bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutting to the chase with warm-start contextual bandits
Authors: Oetomo Bastian , Perera R. Malinga , Borovica-Gajic Renata , Rubinstein Benjamin I. P. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMulti-armed bandits achieve excellent long-term performance in practice and sublinear cumulative regret in theory. However, a real-world limitation of bandit learning is poor performance in early rounds due to the need for exploration—a phenomenon known as the cold-start problem. While this limitation may be necessary in the general classical stochastic setting, in practice where “pre-training” data or knowledge is available, it is natural to attempt to “warm-start” bandit learners. This paper provides a theoretical treatment of warm-start contextual bandit learning, adopting Linear Thompson Sampling as a principled framework for flexibly transferring domain knowledge as might be captured by bandit learning in a prior related task, a supervised pre-trained Bayesian posterior, or domain expert knowledge. Under standard conditions, we prove a general regret bound. We then apply our warm-start algorithmic technique to other common bandit learners—the $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-greedy and upper-confidence bound contextual learners. An upper regret bound is then provided for LinUCB. Our suite of warm-start learners are evaluated in experiments with both artificial and real-world datasets, including a motivating task of tuning a commercial database. A comprehensive range of experimental results are presented, highlighting the effect of different hyperparameters and quantities of pre-training data.
Parasomnien bei Kindern und Erwachsenen als Differenzialdiagnose zu nichtläsionellen fokalen Epilepsien
Authors: Haberlandt Edda 
Published: April 2023

ZusammenfassungAls Parasomnien werden auffällige Verhaltensweisen während des Schlafes definiert. Aufwachstörungen wie Pavor Nocturnus (Nachtschreck) und Schlafwandeln treten aus dem Non-Rapid-Eye-Movement(NREM)-Schlaf heraus auf und ereignen sich in der Regel während der 1. Nachthälfte. Albträume und Rapid-Eye-Movement(REM)-Schlafverhaltensstörungen werden vermehrt in der 2. Nachthälfte mit Zunahme des REM-Schlafes beobachtet. Alle Parasomnien müssen differenzialdiagnostisch von schlafgebundenen epileptischen Anfällen abgegrenzt werden. Der Goldstandard zur Differenzierung unklarer Fälle ist die Video-EEG-Dokumentation der nächtlichen Verhaltensstörungen.
(Not) sweeping invasive alien plants under the carpet: results from the use of mulching sheets for the control of invasive Carpobrotus spp.
Authors: Lazzaro Lorenzo , Mugnai Michele , Ferretti Giulio , Giannini Francesca , Giunti Michele , Benesperi Renato 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBiological invasions represent a global threat to biodiversity. Particular attention should be made to the management of alien plants. The species from the Carpobrotus genus are well-known invasive plants native to South Africa, whose detrimental effects on native communities are widely documented. These impacts have become particularly important in terms of their invasive potential on small Mediterranean islands, where they often threaten particular ecosystems and endemic species. We report the experience from the efforts to eradicate this species from the island of Giannutri (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)—an action included within the EU LIFE project “RESTO CON LIFE”—where the species occurred on about 14,000 m2 of coastal vegetation. The eradication employed an integrated approach with two control methods (manual removal and covering with mulching sheets) and involved mosaic rocky cliff coastal vegetation and disturbed areas with loose soil close to the cliffs. We present here the results obtained from five years of monitoring using permanent plots. Carpobrotus spp. exerted strong impacts on the invaded plant communities, with significant depletion and replacement of native species. Both of the control methods proved effective in the suppression of the mat formed by the invasive species and led to a positive response of native vegetation. Nevertheless, the recovery of native plant communities differed depending on the type of substratum, taking longer on rocky cliffs due to the harsher conditions. Improvements were driven by nitrophilous species in the plots treated with mulching sheets.
Towards a Terrestrially Ontological Philosophy of Technology
Authors: Ritter Martin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTechnologies are undeniably having a decisive, transformative impact on Earth, yet the currently prevailing empirically orientated approaches in the philosophy of technology seem unable to get to conceptual grips with this fact. Some thinkers have therefore been trying to develop alternative methods capable of clarifying it. This paper focuses on Vincent Blok’s call for rehabilitating an ontologically oriented approach. It reconstructs the rationale of his method as well as its key elements and structure. Elucidating Blok’s emphasis on the experience of climate change, the paper clarifies his call for a terrestrial turn in the philosophy of technology. This turn is indisputably needed, but Blok’s conceptualisation of Earth is problematic: Apart from its speculative nature, it underestimates the impact of humans on Earth. Blok seeks to clarify how ontic phenomena, especially particular technologies, can have an ontological impact, but there is a friction between his Heideggerian concept of the world as grounding inner-worldly beings and the idea of technologies as founding a new world. Identifying the elements where the undoubtedly required ontological approach needs to be rethought, the paper suggests that we need more mundane conceptualisations of both Earth and the world, accompanied by more attention to ontic processes.
Exploring the Relationship Between Attitudes of Preservice Primary Science Teachers Toward Integrated STEM Teaching and Their Adaptive Expertise in Science Teaching
Authors: Saleh Mounir R. , Ibrahim Bashirah , Afari Ernest 
Published: April 2023

Abstract The call for the implementation of integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (iSTEM) teaching has been on the rise. This teaching approach helps students to develop innovative skills and meet twenty-first century challenges. However, teachers need to possess positive attitudes toward iSTEM teaching to implement it. Therefore, studying factors that influence these attitudes is important. So far, investigated factors have focused on teachers’ personal and professional experiences. Predisposing and enabling factors related to iSTEM teaching are yet to be investigated. One putative construct that includes predisposing and enabling factors is adaptive expertise (AE) which allows professionals to highly perform in new tasks. Here, we argue that AE in science teaching is linked to teachers’ iSTEM attitudes through its three dimensions: perceived relevance (PR), self-efficacy (SE), and anxiety (Anx). We utilized a cross-sectional survey method to verify the proposed relationship on fourth year preservice primary science teachers (n = 91). They completed two online surveys measuring AE in science teaching and iSTEM attitudes, respectively. Results from multivariate regression modeling indicate a significant positive effect of AE in science teaching was found significantly positive on all three dimensions of iSTEM attitudes. These findings draw teacher educators’ attention to the importance of developing adaptive expertise while preparing iSTEM teaching advocates.
Marriage and divorce during a pandemic: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marital formation and dissolution in Mexico
Authors: Hoehn-Velasco Lauren , Balmori de la Miyar Jose Roberto , Silverio-Murillo Adan , Farin Sherajum Monira 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this study, we consider the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family formation and dissolution. We use national microdata covering all marriages and divorces in Mexico, an event-study design and a difference-in-difference specification. Our findings indicate that over March through December of 2020, marriage rates declined by 54% and divorce rates by 43%. By the end of 2020, divorce rates recover back to baseline levels, but marriage rates remain 30% below the 2017–2019 baseline level. Overall, our findings suggest that marital dissolutions quickly recovered (6 months into the pandemic), but at the end of 2020, family formation remained at persistently lower levels.
Biodegradation of COVID19 antibiotic; azithromycin and its impact on soil microbial community in the presence of phenolic waste and with temperature variation
Authors: Ibrahim Shaimaa Abd El Mohsen , El-Bialy Heba Abdalla , Gomaa Ola M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe increase in using antibiotics, especially Azithromycin have increased steadily since the beginning of COVID19 pandemic. This increase has led to its presence in water systems which consequently led to its presence upon using this water for irrigation. The aim of the present work is to study the impact of irrigation using Azithromycin containing water on soil microbial community and its catabolic activity in the presence of phenolic wastes as compost. Wild berry, red grapes, pomegranate, and spent tea waste were added to soil and the degradation was monitored after 5 and 7 days at ambient and high temperatures. The results obtained show that at 30 °C, soil microbial community collectively was able to degrade Azithromycin, while at 40 °C, addition of spent tea as compost was needed to reach higher degradation. To ensure that the degradation was biotic and depended on degradation by indigenous microflora, a 25 kGy irradiation dose was used to kill the microorganisms in the soil and this was used as negative control. The residual antibiotic was assayed using UV spectroscopy and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Indication of Azithromycin presence was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks and the same pattern was obtained using the 3 used detection methods, the ability to assign the peaks even in the presence of soil and not to have any overlaps, gives the chance to study this result in depth to prepare IR based sensor for quick sensing of antibiotic in environmental samples.
Effect of eucalyptus saponin and sophorolipid amendment on soil and sediment microbial communities and seed germination: potential application for PAH bioremediation
Authors: Kariyawasam Thiloka , Doran Gregory S. , Prenzler Paul D. , Howitt Julia A. , Stodart Benjamin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The potential toxic effects due to the application of sophorolipid and the novel saponin biosurfactant extracted from the leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis for the purpose of bioremediating PAH-contaminated soils and sediments were studied.

Methods
The phytotoxic effects of sophorolipid and eucalyptus saponin were determined based on the seed germination assays carried out using the seeds of Lactuca sativa L and compared with commonly used rhamnolipid and Tween 20 surfactants. Further, biosurfactant-induced changes in soil/sediment bacterial structure and diversity were investigated by conducting Miseq amplicon sequencing of the bacterial genes.

Results
Germination indices (GI) demonstrated the non-phytotoxic effects (GI > 80%) of saponin and sophorolipid biosurfactants (100–500 mg/L), while rhamnolipid demonstrated greater phytotoxicity than Tween 20 at high concentrations (500 mg/L). Saponin-amended soil resulted in greater bacterial diversity and richness compared to controls, while sophorolipid produced the opposite effect. These significant variations were not observed in sediment samples. Incubation of biosurfactants for 20 and 40 days did not result in significant changes in bacterial diversity and structure in any of the samples. Increased abundance of some of the PAH-degrading bacteria was noted at OTU level, in the presence of saponin and sophorolipid. Saponin had less impact on native soil/sediment bacteria relative to sophorolipid based on the prevalence of the significantly shifted OTUs.

Conclusion
As saponin and sophorolipid were shown to have no adverse impacts on the microbiome, and non-phytotoxic effects, their sustainable applications to remediate PAH-contaminated soils and sediments can be recommended.
Effects of advertising and R&D on spillovers from a rival’s bankruptcy
Authors: Jindal Niket , Slotegraaf Rebecca J. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Research shows that marketing investments play a pivotal role in a firm’s own bankruptcy. However, there are even more firms that are not confronting bankruptcy themselves yet face spillovers from a rival’s bankruptcy. For such firms, it remains unknown whether their marketing investments affect these spillovers. We show that, in contrast to their generally positive effects in other contexts, advertising and R&D can either help or harm in the context of bankruptcy spillovers. The difference hinges on the industry’s growth and concentration. Advertising decreases (increases) a firm’s stock return when its rival files for bankruptcy in a low- (high-) growth industry and R&D decreases (increases) the stock return in a low- (high-) concentration industry. Further, advertising has a stronger effect in a higher concentration industry. The results provide insight on how a firm’s advertising and R&D help or harm its value, should one of its rivals file for bankruptcy.
A Spatiotemporal History of Key Pelagic Fish Species in the San Francisco Estuary, CA
Authors: Stompe Dylan K. , Moyle Peter B. , Oken Kiva L. , Hobbs James A. , Durand John R. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEstuaries across the globe have been subject to extensive abiotic and biotic changes and are often monitored to track trends in species abundance. The San Francisco Estuary has been deeply altered by anthropogenic factors, which is reflected in substantial declines in some native and introduced fishes. To track trends in fish abundance, a multitude of monitoring programs have conducted regular fish surveys, some dating back to the late 1950s. While these surveys are all designed to track population-scale changes in fish abundance, they are methodologically distinct, with different target species, varying spatial coverage and sampling frequency, and different gear types. To compensate for individual survey limitations, we modeled pelagic fish distributions with integrated data from many sampling programs. We fit binomial generalized linear mixed models with spatial and spatiotemporal random effects to map annual trends in the spatially explicit detection probabilities of striped bass, Delta smelt, longfin smelt, threadfin shad, and American shad for the years 1980 to 2017. Overall, detection probability has declined by approximately 50% for striped bass and is now near zero for the two smelt species, while threadfin shad and American shad have both experienced fluctuations with only slightly reduced detection probabilities by 2017. Detection probabilities decreased dramatically for these fishes in the Central and South Delta, especially after the year 2000. In contrast, Suisun Marsh and the North Delta acted as refuge habitats with reduced levels of decline or even increased detection probabilities for some species. Our modeling approach, using disparate datasets, demonstrates the simultaneous spatially driven decline of pelagic fish species in a highly altered estuary.
Optimization and public transport tendering: a case study in Southern Italy
Authors: Corvello Vincenzo , Musmanno Roberto , Pavone Giuseppe , Santoro Francesco , Vocaturo Francesca 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis article presents a multi-start heuristic approach to a design problem motivated by a real-world application in the Italian transport system. Specifically, it focuses on the problem of designing optimal lots in the public transport organization. In defining lots (in terms of number, size, and boundaries) both cost and service level have to be considered. Under certain assumptions, we model the problem as a graph partitioning problem and consider the same performance measure indicated by the relevant decree-law enacted by the Italian Ministry of Transport. The multi-start algorithm proposed for individuating high-quality solutions for the problem uses adaptive large neighbourhood search. The results of a computational study based on real data from a region in Southern Italy are reported.
Efficient MIP techniques for computing the relaxation complexity
Authors: Averkov Gennadiy , Hojny Christopher , Schymura Matthias 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe relaxation complexity $${{\,\textrm{rc}\,}}(X)$$

rc

(
X
)

of the set of integer points X contained in a polyhedron is the minimal number of inequalities needed to formulate a linear optimization problem over X without using auxiliary variables. Besides its relevance in integer programming, this concept has interpretations in aspects of social choice, symmetric cryptanalysis, and machine learning. We employ efficient mixed-integer programming techniques to compute a robust and numerically more practical variant of the relaxation complexity. Our proposed models require row or column generation techniques and can be enhanced by symmetry handling and suitable propagation algorithms. Theoretically, we compare the quality of our models in terms of their LP relaxation values. The performance of those models is investigated on a broad test set and is underlined by their ability to solve challenging instances that could not be solved previously.
Electromagnetic interference assessment of a train–network–pipeline coupling system based on a harmonic transmission model
Authors: Chen Minwu , Zhao Jinyu , Liang Zongyou , Gong Xin , Cao Yu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe harmonics and resonance of traction power supply systems (TPSSs) aggravate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) to adjacent metallic pipelines (MPs), which has aroused widespread concern. In this paper, an evaluation method on pipeline interference voltage under harmonic induction is presented. The results show that the Carson integral formula is more accurate in calculating the mutual impedance at higher frequencies. Then, an integrated train–network–pipeline model is established to estimate the influences of harmonic distortion and resonance on an MP. It is revealed that the higher the harmonic current distortion rate of the traction load, the larger the interference voltage on an MP. Particularly, the interference voltage is amplified up to 7 times when the TPSS resonates, which is worthy of attention. In addition, the parameters that affect the variation and sensitivity of the interference voltage are studied, namely, the pipeline coating material, locomotive position, and soil resistivity, indicating that soil resistivity and 3PE (3-layer polyethylene) anticorrosive coating are more sensitive to harmonic induction. Field test results show that the harmonic distortion can make the interference voltage more serious, and the protective measures are optimized.
Quantifying the Effect Size of Management Actions on Aboveground Carbon Stocks in Forest Plantations
Authors: Melikov Cyril H. , Bukoski Jacob J. , Cook-Patton Susan C. , Ban Hongyi , Chen Jessica L. , Potts Matthew D. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurpose of the ReviewImproved forest management is a promising avenue for climate change mitigation. However, we lack synthetic understanding of how different management actions impact aboveground carbon stocks, particularly at scales relevant for designing and implementing forest-based climate solutions. Here, we quantitatively assess and review the impacts of three common practices—application of inorganic NPK fertilizer, interplanting with N-fixing species, and thinning—on aboveground carbon stocks in plantation forests.Recent FindingsSite-level empirical studies show both positive and negative effects of inorganic fertilization, interplanting, and thinning on aboveground carbon stocks in plantation forests. Recent findings and the results of our analysis suggest that these effects are heavily moderated by factors such as species selection, precipitation, time since practice, soil moisture regime, and previous land use. Interplanting of N-fixing crops initially has no effect on carbon storage in main tree crops, but the effect becomes positive in older stands. Conversely, the application of NPK fertilizers increases aboveground carbon stocks, though the effect lessens with time. Moreover, increases in aboveground carbon stocks may be partially or completely offset by emissions from the application of inorganic fertilizer. Thinning results in a strong reduction of aboveground carbon stocks, though the effect lessens with time.SummaryManagement practices tend to have strong directional effects on aboveground carbon stocks in plantation forests but are moderated by site-specific management, climatic, and edaphic factors. The effect sizes quantified in our meta-analysis can serve as benchmarks for the design and scoping of improved forest management projects as forest-based climate solutions. Overall, management actions can enhance the climate mitigation potential of plantation forests, if performed with sufficient attention to the nuances of local conditions.
Removal of Toxic Metals from Water by Nanocomposites through Advanced Remediation Processes and Photocatalytic Oxidation
Authors: Farhan Ahmad , Zulfiqar Misbah , Samiah  , Rashid Ehsan Ullah , Nawaz Shahid , Iqbal Hafiz M.N. , Jesionowski Teofil , Bilal Muhammad , Zdarta Jakub 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Heavy and toxic metals are becoming more prevalent in the water sources of the globe, which has detrimental repercussions for both human health and the health of ecosystems. The summary of recent findings on treatment possibilities of toxic metal species by nanomaterials should facilitate the development of more advanced techniques of their removal.

Recent Findings
The high concentrations of chromium, mercury, and arsenic identified in wastewater cause a hazard to human health. There is a wide variety of nanoadsorbents and nanophotocatalysts used for heavy/hazardous metal removal. Recent research has resulted in the production of advanced nanostructures that exhibit extraordinary heavy/hazardous metal adsorption effectiveness and photocatalytic diminution of metal ions. These nanostructures have physically and chemically tunable features.

Summary
In this review article, the use of carbon-based nanomaterials, polymer-based nanomaterials, and semiconductor-based nanomaterials are extensively discussed to remove mercury, chromium, and arsenic ions from wastewater by the adsorption process. Advanced nanomaterials involved in photocatalytic reduction are also comprehensively discussed.
Policy gradients using variational quantum circuits
Authors: Sequeira André , Santos Luis Paulo , Barbosa Luis Soares 
Published: April 2023

AbstractVariational quantum circuits are being used as versatile quantum machine learning models. Some empirical results exhibit an advantage in supervised and generative learning tasks. However, when applied to reinforcement learning, less is known. In this work, we considered a variational quantum circuit composed of a low-depth hardware-efficient ansatz as the parameterized policy of a reinforcement learning agent. We show that an 𝜖-approximation of the policy gradient can be obtained using a logarithmic number of samples concerning the total number of parameters. We empirically verify that such quantum models behave similarly to typical classical neural networks used in standard benchmarking environments and quantum control, using only a fraction of the parameters. Moreover, we study the barren plateau phenomenon in quantum policy gradients using the Fisher information matrix spectrum.