bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effets de la concentration en nutriments des feuilles et de la fertilisation azotée et phosphatée sur la culture du bleuet nain sauvage
Authors: Lafond Jean
Published: December 2024

Les rendements en fruits du bleuet nain sauvage ( Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) varient d'un champ à l'autre malgré une fertilisation minérale équivalente. Il serait plausible que le statut nutritif de la plante défini par les concentrations foliaires en éléments nutritifs des feuilles soit responsable de ces variations. L'objectif a été d’évaluer la réponse de la culture à la fertilisation azotée et phosphatée selon les concentrations en azote (N) et phosphore (P) des feuilles prélevées lors de l'année de végétation. Pour évaluer cette réponse, quatre doses de N (0 à 90 kg N ha−1) et trois doses de P (0, 10 et 20 kg P2O5 ha−1) ont été appliquées au printemps de l'année de végétation. Le dispositif expérimental, établi sur 34 sites au Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, était un factoriel en blocs complets aléatoires. Les rendements en fruits ont augmenté de 25 % avec la fertilisation en N comparativement aux parcelles non fertilisées alors que la fertilisation en P n'a eu aucun effet. Les concentrations en N et P des feuilles ont augmenté significativement avec la fertilisation et étaient significativement corrélées aux rendements. L'accroissement de la productivité par kg de N ajouté a été plus élevé lorsque les concentrations en N et P des feuilles étaient faibles. Ainsi, la concentration en N et P des feuilles a expliqué en partie les variations des rendements mesurées aux différents sites. La fertilisation azotée et phosphatée pourrait donc être ajustée en fonction des concentrations en N et P des feuilles et être diminuée lorsque les concentrations sont optimales.
Quasinormal modes of three $$(2+1)$$-dimensional black holes in string theory, conformal gravity, and Hu–Sawicki F(R) theory via the Heun function
Authors: Naderi F. , Rezaei-Aghdam A.
Published: December 2024

We study the propagation of massless fermionic fields, implementing a family of special functions: Heun functions, in solving the wave equation in three three-dimensional backgrounds, including the BTZ black hole in string theory and Lifshitz black hole solutions in conformal gravity and Hu–Sawicki F(R) theory. The main properties of the selected black hole solutions is that their line elements are Weyl related to that of a homogeneous spacetime, whose spatial part possesses Lie symmetry, described by Lobachevsky-type geometry with arbitrary negative Gaussian curvature. Using the Weyl symmetry of massless Dirac action, we consider the perturbation equations of fermionic fields in relation to those of the homogeneous background, which having definite singularities, are transformed into Heun’s equation. We point out the existence of quasinormal modes labeled by the accessory parameter of the Heun function. The distribution of the quasinormal modes has been clarified to satisfy the boundary conditions that require ingoing and decaying waves at the event horizon and conformal infinity, respectively. It turned out that the procedure based on the Heun function, beside reproducing the previously known results obtained via hypergeometric function for the BTZ and Lifshitz black hole solution in conformal gravity, brings up new families of quasinormal frequencies, which can also contain purely imaginary modes. Also, the analysis of the quasinormal modes shows that with the negative imaginary part of complex frequencies

$$\omega =\omega _{Re}+i\omega _{Im}$$

ω
=

ω

Re

+
i

ω

Im

, the fermionic perturbations are stable in this background.
Collider imprint of vector-like leptons in light of anomalous magnetic moment and neutrino data
Authors: Dehghani Parham , Frank Mariana , Fuks Benjamin
Published: December 2024

We investigate the impact of incorporating vector-like leptons into the Standard Model, aiming to address longstanding puzzles related to the anomalous magnetic moments of the muon and electron while maintaining consistency with neutrino masses and mixings. We find that among the various representations of vector-like leptons permitted by the Standard Model gauge symmetry, only weak doublets and singlets offer satisfactory solutions, all associated with a significantly constrained parameter space. Our analysis delves into the associated parameter space, identifying representative benchmark scenarios suitable for collider studies. These setups yield a distinctive six-lepton signature whose associated signals can easily be distinguished from the Standard Model background, providing a clear signal indicative of new physics models featuring vector-like leptons. Our work hence sheds light on the potential implications of vector-like leptons in resolving discrepancies inherent to the Standard Model, while also offering insights into experimental avenues for further exploration.
Multi-Label Zero-Shot Learning Via Contrastive Label-Based Attention
Authors: Meng Shixuan , Jiang Rongxin , Tian Xiang , Zhou Fan , Chen Yaowu , Liu Junjie , Shen Chen
Published: December 2024

Multi-label zero-shot learning (ML-ZSL) strives to recognize all objects in an image, regardless of whether they are present in the training data. Recent methods incorporate an attention mechanism to locate labels in the image and generate class-specific semantic information. However, the attention mechanism built on visual features treats label embeddings equally in the prediction score, leading to severe semantic ambiguity. This study focuses on efficiently utilizing semantic information in the attention mechanism. We propose a contrastive label-based attention method (CLA) to associate each label with the most relevant image regions. Specifically, our label-based attention, guided by the latent label embedding, captures discriminative image details. To distinguish region-wise correlations, we implement a region-level contrastive loss. In addition, we utilize a global feature alignment module to identify labels with general information. Extensive experiments on two benchmarks, NUS-WIDE and Open Images, demonstrate that our CLA outperforms the state-of-the-art methods. Especially under the ZSL setting, our method achieves 2.0% improvements in mean Average Precision (mAP) for NUS-WIDE and 4.0% for Open Images compared with recent methods.
Symmetries and interactions of 𝒩=1 SUGRA: From constructive and BCFW to KLT formulations
Authors: Chakraborty Dibya , Díaz-Cruz J. Lorenzo , Pérez Jonathan Reyes , Ruiz Pablo Ortega
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we study the couplings of the gravity supermultiplet (graviton and gravitino) of minimal [Formula: see text] supergravity (SUGRA) following a constructive approach. First, we use the master formula that follows from considering the scaling behavior of the spinor variables under the little group. Second, we derive the four-point couplings using the Britto–Cachazo–Feng–Witten (known as BCFW) recursion relations. Then, we verify these results for the general three-point interactions that can be derived using the Kawai–Lewellen–Tye relations (also known as KLT-type relations), i.e. they can be written as the square of the coupling of the gluons and gluinos. Finally, we consider the graviton–gravitino SUGRA Compton effect. For completeness, we present in the appendix the [Formula: see text] SUGRA Lagrangian in the two-component Weyl formalism, including proofs of supersymmetry (SUSY) and gauge invariances.
SPERT: Reinforcement Learning-Enhanced Transformer Model for Agile Story Point Estimation
Authors: Younas Waleed , Chen Rui , Zhao Jing , Iqbal Tahreem , Sharaf Mohamed , Imran Azhar
Published: December 2024

Story point estimation is a key practice in Agile project management that assigns effort values to user stories, helping teams manage workloads effectively. Inaccurate story point estimation can lead to project delays, resource misallocation and budget overruns. This study introduces Story Point Estimation using Reinforced Transformers (SPERT), a novel model that integrates transformer-based embeddings with reinforcement learning (RL) to improve the accuracy of story point estimation. SPERT utilizes Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) embeddings, which capture the deep semantic relationships within user stories, while the RL component refines predictions dynamically based on project feedback. We evaluate SPERT across multiple Agile projects and benchmark its performance against state-of-the-art models, including SBERT-XG, LHC-SE, Deep-SE and TF-IDF-SE. Results demonstrate that SPERT outperforms these models in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Median Absolute Error (MdAE) and Standardized Accuracy (SA). Statistical analysis using Wilcoxon tests and A12 effect size confirms the significance of SPERT’s performance, highlighting its ability to generalize across diverse projects and improve estimation accuracy in Agile environments.
Properties of minimal charts and their applications XI: No minimal charts with exactly seven white vertices
Authors: Nagase Teruo , Shima Akiko
Published: December 2024

Charts are oriented labeled graphs in a disk. Any simple surface braid (two-dimensional braid) can be described by using a chart. Also, a chart represents an oriented closed surface embedded in 4-space. In this paper, we investigate embedded surfaces in 4-space by using charts. In this paper, we show that there is no minimal chart with exactly seven white vertices.
EFFECT OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AA8079-ZRB2 COMPOSITE VIA TAGUCHI TECHNIQUE
Authors: SANKAR THULASI , MOHANAVEL V. , KUMAR S. SURESH , SEIKH A. H.
Published: December 2024

Aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) are currently widely engaged in industrial sectors. No other monolithic material can match the characteristics of AMMCs. AMMCs are stronger than traditional materials and have a wide range of industrial uses. This research work aims to study the tribological properties of AA8079/Zirconium boride (ZrB2) composite manufactured via the stir casting (SC) process. The different combinations of composites are AA8079/0[Formula: see text]wt.% ZrB2, AA8079/5[Formula: see text]wt.% ZrB2, AA8079/10[Formula: see text]wt.% ZrB2, and AA8079/15[Formula: see text]wt.% ZrB2. The parameters are reinforcement wt.% [A], load [B], sliding velocity [C], and sliding distance [D]. When designing experiments using the Taguchi method, an L[Formula: see text] orthogonal array was used. In order to determine which process parameter had the biggest influence on the output variables, wear rate (WR), coefficient of friction (COF), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. Successful fabrication of different weight fractions of ZrB2 was synthesized with AA8079 matrix through the SC process. The microstructural investigations revealed the dispersion of ZrB2 particles over the surface of the base AA8079. The response table clearly depicts that the combinations of A and C are the more dominant factor for WR, while the combinations of B and C are the more interacting parameters for COF. From the ANOVA results, it is clear that A with a 55.26% contribution, is the most predominant parameter in attaining the least WR, and for COF, B with a 31.39% contribution, is the major influencing parameter.
Enhancing Wear Resistance of Al6061 Composites: Insights from Microstructural and Tribological Investigations with ECAP
Authors: Vinayashree  , Shobha R. , Mallaradhya H. M.
Published: December 2024

This work presents a comprehensive investigation into the microstructural and tribological properties of Al6061 alloy composites reinforced with E-glass fibers and soda–lime particulates, both before and after Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) processing. The study explores the intricate relationships between reinforcement materials and the aluminum matrix, shedding light on their collective impact on material behavior. Elemental composition analysis via Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) reveals crucial elements shaping the properties of these composites, highlighting the dominance of aluminum in the matrix and the contributions of silicon, calcium, sodium, and oxygen from the reinforcement materials. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy (OM) demonstrate refined grain structures, improved reinforcement dispersion, and enhanced interfacial bonding post-ECAP, indicating potential for superior mechanical properties. Furthermore, wear test analysis on these composites, encompassing varying reinforcement percentages and load conditions, unveils consistent trends in wear behavior. Higher reinforcement percentages, particularly with E-glass fibers, lead to reduced specific wear rates, showcasing enhanced wear resistance. Post-ECAP results consistently exhibit lower wear rates, highlighting the positive impact of ECAP on wear resistance. Statistical analysis using Taguchi and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) techniques underscores the critical role of reinforcement percentage in wear characteristics, with optimal configurations identified for both E-glass fiber and soda–lime particulate composites. These findings offer valuable insights for designing and optimizing materials, emphasizing the importance of reinforcement levels, load, and speed in enhancing wear resistance and optimizing material performance for specific applications.
A Family of Projection-Based Spectral Conjugate Gradient Algorithm for Constrained Monotone Nonlinear Equations with Application
Authors: Li Dandan , Li Yong , Wang Songhua
Published: December 2024

Finding the solution to constrained monotone nonlinear equations has become more challenging as the number of dimensions rises. In this paper, a projection-based spectral conjugate gradient algorithm for solving monotone nonlinear equations with convex constraints is proposed. This algorithm features two bounded spectral parameters designed by using the quasi-Newton condition and the double-truncating technique. An improved conjugate parameter ensures that the search direction satisfies the sufficient descent and trust-region properties. The global convergence of the algorithm is established under reasonable assumptions. Numerical experiments demonstrate that it is promising and robust for large-scale nonlinear equations with convex constraints in both fixedly and randomly initial point strategies, as well as for the sparse signal reconstruction problem.
Real-World Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA) in the Italian Scenario: Evidence from a Multiple Case Study
Authors: Urbano Valeria M. , Azzone Giovanni , Arena Marika , Surdo Francesco
Published: December 2024

The growing turbulence of business environments has amplified the need to anticipate technological breakthroughs through systematic processes referred to as Future-oriented Technology Analysis (FTA). FTA practices that the literature reports are diverse and, in various aspects, not univocally defined. Additionally, the empirical evidence concerning the implementation of different FTA practices, concerning various methodological approaches covered by the FTA as a whole, is still scant. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating whether the heterogeneity of processes that have emerged from the literature mirrors real-world business practices and by exploring the relationship between the different characterizing features of FTA. The study employs a multiple case study design, analyzing the FTA processes implemented in 10 Italian companies and examining six main dimensions of analysis: systematicity, strategic nature, object, methodological approach, time horizon and stakeholders involved. The case analysis revealed that the practices adopted by these companies are typically non-systematic, often relying on informal and de-structured processes. The strategic relevance of FTA varies based on industry characteristics. However, in all these cases, the primary focus of FTA was on identifying emerging technologies, rather than predicting and creating future technologies. Finally, a predominant configuration of FTA emerged, involving the usage of FTA to detect existing or emerging technologies using qualitative techniques and the involvement of external stakeholders to enhance the anticipatory performance of the process.
On positive vectors in indefinite inner product spaces
Authors: Bagarello Fabio , Kużel Sergiusz
Published: December 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a linear space equipped with an indefinite inner product [Formula: see text]. Denote by [Formula: see text] the nonlinear set of positive vectors in [Formula: see text]. We demonstrate that the properties of a linear operator [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] can be uniquely determined by its restriction to [Formula: see text]. In particular, we prove that the bijectivity of [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] is equivalent to [Formula: see text] being close to a unitary operator with respect to [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we consider a one-parameter semi-group of operators [Formula: see text], where each [Formula: see text] maps [Formula: see text] onto itself in a one-to-one manner. We show that, under this natural restriction, the semi-group [Formula: see text] can be transformed into a one-parameter group [Formula: see text] of operators that are unitary with respect to [Formula: see text]. By imposing additional conditions, we show how to construct a suitable definite inner product [Formula: see text], based on [Formula: see text], which guarantees the unitarity of the operators [Formula: see text] in the Hilbert space obtained by completing [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text].
Stability and bifurcation analysis of a Michaelis–Menten-type predator harvesting predator–prey system with strong Allee effect on prey
Authors: Hu Dongpo , Qi Xia , Zheng Zhaowen , Cheng Lifang , Liu Ming
Published: December 2024

In this paper, a Michaelis–Menten-type predator harvesting predator–prey system with strong Allee effect on prey is proposed. The boundedness of the system is studied, and the existence of all possible equilibria is investigated. In particular, the system has at most four positive equilibria. The stability analysis of the coexistence positive equilibria is studied with the help of the graphical Jacobian method. Under some conditions, the bifurcations exhibited by the system are researched. With the support of Sotomayor’s theorem, saddle-node bifurcation and transcritical bifurcation are proven. The existence and the direction of the Hopf bifurcation have also been determined. The universal unfolding of the Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation of codimension 2 is calculated near the cusp. Our theoretical analysis is verified by numerical simulations. The results show that the strong Allee effect plays an important role in the stability of the system with respect to the bifurcation phenomenon, compared to the system without the strong Allee effect.
Stability and optimal control of a cholera transmission model with waning vaccine-induced immunity and phage–vibrio interactions
Authors: Zheng Hui , Tian Xiaohong
Published: December 2024

Cholera is still a significant worldwide health concern that continues to affect many regions around the world, posing a persistent threat to human health with its severity unabated. In this paper, a cholera transmission model with waning vaccine-induced immunity and phage–vibrio interactions is investigated. The two important thresholds for distinguishing whether cholera is epidemic or not are obtained, and fundamental properties of the system are studied. The global asymptotic stability of the system is analyzed in detail by constructing suitable Lyapunov functions. To seek the suitable strategies for preventing and controlling cholera infection, we introduced four time-dependent controls into the model to assess the effectiveness of each strategy by applying Pontryagin’s maximum principle. In addition, using the reported cholera case numbers in Yemen, we perform parameter estimation and data fitting, further, a sensitivity analysis of thresholds is conducted.
Antimagic labeled digraphs using some algebraic structures
Authors: Dsouza Ancy , Kumudakshi K.
Published: December 2024

Antimagic labeling of a digraph D involves assigning unique integers to each of its directed edges in such a way that the sums of labels on incoming edges minus the sums of labels on outgoing edges are all distinct for every vertex in D. This ensures that each vertex in the digraph has a unique sum associated with its incoming and outgoing edges. In this paper, We have employed the principles of hooked Skolem sequences, difference triples of a set, and Balanced Incomplete Block Design (BIBD) characterized by parameters [Formula: see text] to construct antimagic digraphs.
Vision-Language Models Learn Super Images for Efficient Partially Relevant Video Retrieval
Authors: Nishimura Taichi , Nakada Shota , Kondo Masayoshi
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we propose an efficient and high-performance method for partially relevant video retrieval. The method aims to retrieve long videos that contain at least one moment relevant to the input text query. The challenge lies in encoding dense frames using visual backbones. This requires models to handle the increased frames, resulting in significant computation costs for long videos. To mitigate the costs, previous studies use lightweight visual backbones, yielding sub-optimal retrieval performance due to their limited capabilities. However, it is undesirable to simply replace the backbones with high-performance large vision-and-language models (VLMs) due to their low efficiency. To address this dilemma, instead of dense frames, we focus on super images, which are created by rearranging the video frames in an

\(N\times N\)

grid layout. This reduces the number of visual encodings to

\(\frac{1}{N^{2}}\)

and mitigates the low efficiency of large VLMs. Based on this idea, we make two contributions. First, we explore whether VLMs generalize to super images in a zero-shot setting. To this end, we propose a method called query-attentive super image retrieval (QASIR), which attends to partial moments relevant to the input query. The zero-shot QASIR yields two discoveries: (1) it enables VLMs to generalize to super images and (2) the grid size

\(N\)

, image resolution, and VLM size are key trade-off parameters between performance and computation costs. Second, we introduce fine-tuning and hybrid QASIR that combines high- and low-efficiency models to strike a balance between performance and computation costs. This reveals two findings: (1) the fine-tuning QASIR enhances VLMs to learn super images effectively, and (2) the hybrid QASIR minimizes the performance drop of large VLMs while reducing the computation costs.
Care Models for Cancer Survivors
Authors: Singh Abhay , Jain Akriti G. , Hamilton Betty K. , Adjei Alex
Published: December 2024

The population of cancer survivors is on the rise due to an increase in cancer incidence and a decline in cancer mortality. This growing survivor population creates a number of challenges. Although there have been improvements in care planning for cancer survivors, our healthcare system still lacks the delivery of coordinated care between primary care physicians and specialists. Understanding the needs of cancer survivors can help improve the current care models. In this review we describe existing survivorship care models. We also describe emerging models using some programs at the Cleveland Clinic to highlight various potential approaches.
Optimizing assessment workload and student experience: a quantitative and qualitative analysis of an undergraduate subject restructure
Authors: Allsopp Giselle Larissa , Wooding Sarah Elizabeth , West Jan Maree , Turner Anne Isabella
Published: December 2024

We showed that reducing the number of assessment submissions did not initially decrease students’ perceived workload. Rather, producing more support materials for assessments and holding more support sessions by academic staff appeared to be most effective at fostering a positive student experience and students’ perception of academic workload.
Impact of acute sleep restriction on cerebrovascular reactivity and neurovascular coupling in young men and women
Authors: McDonald Matthew J. , Marsh Megan L. , Fears Sharon D. , Shariffi Brian , Kanaley Jill A. , Limberg Jacqueline K.
Published: December 2024

Chronic exposure to shortened sleep is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We examined the effect of acute sleep restriction (4-h time in bed) on cerebral blood flow in response to a metabolic (carbon dioxide) and a cognitive stimulus. Despite no effect of acute sleep restriction on resting cerebral blood flow or the response to carbon dioxide in young men and women, neurovascular coupling was attenuated following a night of shortened sleep.
Comparison of long- and short-rest periods during high-intensity interval exercise on transcriptomic responses in equine skeletal muscle
Authors: Takahashi Kenya , Mukai Kazutaka , Takahashi Yuji , Ebisuda Yusaku , Hatta Hideo , Kitaoka Yu
Published: December 2024

This is the first study to address the comparison of transcriptional responses to high-intensity interval exercise with two different rest periods in skeletal muscle. The expression of genes related to metabolic adaptations altered in both conditions, while genes associated with immune and cytokine responses and protein folding and temperature response were varied with the length of the rest period. These results provide evidence for rest duration-specific transcriptional response to high-intensity interval training.
Low carbohydrate availability promotes a distinct circulating microRNA profile 24 h following aerobic exercise
Authors: Drummer Devin J. , Carrigan Christopher T. , Murphy Nancy E. , Wilson Marques A. , Michalak Julia , Whitney Claire C. , Rivas Donato A. , Pasiakos Stefan M. , Margolis Lee M.
Published: December 2024

Low carbohydrate consumption (LOW) 24 h in recovery from aerobic exercise elicits a distinct circulating miRNA profile compared with adequate carbohydrate consumption (AD). MicroRNA 375-3p was the most significantly different between the LOW and AD treatments. Follow-up in vitro experiments suggest that AD carbohydrate availability blunts catabolic signaling during postexercise recovery.
Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Potentials of Curcuma neilgherrensis Leaf Extracts, With Emphasis on Phytochemical Profiling and Apoptosis Induction in Colorectal Carcinoma HCT116 Cells by the Chloroform Extract
Authors: Tumbath Soumya , Lakshmipriya T. , Jayasree P. R. , Kumar P. R. Manish
Published: December 2024

Zingiberaceae family of plants are ethnomedicinally well known. One of the less‐studied endemic species from this family, Curcuma neilgherrensis, and its leaves have been used as a folklore medicine by tribes of Western Ghats of India since ancient times. The aim of the study is to investigate in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative potentials of organic solvent extracts prepared from C. neilgherrensis leaves as well as phytochemical profiling of the selected extract capable of apoptotic induction in cancer cells. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by the estimation of total phenolics and flavanoid contents, DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Cytotoxic/antiproliferative potential was assessed employing human cancer cell lines (K562, HCT116, MDA‐MB‐231, and HL60) and normal lymphocyte cultures by MTT and trypan blue dye exclusion assays. Fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activity assays were utilized to study apoptosis induction by the extract in HCT116 cells. HR‐ESI‐MS/MS was used to identify chemical constituents present in the extract. C. neilgherrensis leaves extracts were found to contain varying amounts of total phenolics and flavanoid contents as well as antioxidant activity, with the methanolic extract (CNLM) displaying maximal activity. Higher antiproliferative potential was shown by the chloroform extract (CNLC) for a 48 h treatment period, against colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells (IC50‐8.3 ± 0.8 μg/mL). CNLC treatment caused cytomorphological alternations, phosphatidylserine externalization, reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, increase in intracellular ROS, sub‐G1 phase cell population, and DNA fragmentation, as well as caspase 3 and 9 activities, confirming apoptosis induction in HCT116 cells. Phytochemical profiling of the CNLC extract by HR‐ESI‐MS/MS enabled identification of bioactive compounds, previously reported with anticancer potential such as rutin, tamarixetin, embelin, ginkgolide B, traumatic acid, and rosmarinic acid. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative potentials of C. neilgherrensis leaf extracts. The results presented reveal that C. neilgherrensis leaves are indeed a potent bioresource for chemotherapeutic candidate drugs for future use.
BEEx Is an Open-Source Tool That Evaluates Batch Effects in Medical Images to Enable Multicenter Studies
Authors: Wu Yuxin , Xu Xiongjun , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Xiuming , Liu Fanxi , Li Zhenhui , Hu Lei , Madabhushi Anant , Gao Peng , Liu Zaiyi , Lu Cheng
Published: December 2024

The batch effect is a nonbiological variation that arises from technical differences across different batches of data during the data generation process for acquisition-related reasons, such as collection of images at different sites or using different scanners. This phenomenon can affect the robustness and generalizability of computational pathology- or radiology-based cancer diagnostic models, especially in multicenter studies. To address this issue, we developed an open-source platform, Batch Effect Explorer (BEEx), that is designed to qualitatively and quantitatively determine whether batch effects exist among medical image datasets from different sites. A suite of tools was incorporated into BEEx that provide visualization and quantitative metrics based on intensity, gradient, and texture features to allow users to determine whether there are any image variables or combinations of variables that can distinguish datasets from different sites in an unsupervised manner. BEEx was designed to support various medical imaging techniques, including microscopy and radiology. Four use cases clearly demonstrated the ability of BEEx to identify batch effects and validated the effectiveness of rectification methods for batch effect reduction. Overall, BEEx is a scalable and versatile framework designed to read, process, and analyze a wide range of medical images to facilitate the identification and mitigation of batch effects, which can enhance the reliability and validity of image-based studies.

Significance: BEEx is a prescreening tool for image-based analyses that allows researchers to evaluate batch effects in multicenter studies and determine their origin and magnitude to facilitate development of accurate AI–based cancer models.
A New Perspective on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Urinary Metabolomic Analysis and Efficient Risk Assessment of Urolithiasis: Morning Urine Organic Acid Profiles
Authors: Yang Jiangtao , Zhang Dongfang , Lu Yan , Mai Haixing , Wu Song , Yang Qin , Zheng Hanxiong , Yu Ruqin , Luo Hongmin , Jiang Panpan , Wu Liping , Zhong Caili , Zheng Chenqing , Yang Yanling , Cui Jiaxiang , Lei Qifang , He Zhaohui
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Urolithiasis is characterized by a high morbidity and recurrence rate, primarily attributed to metabolic disorders. The identification of more metabolic biomarkers would provide valuable insights into the etiology of stone formation and the assessment of disease risk. The present study aimed to seek potential organic acid (OA) biomarkers from morning urine samples and explore new methods based on machine learning (ML) for metabolic risk prediction of urolithiasis. Methods: Morning urine samples were collected from 117 healthy controls and 156 urolithiasis patients. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to obtain metabolic profiles. Principal component analysis and ML were carried out to screen robust markers and establish a prediction evaluation model. Results: There were 25 differential metabolites identified, such as palmitic acid, l-pyroglutamic acid, glyoxylate, and ketoglutarate, mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism, fatty acid degradation, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylic acid metabolism. The urinary OA markers significantly improved the performance of the ML model. The sensitivity and specificity were up to 87.50% and 84.38%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was significantly improved (AUC = 0.9248). Conclusion: The results suggest that OA profiles in morning urine can improve the accuracy of predicting urolithiasis risk and possibly help understand the involvement of metabolic perturbations in metabolic pathways of stone formation and to provide new insights.
Riesgos asociados al uso de las tecnologías en adolescentes: una revisión sistemática
Authors: Nadador-Moncayo Lucía , Sánchez-Suricalday Andrés
Published: December 2024

(analytical)The main objective of this research is to know the risks associated with the use of technology among adolescents. A review of the existing literature was carried out, following the Prisma model, where aspects such as low self-esteem, psychosocial problems and exposure to content were identified, which can trigger family conflicts, learning difficulties and anxiety disorders. The results highlight the importance of promoting healthy and responsible use of technology among adolescents. Furthermore, it has been found that parental or teacher mediation acts as a protective factor. Likewise, the need to continue research is discussed, taking into account the constant technological evolution and its impact on youth. It is recommended to develop more specific and effective intervention strategies.
Keywords: Adolescents; social media; risks; technology.
LSD flattens the hierarchy of directed information flow in fast whole-brain dynamics
Authors: Shinozuka Kenneth , Tewarie Prejaas K.B. , Luppi Andrea , Lynn Christopher , Roseman Leor , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh , Nutt David J. , Carhart-Harris Robin , Deco Gustavo , Kringelbach Morten L.
Published: December 2024

Psychedelics are serotonergic drugs that profoundly alter consciousness, yet their neural mechanisms are not fully understood. A popular theory, RElaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS), posits that psychedelics flatten the hierarchy of information flow in the brain. Here, we investigate hierarchy based on the imbalance between sending and receiving brain signals, as determined by directed functional connectivity. We measure properties of directed functional hierarchy in a magnetoencephalography (MEG) dataset of 16 healthy human participants who were administered a psychedelic dose (75 micrograms, intravenous) of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) under four different conditions: eyes-closed with or without music and eyes-open with or without a video stimulus. Across the whole brain, LSD diminishes the asymmetry of directed connectivity when averaged across time. Additionally, we demonstrate that machine learning classifiers distinguish between LSD and placebo more accurately when trained on one of our hierarchy metrics than when trained on traditional measures of functional connectivity. Taken together, these results indicate that LSD weakens the hierarchy of directed connectivity in the brain by increasing the balance between senders and receivers of neural signals.
Impact of processing technologies on insect meal digestibility in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Mastoraki M. , Paudel K. , Biasato I. , Bellezza Oddon S. , Caimi C. , Gasco L. , Chatzifotis S.
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study was to compare the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients and energy of three differently processed black soldier fly (BSF) meals in rainbow trout and European sea bass. The processing techniques included defatting with heat treatment followed by tricanter centrifugation, with or without an enzyme hydrolysis step, as well as microwave drying. In the experimental design, each processed BSF meal was mixed with a reference diet at a 30% inclusion level, using celite as an inert digestibility marker and fed to triplicate groups of rainbow trout and European sea bass. For the European sea bass trial, an additional diet with full fat oven-dried BSF meal was also evaluated. In rainbow trout, all the processed insect meals exhibited high digestibility, with no significant differences among the BSF meals. All the amino acids were highly digestible, with ADCs ranging from 84.8% to 93.6% for the essential amino acids and from 78% to 93.2% for the non-essential ones without significant differences between treatments (). In European sea bass, while fat and energy digestibility was similar, protein digestibility was significantly higher in all the processed BSF meals when compared to the oven-dried meal (). Between the two full fat insect meals, microwave drying significantly improved dry matter and protein digestibility of BSF meal when compared to oven-drying ( and , respectively). No differences were observed in the digestibility of the two defatted insect meals (), thus suggesting that enzymatic hydrolysis did not affect their digestibility in either fish species. This study suggests that processing techniques such as defatting and microwave drying can enhance the nutritional quality and digestibility of BSF meals and offers insights for optimizing insect-based feeds in aquaculture.
Suffering, Islamic Consolation Literature and the Process of Meaning-Making
Authors: Chowdhury Safaruk Zaman
Published: December 2024

Human suffering is one of the most enduring realities that religious believers of all kinds continue to grapple with. Muslim thinkers too have pondered deeply over it, producing imaginative and novel ways to understand and explain this suffering. This article explores how theodicies – ways God’s justice and fairness are compatible with the existence of evil and suffering in the world – by themselves are not adequate to address suffering because of their theoretical nature. The proposal in this article is to adopt a meaning-making approach, one that allows the person suffering to construct meaning rather than have a theoretical solution imposed on them.
2. Why and how people develop mathematics
Authors: Greer Brian
Published: December 2024

The development of mathematics by humans has a long and unfinished history. In this, necessarily highly selective, overview, the discussion is framed in terms of the environments – physical, cultural, socio-political, specialised – within which people, including those designated as ‘mathematicians’ do what is called ‘mathematics’ in all its many forms. These forms include the traditional divide between ‘ pure’ and ‘ applied’. A distinction is drawn between internal and external processes driving the development, and within internal drivers between those of creation and those of systematisation. The links between this chapter and Chapter 13 are stressed throughout.
6. A short commentary on Kollosche’s ‘Dehumanisation through mathematics’
Authors: Wagner Roy
Published: December 2024

In this short response to David Kollosche, I briefly point out some complementary historical narratives of mathematics to suggest how mathematics may not only be complemented by more humanized forms of knowledge, but may also be inherently more humanized in itself.
13. How children, under instruction, develop mathematical understanding
Authors: Greer Brian
Published: December 2024

The relationship between the development and institutionalisation of mathematical understanding across millennia and its development for an individual child is the starting-point for this chapter. Greatly influenced by the writings of Hans Freudenthal, a position is taken in opposition to the theory propounded by Jean Piaget. The counterposition emphasises that a child can only be said to acquire any but the most elementary mathematics under more or less formal instruction and other forms of social and cultural interactions. The perennial debate about the relative weights that should be afforded in school mathematics to procedural competence and deep understanding is also related to the historical development of mathematics, particularly in relation to conceptual restructuring. This relationship is illustrated by the progressive enrichments of what is meant by ‘number’ and the basic arithmetical operations. The expansion of mathematical modelling from physical phenomena to the complexity of human interactions remains to be adequately addressed in school mathematics. And the question ‘What is mathematics education for?’ should be constantly revisited.
20. Societal perceptions of mathematics and mathematics education
Authors: Andrade-Molina Melissa , Montecino Muñoz Alex
Published: December 2024

That ‘people are naturally bad at mathematics’ or that ‘mathematics is reserved only for people with higher intellect’ are naturalised discourses rooted in the image and belief about mathematics and mathematics education. This chapter focuses on mapping societal perceptions of mathematics and mathematics education. These perceptions are tracked within naturalised discourses circulating on social networks, such as YouTube and Twitter, and in the media, such as newspapers and TV shows. We unpack the ways of thinking and understanding mathematics and mathematics education in peoples’ comments based on their daily experiences as humans navigating modern society and news websites that have published articles related to mathematics and mathematics education in order to map and take a critical position on societal perceptions circulating about mathematics and mathematics education among the public.
1. Public Investment and Industrial Policy
Authors: Brasili Andrea , Dökmeci Tuna , Kolev Atanas , Revoltella Debora , Schanz Jochen , Tueske Annamaria , Van Der Wielen Wouter
Published: December 2024

Europe needs more investment. Speeding up the climate transition and relaunching EU innovation capabilities require special efforts. Coupled with strategic autonomy and the need to secure stable and clean energy sources, these issues highlight the increasing importance of European public goods (EPGs) and policies that extend beyond national boundaries, as they involve externalities and network effects. However, Europe’s current institutional structure and mechanisms may struggle to meet this challenge. This essay examines public investment trends in the EU, arguing that while public investments have increased, greater coordination and coherence are needed. Three critical axes are identified: the provision of EPGs, policy coordination at national levels, and sufficient funding. Improving the coordination of public investment, particularly in research and development (R&D) and the climate transition, is key to unlocking Europe’s full potential. This chapter emphasizes the importance of initiatives like Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) in fostering collaboration across countries and sectors, but argues for expanded and more integrated efforts moving forward.
2. Public Investment and Industrial Policy in France
Authors: Charlet Vincent , Plane Mathieu , Saraceno Francesco
Published: December 2024

This chapter first traces the long-term evolution of public investment in France, noting how this is mostly channelled through local governments and how, while comparatively high with respect to other advanced economies, the public capital stock and the general government net wealth have been steadily decreasing since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. After the COVID-19 shock, despite the 2021 “Plan de Relance” and the 2022 “Build the France of 2030” program, public investment has remained surprisingly flat. The chapter then discusses the recent evolutions in French industrial policy objectives. The Lisbon Strategy was centred on boosting productivity through innovation and climbing the value added ladder. The response to the crisis of 2008 marks a first change, with a strong emphasis on price competitiveness and cost reduction (including through corporate tax reduction). Since the early days of the pandemics, then, the notion of “industrial sovereignty” has very quickly eclipsed that of competitiveness, with policies aimed at reindustrialization especially in strategic sectors. The chapter concludes that these frequent changes indicate an excessive short-term focus among French policy makers, incompatible with managing long-term structural transformation.
8. Industrial Policy and Security
Authors: Guerrieri Paolo , Padoan Pier Carlo
Published: December 2024

This chapter argues that the European Union’s (EU) dual challenge— enhancing both competitiveness and economic security—must form the core of its open strategic autonomy framework, which integrates national security considerations with economic policy. The chapter explores the vulnerabilities and strengths of the EU’s industrial and technological strategies, emphasizing the need for deeper European integration and more robust governance to meet these challenges. Central to this effort is the provision of European public goods (EPGs), such as climate policy, energy security, and technological development, which require stronger EU-level governance and financial resources. To ensure long-term resilience and relevance in a fragmented world, Europe must undertake a profound restructuring of its economic governance and enhance its strategic autonomy.
Causes of Differences in Depiction of Convective Lines in 1-km and 3-km CM1 Simulations
Authors: Luthi Samuel T. , Gallus William A.
Published: December 2024

Previous research has shown that 3-km horizontal grid spacing simulations depicting clusters of cells often change to showing linear structures when grid spacing is refined to 1 km. This increase in linear structures at finer horizontal grid spacings may be due simply to the resolving of stronger vertical motion along the leading edge of the MCS cold pool resulting in more continuous zones of convection in higher-resolution runs. However, prior work has suggested that the cold pools themselves are stronger with finer grid spacing, enhancing lift to grow linear morphologies faster. In the present study, Cloud Model 1 was used to simulate an array of MCSs with varying wind profiles and a constant thermodynamic profile (Weisman–Klemp analytic sounding) at both 1- and 3-km horizontal grid spacings and with 50 and 100 vertical levels. A line of seven randomly spaced warm bubbles was used to initiate convection. In 1-km Δx simulations, gravity waves dominated in initiating new convection for growth into lines, and the ascent associated with them was much greater than in 3-km runs. Upscale growth into lines in 3-km Δx simulations was driven more by ascent caused by the collision of convective cold pools.