bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fusion-s2igan: an efficient and effective single-stage framework for speech-to-image generation
Authors: Zhang Zhenxing , Schomaker Lambert 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe goal of a speech-to-image transform is to produce a photo-realistic picture directly from a speech signal. Current approaches are based on a stacked modular framework that suffers from three vital issues: (1) Training separate networks is time-consuming, inefficient and the convergence of the final generative model depends on the previous generators; (2) The quality of precursor images is ignored; (3) Multiple discriminator networks need to be trained. We propose an efficient and effective single-stage framework called Fusion-S2iGan to yield perceptually plausible and semantically consistent image samples on the basis of spoken descriptions. Fusion-S2iGan introduces a visual+speech fusion module (VSFM), with a pixel-attention module (PAM), a speech-modulation module (SMM) and a weighted-fusion module (WFM), to inject the speech embedding from a speech encoder into the generator while improving the quality of synthesized pictures. The PAM module models the semantic affinities between pixel regions and by assigning larger weights to significant locations. The VSFM module adopts SMM to modulate visual feature maps using fine-grained linguistic cues present in the speech vector. Subsequently, the weighted-fusion model (WFM) captures the semantic importance of the image-attention mask and the speech-modulation module at the level of the channels, in an adaptive manner. Fusion-S2iGan spreads the bimodal information over all layers of the generator network to reinforce the visual feature maps at various hierarchical levels in the architecture. A series of experiments is conducted on four benchmark data sets: CUB birds, Oxford-102, Flickr8k and Places-subset. Results demonstrate the superiority of Fusion-S2iGan compared to the state-of-the-art models with a multi-stage architecture and a performance level that is close to traditional text-to-image approaches.
Rock Mass Structure Characterization Considering Finite and Folded Discontinuities: A Parametric Study
Authors: Erharter Georg H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe quantification of a rock mass’s internal structure and description of discontinuity properties is imperative for modern rock mass characterization. This study builds on decades of rock engineering development by reviewing and revising different parameters such as the rock quality designation ($${\text{RQD}}$$
RQD
), volumetric joint count ($${J}_{v}$$

J
v

), the Pij system and others. Analyses of these parameters are done by means of a Monte Carlo simulation that generated 5000 samples of discrete discontinuity networks including finite, folded and very low to very high discontinuity densities ($${J}_{v}$$

J
v

range: 0.5–117 discontinuities/m3), thus representing a wide range of possible geological scenarios. $$P10$$

P
10

, $$P20$$

P
20

, $$P21$$

P
21

, $$P30$$

P
30

, $$P32$$

P
32

, $$RQD$$

RQD

and the fractal dimension of the rock mass are virtually measured on these samples and a range of higher level parameters that are used in practical rock engineering computed and their relationships investigated. It is concluded that parameters which are based on subjective estimations of discontinuity spacing, the number of discontinuity sets or $$RQD$$

RQD

are not suited to describe the rock mass structure in cases of demanding geological scenarios featuring many discontinuities, weak and anisotropic rock masses, metamorphic rock masses, folded rock masses, etc. By revising classical parameters and their relationships, this study contributes to basic rock mass characterization and furthermore paves the way for future developments by making the developed discrete discontinuity network dataset and all included codes openly accessible to the rock mechanics community.
Ideological ambiguity and political spectrum
Authors: Galindo-Silva Hector 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between ambiguity and the ideological positioning of political parties across the political spectrum. We identify a strong non-monotonic (inverted U-shaped) relationship between party ideology and ambiguity within a sample of 202 European political parties. This pattern is observed across all ideological dimensions covered in the data. To explain this pattern, we argue that centrist parties are perceived as less risky by voters compared to extremist parties, giving them an advantage in employing ambiguity to attract more voters at a lower cost. We support our explanation with additional evidence from electoral outcomes and economic indicators in the respective party countries.
Implementing climate change adaptation through mainstreaming at the local level—a comparative case study of two municipalities in the Netherlands
Authors: Baack Franziska , Özerol Gül , Vinke-de Kruijf Joanne , Halman Johannes , Kuks Stefan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGovernments face increasing urgency to adapt to climate change. However, there is a persistent gap between needed and implemented adaptation. The implementation of adaptation often takes place at the local level, making municipalities crucial actors, particularly regarding mainstreaming adaptation into various sectors. While mainstreaming has the potential to bring many benefits, it does not necessarily result in the implementation of adaptation. Its contribution to the adaptation process over time and the resulting implementation at the local level remain poorly understood, exacerbating the adaptation implementation gap. To advance the understanding of mainstreaming for implementation, we synthesize the emerging debates on adaptation mainstreaming with the literature on environmental policy integration and offer a framework towards a nuanced conceptualization of mainstreaming. Our results from a case study of two Dutch municipalities show that managerial actions precede the acceleration of implementation in the built environment and point to a learning curve. Furthermore, mainstreaming focuses on the water sector, built environment and green infrastructure, with little attention paid to the intersection of heat stress and drought with other sectors, while differences in the implementation of adaptation in the two cases hint at the influence of the local context. We conclude that there is no blueprint to implement adaptation, and while local preferences determine the sectors where integration and implementation occur, consideration of long-term future climate change is lacking in both cities’ mainstreaming of adaptation implementation. Our framework allowed identifying the potential and pitfalls of mainstreaming adaptation towards implementation at the local level.
Optimizing surgical approaches for anterior communicating artery aneurysms: Development and internal validation of a novel surgical scoring system
Authors: Orakdogen Metin , Mammadkhanli Orkhan , Simsek Osman 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The objective was to provide comprehensive preoperative information on both the aneurysm orientation and the side and method of surgical approach for optimal preoperative information and safe clipping using 3D imaging modalities. This was achieved by making an objective risk assessment on the surgical side/method and evaluating its effectiveness with internal validation.

Materials and methods
Radiologic data of 61 ACoA aneurysm patients between 2012 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. A scoring system based on five criteria; ACoA aneurysm dome orientation, A1 symmetry/control, perforating artery control, A2 trace orientation, and A2 fork symmetry was developed. The system is designed to align with the most common surgical approaches in ACoA aneurysm surgery. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the scoring results to determine the most appropriate surgical method. Group I was recommended, Group II was less recommended, and Group III was least recommended. Internal validation was performed to assess the system’s effectiveness. Outcomes and complication rates were statistically evaluated.

Results
When the scoring system was utilized, the mean score difference between the first group and the other groups was 2.71 and 4.62, respectively. There was a homogeneous distribution among the groups in terms of age, sex, WFNS, and Fisher scores. Complication occurred in three patients in Group I and nine patients each in Group II and Group III. The further the deviation from the first option, the higher the complication rate (p = 0.016), and a significant cause–effect relationship was identified (p = 0.021). The ROC curve established a cut-off value of 12.5 points for complications and outcomes.

Conclusion
Our study introduces a new scoring system for ACoA aneurysms, enhancing the use of 3D CTA in daily practice and providing internal validation for the proposed approach. By evaluating objective criteria, this scoring system helps predict surgical risks, prevent complications, and supports personalized evaluation and selection of the surgical approach based on objective criteria.
Lithbea, a New Domain Outside the Tree of Life
Authors: Gómez-Márquez Jaime 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAt this time when the development of synthetic biology and artificial intelligence are changing the world around us, philosophers and scientists, first of all, must converge to analyze the present and predict the ethical-social consequences and biological dangers associated with new “living entities” that are not the result of the natural evolutionary process. As synthetic/artificial life forms (xenobots, robots, transgenic organisms, etc.) become more and more abundant and sophisticated, it seems first of all necessary to bring some order to all this new biodiversity, establishing what is alive and what is not, and analyzing the consequences of this incessant creative activity. Here I intend to organize all these human-made entities and clarify their status as living beings or artificial elements, leaving the door open to an uncertain future in which we will be able to see how “the artificial” and “the natural” could merge to originate something different from everything known. Accordingly, I propose the creation of a new domain, Lithbea, which includes all synthetic and artificial entities within a new kingdom called Humade (derived from human-made). I have also included viruses in a new realm, the Viral kingdom, because they were excluded from the classical three-domain tree of life despite playing a fundamental role in the evolution of biodiversity on Earth. Finally, I make a brief comment on the unpredictability of the unknown, the implications of this new landscape of biodiversity, and the uncertain future of all these advances.
Factors influencing naturalisation success in horticultural species: a case study using planting records from the inception of a planned city
Authors: Palit Rakhi , Downey Paul O. , Duncan Richard P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWorldwide, many invasive plant species are garden escapees. While weed risk assessment can identify new plant introductions with weedy potential, it does not address the large number of non-native plant species already present in many regions, the majority of which are horticultural species. Here we evaluate the drivers of plant naturalisation success using historical data on the horticultural woody species planted in Canberra, Australia. Canberra provides a unique opportunity to study plant naturalisation as it is a planned city with extensive horticultural plantings originating from government nurseries that kept extensive records documenting the planting efforts from the city’s inception. We identified factors linked to naturalisation success in 1439 horticultural, woody, non-native species planted in Canberra over 150 years by fitting univariate and multivariate regression models, and identified both direct and indirect effects using path analysis in a Bayesian framework. We found species were more likely to naturalise with greater planting effort, longer residence time, smaller seeds and dispersal mechanisms linked to wind and animal vectors. Cold-hardy and tall plants were also more likely to naturalise, although cold hardiness and height mostly affected naturalisation success indirectly via planting effort. These findings can aid in generating quantitative risk assessment models to predict woody garden species that would naturalise and pose the greatest risk of becoming invasive in the future.
Superhydrophobic, antibacterial, and EMI shielding properties of Ag/PDMS-coated cotton fabrics
Authors: Pakdel Esfandiar , Kashi Sima , Sharp Julie , Wang Xungai 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, three functionalities of superhydrophobicity, antibacterial activity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of cotton fabrics coated with Ag/PDMS were studied, and the role of coating composition was discussed. Special attention was paid to understanding the relationships between the surface roughness of coated fibres with the developed superhydrophobicity and antibacterial activity. The superhydrophobicity of fabrics was analysed based on water contact angle (WCA) and contact angle hysteresis (CAH) values while the antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. It was found that the surface roughness on fibres, which changed by altering the concentrations of Ag NPs (0.2–4 g/L) and PDMS (20 and 40 g/L), affected the obtained superhydrophobicity. The most superhydrophobic fabric (WCA 171°) was coated with a formulation containing Ag NPs (2 g/L), and PDMS (20 g/L), and had the highest surface roughness. Increasing the ingredients’ concentrations, however, deteriorated the optimum roughness as measured using a 3D Surface Laser Scanning Microscopy method. The coated fabrics showed efficacy against both types of bacteria, and it was confirmed that the Ag NPs content was the key factor in determining the antibacterial performance. Moreover, testing the EMI shielding performance of fabrics demonstrated that increasing the concentrations of Ag NPs and PDMS both enhanced the reflection coefficient (R) of fabrics against incident X-band electromagnetic (EM) wave by around >500%, which was due to the deposition of a higher amount of Ag NPs on fabrics. The superhydrophobicity of fabrics was durable after 1000 abrasion cycles, and the fabrics retained their antibacterial activity even after numerous washings.
Graphical Abstract
Managing students’ illusion of control in higher education: effect on unrealistic optimism and expectancy disconfirmation
Authors: Luna-Cortes Gonzalo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrior studies showed that optimism has positive benefits for students in higher education. However, research indicates different types of optimism, including the unrealistic optimism associated with the illusion of control. The literature review showed a lack of research on the effect of the illusion of control among students in higher education. Two studies were conducted to fill this gap. In Study 1 (N = 210), university students responded to two surveys: one before oral presentations in class (measuring illusion of control and unrealistic optimism) and another after they received their grades for the presentations (measuring disconfirmation and satisfaction). The results show that the illusion of control is positively associated with unrealistic optimism, which leads to disconfirmation and dissatisfaction. Study 2 was a between-subjects design experiment (condition (N = 102) vs. control (N = 102)) that tested a stimulus to mitigate the illusion of control in this context. The results of Study 2 show that explaining to students their inability to control some variables during the presentation helps to reduce the illusion of control. This influences lower unrealistic optimism and disconfirmation, leading to higher satisfaction after the presentations. When testing moderating effects of demographics among these relationships, we found that gender moderates the effect of the stimulus used to reduce the illusion of control, with females showing a significantly higher decrease in this bias in comparison with male students. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations that can help to decrease the illusion of control in the context of higher education, with benefits for students and educators.
Treatment of Behavioral Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: a Focus on the Effects of Theta-Burst Stimulation Over the Pre-SMA
Authors: Pallanti Stefano , Di Ponzio Michele , Levola Jonna , Lioumis Pantelis , Paunio Tiina , Kičić Dubravko , Ilmoniemi Risto , Makris Nikos 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBehavioral addictions (BA) and substance use disorders (SUDs) share core features, including impaired control and craving, leading to significant personal and societal impacts. Previous research has identified the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) as a critical node in GD-related neurocircuitry, making it a potential target for interventions also in SUDs. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) offers a non-invasive method to modulate pre-SMA activity. This study included 58 participants diagnosed with GD or SUDs. They underwent bilateral pre-SMA continuous TBS (cTBS) sessions targeting craving, impulsivity, and addiction severity. Standardized scales and questionnaires were employed to assess the outcomes. cTBS parameters included 20 daily sessions with 80% resting motor threshold (RMT). Both GD and SUD groups exhibited significant reductions in addiction severity and craving following cTBS. Impulsivity decreased significantly in SUD but not in GD. The study’s findings underscore the potential of pre-SMA TBS as an adjunctive treatment for GD and SUDs. The observed improvements in addiction severity and craving emphasize the shared neuronal mechanisms underlying these disorders. However, the nuanced differences, especially in impulsivity, indicate the need for further research to tailor interventions precisely.
Impact of Resistance on Therapeutic Design: A Moran Model of Cancer Growth
Authors: Lacy Mason S. , Jenner Adrianne L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResistance of cancers to treatments, such as chemotherapy, largely arise due to cell mutations. These mutations allow cells to resist apoptosis and inevitably lead to recurrence and often progression to more aggressive cancer forms. Sustained-low dose therapies are being considered as an alternative over maximum tolerated dose treatments, whereby a smaller drug dosage is given over a longer period of time. However, understanding the impact that the presence of treatment-resistant clones may have on these new treatment modalities is crucial to validating them as a therapeutic avenue. In this study, a Moran process is used to capture stochastic mutations arising in cancer cells, inferring treatment resistance. The model is used to predict the probability of cancer recurrence given varying treatment modalities. The simulations predict that sustained-low dose therapies would be virtually ineffective for a cancer with a non-negligible probability of developing a sub-clone with resistance tendencies. Furthermore, calibrating the model to in vivo measurements for breast cancer treatment with Herceptin, the model suggests that standard treatment regimens are ineffective in this mouse model. Using a simple Moran model, it is possible to explore the likelihood of treatment success given a non-negligible probability of treatment resistant mutations and suggest more robust therapeutic schedules.
Novel Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Authors: Wysota Michael , Konopleva Marina , Mitchell Shane 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review seeks to identify and describe novel genetic and protein targets and their associated therapeutics currently being used or studied in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Recent Findings
Over the course of the last 5–6 years, several targeted therapies have been approved by the FDA, for the treatment of both newly diagnosed as well as relapsed/refractory AML. These novel therapeutics, as well as several others currently under investigation, have demonstrated activity in AML and have improved outcomes for many patients.

Summary
Patient outcomes in AML have slowly improved over time, though for many patients, particularly elderly patients or those with relapsed/refractory disease, mortality remains very high. With the identification of several molecular/genetic drivers and protein targets and development of therapeutics which leverage those mechanisms to target leukemic cells, outcomes for patients with AML have improved and continue to improve significantly.
Examining Sexual Violence as a Predictor of Sexual Ambivalence
Authors: Nicoletti Alexandra , Angelone D. J. , Jones Meredith 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSexual ambivalence can be defined as an experience of sexual behavior as both wanted and unwanted, to some degree, in a particular sexual situation. Despite ambivalence, individuals often decide to participate in these sexual experiences. There are several related and overlapping reasons as to why people ultimately decide to engage in sexual activity, including a history of engaging in a particular sexual behavior or being intimate with a prior partner. There is also evidence to suggest that experiences of sexual violence are related to sexual ambivalence. The present study explored whether prior experience with both a sexual activity and a partner, as well as sexual violence, predicted sexually ambivalent behaviors. Participants were 932 college students who completed a one-time survey about their sexual experiences. Results demonstrated that women were more likely than men to report experiencing sexual ambivalence, and women experienced more ambivalence before, during, and after a sexual encounter. Men were more likely than women to experience ambivalence during and after a sexual activity. A history of sexual violence victimization was associated with experiencing sexual ambivalence prior to engaging in a sexual behavior. Prior experience with a sexual partner or sexual activity was predictive of ambivalence during a sexual encounter, as well as engaging in a sexual activity despite ambivalence. These findings suggest that there are gender differences in sexual ambivalence, and that sexual violence impacts sexual-decision making. We hope these findings can inform sexual violence prevention and sexual education programs.
Mean Distance on Metric Graphs
Authors: Baptista Luís N. , Kennedy James B. , Mugnolo Delio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe introduce a natural notion of mean (or average) distance in the context of compact metric graphs, and study its relation to geometric properties of the graph. We show that it exhibits a striking number of parallels to the reciprocal of the spectral gap of the graph Laplacian with standard vertex conditions: it is maximised among all graphs of fixed length by the path graph (interval), or by the loop in the restricted class of doubly connected graphs, and it is minimised among all graphs of fixed length and number of edges by the equilateral flower graph. We also establish bounds for the correctly scaled product of the spectral gap and the square of the mean distance which depend only on combinatorial, and not metric, features of the graph. This raises the open question whether this product admits absolute upper and lower bounds valid on all compact metric graphs.