bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Digital Help for Divorced Danes: Randomized Controlled Trial of Cooperation After Divorce (CAD) and Sick Days
Authors: Sander Søren , Strizzi Jenna Marie , Cipric Ana , Øverup Camilla Stine , Hald Gert Martin
Published: February 2024

Few digital divorce interventions have undergone rigorous randomized control trial study (RCT) testing of their physical and psychological health effects. This paper describes the Cooperation after Divorce (CAD) intervention including background, target group, design and engagement strategies, intervention development, content, and theoretical cornerstones. The 17-module digital psychoeducational intervention addresses three main content areas: (1) the divorcee themselves, (2) the children, and (3) co-parenting. The content of the modules provided psychoeducation and therapeutic activities focused on the maladaptive interactional patterns between former partners and how to develop new interactional schemas, including a focus on when and how to communicate with the former partner in a way that does not escalate conflict. A randomized controlled trial (N = 778) assessed the effect of CAD in terms of number of sick days. Participants were assessed at 3-, 6- and 12-month post-divorce. Independent samples t test revealed that participants in the intervention group on average reported 5.82 fewer sick days one year post-divorce than did participants in the control condition. The results suggest that digital post-divorce interventions decrease sick days for newly divorce individuals, thereby offering long-term human, family, and public health benefits.
Luchando Junt@s Por Una Familia Unida (Fighting Together for a United Family): Rebuilding the Cohesive Self of Immigrant Parents and Community Healing after a Family Separation in the United States – A Self Psychology Perspective
Authors: Aguilar Cheryl
Published: February 2024

The Zero Tolerance policy implemented by the Trump administration resulted in the separation of thousands of Central American families seeking asylum at the U.S. Southern border. This policy has had a devastating impact on the mental health of parents and their children. While most of the literature on forced immigration family separation, and reunification focuses on children’s traumatic responses, it is essential to expand the literature to include the impact on parents, who can help mitigate the negative consequences of adverse events and traumatic stress on their children. When parents are not provided with adequate culturally sensitive healing interventions, their distress, and emotional needs may affect their ability to effectively support their children. Using a self psychology lens, this theoretical article sheds light on the psychological experiences of Central American parents who endured forced family separation. It also contributes knowledge to self psychology theory and its integration into group work with Central Americans. This article draws from the literature, my clinical experience with immigrants and refugees, and my work with Central American asylum-seeking families impacted by the “zero tolerance” immigration policy to argue that self psychology provides a lens for understanding the impact of the government’s empathic failure on parents upon entering the United States that led to a blow to parents’ cohesive self. Parents’ cohesive self can be restored with sufficient collective twinship, mirroring, and idealizing experiences, which in self-psychology are paramount psychological needs to be met for building and maintaining a strong self.
Safety and efficacy of apatinib in combination with chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer
Authors: Chang Lele , Zhang Xuemei , Ma Qian , Kong Lingyang , Yu Yang , Tao Ji , Li Qingwei
Published: February 2024

The specific first-line regimen for advanced gastric cancer (GC) is still controversial. The benefit of apatinib for first-line treatment of advanced GC remains unknown and needs to be further explored. Eighty-two patients with advanced GC treated in our institution from October 2017 to March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. All individuals had her-2 negative GC and had received at least two cycles of first-line treatment, including 44 patients in the combination treatment group (apatinib in combination with chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy) and 38 patients in the simple chemotherapy group. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of apatinib in combination with chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced GC by comparing the efficacy, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events in two groups of patients. The median PFS of the simple chemotherapy group was 9.25 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.1–11.2 months), and that of the combination treatment group was 10.9 months (95% CI, 7.9–15.8 months), which was 1.65 months longer than the simple chemotherapy group. Statistically significant differences are shown (P = 0.022). The objective response rate (ORR) of the combination treatment group was 65.9%, and 36.8% in the simple chemotherapy group. Statistically significant differences are shown (P = 0.014). No serious (Grade IV) adverse events occurred in either group. Our study indicates that apatinib in combination with chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced GC exhibits good anti-tumor activity and is well tolerated by patients.
The role of digital capital in parental engagement
Authors: Addi-Raccah Audrey
Published: February 2024

Previous studies discussed the relationship between parental engagement and different forms of capital, such as cultural or social capital. The current study takes a step further by referring to digital capital. It examines the direct and mediating effects of parents' digital capital on their engagement in their children's learning. The study also compares the differences between parents of low and high socioeconomic statuses regarding the effect of digital capital on their engagement. The study sample included 600 Israeli parents with children in elementary schools who completed an anonymous online questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling analysis revealed that parents with high socioeconomic status use digital capital more frequently than parents with low socioeconomic status. Further, digital capital was directly related to parental engagement and acted as a mediator between parents' socioeconomic background, social and institutionalized cultural capital, and their engagement in their children’s learning, giving an advantage to high-socioeconomic parents. However, the relationships between parental engagement and the types of capital were found to be different for low compared to high socioeconomic parents. The findings emphasize the potential of digital capital, particularly for disadvantaged groups, as a lever for improving parental engagement to benefit children and ultimately contributing toward creating a more equitable society.
Evaluating county-level lung cancer incidence from environmental radiation exposure, PM2.5, and other exposures with regression and machine learning models
Authors: Lee Heechan , Hanson Heidi A. , Logan Jeremy , Maguire Dakotah , Kapadia Anuj , Dewji Shaheen , Agasthya Greeshma
Published: February 2024

Characterizing the interplay between exposures shaping the human exposome is vital for uncovering the etiology of complex diseases. For example, cancer risk is modified by a range of multifactorial external environmental exposures. Environmental, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors all shape lung cancer risk. However, epidemiological studies of radon aimed at identifying populations at high risk for lung cancer often fail to consider multiple exposures simultaneously. For example, moderating factors, such as PM2.5, may affect the transport of radon progeny to lung tissue. This ecological analysis leveraged a population-level dataset from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results data (2013–17) to simultaneously investigate the effect of multiple sources of low-dose radiation (gross $$\gamma$$
γ
activity and indoor radon) and PM2.5 on lung cancer incidence rates in the USA. County-level factors (environmental, sociodemographic, lifestyle) were controlled for, and Poisson regression and random forest models were used to assess the association between radon exposure and lung and bronchus cancer incidence rates. Tree-based machine learning (ML) method perform better than traditional regression: Poisson regression: 6.29/7.13 (mean absolute percentage error, MAPE), 12.70/12.77 (root mean square error, RMSE); Poisson random forest regression: 1.22/1.16 (MAPE), 8.01/8.15 (RMSE). The effect of PM2.5 increased with the concentration of environmental radon, thereby confirming findings from previous studies that investigated the possible synergistic effect of radon and PM2.5 on health outcomes. In summary, the results demonstrated (1) a need to consider multiple environmental exposures when assessing radon exposure’s association with lung cancer risk, thereby highlighting (1) the importance of an exposomics framework and (2) that employing ML models may capture the complex interplay between environmental exposures and health, as in the case of indoor radon exposure and lung cancer incidence.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of the ecological risk and mobility of arsenic and heavy metals in soils and mine tailings from the Carmina mine site (Asturias, NW Spain)
Authors: Fernández-Martínez Rodolfo , Corrochano Noelia , Álvarez-Quintana Jessica , Ordóñez Almudena , Álvarez Rodrigo , Rucandio Isabel
Published: February 2024

An evaluation of the pollution, distribution, and mobility of arsenic and heavy metals in spoil heaps and soils surrounding the abandoned Carmina lead–zinc mine (Asturias, northern Spain) was carried out. Fractionation of arsenic was performed by an arsenic-specific sequential extraction method; while, heavy metal fractionations was carried out using the protocol of the Bureau Community of Reference (BCR) (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme). Arsenic appeared predominantly associated with amorphous iron oxyhydroxides. Among the heavy metals, lead and zinc showed high availability since significant amounts were extracted in the nonresidual fractions; whereas, chromium, copper and nickel showed very low availability, indicating their lithogenic origins. The results showed that the extractability of heavy metals in soils is influenced mainly by the presence of iron and manganese oxides as well as by pH and Eh. Multiple pollution indices, including the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk index (Er) and potential ecological risk index (PERI), were used to assess the degree of soil pollution in the mine area. All results showed that lead was the key factor causing the pollution and ecological risk in the studied area, and copper, zinc and arsenic also had significant contributions. Notably, the sites at higher risk coincided with those with high availability of arsenic and heavy metals. This study provides an integrative approach that serves as a powerful tool to evaluate the metal pollution status and potential threats to the local environment of abandoned mining areas, and the results are useful for making management decisions in these areas.
Citizen scientists’ engagement in flood risk-related data collection: a case study in Bui River Basin, Vietnam
Authors: Tran Huan N. , Rutten Martine , Prajapati Rajaram , Tran Ha T. , Duwal Sudeep , Nguyen Dung T. , Davids Jeffrey C. , Miegel Konrad
Published: February 2024

Time constraints, financial limitations, and inadequate tools restrict the flood data collection in undeveloped countries, especially in the Asian and African regions. Engaging citizens in data collection and contribution has the potential to overcome these challenges. This research demonstrates the applicability of citizen science for gathering flood risk-related data on residential flooding, land use information, and flood damage to paddy fields for the Bui River Basin in Vietnam. Locals living in or around flood-affected areas participated in data collection campaigns as citizen scientists using self-investigation or investigation with a data collection app, a web form, and paper forms. We developed a community-based rainfall monitoring network in the study area using low-cost rain gauges to draw locals’ attention to the citizen science program. Fifty-nine participants contributed 594 completed questionnaires and measurements for four investigated subjects in the first year of implementation. Five citizen scientists were active participants and contributed more than 50 completed questionnaires or measurements, while nearly 50% of citizen scientists participated only one time. We compared the flood risk-related data obtained from citizen scientists with other independent data sources and found that the agreement between the two datasets on flooding points, land use classification, and the flood damage rate to paddy fields was acceptable (overall agreement above 73%). Rainfall monitoring activities encouraged the participants to proactively update data on flood events and land use situations during the data collection campaign. The study’s outcomes demonstrate that citizen science can help to fill the gap in flood data in data-scarce areas.
Urban expansion in Greater Irbid Municipality, Jordan: the spatial patterns and the driving factors
Authors: Awawdeh Muheeb M. , Abuhadba Rudyna R. , Jamhawi Monther M. , Rawashdeh Ayman I. , Jawarneh Rana N. , Awawdeh Mohsen M.
Published: February 2024

Urban expansion within Greater Irbid Municipality (GIM) witnessed an extraordinary rise, expanding approximately ninefold between 1967 and 2020. Recent trends revealed a shift in urban growth towards southern and eastern regions. These dynamics carry critical implications for urban planners and environmental managers, urging a comprehensive understanding of the driving factors behind this expansion to anticipate future challenges. Employing logistic regression (LR) and geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) analyses using remote sensing data and GIS, spatially variant coefficients for driving factors emerged, illuminating the evolving landscape of urban development drivers within GIM. Yarmouk University historically promoted urban expansion, but recent proximity to Yarmouk University and JUST University, coupled with higher existing building percentages, inhibited further urbanization. The analysis also revealed that elevation and slope had negligible impacts on urban expansion. These findings underline the evolving dynamics of urban development drivers within the study region. The local perspective depicted significant spatial disparities in coefficients, highlighting variations in magnitude and direction. GWLR emerged as a more robust methodology, effectively capturing regional variations and enhancing model reliability. These findings hold immense value for informing current and future urban planning practices in Greater Irbid Municipality. Proactively addressing identified challenges and understanding the intricate dynamics of urban expansion can assist Irbid in shaping a sustainable and resilient future, avoiding potential pitfalls in its urban development endeavors.
Archaeological Insights into Asymmetrical Warfare on the Queensland Frontier
Authors: Pagels Anthony , Burke Heather , Wallis Lynley A.
Published: February 2024

Historiographic debate in Australia over whether or not the asymmetrical conflicts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the colonial period can be characterized as “war” remains unresolved, largely because most such events did not involve the traditional military. In this regard the situation in Queensland merits special attention, since much of the conflict in that colony from 1848 onward was conducted by a particular government paramilitary organization: the Queensland Native Mounted Police (NMP). In trying to understand the operations of this force, we adopt KOCOA terrain analysis, coupled with the forensic analysis of firing pin impressions on discharged Snider cartridge primers, to visualize how features around NMP camps affected and contributed to the use of firearms within these spaces. Given the well-recognized nexus between tactics of hunting and warfare, we argue that it is through the lens of training (both as hunters and soldiers) that we can best understand the Indigenous troopers of the NMP, as well as the strategies and tactics applied by the Queensland NMP in the context of the asymmetrical violence that characterized the Australian frontier.
Evaluation of the (Baha) technique of scleral indentation using a self-retained scleral indenter during vitrectomy surgery: a randomized trial
Authors: El Baha Samir , Ghandour Moutaz , Ahmed Islam S. H.
Published: February 2024

Aims

The current study compared a novel technique of scleral indentation using the self-retaining Leyla retractor to the conventional scleral self-indentation with the chandelier light.

Methods

Patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were randomized on a 1:1 basis to either have the (Baha) indentation using a tip of a thimble scleral indenter welded to the support for the Leyla retractor system or to have the conventional scleral indentation while using a 25-gauge chandelier light. A video was recorded for the surgery of all the cases and reviewed by another consultant masked to the type of indentation. The indentation duration (i.e., the time in seconds between the first appearance of a hump due to scleral indentation in the recorded video until its final disappearance) was measured for every case.

Results

The current study included 60 eyes of 60 adults with a mean age of 59.6 ± 9.8 years. Thirty-nine of the eyes were phakic and 21 were pseudophakic. The mean indentation time was 618 ± 87 and 696 ± 72 s in (Baha) indentation and conventional indentation groups, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 38). There was a positive correlation between the vertical palpebral fissure height and the indentation duration for both (Baha) indentation (r = 0.58) and conventional indentation groups (r = 0.42). Readjustment of the chandelier endo-illumination was required in 19 cases (63.3%) in the conventional indentation group. Iatrogenic breaks or accidental crystalline lens touch did not occur in any case.

Conclusion

The (Baha) technique is effective and safe, especially in patients with a larger palpebral fissure.
Response surface methodology for low-energy consumption electro-Fenton process for xanthene dye electrochemical degradation
Authors: Kacem Sabrine Ben , Clematis Davide , Elaoud Sourour Chaâbane , Panizza Marco
Published: February 2024

Erythrosine B (EB) is a dye widely used in the food and textile industries. Despite many studies that have been proposed in the literature about the electrochemical oxidation of dyes, few studies considered such recalcitrant xanthene compound, although it has been recognized as a threat to health and the environment. Then, this study investigates the oxidation of EB by a homogeneous electro-Fenton process using iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate as a catalyst, carbon felt cathode, and Ti/RuO2 anode. The treated synthetic wastewater contains 100 mg L−1 of EB and has a pH = 3. The effects of three independent variables have been considered for process optimization, such as applied current intensity (0.1–0.5 A), iron concentration (1–10 mM), and stirring rate (100–1000 rpm). Their interactions were investigated considering response surface methodology (RSM) based on Doehlert design as optimization method. EB removal efficiency and energy consumption were considered as model responses after 30 min of electrolysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the quadratic model was adequately fitted to the experimental data with R2 (0.9819), adj-R2 (0.9276), and low Fisher probability (< 0.0181) for the EB removal model, and R2 (0.9968), adj-R2 (0.9872) and low Fisher probability (< 0.0014) relative to the energy consumption model, suggesting a robust statistical significance. The energy consumption model significantly depends on current density, as expected. The foregoing results obtained by RSM led to the following optimal conditions for EB degradation: current intensity of 0.2 A, iron concentration of 9.397 mM, and stirring rate of 500 rpm, which gave a maximum decolorization rate of 98.15% with a minimum energy consumption of 0.74 kWh m−3 after 30 min of electrolysis. The competitiveness of the electro-Fenton process has been confirmed by the literature analysis proposed as well as by the preliminary economic analysis proposed in the second section of the study.

Graphical abstract
Habitat associations of day-flying Lepidoptera and their foodplants within nature reserves in Bedfordshire, UK
Authors: Ashe-Jepson Esme , Anderson Juliet , Hitchcock Gwen E. , Wallis Sky , Wingader Keira , Bladon Andrew J. , Turner Edgar C.
Published: February 2024

Species often associate with specific habitat characteristics, resulting in patchy distributions, whereby they only occupy a proportion of available habitat. Understanding which characteristics species require is a valuable tool for informing conservation management. We investigated the associations of eleven species of day-flying Lepidoptera larvae and their foodplants with habitat characteristics within calcareous grassland reserves in Bedfordshire, UK, across two scales relevant to land managers and target species: the reserve (cardinal aspect, vegetation type) and foodplant patch scale (foodplant height and density). We investigated whether ecological traits (habitat specialism, as defined at a national-scale, and overwintering life stage) influenced the strength of associations. At the reserve scale, we found variation in associations with habitat characteristics across species, with species that overwinter at non-adult life stages having more restricted associations, indicating that they may be more vulnerable to environmental change. Associations were generally stronger with vegetation type than aspect, which can be manipulated more easily by land managers. Seven species had similar associations with habitat characteristics to their foodplants, implying that management to benefit foodplants will also benefit larvae. However, the remaining four species had different associations to their foodplants, and may require alternative management approaches. At the foodplant patch scale, four species were associated with foodplant characteristics, which could be used to inform effective fine-scale management.

Implications for insect conservation

Implications for insect conservation: Diverse habitat associations imply that topographic and vegetation variation are valuable for supporting diverse assemblages of butterflies and their foodplants.
Frequency-dependent physical parameters, the voltage-dependent profile of surface traps, and their lifetime of Au/(ZnCdS-GO:PVP)/n-Si structures by using the conductance method
Authors: Güçlü Ç. Ş. , Tanrıkulu E. Erbilen , Ulusoy M. , Kalandargh Y. Azizian , Altındal Ş.
Published: February 2024

In this study, frequency-dependent physical parameters, voltage-dependent of surface traps/states, and their lifetime of the Au/(ZnCdS-GO:PVP)/n-Si (MPS) type structures were investigated by using conductance measurements (Y = 1/Z = G + jωC) both in wide range frequency (3 kHz-3 MHz) and voltage (from − 4.00 V to 1.50 V). Firstly, basic physical parameters such as density of doping donor atoms (ND), diffusion potential (VD), Fermi-energy (EF), barrier height ΦB(C-V), depletion-layer thickness (WD), and maximum electric field (Em) were calculated from these measurements for each frequency. These values were found as 1.69 × 1016 cm−3, 0.444 eV, 0.193 eV, 0.606 eV, 1.31 × 10−5 cm, 7.66 × 104 V/cm for 10 kHz, and 1.42 × 1016 cm−3, 0.461 eV, 0.198 eV, 0.628 eV, 1.46 × 10−5 cm, 7.80 × 104 V/cm for 3 MHz, respectively. While ND decreases with increasing frequency, the other parameters increase. The density of surface states (Nss) and their lifetimes (τ) were also obtained from conductance techniques. While the Nss were changed between 2.78 × 1012 at 0.40 V and 2.61 × 1012 eV-1cm−2 at 1.3 V, and the Nss-V curve shows two distinctive peaks which correspond to 0.5 V (2.87 × 1012 eV−1cm−2) and 1.2 V (2.68 × 1012 eV−1cm−2), respectively. The values of τ were changed between 105 µs (at 0.4 V) and 15.3 µs (at 1.3 V) and decreased with increasing voltage as exponentially. These lower values of Nss were attributed to the used (ZnCdS-GO:PVP) interlayer.
What Does Leadership Do to the Leader? Using a Pattern-Oriented Approach to Investigate the Association between Daily Leadership Profiles and Daily Leader Well-Being
Authors: Poetz Lennart , Volmer Judith
Published: February 2024

Leader behavior can vary daily, and leaders face multiple demands and problems in one day. Therefore, studying how leader behaviors interplay on the day-level (i.e., daily leadership profiles) is essential. Building on conservation of resources theory as a meta-theory, we investigated which daily leadership profiles exist and whether profile membership changes across one week. Additionally, we examined whether the leadership profiles are differentially related to leaders' daily well-being (i.e., emotional exhaustion, positive and negative affect), mediated by their daily experienced thriving and time pressure. In a diary study over five workdays (N = 289 leaders), we found three qualitatively different daily leadership profiles: one dominated by passive behaviors (passive), one dominated by transformational and contingent reward behaviors (transformational-rewarding), and one with elevated transformational and all transactional behaviors (comprehensive). The transformational-rewarding and the comprehensive profile showed greater stability across the week than the passive profile. Days in the transformational-rewarding profile were most beneficial for leaders' well-being. In contrast, days in the comprehensive profile seemed to be a double-edged sword for leaders, as indicated by higher experienced thriving and positive affect and simultaneously enhanced experienced time pressure, emotional exhaustion, and negative affect. Taken together, we illuminate the interplay of leadership behaviors on the day-level and the differential associations with leaders' well-being.
Spectroscopy of Oscillation Modes in Homogeneously Precessing Domain of Superfluid $$^3$$He-B
Authors: Zavjalov V. V. , Savin A. , Sergeicheva E. , Hakonen P. J.
Published: February 2024

We study the homogeneously precessing domain (HPD) in superfluid $$^3$$

3

He-B in a regular continuous-wave nuclear magnetic resonance (CW NMR) experiment. Using Fourier analysis of CW NMR time traces, we identify several oscillation modes with frequency monotonically increasing with the frequency shift of the HPD. Some of these modes are localized near the cell walls, while others are localized in bulk liquid and can be interpreted as oscillations of $$\vartheta$$
ϑ
-solitons. We also observe chaotic motion of the HPD in a certain range of temperatures and frequency shifts.
Transformer Models in Healthcare: A Survey and Thematic Analysis of Potentials, Shortcomings and Risks
Authors: Denecke Kerstin , May Richard , Rivera-Romero Octavio
Published: February 2024

Large Language Models (LLMs) such as General Pretrained Transformer (GPT) and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), which use transformer model architectures, have significantly advanced artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Recognized for their ability to capture associative relationships between words based on shared context, these models are poised to transform healthcare by improving diagnostic accuracy, tailoring treatment plans, and predicting patient outcomes. However, there are multiple risks and potentially unintended consequences associated with their use in healthcare applications. This study, conducted with 28 participants using a qualitative approach, explores the benefits, shortcomings, and risks of using transformer models in healthcare. It analyses responses to seven open-ended questions using a simplified thematic analysis. Our research reveals seven benefits, including improved operational efficiency, optimized processes and refined clinical documentation. Despite these benefits, there are significant concerns about the introduction of bias, auditability issues and privacy risks. Challenges include the need for specialized expertise, the emergence of ethical dilemmas and the potential reduction in the human element of patient care. For the medical profession, risks include the impact on employment, changes in the patient-doctor dynamic, and the need for extensive training in both system operation and data interpretation.
Sympathetic innervation in skeletal muscle and its role at the neuromuscular junction
Authors: Rudolf Rüdiger , Kettelhut Isis C. , Navegantes Luiz Carlos C.
Published: February 2024

Neuromuscular junctions are the synapses between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, which mediate voluntary muscle movement. Since neuromuscular junctions are also tightly associated with the capping function of terminal Schwann cells, these synapses have been classically regarded as tripartite chemical synapses. Although evidences from sympathetic innervation of neuromuscular junctions was described approximately a century ago, the essential presence and functional relevance of sympathetic contribution to the maintenance and modulation of neuromuscular junctions was demonstrated only recently. These findings shed light on the pathophysiology of different clinical conditions and can optimize surgical and clinical treatment modalities for skeletal muscle disorders.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity in ecosystem service trade-offs and their drivers in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China
Authors: Qiao Jianmin , Deng Longyun , Liu Haimeng , Wang Zheye
Published: February 2024

Context

Uncovering the trade-offs among ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for enhancing overall ES benefits and human well-being, as well as for improving regional landscape sustainability. However, research on whether relationships among ecosystem service (ES) change across spatial and temporal dimensions has been infrequent, particularly at fine scales.

Objectives

Our study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the trade-off strength and their influencing factors in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of four ESs: food provision (FP), soil conservation (SC), carbon sequestration (CS), and water yield (WY) across the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. We utilized root mean square error, automatic linear models and geographically weighted regression to quantify the trade-off strengths among ESs and uncover the primary influences on the spatiotemporal evolution.

Results

The trade-off strengths including FP_SC and CS_SC, were relatively high, particularly in the southwest region, surpassing 0.5. High-value regions for FP_WY and WY_CS were predominantly concentrated in the north, while WY_SC was mainly located in the south. Spatial heterogeneity was apparent in the factors influencing the trade-off strengths of ESs. NDVI positively influenced the degree of FP_WY in the western region but had a negative impact in the central region. Enhancing landscape configuration to reduce ES trade-offs involves diversifying and adding complexity to the landscape shape in the southwestern areas by adjusting landscape richness and shape. Regarding human activities, economic development would gradually encourage the coordination of FP_SC and FP_WY.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that although the trade-offs among ESs may remain constant, the predominant type and intensity of their relationships vary across both space and time. Precipitation and NDVI emerged as the primary factors influencing the strength of ES relationships in this region. This research contributes to balancing the trade-off strengths among ESs and facilitates the pursuit of regional landscape sustainability.
Coexistence in multi-use landscape: linking human activities with functional traits of wild mammals in southern India
Authors: Behera Asit K. , Kumar P. Ramesh , Priya M. Malathi , Zollner Patrick A. , Ramesh Tharmalingam , Kalle Riddhika
Published: February 2024

Context

Human presence and land-use activities influence habitat use and activity of species. It is crucial to study the ecological and anthropogenic determinants that drive these relationships.

Objectives

We investigated the effects of land-use change and human presence on the habitat use of seven mammalian species and on their activity patterns.

Methods

We conducted a camera-trapping survey in Ballari district, India. We deployed camera-traps at 1457 sampling grid cells across Protected Areas (PAs), Reserved Forests (RFs), and adjoining fringe mosaic farmlands (FMFLs). We assessed the influence of 19 covariates related to habitat features, landscape-level human presence, climate, and local-level human presence on species habitat use. We examined the diel activity patterns and activity levels of mammals within different land-use types.

Results

Four species exhibited a net negative response to increasing human presence, while three species exhibited positive responses. Respectively, proximity to farmlands, and settlements positively influenced habitat use by Panthera pardus, and Lepus nigricollis,. Increasing direct human presence negatively affected Sus scrofa habitat use. Large body-sized species exhibited higher diurnal activity in PA/RF compared to FMFL while smaller-sized (≤ 2.2 kg) species maintained similar activity patterns across land-use types. Generalist meso-predators exhibited more diurnal activity in RF/FMFL.

Conclusions

Ecological and life history traits were strong predictors of species responses to increasing human presence which favoured smaller and generalist species. These insights into the complex mechanisms through which human activities shape mammal communities are important landscape level perspectives on conservation.
Multi-scale habitat modelling of latrine site selection by sympatric carnivores in an Albany Thicket landscape, South Africa
Authors: Carvalho Filipe , Ziko Bantony A. , Mrubata Zonke , Xhobani Masibulele , Plaatjie Axola , Do Linh San Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

Context

Understanding how species select resources often requires assessing the environment at different spatial scales. Although the function of latrines in animal communication and social interactions has been studied in several carnivores, latrine site selection remains under-researched.

Objectives

We aimed to describe the characteristics of latrines and determine the environmental factors, operating at different scales, that drive latrine site selection by two sympatric genet species (Genetta genetta and G. tigrina) in an Albany Thicket landscape (South Africa).

Methods

We used a multi-scale modelling framework to investigate latrine site selection by comparing environmental characteristics at used latrines with that of two random points at four different scales. We then adapted a match-control design to derive the probability of latrine site selection.

Results

At the fine scale, genets selected latrine sites located in steeper slopes and boasting a higher availability of favourable micro-structures (e.g., burrows, termite mounds, hollow branches). At the landscape scale, latrines were positively associated with riverine forest corridors where they occurred in clusters. Genets avoided open areas and high terrain ruggedness to place their latrines. The best scale-independent model revealed the higher importance of edge habitats like riverine corridors and, to a lesser extent, dirt roads.

Conclusions

This study outlines the importance of including fine scale variables in multi-scale selection studies, as they may reveal features that are crucial for animal marking behaviour. Overall, our findings highlight the scales at which various factors influence latrine site selection the most. Based on our results, we suggest management practices that maintain animal communication by preserving riverine habitats across landscapes.
The Mediterranean forest in a science museum: engaging children through drawings that come to life in a virtual world
Authors: Vera Lucía , Coma Inmaculada , Pérez Manuel , Riera Jose Vicente , Martínez Bibiana , Gimeno Jesús
Published: February 2024

This paper presents "The Mediterranean Forest," an interactive exhibit designed for the Science Museum of Valencia. The exhibit engages children aged 3–8 by bringing their animal drawings to life in a virtual world. The system allows children to select, paint, scan, and transform drawings into three-dimensional avatars. These virtual animals interact with each other in the environment and with the children in the room. The exhibit is a collaborative space, where users can manipulate the real world, that promotes learning by exploration. The proposed solution integrates various cutting-edge technologies, including a large Virtual Reality projection system with blending techniques, Kinect devices for the interactivity, cheoptics hologram technology for realistic 3D visuals, and AI-driven virtual avatars simulating different behaviors and reacting to the user’s approach. The exhibit was evaluated through a study involving children, with feedback collected using a tailored questionnaire and the results indicated high levels of engagement and enjoyment among the children, with the majority expressing positive experiences. Some questions were not understandable for some children, which should be considered for future formal evaluation. The system's intuitiveness allowed children to navigate and interact with the virtual environment. The exhibit also demonstrates scalability, accommodating large groups of children effectively. Overall, "The Mediterranean Forest" successfully captivates children's attention, fostering creativity and imagination by transforming their drawings into a dynamic virtual world. This study underscores the benefits of using interactive technologies in museum settings to enhance children's learning experiences, encouraging further advancements in this field.
Moving Object Detection Method Based on the Fusion of Online Moving Window Robust Principal Component Analysis and Frame Difference Method
Authors: Zhang Q. L. , Li S. L. , Duan J. G. , Qin J. Y. , Zhou Y.
Published: February 2024

The accuracy of moving object detection has a great impact on the accuracy of extracting the shape center coordinates of moving workpieces. The classic inter-frame difference method has "cavity" and "double shadow" issues for workpieces with comparable internal colors. In order to solve this problem, a moving object detection algorithm combining the three-frame difference method and Online Moving Window Robust Principal Component Analysis (OMWRPCA) is proposed. By using the OMWRPCA to extract the background image in the current frame and comparing it to the previous and current frames, the "cavity" and "double shadow" problems are avoided as well as the effects of background pixels. This paper presents a case study of a visual sorting experiment bench in an "intelligent manufacturing production demonstration line". The experiments show that the workpiece shape center coordinates obtained by the improved moving object detection algorithm are closer to the actual value than those obtained by the traditional algorithm, and the F-measure scores are above 0.8, which are more accurate than the other two algorithms. It is compared with the traditional algorithm of the frame difference method and the Online Mixture of Gaussian Matrix Factorization (OMoGMF).
HIFINet: Examination-Diagnosis-Treatment Hierarchical Feedback Interaction Network for Medication Recommendation
Authors: Zheng Hengjie , Liu Yongguo , Yang Shangming , Zhang Yun , Zhu Jiajing , Chen Zhi
Published: February 2024

Medication combination recommendation is critical in clinic, since accurately predicting therapeutic drug can provide essential decision support to physicians. However, current approaches do not consider the multilevel structure of electronic health record (EHR) data or the hierarchical dependencies between multiple visits, leading to suboptimal recommendations. To address these limitations, we propose a novel hierarchical feedback interaction network (HIFINet) to utilize an examination-diagnosis-treatment hierarchical network for modeling the inherent multilevel structure of EHR data. The feedback long short-term memory network called FeLSTM, which is the basic unit of our hierarchical network, performs hierarchical interactions and leverages change information as feedback to propagate forward among different levels. Additionally, HIFINet contains four modules. First, an embedding module is designed to learn the health information representation of patients. Second, a three-layer time-series learning module is employed to capture temporal dependencies within each sequence. Next, a differential feedback interaction module is developed to capture the difference features between visits. Finally, an attention fusion module is used to learn a comprehensive representation of the patient’s health information and to recommend next multiple treatment medications. HIFINet is compared with state-of-the-art approaches on a real-world dataset. The results indicate that HIFINet outperforms other approaches, offering more accurate recommendations.
Genome‑Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of SPX Domain-Containing Gene Subfamily in Response to Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria in Apple (Malus domestica)
Authors: Kural Mehmet , Kiyak Ali , Uluisik Selman , Atay Ersin
Published: February 2024

Phosphate is one of the major elements that significantly affects fruit yield and quality. The aim of the study was to determine whether using phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria could produce high-quality apple nursery trees. Five different treatments were tested on a “Granny Smith” apple cultivar that was grafted onto an M.9 rootstock. These were 100% P, 50% P, 50% P + Bacillus megatarum (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, PGPR), 0%P, and 0%P + PGPR. The study also identified the SPX gene family, which is essential for plant growth and development and responds to phosphorus (P) stress. A total of 72 SPX genes were identified in different plant species based on structural and phylogenetic analysis. The apple genome contains seven different SPX genes distributed on five of the 17 chromosomes. Gene structure and motif analysis showed that SPX genes show a relatively conserved exon/intron arrangement and motif composition in five different species: apple, strawberry, peach, apricot, and grape. Protein–protein network analysis showed that SPX proteins are closely related to proteins involved in P metabolism in apple. The digital expression profiles of MdSPX genes among 47 apple tissues were characterized to provide insight into their potential functions. RT-qPCR revealed that the expression level of all MdSPXs was significantly downregulated in 50% P + PGPR treatments, indicating that 50% P combined with PGPR is effectively taken up by the plant, saving it from Pi starvation. These results not only confirm the key role of MdSPXs in Pi homeostasis and the Pi signaling pathway but also clarify the importance of Pi-solubilizing bacteria in plant nutrition.
What if precision agriculture is not profitable?: A comprehensive analysis of the right timing for exiting, taking into account different entry options
Authors: Munz Johannes
Published: February 2024

The digitization of agriculture is widely discussed today. But despite proven benefits, its acceptance in agricultural practice remains low. In small-structured areas, this trend is even more pronounced. There are even known cases where farmers initially purchased and used technology, but then stopped using it due to lack of profitability or other reasons. Interestingly, despite extensive research on precision agriculture technologies (PATs), the processes of adoption and phase-out with their associated economic impacts have never been studied. This paper provides a methodological framework for evaluating the economics of PAT deployment, taking into account changes during the period of use; the framework provides decision rules for determining the appropriate time to phase out technology. Using a selected PAT, a farm model, and defined entry and exit scenarios, it was shown that farms with outdated technology and farms with retrofittable technology are at a significant economic disadvantage during implementation compared to farms already using technology suitable for site-specific fertilization or farms relying on the use of a contractor. And even in the event of a phase-out, the two disadvantaged starting conditions face significantly greater uncertainties and costs. Moreover, the decision to phase out in time is difficult, as making an informed and fact-based decision is not possible after the first year of use. Therefore, it is advisable that farmers are not only accompanied before and during phase-in, but also receive professional support during use.
What gets published and what doesn’t? Exploring optimal distinctiveness and diverse expectations in entrepreneurship articles
Authors: Meurer Marie Madeleine , Belitski Maksim , Fisch Christian , Thurik Roy
Published: February 2024

The field of entrepreneurship has seen remarkable growth, increasing the expectations of academic audiences. Articles need to balance novelty with rigorous methodology, theoretical contributions, social implications, and coherent argumentation to succeed in the publication process. However, navigating these varied and sometimes conflicting expectations to achieve optimal distinctiveness in academic narratives is challenging for authors. To explore how authors can achieve optimal distinctiveness amidst these complex expectations, we studied academic narratives and related editorial decisions of two leading entrepreneurship journals, Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice (ETP, 4,151 papers) and Small Business Economics Journal (SBEJ, 4,043 papers), using computer-aided text analysis. Our study debunks common assumptions about what makes a successful entrepreneurship paper, providing an empirical basis for understanding actual versus perceived publication requisites. Furthermore, we extend optimal distinctiveness theory by demonstrating that high distinctiveness is not uniformly advantageous, meeting numerous expectations is not necessarily beneficial, and clear language is crucial for complex narratives. Our study underscores that crafting narratives is more nuanced than traditionally believed.
The role of experience and diversity on research consortia’ performance: an exploratory approach
Authors: Alegre Inés , Berbegal-Mirabent Jasmina , Martin-Sanchez Victor
Published: February 2024

In the realm of academic engagement, this study directs its focus toward a policy instrument that has received surprisingly scant attention within the literature, despite its substantial investment: European Union-funded research projects. These projects are designed to foster collaboration and establish a framework that supports and fortifies the creation and dissemination of exceptional knowledge and cutting-edge technologies. These endeavors are anticipated to fuel economic growth, spur social development, and address global challenges. Within this study, we delve into the impact of team experience and diversity on the research performance of consortia — groups of organizations — that have been successfully awarded funding within the FP7 and H2020 funding schemes. In order to dissect the influence of learning, our analysis is confined to consortia that have collaborated on multiple occasions. Drawing from data sourced from Community Research and Development Information Service, our findings unveil that beyond the monetary allocation, an array of team attributes and environmental factors play a role in augmenting team performance.