bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonreciprocal mechanical entanglement in a spinning optomechanical system
Authors: Chen 陈 Shan-Shan 珊珊 , Zhang 张 Jing-Jing 京京 , Li 李 Jia-Neng 嘉能 , Zhang 张 Na-Na 娜娜 , Guo 郭 Yong-Rui 永瑞 , Yang 杨 Huan 桓 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Quantum entanglement between distant massive mechanical oscillators is an important resource in sensitive measurements and quantum information processing. We achieve the nonreciprocal mechanical entanglement in a compound optomechanical device consisting of two mechanical oscillators and a spinning whispering-gallery mode (WGM) optical microresonator. It is found that obvious nonreciprocal mechanical entanglement emerges in this system in the presence of the Sagnac effect which is induced by the rotation of the WGM resonator, and the nonreciprocal region can be controlled by tuning the angular velocity of the rotation. The nonreciprocity originates from the breaking of the time-reversal symmetry of this multimode system due to the presence of the Sagnac effect. The optomechanical coupling and the mechanical interaction provide cooling channels for the first and second mechanical oscillators, respectively. Two mechanical oscillators can be cooled simultaneously. The simultaneous cooling and the mechanical coupling of two mechanical oscillators ensure the generation of mechanical entanglement. Furthermore, an optimal mechanical entanglement can be achieved when the moderate optical frequency detuning and the driving power are chosen. The thermal noise of the mechanical environment has a negative effect on mechanical entanglement. Our scheme provides promising opportunities for research of quantum information processing based on phonons and sensitive measurements.
Decoding working-memory load during n-back task performance from high channel fNIRS data
Authors: Kothe Christian , Hanada Grant , Mullen Sean , Mullen Tim 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objective. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can measure neural activity through blood oxygenation changes in the brain in a wearable form factor, enabling unique applications for research in and outside the lab and in practical occupational settings. fNIRS has proven capable of measuring cognitive states such as mental workload, often using machine learning (ML) based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). To date, this research has largely relied on probes with channel counts from under ten to several hundred, although recently a new class of wearable NIRS devices featuring thousands of channels has emerged. This poses unique challenges for ML classification, as fNIRS is typically limited by few training trials which results in severely under-determined estimation problems. So far, it is not well understood how such high-resolution data is best leveraged in practical BCIs and whether state-of-the-art or better performance can be achieved. Approach. To address these questions, we propose an ML strategy to classify working-memory load that relies on spatio-temporal regularization and transfer learning from other subjects in a combination that, to our knowledge, has not been used in previous fNIRS BCIs. The approach can be interpreted as an end-to-end generalized linear model and allows for a high degree of interpretability using channel-level or cortical imaging approaches. Main results. We show that using the proposed methodology, it is possible to achieve state-of-the-art decoding performance with high-resolution fNIRS data. We also replicated several state-of-the-art approaches on our dataset of 43 participants wearing a 3198 dual-channel NIRS device while performing the n-Back task and show that these existing methodologies struggle in the high-channel regime and are largely outperformed by the proposed pipeline. Significance. Our approach helps establish high-channel NIRS devices as a viable platform for state-of-the-art BCI and opens new applications using this class of headset while also enabling high-resolution model imaging and interpretation.
A simplified adversarial architecture for cross-subject silent speech recognition using electromyography
Authors: Cui Qiang , Zhang Xingyu , Zhang Yakun , Zheng Changyan , Xie Liang , Yan Ye , Wu Edmond Q , Yin Erwei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objective. The decline in the performance of electromyography (EMG)-based silent speech recognition is widely attributed to disparities in speech patterns, articulation habits, and individual physiology among speakers. Feature alignment by learning a discriminative network that resolves domain offsets across speakers is an effective method to address this problem. The prevailing adversarial network with a branching discriminator specializing in domain discrimination renders insufficiently direct contribution to categorical predictions of the classifier. Approach. To this end, we propose a simplified discrepancy-based adversarial network with a streamlined end-to-end structure for EMG-based cross-subject silent speech recognition. Highly aligned features across subjects are obtained by introducing a Nuclear-norm Wasserstein discrepancy metric on the back end of the classification network, which could be utilized for both classification and domain discrimination. Given the low-level and implicitly noisy nature of myoelectric signals, we devise a cascaded adaptive rectification network as the front-end feature extraction network, adaptively reshaping the intermediate feature map with automatically learnable channel-wise thresholds. The resulting features effectively filter out domain-specific information between subjects while retaining domain-invariant features critical for cross-subject recognition. Main results. A series of sentence-level classification experiments with 100 Chinese sentences demonstrate the efficacy of our method, achieving an average accuracy of 89.46% tested on 40 new subjects by training with data from 60 subjects. Especially, our method achieves a remarkable 10.07% improvement compared to the state-of-the-art model when tested on 10 new subjects with 20 subjects employed for training, surpassing its result even with three times training subjects. Significance. Our study demonstrates an improved classification performance of the proposed adversarial architecture using cross-subject myoelectric signals, providing a promising prospect for EMG-based speech interactive application.
Modernizing a Classic Form
Authors: Lewis Hannah 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Chapter 3 explores the ways that the creative team’s desire for realism is manifested in La La Land. Because of the focus on realism in the depiction of Mia and Seb, the leading couple, there is something fundamentally different about the musical numbers in La La Land from those in the earlier films it attempts to emulate, particularly regarding the film’s audiovisual syntax and its relationship between technology and performing onscreen bodies. The chapter places some of La La Land’s most distinctive stylistic traits in the broader context of other contemporary film musicals that navigate similar challenges in a variety of ways. The author also explores the concept of virtuosity in the film musical, arguing that technological virtuosity—the “virtuosic camera”—often overshadows human virtuosity in La La Land. This approach reflects current anxieties about the relationship between human expression and technological virtuosity.
La La Land and Jazz
Authors: Lewis Hannah 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Chapter 4 delves into La La Land’s depiction of jazz. The genre is an important part of both the film’s soundscape and its narrative, but the film depicts an ambivalence about jazz’s stylistic boundaries. The author additionally discusses the character of Keith as portrayed by John Legend, the kind of approach to jazz he represents, and the differences between the depiction of jazz fusion in the film and the jazz renaissance that was actually taking place in Los Angeles right around the time of La La Land’s production. By connecting the (largely) white genre of the Hollywood musical with the historically Black genre of jazz, La La Land participates in a long history of racial masquerading in the Hollywood musical. At the same time, by portraying the lead character Seb’s desire to “save” jazz with some degree of critique, it undercuts its own parallel nostalgic agenda for the film musical.
Conclusion
Authors: Lewis Hannah 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In the book’s conclusion, the author discusses La La Land’s continued cultural impact. There is an analysis of “Anti-Depressants Are So Not a Big Deal,” a song from the television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend that parodies La La Land’s opening number “Another Day of Sun.” The parody reveals just how pervasive a cultural phenomenon La La Land had become in the years immediately following its release; it also functions as homage, lovingly pointing to the tension between La Land’s upbeat music and choreography and the film’s cynicism. The author also examines the continued impact of La La Land in contemporary culture. La La Land captured the cultural zeitgeist of a genre and an industry in transition—one that must decide whether to look backward or keep moving forward.
sparsesurv: a Python package for fitting sparse survival models via knowledge distillation
Authors: Wissel David , Janakarajan Nikita , Schulte Julius , Rowson Daniel , Yuan Xintian , Boeva Valentina 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Motivation
Sparse survival models are statistical models that select a subset of predictor variables while modeling the time until an event occurs, which can subsequently help interpretability and transportability. The subset of important features is often obtained with regularized models, such as the Cox Proportional Hazards model with Lasso regularization, which limit the number of non-zero coefficients. However, such models can be sensitive to the choice of regularization hyperparameter.

Results
In this work, we develop a software package and demonstrate how knowledge distillation, a powerful technique in machine learning that aims to transfer knowledge from a complex teacher model to a simpler student model, can be leveraged to learn sparse survival models while mitigating this challenge. For this purpose, we present sparsesurv, a Python package that contains a set of teacher–student model pairs, including the semi-parametric accelerated failure time and the extended hazards models as teachers, which currently do not have Python implementations. It also contains in-house survival function estimators, removing the need for external packages. Sparsesurv is validated against R-based Elastic Net regularized linear Cox proportional hazards models as implemented in the commonly used glmnet package. Our results reveal that knowledge distillation-based approaches achieve competitive discriminative performance relative to glmnet across the regularization path while making the choice of the regularization hyperparameter significantly easier. All of these features, combined with a sklearn-like API, make sparsesurv an easy-to-use Python package that enables survival analysis for high-dimensional datasets through fitting sparse survival models via knowledge distillation.

Availability and implementation
sparsesurv is freely available under a BSD 3 license on GitHub (https://github.com/BoevaLab/sparsesurv) and The Python Package Index (PyPi) (https://pypi.org/project/sparsesurv/).
Environmental toxins and reproductive health: unraveling the effects on Sertoli cells and the blood–testis barrier in animals
Authors: Jiang Biao , Yang Diqi , Peng Hui 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Environmental pollution is an inevitable ecological issue accompanying the process of socialization, with increasing attention to its impacts on individual organisms and ecological chains. The reproductive system, responsible for transmitting genetic material in animals, is one of the most sensitive systems to environmental toxins. Research reveals that Sertoli cells are the primary target cells for the action of environmental toxins. Different environmental toxins mostly affect the blood–testis barrier and lead to male reproductive disorders by disrupting Sertoli cells. Therefore, this article provides an in-depth exploration of the toxic mechanisms of various types of environmental toxins on the male testes. It reveals the dynamic processes of tight junctions in the blood–testis barrier affected by environmental toxins and their specific roles in the reconstruction process.
Can vacuum-formed retainers maintain arch dimensions and alignment compared to Hawley and fixed bonded retainers after treatment with fixed appliances? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hussain Umar , Kunwar Sara Shahid , Khan Umair Wali , Alnazeh Abdullah A , Kamran Muhammad Abdullah , Alam Shamsul , Aziz Anum , Zaheen Muhammad , Pandis Nikolaos , Campobasso Alessandra 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Different types of retention appliances have been proposed over the years, but their effectiveness in maintaining arch dimensions and alignment after orthodontic treatment is still unclear.

Aim
To assess the efficacy of vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) in preserving arch widths, arch length, and anterior alignment in maxillary and mandibular arches, compared to removable Hawley retainers (HRs) or fixed bonded retainers (FBRs). Search methods: unrestricted literature search of five major databases up to March 2024.

Selection criteria
randomized/non-randomized clinical studies comparing VFRs to removable HRs or FBRs.

Data collection and analysis
after duplicate study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, random effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences and their 95% confidence intervals were performed, followed by meta-regressions, sensitivity analyses, and assessment of the quality of evidence with GRADE.

Results
Twenty-two prospective studies (4 non-randomized and 18 randomized controlled trials) involving 1797 patients (mean age 17.01 years, 38.3% males) were included. No significant differences were found in the intercanine width, intermolar width, and arch length between VFRs and HRs, in both arches (P &gt; 0.05). However, VFRs were statistically more effective than HRs in terms of Little’s irregularity scores (LII) in the maxilla (eight studies; SMD = −0.42; 95% CI: −1.03 to −0.09; P = 0.02; I2 = 73.4%) but not in the mandible (P = 0.12). No significant differences were reported for all considered outcomes between VFRs and FBRs in in both arches (P &gt; 0.05), except for lower LII, where VFRs were significantly less efficient (eight studies; SMD = 1.49; 95% CI = 0.26–2.7; P = 0.02; I2 = 93%). Follow-up times, risk of bias, and wire type (of FBRs) did not show statistically significant effects on outcome variables. Sensitivity analyses showed robustness of the findings for including non-randomized and postretention studies. The certainty in these estimates was from moderate to low due to the risk of bias and inconsistency.

Conclusions
Low to moderate quality evidence indicates that VFRs are as effective as HRs in maintaining arch widths, length, and alignment. Low-quality evidence found similar efficacy between VFRs and FBRs, with FBRs being statistically more effective at maintaining lower arch alignment, but the difference was not clinically significant.

Registration
PROSPERO registration (CRD42024518433).
Effectuating international law against corruption: Behavioral insights
Authors: van Aaken Anne 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
International law against corruption is mainly based on individualized criminalization and deterrence, including legal persons. Implicitly, since corruption is a white-collar crime, the conventions assume self-interested rational actors. That was the state-of-the-art thinking when the international conventions against corruption were developed around the turn of the millennium. This is the correct starting point but has failed to deliver the expected results. The United Nations (UN) has turned to behavioral science but the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is lagging behind and behavioral approaches have played a minor role. I submit that they can enrich the set of instruments by using (social)psychological insights. This article discusses additional tools based on behavioral insights and new social science methods used to gain a more holistic understanding of corruption. It makes concrete substantive and institutional suggestions for fighting corruption which could be taken up by UNODC and in international (soft) law. It also discusses the limitations.
P06 Management challenges and treatment options of difficult-to-treat organisms in patients with complex medical devices: a case of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infection in a patient with a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Hrycaiczuk Joshua , Ali Bazga 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Medical devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Inserting prosthetic devices into a patient has an inherent risk of infection and as the complexity of devices increases the management of infective complications becomes more problematic. Over the last 40 years the incidence of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis has risen more than fourfold.1 This risk is compounded by the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance limiting treatment options.

Clinical case
A 65-year-old man had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inserted for severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy. An LVAD is an electromechanical pump placed into the left ventricle; it supports it in maintaining cardiac output acting as either a bridge to recovery or transplant, or to extend the patient’s quality and duration of life.2 This insertion was complicated by vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia with PET scan demonstrating abnormal update within the LVAD system. He was treated with 6 weeks of IV vancomycin and was discharged to the outpatient setting to continue 6 weekly dalbavancin for the next 12 months. Nine months into treatment, bacteraemia recurred and susceptibilities demonstrated the organism had become resistant to vancomycin. Long-term, non-toxic treatment options were needed as, due to the complex nature of the LVAD device, removal was not viable. Treatment choices were limited, and because of the toxic effects associated with long-term linezolid use, daptomycin was chosen as a daily OPAT option. Subsequent daptomycin MIC testing suggested this would be ineffective (MIC=12) and his treatment was switched to minocycline plus rifampicin. Further testing demonstrated rifampicin resistance (MIC=32) and minocycline partial resistance (MIC=4). The patient remains stable and asymptomatic in the community on minocycline whilst further long-term therapeutic options are considered to suppress infection in this challenging case.

Conclusions
This case highlights the growing problem of managing chronic infections with resistant organisms in patients with irremovable devices. Treatment options specifically for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus are limited, especially when considering a case where the patient requires prolonged outpatient antibiotics to sustain meaningful quality of life. Although new antimicrobials (contezolid and delpazolid) are in development for VRE, these do not have a novel mechanism of action.3 This case demonstrates the importance of developing novel therapeutic options to combat resistant organisms and the significance of minimizing the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
P11 Pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards antimicrobial stewardship and resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic at secondary care settings in the UK
Authors: Elshenawy Rasha Abdelsalam , Umaru Nkiruka , Aslanpour Zoe 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing exacerbated AMR, prompting the WHO to advocate for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) highlighted pharmacists’ role in optimizing antimicrobial use. Investigating pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) regarding antibiotic prescribing, AMR and AMS contributes to global efforts to combat AMR and improve AMS practices.

Objectives
To explore pharmacists’ KAP during COVID-19.

Methods
In 2023, the study utilized a prospective cross-sectional design and employed an online survey questionnaire via Qualtrics to evaluate pharmacists’ KAP regarding antibiotic prescribing, AMR and AMS. Ethical approval was obtained, and implicit consent was assumed. The participants were registered pharmacists working at a secondary care setting, an NHS Foundation Trust within the UK, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved patient and public involvement, was registered with the ISRCTN and OCTOPUS registry, and analysed data using descriptive statistics and IBM SPSS Statistics. A sample size of 125 was considered for a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level.

Results
The results revealed that the majority of respondents were aged 25–31 (44.0%), held postgraduate degrees (70.4%), were female (71.2%) and had 6–20 years of experience (41.6%). Regarding knowledge, high percentages agreed that antimicrobial resistance is a public health concern (85.2%), actions in combating AMR affect society (91.2%) and implementing AMS promotes judicious antibiotic use (85.6%). For attitudes and perceptions, respondent pharmacists indicated agreement with updated antibiotic guidelines (56.8%), influenced antibiotic prescribing due to COVID-19 patient conditions (80%) and support from microbiologists and AMS teams for informed decisions (79.2%).

Conclusions
This study highlights pharmacists’ crucial role in fighting AMR during the COVID-19 pandemic. They demonstrated good KAP emphasizes their potential to co-lead AMS implementation, ultimately saving lives and promoting global health.