bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNAi of nuclear receptor E78 inhibits the cuticle formation in the molting process of spider mite, Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Qingyan , Peng Qixiang , Smagghe Guy , Li Gang
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

The two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is an important pest mite in agriculture worldwide. E78, as a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and a downstream responsive gene of ecdysteroids, plays a crucial role in regulating physiological behaviors such as development and reproduction in insects. However, its function in mites remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore how E78 functions in the molting process of spider mites.

RESULTS

In this study, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) experiments to analyze the expression pattern of TuE78 during the development of Tetranychus urticae, demonstrated that the expression level of TuE78 was higher during the molting state than that after the completion of molting, and it reached a peak expression level when the deutonymph mites entered the molting stage. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated gene‐silencing of TuE78 resulted in 95% deutonymph mite molt failure. A series of analysis under a light microscope, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that RNAi mites died within the exuvium without ecdysis, and that apolysis had started but the new cuticle was thin and the typical cuticular lamellae were absent, indicating blockage of the post‐apolysial processes and explaining molt failure. Hence, transcriptome sequencing confirmed that the expression of cuticle protein and lipid metabolism‐related genes was significantly affected after TuE78 silencing.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that TuE78 participates in the molting process of Tetranychus urticae by regulating the post‐apolysial processes with the formation of new cuticle and successful ecdysis. This in turn suggests the potential of TuE78 as a target for pest mite control and provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the molecular regulatory mechanism of spider mite molting. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Progress in Biopolymer Coatings for Achieving Sustainable Paper and Paperboard Packaging for Food Applications: A Brief Review
Authors: dos Santos Lima Kennya Thayres , de Matos Fonseca Jéssica , Monteiro Alcilene Rodrigues , Valencia Germán Ayala
Published: October 2024

Paper and paperboard are cellulosic materials used to manufacture food packaging. However, their low resistance to water and fat, as well as their poor barrier properties have limited their packaging applications as food contact materials. The current review analyses the use of biopolymeric coatings as an alternative to improve surface and barrier properties in paper and paperboard with focus in food sector application. Advances in coated paper (board) can be classified into three groups: (1) coatings manufactured with a single biopolymer; (2) coatings manufactured with composite biopolymers; and (3) biopolymeric coatings incorporated with bioactive molecules or nanoparticles. The use of a single or composite biopolymer coating improved the mechanical, barrier properties, and grease resistance. In contrast, the use of chemical compounds and nanoparticles has imparted active properties (antibacterial and ethylene scavengers) in the resulting coating paper (board). The water vapour transmission rate has been reduced with the use of biopolymeric coatings. Future studies should focus on applying coated paper (board) in foods with a special interest in food self‐life, migration, and toxicity.
Combinatory Effect of Gemcitabine and 5‐Fluorouracil Investigated Through Chemoinformatics and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Against Breast Cancer
Authors: Sukumaran Sureba , Zochedh Azar , Chandran Kaliraj , Sultan Asath Bahadur , Kathiresan Thandavarayan
Published: October 2024

Co‐delivering FDA‐approved drugs can be less harmful and boost biological activity by targeting different protein mechanism at same time. Gemcitabine and 5‐Fluorouracil (GE5F) adduct work together to destroy cancer cells and increase the efficacy in the fight against breast cancer. The basis set B3LYP/6‐311 G was utilized in this investigation to improve the structure of GE5F adduct. The natural bond analysis exhibited the intermolecular interactions of the GE5F adduct. Electronic transitions were seen to be π → π*, and theoretical calculations were performed for the ultraviolet to visible spectrum. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO was used to study the GE5F adduct's structural stability and reactivity; the computed energy gap (ΔE) was 3.912 eV. The Mulliken charge population was assessed and the complex structure's electrostatic potential was established. Weak interactions of the GE5F were assessed using RDG analysis, and topological aspects were investigated using LOL and ELF analysis. Investigating the GE5F adduct's adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties, the results confirmed that GE5F adduct comes under the safety parameters being a drug‐likeness molecule. Molecular docking experiments were conducted using target proteins for breast cancer. The complex molecule had a higher binding affinity as indicated by the docking scores, which validated the better combinatorial interaction between gemcitabine and 5‐Fluorouracil. With − 9.4 kcal/mol, the complex molecule's strongest binding capacity was against PARP protein, and stable confirmation was observed through molecular dynamic simulation for 100 ns with four hydrogen bond interactions. These in silico finding will pave a way for in vitro and in vivo experiments with better enhancement of FDA approved drugs.
Filter‐Based Average Dwell‐Time Tuning Approach for Adaptive Prescribed‐Time Tracking of Uncertain Switched Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Jang Seok Gyu , Yoo Sung Jin
Published: October 2024

This paper addresses neural‐network‐based adaptive prescribed‐time (PT) tracking for uncertain switched systems with unmatched nonlinearities. A continuously switched adaptive tuning mechanism for neural network learning is developed by applying the average dwell time (ADT). First, a neural‐network‐based PT tracking control design strategy using the ADT‐based adaptive tuning mechanism is established for switched nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form. A novel adaptive dynamic surface controller is designed recursively using a practical finite‐time scaling function and continuously switched tuning parameters. The switched adaptive tuning laws for neural networks are structured to reduce the conservatism associated with common adaptive laws. Then, a filter‐based tuning approach is employed to ensure the continuity of switched adaptive parameters with ADT in the designed controller. The practical PT stability of the closed‐loop system is demonstrated based on the boundedness of the adaptive parameters. Building upon this foundation, the proposed PT design approach is extended to control switched pure‐feedback nonlinear systems, even in cases where control directions are unspecified. The unknown sign problem encountered with switched virtual and actual control coefficient functions is resolved in the PT control framework. It is shown that the PT performance bound of the tracking error can be reduced by selecting the design parameter of the scaling function. Finally, simulation results illustrate the merits of the proposed theoretical approach.
Adaptive Saturated Obstacle Avoidance Trajectory Tracking Control for Euler–Lagrange Systems With Velocity Constraints
Authors: Fu Longbin , An Liwei
Published: October 2024

This article pays attention to the obstacle avoidance trajectory tracking control problem for uncertain Euler–Lagrange (EL) systems subject to velocity constraints and input saturation. The existing obstacle avoidance results do not consider velocity constraints under input saturation, which means that an EL system may not be able to obtain sufficient control inputs to avoid a collision with an obstacle if it has a high speed when approaching the obstacle. Therefore, the velocity constraints in the obstacle avoidance tracking control are considered in this paper. A novel velocity constraint function that depends on the distance between the system and the obstacle is proposed. Integral‐multiplicative Lyapunov‐barrier functions (LBFs) are constructed and incorporated into the backstepping procedure to design an adaptive fuzzy obstacle avoidance tracking control scheme. Moreover, an auxiliary dynamic system is designed by constructing a bounded nonlinear vector related to an auxiliary variable to compensate for the effects of saturation. Through the Lyapunov method and boundedness analysis for the barrier function, it is shown that the protocol achieves obstacle avoidance for the EL system without violating the velocity constraints inside the obstacle detection region, while also guaranteeing the ultimate uniform boundedness of all the closed‐loop signals. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control strategy.
The influence of changes in the economy structure on social sustainability in developing countries—A spatial approach
Authors: Jankiewicz Mateusz
Published: October 2024

This research presents an analysis of the influence of changes in the economy structure on social sustainability in developing countries. In this paper, this relationship is considered on a macroeconomic scale. The research utilises data from 98 selected developing countries located in Europe, Asia, Americas, and Africa from 2013 to 2020. The social conditions in developing countries, particularly located in Africa (due to health and hunger problems), are extensively discussed. The main goal of the study is to compare whether the economy servitisation in Africa affects same on the social sustainability as in the countries situated on other continents. This study describes social sustainability using selected determinants outlined in the first, second, and third goals of sustainable development (SD) formulated by the United Nations—SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), and SDG3 (good health and well‐being). The level of social sustainability is evaluated using a synthetic measure by Perkal. Moreover, spatio‐temporal sensitivity models are estimated and verified. The sensitivity parameter in these models demonstrates the impact of progress in the servitisation process on social sustainability. Furthermore, this connection is considered within separate groups of countries that are divided into four clusters depending on the continent on which they are located. The analysis presents that in the African countries the social conditions are the worst, but focus on the economy servitisation there can rapidly improve this situation. This results from the most sensitive social sustainability in the African countries caused by the economy servitisation.
Cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility of optimized mercaptopurine treatment versus placebo in ulcerative colitis patients: The randomized controlled OPTIC trial
Authors: Löwenberg Mark , van Barreveld Marit , Volkers Adriaan , van Gennep Sara , Duijvestein Marjolijn , van Bodegraven Adriaan A. , Hulshoff Melanie S. , Jansen Jeroen M. , van Asseldonk Dirk , West Rachel , D’Haens Geert , de Boer Nanne , Dijkgraaf Marcel G. W.
Published: October 2024

Background and aims

We assessed the cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)‐guided mercaptopurine treatment compared with placebo in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients failing 5‐aminosalicylates.

Methods

Data were gathered alongside the randomized controlled OPTIC trial (EudraCT: 2015‐005260‐41). The evaluation was performed from a health care and societal perspective as cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility analyses with a time horizon of one year. Volumes and costs of in‐hospital care, out‐of‐hospital care, out‐of‐pocket expenses and productivity loss were assessed. The main outcomes were the extra costs per additional patient who achieved clinical remission and endoscopic improvement at 52 weeks (responders) and extra costs per quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) gained.

Results

In total, 59 patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 29) and control (n = 30) group. Non‐significant differences in costs were €63 (−€1267 to €1434; P = 0.93) in favour of placebo from a health care perspective and −€742 (−€3683 to €2016; P = 0.64) in favour of mercaptopurine from a societal perspective. The higher proportion of responders and a non‐significant QALY difference of 0.0475 (−0.024–0.117) (P = 0.184) favouring patients on mercaptopurine treatment resulted in €165 extra costs per additional responder and €1326 extra costs per QALY gained from a health care perspective. From a societal perspective, dominance over placebo was observed with cost savings of €1937 per additional responder and €15,621 per QALY gained. The probability of optimised mercaptopurine treatment being cost‐effective was 0.80 at a willingness to pay per additional QALY of €20,000.

Conclusions

TDM‐based mercaptopurine treatment in UC patients failing 5‐aminosalicylates is a cost‐effective strategy from a societal perspective.
Modelling the tumor microenvironment in vitro in prostate cancer: current and future perspectives
Authors: Yuan Kedi , Du Xinxing , Dong Liang , Pan Jiahua , Xue Wei
Published: October 2024

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in over 50% of countries and the third most common malignancy worldwide. The tumor microenvironment includes the non‐cancerous cells and components present in the tumor, including the molecules they produce and release. Prostate cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance are closely associated with the tumor microenvironment. With the continuous development of in vitro tumor models, they have gradually become important tools for recapitulating in vivo parental tumors and studying the reciprocal interactions between tumors and their microenvironment. In this perspective, we describe the significant in vitro models of prostate cancer, analyze the research results on incorporating the tumor microenvironment into these models, and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, we highlight the future developmental direction of in vitro prostate cancer model research according to the hotspots of in vitro model research in other cancer types to facilitate precision medicine in prostate cancer.
Management considerations of moose life‐history characteristics in Colorado, USA
Authors: Bergman Eric J. , Runge Jonathan P. , Fisher Mark C. , Wolfe Lisa L.
Published: October 2024

Wildlife management agencies are obliged to provide evidence‐based management recommendations to stakeholders. However, allocation of resources towards the management of species is rarely uniform. The consideration of life‐history characteristics of moose offers wildlife managers a more robust understanding of population ecology, while also providing insight into potential limiting factors for long‐term management. From 2014–2020 we simultaneously measured survival of adult female moose, as well as calf productivity, in relation to the nutritional condition of adult females, in Colorado. Mean annual adult survival was high (93% and 95% confidence interval: 91–95%). Human hunter harvest was the leading source of mortality and lowered annual adult survival to 88%. Malnutrition was the leading source of natural mortality. Mean annual pregnancy rates were relatively low (77%) and highly variable (95% confidence interval: 65–88%). However, low pregnancy rates were compensated for by high apparent calf survival. The best predictor of moose pregnancy was nutritional condition. Our data suggest that bottom‐up ecological processes were affecting moose population growth, but populations were likely increasing during our study, with a simulated population growth rate of 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.94–1.17).
Mining and the Formation of Modern Geology
Authors: Felten Sebastian
Published: October 2024

Mining mineral resources and knowing the Earth are historically entwined activities. This connex of practical and theoretical interest in the Earth has long been noted by historians of science. This historiographical chapter uses Vaccari and Morello’s survey as a starting point. It revisits the idea that an eighteenth-century conjuncture of mining and scholarship brought about modern geology, tracing some strands of this narrative into the period of institutional entrenchment and global diffusion in the nineteenth century. It surveys canonical and recent works in the history of geology. Section 2 situates the interaction of mining and geology in a broader debate on practical and theoretical knowledge in the Scientific and Industrial Revolution. Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 describe four ways in which historians have found mining (including other forms of earthwork like digging canals or quarrying) to have shaped the modern earth sciences. Section 7 points to a new avenue for research about the interface between mining and science: the impact of specifically bureaucratic knowledge production on modern geology during its formation. The Conclusion asks how the interaction between mining and science was shaped, or even constituted, by social mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion based on class/status, gender, and race.
Challenges in Developing Sustainable Tourism Locally: Viewpoints from the Ground
Authors: Szemző Hanna , Turai Eszter , Berta Gergő
Published: October 2024

Sustainability has become a key concept for tourism development. Understanding and using local resources, developing an area in a way that is in line with the wishes and aspirations of the local community is essential, however, not without complications. Communities themselves are multi-faceted entities, with diverging interests and understandings about local heritage, its value and its possible social/economic role. Relying on the research carried out in the TExTOUR (Social Innovation and Technologies for sustainable growth through participative cultural TOURism) project the paper explores community attitudes towards local heritage and tourism, and creates a more in-depth picture about the challenges and perspectives of bottom-up driven cultural tourism development, as well as its social context. The paper uses the results of the qualitative interviews and focus groups carried out in 8 pilots in the course of 2021, and relies on deliverables produced in the project.

TExTOUR is an EU-funded project operating for 45 months, which co-designs pioneering and sustainable cultural tourism strategies to improve deprived areas in Europe and beyond. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No.101004687. The project started in January 2021 and finishes in September, 2024. More details about the project can be found in its website: https://textour-project.eu/

The two deliverables in question are TExTOUR D1.3 “Data collection methodology” and TExTOUR D1.4 “Results from the data collection phase”.
Methodology and Application of 3D Visualization in Sustainable Cultural Tourism Planning
Authors: Kourtit Karima , Nijkamp Peter , Scholten Henk , van Iersel Yneke
Published: October 2024

This paper addresses the global imperative of implementing sustainable initiatives in contemporary industrial and service sectors, with a focus on the tourism industry's quest for resilience and recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. To foster balanced tourism development, the necessity for evidence-based information at local and regional levels is emphasized, highlighting the demand for transparent planning support tools within the sector. Alongside traditional statistical monitoring tools like Tourist Satellite Accounts, the increasing popularity of digital tools, including local tourism dashboards, e-booking systems, and interactive tourist guidance devices, is noted. Noteworthy is the prospect of applying digital twins, an emerging visualization technique in spatial planning, to local and regional sustainable cultural tourism planning. This paper explores the scope and utility of digital twins, drawing on principles from geoscience and geodesign, to create 3D visualizations of spatial tourist realities. The urban architecture of these visualizations is outlined, demonstrating their use through an empirical illustration of digital twins for the Parkstad region in Limburg, the Netherlands. The 3D images depict the tourism area across various cultural-historical periods, presenting a multi-layer representation of ‘cultural-historical epochs’, starting from the Roman period. This innovative approach contributes to digital sustainable cultural tourism planning by offering a data-based perspective on spatial realities and historical epochs, providing a valuable tool for the industry's planning and decision-making processes.
Co-Creation Method for Fostering Cultural Tourism Impact
Authors: Pasandideh Shabnam , Martins João , Pereira Pedro , Gandini Alessandra , De La Cal Mikel Zubiaga , Kalvet Tarmo , Koor Tatjana , Sopelana Amaia , de Aguileta Amaia Lopez
Published: October 2024

This chapter describes the IMPACTOUR co-creation method, which is developed to enhance the impact of cultural tourism in various destinations. The method utilizes effective strategies and actions to monitor and increase the impact of cultural tourism. The primary objective of the IMPACTOUR technique is to support decision-makers in improving the sustainability and competitiveness of cultural tourists in their destinations. The method involves collecting and analyzing data from diverse sources, including tourism stakeholders and specifically local communities to create a comprehensive decision-making system. The resulting recommendations aim to promote the positive impacts of cultural tourism while minimizing negative effects and fostering long-term development. Ultimately, the IMPACTOUR method seeks to assist destinations and attractions in becoming more competitive and attractive to cultural visitors, while ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Cultural Tourism in the Cyclades Before and After the Pandemic: A Stakeholders’ Perspective
Authors: Terkenli Theano S. , Georgoula Vasilki
Published: October 2024

The paper engages in a critical assessment of the changes in cultural tourism largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the period before to the period after the pandemic, as regards both the supply and the demand sides of tourism, through the eyes of local/regional/national stakeholders, in the case of the Cyclades, Greece. Methodologically, the study relies on a series of stakeholders’ interviews, a round-table discussion and a short questionnaire, undertaken in the context of the H2020 EU project SPOT, during the years 2020–2022. This material is then combined, using a SWOT analysis, in the context of a discussion and assessment of the problems, pitfalls and potential ensuing from the pandemic in Cyclades cultural tourism, towards a resilient, sustainable, or transformative future for the islands’ tourism and cultural sectors. The paper begins with an overview of relevant scientific literature, it continues with the presentation of the study’s research questions and data collection, and then proceeds to the analysis and discussion of the stakeholders’ opinions, perspectives, visions and recommendations on the changing relationship culture-tourism and the SWOT analysis. A general conclusion is that current and emerging trends and patterns seem to reinforce the reciprocal relationship culture-tourism, but also to reconfigure it, in line with new and evolving trends and patterns of cultural tourism.
A Framework for Responsible Tourism in Scotland’s Historic Environment: Experiences from Transforming Tourism at a Film-Induced Heritage Visitor Attraction
Authors: Glindmeier Vanessa , Treacy Gary
Published: October 2024

Global recognition of the importance of responsible tourism and its benefits, which can be enjoyed by all, both now and in the future, without detriment to communities and the environment, is growing. While tourism is a major component of the Scottish economy, it also contributes to climate change through associated greenhouse gas emissions. Heritage and cultural tourism contributes to making better places for people to live in, and better places for people to visit, whilst contributing significantly to Scotland’s green recovery from the pandemic and its transition to net zero and a climate-resilient society, when responsible tourism principles are at the heart of decision making. Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Scotland’s lead public body for the historic environment and largest operator of paid-for visitor attractions published its HES Responsible Tourism Framework in March 2023, determining how the organisation will adopt responsible tourism principles to transform its approach to tourism operations, equally respecting the needs of local communities, visitors, the environment, and of the cultural heritage itself. In 2019, HES obtained funding to deliver a pilot project at Doune Castle, alongside which the Framework has been developed. The castle was chosen as a case study as it, and the village it is located in, has experienced pressure through increased footfall following its appearance on the hit TV series ‘Outlander’. This paper presents how the HES Responsible Tourism Framework has been applied at Doune Castle, supporting the transformation of heritage and cultural tourism to the site to a more responsible model.
Towards a Circular Cultural Tourism Impact Assessment Framework for Decision Support in Less-Known and Remote Destinations
Authors: La Rocca Ludovica , Buglione Francesca , Muccio Eugenio , Bosone Martina , Cerreta Maria , De Toro Pasquale , Gravagnuolo Antonia
Published: October 2024

Recent environmental, climate and sustainability challenges are leading several sectors, including cultural tourism, to rethink their development model in a more sustainable and circular perspective, preserving fragile resources—including cultural resources—and regenerating natural capital. The assessment of the multidimensional impacts of cultural tourism strategies becomes an essential tool for designing specific positive impacts linked to the conservation, regeneration and valorisation of tangible and intangible cultural resources, together with natural resources, human and social capital. The Horizon 2020 Be.CULTOUR project developed a methodological and operational approach, based on a set of impact criteria and indicators, to guide the evaluation and monitoring process of cultural tourism strategies in less-known and remote cultural tourism destinations. The Be.CULTOUR multidimensional impact assessment framework was deemed to support the development and monitoring of strategic Action Plans for circular and human-centred cultural tourism, experimented in six European pilot heritage sites. The tool reconsiders the linearity of the Theory of Change, a collaborative and multistakeholder approach that is well suited to the conceptual framework of circular and human-centred cultural tourism, in order to move towards circular production and consumption models in the tourism sector, opening the way for the redesign of traditional decision-making processes. Thus, the proposed tool stimulates the construction of a dynamic and iterative evaluation process that falls within the framework of “circular” co-assessment.
Golden Rules for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Development: Findings of the EU SPOT Project
Authors: Šťastná Milada , Vaishar Antonín
Published: October 2024

Amongst the objectives of the H2020 SPOT project (Social and Innovative Platform On cultural Tourism and its potential towards deepening Europeanisation), there was the intention to explore the use of cultural tourism as a vehicle for improving the social and economic fabric of disadvantaged rural areas. Through 15 Case Studies (including a small number of over-touristed areas for comparison), partners ‘clustered’ examples to establish common themes around which to describe the good practice. The detailed analysis demonstrated that each cultural tourism target is unique. It may be that there is an attraction of cultural tourism despite there isn’t a ‘brand’ but each site has its own special features. Following extensive dialogue with stakeholders and the collation of relevant statistical data in each area, being inspired by the work on Regional Development carried out by the European Research Centre in its work on Smart Specialisation Strategies, SPOT teams described the key factors which need to be addressed in progressing Cultural Tourism in new locations or in capitalising on existing examples of Cultural Tourism. The factors are explored in detail and the relationship between them is identified by the local stakeholder’s observations; examples of successful interventions are quoted from our extensive database of Case Study findings. The importance of stakeholder engagement is described and the support which can be given by the academic communities is highlighted. The framework of European, national, regional and local policy approaches is analysed in general terms and observations are made on the organisational structures which support (or impede!) cultural tourism activity. Whilst SPOT argues that each example of Cultural Tourism is unique, it is still able to draw conclusions regarding priorities at each level (EU/national/regional/local) which need to be addressed. The approach is holistic—single-issue intervention is not considered effective. The overall approach encourages sustainability; sustainability in economic terms, sustainability in social and community relationships, sustainability in resources, environmental point of view and finally in the use of cultural tourism activity to promote community empowerment, reduce conflicts and provide a dynamic future for disadvantaged areas.
Actors, Institutions and Narratives. The Neo-Institutional Framework of Analysis
Authors: Lorenz Astrid , Anders Lisa H. , Müller Dietmar , Němec Jan
Published: October 2024

This chapter describes the general theoretical background of the study “Narrating the Rule of Law”, which builds on approaches and findings from political science, history, sociology and cultural studies. The point of departure is the neo-institutionalist assumption that existing orders influence actors’ behaviour, but that actors can also use or try to modify these orders according to their interests or normative ideas. They do so by using, constructing and circulating ideas and beliefs through discourse. We further assume that the specific context matters for how politicians refer to the rule of law. In this chapter, we apply the general analytical framework to trace the history of the liberal rule of law and illustrate some ‘classical’ conflicts surrounding its meaning and development, including the essential role of politicians (and judges) in this process. We develop these considerations and discuss why national and temporal differences in the rule of law narratives are conceivable. Finally, we discuss potential conflicts and narratives that may arise from party competition, the government–opposition divide and differing rationale of politicians’ and judges’ views of the rule of law.
Context-Sensitive Mapping of Rule of Law Narratives. Sources and Methods
Authors: Lorenz Astrid , Anders Lisa H. , Müller Dietmar , Němec Jan
Published: October 2024

This chapter describes the methodological approach of the study “Narrating the Rule of Law”, specifically how we combine deductive and inductive research strategies to map rule of law narratives in a way that is sensitive to the context while aiming to keep findings comparable. As described in this chapter, we analysed debates with direct mentions of the term ‘rule of law’ or its semantic equivalents. We additionally covered debates on key legislation related to the rule of law in order to take into account that the rule of law may be associated with different things in different contexts and that parliamentarians may also talk about the rule of law and related issues without explicitly using the term. After presenting the sources, we explain how we reconstructed the rule of law narratives employing qualitative content analysis. Finally, we reflect on the limitations of our methodological approach and discuss what conclusions can be drawn from our empirical findings.
Portugal: COVID-19 Learning Losses Through the Lenses of ILSA and Local Low Stake Assessments
Authors: Marôco João
Published: October 2024

This chapter examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning in Portugal from 2018 to 2022. It highlights a decline in student performance on international assessments like PISA and TIMSS, attributing this to several factors, including shifts in education policies, pandemic-related school closures, and the devaluation of external high-stakes assessments. The chapter also analyzes the national assessment of learning losses and remedial measures taken in response to the pandemic. Comparisons with other countries’ learning losses underscore the complexity of attributing the decline solely to the pandemic. Importantly, the chapter concludes that the dip in Portuguese students’ performance is not solely due to the pandemic, as it began before the outbreak and worsened due to post-2015 education reform. The estimated learning losses, approximately one year of schooling, are attributed equally to school lockdowns and the consequences of ongoing education policies. Overall, the study prompts reflections on the effectiveness of these policies and the broader impact of the pandemic on student learning outcomes.
Business services in regional economies: exploring the co-evolution of supply, demand, and sectoral interactions
Authors: Johansson Borje , Klaesson Johan
Published: October 2024

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how economic growth stimulates business-service providers to develop new service varieties, which, in turn, enhance the productivity of business-service buyers. This creates a coevolutionary process where service suppliers and customers interact, leading to an increase in the number of differentiated service offerings. We introduce a framework for local economies, wherein business-service sectors evolve in response to local demand potential, while non-business-service sectors grow based on each economy’s supply potential. Business service growth is more rapid in local economies with higher demand potential, while non-business-service sectors expand faster in areas where the business-service supply potential is greater. A key assumption is that business service firms operate in a monopolistic competition environment, where an increase in business-service capacity leads to an expansion in the variety of services offered. This, in turn, enhances the diversity of service offerings in municipalities with strong demand potential. Additionally, service providers not only deliver innovation-related information to client firms but also unintentionally disseminate knowledge within the region, fostering knowledge spillovers among firms.
Single radius spherical cap discrepancy on compact two-point homogeneous spaces
Authors: Brandolini L. , Gariboldi B. , Gigante G. , Monguzzi A.
Published: October 2024

In this note we study estimates from below of the single radius spherical discrepancy in the setting of compact two-point homogeneous spaces. Namely, given a d-dimensional manifold $$\mathcal {M}$$
M
endowed with a distance $$\rho $$
ρ
so that $$(\mathcal {M}, \rho )$$

(
M
,
ρ
)

is a two-point homogeneous space and with the Riemannian measure $$\mu $$
μ
, we provide conditions on r such that if $$D_r$$

D
r

denotes the discrepancy of the ball of radius r, then, for an absolute constant $$C>0$$

C
>
0

and for every set of points $$\{x_j\}_{j=1}^N$$

{

x
j

}

j
=
1

N

, one has $$\int _{\mathcal {M}} |D_{r}(x)|^2\, d\mu (x)\geqslant C N^{-1-\frac{1}{d}}$$

∫
M

|

D
r

(
x
)

|

2

d
μ

(
x
)

⩾
C

N

-
1
-

1
d

. The conditions on r that we have depend on the dimension d of the manifold and cannot be achieved when $$d \equiv 1 \ ( {\text {mod}}4)$$

d
≡
1

(
mod
4
)

. Nonetheless, we prove a weaker estimate for such dimensions as well.
Sex-Specific Association Patterns of Bone Microstructure and Lower Leg Arterial Calcification
Authors: Bartosik Mikolaj , Simon Alexander , Busse Björn , Barvencik Florian , Amling Michael , Oheim Ralf , von Brackel Felix N.
Published: October 2024

In conversations about bone loss and the importance of calcium homeostasis, patients frequently inquire about the association with arterial calcifications. Although a relationship between bone loss and the occurrence of vascular calcifications is suspected, it is not yet fully investigated and understood. This study aims to analyze associations between bone mineralization, structure, and vascular calcification at the lower leg in patients with low bone mineral density in HR-pQCT. We retrospectively analyzed 774 high-resolution quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans of the distal tibia for the presence of vascular calcifications. After sex-specific propensity score matching for age and BMI to account for confounders, 132 patients remained for quantification of bone microstructure, bone density, lower leg arterial calcification (LLAC), and laboratory parameters of bone turnover. The interactions between bone parameters and vascular calcification were quantified by regression analyses. The calcium metabolism was not different between individuals with and without LLAC, nor oral calcium supplementation. Female patients with LLAC had a higher cortical perimeter (p = 0.016) compared to female patients without LLAC, whereas male patients with LLAC had lower cortical pore diameter than male patients without LLAC (p = 0.027). The appearance of LLAC was sex specifically associated with bone parameters. In female patients, only plaque density was associated with HR-pQCT bone parameters and age, whereas in male patients, plaque volume was associated with HR-pQCT parameters of the distal tibia. Female patients exhibit an increasing plaque density depended on age and trabecular thinning. Decreasing cortical pore diameter and trabecular number along with increasing bone mineralization are linked to increasing plaque volume in male patients.
Algal Growth and Morphogenesis-Promoting Factors Released by Cold-Adapted Bacteria Contribute to the Resilience and Morphogenesis of the Seaweed Ulva (Chlorophyta) in Antarctica (Potter Cove)
Authors: Ghaderiardakani Fatemeh , Ulrich Johann F. , Barth Emanuel , Quartino Maria Liliana , Wichard Thomas
Published: October 2024

Macroalgae are found in a variety of marine vegetation ecosystems around the world, contributing significantly to global net primary production. In particular, the sea lettuce species, i.e., members of the genus Ulva (Chlorophyta), are located in many ecological niches and are characterized by excellent adaptability to environmental changes but depend on essential associated bacteria, which release algal growth and morphogenesis-promoting-factors (AGMPFs). Our work investigated the hypothesis that bacteria need to be stress-adapted to provide sufficient amounts of AGMPFs for the growth and morphogenesis of Ulva throughout its life cycle, even under severe environmental conditions. Our study thus aimed to understand which bacteria contribute to overcoming a variety of stressors in polar regions. Green macroalgae were collected from Potter Cove, King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo), Antarctica, to study the associated microbiome and, subsequently, to identify AGMPFs releasing bacteria. Therefore, microbiome analysis was combined with morphogenetic bioassays and chemical analysis, identifying bacteria essential for algal growth under Antarctic conditions. Hereby, axenic cultures of Ulva compressa (cultivar Ulva mutabilis, Ria Formosa, Portugal), previously developed as a model system for bacteria-induced algal growth and morphogenesis, were inoculated with freshly isolated and cultivable Antarctic bacteria to determine their morphogenetic activity. The exploratory microbiome investigation identified numerous cold-adapted AGMPF-producing bacteria. Unlike the temperate-adapted bacterial strains originally isolated from the U.mutabilis holobiont, the cold-adapted isolates Maribacter sp. BPC-D8 and Sulfitobacter sp. BPC-C4 released sufficient amounts of AGMPFs, such as thallusin and still unknown compounds, necessary for the morphogenesis of the Antarctic Ulva even at 2 °C. Our results illustrate the role of chemical mediators provided by bacteria in cross-kingdom interactions under cold conditions within aquatic systems. The newly isolated bacteria will enable further functional studies to understand the resilience of the holobiont Ulva and might be applied in algal aquaculture even under adverse conditions. The study highlights the importance of eco-physiological assays in microbiome analysis.
On the present and future changes in Indian summer monsoon precipitation characteristics under different SSP scenarios from CMIP6 models
Authors: Norgate Marc , Tiwari P. R. , Das Sushant , Kumar D.
Published: October 2024

Monsoons are a vital part of the agriculture and economy of India which most of its population rely on for their livelihoods. It still is not clear how climate change will impact precipitation events over India due to the complexity of accurately modelling precipitation. Using twelve Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Six (CMIP6) models, we compared their performance to observed data taken from CRU as well as looking at the future changes in precipitation until the end of the twenty first century for the six precipitation homogenous regions over India. The individual models showed varying degrees of wet and dry biases and the ensemble mean of these models showed relatively lesser bias and improved spatial correlation. Out of 12 models, NorESM and MIROC6 models outperform other models in terms of capturing the spatial variability of precipitation over the Indian region. It is also found that due to lesser moisture transport from the adjoining seas represented through vertically integrated moisture transport (VIMT) analysis, there is consistent dry bias across the models. Further a comprehensive analysis of model performance across six homogeneous precipitation regions indicates that NorESM demonstrates better performance in the CNE and HR regions, EC-Earth excels in the PR, WC, and NE regions, while CMCC shows better performance specifically in the NW region compared to other models. Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) were used for future projections and a slight increase in June, July, August, and September (JJAS) precipitation until the end of the century with SSP5-8.5 showing the largest increase. We found an increase in precipitation of 0.49, 0.74 and 1.4 mm/day under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 in the far future. The northeast region was shown to receive the largest increase in precipitation (2.9 mm/day) compared to other precipitation homogenous regions and northwest will experience largest shift in precipitation. Interestingly, the number of wet days is expected to increase in the northwest region implying more VIMT towards the region. Our results indicate that monsoon precipitation extremes across all the homogenous regions will increase into the future with a higher severity under fossil-fuelled development, although the models still show large biases lowering confidence in our results.
Neuropathological spectrum of anti-IgLON5 disease and stages of brainstem tau pathology: updated neuropathological research criteria of the disease-related tauopathy
Authors: Gelpi Ellen , Reinecke Raphael , Gaig Carles , Iranzo Alex , Sabater Lidia , Molina-Porcel Laura , Aldecoa Iban , Endmayr Verena , Högl Birgit , Schmutzhard Erich , Poewe Werner , Pfausler Bettina , Popovic Mara , Pretnar-Oblak Janja , Leypoldt Frank , Matschke Jakob , Glatzel Markus , Erro Elena Maria , Jerico Ivonne , Caballero Maria Cristina , Zelaya Maria Victoria , Mariotto Sara , Heidbreder Anna , Kalev Ognian , Weis Serge , Macher Stefan , Berger-Sieczkowski Evelyn , Ferrari Julia , Reisinger Christoph , Klupp Nikolaus , Tienari Pentti , Rautila Osma , Niemelä Marja , Yilmazer-Hanke Deniz , Guasp Mar , Bloem Bas , Van Gaalen Judith , Kusters Benno , Titulaer Maarten , Fransen Nina L. , Santamaria Joan , Dawson Thimoty , Holton Janice L. , Ling Helen , Revesz Tamas , Myllykangas Liisa , Budka Herbert , Kovacs Gabor G. , Lewerenz Jan , Dalmau Josep , Graus Francesc , Koneczny Inga , Höftberger Romana
Published: October 2024

Anti-IgLON5 disease is a unique condition that bridges autoimmunity and neurodegeneration. Since its initial description 10 years ago, an increasing number of autopsies has led to the observation of a broader spectrum of neuropathologies underlying a particular constellation of clinical symptoms. In this study, we describe the neuropathological findings in 22 patients with anti-IgLON5 disease from 9 different European centers. In 15 patients (68%), we observed a hypothalamic and brainstem-predominant tauopathy of varying severity in which the original research neuropathological criteria were readily applicable. This pathology was observed in younger patients (median age at onset 61 years) with a long disease duration (median 9 years). In contrast, in 7 (32%) patients, the originally described brainstem tauopathy was nearly absent or only minimal in the form of delicate threads, despite mild-to-moderate neurodegenerative features, consistent clinical symptoms and the presence of anti-IgLON5 antibodies in CSF and serum. These patients were older at onset (median 79 years) and had shorter disease duration (median < 1 year). Overall, about one-third of the patients showed concomitant TDP-43 pathology within the regions affected by tau pathology and/or neurodegeneration. Based on these observations and in view of the spectrum of the tau burden in the core regions involved in the disease, we propose a simple staging system: stage 1 mild neurodegeneration without overt or only minimal tau pathology, stage 2 moderate neurodegeneration and mild/ moderate tauopathy and stage 3 prominent neurodegeneration and tau pathology. This staging intends to reflect a potential (age- and time-dependent) progression of tau pathology, supporting the current notion that tau accumulation is a secondary phenomenon related to the presence of anti-IgLON5 antibodies in the CNS. Finally, we adapt the original research criteria of the anti-IgLON5 disease-related tauopathy to include the spectrum of pathologies observed in this larger postmortem series.
Predicting chemotherapy-induced thrombotoxicity by NARX neural networks and transfer learning
Authors: Steinacker Marie , Kheifetz Yuri , Scholz Markus
Published: October 2024

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapies, which is often dose-limiting. Predicting an individual’s risk is of high clinical importance, as otherwise, a small subgroup of patients limits dosages for the overall population for safety reasons.

Methods

We aim to predict individual platelet dynamics using non-linear auto-regressive networks with exogenous inputs (NARX). We consider different architectures of the NARX networks, namely feed-forward networks (FNN) and gated recurrent units (GRU). To cope with the relative sparsity of individual patient data, we employ transfer learning (TL) approaches based on a semi-mechanistic model of hematotoxicity. We use a large data set of patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to learn the respective models on an individual scale and to compare prediction performances with that of the semi-mechanistic model.

Results

Of the examined network models, the NARX with GRU architecture performs best. In comparison to the semi-mechanistic model, the network model can result in a substantial improvement of prediction accuracy for patients with irregular dynamics, given well-spaced measurements. TL improves individual prediction performances.

Conclusion

NARX networks can be utilized to predict an individual’s thrombotoxic response to cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment. For reasonable model learning, we recommend at least three well-spaced measurements per cycle: at baseline, during the nadir phase and during the recovery phase. We aim at generalizing our approach to other treatment scenarios and blood lineages in the future.