bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Domestication has altered the ABA and gibberellin profiles in developing pea seeds
Authors: Balarynová Jana , Klčová Barbora , Tarkowská Danuše , Turečková Veronika , Trněný Oldřich , Špundová Martina , Ochatt Sergio , Smýkal Petr 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Main conclusion
We showed that wild pea seeds contained a more diverse combination of bioactive GAs and had higher ABA content than domesticated peas.

Abstract
Although the role of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs) interplay has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis and cereals models, comparatively little is known about the effect of domestication on the level of phytohormones in legume seeds. In legumes, as in other crops, seed dormancy has been largely or entirely removed during domestication. In this study, we have measured the endogenous levels of ABA and GAs comparatively between wild and domesticated pea seeds during their development. We have shown that wild seeds contained more ABA than domesticated ones, which could be important for preparing the seeds for the period of dormancy. ABA was catabolised particularly by an 8´-hydroxylation pathway, and dihydrophaseic acid was the main catabolite in seed coats as well as embryos. Besides, the seed coats of wild and pigmented cultivated genotypes were characterised by a broader spectrum of bioactive GAs compared to non-pigmented domesticated seeds. GAs in both seed coat and embryo were synthesized mainly by a 13-hydroxylation pathway, with GA29 being the most abundant in the seed coat and GA20 in the embryos. Measuring seed water content and water loss indicated domesticated pea seeds´ desiccation was slower than that of wild pea seeds. Altogether, we showed that pea domestication led to a change in bioactive GA composition and a lower ABA content during seed development.
A numerical framework for modelling tire mechanics accounting for composite materials, large strains and frictional contact
Authors: Cornejo A. , Mataix V. , Wriggers P. , Barbu L. G. , Oñate E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe present a general framework for the analysis and modelling of frictional contact involving composite materials. The study has focused on composite materials formed by a matrix of rubber and synthetic or metallic fibres, which is the case of standard tires. We detail the numerical treatment of incompressibility at large deformations that rubber can experience, as well as the stiffening effect that properly oriented fibres will induce within the rubber. To solve the frictional contact between solids, a Dual Augmented Lagrangian Multiplier Method is used together with the Mortar method. This ensures a variationally consistent estimation of the contact forces. A modified Serial-Parallel Rule of Mixtures is employed to model the behaviour of composite materials. This is a simple and novel methodology that allows the blending of constitutive behaviours as diverse as rubber (very low stiffness and incompressible behaviour) and steel (high stiffness and compressible behaviour) taking into account the orientation of the fibres within the material. The locking due to the incompressibility constraint in the rubber material has been overcome by using Total Lagrangian mixed displacement-pressure elements. A collection of numerical examples is provided to show the accuracy and consistency of the methodology presented when solving frictional contact, incompressibility and composite materials under finite strains.
Relevance of organic vs. inorganic nitrogen in intra- and interspecific competition of seven central European tree species
Authors: Simon Judy 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Key message
When competing for nitrogen with other tree species, organic N is more important than inorganic N for most species

Abstract
Competition for nitrogen (N) in the rhizosphere is a key process regulating a seedling´s chances for growth and survival. However, only few studies have investigated this at the individual species´ level when using a community approach. In this study, 15N incubation experiments were conducted to quantify inorganic (i.e. ammonium and nitrate) and organic (i.e. glutamine-N and arginine-N) net N-uptake capacity of seven temperate woody species co-occurring on calcareous substrate and to investigate the consequences of intra- vs. interspecific competition in a woody seedling community. The results showed that short-term net inorganic and organic N uptake capacity was unrelated to a seedling´s fast or slow growth. Furthermore, competition with other tree species did not change a seedlings´ overall capacity to take up inorganic and organic N sources. Organic N was preferred over inorganic N for most species and the preferences for specific N source shifted with competition regime and tree species. Overall, this study indicates the importance of organic N sources for N uptake in woody seedlings.
Simple plication alleviates physical symptoms in patients with post-gestational rectus diastasis
Authors: Nervil G. G. , Paulsen J. F. , Kalstrup J. , Deigaard S. , Herbst I. , Lambaa S. , Hölmich L. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate our surgery for post-gestational rectus abdominis muscle diastasis using slowly absorbable monofilament suture and eight weeks of abdominal binder in terms of recurrence rate, complications, and effect on patients’ physical and cosmetic complaints.

Method
In a retrospective cohort study, all 44 patients operated between 2014 and 2020 were invited to a follow-up using ultrasound, clinical examination, and questionnaires regarding symptoms before and after surgery.

Results
89% of invited patients participated, with a median follow-up of 36 months. There was one recurrence caused by severe postoperative nausea and vomiting, which was the most common complication. Most procedures were safe, but two patients experienced Clavien–Dindo grade 3 complications. Patients reported feeling limited or taking precautions after surgery for a median of 8.5 months. Of all included patients, four responded that the operation did not alleviate their primary complaint. The remaining 35 patients (90%) experienced complete or partial alleviation of their primary complaints and would undergo the procedure again if needed.

Conclusion
Post-gestational diastasis recti can be associated with a large number of physical symptoms and functional complaints and can safely be operated using a single running plication of the anterior rectus fascia with a slowly absorbable suture, with fair cosmetic results, excellent effect on symptoms, few complications and high levels of patient satisfaction. Future research must determine which symptoms and findings should indicate surgery.
Marine extinctions and their drivers
Authors: Nikolaou Athanasios , Katsanevakis Stelios 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA literature review was conducted to investigate marine global and local extinctions and their drivers; the review followed the PRISMA-EcoEvo guidelines. The data extracted was enhanced with status assessments from the IUCN Red List. We recorded local extinctions for 717 species, of which 18 were global extinctions. Most of these extinctions were recorded on very localized and sub-ecoregion scales. The taxonomic group with the most reported local extinctions was molluscs (31%), followed by cnidarians (22%), fish (17%) and macroalgae (15%). The dominant drivers of extinction differed by taxonomic group. High mobility taxa were driven extinct mainly by overexploitation, whereas low mobility taxa from pollution, climate change and habitat destruction. Most of these extinctions were recorded in the Temperate Northern Atlantic (41%) and the Central Indo-Pacific (30%). Overexploitation was historically the primary driver of marine local extinctions. However, in the last three decades, other drivers, such as climate change, climate variability, and pollution, have prevailed in the published literature. Half of the reported extinctions were of species not assessed by the IUCN Red List, and 16% were species in threatened categories. Global extinctions in the marine environment were mainly attributed to overexploitation, followed by invasive species, habitat destruction, trophic cascades, and pollution. Most extinctions reported in the literature were derived from low-confidence data. Inadequate monitoring may lead to false reports of extinctions or silent extinctions that are never reported. Improved conservation and restoration actions are urgently needed to halt biodiversity loss.
“COVID-19 and income inequality in OECD countries:” A methodological comment
Authors: Stark Oded 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWildman (2021), who identifies “a clear association between income inequality [measured by the Gini coefficient] and COVID-19 cases and deaths,” concludes that “a goal of government should be to reduce [income] inequalities and [thereby] improve [the COVID-19 outcomes /] underlying health of their populations.” In this Comment, we argue that reducing the Gini coefficient of the income distribution of a population need not weaken the population’s social stress. It is this stress which is a source of adverse health outcomes of the population. Because a measure of this stress is a component of the Gini coefficient, reducing the coefficient can leave the measure as is, or even increase the measure.
Brain works principle followed by neural information processing: a review of novel brain theory
Authors: Wang Rubin , Wang Yihong , Xu Xuying , Li Yuanxi , Pan Xiaochuan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe way the brain work and its principle of work has long been a big scientific question that scientists have dreamed of solving. However, as is known to all, the brain works at different levels, and the operation at different levels is interactional and mutually coupled. Unfortunately, until now, we still do not know how the nervous system at different levels is interacting and coupling with each other. This review provides some preliminary discussions on how to address these scientific questions, for which we propose a novel theory of the brain called neural energy. Such a theoretical and research approach can couple neural information with neural energy to address the interactions of the nervous system at various levels. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the neural energy theories and methods proposed by our research in the field of brain science, as well as the internal relationship between mechanics and neural energy theory. Focuses on how to construct a Wang–Zhang (W–Z) neuron model equivalent to Hodgkin–Huxley (H–H) model by using the idea of analytical dynamics. Then, based on this model, we proposed a large-scale neural model and a theoretical framework of global neural coding of the brain in the field of neuroscience. It includes information processing of multiple sensory and perceptual nervous systems such as visual perception, neural mechanism of coupling between default mode network and functional network of brain, memory switching and brain state switching, brain navigation, prediction of new working mechanism of neurons, and interpretation of experimental phenomena that are difficult to be explained by neuroscience. It is proved that the new W–Z neuron model and neural energy theory have unique functions and advantages in neural modeling, neural information processing and methodology. The idea of large-scale neuroscience research with neural energy as the core will provide a potentially powerful research method for promoting the fusion of experimental neuroscience and theoretical neuroscience in the future, and propose a widely accepted brain theory system between experimental neuroscience and theoretical neuroscience. It is of great scientific significance to abandon the shortcomings of reductive and holism research methods in the field of neuroscience, and effectively integrate their respective advantages in methodology.
Forest fragmentation and its associated edge-effects reduce tree species diversity, size, and structural diversity in Madagascar’s transitional forests
Authors: Hending Daniel , Randrianarison Heriniaina , Andriamavosoloarisoa Niaina Nirina Mahefa , Ranohatra-Hending Christina , Holderied Marc , McCabe Grainne , Cotton Sam 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTropical forests are being cleared at an accelerating rate, despite being one of the most important habitats for global biodiversity. Many remaining tropical forest tracts are now highly degraded and fragmented, which presents a major problem for sensitive and threatened forest-dwelling species that depend on this habitat for survival. In this study, we assessed the impacts of forest fragmentation, and its associated edge-effects, on tree species diversity, tree size, and structural diversity within the transitional forests of north west Madagascar. Using data collected from 9,619 trees within 200 vegetation plots, we calculated species diversity indices, a range of dendrometry measurements, and Shannon-Weaver diversity indices of structure, which we compared among core and edge areas of a continuous forest and a fragmented forest. We found that species diversity, tree size, and structural diversity was significantly reduced in fragmented forest, and within forest edge areas in comparison to core, continuous forest. We also observed species diversity and structural diversity to be strongly influenced by the total size, core area size, and shape of forest fragments. Whilst we found fragmentation and edge-effects to individually impact tree species diversity, size and structural diversity, fragmentation and edge-effects are strongly correlated and affect natural forest synergistically. Our results provide evidence that forest fragmentation seriously degrades habitat quality and integrity of transitional forests, which is of great concern for the threatened species that inhabit them. Urgent conservation efforts are needed to halt ongoing forest fragmentation throughout the tropics, and reforestation and restoration efforts are required to reconnect isolated forest patches and to reduce forest edge area.
Influence of entry pathway and equity group status on retention and the student experience in higher education
Authors: Li Ian W. , Jackson Denise 
Published: June 2023

AbstractExpansionary policies to widen participation in higher education have led to a growth in alternative entry pathways into university. This study considers the experiences and retention outcomes of those entering Australian universities through different pathways, and how these vary across diverse student groups. Data were drawn from linked student administrative records for 81,874 students from sixteen Australian universities who commenced a Bachelor degree in 2015, with academic enrolment status tracked over five years, as well as data from a national survey of student experience conducted in 2019. Students from alternative pathways were associated with lower retention outcomes in the first year of study and poorer course completion outcomes, except those entering via pathway provider and enabling programs who reported more favourable retention compared to secondary school entrants. Students from equity group backgrounds were also associated with poorer retention outcomes, particularly Indigenous students, mature-age students, and those with disability. Associations between entry pathways, equity group status, and student experience were mixed. For example, equity group students generally had positive assessments of student experience, apart from those with disability, yet were associated with increased probabilities of intention to dropout from study. Social and personal reasons were found to be main drivers of dropout intention across different student groups. Findings highlight the need to address the varying factors that affect students entering through different pathways and from diverse backgrounds, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The study’s recommendations inform stakeholders seeking to improve the experience and outcomes of diverse student groups entering higher education.
Looking Ahead: Predicting the Possible Ecological and Physiological Response of Galago Moholi to Environmental Change
Authors: Scheun Juan , Nowack Julia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractLarge scale changes to the natural environment, due to both climate change and direct human activities (e.g., urbanization), pose a great risk to biodiversity. As this realization has set in, the number of studies modelling and monitoring the effect of environmental change on species response and survival has increased significantly; however, these studies focus on flagship species, often neglecting the lesser-known, cryptic species, which include the nocturnal primates. This is especially true for the 20 species of galago who, despite their large distribution throughout Africa, have had little to no research conducted on the effect of environmental change on population fitness and long-term survival. With urbanization set to increase throughout their distribution range, along with an increase in climate change parameters (e.g., increased temperature and a decrease in annual rainfall), the most studied species of the family, namely the African lesser bushbaby Galago moholi, provides an ideal model to assess the impact of future environmental change on galago species. In this review, we discuss the possible impact of environmental change on G. moholi and specifically focus on the effect of environmental change on feeding ecology, genetics, thermal biology, and reproduction, all of which contribute to the fitness and survival of the species. We also highlight the need for specific, long-term research to be conducted on the effect of environmental change on the survival likelihood of G. moholi and other galago species.
Contribution of Fluid Substitution and Cheetah Optimizer Algorithm in Predicting Rock-Physics Parameters of Gas-Bearing Reservoirs in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Egypt
Authors: Abd Elaziz Mohamed , Ghoneimi Ashraf , Nabih Muhammad , Bakry Ahmed , Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this study, the elastic characteristics of reservoir rocks and their relationship to porosity and pore fluid were predicted using the fluid substitution method in combination with machine learning techniques. We first discarded the data at gas points to remove the erroneous effect of gas on the prediction process of Poisson’s ratio using the three proposed machine learning models. Then, the prediction was carried out after substituting the gas zones by oil and by water. As a result, the prediction was enhanced and showed stronger correlation coefficient values. The integration of fluid substitution and machine learning methods was applied in the reservoir of Scarab field as a case study from the Eastern Mediterranean to detect the effect of different pore fluids (gas, oil, and water) on Poisson's ratio estimation. The main objective of the study was to analyze the seismic and well log data to estimate and predict the Poisson’s ratio in four fluid-content cases; these are gas-bearing reservoir, reservoir after removal of log data of gas-bearing zones, and reservoirs after gas-substitution with oil and with water. These four cases were dealt with directly and by using the machine learning algorithms based on the proposed model of random vector functional link (RVFL), which was enhanced by the Cheetah optimizer (CO). This study shows how the performance of RVFL is affected by the presence or absence of gas zones. It is shown that the Poisson’s ratio value increases when gas is substituted with water more than when gas is substituted with oil. For validation of these results, regression analysis technique was used and the correlation coefficient of the CO–RVFL model increased after removing well log data of gas zones and was more enhanced after fluid substitution from gas to oil or to water.
Translation and validation of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) into the Slovenian language
Authors: Japelj Nuša , Horvat Nejc 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
The European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is a self-assessment tool for standardised measurement of health literacy.

Aim
To translate HLS-EU-Q47 into the Slovenian language and to investigate its reliability and validity in Slovenia.

Method
HLS-EU-Q47 was translated into Slovenian, back-translated, and subjected to a pilot test. The accepted Slovenian version of the questionnaire was mailed to 2500 randomly selected adult residents of the Republic of Slovenia. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha for the 1-, 3-, 4-, and 12-factor models addressing health literacy, three main health contexts, four health information processing competencies, and 12 combinations, respectively. Validity was explored with confirmatory factor analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple linear regression.

Results
A total of 517 responses were collected (21% response rate). The highest Cronbach’s alpha was obtained for the 1-factor model (0.950), followed by the 3-, 4-, and 12-factor models. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the 12-factor model provided the most valid results (CFI 0.812; RMSEA 0.067, CI 0.065 to 0.070), followed by the 3-, 4-, and 1-factor models. In the multiple regression model, only the association between self-assessment of health and the health literacy index was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The Slovenian version of HLS-EU-Q47 is a reliable instrument for measuring health literacy. All models of the questionnaire showed reasonable model fit, but none fully satisfied all validity criteria. Respondents differentiated better between the three main health contexts (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion) than the four health information processing competencies (access, understand, appraise, and apply).
A new challenge for contingentists
Authors: Roberts Alexander 
Published: June 2023

AbstractContingentism is the view that it is contingent which things exist. Despite its plausibility, advocates of contingentism face a well-known ‘challenge’ to demonstrate that they can draw what appear to be intelligible modal distinctions (Williamson Modal Logic as Metaphysics. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013). In this article, I argue that if certain controversial modal principles fail, the challenge contingentists face becomes much more difficult. Whereas extant challenges concern contingentists’ inability to draw quite theoretical second-order modal distinctions, I present a challenge which concerns contingentists’ inability to draw simpler first-order distinctions. This indicates that in certain modal settings there may well be significant first-order barriers to maintaining contingentism.
Wavelet Monte Carlo: a principle for sampling from complex distributions
Authors: Gilks Walter R. , Cironis Lukas , Barber Stuart 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe present Wavelet Monte Carlo (WMC), a new method for generating independent samples from complex target distributions. The methodology is based on wavelet decomposition of the difference between the target density and a user-specified initial density, and exploits both wavelet theory and survival analysis. In practice, WMC can process only a finite range of wavelet scales. We prove that the resulting $$L_1$$

L
1

approximation error converges to zero geometrically as the scale range tends to $$(-\infty ,+\infty )$$

(
-
∞
,
+
∞
)

. This provides a principled approach to trading off accuracy against computational efficiency. We offer practical suggestions for addressing some issues of implementation, but further development is needed for a computationally efficient methodology. We illustrate the methodology in one- and two-dimensional examples, and discuss challenges and opportunities for application in higher dimensions.