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SwitchPath: Enhancing Exploration in Neural Networks Learning Dynamics
No full textWe introduce SwitchPath, a novel stochastic activation function that enhances neural network exploration, performance, and generalization, by probabilistically toggling between the activation of a neuron and its negation. SwitchPath draws inspiration from the analogies between neural networks and decision trees, and from the exploratory and regularizing properties of DropOut as well. Unlike Dropout, which intermittently reduces network capacity by deactivating neurons, SwitchPath maintains continuous activation, allowing networks to dynamically explore alternative information pathways while fully utilizing their capacity. Building on the concept of ε-greedy algorithms to balance exploration and exploitation, SwitchPath enhances generalization capabilities over traditional activation functions. The exploration of alternative paths happens during training without sacrificing computational efficiency. This paper presents the theoretical motivations, practical implementations, and empirical results, showcasing all the described advantages of SwitchPath over established stochastic activation mechanisms
Experimental study of printing conditions for a NiTi alloy obtained by SLM technique
No full textThe widespread adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques in biomedical device production, especially with shape memory materials like NiTi alloys, is well-established due to their unique properties. However, traditional manufacturing techniques face limitations when working with thesealloys, prompting high interest in AM research, with a special focus on the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technique. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the printing conditions for NiTi alloys depositions through the SLM technique was conducted. With the support of a previously explored analytical approach, experimental trials were designed to investigate the printability of the NiTi alloy. NiTi samples were produced using an SLM machine with a maximum laser power of 500 W, operating in continuous mode (also called pulsed), and with two different layer thicknesses, i.e. 30 mu m and 60 mu m. Experimental analyses, including optical and electron microscopy were carried out to assess the microstructural characteristics of the printed samples. Our findings enabled a preliminary exploration of the material's printability
Measurement of branching fractions, CP asymmetry, and isospin asymmetry for B →tho gamma decays using Belle and Belle II data
No full textWe present measurements of B+→ρ+γ and B0→ρ0γ decays using a combined data sample of 772×106 BB ̄ pairs collected by the Belle experiment and 387×106 BB ̄ pairs collected by the Belle II experiment in e+e- collisions at the Υ(4S) resonance. After an optimized selection, a simultaneous fit to the Belle and Belle II datasets yields 114±12 B+→ρ+γ and 99±12 B0→ρ0γ decays. The measured branching fractions are (13.1-1.9-1.2+2.0+1.3)×10-7 and (7.6±1.3-0.8+1.0)×10-7 for B+→ρ+γ and B0→ρ0γ decays, respectively, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. We also measure the isospin asymmetry AI(B→ργ)=(10.9-11.7-7.3+11.2+7.8)% and the direct CP asymmetry ACP(B+→ρ+γ)=(-8.2±15.2-1.3+2.0)%
Digital Sovereignty and the Green Transition. EU Challenges in Times of War and Energy Crisis.
No full textThis book is the first investigation of the relationship between EU digital sovereignty and sustainability strategies. It maps the ambitions and limitations of EU digital strategic autonomy and explores the structural challenges underlying its relationship with its green transition objectives in the context of the ongoing wars in neighbouring European countries and the consequent tensions in the EU energy sector. The EU is racing to achieve technological independence from third countries and foreign multinational companies to protect its digital sovereignty and preserve its fundamental rights. In the EU, digitalisation and the green transformation are seen as twin transitions. Yet, EU digital sovereignty strategies have a significant environmental cost. Reaching a status of strategic autonomy of the EU at the level of digital infrastructures, products, services and data implies higher energy consumption and exploitation of natural resources. Moreover, the geopolitical tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine have provoked an unprecedented energy crisis, which is affecting EU economies and impacting objectives of the twin transitions. The book offers an interdisciplinary analysis of the major EU regulatory and policy instruments in this field, providing an invaluable guide for academics, practitioners, and policymakers navigating the complex issues of preserving digital sovereignty and addressing climate change in times of war and energy crisis
Solvability of concordance groups and Milnor invariants
No full textUsing Milnor invariants, we prove that the concordance group e(2) of 2-string links is not solvable. As a consequence, we prove that the equivariant concordance group of strongly invertible knots is also not solvable, and we answer a conjecture by Kuzbary (2023)
Maurogemmiite, Ti 10 Fe 3 O 3 and paulrobinsonite, Ti 8 Fe 4 O 2 : new minerals in a coesite-bearing fragment from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China
No full textMaurogemmiite, Ti10Fe3O3, and paulrobinsonite, Ti8Fe4O2, are two new mineral species in a fragment 0.45 mm 0.8 mm in size extracted from chromitite orebody #31 in the Luobusa ophiolite near Luobusa Village, Tibet, China (29°13.86 N, 92° 11.41 E). The fragment comprises (1) an alloy core consisting of a wangxibinite + osbornite intergrowth, Ti and the new minerals; (2) an inner rim of Ti and (3) an outer rim of coesite, kyanite and amorphous Ti aluminosilicate. Maurogemmiite forms irregular grains up to 30 μm across enclosed in paulrobinsonite, which isolated it from the wangxibinite (TiFe) + osbornite intergrowth. Two standard-less EDS analyses and O taken from the structurally refined model gave O 6.40, Al 0.26, Si 1.96, Ti 65.73, Fe 24.79, Ni 0.85, sum 100 wt%. The empirical formula normalised to Ti = 10 is Al0.07Si0.51Ti10Fe3.23Ni0.11O2.91. Two standard-less EDS analyses of paulrobinsonite gave O 3.73, Al 0.28, Si 1.82, Ti 56.50, Fe 35.65, Ni 2.03, sum 100 wt%. The empirical formula normalised to Ti = 8 is Al0.07Si0.44Ti8Fe4.33Ni0.23O1.58. Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) data on maurogemmiite delivered a primitive hexagonal cell, space group P63/mmc (#194) with a = 8.065(1) A, c = 8.015(3) A, V = 451.6(2) A3, Z = 2. The structure is a compact framework with Ti1, Ti3 and Fe1 in coordination 12 and Ti2 in coordination 13. Both Ti2 and Ti3 show a wide range of interatomic distances, which result in interstitial positions occupied predominantly by O and partially by non-stoichiometric Fe. The 3DED data on paulrobinsonite delivered an F-centred cubic cell, space group (#227) with a = 11.388(4) A, V = 1477.0(8) A3, Z = 8. The structure is also a compact framework with Ti1 and Fe1 in coordination 12 and Ti2 in coordination 14, whereas the remaining Fe and all O atoms occupy interstitial positions in nearly regular octahedral coordination with Ti2
Prevailing challenges in companion diagnostic test development for lung cancer
No full textIntroduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases and remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accurate assessment of predictive biomarkers, such as ALK and PD-L1, is essential for personalized therapy and to guide clinical decisions. Companion diagnostic (CDx) tests play a crucial role in this context. Areas covered: PD-L1 and ALK are key predictive biomarkers for NSCLC treatment. PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (TCs) helps predict responses to anti–PD-1 and anti–PD-L1 treatments, with assays like 22C3 and SP263. ALK rearrangements, detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), helps predict responses to ALK inhibitors like crizotinib. IHC is a practical and cost-effective screening method but combining IHC with molecular techniques such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) or FISH enhances accuracy. Expert opinion: PD-L1 and ALK are crucial predictive biomarkers for patients with NSCLC. PD-L1 IHC expression predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but its predictive value is not perfect, with some PD-L1-negative patients benefiting from specific therapy. ALK IHC, with confirmatory FISH or NGS, guides tailored treatment. In this context, an integrated predictive approach enables the best clinical and therapeutic management of patients with NSCLC
Tracing the emergence of domesticated grapevine in Italy
No full textThis study presents an extensive analysis of 1,768 well-preserved waterlogged archaeological grape pips covering approximately 7000 years of history. These samples originate from 25 Italian archaeological sites spanning from the Early Neolithic (6th millemmium BC) to the Medieval period (8th-14th centuries AD). Employing geometric morphometrics and linear discriminant analyses, we compared these archaeological grape pips with modern reference collections to differentiate between wild and domestic grape types. Additionally, we analysed phenotypic changes in grape pip length and shape over the studied period to the present day to highlight traits associated with domestication syndrome. During the Early Neolithic, no evidence of morphologically domesticated grapes was observed. Data from Early Bronze Age sites (ca. 2050–1850 BC) display the same trend observed for the Early Neolithic period. The Middle Bronze Age sites (ca. 1600–1300 BC) continue to exhibit a predominance of wild grape pips. However, a notable transition occurs at the end of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1300–1100 BC), with the majority of grape pips classified as domestic, indicating the definitive establishment of cultivation practices and selection of domestic grape by these communities. In the Iron Age, grape pips from Etruscan sites dating to the 4th century BC are predominantly domestic, suggesting an advanced viticulture for this period. During the Roman period (1st-6th centuries AD), some sites exhibited a high presence of domestic grape pips and intermediate forms between wild and domestic morphotypes, suggesting introgression between local wild and domestic grape allowing the formation of new varieties. Finally, the Medieval period (8th-14th centuries AD) sites demonstrate a widespread prevalence of domestic grape pips across archaeological sites, indicating a reduction of intermediate forms between wild and domestic morphotypes and displaying morphometric characteristics entirely similar to modern domestic grape references. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the evolution of grapevine cultivation in Italy, highlighting the gradual transition from wild to domesticated types over millennia
La ecología política de la agricultura 4.0 en Italia: ¿hacia un modelo agroextractivista verde?
No full textThis article explores the political ecology of agricultural digitalization in Italy, situating it within the broader debate on green capitalism and agro-extractivism. Far from representing a neutral phase of technological modernization, the digital transition in agriculture –pro-moted within the framework of the eU’s twin green and digital transition– embodies a further development in the commodification of nature and labor. Based on a preliminary analysis of the impacts of agricultural digitalization policies in Italy, the article examines how these policies address the structural contradictions of the agroindustrial model in the Italian context. It argues that digital agriculture functions as a reformist strategy that adapts to, rather than resolves, an increasingly deep socio-ecological crisis, reinforcing trends of land concentration, labor precarity, and environmental degradation. By framing these dynamics through the lens of agro-extractivism, the article highlights the intersections between the twin ecological and digital transition in agriculture and this regime of accumulation, contrasting them with a just transition perspective centered on the reproduction of socio-ecological life rather than the technological intensification of productio