bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parents’ understanding of medication at discharge and potential harm in children with medical complexity
Authors: Selzer Axana , Eibensteiner Fabian , Kaltenegger Lukas , Hana Michelle , Laml-Wallner Gerda , Geist Matthias Benjamin , Mandler Christopher , Valent Isabella , Arbeiter Klaus , Mueller-Sacherer Thomas , Herle Marion , Aufricht Christoph , Boehm Michael
Published: November 2023

Objective

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are among the most vulnerable patient groups. This study aimed to evaluate their prevalence and risk factors for medication misunderstanding and potential harm (PH) at discharge.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre.

Study population

CMC admitted at Medical University of Vienna between May 2018 and January 2019.

Intervention

CMC and caregivers underwent a structured interview at discharge; medication understanding and PH for adverse events were assessed by a hybrid approach.

Main outcome measures

Medication misunderstanding rate; PH.

Results

For 106 included children (median age 9.6 years), a median number of 5.0 (IQR 3.0–8.0) different medications were prescribed. 83 CMC (78.3%) demonstrated at least one misunderstanding, in 33 CMC (31.1%), potential harm was detected, 5 of them severe. Misunderstandings were associated with more medications (r=0.24, p=0.013), new prescriptions (r=0.23, p=0.019), quality of medication-related communication (r=−0.21, p=0.032), low level of education (p=0.013), low language skills (p=0.002) and migratory background (p=0.001). Relative risk of PH was 2.27 times increased (95% CI 1.23 to 4.22) with new medications, 2.14 times increased (95% CI 1.10 to 4.17) with migratory background.

Conclusion

Despite continuous care at a tertiary care centre and high level of subjective satisfaction, high prevalence of medication misunderstanding with relevant risk for PH was discovered in CMC and their caregivers. This demonstrates the need of interventions to improve patient safety, with stratification of medication-related communication for high-risk groups and a restructured discharge process focusing on detection of misunderstandings (‘unknown unknowns’).
Association between patient-surgeon gender concordance and mortality after surgery in the United States: retrospective observational study
Authors: Wallis Christopher JD , Jerath Angela , Ikesu Ryo , Satkunasivam Raj , Dimick Justin B , Orav E John , Maggard-Gibbons Melinda , Li Ruixin , Salles Arghavan , Klaassen Zachary , Coburn Natalie , Bass Barbara L , Detsky Allan S , Tsugawa Yusuke
Published: November 2023

Objective

To determine whether patient-surgeon gender concordance is associated with mortality of patients after surgery in the United States.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Acute care hospitals in the US.

Participants

100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65-99 years who had one of 14 major elective or non-elective (emergent or urgent) surgeries in 2016-19.

Main outcome measures

Mortality after surgery, defined as death within 30 days of the operation. Adjustments were made for patient and surgeon characteristics and hospital fixed effects (effectively comparing patients within the same hospital).

Results

Among 2 902 756 patients who had surgery, 1 287 845 (44.4%) had operations done by surgeons of the same gender (1 201 712 (41.4%) male patient and male surgeon, 86 133 (3.0%) female patient and female surgeon) and 1 614 911 (55.6%) were by surgeons of different gender (52 944 (1.8%) male patient and female surgeon, 1 561 967 (53.8%) female patient and male surgeon). Adjusted 30 day mortality after surgery was 2.0% for male patient-male surgeon dyads, 1.7% for male patient-female surgeon dyads, 1.5% for female patient-male surgeon dyads, and 1.3% for female patient-female surgeon dyads. Patient-surgeon gender concordance was associated with a slightly lower mortality for female patients (adjusted risk difference −0.2 percentage point (95% confidence interval −0.3 to −0.1); P<0.001), but a higher mortality for male patients (0.3 (0.2 to 0.5); P<0.001) for elective procedures, although the difference was small and not clinically meaningful. No evidence suggests that operative mortality differed by patient-surgeon gender concordance for non-elective procedures.

Conclusions

Post-operative mortality rates were similar (ie, the difference was small and not clinically meaningful) among the four types of patient-surgeon gender dyads.
Elobixibat improves rectal sensation in patients with chronic constipation aged ≥60 years: a randomised placebo-controlled study
Authors: Manabe Noriaki , Umeyama Minami , Ishizaki Sonoko , Ota Takumi , Kuratani Shinji , Katsumata Ryo , Fujita Minoru , Haruma Ken , Camilleri Michael
Published: November 2023

Objective

High rectal sensory thresholds (RSTs) are associated with chronic constipation (CC), especially in older patients. Bile acids (BAs) affect the RSTs of healthy individuals. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of the BA transporter inhibitor elobixibat in patients with CC aged ≥60 years.

Design

We prospectively compared the RSTs of 17 patients with CC aged ≥60 years with those of 9 healthy individuals of the same age range. We next performed a prospective, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 17 patients with CC who administered elobixibat or placebo daily for 1 week. Using barostat methodology, their first constant sensation volume (FCSV), defaecatory desire volume (DDV), and maximum tolerable volume (MTV) thresholds; their rectal compliance; and their faecal BA concentrations were measured before and after treatment.

Results

There were no significant differences in the RSTs of healthy individuals and patients with CC, but all of these tended to be higher in the latter group. Elobixibat increased the desire to defaecate, significantly reduced the threshold for FCSV (p=0.0018), and tended to reduce the threshold for DDV (p=0.0899) versus placebo. However, there were no differences in the MTV or rectal compliance of the two groups. The total faecal BA concentration increased, and particularly that of secondary BAs in the elobixibat group. Elobixibat was most efficacious in participants with a longer duration of CC and a history of treatment for CC.

Conclusion

Elobixibat reduces the RSTs of patients with CC aged ≥60 years, which may be important for its therapeutic effects.

Trial registration number

jRCTs061200030.
T cell immune memory after covid-19 and vaccination
Authors: Wang Lulu , Nicols Alex , Turtle Lance , Richter Alex , Duncan Christopher JA , Dunachie Susanna J , Klenerman Paul , Payne Rebecca P
Published: November 2023

The T cell memory response is a crucial component of adaptive immunity responsible for limiting or preventing viral reinfection. T cell memory after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or vaccination is broad, and spans multiple viral proteins and epitopes, about 20 in each individual. So far the T cell memory response is long lasting and provides a high level of cross reactivity and hence resistance to viral escape by variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the omicron variant. All current vaccine regimens tested produce robust T cell memory responses, and heterologous regimens will probably enhance protective responses through increased breadth. T cell memory could have a major role in protecting against severe covid-19 disease through rapid viral clearance and early presentation of epitopes, and the presence of cross reactive T cells might enhance this protection. T cell memory is likely to provide ongoing protection against admission to hospital and death, and the development of a pan-coronovirus vaccine might future proof against new pandemic strains.
Relationship between self-stigma about alcohol dependence and severity of alcohol drinking and craving
Authors: Crozier Madeline E , Farokhnia Mehdi , Persky Susan , Leggio Lorenzo , Curtis Brenda
Published: November 2023

Background

The correlates and consequences of stigma surrounding alcohol use are complex. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is typically accompanied by self-stigma, due to numerous factors, such as shame, guilt and negative stereotypes. Few studies have empirically examined the possible association between self-stigma and alcohol-related outcomes.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between self-stigma about alcohol dependence and the severity of alcohol consumption and craving.

Methods

In a sample of 64 participants, the majority of whom had a diagnosis of AUD (51), bivariate correlations were first conducted between Self-Stigma and Alcohol Dependence Scale (SSAD-Apply subscale) scores and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, Alcohol Timeline Follow-Back, Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) scores and Penn Alcohol Cravings Scale scores. Based on the results, regression analyses were conducted with SSAD scores as the predictor and AUDIT and OCDS scores as the outcomes.

Findings

SSAD scores positively correlated with AUDIT scores, average drinks per drinking day, number of heavy drinking days and OCDS scores (p<0.001, p=0.014, p=0.011 and p<0.001, respectively). SSAD scores were also found to be a significant predictor of AUDIT and OCDS scores (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), even after controlling for demographics.

Conclusions

Higher levels of self-stigma were associated with more severe AUD, greater alcohol consumption, and more obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours related to alcohol.

Clinical implications

Our results suggest that potential interventions to reduce self-stigma may lead to improved quality of life and treatment outcomes for individuals with AUD.
Statistical methods applied for the assessment of the HIV cascade and continuum of care: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Kalinjuma Aneth Vedastus , Glass Tracy Renée , Masanja Honorati , Weisser Maja , Msengwa Amina Suleiman , Vanobberghen Fiona , Otwombe Kennedy
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This scoping review aims to identify and synthesise existing statistical methods used to assess the progress of HIV treatment programmes in terms of the HIV cascade and continuum of care among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Design

Systematic scoping review.

Data sources

Published articles were retrieved from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) databases between April and July 2022. We also strategically search using the Google Scholar search engine and reference lists of published articles.

Eligibility criteria

This scoping review included original English articles that estimated and described the HIV cascade and continuum of care progress in PLHIV. The review considered quantitative articles that evaluated either HIV care cascade progress in terms of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS targets or the dynamics of engagement in HIV care.

Data extraction and synthesis

The first author and the librarian developed database search queries and screened the retrieved titles and abstracts. Two independent reviewers and the first author extracted data using a standardised data extraction tool. The data analysis was descriptive and the findings are presented in tables and visuals.

Results

This review included 300 articles. Cross-sectional study design methods were the most commonly used to assess the HIV care cascade (n=279, 93%). In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, the majority used proportions to describe individuals at each cascade stage (276/279 (99%) and 20/21 (95%), respectively). In longitudinal studies, the time spent in cascade stages, transition probabilities and cumulative incidence functions was estimated. The logistic regression model was common in both cross-sectional (101/279, 36%) and longitudinal studies (7/21, 33%). Of the 21 articles that used a longitudinal design, six articles used multistate models, which included non-parametric, parametric, continuous-time, time-homogeneous and discrete-time multistate Markov models.

Conclusions

Most literature on the HIV cascade and continuum of care arises from cross-sectional studies. The use of longitudinal study design methods in the HIV cascade is growing because such methods can provide additional information about transition dynamics along the cascade. Therefore, a methodological guide for applying different types of longitudinal design methods to the HIV continuum of care assessments is warranted.
Continuation of education after marriage and its associated factors among young adult women: findings from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018
Authors: Howlader Sihab , Rahman Md. Aminur , Rahman Md. Mosfequr
Published: November 2023

Objective

To identify the individual and community-level variables associated with the continuation of education among currently married young adult women in Bangladesh.

Design

Cross-sectional data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2017–2018. The BDHS is a stratified cluster sample of households conducted in two and three stages in both rural and urban settings. A multilevel multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the associated factors.

Setting

Bangladesh.

Participants

Currently married young adult women aged 15–29 years (n=4595).

Primary outcome

Continuation of education after marriage was measured in the BDHS by asking respondents, ‘Did you continue your studies after marriage?’ with the response options: no; yes, less than a year; yes, for 1–2 years; yes, for 3–4 years; and yes, for 5+ years.

Results

Among young adult women, 28.2% continued education after marriage for different durations of years (<1 year to 5+ years). The odds of continuing education after marriage for <1 year (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.68; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.90), 1–2 years (aOR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.96) and ≥5 years (aOR: 0.38; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.85) were lower among women who justified wife beating compared with women who did justify it. Compared with the high-literate community, women from the low-literate community were less likely to continue education after marriage for <1 year (aOR: 0.53; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.66), 1–2 years (aOR: 0.47; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.61), 3–4 years (aOR: 0.32; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.46), and for ≥5 years (aOR: 0.29; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.48). Several other individual-level and community-level variables, such as age at marriage, first birth interval, partner educational status, household wealth index, community economic status and region, were found to be associated with the continuation of education after marriage for different durations.

Conclusions

The proportion of women continuing their education after marriage in this sample is low. This study provides insight into the individual-level and community-level barriers women encounter in continuing their education after marriage. The identification of these barriers helps policy-makers develop effective intervention programmes to promote women’s educational attainment.
Diet quality is associated with nutrition knowledge and physical activity in the US military veterans enrolled in university programmes
Authors: Robinson Laura A , Colin C R , Smith K S , Greene M W , Frugé A D
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Military veterans are at greater risk for chronic medical conditions, many of which are associated with greater body mass index (BMI). Detrimental changes to diet and physical activity (PA) levels after separation from military service contribute to this disparity which may be mitigated by nutrition education (NE) during service.

Methods

We conducted a survey in student veterans attending two southeastern US universities to determine current nutrition knowledge and hypothesised that NE received during time of service would be associated with better current diet quality (DQ), PA and BMI. Food group knowledge (FGK), and nutrient knowledge, DQ measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and PA reported in metabolic equivalent minutes per week (MET-min/week) were assessed using previously validated questionnaires. Height and weight were also self-reported to calculate BMI. Differences in these variables between NE groups were assessed using Mann-Whitney U tests. Change in DQ, PA and BMI were assessed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Stepwise backward regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors related to HEI and BMI status.

Results

Sixty-three out of 83 total responses were valid. Respondents were 60% male, 81% white, 43% and 27% served in the Army and Navy, respectively and 30% reported receiving NE while in the military. Veterans who received NE while serving did not have higher FGK, nutrition knowledge, current DQ, MET-min/week or BMI than their counterparts. Overall, respondents reported decreased MET-min/week (p<0.001), increased BMI (p=0.01) and no change in DQ. PA (p=0.014) and FGK (p<0.001) were significant predictors of current DQ, while no variables significantly predicted current BMI.

Conclusions

Inverse relationships between BMI and PA were observed after separation from duty. These results warrant the development and implementation of effective lifestyle interventions in veterans to prevent chronic disease and improve quality of life.
CAR T cells for treating autoimmune diseases
Authors: Blache Ulrich , Tretbar Sandy , Koehl Ulrike , Mougiakakos Dimitrios , Fricke Stephan
Published: November 2023

Autoimmune disorders occur when immune cells go wrong and attack the body’s own tissues. Currently, autoimmune disorders are largely treated by broad immunosuppressive agents and blocking antibodies, which can manage the diseases but often are not curative. Thus, there is an urgent need for advanced therapies for patients suffering from severe and refractory autoimmune diseases, and researchers have considered cell therapy as potentially curative approach for several decades. In the wake of its success in cancer therapy, adoptive transfer of engineered T cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for target recognition could now become a therapeutic option for some autoimmune diseases. Here, we review the ongoing developments with CAR T cells in the field of autoimmune disorders. We will cover first clinical results of applying anti-CD19 and anti-B cell maturation antigen CAR T cells for B cell elimination in systemic lupus erythematosus, refractory antisynthetase syndrome and myasthenia gravis, respectively. Furthermore, in preclinical models, researchers have also developed chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells that can eliminate individual B cell clones producing specific autoantibodies, and regulatory CAR T cells that do not eliminate autoreactive immune cells but dampen their wrong activation. Finally, we will address safety and manufacturing aspects for CAR T cells and discuss mRNA technologies and automation concepts for ensuring the future availability of safe and efficient CAR T cell products.
Difficult-to-treat axial spondyloarthritis is associated with psoriasis, peripheral involvement and comorbidities: results of an observational nationwide study
Authors: Fakih Olivier , Desmarets Maxime , Martin Bérenger , Prati Clement , Monnet Elisabeth , Verhoeven Frank , Wendling Daniel
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To determine the cumulative incidence and identify the factors associated with difficult-to-treat axial spondyloarthritis (D2T-axSpA) in French patients newly benefiting from the French ‘long-term illness’ (LTI) social security scheme for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods

This national cohort study was based on the French National Medico-Administrative Database, SNDS, which contains data on hospitalisation, LTI and outpatient care consumption. All French patients newly receiving LTI benefits for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) between 2010 and 2013 were included in the study. In France, LTI is required to access biological/targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs). The follow-up period ended on 31 December 2018. So-called D2T-axSpA was defined as the failure of three b/tsDMARDs or of two b/tsDMARDs with different modes of action. Comorbidities and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations were identified using previously described algorithms. Characteristics were compared between patients with D2T-axSpA and patients with non-D2T-axSpA who had received at least one b/tsDMARD with bivariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Incidence rates of major cardiovascular event (MACE) and death were compared using competitive risk analysis.

Results

22 932 patients were included. 10 798 (47.08%) patients received at least one bDMARD. None received tsDMARD. During follow-up, 2115 patients were classified as having D2T-axSpA, representing 19.59% of patients who received at least one bDMARD. In multivariate analysis, D2T-axSpA was significantly associated with female gender, peripheral involvement, psoriasis, hypertension and depression (p<0.001 for each case). There was no difference in the incidence of MACE (p=0.92) or death (p=0.87).

Conclusion

D2T-axSpA affects one in five patients exposed to bDMARDs in this national cohort. D2T-axSpA is more common in women and patients with peripheral involvement and/or comorbidities.
Effect of resource supplementation on female Western Rattlesnake postpartum movement
Authors: Eye Dana M. , Spruyt Jade A. , Atkins Marcus C.P. , Bishop Christine A. , Larsen Karl W.
Published: November 2023

Resource availability plays an important factor in an animal's life history by affecting growth and reproduction and influencing behaviours such as movement and thermoregulation. Female rattlesnakes in northern climes face shortened active seasons limiting the time available to replenish lost reserves from reproduction. Consequently, this leads to slower growth rates, small litters, and infrequent reproduction in these populations. With these challenges, it has been assumed postpartum rattlesnakes in these regions should return to their hibernacula immediately following parturition. However, our previous study revealed different tactics of postpartum movements by females across several study sites. To examine the relationship between resource availability and these movements, we experimentally supplemented resources (mice or mice injected with water) to free-ranging pregnant Western Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus oreganus Holbrook, 1840) at three sites in British Columbia, Canada, during 2019. We examined body condition and movement of snakes, finding that pregnant rattlesnakes consumed supplemented resources until late parturition and had significantly higher postpartum body condition than controls. Contrary to our expectations, increased access to resources ad libitum did not significantly halt or alter postpartum movements away from hibernacula. These results suggest that resource availability influences certain life-history traits such as body condition but not others like postpartum movement.
Thermodynamics and tachyon condensation of the dressed-dynamical unstable Dp-branes
Authors: Daniali Hamidreza
Published: November 2023

Using the boundary state formalism and thermo field dynamics approach, we study a Dp-brane at finite temperature in which the background Kalb–Ramond field, a U(1) gauge potential, and tachyon field are turned on together with a general tangential dynamics. The thermal entropy of the brane will be studied. In addition, the behavior of the entropy after the tachyon condensation process will be investigated and some thermodynamic interpretations will be extracted.
Structural gender imbalances in ballet collaboration networks
Authors: Herrera-Guzmán Yessica , Lee Eun , Kim Heetae
Published: November 2023

Ballet, a mainstream performing art predominantly associated with women, exhibits significant gender imbalances in leading positions. However, the collaboration’s structural composition vis-à-vis gender representation in the field remains unexplored. Our study investigates the gendered labor force composition and collaboration patterns in ballet creations. Our findings reveal gender disparities in ballet creations aligned with gendered collaboration patterns and women’s occupation of more peripheral network positions than men. Productivity disparities show women accessing 20–25% of ballet creations compared to men. Mathematically derived perception errors show the underestimation of women artists’ representation within ballet collaboration networks, potentially impacting women’s careers in the field. Our study highlights the structural imbalances that women face in ballet creations and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and equal professional environment in the ballet industry. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of structural gender imbalances in artistic domains and can inform cultural organizations about potential affirmative actions toward a better representation of women leaders in ballet.
Cultural Differences in the Assessment of Synthetic Voices
Authors: Cuciniello Marialucia , Amorese Terry , Greco Claudia , Carrión Zoraida Callejas , Vogel Carl , Cordasco Gennaro , Esposito Anna
Published: November 2023

This research involved 88 young adults aged between 20 years and 35 years from two different countries, Spain and Italy. This work aims to explore preferences of the two groups toward synthetic voices, created for the experiment with variations in gender and quality for each language. The Spanish group was asked to evaluate the two high-quality voices of Elena and Pablo and the two low-quality voices of Maria and Juan while the Italian group was asked to assess the high-quality voices of Giulia and Antonio and the low-quality voices of Clara and Edoardo. The shortened and digitized version of the Virtual Agent Voice Acceptance Questionnaire (VAVAQ) was administered, respectively, in the Spanish or Italian version on the basis of the referring group to collect participants’ preferences. Due to the pandemic situation, participants were mainly contacted via email. Each participant was provided with a specific link. Outcomes revealed that Spanish and Italian young adults showed a greater appreciation toward the high-quality female voice compared to the other proposed voices. Regarding participants’ cross-cultural differences, Italian participants seem to judge the voices as more emotionally engaging than the Spanish participants whereas Spanish participants consider the audited voices as more natural and expressive than the Italian participants.
Graph Convolutional Neural Network with Multi-Scale Attention Mechanism for EEG-Based Motion Imagery Classification
Authors: Zhu Jun , Liu Qingshan , Xu Chentao
Published: November 2023

Recently, deep learning has been widely used in the classification of EEG signals and achieved satisfactory results. However, the correlation between EEG electrodes is rarely considered, which has been proved that there are indeed connections between different brain regions. After considering the connections between EEG electrodes, the graph convolutional neural network is applied to detect human motor intents from EEG signals, where EEG data are transformed into graph data through phase lag index, time-domain and frequency-domain features with different signal bands. Meanwhile, a multi-scale attention mechanism is proposed to the network to improve the accuracy of classification. By using the multi-scale attention-based graph convolutional neural network, the accuracy of 93.22% is achieved with 10-fold cross-validation, which is higher than the compared methods which ignore the spatial correlations of EEG signals.
Deep Multi-Layer Neural Network with Variable-Depth Output
Authors: Yang Shiueng-Bien , Liang Ting-Wen
Published: November 2023

In this study, a deep multi-layer neural network (DMLNN) with variable-depth output (VDO), called VDO-DMLNN, is proposed for classification. Unlike the traditional DMLNN, for which a user must define the network architecture in advance, VDO-DMLNN is produced from the top–down, layer by layer, until the classification error rate of VDO-DMLNN no longer decreases. The user thus does not need to define the depth of VDO-DMLNN in advance. The combination of the genetic algorithm (GA) and the self-organizing feature map (SOFM), called GA–SOFM, is proposed to automatically generate the weights and proper number of nodes for each layer in VDO-DMLNN. In addition, the output nodes can be at different levels in VDO-DMLNN rather than all being at the last layer, as in the traditional DMLNN. Thus, the average of computing time required for the recognition of an input sample in VDO-DMLNN is less than that in traditional DMLNN when they have the same classification error rate. Finally, VDO-DMLNN is compared with some state-of-the-art neural networks in the experiments.
Transformer-Based Unified Segmentation: Simultaneous Semantic and Instance Tasks on Point Clouds
Authors: Pan Lei , Luan Wuyang , Li Junhui , Zhen Yuan , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2023

Traditionally, 3D segmentation tasks have operated in silos, focusing separately on semantic and instance segmentation. However, this disjointed approach lacks interoperability and fails to fully unleash the potential of a more integrated, multitask solution. To overcome this limitation, we introduce TUS-Net, an innovative transformer-based architecture meticulously crafted for both semantic and instance segmentation of point clouds. Our model introduces two pivotal advancements: First, it employs a superpoint-based pre-processing step that minimizes computational overhead without compromising on precision. Second, we leverage a dual-branch design within the transformer architecture, allowing it to adapt to the nuances of both segmentation tasks dynamically. Through extensive experimentation on the ScanNet dataset, our findings demonstrate that TUS-Net surpasses prevailing specialized models by a substantial margin and maintains remarkable computational efficiency. Notably, we achieve a 5.7% enhancement in mean Average Precision (mAP), for instance, segmentation, while striking an optimal balance between accuracy and runtime for semantic segmentation. These outcomes underscore the versatility, efficiency and high-performance attributes of TUS-Net, positioning it as an indispensable framework for robust 3D point cloud segmentation.
Variational and thermodynamically consistent finite element discretization for heat conducting viscous fluids
Authors: Gawlik Evan S. , Gay-Balmaz François
Published: November 2023

Respecting the laws of thermodynamics is crucial for ensuring that numerical simulations of dynamical systems deliver physically relevant results. In this paper, we construct a structure-preserving and thermodynamically consistent finite element method and time-stepping scheme for heat conducting viscous fluids, with general state equations. The method is deduced by discretizing a variational formulation for nonequilibrium thermodynamics that extends Hamilton’s principle for fluids to systems with irreversible processes. The resulting scheme preserves the balance of energy and mass to machine precision, as well as the second law of thermodynamics, both at the spatially and temporally discrete levels. The method is shown to apply both with insulated and prescribed heat flux boundary conditions, as well as with prescribed temperature boundary conditions. We illustrate the properties of the scheme with the Rayleigh–Bénard thermal convection. While the focus is on heat conducting viscous fluids, the proposed discrete variational framework paves the way to a systematic construction of thermodynamically consistent discretizations of continuum systems.
Thermodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics of interacting system formed in relativistic heavy ion collisions
Authors: Zhang Xu-Hong , Wang Hao-Ning , Liu Fu-Hu , Olimov Khusniddin K.
Published: November 2023

To study the energy-dependent characteristics of thermodynamic and hydrodynamic parameters, based on the framework of a multi-source thermal model, we analyze the soft transverse momentum ([Formula: see text]) spectra of the charged particles ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and p) produced in gold–gold (Au–Au) collisions at the center-of-mass energies [Formula: see text], 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4, and 200[Formula: see text]GeV from the STAR Collaboration and in lead–lead (Pb–Pb) collisions at [Formula: see text] and 5.02[Formula: see text]TeV from the ALICE Collaboration. In the rest framework of emission source, the probability density function obeyed by meson momenta satisfies the Bose–Einstein distribution, and that obeyed by baryon momenta satisfies the Fermi–Dirac distribution. To simulate the [Formula: see text] of the charged particles, the kinetic freeze-out temperature T and transverse expansion velocity [Formula: see text] of emission source are introduced into the relativistic ideal gas model. Our results, based on the Monte Carlo method for numerical calculation, show a good agreement with the experimental data. The excitation functions of thermodynamic parameter T and hydrodynamic parameter [Formula: see text] are then obtained from the analyses, which shows an increasing tendency from 7.7[Formula: see text]GeV to 5.02[Formula: see text]TeV in collisions with different centralities.
A New Predictor–Corrector Explicit Integration Method with Unconditional Stability and Higher-Order Accuracy
Authors: Fu Bo , Ilunga Stephane Lavery , Chen Jin
Published: November 2023

There are very few integration methods satisfying the explicit displacement formulation, unconditional stability, and higher-order accuracy, simultaneously. This paper proposes a new predictor–corrector explicit (NPCE) integration method with unconditional stability and higher-order accuracy. The NPCE is developed by matching its temporal discrete equation (TDE) with that of a recently developed fourth-order new dual-explicit (NDE) integration method. The accuracy and stability of the NPCE scheme are analyzed. It is found that the NPCE method possesses the same stability property as the NDE method. In addition, the NPCE method can achieve the same accuracy level as the NDE method for the undamped system, and it is more accurate than the NDE method for the damped system. The performance of the NPCE method is illustrated by four numerical examples. Some representative integration methods are adopted for comparison. The results indicate that the NPCE method has excellent accuracy with low relative absolute and squared errors.
Enhancing Stock Price Prediction with Deep Cross-Modal Information Fusion Network
Authors: Mandal Rabi Chandra , Kler Rajnish , Tiwari Anil , Keshta Ismail , Abonazel Mohamed R. , Tageldin Elsayed M. , Umaralievich Mekhmonov Sultonali
Published: November 2023

Stock price prediction is considered a classic and challenging task, with the potential to aid traders in making more profitable trading decisions. Significant improvements in stock price prediction methods based on deep learning have been observed in recent years. However, most existing methods are reliant solely on historical stock price data for predictions, resulting in the inability to capture market dynamics beyond price indicators, thus limiting their performance to some extent. Therefore, combining social media text with historical stock price information has proposed a novel stock price prediction method, known as the Deep Cross-Modal Information Fusion Network (DCIFNet). The process is initiated by DCIFNet, which employs temporal convolution processes to encode stock prices and Twitter content. This ensures that each element has sufficient information about its surrounding components. Following this, the outcomes are inputted into a cross-modal fusion structure based on transformers to enhance the integration of crucial information from stock prices and Twitter content. Lastly, a multi-graph convolution attention network is introduced to depict the relationships between different stocks from diverse perspectives. This facilitates the more effective capturing of industry affiliations, Wikipedia references, and associated relationships among linked stocks, ultimately leading to an enhancement in stock price prediction accuracy. Trend prediction and simulated trading experiments are conducted on high-frequency trading datasets spanning nine different industries. Comparative assessments with the Multi-Attention Network for Stock Prediction (MANGSF) method, as well as ablation experiments, confirm the effectiveness of the DCIFNet approach, resulting in an accuracy rate of 0.6309, a marked improvement compared to representative methods in the field.
Dynamic Properties for Time-Delayed Grazing Ecosystem Driven by Lévy Noise and Gaussian Noise
Authors: Guo Yongfeng , Mi Lina , Ding Jiaxin
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we establish a stochastic dynamical grazing ecosystem with time delays and fluctuations. The effects of time delay, Gaussian noise and Lévy noise on the stationary probability distribution (SPD), the mean first passage time (MFPT) and stochastic resonance (SR) are analyzed. Our research results show the following: (i) For small time delay, the increasing Gaussian noise intensity leads to catastrophic regime shift (CRS) from high vegetation state to low vegetation state, while the increasing Lévy noise intensity contributes to the recovery of these shifts. For large time delay, the increasing Gaussian noise intensity or Lévy noise intensity causes the CRS phenomenon, the larger the time delay, the more frequent the CRS phenomenon. (ii) The increasing Gaussian noise intensity can diminish the stability of the high vegetation state and low vegetation state, the increasing Lévy noise intensity and Lévy stability index can enhance the stability of the high vegetation state and diminish the stability of the low vegetation state. The increasing Lévy noise intensity can lead to noise-enhanced stability (NES) of the high vegetation state, and the larger the time delay, the more pronounced the NES phenomenon. (iii) The increase of time delay can weaken SR phenomenon when signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a function of Gaussian noise intensity and Lévy noise intensity.
On diameters of commuting graphs of matrix algebras over division rings
Authors: Nam Cao Minh , Bien Mai Hoang , Hai Bui Xuan
Published: November 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a real-closed field and [Formula: see text] a [Formula: see text]-division algebra. In this paper, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is algebraic over [Formula: see text] then the graph [Formula: see text] is connected and its diameter is at most [Formula: see text], for any [Formula: see text]. If in addition, the division ring [Formula: see text] is noncommutative, we also have the same results for [Formula: see text]. As a corollary, we show that the diameter of the commuting graph of the matrix algebra of degree [Formula: see text] over a generalized quaternion algebra [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a real-closed field, two elements [Formula: see text], is also at most [Formula: see text]. This fact is a strong improvement of the previous result by Akbari et al. asserting that this diameter is at most [Formula: see text] in case [Formula: see text] is the field [Formula: see text] of real numbers.
Bridging the Domain Gap between Synthetic and Real-World Data for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Bai Xiangyu , Luo Yedi , Jiang Le , Gupta Aniket , Kaveti Pushyami , Singh Hanumant , Ostadabbas Sarah
Published: November 2023

Modern autonomous systems require extensive testing to ensure reliability and build trust in ground vehicles. However, testing these systems in the real-world is challenging due to the lack of large and diverse datasets, especially in edge cases. Therefore, simulations are necessary for their development and evaluation. However, existing open-source simulators often exhibit a significant gap between synthetic and real-world domains, leading to deteriorated mobility performance and reduced platform reliability when using simulation data. To address this issue, our Scoping Autonomous Vehicle Simulation (SAVeS) platform benchmarks the performance of simulated environments for autonomous ground vehicle testing between synthetic and real-world domains. Our platform aims to quantify the domain gap and enable researchers to develop and test autonomous systems in a controlled environment. Additionally, we propose using domain adaptation technologies to address the domain gap between synthetic and real-world data with our SAVeS
+
extension. Our results demonstrate that SAVeS
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is effective in helping to close the gap between synthetic and real-world domains and yields comparable performance for models trained with processed synthetic datasets to those trained on real-world datasets of same scale. Finally, we introduce two new autonomy driving datasets with complex scenes, essential sensor data, ground truth and improved imagery. The data is generated using both open-source and commercial simulators and processed through our SAVeS
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domain adaptation pipeline. This paper highlights our efforts to quantify and address the domain gap between synthetic and real-world data for autonomy simulation. By enabling researchers to develop and test autonomous systems in a controlled environment, we hope to bring autonomy simulation one step closer to realization.

1
Development of Recursive Subspace Identification for Real-Time Structural Health Monitoring under Seismic Loading
Authors: Huang Shieh-Kung , Chi Fu-Chung
Published: November 2023

Structural health monitoring (SHM) can continuously and nondestructively evaluate the state and performance of structures using the structural responses to external loads or environmental conditions. Moreover, online or real-time SHM of civil structures provides significant advantages over periodic or manual inspection methods, especially under disaster loadings, where the consequences of failure can be severe. To achieve it, performing system identification and damage detection recursively, said recursive subspace identification (RSI), is a promising solution, and SHM based on the algorithms can evaluate damage or deterioration of civil structures, give insight into the health and performance of a structural system, and provide valuable information for decision-making on maintenance and repair. However, the time-consuming decompositions frustrate these algorithms. As a compromise, additional processing is required to implement online and real-time applications. This study demonstrates a modified algorithm that takes advantage of the projection approximation subspace tracking (PAST) algorithm and the repeated system matrices in the extended observability matrix. The modification can reduce numerical decompositions and improve important timeliness for online or real-time SHM of civil structures. Both the numerical simulation and experimental investigation have been used to verify the proposed method, and the results show its capability to determine the changes in the dynamic characteristics of a structure in either the laboratory experiment or in the field application. In the last place, the discussion and some conclusions are also drawn in this paper.
Use of Preoperative 3D Virtual Planning and 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Guides to Facilitate a Single-Stage Cranial Closing Wedge Ostectomy and Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Procedure to Address Proximal Tibial Deformity, an Excessive Tibial Plateau Angle, and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency in a Dog
Authors: De Armond Christina C. , Lewis Daniel D. , Townsend Sarah
Published: November 2023

A 9-month-old mixed-breed dog was presented for bilateral proximal tibial deformity resulting in an excessive tibial plateau angle and cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency. Initial surgical management of the right pelvic limb was done by performing a cranial closing wedge ostectomy. Inadequate leveling of the plateau resulted in a postliminal meniscal tear which was addressed during a revision tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. The left pelvic limb was managed in a single-session surgery using three-dimensional (3D) virtual surgical planning and custom 3D-printed surgical guides to perform a combined cranial closing wedge ostectomy and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Postoperative 3D analysis of the left tibia revealed the accuracy of the surgical result within 2° of the virtual surgical plan. The dog developed a transient grade II/IV left medial patellar luxation following surgery but ultimately attained a full functional recovery and was actively engaged in competitive agility work 46 months following surgery on the left pelvic limb.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Competitive Advantage of Organizations in Establishing Sustainable Project Management Post Covid-19
Authors: Bageis Abdulrahman S. , Waqar Ahsan , Hamah Sor Nadhim , Almujibah Hamad , Qureshi Abdul Hannan , Jagadesh P. , Deifalla Ahmed Farouk , Khan Muhammad Basit , Dodo Yakubu , Arbili Mohamed Moafak , Abuhussain Mohammed Awad , Benjddou Omrane
Published: November 2023

Competitive advantage significantly matters for modern construction organizations as it promotes the sustainable development and safety management of projects. UK construction organizations have greatly suffered from a lack of safety and sustainability of project management in infrastructure development projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-COVID-19 UK infrastructure development projects are uncertain in the context of organizational competitive advantage as they cannot maintain sustainable project management. This study was conducted to identify, rank, and present a framework of factors influencing the competitive advantage of UK organizations. The study design involved identifying factors from the current literature, after which the most relevant factors were filtered with the help of semi-structured interviews with 15 experts. A pilot survey was conducted then, involving 192 respondents, after which a reliability test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted on the results. A primary questionnaire survey involving 250 respondents was conducted, after which RII and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted on the final data. A total of five subgroups were found to be significant in the CFA, such as Resources and Policies, Quality and Delays, Motivation and Expectation, Management and Environment, and Government and Business. It is recommended based on findings that the construction organizations of the UK have to consider working on identified factors to maintain a competitive advantage in establishing sustainable project management solutions for post-COVID-19 UK infrastructure development projects.