ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
The role of planet formation in protoplanetary disk chemistry

Observations of protoplanetary disks have revealed them to be complex, dynamically evolving objects. Gas and small dust are constantly in motion while larger pebbles and planetesimals grow; the changing conditions determine what chemical reactions dominate local regions of the disk, and thus which molecular compounds are available to be accreted into planets. Previous models of protoplanetary disks focused primarily on chemical evolution of gas and dust in a static disk or dynamical evolution of solids in a chemically passive disk. I present the results of a new 1D method for modelling pebble growth and its effects on evolving chemistry within a dynamic disk. Gas and small dust particles are allowed to diffuse vertically within the disk, connecting chemistry at all elevations. Pebbles form from the dust present around the midplane, inheriting the composition of ices at this location. This new model allows us to link chemistry in the observed upper gaseous layers of the disk to the cold midplane region where planet formation occurs (and is generally shielded from view). Additionally, combining pebble growth with chemistry allows us to track the time-dependent composition of pebbles, giving insight to how properties of planet-building material evolves over the disk lifetime. I will present the results of this model at various locations of the disk, showing that pebble formation can, in some areas, effectively drain the disk surface of volatile species and yield an evolving chemistry that becomes carbon rich over time.
Statistical Emulators for Pricing and Hedging Longevity Risk Products

We propose the use of statistical emulators for the purpose of valuing mortality-linked contracts in stochastic mortality models. Such models typically require (nested) evaluation of expected values of nonlinear functionals of multi-dimensional stochastic processes. Except in the simplest cases, no closed-form expressions are available, necessitating numerical approximation. Rather than building ad hoc analytic approximations, we advocate the use of modern statistical tools from machine learning to generate a flexible, non-parametric surrogate for the true mappings. This method allows performance guarantees regarding approximation accuracy and removes the need for nested simulation. We illustrate our approach with case studies involving (i) a Lee-Carter model with mortality shocks, (ii) index-based static hedging with longevity basis risk; (iii) a Cairns-Blake-Dowd stochastic survival probability model.
CONFIGURING THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARYGENERAL IN THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES. RELATIONS WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

In an international context embracing the idealist concepts of harmony, cooperation, structural peace, illegality of war, the United Nations Organization has created a system of peaceful settlement of disputes, based on principles of justice and international law. In this framework, the organs bearing the responsibility of peaceful resolution of conflicts are the International Court of Justice, the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General. The latter has a unique position, triggering a spectacular evolution of its role in the maintenance of international peace and security. The challenges of the international environment and the outstanding ways in which they were addressed by the distinctive personalities that filled the function of the Secretary General, creating precedents and influencing its future development, have led to a continuous enlargement of its role. The purpose of the present paper is that of defining the role of the Secretary-General in the system of peaceful settlement of international disputes created by the United Nations, by analysing the relevant provisions consecrated in the Charter and by revealing and explaining the outstanding evolution of this institution, with an emphasis on the relations of mutual influence between the High Official, on one side, the Security Council and the General Assembly, on the other.
Problems encountered with the use of simulation in an attempt to enhance interpretation of a secondary data source in epidemiologic mental health research

The longitudinal epidemiology of major depressive episodes (MDE) is poorly characterized in most countries. Some potentially relevant data sources may be underutilized because they are not conducive to estimating the most salient epidemiologic parameters. An available data source in Canada provides estimates that are potentially valuable, but that are difficult to apply in clinical or public health practice. For example, weeks depressed in the past year is assessed in this data source whereas episode duration would be of more interest. The goal of this project was to derive, using simulation, more readily interpretable parameter values from the available data.The data source was a Canadian longitudinal study called the National Population Health Survey (NPHS). A simulation model representing the course of depressive episodes was used to reshape estimates deriving from binary and ordinal logistic models (fit to the NPHS data) into equations more capable of informing clinical and public health decisions. Discrete event simulation was used for this purpose. Whereas the intention was to clarify a complex epidemiology, the models themselves needed to become excessively complex in order to provide an accurate description of the data.Simulation methods are useful in circumstances where a representation of a real-world system has practical value. In this particular scenario, the usefulness of simulation was limited both by problems with the data source and by inherent complexity of the underlying epidemiology.
Cost Effectiveness Analysis of an AI-Assisted Breast Cancer Screening Programme in Singapore: An Early Health Technology Assessment

Background/Objectives: This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into breast cancer screening programs in Singapore. It evaluates AI as a standalone reader and as a companion reader alongside a consultant radiologist and compares these with double reading by two radiologists to determine economic viability and impact on healthcare resource use. Methods: A Markov model compared costs and outcomes of three strategies: double reading, a hybrid AI-assisted model (radiologist plus AI), and AI-only. These were applied to biennial mammography for 10,000 women aged 50–69 years in Singapore, with a 50-year horizon. Epidemiological and cost data were sourced from Asian and local studies and standardized to 2023 values, with a 3% annual discount. Outcomes were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed uncertainty. Results: Double reading cost USD 19.18 million with 218,460.4 QALYs. The AI-companion model cost USD 18.86 million with 218,476.3 QALYs, saving USD 316,090 and gaining 15.9 QALYs. The AI-only model cost USD 20.53 million with 218,532.4 QALYs, yielding 72.0 QALYs gained and an ICER of USD 18,743 per QALY. Specificity was the most influential parameter. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 50,000 per QALY, AI-only screening had &gt;75% probability of being most cost-effective. Conclusions: AI-assisted screening was cost-saving, while AI-only was cost-effective with greater health gains but higher costs and false positives. A phased, human-in-the-loop approach offers the most economically favourable strategy for AI integration.
The Establishment of the GENEQOL Consortium to Investigate the Genetic Disposition of Patient-Reported Quality-of-Life Outcomes

To our knowledge, no comprehensive, interdisciplinary initiatives have been taken to examine the role of genetic variants on patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. The overall objective of this paper is to describe the establishment of an international and interdisciplinary consortium, the GENEQOL Consortium, which intends to investigate the genetic disposition of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. We have identified five primary patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes as initial targets: negative psychological affect, positive psychological affect, self-rated physical health, pain, and fatigue. The first tangible objective of the GENEQOL Consortium is to develop a list of potential biological pathways, genes and genetic variants involved in these quality-of-life outcomes, by reviewing current genetic knowledge. The second objective is to design a research agenda to investigate and validate those genes and genetic variants of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes, by creating large datasets. During its first meeting, the Consortium has discussed draft summary documents addressing these questions for each patient-reported quality-of-life outcome. A summary of the primary pathways and robust findings of the genetic variants involved is presented here. The research agenda outlines possible research objectives and approaches to examine these and new quality-of-life domains. Intriguing questions arising from this endeavor are discussed. Insight into the genetic versus environmental components of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes will ultimately allow us to explore new pathways for improving patient care. If we can identify patients who are susceptible to poor quality of life, we will be able to better target specific clinical interventions to enhance their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
Multiresolution quantum chemistry in multiwavelet bases: Analytic derivatives for Hartree–Fock and density functional theory

An efficient and accurate analytic gradient method is presented for Hartree–Fock and density functional calculations using multiresolution analysis in multiwavelet bases. The derivative is efficiently computed as an inner product between compressed forms of the density and the differentiated nuclear potential through the Hellmann–Feynman theorem. A smoothed nuclear potential is directly differentiated, and the smoothing parameter required for a given accuracy is empirically determined from calculations on six homonuclear diatomic molecules. The derivatives of N2 molecule are shown using multiresolution calculation for various accuracies with comparison to correlation consistent Gaussian-type basis sets. The optimized geometries of several molecules are presented using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory. A highly precise Hartree–Fock optimization for the H2O molecule produced six digits for the geometric parameters.
Incorporating biodiversity in municipal land-use planning: An assessment of technical assistance, policy capacity, and conservation outcomes in New York’s Hudson Valley

Abstract   In the United States, municipal governments play an essential role in creating plans, policies, and procedures that consider biodiversity. However, municipal leaders do not always have the knowledge or capacity to integrate conservation into land-use planning effectively. Habitats and natural areas that occur outside of protected areas are vulnerable to incompatible land-use change and planning decisions made by local governments. Recent scientific evidence suggests that municipal actions are a critical dimension of biodiversity conservation. Yet adaptations are needed to foster municipal policy and practice that would yield more meaningful conservation outcomes, including increasing the capacity for conservation planning by local governments. Our research examines how biodiversity conservation measures are included in the planning and decision-making of local municipal officials who participated in a biodiversity outreach program in the Hudson River estuary watershed in New York State, as compared to a sample of non-participants. Our analysis of biodiversity program participants illuminates factors that support or hinder their consideration of biodiversity in land-use planning. Our findings demonstrate how both individual and municipal policy capacity significantly influence the adoption of plans, policies, and procedures that address the need for biodiversity conservation at the local level. Even where capacity is high, municipal officials experience political and other barriers that prevent them from pursuing effective biodiversity conservation measures in land-use planning.
Evidence for abundant transcription of non-coding regions in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome

Background: Recent studies in a growing number of organisms have yielded accumulating evidence that a significant portion of the non-coding region in the genome is transcribed. We address this issue in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.   Results: Taking into account the absence of a significantly large yeast EST database, we use microarray expression data collected for genomic regions erroneously believed to be coding to study the expression pattern of non-coding regions in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. We find that at least 164 out of 589 (28%) such regions are expressed under specific biological conditions. In particular, looking at the probes that are located opposing other known genes at the same genomic locus, we find that 88 out of 341 (26%) of these genes support antisense transcription. The expression patterns of these antisense genes are positively correlated. We validate these results using RT-PCR on a sample of 6 non-coding transcripts.   Conclusions: 1. The yeast genome is transcribed on a scale larger than previously assumed. 2. Correlated transcription of antisense genes is abundant in the yeast genome. 3. Antisense genes in yeast are non-coding.
CRIME OF AGGRESSION: SOME LEGAL ISSUES OF THE DEFINITION IN THE NUREMBERG STATUTE AND ROME STATUTE OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Crimes against peace were first enshrined in the Statute of the International Military Tribunal (Article 6(a)), which was a novel in international law. In the present Article analyzed is the formation of the legal concept of responsibility for the crime of aggression in the Statute and the Judgment of the International Military Tribunal and its meaning. The author notes that at the London Conference in 1945, the participants in fact deviated from the definition of an «aggressive war», while in the Judgment of the IMT the concepts of aggression and aggressive war are used almost synonymously. The Nuremberg trial has shown that international criminal justice plays an important role in the maintaining peace and international security; the International Criminal Court continues this trend. The jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (Article 5) potentially includes the crime of aggression. The development of its definition was completed at the Review Conference of State Parties of the Rome Statute of the  International Criminal Court in 2010 (Kampala, Uganda) by adoption by consensus of amendments containing the definition of the crime of aggression (Article 8-bis) and the conditions for the exercise of jurisdiction (Article 15-bis and 15-ter). As the basis for the definition of the crime of aggression, the wording of Article 6a) of the Statute of the Nuremberg Tribunal is taken. The above definition, insofar as it relates to the definition act of a state, fully follows the main points of the definition of aggression of the UNGA 1974(3314). Articles of Elements and Understandings of the crime of aggression should be understood in the light of Art. 31 (3) (a) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. States have reached agreement on the mechanisms of the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court. In order for this definition to become operational, at least thirty countries need to be ratified (this was achieved in autumn 2016). Moreover, the entry into force of the amendments is the subject of an additional decision of the states on this.
Statistical inference for a multiscale stochastic model of enzyme kinetics via propagation of chaos

We study a class of Stochastic Differential Equations (SDEs) with jumps modeling multistage Michaelis--Menten enzyme kinetics, in which a substrate is sequentially transformed into a product via a cascade of intermediate complexes. These networks are typically high-dimensional and exhibit multiscale behavior with a strong coupling between different components, posing substantial analytical and computational challenges. In particular, the problem of statistical inference of reaction rates is significantly difficult and becomes even more intricate when direct observations of system states are unavailable and only a random sample of product formation times is observed. We address this problem in two stages. First, in a suitable scaling regime consistent with the Quasi-Steady State Approximation (QSSA), we rigorously establish a stochastic averaging principle yielding a reduced model for the product-substrate dynamics. Guided by the reduced-order dynamics, we next construct a novel Interacting Particle System (IPS) that approximates the product-substrate process at the particle level. This IPS plays a pivotal role in the inference methodology, and we prove several non-asymptotic bounds and limiting results for this system. These results facilitate the construction of an estimator based on a product-form approximate likelihood requiring only a random sample of product formation times. This approach does not need access to the system states, and we rigorously prove consistency of the estimator.
Heliospheric modulation of high-energy cosmic rays: I. Basic model of cosmic-ray modulation with solar cycle

We have constructed a greatly simplified theory for the heliospheric modulation of high-energy cosmic rays in which no adjustable parameters are used. The only parameter k, which characterizes the degree of regularity of the interplanetary magnetic field, varies in the model in a definite way with solar cycle phase. The approximations used lead to solutions expressed in terms of elementary functions. The role of the magnetic drift of particles has been revealed. Quantitative agreement with the observed cosmic-ray variations has been achieved.
Privacy and the secondary use of data in health research in Scotland

In response to new data protection legislation for the UK and widespread concern about its implications, the Scottish Executive set up the Confidentiality and Security Advisory Group for Scotland (CSAGS) to place the use of personal health information in a modern setting. The group affirmed the principle of consent and, more broadly, the importance of involving patients and the public in decisions about their health information. It promoted methods of acceptable anonymisation of data, and the need for good stewardship and disclosure of data uses to the greatest extent possible, where explicit individual consent and anonymisation were not practicable. They did not recommend pursuit of legislation, preferring consensus, informed debate and widespread acceptance of the proposed arrangements. The Scottish Executive is now responding to the work of CSAGS to develop systems that command public and patient confidence, promote good practice for clinicians and researchers, and preserve important public health and research functions.
Modeling the Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use Dynamics on Water-Induced Soil Erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Using InVEST, CA–Markov, and CMIP6 Projections

Abstract                 Soil erosion (SE) caused by water is exacerbated by climate change and human activity, threatening water resources and ecological stability. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), with its unique ecosystem and river systems, is heavily influenced by sedimentation linked to water- induced SE. This study evaluates current SE patterns on the QTP and forecasts soil loss for 2050 and 2090 to identify priority areas for soil and water conservation. SE trends from 1985 to 2020 were conducted using the InVEST model. The CA-Markov model, in conjunction with CMIP6 climate projections, was employed to predict SE under varying land use/land cover and climate change scenarios for the future. The results found that, the average annual SE on the QTP stands at 20.02 t h⁻¹ ya⁻¹. Under the land use scenarios, SE projected to decrease by 0.2% by 2050 and by 2.24% by 2090. However, in climate change scenarios, SE is expected to rise significantly, increasing by 15.71% and 16.73% by 2050 according to the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 pathways, respectively. By 2090, SE is expected to grow by 22.44% and 28.57% according to SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. These findings indicate that climate change, rather than LULC change, is the dominant driver of future SE on the QTP. The results provide critical insights for watershed-scale soil and water management, supporting ecological conservation strategies in this climate-sensitive region.
Protecting Frontline Workers at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface: A One Health Imperative

Protecting Frontline Workers at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface: A One Health Imperative  “A well-trained One Health field epidemiology workforce is essential for tackling today’s complex health challenges,” said Julio Pinto, Animal Production and Health Division at FAO. “The new guidance provide a roadmap for building a global network of skilled professionals who can effectively collaborate to prevent and respond to endemic and emerging diseases with zoonotic potential.”
Retrospective of the ARPA-E ALPHA fusion program

This paper provides a retrospective of the ALPHA (Accelerating Low-cost Plasma Heating and Assembly) fusion program of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the U.S. Department of Energy. ALPHA's objective was to catalyze research and development efforts to enable substantially lower-cost pathways to economical fusion power. To do this in a targeted, focused program, ALPHA focused on advancing the science and technology of pulsed, intermediate-density fusion approaches, including magneto-inertial fusion and Z-pinch variants, that have the potential to scale to commercially viable fusion power plants. The paper includes a discussion of the origins and framing of the ALPHA program, a summary of project status and outcomes, a description of associated technology-transition activities, and thoughts on a potential follow-on ARPA-E fusion program.
Stochastic thermodynamics of chemical reaction networks

For chemical reaction networks described by a master equation, we define energy and entropy on a stochastic trajectory and develop a consistent nonequilibrium thermodynamic description along a single stochastic trajectory of reaction events. A first-law like energy balance relates internal energy, applied (chemical) work and dissipated heat for every single reaction. Entropy production along a single trajectory involves a sum over changes in the entropy of the network itself and the entropy of the medium. The latter is given by the exchanged heat identified through the first law. Total entropy production is constrained by an integral fluctuation theorem for networks arbitrarily driven by time-dependent rates and a detailed fluctuation theorem for networks in the steady state. Further exact relations like a generalized Jarzynski relation and a generalized Clausius inequality are discussed. We illustrate these results for a three-species cyclic reaction network which exhibits nonequilibrium steady states as well as transitions between different steady states.