bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and the governing of the interventionary object: Mali in the German parliament
Authors: Distler Werner , Tekath Miriam 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWhile studies on the role of knowledge and expertise have seen a resurgence of interest in International Relations and in literature on peacebuilding and security governance, little is known how knowledge enters the governance routines after the initial establishment of peacebuilding operations. Taking the mandate decision-making process of MINUSMA and EUTM operations in Mali in the German parliament as case for our explorative study, we ask how knowledge has entered the parliamentary process and how various epistemic practices and epistemic agency shape this peacebuilding governance since 2013. Informed by an object-centred knowledge framework, we argue that the practices and types of agency involved mostly ‘lock-in’ the governing of robust peacebuilding in Mali in much broader foreign- and security policies routines. Epistemic practices are not primarily concerned with new impulses or critical analysis, but with rendering Mali governable as interventionary object. The epistemic authority of the government is dominant and we do not find much evidence that hegemonic knowledge is challenged. Intervening agents do extract certain knowledge via transnational channels from Mali, however, broader knowledge debates or the involvement of Malian agents are missing.
Racial Justice and Resistance to Integration
Authors: Valls Andrew 
Published: May 2023

AbstractD. C. Matthew makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate between integrationists and their critics. While Matthew's conclusion that blacks have a duty not to integrate is too strong, his account provides additional reasons why they may not want to integrate. Further reasons to resist integration may be provided by considering the contexts of integration, particularly with respect to the degree of coerciveness that they involve. I argue that resistance to integration should take the form of not only refusing to participate in it but also of engaging in collective political action in the pursuit of racial justice.
Comparison of subcutaneous soft tissue versus temporalis fascia as a tympanoplasty graft material: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Faramarzi Mohammad , Faramarzi Ali , Roosta Sareh , Abbasi Nadia , Monabati Ahmad 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis research compares the efficacy of subcutaneous soft tissue and temporalis fascia in tympanic membrane grafting for large tympanic membrane perforations.MethodsA retrospective cohort study compared tympanic membrane graft success rate and hearing outcomes in 248 patients who underwent tympanoplasty using subcutaneous soft tissue (n = 118) or temporalis fascia (n = 130) via the post-auricular approach.ResultsComparable results were observed in both groups. Tympanic membrane graft success rate was 98.3 per cent (116 ears) in the subcutaneous soft tissue group and 98.5 per cent (128 ears) in the temporalis fascia group. The rate of air–bone gap closure within 20 dB was 54.2 per cent (64 ears) and 60.0 per cent (78 ears) in the soft tissue and temporalis fascia groups, respectively (p = 0.360).ConclusionSubcutaneous soft tissue is a reliable and readily available tympanic membrane graft material in both revision and primary tympanoplasty for large tympanic membrane perforations.
A simple design method for broadband planar antennas
Authors: Li RongLin , Yang Zhenkai , Zhang Yang , Cui Yuehui 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA simple process for the design of broadband planar antennas is presented for base station applications. The process is based on a square patch above a ground plane. Only three geometric parameters are involved in the design of a dual-polarized broadband planar antenna, including the width (Ws) of the square patch, a trimming angle (θ) of the square, and the height (H) of the patch above the ground plane. By adjusting the critical parameters θ and H, an impedance bandwidth of 50% for return loss (RL) >15 dB is achieved with an isolation of higher than 35 dB. The bandwidth of the broadband planar antenna is enhanced to 67% by etching four Γ slots on the square patch. The operating mechanisms of these broadband antennas are analyzed and verified by simulation and experiment.
Toward a Better Future for Assessment Reports
Authors: Spinu Roxana M. , Corbeanu Andreea 
Published: May 2023

Abstract: Conceived as an in vitro experiment, this study explores four ways of designing employee assessment reports to determine which of them is more efficient in selection decisions. Based on feedback, information design, and the educational testing literature, we addressed the design of assessment reports from two different perspectives: the wording (score vs. trait descriptions) and the formatting (bulleted lists vs. paragraphs) of the text. A total of 247 human resources specialists received a job description and two personality profiles and were asked to decide which of the two fictitious candidates is more suitable for the job. The study was a 2 × 2 × 2 design, manipulating the difficulty of the decision, the text wording, and the text formatting. The model was statistically significant, χ2(7) = 29.9, p < .001, and explained 16.1% of the variance in the selection decision. In the easy scenario, all types of reports were efficient. In the difficult scenario, reports using score descriptions and paragraphs were more efficient than any of the other three conditions. This study primarily contributes from a practical point of view, showing that different ways of building assessment reports lead to different selection decisions. It also emphasizes the responsibility that organizations and assessment providers have when communicating assessment results to decision-makers.
Applying the Urban Systems Abstraction Hierarchy as a Tool for Flood Resilience
Authors: McClymont K. , Bedinger M. , Beevers L. , Walker G. H. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractClimate change will mean cities are exposed to more frequent short‐term shocks such as floods. City‐scale resilience is achieved by understanding how these shocks interact with longer‐term stressors (e.g., social inequality). The Urban Systems Abstraction Hierarchy (USAH) has been developed for this purpose. In this paper, Glasgow (UK) is used as a case study application, to demonstrate how resilience theory can be operationalized through the application of the USAH. Results demonstrate how the USAH can quantify interdependencies between tangible physical entities in the city and intangible outcomes that monitor city stressors, and specifically how these outcomes change in response to a 1:200‐year fluvial flood return period in Glasgow. Resilience concepts such as multifunctionality, redundancy and diversity are applied to interpret the results and their implications for longer‐term resilience in Glasgow. The findings from the application of the USAH show that the outcome Social equality and equity is influential for longer‐term resilience in Glasgow, whilst Reliable communications and mobility is an important outcome for flood resilience.
Holocene Palaeoenvironmental and Palaeoproductivity Changes in the Western Amundsen Sea Embayment of Antarctica
Authors: Kim Minkyoung , Lee Jae Il , Bak Young‐Suk , Hillenbrand Claus‐Dieter , Yang Eun Jin , Montluçon Daniel B. , Haghipour Negar , Eglinton Timothy I. , Hwang Jeomshik 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe Amundsen Polynya (AP) on the inner and middle continental shelf of the western Amundsen Sea Embayment is the fourth largest coastal polynya around Antarctica. The AP is highly productive when it opens in austral summer, with ∼20 times greater organic carbon accumulation rates over the last few thousand years compared to those at nearby shelf sites with more persistent seasonal sea‐ice cover. We examined sedimentary records at a site from the AP and another site from the outer shelf to investigate temporal variations in the depositional environment with a special focus on the timing of the AP opening since the deglaciation following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 23–19 cal. ka BP). In the AP region, sedimentological and biogeochemical proxy data reveal a transition from a sub‐glacial to a sub‐ice shelf and then seasonally open marine conditions comparable to those at present. Total organic carbon contents and diatom valve abundances during the seasonally open marine period imply that the polynya environments was reached at ca. 9.2 cal. ka BP. Since the post‐LGM deglaciation, diatom productivity and assemblages in the AP region appear to have varied in association with the variation in the physical environment. Compared to the AP site, only small amounts of organic carbon accumulated on the outer shelf. Differences in the depositional environments and productivity modes between the inner and outer shelf sites have persisted since ca. 10.5 cal. ka BP.
Goal-oriented representations in the human hippocampus during planning and navigation
Authors: Crivelli-Decker Jordan , Clarke Alex , Park Seongmin A. , Huffman Derek J. , Boorman Erie D. , Ranganath Charan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractRecent work in cognitive and systems neuroscience has suggested that the hippocampus might support planning, imagination, and navigation by forming cognitive maps that capture the abstract structure of physical spaces, tasks, and situations. Navigation involves disambiguating similar contexts, and the planning and execution of a sequence of decisions to reach a goal. Here, we examine hippocampal activity patterns in humans during a goal-directed navigation task to investigate how contextual and goal information are incorporated in the construction and execution of navigational plans. During planning, hippocampal pattern similarity is enhanced across routes that share a context and a goal. During navigation, we observe prospective activation in the hippocampus that reflects the retrieval of pattern information related to a key-decision point. These results suggest that, rather than simply representing overlapping associations or state transitions, hippocampal activity patterns are shaped by context and goals.
Food demand displaced by global refugee migration influences water use in already water stressed countries
Authors: Bertassello Leonardo , Müller Marc F. , Wiechman Adam , Penny Gopal , Tuninetti Marta , Müller-Itten Michèle C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMillions of people displaced by conflicts have found refuge in water-scarce countries, where their perceived effect on water availability has shaped local water security discourses. Using an annual global data set, we explain the effects of refugee migrations on the host countries’ water stress through the food demand displaced by refugees and the water necessary to produce that food. The water footprint of refugee displacement increased by nearly 75% globally between 2005 and 2016. Although minimal in most countries, implications can be severe in countries already facing severe water stress. For example, refugees may have contributed up to 75 percentage points to water stress in Jordan. While water considerations should not, alone, determine trade and migration policy, we find that small changes to current international food supply flows and refugee resettlement procedures can potentially ease the effect of refugee displacement on water stress in water-vulnerable countries.
Discovery and biosynthesis of tricyclic copper-binding ribosomal peptides containing histidine-to-butyrine crosslinks
Authors: Li Yuqing , Ma Yeying , Xia Yinzheng , Zhang Tao , Sun Shuaishuai , Gao Jiangtao , Yao Hongwei , Wang Huan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCyclic peptide natural products represent an important class of bioactive compounds and clinical drugs. Enzymatic side-chain macrocyclization of ribosomal peptides is a major strategy developed by nature to generate these chemotypes, as exemplified by the superfamily of ribosomally synthesized and post-translational modified peptides. Despite the diverse types of side-chain crosslinks in this superfamily, the participation of histidine residues is rare. Herein, we report the discovery and biosynthesis of bacteria-derived tricyclic lanthipeptide noursin, which is constrained by a tri amino acid labionin crosslink and an unprecedented histidine-to-butyrine crosslink, named histidinobutyrine. Noursin displays copper-binding ability that requires the histidinobutyrine crosslink and represents the first copper-binding lanthipeptide. A subgroup of lanthipeptide synthetases, named LanKCHbt, were identified to catalyze the formation of both the labionin and the histidinobutyrine crosslinks in precursor peptides and produce noursin-like compounds. The discovery of the histidinobutyrine-containing lanthipeptides expands the scope of post-translational modifications, structural diversity and bioactivity of ribosomally synthesized and post-translational modified peptides.
Computational models of episodic-like memory in food-caching birds
Authors: Brea Johanni , Clayton Nicola S. , Gerstner Wulfram 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBirds of the crow family adapt food-caching strategies to anticipated needs at the time of cache recovery and rely on memory of the what, where and when of previous caching events to recover their hidden food. It is unclear if this behavior can be explained by simple associative learning or if it relies on higher cognitive processes like mental time-travel. We present a computational model and propose a neural implementation of food-caching behavior. The model has hunger variables for motivational control, reward-modulated update of retrieval and caching policies and an associative neural network for remembering caching events with a memory consolidation mechanism for flexible decoding of the age of a memory. Our methodology of formalizing experimental protocols is transferable to other domains and facilitates model evaluation and experiment design. Here, we show that memory-augmented, associative reinforcement learning without mental time-travel is sufficient to explain the results of 28 behavioral experiments with food-caching birds.
Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin
Authors: Capdevila J. , Hernando J. , Teule A. , Lopez C. , Garcia-Carbonero R. , Benavent M. , Custodio A. , Garcia-Alvarez A. , Cubillo A. , Alonso V. , Carmona-Bayonas A. , Alonso-Gordoa T. , Crespo G. , Jimenez-Fonseca P. , Blanco M. , Viudez A. , La Casta A. , Sevilla I. , Segura A. , Llanos M. , Landolfi S. , Nuciforo P. , Manzano J. L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSingle immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS.
Wigner-molecularization-enabled dynamic nuclear polarization
Authors: Jang Wonjin , Kim Jehyun , Park Jaemin , Kim Gyeonghun , Cho Min-Kyun , Jang Hyeongyu , Sim Sangwoo , Kang Byoungwoo , Jung Hwanchul , Umansky Vladimir , Kim Dohun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMultielectron semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) provide a novel platform to study the Coulomb interaction-driven, spatially localized electron states of Wigner molecules (WMs). Although Wigner-molecularization has been confirmed by real-space imaging and coherent spectroscopy, the open system dynamics of the strongly correlated states with the environment are not yet well understood. Here, we demonstrate efficient control of spin transfer between an artificial three-electron WM and the nuclear environment in a GaAs double QD. A Landau–Zener sweep-based polarization sequence and low-lying anticrossings of spin multiplet states enabled by Wigner-molecularization are utilized. Combined with coherent control of spin states, we achieve control of magnitude, polarity, and site dependence of the nuclear field. We demonstrate that the same level of control cannot be achieved in the non-interacting regime. Thus, we confirm the spin structure of a WM, paving the way for active control of correlated electron states for application in mesoscopic environment engineering.
Simultaneous sulfide and methane oxidation by an extremophile
Authors: Schmitz Rob A. , Peeters Stijn H. , Mohammadi Sepehr S. , Berben Tom , van Erven Timo , Iosif Carmen A. , van Alen Theo , Versantvoort Wouter , Jetten Mike S. M. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Pol Arjan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methane (CH4) are produced in anoxic environments through sulfate reduction and organic matter decomposition. Both gases diffuse upwards into oxic zones where aerobic methanotrophs mitigate CH4 emissions by oxidizing this potent greenhouse gas. Although methanotrophs in myriad environments encounter toxic H2S, it is virtually unknown how they are affected. Here, through extensive chemostat culturing we show that a single microorganism can oxidize CH4 and H2S simultaneously at equally high rates. By oxidizing H2S to elemental sulfur, the thermoacidophilic methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV alleviates the inhibitory effects of H2S on methanotrophy. Strain SolV adapts to increasing H2S by expressing a sulfide-insensitive ba3-type terminal oxidase and grows as chemolithoautotroph using H2S as sole energy source. Genomic surveys revealed putative sulfide-oxidizing enzymes in numerous methanotrophs, suggesting that H2S oxidation is much more widespread in methanotrophs than previously assumed, enabling them to connect carbon and sulfur cycles in novel ways.
Synergy of multiple precipitate/matrix interface structures for a heat resistant high-strength Al alloy
Authors: Lu Qiang , Wang Jianchuan , Li Hongcheng , Jin Shenbao , Sha Gang , Lu Jiangbo , Wang Li , Jin Bo , Lan Xinyue , Li Liya , Li Kai , Du Yong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHigh strength aluminum alloys are widely used but their strength is reduced as nano-precipitates coarsen rapidly in medium and high temperatures, which greatly limits their application. Single solute segregation layers at precipitate/matrix interfaces are not satisfactory in stabilizing precipitates. Here we obtain multiple interface structures in an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Si-Sc alloy including Sc segregation layers, C and L phases as well as a newly discovered χ-AgMg phase, which partially cover the θ′ precipitates. By atomic resolution characterizations and ab initio calculations, such interface structures have been confirmed to synergistically retard coarsening of precipitates. Therefore, the designed alloy shows the good combination of heat resistance and strength among all series of Al alloys, with 97% yield strength retained after thermal exposure, which is as high as 400 MPa. This concept of covering precipitates with multiple interface phases and segregation layers provides an effective strategy for designing other heat resistant materials.
An mRNA-based T-cell-inducing antigen strengthens COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Tai Wanbo , Feng Shengyong , Chai Benjie , Lu Shuaiyao , Zhao Guangyu , Chen Dong , Yu Wenhai , Ren Liting , Shi Huicheng , Lu Jing , Cai Zhuming , Pang Mujia , Tan Xu , Wang Penghua , Lin Jinzhong , Sun Qiangming , Peng Xiaozhong , Cheng Gong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHerd immunity achieved through mass vaccination is an effective approach to prevent contagious diseases. Nonetheless, emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with frequent mutations largely evaded humoral immunity induced by Spike-based COVID-19 vaccines. Herein, we develop a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA-based T-cell-inducing antigen, which targeted three SARS-CoV-2 proteome regions that enriched human HLA-I epitopes (HLA-EPs). Immunization of HLA-EPs induces potent cellular responses to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in humanized HLA-A*02:01/DR1 and HLA-A*11:01/DR1 transgenic mice. Of note, the sequences of HLA-EPs are highly conserved among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In humanized HLA-transgenic mice and female rhesus macaques, dual immunization with the LNP-formulated mRNAs encoding HLA-EPs and the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant (RBDbeta) is more efficacious in preventing infection of SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron BA.1 variants than single immunization of LNP-RBDbeta. This study demonstrates the necessity to strengthen the vaccine effectiveness by comprehensively stimulating both humoral and cellular responses, thereby offering insight for optimizing the design of COVID-19 vaccines.
Imaging quantized vortex rings in superfluid helium to evaluate quantum dissipation
Authors: Tang Yuan , Guo Wei , Kobayashi Hiromichi , Yui Satoshi , Tsubota Makoto , Kanai Toshiaki 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe motion of quantized vortices is responsible for many intriguing phenomena in diverse quantum-fluid systems. Having a theoretical model to reliably predict the vortex motion therefore promises a broad significance. But a grand challenge in developing such a model is to evaluate the dissipative force caused by thermal quasiparticles in the quantum fluids scattering off the vortex cores. Various models have been proposed, but it remains unclear which model describes reality due to the lack of comparative experimental data. Here we report a visualization study of quantized vortex rings propagating in superfluid helium. By examining how the vortex rings spontaneously decay, we provide decisive data to identify the model that best reproduces observations. This study helps to eliminate ambiguities about the dissipative force acting on vortices, which could have implications for research in various quantum-fluid systems that also involve similar forces, such as superfluid neutron stars and gravity-mapped holographic superfluids.