Separate Criteria Research Articles

Full inference for the anisotropic fractional Brownian field

The anisotropic fractional Brownian field (AFBF) is a non-stationary Gaussian random field which has been used for the modeling of textured images. In this paper, we address the open issue of estimating the functional parameters of this field, namely the topothesy and Hurst functions. We propose an original method which fits the empirical semi-variogram of an image to the semi-variogram of a turning-band field that approximates the AFBF. Expressing the fitting criterion in terms of a separable non-linear least square criterion, we design a minimization algorithm inspired by the variable projection approach. This algorithm also includes a coarse-to-fine multigrid strategy based on approximations of functional parameters. Compared to existing methods, the new method enables to estimate both functional parameters on their whole definition domain. On simulated textures, we show that it has a low estimation error, even when the parameters are approximated with a high precision. We also apply the method to characterize mammograms and sample images with synthetic parenchymal patterns.

Moments based entanglement criteria and measures

Quantum entanglement plays a key role in quantum computation and quantum information processing. It is of great significance to find efficient and experimentally friend separability criteria to detect entanglement. In this paper, we firstly propose two easily used entanglement criteria based on matrix moments. The first entanglement criterion only uses the first two realignment moments of a density matrix. The second entanglement criterion is based on the moments related to the partially transposed matrix. By detailed examples we illustrate the effectiveness of these criteria in detecting entanglement. Moreover, we provide an experimentally measurable lower bound of concurrence based on these moments. Finally, we present both bipartite and genuine tripartite entanglement measures based on the moments of the reduced states. By detailed examples, we show that our entanglement measures characterize the quantum entanglement in a more fine ways than the existing measures.

Tuning the separability in noncommutative space

With the help of the generalized Peres–Horodecki separability criterion (Simon’s condition) for a bipartite Gaussian state, we have studied the separability of the noncommutative (NC) space coordinate degrees of freedom. Non-symplectic nature of the transformation between the usual commutative space and NC space restricts the straightforward use of Simon’s condition in NCS. We have transformed the NCS system to an equivalent Hamiltonian in commutative space through the Bopp shift, which enables the utilization of the separability criterion. To make our study fairly general and to analyze the effect of parameters on the separability of bipartite state in NC-space, we have considered a bilinear Hamiltonian with time-dependent (TD) parameters, along with a TD external interaction, which is linear in field modes. The system is transformed (Sp(4,R)) into canonical form keeping the intrinsic symplectic structure intact. The solution of the TD-Schrödinger equation is obtained with the help of the Lewis–Riesenfeld invariant method (LRIM). Expectation values of the observables (thus the covariance matrix) are constructed from the states obtained from LRIM. It turns out that the existence of the NC parameters in the oscillator determines the separability of the states. In particular, for isotropic oscillators, the separability condition for the bipartite Gaussian states depends on specific values of NC parameters. Moreover, particular anisotropic parameter values for the oscillator may cease the separability. In other words, both the deformation parameters (θ, η) and parameter values of the oscillator (mass, frequency) are important characteristics for the separability of bipartite Gaussian states. Thus tuning the parameter values, one can destroy or recreate the separability of states. With the help of a toy model, we have demonstrated how the tuning of a TD-NC space parameter affects the separability.

Online Piecewise Convex-Optimization Interpretable Weight Learning for Machine Life Cycle Performance Assessment.

Machine life cycle performance assessment is of great significance to use a health index to inform the time of incipient fault initiation in a normal stage and realize fault identification and fault trending in a performance degradation stage. However, most existing works consider using unexplainable model parameters and historical data to build models and infer their off-line parameters for machine life cycle performance assessment. To overcome these limitations, an online piecewise convex-optimization interpretable weight learning framework without needing any historical abnormal and faulty data is proposed in this article to generate a piecewise health index to practically implement machine life cycle performance assessment. Firstly, based on a separation criterion, the first submodel in the proposed framework is built to detect the time of incipient fault initiation. Here, the piecewise health index generated by the first submodel is continuously updated by on-line monitoring data to timely detect the occurrence of any abnormal health conditions. Secondly, once the time of incipient fault initiation is informed, online updated model weights are highly correlated with fault characteristic frequencies and informative frequency bands for immediate fault identification. Simultaneously, the second submodel integrated with monotonicity and fitness properties in the proposed framework is triggered to generate the piecewise health index to realize overall monotonic fault trending. The significance of this article is that only online monitoring data are used to continuously update interpretable model weights as fault frequencies and informative frequency bands to generate the proposed piecewise health index so as to practically realize machine life cycle performance assessment. Two run-to-failure cases are studied to show the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed framework.

Strategi Perencanaan dalam Peningkatan Kinerja Pendidik dan Tenaga Kependidikan di SMPN 40 Surabaya

Management of Educators and Education Personnel is one of the characteristic indicators of the quality of a school. In the management of educators and education personnel there are also Planning Strategies for Improving the Performance of Educators and Education Personnel which have an influence on the potential for developing the performance of educators in schools. The aim of this research is to describe school principals' strategies for improving the quality of education starting from planning, implementation, to evaluation. The method used to obtain the results of this article is using qualitative methods, namely by conducting interviews and observations. The results of this research show that (1) what strategies are carried out by SMPN 40 Surabaya to be able to develop the performance of teaching and education staff, (2) to find out how to process teaching and education staff effectively, (3) to find out what the separate assessment criteria are for performance of SMPN 40 Surabaya teachers, (4) to find out how the principal's strategy is to work together with the committee to improve the quality of education.

Computational investigation on adsorption characteristics of aromatic amine for SiHCl3-BCl3 system

Recently, after initial rectification, adsorption has become a viable method for further purification of SiHCl3, but much work remains to be done to find a suitable adsorbent. Quantum chemical calculations offers a feasible way to study the mechanism of adsorption, which help develop appropriate adsorbents. Aromatic amines are widely used as adsorbents for BCl3 in SiHCl3, but the adsorption mechanism remains unclear, which impedes the development of efficient adsorbents. In this work, density functional theory is used to investigate the adsorption configuration, adsorption energy and electronic properties of BCl3-SiHCl3 on aromatic amines and the mechanism of interaction between BCl3/SiHCl3 and aromatic amines is analyzed and discussed. The results show that BCl3/SiHCl3 could achieve the separation criteria after two-stage adsorption using aromatic amines (except diphenylamine and triphenylamine) as adsorbent. The adsorption performance decreases as the hydrogen on the nitrogen is gradually replaced by the aromatic ring. When the hydrogen on the benzene ring is substituted with methyl, the adsorption performance of adsorbents changes, which is also position specific. The adsorption energy (-30.63kJ/mol) of p-methylaniline for BCl3 is the highest at 298 K and 1atm. Besides, the desorption behavior of aromatic amines on BCl3 is investigated by increasing the temperature and lowering the pressure by evacuation, and it is found that varying pressure is less energy intensive than increasing the temperature. A combination of adsorption capacity and desorption degree considerations suggest that aromatic amines can be used as adsorbent materials.

Multidimensional Separation by Magnetic Seeded Filtration: Theoretical Study

Magnetic seeded filtration (MSF) is a multidimensional solid–liquid separation process capable of fractionating a multimaterial suspension based on particle size and surface properties. It relies on the selective hetero-agglomeration between nonmagnetic target and magnetic seed particles followed by a magnetic separation. Experimental investigations of multimaterial suspensions are challenging and limited. Therefore, a Monte Carlo model for the simulation of hetero-agglomeration processes is developed, validated, and compared to a discrete population balance model. The numerical investigation of both charge-based and hydrophobicity-based separation in an 11-material system, using synthetic agglomeration kernels based on real-world observations, yields results consistent with prior experimental studies and expectations: Although a multidimensional separation is indeed possible, unwanted hetero-agglomeration between target particles results in a reduced selectivity. This effect is more pronounced when separation is based on a dissimilarity rather than a similarity in the separation criterion and emphasizes the advantages of hydrophobicity-based systems. For the first time, 2D grade efficiency functions T(φ,d) are presented for MSF. However, it is shown that these functions strongly depend on the initial state of the suspension, which casts doubt on their general definition for agglomeration-based processes and underlines the importance of a simulation tool like the developed MC model.

RAPNO efforts in Brain Tumour Outcomes.

Assessing treatment efficacy for brain tumours has evolved since its inception with the introduction of MacDonald's criteria, which pioneered the utility of imaging to determine an objective and quantifiable response to treatment. This criterion failed to distinguish pseudo response or progression from progression and did not account for non-enhancing disease therefore; the response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) working group was established to account for these limitations. Since, its commencement it has worked to determine response assessment for multiple tumours. As paediatric tumours exhibit heterogeneous and variable-enhancing characteristics, the response assessment in paediatric neuro-oncology (RAPNO) working group was formed to create separate criteria. Six response criteria have been published to date, and the article summarizes them.

Separation and relative quasiconvexity criteria for relatively geometric actions

Bowditch characterized relative hyperbolicity in terms of group actions on fine hyperbolic graphs with finitely many edge orbits and finite edge stabilizers. In this paper, we define generalized fine actions on hyperbolic graphs, in which the peripheral subgroups are allowed to stabilize finite subgraphs rather than stabilizing a point. Generalized fine actions are useful for studying groups that act relatively geometrically on a CAT(0) cube complex, which were recently defined by the first two authors. Specifically, we show that any group acting relatively geometrically on a CAT(0) cube complex admits a generalized fine action on the one-skeleton of the cube complex. For generalized fine actions, we prove a criterion for relative quasiconvexity of subgroups that cocompactly stabilize quasiconvex subgraphs, generalizing a result of Martínez-Pedroza and Wise in the setting of fine hyperbolic graphs. As an application, we obtain a characterization of boundary separation in generalized fine graphs and use it to prove that Bowditch boundary points in relatively geometric actions are always separated by a hyperplane stabilizer.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in India: Are we ready for 2040?

Liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been widely researched and is well established worldwide. The cornerstone of this treatment lies in the various criteria formulated by expert consensus and experience. The variations among the criteria are staggering, and the short- and long-term out comes are controversial. To study the differences in the current practices of LT for HCC at different centers in India and discuss their clinical implications in the future. We conducted a survey of major centers in India that performed LT in December 2022. A total of 23 responses were received. The centers were classified as high- and low-volume, and the current trend of care for patients und ergoing LT for HCC was noted. Of the 23 centers, 35% were high volume center (> 500 Liver transplants) while 52% were high-volume centers that performed more than 50 transplants/year. Approximately 39% of centers had performed > 50 LT for HCC while the percent distribution for HCC in LT patients was 5%-15% in approximately 73% of the patients. Barring a few, most centers were divided equally between University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and center-specific criteria when choosing patients with HCC for LT, and most (65%) did not have separate transplant criteria for deceased donor LT and living donor LT (LDLT). Most centers (56%) preferred surgical resection over LT for a Child A cirrhosis patient with a resectable 4 cm HCC lesion. Positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (CT) was the modality of choice for metastatic workup in the majority of centers (74%). Downstaging was the preferred option for over 90% of the centers and included transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization, stereotactic body radiotherapy and atezolizumab/bevacizumab with varied indications. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) cut-off was used by 74% of centers to decide on transplantation as well as to downstage tumors, even if they met the criteria. The criteria for successful downstaging varied, but most centers conformed to the UCSF or their center-specific criteria for LT, along with the AFP cutoff values. The wait time for LT from down staging was at least 4-6 wk in all centers. Contrast-enhanced CT was the preferred imaging modality for post-LT surveillance in 52% of the centers. Approximately 65% of the centers preferred to start everolimus between 1 and 3 months post-LT. The current predicted 5-year survival rate of HCC patients in India is less than 15%. The aim of transplantation is to achieve at least a 60% 5-year disease free survival rate, which will provide relief to the prediction of an HCC surge over the next 20 years. The current worldwide criteria (Milan/UCSF) may have a higher 5-year survival (> 70%); however, the majority of patients still do not fit these criteria and are dependent on other suboptimal modes of treatment, with much lower survival rates. To make predictions for 2040, we must prepare to arm ourselves with less stringent selection criteria to widen the pool of patients who may undergo transplantation and have a chance of a better outcome. With more advanced technology and better donor outcomes, LDLT will provide a cutting edge in the fight against liver cancer over the next two decades.

Prevention of corruption risks when performing customs procedures: types and concepts

The aim of the work is involves clarifying the theoretical and practical problems of preventing corruption risks in the implementation of customs procedures, the peculiarities of its definition of the essence and concept, and the selection of separate criteria for their classification within the limits of its customs and legal provision. The methodological basis of the study used a set of scientific research methods such as dialectical, formal-legal, systemic, hermeneutic, comparative-legal, empirical, etc. The content of individual categories “corruption”, “corruption risk”, “procedure”, “legal procedure”, “customs procedure”, “customs formalities” was clarified, the constituent elements of customs procedures were revealed. A proper definition of “corruption risk in the field of customs procedures” is proposed. It has been established that the customs procedure is a set of requirements that are determined by the implementation of customs control and customs clearance of goods and the peculiarity of paying taxes and customs payments, and the conditions of their implementation depend on a certain customs regime (that is, on the purpose, form and conditions of the movement of goods). It was determined that the institution of prevention of corruption risks in relation to violations of the established procedure for the implementation of customs procedures has its own specificity of legal support and is a separate subject of research in the science of customs law. It was found that the prevention of corruption risks in the implementation of customs procedures is a component of the prevention of corruption risks in the public administration of state customs affairs and is a separate part of the prevention of corruption in this area. It was concluded that the corruption risk in the field of customs procedures is legal, organizational and other factors and reasons that generate, encourage (stimulate) corruption in the implementation of customs control procedures, customs clearance procedures, as well as tax and customs payment procedures and their order implementation. According to the prevalence, it is proposed to highlight the following corruption risks in the implementation of customs procedures in the activities of customs officials, namely: dishonesty of customs officials, the occurrence of a conflict of interests among customs officials, lack of control by the management of customs authorities, the presence of discretionary powers of customs officials etc.

Usability of CEFR Companion Volume scales for the development of an analytic rating scale for academic integrated writing assessment

"Successful academic writing from sources requires a broad range of competencies. When writing from sources, students are expected to mine source texts for relevant ideas, present these ideas with precision and in necessary depth, have efficient paraphrasing skills and the knowledge of proper source attribution. In order to assess the combination of these skills in writing and to provide diagnostic feedback to the learners, there is a need to design a rating scale where the required skills are operationalized in separate criteria (Knoch 2011). However, this endeavour may be challenging due to the complex nature of the academic integrated writing construct. This article describes the process of analytic rating scale development in the context of German higher education (HE). We address the issues of construct complexity and the operationalization of the construct elements in rating scale criteria by a combination of theory-based, descriptor-based, empirical, and intuitive approaches to scale development (e.g., Chan, Chihiro and Taylor 2015; Kuiken and Vedder 2021), with a particular focus on the usability of relevant scales from the CEFR Companion Volume (CEFR/CV; Council of Europe 2020). Besides the CEFR scales, we also explore the usability of existing scales for integrated writing and relevant taxonomies (e.g., Keck 2006; Shi 2004). Finally, we present qualitative insights of intuitive expert judgement from a workshop with four content experts who trialled and refined the first draft of the rating scale. The ensuing validation of the rating scale is, however, beyond the scope of this paper and the mixed-methods validation study will be reported elsewhere. The rating scale development reported here was part of the DFG-funded research project Modelling of academic integrated linguistic competencies, conducted at the University of Bremen and the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt. The project aim was to evaluate the academic-linguistic preparedness of students taking up English-medium studies in Germany by employing authentic integrated writing tasks and valid assessment procedures. The article offers insights into challenges and critical considerations when developing CEFR-based rating scales for integrated writing, focusing on valid rating criteria, bands, and adapting existing descriptors. "

The Influence of Marital Quality and Coping Strategy on Parenting Environment Quality in Long Distance Marriage Families

Long distance marriage presents challenges and changes to family life both in terms of the quality of the marriage and the quality of parenting. This research aims to analyze the influence of marital quality and coping strategies on the quality of parenting in long distance marriage families. The approach in this research is quantitative with a cross-sectional study design. This study involved families undergoing long distance marriages with the criteria of a minimum separation of one month, having preschool aged children (3-6 years), and domiciled in Bogor Regency or City. The respondents in this study were 30 mothers. Sampling in this study used non-probability sampling with snowball sampling technique. The results study shows that the quality of marriage and the quality of the parenting environment are moderate, while coping strategies are classified as low. The results of the regression test show that the length of separation has a significant negative effect, while problem-focused coping and the child's gender have a significant positive effect on the quality of the parenting environment. There was no relationship or influence of marital quality on the quality of the parenting environment in this study. This research can be a basis for developing special support programs for long distance marriage couples as well as further knowledge in the context of long distance marriage.

Disentangling the Anacondas: Revealing a New Green Species and Rethinking Yellows

Anacondas, genus Eunectes, are a group of aquatic snakes with a wide distribution in South America. The taxonomic status of several species has been uncertain and/or controversial. Using genetic data from four recognized anaconda species across nine countries, this study investigates the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eunectes. A key finding was the identification of two distinct clades within Eunectes murinus, revealing two species as cryptic yet genetically deeply divergent. This has led to the recognition of the Northern Green Anaconda as a separate species (Eunectes akayima sp. nov), distinct from its southern counterpart (E. murinus), the Southern Green Anaconda. Additionally, our data challenge the current understanding of Yellow Anaconda species by proposing the unification of Eunectes deschauenseei and Eunectes beniensis into a single species with Eunectes notaeus. This reclassification is based on comprehensive genetic and phylogeographic analyses, suggesting closer relationships than previously recognized and the realization that our understanding of their geographic ranges is insufficient to justify its use as a separation criterion. We also present a phylogeographic hypothesis that traces the Miocene diversification of anacondas in western South America. Beyond its academic significance, this study has vital implications for the conservation of these iconic reptile species, highlighting our lack of knowledge about the diversity of the South American fauna and the need for revised strategies to conserve the newly identified and reclassified species.

Separability criteria based on the correlation tensor moments for arbitrary dimensional states

Separability criteria based on the correlation tensor moments for arbitrary dimensional states

A time segment adaptive optimization method based on separability criterion and correlation analysis for motor imagery BCIs

Motor imagery (MI) plays a crucial role in brain-computer interface (BCI), and the classification of MI tasks using electroencephalogram (EEG) is currently under extensive investigation. During MI classification, individual differences among subjects in terms of response and time latency need to be considered. Optimizing the time segment for different subjects can enhance subsequent classification performance. In view of the individual differences of subjects in motor imagery tasks, this article proposes a Time Segment Adaptive Optimization method based on Separability criterion and Correlation analysis (TSAOSC). The fundamental principle of this method involves applying the separability criterion to various sizes of time windows within the training data, identifying the optimal raw reference signal, and adaptively adjusting the time segment position for each trial’s data by analyzing its relationship with the optimal reference signal. We evaluated our method on three BCI competition datasets, respectively. The utilization of the TSAOSC method in the experiments resulted in an enhancement of 4.90% in average classification accuracy compared to its absence. Additionally, building upon the TSAOSC approach, this study proposes a Nonlinear-TSAOSC method (N-TSAOSC) for analyzing EEG signals with nonlinearity, which shows improvements in the classification accuracy of certain subjects. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the proposed method is an effective time segment optimization method, and it can be integrated into other algorithms to further improve their accuracy.

Adaptation determinants of artificial intelligence in small and medium enterprises

Purpose: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in their operational and strategic activities. In order to properly prepare for the processes of AI implementation and to plan the path of digital transformation using the tools it supports, enterprises need to be fully aware of the factors that determine a successful implementation of the processes. The aim of this text is to identify the key determinants related to the adaptation of AI tools and technologies in business processes and operations of SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: In order to establish a catalog of adaptation determinants of artificial intelligence in SMEs, 24 deliberately selected academic texts indexed in the EBSCO database and published between 2021 and 2023 were analyzed. The research methods that were used are: an exploratory research approach and a single-step logical classification method, fulfilling the required criteria of exhaustiveness and separability in the selection. Findings: Using an exploratory approach to literature research, we identified 55 different factors impacting AI adaptation in SMEs, which we divided into the following seven categories, using a logical classification method: strategy and business model, culture and attitude, resources, support, entrepreneurship and innovation, competitive position and environmental conditions. Research limitations/implications: The research results have theoretical and practical implications. In the theoretical aspect, they can be a starting point for searching for methods to deal with identified determinants. In a practical aspect, the identified conditions may constitute a guide for SMEs planning to implement AI tools. A research limitation may be the fact that due to the dynamic development of the technological environment of SMEs, the identified catalog of determinants is certainly not closed. Originality/value: The added value of the conducted research mainly concerns the identification and categorization of adaptation determinants of implementing AI in SMEs, which can significantly contribute to increasing the awareness of the SMEs about the challenges they face on the path of digital transformation.

세계유산영향평가(HIA) 도입의 의의와 운영 방향에 관한 연구

In October 2023, the introduction of the HIA in the World Heritage Act was stipulated, and it is scheduled to be implemented a year later. HIA is a management tool that evaluates the positive or negative impact that the proposed development Project can have on heritage and proposes mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate negative effects if the impact is negative. The purpose of this study is to review and propose specific measures necessary to introduce and settle HIA. To this end, existing studies related to HIA at home and abroad and the HIA provisions specified in the World Heritage Act were analyzed, and the main results are as follows.
 In the screening stage, it is necessary to create separate criteria and principles for determining whether an HIA is necessary, and detailed processes accordingly. In the scoping stage, as well as identifying what properties of the heritage are affected by the development project, it is necessary to identify various stake-holders affected by it and ensure their participation from the scoping stage to the entire evaluation process to increase the capacity for evaluation results. In the HIA implementation stage, it is necessary to make a domestic World Heritage Impact Assessment Guide. In the reporting and monitoring stage, the evaluation results are to be reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Committee, and it is suggested that the scope of the subject of review be broadened to various stake-holders.

Hydrogen in the geological environment: features of generation and accumulation

The article discusses the features of hydrogen accumulation in various geological, geochemical and tectonic conditions, the nature of hydrogen as a gas component of the Earth, the ratio of hydrogen in gas mixtures with other gases, the importance of hydrogen generation sources, its consumption for geological processes of various specifics. Separate criteria for assessing territories on the prospects of detecting hydrogen accumulations are proposed. The author's personal point of view is expressed regarding the directions of the search for natural hydrogen, taking into account the peculiarities of its further use as a chemical and energy resource. Keywords: natural hydrogen; serpentinization; radiolysis of water; methanogenesis; acetogenesis; sulfate reduction.

ЦИФРОВЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ, ПРИМЕНЯЕМЫЕ В ПРОЦЕССЕ ОБУЧЕНИЯ КАК СПОСОБ ПРОФИЛАКТИКИ КОРРУПЦИИ В ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЯХ

The article initially indicates the features of public danger and conditionality of corruption in the field of education. Further, the widespread corruption acts in the teaching environment are analyzed, such as: receiving remuneration for giving positive marks on the exam; official forgery; abuse of official powers. Separate criteria for finding the boundaries between corruption and noncorruption in teaching are also determined from the standpoint of implementing the principle of expediency in teaching. Next, some aspects of the use of digital technologies in educational institutions are considered from the standpoint of preventing corruption in the field of education: the “pros” and “cons” of using information (computer) technologies in the learning process are analyzed. In particular, it is noted that the use of online technologies in the process of passing/ taking exams and tests, defending term papers and final qualifying papers minimizes the possibilities of direct (“live”) communication between the teacher and the student, as well as provide additional opportunities to check the quality of passing / taking exams in the form of electronic records in the information network. As the “disadvantages” of using digital technologies in the educational process, it is indicated that the student has the opportunity to use additional material directly when preparing and answering questions, in other words, to write off, peek, etc. It is stated that this fact, although it reduces corruption risks, does not improve the quality of education itself.