bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Broadband Asymmetric Light Transport in Compact Lithium Niobate Waveguides
Authors: Wu Shengjie , Song Wange , Sun Jiacheng , Lin Zhiyuan , Xin Haoran , Zhu Shining , Li Tao 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAsymmetric on‐chip light transport is important but always challenging for photonic integrations. Although it has been recently implemented by adiabatically encircling the exceptional points in a non‐Hermitian system, these approaches are fundamentally restricted to the adiabatic condition that brings disadvantages of low transmission efficiency and large device footprint. Here, it is proposed to realize a broadband asymmetric light transport in compact non‐Hermitian coupled waveguides on the lithium niobate‐on‐insulator (LNOI) platform. The asymmetric function is fulfilled by a particular mode selection in a loss‐controlled LNOI waveguide triplet, where a lossless zero mode plays a crucial role. Moreover, the shortcut to adiabaticity is applied to speed up the light evolution and shorten the device length. The approach works out a new strategy to establish an asymmetric light transport in a compact form, indicating further new on‐chip light manipulations in this promising LNOI photonic platform.
The Role of Levodopa Challenge in Predicting the Outcome of Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Wolke Robin , Becktepe Jos Steffen , Paschen Steffen , Helmers Ann‐Kristin , Kübler‐Weller Dorothee , Youn Jinyoung , Brinker Dana , Bergman Hagai , Kühn Andrea A. , Fasano Alfonso , Deuschl Günther 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundDeep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN‐DBS) is an effective and evidence‐based treatment for idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD). A minority of patients does not sufficiently benefit from STN‐DBS.ObjectiveThe predictive validity of the levodopa challenge for individual patients is analyzed.MethodsData from patients assessed with a preoperative Levodopa‐test and a follow‐up examination (mean ± standard deviation: 9.15 months ±3.39) from Kiel (n = 253), Berlin (n = 78) and Toronto (n = 98) were studied. Insufficient DBS outcome was defined as an overall UPDRS‐III reduction <33% compared to UPDRS‐III in med‐off at baseline or alternatively if the minimal clinically important improvement of 5 points was not reached. Single UPDRS‐items and sub‐scores were dichotomized. Following exploratory analysis, we trained supervised regression‐ and classification models for outcome prediction.ResultsData analysis confirmed significant correlation between the absolute UPDRS‐III reduction during Levodopa challenge and after stimulation. But individual improvement was inaccurately predicted with a large range of up to 30 UPDRS III points. Further analysis identified preoperative UPDRS‐III/med‐off‐scores and preoperative Levodopa‐improvement as most influential factors. The models for UPDRS‐III and sub‐scores improvement achieved comparably low accuracy.ConclusionsWith large prediction intervals, the Levodopa challenge use for patient counseling is limited, though remains important for excluding non‐responders to Levodopa. Despite these deficiencies, the current practice of patient selection is highly successful and builds not only on the Levodopa challenge. However, more specific motor tasks and further paraclinical tools for prediction need to be developed.
An efficient and accurate numerical method for the fractional optimal control problems with fractional Laplacian and state constraint
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Yang Yin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the numerical approximation of an optimal control problem with fractional Laplacian and state constraint in integral form based on the Caffarelli–Silvestre expansion. The first order optimality conditions of the extended optimal control problem is obtained. An enriched spectral Galerkin discrete scheme for the extended problem based on weighted Laguerre polynomials is proposed. A priori error estimate for the enriched spectral discrete scheme is proved. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our method and validate the theoretical results.
Characterizing regional and global effects of epicardial adipose tissue on cardiac systolic and diastolic function
Authors: Hearon Christopher M. , Reddy Shiva , Dias Katrin A. , Shankar Aditi , MacNamara James , Levine Benjamin , Sarma Satyam 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether regional epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) exerts localized effects on adjacent myocardial left ventricular (LV) function.MethodsCardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography, dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry, and exercise testing were performed in 71 patients with obesity with elevated cardiac biomarkers and visceral fat. Total and regional (anterior, inferior, lateral, right ventricular) EAT was quantified by MRI. Diastolic function was quantified by echocardiography. MRI was used to quantify regional longitudinal LV strain.ResultsEAT was associated with visceral adiposity (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001) but not total fat mass. Total EAT was associated with markers of diastolic function (early tissue Doppler relaxation velocity [e'], mitral inflow velocity ratio [E/A], early mitral inflow/e' ratio [E/e']), but only E/A remained significant after adjustment for visceral adiposity (r = −0.30, p = 0.015). Right ventricular and LV EAT had similar associations with diastolic function. There was no evidence for localized effects of regional EAT deposition on adjacent regional longitudinal strain.ConclusionsThere was no association between regional EAT deposition and corresponding regional LV segment function. Furthermore, the association between total EAT and diastolic function was attenuated after adjustment for visceral fat, indicating that systemic metabolic impairments contribute to diastolic dysfunction in high‐risk middle‐aged adults.
Analysis of safety specifications in risk management plan at the time of drug approval and addition of clinically significant adverse reactions in the package insert post‐approval in Japan
Authors: Saito Rieko , Miyazaki Seiko 
Published: June 2023

AbstractRecently, post‐marketing safety measures have been considered critical in Japan due to the globalization of drug development and the introduction of new drug approval systems. Pharmacists are expected to play an active role in ensuring the safety of drugs post‐approval. Utilizing risk management plans (RMPs) to ensure safety throughout the development and post‐marketing phases is becoming even more critical. In this study, we examine the relationship between the safety specifications (SSs) in RMPs at the time of drug approval and the adverse reactions (ARs) added to the clinically significant adverse reactions (CSARs) section of the package inserts (PIs) post‐approval to determine whether SSs constitute useful drug information for pharmacists. The analysis included new active ingredient‐containing drugs approved in Japan from FY2013 to 2019. A 2 × 2 contingency table was created and analyzed using odds ratios (ORs) and Fisher's exact test. The OR was 14.22 (95% CI: 7.85–24.77; p < .001), which indicates a strong relationship between the ARs being SSs at the time of approval and being added to the PIs as CSARs post‐approval. The positive predictive value that SSs at the time of approval were added as CSARs to the PIs post‐approval was 7.1%. In addition, a similar relationship was observed with the “approval in shorter‐period drugs” reviewed for approval based on a limited number of clinical trials. Therefore, SSs in RMPs are important drug information for pharmacists in Japan.
Robust consensus of multi‐agent systems with multiplicative uncertainties and its application in time synchronization
Authors: Wang Bo , Han Zhimin , Zhai Chunjie , Lv Xinxin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis article first studies the robust consensus problem of discrete‐time single‐integrator multi‐agent systems (MASs) with multiplicative uncertainties in switching networks. Under the assumption that the uncertainty is polynomially decaying, we prove that the consensus of the MAS can be achieved by adopting the decaying gain protocol if the switching network is uniformly strongly connected (USC). The convergence rate is quantified in terms of the decay rate of uncertainties. Then, we use the consensus conclusion studying the convergence analysis problem of a typical time synchronization algorithm (the LSTS algorithm proposed in Tian [IEEE Trans Automat Contr. 2017;62(10):5445–5450]) in wireless sensor networks. We prove that the LSTS algorithm can still achieve the bounded time synchronization even if the switching network is USC, a more general topology condition compared with existing convergence results in Tian (IEEE Trans Automat Contr. 2017;62(10):5445–5450). Simulation results are given to verify the correctness of both the consensus conclusion for MASs and convergence conclusion for LSTS algorithm.
Thermally Derived Hierarchical Nanoplates for Electromagnetic Protection and Waste Energy Recovery Device
Authors: Wang Meng‐Qi , Shu Jin‐Cheng , Wan Xiao , Cao Wen‐Qiang , Cao Mao‐Sheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWith the advent of intelligent society and the popularity of electronic equipment, the protection and treatment of electromagnetic (EM) radiation have become hot research topics all over the world. Herein, novel 2D carbon‐based nanoplates with uniformly embedded Co nanoparticles are prepared, with unique hierarchical structure and integrated magnetic‐dielectric components. The obtained hierarchical nanoplates exhibit a wide range of tunable EM properties (ε′ for 3.38 to 34.67 and ε″ for 0.13 to 31.45) by manipulating the dispersed states inside wax system, which can achieve an effective switch from microwave absorption to EM interference shielding performance. The optimal reflection loss reaches −55.6 dB, and the shielding efficiency is 93.5%. Meanwhile, the hierarchical nanoplates also exhibit impressive capacitive performance, with a specific capacitance of 1654 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. Based on this, a creative device is constructed with the nanoplates, which can convert harmful EM radiation to useful electric energy for recycling. This work offers a new idea for the development of EM materials and functional devices, powerfully promoting the advance of energy and environmental fields.
Machine learning approach for measuring water quality of coastline and estuaries in Chennai coastal area
Authors: Kamarajan M. , Mohan S. R. , Anusuya S. , Sakthivel D. , Gopirajan Punniyakotti Varadharajan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractChennai has had the longest coastline over other major cities of India. It is decidedly vital to monitor seawater quality due to the increased coastline population. This study presents an Android mobile application based on a machine learning approach to perform basic testing parameters of seawater by applying convolutional neural network concepts. A commercially available “saltwater master test kit” was used in this study to test the level of pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Total Phosphate (T.P.) in seawater. Six water samples collected from every 10 regions, including the coastline and coastal estuaries, were tested with the test kit in a microplate. Images were captured in the solely designed mobile app, and they were pre‐processed, and RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) were recorded from the Region of Interest (R.O.I.) of the image. A supervised Convolutional Neural Network Image Classifier (SCNNIC) algorithm was developed to classify the RGB pixel values. CIEDE2000 (C2K) color difference algorithm was applied over the recorded RGB values with the datasets stored previously to result in the nearest color match between the ideal dataset and R.O.I. of the captured image. Grayscale and RGB methods results were compared with the standard APHA method. This C2K color difference algorithm produced a percent accuracy of over 98% compared with other methods used, and R2 recorded by curve fitting method for pH, T.N. and T.P. were above 0.98. Disquieting results were reported in this study, especially in Muttukkadu backwater and Adayar river backwater estuaries, reported high values of pH (7.82 and 8.17), TN (13.74 mg/L and 13.45 mg/L) and T.P. (0.266 μg/L and 0.724 μg/L). The mean for all 10 regions of 110 km chosen in this study for the 2 years was calculated, and values were obtained as pH‐8.33, TN‐5.321 mg/L, and TP‐0.143 μg/L.
Feeding the future in Ghana: Gender inequality, poverty, and food insecurity
Authors: Egyir Irene S. , O'Brien Cheryl , Bandanaa Joseph , Opit George P. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs women's empowerment is critical for the adoption of agricultural technologies by farmers, some governments have over the last three decades adopted a gender equality approach to food security. In Ghana, women play a vital role as farmers and food processors, which means they impact household nutrition in important ways. In this article, we explore women's empowerment in maize‐producing sites in Ghana by drawing on original data collected from over 400 farmers and service providers as part of a United States Agency for International Development‐funded Feed the Future project. We employ a quasi‐“women's empowerment in agriculture index” to measure the extent to which men and women maize producers are either empowered or disempowered in the domains of production, access to resources, control over income, leadership, and time allocation. Our study reveals that cost and time poverty are the main factors that influence the adoption of technologies to reduce postharvest losses. We also find that women are disproportionately disempowered in the areas of control over the use of income and time poverty. Importantly, we further find that researchers need to account for perceived versus actual empowerment when examining gender inequality in agriculture. Our study findings and policy recommendations will be of interest to policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners.
Weak Galerkin finite element methods with and without stabilizers for H(div;Ω)${\bf H}(\mbox{div}; \Omega )$‐elliptic problems
Authors: Kumar Raman , Deka Bhupen 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this article, we propose the weak Galerkin (WG) finite element schemes for ‐elliptic problems with and without stabilizers. Optimal orders of convergence are established for the WG approximations in both discrete energy norm and L2 norm. Removing stabilizers from WG finite element methods will simplify the formulations, reduce programming complexity, and may also speed up the computation time. More precisely, for sufficiently smooth solutions, we have proved the supercloseness of order two for the stabilizer free weak Galerkin finite element solution. Several numerical tests are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Visual working memory in immersive visualization: a change detection experiment and an image-computable model
Authors: Bassano Chiara , Chessa Manuela , Solari Fabio 
Published: June 2023

AbstractVisual working memory (VWM) is a cognitive mechanism essential for interacting with the environment and accomplishing ongoing tasks, as it allows fast processing of visual inputs at the expense of the amount of information that can be stored. A better understanding of its functioning would be beneficial to research fields such as simulation and training in immersive Virtual Reality or information visualization and computer graphics. The current work focuses on the design and implementation of a paradigm for evaluating VWM in immersive visualization and of a novel image-based computational model for mimicking the human behavioral data of VWM. We evaluated the VWM at the variation of four conditions: set size, spatial layout, visual angle (VA) subtending stimuli presentation space, and observation time. We adopted a full factorial design and analysed participants’ performances in the change detection experiment. The analysis of hit rates and false alarm rates confirms the existence of a limit of VWM capacity of around 7 ± 2 items, as found in the literature based on the use of 2D videos and images. Only VA and observation time influence performances (p<0.0001). Indeed, with VA enlargement, participants need more time to have a complete overview of the presented stimuli. Moreover, we show that our model has a high level of agreement with the human data, r>0.88 (p<0.05).
Telemedicine for cognitive impairment: a telephone survey of patients’ experiences with neurological video consultation
Authors: Ruggiero Fabiana , Zirone Eleonora , Molisso Maria Takeko , Carandini Tiziana , Fumagalli Giorgio , Pietroboni Anna , Ferrucci Roberta , Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Poletti Barbara , Silani Vincenzo , Comi Giacomo , Scarpini Elio , Barbieri Sergio , Arighi Andrea , Mameli Francesca 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the experience with telemedicine in patients with cognitive impairments and their caregivers.

Methods
We conducted a survey-based study of patients who completed neurological consultation via video link between January and April 2022.

Results
A total of 62 eligible neurological video consultations were conducted for the following categories of patients: Alzheimer’s disease (33.87%), amnesic mild cognitive impairment (24.19%), frontotemporal dementia (17.74%), Lewy body dementia (4.84%), mixed dementia (3.23%), subjective memory disorders (12.90%), non-amnesic mild cognitive impairment (1.61%), and multiple system atrophy (1.61%).
The survey was successfully completed by 87.10% of the caregivers and directly by the patients in 12.90% of cases. Our data showed positive feedback regarding the telemedicine experience; both caregivers and patients reported that they found neurological video consultation useful (caregivers: 87.04%, ‘very useful’; patients: 87.50%, ‘very useful’) and were satisfied overall (caregivers: 90.74%, ‘very satisfied’; patients: 100%, ‘very satisfied’). Finally, all caregivers (100%) agreed that neurological video consultation was a useful tool to reduce their burden (Visual Analogue Scale mean ± SD: 8.56 ± 0.69).

Conclusions
Telemedicine is well received by patients and their caregivers. However, successful delivery incorporates support from staff and care partners to navigate technologies. The exclusion of older adults with cognitive impairment in developing telemedicine systems may further exacerbate access to care in this population. Adapting technologies to the needs of patients and their caregivers is critical for the advancement of accessible dementia care through telemedicine.
Mapping from SIBDQ to EQ-5D-5L for patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Steiner Isa Maria , Bokemeyer Bernd , Stargardt Tom 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objective
Clinical studies commonly use disease-specific measures to assess patients’ health-related quality of life. However, economic evaluation often requires preference-based utility index scores to calculate cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). When utility index scores are not directly available, mappings are useful. To our knowledge, no mapping exists for the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Our aim was to develop a mapping from SIBDQ to the EQ-5D-5L index score with German weights for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Methods
We used 3856 observations of 1055 IBD patients who participated in a randomised controlled trial in Germany on the effect of introducing regular appointments with an IBD nurse specialist in addition to standard care with biologics. We considered five data availability scenarios. For each scenario, we estimated different regression and machine learning models: linear mixed-effects regression, mixed-effects Tobit regression, an adjusted limited dependent variable mixture model and a mixed-effects regression forest. We selected the final models with tenfold cross-validation based on a model subset and validated these with observations in a validation subset.

Results
For the first four data availability scenarios, we selected mixed-effects Tobit regressions as final models. For the fifth scenario, mixed-effects regression forest performed best. Our findings suggest that the demographic variables age and gender do not improve the mapping, while including SIBDQ subscales, IBD disease type, BMI and smoking status leads to better predictions.

Conclusion
We developed an algorithm mapping SIBDQ values to EQ-5D-5L index scores for different sets of covariates in IBD patients. It is implemented in the following web application: https://www.bwl.uni-hamburg.de/hcm/forschung/mapping.html.
Record of thanatology and cannibalism in drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus)
Authors: Casetta Grazia , Nolfo Andrea Paolo , Palagi Elisabetta 
Published: June 2023

AbstractComparative thanatology includes the scientific study of death in non-human animals, which involves emotional, social, and exploratory responses of individuals and groups towards corpses. Stillborn babies and dead infants often elicit maternal and alloparental care that can persist for days, weeks, or even months, especially in primates. After this period, cannibalistic acts can occur not only by groupmates but also by the mother. Such cannibalism has been reported both in captive and wild primate groups, suggesting that the phenomenon is evolutionary adaptive. Here, we report a case in drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus), a largely unstudied monkey species. We collected data from the birth to the death of the infant on maternal and alloparental care towards the newborn across three phases: pre-mortem, post-mortem, and post-mortem cannibalism. The mother maintained high levels of grooming after the infant’s death. Both the mother and other group members interacted with the dead baby by trying to engage its gaze. Two days after the death, the mother started to eat the corpse until it was almost completely consumed; there was no sharing with other group members. Although we cannot draw firm conclusions about potential benefits of the mother’s behavior, this observation on drills adds a piece to the puzzle of thanatological behaviors and cannibalism in primates.
The role of politeness in human–machine interactions: a systematic literature review and future perspectives
Authors: Ribino Patrizia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe growing prevalence of interactions between humans and machines, coupled with the rapid development of intelligent and human-like features in technology, necessitates considering the potential implications that an increasingly inter-personal interaction style might have on human behavior. Particularly, since human–human interactions are fundamentally affected by politeness rules, several researchers are investigating if such social norms have some implications also within human–machine interactions. This paper reviews scientific works dealing with politeness issues within human–machine interactions by considering a variety of artificial intelligence systems, such as smart devices, robots, digital assistants, and self-driving cars. This paper aims to analyze scientific results to answer the questions of why technological devices should behave politely toward humans, but above all, why human beings should be polite toward a technological device. As a result of the analysis, this paper wants to outline future research directions for the design of more effective, socially competent, acceptable, and trustworthy intelligent systems.