bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the invasive alien plant Vernonanthura polyanthes on conservation and livelihoods in the Chimanimani uplands of Zimbabwe
Authors: Kachena Lameck , Shackleton Ross T. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBiological invasions can have major social-ecological consequences for rural communities across the world. However, the dimensions (characteristics, infestation and socio-ecological impacts) of emerging invasive alien plants are often less known and urgent information is needed to guide policy and management. In light of this, this paper assesses the social-ecological impacts of Vernonanthura polyanthes, an emerging invasive alien plant found in a Zimbabwean upland landscape which supports conservation and livelihoods. The paper employs qualitative methods—community mapping, time series analysis, and key informant interviews—involving individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, to examine the socio-ecological and economic implications of V. polyanthes and its management in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. We found that there are nuanced perspectives regarding this invasive alien plant among different socio-economic groups in the region who have different experiences of living with V. polyanthes. Some are embracing it for apiculture, firewood, and ethnomedicine while, on the other hand, some see the tree as negatively affecting key livelihoods (crop farming, pastoralism, and tourism) that are common in the region. Local people also identified that V. polyanthes is associated with ecological impacts that include loss of biodiversity, promoting pests, and negatively affecting watersheds and associated water sources. These mixed experiences concerning the plant are leading to different management practices, in turn inducing some conflicts among various actors. Based on our findings, we suggest more should be done to better manage this invasive alien plant in the region before negative impacts become too great, particularly in protected areas.
Alkali induced changes in spatial distribution of functional groups in carboxymethylated cellulose
Authors: Bogner Paul , Bechtold Thomas , Pham Tung , Manian Avinash P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe aim of the work was to investigate treatment parameters that exert most influence on performance of cellulose fibers carboxymethylated from aqueous solutions. Viscose fibers were carboxymethylated in alkaline solutions of sodium monochloroacetate at two temperatures (30 °C, 50 °C) and with different levels of alkali (0.5 mol/L and 4 mol/L NaOH). The degree of carboxymethylation was assessed with both back titration and conductometric titration methods, and the performance of carboxymethylated fibers was assessed from their propensity for sorption of the cationic dye methylene blue, a putative wastewater contaminant. Higher degrees of carboxymethylation were generally observed for fibers carboxymethylated in 4 mol/L NaOH, but in dye sorption propensities, the fibers carboxymethylated in 0.5 mol/L NaOH performed better. A combination of observations from dye sorption, color measurement and conductometric titration suggested that dye permeation was greater through fibers carboxymethylated in 0.5 mol/L NaOH as compared to 4 mol/L NaOH. As permeability differences were evinced in cases also where the degrees of carboxymethylation were very similar, it appears that the reaction conditions (i.e., alkali content during carboxymethylation), in addition to degree of carboxymethylation, affected fiber performance. The effect of alkali may stem from their influence on the topographical distribution of the substituted carboxymethyl functional groups.
Tactics for Becoming Visible: South Asian Minorities in the Times of Communicative Capitalism
Authors: Schaflechner Jürgen , Kramer Max 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe explore the tactics of becoming visible and their relationship to alleviating or exacerbating precarious forms of life for minorities in South Asia. These tactics emerge from and respond to three interdependent moments: The frames that define how minorities can become visible, the interplay between limits and thresholds of visibility, and how capture fragments articulations and makes them easy to appropriate.
Effect of Cu substitution on magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Mn–ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Abu-Elsaad N. I. , Nawara A. S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe citrate approach was employed to successfully synthesize Mn0.4Zn0.6−xCuxFe2O4 (MZCF) with a nanostructured shape. A thorough examination was conducted on the microstructural, magnetic, and optical properties of the nanoparticles obtained. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that all of the compositions exhibit a high degree of single-phase spinel formation. The experimental findings indicate that the introduction of copper ions leads to a reduction in both lattice constant and porosity, while concurrently resulting in an increase in the theoretical X-ray and bulk densities. The analysis of UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated that MZCF exhibited a direct band gap falling within the range of 1.61–1.78 eV. The magnetic characteristics were assessed through the analysis of hysteresis plots. The introduction of copper (Cu) content leads to notable improvements in the saturation (Ms) and remanent magnetization (Mr) values, which range from 40.21 to 58.78 and 4.46–10.54 emu/g, respectively. The assessment of the microwave frequency response has verified the appropriateness of MZCF nanoferrites for application within the frequency spectrum spanning from 8 to 13 gigahertz. The nanoparticles exhibit improved magnetic properties, suggesting their potential appropriateness for applications involving high-frequency microwave absorption and switching. Furthermore, the nanoparticles Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 and Mn0.4Zn0.2Cu0.4Fe2O4 were subjected to analysis utilizing a solar light simulator in order to induce degradation of MB dye.
Trichoplusia ni Transcriptomic Responses to the Phytosaponin Aglycone Hederagenin: Sex-Related Differences
Authors: Chen Yinting , Lafleur Christine , Smith Ryan J. , Kaur Diljot , Driscoll Brian T. , Bede Jacqueline C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMany plant species, particularly legumes, protect themselves with saponins. Previously, a correlation was observed between levels of oleanolic acid-derived saponins, such as hederagenin-derived compounds, in the legume Medicago truncatula and caterpillar deterrence. Using concentrations that reflect the foliar levels of hederagenin-type saponins, the sapogenin hederagenin was not toxic to 4th instar caterpillars of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni nor did it act as a feeding deterrent. Female caterpillars consumed more diet than males, presumably to obtain the additional nutrients required for oogenesis, and are, thus, exposed to higher hederagenin levels. When fed the hederagenin diet, male caterpillars expressed genes encoding trypsin-like proteins (LOC113500509, LOC113501951, LOC113501953, LOC113501966, LOC113501965, LOC113499659, LOC113501950, LOC113501948, LOC113501957, LOC113501962, LOC113497819, LOC113501946, LOC113503910) as well as stress-responsive (LOC113503484, LOC113505107) proteins and cytochrome P450 6B2-like (LOC113493761) at higher levels than females. In comparison, female caterpillars expressed higher levels of cytochrome P450 6B7-like (LOC113492289). Bioinformatic tools predict that cytochrome P450s could catalyze the oxygenation of hederagenin which would increase the hydrophilicity of the compound. Expression of a Major Facilitator Subfamily (MFS) transporter (LOC113492899) showed a hederagenin dose-dependent increase in gene expression suggesting that this transporter may be involved in sapogenin efflux. These sex-related differences in feeding and detoxification should be taken into consideration in insecticide evaluations to minimize pesticide resistance.
Religion and persecution
Authors: Khalil Umair , Panza Laura 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between local religiosity and episodes of persecutions in Europe between 1100 and 1850. We introduce a novel proxy for measuring local religion: the cult of saints in early Western Christianity. Our findings show that cities with an established cult of a saint are 11% points more likely to engage in Jewish persecutions and witch trials. However, cities with more progressive gender norms, measured by the presence of a female saint cult, are less likely to persecute witches compared to male-only saint cities. Our baseline relationship persists after controlling for a range of city-level economic, geographic and institutional characteristics and after accounting for other major confounders. Suggestive evidence points towards two mechanisms behind the saints-persecution relationship: (i) changes in norms induced by longer exposure to Christianity; and (ii) proximity of religious groups due to congruence of religious festivities.
An industry perspective on current QSP trends in drug development
Authors: Cucurull-Sanchez Lourdes 
Published: March 2024

Abstract2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Natpara’s submission to the US FDA, which led to the first recorded regulatory interaction where a decision was supported by Quantitative and Systems Pharmacology (QSP) simulations. It had taken about 5 years for the timid QSP discipline to emerge as an effective Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) tool with visible impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the presence of QSP in the regulatory environment has continued to increase, to the point that the Agency reported 60 QSP submissions in 2020 alone, representing ~ 4% of their annual IND submissions [1]. What sort of industry mindset has enabled QSP to reach this level of success? How does QSP fit within the MIDD paradigm? Does QSP mean the same to Discovery and to Clinical Development projects? How do ‘platforms’ compare to ‘fit-for-purpose’ QSP models in an industrial setting? Can QSP and empirical Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling be complementary? What level of validation is required to inform drug development decisions? This article reflects on all these questions, in particular addressing those audiences with limited line-of-sight into the drug industry decision-making machinery.
Multicyclic Norias: A First-Transition Approach to Extreme Values of the Currents
Authors: Polettini Matteo , Neri Izaak 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFor continuous-time Markov chains we prove that, depending on the notion of effective affinity F, the probability of an edge current to ever become negative is either 1 if $$F< 0$$

F
<
0

else $$\sim \exp - F$$

∼
exp
-
F

. The result generalizes a “noria” formula to multicyclic networks. We give operational insights on the effective affinity and compare several estimators, arguing that stopping problems may be more accurate in assessing the nonequilibrium nature of a system according to a local observer. Finally we elaborate on the similarity with the Boltzmann formula. The results are based on a constructive first-transition approach.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of opto-electro-thermo-elastic perovskite plates
Authors: Zhao Shaoyu , Wu Helong , Zhang Yingyan , Kitipornchai Sritawat , Yang Jie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPhotostrictive materials have attracted tremendous interest as the new generation of smart materials that can achieve a direct conversion from optical energy to mechanical energy. Understanding their nonlinear mechanical properties under light illumination is of paramount significance for their realistic optomechanical applications. This article proposes a novel opto-electro-thermo-elastic constitutive model that can consider the effects of photostriction, photothermal temperature, and electrostriction for metal halide perovskite crystals and investigates the nonlinear static and dynamic responses of the perovskite plates. The nonlinear governing equations are established based on the first-order shear deformation theory and von Kármán nonlinearity and are numerically solved by the differential quadrature method. A detailed parametric investigation is performed to analyze the effects of light and electricity on the nonlinear mechanical behaviors of perovskite plates. It is concluded that light illumination leads to the presence of optical stress and thermal stress in the perovskite plates, giving rise to increased static and dynamic deformations and stresses, as well as reduced postbuckling and free vibration characteristics. The research findings pave the way for the optomechanical applications of perovskite-based smart materials and structures.
A transient in planta editing assay identifies specific binding of the splicing regulator PTB as a prerequisite for cassette exon inclusion
Authors: Loeser Jorinde , Bauer Julia , Janßen Kim , Rockenbach Kevin , Wachter Andreas 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe dynamic interaction of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with their target RNAs contributes to the diversity of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that are involved in a myriad of biological processes. Identifying the RNP components at high resolution and defining their interactions are key to understanding their regulation and function. Expressing fusions between an RBP of interest and an RNA editing enzyme can result in nucleobase changes in target RNAs, representing a recent addition to experimental approaches for profiling RBP/RNA interactions. Here, we have used the MS2 protein/RNA interaction to test four RNA editing proteins for their suitability to detect target RNAs of RBPs in planta. We have established a transient test system for fast and simple quantification of editing events and identified the hyperactive version of the catalytic domain of an adenosine deaminase (hADARcd) as the most suitable editing enzyme. Examining fusions between homologs of polypyrimidine tract binding proteins (PTBs) from Arabidopsis thaliana and hADARcd allowed determining target RNAs with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, almost complete editing of a splicing intermediate provided insight into the order of splicing reactions and PTB dependency of this particular splicing event. Addition of sequences for nuclear localisation of the fusion protein increased the editing efficiency, highlighting this approach’s potential to identify RBP targets in a compartment-specific manner. Our studies have established the editing-based analysis of interactions between RBPs and their RNA targets in a fast and straightforward assay, offering a new system to study the intricate composition and functions of plant RNPs in vivo.
Fire effects on soil biota alter the strength and direction of plant-soil feedbacks between Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash and Rudbeckia hirta L
Authors: Hopkins Jacob R. , Bennet Alison E. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background and aims
Plant soil feedbacks (PSF) are reciprocal mechanisms through which interactions between plants and soil biota and affect future plant growth. When scaled up to the community level, PSFs are important determinants of above- and belowground community dynamics that influence long-term successional trajectories. Despite over three decades of ecological PSF research, we have a poor understanding of how common environmental processes like fire influence the strength and direction of PSFs. The aim of this study was to evaluate fire effects on PSFs between two common grassland species: Schizachyrium scoparium and Rudbeckia hirta.

Methods
In this work we evaluated how fire effects on S. scoparium and R. hirta associated soil biota influenced feedbacks on plant growth using a two phase experiment. We tested this by first growing S. scoparium and R. hirta with the same soil inocula, and then simulating low intensity, grassland fires in a controlled greenhouse pot experiment (soil training). We then evaluated plant growth responses to burned and unburned inter- and intraspecific soil biota treatments (response phase).

Results
Fire effects on inocula neutralized negative feedbacks in S. scoparium, and caused negative feedbacks in R. hirta. This shows that environmental disturbance like fire can alter the strength and direction of PSFs in ways that modify plant growth and potentially influence plant fuel loads and community dynamics.

Conclusion
That fire can alter the strength and direction of PSFs on plant growth suggests that fire effects on soil related processes may influence plant community dynamics and fire-fuel dynamics in fire recurrent grassland ecosystems. Further, this study shows that fire effects on PSFs vary between plant species.
Understanding Canadian stakeholders’ views on measuring and valuing health for children and adolescents: a qualitative study
Authors: Xie Feng , Xie Shitong , Pullenayegum Eleanor , Ohinmaa Arto 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
Valuing child health is critical to assessing the value of healthcare interventions for children. However, there remain important methodological and normative issues. This qualitative study aimed to understand the views of Canadian stakeholders on these issues.

Methods
Stakeholders from health technology assessment (HTA) agencies, pharmaceutical industry representatives, healthcare providers, and academic researchers/scholars were invited to attend an online interview. Semi-structured interviews were designed to focus on: (1) comparing the 3-level and 5-level versions of the EQ-5D-Y; (2) source of preferences for valuation (adults vs. children); (3) perspective of valuation tasks; and (4) methods for valuation (discrete choice experiment [DCE] and its variants versus time trade-off [TTO]). Participants were probed to consider HTA guidelines, cognitive capacity, and potential ethical concerns. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis with the incidence density method was used to analyze the data.

Results
Fifteen interviews were conducted between May and September 2022. 66.7% (N = 10) of participants had experience with economic evaluations, and 86.7% (N = 13) were parents. Eleven participants preferred the EQ-5D-Y-5L. 12 participants suggested that adolescents should be directly involved in child health valuation from their own perspective. The participants were split on the ethical concerns. Eight participants did not think that there was ethical concern. 11 participants preferred DCE to TTO. Among the DCE variants, 6 participants preferred the DCE with duration to the DCE with death.

Conclusions
Most Canadian stakeholders supported eliciting the preferences of adolescents directly from their own perspective for child health valuation. DCE was preferred if adolescents are directly involved.
Form and Substance in Comparative Law and Legal Interpretation
Authors: Monateri Pier Giuseppe 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article examines various models of legal interpretation and their implications for comparative law, drawing inspiration from Rodolfo Sacco’s early career theories. It contrasts the Tarskian Correspondence Model, which seeks objective reality in legal texts, with the Symphonic Model, which interprets legal language as a harmonious interplay of elements. The Tarskian model reflects classical legal thought’s search for fixed meanings, while the Symphonic model aligns with contemporary legal practice’s nuanced understanding. Further, the article explores Heraclitean Realism, acknowledging the fluidity of language and meaning, and the Provocative Tapestry Model, which introduces paradox and tension in legal interpretation. These models are likened to narrative genres, offering varied approaches to understanding legal discourse: the Tarskian model as a detective novel, the Symphonic model as a comedy, the Living Tapestry model as a melodrama, and the Provocative Tapestry model as a tragedy. The article argues that these models of legal interpretation do not inherently carry a political essence; the political stance emerges from the choices of interpreters. It emphasizes the need for human agency in the application of legal norms and the responsibility of legal professionals to actively engage in the interpretation process. Comparative law is discussed as a discipline that benefits from understanding these diverse interpretative models, as it seeks to analyze legal systems across jurisdictions. The article concludes that while narrative styles in legal interpretation have political histories, they are not bound to specific ideologies, highlighting the versatility and subjectivity in the field of legal interpretation.
Total effects with constrained features
Authors: Borgonovo Emanuele , Plischke Elmar , Prieur Clémentine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecent studies have emphasized the connection between machine learning feature importance measures and total order sensitivity indices (total effects, henceforth). Feature correlations and the need to avoid unrestricted permutations make the estimation of these indices challenging. Additionally, there is no established theory or approach for non-Cartesian domains. We propose four alternative strategies for computing total effects that account for both dependent and constrained features. Our first approach involves a generalized winding stairs design combined with the Knothe-Rosenblatt transformation. This approach, while applicable to a wide family of input dependencies, becomes impractical when inputs are physically constrained. Our second approach is a U-statistic that combines the Jansen estimator with a weighting factor. The U-statistic framework allows the derivation of a central limit theorem for this estimator. However, this design is computationally intensive. Then, our third approach uses derangements to significantly reduce computational burden. We prove consistency and central limit theorems for these estimators as well. Our fourth approach is based on a nearest-neighbour intuition and it further reduces computational burden. We test these estimators through a series of increasingly complex computational experiments with features constrained on compact and connected domains (circle, simplex), non-compact and non-connected domains (Sierpinski gaskets), we provide comparisons with machine learning approaches and conclude with an application to a realistic simulator.
No Point of View Except Ours?
Authors: Elson Luke 
Published: March 2024

AbstractI argue that it’s quite comprehensible to get upset about metaethical nihilism, to indulge what I call nihilistic despair. When we lose the objective moral or normative point of view, we lose the promise of luck-immune guidance and categorical importance, things many of us hope for. This is all quite Williams-friendly, but I reject his puzzling but suggestive remarks that nihilistic despair must be a self-pitying muddle. Finally, I argue that internalism about reasons is even more depressing than outright nihilism, in one way at least.
Automated Detection of Cat Facial Landmarks
Authors: Martvel George , Shimshoni Ilan , Zamansky Anna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe field of animal affective computing is rapidly emerging, and analysis of facial expressions is a crucial aspect. One of the most significant challenges that researchers in the field currently face is the scarcity of high-quality, comprehensive datasets that allow the development of models for facial expressions analysis. One of the possible approaches is the utilisation of facial landmarks, which has been shown for humans and animals. In this paper we present a novel dataset of cat facial images annotated with bounding boxes and 48 facial landmarks grounded in cat facial anatomy. We also introduce a landmark detection convolution neural network-based model which uses a magnifying ensemble method. Our model shows excellent performance on cat faces and is generalizable to human and other animals facial landmark detection.