bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of bovine serum albumin on a mixed-mode resin - influence of salts and the pH value
Authors: Kreusser Jannette , Hasse Hans , Jirasek Fabian
Published: May 2023

The separation and purification of proteins is often carried out by chromatography. Mixed-mode adsorbents are interesting as they may combine favorable features of different chromatographic methods, such as ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Systematic experimental studies and models of adsorption isotherms of proteins on mixed-mode resins covering a wide range of parameters are still rare, which hampers both the scientific analysis of the complex processes that occur upon the adsorption of proteins on these resins as well as the practical separation design. Therefore, such studies were carried out in the present work for a model system: the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the mixed-mode resin Toyopearl MX-Trp-650M, which combines features of IEC and HIC resins. Adsorption isotherms were measured using sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium sulfate at ionic strengths up to 3000 mM and for pH 4.0, 4.7, and 7.0 at 25 $$^\circ$$

∘

C. In the studied pH ranges, BSA exhibits strongly varying net charges and undergoes a conformational change. At pH 4.0 and 4.7, an exponential decay of the BSA adsorption with increasing ionic strength was found at ionic strengths up to approximately 1000 mM, while a rather linear increase was observed at higher ionic strengths for all studied salts; for all salts and ionic strengths, decreasing adsorption with increasing pH value was found. Moreover, a mathematical model was developed, which enables the prediction of equilibrium adsorption isotherms of BSA on Toyopearl MX-Trp-650M for any ionic strength of the studied salts.
Combining Weather Station Data and Short-Term LiDAR Deployment to Estimate Wind Energy Potential with Machine Learning: A Case Study from the Swiss Alps
Authors: Kristianti Fanny , Dujardin Jérôme , Gerber Franziska , Huwald Hendrik , Hoch Sebastian W. , Lehning Michael
Published: May 2023

Wind energy potential in complex terrain is still poorly understood and difficult to quantify. With Switzerland’s current efforts to shift to renewable energy resources, it is now becoming even more crucial to investigate the hidden potential of wind energy. However, the country’s topography makes the assessment very challenging. We present two measurement campaigns at Lukmanier and Les Diablerets, as representative areas of the complex terrain of the Swiss Alps. A general understanding of local wind flow characteristics is achieved by comparing wind speed measurements from a near-surface ultra-sonic anemometer and from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) measurements further aloft. The measurements show how the terrain modifies synoptic wind for example through katabatic flows and effects of local topography. We use an artificial neural network (ANN) to combine the data from the measurement campaign with wind speed measured by weather stations in the surrounding area of the study sites. The ANN approach is validated against a set of LiDAR measurements which were not used for model calibration and also against wind speed measurements from a 25-meter mast, previously installed at Lukmanier. The statistics of the ANN output obtained from multi-year time series of nearby weather stations match accurately the ones of the mast data. However, for the rather short validation periods from the LiDAR, the ANN has difficulties in predicting lowest wind speeds at both sites, and highest wind speeds at Les Diablerets.
Risk factors associated with left atrial appendage thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation by transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Wang Xingpeng , Xu Xiang , Wang Wenting , Huang Haiyun , Liu Feng , Wan Chen , Yao Qing , Li Huakang , Zhang Zhihui , Song Zhiyuan
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study investigated possible mechanism of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis and constructed a model to evaluate the future risk of LAA thrombosis and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 2591 patients diagnosed with NVAF. Patients were divided based on the presence of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) into a thrombus group, SEC group, and control group. General, biochemical, and echocardiography data of the three groups were analyzed. The variables independently associated with LAA thrombosis and SEC were determined by the logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was constituted based on the regression analysis and the discriminatory ability was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: LAA thrombosis and SEC were present in 110 (4.2%) patients and 103 (3.9%) patients, respectively. AF type (OR = 1.857), previous stroke (OR = 1.924), fibrinogen (OR = 1.636), diameters of the left atria (OR = 1.094), left ventricular ejection fraction (OR = 0.938), and LAA maximum caliber (OR = 1.238) resulted as independent risk factors for LAA thrombosis and SEC. The area under curve of the nomogram established by multivariate logistic regression was 0.824. Conclusions; Through the study, 6 independent risk factors related to the LAA thrombosis and SEC were found, and an effective nomogram was constructed to predict the LAA thrombosis and SEC in NVAF patients.
Environmental fluid mechanics of minimum energy loss weirs: hydrodynamics and self-aeration at Chinchilla MEL weir during the November–December 2021 flood event
Authors: Chanson Hubert , Apelt Colin J.
Published: May 2023

During the recent decades, a number of overflow embankment protection systems were implemented. One design is the Minimum Energy Loss (MEL) weir, developed to pass large flood events with minimum energy loss and low erosion. Several MEL weirs have successfully operated for decades in Australian catchments affected by heavy tropical and sub-tropical rainfalls with very flat gradients. Their historical performances are discussed and confirmed the design capability to pass large floods with small afflux and very small energy loss and little environmental impact including no significant erosion at the abutments. During a major flood, visual and quantitative observations were undertaken at the Chinchilla MEL weir. On the smooth converging chute, the observations showed that the inception of self‐aeration was a three‐dimensional process with a gradual change in free‐surface roughness, from a smooth glassy free-surface to a very-rough choppy surface. An optical technique (OF) was implemented to derive the contour maps of surface velocities based upon video movies taken from a sturdy tripod. The self-aerated flow velocity data were close to the backwater equation in the self‐aerated region, while highlighting regions of high- and low-velocities across the chute. The OF data showed large streamwise surface velocity fluctuations in the aerated flow region, consistent with the broad literature on self-aerated flow measurements. The ratio of transverse to streamwise surface turbulence intensity indicated a strong anisotropy of the free-surface turbulence.
Gambling Harm Experienced by Children Exposed to Parental Gambling: An Online Survey of Australians
Authors: Suomi Aino , Lucas Nina , Dowling Nicki , Delfabbro Paul
Published: May 2023

Although child wellbeing is known to be negatively affected by gambling, relatively little is known about the specific harms experienced by children exposed to parental gambling problems. The current study aimed to better understand gambling harm directly attributed to regular parental gambling in key areas of child wellbeing: financial, psychological, interpersonal wellbeing and intergenerational transmission of problem gambling. Using data from a national survey of Australian adults exposed to parental gambling under the age of 18 (n = 211), the results show that parental gambling was related significant levels of financial harm, abuse, neglect as well as relational and psychological problems as a direct result of parental gambling. The likelihood of experiencing gambling harms was positively associated with parental problem gambling severity. Harmful impacts of parental gambling as a child were also associated with a range of psychological problems in adulthood including depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and intimate partner violence victimisation. Parental problem gambling severity was negatively associated with own lifetime gambling problems, suggesting a specific pattern of intergenerational transmission of problem gambling in children of regular, or heavy, gamblers. This research highlights the need for more supports for families with children in which at least one parent gambles regularly.
On Magnetic Field Screening and Expulsion in Hydride Superconductors
Authors: Hirsch J. E. , Marsiglio F.
Published: May 2023

Reference [1] presents evidence for magnetic field screening and “subtle” evidence for magnetic field expulsion in hydrides under high pressure, which is argued to support the claim that these materials are high temperature superconductors. We point out here that data presented in different figures of Ref. [1] are inconsistent (i) with one another, (ii) with other work by the same authors on the same samples [2, 3], and (iii) with the expected behavior of standard superconductors. This suggests that these magnetic phenomena reported for these materials are not associated with superconductivity, undermining the claim that these materials are high temperature superconductors.
An explorative analysis of pharmacovigilance data of oxytocin and its analogue carbetocin, with a focus on haemodynamic adverse effects
Authors: Stämpfli Dominik , Dommrich Rebecca , Orbach-Zinger Sharon , Burden Andrea M. , Heesen Michael
Published: May 2023

Background

Oxytocin and its analogue carbetocin are uterotonics whose prophylactic use is recommended to prevent postpartum haemorrhage, which is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide. However, both drugs can cause specific adverse effects and haemodynamic challenges.

Aim

The aim of this work was to exploratively examine reports of adverse drug events of both drugs and to establish a comparative haemodynamic profile.

Method

Using data extracted from the World Health Organization’s pharmacovigilance database VigiBase, a descriptive analysis was performed of all reports for oxytocin and carbetocin as a suspected or interacting drug followed by a disproportionality analysis for haemodynamic events. Reporting odds ratios (ROR) of carbetocin for hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia, and bradycardia were calculated, with oxytocin-related reports serving as comparators.

Results

Oxytocin and carbetocin were mentioned as suspected or interacting drugs in 11,258 and 374 reports, respectively. Resulting RORs for carbetocin were 3.45 (95%CI: 1.72–6.92) for hypertension, 2.65 (1.64–4.28) for hypotension, 2.84 (1.79–4.49) for tachycardia, and 2.00 (0.87–4.60) for bradycardia, when compared to oxytocin. Of 231 patients for whom oxytocin-related tachycardia was reported, 2.6% died, and of 91 patients for whom bradycardia was reported, 2.2% died. No deaths were reported with carbetocin for any of the haemodynamic adverse events.

Conclusion

Compared to oxytocin, carbetocin showed an elevated reporting for adverse hypertension, hypotension, and tachycardia in pharmacovigilance data. Clinicians should be aware of their patients' individual susceptibility and the possibility of haemodynamic deterioration until causal inferences are possible.
Bi-functional photocatalytic heterostructures combining titania thin films with carbon quantum dots (C-QDs/TiO2) for effective elimination of water pollutants
Authors: Falara Pinelopi P. , Ibrahim Islam , Zourou Adamantia , Sygellou Labrini , Sanchez David Emanuel , Romanos George Em. , Givalou Lida , Antoniadou Maria , Arfanis Michalis K. , Han Changseok , Terrones Mauricio , Kordatos Konstantinos V.
Published: May 2023

In this study, carbon quantum dots (C-QDs), prepared via hydrothermal-microwave procedures, were successfully combined with nanostructured titania (TiO2). The photocatalytic oxidation/reduction activity of the C-QDs/TiO2 composite films was evaluated in the decomposition of organic-inorganic contaminants from aqueous solutions under UV illumination. Physicochemical characterizations were applied to investigate the crystal structure of the carbon quantum dots and the composites. It was found that the prepared C-QDs/TiO2 composites had great contribution to the photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) species and 4-Nitrophenol (PNP) as well as to the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes. The mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction was studied with trapping experiments, revealing that the electron (e−) radical species were powerfully supported for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr+6 and PNP and the holes (h+) are the main active species for the photocatalytic oxidation reactions.
Sex and Gender Differences in Psychosocial Risk Profiles Among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease — the THORESCI-Gender Study
Authors: van den Houdt Sophie C. M. , Mommersteeg Paula M. C. , Widdershoven Jos , Kupper Nina
Published: May 2023

Background

Psychosocial factors tend to cluster and exhibit differences associated with sex assigned at birth. Gender disparities, though, remain uncharted so far. The current study aimed to first explore the clustering of eight established psychosocial risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), followed by examining how sex and gender differences characterize these psychosocial risk profiles, while adjusting for the effect of age.

Method

In total, 532 patients with CHD (Mage = 68.2 ± 8.9; 84% male) completed the comprehensive psychosocial screener and questionnaires to gauge gender identity, traits, and sociocultural norm scores. A three-step latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify latent profiles and their correlates.

Results

LPA revealed six psychosocial risk profiles: (1) somewhat distressed overall (32%); (2) low distress (27%); (3) anger, hostility, and Type D (15%); (4) emotional distress and trauma (11%); (5) anxiety (9%); and (6) high overall distress (7%). Masculine traits and older age increased the odds to belong to the low distress profile (#2), while feminine traits and a feminine gender norm score increased the chance to belong to profiles with moderate to high distress. The effects of gender identity and feminine traits were sex dependent.

Conclusion

The current study’s findings explain heterogeneity among patients with CHD by considering the joint occurrence of psychosocial risk factors, and the role of sex, age, and gender within those profiles. Being more sensitive to the roles that sex, gender, and an integrated set of risk factors play may ultimately improve treatment and adherence.
Medical School Clinical Trials Educational Intervention: Impact on Knowledge and Attitudes
Authors: Anzai Nicole E. , Wieland Jana , Kasuya Richard T. , Higuchi Paula , Cassel Kevin
Published: May 2023

Medical student knowledge and opinions of clinical research have important ramifications for how likely they will be to refer patients into clinical trials as practicing physicians. This study examined students understanding, knowledge, and attitudes about clinical trials at the start of medical school and after completion of a multi-faceted intervention designed to increase medical students’ confidence in understanding and explaining clinical trials during the pre-clinical and clinical years. Medical students were surveyed about their knowledge of and attitudes toward clinical trials in their first (N = 724) and third (N = 191) years of medical school. During the intervening years, students attend a lecture delivered by University of Hawai ‘i Cancer Center faculty, were provided a resource manual from National Cancer Institute, participated in two problem-based learning clinical scenarios, and completed an optional practicum. After completing the comprehensive clinical trials education, there were significant increases in student understanding and knowledge and a decrease in student perception that clinical trials exploit participants. Most students agreed or strongly agreed that inclusion of clinical trials in the curriculum was important and would influence their future practice. Integration of clinical trials education into the medical school curriculum improved students’ understanding of clinical research, their ability to communicate the clinical trials process, and confidence in conducting, referring to, and locating clinical trials. Medical students appreciate the importance of clinical trials in advancing medicine and medical education. Further integration of clinical trials education and opportunities to engage in research during medical school are warranted to address students’ uncertainty about the benefits of participation for patients.
Does practice make perfect? Laparoscopic training mainly improves motion efficiency: a prospective trial
Authors: von Bechtolsheim Felix , Petzsch Stefanie , Schmidt Sofia , Schneider Alfred , Bodenstedt Sebastian , Funke Isabel , Speidel Stefanie , Radulova-Mauersberger Olga , Distler Marius , Weitz Jürgen , Mees Soeren Torge , Oehme Florian
Published: May 2023

Training improves skills in minimally invasive surgery. This study aimed to investigate the learning curves of complex motion parameters for both hands during a standardized training course using a novel measurement tool. An additional focus was placed on the parameters representing surgical safety and precision. Fifty-six laparoscopic novices participated in a training course on the basic skills of minimally invasive surgery based on a modified Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) curriculum. Before, twice during, and once after the practical lessons, all participants had to perform four laparoscopic tasks (peg transfer, precision cut, balloon resection, and laparoscopic suture and knot), which were recorded and analyzed using an instrument motion analysis system. Participants significantly improved the time per task for all four tasks (all p < 0.001). The individual instrument path length decreased significantly for the dominant and non-dominant hands in all four tasks. Similarly, both hands became significantly faster in all tasks, with the exception of the non-dominant hand in the precision cut task. In terms of relative idle time, only in the peg transfer task did both hands improve significantly, while in the precision cut task, only the dominant hand performed better. In contrast, the motion volume of both hands combined was reduced in only one task (precision cut, p = 0.01), whereas no significant improvement in the relative time of instruments being out of view was observed. FLS-based skills training increases motion efficiency primarily by increasing speed and reducing idle time and path length. Parameters relevant for surgical safety and precision (motion volume and relative time of instruments being out of view) are minimally affected by short-term training. Consequently, surgical training should also focus on safety and precision-related parameters, and assessment of these parameters should be incorporated into basic skill training accordingly.
A systematic literature review on sustainability issues along the value chain in insurance companies and pension funds
Authors: Aburto Barrera Laura Iveth , Wagner Joël
Published: May 2023

Sustainability is now a priority issue that governments, businesses and society in general must address in the short term. In their role as major global institutional investors and risk managers, insurance companies and pension funds are strategic players in building socio-economic and sustainable development. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of action and research on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the insurance and pension sectors, we conduct a systematic literature review. We rely on the PRISMA protocol and analyze 1 731 academic publications available in the Web of Science database up to the year 2022 and refer to 23 studies outside of scientific research retrieved from the websites of key international and European organizations. To study the corpus of literature, we introduce a classification framework along the insurance value chain including external stakeholders. The main findings reveal that risk, underwriting and investment management are the most researched areas among the nine categories considered in our framework, while claims management and sales tend to be neglected. Regarding ESG factors, climate change, as part of the environmental factor, has received the most attention in the literature. After reviewing the literature, we summarize the main sustainability issues and potential related actions. Given the current nature of the sustainability challenges for the insurance sector, this literature review is relevant to academics and practitioners alike.
Secure data sharing with blockchain for remote health monitoring applications: a review
Authors: Upadrista Venkatesh , Nazir Sajid , Tianfield Huaglory
Published: May 2023

Remote Health Monitoring (RHM) is going to reinvent the future healthcare industry and bring about abundant value to hospitals, doctors, and patients by overcoming the many challenges currently being faced in monitoring patient’s well-being, promoting preventive care, and managing the quality of drugs and equipment. Despite the many benefits of RHM, it is yet to be widely deployed due to the healthcare data security and privacy challenges. Healthcare data are highly sensitive and require fail-safe measures against unauthorized data access, leakages, and manipulations, and as such, there are stringent regulations governing how healthcare data can be secured, communicated, and stored, such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The challenges and regulatory demands in RHM applications can be addressed using blockchain technology due to its distinguishing features of decentralization, immutability, and transparency to address the challenges of data security and privacy. This article will provide a systematic review on the use of blockchain in RHM, focusing primarily on data security and privacy.
Pseudonymität: Elemente einer Theorie
Authors: Multhammer Michael
Published: May 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag versucht Pseudonymität nicht als eine Mangelerscheinung – das Fehlen eines Klarnamens – im paratextuellen Gefüge zu beschreiben, sondern nach genuinen Bedeutungsmöglichkeiten jenseits von Dechiffrierung zu fragen. Dafür rücken sprachphilosophische Überlegungen zu Eigenschaften von Eigennamen ebenso in den Blick wie konzeptuelle Gemeinsamkeiten von Pseudonym und Metapher. Ziel ist es, die poetologisch relevanten Seiten pseudonymen Publizierens deutlich zu machen und dergestalt das Feld für eine Kulturgeschichte der Pseudonymität zu eröffnen.
Underground Home Stories
Authors: Thomalla Erika
Published: May 2023

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Funktion pseudonymer Autorschaft im Popjournalismus um 1980. Anhand der Kolumnen von Andreas Banaski alias Kid P. wird gezeigt, dass das Pseudonym nicht dazu diente, den Namen des realen Verfassers zu verschleiern – denn die Szenen waren so klein, dass jeder wusste, wer hinter dem Decknamen stand –, sondern eine diskursive Funktion erfüllte. In den Klatschkolumnen über die subkulturellen Szenen Hamburgs, Berlins oder Düsseldorfs, die Kid P. verfasste, ging es darum, Widersprüche in den Lebensformen und verdrängte soziale Hierarchien offenzulegen. Das Pseudonym leistete eine Distanzierung, die markierte, dass es sich nicht um eine persönliche Invektive, sondern um ein rollenhaftes Sprechen handelte. Zugleich lassen sich die Kolumnen als Reflexion auf die Frage nach der Gestaltbarkeit von Identitäten lesen.
The essence of being a year nine teacher
Authors: Ambrosy Josh
Published: May 2023

Year nine students present a perpetual problem to schools and teachers alike. Typically aged 14 or 15 years old, year nines simultaneously experience puberty and adolescence. These converging life stages result in students’ whom teachers have described as being lost, disengaged and, more alarmingly, in never-never land. A largely unrecognised group of schools and teachers in Victoria, Australia, have chosen a novel approach to engaging year nine students through specific schooling structures and targeted curriculum—I term these approaches year nine programmes. These programmes typically involve different structures to mainstream schooling, including residential components, a greater focus on learning through experience and the use of an integrated curriculum. This paper shares the stories of six teachers who work on one such programme. The stories of the teachers are shared using phenomenological found poetry in search of the ‘essences’ of being a year nine teacher. Through the presentation of these essences, I argue that teachers of year nine programmes are required to have an accoutrement of skills, in addition to the skills needed by teachers who work in more mainstream settings.
Governmentality Versus Community: The Impact of the COVID Lockdowns
Authors: Wallace Claire , Mytna-Kurekova Lucia , Leon Margarita , O’Reilly Jacqueline , Blome Constantin , Bussi Margarita , Faith Becky , Finney Mark , Leschke Janine , Ruffa Chiara , Russell Emma , AhSchøyen Mi , Thurer Matthias , Unt Marge , Verdin Rachel
Published: May 2023

The COVID lockdowns were characterised by new forms of governmentality as lives were disrupted and controlled through the vertical transmission of biopolitics by the state. The paper considers how this was experienced by academics in 11 different countries through analysis of diaries written during the first lockdown. The paper asks if communities can offer an alternative to governmentality by looking at three levels: the national, the neighbourhood and the personal. Whilst at a national level the idea of community was instrumentalised to encourage compliance to extraordinary measures, at the local level community compassion through helping neighbours encouraged horizontal connections that could offer a “space” within the dominant logic of governmentality. At the level of personal communities, the digitalisation of social relationships helped to create supportive networks over widely dispersed areas but these were narrowly rather than widely focused, avoiding critical discussion.
Cohen strongly p-summing holomorphic mappings on Banach spaces
Authors: Jiménez-Vargas A. , Saadi K. , Sepulcre J. M.
Published: May 2023

Let E and F be complex Banach spaces, U be an open subset of E and $$1\le p\le \infty .$$

1
≤
p
≤
∞
.

We introduce and study the notion of a Cohen strongly p-summing holomorphic mapping from U to F,  a holomorphic version of a strongly p-summing linear operator. For such mappings, we establish both Pietsch Domination/Factorization Theorems and analyse their linearizations from "Equation missing" (the canonical predual of "Equation missing") and their transpositions on "Equation missing" Concerning the space "Equation missing" formed by such mappings and endowed with a natural norm "Equation missing" we show that it is a regular Banach ideal of bounded holomorphic mappings generated by composition with the ideal of strongly p-summing linear operators. Moreover, we identify the space "Equation missing" with the dual of the completion of tensor product space "Equation missing" endowed with the Chevet–Saphar norm $$g_p.$$

g
p

.
The Authoritarian International
Authors: Hall Stephen G. F.
Published: May 2023

Stephen Hall argues that democracies can preserve their norms and values from increasing attacks and backsliding by better understanding how authoritarian regimes learn. He focuses on the post-Soviet region, investigating two established authoritarian regimes, Belarus and Russia, and two hybrid-regimes, Moldova and Ukraine, with the aim of explaining the concept of authoritarian learning and revealing the practices that are developed and the sources of that learning. Hall finds clear signs of collaboration between countries in developing best survival practices between authoritarian-minded elites, and demonstrates that learning does not just occur between states, rather it can happen at the intra-state level, with elites learning lessons from previous regimes in their own countries. He highlights the horizontal nature of this learning, with authoritarian-minded elites developing methods from a range of sources to ascertain the best practices for survival. Post-Soviet regional organisations are crucial for the development and sharing of these survival practices as they provide 'learning rooms' and training exercises.
Fatwa and the Making and Renewal of Islamic Law
Authors: Awass Omer
Published: May 2023

In this book, Omer Awass examines the formation, history, and transformation of the Islamic legal discourse and institutions through the lens of a particular legal practice: the issuance of fatwas (legal opinions). Tracing the growth of Islamic law over a vast geographical expanse -from Andalusia to India - and a long temporal span - from the 7th to the 21st century, he conceptualizes fatwas as the 'atomic units' of Islamic law. Awass argues that they have been a crucial element in the establishment of an Islamic legal tradition. He also provides numerous case studies that touch on economic, social, political, and religious topics. Written in an accessible style, this volume is the first to offer a comprehensive investigation of fatwas within such a broad spatio-temporal scope. It demonstrates how instrumental fatwas have been to the formation of Islamic legal traditions and institutions, as well as their unique forms of reasoning.
The Battle to Control Female Fertility in Modern Ireland
Authors: Daly Mary E.
Published: May 2023

The Irish battle for legal contraception was a contest over Irish exceptionalism: the belief that Ireland could resist global trends despite the impact of second-wave feminism, falling fertility, and a growing number of women travelling for abortion. It became so lengthy and so divisive because it challenged key tenets of Irish identity: Catholicism, large families, traditional gender roles, and sexual puritanism. The Catholic Church argued that legalising contraception would destroy this way of life, and many citizens agreed. The Battle to Control Female Fertility in Modern Ireland provides new insights on Irish masculinity and fertility control. It highlights women's activism in both liberal and conservative camps, and the consensus between the Catholic and Protestant churches views on contraception for single people. It also shows how contraception and the Pro-Life Amendment campaign affected policy towards Northern Ireland, and it examines the role of health professionals, showing how hospital governance prevented female sterilisation. It is a story of gender, religion, social change, and failing efforts to reaffirm Irish moral exceptionalism.
Standing Out from the Crowd via CSR Engagement: Evidence from Non-Fundamental-Driven Price Pressure
Authors: Gao Lei , He Jie (Jack) , Wu Juan (Julie)
Published: May 2023

We test the signaling view of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement using two complementary quasi-natural experiments that impose exogenous negative pressure on stock prices. Firms under such adverse price pressure increase CSR activities compared to otherwise similar firms. This effect concentrates among firms with stronger signaling incentives, namely, those facing greater information asymmetry, more product market competition, higher shareholder litigation risk, and higher stock price crash risk. Firms under the exogenous negative price pressure mainly improve CSR strengths, including costly environmental investments. We also find that CSR engagement attracts socially responsible investors and lowers the cost of capital for signaling firms.
Low-rank tensor methods for partial differential equations
Authors: Bachmayr Markus
Published: May 2023

Low-rank tensor representations can provide highly compressed approximations of functions. These concepts, which essentially amount to generalizations of classical techniques of separation of variables, have proved to be particularly fruitful for functions of many variables. We focus here on problems where the target function is given only implicitly as the solution of a partial differential equation. A first natural question is under which conditions we should expect such solutions to be efficiently approximated in low-rank form. Due to the highly nonlinear nature of the resulting low-rank approximations, a crucial second question is at what expense such approximations can be computed in practice. This article surveys basic construction principles of numerical methods based on low-rank representations as well as the analysis of their convergence and computational complexity.
Three liquid assets
Authors: Amendola Nicola , Carbonari Lorenzo , Ferraris Leo
Published: May 2023

We examine a theoretical model of liquidity with three assets—money, government bonds, and equity—that are used for transaction purposes. Money and bonds complement each other in the payment system. The liquidity of equity is derived as an equilibrium outcome. Liquidity cycles arise from the loss of confidence of the traders in the liquidity of the system. Both open market operations and credit easing play a beneficial role for different purposes.
Neutral weed communities: the intersection between crop productivity, biodiversity, and weed ecosystem services
Authors: Esposito Marco , Westbrook Anna S. , Maggio Albino , Cirillo Valerio , DiTommaso Antonio
Published: May 2023

Weeds are a fundamental component of agroecosystems and, if not appropriately managed, can cause severe crop yield losses. New perspectives on weed management are required, because current approaches, such as herbicide application or soil tillage, have significant environmental and agronomic drawbacks. We propose the concept of “neutral weed communities,” which are weed communities that coexist with crops and do not negatively affect crop yield and quality compared with weed-free conditions. Management practices that promote neutral weed communities can enable reduced use of herbicides and soil tillage while enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity. We report scientific evidence of neutral weed communities and survey ecological explanations for why different weed communities have different effects on crop production. We also propose two weed management approaches for attaining neutral weed communities. The first approach aims to maximize weed biodiversity using traditional approaches such as cropping system diversification and integrated weed management. Higher weed biodiversity is associated with lower dominance of competitive weed species that reduce crop yield. The second approach relies on modern tools such as robots and biotechnology to manipulate the density of specific weed species. This approach can remove highly problematic species and minimize niche overlap between the weeds and crops. Given the complexity of interactions among crops, weeds, and other components of the agroecosystem, we highlight the need for multidisciplinary research to illuminate mechanisms that determine the neutrality of weed communities.
Frontogenesis Elevates the Maximum Chlorophyll a Concentration at the Subsurface Near the Kuroshio During Well‐Stratified Seasons
Authors: Ito D. , Kodama T. , Shimizu Y. , Setou T. , Hidaka K. , Ambe D. , Sogawa S.
Published: May 2023

The contribution that fronts and frontogenesis make to subsurface chlorophyll a (CHL) concentration was investigated near the Kuroshio using data from multiple surveys across the Kuroshio during summer and fall and satellite sea surface height (SSH) data alongside high‐resolution reanalysis data set. An intensive survey was conducted during a period of frontogenesis as seen from the in‐situ and satellite‐derived velocity data as well as the analysis of the reanalysis data set. Physical and biological observation showed shoaling of the nitracline and a subsurface CHL maximum (SCM) near the evolving front. The CHL concentration at the SCM (CHLSCM) was large near the front compared with the concentration in ambient water. Sections of 10 repeat seasonal surveys also captured the frontal structure, the shoaling of the nitracline, and the increase in CHLSCM as well as their interrelationship. The CHLSCM was large, and the depth of the SCM (ZSCM) was shallow above a large horizontal density gradient (i.e., marked mesoscale frontal structure) in the ocean interior. In addition, we demonstrate that the lateral strain rate, which is a measure of frontogenesis obtained from the SSH, can be used to estimate ZSCM and CHLSCM. Frontogenesis, secondary circulation, symmetric instability, and vertical diffusion were considered to cause the nutrient supply to the subsurface layer. The surveys and analysis indicate that fronts and frontogenesis increase CHLSCM, and the physical data obtained from both in‐situ and satellite observations can be used to estimate CHL distribution in the ocean interior.
The Simulated Source Apportionment of Light Absorbing Aerosols: Effects of Microphysical Properties of Partially‐Coated Black Carbon
Authors: Luo Jie , Li Zhengqiang , Qiu Jibing , Zhang Ying , Fan Cheng , Li Li , Wu Hailing , Zhou Peng , Li Kaitao , Zhang Qixing
Published: May 2023

Biomass burning (BB) fractions estimated with the aethalometer model differ from 0 even for pure aerosols from fossil fuel (FF) combustion. We used black carbon (BC) aerosols partially‐coated with non‐absorbing materials to represent typical FF aerosols, and the BB fractions were determined with the aethalometer model. Thus, the estimated BB fractions are the fractions that FF aerosols are incorrectly attributed to BB aerosols. The BC morphology and mixing state have significant effects on the estimation of BB fractions. For freshly emitted BC, the BB fractions do not deviate significantly from 0, and the BB fraction is generally in the range of −1%–10% based on an FF absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) of 1 and a BB AAE of 2. The BB fraction deviates substantially from 0 when BC becomes compact and is coated. The absolute values of the deviations sometimes can be close to 100% for heavily coated BC. The BB fraction is generally greater than 0 for fluffy BC while compact BC generally exhibits a negative BB fraction. The BB fractions of partially‐coated BC are very sensitive to the size distribution and coating ratio, which is consistent with the results of the core‐shell sphere model. We have also performed a series of studies with different configurations for BC morphologies, coating ratios, and mixing states, which show the variations of the estimated BB fractions with atmospheric aging. We also explain the reasons for the uncertainties in the BB fraction estimates and provide suggestions for using different AAE pairs.
Exploring the Influence of Input Feature Space on CNN‐Based Geomorphic Feature Extraction From Digital Terrain Data
Authors: Maxwell Aaron E. , Odom William E. , Shobe Charles M. , Doctor Daniel H. , Bester Michelle S. , Ore Tobi
Published: May 2023

Many studies of Earth surface processes and landscape evolution rely on having accurate and extensive data sets of surficial geologic units and landforms. Automated extraction of geomorphic features using deep learning provides an objective way to consistently map landforms over large spatial extents. However, there is no consensus on the optimal input feature space for such analyses. We explore the impact of input feature space for extracting geomorphic features from land surface parameters (LSPs) derived from digital terrain models (DTMs) using convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based semantic segmentation deep learning. We compare four input feature space configurations: (a) a three‐layer composite consisting of a topographic position index (TPI) calculated using a 50 m radius circular window, square root of topographic slope, and TPI calculated using an annulus with a 2 m inner radius and 10 m outer radius, (b) a single illuminating position hillshade, (c) a multidirectional hillshade, and (d) a slopeshade. We test each feature space input using three deep learning algorithms and four use cases: two with natural features and two with anthropogenic features. The three‐layer composite generally provided lower overall losses for the training samples, a higher F1‐score for the withheld validation data, and better performance for generalizing to withheld testing data from a new geographic extent. Results suggest that CNN‐based deep learning for mapping geomorphic features or landforms from LSPs is sensitive to input feature space. Given the large number of LSPs that can be derived from DTM data and the variety of geomorphic mapping tasks that can be undertaken using CNN‐based methods, we argue that additional research focused on feature space considerations is needed and suggest future research directions. We also suggest that the three‐layer composite implemented here can offer better performance in comparison to using hillshades or other common terrain visualization surfaces and is, thus, worth considering for different mapping and feature extraction tasks.
Anthropogenic Bromoform at the Extratropical Tropopause
Authors: Jia Yue , Hahn Josefine , Quack Birgit , Jones Edward , Brehon Meghan , Tegtmeier Susann
Published: May 2023

Bromoform (CHBr3) contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion but is not regulated under the Montreal Protocol due to its short lifetime and large natural sources. Here, we show that anthropogenic sources contribute significantly to the amount of CHBr3 transported into the Northern Hemisphere (NH) extratropical stratosphere. We present a new CHBr3 emission inventory comprised of natural and anthropogenic sources, with the latter estimated from ship ballast, power plant cooling and desalination plant brine water. Including anthropogenic sources in the new inventory increases CHBr3 emissions by up to 31.5% globally and 70.5% in the NH. In consequence, atmospheric CHBr3 is also significantly higher, especially over the NH extratropics during boreal winter. Here anthropogenic sources enhance bromine at the tropopause by 0.9 ppt Br, thus doubling natural CHBr3 abundances. For some latitudes, tropopause bromine increases by 2.4 ppt Br suggesting significant contributions of anthropogenic CHBr3 to the NH lowermost stratosphere.
Integrating Psychology Into Pediatric Audiology/Otolaryngology Clinics: Gaps and a Model of Care
Authors: Hoffman Michael F. , Landsman Rachel A. , Fasano-McCarron Matthew E. , Schoffstall Sarah J. , Witkin Gregory A. , Parkes William J.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

This manuscript reviews what is known about psychopathology and neurodevelopmental outcomes in deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) children, identifies current research and clinical gaps, and presents a model of care for integrating psychology into pediatric otolaryngology/audiology clinics that serve DHH patients and their families.

Methods:

This manuscript uses a literature review and clinical reflection/peer collaboration to develop a model of integrated psychological services for pediatric psychologists in otolaryngology/audiology clinics.

Results:

DHH children and their families often require support beyond the traditional focus on speech/language delays. Additional concerns include increased rates of co-occurring psychological conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression), early and potentially persistent changes in neurological/neurobehavioral functioning with or without atypical language development, high levels of caregiver-reported distress, and additional medical complexities.

Conclusions:

Traditionally, models of multidisciplinary care for DHH children have centered on a triad of otolaryngologists, audiologists, and speech/language pathologists. However, the reviewed data clearly show these models leave numerous unmet needs that psychologists can help address. Incorporating psychologists into pediatric otolaryngology/audiology clinic settings that serve DHH patients is an essential ingredient in high-quality care that helps meet the needs of the “whole child.”

Implications for Impact Statement

DHH children and families are an at-risk and underserved group that frequently interacts with the pediatric health care system. This paper presents the first model of care for integrating psychologists into the medical/audiological settings that serve these patients.
p140Cap inhibits β-Catenin in the breast cancer stem cell compartment instructing a protective anti-tumor immune response
Authors: Salemme Vincenzo , Vedelago Mauro , Sarcinella Alessandro , Moietta Federico , Piccolantonio Alessio , Moiso Enrico , Centonze Giorgia , Manco Marta , Guala Andrea , Lamolinara Alessia , Angelini Costanza , Morellato Alessandro , Natalini Dora , Calogero Raffaele , Incarnato Danny , Oliviero Salvatore , Conti Laura , Iezzi Manuela , Tosoni Daniela , Bertalot Giovanni , Freddi Stefano , Tucci Francesco A. , De Sanctis Francesco , Frusteri Cristina , Ugel Stefano , Bronte Vincenzo , Cavallo Federica , Provero Paolo , Gai Marta , Taverna Daniela , Turco Emilia , Pece Salvatore , Defilippi Paola
Published: May 2023

The p140Cap adaptor protein is a tumor suppressor in breast cancer associated with a favorable prognosis. Here we highlight a function of p140Cap in orchestrating local and systemic tumor-extrinsic events that eventually result in inhibition of the polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell function in creating an immunosuppressive tumor-promoting environment in the primary tumor, and premetastatic niches at distant sites. Integrative transcriptomic and preclinical studies unravel that p140Cap controls an epistatic axis where, through the upstream inhibition of β-Catenin, it restricts tumorigenicity and self-renewal of tumor-initiating cells limiting the release of the inflammatory cytokine G-CSF, required for polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells to exert their local and systemic tumor conducive function. Mechanistically, p140Cap inhibition of β-Catenin depends on its ability to localize in and stabilize the β-Catenin destruction complex, promoting enhanced β-Catenin inactivation. Clinical studies in women show that low p140Cap expression correlates with reduced presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and more aggressive tumor types in a large cohort of real-life female breast cancer patients, highlighting the potential of p140Cap as a biomarker for therapeutic intervention targeting the β-Catenin/ Tumor-initiating cells /G-CSF/ polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell axis to restore an efficient anti-tumor immune response.
Two single-point mutations in Ankyrin Repeat one drastically change the threshold temperature of TRPV1
Authors: Hori Shogo , Tateyama Michihiro , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Kubo Yoshihiro , Saitoh Osamu
Published: May 2023

TRPV1 plays an important role in the thermosensory system; however, the mechanism controlling its heat activation property is not well understood. Here, we determine the heat activation properties of TRPV1 cloned from tailed amphibians, which prefer cooler environments, finding the threshold temperatures were approximately 10 °C lower compared with rat TRPV1 (rTRPV1). We find that two amino acid residues (Gln, Leu/Val) in the Ankyrin Repeat 1 (ANK1) region of the N-terminal domain are conserved among tailed amphibians and different from those (Arg, Lys) in rTRPV1. We observe the activation by heat in all urodelan TRPV1s is markedly elevated by substitution of these two amino acids. Conversely, reciprocal substitutions of rTRPV1 apparently lowers the high threshold temperature. Our studies demonstrate that tailed amphibians express TRPV1 with a reduced heat-activation threshold by substitution of two amino acid residues in the ANK1 region that likely contribute to cool-habitat selection.