bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of low doses of the novel dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) derivative BNN27 in rat models of anxiety
Authors: Fragkiadaki Evangelia , Katsanou Lamprini , Vartzoka Foteini , Gravanis Achille , Pitsikas Nikolaos 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Rationale
Several lines of evidence indicate that the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is involved in anxiety. BNN27 is a new DHEA derivative lacking steroidogenic effects. The beneficial effects exerted by BNN27 in preclinical models of schizophrenia and memory disorders have been recently reported.

Objectives
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of this DHEA novel analog on anxiety-like behavior in rats.

Methods
To this end, the light/dark box, the open field, the contextual fear conditioning, and the excessive self-grooming induced by the serotonin 5-HT2c receptor agonist mCPP tests were utilized.

Results
Animals treated acutely with BNN27 (1, 3, and 6 mg/kg) dose dependently spent more time in the bright compartment of the light/dark box and in the central zone of the open field with respect to their vehicle-treated cohorts. Further, BNN27 reduced freezing behavior and weakened the mCPP-induced excessive self-grooming.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that BNN27 is a highly potent anxiolytic agent, as in all studied paradigms it showed anxiolytic-like effects in male rats.
Parameterised and Fine-Grained Subgraph Counting, Modulo 2
Authors: Goldberg Leslie Ann , Roth Marc 
Published: November 2023

AbstractGiven a class of graphs $${\mathcal {H}}$$
H
, the problem $$\oplus \text {{Sub}}({\mathcal {H}})$$

⊕
Sub
(
H
)

is defined as follows. The input is a graph $$H\in {\mathcal {H}}$$

H
∈
H

together with an arbitrary graph G. The problem is to compute, modulo 2, the number of subgraphs of G that are isomorphic to H. The goal of this research is to determine for which classes $${\mathcal {H}}$$
H
the problem $$\oplus \text {{Sub}}({\mathcal {H}})$$

⊕
Sub
(
H
)

is fixed-parameter tractable (FPT), i.e., solvable in time $$f(|H|)\cdot |G|^{O(1)}$$

f

(
|
H
|
)

·

|
G
|

O
(
1
)

. Curticapean, Dell, and Husfeldt (ESA 2021) conjectured that $$\oplus \text {{Sub}}({\mathcal {H}})$$

⊕
Sub
(
H
)

is FPT if and only if the class of allowed patterns $${\mathcal {H}}$$
H
is matching splittable, which means that for some fixed B, every $$H \in {\mathcal {H}}$$

H
∈
H

can be turned into a matching (a graph in which every vertex has degree at most 1) by removing at most B vertices. Assuming the randomised Exponential Time Hypothesis, we prove their conjecture for (I) all hereditary pattern classes $${\mathcal {H}}$$
H
, and (II) all tree pattern classes, i.e., all classes $${\mathcal {H}}$$
H
such that every $$H\in {\mathcal {H}}$$

H
∈
H

is a tree. We also establish almost tight fine-grained upper and lower bounds for the case of hereditary patterns (I).
Does Political Equality Require Equal Power? A Pluralist Account
Authors: Mráz Attila 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper, I criticize two views on how political equality is related to equally distributed political power, and I offer a novel, pluralist account of political equality to address their shortcomings—in particular, concerning their implications for affirmative action in the political domain, political representation, and the situation of permanent minorities. The Equal Power View holds that political equality requires equally distributed political power. It considers affirmative action—e.g., racial or gender electoral quotas—, representation, and more-than-equal power to permanent minorities pro tanto objectionable. The Equal Status View, in contrast, holds that political equality concerns equal relations and status, and it is only contingently related to equally distributed power. I argue that while the Equal Status View is right that equal power can be insufficient for—or even objectionable from the viewpoint of—political equality, it is wrong to conclude that equal power has no independent significance in an account of political equality. My pluralist account shows that political equality entails not only status-based requirements but also independent egalitarian requirements to distribute political power equally. This account provides a finer-grained understanding of affirmative action in the political domain. It justifies affirmative action but holds that it should only be used to realize equal political status until thorough-going social reform allows us to maintain both equal political status and equally distributed political power at the same time. Similarly, representation should be amended with power-balancing institutions, and permanent minorities should enjoy equal status with minimal compromise to power equality.
Trophic relationships of translocated and indigenous chub Squalius cephalus populations with trophically analogous fishes
Authors: Warren Bertram I. C. , Pinder Adrian C. , Parker Ben , Tarkan A. Serhan , Britton J. Robert 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe translocation of non-indigenous fishes into lowland rives can result in invasive populations establishing and dispersing. Because non-indigenous fishes can cause ecological harm, it is important to understand their trophic relationships and the effects they may have on native fishes. We assessed the trophic ecology of a translocated chub Squalius cephalus population in the River Frome, a lowland chalk stream in Southern England, using bulk stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) metrics, and compared the results with those derived from indigenous chub populations. The isotopic niche sizes of all fishes in the River Frome were substantially larger in the tidal versus non-tidal site, with the δ13C values suggesting some fish were foraging further downstream of their sampling point in areas that had greater tidal and salinity influences. Inter-specific comparisons of isotopic niches revealed a consistent pattern of similar niche size and overlap between chub and the trophically analogous dace Leuciscus leuciscus. These isotopic relationships between chub and dace were then also apparent in the indigenous populations of these fishes. These results suggest that the colonisation of this lowland river by translocated chub is being facilitated by their isotopic relationships with other fishes that are similar to those observed in their native range.
Recruitment of PVT1 Enhances YTHDC1-Mediated m6A Modification of IL-33 in Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury During Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Bao Tianping , Liu Xiangye , Hu Jian , Ma Mengmeng , Li Jingyan , Cao Linxia , Yu Bingrui , Cheng Huaiping , Zhao Sai , Tian Zhaofang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that specifically affects preterm infants. Oxygen therapy administered to treat BPD can lead to hyperoxia-induced lung injury, characterized by apoptosis of lung alveolar epithelial cells. Our epitranscriptomic microarray analysis of normal mice lungs and hyperoxia-stimulated mice lungs revealed elevated RNA expression levels of IL-33, as well as increased m6A RNA methylation levels of IL-33 and PVT1 in the hyperoxia-stimulated lungs. This study aimed to investigate the role of the PVT1/IL-33 axis in BPD. A mouse model of BPD was established through hyperoxia induction, and lung histological changes were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin staining. Parameters such as radial alveolar count and mean chord length were measured to assess lung function. Mouse and human lung alveolar epithelial cells (MLE12 and A549, respectively) were stimulated with hyperoxia to create an in vitro BPD model. Cell apoptosis was detected using Western blotting and flow cytometry analysis. Our results demonstrated that silencing PVT1 suppressed apoptosis in MLE12 and A549 cells and improved lung function in hyperoxia-stimulated lungs. Additionally, IL-33 reversed the effects of PVT1 both in vivo and in vitro. Through online bioinformatics analysis and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assays, YTHDC1 was identified as a RNA-binding protein (RBP) for both PVT1 and IL-33. We found that PVT1 positively regulated IL-33 expression by recruiting YTHDC1 to mediate m6A modification of IL-33. In conclusion, silencing PVT1 demonstrated beneficial effects in alleviating BPD by facilitating YTHDC1-mediated m6A modification of IL-33. Inhibition of the PVT1/IL-33 axis to suppress apoptosis in lung alveolar epithelial cells may hold promise as a therapeutic approach for managing hyperoxia-induced lung injury in BPD.
On Convergence Rates of Proximal Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers
Authors: Jin Qinian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper we consider from two different aspects the proximal alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) in Hilbert spaces. We first consider the application of the proximal ADMM to solve well-posed linearly constrained two-block separable convex minimization problems in Hilbert spaces and obtain new and improved non-ergodic convergence rate results, including linear and sublinear rates under certain regularity conditions. We next consider the proximal ADMM as a regularization method for solving linear ill-posed inverse problems in Hilbert spaces. When the data is corrupted by additive noise, we establish, under a benchmark source condition, a convergence rate result in terms of the noise level when the number of iterations is properly chosen.
Assessing populations exposed to climate change: a focus on Africa in a global context
Authors: Ghio Daniela , Goujon Anne , Natale Fabrizio , Alfredo Alessandrini , Petroliagkis Thomas 
Published: November 2023

Abstract The recent debate on population dynamics and climate change has highlighted the importance of assessing and quantifying disparities in populations’ vulnerability and adopting a forward-looking manner when considering the potential impacts of climate change on different communities and regions. In this article, we overlay demographic projections based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and climate change projections derived from the Representative Concentration Pathways. We focus on populations that are likely to be the most exposed to climate change in the future, namely, African populations in a comparative global context. First, we estimate the share of populations living in rural areas, who would be more dependent on agriculture, as one of the economic sectors mostly affected by climate change. Second, we explore how climate change would worsen the condition of populations living below the poverty line. Finally, we account for low levels of education, as further factors limiting people’s adaptation ability to increasingly adverse climate circumstances. Our contribution to the literature on population, agriculture, and environmental change is twofold. Firstly, by mapping the potential populations exposed to climate change, in terms of declining agricultural yields, we identify vulnerable areas, allowing for the development of targeted strategies and interventions to mitigate the impacts, ensure resilience, and protect the population living in the most affected areas. Secondly, we assess differentials in the vulnerability of local populations, showing how African regions would become among one of the most exposed to climate change by the end of the century. The findings support the targeting of policy measures to prevent increased vulnerability among already disadvantaged populations.
Cauchy robust principal component analysis with applications to high-dimensional data sets
Authors: Fayomi Aisha , Pantazis Yannis , Tsagris Michail , Wood Andrew T. A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrincipal component analysis (PCA) is a standard dimensionality reduction technique used in various research and applied fields. From an algorithmic point of view, classical PCA can be formulated in terms of operations on a multivariate Gaussian likelihood. As a consequence of the implied Gaussian formulation, the principal components are not robust to outliers. In this paper, we propose a modified formulation, based on the use of a multivariate Cauchy likelihood instead of the Gaussian likelihood, which has the effect of robustifying the principal components. We present an algorithm to compute these robustified principal components. We additionally derive the relevant influence function of the first component and examine its theoretical properties. Simulation experiments on high-dimensional datasets demonstrate that the estimated principal components based on the Cauchy likelihood typically outperform, or are on a par with, existing robust PCA techniques. Moreover, the Cauchy PCA algorithm we have used has much lower computational cost in very high dimensional settings than the other public domain robust PCA methods we consider.
A problem with the fixed past fixed
Authors: Wawer Jacek 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA novel fatalistic argument that combines elements of modal, temporal, and epistemic logic to prove that the fixed past is not compatible with the open future has recently been presented by Lampert (Analysis 82(3):426–434, 2022). By the construction of a countermodel, it is shown that his line of reasoning is defective. However, it is also explained how Lampert’s argument could be corrected if it were supported with an extra premise regarding the temporal status of a priori knowledge. This additional assumption—which was tacit in the original presentation—is shown to be the weakest link, and it is argued that, despite Lampert’s assurance, it can be plausibly rejected in a roughly Ockhamist framework. Thus, it is concluded that the fixed past poses no threat to the open future; however, a few different lessons about knowledge, necessity, and time are drawn from careful reflection on this novel argument.
Why reasons and reasoning don’t come apart
Authors: Kietzmann Christian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn recent years several philosophers have proposed what has come to be called the Reasoning View of normative reasons, according to which normative reasons are premises of sound reasoning. The reasoning view has come under some criticism, which chiefly consists in counterexamples that purport to show that something can be a premise of sound reasoning without intuitively being a normative reason, or can be a normative reason without being a premise of sound reasoning. I here consider and reject three examples that were recently put forward. Discussing them will allow me to clarify the Reasoning View in important respects.
Leveraging response times in learning environments: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Pelánek Radek 
Published: November 2023

AbstractComputer-based learning environments can easily collect student response times. These can be used for multiple purposes, such as modeling student knowledge and affect, domain modeling, and cheating detection. However, to fully leverage them, it is essential to understand the properties of response times and associated caveats. In this study, we delve into the properties of response time distributions, including the influence of aberrant student behavior on response times. We then provide an overview of modeling approaches that use response times and discuss potential applications of response times for guiding the adaptive behavior of learning environments.
FGF2 Functions in H2S’s Attenuating Effect on Brain Injury Induced by Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Rats
Authors: Zhu Yu-Xiang , Yang Qin , Zhang You-Peng , Liu Zhi-Gang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDeep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) can protect the brain during cardiac and aortic surgery by cooling the body, but meanwhile, temporary or permanent brain injury may arise. H2S protects neurons and the central nervous system, especially from secondary neuronal injury. We aim to unveil part of the mechanism of H2S’s attenuating effect on brain injury induced by DHCA by exploring crucial target genes, and further promote the clinical application of H2S in DHCA. Nine SD rats were utilized to provide histological and microarray samples, and further the differential expression analysis. Then we conducted GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses on candidate genes. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed by STRING and GeneMANIA. Crucial target genes’ expression was validated by qRT-PCR and western blot. Histological study proved DHCA’s damaging effect and H2S’s repairing effect on brain. Next, we got 477 candidate genes by analyzing differentially expressed genes. The candidate genes were enriched in 303 GO terms and 28 KEGG pathways. Then nine genes were selected as crucial target genes. The function prediction by GeneMANIA suggested their close relation to immunity. FGF2 was identified as the crucial gene. FGF2 plays a vital role in the pathway when H2S attenuates brain injury after DHCA. Our research provides more information for understanding the mechanism of H2S attenuating brain injury after DHCA. We infer the process might probably be closely associated with immunity.
Development of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) Method for Quantification of Broccoli Sulforaphane
Authors: Ali Redha Ali , Hong Hung T. , Torquati Luciana , Nash Geoffrey R. , Gidley Michael J. , Cozzolino Daniel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate and the product of the hydrolysis of glucoraphanin (GRA) by myrosinase. Broccoli is one of the rich sources of GRA and thus SFN. SFN possess a wide range of bioactivities and is considered an anti-cancer phytochemical. Most of the current common methods used to quantify SFN are based on high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection (DAD) — also known as HPLC-DAD. Although this technique has shown encouraging results, the detection of SFN by DAD is relatively weak and affected by high interference of sample matrices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method in which SFN is identified by molecular mass to give more accurate results. The developed method demonstrated a highly reproducible retention time (7.204 ± 0.008 min), producing a sharp, symmetrical and well-defined sulforaphane peak in standard and test samples. The most dominant ion of sulforaphane in the pure and test samples was 178 m/z ([M + H]+). In terms of linearity, the calibration curve had a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9963. The limit of detection of this method is 1.3 ng/mL, and the limit of quantification is 3.9 ng/mL, indicating high sensitivity. The uniformity of peak shape and retention time in both pure and test samples were the same suggesting excellent selectivity. Overall, the developed method showed promising results in identifying and quantifying broccoli SFN.
“It Brings the Good Vibes”: Exploring Biomorphic Aesthetics in the Design of Soft Personal Robots
Authors: Christiansen Mads Bering , Rafsanjani Ahmad , Jørgensen Jonas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe flexible bodies of soft robots provide exciting new possibilities for interaction with humans. In this paper, we propose a novel design paradigm, Soft Biomorphism, for soft robots centered on the idea of amplifying their inherent biomorphic aesthetic qualities and activating these as affordances for human interaction. Following this approach, we developed a set of biomorphic soft robotic prototypes and conducted two studies to understand the effects of biomorphic design aesthetics on people’s impressions of these prototypes. Based on qualitative data collected through five workshop sessions, the first exploratory study (n = 10) sought to investigate the envisioned uses and types of interactions that prototypes elicited within the context of personal robots. We found that various uses were considered and that most participants associated the biomorphic aesthetic design with soft robots contributing to emotional and physical well-being. Building on these results, we conducted a second study (n = 32) to investigate if soft robots with enhanced biomorphic qualities are perceived as more appealing and appropriate for physical human–robot interaction aimed at supporting well-being. We did not find any statistically significant preference for biomorphic soft robots. However, we found statistically significant differences in appeal ratings post-interaction for some prototypes, suggesting that physical interaction with soft robots can impact the perceived appeal. Based on our findings, we highlight key issues to bear in mind when considering biomorphic aesthetics in soft personal robot designs and provide tentative design recommendations to combine biomorphic and geometric elements and align visual appearance, tactility, and movement in future robot designs.
Experimental investigation on the turbulent wake flow in fully established transonic buffet conditions
Authors: Schauerte Christopher Julian , Schreyer Anne-Marie 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe transonic flight regime is often dominated by transonic buffet, a highly unsteady and complex shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction involving major parts of the flow field. The phenomenon is associated with a large-amplitude periodic motion of the compression shock coupled with large-scale flow separation and intermittent re-attachment. Due to the resulting large-scale variation of the global flow topology, also the turbulent wake of the airfoil or wing is severely affected, and so are any aerodynamic devices downstream on which the wake impinges. To analyze and understand the turbulent structures and dynamics of the wake, we performed a comprehensive experimental study of the near wake of the supercritical OAT15A airfoil in transonic buffet conditions at a chord Reynolds number of$$2\times 10^{6}$$2×106. Velocity field measurements reveal severe global influences of the buffet mode on both the surface-bound flow field on the suction side of the airfoil and the wake. The flow is intermittently strongly separated, with a significant momentum deficit that extends far into the wake. The buffet motion induces severe disturbances and variations of the turbulent flow, as shown on the basis of phase-averaged turbulent quantities in terms of Reynolds shear stress and RMS-values. The spectral nature of downstream-convecting fluctuations and turbulent structures are analyzed using high-speed focusing schlieren sequences. Analyses of the power spectral density pertaining to the vortex shedding in the direct vicinity of the trailing edge indicate dominant frequencies one order of magnitude higher than those associated with shock buffet ($$St_c=\mathcal {O}({1})$$Stc=O(1)) vs.$$St_c=\mathcal {O}({0.1})$$Stc=O(0.1)). It is shown that the flapping motion of the shear layer is accompanied by the formation of a von Kármán-type vortex street of fluctuating strength. These wake structures and dynamics will impact any downstream aerodynamic devices affected by the wake. Our study, therefore, allows conclusions regarding the incoming flow of devices such as the tail plane.