bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy and Time Optimal Control of Autonomous Vehicles by Using Frenet Frame Modelling and over-Actuation
Authors: Zhang Wenliang , Drugge Lars , Nybacka Mikael , Jerrelind Jenny , Yang Derong , Reiter Rudolf , Frey Jonathan , Trigell Annika Stensson
Published: October 2024

Autonomous driving and electrification make over-actuation technologies more feasible and advantageous. Integrating autonomous driving with over-actuation allows for the effective use of their respective strengths, e.g., for studying energy and time optimal control. To model AVs, several vehicle coordinate systems have been used, e.g., Cartesian, Frenet and spatial coordinates. The present study aims to achieve energy and time optimal control of autonomous vehicles by using Frenet frame modelling and over-actuation. This study enhances the existing Frenet-based modeling by incorporating double-track dynamic vehicle models and torque vectoring. The problem is formulated in an optimal control framework, with carefully designed cost function terms and constraints. Two control strategies are examined, one for minimising travel time and the other for jointly optimising energy consumption and travel time. The results indicate that by considering both energy and time in the formulation, the energy consumption can be apparently reduced while the travel time is merely slightly increased.
Robust 3D On-Road Object Detection and Distance Estimation for Active Vehicle Control Systems Based on Monocular Camera Image Data
Authors: Zhang Xingguo , Ikami Daiki , Raksincharoensak Pongsathorn
Published: October 2024

3D object detection from monocular camera videos constitutes a critical research domain. Achieving robust 3D object detection in databases lacking annotated information poses a highly challenging task. This paper proposes a simple yet effective transfer learning approach, integrating data alignment, 3D object detection, and dynamic result correction. Vanishing point detection is employed to infer camera angles in diverse scenes, and preprocessing of new data is conducted by considering the camera's pitch angle and vanishing point position. Subsequently, MonoDETR are applied for depth estimation and 3D object detection in monocular videos. Building upon the detection results, dynamic correction is achieved through inter-frame assistance, culminating in the final 3D object information. Validation on the TUAT Near-Miss Incident Database demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed approach. The results indicate a substantial reduction in the cost of annotating new domain data while simultaneously enhancing detection accuracy and robustness. Integration with onboard diagnostics (OBD) data allows the reconstruction of information about various traffic participants in hazardous scenarios, providing valuable insights for in-depth analysis of accident causes.
Self-tuning of the Virtual-Bike Control for a Human-Powered Electric Bike with Series Architecture
Authors: Radrizzani Stefano , Panzani Giulio , Savaresi Sergio Matteo
Published: October 2024

Motivated by environmental awareness, electric bikes (e-Bikes) diffusion as a means of transport has significantly increased in cities, thanks to their low emission and footprint. Among the different alternatives, series-parallel e-Bike architectures are interesting because they merge the advantages of the most common parallel bikes and the series ones, which can be exploited to improve the user experience. When an e-Bike is operating in series mode, a specific control action is needed to handle the absence of a mechanical transmission and so the chain-less nature of series or series-parallel e-Bikes. To this aim, the virtual-chain control law has been proposed and recently extended to a virtual-bike approach, respectively aiming at emulating the experience of the chain or an entire bike, whose parameters are user-chosen. In this work, a self-tuning strategy for the control parameters in the virtual-bike approach is formulated, making it independent of the specific bike and rider. Experimental results showed the advantages and limitations of the proposed solution.
Enhancing Steer-by-Wire Systems with an Integrated E-Motor and MR-Brake Actuator – Feedback Control Strategy
Authors: Niegl Matthias , Hendewerk Johannes , Becker Matthias , Battlogg Stefan , Pfeffer Peter
Published: October 2024

This study introduces an innovative control strategy for a steer-by-wire (SbW) force feedback actuator, tailored for automotive use. The actuator integrates a direct drive electric motor and a magnetorheological brake (MR-brake) within a streamlined, compact design. This electric motor delivers torque essential for the desired steering feel and ensures swift responsiveness. Concurrently, the MR-brake, noted for its compactness and energy efficiency, contributes passive damping and robust end-stop torque capabilities. The synergistic use of these components allows for a smaller and more resource-efficient electric motor design. A critical aspect of this strategy is the implementation of a torque splitter, essential for replicating the steering feel associated with Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems. This splitter distributes the required feedback torque between MR-brake torque and e-motor torque, ensuring high fidelity and consistent stability across a range of vehicular dynamics and maneuvers. Notably, maintaining a subjectively satisfying steering feel under conditions where torque proportions vary between actuators presents a significant challenge. The proposed actuator design, with its focus on performance, safety, and reliability, is particularly well-suited for advanced SbW systems demanding high standards in these areas.
On the Stability of the Closed-Loop Teleoperated Vehicle and Teledriver System
Authors: Hossain Ypti , Metzler Mathias , Edelmann Johannes , Plöchl Manfred
Published: October 2024

Teleoperated vehicles are gaining importance during the transition to fully automated vehicles since at the current state of development automated vehicles are not capable of operating in all conditions and environments. Despite the high potential of the concept of teleoperated vehicles, there are still challenges to be dealt with. As the teledriver is physically not present in the vehicle during teleoperation, the communication between the teledriver and the vehicle takes place via internet. That could lead to a delayed transmission of the telemetry and visual signals. Additionally, the teledriver’s perception of the vehicle motion is reduced. This study demonstrates the differences between teledriving and normal driving from a theoretical perspective and how the stability of the vehicle-teledriver system is affected by the communication delay and the reduced perception of the vehicle motion. To increase the driver’s perception and the ease of control of the teleoperated vehicle, a simple structured and tunable steering wheel torque emulation concept is introduced.
A Method for Obtaining Reference Friction Values for Validation of Road Friction Estimation Algorithms
Authors: Hjort Mattias , Bruzelius Fredrik , Kharrazi Sogol , Yang Derong
Published: October 2024

Data-driven development of friction estimators for passenger vehicles is becoming popular. They rely mainly on training data to obtain an accurate estimate of the current road conditions. However, reference or training data for natural conditions containing available friction is sparse. This limits the development of data-driven approaches for friction estimation. The current paper presents progress in a project devoted to developing a method to use standard equipment for road monitoring to acquire reference data for friction estimation, relevant to specific tyres and operating conditions. Results show how a mapping between existing test equipment readings and the real experienced coefficient of friction of a car tyre can be made.
A Learning-Based Model Predictive Contouring Control for Vehicle Evasive Manoeuvres
Authors: Bertipaglia Alberto , Alirezaei Mohsen , Happee Riender , Shyrokau Barys
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a novel Learning-based Model Predictive Contouring Control (L-MPCC) algorithm for evasive manoeuvres at the limit of handling. The algorithm uses the Student-t Process (STP) to minimise model mismatches and uncertainties online. The proposed STP captures the mismatches between the prediction model and the measured lateral tyre forces and yaw rate. The mismatches correspond to the posterior means provided to the prediction model to improve its accuracy. Simultaneously, the posterior covariances are propagated to the vehicle lateral velocity and yaw rate along the prediction horizon. The STP posterior covariance directly depends on the variance of observed data, so its variance is more significant when the online measurements differ from the recorded ones in the training set and smaller in the opposite case. Thus, these covariances can be utilised in the L-MPCC’s cost function to minimise the vehicle state uncertainties. In a high-fidelity simulation environment, we demonstrate that the proposed L-MPCC can successfully avoid obstacles, keeping the vehicle stable while driving a double lane change manoeuvre at a higher velocity than an MPCC without STP. Furthermore, the proposed controller yields a significantly lower peak sideslip angle, improving the vehicle’s manoeuvrability compared to an L-MPCC with a Gaussian Process.
Computing the Lateral Compliance of the Racing Line Using Trajectory Optimization
Authors: Aggarwal R. K. , Gerdes J. C.
Published: October 2024

While race car drivers speak often on racing lines, data reveals they do not follow consistent paths lap over lap. Furthermore, autonomous racing controllers designed to track optimal paths fail to keep pace with the best professional drivers. In this paper, we assess the importance of the racing line from an optimization perspective by evaluating its dynamic sensitivity to lateral perturbations. After applying the method to the Laguna Seca Raceway, we find that there is in fact a family of trajectories that are significantly different in path but similar in lap time. This finding is consistent with prior experimental work and indicates that extracting the peak dynamic performance from a vehicle may require reasoning through this whole family of solutions—instead of tracking a single line—to operate the vehicle at its true limits.
Observer Design for Estimating Road Elevations at All Tire Contact Patches Using Only an Inertial Sensor
Authors: Choi Hosik , Gim Juhui
Published: October 2024

This paper designs an observer for estimating road elevations at all tire contact patches using only an inertial sensor with high accuracy, comparable to that of laser scanning. The observer is constructed within the framework of the unknown input Kalman filter to estimate road elevations, which act as disturbances to vehicle dynamics. The model for the observer is based on vertical-pitch-roll dynamics, encompassing road elevations at all tire contact patches. The introduction of virtual measurements for all tires ensures the observability of the model in the inertial sensor-based observer without requiring both additional sensors and model simplification. Additionally, a bias model is added to compensate for sensor installation errors for practical realization. Experimental validation demonstrates that the proposed observer can estimate road elevation with high accuracy, regardless of vehicle speed and dynamics, even when utilizing only an inertial sensor, making it suitable for rapid and robust road maintenance.
Generalized symmetry in dynamical gravity
Authors: Cheung Clifford , Derda Maria , Kim Joon-Hwi , Nevoa Vinicius , Rothstein Ira , Shah Nabha
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We explore generalized symmetry in the context of nonlinear dynamical gravity. Our basic strategy is to transcribe known results from Yang-Mills theory directly to gravity via the tetrad formalism, which recasts general relativity as a gauge theory of the local Lorentz group. By analogy, we deduce that gravity exhibits a one-form symmetry implemented by an operator Uα labeled by a center element α of the Lorentz group and associated with a certain area measured in Planck units. The corresponding charged line operator Wρ is the holonomy in a spin representation ρ, which is the gravitational analog of a Wilson loop. The topological linking of Uα and Wρ has an elegant physical interpretation from classical gravitation: the former materializes an exotic chiral cosmic string defect whose quantized conical deficit angle is measured by the latter. We verify this claim explicitly in an AdS-Schwarzschild black hole background. Notably, our conclusions imply that the standard model exhibits a new symmetry of nature at scales below the lightest neutrino mass. More generally, the absence of global symmetries in quantum gravity suggests that the gravitational one-form symmetry is either gauged or explicitly broken. The latter mandates the existence of fermions. Finally, we comment on generalizations to magnetic higher-form or higher-group gravitational symmetries.
Illuminating the dark: mono-γ signals at NA62
Authors: Barducci D. , Bertuzzo E. , Taoso M. , Ternes C. A. , Toni C.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Dipole interactions between dark sector states or between a Standard Model particle and a dark state can efficiently be searched for via high-intensity fixed-target facilities. We propose to look for the associated mono-γ signature at the NA62 experiment running in beam dump mode. Focusing on models of dipole inelastic Dark Matter and active-sterile neutrino dipole interactions, we compute the corresponding expected sensitivities finding promising prospects for discovery already with ~ 1017 proton-on-target, corresponding to the present accumulated dataset.
Froggatt-Nielsen meets the SMEFT
Authors: Loisa Eetu , Talbert Jim
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study the matching of Froggatt-Nielsen theories of flavour onto the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), upon integrating out a heavy Beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) scalar ‘flavon’ whose vacuum expectation value breaks an Abelian flavour symmetry at energies ΛFN well above the electroweak scale, ΛFN> ΛSM. We include matching contributions to the infrared dSM = 6 (Warsaw basis) SMEFT sourced from ultraviolet contact terms suppressed up to order 1/$$ {\Lambda}_{\textrm{UV}}^2 $$

Λ
UV
2

in the Froggatt-Nielsen Lagrangian, where ΛUV> ΛFN is an arbitrary ultraviolet scale where further unspecified BSM particles are dynamical. This includes tree-level (one-loop) ultraviolet diagrams with dFN = 6 (5) effective vertices. We first do so with a toy model, but then generalize our findings to arbitrary Frogatt-Nielsen charges. Our results indicate a rich and non-trivial signature of Froggatt-Nielsen theories on the (otherwise) model-independent operators of the SMEFT, and we briefly speculate on extending our analysis to broader classes of BSM flavour models, e.g. non-Abelian and/or gauged theories. We thus take an important step towards determining how to use rapidly developing theoretical and experimental SMEFT technologies to gain unambiguous insight into the SM’s longstanding fermion flavour puzzle.
Enhanced monochromatic photon emission from millicharged co-interacting dark matter
Authors: Du Mingxuan , Liu Jia , Wang Xiao-Ping , Wu Tianhao
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study a millicharged co-interacting dark matter scenario, where the primary dark matter constituent is the dark photon A′ and the secondary component is the fermion χ. In this model, χ interacts with A′ via a U(1)′ interaction while being millicharged with respect to normal photons. Our investigation focuses on the oscillation of A′ dark matter into photons within the background of χ particles, revealing that the A′ − χ scattering rate benefits from a Bose enhancement of the A′ final state. As the oscillation production rate is directly linked to the scattering rate, the conversion of A′ dark matter into monochromatic photons experiences significant amplification owing to this Bose enhancement, especially when the scattering rate Γsca approaches the dark photon mass $$ {m}_{A^{\prime }} $$

m

A
′

. These converted monochromatic photons are detectable through radio telescopes and can induce distortions in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) spectrum. We find that the sensitivity of radio telescopes and the constraints imposed by CMB distortion on the kinetic mixing parameter are notably heightened compared to scenarios without the subdominant millicharged dark matter.
Real-time chiral dynamics at finite temperature from quantum simulation
Authors: Ikeda Kazuki , Kang Zhong-Bo , Kharzeev Dmitri E. , Qian Wenyang , Zhao Fanyi
Published: October 2024

Abstract

In this study, we explore the real-time dynamics of the chiral magnetic effect (CME) at a finite temperature in the (1+1)-dimensional QED, the massive Schwinger model. By introducing a chiral chemical potential μ5 through a quench process, we drive the system out of equilibrium and analyze the induced vector currents and their evolution over time. The Hamiltonian is modified to include the time-dependent chiral chemical potential, thus allowing the investigation of the CME within a quantum computing framework. We employ the quantum imaginary time evolution (QITE) algorithm to study the thermal states, and utilize the Suzuki-Trotter decomposition for the real-time evolution. This study provides insights into the quantum simulation capabilities for modeling the CME and offers a pathway for studying chiral dynamics in low-dimensional quantum field theories.
Application of 3D scanning and computer simulation techniques to assess the shape accuracy of welded components
Authors: Jędrych Marianna , Gorzkiewicz Damian , Deja Mariusz , Chodnicki Marek
Published: October 2024

While traditional measurement methods prove to be insufficient when facing more complex shapes and intricate challenges, increasingly efficient solutions are emerging in their place. 3D scanners in particular exhibit versatility. They clearly represent a useful tool in many fields with diverse requirements; thus, it is advisable to explore further areas of their potential applications, e.g., in quality control or reverse engineering. During our research, measurements were carried out on 40 welded elements using a caliper and on 11 other elements using the HandySCAN 700 Elite device by Creaform. The research was conducted at different stages of production, between subsequent operations. In addition, in the absence of interoperative nominal dimensions, a welding process simulation was performed in the Simufact Welding software. The simulation results were compared with actual deformations measured using a 3D scanner. The research enabled identification of the causes of excessive deformations and provided the basis for comparing the caliper with a modern laser device. A particular advantage of the scanner was demonstrated for complex issues requiring high flexibility and precise documentation of full geometry. The caliper proved to be more efficient only for quick execution of single, simple measurements at specific places. Incorporating the simulation in the Simufact Welding software into the analysis, allowed for a more precise validation of the planned technology. This solution presents a promising alternative to nominal models, particularly valuable when measurements are conducted between subsequent operations. Further research in this area is also recommended to enhance proposed methodology.
Optimizing Over Serial Dictatorships
Authors: Caragiannis Ioannis , Rathi Nidhi
Published: October 2024

Motivated by the success of the serial dictatorship mechanism in social choice settings, we explore its usefulness in tackling various combinatorial optimization problems. We do so by considering an abstract model, in which a set of agents are asked to act in a particular ordering, called the action sequence. Each agent acts in a way that gives her the maximum possible value, given the actions of the agents who preceded her in the action sequence. Our goal is to compute action sequences that yield approximately optimal total value to the agents (a.k.a., social welfare). We assume query access to the value $$v_i(S)$$

v
i

(
S
)

that the agent i gets when she acts after the agents in the ordered set S. We establish tight bounds on the social welfare that can be achieved using polynomially many queries. Even though these bounds show a marginally sublinear approximation of optimal social welfare in general, excellent approximations can be obtained when the valuations stem from an underlying combinatorial domain. Indicatively, when the valuations are defined using bipartite matchings, arborescences in directed graphs, and satisfiability of Boolean expressions, simple query-efficient algorithms yield 2-approximations. We discuss issues related to truthfulness and show how some of our algorithms can be implemented truthfully using VCG-like payments. Finally, we introduce and study the price of serial dictatorship, a notion that provides an optimistic measure of the quality of combinatorial optimization solutions generated by action sequences.
PD-1 blockade does not improve efficacy of EpCAM-directed CAR T-cell in lung cancer brain metastasis
Authors: Blobner Jens , Dengler Laura , Eberle Constantin , Herold Julika J. , Xu Tao , Beck Alexander , Mühlbauer Anton , Müller Katharina J. , Teske Nico , Karschnia Philipp , van den Heuvel Dominic , Schallerer Ferdinand , Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen , Thon Niklas , Tonn Joerg-Christian , Subklewe Marion , Kobold Sebastian , Harter Patrick N. , Buchholz Veit R. , von Baumgarten Louisa
Published: October 2024

Background

Lung cancer brain metastasis has a devastating prognosis, necessitating innovative treatment strategies. While chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell show promise in hematologic malignancies, their efficacy in solid tumors, including brain metastasis, is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor environment. The PD-L1/PD-1 pathway inhibits CAR T-cell activity in the tumor microenvironment, presenting a potential target to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of anti-PD-1 antibodies on CAR T-cell in treating lung cancer brain metastasis.

Methods

We utilized a murine immunocompetent, syngeneic orthotopic cerebral metastasis model for repetitive intracerebral two-photon laser scanning microscopy, enabling in vivo characterization of red fluorescent tumor cells and CAR T-cell at a single-cell level over time. Red fluorescent EpCAM-transduced Lewis lung carcinoma cells (EpCAM/tdtLL/2 cells) were implanted intracranially. Following the formation of brain metastasis, EpCAM-directed CAR T-cell were injected into adjacent brain tissue, and animals received either anti-PD-1 or an isotype control.

Results

Compared to controls receiving T-cell lacking a CAR, mice receiving EpCAM-directed CAR T-cell showed higher intratumoral CAR T-cell densities in the beginning after intraparenchymal injection. This finding was accompanied with reduced tumor growth and translated into a survival benefit. Additional anti-PD-1 treatment, however, did not affect intratumoral CAR T-cell persistence nor tumor growth and thereby did not provide an additional therapeutic effect.

Conclusion

CAR T-cell therapy for brain malignancies appears promising. However, additional anti-PD-1 treatment did not enhance intratumoral CAR T-cell persistence or effector function, highlighting the need for novel strategies to improve CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors.
Measurement and heuristic modelling of nitrogen and salt dynamics under Salicornia growing in a hyper-arid region and irrigated with groundwaters of differing nutrient and Salt loadings
Authors: Al-Tamimi Mansoor , Green Steve , Dahr Wasel Abou , Al-Muaini Ahmed , Lyra Dionysia , Ammar Khalil , Dawoud Mohamed , Kenyon Paul , Kemp Peter , Kennedy Lesley , McLachlan Andrew , Clothier Brent
Published: October 2024

New data highlight the economic value of using nitrogen-rich saline waters, either from groundwater or reject brines from desalination units, to irrigate the halophytic crop Salicornia bigelovii for food, fodder, and fuel in a hyper-arid environment. The greatest benefit was achieved using pressure-compensated drippers. Field measurements of drainage and leaching under the crop showed that all of the salt and nitrogen from the groundwater was returned back to the aquifer as leachate. A simple, heuristic model of groundwater quantity and quality was developed to infer the environmental impacts of irrigating crops with saline and high-nitrate groundwater in a hyper-arid environment. The rise in solute concentration in groundwater is hyperbolic. The parameters needed for this simple model are the fraction of the land that is irrigated, the initial depth of the saturated thickness, the saturated water content, and the annual rate of evapotranspiration. An indicator of the time-rise is the number of years to double the solute concentration. This is Ө
A
h
o /2 ET
C, where Ө
A is the aquifer’s saturated water content, h
o is the original thickness of the saturated layer, and ET
c is the annual rate of crop evapotranspiration. The general model is simple and straightforward to parameterise to predict the evapoconcentration of groundwater salinity.
Environmental efficiency of rainfed and irrigated wheat crops in Spain. A stochastic DEA metafrontier approach
Authors: Lozano Sebastián , Gutiérrez Ester , Aguilera Eduardo
Published: October 2024

This paper studies the environmental efficiency of wheat crops in the different regions of Spain where it is grown. Both rainfed and irrigated wheat cropping systems are considered. Excepting irrigation water consumption, the two groups of observations share the same inputs (namely, N Fertilizers and Non-renewable energy) and outputs (namely, Yield, soil organic carbon, NH3 emissions, NO3− leaching and Global Warming Potential). The three undesirable outputs considered are handled using the transformation method. Given the stochastic character of the variables, a Chance Constrained DEA approach is proposed. A non-radial directional distance function (DDF) model is used. The proposed approach provides deterministic efficiency, stochastic targets and reference units. The two groups of observations are compared using a metafrontier approach and the corresponding technology gap ratios are computed. For each group of observations, the results have identified the best practice regions and those where environmental efficiency improvements are needed.
Interval breast cancer rates for tomosynthesis vs mammography population screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Libesman Sol , Li Tong , Marinovich M. Luke , Seidler Anna Lene , Tagliafico Alberto Stefano , Houssami Nehmat
Published: October 2024

Objectives

We aimed to synthesise evidence from prospective studies of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) screening to assess its effectiveness compared to digital mammography (DM). Specifically, we examined whether DBT reduces interval cancer rates (ICRs) in population breast cancer screening.

Materials and methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of DBT screening studies (identified from January 2013 to March 2024). We included both RCTs and non-randomised prospective studies that used an independent comparison for our primary outcome ICRs. The risk of bias was assessed with QUADAS-2. We compared the ICR, cancer detection rate (CDR), and recall rate of DBT and DM screening using random effects meta-analysis models. Subgroup analyses estimated outcomes by study design. Sensitivity analyses estimated absolute effects from relative effects.

Results

Ten prospective studies (three RCTs, seven non-randomised) were eligible; all had a low risk of bias. There were 205,245 DBT-screened and 306,476 DM-screened participants with follow-up for interval cancer data. The pooled absolute ICR did not significantly differ between DBT and DM: −2.92 per 10,000 screens (95% CI: −6.39 to 0.54); however subsequent subgroup analysis indicated certain study designs may have biased this ICR estimate. Pooled ICR from studies that only sampled groups from the same time and region indicated DBT led to 5.50 less IC per 10,000 screens (95% CI: −9.47 to −1.54). Estimates from subgroup analysis that compared randomised and non-randomised trials did not significantly differ.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides suggestive evidence that DBT decreases ICR relative to DM screening; further evidence is needed to reduce uncertainty regarding ICR differences between DBT and DM.

Key Points

Question

Does DBT have long-term benefits over standard DM?

Finding

We find suggestive evidence in our primary analysis and stronger evidence in a follow-up analysis that DBT reduces interval cancers.

Clinical relevance

This meta-analysis provides the first indication that DBT may detect additional cancers that are clinically meaningful, based on suggestive evidence of a reduction in ICR. This finding does not preclude the simultaneous possibility of overdiagnosis.

Graphical Abstract
Diel movement patterns in nominally nocturnal coral reef fishes (Haemulidae and Lutjanidae): Intra vs. Interspecific variation
Authors: Collins William P. , Bellwood David R. , Morais Renato A. , Waltham Nathan J. , Siqueira Alexandre C.
Published: October 2024

Movement of animals, habitat connectivity, and nutrient transport are key elements in the ecological functioning of coral reef ecosystems. However, most studies have focused on the diurnal component of these aspects; nocturnal patterns are less known. Our study aims to address this knowledge gap by assessing diel movement patterns in ecologically and commercially important nocturnal coral reef fishes. We evaluate 122-days of acoustic telemetry data from 4 nocturnal species in 2 coral reef fish families (Haemulidae and Lutjanidae) on the Great Barrier Reef. For all species, we found a clear division between daytime resting areas on the reef and a move towards off-reef areas at night. This was highlighted in the low number of detections at night and the high average transitions between receivers at twilight. Over our study period, average nocturnal space use area (minimum convex polygon) of Plectorhincus gibbosus was 328,089 m2, Plectorhincus lineatus 28,828 m2, and Lutjanus carponotatus 20,369 m2. However, results from a Principal Component Analysis revealed that space use, and movement, varied substantially within species; for 3 of the 4 species the main axis of variation correlated with individual-level behaviour. These large differences in individual space use patterns highlight the need for caution when using species averages when considering ecosystem functions. Overall, our preliminary observations provide a glimpse into the large spatial extent, potential habitat connectivity, and intra and interspecific variation in activity patterns among large nocturnal Indo-Pacific reef fishes. This highlights their potential importance in maintaining ecosystem links between coral reefs and adjacent habitats.
Ilizarov fixator as salvage procedure after frustrating arthrodesis using intramedullary nailing - is there a chance of consolidation?
Authors: Brinkemper Alexis , Lülsdorff Raimund H. , Lotzien Sebastian , Kruppa Christiane , Schildhauer Thomas A. , Cibura Charlotte
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Arthrodesis of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints is a salvage procedure that has been used successfully for years. Treatment options include internal procedures and external procedures. Retrograde intramedullary nailing is considered a safe procedure with a high degree of stability and comfort. Nevertheless, there are cases in which this internal arthrodesis fails and another procedure must be considered. Ilizarov fixator treatment could be a solution for those patients in whom intramedullary nailing has failed. Even if it means another surgical revision - is it possible to finally achieve consolidation with this method?

Materials and methods

In this single-center, retrospective study all documents of patients who underwent tibiotalar and subtalar joints fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator at our institution from 2003 to 2023 as secondary treatment after frustrated first arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail were reviewed. Nineteen patients (17 men and 2 women), with an average age of 55.7 (standard deviation (SD) 8.7, range 34–75) years were included.

Results

On average, 1.7 (SD 1.3, range 1–6) arthrodesis attempt were performed before final Ilizarov fixator arthrodesis. The average time spent in the Ilizarov fixator was 19 (SD 4, range 14–29) weeks. In seven cases (36.8%), both the tibiotalar and subtalar joints received bony consolidation in the end.

Conclusion

If patients have undergone fusion of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints with a retrograde nail and this fails, it is difficult to achieve complete consolidation in the further course. A further attempt at arthrodesis using an Ilizarov fixator is possible, but the overall results are also poor. This procedure must therefore be seen as a last resort before amputation.
Butterfly eggs prime anti-herbivore defense in an annual but not perennial Arabidopsis species
Authors: Huve Maryse A. P. , Bittner Norbert , Kunze Reinhard , Hilker Monika , Remus-Emsermann Mitja N. P. , Paniagua Voirol Luis R. , Lortzing Vivien
Published: October 2024

Main conclusion

Unlike Arabidopsis thaliana, defenses of Arabidopsis lyrata against Pieris brassicae larval feeding are not primable by P. brassicae eggs. Thus, egg primability of plant anti-herbivore defenses is not phylogenetically conserved in the genus Arabidopsis.

While plant anti-herbivore defenses of the annual species Arabidopsis thaliana were shown to be primable by Pieris brassicae eggs, the primability of the phylogenetically closely related perennial Arabidopsis lyrata has not yet been investigated. Previous studies revealed that closely related wild Brassicaceae plant species, the annual Brassica nigra and the perennial B. oleracea, exhibit an egg-primable defense trait, even though they have different life spans. Here, we tested whether P. brassicae eggs prime anti-herbivore defenses of the perennial A. lyrata. We exposed A. lyrata to P. brassicae eggs and larval feeding and assessed their primability by (i) determining the biomass of P. brassicae larvae after feeding on plants with and without prior P. brassicae egg deposition and (ii) investigating the plant transcriptomic response after egg deposition and/or larval feeding. For comparison, these studies were also conducted with A. thaliana. Consistent with previous findings, A. thaliana’s response to prior P. brassicae egg deposition negatively affected conspecific larvae feeding upon A. thaliana. However, this was not observed in A. lyrata. Arabidopsis thaliana responded to P. brassicae eggs with strong transcriptional reprogramming, whereas A. lyrata responses to eggs were negligible. In response to larval feeding, A. lyrata exhibited a greater transcriptome change compared to A. thaliana. Among the strongly feeding-induced A. lyrata genes were those that are egg-primed in feeding-induced A. thaliana, i.e., CAX3, PR1, PR5, and PDF1.4. These results suggest that A. lyrata has evolved a robust feeding response that is independent from prior egg exposure.
How host ecology influences the parasite communities of three Australian flathead fishes, Platycephalus spp. (Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)
Authors: Bellingham Owen , Leung Tommy L. F.
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the role of host traits, habitat, and sampling season on the prevalence and intensity of parasites in three species of platycephalid fishes. Three host species sampled were dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus, n = 3), blue-spotted flathead (Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus, n = 38), and tiger flathead (Platycephalus richardsoni, n = 59). A total of 14 metazoan parasite species were collected over 15 months, between July 2020 and September 2021. The parasites found included a chondracanthid copepod, adult hemiuroidean trematodes, cestode plerocercoids, larval and adult acanthocephalans, larval and adult nematodes, and an unknown species of helminth. General linear models were used to assess the relationship between host traits and sampling season with parasite infection intensity. The infection intensity of an unidentified plerocercoid species in P. caeruleopunctatus was found to be significantly associated with both sampling season and the interaction of host mass with sex. In P. richardsoni the infection intensity of the acanthocephalan, Corynosoma sp. was found to correlate with sampling season. The highest richness of parasite taxa was recorded from P. richardsoni, which may be due to the wide depth range of P. richardsoni, coupled with its generalist diet.
Effect of pyloroplasty on clinical outcomes following esophagectomy
Authors: Doran Sophie L. F. , Digby Maria G. , Green Sophie V. , Kelty Clive J. , Tamhankar Anand P.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The role of concurrent pyloroplasty with esophagectomy is unclear. Available literature on the impact of pyloroplasty during esophagectomy on complications and weight loss is varied. Data on the need for further pyloric intervention are scarce. Our study compares the clinical outcomes after esophagectomy with or without pyloroplasty and investigates the role of post-operative pyloric dilatation.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 207) undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagectomy performed by two surgeons at our institution were included. Data on patient demographics, mortality rate, anastomotic leak, respiratory complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3), anastomotic stricture rate, and percentage weight loss at 1 and 2 year post-operatively were evaluated. For weight analysis at 1 and 2 year post-operatively, patients were excluded if they had been diagnosed with recurrence or died prior to the 1 or 2 year timepoints.

Results

Ninety-two patients did not have a pyloroplasty, and 115 patients had a pyloroplasty. There were no complications resulting from pyloroplasty. There was no significant demographic difference between the groups except for age. Mortality rate, anastomotic leak, respiratory complications, anastomotic stricture rate, and percentage weight loss at 1 and 2 years were statistically similar between the two groups. However, 14.1% of patients without pyloroplasty required post-operative endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatation to treat respiratory complications or gastroparesis. Subgroup analysis of patients without pyloroplasty indicated that patients requiring dilatation had greater weight loss at 1 year (15.8% vs 9.4%, p = 0.02) and higher respiratory complications rate (27.3% vs 4.7%, p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Overall results from our study that pyloroplasty during Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is safe and useful to prevent the need for post-operative pyloric dilatation.
Dyadic linear programming and extensions
Authors: Abdi Ahmad , Cornuéjols Gérard , Guenin Bertrand , Tunçel Levent
Published: October 2024

A rational number is dyadic if it has a finite binary representation $$p/2^k$$

p
/

2
k

, where p is an integer and k is a nonnegative integer. Dyadic rationals are important for numerical computations because they have an exact representation in floating-point arithmetic on a computer. A vector is dyadic if all its entries are dyadic rationals. We study the problem of finding a dyadic optimal solution to a linear program, if one exists. We show how to solve dyadic linear programs in polynomial time. We give bounds on the size of the support of a solution as well as on the size of the denominators. We identify properties that make the solution of dyadic linear programs possible: closure under addition and negation, and density, and we extend the algorithmic framework beyond the dyadic case.
Evaluating accession decisions in customs unions: a dynamic machine learning approach
Authors: Naeher Dominik , De Lombaerde Philippe , Saber Takfarinas
Published: October 2024

Previous work in the literature on regional economic integration has proposed the use of machine learning algorithms to evaluate the composition of customs unions, specifically, to estimate the degree to which customs unions match “natural markets” arising from trade flow data or appear to be driven by other factors such as political considerations. This paper expands upon the static approaches used in previous studies to develop a dynamic framework that allows to evaluate not only the composition of customs unions at a given point in time, but also changes in the composition over time resulting from accessions of new member states. We then apply the dynamic algorithm to evaluate the evolution of the global landscape of customs unions using data on bilateral trade flows of 200 countries from 1958 to 2018. A key finding is that there is considerable variation across different accession rounds of the European Union as to the extent to which these are aligned with the structure of “natural markets,” with some accession rounds following more strongly a commercial logic than others. Similar results are also found for other customs unions in the world, complementing the insights obtained from static analyses.
How farmers’ self-identities affect agri-environmental transition in Grassland Use: a mixed method study in the Swiss Alpine Region
Authors: Spörri Martina , Haller Maria , Benni Nadja El , Mack Gabriele , Finger Robert
Published: October 2024

Agri-environmental policies programmes mainly focus on economic incentives for the agri-environmental transition in grassland use. However, barriers rooted in farmers’ self-identities, which determine their behavioural intentions toward environmentally friendly practices, are often unaddressed in policy design. We conceptualise two self-identity gradients, productivist–multifunctionalist–conservationist and traditionalist–innovationist, to analyse drivers and barriers of agri-environmental transition processes among farmers. In order to grasp the complex multidimensional and hierarchical concept of self-identity as initially proposed by Stryker (Journal of Marriage and Family 30: 558–564, 1968), our analysis comprises a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods on a comprehensive dataset of 75 interviews with Swiss alpine grassland farmers. Through the semi-deductive coding of responses to open questions (revealing hierarchical aspects) and a factor analysis of closed, Likert-scale questions (revealing multidimensional aspects), we positioned each farmer along the conceptualised self-identity gradients. Our framework allows to explain contradictory behaviours exhibited by farmers: Our results revealed a mismatch between the farmers’ prevailing conservationist-innovationist self-identity and their actual intensification behaviour. This mismatch can be explained by the discrepancy between the individual self-identity and the prevailing productivist–innovationist idea of a good farmer, on which farmers continue to base their decisions. Within this discrepancy, however, lies the potential for a shift in the idea of what constitutes a good farmer and a consequential agri-environmental transition.
Improving the Kepler optimization algorithm with chaotic maps: comprehensive performance evaluation and engineering applications
Authors: El Ghouate Nawal , Bencherqui Ahmed , Mansouri Hanaa , Maloufy Ahmed El , Tahiri Mohamed Amine , Karmouni Hicham , Sayyouri Mhamed , Askar S. S. , Abouhawwash Mohamed
Published: October 2024

The Kepler Optimisation Algorithm (KOA) is a recently proposed algorithm that is inspired by Kepler’s laws to predict the positions and velocities of planets at a given time. However, although promising, KOA can encounter challenges such as convergence to sub-optimal solutions or slow convergence speed. This paper proposes an improvement to KOA by integrating chaotic maps to solve complex engineering problems. The improved algorithm, named Chaotic Kepler Optimization Algorithm (CKOA), is characterized by a better ability to avoid local minima and to reach globally optimal solutions thanks to a dynamic diversification strategy based on chaotic maps. To confirm the effectiveness of the suggested approach, in-depth statistical analyses were carried out using the CEC2020 and CEC2022 benchmarks. These analyses included mean and standard deviation of fitness, convergence curves, Wilcoxon tests, as well as population diversity assessments. The experimental results, which compare CKOA not only to the original KOA but also to eight other recent optimizers, show that the proposed algorithm performs better in terms of convergence speed and solution quality. In addition, CKOA has been successfully tested on three complex engineering problems, confirming its robustness and practical effectiveness. These results make CKOA a powerful optimisation tool in a variety of complex real-world contexts. After final acceptance, the source code will be uploaded to the Github account: nawal.elghouate@usmba.ac.ma.
Comparison of online maneuvers by authentic and inauthentic local news organizations
Authors: Lepird Christine Sowa , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: October 2024

Inauthentic local news organizations, otherwise known as pink slime, have become a serious problem exploiting the trust of local news since their creation ahead of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. In this paper, we apply the BEND framework, a methodology of classifying social media posts as belonging to sixteen network and narrative maneuvers, to compare and contrast how pink slime sites and authentic local news sites are shared on Facebook Pages. It finds that pink slime sites implemented more positive narrative maneuvers than those of local news sharers. Both news types utilized distraction but to fulfill separate goals—pink slime used it against local and state elections while authentic local news focused on national elections and figureheads. Furthermore, local news employed the neutralize tactic in order to reduce positive sentiment around national politicians.
Tactical decompositions in finite polar spaces and non-spreading classical group actions
Authors: Bamberg John , Giudici Michael , Lansdown Jesse , Royle Gordon F.
Published: October 2024

For finite classical groups acting naturally on the set of points of their ambient polar spaces, the symmetry properties of synchronising and separating are equivalent to natural and well-studied problems on the existence of certain configurations in finite geometry. The more general class of spreading permutation groups is harder to describe, and it is the purpose of this paper to explore this property for finite classical groups. In particular, we show that for most finite classical groups, their natural action on the points of its polar space is non-spreading. We develop and use a result on tactical decompositions (an AB-Lemma) that provides a useful technique for finding witnesses for non-spreading permutation groups. We also consider some of the other primitive actions of the classical groups.