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The vast literature on personality psychology generally focuses on neutral or socially beneficial personality traits such as the Five-Factor model (e.g., agreeableness, conscientiousness) or "dark" traits such as Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and everyday sadism. However, the current synthesis of the literature indicates that the distinction between benign, malign, and neutral personality traits and facets is partly misguided. In fact, there are many objective and subjective measures that indicate that high agreeableness is not beneficial, while moderate grandiose narcissism is. Many, if not all of the traits are rather gray and socially and personally desired outcomes indicate that people who aim for a well-rounded personality should typically be clustered in the middle of the various personality spectrums. In addition, many of the personality traits are characterized by parallel patterns of good/bad relations to social and personal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2004, marine biodiversity inventory data have been systematically collected with diving, video, and benthic sampling methods in Finland. To date, this collection of data consists of more than 194 000 spatially explicit observations, covering more than 280 aquatic genera, representing mainly macroalgae, vascular plants, water mosses, and invertebrates. We describe the data collection and storage methods, data extraction from national databases, and provide potential users a curated, open-access version of the inventory data. Additionally, examples of data applications and discussion on potential limitations are provided. This extensive dataset can be used in ecological and biogeographical studies to provide general descriptions of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, as well as in more applied studies to support marine management, conservation, and sustainable use of marine areas. The sampling strategy and high spatial and taxonomic resolution allow for statistical modelling, which further increases the usability of the data in research, for instance in identifying key biodiversity areas, estimating biodiversity loss, and assessing efficiency of conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people in rural sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity and rely on traditional, inefficient, and polluting cooking solutions that have adverse impacts on both human health and the environment. Here, we propose a novel integrated agroforestry-bioenergy system that combines sustainable biomass production in sequential agroforestry systems with biomass-based cleaner cooking solutions and rural electricity production in small-scale combined heat and power plants and estimate the biophysical system outcomes. Despite conservative assumptions, we demonstrate that on-farm biomass production can cover the household's fuelwood demand for cooking and still generate a surplus of woody biomass for electricity production via gasification. Agroforestry and biochar soil amendments should increase agricultural productivity and food security. In addition to enhanced energy security, the proposed system should also contribute to improving cooking conditions and health, enhancing soil fertility and food security, climate change mitigation, gender equality, and rural poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the distribution and changes of HER2 status in untreated tumours, in residual disease and in metastasis, and their long-term prognostic implications. Methods: This is a population-based cohort study of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer during 2007–2020 in the Stockholm–Gotland region which comprises 25% of the entire Swedish population. Information was extracted from the National Breast Cancer Registry and electronic patient charts to minimize data missingness and misclassification. Results: In total, 2494 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, of which 2309 had available pretreatment HER2 status. Discordance rates were 29.9% between primary and residual disease (kappa = 0.534), 31.2% between primary tumour and metastasis (kappa = 0.512) and 33.3% between residual disease to metastasis (kappa = 0.483). Adjusted survival curves differed between primary HER2 0 and HER2-low disease (p < 0.001), with the former exhibiting an early peak in risk for death which eventually declined below the risk of HER2-low. Across all disease settings, increasing the number of biopsies increased the likelihood of detecting HER2-low status. Conclusion: HER2 status changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and metastatic progression, and the long-term behaviours of HER2 0 and HER2-low disease differ, underscoring the need for obtaining tissue biopsies and for extended follow-up in breast cancer studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study analysed the relationships between socio-economic status, migration background, and non-cognitive factors and PISA reading and mathematics achievement. The results from multi-level analyses on Sweden's PISA survey from 2018 indicate that both mathematics achievement and reading achievement are affected by SES, migration background, reading abilities, growth mindset, and the ability to master the content. Between-school level differences are explained by reading motivation and the mother's educational level. Our findings stress the importance of both socio-demographic, socio-economic, and non-cognitive factors such as reading self-concept and growth mindset for both mathematics achievement and reading achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species frequently differ in the number and structure of chromosomes they harbor, but individuals that are heterozygous for chromosomal rearrangements may suffer from reduced fitness. Chromosomal rearrangements like fissions and fusions can hence serve as a mechanism for speciation between incipient lineages, but their evolution poses a paradox. How can rearrangements get fixed between populations if heterozygotes have reduced fitness? One solution is that this process predominantly occurs in small and isolated populations, where genetic drift can override natural selection. However, fixation is also more likely if a novel rearrangement is favored by a transmission bias, such as meiotic drive. Here, we investigate chromosomal transmission distortion in hybrids between two wood white (Leptidea sinapis) butterfly populations with extensive karyotype differences. Using data from two different crossing experiments, we uncover that there is a transmission bias favoring the ancestral chromosomal state for derived fusions, a result that shows that chromosome fusions actually can fix in populations despite being counteracted by meiotic drive. This means that meiotic drive not only can promote runaway chromosome number evolution and speciation, but also that it can be a conservative force acting against karyotypic change and the evolution of reproductive isolation. Based on our results, we suggest a mechanistic model for why chromosome fusion mutations may be opposed by meiotic drive and discuss factors contributing to karyotype evolution in Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Source apportionment and environmental and risk assessments of ambient PM10 collected from three locations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were investigated. These estimations were based on the concentrations of ambient PM10 mass and potentially toxic elements. The annual ambient PM10 concentration, 120 ± 40, 180 ± 170, and 150 ± 230 µg/m3 at three locations respectively, exceeds the Saudi Arabia annual air quality limit (80 µg/m3). The highest 24-h PM10 concentrations were measured at a location influenced by traffic and industries (1800 µg/m3) and at a seaside location (2000 µg/m3) while the lowest 24-h PM10 concentration was measured at a university campus site (50 µg/m3). The elements As, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, V, and Zn were included in the source apportionment analysis using positive matrix factorization. The major sources identified were crustal material and windblown dust (27–28%), a mix of natural and anthropogenic sources (20–26%), combustion and traffic (18–21%), industrial activities (14–20%), and heavy metal industry (11–15%). Several environmental risk indices show a serious environmental pollution problem in Jeddah city due to the high concentrations of ambient PM10 and their elemental content. A non-carcinogenic health risk assessment showed that Cd and Mn constituted a risk for children and adults and inhalation was the main pathway for exposure. No carcinogenic risks were found but Cd, Co, and Ni had CR values above the safe limit of 10–6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chirality-flow formalism, combined with good choices of gauge reference vectors, simplifies tree-level calculations to the extent that it is often possible to write down amplitudes corresponding to Feynman diagrams immediately. It has also proven to give a very sizable speedup in a proof of concept implementation of massless tree-level QED in MadGraph5_aMC@NLO. In the present paper we extend this analysis to QCD, including massive quarks. We define helicity-dependent versions of the gluon vertices, derive constraints on the spinor structure of propagating gluons, and explore the Schouten identity to simplify the four-gluon vertex further. For massive quarks, the chirality-flow formalism sheds light on how to exploit the freedom to measure spin along any direction to shorten the calculations. Overall, this results in a clear speedup for treating the Lorentz structure at high multiplicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is of major health and environmental concern globally and in South Africa. Studies on the sources of PM2.5 air pollution in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa are limited. This study aimed to identify local and distant sources of PM2.5 pollution in Bloemfontein. PM2.5 samples were collected from June 16, 2020 to August 18, 2021. Trace element concentrations were determined by EDXRF spectroscopy. By use of the US EPA PMF 5.0 program, local sources were determined to be combustion/wood burning (49%), industry (22%), soil dust (10%), base metal/pyrometallurgical and traffic (9.6%) and water treatment/industry (9.4%). The HYSPLIT program was applied to determine distant PM2.5 source areas and the following clusters were identified: Mpumalanga province (52%), Northern Cape province (35%), Indian Ocean (8%) and Atlantic Ocean (6%). The majority of the air was found to come from the Mpumalanga province in the north-east, while the majority of local sources are ascribed to combustion/wood burning. Results from this study can be used to develop an Air Quality Management Plan for Bloemfontein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study is to examine factors related to opioid overdose deaths within the framework of social disorganization theory. We identify county-level factors related to overdose deaths among a series of measures related to economic (unemployment, health insurance coverage, and poverty) and socio-structural (prescribed opioid pills, racial heterogeneity, drug arrest rate, county rurality, and Appalachian location) disadvantage. Using panel data on counties in the United States drawn from five major, federal-level datasets, we perform a series of stepwise mixed-effects models to examine the relationships between economic and social markers of structural disadvantage and opioid-involved overdose deaths between the years 2006 and 2012. The proportion of poverty, unemployment, Appalachia, and pills prescribed are associated with increased opioid overdose deaths over time. A series of interactions illustrate that markers of disadvantage, including opioid prescriptions, often operate in tandem to exacerbate opioid overdose deaths. Based on standardized coefficients, the most predictive factor related to opioid overdose deaths is the volume of opioid pill prescriptions in a county on a year-to-year basis. Overall, this study emphasizes the utility of criminological theory in policy-related work focused on the opioid crisis. Our work also highlights the need for federal agencies to release data already collected on opioid pills to further our understanding of how to combat the opioid crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteostasis are central features of neurodegenerative diseases. The pitrilysin metallopeptidase 1 (PITRM1) is a mitochondrial matrix enzyme, which digests oligopeptides, including the mitochondrial targeting sequences that are cleaved from proteins imported across the inner mitochondrial membrane and the mitochondrial fraction of amyloid beta (Aβ). We identified two siblings carrying a homozygous PITRM1 missense mutation (c.548G>A, p.Arg183Gln) associated with an autosomal recessive, slowly progressive syndrome characterised by mental retardation, spinocerebellar ataxia, cognitive decline and psychosis. The pathogenicity of the mutation was tested in vitro, in mutant fibroblasts and skeletal muscle, and in a yeast model. A Pitrm1+/− heterozygous mouse showed progressive ataxia associated with brain degenerative lesions, including accumulation of Aβ‐positive amyloid deposits. Our results show that PITRM1 is responsible for significant Aβ degradation and that impairment of its activity results in Aβ accumulation, thus providing a mechanistic demonstration of the mitochondrial involvement in amyloidotic neurodegeneration.

Air pollution causes environmental and health problems around the world. In this study, ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 10 microns (PM10) has been collected at three different locations in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The locations are characterized by differences in terms of traffic, residential intensity, industrial, and non-road mobile machinery activities. The monthly and annual mass concentration of the PM10 exceeds the recommended annual limit of the World Health Organization (15 µg/m3) and the European air quality standard (40 µg/m3) at the three locations. The collected PM10 samples as well as a certified reference material of atmospheric particulates (NIST 1678a) were digested in aqua regia using microwave digestion. The quantitative elemental analysis was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The variations of the elemental concentration in terms of workdays, weekends, seasons, and annual were determined at the three locations. The spatial and temporal elemental variations were found to be different between the three sites, pointing to local influences that should be further evaluated. The concentration of Cd was found to be high and may cause health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are frequently encountered by patients during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment and are associated with better treatment outcomes. The sequencing of radiotherapy (RT) and ICIs is widely used in current clinical practice, but its effect on survival has remained unclear. Methods: In a real-world multicenter study including 521 patients who received ICI treatment for metastatic or locally advanced cancer, RT schedules and timing, irAEs, time to progression, overall survival, and treatment responses were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Patients who received previous RT and developed irAE (RT +/AE +) had the best overall response rate (ORR 44.0%). The ORR was 40.1% in the RT −/AE + group, 26.7% in the RT −/AE − group and 18.3% in the RT + /AE − group (p < 0.001). There was a significantly longer time to progression (TTP) in the RT + /AE + group compared to the RT −/AE − and RT + /AE − groups (log rank p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), but the trend toward longer TTP in the RT + /AE + group did not reach statistical significance in pairwise comparison to that in the RT −/AE + group. Preceding RT timing and intent had no statistically significant effect on TTP. In a multivariate model, ECOG = 0 and occurrence of irAEs remained independent positive prognostic factors for TTP (HR 0.737; 95% CI 0.582–0.935; p = 0.012, and HR 0.620; 95% CI 0.499–0.769; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Better ORR and a trend toward longer TTP were demonstrated for patients with RT preceding ICI treatment and development of irAEs, which suggests that RT may boost the therapeutic effect of immunotherapy in patients with metastatic cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that socioeconomic status, cognitive ability, and non-cognitive abilities such as self-efficacy are substantially associated with academic achievement. However, the specific relationships of these variables remain a relatively unexplored topic in regard to more recent and representative samples. The current study examined such relations by taking advantage of two cohorts (total N = 12,315) of Swedish students at the elementary (Grade 6) and lower-secondary school levels (Grade 8) in the compulsory school. The regression models showed that all three variables explained a substantial portion of grade variance, with cognitive ability having the strongest relationship, followed by non-cognitive abilities, and SES. Longitudinal associations, which accounted for previous academic achievement, showed that the three variables did still explain a substantial amount of grade variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Training in mindfulness has been found to enhance interpersonal benefits (e.g., gratitude, forgiveness, empathy, compassion). Here, we ask if these interpersonal benefits extend to intergroup contexts. Methods: Two experiments (n = 256) tested whether brief mindfulness instruction predicted higher prosocial helping behavior toward an ostracized racial outgroup member. Results: In Study 1, mindfulness instruction, relative to active and inactive controls, predicted higher helping behavior toward an ostracized racial outgroup member in a private (but not in a public) context. State empathic concern did not mediate the relationship between mindfulness training and private helping behavior. In Study 2, which involved greater anonymity, mindfulness instruction predicted higher private and public helping behavior toward an ostracized racial outgroup member. Empathic concern statistically mediated the relationship between mindfulness training and public, but not private, helping. Conclusions: Together these two studies indicate that, in a relatively anonymous context, brief mindfulness instruction predicts higher empathic concern and helping behavior toward an ostracized racial outgroup member. Discussion focuses on implications and limitations of mindfulness for intergroup prosociality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The block version of GMRES (BGMRES) is most advantageous over the single right hand side (RHS) counterpart when the cost of communication is high while the cost of floating point operations is not. This is the particular case on modern graphics processing units (GPUs), while it is generally not the case on traditional central processing units (CPUs). In this paper, experiments on both GPUs and CPUs are shown that compare the performance of BGMRES against GMRES as the number of RHS increases, with a particular forcus on GPU performance. The experiments indicate that there are many cases in which BGMRES is slower than GMRES on CPUs, but faster on GPUs. Furthermore, when varying the number of RHS on the GPU, there is an optimal number of RHS where BGMRES is clearly most advantageous over GMRES. A computational model for the GPU is developed using hardware specific parameters, providing insight towards how the qualitative behavior of BGMRES changes as the number of RHS increase, and this model also helps explain the phenomena observed in the experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two recent papers, Boman (J Geom Anal 31:2726–2741, 2020, , J Ill-posed Inverse Probl 2021, ), we proved that the Radon transform of a compactly supported distribution can be supported in the set of supporting planes to a bounded, convex domain D ⊂ R n only if the boundary of D is an ellipsoid. Using closely related methods we study here the relationship between the analytic wave front set for the characteristic function, χ D , of a domain D ⊂ R n and singularities of the boundary ∂ D of the domain. For instance we prove that the boundary surface must be real analytic in a neighborhood of a point z ∈ ∂ D ∈ C 1 , if the analytic wave front set of χ D at z contains no other elements than the conormals to ∂ D at z. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nordic countries incarcerate offenders at much lower rates in comparison with incarceration rates in the United States, and reincarcerate fewer people per capita. Non-custodial alternatives to sanctions, including fines and community service, are used extensively in Finland to reduce negative effects of institutionalization and subsequent disadvantage caused by incarceration. The nature of drug-involved offenders within the Finnish system is reviewed in light of current research about the effectiveness of incarceration and deterrence-based approaches for drug offenders. Employing a 2014 sample from register data (consisting of official government records) of drug offenders in Finland with a 3-year recidivism period, this study utilizes a genetic matching procedure to compare offenders who received fines, conditional sentences (probation), or incarceration. While recognizing that numerous confounding variables affect incarceration, we compare a matched sample of drug offenders and the sanctions they have received from the Finland judicial system to determine whether offenders who initially receive a fine or a conditional sentence reenter the correctional system at different rates than those who are incarcerated. After matching, results found no significant differences between offenders receiving incarceration sentences or those who received noncustodial sentences (fine, or conditional sentence) for general and drug-related recidivism. These results are presented within the context of the Finnish corrections system in order to inform the criminal justice community about culture, incarceration, and process differences that could positively affect working with drug offenders in other localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a major pest of solanaceous plant species, causes serious losses in the agriculture sector around the globe. For better pest management, entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Purpureocillium lilacinum, play an efficient role in suppressing the pest population. The present study was carried out to analyse the effects post fungal infections through proteome profiling using an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer. A total of 2,201 proteins were identified from the fourth instar larvae of T. absoluta, of which 442 and 423 proteins were significantly dysregulated upon infection with P. lilacinum and B. bassiana respectively. The potential proteins related to immune systems as well as detoxification processes showed significant alterations after post fungal infection. Studies on T. absoluta proteomics and genomics as well as the consequences of entomopathogenic fungal infection on the immune response of this insect could provide an initial framework for exploring more fungus-host interactions for the development of better strategies for integrated pest management. Measurement(s) Proteome Technology Type(s) Mass Spectrometry Factor Type(s) Dosage Sample Characteristic - Organism Tuta absoluta [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutibacterium is a genus often considered a contaminant when present in blood cultures, but it can also cause severe infections, especially related to implanted foreign materials. We investigated the incidence and features of patients with true Cutibacterium infection. Patients with positive Cutibacterium blood cultures between the years 2015–2020 in southern Sweden were identified through microbiology records and medical records were studied retrospectively. Cutibacterium isolates were species determined using MALDI-TOF MS. Patients were classified as having true infection or contamination according to a definition considering both clinical and microbiological features and these groups were compared. A total of 313 episodes of positive Cutibacterium blood cultures were identified in 312 patients. Of these, 49 (16%, corresponding to an incidence of 6 cases per million inhabitants per year) were classified as true infections. The most common species was Cutibacterium acnes (87%), and the majority were elderly men with comorbidities. Patients with true Cutibacterium infection often had an unknown focus of infection (n = 21) or a focus in the respiratory tract (n = 18). We identified one episode of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection, three episodes of aortic stent-graft infection, and one episode of infective endocarditis. Two patients, where Cutibacterium was isolated at the site of infection, had only one positive blood culture. The finding of positive Cutibacterium blood cultures should not always be considered contamination. Definitions of true Cutibacterium bacteremia with a demand that more than one blood culture must be positive may miss true infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite therapeutic advances, overall survival of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) at the population level has seen little improvement over the past decades. Aggressive tumor biology or delay in access to cancer care might be contributing factors. With this retrospective population-based study we aimed to quantify and characterize patients with very short survival time following MBC diagnosis. Methods: Women diagnosed with MBC between Jan 1st, 2005 and Dec 31st, 2016 were identified using the population-based Stockholm–Gotland breast cancer registry. Data regarding demographic and clinicopathological characteristics, survival, and treatment were extracted retrospectively from the registry and from patient charts. Patients who died within 90 days following diagnosis of MBC were identified and their characteristics were compared with all other patients diagnosed with MBC during the same period. Results: Between 2005 and 2016, 3124 patients were diagnosed with MBC, of whom 498 (16.2%) died within 90 days of diagnosis. Nearly half (N = 233) did not receive any antitumoral treatment. Patients with short survival were older (p < 0.001), had higher primary tumor grade (p < 0.001), higher clinical stage at primary diagnosis (p = 0.002), and more often estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer (p < 0.001). Visceral metastases were more frequent (p < 0.001) and patients with short survival received adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001) to a lesser extent compared to patients with a better prognosis. In multivariable analysis older age, time period of diagnosis, metastasis site, adjuvant chemotherapy, and primary tumor grade were independent predictors for short survival, whereas ER status was not. Conclusion: Nearly one out of six patients with MBC survive less than 3 months after diagnosis. Our findings demonstrate a different spectrum of MBC at population level and can potentially inform on individualized follow-up strategies and treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several sources have been identified as contributing to the concentration of ambient fine particulate matter, which has been associated to a variety of health issues. The chemical characteristics and sources of trace elements in PM2.5, as well as the air quality index, were investigated in this study. Twenty four-hour fine aerosol particles were collected in an urban area in Pretoria, South Africa, from April 2017 to April 2018. Eighteen trace elements were determined using an XEPOS 5 energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer, while black and organic carbon were estimated using an optical transmissometer from the samples collected. The HYPLIT model (version 4.9) was used to estimate air mass trajectories. Health risk was calculated by comparing it to the World Health Organization's air quality index (AQI). The overall mean PM2.5 concentration of the collected sample equals 21 µg/m3. Majority of PM2.5 exceedances were reported during mid-autumn and winter seasons, as compared to daily WHO guidelines and South African standards. S had the highest concentrations, greater than 1 µg/m3. Ni, Se, Br and Sb showed they were extremely enriched, (EF > 10) and suggestive of anthropogenic or non crustal origin The 24-h PM, soot, BC and OC were significantly different by the geographical origin of air masses (p < 0.05). The AQI showed that 70% of the samples showed levels above the AQI range of good and healthy air. The findings include details on the concentration, composition, and potential sources of fine PM2.5, which is essential for policy formulation and mitigation strategies in South Africa's fight against air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Africa, there is a paucity of studies that reported on PM2.5, soot, BC, UV-PM (organic carbon) and trace element levels in rural and urban regions. PM2.5 samples were collected over 24 h and every third day during 19 April 2018 and 28 February 2020. The mean PM2.5 level was 24.1 μg.m−3 (range: 2.9–139 μg.m−3). PM2.5 levels exceeded the yearly World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline (5 μg.m−3). The daily WHO guideline (15 μg.m−3) was exceeded on 151 of the 228 days. The mean soot, black carbon and organic carbon levels were 1.43 m−1 × 10−5, 2.7 μg.m−3 and 2.1 μg.m−3, respectively. Twelve PM2.5-bound trace elements (Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Ni, S, Si, Ti, U and Zn) were analysed. The geographical origin of air masses that passed the study site was estimated using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory software. Four air masses were identified. The observed PM2.5, soot, BC, UV-PM and trace element levels at this urban background study site could potentially pose a significant risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A negative oral contrast agent (OCA) has been long sought for, to better delineate the bowel and visualise surrounding structures. Lumentin® 44 (L44) is a new OCA formulated to fill the entire small bowel. The aim of this study was to compare L44 with positive and neutral conventional OCA in abdominal computed tomography (CT). Methods: Forty-five oncologic patients were randomised to receive either L44 or one of the two comparators (MoviPrep® or diluted Omnipaque®). Abdominal CT examinations with intravenous contrast agent were acquired according to standard protocols. The studies were read independently by two senior radiologists. Results: The mean intraluminal Hounsfield units (HU)-values of regions-of-interest (ROIs) for each subsegment of small bowel and treatment group were -404.0 HU for L44, 166.1 HU for Omnipaque®, and 16.7 HU for MoviPrep® (L44 versus Omnipaque, p < 0.001: L44 versus MoviPrep p < 0.001; Omnipaque versus MoviPrep, p = 0.003). Adverse events, only mild, using L44 were numerically fewer than for using conventional oral contrast agents. Visualisation of abdominal structures beyond the small bowel was similar to the comparators. Conclusions: L44 is a negative OCA with luminal radiodensity at approximately -400 HU creating a unique small bowel appearance on CT scans. The high bowel wall-to-lumen contrast may enable improved visualisation in a range of pathologic conditions. L44 showed a good safety profile and was well accepted by patients studied. Trial registration: EudraCT (2017-002368-42) and in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03326518). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern over substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, and amphetamines, among college students remains high. Substance use on campus is associated with a seemingly endless list of negative outcomes including decreased academic performance, inhibited cognitive functions, physical and sexual violence, and even death. Cast against a backdrop of increasing substance use rates over the past few decades, we argue that criminologists must turn towards examining novel—and perhaps unexpected—correlates of substance use to better address this issue. In light of this, the current study draws from labeling theory to explore the linkage between paranormal beliefs, stigma, and substance use among college students. Specifically, we examine how both internalized negative messages about paranormal beliefs and perceived external stigma about paranormal beliefs relate to substance use among college students. Analysis of an original dataset from a midsized university revealed that respondents who internalized a negative label about their paranormal beliefs reported elevated levels of substance use relative to those who did not internalize negative paranormal labels. Second, individuals who reported believing society assigns a negative stigma to paranormal beliefs reported lower levels of substance use. Finally, considering the importance of both internal and external stigma, examination of an interaction between these two constructs indicated that greater levels of external social stigma conditioned a negative relationship between label internalization and substance use. We examine the implications of these findings for substance use among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pretoria South Africa, we looked into the origins of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), based on 1-year sampling campaign carried out between April 18, 2017, and April 17, 2018. The average PM2.5 concentration was 21.1 ± 15.0 µg/m3 (range 0.7–66.8 µg/m3), with winter being the highest and summer being the lowest. The XEPOS 5 energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy was used for elemental analysis, and the US EPA PMF 5.0 program was used for source apportionment. The sources identified include fossil fuel combustion, soil dust, secondary sulphur, vehicle exhaust, road traffic, base metal/pyrometallurgical, and coal burning. Coal burning and secondary sulphur were significantly higher in winter and contributed more than 50% of PM2.5 sources. The HYSPLIT model was used to calculate the air mass trajectories (version 4.9). During the 1-year research cycle, five transportation clusters were established: North Limpopo (NLP), Eastern Inland (EI), Short-Indian Ocean (SIO), Long-Indian Ocean (LIO), and South Westerly-Atlantic Ocean (SWA). Local and transboundary origin accounted for 85%, while 15% were long-range transport. Due to various anthropogenic activities such as biomass burning and coal mining, NLP clusters were the key source of emissions adding to the city's PM rate. In Pretoria, the main possible source regions of PM2.5 were discovered to be NLP and EI. Effective control strategies designed at reducing secondary sulphur, coal burning, and fossil fuel combustion emissions at Southern African level and local combustion sources would be an important measure to combat the reduction of ambient PM2.5 pollution in Pretoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs) is an increasing problem, especially among women. To help these women return to work (RTW) sustainably, we need to know more about their own beliefs about RTW. One applicable theory is the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Thus, the present study aimed to describe, based on the TPB, women's beliefs about RTW during or after long-term sick leave for a CMD. Methods: A qualitative approach was used. Twenty women were included during a long-term sick leave period due to a CMD. A deductive content analysis was conducted using predetermined factors from the TPB: behavioural beliefs (advantages–disadvantages of RTW), normative beliefs (supporters and non-supporters of RTW), and control beliefs (facilitators of—barriers to RTW). Results: The women believed that RTW would give them meaning and balance in life, but also that it would be challenging to maintain balance after RTW. They believed they had several supporters of RTW, but that the support was sometimes perceived as stressful rather than encouraging. Furthermore, individual adaptation and high demands were the most mentioned facilitator and barrier, respectively. Workplace conditions and personal strategies were thought to be important aspects. Conclusions: By using the TPB, the present study was able to offer new findings on women's beliefs about RTW after long-term sick leave for a CMD. Based on the findings, we suggest that various RTW stakeholders should focus on striving to provide the tasks and work pace women need so they can maintain their professional competence and sense of meaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending Pieterse's (1996) tripartite cultural globalization theory consisting of homogenization, hybridization and polarization, the current article outlines a set of exemplifications and justifications of a fourth theoretical underpinning labeled parallelization. The theory implies that at a global scale, crucial events that appear paradoxical or contradictory occur at the same time, such as carbon emissions due to growth-fixated global capitalism, while the causes of carbon emissions lead to greater resilience against the consequences of carbon emissions as wealth accumulates. Other examples discussed are large-scale migration flows which lead to increased segregation in host societies while integration of migrants occur as a parallel process; secularization visa-à-vis the resurgence of religions; clear indications of that the biological component of cognitive abilities decreases due to fertility patterns in many locations around the globe, while the IQ test scores have risen as a consequence of various environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the development of technical aids for telework has progressed, work has become more flexible in time and space. Among academics, the opportunity to telework has been embraced by most, but it is unclear how it relates to their health and well-being. The aim of this study was to determine how frequency and amount of telework is associated with perceived health, stress, recuperation, work-life balance, and intrinsic work motivation among teaching and research academics. An electronic questionnaire was sent to junior lecturers, senior lecturers, and professors at Swedish public universities. It included the General Health Questionnaire, Work Stress Questionnaire, items for assessing recuperation, the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction at Work scale, and parts of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, as well as questions about the frequency and amount of telework performed. In total, 392 academics responded to the survey. Multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between groups of academics with different telework frequency (p < 0.05). Univariate analyses of variance showed that ratings of stress related to indistinct organization and conflicts were higher among academics that telework several times per week or more than among academics that telework less than once per month. In regression analyses of associations between amount of telework (in hours per week) and the dependent variables, no significant effects were found. Although it cannot be concluded whether stress is a cause or an effect of frequent telework, the findings warrant further attention to academics who telework frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If the Radon transform of a compactly supported distribution f ≠ 0 in R n is supported on the set of tangent planes to the boundary ∂ D of a bounded convex domain D, then ∂ D must be an ellipsoid. As a corollary of this result we get a new proof of a recent theorem of Koldobsky, Merkurjev, and Yaskin, which settled a special case of a conjecture of Arnold that was motivated by a famous lemma of Newton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dwindling water resources and weather variability present two of the major limiting factors for irrigated cotton production in the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the United States. Under these conditions, there is a dire need to understand the trends and fluctuations in cotton yields to help producers make better irrigation and crop management decisions. Crop models coupled with long-term weather data provide an opportunity for evaluating yield variabilities by simulating numerous potential scenarios. In this study, the AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated for cotton at two sites in the SGP. The validated model was then applied to investigate the effect of variable irrigation capacity (IC) on cotton yield during a 33-year period (1981–2013). The AquaCrop model performed with acceptable accuracy for simulating canopy cover, soil water content, evapotranspiration and yield indicating that it is a potential tool for evaluating variable cotton irrigation scenarios in the SGP. The response of cotton yield to IC was highly dependent on heat unit availability. Yields increased significantly with increase in water availability in years when total growing season heat units were above 1100 °C day. The yield response to irrigation diminished considerably as the magnitude of growing season heat units decreased. No significant increase in mean cotton yield was found at IC higher than 0.3 L s−1 ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state-level governments across the United States issued mandatory stay-at-home orders around the end of March 2020. Though intended to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the lockdowns have had sweeping impacts on life in ways which were not originally planned. This study's purpose is to investigate the extent to which governmental responses to COVID-19 have impacted crime rates in the U.S. Compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, crime – as measured by calls for service to law enforcement – has decreased markedly. However, there are multiple indications that the crime drop is being driven by decreases in minor offenses which are typically committed in peer groups. At the same time, serious crimes which are generally not committed with co-offenders (namely homicide and intimate partner violence) have either remained constant or increased. As such, the crime drop appears to be hiding a very disturbing trend where homicides remain unchanged and intimate partner batteries are increasing. Since many offenders would presumably be committing less serious crimes in a non-pandemic world, we raise attention to the possibility that mandatory lockdown orders may have taken minor offenders and placed them into situations where there is rampant opportunity for intimate partner violence, serious batteries, and homicides. While crime in the U.S. appears to be down overall, this good news should not blind us to a troubling co-occurring reality – a reality that paints a dim picture of unintended consequences to public health and criminal justice finances as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence that perceptual measures of peer deviance typically used in criminology may be inaccurate has resulted in recent investigations into the factors that condition misperception. Studies find that lower levels of self-control and lack of time spent with friends contribute to misperception, while friendship closeness increases accuracy. One unexplored factor that has been shown to impact peer-to-peer interactions is gender. Filling in this gap, the current study explores how gender structure in combination with friendship quality and individual levels of self-control, may cause differences in the perceptual accuracy of peer deviance among friendship pairs. Using item-response-based mixed-effects models, results demonstrate that women in female-only friendships produce the most accurate perceptions of peer deviance. Men in male-only friendships produce the least accurate perceptions. Since men are typically self-report greater engagement in deviant behavior than women, this finding highlights that peer deviance perceptions are most flawed among people who are engaging in the most deviance. Additionally, higher quality friendships have more accurate perceptions while those who have less self-control are markedly less accurate. Implications for feminist research and peer deviance measurement are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about the elemental composition and possible sources of fine aerosol particles from Mediterranean megacities. Fine aerosol particles were collected at a residential-industrial area in Greater Cairo, Egypt, during the period from October 2010 to May 2011. The elemental compositions of the collected samples were quantified by using a homemade energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, whereas black carbon was quantified by a black smoke detector. Fifteen elements have been quantified. Of these constituents, Ca, C, Cl, S, and Fe had the highest concentrations: greater than 1 µg m−3. The overall mean mass concentration of the collected samples equals 70 µg m−3; this value exceeds the European Union annual Air Quality Standard levels. The individual elemental concentrations of the fine particles were found to be dominated by elements linked to mineral dust. Most of the monthly variations of elemental concentrations can be attributed to seasonal meteorological conditions. Other possible sources were vehicle-exhaust and industrial activities. The results pinpoint the problem of identifying different sources when one source, in this case, the nearby deserts, is dominant. The results from this study contribute to the growing knowledge of concentrations, composition, and possible sources of ambient fine particulate matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the known implications of texting while driving for reducing driver alertness and increasing traffic accidents, investigating the potential causes of the behavior is something that criminologists have only recently started to investigate. The current study builds on this small body of research by assessing whether low self-control is associated with the frequency of texting while driving and, further, whether this association is moderated by perceptions of the texting habits of other drivers and best friends. Results based on data collected from a sample of 469 young adults indicate that low self-control is positively associated with the frequency of texting while driving. In addition, this association is amplified by an individual's perceptions of the proportion of other drivers who engage in texting while driving, but not by the texting and driving habits of best friends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "The influence of SES, cognitive, and non-cognitive abilities on grades: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from two Swedish cohorts" published in the European Journal of Psychology of Education. The correction addresses an error in the original article, specifically a discrepancy between a sentence in the results section and a table. The correction clarifies that the "Feel fairly treated by teachers?" item was statistically significant in relation to the 2004 cohort, contrary to what was initially stated. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

While it is generally understood that people tend not to specialize in specific types of deviance, less is understood about offending specialization and versatility in the context of friendships. Using a large sample of persons nested within friendship pairs, this study's goal is to explore how self-control and social learning theories contribute to an explanation for specialization and versatility in offending among friends. We estimate a series of multilevel, dyadic, mixed-effects models which regress offending versatility onto measures of perceptual peer versatility, self-reported peer versatility, attitudinal self-control, behavioral self-control, and demographic controls. Results indicate that higher amounts of perceptual peer versatility and peer self-reported versatility are both related to increases in versatility among friends. Lower levels of the target respondent's attitudinal and behavioral self-control are also related to higher amounts of offending versatility. However, the peer's self-control shares no relationship with offending versatility - a point which both supports and fails to support self-control theory's expectations about how peer effects should operate. Learning and self-control perspectives both appear to explain offending versatility among friends. However, self-control theory's propositions about how peer effects should operate are contradictory. The concept of opportunity may help remediate this inconsistency in Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the independent and interdependent roles of baseline religious support during incarceration and within-individual changes in religious support on recidivism during the prisoner reentry process.Methods: Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, cross-lagged dynamic panel models are used to examine the respective roles of baseline differences and within-individual changes in religious support on two variety indices encompassing substance use and criminal offending while simultaneously controlling for pre-incarceration levels of substance use and offending.Results: Findings show that within-individual increases in religious support protect against substance use post-release, while baseline levels of religious support do not significantly influence substance use. Additionally, baseline levels of religious support fail to condition this relationship. Findings assessing criminal offending demonstrate that baseline religious support and within-individual changes in religious support fail to relate to offending independently. However, an interaction term reveals that the combination of the two relates to significantly lower levels of offending post-release.Conclusions: Findings offer encouragement for those involved in the work of providing religious support to ex-offenders in the community, reaffirming that tailoring support programs to the religious or spiritual ways individuals make meaning in their lives can improve reentry outcomes. Methodologically, failing to distinguish between baseline levels of religious support and post-release changes in religious support fails to capture the complexity of religiosity on the reentry process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell renewal and differentiation in the human colonic crypt are linked to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The spatial balance of Wnt factors in proliferative cells within the crypt maintain an appropriate level of cellular reproduction needed for normal crypt homeostasis. Mutational events at the gene level are responsible for deregulating the balance of Wnt factors along the crypt, causing an overpopulation of proliferative cells, a loss of structure of the crypt domain, and the initiation of colorectal carcinomas. We formulate a PDE model describing cell movement and reproduction in a static crypt domain. We consider a single cell population whose proliferative capabilities are determined by stemness, a quantity defined by intracellular levels of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) scaffold protein and β-catenin. We fit APC regulation parameters to biological data that describe normal protein gradients in the crypt. We also fit cell movement and protein flux parameters to normal crypt characteristics such as renewal time, total cell count, and proportion of proliferating cells. The model is used to investigate abnormal crypt dynamics when subjected to a diminished APC gradient, a scenario synonymous to mutations in the APC gene. We find that a 25% decrease in APC synthesis leads to a fraction of 0.88 proliferative, which is reflective of normal-appearing FAP crypts. A 50% drop in APC activity yields a fully proliferative crypt showing a doubling of the level of stemness, which characterizes the initial stages of colorectal cancer development. A sensitivity analysis of APC regulation parameters shows the perturbation of factors that is required to restore crypt dynamics to normal in the case of APC mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although school security measures have become a common fixture in public schools across the United States, research on the relationship between security and adolescent victimization is mixed, with very few studies examining trends in adolescent victimization across time. Using two waves of data from the Educational Longitudinal Study 2002 (N = 7659; 50.6% female; 56.7% White, 13.3% Black, 13.5% Hispanic, 11.3% Asian American, 5.4% other race), results from a series of multi-level models demonstrate that adolescents in schools with more security measures report higher odds of being threatened with harm, and no difference in odds of being in a physical altercation or having something stolen over time. Although prior research has established racial disparities in using school security measures, results demonstrate inconsistent patterns in the extent to which adolescents’ race conditions the relationship between security and victimization. The findings are discussed in light of existing theoretical and empirical work, and implications for both research and practice are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]