bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing long‐tailed individual tree diversity using an airborne imaging and a multi‐temporal hierarchical model
Authors: Weinstein Ben G. , Marconi Sergio , Graves Sarah J. , Zare Alina , Singh Aditya , Bohlman Stephanie A. , Magee Lukas , Johnson Daniel J. , Townsend Phillip A. , White Ethan P.
Published: May 2023

Measuring forest biodiversity using terrestrial surveys is expensive and can only capture common species abundance in large heterogeneous landscapes. In contrast, combining airborne imagery with computer vision can generate individual tree data at the scales of hundreds of thousands of trees. To train computer vision models, ground‐based species labels are combined with airborne reflectance data. Due to the difficulty of finding rare species in a large landscape, many classification models only include the most abundant species, leading to biased predictions at broad scales. For example, if only common species are used to train the model, this assumes that these samples are representative across the entire landscape. Extending classification models to include rare species requires targeted data collection and algorithmic improvements to overcome large data imbalances between dominant and rare taxa. We use a targeted sampling workflow to the Ordway Swisher Biological Station within the US National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), where traditional forestry plots had identified six canopy tree species with more than 10 individuals at the site. Combining iterative model development with rare species sampling, we extend a training dataset to include 14 species. Using a multi‐temporal hierarchical model, we demonstrate the ability to include species predicted at <1% frequency in landscape without losing performance on the dominant species. The final model has over 75% accuracy for 14 species with improved rare species classification compared to 61% accuracy of a baseline deep learning model. After filtering out dead trees, we generate landscape species maps of individual crowns for over 670 000 individual trees. We find distinct patches of forest composed of rarer species at the full‐site scale, highlighting the importance of capturing species diversity in training data. We estimate the relative abundance of 14 species within the landscape and provide three measures of uncertainty to generate a range of counts for each species. For example, we estimate that the dominant species, Pinus palustris accounts for c. 28% of predicted stems, with models predicting a range of counts between 160 000 and 210 000 individuals. These maps provide the first estimates of canopy tree diversity within a NEON site to include rare species and provide a blueprint for capturing tree diversity using airborne computer vision at broad scales.
Schiff Base Synthesis with a New Reliable Method and Investigation of Their Inhibition Effects on Glutathione S‐Transferase and Cholinesterase Enzymes
Authors: Balcı Neslihan , Çelik Hülya , Türkan Fikret , Çelebioğlu Neslihan , Çelik Tuba , Bursal Ercan
Published: May 2023

The principle purpose of this study is to synthesize some Schiff base derivatives with a new microwave irradiation technique and investigate their enzyme inhibition effects. Related Schiff base compounds (1 a–1 h) were synthesized from 4‐fluoro aniline and some substituted benzaldehyde derivatives (3 a–3 h). The chemical structures of Schiff bases were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods (1H NMR,13C NMR). The inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and glutathione S‐transferase were investigated. Thein vitroenzyme study determined the best enzyme inhibitors for AChE, BChE, and GST enzymes as3 h, 3 b, and3 ecompounds, respectively. The results were compared with the standard drugs tacrine for cholinesterase and ethacrynic acid for GST enzymes. Molecular docking results demonstrated the low binding energy values between −5.8 kcal/mol and −8.7 kcal/mol with hydrogen bonding, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic interactions at the active catalytic sites of the enzymes.
Voltammetric Quantification of the Antibiotic Roxarsone using a Surface‐Modified Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode
Authors: Tiwari Mritunjay S , Throat Ramchandra G , Borge Vikas V , Kadu Arun K
Published: May 2023

Herein, we report the electrochemical determination of roxarsone (ROX) on modified screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). Graphene oxide was reduced electrochemically on the working area of SPCE using cyclic voltammetry (CV) to form electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ErGO), followed by electrochemical deposition of gold (Au) on ErGO/SPCE to get a final modified electrode Au/ErGO/SPCE. The modified electrode offered a significant surface area and improved electron transfer capability; hence it was used as an electrochemical sensor for the determination of ROX which is commonly used in meat production and poultry as a supplement to increase weight and improve feed efficiency. The effect of pH on the electrochemical behaviour of ROX on the Au/ErGO/SPCE was investigated by (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Under optimum experimental conditions, the linear calibration range, the limit of detection (LOD), and quantification (LOQ) were found to be 1 μmol L−1–1000 μmol L−1, 14.4 nmol L−1, and 47.9 nmol L−1 respectively. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to determine low concentrations of ROX in lab samples as well as in real meat (spiked) samples. Overall, a good recovery rate and accuracy were obtained, endorsing onsite use of the developed sensor for quick and accurate analysis.
Ag‐Catalyzed, Selectfluor‐Mediated External Acid‐Free Minisci Reaction in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wang Wengui , Song Yingyue , Xing Shuya , Li Jinfeng , Feng Wei , Qu Xudong , Wang Shoufeng
Published: May 2023

A silver‐catalyzed Minisci‐type reaction is reported here. Alkylation of electron‐deficient N‐heterocycles is achieved in aqueous solution through decarboxylative cross‐coupling of aliphatic acids and N‐heteroarenes in open air without external Brønsted acid. Selectfluor is used as a mild oxidant. Different substituents on heterocycles and acids are tolerated. Primary and secondary alkyl could be introduced efficiently into the heteroarenes.
Mitigating Jahn–Teller Effect in Layered Cathode Material Via Interstitial Doping for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Fang Hui , Ji Haocheng , Zhai Jingjun , Wang Chaoqi , Zhu Chen , Chen Guojie , Chu Mihai , Zhang Taolve , Ma Zhewen , Zhao Wenguang , Ji Wenhai , Xiao Yinguo
Published: May 2023

Layered transition metal oxides are promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries due to their high energy density and appropriate operating potential. However, the poor structural stability is a major drawback to their widespread application. To address this issue, B3+ is successfully introduced into the tetrahedral site of Na0.67Fe0.5Mn0.5O2, demonstrating the effectiveness of small‐radius ion doping in improving electrochemical performance. The obtained Na0.67Fe0.5Mn0.5B0.04O2 exhibits excellent cycling performance with 88.8% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C and prominent rate performance. The structure‐property relationship is constructed subsequently by neutron powder diffraction, in situ X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, which reveal that the Jahn–Teller distortion and the consequent P2‐P2' phase transformation are effectively mitigated because of the occupancy of B3+ at the interstitial site. Furthermore, it is found that the transition metal layers are stabilized and the transition metal dissolution are suppressed, resulting in excellent cycling performance. Besides, the prominent rate performance is attributed to the enhanced diffusion kinetics associated with the rearrangement of Na+. This work provides novel insight into the action mechanism of interstitial site doping and demonstrates a universal approach to improve the electrochemical properties of P2‐type manganese‐based sodium cathode materials.
Time‐Resolved Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Stochastic Nanoparticle Collision: Short Time Fourier Transform versus Continuous Wavelet Transform
Authors: Ha Long Duong , Kim Ki Jun , Kwon Seong Jung , Chang Byoung‐Yong , Hwang Seongpil
Published: May 2023

This work demonstrates the utilization of short‐time Fourier transform (STFT), and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for time‐resolved analysis of stochastic collision events of platinum nanoparticles (NPs) onto gold ultramicroelectrode (UME). The enhanced electrocatalytic activity is observed in both chronoamperometry (CA) and EIS. CA provides the impact moment and rough estimation of the size of NPs. The quantitative information such as charge transfer resistance (Rct) relevant to the exchange current density of a single Pt NP is estimated from EIS. The CWT analysis of the phase angle parameter is better for NP collision detection in terms of time resolution compared to the STFT method.
A sequential design for determining the quantile curve in two‐factor sensitivity tests
Authors: Liu Yuxia , Tian Yubin , Wang Dianpeng
Published: May 2023

Many works in the literature have proposed methods for estimating quantiles in sensitivity experiments with a single factor. However, sensitivity experiments with multiple factors are more and more popular in practice. A significant important challenge remains the estimation of quantiles of sensitivity experiments with multiple factors, which are curves or surfaces. While some methods have been proposed to estimate the parameters in such models, the estimation of quantiles has received scant attention. Motivated by this problem and applications for field use, this study proposes a new three‐phase optimal method for sensitivity experiments with two factors to estimate the interested quantiles directly. The simulation studies and the illustrative application to a pyrotechnic control subsystem demonstrate that the proposed method has excellent performance.
Flexural stiffness of recycled aggregate concrete beams under combined effect of load and steel corrosion
Authors: Wang Jian , Qin Hongtu , Xu Qiang
Published: May 2023

Since reinforced concrete members suffer from different types of loads during their service life, the steel bars embedded in reinforced concrete members can be easily corroded in chloride‐laden environment. To investigate the influence of combined effect of load and steel corrosion on the flexural stiffness of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) beams, 12 RAC beams were prepared and tested. The effects of load level (i.e., the ratio of the load applied to beams to the ultimate load) and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio (i.e., the ratio of RCAs to replace natural coarse aggregates) on the internal force arm coefficient of cracking cross‐section, the elastoplastic resistance moment coefficient of cross‐section, and the strain incongruity coefficient of corroded tensile steel bars were analyzed, and a calculation model for flexural stiffness of RAC beams under combined effect of load and steel corrosion was established. The results showed that when the ratio of bending moment to ultimate bending moment of the pure bending part of beams was within 0.55–0.80 and the average mass loss of tensile steel bars was less than 3.23%, 0.85 could be adopted as the internal force arm coefficient of cracking cross‐section. The elastoplastic resistance moment coefficient of cross‐section was approximately a constant when the corroded RAC beams were in the service stage, while it increased obviously with the load level. There was a strong linear relationship between strain incongruity coefficient and average mass loss of tensile steel bars during the service stage of corroded RAC beams, and the strain incongruity coefficient increased linearly with the load level. The calculated values of the model of flexural stiffness proposed in this paper were in reasonable agreement with the experimental values.
Prediction of mechanical behavior of reinforced concrete bridges following a fire based on the fire dynamics simulator–kriging model
Authors: Lu Pengzhen , Shi Qingtian , Ye Kai , Wu Ying , Lu Libo , Zhou Yutao
Published: May 2023

The performance degradation and degree of damage of bridge materials are more extensive at the fire source compared to other bridge locations. The traditional finite‐element model (FEM) modification method leads to a large error and is unable to achieve a good correction effect. In addition, as the traditional static load test method is used to evaluate the bearing capacities of bridges postfire, the risk of bridge damage, or collapse‐induced by secondary loading—remains unaddressed. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a modified FEM of a bridge following a fire based on the fire dynamics simulator (FDS)–artificial intelligence algorithm. The static behavior of a bridge is predicted using the modified FEM. First, a numerical simulation of a bridge fire is conducted using the FDS to obtain the temperature field distribution and determine the influence ranges of local design parameters of the bridge at the fire source. Second, a response surface model with a high fitting accuracy is constructed to modify the initial FEM by using the artificial intelligence algorithm proxy model together with dynamic load test results for the bridge postfire. Finally, the static behavior is predicted using the updated model. In this study, an actual hollow girder bridge postfire is taken as the research object, and the static behavior prediction results obtained via the proposed method are compared with the static loading test results. The results indicate that the response‐predicted value of the modified FEM is close to the measured value of the bridge postfire.
A case series of 37 surgically managed, paraplegic, deep pain negative French bulldogs, with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion, from two English referral centres
Authors: Jones Gareth Michael Couper , Cherubini Giunio Bruto , Llabres‐Diaz Francisco , Caine Abby , De Stefani Alberta
Published: May 2023

Background

Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions (TL‐IVDEs) are a common spinal disorder in dogs, especially within chondrodystrophic breeds. Loss of deep pain perception is a well‐documented negative prognostic indicator in dogs with TL‐IVDE. The objectives of this study were to report the rate of return of deep pain perception and independent ambulation in surgically treated, paraplegic, deep pain perception negative French bulldogs with TL‐IVDEs.

Methods

A retrospective case series of deep pain perception negative dogs with TL‐IVDE presenting to two referral centres between 2015 and 2020 was conducted. Medical and MRI records were reviewed, including the following quantitative MRI changes: lesion length, extent of spinal cord swelling and severity of spinal cord compression.

Results

Thirty‐seven French bulldogs met the inclusion criteria, with 14 of 37 (38%) regaining deep pain perception by the time of discharge (median hospitalisation 10.0 days [interquartile range 7.0–15.5 days]) with two dogs independently ambulatory (6%). Ten of the 37 dogs were euthanased during hospitalisation. Significantly fewer dogs (3/16, 19%) with L4‐S3 lesions regained deep pain perception compared to 11 of 21 (52%) of dogs with T3‐L3 lesions (p = 0.048). Quantitative MRI changes were not associated with the return of deep pain perception. After discharge, with a median 1‐month follow‐up period, an additional three dogs regained deep pain perception and five dogs became independently ambulatory (17/37 [46%] and 7/37 [19%], respectively).

Conclusions and clinical importance

This study adds support to the contention that the recovery of French bulldogs with TL‐IVDE from surgery is poor compared with other breeds; further prospective, breed‐controlled studies are indicated.
Trends in regolith thickness in a headwater catchment, Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Ferrell Ryan M. , Devine Scott , O'Geen Anthony T.
Published: May 2023

Rooting in deep regolith enables forests to withstand seasonal and annual precipitation shortfalls. Despite its ecological importance, spatial patterns in regolith thickness within forest ecosystems are scarcely documented. Regolith thickness was estimated at 66 sites throughout a 543‐ha watershed in the southern Sierra Nevada by hand auger to point of failure or a maximum depth of 7.5 m, describing a minimum thickness estimate. Regolith consists of 1–2 m of soil overlying thick and porous weathered granodiorite. Depth to auger failure ranged from 1.52 to an indeterminate depth beyond 7.5 m. A total of 27 points exceeded 7.5 m depth. Normal, lognormal, and gamma data distribution models were fitted to observations to extrapolate thickness across the watershed and estimate thicknesses beyond the measurement limitation. Predictions for the 95th percentile of regolith thickness varied substantially; 26.05 m for lognormal, 16.87 m for gamma, and 9.56 m for normal. Considering any best fit model, >55% of the watershed area was deeper than 5 m. Depth classes were formed to evaluate the extent to which topography is associated with spatial trends in regolith thickness. Spatial patterns were related to two covariate proxies (distance from stream channel and topographic wetness) with the general landscape trend of shallow depth classes (<3.3 m) in lowlands and deeper regolith classes (>7.5 m) in uplands. The normalized difference vegetation index signatures over the late stages of a 5‐year drought were greener in the lowlands. In contrast, upland forests displayed widespread tree die‐off, suggesting deep water storage does not maintain forests over long‐term drought.
Other Important Marine Pollutants
Authors: Reichelt-Brushett Amanda , Shah Sofia B.
Published: May 2023

“Sorry! what did you say?” Consider how easy it is to miss some conversation details when it is noisy.
Regulation, Legislation and Policy—An International Perspective
Authors: Kleverlaan Edward , Reichelt-Brushett Amanda
Published: May 2023

In accordance with Part XII of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) and various other related international agreements, parties are obliged to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment. The responsibility to implement these agreements or other non-regulatory codes or standards rests primarily on national governments.
Successful Practices of Leadership on School Improvement: A Case Study in a Private School in Dubai
Authors: Abouelanein Ahmed ElSayed , Hossni Mohamed
Published: May 2023

This paper aimed to investigate successful practices of school leadership that lead to school improvement. To achieve this, the paper adopted the mixed-method approach and utilized two instruments: The first instrument is teachers’ and leadership members’ perceptions of school improvement questionnaire to collect quantitative data, the second instrument is a semi-structured interview with the school principal for the qualitative data. The analysis of both collected data led to a conclusion that school principal careful and professional practices have a significant impact on the overall school improvement. These practices include parents’ engagement, curriculum reform, teachers’ well-being, and professional development for both teachers and leadership members. This case study is an evidence-based guideline for educators and decision makers seeking quality education in their personalized- context learning community.
Detecting Representation Isomorphism Through Twisted Spectra
Authors: Cornelissen Gunther , Peyerimhoff Norbert
Published: May 2023

In this chapter, we give a spectral characterisation of isomorphism of induced representations. We also discuss strong isospectrality in the sense of Pesce (which, by a result of Sunada, is implied by weak conjugacy of subgroups), discuss an illustrative example of lens spaces due to Ikeda, and use the first result to give a spectral characterisation of weak conjugacy.
Evaluation of RRI Institutionalisation Endeavours: Specificities, Drivers, Barriers, and Good Practices Based on a Multi-stakeholder Consultation and Living Lab Experiences
Authors: Szüdi Gábor , Lampert Dietmar , Hajdinjak Marko , Asenova Desislava , Alves Elsa , Bidstrup Maya Vestergaard
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study is to provide research performing organisations and research funding organisations (RPOs and RFOs) with practical advice on how to engage in an effective RRI institutionalisation. Therefore, we first looked at the most relevant drivers, challenges, and the most beneficial good practices potentially affecting RRI institutionalisation within RPOs and RFOs across Europe through a multi-step, multi-stakeholder consultation approach. The broad set of drivers, barriers and good practices identified at the consultation was methodologically divided into structural, cultural and interchange-related aspects. These aspects can theoretically exercise a positive or negative impact on the RRI institutionalisation, and their validity was tested in Living Labs by six organisations. By categorising these six implementers in terms of RRI readiness we were able to identify key factors and describe specific organisational circumstances conducive to a successful adoption and use of RRI principles and practices for three organisational types of RPOs/RFOs.
Logarithmic, fractal and volume-law entanglement in a Kitaev chain with long-range hopping and pairing
Authors: Solfanelli Andrea , Ruffo Stefano , Succi Sauro , Defenu Nicolò
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Thanks to their prominent collective character, long-range interactions promote information spreading and generate forms of entanglement scaling, which cannot be observed in traditional systems with local interactions. In this work, we study the asymptotic behavior of the entanglement entropy for Kitaev chains with long-range hopping and pairing couplings decaying with a power law of the distance. We provide a fully-fledged analytical and numerical characterization of the asymptotic growth of the ground state entanglement in the large subsystem size limit, finding that the truly non-local nature of the model leads to an extremely rich phenomenology. Most significantly, in the strong long-range regime, we discovered that the system ground state may have a logarithmic, fractal, or volume-law entanglement scaling, depending on the value of the chemical potential and on the strength of the power law decay.
Pauli-Villars’ regularization of ghosts in path-integral string formulation
Authors: Makeenko Yuri
Published: May 2023

Abstract

I consider Pauli-Villars’ regulators for the ghosts in the path-integral string formulation and show how they preserve conformal invariance. I calculate the regulator contributions to the effective action and to the central charge and demonstrate the consistency of the mean-field quantization of the Nambu-Goto string in 2 < d 26. The higher-derivative corrections to the Liouville action are briefly considered for the Pauli-Villars and proper-time regularizations.
From Unrolled Geometry to Complex Shapes in Equilibrium
Authors: Capone Mara , Nome Carlos Alejandro , Cicala Angela , de Queiroz Nome Natália
Published: May 2023

Developable Surfaces can be manufactured starting from the unrolled geometry without tearing or stretching. You can use different materials, but you must apply forces to turn the 2D planar shape into the 3D design structure. Our main goal is to define a computational model to simulate and control this process.
A discrete SIS-model built on the strictly positive scheme
Authors: Choiński Marcin
Published: May 2023

In this paper we introduce and analyze a discrete SIS epidemic model for a homogeneous population. As a discretization method the strictly positive scheme was chosen. The presented model is built from its continuous counterpart known from literature. We firstly present basic properties of the system. Later we discuss local stability of stationary states and global stability for the disease-free stationary state. The results for this state are expressed with the use of the basic reproduction number. The main conclusion from our work is that conditions for stability of the stationary states do not depend on the step size of the discretization method. This fact stays in contrary to other discrete models analyzed in our previous papers. Theoretical results are accomplished with numerical simulations.
Micromachining using the high energy flat-top beam of a femtosecond pulse UV laser system: micropillar prefabrication
Authors: Szabó Péter Imre , Ugi Dávid , Gilicze Barnabás , Dankházi Zoltán , Lipcsei Sándor , Homik Zsolt , Tóth Zsolt
Published: May 2023

Ablation with ultrashort laser pulses as a surface micromachining tool was studied using a hybrid die-excimer laser system that has high energy per laser pulse (tens of mJ’s), about 600 fs pulse duration and low repetition rate (2 Hz). The effect of ablation on the material microstructure with this high energy pulsed laser system was studied. Micropillars were fabricated by laser ablation using a spot size of hundreds of micrometers. Two methods were tested for micromachining. Multiple laser pulse ablation on a standing sample resulted in a columnar microscturcure around the micropillars. This unwanted structure was avoided by beam scanning, resulting in a rather homogeneous ditch. By HR-EBSD measurement it was found that the heat affected zone is less than 1 $$\mu \textrm{m}$$

μ
m

, which was confirmed by numerical temperature simulations, too. The dislocation density measured below the specimen surface was unaltered, meaning that no significant crystal degradation occurred. In summary, large-scale micro objects with a diameter in the order of $$100~\mu \textrm{m}$$

100

μ
m

without significant change in the crystalline microstructure below the surface, like large-scale micropillars for compression tests, can be fabricated.
Seedless fruit in Annona squamosa L. is monogenic and conferred by INO locus deletion in multiple accessions
Authors: Rodrigues Bruno Rafael Alves , Gasser Charles S. , Pimenta Samy , Pereira Marlon Cristian Toledo , Nietsche Silvia
Published: May 2023

Key message

Inheritance of the presence/absence of seeds in Annona squamosa is mediated by a single fully recessive gene and is caused by a deletion of the INNER NO OUTER (INO) locus.

For some fruits, seedless varieties are desirable for consumption and processing. In the sugar apple tree (Annona squamosa L.), the seedless trait in the Thai seedless (Ts) and Brazilian seedless (Bs) accessions was associated with defective ovules and an apparent deletion of the INNER NO OUTER (INO) ovule development gene locus. Segregation analysis of F2 and backcross descendants of crosses of Bs to fertile wild-type varieties in this species with a multi-year generation time showed that seedlessness was recessive and controlled by a single locus. Comparison of whole genome sequence of a wild-type plant and a third accession, Hawaiian seedless (Hs), identified a 16 kilobase deletion including INO in this line. Ts and Bs lines were shown to have an identical deletion, indicating a common origin from a single deletion event. Analysis of microsatellite markers could not preclude the possibility that all three seedless accessions are vegetatively propagated clones. The sequence of the deletion site enabled a codominant assay for the wild-type and mutant genes allowing observation of complete cosegregation of the seedless/defective ovule phenotype with the INO deletion, showing maximal separation of less than 3.5 cM. The observed deletion is the only significant difference between the wild-type and Hs line over 587 kilobases, likely encompassing much more than 3.5 cM, showing that the deletion is the cause of seedless trait. The codominant markers and obtained progenies will be useful for introgression of the seedless trait into elite sugar apple lines and into other Annonas through interspecific crossings.
Direct observation of epoxy resin blocks for renal biopsy by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Tojo Akihiro , Abe Makoto , Matsuyama Kin-ichi
Published: May 2023

To improve the resolution of low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM), the epoxy resin block for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was observed directly with LVSEM. After observing ultrathin sections from renal biopsies of IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, lupus nephritis, diabetic nephropathy (DM), thin basement membrane disease (TBMD), Alport’s syndrome, Fabry’s disease, and renal amyloidosis, the epoxy resin blocks of the same sites were observed by LVSEM and compared. The LVSEM image of the epoxy resin block corresponds to the negative of the TEM image, and when the gradation is reversed, the LVSEM image was comparable to the TEM image. At a low magnification of 100 ×, the entire specimen, including the glomerulus, was obtained. LVSEM at 5000 × magnification was sufficient to identify paramesangial deposits in IgA nephropathy and subepithelial electron-dense deposits (EDD) and spikes in membranous nephropathy. Glomerular basement membrane thickening in DM and thinning in TBMD could be sufficiently diagnosed with LVSEM at 6000 ×. Accumulation of ceramide in Fabry's disease was easily identified, but amyloid fibril could not be identified by LVSEM. LVSEM of renal biopsy epoxy resin blocks can replace TEM up to moderate magnification.
Strongly Base-Two Groups
Authors: Burness Timothy C. , Guralnick Robert M.
Published: May 2023

LetGbe a finite group, letHbe a core-free subgroup and letb(G, H) denote the base size for the action ofGonG/H. Let$$\alpha (G)$$α(G)be the number of conjugacy classes of core-free subgroupsHofGwith$$b(G,H) \ge 3$$b(G,H)≥3. We say thatGis a strongly base-two group if$$\alpha (G) \le 1$$α(G)≤1, which means that almost every faithful transitive permutation representation ofGhas base size 2. In this paper, we study the strongly base-two finite groups with trivial Frattini subgroup.
Effects of personalized movement models in virtual reality on pain expectancy and motor behavior in patients with chronic back pain: a feasibility study
Authors: Kammler-Sücker Kornelius Immanuel , Löffler Annette , Flor Herta
Published: May 2023

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of chronic pain focuses on behavioral, cognitive, affective and social factors that play a role in the transition from acute to chronic pain, which often is initially caused by a specific event but then takes on “a life of its own”. CBT models assume that fear of pain and subsequent avoidance behavior contribute to pain chronicity and the maintenance of chronic pain. In chronic back pain (CBP), avoidance is often addressed by teaching patients to reduce pain behaviors (such as guarding and bracing that may become dysfunctional over time) and increase healthy behaviors (such as physical exercise and meaningful social activities). The current study explored if personalized virtual movement models (doppelganger avatars), who maximize model-observer similarity in virtual reality (VR), can influence fear of pain, motor avoidance and movement-related pain and function. In a randomized controlled trial, participants with CBP observed and imitated an avatar (AVA, N = 17) or a videotaped model (VID, N = 16) over three sessions, where moving a beverage crate, bending sideward (BS), and rotation in the horizontal plane (RH) were shown. Self-reported pain expectancy, as well as engagement, functional capacity and pain during movements, were analyzed along with range of motion (ROM). The AVA group reported higher engagement with no significant group differences observed in ROM. Pain expectancy increased in AVA but not VID over the sessions. Pain and limitations did not significantly differ. However, we observed a significant moderation effect of group, with prior pain expectancy predicting pain and avoidance in the VID but not in the AVA group. This can be interpreted as an effect of personalized movement models decoupling pain behavior from movement-related fear and pain expectancy. Thus, personalized virtual movement models may provide an additional tool for exposure and exercise treatments in cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches to CBP.
A user-based information rating scale to evaluate the design of technology-based supports for autism
Authors: Zervogianni Vanessa , Fletcher-Watson Sue , Herrera Gerardo , Goodwin Matthew S. , Triquell Elise , Pérez-Fuster Patricia , Brosnan Mark , Grynszpan Ouriel
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to merge expertise from evidence-based practice and user-centered design to develop a rating scale for considering user input and other sources of information about end-users in studies reporting on the design of technology-based support for autism. We conducted a systematic review of the relevant literature to test the reliability and validity of the scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity based on a randomized sample of 211 studies extracted from the output of the systematic review. The scale can help provide a more complete assessment of the quality of the design process of technology-based supports for autism and be beneficial to autistic people, their families, and related professionals in making informed decisions regarding such supports.
Inequality and the structure of countries’ external liabilities
Authors: Harms Philipp , Hoffmann Mathias , Kohl Miriam , Krahnke Tobias
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we present empirical evidence that higher income inequality is associated with a greater equity share in countries’ external liabilities, and we develop a theoretical model that can explain this observation: In a small open economy with traded and non-traded goods, entry barriers depress entrepreneurial activity in non-traded industries and raise income inequality. The small number of domestic non-traded goods firms leaves room for foreign firms to operate on the domestic market, and it reduces external borrowing. The model thus suggests that barriers to entrepreneurial activity raise both inequality and the equity share in foreign liabilities. Our empirical results lend some support to this conjecture.
Incubation behaviour of the Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula at different latitudes
Authors: Wanders Kees , Almalki Mohammed , Heggøy Oddvar , Lislevand Terje , McGuigan Chris , Eichhorn Götz , Gabrielsen Geir Wing , Azarov Viktoria , Khasyanova Leylya , Székely Tamás
Published: May 2023

In biparentalCharadriinaeplovers, male and female incubation duties often resemble daily routines, with males typically incubating at night and females incubating during the day. By analysing incubation behaviour in three Arctic populations of Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula, we show that these diel routines are lost in the 24-h sunlight of the Arctic. In contrast, a non-Arctic population in East Scotland exhibited significant daily routines, with males dominating incubation during the late afternoon and night, and females dominating incubation during the early morning and midday hours. These patterns suggest that clear light/dark cycles are necessary for daily incubation routines to form in the Common Ringed Plover, although further research is needed to understand the specific drivers of this behaviour.
Family care during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany: longitudinal evidence on consequences for the well-being of caregivers
Authors: Möhring Katja , Zinn Sabine , Ehrlich Ulrike
Published: May 2023

We examine changes in the well-being of family caregivers during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and the SOEP-CoV study. The COVID-19 pandemic posed an extraordinary challenge for family caregivers, as care recipients are a high-risk group requiring special protection, and professional care services were severely cut back. The specific situation of the COVID-19 pandemic allows us to re-examine the caregiver stress process model. Using first difference regression models, we analyse changes in general life satisfaction and depressive symptoms (PHQ-4 score) among family caregivers between 2019 and spring 2020, differentiating by care intensity and duration of the care episode. Caregivers show similar changes in well-being as non-caregivers: a simultaneous increase in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction between 2019 and 2020. However, our results reveal heterogeneity within the group of family caregivers as we find differences according to caregiving dynamics and intensity. Among the group of continuing caregivers, high-intensity caregivers experience a larger increase in life satisfaction, and low-intensity caregivers a smaller increase in life satisfaction, compared to non-caregivers. Our results therefore provide some support for the role enhancement hypothesis for continuing caregivers with high time commitment.
Poriferans rift apart: molecular demosponge biodiversity in Central and French Polynesia and comparison with adjacent marine provinces of the Central Indo-Pacific
Authors: Galitz Adrian , Ekins Merrick , Folcher Eric , Büttner Gabriele , Hall Kathryn , Hooper John N. A. , Reddy Maggie M. , Schätzle Simone , Thomas Olivier P. , Wörheide Gert , Petek Sylvain , Debitus Cécile , Erpenbeck Dirk
Published: May 2023

The distribution of marine sponges in the tropical Southwest Pacific Ocean is largely unexplored despite the vital ecological role of sponges in coral reefs and their value as sources of metabolites for drug design. Several collection campaigns to the French Polynesian archipelagos (Society, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Gambier, and Austral) were conducted to assess the bio- and chemodiversity of the island groups. In the course of these scientific expeditions, more than 200 identified sponge specimens were acquired, for which we were able to assign 102 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs). Based on these MOTUs, we assessed, in the largest analysis of its kind for this area to date, the sponge composition and faunistic overlaps of the marine province Southeast Polynesia with Marquesas and Central Polynesia. We also compared the sponge fauna of these Eastern Indo-Pacific provinces with marine provinces of the adjacent Central Indo-Pacific realm. Our findings corroborate that sponge faunal similarity within marine realms is higher than among realms, and follows the marine barriers to gene flow observed for other taxa. We detected high levels of provincial endemism for marine sponges, consistent with findings from other Indo-Pacific regions. At the level of province, geographical distance and ocean surface currents influence faunal similarity, and constitute the primary factors for the connectivity of sponge faunas between the disjunct and remote island groups in the tropical Southwest Pacific Ocean.
Water-soluble quaternized copolymers as eco-friendly cationic modifiers of cotton fabrics for salt-free reactive dyeing applications
Authors: Tsimpouki Loukia , Papapetros Konstantinos , Anastasopoulos Charalampos , Sygellou Labrini , Soto-Beobide Amaia , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S. , Voyiatzis George A. , Bokias Georgios , Kallitsis Joannis K.
Published: May 2023

The modification of cotton fabrics with water-soluble cationic copolymers for salt-free dyeing applications with reactive dyes is explored in the present work. To this end, a family of bifunctional water-soluble cationic copolymers was designed through the chemical modification of poly(4-vinyl benzyl chloride), PVBC, with triethylamine, TEAM. These copolymers were applied onto cotton fabrics in aqueous alkaline solutions at moderate temperature (60 °C). The successful cotton modification was verified through the characterization of the modified samples with Raman and XPS spectroscopy. Moreover, a polymer coverage of the fabric of the order of 0.1% (w/w) was estimated following the polymer exhaustion through UV–Vis spectroscopy of the aqueous solutions used for the modification. The modification kinetics were followed through the evolution of the Raman spectra of the modified fabrics, the polymer exhaustion of the aqueous modification solutions and, indirectly, the dye exhaustion of the dyebaths using a reactive dye, namely Novacron Ruby S-3B. All techniques claim that fabric modification is practically accomplished within the first 1–2 h. The double functionality of the copolymers was explored through the XPS study of the modified fabrics, revealing that both electrostatic binding and covalent bonding of the cationic copolymers with the anionic surface of the fabric are expected to take place. As an important consequence, the polymer-modified fabrics are strongly dyed under eco-friendlier conditions, namely in salt-free alkaline solutions at room temperature, in contrast to the barely dyed unmodified fabric.

Graphical abstract
Should researchers make causal inferences and recommendations for practice on the basis of nonexperimental studies?
Authors: Grosz Michael P.
Published: May 2023

Recommendations for practice have become increasingly common in educational psychology articles in recent decades, according to a review by Brady et al. (2023). At the same time, the proportion of experimental studies has decreased. This led Brady et al. to warn against under-supported recommendations for practice. Researchers who read their article might get the impression that evidence from experimental studies is the only acceptable basis for practice recommendations. In the current commentary, I argue that both experimental and nonexperimental designs can inform us to some degree about cause-effect relationships, and that even studies that hardly inform us about causal effects can have practical implications. Thus, in order to enhance the transfer from research to practice, I recommend that educational researchers talk about practical implications in their articles regardless of the design and analysis they used. At the same time, researchers should clearly and transparently communicate the limitations and assumptions of their findings and how they affect the practical implications. Equipping educators, teachers, and policy makers with this information would enable them to make decisions in line with scientific evidence.
The probabilistic termination tool amber
Authors: Moosbrugger Marcel , Bartocci Ezio , Katoen Joost-Pieter , Kovács Laura
Published: May 2023

We describe the Amber tool for proving and refuting the termination of a class of probabilistic while-programs with polynomial arithmetic, in a fully automated manner. Amber combines martingale theory with properties of asymptotic bounding functions and implements relaxed versions of existing probabilistic termination proof rules to prove/disprove (positive) almost sure termination of probabilistic loops. Amber supports programs parametrized by symbolic constants and drawing from common probability distributions. Our experimental comparisons give practical evidence of Amber outperforming existing state-of-the-art tools.
Social science goes quantum: explaining human decision-making, cognitive biases and Darwinian selection from a quantum perspective
Authors: Holtfort Thomas , Horsch Andreas
Published: May 2023

The social and economic sciences are grounded on the basic assumption that social life, decision-making behavior, and consciousness are classical physical and therefore material phenomena. Quantum social science, a new research area, which refers to the knowledge and interpretations of quantum physics, is challenging this assumption. This paper gives an overview of quantum social science and explains quantum decision theory on the one hand with a focus on the cognitive biases first elaborated by Kahneman & Tversky, and on the other hand by Darwin´s theory of evolution.
The Interplay Between Anxiety and Avoidance Dimensions of Attachment to Chinese Fathers in Internalizing Problem Behavior among Early Adolescents: An Intercultural Investigation
Authors: Ma Chunhua , Ma Yongfeng , Lan Xiaoyu
Published: May 2023

Guided by the attachment theory, this study investigated the interplay between anxiety and avoidance dimensions of attachment to Chinese fathers in early adolescents’ internalizing problem behavior. This study further examined whether this association might exhibit an intercultural difference between the Han and Dong-Xiang ethnic groups. A total of 1019 adolescents between 10 and 15 years old (Mage = 12.66,SD = 1.51; 52.8% girls) participated in this study. Participants were uniformly instructed to complete a packet of well-established questionnaires written in simplified Chinese. Based on a hierarchical linear regression, interactive patterns of anxiety and avoidance exhibited an intercultural difference: adolescents with a fearful attachment style reported the highest levels of internalizing problem behavior among the Han, whereas adolescents with a preoccupied attachment style did so among the Dong-Xiang. Through these results, the current study highlights the vital role of attachment to fathers in early adolescents’ internalizing problem behavior and emphasizes the interactive patterns between anxiety and avoidance in interpreting the variance of internalizing problem behavior. Further, the results not only have important theoretical implications for the discussion of attachment as a universal or cultural phenomenon, but also highlight practical ways to mitigate early adolescents’ internalizing problem behavior.
Understanding the Risk Factors of Spousal Violence Victimization Using Machine Learning and Network Approaches
Authors: Xu Xuexin , Ong Hui Lin , Lai Pierce , Ting Ming Hwa , Wong Wah Ming , Chu Chi Meng
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Identifying pertinent risk factors is an essential first step for early detection and upstream prevention of spousal violence. However, limited research has examined the risk factors of spousal violence in the Asian context. This study aimed to understand the spousal violence issue in Singapore by (1) identifying the pertinent risk factors that could predict the likelihood of applying for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) - an order restraining a respondent from committing family violence against a person, and (2) understanding the relationship between various risk factors and the likelihood of PPO application.

Method

Linked administrative data of ever-married Singapore residents born in 1980 and 1985 (N = 51,853) were analyzed, using machine learning and network approaches.

Results

Results indicated that the pertinent risk factors associated with PPO application included lower educational attainment, staying in a public rental flat, early marriage and parenthood, childhood maltreatment, prior history of being respondent to PPO, offending behaviors, and mental illness.

Conclusions

Findings could aid in identifying individuals and families at-risk and informing upstream efforts to combat spousal violence issues. First responders, such as police or social workers, could utilize the relevant risk factor as a guide in cases of suspected family violence to identify at-risk individuals and families in a timely manner and minimize adverse effects.