ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
Predicting national wheat yields using a crop simulation and trend models

Abstract   The European Union's Directorate General for Agriculture requires timely and accurate estimates of the total wheat yield at national level. In this study, four simple prediction models were tested to assess their operational usefulness. These models consist of a trend function and a function which accounts for weather influences. Two of them first predict the national yield per hectare which is then multiplied by an area estimate, the other two predict the national yield directly. Input variables are crop growth simulation results, planted area and a trend function. As trend functions, a linear time trend and a trend based on the nitrogen fertiliser application per hectare are tested. Total national wheat yield for twelve European countries for 10 yrs were predicted. The results were evaluated against observed official national yield and yield statistics, using as criterion the relative root mean square error (RRMSE) and the root mean square error (RMSE). Area and nitrogen application estimates come available a few months after the end of the growing season. Therefore, the models were also tested using estimated area and nitrogen application values available as input. Crop growth simulation results proved to be more useful for predicting national yield volumes than national yield, suggesting that both area and crop growth simulation results account for the annual variation of the yield volume.
Statistical Mechanics of Phase Diagrams. I. Inverse Power Potentials and the Close-Packed to Body-Centered Cubic Transition

Most of the softer metals exhibit a low-temperature close-packed phase, an intermediate-temperature body-centered phase, and a high-temperature fluid phase. Here we relate this behavior to that of theoretical model systems in which particles interact with the inverse power potential φ (r)=ε ( σ / r)n. We show that the same three-phase behavior occurs for the models provided that the interparticle repulsion is sufficiently soft (n ≤ 7). For the model systems the phase boundary between the close-packed and the body-centered phases is located using lattice dynamics. The fluid—solid melting line is deduced from Monte Carlo computer experiments.
Improving Emergency Service Quality and Patient Safety Through the Use of Cross-Sectoral Digital Feedback Systems – An Overview

Background: Feedback is essential for personal and professional development, also in emergency services. However, EMS usually ends at the interface with the emergency department, thus, the long-term effect of initiated emergency measures often remains unclear for emergency personnel. Digital, data-driven tools providing systematic feedback on patients’ outcome may be valuable to improve emergency service quality and patient safety. Objectives: To provide an overview about current approaches for cross-sectoral digital feedback systems in EMS. Methods: Literature review in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Results: The search resulted in 567 articles out of which only three were identified as eligible. In only one study cross-sectoral feedback was used to improve quality. Conclusion: Although feedback is described as a method for improving the quality of the rescue service and feedback is also considered in the description of the requirements for digitization, there seems to be no technical implementation of a cross-sectoral feedback system so far.
Impact of climate change in floods : using climatic projections to estimate extreme runoff quantiles by the SHYREG method with a change on hydrological modelling

Nous présentons une approche originale dans l'impact du changement climatique sur les crues. Nous couplons des projections climatiques à résolution de 8X8km2 et la méthode SHYREG pour estimer l'évolution possible des quantiles de débits au cours du 21e siècle. Contrairement à l'étude de 2013 où seule l'évolution des paramètres de SHYREG spécifiques aux pluies avait été prise en compte, nous nous intéressons ici à l'évolution de la relation pluie-débit via ces paramètres. Pour cela, nous estimons l'état de saturation des sols et le débit de base dans le futur à l'aide des projections climatiques et des sorties du modèle hydrologique mensuel LOIEAU. Des relations entre cet état de saturation et le paramètre pluie-débit propre à SHYREG permettent alors de prendre en compte aussi bien l'évolution de la pluie que celle de la relation pluie-débit dans l'estimation de quantiles de débits via SHYREG. Les résultats montrent que le débit de base, à la baisse selon les projections sur l'ensemble de la France, a un impact non négligeable sur l'estimation des quantiles de débits pour les périodes de retour faibles hormis sur le pourtour méditerranéen où le débit de base est quasi nul ou négligeable devant les débits de crues. L'évolution du paramètre de production du modèle pluie-débit due au climat a quant à lui un impact limité sur les quantiles de crues comparé à celui d'une évolution de l'occupation des sols (urbanisation, déforestation). Ce point reste cependant à approfondir. Selon les simulations, les quantiles de débits spécifiques sembleraient être à la baisse sur l'ensemble de la France pour les faibles périodes de retour, dû principalement à une baisse du débit de base et à des états de saturation des sols plus faibles, en lien avec l'augmentation de l'évapotranspiration. Pour les fortes périodes de retour, cette tendance est moins significative ; des régions tels que le quart Sud-Est ou l'Est parisien présenteraient même une tendance à la hausse non négligeable.
Quality Improvement: Systems engineering case study: Improving patient safety and system productivity by reducing lead-times for blood tests

Local case reports highlighted safety issues arising from the delays for inpatient blood tests. A multidisciplinary team used systems engineering techniques to understand the dynamics of the end-to-end process and how policies, which benefited the efficiency of individuals and departments, compromised the safety and effectiveness of the whole hospital system. Upstream services were synchronised so that samples arrived in the lab earlier in the day. The laboratory process was then redesigned to meet the variations in hourly workload. Average laboratory lead-times for inpatients reduced from 1 h 58 min to 1 h 29 min with less variation predictability of lead-times. Most results were available by 10.30am rather than 12.00pm and clinical decisions were based on today's test. Removing the batching and prioritisation policies did not compromise the service for accident and emergency, general practice or outpatient and freed resources to address further delays up and downstream.
A Measurement by Boomerang of Multiple Peaks in the Angular Power Spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background

This paper presents a measurement of the angular power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background from l=75 to l=1025 (~10' to 2.4 degrees) from a combined analysis of four 150 GHz channels in the BOOMERANG experiment. The spectrum contains multiple peaks and minima, as predicted by standard adiabatic-inflationary models in which the primordial plasma undergoes acoustic oscillations. These results significantly constrain the values of Omega_tot, Omega_b h^2, Omega_c h^2 and n_s.
ChanEst Dataset: A Reconfigurable Framework and Benchmark for Deep Learning–Based 6G Channel Estimation

Accurate channel estimation is essential for reliable wireless communication, yet it becomes significantly challenging in 6G due to extreme propagation conditions. Factors such as high mobility, large delay spreads, and low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) create environments where traditional estimators struggle to perform effectively. While deep learning (DL)–based channel estimation has emerged as an alternative approach, its advancement is hindered by the lack of standardized and reproducible datasets that follow 3GPP-compliant signal models and realistic receiver preprocessing. This paper introduces ChanEst, a reproducible dataset generation framework for DL-based channel estimation. The ChanEst dataset uses 3GPP-compliant physical-layer procedures, demodulation reference signals (DMRS), tapped delay line (TDL) channel models, and FR3 (Frequency Range 3) configurations, performing stratified random sampling of key channel parameters to ensure statistical diversity. Least squares (LS) estimates are obtained and interpolated across the time–frequency grid to construct practical receiver input tensors, while the corresponding labels are derived from the perfect channel responses produced by the channel model. The resulting datasets are stored as real-valued tensors suitable for DL models and accompanied by metadata logs to enable stratified evaluation and fair benchmarking. Comprehensive statistical analysis validates the dataset’s diversity and physical consistency, and a fully implemented DL baseline model demonstrates its practical machine learning utility by outperforming conventional estimators under severe channel impairments. The ChanEst dataset is publicly available on Mendeley Data, with full code provided on GitHub, enabling reproducible experimentation for DL-based 6G channel estimation.
Zoning of marine protected areas for biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh through socio-spatial data

Abstract   Marine protected areas (MPAs) have become one of the most widely employed marine management tools worldwide for conserving species and habitats, maintaining ecosystem functioning, and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources. In this study, we adopted a science-based, stakeholder-driven and ecosystem based approach to identify coastal and marine habitats for potential MPA declaration towards achieving Aichi target 11. In addition, we also proposed an integrated management approach for MPA management in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through stakeholder consultations from the three coastal zones of Bangladesh and secondary data were collected from an extensive literature review. We developed a priority index to select the most important habitats for MPA declaration. Our analysis suggests five potential habitats within the maritime boundary of Bangladesh for MPA declaration. These habitats cover an area of 8838 km2 which is about 7.5% of the total maritime area of Bangladesh. Declaration of the MPAs will contribute to conserve the nursing and breeding habitats of fishes, crabs and seabirds, and thus will protect the marine biodiversity. To achieve this goal, local community involvement is required. This study will serve as a baseline for declaring MPAs in a solid scientific way through community engagement.
Meta-analysis of three genome-wide association studies identifies two loci that predict survival and treatment outcome in breast cancer

The majority of breast cancers are driven by the female hormone oestrogen via oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha. ER-positive patients are commonly treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy, however, resistance is a common occurrence and aside from ER-status, no unequivocal predictive biomarkers are currently in clinical use. In this study, we aimed to identify constitutional genetic variants influencing breast cancer survival among ER-positive patients and specifically, among endocrine-treated patients. We conducted a meta-analysis of three genome-wide association studies comprising in total 3,136 patients with ER-positive breast cancer of which 2,751 had received adjuvant endocrine therapy. We identified a novel locus (rs992531 at 8p21.2) associated with reduced survival among the patients with ER-positive breast cancer (P = 3.77 × 10-8). Another locus (rs7701292 at 5q21.3) was associated with reduced survival among the endocrine-treated patients (P = 2.13 × 10-8). Interaction analysis indicated that the survival association of rs7701292 is treatment-specific and independent of conventional prognostic markers. In silico functional studies suggest plausible biological mechanisms for the observed survival associations and a functional link between the putative target genes of the rs992531 and rs7701292 (RHOBTB2 and RAB9P1, respectively). We further explored the genetic interaction between rs992531 and rs7701292 and found a significant, treatment-specific interactive effect on survival among ER-positive, endocrine-treated patients (hazard ratio = 6.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-27.08, Pinteraction= 0.036). This is the first study to identify a genetic interaction that specifically predicts treatment outcome. These findings may provide predictive biomarkers based on germ line genotype informing more personalized treatment selection.
The Ethical Risks of an Intergenerational World Climate Bank (as Opposed to a Climate Justice World Bank)

Recently, John Broome and others have been arguing that futuregenerations should shoulder the burden of climate mitigation, through astrategy sometimes called “making the grandchildren pay”. This strategyappeals primarily to the idea of making a Pareto improvement that delivers“efficiency without sacrifice”, particularly for the current generation. Moregenerally, “making the grandchildren pay” is said to have major pragmaticadvantages, since it appeals to self-interest rather than morality. Broomeargues that economists should take up the task of implementing the strategyby designing a new institution along the lines of the World Bank andInternational Monetary Fund. He dubs this institution “the World ClimateBank”. In this paper, I argue against Broome’s proposal on both ethical andpragmatic grounds. Instead of a world climate bank that shifts all theburdens of climate action to the future, what is needed is a Climate JusticeWorld Bank that respects principles of global and intergenerational ethics.
Sustainable coastal production systems: a model for integrating aquaculture and fisheries under community management

Abstract   In spite of the productive potential of coastal environments, fish supplies to coastal communities are decreasing. The causes of the decline in landings from coastal fisheries are many but the most serious and intractable problem is increasing human populations leading to the over-exploitation of coastal fisheries. In this article ideas are presented for the development of a new way of using coastal waters, called Sustainable Coastal Production Systems (SCPS), which may transform parts of the coast from abused and over used ecosystems to productive systems which are integrated and under local control. As proposed, SCPS depends on integration at different levels. At the ‘aquaculture’ level components are energetically linked; system design includes species that will complement each other. In SCPS a variety of trophic levels should be maintained and their interactions managed to maximize the benefits from the whole system, fully utilizing available energy while reducing inputs. The SCPS is fully integrated with the local ecology instead of considering the surrounding waters as external and a source of threats (fouling and predators). The question of scale of SCPS has to do as much with the distribution of benefits to human populations as it does with the biophysical factors.
Experimental Insights into the Fermentation of Pyro-Syngas to Ethanol in a Semi-Batch and Continuous Stirred Bioreactor with Mathematical Modelling and Optimization

Syngas fermentation can play an important role in implementing the concept of biorefinery as it can serve as a platform to convert high-lignin biomass to biofuels. For the utilization of this process in commercial scale, the generation of an experimental database supported by a deterministic mathematical model and optimization is necessary. In this study, a locally isolated clostridial consortium, UACJUChE1, was used to convert pyro-syngas to ethanol and acetic acid. Mathematical models were developed and validated for a 3 L stirred and gas-sparged bioreactor operated in both semi-batch and continuous modes. The volumetric productivity of ethanol was correlated with the dilution rate and the gas residence time. The performance of the bioreactor, run in both semi-batch and continuous modes, was optimized using response surface methodology. For the semi-batch operation, a maximum ethanol concentration of 13.122 g/L after 30 h operation was achieved at optimum values of pyrolysis temperature, ratio of gas to liquid volume (VG/VL), and volumetric gas flow rate of 648 °C, 0.46, and 6.7 L/h respectively. For continuous operation, a maximum ethanol concentration of 29.450 g/L after 300 h is obtained at optimum values of VG/VL and ratio of gas to liquid volumetric flow rate of 0.28 and 335.148, respectively.
Remote Sensing SpatioTemporal Vision-Language Models: A Comprehensive Survey

The interpretation of multi-temporal remote sensing imagery is critical for monitoring Earth's dynamic processes-yet previous change detection methods, which produce binary or semantic masks, fall short of providing human-readable insights into changes. Recent advances in Vision-Language Models (VLMs) have opened a new frontier by fusing visual and linguistic modalities, enabling spatio-temporal vision-language understanding: models that not only capture spatial and temporal dependencies to recognize changes but also provide a richer interactive semantic analysis of temporal images (e.g., generate descriptive captions and answer natural-language queries). In this survey, we present the first comprehensive review of RS-STVLMs. The survey covers the evolution of models from early task-specific models to recent general foundation models that leverage powerful large language models. We discuss progress in representative tasks, such as change captioning, change question answering, and change grounding. Moreover, we systematically dissect the fundamental components and key technologies underlying these models, and review the datasets and evaluation metrics that have driven the field. By synthesizing task-level insights with a deep dive into shared architectural patterns, we aim to illuminate current achievements and chart promising directions for future research in spatio-temporal vision-language understanding for remote sensing. We will keep tracing related works at https://github.com/Chen-Yang-Liu/Awesome-RS-SpatioTemporal-VLMs
1610a ‘workplace health without borders’- building occupational health and safety capacity through collaboration with under-served populations: a global perspective

Introduction  Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB, www.whwb.org) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 2011 with the main objective of addressing the limited expertise that exists globally for the prevention of workplace disease and injury. Membership is voluntary and comprises professionals across various disciplines within occupational health, the most prominent being occupational hygiene. The WHWB international organisation is based in Canada, with several branches across the world, e.g. WHWB-USA and WHWB-UK.  Methods  Through its established and growing network of professionals who volunteer their time and expertise, WHWB is able to offer capacity building in the broad occupational health field, through collaborations that benefit under-served populations and vulnerable workforces across the globe. To date, the WHWB activities have focussed primarily on training, mentoring, development and translation of guidance materials, and technical assistance to build knowledge and capacity in occupational health and hygiene.  Results  Gaps and needs in terms of occupational health and hygiene capacity building are identified, mostly in developing countries, through various means. Honouring the requests received involves liaison with organisations associated with the protection of workforces (e.g. government, educational, private enterprises, and tripartite representatives) in the respective countries; the establishment of WHWB in-country projects to best deliver on the type of interventions requested; and the design of good-fit, sustainable programmes that address the needs of the target workforces, across sectors.  Discussion  Already in partnerships or working collaborations with organisations such as OHTA and AIHA, WHWB is seeking to expand its collaboration partners, to improve its offerings and footprint in terms of capacity building in occupational health. To this end, opportunities are being explored for partnerships with e.g. ICOH and WHO. This presentation will showcase some of the successes and challenges faced by WHWB intervention projects and training endeavours, and be a platform for discussion around innovative ways for establishing and strengthening collaboration networks.
SeBS

Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) is one of the most promising directions for the future of cloud services, and serverless functions have immediately become a new middleware for building scalable and cost-efficient microservices and applications. However, the quickly moving technology hinders reproducibility, and the lack of a standardized benchmarking suite leads to ad-hoc solutions and microbenchmarks being used in serverless research, further complicating metaanalysis and comparison of research solutions. To address this challenge, we propose the Serverless Benchmark Suite: the first benchmark for FaaS computing that systematically covers a wide spectrum of cloud resources and applications. Our benchmark consists of the specification of representative workloads, the accompanying implementation and evaluation infrastructure, and the evaluation methodology that facilitates reproducibility and enables interpretability. We demonstrate that the abstract model of a FaaS execution environment ensures the applicability of our benchmark to multiple commercial providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Our work facilities experimental evaluation of serverless systems, and delivers a standardized, reliable and evolving evaluation methodology of performance, efficiency, scalability and reliability of middleware FaaS platforms.
The Carbon Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and Local Communities in Tropical and Subtropical Lands and Forests: A Systemic Analysis of 33 Countries

Since UNFCCC CoP29 in November 2024 and the nominal approval of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, the regulatory landscape has been rapidly changing. This report and accompanying data provide a snapshot of carbon rights in a world where there is massive institutional demand for carbon trading to work and significant uncertainty about whether market mechanisms will deliver credible, fair, and equitable results. This report examines the current state of play as countries prepare for the operationalization of Article 6.4, offering a systematic analysis of the recognition of the carbon rights held by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples in 33 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America as of August 2024.  The goal of this report is to increase the ability of governments, communities, civil society, international organizations, donors, and business actors—including project proponents and carbon standards—to assess the status of carbon rights in tropical and subtropical lands and forests, with a view to taking steps to protect and enhance these rights in the context of expanding global interest in Nature-based Solutions.  Our findings reveal that most governments have not adopted the legal and policy reforms needed to recognize and safeguard the carbon rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities. Governments, international organizations, donors, corporations, and other proponents of Nature-based Solutions must take steps to ensure that land-based carbon sequestration efforts respect, protect, and enhance the full bundle of rights held by Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities.