bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes for traits related to meat quality in Colombian Creole hair sheep
Authors: Revelo Herman Alberto , López-Alvarez Diana , Palacios Yineth Alexandra , Vergara Oscar David , Yánez Moris Bustamante , Ariza Manuel Fernando , Molina Susan Lorena Castro , Sanchez Yurany Ortiz , Alvarez Luz Ángela
Published: October 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) allow identifying genomic regions related to traits of economic importance in animals of zootechnical interest. The objective of this research was to conduct a genome-wide association study on meat quality traits using the Illumina OvineSNPs50 BeadChip array. The animals were sampled in the departments of Córdoba, Cesar, and Valle del Cauca. The genotypes obtained with the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip microarray were analyzed SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) data to conduct a GWAS for pH and water-holding capacity (WHC) traits measured after 7 days of maturation, in the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, in 167 Creole hair sheep of 12 months old belonging to Pelibuey (CHSP, n = 60), Ethiopian (CHSE, n = 44), and Sudan (CHSS, n = 63) breeds. The GWAS was done using a mixed linear model (MLMA) and based on the Ovis aries v3.1 genome. The CHSE showed the lowest meat juice release and, consequently, the highest water-holding capacity (WHC = 30.6 ± 0.1), suggesting that this breed has better performance in the meat industry compared with CHSS (WHC = 41.7 ± 0.1) and CHSP (WHC = 36.8 ± 0.1), since there is a relationship between WHC and juiciness. For the character pH, it was not possible to annotate genes related to meat quality, while, for the WHC, they have obtained 11 candidate genes associated (ELOVL2, ARAP2, LOC101102527, SHOC2, AIPL1, CSRNP3, IFRD, KDM8, NANS, DAPK1, IBN2, TPM2). Particularly, ELOVL2, ARAP2, IBN2, and TPM2 genes are involved in muscle contraction and fatty acid composition in sheep. In this study, we generated a baseline for GWAS related to meat quality traits in Colombian Creole hair sheep that can be used for future genomic selection plans.
VisualPDE: Rapid Interactive Simulations of Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Walker Benjamin J. , Townsend Adam K. , Chudasama Alexander K. , Krause Andrew L.
Published: October 2023

Computing has revolutionised the study of complex nonlinear systems, both by allowing us to solve previously intractable models and through the ability to visualise solutions in different ways. Using ubiquitous computing infrastructure, we provide a means to go one step further in using computers to understand complex models through instantaneous and interactive exploration. This ubiquitous infrastructure has enormous potential in education, outreach and research. Here, we present VisualPDE, an online, interactive solver for a broad class of 1D and 2D partial differential equation (PDE) systems. Abstract dynamical systems concepts such as symmetry-breaking instabilities, subcritical bifurcations and the role of initial data in multistable nonlinear models become much more intuitive when you can play with these models yourself, and immediately answer questions about how the system responds to changes in parameters, initial conditions, boundary conditions or even spatiotemporal forcing. Importantly, VisualPDE is freely available, open source and highly customisable. We give several examples in teaching, research and knowledge exchange, providing high-level discussions of how it may be employed in different settings. This includes designing web-based course materials structured around interactive simulations, or easily crafting specific simulations that can be shared with students or collaborators via a simple URL. We envisage VisualPDE becoming an invaluable resource for teaching and research in mathematical biology and beyond. We also hope that it inspires other efforts to make mathematics more interactive and accessible.
Causality methods to study the functional connectivity in brain networks: the basal ganglia – thalamus causal interactions
Authors: Rodriguez-Sabate Clara , Gonzalez Albano , Perez-Darias Juan Carlos , Morales Ingrid , Sole-Sabater Miguel , Rodriguez Manuel
Published: October 2023

This study uses methods recently developed to study the complex evolution of atmospheric phenomena which have some similarities with the dynamics of the human brain. In both cases, it is possible to record the activity of particular centers (geographic regions or brain nuclei) but not to make an experimental modification of their state. The study of “causality”, which is necessary to understand the dynamics of these complex systems and to develop robust models that can predict their evolution, is hampered by the experimental restrictions imposed by the nature of both systems. The study was performed with data obtained in the thalamus and basal ganglia of awake humans executing different tasks. This work studies the linear, non-linear and more complex relationships of these thalamic centers with the cortex and main BG nuclei, using three complementary techniques: the partial correlation regression method, the Gaussian process regression/distance correlation and a model-free method based on nearest-neighbor that computes the conditional mutual information. These causality methods indicated that the basal ganglia present a different functional relationship with the anterior-ventral (motor), intralaminar and medio-dorsal thalamic centers, and that more than 60% of these thalamus-basal ganglia relationships present a non-linear dynamic (35 of the 57 relationships found). These functional interactions were observed for basal ganglia nuclei with direct structural connections with the thalamus (primary somatosensory and motor cortex, striatum, internal globus pallidum and substantia nigra pars reticulata), but also for basal ganglia without structural connections with the thalamus (external globus pallidum and subthalamic nucleus). The motor tasks induced rapid modifications of the thalamus-basal ganglia interactions. These findings provide new perspectives of the thalamus - BG interactions, many of which may be supported by indirect functional relationships and not by direct excitatory/inhibitory interactions.
State-of-the-Art of Stress Prediction from Heart Rate Variability Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Haque Yeaminul , Zawad Rahat Shahriar , Rony Chowdhury Saleh Ahmed , Al Banna Hasan , Ghosh Tapotosh , Kaiser M. Shamim , Mahmud Mufti
Published: October 2023

Recent advancements in the manufacturing and commercialisation of miniaturised sensors and low-cost wearables have enabled an effortless monitoring of lifestyle by detecting and analysing physiological signals. Heart rate variability (HRV) denotes the time interval between consecutive heartbeats.The HRV signal, as detected by the sensors and devices, has been popularly used as an indicative measure to estimate the level of stress, depression, and anxiety. For years, artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning systems have been known for their predictive capabilities, and in recent years, AI models with deep learning (DL) architectures have been successfully applied to achieve unprecedented accuracy. In order to determine effective methodologies applied to the collection, processing, and prediction of stress from HRV data, this work presents an in depth analysis of 43 studies reporting the application of various AI algorithms. The methods are summarised in tables and thoroughly evaluated to ensure the completeness of their findings and reported results. To make the work comprehensive, a detailed review has been conducted on sensing technologies, pre-processing methods applied on multi-modal data, and employed prediction models. This is followed by a critical examination of how various Machine Learning (ML) models, have been utilised in predicting stress from HRV data. In addition, the reported reseults from the selected studies have been carefully analysed to identify features that enable the models to perform better. Finally, the challenges of using HRV to predict stress are listed, along with some possible mitigation strategies. This work aims to highlight the impact of AI-based stress prediction methodologies from HRV data, and is expected to aid the development of more meticulous techniques.
Pentoxifylline as Add-On Treatment to Donepezil in Copper Sulphate-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Neurodegeneration in Rats
Authors: Elseweidy Mohamed M. , Mahrous Mohamed , Ali Sousou I. , Shaheen Mohamed A. , Younis Nahla N.
Published: October 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by behavioral, cognitive, and progressive memory impairments. Extensive neuronal loss, extracellular accumulation of insoluble senile amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the major pathological features. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of donepezil (DON) and pentoxifylline (PTX) in combination to combat the neurodegenerative disorders (experimental AD) induced by CuSO4intake in experimental rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats (140–160 g) were used in this study. AD was first induced in rats by CuSO4supplement to drinking water (10 mg/L) for 14 weeks. The AD group received no further treatment. Oral treatment with DON (10 mg/kg/day), PTX (100 mg/kg/day), or DON + PTX for the other three groups was started from the 10th week of CuSO4intake for 4 weeks. Cortex markers like acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and hippocampus markers like β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), phosphorylated Tau (p-tau), Clusterin (CLU), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), caspase-9 (CAS-9), Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured. The histopathology studies were done by using hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red stains as well as immunohistochemistry for neurofilament. CuSO4induced adverse histological and biochemical changes. The histological injury in the hippocampus was inhibited following the administration of the DON and PTX. The brain tissue levels of AChE, MDA, BACE1, p-tau, CLU, CAS-9, Bax, and TNF-α were significantly increased, while brain tissue levels of ACh, TAC, and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in CuSO4-treated rats as compared with the untreated control group. The effects induced by either DON or PTX on most studied parameters were comparable. Combined treatment of DON and PTX induced remarkable results compared with their individual use. However, more clinical and preclinical studies are still required to further confirm and prove the long-term efficacy of such combination.
Bridging local and scientific knowledge for area-based conservation of useful plants in Colombia
Authors: Kor Laura , Fernández-Lucero Mateo , Granados Flórez Diego Arturo , Dawson Terence P. , Diazgranados Mauricio
Published: October 2023

While the importance of interdisciplinary approaches is increasingly recognised in conservation, bridging knowledge systems across scales remains a fundamental challenge. Focusing on the Important Plant Areas (IPA) approach, we evaluate how complementing scientific and local knowledge can better inform the conservation of useful plants in Colombia. We worked in three municipalities to investigate knowledge on useful plant richness, species composition and use types, as well as perceptions on area-based plant conservation approaches. Participatory focus groups and ethnobotanical walks-in-the-woods were undertaken with local communities, while scientific data were represented by occurrence records from global data aggregators and digitised collections. A total of 1190 species with human uses were reported. Combining knowledge systems provided the richest understanding of useful plants but the relative contribution of each system varied between study areas, influenced by the history of scientific studies, socio-ecological context and study design. Meanwhile, local perceptions of how conservation areas should be selected differed from global IPA criteria. These results show that working with local communities can improve biological understanding for spatial conservation planning. Additionally, participatory approaches must move beyond community-based conservation and data collection, to inform the design of global conservation programmes.
Prioritised identification of structural classes of natural products from higher plants in the expedition of antimalarial drug discovery
Authors: Moyo Phanankosi , Invernizzi Luke , Mianda Sephora M. , Rudolph Wiehan , Andayi Andrew W. , Wang Mingxun , Crouch Neil R. , Maharaj Vinesh J.
Published: October 2023

The emergence and spread of drug-recalcitrant Plasmodium falciparum parasites threaten to reverse the gains made in the fight against malaria. Urgent measures need to be taken to curb this impending challenge. The higher plant-derived sesquiterpene, quinoline alkaloids, and naphthoquinone natural product classes of compounds have previously served as phenomenal chemical scaffolds from which integral antimalarial drugs were developed. Historical successes serve as an inspiration for the continued investigation of plant-derived natural products compounds in search of novel molecular templates from which new antimalarial drugs could be developed. The aim of this study was to identify potential chemical scaffolds for malaria drug discovery following analysis of historical data on phytochemicals screened in vitro against P. falciparum. To identify these novel scaffolds, we queried an in-house manually curated database of plant-derived natural product compounds and their in vitro biological data. Natural products were assigned to different structural classes using NPClassifier. To identify the most promising chemical scaffolds, we then correlated natural compound class with bioactivity and other data, namely (i) potency, (ii) resistance index, (iii) selectivity index and (iv) physicochemical properties. We used an unbiased scoring system to rank the different natural product classes based on the assessment of their bioactivity data. From this analysis we identified the top-ranked natural product pathway as the alkaloids. The top three ranked super classes identified were (i) pseudoalkaloids, (ii) naphthalenes and (iii) tyrosine alkaloids and the top five ranked classes (i) quassinoids (of super class triterpenoids), (ii) steroidal alkaloids (of super class pseudoalkaloids) (iii) cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids (of super class triterpenoids) (iv) isoquinoline alkaloids (of super class tyrosine alkaloids) and (v) naphthoquinones (of super class naphthalenes). Launched chemical space of these identified classes of compounds was, by and large, distinct from that of ‘legacy’ antimalarial drugs. Our study was able to identify chemical scaffolds with acceptable biological properties that are structurally different from current and previously used antimalarial drugs. These molecules have the potential to be developed into new antimalarial drugs.
“A Single and Indivisible Principle of Unity”: On Growth and Form in Context
Authors: Jarron Matthew
Published: October 2023

D’Arcy Thompson’sOn Growth and Formis one of the key works at the intersection of science and the imagination. This introductory essay explores the book and its context, drawing on archival sources to provide a unique perspective. It looks at Thompson’s own life and career, his experiences at University College, Dundee, and how he came to write the book. It describes the contents of the 1917 first edition (as many today are familiar only with the 1961 abridgement of the 1942 second edition). It looks at the book’s initial reception, exploring the context of biological ideas of the time, particularly in regard to Thompson’s perceived opposition to Darwinian theory and the debate between vitalism and mechanism. It explores the early influence of the book on ecologists and systems theorists and other early attempts at mathematical biology, as well as its significant influence on artists and architects. It then describes the development of the second edition of the book and the subsequent increase of interest in his work from both artists and scientists. It concludes by summarizing recent initiatives in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum.
Frailty assessment to individualize treatment in older patients with lymphoma
Authors: Hormigo-Sanchez Ana I. , Lopez-Garcia Alberto , Mahillo-Fernandez Ignacio , Askari Elham , Morillo Daniel , Perez-Saez María A. , Riesco Miriam , Urrutia Celia , Martinez-Peromingo Francisco J. , Cordoba Raúl , Gonzalez-Montalvo Juan I.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

A study analyzing the application of a protocol of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in older patients with lymphoma was carried out to allow frailty-based patient classification and individualized treatment.

Methods

Lymphoma patients older than 70 years referred to the Geriatric Clinic at a tertiary hospital between May 2016 and March 2021 were included. The assessment protocol included comorbidity, polypharmacy, nutritional, functional, and mental status, geriatric syndromes, and life expectancy. CGA enabled patient classification into four groups (Type I to Type IV) based on frailty assessment instrument scoring and clinical, functional, and mental status. Variables were compared using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests and Kaplan–Meier survival curves.

Results

Ninety-three patients (55.9% women) were included. Median age was 81.1 years (± 5.7). 23 patients (24.7%) were classified as robust (type I), 30 (32.3%) as pre-frail (type II) with potentially reversable deficits, 38 (40.9%) as frail (type III), and 2 (2.2%) as requiring palliative care (type IV). Patients received oncospecific treatment with modifications carried out in 64.5% of cases based on CGA results. Differences in overall survival (p = 0.002), response to treatment (p < 0.001) and likelihood of increased frailty (p = 0.024) were observed, with type III–IV patients showing significantly worse outcomes.

Conclusion

Performance of standardized, systematic CGA by geriatricians permits older lymphoma patients to be classified according to frailty, with significant differences in terms of clinical outcomes across groups. We propose incorporating CGA performed by geriatricians as part of the multidisciplinary care team to optimize therapeutic strategy for these patients.
Biochar improves soil properties and corn productivity under drought conditions in South Korea
Authors: Park Jae-Hyuk , Yun Jin-Ju , Kim Seong-Heon , Park Jong-Hwan , Acharya Bharat Sharma , Cho Ju-Sik , Kang Se-Won
Published: October 2023

Biochar has been shown to improve soil properties and plant productivity in soils with inherently low fertility. However, little has been reported for upland corns under dry and wet precipitation regimes. This study investigates the effect of biochar addition on a range of soil physicochemical, biological, and hydrological properties, and corn growth and productivity under agrometeorological drought and wet conditions. Here, experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two sites during 2017 and 2018 in South Korea. Treatments included (i) CN: control (ii) IF: inorganic fertilizer (N–P–K) at 145–30–60 kg ha−1; (iii) BS: barley straw at 5 t ha−1; (iv) CWBC: corn waste biochar at 5 t ha−1; (v) CWBC + IF: corn waste biochar + inorganic fertilizer; (vi) CWBC + BS: corn waste biochar + barley straw. The year 2017 was relatively dry, whereas the year 2018 was wet. Despite drought conditions in the year 2017, biochar facilitated soil water conservation. However, higher precipitation in 2018 increased  the quantity and distribution of soil water and nutrients in the top 15 cm. Biochar reduced soil bulk density, and increased porosity, cation exchange capacity and total organic carbon in both years but increased total bacterial counts during the dry year only. Bacterial population was generally higher under wet conditions. Similarly, more soil CO2 was emitted in the wet year than in the dry year. Results further indicated that biochar can enhance corn biomass and grain yield regardless of precipitation conditions. The grain index was, however, affected by rainfall and was significantly different across treatments in the year 2018 only. All biomass, grain yield, and grain index were highest in CWBC + IF treatment and lowest under CN treatment. Indeed, biochar addition appeared to improve soil quality and soil conditioning effects in the drought and wet years, ameliorating soil and plant properties. Overall, biochar can improve water and nutrients storage, availability, and uptake, and therefore corn productivity during hydrological extremes.

Graphical abstract
Entwicklung und Validierung eines Evaluationsinstruments zur Erfassung der Qualität des Lehrens und Lernens im Schweizer Kinder- und Jugendsport
Authors: Herrmann C. , Seiler S. , Siffert A. , Dapp L. C. , Gashaj V. , Studer F.
Published: October 2023

Jugend und Sport (J + S) ist das größte Schweizer Sportförderungssystem und vereint in einem staatlich subventionierten und inhaltlich regulierten Ausbildungssystem über 90 Sportarten. Um die Qualität der Sportaktivitäten zu gewährleisten, bedarf es einer ansprechenden und qualitativ hochwertigen Ausbildung von J + S-Leiter*innen. Im J + S-Ausbildungsmodell werden im Handlungsbereich „Vermitteln“ Ausbildungsinhalte zu qualitätsvollen J + S-Aktivitäten an die Leitenden weitergegeben, welche sich eng am aktuellen Forschungsstand der Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung orientieren. Zur systematischen Evaluation dieses Handlungsbereichs in der Praxis wurde das J + S-Evaluationsinstrument entwickelt. Damit sollen die an J + S-Aktivitäten teilnehmenden Kinder und Jugendlichen mittels Fragebogenitems zu vier Handlungsbereichen digital befragt werden.

Aufbauend auf drei qualitativen Pilotstudien wurde eine schweizweite quantitative Validierungsstudie durchgeführt. Es wurden zwei Umfragen mit N = 1230 (53,7 % weiblich; M = 13,99 Jahren, SD = 2,36) und N = 851 (53,7 % weiblich; M = 13,96 Jahren, SD = 2,18) Kinder und Jugendlichen durchgeführt. Zur Prüfung der faktoriellen Validität und Reliabilität des entwickelten J + S-Evaluationsinstruments wurden konfirmatorische Faktoranalysen (CFA) berechnet. Die CFA ergaben nach systematischer Itemreduktion durchgehend eine gute Modellanpassung. Alle vier Handlungsbereiche mit ihren 17 Handlungsempfehlungen konnten mittels 51 Items valide und reliabel abgebildet werden, sodass das Evaluationsinstrument als valide und reliabel bewertet werden kann.

Damit steht ein validiertes Evaluationsinstrument in deutscher, französischer und italienischer Sprache zur Verfügung, das zukünftig jährlich in der Schweiz in J + S-Aktivitäten eingesetzt werden kann.
Interfacial catalysis of metal-oxide nanocatalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to value-added C1 chemicals
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Zhang Zhenhua
Published: October 2023

Catalytic CO2 hydrogenation to valuable chemicals is an excellent approach to address the increasingly serious “greenhouse effect” caused by CO2 emission generated from the utilizations of nonrenewable fossil energies, while such a process is limited by chemical inertia and thermal stability of the CO2 molecule and complex hydrogenation routes. In this review, we first summarized the recent progresses of metal-oxide nanocatalysts considered as a category of the most promising catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to value-added C1 chemicals including CH4/CO, formic acid/formate, and methanol. These studies involve with different structural factors affecting the metal-oxide interfacial catalysis including the structures of both the metals (type, particle size, morphology/crystal plane, and bimetal alloy) and the supports (type, particle size, crystal phase, morphology/crystal plane, and composite) and their (strong) metal-support interactions so as to identify the key factor determining the reaction activity, product selectivity, and catalytic stability in CO2 hydrogenation. Finally, we further discuss challenging coupling with future research opportunities for tunable interfacial catalysis of metal-oxide nanocatalysts in CO2 conversion.
Mobility Economies in Europe's Borderlands
Authors: Achtnich Marthe
Published: October 2023

The arrival of unauthorised migrants at the shores of southern Europe has been sensationalized into a migration 'crisis' in recent years. Yet, these depictions fail to grasp migrants' experiences and fall short of addressing a more complex phenomenon. In this original ethnography, Marthe Achtnich examines migrants' journeys and economic practices underpinning mobility to recast how we think of migration. Bringing the perspectives and voices of migrants to the fore, she traces sub-Saharan migrants' journeys along one of the world's most dangerous migration routes: through the Sahara Desert, Libya, and then by boat to Malta in Europe. Examining what she calls 'mobility economies', Achtnich demonstrates how these migrant journeys become sources of profit for various actors. By focusing on migrants' long and difficult journeys, the book prompts a necessary rethinking of mobile life, economic practices under contemporary capitalism, and the complex relationship between the two.
Virtual Reality
Authors: LaValle Steven M.
Published: October 2023

Virtual reality (VR) is a powerful technology that promises to transform our lives. This balanced and interdisciplinary text blends the key components from computer graphics, perceptual psychology, human physiology, behavioral science, media studies, human-computer interaction, optical engineering, and sensing and filtering, showing how each contributes to engineering perceptual illusions. Steven LaValle draws on his unique experience as a teacher, researcher, and early founder of Oculus VR, to demonstrate how the best practices and insights from industry are built on fundamental computer science principles. Topics include media history, geometric modeling, optical systems, displays, eyes, ears, low-level perception, neuroscience of vision, graphical rendering, tracking systems, interaction mechanisms, audio, evaluating VR systems, and mitigating side effects. Students, researchers, and developers will gain a clear understanding of timeless foundations and new applications, enabling them to make innovative contributions to this growing field as scientists, engineers, business developers, and content makers.
To what extent are depressive or other mood disorders a consequence of earlier traumatic experiences?
Authors: Hickie Ian B. , McFarlane Alexander C. , Ospina-Pinillos Laura , Chanen Andrew M. , Medland Sarah E. , Crouse Jacob J.
Published: October 2023

The potential relationships between traumatic experiences and the onset and course of major mood disorders have always been controversial. Some experiences, most notably physical or sexual abuse, as well as substantive bullying in childhood, are clearly recognised as major risk factors for a range of mental disorders, as well as a range of linked phenomena including self-harm and suicidal behaviours (McKay et al., 2021; Zatti et al., 2017). There is considerable interest and ongoing research into how these adverse experiences come to be ‘encoded’ via neurobiological or genetic mechanisms that then transmit those effects into later-onset major mental disorders, substance misuse or other self-harming behaviours (Maddox et al., 2019).
On Thakur’s basis conjecture for multiple zeta values in positive characteristic
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu , Chen Yen-Tsung , Mishiba Yoshinori
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study multiple zeta values (abbreviated as MZV’s) over function fields in positive characteristic. Our main result is to prove Thakur’s basis conjecture, which plays the analogue of Hoffman’s basis conjecture for real MZV’s. As a consequence, we derive Todd’s dimension conjecture, which is the analogue of Zagier’s dimension conjecture for classical real MZV’s.
Visual (data) observation in International Relations: Attentiveness, close description, and the politics of seeing differently
Authors: Austin Jonathan Luke , Bramsen Isabel
Published: October 2023

Has Visual International Relations (IR) become too distant from the content of visual artefacts? This is a paradoxical question. Visual IR is a vibrant and pluralist field exploring visuals in innumerable ways. Nonetheless, the field tends to focus on ‘deep’ readings of the socio-political implications of visual artefacts at the expense of a close and attentive observation and description of the events, situations, or phenomena they may depict. Simply put, visual IR usually analyses visuals-as-visuals rather than seeing them as entry points for studying the social world. But might a video of torture teach us something about the practicality of torture? Might a video of peace negotiations teach us something about their successes or failures? Can we gain a fleeting glimpse of ‘reality’ within visuals? We address these questions by first situating our focus on close ‘visual (data) observation’ in conceptual conversation with the literature’s existing focus on deep interpretation. Second, we outline three approaches to visual observation as they are deployed outside IR. Third, we unpack how those approaches might be of value for IR, especially vis-à-vis the study of practice, materiality, and discourse. Finally, we conclude by asking if visual data observation can retain critical political potentiality.
Individual differences in L2 listening proficiency revisited: Roles of form, meaning, and use aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Uchihara Takumi , Takizawa Kotaro , Suzukida Yui
Published: October 2023

The present study revisits the differential roles of form, meaning, and use aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge in L2 listening proficiency. A total of 126 Japanese English-as-a-foreign-language listeners completed the TOEIC Listening test, working memory and auditory processing tests, the Metacognitive Awareness Listening Questionnaire, and several tasks designed to tap into three broad aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge: (1) the ability to access phonological forms without any orthographic cues (phonologization), (2) the ability to recognize words regardless of the talker (generalization), and (3) the ability to determine the semantic and collocational appropriateness of words in global contexts in a fast and stable manner (automatization). Whereas the perceptual, cognitive, and metacognitive variables made relatively small contributions to L2 listening proficiency (0.4%–21.3%), the vocabulary factors explained a large amount of the variance (77.6%) in the full regression model (R2 = .507). These large lexical effects uniquely derived from the three different aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge—automatization (55.3%), phonologization (20.8%), and generalization (1.5%). The findings suggest that successful L2 listening skill acquisition draws on not only various levels of phonological form-meaning mapping (phonologization, generalization) but also the spontaneous and robust retrieval of such vocabulary knowledge in relation to surrounding words (automatization).
Allergies, body mass, and hospitalization due to arbovirus infection: A prospective surveillance study in Machala, Ecuador
Authors: Hargrave Anita S. , Sippy Rachel , Cueva Cinthya , Polhemus Mark , Beltran Efrain , Abbott Mark A. , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M.
Published: October 2023

Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are arboviruses that cause 390 million infections annually. Risk factors for hospitalization are poorly understood. Communities affected by these diseases have an escalating prevalence of allergies and obesity, which are linked to immune dysfunction. We assessed the association of allergies or body mass with hospitalization for an arbovirus infection. From 2014 to 2017, we recruited participants with a clinical diagnosis of arbovirus infection. Arbovirus infections were laboratory-confirmed and allergies were self-reported. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight, and height were measured. We used two logistic regression models to assess the relationships between hospitalization and allergies and between hospitalization and body mass (MUAC for participants <20 years old and body mass index (BMI) for adults ≥20 years old). Models were stratified by age group and adjusted for confounders. For allergies, 41 of 265 were hospitalized. There was no association between allergies and hospitalization. For body mass, 34 of 251 were hospitalized. There was a 43% decrease in hospitalization odds for each additional centimetre MUAC among children (aOR 0.566, 95% CI 0.252–1.019) and a 12% decrease in hospitalization odds for each additional BMI unit among adults (aOR 0.877, 95% CI 0.752–0.998). Our work encourages the exploration of the underlying mechanisms.
The ‘pheasant of the future’: Encountering and imagining Reeves’ pheasant in Britain, 1831 – 1913
Authors: Carter Matthew
Published: October 2023

This paper examines the presence of Reeves’ pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) in Britain. It investigates how encounters between British people and Reeves’ pheasant informed their imaginings of the species, from its first introduction into Britain from China in 1831 to 1913 when a serious decline in its numbers began. Drawing on natural history texts, records from the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, technical literature on pheasant rearing, and extracts from periodicals, magazines, and generalist encyclopaedias, this paper shows how imagined and physical encounters with Reeves’ pheasant, by naturalists, acclimatisers, pheasant enthusiasts, and sportsmen, informed shifting constructions of the species, which influenced and shaped its presence in Britain.
Computable soft separation axioms
Authors: Elsayed S. M. , Ng Keng Meng
Published: October 2023

Soft sets were introduced as a means to study objects that are not defined in an absolute way and have found applications in numerous areas of mathematics, decision theory, and in statistical applications. Soft topological spaces were first considered in Shabir and Naz ((2011). Computers & Mathematics with Applications61 (7) 1786–1799) and soft separation axioms for soft topological spaces were studied in El-Shafei et al. ((2018). Filomat32 (13) 4755–4771), El-Shafei and Al-Shami ((2020). Computational and Applied Mathematics39 (3) 1–17), Al-shami ((2021). Mathematical Problems in Engineering2021). In this paper, we introduce the effective versions of soft separation axioms. Specifically, we focus our attention on computable u-soft and computable p-soft separation axioms and investigate various relations between them. We also compare the effective and classical versions of these soft separation axioms.
Water law
Authors: Soininen Niko , Belinskij Antti , Puharinen Suvi-Tuuli
Published: October 2023

This article gives an overview of the global water law research and provides a contemporary understanding of water law spanning across public and private law questions of natural resources use, environmental protection, and water-related disasters. The overview is based on a systematic literature review. Using HLA Hart’s distinction, we divide the various strands of water law scholarship into two main perspectives, namely the internal and the external. From the law’s internal perspective, water law research is conducted with an intent to interpret and clarify rights and obligations in existing legal instruments, such as multilateral agreements and national statutes, and case law. Based on the literature review, vibrant themes from this perspective are water use and protection, water cooperation, human right to water, rights of nature, water security, water services, and coherence between legal instruments and institutions. From law’s external perspective, the focus of water law research is to analyse and understand how law as an instrument and societal institution facilitates and steers, but also impedes, the movement of public and private actors toward certain societal goals effectively and legitimately. Here, themes such as water law in collaborative and adaptive governance, ecosystem approach, good governance, and climate change adaptation are central.
Spatial and Temporal Resolution Needs for Volcano Topographic Change Data Sets Based on Past Eruptions (1980–2019)
Authors: Eiden E. , Pritchard M. E. , Lundgren P. R.
Published: October 2023

Up‐to‐date topography data sets are essential for forecasting volcanic hazards and monitoring deformation. Digital elevation models are used to quantify eruption rates, used in flow modeling programs, and are necessary to accurately process interferometric synthetic aperture radar data for surface deformation. We can track topographic change at volcanoes through fieldwork, airborne instruments, and satellite data, with the last providing the greatest potential for global coverage. Despite this global coverage, we do not know the characteristics of topographic change at volcanoes over a given time interval. We define the specific acquisition needs for topography data using topographic change detected from recent eruptions. We review existing literature and compile a data set of eruptive products (121 lava flows, 99 domes and 163 pyroclastic density currents (PDCs)) from eruptions between 1980 and 2019. We find that different sensing capabilities are required for different use cases. A vertical accuracy of 1 m would detect 92% of all eruptive products including 100% of lava domes and lava flows, but only 78% of PDCs. A horizontal resolution of 13 × 13 m pixels is the minimum necessary to detect 90% of all eruptive products. Explosive eruptions (with PDC products) typically lasted less than 1 day and would need a temporal resolution of 1 day while a longer repeat interval is acceptable at effusive eruptions (lava domes and flows), which could last weeks to years. We find a lack of consistent data acquisition, with 45% of the 383 eruptive products reported not having published spatial dimensions.
Satellite Gravity Field Recovery Using Variance‐Covariance Information From Ocean Tide Models
Authors: Hauk Markus , Wilms Josefine , Sulzbach Roman , Panafidina Natalia , Hart‐Davis Michael , Dahle Christoph , Müller Vitali , Murböck Michael , Flechtner Frank
Published: October 2023

Monthly gravity field recovery using data from the GRACE and GRACE Follow‐On missions includes errors limiting the spatial and temporal resolution of the estimated gravity fields. The major error contributions, besides the noise of the accelerometer instruments, arise from temporal aliasing errors due to imperfections in the non‐tidal atmospheric and oceanic de‐aliasing models and ocean tide models. We derive uncertainty information for the eight major tidal constituents from five different ocean tide models and introduce it into the gravity field recovery process in terms of a constrained normal equation system while expanding the parameter space by additional tidal parameters to be adjusted. We prove the effectiveness of the ocean tide variance‐covariance information through realistic simulations and we assess its potential based on microwave and laser interferometer observations from the GRACE Follow‐On mission. We show that errors are reduced by more than 20% ocean wRMS for a Gaussian filter radius of 300 km if uncertainty information for ocean tides is considered and stochastic modeling of instrument errors is applied, compared to the latest GFZ release 6.1. Our results also show the limited visibility of the effectiveness of the ocean tide variance‐covariance information due to the dominating error contribution of non‐tidal atmospheric and oceanic mass variations. Additionally, we investigate the option of estimating ocean tide parameters over a 1‐year period while including ocean tide uncertainty information in order to improve ocean tide background modeling.
The Influence of Internal Climate Variability on Stratospheric Water Vapor Increases After Large‐Magnitude Explosive Tropical Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Zhou Xin , Mann Graham W. , Feng Wuhu , Dhomse Sandip S. , Chipperfield Martyn P.
Published: October 2023

Substantial and prolonged enhancements in stratospheric water vapor (SWV) have occurred after large‐magnitude explosive tropical volcanic eruptions, with modified tropopause entry caused by aerosol‐absorptive heating. Here, we analyze the timing and longevity of heating‐driven post‐eruption SWV changes within CMIP6‐VolMIP short‐term climate‐response experiments with the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1). We find aerosol‐absorptive heating causes peak SWV increases of 17% (∼1 ppmv) and 10% (0.5 ppmv) at 100 and 50 hPa, at ∼18 and ∼23 months after a Pinatubo‐like eruption, respectively. We track the temperature response in the tropical lower stratosphere and identify the main SWV increase occurs only after the descending aerosol heating reaches the tropopause, suggesting a key role for aerosol microphysical processes (sedimentation rate). We explore how El Niño–Southern Oscillation variability modulates this effect. Post‐eruption SWV increases are ∼80% stronger for the La Nina phase compared to the ensemble mean. Tropical upwelling strongly mediates this effect.
Sink, Source or Something In‐Between? Net Effects of Precipitation on Aerosol Particle Populations
Authors: Khadir Théodore , Riipinen Ilona , Talvinen Sini , Heslin‐Rees Dominic , Pöhlker Christopher , Rizzo Luciana , Machado Luiz A. T. , Franco Marco A. , Kremper Leslie A. , Artaxo Paulo , Petäjä Tuukka , Kulmala Markku , Tunved Peter , Ekman Annica M. L. , Krejci Radovan , Virtanen Annele
Published: October 2023

Interactions between atmospheric aerosols, clouds, and precipitation impact Earth's radiative balance and air quality, yet remain poorly constrained. Precipitating clouds serve as major sinks for particulate matter, but recent studies suggest that precipitation may also act as a particle source. The magnitude of the sources versus sinks, particularly for cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) numbers, remain unquantified. This study analyzes multi‐year in situ observations from tropical and boreal forests, as well as Arctic marine environment, showing links between recent precipitation and enhanced particle concentrations, including CCN‐sized particles. In some cases, the magnitude of precipitation‐related source equals or surpasses corresponding removal effect. Our findings highlight the importance of cloud‐processed material in determining near‐surface particle concentrations and the value of long‐term in situ observations for understanding aerosol particle life cycle. Robust patterns emerge from sufficiently long data series, allowing for quantitative assessment of the large‐scale significance of new phenomena observed in case studies.
Paleomagnetism of Late Triassic Volcanic Rocks From the South Qiangtang Block, Tibet: Constraints on Longmuco‐Shuanghu Ocean Closure in the Paleo‐Tethys Realm
Authors: Wei Bitian , Cheng Xin , Domeier Mathew , Zhou Yanan , Chen Qinglong , Jiang Nan , Xing Longyun , Zhang Dongmeng , Li Teng , Liu Feifan , Zhang Jiahui , Wu Hanning
Published: October 2023

The South Qiangtang block of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau represents an area critical to understanding the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic history of the Tethyan realm, but its drift history remains poorly constrained. Here we report a new quantitative paleogeographic constraint for the South Qiangtang block from a paleomagnetic study of Late Triassic volcanic rocks of the Xiaoqiebao Formation. A characteristic remanent magnetization isolated from 25 sites passes both fold‐ and reversal tests, and likely represents a primary magnetization. On the basis of these data, we estimate that the South Qiangtang block occupied a paleolatitude of 30.1 ± 4.6°N at ca. 222 Ma. When combined with existing paleomagnetic constraints, these new results indicate that the South Qiangtang block (and other “Cimmerian” blocks) moved rapidly northward (in true latitude) between the middle Permian and Late Triassic. Our new data further suggest that the southern branch of the Paleo‐Tethys (Longmuco‐Shuanghu Ocean) likely closed by the mid‐Late Triassic.
Tidal Modulation of Energy Dissipation Routes in the Gulf Stream
Authors: Contreras M. , Renault L. , Marchesiello P.
Published: October 2023

The Gulf Stream (GS) is a powerful ocean current that is instrumental in regulating the global climate. While a correct reproduction of GS dynamics is contingent on an appropriate representation of energy dissipation, the specific role of tides in dissipation pathways of the wind‐driven circulation is not well understood. Here, we present evidence, using high‐resolution ocean simulations (∼2 km grid spacing), that ocean tides, by generating internal gravity waves, increase the forward cascade of energy in the GS region. This effect is greatest in summer, when the intensity of internal tides increases. However, the dissipation route associated with the forward energy cascade remains an order of magnitude weaker than frictional dissipation near the surface and bottom boundaries.
Mass‐Conserving Downscaling of Climate Model Precipitation Over Mountainous Terrain for Water Resource Applications
Authors: Rugg A. , Gutmann E. D. , McCrary R. R. , Lehner F. , Newman A. J. , Richter J. H. , Tye M. R. , Wood A. W.
Published: October 2023

A mass‐conserving method to downscale precipitation from global climate models (GCMs) using sub‐grid‐scale topography and modeled 700‐mb wind direction is presented. Runoff is simulated using a stand‐alone hydrological model, with this and several other methods as inputs, and compared to runoff simulated using historical observations over the western contiguous United States. Results suggest the mitigation of grid‐scale biases is more critical than downscaling for some regions with large wet biases (e.g., the Great Basin and Upper Colorado). In other regions (e.g., the Pacific Northwest) the new method produces more realistic sub‐grid‐scale variability in runoff compared to unadjusted GCM output and a simpler downscaling method. The presented method also brings the runoff centroid timing closer to that simulated with observations for all subregions examined.
Triple‐Dome Electrostatic Energy Analyzer With 360° Field‐Of‐View for Simultaneous Measurements of Ions and Electrons
Authors: Hirahara Masafumi , Takei Tomomi , Yokota Shoichiro , Yanagimachi Tomoki
Published: October 2023

The demonstrative space plasma physics communities in the world have been conducting intensive research and development activities for instrument miniaturization because compact and lightweight sensors are required for installation on micro/small satellites and CubeSats in ongoing and future space exploration missions. Recently, we designed a novel type of space plasma instrument capable of simultaneous energy analyses of low‐energy (∼eV to several 10s of keV) electrons and ions with a single sensor head consisting of triple‐dome analyzer with triple‐layer collimator for covering 360° field‐of‐view similar to that of the prevailing top‐hat type. Two separate but correlated electrostatic fields, produced by a single high‐voltage supply unit in double gaps of the triple‐dome/layer structures, are used for electron/ion energy analyses. In the breadboard model (BBM) designed here, the energy/angular resolutions and the analyzer constants (ratios of measured particle energy to applied voltage) are approximately 9.0%/3.5° and 4.0, and 10%/4° and 4.4 for the electron and ion energy analyses, respectively. We also fabricated the first BBM of the triple‐dome type of electrostatic analyzer for experimental performance tests in electron/ion beamline facility. According to the experimental data by the two‐dimensionally position‐sensitive particle detector, the calibrated properties of energy/angular analyses and the other sensor performance show good agreement with numerical design results. The performance of the triple‐dome analyzer would satisfy observation requirements, as represented by measurements of three‐dimensional velocity distributions of electrons and ions in future missions using spin‐type microsatellites/CubeSats under stringent resource conditions.