bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of delivery modes in school‐based adolescent social–emotional learning programs—Current perspectives and future directions
Authors: Lynn Sasha , Carroll Annemaree , Nankervis Karen , Antrobus Emma
Published: December 2024

Social–Emotional Learning (SEL) is a vital component of education, yet there is limited understanding of what is available specifically for adolescents, and the modalities in which SEL interventions are offered in the classroom. While there are many programmes available, they tend to focus on younger age groups, or specific mental health or behavioural areas, rather than being truly universal adolescent SEL programmes. This systematic review critically analyses a range of formats for universal, classroom‐based SEL programmes including standard delivery (i.e., manual‐based psychoeducation, delivered by a teacher with a range of paper‐based and physical activities for students to consolidate learning materials), and game‐based delivery, encompassing digital game‐based learning (DGBL), serious games (games specifically devised for non‐entertainment purposes), e‐learning tools, and gamified programmes (the application of game‐based mechanics in non‐game contexts). Searches were conducted utilising nine databases, yielding 31 studies spanning 2000 to 2023 which were included in the review. Studies were examined according to their intervention characteristics, core focus, theoretical basis, outcomes and measures, data analysis and summary. Both delivery methods demonstrated positive outcomes in enhancing students' social–emotional competence, however this review highlights the promise of gamification in SEL in providing an ability to overcome barriers to engagement and delivery. This review contributes a greater understanding of research in this area and encourages the impetus for further studies.

Context and implications

Rationale of the study

This study addresses the critical lack in understanding the delivery modes of Social–Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes, specifically for adolescents, an area that has been underexplored compared to younger age groups.

Why the new findings matter

The findings highlight the promise of game‐based delivery modes in SEL, suggesting that gamification can enhance engagement and effectiveness, which is crucial for improving adolescent social–emotional competence in educational settings.

Implications for practitioners and researchers

Practitioners can leverage these insights to adopt more engaging SEL interventions, while researchers are encouraged to explore further the specific elements of gamification that maximise SEL outcomes. This study also calls for more robust empirical research to solidify the benefits of game‐based SEL interventions in schools.
Event‐Triggered Impulsive Control of Nonlinear Stochastic Systems With Exogenous Disturbances
Authors: Liu Linna , Pan Chenglong , Fang Jianyin
Published: December 2024

In this work, the stability problem of nonlinear stochastic systems is investigated under exogenous disturbances through event‐triggered impulsive control (ETIC). The ETIC strategy proposed in this paper incorporates three levels of events, taking into account four indicators: threshold, control‐free index, inspection interval, and waiting time for stochastic systems, which is more practically significant and can effectively eliminate the Zeno behavior. By utilizing Lyapunov stability theory, stochastic analysis techniques, and some fundamental inequalities, sufficient conditions for the moment input‐to‐state stability (‐ISS) and exponentially ‐ISS of the considered system can be achieved through the implementation of the designed ETIC. Then, the theoretical results are employed in actual nonlinear stochastic systems, leading to the establishment of LMI‐based criteria for exponential ‐ISS. Ultimately, the feasibility of ETIC strategy is confirmed through two instances.
Emerging nanoprobes for the features visualization of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques
Authors: Wang Xin , Mu Dan , Liang Jing , Xin Ruijing , Zhang Yukun , Liu Renyuan , Yao Mei , Zhang Bing
Published: December 2024

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. In particular, the unpredictable rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques (VASPs) can cause serious cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and even sudden death. Therefore, early evaluation of the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques is of great importance. However, clinical imaging techniques are only marginally useful in the presence of severe anatomical structural changes, making it difficult to evaluate plaque vulnerability at an early stage. With the development of molecular imaging and nanotechnology, specific nanoprobes constructed for the pathological features of VASPs have attracted much attention for their ability to visualize VASPs early and noninvasively at the cellular and molecular levels. Here, we outline the pathological features of VASPs, analyze the superiority and limitations of current clinical imaging techniques, introduce the rational design principles of nanoprobes, and systematically summarize the application of nanoprobes to visualize the features of VASPs at the cellular and molecular levels. In addition, we discussed the prospects and urgent challenges in this field, and we believe it will provide new ideas for the early and accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.
Comparing the Efficacy of Rapid Review With a Systematic Review in the Software Engineering Field
Authors: Pena Carolline , Cartaxo Bruno , Steinmacher Igor , Badampudi Deepika , da Silva Deyvson , Ferreira Williby , Almeida Adauto , Kamei Fernando , Soares Sérgio
Published: December 2024

Context

Rapid Reviews are secondary studies aiming to deliver evidence to experts in a more timely manner and with lower costs than traditional literature reviews. Previous studies have shown that experts and researchers are positive toward Rapid Reviews. However, little is known about how Rapid Reviews differ from traditional Systematic Reviews.

Objective

The goal of this paper is to compare a Rapid Review with a Systematic Review in terms of their methods (e.g., search strategy, study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction) and findings to understand how optimizing the traditional Systematic Review method impacts what we obtain with Rapid Review.

Method

To achieve this goal, we conducted a Systematic Review with the same research questions answered by a pre‐existing Rapid Review and compared those two studies. Also, we surveyed experts from industry and academia to evaluate the relevance of the findings obtained from both the secondary studies.

Results

The Rapid Review lasted 6 days, while the Systematic Review took 1 year and 2 months. The main bottlenecks we identified in the Systematic Review are (i) executing the search strategy and (ii) selecting the procedure. Together, they took 10 months. The researchers had to analyze the information from 11,383 papers for the Systematic Review compared with 1973 for the Rapid Review. Still, most ( 78%) of the papers included in the Systematic Review were returned by the Rapid Review search, and some papers that could be included were unduly excluded during the Rapid Review's selection procedure. Both secondary studies identified the same number of pieces of evidence (30), but the pieces of evidence are not the same.

Conclusion

The Rapid Review and Systematic Review results are inherently different and complementary. The time and cost to conduct a Systematic Review can be prohibitive in experts' contexts. Thus, at least in such situations, a Rapid Review may be an adequate choice. Moreover, a Rapid Review may be executed in the experts' context as a previous low‐cost step before deciding to invest in a high‐cost Systematic Review.
Fragility Modeling of Power Grid Infrastructure for Addressing Climate Change Risks and Adaptation
Authors: Karagiannakis George , Panteli Mathaios , Argyroudis Sotirios
Published: December 2024

The resilience of electric power grids is threatened by natural hazards. Climate‐related hazards are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Statistical analyses clearly demonstrate a rise in the number of incidents (power failures) and their consequences in recent years. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand and quantify the resilience of the infrastructure to external stressors, which is essential for developing efficient climate change adaptation strategies. To accomplish this, robust fragility and other vulnerability models are necessary. These models are employed to assess the level of asset damage and to quantify losses for given hazard intensity measures. In this context, a comprehensive literature review is carried out to shed light on existing fragility models specific to the transmission network, distribution network, and substations. The review is organized into three main sections: damage assessment, fragility curves, and recommendations for climate change adaptation. The first section provides a comprehensive review of past incidents, their causes, and failure modes. The second section reviews analytical and empirical fragility models, emphasizing the need for further research on compound and non‐compound hazards, especially windstorms, floods, lightning, and wildfires. Finally, the third section examines risk mitigation and adaptation strategies in the context of climate change. This review aims to improve the understanding of approaches to enhance the resilience of power grid assets in the face of climate change. These insights are valuable to various stakeholders, including risk analysts and policymakers, who are involved in risk modeling and developing adaptation strategies.
Regional differences in crippling rate in greylag geese Anser anser
Authors: Månsson Johan , Liljebäck Niklas , Buij Ralph , Moonen Sander , Elmberg Johan
Published: December 2024

Goose populations across Europe have been subjected to long‐standing harvest practices, which include shotgun hunting. In addition to immediate mortality, hunting can affect an animal's fitness by inflicting non‐lethal injuries, often referred to as ‘crippling' or ‘wounding'. This could subsequently have negative effects on the population level and causes ethical concerns, ultimately challenging the legitimacy of hunting as a management tool. Understanding spatial variation in crippling rate can assist management to prioritize regions for enhancing awareness and implementing measures aimed at reducing crippling. We examined greylag geese from three subpopulations (Nyköping, Örebro, and Hudiksvall) breeding in three regions in Sweden (Södermanland, Örebro, and Gävleborg) to record prevalence of imbedded shotgun pellets and to quantify crippling impact. Our approach excludes birds that were wounded and subsequently died without being retrieved. We found that across the three subpopulations, 21% of the 176 x‐rayed greylag geese were carrying imbedded pellets (average 2.33 pellets, range 1–16). Crippling rate varied among the subpopulations, being twice as high in Örebro and Nyköping (26.4 and 25.0%, respectively) compared to Hudiksvall (11.7%). However, the probability of being crippled differed significantly only between Nyköping and Hudiksvall (p = 0.04), but not between Örebro and Hudiksvall (p>0.05) or between Nyköping and Örebro (p > 0.05). This study could not elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed regional variations in crippling rate. Nevertheless, the regional disparities in these rates, and the potential links between crippling rate, levels of crop damage, attitudes, and hunting behaviors, present intriguing avenues for future exploration.
Data Aggregation: An Overview of Opportunities and Obstacles from the National to the Global
Authors: Bloodgood Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

It has been more than two decades since the publication of the United Nations Handbook on the System of National Accounts (Salamon & Anheier, 1994; Einarsson & Wijkström, 2019). This international standard setting approach for data collection, measurement, and reporting of national data has been joined by others including the United Nations, World Bank, OECD, and Open Government Partnership. Collectively these international data projects have increasingly improved their recognition and measurement of broad sets of third sector organizations, philanthropy, and volunteer work and provided important opportunities to produce foundational comparative data that bring new visibility and credibility to the third sector as well as enabling new research. This chapter provides an overview of current data aggregation efforts as well as the key issues that any data aggregation project must consider, including data quality, scope, commensurability, and durability.
The Relationship Between the Third Sector and Religion
Authors: Strachwitz Rupert Graf
Published: December 2024

In Lester Salamon’s seminal Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project (CNP), religious communities (as opposed to faith-based charities) were excluded on the grounds that the issue of whether they actually formed part of the Third Sector—or, as one began to say in the 1990s—civil society, had not yet been sufficiently explored. It was clear that while in some countries, e.g. France and the United States, the constitution provided for a strict separation of Church and State, in others, notably England and at that time Sweden, there existed a State Church with the head of State also acting as head of the Church. In other countries again, e.g. Germany, while Church and State are formally separated, established religious communities enjoy a very special constitutional position which has led constitutional experts to speak of a fake separation. In some Islamic countries, notably Morocco, Saudi-Arabia and Iran, religion and state are so closely intertwined that it would be difficult to draw a dividing line between them.
Commentary on Part V - Faith
Authors: Elliot Alison
Published: December 2024

Pinning down what civil society is and what it does is not easy. It is regarded differently in different countries, and it changes its composition and role over time, in response to external circumstances, such as the profound changes in Eastern Europe after 1989, or the current rise of social media and the globalized world of the Internet. It ranges from what might better be called civic society, the world of prestigious organizations and professional associations that process in splendour on important occasions, to local clubs and choirs. It is classically a fuzzy concept, with a core that is readily identified but other features that are present to a greater or lesser extent as other examples emerge, so that membership and function shade off into an indistinct boundary. Yet it is useful in filling in elements of human experience that sit between the individual and the state and so worth exploring further.
Third-Sector Research: Ubi eras, Quo vadis?
Authors: Toepler Stefan , Anheier Helmut K.
Published: December 2024

Third Sector, or nonprofit, research has made tremendous strides since the field's inception half a century ago in the context of developed liberal market economies. In the US, an interdisciplinary group of social scientists started to form in the early 1970s that was originally primarily concerned with local voluntary initiatives, self-help and other grassroots amateur groups, or what David Horton Smith (Smith, 2016) later referred to as voluntaristics. Subsequent economic theorizing (cf. Hansmann, 1987) pushed research agendas towards examinations of more formal nonprofit organizations. In Europe, related, yet different, research traditions at the time focused on associational life, cooperative and communal economics, and the social economy, encompassing a variety of cooperative and mutual enterprises. By contrast, in the countries of the Global South, where colonial legal frameworks were superimposed on indigenous legal systems, organizational forms and cultures, remained outside the focus of these initial efforts.
The Terminological Debate
Authors: Bassi Andrea
Published: December 2024

This chapter analyses the worldwide terminologies to indicate the sub-sector within which civil society organizations broadly exist.

From the analysis of the international literature, there is a significant variety of terminological statements, among which we have selected ten that represent paradigmatic examples of the bi-directional link between the conceptual definition of a phenomenon and the socio-cultural context of reference.

These are: (1) nonprofit sector; (2) charitable sector; (3) philanthropic sector; (4) informal sector; (5) third sector; (6) independent sector; (7) voluntary sector; (8) private nongovernmental sector; (9) social economics; (10) intermediary system and private initiative.
Defining Civil Society in the Turbulent Times: Lessons from Poland
Authors: Domaradzka Anna
Published: December 2024

This chapter develops some reflections presented at the ISTR webinar series The Future of Third Sector Research under the topic “Changes and Challenges in Civil Society Definitions: Learnings from International Perspectives and Dialogue” in April 2023. It reflects my perspective as an international civil society researcher based in Poland and some of my interests including social movements and their organizational platforms, leaders’ motivations, and the impact of technologies on the civic life. As a result, I try to underline the importance of reflecting on the dominant definitions of civil society from the point of view of growing complexity of the field and the involved struggles between its actors. The starting point is the tension between civil society as an object of measurement (embodied in John Hopkins project or UN Handbook) and the concept of civil sphere as defined by Jeffrey Alexander and embodied by various collective practices observable around the globe. In the context of modern discussion on the shrinking of the civil sphere (Siri Hummel et al.) and the rise of new forms of (digital) activism, the boundaries of civil society are being questioned repeatedly.
Multi-calorimetry in light-based neutrino detectors
Authors: Cabrera Anatael , Han Yang , Calvez Steven , Chauveau Emmanuel , Chen Hanyi , de Kerret Hervé , Dusini Stefano , Grassi Marco , Imbert Leonard , Li Jiajun , Mandujano Roberto Carlos , Navas-Nicolás Diana , Nunokawa Hiroshi , Obolensky Michel , Ochoa-Ricoux Juan Pedro , Pronost Guillaume , Viaud Benoit , Yermia Frédéric
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Neutrino detectors are among the largest photon detection instruments, built to capture scarce photons upon energy deposition. Many discoveries in neutrino physics, including the neutrino itself, are inseparable from the advances in photon detection technology, particularly in photo-sensors and readout electronics, to yield ever higher precision and richer detection information. The measurement of the energy of neutrinos, referred to as calorimetry, can be achieved in two distinct approaches: photon-counting, where single-photon can be counted digitally, and photon-integration, where multi-photons are aggregated and estimated via analogue signals. The energy is pursued today to reach permille level systematics control precision in ever-vast volumes, exemplified by experiments like JUNO. The unprecedented precision brings to the foreground the systematics due to calorimetric response entanglements in energy, position and time that were negligible in the past, thus driving further innovation in calorimetry. This publication describes a novel articulation that detectors can be endowed with multiple photon detection systems. This multi-calorimetry approach opens the notion of dual-calorimetry detector, consisting of both photon-counting and photon-integration systems, as a cost-effective evolution from the single-calorimetry setups used over several decades for most experiments so far. The dual-calorimetry design exploits unique response synergies between photon-counting and photon-integration systems, including correlations and cancellations in calorimetric responses, to maximise the mitigation of response entanglements, thereby yielding permille-level high-precision calorimetry.
Free field realizations for rank-one SCFTs
Authors: Beem Christopher , Deb Anirudh , Martone Mario , Meneghelli Carlo , Rastelli Leonardo
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we construct the associated vertex operator algebras for all $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories of rank one. We give a uniform presentation through free-field realizations, which turns out to be a particularly suitable framework for this task. The elementary building blocks of the construction are dictated by the low energy degrees of freedom on the Higgs branch, which are well understood for rank-one theories. We further analyze the interplay between Higgs and Coulomb data on the moduli space of vacua, which tightly constrain the overall structure of the free field realizations. Our results suggest a plausible bottom-up classification scheme for low-rank SCFTs incorporating vertex algebra techniques.
The Carrollian limit of ModMax electrodynamics
Authors: Correa Francisco , Hernández Ankai , Oliva Julio
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We consider the Carrollian limit of ModMax electrodynamics, namely the limit of vanishing speed of light, for the most general, four-dimensional, duality and conformal invariant electromagnetism. The theory is parameterized by a unique real constant γ, which remains playing a non-trivial role in the magnetic Carrollian case, while it can be removed in the electric Carrollian contraction, and we therefore focus in the former. Applying the technique of Lie point symmetries, we obtain that the magnetic limit is invariant under the Carrollian group, as well as under the local translation in Carrollian time x0→ x0′ = x0+f (xi) and xi→ xi′ = xi, with f being an arbitrary function. A diagonal part of the symmetries span the Conformal Carroll algebra of level 2, 𝔠𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔯2 in four dimensions. Two additional internal symmetries remain in the Carrollian limit of ModMax standing for the conformal invariance of the theory, as well as the invariance under duality transformations.
On the EFT of dyon-monopole catalysis
Authors: Bogojević S. , Burgess C. P.
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Monopole-fermion (and dyon-fermion) interactions provide a famous example where scattering from a compact object gives a cross section much larger than the object’s geometrical size. This underlies the phenomenon of monopole catalysis of baryon-number violation because the reaction rate is much larger in the presence of a monopole than in its absence. It is sometimes claimed to violate the otherwise generic requirement that short distance physics decouples from long-distance observables — a property that underpins the general utility of effective field theory (EFT) methods. Decoupling in this context is most simply expressed using point-particle effective field theories (PPEFTs) designed to capture systematically how small but massive objects influence their surroundings when probed only on length scales large compared to their size. These have been tested in precision calculations of how nuclear properties affect atomic energy levels for both ordinary and pionic atoms. We adapt the PPEFT formalism to describe low-energy S-wave dyon-fermion scattering with a view to understanding whether large catalysis cross sections violate decoupling (and show why they do not). We also explore the related but separate issue of the long-distance complications associated with polarizing the fermion vacuum exterior to a dyon and show in some circumstances how PPEFT methods can simplify calculations of low-energy fermion-dyon scattering in their presence. We propose an effective Hamiltonian governing how dyon excitations respond to fermion scattering in terms of a time-dependent vacuum angle and outline open questions remaining in its microscopic derivation.
T violation at a future neutrino factory
Authors: Kitano Ryuichiro , Sato Joe , Sugama Sho
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We study the possibility of measuring T (time reversal) violation in a future long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. By assuming a neutrino factory as a staging scenario of a muon collider at the J-PARC site, we find that the νe → νμ oscillation probabilities can be measured with a good accuracy at the Hyper-Kamiokande detector. By comparing with the probability of the time-reversal process, νμ → νe, measured at the T2K/T2HK experiments, one can determine the CP phase δ in the neutrino mixing matrix if |sin(δ)| is large enough. The determination of δ can be made with poor knowledge of the matter density of the earth as T violation is almost insensitive to the matter effects. The comparison of CP and T-violation measurements, à la the CPT theorem, provides us with a non-trivial check of the three neutrino paradigm based on the quantum field theory.
Supergravity spectrum of AdS5 black holes
Authors: Ezroura Nizar , Larsen Finn
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We embed Kerr-Newman-AdS black holes into $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 8 gauged supergravity and study quadratic fluctuations around the black hole backgrounds of all fields in the larger theory. The equations of motion of the perturbations are partially diagonalized by the group theory of broken symmetry. Nearly all fields in theory have non-minimal couplings, so their equations of motion are not merely massive Klein-Gordon equations with minimal coupling to background gauge fields, and their analogues for fields with spin. In the special case of extremal black holes we identify specific modes of instability, some of which touch supersymmetric locus. For example, we identify scalar fields in supergravity that condense in the near horizon region and transition the black hole into a superconducting phase. We also identify supergravity modes that are susceptible to superradiant instability.
A CFT dual for evaporating black holes: boundary continuous matrix product states
Authors: Vardian Niloofar
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Tensor network states, especially Matrix Product States (MPS), are crucial tools for studying how particles in large quantum systems are entangled with each other. MPS are particularly effective for modeling systems in one-dimensional space. Their continuous version, known as continuous Matrix Product States (cMPS), extends this approach to more complex quantum field theories that describe systems with an infinite number of interacting particles. This paper introduces a novel extension, boundary continuous Matrix Product States (BCMPS), which incorporate boundary states from conformal field theory (TFD state of two CFTs, let). We construct BCMPS and explore their potential holographic duals, linking them to black hole microstates with end-of-the-world branes in AdS/CFT. This connection hints at a deeper relationship between tensor networks and spacetime geometry, potentially offering new insights into the interplay between quantum information and gravity.
Finite N black hole cohomologies
Authors: Choi Jaehyeok , Choi Sunjin , Kim Seok , Lee Jehyun , Lee Siyul
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We study new cohomologies for the BPS operators of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Yang-Mills theory with SU(3) and SU(4) gauge groups, to better understand the black hole microstates. We first study the index of these black hole operators and identify their apparent threshold levels. For SU(3), we find many towers of states and partial no-hair behaviors. We explicitly construct the threshold cohomology in the SU(3) theory. We study throughout this paper a subsector of the field theory corresponding to the BMN matrix theory. We also argue that the BMN sector exhibits a black hole like entropy growth at large N.
Post AdS/CFT
Authors: Lowe David A. , Thorlacius Larus
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The Hamiltonian governing the gravitational interaction of N relativistic particles in a four-dimensional anti-de Sitter background is derived to leading order in Newton’s constant. The resulting pairwise interactions, combined with the confining nature of motion in anti-de Sitter spacetime, are expected to lead to classical chaos. In the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, the emergence of a chaotic classical limit on the gravity side has important implications for the dual three-dimensional conformal field theory, including that the spectrum of conformal primary operators at strong coupling should exhibit level repulsion in line with the Wigner surmise.
Gradient corrections to the quantum effective action
Authors: Canevarolo Sofia , Prokopec Tomislav
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We derive the quantum effective action up to second order in gradients and up to two-loop order for an interacting scalar field theory. This expansion of the effective action is useful to study problems in cosmological settings where spatial or time gradients are important, such as bubble nucleation in first-order phase transitions. Assuming spacetime dependent background fields, we work in Wigner space and perform a midpoint gradient expansion, which is consistent with the equations of motion satisfied by the propagator. In particular, we consider the fact that the propagator is non-trivially constrained by an additional equation of motion, obtained from symmetry requirements. At one-loop order, we show the calculations for the case of a single scalar field and then generalise the result to the multi-field case. While we find a vanishing result in the single field case, the one-loop second-order gradient corrections can be significant when considering multiple fields. As an example, we apply our result to a simple toy model of two scalar fields with canonical kinetic terms and mass mixing at tree-level. Finally, we calculate the two-loop one-particle irreducible (1PI) effective action in the single scalar field case, and obtain a nonrenormalisable result. The theory is rendered renormalisable by adding two-particle irreducible (2PI) counterterms, making the 2PI formalism the right framework for renormalization when resummed 1PI two-point functions are used in perturbation theory.
Genetic variation within the arctic-alpine Calamagrostis stricta (Poaceae) species complex in Europe
Authors: Champoud Luca , Grünig Sandra , Metry Adrian , Eggenberg Stefan , Kozlowski Gregor , Parisod Christian
Published: December 2024

The Calamagrostis stricta (Poaceae) species complex is a circumpolar, boreo-arctic and montane taxon that includes numerous subspecies and varieties. The recent discovery of Calamagrostis lonana in the Alps calls for a thorough assessment of relationships within C. stricta. The main aim of our study was to elucidate the phylogenetic position, genetic structure and ploidy level of C. lonana, as compared to the other members of the C. stricta species complex from Central Europe to the Arctic. Fifteen populations of the C. stricta species complex were sampled across Central and Northern Europe, and their ploidy level was estimated using flow cytometry. Genetic variation was characterized using double digest RAD sequencing reads (ddRAD-seq) on a total of 115 individuals genotyped at 1157 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Based on flow cytometric measurements, tetraploidy was observed in Arctic populations from Northern Europe and C. lonana in the Alps, in contrast to other populations exhibiting higher ploidy levels. Calamagrostis lonana was genetically closely related to the arctic C. stricta subsp. groenlandica, while C. stricta subsp. stricta formed a second genetic cluster across Central Europe. A third, very distinct genetic cluster was observed in the northern Svalbard archipelago. Despite lacking evidence of sexual reproduction, substantially more genetic diversity than expected under asexual reproduction was detected within populations in C. lonana and other taxa. The distribution and genetic structure of the C. stricta species complex has been shaped by major post-glacial environmental changes having affected cold regions and specifically highlights C. lonana as a valuable relict taxon for the Alps.
Immediate Irradiation Induced Cerebral Water and Hemodynamic Response in Whole Brain Radiotherapy
Authors: Miettinen Heli , Lohela Jesse , Moradi Sadegh , Inget Kalle , Nikkinen Juha , Myllylä Teemu , Karhula Sakari S. , Korhonen Vesa
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Effects of clinical radiotherapy are often studied between or after irradiations. The current study’s aim was to monitor an immediate irradiation response in cerebral water and hemodynamics in patients treated with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and to assess the response’s individuality.

Methods

We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor changes in cerebral water, oxyhemoglobin (HbO), and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) during the irradiation of 31 patients (age 69.3 ± 12.5 years, 16 females) receiving WBRT. The radiation dose delivered to a patient during a single measurement was 4 Gy (total dose of 20 Gy in five fractions) for most patients and 3 Gy (total dose of 30 Gy in ten fractions) for three patients.

Results

106 patient recordings were analyzed. They showed an immediate irradiation induced increase in HbO and HbR, and decrease in cerebral water content (P < .001) as soon as 5 s after the start of irradiation. The radiation dose, age, and gender affected recorded signals. A smaller dose resulted in a steeper change in HbR (P < .01), but larger total change in HbO (P < .01). Younger age was associated with a more significant decrease in the water signal (P < .05). In contrast, female gender was associated with a greater total increase in HbO (P < .01) and HbR (P < .001) signals.

Conclusion

There is an immediate cerebral water and hemodynamic response to irradiation and this response shows dependency on the radiation dose, age, and gender. Better understanding about the immediate radiation response may help improve the patient outcome in clinical radiotherapy.
Consumption Dynamics in Mixed-Income Neighborhoods with Connected Households
Authors: Jungeilges Jochen , Nilssen Trygve Kastberg , Pavletsov Makar , Perevalova Tatyana
Published: December 2024

We investigate the dynamics of household consumption in a setting in which households are connected across income classes. Low- and high-income households form preferences endogenously, conditional on their own and their neighbor’s past consumption. The modeling effort relies on a stochastic dynamic model of interdependent consumer choice in which the demand for commodities evolves according to a non-linear difference equation with stochastic initial states. The analysis targets a region of the parameter space that corresponds to salient features of a mixed-income neighborhood in which households are connected. Standard methods of asymptotic analysis of dynamic systems (e.g. bifurcation analysis) are combined with numerical simulation, statistical modelling of extreme events and statistical estimation techniques to investigate the dynamics. From the mathematical point of view, our analysis reveals the existence of intricate bifurcation pattern, coexistence of multiple attractors, complex basins and long transients. The essential economic finding states that key features of household consumption vary significantly in the influence the high-income households exert on the preference formation of the low-income households. In particular, we find that the prevalence of long transients, i.e. long waiting times before convergence to asymptotic states occur, is inversely related to the type of connectedness considered. We demonstrate that the dynamics of the consumption trajectory evolving over an extended time period before it settles on long-run simple consumption pattern, may not at all be captured by an asymptotic state. Thus, policies targeting the economies in mixed-income neighborhoods that are solely based on information about long-run consumption states, might trigger unwanted, unanticipated effects.
Factorization and irreducibility of composed products
Authors: Kölsch Lukas , Krompholz Lucas , Kyureghyan Gohar
Published: December 2024

Brawley and Carlitz introduced diamond products of elements of finite fields and associated composed products of polynomials in 1987. Composed products yield a method to construct irreducible polynomials of large composite degrees from irreducible polynomials of lower degrees. We show that the composed product of two irreducible polynomials of degrees m and n is again irreducible if and only if m and n are coprime and the involved diamond product satisfies a special cancellation property, the so-called conjugate cancellation. This completes the characterization of irreducible composed products, considered in several previous papers. More generally, we give precise criteria when a diamond product satisfies conjugate cancellation. For diamond products defined via bivariate polynomials, we prove simple criteria that characterize when conjugate cancellation holds. We also provide efficient algorithms to check these criteria. We achieve stronger results as well as more efficient algorithms in the case that the polynomials are bilinear. Lastly, we consider possible constructions of normal elements using composed products and the methods we developed.
Codes over $$\mathbb {F}_4$$ and $$\mathbb {F}_2 \times \mathbb {F}_2$$ and theta series of the corresponding lattices in quadratic fields
Authors: Freed Josline
Published: December 2024

Using codes defined over $$\mathbb {F}_4$$

F
4

and $$\mathbb {F}_2 \times \mathbb {F}_2$$

F
2

×

F
2

, we simultaneously define the theta series of corresponding lattices for both real and imaginary quadratic fields $$\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt{d})$$

Q
(

d

)

with $$d \equiv 1\mod 4$$

d
≡
1

mod

4

a square-free integer. For such a code, we use its weight enumerator to prove which term in the code’s corresponding theta series is the first to depend on the choice of d. For a given choice of real or imaginary quadratic field, we find conditions on the length of the code relative to the choice of quadratic field. When these conditions are satisfied, the generated theta series is unique to the code’s symmetric weight enumerator. We show that whilst these conditions ensure all non-equivalent codes will produce distinct theta series, for other codes that do not satisfy this condition, the length of the code and choice of quadratic field is not always enough to determine if the corresponding theta series will be unique.
TTF-1 negativity in synchronous M1b/M1c wildtype lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases predicts worse survival with increased risk of intracranial progression
Authors: Wasilewski David , Araceli Tommaso , Bischoff Philip , Früh Anton , Ates Rober , Murad Selin , Jung Niklas , Bukatz Jan , Samman Majd , Faust Katharina , Jünger Julia , Witzenrath Martin , Horst David , Baborie Atik , Koch Arend , Capper David , Heppner Frank L. , Radbruch Helena , Riemenschneider Markus J. , Schmidt Nils Ole , Vajkoczy Peter , Proescholdt Martin , Onken Julia , Frost Nikolaj
Published: December 2024

Background

Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1) expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has been studied for its prognostic value in early-stage and metastatic disease. Its role in brain metastasis remains unexplored. This study investigates the predictive value and association of TTF-1 status with clinicopathological variables in patients with synchronous LUAD brain metastases.

Material and methods

In this bicentric retrospective study, 245 patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve brain metastasis undergoing resection were included. Patient data were retrieved from electronic records. Outcomes included overall and progression-free survival. Statistical analysis included Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Mean Ki67 index in TTF-1 negative patients was 43% [95% CI 38–48%] compared to 32% [95% CI 29–35%] in TTF-1 positive (TTF-1 +) patients (p < 0.001). Tumor volume was significantly larger in TTF-1 negative (TTF-1-) patients (mean volume 24 mL [95% CI 18–31 mL]) vs. 15 mL [95% CI 12–17 mL] in TTF-1 + patients (padjust = 0.003). Perifocal edema was smaller in TTF-1- patients (mean volume: 58 mL [95% CI 45–70 mL]) vs. 84 mL [95% CI 73–94 mL] in TTF-1 + patients (padjust = 0.077). Tumor and edema volume did not correlate. TTF-1- patients showed worse overall, intracranial, and extracranial progression-free survival. In a multivariable Cox model, positive TTF-1 status was independently associated with improved outcomes. Negative TTF-1 status was associated with increased hazard for intracranial disease progression compared to extracranial progression.

Conclusion

In synchronous LUAD brain metastases, TTF-1 negativity reflects an aggressive phenotype with larger proliferation capacity and tumor volume. Future research should explore the underlying cellular and molecular alterations of this phenotype.
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Recovery Affected by Disturbance Timing on Mechanically Harvested Oyster Culture Beds
Authors: Boardman F. C. , Ruesink J. L.
Published: December 2024

Amid global seagrass declines and increasing human demands of coastal habitat, it is critical to mitigate the loss of seagrass habitat through understanding seagrass resilience following large-scale disturbance. Although seagrasses often respond to disturbance through increased sexual or asexual reproduction, past research on the cosmopolitan Zostera marina (eelgrass) is highly variable in terms of whether recovery occurs, and whether seeds or clonal growth is the primary contributor. In Willapa Bay, Washington state, we studied eelgrass recovery following large-scale disturbance on six adjacent oyster culture beds (~ 10,000 m2 in area) that were harvested using mechanical methods (i.e., dredging). We found that recovery potential and mode are heavily affected by the timing of disturbance. In the 200 and 400 days post-disturbance, beds disturbed during the early growing season (EGS; January–April) were estimated to have more than double the vegetative shoot density of beds disturbed during the late growing season (LGS; May–September). We also found a higher contribution of new shoots from seedlings following EGS relative to LGS disturbance, with up to 71% of shoots following EGS disturbance occurring from seedling origin. Consistent with eelgrass life history, spring seedling densities were positively affected by flowering shoot densities the previous summer. Clonal reproduction (i.e., branching) was negatively affected by a disturbance within the past 4 months, likely from physical damage, but also showed negative density dependence, meaning that higher branching rates were observed at lower shoot densities. Overall, this work emphasizes the importance of seedlings to seagrass recovery and demonstrates that Z. marina has higher recovery when disturbed (here by mechanical harvest of shellfish) during EGS versus LGS time periods. These findings provide straightforward guidelines for the management of anthropogenic disturbance on eelgrass beds to reduce permanent habitat loss and can also guide restoration efforts of eelgrass beds.
Emerging into the rainforest: Emergence and special science ontology
Authors: Franklin Alexander , Robertson Katie
Published: December 2024

Scientific realists don’t standardly discriminate between, say, biology and fundamental physics when deciding whether the evidence and explanatory power warrant the inclusion of new entities in our ontology. As such, scientific realists are committed to a lush rainforest of special science kinds (Ross, 2000). Viruses certainly inhabit this rainforest – their explanatory power is overwhelming – but viruses’ properties can be explained from the bottom up: reductive explanations involving amino acids are generally available. However, reduction has often been taken to lead to a metaphysical downgrading, so how can viruses keep their place in the rainforest? In this paper, we show how the inhabitants of the rainforest can be inoculated against the eliminative threat of reduction: by demonstrating that they are emergent. According to our account, emergence involves a screening off condition as well as novelty. We go on to demonstrate that this account of emergence, which is compatible with theoretical reducibility, satisfies common intuitions concerning what should and shouldn’t count as real: viruses are emergent, as are trout and turkeys, but philosophically gerrymandered objects like trout-turkeys do not qualify.
The Scarring Effect of a Prolonged School-to-Work Transition on Young People’s Future Careers and the Influence of Family Background
Authors: Fabrizi Elena , Rocca Antonella
Published: December 2024

Within the EU-27, Italy is one of the countries with the highest levels of inequality and intergenerational transmission of disadvantage. This paper aims to verify the effect that different conditions of vulnerability, such as a low socio-economic family background (SEB) and a prolonged period in the school-work transition, have on individuals’ future careers. The analysis is based on a dataset obtained by matching the EU-SILC data with the administrative archives of the National Institute of Social Security. We measured the determinants of the duration of the waiting time to the first job (STWT). The Cox survival function shows that growing up in a disadvantaged family context strongly increases the probability of longer STWT. We also explore the effects of this duration, combined with the family socio-economic background, on the subsequent ten years of job career. A longer STWT increases the probability of experiencing longer spells of unemployment or inactivity, leading to more precarious working conditions. The relationship is complex and non-linear, with a diminishing negative impact on career stability as STWT duration increases, especially for individuals with high SEB.
Tailoring Cathode–Electrolyte Interface for High-Power and Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Liu Mengting , Hu Ling-Jiao , Guan Zhao-Kun , Chen Tian-Ling , Zhang Xin-Yu , Sun Shuai , Shi Ruoli , Jing Panpan , Wang Peng-Fei
Published: December 2024

Global interest in lithium–sulfur batteries as one of the most promising energy storage technologies has been sparked by their low sulfur cathode cost, high gravimetric, volumetric energy densities, abundant resources, and environmental friendliness. However, their practical application is significantly impeded by several serious issues that arise at the cathode–electrolyte interface, such as interface structure degradation including the uneven deposition of Li2S, unstable cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer and intermediate polysulfide shuttle effect. Thus, an optimized cathode–electrolyte interface along with optimized electrodes is required for overall improvement. Herein, we comprehensively outline the challenges and corresponding strategies, including electrolyte optimization to create a dense CEI layer, regulating the Li2S deposition pattern, and inhibiting the shuttle effect with regard to the solid–liquid–solid pathway, the transformation from solid–liquid–solid to solid–solid pathway, and solid–solid pathway at the cathode–electrolyte interface. In order to spur more perceptive research and hasten the widespread use of lithium–sulfur batteries, viewpoints on designing a stable interface with a deep comprehension are also put forth.