bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revised classification of the sister tribes Palicoureeae and Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae) indicates genus-specific alkaloid accumulation
Authors: Berger Andreas , Valant-Vetschera Karin , Schinnerl Johann , Brecker Lothar
Published: September 2021

Tribes Palicoureeae and Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae, Gentianales) are complex and speciose sister groups with a pantropical distribution. Since the initial studies on ipecacuanha more than two centuries ago, species of the group have been subject to numerous phytochemical studies yielding diverse specialized ("secondary") metabolites, most of them alkaloids. However, the generic limits within the tribes have long been unclear and only recently, monophyletic genera have been delimited and segregated from a once broadly circumscribed Psychotria. Thus, a phylogeny-based and taxonomically updated review of phytochemical literature was performed which allowed assigning the bulk of phytochemical data previously reported for Psychotria to various segregate genera such as Carapichea, Eumachia and Palicourea. This review not only challenges the common perception of Psychotria as a monoterpene-indole alkaloid-rich genus. It also highlights that each of its relatives differs by accumulating specific groups of alkaloids, which is of major importance for understanding animal-plant interactions such as herbivory, as well as for drug discovery. The alkaloid complement of each of these genera is here enumerated and discussed, which should provide a framework for future studies addressing the biosynthesis, evolution, ecological and pharmacological significance of specialized metabolite differentiation in this abundant, ecologically and ethnopharmacologically important group.
Rejoinder: The Future of Reliability
Authors: Sijtsma Klaas , Pfadt Julius M.
Published: September 2021

In this rejoinder, we examine some of the issues Peter Bentler, Eunseong Cho, and Jules Ellis raise. We suggest a methodological solid way to construct a test indicating that the importance of the particular reliability method used is minor, and we discuss future topics in reliability research.
Developing non-residential building stock archetypes for LCI—a German case study of office and administration buildings
Authors: Buschka Michael , Bischof Julian , Meier-Dotzler Christina , Lang Werner
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To accomplish the national and international climate goals, building renovation and optimisation of their energy and resource efficiency are essential. Thus, reliable information on the building stock (BS) is necessary. Most previous building typologies are focussing on residential buildings and the operational phase. This paper shows the development of a methodology for generating non-residential building (NRB) typologies for life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) of building constructions. Hereby, archetypes of office, administration and department (OAD) buildings are developed, exemplarily for the German NRB stock.

The methodology can further be utilised for quantity surveying of urban material stocks, related recycling scenarios and waste management. Furthermore, the exemplarily generated archetypes provide necessary information for the estimation of realistic refurbishment scenarios.

Methods

Approaches for the development of NRB archetypes, the descriptions of associated building materials and the LCI of BS were analysed and integrated into a methodology. It provides a clear path on the classification in building usage categories and determination of relevant building parameters for conducting LCI studies. Its aim is the creation of NRB typologies, presenting construction materials and building geometry in a useful way for life-cycle assessments (LCA).

To demonstrate the methodology’s usability, it is applied to a case study with the sample of 161 OAD buildings, provided by the German NRB database ENOB:dataNWG. In combination with relevant literature on BS archetypes and materials, a sample OAD building typology has been created.

Results and discussion

Minimum data requirements for conducting simplified LCI calculation of BSs were identified by analysing existing LCA methods, like the German BNB system. Important clusters for developing NRB archetypes were determined: building usage category, building construction types and building age. These data gaps between required information for simplified LCA studies and available information in ENOB:dataNWG were identified, and solutions for closing these data gaps were proposed and tested. Since building archetypes must reflect the overall BS, uncertainties were discussed. The ENOB:dataNWG database was not completed at the time this paper was written, so comprehensive uncertainty analyses are important next steps.

Conclusions

This methodology development forms the groundwork for creating LCI building typologies for simplified LCA studies. It shows practically how to deal with a BS database and illustrates which typical values can be chosen for closing data gaps. The methodology was tested on an exemplary sample of OAD buildings. Based on this case study, the methodology concept was proven useful for the generation of a NRB typology.
Prediction of gas pressure in thin coal seams in the Qinglong Coal Mine in Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Yongqiang , Wang Jilin , Wen Xiaobin
Published: September 2021

Thin coal seams in mines usually lack gas data. Thus, preventing and controlling gas outbursts of thin coal seams are difficult. In this study, a coal structure index, which is used to express the damage degree of coal, was estimated by logging curve. In accordance with the contour line of the floor of the coal seam, structural curvature was calculated to express the complexity of the coal seam structure quantitatively. Subsequently, relationships among the burial depth, thickness, coal structure index, structural curvature were analyzed on the basis of the gas pressure of coal seam. The gas pressure values of the coal seams of Nos. 22, 24, and 27 in the study area were predicted by multiple linear regression (MLR) and were then verified and analyzed. The deviation rate of the MLR method was 6.5%–19.7%, with an average of 13.0%. The average deviation rate between the predicted value and the measured value was 11.6%, except for the measuring point of No. 2, which had a large deviation. Results show that the prediction accuracy of the aforementioned method is acceptable and has practical value in the prediction of gas pressure in thin coal seams without measured data. The results in the gas pressure prediction provide a basis for evaluating the risk of gas outbursts in thin coal seams.
On Sobolev bilinear forms and polynomial solutions of second-order differential equations
Authors: García-Ardila J. C. , Marriaga M. E.
Published: September 2021

Given a linear second-order differential operator $${\mathcal {L}}\equiv \phi \,D^2+\psi \,D$$

L
≡
ϕ

D
2

+
ψ

D

with non zero polynomial coefficients of degree at most 2, a sequence of real numbers $$\lambda _n$$

λ
n

, $$n\geqslant 0$$

n
⩾
0

, and a Sobolev bilinear form $$\begin{aligned} {\mathcal {B}}(p,q)\,=\,\sum _{k=0}^N\left\langle {{\mathbf {u}}_k,\,p^{(k)}\,q^{(k)}}\right\rangle , \quad N\geqslant 0, \end{aligned}$$

B

(
p
,
q
)

=

∑

k
=
0

N

u
k

,

p

(
k
)

q

(
k
)

,

N
⩾
0
,

where $${\mathbf {u}}_k$$

u
k

, $$0\leqslant k \leqslant N$$

0
⩽
k
⩽
N

, are linear functionals defined on polynomials, we study the orthogonality of the polynomial solutions of the differential equation $${\mathcal {L}}[y]=\lambda _n\,y$$

L

[
y
]

=

λ
n

y

with respect to $${\mathcal {B}}$$
B
. We show that such polynomials are orthogonal with respect to $${\mathcal {B}}$$
B
if the Pearson equations $$D(\phi \,{\mathbf {u}}_k)=(\psi +k\,\phi ')\,{\mathbf {u}}_k$$

D

(
ϕ

u
k

)

=

(
ψ
+
k

ϕ
′

)

u
k

, $$0\leqslant k \leqslant N$$

0
⩽
k
⩽
N

, are satisfied by the linear functionals in the bilinear form. Moreover, we use our results as a general method to deduce the Sobolev orthogonality for polynomial solutions of differential equations associated with classical orthogonal polynomials with negative integer parameters.
Raise the dikes and re-use the past? Climate adaptation planning as heritage practice
Authors: Egberts Linde , Riesto Svava
Published: September 2021

Across Europe, coasts are drastically being changed to adapt to relative sea level rise, which will influence coastal landscapes and heritage in many ways. In this paper, we introduce a methodological starting point for analysing the ways in which landscape architects and spatial planners engage with coastal landscapes and coastal heritage in the context of current climate adaptation projects. We test these methodologies by applying them to the Marconi dike strengthening project in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. This city’s dike fortification is an interesting case, as it offers many opportunities for re-designing heritage. The city borders the Wadden Sea area, a tidal mudflat area protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and geological heritage values. The area also consists of a rich cultural landscape, which is overlooked in the public image and in local policy. We conclude that landscape architects and planners should strengthen not only the dike, but also the interpretation of the past that dominates policy and political debates in the area. We also find that the existing heritage production model of Ashworth and Tunbridge can provide some useful structure for understanding and contextualizing spatial planning for climate change as a way of doing heritage.
Imagining the Anthropocene with the Wadden Sea
Authors: Ritson Katie , de Smalen Eveline R.
Published: September 2021

This contribution explores the potential of the Wadden Sea for the imagination of the Anthropocene. The concept of the Anthropocene represents a challenge to the cultural imagination, as it draws together deep, geological time, recent and current events, and long futures; the geographical and generational implications of justice; and the profound entanglement of human progress with ecological decline. We argue that the cultural landscape of the Wadden Sea is a space in which these paradoxes and connections are made visible and material. Literary and artistic works engaged with the Wadden Sea display a critical awareness of Anthropocene entanglements: in our analysis, we explore visual and textual representations of the Wadden Sea and show how it serves as a site for the imagination of the past and future of our planet.
Caring for seals and the Wadden Sea: Multispecies entanglements in seal rehabilitation
Authors: Hörst Doortje
Published: September 2021

The Wadden Sea is a busy environment in which multiple species share a limited space. Humans use the area for recreation and economic purposes, while it also represents an ecologically valuable space as one of the largest intertidal areas in the world. Sharing the Wadden Sea with multiple species is recognized as a challenge by a seal rehabilitation center in the Netherlands, who cares for seals and their habitat, the Wadden Sea. To diminish harmful effects of human-seal interactions, the seal rehabilitation center educates their visitors to care for the Wadden Sea through at least three different educational practices (seal releases, beach cleanups, and through an exhibition at the visitor center). By taking a relational perspective to analyze these educational moments, it becomes apparent that different “natures” are brought into being. That is, by creating different experiences in multiple circumstances, relations between what is experienced or enacted as being part of the Wadden Sea environment changes. An important focus in this article is the diverse positions humans take up in relation to the Wadden Sea as they are encouraged to care for it and the seals. Instead of taking a human and nature distinction as a starting point, I will show that these educational practices produce fluid and dynamic relations between “humans” and “nature,” enabling multiple engagements with the sea and those who inhabit it.
“I show you my coast…”—a relational study of coastscapes in the North Frisian Wadden Sea
Authors: Döring Martin , Ratter Beate
Published: September 2021

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in research on relational approaches in geography and in the study of cultural landscapes. Following these strands of research, the relationality of human beings with their natural environments has been highlighted, emphasising the various ways people engage with their lifeworlds. This development is motivated by the perceived need to analytically expand landscape research towards a more-than-representational point of view, challenging the still prevalent dichotomy of nature and culture. The paper takes these insights as a starting point and provides an insight into a more-than-representational understanding of coastscapes that is combined with a more-than-representational understanding of language. Its aim is threefold: to theoretically engage with a more-than-representational and enlanguaged understanding of coastscapes; to explore the relevance of mobile methods for such an approach; and to empirically illustrate the emotive and relational bonds coastal dwellers form with their littoral environs. To capture the dynamism of a more-than-representational understanding that coastal dwellers develop with their coastscape, walking interviews were conducted in the district of North Frisia (Germany). All interviews were examined following a grounded approach and refined by a linguistic in-depth investigation. The analysis revealed four prevailing interpretative repertoires reconfiguring the boundary between nature and culture. They exhibit what we call a coast-multiple that adds to coastal nature-society-mixes which might be of interest for future coastal management at the German Wadden Sea.
Review of Stationary Energy Storage Systems Applications, Their Placement, and Techno-Economic Potential
Authors: Wüllner Johannes , Reiners Nils , Millet Lluís , Salibi Marc , Stortz Felix , Vetter Matthias
Published: September 2021

Purpose of Review

This review paper attempts to give a general overview on the BESS applications that demonstrate a high potential in the past few years, identifying most relevant operators — or providers — with the corresponding placement for such. Together with a description of value proposition schemes, observed trends, and research fields, a collection of relevant project references is gathered.

Recent Findings

Many publications and communications try to describe the services that battery energy storage systems can provide to each of the stakeholders, even though they might greatly differ based on national regulatory frameworks. The actual most relevant 6 applications in the view of the authors are described in more detail.

In this paper, there has been pointed special attention on the BESS opportunities for each operator and their corresponding potential on revenue stacking. Additionally, the most important identified scientific papers for the 6 most important applications in the view of the authors are presented.
Iron deficiency and biomarkers of inflammation: a 3-year prospective analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial
Authors: Wieczorek Maud , Schwarz Franziska , Sadlon Angélique , Abderhalden Lauren A. , de Godoi Rezende Costa Molino Caroline , Spahn Donat R. , Schaer Dominik J. , Orav E. John , Egli Andreas , Bischoff-Ferrari Heike A. ,   DO-HEALTH Research group
Published: September 2021

Background

The longitudinal association between iron deficiency and inflammatory biomarkers levels has not been fully explored among relatively healthy older adults.

Aims

To assess whether iron deficiency at baseline and at any yearly follow-up time point, with or without anemia, was associated with changes from baseline in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels over 3 years.

Methods

This is a post-hoc observational analysis of DO-HEALTH, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial including 2157 European community-dwelling adults age 70+. The outcomes were changes from baseline in hs-CRP and IL-6 levels, measured at 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up. Iron deficiency was defined by soluble transferrin receptor levels > 28.1 nmol/L and baseline anemia by hemoglobin levels < 130 g/L for men and < 120 g/L for women.

Results

In total, 2141 participants were included in the analyses (mean age: 74.9 years, 61.5% of women, 26.8% with iron deficiency). Baseline iron deficiency was associated with greater increase in IL-6 levels (mean difference in change: 0.52 ng/L, 95%CI 0.03–1.00, P = .04) over 3 years. Iron deficiency at any yearly time point was associated with higher increases in hs-CRP (mean difference in change: 1.62 mg/L, 95%CI 0.98–2.26, P < .001) and IL-6 levels (mean difference in change: 1.33 ng/L, 95%CI 0.87–1.79, P < .001) over 3 years. No significant interaction between iron deficiency and anemia was found, suggesting that the results are independent of the anemic status.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that iron deficiency may play a role in low-grade chronic inflammation among relatively healthy older adults.
Appraisal of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Partial Versus Complete HELLP Syndromes: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ramadan Mohamad K. , Malas Abir , El-Tal Rana , Itani Saad Eddine , Rabah Housam , Badr Dominique A.
Published: September 2021

To compare short-term outcomes at index and subsequent pregnancies, as well as the long-term medical complications encountered later than 5 years after index pregnancy incomplete and partial HELLP syndromes. Pregnancies complicated by partial HELLP or complete HELLP during a period of 19 years were identified. Searches were limited to cases before 2012 to ensure an adequate follow-up period. Data on index or subsequent pregnancies occurring at our center were extracted from the hospital database, while data pertaining to subsequent obstetric outcomes when deliveries occurred elsewhere together with current medical conditions were acquired by patient self-reporting. Complete HELLP was defined as the presence of the 3 components of the syndrome whereas partial HELLP was defined by the presence of 1 or 2 components. 100 pregnancies were included. At index pregnancy, there was a higher rate of composite adverse maternal outcome in complete HELLP when compared to partial HELLP (45.8% vs 21.1%, p = 0.017). Outcomes at subsequent pregnancies showed no difference between the two variants of HELLP syndrome. When examined years later, a higher frequency of “composite medical morbidity” in the complete HELLP group was observed, though this difference did not reach statistical significance (77.7% vs 61.9%, p = 1.00). Although partial HELLP is relatively less harmful, it can nonetheless cause serious maternal complications including ruptured liver hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage and even mortality. These two clinical entities represent a continuum of the same pathology, which implies that the approach at management should be uniform. Furthermore, the prognosis and long-term outcomes were not different between these 2 variants.
Big data-drive agent-based modeling of online polarized opinions
Authors: Lu Peng , Zhang Zhuo , Li Mengdi
Published: September 2021

Under the mobile internet and big data era, more and more people are discussing and interacting online with each other. The forming process and evolutionary dynamics of public opinions online have been heavily investigated. Using agent-based modeling, we expand the Ising model to explore how individuals behave and the evolutionary mechanism of the life cycles. The big data platform of Douban.com is selected as the data source, and the online case “NeiYuanWaiFang” is applied as the real target, for our modeling and simulations to match. We run 10,000 simulations to find possible optimal solutions, and we run 10,000 times again to check the robustness and adaptability. The optimal solution simulations can reflect the whole life cycle process. In terms of different levels and indicators, the fitting or matching degrees achieve the highest levels. At the micro-level, the distributions of individual behaviors under real case and simulations are similar to each other, and they all follow normal distributions; at the middle-level, both discrete and continuous distributions of supportive and oppositive online comments are matched between real case and simulations; at the macro-level, the life cycle process (outbreak, rising, peak, and vanish) and durations can be well matched. Therefore, our model has properly seized the core mechanism of individual behaviors, and precisely simulated the evolutionary dynamics of online cases in reality.
Mapping experience research across disciplines: who, where, when
Authors: Roto Virpi , Bragge Johanna , Lu Yichen , Pacauskas Darius
Published: September 2021

Human experiences have been studied in multiple disciplines, Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) being one of the largest research fields with its user experience (UX) research. Currently, there is little interaction between experience researchers from different disciplines, although cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing has the potential to accelerate the development of UX and other experience research fields to the next level. This article reports a research profiling study of almost 52,000 experience publications over 125 years, showing the breadth of experience research across disciplines. The data analysis reveals the disciplines that study experiences, the prominent authors, institutions and countries in experience research, the most cited works by experience researchers across disciplines, and how UX research is situated on the map of experience research. This descriptive research profiling study is a necessary first step on the journey of mapping the landscape of experience research, guiding researchers towards understanding experience as a multidisciplinary concept, and establishing a more coherent experience research field.
‘I Try to Remember That This Is Temporary’: Continuous Balancing in Remote Students’ Everyday Life
Authors: Peltola Maria , Suorsa Teemu , Silvonen Jussi
Published: September 2021

This paper focuses on the process of development in remote and hybrid learning contexts in university students’ everyday life. Development is seen as a change in the person-environment relationship and indicates the development of the whole system. To understand development, we need to look at everyday life and participants’ grounds for action in everyday practices. The process of development is explored from the systemic person-environment perspective using cultural-historical concepts. Our understanding of students’ everyday life and empirical research processes has been strongly inspired by the subject-scientific approach. The research material consists of descriptions from 39 university students’ descriptions about their everyday lives while studying at home. The students observed and wrote about the conduct of everyday life as part of their studies. In a student’s everyday life, development occurs in relation to multiple conditions and meaning structures, which—from the standpoint of the subject—are seen as possibilities for action and experience. The results reveal four general ways of relating to the surrounding conditions and possibilities. Further, the results highlight the role of open spaces and structures in development. Remote students’ four ways of relating to possibilities for action are (1) balancing, (2) floating, (3) paralysing and (4) redefining. The study brings critical insights into continuous balancing and regulating of the demands between different life scenes and highlights the crucial elements of technology-mediated remote life in general: participations, transitions and the paradox of flexibility.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation for an Inhomogeneous Gamma Process with a Log-linear Rate Function
Authors: Jokiel-Rokita Alicja , Skoliński Paweł
Published: September 2021

An inhomogeneous gamma process is a compromise between a renewal process and a nonhomogeneous Poisson process, since its failure probability at a given time depends both on the age of the system and on the distance from the last failure time. The inhomogeneous gamma process with a log-linear rate function is often used in modelling of recurrent event data. In this paper, it is proved that the suitably non-uniform scaled maximum likelihood estimator of the three-dimensional parameter of this model is asymptotically normal, but it enjoys the curious property that the covariance matrix of the asymptotic distribution is singular. A simulation study is presented to illustrate the behaviour of the maximum likelihood estimators in finite samples. Obtained results are also applied to real data analysis.
Colonic inflammation induces changes in glucose levels through modulation of incretin system
Authors: Zatorski Hubert , Salaga Maciej , Zielińska Marta , Mokrowiecka Anna , Jacenik Damian , Krajewska Wanda Małgorzata , Małecka-Panas Ewa , Fichna Jakub
Published: September 2021

Background

The role of the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), in Crohn’s disease (CD), is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether colitis is associated with changes in blood glucose levels and the possible involvement of the incretin system as an underlaying factor.

Methods

We used a murine model of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Macroscopic and microscopic score and expression of inflammatory cytokines were measured. The effect of colitis on glucose level was studied by measurement of fasting glucose and GLP-1, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) levels, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC 1/3) and GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) expression in mice. We also measured the level of GLP-1, DPP IV and expression of glucagon (GCG) and PC 1/3 mRNA in serum and colon samples from healthy controls and CD patients.

Results

Fasting glucose levels were increased in animals with colitis compared to controls. GLP-1 was decreased in both serum and colon of mice with colitis in comparison to the control group. DPP IV levels were significantly increased in serum, but not in the colon of mice with colitis as compared to healthy animals. Furthermore, PC 1/3 and GLP-1R expression levels were increased in mice with colitis as compared to controls. In humans, no differences were observed in fasting glucose level between healthy subjects and CD patients. GLP-1 levels were significantly decreased in the serum. Interestingly, GLP-1 level was significantly increased in colon samples of CD patients compared to healthy subjects. No significant differences in DPP IV levels in serum and colon samples were observed between groups.

Conclusions

Changes in the incretin system during colitis seem to contribute to the impaired glucose levels. Differences in incretin levels seem to be modulated by degrading enzyme DPP-IV and PC 1/3. Obtained results suggest that the incretin system may become a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of CD.
Testing for Language Teachers
Authors: Hughes Arthur , Hughes Jake
Published: September 2021

This book provides an accessible guide to concepts in language testing and the testing of specific skills and systems. It combines theory and practical recommendations to help teachers understand the principles of testing and how they can be applied, supporting them to write better tests. The third edition has been extensively revised and updated to reflect recent developments in the field, while retaining the straightforward approach that made the earlier editions essential reading for trainee and experienced teachers alike. It features new content on technology, including computer adaptive testing and the use of automated scoring for all skills. It also includes an extended discussion of language testers' responsibilities, new chapters on non-testing methods of assessment and a checklist to help teachers choose tests.
Evidence for the irrelevance of irrelevant events
Authors: Müller Stefan , Kneafsey Liam
Published: September 2021

The expectation that voters behave rationally has been challenged through studies suggesting that “irrelevant events” like natural disasters and sports results change voting behavior. We test the effect of irrelevant events by matching candidate-level election results from Irish general (1922–2020) and local elections (1942–2019) with games in the men's Gaelic football and hurling championships, the most popular sports in Ireland. Although Irish citizens care deeply about sports, we fail to find any relationship between match results and support for incumbents or politicians of government parties. These findings hold when applying an “unexpected event during survey design” to two representative surveys. Our results contribute to the literature on political accountability and point to conditional effects of irrelevant events.
Do voters want domestic politicians to scrutinize the European Union?
Authors: Senninger Roman , Bischof Daniel
Published: September 2021

In light of important political events that go beyond the nation state (e.g., migration, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic), domestic politicians are increasingly pressured to scrutinize and speak out on European policy-making. This creates a potential trade-off between allocating effort to domestic and supranational affairs, respectively. We examine how citizens perceive legislator involvement in European Union (EU) politics with a pre-registered conjoint experiment in Germany. Our results show that Members of Parliament (MPs) are not disadvantaged when allocating effort to European affairs as compared to local and national affairs. In addition, voters tend to prefer MPs who engage in EU policy reform over those who do not. As demand for legislator involvement in European politics is on the rise, we provide empirical evidence that MPs can fulfill this demand without being disadvantaged by the electorate.
Selenium supplementation may improve COVID-19 survival in sickle cell disease
Authors: Henderson George D.
Published: September 2021

Sickle cell disease is associated with lower selenium levels, and the serum selenium level is inversely associated with haemolysis in SCD. The SCD population is more vulnerable to adverse COVID-19 outcomes. SARS-CoV-2 infection lowers the serum selenium level and this is associated with severity of COVID-19. Selenium supplementation is proposed to improve COVID-19 outcomes in the sickle cell disease population.
Superparasitism and fitness parameters in three native wasp parasitoids (Braconidae: Opiinae) of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Ayala Amanda , Toledo Jorge , Pérez-Lachaud Gabriela , Liedo Pablo , Montoya Pablo
Published: September 2021

Knowledge on reproductive strategies and host use in insect parasitoids is fundamental for biological control purposes. Superparasitism and multiparasitism, oviposition in a previously parasitized host by a female of the same or different species, respectively, may impact pest management decisions. Our objective was to determine the occurrence of superparasitism and multiparasitism in three species of native larval−pupal solitary endoparasitoids that attack Anastrepha Shiner species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Neotropical region, and the possible effect on offspring fitness parameters. Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), and Opius hirtus (Fischer) occur in sympatry in Mexico, and are currently under consideration for use as biocontrol agents. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions with females acting alone (self-superparasitism), females in groups of the same species (conspecific superparasitism), and females in mixed groups (multiparasitism). Our results showed that self-superparasitism is an uncommon strategy in the three native species and is rare under conditions of intraspecific competition. In the case of multiparasitism, a higher number of immature stages of U. anastrephae was observed, compared to those of D. crawfordi and O. hirtus. However, it is not clear yet if this was due to some adult female trait or to the competitive ability of the larvae. We conclude that most females of the native species studied appeared to avoid superparasitism, specifically when acting alone, suggesting a high discrimination ability, which is probably a result of a close relationship and evolutionary history with Anastrepha hosts.
XENOPHON'S SOCRATES ON WISDOM AND ACTION
Authors: Bjelde Joseph
Published: September 2021

Xenophon's Socrates, like Plato's, holds that wisdom comes with practical abilities. But influential interpretations of Xenophon's Socrates attribute to him a splintered view of wisdom, on which there is no wisdom simpliciter which is specially connected to all good actions. This article argues that a crucial text (Memorabilia 3.9.5) is significantly more problematic for the splintered view than hitherto appreciated, while the texts which are supposed to support the splintered view do not. Instead, this article argues that for Xenophon's Socrates the unwise lack self-knowledge, and so also lack a special prohairetic ability needed for doing fine and good actions.
Enigma variations: characteristics and likely origin of the problematic surface textureArumberia, as recognized from an exceptional bedding plane exposure and the global record
Authors: McMahon William J. , Davies Neil S. , Liu Alexander G. , Went David J.
Published: September 2021

Arumberiais an enigmatic sedimentary surface texture that consists of parallel, sub-parallel or radiating ridges and grooves, most commonly reported from upper Neoproterozoic – lower Palaeozoic strata. It has variably been interpreted as the impression of a small metazoan, a ‘vendobiont’, a physical sedimentary structure formed on a substrate with or without a microbial mat covering, or a non-actualistic microbial community. In this paper we contribute new insights into the origin ofArumberia, resulting from the discovery of the largest contiguous bedding plane occurrence of the texture reported to date: a 300 m2surface in the lower Cambrian Port Lazo Formation of Brittany, NW France. We compare the characteristic features ofArumberiaat this locality with 38 other global records, revealing four defining characteristics: (1) the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of exposedArumberialines (either positive relief ‘ridges’ or negative relief ‘grooves’) records fully preserved cords within clay laminae; (2) lines may transition laterally into reticulated patterns; (3) characteristic parallel and sub-parallelArumberialines can become modified by desiccation on emergent substrates prior to interment; and (4)Arumberiaare streamlined with palaeoflow in successions showing evidence of unidirectional currents, but are organized parallel to ripple crests where strata were sculpted by oscillatory flows. These characteristics indicate thatArumberiarecords a 3D entity, distinct in material properties from its host sediment, which occurred in very shallow water settings where it was prone to passive reorganization in moving water, and desiccation when water drained. A literature survey of all knownArumberiaoccurrences reveals that the most reliable examples of the form are stratigraphically restricted to a 40 Ma interval straddling the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary (560–520 Ma). Together these characteristics suggest thatArumberiarecords the remains of extinct, sessile filamentous organisms (microbial or algal?) that occupied very shallow water and emergent environments across the globe at the dawn of the Phanerozoic Eon.
Representing the boundary of stellarator plasmas
Authors: Henneberg S.A. , Helander P. , Drevlak M.
Published: September 2021

In stellarator optimization studies, the boundary of the plasma is usually described by Fourier series that are not unique: several sets of Fourier coefficients describe approximately the same boundary shape. A simple method for eliminating this arbitrariness is proposed and shown to work well in practice.
Is God a person? Maimonides, Crescas, and beyond
Authors: Lebens Samuel
Published: September 2021

Drawing from multiple generations of Jewish philosophy (from Maimonides until today), this article argues for the seemingly paradoxical conclusion that God is both fully, and not at all, a person. The apparent contradiction in this conclusion is resolved by appeal to a two-layered ontology.
Processing voice morphology and argument structure by Greek Beginning Readers and children with Reading Difficulties
Authors: Nerantzini Michaela , Mastropavlou Maria , Christou Theofano , Lekakou Marika , Zakopoulou Victoria
Published: September 2021

Studies on the processing of non-active (NACT) voice have indicated that passive sentences are more difficult to comprehend and require more time to process. Children with Reading Difficulties (RDs) face problems with sentence comprehension, which are often attributed to phonological processing, working memory, syntactic awareness limitations, or a maturation delay. Using an online self-paced reading task, we investigated the effect of voice morphology and argument structure on sentence processing in 3 groups of participants; 30 children RDs, 28 Age-Matched (AM) controls without RDs, and 28 young Beginning Readers (BRs). Our results suggest that although the RDs and BR groups present similar reading times, their reading patterns differ qualitatively. Beginning Readers experienced greater processing delays when processing NACT structures, suggesting that they have not yet fully grasped the properties of the various NACT verbs. However, the RDs group presents effects not found in the BR group; children with RDs were sensitive to the properties of the different types of NACT verbs showing (a) evidence that the language processor successfully engages in predictions based on the morphosyntactic and lexical characteristics of verbs and (b) preference for default/prototypical readings. These results point toward processing limitations that are greatly affected by syntactic complexity.
The acorn squash problem: a digestible conceptualisation of barriers to emergency food assistance
Authors: Jones John C , Christaldi Joanne , Cuy Castellanos Diana
Published: September 2021

Background:

In common narratives of emergency food assistance, donors likely believe their efforts directly manifest as people consuming their donated food. For example, a person donating canned lima beans during a canned food drive may visualise someone eventually eating those lima beans. However, cultural and socio-economic barriers often exist that prevent people from accessing and consuming the donated food. These barriers are often complex and otherwise well-intentioned donors, volunteers and organisations may not initially consider them.

Method:

This commentary article, which draws from existing US emergency food systems literature, uses the imagery of an acorn squash one might find at a US food pantry to conceptualise these barriers in a straightforward way.

Results:

Examining emergency food assistance through the lens of the acorn squash problem can help donors, volunteers and organisations better connect with food-insecure people. The lens of the acorn squash problem also allows for deeper critiques of some practices of emergency food systems.
Screening for pathotype-specific resistance to broad bean wilt virus 2 and cucumber mosaic virus in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Heo Kyeong-Jae , Choi Boram , Kim Myung-Hwi , Kwon Min-Jun , Cho Young-Eun , Kwon Sun-Jung , Seo Jang-Kyun
Published: September 2021

Two aphid-transmitted RNA viruses, broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), are the most prevalent viruses in Korean pepper fields and cause chronic damage in pepper production. In this study, we employed a screening system for pathotype-specific resistance of pepper germplasm to BBWV2 and CMV by utilizing infectious cDNA clones of different pathotypes of the viruses (two BBWV2 strains and three CMV strains). We first examined pathogenic characteristics of the BBWV2 and CMV strains in various plant species and their phylogenetic positions in the virus population structures. We then screened 34 commercial pepper cultivars and seven accessions for resistance. While 21 pepper cultivars were resistant to CMV Fny strain, only two cultivars were resistant to CMV P1 strain. We also found only one cultivar partially resistant to BBWV2 RP1 strain. However, all tested commercial pepper cultivars were susceptible to the resistance-breaking CMV strain GTN (CMV-GTN) and BBWV2 severe strain PAP1 (BBWV2-PAP1), suggesting that breeding new cultivars resistant to these virus strains is necessary. Fortunately, we identified several pepper accessions that were resistant or partially resistant to CMV-GTN and one symptomless accession despite systemic infection with BBWV2-PAP1. These genetic resources will be useful in pepper breeding programs to deploy resistance to BBWV2 and CMV.
Comments on “Analysis of Bent Wire Antenna Resonant Frequency for Different Bent Angles”
Authors: Walden M. C.
Published: September 2021

The recent article by Suganya et al. is incomplete and, in some places, unclear, which has resulted in misleading and incorrect conclusions on the performance of their bent wire dipole antenna. These comments serve to address the shortcomings of their paper.
Large Circulation Patterns Strongly Modulate Long‐Term Variability of Arctic Black Carbon Levels and Areas of Origin
Authors: Stathopoulos V. K. , Evangeliou N. , Stohl A. , Vratolis S. , Matsoukas C. , Eleftheriadis K.
Published: September 2021

Black Carbon (BC) aerosol is a major climate forcer in the Arctic. Here, we present 15 years (2001–2015) of surface observations of the aerosol absorption coefficient babs (corresponding to Equivalent BC), obtained at the Zeppelin Observatory, Ny Ålesund, Svalbard, coupled with backward transport modeling with Flexpart in order to calculate the Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) for BC. The observed long‐term variability superimposed on a strong annual cycle is studied as a function of large‐scale circulation patterns represented by monthly index values for the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Scandinavian pattern (SCAN). We find a 35% increase of babs values at Zeppelin during the SCAN− phase in the winter half‐year compared to the SCAN+ phase but no significant difference in babs values between the NAO index phases. Both NAO and SCAN induce significant regional variability on the areas of origin of babs, mainly Siberia, Europe, and North America.
Mycorrhizal Distributions Impact Global Patterns of Carbon and Nutrient Cycling
Authors: Braghiere R. K. , Fisher J. B. , Fisher R. A. , Shi M. , Steidinger B. S. , Sulman B. N. , Soudzilovskaia N. A. , Yang X. , Liang J. , Peay K. G. , Crowther T. W. , Phillips R. P.
Published: September 2021

Most tree species predominantly associate with a single type of mycorrhizal fungi, which can differentially affect plant nutrient acquisition and biogeochemical cycling. Uncertainties in mycorrhizal distributions are non‐trivial, and current estimates disagree in up to 50% over 40% of the land area, including tropical forests. Remote sensing capabilities for mycorrhizal detection show promise for refining these estimates further. Here, we address for the first time the impact of mycorrhizal distributions on global carbon and nutrient cycling. Using the state‐of‐the‐art carbon‐nitrogen economics within the Community Land Model version 5, we found Net Primary Productivity (NPP) increased throughout the 21st century by 20%; however, as soil nitrogen has progressively become limiting, the costs to NPP for nitrogen acquisition—that is, to mycorrhizae—have increased at a faster rate by 60%. This suggests that nutrient acquisition will increasingly demand a higher portion of assimilated carbon to support the same productivity.
Deducing Non‐Migrating Diurnal Tides in the Middle Thermosphere With GOLD Observations of the Earth's far Ultraviolet Dayglow From Geostationary Orbit
Authors: Krier Christopher S. , England Scott L. , Greer Katelynn R. , Evans J. Scott , Burns Alan G. , Eastes Richard W.
Published: September 2021

The global‐scale observations of the limb and disk (GOLD) Mission images middle thermosphere temperature and the vertical column density ratio of oxygen to molecular nitrogen (O/N2) using its far ultraviolet imaging spectrographs in geostationary orbit. Since GOLD only measures these quantities during daylight, and only over the ∼140° of longitude visible from geostationary orbit, previously developed tidal analysis techniques cannot be applied to the GOLD data set. This paper presents a novel approach that deduces two specified non‐migrating diurnal tides using simultaneous measurements of temperature and O/N2. DE3 (diurnal eastward propagating wave 3) and DE2 (diurnal eastward propagating wave 2) during October 2018 and January 2020 are the focus of this paper. Sensitivity analyses using TIE‐GCM simulations reveal that our approach reliably retrieves the true phases, whereas a combination of residual contributions from secondary tides, the restriction in longitude, and random uncertainty can lead to ∼50% error in the retrieved amplitudes. Application of our approach to GOLD data during these time periods provides the first observations of non‐migrating diurnal tides in measurements taken from geostationary orbit. We identify discrepancies between GOLD observations and TIE‐GCM modeling. Retrieved tidal amplitudes from GOLD observations exceed their respective TIE‐GCM amplitudes by a factor of two in some cases.
Air pollution and meteorological conditions significantly contribute to the worsening of allergic conjunctivitis: a regional 20-city, 5-year study in Northeast China
Authors: Lu Cheng-Wei , Fu Jing , Liu Xiu-Fen , Chen Wei-Wei , Hao Ji-Long , Li Xiao-Lan , Pant Om Prakash
Published: September 2021

This study is the first to explore the potential associations among allergic conjunctivitis (AC), air pollution, and meteorological conditions in Northeast China. Data of meteorology, ambient atmospheric pollutants, and the incidence of allergic conjunctivitis (IAC) in prefecture-level cities between the years 2014 and 2018 are analyzed. The results show an increasing trend in the AC of average growth rate per annum 7.6%, with the highest incidence in the provincial capitals. The IAC is positively correlated with atmospheric pollutants (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and meteorological factors (i.e., air temperature and wind speed), but negatively correlated with relative humidity. These results suggest that the IAC is directly proportional to pollution level and climatic conditions, and also the precedence of air pollution. We have further obtained the threshold values of atmospheric pollutants concentration and meteorological factors, a turning point above which more AC may be induced. Compared with the air quality standard advised by China and the World Health Organization (WHO), both thresholds of PM10 (70 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (45 μg m−3) are higher than current standards and pose a less environmental risk for the IAC. SO2 threshold (23 μg m−3) is comparable to the WHO standard and significantly lower than that of China’s, indicating greater environmental risks in China. Both thresholds of NO2 (27 μg m−3) and O3 (88 μg m−3) are below current standards, indicating that they are major environmental risk factors for the IAC. Our findings highlight the importance of atmospheric environmental protection and reference for health-based amendment.