bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agreement between self-, mother and father proxy-reports on health-related quality of life in adolescents with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Jalenques Isabelle , Guiguet-Auclair Candy , Morand Dominique , Bourlot Fabien , Lauron Sophie , Mitelman Nathan , Hartmann Andreas , Rondepierre Fabien ,   The Syndrome de Gilles de La Tourette Study Group, Angonin C. , Bourlot F. , Deniau E. , Derost P. , Gerbaud L. , Guiguet-Auclair C. , Hartmann A. , Jalenques I. , Lauron S. , Legrand G. , Macleod A. , Marcheix M. , Mitelman N. , Morand D. , Müllner J. , Ramanoel C. , Rondepierre F.
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to investigate agreement and discrepancies between parent proxy- and adolescent self-reports on assessments of adolescents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the role that individual factors may play in parent-adolescent agreement, in a sample of adolescents with Tourette syndrome (TS) compared to a control group of healthy adolescents. Adolescents aged 12–18 years diagnosed with TS were recruited with their parents from primary and secondary referral centres. Adolescent healthy controls were matched for gender and age. Adolescents and each of their parents completed a set of questionnaires including a HRQoL evaluation of adolescent, the ‘Vécu et Santé Perçue de l’Adolescent’. Mother-adolescent, father-adolescent and mother-father agreements on adolescents’ HRQoL scores were investigated at individual and group level, both in TS and control groups. Data were available for 75 adolescents, 75 mothers and 63 fathers, in the TS group. Agreement between mother, father proxy-reports and TS adolescents self-reports of HRQoL varied from poor to good, without significant difference with the control group. In TS group, mothers and fathers underestimated adolescents’ HRQoL in ‘Psychological well-being’ subscale and mothers underestimated it in ‘Physical ‘well-being’ subscale, while controls overestimated adolescents’ HRQoL in these subscales. Larger mother-adolescent discrepancies for ‘Psychological well-being’ and ‘Physical well-being’ subscales were associated with internalizing symptoms. Regarding future studies, comprehensive evaluation of the various dimensions of adolescents’ HRQoL with TS requires the integration of the perspectives of both adolescents, mothers and fathers. Clinicians should take into account this point to provide comprehensive care and services.
Running in the FAMILY: understanding and predicting the intergenerational transmission of mental illness
Authors: van Houtum Lisanne A. E. M. , Baaré William F. C. , Beckmann Christian F. , Castro-Fornieles Josefina , Cecil Charlotte A. M. , Dittrich Juliane , Ebdrup Bjørn H. , Fegert Jörg M. , Havdahl Alexandra , Hillegers Manon H. J. , Kalisch Raffael , Kushner Steven A. , Mansuy Isabelle M. , Mežinska Signe , Moreno Carmen , Muetzel Ryan L. , Neumann Alexander , Nordentoft Merete , Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Preisig Martin , Raballo Andrea , Saunders John , Sprooten Emma , Sugranyes Gisela , Tiemeier Henning , van Woerden Geeske M. , Vandeleur Caroline L. , van Haren Neeltje E. M.
Published: April 2024

Over 50% of children with a parent with severe mental illness will develop mental illness by early adulthood. However, intergenerational transmission of risk for mental illness in one’s children is insufficiently considered in clinical practice, nor is it sufficiently utilised into diagnostics and care for children of ill parents. This leads to delays in diagnosing young offspring and missed opportunities for protective actions and resilience strengthening. Prior twin, family, and adoption studies suggest that the aetiology of mental illness is governed by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, potentially mediated by changes in epigenetic programming and brain development. However, how these factors ultimately materialise into mental disorders remains unclear. Here, we present the FAMILY consortium, an interdisciplinary, multimodal (e.g., (epi)genetics, neuroimaging, environment, behaviour), multilevel (e.g., individual-level, family-level), and multisite study funded by a European Union Horizon-Staying-Healthy-2021 grant. FAMILY focuses on understanding and prediction of intergenerational transmission of mental illness, using genetically informed causal inference, multimodal normative prediction, and animal modelling. Moreover, FAMILY applies methods from social sciences to map social and ethical consequences of risk prediction to prepare clinical practice for future implementation. FAMILY aims to deliver: (i) new discoveries clarifying the aetiology of mental illness and the process of resilience, thereby providing new targets for prevention and intervention studies; (ii) a risk prediction model within a normative modelling framework to predict who is at risk for developing mental illness; and (iii) insight into social and ethical issues related to risk prediction to inform clinical guidelines.
High-recall calibration monitoring for stereo cameras
Authors: Moravec Jaroslav , Šára Radim
Published: April 2024

Cameras are the prevalent sensors used for perception in autonomous robotic systems, but their initial calibration may degrade over time due to dynamic factors. This may lead to a failure of downstream tasks, such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) or object recognition. Hence, a computationally lightweight process that detects the decalibration is of interest. We describe a modification of StOCaMo, an online calibration monitoring procedure for a stereoscopic system. The method uses robust kernel correlation based on epipolar constraints; it validates extrinsic calibration parameters on a single frame with no temporal tracking. In this paper, we present a modified StOCaMo with an improved recall rate on small decalibrations through a confirmation technique based on resampled variance. With fixed parameters learned on a realistic synthetic dataset from CARLA, StOCaMo and its proposed modification were tested on multiple sequences from two real-world datasets: KITTI and EuRoC MAV. The modification improved the recall of StOCaMo by 25 % (to 91 % and 82 %, respectively), and the accuracy by 12 % (to 94.7 % and 87.5 %, respectively), while labeling at most one-third of the input data as uninformative. The upgraded method achieved the rank correlation between StOCaMo V-index and downstream SLAM error of 0.78 (Spearman).
Testing distributional assumptions in CUB models for the analysis of rating data
Authors: Di Iorio Francesca , Lucchetti Riccardo , Simone Rosaria
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we propose a portmanteau test for misspecification in combination of uniform and binomial (CUB) models for the analysis of ordered rating data. Specifically, the test we build belongs to the class of information matrix (IM) tests that are based on the information matrix equality. Monte Carlo evidence indicates that the test has excellent properties in finite samples in terms of actual size and power versus several alternatives. Differently from other tests of the IM family, finite-sample adjustments based on the bootstrap seem to be unnecessary. An empirical application is also provided to illustrate how the IM test can be used to supplement model validation and selection.
Understanding the influence of tree size distribution on the CTL harvesting productivity of two different size harvesting machines
Authors: Ackerman Simon , Bekker James , Astrup Rasmus , Talbot Bruce
Published: April 2024

Tree size is one of the major factors that determines harvester productivity and is heavily influenced by forest managerial activities. Stand silvicultural management can lead to managing tree size, the distribution of tree size, and tree height amongst others. Understanding the effect of tree size distribution on harvesting productivity is central for optimizing management of operations. To investigate the effects of tree size distribution on harvester productivity, productivity functions for a medium and larger-sized harvester were applied to harvester derived tree size distributions from 35 clearfelled pine stands. These functions were applied to a normal distribution of trees covering the same tree size ranges. Productivity differences were analysed on a stand-by-stand basis. Results showed that for the larger harvester, productivity rates remained constant (67.1 vs. 67.6 m3·PMH− 1) indicating relatively little sensitivity to variations in tree size distributions. Although the standard deviation (SD) halved from 11.6 to 5.6 in the case of the uniform tree distribution. The smaller harvester productivity decreased by 15% from 47.3 to 40.1 m3·PMH− 1 and the coefficient of variation (CV) by 6% in the same transition to a uniform distribution. Further investigation was done on more skewed tree size distributions, a family of nine Weibull distributions was generated, representing combinations of three mean DBH classes (25 cm, 30 cm, and 35 cm) and three levels of CV (15%, 20%, 25%), for each DBH class. Results clearly indicate that different distribution shapes have different effects on different machine sizes, and that a low CV correlates to a higher productivity in larger tree sizes. A more uniform tree size distribution also provides more predictable results (lower CV), which would promote machine scheduling and result in fewer discrepancies on production rates.
In Vitro Comparison of a Closed and Semi-closed Leaflet Design for Adult and Pediatric Transcatheter Heart Valves
Authors: Breitenstein-Attach Alexander , Steitz Marvin , Sun Xiaolin , Hao Yimeng , Kiekenap Jonathan , Emeis Jasper , Tuladhar Sugat Ratna , Berger Felix , Schmitt Boris
Published: April 2024

Transcatheter heart valve replacements (TVR) are mostly designed in a closed position (c) with leaflets coaptating. However, recent literature suggests fabricating valves in semi-closed (sc) position to minimize pinwheeling. With about 100,000 children in need of a new pulmonary valve each year worldwide, this study evaluates both geometrical approaches in adult as well as pediatric size and condition. Three valves of each geometry were fabricated in adult (30 mm) and pediatric (15 mm) size, using porcine pericardium. To evaluate performance, the mean transvalvular pressure gradient (TPG), effective orifice area (EOA), and regurgitation fraction (RF) were determined in three different annulus geometries (circular, elliptic, and tilted). For both adult-sized valve geometries, the TPG (TPGC = 2.326 ± 0.115 mmHg; TPGSC = 1.848 ± 0.175 mmHg)* and EOA (EOAC = 3.69 ± 0.255 cm2; EOASC = 3.565 ± 0.025 cm2)* showed no significant difference. Yet the RF as well as its fluctuation was significantly higher for valves with the closed geometry (RFC = 12.657 ± 7.669 %; RFSC = 8.72 ± 0.977 %)*. Recordings showed that the increased backflow was caused by pinwheeling due to a surplus of tissue material. Hydrodynamic testing of pediatric TVRs verified the semi-closed geometry being favourable. Despite the RF (RFC = 7.721 ± 0.348 cm2; RFSC = 5.172 ± 0.679 cm2), these valves also showed an improved opening behaviour ((TPGC = 20.929 ± 0.497 cm2; TPGSC = 15.972 ± 1.158 cm2); (EOAC = 0.629 ± 0.017 cm2; EOASC = 0.731 ± 0.026 cm2)). Both adult and pediatric TVR with semi-closed geometry show better fluiddynamic functionality compared to valves with a closed design due to less pinwheeling. Besides improved short-term functionality, less pinwheeling potentially prevents early valve degeneration and improves durability. *Results are representatively shown for a circular annulus geometry.
Interlaboratory study of the operational stability of automated sorption balances
Authors: Zelinka Samuel L. , Glass Samuel V. , Lazarcik Eleanor Q. D. , Thybring Emil E. , Altgen Michael , Rautkari Lauri , Curling Simon , Cao Jinzhen , Wang Yujiao , Künniger Tina , Nyström Gustav , Dreimol Christopher Hubert , Burgert Ingo , Uyup Mohd Khairun Anwar , Khadiran Tumirah , Roper Mark G. , Broom Darren P. , Schwarzkopf Matthew , Yudhanto Arief , Subah Mohammad , Lubineau Gilles , Fredriksson Maria , Strojecki Marcin , Olek Wiesław , Majka Jerzy , Pedersen Nanna Bjerregaard , Burnett Daniel J. , Garcia Armando R. , Verdonck Els , Dreisbach Frieder , Waguespack Louis , Schott Jennifer , Esteban Luis G. , Garcia-Iruela Alberto , Colinart Thibaut , Rémond Romain , Mazian Brahim , Perre Patrick , Emmerich Lukas , Li Ling
Published: April 2024

Automated sorption balances are widely used for characterizing the interaction of water vapor with hygroscopic materials. These instruments provide an efficient way to collect sorption isotherm data and kinetic data. A typical method for defining equilibrium after a step change in relative humidity (RH) is using a particular threshold value for the rate of change in mass with time. Recent studies indicate that commonly used threshold values yield substantial errors and that further measurements are needed at extended hold times as a basis to assess the accuracy of abbreviated equilibration criteria. However, the mass measurement accuracy at extended times depends on the operational stability of the instrument. Published data on the stability of automated sorption balances are rare. An interlaboratory study was undertaken to investigate equilibration criteria for automated sorption balances. This paper focuses on the mass, temperature, and RH stability and includes data from 25 laboratories throughout the world. An initial target for instrument mass stability was met on the first attempt in many cases, but several instruments were found to have unexpectedly large instabilities. The sources of these instabilities were investigated and greatly reduced. This paper highlights the importance of verifying operational mass stability of automated sorption balances, gives a method to perform stability checks, and provides guidance on identifying and correcting common sources of mass instability.
A Method to Simulate an Outwardly Propagating Turbulent Premixed Flame at Constant Pressure
Authors: Kim Seung Hyun
Published: April 2024

An outwardly propagating premixed flame in homogeneous isotropic turbulence at constant pressure is considered one of canonical configurations to study turbulent premixed flames. In this paper, a surface forcing method to prevent the undesirable influence of the boundary-condition-induced backflow on the flame evolution, while maintaining the constant pressure, in the simulation of the outwardly propagating flame is presented. The method is validated for laminar and turbulent flames. The results show that the present method well preserves the characteristics of turbulence and of an outwardly propagating flame, without the undesirable influence of the boundary condition, by feeding the homogeneous turbulence relative to the velocity field induced by the volume expansion due to heat release to the domain in which the flame develops.
First record of the semi-aquatic invasive plant Crassula helmsii in the Iberian Peninsula and its link to potential dispersal drivers
Authors: Fagúndez Jaime , Fernández Miguel A. , Balado Anxo , Martínez-Veiga Eva , Servia María J.
Published: April 2024

Aquatic neophytes are among the most harmful invasive species worldwide. Here we report the finding of the semi-aquatic invasive plant Crassula helmsii, naturalized in a freshwater reservoir that provides water to the large city of A Coruña, NW Spain. To better understand the extent and potential environmental correlates of C. helmsii invasion, we recorded the presence and frequency of C. helmsii in its emerged and floating mat forms at twelve sampling sites along the reservoir margins, and characterized the soil characteristics, plant community and environmental factors. Crassula helmsii is dispersed by fragmentation of the stems, potentially aided through shredding by local fauna such as the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii. We hypothesize that this could be a case of an invasional meltdown, when multiple invasive species facilitate one another and have synergistic effects on native ecosystems. The emerged form of C. helmsii was found in ten out of twelve sites with a mean cover value of 9.8 ± 10.4% (mean ± SD). We found no correlation between frequency of the emerged form of C. helmsii and abundance of Procambarus clarkii, but frequency of the emerged form of C. helmsii increased with higher soil nitrogen and vascular plant richness. We outline emergency actions for management of C. helmsii at this stage of the invasion, focusing on containment and avoiding spread to nearby water bodies.
Unique bird diversity in an Ethiopian church forest
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Gibru Amare , Mulwa Moses , Deffersha Habtamu Assaye , Addisu Solomon , Teucher Mike , Schmitt Thomas , Ulrich Werner
Published: April 2024

Today, most of Ethiopia’s church forests are small forest patches surrounded by a degraded and anthropogenically modified landscape, mostly arable land. Nevertheless, these forest islands may still provide valuable habitats for typical forest species. It remains questionable whether these habitat remnants provide sufficient resources for forest species to successfully reproduce and persist in the long run. In this study, we assessed bird species based on point-counts in and around Tara Gedam Church Forest in northern Ethiopia. We observed birds in typical natural evergreen Afromontane forest (forest interior and forest edge) and in anthropogenic habitats, the semi-natural shrublands, agricultural land, and Eucalyptus tree plantations. We assigned ecological and behavioural characteristics to each of the bird species observed. Our results point to a specific bird community restricted to the forest interior and characterized by forest generalists and forest specialist birds. Along the forest edge, a mix of forest generalists and species of the open landscape can be found, creating mixed communities with high species overlap. The highest number of species was observed at the forest edge and in semi-natural shrubland, where both, open-land and forest species were found. On the other hand, the total number of species in the forest interior was comparatively low, with insectivorous and frugivorous typical forest species. Our results underline the fact that even small forest remnants are important for the conservation of forest species, which do not evade surrogate forest habitats.
Intramyocardial abscess and endoventricular thrombosis: a complex case
Authors: Rodella Luca , Pegorin Davide , Rosati Roberta , Raffo Michela , Vizzardi Enrico , Metra Marco
Published: April 2024

Infective endocarditis (IE) is today a public health problem, as the recent ESC Guidelines have also recalled. Abscesses can be complications of IE and their presence means that the infection is not controlled. We describe the complex case of a 57-year-old patient, presented in ED for fever and oleocranical bursitis, increase of cardiac enymes at blood samples. He was admitted to our Cardiology Unit because TTE showed a floating peduncolated formation in the left ventricle. The susequent TEE documented also the presence of a myocardial abscess, confirmed at cardiac MRI. Blood cultures were positive for MSSA and the man received specific antibiotic therapy. Anticoagulation treatment was started with UFH and then switched to Warfarin, surgical approach of the lesion would have been too dangerous according to Cardiac Surgeons. Serious and sudden neurological complications then followed, leading the patient to brain death in ICU.
The Effects of Online Behavioral Parenting Interventions on Child Outcomes, Parenting Ability and Parent Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: McAloon John , Armstrong Simone Mastrillo
Published: April 2024

The twenty-first century has seen the development and delivery of online programs of behavioral family intervention for disruptive child behavior. Typically, programs evaluate outcomes in terms of change in child functioning and change in parenting ability. Existing research has also articulated the importance of parent–child relational capacity and its role in facilitating change in child functioning, and the importance of parent emotion regulation in the interests of ensuring optimal child development. These factors were explored in a meta-analysis of k = 14 prospective longitudinal research studies of online parenting interventions for disruptive child behavior. Peer reviewed randomized controlled trials with inactive control groups that were published in English between 2000 and 2022 were included in the review if they were delivered online; offered parent self-directed treatment; included as participants families who were screened as having child behavioral difficulties on validated psychometric assessment measures; and assessed child treatment outcomes, parenting ability and parent treatment outcomes. The protocol for this study was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020215947). Statistical analyses employed random effects models and reported pooled effect sizes (Hedge’s g) within and between groups. Results emphasize the importance of child outcomes and parenting ability in program assessment, however, suggest that parents’ capacity to develop optimal parent–child relationships and regulate emotion may not be sufficiently reflected in program content. Identified continuous and categorical moderators of treatment outcome were also assessed. Results of the review are discussed in terms of their potential to influence the future development of online programs of behavioral family intervention and, therefore, child development.
Reinforcing ethyl cellulose aerogels with poly(lactic acid) for enhanced bone regeneration
Authors: Horvat Gabrijela , Rožanc Jan , Maver Uroš , Finšgar Matjaž , Knez Željko , Novak Zoran
Published: April 2024

Developing double porous biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds that can incorporate and release drugs in a controlled manner holds immense potential in regenerative medicine. This study presents a synthesis method for preparing a macro-mesoporous scaffold, where poly(lactic acid) adds to the macroporous region and mechanical properties, and ethyl cellulose adds to the surface area (182 m2/g). High surface area enables the incorporation of model drug indomethacin with an entrapment efficiency of 17.0% and its later controlled release profile. The resulting scaffold has desirable mechanical properties in the range of a natural trabecular bone with a compressive modulus of 22.4 MPa. The material is stable in the simulated body fluids for 120 days before the slow degradation starts. In vitro studies demonstrate the material's ability to support bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, promoting osteogenic activity. Overall, the unique combination of poly(lactic acid) and ethyl cellulose produces advanced materials with tailored macro and mesopore properties, remarkable mechanical properties, optimal degradation rate, and drug delivery potential, making it a promising candidate for bone scaffolds in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
ServiceNet: resource-efficient architecture for topology discovery in large-scale multi-tenant clouds
Authors: Gama Garcia Angel , Alcaraz Calero Jose M. , Mora Mora Higinio , Wang Qi
Published: April 2024

Modern computing infrastructures are evolving due to virtualisation, especially with the advent of 5G and future technologies. While this transition offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges. Consequently, understanding these complex systems, including networks, services, and their interconnections, is crucial. This paper introduces ServiceNet, a groundbreaking architecture that accurately performs the important task of providing understanding of a multi-tenant architecture by discovering the complete topology, crucial in the realm of high-performance distributed computing. Experimental results have been carried out in different scenarios in order to validate our approach, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach in comprehensive multi-tenant topology discovery. The experiments, involving up to forty tenant, highlight the adaptability of ServiceNet as a valuable tool for real-time monitoring in topology discovery purposes, even in challenging scenarios.
Prediction and Allocation of Stocks, Bonds, and REITs in the US Market
Authors: Monteiro Ana Sofia , Sebastião Helder , Silva Nuno
Published: April 2024

This study employs dynamic model averaging and selection of Vector Autoregressive and Time-Varying Parameters Vector Autoregressive models to forecast out-of-sample monthly returns of US stocks, bonds, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) indexes from October 2006 to December 2021. The models were recursively estimated using 17 additional predictors chosen by a genetic algorithm applied to an initial list of 155 predictors. These forecasts were then used to dynamically choose portfolios formed by these assets and the riskless asset proxied by the 3-month US treasury bills. Although we did not find any predictability in the stock market, positive results were obtained for REITs and especially for bonds. The Bayesian-based approaches applied to just the returns of the three risky assets resulted in portfolios that remarkably outperform the portfolios based on the historical means and covariances and the equally weighted portfolio in terms of certainty equivalent return, Sharpe ratio, Sortino ratio and even Conditional Value-at-Risk at 5%. This study points out that Constant Relative Risk Averse investors should use Bayesian-based approaches to forecast and choose the investment portfolios, focusing their attention on different types of assets.
Addressing gender in STEM classrooms: The impact of gender bias on women scientists' experiences in higher education careers in Germany
Authors: Kube Dana , Weidlich Joshua , Kreijns Karel , Drachsler Hendrik
Published: April 2024

Gender bias underlying discrimination against women are particularly salient in STEM higher education. Complementing top-down measures to mitigate these issues identified in the extant literature, we aim to highlight a complementary bottom-up approach. First, to elicit gender stereotypes and gender bias in STEM, we conducted a group concept mapping (GCM) study involving women professors, teaching staff, and scientific staff from different STEM disciplines at German universities (N = 70). We first asked them to provide statements reflecting their experience in response to the following focus prompt: ‘In my career as a STEM teacher, I experienced gender issues related to:’ Experts were then asked to thematically cluster and rank the statements according to their importance and feasibility with respect to a potential pedagogical intervention that may target these issues. Findings revealed an agreement across STEM disciplines regarding stereotypical beliefs about women, heteronomous gender roles, gender workload, sexism, and structural power relations, in that they remain significant factors for hindering female success in STEM careers in higher education. Based on their experience, however, the women saw potential in working on the awareness of gender bias with pedagogical interventions in online group learning scenarios (CSCL). Statements rated most appropriate were discussed in the light of the aspects of gender bias addressed, with a specific focus on addressing them in collaborative scripts.
Widen the debate: What is the academic community’s perception on ChatGPT?
Authors: Jiang Yingying , Xie Lindai , Lin Guohui , Mo Fangfang
Published: April 2024

ChatGPT has surprised academia with its remarkable abilities but also raised substantial concerns regarding academic integrity and misconduct. Despite the debate, empirical research exploring the issue is limited. The purpose of this study is to bridge this gap by analyzing Twitter data to understand how academia is perceiving ChatGPT. A total of 9733 tweets were collected through Python via Twitter API in three consecutive weeks in May and June 2023; and 3000 most relevant ones were analyzed in Atlas ti. 23. Our findings reveal a generally supportive attitude towards using ChatGPT in academia, but the absence of clear policies and regulations requires attention. Discussions primarily focus on academic integrity, learning effectiveness, and teaching efficiency. Tweets from influencers with over one million followers were analyzed separately. The significance of these findings and the limitations of the study are included.
Exploring secondary school students’ geometrical figure apprehension: cognitive structure and levels of geometrical ability
Authors: Michael–Chrysanthou Paraskevi , Panaoura Areti , Gagatsis Athanasios , Elia Iliada
Published: April 2024

The present study examines secondary school students’ geometrical figure apprehension based on Duval’s theoretical framework regarding perceptual, operative, and discursive apprehension. The aim is to explore the cognitive structure of the geometrical figure apprehension dimensions (operative, discursive, and perceptual) in three grades of secondary school students. The tasks in the present study were completed by a sample of 881 students attending public secondary education in Cyprus. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the stability of the structure of the model concerning secondary school students’ geometrical figure apprehension. However, differences were found in the interrelations among the three main aspects of the model in the examined grades (9, 10, and 11). Moreover, it was observed that students find it easier to solve tasks involving perceptual apprehension compared to discursive apprehension tasks, indicating a possible hierarchical structure of figure apprehension. The present study acts as a pilot study of the constructed instrument. Finally, the results are interpreted in relation to the type of geometrical paradigm in which students work at each hierarchical level.
Visual quality assesment in recreational and touristic landscape
Authors: Adıgüzel Elif , Batman Zeynep Pirselimoglu
Published: April 2024

Although the landscape quality parameter in rural areas, which is called landscape beauty, varies according to the way the individual perceives the landscape, being able to perceive and understand the landscape visually in rural and urban landscape areas, natural and cultural tourism and recreation areas is directly related to whether that recreational area is used actively or not. This study aims to examine the effect of perceptual landscape parameters in touristic and recreational landscape character. In this study, it was investigated how the recreational and touristic landscape character can be emphasized with visual quality value. For this purpose, Gölbaşı Pond and its surroundings in Bursa in Turkey, which has a rich landscape character selected as study area, by evaluating the area’s visual landscape quality. The method of the study visual quality analysis was performed and the data obtained by visual quality analysis were compared. As a result, Gölbaşı Pond and its surroundings with its natural beauty and nature, as well as its landscape qualities suitable for recreational activities, provide opportunities for many recreational activities, and the study concluded that all landscape quality parameters support each other and create a potential for more.
Does goal revision undermine self-regulation through goals? An experiment
Authors: Kaiser Jonas Pilgaard , Koch Alexander K. , Nafziger Julia
Published: April 2024

We offer a novel test of whether non-binding goals set ahead of a task are effective motivators, taking into account that individuals in principle could easily revise these goals. In our setting, subjects either set a goal some days prior to an online task (early goal) or right at the start of the task (late goal). Two further treatments allow for (unanticipated) explicit revision of the early goal. We observe that (i) early goals are larger than late goals; (ii) subjects who set early goals work more than those who only set a late goal if they explicitly revise their goal and are reminded about their revised goal. A secondary contribution of our paper is that our design addresses a treatment migration problem present in earlier studies on goals that stems from the fact that subjects in a ‘no goals’ control condition may privately set goals.
Trisections obtained by trivially regluing surface-knots
Authors: Isoshima Tsukasa
Published: April 2024

Let S be a $$P^2$$

P
2

-knot which is the connected sum of a 2-knot with normal Euler number 0 and an unknotted $$P^2$$

P
2

-knot with normal Euler number $${\pm }{2}$$

±
2

in a closed 4-manifold X with trisection $$T_{X}$$

T
X

. Then, we show that the trisection of X obtained by the trivial gluing of relative trisections of $$\overline{\nu (S)}$$

ν
(
S
)

¯

and $$X-\nu (S)$$

X
-
ν
(
S
)

is diffeomorphic to a stabilization of $$T_{X}$$

T
X

. It should be noted that this result is not obvious since boundary-stabilizations introduced by Kim and Miller are used to construct a relative trisection of $$X-\nu (S)$$

X
-
ν
(
S
)

. As a corollary, if $$X=S^4$$

X
=

S
4

and $$T_X$$

T
X

was the genus 0 trisection of $$S^4$$

S
4

, the resulting trisection is diffeomorphic to a stabilization of the genus 0 trisection of $$S^4$$

S
4

. This result is related to the conjecture that is a 4-dimensional analogue of Waldhausen’s theorem on Heegaard splittings.
Followers, customers, or partners? Comparing conceptualisations of students as partners in Australian, Mainland Chinese, and Hong Kong universities
Authors: Liang Yifei , Dai Kun , Matthews Kelly E.
Published: April 2024

Engaging students as partners (SaP) is an approach promoting meaningful pedagogical relationships in higher education. Scholars have called for more culturally situated research on SaP that compares Anglophone countries with other contexts. In response, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study by interviewing 36 undergraduate students from Australia, Mainland China, and Hong Kong. Adopting the relational lens of SaP, the interviews focused on conceptualisations of pedagogical partnership, specifically learner–teacher identities and power dynamics. Through comparative and reflexive thematic analysis, we found that understandings of partnership in different contexts were influenced by broader cultural differences. The findings showed that the perception of SaP in Australia was consistent with the prevailing Western discourse, but the notion of SaP was adapted and re-shaped in Mainland China, and in Hong Kong, there were diverse interpretations of it. This study contributes to new understandings of the influence of specific sociocultural and policy variations in SaP practises through culturally situated and comparative research using theorisations of perpetual translation. We argue for future research to contribute collective insights and nuanced, diverse understandings that expand SaP as an approach to global scholarship.
Germ cell-specific gene 2 accelerates cell cycle in epithelial ovarian cancer by inhibiting GSK3α-p27 cascade
Authors: Zhu Keyu , Ma Xiaolu , Guan Xiaolin , Tong Ying , Xie Suhong , Wang Yanchun , Zheng Hui , Guo Lin , Lu Renquan
Published: April 2024

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most common malignant gynecological tumors with rapid growth potential and poor prognosis, however, the molecular mechanism underlying its outgrowth remained elusive. Germ cell-specific gene 2 (GSG2) was previously reported to be highly expressed in ovarian cancer and was essential for the growth of EOC. In this study, GSG2-knockdown cells and GSG2-overexpress cells were established through lentivirus-mediated transfection with Human ovarian cancer cells HO8910 and SKOV3. Knockdown of GSG2 inhibited cell proliferation and induced G2/M phase arrest in EOC. Interestingly, the expression of p27, a well-known regulator of the cell cycle showed a most significant increase after GSG2 knockdown. Further phosphorylation-protein array demonstrated the phosphorylation of GSK3αSer21 decreased in GSG2-knockdown cells to the most extent. Notably, inhibiting GSK3α activity effectively rescued GSG2 knockdown’s suppression on cell cycle as well as p27 expression in EOC. Our study substantiates that GSG2 is able to phosphorylate GSK3α at Ser21 and then leads to the reduction of p27 expression, resulting in cell cycle acceleration and cell proliferation promotion. Thus, GSG2 may have the potential to become a promising target in EOC.
Spruce dieback as chance for biodiversity: standing deadwood promotes beetle diversity in post-disturbance stands in western Germany
Authors: Plath Eva , Fischer Klaus
Published: April 2024

Anthropogenic climate change poses a major threat to ecosystems and their biodiversity. Forests, for example, are suffering from climate-amplified disturbances like droughts or pest outbreaks. Throughout Europe, such disturbances resulted in large-scale diebacks of managed spruce stands in recent years. While such stands are often salvage-logged to reduce economic losses, it is still rather unclear how post-disturbance management affects forest biodiversity in anthropogenic spruce stands. By comparing epigeal beetle communities among salvage-logged sites, standing deadwood patches, and succession areas, we show that spruce dieback can be a chance for biodiversity conservation. Even though individual beetle families responded partly differently to post-disturbance management, standing deadwood enhanced the overall diversity of ground-dwelling beetles compared to salvage logging, while succession sites were intermediate. We also show that community composition and functional guilds vary strongly between management categories.

Implications for insect conservation: We suggest to set-aside areas of standing deadwood for natural succession to enhance beetle taxonomic and functional diversity, especially of deadwood-dependent species. As different types of management support different species assemblages, well-planned post-disturbance management, including a partial abandonment of salvage logging and a consideration of natural succession, may counter biodiversity losses in forests.
Drivers of moth phenology in England and Wales
Authors: Hickinbotham Emily J. , Pattison Zarah , Fox Richard , Rushton Steve P.
Published: April 2024

Climate change has led to changes in the phenology of Lepidoptera species. While phenological shifts have been previously measured for moth species in England and Wales, the drivers of these shifts are not well known. Here, we use data from the National Moth Recording Scheme and the Garden Moth Scheme to investigate the drivers of phenology in 149 moth species over a 50 year period from 1970 to 2019. We investigate whether there have been phenological shifts in adult emergence using three phenology metrics: First Emergence (FE), Peak Emergence (PE), and Emergence Standard Deviation (ESD) in relation to life history traits and temperature. Overwintering stage had a significant impact on moth phenology, so we analysed species that spend the winter as eggs, larvae or pupae separately. Overall phenological changes were different depending on overwintering stage category and phenological measure, with the rate of phenological shifts increasing with later overwintering life stages in response to both temperature and year. The overwintering stage larva was the only one impacted by diet, with those that feed on woody hostplants emerging ~ 17 days later than species with herbaceous hostplants. These results indicate that species that either overwinter in earlier life stages or have woody hostplants may be less adaptable to climate change, and thus should be the targets of conservation efforts.
Alcon Blues: recent shifts in limiting habitat factors challenge the persistence of an endangered butterfly
Authors: WallisDeVries Michiel F. , Bokelaar Jens , Kok Alfred , Limpens Juul , Luijten Sheila , Oostermeijer J. Gerard B. , van Marrewijk Roel C.H. , van Stipdonk Arno H. , Vicente Inês , Vogel Cassandra , Wynhoff Irma
Published: April 2024

Insect habitat specialists have declined more than generalists over the last decades. Understanding how habitat requirements and increased climate variability interact to explain persistence of populations is needed to enable effective conservation measures. Habitat specialists with a complex life cycle, such as myrmecophilous butterflies, are likely to be most vulnerable. Here, we explored to what extent the habitat factors explaining population persistence of the Alcon blue (Phengaris alcon), changed over a 25-year period in the Netherlands, contrasting the recent years 2018–2022 with extreme droughts with the preceding period 1998–2017 characterized by occasional climatic extremes. Population persistence of P. alcon over 1998–2017 as explained by historical habitat conditions was significantly higher in large heathland areas with large patches of its host plant Gentiana pneumonanthe. On the basis of current conditions, population persistence until 2017 was best explained by a combination of host plant area and quality. In contrast, persistence over the recent drought years was most closely associated with increasing occupancy of the optimal host ant Myrmica ruginodis and lower occupancy of competitive and predatory Lasius ants.

Implications for insect conservation We conclude that critical habitat conditions change under increasing climatic extremes and that the availability of sufficient optimal host ants has become more critical than that of host plants. The results emphasise that both large-scale hydrological restoration and small-scale management for heterogeneity are necessary to preserve P. alcon and its habitat in the Netherlands. This is also likely to apply to other habitat specialists with complex life cycles from threatened habitats.
Toward sustainable menstrual health management: focus on super absorbent polymers
Authors: Mogale Refilwe , Schutte-Smith Marietjie , Erasmus Elizabeth , De Wet Kantinka , Visser Hendrik G.
Published: April 2024

In low- to middle-income communities, the lack of affordability of conventional sanitary products during menstrual cycles can cause psychological and health issues, ultimately affecting their quality of life. It is crucial to develop alternative products that are affordable and accessible to all while also promoting menstrual health and hygiene. Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are a vital component in current disposable sanitary pads and nappies. However, these SAPs are often non-biodegradable and non-biocompatible. Therefore, the use of eco-friendly materials for the production of SAPs is gaining popularity in the hygiene industry, as it offers a means to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact associated with traditional SAPs made from non-renewable petroleum-based materials. SAPs made from polysaccharides often have naturally occurring antibacterial properties, making them appealing for commercial applications in sanitary products such as sanitary pads. In addition, the move toward reusable sanitary pads with antibacterial properties can significantly reduce waste generated by single-use products and prevent the growth of bacteria, improving the safety and hygiene of the product. Furthermore, computational modeling and artificial intelligence are now important tools in SAP synthesis, providing advantages such as predicting polymer properties, rationalizing synthesis pathways, and improving quality control. These tools can reduce synthesis costs by eliminating the need for trial-and-error approaches in polymer synthesis, ultimately promoting more affordable products for end users. Overall, these advancements in polymer synthesis and material design can help to create a more sustainable industry and promote menstrual hygiene and product accessibility to those who need it most.
Long term hydrogen storage properties of ZK60 Mg-alloy as processed by different methods of SPD
Authors: Cengeri P. , Kimoto Y. , Janoska M. , Abbasi Z. , Morisada Y. , Fujii H. , Enzinger N. , Sommitsch Ch. , Boczkal G. , Krexner G. , Zehetbauer M. J. , Schafler E.
Published: April 2024

Hydrogen storage characteristics is studied in the Mg-alloy ZK60 after processing by different SPD (Severe Plastic Deformation) methods such as High Pressure Torsion (HPT) and Friction Stir Processing (FSP), applying various deformation extents and rates. The capacity and kinetics of hydrogen storage was investigated and analysed, up to 100 storage cycles. While the degree of SPD deformation is less important for the storage capacity, the SPD processing method itself matters, yielding about ~ 30% more capacity in FSP than in HPT. As shown by DSC and XRD analyses, it is the density of SPD-induced vacancy agglomerates which is significantly higher in FSP than in HPT (~ 10–3 instead of ~ 10–4) because of the enhanced dislocation slip activity. Thanks to their stabilization through Mg(Zn,Zr) precipitates, the vacancy agglomerates survive numerous cycles of hydrogen storage in spite of the high storage temperature of 350 °C, and can act as thermally stable heterogeneous nuclei for the hydrogenation. This latter mechanism was found in all SPD methods applied irrespective of the deformation extent, on the basis of Johnson–Mehl–Avrami-Kolmogorov analysis providing the Avrami exponent n = 1, already from the second up to the highest hydrogen storage cycles.
Existential Well-Being in Nature: A Cross-Cultural and Descriptive Phenomenological Approach
Authors: Baklien Børge , Marthoenis Marthoenis , Thurston Miranda
Published: April 2024

Exploring the putative role of nature in human well-being has typically been operationalized and measured within a quantitative paradigm of research. However, such approaches are limited in the extent to which they can capture the full range of how natural experiences support well-being. The aim of the study was to explore personal experiences in nature and consider how they might be important to human health and well-being. Based on a descriptive phenomenological analysis of fifty descriptions of memorable moments in nature from England, Indonesia, and Norway, our findings illustrate a common structure presented under three themes: 1. serenity that gives rise to a growing awareness of how the body is stimulated by the senses; 2. admiration and appreciation for the sensation of beauty; 3. an emerging sense of togetherness and deep emotional bonding. The findings are discussed using the concepts of ecological time and the ecological body, which foreground being in nature as constituted as an interdependent and dynamic human process. We conclude by understanding well-being in terms of human responsiveness to their surroundings and thus as rooted in the human condition.
SBA-15 with short-sized channels modified with Fe2O3 nanoparticles. A novel approximation of an efficient adsorbent for As removal in contaminated water
Authors: Palos-Barba Viviana , Mendoza Rufino Nava , Millán-Malo Beatriz M. , Aguilar-Franco Manuel , Peza-Ledesma Carmen , Rivera-Muñoz Eric M.
Published: April 2024

The urgent need for technologies to ensure health standards, as per the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations, has prompted research into addressing human health problems associated with chemical contaminants in air, water, and soil. Heavy metals, particularly arsenic, pose significant health risks, with millions of people worldwide exposed to concentrations exceeding recommended limits. Nanostructured materials, including ordered mesoporous substrates such as SBA-15, have shown promise for arsenic removal due to their high surface area and pore characteristics. This study aimed to synthesize a silica mesoporous material with reduced pore channel length to enhance surface area and active sites, thereby improving arsenic removal efficiency. By exploring various surfactant-to-silica precursor ratios, a suitable value was identified to promote the production of shortened SBA-15 particles. These shortened pore channels facilitated the dispersion of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3) on the SBA-15 surface, resulting in an effective adsorbent that achieved over 95% arsenic removal. The combination of the modified SBA-15 substrate and Fe2O3 nanoparticles demonstrated high efficiency in arsenic removal from aqueous effluents, offering a promising solution to address water pollution and associated health risks.