bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive calibration and laboratory validation of a micro electromechanical system sensor-based flexible inclinometer
Authors: Zheng Gefan , Yuan Bo , Lv Fuzai , Shen Qingyang , Tang Zhifeng , Zheng Shengyi
Published: May 2024

Real-time monitoring of slopes, tunnels, and dams is important for ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of such structures. Despite the successes of current technologies in many applications, a gap still exists in certain areas such as precision in steep slopes and complex soil conditions. This study has designed a flexible inclinometer based on an array of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors to enhance the accuracy and flexibility of existing monitoring techniques. The inclination angle of each flexible inclinometer measurement unit was measured to monitor the horizontal or vertical displacement of the target structural body. We used the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm for optimizing the MEMS sensors-based calibration and designed multiple experiments to test the accuracy of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the calibrated flexible inclinometer measurement unit has an inclination angle of less than 0.04° and the accuracy of the flexible inclinometer lies within ±0.4 mm in the horizontal attitude and 1.6 mm in the vertical attitude. Our research has developed a novel tool for geotechnical engineering monitoring that can aid in increasing the precision of real-time assessment and prediction of structural stability.
Deep-water and shallow-water limits of the intermediate long wave equation
Authors: Li Guopeng
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the low regularity convergence problem for the intermediate long wave equation (ILW), with respect to the depth parameter δ > 0, on the real line and the circle. As a natural bridge between the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) and the Benjamin–Ono (BO) equations, the ILW equation is of physical interest. We prove that the solutions of ILW converge in the Hs
-Sobolev space for

s
>

1
2

, to those of BO in the deep-water limit (as

δ
→
∞

), and to those of KdV in the shallow-water limit (as δ → 0). This improves previous convergence results by Abdelouhab et al (1989 Physica D 40 360–92), which required

s
>

3
2

in the deep-water limit and

s
⩾
2

in the shallow-water limit. Moreover, the convergence results also apply to the generalised ILW equation, i.e. with nonlinearity

∂
x

(

u
k

)

for

k
⩾
2

. Furthermore, this work gives the first convergence results of generalised ILW solutions on the circle with regularity

s
⩾

3
4

. Overall, this study provides mathematical insights for the behaviour of the ILW equation and its solutions in different water depths, and has implications for predicting and modelling wave behaviour in various environments.
Photoelectrical performances of semiconductor-based devices having CoFe and CoFeNi magnetic interlayers
Authors: Yıldız D E , Karabulut Abdulkerim , Yıldırım M , Morley N A , Sahingoz R
Published: May 2024

This study was designed to examine the photoelectric device performances of cobalt-iron (CoFe) and cobalt-iron-nickel (CoFeNi) materials with good magnetic properties, specifically to investigate the effect of the Ni element on the electrical properties. In this context, Al/CoFe/p-Si and Al/CoFeNi/p-Si devices were produced by coating both materials between the semiconductor and the metal using the radio frequency (RF) sputtering method. First of all, to investigate the structural properties of the coated films, the content analysis was carried out by x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To determine the photoelectrical properties of the produced devices, current–voltage and transient photocurrent measurements were performed and analyzed under different light intensities. While the ideality factor (barrier height) values of the devices produced using CoFe and CoFeNi materials were found to be 11.45 (0.487 eV) and 9.86 (0.513 eV), respectively, in the dark, they were obtained as 13.29 (0.446 eV) and 11.02 (0.484 eV) under 100 mW cm−2 illumination. It was determined that both devices are sensitive to light, with the sensitivity of the device with the CoFeNi interlayer being much higher. In addition, photocapacitance and photoconductivity measurements were carried out to examine the photocapacitor performance of the devices. As a result of the investigations, both current–voltage, photocurrent, and photo-capacitance/conductivity measurements showed that the device with the CoFeNi interface layer showed better performance than the device with the CoFe interface. Therefore, it has been determined that the Ni element has a positive effect on electrical properties. The results obtained show that the prepared materials and produced devices can be used in photovoltaic applications.
Evaluation of cross sections for fast ion reactions with beryllium in helium and hydrogen fusion plasmas
Authors: Žohar Andrej , Trkov Andrej , Hjalmarsson Anders , Štancar Žiga , Žerovnik Gašper , Malec Jan , Snoj Luka
Published: May 2024

To computationally support hydrogen and helium plasma discharges in the early stages of tokamak operation and to support the commissioning of the neutron detectors during these operational phases, creation of a realistic neutron and gamma ray particle source for Monte Carlo simulations will be needed. One of the most important parts of creating the particle source is calculating the reaction rates of the particle-emitting reactions to determine the emission profile in the plasma and the energy spectra of the emitted particles. In this paper the analysis and evaluation of cross sections for important neutron-emitting reactions, namely, 9Be(p,nγ)9B, 9Be(3He,nγ)11C, and charged-particle emission reactions 9Be(p,d)2α and 9Be(p,α)6Li that cause neutron emission in the next step of interactions are presented. The reaction cross sections were evaluated based on experimental measurements and empirical models describing the interaction of two charged particles. Evaluation of the associated uncertainties was also performed. The main goal of the work is to propose the newly evaluated cross sections for inclusion in the FENDL nuclear data library, thus making the cross section available to other researchers studying the above listed reactions.
Order-disorder on cluster dynamics in the Q2R-Potts cellular automaton
Authors: Tortella Jim , Urbina Felipe , Borotto Felix
Published: May 2024

Cellular automata (CA) are mathematical models that allow the study of emergent behavior from a bottom-up point of view, while the Potts model is renowned for its rich dynamics capable of developing both first and second order phase transitions. Here, we study the Q2R-Potts cellular automaton, which is a model that merges cellular automata and the Potts model through a microcanonical ensemble characterized by a conservative energy-like function. Our study, conducted via numerical simulations, focuses on the one-dimensional Q2R-Potts CA with three (q = 3) states, examining its dynamics through both macroscopic and microscopic quantities. We discover that the model exhibits a first-order phase transition from order to disorder around of a critical energy density, characterized by a discontinuity in a phase diagram and self-organizing clusters that follow a power-law behavior.
The upgrade of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter for HL-LHC
Authors: Cucciati G. ,   the CMS collaboration
Published: May 2024

The High Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) at CERN aims to achieve unprecedented levels of instantaneous and integrated luminosities, approximately 5 × 1034 cm-2 s-1 and 3000 fb-1, respectively. It is anticipated that each bunch-crossing will result in an average of 140 to 200 collisions (pileup). The lead tungstate crystals and avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in the barrel region of the electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL) of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) will remain effective. However the readout and trigger electronics will undergo complete replacement to keep the current level of performance. A dual gain trans-impedance amplifier and an application-specific integrated circuit will be installed, providing two 160 MS/s analog-to-digital converter channels, gain selection, and data compression. The increase in noise within the APDs, due to radiation-induced dark current, will be alleviated by reducing the operating temperature of the ECAL. Additionally, the trigger primitive formation will be shifted away from the detector and handled by powerful and flexible field-programmable gate array processors housed on the back-end electronics cards.
In this document, the complete ECAL barrel readout chain design and the current state of research and development for each individual component regarding the upgrade will be described. The outcomes of recent test beam campaigns conducted at the CERN SPS, exploiting electron beams with energies of up to 250 GeV, will also be summarized. Notably, measurements pertaining to the energy resolution performance of the latest prototypes of HL-LHC ECAL readout electronics will be presented.
Studies on a hadronic calorimeter with MPGD technology for a future Muon Collider experiment
Authors: Colaleo A. , Longo L. , Pellecchia A. , Radogna R. , Simone F.M. , Stamerra A. , Venditti R. , Verwilligen P.J. , Zaza A. ,   the Muon Collider Physics and Detector Group
Published: May 2024

In the context of the European strategy for particle physics, the Multi-TeV Muon Collider
has emerged as a compelling alternative for advancing our understanding of the Standard Model,
after the full exploitation of the High-Luminosity LHC. The physics programme at the Muon Collider
includes precise measurements in the Higgs boson sector and the search for new physics at the TeV
scale. Achieving these goals relies on accurate full event reconstruction, including the
identification and precise four-momentum estimation of various particles. The Particle Flow (PF)
algorithm is one of the most suitable approach for this task, exploiting information from
tracking, calorimeter, and muon detectors for particle identification and measurements of their
momenta/energies. Tracking detectors measure charged particle momenta, while calorimeters provide
energy measurements for photons and neutral hadrons. Therefore, a combination of an exceptional
tracking system and high-granularity calorimeters is necessary. However, one of the biggest
challenges for a future experiment at the Muon Collider is to discriminate the product of the
 μμ collisions from the intense beam-induced-background (BIB), due to the unstable nature of
muons, whose decay products interact with the detector material. To address this, an innovative
hadronic calorimeter (HCAL) based on Micro Pattern Gas Detectors (MPGDs) is proposed. MPGDs offer
robust technology for high radiation environments and a high granularity for precise spatial
measurements. Dedicated studies are needed to assess and optimize the performance of an MPGD-based
HCAL, including the development of medium-scale prototypes for performance measurements. The
response of HCAL to incoming particles is examined through Monte Carlo simulations using Geant4,
comparing the performance of digital and semi-digital readouts, with energy resolution as the
figure of merit. The simulated geometry will be integrated into the Muon Collider software to
study its impact on jet reconstruction within the full apparatus and in the presence of BIB. The
simulation will be also validated through the test of a small-size calorimeter cell equipped with
advanced resistive MPGD technologies, namely resistive MicroMegas, resistive μRWELL and
RP-WELL.
TOFHIR2: the readout ASIC of the CMS barrel MIP Timing Detector
Authors: Albuquerque E. , Araújo M. , Benaglia A. , Boletti A. , Bugalho R. , Coutinho T. , De Guio F. , Faccioli P. , Ferramacho L. , Firlej M. , Fiutowski T. , Francisco R. , Gallinaro M. , Ghezzi A. , Hollar J. , Idzik M. , Legoinha H. , Leonardo N. , Leong C. , Lucchini M.T. , Malberti M. , Marozzo G. , Da Molin G. , Moron J. , Niknejad T. , Oliveira L. , Oliveira N. , Palluotto S. , Pisano M. , Redaelli N. , Silva C. , Silva J.C. , Silva R. , Silveira M. , Swientek K. , Tabarelli de Fatis T. , Tavernier S. , Varela J. , Varela V. , White S. , Wulff J.
Published: May 2024

The CMS detector will be upgraded for the HL-LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL respectively, providing precision timing of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillation crystals coupled to SiPMs with TOFHIR2 ASICs for the front-end readout. A resolution of 30–60 ps for MIP signals at a rate of 2.5 Mhit/s per channel is expected along the HL-LHC lifetime. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and measurements with TOFHIR2 ASICs. The measurements of TOFHIR2 associated to sensor modules were performed in different test setups using internal test pulses or blue and UV laser pulses emulating the signals expected in the experiment. The measurements show a time resolution of 24 ps initially during Beginning of Operation (BoO) and 58 ps at End of Operation (EoO) conditions, matching well the BTL requirements. We also showed that the time resolution is stable up to the highest expected MIP rate. Extensive radiation tests were performed, both with x-rays and heavy ions, showing that TOFHIR2 is not affected by the radiation environment during the experiment lifetime.
Complicity in Fin-de-siècle Literature
Authors: Craske Helen
Published: May 2024

Complicity in Fin-de-siècle Literature analyses how notions of shared crime and guilt structured the production and perception of literature in fin-de-siècle France. It considers definitions of complicity from the period’s evolving legal statutes, as well as critical debates about malign literary influences, to achieve a deeper understanding of how cultural production forged relationships of implication and collusion between writers, readers, and critics. Discussing a range of revealing case studies, the book’s chapters cover well-known literary schools and genres—such as Naturalism, Decadence, and the psychological novel—as well as more obscure literary forms, including biographically revealing novels (romans à clef), little magazines (petites revues), and saucy magazines (revues légères). Each chapter highlights how particular literary themes or techniques encouraged readers’ identification with transgression and facilitated alternative forms of solidarity. Drawing on methods associated with close reading, literary history, law and literature studies, sociology of literature, and cultural studies, the book offers a new terminology and conceptual framework through which to analyse literary influence and reception, applicable to different historical periods and national settings. Its broad material range destabilises the boundaries between ‘high’, ‘medium’, and ‘low’ cultural brows, revealing the widespread appeal of illicit topics and subversive solidarities across the literary spectrum.
Clinical vs. molecular diagnosis of Gorlin syndrome: relevance of diagnostic criteria depends on the age of the patients
Authors: Hercent Agathe , Bennani Rizk , Lafitte Philippe , Mary Mickael , Lamoril Jerôme , Bourrat Emmanuelle , Kannengiesser Caroline , Tchernitchko Dimitri
Published: May 2024

Background

Gorlin syndrome (GS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a predisposition to basal cell carcinoma and developmental defects. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the PTCH1 or SUFU genes.

Objectives

To ascertain the effectiveness of molecular screening in a cohort of patients with a suspicion of GS and to describe the patients’ clinical and genetic characteristics.

Methods

In total, 110 patients with a suspicion of GS were studied. The patients were seen at the genetic department of Bichat University Hospital for molecular screening. The patients’ clinical and paraclinical data were collected and analysed according to Evans’ diagnostic criteria and were compared with molecular information.

Results

Among 110 probands, only 56% fulfilled Evans’ diagnostic criteria. Overall, 75% of the patients who fulfilled those criteria carried a pathogenic variation in PTCH1 or SUFU. We compared the clinical and paraclinical data of 54 probands carrying a PTCH1 or SUFU mutation with 56 probands without identified mutations. Among patients carrying a pathogenic variation in the PTCH1 or SUFU genes, 30 years appears to be the cut-off age after which all patients have clear clinical GS. Indeed, after age 30 years, all patients carrying a PTCH1 or SUFU mutation fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of Evans (82% met the clinical criteria, reaching 100% with complementary examinations such as X-rays and ultrasound). Before 30 years of age, only 37% of patients with mutated genes fulfilled the clinical diagnostic criteria, reaching only 62% with simple complementary exams. We also report 22 new mutations in PTCH1.

Conclusions

Molecular screening of patients with GS who do not fulfil Evans’ diagnostic criteria should only be offered in the first instance to patients under 30 years of age. After age 30 years, careful clinical examination and complementary radiological exams should be enough to eliminate the diagnosis of GS among patients who do not fulfil the diagnostic criteria.
Hoyeraal–Hreidarsson syndrome associated with a new homozygous splice variant in PARN
Authors: Cheng Hui-Ching , Nanda Arti , Lin Chun-Yu , McGrath John A , Hsu Chao-Kai
Published: May 2024

We report on a consanguineous Egyptian family focusing on a 15-year-old girl exhibiting features of Hoyeraal–Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS). Genetic analysis revealed a novel new homozygous acceptor splice-site variant in the PARN gene, causing significant telomere shortening. The report expands the genetic landscape of telomere biology disorders.
Effector CD4+ T-cell subsets in Takayasu arteritis—differences between the peripheral blood and the aorta
Authors: Savioli Bruna , Torquato Heron Fernandes Vieira , Paredes-Gamero Edgar Julian , Franco Andréia Fabiana do Vale , Gigek Carolina de Oliveira , Artigiani Neto Ricardo , de Souza Alexandre Wagner Silva
Published: May 2024

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a granulomatous vasculitis that affects large arteries. T cells are important in TAK pathophysiology as these cells orchestrate granulomatous infiltration in arteries. This study aims to evaluate effector CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood and the aortic wall of TAK patients and to analyze associations with disease activity and therapy. We performed a longitudinal study including 30 TAK patients and 30 controls. CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4− T cells, CD4+ T cells, and Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were evaluated in peripheral blood by flow cytometry, and the expression of CD4, CD8, Tbet, GATA-3, and RORγT was analyzed in the aorta of six patients by immunohistochemistry. TAK patients presented lower CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells (P = 0.031 and P = 0.039, respectively) than controls. Patients with active disease and those in remission had higher proportions of Th17 cells than controls (P = 0.016 and P = 0.004, respectively). Therapy for TAK did not result in significant differences concerning CD4+ effector T-cell subpopulations. Disease duration correlated with the number and percentage of Th2 cells (rho = −0.610 and rho = −0.463, respectively) and with Th17 cells (rho = −0.365 and rho = −0.568). In the aorta, the expression of CD8 was higher than CD4, whereas GATA-3, Tbet, and RORγT were expressed in this order of frequency. In conclusion, TAK patients present an increased Th17 response in the peripheral blood regardless of disease activity, whereas in the aortic tissue CD8 cells and the Th2 response were predominant.
Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Dementia-Care Program Delivered by Community-Based Agency Staff
Authors: Gitlin Laura N , Cigliana Jill , Krauss Melissa J , Jacobsen Heather A , Piersol Catherine Verrier
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives

Few proven dementia-care programs are integrated into community-based agencies. We report on the acceptability and effectiveness of an evidence-based program, Care of People in their Environment (COPE), delivered by community-based agency staff.

Research Design and Methods

Pretest/post-test design with 3 data points (baseline, 3-month program completion, 6-month follow-up). COPE was delivered by 6 occupational therapists and 4 social workers at 2 agency sites with people living with dementia and caregivers. Staff assessed the interests and abilities of people living with dementia, home safety, caregiver challenges, and readiness to learn strategies. Staff provided dementia education, stress reduction, and nonpharmacological techniques tailored to caregiver-identified challenges. Acceptability (3- and 6-months), included completed sessions, upset with and confidence managing care challenges, strategies used, and program satisfaction. Effectiveness (3- and 6-months) included people living with dementia’s health events (falls, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and 911 calls), rehospitalization risk and functional dependence; and caregiver well-being and readiness. Benefits by in-person (n = 188) versus virtual/hybrid (n = 46) delivery due to Coronavirus Disease-2019 were evaluated.

Results

Of 843 dyads screened, 271 (32.1%) enrolled, 246 (90.8%) completed COPE, and 234 (95.1%) completed ≥1 follow-up. Regarding acceptability, caregivers completed about 8 sessions, reported improved confidence and upset (p < .001), most implemented strategies 3-months (72.8%) and 6-months (83.5%), and expressed high program satisfaction. For effectiveness, compared to baseline, odds of people living with dementia’s health events were lower including rehospitalization risk, although functional dependence increased; caregiver well-being (3-, 6-months, p < .001) and readiness (3-months, p < .01) improved. Outcomes did not differ by delivery mode.

Discussion and Implications

Acceptability and effectiveness were strong. COPE resulted in tangible improvements for families regardless of delivery mode.
Changes in Resources and Volunteering: A Longitudinal Study of Active Engagement Among Older Europeans
Authors: Hämäläinen Hans , Tanskanen Antti O , Arpino Bruno , Abuladze Liili , Solé-Auró Aïda , Danielsbacka Mirkka
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives

Volunteering is an important dimension of successful aging. Although prior studies have found that personal resources such as health and financial situations are associated with volunteering, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between resource changes and volunteering. Here, we investigated whether changes in individuals’ resources were associated with volunteer engagement among older Europeans.

Research Design and Methods

Using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, collected in five waves between 2011 and 2020 across 19 countries (57,410 observations from 17,498 individuals aged 50 and above), we employed asymmetric fixed-effect ordinal regression models to investigate whether positive or negative resource changes were associated with the frequency of volunteering over time. We used three resource indicators: health, financial condition, and time availability (measured by engagement in paid work, grandparenting, and family care).

Results

Health deterioration and worsening financial condition were associated with a decreased frequency of volunteering. A transition out of weekly paid work and beginning to provide weekly grandchild care were both associated with an increased frequency of volunteering. We did not detect any further significant effects of resource changes on volunteering.

Discussion and Implications

Our study revealed asymmetrical associations between changes in resources and volunteering, providing new insights into their interplay. The results deepen our understanding of successful aging by emphasizing the need to consider the dynamics of all resources that either facilitate or hinder active engagements among older adults.
Experimental study on the thermal response of rocks to stress change and its significance
Authors: Liu Wenfang , Liu Shanjun , Wei Lianhuan , Han Xin , Zhu Ankui
Published: May 2024

Bedrock temperature contains effective information about changes in the crustal stress. A new method of detecting crustal stress change by bedrock temperature (DSCT) has been proposed. Understanding the stress-induced temperature response characteristics of loaded rocks is fundamental for applying DSCT. In this study, temperature observation experiments of different rocks and water-saturated sandstones subjected to tiered cyclic loading were conducted to investigate the temperature–stress relationship throughout the whole rock deformation and failure process. Through experiments, some valuable results are obtained: (i) temperature changes synchronously with stress and has a very strong linear correlation with it; (ii) the magnitude of temperature response to stress (TRS) is approximately 1 mK MPa−1, ranging from strong to weak are sandstone, marble, diorite and basalt, respectively. The differences in TRS of various rocks are determined by their major rock-forming minerals, textures and structures; (iii) the evolution of TRS experiences three stages: the TRS rises rapidly in the compression stage, slowly in the acoustic emission quiet period and a significant increase in TRS before rock failure is observed on marble, sandstone and basalt, consistent with the abnormal bedrock temperature rise preceding earthquakes; (iv) the TRS of water-saturated sandstones is higher compared to the dry ones, and the abnormal sharp increase in TRS before rock failure is also more significant in the former. These findings mentioned above promote the understanding of thermal anomalies preceding earthquakes.
Interplay: Celebrating Form in the Functional
Authors: Smith Georgia
Published: May 2024

Georgia Smith MBCS reports on the Design Education Trust's INTERPLAY exhibition, and speaks to Trustee Alec Robertson about his personal philosophy and the charity's goals.
The Unspoken Side of Neurodivergencies
Authors: Hooper Penny
Published: May 2024

Penny Hooper MBCS, cybersecurity professional, author and UN Women's Delegate, shares her experiences of neurodivergence — specifically, the little known area of selective mutism.
Lumen Prize
Authors: Smith Georgia
Published: May 2024

The Lumen prize BCS Futures award 2023 went to Gaëtan Robillard's for his Critical Climate Machine. Here we explore the project and its inspiration.
Helping Women Achieve Their it Career Dreams
Authors: Brown Lindsay
Published: May 2024

Lyndsay Brown MBCS, a Salesforce Developer with BCS, mentors women to achieve their dreams in tech. Here, she presents her top tips for fostering and maintaining a winning partnership.
Business Analysis
Authors: Lovelock Christina
Published: May 2024

Want to improve your facilitation skills? Christina Lovelock MBCS considers how divergent and convergent thinking can enable better facilitation.
Unlocking Data Value
Authors: Major Danny
Published: May 2024

In this article, the fourth and penultimate in a continuum of content focused on Intelligent Automation, Danny Major FBCS focuses on the category of Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) for the enterprise.
Aesthetic Normies and Aesthetic Communities
Authors: Lau Ting Cho
Published: May 2024

Although there has been significant work on aesthetic snobbery and its ethical implications, much less work has been done on the aesthetic normie (normie for short). The normie is someone who primarily engages with popular aesthetic items. I argue that the normie is motivated by a drive towards sociality to connect with others and to rely on them given limited resources and time. I argue that the normie who is motivated by this drive will limit their aesthetic range and depth. This makes it harder for them to access new aesthetic experiences, distorts their ability to accurately appraise others, and makes it harder for them to connect with others. Nonetheless, I argue that we can achieve the goods of sociality by being aesthetically open. Expanding our willingness to engage with new aesthetic items and to develop and share more informed aesthetic judgments allows us to access more aesthetic values, appraise each other more accurately, and form valuable aesthetic communities.
Comparing penalization methods for linear models on large observational health data
Authors: Fridgeirsson Egill A , Williams Ross , Rijnbeek Peter , Suchard Marc A , Reps Jenna M
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study evaluates regularization variants in logistic regression (L1, L2, ElasticNet, Adaptive L1, Adaptive ElasticNet, Broken adaptive ridge [BAR], and Iterative hard thresholding [IHT]) for discrimination and calibration performance, focusing on both internal and external validation.

Materials and Methods

We use data from 5 US claims and electronic health record databases and develop models for various outcomes in a major depressive disorder patient population. We externally validate all models in the other databases. We use a train-test split of 75%/25% and evaluate performance with discrimination and calibration. Statistical analysis for difference in performance uses Friedman’s test and critical difference diagrams.

Results

Of the 840 models we develop, L1 and ElasticNet emerge as superior in both internal and external discrimination, with a notable AUC difference. BAR and IHT show the best internal calibration, without a clear external calibration leader. ElasticNet typically has larger model sizes than L1. Methods like IHT and BAR, while slightly less discriminative, significantly reduce model complexity.

Conclusion

L1 and ElasticNet offer the best discriminative performance in logistic regression for healthcare predictions, maintaining robustness across validations. For simpler, more interpretable models, L0-based methods (IHT and BAR) are advantageous, providing greater parsimony and calibration with fewer features. This study aids in selecting suitable regularization techniques for healthcare prediction models, balancing performance, complexity, and interpretability.
Hidden promiscuity elucidates the enigmatic relationship between duckweed accessions
Authors: Schubert Ingo
Published: May 2024

This article comments on:

Braglia L, Ceschin S, Iannelli MA, Bog M, Fabriani M, Frugis G, Gavazzi F, Gianì S, Mariani F, Muzzi M, Pelella E, Morello L. 2024. Characterization of the cryptic interspecific hybrid Lemna×mediterranea by an integrated approach provides new insights into duckweed diversity. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 3092–3110.
How to switch on a master switch
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Halford Nigel G
Published: May 2024

This article comments on:

Hu Y, Lin Y, Bai J, Xu X, Wang Z, Ding C, Ding Y, Chen L. 2024. AMPK activator 991 specifically activates SnRK1 and thereby affects seed germination in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 2917–2932.
Facilitating Atom Probe Tomography of 2D MXene Films by In Situ Sputtering
Authors: Krämer Mathias , Favelukis Bar , Sokol Maxim , Rosen Brian A , Eliaz Noam , Kim Se-Ho , Gault Baptiste
Published: May 2024

2D materials are emerging as promising nanomaterials for applications in energy storage and catalysis. In the wet chemical synthesis of MXenes, these 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides are terminated with a variety of functional groups, and cations such as Li+ are often used to intercalate into the structure to obtain exfoliated nanosheets. Given the various elements involved in their synthesis, it is crucial to determine the detailed chemical composition of the final product, in order to better assess and understand the relationships between composition and properties of these materials. To facilitate atom probe tomography analysis of these materials, a revised specimen preparation method is presented in this study. A colloidal Ti3C2Tz MXene solution was processed into an additive-free free-standing film and specimens were prepared using a dual beam scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam. To mechanically stabilize the fragile specimens, they were coated using an in situ sputtering technique. As various 2D material inks can be processed into such free-standing films, the presented approach is pivotal for enabling atom probe analysis of other 2D materials.
Exploring the directly imaged HD 1160 system through spectroscopic characterization and high-cadence variability monitoring
Authors: Sutlieff Ben J , Birkby Jayne L , Stone Jordan M , Derkink Annelotte , Backs Frank , Doelman David S , Kenworthy Matthew A , Bohn Alexander J , Ertel Steve , Snik Frans , Woodward Charles E , Ilyin Ilya , Skemer Andrew J , Leisenring Jarron M , Strassmeier Klaus G , Wang Ji , Charbonneau David , Biller Beth A
Published: May 2024

The time variability and spectra of directly imaged companions provide insight into their physical properties and atmospheric dynamics. We present follow-up R ∼ 40 spectrophotometric monitoring of red companion HD 1160 B at 2.8–4.2 μm using the double-grating 360° vector Apodizing Phase Plate (dgvAPP360) coronagraph and ALES integral field spectrograph on the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer. We use the recently developed technique of gvAPP-enabled differential spectrophotometry to produce differential light curves for HD 1160 B. We reproduce the previously reported ∼3.2 h periodic variability in archival data, but detect no periodic variability in new observations taken the following night with a similar 3.5 per cent level precision, suggesting rapid evolution in the variability of HD 1160 B. We also extract complementary spectra of HD 1160 B for each night. The two are mostly consistent, but the companion appears fainter on the second night between 3.0–3.2 μm. Fitting models to these spectra produces different values for physical properties depending on the night considered. We find an effective temperature Teff  = $2794^{+115}_{-133}$ K on the first night, consistent with the literature, but a cooler Teff  = $2279^{+79}_{-157}$ K on the next. We estimate the mass of HD 1160 B to be 16–81 MJup, depending on its age. We also present R = 50 000 high-resolution optical spectroscopy of host star HD 1160 A obtained simultaneously with the PEPSI spectrograph. We reclassify its spectral type to A1 IV-V and measure its projected rotational velocity $\upsilon \sin i$ = $96^{+6}_{-4}$ km s−1. We thus highlight that gvAPP-enabled differential spectrophotometry can achieve repeatable few per cent level precision and does not yet reach a systematic noise floor, suggesting greater precision is achievable with additional data or advanced detrending techniques.
Philosophy
Authors: Desmond Will D.
Published: May 2024

Hegel’s Lectures on the History of Philosophy effectively created the history of philosophy as a discipline, and certainly shaped its course through and beyond the nineteenth century. Moreover, they give extravagant attention to the Greek philosophers, from Thales to Proclus, and figures like Plato and Aristotle are singled out as profound ‘teachers of the human race’. In articulating his novel vision of a thousand years of Greek philosophical history as a single, organic whole, Hegel combined immense erudition and philosophical capability. His overall argument is that every philosophy (Greek and otherwise) has been a form of idealism—a partial anticipation of Hegel’s own Absolute Idealism. This surprising claim may not be fully vindicated in the case of each single philosopher, but his readings are always informed and stimulating—and worth some attention. This chapter summarizes how Hegel interprets each ancient thinker and/or school with an eye to the sources that he was reading, to his omissions, as well as to some of the insights that earned praise from later specialists and commentators. Throughout, the chapter uncovers Hegel’s ontological logic at work both in miniature (e.g. Plato’s Philebus) and on the largest scale, as it envisions Greek philosophy moving from the articulation of the ‘universal’ notion of the (Aristotelian) divine Thought through its ‘particular’ Hellenistic refractions and on to its more ‘concrete’ development among the Neoplatonists in late Roman Alexandria.
Internalism from the ethnographic stance: from self-indulgence to self-expression and corroborative sense-making
Authors: Queloz Matthieu
Published: May 2024

By integrating Bernard Williams’ internalism about reasons with his later thought, this article casts fresh light on internalism and reveals what wider concerns it speaks to. To be consistent with Williams’ later work, I argue, internalism must align with his deference to the phenomenology of moral deliberation and with his critique of ‘moral self-indulgence’. Key to this alignment is the idea that deliberation can express the agent's motivations without referring to them; and that internalism is not a normative claim, but an example of sense-making from ‘the ethnographic stance’. This leaves a worry over whether moral conviction can coexist with an internalist understanding of reasons. Here too, however, Williams’ later thought provides an answer. Differentiating corrosive from corroborative sense-making, it elucidates how internalism, though not normative, can nonetheless affect our confidence in reason statements, thereby informing how we deliberate and how we address those whose motivations differ from our own.
Does targeted memory reactivation during slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep have differential effects on mnemonic discrimination and generalization?
Authors: Sifuentes Ortega Rebeca , Peigneux Philippe
Published: May 2024

Targeted memory reactivation (TMR), or the presentation of learning-related cues during sleep, has been shown to benefit memory consolidation for specific memory traces when applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Prior studies suggest that TMR during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may play a role in memory generalization processes, but evidence remains scarce. We tested the hypothesis that TMR exerts a differential effect on distinct mnemonic processes as a function of the sleep state (REM vs. NREM) in which TMR is delivered. Mnemonic discrimination and generalization of semantic categories were investigated using an adapted version of the Mnemonic Similarity Task, before and after sleep. Forty-eight participants encoded pictures from eight semantic categories, each associated with a sound. In the pre-sleep immediate test, they had to discriminate “old” (targets) from “similar” (lures) or “new” (foils) pictures. During sleep, half of the sounds were replayed in slow wave sleep (SWS) or REM sleep. Recognition, discrimination, and generalization memory indices were tested in the morning. These indices did not differ between SWS and REM TMR groups or reactivated and non-reactivated item categories. Additional results suggest a positive effect of TMR on performance for highly similar items mostly relying on mnemonic discrimination processes. During sleep, EEG activity after cue presentation increased in the delta–theta and sigma band in the SWS group, and in the beta band in the REM TMR group. These results do not support the hypothesis of differential processing of novel memory traces when TMR is administered in distinctive physiological sleep states.
Inferring the Evolutionary Model of Community-Structuring Traits with Convolutional Kitchen Sinks
Authors: Kruger Avery , Shankar Vaishaal , Jonathan Davies T
Published: May 2024

When communities are assembled through processes such as filtering or limiting similarity acting on phylogenetically conserved traits, the evolutionary signature of those traits may be reflected in patterns of community membership. We show how the model of trait evolution underlying community-structuring traits can be inferred from community membership data using both a variation of a traditional eco-phylogenetic metric—the mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (MPD) between taxa—and a recent machine learning tool, Convolutional Kitchen Sinks (CKS). Both methods perform well across a range of phylogenetically informative evolutionary models, but CKS outperforms MPD as tree size increases. We demonstrate CKS by inferring the evolutionary history of freeze tolerance in angiosperms. Our analysis is consistent with a late burst model, suggesting freeze tolerance evolved recently. We suggest that multiple data types that are ordered on phylogenies, such as trait values, species interactions, or community presence/absence, are good candidates for CKS modeling because the generative models produce structured differences between neighboring points that CKS is well-suited for. We introduce the R package kitchen to perform CKS for generic application of the technique.
Assessing the knowledge, training and capacity of health workers in the diagnosis and management of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis in eastern Uganda
Authors: Kihumuro Raymond Bernard , Kintu Timothy Mwanje , Atimango Lorna , Kanyike Andrew Marvin , Bazira Joel
Published: May 2024

Background

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect millions of people in Africa, with Uganda bearing a significant burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal to reduce NTDs and improve access to diagnosis and management by 2030. However, NTDs have not been well integrated into primary healthcare in many countries, including Uganda, due to limited knowledge and resources among health workers. The study aimed to assess the readiness and capacity of primary healthcare centres to diagnose and manage soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosomiasis.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 204 health workers in 20 health facilities in four districts bordering Lake Kyoga. In this study we evaluated health workers’ knowledge of symptoms, diagnosis and management of STHs and schistosomiasis as well as the availability of resources and training.

Results

Our findings indicate that health workers have strong knowledge about STHs (86.76%), with lower knowledge levels regarding Schistosoma haematobium (59.72%) and Schistosoma mansoni (71.43%). Regarding resources and training, 95% of health facilities had laboratory services, but the majority lacked diagnostic equipment. Furthermore, only 17% of health workers reported prior training on schistosomiasis and related topics and only 25% had training on surveillance and reporting.

Conclusions

While health workers in eastern Uganda demonstrated a good knowledge base for some NTDs, there were knowledge gaps and challenges in training on surveillance and reporting mechanisms. Continuously building the capacity of health workers along with investing in diagnostic infrastructure is essential for improved NTD control and ultimately reducing associated morbidity and mortality in the region.
Neural Envelope Processing at Low Frequencies Predicts Speech Understanding of Children With Hearing Loss in Noise and Reverberation
Authors: Easwar Vijayalakshmi , Peng Z. Ellen , Boothalingam Sriram , Seeto Mark
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Children with hearing loss experience greater difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise and reverberation relative to their normal hearing peers despite provision of appropriate amplification. The fidelity of fundamental frequency of voice (f0) encoding—a salient temporal cue for understanding speech in noise—could play a significant role in explaining the variance in abilities among children. However, the nature of deficits in f0 encoding and its relationship with speech understanding are poorly understood. To this end, we evaluated the influence of frequency-specific f0 encoding on speech perception abilities of children with and without hearing loss in the presence of noise and/or reverberation.

Methods:

In 14 school-aged children with sensorineural hearing loss fitted with hearing aids and 29 normal hearing peers, envelope following responses (EFRs) were elicited by the vowel /i/, modified to estimate f0 encoding in low (<1.1 kHz) and higher frequencies simultaneously. EFRs to /i/ were elicited in quiet, in the presence of speech-shaped noise at +5 dB signal to noise ratio, with simulated reverberation time of 0.62 sec, as well as both noise and reverberation. EFRs were recorded using single-channel electroencephalogram between the vertex and the nape while children watched a silent movie with captions. Speech discrimination accuracy was measured using the University of Western Ontario Distinctive Features Differences test in each of the four acoustic conditions. Stimuli for EFR recordings and speech discrimination were presented monaurally.

Results:

Both groups of children demonstrated a frequency-dependent dichotomy in the disruption of f0 encoding, as reflected in EFR amplitude and phase coherence. Greater disruption (i.e., lower EFR amplitudes and phase coherence) was evident in EFRs elicited by low frequencies due to noise and greater disruption was evident in EFRs elicited by higher frequencies due to reverberation. Relative to normal hearing peers, children with hearing loss demonstrated: (a) greater disruption of f0 encoding at low frequencies, particularly in the presence of reverberation, and (b) a positive relationship between f0 encoding at low frequencies and speech discrimination in the hardest listening condition (i.e., when both noise and reverberation were present).

Conclusions:

Together, these results provide new evidence for the persistence of suprathreshold temporal processing deficits related to f0 encoding in children despite the provision of appropriate amplification to compensate for hearing loss. These objectively measurable deficits may underlie the greater difficulty experienced by children with hearing loss.