bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of voluntary and stimulated neuromuscular jitter studies in ocular myasthenia gravis
Authors: Cosentino Giuseppe , Prunetti Paolo , Tammam Giulia , Zaffina Chiara , Gastaldi Matteo , Tassorelli Cristina , Alfonsi Enrico , Todisco Massimiliano
Published: July 2024

Introduction/Aims

There is a lack of studies comparing the accuracy of neuromuscular jitter analysis during voluntary activation (v‐jitter study) versus axonal stimulation (s‐jitter study). The study aimed to compare these two techniques in the same population of patients with suspected ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG).

Methods

Fourteen control subjects (mean age: 55.5 ± 15.2 years) and 34 patients with suspected OMG (mean age: 59 ± 13.9 years) were prospectively evaluated. Twenty spike pairs and 30 individual spikes were analyzed during v‐jitter and s‐jitter study, respectively. Two different criteria for abnormal individual jitter values were evaluated: ≥ or > than 10% values exceeding the upper normal limit.

Results

OMG was diagnosed in 19 patients based on clinical and laboratory findings, without considering jitter measurements. In most patients, v‐jitter and s‐jitter analyses provided comparable results. The maximum sensitivity (89%) was achieved with s‐jitter study using the ≥10% criterion, while the maximum specificity (93%) was found with v‐jitter study using the >10% criterion.

Discussion

Both v‐jitter and s‐jitter studies showed good to very good accuracy for the diagnosis of OMG, in the absence of any statistically significant difference. Therefore, the patient's cooperation level and examiner's experience should guide the choice of performing v‐jitter or s‐jitter analysis in patients with suspected OMG.
Predation of stocked Rainbow Trout in an Alabama tailwater
Authors: Baker Sarah M. , Sammons Steven M.
Published: July 2024

Objective

Coldwater releases from reservoirs support economically valuable sport fisheries for salmonids in the southern United States. The tailwater of Lewis Smith Dam in northwestern Alabama supports the only coldwater fishery in the state, with monthly stockings of about 1500 catchable-size (200–406 mm total length) Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Historically, the return to angler creel has been low in this fishery, and few large Rainbow Trout are caught. Numerous potential predators of stocked trout exist in this tailwater, including Gulf-strain Striped Bass Morone saxatilis, which are stocked annually in a downstream reservoir. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the amount of predation, which occurs on Rainbow Trout in the Smith Lake tailwater.

Methods

Potential predators of Rainbow Trout were collected six times over a 3-week period after stocking in March, May, June, and October 2018.

Result

Rainbow Trout were found in the stomachs of Striped Bass, hybrid striped bass (White Bass Morone chrysops × Striped Bass), Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans, and Chain Pickerel Esox niger. Only Striped Bass exhibited substantial predation on stocked Rainbow Trout, with 75% of these fish having at least one trout in their stomach. Of all identifiable prey items, Rainbow Trout composed 82% of the Striped Bass diet by number across all four sample months and constituted more than 65% of the Striped Bass diet by number in each sample month. Bioenergetics models predicted that a population of 500 Striped Bass living continuously in the tailwater from March through October could consume all Rainbow Trout stocked during each month. If Striped Bass vacated the area or switched from trout to other diet items for one-third of each month, they could still consume almost 60% of stocked trout.

Conclusion

Results of this study demonstrate that Striped Bass are significant predators of Rainbow Trout in the Smith Lake tailwater and are likely one of the main factors mediating Rainbow Trout survival and persistence in this fishery.
Evaluation of techniques for estimating the age and growth of known-age White Sturgeon
Authors: Ghere Courtnie L. , Hardy Ryan S. , Wilson Sean M. , Quist Michael C.
Published: July 2024

Objective

Successful conservation and management of fishes require an understanding of their age and growth. However, methods for estimating the age and growth of long-lived fish species are difficult to validate. The Kootenai River basin has a decades-long mark–recapture program for endangered White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. The mark–recapture history information for White Sturgeon allowed for the evaluation of fin rays for age and growth analysis.

Methods

Age was estimated from pectoral fin rays of known-age White Sturgeon (n = 162) to evaluate ageing accuracy and precision. Lengths were back-calculated using four models and measurements obtained from two fin ray transects (i.e., lateral and posterior).

Result

Between-reader agreement for White Sturgeon ages was 58.7%. Consensus age agreement with known ages was poor (30.7%) and decreased with age. Among the four back-calculation models, the Fraser–Lee model provided the lowest root mean square error and percent error. Estimates of mean back-calculated lengths at age derived from the Fraser–Lee model were similar between the two measurement transects. Back-calculated lengths at age were similar to known lengths at age.

Conclusion

Ageing of White Sturgeon using fin rays was unreliable, and accuracy decreased with fish age. Back-calculated lengths at age were accurate using measurements from fin rays of known-age fish. Length estimates from the two measurement transects were similar when using the Fraser–Lee method, suggesting that they may be used interchangeably.
Flourishing organizational innovation through psychological capital and organizational culture: An empirical examination
Authors: Tripathi Aastha , Dhir Swati
Published: July 2024

The present study intends to investigate the relative significance of psychological capital (Psycap) and organizational culture in predicting organizational innovation (OI). Using social cognitive and conservation of resources theories, the present research was undertaken with a sample of 527 managerial executives employed by diverse Indian firms. Self‐reporting questionnaires were distributed to respondents using the method of purposive sampling. To evaluate the structured model, a dominance analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM) were conducted. The analysis revealed that Psycap positively and significantly relates to OI. Moreover, the results suggest the relevance of organizational culture in fostering creativity within employees and thus facilitating OI accordingly. The result pinpoints that Psycap and organizational culture can enhance OI. Organizations can plan the necessary interventions that enhance Psycap and facilitate the creation of a healthy organizational culture, which can lead to OI. This study provides novel insights by revealing the overlooked roles of Psycap and organizational culture in managing OI.
mzIdentML 1.3.0 – Essential progress on the support of crosslinking and other identifications based on multiple spectra
Authors: Combe Colin W. , Kolbowski Lars , Fischer Lutz , Koskinen Ville , Klein Joshua , Leitner Alexander , Jones Andrew R. , Vizcaíno Juan Antonio , Rappsilber Juri
Published: July 2024

The mzIdentML data format, originally developed by the Proteomics Standards Initiative in 2011, is the open XML data standard for peptide and protein identification results coming from mass spectrometry. We present mzIdentML version 1.3.0, which introduces new functionality and support for additional use cases. First of all, a new mechanism for encoding identifications based on multiple spectra has been introduced. Furthermore, the main mzIdentML specification document can now be supplemented by extension documents which provide further guidance for encoding specific use cases for different proteomics subfields. One extension document has been added, covering additional use cases for the encoding of crosslinked peptide identifications. The ability to add extension documents facilitates keeping the mzIdentML standard up to date with advances in the proteomics field, without having to change the main specification document. The crosslinking extension document provides further explanation of the crosslinking use cases already supported in mzIdentML version 1.2.0, and provides support for encoding additional scenarios that are critical to reflect developments in the crosslinking field and facilitate its integration in structural biology. These are: (i) support for cleavable crosslinkers, (ii) support for internally linked peptides, (iii) support for noncovalently associated peptides, and (iv) improved support for encoding scores and the corresponding thresholds.
Modelling and inference for a degradation process with partial maintenance effects
Authors: Leroy Margaux , Bérenguer Christophe , Doyen Laurent , Gaudoin Olivier
Published: July 2024

This paper proposes a new way of modelling imperfect maintenance in degradation models, by assuming that maintenance affects only a part of the degradation process. More precisely, the global degradation process is the sum of two dependent Wiener processes with drift. Maintenance has an effect of the ‐type on only one of these processes: it reduces the degradation level of a quantity which is proportional to the amount of degradation of this process accumulated since previous maintenance. Two particular cases of the model are considered: perturbed and partial replacement models. The usual model is also a specific case of this new model. The system is regularly inspected in order to measure the global degradation level. Two observation schemes are considered. In the complete scheme, the degradation levels are measured both between maintenance actions and at maintenance times (just before and just after). In the general scheme, the degradation levels are measured only between maintenance actions. The maximum likelihood estimation of the model parameters is studied for both observation schemes in both particular models. The quality of the estimators is assessed through a simulation study.
Robust inverse control strategy for dissolved oxygen concentration based on disturbance boundary estimation
Authors: Han Honggui , Tang Zecheng , Li Hongjie , Yang Hongyan , Wu Xiaolong
Published: July 2024

Wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs) possess the characteristics of multiple disturbances, which make it difficult to achieve the accurate control of desired dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. To address this issue, this paper proposes a robust inverse control strategy based on disturbance boundary estimation (DBE‐RIC). First, a nonlinear disturbance observer based on disturbance boundary estimation is introduced to reconstruct the disturbances, which enables DBE‐RIC to deal with internal and external disturbances simultaneously. Second, an inverse controller based on inverse transformation and the reconstructed disturbance signals is designed to obtain the control law under unknown dynamics of WWTPs. Third, a projection operator is presented to adjust the controller parameters online. Then, the RIC controller can accomplish the accurate tracking control of DO concentration. Furthermore, the stability of the proposed strategy in the sense of Lyapunov and the guidelines associated with the control parameters are given. Lastly, the experimental results on the benchmark simulation platform BSM1 demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of DBE‐RIC compared to other methods.
Distributed output consensus of heterogeneous linear multi‐agent systems with dynamic quantization
Authors: Ma Ji , Chen Ziqin , Ji Haibo
Published: July 2024

The output consensus problem for heterogeneous linear multi‐agent systems (MASs) without strongly connected communication graphs is investigated via quantization communication. In this work, we propose an efficient distributed control law composed of distributed quantized observers and compensators to accomplish this task. Particularly, we first employ a dynamic encoding–decoding scheme to design the distributed quantized observer, which is able to accurately estimate the state of the leader for MASs. Then, an appropriate compensator is constructed to show that asymptotic output consensus can be achieved with 5‐level quantizer, even if neither global knowledge of communication graphs nor the information about initial states of all agents is required. Finally, a numerical example is used to validate the effectiveness of our distributed control law for MASs.
How can corporate digital responsibility (CDR) be measured in line with corporate social responsibility (CSR)? A new theoretical approach in construction 4.0
Authors: Weber‐Lewerenz Bianca , Traverso Marzia
Published: July 2024

Corporate responsibility in Civil Engineering in the digital era is changing rapidly. An attempt is made to make CDR more “tangible” by assigning and defining entrepreneurial approaches. This paper investigates the relationship between CSR and CDR based on a structured literature analysis, Internet research and Hermeneutic approach. The study examines the status quo of existing methods for measuring CDR and proposes a practicable framework for measuring successfully practiced CDR. The paper investigates the value‐based use of digitization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as crucial factors to derive new ways to shape and catalyze the industry's assumption of human, social and environmental responsibility. The study defines a new approach to a corporate strategy in order to make the fulfillment of CSR measurable and assessable with regard to the effects of digital technological innovations on human, society and environment, taking into account current Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations and guidelines.
Fine‐grained forest net primary productivity monitoring: Software system integrating multisource data and smart optimization
Authors: Zou Weitao , Luo Long , Sun Fangyu , Li Chao , Chen Guangsheng , Jing Weipeng
Published: July 2024

Net primary productivity (NPP) is essential for sustainable resource management and conservation, and it serves as a primary monitoring target in smart forestry systems. The predominant method for NPP inversion involves data collection through terrestrial and satellite sensing systems, followed by parameter estimation using models such as the Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford Approach (CASA). While this method benefits from low costs and extensive monitoring capabilities, the data derived from multisource sensing systems display varied spatial scale characteristics, and the NPP inversion models cannot detect the impact of data heterogeneity on the outcomes sensitively, reducing the accuracy of fine‐grained NPP inversion. Therefore, this paper proposes a modular system for fine‐grained data processing and NPP inversion. Regarding data processing, a two‐stage spatial‐spectral fusion model based on non‐negative matrix factorization (NMF) is proposed to enhance the spatial resolution of remote sensing data. A spatial interpolation model based on stacking generalization with residual correction is introduced to get raster meteorological data compatible with remote sensing images. Furthermore, we optimize the CASA model with the kernel method to enhance model sensitivity and enrich the spatial details of the inversion results with high resolution. Through validation using real datasets, the proposed fusion and interpolation models have significant advantages over mainstream methods. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient () between the estimated NPP using our improved inversion model and the field‐measured NPP is 0.69, demonstrating the feasibility of this platform in detailed forest NPP monitoring tasks.
Using sliced inverse mean difference for dimension reduction in multivariate time series
Authors: Haffenden Hector , Artemiou Andreas
Published: July 2024

Following recent developments of dimension reduction algorithms for a multivariate time series, we propose in this work the adaptation of sliced inverse mean difference algorithm, an algorithm which was previously proposed in a standard multiple regression setting, to develop an algorithm appropriate to perform dimension reduction for a multivariate time series. The resulting algorithm called time series sliced inverse mean difference (TSIMD) is shown to be able to identify important directions and important lags using less significant pairs than previously proposed algorithms for dimension reduction in multivariate time series. We demonstrate the competitive performance of our algorithms through a number of experiments.
Holistic approaches to digital literacy: Perspectives from library partners
Authors: Dean Kirsten , Feerrar Julia , Griffin Katlyn , Hammer Kelsey
Published: July 2024

In this chapter, a team of academic librarians offers strategies to address four common challenges instructors face when incorporating digital literacy into their courses.
Clinico‐histopathological and molecular detection of small ruminants’ papillomaviruses in Iran
Authors: Ghorani Mohammadreza , Esmaeili Hossein , Khordadmehr Monireh
Published: July 2024

Background

Papilloma DNA viruses are one of the viruses that cause skin lesions in ruminants.

Objectives

The clinical, histopathological and molecular characteristics of cutaneous papilloma in ruminants in Iran are to be investigated in this study.

Methods

Samples were collected from 19 small ruminants (5 sheep and 14 goats) with various papillomatosis lesions. The samples taken were studied with histopathological and molecular techniques.

Results

In clinical terms, the lesions appeared in different sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 11 cm, and the cauliflower exophytic masses appeared in other parts of the animal's body. In the limbs, most papilloma lesions have been seen (42.1%). In histopathological examination, perinuclear vacuolation epidermal granule layer with various degrees of hypergranulosis, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, orthokeratosis and parakeratosis were seen. Moreover, all the suspected samples were positive for papillomavirus using the polymerase chain reaction technique.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of papillomaviruses in Iranian sheep and goats is low, it seems necessary to distinguish them from other viral skin diseases, such as cutaneous contagious ecthyma, using molecular techniques and histopathology.
The effect of natural factors on changing soil uses in the marshes: An experimental study using Landsat satellite data
Authors: Al‐ysari Ahmed Falih , Majeed Mohammed Fouad , Khudair Yasser Yassin
Published: July 2024

The study aimed to analyze the effect of meteorological factors (rainfall rate and temperature) on the change in land use in the marshes of the Al‐Majar Al‐Kabir region in southern Iraq. Satellite images from Landsat 7 for 2012 and Landsat 8 for 2022 were used to monitor changes in the land coverings, the images taken from the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensors of the Landsat satellite. Geometric correction was used to convert images into a format with precise geographic coordinates using ArcMap 10.5. The maximum likelihood classification method was used to examine satellite image data using a supervised approach, and the data were analyzed statistically. We obtained clear images of the area, through which we identified five types of lands (agriculture, bare, dry, wet, and water bodies) and calculated the differences that occurred in the land areas between 2012 and 2022. Then, we studied the change in atmospheric conditions (rainfall rate and temperature average) for the same period. The results showed that temperature increases negatively affected the types of ground cover, as the area of agricultural lands, water bodies, and wetlands decreased inversely with the temperature and directly with the rainfall. It also showed that the area of dry and bare land increased directly with the temperature rates and inversely with the rainfall, which makes these areas more susceptible to desertification. In addition, decreased rainfall highlights how crucial it is to manage water resources in marsh ecosystems. Water conservation and sustainable water use practices are two strategies that can encourage healthy plant growth, maintain appropriate soil moisture levels, and preserve the ecological functions that marshes offer.
Geophysical Prospecting on Soils in Mesopotamia: From Mega-Cities in the Marches of Southern Iraq to Assyrian Sites in the Mountains of Kurdistan
Authors: Fassbinder Jörg W. E. , Hahn Sandra , Parsi Mandana
Published: July 2024

Enrichment of magnetic minerals in the topsoil and thus enhancement of magnetic susceptibility in archaeological layers and soils, the so-called “Le Borgne effect” is a quite common and a widespread property of the majority of soils worldwide. This effect is widely regarded as the main fundament and plays a crucial role for a successful magnetometer prospecting of most case studies for prospecting worldwide (Le Borgne, Ann Geophys 11:399–419, 1955; Mullins, J. Soil Sci 28: 223–246, 1977; Fassbinder et al., Nature 343(6254):161–163, 1990; Fassbinder & Stanjek, Archeol Polona 31:117–128, 1993; Jordanova, Soil magnetism. Applications in pedology, environmental science and agriculture. Academic Press, Amsterdam, 2016). Case studies both, in the wetland and marches of the Shat el Arab in Southern Iraq as well as on some sites of mountain areas of Kurdistan however, show that this effect plays a minor role in Mesopotamia (Fassbinder & Asandulesei, Peshdar Plain Proj Publ 1:112–119, 2016; Fassbinder et al., Magnetometer prospection of neo-Assyrian sites in the Peshdar Plain, Iraqi-Kurdistan. In: 12th international conference of archaeological prospection, vol 12. Archaeopress, pp 70–72, 2017a, Geophysikal research in the Bora Plain: magnetometer prospection at the Dinka Settlement Complex and Gawr Miran, 2016, vol 2. Peshdar Plain Project Publications, pp 18–32, 2017b, The 2017 magnetometer survey of the Dinka Settlement Complex, Iraqi Kurdistan, vol 3. Peshdar Plain Project Publications, pp 19–30, 2018, Geophysical prospection campaign 2019: magnetometry and Earth Resistance Tomography (ERT) at the archaeological site of Ur, Iraq. Unpublished report Directorate of Antiquities, Iraq, 2019a, Venice in the desert: Archaeological geophysics on the world’s oldest metropolis Uruk-Warka, the city of King Gilgamesh (Iraq). In 13th international conference on archaeological prospection, vol 13, pp 197–200, 2019b, Petiti et al., Zeitschrift für Orientarchäologie Bd 15:120–162, 2023). Here we present a variety of further soil magnetic, rock magnetic and physical properties of archaeological sediments and features, explaining the success, failure, and pitfalls of these prospecting projects. While in the southern Iraq induced magnetisation and the variance in composition of mudstones dominates magnetic anomalies, the selected case study from Iraqi-Kurdistan is predominantly determined by the natural remanent magnetisation of rocks.
Integrated Archaeological Prospection Studies in Mexico: A Review
Authors: Blancas Jorge , Barba Luis , Ortiz Agustín
Published: July 2024

This chapter provides a retrospective of the work carried out by the Archaeological Prospection Laboratory, of the Institute of Anthropological Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico (IIA, UNAM). In 1983, geophysical surveys, combining different methods, were performed for the first time to study the San José Ixtapa archaeological site. Since, multi-technique geophysical surveys, integrating a wide range of complementary methods such as satellite remote sensing and soil analyses, have been performed at other sites in Mexico. To illustrate the development of the work carried out for this institution, the chapter syntheses the main achievement of some key case studies.
The State of Archaeo-geophysics in the Maghreb: Case Studies from Tunisia and Morocco
Authors: Jrad Abir , Collins-Elliott Stephen A. , Akerraz Aomar , Ben Romdhane Hamden
Published: July 2024

North Africa possesses a rich archaeological heritage, which to a significant degree remains to be investigated. This chapter reviews the current state of archaeo-geophysical research in Tunisia and Morocco, tracing its earliest development in the 1970s up to the present. While geophysical surveys were implemented in both countries within a fairly short amount of time, the uptake has been slow, increasing only in recent decades. Archaeo-geophysical research has also largely been focused on ancient and medieval contexts. From the perspective of rescue archaeology, many sites are threatened by increasing urbanisation and modern development. Geophysical survey offers a key tool to obtain fast, economical, and non-destructive observations on subsurface archaeological remains, allowing for targeted archaeological excavations in the future. Developing training programs in geophysics for archaeologists will help to promote the continuity and health of the field of archaeo-geophysics in both countries in the future.
Geophysical Survey in the Archaeology of Scotland: Recent Developments and Results
Authors: Jones Richard
Published: July 2024

This paper reviews the current state of geophysics in Scottish archaeology, considering the scope of the surveys, the range of targets investigated and techniques deployed, as well as the practitioners and commissioners of surveys. Several issues of methodology and interpretation are illustrated through case studies taken from mainland Scotland, Orkney and the Isle of Lewis. One of these focuses on the relative frequency of poor magnetic and earth resistance responses recorded over ditch and pit features due to drift geology and soil conditions, and the efforts to explain those responses in terms of soil properties. This leads to the recommendation that archaeo-geophysics can only benefit from aligning itself on a regular basis with geoarchaeology since their respective subject areas often converge more than is usually recognised. Another recommendation is the need for fuller dissemination of the graphical output of surveys as well as access to raw data to encourage a more critical view of how interpretations of individual geophysical anomalies are made.
Archaeological Geophysics in China – A Historical Perspective
Authors: Zhao Wenke , Wang Bangbing
Published: July 2024

Geophysical methods can efficiently identify and map archaeological features or changes in the matrix of a site. They have been extensively used in Chinese archaeological prospection since the survey for the Mausoleum of the Emperor Wanli of Ming Dynasty in mid-1950s. The evolution of archaeo-geophysics in China is closely linked to advances in emerging geophysical technology, the needs of non-destructive detection from the archaeological community and Chinese fast-growing economy. Throughout the past 70 years, researchers and practitioners witnessed the rapid development of geophysics in the field of Chinese Archaeology. In this chapter, we introduce some key archaeo-geophysical events, for example, a multi-geophysical project was performed by China Geological Survey (CGS), to evaluate the applicability and the effectiveness for archaeological characterisation at the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang, i.e. the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, during 2002 and 2003, the scale of which has been the largest in Chinese archaeo-geophysics so far. Besides, we divide these events into four periods, i.e. embryonic stage (1950s–1980), initial stage (1980–2000), development stage (2000–2010), and internationalisation stage (2010–present). Moreover, we also provide some significant case studies, namely ancient city sites and ancillary building remains, ancient tombs, cultural heritage protection, urban underground remains, and underwater archaeology. In a word, the development has paved the way to regular use of geophysical methods in almost all types of potential archaeological interests in China.
Sensing the Cultural Heritage from Above. The Case from Cyprus
Authors: Vella Marc-Antoine , Sarris Apostolos , Agapiou Athos , Lysandrou Vasiliki
Published: July 2024

This chapter addresses the different remote sensing methodologies that have been applied for the study of the Cultural Heritage in Cyprus. Ground based geophysical prospection, aerial and satellite remote sensing, in tandem with soil analyses of cores, have been applied for the mapping of the archaeological sites and the reconstruction of the archaeoenvironment, but also for addressing issues related to the risk assessment of sites and monuments. Taking into account the different geological conditions of the island and some of its peculiarities (such as metamorphic and iron-rich geological formations), the success of these methods varies significantly. The past experiences can be used as a guideline for the wider and more successful application of the remote sensing techniques.
Geophysical Prospecting in Egypt: An Overview
Authors: Herbich Tomasz
Published: July 2024

Among the methods of archaeological geophysics used to the study of Ancient Egypt, magnetometry is the most widely applied. This is due to the dry climate and geological conditions (a large part of the sites are located in a desert environment), which make electrical resistivity measurements difficult and time consuming. GPR and EMI were used sporadically so far, and with no convincing result. The good results provided by magnetometry is due to the magnetic properties of the mud deposited by the river Nile, which is the basic raw material for the production of sundried bricks, the basic building material in the Nile Valley to the present day. The results obtained so far have provided some excellent examples of the effectiveness of magnetometer surveys in revealing city and settlement plans, production sites, cemeteries, and cult places. These investigations have also provided extremely useful observations for the reconstruction of the development of settlement taking place not only on a site, but also on a wider scale (e.g. reconstruction of palaeolandscape).
On a Commercial Scale – Archaeological Geophysics in England
Authors: Parker Lucy , Richardson Tom , Hunnisett Chloe , Armstrong Kayt
Published: July 2024

Geophysical prospection for archaeology was first trialled in England over 75 years ago and, as the profession has matured, a dedicated research community has developed in the country. For over 30 years, archaeological geophysics has played a major role in developer-funded archaeology. Whilst no official figures exist for active archaeo-geophysicists in England, it is likely that the number of practitioners is in the 100s, and is perhaps one of the largest communities worldwide. Standards and Guidance are available to support the profession, but it is a challenge for these to keep pace with advancements in technology and methodologies. The balance between improving cost effectiveness, mainly through increased speed of field data acquisition, whilst maintaining research to increase the level of information gained by such investigations remains an important question for both the commercial and academic archaeological sectors.
Introduction
Authors: Fournier Guy , Boos Adrian , Konstantas Dimitri , Attias Danielle
Published: July 2024

The AVENUE project, part of European Horizon 2020, investigated the integration of automated vehicles (AVs) into public transport across Europe, focusing on improving mobility through innovative, sustainable solutions. From 2018 to 2022, AVENUE research demonstrated the potential of automated minibuses for safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transport in urban environments. This introduction explains the project’s approach to deploy AVs for the first time globally in cities, the impact assessment and the potential for the future. Small summaries of the content of the book parts introduce to the book to give support and guidance to the reader.
Technical Impact Assessment: Obstacles and Developments of Automated Minibuses for Public Transport
Authors: Beye Charly , Zinckernagel Christian , Fournier Guy
Published: July 2024

In recent years, automated minibuses have emerged as an innovative addition to public transport systems worldwide, generating interest through various pilot projects. While these initiatives have shown promising technical advancements, the full-scale implementation of such vehicles faces significant technical hurdles. This study builds upon prior research by delving into the technical developments and challenges encountered within the AVENUE project, drawing insights from discussions with manufacturers, operators, and mobility platform providers operating automated minibuses in European metropolitan areas. Specifically, the examination highlights the complexities associated with vehicle sensors, data transmission for trajectory management, and external environmental factors that can influence vehicle operation. The progress within the AVENUE project has shown that a critical evaluation underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive solutions to overcome technical obstacles and ensure the seamless integration of automated minibuses into public transportation networks. Furthermore, the findings highlight the necessity of continually enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of automated minibuses.
Economic Impact Assessment: Local Service Costs of Automated Vehicles for Public Transport
Authors: Antonialli Fabio , Mira-Bonnardel Sylvie , Bulteau Julie
Published: July 2024

While most of the current research on automated public transport focuses on improving operational and technical aspects, as well as tackling policy and user behavioural factors, the integration of these vehicles into public networks is mainly dependent on costs and breakeven points. Research quantifying costs and return on investment specifically in academic settings are sparse. This chapter aims to introduce an economic assessment tool, designed as a decision-making tool to support public policies on the decision of implementing innovative mobility services. The simulation contributes to the Total Cost of Mobility (TCM), a vision that accounts all alternative modes of travel and is therefore more adapted to today’s fleets which are evolving towards automated electro mobility, pool management, etc. The presented assessment tool was tested with real data from pilot sites within the AVENUE project, and the results prove it to be a relevant tool to aid decision-makers on whether to adopt services with such vehicles.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Externalities of Automated Electric Vehicles for Public Transport
Authors: Jaroudi Ines , Boos Adrian , Viere Tobias , Fournier Guy
Published: July 2024

This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic and environmental externalities associated with the use of automated minibuses in public transport, using a mixture of scenario planning and an externality model in the context of the AVENUE project cities. By analysing six different deployment scenarios, including the substitution of automated minibuses for buses and private cars, this study sheds light on the potential shifts in external costs and benefits. This chapter carefully assesses the impact of the deployment of automated minibuses on reducing external costs, taking into account factors such as energy efficiency, connectivity, automation features passenger numbers and vehicle utilisation rates. The results show that the environmental and economic outcomes of deploying automated minibuses depend significantly on the specific deployment strategies, highlighting scenarios in which automated minibuses could either reduce or exacerbate external costs. Through a detailed assessment of these scenarios, the chapter provides a nuanced understanding of how the strategic integration of automated minibuses into urban transport systems can influence the broader goals of economic sustainability and environmental protection. The study emphasises the importance of aligning automated minibus deployment strategies with city-specific goals and the broader sustainability agenda and provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners and transport stakeholders.
Sustainability Assessment of the Integration of Automated Minibuses in Urban Mobility Systems: Learnings from the AVENUE Project
Authors: Nemoto Eliane Horschutz , Jaroudi Ines , Duffner-Korbee Dorien , Viere Tobias , Naderer Gabriele , Boos Adrian , van den Boom Nicole , Fournier Guy
Published: July 2024

The AVENUE sustainability assessment integrates the environmental, economic and social assessment of the pilot trials of AVENUE. A step further, it adopts an interdisciplinary approach to conduct the analysis and to better understand the complexity of deploying a new form of mobility in urban areas and as part of the transportation system. The goal is to implement new mobility solutions that benefit the city and complement public transport. The findings from the social, environmental and economic impact assessments are embedded in a multidimensional set of indicators for the sustainability assessment of the automated minibuses. As a result, mobility radars are built to illustrate the assessment of the AVENUE demonstrator sites. The results reveal the state of the art of the current deployment of the automated minibuses in the AVENUE test sites. In addition, this study highlights other crucial elements for a sustainable deployment that rely on the mode of deployment of the automated minibuses, the level of integration to urban public transport or within MaaS perspective and the alignment with the city’s goals, planning and strategies for sustainable mobility. Ultimately, the automated minibuses are an innovative piece within the mobility ecosystem that could support intermodality, MaaS, mobility hubs and the use of soft modes of transport.
System Innovation in Passenger Transportation with Automated Minibuses in ITS: The Citizen-Centric Approach of AVENUE
Authors: Fournier Guy , Thalhofer Michael , Klarmann Johannes , Chrétien Philippe , Duffner-Korbee Dorien , Boos Adrian , Jaroudi Ines , Nemoto Eliane Horschutz , Binz Lionel , Naderer Gabriele , Konstantas Dimitri , Viere Tobias
Published: July 2024

The first chapter explores three pathways for incorporating automated vehicles (AVs) into future mobility ecosystems: privately owned AVs, robotaxis and automated minibuses in a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and (later) in an Intelligent Transport System (ITS). The chapter emphasises that automated minibuses, when seamlessly integrated into a MaaS, could emerge as pivotal “game changer”, complementing and fostering other means of transport, in particular mass transport. Integrating in a next step AVs within an ITS could further make it possible to use mobility data and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the transport system to a higher level of mobility evolution. By employing both fast and slow closed AI loops, it envisions a transport ecosystem that not only operates more efficiently and flexibly but is also consequently citizen-centric and addresses sustainability challenges. The successful implementation of this concept hinges on open data, Application Protocol Interface (APIs) and the potential of AI to create a self-learning transport system to serve the general interest. A sustainable and citizen-centric mobility is thus possible without a coercive (technology push) transport policy. Instead, it champions an approach that increases the transport options and enhances the provided mobility services (demand & attractiveness pull). Depending on the local governance, even privately owned or privately shared cars can be part of the model, justified, e.g. in areas where mobility infrastructure deficits loom large or when travel time is too high. This chapter therefore forms the basis for a vision to redesign our mobility ecosystem and marks the beginning of a disrupting system innovation, where integrated sustainability and citizen centricity reshape the nature of mobility.
Transition Planning Towards a Sustainable Urban Mobility Ecosystem
Authors: Thalhofer Michael , Boos Adrian , Nemoto Eliane Horschutz , Duffner-Korbee Dorien , Dubielzig Markus , Zinckernagel Christian , Jaroudi Inès , Konstantas Dimitri , Fournier Guy
Published: July 2024

In this chapter we aim to provide pragmatic recommendations and exemplary concrete transition measures for consultants and ecosystem stakeholders to get valuable practice proven cornerstones and hints for successfully achieving their individually designed mobility vision. Hereby we describe the transition planning as a systemic and systematic approach designed as a pragmatic process with essential key methods from the status quo (2020) of all existing states towards a desired common future vision of AV in ITS to be achieved in 2030. For this purpose we visualised a ‘Big Picture’ of transition management work packages and a roadmap as a ‘common thread’, conceptional guide and orientation for all stakeholders of the transition. This roadmap of multifaceted recommendations is structured into phases which are systematically building on one another, outlining the transition from the status quo with no automated minibuses (AM) via the milestones: AM, AM System, AM in MaaS, AM in MaaS/ITS to the future mobility Vision 2030 (Chap. 18). These recommendations are the basis for individual operational measures which have to be documented in an implementation plan. Finally, a general transition plan is suggested consisting of all scenarios, steps and planning results of the transition concept. This should serve all stakeholders as an orientation guide as well as a strategic and operational basis for the entire mobility transition.
AVENUE Site Demonstrators: Geneva, Lyon, Luxembourg, and Copenhagen
Authors: Beukers Jeroen A. , Zuttre Quentin , Hilbert Georges , Kaeding Daniel , Hoffmann Albert , Zinckernagel Christian , Felhaus Nanna May , van den Boom Nicole , Boos Adrian , Konstantas Dimitri
Published: July 2024

The AVENUE project, which was carried out in Geneva, Lyon, Luxembourg, and Copenhagen, demonstrates the innovative integration of automated vehicles (AVs) into urban public transport systems. This initiative investigated the use of AVs in different urban environments and achieved remarkable progress in the areas of mobility, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. Through real-world testing, the project identified key success factors such as technological integration, social acceptance, and infrastructural adaptation. Achievements include on-demand services, seamless integration into existing transport networks and the promotion of multimodal transport solutions. The experiences from the AVENUE project provide crucial insights into operational and societal aspects of AV implementation in public transport and emphasise the importance of ongoing innovation and research in the field of automated mobility for future urban transport ecosystems.
Conclusion
Authors: Fournier Guy , Konstantas Dimitri
Published: July 2024

The AVENUE project, carried out under Horizon 2020, demonstrated remarkable progress in automated public transport by deploying almost SAE Level 4 AVs in six European cities. Despite significant challenges, including COVID-19 restrictions and partner insolvency, the project successfully deployed automated minibuses that carried over 160,000 passengers and travelled a total of 168,000 km. This conclusion highlights AVENUE’s achievements in improving urban mobility through on-demand door-to-door services and emphasises the potential of using automated minibuses as game changer towards a more sustainable, efficient and citizen centric mobility which serves the general interest.
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Stakeholders’ Stand on Regulations and Standards
Authors: Nijdam Niels A. , Benyahya Meriem , Collen Anastasija
Published: July 2024

AVENUE’s technological interest lies in those state-of-the-art technologies and solutions that either are already commercial or close to the market and are expected to reach commercialisation within the following years. For the successful implementation of the project activities, a wide range of technological as well as non-technological elements will be employed, adapted, integrated, and, where required, partially developed. The present chapter focuses on those connected automated vehicle (CAV) technologies from the perspective of cybersecurity, delving into questions on in-vehicle, back-end, and infrastructure, including the communications between vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to cloud (V2C), vehicle to everything (V2X), software safety, as well as security and privacy by design principles for the development of connected devices. Furthermore, non-technological issues cover stakeholder and user acceptance, regulatory and legislative requirements, a new standardisation progress, ethical considerations, and vehicle and technology certifications and licensing. The purpose of this chapter is to present the project context and relating it to the potential cyber assaults and data privacy threats. It further delineates the conducted assessment and the provided recommendations which were built based on the key standards and regulations wrapping together CAVs, cybersecurity, and personal data protection pursuits.
Worldsheet formalism for decoupling limits in string theory
Authors: Gomis Joaquim , Yan Ziqi
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We study the bosonic sector of a decoupling limit of type IIA superstring theory, where a background Ramond-Ramond one-form is fined tuned to its critical value, such that it cancels the associated background D0-brane tension. The light excitations in this critical limit are D0-branes, whose dynamics is described by the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind (BFSS) Matrix theory that corresponds to M-theory in the Discrete Light-Cone Quantization (DLCQ). We develop the worldsheet formalism for the fundamental string in the same critical limit of type IIA superstring theory. We show that the fundamental string develops singularities on its worldsheet, whose topology is described by nodal Riemann spheres as in ambitwistor string theory. We study the T-duality transformations of this string sigma model and provide a worldsheet derivation for the recently revived and expanded duality web that unifies a zoo of decoupling limits in type II superstring theories. By matching the string worldsheet actions, we demonstrate how some of these decoupling limits are related to tensionless (and ambitwistor) string theory, Carrollian string theory, the Spin Matrix limits of the AdS/CFT correspondence, and more.
Exponentiation of soft quark effects from the replica trick
Authors: van Beekveld Melissa , Vernazza Leonardo , White Chris D.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we show that multiple maximally soft (anti-)quark and gluon emissions exponentiate at the level of either the amplitude or cross-section. We first show that such emissions can be captured by introducing new soft emission operators, which serve to generalise the well-known Wilson lines describing emissions of maximally soft gluons. Next, we prove that vacuum expectation values of these operators exponentiate using the replica trick, a statistical-physics argument that has previously been used to demonstrate soft-gluon exponentiation properties in QCD. The obtained results are general, i.e. not tied to a particular scattering process. We illustrate our arguments by demonstrating the exponentiation of certain real and virtual corrections affecting subleading partonic channels in deep-inelastic scattering.
Gauge theory on ρ-Minkowski space-time
Authors: Maris Valentine , Wallet Jean-Christophe
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We construct a gauge theory model on the 4-dimensional ρ-Minkowski space-time, a particular deformation of the Minkowski space-time recently considered. The corresponding star product results from a combination of Weyl quantization map and properties of the convolution algebra of the special Euclidean group. We use noncommutative differential calculi based on twisted derivations together with a twisted notion of noncommutative connection. The twisted derivations pertain to the Hopf algebra of ρ-deformed translations, a Hopf subalgebra of the ρ-deformed Poincaré algebra which can be viewed as defining the quantum symmetries of the ρ-Minkowski space-time. The gauge theory model is left invariant under the action of the ρ-deformed Poincaré algebra. The kinetic part of the action is found to coincide with the one of the usual (commutative) electrodynamics.