunnicliffe Jon F. , Holley Rachel , Alama David J.
Published: August 2022

The East Coast region of New Zealand has some of the highest erosion rates in the world, due to its proximity to an active plate boundary, susceptibility to high-intensity storms and steep terrain underlain by young soft sedimentary rock and soil. In the city of Gisborne, expansion of residential blocks into steeper terrain in peri-urban areas has required improved capacity for the characterisation and monitoring of slope stability. Landslides have affected several properties and have destroyed infrastructure. Slope failure commonly occurs during heavy rainfall events when slow-moving retrogressive slides transition into earthflows and mudflows. In this study, we used in situ sampling and testing methods combined with remote sensing techniques to provide an understanding of the pre-failure and post-failure behaviour of an urban landslide in Gisborne. High-resolution aerial imagery, unmanned aerial vehicle imagery and light detection and ranging data revealed slope morphology and contours of prehistoric failures in the area, and highlighted the more recent impacts of deforestation on slope stability. Furthermore, Sentinel-1 InSAR analysis determined that gradual deformation began in 2017, following two ex-tropical cyclone events. Deformation downslope continued until an initial failure in July 2020. Following that event, some parts of the slope proceeded to accelerate, leading to a further reactivation event in November 2021, following heavy rainfall. During this November 2021 event, average line of sight velocities ranged from −7.9 to −11.2 mm/year, and deformation rates in the vertical direction (related to rotational slumping) averaged −11.2 to −11.9 mm/year, consistent with field observations.
Causal heterogeneity discovery by bottom-up pattern search for personalised decision making
Authors: Li Jiuyong , Liu Lin , Zhang Shisheng , Ma Saisai , Le Thuc Duy , Liu Jixue
Published: August 2022

In personalised decision making, evidence is required to determine whether an action (treatment) is suitable for an individual. Such evidence can be obtained by modelling treatment effect heterogeneity in subgroups. The existing interpretable modelling methods take a top-down approach to search for subgroups with heterogeneous treatment effects and they may miss the most specific and relevant context for an individual. In this paper, we design a Treatment effect pattern (TEP) to represent treatment effect heterogeneity in data. To achieve an interpretable presentation of TEPs, we use a local causal structure around the outcome to explicitly show how those important variables are used in modelling. We also derive a formula for unbiasedly estimating the Conditional Average Causal Effect (CATE) using the local structure in our problem setting. In the discovery process, we aim at minimising heterogeneity within each subgroup represented by a pattern. We propose a bottom-up search algorithm to discover the most specific patterns fitting individual circumstances the best for personalised decision making. Experiments show that the proposed method models treatment effect heterogeneity better than three other existing tree based methods in synthetic and real world data sets.
Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 deficiency inhibits drug-induced cell death in breast cancer cells: switch from cytochrome C-dependent apoptosis to necroptosis
Authors: McAleese Courtney E. , Butcher Neville J. , Minchin Rodney F.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) deficiency has been associated with drug resistance and poor outcomes in breast cancer patients. The current study aimed to investigate drug resistance in vitro using normal breast cancer cell lines and NAT1-deficient cell lines to understand the changes induced by the lack of NAT1 that resulted in poor drug response.

Methods

The response to seven chemotherapeutic agents was quantified following NAT1 deletion using CRISPR-Cas 9 in MDA-MB-231 and T-47D cells. Apoptosis was monitored by annexin V staining and caspase 3/7 activity. Cytochrome C release and caspase 8 and 9 activities were measured by Western blots. Caspase 8 was inhibited using Z-IETD-FMK and necroptosis was inhibited using necrostatin and necrosulfonamide.

Results

Compared to parental cells, NAT1 depleted cells were resistant to drug treatment. This could be reversed following NAT1 rescue of the NAT1 deleted cells. Release of cytochrome C in response to treatment was decreased in the NAT1 depleted cells, suggesting suppression of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In addition, NAT1 knockout resulted in a decrease in caspase 8 activation. Treatment with necrosulfonamide showed that NAT1 deficient cells switched from intrinsic apoptosis to necroptosis when treated with the anti-cancer drug cisplatin.

Conclusions

NAT1 deficiency can switch cell death from apoptosis to necroptosis resulting in decreased response to cytotoxic drugs. The absence of NAT1 in patient tumours may be a useful biomarker for selecting alternative treatments in a subset of breast cancer patients.
Cross-Informant Compatibility of Depression Symptoms in Children: A Network Approach
Authors: Seneldir Ayse , Akirmak Umit , Halfon Sibel
Published: August 2022

Utilizing multiple informants to assess children’s depressive symptoms increases diagnostic accuracy, reliability, and validity of inferences. However, previous studies have found low to moderate agreement among informants. We applied network statistics to gain insight into children and their mothers’ differential perceptions of depressive symptoms. The sample included children and mother dyads (n = 185) who applied to psychotherapy services at an outpatient university clinic. Mothers filled out the Child Behavior Checklist, which includes a depression subscale, and children filled out the Children’s Depression Inventory. We computed association networks for thirteen depressive symptoms separately for children and mothers using the graphical LASSO. Sadness had the highest strength centrality in the networks of both children and mothers, but the pattern of connectivity and centrality of other symptoms differed. We discussed our findings within the framework of network theory.
Evaluating the distributional fairness of alternative adaptation policies: a case study in Vietnam’s upper Mekong Delta
Authors: Jafino Bramka Arga , Kwakkel Jan H. , Klijn Frans
Published: August 2022

To support equitable adaptation planning, quantitative assessments should consider the fairness of the distribution of outcomes to different people. What constitutes a fair distribution, however, is a normative question. In this study, we explore the use of different moral principles drawn from theories of distributive justice to evaluate fairness. We use adaptation planning in Vietnam Mekong Delta as a case study. We evaluate the preference ranking of six alternative policies for seven moral principles across an ensemble of scenarios. Under the baseline scenario, each principle yields distinctive preference rankings, though most principles identify the same policy as the most preferred one. Across the ensemble of scenarios, the commonly used utilitarian principle yields the most stable ranking, while rankings from other principles are more sensitive to uncertainty. The sufficientarian and the envy-free principles yield the most distinctive ranking of policies, with a median ranking correlation of only 0.07 across all scenarios. Finally, we identify scenarios under which using these two principles results in reversed policy preference rankings. Our study highlights the importance of considering multiple moral principles in evaluating the fairness of adaptation policies, as this would reduce the possibility of maladaptation.
How to Choose a Gauge? The Case of Hamiltonian Electromagnetism
Authors: Gomes Henrique , Butterfield Jeremy
Published: August 2022

We develop some ideas about gauge symmetry in the context of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism in the Hamiltonian formalism. One great benefit of this formalism is that it pairs momentum and configurational degrees of freedom, so that a decomposition of one side into subsets can be translated into a decomposition of the other. In the case of electromagnetism, this enables us to pair degrees of freedom of the electric field with degrees of freedom of the vector potential. Another benefit is that the formalism algorithmically identifies subsets of the equations of motion that represent time-dependent symmetries. For electromagnetism, these two benefits allow us to define gauge-fixing in parallel to special decompositions of the electric field. More specifically, we apply the Helmholtz decomposition theorem to split the electric field into its Coulombic and radiative parts, and show how this gives a special role to the Coulomb gauge (i.e. div$$(\mathbf{A}) = 0$$

(
A
)
=
0

). We relate this argument to Maudlin’s (Entropy, 2018. https://doi.org/10.3390/e20060465) discussion, which advocated the Coulomb gauge.
Benjamini-Schramm convergence of periodic orbits
Authors: Mohammadi Amir , Rafi Kasra
Published: August 2022

We prove a criterion for Benjamini-Schramm convergence of periodic orbits of Lie groups. This general observation is then applied to homogeneous spaces and the space of translation surfaces.
A regularity result for shortest generalized billiard trajectories in convex bodies in $$\mathbb {R}^n$$
Authors: Rudolf Daniel , Krupp Stefan
Published: August 2022

We study length-minimizing closed generalized Euclidean billiard trajectories in convex bodies in$$\mathbb {R}^n$$Rnand investigate their relation to the inclusion minimal affine sections that contain these trajectories. We show that when passing to these sections, the length-minimizing closed billiard trajectories are still billiard trajectories, but their length-minimality as well as their regularity can be destroyed. In light of this, we prove what weaker regularity is actually preserved under passing to these sections. Based on the results, we develop an algorithm in order to calculate length-minimizing closed regular billiard trajectories in convex polytopes in$$\mathbb {R}^n$$Rn.
Temperature-dependent electrowetting behavior on Teflon AF1600
Authors: Xiang Yijie , Fulmek Paul , Platz Daniel , Schmid Ulrich
Published: August 2022

In the growing application field of electrowetting (EW), reliable control of the wetting behavior by an applied voltage is required over a wide temperature range. Despite the rising interest of EW, only few data are reported in the literature on the EW behavior as a function of temperature. In this paper, we investigate the quasi-static EW response on one of the most widely used hydrophobic materials, Teflon AF1600, in a temperature range from 25 to 70$$\,^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$$

∘

C

. The contact angle versus voltage is analyzed to illustrate the EW behavior. The results are in good agreement with the friction-adsorption model, which explains the contact angle (CA) hysteresis by a temperature-independent friction-like force and a temperature-dependent contribution of liquid adsorption onto a dielectric surface. The EW-CAs show a small asymmetry with respect to the polarity of the applied voltage, which might be due to the temporary and reversible charge trapping on the dielectric layer. The results underline that the different effects of the temperature-independent friction force and the temperature-dependent adsorption need to be taken into account to predict and control the CA in any EW-based application scenario.

Graphical abstract
On the robustness of randomized classifiers to adversarial examples
Authors: Pinot Rafael , Meunier Laurent , Yger Florian , Gouy-Pailler Cédric , Chevaleyre Yann , Atif Jamal
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the theory of robustness against adversarial attacks. We focus on randomized classifiers (i.e. classifiers that output random variables) and provide a thorough analysis of their behavior through the lens of statistical learning theory and information theory. To this aim, we introduce a new notion of robustness for randomized classifiers, enforcing local Lipschitzness using probability metrics. Equipped with this definition, we make two new contributions. The first one consists in devising a new upper bound on the adversarial generalization gap of randomized classifiers. More precisely, we devise bounds on the generalization gap and the adversarial gap i.e. the gap between the risk and the worst-case risk under attack) of randomized classifiers. The second contribution presents a yet simple but efficient noise injection method to design robust randomized classifiers. We show that our results are applicable to a wide range of machine learning models under mild hypotheses. We further corroborate our findings with experimental results using deep neural networks on standard image datasets, namely CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100. On these tasks, we manage to design robust models that simultaneously achieve state-of-the-art accuracy (over 0.82 clean accuracy on CIFAR-10) and enjoy guaranteed robust accuracy bounds (0.45 against $$\ell _{2}$$

ℓ
2

adversaries with magnitude 0.5 on CIFAR-10).
Credit risk assessment and executives’ legal expertise
Authors: Pham Mia Hang , Merkoulova Yulia , Veld Chris
Published: August 2022

We study whether firms that are led by chief executive officers (CEOs) with law degrees (lawyer CEOs) have different credit ratings and costs of debt from other firms. Our sample consists of Standard & Poor’s 1500 firms from 1992 to 2020, 9.2% of which have lawyer CEOs. We find that these firms have better credit ratings, compared to other firms. On average, their cost of debt is 10% lower than that of firms led by CEOs without legal backgrounds. Our results are robust to different specifications, sampling methods, and controls, such as firm and CEO characteristics. We identify two ways that CEO expertise translates into higher credit ratings: lawyer CEOs are associated with a lower future volatility of stock returns and a reduction in information risk. The decreased business risk and better financial reporting are associated with 5% lower auditing fees for firms with lawyer CEOs.
SunMap: A Solar Image Processing Software for Obtaining Synoptic Maps
Authors: Bernabé Sergio , García Gabriel , Carrasco Víctor M. S. , Vaquero José M.
Published: August 2022

A new open-source software, called SunMap, has been developed to obtain synoptic maps in an easy and quick way from multiple full-disc solar images. Our objective is to provide a free and straightforward application for heliophysicists and geophysicists interested in generating solar synoptic maps. SunMap allows comparison of structures and patterns of solar activity over various periods. Thus, the short- and long-term evolution of solar regions of interest can be studied. To reach this goal, different solar images taken day by day are stored in a single map that uses a sequence of images and allows the positioning of each observable element on it. A simple comparison between a synoptic map generated by SunMap and another previously constructed map is presented to show the versatility of this new available software.
uLog: a software-based approximate logarithmic number system for computations on SIMD processors
Authors: Jahanshahi Saeedeh , Molahosseini Amir Sabbagh , Zarandi Azadeh Alsadat Emrani
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a new number representation based on logarithmic number system (LNS) called unsigned logarithmic number system (ulog), as an alternative to the conventional floating-point (FP) number format, to use in approximate computing applications. ulog is tailored for software implementation on commercial general-purpose processors, and uses the same dynamic range as conventional IEEE Standard FP formats to prevent overflow and underflow. ulog converts FP numbers to fixed-point numbers and uses integer operations for all computations. Moreover, vectorization and approximate logarithmic addition have been used to increase the performance of the software implementation of ulog. Then, we used different BLAS benchmarks to evaluate the performance of the proposed format than IEEE standard formats. 16- and 32-bit ulog improve the runtime than double-precision at most 70.26% and 46.36%, respectively. Besides, accuracy analysis of the ulog based on different logarithm bases showed that base 4 has the lowest error in most cases.