bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual variability of neural computations underlying flexible decisions
Authors: Pagan Marino , Tang Vincent D. , Aoi Mikio C. , Pillow Jonathan W. , Mante Valerio , Sussillo David , Brody Carlos D. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The ability to flexibly switch our responses to external stimuli according to contextual information is critical for successful interactions with a complex world. Context-dependent computations are necessary across many domains1–3, yet their neural implementations remain poorly understood. Here we developed a novel behavioural task in rats to study context-dependent selection and accumulation of evidence for decision-making4–6. Under assumptions supported by both monkey and rat data, we first show mathematically that this computation can be supported by three dynamical solutions and that all networks performing the task implement a combination of these solutions. These solutions can be identified and tested directly with experimental data. We further show that existing electrophysiological and modelling data are compatible with the full variety of possible combinations of these solutions, suggesting that different individuals could use different combinations. To study variability across individual subjects, we developed automated, high-throughput methods to train rats on our task and trained many subjects using these methods. Consistent with theoretical predictions, neural and behavioural analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across rats, despite uniformly good task performance. Our theory further predicts a specific link between behavioural and neural signatures, which was robustly supported in the data. In summary, our results provide an experimentally supported theoretical framework to analyse individual variability in biological and artificial systems that perform flexible decision-making tasks, open the door to cellular-resolution studies of individual variability in higher cognition, and provide insights into neural mechanisms of context-dependent computation more generally.
Comparison of different noninvasive scores for assessing hepatic fibrosis in a cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: El-Kassas Mohamed , Elakel Wafaa , Elsharkawy Aisha , Asem Noha , Abu-Elfatth Ahmed , Mostafa Aya , Abdelazeem Amr , El-Serafy Magdy , Ibrahem Mohamed , Ghanem Eman Alsayed , Abdeen Nermeen , Doss Wahid , Esmat Gamal , Abdeltawab Doaa 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe continuous search for simple, noninvasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis remains very important to help risk-stratify and follow-up patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and accuracy of six serological noninvasive scores for the assessment of liver fibrosis in comparison to liver histopathology. This retrospective cohort study included data from 19501 patients with chronic HCV infection who had liver biopsies as an HCV treatment prerequisite within the Egyptian national HCV treatment program. Six noninvasive scores (FIB-4, APRI, King’s score, Fibro-Q, fibrosis index, Fibro-α score) were evaluated and compared to liver histopathology data in assessing different stages of liver fibrosis. The diagnostic performance for each score was assessed using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC). All six noninvasive scores were statistically significant for predicting different stages of liver fibrosis. Four scores (FIB-4, King’s score, APRI, and Fibro Q) had a better diagnostic performance for predicting different fibrosis stages. FIB-4, followed by the King’s score, performs better in identifying patients with advanced fibrosis at cutoffs of 2.01 and 16.7, respectively, with AUROC of 0.71 for both, and in predicting cirrhosis at cutoffs of 2.21 and 17.4, respectively with AUROC 0.82 for both. Using noninvasive scores for fibrosis assessment is very important, especially in limited resource settings, to rapidly stratify patients who need more specialized care.
Intersection decision making for autonomous vehicles based on improved PPO algorithm
Authors: Guo Dong , He Shoulin , Ji Shouwen 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in complex urban environments faces numerous challenges, especially at intersections where they coexist with human‐driven vehicles (HVs), resulting in increased safety risks. In response, this study proposes an improved control strategy based on the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm, specifically designed for hybrid intersections, known as MSA‐PPO. First, the Self‐Attention Mechanism (SAM) is introduced into the algorithmic framework to quickly identify the surrounding vehicles with a greater impact on the ego vehicle from different perspectives, accelerating data processing and improving decision quality. Second, an invalid action masking mechanism is adopted to reduce the action space, ensuring actions are only selected from feasible sets, thereby enhancing decision efficiency. Finally, comparative and ablation experiments in hybrid intersection simulation environments of varying complexity are conducted to validate the algorithm's effectiveness. The results show that the improved algorithm converges faster, achieves higher decision accuracy, and demonstrates the highest speed levels during driving compared to other baseline algorithms.
An accurate small‐signal model of a low‐side active clamp forward converter and stability assessment in hard‐ and soft‐switching operations
Authors: Oluwasogo Emmanuel Seun , Konrath Jens Peter 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis article examines the internal stability of an active clamp forward converter (ACFC) from a non‐linear system and arbitrary changes in the state variable's point of view. The analysis is based on the Lyapunov direct method in conjunction with the operating theory of the ACFC. The equivalent circuit with the state equations is established and their stability is assessed in consideration of the hard‐ and soft‐switching operations using the Lyapunov energy function approach in a piecewise manner. In addition, averaged switch modelling is applied explicitly to derive a more accurate small‐signal model of a low‐side ACFC. The study revealed the presence of a non‐minimum phase problem as the major adverse effect on the stability feature of the ACFC predesigned with soft‐switching capability. The instability of ACFC is related to the magnetising inductance () value (core loss resistance) which influences/determines the hard‐ or soft‐switching operations of the ACFC. Hardware prototype was developed with two different transformers having distinct values of for hard‐ and soft‐switching operations. From the experimental frequency measurement, the model accurately predicts the movement of the complex zeros from the left‐half‐plane (LHP) to the right‐hand‐plane (RHP) as the ACFC changes from the hard‐switching to a soft‐switching operation.
Wind farm control part II: Model requirements to design and test wind farm flow control
Authors: Stock Adam , Dallas Scott , Chabaud Valentin , Kölle Konstanze , Morgan Laurence , Tande John Olav , Anaya‐Lara Olimpo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWind farm flow control (WFFC) is an emerging technology involving coordinated operation of wind turbines within a wind farm to achieve collective goals. To design and evaluate controllers, wind farm flow models are used that capture the key aerodynamics of the system whilst remaining computationally efficient for iterative controller design. This review article reveals considerable heterogeneity in the potential wind farm flow models to study WFFC. Lack of consensus is problematic as differences in results from separate studies are attributable to both controller and model effects, making it hard to draw comparative conclusions. Hence, an expert elicitation is completed surveying WFFC practitioners. Two key contributions are presented. First, a guide to available software for WFFC, which, combined with results from an expert elicitation on flow model requirements, facilitates selection of suitable software for investigating WFFC problems. Secondly, critical future research areas are identified. Research into high fidelity wind direction models (particularly transient effects) and wake meandering models for fatigue load investigations are identified as critical to the field. A lack of consensus regarding the importance of atmospheric boundary layer effects, wake induced turbulence, and lateral wind correlation identifies the requirement of sensitivity studies in these areas.
Host star and exoplanet composition: Polluted white dwarf reveals depletion of moderately refractory elements in planetary material
Authors: Aguilera-Gómez Claudia , Rogers Laura K. , Bonsor Amy , Jofré Paula , Blouin Simon , Shorttle Oliver , Buchan Andrew M. , Li Yuqi , Xu Siyi 
Published: November 2024

Context. Planets form from the same cloud of molecular gas and dust as their host stars. Confirming if planetary bodies acquire the same refractory element composition as their natal disk during formation and how efficiently volatile elements are incorporated into growing planets is key to linking the poorly constrained interior composition of rocky exoplanets to the observationally constrained composition of their host star. Such comparisons also afford insight into the planet formation process.
Aims. This work compares planetary composition with host star composition using observations of a white dwarf that has accreted planetary material and its F-type star wide binary companion as a reference for the composition of the natal molecular gas and dust.
Methods. Spectroscopic analysis reveals abundances of Fe, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti in both stars. We used the white dwarf measurements to estimate the composition of the exoplanetary material and the F-type companion to constrain the composition of the material the planet formed from.
Results. Our results from comparing planetary material to the composition of its natal cloud reveal that the planetary material is depleted in moderate refractories (Mg, Si, and Fe) relative to the refractory material (Ca, Ti). Grouping elements based on their condensation temperatures is key to linking stellar and planetary compositions.
Conclusions. Fractionation during formation or subsequent planetary evolution leads to the depletion of moderate refractories from the planetary material accreted by the white dwarf. This signature, as seen for bulk Earth, will likely be present in the composition of many exoplanets relative to their host stars.
Approximation of feedback gains for abstract parabolic systems
Authors: Badra Mehdi , Raymond Jean-Pierre 
Published: November 2024

We consider parabolic controlled systems represented by a pair $(A,B)$, where $(A,{\mathcal D}(A))$ is the infinitesimal generator of ananalytic semigroup on a Hilbert space $Z$ and $B$ is an unbounded control operator from a control space $U$ into $Z$. We consider approximate controlled systems $(A_\varepsilon,B_\varepsilon)$, for $\varepsilon>0$, where $(A_\varepsilon,{\mathcal D}(A_\varepsilon))$ is the infinitesimal generator of an

analytic semigroup on a Hilbert space $Z_\varepsilon$ and $B_\varepsilon$ is an unbounded control operator from the control space $U$ into $Z_\varepsilon$. Since $Z_\varepsilon$ is not included in $Z$, we are in the case of nonconforming approximations. We assume that both $Z$ and $Z_\varepsilon$ are Hilbert subspaces of another Hilbert space $H$, and that there exist projectors $P\in {\cal L}(H)$ and $P_\varepsilon\in {\cal L}(H)$ such that $Z=PH$ and $Z_\varepsilon=P_\varepsilon H$, and for which

$(A,B,P)$ and $(A_\varepsilon,B_\varepsilon, P_\varepsilon)$ satisfy suitable approximation assumptions.

When the pair $(A,B)$ is exponentially feedback stabilizable in $Z$, we first prove that the pair $(A_\varepsilon,B_\varepsilon)$ is exponentially feedback stabilizable in $Z_\varepsilon$, uniformly with respect to $\varepsilon\in (0,\varepsilon_0)$, for some $\varepsilon_0>0$. We next prove that Riccati-based feedback laws stabilizing $(A,B)$ in $Z$ can be approximated by feedback laws stabilizing $(A_\varepsilon,B_\varepsilon)$ in $Z_\varepsilon$.
Was will die MFA?
Authors: Scheerbaum Petra , Scheerbaum Martin , Schöffski Oliver 
Published: November 2024

Zusammenfassung
Zielsetzung Obwohl in Deutschland jede sechste Berufsanfängerin eines Ausbildungsberufes die Anstellung als Medizinische Fachangestellte (MFA) verfolgt, existieren bislang keine hinreichenden Daten zu ihren Wünschen. Dies möchten wir mit unserer Untersuchung ändern.
Methodik Im Rahmen einer regionalen digitalen Umfrage wurden MFA in den ambulanten Praxen in Mittelfranken und Oberfranken zu ihren Wünschen und Präferenzen im Berufsalltag befragt.
Ergebnisse Insgesamt sind die MFA mit ihrem Arbeitsplatz und mit dem Umgang mit Patienten sehr zufrieden. Eine geringere Zustimmung bekamen die Bereiche Kommunikation im Team, das Führungsverhalten sowie die Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten.
Schlussfolgerung Die Praxisinhaber sollten mehr Kommunikation mit ihren MFA betreiben. Dabei sollten Entscheidungen sowie Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten transparent besprochen werden.
Political Patronage and the Labour Market Experience of High-Skilled Workers: Mixed Methods Evidence from Sierra Leone
Authors: Harris Jamelia 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This paper explores how political patronage can affect the labour market experience of high-skilled workers, and how jobseekers respond in such instances. A budding, primarily quantitative, literature has assessed corruption and labour market outcomes, but little has been written on how agents navigate corrupt practices and political patronage in the labour market. A mixed methods design is used, drawing on survey and focus group data from Sierra Leone. Findings show that when recruitment decisions are influenced by political connections ahead of merit, there is wide perceptions of unfairness in the labour market. Political patronage and corrupt practices in the labour market affect the allocation of jobs, how long it takes for some jobseekers to find jobs, and the quality of the match. Jobseekers respond to such practices by reducing job search and/or limiting search to particular sectors and jobs. In Sierra Leone, this primarily emerges as the development sector.
LIBC: a low-cost lightweight block cipher for IoT application
Authors: Yan Qingwen , Guo Ying , Liu Wenfen , Chen Wen , Lu Yongcan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), designing lightweight block ciphers has become essential for securing resource-constrained devices. This necessitates a balance among low-cost implementation, diffusion, and security. To address this challenge, we propose a novel lightweight block cipher named LIBC, which has a 64-bit block size supporting 128-bit keys. In the nonlinear layer, we develop a four-round structure to design optimal 4-bit S-boxes, generating 8,832 S-boxes that provide excellent security and compact hardware overhead. To balance diffusion with resource efficiency, we use a 4 × 4 almost MDS matrix and introduce a type of optimal involutive nibble-based permutations based on SAT. This ensures that LIBC achieves full diffusion within the minimal rounds while providing the required security. Combining the above design, LIBC's encryption and decryption circuits become nearly identical, requiring only 24 additional XOR gates for decryption. Experimental results show that LIBC exhibits strong diffusion and avalanche characteristics, providing sufficient security against various known attacks. Regarding hardware performance, the single-round iteration of the internal state in LIBC occupies only 10.05 GE per bit, which is superior compared to the round-based implementations of Midori, PRESENT, RECTANGLE, etc.
Surface morphological studies on hot corrosion behaviour of pre-oxidized plasma sprayed WC-CoCr coating on AISI316L steel in Na2SO4/NaCl molten salt environment
Authors: Alam Md Sarfaraz , Das Anil Kumar 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The hot corrosion behaviour of plasma sprayed WC-CoCr coatings on AISI 316 L steel substrate is studied in two corrosive salt environments namely 100% Na2SO4 and 75% Na2SO4+25%NaCl at 1000 °C. Also, on WC-CoCr coated AISI 316L steel substrate, a persistent Cr2O3 barrier scale is created employing pre-oxidation at 1200 °C for ten hours with the expectation that it would withstand hot corrosion in a Na2SO4 salt environment at 900 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron micro probe analysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are performed on samples to examine the pre oxidation and hot corrosion characteristics of plasma sprayed WC-CoCr coatings at elevated temperatures. The findings indicate that the presence of both salt environment affects the degradation process of WC-CoCr coatings. The coatings in 100% Na2SO4 and the mixture of 75% Na2SO4+25%NaCl has a weight change of 0.14 mg cm−2 and 0.33 mg cm−2, respectively, after hot corrosion at 1000 °C for 50 cycles. Each cycle includes 1 h heating in furnace and 20 min cooling in ambient air. Corrosion kinetics using thermogravimetric method showed that non-pre-oxidized samples gained 52.5% more weight and more severely affected by hot corrosion than pre-oxidized ones. During hot corrosion after 2 h, there was relatively negligible corrosion, but after 4 and 8 h, deposits of Na2WO4, WO3, Cr2O3 and CoSO4 were produced. Oxides were primarily composed of Cr2O3 and WO3. Cr2O3 and WO3 acted as barriers to the penetration and diffusion of corrosive elements through coatings, which contributed to the hot corrosion resistance in the corrosive area. The hot corrosion deterioration of WC-CoCr coatings may be effectively reduced by introducing pre oxidation. Slower reaction rate of pre oxidized Cr2O3 scale may operate as a barrier which separates hot corrosion by Na2SO4 salt.
Machine learning assisted controller design for voltage regulation in a more electric aircraft power system
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Arif , Li Wang , Gu Jason , Asmat Zeeshan , Khan Ajmal , Qureshi Khurram Karim , Iqbal Naveed , Farooq Umar , Asad Muhammad Usman 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Three-stage synchronous generators (TSSG) are used in a more electric aircraft (MEA) to power various parts of the aircraft, such as environmental, hydraulic, avionics, and mechanical systems. However, regulating the voltage output of TSSGs in the presence of speed and load variations presents a significant challenge due to the dynamic couplings inherent in the system. In this work, a machine learning-assisted controller (MLAC) is designed to regulate the output voltage of the TSSG system at variable speeds. Moreover, data-driven techniques are employed for the training, testing, and deployment of the proposed MLAC controller. Furthermore, variants of meta-heuristics algorithms are investigated to fine-tune the response of the proposed controller through the selection of optimal hidden and output layer weights. Additionally, the transparency of the proposed controller is addressed and the optimized weights are auto-tuned with the assistance of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The resultant intelligent controller is evaluated in MATLAB/Simulink environment on a nonlinear model of the three-stage generator. The effectiveness and validity of the proposed approach in controlling the output voltage of the TSSG system are confirmed through comprehensive results analysis.
A new heuristic method for solving unbalanced multi-objective assignment problem
Authors: Fouad Faten , Kassam Alla Eldin H , Al-Zubaidi Sawsan S 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
In the era of globalization, institutions face increasing challenges in effectively managing their resources to achieve diverse and differentiated objectives. The unbalanced multi-objective assignment problem reflects these challenges, as the distribution of limited resources requires achieving a balance between objectives such as minimizing time, cost, etc. In this study, an application case in the industrial field of rolling process was investigated, where the objective of the assignment problem is to minimize total assignment. In order to tackle this problem, the multi-objective problem was addressed by converting it into a single-objective problem through the weighted sum method by assigning a weight to each objective. A new heuristic method was then applied to solve the unbalanced single-objective assignment problem where the machines were loaded with more than one job. The Hungarian method was also used to solve the problem in order to assess the proposed method, and the outcomes were then compared. The proposed method proved efficient as it reduced idle time by 28%, increased machine efficiency by 5% and reduced costs by an average of 15%.
Reallocations of Time Between Sleep, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity and Their Associations With 24-Hour Blood Pressure
Authors: Boudreaux Benjamin D , Schwartz Joseph E , Romero Emily K , Diaz Keith M 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The 24-h activity cycle (24H-ACT) (sleep, sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity) may have deleterious or beneficial associations with 24-h blood pressure (24H-BP).

Purpose
Estimate the short-term associated changes in 24H-BP with acutely replacing 30 min/d from one behavior of the 24H-ACT to other behaviors in employed adults.

Methods
Participants (N = 659) wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor and two accelerometers (waist and wrist) to measure 24H-BP and the 24H-ACT.

Results
Replacing 30 min of sedentary behavior with 30 min of sleep was associated with lower 24-h mean systolic [ß = −0.32 mm Hg per 0.5 h (95% CI: −0.58, 0.06)] and diastolic [ß = −0.31 mm Hg per 0.5 h (95% CI: −0.50, −0.12)] blood pressure. Replacing 30 min of light physical activity with 30 min of sleep was associated with lower 24-h mean systolic [ß = −0.30 mm Hg per 0.5 h (95% CI: −0.62, 0.03,)] and diastolic blood pressure [ß = −0.34 mm Hg per 0.5 h (95% CI: −0.58, −0.11)]. No other time reallocations between 24H-ACT behaviors were associated with changes in 24H-BP.

Conclusion
Replacing time in sedentary behavior or light physical activity with sleep may provide small short-term reductions in that day’s 24H-BP.