bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Heterogeneous Ti Layers on Mechanical Properties of Cu/Ti Laminated Sheets Prepared by Accumulative Roll Bonding
Authors: Zhang Bing , Qi Kai , Zhang Zhijuan , Dang Xiaohan , Ma Yanheng , Wang Jianping , Wang Kuaishe , Wang Wen , Cai Jun
Published: June 2022

Cu/Ti laminated sheets with heterogeneous Ti layers are successfully fabricated by accumulative roll bonding (ARB). The microstructure during processing is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). During the deformation of the constituent metals, the hard Ti layers neck preferentially but with a continuous layered structure. Upon four ARB cycles, there are five Ti layers with different microstructure states and grain sizes (from 1.3 to 0.5 μm) in the ARB4 sample. Tensile test of ARB4 sample indicates excellent comprehensive mechanical properties, compared with pure Cu and pure Ti, it has higher ultimate tensile strength (508 MPa), and the elongation (9.2%). In the result of loading–unloading–reloading test, there is a strain gradient during the tensile process due to heterogeneous existence of Ti layers, which produces a multilevel hetero‐deformation‐induced (HDI) stress strengthening and improves the coordinated deformation ability of the sample. Second, layered structure and interface with alternate strong and weak bonding can effectively hinder the propagation of cracks to outline higher strength with improved ductility. This structural design helps to prepare laminated materials sheet with excellent comprehensive mechanical properties through the ARB process.
Tensile and Compressive Mechanical Properties of Polycrystalline Tungsten–Molybdenum Alloy
Authors: Hu Yiqun , Xu Jianfei , Zhang Yuhang , Ding Suhang , Xia Re
Published: June 2022

To clarify the mechanical performance of word line metal film, molecular dynamics simulations to explore the tensile and compressive responses of W–Mo alloys are utilized. The results reveal that all the mechanical parameters, including Young's modulus, yield strength, flow stress, and platform stress, decrease linearly by about 13–20% with the increase in Mo concentration. The development of the amorphous region and grain boundaries (GBs) dominates the deformation process of W–Mo alloys under tensile and compressive loadings. A large number of body‐centered cubic atoms transforms into amorphous atoms during the loading process. The average shear strain is independent of Mo concentration, and the value of the W50Mo50sample under tension and compression rises to 1.11 and 1.98, respectively, as the strain increases from 0 to 0.6. In addition, the temperature sensitivity of mechanical features is independent of the concentration of Mo. The results may provide guidance and reference for the industrial application of W–Mo metal films in semiconductor manufacturing.
Clinically important changes in right ventricular volume and function in pulmonary arterial hypertension assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Göransson Christoffer , Vejlstrup Niels , Carlsen Jørn
Published: June 2022

Right ventricular (RV) dilatation predicts clinical worsening in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and RV volumes can be measured with high precision using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. In regular follow‐up of patients and in studies of improvement in RV function, knowledge of clinically significant changes of RV volumes and function are of relevance. Patients with PAH were followed with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and clinical assessment at 6‐month intervals. Changes in RV volumes associated with changes in clinical status were assessed. Twenty‐five patients with PAH (Group 1) were included and examined every 6 months for 2.5 years, with a total of 107 MRI scans. For a step change in WHO functional class, the associated change in RV volume was 11% (confidence interval 7%−14%, p < 0.0001) and in stroke volume 9% (confidence interval 3%−15%, p = 0.003). This study found an 11% change in RV volume to be clinically significant. The combination of clinically significant changes and the known precision in the measurements enables individualized follow‐up of RV‐function in PAH. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use repeated assessments to suggest clinically significant changes of RV volume based on changes in clinical presentation.
Operational assimilation of Aeolus winds in the Météo‐France global NWP model ARPEGE
Authors: Pourret Vivien , Šavli Matic , Mahfouf Jean‐François , Raspaud Dominique , Doerenbecher Alexis , Bénichou Hervé , Payan Christophe
Published: June 2022

The European Space Agency's Aeolus satellite was launched in August 2018. Measurements of wind profiles are provided for the first time from space using an onboard Doppler wind lidar. The quality of Aeolus Level‐2B (L2B) wind products has been found suitable for data assimilation in the Météo‐France global model ARPEGE since April 2020, in particular, when applying a suitable bias correction method. This article describes a series of Observing System Experiments (OSEs) conducted in April–May 2020 to assess the impact of Aeolus horizontal line‐of‐sight winds (HLOSW) on Météo‐France's global numerical weather prediction analyses and forecasts. Innovation statistics and a posteriori diagnostics from a period of July–August 2019 were used to scale the random observation errors provided by the L2B processor (mostly for Rayleigh‐clear winds). Although the HLOSW data represent only 0.42% of the total amount of all observations assimilated in ARPEGE, their contribution to the reduction of the global analysis variance is up to 2.3% (measured by the Degree of Freedom for Signal). The assimilation of HLOSW showed improvement in 6 hr short‐range forecasts which is demonstrated by an overall reduction of innovations statistics for various operational observing systems. From a Forecast Sensitivity to Observations impact (FSOi) study Aeolus is found to be the third most effective observing system (per individual observation) at reducing global 24‐hour forecast errors. For longer forecast ranges, the largest positive impacts are noticed over the tropics, particularly in the lower stratosphere up to 102 hr ahead (with up to 2% root‐mean‐square error reduction for wind and temperature), but also in the troposphere up to 72 hr ahead. To a lesser extent, a similar improvement is observed over the Southern Hemisphere. This positive impact of Aeolus HLOSW in OSEs has led to their operational assimilation at Météo‐France starting in June 2020.
Bone Repairment via Mechanosensation of Piezo1 Using Wearable Pulsed Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Wang Bingjin , Li Gaocai , Zhu Qianqian , Liu Weifang , Ke Wencan , Hua Wenbin , Zhou Yiming , Zeng Xianlin , Sun Xuhui , Wen Zhen , Yang Cao , Pan Yue
Published: June 2022

Bone repair in real time is a challenging medical issue for elderly patients; this is mainly because aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) possess limited osteogenesis potential and repair capacity. In this study, triboelectric stimulation technology is used to achieve bone repair via mechanosensation of Piezo1 by fabricating a wearable pulsed triboelectric nanogenerator (WP‐TENG) driven by human body movement. A peak value of 30 µA has the optimal effects to rejuvenate aged BMSCs, enhance their osteogenic differentiation, and promote human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation. Further, previous studies demonstrate that triboelectric stimulation of a WP‐TENG can reinforce osteogenesis of BMSCs and promote the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Mechanistically, aged BMSCs are rejuvenated by triboelectric stimulation via the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1. Thus, the osteogenesis potential of BMSCs is enhanced and the tube formation capacity of HUVECs is improved, which is further confirmed by augmented bone repair and regeneration in in vivo investigations. This study provides a potential signal transduction mechanism for rejuvenating aged BMSCs and a theoretical basis for bone regeneration using triboelectric stimulation generated by a WP‐TENG.
Study on the mechanical behavior of L‐shaped concrete‐filled steel tubular columns under axial compression
Authors: Huang Hong , Wang Yi , Zhang Liqing , Chen Mengcheng , Zhu Yanqi
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a total of six different ribbed and two nonribbed L‐shaped concrete‐filled steel tubular (CFST) short columns are designed; finite element modeling and calculations are carried out and verified with measured results. The optimal ribbing method among the ribbing methods applied is proposed. The mechanisms of the longitudinal stress of the concrete, longitudinal stress of the outer steel tube, and lateral compressive stress of the concrete for the L‐shaped CFST short column without ribs and with the optimal ribbing method are compared and analyzed. The results show that the optimal ribbing method involves setting half‐width longitudinal stiffening ribs in the middle of the two wide sides of the L‐shaped steel tube. The stiffening ribs can delay the occurrence of local buckling failure of the steel tube, thus strengthening the restraining effect of the steel tube on the concrete and improving the uniformity of the longitudinal stress of the core concrete. In addition, based on an analysis of a large number of parameters, four methods for calculating the bearing capacity of nonribbed L‐shaped CFST short columns are compared. A design formula for the bearing capacity of ribbed L‐shaped CFST columns is proposed by considering the improvement in the concrete performance. The calculation results agree well with the finite element and experimental results, and the error is <5%.
Comparison of individual versus ensemble wind farm parameterizations inclusive of sub‐grid wakes for the WRF model
Authors: Ma Yulong , Archer Cristina L. , Vasel‐Be‐Hagh Ahmad
Published: June 2022

Wind turbine wakes can be predicted somewhat accurately with mesoscale numerical models, such as the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, via a wind farm parameterization (WFP) that treats the effects of the wakes, which are sub‐grid features, on power production and the environment. A few WFPs have been proposed in the literature, but none has been able to properly account for the individual wakes within a grid cell or the effects of overlapping wakes from multiple turbines. A solution to these two issues is a WFP that includes both a wake model, which is a simplified analytical model of the wind speed (or wind power) deficit caused by a wake, and a wake superposition model, which accounts for overlapping wakes. Several such WFPs are developed here for the WRF model—based on the Jensen, the Geometric, and the Gaussian wake models coupled with two wake superposition methods (based on a squared deficit and a squared velocity superposition)—and tested individually, as well as combined together in an ensemble (EWFP), at two modern offshore wind farms. Most WFPs perform satisfactorily alone, but the EWFP generally outperforms them at both farms. The issue of resolved versus sub‐grid wakes is explored for single‐ and multi‐cell cases and for directions of alignment and non‐alignment between the wind direction and the turbine columns. Although different combinations of wake loss and wake superposition models might be preferred at other wind farms, the general findings and detailed performance statistics given here might provide useful guidance in their selection.
Wheat Improvement
Authors: Reynolds Matthew P. , Braun Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2022

Wheat is a staple for rich and poor alike. Its improvement as a discipline was boosted when statisticians first distinguished heritable variation from environment effects. Many twentieth century crop scientists contributed to the Green Revolution that tripled yield potential of staple crops but yield stagnation is now a concern, especially considering the multiple challenges facing food security. Investments in modern technologies – phenomics, genomics etc. – provide tools to take both translational research and crop breeding to the next level. Herein wheat experts address three main themes: “Delivering Improved Germplasm” outlining theory and practice of wheat breeding and the attendant disciplines; ‘Translational Research to Incorporate Novel Traits’ covers biotic and abiotic challenges and outlines links between more fundamental research and crop breeding. However, effective translational research takes time and can be off-putting to funders and scientists who feel pressure to deliver near-term impacts. The final section ‘Rapidly Evolving Technologies & Likely Potential’ outlines methods that can boost translational research and breeding. The volume by being open access aims to disseminate a comprehensive textbook on wheat improvement to public and private wheat breeders globally, while serving as a benchmark of the current status as we address the formidable challenges that agriculture faces for the foreseeable future.
Wheat Quality
Authors: Guzmán Carlos , Ibba Maria Itria , Álvarez Juan B. , Sissons Mike , Morris Craig
Published: June 2022

Wheat quality is a complex concept whose importance lies in determining the ability of each segment of the post-harvest processing and marketing industries to minimize cost while maximizing profit. Wheat quality is also a highly subjective concept that could be defined differently by the various stakeholders in the wheat value chain. It is usually subdivided into milling, processing, end-use and nutritional quality. Of these subcomponents, end-use quality, the ability of a wheat variety to produce a specific food according to the consumers preferences is probably the most important. Wheat is used to make hundreds of different products worldwide, each one with specific grain quality requirements. In this chapter are explained the main traits that define end-use quality (grain hardness, gluten, color and starch) and that need to be modulated to obtain the desired product properties. The genetic control as well as the environmental effects on those traits are also presented. Finally, breeding and selection strategies to genetically improve end-use quality for the most important wheat products globally (bread, noodles, cookies, and pasta) are presented in brief.
Nutritionally Enhanced Wheat for Food and Nutrition Security
Authors: Govindan Velu , Michaux Kristina D. , Pfeiffer Wolfgang H.
Published: June 2022

The current and future trends in population growth and consumption patterns continue to increase the demand for wheat. Wheat is a major source and an ideal vehicle for delivering increased quantities of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and other valuable bioactive compounds to population groups who consume wheat as a staple food. To address nutritious traits in crop improvement, breeding feasibility must be assessed and nutrient targets defined based on their health impact. Novel alleles for grain Zn and Fe in competitive, profitable, Zn enriched wheat varieties have been accomplished using conventional breeding techniques and have been released in South Asia and Latin America, providing between 20% and 40% more Zn than local commercial varieties and benefitting more than four million consumers. Future challenges include accelerating and maintaining parallel rates of genetic gain for productivity and Zn traits and reversing the trend of declining nutrients in wheat that has been exacerbated by climate change. Application of modern empirical and analytical technologies and methods in wheat breeding will help to expedite genetic progress, shorten time-to-market, and achieve mainstreaming objectives. In exploiting synergies from genetic and agronomic options, agronomic biofortification can contribute to achieving higher Zn concentrations, stabilize Zn trait expression, and increase other grain minerals, such as selenium or iodine. Increasing Fe bioavailability in future breeding and research with other nutrients and bioactive compounds is warranted to further increase the nutritious value of wheat. Crop profiles must assure value propositions for all actors across the supply chain and consider processors requirements in product development.
Experimental Design for Plant Improvement
Authors: Mathews Ky L. , Crossa José
Published: June 2022

Sound experimental design underpins successful plant improvement research. Robust experimental designs respect fundamental principles including replication, randomization and blocking, and avoid bias and pseudo-replication. Classical experimental designs seek to mitigate the effects of spatial variability with resolvable block plot structures. Recent developments in experimental design theory and software enable optimal model-based designs tailored to the experimental purpose. Optimal model-based designs anticipate the analytical model and incorporate information previously used only in the analysis. New technologies, such as genomics, rapid cycle breeding and high-throughput phenotyping, require flexible designs solutions which optimize resources whilst upholding fundamental design principles. This chapter describes experimental design principles in the context of classical designs and introduces the burgeoning field of model-based design in the context of plant improvement science.
Seed Systems to Support Rapid Adoption of Improved Varieties in Wheat
Authors: Joshi Arun Kumar , Braun Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2022

New varieties of crops are developed to provide farmers seeds of cultivars that are acquainted with specific environmental or management conditions to realize best yield and quality. Seed is the carrier of genetic potential for the performance of a crop, hence is considered the most vital input in agriculture. Wheat being self-pollinated, it is not necessary to buy seed every year as in case of hybrids. Seeds are multiplied through an informal or formal approach. In most developing countries, informal wheat seed sector is dominant. Seed production follows well defined steps wherein a particular class of seed is grown to deliver another class of seed to the farmer. In general, there are four classes of seeds in wheat – nucleus, breeder, foundation and certified, although in some cases registered seed is also produced. The strength of the seed sector varies across countries – strong in developed countries but moderate to weak in the Global South. In most countries seed production and its marketing is regulated and both public and private sectors are involved. In counties with a not so strong seed sector, a fast track approach for varietal release and seed dissemination has been advocated to meet the challenges of climate change and transboundary diseases.
A Century of Cytogenetic and Genome Analysis: Impact on Wheat Crop Improvement
Authors: Gill Bikram S.
Published: June 2022

Beginning in the first decade of 1900, pioneering research in disease resistance and seed color inheritance established the scientific basis of Mendelian inheritance in wheat breeding. A series of breakthroughs in chromosome and genome analysis beginning in the 1920s and continuing into the twenty-first century have impacted wheat improvement. The application of meiotic chromosome pairing in the 1920s and plasmon analysis in the 1950s elucidated phylogeny of the Triticum-Aegilops complex of species and defined the wheat gene pools. The aneuploid stocks in the 1950s opened floodgates for chromosome and arm mapping of first phenotypic and later protein and DNA probes. The aneuploid stocks, coupled with advances in chromosome banding and in situ hybridization in the 1970s, allowed precise chromosome engineering of traits in wide hybrids. The deletion stocks in the 1990s were pivotal in mapping expressed genes to specific chromosome bins revealing structural and functional differentiation of chromosomes along their length and facilitating map-based cloning of genes. Advances in whole-genome sequencing, chromosome genomics, RH mapping and functional tools led to the assembly of reference sequence of Chinese Spring and multiple wheat genomes. Chromosome and genomic analysis must be integrated into wheat breeding and wide-hybridizaton pipeline for sustainable crop improvement.
Conserving Wheat Genetic Resources
Authors: Guzzon Filippo , Gianella Maraeva , Giovannini Peter , Payne Thomas S.
Published: June 2022

Wheat genetic resources (WGR) are represented by wheat crop wild relatives (WCWR) and cultivated wheat varieties (landraces, old and modern cultivars). The conservation and accessibility of WGR are fundamental due to their: (1) importance for wheat breeding, (2) cultural value associated with traditional food products, (3) significance for biodiversity conservation, since some WCWR are endangered in their natural habitats. Two strategies are employed to conserve WGR: namely in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation, i.e. the conservation of the diversity at the location where it is found, consists in genetic reserves for WCWR and on farm programs for landraces and old cultivars. Ex situ conservation of WGR consists in the storage of dry seeds at cold temperatures in germplasm banks. It is currently the most employed conservation strategy for WGR because it allows the long-term storage of many samples in relatively small spaces. Due to the great number of seed samples of WGR and associated passport data stored in genebanks, it is increasingly important for the management of ex situ collections to: (1) employ efficient database systems, (2) understand seed longevity of the seed accessions, (3) setup safety backups of the collections at external sites.
Micronutrient Toxicity and Deficiency
Authors: Langridge Peter
Published: June 2022

Micronutrients are essential for plant growth although required in only very small amounts. There are eight micronutrients needed for healthy growth of wheat: chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel and molybdenum. Several factors will influence the availability of micronutrients, including levels in the soil, and mobility or availability. Zinc deficiency is the most significant problem globally followed by boron, molybdenum, copper, manganese and iron. Deficiency is usually addressed through application of nutrients to seeds, or through foliar spays when symptoms develop. There is considerable genetic variation in the efficiency of micronutrient uptake in wheat, but this is not a major selection target for breeding programs given the agronomic solutions. However, for some micronutrients, the concentrations in the soil can be very high and result in toxicity. Of the micronutrients, the narrowest range between deficiency and toxicity is for boron and toxicity is a significant problem in some regions. Although not a micronutrient, aluminium toxicity is also a major factor limiting yield in many areas, usually associated with a low soil pH. Agronomic solutions for boron and aluminium toxicity are difficult and expensive. Consequently, genetic approaches have dominated the strategies for addressing toxicity and good sources of tolerance are available.
Pre-breeding Strategies
Authors: Sukumaran Sivakumar , Rebetzke Greg , Mackay Ian , Bentley Alison R. , Reynolds Matthew P.
Published: June 2022

In general terms, pre-breeding links needed traits to new varieties and encompasses activities from discovery research, exploration of gene banks, phenomics, genomics and breeding. How does pre-breeding given its importance differ from varietal-based breeding? Why is pre-breeding important? Pre-breeding identifies trait or trait combinations to help boost yield, protect it from biotic or abiotic stress, and enhance nutritional or quality characteristics of grain. Sources of new traits/alleles are typically found in germplasm banks, and include the following categories of ‘exotic’ material: obsolete varieties, landraces, products of interspecific hybridization within the Triticeae such as chromosome translocation lines, primary synthetic genotypes and their derivatives, and related species mainly from the primary or secondary gene pools (Genus: Triticum and Aegilops). Genetic and/or phenotyping tools are used to incorporate novel alleles/traits into elite varieties. While pre-breeding is mainly associated with use of exotics, unconventional crosses or selection methodologies aimed to accumulate novel combinations of alleles or traits into good genetic backgrounds may also be considered pre-breeding. In the current chapter, we focus on pre-breeding involving research-based screening of genetic resources, strategic crossing to combine complementary traits/alleles and progeny selection using phenomic and genomic selection, aiming to bring new functional diversity into use for development of elite cultivars.
Translational Research Networks
Authors: Reynolds Matthew P. , Braun Hans-Joachim , Flavell Richard B. , Gwyn J. Jefferson , Langridge Peter , Rosichan Jeffrey L. , Sawkins Mark C. , Visscher Stephen H.
Published: June 2022

Without higher yielding and more climate resilient crop varieties, better agronomy and sustainable inputs, the world is on a course for catastrophes in food and nutritional security with all the associated social and political implications. Achieving food and nutritional security is one of the most important Grand Challenges of this century. These circumstances demand new systems for improving wheat to sustain current needs and future demands. This chapter presents some of the networks that have been developed over the years to help address these challenges. Networks help to: identify the most urgent problems based on consensus; identify and bridge knowledge silos; increase research efficacy and efficiency by studying state of the art germplasm and sharing common research environments/platforms so multiple strands of research can be cross-referenced; and creating communities of practice where the modus operandi becomes cooperation towards common goals rather than competition. Networks can also provide identity and visibility to research programs and their stakeholders, thereby lending credibility, increasing investment opportunities and accelerating outputs and dissemination of valuable new technologies.
Accelerating Breeding Cycles
Authors: Alahmad Samir , Rambla Charlotte , Voss-Fels Kai P. , Hickey Lee T.
Published: June 2022

The rate of genetic gain in wheat improvement programs must improve to meet the challenge of feeding a growing population. Future wheat varieties will need to produce record high yields to feed an anticipated 25% more inhabitants on this planet by 2050. The current rate of genetic gain is slow and cropping systems are facing unprecedented fluctuations in production. This instability stems from major changes in climate and evolving pests and diseases. Rapid genetic improvement is essential to optimise crop performance under such harsh conditions. Accelerating breeding cycles shows promise for increasing the rate of genetic gain over time. This can be achieved by concurrent integration of cutting-edge technologies into breeding programs, such as speed breeding (SB), doubled haploid (DH) technology, high-throughput phenotyping platforms and genomic selection (GS). These technologies empower wheat breeders to keep the pace with increasing food demand by developing more productive and robust varieties sooner. In this chapter, strategies for shortening the wheat breeding cycle are discussed, along with the opportunity to integrate technologies to further accelerate the rate of genetic gain in wheat breeding programs.
Global Trends in Wheat Production, Consumption and Trade
Authors: Erenstein Olaf , Jaleta Moti , Mottaleb Khondoker Abdul , Sonder Kai , Donovan Jason , Braun Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2022

Since its domestication around 10,000 years ago, wheat has played a crucial role in global food security. Wheat now supplies a fifth of food calories and protein to the world’s population. It is the most widely cultivated crop in the world, cultivated on 217 million ha annually. This chapter assesses available data on wheat production, consumption, and international trade to examine the global supply and demand conditions for wheat over the past quarter century and future implications. There is continued urgency to enhance wheat productivity to ensure global food security given continued global population growth and growing popularity of wheat based processed foods in the Global South. To enhance productivity while staying within planetary boundaries, there is a need for substantive investments in research and development, particularly in support of wheat’s role in agri-food systems in the Global South.
Achieving Genetic Gains in Practice
Authors: Singh Ravi P. , Juliana Philomin , Huerta-Espino Julio , Govindan Velu , Crespo-Herrera Leonardo A. , Mondal Suchismita , Bhavani Sridhar , Singh Pawan Kumar , He Xinyao , Ibba Maria Itria , Randhawa Mandeep Singh , Kumar Uttam , Joshi Arun Kumar , Basnet Bhoja R. , Braun Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2022

Accelerating the rate of genetic gain for grain yield together with key traits is pivotal for delivering improved wheat varieties. The key strategies of CIMMYT’s spring bread wheat improvement program to continuously increase genetic gains and deliver elite wheat lines to national partners in the target countries include: breeding for product profiles that prioritize selection traits; robust choice of diverse parents by leveraging all phenotypic and genotypic data; effective crossing schemes with an optimal proportion of different types of crosses; early-generation advancement using the selected-bulk breeding scheme that reduces operational costs; the two generations/year field based “shuttle-breeding” that reduces the breeding cycle time while selecting breeding populations in contrasting environments with diverse biotic and abiotic stresses; making advancement decisions for elite lines using data from intensive multi-trait, multi-year and multi-environment phenotyping; integrating new methods like genomic selection; utilizing yield and phenotypic data from international yield trials and screening nurseries generated by worldwide partners for identifying and utilizing superior lines; and maintaining effective partnerships with the National Agricultural Research Systems who serve as key leaders in developing, releasing, and disseminating varieties to farmers. In addition to these strategies, new breeding schemes to reduce the cycle time and recycle parents in 2–3 years are being piloted and optimized to further accelerate genetic gain.
Eradicating Gender Stereotypes in Advertising in Spain
Authors: Davies David
Published: June 2022

To tackle sexist advertisements, each EU state must tread a fine balance of two conflicting fundamental rights: maintaining the protection of gender equality whilst simultaneously avoiding the curtailment of freedom of expression. In performing this balance, the majority of member states follow the legal norm of establishing a self-regulation organisation, allowing the industry to develop advertising codes and denigrate advertisements. Since 2004, Spain has sought to tackle sexist advertisements under the guise of wider legislative measures that aimed at reducing “intimate partner violence” based on its Gender Violence Act. The act places obligations upon advertisers and prohibits adverts that use a woman’s body detached from the advertised object or uses an image that portrays women in stereotyped behaviours. This chapter explores Spain’s route into the legislation to strike down sexist advertisements and analyses two of the court’s founding rulings: the RyanAir calendar and Cillit Bang cases.
(Stereo)typical Law: Challenging the Transformative Potential of Human Rights
Authors: Frańczak Olga
Published: June 2022

The UN Commission on the Status of Women stated that addressing gender stereotypes “must be a key element in all efforts to achieve the realization of women’s human rights” (2010). Leading human rights organisations (African Union, Council of Europe, European Union, Organization of American States and the United Nations) have introduced instruments aimed at the elimination of gender stereotypes, like CEDAW or the Istanbul Convention. Feminist legal scholarship reaffirms this position, considering stereotyping to be one of the biggest challenges for realisation of human rights in contemporary society. Nevertheless, the topic remains largely under-researched. Drawing on feminist legal theory, this chapter addresses the following question: Can and should law be used to address gender stereotyping? It explores the complexity of this topic, with focus on the opportunities and constrains of using law to affect substantive change. This chapter takes up an interdisciplinary approach of law and politics.
Trans Pregnancy in a Repronormative World
Authors: Love Gillian
Published: June 2022

Not every person who gives birth is a woman or mother. However, legal frameworks in many countries insist that they are. This chapter demonstrates that legal frameworks around pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood are oftenrepronormativein their effects, maintaining the hegemonic sex/gender order at the expense of the dignity of trans people who have given birth to their own children. To explore why and how these repronormative effects persist, this chapter explores two case studies of trans men who have given birth in the UK and Israel respectively, and the legal battles they faced to be recognised as fathers who have given birth. It pulls together sociological and legal scholarship to critique existing legal frameworks in Europe and beyond and explore potential solutions to the barriers they create. It concludes by placing these arguments in a wider sociological and political debate around trans and reproductive rights.
Constitutional and Legal Guarantees for Transgender in Pakistan: Reforms and Failures in Law
Authors: Rashid Amna , Rashid Umar
Published: June 2022

Transgender individuals in Pakistan have been excluded from political and economic systems. In 2009, the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the first time recognised the unique gender identity of transgender individuals. This Order initiated reforms for the protection of the rights of transgender individuals and compelled various government departments to devise guidelines for the issuance of National Identification Cards (NICs) to all transgender individuals and created a legal framework for their full and equal participation in society. This chapter will analyse the effectiveness of this reform project in relation to other legal rules and entrenched social norms. It will start with an analysis of the historical discriminatory laws which led to a marginalisation of transgender individuals, and evaluate whether the recent developments in law, particularly theTransgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act2018, are sufficient to protect the rights of transgender in Pakistan.
Rural Women’s Land Use Rights in China: Acceptance and Enforceability
Authors: Eskelinen Pia
Published: June 2022

Legal control of land as well as legal and social recognition of women’s uses of and rights to land can have catalytic effects of empowerment, increasing women’s influence and status in their communities. During past decades, changes in the Chinese land tenure rights and practices have brought important incentives for rural developments including farmer income and living standards. However, the law in books differs from the law in action and the lack of women’s land use rights recognition deprives them of their chances of surviving in rural China. They become legally invisible, ignored and forgotten. This qualitative research is mainly based on interviews conducted in China. The data will be analysed within the framework of theories and philosophies grounding Chinese ideology. As this research focus on women in rural areas, feminism form the theoretical and ideological background.
A dilaton-axion model for string cosmology
Authors: Russo J. G. , Townsend P. K.
Published: June 2022

Abstract

The generic scale-invariant theory of an axion and a dilaton coupled to gravity in d-dimensions is generalized to a ‘universal’ one-axion model with two dilatons that reproduces itself under consistent dimensional-reduction/truncation. Flat FLRW cosmologies are shown to correspond to trajectories of a three-dimensional autonomous dynamical system, which we analyse with a focus on accelerated cosmic expansion, deriving the precise swampland bounds that exclude eternal acceleration. We also show that for two sets of values of its three independent parameters, the model is a consistent truncation of maximal ‘massive’ supergravity theories arising from string/M-theory; for these maximal-supergravity parameter values the FLRW cosmologies include some with a transient de Sitter-like phase, but not the recurring de Sitter-like phase or eternal cosmic acceleration that is possible for other parameter values.
Aquirufa lenticrescens sp. nov. and Aquirufa aurantiipilula sp. nov.: two new species of a lineage of widespread freshwater bacteria
Authors: Pitt Alexandra , Koll Ulrike , Schmidt Johanna , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Wolf Jacqueline , Krausz Sophia , Hahn Martin W.
Published: June 2022

Two bacterial strains, 9H-EGSET and 15D-MOBT, were isolated from small freshwater habitats located near Salzburg, Austria. They showed the highest 16S rRNA sequence similarities of 100% and 99.9%, respectively, with type strains of species of the genus Aquirufa (Bacteroidota). Genome-based phylogenetic reconstructions with 119 amino acid sequences assigned the new taxa to the two distinct branches of the genus Aquirufa. Whole-genome average nucleotide identities were calculated with all possible pairs belonging to the genus. Values between 75.4% and 88.6% revealed that the two new strains represent each a new species. Like all, so far described members of the genus, they grew aerobically and chemoorganotrophically, were rod-shaped, red-pigmented, and motile by gliding, and showed genome sizes of about 3 Mbp and G + C values of about 40%. They could be distinguished by some phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features from their nearest related species. Until now, strain 9H-EGSET is the only one among the Aquirufa strains which contained traces of MK8 as respiratory quinone, and strain 15D-MOBT is the only one that formed tiny orange globules in liquid medium. The genome of strain 9H-EGSET comprised genes for the complete light-harvesting rhodopsin / retinal system, in the case of 15D-MOBT genes predicted for a nitrous oxide reductase were present. For the two new species of the genus Aquirufa, we propose to establish the names Aquirufa lenticrescens for strain 9H-EGSET (= JCM 34077 T = CIP 111926 T) and Aquirufa aurantiipilula for strain 15D-MOBT (= JCM 34078 T = CIP 111925 T).
Baseline clinical characteristics predict overall survival in patients undergoing radioligand therapy with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T during long-term follow-up
Authors: Hartrampf Philipp E. , Seitz Anna Katharina , Weinzierl Franz-Xaver , Serfling Sebastian E. , Schirbel Andreas , Rowe Steven P. , Kübler Hubert , Buck Andreas K. , Werner Rudolf A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Radioligand therapy (RLT) with 177Lu-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands is associated with prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). A substantial number of patients, however, are prone to treatment failure. We aimed to determine clinical baseline characteristics to predict OS in patients receiving [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T RLT in a long-term follow-up.

Materials and methods

Ninety-two mCRPC patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T with a follow-up of at least 18 months were retrospectively identified. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed for various baseline characteristics, including laboratory values, Gleason score, age, prior therapies, and time interval between initial diagnosis and first treatment cycle (intervalDiagnosis-RLT, per 12 months). Cutoff values for significant predictors were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. ROC-derived thresholds were then applied to Kaplan–Meier analyses.

Results

Baseline C-reactive protein (CRP; hazard ratio [HR], 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.18; P = 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; HR, 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.11; P = 0.01), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; HR, 1.16, 95% CI 1.06–1.26; P = 0.001), and intervalDiagnosis-RLT (HR, 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99; P = 0.02) were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS. The following respective ROC-based thresholds were determined: CRP, 0.98 mg/dl (area under the curve [AUC], 0.80); LDH, 276.5 U/l (AUC, 0.83); AST, 26.95 U/l (AUC, 0.73); and intervalDiagnosis-RLT, 43.5 months (AUC, 0.68; P < 0.01, respectively). Respective Kaplan–Meier analyses demonstrated a significantly longer median OS of patients with lower CRP, lower LDH, and lower AST, as well as prolonged intervalDiagnosis-RLT (P ≤ 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

In mCRPC patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T, baseline CRP, LDH, AST, and time interval until RLT initiation (thereby reflecting a possible indicator for tumor aggressiveness) are independently associated with survival. Our findings are in line with previous findings on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617, and we believe that these clinical baseline characteristics may support the nuclear medicine specialist to identify long-term survivors.
Image-Guided Embolotherapy of Arteriovenous Malformations of the Face
Authors: Schmidt Vanessa F. , Masthoff Max , Brill Richard , Sporns Peter B. , Köhler Michael , Schulze-Zachau Victor , Takes Martin , Ehrl Denis , Puhr-Westerheide Daniel , Kunz Wolfgang G. , Shemwetta Mwivano Dunstan , Mbuguje Eric M. , Naif Azza A. , Sarkar Abizer , Ricke Jens , Seidensticker Max , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Wildgruber Moritz
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and outcome of image-guided embolotherapy of extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) primarily affecting the face.

Materials and Methods

A multicenter cohort of 28 patients presenting with AVMs primarily affecting the face was retrospectively investigated. Fifty image-guided embolotherapies were performed, mostly using ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer-based embolic agents. Clinical and imaging findings were assessed to evaluate response during follow-up (symptom-free, partial relief of symptoms, no improvement, and progression despite embolization), lesion devascularization (total, 100%; substantial, 76–99%; partial, 51–75%; failure, < 50%; and progression), and complication rates (classified according to the CIRSE guidelines). Sub-analyses regarding clinical outcome (n = 24) were performed comparing patients with (n = 12) or without (n = 12) subsequent surgical resection after embolotherapy.

Results

The median number of embolotherapy sessions was 2.0 (range, 1–4). Clinical outcome after a mean follow-up of 12.4 months (± 13.3; n = 24) revealed a therapy response in 21/24 patients (87.5%). Imaging showed total devascularization in 14/24 patients (58.3%), including the 12 patients with subsequent surgery and 2 additional patients with embolotherapy only. Substantial devascularization (76–99%) was assessed in 7/24 patients (29.2%), and partial devascularization (51–75%) in 3/24 patients (12.5%). Complications occurred during/after 12/50 procedures (24.0%), including 18.0% major complications. Patients with subsequent surgical resections were more often symptom-free at the last follow-up compared to the group having undergone embolotherapy only (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Image-guided embolotherapy is safe and effective for treating extracranial AVMs of the face. Subsequent surgical resections after embolization may substantially improve patients’ clinical outcome, emphasizing the need for multimodal therapeutic concepts.

Level of Evidence

Level 4, Retrospective study.
Semicircular families of general covariance from Wigner matrices with permuted entries
Authors: Au Benson
Published: June 2022

Let $$(\sigma _N^{(i)})_{i \in I}$$

(

σ
N

(
i
)

)

i
∈
I

be a family of symmetric permutations of the entries of a Wigner matrix $${\mathbf {W}}_N$$

W
N

. We characterize the limiting traffic distribution of the corresponding family of dependent Wigner matrices $$({\mathbf {W}}_N^{\sigma _N^{(i)}})_{i \in I}$$

(

W
N

σ
N

(
i
)

)

i
∈
I

in terms of the geometry of the permutations. We also consider the analogous problem for the limiting joint distribution of $$({\mathbf {W}}_N^{\sigma _N^{(i)}})_{i \in I}$$

(

W
N

σ
N

(
i
)

)

i
∈
I

. In particular, we obtain a description in terms of semicircular families with general covariance structures. As a special case, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for traffic independence as well as sufficient conditions for free independence.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and family situation of clinically referred children and adolescents in Switzerland: results of a survey among mental health care professionals after 1 year of COVID-19
Authors: Werling Anna Maria , Walitza Susanne , Eliez Stephan , Drechsler Renate
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being of clinically referred children and adolescents and on their families from the perspective of mental health care professionals in Switzerland during the first year of the pandemic. Psychiatrists and psychologists for children and adolescents participated in an anonymous survey conducted online in April/May 2021. The survey was completed by 454 mental health care professionals, most of them working in outpatient clinics for child and adolescent psychiatry or in independent practices. Most participants indicated an important increase of referrals for depression (86.8% of respondents), anxiety disorders (81.5%), crisis interventions (76.2%), psychosomatic disorders (66.1%), suicidality (63.8%), and behavioral addictions, e.g., excessive gaming (64.6%). In contrast, referrals or treatment demands for disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or psychosis showed no substantial change or a slight decrease, respectively. According to 69% of respondents, patients experienced the highest psychological burden in January/February/March 2021. Family problems very frequently reported by mental health professionals were parents’ worries about loneliness/isolation of the child (49%), child’s education and academic future (33%), increased media use due to missing options of recreational activities (37.6%), as well as multiple stresses of mothers (36.3%). To conclude, the pandemic has substantially changed the pattern of disorders and the number of clinical referrals of children and adolescents with mental health problems, which has serious consequences for the treatment supply in Switzerland.