bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GCTNet: a graph convolutional transformer network for major depressive disorder detection based on EEG signals
Authors: Wang Yuwen , Peng Yudan , Han Mingxiu , Liu Xinyi , Niu Haijun , Cheng Jian , Chang Suhua , Liu Tao
Published: May 2024

Objective. Identifying major depressive disorder (MDD) using objective physiological signals has become a pressing challenge. Approach. Hence, this paper proposes a graph convolutional transformer network (GCTNet) for accurate and reliable MDD detection using electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The developed framework integrates a residual graph convolutional network block to capture spatial information and a Transformer block to extract global temporal dynamics. Additionally, we introduce the contrastive cross-entropy (CCE) loss that combines contrastive learning to enhance the stability and discriminability of the extracted features, thereby improving classification performance. Main results. The effectiveness of the GCTNet model and CCE loss was assessed using EEG data from 41 MDD patients and 44 normal controls, in addition to a publicly available dataset. Utilizing a subject-independent data partitioning method and 10-fold cross-validation, the proposed method demonstrated significant performance, achieving an average Area Under the Curve of 0.7693 and 0.9755 across both datasets, respectively. Comparative analyses demonstrated the superiority of the GCTNet framework with CCE loss over state-of-the-art algorithms in MDD detection tasks. Significance. The proposed method offers an objective and effective approach to MDD detection, providing valuable support for clinical-assisted diagnosis.
Neural Networks for position reconstruction in liquid argon detectors
Authors: Cárdenas-Montes Miguel , Santorelli Roberto
Published: May 2024

This article explores the integration of Deep Learning and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Particle Physics, focusing on their application in position reconstruction within dual-phase liquid argon detectors for Dark Matter search. Facing challenges like pile-up scenarios, Neural Networks prove crucial for refining algorithms. This article emphasizes Deep Learning's role in addressing regression and classification problems, such as position reconstruction and particle identification, particularly in Time Projection Chambers. Explainable Artificial Intelligence emerges as pivotal in unraveling Deep Learning's complex decisions, exposing biases, and facilitating improvement cycles. Innovations like Evolutionary Neural Networks and topology-driven dataset reduction offer potential efficiency gains. The conclusion highlights challenges in analyzing massive data volumes, emphasizing the need for adaptability and ethical considerations in the pursuit of understanding Dark Matter.
Design, fabrication and validation of an electrical conductivity principle based two-phase detection sensor array for molten lead (Pb) based heavy metal coolants up to 600°C
Authors: Saraswat A. , Bhattacharyay R. , Gedupudi S. , Chaudhuri P.
Published: May 2024

Molten lead (Pb) and its alloys (PbBi and PbLi) are of
immense interest for various nuclear engineering applications,
including but not limited to advanced Lead-cooled Fast Reactors
(LFRs), tritium Breeding Blankets (BBs) of fusion power plants and
spallation targets for Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS). Owing to
their attractive thermophysical properties, these advanced fluids
assert their candidacy to address the critical requirements of
neutron multiplication, neutron moderation, high temperature
coolants and tritium breeders, enabling the operation of next
generation nuclear systems at high temperatures with better
efficiencies. However, for numerous reasons such as a compromise of
structural integrity at the heat transfer interface, presence of an
inert cover gas during charging of molten metal in the loop, and the
fusion fuel cycle itself may lead to molten metal-gas two-phase
flows with high density ratios. At present, no effective diagnostics
exist to detect such operational and accidental occurrences in high
temperature molten metal systems resulting in a severe lack of
relevant experimental studies. To address these limitations and to
advance the current understanding toward two-phase regimes in high
temperature Pb-based melts, the present work focuses on the design
and assembly aspects of an electrical conductivity-based two-phase
detection sensor array, utilizing high purity
 α-Al2O3 coatings with AlPO4 binder as
electrical insulation layers. This paper discusses the design
considerations, thermal analysis, systematic selection of
structural/functional components along with preliminary results from
the probe performance tests in very high temperature
(600°C) static molten Pb column for real time detection of
argon gas bubbles rising within the melt. Quantitative estimations
of time-averaged void fraction, average bubble impaction frequency
and average bubble residence time are presented from the preliminary
experimental investigations.
Unappreciated healthcare inequality against PM2.5-related mortality risk
Authors: Zhang Haofan , Zhu Dianyu , Liu Miaomiao , Yang Jianxun , Ma Zongwei , Fang Wen , Ji John S , He Pan , Bi Jun
Published: May 2024

Understanding the inequality of PM2.5-related health is crucial for promoting health, building a just society, and advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals goals. However, previous research has predominantly concentrated on PM2.5 exposure inequality, neglecting varied prompt responses and protective behaviors against it. Here, we established the relationship between short-term healthcare expenditure and PM2.5 concentration using the number and amount of healthcare transactions across all healthcare categories based on the Union Pay data. We also assessed daily city-specific PM2.5-related mortality and healthcare expenditures and evaluated their inequalities among cities according to the income inequality index, the Gini coefficient. The results show that short-term exposure to PM2.5 leads to severe physiological and health-related economic burdens on Chinese residents. From 2017 to 2019, 77.8 (34.5–121.1) thousand deaths were attributed to daily PM2.5, with healthcare expenditures reaching 93.7 (69.1–118.3) billion Chinese Yuan. Additionally, there were significant inequalities in PM2.5-related mortality and healthcare expenditures among cities. The inequality index for PM2.5-related healthcare expenditures was 0.53, while the inequality index for PM2.5-related mortality was 0.13. The greater inequality in healthcare expenditures than in mortality, implying inadequate healthcare resources amplify the health inequality related to PM2.5 exposure. 28.6% of Chinese cities lacked affordable healthcare resources to address the high physiological burden attributable to PM2.5. Our multidimensional exploration is essential for formulating effective policies addressing environmental health inequality. Focusing on these cities with disproportionate challenges is crucial for creating a more equitable and sustainable society.
Dynamical-statistical method for seasonal forecasting of wintertime PM10 concentration in South Korea using multi-model ensemble climate forecasts
Authors: Choi Jahyun , Woo Sung-Ho , Yoon Jin-Ho , Choi Jin-Young , Lee Daegyun , Jeong Jee-Hoon
Published: May 2024

Climate conditions and emissions are among the primary influences on seasonal variations in air quality. Consequently, skillful climate forecasts can greatly enhance the predictability of air quality seasonal forecasts. In this study, we propose a dynamical-statistical method for seasonal forecasting of particulate matter (PM10) concentrations in South Korea in winter using climate forecasts from the Asian Pacific Climate Center (APCC) multi-model ensemble (MME). We identified potential climate predictors that potentially affect the wintertime air quality variability in South Korea in the global domain. From these potential climate predictors, those that can be forecasted skillfully by APCC MME were utilized to establish a multiple-linear regression model to predict the winter PM10 concentration in South Korea. As a result of evaluating the forecast skill through retrospective forecasts for the past 25 winters (1995/96-2019/20), this model showed statistically significant forecast skill at a lead time of a month to a season. The skill of PM10 forecast from the MME was overall better than that from a single model. We also found that it is possible to improve forecast skills through optimal MME combinations.
Enhanced repetition codes for the cross-platform comparison of progress towards fault-tolerance
Authors: Liepelt Milan , Peduzzi Tommaso , Wootton James R
Published: May 2024

Achieving fault-tolerance will require a strong relationship between the hardware and the protocols used. Different approaches will therefore naturally have tailored proof-of-principle experiments to benchmark progress. Nevertheless, repetition codes have become a commonly used basis of experiments that allow cross-platform comparisons. Here we propose methods by which repetition code experiments can be expanded and improved, while retaining cross-platform compatibility. We also consider novel methods of analyzing the results, which offer more detailed insights than simple calculation of the logical error rate.
Aspects of non-topological soliton stars in a class of induced gravity theories
Authors: Asri Seema , Lohiya Daksh , Chandra Suresh
Published: May 2024

We explore some interesting properties of soliton stars arising in a class of effective gravity theories having a Higgs scalar field that serves a dual role of generating an effective mass of a fermion field as well as generating an effective gravitational constant. With a suitable choice of non-minimal coupling, such solitons have the canonical effective gravitational constant in their exterior while in the interior the effective gravitational constant could be arbitrarily smaller. Such a choice enables an exact determination of gravitational effects on the total conserved energy of the soliton. While the external metric of such a soliton is the standard Schwarzschild metric, the interior entropy is much larger than that of a black hole of the same equilibrium temperature.
Entropy production from waiting-time distributions for overdamped Langevin dynamics
Authors: Meyberg Ellen , Degünther Julius , Seifert Udo
Published: May 2024

For a Markovian dynamics on discrete states, the logarithmic ratio of waiting-time distributions between two successive, instantaneous transitions in forward and backward direction is a measure of time-irreversibility. It thus serves as an entropy estimator, which is exact in the case of a uni-cyclic network. We adopt this framework to overdamped Langevin dynamics, where such transitions have finite duration. By introducing milestones based on the observation of a particle at at least two milestones and an additional third event, we identify an entropy estimator that becomes exact for driven motion along a one-dimensional potential.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as a method for millimeter-scale inspection of surface flatness
Authors: YE 叶 Jinrui 晋瑞 , LI 李 Yaju 亚举 , ZHANG 张 Zhao 朝 , WANG 王 Xinwei 新威 , TAO 陶 Kewei 科伟 , ZENG 曾 Qiang 强 , CHEN 陈 Liangwen 良文 , QIAN 钱 Dongbin 东斌 , ZHANG 张 Shaofeng 少峰 , YANG 杨 Lei 磊 , MA 马 Xinwen 新文
Published: May 2024

A non-contact method for millimeter-scale inspection of material surface flatness via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is investigated experimentally. The experiment is performed using a planished surface of an alloy steel sample to simulate its various flatness, ranging from 0 to 4.4 mm, by adjusting the laser focal plane to the surface distance with a step length of 0.2 mm. It is found that LIBS measurements are successful in inspecting the flatness differences among these simulated cases, implying that the method investigated here is feasible. It is also found that, for achieving the inspection of surface flatness within such a wide range, when univariate analysis is applied, a piecewise calibration model must be constructed. This is due to the complex dependence of plasma formation conditions on the surface flatness, which inevitably complicates the inspection procedure. To solve the problem, a multivariate analysis with the help of Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithms is applied to further construct the calibration model. By detailed analysis of the model performance, we demonstrate that a unified calibration model can be well established based on BPNN algorithms for unambiguous millimeter-scale range inspection of surface flatness with a resolution of about 0.2 mm.
How to reconstruct a planar map from its branching curve
Authors: Hoxhaj Eriola , Schicho Josef
Published: May 2024

We present an algorithm for constructing a map

P

2

→

P

2

\mathbb {P}^2\to \mathbb {P}^2

with a given branching curve. The stepping stone is the ramification curve, which is obtained as the linear normalisation of the branching curve.
A general formula for the index of depth stability of edge ideals
Authors: Lam Ha , Trung Ngo , Trung Tran
Published: May 2024

By a classical result of Brodmann, the function

d
e
p
t
h
R

/

I
t

depthR/I^t

is asymptotically a constant, i.e. there is a number

s
s

such that

d
e
p
t
h
R

/

I
t

=
d
e
p
t
h
R

/

I
s

depthR/I^t = depthR/I^s

for

t
>
s

t > s

. One calls the smallest number

s
s

with this property the index of depth stability of

I
I

and denotes it by

d
s
t
a
b
(
I
)

dstab(I)

. This invariant remains mysterious till now. The main result of this paper gives an explicit formula for

d
s
t
a
b
(
I
)

dstab(I)

when

I
I

is an arbitrary ideal generated by squarefree monomials of degree 2. That is the first general case where one can characterize

d
s
t
a
b
(
I
)

dstab(I)

explicitly. The formula expresses

d
s
t
a
b
(
I
)

dstab(I)

in terms of the associated graph. The proof involves new techniques which relate different topics such as simplicial complexes, systems of linear inequalities, graph parallelizations, and ear decompositions. It provides an effective method for the study of powers of edge ideals.
Effective decorrelation of Hecke eigenforms
Authors: Huang Bingrong
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we prove effective quantitative decorrelation of values of two Hecke eigenforms as the weight goes to infinity. As consequences, we get an effective version of equidistribution of mass and zeros of certain linear combinations of Hecke eigenforms.
The Amalgamation Property for automorphisms of ordered abelian groups
Authors: Dobrowolski Jan , Mennuni Rosario
Published: May 2024

We prove that the category of ordered abelian groups equipped with an automorphism has the Amalgamation Property, deduce that their inductive theory is

N
I
P

\mathsf {NIP}

in the sense of positive logic, and initiate a development of the latter framework.

As byproducts of the proof, we obtain a generalised version of the Hahn Embedding Theorem which allows to lift each automorphism of an ordered abelian group to one of an ordered real vector space, and we show that, on existentially closed structures, linear combinations of iterates of the automorphism have the Intermediate Value Property.
Four-dimensional homogeneous critical metrics for quadratic curvature functionals
Authors: Brozos-Vázquez M. , Caeiro-Oliveira S. , García-Río E. , Vázquez-Lorenzo R.
Published: May 2024

We determine all homogeneous metrics which are critical for some quadratic curvature functional in dimension four.
On spectral simplicity of the Hodge Laplacian and curl operator along paths of metrics
Authors: Kepplinger Willi
Published: May 2024

We prove that the curl operator on closed oriented

3
3

-manifolds, i.e., the square root of the Hodge Laplacian on its coexact spectrum, generically has

1
1

-dimensional eigenspaces, even along

1
1

-parameter families of

C

k

\mathcal {C}^k

Riemannian metrics, where

k
≥
2

k\geq 2

. We show further that the Hodge Laplacian in dimension

3
3

has two possible sources for nonsimple eigenspaces along generic

1
1

-parameter families of Riemannian metrics: either eigenvalues coming from positive and from negative eigenvalues of the curl operator cross, or an exact and a coexact eigenvalue cross. We provide examples for both of these phenomena. In order to prove our results, we generalize a method of Teytel [Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 52 (1999), pp. 917–934], allowing us to compute the meagre codimension of the set of Riemannian metrics for which the curl operator and the Hodge Laplacian have certain eigenvalue multiplicities. A consequence of our results is that while the simplicity of the spectrum of the Hodge Laplacian in dimension

3
3

is a meagre codimension

1
1

property with respect to the

C

k

\mathcal {C}^k

topology as proven by Enciso and Peralta-Salas in [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 364 (2012), pp. 4207–4224], it is not a meagre codimension

2
2

property.
Phase space analysis of spectral multipliers for the twisted Laplacian
Authors: Trapasso S. Ivan
Published: May 2024

We prove boundedness results on modulation and Wiener amalgam spaces for some families of spectral multipliers for the twisted Laplacian. We exploit the metaplectic equivalence relating the twisted Laplacian with a partial harmonic oscillator, leading to a general transference principle for the corresponding spectral multipliers. Our analysis encompasses powers of the twisted Laplacian and oscillating multipliers, with applications to the corresponding Schrödinger and wave flows. On the other hand, elaborating on the twisted convolution structure of the eigenprojections and its connection with the Weyl product of symbols, we obtain a complete picture of the boundedness of the heat flow for the twisted Laplacian. Results of the same kind are established for fractional heat flows via subordination.
Proof mining for the dual of a Banach space with extensions for uniformly Fréchet differentiable functions
Authors: Pischke Nicholas
Published: May 2024

We present a proof-theoretically tame approach for treating the dual space of an abstract Banach space in systems amenable to proof mining metatheorems which quantify and allow for the extraction of the computational content of large classes of theorems about the dual of a Banach space and its corresponding norm, unlocking a major branch of functional analysis as a new area of applications for these methods. The approach relies on using intensional methods to deal with the high quantifier complexity of the predicate defining the dual space as well as on a proof-theoretically tame treatment of suprema over (certain) bounded sets in normed spaces to deal with the norm of the dual. Beyond this, we discuss further possible extensions of this system to deal with convex functions and corresponding Fréchet derivatives and their duality theory through Fenchel conjugates, together with the associated Bregman distances, which provide the logical basis for a range of recent applications of proof mining methods to these branches of nonlinear analysis.
Extremes in Other Correlated Systems
Authors: Majumdar Satya N , Schehr Grégory
Published: May 2024

In order to provide examples of various applications of EVS, we go beyond the two basic models (IID and random walk sequences) and discuss the extreme value statistics for other models with weak and strong correlations. Many of these examples are rapidly evolving topics of current interest. We do not provide much detail for these examples, but instead discuss some general results and refer the reader to the original articles.
Introduction
Authors: Choudhry Sujit , Hailbronner Michaela , Kumm Mattias
Published: May 2024

The introduction situates the project in the broader comparative law literature and in the context of contemporary political developments. It discusses the meaning and functions of a canon of comparative law. Acknowledging the challenges involved with such a concept, in particular its Western bias and questions of exclusion, it argues for understanding a canon as not as a selection of the best interpretation of certain shared values or principles, but a space for a conversation about central normative underpinnings of democratic constitutionalism. At a time when we observe a retreat from universal categories towards more particularist understandings, sometimes coupled with the erosion of democratic constitutionalism, this kind of conversation is more necessary than ever. The second part of the introduction offers an outline of the volume and a detailed summary of the following chapters.
A Haitian Turn
Authors: Frankenberg Günter
Published: May 2024

This chapter sheds light on one of the hidden faces of modernity—Haiti’s founding constitutions of 1801 and 1805. It is argued that these “maroon constitutions” belong in the canon because of their normative innovations: By declaring all Haitians to be “Blacks,” they proposed a new black universalism, and document with their layered narrative as postcolonial social contracts and founding charters the first successful revolt against slavery and a colony’s declaration of independence. With this, their global importance can hardly be overrated and, accordingly, they should form a central part of any discussion of a canon of constitutionalism, alongside the standard texts from the American and French Revolutions.
Freedom of Religion
Authors: Neo Jaclyn L
Published: May 2024

As one of the early antecedents of modern human rights, the right to religious freedom is today among the most commonly found guarantees in modern constitutional documents, as well as in international and regional human rights documents. Its ubiquity belies a persistent contestation as to its scope, nature, and limits, which, to some extent, have become proxies for ideological struggles concerning the normativity of constitutionalism, between liberal and non-liberal constitutionalism, between secular constitutionalism and religious (even theocratic) constitutionalism, and between separationist secularism and non-separationist secularism, set within a range of different state–religion constitutional arrangements. This chapter embarks on the exercise of identifying canons in the field of religious freedom within constitutional law and human rights law with a critical lens. It examines evidence of the canonical (and anti-canonical) status of four cases, their legacy, and criticism, applying the criteria of ‘paradigmatic shifts’, i.e. of cases that have served as turning points within the field. The first two cases are both from the Global North; West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette and Kokkinakis v. Greece are landmark cases affirming that religious freedom protects religious minorities and therefore serves to promote social/religious plurality and secularism. The next two cases are from the Global South: Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras v. Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt and Lina Joy v. Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah both challenge a separationist perspective of religious freedom, reflecting a judicial approach that is far more interventionist in state–religion relations.
Act of State and Diplomatic Protection in the Modern Constitution
Authors: Okowa Phoebe
Published: May 2024

This chapter seeks to elaborate on two national decisions that have a credible claim to canonical status in constitutional adjudication: Kaunda v. Republic of South Africa and Belhaj v. Straw. They are respectively concerned with diplomatic protection and act of state, two concepts that originated in the heyday of absolute sovereigns, but which have been reinterpreted in light of contemporary demands of the rule of law and the separation of powers. These cases depart fundamentally from older cases and encapsulate a distinct rupture in the jurisprudence by subjecting both diplomatic protection and act of state to modern constitutional limitations and the demands of fundamental rights in a democracy. They reconstruct and delimit the impact of the separation of powers, human rights treaties, and constitutional guarantees in bills of rights on the interpretation of concepts that were formulated in another historical period. A central concern in the judgments is the extent to which their interpretation has been influenced by the increased public sensitivity to human rights norms, jus cogens principles, and the rule of law. Diplomatic protection and act of state were historically regarded as reflecting the prerogatives of states, and courts were generally expected to exercise restraint where they were operative. The cases illustrate how modern developments in international law have circumscribed their sphere of operation and that courts are increasingly wary of accepting judicial restraint where individual rights are at play or where such restraint is difficult to reconcile with access to justice as a constitutional imperative.
A comparison of frailty measures in population-based data for patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Birch Rebecca , Taylor John , Rahman Tameera , Audisio Riccardo , Pilleron Sophie , Quirke Philip , Howell Simon , Downing Amy , Morris Eva
Published: May 2024

Background

Numerous studies have revealed age-related inequalities in colorectal cancer care. Increasing levels of frailty in an ageing population may be contributing to this, but quantifying frailty in population-based studies is challenging.

Objective

To assess the feasibility, validity and reliability of the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), the Secondary Care Administrative Records Frailty (SCARF) index and the frailty syndromes (FS) measures in a national colorectal cancer cohort.

Design

Retrospective population-based study using 136,008 patients with colorectal cancer treated within the English National Health Service.

Methods

Each measure was generated in the dataset to assess their feasibility. The diagnostic codes used in each measure were compared with those in the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Validity was assessed using the prevalence of frailty and relationship with 1-year survival. The Brier score and the c-statistic were used to assess performance and discriminative ability of models with included each measure.

Results

All measures demonstrated feasibility, validity and reliability. Diagnostic codes used in SCARF and CCI have considerable overlap. Prevalence of frailty determined by each differed; SCARF allocating 55.4% of the population to the lowest risk group compared with 85.1% (HFRS) and 81.2% (FS). HFRS and FS demonstrated the greatest difference in 1-year overall survival between those with the lowest and highest measured levels of frailty. Differences in model performance were marginal.

Conclusions

HFRS, SCARF and FS all have value in quantifying frailty in routine administrative health care datasets. The most suitable measure will depend on the context and requirements of each individual epidemiological study.
Redistribution and selfishness
Authors: Lloyd Harry R
Published: May 2024

One of the disadvantages of redistributive taxation is that it reduces people’s financial incentives to increase national wealth and benefit others by engaging in productive activities. It is natural to suppose that the severity of this disadvantage will be proportional to the socially prevailing level of human selfishness. Thus several advocates of redistribution (G.A. Cohen, Ha-Joon Chang among others) have argued that this disadvantage of redistribution need not be as severe as critics often suggest, because human beings need not be so selfish. My aim in this paper is to argue that, even in a society entirely composed of unselfish and impartially beneficent individuals, redistributive taxation would still discourage activities that contribute to national wealth, because differing individuals have different views about what counts as benefiting themselves and others. I also relate my discussion to G.A. Cohen’s influential ‘camping trip’ argument for socialism (from Why Not Socialism?).
Advancing fine branch biomass estimation with lidar and structural models
Authors: Millan Mathilde , Bonnet Alexis , Dauzat Jean , Vezy Rémi
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Lidar is a promising tool for fast and accurate measurements of trees. There are several approaches to estimate above-ground woody biomass using lidar point clouds. One of the most widely used methods involves fitting geometric primitives (e.g. cylinders) to the point cloud, thereby reconstructing both the geometry and topology of the tree. However, current algorithms are not suited for accurate estimation of the volume of finer branches, because of the unreliable point dispersions from, for example, beam footprint compared to the structure diameter.

Method

We propose a new method that couples point cloud-based skeletonization and multi-linear statistical modelling based on structural data to make a model (structural model) that accurately estimates the above-ground woody biomass of trees from high-quality lidar point clouds, including finer branches. The structural model was tested at segment, axis and branch level, and compared to a cylinder fitting algorithm and to the pipe model theory.

Key Results

The model accurately predicted the biomass with 1.6 % normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) at the segment scale from a k-fold cross-validation. It also gave satisfactory results when scaled up to the branch level with a significantly lower error (13 % nRMSE) and bias (−5 %) compared to conventional cylinder fitting to the point cloud (nRMSE: 92 %, bias: 82 %), or using the pipe model theory (nRMSE: 31 %, bias: −27 %). The model was then applied to the whole-tree scale and showed that the sampled trees had more than 1.7 km of structures on average and that 96 % of that length was coming from the twigs (i.e. <5 cm diameter). Our results showed that neglecting twigs can lead to a significant underestimation of tree above-ground woody biomass (−21 %).

Conclusions

The structural model approach is an effective method that allows a more accurate estimation of the volumes of smaller branches from lidar point clouds. This method is versatile but requires manual measurements on branches for calibration. Nevertheless, once the model is calibrated, it can provide unbiased and large-scale estimations of tree structure volumes, making it an excellent choice for accurate 3D reconstruction of trees and estimating standing biomass.
A Potential Measure of Premorbid Functioning: Evaluating the Construct Validity of the Author and Magazine Recognition Tests
Authors: Guevara Jasmin E , DesRuisseaux Libby , Mora Michelle Gereau , Euler Matthew J , Suchy Yana
Published: May 2024

Objective

To establish convergent and discriminant validity for a combined measure of print exposure (i.e., Author Recognition Test and Magazine Recognition Test [ART/MRT]) and assess its potential utility for estimating premorbid cognitive functioning.

Method

Community-dwelling older adults (N = 84; 95% non-Hispanic White) completed the ART/MRT, Test of Premorbid Functioning (ToPF), Dementia Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (DRS-2), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT-R-DR), and select subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS) as measures of executive functioning (i.e., D-KEFS-EF) and processing speed (i.e., D-KEFS-PS). Pearson correlations and linear regressions were used to examine the relationships between the ART/MRT, cognition, and demographics.

Results

Cognitive scores, with the exception of HVLT-R-DR, were positively correlated with ART/MRT score such that better cognitive performance was associated with greater print exposure (range r = 0.39–0.49). ART/MRT score was positively correlated with years of education and negatively correlated with age. ToPF and DRS-2 differentially and uniquely predicted ART/MRT score beyond the other cognitive and demographic variables and beyond each other.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that measures of print exposure reflect crystallized knowledge but may also capture fluid abilities that may be more vulnerable to age-related decline or neurodegeneration. Assessment of print exposure may offer an alternative to word reading measures that may be inappropriate for translation into other languages and for use with individuals with certain language difficulties.
Teacher Perspectives of Pediatric Neuropsychology and Supporting Children With Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Oswald-McCloskey Kaitlin A , Kubinec Nicole , Johnson Elizabeth , Coffey Alice , Heinrich Kimberley P
Published: May 2024

Objective

The goal of the present study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of neuropsychological reports broadly and their preparedness to support the educational needs of students with chronic health conditions.

Method

Teachers were selected from across the United States using stratified random sampling. 280 teachers (76.2% female; 58.4% public school; 53.9% rural setting) completed an anonymous electronic survey via Qualtrics.

Results

Half of the teachers were familiar with neuropsychology and previously read a neuropsychological report, which the majority found useful with a preference toward shorter reports. Most found listed recommendations to be appropriate, but half of teachers identified limited resources as a barrier to implementation. Teachers reported limited education, training, and comfort for providing accommodations to children with chronic health conditions, which was significantly lower for cancer, congenital heart disease, and sickle cell disease. Older teachers, more years of experience, and special education teachers demonstrated significantly higher levels of education, training, and comfort. Frequency of implementing accommodations was significantly negatively correlated with perceived burden and positively correlated with perceived benefit across most accommodations. Teachers reported a preference for single-page handouts and speaking directly to neuropsychologists about the specific learning needs of students with chronic health conditions.

Conclusions

Results highlight areas for future research and intervention regarding teacher’s preparedness for working with children with chronic health groups and opportunities to improve communication between neuropsychologists and teachers to ultimately improve access to educational supports and overall quality of life of students with chronic health conditions.
CodonBERT: a BERT-based architecture tailored for codon optimization using the cross-attention mechanism
Authors: Ren Zilin , Jiang Lili , Di Yaxin , Zhang Dufei , Gong Jianli , Gong Jianting , Jiang Qiwei , Fu Zhiguo , Sun Pingping , Zhou Bo , Ni Ming
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Due to the varying delivery methods of mRNA vaccines, codon optimization plays a critical role in vaccine design to improve the stability and expression of proteins in specific tissues. Considering the many-to-one relationship between synonymous codons and amino acids, the number of mRNA sequences encoding the same amino acid sequence could be enormous. Finding stable and highly expressed mRNA sequences from the vast sequence space using in silico methods can generally be viewed as a path-search problem or a machine translation problem. However, current deep learning-based methods inspired by machine translation may have some limitations, such as recurrent neural networks, which have a weak ability to capture the long-term dependencies of codon preferences.

Results

We develop a BERT-based architecture that uses the cross-attention mechanism for codon optimization. In CodonBERT, the codon sequence is randomly masked with each codon serving as a key and a value. In the meantime, the amino acid sequence is used as the query. CodonBERT was trained on high-expression transcripts from Human Protein Atlas mixed with different proportions of high codon adaptation index codon sequences. The result showed that CodonBERT can effectively capture the long-term dependencies between codons and amino acids, suggesting that it can be used as a customized training framework for specific optimization targets.

Availability and implementation

CodonBERT is freely available on https://github.com/FPPGroup/CodonBERT.
Impact of demand growth on the capacity of long-duration energy storage under deep decarbonization
Authors: Ashfaq Sara , El Myasse Ilyass , Zhang Daming , Musleh Ahmed S
Published: May 2024

The weather-dependent uncertainty of wind and solar power generation presents a challenge to the balancing of power generation and demand in highly renewable electricity systems. Battery energy storage can provide flexibility to firm up the variability of renewables and to respond to the increased load demand under decarbonization scenarios. This paper explores how the battery energy storage capacity requirement for compressed-air energy storage (CAES) will grow as the load demand increases. Here we used an idealized lowest-cost optimization model to study the response of highly renewable electricity systems to the increasing load demand of California under deep decarbonization. Results show that providing bulk CAES to the zero-emission power system offers substantial benefits, but it cannot fully compensate for the 100% variability of highly renewable power systems. The capacity requirement of CAES increases by ≤33.3% with a 1.5 times increase in the load demand and by ≤50% with a two-times increase in the load demand. In this analysis, a zero-emission electricity system operating at current costs becomes more cost-effective when there is firm power generation. The least competitive nuclear option plays this role and reduces system costs by 16.4%, curtails the annual main node by 36.8%, and decreases the CAES capacity requirements by ≤80.7% in the case of a double-load demand. While CAES has potential in addressing renewable variability, its widespread deployment is constrained by geographical, societal, and economic factors. Therefore, if California is aiming for an energy system that is reliant on wind and solar power, then an additional dispatchable power source other than CAES or similar load flexibility is necessary. To fully harness the benefits of bulk CAES, the development and implementation of cost-effective approaches are crucial in significantly reducing system costs.
Quality Control of L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Phosphate Magnesium Using Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Wynendaele Evelien , Urlaub Jonas , Xu Xiaolong , Holzgrabe Ulrike , De Spiegeleer Bart
Published: May 2024

L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium (AP-Mg) salt is a Vitamin C derivative frequently used as a raw material in cell culture media for research purposes as well as for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-manufacturing of cell and tissue advanced therapy medicinal products. A selective reversed-phase HPLC (RP-LC) method was developed and validated. Commercially available AP-Mg products from different suppliers were analyzed. Various new impurities were found using this newly developed RP-LC method. Using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a mass balance of roughly 99.9% was obtained; the total numbers of impurities detected in both methods are also identical. The values of the relative ultraviolet (UV) response factors at λ = 210 nm of the impurities in this RP-LC method were discussed. When equaling the overall mean relative response factor of the impurities to 0.6 (estimated central value), the mass balance in the RP-LC method was nearly 100%. The structures of the new impurities are proposed as ethylation derivatives of open-ring AP-Mg products as well as phosphorylated derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Evolutionary factors and habitat filtering affect the pattern of Gerbillinae diversity
Authors: Cui Yaqian , Cheng Jilong , Wen Zhixin , Feijó Anderson , Xia Lin , Ge Deyan , Artige Emmanuelle , Granjon Laurent , Yang Qisen
Published: May 2024

How ecological and evolutionary factors affect small mammal diversity in arid regions remains largely unknown. Here, we combined the largest phylogeny and occurrence dataset of Gerbillinae desert rodents to explore the underlying factors shaping present-day distribution patterns. In particular, we analyzed the relative contributions of ecological and evolutionary factors on their species diversity using a variety of models. Additionally, we inferred the ancestral range and possible dispersal scenarios and estimated the diversification rate of Gerbillinae. We found that Gerbillinae likely originated in the Horn of Africa in the Middle Miocene and then dispersed and diversified across arid regions in northern and southern Africa and western and central Asia, forming their current distribution pattern. Multiple ecological and evolutionary factors jointly determine the spatial pattern of Gerbillinae diversity, but evolutionary factors (evolutionary time and speciation rate) and habitat filtering were the most important in explaining the spatial variation in species richness. Our study enhances the understanding of the diversity patterns of small mammals in arid regions and highlights the importance of including evolutionary factors when interpreting the mechanisms underlying large-scale species diversity patterns.
Outcomes of heart transplants in children with heterotaxy syndrome
Authors: Alsoufi Bahaaldin , Kozik Deborah , Lambert Andrea Nicole , Deshpande Shriprasad , Sparks Joshua D , Trivedi Jaimin
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

End-stage congenital heart disease (CHD) in children with heterotaxy syndrome might necessitate a heart transplant (HTx). An HTx in heterotaxy patients can be associated with several technical (e.g. redo, systemic/pulmonary-venous/situs anomalies, pulmonary artery reconstruction) and extra-cardiac (e.g. ciliary dyskinesia, infections, gastrointestinal) challenges. Our goal was to determine if heterotaxy syndrome is associated with increased early or late transplant risks.

METHODS

The United Network for Organ Sharing transplant database was merged with the Paediatric Health Information System administrative database to identify children with heterotaxy who received an HTx. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between children with heterotaxy and contemporaneous non-heterotaxy congenital and non-congenital cardiomyopathy control groups.

RESULTS

After we merged the databases, we divided our cohort of 1122 patients into 3 groups: the heterotaxy (n = 143), group the non-heterotaxy congenital (n = 428) group and the cardiomyopathy (n = 551) group. There were differences in the characteristics between the 3 groups, with the heterotaxy group being comparable to the non-heterotaxy congenital group. The waiting list duration was longer for the heterotaxy than for the non-heterotaxy congenital and cardiomyopathy groups (91 vs 63 vs 56 days, P < 0.001). Early post-transplant complications were similar for all groups except for operative mortality, which was 1% for the cardiomyopathy and 4% for the heterotaxy and non-heterotaxy congenital groups (P < 0.001). The post-transplant hospital stay was shorter for the cardiomyopathy (57 days) compared to the non-heterotaxy congenital (99 days) and heterotaxy (89 days) groups (P < 0.001). Whereas rejection prior to discharge was comparable between the heterotaxy and the CHD groups, it was higher at 1 year for the heterotaxy (22%) than for the non-heterotaxy congenital (19%) and cardiomyopathy (13%) groups (P < 0.001). Survival at 5 years was superior for the cardiomyopathy (87%) compared to the heterotaxy (69%) and non-heterotaxy congenital groups (78%) (P < 0.001). For the heterotaxy group, no risk factors affecting survival were identified on multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the complexity, an HTx in selected children with heterotaxy is associated with good mid-term outcomes. Despite early results that are comparable to those of other patients with CHD, the increasing rejection rate at 1 year and the relatively accelerated attrition at mid-term warrant further follow-up. Due to database limitations in defining morphologic and surgical details, further work is warranted to delineate anatomical and surgical variables that could affect survival.
Clinical determinants of blood biomarkers of atrial cardiomyopathy: results from the ISOLATION AF ablation cohort study
Authors: Habibi Z , Verhaert D V M , Hermans B J M , Philippens S A M , Westra S W , Chaldoupi S M , Maesen B A E , Isaacs A , Zeemering S , Linz D , Vernooy K , Schotten U
Published: May 2024

Background

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), significant advances have been made in identifying biomarkers representing diverse pathophysiological pathways, such as inflammation, myocyte injury, collagen deposition, and fatty-fibrotic infiltration. Data on clinical determinants of biomarkers in patients with AF, however, are lacking.

Objective

Our primary aim was to explore the relationships between clinical determinants and biomarker levels in AF patients scheduled for catheter ablation.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation included in the prospective multicenter ISOLATION study between July 2020 and May 2022. Clinical characteristics, routine tests and blood samples were collected before ablation. Blood samples were analyzed for known and novel cardiovascular biomarkers, including Bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10), Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK-3), Endocan (ESM-1), Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), B-type natriuretic peptides (proBNP, NTproBNP), High sensitive Troponin-T (hsTnT)< Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), Cancer antigen-125 (Ca-125) (Table 1). For each biomarker we trained a lasso regression model to identify the most important clinical determinants out of all the 60 available determinants (including anthropometry, ECG, comorbidities). The strongest associations are summarized in figure 1.

Results

Blood samples of 508 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 63 ±9 years, and 31.1% were female. 354 patients (69.7%) had paroxysmal AF and 154 patients (30.3%) had persistent AF. Heart failure was reported in 77 patients (15.2%). 355 (72.3%) patients were in sinus rhythm during sample collection. The following clinical determinants of biomarker levels were frequently identified as important: rhythm during blood phlebotomy, age, heart failure, decreased kidney function and female sex (Figure 1). Most notably, rhythm at the time of sampling was strongly associated with various biomarker levels. Female sex was positively associated with BMP10 and FGF23 (atrial fibrosis), but negatively associated with hsTNT (cardiac injury).

Conclusion

In patients with AF scheduled for catheter ablation, we identified several clinical determinants of biomarker levels with potential implications for disease mechanisms. In women, pro-fibrotic biomarkers were frequently higher, while male patients more often showed signs of myocardial injury. Importantly, rhythm during blood draw is a very strong determinant of many biomarkers and should be taken into account in future biomarker studies.Figure 1.Table 1.