Invader disruption of belowground plant mutualisms reduces carbon acquisition and alters allocation patterns in a native forest herb

Invasive plants impose novel selection pressures on naïve mutualistic interactions between native plants and their partners. As most plants critically rely on root fungal symbionts (RFSs) for soil resources, invaders that disrupt plant–RFS mutualisms can significantly depress native plant fitness. Here, we investigate the consequences of RFS mutualism disruption on native plant fitness in a glasshouse experiment with a forest invader that produces known anti‐fungal allelochemicals. Over 5 months, we regularly applied either green leaves of the allelopathic invader Alliaria petiolata, a nonsystemic fungicide to simulate A. petiolata's effects, or green leaves of nonallelopathic Hesperis matronalis (control) to pots containing the native Maianthemum racemosum and its RFSs. We repeatedly measured M. racemosum physiology and harvested plants periodically to assess carbon allocation. Alliaria petiolata and fungicide treatment effects were indistinguishable: we observed inhibition of the RFS soil hyphal network and significant reductions in M. racemosum physiology (photosynthesis, transpiration and conductance) and allocation (carbon storage, root biomass and asexual reproduction) in both treatments relative to the control. Our findings suggest a general mechanistic hypothesis for local extinction of native species in ecosystems challenged by allelopathic invaders: RFS mutualism disruption drives carbon stress, subsequent declines in native plant vigor, and, if chronic, declines in RFS‐dependent species abundance

Analysing Arguments in Networked Conversations: The Context of Student Teachers

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the method of meaning implication discourse analysis can be applied in the context of online collaborative reflective practice of student teachers. The method was developed to identify knowledge building in networked contexts. It derives from the model of meaning implication developed by Piaget, and the model of “schematization” proposed by Grize. It also borrows from the knowledge building theory developed by Scardamalia and Bereiter. The method allows understanding knowledge construction as an evolving process of conceptual change and learning through argumentation. We present two studies in which online “conversations” of pre-service teachers are analyzed. Contributions for higher education are discussed.L’objectif de cet article est de démontrer comment la méthode d’analyse du discours fondée sur l’implication signifi ante permet d’analyser la pratique réfl exive d’étudiants en enseignement dans un contexte de collaboration en réseau. Cette méthode a été développée dans le but de repérer la coélaboration de connaissances dans ce contexte. Elle provient du modèle de l’implication signifi ante développé par Piaget ainsi que du modèle de la schématisation proposé par Grize, et s’inspire aussi de la théorie de la coélaboration des connaissances de Scardamalia et Bereiter. La méthode permet de comprendre la construction des connaissances comme étant un processus de changement conceptuel et d’apprentissage rendu possible par l’argumentation. Nous présentons deux études dans lesquelles les « conversations » en réseau d’étudiants en enseignement sont analysées. La contribution que cette méthode peut apporter au domaine de l’éducation universitaire est par la suite discutée

Risk-stratified breast cancer screening incorporating a polygenic risk score: a survey of UK General Practitioners’ knowledge and attitudes

A polygenic risk score (PRS) quantifies the aggregated effects of common genetic variants in an individual. A ‘personalised breast cancer risk assessment’ combines PRS with other genetic and nongenetic risk factors to offer risk-stratified screening and interventions. Large-scale studies are evaluating the clinical utility and feasibility of implementing risk-stratified screening; however, General Practitioners’ (GPs) views remain largely unknown. This study aimed to explore GPs’: (i) knowledge of risk-stratified screening; (ii) attitudes towards risk-stratified screening; and (iii) preferences for continuing professional development. A cross-sectional online survey of UK GPs was conducted between July–August 2022. The survey was distributed by the Royal College of General Practitioners and via other mailing lists and social media. In total, 109 GPs completed the survey; 49% were not familiar with the concept of PRS. Regarding risk-stratified screening pathways, 75% agreed with earlier and more frequent screening for women at high risk, 43% neither agreed nor disagreed with later and less screening for women at lower-than-average risk, and 55% disagreed with completely removing screening for women at much lower risk. In total, 81% felt positive about the potential impact of risk-stratified screening towards patients and 62% felt positive about the potential impact on their practice. GPs selected training of healthcare professionals as the priority for future risk-stratified screening implementation, preferring online formats for learning. The results suggest limited knowledge of PRS and risk-stratified screening amongst GPs. Training—preferably using online learning formats—was identified as the top priority for future implementation. GPs felt positive about the potential impact of risk-stratified screening; however, there was hesitance and disagreement towards a low-risk screening pathway

Jack vertex operators and realization of Jack functions

We give an iterative method to realize general Jack functions from Jack functions of rectangular shapes. We first show some cases of Stanley's conjecture on positivity of the Littlewood-Richardson coefficients, and then use this method to give a new realization of Jack functions. We also show in general that vectors of products of Jack vertex operators form a basis of symmetric functions. In particular this gives a new proof of linear independence for the rectangular and marked rectangular Jack vertex operators. Thirdly a generalized Frobenius formula for Jack functions was given and was used to give new evaluation of Dyson integrals and even powers of Vandermonde determinant.Comment: Expanded versio

Magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic half-Heusler compound NdBiPt

We present results of single crystal neutron diffraction experiments on the rare-earth, half-Heusler antiferromagnet (AFM) NdBiPt. This compound exhibits an AFM phase transition at $T_{\mathrm N}=2.18$~K with an ordered moment of $1.78(9)$~$\mu_{\mathrm B}$ per Nd atom. The magnetic moments are aligned along the $[001]$-direction, arranged in a type-I AFM structure with ferromagnetic planes, alternating antiferromagnetically along a propagation vector $\tau$ of $(100)$. The $R$BiPt ($R$= Ce-Lu) family of materials has been proposed as candidates of a new family of antiferromagnetic topological insulators (AFTI) with magnetic space group that corresponds to a type-II AFM structure where ferromagnetic sheets are stacked along the space diagonal. The resolved structure makes it unlikely, that NdBiPt qualifies as an AFTI.Comment: As resubmitted to PRB, corrected typos and changed symbols in Fig.

Rodrigues Formula for the Nonsymmetric Multivariable Hermite Polynomial

Applying a method developed by Takamura and Takano for the nonsymmetric Jack polynomial, we present the Rodrigues formula for the nonsymmetric multivariable Hermite polynomial.Comment: 5 pages, LaTe

Rodrigues Formula for Hi-Jack Symmetric Polynomials Associated with the Quantum Calogero Model

The Hi-Jack symmetric polynomials, which are associated with the simultaneous eigenstates for the first and second conserved operators of the quantum Calogero model, are studied. Using the algebraic properties of the Dunkl operators for the model, we derive the Rodrigues formula for the Hi-Jack symmetric polynomials. Some properties of the Hi-Jack polynomials and the relationships with the Jack symmetric polynomials and with the basis given by the QISM approach are presented. The Hi-Jack symmetric polynomials are strong candidates for the orthogonal basis of the quantum Calogero model.Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX file using jpsj.sty (ver. 0.8), cite.sty, subeqna.sty, subeqn.sty, jpsjbs1.sty and jpsjbs2.sty (all included.) You can get all the macros from ftp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/pub/SOCIETY/JPSJ

Rodrigues Formula for the Nonsymmetric Multivariable Laguerre Polynomial

Extending a method developed by Takamura and Takano, we present the Rodrigues formula for the nonsymmetric multivariable Laguerre polynomials which form the orthogonal basis for the $B_{N}$-type Calogero model with distinguishable particles. Our construction makes it possible for the first time to algebraically generate all the nonsymmetric multivariable Laguerre polynomials with different parities for each variable.Comment: 6 pages, LaTe