bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Tribological and Rheological Behaviour of Hybrid Nanolubricants for Applications in Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: del Río José M. Liñeira , Rial Ramón , Nasser Khodor , Guimarey María J. G.
Published: February 2023

In this study, the improvement in SAE 10W-40 engine oil tribological performance after the addition of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoadditive and two different phosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated. Besides, the rheological behaviour of MgO-based nanolubricant and IL-based hybrid nanolubricants at the temperature range from 293.15 to 363.15 K was studied. The nanoparticle characterization was performed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tribological properties, friction coefficients and wear parameters of the formulated oil modified with 0.01 wt% MgO and 1 wt% ILs compared with the neat 10W-40 oil were performed and analysed using a ball-on-three-pins tribometer and a 3D optical profilometer, respectively. Further analysis on the worn surface was shown by Raman spectroscopy and SEM images illustrating the formation of the protective IL and MgO tribo-films as hybrid additives. In friction tests with sliding steel-steel tribo-pairs, IL3-based hybrid nanolubricant decreased the coefficient of friction and wear volume by 7% and 59%, respectively, in comparison with the neat SAE 10W-40, hence better positive synergies were found for MgO and IL3 as hybrid additives. Interestingly, the thermophysical characterization by rheology also revealed that the nanoparticle and ionic liquids addition did not affect neither the viscosity response nor the Newtonian behaviour of the engine oil, adequately meeting the requirements for their use in internal combustion engines.

Graphical Abstract
When Should the Master Answer? Respondeat Superior and the Criminal Law
Authors: Silver Kenneth
Published: February 2023

Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine conferring liability from one party onto another because the latter stands in some relationship of authority over the former. Though originally a doctrine of tort law, for the past century it has been used within the criminal law, especially to the end of securing criminal liability for corporations. Here, I argue that on at least one prominent conception of criminal responsibility, we are not justified in using this doctrine in this way. Firms are not answerable for the crimes committed by their employees, because firms cannot answer as to why the crime was committed; they lack the authority to offer the employee’s reasons for action. Though this rules out respondeat superior as a general principle, I show contexts in which vicarious liability is still appropriate in the criminal law, and I respond to a number of other concerns raised by this picture.
Science under pressure: how research is being challenged by the 2030 Agenda
Authors: Büttner Leonie , Darbi Marianne , Haase Annegret , Jax Kurt , Lepenies Robert , Priess Jörg , Zeug Walther
Published: February 2023

In this comment, we scrutinize how research is being challenged by the 2030 Agenda and what may be required for research to contribute to transformative change toward sustainability. Building on the current debate and state of knowledge, we argue that we need a stronger engagement with norms and values within science. Conflicting goals, values and visions need to be made explicit and taken into account in the (co-)production of knowledge in a transparent way. This requires the ability for normative reflection on the part of scientists, both about the norms at play and their own role. To produce transformative-oriented knowledge needed for the implementation of the sustainable development goals, we argue, fundamental changes are required within the science system, from the production to the assessment of knowledge.
Effect of Tannins on Cholesterol Content and Its Oxidation in Egg Pasta as Related to Different Pasta Shapes
Authors: Bonciolini Ambra , Cantele Carolina , Salgarella Nicolò Ivan , Zeppa Giuseppe , Bertolino Marta , Cardenia Vladimiro
Published: February 2023

Egg pasta contains high amount of cholesterol, that upon oxidation, generates oxysterols (COPs), which play a key role in the onset of several human diseases. In this study, the effect of two tannins (esters of ellagic acid, A; esters of gallic acid, B) at three different concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00%) was tested in egg pasta considering two different pasta shapes (squared, S; rectangular, F). When tannin B was added, the total phenolic content (TPC) in fresh pasta increased (p < 0.01) and after cooking its content was greater than those obtained with tannin A. The pasta shape affected the presence of cholesterol; its amount in uncooked F shape samples (27.67 ± 0.28 mg/g pasta) was higher than that found in S shape (21.18 ± 0.49 mg/g pasta). In addition, tannin B significantly (p < 0.01) increased the presence of cholesterol in the cooking water (up to 1.04 ± 0.05 μg/mL), in particular in S pasta shape. Tannin B was also greater than tannin A to reduce the content of COPs in fresh egg pasta, while the cooking process did not impact (p > 0.05) the oxidation of cholesterol. The results suggest that tannin B could be applied in the formulation of egg pasta as a strategy for reducing the content of cholesterol and its oxidation products.
Work stressors and their controllability: Content analysis of employee perceptions of hindrances to the flow of work in the health care sector
Authors: Lahti Heidi , Kalakoski Virpi
Published: February 2023

High levels of work stress are prevalent today, and the underlying working conditions need to be tackled urgently. In this study, our aim was to identify the range of factors that employees themselves perceive as hindrances to the flow of work, that is, hindrance stressors. We analysed the open-ended questionnaire responses of 4766 employees working in the health care sector using semi-automated content analysis. We then used more detailed conventional content analysis to compare the responses of the groups that reported high (n = 1388) and low (n = 833) levels of subjective stress. Finally, we interpreted and categorised the stressors raised by the respondents from the viewpoint of controllability, to shed light on where to target interventions. The main hindrance stressors reflected inadequate staffing, work overload, time pressure, and management-related issues, of which the responses revealed concrete examples. Interruptions and problems related to cooperation and instructions were also commonly mentioned. The respondents in the high stress group emphasised work overload and issues related to management and clients. Our results suggest that the major hindrances to daily work are beyond employees’ control and require decisions and resources at the level of supervisors, managers, directors, and policymakers. Future studies on work stress should explore the controllability of common stressors in more detail and include the appraisal of controllability in explanatory models. Avoiding overemphasis of psychological coping and instead targeting harmful working conditions and the organisational actors who can influence these could make workplace stress management interventions more effective.
Resolution of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection with prolonged intravenous remdesivir and vaccination in a patient post CAR-T
Authors: Ambati Sai , Ali Bazga , Seddon Owen , Godkin Andrew , Scurr Martin , Moore Catherine , Rowntree Clare , Underwood Jonathan
Published: February 2023

SARS-CoV-2 virus is a single-stranded enveloped RNA virus, which causes coronavirus disease. Most of the immunocompetent patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection do have mild to moderate respiratory illness; however, in immunocompromised patients, the course of infection is unpredictable with high rates of infectivity and mortality. So, it is important to identify the immunocompromised patients early and establish the course of treatment accordingly. Here, we describe a 25-year-old male with background of B cell ALL, post-BMT and CAR-T therapy who received treatment with remdesivir and vaccination and was followed up for six months from the onset of symptoms to post vaccination, which showed resolution of symptoms and improvement of immunological markers. Here, we review the literature concerning the course and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection aimed at achieving cure in this patient.
A Greener Facile Approach to Develop Durable Multifunctional Cellulosic Pigment Prints Using β-CD, ZnO-NPs and Several Bioactive Guest Molecules
Authors: Ibrahim Nabil A. , El-Zairy Enas M. , Allah Shimaa S. Abd , Emam El-Amir M.
Published: February 2023

In the present work, β-CD, ZnO-NPs, and several eco-friendly bioactive guests, namely, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, lavender oil, and vanillin along with environmentally benign pigment paste constituents were applied to cotton, viscose, cotton/viscose, and cotton/linen cellulosic substrates to develop durable multi-functional pigment prints in a single step using the pad-dry-thermofixation method. The developed one-step pigment coloration and multi-functionalization method resulted in a remarkable improvement in antibacterial efficacy, UV-protection ability, aroma property along with a noticeable increase in depth of the obtained pigment prints, making them very useful for a wide range of potential applications. The extent of enhancement in the above-mentioned functional and coloration properties is governed by type of cellulosic substrate, presence of β-CD/ZnO-NPs, type of bioactive agent as well as kind of pigment colorant. Among the used bioactive agents, lavender oil proved to be the best for attaining multi-functional and pigment coloration properties, keeping other parameters constant. The obtained results also demonstrated that increasing washing cycles up to 15 washes resulted in a slight decrease in the imparted functional and coloration properties, regardless of the used cellulosic substrate. Both SEM images and EDX spectra confirmed the surface modification and ZnO-NPs immobilization onto the selected fabric surfaces. Mode of interactions among the different printing paste constituents and the cellulosic substrates were also suggested.
Adsorption of cationic dye on nanostructured biocarbons: kinetic and thermodynamic study
Authors: Bazan-Wozniak Aleksandra , Pietrzak Robert
Published: February 2023

Nanostructured bio-adsorbents were prepared by physical or chemical activation of the residue of supercritical extraction of raspberry seed. Their physicochemical properties were determined by elemental analysis, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Boehm titration and scanning electron microscopy. The biocarbon obtained as a result of physical activation of the precursor showed basic character of the surface and its SBET was 700 m2/g. The chemical activation of the residue of supercritical extraction of raspberry seed with potassium carbonate favored generation of acidic functional groups and SBET of this biocarbon was 1177 m2/g. The nanostructured biocarbons were used for removal of Rhodamine B from its aqueous solutions. The process was best described by the Langmuir isotherm and the maximum capacity of the monolayer was 181.82 mg/g and 277.83 mg/g for the physically and chemically activated samples, respectively. The adsorption energy obtained from the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm indicated that the process observed was physisorption, while the kinetics of the process was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The negative values of Gibbs free energy indicated the spontaneous character of the process. For the chemically activated sample, the highest sorption capacities toward Rhodamine B were obtained in an acidic environment, while for the physically activated sample—in a basic environment. The yield of desorption decreased for the media: distilled water > hydrochloric acid > acetic acid, which means that Rhodamine B molecules were weakly bound to the biocarbon surface.
Trait-based approach revealed the seasonal variation of mesozooplankton functional groups in the South Yellow Sea
Authors: Zhang Zhishuang , Chen Hongju , Li Yixuan , Ge Ruping , Liu Guangxing , Ali Shaukat , Zhuang Yunyun
Published: February 2023

Functional traits determine the fitness of organisms and mirror their ecological functions. Although trait-based approaches provide ecological insights, it is underexploited for marine zooplankton, particularly with respect to seasonal variation. Here, based on four major functional traits, including body length, feeding type, trophic group, and reproduction mode, we quantified the seasonal variations of mesozooplankton functional groups in the South Yellow Sea (SYS) in the spring, summer, and autumn of 2018. Strong seasonal dynamics were identified for all traits but patterns varied among traits. Small zooplankton (47.7–88.6%), omnivores–herbivores (81.3–97.6%), and free spawners (54.8–92.5%) dominated in three seasons, while ambush feeders and current feeders dominated in spring (45.7%), and autumn (73.4%), respectively. Cluster analysis of the functional traits showed that the mesozooplankton in the SYS can be classified into eight functional groups. The biogeographic and seasonal variations of functional groups can be partially explained by environmental drivers. Group 1, represented by omnivores–herbivores, was the most dominant functional group, the abundance of which peaked in spring and was positively correlated with chlorophyllaconcentration, indicating its close association with phytoplankton dynamics. The contribution of giant, active ambush carnivores, passive ambush carnivore jellyfish, current omnivores–detritivores, and parthenogenetic cladocerans increased with sea surface temperature. The proportion of giant, active ambush carnivores and active ambush omnivore–carnivore copepods decreased with salinity in autumn. This study presents a new perspective for understanding the dynamics of zooplankton and paves the way for further research on the functional diversity of zooplankton in the SYS.
Structural stability of thin-walled austempered ductile iron castings
Authors: Górny M. , Gondek Ł. , Angella G. , Tyrała E. , Kawalec M. , Bitka A.
Published: February 2023

The structural stability of ausferrite in thin-walled Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) castings with 5 mm wall thickness is compared to a reference casting with 25 mm wall thickness. The thin-walled and reference castings were first austenitized between 850 and 925 °C, and then austempered between 250 and 380 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations with changing temperature were performed between − 260 up to + 450 °C to investigate the change of phase fraction, lattice parameters and strain in ausferrite. The role of the austenitization temperature on structural stability and homogeneity of the investigated ADI castings has been provided. In addition, the problem of the occurrence of “blocky” high-carbon austenite that was not completely involved during austempering, has been taken into account. Finally, it has been shown that the thin-walled castings provided higher structural homogeneity and stability if compared to the reference castings.
White Literary Taste Production in Contemporary Book Culture
Authors: Dane Alexandra
Published: February 2023

Despite initiatives to 'diversify' the publishing sector, there has been almost no transformation to the historic racial inequality that defines the field. This Element argues that contemporary book culture is structured by practice that operates according to a White taste logic. By applying the notion of this logic to an analysis of both traditional and new media tastemaking practices, White Literary Taste Production in Contemporary Book Culture examines the influence of Whiteness on the cultural practice, and how the long-standing racial inequities that characterize Anglophone book publishing are supported by systems, institutions and platforms. These themes will be explored through two distinct but interrelated case studies-women's literary prizes and anti-racist reading lists on Instagram-which demonstrate the dominance of Whiteness, and in particular White feminism, in the contemporary literary discourse.
Disturbance growth in a laminar separation bubble subjected to free-stream turbulence
Authors: Jaroslawski Tomek , Forte Maxime , Vermeersch Olivier , Moschetta Jean-Marc , Gowree Erwin R.
Published: February 2023

Experiments were conducted to study the transition and flow development in a laminar separation bubble (LSB) formed on an aerofoil. The effects of a wide range of free-stream turbulence intensity (

$0.15\,\%< Tu<6.26\,\%$

) and streamwise integral length scale (

$4.6\ {\rm mm}<\varLambda _{u}<17.2\ {\rm mm}$

) are considered. The co-existence of modal instability due to the LSB and non-modal instability caused by streaks generated by free-stream turbulence is observed. The flow field is measured using hot-wire anemometry, which showed that the presence of streaks in the boundary layer modifies the mean-flow topology of the bubble. These changes in the mean flow field result in the modification of the convective disturbance growth, where an increase in turbulence intensity is found to dampen the growth of the modal instability. For a relatively fixed level of

$Tu$

, the variation of

$\varLambda _{u}$

has modest effects. However, a slight advancement of the nonlinear growth of disturbances and eventual breakdown with the decrease in

$\varLambda _{u}$

is observed. The data show that the streamwise growth of the disturbance energy is exponential for the lowest levels of free-stream turbulence and gradually becomes algebraic as the level of free-stream turbulence increases. Once a critical turbulence intensity is reached, there is enough energy in the boundary layer to suppress the laminar separation bubble, resulting in the non-modal instability taking over the transition process. Linear stability analysis is conducted in the fore position of the LSB. It accurately models incipient disturbance growth, unstable frequencies and eigenfunctions for configurations subjected to turbulence intensity levels up to 3 %, showing that the mean-flow modification due to the non-modal instability dampens the modal instability.
ON THE DOUBLING CONDITION IN THE INFINITE-DIMENSIONAL SETTING
Authors: KOSZ DARIUSZ
Published: February 2023

We present a systematic approach to the problem whether a topologically infinite-dimensional space can be made homogeneous in the Coifman–Weiss sense. The answer to the question is negative, as expected. Our leading representative of spaces with this property is
$\mathbb {T}^\omega = \mathbb {T} \times \mathbb {T} \times \cdots $
with the natural product topology.
Description ofParavulvus zhongshanensissp. nov. (Dorylaimida: Nygolaimidae) from Nanjing, China
Authors: Sun S. , Zeng Q.L. , Qing X. , Li H. , Álvarez-Ortega S.
Published: February 2023

Paravulvus zhongshanensissp. nov., isolated from soil in a location at Jiangsu Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characterizations. The new species is characterized by its body 1.17–1.53 mm long, lip region offset by marked constriction and 12.1–13.8 μm broad, mural tooth deltoid and 9.6–11.7 μm long, neck 278–360 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 164–208 μm long or occupying more than one-half (54–62%) of total neck length, uterus 32.5–35.3 μm long or 1.0–1.1 times the corresponding body diameter,V= 47.8–53.4, paravulvae absent, female tail subcylindrical conoid (30.5–39.5 μm,c= 36.0–45.5,c′ = 1.7–2.2) with widely rounded end, and male unknown. The new species was compared with six known species of the genus includingParavulvus acuticaudatus,Paravulvus confusus,Paravulvus hartingii,Paravulvus iranicus,Paravulvus loofiandParavulvus microdontusmainly by similarities in having conical tail andc′ value larger than 1.3. The rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 genes of the new species were obtained and were used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships of the new species.
Digital Performance and Its Discontents (or, Problems of Presence in Pandemic Performance)
Authors: BAY-CHENG SARAH
Published: February 2023

For at least thirty years, scholars have debated the centrality of physical and embodied presence as essential to the experience of theatre and performance. A debate that was perhaps largely academic suddenly became a shared reality when COVID-19 shuttered live venues, closed universities and moved artists of all kinds online. Suddenly, much of the theatre world began acting for the (web)camera. This article considers the changing attitudes toward notions of theatrical presence before and throughout the pandemic and what these changes might mean for the future of live arts. In particular, it posits the intersection of theatre, film and media history as key to understanding digitally enhanced contemporary experiences and expectations of post-pandemic performances.
Post-performance: Pandemic Breach Experiments, Big Theatre Data, and the Ends of Theory
Authors: OTTO ULF
Published: February 2023

All became data during the pandemic. Lockdowns made manifest what had developed for some time: that theatre has become inextricably entangled with digital cultures, the performing arts being increasingly encountered as a growing stock of multimodal fragments, textual discourses and networked communications. And, it is argued, it is precisely this appearance of theatre as (big) data that might prove to be the game-changer post-pandemic, and that this game-changer might be solely an epistemological one: what is known about theatre, how that knowledge is organized, and who is involved in organizing this knowledge, are rapidly changing. Based on an exemplary analysis of the discourses of legitimation that compensated for the loss of presence in German theatres, and the associated imperative to innovate production, this article estimates the epistemological consequences of theatre returns as data to advocate for a reconceptualization of theatre beyond performance.
‘Dying … to Connect’: Postdigital Co-presence in Dead Centre's To Be a Machine (Version 1.0) (2020)
Authors: RADAK TAMARA
Published: February 2023

This article proposes to address the tension between digital co-presence and embodied spectatorship inaugurated by the pivot to online and hybrid forms of (post-)pandemic performance through the lens of the postdigital. The term is developed as a way of accounting for the complex mediatized co-presence between performer and audience in a representative example of this genre, Dead Centre's To Be a Machine (Version 1.0). As its theoretical framework, the article brings together the concept of ‘postdigital performance’ (Causey) with co-presence as a central element of liveness and spectatorship. It puts forth the hypothesis that To Be a Machine (Version 1.0) constructs a postdigital sense of co-presence that is characterized by a blurring of the lines between embodied and virtual spectatorship, temporal co-presence and real-time interaction with the remote audience, and an increased sense of emotional alignment with the remote audience in lieu of physical proximity.
Precarious Bodies: Locating Spectatorship in the National Theatre of Scotland's Scenes for Survival Series
Authors: TRONICKE MARLENA
Published: February 2023

This article examines Scenes for Survival, a series of short digital artworks co-created by the National Theatre of Scotland, BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland, for its intersecting dimensions of precarity. On the one hand, the series shows how a pandemic's challenges are unevenly distributed. On the other hand, it addresses the expressly precarious position of (post-)pandemic theatre – precarious in that theatre presupposes the co-presence of an audience of some sort. Drawing on Judith Butler's concept of embodied precarity, I explore how select monologues articulate a ‘new bodily ontology’, and what kind of audience is constructed in the process. As I suggest, Scenes for Survival proposes ways in which proximity and physical co-presence must be reconfigured, constructed across space and time. In doing so, the series adds to ongoing discussions of how to conceptualize digital spectatorship, especially in times when physical co-presence is impossible, and thus becomes an issue of vulnerability.
‘Close but Far, Human but Square, Normal but Exhausting’: Pandemic Theatre in Poland
Authors: BURZYŃSKA ANNA R.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this article is to explore different ways of countering the COVID-19 pandemic in Polish theatre that were not only attempts to provide protection against the potentially lethal coronavirus, but also attempts to actively combat other ‘viruses’: the capitalist compulsion for productivity and the exclusion of Others (the disabled, the elderly, women or LGBT+ people). Several Polish artists of the lockdown era (participants in the Quarantine Project, Beyond #quarantine and DIY 2020 Masterclasses, members of Theatre 21, Joanna Szczepkowska and Wojtek Ziemilski) have managed to draw the attention of a wider audience to these problems. During the pandemic, they practised the art of resistance in various ways, including the ‘art of failure’ as a resistance against neo-liberal systems. Therefore their projects can be seen as a dress rehearsal before the emergence of a post-pandemic, post-capitalist, post-growth, more ethically conscious theatre of the future.
IMF lending in sovereign default
Authors: Stefanidis Georgios
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) policy shift was the reason behind major changes in sovereign debt negotiation outcomes observed in 1989. The new policy, in marked departure from past policy, allowed the IMF to lend to nations in default. The paper highlights the stark improvements in debt forgiveness and post-negotiation debt servicing ability coincident with the IMF policy shift. A theoretical framework is proposed in which the IMF policy shift causes the observed changes in negotiation outcomes. The model highlights the policy’s potential to improve a country’s outside option during negotiations of defaulted debt. In the model, this improvement leads to increased debt forgiveness which in turn leads to less post-negotiation debt servicing difficulties. The model is then used to address an important question regarding the nature of post-negotiation default risk. The case is made that countries face persistent, rather than temporary, default risk after such negotiations. To avert such risk, they moderate their borrowing.
The Rise of the Legal Consultant
Authors: Leopold Matthew
Published: February 2023

In this article Matthew Leopold, Head of Brand and Communications at LexisNexis, discusses the rise of the legal consultant and concludes that while the platform model is positioned well as a disrupter, the traditional law firm model is not going away anytime soon, with talent retention likely to become the biggest challenge for all legal firms over the next few years.
Interactions between Child Labour and Schooling: Parental Perceptions in Rural and Urban Ghana
Authors: Adonteng-Kissi Obed
Published: February 2023

Understanding the interaction between child labour and schooling in rural and urban areas in Ghana is essential to implement the most appropriate intervention. I aimed to establish parental perceptions of the extent child labour interferes with schooling in rural and urban areas in Ghana. The participants recruited were from Ghana purposively sampled across rural areas (Ankaase, Anwiankwanta and Kensere), and urban areas (Jamestown, Korle Gonno and Chorkor) amongst sixty government officials, NGO representatives, and both parents whose children were and were not involved in child labour. The research utilises semi-structured interviews conducted with parents (ten), stakeholders (ten), focus groups (thirty); and participant observation techniques (ten) utilised to gather the needed data. Interviews were recorded, transcribed utilising a framework approach as the data analysis method. This article finds that the child labour in the rural areas is not always inconsistent with school attendance while, in the urban area, the two activities are incompatible.
Caloric restriction for the management of malignant tumors – from animal studies towards clinical translation
Authors: Margetis Aggelos T.
Published: February 2023

Abstract: In the last few years, numerous studies have demonstrated that dietary modifications in the form of calory restriction exert beneficial effects in several clinical entities, including aging-related pathologies, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Both as preventive but also as therapeutic modalities, these dietary regimens can impact systemic metabolism, immune and hormonal responses, redox balance and gut microbiota, among others. In the field of oncology, the vast majority of experimental work has explored the role of restricted diets in the prevention of malignant tumors, mostly in carcinogenesis-induced models, with at least encouraging results; on the contrary, less research has been performed in the management of full-blown cancer with ketogenic diet or caloric restriction protocols. Herein, we are aiming to review the relevant preclinical and clinical studies to date that investigate the role of caloric restriction in the treatment of established cancer.
Explaining Forcing Efficacy With Pattern Effect and State Dependence
Authors: Zhou C. , Wang M. , Zelinka M. D. , Liu Y. , Dong Y. , Armour K. C.
Published: February 2023

The magnitude of global surface temperature change in response to unit radiative forcing depends on the type and magnitude of forcing agent—a concept known as a “forcing efficacy.” However, the mechanisms behind the forcing efficacy are still unclear. In this study, we perform a set of simulations using CESM1 to calculate the efficacy of 10 different forcing agents defined in terms of fixed‐SST effective radiative forcing, and then use a Green's function approach to show that each forcing efficacy can be largely understood in terms of the radiative feedbacks associated with the different surface temperature patterns induced by the forcing agents (a pattern effect). We also quantify how the state dependence of feedbacks on global mean surface temperature anomalies impacts forcing efficacies. The results show that the forcing efficacy can be well reconstructed with a combination of pattern effect and state dependence.
Electron Densities and Temperatures in the Martian Ionosphere: MAVEN LPW Observations of Control by Crustal Fields
Authors: Andrews David J. , Stergiopoulou Katerina , Andersson Laila , Eriksson Anders I. E. , Ergun Robert E. , Pilinski Marcin
Published: February 2023

Mars Express and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) observations have demonstrated the influence of Mars's spatially variable crustal magnetic fields upon the configuration of the plasma in the ionosphere. This influence furthermore leads to variations in ionospheric escape, conceivably in part through the modification of the plasma density and electron temperature in the upper ionosphere. In this study, we examine MAVEN Langmuir Probe and Waves data, finding a clear correspondence between the structure of the crustal fields and both the measured electron temperatures and densities, by first constructing an “average” profile from which departures can be quantified. Electron temperatures are shown to be lower in regions of strong crustal fields over a wide altitude range. We extend previous analyses to cover the nightside ionosphere, finding the same effects present to a lesser degree, in contrast to previous studies where the opposite relationship was found between densities and crustal fields. We further determine the altitude range over which this coupling between both plasma density (and temperature) and crustal fields is effective and use measurements made by MAVEN in the solar wind to explore the dependence of this crustal field control on the coupling to the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Based on this, there is some suggestion that variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure are associated with modulation of the effects of the crustal fields on plasma density, whereas the strength of the IMF modulates the crustal fields effects on both electron densities and temperatures.
Climate Variations in the Past 250 Million Years and Contributing Factors
Authors: Li Xiang , Hu Yongyun , Yang Jun , Wei Mengyu , Guo Jiaqi , Lan Jiawenjing , Lin Qifan , Yuan Shuai , Zhang Jian , Wei Qiang , Liu Yonggang , Nie Ji , Xia Yan , Hu Shineng
Published: February 2023

We simulate climate variations in the past 250 million years (Myr), using the fully coupled Community Earth System Model version 1.2.2 (CESM1.2.2) with the Community Atmosphere Model version 4 (CAM4). Three groups of simulations are performed, each including 26 simulations, with a 10‐million‐year interval. The Control group is constrained by paleogeography, increasing solar radiation, and reconstructed global mean surface temperatures (GMSTs) by tuning CO2 concentrations. No ice sheets are prescribed for all simulations except for the pre‐industrial (PI) simulation in which modern geography, ice sheets and vegetation are used. Simulated zonal mean surface temperatures are always higher than those of proxy reconstructions in the tropics, but lower than those of proxy reconstructions at middle latitudes. The relative importance of individual contributing factors for surface temperature variations in the past 250 Myr is diagnosed, using the energy‐balance analysis. Results show that greenhouse gases are the major driver in regulating GMST variations, with a maximum contribution of 12.2°C. Varying surface albedo contributes to GMST variations by 3.3°C. Increasing solar radiation leads to GMST increases by 1.5°C. Cloud radiative effects have relatively weak impacts on GMST variations, less than ±0.8°C. For comparison, two groups of sensitivity simulations are performed. One group has the CO2 concentration fixed at 10 times the PI value, and the other group has fixed CO2 concentration of 10 times the PI value and fixed solar radiation at the present‐day value, showing that varying both paleogeography and solar constant and varying paleogeography alone result in GMST changes by 7.3°C and 5.6°C, respectively.
Neurocognitive effects of stress: a metaparadigm perspective
Authors: Kim Eun Joo , Kim Jeansok J.
Published: February 2023

Stressful experiences, both physical and psychological, that are overwhelming (i.e., inescapable and unpredictable), can measurably affect subsequent neuronal properties and cognitive functioning of the hippocampus. At the cellular level, stress has been shown to alter hippocampal synaptic plasticity, spike and local field potential activity, dendritic morphology, neurogenesis, and neurodegeneration. At the behavioral level, stress has been found to impair learning and memory for declarative (or explicit) tasks that are based on cognition, such as verbal recall memory in humans and spatial memory in rodents, while facilitating those that are based on emotion, such as differential fear conditioning in humans and contextual fear conditioning in rodents. These vertically related alterations in the hippocampus, procedurally observed after subjects have undergone stress, are generally believed to be mediated by recurrently elevated circulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis effector hormones, glucocorticoids, directly acting on hippocampal neurons densely populated with corticosteroid receptors. The main purposes of this review are to (i) provide a synopsis of the neurocognitive effects of stress in a historical context that led to the contemporary HPA axis dogma of basic and translational stress research, (ii) critically reappraise the necessity and sufficiency of the glucocorticoid hypothesis of stress, and (iii) suggest an alternative metaparadigm approach to monitor and manipulate the progression of stress effects at the neural coding level. Real-time analyses can reveal neural activity markers of stress in the hippocampus that can be used to extrapolate neurocognitive effects across a range of stress paradigms (i.e., resolve scaling and dichotomous memory effects issues) and understand individual differences, thereby providing a novel neurophysiological scaffold for advancing future stress research.
An old friend with a new face: tRNA-derived small RNAs with big regulatory potential in cancer biology
Authors: Di Fazio Arianna , Gullerova Monika
Published: February 2023

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) essential for protein translation. Emerging evidence suggests that tRNAs can also be processed into smaller fragments, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), a novel class of sncRNAs with powerful applications and high biological relevance to cancer. tsRNAs biogenesis is heterogeneous and involves different ribonucleases, such as Angiogenin and Dicer. For many years, tsRNAs were thought to be just degradation products. However, accumulating evidence shows their roles in gene expression: either directly via destabilising the mRNA or the ribosomal machinery, or indirectly via regulating the expression of ribosomal components. Furthermore, tsRNAs participate in various biological processes linked to cancer, including apoptosis, cell cycle, immune response, and retroviral insertion into the human genome. It is emerging that tsRNAs have significant therapeutic potential. Endogenous tsRNAs can be used as cancer biomarkers, while synthetic tsRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides can be employed to regulate gene expression. In this review, we are recapitulating the regulatory roles of tsRNAs, with a focus on cancer biology.
Cuproptosis: p53-regulated metabolic cell death?
Authors: Xiong Chen , Ling Hong , Hao Qian , Zhou Xiang
Published: February 2023

Cuproptosis is a novel type of copper-induced cell death that primarily occurs in cells that utilize oxidative phosphorylation as the main metabolic pathway to produce energy. Copper directly associates with the lipoylated proteins of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leading to the disulfide-bond-dependent aggregation of these lipoylated proteins, destabilization of the iron-sulfur cluster proteins, and consequent proteotoxic stress. Cancer cells prefer glycolysis (Warburg effect) to oxidative phosphorylation for producing intermediate metabolites and energy, thereby achieving resistance to cuproptosis. Interestingly, the tumor suppressor p53 is a crucial metabolic regulator that inhibits glycolysis and drives a metabolic switch towards oxidative phosphorylation in cancer cells. Additionally, p53 regulates the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters and the copper chelator glutathione, which are two critical components of the cuproptotic pathway, suggesting that this tumor suppressor might play a role in cuproptosis. Furthermore, the possible roles of mutant p53 in regulating cuproptosis are discussed. In this essay, we review the recent progress in the understanding of the mechanism underlying cuproptosis, revisit the roles of p53 in metabolic regulation and iron-sulfur cluster and glutathione biosynthesis, and propose several potential mechanisms for wild-type and mutant p53-mediated cuproptosis regulation.
Views of healthcare professionals on the inclusion of genes associated with non-syndromic hearing loss in reproductive genetic carrier screening
Authors: Freeman Lucinda , Delatycki Martin B. , Scully Jackie Leach , Briggs Nancy , Kirk Edwin P.
Published: February 2023

Genes associated with non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) are frequently included in panels for reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS), despite a lack of consensus on whether NSHL is a condition appropriate for inclusion in RGCS. We conducted a national online survey using a questionnaire to explore the views of clinicians who facilitate RGCS or provide care to deaf individuals in Australia and New Zealand regarding the inclusion of such genes in RGCS. Results were analysed descriptively, and free-text responses were analysed thematically. The questionnaire was completed by 386 respondents including genetic healthcare providers, obstetricians, ear nose and throat specialists, and general practitioners. The majority of respondents agreed that genes associated with NSHL should be included in RGCS, but there were differences between the groups. 74% of clinicians working in a hearing clinic agreed these genes should be included compared to 67% of genetic healthcare providers, 54% of reproductive care healthcare providers, and 44% of general practitioners. A majority of respondents agreed that moderate to profound deafness is a serious disability, although genetic healthcare providers were less likely to agree than other groups. Overall, respondents agreed that including NSHL in RGCS upholds prospective parents’ right to information. However, they also identified major challenges, including concern that screening may express a discriminatory attitude towards those living with deafness. They also identified the complexity of defining the severity of deafness.
Adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles increase insulin secretion through transport of insulinotropic protein cargo
Authors: Kulaj Konxhe , Harger Alexandra , Bauer Michaela , Caliskan Özüm S. , Gupta Tilak Kumar , Chiang Dapi Menglin , Milbank Edward , Reber Josefine , Karlas Angelos , Kotzbeck Petra , Sailer David N. , Volta Francesco , Lutter Dominik , Prakash Sneha , Merl-Pham Juliane , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Hauner Hans , Pfaffl Michael W. , Tschöp Matthias H. , Müller Timo D. , Hauck Stefanie M. , Engel Benjamin D. , Gerdes Jantje M. , Pfluger Paul T. , Krahmer Natalie , Stemmer Kerstin
Published: February 2023

Adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) are membranous nanoparticles that convey communication from adipose tissue to other organs. Here, to delineate their role as messengers with glucoregulatory nature, we paired fluorescence AdEV-tracing and SILAC-labeling with (phospho)proteomics, and revealed that AdEVs transfer functional insulinotropic protein cargo into pancreatic β-cells. Upon transfer, AdEV proteins were subjects for phosphorylation, augmented insulinotropic GPCR/cAMP/PKA signaling by increasing total protein abundances and phosphosite dynamics, and ultimately enhanced 1st-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in murine islets. Notably, insulinotropic effects were restricted to AdEVs isolated from obese and insulin resistant, but not lean mice, which was consistent with differential protein loads and AdEV luminal morphologies. Likewise, in vivo pre-treatment with AdEVs from obese but not lean mice amplified insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in mice. This data suggests that secreted AdEVs can inform pancreatic β-cells about insulin resistance in adipose tissue in order to amplify GSIS in times of increased insulin demand.
Climate-trait relationships exhibit strong habitat specificity in plant communities across Europe
Authors: Kambach Stephan , Sabatini Francesco Maria , Attorre Fabio , Biurrun Idoia , Boenisch Gerhard , Bonari Gianmaria , Čarni Andraž , Carranza Maria Laura , Chiarucci Alessandro , Chytrý Milan , Dengler Jürgen , Garbolino Emmanuel , Golub Valentin , Güler Behlül , Jandt Ute , Jansen Jan , Jašková Anni , Jiménez-Alfaro Borja , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Kattge Jens , Knollová Ilona , Midolo Gabriele , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold , Pielech Remigiusz , Rašomavičius Valerijus , Rūsiņa Solvita , Šibík Jozef , Stančić Zvjezdana , Stanisci Angela , Svenning Jens-Christian , Yamalov Sergey , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Bruelheide Helge
Published: February 2023

Ecological theory predicts close relationships between macroclimate and functional traits. Yet, global climatic gradients correlate only weakly with the trait composition of local plant communities, suggesting that important factors have been ignored. Here, we investigate the consistency of climate-trait relationships for plant communities in European habitats. Assuming that local factors are better accounted for in more narrowly defined habitats, we assigned > 300,000 vegetation plots to hierarchically classified habitats and modelled the effects of climate on the community-weighted means of four key functional traits using generalized additive models. We found that the predictive power of climate increased from broadly to narrowly defined habitats for specific leaf area and root length, but not for plant height and seed mass. Although macroclimate generally predicted the distribution of all traits, its effects varied, with habitat-specificity increasing toward more narrowly defined habitats. We conclude that macroclimate is an important determinant of terrestrial plant communities, but future predictions of climatic effects must consider how habitats are defined.
The unprecedented Pacific Northwest heatwave of June 2021
Authors: White Rachel H. , Anderson Sam , Booth James F. , Braich Ginni , Draeger Christina , Fei Cuiyi , Harley Christopher D. G. , Henderson Sarah B. , Jakob Matthias , Lau Carie-Ann , Mareshet Admasu Lualawi , Narinesingh Veeshan , Rodell Christopher , Roocroft Eliott , Weinberger Kate R. , West Greg
Published: February 2023

In late June 2021 a heatwave of unprecedented magnitude impacted the Pacific Northwest region of Canada and the United States. Many locations broke all-time maximum temperature records by more than 5 °C, and the Canadian national temperature record was broken by 4.6 °C, with a new record temperature of 49.6 °C. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of this event and its impacts. Upstream diabatic heating played a key role in the magnitude of this anomaly. Weather forecasts provided advanced notice of the event, while sub-seasonal forecasts showed an increased likelihood of a heat extreme with lead times of 10-20 days. The impacts of this event were catastrophic, including hundreds of attributable deaths across the Pacific Northwest, mass-mortalities of marine life, reduced crop and fruit yields, river flooding from rapid snow and glacier melt, and a substantial increase in wildfires—the latter contributing to landslides in the months following. These impacts provide examples we can learn from and a vivid depiction of how climate change can be so devastating.
Ultra-long-acting in-situ forming implants with cabotegravir protect female macaques against rectal SHIV infection
Authors: Young Isabella C. , Massud Ivana , Cottrell Mackenzie L. , Shrivastava Roopali , Maturavongsadit Panita , Prasher Alka , Wong-Sam Andres , Dinh Chuong , Edwards Tiancheng , Mrotz Victoria , Mitchell James , Seixas Josilene Nascimento , Pallerla Aryani , Thorson Allison , Schauer Amanda , Sykes Craig , De la Cruz Gabriela , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Kashuba Angela D. M. , Heneine Walid , Dobard Charles W. , Kovarova Martina , Garcia J. Victor , Garcίa-Lerma J. Gerardo , Benhabbour S. Rahima
Published: February 2023

Ultra-long-acting delivery platforms for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may increase adherence and maximize public health benefit. We report on an injectable, biodegradable, and removable in-situ forming implant (ISFI) that is administered subcutaneously and can release the integrase inhibitor cabotegravir (CAB) above protective benchmarks for more than 6 months. CAB ISFIs are well-tolerated in female mice and female macaques showing no signs of toxicity or chronic inflammation. In macaques, median plasma CAB concentrations exceed established PrEP protection benchmarks within 3 weeks and confer complete protection against repeated rectal SHIV challenges. Implant removal via a small incision in 2 macaques at week 12 results in a 7- to 48-fold decrease in plasma CAB levels within 72 hours. Modeling to translate CAB ISFI dosing suggests that a 3 mL injection would exceed protective benchmarks in humans for over 5 months post administration. Our results support the clinical advancement of CAB ISFIs for ultra-long-acting PrEP in humans.