ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Comparison of Discrete and Continuous Shape Optimization Methods

Shape optimization is a problem which arises in numerous computer vision problems such as image segmentation and multiview reconstruction. In this paper, we focus on a certain class of binary labeling problems which can be globally optimized both in a spatially discrete setting and in a spatially continuous setting. The main contribution of this paper is to present a quantitative comparison of the reconstruction accuracy and computation times which allows to assess some of the strengths and limitations of both approaches. We also present a novel method to approximate length regularity in a graph cut based framework: Instead of using pairwise terms we introduce higher order terms. These allow to represent a more accurate discretization of the L 2 -norm in the length term.
A priori bounds for Gevrey-Sobolev norms of space-periodic three-dimensional solutions to equations of hydrodynamic type

We present a technique for derivation of a priori bounds for Gevrey-Sobolev norms of space-periodic three-dimensional solutions to evolutionary partial differential equations of hydrodynamic type. It involves a transformation of the flow velocity in the Fourier space, which introduces a feedback between the index of the norm and the norm of the transformed solution, and results in emergence of a mildly dissipative term. To illustrate the technique, we derive finite-time bounds for Gevrey-Sobolev norms of solutions to the Euler and inviscid Burgers equations, and global in time bounds for the Voigt-type regularisations of the Euler and Navier-Stokes equation (assuming that the respective norm of the initial condition is bounded). The boundedness of the norms implies analyticity of the solutions in space.
Does previous open surgical experience have any influence on robotic surgery simulation exercises?

Within the last years, there has been a trend in many hospitals to switch their surgical activity from open/laparoscopic procedures to robotic surgery. Some open surgeons have been shifting their activity to robotic surgery. It is still unclear whether there is a transfer of open surgical skills to robotic ones.To evaluate whether such transfer of skills occurs and to identify which specific skills are more significantly transferred from the operative table to the console.Twenty-five volunteers were included in the study, divided into 2 groups: group A (15 participants) - medical students (without any surgical experience in open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery); and group B (10 participants) - surgeons with exclusively open surgical experience, without any previous laparoscopic or robotic experience. Participants were asked to complete 3 robotic simulator console exercises structured from the easiest one (Peg Board) to the toughest one (Sponge Suture). Overall scores for each exercise as well as specific metrics were compared between the two groups.There were no significant differences between overall scores of the two groups for the easiest task. Overall scores were better for group B as the exercises got more complex. For the intermediate and high-difficulty level exercises, most of the specific metrics were better for group B, with the exception of the working master space item.Our results suggest that the open surgical skills transfer to robotic skills, at least for the very beginning of the training process.
Ethiopia in the United Nations Security Council 2017-2018

Enforce the ‘African solutions to African problems’ principle in the UN and promote cooperation with the African Union and its regional communities. That is what Ethiopia should work for during its two-year term in the Security Council. To perform on this global stage, the Ethiopian government has to address its domestic democracy and governance issues.
Choosing an effective human resources information system (HRIS) in remote environment

The role of human resources management has changed in recent times from the raw data input i.e. personnel management to the one of the most important strategic functions. Choosing an effective HRIS has become an extremely important tasks, especially in web based companies sector. Due to remote work environment, it is becoming increasingly difficult to perform HR function in organisations. Lack of social contact and direct control of work performance lead to ineffective human resources management, if performed in traditional “old-school” manner. This article explores and proposes some possible solutions for such companies. There are many HRIS solutions on the market today, but implementing such solutions leads to high cost burden which small and middle organisations hardly can endure. The focus is on independent web-based solutions, which are cost effective and at the same time satisfy the need for strategic human resources management function. Case study of the available solutions was performed concerning the features HRIS should offer in remote environment company and the results evaluate available solutions by that criterion. The authors used qualitative research methods of input/output data analysis.
Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme on Antimicrobial Utilisation, Cost and Bacterial Resistance in a Malaysian Public Tertiary Hospital

Antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) was introduced as one of the strategies to curb the rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organism. The findings on the programme establishment are important in strengthening ASP measures. This study aimed to assess the impact of ASP implementation on the antimicrobial utilisation, antimicrobial cost and the MDR bacterial resistant rate before and after the programme initiation. A retrospective cohort study involving adult inpatient in a public tertiary hospital was conducted between pre-ASP implementation in year 2015 and post-ASP implementation from year 2016 to 2019. The statistical analysis of Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used depending on the data distribution. The mean defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 patient days for ASP targeted antibiotics was significantly decreased by 17% from 161.52 DDD per 1,000 patient days in pre-ASP period to 134.49 DDD per 1,000 patient days in post-ASP period mainly from the usage of third generation cephalosporin, carbapenem and colistin. The annual expenditure for ASP targeted antibiotics had significant monetary reduction from RM30,580.50 in pre-ASP period to RM20,590.60 during post-ASP period. Significant reduction in the mean MDR bacterial resistant rate were notable for extended spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli (27.48%–17.85%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (22.25%–15.73%) and MDR Acinetobacter spp. (71.46%–49.34%). The implementation of ASP leads to significant reduction on the ASP targeted antibiotics utilisation, antimicrobial cost and MDR bacterial resistance rate. These outcomes are beneficial in justification and expansion of ASP activities in Malaysia.
BIVDiff: A Training-Free Framework for General-Purpose Video Synthesis via Bridging Image and Video Diffusion Models

Diffusion models have made tremendous progress in text-driven image and video generation. Now text-to-image foundation models are widely applied to various downstream image synthesis tasks, such as controllable image generation and image editing, while downstream video synthesis tasks are less explored for several reasons. First, it requires huge memory and computation overhead to train a video generation foundation model. Even with video foundation models, additional costly training is still required for downstream video synthesis tasks. Second, although some works extend image diffusion models into videos in a training-free manner, temporal consistency cannot be well preserved. Finally, these adaption methods are specifically designed for one task and fail to generalize to different tasks. To mitigate these issues, we propose a training-free general-purpose video synthesis framework, coined as {\bf BIVDiff}, via bridging specific image diffusion models and general text-to-video foundation diffusion models. Specifically, we first use a specific image diffusion model (e.g., ControlNet and Instruct Pix2Pix) for frame-wise video generation, then perform Mixed Inversion on the generated video, and finally input the inverted latents into the video diffusion models (e.g., VidRD and ZeroScope) for temporal smoothing. This decoupled framework enables flexible image model selection for different purposes with strong task generalization and high efficiency. To validate the effectiveness and general use of BIVDiff, we perform a wide range of video synthesis tasks, including controllable video generation, video editing, video inpainting, and outpainting.
Geographic Information System (GIS-T) database design for transportation safety system (case study: spatial database for road transportation system in Indonesia)

Abstract                This study aimed to develop a spatial database design on transportation safety system. Spatial databases is a fundamental factor that is very important in the utilization of GIS for transportation, so it is important that a good preparation of spatial databases. Preparation of spatial database will be effective if tailored to the needs. Factors affecting transportation safety is different from one region to another. Factors that affect transportation safety system in an area can be influenced by the transportation system infrastructure in the area. Database design for transportation safety in this study is expected to be a model of the spatial database according to the highway transportation system in a small town in Indonesia. Characteristics of the transport system in Indonesia was largely dominated by private vehicles and less of public transport. Spatial analysis has the advantage to combine data and analyze various factors based on spatial location. Spatial data that can be used to support the analysis include the basic data, thematic data path, data that can be supporting the highway transportation system. Spatial data and GIS - T can be used as an analysis tool and alternative approach to improve road transport safety.
GLOBAL AI GOVERNANCE: COORDINATING INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO STANDARDIZE ETHICAL AI REGULATIONS

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Additional file 1 of Repurposing NGO data for better research outcomes: a scoping review of the use and secondary analysis of NGO data in health policy and systems research

Additional file 1. Full list of references for the studies included in the review.
Advances in augmentative biological control in integrated pest management

Augmentative biological control uses mass-reared natural enemies for releases in large numbers to reduce pest populations. Augmentative biocontrol is increasingly applied worldwide in many different crops. It is a cornerstone of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes and plays a key sustainability-determining role in IPM. This chapter describes the scale of augmentative biological control and where this type of biocontrol is applied. The chapter describes the natural enemies commercially available and gives information on their mass production. The chapter discusses the important role of biocontrol in IPM programmes, and its practical use in very different agricultural production systems. Finally, the chapter presents the advantages and disadvantages of this control method, and looks ahead to future research trends in this area.
On the structure of the interstellar atomic gas

The interstellar atomic hydrogen is known to be a 2-phase medium in which turbul ence plays an important rôle. Here we present high resolution numerical simulations describing the gas from tens of parsec down to hundreds of AU. This high resolut ion allows to probe numerically, the small scale structures which naturally arises from the turbulence and the 2-phase physics.
CONSTRAINTS ON COSMOLOGY FROM THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND POWER SPECTRUM OF THE 2500 deg<sup>2</sup>SPT-SZ SURVEY

We explore extensions to the $Λ$CDM cosmology using measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) from the recent SPT-SZ survey, along with data from WMAP7 and measurements of $H_0$ and BAO. We check for consistency within $Λ$CDM between these datasets, and find some tension. The CMB alone gives weak support to physics beyond $Λ$CDM, due to a slight trend relative to $Λ$CDM of decreasing power towards smaller angular scales. While it may be due to statistical fluctuation, this trend could also be explained by several extensions. We consider running index (nrun), as well as two extensions that modify the damping tail power (the primordial helium abundance $Y_p$ and the effective number of neutrino species $N_{\rm eff}$) and one that modifies the large-scale power due to the ISW effect (the sum of neutrino masses $\sum m_ν$). These extensions have similar observational consequences and are partially degenerate when considered simultaneously. Of the 6 one-parameter extensions considered, we find CMB to have the largest preference for nrun with -0.0460 from CMB+BAO+$H_0$+$\rm{SPT_{CL}}$. The median value is $(0.32\pm0.11)$ eV, a factor of six above the lower bound set by neutrino oscillation observations. ... [abridged]
Scientometric insights into urban sustainability: exploring the vulnerability-adaptation-settlements nexus for climate resilience

As global urbanization accelerates, the rapidly growing urban population poses significant challenges to the realization of sustainable development. The Urban Vulnerability–Adaptation–Settlements (VAS) nexus has emerged as a critical research domain to address these challenges. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 887 highly cited publications from the Web of Science Core Collection to identify key scholars, research institutions, countries, core research domains, and emerging trends in the field. The findings reveal that: (1) Research related to the Urban VAS nexus can be divided into three developmental phases: the initial budding stage (1958–1991), the high-growth stage (1992–2018), and the stable development stage (2019–2024); (2) Current research primarily focuses on population urbanization, land urbanization, and industrial development, while addressing core issues such as environmental sustainability, social equity, smart governance, and community development; (3) Future research should place greater emphasis on the development of smart cities, green infrastructure, and energy transitions, while also exploring policy innovations and technological advancements to foster a more equitable and sustainable urban future. Based on the finding, this study argues that the key to future urban development lies not in the “speed of growth” but in the “quality of resilience.” Researchers are encouraged to promote multi-scale, multi-dimensional studies of VAS coupling mechanisms, while integrating smart governance, green transitions, and inclusive development goals into urban policy and practice.
AI-Augmented Branding: Exploring The Impact Of Generative Design Tools On Visual Identity Development In The Creative Industry

This study explores how generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way visual designers and educators work and think. With tools like Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and DALL·E becoming more widely used, creative processes are evolving—raising new questions about who creates, what counts as original, and how creative labor is valued. Through a qualitative approach, this research draws on interviews and document analysis involving professional designers and design educators in Indonesia. The findings reveal a complex landscape: generative AI opens up new space for experimentation, speeds up workflows, and helps spark ideas. At the same time, it brings challenges—ethical concerns, growing reliance on automation, and the risk of losing touch with foundational design skills. In the classroom, AI is both a disruption and an opportunity, pushing educators to rethink traditional studio methods while also offering fresh ways to build curricula. The study emphasizes the importance of fostering critical awareness in using AI, developing ethical guidelines for creative work, and adapting educational strategies to keep pace with technological change. By shedding light on how generative AI is influencing visual design, this research contributes to broader conversations about creativity, authorship, and innovation in today’s digital era.
LEGAL REMEDIES FOR PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION ON GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS IN THE INSURANCE SPHERE

The article analyzes the norms of Russian and foreign legislation regarding the prohibition of discrimination on genetic characteristics in the insurance sector. The article reviews the problem of increasing the risks of insurance companies to have large payments in the future and the unaccounted load on the remaining insured persons due to the lack of complete and reliable genetic information about the insurance body. Aim: a comprehensive analysis of Russian legislation in terms of the possibility of insurers using genetic information about the insured. Methods: empirical methods of comparison, description, interpretation; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic. Private scientific methods are used: legal-dogmatic and the method of interpretation of legal norms. Results: the conclusions about the need to detail international principles in the mentioned sector and the regulation of the procedure for providing genetic information to third parties are substantiated. The author proposes a differentiated approach regarding the possibility of access to data on the human genome within the framework of various types of insurance. The article emphasizes that health insurance should be based on the concept of solidarity regardless of the genetic characteristics of insured persons, and as a result, the regulatory framework that ensures the regime of confidentiality of genetic information needs to be strengthened and specified.
Near and long-term climate change in the RESCCUE project: climate extreme scenarios from downscaled CMIP5 multi-model

[EN]The RESCCUE project aims to improve urban resilience of three pilot cases, Barcelona, Lisbon and Bristol, through an assessment of climate change impacts in several sectors. In this study, future local climate projections and decadal predictions have been obtained for the three cities from a multi-model generated at local scale. For this purpose, a two-step statistical downscaling method was applied to ten CMIP5 model outputs to simulate several climate drivers, focusing on extreme subdaily precipitation. Synthetic extreme events were defined for low and high return periods fitting several theoretical distributions: 2, 3 and 4-parametric versions of Gamma, Weibull, Gumbel and Monjo distributions. Regarding the results, significant increases in extreme values of maximum temperature and subdaily precipitation are expected in the three cities. Finally, extreme wave height and storm surge would decrease for some cases.
A measurement of the cosmic microwave background b-mode polarization power spectrum at subdegree scales from two years of polarbear data

Regular
Science communication in transition: genomics hype, public engagement, education and commercialization pressures

This essay reports on the final session of a 2‐day workshop entitled ‘Genetic Diversity and Science Communication’, hosted by the CIHR Institute of Genetics in Toronto, April 2006. The first speaker, Timothy Caulfield, introduced the intersecting communities that promulgate a ‘cycle of hype’ of the timelines and expected outcomes of the Human Genome Project (HGP): scientists, the media and the public. Other actors also contribute to the overall hype, the social science and humanities communities, industry and politicians. There currently appears to be an abatement of the overblown rhetoric of the HGP. As pointed out by the second speaker, Sharon Kardia, there is broad recognition that most phenotypic traits, including disease susceptibility are multi‐factorial. That said, George Davey‐Smith reminded us that some direct genotype–phenotype associations may be useful for public health issues. The Mendelian randomization approach hopes to revitalize the discipline of epidemiology by strengthening causal influences about environmentally modifiable risk factors. A more realistic informational environment paves the way for greater public engagement in science policy. Two such initiatives were presented by Kardia and Jason Robert, and Peter Finegold emphasized that science education and professional development for science teachers are important components of later public engagement in science issues. However, pressures on public research institutions to commercialize and seek industry funding may have negative impacts in both encouraging scientists to inappropriately hype research and on diminishing public trust in the scientific enterprise. The latter may have a significant effect on public engagement processes, such as those proposed by Robert and Kardia.
How Long Is the Coast of Quantum Chemistry? Or, How to Evaluate Density Functional Theory as a Scientific Revolution

ABSTRACT                     Distinguishing scientific revolutions from normal science is a subjective, conflicting matter, largely because of the lack of a definite, unambiguous definition. However, it is always possible to a priori select a working definition for revolutions, and judge scientific programmes and events accordingly in an unbiased manner. On this premise, using Seeman's 13 criteria test, we evaluated density functional theory (DFT) to check if it can be held as a revolution or not. Our historical and conceptual analysis indicates that DFT is indeed a proper revolution, but only when considered strictly within the subdiscipline of quantum chemistry, and not within the whole chemical discipline. This emphasises the idea that demarcating scientific revolutions is a matter of the size of the analysed scientific domain, with revolutions behaving as self‐similar fractals.                                                           Key Points                                                                                                Scientific revolutions usually have imprecise and ambiguous definitions, but working definitions can be selected to demarcate, in principle, revolutions from normal science.                                                                             Using Seeman's 13 criteria test, density functional theory (DFT) can be taken as a genuine scientific revolution, but only within the subdiscipline of quantum chemistry.                                                                             This emphasises the idea of distinguishing revolutions not according to their nature, but according to the observational magnifying glass, analogous to self‐similar fractals.