bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactivation of Hepatitis B After Ibalizumab Therapy for Multidrug-Resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Kaplan Alyson , DeHaan Elliott , Maltz Charles
Published: May 2021

Despite the decreasing morbidity associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a large percentage of persons with HIV have at least 1 drug resistance mutation. Ibalizumab, a recently approved drug, targets multidrug-resistant HIV. We present a case of reactivation of hepatitis B after initiation of ibalizumab therapy.
Gastrocolic Fistula Management in a Pregnant Patient
Authors: Qasim Abdallah , Buaisha Haitam , Abuhazeem Bader , Jenkins Erin
Published: May 2021

We present a case of a pregnant woman admitted for malnutrition secondary to a large gastrocolic fistula (GCF). She has a history of perforated duodenal ulcer that required surgical pyloroplasty 6 years ago. This fistula was diagnosed on the gastrointestinal barium series showing direct transit of barium from the stomach to the colon. An upper endoscopy showed a large gastrocolonic fistula with stool leaking to the stomach. Her nutrition was optimized, then she underwent surgical repair. GCF is suspected in the patient presenting with malnutrition with a history of intra-abdominal surgery.
Local Integration and Congolese Forced Migrants in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors:   Peking University, Pangilinan Christian
Published: May 2021

Thousands of unregistered Congolese forced migrants live in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Some of them have lived in the city for years but their long-term futures remain undecided. Although many originally arrived for asylum-related reasons, the vast majority are not recognised as refugees or have only temporary legal status. In the context of discussions over possible legal solutions or residency for such people, this paper relies on interviews, focus groups and a survey of Congolese forced migrants in Dar es Salaam to ascertain their views on local integration as a possible option; local integration being a traditional permanent solution to the search for refuge. Results indicate that many Congolese forced migrants are locally integrated to a significant extent, although many continue to face significant challenges in terms of discrimination, economic self-sufficiency, safety and education. The paper concludes that, in light of their preferences and their degree of integration, there should be a variety of policy options for Congolese forced migrants. Some Congolese forced migrants indicate that asylum is a desired solution, some prefer naturalisation, or temporary legal residence, and some even consider assistance towards repatriation to be acceptable.
Impact of Remittances on Economic Growth: Evidence from Selected West African Countries (Cameroon, Cape Verde, Nigeria and Senegal)
Authors:   University of the Western Cape, Adarkwa Muriel
Published: May 2021

Remittances from abroad play a key role in the development of many West African countries. Remittances tend to increase the income of recipients, reduce shortage of foreign exchange and help alleviate poverty. This research examines the impact of remittances on economic growth in four selected West African countries: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Nigeria and Senegal. Using developmentalist, structuralist and pluralist views on remittances, a linear regression was run on time series data from the World Bank database for the period 2000–2010. After a critical analysis of the impact of remittances on economic growth in these four countries, it was found that inflow of remittances to Senegal and Nigeria has a positive effect on these countries’ gross domestic product whereas for Cape Verde and Cameroon it had a negative effect. Cameroon benefitted the least from remittances and Nigeria benefitted the most within the period. One contribution of this study is the finding that remittance inflows need to be invested in productive sectors. Even if remittances continue to increase, without investment in productive sectors they cannot have any meaningful impact on economic growth in these countries.
Uncertainty, Financial Markets, and Monetary Policy over the Last Century
Authors: Choi Sangyup , Yoon Chansik
Published: May 2021

What has been the effect of uncertainty shocks in the U.S. economy over the last century? What are the roles of the financial channel and monetary policy channel in propagating uncertainty shocks? Our empirical strategies enable us to distinguish between the effects of uncertainty shocks on key macroeconomic and financial variables transmitted through each channel. A hundred years of data further allow us to answer these questions from a novel historical perspective. This paper finds robust evidence that financial conditions captured by both borrowing costs and the availability of credit have played a crucial role in propagating uncertainty shocks over the last century. However, heightened uncertainty does not necessarily amplify the adverse effect of financial shocks, suggesting an asymmetric interaction between uncertainty and financial shocks. Interestingly, the monetary policy stance seems to play only a minor role in propagating uncertainty shocks, which is in sharp contrast to the recent claim that binding zero-lower-bound amplifies the negative effect of uncertainty shocks. We argue that the contribution of constrained monetary policy to amplifying uncertainty shocks is largely masked by the joint concurrence of binding zero-lower-bound and tightened financial conditions.
Which Way Forward for Economic Security: Basic Income or Public Services?
Authors: Malleson Tom , Calnitsky David
Published: May 2021

Economic insecurity is an endemic problem across the rich countries of the Global North. What is the solution? This paper compares and contrasts two major proposals: the conventional welfare state package of public services and regulations versus a basic income. By comparing and contrasting these systems in three different contexts – a “nightwatchman” context, a neoliberal context, and a social democratic context – and carefully modeling the monetary equivalence between them, we are able to provide a more precise and compelling comparison of the two systems than has yet been accomplished. We evaluate the two systems on the basis of economic security as well as a number of other important criteria, including the economic well-being of oppressed groups, power, carbon emissions, the gender division of labor, free time, social stigma, and transformative potential. We find that without a welfare state background, services and regulations are generally preferable for most vulnerable groups. However, as the welfare state develops, into a neoliberal or a social democratic context, basic income becomes a generally superior option.
Influence of diagenetic features on petrophysical properties of fine-grained rocks of Oligocene strata in the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Shar Abdul Majeed , Mahesar Aftab Ahmed , Abbasi Ghazanfer Raza , Narejo Asad Ali , Hakro Asghar Ali Alias Daahar
Published: May 2021

Nari Formation is considered as one of the most important oil and gas exploration targets. These fine-grained tight sandstone reservoirs face enormous challenges due to their extremely low matrix porosity and permeability. Hence, in this regard, the study was carried out to collect the high-quality data on petrophysical properties along with mineralogy and microstructural characteristics and diagenesis. The experiments performed includes the petrographic study and scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Besides, the measurement of petrophysical properties was carried out to assess the likely influence of the reservoir quality. The petrographic analysis shows predominantly fine- to medium-grained grey samples along with calcite, clay, lithic fragments and iron oxides. Further, the thin-section observations revealed that the quartz is a principal mineral component in all the analysed samples ranging from 52.2 to 92.9%. The bulk volume of clay minerals that range from 5.3 to 16.1% of. The porosity and permeability measured range from 5.08 to 18.56% (average 7.22%) and from 0.0152 to 377 mD (average 0.25 mD), respectively. The main diagenetic processes that affected the sandstones of Nari Formation are mechanical compaction, grain deformation, cementation and quartz dissolution and have played a significant role in influencing the quality of the reservoir rock. Overall, it appears that the primary petrophysical properties (porosity and permeability) were decreased due to the mechanical compaction, lithification, cementation, and framework grain dissolution. Based on the integrated mineralogical, microstructural analysis, and the laboratory-based petrophysical properties, the samples exhibited poor porosity, permeability, and moderate clay content, which indicate that the Nari Formation is a poor quality reservoir.
Comparative investigation on the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution using three different advanced oxidation processes
Authors: Benredjem Zahia , Barbari Karima , Chaabna Imene , Saaidia Samia , Djemel Abdelhak , Delimi Rachid , Douas Saloua , Bakhouche Khaoula
Published: May 2021

The Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are promising environmentally friendly technologies for the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants in general and particularly dyes. The aim of this work is to determine which of the AOP processes based on the Fenton reaction is more effective in degrading the methyl orange (MO) dye. The comparative study of the Fenton, photo-Fenton (PF) and electro-Fenton (EF) processes has shown that electro-Fenton is the most efficient method for oxidizing Methyl Orange. The evolution of organic matter degradation was followed by absorbance (discoloration) and COD (mineralization) measurements. The kinetics of the MO degradation by the electro-Fenton process is very rapid and the OM degradation rate reached 90.87% after 5 min. The influence of some parameters such as the concentration of the catalyst (Fe (II)), the concentration of MO, the current density, the nature and the concentration of supporting electrolyte was investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate increases with the increase in the applied current density and the concentration of the supporting electrolyte. The study of the concentration effect on the rate degradation revealed optimal values for the concentrations 2.10−5 M and 75 mg L−1 of Fe (II) and MO respectively.
Intensification of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the degradation of bisphenol-A
Authors: Chinthala Mahendra , K. Ashwathanarayanaiah Badrinarayana , Kulkarni Soundarya , Udayakishore Yajnesh , Halyal Aishwarya , Chavan Anil
Published: May 2021

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a precursor for many polymers, is a harmful compound for living organisms if present beyond permissible limits in aqueous streams. The combinations of oxidation processes like Hydrodynamic Cavitation (HC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and Fenton’s reagent (H2O2 + FeSO4) were examined for the degradation of BPA in the present study. The effects of operating parameters like inlet pressure, initial concentration of BPA, orifice geometry were investigated on BPA degradation. The degradation rates of BPA increased with inlet pressure up to 0.5 MPa and then showed a decreasing trend beyond 0.5 MPa. The initial concentration of BPA had an inverse relation with the degradation percentage. The multiple hole orifice plate showed better degradation of BPA compared to the single hole orifice plate. In the intensification studies, the addition of hydrogen peroxide to BPA in the cavitation reactor favored BPA degradation. A combination of HC + Fenton’s reagent (0.1 M H2O2 + 0.01 M FeSO4) significantly degraded BPA present in the aqueous streams.
“Who’s Going to Mobilise Darkness and Silence?”: The Construction of Dystopian Spaces in Contemporary British Drama
Authors: Sierz Aleks , Tönnies Merle
Published: May 2021

This article examines the recent explosion of British dystopian plays, analysing their changing characteristics from the 1990 s to the 2010 s. After an initial brief look at precursors, it then focuses on examples of new writing which tackle the idea of dystopia in the absurdist manner typical of the 2000 s. In a third step, the focus is on the dystopian drama of the 2010 s and its more conventionally structured plots, which at the same time increasingly include ironic and parodistic elements. It becomes clear how this comparatively new genre is able to shake off the constraints of traditional dystopian writing and develop recognisable characteristics of its own. Throughout, emphasis is put on the “reality” of the plays’ fictional worlds, on the usage of the stage space, and on how the audience’s relationship with the stage is constructed as a double bind of distance and closeness.
Quantification of anacardic acid, the toxic component in raw and purified samples of Semecarpus anacardium L. by Siddha purification processes
Authors: Lawrence Juliet , Viswan Lilly Reena , Velmurugan Arthi , Sundhara moorthy Karthik Raja , Sudarsanam Sudha Revathy , Parameswaran Sathiyarajeswaran , Kadarkarai Kanakavalli
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The knowledge of purification process is unique since it deals with various physical and chemical changes in the inherent toxic properties during the process and it renders a strong support in the art of medicine preparation in Siddha system of medicine. Semecarpus anacardium L. is listed under Schedule e (1) drugs and purification is mandatory before its administration in medicine preparation. The bioactive compounds present in the plant like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, steroids enhance the medical efficacy and defense mechanisms of the plant. Hence an attempt has been made to reveal the chemical change, occurring during the purification process in Siddha system of medicine by evaluating the phytochemicals and anacardic acid which is responsible for forming blisters and dermatitis.

Methods

Five common methods were used to purify the Semecarpus anacardium nuts as per the Siddha classical texts. The quantification of phytochemicals and anacardic acid has been done in unpurified, intermediate and purified samples.

Results

Significant changes were observed in phytochemicals and anacardic acid quantity in unpurified and purified samples. The major reduction of anacardic acid from 5.62 % in S1 to below detectable limit (BDL) in S2, S3, S4, 0.24% in S5 and 3.32% in S6. There is mild to moderate change in the phytochemicals which will support the efficacy of the drug.

Conclusions

With the results of phytochemicals, though all the purification methods have been evidenced to reduce the toxic nature, among the above five, the process II may be recommended for further research and medicine preparation.
The weight of nonstrongly complete profinite groups
Authors: Bar-On Tamar
Published: May 2021

We compute the local weight of the completion of a nonstrongly complete profinite group and conclude that, if a profinite group is abstractly isomorphic to its own profinite completion, then they are equal.
The local weights of all the groups in the tower of completions are computed as well.
Education in developing countries and reducing maternal mortality: a forgotten piece of the puzzle?
Authors: Stefanovic Vedran
Published: May 2021

Despite substantial improvement in reducing maternal mortality during the recent decades, we constantly face tragic fact that maternal mortality (especially preventable deaths) is still unacceptably too high, particularly in the developing countries, where 99% of all maternal deaths worldwide occur. Poverty, lack of proper statistics, gender inequality, beliefs and corruption-associated poor governmental policies are just few of the reasons why decline in maternal mortality has not been as sharp as it was wished and expected. Education has not yet been fully recognized as the way out of poverty, improvement of women’s role in the society and consequent better perinatal care and consequent lower maternal mortality. Education should be improved on all levels including girls, women and their partners, medical providers, religious and governmental authorities. Teaching the teachers should be also an essential part of global strategy to lower maternal mortality. This paper is mostly a commentary, not a systematic review nor a meta-analysis with the aim to rise attention (again) to the role of different aspects of education in lowering maternal mortality. The International Academy of Perinatal Medicine should play a crucial role in pushing the efforts on this issue as the influential instance that promotes reflection and dialog in perinatal medicine, especially in aspects such as bioethics, the appropriate use of technological advances, and the sociological and humanistic dimensions of this specific problem of huge magnitude. The five concrete steps to achieve these goals are listed and discussed.
Magnetic black phosphorus microbubbles for targeted tumor theranostics
Authors: Zhu Yao , Liu Yingying , Xie Zhongjian , He Tianzhen , Su Lili , Guo Fengjuan , Arkin Gulzira , Lai XiaoShu , Xu Jinfeng , Zhang Han
Published: May 2021

Black phosphorus (BP) is attracting more and more interest for the biomedical application. The absorption in a wide spectral range and high photothermal conversion efficiency make BP suitable for photothermal therapy. However, BP alone is hard to realize the targeted therapy, which limits the precision and efficiency of the therapy. Magnetic microbubbles (MBs) are favored drug carriers because they can resist the sheer force of blood flow in a magnetic field, which improves the efficiency of MBs adhesion to the vascular wall for targeted ultrasound diagnosis and therapy. This study first optimized the magnetic MBs configurations through controlling the connecting polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain length. The magnetic MBs with PEG2000 have been chosen for targeted BP nanosheets delivery due to the better stability and magnetic responsiveness. The magnetic black phosphorus microbubbles (MBBPM) can realize the targeted tumor theranostics in vitro and in vivo. They could be applied for the targeted ultrasound imaging with an enhanced echogenicity by three times when accumulated at the target site where the magnetic field is applied. As the NIR laser irradiation was applied on the accumulated MBBPM, they dynamited and the temperature increased rapidly. It improved the cell membrane permeability, thus accelerating and enhancing a precision photothermal killing effect to the breast cancer cells, compared to BP alone.
Obsidian in the Early Neolithic of the Upper Vistula basin: origin, processing, distribution and use – a case study from Tominy (southern Poland)
Authors: Szeliga Marcin , Kasztovszky Zsolt , Osipowicz Grzegorz , Szilágyi Veronika
Published: May 2021

The inflow of the Carpathian obsidian into the areas on the northern side of the Carpathians and the Sudetes is confirmed as early as in the Palaeolithic. However, its greatest intensity occurred in the Early Neolithic, i. e. in the late 6th and in the first half of 5th millennia BC. During that period, the phenomenon was closely related with the development of the Danubian cultural groups in the upper Vistula river basin, including especially Linear Pottery culture (LBK) and Malice Culture. The constant presence of this raw material products in mentioned areas is documented from the classical (musical-note) phase of LBK, constituting one of the most expressive pieces of evidence of permanent and intense intercultural contacts with communities of the northern Carpathian Basin. This phenomenon has been repeatedly emphasized in the literature.

One of the most numerous LBK obsidian inventories in the upper Vistula river basin was obtained at site 6 in Tominy, located in southern Poland, in the non-loess zone of the Sandomierz Upland northern foreground. The above-mentioned collection, its non-destructive elemental analysis, using Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) and also traceological analysis, is the subject of this article. The results supplement the published data to a significant extent, simultaneously providing partial verification and updating of the current state of knowledge on the basic issues related to the Early Neolithic obsidian inflow into areas located North of the Carpathians, including primarily the origin of the raw material, the scale of its processing and distribution ways, as well as the range of its use by the LBK communities.
Thermoelektrische Eigenschaften von Pt-40 %Rh/Pt-6 %Rh Thermoelementen
Authors: Edler Frank , Ederer Petra
Published: May 2021

Im Rahmen des europäischen Metrologie Programms für Innovation und Forschung (EMPIR) startete im Mai 2018 mit einer Laufzeit von 3 Jahren das Projekt „Enhancing process efficiency through improved temperature measurement – 2“ (EMPRESS-2) mit Beteiligung der Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt (PTB). Das übergeordnete Ziel des Projekts ist es, die Effizienz von Fertigungsprozessen durch die Verbesserung von Temperaturmess- und Steuerungsmöglichkeiten zu steigern. Die Arbeiten der PTB fließen in zwei Arbeitspakete ein und befassen sich mit der metrologischen Charakterisierung hochstabiler Thermoelemente im Arbeitspaket 2 (AP2) und neuartiger photonischer Temperatursensoren im AP4. Im Folgenden werden die Präparation der hochstabilen Pt-40 %Rh/Pt-6 %Rh Thermoelemente beschrieben, sowie die Messprozeduren und erste Messergebnisse zur Etablierung einer Kennlinienfunktion für Pt-40 %Rh/Pt-6 %Rh Thermoelemente vorgestellt.
Jellyfish-like few-layer graphene nanoflakes: high paramagnetic response alongside increased interlayer interaction
Authors: Ulyanov Alexander , Stolbov Dmitrii , Savilov Serguei
Published: May 2021

Jellyfish-like graphene nanoflakes (GNF), prepared by hydrocarbon pyrolysis, are studied with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method. The results are supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data. Oxidized (GNFox) and N-doped oxidized (N-GNFox) flakes exhibit an extremely high EPR response associated with a large interlayer interaction which is caused by the structure of nanoflakes and layer edges reached by oxygen. The GNFox and N-GNFox provide the localized and mobile paramagnetic centers which are silent in the pristine (GNF
p
) and N-doped (N-GNF) samples. The change in the relative intensity of the line corresponding to delocalized electrons is parallel with the number of radicals in the quaternary N-group. The environment of localized and mobile electrons is different. The results can be important in GNF synthesis and for explanation of their features in applications, especially, in devices with high sensitivity to weak electromagnetic field.
Aggregation behavior and thermodynamic properties of the mixture of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in numerous temperatures and mixed solvents
Authors: Hoque Md. Anamul , Alam Md. Mahabub , Rana Shahed , Alothman Asma A. , Alsawat Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Interaction of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB; cationic in nature) in H2O and additives (alcohols and diols) media has been investigated using conductivity technique. The micellar parameters such as critical micelle concentration (cmc), fraction of counter ion binding (β), thermodynamic parameters, transfer properties, and enthalpy-entropy compensation parameters of CTAB + SCMC mixture have been assessed in water and aq. alcohols/diols media. One cmc value was achieved for CTAB + SCMC mixtures in the entire circumstances and the attendance of SCMC disfavors the CTAB micellization. The cmc values were obtained to be greater in alcohols and diols media compared to H2O medium. The cmc values also exhibit a dependency on the solvent composition and temperature variation. In all the cases, the ΔG
0

m
values were achieved to be negative which signifying the spontaneous formation of micelles while the extent of spontaneity is decreased in alcohols and diols media. Both the ΔH
0

m
and ΔS
0

m
reveal that hydrophobic, ion-dipole as well as electrostatic interactions are the proposed binding forces between CTAB and SCMC. The compensation parameters (ΔH
0*

m
and T

c
) are in decent agreement with the biological fluid.
Aufwandsarme Rekonstruktion von Bestandsanlagen
Authors: Müller Sandra , Ahmed Mahmoud , Fottner Johannes
Published: May 2021

Fehlende oder veraltete Daten erschweren die Modellerstellung für bereits bestehende Förderanlagen. Um die Potenziale digitaler Modelle dennoch auch für Bestandsanlagen wirtschaftlich zu nutzen, kann eine automatisierte Extraktion von Modellierungsdaten unterstützen. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Verfahren zur Rekonstruktion der Topologie automatisierter Förderelemente auf der Basis von Bewegungsdaten eines intelligenten Ladungsträgers vorgestellt.
Sonic Pipelines at the Seafloor
Authors: Han Lisa Y.
Published: May 2021

How did the offshore oil industry develop the means to image the seafloor with photographic precision? What are the stakes of producing images through processes that simultaneously produce carcasses? This essay addresses these questions by charting the ambivalent history of reflection seismology from the 1940s to the present day. In the postwar era, when offshore drilling was just emerging, companies like Union Oil, Shell Oil, Macco Corporation, and affiliated researchers were key actors in the development of offshore prospecting techniques. From wire sounding technologies like the soundfish to modern airgun surveys, the hunt for energy resources paved the way for high-resolution imaging of the ocean floor, despite devastating ecological casualties. Drawing from sound studies scholarship in addition to interviews and oceanographic records, this essay focuses on how petroleum surveys have affected the material space of their interventions. In particular, I theorize the survey as a distinct framework for knowledge that privileges comprehensive and continuous information feeds. I contend that the repeated bias toward frictionless signal in combination with discourses of energy security has obscured and even justified the harmful ecological impacts of reflection seismology on ocean environments. Ultimately, I argue that rather than starting with the visual abstractions of survey maps and seismic images, attention must be returned to the violent sonic “bangs” of surveying—a recurring event that is inseparable from the nonhuman and environmental agencies, casualties, and affects that co-constitute the media-making process.
El Niño “The Boy” – Local Stories and Global Satellites in the Pacific Ocean [Video]
Authors: Höhler Sabine
Published: May 2021

Global climate patterns such as El Niño are not simply the outcome of scientific modeling derived from satellite images and other ocean temperature sensing technologies. El Niño first emerged as a narrative through local stories of extreme weather events, preserved by the people of the coastal countries of South America, Indonesia and Asia. This rich local environmental knowledge of extreme weather events and the storms, floods, droughts, and famine it causes in these regions, went largely unnoticed in the northern hemisphere. Only in the 1980s and 1990s did El Niño become part of the new scientific imagery of a global environmental science. Although the ocean gained both public and scientific recognition as a main agent of global climate patterns, the scientific integration of El Niño into global climate models and their forecasting has so far not led to the prevention of local environmental catastrophes. Instead, science changed how “the catastrophic” is perceived.
 Video available at: https://vimeo.com/527398121
Modeling the Pacific Ocean on the Computer [Video]
Authors: Meiburg Eckart
Published: May 2021

In fluid dynamics, motions on and below the ocean surface, such as surface and internal (underwater) waves, or along the ocean floor are modeled. Before we can simulate the ocean on a computer, it has to be mathematically divided into separate “control volumes” for which we impose the classic physical conservation principles for mass, momentum, energy, or salinity. Sometimes, billions of these discrete boxes are coupled in a single model. Computer models alongside satellite or field study data, as well as some laboratory experiments help us understand how large-scale events such as underwater avalanches can impair underwater infrastructure such as telecommunication cables or pipelines, how gas and oil reservoirs form below the ocean floor, or how ocean transport of heat, salt, and CO2 affects global climate, ocean temperature, and acidification. Scalability is important for this type of modeling, since computational investigations of ocean flows often start with small systems that are then upscaled into much larger-scale phenomena.
 Video available at: https://vimeo.com/527398493
Etherealization in a Racial Regime of Ownership: Marconi in O‘ahu, circa 1900
Authors: Morgenstern Tyler
Published: May 2021

This article traces the emergence of wireless telegraphy in the Hawaiian Islands in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Centrally, I argue that for an ascendant haole (white settler) planter class, wirelessness proffered potent resources with which to articulate a particular model of scale and connectivity—one in which Hawai‘i’s isolation from the US mainland was recast as the predicate of new, and highly lucrative, forms of intimacy and proximity. These intimacies, I argue, overlapped not just symbolically but materially with the de facto and de jure forms of US colonial governance that took shape in the islands in this period. To make the case, I think through and around one particularly notable wireless transmission complex: the American Marconi Company’s hulking installation at Kahuku, on the North Shore of O‘ahu, and its companion station at Koko Head, some fifty miles south. Recounting the maneuvers by which these sites were drawn into the fold of long-distance wireless signaling, I show that to whatever extent wirelessness animated transcendent visions of scalar extensibility and global connectivity, it did so from within the confines of a colonial economy of land use, elaborated around the enclosure and privatization of Indigenous land and the racially stratified exploitation of migrant labor. By way of conclusion, however, the article also considers how Kānaka Maoli (Indigenous Hawaiians) are today developing new models of wireless connectivity that upend this history of colonial enclosure by articulating wirelessness to projects of Indigenous nation building.
From the Bird’s Eye
Authors: Wang Xiao
Published: May 2021

Criminal sentences are rarely reversed for being too long. Of the approximately one million federal sentences imposed in the past fifteen years, appellate courts have only held about two dozen substantively unreasonable. Judges have, even in public statements, described substantive reasonableness review as “functionally nonexistent” and “a waste of time.”

Against this backdrop, three decisions from the Sixth Circuit published within the last year are nothing short of remarkable. In each case, the panel concluded that the district court, despite following standard processes and procedures, had nonetheless imposed a substantively unreasonable sentence.

This Article examines these cases in detail, to glean lessons for scholars and practitioners. I argue that, in each decision, the Sixth Circuit took a bird’s eye perspective to the issues at hand, reaching a common-sense decision based on aggregative sentencing data, case law, and the defendant’s prior criminal history. These factors, I further argue, provide a model for other appellate courts who hope to engage in more searching substantive reasonableness review.

I also acknowledge some limits to the Sixth Circuit’s approach. In each of these three cases, the appellate court reined in district courts for imposing above-guideline sentences. The decisions, however, say little about what—if any—role an appellate court should play in mitigating harsh sentences that are within (or even below) the guidelines. Reform of such sentences may require stakeholders to look elsewhere, including either legislative reform or appointment of a more diverse set of district judges.
Here Come the Judges
Authors: Donnelly Justice Michael P. , Zmuda Judge Gene A. , Bergeron Judge Pierre H.
Published: May 2021

We are Ohio state court judges with actual experience in imposing and/or reviewing criminal felony sentences. We are unaware of any expressed objection by Ohio’s judiciary to having more relevant information available to a sentencing court.

Sentencing discretion is conferred upon trial courts by the General Assembly through its statutory enactments, and the trial courts have full discretion to impose a prison sentence that falls within the prescribed statutory range. With such wide-ranging discretion the database will provide additional information to a sentencing judge, which will result in a more informed sentence.

Justice requires that judges get it “right.” Why prevent useful, relevant, and important information from being considered by trial judges in achieving this goal? Once the criminal sentencing database is in place, for the first time in the state’s history all stakeholders, including judges, will have access to relevant information that can inform their sentencing decisions while keeping biases, implicit or otherwise, in check. This will usher in a fairer, more transparent system that we should all support.

As stewards of the greatest system ever designed to resolve disputes and, therefore, as those empowered to see that justice is achieved, we can’t afford to pretend that the problem doesn’t exist. We must seize this moment and take this long-overdue step for the betterment of our judicial system and, therefore, our society.
Why and How We Need to Fill Criminal Justice Data Gaps
Authors: Rizer Arthur , King Dan
Published: May 2021

For the past 50 plus years the United States has been debating the very nature of our criminal justice system. Are we too lenient? Are we too vindictive? Do we give too much power to our cops and prosecutors or too many protections to defendants? But maybe most important, is there a better way? Can we ensure we have both safety and dignity built into our system?

These questions are extremely difficult for law makers to answer because of the moral implications involved with crime and punishment, but also because of one glaring weakness: data sharing and reporting. We simply do not have comprehensive data collection systems for policy makers to draw on to design interventions that can protect public safety and help heal community wounds.

While there is no silver bullet that will fix these problems, we believe attention should be paid to: 1) fixing inconsistencies in key terms so data collection can be universal, 2) fixing the issues with delayed reporting so the data we have is up to date for researchers and policy makers, and 3) addressing issues with inadequate and inconsistent data storage so not only will the data be available but assessable to those who can use it to improve the system.
Good Data, Good Law
Authors: Tilley John , Chang Serena , Peay Richard J.
Published: May 2021

Real-time data is crucial in delivering actionable information, yet sparse in the criminal justice space. Often, practitioners and policy makers (“System Actors”), are forced to rely on information that is missing, incorrect, and/or outdated. Recidiviz, a nonpartisan tech non-profit, enables System Actors to make data-driven decisions as part of their regular workflows.

This article describes Recidiviz’s work modeling the projected influence of eliminating mandatory minimums in Virginia, including state costs avoided, impact on the prison population, and number of life-years individuals would regain by avoiding incarceration. Recidiviz calculated that if Virginia eliminated mandatory minimums for drug sales offenses only, over the next five years, it could avoid a cumulative $11.6 million in incarceration costs, give 360 years of life back to people, and decrease the prison population’s racial disparity. If Virginia eliminated all mandatory minimums, as SB 5046 proposes, it could help the Commonwealth avoid $80.2 million in costs and give back 2,496 years of life over five years.

In addition to policy impact modeling, Recidiviz’s core work is in partnering with state corrections and supervision departments to provide real-time feedback and data visualization tools.
Seeking Racial Justice Through Data in 2021 and Beyond
Authors: Pearson Melba V.
Published: May 2021

In the wake of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, many people are posing the question as to what is next for racial and social justice. As the power of the prosecutor has been on display in recent months, what can be done to make sure that accountability is spread evenly among all races in the criminal justice system? For decades, the metric of a prosecutor’s success revolved around conviction rates. As thinking has evolved around the country, success now includes areas such as community safety, health, and wellness – which requires a new way to measure the work being done. Data provides this information. Data will play a critical role in ensuring transparency, changing policy, and making sure that justice is dispensed equally. Data creates a common language, as well as evidence regarding what is working effectively, and what is not. We cannot fix what we do not measure.
Juveniles Are Not So Different
Authors: Jouet Mugambi
Published: May 2021

The “juveniles are different” doctrine is gaining ground in the United States. It holds that children, unlike adults, should not receive merciless punishments like life without parole, given their immaturity, impulsivity, and limited brain development. The doctrine’s impact has been both significant and modest because it operates in an exceptionally repressive context considering the advent of mass incarceration. Unless construed more broadly, it may help rationalize draconian sentences for adults and cement the status quo. This Article offers a wider historical and comparative perspective. Over time, age has recurrently served to legitimize punitiveness toward children or adults. America has oscillated between deeming that juveniles deserve fewer rights than adults, that they deserve more rights, or that they should essentially be treated the same. After diverse paradigm shifts, mass incarceration led to a downward-leveling process whereby juveniles were punished just as ruthlessly as adults. “Juveniles are different” was a reaction to this trend, although punitive assumptions undergird its rigid age carve-outs. This Article calls for a new phase: an upward-leveling process under which juveniles’ emerging right to be free from merciless punishments would apply to everyone. This is the norm in other Western democracies, which have gravitated toward universal human rights and moderate punishment. A broader outlook may spell the difference between a conception of “juveniles are different” that casts adults as irredeemable and a stepping-stone toward meaningful systemic reform.
Adsorption of bromothymol blue (BTB) dye using four zeolites as adsorbent
Authors: Tabti Affaf , Benchikh Imene , Serier Mohamed , Launay Franck , Djafri Fatiha
Published: May 2021

This study examined adsorption of anionic dye on four zeolitic materials incorporated (VS-1, CuZSM-5) and not incorporated into metals (S-1, ZSM-5). The adsorption of the bromothymol blue (BTB) dye on the four adsorbents was analysed using isotherm models Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin. Two kinetic models were also applied to study the adsorption process, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. The isothermal data showed good correlation. The kinetics of adsorption were better described by the pseudo-second order model. The results obtained indicate that the maximum percentage removal of the BTB dye was given by a purely non-incorporated silicic zeolite (S-1).
Effect of plasma glucose at admission on COVID-19 mortality: experience from a tertiary hospital
Authors: Kumar Bharat , Mittal Madhukar , Gopalakrishnan Maya , Garg Mahendra K , Misra Sanjeev
Published: May 2021

Objective

Plasma glucose has been correlated with in-hospital mortality among many diseases including infections. We aimed to study the plasma glucose at the admission of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary care referral hospital at Jodhpur, India and its relation with mortality.

Design

A hospital-based clinical study of plasma glucose of COVID-19 patients conducted from May 15 to June 30, 2020 after ethical approval.

Measurements

Random blood samples at admission were collected for plasma glucose, interleukin-6 (IL6) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) after written informed consent was obtained. Plasma glucose was analyzed by the automated analyzer, IL6 by chemiluminescent immunoassay and hsCRP by immune-turbidimetric assay.

Results

A total of 386 patients were studied (female 39.6%); 11.1% had severe disease and 4.1% expired. There were 67 (17.4%) patients with known diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with a history of DM had three times higher mortality (6/67, 9%) than those without DM (10/309, 3.1%). Patients with moderate and severe disease according to ICMR and WHO grading had higher plasma glucose than those with asymptomatic or mild disease (P < 0.0001). Plasma glucose levels at admission were significantly higher in non-survivors when compared to those who survived (297 ± 117 vs 131 ± 73; P < 0.0001). COVID-19 patients showed increased mortality with incremental plasma glucose levels. The hazard ratio for mortality was 1.128 (95% CI 0.86–14.860), 1.883 (95% CI 0.209–16.970), and 4.005 (95% CI 0.503–32.677) in random plasma glucose group of >100–200, >200–300 and >300 mg/dL, respectively, compared to those with random plasma glucose of <100 mg/dL at admission. Plasma glucose was strongly correlated with hsCRP (P < 0.001) and IL6 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Plasma glucose at admission in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is a strong predictor of mortality.
Natural history of nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas: a 10-year longitudinal follow-up study
Authors: Podbregar Ana , Kocjan Tomaž , Rakuša Matej , Popović Peter , Garbajs Manca , Goricar Katja , Janez Andrej , Jensterle Mojca
Published: May 2021

Most data on the natural history of nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) are provided by follow-ups up to 5 years. We conducted a 10.5 (9.1–11.9)-year prospective follow-up study of NFAI in 67 participants (20 (29.9%) males, 47 (70.1%) females) of mean age 57.9 (52.3–63.9) years and BMI 27.42 (24.07–30.56) kg/m2). We also evaluated the associations between baseline BMI and changes of NFAIs’ characteristics at follow-up. Progression to mild autonomous cortisol excess (MACE) was observed in 15 (22 %) patients, with 14 of them having post overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ODST) cortisol between 50 and138 nmol/L and only one > 138 nmol/L. The progression rate was significantly higher in overweight and obese than in normal-weight subjects. Patients that developed MACE had a significantly higher baseline mean cortisol after 1 mg ODST. Tumor enlargement ≥10 mm occurred in 8.9% of patients. In comparison with reports of shorter observational periods, we observed a higher growth rate ≥ 10 mm and higher progression rate from NFAI to MACE, particularly in overweight and obese subjects. All tumors had persistent radiological characteristics typical for adrenal adenoma. We concluded that the duration of the follow-up period is an important factor in characterizing the natural history of NFAI. Higher baseline BMI and higher baseline cortisol after ODST might predict the long-term likelihood of progression in hormonal activity. The magnitudes of observed progressions in growth or hormonal activity were clinically insignificant. Our long-term follow-up, therefore, clearly supports the general view that a long-term monitoring of patients with NFAI is not necessary.
Long-term hematologic toxicity of 177Lu-octreotate-capecitabine-temozolomide therapy of GEPNET
Authors: Kesavan Murali , Grover Piyush , Lam Wei-sen , Claringbold Phillip G , Turner J Harvey
Published: May 2021

Thirty-seven patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) were treated on a prospective phase II single-center study with four cycles of 7.8 GBq 177Lu-octreotate combined with capecitabine and temozolomide chemotherapy (CAPTEM). Each 8-week cycle combined radiopeptide therapy with 14 days of capecitabine (1500 mg/m2) and 5 days of temozolomide (200 mg/m2). The incidence of grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicity was analyzed. At a median follow-up of 7-years (range 1–10), six (16%) patients developed persistent hematologic toxicity (PHT) (defined as sustained grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicity beyond 36-months follow-up) and three (8%) developed MDS/AL with a median time-to-event of 46 and 34 months, respectively. The estimated cumulative incidence of MDS/AL was 11% (95% CI: 3.45–24.01). Development of PHT was the only significant risk factor for secondary MDS/AL (RR, 16; 95% CI: 2.53 to 99.55; P < 0.001). The median PFS was 48 months (95% CI: 40.80–55.20), and the median OS was 86 months (95% CI: 56.90–115.13). Twenty-one deaths were recorded, including 13 (62%) due to progressive disease and all 3 (14%) patients with MDS/AL. 177Lu-octreotate CAPTEM therapy for GEPNETs is associated with a risk of long-term hematologic toxicity. The rising cumulative incidence of MDS/AL > 10% mandates the long-term monitoring of treated patients. However, time to onset is unpredictable, and incidence does not correlate with conventional baseline risk factors. Novel methods are required for the stratification of prospective patients based on genetic risk.
Malignant thyroid teratoma: an integrated analysis of case series/case reports
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Nguyen Truong P X , Ngo Hanh T T , Hassell Lewis , Kakudo Kennichi
Published: May 2021

Malignant thyroid teratoma (MTT) is a very rare thyroid malignancy. These neoplasms have been reported only in case reports and small-sized case series so far. In this study, we searched for MTTs in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) program during 1975–2016. Subsequently, we incorporated the SEER data with published MTT cases in the literature to analyze the characteristics and prognostic factors of MTTs. Integrated data were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical covariates, and t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. We included 28 studies with 36 MTT cases and found additional 8 cases from the SEER program for final analyses. Our results showed that MTT is typically seen in adult females. These neoplasms were associated with an aggressive clinical course with high rates of extrathyroidal extension (80%) and nodal involvement (62%). During follow-up, the development of recurrence and metastases were common (42% and 46%, respectively), and one-third of patients died at the last follow-up. Large tumor size (P  = 0.022) and the presence of metastases during follow-up (P  = 0.008) were associated with a higher mortality rate. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the characteristic features of MTT patients and outlined some parameters associated with a negative outcome which could help clinicians better predict the clinical course of these neoplasms.