cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Bender--Knuth Billiards in Coxeter Groups
Creators: name: Barkley, Grant
name: Defant, Colin
name: Hodges, Eliot
name: Kravitz, Noah
name: Lee, Mitchell
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Combinatorics (math.CO)
subject: Dynamical Systems (math.DS)
subject: Group Theory (math.GR)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 05E18, 20F55, 37B20

description: Let $(W,S)$ be a Coxeter system, and write $S=\{s_i:i\in I\}$, where $I$ is a finite index set. Fix a nonempty convex subset $\mathscr{L}$ of $W$. If $W$ is of type $A$, then $\mathscr{L}$ is the set of linear extensions of a poset, and there are important Bender--Knuth involutions $\mathrm{BK}_i\colon\mathscr{L}\to\mathscr{L}$ indexed by elements of $I$. For arbitrary $W$ and for each $i\in I$, we introduce an operator $τ_i\colon W\to W$ (depending on $\mathscr{L}$) that we call a noninvertible Bender--Knuth toggle; this operator restricts to an involution on $\mathscr{L}$ that coincides with $\mathrm{BK}_i$ in type $A$. Given a Coxeter element $c=s_{i_n}\cdots s_{i_1}$, we consider the operator $\mathrm{Pro}_c=τ_{i_n}\cdotsτ_{i_1}$. We say $W$ is futuristic if for every nonempty finite convex set $\mathscr{L}$, every Coxeter element $c$, and every $u\in W$, there exists an integer $K\geq 0$ such that $\mathrm{Pro}_c^K(u)\in\mathscr{L}$. We prove that finite Coxeter groups, right-angled Coxeter groups, rank-3 Coxeter groups, affine Coxeter groups of types $\widetilde A$ and $\widetilde C$, and Coxeter groups whose Coxeter graphs are complete are all futuristic. When $W$ is finite, we actually prove that if $s_{i_N}\cdots s_{i_1}$ is a reduced expression for the long element of $W$, then $τ_{i_N}\cdotsτ_{i_1}(W)=\mathscr{L}$; this allows us to determine the smallest integer $\mathrm{M}(c)$ such that $\mathrm{Pro}_c^{\mathrm{M}(c)}(W)=\mathscr{L}$ for all $\mathscr{L}$. We also exhibit infinitely many non-futuristic Coxeter groups, including all irreducible affine Coxeter groups that are not of type $\widetilde A$, $\widetilde C$, or $\widetilde G_2$.
description: 52 pages, 13 figures
Apparent Dark Matter Inspired by Einstein Equation of State
Creators: name: Jusufi, Kimet
name: Sheykhi, Ahmad
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The purpose of this article is twofold. First, by means of Padmanabhan's proposal on the emergence nature of gravity, we recover the $Λ$CDM model and the effect of the dark matter in the context of cosmology. Toward this goal, we use the key idea of Padmanabhan that states cosmic space emerges as the cosmic time progress and link the emergence of space to the difference between the number of degrees of freedom on the boundary and in the bulk. Interestingly enough, we show that the effect of the cold dark matter in the cosmological setup can be understood by assuming an interaction between the numbers of degrees of freedom in the bulk. In the second part, we follow the Jacobson's argument and obtain the modified Einstein field equations with additional dark matter component emerging due to the interaction term between dark energy and baryonic matter related by $Ω_{DM,0}=\sqrt{2 αΩ_{M,0} Ω_{DE,0}}$, where $α$ is a coupling constant. Finally, a correspondence with Yukawa cosmology is pointed out, and the role of massive gravitons as a possibility in explaining the nature of the dark sector as well as the theoretical origin of the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) are addressed. We speculate that the interaction coupling $α$ fundamentally measures the entanglement between the gravitons and matter fields and there exists a fundamental limitation in measuring the gravitons wavelength.
description: 8 pages
Additional details of the analysis from Patterns of the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world: exponential versus power laws
Creators: name: Komarova, Natalia L.
name: Schang, Luis M.
name: Wodarz, Dominik
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: 10202 Biological Mathematics
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: We have analysed the COVID-19 epidemic data of more than 174 countries (excluding China) in the period between 22 January and 28 March 2020. We found that some countries (such as the USA, the UK and Canada) follow an exponential epidemic growth, while others (like Italy and several other European countries) show a power law like growth. Regardless of the best fitting law, many countries can be shown to follow a common trajectory that is similar to Italy (the epicentre at the time of analysis), but with varying degrees of delay. We found that countries with ‘younger’ epidemics, i.e. countries where the epidemic started more recently, tend to exhibit more exponential like behaviour, while countries that were closer behind Italy tend to follow a power law growth. We hypothesize that there is a universal growth pattern of this infection that starts off as exponential and subsequently becomes more power law like. Although it cannot be excluded that this growth pattern is a consequence of social distancing measures, an alternative explanation is that it is an intrinsic epidemic growth law, dictated by a spatially distributed community structure, where the growth in individual highly mixed communities is exponential but the longer term, local geographical spread (in the absence of global mixing) results in a power-law. This is supported by computer simulations of a metapopulation model that gives rise to predictions about the growth dynamics that are consistent with correlations found in the epidemiological data. Therefore, seeing a deviation from straight exponential growth may be a natural progression of the epidemic in each country. On the practical side, this indicates that (i) even in the absence of strict social distancing interventions, exponential growth is not an accurate predictor of longer term infection spread, and (ii) a deviation from exponential spread and a reduction of estimated doubling times do not necessarily indicate successful interventions, which are instead indicated by a transition to a reduced power or by a deviation from power law behaviour.
Zusammen sind sie stark - Demokratie und Geschlechtergleichstellung in der EU
Creators: name: Lux, Julia
Publisher: name: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Gleichstellung
subject: Demokratie
subject: Europäische Union
subject: Intersektionalität
subject: 320 Politikwissenschaft
subject: Union der Gleichheit
subject: Geschlechtergleichstellung

description: Was hat Geschlechtergleichstellung mit Demokratie zu tun? Warum ist ein intersektionales Verständnis von Geschlechtergleichstellung demokratischer? Und was passiert in der Europäischen Union, um Geschlechtergleichstellung und Demokratie zu fördern? Das Dossier beschäftigt sich ausführlich mit diesen Fragen: Eine Einführung in das Thema erfolgt von Julia Lux (Beobachtungsstelle). Im Statement resümiert Robert Biedroń (Vorsitzender des FEMM-Komitees im Europäischen Parlament) die parlamentarische Gleichstellungsarbeit der Legislaturperiode 2019–2024. Im Interview zeigen Belinda Dear (ILGA-Europe) und Julie Pascoët (ENAR) Handlungsbedarfe aus intersektionaler Gleichstellungsperspektive, welche die Verschränkungen verschiedener Ungleichheitsachsen und -effekte adressiert, auf. Gabriele Abels (Universität Tübingen) erörtert die Kommissionsinitiative Union der Gleichheit. Abschließend regen Thesen zum Verhältnis von Demokratie und Geschlechtergleichstellung von Julia Lux (Beobachtungsstelle) zum Nachdenken an.
Acid Adaptive Mechanisms of Campylobacter jejuni in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Creators: name: Askoura, Momen Mahmoud Ez ElArab Abd ElAziz M.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: Campylobacter jejuni
Acid stress

description: Campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. The mechanism by which C. jejuni survives stomach acidity remains unknown. In this study, we have demonstrated that the ferric uptake regulator Fur plays an important role in Campylobacter acid survival. C. jejuni with a fur deletion was more sensitive to acid than the wild-type. Profiling the acid stimulon of the C. jejuni ∆fur mutant allowed us to uncover Fur-regulated genes under acidic conditions. The up-regulation of heat shock genes and the down-regulation of genes involved in flagellar and cell envelope biogenesis in the fur mutant highlight the importance of Fur in Campylobacter acid survival. Furthermore, prior exposure of C. jejuni to acid increased its capacity to survive other stresses, such as oxidative stress. This enhanced survival in the presence of oxidative stress was shown to be Fur-dependent through the regulation of catalase katA expression. Interestingly, Fur-mediated repression of katA was alleviated under low-pH conditions, allowing for higher catalase expression and defense against oxidative stress. Additionally, the transcriptome of C. jejuni under acidic conditions revealed that many genes involved in Campylobacter pathogenesis were differentially expressed. Prior exposure of C. jejuni to acid significantly increased its adherence to and invasion of human epithelial cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using Galleria mellonella larvae showed that acid exposure markedly enhanced Campylobacter virulence potential. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the ferric uptake regulator Fur is a potential regulator of Campylobacter acid survival and cross-protection against other stresses. Moreover, our results suggest that the obligate passage of C. jejuni through the stomach acid barrier modulates the expression of its virulence factors and predisposes the bacterium for efficient gut colonization.
Enhancing Optimal Microgrid Planning with Adaptive BESS Degradation Costs and PV Asset Management: An Iterative Post-Optimization Correction Framework
Creators: name: Butt, Hassan Zahid
name: Li, Xingpeng
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Systems and Control (eess.SY)
subject: FOS: Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering

description: The transition to renewable energy has positioned photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as essential assets in microgrids, particularly for remote installations. However, traditional planning models often neglect dynamic degradation costs or rely on complex or non-linear approaches, limiting their scalability and practical applicability. This paper introduces a microgrid planning model that integrates adaptive degradation cost modeling to enable accurate, efficient, and scalable long-term resource allocation. The proposed model employs the iterative post-optimization correction (IPOC) framework, solving a sequence of mixed-integer linear programming problems. Each iteration refines BESS degradation costs based on observed depth-of-discharge profiles and incorporates PV degradation costs to ensure realistic asset performance assessments. Sensitivity analysis of PV and BESS capital costs further underscores the model's robustness under varying economic conditions, with the IPOC framework achieving up to ~1% additional cost savings for the given test system compared to static approaches. The results demonstrate that by iteratively adjusting degradation penalties based on actual usage, the methodology optimizes BESS performance, ensures precise resource allocation, resolves issues of under- or overutilization, enhances system reliability, and facilitates scalable, sustainable microgrid planning.
A Man of Visions: A New Examination of the Vision(s) of Constantine (Panegyric VI, Lactantius' De Mortibus Persecutorum, and Eusebius' De Vita Constantini)
Creators: name: Bhola, Rajiv Kumar
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: Constantine I (306-337)
Panegyric 6
Lactantius
Eusebius of Caesarea
De mortibus persecutorum
De vita Constantini
Vision of Constantine
Battle of Milvian Bridge
Panegyrici Latini

description: This study seeks to address three main questions: How do Panegyric VI, Lactantius, and Eusebius characterise and utilise their respective visions in their narratives? In what ways are they similar and/or different? Are some or all of the accounts related and, if so, how do they contribute to the Christian Vision legend? In Chapter One the vision narrative in Panegyric VI is deconstructed to show that the panegyrist describes the vision as taking place on Constantine’s return march from Massalia and that he is describing a dream-vision that took place at the sanctuary of Apollo at Grand. In Chapter Two it is argued that: Lactantius never resided in Gaul; he places the vision incorrectly in 312 because he did not know the details of the tradition and used Licinius’ dream as a template; and the Christian character of the vision is part of his interpretation. In Chapter Three Eusebius’ account is deconstructed to show that: the vision story derives from Constantine ca. 336; there is evidence that Constantine was reconstructing his past experiences; Eusebius inserted parallels with St. Paul to give the appearance of a conversion narrative; and Constantine’s actual story shows little influence of Christian socialisation. In each chapter the core elements of the narratives are highlighted: each describes a dream-vision, in which a deity appears to Constantine with a promise of victory and a token representation of that promise. In Chapter Four it is argued that Lactantius and Eusebius are describing the same symbol, which is a tau-cross with a loop; and that the panegyrist and Eusebius describe the same vision: they give the same chronology, but the panegyrist avoids referencing a solar halo because it was an inopportune omen of civil war. In conclusion, all three sources describe the same experience from different perspectives: the vision of Apollo was being constantly adapted to incorporate new historical developments. Appended also is an argument for redating Panegyric VI to August 309 on the basis of the narratives of the panegyrist and Lactantius, as well as archaeological investigations at Cologne (Constantine’s bridge over the Rhine) and Deutz (Castellum Divitia).
Informed Reinforcement Learning for Situation-Aware Traffic Rule Exceptions
Creators: name: Bogdoll, Daniel
name: Qin, Jing
name: Nekolla, Moritz
name: Abouelazm, Ahmed
name: Joseph, Tim
name: Zöllner, J. Marius
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Machine Learning (cs.LG)
subject: Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (cs.CV)
subject: Robotics (cs.RO)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences

description: Reinforcement Learning is a highly active research field with promising advancements. In the field of autonomous driving, however, often very simple scenarios are being examined. Common approaches use non-interpretable control commands as the action space and unstructured reward designs which lack structure. In this work, we introduce Informed Reinforcement Learning, where a structured rulebook is integrated as a knowledge source. We learn trajectories and asses them with a situation-aware reward design, leading to a dynamic reward which allows the agent to learn situations which require controlled traffic rule exceptions. Our method is applicable to arbitrary RL models. We successfully demonstrate high completion rates of complex scenarios with recent model-based agents.
description: Daniel Bogdoll and Jing Qin contributed equally. Accepted for publication at ICRA 2024
Workflow Optimization for Parallel Split Learning
Creators: name: Tirana, Joana
name: Tsigkari, Dimitra
name: Iosifidis, George
name: Chatzopoulos, Dimitris
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing (cs.DC)
subject: Machine Learning (cs.LG)
subject: Networking and Internet Architecture (cs.NI)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences

description: Split learning (SL) has been recently proposed as a way to enable resource-constrained devices to train multi-parameter neural networks (NNs) and participate in federated learning (FL). In a nutshell, SL splits the NN model into parts, and allows clients (devices) to offload the largest part as a processing task to a computationally powerful helper. In parallel SL, multiple helpers can process model parts of one or more clients, thus, considerably reducing the maximum training time over all clients (makespan). In this paper, we focus on orchestrating the workflow of this operation, which is critical in highly heterogeneous systems, as our experiments show. In particular, we formulate the joint problem of client-helper assignments and scheduling decisions with the goal of minimizing the training makespan, and we prove that it is NP-hard. We propose a solution method based on the decomposition of the problem by leveraging its inherent symmetry, and a second one that is fully scalable. A wealth of numerical evaluations using our testbed's measurements allow us to build a solution strategy comprising these methods. Moreover, we show that this strategy finds a near-optimal solution, and achieves a shorter makespan than the baseline scheme by up to 52.3%.
description: IEEE INFOCOM 2024
Marked length spectrum rigidity in groups with contracting elements
Creators: name: Wan, Renxing
name: Xu, Xiaoyu
name: Yang, Wenyuan
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Group Theory (math.GR)
subject: Geometric Topology (math.GT)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 20F65, 20F67, 37D40

description: This paper presents a study of the well-known marked length spectrum rigidity problem in the coarse-geometric setting. For any two (possibly non-proper) group actions $G\curvearrowright X_1$ and $G\curvearrowright X_2$ with contracting property, we prove that if the two actions have the same marked length spectrum, then the orbit map $Go_1\to Go_2$ must be a rough isometry. In the special case of cusp-uniform actions, the rough isometry can be extended to the entire space. This generalizes the existing results in hyperbolic groups and relatively hyperbolic groups. In addition, we prove a finer marked length spectrum rigidity from confined subgroups and further, geometrically dense subgroups. Our proof is based on the Extension Lemma and uses purely elementary metric geometry. This study produces new results and recovers existing ones for many more interesting groups through a unified and elementary approach.
description: 45 pages; final version
Children’s Influence, Sustainability, Resource Scarcity and Family Consumption
Creators: name: HOSANY, ASHEEABEE
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2022

description: A rich body of research acknowledges the significance of the family as a unit of
description: consumption. This thesis investigates three areas within the over-arching domain of family
description: consumption: children’s influence, children’s sustainable behaviour and family responses to
description: resource scarcity. Each aspect is addressed via a stand-alone paper. The first paper adopts a
description: meta-analytic approach to understand the key factors driving children’s influence in family
description: consumption. The second paper investigates children from a more contemporary perspective
description: and conducts a systematic review of multi-disciplinary research on children’s sustainable
description: behaviour. The third paper considers the overall resource intensive nature of parenting and
description: assesses how families respond to time, money and space scarcity via in-depth interviews.
description: Papers one and two draw mainly on consumer socialisation theory; paper three’s theorisation
description: draws on the bargaining and unitary models of family decision-making. In understanding
description: children’s influence, children’s sustainable behaviour and resource scarcity at the family level,
description: this PhD adopts methodological pluralism to marketing scholarship in the form of metaanalysis (Paper I); systematic review (Paper II); and qualitative (Paper III) studies.

description:

description: Sitting at the intersection of research on children’s influence, children’s sustainable
description: behaviour, resource scarcity and family consumption, this thesis offers three main
description: contributions to the literature. First, amalgamating research from multiple studies, Paper I
description: shows that the traditional consumer socialisation model is obsolete and proposes multiple areas
description: for future research to advance the theory forward. Second, Paper II offers a novel and
description: comprehensive perspective on consumer socialisation to include children and parent
description: psychological predispositions, family inter-generational transmission and resocialisation.
description: Finally, Paper III identifies that situational resource scarcity is triggered by life events, leading
description: to short term consumption adjustment, long-term resource investment and reliance on a support
description: network, depending on families’ chronic scarcity.
The Good Nurse in Intensive Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kuwait: A Grounded Theory Study
Creators: name: Haddad, Ali N A
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2024

description: Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges
description: to healthcare systems worldwide, with intensive care unit (ICU) nurses at the forefront of patient care.
description: Kuwait, like many other countries, experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases that strained its healthcare
description: resources and exposed ICU nurses to physical, emotional, and ethical challenges. The aim of this study
description: was to construct a theory of the good nurse in ICUs in Kuwait during a pandemic.

description:

description: Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 nurses working in three ICUs
description: during the COVID-19 pandemic. Charmaz’s grounded theory methodology was employed to analyse
description: the data, using comparative analysis and theoretical coding to construct the theory.

description:

description: Results: The analysis revealed a core theme of 'sense of duty' as the central concept that
description: defined the nurses' perception of being a good nurse. The nurses' sense of duty was grounded in their
description: professional values and moral principles, and also shaped by societal expectations. Their sense of duty
description: motivated them to provide compassionate and dedicated care to their patients despite the
description: overwhelming stressors and ethical challenges of the pandemic. In particular, they relied upon mental
description: strength, self-care, and the provision of support to one another to cope with these challenges.
description: Ultimately, though, the nurses were also driven to increasing levels of unsustainable self-sacrifice by
description: their sense of duty, resulting in moral distress and impaired well-being.

description:

description: Conclusion: This study reveals what it meant to be a good nurse in ICUs during the COVID-19
description: pandemic in Kuwait. The findings show that nurses were motivated by their sense of duty to keep
description: working during the pandemic, but this commitment left them at risk of burnout and moral distress. To
description: reduce the risk of resignations and compromised patient care, healthcare organisations and
description: policymakers should prioritise the well-being of their nurses and provide them with adequate support,
description: resources, and training to ensure sustainable and resilient nursing practice.
An Improved Density-Based Clustering Algorithm Using Gravity and Aging Approaches
Creators: name: Al-Azab, Fadwa Gamal Mohammed
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: Density-based clustering algorithm
Gravity Approach
Aging Approach
Performance Measures
Attributes Similarities
Memory Usage

description: Density-based clustering is one of the well-known algorithms focusing on grouping samples according to their densities. In the existing density-based clustering algorithms, samples are clustered according to the total number of points within the radius of the defined dense region. This method of determining density, however, provides little knowledge about the similarities among points. Additionally, they are not flexible enough to deal with dynamic data that changes over time. The current study addresses these challenges by proposing a new approach that incorporates new measures to evaluate the attributes similarities while clustering incoming samples rather than considering only the total number of points within a radius. The new approach is developed based on the notion of Gravity where incoming samples are clustered according to the force of their neighbouring samples. The Mass (density) of a cluster is measured using various approaches including the number of neighbouring samples and Silhouette measure. Then, the neighbouring sample with the highest force is the one that pulls in the new incoming sample to be part of that cluster. Taking into account the attribute similarities of points provides more information by accurately defining the dense regions around the incoming samples. Also, it determines the best neighbourhood to which the new sample belongs. In addition, the proposed algorithm introduces a new approach to utilize the memory efficiently. It forms clusters with different shapes over time when dealing with dynamic data. This approach, called Aging, enables the proposed algorithm to utilize the memory efficiently by removing points that are aged if they do not participate in clustering incoming samples, and consequently, changing the shapes of the clusters incrementally. Four experiments are conducted in this study to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are validated on a synthetic dataset (to visualize the changes of the clusters’ shapes over time), as well as real datasets. The experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm is improved in terms of the performance measures including Dunn Index and SD Index. The experimental results also demonstrate that the proposed algorithm utilizes less memory, with the ability to form clusters with arbitrary shapes that are changeable over time.
Investigating the Elements Influencing the Identification of “At-Risk” Students in the Context of the Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten Program in Ontario
Creators: name: Gooderham, Suzanne
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: Early identification
At-risk
Kindergarten

description: This study was designed to explore the elements that influence the identification of young children that might be considered at-risk for early school failure. To this end, guided by complexity theory, the study sought to examine (a) system requirements and expectations at the provincial and school board levels, (b) current practice in schools and classrooms, and (c) the beliefs and knowledge of individuals surrounding the assessment and identification of at-risk students in Kindergarten. Using a qualitative, case-study approach 23 individuals from two different school boards in Ontario were interviewed to explore both practice and beliefs. Review of relevant provincial and school board documents as well as artifacts that were gathered during school visits provided further information. While there were some differences in details, the findings were similar in the two boards. In describing which characteristics were of concern when considering an at-risk designation, most participants cited social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. While both school boards required tracking and assessment of literacy skills, teachers and ECEs concentrated more on ongoing observations and anecdotal notes to determine student progress. Interventions for students at-risk were more often provided for students with academic difficulties. However, there was also some support for behaviour difficulties in terms of consultation from special education personnel in one board and an early intervention team in the other. It was clear from the findings that many elements influence the identification of a student as at-risk including the characteristics of the student, the student’s family, and the particular classroom, school, and board the student attends. The study findings contribute to our understanding of practice and beliefs around young student at-risk and how the interactions of the various elements involved impact the identification of individual students.
Supplementary Material from Tape lures swell bycatch on a Mediterranean island harbouring illegal bird trapping
Creators: name: Sebastianelli, Matteo
name: Savva, Georgios
name: Michaella Moysi
name: Kirschel, Alexander N. G.
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 60801 Animal Behaviour

description: 1)Test of depleting effects of playback on control nets; 2) Figure S1: Map of study sites in Cyprus; Table S1: Summary table of the number of experimental sessions of each playback stimulus per location and season; 3) Table S2: Table of RMS values for each playback stimulus; 4) Table S3: Table of best fit negative binomial GLMM output with back transformed estimates; 5) Table S4: Summary table of the number of individuals of each species caught with playback stimuli and respective controls; 6) Table S5. Model selection tables; 7) Table S6: Table showing amplitude values of the four playback stimuli with each of the three speakers used during the experiments; 8) Table S7: Zero-inflated Poisson GLMM output testing for differences among blackcaps and Sardinian warblers caught in blackcap and Sardinian warbler control nets.
Statistical Agnostic Regression: a machine learning method to validate regression models
Creators: name: Gorriz, Juan M
name: Ramirez, J.
name: Segovia, F.
name: Martinez-Murcia, F. J.
name: Jiménez-Mesa, C.
name: Suckling, J.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Machine Learning (stat.ML)
subject: Machine Learning (cs.LG)
subject: Statistics Theory (math.ST)
subject: Computation (stat.CO)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: Regression analysis is a central topic in statistical modeling, aimed at estimating the relationships between a dependent variable, commonly referred to as the response variable, and one or more independent variables, i.e., explanatory variables. Linear regression is by far the most popular method for performing this task in various fields of research, such as data integration and predictive modeling when combining information from multiple sources. Classical methods for solving linear regression problems, such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Ridge, or Lasso regressions, often form the foundation for more advanced machine learning (ML) techniques, which have been successfully applied, though without a formal definition of statistical significance. At most, permutation or analyses based on empirical measures (e.g., residuals or accuracy) have been conducted, leveraging the greater sensitivity of ML estimations for detection. In this paper, we introduce Statistical Agnostic Regression (SAR) for evaluating the statistical significance of ML-based linear regression models. This is achieved by analyzing concentration inequalities of the actual risk (expected loss) and considering the worst-case scenario. To this end, we define a threshold that ensures there is sufficient evidence, with a probability of at least $1-η$, to conclude the existence of a linear relationship in the population between the explanatory (feature) and the response (label) variables. Simulations demonstrate the ability of the proposed agnostic (non-parametric) test to provide an analysis of variance similar to the classical multivariate $F$-test for the slope parameter, without relying on the underlying assumptions of classical methods. Moreover, the residuals computed from this method represent a trade-off between those obtained from ML approaches and the classical OLS.
description: 23 pages, 18 figures
The Trinitarian Culture and Corporate Worship Practices of Canadian Pentecostals: A Contribution from the Theology of Colin Gunton
Creators: name: Tapper, Michael
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: trinitarian theology
Colin Gunton
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Pentecostal Studies
Worship Studies
Contemporary Worship Music

description: This thesis represents a unique analysis of the trinitarian impulses of an important corporate worship practice among the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), the largest Evangelical denomination in Canada. It considers whether an inconsistency exists between the PAOC’s trinitarian statement of faith and formative expressions of this denomination’s belief conveyed in 82 of the most commonly used contemporary worship songs from April 2007 to March 2013. Lyrical music, it is defended, represents a forming, measurable, and confirming indicator among the PAOC of contemporary religious understanding. In order to assess the trinitarian dispositions of the PAOC music lyrics, Colin Gunton’s theology is utilized as a framework for this evaluation. Gunton was a leading figure in the advancement of trinitarian theology before his untimely death in 2003. His balanced integration of the notions of relationality, particularity, and perichoresis provides the rationale for eight qualitative content analyses that are original to this project and intended to verify the trinitarian views in the PAOC lyrics. This analysis is oriented around three major areas of trinitarian assessment: the doctrine of God, human personhood, and cosmology. The data from these content analyses are compiled, presented, and carefully analysed. Then, returning to the trinitarian work of Gunton, implications and considerations for the PAOC are offered. This study shows that Gunton’s trinitarian theology provides a resource to identify and correct the trinitarian deficit and individualistic and cosmologically dualistic orientation of PAOC commonly used songs. Ultimately, this thesis proposes that Gunton, in accordance with several key Pentecostal and worship studies interlocutors, can serve as a helpful theological source for the dynamic practice of a trinitarian faith among the PAOC.
On the Usability of Next-Generation Authentication: A Study on Eye Movement and Brainwave-based Mechanisms
Creators: name: Fallahi, Matin
name: Cabarcos, Patricia Arias
name: Strufe, Thorsten
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Cryptography and Security (cs.CR)
subject: Human-Computer Interaction (cs.HC)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences

description: Passwords remain a widely-used authentication mechanism, despite their well-known security and usability limitations. To improve on this situation, next-generation authentication mechanisms, based on behavioral biometric factors such as eye movement and brainwave have emerged. However, their usability remains relatively under-explored. To fill this gap, we conducted an empirical user study (n=32 participants) to evaluate three brain-based and three eye-based authentication mechanisms, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Our findings show good overall usability according to the System Usability Scale for both categories of mechanisms, with average SUS scores in the range of 78.6-79.6 and the best mechanisms rated with an "excellent" score. Participants particularly identified brainwave authentication as more secure yet more privacy-invasive and effort-intensive compared to eye movement authentication. However, the significant number of neutral responses indicates participants' need for more detailed information about the security and privacy implications of these authentication methods. Building on the collected evidence, we identify three key areas for improvement: privacy, authentication interface design, and verification time. We offer recommendations for designers and developers to improve the usability and security of next-generation authentication mechanisms.
Loud thunder, little rain: China's new leaders target corruption
Creators: name: Chern, Kenneth
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: China's new leaders are aware of the danger that corruption poses to the nation's social stability and economic development. But entrenched corruption at the local and national levels, including among the families and friends of those very leaders, will make it difficult for them to break the link between money and power that frustrates the masses but sustains the power of a Communist Party that long ago abandoned political belief for economic gain.
Monetary Policy International Spillovers and Global Financial Intermediaries
Creators: name: RHOUMA, SANDRA
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2021

description: This thesis investigates the US monetary policy international spillovers through the banking channel. Ever since the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the role played by banks in propagating financial and monetary shocks worldwide has been investigated. This led to a remarkable growth in papers providing evidence of the importance of the banking sector and its pro-cyclical nature. A strand of the literature even questioned the Trilemma, a long-established theory that states that monetary policy independence is achieved only under a flexible exchange rate regime and full capital mobility. In Chapter 1, I investigate this topic using a Global VAR methodology that enables to capture countries’ macro-financial linkages. The chapter’s main results outline the reduction in cross-border banking flows in both advanced and emerging economies following a US contractionary monetary policy shock. Additionally, domestic credit is negatively affected only in countries where global banks mostly operate. However, the results still indicate that these countries have retained their monetary policy independence despite being exposed to US monetary policy shocks, which validates the Trilemma. I also estimate the model using a different modelling strategy that captures the relatively greater importance of the US economy. Firstly, I show that most of the linkages between domestic and foreign variables are attributed to the US’s variables. Secondly, I show that domestic central banks follow their own monetary policy rule by reacting to domestic deviations in inflation, in line with the baseline results. Chapter 2 examines the spillovers of monetary policy in a two-bloc open economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with financial frictions. I find that the banking sector exacerbates the recession triggered by a contractionary domestic monetary policy shock. Additionally, the shock propagates to the foreign economy through the banking channel, that outweighs the short-lived positive impact from the trade channel. These results stress the importance of banks as a powerful channel of transmission of monetary policy shocks.
First pediatric electronic algorithm to stratify risk of penicillin allergy
Creators: name: Roberts, Hannah
name: Soller, Lianne
name: Ng, Karen
name: Chan, Edmond S.
name: Roberts, Ashley
name: Kang, Kristopher
name: Hildebrand, Kyla J.
name: Wong, Tiffany
Publisher: name: BioMed Central
Year: 2020

description: Beta-lactam allergy is reported in 5–10% of children in North America, but up to 94–97% of patients are deemed not allergic after allergist assessment. The utility of standardized skin testing for penicillin allergy in the pediatric population has been recently questioned. Oral drug challenges when appropriate, are preferred over skin testing, and can definitively rule out immediate, IgE-mediated drug allergy. To our knowledge, this is the only pediatric study to assess the reliability of a penicillin allergy stratification tool using a paper and electronic clinical algorithm. By using an electronic algorithm, we identified 61 patients (of 95 deemed not allergic by gold standard allergist decision) as low risk for penicillin allergy, with no false negatives and without the need for allergist assessment or skin testing. In this study, we demonstrate that an electronic algorithm can be used by various pediatric clinicians when evaluating possible penicillin allergy to reliably identify low risk patients. We identified the electronic algorithm was superior to the paper version, capturing an even higher percentage of low risk patients than the paper version. By developing an electronic algorithm to accurately assess penicillin allergy risk based on appropriate history, without the need for diagnostic testing or allergist assessment, we can empower non-allergist health care professionals to safely de-label low risk pediatric patients and assist in alleviating subspecialty wait times for penicillin allergy assessment.
Datenmonitoring von Elektroaltgeräten
Creators: name: Sperlich, Kristine
Publisher: name: My University
Year: 2013

description: Wie viele Elektroaltgeräte werden pro Einwohner und Jahr gesammelt? Was geschieht mit ihnen? Alle zwei Jahre will die EU-Kommission detaillierte Antworten auf diese Fragen. Die deutschen Zahlen können noch verbessert werden. Deshalb steht das Datenmonitoring auf dem Prüfstand.
Quelle: http://www.recyclingmagazin.de
A thesis of clinical research and practice: Part A: “We’re not all white middle class people”. Understanding the experience of working class clinical psychologists; Part B: Determinants of disclosure in Equal Opportunities Monitoring (EOM) forms: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis; Part C: Summary of clinical practice and assessments
Creators: name: Lovick, Oliver
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2024

description: This portfolio uses reflexive thematic analysis to explore diversity and inclusion in clinical psychology through two projects. The first empirical paper seeks to understand the under-researched and often-overlooked experience of working class clinical psychologists. Their experiences from entry into the profession, their journey in training and practice, and their hopes for the future are explored through semi-structured interviews. Six themes were identified from the analysis and the five most novel are discussed. The findings encourage a strengths-based approach, acknowledging the participants’ resilience and unique experiences. They spotlight resource disparities and the need for collaboration in creating targeted interventions, while aiming to uphold activists’ motivation by recognising progress made so far. The second empirical paper focusses on the collection of Equal Opportunities Monitoring data in clinical psychology and seeks to explore the factors which influence a person’s willingness to disclose protected characteristics. Five themes were identified following a survey of 83 participants. The findings highlight the existence of “vicious cycles of inaction” and encourage a consideration of the benefits of improving disclosure rates, such as an improved ability to use EOM data to evaluate and inform practices which aim to support marginalised individuals. Together, these projects contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding equality, diversity, and inclusion in clinical psychology. In both empirical papers, participant accounts are multi-faceted with similarities and contradictions present. The researcher hopes that these papers offer interesting and useful preliminary insights to the readers, while eagerly encouraging a continued focus on these topic areas.
Microdramaturgy. Between Practice and Event: A Performance Philosophy
Creators: name: SCHNOR, JONAS
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2022

description: This thesis examines the dramaturgical relation between practice and event in the performing arts. It advances the notion of microdramaturgy to describe the relational dynamics of thinking in performance processes and how such dynamics can make artistic events crystallise from experimental practising. It does so by developing a performance philosophical methodology that utilises the fluctuating function of the dramaturg to study microdramaturgies at work by being actively engaged in them. The research thereby combines a theoretical and practical study into the relational and processual aspects of dramaturgical collaboration with a methodological enquiry into the potential of conjoining philosophical and practice-led research into a reciprocal research model. The thesis argues that such an experimental model is more congruent with relational approaches to dramaturgical collaboration, which makes it appropriate for the present study.
description: Practically, the thesis investigates microdramaturgies at work in three collaborations between myself as dramaturg and performance philosopher and the following artists in the contemporary field of performance: choreographer Marcelo Evelin (BR), performance maker Catarina Vieira (PT), and theatre director Lena Bondeson (DK-SE). In each collaboration, I analyse the microdramaturgical relation between a singular mode of practising and the artistic event it crystallises. As the collaborations span across contemporary dance, participatory performance, and experimental theatre, the thesis seeks to articulate the multiplicities rather than generalities of microdramaturgy. However, by discussing the practice-led research in relation to a Deleuzian notion of the event, I articulate an ethico-aesthetic potential in each collaboration that reaches beyond its limited sphere. These potentials are: choreohapticality (Evelin), affirmative withdrawal (Vieira), and sloppy immersion (Bondeson). By doing so, I show how microdramaturgy can configure events inclusive of different modes of existing in time and space. Thereby, the thesis demonstrates not only the theoretical and methodological but also the ethical contribution of the work of microdramaturgy.
Extension of Bressoud's generalization of Borwein's conjecture and some exact results
Creators: name: Berkovich, Alexander
name: Dhar, Aritram
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Combinatorics (math.CO)
subject: Number Theory (math.NT)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 05A15, 05A17, 05A30, 11P81, 11P84

description: In this paper, we conjecture an extension to Bressoud's 1996 generalization of Borwein's famous 1990 conjecture. We then state a few infinite hierarchies of non-negative $q$-series identities which are interesting examples of our proposed conjecture and Bressoud's generalized conjecture. Finally, using certain positivity-preserving transformations for $q$-binomial coefficients, we prove the non-negativity of the infinite families.
description: 17 pages, 2 figures