bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing Clinical Ethics Committees in Primary Care: A Study from Norwegian Municipal Care
Authors: Magelssen Morten , Karlsen Heidi , Thoresen Lisbeth
Published: October 2021

Would primary care services benefit from the aid of a clinical ethics committee (CEC)? The implementation of CECs in primary care in four Norwegian municipalities was supported and their activities followed for 2.5 years. In this study, the CECs’ structure and activities are described, with special emphasis on what characterizes the cases they have discussed. In total, the four CECs discussed 54 cases from primary care services, with the four most common topics being patient autonomy, competence and coercion; professionalism; cooperation and disagreement with next of kin; and priority setting, resource use and quality. Nursing homes and home care were the primary care services most often involved. Next of kin were present in 10 case deliberations, whereas patients were never present. The investigation indicates that it might be feasible for new CECs to attain a high level of activity including case deliberations within the time frame. It also confirms that significant, characteristic and complex moral problems arise in primary care services.
Agency Autonomy and Organizational Interaction
Authors: Wockelberg Helena , Ahlbäck Öberg Shirin
Published: October 2021

This research contributes to the ongoing debate on the relationship between agency autonomy and organizational interaction. A comparative design that includes agency managers in Norway and Sweden describing organizational interaction, the measures used and their perceived quality, is applied. Based on observed significant country-related effects, a main conclusion is that strong formal and organizational safeguards of agency autonomy appear to produce positive views on organizational interaction. The unusually strong and clear boundaries that underpin the autonomy of Swedish central government agencies lowers the risks of interacting with others, protecting both turf and mandate.
Symplectic Kloosterman sums and Poincaré series
Authors: Man Siu Hang
Published: October 2021

We prove power-saving bounds for general Kloosterman sums on $${\text {Sp}}(4)$$

Sp
(
4
)

associated to all Weyl elements via a stratification argument coupled with p-adic stationary phase methods. We relate these Kloosterman sums to the Fourier coefficients of $${\text {Sp}}(4)$$

Sp
(
4
)

Poincare series.
Graphene-reinforced metal-organic frameworks derived cobalt sulfide/carbon nanocomposites as efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts
Authors: Deng Laicong , Yang Zhuxian , Li Rong , Chen Binling , Jia Quanli , Zhu Yanqiu , Xia Yongde
Published: October 2021

Developing cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is vital in energy conversion and storage applications. Herein, we report a simple method for the synthesis of graphene-reinforced CoS/C nanocomposites and the evaluation of their electrocatalytic performance for typical electrocatalytic reactions. Nanocomposites of CoS embedded in N, S co-doped porous carbon and graphene (CoS@C/Graphene) were generated via simultaneous sulfurization and carbonization of one-pot synthesized graphite oxide-ZIF-67 precursors. The obtained CoS@C/Graphene nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and gas sorption. It is found that CoS nanoparticles homogenously dispersed in the in situ formed N, S co-doped porous carbon/graphene matrix. The CoS@C/10Graphene composite not only shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward ORR with high onset potential of 0.89 V, four-electron pathway and superior durability of maintaining 98% of current after continuously running for around 5 h, but also exhibits good performance for OER and HER, due to the improved electrical conductivity, increased catalytic active sites and connectivity between the electrocatalytic active CoS and the carbon matrix. This work offers a new approach for the development of novel multifunctional nanocomposites for the next generation of energy conversion and storage applications.
Atmospheric Correction of True-Color RGB Imagery with Limb Area-Blending Based on 6S and Satellite Image Enhancement Techniques Using Geo-Kompsat-2A Advanced Meteorological Imager Data
Authors: Kim Minsang , Heo Jun-Hyung , Sohn Eun-Ha
Published: October 2021

This study aims for producing high-quality true-color red-green-blue (RGB) imagery that is useful for interpreting various environmental phenomena, particularly for GK2A. Here we deal with an issue that general atmospheric correction methods for RGB imagery might be breakdown at high solar/viewing zenith angle of GK2A due to erroneous atmospheric path lengths. Additionally, there is another issue about the green band of GK2A of which centroid wavelength (510 nm) is different from that of natural green band (555 nm), resulting in the unrealistic RGB imagery. To overcome those weakness of the RGB imagery for GK2A, we apply the second simulation of the satellite signal in the solar spectrum radiative transfer model look-up table with improved information considering altitude of the reflective surface to reduce the exaggerated atmospheric correction, and a blending technique that mixed the true-color imagery before and after atmospheric correction which produced a naturally expressed true-color image. Consequently, the root mean square error decreased by 0.1–0.5 in accordance with the solar and view zenith angles. The green band signal was modified by combining it with a veggie band to form hybrid green which adjust centroid wavelength of approximately 550 nm. The original composite of true-color RGB imagery is dark; therefore, to brighten the imagery, histogram equalization is conducted to flatten the color distribution. High-temporal-resolution true-color imagery from the GK2A AMI have significant potential to provide scientists and forecasters as a tools to visualize the changing Earth and also expected to intuitively understand the atmospheric phenomenon to the general public.
Design and Characterization of Maltose-Conjugated Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Uterine Tissue Engineering
Authors: Hanuman Srividya , Nune Manasa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Uterine anomalies are prevalent in women, and the major treatment assisted to them is hysterectomy as donor availability is extremely low. To overcome this, engineering uterine myometrium smooth muscle tissue has become very important. Several studies have shown that polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers are very effective in engineering smooth muscles, as this type of scaffold has structural similarities to the extracellular matrices of the cells. Here, we hypothesize that by electrospinning PCL nanofibers, they form a suitable scaffold for uterine tissue engineering.

Methods

Polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated, and surface modification was performed following two step wet chemistry method. First step is aminolysis which introduces the primary amine groups on the PCL scaffolds following which maltose is conjugated on the scaffolds. This was confirmed by the ninhydrin assay for the presence of amine groups. This was followed by ELLA assay where the presence of maltose on the scaffold was quantified. Modified scaffolds were further characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MTT assay, live-dead assay and actin staining were performed on the maltose immobilization to study the improvement of the cell attachment and proliferation rates on the modified scaffolds.

Results

Human uterine fibroblast (HUF) cells displayed significant proliferation on the maltose-modified PCL scaffolds, and they also exhibited appropriate morphology indicating that these modified fibers are highly suitable for uterine cell growth.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the fabricated maltose PCL (MPCL) scaffolds would be a potential biomaterial to treat uterine injuries and promote regeneration.

Lay Summary and Future Work

Uterine anomalies are prevalent in women, and the major treatment is hysterectomy as donor availability is extremely low. Over the past few years, considerable efforts have been directed towards uterine tissue regeneration. This study is to design a tissue engineered scaffold that could act as a human uterine myometrial patch. We propose to create uterine fibroblast-based synthetic scaffolds that act in a condition similar to the intrauterine microenvironment where the embryos are embedded in the uterine wall. For understanding of the efficiency of the myometrial patch, functional characterization will be performed to study the effects of estrogen and prostaglandins on myometrial activity of the designed patch. Results from these experiments will assist a deeper understanding of how to construct a total bioengineered uterus which can substitute the uterus transplantation procedure, which nonetheless is in its initial stages of development.

Graphical Abstract
Organizational Context in General and Special Education: An Exploratory Investigation to Describe the Perspective of School Leaders
Authors: Moore Stephanie A. , Landa Rebecca , Azad Gazi
Published: October 2021

Organizational context (e.g., climate, culture, resources) can impede or enhance implementation of evidence-based practices in general education settings or special education settings serving students with autism spectrum disorder. We examined the relations between organizational context and individual (i.e., implementation leadership, administrator- or service provider-role) or school (i.e., enrollment size, public/nonpublic school type) characteristics. Participants were administrative or service providing leaders (n = 34) from 11 schools in one state on the East Coast of the United States. School leaders’ average ratings of the organizational context were generally more positive for special education than general education; however, greater culture stress was reported for special education. Correlation analyses indicated being an administrator and implementation leadership were positively associated with implementation climate in both education settings. Being an administrator was also positively associated with cultural effort (i.e., how hard people work towards achieving goals) in special education, but negatively associated with culture stress in general education. In special education, nonpublic schools had better climates (both learning and implementation), but more culture stress. Additionally, school enrollment size was negatively related to available resources and implementation climate in special education. Investigating the similarities and differences in organizational context across educational settings is needed in future research.
Transboundary Freshwater Ecosystems in International Law
Authors: Moynihan Ruby
Published: October 2021

A global water crisis with far-reaching and interconnected environmental, social, health and economic impacts threatens the world. Healthy ecosystems and ecosystem services are degrading, and access to a sustainable water supply is increasingly inequitable both within and between States. This book demonstrates how to overcome the global freshwater ecosystem crisis by matching the scientific recommendations with an international legal framework fit for the task, which re-orientates international water law towards a stronger ecosystem approach that also protects vulnerable societies. It illustrates how to understand the fragmented legally binding and non-binding instruments of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe environmental treaties as one coherent legal regime, which contributes to strengthening general rules and principles of the law concerning transboundary freshwater ecosystems. With the recent global opening of the UNECE regime, this book explores its potential role within the European region, Central Asia, Caucasus, Africa, the Middle East and beyond.
The Two Modes of Foreign Engagement by the Constitutional Court of Korea
Authors: Kong Soojin
Published: October 2021

The Constitutional Court of Korea (CCK) has engaged with foreign law and practices in two distinct manners. While the CCK has interacted with foreign constitutional adjudicatory organs outside the courtroom, it has also developed comparative law practices inside the courtroom. This article aims to examine the interaction between the CCK's two modes of foreign engagement. The chronological inquiry, substantiated by the interviews with former and current legal practitioners of the CCK, demonstrates the gap between the CCK's two modes of foreign engagement. The CCK's evolving extrajudicial activities have provided the repositories of information adequate for the deliberation of individual cases. However, the CCK's rigid structure for comparative law practices, which was established in its initial years to learn from traditionally influential jurisdictions, restricts these repositories from being fully utilised inside the courtroom. The CCK's failure to fully incorporate its developments in its extrajudicial activities into comparative law practices disallows the CCK to grasp an evolving picture of foreign constitutional adjudicatory organs.
Phoretic self-propulsion of helical active particles
Authors: Poehnl Ruben , Uspal William
Published: October 2021

Chemically active colloids self-propel by catalysing the decomposition of molecular ‘fuel’ available in the surrounding solution. If the various molecular species involved in the reaction have distinct interactions with the colloid surface, and if the colloid has some intrinsic asymmetry in its surface chemistry or geometry, there will be phoretic flows in an interfacial layer surrounding the particle, leading to directed motion. Most studies of chemically active colloids have focused on spherical, axisymmetric ‘Janus’ particles, which (in the bulk, and in absence of fluctuations) simply move in a straight line. For particles with a complex (non-spherical and non-axisymmetric) geometry, the dynamics can be much richer. Here, we consider chemically active helices. Via numerical calculations and slender body theory, we study how the translational and rotational velocities of the particle depend on geometry and the distribution of catalytic activity over the particle surface. We confirm the recent finding of Katsamba et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 898, 2020, p. A24) that both tangential and circumferential concentration gradients contribute to the particle velocity. The relative importance of these contributions has a strong impact on the motion of the particle. We show that, by a judicious choice of the particle design parameters, one can suppress components of angular velocity that are perpendicular to the screw axis, or even select for purely ‘sideways’ translation of the helix.
Concentrating standing waves for Davey–Stewartson systems
Authors: He Yi , Luo Xiao
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we study the existence and concentration behaviour of multi-peak standing waves for a singularly perturbed Davey–Stewartson system, which arises in the theory of shallow water waves. For this purpose, we first give a sharp threshold of the existence of ground-state solutions to the related limiting problem. Next, combining the penalization method and the regularity theory of elliptic equations, we construct a family of positive solutions concentrating around any prescribed finite set of local minima, possibly degenerate, of the potential. A feature of this analysis is that we do not need any uniqueness or non-degeneracy conditions for the limiting equation. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first study dealing with the study of concentrating solutions for Davey–Stewartson systems. We emphasize that with respect to the classical Schrödinger equation, the presence of a singular integral operator in the Davey–Stewartson system forces the implementation of new ideas to obtain the existence of multi-peak solutions.
Semigroups whose right ideals are finitely generated
Authors: Miller Craig
Published: October 2021

We call a semigroup$S$weakly right noetherianif every right ideal of$S$is finitely generated; equivalently,$S$satisfies the ascending chain condition on right ideals. We provide an equivalent formulation of the property of being weakly right noetherian in terms of principal right ideals, and we also characterize weakly right noetherian monoids in terms of their acts. We investigate the behaviour of the property of being weakly right noetherian under quotients, subsemigroups and various semigroup-theoretic constructions. In particular, we find necessary and sufficient conditions for the direct product of two semigroups to be weakly right noetherian. We characterize weakly right noetherian regular semigroups in terms of their idempotents. We also find necessary and sufficient conditions for a strong semilattice of completely simple semigroups to be weakly right noetherian. Finally, we prove that a commutative semigroup$S$with finitely many archimedean components is weakly (right) noetherian if and only if$S/\mathcal {H}$is finitely generated.
The UK national registry of ENT surgeons with coronavirus disease 2019: one year on
Authors: Stephenson K , George M , Sowerby L , Hopkins C , Kumar N
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To report the one-year findings of the UK national registry of ENT surgeons with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019, and the results of a survey on the coronavirus disease 2019 experience of UK ENT trainees.

Method

An online registry was created in April 2020. A separate survey was circulated electronically to all members of the Association of Otolaryngologists in Training.

Results

The registry recorded 98 clinicians with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019. The majority of infections were reported in the first wave of spring 2020. Two ENT surgeons were hospitalised and one died. The majority suspected workplace exposure, with a significant proportion attributing this to a lack of personal protective equipment at a time before formal guidance had been introduced. Of the ENT trainees surveyed, almost one-third believed that they had contracted coronavirus disease 2019.

Conclusion

This highlights the importance of ongoing risk-reduction measures, including optimal personal protective equipment and vaccination.
Natural Goodness, Sex, and the Perverted Faculty Argument
Authors: Arroyo Christopher
Published: October 2021

There is a longstanding and widely held view, often associated with Catholicism, that intrinsically nonprocreative human sex acts are intrinsically immoral. Some philosophers who hold this view, such as Edward Feser, claim that they can defend the view on purely philosophical grounds by relying on the perverted faculty argument. This paper argues that Feser's defense of the perverted faculty argument does not work because Feser fails to recognize the full implications of the species-dependence of natural goodness. By drawing on the work of Peter Geach and Philippa Foot, this paper presents a view of natural goodness that adequately accounts for the species-dependence of such goodness. Using this adequate account, the paper argues that at least some intrinsically nonprocreative human sex acts contribute to human flourishing.
JANE MANNING REMEMBERED
Authors: Fox Christopher , Burrell Diana , Hirst Linda , Montgomery Roger , Mulvey Gráinne
Published: October 2021

Jane Manning's death, in March 2021, brought to an end a remarkable life and musical career, and it seems appropriate to celebrate that life with an extended tribute.TEMPOhas always had a particularly close relationship with new music in Britain, where the journal is based, and Jane's work as a performer transformed the way in which musicians and audiences in Britain understood the technical and imaginative potential of new music. Her repertoire was enormous, and her interpretations of older music – Dallapiccola, Messiaen, Ravel, Webern – were wonderful, but it was as the creator of new work with living composers that she had such an extraordinary influence. What follows is an attempt to describe how that influence developed and to explain why it was so extraordinary.
Louth Contemporary Music Society, ‘We Sing for the Future’, 14–18 April 2021, online
Authors: Potter Caroline
Published: October 2021

The Louth Contemporary Music Society festival, based in Dundalk, only six miles from the border with Northern Ireland, is now an established presence on the contemporary music scene. Thanks to its founder, Eamonn Quinn, it attracts both local musicians and major international figures and also issues CDs. This year, the programme featured a strong Irish connection and a lot of music that is quiet, meditative and minimal. Music for guitar formed another theme, with new work by the Norwegian guitarist/composer Fredrik Rasten and the Cuban Leo Brouwer.
MaerzMusik. Lewis, Kaziboni, Wiget, Ensemble Modern Berlin. Stream, 24 March 2021.
Authors: Power Ian
Published: October 2021

March 2021's online MaerzMusik Festival featured a trio of events on themes of Afro-diaspora and new music: one German discussion, one English discussion and the concert ‘Afro-Modernism in Contemporary Music’, each curated by prominent American composer George Lewis. The programme of, according to the MaerzMusik website, ‘composers of the African diaspora’ was performed by Ensemble Modern, who performed the same concert in Frankfurt in November 2020. At that concert each piece was a world or German premiere, repeated for the MaerzMusik version, at which we were treated to an empty hall with a multi-HD-camera setup. It was streamed live on 24 March and available on demand for a few months following.
Comparison of dose volumetric parameters of oesophagus in the radiation treatment of carcinoma breast with and without oesophagus delineation
Authors: Bhaskaran Reshma , Pulickal Sajeev George , Reghu Harikrishnan , Perumangat Aparna , Moolath Girish Babu
Published: October 2021

Aim:

There are only limited studies available in literature that discuss methods to reduce the oesophageal dose and acute oesophagitis during breast cancer radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to compare dose volumetric parameters of oesophagus in radiation treatment of breast with and without oesophagus delineation.

Methods:

Treatment plans of 44 patients, who underwent chest wall and supraclavicular fossa irradiation, were selected for the study. Oesophagus was later delineated and treatment replanned using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) considering oesophagus as an organ at risk (OAR). The dose prescribed was 40 Gy/15 fractions to the planning target volume (PTV). Dose volumetric parameters of oesophagus such as maximum dose (Dmax), mean dose (Dmean), the percentage of oesophagus volume receiving ≥15Gy (V15), ≥25Gy(V25), ≥33Gy(V33) and ipsilateral lung volume parameters V4, V8 and V16 were compared with already executed plans in which oesophagus was not delineated.

Results:

Contouring the oesophagus as an OAR as a part of the radiotherapy treatment for Carcinoma Breast resulted in statistically significant reduction in dose to the oesophagus. No statistically significant change was found in the ipsilateral lung volume parameters. No compromise in plan quality was required as evident from the statistically non-significant differences in Homogeneity index and Conformity index.

Findings:

3DCRT planning with oesophagus delineation can be considered as a method to reduce oesophageal dose and the acute oesophageal toxicity during radiotherapy for carcinoma breast.
Morphophysiological diversity and its association with herbicide resistance in Echinochloa ecotypes
Authors: Liu Rui , Singh Vijay , Abugho Seth , Lin Hao-Sheng , Zhou Xin-Gen , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: October 2021

The genus Echinochloa constitutes some of the most prominent weed species found in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production worldwide. The taxonomy of Echinochloa is complex due to its morphological variations. The morphophysiological diversity and taxonomic characteristics of Echinochloa ecotypes infesting rice fields in Texas are unknown. A total of 54 Echinochloa ecotypes collected during late-season field surveys in 2015 and 2016 were characterized in a common garden in 2017. Plants were characterized for 14 morphophysiological traits, including stem angle; stem color; plant height; leaf color; leaf texture; flag leaf length, width, and angle; days to flowering; panicle length; plant biomass; seed shattering; seed yield; and seed dormancy. Principal component analysis indicated that 4 (plant height, flag leaf length, seed shattering, and seed germination) of the 14 phenological traits characterized here had significantly contributed to the overall morphological diversity of Echinochloa spp. Results showed wide interpopulation diversity for the measured traits among the E. colona ecotypes, as well as diverse intrapopulation variability in all three Echinochloa species studied, including barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link], and rough barnyardgrass [Echinochloa muricata (P. Beauv.) Fernald]. Taxonomical classification revealed that the collection consisted of three Echinochloa species, with E. colona being the most dominant (96%), followed by E. crus-galli (2%), and E. muricata (2%). Correlation analysis of morphophysiological traits and resistance status to commonly used preemergence (clomazone, quinclorac) and postemergence herbicides (propanil, quinclorac, imazethapyr, and fenoxaprop-ethyl) failed to show any significant association. Findings from this study provided novel insights into the morphophysiological characteristics of Echinochloa ecotypes in rice production in Texas. The morphological diversity currently present in Echinochloa ecotypes could contribute to their adaptation to selection pressure imposed by different management tools, emphasizing the need for a diversified management approach to effectively control this weed species.
Germination ecology of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and its implications for weed management
Authors: Singh Aseemjot , Mahajan Gulshan , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: October 2021

Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) is a widespread weed of the southeastern cropping region of Australia. Seed germination ecology of S. arvensis populations selected from different climatic regions may differ due to adaptative traits. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature, light, radiant heat, soil moisture, salt concentration, and burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence of two populations (Queensland [Qld] population: tropical region; and Victoria [Vic] population: temperate region) of S. arvensis. Both populations germinated over a wide range of day/night (12-h/12-h) temperatures (15/5 to 35/25 C), and had the highest germination at 30/20 C. Under complete darkness, the Qld population (61%) had higher germination than the Vic population (21%); however, under the light/dark regime, both populations had similar germination (78% to 86%). At 100 C pretreatment for 5 min, the Qld population (44%) had higher germination than the Vic population (13%). Germination of both populations was nil when given pretreatment at 150 and 200 C. The Vic population was found tolerant to high osmotic and salt stress compared with the Qld population. At an osmotic potential of −0.4 MPa, germination of Qld and Vic populations was reduced by 85% and 42%, respectively, compared with their respective controls. At 40, 80, and 160 mM sodium chloride, germination was lower for the Qld population than the Vic population. Averaged over the populations, seedling emergence was highest (52%) from a burial depth of 1 cm and was nil from 8-cm depth. Differential germination behaviors of both populations to temperature, light, radiant heat, water stress, and salt stress suggest that populations of S. arvensis may have undergone differential adaptation. Knowledge gained from this study will assist in developing suitable control measures for this weed species to reduce the soil seedbank.
Understanding Subpopulations on Mechanical Turk
Authors: Vanhove Adam J. , Miller Andrew D. , Harms Peter D.
Published: October 2021

Abstract. We draw on the drift hypothesis and latent deprivation model to guide comparisons between such workers on Amazon's crowdsourcing platform Mechanical Turk, known as Turkers, who report no employment other than crowdsourced work (i.e., otherwise unemployed) and Turkers who report being part-time and full-time employed outside of crowdsourced work. Findings show otherwise unemployed Turkers and part-time employed Turkers report a greater percentage of time in their work histories being unemployed and greater neuroticism than full-time employed Turkers do. Findings also show an inverse relationship between employment status and time spent completing crowdsourced work, with otherwise unemployed Turkers spending the most time completing crowdsourced work. Finally, findings show otherwise unemployed and part-time employed Turkers each differ, in unique ways, from full-time employed Turkers on theorized employment status antecedents and consequences.
Servant Leadership
Authors: Kuonath Angela , Nossek Julia , Nieberle Karolina W. , Kreitmeir Daniela , Frey Dieter
Published: October 2021

Abstract. The present study takes a closer look at servant leadership from a daily diary perspective. We hypothesized daily servant leadership to positively relate to the follower resources: self-efficacy and optimism. We further proposed that this relation should be attenuated if followers do not perceive their leaders to also lead servantly on a general basis. In a diary study, 98 followers completed questionnaires over one week. Hierarchical linear modeling showed daily servant leadership to be associated with followers' daily self-efficacy, but not with followers' daily optimism. Additionally, for the proposed interaction of daily servant leadership with general perceptions of servant leadership, results confirmed the proposed interaction for followers' daily optimism, but not for daily self-efficacy.
Reevaluation of Total‐Column Ozone Trends and of the Effective Radiative Forcing of Ozone‐Depleting Substances
Authors: Morgenstern Olaf , Frith Stacey M. , Bodeker Gregory E. , Fioletov Vitali , van der A Ronald J.
Published: October 2021

We evaluate total‐column ozone trends using a piecewise linear regression approach and maximizing usage of five gridded total‐column ozone data sets. The new approach yields more consistent estimates of observed ozone loss during 1979–2000, when halocarbon concentrations were increasing, and consequently, using CMIP6 simulations, an increased effective radiative forcing estimate of ozone‐depleting substances with a substantially reduced uncertainty range versus an earlier evaluation. At more than 84% confidence, it is now larger than zero and compares more favorably with three previous evaluations. We furthermore find significant positive post‐1997 global‐ and Southern‐Hemisphere‐mean trends, respectively, in these five data sets. For the extrapolar region (S–N) and for the Northern Hemisphere, the assessment whether there is a positive trend is inconclusive and depends on which observational data set is included in the calculation.
6-month follow-up of VIALE-C demonstrates improved and durable efficacy in patients with untreated AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Wei Andrew H. , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Montesinos Pau , Laribi Kamel , Ivanov Vladimir , Kim Inho , Novak Jan , Stevens Don A. , Fiedler Walter , Pagoni Maria , Bergeron Julie , Ting Stephen B. , Hou Jing-Zhou , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , McDonald Andrew , Murthy Vidhya , Yamauchi Takahiro , Wang Jianxiang , Chyla Brenda , Sun Yan , Jiang Qi , Mendes Wellington , Hayslip John , DiNardo Courtney D.
Published: October 2021

VIALE-C compared the safety and efficacy of venetoclax or placebo plus low-dose cytarabine (+LDAC) in patients with untreated AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Overall, 211 patients were enrolled (n = 143, venetoclax; n = 68, placebo). At the primary analysis, the study did not meet its primary endpoint of a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS), however, ~60% of patients had been on study for ≤6-months. Here, we present an additional 6-months of follow-up of VIALE-C (median follow-up 17.5 months; range 0.1–23.5). Median OS was (venetoclax +LDAC vs. placebo +LDAC) 8.4 vs. 4.1 months (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.50,0.99; P = 0.040); a 30% reduction in the risk of death with venetoclax. Complete response (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rates were 48.3% vs. 13.2%. Transfusion independence rates (RBC) were 43% vs.19% and median event-free survival was 4.9 vs. 2.1 months (HR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.44,0.84; P = 0.002). These results represent improved efficacy over the primary analysis. Incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events were similar between study arms and overall safety profiles were comparable to the primary analysis. These data support venetoclax +LDAC as a frontline treatment option for patients with AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03069352.
Graphene-electrode array for brain map remodeling of the cortical surface
Authors: Lee Minseok , Lee Sangwon , Kim Jejung , Lim Jeongsik , Lee Jinho , Masri Samer , Bao Shaowen , Yang Sunggu , Ahn Jong-Hyun , Yang Sungchil
Published: October 2021

Cortical maps, which are indicative of cognitive status, are shaped by the organism’s experience. Previous mapping tools, such as penetrating electrodes and imaging techniques, are limited in their ability to be used to assess high-resolution brain maps largely owing to their invasiveness and poor spatiotemporal resolution, respectively. In this study, we developed a flexible graphene-based multichannel electrode array for electrocorticography (ECoG) recording, which enabled us to assess cortical maps in a time- and labor-efficient manner. The flexible electrode array, formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene, provided low impedance and electrical noise because a good interface between the graphene and brain tissue was created, which improved the detectability of neural signals. Furthermore, cortical map remodeling was induced upon electrical stimulation at the cortical surface through a subset of graphene spots. This result demonstrated the macroscale plasticity of cortical maps, suggesting perceptual enhancement via electrical rehabilitation at the cortical surface.
Development of potent promoters that drive the efficient expression of genes in apple protoplasts
Authors: Wang Xianpu , Xu Lili , Liu Xiuxia , Xin Li , Wu Shujing , Chen Xuesen
Published: October 2021

Protoplast transient expression is a powerful strategy for gene functional characterization, especially in biochemical mechanism studies. We herein developed a highly efficient transient expression system for apple protoplasts. The abilities of the Arabidopsis thaliana and Malus domestica ubiquitin-10 (AtUBQ10 and MdUBQ10) promoters to drive the expression of multiple genes were compared with that of the CaMV 35S promoter, and the results revealed that the AtUBQ10 and MdUBQ10 promoters were more efficient in apple protoplasts. With this system, we demonstrated that active AtMKK7ac could activate MAPK6/3/4 signaling cascades, which further regulated MdWRKY33 phosphorylation and stability in apple. Furthermore, the ligand-induced interaction between the immune receptor AtFLS2 and the coreceptor AtBAK1 was reconstituted in apple protoplasts. We also found that the stability of the bacterial effector AvrRpt2 was regulated by feedback involving auxin and the immune regulator RIN4. The system established herein will serve as a useful tool for the molecular and biochemical analyses of apple genes.
Tomato genomic prediction for good performance under high-temperature and identification of loci involved in thermotolerance response
Authors: Cappetta Elisa , Andolfo Giuseppe , Guadagno Anna , Di Matteo Antonio , Barone Amalia , Frusciante Luigi , Ercolano Maria Raffaella
Published: October 2021

Many studies showed that few degrees above tomato optimum growth temperature threshold can lead to serious loss in production. Therefore, the development of innovative strategies to obtain tomato cultivars with improved yield under high temperature conditions is a main goal both for basic genetic studies and breeding activities. In this paper, a F4 segregating population was phenotypically evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits under heat stress conditions. Moreover, a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach has been employed for building up genomic selection (GS) models both for yield and soluble solid content (SCC). Several parameters, including training population size, composition and marker quality were tested to predict genotype performance under heat stress conditions. A good prediction accuracy for the two analyzed traits (0.729 for yield production and 0.715 for SCC) was obtained. The predicted models improved the genetic gain of selection in the next breeding cycles, suggesting that GS approach is a promising strategy to accelerate breeding for heat tolerance in tomato. Finally, the annotation of SNPs located in gene body regions combined with QTL analysis allowed the identification of five candidates putatively involved in high temperatures response, and the building up of a GS model based on calibrated panel of SNP markers.
Shifting parental beliefs about child development to foster parental investments and improve school readiness outcomes
Authors: List John A. , Pernaudet Julie , Suskind Dana L.
Published: October 2021

Socioeconomic gaps in child development open up early, with associated disparities in parental investments in children. Understanding the drivers of these disparities is key to designing effective policies. We first show that parental beliefs about the impact of early parental investments differ across socioeconomic status (SES), with parents of higher SES being more likely to believe that parental investments impact child development. We then use two randomized controlled trials to explore the mutability of such beliefs and their link to parental investments and child development, our three primary outcomes. In the first trial (NCT02812017 on clinicaltrials.gov), parents in the treatment group were asked to watch a short educational video during four well-child visits with their pediatrician while in the second trial (NCT03076268), parents in the treatment group received twelve home visits with feedback based on their daily interactions with their child. In both cases, we find that parental beliefs about child development are malleable. The first program changes parental beliefs but fails to lastingly increase parental investments and child outcomes. By contrast, in the more intensive program, all pre-specified endpoints are improved: the augmented beliefs are associated with enriched parent-child interactions and higher vocabulary, math, and social-emotional skills for the children.
Spatiotemporal proteomic profiling of the pro-inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in the THP-1 human leukaemia cell line
Authors: Mulvey Claire M. , Breckels Lisa M. , Crook Oliver M. , Sanders David J. , Ribeiro Andre L. R. , Geladaki Aikaterini , Christoforou Andy , Britovšek Nina Kočevar , Hurrell Tracey , Deery Michael J. , Gatto Laurent , Smith Andrew M. , Lilley Kathryn S.
Published: October 2021

Protein localisation and translocation between intracellular compartments underlie almost all physiological processes. The hyperLOPIT proteomics platform combines mass spectrometry with state-of-the-art machine learning to map the subcellular location of thousands of proteins simultaneously. We combine global proteome analysis with hyperLOPIT in a fully Bayesian framework to elucidate spatiotemporal proteomic changes during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. We report a highly dynamic proteome in terms of both protein abundance and subcellular localisation, with alterations in the interferon response, endo-lysosomal system, plasma membrane reorganisation and cell migration. Proteins not previously associated with an LPS response were found to relocalise upon stimulation, the functional consequences of which are still unclear. By quantifying proteome-wide uncertainty through Bayesian modelling, a necessary role for protein relocalisation and the importance of taking a holistic overview of the LPS-driven immune response has been revealed. The data are showcased as an interactive application freely available for the scientific community.
Emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.620 with variant of concern-like mutations and deletions
Authors: Dudas Gytis , Hong Samuel L. , Potter Barney I. , Calvignac-Spencer Sébastien , Niatou-Singa Frédéric S. , Tombolomako Thais B. , Fuh-Neba Terence , Vickos Ulrich , Ulrich Markus , Leendertz Fabian H. , Khan Kamran , Huber Carmen , Watts Alexander , Olendraitė Ingrida , Snijder Joost , Wijnant Kim N. , Bonvin Alexandre M.J.J. , Martres Pascale , Behillil Sylvie , Ayouba Ahidjo , Maidadi Martin Foudi , Djomsi Dowbiss Meta , Godwe Celestin , Butel Christelle , Šimaitis Aistis , Gabrielaitė Miglė , Katėnaitė Monika , Norvilas Rimvydas , Raugaitė Ligita , Koyaweda Giscard Wilfried , Kandou Jephté Kaleb , Jonikas Rimvydas , Nasvytienė Inga , Žemeckienė Živilė , Gečys Dovydas , Tamušauskaitė Kamilė , Norkienė Milda , Vasiliūnaitė Emilija , Žiogienė Danguolė , Timinskas Albertas , Šukys Marius , Šarauskas Mantas , Alzbutas Gediminas , Aziza Adrienne Amuri , Lusamaki Eddy Kinganda , Cigolo Jean-Claude Makangara , Mawete Francisca Muyembe , Lofiko Emmanuel Lokilo , Kingebeni Placide Mbala , Tamfum Jean-Jacques Muyembe , Belizaire Marie Roseline Darnycka , Essomba René Ghislain , Assoumou Marie Claire Okomo , Mboringong Akenji Blaise , Dieng Alle Baba , Juozapaitė Dovilė , Hosch Salome , Obama Justino , Ayekaba Mitoha Ondo’o , Naumovas Daniel , Pautienius Arnoldas , Rafaï Clotaire Donatien , Vitkauskienė Astra , Ugenskienė Rasa , Gedvilaitė Alma , Čereškevičius Darius , Lesauskaitė Vaiva , Žemaitis Lukas , Griškevičius Laimonas , Baele Guy
Published: October 2021

Distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineages, discovered through various genomic surveillance initiatives, have emerged during the pandemic following unprecedented reductions in worldwide human mobility. We here describe a SARS-CoV-2 lineage - designated B.1.620 - discovered in Lithuania and carrying many mutations and deletions in the spike protein shared with widespread variants of concern (VOCs), including E484K, S477N and deletions HV69Δ, Y144Δ, and LLA241/243Δ. As well as documenting the suite of mutations this lineage carries, we also describe its potential to be resistant to neutralising antibodies, accompanying travel histories for a subset of European cases, evidence of local B.1.620 transmission in Europe with a focus on Lithuania, and significance of its prevalence in Central Africa owing to recent genome sequencing efforts there. We make a case for its likely Central African origin using advanced phylogeographic inference methodologies incorporating recorded travel histories of infected travellers.
How social relationships shape moral wrongness judgments
Authors: Earp Brian D. , McLoughlin Killian L. , Monrad Joshua T. , Clark Margaret S. , Crockett Molly J.
Published: October 2021

Judgments of whether an action is morally wrong depend on who is involved and the nature of their relationship. But how, when, and why social relationships shape moral judgments is not well understood. We provide evidence to address these questions, measuring cooperative expectations and moral wrongness judgments in the context of common social relationships such as romantic partners, housemates, and siblings. In a pre-registered study of 423 U.S. participants nationally representative for age, race, and gender, we show that people normatively expect different relationships to serve cooperative functions of care, hierarchy, reciprocity, and mating to varying degrees. In a second pre-registered study of 1,320 U.S. participants, these relationship-specific cooperative expectations (i.e., relational norms) enable highly precise out-of-sample predictions about the perceived moral wrongness of actions in the context of particular relationships. In this work, we show that this ‘relational norms’ model better predicts patterns of moral wrongness judgments across relationships than alternative models based on genetic relatedness, social closeness, or interdependence, demonstrating how the perceived morality of actions depends not only on the actions themselves, but also on the relational context in which those actions occur.
Intrathymic differentiation of natural antibody-producing plasma cells in human neonates
Authors: Cordero Hector , King Rodney G. , Dogra Pranay , Dufeu Chloe , See Sarah B. , Chong Alexander M. , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin , Ho Siu-Hong , Kalfa David M. , Bacha Emile A. , Kearney John F. , Zorn Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

The thymus is a central lymphoid organ primarily responsible for the development of T cells. A small proportion of B cells, however, also reside in the thymus to assist negative selection of self-reactive T cells. Here we show that the thymus of human neonates contains a consistent contingent of CD138+ plasma cells, producing all classes and subclasses of immunoglobulins with the exception of IgD. These antibody-secreting cells are part of a larger subset of B cells that share the expression of signature genes defining mouse B1 cells, yet lack the expression of complement receptors CD21 and CD35. Data from single-cell transcriptomic, clonal correspondence and in vitro differentiation assays support the notion of intrathymic CD138+ plasma cell differentiation, alongside other B cell subsets with distinctive molecular phenotypes. Lastly, neonatal thymic plasma cells also include clones reactive to commensal and pathogenic bacteria that commonly infect children born with antibody deficiency. Thus, our findings point to the thymus as a source of innate humoral immunity in human neonates.
Ultra-coherent nanomechanical resonators based on inverse design
Authors: Høj Dennis , Wang Fengwen , Gao Wenjun , Hoff Ulrich Busk , Sigmund Ole , Andersen Ulrik Lund
Published: October 2021

Engineered micro- and nanomechanical resonators with ultra-low dissipation constitute a promising platform for various quantum technologies and foundational research. Traditionally, the improvement of the resonator’s performance through nanomechanical structural engineering has been driven by human intuition and insight. Such an approach is inefficient and leaves aside a plethora of unexplored mechanical designs that potentially achieve better performance. Here, we use a computer-aided inverse design approach known as topology optimization to structurally design mechanical resonators with optimized performance of the fundamental mechanical mode. Using the outcomes of this approach, we fabricate and characterize ultra-coherent nanomechanical resonators with, to the best of our knowledge, record-high Q ⋅ f products for their fundamental mode (where Q is the quality factor and f is the frequency). The proposed approach - which can also be used to improve phononic crystals and coupled-mode resonators - opens up a new paradigm for designing ultra-coherent micro- and nanomechanical resonators, enabling e.g. novel experiments in fundamental physics and extreme sensing.