bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capacity Building in Peer Review: a Student-led Journal Experience
Authors: Campos Letícia Nunes , Yabrude Angela Theresa Zuffo , Medeiros Samantha Sartore Duque Estrada , Natividade Taiane do Socorro Silva , Luizeti Bárbara Okabaiasse , Cunha Moisés da Costa , Alves Rebeca Maria Gomes Guimarães , Bezerra Aristócles Hítallo , Ribeiro Lucas Loiola Ponte Albuquerque , Helal Lucas
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Peer review plays a pivotal role in optimizing articles’ quality. However, in a context of poor methodological publications and unreliable data, it is questionable which strategies to invest in to improve peer reviewing. An excellent start is by enhancing diversity through inclusion of undergraduate students to reviewers. We aim to report the peer reviewing policies, procedures, and practices of a medical student-led journal editorial board in 2020, detailing the challenges and the role of students in building capacity in peer review. Methods: Through validated online training courses and peer education methodology, the students built capacity regarding the relevance of peer review, its models, structure, and publication process. The journal peer-reviewing was blinded for authors and reviewers, pursuing impartiality and minimization of identification bias. To add standardization to the submission and review processes, guidelines for authors and reviewers were developed, based on journals’ recommendations, and reporting guidelines. Results: The journal had 254 submitted manuscripts from all five Brazilian geographic regions during the second semester of 2020, a considerable increase compared to the 72 submissions in the previous edition. After reviewing, 50 articles were accepted to the Brazilian Medical Students’ 7th edition, demanding minor or major corrections.Discussion: Peer review contributes to the construction of content, standing for evidence-based medicine. Besides, it improves ethical, communication, and critical appraisal abilities, also desirable in the academic and professional spheres. Among the benefits and limitations of this medical students' peer review process, there is an interesting strategy to be studied and further promoted.
Pediatric Multidisciplinary Weight Management - How Can We Improve Further?
Authors: Majumdar Indrajit , Espino Brittany , Harmon Carroll M
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Multidisciplinary weight management (MDM) significantly improves outcomes in youth, when compared to their routine care. However, this progress may be undermined by high follow-up attrition. We hypothesized that a pre-defined time-limited MDM clinic follow-up plan given to families from the “get-go” will improve individual clinic participation, weight, and metabolic parameters.Methods: Participant follow-up rates in 7 consecutive visits in a retrospective cohort of youth followed at an urban MDM clinic between April 2017 to September 2019 after the clinic follow-up protocol was changed (Post-PC) were compared to our previously published data (Pre-PC, December 2014 to January 2017). Secondary outcomes include changes (Δ) in body mass index z-score (z-BMI), body composition analysis (BCA), and laboratory parameters. Results: 615 records (12.3 + 3.7 years, 46% male) were reviewed. Participants’ follow up rates improved significantly starting visit 3 (Post-PC (49.2%) vs. Pre-PC (40.2%); p=0.03). With continued MDM participation, mean z-BMI Δ progressively improved. BCA Δ included a mean total body fat mass (FM) decrease (-2.07+7.3 kg) along with total body muscle mass (MM) increase (3.3+5.6 kg). Significant improvements were noted with hemoglobin A1c %, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, AST, and ALT concentrations. FM Δ correlated significantly with glucose and HOMA-IR Δ, while MM Δ was inversely associated with TC and LDL-cholesterol Δ.Conclusion: A protocolized MDM follow plan resulted in a small but significant improvement in the participants’ follow-up along with significant improvements in weight and metabolic outcomes. Further improvements will likely require additional behavioral economic strategies.
Applying the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle in medical education to refine an antibiotics therapy active learning session
Authors: Rose Stacey Rubin , Hamill Richard , Caruso Andrew , Appelbaum Nital P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Appropriate antibiotic utilization is an important topic in medical education, given the public health implications of antibiotic stewardship. One approach to integrating this content includes active learning / gaming, which may improve learner engagement and knowledge retention, with curricular enhancement further guided by solicitation of feedback from learners.
Methods

Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, between February 2017 and July 2019, we developed, implemented, and revised an active learning session for medical students, focused on appropriate utilization of antibiotics during their Internal Medicine clerkship.
Results

Across twelve sessions, 367 students (75.2%) completed the post-evaluation survey. Although baseline ratings were high (97% of respondents enjoyed the “active learning” format), constructive comments informed iterative improvements to the session, such as modifying session timing, handouts and organization of the gaming component. Intervention 3, the last improvement cycle, resulted in more favorable ratings for the active learning format (p = 0.015) improvement in understanding antibiotics and their clinical application (p = 0.001) compared to Baseline ratings.
Conclusions

This intervention suggests that active learning and gaming was effective in achieving high student engagement in an Internal Medicine core clerkship session on antibiotic therapy. Interventions to streamline session content and format, such as providing a completed antibiotic reference table and answer choices for each case, further improved student receptivity and perceived educational value. The study findings have potential implications for medical education, and suggest that the use of gaming and active learning, combined with regular incorporation of student feedback vis a vis a PDSA cycle, are useful tools for curriculum develop in antibiotic stewardship.
Case report and review: alloimmunization, delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction, and clinically significant anti-Yta in a patient with ²-thalassemia/sickle cell anemia
Authors: Hillyer C.D. , Hallk J.M. , Tiegermaannd O. , Berkman E.M.
Published: June 2021

A 26-year-old female with ²-thalassemia/sickle cell anemia was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of a painful crisis. During the next 4 days her hematocrit decreased to 13 percent, and there was reticulocytopenia. She was transfused with four units of red blood cells that were microscopically incompatible, and the hematocrit increased to 29 percent. Eight days later the patient was readmitted with back pain, hemoglobinuria, and a hematocrit of 27 percent. Anti-E, -c, -Jka, and -Yta were identified. The direct antiglobulin test was positive, and the eluate contained anti-c and -Jka. The patient’s hematocrit continued to decrease to 14 percent. Transfusions were withheld and the patient recovered uneventfully. Separate 51Cr red blood cell survival studies showed significantly shortened survival of both autologous and R1R1, Jk(a-), Yt(a+) erythrocytes. This case illustrates the complexity of transfusion management in hemoglobinopathy patients.
Immunohematology
1991;7 102–106.
Using machine learning to disentangle LHC signatures of Dark Matter candidates
Authors: Khosa Charanjit Kaur , Sanz Veronica , Soughton Michael
Published: June 2021

We study the prospects of characterising Dark Matter at colliders using Machine Learning (ML) techniques. We focus on the monojet and missing transverse energy (MET) channel and propose a set of benchmark models for the study: a typical WIMP Dark Matter candidate in the form of a SUSY neutralino, a pseudo-Goldstone impostor in the shape of an Axion-Like Particle, and a light Dark Matter impostor whose interactions are mediated by a heavy particle. All these benchmarks are tensioned against each other, and against the main SM background (Z+jets). Our analysis uses both the leading-order kinematic features as well as the information of an additional hard jet. We explore different representations of the data, from a simple event data sample with values of kinematic variables fed into a Logistic Regression algorithm or a Fully Connected Neural Network, to a transformation of the data into images related to probability distributions, fed to Deep and Convolutional Neural Networks. We also study the robustness of our method against including detector effects, dropping kinematic variables, or changing the number of events per image. In the case of signals with more combinatorial possibilities (events with more than one hard jet), the most crucial data features are selected by performing a Principal Component Analysis. We compare the performance of all these methods, and find that using the 2D images of the combined information of multiple events significantly improves the discrimination performance.
Acehnese Archaic Words in Hikayat: An Early Influential Literary Work
Authors: Aziz Zulfadli Abdul , Yusuf Syamsul Bahri , Mustafa Faisal , Munawarah Siti
Published: June 2021

The research aimed at finding out the Acehnese archaic words and their non-archaic alternatives that younger speakers often utter today. Several Acehnese original lexical items were no longer understood by the younger generation, and thus it was expected that some words to disappear without proper documentation. Hikayat Prang Sabi (Sabil War Sage), an early literary work in Acehnese, was the source of archaic words for the research. Therefore, the research design applied a descriptive qualitative method. The data consisted of 54 suspected archaic words from Hikayat Prang Sabi that were distributed to 20 speakers of Acehnese who lived in the Pidie regency. They were divided into two age groups consisting of 20 to 25 years old and 26 to 30 years old. They were asked to verify the suspected archaic words. The research results show that there are five archaic words and 49 semi-archaic words have found in the Hikayat.
Periodic non-sinusoidal time-delay stochastic resonance weak fault diagnosis method and its application
Authors: Li Zhixing , Bao Huiru , Han Songjiu
Published: June 2021

Stochastic resonance is the use of nonlinear systems to synchronize an original signal with noise. This method is commonly used to extract useful signals by reducing noise and has been widely used for mechanical weak fault diagnosis. This paper analyzes the characteristics of a periodic non-sinusoidal potential function, considers the shape of the model, and introduces a time-delay. The steady-state probability density function, effective potential function, and signal-to-noise ratio are then analyzed. As a result, a signal detection method for periodic non-sinusoidal time-delay stochastic resonance (PNTSR) is proposed. Experimental and engineering data are used to explain the PNTSR through the simulation. It is found that the PNTSR method has better fault detection results when compared to the classic bi-stable stochastic resonance method.
Retos de la internacionalización: una visión desde las revistas emergentes en la era digital
Authors: Moreno Marysela Coromoto Morillo
Published: June 2021

A partir de la visibilidad, cualidad fundamental de la comunicación científica moderna, las revistas científicas, en su afán por incluirse y mantenerse dentro de la corriente principal, continuamente se someten a la evaluación y selección de diversas bases de datos globales. Entre las principales directrices de selección se destacan no solo la calidad del contenido, la puntualidad, las prácticas éticas, la revisión o el análisis de citas, sino también la cualidad de internacionalidad de la revista. Este último requisito, con especial incidencia en los demás parámetros, hace que las revistas emergentes lo considere, precedido de la digitalización, como parámetro a ser alcanzado en su evolución como revista principal, referente o de excelencia. En este contexto es importante analizar los factores determinantes de la internacionalización de las revistas y reflexionar sobre los retos que ello implica. A partir de una investigación documental, de tipo explicativa y deductiva, se halla la presencia de factores que son causas y consecuencias de la internacionalización, como puede ser el multilingüismo, la informatividad, la aceptabilidad y la intertextualidad de los temas abordados, según la digitalización de los contenidos y procesos editoriales, dentro de un círculo virtuoso de difícil acceso para las revistas emergentes en formato tradicional o impreso.
Percepção da corrupção e acesso à informação: uma análise global
Authors: Mazulo Emerson Silva , Britto Paulo Augusto Pettenuzzo de
Published: June 2021

Estudos sobre corrupção abordam o tema tanto sob o ponto de vista positivo, sobretudo para entender suas causas, como do normativo, com destaque às formas de reduzir a corrupção. Uma importante motivação para estes estudos consiste em contribuir para o desenvolvimento econômico e social de diversos países. A literatura empírica tem contribuído para o estudo da corrupção ao confirmar, ou não, diversas teorias. As análises empíricas empregam, em sua maioria, medidas de corrupção baseadas em percepção, medidas indiretas susceptíveis a vieses de subjetividade e a erros de medida, restando dúvidas razoáveis sobre sua validade e confiabilidade. Este artigo se enquadra nessa literatura ao verificar se o Índice de Percepção da Corrupção apresenta viés associado ao nível de acesso à informação, medido pelo percentual da população com acesso à internet e pelo número de menções ao termo corrupção junto com o nome de um país, medido pelo Google Trends. A partir de um painel de 79 países e seis anos, estimou-se um modelo  de efeitos fixos. Os resultados indicaram significância estatística para os parâmetros estimados. Os coeficientes estimados indicaram efeito marginal bastante pequeno. Contudo, o poder de explicação do componente específico para o indivíduo no modelo de efeitos fixos indica que a percepção de corrupção seria explicada por aspectos reputacionais, tais como imagem, fama, notoriedade ou mesmo importância do país. Esta hipótese, contudo, deve ser analisada em estudos futuros.
A percepção dos atuais Coordenadores dos Programas de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Ciências Contábeis no Brasil sobre as linhas de pesquisa
Authors: Teixeira Bonifácio da Silva Pablo Eduardo Nikolais , Menezes da Costa Neto Arlindo , Silva de Lima Diogo Henrique
Published: June 2021

O objetivo do estudo é analisar a percepção dos atuais coordenadores dos Programas de Pós-Graduação (PPG) Stricto Sensu em Ciências Contábeis no Brasil sobre suas linhas de pesquisa. Apresentando como teoria de base a Teoria do Capital Humano, haja vista a relevância do capital humano para construção das linhas de pesquisa, o trabalho enquadra-se como descritivo e qualitativo, sendo a coleta de dados realizada por meio de questionário aos coordenadores dos Programas Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Ciências Contábeis no Brasil, contando com a participação de nove respondentes. Foi utilizada para técnica de análise de conteúdo a codificação aberta a partir do Software ATLAS.ti 8®. Por meio dos resultados, observa-se que muitas das situações enfrentadas são comuns a vários coordenadores, desde o problema da gestão de pessoal às metas e regras esperadas pelos órgãos reguladores. Quanto às principais dificuldades foi reportado pelos coordenadores que a falta de capital humano e a disponibilidade de recursos dificultam bastante o aprimoramento dos Programas de Pós-Graduação. Além disso, obteve-se como resultado que as linhas de pesquisa são geralmente formadas pelo currículo dos professores e o perfil do egresso. Logo, entende-se que ao estudar tal tema e buscar voz daqueles envolvidos diretamente na gestão dos programas é possível traçar um perfil dos problemas enfrentados ao ponto de facilitar a criação de novos programas, bem como permitir a comunicação entre os coordenadores, permitindo assim a troca de experiências.
Nursing Perspectives on the Impacts of COVID-19: Social Media Content Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Koren Ainat , Alam Mohammad Arif Ul , Koneru Sravani , DeVito Alexa , Abdallah Lisa , Liu Benyuan
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Nurses are at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, nurses have faced an elevated risk of exposure and have experienced the hazards related to a novel virus. While being heralded as lifesaving heroes on the front lines of the pandemic, nurses have experienced more physical, mental, and psychosocial problems as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak. Social media discussions by nursing professionals participating in publicly formed Facebook groups constitute a valuable resource that offers longitudinal insights.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore how COVID-19 impacted nurses through capturing public sentiments expressed by nurses on a social media discussion platform and how these sentiments changed over time.

METHODS

We collected over 110,993 Facebook discussion posts and comments in an open COVID-19 group for nurses from March 2020 until the end of November 2020. Scraping of deidentified offline HTML tags on social media posts and comments was performed. Using subject-matter expert opinions and social media analytics (ie, topic modeling, information retrieval, and sentiment analysis), we performed a human-in-a-loop analysis of nursing professionals’ key perspectives to identify trends of the COVID-19 impact among at-risk nursing communities. We further investigated the key insights of the trends of the nursing professionals’ perspectives by detecting temporal changes of comments related to emotional effects, feelings of frustration, impacts of isolation, shortage of safety equipment, and frequency of safety equipment uses. Anonymous quotes were highlighted to add context to the data.

RESULTS

We determined that COVID-19 impacted nurses’ physical, mental, and psychosocial health as expressed in the form of emotional distress, anger, anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and isolation. Major topics discussed by nurses were related to work during a pandemic, misinformation spread by the media, improper personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE side effects, the effects of testing positive for COVID-19, and lost days of work related to illness.

CONCLUSIONS

Public Facebook nursing groups are venues for nurses to express their experiences, opinions, and concerns and can offer researchers an important insight into understanding the COVID-19 impact on health care workers.
Gender, socioeconomic status and emergency department visits among cancer survivors in the USA: a population-based study
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Omar
Published: June 2021

Aim:
To assess patterns of emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalization in relation to gender and socioeconomic status among a cohort of cancer survivors in the USA.
Materials & methods:
National Health Interview Survey datasets (2011–2017) were reviewed and participants with a history of cancer and complete information about emergency department visits in the past 12 months were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalization after the most recent emergency department visit.
Results:
A total of 22,240 cancer survivors were included in the current analysis; of which 16,133 participants (72.5%) who have not visited an emergency department in the past 12 months and 6107 participants (27.5%) who have visited an emergency department in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested the following factors are associated with emergency department visits; younger age (odds ratio [OR] with increasing age: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98–0.99), female gender (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.00–1.15), African American race (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.13–1.40), unmarried status (OR for married vs unmarried: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.84), lower yearly earnings (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.20–1.54), poor health status (OR: 7.02; 95% CI: 6.02–8.18) and incomplete health insurance coverage (OR for complete coverage vs incomplete coverage: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.54–0.80). On the other hand, the following factors were associated with subsequent hospitalization: older age (OR: 1.004; 95% CI: 1.000–1.008), male gender (OR for female vs male: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78–0.94), unmarried status (OR for married vs unmarried status: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73–0.88), not working (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.23–1.68), lower yearly earnings (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.07–1.60), poor health status (OR: 8.43; 95% CI: 6.76–10.51) and lack of health insurance coverage (OR for complete coverage vs incomplete coverage: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.55–0.93).
Conclusion:
Female cancer survivors were more likely to visit the emergency department, whereas they were less likely to be subsequently hospitalized. Cancer survivors with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to visit emergency departments and to be subsequently hospitalized.
Single-arm oncology trials and the nature of external controls arms
Authors: Hashmi Mustafa , Rassen Jeremy , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: June 2021

Aim:
Single-arm trials with external control arms (ECAs) have gained popularity in oncology. ECAs may consist of primary data from previous trials, electronic health records (EHRs) or aggregate data from the literature. We sought to provide a description of how such studies achieve similarity of patients, comparability of data quality and outcome assessment.
Materials & methods:
In a stratified convenience sample of 15 studies, five used primary data from trials as ECAs, five used secondary data from EHRs and five used aggregate data from the literature. Data were collected from the published literature and public web resources, blinded to the eventual approval decision.
Results:
Studies using ECAs from primary data and EHR data displayed methods to achieve comparability of information, including matched baseline characteristics. Aggregate data from published studies did not attempt to match covariates. The EHR controls often showed calendar time overlap for collecting information while trial data were mostly historic. Outcome data were not consistently reported across studies. US FDA approval was only seen when primary data from trials or EHR data were used as the ECA, however no ECA in this sample directly contributed to approval.
Discussion:
In this nonsystematic review of ECAs for single-arm trials, the ECAs derived from primary data collected by other trials or EHRs show patterns of patient comparability, time overlap, and realistic methodological approaches to achieving balance between treatment arms. They are often submitted to regulators while literature-derived aggregate findings as ECA may serve as benchmarks for pipeline decisions.
Design, Development and Evaluation of Silk Based Film Forming Spray for Wound Healing
Authors: Wayal Vipul , Nagasree K. , Vishwanath B. A.
Published: June 2021

The objective of the present study is to formulate and evaluate Silk based film forming spray for wound healing. On the wound surface the solution solidifies into a film which can deliver the active moiety on site of action. The spray solution was prepared by simple mixing of active extract of Centella Asiatica, Silk Protein and various film forming polymers. Silk protein form scaffold for active fibroblast movement and Asiaticosides from Centella Asiatica extract improve and fasten collagen synthesis. A clear yellowish solution was obtained. The formulations (F1-F8) had a pH range between 5.5–6.5, which was close to the pH of skin. The viscosity of formulation in range of 25–50 cps, completely dry film formed within 5 min in open environment. The Effects of polymers, plasticizers and solvents on spreadability. Surface tension and Spray angle were studied. The high content of ethanol in the formulation fastens the drying time. The results indicated that formulation (F8) showed good spreadability and less drying time.
Keywords: Film forming spray, Wound healing, Silk protein, Asiaticoside, Scaffold
Protection of histomorphology of vital organs by methanolic seed extract of Nigella sativa against cadmium-induced tissue injuries in rats
Authors: Oguji Emeka Cyprian , Obigeorge Chibueze Joseph , Omeh Johnson Obiechina , Odeku Amechi Jnr. , Wanger Tachia Jaclyn , Udeh Chukwuebuka Abel , Ochi Chidubem John , Ogbonna Kosisochukwu Doris , Ikekpeazu Amarachi Chioma , Nnam Chinecherem Maudlyne , Uchendu Ikenna Kingsley
Published: June 2021

Background: Chemical-induced organ injuries have been on a fast rise for decades and these injuries have become common causes of mortality and morbidity in the society. Edible plant materials with medicinal properties have been used for treating various diseases for many centuries in folk medicine. Recently, the role of food or medicinal plants in human health has received considerable attention. Traditional uses of N. sativa seed range from soothing wounds to remedying cough, eczema, diabetes, inflammation of the bronchi and tooth aches; and these point to substantial tissue effects.
Objective: We investigated the protective effects of methanolic seed extract of Nigella sativa (MENS) against cadmium-induced histomorphological alterations in heart, kidney and liver tissues of albino rats.
Methods: Twenty five (25) male albino rats, weighing (200±20g), were randomly grouped into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Group B (Negative Control) received intraperitoneal administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5mg/kg) only, group C received CdCl2 and low dose MENS (300mg/kg, oral), group D received CdCl2 and high dose MENS (600mg/kg, oral), and group E (Positive control) received CdCl2 and Vitamin C (200mg/kg, oral), for 14 days. Group A (Normal control) received no administration. Heart, kidney and liver were harvested for histopathological analyses.
Results: Cadmium (CdCl2) induced significant histomorphological changes in the studied organs, and the heart was the most damaged of all the organs studied; however a significantly ameliorative effect by methanolic seed extracts was observed.
Conclusion: Nigella sativa seed extract is potentially tissue-protective against harmful chemical toxins like cadmium.
Aegle marmelos (L.) (Bael): A Systematic Review
Authors: Savita , , Singh Ajeet Pal , Singh Amar Pal
Published: June 2021

Aegle marmelos is a plant in the Rutaceae family that is one of the most significant in the medicinal field due to its properties. Bilwa is used to treat a variety of medical problems. Since the time of the dinosaurs, this plant has existed. The plant contains a variety of pharmacological qualities, including wound healing, antipyretic potential, antidiarrheal activity, Diuretic activity, Ulcer healing, and more. Antithyroid activity, Immunomodulatory activity, Antifungal activity, Antimicrobial activity, Antioxidant activity, Radioprotective effect, Contractile activity, Antiarthritis activity, Analgesic activity, Cytoprotective effectuate-constipating effect. Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Vitamins, Coumarins, Tannins, Carbohydrates, Flavonoids, Fatty Acids, Essential Oils, and other miscellaneous chemicals are among the identified constituents. This study summarises information about the A. marmelos' morphology, distribution, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and biological activity.

Keywords: Aegle marmelos, Phytochemistry, morphology, pharmacological properties.
A Review on Mucormycosis with recent pharmacological treatment
Authors: Shinde Yogita B. , Kore Sanket
Published: June 2021

Mucormycosis is antifungal eye infection difficult to manage this infection with limited use of diagnostic tool and therapeutic option, but previous literature studied diagnostic strategies and evaluate the potency of antifungal agent as a treatment option. Mucormycosis was difficult to study on imaging studies. Surgery plus antifungal therapy of high dose yields greater survival rates. Mucorales are most widely resisted to the used as an antifungal agent. Amphotericin -B were kept for de-escalation refractory therapy whereas, patient’s intolerant to Amphotericin B.

Keywords: Mucormycosis, amphotericin, antifungal agents
U.S. - China: “Power Transition” and the Outlines of “Conflict Bipolarity”
Authors: Degterev Denis Andreevich , Ramich Mirzet Safetovich , Tsvyk Anatoly Vladimirovich
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on the phenomenon of global rivalry between China and the United States in terms of power transition theory, which is scientifically new and relevant due to the increased attention to the so-called Thucydides trap, in which, as some experts claim, both states have fallen. This paper presents a different vision of the global rivalry for leadership in the shaping of a new world order, which has already taken the form of overt non-violent confrontation and manifests itself in technological and trade wars as well as scientific and cultural rivalries. Nevertheless, despite the non-violent nature of the rivalry, this process is followed by an increase in the military capabilities of states, mainly projected in the basins of the Pacific and Indian Oceans (Indo-Pacific region). The methodological basis of the paper is power transition theory, which has been developed over the past 60 years by A.F. Organsky, J. Kugler, D. Lemke, R. Tammen and other researchers, united in the TransResearch Consortium. The authors argue that the analytical prism of this theory is more relevant to the analysis of current global rivalry than the classical neorealist balance of power approach. Through the prism of the theory the issues of rebalancing the global system of economic governance are analyzed. Also, a comparative analysis of the US-Japanese and US-Chinese trade and technological wars is carried out. Both the military and aggregate capabilities of two countries on a global scale and in the Indo-Pacific region are examined. The conclusion contains findings and comments on the impact of U.S. - China rivalry on the system of international relations.
Neither a New Cold War nor a New Peloponnesian War: The Emerging Cyber-narrative Competition at the Heart of Sino-American Relations
Authors: Smith Nicholas Ross , Brown Ruairidh J.
Published: June 2021

There is much pessimism as to the current state of Sino-American relations, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020. Such pessimism has led to some scholars and commentators asserting that the Sino-American relationship is on the cusp of either a new Cold War or, even more alarmingly, something akin to the Peloponnesian War (via a Thucydides Trap) whereby the United States might take pre-emptive measures against China. This article rejects such analogizing and argues that, due to important technological advancements found at the intersection of the digital and fourth industrial revolutions, most of the real competition in the relationship is now occurring in cyberspace, especially with regards to the aim of asserting narratives of truth. Two key narrative battlegrounds that have raged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are examined: where was the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic? and who has had the most successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic?. This article shows that Sino-American competition in cyberspace over asserting their narratives of truth (related to the COVID-19 pandemic) is fierce and unhinged. Part of what is driving this competition is the challenging domestic settings politicians and officials find themselves in both China and the United States, thus, the competing narratives being asserted by both sides are predominately for domestic audiences. However, given that cyberspace connects states with foreign publics more intimately, the international aspect of this competition is also important and could result in further damage to the already fragile Sino-American relationship. Yet, whether this competition will bleed into the real world is far from certain and, because of this, doomsaying via historical analogies should be avoided.
Strategies of Sino-American Rivalry in Africa: From 2000 to COVID-19
Authors: Conteh-Morgan Earl
Published: June 2021

In this article it is argued that Sino-American rivalry in Africa is based on competing strategies utilized by each power to enhance their interests and bilateral ties on the continent, as well to try and outdo each other in image projection and overall influence expansion. These strategies of rivalry and power enhancement revolve around promoting close military ties and transactions on the continent; the framing of the continent in the language of securitization and strategic importance; and the perennial utilization of discourse or narrative that frames the other as detrimental to the interests of African states. These strategies of containing the others power preponderance or influence have expanded to include what is now referred to as vaccine diplomacy on the part of China, and during the Trump Administration the raising of loud alarm bells of China trying to dispossess Africa through what could be referred to as the debt trap. The consequences of these competing strategies enhance the following: authoritarianism in some key African states; increased jihadism in some regions of Africa as a reaction to the presence of the two major powers on the continent; weapons implicated in state violence and war crimes; and less money available for development as a result of resources being diverted to militarization. The ongoing pandemic will add another dimension to the US - China rivalry as both powers try to project an image of being the most concerned about Africa on as it relates to combating the virus.
The U.S. and China in India’s Foreign Economic Policy: In Quest of Balance for Maintaining Strategic Autonomy
Authors: Galistcheva Natalia Valerievna , Nebolsina Elena Vakhtangovna
Published: June 2021

The paper investigates trade and investment relations between India and its two major trading partners, viz. the U.S. and China in the 2000-2010s. On the basis of mixed method research with equal use of quantitative and qualitative, as well as historical and statistical methods, the authors estimate the possibilities for expanding interstate interactions and the difficulties the countries might face. By comparing the scale and particulars of the product structure of Indo-American and Indo-Chinese trade, the authors reveal that intra-industry trade between India and the United States is at a fairly high level, which, in turn, is not typical for the trade between India and China, which is mostly inter-industry due to the sluggish cooperation of Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs. The authors assess the intensity of the Indo-American and Indo-Chinese bilateral trade between 2000-2018 by means of indices of intensity of Indias exports and imports to / from the USA and China, as well as indices of intensity of exports and imports of its partners to / from India. The obtained results outline the upward trend of the share of Indian exports to the U.S. relative to other countries, which indicates that India is successfully conquering the U.S. market, and Indian goods are becoming increasingly competitive. Meanwhile, the volume of Indian-Chinese trade remains on a much lower level than it could be expected with the current share of India in the world trade. In the meantime, neither for the United States nor for China, India is a dominant partner. The article also investigates major obstacles hindering the development of both Indo-American and Indo-Chinese bilateral relations. The obtained results enable the authors to predict that in the short- and mid-term economic cooperation between India and its leading partners is likely to strengthen, with India keeping striving for standing neuter while building the two most crucial vectors of its foreign economic policy.
Comparative Analysis of American NGOs in China and Chinese NGOs in the U.S.
Authors: Kharkevich Maxim Vladimirovich , Pisarev Ivan Ivanovich , Cheresov Vsevolod Sergeyevich , Novogradskaya Marina Olegovna
Published: June 2021

This article analyzes the activities of American non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in China and Chinese NGOs in the United States in the context of global competition between the United States and China for the leadership in the future model of the world order. In International Relations theory, especially in its theoretical paradigm of realism, the consideration of states as actors in international relations dominates scholarship. However, in recent decades it has become apparent that researchers have a significant interest in non-state actors, such as interest groups and NGOs, and their impact on international relations. NGOs in China and the United States have different historical backgrounds, environments, and government institutions in different ways. Still, but in terms of comparative analysis they represent comparable categories. The analysis offered in this study shows that, firstly, despite the strict regulation of the activities of NGOs in place in China, American NGOs have more opportunities to work in this environment than Chinese NGOs do in the United States, where the situation for their activities is apparently more favorable. Secondly, despite the advantages that partnerships provide, neither American nor Chinese NGOs form partnership networks and therefore, lose momentum for their own development. Thirdly, although the conditions for their activities differ in both countries, American and Chinese NGOs have equal opportunities to pursue their goals. Finally, American NGOs in China are less dependent on their government than Chinese NGOs in the United States are on the Chinese government. The study is comparative and takes as its units of analysis Chinese NGOs in the United States and American NGOs in China. Developments in the field of interest group politics serve as the theoretical framework for this research. The investigation uses methods of comparative quantitative analysis and social network analysis, while the interdisciplinary nature of the methods allow them to take advantage of the analytical capabilities of Comparative Political Science, Interest Group Politics, and International Relations.
Implementation of SDG 16: Russia’s Role and Actions
Authors: Ignatov Alexander Alexandrovich
Published: June 2021

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions is one of 17 SDGs identified by the UN in 2015. The SDGs that supersede the Millennium Development Goals imply continuous multilateral actions to ensure their full and timely implementation. Analysis of the available literature shows that insufficient attention is paid to the international component of SDG implementation. An insufficient examination of Russias participation in international initiatives to implement the SDGs, and SDG 16 in particular, is also noted. This article intends to fill in this gap by presenting the results of an analysis of Russias activities in the international arena, contributing to the implementation of SDG 16. Russia today is one of the key actors in international politics. Russias activities in the international arena, including its participation in multilateral programs of assistance to countries and regions experiencing difficulties in resolving internal conflicts, contribute to the implementation of SDG 16. However, this aspect is not covered in Russias Voluntary National Review for the High-Level Political Forum, nor in available research. The author examines the features of a modern approach to studying the international aspect of the SDGs implementation. Furthermore, the author analyzes Russias activities on the international arena contributing to SDG 16 implementation. The article concludes with the authors observations regarding appropriate steps to increase Russias contribution to SDG 16 implementation.
Book review: Frankel, F.R. (2020). When Nehru Looked East: Origins of India - US Suspicion and India - China Rivalry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 339 p.
Authors: Barsegian Asmik Armenovna , Butorov Alexey Sergeevich
Published: June 2021

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Hydrodynamic Сonditions of the Bakalskaya Spit Degradation (Western Crimea) over the Past 30 Years
Authors: Divinsky B. V. ,   Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, Kosyan R. D. ,   Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Published: June 2021

Purpose. The paper is aimed at studying the morphodynamic features of the Bakalskaya Spit evolution being influenced by the sea wind waves and swell, namely assessment of inter-annual variations in the alluvial (erosion) areas of the Bakalskaya Spit coastline, analysis of inter-annual variability of the wind wave parameters, determination of the surface wave characteristics (or a combination of a few ones) responsible for the processes of the bottom material erosion or accumulation in the coastal zone. Methods and Results. Based on the analysis of satellite images for 1984–2016, the areas of the bottom material accumulation or erosion of the Bakalskaya Spit coastline were determined. Application of the spectral wave model permitted to obtain time series of the main parameters of wind waves and swell (significant wave heights and propagation directions) in the Bakalskaya Spit coastal zone with the 1 hr time resolution for the period from 1984 to 2016. The characteristics of surface waves responsible for the coastline deformation were revealed using the discriminant analysis. Conclusions. Analysis of satellite images of the spit made it possible to distinguish three periods in the history of the Bakalskaya Spit evolution: 1985–1997, 1998–2007 and 2007–2016. The first period was characterized by relative stability. The strongest erosion took place in 1998; after that the alluvial and erosion cases alternated for 10 years weakly tending to general erosion that constituted the second period. The third one that began in 2007 can be defined as the period of spit degradation accompanied by the irreversible loss of beach material. The basic parameters conditioning hydrodynamics of the Bakalskaya Spit water area are: total duration of storms; average and maximum values of significant heights of wind waves and swell. Statistical characteristics of the wind waves’ parameters are of a fairly strong inter-annual variability. According to the average and maximum indices, the wind waves directed close to the normal to the coastline (WSW and WNW) are the most developed. The applied discriminant analysis permitted to draw a statistically reliable conclusion that the direction of the final (average annual) wave impact on the coastal zone, conditioning the processes of sand accumulation or erosion was set by the waves directed to NNW, at that the swell contribution was dominant. The impact degree is conditioned by strong storms with the directions close to the normal to the coastline, namely, the WSW ones
Study of the Mechanisms of Vortex Variability in the Lofoten Basin Based on the Energy Analysis
Authors:   Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Travkin V. S. , Belonenko T. V. ,   Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Published: June 2021

Purpose. The Lofoten Basin is one of the most energetic zones of the World Ocean characterized by high activity of mesoscale eddies. The study is aimed at analyzing different components of general energy in the basin, namely the mean kinetic and vortex kinetic energy calculated using the integral of the volume of available potential and kinetic energy of the Lofoten Vortex, as well as variability of these characteristics. Methods and Results. GLORYS12V1 reanalysis data for the period 2010–2018 were used. The mean kinetic energy and the eddy kinetic one were analyzed; and as for the Lofoten Vortex, its volume available potential and kinetic energy were studied. The mesoscale activity of eddies in winter is higher than in summer. Evolution of the available potential energy and kinetic energy of the Lofoten Vortex up to the 1000 m horizon was studied. It is shown that the vortex available potential energy exceeds the kinetic one by an order of magnitude, and there is a positive trend with the coefficient 0,23⋅1015 J/year. It was found that in the Lofoten Basin, the intermediate layer from 600 to 900 m made the largest contribution to the potential energy, whereas the 0–400 m layer – to kinetic energy. The conversion rates of the mean kinetic energy into the vortex kinetic one and the mean available potential energy into the vortex available potential one (barotropic and baroclinic instability) were analyzed. It is shown that the first type of transformation dominates in summer, while the second one is characterized by its increase in winter. Conclusions. The vertical profile shows that the kinetic energy of eddies in winter is higher than in summer. The available potential energy of a vortex is by an order of magnitude greater than the kinetic energy. An increase in the available potential energy is confirmed by a significant positive trend and by a decrease in the vortex Burger number. The graphs of the barotropic instability conversion rate demonstrate the multidirectional flows in the vortex zone with the dipole structure observed in a winter period, and the tripole one – in summer. The barotropic instability highest intensity is observed in summer. The baroclinic instability is characterized by intensification of the regime in winter that is associated with weakening of stratification in this period owing to winter convection.
Ingeniería de materiales : una mirada a los procesos de modificación superficial. Caso: Aleaciones de Titanio
Authors: Cely Bautista María de las Mercedes , Tristancho Reyes José Luis , Muñoz Mizuno Andrea Lucía , Castellar Ortega Grey Cecilia , Quesada Tatis Franz Julio
Published: June 2021

El titanio y sus aleaciones han sido ampliamente utilizadas, en el área aeroespacial, química, en el campo energético, en la industria biomédica entre otros, principalmente por sus características de resistencia mecánica, resistencia a la corrosión, alto grado de biocompatibilidad entre otros aspectos. Una de las propiedades mas importantes, es la generación natural de una película de óxido, estable y continua, altamente adherente sobre la superficie del mismo, con espesores del orden de 5 a 10 nm. Por otro lado, la ingeniería de superficies es una alternativa importante, que no sólo nos permite generar una película de mayor espesor, con mejores propiedades, sino que además responde de manera positiva al comportamiento mecánico frente al material de contacto ya sea polímero, metal, compuesto o el mismo hueso cuando se aplica a sustituciones protésicas en sistemas biomédicos. El libro describe así algunos de los procesos de modificación superficial, sus características y aplicaciones en ...
Analysis of Livable Environment of Traditional Villages in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone Based on CFD Simulation Technology of Wind Environment: A Case Study of Guzhu Village in Jiangxi Province of China
Authors: Ma Kai , Cai Shuqi , Wang Binyao
Published: June 2021

Historical settlements can reflect the harmonious coexistence between
ancient people and the local climate & geographical environment. In
ancient times, many villages were formed during the period of war. To
escape from the war, ancient people moved to places with good climate
and suitable environment, and continued to improve their quality of life
during the development and construction. The site selection, layout
planning, architectural layout and material selection of these
settlements have valuable scientific design concepts. Wind environment
factors have significant influence on the construction of villages.
However, the research about the influence of outdoor wind environment in
traditional villages’ livable environment is still insufficient. In this
paper, a village called Guzhu Village located in typical hot summer and
cold winter zone in Jiangxi Province of China is selected to analyze the
local climate environment. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation
technology is used to study the selection of places for living in terms
of outdoor wind environment. The results of the simulations confirm the
habitability of the villages and the need to preserve such treasure.