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SUMMARY: Plant leaves play a pivotal role in automated species identification using deep learning (DL). However, achieving reproducible capture of leaf variation remains challenging due to the inherent "black box" problem of DL models. To evaluate the effectiveness of DL in capturing leaf shape, we used geometric morphometrics (GM), an emerging component of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) toolkits. We photographed Ranunculus auricomus leaves directly in situ and after herbarization. From these corresponding leaf images, we automatically extracted DL features using a neural network and digitized leaf shapes using GM. The association between the extracted DL features and GM shapes was then evaluated using dimension reduction and covariation models. DL features facilitated the clustering of leaf images by source populations in both in situ and herbarized leaf image datasets, and certain DL features were significantly associated with biological leaf shape variation as inferred by GM. DL features also enabled leaf classification into morpho‐phylogenomic groups within the intricate R. auricomus species complex. We demonstrated that simple in situ leaf imaging and DL reproducibly captured leaf shape variation at the population level, while combining this approach with GM provided key insights into the shape information extracted from images by computer vision, a necessary prerequisite for reliable automated plant phenotyping. Significance Statement: By integrating geometric morphometrics and explainable artificial intelligence, we revealed significant correlations between computer vision perception of images of plant leaves and the true leaf shapes captured in the images. We demonstrated that deep learning achieves fine‐scale leaf shape recognition that differentiates even populations within a complicated plant species complex, highlighting its potential for reproducible and interpretable automated plant phenotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plant species complexes with hybridization and asexual reproduction often exhibit complex morphological patterns, which is problematic for classifications. Here, we analyze geometric morphometric, genomic, and ecological data with comprehensive statistics to evaluate phenotypic variation in the Eurasian Ranunculus auricomus complex. Genomic clusters correspond largely to morphological groupings, but most described asexual hybrid taxa cannot be discriminated from each other. Phenotypic variation is more influenced by genomic composition than by climatic conditions, and the phenotypic variation of asexual hybrids resembles a mosaic of intermediate and transgressive phenotypes. Our results support a taxonomic revision of the complex. Plant species complexes represent a particularly interesting example of taxonomically complex groups (TCGs), linking hybridization, apomixis, and polyploidy with complex morphological patterns. In such TCGs, mosaic-like character combinations and conflicts of morphological data with molecular phylogenies present a major problem for species classification. Here, we used the large polyploid apomictic European Ranunculus auricomus complex to study relationships among five diploid sexual progenitor species and 75 polyploid apomictic derivate taxa, based on geometric morphometrics using 11,690 landmarked objects (basal and stem leaves, receptacles), genomic data (97,312 RAD-Seq loci, 48 phased target enrichment genes, 71 plastid regions) from 220 populations. We showed that (1) observed genomic clusters correspond to morphological groupings based on basal leaves and concatenated traits, and morphological groups were best resolved with RAD-Seq data; (2) described apomictic taxa usually overlap within trait morphospace except for those taxa at the space edges; (3) apomictic phenotypes are highly influenced by parental subgenome composition and to a lesser extent by climatic factors; and (4) allopolyploid apomictic taxa, compared to their sexual progenitor, resemble a mosaic of ecological and morphological intermediate to transgressive biotypes. The joint evaluation of phylogenomic, phenotypic, reproductive, and ecological data supports a revision of purely descriptive, subjective traditional morphological classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Speciation via hybridization and polyploidization is a major evolutionary force in plant evolution but is still poorly understood for neopolyploid groups. Challenges are attributed to high heterozygosity, low genetic divergence, and missing information on progenitors, ploidy, and reproduction. We study the large Eurasian Ranunculus auricomus species complex and use a comprehensive workflow integrating reduced‐representation sequencing (RRS) genomic data to unravel reticulate evolution, genome diversity and composition of polyploids.We rely on 97 312 restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐Seq) loci, 576 targeted nuclear genes (48 phased), and 71 plastid regions derived from 78 polyploid apomictic taxa and four diploid and one tetraploid putative sexual progenitor species. We applied (phylo)genomic structure, network, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐origin analyses.Results consistently showed only 3–5 supported and geographically structured polyploid genetic groups, each containing extant sexual and one unknown progenitor species. Combined analyses demonstrated predominantly allopolyploid origins, each involving 2–3 different diploid sexual progenitor species. Young allotetraploids were characterized by subgenome dominance and nonhybrid SNPs, suggesting substantial post‐origin but little lineage‐specific evolution.The biodiversity of neopolyploid complexes can result from multiple hybrid origins involving different progenitors and substantial post‐origin evolution (e.g. homoeologous exchanges, hybrid segregation, gene flow). Reduced‐representation sequencing genomic data including multi‐approach information is efficient to delimit shallow reticulate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The larger distribution area of asexuals compared with their sexual relatives in geographical parthenogenesis (GP) scenarios has been widely attributed to the advantages of uniparental reproduction and polyploidy. However, potential disadvantages of sexuals due to their breeding system have received little attention so far. Here, we study the breeding system of five narrowly distributed sexual lineages of Ranunculus notabilis s.l. (R. auricomus complex) and its effects on outcrossing, inbreeding, female fitness, and heterozygosity. We performed selfing and intra‐ and interlineage crossings by bagging 481 flowers (59 garden individuals) followed by germination experiments. We compared seed set and germination rates, and related them to genetic distance and genome‐wide heterozygosity (thousands of RADseq loci). Selfings (2.5%) unveiled a significantly lower seed set compared with intra‐ (69.0%) and interlineage crossings (69.5%). Seed set of intra‐ (65%) compared to interpopulation crossings (78%) was significantly lower. In contrast, all treatments showed comparable germination rates (32%–43%). Generalized linear regressions between seed set and genetic distance revealed positive relationships in general and between lineages, and a negative one within lineages. Seed set was the main decisive factor for female fitness. Germination rates were not related to genetic distance at any level, but were positively associated with heterozygosity in interlineage crossings. Experiments confirmed full crossability and predominant outcrossing among sexual R. notabilis s.l. lineages. However, up to 5% (outliers 15%–31%) of seeds were formed by selfing, probably due to semi‐self‐compatibility in a multi‐locus gametophytic SI system. Less seed set in intrapopulation crossings, and higher seed set and germination rates from crossings of genetically more distant and heterozygous lineages (interlineage) indicate negative inbreeding and positive outbreeding effects. In GP scenarios, sexual species with small and/or isolated populations can suffer from decreased female fitness due to their breeding system. This factor, among others, probably limits range expansion of sexuals.

Geographical parthenogenesis (GP) describes the phenomenon that apomicts tend to have larger distribution areas and/or occur at higher altitudes or latitudes compared to sexual relatives. However, the complex effects of genome‐wide heterozygosity, ploidy, reproduction mode (sexual vs. apomictic), and environment shaping GP of plants are still not well understood. We ascertained ploidy and reproduction mode by flow cytometry of 221 populations, and added genomic RADseq data (maximum 33,165 loci) of 80 taxa of the Ranunculus auricomus polyploid plant complex in temperate Europe. We observed 7% mainly diploid sexual, 28% facultative apomictic (mean sexuality 7.1%), and 65% obligate apomictic populations. Sexuals occupied a more southern, smaller distribution area, whereas apomicts expanded their range to higher latitudes. Within the complex, we detected three main genetic clusters and highly reticulate relationships. A genetically‐informed path analysis using GLMMs revealed several significant relationships. Sexuality of populations (percent of sexual seeds) was higher in diploids compared to polyploids, associated with more petals, and similar between forests and open habitats. In contrast to other apomictic plant complexes, sexuality was mainly positively correlated to solar radiation and isothermality, which fits the southern distribution. We found up to three times higher heterozygosity in polyploids compared to diploids, and generally more heterozygous individuals in forests compared with open habitats. Interestingly, we revealed a previously unknown positive association between heterozygosity and temperature seasonality, suggesting a higher resistance of polyploids to more extreme climatic conditions. We provide empirical evidence for intrinsic and extrinsic factors shaping the GP pattern in a polyploid plant complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larger distribution area of asexuals compared with their sexual relatives in geographical parthenogenesis (GP) scenarios has been widely attributed to the advantages of uniparental reproduction and polyploidy. However, potential disadvantages of sexuals due to their breeding system have received little attention so far. Here, we study the breeding system of five narrowly distributed sexual lineages of Ranunculus notabilis s.l. (R. auricomus complex) and its effects on outcrossing, inbreeding, female fitness, and heterozygosity. We performed selfing and intra‐ and interlineage crossings by bagging 481 flowers (59 garden individuals) followed by germination experiments. We compared seed set and germination rates, and related them to genetic distance and genome‐wide heterozygosity (thousands of RADseq loci). Selfings (2.5%) unveiled a significantly lower seed set compared with intra‐ (69.0%) and interlineage crossings (69.5%). Seed set of intra‐ (65%) compared to interpopulation crossings (78%) was significantly lower. In contrast, all treatments showed comparable germination rates (32%–43%). Generalized linear regressions between seed set and genetic distance revealed positive relationships in general and between lineages, and a negative one within lineages. Seed set was the main decisive factor for female fitness. Germination rates were not related to genetic distance at any level, but were positively associated with heterozygosity in interlineage crossings. Experiments confirmed full crossability and predominant outcrossing among sexual R. notabilis s.l. lineages. However, up to 5% (outliers 15%–31%) of seeds were formed by selfing, probably due to semi‐self‐compatibility in a multi‐locus gametophytic SI system. Less seed set in intrapopulation crossings, and higher seed set and germination rates from crossings of genetically more distant and heterozygous lineages (interlineage) indicate negative inbreeding and positive outbreeding effects. In GP scenarios, sexual species with small and/or isolated populations can suffer from decreased female fitness due to their breeding system. This factor, among others, probably limits range expansion of sexuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using club theory, Mzembe et al. (2020) examined why tourism operators adopt or abandon ecocertification. Their results resolve a longstanding paradox in tourism ecocertification, whereby programs persist despite low take-up amongst potential members. The mechanism is that programs start by signing up high-performing enterprises, creating an attractive club, but to sign up additional members they then lower entry standards, opening membership to poorly performing enterprises. This makes the certification club less exclusive, and dilutes benefits. In addition, if only few tourist clients rely on ecocertificates, it creates intra-club rivalry for benefits. Therefore, early-joining, high-performing members leave, creating member turnover and keeping overall take-up low. This is an example of a Goldilocks effect, a couplet of mechanisms that jointly prevent a parameter taking very large or very small values, or render the parameter observable only within a certain range. This effect applies only for private third-party ecocertification programs that rely on member fees to remain in business. It may not apply to programs operated by government agencies, or by private entities with government monopolies. It applies for ecocertification, where financial rewards of membership are limited; but not necessarily for luxury labels, which can sustain high price premiums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To stay competitive, companies need to constantly innovate. To remain healthy, they need to constantly grow revenue. We explored whether there were any leadership behaviors that had a significant impact on innovation and growth. Our research was based on over 1,000 executives from a wide variety of industries who completed the Bates Executive Presence Index (ExPI), a validated, multirater leadership behavior survey. We compared the ratings of leaders identified as leading innovative teams with those identified as unsuccessful at leading innovative teams. A t test found that of the 90 items on the ExPI, 57 items were significantly different at the 0.01 level. We also completed a multivariate analysis of variants comparing the scores of leaders whose company's revenue grew 5% or more for the 2 years prior to taking the ExPI to leaders whose company had a -1% revenue growth for the 2 years prior and found significant differences in 67 items. We also found that both types of leaders were better able to find an optimal amount of psychological tension that brought out the best ideas in those around them. These leaders created an environment that was psychologically safe for people to speak up, challenge each other, and have a healthy debate. Just as important, they were attuned to the optimal tension people could tolerate. We identified specific, observable behaviors that leaders can model to facilitate constructive conflict--conflict that generates solutions based on the best ideas created by exploring a diversity of points of views and opinions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most reporting of stock status accumulated at a national or regional level gives statistics on what proportion of the stocks are below some abundance threshold or above some fishing mortality rate threshold. This approach does not convey useful information on the performance of the fisheries management system in maximizing long-term sustainable yield, which is the primary objective of most national and international fisheries legislation. In this paper, I present a graphical approach for representing how much yield is being lost as a consequence of current suboptimal abundance and fishing pressure. Using the EU stocks assessed by ICES as an example, I show how traditional criteria for overfished and overfishing fail to display realistic information about the performance of the fishery. This approach provides much more useful information for the public and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, and in the U.S., agricultural and food systems are increasingly bifurcated into large and small‐scale operations. Our ethnographic work indicates that there is a great deal of creativity and innovation between these poles, but this is largely being overlooked in agricultural research and policy where "the middle" is largely subject to erasure. Although constructs of scale are ideological in nature, they have material impacts across actors and networks. In this context, there is a critical need for theoretical and ethnographic work that seeks to understand the vast middle. Anthropologists are poised to bring the depth of contextualized, materially focused, process‐oriented ethnography to understanding how agriculture and food systems are experienced and navigated, in highly heterogeneous ways—at the thresholds of scale, and in the interconnections of networks. To illustrate, we draw upon our ethnographic research in the meat industry and with farm to school initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apomictic plant complexes exhibit a stunning morphological diversity. The Ranunculus auricomus complex with more than 800 morphologically recognized asexual species and just 4 known sexual species is a model group to study origins of high morphological diversity in asexually reproducing lineages. During the Pleistocene, the sexuals of the R. auricomus complex diverged in Central Europe into two morphological groups of contrasting basal leaf phenotypes, the undivided forms represented by diploid R. carpaticola and the deeply divided forms represented by diploid R. notabilis. An experimental interspecific crossing of R. carpaticola × R. notabilis revealed an extensive phenotypic diversity of the sexually formed F2 hybrid generation. We hypothesize that apomictic species of the European R. auricomus complex might have established from hybrid derivatives of carpaticola- and notabilis-like sexual ancestors. Here we investigate segregation of F2 basal leaf phenotypes from experimental R. carpaticola × R. notabilis crosses. We tested the hypothesis whether F2 hybrid leaf phenotypes segregate in a Mendelian manner and whether any segregant phenotypes match R. variabilis, an apomictic species and natural hybrid derivative of R. notabilis. Using landmark-based geometric morphometrics of basal leaves, we recognized two major morphological clusters within the R. carpaticola × R. notabilis F2 hybrid population. The carpaticola-like morphological cluster included undivided or less-divided leaf phenotypes without lateral sinuses and the notabilis-like morphological cluster contained deeply divided leaf phenotypes with 1-2 lateral sinuses. The overall ratio of the both morphological clusters within the F2 hybrid population was approximately 1 : 1, suggesting Mendelian inheritance and partial dominance of the allele for the divided leaf phenotype. The morphological cluster of divided leaf phenotypes included 11% of F2 individuals with a higher similarity to the apomictic species R. variabilis than to the parental sexuals. The variabilis-like F2 segregant phenotypes often resulted from F1 crosses of carpaticola-like mother plants with notabilis-like pollen donors; such crossing lines reached the highest morphological disparity. Equivalent hybridizations in nature followed by Mendelian segregation of phenotypes, which became later on fixed via the shift to apomictic reproduction, might have established the extant diversity of apomictic complexes. Microsatellite genotyping with six SSR loci revealed no correlation of genetic and phenotypic variation. We conclude that former "morpho-groups" or "main species" based on phenotypic similarity only are unsuitable units for taxonomic classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization and polyploidization play important roles in plant evolution but it is still not fully clarified how these evolutionary forces contribute to the establishment of apomicts. Apomixis, the asexual reproduction via seed formation, comprises several essential alterations in development compared to the sexual pathway. Furthermore, most natural apomicts were found to be polyploids and/or hybrids. The Ranunculus auricomus complex comprises diploid sexual and polyploid apomictic species and represents an excellent model system to gain knowledge on origin and evolution of apomixis in natural plant populations. In this study, the second generation of synthetically produced homoploid (2x) and heteroploid (3x) hybrids derived from sexual R. auricomus species was analyzed for aposporous initial cell formation by DIC microscopy. Complete manifestation of apomixis was determined by measuring single mature seeds by flow cytometric seed screen. Microscopic analysis of the female gametophyte formation indicated spontaneous occurrence of aposporous initial cells and several developmental irregularities. The frequency of apospory was found to depend on dosage effects since a significant increase in apospory was observed, when both F1 parents, rather than just one, were aposporous. Other than in the F1 generation, diploid Ranunculus F2 hybrids formed BIII seeds and fully apomictic seeds. The results indicate that hybridization rather than polyploidization seems to be the functional activator of apomictic reproduction in the synthetic Ranunculus hybrids. In turn, at least two hybrid generations are required to establish apomictic seed formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are often more satisfied with a choice (e.g., chocolates, pens) when the number of options in the choice set is "just right" (e.g., 10-12), neither too few (e.g., 2-4) nor too many (e.g., 30-40). We investigated this "Goldilocks effect" in the context of a placebo treatment. Participants reporting nonspecific complaints (e.g., headaches) chose one of Bach's 38 Flower Essences from a choice set of 2 (low choice), 12 (optimal choice), or 38 (full choice) options to use for a 2-week period. Replicating earlier findings in the novel context of a health-related choice, participants were initially more satisfied with the essence they selected when presented with 12 versus either 2 or 38 options. More importantly, self-reported symptoms were significantly lower 2 weeks later in the optimal (12) versus nonoptimal choice conditions (2 and 38). Because there is no known active ingredient in Bach's Flower Essences, we refer to this as the Goldilocks placebo effect. Supporting a counterfactual thinking account of the Goldilocks effect, and despite significantly fewer symptoms after 2 weeks, those in the optimal choice set condition were no longer significantly more satisfied with their choice at the end of testing. Implications for medical practice, especially patient choice, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community impacts from oil development in the Bakken Shale, located in the north central region of the United States, have been well reported in the press, including highly publicized accounts of social disruption. Less examined are communities on the periphery of such development, which experience related impacts unique to their location. Twenty-eight long-time residents from three Bakken periphery communities were interviewed to evaluate social and environmental impact perceptions, including perceived risks of place disruption. Findings suggest that whereas place meanings and identities were disrupted by the oil boom in Bakken core communities, they remain intact in these periphery communities. Findings further suggest periphery residents view their proximal location to the Bakken region as a social and economic “Goldilocks Zone:” close enough to benefit from spillover economic impacts, yet far enough away to avoid serious negative social impacts. This research extends understanding of place disruption and development impacts in energy periphery communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on goldilocks, aragorn and the essence of property. Topics discussed include ownership complement traditional economic and legal analysis of property rights; through an examination of folklore and fairytales, insight on experience on property and thought of specification in the Anglo-American tradition; and through his story, George MacDonald confess the dangerous sort of plan.

The quantitative impact of severity of illness on pharmacodynamic thresholds is poorly defined. We used a robust cefepime outcomes cohort and previously identified pharmacodynamic breakpoints of 68% [pharmacokinetic (PK) model 1] and 74% (PK model 2) to probe interactions and relationships with modified Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (mAPACHE) II scores. When the time that serum concentration remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration during the dosing interval ( f T >MIC ) was optimised, mortality was improved between mAPACHE II scores of 9–23 and 9–22 in models 1 and 2, respectively. No significant interactions were identified. These results suggest that mAPACHE II scores of 9–22 may fall within a ‘Goldilocks’ window in which hospital survival is improved among patients achieving goal f T >MIC thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to high quality spatial data raises fundamental questions about how to select the appropriate scale and unit of analysis. Studies that evaluate the impact of conservation programs have used multiple scales and areal units: from 5x5 km grids; to 30m pixels; to irregular units based on land uses or political boundaries. These choices affect the estimate of program impact. The bias associated with scale and unit selection is a part of a well-known dilemma called the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). We introduce this dilemma to the literature on impact evaluation and then explore the tradeoffs made when choosing different areal units. To illustrate the consequences of the MAUP, we begin by examining the effect of scale selection when evaluating a protected area in Mexico using real data. We then develop a Monte Carlo experiment that simulates a conservation intervention. We find that estimates of treatment effects and variable coefficients are only accurate under restrictive circumstances. Under more realistic conditions, we find biased estimates associated with scale choices that are both too large or too small relative to the data generating process or decision unit. In our context, the MAUP may reflect an errors in variables problem, where imprecise measures of the independent variables will bias the coefficient estimates toward zero. This problem may be pronounced at small scales of analysis. Aggregation may reduce this bias for continuous variables, but aggregation exacerbates bias when using a discrete measure of treatment. While we do not find a solution to these issues, even though treatment effects are generally underestimated. We conclude with suggestions on how researchers might navigate their choice of scale and aerial unit when evaluating conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Doppler measurements of stars are diluted and distorted by stellar activity noise. Different choices of noise models and statistical methods have led to much controversy in the confirmation of exoplanet candidates obtained through analysing radial velocity data. To quantify the limitation of various models and methods, we compare different noise models and signal detection criteria for various simulated and real data sets in the Bayesian framework. According to our analyses, the white noise model tend to interpret noise as signal, leading to false positives. On the other hand, the red noise models are likely to interpret signal as noise, resulting in false negatives. We find that the Bayesian information criterion combined with a Bayes factor threshold of 150 can efficiently rule out false positives and confirm true detections.We further propose a Goldilocks principle aimed at modelling radial velocity noise to avoid too many false positives and too many false negatives. We propose that the noise model with RHK-dependent jitter is used in combination with the moving average model to detect planetary signals for M dwarfs. Our work may also shed light on the noise modelling for hotter stars, and provide a valid approach for finding similar principles in other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of black bears (Ursus americanus) in urban settings is of growing concern because they often recolonize areas from which they had been extirpated. Urban landscapes offer much needed bear habitat, buffer habitat losses in other areas, and offer protection for bear populations, but only if conflicts between bears and humans are managed. In collaboration with the Northern Bear Awareness Society in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, a survey of a sample of Prince George residents was conducted to determine their attitudes toward black bears and bear management, including euthanasia (N = 71). These residents tended to feel positively toward black bears, but were split on the issue of euthanasia, with half being firmly opposed and half recognizing the need under certain conditions. There was a significant preference for non-lethal management tools, suggesting an opportunity for governments to explore options for managing human activities that created bear attractants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article is part of a Special Issue “Estradiol and cognition”. Estrogens impact the organization and activation of the mammalian brain in both sexes, with sex-specific critical windows. Throughout the female lifespan estrogens activate brain substrates previously organized by estrogens, and estrogens can induce non-transient brain and behavior changes into adulthood. Therefore, from early life through the transition to reproductive senescence and beyond, estrogens are potent modulators of the brain and behavior. Organizational, reorganizational, and activational hormone events likely impact the trajectory of brain profiles during aging. A “brain profile,” or quantitative brain measurement for research purposes, is typically a snapshot in time, but in life a brain profile is anything but static — it is in flux, variable, and dynamic. Akin to this, the only thing continuous and consistent about hormone exposures across a female's lifespan is that they are noncontinuous and inconsistent, building and rebuilding on past exposures to create a present brain and behavioral landscape. Thus, hormone variation is especially rich in females, and is likely the destiny for maximal responsiveness in the female brain. The magnitude and direction of estrogenic effects on the brain and its functions depend on a myriad of factors; a “Goldilocks” phenomenon exists for estrogens, whereby if the timing, dose, and regimen for an individual are just right, markedly efficacious effects present. Data indicate that exogenously-administered estrogens can bestow beneficial cognitive effects in some circumstances, especially when initiated in a window of opportunity such as the menopause transition. Could it be that the age-related reduction in efficacy of estrogens reflects the closure of a late-in-life critical window occurring around the menopause transition? Information from classic and contemporary works studying organizational/activational estrogen actions, in combination with acknowledging the tendency for maximal responsiveness to cyclicity, will elucidate ways to extend sensitivity and efficacy into post-menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to reconcile two perspectives on the impact of positive trait change. The first perspective views positive trait change as salubrious because it reflects the process of self-enhancement, whereas the second perspective views positive change as costly because it disrupts the self-verification process. We propose that benefits and costs accrue at discrete rates, such that moderate positive trait change is more beneficial than too little and too much positive change. This constitutes a Goldilocks hypothesis. Using the MIDUS longitudinal dataset (N = 1,725) we test this hypothesis on four traits, namely, social extraversion, agentic extraversion (agency), conscientiousness, and neuroticism. The Goldilocks hypothesis was supported for social extraversion, agentic extraversion (agency), and conscientiousness. Reduction in neuroticism seemed uniformly predictive of higher well-being. Thus, not all amounts of positive trait change are beneficial. While we find no evidence for a limit to the benefits of reduced neuroticism, there is a “just right” amount of positive change in extraversion and conscientiousness that results in the highest level of well-being. Our findings suggest that non-monotonic models may be more valid in investigations of personality change and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies have shown that manual asymmetries decrease in older age. These results have often been explained with reference to models of reduced hemispheric specialisation. An alternative explanation, however, is that hand differences are subtle, and capturing them requires tasks that yield optimal performance with both hands. Whereas the hemispheric specialisation account implies that reduced manual asymmetries should be reliably observed in older adults, the ‘measurement difficulty’ account suggests that manual asymmetries will be hard to detect unless a task has just the right level of difficulty—i.e. within the ‘Goldilocks Zone’, where it is not too easy or too hard, but just right. Experiment One tested this hypothesis and found that manual asymmetries were only detected when participants performed in this zone; specifically, performance on a tracing task was only superior in the preferred hand when task constraints were high (i.e. fast speed tracing). Experiment Two used three different tasks to examine age differences in manual asymmetries; one task produced no asymmetries, whilst two tasks revealed asymmetries in both younger and older groups (with poorer overall performance in the old group across all tasks). Experiment Three revealed task-dependent asymmetries in both age groups, but highlighted further detection difficulties linked with the metric of performance and compensatory strategies used by participants. Results are discussed with reference to structural learning theory, whereby we suggest that the processes of inter-manual transfer lead to relatively small performance differences between the hands (despite a strong phenomenological sense of performance disparities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome evolution in asexual organisms is theoretically expected to be shaped by various factors: first, hybrid origin, and polyploidy confer a genomic constitution of highly heterozygous genotypes with multiple copies of genes; second, asexuality confers a lack of recombination and variation in populations, which reduces the efficiency of selection against deleterious mutations; hence, the accumulation of mutations and a gradual increase in mutational load (Muller's ratchet) would lead to rapid extinction of asexual lineages; third, allelic sequence divergence is expected to result in rapid divergence of lineages (Meselson effect). Recent transcriptome studies on the asexual polyploid complex Ranunculus auricomus using single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirmed neutral allelic sequence divergence within a short time frame, but rejected a hypothesis of a genomewide accumulation of mutations in asexuals compared to sexuals, except for a few genes related to reproductive development. We discuss a general model that the observed incidence of facultative sexuality in plants may unmask deleterious mutations with partial dominance and expose them efficiently to purging selection. A little bit of sex may help to avoid genomic decay and extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of reticulate evolutionary histories in plants is still a major methodological challenge. Sequences of the ITS nrDNA are a popular marker to analyze hybrid relationships, but variation of this multicopy spacer region is affected by concerted evolution, high intraindividual polymorphism, and shifts in mode of reproduction. The relevance of changes in secondary structure is still under dispute. We aim to shed light on the extent of polymorphism within and between sexual species and their putative natural as well as synthetic hybrid derivatives in the Ranunculus auricomus complex to test morphology-based hypotheses of hybrid origin and parentage of taxa. We employed direct sequencing of ITS nrDNA from 68 individuals representing three sexuals, their synthetic hybrids and one sympatric natural apomict, as well as cloning of ITS copies in four representative individuals, RNA secondary structure analysis, and landmark geometric morphometric analysis on leaves. Phylogenetic network analyses indicate additivity of parental ITS variants in both synthetic and natural hybrids. The triploid synthetic hybrids are genetically much closer to their maternal progenitors, probably due to ploidy dosage effects, although exhibiting a paternal-like leaf morphology. The natural hybrids are genetically and morphologically closer to the putative paternal progenitor species. Secondary structures of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 were rather conserved in all taxa. The observed similarities in ITS polymorphisms suggest that the natural apomict R. variabilis is an ancient hybrid of the diploid sexual species R. notabilis and the sexual species R. cassubicifolius. The additivity pattern shared by R. variabilis and the synthetic hybrids supports an evolutionary and biogeographical scenario that R. variabilis originated from ancient hybridization. Concerted evolution of ITS copies in R. variabilis is incomplete, probably due to a shift to asexual reproduction. Under the condition of comprehensive inter- and intraspecific sampling, ITS polymorphisms are powerful for elucidating reticulate evolutionary histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intersection of research and policy on consumer credit often has a Goldilocks feel. Some researchers and policy makers posit that consumer credit markets produce too much credit. Other researchers and policy makers posit that markets produce too little credit. I review theories and evidence on inefficient consumer credit supply. For each of eight classes of theories I sketch some of the leading models and summarize any convincing empirical tests of those models. I also discuss more circumstantial evidence that does not map tightly onto a particular model but has the potential to shed light on, or obscure, answers to key questions. Overall there is a lack of convincing evidence on whether markets err and in which direction. We do not yet understand whether and under what conditions markets oversupply or under-supply credit, much less why. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asexual lineages are thought to be prone to extinction because of deleterious mutation accumulation (Muller's ratchet). Here, we analyse genomic effects of hybridity, polyploidy and allelic divergence in apomictic plants, and identify loci under divergent selection among sexual/apomictic lineages. RNAseq was used to sequence the flower-specific transcriptomes of five genotypes of the Ranunculus auricomus complex, representing three sexual and two apomictic reproductive biotypes. The five sequence libraries were pooled and de novo assembly performed, and the resultant assembly was used as a backbone for a subsequent alignment of each separate library. High-quality single-nucleotide (SNP) and insertion-deletion (indel) polymorphisms were mined from each library. Annotated genes for which open reading frames (ORF) could be determined were analysed for signatures of divergent versus stabilizing selection. A comparison between all genotypes supports the hypothesis of Pleistocene hybrid origin of both apomictic genotypes from R. carpaticola and R. cassubicifolius, with subsequent allelic divergence of apomictic lineages (Meselson effect). Pairwise comparisons of nonsynonymous ( dN) to synonymous ( dS) substitution rate ratios between apomictic and sexual genotypes for 1231 genes demonstrated similar distributions for all comparisons, although 324 genes demonstrated outlier (i.e. elevated) dN/ dS ratios. Gene ontology analyses of these outliers revealed significant enrichment of genes associated with reproduction including meiosis and gametogenesis, following predictions of divergent selection between sexual and apomictic reproduction, although no significant signal of genome-wide mutation accumulation could be identified. The results suggest that gene function should be considered in order to understand effects of mutation accumulation in asexual lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a reflexive account of the tensions and dilemmas emerging from my experience as a woman qualitative researcher researching trauma and tragedy in communities. Framed as an autoethnography, using my conflictual childhood feelings about Goldilocks as an overarching metaphor, I will weave fairy tale and experience into an examination of the impact I can have on individuals, families, and communities in the course in pursuing research. I will attempt to highlight the edges of research culture and ethical conduct, the politics of trespass and the rights of individuals and communities while trying to discover what is "just right". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2 experiments, we investigated the effect of presentation rate on both immediate (5 min) and delayed (2 days) cued recall of paired associates. Word pairs were presented for a total of 16 s per pair, with presentation duration of individual presentations varying from 1 to 16 s. In Experiment 1, participants studied word pairs with presentation rates of 16 × 1 s, 8 × 2 s, 4 × 4 s, 2 × 8 s, or 1 × 16 s. A nonmonotonic relationship was found between presentation rate and cued recall performance. Both short (e.g., 1 s) and long (e.g., 16 s) presentation durations resulted in poor immediate and delayed recall, compared with intermediate presentation durations. In Experiment 2, we replicated these general findings. Moreover, we showed that the 4 s condition resulted in less proportional forgetting than the 1 s and the 16 s conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to the hypothesis of extended cognition (HEC), parts of the extrabodily world can constitute cognitive operations. I argue that the debate over HEC should be framed as a debate over the location and bounds of cognitive systems. The “Goldilocks problem” is how to demarcate these systems in a way that is neither too restrictive nor too permissive. I lay out a view of systems demarcation on which cognitive systems are sets of mechanisms for producing cognitive processes that are bounded by transducers and effectors: structures that turn physical stimuli into representations, and representations into physical effects. I show how the transducer–effector view can stop the problem of uncontrolled cognitive spreading that faces HEC, and illustrate its advantages relative to other views of system individuation. Finally, I argue that demarcating systems by transducers and effectors is not question-begging in the context of a debate over HEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We present Goldilocks: a Python package providing functionality for collecting summary statistics, identifying shifts in variation, discovering outlier regions and locating and extracting interesting regions from one or more arbitrary genomes for further analysis, for a userprovided definition of interesting. Availability and implementation: Goldilocks is freely available open-source software distributed under the MIT licence. Source code is hosted publicly at https://github.com/SamStudio8/goldilocks and the package may also be installed using pip install goldilocks. Documentation can be found at https://goldilocks.readthedocs.org. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ranunculus auriconius complex is an interesting model system for studying the evolution and diversity of apomictic polyploid complexes. It comprises hundreds of agamospecies, usually referred to two distinct morpho- types (traditionally named "R. auricomus" and "R. cassubicus") which are connected by several intermediate forms. Here we try to elucidate the evolution of apomictic "cassubicus" morphotypes and we test criteria for different classification concepts by combining the information of molecular phylogenetic, morphological, karyological and population genetic data (AFLPs, amplified fragment length polymorphism). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the nrDNA ITS and plastid data (matK, trnk,psbJ-psbA) suggest a deep split between the diploid sexual species R. notabilis ("auricomus" morphotype) from the closely related allopatric taxa R. cassubicifolius and R. carpaticola ("cassubicus"). The apomictic "cassubicus" morphotypes are not monophyletic, as one, R. hungaricus, groups with R. notabilis, which may be due to hybrid origin. Morphometric studies and ploidy level determinations via Feulgen densitometry show a transition from 4x R. hungaricus to the 6x aponlictic hybrid derivatives of R. cassubicifolius and R. carpaticola. In two accessions, AFLPs and flow cytometric data suggest local gene flow among different apomictic polyploid morphotypes. Frequent facultative sexuality of apomicts may increase genetic diversity by continuous formation of new cytotypes, local hybridization and introgression, which obstructs the fixation of distinct agamospecies. We conclude that "R. cassubicus" and "R. auricomus" cannot be regarded as species but should be treated as either informal groups, or as (notho)taxa at the sectional level. To reflect the different evolutionary processes involved, we propose a separate classification of the sexual species, R. notabilis and the closely related species pair R. cassubicifolius and R. carpaticola. Based on these well-defined biological species, the apomictic biotypes can be classified as nothotaxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study on evolutionary process that can lead to the emergence of institutions and to instantiation in a variety of forms and locations. The author notes that the current work on how emotions link with internal psychological commitments can be usefully mined for insights about how legal institutions can effectively channel social inclinations toward cooperation and conflict. He adds that the law may reflect internalized norms, but may also be needed at precisely the point at which such norms leave off.

Sources and implications of genetic diversity in agamic complexes are still under debate. Population studies (amplified fragment length polymorphisms, microsatellites) and karyological methods (Feulgen DNA image densitometry and flow cytometry) were employed for characterization of genetic diversity and ploidy levels of 10 populations of Ranunculus carpaticola in central Slovakia . Whereas two diploid populations showed high levels of genetic diversity, as expected for sexual reproduction, eight populations are hexaploid and harbour lower degrees of genotypic variation, but maintain high levels of heterozygosity at many loci, as is typical for apomicts. Polyploid populations consist either of a single AFLP genotype or of one dominant and a few deviating genotypes.genotype/genodive and character incompatibility analyses suggest that genotypic variation within apomictic populations is caused by mutations, but in one population probably also by recombination. This local facultative sexuality may have a great impact on regional genotypic diversity. Two microsatellite loci discriminated genotypes separated by the accumulation of few mutations (‘clone mates’) within each AFLP clone. Genetic diversity is partitioned mainly among apomictic populations and is not geographically structured, which may be due to facultative sexuality and/or multiple colonizations of sites by different clones. Habitat differentiation and a tendency to inhabit artificial meadows is more pronounced in apomictic than in sexual populations. We hypothesize that maintenance of genetic diversity and superior colonizing abilities of apomicts in temporally and spatially heterogeneous environments are important for their distributional success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were performance differences for subjects with age-related maculopathy (ARM) reading with optical devices or closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) based upon amount of training. Performance was measured as reading speed and duration. METHODS In the first experiment ninety subjects participated in an experiment comparing two models of training: a traditional model (TM) consisting of 10 optical device training sessions and 15 CCTV training sessions was compared to a shorter training model termed the empirical model (EM) derived from a post hoc review of training records. The EM consisted of five optical device training sessions with five practice sessions and seven CCTV trainings sessions with eight practice sessions. In the second experiment the EM was compared to a training model used by many private agencies/clinics termed the private sector model (PS) that consisted of one optical device training session or two CCTV training sessions. RESULTS Reading speeds for optical devices were significantly better for subjects in the EM groups compared to the TM or PS groups. Subjects trained on a CCTV in the EM group also attained significantly greater reading speeds than did subjects in the TM or PS groups. Reading durations for optical devices and CCTVs did not vary significantly between training models. CONCLUSIONS Training provided significant improvement in reading speeds for patients with central visual field loss; however, there was a dosage effect. The effect mirrored the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears when she found the porridge was too hot, too cold, or just right. Our comparison of training models found that too much or too little training could be provided and either extreme will have a negative impact on reading speed. The data suggests that a 'just right' dosage of training can maximize the efficacy of low vision reading interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fashion is an essential part of human experience and an industry worth over $1.7 trillion. Important choices such as hiring or dating someone are often based on the clothing people wear, and yet we understand almost nothing about the objective features that make an outfit fashionable. In this study, we provide an empirical approach to this key aesthetic domain, examining the link between color coordination and fashionableness. Studies reveal a robust quadratic effect, such that that maximum fashionableness is attained when outfits are neither too coordinated nor too different. In other words, fashionable outfits are those that are moderately matched, not those that are ultra-matched (“matchy-matchy”) or zero-matched (“clashing”). This balance of extremes supports a broader hypothesis regarding aesthetic preferences–the Goldilocks principle–that seeks to balance simplicity and complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]