Strong Influence Research Articles

Predicting ERCP procedure time - the SWedish Estimation of ERCP Time (SWEET) tool.

The duration of an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is influenced by a multitude of factors. The aim of this study was to describe the factors influencing ERCP time and to create a tool for preintervention estimation of ERCP time. Data from 74 248 ERCPs performed from 2010 to 2019 were extracted from the Swedish National Quality Registry (GallRiks) to identify variables predictive for ERCP time using linear regression analyses and root mean squared error (RMSE) as a loss function. Ten variables were combined to create an estimation tool for ERCP duration. The tool was externally validated using 9472 ERCPs from 2020 to 2021. Mean (SD) ERCP time was 36.8 (25.3) minutes. Indications with the strongest influence on ERCP time were primary sclerosing cholangitis and chronic pancreatitis. Hilar and intrahepatic biliary strictures and interventions on the pancreatic duct were the anatomic features that most strongly affected ERCP time. The procedure steps with most influence were intraductal endoscopy, lithotripsy, dilation, and papillectomy. Based on these results, we built and validated the SW: edish E: stimation of E: RCP T: ime (SWEET) tool, which is based on a 10-factor scoring system (e.g. 5 minutes for bile duct cannulation and 15 minutes for pancreatic duct cannulation) and predicted ERCP time with an average difference between actual and predicted duration of 17.5 minutes during external validation. Based on new insights into the factors affecting ERCP time, we created the SWEET tool, the first specific tool for preintervention estimation of ERCP time, which is easy-to-apply in everyday clinical practice, to guide efficient ERCP scheduling.

Effects of perceived teacher support on online language learners’ engagement

This study aimed to investigate the effects of perceived teacher support on online language learners’ engagement. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted to explore the issue. A total of 1429 Chinese first-year non-English major students from different disciplines participated in the survey, and three of them were selected as semi-structured interviewees. The collected survey data were processed through multiple analyses with the help of SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0, while qualitative data subsequently gathered from interviews served as supplementary evidence for examining the quantitative results. The findings indicated that online language learners were generally engaged at an intermediate level, and overall perceived teacher support was relatively close to the upper level. Furthermore, online language learners’ engagement was positively correlated with perceived teacher support. Specifically, perceived intellectual support dominated in predicting overall engagement, cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and social engagement, whereas perceived emotional support had the strongest influence on language learners’ behavioral engagement in the online context. The implications of these findings for future studies and educational practices were discussed.

Variability of morphological and phenological traits in <i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp. accessions contrasting by growth type in different ecological and geographical conditions

Background. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a thermophilic crop that occupies the third place in the world in terms of cultivation area among leguminous crops. Vegetable cowpea cultivars are successfully cultivated in the open ground in Russia, in its southern regions and the south of the Far East. The creation of new cultivars adapted to cultivation in different regions and suitable for widespread industrial production, is extremely relevant. Materials and methods. The variability of 20 morphological and 3 phenological traits of six cowpea accessions with different growth habit types and architectonics was assessed in various ecological and geographical conditions at VIR experiment stations (in Astrakhan Province, Primorye Territory and Krasnodar Territory) in 2019-2022. The variability and interrelationships of the traits were estimated using basic and multivariate statistical methods. Results. The analysis revealed a significant influence of the factor complex (genotype/accession, research location) on the variability of traits. Phenological traits, the length of internodes and leaflets, depended most strongly on the research location. The range of variation in the number of nodes, branches, peduncles and beans per plant, stem thickness and bean size were determined by the genotype to a larger extent. The range of stem length variability was significantly influenced by the research location and the genotype, though the genotype had a stronger influence. The genotypes responded differently to changes in growing conditions. For the most of the studied accessions, an increase in the main stem length was noted in the monsoon climate conditions of the Primorye Territory, for some of them the type of growth habit changed from determinate to indeterminate. In our research, the plant length was positively correlated with the amount of precipitation and with the average relative air humidity. Excessive humidity and precipitation had minimal effect only on cv. ʻLyanchiheʼ, whose plants retained dwarfness and compact architectonics. Factor analysis (principal factors analysis) revealed 4 factors responsible for the main part of the variance of the analyzed traits. The characteristics of the leaf were combined in the first factor, those of architectonics and time of plant development in the second, features of the seedling and the juvenile stage in the third, and those of the bean in the fourth factor. These complexes of traits (factors) determined the variability of cowpea in our research. Conclusion. The performed analysis of morphological and phenological traits revealed a significant increase of stem length and changes in plant architectonics under conditions of high relative humidity and a large amount of precipitation. In some cases, even the type of growth habit was changed. The further research on the studied characters variability involving more accessions and the determination of molecular mechanisms that control stability of the growth habit type and length of the stem will allow us to proceed to a more efficient and rapid creation of new cultivars suitable for mechanized cultivation. This is extremely important for the development of new areas by cultivating species, the demand in which as a source of food and feed is increasing in the Russian Federation.

Local factors have a greater influence on the abundance of alfalfa weevil and its larval parasitoids than landscape complexity in heterogeneous landscapes

ContextThe alfalfa weevil Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive pests of alfalfa worldwide. Both local and landscape-scale factors can significantly influence crop pests, natural enemies, and the effectiveness of biological control services, but the relative influence of these factors is unclear.ObjectivesWe investigated the influence of the local variables and surrounding landscape composition and configuration on the abundance of alfalfa weevil, and on the abundance and parasitism rates of its larval parasitoids, Bathyplectes spp.MethodsWe sampled 65 commercial alfalfa fields along the Ebro Basin, Spain, over a period of 3 years, recording the field characteristics and landscape structure at three buffer radii of 250, 500 and 1000 m from the center of each field.ResultsThe abundance of weevil larvae was positively associated with the field perimeter and with the uncut alfalfa surrounding the pipes of the sprinkler irrigation system, but only one configuration variable was positively correlated: the alfalfa edge density. No local characteristics or landscape structures were associated with the abundance of adult weevils. The abundance of Bathyplectes spp. adults was positively associated to local factors such as the densities of alfalfa weevils and aphids. Few landscape structure variables, such as alfalfa edge density and Simpson’s Diversity Index, had explanatory value only at 250 m buffer radius. The rate of larval parasitism was affected by local variables, such as alfalfa weevil abundance and field age.ConclusionOur results provide, for the first time in the Mediterranean region and Europe, evidence of the relative importance of landscape structure and local factors on the abundance of the alfalfa weevil and its larval parasitoids, Bathyplectes spp. The strongest influences were based on local characteristics.

How foodstagramming posts influence restaurant visit intention: the mediating role of goal relevance and mimicking desire

Purpose This study aims to explore the role of social media visual posts (known as foodstagramming) on restaurant visit intention. Drawing on the heuristic–systematic model and normative focus theory, this research introduces a framework that assesses the effects of key foodstagramming attributes – vicarious expression, aesthetic appeal and post popularity – and the mediating roles of goal relevance and mimicking desire, in the process. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling was performed to test the proposed model using a sample of tourists (n = 377) and residents (n = 341). Multi-group analysis was performed to compare the differences between these groups. Findings Results reveal that mimicking desire and goal relevance influence restaurant visit intention; however, mimicking desire has a stronger influence than goal relevance. Little difference was found between the tourist and the resident groups in the proposed relationships, except that vicarious expression positively influences mimicking desire in the tourist group but not in the resident group. Practical implications This study guides restauranteurs and social media influencers (foodstagrammers). It shows that consumers value the textual content and aesthetic appeal of photos over the popularity of a post. It also indicates that vicarious expression is more important for tourists than for residents. Originality/value This research advances social media marketing literature by proposing a new information processing framework. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies to explore the impact of visual post attributes on individual decision-making behaviours through socially acceptable norms.

Tourism live streamers as brand ambassadors: investigating their impact on destination brand value through social exchange theory

Purpose This study aims to identify the key characteristics of tourism live streamers (TLSers) that influence target consumers and examine how these characteristics enhance destination brand value by stimulating consumer emotional engagement and value co-creation behaviors. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted with 552 respondents who had viewed tourism live streaming in China. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results revealed that TLSers’ expertise had the strongest influence on consumers and positively affected their attachment, trust, participation and citizenship behaviors and perceived destination brand value. Attractiveness and trustworthiness exerted positive but weaker effects on these variables. Originality/value This study contributes to the theoretical development of live-streaming research by demonstrating the distinct impacts of TLSer characteristics. Furthermore, this study expands the application of the social exchange theory and value co-creation in tourism research.

Analysis of the determinants of service quality in the multimodal public transport system of Bhopal city using structural equation modelling (SEM) and factor analysis

The service quality of multimodal public transport system plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall efficiency and sustainability of urban mobility and the seamless integration of transportation. This study evaluates the determinants of service quality in the multimodal public transport system of Bhopal, India, using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Factor Analysis, Subgroup Analysis, and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). A detailed survey of passengers identified six latent variables: reliability, comfort, safety, accessibility, information, and customer service. SEM analysis revealed significant positive relationships between all six factors and passenger satisfaction, with reliability (β = 0.358, p < 0.001) and comfort having the strongest influence. Subgroup analysis showed variations in the importance of service quality factors among different age groups, genders, and usage frequencies. The IPA grid identified comfort and accessibility as priority areas for improvement. The findings highlight the importance of prioritizing these factors to enhance passenger satisfaction and promote sustainable urban mobility in developing countries. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and transit authorities to effectively improve service quality and meet passengers’ satisfaction in multimodal public transport systems.

Modeling non-spherical hailstones

Abstract Hail research and forecasting models necessarily involve explicit or implicit – and uncertain – physical assumptions regarding hailstones’ shape, tumbling behavior, fallspeed, and thermal energy transfer. Whereas most models assume spherical hailstones, we relax this assumption by using hailstone shape data from field observations to establish empirical size-shape relationships with reasonable degrees of randomness considering hailstones’ natural shape variability, capturing the observed distribution of tri-axial ellipsoidal shapes. We also incorporate explicit, random tumbling of individual hailstones during their growth to simulate their free-falling behavior and the resultant changes in cross-sectional area (which affects growth by hydrometeor collection.) These physical attributes are incorporated in calculating hailstones’ fallspeeds, using either empirical or analytical relationships based on each hailstone’s Best and Reynolds numbers. Options for drag coefficient modification are added to emulate hailstones’ rough surfaces (lobes), which then modifies their thermal energy and vapor exchange with the environment. We investigate how applying these physical assumptions about nonspherical hail into the Penn State hail growth trajectory model, coupled with Cloud Model 1 supercell simulations, impacts hail production, and examine the reasons behind the resulting variability in hail statistics. The choice of hailstone size-mass relation and fallspeed scheme have the strongest influence on hail sizes. Using non-spherical, tumbling hailstones reduces the number of large hailstones produced. Applying shape-specific thermal energy transfer coefficients subtly increases sizes; the effects of lobes vary depending on the fallspeed scheme used. These physical assumptions, although adding complexity to modeling, can be parameterized efficiently and potentially used in microphysics schemes.

Anchoring as a Structural Bias of Deliberation

AbstractWe study the anchoring effect in a computational model of group deliberation on preference rankings. Anchoring is a form of path-dependence through which the opinions of those who speak early have a stronger influence on the outcome of deliberation than the opinions of those who speak later. We show that anchoring can occur even among fully rational agents. We then compare the respective effects of anchoring and three other determinants of the deliberative outcome: the relative weight or social influence of the speakers, the popularity of a given speaker’s opinion, and the homogeneity of the group. We find that, on average, anchoring has the strongest effect among these. We finally show that anchoring is often correlated with increases in proximity to single-plateauedness. We conclude that anchoring can constitute a structural bias that might hinder some of the otherwise positive effects of group deliberation.

Conversion of monocropping to intercropping promotes rhizosphere microbiome functionality and soil nitrogen cycling

Intercropping can increase soil nutrient availability and provide greater crop yields for intensive agroecosystems. Despite its multiple benefits, how intercropping influences rhizosphere microbiome assemblages, functionality, and complex soil nitrogen cycling is not fully understood. Here, a three-year field experiment was carried out on different cropping system with five fertilization treatments at the main soybean production regions. We found that soybean yields in intercropped systems were on average 17 % greater than in monocropping system, regardless of fertilization treatments. We also found that intercropping systems significant increased network modularity (by 46 %) and functional diversity (by 11 %) than monocropping systems. Metagenomics analyses further indicated intercropping promotes microbiome functional adaptation, particularly enriching core functions related to nitrogen metabolism. Cropping patterns had a stronger influence on the functional genes associated with soil nitrogen cycling (R2 = 0.499). Monocropping systems increased the abundance of functional genes related to organic nitrogen ammonification, nitrogen fixation, and denitrification, while functional guilds of nitrate assimilation (by 28 %), nitrification (by 31 %), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction (by 10.1 %) genes were enriched in intercropping systems. Furthermore, we found that abiotic factors (i.e. AP, pH, and Moisture) are important drivers in shaping soil microbial community assemblage and nitrogen cycling. The functional genes include hzsB, and nrfA, and nxrA that affected by these biotic and abiotic variables were strongly related to crop yield (R2 = 0.076 ~ R2 = 0.249), suggesting a key role for maintaining crop production. We demonstrated that land use conversion from maize monocropping to maize-soybean intercropping diversify rhizosphere microbiome and functionality signatures, and intercropping increased key gene abundance related to soil nitrogen cycling to maintain the advantage of crop yield. The results of this study significantly facilitate our understanding of the complex soil nitrogen cycling processes and lay the foundation for manipulating desired specific functional taxa for improved crop productivity under sustainable intensification.

Exploring the impact of social media content on travel envy and intention to visit destination: moderating role of narcissist admiration and rivalry

ABSTRACT Social networking sites significantly influence the behavioral intentions of travelers. Considering this as an avenue of future research, the current study explores how social media elements induce travel envy using multi-study approaches. Study 1 (N = 338) is an experimental study aimed at investigating the impact of post type (emotional vs. rational) and post content (luxury vs. non-luxury) on travel envy and intention to visit a destination (IVTD). Study 2 (N = 190) is a survey-based study that explores the moderating role of narcissism between travel envy and IVTD by considering both post content and type. Study 3 (N = 289) tests the composite model using survey-based and experimental-based research designs. The findings reveal the robust impact of post type and content in triggering travel envy and intentions amongst recipients of particular social media posts. The emotional-luxury post category has a relatively stronger influence on travel envy and travel intentions than the rational-non-luxury post type. Narcissism is found to play a moderating role in the relationship between travel envy and IVTD.

Standardization of Dental Vulnerability Scale scores (EVO-BR)

BackgroundDental Vulnerability Scale (EVO-BR) is an instrument developed to help identifying oral health-vulnerable individuals. This scale comprises 15 items distributed into 4 dimensions. It is the first instrument with the potential to guide clinical and managerial decisions in the oral health field. The aim is to validate a score to enable using EVO-BR in Primary Health Care (PHC).MethodThe investigated sample included PHC users in five Brazilian regions. Data were collected at two different stages: in 2019 (São Paulo) and in 2022 (Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Roraima, Pernambuco e Paraná). Exploratory descriptive study of this scale scores was carried out to create classification ranges. Subsequently, discriminant analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the established classification. Boosting regression was carried out to check items’ weight for the instrument score.ResultsEVO-BR score ranged from 0 (highest vulnerability) to 15 (lowest vulnerability). Four (4) classification configurations were tested. Score equal to 12 points was the one presenting the best classification of the assessed individuals (100% were correctly classified). Boosting regression has evidenced that items 1 and 2 (Overall health domain) and 14 and 15 (Health Services domain) had the strongest influence on this instrument’s score.ConclusionThe process to standardize the EVO-BR score and, consequently, to develop assessment ranges, is an important step in the fight against health inequalities, since it provides a tool to help planning actions and interventions aimed at meeting specific needs of the population in the Primary Health Care context.

Not Merely Useful but Also Amusing: Impact of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Enjoyment on the Adoption of AI-Powered Coding Assistant

Artificial intelligence-powered coding assistants (AI-CAs) have become essential tools in programming; however, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms driving programmers’ adoption of these tools in their daily coding tasks. This study aims to examine the role of utilitarian and hedonic values in the adoption of AI-CAs by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The data gathered from an online survey of 283 Korean programmers is analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that both perceived enjoyment and perceived usefulness positively influence the attitudes and usage intentions toward AI-CAs. Interestingly, perceived enjoyment has a stronger influence on the intention to use than perceived usefulness, suggesting that recognizing the intrinsic motivation for using AI-CAs is crucial for fully leveraging their benefits. The model also confirms that the compatibility and relative advantages of AI-CAs enhance their adoption. This research enriches the current knowledge base by incorporating hedonic values into the TAM, offering new insights on the design of AI-CAs aimed at enhancing their adoption among developers.

Ecological influence of oasisation on peripheral regions

Sustainable development of oases enhances the capability of ecosystems to reverse land degradation in arid regions. However, it is unclear to what extent oasisation leads to ecological quality (EQ) degradation in the peripheral environment. To comprehensively evaluate the ecological effects of oasisation, this study developed a remote sensing ecological quality index to characterise spatiotemporal patterns and driving mechanisms of EQ in different oasis-type areas. Results show that the oasis area has increased by 37.4 % in the past 22 years. The EQ of the core area was stable, but EQ declined in newly developed urban areas. The effect range of the oasis on the peripheral regions EQ is 12 km, and the expansion of the oasis is improving the EQ of peripheral regions. The driving factors of EQ varied widely among different oasis areas. The vegetation index showed significant explanatory power (q-mean is 0.45) in each oasis area. Human activities and soil moisture showed the most significant explanatory power (0.76) in the core area, but weak power is observed in the changed and peripheral areas. Climate factors have the strongest influence on the changed and peripheral areas. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the spatial heterogeneity of EQ and could be implemented in Oasis urban planning and sand prevention belt construction.

An economical self-coalescing microfluidic device with an easily observable readout

Introduction: Self-coalescing microfluidic devices represent an exciting opportunity for leveraging viscous dominated flow phenomena to reconstitute a series of reagents with a single sample infusion. In a self-coalescing microfluidic device, spatially separated dried reagents are reconstituted using a single infusion. Due to the unique device geometry, the reagents remain spatially separated after infusion. As such, self-coalescing microfluidic devices have the potential to simplify point-of-care testing by simultaneously performing multiple colorimetric tests in one device. The current versions of these devices use standard, more costly microfabrication processes and are too small to be easily read by eye.Methods: Here, we created a low cost and scaled up version of a self-coalescing microfluidic device by using laser-cut-roll-based silicone tape. In addition to eliminating the need for cleanrooms, our approach simplifies the integration of assay reagents since they can be spotted onto a coverslip and covered with the tape microfluidic device. We empirically optimized our device, finding that flow rate significantly influenced the formation of self-coalescence as well as proper reagent reconstitution.Results and Discussion: When flow rates were too slow or fast, reagents would streak, leading to inadvertent mixing between different spatial locations. Our studies further revealed that geometry had a stronger influence on device operation in low-flow conditions. Our final optimized device exhibited a 100% success rate, demonstrated through self-coalescence with no reagent streaking at 100 μL/min, which enabled the isotropic diffusion of reagents. Furthermore, the spots are spatially separated and large enough to be visualized by the naked eye and captured by a smartphone camera for downstream analysis. Taken together, our innovative device leverages the advantages of sticker microfluidics and low-cost manufacturing methods to offer standalone functionality. This approach has the potential to significantly impact point-of-care diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited regions. By enabling multiplexed diagnostic assays through our novel technology, we aim to provide accessible and affordable healthcare solutions.

An economical self-coalescing microfluidic device with an easily observable readout

Introduction: Self-coalescing microfluidic devices represent an exciting opportunity for leveraging viscous dominated flow phenomena to reconstitute a series of reagents with a single sample infusion. In a self-coalescing microfluidic device, spatially separated dried reagents are reconstituted using a single infusion. Due to the unique device geometry, the reagents remain spatially separated after infusion. As such, self-coalescing microfluidic devices have the potential to simplify point-of-care testing by simultaneously performing multiple colorimetric tests in one device. The current versions of these devices use standard, more costly microfabrication processes and are too small to be easily read by eye.Methods: Here, we created a low cost and scaled up version of a self-coalescing microfluidic device by using laser-cut-roll-based silicone tape. In addition to eliminating the need for cleanrooms, our approach simplifies the integration of assay reagents since they can be spotted onto a coverslip and covered with the tape microfluidic device. We empirically optimized our device, finding that flow rate significantly influenced the formation of self-coalescence as well as proper reagent reconstitution.Results and Discussion: When flow rates were too slow or fast, reagents would streak, leading to inadvertent mixing between different spatial locations. Our studies further revealed that geometry had a stronger influence on device operation in low-flow conditions. Our final optimized device exhibited a 100% success rate, demonstrated through self-coalescence with no reagent streaking at 100 μL/min, which enabled the isotropic diffusion of reagents. Furthermore, the spots are spatially separated and large enough to be visualized by the naked eye and captured by a smartphone camera for downstream analysis. Taken together, our innovative device leverages the advantages of sticker microfluidics and low-cost manufacturing methods to offer standalone functionality. This approach has the potential to significantly impact point-of-care diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited regions. By enabling multiplexed diagnostic assays through our novel technology, we aim to provide accessible and affordable healthcare solutions.

Bug city life: Public acceptance of urban insect-friendly meadows in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Reports of continuing declines in some insect populations have raised concerns and calls for action to protect insects. The establishment of insect-friendly meadows in urban areas provides an opportunity to conserve both insect and plant diversity. However, public acceptance can be an obstacle to the implementation of such meadows, for example, due to competing land use interests and the perception that tall meadows are visually unattractive. To address these concerns and align urban green spaces with both public preferences and environmental needs, a systematic understanding of the factors influencing public acceptance of meadows is essential. To this end, a representative online survey was conducted in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with 899 participants to assess the acceptance of insect-friendly meadows in urban areas. The study shows significant support for insect-friendly meadows across all subgroups and within each country-specific subgroup. The factor that most influences their acceptance is the recognition of the ecological benefits of these meadows. It is therefore highly recommended to prioritize public awareness campaigns that highlight the complex relationship between plant and insect diversity. Such efforts can contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of insect-friendly meadows for biodiversity, thereby increasing public support for these conservation measures. Additionally, considerations related to perceived aesthetics, appreciation of an increase in insect abundance, preference for public funding, and a general sense of safety around these meadows should inform the development and communication strategies for insect-friendly green spaces, as they significantly influence public acceptance. These design and perception aspects of meadows were shown to have a stronger influence on the acceptance of meadows than individual, attitudinal characteristics such as environmental attitudes or attitudes toward insect decline. While this study provides insights into the general public acceptance of insect-friendly meadows, more research is needed to understand the influence of the specific local context on meadow acceptance.

Mechanisms of spring freshet generation in southern Quebec, Canada

Seasonal forecasting of spring floods in snow-covered basins is challenging due to the ambiguity in the driving processes, uncertain estimations of antecedent catchment conditions, and the choice of predictor variables. In this study, we attempt to improve the prediction of spring flow peaks in southern Quebec, Canada, by studying the preconditioning mechanisms of runoff generation and their impact on inter-annual variations in the timing and magnitude of spring peak flow. Historical observations and simulated data from a hydrological and snowmelt model were used to study the antecedent conditions that control flood characteristics in 12 unregulated snow-dominated catchments. Maximum snow accumulation (peak SWE), snowmelt and rainfall volume and intensity, soil moisture, river baseflow, and the air freezing index, a proxy for soil freezing, were estimated during the pre-flood period. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to identify the most relevant predictors and assess their relative contribution to interannual variability flood variability. Peak SWE was not by itself a strong predictor of spring flood magnitude and timing. The snowmelt rate during the pre-flood period was the most ubiquitous and skillful predictor of spring flood magnitude, followed by the rainfall intensity. The ‘soil memory’ effect, represented here by the simulated soil moisture content and freezing depth, was generally poorly related to flood characteristics. SWE and snowmelt dynamics dominated the interannual variability of flood magnitude in the southern and agricultural basins while rainfall intensity had a stronger influence in the northern, snowier forested basins. More complex machine learning models (random forest and support vector regression) did not perform better than the simple linear models to predict peakflow from antecedent hydroclimatic factors. These results highlight the impact of climate and land cover and use on spring flood generation mechanism and the moderate predictability potential of spring floods based on antecedent hydrological factors.

Integrative network analysis of miRNA-mRNA expression profiles during epileptogenesis in rats reveals therapeutic targets after emergence of first spontaneous seizure

Epileptogenesis is the process by which a normal brain becomes hyperexcitable and capable of generating spontaneous recurrent seizures. The extensive dysregulation of gene expression associated with epileptogenesis is shaped, in part, by microRNAs (miRNAs) – short, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate protein levels. Functional miRNA-mediated regulation can, however, be difficult to elucidate due to the complexity of miRNA-mRNA interactions. Here, we integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiles sampled over multiple time-points during and after epileptogenesis in rats, and applied bi-clustering and Bayesian modelling to construct temporal miRNA-mRNA-mRNA interaction networks. Network analysis and enrichment of network inference with sequence- and human disease-specific information identified key regulatory miRNAs with the strongest influence on the mRNA landscape, and miRNA-mRNA interactions closely associated with epileptogenesis and subsequent epilepsy. Our findings underscore the complexity of miRNA-mRNA regulation, can be used to prioritise miRNA targets in specific systems, and offer insights into key regulatory processes in epileptogenesis with therapeutic potential for further investigation.

Retrospective assessment of parental attitudes versus severity of early maladaptive schemas in a non-clinical population of Polish adults – preliminary reports

Objectives: While from a developmental perspective, a secure bond with a parent is of great importance to a child's functioning, its establishment depends mainly on the caregivers and their parental attitudes – specific strategies or styles that enable the fulfilment of parental responsibilities. The objective of the presented study was to assess the correlation between the early maladaptive schemas and retrospectively assessed parental attitudes. Methods: The study involved 94 people between the ages of 18 and 64 (average age: M=34.84, SD=11.12). Each participant completed a set of the following tools: the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3-PL), the Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (PCR), and the Young Parent Inventory (YPI). Both parents’ attitudes were similarly associated with the formation of early maladaptive schemas. For both mothers and fathers, loving and rejecting attitudes had the most numerous associations with the formation of early maladaptive schemas. Conclusions: 1. In a retrospective evaluation of the subjects, both parents had a similar impact on the formation of domains of early maladaptive schemas. The Results: only statistically significant differences occurred in the domain of Impaired Autonomy and Performance. Mothers had a stronger influence on the formation of schemas in this group. 2. For both mothers and fathers, loving (L) and rejecting (R) attitudes had the most numerous associations with the formation of early maladaptive schemas. Keywords: early maladaptive schemas, parental attitudes, attachment