bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Performance on Atari Games Using Perceptual Control Architecture Without Training
Authors: Gulrez Tauseef , Mansell Warren 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDeep reinforcement learning (DRL) requires large samples and a long training time to operate optimally. Yet humans rarely require long periods of training to perform well on novel tasks, such as computer games, once they are provided with an accurate program of instructions. We used perceptual control theory (PCT) to construct a simple closed-loop model which requires no training samples and training time within a video game study using the Arcade Learning Environment (ALE). The model was programmed to parse inputs from the environment into hierarchically organised perceptual signals, and it computed a dynamic error signal by subtracting the incoming signal for each perceptual variable from a reference signal to drive output signals to reduce this error. We tested the same model across three different Atari games Breakout, Pong and Video Pinball to achieve performance at least as high as DRL paradigms, and close to good human performance. Our study shows that perceptual control models, based on simple assumptions, can perform well without learning. We conclude by specifying a parsimonious role of learning that may be more similar to psychological functioning.
Unbalanced Multi-marginal Optimal Transport
Authors: Beier Florian , von Lindheim Johannes , Neumayer Sebastian , Steidl Gabriele 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEntropy-regularized optimal transport and its multi-marginal generalization have attracted increasing attention in various applications, in particular due to efficient Sinkhorn-like algorithms for computing optimal transport plans. However, it is often desirable that the marginals of the optimal transport plan do not match the given measures exactly, which led to the introduction of the so-called unbalanced optimal transport. Since unbalanced methods were not examined for the multi-marginal setting so far, we address this topic in the present paper. More precisely, we introduce the unbalanced multi-marginal optimal transport problem and its dual and show that a unique optimal transport plan exists under mild assumptions. Furthermore, we generalize the Sinkhorn algorithm for regularized unbalanced optimal transport to the multi-marginal setting and prove its convergence. For cost functions decoupling according to a tree, the iterates can be computed efficiently. At the end, we discuss three applications of our framework, namely two barycenter problems and a transfer operator approach, where we establish a relation between the barycenter problem and the multi-marginal optimal transport with an appropriate tree-structured cost function.
Periodontitis and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Le Quynh-Anh , Akhter Rahena , Coulton Kimberly Mathieu , Vo Ngoc Truong Nhu , Duong Le Thi Yen , Nong Hoang Viet , Yaacoub Albert , Condous George , Eberhard Joerg , Nanan Ralph 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Objectives
A conflicting body of evidence suggests localized periodontal inflammation spreads systemically during pregnancy inducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to specifically evaluate the relationship between periodontitis and preeclampsia.

Methods
Electronic searches were carried out in Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trial Register, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar with no restrictions on the year of publication. We identified and selected observational case–control and cohort studies that analyzed the association between periodontal disease and preeclampsia. This meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA checklist and MOOSE checklist. Pooled odds ratios, mean difference, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random effect model. Heterogeneity was tested with Cochran’s Q statistic.

Results
Thirty studies including six cohort- and twenty-four case–control studies were selected. Periodontitis was significantly associated with increased risk for preeclampsia (OR 3.18, 95% CI 2.26 – 4.48, p < 0.00001), especially in a subgroup analysis including cohort studies (OR 4.19, 95% CI 2.23 – 7.87, p < 0.00001). The association was even stronger in a subgroup analysis with lower-middle-income countries (OR 6.70, 95% CI 2.61 – 17.19, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions
Periodontitis appears as a significant risk factor for preeclampsia, which might be even more pronounced in lower-middle-income countries. Future studies to investigate if maternal amelioration of periodontitis prevents preeclampsia might be warranted.
C*-algebraic approach to interacting quantum field theory: inclusion of Fermi fields
Authors: Brunetti Romeo , Dütsch Michael , Fredenhagen Klaus , Rejzner Kasia 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe extend the C*-algebraic approach to interacting quantum field theory, proposed recently by Detlev Buchholz and one of us (KF) to Fermi fields. The crucial feature of our approach is the use of auxiliary Grassmann variables in a functorial way.
High payload watermarking based on enhanced image saliency detection
Authors: Khan Ahmed , Wong KokSheik 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNowadays, images are circulated rapidly over the internet and they are subject to some risk of misuses. To address this issue, various watermarking methods are proposed in the literature. However, most conventional methods achieve a certain trade-off among imperceptibility and high capacity payload, and they are not able to improve these criteria simultaneously. Therefore, in this paper, a robust saliency-based image watermarking method is proposed to achieve high payload and high quality watermarked image. First, an enhanced salient object model is proposed to produce a saliency map, followed by a binary mask to segments the foreground/background region of a host image. The same mask is then consulted to decompose the watermark image. Next, the RGB channels of the watermark are encrypted by using Arnold, 3-DES and multi-flipping permutation encoding (MFPE). Furthermore, the principal key used for encryption is embedded in the singular matrix of the blue channel. Moreover, the blue channel is encrypted by using the Okamoto-Uchiyama homomorphic encryption (OUHE) method. Finally, these encrypted watermark channels are diffused and embedded into the host channels. When the need arises, more watermarks can be embedded into the host at the expense of the quality of the embedded watermarks. Our method can embed watermark of the same dimension as the host image, which is the first of its kind. Experimental results suggest that the proposed method maintains robustness while achieving high image quality and high payload. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods.
Attitudes of non-participating general practitioners and community pharmacists towards interprofessional medication management in primary care: an interview study
Authors: Moecker Robert , Fuchs Andreas ,   ARMIN Study Group, Eickhoff Christiane , Mueller Uta , Schulz Martin , Fuchs Andreas , Braun Dorit , Maywald Ulf , Doehler Catharina , Maetzler Mike , Auerbach Anja , Kuhn Urs Dieter , Moeckel Anke , Honscha Christine , Donner Susanne , Fink Stefan , Wagner Kathrin , Meid Andreas D. , Moecker Robert , Ruff Carmen , Seidling Hanna M. , Stoll Felicitas , Weissenborn Marina , Wirbka Lucas , Haefeli Walter E. , Weissenborn Marina , Seidling Hanna M. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Interprofessional medication management in primary care is a recognized strategy for improving medication safety, but it is poorly implemented in Germany. As a pilot project, ARMIN [Arzneimittelinitiative Sachsen-Thüringen] was initiated in 2014 to establish better interprofessional medication management between general practitioners and community pharmacists.

Aim
The aim of this study was to explore the views of non-participating general practitioners and community pharmacists towards interprofessional medication management within ARMIN and to identify barriers to participation.

Method
This was an interview study comprising a series of semi-structured telephone interviews. In total, 36 general practitioners and 15 community pharmacists were interviewed in the period between March and June 2020. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis as an inductive approach and the consolidated framework for implementation research as a deductive approach.

Results
Many general practitioners and community pharmacists had a generally positive attitude towards interprofessional medication management. However, various barriers were identified and categorized into five major themes: (I) collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists, e.g. concerning general practitioners’ professional sovereignty and pharmacists’ fear of jeopardizing their relationship with general practitioners when interfering in therapy; (II) eligibility for participation, e.g., the fact that patients had to be insured with a specific statutory health insurance fund; (III) local circumstances, e.g. many pharmacists could not find a collaborating general practitioner (and vice versa). Moreover, patient demand was low, probably because patients were not aware of the program; (IV) information technology, e.g. concerning the lack of available software and data security concerns; and (V) cost–benefit ratio, e.g. the fact that potential benefits were outweighed by program-associated costs.

Conclusion
The perceived discrepancy between positive attitudes and multiple prevalent barriers indicates considerable potential for further interprofessional collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists.
Development and evaluation of an assessment of the age-appropriateness/inappropriateness of formulations used in children
Authors: Duncan Jennifer C. , Bracken Louise E. , Nunn Anthony J. , Peak Matthew , Turner Mark A. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Medicines designed for adults may be inappropriate for use in children in terms of strength, dosage form and/or excipient content. There is currently no standardised method of assessing the age-appropriateness of a medicine for paediatric use.

Aim
To develop and test a tool to assess whether a dosage form (formulation) is appropriate for children and estimate the proportion of formulations considered ‘inappropriate’ in a cohort of hospitalised paediatric patients with a chronic illness.

Method
A multi-phase study: patient data collection, tool development, case assessments and tool validation. Inpatients aged 0–17 years at two UK paediatric/neonatal hospitals during data collection periods between January 2015 and March 2016. Written informed consent/assent was obtained. Medicines assessed were new or regularly prescribed to inpatients as part of their routine clinical care. All medicine administration episodes recorded were assessed using the Age-appropriate Formulation tool. The tool was developed by a consensus approach, as a one-page flowchart. Independent case assessments were evaluated in 2019.

Results
In 427 eligible children; 2,199 medicine administration episodes were recorded. Two assessors reviewed 220 episodes in parallel: percentage exact agreement was found to be 91.7% (99/108) and 93.1% (95/102). In total, 259/2,199 (11.8%) medicine administration episodes involved a dosage form categorised as ‘age-inappropriate’.

Conclusion
A novel tool has been developed and internally validated. The tool can identify which medicines would benefit from development of an improved paediatric formulation. It has shown high inter-rater reliability between users. External validation is needed to further assess the tool’s utility in different settings.
Spectral reflection and crop parameters: can the disentanglement of primary and secondary traits lead to more robust and extensible prediction models?
Authors: Rose Maren , Rose Till , Kage Henning 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRecently the application of spectral reflection data for the prediction of crop parameters for applications in precision agriculture, such as green area index (GAI), total aboveground dry matter (DM), and total aboveground nitrogen content (N content) increases. However, the usability of vegetation indices (VI) for the prediction of crop parameters is strongly limited by the fact that most VI calibrations are only valid for specific crops and growth periods. The results of the presented study based on the differentiation of primary (main driver of the reflectance signal) and secondary (not directly related to reflectance signal) crop parameters. For GAI prediction, a universal (without crop-specific parametrization) simple ratio vegetation index (SR) provided good calibration (R2 adj. = 0.90, MAE = 0.32, rMAE = 22%) and evaluation results (MAE = 0.33, rMAE = 18%). The disentanglement of primary and secondary traits allowed the development of a functional two-step model for the estimation of the N content during vegetative growth (MAE = 19.2 g N m−1, rMAE = 44%). This model was based on fundamental, crop-specific relationships between the crop parameters GAI and N content. Additionally, an advanced functional approach was tested enabling the whole-season prediction of DM and confirming a reliable GAI estimation throughout the whole growing season (R2 = 0.89–0.93).
Approach for graph-based individual branch modelling of meadow orchard trees with 3D point clouds
Authors: Straub Jonas , Reiser David , Lüling Nils , Stana Alexander , Griepentrog Hans W. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe cultivation of meadow orchards provides an ecological benefit for biodiversity, which is significantly higher than in intensively cultivated orchards. However, the maintenance of meadow orchards is not economically profitable. The use of automation for pruning would reduce labour costs and avoid accidents. The goal of this research was, using photogrammetric point clouds, to automatically calculate tree models, without additional human input, as basis to estimate pruning points for meadow orchard trees. Pruning estimates require a knowledge of the major tree structure, containing the branch position, the growth direction and their topological connection. Therefore, nine apple trees were captured photogrammetrically as 3D point clouds using an RGB camera. To extract the tree models, the point clouds got filtered with a random forest algorithm, the trunk was extracted and the resulting point clouds were divided into numerous K-means clusters. The cluster centres were used to create skeleton models using methods of graph theory. For evaluation, the nodes and edges of the calculated and the manually created reference tree models were compared. The calculated models achieved a producer’s accuracy of 73.67% and a user's accuracy of 74.30% of the compared edges. These models now contain the geometric and topological structure of the trees and an assignment of their point clouds, from which further information, such as branch thickness, can be derived on a branch-specific basis. This is necessary information for the calculation of pruning areas and for the actual pruning planning, needed for the automation of tree pruning.
Effect of Thickness and Outlet Area Fraction of Macroporous Gas Diffusion Layers on Oxygen Transport Resistance in Water Injection Simulations
Authors: García-Salaberri Pablo A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEnhanced water removal through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is important for the design of high-performance proton exchange fuel cells. In this work, the effects of GDL thickness and open area fraction at the GDL/flow field interface are examined under water invasion for a carbon-paper GDL (similar to Toray TGP-H series). Both uncompressed and inhomogeneously compressed samples are considered. Transport in heterogeneous, macroporous GDLs is modeled by means of a hybrid 3D discrete/continuum formulation based on a subdivision of the porous medium into control volumes due to the lack of a well-defined separation between pore and layer scales. Capillary-dominated transport of liquid water is simulated with an invasion percolation algorithm, while oxygen diffusion is simulated with a continuum formulation. Model predictions are validated with previous numerical and experimental data. It is shown that the combination of thin GDLs ($$\mathrm {thickness} \sim 100\; \mu \mathrm {m}$$

thickness
∼
100

μ
m

) and high GDL/flow field open area fractions can facilitate water removal/oxygen supply from/to the catalyst layer and can provide a more uniform oxygen distribution over large cell active areas. In agreement with previous work, porous flow fields with pore sizes comparable to the GDL thickness are good candidates to meet the above requirements, while improving water removal from the flow field (higher gas-phase velocity than conventional millimeter-sized channels) and ensuring a more uniform assembly compression.
High-Temperature Hydrogen Attack on 2.25Cr-1Mo Steel: The Roles of Residual Carbon, Initial Microstructure and Carbide Stability
Authors: Alshahrani M. A. M. , Ooi S. W. , Colliander M. Hörnqvist , El-Fallah G. M. A. M. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHigh temperature hydrogen attack is a damage mechanism that occurs in critical steel components in petrochemical plants and refineries when the hydrogen penetrates the steel and reacts with the carbides within to produce pores containing methane. With the motivation of understanding the role of carbide stability on the reaction with hydrogen, samples of a classic 2$$\frac{1}{4}$$

1
4

Cr-1Mo steel were subjected to a variety of heat treatments that generate a corresponding variety of precipitates, prior to exposure to high-pressure hydrogen in an autoclave. Using quantitative carbide, porosity and microstructural characterisation, it has been possible to demonstrate the roles of four variables: (a) the carbon residue present in the ferrite; (b) the non-equilibrium chemical composition of carbide; (c) the fraction of the carbide that is closest to the thermodynamic equilibrium state and (d) the initial microstructural state, i.e., whether it is martensitic or bainitic prior to heat treatment.
In Silico Simulations and Functional Cell Studies Evidence Similar Potency and Distinct Binding of Pacific and Caribbean Ciguatoxins
Authors: Raposo-García Sandra , Castro David , Lence Emilio , Estévez Pablo , Leão José Manuel , González-Bello Concepción , Gago-Martínez Ana , Louzao M. Carmen , Vale Carmen , Botana Luis M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCiguatoxins (CTX) cause ciguatera poisoning, which is the most common reported human food poisoning related to natural marine toxins. Pacific ciguatoxins are the most abundant and studied CTX analogues; however, the growing distribution of Caribbean analogues and the limited data available on their biological effects make necessary to re-evaluate their relative potency. For decades, the guidelines established by regulatory agencies have assumed that the potency of the Caribbean CTXs were tenfold lower than the Pacific CTXs. We present here an integrated study involving Neuro-2a cells (the method used worldwide to test ciguatoxins), electrophysiological assays, and in silico simulations that evidence the similar cytotoxicity of Caribbean and Pacific ciguatoxins and their asymmetry binding within sodium channels. The binding mode of the toxins was first explored by molecular docking using the GOLD program and the resulting binary complexes were further studied by Molecular Dynamics simulation studies using the molecular mechanics force field AMBER. The simulation studies explain their distinct impact on the activation potential of the channel as experimentally observed and provide a detailed picture of the effects caused by these toxins on an atomic scale.
Graphical Abstract
Three-dimensional b-value and Fractal Dimension Mapping of the Uttarakhand Himalayan Region
Authors: Mandal Prantik , Srinagesh D. , Suresh G. , Naresh B. , Singh Dhiraj Kumar , Swathi K. , Devi Arti , Raghavan R. Vijaya , Shekar M. , Saha Satish , Vengala P.K. , Gupta A.K. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The 3-D distributions of b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution and fractal correlation dimension (D2) of seismically active Uttarakhand Himalayan seismic zone is presented. For this study, a catalogue of 525 local earthquakes was used (ML1.0-5.5) during 2017-2020. The de-clustered catalog is found to be complete above ML=2.6. The b-value is estimated to be 0.82±0.06 by maximum likelihood method. The modelled b- and D2 estimates in the study area range from 0.35 to 1.524 and 0.29 to 1.71, respectively. The present study reveals a negative b-D2 relationship (i.e. D2=-0.008b + 1.536, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9892) with week clustering. The modeling detects two zones (viz., A, and B) of high D2 and low b-values within the MCT zone, which are defined as high hazard zones (HHZ) while zone C (in the SE part of the MCT zone) with high D2 and high b-values is detected as an intermediate hazard zone. Also, three zones (D, E and F) with low D2 and low b-values are identified as low hazard zones (LHZ), which are located away from the MCT zone. The A and B high hazard zones can accumulate high levels of tectonic stress and pose risks for generating large earthquakes in the future. But, IHZ-C represents intermediate hazard level that can generate M≥5 events in future. The mapped A and B zones are inferred to be most hazardous in the region, which correlate well with recognized seismogeneic nodes capable of M6.5+ earthquakes in the region as suggested by the geomorphological zoning using pattern recognition.
Reliability Analysis for Liquefaction Risk Assessment for the City of Patna, India using Hybrid Computational Modeling
Authors: Ghani Sufyan , Sunita Kumari 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT
In the present study, the first-order reliability method (FORM) is applied to evaluate the failure of soil deposits during seismic excitation for the city of Patna, India. Patna is emerging as one of the metro cities and the rapid infrastructure development in the city with high pace construction of road and metro services along with several smart city projects have led to immense growth in civil engineering structures. Therefore, liquefaction assessment of Patna is an important subject due to the geographical and seismic location of the city. A detailed comparative study has been performed between first-order second moment (FOSM) and advanced first-order second-moment (AFOSM) reliability methods to determine the most suitable method to evaluate the potential risk of liquefaction for Patna city. Reliability index (β) values obtained from AFOSM analysis are in true accordance with the deterministic approach and therefore can be considered as an appropriate tool for reliability analysis for this city. The analysis establishes that the city of Patna exhibits high possibilities of liquefaction failure during high-intensity earthquakes i.e. Mw = 6.5. Also, a concept of a predictive computational model developed by the hybridization of ANN and GWO algorithms to determine β value using geotechnical and seismic parameters has been proposed. The high precision and error-free performance of the ANN-GWO model provides a powerful computational tool to assist the prediction of β. The results of the study could be used to comprehend the potential risk against liquefaction and provide a novel and insightful concept of risk assessment for safe and economic construction practices.