bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LightUrban: Similarity Based Fine‐grained Instancing for Lightweighting Complex Urban Point Clouds
Authors: Lu Z.A. , Xiong W.D. , Ren P. , Jia J.Y.
Published: November 2024

Large‐scale urban point clouds play a vital role in various applications, while rendering and transmitting such data remains challenging due to its large volume, complicated structures, and significant redundancy. In this paper, we present LightUrban, the first point cloud instancing framework for efficient rendering and transmission of fine‐grained complex urban scenes. We first introduce a segmentation method to organize the point clouds into individual buildings and vegetation instances from coarse to fine. Next, we propose an unsupervised similarity detection approach to accurately group instances with similar shapes. Furthermore, a fast pose and size estimation component is applied to calculate the transformations between the representative instance and the corresponding similar instances in each group. By replacing individual instances with their group's representative instances, the data volume and redundancy can be dramatically reduced. Experimental results on large‐scale urban scenes demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm. To sum up, our method not only structures the urban point clouds but also significantly reduces data volume and redundancy, filling the gap in lightweighting urban landscapes through instancing.
Inverse Garment and Pattern Modeling with a Differentiable Simulator
Authors: Yu Boyang , Cordier Frederic , Seo Hyewon
Published: November 2024

The capability to generate simulation‐ready garment models from 3D shapes of clothed people will significantly enhance the interpretability of captured geometry of real garments, as well as their faithful reproduction in the digital world. This will have notable impact on fields like shape capture in social VR, and virtual try‐on in the fashion industry. To align with the garment modeling process standardized by the fashion industry and cloth simulation software, it is required to recover 2D patterns, which are then placed around the wearer's body model and seamed prior to the draping simulation. This involves an inverse garment design problem, which is the focus of our work here: Starting with an arbitrary target garment geometry, our system estimates its animatable replica along with its corresponding 2D pattern. Built upon a differentiable cloth simulator, it runs an optimization process that is directed towards minimizing the deviation of the simulated garment shape from the target geometry, while maintaining desirable properties such as left‐to‐right symmetry. Experimental results on various real‐world and synthetic data show that our method outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods in producing both high‐quality garment models and accurate 2D patterns.
Color‐Accurate Camera Capture with Multispectral Illumination and Multiple Exposures
Authors: Gao H. , Mantiuk R. K. , Finlayson G. D.
Published: November 2024

Cameras cannot capture the same colors as those seen by the human eye because the eye and the cameras' sensors differ in their spectral sensitivity. To obtain a plausible approximation of perceived colors, the camera's Image Signal Processor (ISP) employs a color correction step. However, even advanced color correction methods cannot solve this underdetermined problem, and visible color inaccuracies are always present. Here, we explore an approach in which we can capture accurate colors with a regular camera by optimizing the spectral composition of the illuminant and capturing one or more exposures. We jointly optimize for the signal‐to‐noise ratio and for the color accuracy irrespective of the spectral composition of the scene. One or more images captured under controlled multispectral illuminants are then converted into a color‐accurate image as seen under the standard illuminant of D65. Our optimization allows us to reduce the color error by 20–60% (in terms of CIEDE 2000), depending on the number of exposures and camera type. The method can be used in applications in which illumination can be controlled, and high colour accuracy is required, such as product photography or with a multispectral camera flash. The code is available at https://github.com/gfxdisp/multispectral_color_correction.
SCARF: Scalable Continual Learning Framework for Memory‐efficient Multiple Neural Radiance Fields
Authors: Wang Yuze , Wang Junyi , Wang Chen , Duan Wantong , Bao Yongtang , Qi Yue
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel continual learning framework for synthesising novel views of multiple scenes, learning multiple 3D scenes incrementally, and updating the network parameters only with the training data of the upcoming new scene. We build on Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF), which uses multi‐layer perceptron to model the density and radiance field of a scene as the implicit function. While NeRF and its extensions have shown a powerful capability of rendering photo‐realistic novel views in a single 3D scene, managing these growing 3D NeRF assets efficiently is a new scientific problem. Very few works focus on the efficient representation or continuous learning capability of multiple scenes, which is crucial for the practical applications of NeRF. To achieve these goals, our key idea is to represent multiple scenes as the linear combination of a cross‐scene weight matrix and a set of scene‐specific weight matrices generated from a global parameter generator. Furthermore, we propose an uncertain surface knowledge distillation strategy to transfer the radiance field knowledge of previous scenes to the new model. Representing multiple 3D scenes with such weight matrices significantly reduces memory requirements. At the same time, the uncertain surface distillation strategy greatly overcomes the catastrophic forgetting problem and maintains the photo‐realistic rendering quality of previous scenes. Experiments show that the proposed approach achieves state‐of‐the‐art rendering quality of continual learning NeRF on NeRF‐Synthetic, LLFF, and TanksAndTemples datasets while preserving extra low storage cost.
GauLoc: 3D Gaussian Splatting‐based Camera Relocalization
Authors: Xin Zhe , Dai Chengkai , Li Ying , Wu Chenming
Published: November 2024

3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) has emerged as a promising representation for scene reconstruction and novel view synthesis for its explicit representation and real‐time capabilities. This technique thus holds immense potential for use in mapping applications. Consequently, there is a growing need for an efficient and effective camera relocalization method to complement the advantages of 3DGS. This paper presents a camera relocalization method, namely GauLoc, in a scene represented by 3DGS. Unlike previous methods that rely on pose regression or photometric alignment, our proposed method leverages the differential rendering capability provided by 3DGS. The key insight of our work is the proposed implicit featuremetric alignment, which effectively optimizes the alignment between rendered keyframes and the query frames, and leverages the epipolar geometry to facilitate the convergence of camera poses conditioned explicit 3DGS representation. The proposed method significantly improves the relocalization accuracy even in complex scenarios with large initial camera rotation and translation deviations. Extensive experiments validate the effectiveness of our proposed method, showcasing its potential to be applied in many real‐world applications. Source code will be released at https://github.com/xinzhe11/GauLoc.
Robust Diffusion‐based Motion In‐betweening
Authors: Qin Jia , Yan Peng , An Bo
Published: November 2024

The emergence of learning‐based motion in‐betweening techniques offers animators a more efficient way to animate characters. However, existing non‐generative methods either struggle to support long transition generation or produce results that lack diversity. Meanwhile, diffusion models have shown promising results in synthesizing diverse and high‐quality motions driven by text and keyframes. However, in these methods, keyframes often serve as a guide rather than a strict constraint and can sometimes be ignored when keyframes are sparse. To address these issues, we propose a lightweight yet effective diffusion‐based motion in‐betweening framework that generates animations conforming to keyframe constraints. We incorporate keyframe constraints into the training phase to enhance robustness in handling various constraint densities. Moreover, we employ relative positional encoding to improve the model's generalization on long range in‐betweening tasks. This approach enables the model to learn from short animations while generating realistic in‐betweening motions spanning thousands of frames. We conduct extensive experiments to validate our framework using the newly proposed metrics K‐FID, K‐Diversity, and K‐Error, designed to evaluate generative in‐betweening methods. Results demonstrate that our method outperforms existing diffusion‐based methods across various lengths and keyframe densities. We also show that our method can be applied to text‐driven motion synthesis, offering fine‐grained control over the generated results.
Improving obesity management: Insights from the ACTION Switzerland survey of people with obesity, physicians and dietitians
Authors: Durrer Dominique , Pasi Patrick , Peterli Ralph , Fischer‐Taeschler Doris , Fontana Gabriela , Cavadini Gionata , Gerber Philipp A.
Published: November 2024

ACTION Switzerland (NCT05232786) examined obesity‐related perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and potential barriers to treatment among people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). In March/April 2022, adult PwO (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, per self‐reported height/weight) and physicians/certified dietitians who manage PwO in Switzerland completed online surveys in a cross‐sectional design. Overall, 1002 PwO, 125 physicians and 25 dietitians completed the survey. Most physicians (97%) and dietitians (100%), but only 57% of PwO, recognized obesity as a chronic disease. Only 42% of PwO considered themselves to have obesity/extreme obesity, while 61% who had discussed weight with an HCP reported receiving an obesity diagnosis. Many PwO (76%) believed weight loss was entirely their responsibility; physicians were less likely than dietitians to agree it was completely their patients' responsibility (28% vs. 68%). Physicians and dietitians report primarily initiating conversations about weight when patients have obesity‐related comorbidities (85% and 64%); their top reasons for not discussing obesity were patients' perceived lack of motivation (76% and 60%) or interest (72% and 64%) in losing weight. In conclusion, some PwO are not aware that obesity is a chronic disease and incorrectly assume complete responsibility for weight loss. Improved communication between PwO and HCPs is required.
A cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of family‐centred obesity management program in primary care settings: A study protocol
Authors: Al Yazeedi Basma , Al‐Haddabi Badriya , Waly Mostafa , Al‐Adawi Samir , Al‐Mammari Salima , Al‐Ghammari Ibtesam , Al‐Shammakhi Saleh , Al‐Azkawi Hanan , Khalaf Atika
Published: November 2024

The study aims to test the efficacy of a family‐centred healthy lifestyle program in primary care health centres among children with overweight or obesity, evaluating the results at 3, 6, and 9 months post‐intervention. A single‐blind, randomised controlled cluster study where participants will be blinded to group assignment to reduce bias will be followed. The intervention comprises a 6‐month program with intensive and maintenance behavioural therapies, including dietary modifications and guidelines for physical activity, administered by a multidisciplinary team. Participants will be assigned to an intervention group or a treatment‐as‐usual control group. Primary health centres in Seeb Wilayat, serving densely populated areas and willing to participate, will be included. Randomisation will be conducted at the cluster level to improve recruitment efficiency. A sample size calculation will ensure adequate power to detect significant differences. Ethical approval is granted and informed consent/assent will be obtained from all participants. The proposed study focusses on testing the efficacy of a family‐centred healthy lifestyle program in primary care centres through a controlled, randomised study. Successful outcomes could lead to informed interventions, improvements in the health system, policy recommendations, positive community impacts, information on behavioural therapies, and improved long‐term health outcomes for affected children and their families. This study will contribute to the literature by providing a culturally sensitive and evidence‐based solution to a pressing public health issue, which can be adapted to similar contexts in Oman and beyond.
First Evidence of Individual Sharks Involved in Multiple Predatory Bites on People
Authors: Clua Eric E. G. , Meyer Carl G. , Freeman Mark , Baksay Sandra , Bidenbach Hadrien , Haguenauer Anne , Linnell John D. C. , Séguigne Clémentine , Surina Steven , Vely Michel , Vignaud Thomas , Planes Serge
Published: November 2024

It is widely accepted that populations of terrestrial predators sometimes contain “problem individuals” that repeatedly attack humans, yet this phenomenon has never been demonstrated in sharks. Here, we present photographic and genetic evidence of individuals in populations of tiger Galeocerdo cuvier and oceanic whitetip Carcharhinus longimanus sharks that (1) demonstrated atypical behavior compared to the rest of the population, (2) engaged in repeated agonistic behavior directed toward humans, and (3) bit, or attempted to bite humans in probable foraging attempts. These case studies provide some of the first evidence for the existence of “problem individuals” among sharks. The percentage of fatalities due to the same shark individual are not known, so we recommend systematic swabbing of shark bite victims wounds to better understand the importance of this phenomenon and the possibility of identifying these animals. Environmentally conscientious management options for problem individuals range from prohibiting ocean activities (e.g., swimming and surfing) in their habitats to selectively removing the individual, although the latter would be challenging in the marine environment.
Perineuriomatous Melanocytic Nevi: A Case Series of Four Cases
Authors: Almashad Aya , Lindsey Miki , Zoumberos Nicholas , Shalin Sara C.
Published: November 2024

Background

Melanocytic tumors with perineuriomatous differentiation may pose diagnostic challenges. This study explores characteristics of perineuriomatous melanocytic nevi, an entity merging features of perineurioma and melanocytic nevi. The aim is to elucidate histopathological features of perineuriomatous nevi to allow dermatopathologists to recognize them and differentiate them from other spindle cell lesions.

Method

This study reviews four cases (2020–2023) of melanocytic nevi with perineuriomatous components.

Results

All cases comprised adults (median age: 64.50, mean age: 60.25), with a female predominance, and exhibited clinical features characterized by irregular brown macules or papules on the trunk and extremities. Histopathologically, all lesions were compound, and biphasic patterns were evident, encompassing superficial nevoid and deeper spindled populations arranged in whorled fascicles and embedded in a sclerotic or myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of at least one perineuriomatous marker in deeper cells. Cases were assessed and compared with previously published cases for comprehensive insights. Three of our four cases demonstrated the presence of a junctional component that was smaller than the dermal component. We suggest that this unusual feature, which we term the “reverse shoulder”, may allow dermatopathologists to help consider perineurial differentiation in the appropriate setting.

Conclusion

Perineuriomatous nevi can pose diagnostic challenges. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on perineuriomatous nevi, emphasizing their unique features and the importance of accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary interventions.
A GSD‐driven approach to deriving stochastic soil strength parameters under hybrid machine learning models
Authors: Jiang Hu , Li Yong , Zou Qiang , Zhang Jun , Cui Junfang , Cheng Jianyi , Zhou Bin , Chen Siyu , Zhou Wentao , Yao Hongkun
Published: November 2024

The quantification of soil strength parameters is a crucial prerequisite for constructing physical models related to hydro‐geophysical processes. However, due to ignoring soil spatial variability at different scales, traditional parameter assignment strategies, such as assigning values depending on land use classification or other classification systems, as well as those extrapolation and interpolation methods, are insufficient for physical process modelling. This work addressed this deficiency by proposing a method to derive stochastic soil strength parameters under hybrid machine learning (ML) models, taking into account the grain‐size distribution (GSD) of soil with scaling invariance. The nonlinear connection between GSD parameters (derived from GSD curves, such as μ and Dc), moisture content, and soil shear strength parameters was fitted by the suggested hybrid ML model. An analysis of a case study revealed that: (i) the Multi‐layer Perceptron optimized by the African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (AVOA) algorithm performs the best and can estimate the shear strength parameters of soil mass on vegetated slopes; (ii) all the selected ML models showed significant improvements in predictive performance after optimization with the AVOA, with R2 scores increasing by 24.72% for Support Vector Regressor, 34.04% for eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and 35.53% for Multi‐layer Perceptron; and (iii) soil cohesion has an increasing relationship with the GSD parameter μ, while soil internal friction angle has a negative correlation with the grain‐size parameter Dc. The proposed methodology can give predictions of soil shear strength distribution parameters, providing parameter support for the physical modelling of surface process dynamics.
Cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat drug‐resistant epilepsy: A randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Ma Lei , Shi Xiao‐Jing , Liu Yu , Wu Dian‐Wei , Hao Jian‐Min , Leng Xiu‐Xiu , Jin Lang , Yuan Fang , Sun Zhong‐Qing , Zhao Jing‐Jing , Wang Ling , Shang Lei , Wang Duo‐Lao , Song Chang‐Geng , Jiang Wen
Published: November 2024

Objective

Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent brain diseases. Approximately one third of patients consistently experience drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE), a condition where seizures persist despite the use of antiseizure medications. Exploration of new therapies for DRE is urgently needed. In this single‐center, randomized, sham‐controlled, crossover clinical trial (NCT05042726), we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of transcranial magnetic continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the cerebellum to treat DRE.

Methods

Patients with DRE for ≥2 years and a seizure frequency of ≥2 seizures per month were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive active stimulation followed by sham stimulation or vice versa. The bilateral cerebellum was targeted by navigated cTBS focusing on the cerebellar dentate nucleus, once daily on workdays for 2 weeks. The primary outcomes were the percentage of seizure reduction and 50% responder rate in the per‐protocol population within 2 months after treatment.

Results

Forty‐four patients were enrolled and randomized; 18 patients in the active stimulation‐first group and 20 in the sham stimulation‐first group were included in the final analysis. Active cTBS significantly reduced seizures compared to sham stimulation (difference in percentage of seizure reduction between treatments = 25%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5%–46%, p = .018). The 50% responder rate after active stimulation was significantly higher than that after sham stimulation (difference in 50% responder rate between treatments = 24%, 95% CI = 11%–40%, p = .029). Adverse events occasionally occurred during active stimulation (moderate headache in 5% of patients, tinnitus in 3% of patients, dizziness in 3% of patients) but resolved spontaneously within days after treatment completion.

Significance

This trial suggested that cTBS targeting the cerebellum was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of DRE. Further studies are warranted to confirm its effectiveness and mechanism.
Entrepreneurship and gender: An appreciation of studies in Brazil
Authors: Machado Hilka Pelizza Vier
Published: November 2024

This study analyzes the set of Brazilian scientific production in the themes Entrepreneurship and Gender associate to highlight the gender perspectives in these publications. A semi‐systematic literature review was carried out, according to the studies published until the year 2022, in the databases Spell, Scielo, and in the following scientific journals: International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Gender in Management, and Gender, Work and Organization. We selected 102 articles for reading. The studies were classified into five themes: (a) the impact of entrepreneurship on a woman's personal life; (b) aspects associated with management and entrepreneurship; (c) socialization and context; (d) gender and intersectionality; and (e) evaluation of the field of studies. An agenda for future studies is suggested. This research encourages Brazilian researchers to develop new studies and insights on the subject. In addition, it presents elements to guide policies and provide financial support to research aimed at understanding entrepreneurship and gender.
Gene flow stimulates recovery of reproductive fitness in a captive bred insect
Authors: Stuart Oliver P. , Cleave Rohan , Pearce Kate , Magrath Michael J. L. , Mikheyev Alexander S.
Published: November 2024

Captive breeding can be a useful tool for the management of threatened species, but such programs often begin with a bottleneck which may lower reproductive fitness by increasing inbreeding and allowing deleterious alleles to increase in frequency by reducing effective population size.

Dryococelus australis, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, is a critically endangered insect that has been bred at the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, since shortly after the species was rediscovered in 2001. We analysed a long‐term dataset of phenotypic measurements from this captive breeding program to determine whether reproductive fitness has declined in captivity.

We found a clear signal of decline in direct (egg hatching success) and indirect (egg and nymph size) fitness indicators over time. We compared a captive line descended from the original program founders to a new hybrid line that has recent wild ancestry. The hybrid line showed an immediate improvement in egg hatch rate, suggesting the potential for genetic rescue. Egg and nymph size did not show as dramatic a change, although this line had only existed for just over a single generation at the time of data collection.

These results argue strongly for the regular sourcing of new genetic material from the wild D. australis population to counteract fitness declines in captivity. Aside from benefiting the captive population, this would also improve the prospects of establishing new wild populations in the future, using individuals sourced from captivity.
Associations Between Interleukin‐10 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Sjögren's Syndrome: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lee Young Ho , Song Gwan Gyu
Published: November 2024

This study sought to investigate the association between interleukin‐10 (IL10) polymorphisms and susceptibility to Sjögren's syndrome. A systematic search of the Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify relevant articles from inception to April 2024. No restrictions were placed on race, ethnicity or geographic area, but only studies published in English were included. A meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate the association among the IL10‐1082 G/A (rs1800896), ‐819 C/T (rs1800871) and ‐592 C/A (rs1800872) polymorphisms, as well as their haplotypes and the risk of developing Sjögren's syndrome. The included studies involved 998 Sjögren's syndrome patients and 1576 controls. Ten studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis of the IL10‐1082 G/A polymorphism revealed no significant association with Sjögren's syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.115, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.888–1.401, p = 0.343), with stratification by ethnicity yielding consistent results for Europeans and Latin Americans. Similarly, the IL10‐819 C/T polymorphism was not associated with Sjögren's syndrome in any study subjects (OR = 0.859, 95% CI: 0.648–1.138, p = 0.290). The IL10‐592 C allele also exhibited no association with Sjögren's syndrome (OR = 1.131, 95% CI: 0.776–1.646, p = 0.522). However, the GCC carrier status demonstrated a significant association with Sjögren's syndrome across all study subjects (OR = 1.496, 95% CI: 1.200–1.865, p < 0.001), particularly in Europeans (OR = 1.444, 95% CI: 1.085–1.921, p = 0.012) and Latin Americans (OR = 1.324, 95% CI: 1.115–2.366, p = 0.012). A significant protective effect of the homozygous ATA/ATA haplotype on Sjögren's syndrome was found in Europeans (OR = 0.320, 95% CI: 0.121–0.846, p = 0.022).

This meta‐analysis indicates a significant link between carrying the GCC haplotype of the IL10‐1082 G/A, ‐819 C/T and ‐592 C/A polymorphisms and an increased susceptibility to Sjögren's syndrome. Conversely, the homozygous ATA/ATA haplotype appears to confer protection against the risk of Sjögren's syndrome, particularly in European populations.
Career success and geographical location: A systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Wang Huainan , Beigi Mina , Baruch Yehuda
Published: November 2024

Geographical location sets the broad scene for people's access to knowledge and resources that are critical for career progression. Acknowledging the importance of location and following calls for a contextualized approach to career studies, an increasing body of literature on career success has incorporated geographical considerations over the past decades. However, this literature remains fragmented across disciplines, and a comprehensive understanding of how location influences individual success is lacking. This gap limits researchers’ ability to explain, predict and interpret the role of geographical location in career success. This gap also impedes a clear understanding of multi‐level influences that shape career outcomes, as location is a critical aspect of the macro context. We conducted a systematic review of 99 empirical studies published from 1970 to 2024, using a multi‐disciplinary, multi‐method and multi‐faceted approach. We developed an integrative model that illuminates how factors embedded in geographical context affect multiple aspects of career success through imprinting, (de)mobilizing and contingency mechanisms. Our review advances knowledge of career success from proximal to distal contexts and offers a shifting perspective of city and national career actors. In addition, it extends several streams of theory and scholarship by revealing the cross‐level effects on individual outcomes. We propose a future research agenda and provide suggestions for general career actors, companies and policymakers.
Exemption and work environment
Authors: Izumi Yutaro , Kawaguchi Daiji , Kuroda Sachiko , Tsubota Taiga
Published: November 2024

The Labor Standards Act of Japan requires employers to compensate employees based on hours worked, but exemptions apply to specific occupations with agreements between employers and employees. We assess the impact of being exempted on hours worked, earnings, and the physical and mental health conditions of employees. We find that, on average, exempt workers work longer hours and earn more than nonexempt workers, without hurting their health status. We also find, however, that being exempted exacerbates health status when it is applied to employees who do not have discretion in how and when they work.
Attempts to Modify Periodontal Screening Models Based on a Self‐Reported Oral Health Questionnaire in the Medical Care Setting
Authors: Nijland N. , Su N. , Gerdes V. E. A. , Loos B. G.
Published: November 2024

Aim

Periodontal disease (PD) screening models based on a self‐reported questionnaire were previously established and externally validated. The aim of the present study is to explore whether the screening models could be modified to improve prediction performance; this methodology is called ‘updating’.

Methods

Updating the models for ‘total’ and ‘severe’ PD was performed using two datasets. One dataset from a previous study (n = 155) was used to explore the updating, and a second (n = 187, built for the current study) was used to validate whether updating improved performance. Updating was based on different statistical approaches, including model recalibration and revision. Discrimination and calibration were assessed after updating.

Results

For ‘total’ PD, the update based on model revision improved its performance. However, still low AUCs were found: 0.64 (0.56–0.73) and 0.61 (0.53–0.69) with corresponding O:E ratios 1.00 (0.80–1.23) and 0.92 (0.75–1.13) in the update and validation cohorts, respectively. For ‘severe’ PD, performance of the original model without update performed still the best; AUCs were 0.72 (0.61–0.83) and 0.75 (0.66–0.84) in the update and validation cohorts, respectively, with corresponding O:E ratios 0.60 (0.38–0.84) and 0.62 (0.42–0.87).

Conclusions

The updating methodology did not further improve the performance of the original ‘severe’ PD screening model; it performed satisfactorily in the medical care setting. Despite updating attempts, the screening model for ‘total’ PD remained sub‐optimal. Screening for ‘severe’ PD can now be implemented in the medical care setting.
Commentary: Using QbTest for monitoring pharmacological treatment response in ADHD – are we there yet?
Authors: Bellato Alessio , Parlatini Valeria , Groom Madeleine J. , Hall Charlotte L. , Hollis Chris , Simonoff Emily , Thapar Anita , Cortese Samuele
Published: November 2024

Individuals with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit varied responses to pharmacological treatments (e.g. stimulants and non‐stimulants). Accurately and promptly detecting treatment‐related improvements, response failure, or deterioration poses significant challenges, as current monitoring primarily relies on subjective ratings. In this commentary, we critically evaluate the evidence supporting the use of QbTest for objectively monitoring ADHD treatment response in clinical practice. We also offer recommendations for future research, advocating for rigorous clinical trials and longitudinal studies to further explore the potential utilisation of QbTest and other tools for monitoring treatment responses in individuals with ADHD.
Research on Fluidizing of Swirling Transport of Bulk Grain Based on Gas–Solid Coupled Bin Pump
Authors: Zhang Hanshan , Li Yongxiang , Xu Xuemeng , Wei Wenji , Song Hai Hao , Shang Kun
Published: November 2024

To improve the fluidization state of bulk grain in the bin pump in the conveying process, save the time of sending material and improve the conveying efficiency. Add the swirling device at the inlet of the bin pump, and use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the key parts of the axial flow pneumatic conveying bulk grain particle system and the bin pump to introduce the swirling technology bin pump. Comparison of the two under the same conditions swirling pneumatic conveying pressure of 0.25MPa, 0.3MPa and 0.35MPa when the material length of 13s, 10s, 8s, respectively, compared with the axial conveying material speed were increased by 18.6%, 28.9%, 20.1%; from the inlet of the lead pipe to the exit of the pressure was reduced by 94.58%, 94.55% and 94.65%; the inlet and the outlet of the pressure were reduced by 94.65%; the inlet and the outlet of the pump were reduced by 94.58% and 94.55%, respectively. 94.65%; the gas‐solid two‐phase velocity at the inlet and outlet were improved compared with axial pneumatic conveying, in which the gas‐phase velocity at the inlet was increased by 81.4% on average, the gas‐phase velocity at the outlet was increased by 67.6% on average, the particle velocity at the inlet was increased by 28.9% on average, and the particle velocity at the outlet was increased by 29.2% on average. Through the experiments to compare the two conveying methods, in 0.25MPa, 0.30MPa and 0.35MPa three different pressures under the time used to send material. Swirling pneumatic conveying material speed increased by 19.5%, 30.1%, 23.9%, respectively, the swirling pneumatic conveying material rate is higher than the axial flow pneumatic conveying and the material process is stable.
Transient receptor potential channel 6 knockout ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Zeng Xixi , Liao Yanhong , Cheng Weiyi
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim

Hepatic fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver injury and can eventually lead to cirrhosis, which is a major public health concern. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate the synthesis and decomposition of ECM, but the specific mechanism of them remains unclear. Transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), a non‐selective cation channel, plays an important role in organic fibrosis. However, the role of TRPC6 in liver fibrosis is rarely studied.

Methods

Here, we investigated the function of TRPC6 in the activation of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX‐2 in vitro and bile duct ligation (BDL)‐induced hepatic fibrosis in vivo by western blot, Ca2+ imaging, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

We first found that TRPC6 was upregulated in fibrotic liver tissues and TRPC6 knockout inhibited BDL‐induced hepatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) treatment increased TRPC6 expression and thapsigargin (Tg)‐mediated SOCE in LX‐2 cells, which was decreased by the TRPC6 specific inhibitor SAR7334. Blockage of TRPC6 by SAR7334 or TRPC6‐shRNA transfection attenuated TGF‐β1‐induced LX‐2 cell activation and proliferation via the PI3K/AKT/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Conclusions

These observations suggested that TRPC6 contribute to LX‐2 cell activation and hepatic fibrosis, and downregulation of TRPC6 may become a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in the future.
Lipoprotein(a) concentrations and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease: Results from the German Chronic Kidney Disease study
Authors: Gruber Ida , Kollerits Barbara , Forer Lukas , Di Maio Silvia , Schachtl‐Riess Johanna F. , Kheirkhah Azin , Schönherr Sebastian , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Köttgen Anna , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe , Coassin Stefan , Lamina Claudia , Kronenberg Florian
Published: November 2024

Background

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a causal, genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased CVD risk and elevated Lp(a) concentrations. Only a few studies on Lp(a) were performed in persons with mild‐to‐moderate CKD; none of them used genetic variants to explore potential causal associations.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the association of measured and genetically predicted Lp(a) concentrations on prevalent and incident CVD events in the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study.

Methods

The study included 5043 participants of European ancestry with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the presence of overt albuminuria with a follow‐up of 6.5 years.

Results

With each 10 mg/dL higher Lp(a) concentration, odds for prevalent CVD (1290 events) increased 1.065‐fold (95%CI: 1.042–1.088, p < 0.001). The risk was significantly higher in patients with Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL but most pronounced in Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL (odds ratio = 1.775 [1.409–2.231], p < 0.001) compared to Lp(a) <30 mg/dL. Each 10 mg/dL higher Lp(a) concentration and Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL increased the risk for incident 3‐point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (474 events): hazard ratio [HR] = 1.037 [1.009–1.067], p = 0.009 and HR = 1.335 [1.001–1.781], p = 0.050), respectively. Similar results were obtained for 4‐point MACE (653 events). Analyses based on apo(a) isoforms and genetically predicted Lp(a) concentrations led to even stronger associations.

Conclusions

In patients with mild‐to‐severe CKD, elevated Lp(a) concentrations and genetic determinants of Lp(a) concentrations are significantly associated with CVD at baseline and during follow‐up, independent of traditional risk factors.
It could be my son! ‘Himpathy’ and the male fear defence in rape trials
Authors: UHNOO SARA , WETTERGREN ÅSA , BLADINI MOA
Published: November 2024

Why do legal professionals mention their sons when discussing a new consent‐based rape law? Drawing on feminist legal studies and sociology of emotions, this article investigates a discourse of male fear of rape accusations among Swedish legal professionals and how defence lawyers strategically employ it. The analysis shows that a male fear defence is deployed to evoke a specific kind of sympathy termed ‘himpathy’ among judges. The male fear discourse serves as a himpathy resource to problematize the implications of the new rape law and to explain irrational behaviour from men accused of rape, instilling doubts about the complainant's credibility, suggesting false accusations, and creating an imagined ‘ruined’ future for the accused man if convicted, including his and his relatives’ shame over the rapist stigma. The findings highlight the role of background emotions in legal practice concerning rape and how the law remains ‘himpathetic’ despite radical consent‐based rape legislation.
Paternal involvement and children's internalization of gender roles in early childhood
Authors: Herbaut Estelle , Delès Romain , Diter Kevin
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study investigates the effects of paternal involvement on the frequency of gender‐incongruent activities in children's play at age 2.

Background

Recent research suggests that paternal involvement is associated with more gender egalitarian attitudes in children and a more egalitarian distribution of housework tasks between sons and daughters. Although previous studies have tested the effects of paternal involvement on teenage children, the process of internalization of gender norms and roles in early childhood has not yet been investigated.

Method

Analyses are based on the French Elfe cohort with information at age 2 for 11,564 children born in 2011. Multivariate linear and multinomial logistic regression models were run separately for sons and daughters.

Results

Paternal involvement in early childhood was associated with more frequent gender‐incongruent activities in boys' but not in girls' play at age 2. The effect of paternal involvement further varied depending on the type of involvement: involvement in housework tasks and childcare was associated with more gender‐incongruent activities for sons but paternal participation in children's play increased the frequency of activities gender‐typed as masculine, independently of the child's sex.

Conclusion

Paternal involvement in housework and childcare in early childhood shapes gender‐typed activities in toddlers' play for sons but not for daughters. It contributes to “undoing gender” in play activities for boys and, in doing so, narrows the gender gap in children's play.
Rapid declines in species diversity and occurrence of common plant species are related to nutrient availability and soil moisture in open habitats
Authors: Buron Maxime , Porcher Emmanuelle , Fédoroff Eric , Berrod Luc , Vallet Jeanne , Bardet Olivier , Martin Gabrielle , Machon Nathalie
Published: November 2024

Aims

Environmental changes in Europe influence plant community composition, but the literature quantifying these changes often shows inconsistent trends, due mostly to heterogeneous survey methods. Here, we investigated temporal changes in plants over 12 years at the species and community level at a regional scale, using a standardized, plot‐based monitoring scheme.

Location

Data originated from 1,389 permanent plots of a standardized monitoring scheme targeting plant communities. Plots were distributed in the Burgundy region (France), initially grouped into 175 (2 km × 2 km) grid cells containing eight 10‐m2 plots each, that were surveyed in at least 2 years between 2009 and 2020.

Methods

We characterized changes in vascular plants in 10‐m2 plots by examining the temporal changes in the probability of occurrence of common species, changes in species diversity using species richness, Shannon–Wiener and Pielou's indices and changes in abundance‐weighted mean community ecological preferences using Ellenberg indicator values.

Results

Across 198 common species, probability of occurrence in the region has shown a decline since 2009. This decline is associated with a general decrease by 13% of both species richness and the Shannon index between 2009 and 2020. This trend was stronger in annual crops and grasslands, whereas forest diversity remained relatively constant over time. Pielou's index diminished on average, except in natural forests. Mean community Ellenberg indicator values suggested slight changes in plant community composition, with an increasing preference for nutrient‐poor soils and Atlantic conditions over time.

Conclusions

The observed biodiversity loss in the Burgundy region is consistent with a widespread shift in community composition in response to environmental change. Existing conservation measures do not seem to compensate for the average losses, indicating that these measures are still inadequate to protect plant communities. Our approach also emphasizes the speed at which plant communities are changing and thus the need for better monitoring of the European flora.
Damage‐level classification considering both correlation between image and text data and confidence of attention map
Authors: Maeda Keisuke , Ogawa Naoki , Ogawa Takahiro , Haseyama Miki
Published: November 2024

In damage‐level classification, deep learning. models are more likely to focus on regions unrelated to classification targets because of the complexities inherent in real data, such as the diversity of damages (e.g., crack, efflorescence, and corrosion). This causes performance degradation. To solve this problem, it is necessary to handle data complexity and uncertainty. This study proposes a multimodal deep learning model that can focus on damaged regions using text data related to damage in images, such as materials and components. Furthermore, by adjusting the effect of attention maps on damage‐level classification performance based on the confidence calculated when estimating these maps, the proposed method realizes an accurate damage‐level classification. Our contribution is the development of a model with an end‐to‐end multimodal attention mechanism that can simultaneously consider both text and image data and the confidence of the attention map. Finally, experiments using real images validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Noise‐robust structural response estimation method using short‐time Fourier transform and long short‐term memory
Authors: Yun Da Yo , Park Hyo Seon
Published: November 2024

Structural response estimation based on deep learning can suffer from reduced estimation performance owing to discrepancies between the training and test data as the noise level in the test data increases. This study proposes a short‐time Fourier transform‐based long short‐term memory (STFT‐LSTM) model to improve estimation performance in the presence of noise and ensure estimation robustness. This model enables robust estimations in the presence of noise by positioning an STFT layer before feeding the data into the LSTM layer. The output transformed into the time‐frequency domain by the STFT layer is learned by the LSTM model. The robustness of the proposed model was validated using a numerical model with three degrees of freedom at various signal‐to‐noise ratio levels, and its robustness against impulse and periodic noise was verified. Experimental validation assessed the estimation robustness under impact load and verified the robustness against environmental noise in the acquired acceleration response.
Identification and Validation of Novel Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Hardness in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Hu Wenjing , Wang Zunjie , You Junchao , Yong Rui , Li Dongshen , Gao Zhifu , Jia Jizeng , Lu Chengbin
Published: November 2024

Grain hardness (GH) plays an important role in wheat quality evaluation. Identification of new genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) for GH is an effective strategy for wheat quality breeding. Here, we used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between two hard wheat Yangmai 4 (YM4) and Yanzhan 1 (YZ1) to identify QTL for GH. No QTL was detected on 5D chromosome, as parents YM4 and YZ1 possessed the two hard alleles Pinb‐D1b and Pinb‐D1p at the Hardness‐5D (Ha‐5D) locus, respectively. A total of three GH QTL were identified, among which QGh.yaas‐4B and QGh.yaas‐7D could be detected in all experiments and for mean value, explaining 8.69%–15.07% of the phenotypic variances. QGh.yaas‐4D, co‐located with Rht‐D1, was detected in one experiment and for mean value, explaining 9.94%–11.39% of the phenotypic variances. We were not able to precisely validate QGh.yaas‐4B due to its large mapping interval. Kompetitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) markers for QGh.yaas‐7D were successfully developed, and then QGh.yaas‐4D and QGh.yaas‐7D were validated in a panel of 101 wheat cultivars/lines (all carrying Pina‐D1a and Pinb‐D1a alleles). Cultivars/lines harbouring the positive alleles of QGh.yaas‐4D and QGh.yaas‐7D increased GH by 85.16% relative to the ones without any positive allele. These results provide new loci and resources in molecular breeding for wheat hardness.