bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulating non-ideal AB5 Metal Hydride Pressure-Concentration- Temperature Isotherms in MATLAB
Authors: DG Faurie , Premlall Kasturie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Hydride-forming metal isotherms are complex due to the inherent multi-dimensional pressure-concentration-temperature dependencies. Hydrogen adsorbs to the surface of the hydride forming metal, then dissociating and diffusing into the metal. So doing boding with the metal, a further increase in pressure causes the hydride to undergo a change from low-pressure hydrides to high-pressure hydrides. Naturally, desorption is considered a reverse of the mechanism. These unique phenomena combined pose a challenge to modelling non-ideal gas-metal isotherms with hydrogen concentration as a function of pressure and temperature. This article reports the simulation of non-ideal hydride-forming metals, focusing on AB5-type hydride-forming metals. This was done as a numerical simulation in MATLAB, using a non-ideal gas-metal isotherm model after which the simulations were experimentally validated. The semi-empirical non-ideal model requires numerical methods to solve, making a simulation key for the widespread use of the model. The numerical simulation produced can predict pressure-concentration-temperature isotherms with high accuracy.
Explainable deep learning improves human mental models of self-driving cars
Authors: Kenny Eoin , Dharmavaram Akshay , Lee Sang , Phan-Minh Tung , Rajesh Shreyas , Hu Yunqing , Major Laura , Tomov Momchil , Shah Julie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Self-driving cars increasingly rely on deep neural networks to achieve human-like driving [1, 2]. However, the opacity of such black-box motion planners makes it challenging for the human behind the wheel to accurately anticipate when they will fail [3–5], with potentially catastrophic consequences [6–8]. Here, we introduce concept-wrapper network (i.e., CW-Net), a method for explaining the behavior of black-box motion planners by grounding their reasoning in human-interpretable concepts. We deploy CW-Net on a real self-driving car and show that the resulting explanations refine the human driver’s mental model of the car, allowing them to better predict its behavior and adjust their own behavior accordingly. Unlike previous work using toy domains or simulations [9–11], our study presents the first real-world demonstration of how to build authentic autonomous vehicles (AVs) that give interpretable, causally faithful explanations for their decisions, without sacrificing performance. We anticipate our method could be applied to other safety-critical systems with a human in the loop, such as autonomous drones and robotic surgeons. Overall, our study suggests a pathway to explainability for autonomous agents as a whole, which can help make them more transparent, their deployment safer, and their usage more ethical.
Potosia opaca Fabricius 1787 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae): A new pest on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera l.) from Algerian Oases
Authors: Mehaoua Mohamed Seghir , Bedjaoui Hanane , Mimeche Fateh , Matallah Adlen , Boubakeur Nabil , Hadjeb Ayoub 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In Algeria, date palm cultivation is the most important speculation in the South-East of the country. Since 2012, the Ziban oases have been attacked by a new pest detected on palm trees of the Deglet Nour variety. The xylophagous larvae of this insect destroy the fibrillium commonly called “Lif” in the axils of the palms. This damage is responsible for the phenomenon of palms subsidence observed in palm groves. Based on sampling of L2 and L3 larvae, a mass rearing was conducted to characterize and identify this pest after adult’s emergence. The results of this study allowed the identification of a new species of beetle dependent on the date palm Potosia (Protaetia) opaca Fabricius, 1787 belonging to the Scarabaeidae family and the Cetoniinae subfamily. The morphometric measurements carried out on the different stages of development allowed the characterization of the second and third larval stages, the nymph, the cocoon and the adult of P. opaca. More in-depth studies are needed on the bioecology and the extent of the damage of this pest in order to establish an adequate control program.
A Theory-Based Ferritin-Procalcitonin Ratio Differentiates COVID-19 Pneumonia vs Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Shapiro Leland , Salinas Jorge L , Rodriguez-Nava Guillermo , Shen Sa , Chastain Daniel B. , Franco-Paredes Carlos , Connelly Patrick , Bastias Alfonso G. , Scherger Sias , Henao-Martínez Andrés F. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Rapid and inexpensive biomarker-based clinical instruments that can diagnose infectious diseases are desired, but developing clinical instruments has proved challenging. Proliferation of large clinical databases and expansive computational capability risks uncovering spurious associations that cannot be reproduced.
Objectives: We present an approach to biomarker instrument creation that may enhance clinical applicability. We prospectively derived a biomarker instrument from a theoretical model of infection pathogenesis. Our theory-derived ferritin/procalcitonin (ferritin/PCT) ratio was designed to differentiate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia from bacterial pneumonias.
Materials and Methods: We assessed this ratio in over 30,000 patients in the TrinetX global database containing over 200 million patients.
Results: Ferritin/PCT was significantly increased in COVID-19 pneumonia patients compared to bacterial pneumonia pateints. Ferritin/PCT accuracy for separating pneumonia due to COVID-19 vs Pneumococcus was assessed by calculating area under Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, which revealed a value of 0. 812.
Conclusions: The ferritin/PCT ratio may have clinical use for differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia vs Pneumococcal pneumonia. Calculating the ferritin/PCT ratio is easy, rapid, and inexpensive. Clinical utility in resource-poor locations is an especially attractive application. Moreover, the conceptual model of infection pathogenesis that underlies this ratio may have broad applicability to differentiate other viral from bacterial infections.
Supervised and unsupervised analysis of feature drift in a new type of detector
Authors: Porwik Piotr , Orczyk Tomasz , Japkowicz Nathalie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Data stream analysis is a rapidly growing field driven by the prevalence of massive, dynamic datasets across various domains, including science, medicine, biometrics, and technology. Many data streams are inherently non-homogeneous, highly variable over time, and non-stationary, presenting unique challenges for machine learning applications. This paper addresses the underexplored phenomenon of feature drift—a type of drift where the importance of certain features diminishes while others become more relevant for predictive modeling. Feature drift necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptation of classification models to ensure high-quality predictions. We propose a novel feature drift detection algorithm that operates flexibly in supervised and unsupervised modes. The algorithm is evaluated using synthetic and real-world datasets, demonstrating its ability to effectively detect and adapt to feature drift. Additionally, we investigate various drift scenarios and assess the algorithm’s performance across multiple features. Comparative analyses with state-of-the-art methods highlight the strengths of our approach in maintaining robust classification accuracy and reducing false detections. This research contributes to advancing adaptive machine-learning techniques for dynamic, real-world environments.
The real costs of financial fragility shocks in the Italian regions
Authors: Frangiamore Francesco 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In this study, I focus on the dynamic effects of financial fragility shocks on unemployment using a Bayesian vector autoregression (VAR). The contribution to the existing literature is threefold. First, I use quarterly data covering an extensive period for the 20 Italian regions, ranging from 1997-Q1 to 2023-Q3. In particular, the regional time series considered are two already available, namely the bad loans rate and the unemployment rate, and the interest rates that I reconstructed from the Bank of Italy. Moreover, the extensive regional time series dataset allows to estimate region specific effects of financial fragility on the unemployment rate. Finally, I identify a financial fragility shock as one that increases both the bad loans rate and bank interest rates. The results show that sudden increases in financial fragility have important negative effects, and the least developed regions are the hardest hit. I also show that that the regional heterogenous negative effects on unemployment are positively associated with regional credit risk, unemployment rate levels and the regional share of temporary workers, and negatively correlated with regional economic and financial development levels, regional competitiveness, labour market efficiency and education levels.
JEL codes: A10; C32; E00; R10.
Artificial Induction of Polyploidy in Blueberry Breeding: A Review
Authors: Chu Ye , Lyrene Paul M. 
Published: December 2024

Blueberry planted acreage has increased rapidly during the past four decades, and blueberry consumption has kept pace. The environments across blueberry growing regions are highly heterogeneous. Variable factors include weather, soils, cultivation practices, biotic stress, and abiotic stress. Broadening the genetic diversity of the blueberry breeding gene pool will enable the development of blueberry cultivars adapted to specific growing regions. The primary gene pool for blueberry breeders includes cultivated tetraploids and hexaploids. The tetraploids include cultivars and advanced selections of northern highbush, southern highbush, lowbush, and half highbush; the hexaploids are the rabbiteye cultivars. The secondary gene pool encompasses diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid wild blueberries in Vaccinium section Cyanococcus. The tertiary gene pool consists of 300 to 400 Vaccinium species in sections other than Cyanococcus. These are native to many parts of the world. Blueberry breeding began with interspecific hybrids in section Cyanococcus. Subsequent breeding has used diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid Cyanococcus species with limited use of species from other Vaccinium sections. A strong triploid block and partial to total sterility in progeny from heteroploid crosses have limited the use of some species in breeding. Unreduced gametes allow the production of tetraploid hybrids from diploid × tetraploid crosses and hexaploid hybrids from triploid × hexaploid and triploid × triploid crosses. Production of polyploids by in vitro and in vivo treatments with antimitotic agents can expedite interspecific and intersectional hybridization. This review addresses the contribution of artificial induction of polyploidy to blueberry genetic improvement and discusses additional possible applications of artificial induction of polyploidy for blueberry breeding.
Quantitative assessment of the inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber of the eye according to optical coherent tomograrhy data in standard cases of routine cataract surgery and in patients with concomitant ophthalmological and systemic pathology
Authors: Kulikov A. N. , Danilenko E. V. , Tulin D. V. , Dzilihov A. A. , Nevin N. V. , Kuznetsov A. R. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: to determine the risk factors of the inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber aqueous humor in routine cataract surgery of patients with concomitant ophthalmological and systemic pathology based on a quantitative assessment of the eye anterior segment optical coherent tomography (OCT) data.Material and methods. The study enrolled 60 patients aged 38 to 85 years, 45 % of them were men. Before planned phacoemulsification, a standard ophthalmological examination, the eyelids status assessment, parameters of the lacrimal meniscus, calculation of cell in the anterior chamber using OCT were performed, also general clinical data were analyzed. 2 groups were analyzed: group 1 — risk group — 30 patients with symptoms of inflammatory reaction according to a blood test, paraocular foci of chronic infection and diabetes mellitus, as well as those who had chronic blepharitis, group 2 control — 30 patients without these signs. Biomicroscopy and anterior segment OCT were performed before and 4 hours after the surgery, as well as on days 1, 7, and 14.Results. Group 1 patients had cytosis of 2.5 cells (0-20) in the anterior chamber humor at the preoperative stage. Cells were detected in 57.58 % of cases (p = 0.000), but in no case in group 2. In the first hours after surgery, the same frequency of humor opalescence fibrinoid reaction and ophthalmohypertension was observed in the groups, but the frequency of corneal tunnel edema in group 1 was significantly higher (p = 0.048). In the first hours after the intervention, the cell suspension in the aqueous humor was more intense in patients of the risk group; in all cases the number of cells progressively decreased and leveled out between the groups. Correlation analysis showed the relationship between the severity of cell suspension and opalescence of the anterior chamber humor with the presence of cytosis at the preoperative stage (R = 0.88, p = 0.002), the type of IOL chosen (R = 0.74, p = 0.021) and the presence of diabetes mellitus in history (R = 0.82, p = 0.007).Conclusions. Usage of precise imaging techniques to assess anterior chamber humor cytosis is a convenient, objective, and reliable method. The presence of cell suspension in the anterior chamber aqueous before surgery, especially in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus, is a prognostic factor for a more expressed inflammatory reaction of the anterior segment in uncomplicated phacoemulsification.
The alternative approach to epiretinal fibrosis surgery
Authors: Lyskin P. V. , Makarenko I. R. , Chucanin O. A. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose. To evaluate the possibility of removal of epiretinal fibrosis (ERF) with complete saving of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) to reduce the risk of iatrogenic intraoperative trauma associated with the procedure of ILM removing, and postoperative complications associated with retinal nerve fiber layer damage developing as a result of ILM removing.Material and methods. The study included 54 patients with ERF, whose average age was 69.5 years. In the course of surgical treatment, it was planned to remove the epiretinal membrane (ERM) with an attempt to completely ILM saving. In all cases, after removal of the vitreous, epiretinal structures were stained with MembranBlue Dual and ERM was removed, trying to completely ILM saving. The anatomical result was evaluated according to optical coherence tomography. The functional result was evaluated according to the indicators of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The maximum follow-up period was 12 months.Results. It was possible to remove the ERM with complete ILM saving in 26 (48.14 %) patients, in 28 (51.86 %) the ERM was removed in a single unit with the ILM. In all cases, the postoperative period proceeded without peculiarities and complications. At a follow-up examination after 3 months, all 54 patients showed an increase of BCVA compared to preoperative value. There was no BCVA decrease in any case during this follow-up period. In cases of the ERM removal with the ILM saving in the long-term postoperative period (12 months), no recurrence of ERF was recorded, as in cases where the ILM was removed.Conclusions. It was possible to reduce intraoperative retinal injury due to the ILM saving during the ERM removal in 48.14 % of cases, using standard vitreoretinal instruments and techniques. According to the study, the ILM saving does not lead to a recurrence of ERF in the long-term postoperative period.
Efficacy and safety of 0.1 % brimonidine as a starting monotherapy and when added to combination therapy of glaucoma
Authors: Semenov E. D. , Antonov A. A. , Hadiri Kh. , Aghajanyan T. M. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: to analyze the efficacy and safety of Santabrim® as a starting monotherapy and when added to combination therapy for glaucoma.Material and methods. The study was conducted on 60 patients (60 eyes), including 21 (35 %) men and 39 (65 %) women, with initial or advanced primary open-angle glaucoma with moderately elevated IOP. The average age of patients was 63.4 years. The first group (30 eyes) consisted of patients who were prescribed Santabrim® 2 times a day as a starting monotherapy. The second group consisted of patients (30 eyes) who had an enhanced regimen using Santabrim® 2 times a day as a third drug. To analyze the hypotensive effect, the data of corneally compensated IOP were compared at the first visit and 1 month after the appointment or enhancement of the local hypotensive regimen. Safety was assessed by comparing the degree of fluorescein staining of the cornea, conjunctival hyperemia, OSDI questionnaire indicators and the level of adherence to treatment at the appropriate time in two groups of patients.Results. Santabrim® significantly reduces the level of IOP. The use of the drug as monotherapy allows to reduce IOP by 26.3 % of the initial level. Strengthening combination therapy by adding Santabrem® as a third drug allows reducing the level of IOP by an additional 15.9 %. Objective indicators of the condition of the tissues of the anterior surface of the eye have not changed significantly. Based on the results of the assessment of the main signs of dry eye syndrome (OSDI) and the degree of patient adherence to treatment, no significant changes were revealed.Conclusion. Brimonidine 0.1 % (Santabrim®) can be recommended for the hypotensive treatment of glaucoma both in monotherapy and in combination with other groups of local instillation drugs, and its direct neuroprotective effect additionally contributes to the stabilization of glaucoma opticoneuropathy.
Long-term results of treatment of amblyopia in children with impaired fixation mechanism using biofeedback
Authors: Tarutta E. P. , Stalmakhova R. R. , Milash S. V. , Apaev A. V. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: to evaluate the long-term results (1 year) of a new method of treating amblyopia in children with unstable central and eccentric fixation using microperimetric biofeedback, as well as to develop a protocol for patients monitoring after treatment and clear criteria for prescribing repeated courses of treatment using microperimetric biofeedback.Material and methods. The study included 21 patients (21 eyes) aged from 5 to 15 years (ave 8.28 ± 3.08) who were able to perform training sessions on the MP-3 microperimeter (MP, Nidek, Japan). Treatment was carried out on the MP using visual (flickering checkerboard pattern) and sound (sound signal) biofeedback: 10–15 sessions, 10–12 minutes each. All patients were examined before treatment, immediately and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment. Dynamic observation of patients and prescription of repeated courses of treatment were carried out in accordance with the developed protocol.Results. After 1 course of treatment, a significant increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was detected in 90.4 % of patients, as well as an improvement in all fixation parameters: a significant increase in density by 2° and 4°, a decrease in amplitude by ≈ 50 %; a tendency to increase the functional parameters of the retina in the macular area. During follow-up (1 year), 13 patients (1 patient with central fixation and 12 patients with eccentric fixation) underwent additional courses of biofeedback therapy in accordance with the developed protocol. In 4 patients with eccentric fixation, mainly peripheral, despite improvement in fixation parameters, no additional positive dynamics in visual acuity were noted after a repeated course of biofeedback therapy. In 8 patients, after a repeated course of treatment of amblyopia using biofeedback therapy, positive dynamics were noted, namely: an increase in density and a decrease in the amplitude of fixation, and an increase in BCVA.Conclusion. The effectiveness and safety of a previously developed method of treating amblyopia with impaired fixation mechanism using biofeedback therapy has been demonstrated. A protocol for dynamic monitoring of patients with amblyopia after biofeedback therapy and criteria for prescribing additional courses of training sessions have been developed.
Evaluation of the efficacy of surgical treatment of cataracts in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Fursova A. Zh. , Dmitrieva E. I. , Vasil’eva M. A. , Derbeneva A. S. , Karlash Yu. A. , Nikulich I. F. , Atamanenko A. A. , Tarasov M. S. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose. To study of the effectiveness of cataract surgery based on the results of a comprehensive evaluation, including the patient's opinion about the state of visual functions, when assessed using a questionnaire before and after surgery.Material and methods. 117 patients (117 eyes) diagnosed with nAMD and cataract (LOCS I — 56 patients, 47.9 %; LOCS II — 57 patients, 48.7 %, LOCS III — 4 patients, 3.4 %), mean age 76.2 ± 5.7 years were included in the study. All patients received angiogenesis inhibitor therapy (aflibercept 2 mg), in Treat&Extend regimen. Cataract surgery was performed if disease activity is controlled. A questionnaire including 10 questions was developed to interview patients, 9 of which were assessed before, 1 and 6 months after cataract surgery, and a 10th question on patient satisfaction with the results of surgery — 1 and 6 months after cataract surgery.Results. There was a significant improvement in functional (increase in BCVA by 0.31 units from the baseline) and anatomical parameters (significant decrease in CRT, height of neuro- and pigment epithelium detachment), as well as in patients' assessment of vision-related quality of life. The most compromised aspect before surgery was the ability to read text in newspapers, books, and magazines. After surgery there was a significant improvement of the indicators characterizing the patient's adaptation to navigation and outside activities. There were minimal changes in central vision loss and metamorphopsia as assessed by patients (on average, by 0.02 b. and 1.21 b.). 99 patients (84.0 %) reported satisfaction with the results of the surgery. The strongest correlations (r = 0.94 and 0.81, p < 0.05) characterized the relationship between patients' evaluation of the effect of surgery and the presence of central vision spotting/loss of central vision, double vision.Conclusion. The results of surgery significantly contribute to the patient's assessment of his/her daily activities requiring clearer vision, primarily in the middle and far distances. Cataract surgery does not worsen the course of nAMD and, on the contrary, cataract surgery and continuation of antiangiogenic therapy contribute to a significant improvement in BCVA and anatomical improvement.