Ambiguity In Interpretation Research Articles

Characterizing Vegetation Phenology Shifts on the Loess Plateau over Past Two Decades

Phenology is a critical mirror reflecting vegetation growth and has a major impact on terrestrial ecosystems. The Loess Plateau (LP) is a paramount ecological zone in China that has experienced considerable vegetation changes. However, understanding the dynamics of vegetation phenology is limited by ambiguous vegetation interpretation and anthropogenic-induced forces. This study combined the multi-climatic and anthropogenic datasets to characterize the interactions between phenology shifts and environmental variables. The principal findings were as follows: (1) Phenological shifts exhibit spatial heterogeneity and an interannually increasing trend in greenness (R2 > 0.6, p < 0.05). Notably, SOS (the start of the growing season) advances while EOS (the end of the growing season) delays in both the southeastern and northwestern regions. (2) SOS and EOS, primarily in the range of 100–150 and 285–320 days, respectively. Phenological changes vary depending on vegetation types. The forest has an early SOS, within 80–112 days, and a delayed EOS, within 288–320 days. The SOS of shrub is mainly within 80–144 days. (3) EOS shows a strong response to the preseason of each climate variable. Precipitation (R = 0.76), soil moisture (R = −0.64), and temperature (R = 0.89) are the governing determinants in shaping vegetation phenology. In addition, agriculture and urbanization play a significant role in shaping the spatial variations of SOS. These findings provide a basis for a systematic understanding of the processes that affect vegetation growth, which is crucial for maintaining the health and sustainability of arid and semiarid ecosystems.

Simplified modified tension chord model: An alternative crack width calculation model to Eurocode 2 and fib model codes

AbstractThis paper proposes a new design code formulation for calculating crack widths for regular and more special reinforced concrete (RC) members. The more comprehensive Modified Tension Chord Model (MTCM) has been simplified (SMTCM) to facilitate an alternative method for calculating crack widths to Eurocode 2 and fib Model Codes. The model is based on mechanical principles without empirical modifications and is benchmarked against a previously published experimental crack width database. The SMTCM predicts crack widths quite as accurately as the MTCM and provides a broader range of applicability, such as for large covers and RC ties having arbitrary rebar configurations and thus a better crack width model than the current design codes for RC ties. In addition, there are no openings for ambiguous interpretations of the calculations, which can increase the risk of obtaining two different crack widths from two different designers. To further justify the SMTCM code formulation and concept, several RC ties with experimental crack width profiles were used and discussed. The results show a considerable difference between the crack width profile at the surface and at the reinforcement location, depending on the concrete cover and rebar size. These observations are interesting regarding durability design and requirements and show that the approach using a maximum design crack width at a specific surface as a decisive parameter should be further investigated, especially for large concrete covers.

Systematic review of subjective validation methods for computerized colonoscopy simulators.

Introduction: In recent years, different approaches have been used to conduct a subjective assessment of colonoscopy simulators. The purpose of this paper is to review these different approaches, specifically the ones used for computerized simulators, as the first step for the design of a standard validation procedure for this type of simulators. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching papers after 2010 in PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore databases. Papers were screened and reviewed for procedures regarding the subjective validation of computerized simulators for traditional colonoscopy with an endoscope. Results: An initial search in the databases identified 2094 papers, of which 7 remained after exhaustive review and application of exclusion criteria. All studies used questionnaires for subjective validation, with "face" being the most common validity type tested, while "content" validity and "usability" were less prominent. Conclusions: A classification of subscales for testing face validity was derived from the studies. The Colonoscopy Simulator Realism Questionnaire (CSRQ) was selected as the guide to follow for the development of future questionnaires related to subjective validation. Mislabeling of the validity tested in the studies due to ambiguous interpretations of the validity types was a common occurrence observed in the reviewed studies.

The problem of implementing the principle of semantic rationality in theological research

The article attempts to comprehend the possibility and necessity of implementing the “Principle of Semantic Rationality” in the course of conducting theological research. First, the problem of interpretation of religious terms is raised, formulated in the process of centuries-old theological research, transformed over time, sometimes acquiring opposite (contradictory) meanings. Attention is drawn to the specifics of working with terms that have existential meanings, characterized by some blurring of terminological boundaries, differences in their understanding (interpretation) not only in everyday and religious meanings, but also within the same religion, which causes significant disagreements leading to the emergence of different directions and schools As one example of the ambiguity of interpretation, examples of terminological contradictions in the definition of the concepts of soul (nafs) and spirit (ruh) in the Islamic theological tradition are given. The work provides a brief overview of three groups of encyclopedic and explanatory dictionaries recommended to help the theologian. The first group includes publications covering directly Islamic topics, the second group contains information concerning other religions, and the third group includes religious studies publications that are non-confessional in nature. In conclusion, it is noted that despite the presence of a significant number of authoritative encyclopedic publications, questions of multivariate interpretation of religious terms remain, which, on the one hand, complicates the research process, and on the other hand, stimulates reflection on their deep meanings.

Scope of Negation, Gestures, and Prosody: The English Negative Quantifier as a Case in Point.

The present paper examines how English native speakers produce scopally ambiguous sentences and how they make use of gestures and prosody for disambiguation. As a case in point, the participants in the present study produced the English negative quantifiers. They appear in two different positions as (1) The election of no candidate was a surprise (a: 'for those elected, none of them was a surprise'; b: 'no candidate was elected, and that was a surprise') and (2) no candidate's election was a surprise (a: 'for those elected, none of them was a surprise'; b: # 'no candidate was elected, and that was a surprise.' We were able to investigate the gesture production and the prosodic patterns of the positional effects (i.e., a-interpretation is available at two different positions in 1 and 2) and the interpretation effects (i.e., two different interpretations are available in the same position in 1). We discovered that the participants tended to launch more head shakes in the (a) interpretation despites the different positions, but more head nod/beat in the (b) interpretation. While there is not a difference in prosody of no in (a) and (b) interpretation in (1), there are pitch and durational differences between (a) interpretations in (1) and (2). This study points out the abstract similarities across languages such as Catalan and Spanish (Prieto et al. in Lingua 131:136-150, 2013. 10.1016/j.lingua.2013.02.008; Tubau et al. in Linguist Rev 32(1):115-142, 2015. 10.1515/tlr-2014-0016) in the gestural movements, and the meaning is crucial for gesture patterns. We emphasize that gesture patterns disambiguate ambiguous interpretation when prosody cannot do so.

СЕМАНТИЧЕСКИЕ МОДИФИКАЦИИ НОВЕЙШИХ ЗАИМСТВОВАНИЙ В РУССКОЯЗЫЧНОМ МЕДИАДИСКУРСЕ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ АНГЛИЦИЗМА «ДАУНШИФТИНГ»)

The article examines the structure, morphemic composition and semantics of the English loanword “downshiftingˮ. The research makes a comparative analysis of dictionary definitions in the borrowing language and discovers the integrating semes. The semantic features of the term are further analyzed in Russian media discourse. The study demonstrates a certain semantic discrepancy between the sphere of fixation and communication, revealing a number of semantic modifications in the process of usage. The research concludes that semantic transformations of borrowings are determined by linguistic and extra linguistic factors, allowing for further ambiguous interpretations.

Twin-based Mendelian Randomization Analyses Highlight Smoking's Effects on Blood DNA Methylation, with Putative Reverse Causation.

Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) aim to identify differentially methylated loci associated with complex traits and disorders. EWAS of cigarette smoking shows some of the most widespread DNA methylation (DNAm) associations in blood. However, traditional EWAS cannot differentiate between causation and confounding, leading to ambiguity in etiological interpretations. Here, we apply an integrated approach combining Mendelian Randomization and twin-based Direction-of-Causation analyses (MR-DoC) to examine causality underlying smoking-associated blood DNAm changes in the Netherlands Twin Register (N=2577). Evidence across models suggests that current smoking's causal effects on DNAm likely drive many of the previous EWAS findings, implicating functional pathways relevant to several adverse health outcomes of smoking, including hemopoiesis, cell- and neuro-development, and immune regulation. Additionally, we find evidence of potential reverse causal influences at some DNAm sites, with 17 of these sites enriched for gene regulatory functional elements in the brain. The top three sites with evidence of DNAm's effects on smoking annotate to genes involved in G protein-coupled receptor signaling (GNG7, RGS3) and innate immune response (SLC15A4), elucidating potential biological risk factors for smoking. This study highlights the utility of integrating genotypic and DNAm measures in twin cohorts to clarify the causal relationships between health behaviors and blood DNAm.

Unmasking the Understanding of Academic Dishonesty Among Undergraduate Medical Students: "Is That Cheating?"

Introduction Academic dishonesty threatens the environs of medical education, wherein medical graduates are expected to exhibit professional honesty. Despite the efforts of institutions and governing bodies, the implementation of an environment of academic integrity is a challenge. We hypothesized that what medical students perceive as academic dishonesty might be different from the prevalent understanding of academic dishonesty among the teaching fraternity. This exploratory study was done to identify and explore in depth what constitutes cheating in the eyes of a medical student. Methods This qualitative study was planned as a semi-structured interview among undergraduate medical students in the second year of study (n=25). The dimensions studied were the individual perceptions of what constitutes cheating, self-reported responses with underlying reasoning to hypothetical academic cheating scenarios, and responses on instances of self-experienced or self-observed instances of academic dishonesty. Results The responses indicate the ambiguous interpretation of academic honesty by students and four chiefthemes of the interpretation of dishonesty, based on student understanding. Our results identify core areas, such as the need for a clear and unambiguous institutional academic integrity policy, an environment of academic honesty, and strict enforcement of penalties for breach of ethical conduct, that need to be addressed to tackle the menace of academic dishonesty. Conclusion Themes derived from our study describe student factors, including trivialization of academic integrity, that lead to academic dishonesty. Advocacy for academic honesty in educational institutions must address these factors to enforce institutional standards.

A consistent explanation of seemingly inconsistent experimental and theoretical data for N[formula omitted]O + O via MultiScale Informatics

The N2O + O reaction plays a critical role in NOx formation at high pressures and low peak temperatures, in the “dark zone” region of deflagration waves of organic energetic materials, and in N2O consumption in NH3 combustion. While the rate constant for N2O + O = NO + NO (R3) is considered reasonably well established, viewpoints regarding the rate constants for N2O + O = N2 + O2 (R2)—and even the main products of the N2O + O reaction—have not reached a consensus, with studies from the past few years continuing to reach drastically different conclusions. To date, no single model has been presented that can reproduce all key datasets on both sides of the debate. Using the MultiScale Informatics (MSI) approach, we identified a model consistent with a vast catalog of theoretical and experimental data previously used to determine rate constants for R2, R3, and other key reactions influencing experimental interpretations. Notably, this MSI model (presented herein) reproduces all experimental datasets previously used to anchor low-activation-energy k2 expressions that greatly favor R2 at intermediate temperatures. However, its kinetic parameters are also consistent with theoretical calculations that instead show high activation energy for R2 and k2 values many orders of magnitude lower—such that R3 is the main channel at essentially all temperatures. This model is also consistent with our new experimental data (presented in our companion paper) at optimally selected conditions that avoid the interpretation ambiguities that have hindered definitive conclusions from previous experimental data. The present analysis elucidates the role of secondary reactions that would have artificially inflated the apparent k2/k3 ratio previously deduced from experiments in a manner that may not have been detectable from even multi-species measurements at typical conditions—and may, therefore, explain the persistent historical difficulties in establishing the main products of N2O + O.Novelty and significance statementDespite decades of research, viewpoints regarding the rate constants for N2O + O = N2 + O2 (R2)—and even the main products of the N2O + O reaction—have not reached a consensus, with studies from the past few years still reaching drastically different conclusions. To date, no single model has been presented that can reproduce all key datasets on both sides of the debate. Here, we present a single model consistent with a vast catalog of theoretical and experimental data, including all experimental datasets previously used to anchor low-activation-energy expressions for k2 that greatly favor R2 as the main channel at intermediate temperatures—but with kinetic parameters consistent with theoretical calculations that instead show high activation energy for R2 and N2O + O = NO + NO (R3) as the main channel at essentially all temperatures.

A gravitational eye: a method for extracting maximum information from gravitational potentials

Gravity measurements have uses in a wide range of fields including geological mapping and mine-shaft inspection. The specific application under consideration sets limits on the survey and the amount of information that can be obtained. For example, in a conventional gravity survey at the Earth’s surface a gravimeter is translated on a two-dimensional planar grid taking measurements of the vertical component of gravity. If, however, the survey points cannot be chosen so freely, for example if the gravimeter is constrained to operate in a tunnel where only a one-dimensional line of data could be taken, less information will be obtained. To address this situation, we investigate an alternative approach, in the form of an instrument which rotates around a central point measuring the gravitational potential or its radial derivative on the boundary of a sphere. The ability to record additional components of gravity by rotating the gravimeter will give more information than obtained with a single measurement traditionally taken at each point on a survey, consequently reducing ambiguities in interpretation. We term a device which measures the potential, or its radial derivatives, around the surface of a sphere a gravitational eye. In this article we explore ideas of resolution and propose a thought experiment for comparing the performance of diverse types of gravitational eye. We also discuss radial analytic continuation towards sources of gravity and the resulting resolution enhancement, before finally discussing the possibility of using cold-atom gravimetry and gradiometry to construct a gravitational eye. If realised, the gravitational eye will offer revolutionary capability enabling the maximum information to be obtained about features in all directions around it.

Directive 2023/1791 EED: A Step Closer to Mandatory Green Public Procurement Criteria Through Sectorial Legislation

The European Union’s Directive 2023/1791 EED is a critical step in the European Union’s trajectory towards climate neutrality by 2050, instituting enforceable Green Public Procurement criteria. This article delves into the Directive’s implementation complexities, scrutinising its potential to navigate the EU energy policy evolution and foster sustainability in public procurement. Notably, Article 7 and Annex IV of the Directive demonstrate a clear shift by mandating high energy efficiency performance standards across various sectors, signifying a move from discretionary to compulsory Green Public Procurement criteria. Despite its robust policy stance, the Directive faces practical impediments, including diverse Member States compliance levels and the need to balance regulatory directives with market dynamics. While the Directive aims to position public authorities at the forefront of sustainable procurement, catalysing market transformation, it walks a delicate line between legislative ambition and actionable enforcement. The variability in economic and technological capacities among Member States could hinder uniform application. By introducing a framework that allows for enforceable, adaptive, and technology-sensitive specifications, the Directive could bridge the gap between policy and practice, optimising its impact on energy consumption and environmental sustainability. However, addressing potential ambiguities in interpretation, the economic burden on public entities, and institutional inertia remains critical for its rigorous and effective implementation. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Directive 2023/1791, situating it within the EU’s broader energy policy framework, and critically evaluates its potential to truly change the Union’s approach to energy efficiency and Green Public Procurement.

Resolving the Interpretation of Magnetic Coercivity Components From Backfield Isothermal Remanence Curves Using Unmixing of Non‐Linear Preisach Maps: Application to Loess‐Paleosol Sequences

AbstractUnmixing of remanent magnetization curves, either isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) or backfield IRM, is widely used in rock magnetic and environmental magnetic studies to discriminate between magnetic coercivity components of different origins. However, the wide range of physical properties of natural magnetic particles gives rise to an ambiguous interpretation of these components. To reduce this ambiguity and provide a straightforward interpretation of coercivity components in terms of domain state, interactions, and constituent magnetic phases, we combined backfield IRM unmixing with unmixing of nonlinear Preisach maps for two typical mid‐latitude northern hemisphere loess‐paleosol sequences. Both backfield IRM and nonlinear Preisach maps unmixing are based on the same non‐parametric algorithm, and provide similar endmembers (EMs) in the two sections studied. The first EM (EM1) has a low median coercivity (∼21 mT) and is a non‐interacting single domain (SD) magnetite/maghemite of pedogenic origin. The second EM (EM2) has a moderate median coercivity (∼60 mT) and is a mixture of pseudo‐single domain/multidomain, SD magnetite/maghemite and non‐interacting SD hematite, all of eolian origin. The same EM1 found in both sections suggests that this component's grain size and coercivity are independent of pedogenesis intensity. The same EM2 indicates that a similar magnetic population is being transported and deposited, irrespective of the dust source area and loess granulometry. The approach outlined here provides strong evidence that non‐parametric backfield IRM unmixing isolates physically realistic EMs. Unmixing nonlinear Preisach maps elucidates these EMs in terms of domain states and their constituent magnetic phases.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CORPORATE INSOLVENCY RESOLUTION PROCESS IN SHAPING INDIA’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A LEGAL AND REGULATORY REVIEW

This article underscores the crucial role of regulatory bodies in insolvency processes, providing the audience with a comprehensive understanding of their functions. They play a significant part in creating a conducive environment for restructuring viable businesses and rehabilitation. The Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) implementation under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, has transformed the corporate insolvency regime of India and has affected the economic growth, wealth distribution, employment stability and ultimately socio-economic development of India. This paper evaluates the CIRP by scrutinising the legislative provisions and analysing case studies of various distressed companies to determine how far it has facilitated corporate distress resolution and protected the interests of its stakeholders. It focuses on the practical implementation of the CIRP and identifies the challenges in the CIRP, like judicial interpretation, procedural delays, and regulatory ambiguities. Ultimately, it provides suggestions for improving the efficiency and efficacy of insolvency resolution in India to promote sustainable socio-economic development, reassuring the audience of the regulatory bodies’ commitment to the process.

Enhanced prosody adds to morpho-syntactic cues in the interpretation of structural ambiguities in German

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of syntactically marked and enhanced prosody on local ambiguity resolution in German SVO and OVS sentences. In a visual-world experiment, thirty younger and thirty elderly healthy participants performed a sentence-picture matching task. Response accuracy, reaction times and fixations proportions to the target picture were analysed using linear mixed models. We found no support for beneficial effects of syntactically marked prosody, however, results suggested a facilitative role of enhanced prosodic cues (i.e. increased f0 maximum) prior to the point of disambiguation in SVO structures, as well as the beneficial effects of enhanced prosody adding to morpho-syntactic cues in OVS structures. Both age groups showed comparable cue use but inter-individual variability in prosodic cue processing. Overall, our study replicates and extends previous findings demonstrating the importance of examining variability in prosodic cue processing in future research.

Optimizing double-layered convolutional neural networks for efficient lung cancer classification through hyperparameter optimization and advanced image pre-processing techniques.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with prognosis significantly dependent on early-stage detection. Traditional diagnostic methods, though effective, often face challenges regarding accuracy, early detection, and scalability, being invasive, time-consuming, and prone to ambiguous interpretations. This study proposes an advanced machine learning model designed to enhance lung cancer stage classification using CT scan images, aiming to overcome these limitations by offering a faster, non-invasive, and reliable diagnostic tool. Utilizing the IQ-OTHNCCD lung cancer dataset, comprising CT scans from various stages of lung cancer and healthy individuals, we performed extensive preprocessing including resizing, normalization, and Gaussian blurring. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was then trained on this preprocessed data, and class imbalance was addressed using Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE). The model's performance was evaluated through metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC curve analysis. The results demonstrated a classification accuracy of 99.64%, with precision, recall, and F1-score values exceeding 98% across all categories. SMOTE significantly enhanced the model's ability to classify underrepresented classes, contributing to the robustness of the diagnostic tool. These findings underscore the potential of machine learning in transforming lung cancer diagnostics, providing high accuracy in stage classification, which could facilitate early detection and tailored treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Governance hurdles for expansion of low trophic mariculture production in Sweden

The study examines the governance of low trophic species mariculture (LTM) using Sweden as a case study. LTM, involving species such as seaweeds and mollusks, offers ecosystem services and nutritious foods. Despite its potential to contribute to blue growth and Sustainable Development Goals, LTM development in the EU and OECD countries has stagnated. A framework for mapping governance elements (institutions, structures, and processes) and analyzing governance objective (effective, equitable, responsive, and robust) was combined with surveys addressed to the private entrepreneurs in the sector. Analysis reveals ineffective institutions due to lack of updated legislation and guidance, resulting in ambiguous interpretations. Governance structures include multiple decision-making bodies without a clear coordination agency. Licensing processes were lengthy and costly for the private entrepreneurs, and the outcomes were uncertain. To support Sweden’s blue bioeconomy, LTM governance requires policy integration, clearer direction, coordinated decision-making, and mechanisms for conflict resolution and learning.

Automatic segmentation of radar data from the Chang’E-4 mission using unsupervised machine learning: A data-driven interpretation approach

Chang’E-3, Chang’E-4 and Chang’E-5 were the first planetary missions with in-situ ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in their scientific payloads. Apart from the Chang’E missions, in-situ GPR has also been used in the Martian missions Tianwen-1 and Perseverance, establishing GPR as a mainstream and pivotal tool in the new era of planetary exploration. Despite its widespread use in planetary science, interpreting GPR data from the Chang’E-4 mission is still challenging, with varying and ambiguous interpretations offered by different researchers. This is primarily due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the Lunar subsurface, which results to a difficult to interpret radagram with low signal-to-clutter ratio. Clutter masks potential targets and makes interpretation a laborious and highly subjective process. To tackle this, we interpret the GPR data from Chang’E-4 mission using a novel processing paradigm based on un-supervised machine learning. A set of statistical attributes is initially calculated locally for different sliding windows in the investigated radagram. Subsequently, these statistical features are clustered into groups using un-supervised machine learning. The segmented radagram highlights boundaries between different formations, and reveals hidden structures previously unseen using typical processing approaches. The proposed framework is fully automatic and objective, facilitating processing, and increasing the overall reliability of the final interpretation.

«Πόλις», «civitas» та «res publica»? Problem of interpretation the nature of the Ancient Roman state in scientific works

«Πόλις», «civitas» та «res publica»? Problem of interpretation the nature of the Ancient Roman state in scientific works

Thermodynamic assessment of the phase diagrams of calcite and CaO–CaCO3 system

The study of phase equilibria in the Ca-C-O system is complicated by the decomposition of one of the intermediate compounds, calcite. Experimental studies present an ambiguous interpretation of the results, which contain conflicting information about the phase diagrams of calcite and the CaO–CaCO3 system at pressures up to 100 MPa. Thermodynamic modelling has been used in this study for the determination of phase equilibria in these systems. Using reliable experimental phase diagram data, the thermodynamic properties of calcite and CaCO3(liq) were corrected to take into account the pressure influence. This resulted in an accurate reproduction of the experimental data on calcite phase equilibria and made it possible to construct a model of the CaO–CaCO3 system phase diagram taking into account the calcite decomposition. It will allow to further modelling of more complex processes involving calcite in the pressures range up to 30 MPa and temperatures up to 1800 K.

Abbreviations in medical records: arguments for and against

There is often a need for fast and effective communication in modern medicine. Time is often critical when providing care to multiple patients. Medical abbreviations are a form of shorthand that allows healthcare professionals to communicate with one another easily. However, the time and expense of writing acronyms are reduced in case they are clear and familiar to every person involved in communication. Misunderstanding between members of the medical staff often lead to misinterpretations of acronyms and hazard to patients’ health and lives. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze such interrelated phenomena as positive and negative sides of using abbreviations as a way of terminology in medicine, arguments of each of the positions, in order to reduce negative consequences of using abbreviations in modern medical documentation. The material of the study is abbreviations used in modern medical practice. The method of continuous sampling of medical abbreviations from scientific literature and medical documentation was used. The results of the study showed that the most common errors associated with the use of medical abbreviations were the ones in prescribing, incorrect dose/quantity and incorrect preparation of medication. About 80 % of the abbreviations contained in the notes and statements that were handed out were unclear to patients and required clarification by health care providers. Medicine must be based on accurate and correct information, literacy of professional actions, and a sense of the highest responsibility. In this regard, it is necessary to use only standard abbreviations and introduce a ban on the use of abbreviations with ambiguous interpretation. Information in prescriptions, instructions, and statements should be clear and unambiguous, in order to avoid awkward and mundane situations affecting the quality of patients’ perception of the information. All of these factors can contribute to the improvement of the quality of medical care and the patient’s quality of life accordingly.