bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning of the promoter of rice brown planthopper feeding‐inducible gene OsTPS31 and identification of related cis‐regulatory elements
Authors: Chang Xinlei , Yang Mei , Li Hanpeng , Wu Jiemin , Zhang Jianguo , Yin Changxi , Ma Weihua , Chen Hao , Zhou Fei , Lin Yongjun
Published: January 2023

Background

Brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens) is one of the most serious pests of rice in the world. Insect‐resistant genetic engineering is a very effective technology to control BPH. The promoters and cis‐regulatory elements inducible by plant‐feeding insects are critical for genetic engineering of insect‐resistant crops.

Results

In this study, we cloned a promoter Ptps31 and a 7 bp cis–regulatory sequence that up‐regulated downstream genes induced by BPH feeding. The promoter of OsTPS31 (Ptps31) unresponsive to physical damage but responsive to BPH feeding was cloned and functionally verified. The results showed that expression of the OsBPH14 gene driven by the promoter region from −510 to −246 bp in rice could significantly improve the resistance to BPH. The promoter region from −376 to −370 bp (TAGTGTC) was identified as a cis‐regulatory sequence related to BPH feeding induction of downstream gene expression.

Conclusion

The findings provide a new promoter and a new cis‐regulatory sequence tool for the research on and application of rice BPH resistance genes, as well as a new perspective for functional analysis of the OsTPS31 gene. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A New Kind of Biomedical Ti–Mn–Nb Alloy
Authors: Zhang H. , Wang C. P. , Pyczak F. , Ebel T. , Liu X. J.
Published: January 2023

Titanium and its alloys are widely used as implant biomaterials due to their well mechanical properties and biological compatibilities. Nb and Mn are well‐known alloying elements with biological potential. Herein, the Ti–Mn–Nb phase equilibria at 900 °C (Ti‐rich region) is determined and published. According to the β single‐phase field in this phase diagram (at 900 °C), Ti–xMn–yNb (x = 4, 10, 16; y = 2, 8, 14, at%) alloys are selected and fabricated which are suited for solution heat treatment. The Ti–Mn–Nb alloys are investigated by optical microscopy (OM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical testing. A unique diffraction pattern (interpreted as occurrence of a transition phase) is observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in Ti–10Mn–2Nb. In the in vitro evaluation, the human osteoblasts (MG63) adhere well and proliferate on the surface of Ti–xMn–yNb (x = 4, 10; y = 2, 8, 14, at%). According to cell culture experiments, the alloys are nontoxic to human osteosarcoma cells in comparison with pure titanium. Based on a performed screening study, different titanium alloys Ti–4Mn–yNb (y = 2, 8, 14) appear as the biomaterial with the highest potential around 700 MPa ultimate tensile strength and 9–10% elongation.
Ultrathin Broadband Dual‐Ring Metamaterial Absorber Based on Chip Resistance
Authors: Weng Chaoze , Yang Xianzhao , Li Xiangcheng
Published: January 2023

Herein, an ideal metamaterial absorber with broadband, ultrathin, and wide incidence angle is proposed. The absorption unit of the proposed metamaterial absorber consists of two double rings. And, eight chip resistors are loaded between them to increase the absorption bandwidth. It is showed in the simulation results that the structure absorbs more than 90% in the range of 8.6–17.4 GHz at vertical incidence. The total thickness of the absorber is 2.4 mm (0.069 λL), where λL is the lowest‐absorption frequency, smaller than the absorber structure of the same type of bandwidth. To understand the broadband absorption performance of this absorber, the effects of design parameters such as substrate thickness and resistive resistance are investigated. In addition, herein, to investigate the absorption mechanism of this absorber, the normalized impedance, electric field distribution, and surface current density are demonstrated. Finally, the absorber is fabricated and measured at vertical incidence, and the experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation results.
Controllable Spin‐Split Phantom Scars in Quantum Dots
Authors: Berger Michael , Berakdar Jamal
Published: January 2023

Quantum states of systems with an underlying classical chaotic dynamics can be “scarred,” meaning that the associated probability density is localized around the short, unstable periodic orbits. Here, it is shown that, via tunneling, the scarred state can be imaged to a region that does not support scarring. This “phantom scar” is also present in the spin channel and has marked influence on the spin‐dependent system dynamics, as illustrated by explicit calculations for the fidelity and correlation functions. Numerical simulations and analysis are performed for the spin‐dependent electron dynamics in semiconductor‐based double quantum dots, including disorder, Rashba‐type spin‐orbital coupling, exchange fields, and external magnetic fields. The results elucidate the unique feature of scarring as a coherent phenomenon spanning the whole system and affecting its localization properties in a narrow spectral window.
See the Unseen: Red‐Emissive Carbon Dots for Visualizing the Nucleolar Structures in Two Model Animals and In Vivo Drug Toxicity
Authors: Xu Ke‐Fei , Jia Hao‐Ran , Wang Zihao , Feng Hui‐Heng , Li Ling‐Yi , Zhang Rufeng , Durrani Samran , Lin Fengming , Wu Fu‐Gen
Published: January 2023

Nucleolus, which participates in many crucial cellular activities, is an ideal target for evaluating the state of a cell or an organism. Here, bright red‐emissive carbon dots (termed CPCDs) with excitation‐independent/polarity‐dependent fluorescence emission are synthesized by a one‐step hydrothermal reaction between congo red and p‐phenylenediamine. The CPCDs can achieve wash‐free, real‐time, long‐term, and high‐quality nucleolus imaging in live cells, as well as in vivo imaging of two common model animals—zebrafish and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Strikingly, CPCDs realize the nucleolus imaging of organs/flowing blood cells in zebrafish at a cellular level for the first time, and the superb nucleolus imaging of C. elegans suggests that the germ cells in the spermatheca probably have no intact nuclei. These previously unachieved imaging results of the cells/tissues/organs may guide the zebrafish‐related studies and benefit the research of C. elegans development. More importantly, a novel strategy based on CPCDs for in vivo toxicity evaluation of materials/drugs (e.g., Ag+), which can visualize the otherwise unseen injuries in zebrafish, is developed. In conclusion, the CPCDs represent a robust tool for visualizing the structures and dynamic behaviors of live zebrafish and C. elegans, and may find important applications in cell biology and toxicology.
A Facile Method to Coat Nanoparticles with Lipid Bilayer Membrane: Hybrid Silica Nanoparticles Disguised as Biomembrane Vesicles by Particle Penetration of Concentrated Lipid Layers
Authors: Mizuta Ryosuke , Inoue Fumihito , Sasaki Yoshihiro , Sawada Shin‐ichi , Akiyoshi Kazunari
Published: January 2023

Natural membrane vesicles, including extracellular vesicles and enveloped viruses, participate in various events in vivo. To study and manipulate these events, biomembrane‐coated nanoparticles inspired by natural membrane vesicles are developed. Herein, an efficient method is presented to prepare organic–inorganic hybrid materials in high yields that can accommodate various lipid compositions and particle sizes. To demonstrate this method, silica nanoparticles are passed through concentrated lipid layers prepared using density gradient centrifugation, followed by purification, to obtain lipid membrane‐coated nanoparticles. Various lipids, including neutral, anionic, and cationic lipids, are used to prepare concentrated lipid layers. Single‐particle analysis by imaging flow cytometry determines that silica nanoparticles are uniformly coated with a single lipid bilayer. Moreover, cellular uptake of silica nanoparticles is enhanced when covered with a lipid membrane containing cationic lipids. Finally, cell‐free protein expression is applied to embed a membrane protein, namely the Spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, into the coating of the nanoparticles, with the correct orientation. Therefore, this method can be used to develop organic–inorganic hybrid nanomaterials with an inorganic core and a virus‐like coating, serving as carriers for targeted delivery of cargos such as proteins, DNA, and drugs.
Low‐Energy Photons Dual Harvest for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: Bimodal Surface Plasma Resonance Related Synergism of Upconversion and Pyroelectricity
Authors: Fang Jiaojiao , Wei Huimin , Chen Yukai , Dai Baoying , Ni Yaru , Kou Jiahui , Lu Chunhua , Xu Zhongzi
Published: January 2023

Utilization of low‐energy photons for efficient photocatalysis remains a challenging pursuit. Herein, a strategy is reported to boost the photocatalytic performance, by promoting low‐energy photons dual harvest through bimodal surface plasmon resonance (SPR)‐enhanced synergistically upconversion and pyroelectricity. It is achieved by introducing triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) materials and plasmonic material (Au nanorods, AuNRs) into composite fibers composed of pyroelectric substrate (poly(vinylidene fluoride)) and photocatalyst Cd0.5Zn0.5S. Interestingly, the dual combination of TTA‐UC and AuNRs SPR in the presence of polyvinylidene fluoride substrate with pyroelectric property promotes the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance by 2.88 folds with the highest average apparent quantum yield of 7.0% under the low‐energy light (λ > 475 nm), which far outweighs the role of separate application of TTA‐UC (34%) and AuNRs SPR (76%). The presence of pyroelectricity plays an important role in the built‐in electric field as well as the accordingly photogenerated carrier behavior in the composite photocatalytic materials, and the pyroelectricity can be affected by AuNRs with different morphologies, which is proved by the Kelvin probe force microscopy and photocurrent data. This work provides a new avenue for fully utilizing low‐energy photons in the solar spectrum for improving photocatalytic performance.
Hydrogen‐Based Direct Reduction of Iron Oxides Pellets Modeling
Authors: Cavaliere Pasquale , Perrone Angelo , Marsano Debora , Primavera Vito
Published: January 2023

The present study deals with the analyses of the direct reduction kinetics during the hydrogen reduction of industrial iron oxide pellets. Various types of pellets with different percentage of total iron content and metal oxides are examined. They are reduced at different temperatures and pressure (700–1100 °C and 1–6 bar) in hydrogen atmosphere. The reduction behavior is described in terms of time to reduction, rate of reduction, and kinetics constant. All the obtained results are analyzed through the employment of a commercial multiobjective optimization tool to precisely define the weight that each single parameter has on the reduction behavior. It is shown that from the point of view of the processing conditions, temperature is the main factor influencing the time to total reduction. From the point of view of the pellets properties, it is mainly influenced by the total iron percentage and then by porosity and basicity index. Also, the kinetics behavior is largely influenced by the reduction temperature even if it is mainly governed by the porosity and pores size from the point of view of the reduced pellets. The reduction rate is also mainly influenced by temperature and then by iron percentage, gas pressure, basicity index, and porosity.
Genome‐wide association analysis of spike and kernel traits in the U.S. hard winter wheat
Authors: Halder Jyotirmoy , Gill Harsimardeep S. , Zhang Jinfeng , Altameemi Rami , Olson Eric , Turnipseed Brent , Sehgal Sunish K.
Published: January 2023

A better understanding of the genetic control of spike and kernel traits that have higher heritability can help in the development of high‐yielding wheat varieties. Here, we identified the marker‐trait associations (MTAs) for various spike‐ and kernel‐related traits in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). An association mapping panel comprising 297 hard winter wheat accessions from the U.S. Great Plains was evaluated for eight spike‐ and kernel‐related traits in three different environments. A GWAS using 15,590 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified a total of 53 MTAs for seven spike‐ and kernel‐related traits, where the highest number of MTAs were identified for spike length (16) followed by the number of spikelets per spike (15) and spikelet density (11). Out of 53 MTAs, 14 were considered to represent stable quantitative trait loci (QTL) as they were identified in multiple environments. Five multi‐trait MTAs were identified for various traits including the number of spikelets per spike (NSPS), spikelet density (SD), kernel width (KW), and kernel area (KA) that could facilitate the pyramiding of yield‐contributing traits. Further, a significant additive effect of accumulated favorable alleles on the phenotype of four spike‐related traits suggested that breeding lines and cultivars with a higher number of favorable alleles could be a valuable resource for breeders to improve yield‐related traits. This study improves the understanding of the genetic basis of yield‐related traits in hard winter wheat and provides reliable molecular markers that will facilitate marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in wheat breeding programs.
Analysis of the quality of industrialized coffee powder using the techniques of computed microtomography and x‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Machado Alessandra S. , de Sá Silva Aline S. , de Araújo Olga Maria Oliveira , Santos Ramon S. , Leitão Roberta G. , dos Anjos Marcelino J. , de Oliveira Davi F. , Lopes Ricardo T.
Published: January 2023

The culture of coffee is very important in Brazilian scenery. Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer, responsible for 30% of the planet's production, and it is among the 15 largest coffee consuming nations. More and more, consumers look for better quality of coffee, and the presence of determinate composts would prejudice the health of the consumers. Therefore, this study suggests a method to identify and quantify commercially roasted ground coffee impurities/contaminants using computed microtomography (micro‐CT) and x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. A set of different commercially roasted ground coffees were investigated. The micro‐CT results showed that most of the coffee powder samples analyzed showed some contaminant, and in a specific brand, the amount of contaminants was higher than 9%. The 3D data provided information about the size and shape of these contaminants. The XRF results showed the macro elements P, S, Cl, K, and Ca and the micro elements Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr. The elemental concentrations are in agreement with the values reported in the literature, except for the same specific brand, where the values found were much higher. The combined data of both techniques showed that the amount of impurities/contaminants in the ground coffee results in an increase of the macro and micro nutrients and also modifies the flavor and fragrance of the product, leading to an overall poor quality of the final beverage.
The Many Faces of Social Connectedness and Their Impact on Well-being
Authors: Hoffman Adar , Mehrpour Anahita , Staerklé Christian
Published: January 2023

Different theoretical frameworks have been developed to account for the impact of social connectedness on individual outcomes such as vulnerability and subjective well-being, in particular approaches based on social identity theory, on social networks, and on social capital. We review research that describes how such social connectedness approaches rooted in psychological, social-psychological and sociological traditions demonstrate the link between social relations, vulnerability and well-being.

We summarize and compare key arguments of these approaches in terms of their views on the processes relating the collective-relational to the individual-psychological. Indeed, social connectedness is generally associated with positive individual outcomes (such as prevention of physical and mental health issues and improved subjective well-being).

Under some circumstances, however, these positive effects weaken or disappear. We therefore discuss boundary conditions of these processes, by looking at research explaining variation of the relation between connectedness and well-being as a function of social conditions (e.g., structural inequality, weak social relations, or negative social identities).

Last, we discuss specificities and commonalities between approaches, for example regarding bridging and bonding social capital, or intergroup and intragroup relations. We highlight the tensions between approaches and offer some guidelines regarding their most promising use as a function of one’s research goals.
Vulnerability around Health Issues: Trajectories, Experiences and Meanings
Authors: Burton-Jeangros Claudine , Fargnoli Vanessa
Published: January 2023

This chapter discusses how vulnerability takes on contrasting and ambivalent meanings when approached at different levels. More specifically, the chapter stresses that institutional approaches do not necessarily align with the perceptions and experiences of those who are defined as vulnerable. Over the last several decades, scientific knowledge, and technical and medical measures have supported the development of the prevention and management of vulnerability. However, despite social and public health interventions, vulnerability reduction remains unequal across social groups. Starting from this mismatch, this chapter focuses on how individuals in vulnerable circumstances develop their own strategies and meanings in a context of adversity, along but also against collective definitions of and responses to vulnerability. Based on research conducted in LIVES on health trajectories, the first section of the chapter shows the importance of paying attention to various understandings of vulnerability while stressing their situated character. The second section illustrates the argument in greater depth by using elements from a qualitative study on the experience of HIV-infected women’s trajectories to highlight contradictions between their own understandings of vulnerability and its medical framing. In conclusion, the chapter stresses the importance to policy making of defining vulnerability based on people’ s needs and their own assessments.
Life Trajectories as Products and Determinants of Social Vulnerability
Authors: Gauthier Jacques-Antoine , Aeby Gaëlle
Published: January 2023

This chapter aims at uncovering the heuristic potential associated with analyzing family and occupational trajectories holistically for the study of social vulnerability. Empirically, sequence analysis shows that distinct and enduring structuring processes shape individual life courses. Long term historical processes contribute to standardize or to the contrary to diversify life trajectories. Institutional mechanisms based among others on gender differentiation lead to uneven participation in the labor market and in family life for women and men. The ways in which an individual trajectory unfolds in one social domain is influenced by the way it unfolds in another domain. Over their life course, individuals accumulate positive or negative life experiences closely linked to resources availability. For instance, the experience of parenthood can be simultaneously fulfilling and stressful; its actual impact on individuals depends on previous vulnerability as well as on active and dormant resources. Variations regarding cultural, socioeconomic or relational resources embedded in personal networks available to individuals are key indicators to explain the different patterns following which life trajectories are shaped over time and systemically associated with social vulnerability. This chapter shows that life trajectories have to be understood dynamically as being both a product and a determinant of social vulnerability.
Subjective Well-Being, Family Dynamics and Vulnerability
Authors: Le Goff Jean-Marie , Ryser Valérie-Anne , Bernardi Laura
Published: January 2023

There is a wealth of empirical studies linking the life events and transitions to variations in subjective wellbeing. These studies are often cross sectional or, when taking a dynamic approach, they address one life domain at the time. Within LIVES, the relationship between family transitions (like the transition to parenthood, couple separation, lone motherhood) and well-being has been investigated longitudinally and with attention to the spillovers between the family and other life domains. Several projects show the extent to which family events or phases affect individual subjective wellbeing in the short or long term and what are the interdependencies with employment and health trajectories. Results show also gender differences in the way different types of stressors act and are reacted to. For instance, men and women have different strategies and mobilize different resources and reserves drawing on various life domains (economic, social, cognitive) to deal with stressors related to critical events and transitions. In this chapter, we review and discuss the results of such projects (becoming a parent study, lone motherhood project, etc.) in the light of a multidimensional understanding of vulnerability processes across the life course.
Joint Longitudinal and Survival Models to Study Vulnerability Processes
Authors: Joly-Burra Emilie , Cekic Sezen , Ghisletta Paolo
Published: January 2023

In many life-course research fields (e.g., sociology, psychology, economy, medicine, epidemiology) data often include repeated assessments of a variable and a dichotomous indicator of an event of interest. Such data naturally lend themselves to answering questions concerning the associations between individual trajectories and the occurrence and timing of discrete events. For instance, is one’s trajectory of health satisfaction spanning over dozens of years related to the risk of dying at a given age? Mixed-effect and survival models are well established to separately study such variables: mixed-effect models can conveniently be applied to characterize one’s trajectory, whereas survival models are ideally suited to study the risk of an event occurring. Joint longitudinal and survival models conveniently allow studying the associations between statistical characteristics of individual-based trajectories and individual survival features. In this chapter we first describe aspects of both longitudinal and survival models, to then discuss how the two can jointly be estimated, and thereby conditioned on each other, in joint models. We illustrate joint models on data from the publicly available Swiss Household Panel.
How Personal Relationships Affect Employment Outcomes: On the Role of Social Networks and Family Obligations
Authors: Lalive Rafael , Oesch Daniel , Pellizzari Michele
Published: January 2023

This chapter shows that individuals’ trajectories in personal networks and the labour market are closely intertwined. A person’s network facilitates access to jobs in different ways. As people create relationships and accumulate social contacts, they obtain more information about job opportunities and embark on more rewarding careers. However, personal relationships may also hamper employment prospects. If employers expect that the obligations accruing from family-care reduce productivity, the consequence will be stunted careers and lower wages, notably for mothers. Yet the extent to which social relations help or hinder work trajectories varies across Europe and crucially depends on employment and family policies. Moreover, the spill-over effects between the two life domains travel both ways as employment outcomes also affect personal relationships. A prime example is how job loss affects the stability of partnerships. While recessions reduce the divorce rate at the aggregate level, the minority of individuals who lose their jobs are more likely to see their couples break up. Our chapter discusses the theory of spill-over effects between social relations and employment and reviews cutting-edge research in economics and sociology on the topic.
Synthesis: A Multidimensional Perspective on Vulnerability and the Life Course
Authors: Bernardi Laura , Bolano Danilo
Published: January 2023

This first section shows that the concept of the interdependency of life domains is of utmost importance. Typically, such interdependency is detected when decisions, events and transitions in one life domain influence those in another, producing spillover effects. Spillovers across life domains take the form of resources generated or drained by one life domain that facilitate or hinder actions and well-being in another life domain. In this synthesis, we discuss how positive and negative spillovers across life domains can lead to a better understanding of life course vulnerability. We also relate the spillovers across life domains of related individuals and the way in which spillovers are regulated by the structural embeddedness into specific contexts. We illustrate our purpose through examples taken from research carried out by LIVES research program. We conclude by arguing that life domains interdependencies call for life course policies that explicitly consider spillover effects. Current policies addressing a specific life domain at the time have often unintended consequences that shall not be neglected. For instance, policies increasing pension age, do not only shape the employment trajectories, but have also have consequences on time available for leisure and care as well as on opportunities to relocate after retirement.
Application of 89Zr-DFO*-immuno-PET to assess improved target engagement of a bispecific anti-amyloid-ß monoclonal antibody
Authors: Stergiou N. , Wuensche T. E. , Schreurs M. , Mes I. , Verlaan M. , Kooijman E. J. M. , Windhorst A. D. , Helboe L. , Vergo S. , Christensen S. , Asuni A. A. , Jensen A. , Van Dongen G. A. M. S. , Bang-Andersen B. , Vugts D. J. , Beaino W.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The recent conditional FDA approval of Aducanumab (Adu) for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the continued discussions around that decision have increased interest in immunotherapy for AD and other brain diseases. Reliable techniques for brain imaging of antibodies may guide decision-making in the future but needs further development. In this study, we used 89Zr-immuno-PET to evaluate the targeting and distribution of a bispecific brain-shuttle IgG based on Adu with transferrin receptor protein-1 (TfR1) shuttling mechanism, mAbAdu-scFab8D3, designated Adu-8D3, as a candidate theranostic for AD. We also validated the 89Zr-immuno-PET platform as an enabling technology for developing new antibody-based theranostics for brain disorders.

Methods

Adu, Adu-8D3, and the non-binding control construct B12-8D3 were modified with DFO*-NCS and radiolabeled with 89Zr. APP/PS1 mice were injected with 89Zr-labeled mAbs and imaged on days 3 and 7 by positron emission tomography (PET). Ex vivo biodistribution was performed on day 7, and ex vivo autoradiography and immunofluorescence staining were done on brain tissue to validate the PET imaging results and target engagement with amyloid-β plaques. Additionally, [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-Adu-8D3 was evaluated in 3, 7, and 10-month-old APP/PS1 mice to test its potential in early stage disease.

Results

A 7-fold higher brain uptake was observed for [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-Adu-8D3 compared to [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-Adu and a 2.7-fold higher uptake compared to [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-B12-8D3 on day 7. Autoradiography and immunofluorescence of [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-Adu-8D3 showed co-localization with amyloid plaques, which was not the case with the Adu and B12-8D3 conjugates. [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-Adu-8D3 was able to detect low plaque load in 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice.

Conclusion

89Zr-DFO*-immuno-PET revealed high and specific uptake of the bispecific Adu-8D3 in the brain and can be used for the early detection of Aβ plaque pathology. Here, we demonstrate that 89Zr-DFO*-immuno-PET can be used to visualize and quantify brain uptake of mAbs and contribute to the evaluation of biological therapeutics for brain diseases.
Do major health shocks affect the interconnectedness of E-commerce and electronic payment markets? a regional analysis
Authors: Gunay Samet , Prentice Catherine , Sraieb Mohamed
Published: January 2023

In view of the recent pandemic and its associated impact, this study examines the relationship between e-commerce and mobile/electronic payment markets by utilizing two indices as proxies of these market developments. The study employed DCC-GARCH modeling, Hacker–Hatemi bootstrap causality test, Diebold–Yilmaz volatility spillover analysis and a volatility modeling incorporating COVID19 related death statistics of three regions: America, Europe and Asia. The results show that while the two markets display very high time-varying correlations across years, a significant causal relationship is only found during the pandemic. Causality runs from the mobile/electronic payment index to the e-commerce index. Volatility spillover analysis further supports this finding. Interestingly, the mobile/electronic payment index tends to become a net volatility transmitter in the pandemic period. When we incorporate regional COVID19 statistics on cases and deaths in the volatility modeling of the e-commerce index, we find that only COVID19 deaths in Europe have a significant effect on e-commerce returns. This result may be rationalized by the relative tightness of the e-commerce market in Europe compared to America and Asia. Likewise, demographic characteristics might be another potential driver for our findings.
LGBT + academics’ and PhD students’ experiences of visibility in STEM: more than raising the rainbow flag
Authors: Reggiani Marco , Gagnon Jessica Dawn , Lunn Rebecca Jane
Published: January 2023

The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT +) individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are still understudied and, despite some improvements, are still characterised by patterns of exclusion, disadvantage, and discrimination. In this article, we explore how visibility is perceived and navigated by LGBT + academics and PhD students in STEM, with a focus on the ways that interlocking systems of oppression impact people and groups who are marginalised and historically excluded. This article draws on a broader research project about the experiences of women and LGBT + people in STEM that was conducted between 2019 and 2020 at a UK university and is framed by intersectionality theory. Based on the thematic analysis of interviews and focus groups with 24 LGBT + participants, findings suggest that visibility is still a risk for LGBT + academics and PhD students in STEM. We found that the labour of navigating visibility was perceived as an unfair disadvantage and that the focus on individuals’ visibility in the absence of meaningful and transformative inclusion initiatives by higher education institutions was regarded as tokenistic. The article argues that addressing LGBT + visibility should firstly be an institutional responsibility and not an individual burden and that this work is essential to set the conditions for personal visibility to happen by choice, safely and without retribution.
Effects of urbanization-induced local alterations on the diversity and assemblage structure of macroinvertebrates in low-order streams
Authors: Bohus Attila , Gál Blanka , Barta Barbara , Szivák Ildikó , Karádi-Kovács Kata , Boda Pál , Padisák Judit , Schmera Dénes
Published: January 2023

Urbanization is one of the most serious threats to stream ecosystems worldwide. It is crucial to understand its effects on stream organisms as a prerequisite for the mitigation of urban degradation. Our aim was to investigate the general effects of urbanization in a moderately urbanized landscape and to assess the relationship between local environmental variables and biotic attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblages. Multiple sites at low-order streams flowing from natural forested areas to moderately urbanized landscapes were surveyed. We found that local habitat properties presented degraded conditions at urban sites. Urbanization had a negative effect on the richness and Shannon diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages, and altered assemblage composition. Biotic assemblage parameters showed negative, neutral or positive relationships with local physical parameters. Concrete cover was one of the most important variables, which explained a decreasing richness and diversity of macroinvertebrates. In natural conditions, microhabitat-level environmental variables significantly impacted community variation, while in degraded conditions microhabitat and site-level environmental variables had a substantial impact together. Individual streams showed considerable variability under natural conditions, as well as in their response to urban effects. Subsequently, the mitigation of the effects of urbanization might also need considerable variability in the type of actions required.
Substance addiction: cure or care?
Authors: Chinchella Nicola , Hipólito Inês
Published: January 2023

Substance addiction has been historically conceived and widely researched as a brain disease. There have been ample criticisms of brain-centred approaches to addiction, and this paper aims to align with one such criticism by applying insights from phenomenology of psychiatry. More precisely, this work will apply Merleau-Ponty’s insightful distinction between the biological and lived body. In this light, the disease model emerges as an incomplete account of substance addiction because it captures only its biological aspects. When considering addiction as a brain disorder, it will be shown that research fails to account for the contextual, functional, and emotional aspects inherent to subjective health. It is concluded that, while the disease model is fundamental to our understanding of what happens in the brain, its brain-centred approach is cure-oriented. Instead, we suggest a care-orientated approach, which understands and treats the psychological feel as bodily experience situated in an environment, allowing for a more encompassing therapeutic perspective.
Quality of life implications for elevated trait impulsivity in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Jeyadevan Ashani , Bakeberg Megan , Byrnes Michelle , Kenna Jade , McGregor Sarah , Ghosh Soumya , Horne Malcom K. , Stell Rick , Evans Tess , Mastaglia Frank L. , Anderton Ryan
Published: January 2023

Background

Several non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are known to adversely affect patient health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, the specific impact of neuropsychiatric complications, such as impulsive behaviour, is yet to be elucidated.

Objectives

The present cross-sectional, observational study aimed to investigate the effects of heightened trait impulsivity on HRQL in individuals with PD.

Methods

A total of 322 people with idiopathic PD were sequentially recruited from Movement Disorder clinics across Australia. Trait impulsivity in patients was determined by Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), and grouped into tertiles (low, medium, and high). Patient HRQL was determined by the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), complemented by the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory-Revised (CBI-R) indicating caregivers’ perception of patient HRQL.

Results

When total BIS-11 scores were grouped into tertiles, patient perceived and caregiver-perceived HRQL were 1.7-fold (p < .001) and 2.2-fold (p < .001) worse in the high BIS-11 group when compared to patients in the low group. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between second-order attentional (p < .001) and non-planning (p < .001) impulsivity domains with PDQ-39 scores. When controlling for confounding demographic and clinical variables, a multivariate linear regression model revealed second-order attentional impulsivity was independently predictive of poor patient perceived HRQL (p < .001).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that increasing trait impulsivity is significantly associated with patient perceived HRQL in PD. Improved knowledge and recognition of subclinical impulsivity may guide clinicians’ treatment and reduce disease burden for patients experiencing PD symptoms.
Hybrid CPU–GPU implementation of the transformed spatial domain channel estimation algorithm for mmWave MIMO systems
Authors: Lloria Diego , Aviles Pablo M. , Belloch Jose A. , Roger Sandra , Botella-Mascarell Carmen , Lindoso Almudena
Published: January 2023

Hybrid platforms combining multicore central processing units (CPU) with many-core hardware accelerators such as graphic processing units (GPU) can be smartly exploited to provide efficient parallel implementations of wireless communication algorithms for Fifth Generation (5G) and beyond systems. Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems are a key element of the 5G standard, involving several tens or hundreds of antenna elements for communication. Such a high number of antennas has a direct impact on the computational complexity of some MIMO signal processing algorithms. In this work, we focus on the channel estimation stage. In particular, we develop a parallel implementation of a recently proposed MIMO channel estimation algorithm. Its performance in terms of execution time is evaluated both in a multicore CPU and in a GPU. The results show that some computation blocks of the algorithm are more suitable for multicore implementation, whereas other parts are more efficiently implemented in the GPU, indicating that a hybrid CPU–GPU implementation would achieve the best performance in practical applications based on the tested platform.
Reproducibility of CT radiomic features in lung neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) patients: analysis in a heterogeneous population
Authors: Bicci Eleonora , Cozzi Diletta , Cavigli Edoardo , Ruzga Ron , Bertelli Elena , Danti Ginevra , Bettarini Silvia , Tortoli Paolo , Mazzoni Lorenzo Nicola , Busoni Simone , Miele Vittorio
Published: January 2023

Background

The aim is to find a correlation between texture features extracted from neuroendocrine (NET) lung cancer subtypes, both Ki-67 index and the presence of lymph-nodal mediastinal metastases detected while using different computer tomography (CT) scanners.

Methods

Sixty patients with a confirmed pulmonary NET histological diagnosis, a known Ki-67 status and metastases, were included. After subdivision of primary lesions in baseline acquisition and venous phase, 107 radiomic features of first and higher orders were extracted. Spearman’s correlation matrix with Ward’s hierarchical clustering was applied to confirm the absence of bias due to the database heterogeneity. Nonparametric tests were conducted to identify statistically significant features in the distinction between patient groups (Ki-67 < 3—Group 1; 3 ≤ Ki-67 ≤ 20—Group 2; and Ki-67 > 20—Group 3, and presence of metastases).

Results

No bias arising from sample heterogeneity was found. Regarding Ki-67 groups statistical tests, seven statistically significant features (p value < 0.05) were found in post-contrast enhanced CT; three in baseline acquisitions. In metastasis classes distinction, three features (first-order class) were statistically significant in post-contrast acquisitions and 15 features (second-order class) in baseline acquisitions, including the three features distinguishing between Ki-67 groups in baseline images (MCC, ClusterProminence and Strength).

Conclusions

Some radiomic features can be used as a valid and reproducible tool for predicting Ki-67 class and hence the subtype of lung NET in baseline and post-contrast enhanced CT images. In particular, in baseline examination three features can establish both tumour class and aggressiveness.
Pareto efficiency without topology
Authors: Kountzakis Christos , Rossello Damiano
Published: January 2023

Given a vector optimization problem over spaces endowed with a topological linear structure, existence results for optima (efficient points) are known. Relying only on the linear structure, the set of properly efficient points from a convex set is proved to be nonempty and the sets of Proper efficient points and Pareto efficient points coincide, provided that the set of internal points picked from the corresponding cone is nonempty. This result is appealing since the scalarization of the vector optimization problem is valid without topological requirements. A As an important consequence, we provide the Second Welfare Theorem in vector lattices and especially in Lebesgue spaces holds without topology.
Degrowth and agri-food systems: a research agenda for the critical social sciences
Authors: Guerrero Lara Leonie , van Oers Laura , Smessaert Jacob , Spanier Julia , Raj Guilherme , Feola Giuseppe
Published: January 2023

Degrowth has become a recognised paradigm for identifying and critiquing systemic unsustainability rooted in the capitalist, growth-compelled economy. Increasingly, degrowth is discussed in relation to specific economic sectors such as the agri-food system. This paper builds on the foundational work of Gerber (2020) and Nelson and Edwards (2021). While both publications take a rather specific analytical or disciplinary focus—the former specifically connects critical agrarian studies and degrowth, the latter explores the contributions of the recent volume ‘Food for degrowth’—this paper takes stock of the emerging body of literature on degrowth and agri-food systems more broadly. It proposes research avenues that deepen, expand and diversify degrowth research on agri-food systems in four areas: (i) degrowth conceptualisations; (ii) theorisation of transformations towards sustainability; (iii) the political economy of degrowth agri-food systems; and (iv) rurality and degrowth. Together, these avenues devote due attention to a variety of agents (ranging from translocal networks to non-humans), spaces (e.g. the rural), theories (e.g. sustainability transitions and transformations towards sustainability) and policies (of the agricultural sector and beyond) that thus far have received limited attention within the degrowth literature. The critical social science perspective on degrowth agri-food systems, which is advanced in this paper, illuminates that the present unsustainability and injustice of hegemonic agri-food systems are not merely a problem of that sector alone, but rather are ingrained in the social imaginaries of how economies and societies should work as well as in the political–economic structures that uphold and reproduce these imaginaries.
A Non-archimedean Variant of Littlewood–Paley Theory for Curves
Authors: Hickman Jonathan , Wright James
Published: January 2023

We prove a variant of a square function estimate for the extension operator associated to the moment curve in non-archimedean local fields. The arguments rely on a structural analysis of congruences (sublevel sets) of univariate polynomials over field extensions of the base field. Our analysis can be adapted to the archimedean setting as well.
Developing Inclusivity from Within: Advancing Our Understanding of How Teachers’ Personality Characters Impact Ethnic Prejudice and Homophobic Attitudes
Authors: D’Urso Giulio , Maynard Andrea , Petruccelli Irene , Di Domenico Alberto , Fasolo Mirco
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Understanding how internal characteristics of teachers impact their teaching practices can shed light onto ways to promote inclusivity. Specifically, teachers’ personality traits and social anxiety could influence their acceptance of others, influencing student acceptance and achievement, yet minimal research has explored these relationships.

Method

The role of personality characteristics and social anxiety related to ethnic prejudices and homophobic attitudes were investigated in a sample of 551 Italian secondary school teachers (76% female, age range: 20–70; M = 46.20) using the teachers’ attitudes towards the representation of homosexuality in film and television scale, the big five questionnaire short form, the subtle and blatant prejudice scales, and the Social Phobia Inventory.

Results

The first model suggested that higher levels of conscientiousness combine with lower levels of agreeableness and extraversion are related to blatant prejudice. As participant age increased, those with lower levels of agreeableness and higher levels of conscientiousness expressed subtle prejudice. Increased age combine with lower levels of agreeableness was also linked to negative attitudes towards lesbian and gay topics. Similar results were found in the second model, which included social anxiety; however, social anxiety was found to impact negative attitudes towards lesbian and gay topics only, while the effect of age towards subtle prejudice disappeared.

Conclusions

Personological characteristics such as personality and social anxiety were found to impact ones attitudes and acceptance towards ethnic groups and lesbian and gay populations.

Policy Implications

Our findings highlight key areas of focus to help raise awareness and address socio-emotional through school supports, teacher trainings, and policy aimed at promoting inclusive education systems.
THE PAINS OF PARAMILITARISM: The Latent Criminogenic Effects of Exposure to Paramilitary Violence Among Young Men in a Post-Conflict Society
Authors: Walsh Colm , Cunningham Twylla
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Whilst most people who experience adversity recover, there is a cumulative body of evidence that illustrates that the effects can be long lasting, and can even become debilitating over time. Links have been made between traumatic distress, mental health disorders and disturbances in behavioural and emotional regulatory systems that may in context elevate the risk of offending. Despite the burgeoning evidence around the criminogenic effects of adversity, few studies have examined the traumatic effects of paramilitary related adversity in the context of post-conflict Northern Ireland. Methods: With reference to DSM-V PTSD diagnostic clusters, the aim of this study was to explore the latent impact of adversity and latent trauma among justice involved young men and identify potential criminogenic effects of exposure to paramilitary related adversity. Results and conclusions: This study found that across the sample, young men had self-reported to have experienced significant adversity, including violent victimisation. Exposure to paramilitary adversity often began during early adolescence. The participants described symptoms that were consistent with clinically diagnosable disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite this, there appears to be a paucity of trauma screening and assessment, and few supports that victim could benefit from. In the absence of appropriate and evidence-based supports, many young men appear to find other (and more maladaptive) ways to cope. This exacerbates the risk of interfacing with the justice system and may even contribute towards a deterioration in wider psycho-social outcomes. Implications for practice are discussed.