bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clustering-based attack detection for adversarial reinforcement learning
Authors: Majadas Rubén , García Javier , Fernández Fernando 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDetecting malicious attacks presents a major challenge in the field of reinforcement learning (RL), as such attacks can force the victim to perform abnormal actions, with potentially severe consequences. To mitigate these risks, current research focuses on the enhancement of RL algorithms with efficient detection mechanisms, especially for real-world applications. Adversarial attacks have the potential to alter the environmental dynamics of a Markov Decision Process (MDP) perceived by an RL agent. Leveraging these changes in dynamics, we propose a novel approach to detect attacks. Our contribution can be summarized in two main aspects. Firstly, we propose a novel formalization of the attack detection problem that entails analyzing modifications made by attacks to the transition and reward dynamics within the environment. This problem can be framed as a context change detection problem, where the goal is to identify the transition from a “free-of-attack” situation to an “under-attack” scenario. To solve this problem, we propose a groundbreaking “model-free” clustering-based countermeasure. This approach consists of two essential steps: first, partitioning the transition space into clusters, and then using this partitioning to identify changes in environmental dynamics caused by adversarial attacks. To assess the efficiency of our detection method, we performed experiments on four established RL domains (grid-world, mountain car, carpole, and acrobot) and subjected them to four advanced attack types. Uniform, Strategically-timed, Q-value, and Multi-objective. Our study proves that our technique has a high potential for perturbation detection, even in scenarios where attackers employ more sophisticated strategies.
A note on the convergence of deterministic gradient sampling in nonsmooth optimization
Authors: Gebken Bennet 
Published: February 2024

AbstractApproximation of subdifferentials is one of the main tasks when computing descent directions for nonsmooth optimization problems. In this article, we propose a bisection method for weakly lower semismooth functions which is able to compute new subgradients that improve a given approximation in case a direction with insufficient descent was computed. Combined with a recently proposed deterministic gradient sampling approach, this yields a deterministic and provably convergent way to approximate subdifferentials for computing descent directions.
Vine Copula Approach to Understand the Financial Dependence of the Istanbul Stock Exchange Index
Authors: Evkaya Ozan , Gür İsmail , Yıldırım Külekci Bükre , Poyraz Gülden 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecently, the complex dependence patterns among various stocks gained more importance. Measuring the dependency structure is critical for investors to manage their portfolio risks. Since the global financial crisis, researchers have been more interested in studying the dynamics of dependency within stock markets by using novel methodologies. This study aims to investigate a Regular-Vine copula approach to estimate the interdependence structure of the Istanbul Stock Exchange index (ISE100). For this purpose, we consider 32 stocks related to 6 sectors belonging to ISE100. To reflect the time-varying impacts of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, the dependence analysis is conducted over pre-, during-, and post-global financial crisis periods. Portfolio analysis is considered via a rolling window approach to capture the changes in the dependence. We compare the Regular-Vine-based generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) against the conventional GARCH model with different innovations. Value at risk and expected shortfall risk measures are used to validate the models. Additionally, for the constructed portfolios, return performance is summarized using both Sharpe and Sortino ratios. To test the ability of the considered Regular-Vine approach on ISE100, another evaluation has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis with various parameter settings. The main findings across different risky periods illustrate the suitability of using the Regular-vine GARCH approach to model the complex dependence among stocks in emerging market conditions.
Professional Learning Supporting Multilingual Children’s Social and Emotional Development in Diverse Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Settings
Authors: McInnes Elspeth , Whitington Victoria , Neill Bec , Farndale Amy 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This research examined the conditions under which codesigned approaches to educator professional learning in multilingual, birth to five settings were accessible and supportive of children’s social and emotional development across diverse types of Australian early childhood services. The research sites, in the suburbs of a capital city, comprised a long day childcare center, two short term informal community creches for birth to 5-year-old children of migrants and refugees attending English classes, and a family hub short term informal community creche for children of Afghan refugees. Professional learning mentors visited the participating sites eight times for 2 h every 2 weeks for 16 Weeks in 2021, demonstrating resources and strategies to assist young children to identify their own and others’ emotions and engage with social settings. Over 20 weeks, 97 participants provided data, commencing before and extending after the professional learning program. Participants included professional learning mentors, staff and volunteers, parents, and children via observation. Using Reggio Emilia principles, the research identified that professional learning, flexibly delivered over time, enabled educators and volunteers to build their social and emotional development knowledge, and to try resources and strategies with children in their care. Recruiting educators who shared children’s home or community languages, in addition to professional learning, supported multilingual children to engage with emotional literacy resources, while still developing spoken English. The research affirmed that educators, volunteers, parents, and children benefitted from a sustained focus on children’s social and emotional development in the early childhood education and care settings.
Exploring the Fiscal policy—income inequality relationship with Bayesian model averaging analysis
Authors: Musibau Hammed Oluwaseyi , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Taghizadeh-Hesary Farhad 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe authors have employed several techniques to account for model uncertainty in the inequality-growth model. However, the BMA technique is the most prominent approach that solves model uncertainty in the inequality-growth literature. This study applied a recent BMA analysis using panel data to examine the role of fiscal policy on income inequality in 37 OECD countries from 2000 to 2015. Fiscal policy (in terms of tax revenue increase) serves as a redistributive tool or instrument to transfer income from higher income earners to lower earners and is considered a mechanism for income equality. To the best of the author’s knowledge, only a few empirical growth studies have considered fiscal policy impact in their income inequality model setup. Our work contributes to very little research on the fiscal policy–income nexus using a novel BMA and MCMC regression as a robust methodology. Our empirical evidence on the role of fiscal policy on income inequality has found three variables, namely, economic growth, fiscal policy, and urban population, to impact income inequality significantly. We also found that the countries are conditionally neither converging nor diverging because of the probability of their coefficient being high at 100%. As expected, the coefficient of fiscal policy has a significant negative relationship with income inequality, indicating that fiscal policy reduces income inequality significantly by an average of 22% (with 100% certainty) for both BMA and Bayes models in OECD countries.
Effects of herbivory, fire, and vegetation type on soil compaction and aggregate stability in a semi-arid savanna
Authors: Malongweni Siviwe Odwa , van Tol Johan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVegetation type is an important component of savannas contributing to changes in soil health. In savanna landscapes, the tree-grass balance is primarily governed by water, nutrients, fire, herbivory, and their interactions. Here we investigated the long-term effect of herbivores, fire, and vegetation type, and their interactions on selected physical properties (bulk density, penetration resistance, aggregate size fractions, and mean weight diameter (MWD)) of water stable aggregates within the crest and foot-slope of 20-year-old Nkuhlu exclosures located in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Burning, herbivory, and open grassland zones had a significant main and interactive ecological impact on all the soil physical properties under investigation. The interactions between fire, herbivores, and vegetation type within the crest and foot-slope of the Nkuhlu exclosure had a significant impact on soil bulk density, with areas under tree canopies having lower bulk density than open grassland zones in all the exclosures. In all the sampling sites, both burnt and unburnt plots of the full exclosure had lower penetration resistance than the control site and partial exclosure. Moreover, unburnt plots and canopy cover increased aggregate size distribution and mean weight diameter of water stable aggregates. Since fire and herbivory are closely linked and bring about changes in soil physical properties, the understanding of the dynamics of fire, herbivory, vegetation, and their interactions can then be used to help make effective management decisions that incorporate concerns of biodiversity in savanna ecosystems.
Modelling complex spatial–temporal drivers of habitat suitability for an imperilled stream fish
Authors: Bzonek Paul A. , Drake D. Andrew R. , Brownscombe Jacob W. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFish populations rely on complex environmental conditions involving physical, chemical, and biological factors. Understanding the factors that control population persistence and productivity is essential for species management. We assessed the distribution and associated habitat features of a species at risk in Canada, Silver Shiner (Notropis photogenis), within Sixteen Mile Creek, a tributary of Lake Ontario. Using random forest models, we quantified a range of ecological factors (n = 25) to estimate habitat associations for sampled populations and life stages (juvenile, adult). A complex set of ecological factors were informative predictors of Silver Shiner distribution, including physical (stream morphology, water velocity, substrate type), and biological (aquatic and riparian vegetation) conditions. Juveniles were less responsive to habitat conditions but exhibited high seasonal variability in occurrence. Adults were most common in stream sections with greater than 0.5 m depth and stream velocity less than 0.6 m/s, and areas without silt substrate. Broadly, the models predicted Silver Shiner distribution with 68–92% accuracy in non-training data. Our findings describe the habitat conditions that Silver Shiner currently occupies in an urban drainage, which may serve as a point of reference for habitat protection and restoration. Further, predictive species distribution models can serve to identify habitat for further monitoring and restoration.
The Ricci Rotation Coefficients in the Description of Trajectories of Spinning Test Particles Off-equatorial Plane in the Gravitational Field of a Rotating Source
Authors: Velandia Nelson , Leyva J. Alfonso , Cano-Arango Javier Alexander 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe describe the trajectories of circular orbits of spinless and spinning test particles around a rotating body in equatorial and non-equatorial planes via the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon equations. In this paper, these equations include the Ricci rotation coefficients with the purpose of describing not only the curvature of space time, but also the rotation of the spinning test particles that orbit around a rotating massive body. We found a numerical difference between the trajectories of spinless test particles and spinning test particles in the order of $${\varvec{10}}^{\varvec{-7}}$$

10

-
7

. We take as parameters: radius, energy, Carter’s constant and angular momentum.
Effect and safety posterior scleral reinforcement on controlling myopia in children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Jing , Tang Yu , Lin Zhihong , Tao Zhengyang , Deng Hongwei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) on the control of pediatric myopia. Electronic databases were systematically searched.

Methods
Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of outcomes were calculated. Eight studies with 357 patients with pediatric myopia were included. The SMD for the increase in mean axial length (AL) in the PSR and control group was − 1.19 (95% CI − 1.71, − 0.68).

Results
The SMD for decrease of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) LogMAR in the PSR and control group was 0.85 (95% CI 0.28, 1.43). The SMD for change in intraocular pressure (IOP) at the time of surgery and at the end of the follow-up period in the PSR group was − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.48, 0.47).

Conclusion
This meta-analysis indicates that PSR surgery may be an effective therapeutic strategy to control the progression of myopia in childhood with acceptable adverse effects.
Investigation of the influence of Al layer and total film thicknesses on structural and related magnetic properties in sputtered Ni/Al multilayer thin films
Authors: Kaplan Nadir , Kuru Hilal , Köçkar Hakan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe effects of parameters of Al layer thickness and total film thickness on the structural and related magnetic properties of Ni/Al multilayer films were investigated. The films were deposited by a dual sputtering. The Ni content decreased gradually while the Al content increased as the Al layer thickness increased. It was also observed that the total film thickness had little effect on the film content. All films have a face-centred cubic structure. And, the surface morphology of Ni/Al films is more uniform and homogeneous than the surface of Ni film. For magnetic analysis, the properties were strongly changed with the parameters. The saturation magnetisation, Ms of Ni film was obtained as 572 emu/cm3 while the Ms of the Ni/Al films decreased from 441 to 298 emu/cm3 with increasing Al content in the films caused by the Al layer thickness. And, the increase of total film thickness resulted in a decrease of Ms value. While the coercivity, Hc value of the Ni film was 90 Oe, Hc of Ni/Al films was decreased to ~ 39 Oe with the formation of multilayer structure. Ni/Al multilayers were obtained magnetically softer than the Ni film. The Ms and Hc values were significantly affected by the variation of the film content and crystal structure caused by the changes in deposition parameters. Therefore, this is a fundamental step for Ni/Al multilayers to improve the properties of these films for their potential applications in microelectronic devices.
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) concentration and health risk assessment of aerosols dust in Nicosia, North Cyprus
Authors: Zakaly Hesham M. H. , Abbasi Akbar , Almousa Nouf , Savaşan Ahmet 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study was carried out to evaluate the distribution of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and radiological risk indexes in aerosol dust in Nicosia, Cyprus utilizing a high-resolution HPGe gamma-spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the selected aerosol dust samples ranged from 25.9–52.4, 21.7–46.3, to 471–1302 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 40K were found to be above the Earth's crust average. The internal and external hazard indexes are well below the acceptable limit in most dust samples. All investigated samples met the exemption dose limit of 0.3 mSv y−1.
Development of low-temperature decontamination medium for decommissioning
Authors: Čubová Kateřina , Němec Mojmír , Šobová Tereza , Drtinová Barbora 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDecommissioning is inevitable for each nuclear facility and, lately, it has become one of the most topical issues. Several decontamination methods have been successfully applied worldwide; however, variations in operating chemistry and/or different composition of the construction materials play a very important role and can cause unexpected problems. The experiments aim at dissolving the most resistant chemical present in corrosion layers, chromium (III) oxide, using redox chemistry and further test the found redox system on stainless steels and its model corrosion products. It was found out that persulfate solution in diluted sulfuric acid supported by Ag+ ions can efficiently dissolve Cr2O3 and selected substrates at temperature as low as 50 °C.
A systematic review of the impact of brain tumours on risk of motor vehicle crashes
Authors: Tran Sophie , Lapidus Adam , Neal Andrew , Peters Katherine B. , Gately Lucy , Ameratunga Malaka 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Brain tumours are associated with neurocognitive impairments that are important for safe driving. Driving is vital to maintaining patient autonomy, despite this there is limited research on driving capacity amongst patients with brain tumours. The purpose of this review is to examine MVC risk in patients with brain tumours to inform development of clearer driving guidelines.

Methods
A systematic review was performed using Medline and EMBASE. Observational studies were included. The outcome of interest was MVC or measured risk of MVC in patients with benign or malignant brain tumours. Descriptive analysis and synthesis without meta-analysis were used to summarise findings. A narrative review of driving guidelines from Australia, United Kingdom and Canada was completed.

Results
Three studies were included in this review. One cohort study, one cross-sectional study and one case–control study were included (19,135 participants) across United States and Finland. One study evaluated the incidence of MVC in brain tumour patients, revealing no difference in MVC rates. Two studies measured MVC risk using driving simulation and cognitive testing. Patients found at higher risk of MVC had greater degrees of memory and visual attention impairments. However, predictive patient and tumour characteristics of MVC risk were heterogeneous across studies. Overall, driving guidelines had clear recommendations on selected conditions like seizures but were vague surrounding neurocognitive deficits.

Conclusion
Limited data exists regarding driving behaviour and MVC incidence in brain tumour patients. Existing guidelines inadequately address neurocognitive complexities in this group. Future studies evaluating real-world data is required to inform development of more applicable driving guidelines.

Systematic review registration number
PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023434608.
Merging of Neural Networks
Authors: Pašen Martin , Boža Vladimír 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe propose a simple scheme for merging two neural networks trained with different starting initialization into a single one with the same size as the original ones. We do this by carefully selecting channels from each input network. Our procedure might be used as a finalization step after one tries multiple starting seeds to avoid an unlucky one. We also show that training two networks and merging them leads to better performance than training a single network for an extended period of time.
New natural dyes extracted by ultrasonic and soxhlet method: Effect on dye-sensitized solar cell photovoltaic performance
Authors: Aslan Fehmi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study employed soxhlet and ultrasonic methods to extract novel natural dyes from Rhamnus tinctoria seed, Rubia fruticosa fruits, and Pinus pinea bark, which were then used as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). XRD data showed that TiO2 in the photoanode layer was in the anatase phase. The produced DSSCs were assessed for photovoltaic performance and electrochemical charge transfer while sensitizing dyes were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy and FTIR. Natural dyes leached with different extraction methods showed different absorption behaviors in the UV–vis region. FTIR results revealed the presence of both carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, which enhanced the interaction between the extracted dyes and the TiO2 thin film. All cells using sensitizers obtained by the Soxhlet method showed higher efficiency compared to the ultrasonic method. The highest cell performance (ɳ = 0.47%) was obtained with 0.71 V Voc, 0.92 mA/cm2 Jsc, and 0.72 FF for the sensitizer extracted from Rhamnus tinctoria seeds by the soxhlet method.
A Pulsed Hollow Cathode Discharge Operated in an Ar/N$$_2$$/O$$_2$$ Gas Mixture and the Formation of Nitric Oxide
Authors: Hippler Rainer , Cada Martin , Knizek Antonin , Ferus Martin , Hubicka Zdenek 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
A hollow cathode discharge with a CuNi (Cu50Ni50) cathode was operated in an Ar/N$$_2$$

2

/O$$_2$$

2

gas mixture. The energy distribution of plasma ions is investigated with the help of energy-resolved mass spectrometry. Formation of singly ionised Ar$$^+$$

+

and of Cu$$^+$$

+

and Ni$$^+$$

+

ions is observed in pure argon. With the addition of N$$_2$$

2

or O$$_2$$

2

gas the additional formation of molecular N$$_2^ +$$

2
+

or O$$_2^+$$

2
+

ions is observed. The intensity of these ions is reduced in the Ar+N$$_2$$

2

+O$$_2$$

2

gas mixture and molecular NO$$^+$$

+

ions become the most abundant ionic species. The formation of neutral NO molecules is confirmed by optical emission spectroscopy. Gas samples collected at the exhaust of the vacuum chamber confirm the formation of NO and, additionally, of NO$$_2$$

2

molecules.

Graphic Abstract
Sample taken from the exhaust of the plasma chamber with a liquid-nitrogen-cooled glass container showing solid nitrogen oxide (blue).
Experimental and Numerical Study on Polymer Ablated Arc Characteristics with One Side Flow Outlet Model
Authors: Nakano Yusuke , Tanaka Yasunori , Ishijima Tatsuo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAn experimental and numerical study was conducted on the polymer ablated arc with an electrode configuration of a one-side gas flow outlet model. The polymers used for molded case circuit breaker and gas circuit breaker, such as PA6, POM, and PTFE, were compared. In the experiment, the polymer ablated arc characteristics of arc voltage, arc energy, and mass loss of polymer by ablation were measured. In the numerical calculation, an electromagnetic thermofluid simulation for polymer ablated arc was conducted using a calculation model of similar structure but without using empirical values. In the model used, the polymer ablation was treated as the pyrolytic ablation rather the photodegraded ablation because the arc plasma was definitely in contact with the polymer. The comparison of both experiment and numerical simulation results revealed the relationship between arc energy and mass loss of polymer by ablation, and these values agreed well. Therefore, the numerical simulation model with pyrolytic ablation developed was indicated to be valid for predicting the polymer ablated arc with plasma-polymer contact.