bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation of putative transcription factor binding sites of co-expressed Plasmopara halstedii genes in two Phytophthora species
Authors: Bharti Sakshi , Thines Marco 
Published: August 2023

Abstract Oomycetes, a large group of fungus-like organisms, include some destructive plant pathogens causing enormous economic damage. Phylogenetically, oomycetes belong to the kingdom Straminipila and have diverse lifestyles, including saprotrophs and both general and specialized pathogens of various eukaryotic supergroups. A rapid increase in genomic studies and next-generation sequencing technologies have led to significant progress in understanding oomycete lifestyles. However, their genetics, including transcriptional regulation, have been studied to a much lesser extent. Here, we provide a cross-species analysis of oomycete promoter for providing a first step towards elucidating gene regulation networks related to pathogenicity and life cycle stages. The clustered DNA sequences of Plasmopara halstedii transcriptome time-series expression level dataset from a preliminary study have been used as a core reference for cross-species comparisons. Using a computational pipeline, 46 potential transcription factor binding site (TFBS) motifs in 25 clusters with functionally conserved downstream genes of downy mildew and two Phytophthora species, regardless of the gene expression levels of Phytophthora transcriptomes, were found. This can now be followed up by knock-out experiments in oomycete species amenable for genetic modification.
Rethinking the Goals and Values of Nanoart During the War: an Artists’ Statement
Authors: Suchikova Yana , Kovachov Serhii 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this study, we analyze the development conditions of and trends in Ukrainian scientific art during the ongoing war with the Russian Federation. Based on our own experience, we demonstrate how the emphasis, values, and goals of scientific art shift under martial law. We also highlight the challenges and difficulties faced by Ukrainian artists and researchers who found themselves in the occupied territories. Our own experience involves the promotion of the scientific and artistic project “Nanoart. Science is art” and its transformation into a socio-patriotic project “Nanoart. New symbolism of science.” We use this example to show how trends in art, culture, and science change very quickly under critical conditions. Art during the war has military and liberation themes, while artists and scientists during the war are warriors on the cultural and scientific fronts.
Probabilistic estimation of the algebraic degree of Boolean functions
Authors: Sălăgean Ana , Reyes-Paredes Percy 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe algebraic degree is an important parameter of Boolean functions used in cryptography. When a function in a large number of variables is not given explicitly in algebraic normal form, it is usually not feasible to compute its degree, so we need to estimate it. We propose a probabilistic test for deciding whether the algebraic degree of a Boolean function f is below a certain value k. If the degree is indeed below k, then f will always pass the test, otherwise f will fail each instance of the test with a probability $$\textrm{dt}_k(f)$$

dt
k

(
f
)

, which is closely related to the average number of monomials of degree k of the polynomials which are affine equivalent to f. The test has a good accuracy only if this probability $$\textrm{dt}_k(f)$$

dt
k

(
f
)

of failing the test is not too small. We initiate the study of $$\textrm{dt}_k(f)$$

dt
k

(
f
)

by showing that in the particular case when the degree of f is actually equal to k, the probability will be in the interval (0.288788, 0.5], and therefore a small number of runs of the test will be sufficient to give, with very high probability, the correct answer. Exact values of $$\textrm{dt}_k(f)$$

dt
k

(
f
)

for all the polynomials in 8 variables were computed using the representatives listed by Hou and by Langevin and Leander.
Some Isoperimetric Inequalities in the Plane with Radial Power Weights
Authors: McGillivray I. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe consider the punctured plane with volume density$$|x|^\alpha $$|x|αand perimeter density$$|x|^\beta $$|x|β. We show that centred balls are uniquely isoperimetric for indices$$(\alpha ,\beta )$$(α,β)which satisfy the conditions$$\alpha -\beta +1>0$$α-β+1>0,$$\alpha \le 2\beta $$α≤2βand$$\alpha (\beta +1)\le \beta ^2$$α(β+1)≤β2except in the case$$\alpha =\beta =0$$α=β=0which corresponds to the classical isoperimetric inequality. As an application, we verify a conjecture due to Caldiroli and Musina relating to the best constant in the Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg inequality.
Day Surgery for Spigelian Hernia Repair Under Local Anesthesia: A “Real Minimally Invasive” Surgical Approach
Authors: Zanatta Michela , Brancato Giovanna , Marano Federica , Donati Marcello 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSpigelian hernia (SH) represents less than 1% of all hernias and about 0,1% of abdominal wall hernias. Although it is a very rare hernia, it has a considerably high risk of strangulation. The aim of this work is to propose the open approach based on local anesthesia on a Day Surgery regimen as a safe treatment for Spigelian Hernia surgery. We report a series of 17 clinical cases (9 men and 8 women, between 40 and 80 years old) who underwent SH open repair on a Day Surgery basis between 2004 and 2021 in our University Hospital. In our single-center case series, no early postoperative complications occurred, except for a bulky seroma of about 800 cc. No prosthesis or surgical wound infections occurred and no recurrences were observed in the early postoperative period. Looking at our experience and the literature, Spigelian hernia repair under local anesthesia on a Day Surgery regimen, using a pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh, could be proposed as a safe and “real minimally invasive” approach in elective settings.
Effects of the vaccination and public support on covid-19 cases and number of deaths in Sweden
Authors: Tsionas Mike , Martins Mikael A. , Heshmati Almas 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThere are large variations between and within countries’ performance in coping with the Covid-19 pandemic. This study assesses the efficiency of different provinces in Sweden in managing the pandemic. Its objective to estimate the relative efficiency of provinces during the pandemic and identify the key determinants of the level and variations in their performance. Performance is measured as efficiency in keeping the number of negative outcomes low and the number of positive outcomes high for given resources. It uses a parametric distance function approach with multi-input, multi-output, and a flexible functional form for estimating the provinces’ efficiency and the variations in this efficiency over time. Variations in their performance are attributed to the observable characteristics of their socioeconomic, locational, demographic, and healthcare resources. The empirical part is based on a panel data of the population in 21 provinces observed on a weekly basis from January 2020 to September 2021. In particular, the paper estimates the effects of public support and vaccinations on a reduction in the number of deaths and the spread of new cases. The level and variations in outcomes are explained by various provinces and local and national policies. The results show large variations in provinces’ performance and their persistence/transitory nature attributed to their observable characteristics. The paper suggests some policy recommendations to help cope with the threat of the pandemic post the removal of restrictions.
Convolutionary, Evolutionary, and Revolutionary: What’s Next for Brains, Bodies, and AI?
Authors: Stratton Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe flexibility, adaptability, and resilience of even simple brains are unmatched by any current technology. Recent unexpected difficulties in realising truly autonomous vehicles, making reliable medical diagnoses, detecting offensive online content and even just recognising faces, show that brains remain significantly functionally more capable than we can currently emulate. Fittingly, in recent years we have made significant progress identifying computational principles that underlie neural function. We are beginning to dispense with the overly simplistic stimulus-driven encode/transmit/decode doctrine. Instead we must embrace the brain’s inherent dynamic complexity and emergent properties and explain how plasticity moulds the dynamics to capture useful couplings across brain regions and between the brain, the body, and the world. While certainly not complete, we have sufficient evidence that a synthesis of these ideas could result in a deeper understanding of neural computation and which could potentially be used to construct new AI technologies with unique capabilities. I discuss the relevant neuroscientific principles, the advantages they have for computation, and how they can benefit AI. Limitations of current AI are now generally recognised. I postulate that we understand enough about the brain to immediately offer novel AI formulations.
Quantification of forest carbon flux and stock uncertainties under climate change and their use in regionally explicit decision making: Case study in Finland
Authors: Junttila Virpi , Minunno Francesco , Peltoniemi Mikko , Forsius Martin , Akujärvi Anu , Ojanen Paavo , Mäkelä Annikki 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUncertainties are essential, yet often neglected, information for evaluating the reliability in forest carbon balance projections used in national and regional policy planning. We analysed uncertainties in the forest net biome exchange (NBE) and carbon stocks under multiple management and climate scenarios with a process-based ecosystem model. Sampled forest initial state values, model parameters, harvest levels and global climate models (GCMs) served as inputs in Monte Carlo simulations, which covered forests of the 18 regions of mainland Finland over the period 2015–2050. Under individual scenarios, the results revealed time- and region-dependent variability in the magnitude of uncertainty and mean values of the NBE projections. The main sources of uncertainty varied with time, by region and by the amount of harvested wood. Combinations of uncertainties in the representative concentration pathways scenarios, GCMs, forest initial values and model parameters were the main sources of uncertainty at the beginning, while the harvest scenarios dominated by the end of the simulation period, combined with GCMs and climate scenarios especially in the north. Our regionally explicit uncertainty analysis was found a useful approach to reveal the variability in the regional potentials to reach a policy related, future target level of NBE, which is important information when planning realistic and regionally fair national policy actions.
Trimipramine Photo-Degradation in the Photo-Catalyst Baffled Reactor’s UV/Sulfite/ZnO Redox Reaction System
Authors: Azizi Shohreh , Sarkhosh Maryam , Kamika Ilunga , Mokrani Touhami , Maaza Malik 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe current work examines UV/Sulfite/ZnO (USZ) in reactor convectional (without baffles) and baffled photocatalytic reactors (BPCR) in order to cost-effectively photo-degrade trimipramine (TIR). The ideal conditions were 2:1:100 Sulfite/ZnO/TRI molar ratio, pH 7, and 30 min of reaction time for 97.4% TRI degradation. In the BPCR reactor, the measured rate constant (kobs) and reaction rate (robs) both rise by around 17% and 50% as the TRI concentration is increased from 50 to 200 mgL−1. The intermediate materials formed in three cases were examined by copper LC. Investigations showed that after 30 min, most of the intermediates became simple linear compounds such as hexane-1, 6-diol (C6H14O2), formaldehyde (CH2O), (E)-prop-1-en-1-yl-l2-azane (C3H6N), acetic acid C2H4O2. Electrical energy consumption (EEO) decreased from 8.61 kWhm3 for convectional reactor to 5.37 kWhm3 for BPCR due to an increase in kobs and robs, for example, 200 mg L−1. As a result, the total cost of the system (TCS) decreased from 3.56 for convectional reactor to 1.22 $ for PCBR reactor. According to information gathered, the UZS procedure lowers the BOD and COD levels by 66 to 86.29% in 80-min reaction time, respectively. Additionally, the BOD/COD ratio starts out at 0.26 and increases to 0.6 after 30 min.
Improving Simplicia of Kerangas Forest by Minimizing Microbial Content Under Ultraviolet Radiation Treatment
Authors: Kissinger  , Huldani Huldani , Nasrulloh Amar V. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractKerangas forest is known as a source of traditional medicinal plants and thus potentially the source of simplicia. Medicinal plant preparations of simplicia are usually dried to meet water content standards (< 10%). However, in some cases the drying process carried out still does not eliminate the microbial content in the simplicia. This study aims to analyze the phytochemical compounds contained in three types of medicinal plant simplicia and the total microbial content by treatment with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The types of simplicia used were Baeckea frutescens leaves, Shorea balangeran bark and Vitex pubescens leaves (obtained from the kerangas forest). Before testing the total microbial content, simplicia first received UV irradiation. The first simplicia sample was not irradiated, while the next simplicia sample was given UV irradiation with a power of 60 watts and an irradiation time of 1, 2 and 4 h. The microbial content test used the total plate count method with the pour plate analysis technique. S. balangeran is unexposed species to microbes, even without UV irradiation. Radiation with a UV lamp for 1 h with a lamp power of 60 watts and a distance of the sample with a lamp of 30 cm effectively eliminates microbes in B. frutescens simplicia. Radiation for 4 h with a UV lamp of 60 watts and a sample distance of 30 cm was only able to eliminate the microbial content in V. pubescens simplicia. The results of this study indicate that S. balangeran has high potential to be developed as an antibacterial.
Survey and Explorations of the Prehistoric Sites in the Highlands of Southwest Angola
Authors: de Matos Daniela , Nora David , Francisco Rui , Fernandes José , Neto Manuel Sahando , Robakiewicz Elena 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe area of the escarpment of Angola between Namib and Huíla Province, about 150 km from the Atlantic coast, yields abundant evidence for human activity throughout the Stone Age. There is a high concentration of open-air sites with stone tools classified as Early (ESA) and Middle Stone Age (MSA) by past explorers. At the top of the plateau, the Chela group rocks and particularly the Leba dolomites yield a series of caves and fissures infilled with deposits ranging from the Early Pleistocene to recent times. Considering, the background information, a new project was developed to establish new proxies, we set out to revise this cultural landscape and set the stage for archaeological testing of Stone Age sites. In 2018–2019, our survey documented 45 sites including caves, rock shelters, and open-air locations with evidence of fossil and cultural deposits, including Middle and Later Stone Age (LSA) stone artifacts, faunal remains, pottery, and human burials. A complete map of distribution of caves and their underground topography is presented. Active and fossil speleothems, important for paleoclimatic reconstructions and absolute dating, were found at the caves of Malola and Tchivinguiro. Fossil occurrences were relocated at Tchíua and Cangalongue. Our study shows there is intense recent activity, historical remains, and the use of at least of three caves as burial sites of past herding populations living at the Humpata plateau. Our field assessment shows there is potential to pursue several lines of evidence to reconstruct past human lifeways and environments in this region.
Sharing Positive Affective States Amongst Rodents
Authors: Michon Frédéric , Packheiser Julian , Gazzola Valeria , Keysers Christian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGroup living is thought to benefit from the ability to empathize with others. Much attention has been paid to empathy for the pain of others as an inhibitor of aggression. Empathizing with the positive affect of others has received less attention although it could promote helping by making it vicariously rewarding. Here, we review this latter, nascent literature to show that three components of the ability to empathize with positive emotions are already present in rodents, namely, the ability to perceive, share, and prefer actions that promote positive emotional states of conspecifics. While it has often been argued that empathy evolved as a motivation to care for others, we argue that these tendencies may have selfish benefits that could have stabilized their evolution: approaching others in a positive state can provide information about the source of valuable resources; becoming calmer and optimistic around animals in a calm or positive mood can help adapt to the socially sensed safety level in the environment; and preferring actions also benefiting others can optimize foraging, reduce aggression, and trigger reciprocity. Together, these findings illustrate an emerging field shedding light on the emotional world of rodents and on the biology and evolution of our ability to cooperate in groups.
Developing persuasive systems for marketing: the interplay of persuasion techniques, customer traits and persuasive message design
Authors: Braca Annye , Dondio Pierpaolo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a comprehensive review of persuasion techniques and their applications in the context of designing persuasive communication systems for marketing purposes. The study provides a condensed taxonomy of techniques and offers examples to guide the development of effective persuasive messages. Furthermore, the paper explores how attitudes, personality traits, and emotions can be leveraged as input data in predictive models, including machine learning approaches. The study’s findings offer valuable insights for the design and implementation of persuasive communication systems across diverse contexts, including marketing and advertising, public health campaigns, and political messaging. This paper has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of the science of persuasion, as it synthesizes existing literature and provides practical examples. In this way, the paper contributes to the field of persuasion research and practice, serving as a valuable tool for those seeking to expedite and deepen their knowledge of persuasive communication.
Novel object recognition test as an alternative approach to assessing the pharmacological profile of sigma-1 receptor ligands
Authors: Szczepańska Katarzyna , Bojarski Andrzej J. , Popik Piotr , Malikowska-Racia Natalia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Although the terms “agonist” and “antagonist” have been used to classify sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) ligands, an unambiguous definition of the functional activity is often hard. In order to determine the pharmacological profile of σ1R ligands, the most common method is to assess their potency to alleviate opioid analgesia. It has been well established that σ1R agonists reduce opioid analgesic activity, while σ1R antagonists have been demonstrated to enhance opioid analgesia in different pain models.

Methods
In the present study, we evaluated the pharmacological profile of selected σ1R ligands using a novel object recognition (NOR) test, to see if any differences in cognitive functions between σ1R agonists and antagonists could be observed. We used the highly selective PRE-084 and S1RA as reference σ1R agonist and antagonist, respectively. Furthermore, compound KSK100 selected from our ligand library was also included in this study. KSK100 was previously characterized as a dual-targeting histamine H3/σ1R antagonist with antinociceptive and antiallodynic activity in vivo. Donepezil (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and σ1R agonist) was used as a positive control drug.

Results
Both tested σ1R agonists (donepezil and PRE-084) improved learning in the NOR test, which was not observed with the σ1R antagonists S1RA and KSK100.

Conclusions
The nonlinear dose–response effect of PRE-084 in this assay does not justify its use for routine assessment of the functional activity of σ1R ligands.

Graphical Abstract
An Object Association Matching Method Based on V2I System
Authors: Jin Wujie , Yan Lixin , Jiang Junfeng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractVehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) is one of the effective ways to solve the problem of intelligent connected vehicle perception, and the core is to fuse the information sensed by vehicle sensors with that sensed by infrastructure sensors. However, accurately matching the objects detected by the vehicle with multiple objects detected by the infrastructure remains a challenge. This paper presents an object association matching method to fuse the object information from vehicle sensors and roadside sensors, enabling the matching and fusion of multiple target information. The proposed object association matching algorithm consists of three steps. First, the deployment method for vehicle sensors and roadside sensors is designed. Then, the laser point cloud data from the roadside sensors are processed using the DBSCAN algorithm to extract the object information on the road. Finally, an improved single-pass algorithm for object association matching is proposed to achieve the matched target by setting a change threshold for selection. To validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method, real-vehicle experiments are conducted. Furthermore, the improved single-pass algorithm is compared with the classical Hungarian algorithm, Kuhn–Munkres (KM) algorithm, and nearest neighbor (NN) algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved single-pass algorithm achieves a target trajectory matching accuracy of 0.937, which is 6.60%, 1.85%, and 2.07% higher than the above-mentioned algorithms, respectively. In addition, this paper investigates the curvature of the target vehicle trajectory data after fusing vehicle sensing information and roadside sensing information. The curvature mean, curvature variance, and curvature standard deviation are analyzed. The experimental results illustrate that the fused target information is more accurate and effective. The method proposed in this study contributes to the advancement of the theoretical system of V2I cooperative perception and provides theoretical support for the development of intelligent connected vehicles.