bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DiscoLQA: zero-shot discourse-based legal question answering on European Legislation
Authors: Sovrano Francesco , Palmirani Monica , Sapienza Salvatore , Pistone Vittoria 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe structures of discourse used by legal and ordinary languages share differences that foster technical issues when applying or fine-tuning general-purpose language models for open-domain question answering on legal resources. For example, longer sentences may be preferred in European laws (i.e., Brussels I bis Regulation EU 1215/2012) to reduce potential ambiguities and improve comprehensibility, distracting a language model trained on ordinary English. In this article, we investigate some mechanisms to isolate and capture the discursive patterns of legalese in order to perform zero-shot question answering, i.e., without training on legal documents. Specifically, we use pre-trained open-domain answer retrieval systems and study what happens when changing the type of information to consider for retrieval. Indeed, by selecting only the important parts of discourse (e.g., elementary units of discourse, EDU for short, or abstract representations of meaning, AMR for short), we should be able to help the answer retriever identify the elements of interest. Hence, with this paper, we publish Q4EU, a new evaluation dataset that includes more than 70 questions and 200 answers on 6 different European norms, and study what happens to a baseline system when only EDUs or AMRs are used during information retrieval. Our results show that the versions using EDUs are overall the best, leading to state-of-the-art F1, precision, NDCG and MRR scores.
A framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk under climate change
Authors: Leston Lionel , Dénes Francisco V. , Docherty Teegan D. S. , Tremblay Junior A. , Boulanger Yan , Van Wilgenburg Steven L. , Stralberg Diana , Sólymos Peter , Haché Samuel , Laurent Kathy St. , Weeber Russ , Drolet Bruno , Westwood Alana R. , Hope David D. , Ball Jeff , Song Samantha J. , Cumming Steven G. , Bayne Erin , Schmiegelow Fiona K. A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo recover species at risk, it is necessary to identify habitat critical to their recovery. Challenges for species with large ranges (thousands of square kilometres) include delineating management unit boundaries within which habitat use differs from other units, along with assessing any differences among units in amounts of and threats to habitat over time. We developed a reproducible framework to support identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk. The framework (i) reviews species distribution and life history; (ii) delineates management units across the range; (iii) evaluates and compares current and (iv) potential future habitat and population size and (v) prioritizes areas within management units based on current and future conditions under various scenarios of climate change and land-use. We used Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Canada as case studies. Using geographically weighted regression models and cluster analysis to measure spatial variation in model coefficients, we found geographic differences in habitat association only for Canada Warbler. Using other models to predict current habitat amount for each species in different management units, then future habitat amount under land use and climate change, we projected that: (1) Canada Warbler populations would decrease in Alberta but increase in Nova Scotia and (2) Wood Thrush populations would increase under most scenarios run in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but not in Ontario. By comparing results from future scenarios and spatial prioritization exercises, our framework supports identification of critical habitat in ways that incorporate climate and land-use projections.
Localization and characterisation of brown rot in two types of acetylated wood
Authors: Ponzecchi Andrea , Alfredsen Gry , Fredriksson Maria , Thybring Emil E. , Thygesen Lisbeth G. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAcetylation is a commercialised chemical wood modification technology that increases the durability of wood against microbial attack. However, the details of how acetylation protects the wood structure from fungal degradation are still unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the resistance against microbial attack depends on the localisation of acetylation within the cell wall. The methodology involved two types of acetylation (uniform and lumen interface modification), which were analysed by lab-scale degradation with Rhodonia placenta, chitin quantification, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman microspectroscopy. The location of the acetylation did not affect overall mass loss during degradation experiments. Instead, the mass loss was related to the intensity of the treatment. However, chemical imaging of the interface acetylated specimens showed that degradation primarily took place in cell wall regions that were less acetylated. It was also observed that the fungus required more fungal biomass (i.e., fungal mycelia) to degrade acetylated wood than untreated wood. Based on dimensions and comparison to a reference spectrum, several cross-sections of hyphae located within lumina were discovered in the Raman images. These hyphae showed presence of chitin, water and chelated metals within their walls, and could be separated into an inner and an outer part based on their chemistry as seen in the spectra. The outer part was distinguished by a relatively higher amount of water and less chelated iron than the inner part.
Agricultural activities and risk of Alzheimer’s disease: the TRACTOR project, a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Petit Pascal , Gondard Elise , Gandon Gérald , Moreaud Olivier , Sauvée Mathilde , Bonneterre Vincent 
Published: January 2024

AbstractData regarding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) occurrence in farming populations is lacking. This study aimed to investigate whether, among the entire French farm manager (FM) workforce, certain agricultural activities are more strongly associated with AD than others, using nationwide data from the TRACTOR (Tracking and monitoring occupational risks in agriculture) project. Administrative health insurance data (digital electronic health/medical records and insurance claims) for the entire French agricultural workforce, over the period 2002–2016, on the entire mainland France were used to estimate the risk of AD for 26 agricultural activities with Cox proportional hazards model. For each analysis (one for each activity), the exposed group included all FMs that performed the activity of interest (e.g. crop farming), while the reference group included all FMs who did not carry out the activity of interest (e.g. FMs that never farmed crops between 2002 and 2016). There were 5067 cases among 1,036,069 FMs who worked at least one year between 2002 and 2016. Analyses showed higher risks of AD for crop farming (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.72 [3.47–3.98]), viticulture (HR = 1.29 [1.18–1.42]), and fruit arboriculture (HR = 1.36 [1.15–1.62]). By contrast, lower risks of AD were found for several animal farming types, in particular for poultry and rabbit farming (HR = 0.29 [0.20–0.44]), ovine and caprine farming (HR = 0.50 [0.41–0.61]), mixed dairy and cow farming (HR = 0.46 [0.37–0.57]), dairy farming (HR = 0.67 [0.61–0.73]), and pig farming (HR = 0.30 [0.18–0.52]). This study shed some light on the association between a wide range of agricultural activities and AD in the entire French FMs population.
What Does ‘(Non)-absoluteness of Observed Events’ Mean?
Authors: Adlam Emily 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRecently there have emerged an assortment of theorems relating to the ‘absoluteness of emerged events,’ and these results have sometimes been used to argue that quantum mechanics may involve some kind of metaphysically radical non-absoluteness, such as relationalism or perspectivalism. However, in our view a close examination of these theorems fails to convincingly support such possibilities. In this paper we argue that the Wigner’s friend paradox, the theorem of Bong et al and the theorem of Lawrence et al are all best understood as demonstrating that if quantum mechanics is universal, and if certain auxiliary assumptions hold, then the world inevitably includes various forms of ‘disaccord,’ but this need not be interpreted in a metaphysically radical way; meanwhile, the theorem of Ormrod and Barrett is best understood either as an argument for an interpretation allowing multiple outcomes per observer, such as the Everett approach, or as a proof that quantum mechanics cannot be universal in the sense relevant for this theorem. We also argue that these theorems taken together suggest interesting possibilities for a different kind of relational approach in which interaction states are relativized whilst observed events are absolute, and we show that although something like ‘retrocausality’ might be needed to make such an approach work, this would be a very special kind of retrocausality which would evade a number of common objections against retrocausality. We conclude that the non-absoluteness theorems may have a significant role to play in helping converge towards an acceptable solution to the measurement problem.
Redefining the role of doctoral supervisors: a multicultural examination of labels and functions in contemporary doctoral education
Authors: Guarimata-Salinas Génesis , Carvajal Joan Josep , Jiménez López M. Dolores 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study focuses on the changes that doctoral education has experienced in the last decades and discusses the role of doctoral supervisors. The figure of doctoral supervisor continues to be a subject of much debate; therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a universal, global, and common definition that clearly establishes the roles and functions of doctoral supervisors. Employing a multi-method approach, the study utilized the perspectives of linguistic relativism and prototype theory to understand how linguistic and label diversity may influence the perception and approach to supervisory tasks. We examine a corpus of 55 different labels to refer to “doctoral supervisor.” Data was collected from 116 countries, encompassing 47 different languages and 55 distinct labels from Europe, Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania, forming a unique corpus of information. The results reveal a total of 18 functions to be fulfilled by the doctoral supervisor. Additionally, the findings underscore the significance of linguistic influence in conceptualizing the functions associated with the supervisor in various cultural contexts and highlight the necessity for redefining the role of the thesis supervisor. The results hold potential benefits for doctoral schools and supervisors, serving as guidelines for standardizing the functions of the doctoral supervisor.
Corporate income tax, IP boxes and the location of R&D
Authors: Shehaj Pranvera , Weichenrieder Alfons J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe discuss corporate tax effects on multinationals’ R&D. Theoretically, we find that a host country’s tax increase may boost local R&D expenditure: while R&D becomes deductible at a higher rate, this higher rate may not apply to all R&D returns. First, as R&D creates a public good within the MNE, some R&D returns are taxed at other countries’ tax rates. Second, some of the R&D returns are taxed at a lower IP regime tax rate. The positive tax rate effect is empirically supported by country-by-country R&D data of U.S.-owned subsidiaries for countries that have an IP regime.
The ultra-high electric breakdown strength and superior energy storage properties of (Bi0.2Na0.2K0.2La0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 high-entropy ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Yang Wentao , Ullah Sana , Zheng Guangping 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe electric breakdown strength (Eb) is an important factor that determines the practical applications of dielectric materials in electrical energy storage and electronics. However, there is a tradeoff between Eb and the dielectric constant in the dielectrics, and Eb is typically lower than 10 MV/cm. In this work, ferroelectric thin film (Bi0.2Na0.2K0.2La0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 with a dielectric constant of 115 is found to exhibit an ultra-high Eb = 10.99 MV/cm, attributing to the high-entropy effects that could result in dense nanostructures with refined grains, low concentration of oxygen vacancies, low leakage current and small polar nano-regions in the thin film. A recoverable energy storage density of 5.88 J/cm3 with an excellent energy storage efficiency of 93% are obtained for the dielectric capacitor containing the thin-film dielectrics. Remarkably, the dielectric capacitor possesses a theoretical energy storage density of 615 J/cm3 compatible to those of electrochemical supercapacitors. The high-entropy ferroelectric thin films with ultra-high Eb and superior energy storage properties are much promising dielectrics used in next-generation energy storage devices and power electronics.
Longitudinal Effects of Employees’ Big Five Personality Traits on Internal Promotions Differentiated by Job Level in a Multinational Company
Authors: Kordsmeyer Tobias L. , Speer Andrew B. , Wilms Rafael , Kurz Rainer 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPromotions are central to individual career success. For organisations, it is crucial to identify and develop employees capable of higher-level responsibility. Previous research has shown that personality traits as inter-individual differences predict promotions. However, effects have mostly been examined on a broad factor level. This study investigated longitudinal effects of Big Five personality traits on both factor (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and more detailed facet levels on promotions in employees of a multinational wholesale company (N = 1774, n = 343 promoted). We also explored how personality differentially impacts promotional likelihood as a matter of target job level (individual contributor vs. first- or senior-level manager roles). Overall, associations with promotions were detected for neuroticism (negative) and conscientiousness (positive). At the more nuanced facet level, all Big Five factors had at least one personality facet that was significantly related to promotions. Additionally, personality-promotion relationships were generally stronger for lower- rather than higher-level promotions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that employee personality traits have a meaningful impact on who will be promoted and should hence be considered in organisational personnel selection, personnel development, and performance management practices.
Principled diverse counterfactuals in multilinear models
Authors: Papantonis Ioannis , Belle Vaishak 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMachine learning (ML) applications have automated numerous real-life tasks, improving both private and public life. However, the black-box nature of many state-of-the-art models poses the challenge of model verification; how can one be sure that the algorithm bases its decisions on the proper criteria, or that it does not discriminate against certain minority groups? In this paper we propose a way to generate diverse counterfactual explanations from multilinear models, a broad class which includes Random Forests, as well as Bayesian Networks.
Explaining neural networks without access to training data
Authors: Marton Sascha , Lüdtke Stefan , Bartelt Christian , Tschalzev Andrej , Stuckenschmidt Heiner 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe consider generating explanations for neural networks in cases where the network’s training data is not accessible, for instance due to privacy or safety issues. Recently, Interpretation Nets ($$\mathcal {I}$$
I
-Nets) have been proposed as a sample-free approach to post-hoc, global model interpretability that does not require access to training data. They formulate interpretation as a machine learning task that maps network representations (parameters) to a representation of an interpretable function. In this paper, we extend the $$\mathcal {I}$$
I
-Net framework to the cases of standard and soft decision trees as surrogate models. We propose a suitable decision tree representation and design of the corresponding $$\mathcal {I}$$
I
-Net output layers. Furthermore, we make $$\mathcal {I}$$
I
-Nets applicable to real-world tasks by considering more realistic distributions when generating the $$\mathcal {I}$$
I
-Net’s training data. We empirically evaluate our approach against traditional global, post-hoc interpretability approaches and show that it achieves superior results when the training data is not accessible.
A new listener-centered directional attenuation sound model for augmented reality environments
Authors: Martínez-Cabrejas Marina , Portalés Cristina , Gimeno Jesús , Pérez Manolo , Casas-Yrurzum Sergio 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAugmented Reality (AR) involves the combination of synthetic and real stimuli, not being restricted to visual cues. For the inclusion of computer-generated sound in AR environments, it is often assumed that the distance attenuation model is the most intuitive and useful system for all users, regardless of the characteristics of the environment. This model reduces the gain of the sound sources as a function of the distance between the source and the listener. In this paper, we propose a different attenuation model not only based on distance, but also considering the listener orientation, so the user could listen more clearly the objects that they are looking at, instead of other near objects that could be out of their field of view and interest. We call this a directional attenuation model. To test the model, we developed an AR application that involves visual and sound stimuli to compare the traditional model versus the new one, by considering two different tasks in two AR scenarios in which sound plays an important role. A total of 38 persons participated in the experiments. The results show that the proposed model provides better workload for the two tasks, requiring less time and effort, allowing users to explore the AR environment more easily and intuitively. This demonstrates that this alternative model has the potential to be more efficient for certain applications.
Software sensors in the monitoring of microalgae cultivations
Authors: Porras Reyes Luis , Havlik Ivo , Beutel Sascha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMicroalgae are well-known photosynthetic microorganisms used as cell factories for the production of relevant biotechnological compounds. Despite the outstanding characteristics attributed to microalgae, their industrial-scale production still struggles with scale-up problems and economic feasibility. One important bottleneck is the lack of suitable online sensors for the reliable monitoring of biological parameters, mostly concentrations of intracellular components, in microalgae bioprocesses. Software sensors provide an approach to improving the monitoring of those process parameters that are difficult to quantify directly and are therefore only indirectly accessible. Their use aims to improve the productivity of microalgal bioprocesses through better monitoring, control and automation, according to the current demands of Industry 4.0. In this review, a description of the microalgae components of interest as candidates for monitoring in a cultivation, an overview of software sensors, some of the available approaches and tools, and the current state-of-the-art of the design and use of software sensors in microalgae cultivation are presented. The latter is grouped on the basis of measurement methods used as software sensor inputs, employing either optical or non-optical techniques, or a combination of both. Some examples of software sensor design using simulated process data are also given, grouped according to their design, either as model-driven or data-driven estimators.
Benefits of international collaboration in computer science: a case study of China, the European Union, and the United States
Authors: Gómez-Espés Alberto , Färber Michael , Jatowt Adam 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCo-authored publications can bring positive results for those who participate, such as gaining additional expertise, accessing more funding or increasing the publication impact. China, the European Union, and the United States have been collaborating between each other throughout the years in the field of Computer Science. These collaborations varied over time, as well as they impacted the regions in different ways. In this paper, we collected the publications from these territories across 31 years on the topic of Computer Science and studied them focusing on how the regions have approached co-authorship. In particular, we have analyzed the number of collaborations during that period, the impact of those papers measured as the number of citations, and the topics that have been researched. We conclude that China’s focus on Computer Science fields has led it to be the most productive region in recent years; plus, it has benefited from the American and European reputation, by increasing its citation rates when collaborating with them. On the other hand, the EU and the US have benefited from Chinese interest in computer science, increasing the number of publications together.
Distributed order estimation for continuous-time stochastic systems
Authors: Zhu Xinghua , Liu Zhixin , Hu Xiaoming 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the distributed estimation problem of continuous-time stochastic dynamic systems over sensor networks when both the system order and parameters are unknown. We propose a local information criterion (LIC) based on the $$L_0$$

L
0

penalty term. By minimizing LIC at the diffusion time instant and utilizing the continuous-time diffusion least squares algorithm, we obtain a distributed estimation algorithm to simultaneously estimate the unknown order and the parameters of the system. By dealing with the effect of the system noises and the coupling relationship between estimation of system orders and parameters, we establish the almost sure convergence results of the proposed distributed estimation algorithm. Furthermore, we give a simulation example to verify the effectiveness of the distributed algorithm in estimating the system order and parameters.
Cuplength estimates for time-periodic measures of Hamiltonian systems with diffusion
Authors: Fabert Oliver 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe show how methods from Hamiltonian Floer theory can be used to establish lower bounds for the number of different time-periodic measures of time-periodic Hamiltonian systems with diffusion. After proving the existence of closed random periodic solutions and of the corresponding Floer curves for Hamiltonian systems with random walks with step width 1/n for every $$n\in \mathbb {N}$$

n
∈
N

, we show that, after passing to a subsequence, they converge in probability distribution as $$n\rightarrow \infty $$

n
→
∞

. Besides using standard results from Hamiltonian Floer theory and about convergence of tame probability measures, we crucially use that sample paths of Brownian motion are almost surely Hölder continuous with Hölder exponent $$0<\alpha <\frac{1}{2}$$

0
<
α
<

1
2

.