bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Microplastics in Aquatic Systems
Authors: Nava Veronica , Frezzotti Maria Luce , Leoni Barbara
Published: September 2021

Raman spectroscopy is gaining ground in the analysis of microplastics, especially due to its high spatial resolution that allows the investigation of small plastic particles, whose numeric abundance is argued to be particularly relevant in aquatic systems. Here, we aimed at outlining the status of Raman analysis of microplastics from aquatic systems, highlighting the advantages and the drawbacks of this technique and critically presenting tools and ways to effectively employ this instrument and to improve the spectra obtained and their interpretation. In particular, we summarized procedural information for the use of Raman spectroscopy, and we discussed issues linked to fluorescence interference and the analysis of weathered polymers, which may complicate the interpretation of Raman signatures. In this context, a deep understanding of the different plastic polymers and their Raman peaks and chemical fingerprints is fundamental to avoid misidentification. Therefore, we provided a catalog with detailed information about peaks of most common plastic polymers, and this represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first comprehensive resource that systematically synthesized plastic Raman peaks. Additionally, we focused on plastic additives, which are contained in the majority of plastics. These compounds are often intense in Raman scattering and may partly or completely overlie the actual material types, resulting in the identification of additives alone or misidentification issue. For these reasons, we also presented a new R package “RamanMP” that includes a database of 356 spectra (325 of which are additives). This will help to foster the use of this technique, which is becoming especially relevant in microplastic analysis.
Effective Government and Evaluations of Democracy
Authors: Claassen Christopher , Magalhães Pedro C.
Published: September 2021

Ineffective governance is known to weaken support for governments and leaders. However, it is less clear whether these effects spill over to the regime and erode support for the democratic system. This article returns to this classic question, now using time-series, cross-sectional data to test whether the effectiveness of governments in sustaining economic growth, providing quality healthcare, and tackling violent crime affects popular attitudes to democracy. We find that satisfaction with democracy is driven by fluctuations in economic performance and violent crime (but not healthcare quality). Diffuse support for democracy, in contrast, remains relatively impervious to changes in government effectiveness. Violent crime is the only indicator of effectiveness which has an impact on democratic support, and does so indirectly, via its influence on democratic satisfaction. These findings confirm that democratic support—which, unlike democratic satisfaction, is thought to help sustain democracy—is mostly immune to crises of performance.
Dasiglucagon
Authors: Baker Danial E.
Published: September 2021

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are available online to subscribers. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433.
Nurses’ Perception of Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Death Anxiety and Ageism
Authors: Rababa Mohammad , Al-Rawashdeh Sami , El Jarrah Imteyaz , Abu Khait Abdallah
Published: September 2021

Despite the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in relieving death anxiety and ageism among nurses, there is not a complete consensus on its acceptability, adherence, credibility, and expectancy in the literature. Therefore, this descriptive-comparative study aimed to examine Jordanian nurses’ perception of using CBT in relieving death anxiety and ageism. Most participants perceived CBT as a credible and adherable treatment for death anxiety and ageism. Significant differences were found in the CBT credibility and expectancy between nurses grouped according to levels of perceived treatment adherence and acceptability of CBT. The findings provide a promising avenue for adopting CBT to target death anxiety and its associated ageism among nurses and for improving CBT adherence, acceptability, credibility, and expectancy. A better understanding of participants’ perception of CBT is crucial for optimal clinical practice.
Mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on domestic rice supply and food security in Southeast Asia
Authors: Ling Ting Jenn , Shamsudin Mad Nasir , Bing Wang Zheng , Thi Cam Nhung Pham , Rabbany Md Ghulam
Published: September 2021

Food and medication security is an unseen battle occurring during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sustainable rice supplies are crucial during a pandemic period, especially in Southeast Asian countries (SEA countries). This study analyzes the vulnerability level of SEA countries regarding rice supply, with alternative import strategies recommended. By employing RCA, CAaA, and XCA indexes, the comparative advantage and competitiveness of rice-exporting countries are analyzed. The study shows that Malaysia and Singapore are highly vulnerable regarding rice crisis, while Indonesia, Philippines, and Brunei are moderately vulnerable. Thailand and Vietnam supply 76.74% of SEA countries’ rice imports. SEA importers should consider alternative import strategies in order to reduce their high-risk dependency on the supply of rice from Thailand and Vietnam. XCA analysis results show that India, Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam, China, and the USA are more competitive and have better comparative advantages as compared to other rice exporters with a high supply volume or lower prices. The alternative rice-exporting suppliers that could be considered by SEA countries are Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Additionally, this paper introduces the XCA index and CAaA index to complement the bias of the RCA index.
A Scoping Review of Data Sources for the Conduct of Policy-Relevant Substance Use Research
Authors: Geissler Kimberley H. , Evans Elizabeth A. , Johnson Julie K. , Whitehill Jennifer M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

Existing administrative and survey data are critical for understanding the effects of exigent policies on population health outcomes related to opioid, cannabis, and other substance use disorders (SUDs). The objective of this study was to determine the state of the data available for evaluating SUD-related health outcomes.

Methods

We performed a scoping review of national and state government data sources to measure and evaluate the effects of state policy changes on substance use and SUD-related health outcomes and health care use. We used Massachusetts as a case study for availability of relevant state-level data as well as national datasets with state-level indicators available to measure outcomes. We compared key features of each dataset to assess their usefulness for research and policy evaluation. We conducted our review during November 2018–March 2019, and we updated data availability as of March 2019 for all data sources.

Results

We identified 11 survey datasets, 12 national administrative datasets, and 10 state administrative datasets as being suitable for policy-relevant research and practice purposes. These datasets varied substantially in their usefulness for evaluation and research. Despite substantial data limitations, including prohibitive regulatory and monetary costs to obtain the data and limited availability, these data can be mined to examine a diversity of policy-relevant questions.

Conclusions

Findings provide a comprehensive resource for using survey and administrative data to evaluate the health effects of SUD-related policies and interventions. The construction of state-level public health data warehouses or record linkage projects connecting individual-level information in state data sources is valuable for analyzing the effects of policy changes. Understanding strengths and limitations of available data sources is important for ongoing research and evaluation.
Linezolid-induced black hairy tongue in a patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A case report
Authors: Lee Jaemin , Chung Hyun Sung , Roh Jiyeon , Oh Yeseul , Mok Jeongha
Published: September 2021

The revised World Health Organization guidelines on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis include linezolid in the core drugs group. Consequently, the use of linezolid for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is increasing. Common adverse events of long-term linezolid use include bone marrow suppression and neuropathies. However, there is limited information on a rare adverse event, black hairy tongue. Here, we report a case of linezolid-induced black hairy tongue in a patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of black hairy tongue are also discussed.
The Diffusion and Circulation of Marxism in the Periphery: Mariátegui and Dependency Theory
Authors: Rubbo Deni Alfaro
Published: September 2021

Examination of the diffusion of the work of José Carlos Mariátegui (1894–1930) among Brazilian social scientists exiled to Chile during the 1960s and 1970s shows that, despite their significant contact with it, there was no discussion of it in the main works of the dependency theorists, and therefore there is insufficient evidence to declare it a precursor of that theory.

O exame da difusão da obra de José Carlos Mariátegui (1894–1930) entre os cientistas sociais brasileiros exilados no Chile durante as décadas de 1960 e 1970 mostra que, apesar de seu contato significativo com o país, não foi discutido nas principais obras da teóricos da dependência e, portanto, não há evidências suficientes para declará-lo um precursor dessa teoria.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children: A case report and literature review
Authors: Kosko Brendan , Thielhelm Torin P. , Ahluwalia Ranbir , Levy Marc , Kosko James
Published: September 2021

Button battery ingestion in pediatric populations is a common occurrence with severe sequelae. Multiple case reports have established the occurrence of death, fistula formation, mucosal erosion, esophageal perforation, and bleeding post-ingestion of button batteries. However, there is a gap in the literature on the occurrence of bilateral vocal cord paralysis post-lithium battery ingestion. We present a case in which a 12-month-old male developed bilateral vocal cord paralysis following ingestion of a button battery. We compare our case to eleven other reports that exist in the literature based on age, sex, time until removal, clinical presentation, day upon which vocal cord paralysis developed, anatomic location, and post-operative course. We conclude that bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a time-sensitive complication which requires prompt diagnosis. Any child with stridor following button battery ingestion should undergo consultation with pediatric otolaryngology immediately. In addition, long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate return of normal vocal cord function.
A Multilevel Investigation of the Effects of Daily Work–Family Interaction on Daily Affect During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Çetin Mehmet , Dede Bayram , Kökalan Özgür , Dede Ezgi
Published: September 2021

This research aimed to examine the effects of daily work–family conflict and work–family enrichment on daily positive and negative affect levels of employees during the first phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The multilevel structure of the research design makes this study original. 730 day-level data were collected from 146 respondents during five consecutive workdays. One week later, a larger survey was delivered for assessing the person-level variables. The results indicated that both forms of work–family conflict significantly decreased positive affect and increased negative affect. Both types of work–family enrichment significantly increased positive affect; but only daily work to family enrichment significantly decreased daily negative affect. Findings also revealed that positive affect levels of respondents increase while negative affect levels decrease with time. On the days employees worked from distance, lower levels of positive and negative affect were experienced.
Identification of the 3D crystallographic orientation using 2D deformations
Authors: Goenezen Sevan , Kotecha Maulik C , Reddy Junuthula N
Published: September 2021

Polycrystalline materials consist of grains (crystals) oriented at different angles resulting in a heterogeneous and anisotropic mechanical behavior at that micro-length scale. In this study, a novel method is proposed for the first time to determine the [Formula: see text] crystal orientations of grains in a [Formula: see text] domain, using solely [Formula: see text] deformation fields. The grain boundaries are assumed to be unknown and delineated from the reconstructed changes in the crystallographic orientation. Further, the constitutive equations that describe the mechanical behavior of the domain in [Formula: see text] under plane stress conditions are derived, assuming that the material is transversely isotropic in 3D. Finite element based algorithms are utilized to discretize the inverse problem. The in-house written inverse problem solver is coupled with Matlab-based optimization scripts to solve for the mechanical property distributions. The performance of this method is tested at different noise levels with synthetic displacements that were used as measured data. The reconstructions deteriorate as the noise level is increased. This work presents a first milestone in the verification of this novel technology with synthetic data.
COVID-19-related headache and sinonasal inflammation: A longitudinal study analysing the role of acute rhinosinusitis and ICHD-3 classification difficulties in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Straburzyński Marcin , Nowaczewska Magdalena , Budrewicz Sławomir , Waliszewska-Prosół Marta
Published: September 2021

Background

The genesis of headache in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently unclear and the multitude of disease symptoms often further hinders locating the source of pain. Interestingly, many subjects with COVID-19 have symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis. The relation between nasal symptoms and headache in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown.

Methods

This bi-center longitudinal study evaluated symptoms in consecutive COVID-19 patients in the participating practices. The first assessment was performed during the initial consultation after infection confirmation. That was followed up by a second consultation after a median 9 days.

Results

130 patients were included in the study (80 women, 50 men; mean age 46.9 years). Headache was highly prevalent at the first visit (72%) and significantly associated with acute rhinosinusitis symptoms. The odds ratio for headache in subjects with rhinosinusitis was 3.5. Headache could be attributed to systemic viral infection in 96% and to acute rhinosinusitis in 51% of cases according to 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Criterium C.3 (exacerbation of headache by pressure applied over paranasal sinuses) and C.4 (ipsilaterality of headache and sinusitis) had low sensitivity in headache attributed to acute rhinosinusitis.

Conclusions

Nasal inflammation is associated with headache in COVID-19, although the pain mechanism lies probably in a systemic reaction to the virus. 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for headache attributed to acute rhinosinusitis need adjusting to the current understanding of acute sinonasal infection.
Identifying Patterns of Key Factors in Sun Glare-Related Traffic Crashes
Authors: Das Subasish , Sun Xiaoduan , Dadashova Bahar , Rahman M. Ashifur , Sun Ming
Published: September 2021

Sun glare is one of the major environmental issues contributing to traffic crashes. Every year, many traffic crashes in the United States are attributed to sun glare. However, quantitative analysis of the influence of sun glare on traffic crashes has not been widely undertaken. This study used traffic crash narrative data for 7 years (2010–2016) from Louisiana to identify crash reports that provided evidence of drivers indicating sun glare as the primary contributing factor of the crashes. Additional geometry and traffic information was collected to identify the list of key crash-contributing factors. This study used cluster correspondence analysis to perform the data analysis. After performing several iterations, six clusters were identified that provided additional insight in relation to sun glare-related crashes. The six clusters are associated with mixed (business and residential) localities, intersection-related crashes on U.S. roadways, single-vehicle crashes on residential two-lane undivided roadways, curve-related crashes on parish roadways in residential localities, interstate-related crashes in open country localities, and curve-related crashes in open country localities. The findings of the current study can add insights to the ongoing safety analysis on sun glare-related crashes.
Book Review Essay: The Unmasking Style in Social Theory
Authors: de la Fuente Eduardo
Published: September 2021

Peter Baehr's new book examines unmasking in the history of social theory, politics and contemporary media. In this review, I focus on the assessment of styles of theorizing in social theory and sociology in particular. Baehr shows that through its inheritance of an Enlightenment commitment to a critique of power and domination, mainstream sociology (including the discipline's conservative critics) have absorbed an “unmasking” model of critique where instead of “scientific refutation” or “principled disagreement” what is practiced is the removal of a “disguise”. I consider the book's rich history of masking and unmasking in social thought, as well as the claim that “dramaturgical” and Anglophone sociologies are more favorably disposed towards the “masking” trope; although, I also observe the book's historical depth is not matched by contemporary breadth (for e.g. it doesn't consider the migration of social theory into new domains). I conclude by asking whether reflection on styles of thought in social theory can be separated from a sociology of sociology; and also ask whether the masking and unmasking dialectic is yet another chapter in the long history of what the Greeks called theoria.
Assessing the Impact of Public Policy on Homicide Rates in Brazil: The Case of PRONASCI Program
Authors: de Castro Talita Egevardt , Justus Marcelo , Kassouf Ana Lúcia
Published: September 2021

The current study evaluates the impact of the National Public Security with Citizenship Program (PRONASCI) on the homicide rate in Brazilian municipalities. PRONASCI program was implemented in Brazilian metropolitan regions and urban territories with high violent crime rates in 2007. In this study, we have applied a spatial difference-in-differences model with matching approaches. Municipalities that did not receive funds from the program made up the control group. We found that the program was inefficient to reduce the homicide rate in all of the municipalities that had received funds from it, compared to those that had not, even considering their potential spatial spillover effects. This result was expected due to the program complexity, in particular due to its ineffective management and the resistance from municipalities to change with the program.
Structure and properties of heat-resistant ABS resins innovated via MSAMI random copolymer
Authors: Hou BY , Ren L , Sun YN , Zhang MY , Zhang HX
Published: September 2021

This work proposed an efficient method to synthesize acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer and α-Methylstyrene (α-MSt)/N-phenylmaleimide (NPMI)/Acrylonitrile (AN) (MSAMI) random copolymer via emulsion polymerization, aiming to combine the excellent heat resistance of MSAMI and numerous advantages of ABS resin including mechanical properties, processing and recyclability. The effects of the MSAMI content and α-MSt/AN ratio on the thermal performance, mechanical properties and the morphology of heat-resistant ABS were investigated by FITR, dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), Vicat Softening Temperature (VST), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). As a result, the heat-resistant of ABS resin was obviously enhanced by MSAMI, and its glass transition temperature (Tg) could be extended with the increase of NPMI content. The Tg could reach 173°C when NPMI content was 20% at the same trend as the VST. Synthetically, the contradiction between the heat resistance and mechanical properties of ABS resin reached a good balance when the NPMI content was 15% and α-MSt/AN ratio was 69/31. In SEM, the fracture morphology of the heat-resistant ABS resin was gradually tended to be smooth with the increase of the NPMI content. Therefore, the MSAMI random copolymer was successful prepared, which provided insight for the synthesis of heat-resistant modifiers and promoted the potential application of heat-resistant modifiers in automobiles and aircraft.
Improvement in joint efficiency with high productivity and narrow weld formation in friction stir welding
Authors: Khan Noor Zaman , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Khan Zahid A , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Kamangar Sarfaraz , Maqbool Annayath
Published: September 2021

High productivity, excellent joint strength and small weld bead make friction stir welding an emerging joining technique to join difficult to weld dissimilar aluminum alloys. Effect of rotational speed, traverse speed and shoulder diameter on the joint strength and elongation of the friction stir welded dissimilar aluminum alloys (AA7475-AA2219) is investigated. In addition, parameters are optimized to obtain joint with narrow weld bead and high joint efficiency using the entropy-weighted technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution method. Nine experiments are performed as per the L9 orthogonal array and mechanical properties of the welded joints are measured. Results of the study reveal that optimum values of ultimate tensile strength and percentage elongation are obtained at a rotational speed of 710 rev/min, welding speed of 250 mm/min and shoulder diameter of 10 mm resulting in good joint strength, high productivity and narrow weld bead. From the selected process parameter range, tool shoulder diameter is found to be the most significant parameter. The findings of the present study are discussed in light of the friction stir welding process mechanism, available literature, mechanical testing, microstructure and fractography.
Development of single screw compressor technologies and their tendency
Authors: Wu Weifeng , Zhang Zhao
Published: September 2021

Single screw compressor (SSC), a strong competitor of the twin screw compressor, is regarded as an excellent gas compressor because of symmetrical structure and balanced gas forces on the screw rotor. However, the market for the SSC is tiny compared with that for the twin screw compressor because of the serious abrasion of star-wheel teeth. In recent years, this problem has been solved due to the development of the new profiles of meshing pairs, and the SSC has attracted more attention due to its high application potential for low-temperature heat pump, mechanical vapor recompression, and two-phase expansion. Nevertheless, there are still many technical problems remained to be solved for applying SSC to these fields urgently. In this paper, a comprehensive review on the progress and development of SSC technologies is presented. The review first combs the current situation of SSC products. Besides, the design and processing of meshing pairs are clarified and analyzed. Moreover, the working process of SSC and its performance in new applications are discussed in detail. Finally, the further research direction of the SSC is also discussed, which will be beneficial for designing high-efficiency SSC.
Absolute Versus Relative Success: Why Overconfidence Creates an Inefficient Equilibrium
Authors: Soldà Alice , Ke Changxia , von Hippel William , Page Lionel
Published: September 2021

Overconfidence is one of the most ubiquitous biases in the social sciences, but the evidence regarding its overall costs and benefits is mixed. To test the possibility that overconfidence might yield important relative benefits that offset its absolute costs, we conducted an experiment ( N = 298 university students) in which pairs of participants bargained over the unequal allocation of a prize that was earned through a joint effort. We manipulated confidence using a binary noisy signal to investigate the causal effect of negotiators’ beliefs about their relative contribution to the outcome of the negotiation. Our results provide evidence that high levels of confidence lead to relative benefits (how much one earns compared with one’s partner) but absolute costs (how much money one receives overall). These results suggest that overconfidence creates an inefficient equilibrium whereby overconfident negotiators benefit over their partners even as they bring about joint losses.
The Impact of Export Destination on Skills in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Peluffo Adriana
Published: September 2021

This study analyzes the relationship among exports to high-income countries on the demand for skilled labor. To this aim, we use a panel of Uruguayan manufacturing firms for the period 1997–2006. The results show that, contrary to studies for developed and other middle-income economies, exports to high-income countries do not result in a higher demand for skilled labor. The explanation for these results may lie in the productive specialization of the country.
Risk-Based Multi-Objective Cross-Asset Budget Planning and Allocation Framework for the City of Sugar Land Integrated Asset Management System (IAMS)
Authors: Poudel Alence , Damnjanovic Ivan , Van Tang Quynh , Valenzuela Robert
Published: September 2021

An Integrated Asset Management System (IAMS) is a strategic asset management system that combines the assets of different categories into a system to prioritize their maintenance. This paper proposes a risk-based reliability-centric IAMS framework which works on the principle that the risk associated with the failure of an asset is a function of its direct and indirect costs. The direct costs are the costs associated with the replacement of the assets, whereas the indirect costs are the risks that the city faces following the failure. The framework is applied to the asset database of the City of Sugar Land, TX. The results of the model are analyzed in terms of a reduction in the number of assets in a very high-risk category in the risk matrix, the network level expected annual failure rate, and an increase in the network level average reliability.
Targeting Young Viewers to Watch Traditional Television
Authors: Lum Elliot , Martinez Luisa , Soling Marcia
Published: September 2021

Univision is a brand well-known to Hispanic viewers, but with fragmentation and so many choices within the media landscape, they had to break through the noise effectively. The challenge for Univision was to attract a younger demographic (18–34 year-olds) of loyal viewers to consume Spanish language programming by packaging the use of music and reggaeton in a new telenovela which would showcase premium content that appealed to audiences of all ages. They identified digital, social, radio, and out-of-home platforms consumed by these potential viewers to deliver content and awareness to bring the idea to life. The results exceeded all programming and sales estimates, grew the timeslot’s ratings, and brought in a younger audience than any 8 pm telenovela.
Neutrophil extracellular traps in feline cardiogenic arterial thrombi: a pilot study
Authors: Li Ronald HL , Nguyen Nghi , Stern Joshua A , Duler Laetitia M
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism (CATE). Specifically, we aimed to examine the related structural features of NETs in feline arterial thrombi in relation to their arterial locations.

Methods

Paraffin-embedded aortic bifurcations from nine cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (four with CATE and five without) were deparaffinized, and NETs were identified by immunodetection based on colocalization of cell-free DNA, citrullinated histone H3 and neutrophil elastase. The distribution of NETs in thrombi within the aortic bifurcations and common iliac arteries (CIAs) was compared based on their proximity to the descending aorta (proximal, mid, distal). Ten random fields per section were captured at × 10 and × 20 magnification for each section of the clot and analyzed.

Results

The distributions of NETs in thrombi within the aortic bifurcation and CIAs were found to differ in relation to their assigned zones (proximal, mid, distal; P = 0.04); NETs were concentrated mostly in the proximal region in the aortic bifurcations (47.56%, interquartile range [IQR] 14.07–77.95) and CIAs (44.69%, IQR 24.65–85.28), compared with the distal regions (2.69%, IQR 0.10–50.04 [P = 0.027]; 7.08%, IQR 1.27–59.33 [P = 0.02]).

Conclusions and relevance

The variation in NET distribution within arterial thrombi may shed light on the pathogenesis of thrombus growth. This may be due to possible neutrophil entrapment or variations in shear stress.
‘An essential tool for creativity’: technologies, spaces and discourse within pop music production
Authors: O’Grady Pat
Published: September 2021

Within the pop music industries, the term ‘creativity’ is a popular descriptor of the processes associated with the production of music. Historically, a romantic or rational approach has often featured in discussions on creativity. Some scholars have suggested that a culturally informed understanding of creativity is more useful, while some have advocated that we abandon the term altogether. The purpose of this article is to emphasise how the term ‘creativity’ works as a part of a discourse that risks rendering some practices as creative while ignoring others. In the face of changing technologies, the cultural value associated with creativity – and its use to label technologies, spaces and practices – helps shape ideas about legitimacy and prestige.
‘The right man in the right place’ – the consequences of gender-coding of place and occupation in collaboration processes
Authors: Grip Lena , Jansson Ulrika
Published: September 2021

Society needs to find new ways to utilise its resources in the best possible way in order to enable satisfactory services for its citizens in the long term. This is particularly important in sparsely populated areas, and in cities and municipalities with a declining population. This study contributes to this field by analysing a project for collaboration between the rescue service and the home-care service that has been introduced in a number of Swedish municipalities. The collaboration is intended to ensure welfare and safety for citizens, to guarantee a more efficient use of municipal resources, and to contribute to improved emergency management and civil protection.

The rescue service and the home-care service are two clearly gender-coded occupations that also operate on gender-coded work places and places of work. An overarching aim has therefore been to study gendered obstacles and possibilities of the collaboration. In our analysis of the empirical data – interviews with persons involved in the collaboration – place emerged as an important aspect of the collaboration processes, and is therefore elaborated in this article to contribute with knowledge of how conceptions and gender-coding of places and occupations affect sustainable and well-functioning collaboration processes.

The results show that collaboration processes between municipal services are complex and challenge ideals of the organisation, content and responsibility of work and who should perform certain work tasks. Notions of gender and gender differences are reproduced through the collaboration, which affect the efforts of municipalities to ensure welfare and safety for citizens.
Task-based language teaching in a local EFL context: Chinese university teachers’ beliefs and practices
Authors: Liu Yuying , Ren Wei
Published: September 2021

This study examines university teachers’ beliefs and practices related to task-based language teaching while teaching English as a foreign language. Task-based language teaching (TBLT) has become a prominent topic for researchers and practitioners in recent decades. It is also advocated by the Chinese Ministry of Education for college English teaching. However, few studies have investigated local EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers’ perceptions of and difficulties in implementing TBLT. This study aims to fill this gap. Data were collected via 12 semi-structured interviews, and the results revealed that the Chinese EFL teachers employed a weak version of the approach, i.e. the task-supported language teaching approach. They tended towards a student-centred teacher–student relationship. These findings suggest that the role of traditional Chinese values in influencing the implementation of TBLT has been overemphasized. Implications for the sustainable development of teaching pedagogy and professional learning are discussed.
Parental experiences of the liminal period of a child’s fatal illness
Authors: Janusz Bernadetta , Walkiewicz Maciej
Published: September 2021

The article offers a description of parents’ experiences of their child’s ultimately fatal illness as it unfolds over the successive stages of medical treatment, in the context of the liminality theory. The parents ( N = 23) were interviewed 1–4 years after their child’s death. The research method involved conducting narrative interviews with parents in order to obtain a spontaneous narration of the child’s illness as it unfolded. The grounded theory approach, including the narrative and performative aspects of such parental utterances, was applied as the main research strategy. The results provide insight into the main areas and processes of common parental experiences, such as the pervasive sense of becoming trapped in timelessness and ambiguity. Further states reported by parents included oscillating between a distancing stance and involvement, and a dualistic relationship with medical staff and the medical system: between alignment and disharmony. The study indicates the importance of treating delivery of such a diagnosis as a process rather than as a one-time event. The sense of ambiguity is treated as a kind of necessary parental coping mechanism, whilst the sense of timelessness gives parents a unique sense of time in which they do not have to think about the child’s potentially imminent death.
Signs of #self: a Peircean semiotic framework for theorizing self-(re)presentations on Instagram
Authors: Hurley Zoe
Published: September 2021

Performances of self on social media are mediated via platform interfaces and social rituals while dramaturgical or theatrical perspectives of frontstage/backstage identity are frequently drawn upon in scholarship. However, emphasis on face and self-portraiture tends to background other forms of representation exhibiting objects, places and the various people that could be viewed as facets of the extended or disembodied self. In this article, Instagram is taken as a case to illustrate self-(re)presentations, beyond icons or selfies (the popular term for photographic self-portraiture), to include the symbols and indexical signs of subjectification. To this purpose, the author draws on the semiotic philosophy of Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) in order to develop an analytic table of sign correlates. The Peircean sign doctrine is applied to systematically analyse observable elements as well as to consider the routine, abstract and conceptual sign phenomena constituting meanings in an interpreter’s mind. The analytic framework helps to unravel a series of densely stitched compound-signs, interweaving Instagrammers’ self-(re)presentations. Importantly, the sign typology does not dispense with performative ontologies entirely but suggests that signs of self cannot necessarily be removed ‘backstage’. Conversely, considering self-(re)presentations, beyond facial displays, is fruitful for theorizing what is shown, inferred as well as obscured. In turn, this illuminates self-(re)presentations orchestrated within broader sociomaterial constructs and the symphony of signs.
Academic Career Advances and Gender Gap
Authors: Rincón Guillermina Benavides , Domínguez Alejandro Díaz
Published: September 2021

Is there a gender gap barrier against the career advancement of women researchers in Mexico? To explore possible answers to this question, we review the specialized literature, based on the “sticky floor” and “glass ceiling” conceptual framework, and then offer an empirical approach to test whether such a gap exists as well as some theoretical reasons that could explain it. We analyzed a massive dataset of 41,000 members of the National System of Researchers (SNI) under the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) in Mexico from 1991 to 2017. To test determinants of advancement, we consider gender, areas of knowledge, states in which researchers reside, years in which initial applications and promotions took place, and universities to which researchers belong to. We found that there is a similar chance to advance from the lower levels of the system, following the sticky floor analogy, but women make a little progress after these initial levels when compared to men, in line with the glass ceiling idea. We also offer additional research avenues in this topic, due to another important finding, which reveals that 62% of researchers never make progress at the level in which they initially join.
Cetuximab–siRNA Conjugate Linked Through Cationized Gelatin Knocks Down KRAS G12C Mutation in NSCLC Sensitizing the Cells Toward Gefitinib
Authors: Sreedurgalakshmi K. , Srikar R. , Harikrishnan K. , Srinivasan Lakshmi , Rajkumari Reena
Published: September 2021

Delivery of small-interfering RNA (siRNA) has been of great interest in the past decade for effective gene silencing. To overcome synthetic and regulatory challenges posed by nanoparticle-mediated siRNA delivery, antibody–siRNA conjugate (ARC) platform is emerging as a potential siRNA delivery system suitable for clinical translation. Herein, we have developed a delivery technology based on the ARC platform for stable delivery of siRNA called as Gelatin-Antibody Delivery System (GADS). In GADS, positively charged gelatin acts as a linker between antibody–siRNA and enables the endosomal escape of siRNA for gene silencing postcellular internalization. For proof of concept, we synthesized a scalable GADS conjugate comprising of Cetuximab (CTB), cationized gelatin (cGel) and NSCLC KRASG12C-specific siRNA. CTB was chemically conjugated to cGel through an amide link to form the CTB–cGel complex. Thereafter, siRNA was chemically conjugated to the cGel moiety of the complex through the thioether link to form CTB–cGel–siRNA conjugate. RP-HPLC analysis was used to monitor the reaction while gel retardation assay was used to determine siRNA loading capacity. SPR analysis showed the preservation of ligand binding affinity of antibody conjugates with KD of ∼0.3 nM. Furthermore, cellular internalization study using florescent microscopy revealed receptor-mediated endocytosis. The conjugate targeted EGFR receptor of KRAS mutant NSCLC to specifically knockdown G12C mutation. The oncogene knockdown sensitized the cells toward small molecule inhibitor—Gefitinib causing ∼70% loss in cell viability. Western blot analysis revealed significant downregulation for various RAS downstream proteins postoncogene knockdown. Comparison of the efficiency of GADS vis-à-vis positive siRNA control and CRISPR–Cas9-based knockout of KRAS Exon 2 in the NCI-H23 NSCLC cell line suggests GADS as a potential technology for clinical translation of gene therapy.
The influence of movement on negative and positive emotional responses to animals
Authors: St. Peter Krystal S , Vernon Laura L , Kersten Alan W
Published: September 2021

Two studies were conducted to explore whether the addition of animal movement would influence the intensity of emotional reactions towards that animal. Both studies compared self-reported emotional reactions with still images and videos for six animal categories (snakes, spiders, rodents, hoofed animals, animals with flippers, and turtles). In Study 1, participants reported fear and disgust to the animal stimuli, which were averaged into a single negative emotion rating. In Study 2, participants reported either fear and disgust or joy and affection to the animal stimuli, which were averaged into either a single negative or positive emotion rating. Upon combining the reported emotions from the two studies, movement was found to increase negative emotion reported to snakes and spiders and decrease negative emotion reported to rodents, hoofed animals, and animals with flippers. Results from Study 2 indicated that movement increased reported positive emotions to all six animal categories. Our findings suggest that animal movement is an important component of emotional reactions to animals.
The sociality of minimizing involvement in self-service shops in Denmark: Customers’ multi-modal practices of being, getting, and staying out of the way
Authors: Rasmussen Gitte , Kristiansen Elisabeth Dalby
Published: September 2021

For some customers, the corona pandemic has turned e-shopping into a fine alternative to shopping in brick-and-mortar shops. For other customers in quarantine e-shopping is the only alternative. The long-lasting pandemic, however, has reminded us of the importance of social contacts and interactions – even if it’s just to go the supermarket to ‘mingle’. This paper investigates what ‘mingle’ means when shopping in physical self-service shops amongst unacquainted others in Denmark. It describes customers’ practice of doing self-service by organizing interaction to minimize social involvement. It shows how they, as a matter of fact, co-ordinate their conduct in ways that hampers possibilities for engaging in even small ‘ritual’ exchanges of talk. The paper draws upon a corpus of video recordings of customers’ self-service practices in shops in Denmark. In addition, the customers’ gaze was recorded with the mobile Tobii Pro X3 eye tracker. The study falls within the realm of ethnomethodological and conversation analytic studies of multimodal interaction. It concludes that self-service is achieved through co-present customers’ tacit coordination of multimodal actions in social interaction and that their practices work to achieve ‘effortlessly’ and ‘spontaneously’ being, getting, and staying out of the way, which seems to be an ideal for self-service shopping. Talk and moreover having a conversation seems to be an impediment to it.
The short-term effects of ORKAMBI (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) on regional and distal lung structures using functional respiratory imaging
Authors: Lauwers Eline , Belmans Dennis , Mignot Benjamin , Ides Kris , Van Hoorenbeeck Kim , Snoeckx Annemiek , Van Holsbeke Cedric , Nowé Vicky , Van Braeckel Eva , De Backer Wilfried , De Backer Jan , Verhulst Stijn
Published: September 2021

Background:

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) has shown modest benefits in previous research, but the exact effects in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung remain unclear. This study aims to offer novel information on the mode of action of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-modulating drug by assessing lung structure and function using functional respiratory imaging (FRI).

Methods:

CF patients aged ⩾12 years homozygous for F508del were recruited in an open-label study. Before and after 12 weeks of treatment with LUM/IVA, FRI was used to visualize regional information, such as air trapping, lobar volume and airway wall volume. Secondary outcomes included the CF-CT scoring system, spirometry, the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire–Revised (CFQ-R) questionnaire, exercise tolerance and nutritional status.

Results:

Of the 12 patients enrolled in the study, 11 completed all study visits. Concerning the FRI parameters, hyperinflation of the lung decreased, indicated by a reduction in air trapping and lobar volume at expiration. Also, a decrease in airway wall volume and a redistribution of pulmonary blood volume were noted, which might be related to a decrease in mucus impaction. Airway resistance, airway volume, internal airflow distribution and aerosol deposition pattern did not show significant changes. No significant improvements were found in any of the CF-CT scores or in the spirometric parameters. Other secondary outcomes showed similar results compared with previous research. Correlations at baseline were found between FRI and conventional outcomes, including physical functioning, spirometry and CF-CT scores.

Conclusions:

LUM/IVA decreased lung hyperinflation in combination with a potential decrease in mucus impaction, which can be related to an improved mucociliary transport. These results indicate that several FRI parameters, reflecting regional and distal lung structures, are more sensitive to changes caused by LUM/IVA than conventional respiratory outcomes.
Chemical Constituents of the Folk Medicinal Plant Argyreia acuta Lour. and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Li Yunqing , Zhu Xiaoyong , Mo Liuyan , Liu Cailan , Li Jun , Li Bing , Wei Jianhua , Liao Guangfeng , Lu Rumei
Published: September 2021

Phytochemical investigation of the folk medicinal plant Argyreia acuta Lour. has led to the isolation of a pair of new 3-alkylated coumarin enantiomers, (±)-acutamarin [(±)-1] and 3 known structurally related coumarins (2-4), along with 4 known flavonoids (5-8). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (including one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance) analyses and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. The absolute configurations of ( − )-1 and ( + )-1 were proposed by comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism data. Compounds 5 and 7 exhibited in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide with IC50 values of 24.54 ± 0.36 μM and 10.60 ± 0.15 μM, respectively.
Secondary Metabolites of the Endophytic Fungus Chaetomium globosum Isolated From Coptis chinensis
Authors: Ji Jia-Cheng , Wei Pan-Pan , Han Xiao-Yang , Li Zheng-Hui , Ai Hong-Lian , Lei Xin-Xiang
Published: September 2021

A new steroid, chaetglotone (1), together with 3 known compounds (2-4), were isolated from Chaetomium globosum, which is an endophytic fungus isolated from the root of Coptis chinensis Franch . The new compound was characterized by one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometer. The relative configuration and absolute configuration of 1 were further determined via the DP4 + and Early Childhood Development protocols, separately.