bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classification of cyclic groups underlying only smooth skew morphisms
Authors: Hu Kan , Kovács István , Kwon Young Soo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA skew morphism of a finite group A is a permutation $$\varphi $$
φ
of A fixing the identity element and for which there is an integer-valued function $$\pi $$
π
on A such that $$\varphi (ab)=\varphi (a)\varphi ^{\pi (a)}(b)$$

φ

(
a
b
)

=
φ

(
a
)

φ

π
(
a
)

(
b
)

for all $$a, b \in A$$

a
,
b
∈
A

. A skew morphism $$\varphi $$
φ
of A is smooth if the associated power function $$\pi $$
π
is constant on the orbits of $$\varphi $$
φ
, that is, $$\pi (\varphi (a))\equiv \pi (a)\pmod {|\varphi |}$$

π
(
φ
(
a
)
)
≡
π
(
a
)

(
mod

|
φ
|
)

for all $$a\in A$$

a
∈
A

. In this paper, we show that every skew morphism of a cyclic group of order n is smooth if and only if $$n=2^en_1$$

n
=

2
e

n
1

, where $$0 \le e \le 4$$

0
≤
e
≤
4

and $$n_1$$

n
1

is an odd square-free number. A partial solution to a similar problem on non-cyclic abelian groups is also given.
Fast screening method to identify salinity tolerant strains of foliose Ulva species. Low salinity leads to increased organic matter of the biomass
Authors: Simon Clara , Fort Antoine , Jouanneau Diane , McHale Marcus , Sulpice Ronan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSea lettuce (Ulva) is recognised for its potential in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biorefinery and bioremediation industries and is increasingly being cultivated. The requirements of those industries vary widely in terms of biomass composition. Ulva biomass composition and growth is known to be directly influenced by environmental factors, e.g., temperature, light, salinity, nutrient availability as well as by genetic factors and likely by microbiome composition. In order to select for the highest yielding strains in a given environment, we tested the suitability of common-garden experiments, i.e., the co-cultivation of different strains grown under shared conditions. Fifteen strains from six different foliose Ulva species were grown together under two different salinities, 35 ppt and 15 ppt. After 32 days, only U. australis strains remained at both salinities. If selection at low salinity was mostly based on survival, the selection process at seawater salinity was driven by competition, largely based on growth performance. Growth rates after a month were very similar at both salinities, suggesting the U. australis strains cope equally well in either condition. However, the composition of the biomass produced in both environments varied, with the content of all organic compounds being higher at low salinity, and the ash content being reduced in average by 66%. To summarize, this study provides an established bulk-selection protocol for efficiently screening large numbers of locally-sourced strains and highlights the potential of low salinity treatments for increased organic matter content, particularly in carbohydrates.
Computational peptide discovery with a genetic programming approach
Authors: Scalzitti Nicolas , Miralavy Iliya , Korenchan David E. , Farrar Christian T. , Gilad Assaf A. , Banzhaf Wolfgang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe development of peptides for therapeutic targets or biomarkers for disease diagnosis is a challenging task in protein engineering. Current approaches are tedious, often time-consuming and require complex laboratory data due to the vast search spaces that need to be considered. In silico methods can accelerate research and substantially reduce costs. Evolutionary algorithms are a promising approach for exploring large search spaces and can facilitate the discovery of new peptides. This study presents the development and use of a new variant of the genetic-programming-based POET algorithm, called POETRegex, where individuals are represented by a list of regular expressions. This algorithm was trained on a small curated dataset and employed to generate new peptides improving the sensitivity of peptides in magnetic resonance imaging with chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). The resulting model achieves a performance gain of 20% over the initial POET models and is able to predict a candidate peptide with a 58% performance increase compared to the gold-standard peptide. By combining the power of genetic programming with the flexibility of regular expressions, new peptide targets were identified that improve the sensitivity of detection by CEST. This approach provides a promising research direction for the efficient identification of peptides with therapeutic or diagnostic potential.
A Longitudinal Examination of Direct and Indirect Influences of Parental Behaviors on Child Physical Activity
Authors: Saunders Ruth P. , Dowda Marsha , Dishman Rod K. , Pate Russell R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMany children do not realize the physical health, mental health, cognitive, and academic benefits of physical activity because they are insufficiently active. Effectively promoting physical activity in children requires understanding the determinants of physical activity. Parent physical activity and support for physical activity have emerged as central influences, but few studies have applied longitudinal designs and device-based measures of child physical activity. The purposes of this cohort study were to examine direct associations between parent physical activity and child physical activity, parent physical activity and parent support for physical activity, and parent support and child physical activity; and to examine indirect associations between parent physical activity and child physical activity, mediated through parent support behaviors. We used structural equation modeling with panel analysis to examine direct and indirect influences of parent physical activity and support on 7th grade children’s physical activity, adjusted for 5th grade levels. Parent surveys were administered at the 5th grade time-point. Parent physical activity indirectly affected child physical activity, mediated through the parent support behavior of providing transportation for physical activity. Parent physical activity was also directly related to four parent support behaviors. Increasing parent support for child physical activity, and possibly parent physical activity, may be effective approaches to increasing child physical activity.
Addition of Selected Plant-Derived Semiochemicals to Yellow Sticky Traps Does Not Improve Citrus Psyllid Captures
Authors: Pullock Dylan A. , Krüger Kerstin , Manrakhan Aruna , Yusuf Abdullahi A. , Weldon Christopher W. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFast and effective monitoring and surveillance techniques are crucial for the swift implementation of control methods to prevent the spread of Huanglongbing, a devastating citrus disease, and its invasive psyllid vector, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, into South Africa, as well as to control the native vector, African citrus triozid, Trioza erytreae. Monitoring for citrus psyllid pests can be improved by using semiochemical odorants to augment already visually attractive yellow sticky traps. However, environmental variables such as temperature and humidity could influence odorant release rates. Five field cages were used to test the ability of a selection of odorants to improve yellow sticky trap efficacy in capturing citrus psyllids. Environmental effects on odorant loss from the dispensers were also investigated. The odorants that most improved yellow sticky trap captures in field cages were then tested under open field conditions alongside lower concentrations of those same lures. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to calculate odorant release rates as well as to determine if any contamination occurred under field conditions. None of the odorants under field cage or field conditions significantly improved psyllid capture on yellow sticky traps. Temperature influenced odorant loss, and release rate from polyethylene bulbs decreased over time. Based on these results, the use of unbaited yellow sticky traps seems to be the most effective method for monitoring of Huanglongbing vectors.
Floods, droughts, and environmental circumscription in early state development: the case of ancient Egypt
Authors: Mayoral Laura , Olsson Ola 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWhat explains the origins and survival of the first states around 5000 years ago? In this research, we focus on the role of weather-related productivity shocks for early state development in ancient Egypt. We present a framework of extractive state consolidation predicting that political stability should be high whenever environmental circumscription is high, i.e., whenever there is a large gap between the productivity of the area under state control (core) and that of the surrounding areas (hinterland). In such periods, the elite can impose high levels of taxation that the population will be forced to accept as exit to the hinterland is not a feasible option. In order to test this hypothesis, we develop novel proxies for both the historical productivity of the Nile banks and of the Egyptian hinterland on the basis of high-resolution paleoclimate archives. Our empirical analysis then investigates the relationship between these proxies for environmental circumscription and political outcomes such as ruler and dynastic tenure durations, the area under state control and pyramid construction during 2685–1140 BCE. Our results show that while extreme Nile floods are associated with a greater degree of political instability, periods with a greater rainfall in the hinterland (i.e., a lower effective environmental circumscription) causes a decline in state capacity and a delayed increase in political instability.
Mapping Youth Awareness of Sports Betting Advertising During the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Authors: Di Censo Gianluca , Delfabbro Paul , King Daniel L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractYoung people are known to be highly engaged in sports betting and therefore may be particularly susceptible to the effects of gambling-related advertising. The purpose of the present study was to examine young people’s recall of sports betting advertising during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The sample consisted of 190 UK residents aged 18–24 who had watched at least one 2022 World Cup match. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data on participants' recall of sports betting advertisements across several media types and for different bets and betting offers, as well as their problem gambling scores. The findings indicated that young people were able to recall a high amount of advertising for various types of bets (95.6%) and betting inducements (89.5%). A high proportion of young people recalled advertising for risky bet types and promotions, such as 64.2% for in-play betting and 68.1% for sign-up offers. Overall, higher-risk gamblers recalled encountering more advertising than lower-risk gamblers. Participants recalled encountering sports betting advertisements on social media the most (10–14 ads per week), then on internet banners and television (5–9 ads per week, respectively). Less than half (46.3%) of respondents were aware of advertising for responsible gambling tools. This study underscores the need for policy measures that limit young people's exposure to gambling advertising, particularly for products that may contribute to gambling-related harm, and that increase the promotion of responsible gambling tools.
Monte Carlo tree search control scheme for multibody dynamics applications
Authors: Tang Yixuan , Orzechowski Grzegorz , Prokop Aleš , Mikkola Aki 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is considerable interest in applying reinforcement learning (RL) to improve machine control across multiple industries, and the automotive industry is one of the prime examples. Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) has emerged and proven powerful in decision-making games, even without understanding the rules. In this study, multibody system dynamics (MSD) control is first modeled as a Markov Decision Process and solved with Monte Carlo Tree Search. Based on randomized search space exploration, the MCTS framework builds a selective search tree by repeatedly applying a Monte Carlo rollout at each child node. However, without a library of available choices, deciding among the many possibilities for agent parameters can be intimidating. In addition, the MCTS poses a significant challenge for searching due to the large branching factor. This challenge is typically overcome by appropriate parameter design, search guiding, action reduction, parallelization, and early termination. To address these shortcomings, the overarching goal of this study is to provide needed insight into inverted pendulum controls via vanilla and modified MCTS agents, respectively. A series of reward functions are well-designed according to the control goal, which maps a specific distribution shape of reward bonus and guides the MCTS-based control to maintain the upright position. Numerical examples show that the reward-modified MCTS algorithms significantly improve the control performance and robustness of the default choice of a constant reward that constitutes the vanilla MCTS. The exponentially decaying reward functions perform better than the constant value or polynomial reward functions. Moreover, the exploitation vs. exploration trade-off and discount parameters are carefully tested. The study’s results can guide the research of RL-based MSD users.
Genome-wide identification and in-silico expression analysis of CCO gene family in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) against abiotic stress
Authors: Sami Adnan , Haider Muhammad Zeeshan , Shafiq Muhammad , Sadiq Saleh , Ahmad Farooq 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCarotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) enzymes play an important role in plant growth and development by producing a wide array of apocarotenoids and their derivatives. These compounds are vital for colouring flowers and fruits and synthesizing plant hormones such as abscisic acid and strigolactones. Despite their importance, the gene family responsible for CCO enzymes in sunflowers has not been identified. In this study, we identify the CCO genes of the sunflower plant to fill this knowledge gap. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis indicated that the Helianthus annuus CCO (HaCCO) genes were conserved in different plant species and they could be divided into three subgroups based on their conserved domains. Analysis using MEME tool and multiple sequence alignment identified conserved motifs in the HaCCO gene sequence. Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis of the HaCCO genes indicated the presence of various responsive elements related to plant hormones, development, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This implies that these genes may respond to plant hormones, developmental cues, and drought stress, offering potential applications in the development of more resistant crops. Genes belonging to the 9-cis-epoxy carotenoid dioxygenases (NCED) subgroups predominantly exhibited chloroplast localization, whereas the genes found in other groups are primarily localized in the cytoplasm. These 21 identified HaCCOs were regulated by 60 miRNAs, indicating the crucial role of microRNAs in gene regulation in sunflowers. Gene expression analysis under drought stress revealed significant up-regulation of HaNCED16 and HaNCED19, genes that are pivotal in ABA hormone biosynthesis. During organ-specific gene expression analysis, HaCCD12 and HaCCD20 genes exhibit higher activity in leaves, indicating a potential role in leaf pigmentation. This study provides a foundation for future research on the regulation and functions of the CCO gene family in sunflower and beyond. There is potential for developing molecular markers that could be employed in breeding programs to create new sunflower lines resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Between-word processing and text-level skills contributing to fluent reading of (non)word lists and text
Authors: van Viersen Sietske , Altani Angeliki , de Jong Peter F. , Protopapas Athanassios 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRecent studies have shown that fluent reading of word lists requires additional skills beyond efficient recognition of individual words. This study examined the specific contribution of between-word processing (sequential processing efficiency, indexed by serial digit RAN) and subskills related to text-level processing (vocabulary and syntactic skills) to a wide range of reading fluency tasks, while accounting for within-word processes (i.e., those involved in phonological recoding, orthographic decoding, and sight word reading). The sample included 139 intermediate-level (Grade 3, n = 78) and more advanced (Grade 5, n = 61) readers of Dutch. Fluency measures included simple and complex lists of words and nonwords, and a complex text. Data were analyzed through hierarchical regressions and commonality analyses. The findings confirm the importance of between-word processing for fluent reading and extend evidence from simple word lists and texts to complex word lists and texts, and simple and complex lists of nonwords. The findings hold for both intermediate-level and more advanced readers and, as expected, the contribution of between-word processing increased with reading-skill level. Effects of vocabulary were generally absent, aside from a small effect on text reading fluency in Grade 3. No effects of syntactic skills were found, even in more advanced readers. The results support the idea that once efficient individual word recognition is in place, further fluency development is driven by more efficient between-word processing. The findings also confirm that vocabulary may be less prominent in processing mechanisms underlying fluent word identification in transparent orthographies, across reading levels.
Reliabilist epistemology meets bounded rationality
Authors: Dusi Giovanni 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEpistemic reliabilism holds that a belief is justified if and only if it is produced by a reliable or truth-conducive process. I argue that reliabilism offers an epistemology for bounded rationality. This latter concept refers to normative and descriptive accounts of real-world reasoning instead of some ideal reasoning. However, as initially formulated, reliabilism involves an absolute, context-independent assessment of rationality that does not do justice to the fact that several processes are reliable in some reasoning environments but not in others, as is widely reported in the cognitive sciences literature. I consider possible solutions to this problem. Resorting to ‘normality reliabilism’, a variant of the theory, is one; but I find it insufficient. Therefore, in addition, I propose to relativise the reliability assessment to reasoning environments. This novel version of reliabilism fits bounded rationality better than the original one does.
Reduction of the received signal strength variation with distance using averaging over multiple heights and frequencies
Authors: Obeidat Huthaifa , Al-Sadoon Mohammed , Zebiri Chemseddine , Obeidat Omar , Elfergani Issa , Abd-Alhameed Raed 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAs a simple and inexpensive channel characteristic, received signal strength (RSS) finds extensive usage in localization applications. However, the quick changes in signal strength impact the localization precision. By averaging over access points (APs) with multiple frequencies and/or heights, this article suggests a novel approach to lowering RSS fluctuation. Initially focused on the plane-earth loss model, the study was later extended to include a multipath indoor propagation scenario that was simulated. We used ray-tracing software to model the indoor propagation situation. This research takes into account the results of three distinct methods for averaging RSS: height averaging, frequency averaging, and hybrid frequency and height (FH) averaging, which combines the two. We discovered that the Height-only strategy considerably decreased the RSS variation with distance for both settings we looked at. Using the frequency-only method even further reduced the variation. Using the Hybrid FH technique greatly enhances the results. Root mean square error values of 4.427 dB, 3.70 dB, and 3.5 dB, respectively, are provided for the averaging approaches and the ideal scenario in which no variance occurs. Another finding is that averaging with APs that have double the height or frequency will not improve the RSS distance variation.
Investigating impacts of the mycothiazole chemotype as a chemical probe for the study of mitochondrial function and aging
Authors: Dutta Naibedya , Gerke Joe A. , Odron Sofia F. , Morris Joseph D. , Hruby Adam , Kim Juri , Torres Toni Castro , Shemtov Sarah J. , Clarke Jacqueline G. , Chang Michelle C. , Shaghasi Hooriya , Ray Marissa N. , Averbukh Maxim , Hoang Sally , Oorloff Maria , Alcala Athena , Vega Matthew , Mehta Hemal H. , Thorwald Max A. , Crews Phillip , Vermulst Marc , Garcia Gilberto , Johnson Tyler A. , Higuchi-Sanabria Ryo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSmall molecule inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) hold significant promise to provide valuable insights to the field of mitochondrial research and aging biology. In this study, we investigated two molecules: mycothiazole (MTZ) - from the marine sponge C. mycofijiensis and its more stable semisynthetic analog 8-O-acetylmycothiazole (8-OAc) as potent and selective chemical probes based on their high efficiency to inhibit ETC complex I function. Similar to rotenone (Rote), MTZ, a newly employed ETC complex I inhibitor, exhibited higher cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines compared to certain non-cancer cell lines. Interestingly, 8-OAc demonstrated greater selectivity for cancer cells when compared to both MTZ and Rote, which has promising potential for anticancer therapeutic development. Furthermore, in vivo experiments with these small molecules utilizing a C. elegans model demonstrate their unexplored potential to investigate aging studies. We observed that both molecules have the ability to induce a mitochondria-specific unfolded protein response (UPRMT) pathway, that extends lifespan of worms when applied in their adult stage. We also found that these two molecules employ different pathways to extend lifespan in worms. Whereas MTZ utilizes the transcription factors ATFS-1 and HSF1, which are involved in the UPRMT and heat shock response (HSR) pathways respectively, 8-OAc only required HSF1 and not ATFS-1 to mediate its effects. This observation underscores the value of applying stable, potent, and selective next generation chemical probes to elucidate an important insight into the functional roles of various protein subunits of ETC complexes and their regulatory mechanisms associated with aging.
Graphical Abstract