bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AI without networks
Authors: Mitra Partha P. , Sire Clément 
Published: December 2023

AbstractContemporary Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands on two legs: large training data corpora and many-parameter artificial neural networks (ANNs). The data corpora are needed to represent the complexity and heterogeneity of the world. The role of the networks is less transparent due to the obscure dependence of the network parameters and outputs on the training data and inputs. This raises problems, ranging from technical-scientific to legal-ethical. We hypothesize that a transparent approach to machine learning is possible without using networks at all. By generalizing a parameter-free, statistically consistent data interpolation method, which we analyze theoretically in detail, we develop a network-free framework for AI incorporating generative modeling. We demonstrate this framework with examples from three different disciplines - ethology, control theory, and mathematics. Our generative Hilbert framework applied to the trajectories of small groups of swimming fish outperformed state-of-the-art traditional mathematical behavioral models and current ANN-based models. We demonstrate pure data interpolation based control by stabilizing an inverted pendulum and a driven logistic map around unstable fixed points. Finally, we present a mathematical application by predicting zeros of the Riemann Zeta function, achieving comparable performance as a transformer network. We do not suggest that the proposed framework will always outperform networks as over-parameterized networks can interpolate. However, our framework is theoretically sound, transparent, deterministic, and parameter free: remarkably, it does not require any compute-expensive training, does not involve optimization, has no model selection, and is easily reproduced and ported. We also propose an easily computed method of credit assignment based on this framework, to help address ethical-legal challenges raised by generative AI.
Building information modeling (BIM) in green buildings: a state-of-the-art bibliometric review
Authors: Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf , Anuar Khairul Firdaus , Mohd Zainudin Nurhaizan , Ahmad Mohd Hanafiah , Wider Walton 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis study evaluates the knowledge structure of building information modeling (BIM) in green buildings. Buildings are one of the main contributors to carbon emissions, and implementing BIM in green buildings is seen as an indispensable approach to mitigate environmental and climate change issues.Design/methodology/approachThrough a bibliometric analysis, 297 publications retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) were analyzed to explore their intellectual structure.FindingsBibliographic coupling analysis produced four clusters on current and emerging trends, while co-word analysis produced four clusters on future BIM and green building trends. Current and emerging trends revolve around BIM adoption in green and existing buildings, life cycle analysis (LCA) and sustainable rating tools. Future trends related to BIM and performance analysis and optimization, the BIM framework for green building design and construction, overcoming barriers and maximizing benefits in BIM adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of this study are relevant to all BIM and green building stakeholders, including developers, engineers, architects, occupants, tenants and the whole community.Originality/valueThis study examines the crucial integration of BIM and green building within the more extensive construction and building field scope.
Does the pandemic disrupt the livelihoods of marine fishermen? Evidence from Kerala during the pre- and post-lockdown periods of Covid-19
Authors: Suresh P.R. 
Published: December 2023

Purpose This paper aims to determine the implications of Covid-19 on the livelihood of marine fishermen. It gives a concrete picture of how vulnerable communities like marine fishermen are affected due to the lockdown policies. The paper examines these communities' present status and the extent of vulnerability during the post-Covid period.Design/methodology/approach The study uses an exploratory research design to find the solution to the research problem. 298 samples were collected and analysed within a sustainable livelihood theoretical framework. The scope of the study is limited to marine fishermen in Kerala, residing in six districts out of the nine coastal districts. The impact of the lockdown on income was analysed using paired t-test and results linked with the theory.Findings The study has done an empirical analysis for three periods: before lockdown, lockdown and after lockdown, to identify the impact of lockdown on marine fishermen. The study's significant findings are that these fishermen's livelihood is at risk during the post-lockdown period, and many families are moving into a “debt-trap”.Research limitations/implications Policymakers can develop appropriate policy strategies to enhance the livelihood assets of vulnerable communities to include them in a sustainable framework.Originality/value Only a few studies are highlighting the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable communities in India. The effects of climate change on the marine ecosystem are already endangering marine fisher folks' livelihoods. In this light, it is vital to study the extent of the impact of income shock on the livelihood assets of marine fishermen due to the lockdown policy implemented in the State to prevent the spread of Covid-19.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0192
Economic policy uncertainty and cost rigidity: the moderating effects of government contracts and political connections
Authors: Kim Hoyoung , Harjoto Maretno Agus 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis study examines the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and managers' ex ante strategic choice on firms’ fixed and variable costs structure, i.e. cost rigidity and the moderating effect of government contracts and political connections.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 4,162 US firms during 2003–2019 and EPU measure from Baker et al. (2016), the authors examine the association between EPU and cost rigidity using multivariate regression analysis. The authors also examine the moderating effects of government customers and political connections using the subsampling method.FindingsThis study finds that increases in EPU leads to higher cost rigidity, suggesting that managers tend to look ahead and make an ex ante commitment to invest more in fixed costs to avoid congestion costs in anticipation of future product demand during EPU. The study also finds that the presence of government customers and political connections moderates the need for adopting greater cost rigidity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study measures firms' cost rigidity based on archival data. Future studies could utilize managers' cost structure choices using firms' internal management cost structure forecasts data to measure cost rigidity to examine the relationship between cost rigidity and EPU.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates that managers tend to make a proactive commitment to invest in fixed inputs when facing demand uncertainty from EPU to avoid congestion costs. This study also highlights the value of having government contracts and political connections by demonstrating that managers are less concerned about the congestion costs, hence weakening the impact of EPU on cost rigidity when they have government as major customers and/or political connections.Originality/valueThis study extends the management accounting literature by documenting that cost rigidity is related to EPU and that the relationship between cost rigidity and EPU also depends on whether the firm has government as major customers and/or political connections or not.
Collaborative government-public efforts in driving green technology innovation for environmental governance in PPP projects: a study based on prospect theory
Authors: Bu Zehui , Liu Jicai , Zhang Xiaoxue 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe paper aims to elucidate effective strategies for promoting the adoption of green technology innovation within the private sector, thereby enhancing the value of public–private partnership (PPP) projects during the operational phase.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing prospect theory, the paper considers the government and the public as external driving forces. It establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model composed of government regulators, the private sector and the public. The paper uses numerical simulations to explore the evolutionary stable equilibrium strategies and the determinants influencing each stakeholder.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that government intervention and public participation substantially promote green technology innovation within the private sector. Major influencing factors encompass the intensity of pollution taxation, governmental information disclosure and public attention. However, an optimal threshold exists for environmental publicity and innovation subsidies, as excessive levels might inhibit technological innovation. Furthermore, within government intervention strategies, compensating the public for their participation costs is essential to circumvent the public's “free-rider” tendencies and encourage active public collaboration in PPP project innovation.Originality/valueBy constructing a tripartite evolutionary game model, the paper comprehensively examines the roles of government intervention and public participation in promoting green technology innovation within the private sector, offering fresh perspectives and strategies for the operational phase of PPP projects.
Reproductive biology and pollination ecology of Ipomoea triloba L. (Convolvulaceae): An alien invasive species of the Indo‐Burma biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Paul Suman , Dholakia Bhushan B. , Datta Badal Kumar 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIpomoea triloba L., an annual twining herb, is considered an alien invasive species and is distributed all around the globe including tropical Asia. It affects the yield of various economically important crops. Studies on floral phenology and reproductive biology are fundamental for the development of management strategies and the conservation of plants. Hence, we investigated the phenology, floral biology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, pollination mechanism, and reproductive success of I. triloba at two different locations in one of the global biodiversity hotspots. Floral anthesis was diurnal, starting at 6:30 a.m. and lasting until 7:00 a.m. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity were found to coincide, thus suggesting the species was homogamous. The flowers were mostly visited and pollinated by sweat bees (Halictidae), blue‐banded bees (Amegilla sp.), flies (Mesembrius sp.), and butterflies (Appias olferna, Pelopidas agna, and Zizina otis). Further, the pollinator visitation frequency showed a moderately positive correlation with the number of open flowers in both study populations. The plant produced fruits in the absence of pollinators in self‐pollination treatments, indicating a self‐compatible breeding system and dependency on insect pollination for reproductive success. Further, pollen supplementation significantly enhanced the fruit setting and mean seed per fruit at both study sites, suggesting pollen limitation. Additionally, pollen production and pollen/ovule ratio also indicated the facultative autogamous breeding system in I. triloba. Overall, these reproductive characteristics such as mixed mating systems and generalist insect visitation may allow the invasive I. triloba to establish new populations from low numbers of propagules.
Efficacy and safety of treating acute haemoptysis using glue embolization: A retrospective observational study and comparison to the literature
Authors: Shamseldin Mohammed , Kluge Jörg , Bauer Jens‐Uwe , Puls Ralf 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroductionA retrospective observational study of the short‐term efficacy and safety of using glue embolization, namely n‐butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate (NBCA), in bronchial artery embolization (BAE) and comparison with the literature. The main aim of the study is to display the safety of this embolic material through standardization of interventional procedure for consideration of NBCA as a possible primary embolic agent in cases of BAE.MethodsA total of 35 BAE was performed in 31 patients with acute haemoptysis after failure of bronchoscopic therapy using NBCA. The mean age was 56 years with 22 male patients. Pre‐interventional bronchoscopy and computed tomographic angiography were performed. In 35 cases, embolization was performed exclusively with NBCA. One patient in combination with coils and one with particles and coils. The 1:4 NBCA‐to‐Lipiodol mixture was most commonly used. Post‐interventional bronchoscopy was performed after 24 h.ResultsTechnical success was possible in all cases. Clinical success was achieved in 94.3%. There was a mortality rate of 6.5% within 48 h. No other embolization related major complications were noticed. A minor complication of temporary ischaemia of the bronchial mucosa. No reperfusion of the embolized vessel, however with rebleeding in four patients from different primarily not embolized bronchial arteries.ConclusionDespite previous concerns about its safety based on previous reports and in line with recent studies, we conclude that NBCA is a safe and effective embolic agent to perform BAE in cases of acute haemoptysis if performed according to a clear standard operating procedure as described with a possible superiority over embolic agents. Further blinded prospective comparative studies are necessary.
Regenerative strategies of Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae) at its altitudinal limits in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Marques Feliciano da Silva Verônica , Oda Gabriela A. , de Mattos Eduardo A. , Portela Rita C. Q. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPopulations occurring at the limit of a species' altitudinal distribution undergo strong environmental filtering. Rapid climate change intensifies this process, impacting ecological responses of populations. Understanding the effects of climate change, especially in the early stages of plant development, has become essential to predict vulnerability to extinction. However, few studies have explored initial establishment strategies of plant populations at the limit of their distribution in the face of global warming. We tested the effects of increasing temperatures on germination performance and on initial seedling establishment on two populations of Euterpe edulis, a palm tree widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest between 0 and 1400 m altitude. The tests were conducted in a laboratory, where the seeds were exposed to three conditions for 90 days: control at 25°C, and two treatments at higher temperatures (35 and 40°C). Germination percentage was not affected by population, seed size class or treatments. Average time for germination only increased in the Montane Forest population in the most extreme treatment, while in the sea level Restinga population, time for germination was affected by a small temperature increase. Mortality percentage in the Restinga population was similar in the post‐germination phase and in the temperature treatments. We concluded that E. edulis populations located at their lower altitudinal limit are closer to the species thermal limit, thus being more vulnerable to temperature increase than populations at the upper limit of the species' altitudinal distribution.
Time will tell: Taxonomic and functional diversity of monilophyte ferns in native forests and abandoned silviculture systems
Authors: Martinelli Luana Makhleine , de Souza Rezende Renan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDifferent forest systems can influence the function, traits, diversity, and distribution of ferns. By comparing ferns based on their functional traits, we can explore how species loss affects functional diversity, and consequently alter the forest ecosystem. We investigated the impact of abandoned silviculture on fern diversity (taxonomic and functional) and abundance. Our hypothesis suggests a positive effect of nutrients and soil humidity in native forests, while canopy openness in silviculture has a negative effect on monilophyte diversity. This study was conducted in three sites of native forest and three sites of Pinus silviculture. Each site was subdivided into three areas, with three plots per area, resulting in 54 plots (3 sites × 3 areas × 3 plots × 2 forest types). Each plot covered an area of 100 m2 (10 m × 10 m; 5400 m2 in total). In each plot, we estimated abundance, functional attributes (richness, evenness, divergence, and dispersion) based on leaf thickness, leaf width, petiole length, stem length, leaf division, sori shape, indusium presence, and taxonomic diversity. Results indicate that native forest exhibit higher taxonomic and functional diversity (richness—Fric) compared to abandoned Pinus plantations, which may be attributed to high habitat diversity and species specialization in specific microhabitats. In silviculture, diversity homogenization leads to an increase in the redundancy of functional attributes (evenness—Feve), resulting in the filtering out of similar organisms. Abiotic factors such as light and canopy openness negatively influence plant establishment and growth, leading to a decrease in leaf division and indusium presence/absence (by CWMs), supporting niche complementarity theory in natural forest and mass ratio theory in silviculture. Our findings highlight the enduring negative impact of silviculture, even after 20 years, on both the taxonomic and functional diversity of monilophytes, underscoring the crucial role of native forests in preserving fern diversity.
Youth fatal drug overdose and suicide: Trends in Connecticut, 2019–2021
Authors: Kaminer Yifrah , Burke Rebecca , Zhornitsky Simon , Gill James , Zajac Kristyn , Hesselbrock Victor 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIncreasing rates of fatal drug overdose (FDO) among youth since 2016 have been driven by fentanyl and polysubstance use. Suicide by youth also increased steadily since 2007. The manner of FDO may be accidental (i.e., unintentional) or suicidal (i.e., intentional). This report examines the rate of youth intentional and unintentional FDO as well as specific drug toxicology in Connecticut, between the years 2019 and 2021, compared to a 2016–2018 report.MethodsWe reviewed N = 286 consecutive FDO files of youth, <26 years of age dated for 2019–2021 from the Connecticut Medical Examiner's office.ResultsFDO attributed to fentanyl increased significantly from 2016 to 2018 to 2019 to 2021. Xylazine FDO emerged in 2019 and reached 16% in 2021. Intentional FDO rates doubled between these periods from 3.8% to 7.7%. Most FDOs involved individuals aged 20–25 years, whereas 10% were among those aged 15–19. For the first time since 2018, FDO among 10–14 years old was detected. Analysis of gender found no differences. Within each gender, however, FDO attributed to fentanyl increased significantly between these periods. The FDO rate for Hispanics increased significantly, while the rate for Whites decreased significantly.Discussion and ConclusionsThe availability of high lethality potential drugs leading to youth FDO including an increasing rate of intentional FDO, is a public health concern. It is prudent to identify modifiable acute high‐risk circumstances for intentional FDO and prevention‐intervention evidence‐based approach to reduce FDO.Scientific SignificanceThis is the first study of FDO among youth examining the manner of death by suicide.
Global burden of vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis and their related vaccines, 1967–2023: A comprehensive analysis of the international pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Lee Kyeonghun , Lee Hayeon , Kwon Rosie , Shin Youn Ho , Yeo Seung Geun , Lee Young Joo , Kim Min Seo , Choi Yong Sung , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Rahmati Masoud , Jung Junyang , Lee Jinseok , Yon Dong Keon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundVaccine‐associated anaphylaxis is a rare but life‐threatening reaction that occurs within minutes to hours of exposure to allergens. As studies utilizing large‐scale data to investigate this topic are limited, further research is needed to assess its burden, long‐term trends, and associated risk factors so as to gain a comprehensive understanding of vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis globally. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the global burden of vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis and related vaccines.MethodThis study utilized the World Health Organization International Pharmacovigilance Database, in which reports of vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis between 1967 and 2023 were obtained (total reports = 131,255,418). We estimated the global reporting counts, reported odds ratio (ROR), and information component (IC) to identify the relationship between 19 vaccines and associated anaphylaxis in 156 countries and territories.ResultsWe identified 31,676 reports of vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis among 363,290 reports of all‐cause anaphylaxis. The cumulative number of reports on vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis has gradually increased over time, with a dramatic increase after 2020, owing to reports of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis. The typhoid vaccines were associated with the most anaphylactic reports (ROR: 4.35; IC0.25: 1.86), followed by encephalitis (3.27; 1.45), hepatitis B (2.69; 1.30), cholera (2.65; 0.54), hepatitis A (2.44; 1.12), influenza (2.36; 1.16), inactivated whole‐virus COVID‐19 (2.21; 1.02), and COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines (1.89; 0.79). In terms of age‐ and sex‐specific risks, vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis reports develop more frequently in females and at young ages. The Ad5‐vectored COVID‐19 vaccine anaphylaxis reports were associated with the highest fatality rate (15.0%).ConclusionsAlthough multiple vaccines are associated with various spectra and risks of anaphylaxis, clinicians should recognize the possibility of anaphylaxis occurring with all vaccines, particularly the COVID‐19 mRNA and inactivated whole‐virus COVID‐19 vaccines, and consider the risk factors associated with vaccine anaphylaxis reports. Further studies are warranted to identify better ways of preventing vaccine‐associated anaphylaxis.