bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curvature-Driven Conformal Deformations
Authors: Corman Etienne
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for computing conformal deformations in ℝ
3
while minimizing curvature-based energies. Curvature-based energies serve as fundamental tools in geometry processing, essential for tasks such as surface fairing, deformation, and approximation using developable or cone metric surfaces. However, accurately computing the geometric embedding, especially for the latter, has been a challenging endeavor. The complexity arises from inherent numerical instabilities in curvature estimation and the intricate nature of differentiating these energies. To address these challenges, we concentrate on conformal deformations, leveraging the curvature tensor as the primary variable in our model. This strategic choice renders curvature-based energies easily applicable, mitigating previous manipulation difficulties. Our key contribution lies in identifying a previously unknown integrability condition that establishes a connection between conformal deformations and changes in curvature. We use this insight to deform surfaces of arbitrary genus, aiming to minimize bending energies or prescribe Gaussian curvature while sticking to positional constraints.
Transparent Image Layer Diffusion using Latent Transparency
Authors: Zhang Lvmin , Agrawala Maneesh
Published: July 2024

We present an approach enabling large-scale pretrained latent diffusion models to generate transparent images. The method allows generation of single transparent images or of multiple transparent layers. The method learns a "latent transparency" that encodes alpha channel transparency into the latent manifold of a pretrained latent diffusion model. It preserves the production-ready quality of the large diffusion model by regulating the added transparency as a latent offset with minimal changes to the original latent distribution of the pretrained model. In this way, any latent diffusion model can be converted into a transparent image generator by finetuning it with the adjusted latent space. We train the model with 1M transparent image layer pairs collected using a human-in-the-loop collection scheme. We show that latent transparency can be applied to different open source image generators, or be adapted to various conditional control systems to achieve applications like foreground/background-conditioned layer generation, joint layer generation, structural control of layer contents,
etc.
A user study finds that in most cases (97%) users prefer our natively generated transparent content over previous ad-hoc solutions such as generating and then matting. Users also report the quality of our generated transparent images is comparable to real commercial transparent assets like Adobe Stock.
A Hierarchical 3D Gaussian Representation for Real-Time Rendering of Very Large Datasets
Authors: Kerbl Bernhard , Meuleman Andreas , Kopanas Georgios , Wimmer Michael , Lanvin Alexandre , Drettakis George
Published: July 2024

Novel view synthesis has seen major advances in recent years, with 3D Gaussian splatting offering an excellent level of visual quality, fast training and real-time rendering. However, the resources needed for training and rendering inevitably limit the size of the captured scenes that can be represented with good visual quality. We introduce a hierarchy of 3D Gaussians that preserves visual quality for very large scenes, while offering an efficient Level-of-Detail (LOD) solution for efficient rendering of distant content with effective level selection and smooth transitions between levels. We introduce a divide-and-conquer approach that allows us to train very large scenes in independent chunks. We consolidate the chunks into a hierarchy that can be optimized to further improve visual quality of Gaussians merged into intermediate nodes. Very large captures typically have sparse coverage of the scene, presenting many challenges to the original 3D Gaussian splatting training method; we adapt and regularize training to account for these issues. We present a complete solution, that enables real-time rendering of very large scenes and can adapt to available resources thanks to our LOD method. We show results for captured scenes with up to tens of thousands of images with a simple and affordable rig, covering trajectories of up to several kilometers and lasting up to one hour.
ZeroGrads: Learning Local Surrogates for Non-Differentiable Graphics
Authors: Fischer Michael , Ritschel Tobias
Published: July 2024

Gradient-based optimization is now ubiquitous across graphics, but unfortunately can not be applied to problems with undefined or zero gradients. To circumvent this issue, the loss function can be manually replaced by a "surrogate" that has similar minima but is differentiable. Our proposed framework,
ZeroGrads
, automates this process by learning a neural approximation of the objective function, which in turn can be used to differentiate through arbitrary black-box graphics pipelines. We train the surrogate on an actively smoothed version of the objective and encourage locality, focusing the surrogate's capacity on what matters at the current training episode. The fitting is performed online, alongside the parameter optimization, and self-supervised, without pre-computed data or pre-trained models. As sampling the objective is expensive (it requires a full rendering or simulator run), we devise an efficient sampling scheme that allows for tractable run-times and competitive performance at little overhead. We demonstrate optimizing diverse non-convex, non-differentiable black-box problems in graphics, such as visibility in rendering, discrete parameter spaces in procedural modelling or optimal control in physics-driven animation. In contrast to other derivative-free algorithms, our approach scales well to higher dimensions, which we demonstrate on problems with up to 35k interlinked variables.
Repulsive Shells
Authors: Sassen Josua , Schumacher Henrik , Rumpf Martin , Crane Keenan
Published: July 2024

This paper develops a shape space framework for collision-aware geometric modeling, where basic geometric operations automatically avoid inter-penetration. Shape spaces are a powerful tool for surface modeling, shape analysis, nonrigid motion planning, and animation, but past formulations permit nonphysical intersections. Our framework augments an existing shape space using a repulsive energy such that collision avoidance becomes a first-class property, encoded in the Riemannian metric itself. In turn, tasks like intersection-free shape interpolation or motion extrapolation amount to simply computing geodesic paths via standard numerical algorithms. To make optimization practical, we develop an adaptive collision penalty that prevents mesh self-intersection, and converges to a meaningful limit energy under refinement. The final algorithms apply to any category of shape, and do not require a dataset of examples, training, rigging, nor any other prior information. For instance, to interpolate between two shapes we need only a single pair of meshes with the same connectivity. We evaluate our method on a variety of challenging examples from modeling and animation.
Target-Aware Image Denoising for Inverse Monte Carlo Rendering
Authors: Gu Jeongmin , Back Jonghee , Yoon Sung-Eui , Moon Bochang
Published: July 2024

Physically based differentiable rendering allows an accurate light transport simulation to be differentiated with respect to the rendering input, i.e., scene parameters, and it enables inferring scene parameters from target images, e.g., photos or synthetic images, via an iterative optimization. However, this inverse Monte Carlo rendering inherits the fundamental problem of the Monte Carlo integration, i.e., noise, resulting in a slow optimization convergence. An appealing approach to addressing such noise is exploiting an image denoiser to improve optimization convergence. Unfortunately, the direct adoption of existing image denoisers designed for ordinary rendering scenarios can drive the optimization into undesirable local minima due to denoising bias. It motivates us to reformulate a new image denoiser specialized for inverse rendering. Unlike existing image denoisers, we conduct our denoising by considering the target images, i.e., specific information in inverse rendering. For our target-aware denoising, we determine our denoising weights via a linear regression technique using the target. We demonstrate that our denoiser enables inverse rendering optimization to infer scene parameters robustly through a diverse set of tests.
Categorical Codebook Matching for Embodied Character Controllers
Authors: Starke Sebastian , Starke Paul , He Nicky , Komura Taku , Ye Yuting
Published: July 2024

Translating motions from a real user onto a virtual embodied avatar is a key challenge for character animation in the metaverse. In this work, we present a novel generative framework that enables mapping from a set of sparse sensor signals to a full body avatar motion in real-time while faithfully preserving the motion context of the user. In contrast to existing techniques that require training a motion prior and its mapping from control to motion separately, our framework is able to learn the motion manifold as well as how to sample from it at the same time in an end-to-end manner. To achieve that, we introduce a technique called codebook matching which matches the probability distribution between two categorical codebooks for the inputs and outputs for synthesizing the character motions. We demonstrate this technique can successfully handle ambiguity in motion generation and produce high quality character controllers from unstructured motion capture data. Our method is especially useful for interactive applications like virtual reality or video games where high accuracy and responsiveness are needed.
Progressive Dynamics for Cloth and Shell Animation
Authors: Zhang Jiayi Eris , James Doug , Kaufman Danny M.
Published: July 2024

We propose Progressive Dynamics, a coarse-to-fine, level-of-detail simulation method for the physics-based animation of complex frictionally contacting thin shell and cloth dynamics. Progressive Dynamics provides tight-matching consistency and progressive improvement across levels, with comparable quality and realism to high-fidelity, IPC-based shell simulations [Li et al. 2021] at finest resolutions. Together these features enable an efficient animation-design pipeline with predictive coarse-resolution previews providing rapid design iterations for a final, to-be-generated, high-resolution animation. In contrast, previously, to design such scenes with comparable dynamics would require prohibitively slow design iterations via repeated direct simulations on high-resolution meshes. We evaluate and demonstrate Progressive Dynamics's features over a wide range of challenging stress-tests, benchmarks, and animation design tasks. Here Progressive Dynamics efficiently computes consistent previews at costs comparable to coarsest-level direct simulations. Its matching progressive refinements across levels then generate rich, high-resolution animations with high-speed dynamics, impacts, and the complex detailing of the dynamic wrinkling, folding, and sliding of frictionally contacting thin shells and fabrics.
Effects of Environmental and Climatic Changes on Coral Reef Islands
Authors: Kench Paul S.
Published: July 2024

Coral reef islands are low-lying, wave-deposited sedimentary landforms. Using an eco-morphodynamic framework, this review examines the sensitivity of islands to climatic and environmental change. Reef island formation and morphological dynamics are directly controlled by nearshore wave processes and ecologically mediated sediment supply. The review highlights that reef islands are intrinsically dynamic landforms, able to adjust their morphology (size, shape, and location) on reef surfaces in response to changes in these processes. A suite of ecological and oceanographic processes also indirectly impact hydrodynamic and sediment processes and thereby regulate morphological change, though the temporal scales and magnitudes of impacts on islands vary, leading to divergent morphodynamic outcomes. Climatic change will modify the direct and indirect processes, causing complex positive and negative outcomes on islands. Understanding this complexity is critical to improve predictive capabilities for island physical change and resolve the timescales of change and lag times for impacts to be expressed in island systems.
Electrical remodeling of atrioventricular junction: a study on retrogradely perfused chick embryonic heart
Authors: Zabrodska Eva , Kvasilova Alena , Sedmera David , Olejnickova Veronika
Published: July 2024

We present the use of retrograde perfusion and optical mapping to investigate, for the first time, the regression of accessory pathways during annulus fibrosus maturation, separately examining each clinically relevant location. The system enables measurements under physiological conditions and demonstrates long-lasting stability compared with other approaches. This study offers applications of the model to investigate electrical and/or functional development in late embryonic development without concern about heart viability.
Vascular responsiveness to low-dose dexamethasone in extremely premature infants: negative influence of fetal growth restriction
Authors: Sehgal Arvind , Nold Marcel F. , Roberts Calum T. , Menahem Samuel
Published: July 2024

Dexamethasone (DEX) is frequently used in preterm infants dependent on ventilator support. Differences in vascular structure and function that may have developed prenatally arising from the chronic intrauterine hypoxemia in FGR infants may adversely affect responsiveness. The clinical efficacy of DEX was significantly less in FGR (birth weight < 10th centile) infants, compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Echocardiography showed significantly less improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance in FGR, compared with AGA infants.
Sympathetic structural and electrophysiological remodeling in a rabbit model of reperfused myocardial infarction
Authors: Guevara Amanda , Smith Charlotte E. R. , Wang Lianguo , Caldwell Jessica L. , Tapa Srinivas , Francis Stuart Samantha D. , Ma Betty W. , Ng G. Andre , Habecker Beth A. , Wang Zhen , Ripplinger Crystal M.
Published: July 2024

Here, we show that CSPGs are present in the infarcts of rabbit hearts with reperfused MI, where they are associated with reduced sympathetic nerve density. Despite hypoinnervation, sympathetic responsiveness is maintained or enhanced in MI rabbit hearts, which also demonstrate increased APD dispersion and tendency for arrhythmias following sympathetic modulation. Together, this study indicates that the mechanisms of sympathetic remodeling post-MI are similar between rodents and rabbits, with hypoinnervation likely associated with enhanced β-adrenergic sensitivity.
Gene expression networks in endothelial cells from failing human hearts
Authors: Wirth Luisa , Erny Elias , Krane Markus , Lahm Harald , Hein Lutz , Gilsbach Ralf , Lother Achim
Published: July 2024

Gene coexpression network analysis defined 26 gene clusters expressed in endothelial cells from failing human hearts. Transcription factors CASZ1, ZNF523, and NFE2L1 were identified as hub genes of a cluster related to angiogenesis. Knockdown of CASZ1, ZNF523, or NFE2L1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells led to a downregulation of genes from the respective cluster, confirming their regulatory function. This provides insights into the transcriptional regulation of angiogenesis in heart failure beyond classical signaling pathways.
MIMO Channel Modeling for Tunnel Based on Directive Scattering Model and Ray Tracing
Authors: Sun Rongchen , Yi Zhenyu , Liu Liu , Sun Zhiguo , Zhou Tao
Published: July 2024

In this paper, semideterministic multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) channel modeling is proposed for a tunnel with two types of cross sections. To be more consistent with the MIMO propagation characteristics of the measured data, ray tracing (RT) is used to simulate the specular components (SCs) and a directed path channel modeling method based on directive scattering model (DSM) is used to simulate the diffuse components (DCs), which has an important contribution in MIMO channel capacity. The performance of the proposed model is compared in terms of delay domain, angle domain, and channel capacity. By analyzing the DSM and the propagation graph based on the Lambertian scattering model (LSM), it was demonstrated that the proposed method is more suitable in terms of comprehensive performance.
Food Grade Nanofiber of Polylactic Acid by Electrospinning: Physicochemical Characterization of Solutions and Parameters of the Technique
Authors: Canizales-Rodríguez Dalila Fernanda , Rodríguez-Félix Francisco , Tapia-Hernández José Agustín , Del-Toro-Sánchez Carmen Lizette , Ruíz-Cruz Saúl , Aubourg Santiago P. , Castro-Enríquez Daniela Denisse , Barreras-Urbina Carlos Gregorio , Burruel-Ibarra Silvia Elena , Pompa-Ramos José Luis , Armenta-Villegas Lorena
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, one‐third of the world’s food production is wasted, so food industry has focused on the design of new technologies that contribute to preserving food quality and safety, focusing on environmentally friendly packaging. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer which is biocompatible and biodegradable, of low cost, and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by FDA; on the other hand, nanofibers obtained by electrospinning have the potential food industry application, for protection and release of bioactive compounds, producing active and intelligent packaging and increasing and monitoring food quality. The main objective of this work was to obtain food grade nanofibers (FGNs) of PLA (FGN‐PLA) by electrospinning, for which different food grade solutions (FGSs) of PLA (FGS‐PLA) concentrations with food grade solvent acetone (FGSA) were made and characterized via viscosity, density, conductivity, surface tension measurements, and rheological properties, and to correlate its effect on the FGN‐PLA production by electrospinning as well as the effect of technique process parameters (distance from needle to collector plate and flow rate) on fiber characteristics was investigated. Morphological and dimensional characteristics of fibers were analyzed by SEM; increasing the FGS concentration as from 10% (w/v), beaded free and uniform nanofibers were produced. Also, average diameters increasing at higher polymer concentrations and flow rates. Rheological analysis indicates a Newtonian behavior, and the 10% (w/v) FGS shows stability for electrospinning process. In this paper, we report a detailed investigation of how electrospinning parameters interplay and affect FGN morphology and diameter that can be utilized for future research in food industry, for protection and release of bioactive compounds, as well as to maintain and monitor the food quality, as smart packaging systems.
Oral Findings, Salivary Copper, Magnesium, and Leptin in Type II Diabetic Patients in Relation to Oral Candida Species
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Jasim , Al-mizraqchi Abbas S. , Ibrahim Salah M.
Published: July 2024

Background. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, leading to reduced insulin production in the pancreas. It has genetic‐ and family‐related risk factors that cannot be changed, along with modifiable lifestyle factors. The precise genetic causes of type 2 diabetes are still unknown. However, individuals can potentially slow or stop the progression of the condition by making dietary adjustments and increasing physical activity levels. Material and Methods. Forty‐five type II diabetic patients in the study included participants between 40 and 60 years old, with a minimum duration of one year, as well as 45 healthy control subjects who were matched in terms of age and sex, and had no underlying systemic diseases. Oral examination is done for the symptoms including burning sensation, candidiasis, and a reduction in the production of saliva. The rate of saliva flow (in milliliters per minute) was measured in samples of saliva that were not stimulated. The salivary trace elements and levels of adipocytokines were evaluated using colorimetric and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ELISA) testing. The quantification of Candida colony numbers, an enrichment and culture approach, was used to achieve a concentration of 100,000 colony‐forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). The ShowNovo WG1 halimeter was used to measure volatile sulfur compounds in breath. The salivary glucose oxidase assay was conducted using a colorimetric technique, while the determination of trace elements was also performed using a colorimetric assay method. Result. The diabetic group exhibited a significant increase in the number of Candida spp colonies due to elevated levels of glucose in the saliva (p > 0.05). However, the variables being examined, such as body mass index (BMI), burning mouth syndrome (BMS), salivary flow rate (SFR), salivary leptin, salivary copper, and salivary magnesium, did not exhibit any significant variations in quantities between the diabetic and healthy groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The data collected in this research aid in the creation of a preventative program for oral fungal infections in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The program utilizes saliva and its constituents.
Synergistic Effects of PARP Inhibition and Cholesterol Biosynthesis Pathway Modulation
Authors: Rutkowska Anna , Eberl H. Christian , Werner Thilo , Hennrich Marco L. , Sévin Daniel C. , Petretich Massimo , Reddington James P. , Pocha Shirin , Gade Stephan , Martinez-Segura Amalia , Dvornikov Dmytro , Karpiak Joel , Sweetman Gavain M.A. , Fufezan Christian , Duempelfeld Birgit , Braun Florian , Schofield Christopher , Keles Hakan , Alvarado David , Wang Zhuo , Jansson Keith H. , Faelth-Savitski Maria , Curry Edward , Remlinger Katja , Stronach Euan A. , Feng Bin , Sharma Geeta , Coleman Kevin , Grandi Paola , Bantscheff Marcus , Bergamini Giovanna
Published: July 2024

An in-depth multiomic molecular characterization of PARP inhibitors revealed a distinct poly-pharmacology of niraparib (Zejula) mediated by its interaction with lanosterol synthase (LSS), which is not observed with other PARP inhibitors. Niraparib, in a similar way to the LSS inhibitor Ro-48-8071, induced activation of the 24,25-epoxysterol shunt pathway, which is a regulatory signaling branch of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Interestingly, the combination of an LSS inhibitor with a PARP inhibitor that does not bind to LSS, such as olaparib, had an additive effect on killing cancer cells to levels comparable with niraparib as a single agent. In addition, the combination of PARP inhibitors and statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, an enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in the mevalonate pathway, had a synergistic effect on tumor cell killing in cell lines and patient-derived ovarian tumor organoids. These observations suggest that concomitant inhibition of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and PARP activity might result in stronger efficacy of these inhibitors against tumor types highly dependent on cholesterol metabolism.

Significance:

The presented data indicate, to our knowledge, for the first time, the potential benefit of concomitant modulation of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and PARP inhibition and highlight the need for further investigation to assess its translational relevance.
Clinical Efficacy of the HIV Protease Inhibitor Indinavir in Combination with Chemotherapy for Advanced Classic Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment: A Single-Arm, Phase II Trial in the Elderly
Authors: Sgadari Cecilia , Scoppio Biancamaria , Picconi Orietta , Tripiciano Antonella , Gaiani Francesca Maria , Francavilla Vittorio , Arancio Angela , Campagna Massimo , Palladino Clelia , Moretti Sonia , Monini Paolo , Brambilla Lucia , Ensoli Barbara
Published: July 2024

Kaposi sarcoma is a rare angioproliferative disease associated with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) infection. Kaposi sarcoma is frequent and aggressive in HIV-infected people, whereas the classic form (CKS) generally has an indolent course. Notably, all conventional therapies against Kaposi sarcoma have only temporary efficacy. We have previously shown that indinavir, a HIV protease-inhibitor with direct antiangiogenic and antitumor activity, is safe and effective in patients with early CKS, whereas effects are less prominent in advanced disease, probably due to the larger tumor mass. Therefore, the clinical response to indinavir was assessed in patients with advanced CKS after debulking chemotherapy. This was a monocentric phase 2 trial in elderly with progressive/advanced CKS treated with debulking chemotherapy and indinavir combined, followed by a maintenance phase with indinavir alone. Secondary endpoints included safety and Kaposi sarcoma biomarker evaluation.

All evaluable patients (22) responded to debulking therapy. Out of these, 16 entered the indinavir maintenance phase. The overall response rate at end of maintenance was 75% (estimated median response-duration 43 months). Moreover, most responders showed further clinical improvements (lesion number/nodularity) during maintenance and post-treatment follow-up. Notably, after relapse, progressors did not require systemic Kaposi sarcoma therapy and showed clinical improvements (including disease stabilization) remaining on study. Responders also showed immune status amelioration with a consistent B-cell increase and positive changes of other biomarkers, including anti-HHV-8 natural killer activity. In advanced CKS a strategy combining indinavir and chemotherapy is safe and associated with high and durable response rates and it could be rapidly adopted for the clinical management of these patients.

Significance:

This phase-2 trial showed that the HIV protease inhibitor indinavir may boost and extend the duration of the effects of chemotherapy in elderly with advanced progressive classic Kaposi sarcoma, without additional toxicity. Further, the amelioration of the immune status seen in responders suggests a better control of HHV-8 infection and tumor-cell killing. Thus, indinavir combined with chemotherapy may represent an important tool for the clinical management of classic Kaposi sarcoma in elderly patients.
Predicting Recanalization Failure With Conventional Devices During Endovascular Treatment Related to Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Flores Alan , Elizalde Marcos , Seró Laia , Ustrell Xavier , Avivar Ylenia , Pellisé Anna , Rodriguez Paula , Monterde Angela , Lara Lidia , Gonzalez‐de‐Echavarri Jose Maria , Cuba Victor , Gisbert Marc Rodrigo , Requena Manuel , Molina Carlos A. , Chamorro Angel , Perez de la Ossa Natalia , Cardona Pedro , Cánovas David , Purroy Francisco , Silva Yolanda , Camzpello Ana , Marti‐Fabregas Joan , Abilleira Sonia , Ribó Marc ,   Catalan Stroke Code and Reperfusion Consortium
Published: July 2024

Background

Among patients with stroke eligible for endovascular treatment, preprocedure identification of those with low chances of successful recanalization with conventional devices (stent‐retrievers and/or direct aspiration) may allow anticipating procedural rescue strategies. We aimed to develop a preprocedural algorithm able to predict recanalization failure with conventional devices (RFCD).

Methods

Observational study. Data from consecutive patients with stroke who received endovascular treatment between 2019 and 2022 in 10 centers were collected from the Catalan Stroke Registry (Codi Ictus Catalunya Registry, CICAT). RFCD was defined as final thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≤2a or the use of rescue therapy defined as balloon angioplasty±stent deployment. Univariate and multivariate analysis to identify variables associated with RFCD were performed. A gradient boosted decision tree machine learning model to predict RFCD was developed utilizing preprocedure variables previously selected. Clinical improvement at 24 hours was defined as a drop of ≥4 points from baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score or 0–1 at 24 hours.

Results

In total, 984 patients were included; RFCD was observed in 14.3% (n:141) of the cases. Of these, 47.5% (n = 67) received balloon angioplasty±stent deployment as rescue therapy. Among patients receiving balloon angioplasty±stent deployment, clinical improvement was associated with lower number of attempts with conventional devices (median number of passes 2 versus 3;
P
= 0.045). In logistic regression, the absence of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR]: 2.730, 95%CI: 1.541–4.836;
P
= 0.007) and no‐thrombolytic treatment (OR: 1.826, 95%CI: 1.230–2.711;
P
= 0.003) emerged as independent predictors of RFCD. A predictive model for RFCD, based on age, sex, hypertension, wake‐up stroke, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT [Computed Tomography] Score, occlusion site, thrombolysis, and atrial fibrillation showed an acceptable discrimination (area under the curve: 0.72±0.024 SD) and accuracy (0.75±0.015 SD). Overall performance was moderate (weighted F1‐score: 0.77±0.041 SD).

Conclusion

In RFCD patients, early balloon angioplasty±stent deployment rescue was associated with improved outcomes. A predictive model using affordable preprocedure clinical variables could be useful to identify these patients before intervention.
Trade-Offs Between Energy and Depth of Neural Networks
Authors: Uchizawa Kei , Abe Haruki
Published: July 2024

We present an investigation on threshold circuits and other discretized neural networks in terms of the following four computational resources—size (the number of gates), depth (the number of layers), weight (weight resolution), and energy—where the energy is a complexity measure inspired by sparse coding and is defined as the maximum number of gates outputting nonzero values, taken over all the input assignments. As our main result, we prove that if a threshold circuit C of size s, depth d, energy e, and weight w computes a Boolean function f (i.e., a classification task) of n variables, it holds that log( rk (f))≤ed(logs+logw+logn) regardless of the algorithm employed by C to compute f, where rk (f) is a parameter solely determined by a scale of f and defined as the maximum rank of a communication matrix with regard to f taken over all the possible partitions of the n input variables. For example, given a Boolean function CD n(ξ) =⋁i=1n/2ξi∧ξn/2+i, we can prove that n/2≤ed( log s+logw+logn) holds for any circuit C computing CD n. While its left-hand side is linear in n, its right-hand side is bounded by the product of the logarithmic factors of s,w,n and the linear factors of d,e. If we view the logarithmic terms as having a negligible impact on the bound, our result implies a trade-off between depth and energy: n/2 needs to be smaller than the product of e and d. For other neural network models, such as discretized ReLU circuits and discretized sigmoid circuits, we also prove that a similar trade-off holds. Thus, our results indicate that increasing depth linearly enhances the capability of neural networks to acquire sparse representations when there are hardware constraints on the number of neurons and weight resolution.
Possibilities of the Passive Image-Therapy Method in Reducing Information and Psychological Stress among Students during the Examination Session
Authors: Deulin Dmitry V. , Petrov Vladislav E. , Litvinova Anna N. , Kojaspirov Alexey Yu.
Published: July 2024

Background. The article is devoted to the study of the possibility of using the method of passive image-therapy to correct the psycho-emotional states of students. It has been established that the demonstration of positive artistic photo content after a stressful impact on students makes it possible to compensate for the consequences of a negative influence at the level of psycho-emotional states, namely, protection is realized in relation to anxiety, lack of concentration, lethargy, inertia, passive attitude to what is happening, as well as to a decrease in the emotional background and generalization of asthenic behaviour. Objectives. The purpose of this work is to prove the effectiveness of passive image-therapeutic technology within the framework of the psychological mechanism for overcoming negative emotional states associated with informational impact on the personality of students. Study Participants. An empirical study was carried out with the participation of 68 students of various forms of education at Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University, the Institute of Economics and Culture. Methods. Assessment of the current psycho-emotional state before and after the experiment was carried out with the method “Health, activity, mood”, the questionnaire determining the dominant mental state, and the questionnaire “Determination of neuropsychic stress”. Stress impact was modeled by an examination session. Passive image-therapy involved the participants' perception of 12 images with positive content (artistic paintings and reproductions depicting nature, abstractions and positive, attractive images). For data processing, descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, assessment of differences in groups and shifts were used. Results. In the study of the influence of positive content on the psycho-emotional state of a person, as well as its compensatory capabilities, data sets collected before and after the experiment were compared using the Wilcoxon T-shift criterion for dependent samples. Preservation of the initial level of psycho-emotional characteristics in the control group in combination with a decrease in such parameters as “Mood”, “Calm”, “Activity” (DS-6), “Efficiency”, “Satisfaction with life” in the experimental group can be interpreted as follows: psycho-emotional state of students in stress improves significantly in response to the presentation of positive artistic photo content. The subjects noted a decrease in the level of anxiety. Their activity and positive emotional response increase. Conclusions. The results make it possible to improve the technologies of psycho-corrective work and psychological assistance based on the elements of art therapy. As the main recommendations, it is proposed to use image-therapeutic technology after negative informational pressure on significant subjects.
Demoralization in the Context of Differential Diagnosis of Mental States in Severely Ill Patients with Hazard of Death
Authors: Panfilov Alexander Yu.
Published: July 2024

Background. Timely and accurately conducted introduction of demoralization into the differential diagnostics make it possible to define objective and subjective factors essential to demoralization, which constitute actual psychological state of a patient. It also helps to differentiate these factors from variety of syndrome signs and, therefore, to stabilize individual mental condition by making therapeutic interventions more targeted. Objectives. The aim is to elicit specific features of and to discern criteria for distinction of the notion of demoralization from variety of other concepts frequently used in clinical psychologist’s activity to describe pathological mental states that patients with severe somatic disease may have. Results. Based on the comparison of the demoralization concept and mental distortions frequent in a clinic of severely ill somatic patients, essential and pivotal sings of the phenomenon of demoralization are shown. The epidemiological data on occurrence and intensity rates, as well as demoralization comorbidity to a number of disturbed mental activity symptoms and states amid patients with different somatic nosology are given. Conclusions. As a psychological state, demoralization can be diagnosed among either inpatients or outpatients. It might also present itself singularly or be comorbid to any mental distortion yet maintaining its seminal qualities, such as distress, subjective incompetence experience and preservation of motivation. Discrimination of demoralization state might have both therapeutic and prognostic value.
Development of a Set of fMRI Paradigms to Detect the “Covert Cognition” Phenomenon: Neuropsychological Aspects
Authors: Cherkasova Anastasiia N. , Yatsko Kseniia A. , Kovyazina Maria S. , Varako Natalia A. , Kremneva Elena I. , Ryabinkina Yulia V. , Suponeva Natalia A. , Piradov Mikhail A.
Published: July 2024

Background. In recent decades, the phenomenon of “covert cognition” has been described in a small proportion of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness. Specialized paradigms (tasks) are being developed to detect it mostly abroad. These paradigms are carried out under the control of various instrumental methods. The Russian researchers are faced with the task of validating already established paradigms on the Russian-speaking population and of creating new ones. Neuropsychological approach can contribute to solving these problems. Objectives. The study was aimed at developing a set of paradigms to detect the “covert cognition” phenomenon in a Russian-speaking sample of patients using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Methods. The development of paradigm sets was based on the analysis of previous studies and on neuropsychological data. Results. The hierarchical complex proposed by the authors includes twelve paradigms. Nine of them are passive, aimed at perceiving stimuli of different modalities. These are somatosensory (painful stimulus, “writing” a letter on the abdomen), auditory non-speech (alarm clock, two musical fragments without words, child’s laughter) and auditory speech (narratives in native and unfamiliar languages, name within the “cocktail party” effect, audio fragment from the film with obscene language) stimuli. The other three paradigms are active, aimed at encouraging people to follow instructions (imagining spatial navigation, cleaning teeth and singing to themselves). Their theoretical justification is given. Conclusions. The developed set of paradigms covers various aspects of cognitive functioning. The results of its testing on healthy volunteers and patients with chronic disorders of consciousness to detecting the “covert cognition” phenomenon will be presented in subsequent publications.
Relationship between Personal Potential and the Goal Orientation in Athletes of Team and Individual Sports
Authors: Sagova Zurida A. , Shaiafetdinova Rimma R.
Published: July 2024

Background. Sports psychology is actively studying the characteristics and potential resources of high-class athletes that allow them to effectively carry out professional activities. One of the universal ways to solve this problem is to work with the parameters of the nature and direction of goal setting. Objectives. The aim is to study the relationship between a number of components of personal potential and target orientation in athletes of different sports. Study Participants. The study involved 143 athletes (Mage = 18; 96 men, 47 women) from team and individual sports, with sports categories/titles from junior to international master of sports. Methods. The following methods were used in the study: “Resilience Test”, “Tolerance to Uncertainty Questionnaire”, “Life Satisfaction Scale”, “Social Desirability Scale”, «Universal Test of Professional Motivation», a list of questions compiled by the authors to identify the direction of athletes’ goals. To process quantitative data we used correlation analysis, Mann — Whitney U test, Kruskal — Wallis analysis of variance. Results. It was revealed that the degree of expression of the characteristics that make up personal potential among athletes differs in accordance with the direction of their goals. There is an uneven distribution of goals according to their focus between representatives of individual and team sports. An assessment of differences by gender showed significant differences between men and women in a number of characteristics, which explains some of the peculiarities of their attitude to professional sports activities. Significant differences were revealed in the severity of characteristics of personal potential according to the parameters of age, experience and category/rank of athletes. The correlations and differences of the studied indicators are presented. Conclusions. Directions for further research into this issue are presented, concerning, in particular, the expansion and deepening of ideas about some components of personal potential that contribute to the achievement of significant sports results.
YUTO MMS: A comprehensive SLAM dataset for urban mobile mapping with tilted LiDAR and panoramic camera integration
Authors: Zhang Yiujia , Ahmadi SeyedMostafa , Kang Jungwon , Arjmandi Zahra , Sohn Gunho
Published: July 2024

The York University Teledyne Optech (YUTO) Mobile Mapping System (MMS) Dataset, encompassing four sequences totaling 20.1 km, was thoroughly assembled through two data collection expeditions on August 12, 2020, and June 21, 2019. Acquisitions were performed using a uniquely equipped vehicle, fortified with a panoramic camera, a tilted LiDAR, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), journeying through two strategic locations: the York University Keele Campus in Toronto and the Teledyne Optech headquarters in City of Vaughan, Canada. This paper not only delineates the comprehensive overview of the YUTO MMS dataset, delving into aspects such as the collection procedure, sensor configuration, synchronization, data structure and format but also presents a robust benchmark of prevailing Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) systems. By subjecting them to analysis utilizing the introduced dataset, this research lays a foundational baseline for ensuing studies, thereby contributing to advancements and enhancements in the SLAM-integrated mobile mapping system. The dataset can be downloaded from: https://ausmlab.github.io/yutomms/ .
Preparation of highly biodegradable and electron beam crosslinkable linear low-density polyethylene - based biocomposites with unique mechanical performance
Authors: Singh Manjeet , Jha Atanu , Ray Chowdhury Subhendu , Pant Harish Jagat
Published: July 2024

Preparation of high starch containing LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene)/starch composite with a considerable degree of mechanical properties has always been a challenge for a long time. These challenges are low thermal stability of starch, difficulties in processability of high starch containing LLDPE, inability of polymers to contain large quantities of starch and compromised mechanical properties of prepared composites. To overcome these difficulties, 20 wt% ENGAGE (ethylene-octene copolymer), a polyolefin elastomer, was blended with 80 wt% LLDPE followed by composites preparation with modified starch-pistachio shell powder (SPSP). ENGAGE, due to its unique processability, improved the processability of high SPSP-containing LLDPE composite. And due to the generation of extra space by amorphous ENGAGE, the LLDPE/ENGAGE blends could accommodate up to 70 wt% SPSP without any degradation during high-temperature processing. Mechanical properties were also considerably enhanced due to the reinforcement of the polymer matrix by pistachio shell powder (PSP). SEM and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed the structural integrity of processed composites and uniform dispersion of SPSP into LLDPE/ENGAGE blends. The obtained LLDPE-based composites with 70% biodegradability and around 240% elongation are unique and useful. It is also revealed that the presence of 20 wt% PSP inhibits electron beam-initiated degradation of starch instead leading to crosslinked network in composites, thus further enhancing properties.
Characteristics of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Followed by a Home Palliative Care Team
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Petronaci Antonino , Terranova Angela , Casuccio Alessandra
Published: July 2024

Background

Information about patients with amyothrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) followed at home is limited.

Objectives

To assess patients’s characteristics at admission to a home palliative care program based on a multidisciplinary team, and the temporal course along the trajectory of ALS disease.

Design

Retrospective. Setting/subjects: Charts of a consecutive number of ALS patients who were referred to a specialistic home palliative care were reviewed.

Measurement

General data, referral, start of home palliative care, use of ventilator support and nutritional support, were recorded. The existence of advance directives and shared care planning was also collected.

Results

82 patients were examined; 31 patients died before the term of the study and 51 patients were still living. No patient anticipately expressed their will regarding their treatments. However, a certain number of patients shared a care planning with ALS team, generally after starting home care. Most patients did not have ventilatory support at the beginning of home care assistance, but progressively received ventilatory support by NIV or MV, particularly those who were still living. NIV at start of home care was negatively correlated to frontotemporal dementia. ( P = 0.015), and directly correlated to referral from hospital and GP ( P = 0.031) and awareness of disease ( P = 0.034). Gastrostomy at start of home care was positively correlated to referral from hospital ( P = 0.046). Gastrostomy during home care was correlated to bulbar SLA ( P = 0.017). The use of NIV during home care was positively correlated to shared care planning ( P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The continuous presence of a multi-specialist team may provide timely intervention, guarantee and trust on the part of the patient and family members.
Academic Culture: Its Meaning, Measure and Contribution to Student Learning
Authors: Leithwood Kenneth , Sun Jingping , Zhang Sijia , Hua Cheng
Published: July 2024

This study had two objectives. One objective was to assess the psychometric properties of a survey instrument measuring a new latent variable, Academic Culture (AC), combining three observed variables academic press, disciplinary climate and teachers’ uses of instructional time. The second objective was to replicate the results of an earlier study identifying AC as a significant mediator of school leadership’s influence on student learning. Data for the study were provided from 2068 teachers located in 49 schools in 14 Texas school districts, as well as student achievement data from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and student socioeconomic (SES) data available from school websites. Second order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Many-Facet Rasch (MFR) models were used to examine the survey instrument’s construct validity and its measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling was used to identify the extent to which AC mediated the effects of school leadership on student achievement controlling for student SES. Rasch analysis and CFA confirmed the measurement invariance and several forms of validity of the survey instrument. Replicating the results of an earlier study, results of structural equation modeling demonstrated significant effects of AC on student achievement and identified AC as a significant mediator of school leadership effects on student achievement. The study contributes to the quality of instruments available to school leaders for their school improvement work and to researchers inquiring about the most promising variables mediating the indirect effects of school leadership on student success.