The Astropy Problem

The Astropy Project (http://astropy.org) is, in its own words, "a community effort to develop a single core package for Astronomy in Python and foster interoperability between Python astronomy packages." For five years this project has been managed, written, and operated as a grassroots, self-organized, almost entirely volunteer effort while the software is used by the majority of the astronomical community. Despite this, the project has always been and remains to this day effectively unfunded. Further, contributors receive little or no formal recognition for creating and supporting what is now critical software. This paper explores the problem in detail, outlines possible solutions to correct this, and presents a few suggestions on how to address the sustainability of general purpose astronomical software

(2SR,3SR)-Isopropyl 3-{[dimeth­yl(phenyl)­sil­yl]meth­yl}-2-hy­droxy-2-vinyl­pent-4-enoate

The relative configuration of the title compound, C19H28O3Si, which was synthesized using a dienolate-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, was corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Si—C bond distances are in the range 1.858 (2)–1.880 (2) Å and an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond helps to stabilize the mol­ecular conformation

Guide to supporting agricultural NDC implementation: GHG mitigation in rice-production in Vietnam

Efforts to reduce GHG emissions from rice production are a national priority for achieving Vietnam’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Unlike the livestock industry where the animal itself is responsible for the majority of emissions, in rice production it is not the plant per se that is the culprit of GHG production, rather it is the way in which the crop is grown and managed that makes a difference in the amount of GHGs emitted. The single largest factor influencing the amount of GHG emitted from rice production is the management of water. The process of alternating between wet periods and dry periods during rice production is herein referred to as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) which has been proven to reduce GHG emissions in rice production by 30%-70% without affecting yields. Given that changes in water management represent the highest potential to mitigate GHGs in rice production, the following sections will explain the process of actions needed to define suitable areas, plan, and target investment for achieving the NDCs. This document details the process for engaging national partners and supporting agricultural NDC implementation

Carbon Footprint Calculator Customized for Rice Products: Concept and Characterization of Rice Value Chains in Southeast Asia

In this study, we developed user-friendly software (CF-Rice) for calculating the carbon footprints (CF) of rice products. The approach follows the principles of Life Cycle Assessment while incorporating more flexibility for activities specific to rice production. The graphical user interface provides empirical emission and conversion factors obtained from the literature and from primary research studies of rice value chains. CF-Rice also allows the entering of new values for specific processes or practices. Data outputs distinguish among the contributions of individual stages of the value chain as well as different greenhouse gases (GHG), namely, CH$_{4}$, N$_{2}$O and CO$_{2}$. The new tool was then applied to a scenario assessment of rice production in the regional context of Southeast Asia. The CF baseline of a typical rice value chain in the region accounted for a value of around 2300 g CO$_{2}$e/kg$_{Prod}$. The CF can be reduced by about 27.4% through water-saving practices alone and can further be reduced up to 37.3% through interventions that increase product recovery rates and, thus, reduce food losses. In contrast, straw incorporation into the soil increased the CF by 26.0%. The tool is well suited for impact assessments of advanced practices and technologies of rice value chains

Participatory development of scaling plan as a part of low emission roadmap in rice production of Mekong River Delta

This paper presents an engagement study that focuses on a provincial low emission roadmap in rice production. Results obtained in the study of An Giang province show that AWD adoption is strongly influenced by biophysical conditions and technical guidance, while adoption of environmentally friendly straw management is mainly driven by market, rainfall distribution and quality of transportation network. In An Giang’s districts, adoption of LET can be improved in the next 5-year plan. The implementation targets and required collective actions are in relation to improvement of infrastructure, policy and communication, and vary from district to district. With engagement of local stakeholders, this workshop has identified challenges for the implementation of LET and highlighted the locally proposed solutions as the way to overcome current constraints and connect the last mile from research to field implementation. This paper provides insights of LET adoption and implementation potential in An Giang, which also have implications for LET scaling in other provinces in the Mekong River Delta

Monitoring, reporting, and verification system for rice production aligned with Paris Agreement transparency guidelines

This critical review takes a novel approach to assessing the existing Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) methodology and tools and provides expert-based recommendations for adjusted MRV standards that adapt current guidelines as a promising way forward to deliver transparency in meeting the Nationally Determined Contributions of Vietnam. Additionally, this is a timely proposition given the necessity to define an MRV framework for NAMAs for the rice sector. We are recommending a multi-pronged approach using several tools that can support and validate each other to achieve a robust mechanism for MRV estimations in the rice sector. Examples from the country will be used as a case study given their government’s strong commitment to mitigation in the rice sector

Rice cultivation ambition in the new and updated Nationally Determined Contributions: 2020-2021: Analysis of agricultural sub-sectors in countries’ climate change strategies

The share of countries that referenced rice cultivation actions in new and updated NDCs has increased since the previous round of NDCs. Among the top 10 countries with the highest mitigation potential for rice cultivation, 4 countries mentioned rice mitigation actions. Seventeen countries quantified measures for rice cultivation in their new and updated NDCs, for the first time. 14% of the countries that have signed the US- EU Methane Reduction Pledge have rice mitigation actions in their NDC (15 countries out of 105). A number of countries mentioned limitations in GHG measurement and inventory as well as methods and data for calculating mitigation potential of different actions in rice, leading to the lack of specifying tangible actions and indicators in the rice sub-sector. 16% of countries included rice-specific mitigation actions (11 countries specified mitigation only and 13 specified combined mitigation and adaptation for a total of 24 out of 148) in new and updated NDCs compared to 9% of previous NDCs (18 out of 192). 3% specified only rice-specific adaptation actions in new and updated NDCs (5 out of 148) compared to only 0.5% in the previous round of NDCs (1 out of 192 countries). 50% of the countries mentioning rice mitigation actions prioritized water management (12 of 24 countries), 33% mentioned rice management packages (8), 33% mentioned land use management (8), and 33% mentioned by-product and residue management (8). 56% of countries mentioning adaptation actions in rice prioritized water management (10 of 18 countries), 33% mentioned System of Rice Intensification (SRI) (6), and 33% mentioned variety development (6)

Trans-disciplinary responses to climate change: lessons from rice-based systems in Asia

Climate change will continue to have a largely detrimental impact on the agricultural sector worldwide because of predicted rising temperatures, variable rainfall, and an increase in extreme weather events. Reduced crop yields will lead to higher food prices and increased hardship for low income populations, especially in urban areas. Action on climate change is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13) and is linked to the Paris Climate Agreement. The research challenge posed by climate change is so complex that a trans-disciplinary response is required, one that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in networks where the lines between “research” and “development” become deliberately blurred. Fostering such networks will require researchers, throughout the world, not only to work across disciplines but also to pursue new South–North and South–South partnerships incorporating policy-makers and practitioners. We use our diverse research experiences to describe the emergence of such networks, such as the Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) in South and Southeast Asia, and to identify lessons on how to facilitate and strengthen the development of trans-disciplinary responses to climate change

Features of Acute COVID-19 Associated With Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Phenotypes: Results From the IMPACC Study

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a significant public health concern. We describe Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) on 590 participants prospectively assessed from hospital admission for COVID-19 through one year after discharge. Modeling identified 4 PRO clusters based on reported deficits (minimal, physical, mental/cognitive, and multidomain), supporting heterogenous clinical presentations in PASC, with sub-phenotypes associated with female sex and distinctive comorbidities. During the acute phase of disease, a higher respiratory SARS-CoV-2 viral burden and lower Receptor Binding Domain and Spike antibody titers were associated with both the physical predominant and the multidomain deficit clusters. A lower frequency of circulating B lymphocytes by mass cytometry (CyTOF) was observed in the multidomain deficit cluster. Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was significantly elevated in the mental/cognitive predominant and the multidomain clusters. Future efforts to link PASC to acute anti-viral host responses may help to better target treatment and prevention of PASC

Measurement of the t(t)over-barb(b)over-bar production cross section in the all-jet final state in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV

A measurement of the production cross section of top quark pairs in association with two b jets (t (t) over barb (b) over bar) is presented using data collected in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV by the CMS detector at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The cross section is measured in the all-jet decay channel of the top quark pair by selecting events containing at least eight jets, of which at least two are identified as originating from the hadronization of b quarks. A combination of multivariate analysis techniques is used to reduce the large background from multijet events not containing a top quark pair, and to help discriminate between jets originating from top quark decays and other additional jets. The cross section is determined for the total phase space to be 5.5 +/- 0.3 (stat)(-1.3)(+)(1.6) (syst)pb and also measured for two fiducial t (t) over barb (b) over bar, definitions. The measured cross sections are found to be larger than theoretical predictions by a factor of 1.5-2.4, corresponding to 1-2 standard deviations. (C) 2020 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe