bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a new approach based on the functionally graded materials concept to improve the strength of laminated composites containing open‐hole
Authors: Mobtasem Mariam , Abd‐Elhady Amr A. , Sallam Hossam El‐Din M.
Published: June 2024

The main objective of the present study is to implement a functionally graded materials (FGM) technique to reduce the hole effect in fiber reinforcement polymers. The tensile and fracture behaviors of conventional and FGM composites containing open holes have been investigated. Open‐hole specimens having different hole sizes have been fabricated using a hand lay‐up technique with different cross‐ply stacking sequences and various numbers of layers to study the open‐hole effect on their tensile strength. On the other hand, a three‐dimensional finite element analysis with the Hashin model was implemented to observe the failure modes along each layer. Experimental and numerical data revealed that the FGM technique enhanced the performance of specimens in the presence of a hole by increasing the fibers around the hole area. Furthermore, the [0/90/0°] sequence has more tensile strength than [0/90]s and [0°/90°/0°/90°/0°] sequences. It can be concluded that the bearing capacity of cross‐ply laminates is proportionally dependent on the ratio of the number of 0° layers to the number of 90° layers and inversely dependent on the specimen thickness.

Highlights

Dense fibers around the open hole improve its strength in laminated composite.

The FGM concept has been successfully employed to improve open‐hole strength.

The stacking sequence [0°/90°/0°] has better tensile strength than [0°/90°]s.

FEA has successfully simulated the FGM concept around the open hole.

The open‐hole failure occurred in the same direction as fiber orientation.
Patient‐reported outcome measures in pediatrics: An overview of reviews
Authors: Lei Ruobing , Xiong Jin , Wang Haiyun , Li Yuehuan , Estill Janne , Li Qiu , Chen Yaolong
Published: June 2024

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are standardized and validated self‐administered questionnaires for assessing patients' overall well‐being, disease burden, and health‐related quality of life. For children, their cognitive development, reading ability and language skills need to be considered when selecting the optimal PROM. High‐quality systematic reviews (SRs) can provide a comprehensive overview of the available PROMs and provide evidence‐based recommendations for pediatricians. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of pediatric SRs of PROMs. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched to identify SRs of PROMs published in English focusing on the health of children and adolescents. Four researchers performed literature screening and data extraction, and evaluated the methodological quality of SRs using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews tool. Forty‐four SRs of PROMs published between 2006 and 2022 were included, recommending 123 PROMs, of which the most recommended were the pediatric quality of life inventory and its subscales and the EuroQol five dimension questionnaire. Thirty‐six conditions were addressed; the most frequent ICD‐11 category was “Mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorders” (n = 9, 20.5%). The PROMs covered nine categories of contents to measure, the most frequent being the quality of life (n = 37, 30.1%). Content validity (n = 67, 54.5%) and internal consistency (n = 65, 52.9%) were the most commonly reported and measurement error (n = 10, 8.1%) was the least. The methodological and reporting of psychometric properties for SRs need further improvement. In addition, reporting of details such as the age when children should self‐report the measures needs also improvement.
Social skills interventions in preschool settings: A meta‐analysis of SCR studies
Authors: Dong Xin , Burke Mack D. , Sanchez Lisa , Bowman‐Perrott Lisa
Published: June 2024

Developing social competence for preschoolers is an important area for early intervention, especially for young children with emotional and behavioral issues. This single case meta‐analysis focused on examining the literature base for social skills interventions for preschoolers. A systematic search of the literature yielded 33 single‐case studies on social skills interventions for preschoolers. Results from the aggregated single case studies using a baseline corrected Tau‐U indicated a moderate to large effect (Baseline Corrected Tau = 0.66). Moderator analysis results showed gender and intervention format were statistically significant moderators for the intervention effect. Limitations and directions for future research were discussed within the context of social‐behavioral research and early intervention in preschool settings.
Shoulder pathology on advanced imaging in asymptomatic non‐athlete individuals: A narrative review
Authors: Hsu Connie , Afifi Toqa , Isaac Zacharia
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of asymptomatic shoulder pathology has been shown to be high on both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common shoulder pathologies identified in asymptomatic, non‐athlete individuals include rotator cuff pathology, acromioclavicular (AC) joint pathology, labral tears, subacromial bursitis, and calcific tendinitis. The data in the current literature suggest that asymptomatic rotator cuff tears are diagnosed on ultrasound and MRI at high rates, suggesting that rotator cuff tears may be considered an age‐related, normal, degenerative change. However, there are data to suggest that the presence of an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear on imaging may predispose a patient to shoulder pain in the future, although the data remain inconclusive. AC joint arthritic changes are also common in older individuals on advanced imaging. Recent studies have reported that labral tears are common in asymptomatic shoulders, although at less frequent rates than in athletes, but more research is required on this topic. In addition, the presence of subacromial bursitis on imaging has not been found to accurately differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders. Finally, calcific tendinitis has been diagnosed asymptomatically, with most individuals remaining asymptomatic. Individuals who did develop pain developed severe pain, although the risk factors for developing symptomatic calcific tendinitis are unclear. In summary, given the high prevalence of shoulder pathology diagnosed on imaging, it is important to not over diagnose or complete an unnecessary workup for an asymptomatic person who is otherwise healthy.
Annealing Process on Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Channel Properties for Quasivertical GaN‐on‐Sapphire Trench Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistor
Authors: Zhou Jiaan , Yang An , Yu Guohao , Xing Runxian , Guo Bohan , Hao Chunfeng , Li Yu , Liu Bosen , Yue Huixin , Jiang Jinxia , Zhang Li , Deng Xuguang , Zeng Zhongming , Zhang Baoshun , Zhang Xinping
Published: June 2024

Quasivertical gallium nitride trench‐gate metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors with different etch radio frequency power and the impact of the order of annealing process in tetramethylammonium hydroxide wet treatment have been fabricated and studied. The high‐power device has a threshold voltage of 5.3 V and a maximum saturation current density of 552 A cm−2, whereas the low‐power device has a threshold voltage of 4.5 V and a maximum saturation current density of 650 A cm−2. However, the low‐power device has more severe off‐state leakage due to more fixed charges and defects on the device surface. Furthermore, the annealing process serves as an additional step before wet treatment. Scanning electron mircoscope image indicates that annealing at high temperatures prior to etching can eliminate surface oxide and redistribute surface imperfections, resulting in a smoother sidewall morphology. The relationship between temperature and mobility confirms the impact of the crystal surface feature on device performance.
Long‐Range Charge Carrier Transport in Planar Polymer Bulk‐Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: AlTal Faleh , Gao Jun
Published: June 2024

One‐dimensional scanning optical beam‐induced current (OBIC) measurements have been carried out on polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells with a planar, or lateral configuration. The planar P3HT:PCBM cells have parallel aluminum or gold electrodes that are 390 to 560 micrometers apart. When a focused laser beam is scanned across the electrode gap, photocurrent or photovoltage is recorded as a function of beam position along with the transmission of the excitation beam. Despite the large electrode gap size, cells with symmetric Al/Al electrodes exhibit significant photocurrent and photovoltage which are the highest at the electrode interfaces and null at the cell center. The OBIC in these large planar polymer BHJ cells is attributed to the metal/BHJ blend Schottky junction. The larger Schottky barrier of the Al/BHJ junction gives rise to a stronger OBIC response than the Au/BHJ junction. The photocurrent and photovoltage always have opposite signs and are antisymmetric about the cell center. In asymmetric Al/Au cells, the electrode work function difference contributes an additional built‐in field/potential drop and significantly modifies the photocurrent and photovoltage profiles. The depletion width of the Al/BHJ Schottky junction is 110–120 μm, while the minority electron diffusion length is determined to be 43.8 μm.
Racialized spatial imaginaries: Authoring an elementary school teacher of engineering identity
Authors: Wright Christopher , Harbison Monet , Tucker‐Raymond Eli , Edouard Kareem , Meehan Sinead , Cameron Tajma , Schafer George
Published: June 2024

Engineering education research has highlighted the importance of examining, understanding, and supporting teacher learning and identity development, particularly for those that hold marginalized identities. As part of the special issue on Teacher Learning and Organizational Contexts, this study examines the intricate relationship between powered boundaries of race, culture, and space for two Black women teachers in organizational contexts within their school district. Using a racialized spatial imaginaries framework, this research describes how two women authored identities as teachers of engineering and cultivated new engineering related spatial imaginaries for their students. The study found that ideational, material, and relational resources made available across organizational contexts contributed to teachers' authoring identities and how they supported their students. The work illuminates how a spatial imaginaries framework can support critical investigation of teacher identity development and (re)examination of how Black students are positioned in spaces of teacher inquiry.
Stepping back or stepping in: A qualitative investigation of self‐distanced versus self‐immersed stressor reflections with competitive swimmers
Authors: Murdoch Elizabeth M. , Ayers Joanne , Trihy Eoghan , Crane Monique F. , Ntoumanis Nikos , Brade Carly , Quested Eleanor , Gucciardi Daniel F.
Published: June 2024

High performance sport consists of stressor events which can disrupt an athletes' functioning and negatively influence performance. The way in which one reflects upon stressor events and develops insights regarding how they coped is essential to overcoming similar experiences in the future. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial with a qualitative analysis to explore the coping insights among 48 highly trained/national level swimmers in the lead up to major swimming competitions, who reflected on stressor events from self‐distanced or self‐immersed perspectives over a 3‐week period. Using the self‐reflection and coping insight framework as a guideline, we captured divers coping insights across both groups. Irrespective of the group to which they were assigned, athletes showed positive signs towards re‐interpreting their stressor experience and embracing the stressor event, whereas consideration of individual values and adoption of a future‐focus viewpoint were areas lacking. The emotionality described by athletes in their written reflections varied across both groups and influenced the development of coping insights. Our findings indicate a necessity to examine the emotionality associated with unique stressor events and consider integrating reflection strategies, while also enhancing the operational definitions within conceptual models of stress reflection protocols.
Potential‐Regulated Design for Direct Recycling of Degraded LiFePO4 Cathode
Authors: Qiu Xuejing , Wang Chenyan , Chen Yuxiang , Du Zhimin , Xie Lingling , Han Qing , Zhu Limin , Cao Xiaoyu , Ji Xiaobo
Published: June 2024

The rapid proliferation of power sources equipped with lithium‐ion batteries poses significant challenges in terms of post‐scrap recycling and environmental impacts, necessitating urgent attention to the development of sustainable solutions. The cathode direct regeneration technologies present an optimal solution for the disposal of degraded cathodes, aiming to non‐destructively re‐lithiate and straightforwardly reuse degraded cathode materials with reasonable profits and excellent efficiency. Herein, a potential‐regulated strategy is proposed for the direct recycling of degraded LiFePO4 cathodes, utilizing low‐cost Na2SO3 as a reductant with lower redox potential in the alkaline systems. The aqueous re‐lithiation approach, as a viable alternative, not only enables the re‐lithiation of degraded cathode while ignoring variation in Li loss among different feedstocks but also utilizes the rapid sintering process to restore the cathode microstructure with desirable stoichiometry and crystallinity. The regenerated LiFePO4 exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance with a capacity of 144 mA h g−1 at 1 C and a high retention of 98% after 500 cycles at 5 C. Furthermore, this present work offers considerable prospects for the industrial implementation of directly recycled materials from lithium‐ion batteries, resulting in improved economic benefits compared to conventional leaching methods.
Melamine Polymerization Promotes Compact Phosphorus/Carbon Composite for High‐Performance and Safe Lithium Storage
Authors: Huo Zhilin , Duan Zunbin , Feng Xiaoxiao , Wang Haoyu , Huang Hao , Fan Xin , He Rui , Yu Xue‐Feng , Wang Jiahong
Published: June 2024

Phosphorus is regarded as a promising material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity, appropriate lithiation potential, and low lithium‐ion diffusion barrier. Phosphorus/carbon composites (PC) are engineered to serve as high‐capacity high‐rate anodes; the interaction between phosphorus and carbon, long‐term capacity retention, and safety problems are important issues that must be well addressed simultaneously. Herein, an in situ polymerization approach to fabricate a poly‐melamine‐hybridized (pMA) phosphorus/carbon composite (pMA‐PC) is employed. The pMA hybridization enhances the density and electrical conductivity of the PC, improves the structural integrity, and facilitates stable electron transfer within the pMA‐PC composite. Moreover, the pMA‐PC composite exhibits efficient adsorption of lithium polysulfides, enabling stable transport of Li+ ions. Therefore, the pMA‐PC anode demonstrates a high specific charging capacity of 1,381 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1, and a great capacity retention of 86.7% at 1 A g−1 over 500 cycles. The synergistic effect of phosphorus and nitrogen further confers excellent flame retardant properties to the pMA‐PC anode, including self‐extinguishing in 2.5 s, and a much lower combustion temperature than PC. The enhanced capacity and safety performance of pMA‐PC show potential in future high‐capacity and high‐rate LIBs.
Designing a MOF‐functionalized Nanofibrous Aerogel via Vapor‐Phase Synthesis
Authors: Ebrahim Muhammed Ziauddin Ahmad , Rahmanian Vahid , Abdelmigeed Mai , Pirzada Tahira , Khan Saad A.
Published: June 2024

Designing 3D mechanically robust and high‐surface‐area substrates for uniform and high‐density deposition of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a promising strategy to enhance surface accessibility and application of these highly functional materials. Nanofibrous aerogel (NFA) with its highly porous self‐supported structure composed of interconnected nanofibrous network offers an ideal platform in this regard. Herein, a facile one‐pot strategy is introduced, which utilizes direct deposition of MOF on the nanofibrous surface of the NFAs. NFAs are synthesized using electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PAN/PVP) polymer nanofibers containing zinc acetate (Zn(Ac)2), which are subjected to freeze drying and thermal treatment. The latter converts Zn(Ac)2 to zinc oxide (ZnO), providing the sites for MOF growth while also adding mechanical integrity to the NFAs through cyclization of the PAN. Exposure of the NFA to the vapor‐phase of organic ligand, 2‐methylimidazole (2‐MeIm) enables in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) MOF on the NFA. ZIF‐8 loading on the NFAs is further improved by more than tenfold by synthesizing ZnO nanorods/protrusions on the nanofibers, which enables more sites for MOF growth. These findings underscore a significant advancement in designing MOF‐based hybrid aerogels, offering a streamlined approach for their use in diverse applications, from catalysis to sensing and water purification.
The Effect of Al2O3 on the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ajdič Žan , Jošt Marko , Topič Marko
Published: June 2024

Improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remain the two most important goals of perovskite research. Herein, the effects of Al2O3 interlayer on the performance of formamidinium‐cesiums and “triple cation” PSCs by depositing a thin Al2O3 layer via atomic layer deposition on different interfaces are analyzed. It is found that it can efficiently serve as a passivation layer of perovskite absorber, as a seed layer for the compact growth of the subsequent SnO2 layer, or as a capping layer to the whole cell in the superstrate configuration to prevent moisture ingress. The optimized devices utilizing Al2O3 have on average more than 1% absolute higher PCE, with reduced penetration of moisture inside the device. Especially, the capping layer has shown the greatest benefit, extending the stability of the devices by more than two times and allowing long‐term operation without encapsulation. In the best case, a T80 time of almost 900 h under day/night‐cycling illumination is obtained. The observed trends are based on data from a large number of devices (more than 300 devices were tested in the maximum power point), which give statistical relevance to the promising results.
Evaluation Method of Out‐of‐Plane Deformation on Kirigami Structure with Repetitive Slit Patterns on Concentric Circles
Authors: Mizuna Miyako , Iwase Eiji
Published: June 2024

In this study, we devised an evaluation method and a quantitative index for the radial distribution of the out‐of‐plane deformation of kirigami structures with a slit pattern on concentric circles. The concentric kirigami structure was deformed in the out‐of‐plane direction by pulling the center of the structure, and the out‐of‐plane deformation distribution in the radial direction was changed by changing the distance between the slits in the radial direction of the circle and the length on the circumference of the circle. We used a single quantitative index to express the radial distribution of out‐of‐plane deformation. If the design of the kirigami structure can be freely determined from the quantification index, it can significantly contribute to the realization of useful devices which uses the concentric kirigami structure. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Physicochemical and heavy metal pollution level in Hindon River ecosystem: An implication to public health risk assessment
Authors: Singh Bhanu Pratap , Samanta Palas , Choudhury Moharana , Gupta Piyush , Chadha Utkarsh , Eticha Tolera Kuma
Published: June 2024

The study was conducted to determine heavy metal contamination and physicochemical parameters in Hindon River's water. The parameters evaluated included cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb), as well as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity (TUR), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride (Cl−), calcium (Ca), sulfate () and nitrate (). The findings showed the distribution of metals in river water. Some of the values of Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Pb in surface water were above the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The mean concentrations of physicochemical parameters in surface water sometimes exceeded the BIS standards due to untreated effluent discharge. All the Water Quality Index (WQI) values were above 100; therefore, the water was unsuitable for human consumption. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) showed that Station 1 (S1) is the most polluted, followed by the S3 and S5. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that most heavy metals (HMs) in river water originated from artificial or anthropogenic sources, that is, human sources. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) showed that the oral ingestion route could be dangerous to humans (both adults and children) since the HQ and HI values were higher than the acceptable limits (HQ > 1). Dermal exposure assessment showed that the S1 was more dangerous to children's and adults' health than the S3 and S5. This trend showed that the Hindon River was polluted due to many untreated industrial effluents being discharged. The research highlights the pollution level in the Hindon River, and there is a need for proper monitoring and control to maintain the sustainability of the river ecosystem.
Role of heavy metals in species composition of moss: An insight study in contaminated mining sites of Eastern India
Authors: Nanda Swayam Prakash , Panda Bibhu Prasad , Panigrahi Kishore C. S. , Pradhan Abanti
Published: June 2024

Mining activities are significant contributors to heavy metal pollution in the environment, which poses risks to both the natural ecosystem and human health. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which mining‐affected regions of Eastern India have undergone heavy metal‐induced changes to ecosystem composition, specifically in soil heavy metal contamination and moss diversity. The relationship between the abundance of moss species and the heavy metal content of the soil in the study regions has been studied. A total of 48 soil samples were taken throughout the study areas, and 41 moss species spanning 14 families were identified. The identification process of mosses in sampling sites involves meticulously scrutinizing their morphological characteristics. Pottiaceae and Fissidentaceae were the most accountable families at the species level. The Shannon diversity index revealed variations in moss diversity among the regions. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using AAS (Systronics, model No. 816), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were the most noticeable metal in SP1 (Chromite mining areas in Jajpur), SP2(Iron mining area in Keojhar's Joda‐Barbil), and SP3(manganese mining areas in Sundargarh's Koira‐Joda), respectively. The metal concentrations were highest in the storage area and lowest at 1–3 km. Correlation analysis showed positive relationships among the metals and negative relationships between metals and mosses. Moss family, like Bruchiaceae, exhibited significant negative correlations with specific metals like Cr. These research findings help to understand the effects of mining on soil contamination, and moss diversity.
Modeling the effect of wind speed and direction shear on utility‐scale wind turbine power production
Authors: Mata Storm A. , Pena Martínez Juan José , Bas Quesada Jesús , Palou Larrañaga Felipe , Yadav Neeraj , Chawla Jasvipul S. , Sivaram Varun , Howland Michael F.
Published: June 2024

Wind speed and direction variations across the rotor affect power production. As utility‐scale turbines extend higher into the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) with larger rotor diameters and hub heights, they increasingly encounter more complex wind speed and direction variations. We assess three models for power production that account for wind speed and direction shear. Two are based on actuator disc representations, and the third is a blade element representation. We also evaluate the predictions from a standard power curve model that has no knowledge of wind shear. The predictions from each model, driven by wind profile measurements from a profiling LiDAR, are compared to concurrent power measurements from an adjacent utility‐scale wind turbine. In the field measurements of the utility‐scale turbine, discrete combinations of speed and direction shear induce changes in power production of −19% to +34% relative to the turbine power curve for a given hub height wind speed. Positive speed shear generally corresponds to over‐performance and increasing magnitudes of direction shear to greater under‐performance, relative to the power curve. Overall, the blade element model produces both higher correlation and lower error relative to the other models, but its quantitative accuracy depends on induction and controller sub‐models. To further assess the influence of complex, non‐monotonic wind profiles, we also drive the models with best‐fit power law wind speed profiles and linear wind direction profiles. These idealized inputs produce qualitative and quantitative differences in power predictions from each model, demonstrating that time‐varying, non‐monotonic wind shear affects wind power production.
Real Estate Appraisal
Authors: Del Giudice Vincenzo
Published: June 2024

This chapter summarizes the research activities and main outcomes of the unit engaged in the fields of Real Estate Appraisal, in the decade 2013–2023, concerning the development of methodologies for the evaluation of programs/plans/projects, as well as the assessment of economic value of assets and rights, or the rates of return in public and private decision-making processes.
The Project for the Excellence: A Guide for the Next Decade
Authors: Bianco Nicola
Published: June 2024

This chapter presents the main lines of the project submitted during the procedure for getting the excellence seal for the year 2023–2027. It is centered around the energy transition, sustainable mobility and the analysis of the new industrial systems more compliant with the environmental challenges.
Fluid Machinery, Energy Systems and Power Generation
Authors: Manna Marcello , Senatore Adolfo
Published: June 2024

The chapter summarizes the research activities and main outcomes of the fluid machinery, energy systems and power generation groups, occurred during the 2013–2023 decade. The focus is on the theoretical, experimental, and numerical analysis of power generation systems either from hydrocarbons or from renewables, and more in general, on fluid machinery devices and components.
Business and Management Engineering
Authors: Esposito Emilio
Published: June 2024

This chapter summarizes the research activities and main results of the management engineering group in the decade 2013–2023. It is herein highlighted that management engineering is not management applied to Engineering, but rather the application of engineering theories, methods, and tools to management.
Statistics for Experimental and Technological Research
Authors: Giorgio Massimiliano
Published: June 2024

This chapter provides a synthetic overview of research activities and main outcomes of members of the scientific-disciplinary sector “SECS-S/02—Statistica per la Ricerca Sperimentale e Tecnologica” at the University of Naples Federico II, in the decade 2013–2023. Research activities of the group focus on modern statistical problems arising in the field of experimental sciences (statistics and probability calculus, design, and analysis of experiments), notably in engineering (reliability, statistical quality control). The main fields of application concern technology, safety, environment, territory, production processes, products, and natural resources.
LLM Controls Execution Flow Hijacking
Authors: Vogelsang Terry
Published: June 2024

LLMs can be vulnerable to prompt injection attacks. Similar to how code injections can alter the behavior of a given program, malicious prompt injection can influence the execution flow of a specific business logic. This is due to their reliance on user-provided text for controlling execution flow. In the context of interactive systems, this poses significant business and cybersecurity risks. Mitigations such as prohibiting the use of LLMs in critical systems, developing prompt and resulting API calls verification tools, implementing security by designing good practices, and enhancing incident logging and alerting mechanisms can be considered to reduce the novel attack surface presented by LLMs.
Enhancing Security Awareness and Education for LLMs
Authors: Panichella Sebastiano
Published: June 2024

Large Language Models (LLMs) have gained widespread use in multiple applications, making end-user education and training a vital security component. Education involves creating awareness of the security concerns related to LLMs, such as data privacy concerns, bias, and cyberattacks, to encourage ethical and responsible use. Training can teach users to detect and mitigate security threats, configure security settings, and perform regular system updates to prevent vulnerabilities.
Towards Privacy Preserving LLMs Training
Authors: Buesser Beat
Published: June 2024

Privacy-preserving training of machine learning models aims to avoid or minimize (mitigate) the exact or similar reproduction (leakage) of information contained in the training data. This chapter introduces pre-processing methods (filtering and de-duplication) that prepare the training data to minimize information leakage, followed by a discussion of training and deployment methods (differentially private fine-tuning, noisy knowledge transfer) that provide empirical or theoretical guarantees for the achieved privacy protection with a focus on Large Language Models (LLMs).
Adversarial Evasion on LLMs
Authors: Guerraoui Rachid , Pinot Rafael
Published: June 2024

While Machine Learning (ML) applications have shown impressive achievements in tasks such as computer vision, NLP, and control problems, such achievements were possible, first and foremost, in the best-case-scenario setting. Unfortunately, settings where ML applications fail unexpectedly, abound, and malicious ML application users or data contributors can trigger such failures. This problem became known as adversarial example robustness. While this field is in rapid development, some fundamental results have been uncovered, allowing some insight into how to make ML methods resilient to input and data poisoning. Such ML applications are termed adversarially robust. While the current generation of LLMs is not adversarially robust, results obtained in other branches of ML can provide insight into how to make them adversarially robust. Such insight would complement and augment ongoing empirical efforts in the same direction (red-teaming).
LLMs Red Teaming
Authors: Ruiu Dragos
Published: June 2024

Prompt red-teaming is a form of evaluation that involves testing machine learning models for vulnerabilities that could result in undesirable behaviors. It is similar to adversarial attacks, but red-teaming prompts appear like regular natural language prompts, and they reveal model limitations that can cause harmful user experiences or aid violence. Red-teaming can be resource-intensive due to the large search space required to search the prompt space of possible model failures. Augmenting the model with a classifier trained to predict potentially undesirable texts is a possible workaround. Red-teaming LLMs is a developing research area, and there is a need for best practices, including persuading people to harm themselves or others and other problematic behaviors, such as memorization, spam, weapons assembly instructions, and the generation of code with pre-defined vulnerabilities. The challenge with evaluating LLMs for malicious behaviors is that they are not explicitly trained to exhibit such behaviors. Therefore, it is critical to continually develop red-teaming methods that can adapt as models become more powerful. Multi-organization collaboration on datasets and best practices can enable smaller entities releasing models to still red-team their models before release, leading to a safer user experience across the board.
Fundamental Limitations of Generative LLMs
Authors: Kucharavy Andrei
Published: June 2024

Given the impressive performances of LLM-derived tools across a range of tasks considered all but impossible for computers until recently, the capabilities of LLMs seem limitless. However, there are some fundamental limitations to what they can or cannot do inherent to the current architecture of LLMs. I will attempt to review the most notable of them to give the reader an understanding of what architectural modifications will need to take place before a given problem is solved. Specifically, I discuss counterfactual generation, private information leakage, reasoning, limited attention span, dependence on the training dataset, bias, and non-normative language.
Vulnerabilities Introduced by LLMs Through Code Suggestions
Authors: Panichella Sebastiano
Published: June 2024

Code suggestions from generative language models like ChatGPT contain vulnerabilities as they often rely on older code and programming practices, over-represented in the older code libraries the LLMs rely on for their coding abilities. Advanced attackers can leverage this by injecting code with known but hard-to-detect vulnerabilities in the training datasets. Mitigation can include user education and engineered safeguards such as LLMs trained for vulnerability detection or rule-based checking of codebases. Analysis of LLMs’ code generation capabilities, including formal verification and source training dataset (code-comment pairs) analysis, is necessary for effective vulnerability detection and mitigation.
Freezing and BPS jumping
Authors: Kim Sung-Soo , Li Xiaobin , Nawata Satoshi , Yagi Futoshi
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We report a novel BPS jumping phenomenon of 5d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric gauge theories whose brane configuration is equipped with an O7-plane. The study of the relation between O7+-plane and O7−-plane reveals that such BPS jumps take place when the Higgsing is triggered near the O7-plane upon a particular parameter tuning of the theories. We propose two types of gauge theories whose BPS spectra jump. One is the SU(2N + 8) gauge theory with a symmetric hypermultiplet converted to the SU(2N) gauge theory with an antisymmetric hypermultiplet. The other is pure SO(2N + 8) gauge theory jumping to pure Sp(N) gauge theory. We explicitly confirm our proposal through the (un)refined instanton partition functions. Furthermore, we discuss feasible generalizations involving an Op-plane for supersymmetric gauge theories of eight supercharges in four and three dimensions (p = 6, 5 respectively).
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 supersymmetry in the twistor description of higher-spin holography
Authors: Lang Julian , Neiman Yasha
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We study the holographic duality between higher-spin (HS) gravity in 4d and free vector models in 3d, with special attention to the role of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry (SUSY). For the type-A bosonic bulk theory, dual to spin-0 fields on the boundary, there exists a twistor-space description; this maps both single-trace boundary operators and linearized bulk fields to spacetime-independent twistor functions, whose HS-algebra products compute all boundary correlators. Here, we extend this description to the type-B bosonic theory (dual to spin-1/2 fields on the boundary), and to the supersymmetric theory containing both. A key role is played by boundary bilocals, which in type-A are dual to the Didenko-Vasiliev 1/2-BPS “black hole”. We extend this to an infinite family of linearized 1/2-BPS “black hole” solutions. Remarkably, the full supersymmetric theory (along with the SUSY generators) fits in the same space of twistor functions as the type-A theory. Instead of two sets of bosonic bulk fields, the formalism sees one set of linearized fields, but with both types of boundary data allowed.
Page curve of AdS-Vaidya model for evaporating black holes
Authors: Chou Chia-Jui , Lao Hans B. , Yang Yi
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We study an evaporating black hole in the boundary conformal field theory (BCFT) model under the fully time-dependent AdS-Vaidya spacetime geometry. We introduce the time-dependent finite bath termed the effective Hawking radiation region. This is described by a nontrivial BCFT solution that acts as a time-dependent brane which we call the moving end-of-the-radiation (METR) brane that leads to a new type of Hubeny-Rangamani-Takayanagi surface. We further examine the island formulation in this particular time-dependent spacetime. The Page curve is calculated by using Holographic Entanglement Entropy (HEE) in the context of double holography.
Spinorial description for Lorentzian $$ \mathfrak{hs} $$-IKKT
Authors: Steinacker Harold C. , Tran Tung
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We introduce a novel spinorial description for the higher-spin gauge theory induced by the IKKT matrix model on an FLRW spacetime with Lorentzian signature, called Lorentzian $$ \mathfrak{hs} $$
hs
-IKKT theory. The new description is based on Weyl spinors transforming under the space-like isometry subgroup SL(2, ℂ) of the structure group SO(2, 4) ≃ SU(2, 2). It allows us to exploit the full power of the spinor formalism in Lorentzian signature, in contrast to a previous formalism based on the compact subgroup SU(2)L × SU(2)R of SU(2, 2). Some cubic vertices of the Yang-Mills sector and the corresponding scattering amplitudes are computed. We observe that the n-point (for n ≥ 4) tree-level amplitudes are typically non-trivial on-shell, but exponentially suppressed in the late-time regime. While Lorentz invariance of the higher-spin amplitudes is not manifest, it is expected to be restored by higher-spin gauge invariance.
Giant correlators at quantum level
Authors: Jiang Yunfeng , Wu Yu , Zhang Yang
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We compute four-point functions with two maximal giant gravitons and two chiral primary operators at three-loop order in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Super-Yang-Mills theory. The Lagrangian insertion method, together with symmetries of the theory fix the integrand up to a few constants. Under the additional assumption of planarity, all these constants can be determined by lower loop data. The obtained result can be regarded as the planar diagram contribution to the full four-point function and is written in terms of the known three-loop conformal integrals. From the four-point function, we extract the OPE coefficients of two giant gravitons and one non-BPS twist-2 operator with arbitrary spin at three-loops, given in terms of harmonic sums. We observe an intriguingly simple relation between the giant graviton OPE coefficients and the OPE coefficients of three single-trace operators.
Analysis of welding conditions at synchronous operation of resistance welding machines
Authors: Mikno Zygmunt , Stepien Mariusz
Published: June 2024

The paper is devoted to analysis of power losses in a resistance welding machine including supplying system and examination of welding conditions of the welding machine current in a case of synchronous (simultaneous) operation of multiple welding machines, i.e., during the conduction of welding current. Analysis of the most important contributors of power losses generated on the current path between a power source and the welded joint is carried out. The analysis is carried out for a DC (direct current) welding machine with power electronics inverter. AC (alternating current) welding machines are also taken into account. The analysis is divided in two parts. The first one is the analysis of single welding machine operation, while in the second part, coexistence (mutual operation) of two synchronous welding machines is considered. The analysis is based on results of numerical and experimental investigations. The first one is focused on calculation of power losses in the energy path (including a Sankey type power loss distribution diagrams), and the second one is based on experimental tests carried out to determine the diameter of the weld nugget and the strength of the joints, for cases of reducing the welding current. An example of simultaneous operation of welding machines was presented and discussed. The percentage voltage drops and power losses in the entire power supply path of the resistance welder are shown. The analysis carried out is extremely important from this point quality of welded joints.
Work from home arrangements and organizational performance in Italian SMEs: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abrardi Laura , Grinza Elena , Manello Alessandro , Porta Flavio
Published: June 2024

We use survey data on Italian small- and medium-sized enterprises collected during the COVID-19 pandemic to explore the relationship between the adoption of work from home (WFH) practices and organizational performance. In so doing, we investigate several dimensions of organizational performance, including measures of labor productivity and workers’ concentration and motivation, the level of absenteeism, the organization of work through management by objectives (MBO), and the presence of coordination and communication costs. We obtain several results. First, we find a significantly enhanced capability of firms that adopted WFH during the pandemic to sustain the overall organizational performance, particularly when such a work practice is used intensively. Less deteriorated labor productivity and workers’ concentration and motivation, decreased absenteeism, and a substantial rise in the adoption of MBO practices seem to be important aspects behind the detected benefits related to WFH. Third, when WFH is used at medium levels of intensity, it is associated with augmented coordination and communication costs, which nonetheless do not appear to overcome the benefits associated with WFH.
Molecular mechanisms underlying methotrexate-induced intestinal injury and protective strategies
Authors: Ali Gaber F. , Hassanein Emad H. M. , Mohamed Wafaa R.
Published: June 2024

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid reductase inhibitor that manages various malignancies as well as immune-mediated inflammatory chronic diseases. Despite being frequently prescribed, MTX’s severe multiple toxicities can occasionally limit its therapeutic potential. Intestinal toxicity is a severe adverse effect associated with the administration of MTX, and patients are significantly burdened by MTX-provoked intestinal mucositis. However, the mechanism of such intestinal toxicity is not entirely understood, mechanistic studies demonstrated oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions as key factors that lead to the development of MTX-induced intestinal injury. Besides, MTX causes intestinal cells to express pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which activate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). This is followed by the activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of the transcription3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway. Moreover, because of its dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) has been considered a critical signaling pathway that counteracts oxidative stress in MTX-induced intestinal injury. Several agents have potential protective effects in counteracting MTX-provoked intestinal injury such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, taurine, umbelliferone, vinpocetine, perindopril, rutin, hesperidin, lycopene, quercetin, apocynin, lactobacillus, berberine, zinc, and nifuroxazide. This review aims to summarize the potential redox molecular mechanisms of MTX-induced intestinal injury and how they can be alleviated. In conclusion, studying these molecular pathways might open the way for early alleviation of the intestinal damage and the development of various agent plans to attenuate MTX-mediated intestinal injury.

Graphical Abstract
Scopolamine infusion in the basolateral amygdala after saccharin intake induces conditioned taste avoidance in rats
Authors: Torres-García Víctor Manuel , Rodríguez-Nava Emmanuel , Alcántara-Rivas Rosa Itzel , Picazo Ofir , Roldán-Roldán Gabriel , Morin Jean-Pascal
Published: June 2024

Rationale

Muscarinic receptor activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is known to be involved in plasticity mechanisms that underlie emotional learning. The BLA is involved in the Attenuation of Neophobia, an incidental taste learning task in which a novel taste becomes familiar and recognized as safe.

Objective

Here we assessed the role of muscarinic receptor activity in the BLA in incidental taste learning.

Methods

Young adult male Wistar rats were bilaterally implanted with cannulas aimed at BLA. After recovery, rats were randomly assigned to either vehicle or muscarinic antagonist group, for each experiment. We tested the effect of specific and non-specific muscarinic antagonists administered either 1) 20 min before novel taste presentation; 2) immediately after novel taste presentation; 3) immediately after retrieval (the second taste presentation on Day 5 -S2-) or immediately after the fifth taste presentation on Day 8 (S5).

Results

Non-specific muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine infused prior to novel taste, while not affecting novel taste preference, abolished AN, i.e., the increased preference observed in control animals on the second presentation. When administered after taste consumption, intra-BLA scopolamine not only prevented AN but caused a steep decrease in the taste preference on the second presentation. This scopolamine-induced taste avoidance was not dependent on taste novelty, nor did it generalize to another novel taste. Targeting putative postsynaptic muscarinic receptors with specific M1 or M3 antagonists appeared to produce a partial taste avoidance, while M2 antagonism had no effect.

Conclusion

These data suggest that if a salient gustatory experience is followed by muscarinic receptors antagonism in the BLA, it will be strongly and persistently avoided in the future. The study also shows that scopolamine is not just an amnesic drug, and its cognitive effects may be highly dependent on the task and the structure involved.