bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Camp Abilities: Accessibility and Virtual Summer Camps
Authors: Lepore-Stevens Maria , Adams Devin , Lepore Monica , Foster Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

Youth with disabilities are less likely to participate in community activities than their nondisabled peers (Bedell et al., 2013). For participants with physical disabilities, summer camp can increase knowledge of one’s own abilities (Aggerholm & Moltke Martiny, 2017). Camp Abilities is an international sports camp model that recognizes the ongoing challenges that people with disabilities have with respect to accessing physical activity and living active lifestyles. There are over 25 independent camp programs throughout the world with a mission of providing high quality sport, health, and physical activity programming to youth with visual impairments. In the summer of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many camps to close their in-person sessions. In order to continue summer camp programming for the youth they serve, the staff at several Camp Abilities programs for youth with visual impairments developed a virtual service delivery model based on collaboration between physical activity and visual impairment processionals. Staff used digital platforms such as YouTube and Zoom, as well as emails, text messages, and video chats to safely create a camp experience despite the pandemic. Both camps had positive responses to the virtual model from children, parents, and staff. Leadership teams at both programs discovered methods that were successful for their participants, as well as some approaches that they would not use again.
Non-Places and the Law: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Dudek Michał
Published: May 2021

In the context of the significant literature on Marc Augé’s concept of non-places, including its various applications in different disciplines, and also constantly growing legal geographical analyses, it is striking that, to date, there have been no more focused discussion on non-places and the law. This paper aims to begin filling this noticeable gap. It focuses on an original presentation of Augé’s concept and distinguishes three levels of non-places: their objective, material level (e.g. the buildings of non-places); the intersubjective, social level (the specific, distinctive feel of non-places, such as anonymity and detachment); and the purely individual, subjective level (the way particular people assess a specific non-place). The paper not only argues that Augé is already sensitive to the law in his original account of non-places, but also that the law – while directly irrelevant for the subjective level – is nevertheless very important for the objective and intersubjective levels of non-places, as, ultimately, it is a co-constituting factor of these aspects of the discussed type of sites.
Molecular Targets of Phyto-bioactive Compounds in Female Reproductive System of Mammals: A Review
Authors: Kumar B. Sampath , Manasa V. , Ramesh H.S. , Nandi S. , Kumar V. Girish
Published: May 2021

Phytochemicals present in the plants are divided into primary (Alcohol Amino acids, nucleotides. etc) and secondary metabolites (Alkaloids, Saponins etc.). Carotenoids (reduces reactive oxygen species formation, decreases apoptotic cells, restoration of actin capping expression proteins etc.), Phenolics (inhibits extracellular signal-regulated kinase signalling pathway), Isoflavones (inhibits tyrosine kinase pathway) and alkaloids (downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha messengers) are the major phytochemicals, having the potential effects towards ovarian function. Likewise, bioactive compounds are the chemicals that can interact with certain components of live tissue to exert their various effects (antioxidant, antineoplastic, receptor inhibition, gene expression etc.) respective to female fertility. Similarly, bioactive compounds: Kaempferol [phosphatidylinositol -3- kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway], Quercetin (controlling the release of 17β-estradiol etc.), Myricetin (PI3K/Akt and MAPK signalling pathway), Galngin (inhibition of angiogenesis via decreasing the VEGF and p-Akt) and Resveratrol (regulation of Foxo3a and SIRT1 genes etc.) shows its effects by targeting different molecules and/or pathways at the ovarian microenvironment. However, Genistein (binding to estrogen receptors: ESRα and ESRβ etc.) and Diadzein (disrupting the endocrines etc.) emphatically interfere with the ovarian functions. Besides this, molecular effects exerted by these phyto-bioactive compounds on the in vivo and/or in vitro ovarian culture systems entirely depend on their dosage: Kaempferol @10 μM increased the primordial follicle activation, Quercetin @4 µM improved the quality of oocytes whereas @8 µM reduced the quality), Resveratrol @ 2 µM increased the blastocyst formation, Myricetin @ 100 mg/kg/day feeding in rats induced estrogenic activity, Genistein, feeding in female mice @ 500 and 1000 ppm increased the gestation time and Diazdein causes the inhibition of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase at 40 µM doses. The assessment was done via the systemic collection of literature from sources such as news papers, conference papers, journals, theory and dissertation articles, electronic databases, manuals, encyclopedia and annual reviews, as well as e-books and reporting. As a result, the preceding discussion focuses on the key phyto-bioactive compounds and their molecular targets in female fertility. This will aid in the successful and secure application of plant bioactive compounds in the field of female reproductive health.
Policy Pollination: A Brief History of Social Protection’s Brief History in Africa
Authors: Devereux Stephen
Published: May 2021

The relatively recent emergence and sustained rise of social protection as a policy agenda in Africa can be understood as either a nationally owned or ‘donor-driven’ process. While elements of both can be seen in different countries at different times, this paper focuses on the pivotal role of transnational actors, specifically international development agencies, as ‘policy pollinators’ for social protection. These agencies deployed a range of tactics to induce African governments to implement cash transfer programmes and establish social protection systems, including: (1) building the empirical evidence base that cash transfers have positive impacts, for advocacy purposes; (2) financing social protection programmes until governments take over this responsibility; (3) strengthening state capacity to deliver social protection, through technical assistance and training workshops; (4) commissioning and co-authoring national social protection policies; (5) encouraging the domestication of international social protection law into national legislation. Despite these pressures and inducements, some governments have resisted or implemented social protection only partially and reluctantly, either because they are not convinced or because their political interests are not best served by allocating scarce resources to cash transfer programmes. This raises questions about the extent to which the agendas of development agencies are aligned or in conflict with national priorities, and whether social protection programmes and systems would flourish or wither if international support was withdrawn.
Kinetic energy at collision of two automobiles
Authors:   Dagestan State Technical University (DSTU), Агаханова Ригина Элифхановна
Published: May 2021

At collision of two automobiles under the influence of shock pulses the change of their speed occurs. The dynamic characteristic of movement of mechanical system consisting of two automobiles includes traffic, kinetic moment regarding motionless centre and kinetic energy. On the basis of dynamics theorems the author has determined a loss of kinetic energy of central-straight collision of two automobiles. The paper considers specific cases — elastic and absolutely inelastic collisions. It is established that at elastic collision the kinetic energy decreases by the amount of kinetic energy of lost velocities with amendment that includes a coefficient of recovery at collision.
Experimental investigation of contactless thermal control of freight rolling stock tread brakes
Authors:   LLC «Infotecs AT», Mironov Alexander Anatolyevich , Saltykov Dmitriy Nikolaevich ,   LLC «Infotecs AT», Pavlyukov Alexander Eduardovich ,   Ural State University of Railway Transport (USURT), Shalupina Pavel Igorevich ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT)
Published: May 2021

The paper is devoted to experimental investigation of contactless thermal control of tread brakes. It presents the results of numerical modeling of thermal condition of freight car solid wheel in various modes of braking and thermal control on the basis of developed complex computer model. The authors show the comparison of gained results with experimental data. They have carried out the statistical analysis and revealed the most common forms of signals. As a result, the paper considers the perspectives of the further development of the discussed statements.
Mathematical model of railway rolling stock with elastically deformed automatic couplers in starting moment of movement
Authors:   Kurgan State University (KSU), Popov Igor Pavlovich
Published: May 2021

The paper presents a mathematical model of movement start of railway rolling stock with elastic automatic couplers. It shows that starting of a heavy-loaded train equipped with elastically deformed automatic couplers occurs significantly easier in comparison with non-deformable ones, and the more cars are in the train, the higher this advantage is. Essentially, it is stipulated by the substitution of simultaneous start of cars movement on alternating. In order to exclude longitudinal fluctuations of the train after reaching maximal stretch of the automatic coupler it is necessary to block the possibility of the harmonic compression mechanically.
Assessment of influence of block wheelset dynamics on wear of freight car bearing
Authors:   Omsk State Transport University (OSTU), Shiler Alexander Valeryevich , Shiler Valeriy Viktorovich ,   Omsk State Transport University (OSTU), Bublik Vladimir Vasilyevich ,   Omsk State Transport University (OSTU), Esin Nikolay Vasilyevich ,   Omsk State Transport University (OSTU), Shilyakov Andrey Petrovich ,   Omsk State Transport University (OSTU)
Published: May 2021

The paper presents a method for comparative assessment of wear of support surfaces of freight car bogie bearings with block and standard wheelsets. With the use of wear factor coefficient the authors have established that the calculated values of wear energy of bogie bearing equipped with block wheelsets are significantly lower in comparison with the bogie bearing with standard wheelsets.
Friction control as a way to decrease power impact of undercarriage on track
Authors:   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Parakhnenko Inna Leonidovna , Akkerman Sergey Gennadyevich ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT)
Published: May 2021

The paper is devoted to investigation of influence of friction coefficient change on power interaction arising at passing of curved sections of a railway track by a freight train. The authors have got functional dependencies of longitudinal and transversal forces in «wheel — rail» contact from control of friction coefficient on the surface of rails at a number of variants of train velocities. In order to decrease the power interaction the authors propose to control friction on tread surfaces of the inner rail or both rails.
Operational tests of «Klaster-V» nanoscale additive to motor oil of KAMAZ-740 diesel engine
Authors:   Saratov State Vavilov Agrarian University (SSAU), Safonov Konstantin Valentinovich , Safonov Valentin Vladimirovich ,   Saratov State Vavilov Agrarian University (SSAU), Ostrikov Valeriy Vasilyevich ,   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for the Use of Machinery and Oil Products in Agriculture (VNIITIN), Igitov Shamil Magomedovich ,   Makhachkala branch of Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI)
Published: May 2021

At operation of KAMAZ motor vehicles a significant number of failures (40–55 %) are attributed to engine, among the elements of which a cylinder and piston group often breaks down. One of the effective ways to increase the wear resistance of rubbing parts of the engine is the modification of lubricating medium by special abovebase additives, among which nanoscale powders are widely distributed. The paper is devoted to investigation of influence of the «Klaster-V» nanoadditive that is developed for motor oil in order to increase life of a «piston ring — cylinder liner» interface of KAMAZ motor vehicles. As a parameter of technical condition of the interface the authors have assumed a value of a gap between a piston ring and a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine. Results of operational tests show that the forecasting residual life of the «piston ring — cylinder liner» interface of diesel engines tested on oil with «Klaster-V» additive have increased by 2.15 times on average in comparison with the residual life of diesel engines operated on Lukoil 15W40 motor oil.
Selection and substantiation of main design parameters of catenary suspension for three-phase traction power supply system on tangent level track
Authors:   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Arzhannikov Boris Alexeevich , Paranin Alexander Viktorovich ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT)
Published: May 2021

At development of common concept of current collection for three-phase traction power supply system there is the need to select and substantiate main design parameters of catenary suspension. For this purpose, the authors have carried out analytical calculations and developed a numerical mathematical model that allows assessing catenary statics and it’s dynamics in interaction with current collector. On the basis of results of modeling, the authors have substantiated and selected all the required parameters. In particular, they have determined the permissible speed of trains and maximal length of catenary spans.
Classification as a method of searching new designs of joints for mounting wheels and motors units of locomotives
Authors:   Russian University of Transport (RUT-MIIT), Kosmodamianskiy Andrey Sergeevich , Vorobyev Vladimir Ivanovich ,   Russian University of Transport (RUT-MIIT), Izmerov Oleg Vasilyevich ,   Bryansk State Technical University (BSTU), Shevchenko Dmitriy Nikolaevich ,   Russian University of Transport (RUT-MIIT)
Published: May 2021

The paper considers a task on a search for new methods aimed at development of patentability-based technical solutions of mounting electric traction motors to bogie frame by creating classifications. In result of the analysis, the authors propose a classification that allows systematizing designs of suspensions of all existing traction drives and axial gearboxes and allows determining possible search areas of new technical solutions. On the basis of the classification the authors have proposed designs of mounting electric traction motors to bogie frame, particularly, in conditions of limited vertical dimensions, suspensions of axial gearbox that provide the alignment of electric traction motor and the axial gearbox, and also new designs of connecting links.
Forecasting of dynamics of starting and transient currents for increase of selectivity of microprocessor devices for relay protection of catenary feeders
Authors:   Trans-Baikal Institute of Railway Transport, Vostrikov Maxim Viktorovich , Menaker Konstantin Vladimirovich ,   Trans-Baikal Institute of Railway Transport, Pultyakov Andrey Vladimirovich ,   Irkutsk State Transport University (ISTU)
Published: May 2021

A big percent of false actuations of relay protection devices is connected not only with emergency operation modes of a traction power supply system, but also with starting and transient currents flowing in the catenary at movement of heavy-loaded trains, united freight trains, at realization of batch schedule, movement of trains on difficult grading of track and also at the application of recuperation mode by currently used locomotives. The study shows that it is possible to decrease the number of actuations of relay protection devices in described cases by the application of alternative method of analytical presentation of measured signals and the forecasting of dynamics of measurement of starting and transient currents flowing in the catenary.
Features of the system concepts of the dynamics of mechanical vibrational structures under asymmetric connections
Authors:   Irkutsk State University of Railway Transport (IrSURT), Eliseev А. V.
Published: May 2021

The paper is devoted to a new approach to the formation of the methodological basis of system analysis in application to problems of the dynamics of mechanical oscillatory systems taking into account the forces of viscous friction. A mechanical oscillatory system with two mass-inertia elements connected to the support surfaces and to each other by elastic-dissipative elements is considered. A method for estimating the free movements of a mechanical oscillatory system is developed based on the characteristics expressed in terms of the parameters of the lever connections between the partial blocks in the form of a gear ratio. Mathematical models are built on the basis of Lagrange formalism, algebraic methods, and the theory of functions of a complex variable. A matrix method is proposed for constructing frequency functions and damping functions for mechanical oscillatory systems with two degrees of freedom based on the ratio of the potential and kinetic energy of the system, taking into account the forces of viscous friction. For a mechanical system in which the connection of elements with a single reference surface is reset, a graphic analytic analysis of the extreme properties of the corresponding frequency functions and damping functions is performed. A topological approach is proposed.
A key indicator of the new business process of the organization of operation and repair as a tool for monitoring the technical condition of locomotives
Authors:   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Tsikhalevsky I. S. , Rusakov A. G. ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT)
Published: May 2021

The revision of the business process of operation and repair of locomotives also led to revision of the indicators that characterize the quality of repairs and maintenance performed. The article considers a new indicator that characterizes the quality of work of locomotive repair enterprises of service companies. The components of the equation are investigated and the procedure for calculating the technical readiness coefficient is analyzed. The analysis of the order regulating the procedure for accounting for the time when the locomotive section is in the condition was made. According to the results of the analysis, all accounting conditions are collected in groups in accordance with the calculation formula. The source of obtaining the initial data on the location of the locomotive section in the accounting condition is determined. The initial data is analyzed and the results are presented. The actual value of the technical readiness coefficient is calculated with and without taking into account administrative costs. The term «locomotive technical readiness corridor» is defined. The actual availability of serviceable locomotives at the disposal of the operational locomotive depot along the upper and lower boundaries of the corridor is calculated. It is revealed that the new indicator can be used to characterize the quality and completeness of the work performed by the service company, but it is not enough to assess the actual availability of serviceable traction rolling stock.
Corporate events as a tool for non-financial motivation of locomotive crew workers
Authors:   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Alexandrova N. A. , Makht N. F. ,   Sverdlovsk Directorate of Multiple Unit Rolling Stock
Published: May 2021

The article is devoted to determining the significance of corporate events in the system of motivation of employees of locomotive crews (on the example of one of the locomotive depots of the Sverdlovsk Railway), identifying the nature of the social request for their implementation on the part of the labor collective. Pointing to the socio-demographic characteristics of the contingent, the authors determine the degree of participation of drivers and assistant drivers in corporate events and the level of satisfaction with them, determine the priority formats of events of interest and forms of leisure during off-duty hours in terms of their impact on labor motivation. The results are based on the data of a sociological study (April-May 2020) using the methods of an online and offline questionnaire survey, which was attended by 127 drivers and assistant drivers (50 people in offline format and 77 in online format); to determine the existing problem field and adjust the research tools, a guide interview with the deputy head of the enterprise for human resources and social issues was implemented. The measures developed on the basis of the results of the study will strengthen the motivational impact of events of interest on the work behavior of employees of the enterprise, especially during the pandemic.
Música na formação acadêmico-profissional nos cursos de Pedagogia: 20 anos de pesquisa
Authors: Natera Gislene , Mateiro Teresa
Published: May 2021

Este estudo analisa teses e dissertações produzidas nos últimos 20 anos com o objetivo de compreender as relações da música no contexto da formação acadêmico-profissional dos cursos de Licenciatura em Pedagogia. Foram mapeadas 33 pesquisas defendidas em programas brasileiros de pós-graduação, tendo sido agrupadas em dois blocos: formação continuada com 18 trabalhos e formação acadêmico-profissional com 15. Em ambos foram descritos e analisados temas, objetivos, referenciais teóricos, procedimentos metodológicos e resultados. O segundo grupo de pesquisas recebeu um tratamento de dados mais detalhado e os resultados demonstram que: as temáticas mais estudadas referem-se à estrutura dos cursos, identidades das estudantes, processos da docência e o lugar da música na Pedagogia; o estudo de caso foi a metodologia adotada por 40% dos pesquisadores; os emissores do discurso sobre pedagogia e educação musical são autores nacionais e estrangeiros; a legislação educacional é mencionada na maioria dos trabalhos; programas de Pós-Graduação em Educação produzem mais pesquisas na temática em questão do que os de música; a carga horária nos cursos não é suficiente para a aprendizagem de um conhecimento específico em música; as parcerias entre professoras de referências e professoras especialistas têm sido uma alternativa de atuação para as egressas; entre outros. Para dar continuidade às investigações, aponta-se, por um lado, a necessidade de estudos em todas as regiões e in loco e, por outro, a inclusão das músicas do cotidiano das crianças na formação das pedagogas.
SISTEMA ACOPLADO REACTOR ANAEROBIO CON DEFLECTORES-HUMEDAL ARTIFICIAL COMO ALTERNATIVA PARA REÚSO DE AGUA RESIDUAL EN RIEGO DE ÁREAS VERDES
Authors: Herrera-López David , Mejia-Gonzalez Gamaliel , Cuevas-González Raúl , Arévalo-Velázquez Mauricio Antonio , Guillen-Navarro Griselda Karina
Published: May 2021

Se utilizó un sistema acoplado reactor anaerobio con deflectores-humedal artificial para el tratamiento de agua residual proveniente de un centro de investigación, que por su origen tiene características diferentes al agua residual doméstica. El reactor anaerobio se utilizó a escala completa (20 m3) y el humedal artificial con plantas de caña de azúcar y heliconias a escala piloto (1.36 m3). La eficiencia se determinó en términos de la remoción de materia orgánica medida como demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) y demanda bioquímica de oxígeno (DBO5), sólidos suspendidos (SST) y organismos coliformes totales y fecales. A los 140 días de operación se logró la menor concentración de materia orgánica medida como DBO5 en el efluente del sistema, que fue de 22 mg/L. Ésta fue ligeramente superior a la norma mexicana para riego de áreas verdes con contacto directo, aunque cumple con la norma europea Clase B, es decir, para riego de cultivos alimentarios que no entren en contacto con el agua, para riego de alimentos que serán procesados o para riego de alimentos para ganado. La remoción de SST y organismos coliformes totales alcanzada con el sistema fue superiores al 90%, por lo cual se compara favorablemente con sistemas similares. Las concentraciones de salida lograron cumplir normas nacionales y la norma europea. Con el sistema acoplado reactor anaerobio con deflectores-humedal artificial fue posible remover SST y organismos coliformes fecales cumpliendo con las normas europea y mexicana vigentes para el riego en áreas verdes; sin embargo, requiere mejoras en cuanto a la salida de materia orgánica medida como DBO5.
DIGESTIÓN ANAEROBIA DE RESIDUALES SÓLIDOS DEL BENEFICIO HÚMEDO DEL CAFÉ
Authors: Gómez-Salcedo Yunet , Baquerizo-Crespo Ricardo José , da Silva Ariovaldo José , Oliva-Merencio Deny , Pereda-Reyes Ileana
Published: May 2021

En la etapa de despulpe del beneficio húmedo de café se generan residuales sólidos constituidos fundamentalmente por cáscara y pulpa. Debido a que el contenido de materia orgánica que presentan en su composición se encuentra en el intervalo del 90.5 ± 1.69 % en base seca, estos aportan una elevada carga contaminante al medio en que son vertidos. Esta característica también otorga a dichos residuales potencialidades como fuente de carbono para el proceso de digestión anaerobia. En el presente trabajo se determinó el potencial de biometano y el efecto del incremento de la carga orgánica volumétrica al tratar pulpa de café fresca (Pc I) tras un periodo de almacenamiento congelada (Pc II) y cáscara de café secada naturalmente (Cs). Los ensayos se desarrollaron a temperatura mesofílica (37 ± 1 ºC), en régimen discontinuo y semicontinuo. La pulpa de café fresca presentó un rendimiento de metano de 259.80 ± 15 NmL CH4/g SV. Los ensayos semicontinuos se evaluaron en términos de rendimiento y productividad de metano. Al implementar diferentes estrategias de alimentación, variando las cargas orgánicas volumétricas iniciales en los sistemas, se constató que los mejores resultados se reflejan con la menor carga aplicada (0.2 g SV/L d). No se recomienda la operación de sistemas anaerobios para el tratamiento de residuos sólidos cafetaleros a cargas superiores a 0.5 g SV/L d.
Polycentricity of the City's Metropolitan System as a Factor Increasing Security in Times of Danger - On the Example of Cracow
Authors: Ziobro Anna , Blazy Rafał
Published: May 2021

Abstract: Service polycentricism, in the face of the pandemic, took on a new significance because of sanitary requirements. Population concentrations in large service centres face a high risk of infection both at their destination and during the trip. Higher-tier services were largely closed during the threat’s peak. In this paper, the focus of the study has been placed on the urban scale of a large city’s polycentricism as seen through the prism of service concentrations, which, to a degree, are commuter destinations, but primarily act as attractors that are not associated with work—they satisfy higher-tier service needs. To formulate the investigative apparatus used to study the functio-spatial structure of Cracow. The current threat, as well as the high probability of similar situations happening in the future, will probably lead to changes in behaviour patterns of consumers and service providers in reference to siting. Local service centres that are accessible to pedestrians, due to safety-related considerations, can gain significant popularity.
Mathematical foundations of the translation-invariant bipolaron theory of superconductivity
Authors: Lakhno Victor Dmitrievich
Published: May 2021

The monograph presents the theory of translation-invariant polarons and bipolarons based on the theory of squeezed vacuum wave functions. It is shown that the Tulub ansatz, which establishes a connection between the generalized Bogolyubov transformation with the unitary squeezed operator gives a solution to the spectral problem for a bipolaron. The solutions obtained are used to construct a theory of superconductivity based on the Froehlich Hamiltonian with a strong electron-phonon interaction. The role of Cooper pairs in it is played by TI bipolarons of spatially delocalized electrons with a small correlation length. The theory developed explains a large number of experiments on the thermodynamic, spectroscopic and transport characteristics of high-temperature superconductors, Josephson tunneling, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, neutron scattering, etc. The book is intended for physicists and mathematicians who work in the field of the theory of condensed matter, as well as graduate students and senior students of universities.
Aggression, Escalation, and Other Latent Themes in Legal Intervention Deaths of Non-Hispanic Black and White Men: Results From the 2003‒2017 National Violent Death Reporting System
Authors: Arseniev-Koehler Alina , Foster Jacob Gates , Mays Vickie M. , Chang Kai-Wei , Cochran Susan D.
Published: May 2021

Objectives. To investigate racial/ethnic differences in legal intervention‒related deaths using state-of-the-art topic modeling of law enforcement and coroner text summaries drawn from the 2003–2017 US National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS).

Methods. Employing advanced topic modeling, we identified 8 topics consistent with dangerousness in death incidents in the NVDRS death narratives written by public health workers (PHWs). Using logistic regression, we then evaluated racial/ethnic differences in PHW-coded variables and narrative topics among 4981 males killed by legal intervention, while adjusting for age, county-level characteristics, and year.

Results. Black, as compared with White, decedents were younger and their deaths were less likely to include PHW-coded mental health or substance use histories, weapon use, or positive toxicology for alcohol or psychoactive drugs, but more likely to include “gangs-as-an-incident-precipitant” coding. Topic modeling revealed less frequent thematic representation of “physical aggression” or “escalation” but more of “gangs or criminal networks” among Black versus White decedents.

Conclusions. While Black males were more likely to be victims of legal intervention deaths, PHW-coded variables in the NVDRS and death narratives suggest lower threat profiles among Black versus similar White decedents. The source of this greater risk remains undetermined.
Improvising a Way Out of Darkness
Authors: Nicholson Parker Patricia
Published: May 2021

Patricia Nicholson Parker is the founder and director of the New York-based non-profit arts organization Arts for Art. In this piece, she writes of the ways in which improvisation is central to her work as both an artist and an organizer. She sees improvisation as a strategy of resistance to the degradation of “the sacredness of Life itself.”
La escena de las músicas creativas improvisadas en Iberoamérica
Authors: Calvi Juan
Published: May 2021

Uno de los países que más ha sufrido y sufre actualmente los efectos de la pandemia causada por la COVID-19 en todo el mundo es España, con decenas de miles de muertos en constante aumento. El presente artículo analiza el impacto que la pandemia está provocando en el delicado tejido de la creación musical en España, específicamente, y en Iberoamérica, en general, lo cual está acelerando procesos que ya se venían gestando desde hace más de una década, aunque la situación actual es tan urgente y apremiante que aún no hay datos ni análisis fiables sobre lo que está ocurriendo. A partir de datos recogidos en los últimos años sobre la caída de la asistencia a conciertos de música en vivo en España, se va delineando la situación actual de la música en general, extrapolable a otras regiones de Iberoamérica, donde ya casi nadie puede vivir directamente de la música; esto es, de la composición, creación o de su interpretación en vivo, como sí solía ocurrir décadas atrás. Esta situación se agrava notablemente en el caso de aquellos/as creadores/as de obras musicales más elaboradas y minoritarias; esto es, las que más recursos requieren en términos de tiempo de trabajo y dedicación, y que suelen ser, además, las más ricas e innovadoras en su aporte en términos estéticos, educativos y culturales. Este es el caso de las llamadas músicas creativas, improvisadas, contemporáneas o experimentales: un amplio abanico que abarca géneros musicales diversos cuyos límites no están delimitados, pero que son los que más están acusando el impacto de la pandemia. El artículo intenta dar una respuesta realista y concreta al primer punto de la convocatoria de este número especial, en relación con la nueva economía digital de la creación y el consumo musical, dada la desaparición de las actuaciones en vivo, y el surgimiento de las redes sociales y las plataformas audiovisuales online como alternativas. Por último, concluye con algunas propuestas para revalorizar la escena de la música en vivo y la situación actual de los/as creadores/as improvisadores/as musicales.
The Gut Microbiome as a Promising Biomarker of Cancer Progression Among Female Never-smokers With Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Otoshi Takehiro , Nagano Tatsuya , Park Jonguk , Hosomi Koji , Yamashita Tomoya , Tachihara Motoko , Tabata Tokiko , Sekiya Reina , Tanaka Yugo , Kobayashi Kazuyuki , Mizuguchi Kenji , Itoh Tomoo , Maniwa Yoshimasa , Kunisawa Jun , Nishimura Yoshihiro
Published: May 2021

Background: The gut microbiome plays an important role in the immune system and has attracted attention as a biomarker of various diseases, including cancer. As such, we examined the relationship between the gut microbiome and lung cancer progression. In addition, we assessed the correlation between the gut microbiome and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status.Methods: Female never-smokers diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma were consecutively and prospectively enrolled between May 2018 and August 2019. Fecal samples were collected within 1 month before or after diagnosis and before administration of any lung cancer treatment. Principal coordinate analyses were retrospectively performed using Bray-Curtis distance matrices to investigate the effects of clinical variables (age, body mass index, Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage, T category, N category, M category, primary tumor size, performance status, and EGFR mutation status) on the gut microbial community. A correlation analysis was also performed to determine the strength of association between the dominant taxonomy (comprising ≥1% of the relative abundance of bacterial DNA sequences) and clinical variables.Results: A total of 37 patients were enrolled. T category and primary tumor size were significantly correlated with the gut microbial community (p=0.018 and 0.041, respectively). At the genus level, a significant positive correlation was observed between the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and both T category (correlation coefficient, R=0.51, p=0.0013) and primary tumor size (R=0.37, p=0.024), whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between the relative abundances of Fusicatenibacter and Bacteroides and T category (R=−0.35, p=0.034 and R=−0.32, p=0.05, respectively) and primary tumor size (R=−0.36, p=0.029 and R=−0.41, p=0.012, respectively). EGFR mutation status had no statistically significant effect on the gut microbial community (p=0.11). However, the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium were significantly higher in EGFR mutation–negative patients than EGFR mutation–positive patients (p=0.012 and 0.041), whereas the relative abundance of Blautia was significantly lower in EGFR mutation–negative patients (p=0.036).Conclusions: This is the first study identifying the gut microbiome as a promising biomarker of lung cancer progression. Further elucidation of the role of the gut microbiome in lung cancer progression could facilitate development of new treatments for lung cancer.
Prediction of survival after eribulin chemotherapy for breast cancer by absolute lymphocyte counts and progression types
Authors: Morisaki Tamami , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Asano Yuka , Goto Wataru , Takada Koji , Ishihara Sae , Shibutani Masatsune , Tanaka Hiroaki , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: May 2021

Background
In the RECIST diagnostic criteria, the concepts of progression by pre-existing disease (PPL) and progression by new metastases (PNM) have been proposed to distinguish between the progression types of cancer refractory to treatment. According to the tumor biology of cancer progression forms, the "PPL" form indicates invasion and the "PNM" form indicates metastasis. On the other hand, recent studies have focused on the clinical importance of inflammatory markers as indicators of the systemic tumor immune response. In particular, absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) is an indicator of the host’s immune response. Thus, we developed a new measure that combined progression form with ALC. In this study, we clinically validated the combined assessment of progression form and ALC in eribulin chemotherapy.
Methods
From August 2011 to April 2019, a total of 486 patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) underwent treatment. In this study, only 88 patients who underwent chemotherapy using eribulin were included. The antitumor effect was evaluated based on the RECIST criteria, version 1.1. To measure ALC, peripheral blood samples collected before eribulin treatment were used. The cut-off value for ALC in this study was 1,500 /µL, based on previous studies.
Results
The PPL group (71 patients, 80.7%) had significantly longer PFS (p = 0.022, log-rank) and OS (p < 0.001, log-rank) than the PNM group (17 patients,19.3%). In the 51 patients with ALC < 1500/µl, the PPL group had a significantly better prognosis than the PNM group (PFS: p = 0.035, OS: p < 0.001, log-rank, respectively). On the other hand, in the 37 patients with ALC ≥ 1500/µl, the PPL group had a better OS compared to the PNM group (p = 0.055, log-rank), but there was no significant difference in PFS between the two groups (p = 0.541, log-rank). Furthermore, multivariate analysis that validated the effect of OS showed that high ORR and “high-ALC and PPL” were factors for a good prognosis (p < 0.001, HR = 0.321) (p = 0.036, HR = 0.290).
Conclusions
In breast cancer patients with eribulin chemotherapy, good systemic immune status, such as ALC ≥ 1500/µl, was associated with less progression, particularly metastasis, and better prognosis. Furthermore, the biomarker "high-ALC and PPL" was particularly useful as a prognostic marker following eribulin chemotherapy.
WITHDRAWN: HSPA2 Expression Predicts Early Postsurgical Relapse and Promotes Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Zhai Lu-Lu , Qiao Pei-Pei , Sun Yue-Shen , Tang Zhi-Gang , Ju Tong-Fa
Published: May 2021

Background: Heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2) is known to relate to the pathogenesis and progress of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the connection between HSPA2 and early postsurgical relapse, and the influences of HSPA2 on cell biological behaviors in pancreatic cancer (PC).Methods: Expression of HSPA2 in cancerous and noncancerous samples was determined by bioinformatics and immunostaining methods. The significance of HSPA2 expression in predicting early postsurgical recurrence was assessed. The biological role and potential mechanisms of HSPA2 in PC progression were uncovered by enrichment analysis. HSPA2 expression in human PC cells was detected by immunoblotting. Silencing of HSPA2 in BxPC-3 cells and upregulation of HSPA2 in PANC-1 cells were achieved with siRNA and overexpression plasmid, respectively, and then the impacts of HSPA2 downregulation and upregulation on cancer cell biological behaviors were estimated.Results: HSPA2 expression in tumor specimens was markedly elevated compared with nontumor specimens. HSPA2 overexpression could independently predict early postsurgical recurrence, and combined with malignant clinicopathological characteristics had greater predictive power and potential application value. Enrichment analysis revealed that HSPA2 expression was closely associated with PC progression. HSPA2 was expressed in BxPC-3, PANC-1 and SW1990 cells, with the highest and lowest levels in BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells, respectively. Cell migration and invasion abilities were remarkably restrained in HSPA2-silenced BxPC-3 cells and significantly enhanced in HSPA2-overexpressed PANC-1 cells.Conclusion: HSPA2 expression predicts early postoperative recurrence and promotes cell migration and invasion, and is expected to become a useful molecular target of antitumor treatment in PC.
Reversible C–C Bond Formation Using Palladium Catalysis
Authors: Marchese Austin , Mirabi Bijan , Johnson Colton , Lautens Mark
Published: May 2021

A widely appreciated principle is that all reactions are fundamentally reversible. Observing reversible transition metal-catalyzed reactions, particularly those that include the cleavage of C–C bonds, are more challenging. The development of the palladium- and nickel-catalyzed carboiodination reactions afforded access to the syn- and anti-diastereomers of the iodo-dihydroisoquinolone products. Using these substrates, an extensive study investigating the catalytic reversibility of the C–C bond formation using a different palladium catalyst was undertaken. A combination of experimental and computational studies led to the discovery of a variety of new methodologies and concepts key to understanding the process of reversible C–C bond formations.
Fabrication of Visible Light Active Mn-Doped Bi2WO6-GO/MoS2 Heterostructure for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Tahir Noor , Zahid Muhammad , Bhatti Ijaz Ahmad , Jamil Yasir
Published: May 2021

The increase in environmental pollution has led to an increased investigation in the development of novel ternary photocatalytic systems for remediation. These Photocatalytic systems exhibit superior photocatalytic action for the removal of pollutants because of their visible light active bandgaps. A highly effective visible light active ternary heterojunction was fabricated using a hydrothermal method assisted by ultrasonication. Herein, we report the Insitu hydrothermal synthesis of Mn-doped Bi2WO6-GO/ MoS2 photocatalyst, efficiently exhibiting greater photocatalytic activity for the wastewater treatment under solar light. The binary metal sulphide (MoS2) used as a co-catalyst, acted as electron collector and Graphene oxide (GO) as a support material for interfacial electron transfer to and from bismuth tungstate and MoS2. The as-prepared samples were characterized using SEM-EDX, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, and UV–Vis techniques. The bandgap of the novel photocatalyst was found in the visible region (2.2 eV) which helped in suppressing photoinduced electron-hole pairs recombination. The ternary Mn-BMG showed 99% methylene blue removal after 60 minutes of sunlight irradiation at the optimum conditions of pH 8, catalyst dose 50 mg/100ml and initial MB concentration of 10ppm under sunlight irradiation. The Mn-BMG has proved to be an effective sunlight active photocatalyst that can be reused without substantial loss in photocatalytic efficiency.
Mitigating the Impacts of Meteorological Disasters During the Phenological Period for Geographical Indication Agricultural Growers by Using Adaptive and Resilient Coping Strategies
Authors: QIN Yuhan , Shi Xingmin , Li Xueping , Yan Jianwu
Published: May 2021

Developing geographical indication agricultural products will help to expand regional characteristic industries by taking actions that suit local circumstances. Improving the adaptability of geographical indication agricultural growers to cope with meteorological disasters is conducive to promoting the optimization of rural industrial structure and the implementation of rural revitalization strategy. Based on the field survey data of Shaanxi Province, this research uses the method of natural breaks to classify the resilience scores of meteorological disasters under the framework of Sustainable Livelihood Approach. Finally, the ordinal logistic regression model is used to quantitatively research how livelihood capital contributes to the resilience of kiwifruit growers to meteorological disasters during the phenological period. The results show that the perception of meteorological disasters by farmers does not significantly affect the resilience of farmers, and the impacts of different livelihood capitals on the resilience strategies of farmers are quite distinct: material capital, financial capital, social capital and human capital have significant positive impact on the resilience strategies of growers, while natural capital has a significant negative impact on the resilience strategies of growers. The results extend the theoretical foundation of resilience strategies for meteorological disasters in kiwifruit phenological period, and bring quantitative evidence linkage of livelihood capital and resilience strategies. Furthermore, the study emphasizes that the agricultural activities of kiwifruit growers during the phenological period should be combined with the livelihood capital guarantee measures, as well as a better financial environment should be created by government intervention. Paying attention to science popularization work of middle-aged and elderly growers, accelerating the linkages between the government and the mass, would help the government to obtain the best agricultural management methods.
Factors Associated with Prolonged Hospital Stay: a Retrospective Study for Imported Malaria Cases
Authors: Huang Liang , Jin Hong , Zhang Hong , Liu Yang , Shi Xinxing , Kang Xintong , Zeng Yilan , Wang Lin
Published: May 2021

Background

China had entered post-elimination era for malaria, however, the imported cases are continuously are a public health concern as the increasing number of cases. In this study we studied the potential predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay for imported malaria patients.
Material and Methods

We retrospectively collected patients of imported malaria cases data from 2017–2020 in our hospital. we analyzed the data from clinical, epidemiological, geographical, and seasonal points of view, and used cox proportional hazard model to find the predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay.
Results

We found most of imported cases were from Democratic Republic of the Congo(23%, 34/150) and most cases 74%(26/34) were infected by P. falciparum. Through Edwards Test, no significant seasonality of imported cases were found(χ2 = 2.51 p-value = 0.28). We found bacterial infection(HR = 0.58, p-value = 0.01) and thrombocytopenia(HR = 0.66, p-value = 0.02) were protective factors for discharge, that were, the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.
Conclusions

The imported cases are the major risk of malaria in post-elimination era of China. The bacterial infection and thrombocytopenia were the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.