bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogenetic study of flavonoids in medicinal plants: a case study family Apiaceae
Authors: Youssef Dalia , El-Bakatoushi Ranya , Elframawy Asmaa , El-Sadek Laila , Badan Ghada El
Published: March 2023

The current study examined the phylogenetic pattern of medicinal species of the family Apiaceae based on flavonoid groups production, as well as the overall mechanism of the key genes involved in flavonol and flavone production. Thirteen species of the family Apiaceae were used, including Eryngium campestre from the subfamily Saniculoideae, as well as Cuminum cyminum, Carum carvi, Coriandrum sativum, Apium graveolens, Petroselinum crispum, Pimpinella anisum, Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare, Daucus carota, Ammi majus, Torilis arvensis, and Deverra tortuosa from the subfamily Apioideae. The seeds were cultivated, and the leaves were collected to estimate flavonoids and their groups, physiological factors, transcription levels of flavonol and flavone production-related genes. The phylogenetic relationship between the studied species was established using the L-ribosomal 16 (rpl16) chloroplast gene. The results revealed that the studied species were divided into two patterns: six plant species, E. campestre, C. carvi, C. sativum, P. anisum, An. graveolens, and D. carota, contained low content of flavonoids, while the other seven species had high content. This pattern of flavonoids production coincided with the phylogenetic relationships between the studied species. In contrast, the phylogeny of the flavonol and flavone synthase genes was incompatible with the quantitative production of their products. The study concluded that the increment in the production of flavonol depends on the high expression of chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3 hydroxylase, flavonol synthase, the increase of Abscisic acid, sucrose, and phenyl ammonia lyase, while flavone mainly depends on evolution and on the high expression of the flavone synthase gene.
Minimum capital requirement and portfolio allocation for non-life insurance: a semiparametric model with Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) constraint
Authors: Staino Alessandro , Russo Emilio , Costabile Massimo , Leccadito Arturo
Published: March 2023

We present an optimization problem to determine the minimum capital requirement for a non-life insurance company. The optimization problem imposes a non-positive Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) of the insurer’s net loss and a portfolio performance constraint. When expressing the optimization problem in a semiparametric form, we demonstrate its convexity for any integrable random variable representing the insurer’s liability. Furthermore, we prove that the function defining the CVaR constraint in the semiparametric formulation is continuously differentiable when the insurer’s liability has a continuous distribution. We use the Kelley-Cheney-Goldstein algorithm to solve the optimization problem in the semiparametric form and show its convergence. An empirical analysis is carried out by assuming three different liability distributions: a lognormal distribution, a gamma distribution, and a mixture of Erlang distributions with a common scale parameter. The numerical experiments show that the choice of the liability distribution plays a crucial role since marked differences emerge when comparing the mixture distribution with the other two distributions. In particular, the mixture distribution describes better the right tail of the empirical distribution of liabilities with respect to the other two distributions and implies higher capital requirements and different assets in the optimal portfolios.
Hedging longevity risk in defined contribution pension schemes
Authors: Agarwal Ankush , Ewald Christian-Oliver , Wang Yongjie
Published: March 2023

Pension schemes all over the world are under increasing pressure to efficiently hedge longevity risk imposed by ageing populations. In this work, we study an optimal investment problem for a defined contribution pension scheme that decides to hedge longevity risk using a mortality-linked security, typically a longevity bond. The pension scheme promises a minimum guarantee which allows the members to purchase lifetime annuities upon retirement. The scheme manager invests in the risky and riskless assets available on the market, including the longevity bond. We transform the corresponding constrained optimal investment problem into a single investment portfolio optimization problem by replicating future contributions from members and the minimum guarantee provided by the scheme. We solve the resulting optimization problem using the dynamic programming principle. Through a series of numerical studies, we show that the longevity risk has an important impact on the investment strategy performance. Our results add to the growing evidence supporting the use of mortality-linked securities for efficient hedging of longevity risk.
Turbulence Effect on Transpiration Cooling Effectiveness Over a Flat Plate in Hypersonic Flow and Sensitivity to Injection Parameters
Authors: Cerminara Adriano
Published: March 2023

This work presents a numerical study of coolant porous injection in hypersonic turbulent boundary layer, with an analysis of blowing ratio and pore diameter effects on the cooling performance. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are carried out for a Mach 5 flow over a flat plate with induced transition, and with a porous injection model to mimic injection from a bed of equally-spaced circular pores. The cooling performance in turbulent flow is compared to laminar 2D flow cases. Results show downstream development of a turbulent wedge-shaped structure, where a dramatic decay of the near-wall coolant concentration is observed. Blowing ratio and pore size are seen to affect the calmed and transitional regions, however they have a marginal or negligible effect within the turbulent region. A cooling effectiveness deficit/reduction of 15% to 30% for the turbulent cases, with respect to the laminar 2D cases, is observed above the injection region due to the 3D flow effects associated with the porous injection, whereas it reaches values as high as 80% in the developed turbulent region due to the turbulent convective effects. The present results shed light on the effects of turbulence on porous wall cooling and clearly indicate that alternative (ad-hoc) injection strategies and parameter calibration are needed to guarantee appropriate wall cooling in a turbulent flow.
Discordance between PAM50 intrinsic subtyping and immunohistochemistry in South African women with breast cancer
Authors: Dix-Peek Thérèse , Phakathi Boitumelo P. , van den Berg Eunice J. , Dickens Caroline , Augustine Tanya N. , Cubasch Herbert , Neugut Alfred I. , Jacobson Judith S. , Joffe Maureen , Ruff Paul , Duarte Raquel A. B.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different gene expression profiles, treatment options and outcomes. In South Africa, tumors are classified using immunohistochemistry. In high-income countries multiparameter genomic assays are being utilized with implications for tumor classification and treatment.

Methods

In a cohort of 378 breast cancer patients from the SABCHO study, we investigated the concordance between tumor samples classified by IHC and the PAM50 gene assay.

Results

IHC classified patients as ER-positive (77.5%), PR-positive (70.6%), and HER2-positive (32.3%). These results, together with Ki67, were used as surrogates for intrinsic subtyping, and showed 6.9% IHC-A-clinical, 72.7% IHC-B-clinical, 5.3% IHC-HER2-clinical and 15.1% triple negative cancer (TNC). Typing using the PAM50 gave 19.3% luminal-A, 32.5% luminal-B, 23.5% HER2-enriched and 24.6% basal-like. The basal-like and TNC had the highest concordance, while the luminal-A and IHC-A group had the lowest concordance. By altering the cutoff for Ki67, and realigning the HER2/ER/PR-positive patients to IHC-HER2, we improved concordance with the intrinsic subtypes.

Conclusion

We suggest that the Ki67 be changed to a cutoff of 20–25% in our population to better reflect the luminal subtype classifications. This change would inform treatment options for breast cancer patients in settings where genomic assays are unaffordable.
A limited memory Quasi-Newton approach for multi-objective optimization
Authors: Lapucci Matteo , Mansueto Pierluigi
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we deal with the class of unconstrained multi-objective optimization problems. In this setting we introduce, for the first time in the literature, a Limited Memory Quasi-Newton type method, which is well suited especially in large scale scenarios. The proposed algorithm approximates, through a suitable positive definite matrix, the convex combination of the Hessian matrices of the objectives; the update formula for the approximation matrix can be seen as an extension of the one used in the popular L-BFGS method for scalar optimization. Equipped with a Wolfe type line search, the considered method is proved to be well defined even in the nonconvex case. Furthermore, for twice continuously differentiable strongly convex problems, we state global and R-linear convergence to Pareto optimality of the sequence of generated points. The performance of the new algorithm is empirically assessed by a thorough computational comparison with state-of-the-art Newton and Quasi-Newton approaches from the multi-objective optimization literature. The results of the experiments highlight that the proposed approach is generally efficient and effective, outperforming the competitors in most settings. Moreover, the use of the limited memory method results to be beneficial within a global optimization framework for Pareto front approximation.
Software selection in large-scale software engineering: A model and criteria based on interactive rapid reviews
Authors: Bjarnason Elizabeth , Åberg Patrik , Ali Nauman bin
Published: March 2023

Context

Software selection in large-scale software development continues to be ad hoc and ill-structured. Previous proposals for software component selection tend to be technology-specific and/or do not consider business or ecosystem concerns.

Objective

Our main aim is to develop an industrially relevant technology-agnostic method that can support practitioners in making informed decisions when selecting software components for use in tools or in products based on a holistic perspective of the overall environment.

Method

We used method engineering to iteratively develop a software selection method for Ericsson AB based on a combination of published research and practitioner insights. We used interactive rapid reviews to systematically identify and analyse scientific literature and to support close cooperation and co-design with practitioners from Ericsson. The model has been validated through a focus group and by practical use at the case company.

Results

The model consists of a high-level selection process and a wide range of criteria for assessing and for evaluating software to include in business products and tools.

Conclusions

We have developed an industrially relevant model for component selection through active engagement from a company. Co-designing the model based on previous knowledge demonstrates a viable approach to industry-academia collaboration and provides a practical solution that can support practitioners in making informed decisions based on a holistic analysis of business, organisation and technical factors.
Can Synbone® cylinders and deer femurs reproduce ballistic fracture patterns observed in human long bones?
Authors: Schwab Nathalie , Jordana Xavier , Soler Joan , Garrido Xavier , Brillas Pedro , Savio Andrés , Lavín Santiago , Ortega-Sánchez Marisa , Galtés Ignasi
Published: March 2023

Whereas gunshot injuries in human craniums have been well studied, reliable data on fracture patterns in ballistic long bone trauma remains scarce. Further information useful for forensic trauma interpretation and reconstruction may be retrieved from experimentally produced gunshot fractures. In order to avoid the use of human specimens for experimental research, it is of great interest to determine whether alternative models can reproduce the ballistic fracture patterns of human long bones. To address this question, we shot seven healthy adult human femurs and humeri each, ten samples each of two different polyurethane cylinders from Synbone®and four femurs from female red deer. The specimens were embedded in ballistic gelatin and perpendicularly shot from a distance of 2 m, using a 9-mm full metal jacket projectile at an impact velocity of 360 m/s. The macroscopical appearance of the detailed fracture pattern considering entry, exit and general cortical traits as well as the bullet’s energy lost upon impact were compared between the models. Despite some general similarities, neither of the two alternative models entirely reproduced the fracture patterns of human long bones. Comparing the two alternative models, the surrogate model revealed more significant differences to the human fracture than the animal model. This leads to the conclusion that the polyurethane material provides a different failure mechanism than real bone, underpinning the challenge in deploying an accurate analog.
Caesium manganese fluoride cubic-perovskite nanoparticles – synthesis, luminescence and magnetic properties
Authors: Fellner Madeleine , Lauria Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Lead halide perovskite materials have outstanding optical properties such as color purity and efficient fluorescence in the visible spectrum. However, the toxicity of lead makes the synthesis, processing, use and disposal of such materials hazardous for humans and the environment. Therefore, the exploration of different perovskite materials containing the transition metal Mn(II) and fluoride anions might lead to more appealing alternatives towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly functional materials. Nanocrystals primarily consisting of cubic CsMnF3 – a polymorph so far only reported at pressures of 3 × 104 bar – were synthesized from manganese(II) acetate and caesium fluoride precursors using a heating-up approach in high boiling organic solvents. The concentration of defects could be tuned by changing the amount of fluorinating precursor CsF, with more defects produced when an excess of CsF was used in the synthesis. The structure, morphology, optical and magnetic properties of the product nanoparticles were studied. Due to their X-ray sensitized fluorescence, likely caused by defects in the crystal structure, these materials are promising for potential applications in dosimetry.

Graphical Abstract

CsMnF3 nanocrystals were synthesized by a heating-up method using stoichiometric or excess quantities of the fluoride precursor CsF to control the concentration of defects (CMF and CMF-d). The obtained nanoparticles exhibited X-ray sensitized luminescence, enhanced by a factor of up to 3.75 after irradiation with X-rays for 2 h.
Glass forming ability of Zr-based Zr–Cu–Ni–Al–(Ag) alloys
Authors: Lyubenova L. , Rangelova V. , Spassova M. , Spassov T.
Published: March 2023

A series of Zr-based glasses has been obtained by rapid melt quenching and their thermal characteristics (Tg, Tx, Tl) were determined by DSC/DTA. Some of the most recognized glass forming ability (GFA) criteria were applied to predict the glass forming ability of the alloys and to study its dependence on the alloy composition. As a result, the best glass forming compositions among the studied alloys could be selected. It was found that as a general trend an increase of the Zr content results in Tx and ΔTx (= Tx − Tg) decrease. The determined liquidus temperatures of chosen compositions with substantially different ΔTx were found to vary relatively little. Therefore, it was concluded that the variation in the GFA of the studied alloys is mainly due to difficulties in the crystallization process, rather than to different stability of the melts.
Comparing students’ and teachers’ perceptions about teachers’ interpersonal behaviour in Greek secondary education
Authors: Karamane Effimia , Vatou Anastasia , Tsigilis Nikolaos , Gregoriadis Athanasios
Published: March 2023

Τeachers’ interpersonal behaviour is considered important for the quality of the student–teacher relationship. The present study examined teachers’ and students’ perceptions regarding teachers’ interpersonal behaviour and the degree of their agreement at the class level. Moreover, this study investigated whether possible differences between them are associated with the teachers’ and classes’ characteristics. Participants were 1669 students and 43 secondary teachers within 85 secondary classrooms in Greece. The Greek version of the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction was used to assess eight aspects of teachers’ interpersonal behaviour. A high degree of divergence between teachers’ self-perceptions and students’ perceptions about their teachers’ interpersonal behaviour was found. Multiple regression analyses showed that the differences among teachers’ and students’ perceptions can partially be explained by teachers’ years of teaching experience and the degree level, as well as the class educational level. Findings of this study provide specific practical implications.
Navier–Stokes equations: a new estimate of a possible gap related to the energy equality of a suitable weak solution
Authors: Maremonti Paolo , Crispo Francesca , Grisanti Carlo Romano
Published: March 2023

The paper is concerned with the IBVP of the Navier-Stokes equations. The result of the paper is in the wake of analogous results obtained by the authors in previous articles Crispo et al. (Ricerche Mat 70:235–249, 2021). The goal is to estimate the possible gap between the energy equality and the energy inequality deduced for a weak solution.
A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Rare-Earth Element Resources in Sedimentary Systems
Authors: Creason C. G. , Justman D. , Rose K. , Montross S. , Bean A. , Mark-Moser M. , Wingo P. , Sabbatino M. , Thomas R. B.
Published: March 2023

Rare-earth elements (REEs) supply raw materials that constitute many of our modern critical infrastructure, defense, technology, and electrification needs. Despite REE accumulations occurring in conventional bedrock and ion-adsorption deposits sourced from weathering of igneous rocks, unconventional host materials such as coal and related sedimentary strata have been identified as promising sources of REEs to meet growing demand. To maximize the potential of unconventional resources such as REE-coal systems, new approaches are needed overcome challenges from mineral systems with no known deposits and areas with sparse geochemical data. This article presents a systematic knowledge-data resource assessment method for predicting and identifying REE resource potential and occurrence in these unconventional systems. The method utilizes a geologic and geospatial knowledge-data approach informed and guided by REE accumulation mechanisms to systematically assess and identify areas of higher enrichment. An assessment of the Powder River Basin is presented as a test case to demonstrate the method workflow and results. The key output is a potential enrichment score map reported with varying confidence levels based on the amount of supporting evidence. Results from the test case indicate several locations with promising potential for different types of coal-REE deposits, demonstrating the viability of the method for exploration and assessment of unconventional REE resources. The method is flexible by design and, with sufficient applicable knowledge and data, can be adapted for assessing critical mineral systems in other sedimentary systems as well.
Landslide susceptibility mapping using automatically constructed CNN architectures with pre-slide topographic DEM of deep-seated catastrophic landslides caused by Typhoon Talas
Authors: Kikuchi Teruyuki , Sakita Koki , Nishiyama Satoshi , Takahashi Kenichi
Published: March 2023

There has been an increasing demand for detailed and accurate landslide maps and inventories in disaster-prone areas of subtropical and temperate zones, particularly in Asia as they can mitigate the impacts of landslides on social infrastructure and economic losses. Hence, in this study, models using automatically constructed high-performing convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures for landslide detection were applied and their outcomes were compared for landslide susceptibility mapping at the Kii peninsula, Japan. First, a total of 38 landslide and 63 non-landslide points were identified and divided into 70% and 30% of training and validation datasets, respectively. Eight landslide influence factors were used: slope angle, eigenvalue ratio, curvature, underground openness, overground openness, topographic witness index, wavelet, and elevation. These factors were selected using a 1-m DEM, which is easy to acquire and process data. Experimental results of model evaluation using receiver operating characteristics (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), and accuracy showed that the optimal models (ROC = 96.0%, accuracy = 88.7%) were more accurate than initial models (ROC = 91.1%, accuracy = 80.7%) in predicting landslides spatially. Furthermore, the landslide susceptibility mapping is consistent with the trends in the distribution of gentle slopes and knick lines unique to the study area and can be used as a powerful method for predicting landslides in future.
The lipoxygenase OsLOX10 affects seed longevity and resistance to saline-alkaline stress during rice seedlings
Authors: Wang Fuxiang , Xu Huibin , Zhang Ling , Shi Yunrui , Song Yu , Wang Xinyue , Cai Qiuhua , He Wei , Xie Huaan , Zhang Jianfu
Published: March 2023

Prolonged storage of rice seeds can lead to a decrease in seed vigor and seedling quality. The Lipoxygenase (LOX) gene family is widely distributed in plants, and LOX activity is closely related to seed viability and stress tolerance. In this study, the lipoxygenase OsLOX10 gene from the 9-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway was cloned from rice, and its roles in determining seed longevity and tolerance to saline-alkaline stress caused by Na2CO3 in rice seedlings were mainly investigated. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of OsLOX10 increased seed longevity compared with the wild-type and OsLOX10 overexpression lines in response to artificial aging. The expression levels of other 9-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway related genes, such as LOX1, LOX2 and LOX3, were increased in the LOX10 overexpression lines. Quantitative real-time PCR and histochemical staining analysis showed that the expression of LOX10 was highest in seed hulls, anthers and the early germinating seeds. KI-I2 staining of starch showed that LOX10 could catalyze the degradation of linoleic acid. Furthermore, we found that the transgenic lines overexpressing LOX10 showed better tolerance to saline-alkaline stress than the wild-type and knockout mutant lines. Overall, our study demonstrated that the knockout LOX10 mutant increased seed longevity, whereas overexpression of LOX10 enhanced tolerance to saline-alkaline stress in rice seedlings.
Using root economics traits to predict biotic plant soil-feedbacks
Authors: Rutten Gemma , Allan Eric
Published: March 2023

Plant-soil feedbacks have been recognised as playing a key role in a range of ecological processes, including succession, invasion, species coexistence and population dynamics. However, there is substantial variation between species in the strength of plant-soil feedbacks and predicting this variation remains challenging. Here, we propose an original concept to predict the outcome of plant-soil feedbacks. We hypothesize that plants with different combinations of root traits culture different proportions of pathogens and mutualists in their soils and that this contributes to differences in performance between home soils (cultured by conspecifics) versus away soils (cultured by heterospecifics). We use the recently described root economics space, which identifies two gradients in root traits. A conservation gradient distinguishes fast vs. slow species, and from growth defence theory we predict that these species culture different amounts of pathogens in their soils. A collaboration gradient distinguishes species that associate with mycorrhizae to outsource soil nutrient acquisition vs. those which use a “do it yourself” strategy and capture nutrients without relying strongly on mycorrhizae. We provide a framework, which predicts that the strength and direction of the biotic feedback between a pair of species is determined by the dissimilarity between them along each axis of the root economics space. We then use data from two case studies to show how to apply the framework, by analysing the response of plant-soil feedbacks to measures of distance and position along each axis and find some support for our predictions. Finally, we highlight further areas where our framework could be developed and propose study designs that would help to fill current research gaps.
Unemployment benefits, entrepreneurship policies, and new business creation
Authors: Bilan Irina , Apostoaie Constantin-Marius
Published: March 2023

Besides their common link with unemployment, unemployment benefits are also relevant to the decision to become an entrepreneur. We thoroughly explored this relationship for a panel of 23 EU countries over the period 2001–2019. Our results demonstrate that generous unemployment compensations hinder entrepreneurial initiative, and those opportunity entrepreneurs, who are more likely to create new jobs and innovation, are affected more. Contrary to common belief, we find an unequal pattern of effects, with higher benefits being more detrimental at the beginning of the unemployment spell. A favourable policy framework results in being relevant for entrepreneurial endeavours on its own; in addition, high-quality policies and programmes for entrepreneurs are found to temper the negative effects of large unemployment benefits on new business creation during long unemployment spells. Our results support the call for properly designed unemployment benefit systems (as both level and time pattern) that ensure an optimum balance between adequate income replacement and poverty prevention, on the one hand, and limited side effects on new venture creation, on the other hand.
Language Used at Home and Educational–Occupational Mismatch of Migrants by Gender
Authors: Birgier Debora Pricila , Bar-Haim Eyal
Published: March 2023

The ability of migrants to use the host country's language is crucial to their integration. Nonetheless, the association between migrant literacy and their labor market outcome is less explored compared to the association between their educational attainment and their economic integration. Moreover, this ability has another vital role in immigrant assimilation, serving as an indicator of cultural capital. The current study, therefore, examines the extent to which language as cultural capital shapes gender differences in migrant economic integration, as measured by educational–occupational mismatch (EOM). Using the PIAAC 2018 dataset, we employ a series of nested fixed-effect linear models in which our dependent variable is years of over-education and study the effect of language use at home, controlling for linguistic competence in the host country language. We find that once controlling for educational level, migrant men who use a different language than the host country's language at home are not more prone to EOM. However, migrant women, who are at higher risk of EOM, suffer even more when using a foreign language at home. We suggest that using a foreign language at home for women might indicate low host-country-specific cultural capital, which could directly affect migrant women’s integration into the labor market.
Multi-index antithetic stochastic gradient algorithm
Authors: Majka Mateusz B. , Sabate-Vidales Marc , Szpruch Łukasz
Published: March 2023

Stochastic Gradient Algorithms (SGAs) are ubiquitous in computational statistics, machine learning and optimisation. Recent years have brought an influx of interest in SGAs, and the non-asymptotic analysis of their bias is by now well-developed. However, relatively little is known about the optimal choice of the random approximation (e.g mini-batching) of the gradient in SGAs as this relies on the analysis of the variance and is problem specific. While there have been numerous attempts to reduce the variance of SGAs, these typically exploit a particular structure of the sampled distribution by requiring a priori knowledge of its density’s mode. In this paper, we construct a Multi-index Antithetic Stochastic Gradient Algorithm (MASGA) whose implementation is independent of the structure of the target measure. Our rigorous theoretical analysis demonstrates that for log-concave targets, MASGA achieves performance on par with Monte Carlo estimators that have access to unbiased samples from the distribution of interest. In other words, MASGA is an optimal estimator from the mean square error-computational cost perspective within the class of Monte Carlo estimators. To illustrate the robustness of our approach, we implement MASGA also in some simple non-log-concave numerical examples, however, without providing theoretical guarantees on our algorithm’s performance in such settings.
Quasi-Conventions
Authors: Skyrms Brian
Published: March 2023

I consider a generalizarion of Vanderschraaf's correlated conventions to Quasi-Conventions, using the concept of coarse correlated equilibria. I discuss the possibility of improved payoffs and the question of learnability by simple uncoupled learning dynamics. Laboratory experiments are surveyed. The generalization introduces strains of commitment, which can be see from different points of view. I conclude that the strains of commitment preclude using the generalization as a stand-alone definition of convention, but that in certain settings Quasi-Conventions can be important modules within larger true conventions.
Three-way species interactions reverse the positive pairwise effects of two natives on an exotic invader
Authors: Schlau Benjamin M. , Huxman Travis E. , Mooney Kailen A. , Pratt Jessica D.
Published: March 2023

The disruptive effects of tertiary species on otherwise positive pairwise species interactions (e.g. context-dependent parasitism in pollinator syndromes) is well-known. However, few—if any—studies have investigated how invasive plants affect interactions between facilitative plants and their native plant communities. Further, if tertiary invasive species can change interactions among native species from positive to negative, then a tertiary native should be capable of the same phenom for pairwise interactions between natives and invasives. Our previous research indicates invasive black mustard (Brassica nigra) changes interaction signs for otherwise positive species interactions between the dominant, native facilitator California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and its co-dominant beneficiary California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) in semi-arid California coastal sage scrub habitat. Here, E. fasciculatum and A. californica seedlings increased B. nigra shoot growth in pairwise species interactions in the greenhouse. However, in three-way species interactions, E. fasciculatum and A. californica together reduced B. nigra SLA, height, and reproductive potential while not increasing shoot DW. In three-way species interactions, B. nigra did not significantly reduce E. fasciculatum facilitation of A. californica. Also surprisingly, light competition with B. nigra resulted in an increase in A. californica height, which reduced the negative effects of A. californica light competition on shade-intolerant E. fasciculatum. In an additive field experiment, A. californica protected E. fasciculatum from facilitating germination and growth of B. nigra when water competition was minimized. Taken together, this study demonstrates the importance of studying species interactions between competitive, native perennials in the current ecological context of invaded ecosystems.
Improving capacity for phytoremediation of Vetiver grass and Indian mustard in heavy metal (Al and Mn) contaminated water through the application of clay minerals
Authors: Otunola Beatrice Omonike , Aghoghovwia Makhosazana P. , Thwala Melusi , Gómez-Arias Alba , Jordaan Rian , Hernandez Julio Castillo , Ololade Olusola Oluwayemisi
Published: March 2023

One of the consequences of mining is the release of heavy metals into the environment, especially water bodies. Phytoremediation of areas contaminated by heavy metals using Vetiver grass and Indian mustard is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This study aimed at enhancing remediation of heavy metal contaminated water through the simultaneous hybrid application of clay minerals (attapulgite and bentonite) and Vetiver grass or Indian mustard. A 21-day greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the clay minerals to improve heavy metal phytoremediation. The highest accumulation of aluminium (Al) by Vetiver grass was 371.8 mg/kg in the BT2.5VT treatment, while for Mn, the highest accumulation of 34.71 mg/kg was observed in the AT1VT treatment. However, Indian mustard showed no significant uptake of heavy metals, but suffered heavy metal toxicity despite the addition of clay minerals. From this study, it was evident that bentonite added at 2.5% (w/v) could improve the phytoremediation capacity of Vetiver grass for Al and Mn polluted water. The current laboratory-scale findings provided a basis for field trials earmarked for remediation in a post-mining coal environment in South Africa. This remediation approach can also be adopted in other places.
Climate impact of bioenergy with or without carbon dioxide removal: influence of functional unit and parameter variability
Authors: Zakrisson Lisa , Azzi Elias S. , Sundberg Cecilia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Bioenergy with carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is increasingly proposed as an efficient way to mitigate climate change. This study examined the circumstances and methodological choices in which two CDR bioenergy systems were preferable to a reference bioenergy system from a climate change mitigation perspective. The CDR systems were also compared.

Methods

Three systems were modelled: two CDR systems (Biochar, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)), with a combined heat and power (CHP) system as reference. A parameterised life cycle inventory (LCI) model was developed and computed for all systems and four different functional units (FUs), resulting in different distributions of climate impacts. Contribution analysis was performed, followed by pair-wise comparison of all scenarios to establish their ranking. First-order Sobol indices were computed to assess the contribution of each parameter to total variance. When ranking of scenarios was strongly dependent on parameter values, decision tree analysis was applied.

Results and discussion

The CDR systems had a lower climate impact than CHP in most computations, across all FUs. On comparing the two CDR systems, the preferable system changed with FU. With heat or carbon sequestration as FU the Biochar system was preferable in general, while with electricity or biomass use as FU, the BECCS system had the lowest climate impact in most computations. For most system configurations, energy substitutions had a large influence and contributed most to the variance in results. The system ranking also depended on the reference activities in the background energy system.

Conclusions

The Biochar and BECCS systems were generally preferable to the reference CHP system from a climate mitigation perspective, particularly when the reference energy systems had a relatively low climate impact. However, FU and parameters affected the system ranking. For comparing BECCS and biochar, case-specific climate impacts will be decisive, but not always conclusive, as the choice of FU has such large impact on the results.

Recommendations

When conducting LCA of multi-functional systems, the use of several FUs, parameterised LCI, and contribution analysis allows for deeper investigation than conventional sensitivity analyses. When analysing the climate impact of bioenergy with or without carbon removal, it is especially important to perform sensitivity analysis on the energy background system, since it strongly affects the results.
Integration of consumer preferences into dynamic life cycle assessment for the sharing economy: methodology and case study for shared mobility
Authors: Fernando Chalaka , Buttriss Gary , Yoon Hwan-Jin , Soo Vi Kie , Compston Paul , Doolan Matthew
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The rising of the sharing economy (SE) has lowered the barrier of purchase price to accessing many different products, thus changing the consumer decision paradigm. This paper addresses the challenge of assessing the life cycle impacts of SE systems in the context of this new consumer decision-making process. The paper proposes a methodological framework to integrate consumer preferences into the Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (dynamic-LCA) of SE systems.

Methods

In the proposed consumer preference integrated dynamic-LCA (C-DLCA) methodological framework, system dynamics (SD) is used to combine consumer preference and the principal method, dynamic-LCA, which follows the ISO 14040 LCA framework. Choice-based conjoint analysis (CBCA) is chosen as the stated preference tool to measure consumer preference based on SE alternatives, attributes and attribute levels. CBCA integrates discrete choice experiments (DCE) and conjoint analysis features. Random utility theory is selected to interpret the CBCA results by employing multinomial logistics as the estimation procedure to derive the utilities. Derived utilities are connected in iterative modelling in the SD and LCA. Dynamic-LCA results are determined based on dynamic process inventory and DCE outcomes and then interpreted aligned with the SD policy scenarios.

Results and discussion

The C-DLCA framework is applied to assess the GHG changes of the transition to car-based shared mobility in roundtrips to work in the USA. Carpooling and ridesourcing are selected as the shared mobility alternatives based on different occupancy behaviours. Powertrain system and body style are employed as the fleet technology attributes and the latter as an endogenous variable. Dynamic-LCA results are generated considering the high battery electrical vehicle (BEV) adoption as the policy scenario, and results are measured against a service-based functional unit, passenger-kilometre. The model outcomes show a significant reduction in aggregated personal mobility-related dynamic-GHG emissions by transitioning to car-based shared mobility. In contrast to the use phase GHG emissions, the production phase emissions show an increase. The results highlight the importance of integrating consumer preference and temporality in the SE environmental assessments.

Conclusions

The proposed C-DLCA framework is the first approach to combine consumer preferences, SD and LCA in a single formulation. The structured and practical integration of conjoint analysis, SD and LCA methods added some standardisation to the dynamic-LCAs of the SE systems, and the applicability is demonstrated. The C-DLCA framework is a fundamental structure to connect consumer preferences and temporal effects in LCAs that is expandable based on research scope.
Sheathing and Pay Techniques in the Boa Vista 1 Ship (Lisbon, Portugal)
Authors: Lopes Gonçalo C. , Petrucci-Fonseca Francisco
Published: March 2023

Between September 2012 and February 2013, archaeological excavations carried out in the riverside area of Lisbon (Portugal) revealed the remains of two wooden ships: Boa Vista 1 (BV1) and Boa Vista 2 (BV2), both dating from the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century. BV1 ship consists of scattered hull timbers which were damaged and out of their original positions. Some of the ship’s hull features are common in the Mediterranean like a composite keel with butt joints and hook scarfs in the connection between floors and futtocks, while others are well-known Iberian shipbuilding features like the transition between the keel and the sternpost being made through a single piece, the heel. A unique feature was a layer of animal hair between the sheathing and the hull planking. This paper focuses mainly on the study of wooden sheathing, including but not limited to the analysis of its conventional “architectural signatures”. The latest results concerning animal hair identification will also be presented and discussed, showing the added value of multidisciplinary approaches in archaeology.
Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) im Laufe der Zeit
Authors: Blumentritt Sebastian , Luig Teresa , Enklaar Arnold , Englert Heike
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Zur Qualitätssicherung und Weiterentwicklung von BGF-Maßnahmen (betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung) ist es von Interesse, einen Überblick über wissenschaftlich untersuchte BGF-Maßnahmen in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten zu erlangen.

Zielsetzung

Wissenschaftlich evaluierte BGF-Maßnahmen aus den Jahren 2000–2020 werden mithilfe der in der Praxis durch den GKV-Spitzenverband eingesetzten Themenfelder auf die thematischen Entwicklungen, den Nutzen, aber auch die Schwächen für die Übertragbarkeit in die Praxis hin analysiert.

Methode

Eine systematische Literaturrecherche für den Publikationszeitraum zwischen 2000 und 2020 wurde in zwei elektronischen Datenbanken durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Die Einschlusskriterien erfüllten 41 Artikel. Die meisten der in den Studien durchgeführten und evaluierten BGF-Maßnahmen waren keine Einzelmaßnahmen, sondern stellten Programme dar. In ihnen wurden mehrere Themenfelder gleichzeitig adressiert. Insgesamt zeigten sich die in den Studien untersuchten BGF-Maßnahmen sehr heterogen. Zum Ende des Untersuchungszeitraumes nahm die Anzahl an Publikationen zu.

Schlussfolgerung

Die im Leitfaden Prävention vorgegebenen BGF-Themenfelder sind bis auf ein Themenfeld ausgewogen vertreten. Die Studien zu den BGF-Maßnahmen sind bezogen auf die Verständlichkeit der angewendeten Didaktik und Methodik oft nur eingeschränkt nachvollziehbar und somit schwer in die organisationale Praxis übertragbar.
Responding to Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional and Remote New South Wales
Authors: McDonald Fiona , Malatzky Christina
Published: March 2023

Ethical perspectives on regional, rural, and remote healthcare often, understandably and importantly, focus on inequities in access to services. In this commentary, we take the opportunity to examine the implications of normalizing metrocentric views, values, knowledge, and orientations, evidenced by the recent (2022) New South Wales inquiry into health outcomes and access to hospital and health services in regional, rural and remote New South Wales, for contemporary rural governance and justice debates. To do this, we draw on the feminist inspired approach to rural health ethics involving analysis of power relationships developed by Simpson and McDonald and related ideas from critical health sociology. In presenting this analysis, we extend contemporary thought about spatial health inequities and structural violence.
Sandstorms damage the photosynthetic activities of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings
Authors: Shi Shengbo , Zhou Dangwei , Shi Rui , Sun Tao , Wang Fanglin , Gao Xiuzhen , Zhang Yunian , Zhao Peng , Xu Gaoxing , Tang Jinnian
Published: March 2023

Haloxylon ammodendron is a preferred shrub species for buffering against wind and fixing sand in arid sandy areas of northwest China. To determine whether sandstorms cause damage to H. ammodendron seedlings, we investigated the effects of wind-blown sands on the photosynthetic function of H. ammodendron by simulating sand-carrying wind in the wind tunnel. The results showed that photosystem II (PSII) non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was sensitive to wind erosion, and sustained blowing of sand-carrying winds enhanced NPQ reduction. The rapidly relaxing quenching NPQf made up the majority component of NPQ; the NPQf/NPQ ratio was approximately 64.4% in the sand-free wind group and nearly 56.2% in the sand-carrying wind group. The distribution of the quantum efficiency of the excitation energy indicated that the relative proportions of the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry ΦPSII, the quantum yield of quenching due to light-induced ΦNPQ, and non-light-induced ΦNO were influenced by both wind erosion and light intensity; the sand-carrying wind resulted in a relative decrease in ΦNPQ and a corresponding increase in ΦNO. The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry Fv/Fm was relatively stable in the sand-free wind group, with an average value of approximately 0.81. Compared to sand-free wind, sand-carrying winds caused remarkable decreases in Fv/Fm. Light intensity was the main factor affecting ΦPSII, ΦNPQ, and relative electron transport rate (rETR); there was no interaction effect between the duration of sand-carrying wind and light intensity. Taken together, wind-blown sands cause irreversible damage to the photosynthesis of H. ammodendron seedlings, which is the main factor restricting population regeneration in shelterbelts.
Customer journey management capability in business-to-business markets: Its bright and dark sides and overall impact on firm performance
Authors: Homburg Christian , Tischer Moritz
Published: March 2023

Business-to-business (B2B) practitioners are increasingly interested in capabilities to holistically manage touchpoints along B2B customer journeys (CJs) to remain competitive. Research in the B2B context, however, has investigated neither what constitutes such a customer journey management capability (CJMC) nor how, whether, or when it creates value. Taking a mixed-methods approach, we conceptualize and operationalize B2B CJMC as a supplier's ability to achieve superior customer value along the B2B CJ by strategically creating value-anchored customer touchpoints characterized through the implementation of consistent resource usage across internal organizational boundaries and by continuously monitoring value creation toward the individual members of the buying center. Analyzing a multisource dataset, we provide evidence that B2B CJMC has an indirect effect on firm performance (i.e., return on sales) through two opposing mechanisms (i.e., customer loyalty and customer-related coordination costs). Importantly, using survey and archival data, we show that, overall, B2B CJMC has a significant and positive impact on firm performance through the two mechanisms. Finally, these underlying mechanisms are also prevalent when testing for the moderating factors switching costs, number of touchpoints, and product versus service.
CAR-T Therapies in Solid Tumors: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Guzman Grace , Reed Megan R. , Bielamowicz Kevin , Koss Brian , Rodriguez Analiz
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

This review will discuss the challenges facing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell application for solid tumors and opportunities to overcome these obstacles. In addition, this review will examine therapies that are in development for pediatric solid tumors.

Recent Findings

The similar success of CAR-T cell treatment for hematological malignancies has not been observed in solid tumors because of the hostile tumor microenvironment and tumor heterogeneity. Most strategies developed to combat these limitations emphasize combinatorial techniques that still require further testing. Preliminary results of multiple clinical trials, including GD2- and HER2-CAR-T cells, are encouraging but must be reproduced and validated on a larger scale.

CAR-T cell application in solid tumors remains challenging, and most research is in development. Several clinical trials are ongoing for pediatric solid tumors. Early results are promising but demonstrate the need for CAR-T cell modification to prevent tumor recurrence.