Landscape Analysis Research Articles

Epigenetics in thyroid cancer: a bibliometric analysis.

Epigenetics, which involves regulatory modifications that do not alter the DNA sequence itself, is crucial in the development and progression of thyroid cancer. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the epigenetic research landscape in thyroid cancer, highlighting current trends, major research areas, and potential future directions. A bibliometric analysis was performed using data from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) up to 1 November 2023. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package 'bibliometrix' were employed for comprehensive data analysis and visualization. This process identified principal research themes, along with influential authors, institutions, and countries contributing to the field. The analysis reveals a marked increase in thyroid cancer epigenetics research over the past two decades. Emergent key themes include the exploration of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers, various subtypes of thyroid cancer, implications for therapeutic interventions, advancements in technologies and methodologies, and the scope of translational research. Research hotspots within these themes highlight intensive areas of study and the potential for significant breakthroughs. This study presents an in-depth overview of the current state of epigenetics in thyroid cancer research. It underscores the potential of epigenetic strategies as viable therapeutic options and provides valuable insights for researchers and clinicians in advancing the understanding and treatment of this complex disease. Future research is vital to fully leverage the therapeutic possibilities offered by epigenetics in the management of thyroid cancer.

Exploring KRas Protein Dynamics: An Integrated Molecular Dynamics Analysis of KRas Wild and Mutant Variants.

This study employs a comprehensive approach combining protein retrieval, sequence alignment, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural dynamics and stability of wild-type KRas and its mutated variants (G12C, G12D, G12V, and G13D). The selected protein structures were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and prepared by using visual molecular dynamics (VMD) software. Sequence alignment using Clustal Omega provided a detailed comparison of the amino acid sequences, focusing on key mutation sites. Molecular dynamics simulations, performed with Gromacs, revealed distinct conformational changes and stability patterns in the wild-type and mutated KRas proteins over 100 ns. Clustering analysis identified higher conformational changes in the second α-helix of the mutated variants. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) distribution analysis showed variant-specific conformational dynamics, with G12V and G12D exhibiting slightly higher average RMSD values. Furthermore, clustering and RMSD analyses of specific amino acid residues (12, 13, 51, and 118) highlighted their roles in maintaining overall stability and influencing structural dynamics. The results indicate that mutations at positions 12 and 13 disrupt normal cycling between wild and mutated variants, leading to the persistent activation of KRas. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) elucidated unique conformational dynamics in mutated variants. Free energy landscape (FEL) analysis revealed alterations in the thermodynamic stability of mutated variants compared with the wild type. Overall, this study provides a detailed understanding of the structural changes associated with oncogenic mutations in KRas, offering insights crucial for targeted therapeutic strategies in KRas-driven cancers.

Comprehensive Analyses and Experiments Confirmed IGFBP5 as a Prognostic Predictor Based on an Aging-genomic Landscape Analysis of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the malignant diseases of the reproductive system in elderly women. Aging-related genes (ARGs) were involved in tumor malignancy and cellular senescence, but the specifics of these mechanisms in OC remain unknown. ARGs expression and survival data of OC patients were collected from TCGA and CPTAC databases. Subtype classification was used to identify the roles of hub ARGs in OC progression, including function enrichment, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity. LASSO regression was utilized to confirm the prognosis significance for these hub ARGs. MTT, EdU, Transwell, and wounding healing analysis confirmed the effect of IGFBP5 on the proliferation and migration ability of OC cells. ARGs were ectopically expressed in OC tissues compared to normal ovary tissues. Three molecular subtypes were divided by ARGs for OC patients. There were significant differences in ferroptosis, m6A methylation, prognosis, immune infiltration, angiogenesis, differentiation level, and drug sensitivity among the three groups. LASSO regression indicated that 4 signatures, FOXO4, IGFBP5, OGG1 and TYMS, had important prognosis significance. Moreover, IGFBP5 was significantly correlated with immune infiltration. The hub ARG, IGFBP5, expression was significantly decreased in OC patients compared to normal women. IGFBP5 could also reduce the migration and proliferation ability of OC cells compared to vector and NC groups. IGFBP5 was correlated with OC prognosis and associated with OC migration and proliferation. This gene may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OC patients.

High throughput virtual screening and validation of Plant-Based EGFR L858R kinase inhibitors against Non-Small cell lung Cancer: An integrated approach Utilizing GC–MS, network Pharmacology, Docking, and molecular dynamics

Lung cancer ranks as the 2nd most common cancer globally. It’s the most prevalent cancer in men and the 2nd most common in women. The prominent events in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include the emergence of the L858R mutation within EGFR exon 21. Despite the promising efficacy of EGFR inhibitors in managing lung cancer, the development of acquired resistance poses a significant hurdle. In the current investigation, we focused on the screening of two phytochemicals, namely Dehydrocostus lactone and Mokkolactone, derived from the Saussurea lappa plant, as potential inhibitors targeting EGFR L858R mutant lung cancer. The chloroform and ethanol extract of the plant demonstrated anti-proliferative activity through the Resazurin chemosensitivity assay, exhibiting an IC50 value of 37.90 ± 0.29 µg/ml with selectivity index 2.4. Through a GC–MS study, we identified 11 phytochemicals for further insilico analysis. These compounds underwent ADMET assessment followed by drug likeliness analysis before being subjected to molecular docking against EGFR L858R, identified through protein–protein interaction network analysis. All phytochemicals exhibited binding energy scores ranging from −6.9 to −8.1 kcal/mol. Dehydrocostus lactone and Mokkolactone were specifically identified for their binding profile. Findings from 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated their enhanced stability compared to the reference ligand DJK. This was evident in the root mean square deviation (RMSD) values, ranging from 0.23 ± 0.01 nm to 0.30 ± 0.05 nm, the radius of gyration values, from 1.71 ± 0.01 nm to 1.72 ± 0.01 nm, and the solvent accessible surface area values, from 155.39 ± 2.40 nm2 to 159.32 ± 2.14 nm2. Additionally, favourable characteristics were observed in terms of hydrogen bonding, principal component analysis, and free energy landscape analysis. Examination of their electronic structure via density functional theory revealed efficient properties, with the highest occupied molecular orbital-least unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap values ranging from −3.984 eV to −6.547 eV. Further, in vivo analysis is required to gain a more comprehensive understanding and efficacy of these identified phytochemicals against lung cancer.

Ландшафтно-экологическое территориальное зонирование (на материалах Акмолинской области)

Introduction. Modern human activities in nature are subject to increasing regulation and restrictions, which should be reflected in systems for the use of natural resources, primarily in agricultural production. The problem under consideration is of particular relevance for the regions of Northern Kazakhstan, since the natural landscapes of the region have been radically changed and transformed into natural and agricultural complexes with a disturbed landscape-ecological balance.From the point of view of modern natural science, the organization of the rational use of rural areas should be solved by applying a concept based on the landscape-ecological approach. The purpose of the study. Territorial zoning of the agricultural landscape to optimize the use of agricultural land based on the landscape-ecological approach. Research methods. Cartographic materials used as the basis for the creation of diagrams and design developments, obtained on the basis of data from the virtual information system of the land cadastre of the Republic of Kazakhstan and processed using the ArcGIS program. Research results. Based on materials from the steppe zone of the Akmola region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an analysis of landscape conditions and ecological stability of agricultural landscape systems was carried out. Analysis of territorial landscape zoning allowed us to conclude that the predominant part of the field landscapes of the steppe eons of this region is occupied by natural-territorial complexes of watershed spaces and watershed slopes, and the most common form of relief is slope surfaces. Ecological zoning of agricultural landscapes in the Akmola region revealed that the most common agricultural landscapes are characterized by weak stability and unstable agricultural landscapes. The article proposes a methodology for territorial zoning of agricultural lands on a landscape-ecological basis in the conditions of the Akmola region. It includes the following procedure: drawing up a landscape map. identification of homogeneous ecological zones; agrolandscape microzoning. As a result of research at the research object, a scheme of territorial landscape-ecological zoning for land use of agricultural formations was compiled, which is based on taking into account the paradynamic landscape structure of steppe landscapes and the degree of their anthropogenic transformation. At the same time, relatively homogeneous landscape-ecological microzones were identified, within which the elementary landscapes of the steppe catena were differentiated according to measures that stabilize the stability of the agricultural landscape. Conclusions. 1. On the territory of the Akmola region, natural landscapes have been transformed into agricultural production modifications. with a low degree of sustainability, requiring measures to maintain landscape-ecological balance. 2. The methodology for territorial zoning of steppe agricultural landscapes should be based on taking into account the paradynamic landscape structure of steppe landscapes, i.e. its catenary device. 3. Application of the results of territorial landscape-ecological zoning in design developments for the use and protection of land will allow the selection of optimal directions that ensure the sustainability of agricultural landscapes.

Identification of tumor antigens for mRNA vaccines and ferroptosis-related landscape in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death that is characterized by lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in conferring resistance to cancer therapies and may contribute to the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Furthermore, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have emerged as a promising modality in the treatment arsenal against diverse malignancies. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of ferroptosis subtypes in ESCC and the immune microenvironment, as well as to identify key genes that could serve as targets for mRNA vaccine development. Gene expression profiles and clinical data from 79 and 358 ESCC patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Subsequently, we identified tumor mutational burden (TMB), immune microenvironment scores, and immune checkpoint and immune cell dysfunction genes for each ferroptosis subtype. Furthermore, we utilized weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to describe the immune landscape of ESCC and identify key genes for mRNA vaccine development. Our analysis revealed that MMD, MTDH, and TRFC were overexpressed ferroptosis genes in ESCC. In addition, ESCC was categorized into two ferroptosis subtypes, namely FS1 and FS2. Notably, FS2 exhibited a poorer prognosis, higher TMB, and increased immune cell infiltration when compared to FS1. The ferroptosis landscape analysis further revealed the presence of three distinct states. WGCNA analysis identified different modules of interest emerging as an independent prognostic factor and enriched with hub genes that could serve as targets for mRNA vaccine development. The ferroptosis subtypes demonstrated significant associations with both prognosis and the immune microenvironment in ESCC. Additionally, the module of interest identified through immune landscape analysis represented an independent prognostic factor, with its contained genome offering promising targets for mRNA vaccine development.

Linguistic Landscape Analysis of Identity Representation in Public Signs at Watugong Buddhist Monastery Semarang

Public signs at Watugong Monastery in Semarang serve not only as guides for visitors but also as representations of identity, meaning, and values. This study aims to uncover the meaning and representation of identity in the public signs of Watugong Monastery by considering the cultural, religious, and social contexts in accordance with the dominant ideology in the place. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with a Barthes (1991) semiotics approach. Research data was collected through observation and documentation methods using photography techniques. The results of this study show that there are representations of cultural, religious, and socio-religious identities in the Public signs of Watugong Monastery. Religious identity comes from the interpretation of the object label signs 福 (fú), 祿 (lù), and 壽 (shòu) which reflect Chinese cultural values. Religious identity emerges from hiolo stick sign, which contains the meaning of strong faith in Buddha and his teachings through prayer and devotion supported by morality and exemplary behavior. Finally, socio-religious identity appears on the Ashoka inscription sign, the strong religious element derived from Buddhist teachings, the inscription also shows an example of social life between people of different faiths who must always teach tolerance and moderation in religion. This research is still very open for further research in various other aspects of LL, for example, visitors' perceptions of the language used at Watugong Monastery.

Bibliometric Analysis of Urban and Rural Economic Inequality

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of the scholarly landscape surrounding research on economic inequality, utilizing VOSviewer to visualize the thematic clusterization, temporal trends, emerging research opportunities, and collaborative networks in the field. The analysis begins with the identification of key thematic areas, revealing a complex interplay between income inequality, urban-rural disparities, and their socioeconomic impacts. A temporal examination traces the evolution of research themes from foundational studies focusing on regional disparities to more comprehensive explorations of socioeconomic outcomes. Emerging research opportunities are identified in less explored areas, suggesting potential for significant contributions through novel investigations. Furthermore, the study delves into collaborative networks, highlighting the pivotal roles of central researchers and the impact of academic partnerships. This study not only maps out the current academic terrain but also proposes strategic directions for future research, aiming to enhance the understanding and resolution of economic inequalities.

Российские некоммерческие организации как акторы государственной молодежной политики: формы участия и результаты

This article offers an analysis of the modern landscape of Russian non-profit organizations that are active participants in public and state youth policy events. The main categories of non-profit organizations of social and political orientation are highlighted. The existing practices of participation of politically oriented non-profit organizations in the implementation of state youth policy measures are characterized. Conclusions are drawn about the viability and effectiveness of the activities of non-profit organizations in relation to the implementation of key areas of state youth policy in the Russian Federation. Promising forms of participation are considered in connection with the novelties currently being fixed in Russian legislation.

Bibliometric Insights into Global Efforts in Protecting Children's Rights

This bibliometric study provides an in-depth analysis of the research landscape in children's rights over the past three decades, utilizing a variety of visualization tools to map out author collaborations, thematic clusters, research trends, and potential areas for future exploration. Through the analysis of key publication databases, this paper identifies robust networks of collaboration among authors and highlights predominant thematic areas such as child protection, legal frameworks, and the impacts of global health policies on children. The temporal analysis reveals a noticeable shift in research focus, from traditional protection measures to more contemporary issues such as digital safety and global policy initiatives. Furthermore, areas with less research concentration, including the integration of sports in rights promotion and the implications of digital advancements on children, are identified as potential opportunities for future studies. This study underscores the dynamic nature of children's rights research and its evolution in response to both enduring and emerging challenges affecting children globally.

Conservation of cis-Regulatory Syntax Underlying Deuterostome Gastrulation.

Throughout embryonic development, the shaping of the functional and morphological characteristics of embryos is orchestrated by an intricate interaction between transcription factors and cis-regulatory elements. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of deuterostome cis-regulatory landscapes during gastrulation, focusing on four paradigmatic species: the echinoderm Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the cephalochordate Branchiostoma lanceolatum, the urochordate Ciona intestinalis, and the vertebrate Danio rerio. Our approach involved comparative computational analysis of ATAC-seq datasets to explore the genome-wide blueprint of conserved transcription factor binding motifs underlying gastrulation. We identified a core set of conserved DNA binding motifs associated with 62 known transcription factors, indicating the remarkable conservation of the gastrulation regulatory landscape across deuterostomes. Our findings offer valuable insights into the evolutionary molecular dynamics of embryonic development, shedding light on conserved regulatory subprograms and providing a comprehensive perspective on the conservation and divergence of gene regulation underlying the gastrulation process.

Search and Harvesting across NFDI Consortia – Gaps and Challenges

Search and harvesting use cases on harmonised metadata play an important role in several activities on National Research Data Infrastructures (NFDI). The working group Search and Harvesting of the NFDI section (meta)data, terminologies and provenance works on a common understanding of user needs (for search) and service requirements (for harvesting), analysis of the data sources landscape, and recommendations concerning common and specific needs, e.g., for spatial or sensitive data. Here, we present search and harvesting gaps and challenges across NFDI consortia and beyond, which were identified and structured in the Search and Harvesting Working Group, and the recommendations for the NFDI we derive from them. Our goal is to foster a common vision for search and harvesting in the NFDI.

The planning process for marketing a service about to enter a foreign market: a concept case study

Purpose of the article – this case study aims to provide a strategic marketing plan aimed at facilitating a successful deployment of the conceptual “BurKI” SaaS into the highly competitive German market. Research methodology – the concept is developed based on the analysis of market dynamics, competitor landscape, and cultural nuances of the target consumer base. Drawing from the 7P Marketing Mix framework, we consider product adaptation, pricing strategies, distribution channels, promotional strategies, and organizational structuring. Findings – this study highlights the importance of localization, the digital nature of its marketing strategy, and alignment of brand values with the target consumer. It expands on the need for flexibility, adaptability, and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation, and lastly market penetration. Practical implications – the herein described strategies aim to offer practical insight for businesses seeking to expand into international markets, particularly culturally diverse targets like Germany. By putting emphasis on customer-centricity, agility, and innovation, businesses can improve their competitiveness and establish a strong presence. Originality/Value – this concept case study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive marketing plan tailored specifically for the German market, integrating both theoretical frameworks and practical insights. It highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and strategic planning in the deployment of an international marketing campaign

Barriers to Digital Transformation in SMEs: Insights from a Bibliometric Analysis

This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the current research landscape concerning digital transformation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Through a series of VOSviewer visualizations, we identify major thematic clusters, emerging research trends, unexplored opportunities, and patterns of author collaboration within the field. Our findings reveal a strong initial focus on crisis management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which gradually shifted towards long-term strategic issues such as business model innovation, digitalization strategies, and international market expansion. The analysis highlights under-researched areas including specific business processes and implications of digital transformation in the manufacturing sector, suggesting fruitful avenues for future research. Additionally, the study maps the collaboration networks among scholars, uncovering both strong interconnections and potential gaps that offer opportunities for new scholarly partnerships. This paper contributes to the strategic knowledge on digital transformation in SMEs by outlining the evolution of research themes over time and suggesting directions for future research collaborations to enhance the digital resilience and competitiveness of SMEs.

Brain Network Dynamics in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea During the Pain-Free Periovulation Phase

The human brain is a dynamic system that shows frequency-specific features. Neuroimaging studies have shown that both healthy individuals and those with chronic pain disorders experience pain influenced by various processes that fluctuate over time. Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a chronic visceral pain that disrupts the coordinated activity of brain’s functional network. However, it remains unclear whether the dynamic interactions across the whole-brain network over time and their associations with neurobehavioral symptoms are dependent on the frequency bands in patients with PDM during the pain-free periovulation phase. In this study, we used an energy landscape analysis to examine the interactions over time across the large-scale network in a sample of 59 patients with PDM and 57 healthy controls (HCs) at different frequency bands. Compared with HCs, patients with PDM exhibit aberrant brain dynamics, with more significant differences in the slow-4 frequency band. Patients with PDM show more indirect neural transition counts due to an unstable intermediate state, whereas neurotypical brain activity frequently transitions between 2 major states. This data-driven approach further revealed that the brains of individuals with PDM have more abnormal brain dynamics than HCs. Our results suggested that unstable brain dynamics were associated with the strength of brain functional segregation and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale score. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that atypical dynamics in the functional network may serve as a potential key feature and biological marker of patients with PDM during the pain-free phase. PerspectiveWe applied energy landscape analysis on brain-imaging data to identify relatively stable and dominant brain activity patterns for patients with PDM. More atypical brain dynamics were found in the slow-4 band and were related to the strength of functional segregation, providing new insights into the dysfunction brain dynamics.

The landscape of RNA-chromatin interaction reveals small non-coding RNAs as essential mediators of leukemia maintenance

RNA constitutes a large fraction of chromatin. Spatial distribution and functional relevance of most of RNA-chromatin interactions remain unknown. We established a landscape analysis of RNA-chromatin interactions in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In total more than 50 million interactions were captured in an AML cell line. Protein-coding mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs exhibited a substantial number of interactions with chromatin in cis suggesting transcriptional activity. In contrast, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) associated with chromatin predominantly in trans suggesting chromatin specific functions. Of note, snoRNA-chromatin interaction was associated with chromatin modifications and occurred independently of the classical snoRNA-RNP complex. Two C/D box snoRNAs, namely SNORD118 and SNORD3A, displayed high frequency of trans-association with chromatin. The transcription of SNORD118 and SNORD3A was increased upon leukemia transformation and enriched in leukemia stem cells, but decreased during myeloid differentiation. Suppression of SNORD118 and SNORD3A impaired leukemia cell proliferation and colony forming capacity in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Notably, this effect was leukemia specific with less impact on healthy CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. These findings highlight the functional importance of chromatin-associated RNAs overall and in particular of SNORD118 and SNORD3A in maintaining leukemia propagation.

Visualizing the landscape of appendiceal tumor research after 2010: A bibliometric study.

Despite the rarity of appendiceal tumors, research in this field has intensified, resulting in a growing number of studies and published papers. Surprisingly, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has specifically addressed appendiceal tumors. To offer a thorough analysis of the current landscape and future trends in appendiceal tumor research. In our bibliometric analysis studies, we explored the Web of Science Core Collection database. The bibliographic details of the chosen publications were automatically converted and analyzed using the bibliometric package in the R environment. Additionally, we employed VoSviewer to create cooperation network maps for countries, institutions, and authors, as well as clustering maps for keywords. Furthermore, CiteSpace, another software tool, was utilized to build dual-map overlays of journals and analyze references with citation bursts. Our study included 780 English-language articles published after 2010. The number of related publications and citations has increased in the past decade. The United States leads in this area, but there is a need to improve cooperation and communication among countries and institutions. Co-occurrence analysis also revealed close collaboration among different authors. Annals of Surgical Oncology was the most influential journal in this field. Analysis of references with high co-citations and references with citation bursts, consistent with analysis of keywords and hotspots, indicated that current research primarily centers on the classification and management of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms and consequent pseudomyxoma peritonei. Despite the abundance of clinical studies, a greater number of in-depth basic research studies should be conducted. Current research on appendiceal tumors focuses on classification and management of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei. Enhanced collaboration and basic research are vital for further advancement.

Integrated multi-omics analysis and machine learning to refine molecular subtypes, prognosis, and immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has a malignant characteristic that is highly aggressive and prone to metastasis. There is still a lack of suitable biomarkers to facilitate the refinement of precision-based therapeutic regimens. We used a combinationof10 known clustering algorithms and the omics data from 4 dimensions to identify high-resolution molecular subtypes of LUAD. Subsequently, consensus machine learning-related prognostic signature (CMRS) was developed based on subtypes related genes and an integrated program framework containing 10 machine learning algorithms. The efficiency of CMRS was analyzed from the perspectives of tumor microenvironment, genomic landscape, immunotherapy, drug sensitivity, and single-cell analysis. In terms of results,through multi-omics clustering, we identified 2 comprehensive omics subtypes (CSs) in which CS1 patients had worse survival outcomes, higher aggressiveness, mRNAsi and mutation frequency. Subsequently, we developed CMRS based on 13 key genes up-regulated in CS1. The prognostic predictive efficiency of CMRS was superior to most established LUAD prognostic signatures. CMRS demonstrated a strong correlation with tumor microenvironmental feature variants and genomic instability generation. Regarding clinical performance, patients in the high CMRS group were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy, whereas low CMRS were more likely to benefit from chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. In addition, we evaluated that drugs such as neratinib, oligomycin A, and others may be candidates for patients in the high CMRS group. Single-cell analysis revealed that CMRS-related genes were mainly expressed in epithelial cells.The novel molecular subtypes identified in this study based on multi-omics data could provide new insights into the stratified treatment of LUAD, while the development of CMRS could serve as a candidate indicator of the degree of benefit of precision therapy and immunotherapy for LUAD.

Improved understanding of calibration efficiency, difficulty and parameter uniqueness of conceptual rainfall runoff models using fitness landscape metrics

The ease and efficiency with which conceptual rainfall runoff (CRR) models can be calibrated, as well as issues related to the uniqueness of their parameters, has received significant attention in literature. While several studies have tried to gain a better understanding of the underlying factors affecting these issues by examining the features of model error surfaces, this has generally been done in an ad-hoc fashion using lower-dimensional representations of higher-dimensional surfaces. In this paper, it is suggested that exploratory landscape analysis (ELA) metrics can be used to quantify key features of the error surfaces of CRR models, including their roughness and flatness, as well as their degree of optima dispersion throughout the surface. This enables key error surface features of CRR models to be compared in a consistent, efficient and easily communicable fashion for models with different combinations of attributes (e.g. model structure, catchment climate conditions, error metrics, and calibration data set lengths). Results from the application of ELA metrics to the error surfaces of 420 CRR models with different combinations of the above attributes indicate that increasing model complexity results in an increase in relative error surface roughness and relative optima dispersion and that, while increasing catchment wetness increases the relative roughness of error surfaces, it also decreases optima dispersion. This suggests that for the models considered in this study, optimisation efficiency is likely to decrease with increasing model complexity and catchment wetness, while optimisation difficulty is likely to increase and parameter uniqueness likely to decrease with model complexity and catchment dryness. While implications for choice of model complexity will need further work, this study highlights the potential value of the proposed approach to understanding the calibration efficiency, difficulty and parameter uniqueness of conceptual rainfall runoff models.

Green infrastructure design for the containment of biological invasions. Insights from a peri-urban case study in Rome, Italy

Secondary shrublands and transitional woodland/shrub formations are recognised to be particularly susceptible to plant invasions, one of the main global threats to biodiversity, especially in dynamic peri-urban landscapes. Urban fringes are in fact often the place for the sprawl of artificial surfaces, fragmentation of habitats, and complex land transitions (including both agriculture intensification and abandonment), which in turn increase propagule pressure of exotic species over residual semi-natural ecosystems. Within this framework, the present study was aimed at analysing i) how landscape composition and configuration affect the richness of woody exotic species in shrubland and transitional woodland/shrub patches, and ii) how this threat can be addressed by means of green infrastructure design in a peri-urban case study (Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy). Accordingly, the occurrence of exotic plants was recorded with field surveys and then integrated with landscape analyses, both at patch level and over a 250 m buffer area around each patch. Thus, the effect of landscape features on exotic plant richness was investigated with Generalised Linear Models, and the best model identified (pseudo R-square = 0.62) for inferring invasibility of shrublands throughout the study area. Finally, a Green Infrastructure (GI) to contain biological invasion was planned, based on inferred priority sites for intervention and respective, site-tailored, actions. The latter included not only the removal of invasive woody alien plants, but also reforestation and planting of native trees for containment of dispersal and subsequent establishment. Even though specifically developed for the study site, and consistent with local government needs, the proposed approach represents a pilot planning process that might be applied to other peri-urban regions for the combined containment of biological invasions and sustainable development of peripheral complex landscapes.