bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can language models automate data wrangling?
Authors: Jaimovitch-López Gonzalo , Ferri Cèsar , Hernández-Orallo José , Martínez-Plumed Fernando , Ramírez-Quintana María José
Published: December 2022

The automation of data science and other data manipulation processes depend on the integration and formatting of ‘messy’ data. Data wrangling is an umbrella term for these tedious and time-consuming tasks. Tasks such as transforming dates, units or names expressed in different formats have been challenging for machine learning because (1) users expect to solve them with short cues or few examples, and (2) the problems depend heavily on domain knowledge. Interestingly, large language models today (1) can infer from very few examples or even a short clue in natural language, and (2) can integrate vast amounts of domain knowledge. It is then an important research question to analyse whether language models are a promising approach for data wrangling, especially as their capabilities continue growing. In this paper we apply different variants of the language model Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) to five batteries covering a wide range of data wrangling problems. We compare the effect of prompts and few-shot regimes on their results and how they compare with specialised data wrangling systems and other tools. Our major finding is that they appear as a powerful tool for a wide range of data wrangling tasks. We provide some guidelines about how they can be integrated into data processing pipelines, provided the users can take advantage of their flexibility and the diversity of tasks to be addressed. However, reliability is still an important issue to overcome.
Factors impacting on the retention of students from under-represented groups in initial teacher education in Ireland
Authors: Keane Elaine , Heinz Manuela , Lynch Andrea
Published: December 2022

Initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in Ireland have seen continued high demand for places, reflecting high regard for the teaching profession. However, there is a dearth of diversity amongst Ireland’s student teacher and teaching populations, with the vast majority of entrants to ITE being from majority ethnic groups and a high proportion from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Diversifying the teaching profession has come to be of research and policy significance in recent decades in Ireland. This paper explores issues of retention in ITE in Ireland, with a focus on supporting the engagement and completion of student teachers from under-represented groups. We draw on data collected as part of the Access to Post-primary Teaching (APT) project, funded under the Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH): Strand 1 (Equity of Access to Initial Teacher Education), including interviews with ‘working class’ student teachers and a focus group interview with teacher educators. While the paper highlights high retention rates in ITE in Ireland, it reports key barriers that particularly negatively impact student teachers from under-represented groups, in relation to identity and belonging, and finance and part-time work. The paper also observes the necessity of a high level of support by programme staff in maintaining high retention rates more generally in ITE programmes. Given the significant barriers student teachers from under-represented groups encounter in ITE, their high levels of retention merits further research, particularly the roles played by their motivation and by the specific additional supports provided by ITE staff and teacher diversity projects.
Soziale Unterstützung und Informationsaneignung von ungewollt Schwangeren
Authors: Bomert Christiane
Published: December 2022

Ausgangspunkt des hier vorgestellten partizipativen Praxisforschungsprojekts mit Schwangerschaftskonfliktberatungsstellen aus der Region Stuttgart sind die anhaltenden gesellschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen über Schwangerschaftsabbrüche. Mithilfe einer standardisierten wie teilstandardisierten Befragung der am Beratungsgespräch beteiligten Personen fragt das Projekt, welche soziale Unterstützung im Umfeld ungewollt schwangerer Frauen besteht und welche Möglichkeiten einer medizinisch korrekten und moralisch neutralen Informationsaneignung über den Abbruch es gibt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich die gesellschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen z. T. in Richtung einer Individualisierung des Themas hin auswirken.
Von Baumdiagrammen über Doppelbäume zu Häufigkeitsnetzen – kognitive Überlastung oder didaktische Unterstützung?
Authors: Binder Karin , Steib Nicole , Krauss Stefan
Published: December 2022

In stochastischen Situationen mit zwei dichotomen Merkmalen erlauben weder die schulüblichen Baumdiagramme noch Vierfeldertafeln die simultane Darstellung sämtlicher in der Situation möglicher Wahrscheinlichkeiten. Das im vorliegenden Beitrag vorgestellte Netz hat die Kapazität, alle vier möglichen Randwahrscheinlichkeiten, alle vier Schnittwahrscheinlichkeiten sowie alle acht bedingten Wahrscheinlichkeiten gleichzeitig darzustellen. Darüber hinaus ist – aufgrund der Knoten-Ast-Struktur des Netzes – die simultane Darstellung von Wahrscheinlichkeiten und absoluten Häufigkeiten mit dieser Visualisierung ebenfalls möglich. Bei der sukzessiven Erweiterung des typischen Baumdiagramms zunächst zum Doppelbaum und schließlich zum Netz sinkt der Inferenzgrad (d. h. weniger kognitive Schritte sind erforderlich) z. B. für Fragen nach bedingten Wahrscheinlichkeiten, aber gleichzeitig steigt die Komplexität der Darstellung und somit die extrinsische kognitive Belastung. Im vorliegenden Artikel erfolgt zunächst ein theoretischer Vergleich dieser Knoten-Ast-Strukturen. Eine anschließende Studie illustriert, dass sich die sukzessive Erweiterung bereits vollständig ausgefüllter Diagramme positiv auf die Performanz von N = 269 Schülerinnen und Schülern auswirkt. Obwohl Häufigkeitsdoppelbäume und Häufigkeitsnetze den Schülerinnen und Schülern gänzlich unbekannt waren, unterstützten diese Visualisierungen die Schülerinnen und Schüler bei der Bearbeitung der Aufgaben am meisten.
Photoelectrochemical energy conversion using hybrid photoelectrodes
Authors: Shiyani T. , Dube Charu Lata
Published: December 2022

We demonstrated the basil sensitized hybrid photoelectrodes for photocurrents and fuel generation. Hybrid photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) were proposed for direct solar energy conversion. The biohybrid device allows tunable control of energy conversion through the chemically stable photoelectrode. Biohybrid PEC was prepared by integrating organic and inorganic layers on fluorine doped tin oxide substrate. This integrated assembly produces electricity upon the illumination of visible light and drives overall water splitting reaction to generate solar fuel. The basil layer enhances the overall absorption with wide spectrum range and hence, a strong increment in generation of photocurrent is observed in the biohybrid PEC device. This hybrid PEC device can also be used to generate solar fuels and solar power.
Alternative Weltordnungen. Stärkt Russlands Ukraine-Krieg internationale Antagonismen?
Authors: Schirm Stefan A.
Published: December 2022

Russlands Überfall auf die Ukraine schärft die Konturen internationaler Antagonismen. Die unterschiedlichen Lager bestanden allerdings seit längerem und formierten sich in den letzten zwei Dekaden bereits deutlich. Dem politischen Westen mit seinen postulierten Werten der Demokratie, Marktwirtschaft, Menschenrechte und friedlichen Konfliktbeilegung steht zunehmend ein politischer Süden gegenüber, der nationale Autonomie, Nicht-Einmischung in interne Angelegenheiten und staatlich gesteuerte wirtschaftliche Entwicklung priorisiert. Der politische Süden verweigert sich der westlichen Militärhilfe für die Ukraine sowie den Sanktionen gegen Russland, pflegt nach wie vor enge Beziehungen zu Moskau und kritisiert westliche Weltordnungsansprüche als Bevormundung. Zentrale Akteure sind hierbei die Schwellenländer der BRICS, die in der letzten Dekade die Schaffung neuer internationaler Organisationen als Alternativen zu den westlich dominierten Institutionen der Liberal International Order (LIO) vorantrieben. Allerdings haben die Staaten des Südens die Institutionen der LIO nicht verlassen und führen meist ihre intensiven Wirtschaftsbeziehungen mit dem Westen weiter.
Fundamentalism and modernity: the case of Theravada
Authors: Frasch Tilman
Published: December 2022

The article investigates the possibility of the Theravada fraternity at the Mahavihara monastery of Sri Lanka became a ‘fundamentalist’ movement especially in its quarrel with king Mahasena in the 4th century CE. Beginning with defining the crucial constituents of fundamentalism, the article explores the major organisational and religious conflict lines between the three monastic traditions and highlights the use of Pali as a specific language to encode the canon. Though not all of the aspects of the definition are met, the Mahavihara showed clear signs of an inward-looking, exclusivist and scripturalist movement; features that it shares with ‘fundamentalist’ movements. The article thus questions the relatively fixed connection between fundamentalism and modernity, which is a common feature of current research on fundamentalism.
The action of enhancing weak light capture via phototropic growth and chloroplast movement in plants
Authors: Xin Guang-yuan , Li Lu-ping , Wang Peng-tao , Li Xin-yue , Han Yuan-ji , Zhao Xiang
Published: December 2022

To cope with fluctuating light conditions, terrestrial plants have evolved precise regulation mechanisms to help optimize light capture and increase photosynthetic efficiency. Upon blue light-triggered autophosphorylation, activated phototropin (PHOT1 and PHOT2) photoreceptors function solely or redundantly to regulate diverse responses, including phototropism, chloroplast movement, stomatal opening, and leaf positioning and flattening in plants. These responses enhance light capture under low-light conditions and avoid photodamage under high-light conditions. NON-PHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL 3 (NPH3) and ROOT PHOTOTROPISM 2 (RPT2) are signal transducers that function in the PHOT1- and PHOT2-mediated response. NPH3 is required for phototropism, leaf expansion and positioning. RPT2 regulates chloroplast accumulation as well as NPH3-mediated responses. NRL PROTEIN FOR CHLOROPLAST MOVEMENT 1 (NCH1) was recently identified as a PHOT1-interacting protein that functions redundantly with RPT2 to mediate chloroplast accumulation. The PHYTOCHROME KINASE SUBSTRATE (PKS) proteins (PKS1, PKS2, and PKS4) interact with PHOT1 and NPH3 and mediate hypocotyl phototropic bending. This review summarizes advances in phototropic growth and chloroplast movement induced by light. We also focus on how crosstalk in signaling between phototropism and chloroplast movement enhances weak light capture, providing a basis for future studies aiming to delineate the mechanism of light-trapping plants to improve light-use efficiency.
Modeling the growth of H2S-producing bacteria in tropical brackish water shrimp under fluctuating temperature regimes
Authors: Dabadé D. Sylvain , Zannou Oscar , Azokpota Paulin , Hounhouigan D. Joseph
Published: December 2022

H2S-producing bacteria are known to be an important group of spoilage organisms associated with tropical brackish water shrimp (Penaeus notialis). This study aimed at developing a mathematical model predicting the growth of H2S-producing bacteria in P. notialis as a function of temperature for a better shrimp quality management. Shrimp samples were stored at various temperatures from 0 to 28 °C. At appropriate time intervals, samples were taken out for the enumeration of H2S-producing bacteria. Two primary models (the Baranyi model and the reparameterized Gompertz model) and two secondary models (the Ratkowsky equation and the Arrhenius equation) were used for comparison purpose. The developed model was validated under fluctuating storage temperatures simulating temperature fluctuation in the shrimp supply chain. The results showed that the initial concentration of H2S-producing bacteria was 3.6 ± 0.1 log (CFU/g). The maximum concentration reached at the end of storage was temperature dependent. As expected, storage temperature had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on growth rates of H2S-producing bacteria during shrimp storage. The reparameterized Gompertz model and the Arrhenius equation performed better (lower root mean square error of the residuals) and were selected as primary and secondary models, respectively in this study. The validation of the developed model showed that it can be used to predict satisfactorily the growth of H2S-producing bacteria, thus to predict the shelf-life of tropical brackish water shrimp.
Quantum remote sensing with atom-light entangled interface
Authors: Shi Minwei , Ming Sheng , Wu Shuhe , Zhang Dong , Du Wei , Yang Peiyu , Bao Guzhi , Guo Jinxian , Zhang Weiping
Published: December 2022

Quantum remote sensing utilizes quantum entanglement between the probe and the receiver to enhance the capability to sense a remote target. Quantum illumination is considered as a promising protocol to realize such a quantum technology in an environment of high loss and intense noise. However, the protocol requires an additional on-demand quantum memory, the imperfect performance of which diminishes the quantum advantage and limits the enhancement of sensing. In this paper, we propose a new protocol for quantum remote sensing based on quantum illumination with atom-light entangled interface. Compared to conventional light-only quantum illumination, the proposed protocol utilizes Raman coupling to create a long-lived atomic spin wave entangled with a Stokes light. The atomic spin wave, automatically built-in memory via the Raman coupling, acts as a local reference. The entangled Stokes light is used as a probe to irradiate a remote target. Meanwhile, the returned probe light from target is detected through coupling again to the atomic spin wave. A joint measurement on the returned probe light and spin wave is performed to discriminate the target. A 4 dB quantum enhancement over classical illumination is estimated. The atom-light entangled interface naturally integrates the quantum source, quantum memory, and quantum receiver in a single unit which exhibits great potential to develop highly compact and portable devices for quantum-enhanced remote sensing.
Addressing misalignments to improve the US health care system by integrating patient-centred care, patient-centred real-world data, and knowledge-sharing: a review and approaches to system alignment
Authors: Levine Douglas S. , Drossman Douglas A.
Published: December 2022

Background

The ills of the United States health care system have been debated for decades. Imbalance in the system’s strengths and performance shortfalls stem from misalignments among system participants.

Methods

We examine the conflicts that health care system participants provoke in essential features of health care—information, products, services, and access—using a two-part model. The first part comprises patient-provider relationships that give rise to patient-centred care. The second part includes stakeholders that influence patient-provider relationships but do not provide direct patient care. Misalignments between these parts interfere with the system’s quadruple aim: to improve population health, enhance both patient and provider care experiences, and reduce per-capita costs.

Results

Knowledge-sharing and documented practices and tools to implement patient-centred care and use real-world data can help to align the health care system. Patients, providers, and stakeholders should meet patient-centred care objectives because the patient should be the centre of all health care system operations. Alignment is driven by patient-centred real-world data generated by patient-provider relationships and used by stakeholders. Patient-centred real-world data reveal informative portrayals of patient preferences, health outcomes, resource utilization, and costs across subpopulations. These data enable stakeholders to produce patient-centred information, products, services, and access. These stakeholder outputs meet patients’ individual needs, support providers’ personalized care, and improve system-wide care quality, satisfaction, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

Patient-centred real-world data are valuable commodities and an aligning force. The United States health care system must remove barriers to providers’ patient-centred care practices, use patient-centred real-world data generated from ideal patient-provider relationships, and prioritize patient-centred care among all participants.
Machine Learning for Lung Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
Authors: Li Yawei , Wu Xin , Yang Ping , Jiang Guoqian , Luo Yuan
Published: December 2022

The recent development of imaging and sequencing technologies enables systematic advances in the clinical study of lung cancer. Meanwhile, the human mind is limited in effectively handling and fully utilizing the accumulation of such enormous amounts of data. Machine learning-based approaches play a critical role in integrating and analyzing these large and complex datasets, which have extensively characterized lung cancer through the use of different perspectives from these accrued data. In this review, we provide an overview of machine learning-based approaches that strengthen the varying aspects of lung cancer diagnosis and therapy, including early detection, auxiliary diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and immunotherapy practice. Moreover, we highlight the challenges and opportunities for future applications of machine learning in lung cancer.
The Cambridge Introduction to American Poetry since 1945
Authors: Epstein Andrew
Published: December 2022

Contemporary American poetry can often seem intimidating and daunting in its variety and complexity. This engaging and accessible book provides the first comprehensive introduction to the rich body of American poetry that has flourished since 1945 and offers a useful map to its current landscape. By exploring the major poets, movements, and landmark poems at the heart of this era, this book presents a compelling new version of the history of American poetry that takes into account its variety and breadth, its recent evolution in the new millennium, its ever-increasing diversity, and its ongoing engagement with politics and culture. Combining illuminating close readings of a wide range of representative poems with detailed discussion of historical, political, and aesthetic contexts, this book examines how poets have tirelessly invented new forms and styles to respond to the complex realities of American life and culture.
A fuzzy model to predict the mechanical characteristics of friction stir welded joints of aluminum alloy AA2014-T6
Authors: Ashok S.K. , Ponni alias sathya S.
Published: December 2022

Friction stir welding is a prominent technique for making defect-free joints of aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloy AA2014-T6 finds wide applications in aerospace, naval and automotive applications. This paper attempts to predict the tensile strength and hardness characteristics of friction stir welded aluminum alloy AA2014-T6 by a fuzzy logic model. Friction stir welding was carried out by varying tool rotational speed (700, 1,000 and 1,400rpm), welding speed (20, 35, 50mm/min) and axial force (10, 12, 14kN) at three levels. The tensile strength and hardness characteristics of the welded specimens were obtained from the experiments conducted as per Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array. A Mamdani-type fuzzy logic model was developed to predict the tensile strength and nugget hardness characteristics of the FSW joints. The fuzzy model was evaluated by comparing the results of confirmation experiments with that of the results predicted by the model. The confirmation experiments were conducted with a new set of parameters other than the ones used for building the model. The fuzzy model exhibits marginal variations of 2.53% for tensile strength and 2.42% for weld nugget hardness compared to the results of the conformation experiments.
Thrombolysis in Stroke Mimics: Comprehensive Stroke Centers vs Telestroke Sites
Authors: Nair Radhika , Khan Khurshid , Stang Jillian M. , Halabi Mary-Lou , Youngson Erik , Alrohimi Anas , Shuaib Ashfaq
Published: December 2022

Background:

Hyperacute treatment of acute stroke may lead to thrombolysis in stroke mimics (SM). Our aim was to determine the frequency of thrombolysis in SM in primary stroke centers (PSC) dependent on telestroke versus comprehensive stroke centers (CSC).

Method:

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Quality improvement and Clinical Research (QuICR) registry, the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD), and The National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) of consecutive patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Alberta (Canada) from April 2016 to March 2021.

Result:

A total of 2471 patients who received thrombolysis were included. Linking the QuICR registry to DAD 169 (6.83%) patients were identified as SM; however, on our review of the records, only 112 (4.53%) were actual SM. SMs were younger with a mean age of 61.66 (±16.15) vs 71.08 (±14.55) in stroke. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was higher in stroke with a median (IQR) of 10 (5–17) vs 7 (5–10) in SM. Only one patient (0.89 %) in SM groups had a small parenchymal hemorrhage versus 155 (6.57%) stroke patients had a parenchymal hemorrhage. There was no death among patients of thrombolysed SM during hospitalization versus 276 (11.69%) in stroke. There was no significant difference in the rate of SM among thrombolysed patients between PSC 27 (5.36%) versus CSC 85 (4.3%) (P = 0.312). The most responsible diagnosis of SM was migraine/migraine equivalent, functional disorder, seizure, and delirium.

Conclusion:

The diagnosis of SM may not always be correct when the information is extracted from databases. The rate of thrombolysis in SM via telestroke is similar to treatment in person at CSC.
A comparison of methods for microbiologic environmental sampling
Authors: Thompson Sharon C. , Rutala William A. , Sickbert-Bennett Emily E. , DiBiase Lauren M. , Anderson Deverick J. , Weber David J. ,   for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: December 2022

We compared the effectiveness of 4 sampling methods to recover Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Clostridioides difficile from contaminated environmental surfaces: cotton swabs, RODAC culture plates, sponge sticks with manual agitation, and sponge sticks with a stomacher. Organism type was the most important factor in bacterial recovery.
Lack of correlation between standardized antimicrobial administration ratios (SAARs) and healthcare-facility–onset Clostridioides difficile infection rates in Veterans Affairs medical facilities
Authors: Evans Martin E. , Jones Makoto M. , Davis Kelly W. , Lane Matthew T. , Simbartl Loretta A. , McCauley Brian P. , Gauldin Natalie , Roselle Gary A.
Published: December 2022

We detected no correlation between standardized antimicrobial administration ratios (SAARs) and healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection (HO-CDI) rates in 102 acute-care Veterans Affairs medical centers over 16 months. SAARs may be useful for investigating trends in local antimicrobial use, but no ratio threshold demarcated HO-CDI risk.
Assessing the Credibility of Constitutional Experts
Authors: Braman Eileen
Published: December 2022

This study investigates how citizens assess the credibility of constitutional experts on matters of government authority. Analyses of data from two similarly designed experiments, conducted with national samples, reveal that partisanship, race, and level of education are significant predictors of survey respondents’ willingness to extend credibility to constitutional experts. The compatibility of the views expressed by experts with respondents’ own policy views on issues that are the subject of proposed government action is also important. Evidence shows that this consistency is more important in the decision that experts are credible than in decisions that they are not credible, suggesting that esteem motives are relevant in the decision to credit experts who express views congenial to our own that are distinct from social-identity motives scholars have theorized to be important in partisan resistance to expertise. The implications of findings for holding government officials accountable to constitutional limits on government authority are considered.
COMPLETE LOGICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEAM PROPERTIES
Authors: KONTINEN JUHA , YANG FAN
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we introduce a logic based on team semantics, called
$\mathbf {FOT} $
, whose expressive power is elementary, i.e., coincides with first-order logic both on the level of sentences and (possibly open) formulas, and we also show that a sublogic of
$\mathbf {FOT} $
, called
$\mathbf {FOT}^{\downarrow } $
, captures exactly downward closed elementary (or first-order) team properties. We axiomatize completely the logic
$\mathbf {FOT} $
, and also extend the known partial axiomatization of dependence logic to dependence logic enriched with the logical constants in
$\mathbf {FOT}^{\downarrow } $
.
Statutory interpretation after Brexit: implications from a case study of VAT
Authors: Zu Yige
Published: December 2022

As the UK left the European Union, a new body of UK law, labelled ‘retained EU law’, was introduced to save and convert certain parts of EU law into UK statutes. This paper explores the impact of Brexit on statutory interpretation in the UK in the context of VAT. In particular, it looks at whether, and the manner in which, UK courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will move in different directions when interpreting what is essentially the same law. The paper predicts the post-Brexit evolution of statutory interpretation in UK courts based on an empirical study of cases concerning VAT referred by UK courts to the CJEU between 1973 and 2020, augmented by a doctrinal analysis of selected cases. The methodology is built on the premise that past case decisions may provide an indication of the nature of possible future divergence. A case study of VAT may offer wider implications as to departure from the CJEU jurisprudence in other legal areas in the coming years.
Common index divisor of the number fields defined by
Authors: Jakhar Anuj , Kaur Sumandeep , Kumar Surender
Published: December 2022

Let $K={\mathbf {Q}}(\theta )$ be an algebraic number field with $\theta$ a root of an irreducible polynomial $x^5+ax+b\in {\mathbf {Z}}[x]$. In this paper, for every rational prime $p$, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions on $a,\,~b$ so that $p$ is a common index divisor of $K$. In particular, we give sufficient conditions on $a,\,~b$ for which $K$ is non-monogenic. We illustrate our results through examples.
Green fodder cultivation improves technical efficiency of dairy farmers in semi-arid tropics of central India: a micro-analysis
Authors: Choudhary Bishwa Bhaskar , Sharma Purushottam , Singh Priyanka , Kumar Sunil , Gupta Gaurendra , Kantwa S. R. , Upadhyay Deepak , Wasnik Vinod Kumar , Prasad Mahendra , Sharma R. K.
Published: December 2022

This study assessed the impact of improved green fodder production activities on technical efficiency (TE) of dairy farmers in climate vulnerable landscapes of central India. We estimated stochastic production frontiers, considering potential self-selection bias stemming from both observable and unobservable factors in adoption of fodder interventions at farm level. The empirical results show that TE for treated group ranges from 0.55 to 0.59 and that for control ranges from 0.41 to 0.48, depending on how biases are controlled. Additionally, the efficiency levels of both adopters and non-adopters would be underestimated if the selectivity bias is not appropriately accounted. As the average TE is consistently higher for adopter farmers than the control group, promoting improved fodder cultivation would increase input use efficiency, especially in resource-deprived small holder dairy farmers in the semi-arid tropics.
Transitioning food environments and diets of African migrants: implications for non-communicable diseases
Authors: Osei-Kwasi Hibbah , Boateng Daniel , Asamane Evans Atiah , Akparibo Robert , Holdsworth Michelle
Published: December 2022

Non-communicable diseases disproportionately affect African migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in high-income countries (HICs). Evidence suggests this is largely driven by forces that include migration, globalisation of unhealthy lifestyles (poor diet, physical inactivity and smoking), unhealthy food environments, socio-economic status and population ageing. Changes in lifestyle behaviours that accompany migration are exemplified primarily by shifts in dietary behaviours from more traditional diets to a diet that incorporates that of the host culture, which promotes the development of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and CVD. The current paper presents a critical analysis of dietary change and how this is influenced by the food environment and the socio-economic context following migration. We used a food systems framework to structure the discussion of the interaction of factors across the food system that shape food environments and subsequent dietary changes among African migrant populations living in HICs.
Deep problems with neural network models of human vision
Authors: Bowers Jeffrey S. , Malhotra Gaurav , Dujmović Marin , Llera Montero Milton , Tsvetkov Christian , Biscione Valerio , Puebla Guillermo , Adolfi Federico , Hummel John E. , Heaton Rachel F. , Evans Benjamin D. , Mitchell Jeffrey , Blything Ryan
Published: December 2022

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have had extraordinary successes in classifying photographic images of objects and are often described as the best models of biological vision. This conclusion is largely based on three sets of findings: (1) DNNs are more accurate than any other model in classifying images taken from various datasets, (2) DNNs do the best job in predicting the pattern of human errors in classifying objects taken from various behavioral datasets, and (3) DNNs do the best job in predicting brain signals in response to images taken from various brain datasets (e.g., single cell responses or fMRI data). However, these behavioral and brain datasets do not test hypotheses regarding what features are contributing to good predictions and we show that the predictions may be mediated by DNNs that share little overlap with biological vision. More problematically, we show that DNNs account for almost no results from psychological research. This contradicts the common claim that DNNs are good, let alone the best, models of human object recognition. We argue that theorists interested in developing biologically plausible models of human vision need to direct their attention to explaining psychological findings. More generally, theorists need to build models that explain the results of experiments that manipulate independent variables designed to test hypotheses rather than compete on making the best predictions. We conclude by briefly summarizing various promising modeling approaches that focus on psychological data.
Constant rank factorisations of smooth maps, with applications to sonar
Authors: Robinson Michael
Published: December 2022

Sonar systems are frequently used to classify objects at a distance by using the structure of the echoes of acoustic waves as a proxy for the object’s shape and composition. Traditional synthetic aperture processing is highly effective in solving classification problems when the conditions are favourable but relies on accurate knowledge of the sensor’s trajectory relative to the object being measured. This article provides several new theoretical tools that decouple object classification performance from trajectory estimation in synthetic aperture sonar processing. The key insight is that decoupling the trajectory from classification-relevant information involves factoring a function into the composition of two functions. The article presents several new general topological invariants for smooth functions based on their factorisations over function composition. These invariants specialise to the case when a sonar platform trajectory is deformed by a non-small perturbation. The mathematical results exhibited in this article apply well beyond sonar classification problems. This article is written in a way that supports full mathematical generality.
Postpone the Great Game
Authors: Schechner Richard
Published: December 2022

The Great Game of the 19th century was the struggle between Russia and the British in Afghanistan to control India. The Ukraine war is a new version of the Great Game. In the 1930s to defeat the Japanese, an existential threat to China, Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek postponed their civil war. Climate change is the world’s existential threat. Let’s postpone all wars to deal with climate change.
Terahertz non-destructive testing of power generator bars with a dielectric waveguide antenna
Authors: Bauer Maris , Hussung Raphael , Matheis Carsten , Mashkin Andrey , Krane Stefan , Pohlmann Friedhelm , Friederich Fabian
Published: December 2022

Terahertz technologies for non-destructive testing (NDT) are continuing to find their way into the industrial sector in the context of very specific inspection tasks. Part of this development is the capability to adapt terahertz systems in such a way that they can meet the sometimes harsh challenges and requirements of real-world industrial scenarios. One such scenario is the inspection of components with limited available measurement space. In particular, we show here the terahertz NDT inspection of the mica insulation of generator bars of turbogenerators at power plants, where an early on-site detection of defects and cracks in the insulation can be crucial, but where only few centimeters of space between adjacent bars are available. To address this problem, we have developed a measurement system combining a 100 GHz all-electronic terahertz transceiver with a low-loss dielectric waveguide antenna with 90 degree tip. We achieve sub-wavelength image resolution by scanning the waveguide antenna's tip over the surface of the generator bars in a near-field measurement setup. Employing a frequency-modulated continuous wave technique, we obtain depth-resolved, volumetric terahertz images of the objects under test. We discuss here the implementation and performance of the implemented measurement system for terahertz NDT inspection. keywords: terahertz, non-destructive testing, dielectric waveguides, frequency-modulated continuous wave, millimeter waves, power generators
Reductions in California's Urban Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Yañez C. C. , Hopkins F. M. , Xu X. , Tavares J. F. , Welch A. , Czimczik C. I.
Published: December 2022

Fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (ffCO2) constitute the majority of greenhouse gas emissions and are the main determinant of global climate change. The COVID‐19 pandemic caused wide‐scale disruption to human activity and provided an opportunity to evaluate our capability to detect ffCO2 emission reductions. Quantifying changes in ffCO2 levels is especially challenging in cities, where climate mitigation policies are being implemented but local emissions lead to spatially and temporally complex atmospheric mixing ratios. Here, we assess ffCO2 emission patterns associated with pandemic‐induced changes to human activity using direct observations of on‐road CO2 mole fractions in the Los Angeles (LA) urban area and analyses of the radiocarbon (14C) content of annual grasses collected by community scientists throughout California, USA. With COVID‐19 mobility restrictions in place in 2020, we observed a significant reduction in ffCO2 levels across California, especially in urban centers. In LA, on‐road CO2 enhancements were 60 ± 16% lower than the corresponding period of 2019 and rebounded to pre‐pandemic levels by 2021. Plant 14C analysis indicated ffCO2 reductions of 5 ± 10 ppm in 2020 relative to pre‐pandemic observations in LA. However, ffCO2 emission trajectories varied substantially by region and sector as COVID‐related restrictions were relaxed. Further development of these techniques could aid efforts to monitor decarbonization in cities, especially in developing countries without established CO2 monitoring infrastructure.
Regionally Variable Contribution of Dissolved Organic Phosphorus to Marine Annual Net Community Production
Authors: Letscher Robert T. , Wang Wei‐Lei , Liang Zhou , Knapp Angela N.
Published: December 2022

Marine dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) serves as an organic nutrient to marine autotrophs, sustaining a portion of annual net community production (ANCP). Numerical models of ocean circulation and biogeochemistry have diagnosed the magnitude of this process at regional to global scales but have thus far been validated against DOP observations concentrated within the Atlantic basin. Here we assimilate a new marine DOP data set with global coverage to optimize an inverse model of the ocean phosphorus cycle to investigate the regionally variable role of marine DOP utilization by autotrophs contributing to ANCP. We find ∼25% of ANCP accumulates as DOP with a regionally variable pattern ranging from 8% to 50% across nine biomes investigated. Estimated mean surface ocean DOP lifetimes of ∼0.5–2 years allow for transport of DOP from regions of net production to net consumption in subtropical gyres. Globally, DOP utilization by autotrophs sustains ∼14% (0.9 Pg C yr−1) of ANCP with regional contributions as large as ∼75% within the oligotrophic North Atlantic and North Pacific. Shallow export and remineralization of DOP within the ocean subtropics contributes ∼30%–80% of phosphate regeneration within the upper thermocline (<300 m). These shallow isopycnals beneath the subtropical gyres harboring the preponderance of remineralized DOP outcrop near the poleward edge of each gyre, which when combined with subsequent lateral transport equatorward by Ekman convergence, provide a shallow overturning loop retaining phosphorus within the subtropical biome, likely helping to sustain gyre ANCP over multiannual to decadal timescales.
Constraints on the Lithospheric Kinematics in the Aegean and Western Anatolia Unveiled by SKS Splitting Observations
Authors: Erman C. , Yolsal‐Çevikbilen S. , Eken T. , Tilmann F. , Keleş D. , Taymaz T.
Published: December 2022

The present study investigates azimuthal anisotropy and its relation to the geodynamical processes beneath the back‐arc of the Hellenic subduction zone in the eastern Aegean and western Anatolia where surface tectonics is dominated by the right‐lateral strike‐slip North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the north and E‐W oriented normal fault systems. We obtained apparent SKS splitting parameters from 1,660 good quality and 137 null measurements extracted from 542 events recorded at 40 permanent broadband seismic stations. Overall, the station‐averaged splitting parameters indicate NNE‐SSW oriented fast directions (∼N20°E) and splitting delays around ∼1.5 s. The large splitting delays, particularly observed beneath the northern Aegean can be explained by either an enlarged mantle wedge thickness or increased strength of upper mantle anisotropy. We constrain complex anisotropy structures within two layer models from notable backazimuthal variations in individual splitting measurements observed beneath a few stations at the north located in a close proximity to the NAFZ and central‐western Anatolia. At the western end of the NAFZ, our estimated upper layer anisotropy direction (at ∼120 km) is rather parallel to the NAFZ reflecting the imprint of a lithospheric petrofabric formed by recent deformation while in central‐western Anatolia they correlate well with maximum shear directions and small splitting delays (∼0.6 s) appear to further support relatively thin lithosphere (∼90 km). An overall pattern of extension‐parallel fast directions (N10°E) within lower layer can be attributed to the slab rollback‐induced mantle flow that is highly oblique with respect to the WSW‐ward motion of the Anatolian lithosphere.
Expert consensus on regenerative endodontic procedures
Authors: Wei Xi , Yang Maobin , Yue Lin , Huang Dingming , Zhou Xuedong , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Qi , Qiu Lihong , Huang Zhengwei , Wang Hanguo , Meng Liuyan , Li Hong , Chen Wenxia , Zou Xiaoying , Ling Junqi
Published: December 2022

Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) is a biologic-based treatment modality for immature permanent teeth diagnosed with pulp necrosis. The ultimate objective of REPs is to regenerate the pulp-dentin complex, extend the tooth longevity and restore the normal function. Scientific evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of REPs in promotion of root development through case reports, case series, cohort studies, and randomized controlled studies. However, variations in clinical protocols for REPs exist due to the empirical nature of the original protocols and rapid advancements in the research field of regenerative endodontics. The heterogeneity in protocols may cause confusion among dental practitioners, thus guidelines and considerations of REPs should be explicated. This expert consensus mainly discusses the biological foundation, the available clinical protocols and current status of REPs in treating immature teeth with pulp necrosis, as well as the main complications of this treatment, aiming at refining the clinical management of REPs in accordance with the progress of basic researches and clinical studies, suggesting REPs may become a more consistently evidence-based option in dental treatment.
Anterior cingulate glutamate metabolites as a predictor of antipsychotic response in first episode psychosis: data from the STRATA collaboration
Authors: Egerton Alice , Griffiths Kira , Casetta Cecila , Deakin Bill , Drake Richard , Howes Oliver D. , Kassoumeri Laura , Khan Sobia , Lankshear Steve , Lees Jane , Lewis Shon , Mikulskaya Elena , Millgate Edward , Oloyede Ebenezer , Pollard Rebecca , Rich Nathalie , Segev Aviv , Sendt Kyra-Verena , MacCabe James H.
Published: December 2022

Elevated brain glutamate has been implicated in non-response to antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia. Biomarkers that can accurately predict antipsychotic non-response from the first episode of psychosis (FEP) could allow stratification of patients; for example, patients predicted not to respond to standard antipsychotics could be fast-tracked to clozapine. Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), we examined the ability of glutamate and Glx (glutamate plus glutamine) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and caudate to predict response to antipsychotic treatment. A total of 89 minimally medicated patients with FEP not meeting symptomatic criteria for remission were recruited across two study sites. 1H-MRS and clinical data were acquired at baseline, 2 and 6 weeks. Response was defined as >20% reduction in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total score from baseline to 6 weeks. In the ACC, baseline glutamate and Glx were higher in Non-Responders and significantly predicted response (P < 0.02; n = 42). Overall accuracy was greatest for ACC Glx (69%) and increased to 75% when symptom severity at baseline was included in the model. Glutamate metabolites in the caudate were not associated with response, and there was no significant change in glutamate metabolites over time in either region. These results add to the evidence linking elevations in ACC glutamate metabolites to a poor antipsychotic response. They indicate that glutamate may have utility in predicting response during early treatment of first episode psychosis. Improvements in accuracy may be made by combining glutamate measures with other response biomarkers.
Using developmental regression to reorganize the clinical importance of autistic atypicalities
Authors: Gagnon David , Zeribi Abderrahim , Douard Élise , Courchesne Valérie , Huguet Guillaume , Jacquemont Sébastien , Loum Mor Absa , Mottron Laurent
Published: December 2022

Early regression (ER) is often reported in autistic children with a prototypical phenotype and has been proposed as a possible pathognomonic sign present in most autistic children. Despite the uncertainties attached to its definition and report, using ER to anchor the autism phenotype could help identify the signs that best contribute to an autism diagnosis. We extracted retrospective data from 1547 autistic children between the ages of 6 and 18 years from the Simons Simplex collection. Logistic regression identified the atypicalities associated with a history of ER. Stepwise variable selection using logistic regression analysis followed by a bootstrap procedure of 1000 iterations identified the cluster of atypicalities best associated with ER. Linear and logistic regressions measured the association between combinations of atypicalities within the identified cluster and adaptative behaviors, diagnostic areas of severity, and other categories. Seven atypicalities significantly increased the likelihood of having experienced ER (OR = 1.73–2.13). Four (“hand leading—ever”, “pronominal reversal—ever”, “never shakes head at age 4–5” and “stereotypic use of objects or interest in parts of objects—ever”), when grouped together, best characterized the phenotype of verbal autistic children with ER. This clustering of signs was associated with certain persistent language difficulties, higher summary scores on a diagnostic scale for autism, and greater odds of receiving an “autistic disorder” diagnosis instead of another pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) diagnosis. These results raise questions about using language as a clinical specifier, defining cross-sectional signs independent of their relationship with an early developmental trajectory, and relying on polythetic criteria or equivalent weighted autistic atypicalities.
Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97) inhibition reduces viral clearance and induces toxicity associated with muscular damage
Authors: del Rio Oliva Marta , Basler Michael
Published: December 2022

Valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97 has emerged as a central regulator of the ubiquitin–proteasome system by connecting ubiquitylation and degradation. The development of CB-5083, an ATPase D2-domain-selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of VCP/p97, allows targeting of the ubiquitin–proteasome system in human diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of CB-5083 on the immune response in mice by using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) as an infection model. We demonstrate that LCMV infection increased the susceptibility to CB-5083 treatment in a CD8-independent manner. Administration of CB-5083 to mice reduced the cytotoxic T cell response and impaired viral clearance. Compared to uninfected cells, CB-5083 treatment enhanced the unfolded protein response in LCMV-infected cells. Administration of CB-5083 during the expansion of CD8+ T cells led to strong toxicity in mice within hours, which resulted in enhanced IL-6 levels in the serum and accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins. Furthermore, we linked the observed toxicity to the specific formation of aggregates in the skeletal muscle tissue and the upregulation of both lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in the serum.