bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic optimal control problems of discrete‐time Markov jump systems
Authors: Song Teng
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we consider the indefinite stochastic optimal control problems of discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems. Firstly, we establish the new stochastic maximum principle, and by solving the forward‐backward stochastic difference equations with Markov jump (FBSDEs‐MJ), we derive the necessary and sufficient solvability condition of the indefinite control problem with non‐discounted cost, which is in an explicit analytical expression. Then, the optimal control is designed by a series of coupled generalized Riccati difference equations with Markov jump (GRDEs‐MJ) and linear recursive equations with Markov jump (LREs‐MJ). Moreover, based on the non‐discounted cost case, we deduce the optimal control problem with discounted cost. Finally, a numerical example for defined‐benefit (DB) pension fund with regime switching is exploited to illustrate the validity of the obtained results.
Novel shear thickening gel/high‐performance fiber reinforced flexible composites: Multi‐velocity impact and functional properties
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Wei Sainan , Li Xiangmian , Jia Lixia , Li Haitao , Jia Lili , Yan Ruosi
Published: March 2023

Shear thickening gel (STG) is a promising substrate used for flexible protective materials, which has superior dimensional stability without gel side leakage and delamination when sustaining long‐standing time. STG/high‐performance fiber flexible composites exhibit high‐energy absorption capacity for multi‐velocity impact. This article reveals the shear thickening mechanism of STG that lays a theoretical foundation for the performance analysis of STG composites. The preparation methods of STG/high‐performance fiber flexible composites, including impregnation, hand lay‐up, filling, and lamination methods, are compared. The energy absorption principle of STG/high‐performance fiber flexible composites on multi‐velocity impact and the destruction morphology was analyzed. The coupling effects and functional applications of STG functional composites with nanoparticles, magnetic particles, and conductive particles are summarized. It provides more suitable conditions for designing new multifunctional protective equipment and manufacturing advanced intelligent, protective devices.
Preparation of thermal/pH‐sensitive semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels from quaternary chitosan via an amino‐anhydride click reaction for efficient dye removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Liu Yuhua , Wei Hongliang , Hu Chunwang , Hua Bingyan , Wang Gang , Guo Tao
Published: March 2023

Novel thermal/pH‐sensitive quaternary chitosan‐based semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels were facilely fabricated via an amino‐anhydride click reaction in aqueous solutions and used for water treatment. First, a series of terpolymers (PNAM) of acrylamide, N‐isopropylacrylamide, and maleic anhydride was prepared via free radical copolymerization. Next, PNAM, poly(allylaminehydrochloride), and quaternary chitosan were dissolved in water, rapid gelation was observed after the pH of the solution was adjusted to alkaline. Then, single‐factor experiments were applied to optimize the preparation parameters. The hydrogel was found to be thermal/pH sensitive. Finally, choosing Eosin Y as a model dye, the effect of the initial concentration, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage, ionic strength, and pH on the adsorption behavior was studied. The adsorption capacity could reach 1799 mg/g under optimized conditions. The adsorption performance of the hydrogels can be well described by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic study suggests that the adsorption of Eosin Y is a spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy‐increasing process. In view of its adsorption performance and facile preparation process, the hydrogel is expected to be used as a promising adsorbent.
Predation performance and survival of susceptible and pyrethroid‐resistant Eriopis connexa Germar (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to insecticides used in brassica crops
Authors: Lira Rogério , do Nascimento Deividy Vicente , Barbosa Paulo Roberto Ramos , Simmons Alvin M. , Torres Jorge Braz
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Selective insecticides and insecticide‐resistant natural enemies are components of chemical and biological methods that can be compatible in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Many insecticides that are labeled for treatment against insects in Brassica crops have lost their efficacy because of the development of resistance. However, natural enemies can provide an important role in regulating the population of these pests.

RESULTS

Survival of Eriopis connexa populations was >80% when exposed to insecticides, except for EcFM exposed to indoxacarb and methomyl. Bacillus thuringiensis, cyantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr and spinosad caused high mortality of P. xylostella larvae, but neither affected E. connexa survival nor its predation upon L. pseudobrassicae. Cyantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, deltamethrin and methomyl caused high mortality of L. pseudobrassicae, but did not affect E. connexa survival nor its predation upon P. xylostella larvae. According to the differential selectivity index and the risk quotient, chlorfenapyr and methomyl were more toxic to P. xylostella larvae than to E. connexa, whereas indoxacarb was more toxic to E. connexa.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the insecticides B. thuringiensis, cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, chlorfenapyr, spinosad, azadiracthin and spiromesifen are compatible with insecticide‐resistant adult E. connexa within an IPM program in Brassica crops. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Spodoptera litura larvae are attracted by HvAV‐3h‐infected S. litura larvae‐damaged pepper leaves
Authors: Ming Lang , Du Yuan‐Wen , Yuan Ge‐Ge , Su Qi , Shi Xiao‐Bing , Yu Huan , Chen Gong
Published: March 2023

Background

Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are important self‐defense outputs of pepper plants to resist insect pests. Ascoviruses are pathogenic to the larvae of most lepidopteran vegetable pests. However, whether Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV‐3h)‐infected Spodoptera litura larvae can change pepper leaf HIPVs is not well understood.

RESULTS

Spodoptera litura larvae preferred S. litura‐infested leaves, and this preference was stronger with longer duration of S. litura infestation. In addition, S. litura larvae significantly chose pepper leaves damaged by HvAV‐3h‐infected S. litura over the healthy pepper leaves. Results also showed that S. litura larvae preferred leaves mechanically damaged and treated with oral secretions from HvAV‐3h infected‐S. litura larvae in a simulation test. We captured the volatiles emitted by leaves under six treatments. Results showed that the volatile profile changed with the different treatments. Testing of volatile blends, prepared to the proportion released showed that the blend from simulated HvAV‐3h‐infected S. litura larvae‐damaged plants was the most attractive to S. litura larvae. Further, we also found that some of the compounds significantly attracted S. litura larvae at specific concentrations.

CONCLUSION

HvAV‐3h‐infected S. litura can alter the release of HIPVs in pepper plants and thus become more attractive to S. litura larvae. We speculate that this may be due to alterations in the concentration of some compounds (such as geranylacetone and prohydrojasmon) affecting the behavior of S. litura larvae. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The influence of a synthetic growth hormone‐releasing hormone analogue G11 and opioid peptide biphalin on selected fibroblasts parameters relevant to wound healing
Authors: Redkiewicz Patrycja , Dyniewicz Jolanta , Witkowska Ewa , Misicka Aleksandra , Lipiński Piotr F. J.
Published: March 2023

The treatment of hard‐to‐heal chronic wounds is still a major medical problem and an economic and social burden. In this work, we examine the proregenerative potential of two peptides, G11 (a trypsin‐resistant analogue of growth hormone‐releasing hormone [GHRH]) and biphalin (opioid peptide), and their combination in vitro on human fibroblasts (BJ). G11, biphalin and their combination exhibited no toxicity against BJ cells. On the contrary, these treatments significantly stimulated proliferation and migration of fibroblasts. Under inflammatory conditions (LPS‐induced BJ cells), we noticed that the tested peptides decreased the levels of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β). This was correlated with diminished phosphorylation levels of p38 kinase, but not those of ERK1/2. We found also that G11, biphalin and their combination activated the ERK1/2 signalling pathway, which has been previously implicated in promigratory activity of some regeneration enhancers, including opioids or GHRH analogues. Potential application of their combination requires further work, in particular in vivo experiments, in which the organism‐level relevance of the discussed cell‐level effects would be proven and, additionally, analgesic action of the opioid ingredient could be quantified.
Discrete Donor–Acceptor Pair Transitions in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Single Crystals
Authors: Urban Joanna M. , Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang , Chehade Gabriel , Delteil Aymeric , Trippé-Allard Gaëlle , Delport Geraud , Deleporte Emmanuelle , Hermier Jean-Pierre , Garrot Damien
Published: March 2023

Achieving a better understanding of the physics of defects in halide perovskites (HPs) is a key challenge for improving the efficiency of the devices. Herein, a comprehensive study of the defect emission of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite single crystals is presented. The emission of the pristine surface of cleaved crystals is systematically investigated based on steady‐state and time‐resolved micro‐photoluminescence (micro‐PL) spectroscopy. Donor–acceptor pair (DAP) recombination is observed due to the presence of native shallow defects. The DAP spectra present an important variability depending on the location on the surface of the crystals due to inhomogeneous defect distribution. A strong blueshift of the emission is measured as a function of excitation power and is explained by fluctuating potential caused by compensated defects. With increasing photocarrier density, a transition from a structureless to a structured DAP emission with several longitudinal optical phonon replicas is observed. The DAP transition is characterized by the redshift of the emission with time and a slow, non‐exponential PL decay. Sharp discrete lines with sub‐meV widths, the most recognizable spectral signature of DAP transition, are revealed. Herein, the apparently contradictory previous observations on defect emission of CH3NH3PbI3 are reconciled by the results and new insights are provided into the properties of defects in HPs.
Toxin and phage production from pathogenic E. coli by antibiotic induction analyzed by chemical reduction, MALDI‐TOF‐TOF mass spectrometry and top‐down proteomic analysis
Authors: Fagerquist Clifton K. , Shi Yanlin , Dodd Claire E.
Published: March 2023

Rationale

Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an ongoing threat to public health and agriculture. Our laboratory has developed a rapid method for identification of Shiga toxin (Stx), bacteriophage, and host proteins produced from STEC. We demonstrate this technique on two genomically sequenced STEC O145:H28 strains linked to two major outbreaks of foodborne illness occurring in 2007 (Belgium) and 2010 (Arizona).

Methods

Our approach was to induce expression of stx, prophage, and host genes by antibiotic exposure, chemically reduce samples, and identify protein biomarkers from unfractionated samples using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and post‐source decay (PSD). The protein mass and prominent fragment ions were used to identify protein sequences using top‐down proteomic software developed in‐house. Prominent fragment ions are the result of polypeptide backbone cleavage resulting from the aspartic acid effect fragmentation mechanism.

Results

The B‐subunit of Stx and acid‐stress proteins HdeA and HdeB were identified in both STEC strains in their intramolecular disulfide bond‐intact and reduced states. In addition, two cysteine‐containing phage tail proteins were detected and identified from the Arizona strain but only under reducing conditions, which suggests that bacteriophage complexes are bound by intermolecular disulfide bonds. An acyl carrier protein (ACP) and a phosphocarrier protein were also identified from the Belgium strain. ACP was post‐translationally modified with attachment of a phosphopantetheine linker at residue S36. The abundance of ACP (plus linker) was significantly increased on chemical reduction, suggesting the release of fatty acids bound to the ACP + linker at a thioester bond. MS/MS‐PSD revealed dissociative loss of the linker from the precursor ion as well as fragment ions with and without the attached linker consistent with its attachment at S36.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the advantages of chemical reduction in facilitating the detection and top‐down identification of protein biomarkers of pathogenic bacteria.
Combining three‐dimensional fluoroscopy guide system with single‐use bronchoscopes for diagnosis of peripheral lesions: First two cases
Authors: Patrucco Filippo , D'Alessio Andrea , Brambilla Marco , Balbo Piero Emilio
Published: March 2023

Pulmonary Peripheral Lesions (PPLs) diagnosis is usually performed using a guidance system in combination with bronchoscopes and diagnostic tools. We report two cases of PPLs sampling procedures combining the use of the single‐use bronchoscope Ambu aScope 5 Broncho and CIOS 3D Spin Mobile (Siemens Healthineers) fluoroscopy system. A 69‐year‐old‐female was found to have a lesion located in right B6 segment and a 73‐year‐old‐male with a mass in the upper right lobe. We used for both cases a single‐use bronchoscope to reach the correct area and the fluoroscopy system to guide peripheral transbronchial aspiration needle (TBNA) sampling. After the confirmation of the correct location of the TBNA tool, the sampling was performed. Rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) confirmed the adequacy of the sample for molecular analysis and the final diagnosis. Thus, the use of ever‐new disposable bronchoscopes for sampling peripheral lesions is a viable alternative to reusable bronchoscopes for advanced bronchoscopy procedures.
Balanced control between performance and saturation for constrained nonlinear systems
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Haibin , Zhang Xiaobing , Ge Shuzhi Sam
Published: March 2023

This paper addresses the balanced control between performance and saturation for a class of constrained nonlinear systems, including the branches: balanced command filtered backstepping (BCFB) and balanced performance control (BPC). To balance the interconnection and conflict between performance and saturation constraints, define a performance safety evaluation (PSE) function, which evaluates the system safety under the destabilizing effect variables (DEVs) like saturation quantity and filter errors, then the cumulative effects of DEVs are fully utilized and compensated for the performance recovery. Specifically, there exists some degree of tolerance for the DEVs in the safety region, and the compensation operation works when the evaluation of the system goes dangerous. The advantages of the proposed methodology are illustrated in the numerical simulation.
From shareholder to stakeholder engagement: How regular and irregular corporate social responsibility affects CEO compensation
Authors: Khan Talat Mehmood , Zhu Naiping , Yan Jin , Hassan Hazrat
Published: March 2023

The present study aims to uncover the role of regular and irregular CSR in CEO compensation contracts. Taking sample of non‐financial Chinese listed firms from 2010 to 2020, this study employed a panel data regression model. According to traditional agency theory, CSR can increase shareholder wealth. This theory is not supported by the actual findings of the study, which indicate a negative relationship between CSR and CEO compensation. In further analysis, we disintegrate CSR and finds that regular CSR is positively associated with CEO compensation, showing that CEOs are compensated for maintaining an optimal level of CSR. In contrast, irregular CSR has a negative relationship with CEO compensation, indicating that when CSR investments deviate from their optimal level, they may have a negative impact on shareholders wealth by transferring wealth from shareholder to stakeholder; resulting in a decrease in CEO compensation. We conclude by establishing an inverted U‐shaped relationship between CEO compensation and CSR. The present study's conclusions are supportive and provide vital insights for future research and business operations. Moreover, policymakers can utilize our findings while negotiating CEO compensation contracts.
Hot Spot Engineering in Hierarchical Plasmonic Nanostructures
Authors: Yang Xi , Su Dong , Yu Xie , Zeng Pei , Liang Huageng , Zhang Guangzu , Song Boxiang , Jiang Shenglin
Published: March 2023

The controllable nanogap structures offer an effective way to obtain strong and tunable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). A novel hierarchical plasmonic nanostructure (HPN) is created by incorporating a rotating coordinate system into colloidal lithography. In this nanostructure, the hot spot density is increased drastically by the long‐range ordered morphology with discrete metal islands filled in the structural units. Based on the Volmer–Weber growth theory, the precise HPN growth model is established, which guides the hot spot engineering for improved LSPR tunability and strong field enhancement. The hot spot engineering strategy is examined by the application of HPNs as the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. It is universally suitable for various SERS characterization excited at different wavelengths. Based on the HPN and hot spot engineering strategy, single‐molecule level detection and long‐range mapping can be realized simultaneously. In that sense, it offers a great platform and guides the future design for various LSPR applications like surface‐enhanced spectra, biosensing, and photocatalysis.
Cholesterol‐Containing Liposomes Decorated With Au Nanoparticles as Minimal Tunable Fusion Machinery
Authors: Canepa Ester , Bochicchio Davide , Brosio Giorgia , Silva Paulo Henrique Jacob , Stellacci Francesco , Dante Silvia , Rossi Giulia , Relini Annalisa
Published: March 2023

Membrane fusion is essential for the basal functionality of eukaryotic cells. In physiological conditions, fusion events are regulated by a wide range of specialized proteins, operating with finely tuned local lipid composition and ionic environment. Fusogenic proteins, assisted by membrane cholesterol and calcium ions, provide the mechanical energy necessary to achieve vesicle fusion in neuromediator release. Similar cooperative effects must be explored when considering synthetic approaches for controlled membrane fusion. We show that liposomes decorated with amphiphilic Au nanoparticles (AuLips) can act as minimal tunable fusion machinery. AuLips fusion is triggered by divalent ions, while the number of fusion events dramatically changes with, and can be finely tuned by, the liposome cholesterol content. We combine quartz‐crystal‐microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D), fluorescence assays, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) with molecular dynamics (MD) at coarse‐grained (CG) resolution, revealing new mechanistic details on the fusogenic activity of amphiphilic Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and demonstrating the ability of these synthetic nanomaterials to induce fusion regardless of the divalent ion used (Ca2+ or Mg2+). The results provide a novel contribution to developing new artificial fusogenic agents for next‐generation biomedical applications that require tight control of the rate of fusion events (e.g., targeted drug delivery).
Acetamide‐ or Formamide‐Assisted In Situ Approach to Carbon‐Rich or Nitrogen‐Deficient Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Notably Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Redox Performance
Authors: Zhang Xueyan , Yang Guang , Meng Jiaqi , Qin Lang , Ren Miao , Pan Yue , Yang Yuxin , Guo Yihang
Published: March 2023

Acetamide‐ or formamide‐assisted in situ strategy is designed to synthesize carbon atom self‐doped g‐C3N4 (AHCNx) or nitrogen vacancy‐modified g‐C3N4 (FHCNx). Different from the direct copolymerization route that suffers from the problem of mismatched physical properties of acetamide (or formamide) with urea, the synthesis of AHCNx (or FHCNx) starts from a crucial preorganization step of acetamide (or formamide) with urea via freeze drying‐hydrothermal treatment so that the chemical structures as well as C‐doping level in AHCNx and N‐vacancy concentration in FHCNx can be precisely regulated. By using various structural characterization methods, well‐defined AHCNx and FHCNx structures are proposed. At the optimal C‐doping level in AHCNx or N‐vacancy concentration in FHCNx, both AHCNx and FHCNx exhibit remarkably improved visible‐light photocatalytic performance in oxidation of emerging organic pollutants (acetaminophen and methylparaben) and reduction of proton to H2 in comparison of unmodified g‐C3N4. Combination of the experimental results with theoretical calculations, it is confirmed that AHCNx and FHCNx show different charge separation and transfer mechanisms, while the enhanced visible‐light harvesting capacity and the localized charge distributions on HOMO and LUMO are responsible for this excellent photocatalytic redox performance of AHCNx and FHCNx.
In Vivo Behavior of Ultrasmall Spherical Nucleic Acids
Authors: Callmann Cassandra E. , Vasher Matthew K. , Das Anindita , Kusmierz Caroline D. , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: March 2023

The biological properties of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are largely independent of nanoparticle core identity but significantly affected by oligonucleotide surface density. Additionally, the payload‐to‐carrier (i.e., DNA‐to‐nanoparticle) mass ratio of SNAs is inversely proportional to core size. While SNAs with many core types and sizes have been developed, all in vivo analyses of SNA behavior have been limited to cores >10 nm in diameter. However, “ultrasmall” nanoparticle constructs (<10 nm diameter) can exhibit increased payload‐to‐carrier ratios, reduced liver accumulation, renal clearance, and enhanced tumor infiltration. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNAs with ultrasmall cores exhibit SNA‐like properties, but with in vivo behavior akin to traditional ultrasmall nanoparticles. To investigate, we compared the behavior of SNAs with 1.4‐nm Au102 nanocluster cores (AuNC‐SNAs) and SNAs with 10‐nm gold nanoparticle cores (AuNP‐SNAs). Significantly, AuNC‐SNAs possess SNA‐like properties (e.g., high cellular uptake, low cytotoxicity) but show distinct in vivo behavior. When intravenously injected in mice, AuNC‐SNAs display prolonged blood circulation, lower liver accumulation, and higher tumor accumulation than AuNP‐SNAs. Thus, SNA‐like properties persist at the sub‐10‐nm length scale and oligonucleotide arrangement and surface density are responsible for the biological properties of SNAs. This work has implications for the design of new nanocarriers for therapeutic applications.
A transformative shift toward blockchain‐basedIoTenvironments: Consensus, smart contracts, and future directions
Authors: Trivedi Chandan , Rao Udai Pratap , Parmar Keyur , Bhattacharya Pronaya , Tanwar Sudeep , Sharma Ravi
Published: March 2023

Recently, Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) based applications have shifted from centralized infrastructures to decentralized ecosystems, owing to user data's security and privacy limitations. The shift has opened new doors for intruders to launch distributed attacks in diverse IoT scenarios that jeopardize the application environments. Moreover, as heterogeneous and autonomous networks communicate, the attacks intensify, which justifies the requirement of trust as a key policy. Recently, blockchain‐based IoT solutions have been proposed that address trust limitations by maintaining data consistency, immutability, and chronology in IoT environments. However, IoT ecosystems are resource‐constrained and have low bandwidth and finite computing power of sensor nodes. Thus, the inclusion of blockchain requires an effective policy design regarding consensus and smart contract environments in heterogeneous IoT applications. Recent studies have presented blockchain as a potential solution in IoT, but an effective view of consensus and smart contract design to meet the end application requirements is an open problem. Motivated by the same, the survey presents the integration of suitable low‐powered consensus protocols and smart contract design to assess and validate the blockchain‐IoT ecosystems. We present blockchain‐IoT's emerging communication and security aspects with performance issues of consensus protocols, interoperability, and implementation platforms. A case study of a smart contract‐based blockchain‐driven ecosystem is presented with a comparative analysis of mining cost and latency, which shows its suitability in real‐world setups. We also highlight attacks on blockchain IoT, open issues, potential findings, and future directions. The survey intends to drive novel solutions for future consensus and safe, smart contract designs to support applicative IoT ecosystems.
Teaching health justice and reimagining narratives of place through community‐driven science practices
Authors: Visintainer Tammie
Published: March 2023

This study explores how a biology teacher from a summer science program engaged high school students of color in a three‐week science unit exploring community health at the intersection of history, race, place, and power. The goal of this study is to better understand what community‐driven science looks like in a science classroom when a health equity unit is guided by a biology teacher who engages the socio‐historical, political, and relational aspects of community structure and agency. Using student and instructor interviews, program observations, and student artifacts, I examine how the instructor's positioning as a Black woman scientist shaped her goals and vision and the instructional and pedagogical resources made available during the unit. In addition, I explore how engaging in community‐driven science practices during the unit such as critical inquiry and data analysis supported students' sense making about community health and the possibilities they imagined for their communities. Findings illuminate how engaging community health at the intersection of history, race, place, and power shaped engagement in community‐driven science practices and supported student sense making in ways that surfaced challenges, tensions, and opportunities for disrupting and reimagining community narratives. Further, finding highlight the importance of an instructor's lived experiences and pedagogical vision in supporting emergent forms of student agency and place remaking, and generating possibilities for community healing and hope.
DeepFixCX: Explainable privacy‐preserving image compression for medical image analysis
Authors: Gaudio Alex , Smailagic Asim , Faloutsos Christos , Mohan Shreshta , Johnson Elvin , Liu Yuhao , Costa Pedro , Campilho Aurélio
Published: March 2023

Explanations of a model's biases or predictions are essential to medical image analysis. Yet, explainable machine learning approaches for medical image analysis are challenged by needs to preserve privacy of patient data, and by current trends in deep learning to use unsustainably large models and large datasets. We propose DeepFixCX for explainable and privacy‐preserving medical image compression that is nimble and performant. We contribute a review of the field and a conceptual framework for simultaneous privacy and explainability via tools of compression. DeepFixCX compresses images without learning by removing or obscuring spatial and edge information. DeepFixCX is ante‐hoc explainable and gives privatized post hoc explanations of spatial and edge bias without accessing the original image. DeepFixCX privatizes images to prevent image reconstruction and mitigate patient re‐identification. DeepFixCX is nimble. Compression can occur on a laptop CPU or GPU to compress and privatize 1700 images per second of size 320 × 320. DeepFixCX enables use of low memory MLP classifiers for vision data; permitting small performance loss gives end‐to‐end MLP performance over 70× faster and batch size over 100× larger. DeepFixCX consistently improves predictive classification performance of a Deep Neural Network (DNN) by 0.02 AUC ROC on Glaucoma and Cervix Type detection datasets, and can improve multi‐label chest x‐ray classification performance in seven of 10 tested settings. In all three datasets, compression to less than 5% of original number of pixels gives matching or improved performance. Our main novelty is to define an explainability versus privacy problem and address it with lossy compression.

This article is categorized under:

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Explainable AI

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Security and Privacy

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining
Tracing water use by sectors in Morocco: An input–output modeling approach
Authors: Samih Ikram , Loudyi Dalila
Published: March 2023

In recent decades, Morocco has experienced a strong and rapid increase in water demand due to many challenges such as population growth, urbanization sprawl, and economic development. Besides, climate change and its negative impact on natural water resources availability have put the supply–demand balance in jeopardy. This imperative has created a priority need to analyze the demand structure and identify how economic sector linkages mitigate or exacerbate water shortage. In this paper, a methodological framework based on an input–output model has been proposed to capture not only sectors with a large drag effect on water consumption of the whole economy but also the propagation of water use from both diffusion and absorption effects. The results show that the responsibility for water stress is attributed to different sectors and depends on the exogenous final demand shocks. This highlights the significance of consumers' decisions in the determination of ecological impact assessment.
Time and Topos in Migratory Trajectories: Mapping Memory and Lived Experiences of Religion Among Syrian Refugees in Norway
Authors: Løland Ingrid
Published: March 2023

This chapter addresses the interconnection of religion and displacement in a conflict-induced Syrian refugee context. After more than a decade of bloodshed and undissolved war, an unprecedented displacement crisis has led Syrians to comprise one of the largest refugee populations in Europe and elsewhere. Little research has discerned the complex role that religion, identity, and belonging play in shaping migratory patterns and experiences among Syrian refugees. Not least have these dimensions been absent concerning the ways in which lived experiences of religion inform both real and imaginary forms of temporal and spatial displacement contexts. In order to adequately capture the multidimensional and (dis)empowering aspects of religion in Syrians’ migratory experiences, this chapter argues for applying a dynamic trajectory lens in which the parameters of time and space are both experientially and existentially acknowledged. The research shows how trajectories embrace pivotal experiences spanning flight, refugeehood, and exile as multiple and overlapping migratory paths and horizons. Furthermore, it explores trajectories as mirroring a hybrid assemblage of memory practices through which the symbolic language of metaphors is narratively conveyed. By focusing on the spatiotemporal metaphors of utopia, dystopia, and heterotopia, this research thus attempts to map the storied landscape of Syrian refugee trajectories; an ambiguous realm in which religion, identity, and belonging fluctuate between both backward-looking as well as future-oriented processes.
“Emerging Forms of Authority in Land Access?”: The Occult and Witchcraft Among Malawian Migrants in Peri-urban Zimbabwe
Authors: Bhanye Johannes
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of religion and ritual in facilitating access to and security over land among migrants in peri-urban Zimbabwe. The chapter is based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out among Malawians settled in Lydiate, an informal settlement in Zimbabwe’s Norton peri-urban area. The study shows that though they are not the only sources of access to and security over land, religion and ritual-based forms of authority—the Nyau cult and witchcraft—play a role in land matters. Migrants turn to the enchanting, dramatic, yet dreadful Nyau cult to access and reinforce their ownership of land. Because it is feared and respected by adherents on account of its association with deathly symbols, the cult is able to yield and secure land for those who seek it in its name. Others secure their land against expropriation from fellow migrants through the eccentric means of witchcraft. The migrants do not choose these alternative forms of authority out of preference; very often there are no formal institutions that they can use. Legal courts and local authorities are often unsympathetic toward their interests. Thus, migrant squatter settlements have become dynamic spaces with novel forms of authority regulating access to coveted resources such as land.
Religion Constructed, Imagined, and Experienced: The Case of Syrian Refugees in Turkey
Authors: Kujawa Izabela
Published: March 2023

Since 2011, over 3.7 million Syrians have sought and received protection in Turkey, placing it among the countries hosting the largest number of refugees in the world. Based on in-depth interviews, I explore how religion and religious freedom are present in rhetoric employed in discussions surrounding Syrian refugees’ presence in the country and their status there. Furthermore, I focus on refugees’ own experiences, expectations, and imaginaries, and the role religion and religious tolerance play in them. I also analyze how the theme of religion is established as an axis around which belonging and otherness are constructed and what role it plays in the process of integration. This essay is grounded in interviews carried out in Istanbul and Gaziantep with Syrian refugees and representatives of civil society organizations supporting them.
Religion Resettles Refugees: Religion’s Role in Integration in the United States
Authors: Scribner Todd , Weiner Matthew C. , Clifton Katherine
Published: March 2023

What role does religion play in the displacement, resettlement, and integration of refugees who are brought into the United States? This chapter examines an ongoing initiative, the Religion and Resettlement Project (RRP), that takes as its central premise the idea that religion is a critical aspect for understanding refugees’ mental health and civic lives, fostering civil society, conceptualizing the long-term displacement of refugees, and assisting with their integration. With the RRP, we consider the full range of resettled refugees—from Holocaust survivors to Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders. In this chapter, we examine key initiatives pertinent to this project, some of the challenges related to its implementation, and areas where further research is needed to better understand this dynamic.
Introduction
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

FBC technology with the advantages of flexible fuel applicability, stable temperature control, inherently low gas-pollutant emissions, etc. is an advanced fuel-conversion technology, applied in industry, and in heat and electric utilities. Theoretically, FBC has good gas-solid mixing and a resulting uniform temperature distribution. In the actual FBC operation, however, especially in large-scale reactors, the mixing of oxygen and fuel is still limited by the lateral solids dispersion coefficient and gas penetration. Such an issue not only reduces the combustion efficiency but also brings a series of problems related to the operation, such as excessive emissions and bed agglomeration. OCAC technology, which is using oxygen carrier particles to partially or completely replace the traditional inert bed materials in fluidized-bed reactors. This technology is aiming to improve combustion efficiency, enhance operational safety, and reduce pollutant emission by promoting the uniformity of the oxygen and temperature distributions in a fluidized-bed reactor. Benefiting from the oxygen buffering characteristic of oxygen carrier particles, OCAC can significantly improve the oxygen distribution throughout the combustion chamber, which can reduce CO and hydrocarbon emissions.
The Evolution of OCAC and Its Working Principles
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

The technical route proposed by Thunman et al. to use OC to aid fluidized bed combustion is very creative, although it is likely that the OCAC technology was inspired by chemical looping combustion (CLC) technology developed at the same department of Chalmers University of Technology. OCAC shares many characteristics with CLC as well as with three-way catalyst (TWC) technology in terms of adopting the oxygen-carrying material, gas-solid redox reaction, improving fuel conversion and reducing pollutants, etc. Therefore, the principle and technical characteristics of TWC and CLC will be briefly reviewed here to provide some preliminary knowledge before introducing working principle of OCAC. In addition, the operation of reactor, reaction temperature, theperiod ofredox reaction, type of bed material and reaction products of the TWC, CLC and OCAC technologies are compared and analyzed comprehensively in the last part of this chapter.
Oxygen Carrier Aided Gasification (OCAG)
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

Gasification is regarded as an effective clean utilization technology of solid fuel, which can convert the chemical energy of solid fuel into gaseous fuel. However, the primary gas products contain not only the essential gas products, but also an unacceptable amount of tars, which will cause operational problems such as blockage of downstream equipment during gasification. Catalysts are often used after the gasifier to catalyze tar in the pyrolysis product gas. However, the activity ofcatalysts generally declines over time, as they will be poisoned by prolonged exposure to an atmosphere containing elements such as sulfur, chlorine and alkali metals. In addition, under the condition of high tar content, carbon deposition may form on the surface of catalyst, which leads to the deactivation of catalyst. The oxygen carrier particles of natural ores not only can transport oxygen, but also contain various metal elements that can be used as catalysts for tar cracking. Introduce the OCs to replace inert bed materials may not only provide a cheap catalyst for the technology, but also complete the transfer of oxygen between the two reactors, this process is oxygen carrier aided gasification (OCAG).
Classical off-shell currents
Authors: Comberiati Francesco , de la Cruz Leonardo
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We consider tree-level off-shell currents of two massive particles and n massless bosons in the classical limit, which can be fused into the classical limit of n + 2 scattering amplitudes. We show that dressing up the current with coherent wave-functions associated with the massive particles leads to the recently proposed Worldline Quantum Field Theory (WQFT) path integral. The currents thus constructed encode solutions of classical equations of motion so they can be applied to contexts where the classical limit is relevant, including hard thermal loops. We give several examples of these currents in scalar, gauge and gravitational theories.
A reduced inner product for kink states
Authors: Evslin Jarah , Liu Hui
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Solitons in classical field theories correspond to states in quantum field theories. If the spatial dimension is infinite, then momentum eigenstates are not normalizable. This leads to infrared divergences, which are generally regularized via wave packets or by compactification. However, in some applications both possibilities are undesirable. In the present note, we introduce a finite inner product on translation-invariant kink states that allows us to compute probabilities involving these nonnormalizable states. Essentially, it is the quotient of the usual inner product by the translation group. We present a surprisingly simple formula for the reduced inner product, which requires no knowledge of the zero-mode dependence of the states but includes a correction which accounts for the mixing between zero modes and normal modes as the kink moves. As an application, we show that initial and final state corrections to meson multiplication vanish. However, we find that the pole of the subleading term in the initial state requires an infinitesimal imaginary shift.
Evidence-based Recovery Colleges: developing a typology based on organisational characteristics, fidelity and funding
Authors: Hayes Daniel , Camacho Elizabeth M. , Ronaldson Amy , Stepanian Katy , McPhilbin Merly , Elliott Rachel A. , Repper Julie , Bishop Simon , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Brophy Lisa , Giles Kirsty , Trickett Sarah , Lawrence Stella , Winship Gary , Meddings Sara , Bakolis Ioannis , Henderson Claire , Slade Mike
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Recovery Colleges (RCs) have been implemented across England with wide variation in organisational characteristics. The purpose of this study is to describe RCs across England in terms of organisational and student characteristics, fidelity and annual spending, to generate a RC typology based on characteristics and to explore the relationship between characteristics and fidelity.

Methods

All RC in England meeting criteria on recovery orientation, coproduction and adult learning were included. Managers completed a survey capturing characteristics, fidelity and budget. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify common groupings and generate an RC typology.

Results

Participants comprised 63 (72%) of 88 RC in England. Fidelity scores were high (median 11, IQR 9–13). Both NHS and strengths-focussed RCs were associated with higher fidelity. The median annual budget was £200,000 (IQR £127,000–£300,000) per RC. The median cost per student was £518 (IQR £275–£840), cost per course designed was £5,556 (IQR £3,000–£9,416) and per course run was £1,510 (IQR £682–£3,030). The total annual budget across England for RCs is an estimated £17.6 m including £13.4 m from NHS budgets, with 11,000 courses delivered to 45,500 students.

Conclusion

Although the majority of RCs had high levels of fidelity, there were sufficiently pronounced differences in other key characteristics to generate a typology of RCs. This typology might prove important for understanding student outcomes and how they are achieved and for commissioning decisions. Staffing and co-producing new courses are key drivers of spending. The estimated budget for RCs was less than 1% of NHS mental health spending.
PBTK modeling of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine to predict liver toxicity in mouse and rat
Authors: Lehmann Anja , Geburek Ina , These Anja , Hessel-Pras Stefanie , Hengstler Jan G. , Albrecht Wiebke , Mielke Hans , Müller-Graf Christine , Yang Xiaojing , Kloft Charlotte , Hethey Christoph
Published: March 2023

Retrorsine is a hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) found in herbal supplements and medicines, food and livestock feed. Dose-response studies enabling the derivation of a point of departure including a benchmark dose for risk assessment of retrorsine in humans and animals are not available. Addressing this need, a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model of retrorsine was developed for mouse and rat. Comprehensive characterization of retrorsine toxicokinetics revealed: both the fraction absorbed from the intestine (78%) and the fraction unbound in plasma (60%) are high, hepatic membrane permeation is dominated by active uptake and not by passive diffusion, liver metabolic clearance is 4-fold higher in rat compared to mouse and renal excretion contributes to 20% of the total clearance. The PBTK model was calibrated with kinetic data from available mouse and rat studies using maximum likelihood estimation. PBTK model evaluation showed convincing goodness-of-fit for hepatic retrorsine and retrorsine-derived DNA adducts. Furthermore, the developed model allowed to translate in vitro liver toxicity data of retrorsine to in vivo dose-response data. Resulting benchmark dose confidence intervals (mg/kg bodyweight) are 24.1–88.5 in mice and 79.9–104 in rats for acute liver toxicity after oral retrorsine intake. As the PBTK model was built to enable extrapolation to different species and other PA congeners, this integrative framework constitutes a flexible tool to address gaps in the risk assessment of PA.
PSMA-PET/CT-guided salvage radiotherapy in recurrent or persistent prostate cancer and PSA < 0.2 ng/ml
Authors: Solomonidou Nantia , Germanou Daphnie , Strouthos Iosif , Karagiannis Efstratios , Farolfi Andrea , Koerber Stefan A. , Debus Juergen , Peeken Jan C. , Vogel Marco E. , Vrachimis Alexis , Spohn Simon K. B. , Shelan Mohamed , Aebersold Daniel , Grosu Anca-Ligia , Ceci Francesco , Kroeze Stephanie G. C. , Guckenberger Matthias , Fanti Stefano , Belka Claus , Hruby George , Scharl S. , Wiegel Thomas , Bartenstein Peter , Henkenberens Christoph , Emmett Louise , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina Sophie , Ferentinos Konstantinos , Zamboglou Constantinos
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this retrospective, multicenter study was to assess efficacy of PSMA-PET/CT-guided salvage radiotherapy (sRT) in patients with recurrent or persistent PSA after primary surgery and PSA levels < 0.2 ng/ml.

Methods

The study included patients from a pooled cohort (n = 1223) of 11 centers from 6 countries. Patients with PSA levels > 0.2 ng/ml prior to sRT or without sRT to the prostatic fossa were excluded. The primary study endpoint was biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) and BR was defined as PSA nadir after sRT + 0.2 ng/ml. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of clinical parameters on BRFS. Recurrence patterns after sRT were analyzed.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 273 patients; 78/273 (28.6%) and 48/273 (17.6%) patients had local or nodal recurrence on PET/CT. The most frequently applied sRT dose to the prostatic fossa was 66–70 Gy (n = 143/273, 52.4%). SRT to pelvic lymphatics was delivered in 87/273 (31.9%) patients and androgen deprivation therapy was given to 36/273 (13.2%) patients. After a median follow-up time of 31.1 months (IQR: 20–44), 60/273 (22%) patients had biochemical recurrence. The 2- and 3-year BRFS was 90.1% and 79.2%, respectively. The presence of seminal vesicle invasion in surgery (p = 0.019) and local recurrences in PET/CT (p = 0.039) had a significant impact on BR in multivariate analysis. In 16 patients, information on recurrence patterns on PSMA-PET/CT after sRT was available and one had recurrent disease inside the RT field.

Conclusion

This multicenter analysis suggests that implementation of PSMA-PET/CT imaging for sRT guidance might be of benefit for patients with very low PSA levels after surgery due to promising BRFS rates and a low number of relapses within the sRT field.