Dual Process Research Articles

Mitigating salt stress in Zea mays: Harnessing Serratia nematodiphila-biochar-based seed coating for plant growth promotion and rhizosphere microecology regulation

Salt stress poses a significant challenge in contemporary agricultural practices. In response, using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in conjunction with biochar coatings has emerged as an innovative biological strategy to mitigate salt stress in crops. Through a dual screening process based on gradient salt concentration and plant growth-promoting performance, a highly salt-tolerant PGPB, Serratia nematodiphila, was identified in this study. And a seed-coating formulation incorporating S. nematodiphila was developed using biochar as a carrier. With the help of potting experiments, this paper investigated the impact of this S. nematodiphila-biochar-based seed coating on Zea mays under salt stress, while also analyzing functional alterations in the core microbial community. These findings indicate that the S. nematodiphila-biochar-based seed coating selectively enriched beneficial microbial populations, such as Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiae, and Bacteroidia, fostering a symbiotic association with the Z. mays root system. These beneficial consortia facilitated the accumulation of osmotic solutes, including soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline, thereby modulating leaf photosynthetic activity and alleviating salt stress (sodium and potassium homeostasis) in Z. mays. This investigation provides refined technical approaches for alleviating salt stress in Z. mays, contributing to developing sustainable agricultural practices.

Basement Neo-Tectonics of Western Himalayas from Seismic and Gravity Data Perspective

An earthquake of magnitude (Mw) 4.3 occurring on April 6, 2024 near Sargodha (Mianwali NW Punjab, Pakistan) has been analyzed through waveform inversion to understand the subsurface geological structure. This shallow-depth (19 km) event represents a strike-slip faulting with a dextral sense of movement. Gravity data of the epicentral area depicts distinct anomalies representing two separate blocks showing an off-set in the same direction as determined by the seismic inversion validating modeling results. In our opinion, these structures represent second-order tectonics, potentially emerging as a response to the hindrance caused by the Sargodha High to southward movement of the Himalayan deformation front. Alternatively, R-shears associated with the western boundary of the Indian plate could provide another explanation for such strike-slip mechanism events. Crustal shortening along the deformation front is being accommodated through aseismic slip along a viscous décollement in the Salt Range and seismic slip within the brittle basement rocks of the Sargodha region as represented by the analyzed seismic event. This dual process plays a key role in shaping the tectonic features in study area. Detailed studies of small to moderate seismic events can help in delineating the subsurface seismogenic structures for development of better seismo-tectonic model for realistic seismic hazard assessment in the region.

A simple and versatile photothermal dual-curing system design based on phytophenol derivatives and thiol chemistry for potential electronic encapsulant application

Given the diversity of thiol chemistry, researchers are actively exploring its potential as a versatile compound. This paper presents the synthesis of three bio-based multifunctional monomers (EPMG, EPBEG, EPBEF) containing allyl and epoxy groups using phytophenols (magnolol and eugenol) as raw materials. Photothermal dual curing was performed using pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP). Comprehensive studies and comparisons of the cured systems were conducted, including curing kinetics, mechanical properties, dielectric properties, and transmittance. The effect of the curing sequence was systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that as the curing proceeds, the mechanical properties and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material improve significantly, and the dual curing process exhibits excellent bonding, dielectric, and ultraviolet (UV) shielding performance. Moreover, the differences in monomer structure (methoxy, benzene ring connection) also impact the properties of the monomers and the performance of the material. This work provides a novel approach to designing epoxy monomer structures and developing bio-based single-component dual-curing systems. This thiol-mediated dual-curing system has potential applications in electronic materials and personal protective equipment can contribute to achieving miniaturization, precision, and integration in various applications.

Adhesion properties of thiol-acrylate-epoxy polymer networks based on thiol–epoxy ‘click’ chemistry

This study examined the preparation of epoxy resins with enhanced mechanical strength, modified with thiol-acrylate segments integrated into the polymer network via a thiol–epoxy “click” reaction. Thiol-acrylate-epoxy polymers were synthesized using both single and dual curing processes. In the single curing process, a polythioether (thiol-acrylate) prepolymer was synthesized. The results showed that an epoxy formulation containing 30 wt% of this prepolymer achieved the highest lap shear strength, approximately 57% higher than that of neat epoxy. This improvement indicates strong interactions between the thiol-acrylate segments and the epoxy matrix due to the thiol-epoxy “click” reaction. Dual-cure systems exhibited slightly higher tensile strengths compared to single-cure systems, particularly as the thiol-acrylate segment content increased up to 20%, while also maintaining superior lap shear strengths. Incorporating thiol-acrylate segments raised the tensile strength to 34 MPa, about 25% higher than that of pure epoxy. Polymer networks containing 20–30 wt% of thiol-acrylate segments, in both single and dual-cure systems, demonstrated significant potential as effective adhesive systems. These findings contribute to the development of adhesives with enhanced tensile and lap shear strength, as well as the identification of suitable curing methods.

Landscape fragmentation of built-up land significantly impact on water quality in the Yellow River Basin

Urbanization development often leads to significant changes in the extent in area and fragmentation of built-up land landscape pattern (BLLP) in river basins, which greatly impact the processes of rainfall runoff and pollutant migration. Understanding the spatial scale effects and driving mechanisms of BLLP changes on water quality in large river basins is a challenging research topic and an international frontier in the interdisciplinary fields of geography and environment. This study analyzes the spatial variations of BLLP and water quality throughout the Yellow River Basin (YRB) during the rainy seasons from 2019 to 2021 (4hours scale). Utilized the random forest model to quantitatively separates the contributions of rainfall processes to surface runoff and water pollution, revealing the scale effects and non-linear driving mechanisms of BLLP impacts on water environment changes. The results indicate that: 1) The YRB exhibits great spatial heterogeneity in terms of both BLLP and water quality, with places with lower water quality displaying bigger areas and higher degrees of BLLP fragmentation. 2) The patch density and built-up land area (PD.B and CA.B) have a major impact on changes in water quality in the YRB, with notable impacts noted in circular buffer zones with radii of 20 km and 5 km, respectively. 3) PD.B is sensitive to water quality in the YRB, explaining 39.1% to 49.5% of the variance under different rainfall conditions, and exhibits a significant non-linear relationship, with an impact threshold of 0.38 (n/100 ha). The study suggests that for large-scale regions like the YRB, the degree of BLLP fragmentation is more likely to lead to degradation of water environmental quality compared to its area. BLLP fragmentation due to higher PD.B and CA.B disrupts the original ecosystem and hydrological connectivity, resulting in poorer retention and filtration of pollutants carried by rainfall runoff, while increasing the export of other pollutants. However, once urbanization surpasses a certain threshold, the BLLP fragmentation can enhance water quality by reducing the impermeable surface connectivity, as they are no longer impacted by expanding areas. To achieve ecologically sustainable development, it is necessary to apply rational landscape management and water resource management policies that consider the dual process of how BLLP fragmentation affects the water environment.

Reductive coupling of allenyl/allyl carbonate with alkyne under dual cobalt-photoredox catalysis

Skipped dienes are among the most prevalent motifs in a vast array of natural products, medicinal compounds, and fatty acids. Herein, we disclose a straightforward one-step reductive protocol under Co/PC for the synthesis of diverse 1,4-dienes with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The protocol employs allenyl or allyl carbonate as π-allyl source, allowing for the direct synthesis of skipped diene with a broad range of alkynes including terminal alkynes, propargylic alcohols, and internal alkynes. The method also demonstrated the biomimetic homologation of natural terpenols into synthetic counterparts via iterative allylation of three-carbon allyl units, employing propargylic alcohol as a readily available alkyne source. Experimental studies, control experiments, and DFT calculations suggest the dual catalytic process generates 1,3-diene from allenyl carbonate, followed by proton and electron transfer leading to Co(II)-π-allyl species prior to the alkyne coupling. The catalytic cycle transitions through Co(II), Co(I), and Co(III).

Multi-level transcriptional regulation of embryonic sex determination and dosage compensation by the X-signal element sex-1.

The C. elegans nuclear hormone receptor sex-1 is known to be an embryonic X-signal element that represses xol-1, the sex-switch gene that is the master regulator of sex determination and dosage compensation. Several prior studies on sex-1 function have suggested that sex-1 may have additional downstream roles beyond the regulation of xol-1 expression. In this study we characterize some of these additional roles of sex-1 in regulating the dual processes of sex determination and dosage compensation during embryogenesis. Our study reveals that sex-1 acts on many of the downstream targets of xol-1 in a xol-1-independent manner. Further analysis of these shared but independently regulated downstream targets uncovered that sex-1 mediates the expression of hermaphrodite- and male-biased genes during embryogenesis. We validated sex-1 binding on one of these downstream targets, the male-developmental gene her-1. Our data suggests a model where sex-1 exhibits multi-level direct transcriptional regulation on several targets, including xol-1 and genes downstream of xol-1, to reinforce the appropriate expression of sex-biased transcripts in XX embryos. Furthermore, we found that xol-1 sex-1 double mutants show defects in dosage compensation. Our study provides evidence that misregulation of dpy-21, one of the components of the dosage compensation complex, and the subsequent misregulation of H4K20me1 enrichment on the X chromosomes, may contribute to this defect.

Detecting Fixation Bias in Creative Idea Generation: Evidence from Design Novices and Experts

ABSTRACT Recent theories of creative thinking propose that the generation of creative ideas by design novices and experts is restricted by the emergence of intuitive cognitive biases. To overcome these biases and explore expansive solutions, biased ideas must be discriminated from those with creative potential. Although studies in the field of reasoning have shown that biased participants tend to detect an incongruency between their provided solutions and the expected solution, the use of conflict detection in creativity has never been studied. Two experiments were conducted to determine the extent to which conflict detection occurs during creative idea generation and whether this mechanism is available for design novices (Experiment 1) and/or experts (Experiment 2). The results indicated that both groups of participants detected their fixation bias and managed to overcome it by switching from intuitive to deliberate thinking. In addition, we discussed implications for popular current (dual process) models.

Paramedic perceptions of decision-making when managing mental health-related presentations: a qualitative study.

Mental health presentations account for a considerable proportion of paramedic workload; however, the decision-making involved in managing these cases is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore how paramedics perceive their clinical decision-making when managing mental health presentations. A qualitative descriptive study design was employed. Overall, 73 paramedics participated in semi structured interviews, and data were analyzed from transcribed interviews in NVivo. Four themes emerged that reflected participants' perceptions: the assessment process, experience, the use of documents and standard procedures, and consultation with other healthcare providers. There were conflicting perceptions about the clinical decision-making process, with perception of role having a potential impact. The dual process theory of clinical decision-making, which includes both analytical and intuitive approaches, was evident in the decision-making process. Incorporating dual process theory into education and training, which highlights the strengths and weaknesses of analytical and intuitive decision-making, may reduce clinical errors made by cognitive bias. To further support clinical decision-making, additional education and training are warranted to promote critical thinking and clarify the scope of practice and roles when attending to mental health-related presentations.

Measuring service quality based on consumers’ evaluation of services in competitive markets

Previous research recommends using measurement models of service quality such as SERVQUAL and SERVPERF. However, these models may be insufficient for measuring service quality in competitive markets, as they do not account for comparisons between competitive services. This paper proposes a new model for measuring service quality based on two comparison processes that consumers use: internal and longitudinal comparison versus external and cross-sectional comparison. The former involves comparing the experienced quality to the expected quality of a focal firm, while the latter involves comparing the experienced quality of the focal firm and that of other firms. This paper shows that internal and longitudinal comparison significantly influences customer satisfaction through external and cross-sectional comparison. It also highlights the advantages of the new model and advocates for its use in competitive markets. By comparing these dual comparison processes, the proposed model offers a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of service quality assessment in competitive market environments.

An Online Dual Consensus Algorithm for Distributed Resource Allocation over Networks

We address the problem of online resource allocation in a distributed environment where requests arrive dynamically over time at different agents in the network. As each request arrives, the receiving agent must make an immediate decision that incurs a cost and consumes a certain amount of resources. The requests are drawn independently from unknown distributions that are different for each agent. First, we present an online consensus alternating direction method of multipliers (OC-ADMM) algorithm for the dual counterpart of the online distributed resource allocation problem, focusing on the dual variables. Then, we propose an online dual consensus ADMM (ODC-ADMM) algorithm for the primal problem to derive the primal variables from the dual update process in the OC-ADMM algorithm. The ODC-ADMM algorithm exhibits sublinear growth in both regret and expected constraint violation with respect to the time horizon. Furthermore, extensive numerical results on both synthetic and real-world data confirm its effectiveness.

Filtering coupled Wright-Fisher diffusions.

Coupled Wright-Fisher diffusions have been recently introduced to model the temporal evolution of finitely-many allele frequencies at several loci. These are vectors of multidimensional diffusions whose dynamics are weakly coupled among loci through interaction coefficients, which make the reproductive rates for each allele depend on its frequencies at several loci. Here we consider the problem of filtering a coupled Wright-Fisher diffusion with parent-independent mutation, when this is seen as an unobserved signal in a hidden Markov model. We assume individuals are sampled multinomially at discrete times from the underlying population, whose type configuration at the loci is described by the diffusion states, and adapt recently introduced duality methods to derive the filtering and smoothing distributions. These respectively provide the conditional distribution of the diffusion states given past data, and that conditional on the entire dataset, and are key to be able to perform parameter inference on models of this type. We show that for this model these distributions are countable mixtures of tilted products of Dirichlet kernels, and describe their mixing weights and how these can be updated sequentially. The evaluation of the weights involves the transition probabilities of the dual process, which are not available in closed form. We lay out pseudo codes for the implementation of the algorithms, discuss how to handle the unavailable quantities, and briefly illustrate the procedure with synthetic data.

Relative Stability and Basicity of Enamines from Aminocatalysts

The relative thermodynamic stability of two series of enamines has been examined using DFT (mainly M06‐2X), MP2, and CCSD(T) calculations, supplemented by 1H NMR spectroscopy in some cases. The basicity of enamines derived from pyrrolidine and various carbonyl compounds has been computationally compared in the gas phase and in water; the results indicate which enamines or iminium ions may predominate in nonpolar and polar acidic media when pyrrolidine and two or more carbonyl groups or carbonyl compounds are present in the reaction flask. The relative basicity of a second series of enamines, from propanal and chiral pyrrolidines or imidazolidin‐4‐ones, has also been investigated; this sheds light on the main intermediates to be expected when two or more secondary amines are present in acid‐catalyzed aldehyde reactions. Non‐covalent interactions explain the stability of folded side‐chain conformers of O‐silylated prolinol enamines, according to M06‐2X, wB97X‐D, and B3LYP‐D3 (but not B3LYP) predictions. The significant stability of iminium ions containing appropriate electron‐donating atoms or groups accounts for the basicity of the corresponding enamines. These findings pave the way for the future development of dual aminocatalytic processes.

Empowering Investors: Reducing Herd Bias through Financial Literacy and Self-reflective Thinking

Herd behavior, where investors mimic the trades of others rather than relying on their own information or analysis, is a widespread phenomenon that can lead to suboptimal investment decisions and market inefficiencies. Hence, understanding how to reduce this behavior is crucial for improving individual investment outcomes and sustainable market performance. Though the literature suggests that self-reflection and financial literacy have potential to mitigate herd bias, it is unclear as to how these two perspectives interact to minimize this irrational behavior. By drawing on insights from the adaptive market hypothesis, transformative learning theory, concept of bounded rationality and dual process theory, this study attempts to enhance the understanding of this phenomenon by introducing a conditional mediation model that promotes self-directed learning. It predicts that investors can reduce their herd bias through self-reflection on their past stock trading experiences, which they can practice by engaging intuitive logical thinking and strengthen further through their financial literacy. Since herding is generally predicted to be more prevalent in frontier stock markets, the study was conducted in a frontier market - the Colombo Stock Exchange. The data was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire from 253 active individual investors, and analyzed by applying the PROCESS procedure. The findings reveal the significance of self-reflection as a mediating variable across its antecedents, which provides strong evidence for its central role in reducing herd bias. Notably, the findings indicate that self-reflection has a stronger effect on reducing herd bias of investors with lower level of financial literacy. It implies that investors with low financial literacy are more susceptible to herd bias, and self-reflection facilitates them to recognize and minimize their herd bias. Accordingly, the study concludes that promoting self-reflection can empower individual investors to become more financially literate and thereby mitigate their herd bias.

Toward a better assessment of coping with bereavement: Applicability to diverse experiences and conceptual structure of the coping with bereavement questionnaire

Coping strategies are key adjustable elements mediating the relationship between risk factors and grief outcomes. It is essential to assess coping correctly. Scales based on the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement have tended to confuse coping strategies and symptoms. The Coping with Bereavement Questionnaire was created to address such shortcomings. This article uses two datasets from Belgian studies to assess the applicability of the items as well as the factor structure of the scale. Logistic regressions revealed nine items as less applicable to a more diverse bereaved sample than people who lost their intimate partner, leading to their exclusion. Factor analyses revealed and confirmed a three-factor structure of coping strategies describing the bereaved’s efforts to (1) accept the death and look to the future, (2) avoid thoughts and feelings, and (3) maintain the bond with the deceased. Theoretical issues related to the DPM are discussed.

Blending Borders and Sparking Change

Between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, molecular simulations emerged as a transformative force within materials science. Sidney Yip’s early contributions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, alongside his involvement in the 1985 International School of Physics “Enrico Fermi” in Varenna, Italy, catalyzed the convergence of traditional methods with computational techniques and helped drive a redefinition of the discipline’s epistemic and methodological boundaries. This article argues that Yip’s biography and professional trajectory as a Chinese-born engineer and scientist in the United States during the Cold War facilitated the acceptance and advancement of molecular simulations within materials research. His work also attracted the interest of leaders from established fields, such as condensed matter physics and chemical physics, to explore the potential applications of these techniques in materials science. In examining his journey, this study illuminates the dual processes of cultural assimilation and hybridity, and highlights Yip’s boundary work that promoted the integration of diverse epistemic traditions and heterogeneous communities. The analysis traces the epistemological transformations, methodological shifts, and the institutional and disciplinary dynamics that fostered the incorporation of molecular simulations into materials science. This examination foregrounds the co-construction of scientific knowledge and technological practice through Yip’s boundary work, and offers an assessment of his contributions within the broader sociotechnical networks that shaped the field. Recognizing the paucity of existing historiography on the subject, this article aims to establish a framework based on primary sources that can serve as a foundation for future scholarly inquiry.

Grief responses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study in Spain

IntroductionThe recent COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in the number of people bereaved by the death of a loved one. There are many pandemic-related stressors that may have further complicated grief in these people. The aim of this research was to conduct an in-depth the experience of illness and death during the pandemic, as well as obstacles to and factors facilitating grief in people who had lost a loved one during this period, whether due to COVID-19 or to natural or sudden causes. MethodThe sample consisted of 42 participants who had lost loved ones to COVID-19 or other causes (both natural and sudden). An inductive approach using grounded theory with open, axial and selective coding was used to analyse the semi-structured open-ended interviews. ResultsThe resulting theory was structured around a central category: “Processes of Loss and Grief in Pandemics”. The other relevant and related categories were: disease processes during the pandemic, emotional responses to the loss, factors facilitating the grieving process and obstacles to the grieving process. The various analytical categories were then further classified with reference to the Dual Process Model. ConclusionThis study highlights the main features of grief during the pandemic, including the impact of restrictive measures on disease processes; the funeral rituals performed and subsequent coping; responses such as intense shock, anger, fear or loneliness; and the way in which factors facilitating the grief process were adapted to the circumstances.

Interplay between Overt and Covert Progressions: A Rereading of Father and Son Imagery in “Barn Burning”

There is a key consensus among scholars both domestically and internationally that “barn burning” is a story of growing up with the protagonist Sarty breaking away from his father’s control and turning towards order and law, while his father is depicted as a violent and unstable person using barn burning to resolve conflicts, which is seen as extreme and radical. This is indeed the direction of plot development. However, behind the public plot lies another hidden and parallel narrative process. In this apparent progress, Sarty was proven to be cowardly, vain, and selfish, and her father’s act of burning the barn was actually the only twisted means for a humiliated and oppressed civilian to maintain his distorted sense of dignity. The images of both father and son were overturned, and upon realizing this dual narrative process, the characters transformed from mundane and singular to rounded and multifaceted. The work itself has become rich from being direct. Only by examining the significance of this dual layer can we fully understand the complexity and richness of the story’s meaning.

Exploring the Barrier between Language and Culture from the Perspective of Postmodernist Aesthetics - Taking the Translation of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Huang Jinyan and the Translation by Fan Ye as an Example

Focusing on the translations of Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude by Huang Jinyan and Fan Ye, this paper explores how language shapes and reflects cultural differences, thus influencing cross-cultural communication from a postmodernist aesthetic perspective. The opening chapter briefly describes the relevance of postmodern aesthetics to translation studies, with a special focus on the strategies of naturalization and alienation in magical realist translations and their role in conveying cultural connotations. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the two translations reveals the differences in the translators’ strategies in dealing with the complex symbols and cultural elements of the original work: Fan’s translation tends to alienate, retaining the exotic and magical qualities and preserving the uniqueness of Latin American culture, but it may increase the barriers to comprehension for Chinese readers; Huang’s translation is inclined towards naturalization, which is closer to local reading habits and enhances the readability of the text, but it may diminish the cultural shock and depth of the original text. The core of the article emphasizes that translation is a dual process of cultural selection and re-creation. It requires the translator to strike a balance between preserving the original style and transmitting the cultural essence within the framework of postmodern aesthetics. The article further discusses the crucial role of this balance in enhancing cross-cultural communication and expanding horizons. It also proposes guidelines for future translation practice and research, advocating for a harmonious and symbiotic translation strategy that respects the original work while adapting to the target culture, particularly in the translation of cross-cultural literature.

Acquiescing to intuition in individuals prone to delusions: alterations in dual processes and cognitive control

Anomalous beliefs exist on a continuum ranging from conventional beliefs to delusions. Recent work proposes that delusions may be formed via acquiescence, in which intuitive beliefs arise and persist despite awareness that they conflict with rationality. Cognitive control theory can similarly explain how we fail to detect that delusional beliefs conflict with rationality, and/or marshal cognitive control (analytic) resources to override them. We measured intuitive processes using a decision-making task and analytic processes using Stroop and cognitive reflection (CRT) tasks. Stronger intuition and lower CRT/Stroop scores were associated with acquiescence. Importantly, those less prone to delusions were more likely to override their intuition as their analytic strength increased; however, for more delusion-prone participants, analytic strength predicted an increased likelihood of acquiescence. Findings highlight an interactive role of intuitive and analytic processes in anomalous beliefs, including delusions, such that cognitive resources may be rallied to rationalize intuitions.