bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scnet: spectral convolutional networks for multivariate time series classification
Authors: Wu Xing , Xing Xinyu , Yao Junfeng , Qian Quan , Song Jun
Published: February 2025

With the widespread application of time series data, the study of classification techniques has become an important topic. Although existing multivariate time series classification (MTSC) methods have made progress, they often rely on one-dimensional (1D) time series, which limits their ability to capture complex temporal dynamics and multiscale features. To address these challenges, a Spectral Convolutional Network (SCNet) is introduced in this work. SCNet effectively transforms 1D time series data into the frequency domain using an enhanced Discrete Fourier Transform (enhanced_DFT), revealing periodicity and key frequency components while reshaping the data into a two-dimensional (2D) time series for better representation. Furthermore, it uses a Spectral Energy Prioritization method to optimize frequency domain energy distribution and a multiscale convolutional module to capture features at different scales, improving the model’s ability to analyze short-term and long-term trends. To validate the effectiveness and superiority, we conducted extensive experiments on 10 sub-datasets from the well-known UEA dataset. The results show that our proposed SCNet achieved the highest average accuracy of 74.3%, which is 2.2% higher than the current state-of-the-art models, demonstrating its potential for practical application and efficiency in MTSC task.
A note on the Walsh spectrum of the Flystel
Authors: Steiner Matthias Johann
Published: February 2025

is a family of compression and hash functions over finite fields

$$\mathbb {F}_q$$

F
q

for efficient Zero-Knowledge applications. Its round function is based on a novel permutation

$$\mathcal {H}: \mathbb {F}_q^2 \rightarrow \mathbb {F}_q^2$$

H
:

F
q
2

→

F
q
2

, called the open , which is parametrized by a permutation

$$E: \mathbb {F}_q \rightarrow \mathbb {F}_q$$

E
:

F
q

→

F
q

and two functions

$$Q_\gamma , Q_\delta : \mathbb {F}_q \rightarrow \mathbb {F}_q$$

Q
γ

,

Q
δ

:

F
q

→

F
q

. Over a prime field

$$\mathbb {F}_p$$

F
p

with E a power permutation and

$$Q_\gamma $$

Q
γ

,

$$Q_\delta $$

Q
δ

quadratic functions with identical leading coefficient, the designers conjectured for the absolute value of the Walsh transform that

$$\max _{\textbf{a} \in \mathbb {F}_p^2,\ \textbf{b} \in \mathbb {F}_p^2 {\setminus } \{ \textbf{0} \}} \left| \mathcal {W}_\mathcal {H} (\psi , \textbf{a}, \textbf{b}) \right| \le p \cdot \log \left( p \right) $$

max

a
∈

F
p
2

,

b
∈

F
p
2

\

{
0
}

W
H

(
ψ
,
a
,
b
)

≤
p
·
log

p

. By exploiting that the open is CCZ-equivalent to the closed , we prove in this note that

$$\max _{\textbf{a} \in \mathbb {F}_p^2,\ \textbf{b} \in \mathbb {F}_p^2 {\setminus } \{ \textbf{0} \}} \left| \mathcal {W}_\mathcal {H} (\psi , \textbf{a}, \textbf{b}) \right| \le (d - 1) \cdot p$$

max

a
∈

F
p
2

,

b
∈

F
p
2

\

{
0
}

W
H

(
ψ
,
a
,
b
)

≤

(
d
-
1
)

·
p

, where

$$d = \deg \left( E \right) $$

d
=
deg

E

.
Simple thermodynamic model of thermostats for a liquid into a tank: an analytical approach
Authors: Salazar Robert , Deaza Felipe , Zamudio José , García Leonardo
Published: February 2025

In this manuscript, we propose a simplified mathematical model based on the heat transfer laws to predict the temperature profiles of a liquid controlled by a simple thermostat. The model result in a set of linear ordinary differential equations ODEs with forcing which turn on and off at a priori unknown times

$${\mathcal {T}}_M=\left\{ \zeta _0,\zeta _1,\ldots ,\zeta _M\right\} $$

T
M

=

ζ
0

,

ζ
1

,
…
,

ζ
M

. The pth switch-time

$$\zeta _p\in {\mathcal {T}}_p$$

ζ
p

∈

T
p

is calculated from the zeros of a function

$${\mathcal {Q}}(\chi )={\mathcal {Q}}(\chi ;\zeta _1,\ldots ,\zeta _{p-1})$$

Q

(
χ
)

=
Q

(
χ
;

ζ
1

,
…
,

ζ

p
-
1

)

coming from analytical solutions of the system depending on the previous times

$$\zeta _1,\ldots ,\zeta _{p-1}$$

ζ
1

,
…
,

ζ

p
-
1

. The mathematical problem can be solved by using standard techniques for solving ODEs once

$${\mathcal {T}}_M$$

T
M

is calculated by M-successive iterations of the conditional expression

$${\mathcal {Q}}(\chi =\zeta _p)=0$$

Q
(
χ
=

ζ
p

)
=
0

and the Newton–Raphson method. We provide analytical expressions for the temperature as a function of time and

$${\mathcal {T}}_M$$

T
M

considering direct (DC) and alternate (AC) feeding voltages. We solve the system using this numerical-analytical approach and compare it with the results of the 4th Runge–Kutta method finding a good agreement between both methods.
The Evolution of Threats to Protected Areas During Crises: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic in Madagascar
Authors: van Versendaal Leo , Schickhoff Udo
Published: February 2025

The impact of global or national crises on nature conservation efficiency remains insufficiently researched. We examine how specific threats developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Madagascar’s protected areas, which are important biodiversity hotspots, and how the crisis impacted conservation actors and local communities. Drawing on interviews with stakeholders from the country’s multifaceted conservation network, we identify developments of individual threats and demonstrate that the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on nature conservation are by no means uniform. While unsustainable activities for the purpose of self-sufficiency increased nationwide due to the economic downturn and COVID-19 restrictions, larger-scale economic threats to protected areas were linked to more complex factors and varied across the country and through distinct phases of the pandemic. Local alternative livelihood activities often failed to compensate for pandemic-related economic losses, particularly those from tourism and instead amplified pressure on protected areas and biodiversity due to their reliance on natural forest resources. Furthermore, threats to conservation assets were exacerbated as many conservation actors struggled to implement their projects and educational programs, which are crucial for integrating the local population into environmental efforts. However, despite these challenges, individual actors could temporarily intensify their endeavors by increasing their patrolling activities and securing additional emergency funding. Our findings show that adaptive crisis management is urgently needed in many organizations and that implementing participatory approaches and involving local actors in management structures and project planning are promising approaches during crises.
The impact of tocilizumab treatment on the severity of inflammation and survival rates in sepsis is significantly influence by the timing of administration
Authors: Tavaci Taha , Halici Zekai , Cadirci Elif , Ozkaraca Mustafa , Kasali Kamber
Published: February 2025

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection. Due to the high mortality rates and treatment costs associated with sepsis, research is focusing on innovative treatment strategies to replace one dimensional approaches. Recent studies are being conducted on the use of immunotherapeutics in sepsis and the impact of treatment timing. This study aimed to elucidate the significance of treatment timing in sepsis immunotherapy with Tocilizumab (TCZ) and the implications of differences in treatment timing.

Methods

LPS-induced sepsis model was established in rats to assess the changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) over a 24-h sepsis period and its correlation with lung and kidney injury. The impact of TCZ treatments at various time points was evaluated by molecular and histopathological methods. The effect of TCZ treatment timing on survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

IL-6 reached peak concentrations in the early stages of sepsis, whereas lung damage peaked subsequent to the IL-6 peak, and kidney damage manifested considerably later. The early treatment group, receiving intervention one hour post-sepsis induction, exhibited the most favorable molecular and histopathological outcomes. Conversely, the group receiving the latest treatment, at sixteen hours post-sepsis induction, demonstrated the poorest results. Survival analysis indicated that the group treated at the tenth hour exhibited the highest survival rate.

Conclusion

Variations in the timing of sepsis treatment with TCZ yield significantly different molecular outcomes, histopathological results, and survival rates. A thorough investigation of the timing of immunotherapeutic applications in sepsis treatment will enhance the efficiency of sepsis treatments.
Splittings of toric ideals of graphs
Authors: Katsabekis Anargyros , Thoma Apostolos
Published: February 2025

Let G be a simple graph on the vertex set

$$\{v_{1},\ldots ,v_{n}\}$$

{

v
1

,
…
,

v
n

}

. An algebraic object attached to G is the toric ideal

$$I_G$$

I
G

. We say that

$$I_G$$

I
G

is subgraph splittable if there exist subgraphs

$$G_1$$

G
1

and

$$G_2$$

G
2

of G such that

$$I_G=I_{G_1}+I_{G_2}$$

I
G

=

I

G
1

+

I

G
2

, where both

$$I_{G_1}$$

I

G
1

and

$$I_{G_2}$$

I

G
2

are not equal to

$$I_G$$

I
G

. We show that

$$I_G$$

I
G

is subgraph splittable if and only if it is edge splittable. We also prove that the toric ideal of a complete bipartite graph is not subgraph splittable. In contrast, we show that the toric ideal of a complete graph

$$K_n$$

K
n

is always subgraph splittable when

$$n \ge 4$$

n
≥
4

. Additionally, we show that the toric ideal of

$$K_n$$

K
n

has a minimal splitting if and only if

$$4 \le n \le 5$$

4
≤
n
≤
5

. Finally, we prove that any minimal splitting of

$$I_G$$

I
G

is also a reduced splitting.
Archaeological and Experimental Lithic Microwear Classification Through 2D Textural Analysis and Machine Learning
Authors: Sferrazza Paolo
Published: February 2025

The paper focuses on introducing 2D texture analysis as a quantitative method for functional analysis in archaeology. The paper aims to demonstrate the validity of this method for quantifying use-wear analysis and to evaluate different processing, extraction, and classification techniques. The method presented relies on five techniques of quantitative feature extraction from photographic images and nine classification techniques through machine learning algorithms. After creating a training dataset with experimental traces, machine learning models were validated through experimental and archaeological image classification. The best result achieved a classification accuracy of 80%, suggesting convolutional neural network and grey level co-occurence matrix as the best quantification options and neural networks as the best classification algorithm. The paper proposes to use the method as a fundamental tool in functional analysis to remove subjectivity criteria from traditional analysis and to address issues related to the credibility of the discipline, calibration, standardisation, and reproducibility of methods and results.
Plant–soil feedbacks in mixed pine-oak Mediterranean forests under drought conditions
Authors: Štraus Dora , Caballol Maria , Juhanson Jaanis , Redondo Miguel Ángel , Bonet José Antonio , Pemán Jesús , Clemmensen Karina , Hallin Sara , Oliva Jonàs
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Pine-oak mixed forests are characteristic of the Mediterranean landscape. Understanding which types of plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) operate in these communities and how such PSFs could be altered by severe summer droughts is needed in the face of current climate change.

Methods

We conducted a fully reciprocal PSF experiment using eight Mediterranean pine and oak species. Seedlings were grown under controlled conditions in substrate containing sterilised soil and a small amount of soil collected under congeneric or heterogeneric mature trees. Half of the seedlings were subjected to a severe drought during the second growing season.

Results

Differences in plant biomass and responses to drought were linked to fungal communities in the rhizosphere. Negative PSFs were detected amongst pines and oaks. Pine and oak seedlings grew better in heterogeneric soil than in congeneric soil. Fitness differences correlated with a higher relative abundance of growth-promoting ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) in heterogeneric soils. Under severe drought, no differences in seedling biomass, seedling survival or stomatal conductance were observed between seedlings growing in heterogeneric or congeneric soil.

Conclusion

Seedlings grew better in heterogeneric soils which suggests that Mediterranean pine-oak mixtures could be maintained by negative PSFs. Severe drought could decrease the strength of the negative PSFs, implying that tree diversity in Mediterranean forests could decline in a drier climate.
From Losers’ Consent to Winners’ Restraint: Citizens Reactions to Accumulating Democratic Violations
Authors: Werner Hannah , Bertsou Eri , Marien Sofie
Published: February 2025

While ‘losers’ consent’ has long been recognized as crucial for democratic stability, recent concerns over elite manipulation of democratic processes highlight the need to shift focus to the responsibility of political winners. We argue that ‘winners’ restraint’ is equally indispensable, even in well-established democracies. Our study investigates the presence and boundaries of winners’ restraint, particularly in the realm of policy decisions. Through a survey and two experiments conducted in the UK, we examine the extent to which respondents tolerate accumulating procedural violations before dissenting. Our findings reveal that while citizens may initially overlook undemocratic behavior that aligns with their policy preferences, there are inherent limits to this tolerance. For a majority of respondents, winners’ restraint can be activated as violations accumulate, resulting in a withdrawal of perceived legitimacy. This underscores the critical role of winners in upholding democratic principles and resisting erosion of democratic norms.
The Insurance Value of Abortion and Support for Reproductive Rights
Authors: Hernandez Natalie , Trubowitz Alexander , Zacher Sam
Published: February 2025

Existing scholarship holds that Americans’ views on abortion policy are determined by their moral and religious beliefs. In this article, we argue that these beliefs are only part of the story. We propose that some Americans support pro-choice policies even if they have moral qualms about abortion because they are afraid of an unplanned transition to parenthood. Accessible abortion offers a kind of “insurance” against this risk. We expect individuals’ support for abortion rights to decline after they become parents, since abortion’s prospective insurance value declines after individuals have had their first child. Using panel survey data from the CCES, we find that the transition to parenthood makes Americans less supportive of abortion rights than they had been previously. This appears to be especially true of conservatives and practicing Christians, indicating that some members of these groups support abortion as a form of protection against unplanned parenthood until they experience life-cycle changes that reduce their personal interest in protecting reproductive rights. We conduct a variety of robustness tests to rule out alternative mechanisms that might link parenthood to a conservative shift in abortion policy preferences, bolstering confidence in the insurance mechanism proposed here.
Removal of aluminum content of concentrated salt solutions by precipitation, coagulation and sedimentation
Authors: Csorba Benjámin , Farkas László , Csécsi Marcell , Hórvölgyi Zoltán , Szabó Tamás , Madarász János , Mihalkó Andrea , Keresztes Zsófia , Boros Renáta Zsanett , Gresits Iván László
Published: February 2025

An efficient approach for aluminum removal was developed to produce high-purity brine feed for membrane cell electrolysis, the best available technique for chlorine production. The removal of aluminum from saturated (25 wt%) brine represented a knowledge gap. The pH dependence of precipitation and sedimentation steps was investigated. The Al-content could be reduced from 1.2 to 0.2 ppm at pH 11, meeting industrial requirements. A key factor supporting Al-removal is the presence of Ca and Mg contaminants in the mine brine. This effect was observed in the presence of at least 5 ppm magnesium and/or 150 ppm calcium. No reduction in aluminum content was observed in the absence of these alkaline earths. However, in model experiments at pH 11 and 60 °C, the aluminum content decreased to 0.21 ppm in the presence of 300 ppm calcium, 0.41 ppm in the presence of 20 ppm magnesium, and 0.07 ppm in the presence of both alkaline earths. Moreover, the presence of calcium and magnesium reduced the solubility of the resulting precipitate in acidic brines. Dynamic light scattering and photometric methods confirmed the precipitation and aggregation processes. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis of the precipitates further confirmed the phenomenon of co-precipitation, identifying the products as special Al–Ca and Al–Mg compounds. Zeta potential measurements showed that the charge of the microphases in the dense electrolyte solutions was almost completely shielded. The polyacrylamide flocculant even at a concentration of 0.1 ppm significantly accelerated the removal process. The aluminum content of the supernatant was reduced to 0.3 ppm in 10 min with 2 ppm flocculant, whereas 30 min were required in the absence of the flocculant.

Graphical abstract
Epidemiology of cancer in older adults: a systematic review of age-related differences in solid malignancies treatment
Authors: Bastiaannet Esther , Pilleron Sophie
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review

We examined the latest epidemiological research on age-related differences in cancer treatment and selected outcomes, among patients with cancer aged 60 and above in comparison to younger patients.

Recent findings

Colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancers were studied most often. Most studies were conducted in Europe or the United States of America (USA) within single centers. For unselected patients, older patients receive less treatment, and their survival, regardless of the metric used (cancer-specific survival or overall survival), was poorer than that of middle-aged patients. Age-related differences in treatment and outcomes were more pronounced in patients aged over 80 years. However, among patients selected for treatment, complications, adverse events rates and survival probabilities were comparable between older and younger patients. Treatment differences, especially the omission of therapy, were often smaller for good prognosis cancer types.

The likelihood of receiving treatment decreased as age increases, regardless of the cancer types, treatment, countries and setting. More research on treatment in older patients with cancer, especially the frailest and the oldest, is urgently needed as there is still a lack of data to tailor treatment.
The Impact of Radiation Proctopathy on Secondary-Primary Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ahmad Akram I. , Ansari Zaid , Jamal Al-Din Tasneem , Channagiri Ritu , Khan Osama Sherjeel , Castro Fernando J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

We designed this study to evaluate the relationship between radiation proctopathy (RP) and the risk of colon and rectal cancer in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating patients with prostate cancer who received pelvic radiation therapy between January 2004 and January 2024. The study aims to compare the incidence of post-radiation rectal and colon cancer between patients who developed RP and patients who did not. We excluded patients with a previous history of colon cancer, colectomy, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Results

In total, 12,629 met the inclusion criteria, 533 patients were diagnosed with RP, and 12,096 were without. We observed a higher incidence of colorectal cancer (3.75% vs. 0.63%), colon cancer (2.06% vs 0.40%), and rectal cancer (1.69% vs 0.23%) in patients with RP compared to those without PR (p < 0.001) during the follow-up period of 81 months for the RP group and 68 months for the non-RP group. PR was associated with colon and rectal cancer with an HR of 4.43 (95% CI, 2.29–8.57; p < 0.0001) and 7.27 (95% CI, 3.43–15.43; p < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

RP is an independent risk factor for developing rectal and colon cancer after pelvic radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer.
Hybrid emotional neural networks and novel multi-model stacking algorithms for multi-lake water level fluctuation modeling
Authors: Gelete Gebre , Gichamo Tagesse , Abraham Tesfalem , Gokcekus Huseyin
Published: February 2025

Lakes play a crucial role in the water cycle, and accurately modeling their water level fluctuation is vital for managing water resources, ecosystems, and flood control. The current study aims to develop a novel emotional artificial neural network optimized by genetic algorithm (GA-EANN), weighted average model stacking (WAE) and neural network-based stacking (NNE) that combines the outputs of emotional artificial neural network (EANN) and artificial neural network (ANN) for modeling the water level of four lakes of Rift Valley Lakes Basin (RVLB) in Ethiopia. Ten years of daily hydrological and weather data were used for model training and testing. The efficiencies of the employed algorithms were compared using graphical and statistical metrics such as root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The modeling result demonstrated that the NNE method provided the best prediction accuracy at Hawassa Lake (RMSE = 0.056 m, NSE = 0.972 and R2 = 0.972), Langano Lake (RMSE = 0.059 m, NSE = 0.978 and R2 = 0.978) and Abiyata lake (RMSE = 0.052 m, NSE = 0.987and R2 = 0.987) in the testing set. At Ziway Lake, the hybrid GA-EANN model surpassed other models with R2 value of 0.976 in testing set. Generally, the NNE and optimized hybrid modeling (GA-EANN) significantly improved the performance of water level prediction.
The Role of Personality and Late-Life Categorical Spending Regret
Authors: Pearson Blain , Korankye Thomas , Asebedo Sarah
Published: February 2025

This study examines the association between the big five “OCEAN” personality traits and late-life categorical spending regret. The categorical spending regrets examined are housing, food, clothing, appliances/furnishings, cars, leisure, child-related expenses, and providing financial help. Openness was associated negatively with spending regret on food. Conscientiousness was associated positively with spending regret on appliances/furnishings and cars. Extraversion was associated negatively with spending regret on food, cars, and providing financial help. Agreeableness was associated positively with spending regret on food, clothing, leisure, and providing financial help. The results for Neuroticism indicated no statistically significant association between the OCEAN personality traits and the categorical spending regrets tested. The findings provide insight into the psychological mechanisms underlying consumer spending regret and offer additional support for research on the psychological benefits of personality-matched spending.
The credibility transformer
Authors: Richman Ronald , Scognamiglio Salvatore , Wüthrich Mario V.
Published: February 2025

Inspired by the large success of Transformers in Large Language Models, these architectures are increasingly applied to tabular data. This is achieved by embedding tabular data into low-dimensional Euclidean spaces resulting in similar structures as time-series data. We introduce a novel credibility mechanism to this Transformer architecture. This credibility mechanism is based on a special token that should be seen as an encoder that consists of a credibility weighted average of prior information and observation based information. We demonstrate that this novel credibility mechanism is very beneficial to stabilize training, and our Credibility Transformer leads to predictive models that are superior to state-of-the-art deep learning models.
A pilot evaluation of the efficacy and acceptability of a novel imaginal exposure prevention (I-ERP) group programme to treat core weight, shape and social fears or phobias in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in an inpatient setting
Authors: Smith Kelsie , Grant Jessica , Lacey J. Hubert
Published: February 2025

Background

Anxiety due to a phobia of normal body weight is a core feature and maintenance factor of anorexia nervosa (AN). This is the first study to explore the efficacy and acceptability of using a novel imaginal exposure response prevention group to target fears associated with being a normal body weight to reduce anxiety in adolescents with AN.

Methods

The lead author adapted an I-ERP manual used to treat AN in adults in 1–1 therapy. Content was adapted for an adolescent population, sessions reduced from 10 to 4 and was delivered in a group format with audio recordings to be more accessible for patients. Nineteen patients with AN completed the group and the group therapist collected outcome measures before and after the intervention. A paired samples t-test was used to assess change in eating disorder psychopathology (EDEQ), anxiety and depression (RCAD) and fear of food (FOFM). Qualitative feedback to assess acceptability was also gathered.

Results

Statistically significant reduction in anxiety in a variety of situations pertaining to weight and shape was found after completion of the group. There were no significant changes shown in eating disorder psychopathology. Adolescents provided qualitative feedback which suggested the intervention was acceptable for users.

Conclusions

I-ERP which has been adapted for adolescents with AN in a group format seems to improve eating disorder psychopathology and reduce weight, shape, social and separation anxiety and phobias when used as an adjuvant to inpatient treatment. Further controlled research is advised.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Synthesis and biological activity, photophysical, photochemical properties of tetra substituted magnesium phthalocyanine
Authors: Özdemir Sadin , Güngördü Solğun Derya , Giray Gülay , Ağırtaş Mehmet Salih
Published: February 2025

The compound 4-(2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) thio) phenoxy) phthalonitrile was obtained from the reaction of 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophthalonitrile and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole. This compound was reacted with magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) to yield tetrakis-[(2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) thio) phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] magnesium II. New compounds were characterized by UV–vis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR and Mass spectra. Electronic spectra aggregation study of magnesium phthalocyanine compound in various concentrations and diverse solvents was performed. Photoluminescence spectra of magnesium phthalocyanine in different solvents were investigated. The biological activities of 3 and 4 compounds were investigated. The results showed that 4 had excellent antioxidant and antidiabetic activities as 75.71% and 81.83%, respectively. 3 and 4 had deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cleavage ability and 4 caused a double-strand fracture in plasmid DNA at 100 and 200 mg/L. Both compounds showed antimicrobial activity and also 4 was more effective against pathogenic microorganisms than 3. Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy of test compound was also more effective than without irradiation. The highest biofilm inhibition of 3 and 4 was 78.28% and 98.49% for S. aureus and also 73.95% and 91.13% for P. aeruginosa, respectively. Finally, both compounds demonstrated %100 microbial cell viability inhibition at 100 mg/L. Overall, the study suggests that both 3 and 4 have potential for further development as therapeutic agents.

Graphical Abstract
Isaac Newton lived here: sites of memory and scientific heritage
Authors: FARA PATRICIA
Published: July 2002

Places and anniversaries can function as ‘sites of memory’, but three major Newtonian
locations – Cambridge, Grantham and London – were also sites of conflict that resonated with
wider debates about the nature of genius and the conduct of science. Ritualized celebrations at
appropriate times and places helped not only to establish Newton's status as a local hero, national
exemplar and scientific genius, but also to promote various versions of national and scientific
heritage. By examining changes in how Newton has been commemorated, this paper explores
ways in which different protagonists have contributed to and benefited from legendary visions of
Newton.
THE LEGAL STATUS OF CENTRAL BANK INVESTMENTS UNDER ENGLISH LAW
Authors: BLAIR WILLIAM
Published: July 2002

Central banks have enormous sums of money in various forms of investments. When claims are made either against the banks themselves, or against other governmental bodies, issues arise as to whether these assets can be attached, and made available to satisfy judgments. The article explains how central banks are treated in English law. It explains the special provision made in respect of their assets under the State Immunity Act 1978. There is wide immunity from attachment, though questions can arise as to the ownership of such assets. The UK legislation is, in some respects, wider than its counterpart, the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act 1976. Recent case law is described in which the English courts have recognised that the public responsibilities of central banks have to be taken account of when determining the extent of their liability to attachment.
WOMEN AND THE EVERYDAY IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE
Authors: CAPP BERNARD
Published: July 2002

Singlewomen in the European past, 1250–1800. Edited by Judith M. Bennett and Amy M. Froide. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania University Press, 1999. Pp. vi+352. ISBN 0-8122-1668-7.

Renaissance culture and the everyday. Edited by Patricia Fumerton and Simon Hunt. Philadelphia: Penn State Press, 1999. Pp. vi+366. ISBN 0-8122-1663-6.

The crimes of women in early modern Germany. By Ulinka Rublack. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1999. Pp. ix+292. ISBN 0-19-820637-2.
INTERSECTING MEMORIES: WAR AND REMEMBRANCE IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY EUROPE
Authors: GOEBEL STEFAN
Published: July 2002

The construction of memory in interwar France. By Daniel J. Sherman. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1999. Pp. 448. ISBN 0-226-75285-2. £31.50.

Realms of memory: the construction of the French past, vol. II: Traditions. Under the direction of Pierre Nora, English-language edn ed. by Lawrence D. Kritzman, trans. by Arthur Goldhammer. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997. Pp. xii+591. ISBN 0-231-10634-3. £29.95.

Vectors of memory: legacies of trauma in postwar Europe. By Nancy Wood. Oxford and New York: Berg, 1999. Pp. 204. ISBN 1-85973-294-1. £14.99.
GEORGES CLEMENCEAU AND THE ENGLISH
Authors: HANKS ROBERT K.
Published: July 2002

Georges Clemenceau has traditionally been portrayed as a narrow-minded French nationalist. In spite of this reputation, he had many personal friends in England and was widely considered during his lifetime to be France's most eminent anglophile. Although his biographers briefly mention these ties, no one has systematically explored their political and diplomatic implications. Making use of new archival and journalistic evidence, this article will examine Clemenceau's relationships with several English upper-class mavericks: the positivist Frederic Harrison, the head-strong and opinionated Maxse family, and the idiosyncratic social democratic leader Henry M. Hyndman. Their influence encouraged in him an attitude toward England which blended sincere anglophilia with a deep-rooted distrust of its governing classes. Only by exploring this paradox can we understand the roots of Clemenceau's ultimate disillusionment with England.
‘A CLASHING OF JURISDICTIONS’: COMMISSIONS OF ASSOCIATION
IN
RESTORATION CORPORATIONS
Authors: HALLIDAY PAUL D.
Published: July 2002

According to their charters, borough magistrates were to be independent
of county
justices of the peace. But between 1664 and 1688, the crown granted commissions
of association
appointing county justices to act in twenty-one towns. Though
such commissions effectively annulled
provisions in corporate charters, their use was entirely within the
law of franchises by which such
charters were granted. Three phases mark the life of these commissions:
the mid-1660s, when the
gentry – not the crown – prompted their use for their own purposes;
the late 1660s
to 1670s, when the
crown used them to strengthen excise collection; and the 1680s, when
they were used to support a more
ambitious policy of imposing new charters on the corporations.
Their use thus reveals when, how, and
why the relationship between royal and local authorities changed,
demonstrating the crown's essentially
benign posture toward the provinces in the 1660s and 70s, thereby providing
a vivid contrast to
developments in the 1680s.
KHALIDA MESSAOUDI AND ELISABETH SCHEMLA, Unbowed: An Algerian Woman Confronts Islamic Fundamentalism, trans. Anne C. Vila (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1998). $14.95 paper, $35 cloth.
Authors: Foster Angel M.
Published: July 2002

On 12 June 1993, the Algerian feminist, educator, and political activist Khalida Messaoudi received a communique from the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) condemning her to death. Unbowed: An Algerian Woman Confronts Islamic Fundamentalism chronicles the life and experiences of this extraordinary woman. Through a series of interviews with the journalist Elisabeth Schemla, Messaoudi eloquently reflects on her childhood, education, and activism while simultaneously relating a rich perspective on Algeria's post-colonial history and contemporary politics.
The efficiency of a breeding programme with progressively advanced targets applied in an elite cultivar of snap bean
Authors: TRAKA-MAVRONA E. , GEORGAKIS D. , KOUTSIKA-SOTIRIOU M. , PRITSA Th.
Published: July 2002

The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of a pedigree intra-cultivar selection, based on widely spaced individual plant performance, in a traditional snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar, aiming to restore or even improve the cultivar. The programme started with the target of earliness and yield stability, and was progressively advanced with the target of seed shape uniformity. Two parallel pathways were followed: under greenhouse conditions (four generations of selection) and under field conditions (two generations of selection). The average response to selection was 2·43–3·15 and 0·13–0·42 pods/plant per generation for earliness and yield, respectively. The coefficient of variability (CV) of earliness decreased from 81·33 to 39·43 % and from 61·31 to 42·51 % for greenhouse and field grown progenies, respectively. For yield, the CV showed a low decreasing rate, and was stabilized at the end-value of almost 28 %. The results were confirmed during two direct evaluation tests. Firstly, the evaluation of 21 families, as individual spaced plants, showed mean values for earliness of 18·99–22·94 pods/plant and for yield of 32·89–33·09 pods/plant. Secondly, the evaluation of improved selections from the greenhouse and the field and of the source cultivar, in a dense stand, showed that all the selections produced high and stable early fresh pod harvest even 53 days after planting, while the control was still at the vegetative phase. The yield of selected progenies was 219–242 % superior compared with source material. Also, seed stocks of all selections were of the normal long shape. Short-seed progenies were excluded from the breeding programme, since they lacked earliness and stability of performance. The results demonstrate conclusively that it is possible to simultaneously improve earliness and pod yield through diminishing plant-to-plant variability.
Rumen digestion and rumen outflow rate in deer fed fresh chicory

(Cichorium intybus) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium

perenne)
Authors: KUSMARTONO  , SHIMADA A. , BARRY T. N.
Published: July 2002

Pure swards of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and

perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were grown at Palmerston

North, New Zealand. They were cut daily and fed hourly at 2·25

kg dry matter (DM)/day to eight hand-reared, rumen-fistulated

castrated red deer stags kept in metabolism crates during December

1994 and January 1995 (summer). Apparent digestibility, rumen

fractional disappearance rate (FDPR), rumen fractional degradation

rate (FDR), rumen fractional outflow rate (FOR) and mean retention

time (MRT) were measured. The ratio of readily fermentable

carbohydrate to structural carbohydrate was approximately three times

higher in chicory than in perennial ryegrass. Apparent digestibility

of DM was higher in deer fed chicory than in deer fed perennial

ryegrass (0·785 v. 0·727), whilst apparent

digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was lower in deer fed

chicory (0·679 v. 0·755), due to a reduced

hemicellulose digestibility (0·667 v. 0·783).

Relative to deer fed perennial ryegrass, those fed chicory had higher

rumen FDPR values for DM (14·5 v. 8·6%/h),

soluble carbohydrate (69·9 v. 54·7%/h),

cellulose (15·5 v. 9·8%/h) and lignin

(6·8 v. 3·8%/h). Rumen FDR in deer fed

chicory was higher than those fed perennial ryegrass for cellulose

(11·4 v. 7·0%/h) and lignin (2·7

v. 1·0%/h), but tended to be lower for

hemicellulose. Rumen FOR was higher and MRT was lower for both liquid

and particulate matter in deer fed chicory compared to deer fed

perennial ryegrass.

It is concluded that rumen FDPR and apparent digestibility were

much higher in deer fed chicory than in deer fed perennial ryegrass,

due to faster degradation rates of most constituents in the rumen and

faster outflow rates from the rumen. An exception was hemicellulose,

where reduced rumen degradation rates and shorter rumen particulate

MRT contributed to reduced apparent digestibility. Faster clearance

from the rumen, due to both faster degradation and outflow rates may

be used to explain the greater voluntary feed intake (VFI), as well

as faster growth rate in deer grazing chicory compared to those

grazing perennial ryegrass. Faster rates of lignin solubility in the

rumen probably contributed to the more rapid breakdown of chicory in

the rumen.
Stocking rate effects on sheep and forage productivity
under rubber in Malaysia
Authors: CHONG D. T. , TAJUDDIN I. , SAMAT Abd. M. S. , STÜR W. W. , SHELTON H. M.
Published: July 2002

The productivity of grazing sheep was assessed under 7-year-old rubber
at the Rubber Research
Institute of the Malaysia Experimental Station at Sungai Buloh near Kuala
Lumpur between October
1988 and May 1990. The sheep were Dorset × Marlin crossbred lambs and they
grazed planted
leguminous cover crops and naturally occurring species at a range of
stocking rates.

In the immature rubber trial, presentation yields of forage declined
with time regardless of stocking
rate. In the mature rubber trial, presentation yields of forage were low
(<1000 kg/ha) due to low
light transmission. High stocking rates (>6 sheep/ha) resulted in a
decrease in the proportion of
palatable species, namely Pueraria phaseoloides, Paspalum
conjugatum, Asystasia gangetica and
Mikania micrantha and an increase in the proportion of the less
palatable species such as
Calopogonium caeruleum and Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum.

Daily liveweight gains ranged from 100 g/lamb per day at 4 sheep/ha to
70 g/lamb per day at
14 sheep/ha in the immature rubber trial. Only the lowest stocking rate of
2 sheep/ha was
continuously sustainable in the mature rubber trial. The estimated maximum
liveweight gain that
could be achieved under immature rubber was 266 kg/ha per year at a
stocking rate of 13·2 sheep/ha.
Effects of feeding varying amounts of a grain/forage
diet during late gestation and lactation on the
performance of Matebele goats
Authors: SIBANDA L. M. , NDLOVU L. R. , BRYANT M. J.
Published: July 2002

Individually-penned Matebele does were randomly allocated to three
dietary treatments during
gestation (0·66, 0·50 and 0·33 MJ ME/kg metabolic
weight) and subsequently offered either 0·95 or
0·6 MJ ME/kg metabolic weight during lactation in Gwanda, south
west of Zimbabwe, in 1990. The
diets offered consisted of veld and lucerne hay and maize grain in proportions
of 0·56, 0·24 and 0·2, respectively.

Reducing the amount of energy consumed from 0·58 to 0·26 MJ
ME/kg metabolic weight in the
last 7 weeks of gestation resulted in does suffering a net loss in body weight
(−2 kg) and body
condition score, although it had no significant effect on the birth weight
of single kids.

Reducing feeding in the first 15 weeks of lactation from 0·95 to
0·59 MJ ME/kg metabolic body
weight only had minor effects upon liveweight and body condition score change
of the does and had
no effect on the growth of kids. Amount of feed offered in lactation had a
positive effect upon milk
yield and there was a trend for yields to increase proportionally to
pre-partum dietary intake. Diet
had no effect upon milk composition. It was concluded that the benefits of
supplementary feeding are
small and may not justify the extra costs entailed in smallholder systems.
Inoculation with adapted microbes versus addition of
polyethylene glycol as methods to alleviate toxicity of
Acacia angustissima leaves in sheep
Authors: SAARISALO E. M. , ODENYO A. A. , OSUJI P. O.
Published: July 2002

Methods to alleviate the toxicity of Acacia angustissima (acc. no 15132) were evaluated in vitro and
in vivo at ILRI Debre Zeit Research station in Ethiopia in 1997–1998. In an in vitro evaluation, A.
angustissima leaves were incubated for 120 h with rumen fluid from Borana steers consuming native
hay and cotton seed cake or from free ranging goat and sheep. Addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG,
molecular weight (MW) 4000) increased gas production (4·9 v. 13·9 ml/100 mg dry matter (DM)),
ammonia concentration (5·2 v. 9·7 mmol/l) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (380 v.
540 g/kg DM). In an in vivo experiment, Ethiopian highland sheep fed native hay and A. angustissima
as a supplement (200 g/d) were inoculated with mixed rumen content from sheep gradually adapted
on A. angustissima or were given PEG (MW 4000, 100 g/kg supplement) as methods to alleviate
toxicity induced by A. angustissima. Sesbania sesban (acc. no 10865) with and without PEG were fed
as a control. Effects on intake, apparent digestibility and nitrogen balance were studied in a 5×5
Latin square experiment. DM intake was increased by all the supplements (P<0·001) even though
hay intake was slightly reduced compared to hay only (P<0·05). PEG increased intake of A.
angustissima compared to inoculation. There were no significant differences in apparent DM or OM
digestibility. Apparent nitrogen digestibility tended to be higher with S. sesban than with A.
angustissima (P<0·10) and addition of PEG increased it with A. angustissima (P<0·05).
Supplements increased ammonia and VFA concentrations and molar proportion of propionate
(P<0·05). Supplements tended to increase microbial nitrogen supply (P<0·10) but there were no
significant differences in efficiency of microbial synthesis. Supplements increased nitrogen retention
(P<0·01) but due to short periods there were no significant differences in the live weights of sheep.
All the animals remained healthy during the experiment suggesting that both methods used alleviated
the toxicity of A. angustissima. Addition of PEG was more effective than inoculation in increasing
intake and nutritive value of A. angustissima.
An evaluation of uptake and developmental impact in
the semi-arid tropics of four crop production models
Authors: KEBREAB E. , FRANCE J. , ELLIS R. H. , GARFORTH C.
Published: July 2002

In the last two decades, crop production models have been developed or modified for use in the semi-arid tropics. Although potential uses of crop models have been discussed in detail in the literature,
examples of successful uptake and impact of those models is lacking. Four models developed
specifically for the semi-arid tropics were used as a basis for evaluating uptake and impact of models
in the semi-arid tropics. PARCH accounts for differences in water availability when predicting yield.
PARCHED-THIRST covers water-harvesting, run-off and run-on. EMERGE identifies opportunities
for successful crop establishment, and SWEAT calculates evapo-transpiration and estimates
temperature and moisture throughout the soil profile. The models are dynamic, deterministic and
mechanistic in nature. The equations and notations comprising them are generally well structured,
meaningful and concise. The uptake and impact of these models on crop production in the semi-arid
tropics was assessed using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with the model developers.
There was limited uptake. Low uptake resulted from lack of efficient dissemination and discontinuity
in information transfer: from model developers to scientists in the national research institutions; and
thereon to extension agents and so to farmers. Although this paper is based on a study of only four
models, there are important lessons to be drawn in order to avoid similar mistakes being repeated.
Guidelines for improving impact for future crop production modelling projects are proposed.
Factors affecting the yield of winter cereals in
crop margins
Authors: WILCOX A. , PERRY N. H. , BOATMAN N. D. , CHANEY K.
Published: July 2002

Yields of arable crops are commonly lower on the crop margins or headlands, but the nature of the
relationship between yield and distance from the crop edge has not been clearly defined, nor have the
reasons for lower marginal yields. Surveys of 40 winter wheat headlands were carried out in 2 years
to determine how yield changed with distance, and what factors might influence this relationship.
Two field experiments were also conducted over 3 years in winter cereal headlands, in which the effect
of distance was measured under conservation headland and conventional (fully sprayed) management.

Yields in the headland surveys varied from 0·8 to 10·2 t/ha. An inverse polynomial regression
model was fitted to yield and weed data. Best fits were obtained by using separate parameters for each
site. Adjusting yields to take account of weed dry matter improved the non-linear fit between yield
and distance from crop edge. Field experiments provided similar results but the non-linear
relationship was not as apparent.

There was a negative relationship between soil compaction, as measured by a cone penetrometer,
and yield in one field experiment, where soil density values were relatively constant. No relationship
was found between pattern of nitrogen fertilizer application and yield. Conservation headland
management resulted in lower yield at one experimental site, especially in the third year, but not at
the other site. Where yields were affected, weed dry matter was higher in conservation headland plots
than in fully sprayed plots.

Although greater weed competition appears to account for at least part of the observed yield
reductions on headlands, the role of other factors, particularly soil compaction, needs further study.
Increased weed infestation may be an indirect result of reduced crop competition caused by other
adverse conditions.
X-LINKAGE, LYONIZATION AND A FEMALE PREMIUM IN THE VERBAL IQ RESULTS OF ORKNEY
SCHOOLCHILDREN, 1947–75
Authors: GOODMAN JOAN D. T. , ANDERTON R. B.
Published: July 2002

This paper reports the preliminary findings of an analysis of the
Moray House (verbal IQ) results of a base sample of 4383 Orkney children due
to be tested in the schools at age 11±1½ years in 1947–75. Girls enjoy

a 3·63%
premium relative to phenotypically equivalent boys at test age. Relationships
within the sample, which includes some members of the parental generation, are
known. The trait is found to be X-linked, with nine phenotypes in

the boys,
and lyonization is involved.