bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in capstone project supervision by academic faculty: A case study
Authors:   Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Social Sciences, Ariel University., Shurin Avihai , Shoval Shraga ,   Faculty of Engineering, Ariel University, Israel., Davidovitch Nitza ,   Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ariel University, Israel.
Published: November 2023

Supervision of capstone projects in engineering programs is an interdisciplinary challenge, for both students and Faculty. The project considered the highlight of the undergraduate program, summarizes all the knowledge students have accumulated throughout their studies and aims to train them for the challenges of graduate engineers. Although the project is usually perceived as leading to successful products and learning outcomes, pedagogical disparities are emerging, emphasizing a deep need for change. This study examines the essence of capstone supervision in Mechanical Engineering, the faculty’s role within it, and stakeholders’ perception, using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and analysis of primary sources. The study reveals that in contrast to the significance of supervision found to stakeholders, Faculty are under considerable pressure and perceive the significance of supervision as low, and as a time-consuming task, without proper compensation. The current processes show significant pedagogical disparities and limitations, resulting in low interest from academic supervisors. In addition, the academic institution was found to have dissatisfaction with the faculty’s supervision, even though there are no clear definitions or guiding methods for the supervisors. Accordingly, academic institutions must create greater motivation, interest, and compensation among Faculty. It is necessary to reduce the load on supervisors and to foster independent functioning by students. Effective supervision is essential for success and student development, which requires a deep need for proper preparation and training Faculty to be supervisors. Desired learning outcomes should be updated in order to optimally prepare the students for their future role, and maintain the relevance of academic institutions. Keywords: Capstone project supervision, final project in engineering, supervisor-lecturer, engineering education, engineering faculty, instructional methods (syn: pedagogy), faculty training.
Diet-induced nephrocalcinosis in aquarium-raised juvenile spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor
Authors: Béland K , Rousseau C , Lair S
Published: November 2023

Wolffish are regularly housed in aquaria, but little data on their husbandry and health is available for caretakers. High occurrence rates of nephrocalcinosis and urolithiasis have been observed in Atlantic Anarhichas lupus and spotted A. minor wolffish housed at 2 Canadian zoological institutions. To explore the effect of diet on nephrocalcinosis and urolithiasis development, a 16 mo prospective study was conducted. A total of 32 juvenile spotted wolffish were randomly assigned to one of 4 experimental groups fed exclusively with the following diet: (1) Skretting® Europa 18 pellets; (2) Mazuri® LS Aquatic Carni-Blend Diet Formula; (3) vitamin-supplemented fish-based diet, and (4) vitamin-supplemented invertebrate-based diet. Urinalysis, radiographs, and complete necropsies were performed at the end of the study. None of the wolffish developed uroliths during the study period. All specimens fed with the fish-based and invertebrate-based diets developed nephrocalcinosis, whereas this condition was seen in 12.5 and 0% of the fish in the Skretting® and Mazuri® groups, respectively. Affected wolffish often presented with oxalate crystalluria and increased radiodensity of the posterior kidneys. Urinalysis and radiographic study were considered useful in the antemortem diagnosis of nephrocalcinosis. None of the previously published risk factors for the development of nephrocalcinosis in fish were supported by the results of this study. However, nutritional analyses of the 4 diets suggest that high dietary levels of gelatin or vitamin C or low levels of vitamin E could be potential risk factors for the development of nephrocalcinosis in spotted wolffish and thus warrant further study.
A Woman is Being Side-Kicked: Gothic Superheroes and the Suppression of Female Autonomy Amid Feminism’s Second Wave
Authors: Tegan Mary Beth , Costello Matthew
Published: November 2023

This essay examines the treatment of women in the Gothic superhero comics of the 1970s through the lens of Michelle Massé’s In the Name of Love: Women, Masochism and the Gothic (1992). While superhero texts generally neglected women even at the height of second-wave feminism, the Gothic superhero sub-genre goes even further, drawing on the regressive trope of the suffering woman to ‘side-kick’ female characters and deny their agency and autonomy. Exploring four female characters who share this fate, we examine their different responses to the Freudian beating fantasy enacted in their narrative arcs, delineating the high costs and limited gains of traumatised women who dream of triumph.
‘Freeze Peach’: A Fruitful Formulation or a Recipe for Heated Discord? Followed by A Response to Keith Reader's ‘Freeze Peach’
Authors: Reader Keith , James Ian
Published: November 2023

Keith Reader's brief, unfinished article ‘Freeze Peach’ situates contemporary controversies surrounding free speech in relation to material and economic concerns. Ian James's response draws attention to the way Keith does this by bringing together four key figures of late twentieth-century philosophy and theory: Louis Althusser, Jean-François Lyotard, Terry Eagleton and Stanley Fish. Ian argues that the conjugation of Marx-inspired theory with thinkers associated with the postmodern would have allowed Keith to develop a uniquely perceptive and productive insight into the present moment of political disorientation, one which demands a renegotiation of the legacies of both modernity and postmodernity.
European concept of ecologically balanced nature management in a market economy
Authors: Polishchuk V.
Published: November 2023

The main task of the article is to establish the cause-and-effect links between the factors of environmental pollution and motivational mechanisms for ecologization of the economy in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. It is determined that the specificity of agricultural production is their close connection with the environment and its significant pollution with greenhouse gases and other harmful substances. It is established that the rate of global warming can be decreased by half by reducing the production of animal and plant products and increasing the use of renewable energy sources in the production sector. It is found that in the process of economic transformation, considerable attention should be paid to the need to reduce energy intensity, material intensity, ecologization of technological processes and improvement of product quality. In the realization of economic policy, the priority should be the use of environmental mechanisms for its regulation, and production should be concerned not only with satisfying the needs of consumers of products, but also with reducing the negative impact on ecosystems. The dynamics of total emissions into the atmosphere by households in a number of European countries is determined and the main reasons for such changes are indicated. A systematic analysis of the indicators that characterize the volume of fresh surface and groundwater intake per capita is carried out and the depth of the water crisis in the EU countries is determined. The article analyses the level of waste disposal and recommends the most effective waste management technologies, and studies the dynamics of changes in the area of protected forests in Europe to identify the tree species that are the best cleaners of the air. The size of compensatory contributions of countries under global climate commitments and indicators of total environmental transfers for environmental protection activities are researched. An integrated approach is used to determine the real impact of various types of economic activity of European countries on the environment. It is recommended to study and implement the experience of European market economies regarding the conceptual principles of balanced environmental management in Ukraine.
Preparation and sports performance of multilayer flexible anti stabbing fabric martial arts sports composite conjugate materials
Authors: Zhang Jie , Ding Huanxiang , Wang Yanqun
Published: November 2023

Puncture-resistant clothing plays an important role in martial arts. This article studies the preparation process of multi-layer flexible stab-resistant fabrics, analyzes the sports properties of the fabric, and explores the potential application of stab-resistant clothing in martial arts. This article uses ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber as raw material, preprocesses it, including fiber cleaning, drying, lamination, and laminating them together through needle punching, then soaks the laminated fibers in resin, and the soaked fibers solidifies to form a specific flexible puncture-resistant fabric. This article prepares three types of layered fabrics, namely woven fabrics, nonwoven materials, and composite materials of nonwoven materials + woven fabrics + nonwoven materials, and analyzes the kinematic characteristics of the three layered fabrics. Experimental results show that when the number of layers is 4, the average breaking tensile forces of woven fabrics, nonwoven materials and composite materials are 3400, 4600 and 3860 respectively, and the average breaking elongations are 11.8%, 40.6% and 17.4% respectively. This shows that woven fabrics have the highest levels of air permeability and moisture permeability.
Inflammation in acute heart failure
Authors: Garofalo Manuel , Corso Rossana , Tomasoni Daniela , Adamo Marianna , Lombardi Carlo M. , Inciardi Riccardo M. , Gussago Cristina , Di Mario Carlo , Metra Marco , Pagnesi Matteo
Published: November 2023

Acute heart failure (AHF) represents a common clinical scenario that requires prompt evaluation and therapy and that is characterized by a high risk of mortality or subsequent rehospitalizations. The pathophysiology leading to AHF decompensation is still not fully understood. Significant activation of inflammatory pathways has been identified in patients with AHF, particularly in its most severe forms, and it has been hypothesized that systemic inflammation has a role in AHF pathogenesis. Several inflammatory mediators and cytokines, such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 and galectin-3, have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis, development and worsening of this condition with an independent prediction of adverse outcomes. This manuscript reviews the prevalence and prognostic value of systemic inflammation in AHF, as well as the potential role of anti-inflammatory therapies, focusing on available evidence from clinical trials and ongoing studies.
Deep learning estimation of northern hemisphere soil freeze-thaw dynamics using satellite multi-frequency microwave brightness temperature observations
Authors: Donahue Kellen , Kimball John S. , Du Jinyang , Bunt Fredrick , Colliander Andreas , Moghaddam Mahta , Johnson Jesse , Kim Youngwook , Rawlins Michael A.
Published: November 2023

Satellite microwave sensors are well suited for monitoring landscape freeze-thaw (FT) transitions owing to the strong brightness temperature (TB) or backscatter response to changes in liquid water abundance between predominantly frozen and thawed conditions. The FT retrieval is also a sensitive climate indicator with strong biophysical importance. However, retrieval algorithms can have difficulty distinguishing the FT status of soils from that of overlying features such as snow and vegetation, while variable land conditions can also degrade performance. Here, we applied a deep learning model using a multilayer convolutional neural network driven by AMSR2 and SMAP TB records, and trained on surface (~0–5 cm depth) soil temperature FT observations. Soil FT states were classified for the local morning (6 a.m.) and evening (6 p.m.) conditions corresponding to SMAP descending and ascending orbital overpasses, mapped to a 9 km polar grid spanning a five-year (2016–2020) record and Northern Hemisphere domain. Continuous variable estimates of the probability of frozen or thawed conditions were derived using a model cost function optimized against FT observational training data. Model results derived using combined multi-frequency (1.4, 18.7, 36.5 GHz) TBs produced the highest soil FT accuracy over other models derived using only single sensor or single frequency TB inputs. Moreover, SMAP L-band (1.4 GHz) TBs provided enhanced soil FT information and performance gain over model results derived using only AMSR2 TB inputs. The resulting soil FT classification showed favorable and consistent performance against soil FT observations from ERA5 reanalysis (mean percent accuracy, MPA: 92.7%) and in situ weather stations (MPA: 91.0%). The soil FT accuracy was generally consistent between morning and afternoon predictions and across different land covers and seasons. The model also showed better FT accuracy than ERA5 against regional weather station measurements (91.0% vs. 86.1% MPA). However, model confidence was lower in complex terrain where FT spatial heterogeneity was likely beneath the effective model grain size. Our results provide a high level of precision in mapping soil FT dynamics to improve understanding of complex seasonal transitions and their influence on ecological processes and climate feedbacks, with the potential to inform Earth system model predictions.
A chimpanzee’s time to feast: seasonality of Macrotermes flight hole activity and alate dispersal flights detected by termite-fishing experiments and camera traps in the Issa Valley, Tanzania
Authors: Phillips Seth , Piel Alex K. , Stewart Fiona A. , Oelze Vicky M.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Investigation into chimpanzee termite-fishing behavior has provided invaluable insights into the evolution of animal tool use and culture. However, research to date often overlooks how the ecology of termites may shape the nature of this predator–prey interaction. Though anecdotal links between meteorological factors, termite dispersal flights and the ability of chimpanzees to termite-fish have been made, these relationships were never empirically tested. In this study, we examined if and how the reproductive ecology of mound building termites (Macrotermes subhyalinus) affects the availability of this resource to termite-fishing chimpanzees in the Issa Valley, Tanzania.

Methods

We utilized in-person termite-fishing experiments, remote camera trap footage, as well as meteorological data to model both the availability of termite prey across seasons for chimpanzees as well as the timing of dispersal flights of the termite reproductive caste (alates). Additionally, we describe the predator diversity that characterizes alate swarming events during their seasonal dispersal flights.

Results

We identify strong relationships between meteorological factors, Macrotermes alate dispersal flights and vulnerability of the colony to predation. As rainfall accumulates, Macrotermes become more abundant in their flight holes and are thus more vulnerable to researcher termite-fishing experiments. This increased accessibility to Macrotermes continues until alate dispersal flights which we also find are linked to cumulative rainfall as well as negatively correlated to wind speed.

Discussion

This type of baseline data on Macrotermes ecology is fundamental when forming hypotheses and designing studies into topics such as chimpanzee culture, tool-use, and foraging cognition.
Structural characterization of a novel cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate synthetase involved in extremolyte production in the archaeon Methanothermus fervidus
Authors: De Rose Simone A. , Isupov Michail N. , Worthy Harley L. , Stracke Christina , Harmer Nicholas J. , Siebers Bettina , Littlechild Jennifer A. ,   The HotSolute consortium
Published: November 2023

The enzyme cyclic di-phosphoglycerate synthetase that is involved in the production of the osmolyte cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate has been studied both biochemically and structurally. Cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate is found exclusively in the hyperthermophilic archaeal methanogens, such as Methanothermus fervidus, Methanopyrus kandleri, and Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus. Its presence increases the thermostability of archaeal proteins and protects the DNA against oxidative damage caused by hydroxyl radicals. The cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate synthetase enzyme has been crystallized and its structure solved to 1.7 Å resolution by experimental phasing. It has also been crystallized in complex with its substrate 2,3 diphosphoglycerate and the co-factor ADP and this structure has been solved to 2.2 Å resolution. The enzyme structure has two domains, the core domain shares some structural similarity with other NTP-dependent enzymes. A significant proportion of the structure, including a 127 amino acid N-terminal domain, has no structural similarity to other known enzyme structures. The structure of the complex shows a large conformational change that occurs in the enzyme during catalytic turnover. The reaction involves the transfer of the γ-phosphate group from ATP to the substrate 2,3 -diphosphoglycerate and the subsequent SN2 attack to form a phosphoanhydride. This results in the production of the unusual extremolyte cyclic 2,3 -diphosphoglycerate which has important industrial applications.
Deep brain stimulation in PD: risk of complications, morbidity, and hospitalizations: a systematic review
Authors: Olson Markey C. , Shill Holly , Ponce Francisco , Aslam Sana
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive and debilitating neurological disorder. While dopaminergic medication improves PD symptoms, continued management is complicated by continued symptom progression, increasing medication fluctuations, and medication-related dyskinesia. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is a well-accepted and widespread treatment often utilized to address these symptoms in advanced PD. However, DBS may also lead to complications requiring hospitalization. In addition, patients with PD and DBS may have specialized care needs during hospitalization.

Methods

This systematic review seeks to characterize the complications and risk of hospitalization following DBS surgery. Patient risk factors and modifications to DBS surgical techniques that may affect surgical risk are also discussed.

Results

It is found that, when candidates are carefully screened, DBS is a relatively low-risk procedure, but rate of hospitalization is somewhat increased for DBS patients.

Discussion

More research is needed to determine the relative influence of more advanced disease vs. DBS itself in increased rate of hospitalization, but education about DBS and PD is important to insure effective patient care within the hospital.
Aerobic exercise combined with chlorogenic acid exerts neuroprotective effects and reverses cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease model mice (APP/PS1) via the SIRT1/ /PGC-1α/PPARγ signaling pathway
Authors: Shi Dan , Hao Zikang , Qi Wenxiao , Jiang Fengyi , Liu Kerui , Shi Xiao
Published: November 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease account for 60–80% of the total number of people with dementia, but its treatment and prevention strategies are still in a long process of exploration. It has been reported that a healthy lifestyle may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for the prevention and treatment of AD, including increased physical activity and the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of 8 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (EX), administration of chlorogenic acid administration (GCA), and a combination of both (EX+GCA) on β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress markers, neuronal damage, and cognitive performance in the brains of AD model mice (APP/PS1) and which signaling pathways may be responsible for these effects. The study used Western blot to detect the expression of signaling pathway-related proteins, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the expression of inflammatory factors, hematoxylin–eosin staining to detect hippocampal neuronal morphology, immunohistochemistry to detect changes in Aβ deposition in the hippocampus, an oxidative stress marker kit to detect oxidative stress status and the Morris water maze to detect changes in cognitive performance. This study showed that an 8-week intervention (EX/GCA/EX+GCA) activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway improved oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, Aβ deposition, and cognitive performance in mice. However, there was no obvious difference between the EX and GCA groups. In contrast, the combined EX+GCA intervention was significantly better than phase EX or GCA. Our study suggests that although relief of Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal damage, and cognitive decline could also be achieved with EX or GCA, the combined EX+GCA intervention showed better results. These relief effects on AD-related conditions may be obtained by mediating the activation of the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. This study is the first to explore the improvement of AD-related conditions with a combined lifestyle of EX+GCA. This healthy lifestyle could be a candidate option for the treatment of AD.
Pathophysiology and surgical decision-making in central cord syndrome and degenerative cervical myelopathy: correcting the somatotopic fallacy
Authors: Shakil Husain , Santaguida Carlo , Wilson Jefferson R. , Farhadi H. Francis , Levi Allan D. , Wilcox Jared T.
Published: November 2023

Our understanding of Central Cord Syndrome (CCS), a form of incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by disproportionate upper extremity weakness, is evolving. Recent advances challenge the traditional somatotopic model of corticospinal tract organization within the spinal cord, suggesting that CCS is likely a diffuse injury rather than focal lesion. Diagnostic criteria for CCS lack consensus, and varied definitions impact patient identification and treatment. Evidence has mounted for early surgery for CCS, although significant variability persists in surgical timing preferences among practitioners. A demographic shift toward an aging population has increased the overlap between CCS and Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM). Understanding this intersection is crucial for comprehensive patient care. Assessment tools, including quantitative measures and objective evaluations, aid in distinguishing CCS from DCM. The treatment landscape for CCS in the context of pre-existing DCM is complex, requiring careful consideration of pre-existing neurologic injury, patient factors, and injury factors. This review synthesizes emerging evidence, outlines current guidelines in diagnosis and management, and emphasizes the need for ongoing research to refine our understanding and treatment strategies for this evolving patient population.
Rapid and inexpensive bedside diagnosis of RAN binding protein 2-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy
Authors: Gouy Benoît , Decorsière Adrien , Desgraupes Sophie , Duan Wenming , Ouyang Hong , Wang Yifan E. , Yeh E. Ann , Palazzo Alexander F. , Moraes Theo J. , Nisole Sébastien , Arhel Nathalie J.
Published: November 2023

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy 1 (ANE1) is a very rare disorder associated with a dominant heterozygous mutation in the RANBP2 (RAN binding protein 2) gene. ANE1 is frequently triggered by a febrile infection and characterized by serious and irreversible neurological damage. Although only a few hundred cases have been reported, mutations in RANBP2 are only partially penetrant and can occur de novo, suggesting that their frequency may be higher in some populations. Genetic diagnosis is a lengthy process, potentially delaying definitive diagnosis. We therefore developed a rapid bedside qPCR-based tool for early diagnosis and screening of ANE1 mutations. Primers were designed to specifically assess RANBP2 and not RGPD (RANBP2 and GCC2 protein domains) and discriminate between wild-type or mutant RANBP2. Nasal epithelial cells were obtained from two individuals with known RANBP2 mutations and two healthy control individuals. RANBP2-specific reverse transcription followed by allele-specific primer qPCR amplification confirmed the specific detection of heterozygously expressed mutant RANBP2 in the ANE1 samples. This study demonstrates that allele-specific qPCR can be used as a rapid and inexpensive diagnostic tool for ANE1 using preexisting equipment at local hospitals. It can also be used to screen non-hospitalized family members and at risk-population to better establish the frequency of non-ANE-associated RANBP2 mutations, as well as possible tissue-dependent expression patterns.

Systematic review registration

The protocol was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO– CRD42023443257).
Methylation of the epigenetic JMJD2D protein by SET7/9 promotes prostate tumorigenesis
Authors: Gu Ruicai , Kim Tae-Dong , Jiang Hanlin , Shin Sook , Oh Sangphil , Janknecht Ralf
Published: November 2023

How the function of the JMJD2D epigenetic regulator is regulated or whether it plays a role in prostate cancer has remained elusive. We found that JMJD2D was overexpressed in prostate tumors, stimulated prostate cancer cell growth and became methylated by SET7/9 on K427. Mutation of this lysine residue in JMJD2D reduced the ability of DU145 prostate cancer cells to grow, invade and form tumors and elicited extensive transcriptomic changes. This included downregulation of CBLC, a ubiquitin ligase gene with hitherto unknown functions in prostate cancer, and upregulation of PLAGL1, a transcription factor with reported tumor suppressive characteristics in the prostate. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that CBLC expression was elevated in prostate tumors. Further, downregulation of CBLC largely phenocopied the effects of the K427 mutation on DU145 cells. In sum, these data have unveiled a novel mode of regulation of JMJD2D through lysine methylation, illustrated how this can affect oncogenic properties by influencing expression of the CBLC gene, and established a pro-tumorigenic role for CBLC in the prostate. A corollary is that JMJD2D and CBLC inhibitors could have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of prostate and possibly other cancers.
The enhancement of photosynthetic performance, water use efficiency and potato yield under elevated CO2 is cultivar dependent
Authors: Dahal Keshav , Milne Matthew A. , Gervais Taylor
Published: November 2023

As a fourth major food crop, potato could fulfill the nutritional demand of the growing population. Understanding how potato plants respond to predicted increase in atmospheric CO2 at the physiological, biochemical and molecular level is therefore important to improve potato productivity. Thus, the main objectives of the present study are to investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on the photosynthetic performance, water use efficiency and tuber yield of various commercial potato cultivars combined with biochemical and molecular analyses. We grew five potato cultivars (AC Novachip, Atlantic, Kennebec, Russet Burbank and Shepody) at either ambient CO2 (400 μmol CO2 mol−1) or elevated (750 μmol CO2 mol−1) CO2. Compared to ambient CO2-grown counterparts, elevated CO2-grown Russet Burbank and Shepody exhibited a significant increase in tuber yield of 107% and 49% respectively, whereas AC Novachip, Atlantic and Kennebec exhibited a 16%, 6% and 44% increment respectively. These differences in CO2-enhancement of tuber yield across the cultivars were mainly associated with the differences in CO2-stimulation of rates of photosynthesis. For instance, elevated CO2 significantly stimulated the rates of gross photosynthesis for AC Novachip (30%), Russet Burbank (41%) and Shepody (28%) but had minimal effects for Atlantic and Kennebec when measured at growth light. Elevated CO2 significantly increased the total tuber number for Atlantic (40%) and Shepody (83%) but had insignificant effects for other cultivars. Average tuber size increased for AC Novachip (16%), Kennebec (30%) and Russet Burbank (80%), but decreased for Atlantic (25%) and Shepody (19%) under elevated versus ambient CO2 conditions. Although elevated CO2 minimally decreased stomatal conductance (6–22%) and transpiration rates (2–36%), instantaneous water use efficiency increased by up to 79% in all cultivars suggesting that enhanced water use efficiency was mainly associated with increased photosynthesis at elevated CO2. The effects of elevated CO2 on electron transport rates, non-photochemical quenching, excitation pressure, and leaf chlorophyll and protein content varied across the cultivars. We did not observe any significant differences in plant growth and morphology in elevated versus ambient CO2-grown plants. Taken all together, we conclude that the CO2-stimulation of photosynthetic performance, water use efficiency and tuber yield of potatoes is cultivar dependent.
Comparative plastome genomics and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Trollius
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Du Yan , Xie Lei , Jin Xiaohua , Zhang Zhirong , Yang Meiqing
Published: November 2023

Trollius, a genus in the Ranunculaceae family, has significant medicinal and ornamental value. It is widely distributed in China with 16 different species accepted. However, due to the lack of enough samples and information sites, the molecular phylogenetic relationships of Trollius have been unresolved till now. Here we sequenced, assembled and annotated the plastomes of 16 Trollius species to investigate their genomic characteristics, inverted repeat (IR) boundaries, sequence repeats, and hypervariable loci. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships of this genus was reconstructed based on the whole plastomes and the protein-coding sequences data-sets. The plastomes of Trollius ranged between 159,597 bp and 160,202 bp in length, and contained 113 unique genes, including 79 protein coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA. The IR boundaries were relatively conserved within the genus Trollius. 959 simple sequence repeats and 657 long sequence repeats were detected in the Trollius plastomes. We identified 12 highly polymorphic loci (Pi > 0.0115) that can be used as plastid markers in molecular identification and phylogenetic investigation of the genus. Besides, Trollius was a monophyletic group with the earliest divergence clade being Trollius lilacinus Bunge, and the remaining species were divided into two strongly-supported clades. The phylogeny in our study supported the traditional classification systems based on the color of sepal, but not the previous classification system based on the types and relative lengths of the nectaries, and distribution. The genomic resources provided in our study can be used in the taxonomy of the genus Trollius, promoting the development and utilization of this genus.
A scoping review of life skills development and transfer in emerging adults
Authors: Tanious René , Gérain Pierre , Jacquet Wolfgang , Van Hoof Elke
Published: November 2023

Emerging adulthood is a unique and sensitive life period during which most psychiatric conditions emerge. Development of life skills and transfer of these skills between contexts may be considered essential for transitioning from emerging adulthood to young adulthood. In the present scoping review of 83 articles published between 2010 and 2022, we address the state of research on life skills development and transfer in emerging adults aged 18–30. Specifically, we were interested in how life skills are defined, which specific life skills are proposed and how life skills transfer is conceptualized for this age group, with an emphasis on cognitive, personal, and interpersonal components. The results show that only a small minority of the reviewed studies defined the term life skills and an even smaller number mentioned the concept of life skills transfer, with only one study actually mentioning transfer components. Life skills research for emerging adults strongly focuses on vulnerable populations (e.g., developmental and contextual vulnerabilities, and sexually transmittable infections treatment and prevention) with the five most frequently mentioned life skills being budgeting/ finances, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional regulation. We discuss these results in light of future research directions and the lessons learned for life skills development and transfer research in emerging adults.

Systematic review registration

All analyzed articles are available at: https://osf.io/gmk8w/.
Measuring educational leadership in Singapore: re-examining the psychometric properties of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire
Authors: Wang John Chee Keng , Liu Woon Chia , Kee Ying Hwa , Ng Betsy , Chua Lilian , Hu Liang
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) has been used frequently to assess leadership in different settings. Despite its popularity, there are many critiques of the MLQ-5X such as its questionable multidimensional structure, lack of connection to the theory and the different factor structures of the measurement tool. The purpose of this study was to re-examine the psychometric properties of the MLQ-5X in the Singapore educational context using two datasets.

Methods

A total of 872 teachers (40.1% male and 59.9% female) from 20 secondary schools in Singapore completed two sets of MLQ-5X, one set for their immediate reporting officer and one set for their school leaders.

Results

Congeneric Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Rho’s coefficients, and AVE were used to analyze MLQ-5X’s convergent validity and internal consistency. After five items were deleted, the MLQ-5X showed acceptable internal consistency and convergent validity. Eight measurement models were tested with the original 36 items and the reduced items MLQ-5X. Latent factor correlation matrix with confidence intervals was used to assess the discriminant validity of the MLQ-5X. The results provided support for a nine first-order factors and three second-order factors model (transformation [IIA, IIB, IM, IS, IC, CR], transactional (MBEA), and non-leadership (MBEP and LF).

Discussion

The discriminant validity of the hierarchical measurement model of MLQ-5X is supported using dataset 2.
Factors Associated With People’s Accessibility to Mental Healthcare Services in Ukraine: Focusing on Household Head Vulnerability
Authors: Heo Min-Hee , Song Eun-Mi , Jeon Hui-Won , Kim Kyoung-Beom , Noh Jin-Won
Published: November 2023

Objectives: This study examines the factors associated with access to mental healthcare services among people living in the government-controlled areas (GCAs) of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine.

Methods: The 2020 Ukraine Multi-Sector Needs Assessment conducted by REACH was subjected to frequency analysis, percentage analysis, and binary logistic regression to confirm the factors associated with accessibility to mental healthcare services among Ukrainian household heads.

Results: Older household heads, heads with high accessibility to healthcare facilities, and those with low health expenditures were highly likely to have low access to mental healthcare services. Household heads’ awareness of household members’ medical assistance eligibility was significantly and positively associated with the former’s mental healthcare accessibility.

Conclusion: This study revealed the mental health vulnerability of people living in GCAs in Ukraine, in which the situation progresses from conflict to war. The need for mental healthcare, which is adversely affected by armed conflict, is expected to increase. Accordingly, further studies should clarify the demand for and methods to enhance mental healthcare services to ensure the timely provision of these services in the future.
Assessment of Oral Health in a Child Cohort of a Rural Zone of Ethiopia
Authors: Mezzofranco Luca , Zalunardo Francesca , Magliarditi Andrea , Gracco Antonio
Published: November 2023

Health conditions in a developing state such as Ethiopia are precarious; in addition to the extreme spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, oral health is also affected by the scarce knowledge and possibility of treatment. This analysis considered 77 children aged 7 to 11 from a primary school in Guraghe in Ethiopia. The presence of plaque, calculus, and caries was evaluated. For each caries, the affected tooth and the site of onset were considered. Plaque was detected in 39% of the children, calculus in 22%, and dental caries in 48% of the patients. The cavities were found to be equally distributed between the two arches, with a prevalence of location in the deciduous teeth and in the occlusal area. The implementation of home oral hygiene education and the training of health professionals who successfully promote oral health is necessary.
Efficacy and Safety of Programmed Death-1/Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitor for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liao Pei-Fei , Wang Ping-Yu , Peng Tzu-Rong
Published: November 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors for the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Methods: A literature search was conducted of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library and was limited to the English literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to July 2022 were considered for inclusion. The outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and grade ≥ 3 treatment-related AEs (TRAE). Subgroup analysis was performed based on the PD-L1 expression status, and the differences between first- and second-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were estimated. Results: We included five RCTs comprising 3584 patients in the analysis. Compared with chemotherapy alone, the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as monotherapy did not significantly prolong OS [hazard ratios (HR), 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81–1.00] or PFS (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95–1.32). However, the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy significantly improved both OS (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74–0.96) and PFS (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71–0.90). Additionally, subgroup analysis showed that in mUC with PD-L1 expression ≥ 5%, treatment with the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone did not reduce the risk of death. Safety analysis showed that the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone did not significantly increase the incidence rates of grade ≥ 3 TRAEs. Conclusions: The results show that use of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone as first-line treatment is similar to chemotherapy in terms of both survival and response rates. However, the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy has a significant benefit in terms of PFS or OS. Nonetheless, more RCTs are warranted to evaluate efficiency and safety in the combination regimen of chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
Evolution Dynamics Model of Private Enterprises under Simultaneous and Sequential Innovation Decisions
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Yutong , Chen Tingqiang
Published: November 2023

The innovation of private enterprises plays a crucial role. This study focuses on the impacts of market information asymmetry, the technology spillover effect, and the order of innovation research and development (R&D) decisions on the evolution of private enterprises’ innovation. This study constructs a dynamic model to analyze how the innovation decision-making order of private enterprises influences their profits and intertemporal innovation decision making. First, we derive the equilibrium point under sequential decisions and the stability of the system at the equilibrium point. Second, we investigate the impact of sequential and simultaneous innovation decisions on the evolution of the dynamic system and its economic implications. Finally, we study the evolutionary dynamics of the attractor with the rate of innovation adjustment and point to the existence of multiple equilibria. The results suggest that the speed of the innovation R&D cost change should be moderate, and the asynchronous updating of the innovation R&D strategy can prevent the system evolution from turning into chaos. These conclusions guide innovation policies.
Connectivity of Random Geometric Hypergraphs
Authors: de Kergorlay Henry-Louis , Higham Desmond J.
Published: November 2023

We consider a random geometric hypergraph model based on an underlying bipartite graph. Nodes and hyperedges are sampled uniformly in a domain, and a node is assigned to those hyperedges that lie within a certain radius. From a modelling perspective, we explain how the model captures higher-order connections that arise in real data sets. Our main contribution is to study the connectivity properties of the model. In an asymptotic limit where the number of nodes and hyperedges grow in tandem, we give a condition on the radius that guarantees connectivity.
Topological Dimensions from Disorder and Quantum Mechanics?
Authors: Horváth Ivan , Markoš Peter
Published: November 2023

We have recently shown that the critical Anderson electron in D=3 dimensions effectively occupies a spatial region of the infrared (IR) scaling dimension dIR≈8/3. Here, we inquire about the dimensional substructure involved. We partition space into regions of equal quantum occurrence probabilities, such that the points comprising a region are of similar relevance, and calculate the IR scaling dimension d of each. This allows us to infer the probability density p(d) for dimension d to be accessed by the electron. We find that p(d) has a strong peak at d very close to two. In fact, our data suggest that p(d) is non-zero on the interval [dmin,dmax]≈[4/3,8/3] and may develop a discrete part (δ-function) at d=2 in the infinite-volume limit. The latter invokes the possibility that a combination of quantum mechanics and pure disorder can lead to the emergence of integer (topological) dimensions. Although dIR is based on effective counting, of which p(d) has no a priori knowledge, dIR≥dmax is an exact feature of the ensuing formalism. A possible connection of our results to the recent findings of dIR≈2 in Dirac near-zero modes of thermal quantum chromodynamics is emphasized.
Probabilistic Wind Speed Forecasting for Wind Turbine Allocation in the Power Grid
Authors: Chaouch Mohamed
Published: November 2023

To face the growing electricity demand, several countries have adopted the solution of clean energy and use renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar) to reinforce the stability of the power network, especially during peak demand periods. Forecasting wind power generation is one of the important tasks for the network regulator. This paper deals with the probabilistic forecasting of hourly wind speed time series. In this approach, instead of evaluating a single-point forecast, an intraday interval prediction is provided, which allows modeling the probability distribution of the wind speed process at any specific hour. Practically, the quantification of uncertainty might be of particular interest for risk management purposes associated with wind power generation. The definition of interval prediction is based on the notion of conditional quantiles. In this paper, we introduce a new statistical approach, which deals with the nonstationarity behavior of the wind speed process, to define the conditional quantile predictor. The proposed approach was applied and evaluated on hourly wind speed processes. The suggested methodology provides accurate single-point forecasts using the conditional median as the predictor. Furthermore, the obtained hourly interval predictions are small and well adapted to the shape of the daily wind speed curves, which confirms the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Time Series Analysis and Forecasting of Solar Generation in Spain Using eXtreme Gradient Boosting: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Saigustia Candra , Pijarski Paweł
Published: November 2023

The rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation has established its pivotal role in the shift toward sustainable energy systems. This study conducts an in-depth analysis of solar generation data from 2015 to 2018 in Spain, with a specific emphasis on temporal patterns, excluding weather data. Employing the powerful eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm for modeling and forecasting, our research underscores its exceptional efficacy in capturing solar generation trends, as evidenced by a remarkable root mean squared error (RMSE) of 11.042, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 5.621, an R-squared (R²) of 0.999, and a minimal mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 0.046. These insights hold substantial implications for grid management, energy planning, and policy development, reaffirming solar energy’s promise as a dependable and sustainable contributor to the electrical power system’s evolution. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at optimizing renewable energy integration and enhancing energy sustainability for future generations.
An Evaluation of Potential Strategies in Renewable Energy Systems and Their Importance for South Africa—A Review
Authors: Skosana Busiswe , Siti Mukwanga W. , Mbungu Nsilulu T. , Kumar Sonu , Mulumba Willy
Published: November 2023

The ageing of coal-fired power stations in South Africa has led to regular power outages. Therefore, the country will need to urgently increase its electricity capacity to meet further energy demand from growing urbanization and population growth. This challenge has increased interest in alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy (RE). South Africa is gradually implementing appropriate renewable energy practices, reducing carbon emissions, cleansing the air, and assuring a more sustainable future. This paper summarizes the availability, current state, and future potential of renewable energy choices in South Africa. This paper also evaluates specific policy measures and government actions aimed at eliminating barriers and increasing renewable energy deployment in the future. It also considers the South African network’s specialized techno-economic analysis. The findings show that South Africa is still heavily reliant on coal, with 78% of the current installed capacity coming from coal power in 2022, compared to 9.3% for solar and wind energy.
The Role of Renewable Energy and Human Capital in Reducing Environmental Degradation in Europe and Central Asia: Panel Quantile Regression and GMM Approach
Authors: Kuziboev Bekhzod , Ibadullaev Ergash , Saidmamatov Olimjon , Rajabov Alibek , Marty Peter , Ruzmetov Sherzodbek , Sherov Alisher
Published: November 2023

Environmental sustainability concerns are growing worldwide. Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is crucial to combating global warming and reaching sustainable global economic development. Many recent studies have focused on key indicators of CO2 emissions, but less consideration has been given to associated factors such as renewable energy and human capital. This article applies the two-step system FOD-GMM (Forward-Orthogonal Deviations-Generalized Method of Moments) to estimate the role of renewable energy and human capital in reducing environmental degradation in Europe and Central Asia. The results reveal that renewable energy consumption and human capital have a significant negative impact on CO2 emissions in the EU and Central Asian countries, government efficiency has a positive effect on CO2 emissions, and economic development has a neutral effect, confirming the strong role of renewable energy and human capital in reducing CO2 emissions in EU and Central Asian countries. The role of human capital and renewable energy in promoting CO2 reduction should be fully utilized. Policymakers should develop infrastructure for renewable energy and education to support the decrease in CO2 emissions in Europe and Central Asia.