bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solving the routing and spectrum assignment problem, driven by combinatorial properties
Authors: da Silva Pedro Henrique Fernandes , Kerivin Hervé , Nant Juan Pablo , Wagler Annegret K.
Published: November 2023

The routing and spectrum assignment problem in modern optical networks is an NP‐hard problem that has received increasing attention during the last years. The majority of existing integer linear programming models for the problem uses edge‐path formulations where variables are associated with all possible routing paths so that the number of variables grows exponentially with the size of the instance. To bypass this difficulty, precomputed subsets of all possible paths per demand are typically used, which cannot guarantee optimality of the solutions in general. Our contribution is to provide a framework for the use of edge‐path formulations to minimize the spectrum width of a solution. For that, we select an appropriate subset of paths to operate on with the help of combinatorial properties in such a way that optimality of the solution can be guaranteed. Computational results indicate that our approach is indeed promising to solve the routing and spectrum assignment problem.
Leading and supporting school counselors through evaluation systems: A national study
Authors: Geesa Rachel Louise , Elam Nicholas P. , Quick Marilynn M. , Odell Kaylee M. , Kim Jungnam
Published: November 2023

TheAmerican School Counselor Association(ASCA)School Counselor Professional Standards & Competenciescan provide the foundation for guiding and evaluating school counselors’ practices and programs (ASCA, 2019). When appropriate measures are used to evaluate PK‐12 school counselors, teachers, principals, and student support specialists, practice in schools may improve. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content and tools state‐level departments of education in the United States have developed to evaluate school counselors throughout PK‐12 schools. Data were collected and analyzed based on a rubric of three respected evaluation frameworks. Results of the study revealed that about three‐fourths of 51 state agencies indicated that they have developed a specialized and specific evaluation tool for school counselors, while one‐fourth of state agencies do not have a specific evaluation tool for school counselors. As an implication, some important assessment areas are missing on many of the evaluation tools that do exist. Our findings from the analysis of the school counselor evaluation tools provide insights into how pre‐service and in‐service principals and school counselors, higher education faculty, and policymakers can work together and consider how best to evaluate school counselors based on their specific roles and responsibilities to address students’ social‐emotional; academic; and career, college, and life readiness needs.
Moderating borderline content while respecting fundamental values
Authors: Macdonald Stuart , Vaughan Katy
Published: November 2023

As efforts to identify and remove online terrorist and violent extremist content have intensified, concern has also grown about so‐called lawful but awful content. Various options have been touted for reducing the visibility of this borderline content, including removing it from search and recommendation algorithms, downranking it and redirecting those who search for it. This article contributes to this discussion by considering the moderation of such content, in terms of three sets of values. First, definitional clarity. This is necessary to provide users with fair warning of what content is liable to moderation and to place limits on the discretion of content moderators. Yet, at present, definitions of borderline content are vague and imprecise. Second, necessity and proportionality. While downranking and removal from search and recommender algorithms should be distinguished from deplatforming, tech companies' efforts to deamplify borderline content give rise to many of the same concerns as content removal and account shutdowns. Third, transparency. While a number of platforms now publish their content moderation policies and transparency data reports, these largely focus on violative, not borderline content. Moreover, there remain questions around access to data for independent researchers and transparency at the level of the individual user.
Cancer‐targeting carbon quantum dots synthesized by plasma electrochemical method for red‐light‐activated photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Shen Jiayan , Ma Yupengxue , Qin Xiaoru , Qin Xing , Yang Feng , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Zhang Qing , He Jie , Zhong Xiaoxia
Published: November 2023

Cancer‐targeting carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with red‐light absorption/emission featuring inherent biological functionality and deep biological penetration depth are promising for biomedical applications. However, traditional high‐temperature and high‐pressure synthesis processes result in unpredictable functionalities and uncontrollable optical properties due to the functional group loss. Here, plasma electrochemical treatment is introduced to overcome this issue. The synthesized CQDs in this work have excellent folate receptor cancer‐targeting ability, red‐light absorption/emission, and pronounced photodynamic therapy effect. The CQDs produced by the plasma electrochemical method preserve most of the functional groups from precursors, thus making them to fully inherit the bio‐functionality and photophysical properties of precursors. This work opens new opportunities for plasma‐based processes to controllably synthesize functionalized CQDs for diverse biomedical and environmental applications.
Scaling up microwave excited plasmas—An alternative technology for industrial decarbonization
Authors: Radoiu Marilena , Mello Ariel
Published: November 2023

The use of electricity for the industry's transition to a decarbonized economy requires optimization of the energy transfer to deliver efficient, cost‐effective processes. Industrial demand for high‐density plasmas over a wide pressure range has stimulated the use of microwave plasma (MWP) applications. In high‐temperature processing, when microwaves of the correct frequency are absorbed by the plasma, the plasma particles absorb energy from the electromagnetic field and transfer it to the other particles through collisions, heating them. This rapid heating gives MWP properties that can be exploited to increase the conversion, selectivity, and/or energy efficiency of chemical processes. Here, we address questions raised by industrial users who wish to better understand the limitations of MWP applications.
The importance of classification schema choice in internal mobility: An examination in contemporary Mexico
Authors: Riosmena Fernando , Balk Deborah
Published: November 2023

A large number of Censuses and surveys around the globe only measure ‘migrations’ crossing particular politico‐administrative boundaries, most commonly ‘major’ areas like states. These moves, in turn, are often assumed to be representative of all long‐distance or, in some settings, urban–urban moves. While important because such boundaries signal relevant policy environments, little research has tested these assumptions and, more broadly, the implications of examining mobility using an inter/intrastate classification schema versus other substantively‐relevant approaches. Because these examinations have been particularly absent in developing nations, we compare the dynamics and correlates of mobility across inter/intrastate, distance‐ and rural/urban‐based classification schemata in Mexico, a nation with heterogeneous mobility similar to other large middle‐income countries and overall good data availability. We use 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census long‐form data to examine the changing dynamics of mobility patterns and correlates across the classification schemata. While we find that interstate mobility does cover a large majority of long‐distance and many urban–urban moves, we find that the correlates of interstate movement vary considerably from urban–urban movement in particular. We also find that excluding intrametropolitan from other types of moves may be a sensible strategy to better characterize some processes, an issue of increasing relevance in a more urban world and where city‐regions span across major administrative areas. Given these findings, for a better understanding socioeconomic patterns and trends, we recommend that studies of internal migration avoid intra/interstate schema, consider separating intrametropolitan moves, and combine distance‐based and rural‐urban‐metropolitan approaches.
Bayesian estimation in NONMEM
Authors: Johnston Curtis K. , Waterhouse Timothy , Wiens Matthew , Mondick John , French Jonathan , Gillespie William R.
Published: November 2023

Bayesian estimation is a powerful but underutilized tool for answering drug development questions. In this tutorial, the principles of Bayesian model development, assessment, and prior selection will be outlined. An example pharmacokinetic (PK) model will be used to demonstrate the implementation of Bayesian modeling using the nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling software NONMEM.
Multisensor fusion‐based maritime ship object detection method for autonomous surface vehicles
Authors: Zhang Qi , Shan Yunxiao , Zhang Ziquan , Lin Hongquan , Zhang Yunfei , Huang Kai
Published: November 2023

Autonomous surface vehicles face the challenge of accurately detecting nearby ships in the complex and ever‐changing maritime environment, which is vastly different from land areas. To address this issue, we propose an image‐based multisensor fusion object detection method that combines Light Detection and Rangings and cameras. Since point clouds have poor semantics, our method primarily relies on images, with point clouds used to support image detection. Our image detection scheme employs a tracking‐assisted detection method that leverages historical information to compensate for possible detection failures. Additionally, we designed a confidence‐association‐based fusion strategy to determine the final targets among the candidates. We conducted field experiments in an open‐sea area to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of our method. The results of these experiments showed that our method is highly accurate and robust in challenging maritime scenarios. Our code and data set will be released on https://github.com/flakeice/mssd.
Small cycle structure for words in conjugation invariant random permutations
Authors: Slim Kammoun Mohamed , Maïda Mylène
Published: November 2023

We study the cycle structure of words in several random permutations. We assume that the permutations are independent and that their distribution is conjugation invariant, with a good control on their short cycles. If, after successive cyclic simplifications, the word still contains at least two different letters, then we get a universal limiting joint law for short cycles for the word in these permutations. These results can be seen as an extension of our previous work (Kammoun and Maïda. Electron. Commun. Probab. 2020;25:1‐14.) from the product of permutations to any non‐trivial word in the permutations and also as an extension of the results of Nica (Random Struct. Algorithms1994;5:703‐730.) from uniform permutations to general conjugation invariant random permutations. In particular, we get optimal assumptions in the case of the commutator of two such random permutations.
Ripple effects: How collaboration reduces social movement contention
Authors: Odziemkowska Kate , McDonnell Mary‐Hunter
Published: November 2023

Research Summary

Research suggests firms can reduce stakeholder contention (e.g., lawsuits, protests) by collaborating with threatening stakeholders. We propose that by tapping into stakeholder networks and identities, collaborations also produce ripple effects beyond the firm's partner to attenuate contention from a broader set of stakeholders. Using variation in firms' and stakeholders' willingness to collaborate exogenous to contention to account for selection, our examination of contentious and collaborative interactions between 136 environmental movement organizations and 600 US firms corroborates our arguments. Firms face less contention when they collaborate with a better‐connected stakeholder motivated to share affirming information about the firm, or with a more contentious and authentic stakeholder. Our findings generalize to stakeholder criticism beyond movement organizations, suggesting collaborations are powerful tools for fashioning less contentious environments.

Managerial Summary

Companies can reduce conflict from hostile stakeholders like social activists by collaborating with their friends. We find social movement organizations mount fewer protests, boycotts, lawsuits, and other conflict against a company that collaborates with an organization that is either well connected in the movement or known for mobilizing movement's grassroots. This suggests that cross‐sector collaborations quell conflict through passing affirming information about a company through interorganizational networks or through the broadcast of an affirming signal to the broader stakeholder environment. We find that criticism from a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., media) also abates, suggesting that collaborations are powerful tools for fashioning less contentious environments.
Highly‐Efficient and Robust Zn Anodes Enabled by Sub‐1‐µm Zincophilic CrN Coatings
Authors: Gao Le , Qin Lin , Wang Bo , Bao Mingdong , Cao Yingwen , Duan Xidong , Yang Weiyou , Yang Xiangdong , Shi Qing
Published: November 2023

For exploring advanced Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) with long lifespan and high Coulombic efficiency (CE), the critically important point is to limit the undesired Zn dendrite and parasitic reactions. Among the coating for electrode is a promising strategy, relying on the trade‐off between its thickness and stability to achieve the ultra‐stable Zn anodes in ZIBs. Herein, a submicron‐thick (≈0.4 µm) zincophilic CrN coatings are fabricated by a facile and industry‐compatible magnetron sputtering approach. It is exhilarating that the ultrathin and dense CrN coatings with strong adsorption ability for Zn2+ exhibit an impressive lifespan up to 3700 h with ≈100% CE at 1 mA cm−2. Along with the experiments and theoretical calculations, it is verified that the introduced CrN coatings cannot only effectively suppress the dendrite growth and notorious parasitic reactions, but also allow the uniform Zn deposition due to the reduced nucleation energy. Moreover, the as‐assembled Zn@CrN‖MnO2 full cell delivers a high specific capacity of 171.1 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1, much better than that of Zn‖MnO2 analog (97.8 mAh g−1). This work provides a facile strategy for scalable fabrication of ultrathin zincophilic coating to push forward the practical applications of ZIBs.
Simultaneous bilateral pulmonary and cardiac invasion of metastatic testicular germ cell tumor: A rare case report
Authors: Riahi Taghi , Pazoki Mahboubeh , Davani Sam Zeraatian‐Nejad , Jahangiri Reza , Khodakarim Nastaran , Jafarzadeh Alireza , Mostafavi Soroush
Published: November 2023

A 23‐year‐old man with a history of a testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) that was incompletely treated, is presented with dyspnea. Significant bilateral pulmonary masses were seen on computed tomography (CT). A large, hypermobile mass in the left atrium (LA) as well as mitral valve dysfunction and moderate pulmonary hypertension was detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Urgent cardiac surgery was performed to prevent the tumor embolism in addition to restore mitral valve function and reduce pulmonary hypertension. Pathologic reports confirmed testicular GCT. GCT metastasis to the heart and lungs is an incredibly rare phenomenon. To our knowledge, this is the first case of simultaneous GCT metastasis to both lungs and LA. This article highlights the importance of cardiac examinations and imaging in germ cell tumor patients. If there is a functional complication for vital organs such as the heart or lungs, surgical interventions are given priority before starting chemotherapy.
PET pyrolysis: Kinetics of a‐graphite
Authors: Chowdhury Zinnia , Barma Sanjib , Sen Dwaipayan , Sarkar Aparna Ray
Published: November 2023

One of the primary issues nowadays is plastic waste management, where the low recycling rates and accumulation of waste plastic show an exponentially increasing trend with urbanization. Especially, the concern is high with the PET waste generated from food packaging industries. Thus, new technologies are required for waste refining. Pyrolysis is one such technique that will restrict the emission possibilities obvious with the incineration and convert plastic into some value‐added end products. However, large scale implementation of pyrolysis technology for plastic waste management requires a thorough understanding of its degradation kinetics along with pyrolysis index (PI) calculation. Here a thorough analysis of the degradation kinetics of PET waste was done with established models to evaluate the activation energy for the reactions. Among all the conventional models discussed, Coats‐Redfern shows a 0.95–0.98 R2 value during model fitting. The activation energies were varied from 133.6 to 241.8 kJ/mol. PI value was evaluated at different temperatures to assess lower energy utilization during designing and scaling up the process. The value was found to be maximum at 500°C indicating the scalability of the process at this temperature with lower energy utilization. Qualitative predictions on the production of amorphous graphite oxide (a‐graphite) were validated through FTIR, FESEM, Raman, XRD, and UV spectroscopy analyses.
Role of postmortem toxicology in drowning investigations
Authors: Ojanperä Ilkka , Kriikku Pirkko
Published: November 2023

Drowning is the third most common cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. In forensic medicine, drowning refers to an event in which the victim dies due to liquid penetrating into the airways or due to submersion in a liquid. Medico‐legal examination of bodies found in water is a challenging task. Establishing proper cause and manner of death requires the joint efforts of the police, medical examiner, and representatives of postmortem toxicology. Information of the circumstances, the victim's individual characteristics and medical background, together with postmortem findings is required. The presence of alcohol and drugs revealed by postmortem toxicology can give insight into the decedent's medical history, drug abuse history, and possible impairment at the time of death. There is ample epidemiological research indicating that alcohol is the most important single contributing factor for fatal drowning, while hypno‐sedative medicines and illicit drugs, especially amphetamines, also appear to pose a risk. Evidence shows that alcohol can be produced postmortem in a submerged body by microbial contamination and fermentation, and this phenomenon is even more significant the higher the water temperature and the longer the submersion time. The reliability of the blood alcohol concentration obtained can be verified in many ways, for example by comparing the ratios of blood, vitreous and urine alcohol concentrations with reference values, or by testing for non‐oxidative ethanol metabolites, the presence of which suggests antemortem alcohol ingestion. Compared to alcohol postmortem changes, very little is known about the long‐term stability of drugs in bodies found in water.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology > Analytical

Toxicology > Post‐Mortem
Alkaline Metal Intercalates of VSe2 by Electrochemical Intercalation
Authors: Kannen Bastian , Rasche Bertold
Published: November 2023

We report on the series of the alkali metal intercalates of VSe2 synthesised by electrochemical means in an aqueous environment. For all alkali metals we find water‐conintercalated structures (stage I and stage II), of which only the sodium structure had been reported so far. The new structures are analyzed by powder X‐ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. Their (meta‐)stability is investigated in terms of the open circuit potential, revealing the sensitivity towards oxygen. Except for the lithium intercalate these structures transform into water‐free alkali metal intercalates under vacuum. In addition, scanning electron microscopy reveals the impact of different electrochemical intercalation techniques yielding different intercalation rates. This paves the way for future single crystal investigations.
Fermion geometry and the renormalization of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory
Authors: Assi Benoît , Helset Andreas , Manohar Aneesh V. , Pagès Julie , Shen Chia-Hsien
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The geometry of field space governs on-shell scattering amplitudes. We formulate a geometric description of effective field theories which extends previous results for scalars and gauge fields to fermions. The field-space geometry reorganizes and simplifies the computation of quantum loop corrections. Using this geometric framework, we calculate the fermion loop contributions to the renormalization group equations for bosonic operators in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory up to mass dimension eight.
The dynamics of zero modes in lattice gauge theory — difference between SU(2) and SU(3) in 4D
Authors: Asano Yuhma , Nishimura Jun
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The dynamics of zero modes in gauge theory is highly nontrivial due to its nonperturbative nature even in the case where the other modes can be treated perturbatively. One of the related issues concerns the possible instability of the trivial vacuum Aμ(x) = 0 due to the existence of nontrivial degenerate vacua known as “torons”. Here we investigate this issue for the 4D SU(2) and SU(3) pure Yang-Mills theories on the lattice by explicit Monte Carlo calculation of the Wilson loops and the Polyakov line at large β. While we confirm the leading 1/β predictions obtained around the trivial vacuum in both SU(2) and SU(3) cases, we find that the subleading term vanishes only logarithmically in the SU(2) case unlike the power-law decay in the SU(3) case. In fact, the 4D SU(2) case is marginal according to the criterion by Coste et al. Here we show that the trivial vacuum dominates in this case due to large fluctuations of the zero modes around it, thereby providing a clear understanding of the observed behaviors.
Relationships between intracranial arterial dolichoectasia and small vessel disease in patients with ischaemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Thiankhaw Kitti , Ozkan Hatice , Ambler Gareth , Werring David J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia (IADE) is a common arterial finding of dilation, elongation, or both, affecting large intracranial vessels, and associated with vascular risk factors, including hypertension. Associations of IADE with neuroimaging cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) may be relevant for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with stroke. The study aimed to conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to investigate the relationships of IADE with well-defined CSVD markers in patients with ischaemic stroke.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for studies on IADE in ischaemic stroke patients with fulfilling predefined inclusion criteria. We pooled data to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the prevalence of SVD markers between patients with and without IADE groups using risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

From 157 retrieved abstracts, we included six studies from seven publications comprising 6102 patients with ischaemic stroke. The mean age of patients was 52.8 years, and 3691 (60.5%) were male. IADE was diagnosed in 11.4% (95% CI 8.9–13.9) (761) of included patients; 51.8% (3160) had hypertension. Compared to patients without IADE, individuals diagnosed with IADE had a significantly increased prevalence of lacune (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.36–2.06, P < 0.01, I2 = 0.00%), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) (RR 2.56, 95% CI 1.53–4.28, P < 0.01, I2 = 84.95%) and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.84–2.56, P < 0.01, I2 = 0.00%).

Conclusions

In patients with ischaemic stroke, IADE is associated with a higher prevalence of CSVD markers, including lacunes, CMBs, and WMHs. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these associations and their potential relevance for the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of CSVD.
Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair: keyhole, Sugarbaker, sandwich, or hybrid technique with 3D mesh? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kritharides Nicos , Papaconstantinou Dimitrios , Kykalos Stylianos , Machairas Nikolaos , Schizas Dimitrios , Nikiteas Nikolaos I. , Dimitroulis Dimitrios
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Parastomal hernia is the most common complication after stoma formation with an incidence that approaches 50% at 2 years postoperatively. In the last decade, different approaches of minimally invasive procedures have been proposed for the treatment of parastomal hernia. Nevertheless, the superiority of one technique over the others remains still unclear. Our objective was to update and systematically analyze current state of research concerning the postoperative outcomes of the four most prevalent minimally invasive techniques.

Methods

A systematic literature search of three databases (Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar) was undertaken for articles published from January 2015 to November 2022. Fifteen studies from a previous meta-analysis on the topic were included.

Results

Thirty-three studies incorporating 1289 total patients were deemed eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. The keyhole technique was associated with the highest incidence of postoperative complications and recurrences (31.3% and 24.1%, respectively), followed by the Sugarbaker technique (27.6% and 9%, respectively). Operative time was among the lowest in patients operated with the 3D mesh technique, while patients undergoing the keyhole technique experienced the shortest cumulative length of hospital stay (6 days).

Conclusion

Each technique demonstrates a unique profile of effectiveness offset by the propensity towards developing postoperative complications. While no conclusive evidence on the optimal technique exist to date, newer minimally invasive techniques show promising results, albeit based on limited data. The future of parastomal hernia repair seems to rely on a highly individualized approach, tailored to the distinctive characteristics of both the hernia and the patient.
Robust numerical schemes for time delayed singularly perturbed parabolic problems with discontinuous convection and source terms
Authors: Priyadarshana S. , Mohapatra J. , Ramos H.
Published: November 2023

This article deals with two different numerical approaches for solving singularly perturbed parabolic problems with time delay and interior layers. In both approaches, the implicit Euler scheme is used for the time scale. In the first approach, the upwind scheme is used to deal with the spatial derivatives whereas in the second approach a hybrid scheme is used, comprising the midpoint upwind scheme and the central difference scheme at appropriate domains. Both schemes are applied on two different layer resolving meshes, namely a Shishkin mesh and a Bakhvalov–Shishkin mesh. Stability and error analysis are provided for both schemes. The comparison is made in terms of the maximum absolute errors, rates of convergence, and the computational time required. Numerical outputs are presented in the form of tables and graphs to illustrate the theoretical findings.
Towards standardising the collection of game statistics in Europe: a case study
Authors: Ruiz-Rodríguez Carmen , Blanco-Aguiar José A. , Gómez-Molina Azahara , Illanas Sonia , Fernández-López Javier , Acevedo Pelayo , Vicente Joaquín
Published: November 2023

In order to monitor wildlife populations in a manner that supports policy makers and natural resource managers, data must be collected using frameworks and methodologies that allow for comparisons between projects and across time. Though hunting statistics may represent a reliable data source for monitoring population trends in game species, a standardised framework for collecting and analysing this data has never been established in Europe, even within countries. Here we describe a case study on the use of hunting statistics in Spain in order to (i) describe the variability in big game statistics collection frameworks across mainland regions of Spain and (ii) propose a minimum common denominator for a standardised approach at the country level. The main differences in methodologies identified are that each region collects different variables, uses different spatial and temporal resolution, and follows different methodologies. We described spatial patterns by grouping regions based on similarities in the hunting data collection system and identified socio-economic factors as a potential driver of differences in methodologies among regions. Hunting effort-related variables and improved temporal resolution (to the event level) must be incorporated in order to achieve country-level standardisation of methodologies. The use of application software to collect information from the field in a standardised way is recommended, which necessitates engaging stakeholders as part of the monitoring process. Applications software should be designed intentionally, and only after clear objectives for the monitoring program have been defined. Making hunting data open access will improve collaboration and information transfer to scientific and professional sectors. Our recommendations can be adapted to other European countries, which would make hunting data more useful for population monitoring and wildlife policy-making at large spatial scales. Initiatives such as the “European Wildlife Observatory” (www.wildlifeobservatory.org), a network of wildlife observation and monitoring points in Europe, may improve data exchange and standardise protocols, leading to better utilisation of hunting statistics for European wildlife population monitoring.
Hume’s liberalism based on Scottish jurisprudence
Authors: Nakamura Takafumi
Published: November 2023

This study develops a view of Hume’s is/ought distinction as an extension of Scottish jurisprudence that, in turn, was influenced by Pufendorf’s discussion of entia moralia. Further, it investigates the unique role that Hume’s sentimentalism played in the production of elements in the context of liberalism under the rule of law, independently of previous philosophical traditions.

First, we observe that Hume’s is/ought distinction corresponds to a distinction between uncivilized and civilized entities, rather than between amoral rationality and moral passions. Next, analyzing Hume’s argument for “moral evidence,” we find that such evidence is necessary for various activities, such as consent or trading, in the field of moral entities as civil societies. Finally, a study of Hume’s stance with respect to civil and common laws shows that his moral sentimentalism, which includes the is/ought distinction and moral evidence, suggests a new possibility for social development that is distinct from previous rational forms of jurisprudence. From this discussion, a unique sprout of modern liberalism can be seen in Hume’s theory of justice.
Some statistical problems involved in forecasting and estimating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 using Hawkes point processes and SEIR models
Authors: Schoenberg Frederic
Published: November 2023

This article reviews some of the statistical issues involved with modeling SARS-CoV02 (Covid-19) in Los Angeles County, California, using Hawkes point process models and SEIR models. The two types of models are compared, and their pros and cons are discussed. We also discuss particular statistical decisions, such as where to place the upper limits on y-axes, and whether to use a Bayesian or frequentist version of the model, how to estimate seroprevalence, and fitting the density of transmission times in the Hawkes model.
Elites and health infrastructure improvements in industrializing regimes
Authors: Krieger Tommy
Published: November 2023

We collect information about more than 5000 Prussian politicians, digitize administrative data on the provision of health-promoting public goods, and gather local-level information on workers’ movements to study why elites in industrializing countries implement policies that improve the health of the poor. Using county-level variation in elite structure, we present OLS and IV estimates, suggesting that elites improve access to health services due to pressure exerted by workers’ movements. By contrast, policies that prevent disease outbreaks are implemented without such pressure. Analyses of roll- call votes substantiate the findings of the county-level analysis.
Learning to bid and rank together in recommendation systems
Authors: Ji Geng , Jiang Wentao , Li Jiang , Fahid Fahmid Morshed , Chen Zhengxing , Li Yinghua , Xiao Jun , Bao Chongxi , Zhu Zheqing
Published: November 2023

Many Internet applications adopt real-time bidding mechanisms to ensure different services (types of content) are shown to the users through fair competitions. The service offering the highest bid price gets the content slot to present a list of items in its candidate pool. Through user interactions with the recommended items, the service obtains the desired engagement activities. We propose a contextual-bandit framework to jointly optimize the price to bid for the slot and the order to rank its candidates for a given service in this type of recommendation systems. Our method can take as input any feature that describes the user and the candidates, including the outputs of other machine learning models. We train  reinforcement learning policies using deep neural networks, and compute top-K Gaussian propensity scores to exclude the variance in the gradients caused by randomness unrelated to the reward. This setup further facilitates us to automatically find accurate reward functions that trade off between budget spending and user engagements. In online A/B experiments on two major services of Facebook Home Feed, Groups You Should Join and Friend Requests, our method statistically significantly boosted the number of groups joined by 14.7%, the number of friend requests accepted by 7.0%, and the number of daily active Facebook users by about 1 million, against strong hand-tuned baselines that have been iterated in production over years.
Word embeddings for retrieving tabular data from research publications
Authors: Berenguer Alberto , Mazón Jose-Norberto , Tomás David
Published: November 2023

Scientists face challenges when finding datasets related to their research problems due to the limitations of current dataset search engines. Existing tools for searching research datasets rely on publication content or metadata, do not considering the data contained in the publication in the form of tables. Moreover, scientists require more elaborate inputs and functionalities to retrieve different parts of an article, such as data presented in tables, based on their search purposes. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel approach to retrieve relevant tabular datasets from publications. The input of our system is a research problem stated as an abstract from a scientific paper, and the output is a set of relevant tables from publications that are related to the research problem. This approach aims to provide a better solution for scientists to find useful datasets that support them in addressing their research problems. To validate this approach, experiments were conducted using word embedding from different language models to calculate the semantic similarity between abstracts and tables. The results showed that contextual models significantly outperformed non-contextual models, especially when pre-trained with scientific data. Furthermore, the importance of context was found to be crucial for improving the results.
Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Showed a Differential Glycine Receptor Expression in the Spinal Cord: A GlyR Role in Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Velázquez-Flores Miguel Ángel , Sánchez-Chávez Gustavo , Morales-Lázaro Sara L. , Ruiz Esparza-Garrido Ruth , Canizales-Ontiveros Alejandro , Salceda Rocío
Published: November 2023

In the spinal cord, attenuation of the inhibitory action of glycine is related to an increase in both inflammatory and diabetic neuropathic pain; however, the glycine receptor involvement in diabetic neuropathy has not been reported. We determined the expression of the glycine receptor subunits (α1–α3 and β) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Long–Evans rats by qPCR and Western blot. The total mRNA and protein expression (whole spinal cord homogenate) of the α1, α3, and β subunits did not change during diabetes; however, the α2 subunit mRNA, but not the protein, was overexpressed 45 days after diabetes induction. By contrast, the synaptic expression of the α1 and α2 subunits decreased in all the studied stages of diabetes, but that of the α3 subunit increased on day 45 after diabetes induction. Intradermal capsaicin produced higher paw-licking behavior in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats than in the control animals. In addition, the nocifensive response was higher at 45 days than at 20 days. During diabetes, the expression of the glycine receptor was altered in the spinal cord, which strongly suggests its involvement in diabetic neuropathy.
Critical Systems Heuristics: a Systematic Review
Authors: Hutcheson Matthew , Morton Alec , Blair Shona
Published: November 2023

Critical systems heuristics (CSH) has been influential in the development of critical systems thinking. However, it is a relatively underutilised method compared with soft systems approaches such as soft systems methodology (SSM) and cognitive mapping. This may be in part due to the complexity of ideas underpinning CSH. Core ideas with which users must feel confident include boundary critique, coercion, emancipation, and “is” vs “ought to be” framings. These ideas were the subject of the early discourse surrounding CSH, which considered the role of boundary critique in systems research, the extent to which CSH could meaningfully address coercion, and the claims of CSH as an emancipatory approach. The purpose of this review is to provide clarity on these key concepts by reflecting on how they have been addressed in the CSH literature to date. We find that CSH has been applied in a range of problem contexts and is most frequently applied to address coercion or power asymmetries. CSH research is frequently associated with advocacy for marginalised groups, and we believe this is a natural extension of the methodological emancipation to which CSH aspires. In providing an overview of the key ideas underpinning CSH, we hope to lower the barrier to application for systems researchers and practitioners.
Comparison of Lattice Boltzmann and Boundary Element Methods for Stokes and Visco-Inertial Flow in a Two-Dimensional Porous Medium
Authors: Hassard Patrick , Turner Ian , Lester Daniel
Published: November 2023

In porous media, limitations imposed by macroscale laws can be avoided with a dual-scale model, in which the pore-scale phenomena of interest are modelled directly over a large number of realisations. Such a model requires a robust, accurate and efficient pore-scale solver. We compare the boundary element method (BEM) and two variants of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) as pore-scale solvers of 2D incompressible flow. The methods are run on a number of test cases and the performance of each simulation is assessed according to the mean velocity error and the computational runtime. Both the porous geometry (porosity, shape and complexity), and the Reynolds number (from Stokes to visco-inertial flow) are varied between the test cases. We find that, for Stokes flow, BEM provides the most efficient and accurate solution in simple geometries (with small boundary length) or when a large runtime is practical. In all other situations we consider, one of the variants of LBM performs best. We furthermore demonstrate that these findings also apply in a dual-scale model of Stokes flow through a locally-periodic medium.
Bryophytes in classification and ecology of calcareous beech forests in Central Slovakia
Authors: Širka Pavel , Ujházyová Mariana , Ujházy Karol
Published: November 2023

Traditionally, calcareous beech forests were classified and differentiated according to vascular plants. Bryophytes were often omitted or not all substrates were sampled in relevés, and therefore, the role of bryophytes in plant community differentiation remained unclear. In this paper, we studied bryophyte species richness, composition and functional patterns in vegetation units differentiated by vascular plants. We analysed 45 phytosociological relevés from 400 m2 plots in Fagus sylvatica-dominated forests on dolomite bedrock in Central Slovakia. The most frequent among 59 moss and 8 liverwort species was Tortella tortuosa, followed by Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachytheciastrum velutinum and Ctenidium molluscum. Average richness of bryophytes was 8.1 compared to 38.7 species of vascular plants. Seven bryophyte species were significantly linked to a particular vegetation unit. One-way ANOVA showed no noticeable differences in bryophyte species richness between vegetation units. However, it was negatively affected by xericity and positively by cover of rocks on soil surface. CCA revealed that species composition was affected significantly by xericity, cover of bare rocks and cover of tree layer. Mat and turf life forms prevailed, and both long-lived taxa/perennials and short-lived colonists formed the bryophyte layer. Observed bryophyte species grew mostly on rock, living and dead wood, and only minority of them on soil. Therefore, available substrates greatly contributed to the species richness of bryophytes and total plant diversity of the forest community. A complete investigation of substrates is necessary to assess the drivers of bryophyte species distribution and diversity, and their role in classification of calcareous beech forests.
Early numeracy opportunities through number stories with marginalised families
Authors: Graven Mellony , Jorgensen Robyn
Published: November 2023

We explore the potential of merging numeracy and literacy, through using number stories to stimulate mathematical engagement with young, marginalized learners in their communities. Our data emerges from the Family Maths Storytime Programme (FMSP) run in partnership with teachers in two South African schools. The FMSP conducted sessions with caregivers of pre-Grade 1 learners that focused on supporting mathematical talk in the home centred around four number storybooks with linked activities and games. Drawing on Bourdieu’s notion of habitus and other socio-cultural theories emphasising opportunities for talk and reasoning for learning we explore: Did the FMSP enable the integration of home and school numeracy and literacy practices? If so, what evidence is there of such integrated practices? What is the nature of the described practices? Our analysis focuses on 20 caregiver interviews following their participation in the FMSP that was initially run after school in two English medium pre-Grade 1 classrooms. NVivo coding highlighted key themes across interviews. The findings show how modelling engagement with merged literacy and numeracy practices in the programme enabled changing practices, dispositions, and forms of capital in relation to engaging with these in the home. We highlight how supporting home-based and story inspired engagement with marginalised learners supports equity goals in contexts where learners from indigenous backgrounds often begin and remain mathematically behind grade expectations in school.
Practical Compass of Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis
Authors: Okada Hiroyuki , Chung Ung-il , Hojo Hironori
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

This review paper provides step-by-step instructions on the fundamental process, from handling fastq datasets to illustrating plots and drawing trajectories.

Recent Findings

The number of studies using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) is increasing. scRNA-seq revealed the heterogeneity or diversity of the cellular populations. scRNA-seq also provides insight into the interactions between different cell types. User-friendly scRNA-seq packages for ligand-receptor interactions and trajectory analyses are available. In skeletal biology, osteoclast differentiation, fracture healing, ectopic ossification, human bone development, and the bone marrow niche have been examined using scRNA-seq. scRNA-seq data analysis tools are still being developed, even at the fundamental step of dataset integration. However, updating the latest information is difficult for many researchers. Investigators and reviewers must share their knowledge of in silico scRNA-seq for better biological interpretation.

This review article aims to provide a useful guide for complex analytical processes in single-cell RNA-seq data analysis.
Peak Edema Extension Distance: An Edema Measure Independent from Hematoma Volume Associated with Functional Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Giede-Jeppe Antje , Gerner Stefan T. , Sembill Jochen A. , Kuramatsu Joji B. , Lang Stefan , Luecking Hannes , Staykov Dimitre , Huttner Hagen B. , Volbers Bastian
Published: November 2023

Background

Our objective was to test the association between hematoma volume and long-term (> 72 h) edema extension distance (EED) evolution and the association between peak EED and early EED increase with functional outcome at 3 months in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH between January 2006 and January 2014. EED, an edema measure defined as the distance between the hematoma border and the outer edema border, was calculated by using absolute hematoma and edema volumes. We used multivariable logistic regression accounting for age, ICH volume, and location and receiver operating characteristic analysis for assessing measures associated with functional outcome and EED evolution. Functional outcome after 3 months was assessed by using the modified Rankin Scale (0–3 = favorable, 4–6 = unfavorable). To identify properties associated with peak EED multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

A total of 292 patients were included. Median age was 70 years (interquartile range [IQR] 62–78), median ICH volume on admission 17.7 mL (IQR 7.9–40.2), median peak perihemorrhagic edema (PHE) volume was 37.5 mL (IQR 19.1–60.6), median peak EED was 0.67 cm (IQR 0.51–0.84) with an early EED increase up to 72 h (EED72–0) of 0.06 cm (− 0.02 to 0.15). Peak EED was found to be independent of ICH volume (R2 = 0.001, p = 0.6). In multivariable analyses, peak EED (odds ratio 0.224, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.071–0.705]) and peak PHE volume (odds ratio 0.984 [95% CI 0.973–0.994]) were inversely associated with favorable functional outcome at 3 months. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a peak PHE volume of 26.8 mL (area under the curve 0.695 [95% CI 0.632–0.759]; p ≤ 0.001) and a peak EED of 0.58 cm (area under the curve 0.608 [95% CI 0.540–0.676]; p = 0.002) as best predictive values for outcome discrimination.

Conclusions

Compared with absolute peak PHE volume, peak EED represents a promising edema measure in patients with ICH that is largely hematoma volume-independent and nevertheless associated with functional outcome.