bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding genome structure facilitates the use of wild lentil germplasm for breeding: A case study with shattering loci
Authors: Cao Zhe , Socquet‐Juglard Didier , Daba Ketema , Vandenberg Albert , Bett Kirstin E.
Published: May 2024

Plant breeders are generally reluctant to cross elite crop cultivars with their wild relatives to introgress novel desirable traits due to associated negative traits such as pod shattering. This results in a genetic bottleneck that could be reduced through better understanding of the genomic locations of the gene(s) controlling this trait. We integrated information on parental genomes, pod shattering data from multiple environments, and high‐density genetic linkage maps to identify pod shattering quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in three lentil interspecific recombinant inbred line populations. The broad‐sense heritability on a multi‐environment basis varied from 0.46 (in LR‐70, Lens culinaris × Lens odemensis) to 0.77 (in LR‐68, Lens orientalis × L. culinaris). Genetic linkage maps of the interspecific populations revealed reciprocal translocations of chromosomal segments that differed among the populations, and which were associated with reduced recombination. LR‐68 had a 2–5 translocation, LR‐70 had 1–5, 2–6, and 2–7 translocations, and LR‐86 had a 2–7 translocation in one parent relative to the other. Segregation distortion was also observed for clusters of single nucleotide polymorphisms on multiple chromosomes per population, further affecting introgression. Two major QTL, on chromosomes 4 and 7, were repeatedly detected in the three populations and contain several candidate genes. These findings will be of significant value for lentil breeders to strategically access novel superior alleles while minimizing the genetic impact of pod shattering from wild parents.
The Experimental Perspective to Address Critical Infrastructure Security Issues in Times of Crisis
Authors: Bleicher Alena
Published: May 2024

This chapter suggests to make use of an experimental perspective for managing necessary transformations in high-risk industry. In order to do so, current trends in research on and with experiments beyond scientific laboratories are introduced and summarized and central characteristics of such experimentation are derived. Based on this, the potential of an experimental perspective is discussed from two angles: as analytical lens and as a design principle.
Safe Transitions in Complex Systems
Authors: Weyer Johannes
Published: May 2024

Complex systems, including energy and transportation systems, constitute a crucial part of modern societies’ critical infrastructure. It is imperative to ensure their stability even during periods of crisis or fundamental transformation, such as sustainability transformation. It is difficult to anticipate how individuals will respond to policy interventions aimed at preserving stability, for example, by banning cars from congested roads, or to policy interventions aimed at fundamentally altering the system, for instance, by promoting renewable energies. A conflict of interest may occur at both an individual and institutional level if sustainability measures, such as increasing the number of electric vehicles or photovoltaic systems, jeopardize the stability of the system, for example, by increasing grid volatility. Furthermore, research into complex systems has demonstrated that they tend to develop nonlinearly rather than linearly, making them difficult to predict. Agent-based modeling (ABM) has emerged as a valuable method to comprehend the dynamics of complex socio-technical systems. Moreover, ABM enables us to anticipate future outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of different policy measures aimed at enhancing safety or promoting sustainability (or both). The chapter briefly introduces the ABM concept and the SimCo simulation framework, developed at TU Dortmund University. SimCo is grounded in analytical sociology, focusing on people’s everyday practices, bounded-rational decision-making and on governance concerns. Additionally, this chapter will present the outcomes of several simulation experiments to address the question of how to achieve safe transformations of complex systems.
“Old Is Gold?”
Authors: Tillement Stéphanie
Published: May 2024

Climate objectives, as well as the recent objectives of energy sobriety and security in response to crises, have underpinned a call for the urgent development of nuclear generation capacity. At the same time, recent events have highlighted fragilities in nuclear infrastructures, both in their operation and in their design and construction. This chapter focuses on the French case to examine the conditions under which the nuclear industry can provide an appropriate response to climate change, as well as the risks and vulnerabilities associated with a nuclear revival. In particular, we analyze the two regimes at the heart of this revival: the extension and the acceleration regimes. We show that the interplay between nuclear power and climate change calls into question the social and temporal scales at which risks need to be defined and governed.
Erratum to: Supersymmetric spectroscopy on AdS4 × S7 and AdS4 × S6
Authors: Cesàro Mattia , Larios Gabriel , Varela Oscar
Published: May 2024

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2021)094
Near mass-shell double boxes
Authors: Belitsky A. V. , Smirnov V. A.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Two-loop multi-leg form factors in off-shell kinematics require knowledge of planar and nonplanar double box Feynman diagrams with massless internal propagators. These are complicated functions of Mandelstam variables and external particle virtualities. The latter serve as regulators of infrared divergences, thus making these observables finite in four space-time dimensions. In this paper, we use the method of canonical differential equations for the calculation of (non)planar double box integrals in the near mass-shell kinematical regime, i.e., where virtualities of external particles are much smaller than the Mandelstam variables involved. We deduce a basis of master integrals with uniform transcendental weight based on the analysis of leading singularities employing the Baikov representation as well as an array of complementary techniques. We dub the former asymptotically canonical since it is valid in the near mass-shell limit of interest. We iteratively solve resulting differential equations up to weight four in terms of multiple polylogarithms.
Light vector mediators at direct detection experiments
Authors: De Romeri Valentina , Papoulias Dimitrios K. , Ternes Christoph A.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Solar neutrinos induce elastic neutrino-electron scattering in dark matter direct detection experiments, resulting in detectable event rates at current facilities. We analyze recent data from the XENONnT, LUX-ZEPLIN, and PandaX-4T experiments and we derive stringent constraints on several U(1)′ extensions of the Standard Model, accommodating new neutrino-electron interactions. We provide bounds on the relevant coupling and mass of light vector mediators for a variety of models, including the anomaly-free B − L model, lepton flavor-dependent interactions like Lα– Lβ, B – 2Le– Lμ,τ, B – 3Lα, and B + 2Lμ + 2Lτ models. We compare our results with other limits obtained in the literature from both terrestrial and astrophysical experiments. Finally, we present forecasts for improving current bounds with a future experiment like DARWIN.
Shannon’s entropy and its bounds for some a priori known equiprobable states
Authors: Symeonidis Eleutherius , Mitroi-Symeonidis Flavia-Corina
Published: May 2024

It is known that Shannon’s entropy is nonnegative and its maximum value is reached for equiprobable events. Adding or removing impossible events does not affect Shannon’s entropy. However, if we increase the number of events and consider not necessarily all of them equiprobable, but at least as many of them as the initial number of equiprobable events, how does Shannon’s entropy change? We study the lower bound of the interval where the probability value of the a priori assumed equiprobable states must belong when the entropy increases.
A very promising antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans from an in vitro screening for antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activity of new synthesized 4-cinnamamido- and 2-phenoxyacedamido-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamides
Authors: Plescia Fabiana , Catania Valentina , D’Anneo Antonella , Raffa Demetrio , Lauricella Marianna , Schillaci Domenico
Published: May 2024

Several new synthesized 4-cinnamamido- and 2-phenoxyacedamido-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamides were obtained by two multi step different synthetic routes in order to maximize their yield. The new derivatives were screened to determine the antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. The biological results showed how, respect to the antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities, the compounds have a low to missing activity. Different are the results obtained concerning the antibiofilm activity, especially towards Candida albicans. Most of the synthesized compounds showed a good percentage inhibition of biofilm formation ranging from 60 to 73% with a Biofilm Inhibition Concentration 50% (BIC50) from 0.13 to 0.01 µM. Among the synthesized compounds the ethyl 5-(4-(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetamido)benzamido)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (27c) resulted the most active molecule with a BIC50 of 0.01 µM. According to the results obtained, such compound could be considered a lead subject of further studies to obtain novel and more effective antibiofilm agents against C. albicans.
Mechanical and surface properties of semifinished potato tuber exposed to UV-C radiation at varied operational parameters
Authors: Jembere Addis Lemessa , Jakubowski Tomasz
Published: May 2024

The current study aimed at investigating the effect of certain operational parameters of UV-C radiator on the selected mechanical properties of semifinished potato tuber. Innovator potato variety was selected for the preparation of semifinished potato strips. The prepared potato strips were stored for 24 h following exposure at the desired storage condition. The irradiation experiment was carried out using a UV-C chamber at varied UV-C doses, Mode of exposure, and distance from the radiator. UV-C dose has a pronounced effect over the other tested parameters. Samples subjected at 60 mJ/cm2 resulted in higher resistance to compression and bending force while the resistance to cutting force was enhanced at a lower UV-C dose (15 mJ/cm2). Mechanical properties were not significantly impacted by the mode of exposure and distance from the light. Furthermore, the Morphological and microstructural properties of the sample were examined using SEM and AFM resulting in alteration in granule size, spacing, and roughness of the irradiated samples.
Inhomogeneous long-range percolation in the weak decay regime
Authors: Mönch Christian
Published: May 2024

We study a general class of percolation models in Euclidean space including long-range percolation, scale-free percolation, the weight-dependent random connection model and several other previously investigated models. Our focus is on the weak decay regime, in which inter-cluster long-range connection probabilities fall off polynomially with small exponent, and for which we establish several structural properties. Chief among them are the continuity of the bond percolation function and the transience of infinite clusters.
Inhibition of mTOR prevents glucotoxicity-mediated increase of SA-beta-gal, p16INK4a, and insulin hypersecretion, without restoring electrical features of mouse pancreatic islets
Authors: Guzmán Tereso J. , Klöpper Nina , Gurrola-Díaz Carmen M. , Düfer Martina
Published: May 2024

An over-activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway promotes senescence and age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes. Besides, the regenerative potential of pancreatic islets deteriorates with aging. Nevertheless, the role of mTOR on senescence promoted by metabolic stress in islet cells as well as its relevance for electrophysiological aspects is not yet known. Here, we investigated whether parameters suggested to be indicative for senescence are induced in vitro in mouse islet cells by glucotoxicity and if mTOR inhibition plays a protective role against this. Islet cells exhibit a significant increase (~ 76%) in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activity after exposure to glucotoxicity for 72 h. Glucotoxicity does not markedly influence p16INK4a protein within 72 h, but p16INK4a levels increase significantly after a 7-days incubation period. mTOR inhibition with a low rapamycin concentration (1 nM) entirely prevents the glucotoxicity-mediated increase of SA-beta-gal and p16INK4a. At the functional level, reactive oxygen species, calcium homeostasis, and electrical activity are disturbed by glucotoxicity, and rapamycin fails to prevent this. In contrast, rapamycin significantly attenuates the insulin hypersecretion promoted by glucotoxicity by modifying the mRNA levels of Vamp2 and Snap25 genes, related to insulin exocytosis. Our data indicate an influence of glucotoxicity on pancreatic islet-cell senescence and a reduction of the senescence markers by mTOR inhibition, which is relevant to preserve the regenerative potential of the islets. Decreasing the influence of mTOR on islet cells exposed to glucotoxicity attenuates insulin hypersecretion, but is not sufficient to prevent electrophysiological disturbances, indicating the involvement of mTOR-independent mechanisms.
Changes in epiphytic lichen diversity along the urban-rural gradient before, during, and after the acid rain period
Authors: Gauslaa Yngvar
Published: May 2024

Spatial variations in epiphytic macrolichen richness in the city of Oslo were assessed annually 1973–2019. These observations were contrasted with earlier published data from 1930 to examine how long-term changes in species richness of functional groups track different stages of air pollution regimes. From 1930 to the 1970’s, representing the early surge and late peak of S-deposition, the lichen-deficient urban area remained largely unaltered. Epiphytic macrolichen richness in the surrounding zone declined and changed from a mix of nitrophytes and acidophytes in 1930 when agriculture was still present to a dominance of acidophytes in the 1970’s shortly after the acid rain peak. The subsequent 1980-2019-period marked by significantly lower S-emissions, and weakly decreasing N-deposition, experienced a shift from acidophytes to nitrophytes, following the successful control of acid rain. This underscores the role of pH as a contributing determinant of the strong nitrophyte recolonization. While successive pollution regimes shaped functional group-specific changes in lichen richness over the past 90 years, continuous rain in autumn 2000 led to sudden temporal lichen dieback across the urban-to-rural gradient, delaying lichen recovery after the acid rain period by approximately 5 years for nitrophytes and over 15 years for acidophytes. Epiphytic lichen richness never returned to the high levels seen in 1930, even in the outer parts of the urban-rural gradient and despite the reduction in S-deposition. Excess N impedes effective establishment of acidophytic lichens and prevents full recovery of the former diversity.
Assessing the spatiotemporal variability of dissolved organic matter fluorescence composition in the Lake George, NY watershed
Authors: Goranov Aleksandar I. , Swinton Mark W. , Winkler David A. , Farrell Jeremy L. , Nierzwicki-Bauer Sandra A. , Wagner Sasha
Published: May 2024

Lake George (LG) is a temperate, oligotrophic, medium-sized lake (114 km2) located in northeastern New York State (U.S.). Lakes are highly understudied environments where extensive dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing occurs. With this study we establish the foundation for researching the organic biogeochemistry of the LG watershed, in particular, the numerous tributaries flowing into the lake. Collected were 213 samples from 64 tributaries and 12 lake locations. Some of the tributaries had unique wastewater, agricultural, or wetland influences. We employed fluorescence spectroscopy, a common biogeochemical technique, to characterize the fluorescent DOM (FDOM) component. We developed a parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model for the deconvolution of FDOM data allowing to depict six underlying FDOM constituents, which varied in source and biogeochemical reactivity on spatiotemporal scales. Tributary DOM, in comparison to lake DOM, was much more aromatic, of larger molecular weight, more humic, and contained less protein-like material. The distribution of humic and protein-like PARAFAC components was impacted by land-use and wastewater influences. Supporting characterization of the chromophoric DOM (CDOM) and total DOM (on dissolved organic carbon basis) allowed differentiating the influence of wetlands, which could not be depicted by spatiotemporally assessing the variability of PARAFAC components. Temporal assessment revealed minor variabilities in tributary DOM quantity and quality except in cases of point sources such as wastewater treatment facilities. Overall, this primer study establishes baseline understanding of the baseflow levels of DOM constituents in the LG watershed, and more broadly, presents a PARAFAC model for the deconvolution of fluorescence spectra of DOM from temperate and oligotrophic lake watersheds such as LG.
Racial differences in familiarity, interest, and use of integrative medicine among patients with breast cancer
Authors: Freeman Jincong Q. , Sheade Jori B. , Zhao Fangyuan , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Huo Dezheng , Nanda Rita
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Integrative medicine (IM) has received the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s endorsement for managing cancer treatment-related side effects. Little is known about racial differences in familiarity, interest, and use of IM among patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Patients with breast cancer enrolled in the Chicago Multiethnic Epidemiologic Breast Cancer Cohort were surveyed regarding familiarity, interest, and use of acupuncture, massage, meditation, music therapy, and yoga. Familiarity and interest, measured by a 5-point Likert scale, was modeled using proportional odds. Use was self-reported, and modeled using binary logistic regression.

Results

Of 1,300 respondents (71.4% White and 21.9% Black), Black patients were less likely than White patients to be familiar with acupuncture (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41–0.87); there were no racial differences in familiarity with massage, meditation, music therapy, and yoga. While there were no differences in interest in acupuncture between Black and White patients (aOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.76–1.65), Black patients were more interested in massage (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.25–2.77), meditation (aOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.37–3.00), music therapy (aOR 2.68, 95% CI 1.80–3.99), and yoga (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.41–3.12). Black patients were less likely than White patients to have used acupuncture (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.84); but there were no racial differences in use of massage, meditation, music therapy, and yoga.

Conclusion

Black patients expressed more interest in IM than their White counterparts; there were no racial differences in IM use, except lower acupuncture use among Black patients. A breast program focused on equity should provide access to these services for patients with breast cancer.
On ‘the Politics of Repair Beyond Repair’: Radical Democracy and the Right to Repair Movement
Authors: Lloveras Javier , Pansera Mario , Smith Adrian
Published: May 2024

This paper analyses the right to repair (R2R) movement through the lens of radical democracy, elucidating the opportunities and limitations for advancing a democratic repair ethics against a backdrop of power imbalances and vested interests. We commence our analysis by exploring broader political-economic trends, demonstrating that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly shifting towards asset-based repair strategies. In this landscape, hegemony is preserved not solely through deterrence tactics like planned obsolescence but also by conceding repairability while monopolizing repair and maintenance services. We further argue that the R2R serves as an ‘empty signifier’, whose content is shaped by four counter-hegemonic frames used by the R2R movement: consumer advocacy, environmental sustainability, communitarian values, and creative tinkering. These frames, when viewed through Laclau and Mouffe’s theory of radical democracy, reveal different potentials for sustaining dissent and confronting OEMs' hegemony in the field of repair. Analysed in this way, an emerging business ethics of repair can be understood as driven by the politics of repair beyond repair. This notion foregrounds the centrality of non-violent conflict and antagonism for bringing radical democratic principles to repair debates, looking beyond narrow instrumentalist conversations, where repairability is treated as an apolitical arena solely defined by concerns for eco-efficiency and resource productivity.
Public understanding of climate change terminology in Germany
Authors: Wege Lena , Bruine de Bruin Wändi , Kause Astrid
Published: May 2024

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other institutions communicate about climate change to international audiences without a background in climate science, including the general public. The effectiveness of climate change communications may be undermined by their use of complex terminology. Bruine de Bruin et al. (2021) found that Americans struggled to understand key terms from IPCC reports. Here, we examined how 24 Germans interpreted German translations of these key terms, including tipping point, unprecedented transition, carbon neutral, carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere, adaptation, mitigation of climate change/ of greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable development, and abrupt change. We also presented these terms in the context of sentences taken from German-language IPCC reports. We identified common themes and misunderstandings. Overall, 93% of the themes arose by the 10th interview, and no new themes arose after the 18th interview. While interviewees initially rated most terms as easy to understand, both climate-concerned and climate-ambivalent interviewees were unfamiliar with some terms or combinations of terms, unsure of the link to climate change, and confused about details. Some also expressed mistrust. Moreover, all sentences were perceived as too long and complex. We discuss the implications of these findings for climate change communications.
Intolerance of Uncertainty is Associated with Heightened Arousal During Extinction Learning and Retention: Preliminary Evidence from a Clinical Sample with Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Authors: Morriss Jayne , Rodriguez-Sobstel Claudia , Steinman Shari A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Uncertainty-related distress is considered a hallmark of anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Previous research in community samples has demonstrated that individuals with high Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU), the tendency to find uncertainty aversive, display altered threat extinction learning and retention.

Methods

Here, we conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of an existing dataset (Steinman et al., 2022) to examine the extent to which IU in a clinical sample with anxiety and OCD predicts threat extinction learning and retention. Participants with an anxiety disorder and/or OCD completed a differential threat learning task across two days (n = 27). Skin conductance response (SCR) was used as an index of conditioned responding.

Results

No significant effects of self-reported IU were observed for differential SCR during any of the experimental phases. However, higher self-reported IU, while controlling for trait anxiety, was specifically associated with greater SCR overall during same-day extinction training, next-day extinction training, and next-day reinstatement test.

Conclusions

Such findings provide preliminary evidence that higher IU within clinical samples with anxiety and/or OCD may be associated with heightened arousal under uncertainty, and highlight IU as a promising treatment target for anxiety and OCD.
Accelerated Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Refractory Depression in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Blank Elizabeth , Gilbert Donald L. , Wu Steve W. , Larsh Travis , Elmaghraby Rana , Liu Rui , Smith Elizabeth , Westerkamp Grace , Liu Yanchen , Horn Paul S. , Greenstein Ethan , Sweeney John A. , Erickson Craig A. , Pedapati Ernest V.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Major depressive disorder (MDD) disproportionately affects those living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with significant impairment and treatment recidivism.

Methods

We studied the use of accelerated theta burst stimulation (ATBS) for the treatment of refractory MDD in ASD (3 treatments daily x 10 days). This prospective open-label 12-week trial included 10 subjects with a mean age of 21.5 years, randomized to receive unilateral or bilateral stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Results

One participant dropped out of the study due to intolerability. In both treatment arms, depressive symptoms, scored on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, diminished substantially. At 12 weeks post-treatment, full remission was sustained in 5 subjects and partial remission in 3 subjects. Treatment with ATBS, regardless of the site of stimulation, was associated with a significant, substantial, and sustained improvement in depressive symptomatology via the primary outcome measure, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Additional secondary measures, including self-report depression scales, fluid cognition, and sleep quality, also showed significant improvement. No serious adverse events occurred during the study. Mild transient headaches were infrequently reported, which are expected side effects of ATBS.

Conclusion

Overall, ATBS treatment was highly effective and well-tolerated in individuals with ASD and co-occurring MDD. The findings support the need for a larger, sham-controlled randomized controlled trial to further evaluate efficacy of ATBS in this population.
Parenting Emerging Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of the Parents’ Perspective
Authors: Graziano Federica , Borghi Martina , Bonino Silvia , Calandri Emanuela
Published: May 2024

Parents of emerging adults are requested to adjust their level of support and control according to their child’s developmental age and to foster their autonomy. This developmental task may be more difficult when emerging adults are suffering from a chronic illness. Parenting emerging adults with a chronic illness is an under-investigated topic, especially with reference to multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease usually diagnosed in emerging adulthood. The study aims to qualitatively explore the characteristics of the relationship that parents report having with their emerging adult children (18–29 years) with MS. Specifically, we investigated how the dimensions of support and control emerge from the parents’ perspective, whether overparenting (characterized by both oversupport and overcontrol) emerges, and its characteristics. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of emerging adults with MS, and a qualitative content analysis was performed through Atlas.ti 6.0 software, combining a deductive and an inductive approach in relation to the study aims. A system of 13 codes was defined and a total of 141 quotations were codified. Overparenting appears to be the most frequent relational mode among the parents interviewed. Most quotations referred to oversupport (in particular, parents report anticipatory anxiety about child’s well-being and show excessive indulgence and permissiveness) and overcontrol (in particular, parents report a vicarious management of daily life and medical therapies). The study gives indications for psychological interventions helping parents to adequately support their children while encouraging their autonomous management of daily life and illness-related difficulties.
Training Paraeducators to Promote Communication Opportunities for Students with Complex Communication Needs
Authors: Anderson Eric J. , Brock Matthew E. , Shawbitz Kara N.
Published: May 2024

Paraeducators are often tasked with supporting students with complex communication needs (CCN) without being well prepared to promote their communication. Previous studies have focused on training paraeducators to promote communication during non-instructional contexts for limited or unspecified communication types. We extend the literature by targeting the diversity of communication opportunities during academic instruction. We used a multiple-probe-across-participants design to test the effects of behavioral skills training to increase the number and variety of communication opportunities (i.e., mands, tacts, and intraverbals) provided by three paraeducators providing instruction for students on the autism spectrum with CCN. The training package resulted in improvements in communication opportunities across all paraeducator-learner dyads. This study serves as an example of one method to promote diverse communication opportunities for students with CCN during academic instruction.
Housing prices and points of interest in three Polish cities
Authors: Cellmer Radosław , Bełej Mirosław , Trojanek Radosław
Published: May 2024

This paper shows the usefulness of open source points-of-interest (POI) data for understanding the causes of volatility in residential property prices. Points of interest are unique locations or features cartographically mapped in space and explicitly connected to various aspects of human life. This point number, and density, primarily reflect a city’s spatial structure. They could therefore indicate a higher quality of life in a given urban zone, resulting in higher demand for housing in the area and, consequently, higher housing prices. This study was conducted in three Polish cities: Warsaw, Poznań and Olsztyn. Our research also attempted to establish which POI categories constitute stimulants and which are destimulants in the housing market. To determine the significance of POI in the price formation process, we used the quantile regression model and its spatial version, apart from classical regression models. The results of our research show the importance of POIs for the formation of housing prices. Individual POI categories are of minor importance, while the simultaneous presence of many different POIs definitely has a positive impact on housing prices.
Measurement of effective 98Mo(n,γ)99 Mo reaction cross-section in the epi-cadmium neutron flux produced by 10 MeV electron LINAC with Ta-BeO assembly
Authors: Deo Kapil , Kumar Rajeev , Mallick Amod K. , Samanta Sudipta , Bhandari Deep , Sarkar Anindita , Umasankari K. , Chaudhary Nishant , Pant Amar D. , Verma Amit , Anilkumar P.
Published: May 2024

An experiment was carried out to study the feasibility of 99Mo production using an electron accelerator based epi-cadmium neutron source. The neutrons were produced by the interaction of bremsstrahlung end-point energy of 10 MeV with BeO blocks and the neutrons thus produced were moderated using High Density Polyethylene blocks. Effective cross-section of 98Mo(n,γ)99Mo reaction was measured using foil activation method. An enhancement in the effective cross-section due to resonances in the epi-cadmium region was observed. The photons and neutron production/transport in the experimental set-up were simulated using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code. The simulations were found to be in good agreement with the experimental findings.
Machine learning allows for large-scale habitat prediction of a wide-ranging carnivore across diverse ecoregions
Authors: O’Malley W. Connor , Elbroch L. Mark , Zeller Katherine A. , Beier Paul , Beale Meghan M. , Beausoleil Richard A. , Kertson Brian , Knopff Kyle , Kunkel Kryan , Maletzke Benjamin T. , Martins Quinton , Matchett Marc R. , Wilmers Christopher C. , Wittmer Heiko U. , Vickers Winston , Sager-Fradkin Kimberly , Robinson Hugh
Published: May 2024

Context

Resource selection functions are powerful tools for predicting habitat selection of animals. Recently, machine-learning methods such as random forest have gained popularity for predicting habitat selection due to their flexibility and strong predictive performance.

Objectives

We tested two methods for predicting continental-scale, second-order habitat selection of a wide-ranging large carnivore, the mountain lion (Puma concolor), to support continent-wide conservation management, including estimating abundance, and to predict habitat suitability for recolonizing or reintroduced animals.

Methods

We compared a generalized linear model (GLM) and a random forest model using GPS location data from 476 individuals across 20 study sites in the western USA and Canada and remotely-sensed landscape data. We internally validated models and examined their ability to correctly classify used and available points by calculating area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUC). We performed leave-one-out (LOO) out-of-sample tests of predictive strength on both models.

Results

Both models suggested that mountain lions select for steeper slopes, areas closer to water, and with higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and against variables associated with human impact. The random forest model (AUC = 0.94) demonstrated that mountain lion habitat can be accurately predicted at continental scales, outperforming the traditional GLM model (AUC = 0.68). Our LOO validation provided similar results (x̄ = 0.93 for the random forest and x̄ = 0.65 for the GLM).

Conclusions

We found that the added flexibility of the random forest model provided deeper insights into how individual covariates impacted habitat selection across diverse ecosystems. Our LOO analyses suggested that our model can predict mountain lion habitat selection in unoccupied areas or where local data are unavailable. Our model thus provides a tool to support discussions and analyses relevant to continent-wide mountain lion conservation and management including estimating metapopulation abundance.
Functional and regulatory diversity of homeobox-leucine zipper transcription factors BnaHB6 under dehydration and salt stress in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Żyła Natalia , Cieśla Agata , Szała Laurencja , Babula-Skowrońska Danuta
Published: May 2024

The plant-specific homeodomain-leucine zipper I subfamily is involved in the regulation of various biological processes, particularly growth, development and stress response. In the present study, we characterized four BnaHB6 homologues from Brassica napus. All BnaHB6 proteins have transcriptional activation activity. Structural and functional data indicate the complex role of BnaHB6 genes in regulating biological processes, with some functions conserved and others diverged. Transcriptional analyzes revealed that they are induced in a similar manner in different tissues but show different expression patterns in response to stress and circadian rhythm. Only the BnaA09HB6 and BnaC08HB6 genes are expressed under dehydration and salt stress, and in darkness. The partial transcriptional overlap of BnaHB6s with the evolutionarily related genes BnaHB5 and BnaHB16 was also observed. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing a single proBnaHB6::GUS partially confirmed the expression results. Bioinformatic analysis allowed the identification of TF-binding sites in the BnaHB6 promoters that may control their expression under stress and circadian rhythm. ChIP-qPCR analysis revealed that BnaA09HB6 and BnaC08HB6 bind directly to the promoters of the target genes BnaABF4 and BnaDREB2A. Comparison of their expression patterns in the WT plants and the bnac08hb6 mutant showed that BnaC08HB6 positively regulates the expression of the BnaABF4 and BnaDREB2A genes under dehydration and salt stress. We conclude that four BnaHB6 homologues have distinct functions in response to stress despite high sequence similarity, possibly indicating different binding preferences with BnaABF4 and BnaDREB2A. We hypothesize that BnaC08HB6 and BnaA09HB6 function in a complex regulatory network under stress.
Multilevel Intervention Stepped Wedge Designs (MLI-SWDs)
Authors: Sperger John , Kosorok Michael R. , Linnan Laura , Kneipp Shawn M.
Published: May 2024

Multilevel interventions (MLIs) hold promise for reducing health inequities by intervening at multiple types of social determinants of health consistent with the socioecological model of health. In spite of their potential, methodological challenges related to study design compounded by a lack of tools for sample size calculation inhibit their development. We help address this gap by proposing the Multilevel Intervention Stepped Wedge Design (MLI-SWD), a hybrid experimental design which combines cluster-level (CL) randomization using a Stepped Wedge design (SWD) with independent individual-level (IL) randomization. The MLI-SWD is suitable for MLIs where the IL intervention has a low risk of interference between individuals in the same cluster, and it enables estimation of the component IL and CL treatment effects, their interaction, and the combined intervention effect. The MLI-SWD accommodates cross-sectional and cohort designs as well as both incomplete (clusters are not observed in every study period) and complete observation patterns. We adapt recent work using generalized estimating equations for SWD sample size calculation to the multilevel setting and provide an R package for power and sample size calculation. Furthermore, motivated by our experiences with the ongoing NC Works 4 Health study, we consider how to apply the MLI-SWD when individuals join clusters over the course of the study. This situation arises when unemployment MLIs include IL interventions that are delivered while the individual is unemployed. This extension requires carefully considering whether the study interventions will satisfy additional causal assumptions but could permit randomization in new settings.
“All Children in Focus”: Effects of a Universal Parenting Program at a 6-Month Follow-Up in a Randomized Controlled Trial in Sweden
Authors: Cinà Isabella Victoria , Lindberg Lene , Enebrink Pia
Published: May 2024

Parenting programs have been shown to empower parents and prevent mental health problems in children. However, few programs are designed to promote wellbeing, which led to the development of the Swedish-promotive universal program, “All Children in Focus” (ACF). This study aimed to understand the effects of parents’ participation in the ACF program on parents’ emotion regulation and parenting practices over a 6-month follow-up and if intervention-produced changes predict child wellbeing (CW). Parental self-efficacy (PSE) was also included to assess the relation with parental outcomes and CW. This is an evaluation of a multicenter randomized waitlisted control trial conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden, with parents of children aged 3 to 12 years (n = 621) in 2012. Parents were randomized 1:1 to enter the program or to a waitlist. Questionnaires were completed by parents at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months post-baseline. We used generalized mixed modeling to test effects on parental outcomes over time and regression analyses to study the predictive role of parental outcomes on CW. From baseline to the post- and to the 6-month follow-ups, parents in the intervention group reported greater levels of emotion regulation skills, cognitive reappraisal, and positive parenting than did parents in the control group. A decrease in negative and harsh parenting was evident in both groups, although it was greater in the intervention group. An increase in PSE was associated with high negative parenting at baseline in the intervention group. Child gender moderated positive parenting, suggesting that parents of girls in the intervention group had more favorable development of positive strategies. The findings indicate that a change in PSE predicts a change in CW at 6 months. The ACF program can be used to strengthen and develop parenting. This study advances our knowledge about the potential advantages of using a health-promoting approach to strengthen the wellbeing of families in the general population. Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN70202532 Current Controlled Trials
Farming is charming: Informal learning of farmers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: von der Bank Felix , Pilz Matthias , Venkatram Rengan
Published: May 2024

The agricultural sector in India has come to prominence as a source of employment and livelihood. It is one of the most significant informal sectors in the country, and one in which informal learning plays a major role. This article analyses the informal learning of farmers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. In the course of this research, qualitative interviews with 34 farmers in Coimbatore were conducted and analysed with regard to informal learning. The findings show that informal learning is lifelong and chiefly takes place at home in a family and peer group context. Informal learning is facilitated by training courses specifically adapted to farmers’ needs, which can help them improve their situation on their respective farms. However, not every farmer attends these courses, indicating a need to strengthen the programmes, conduct information campaigns to raise awareness, and improve accessibility, especially for farmers and agricultural labourers.
Untangling multi-species fisheries data with species distribution models
Authors: McMillan Matthew N. , Leahy Susannah M. , Hillcoat Kyle B. , Wickens Montana , Roberts Eric M. , Daniell James J.
Published: May 2024

Long-term trends in fisheries catch are useful to monitor effects of fishing on wild populations. However, fisheries catch data are often aggregated in multi-species complexes, complicating assessments of individual species. Non-target species are often grouped together in this way, but this becomes problematic when increasingly common shifts toward targeting incidental species demand closer management focus at the species level. Species distribution models (SDMs) offer an under-utilised tool to allocate aggregated catch data among species for individual assessments. Here, we present a case study of two shovel-nosed lobsters (Thenus spp.), previously caught incidentally and recorded together in logbook records, to illustrate the design and use of catch allocation SDMs to untangle multi-species data for stock assessments of individual species. We demonstrate how catch allocation SDMs reveal previously masked species-specific catch trends from aggregated data and can identify shifts in fishing behaviour, e.g., changes in target species. Finally, we review key assumptions and limitations of this approach that may arise when applied across a broad geographic or taxonomic scope. Our aim is to provide a template to assist researchers and managers seeking to assess stocks of individual species using aggregated multi-species data.
More Satisfaction, Less Equality: Distributive Effects of Transparent Needs in a Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Kittel Bernhard , Neuhofer Sabine , Schwaninger Manuel C.
Published: May 2024

Societies are confronted with the dilemma that need satisfaction requires transparent individual needs. We study the effect of information about others’ needs on the distribution of a joint endowment in a three-player network exchange game in a laboratory experiment. Need levels are exogenously given and either transparent (known to all three network members) or opaque (only known to the players themselves). The three players negotiate in dyads until two players agree on a distribution. We expect that the transparency of need thresholds raises need satisfaction but lowers equality. The results suggest that the members of the dyad who agree on the distribution can satisfy their own need thresholds even when information about thresholds is opaque. The effect of transparency on the remaining network member is antithetical: while transparency increases the rate of need satisfaction, it decreases the average share of allocations when needs are low. In the opaque condition, allocated shares are larger, but need satisfaction is lower. This reveals the ambivalent distributive effects of transparent need thresholds: Transparency helps those with the highest need thresholds, but it can hurt those with lower need thresholds, and it barely affects the ones with the most influence on the decision.
Are Works of Art Affective Artifacts? If Not, What Sort of Artifacts Are They?
Authors: Terrone Enrico
Published: May 2024

Works of art are usually meant to elicit psychological effects from their audiences whereas paradigmatic technical artifacts such as hammers or cars are rather meant to produce physical effects when used. This suggests that works of art and technical artifacts are sharply different entities. However, recent developments in the cognitive sciences and the philosophy of technology have individuated special artifacts, namely cognitive and affective artifacts, which also generate psychological effects. In particular, affective artifacts, which have the capacity to alter the affective condition of agents, seem to share crucial features with works of art. Can we subsume works of art under that kind? I will argue that we cannot. Still, comparing art with affective artifacts will help us to clarify the relationship between art and technology, and to introduce a new category, namely the experiential artifact, which can properly encompass works of art.
Early development of Acacia longifolia is more severely impacted by water and nutrient stress in invasive than native seedlings
Authors: Vicente Sara , Condessa Mónica , Trindade Helena , Le Roux Johannes J. , Máguas Cristina
Published: May 2024

Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd. is a legume native to southeast mainland Australia and Tasmania and has two described subspecies: A. l. subsp. longifolia and A. l. subsp. sophorae. The species has been introduced around the world and is considered invasive in several Mediterranean-type climate regions, including in South America, South Africa, and southern Europe. Previous studies comparing native and invasive populations of A. longifolia have focused on its reproductive ecology and population genetics, and little information exists on the species’ early life development and how abiotic factors influence it. Here, we performed a glasshouse experiment to compare the phenotypic responses of native and invasive (in Portugal) A. longifolia seedlings to different levels of water and nutrient availability. We found that seedlings of both subspecies responded similarly to different water and nutrient availability conditions in terms of biomass accumulation, root length, the number of phyllodes produced, phyllode water content, and root-to-shoot ratio. However, compared to native seedlings, invasive seedlings had limited capacity for stress responses. We found that invasive seedlings had lower drought tolerance than native seedlings, and thus the speed of invasion by A. longifolia into drier parts of Portugal may be hindered. Our results also hint of a possible role of seed “imprinting” in this species’ early growth responses, resulting in different resource allocation strategies such as favouring early growth and development over drought resistance in the invaded range. Further studies are required to better understand the species’ abiotic stress responses at the intraspecific level and their relation to its invasiveness.