bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi Response optimization of drilling parameters in Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic composites
Authors: Srinivasan T , Arunkumar R , Meghanathan S , Ramu P
Published: April 2021

Optimization of drilling parameters in Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic composites (GFRTP) has been analyzed using grey relational analysis in this research. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the effect of drilling parameters on composites of Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic composites (GFRTP) using hand layup method. The circularity and surface roughness are diminished. In drilling, tests were carried out on Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic composites with HSS drill bits of 6 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm diameter used in dry conditions using the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array process. ANOVA analysed the effecton output parameters such as surface roughness and circularity of multiple drilling input parameters such as cutting speed, feed, and cutting depth. For finding the best machining state, Grey relational analysis equations were used. For the drilling of hybrid Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic composites, the most critical parameter, namely the cutting speed, was found to have affected the thrust power, circularity and surface roughness.
Mechanical Properties of Partial Replacement of Cement with Sugarcane Baggase Ash
Authors: Teja Ch Ravi , Nipun G , Monica A
Published: April 2021

Current study focuses on mechanical properties of Sugarcane Baggase Ash (ScBA) as a cementetious material and as pore filling material in concrete. With depleting natural resources these industrial waste materials not only helps as replacement material but also provides in numerous alternate benefits such as protecting environment, land fill compounds, saving energy etc. Difficulty of disposing of ScBA is already an environmental hazard. ScBA imparts high strength in early replacements and also reduces concrete permeability, also presence of silica in chemical composition imparts high chloride resistance and corrosion resistance. Mechanical properties were studied for 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% replacement with cement, compressive strength, split tensile and workability were studied and optimum was found to be at 10% replacement. Also durability studies were performed by conducting Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) and durability is found to be higher than conventional concrete.
Comparative Study on Asphalt Mixture with Nano Materials and Polymer
Authors: Bobbili Akhila , Kollipara Sai Krishna , Mallikarjuna V. , Narra Malathi
Published: April 2021

Pavement materials are crucial factors affecting pavement durability. Now-a-days, there is dire necessity for roads which are more stable and stronger. Due to weathering conditions and heavy traffic, the pavement surfaces are getting deteriorated by rutting, pot holes etc. Among them asphalt is the most sustainable pavement material for construction pavements and can be used for many applications including highways, airport runways, parking lots and drive ways. In order to provide effective durability than that of asphalt, in its original form it has been modified using Nano-materials known as modified asphalt. In this paper we are gone deal with the advances in Nano-materials in hot mix asphalt and also addition of recronfibre and the comparison was made. With the addition of this Recronfibre, there is an improvement in the properties of bitumen like increase in stability value and decrease in the flow value, % of air voids etc. Recronfibre is an artificial material obtained from the polyester and which is also used as a secondary reinforcement for attaining tensile strength. It helps to resist the cracks obtained by the improper laying of pavement surface and heavy loaded vehicles. But whereas, the clay Nano-particles are the primary materials applying in asphalt construction adding Nano-particles like Nano clay, Nano silica and nanotubes in asphalts normally increase the viscosity of asphalt binders and improves the rutting and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixtures. From this the performance of asphalt when treated with Nano-particles and its sustainability compared to that of other pavement materials is examined and studied.
Effect of Epoxy Resin on CBR Improvement of Soft Clayey Subgrade Mixed with Coconut Coir Fibres
Authors: Yenigalla Raja Veerendra , Slaney G.V.
Published: April 2021

Road infrastructure is a key factor for the development of an economy. For construction of road pavements, good sub grade soil is a major feature which influences the design, construction and durability of the pavement. Pavements built on soft subgrade soils experience faster degradation due to the low strength and high compressibility of soft soil. Replacement of soft soil with good soil is not sustainable, since it is expensive and also impacts the environment. Stabilization of soft soil is a sustainable alternative which can be used to improve the properties of soft soil in-situ. The use of various additives can improve the properties of soft soils. In this study, the effect of using coconut coir in combination with polymeric resin on the improvement of properties of soft soil is studied. Coconut coir is a waste material which can be used as bio-fibers, but since they are decomposable, are used in combination with polymeric resin. The effect of random percentages of coconut coir along with polymeric resin on the compaction and penetration behaviour of soil is presented.
A Case Study on Evaluation And Design Of on-Street Parking In Narasaraopet Town in Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Suresh G Leela , Prasad R Ratna , Rao T Venkateswara
Published: April 2021

One of the most significant transport issues has been the lack of parking policies. Parking problem in the central business districts and major cities across the globe is trending. When we look at Narasaraopet, market growth and training contribute to a rise in transport facilities and thus parking problems. Lack of off-road space and the propensity to park vehicles near the destination contributes to high demands for parking. Further reasons for increased demand are car ownership and low efficiency of the transit system. These factors reduce the main wagon route width, reduce the flow speed, boost crash rates and generate excessive traffic congestion. There is therefore a need to provide parking on the lane. So by means of in-out or sampling of a fixed time or license plate scheme, we have to assess the current on-street parking conditions in Narasaraopet and see whether it’s appropriate or not. If they’re not enough, we need to prepare Narasaraopet on-street parking conditions. In this research, proposed techniques should be implemented by the transportation department from an effective point ofviewof transportation system.
Blast Resistance of G+10 Commercial Building With and Without Shear Wall Shape Comparison
Authors: Pendem Harish , Chandana Sukesh
Published: April 2021

The effect of blast load on the structure was an essential aspect to be taken into account during the design process even though such kind of attacks are very scare in nature, blast effect must be consider while designing a building just like wind, seismic load and shear wall with and without shear wall load is be measured in this project mainly discuss about the shape comparison of the G+10 commercial building and that be with shear wall and without shear wall. when the blast load is applied to the structure then how much of deflection of the structure is appeared with and without shear wall shape comparison of the building so that we find the deflection of the structure by recording the values on the graph and so that how much of deflection is occurs and then that structure is safe with shear wall are not. applying loads on the each section of the building like beams and columns so that may get the how much of deformation the structure is appeared so may that the structure is safe without shear wall. mainly in this we find the displacement, acceleration, max displacement and max drift by taking that values and finding the deflection of the structure and that was the exact values of the deformed shape will be given. when subjected to blast load using ETABS software with prominence given to different standoff distances the blast load and incorporating various charge weight of TNT according to IS code 4991.
A Study on Physico-Chemical analysis of Ground Water and Heavy Metal Analysis of Leachate in Kodungaiyur Landfill Site, Chennai
Authors: Babu A. Harinadha , Swamy N.Kumara , Krishnaiah S. , Senthil M.S.
Published: April 2021

The Leachate heavy metal samples were analysed for its Physico-Chemical and Heavy metal characteristics to assess a pollution level in soil condition of kodungaiyur dumping yard. Water quality analyses were carried out for its suitability of drinking water condition and compare the result with WHO and BIS standards. Investigation on the accumulation heavy metals like Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd and Cr in leachate as per APHA methods are carried out. In leachate, the order was Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr>Cd.
Successful use of early, repeat fecal microbiota transplantation for initial treatment of severe, refractory Clostridioides difficile colitis
Authors: Cappetto Catherine M
Published: April 2021

Purpose

There is a paucity of literature surrounding the use of early fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for patients presenting with an initial episode of severe, refractory Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Information on optimal antibiotic dosing and therapy duration surrounding FMT during an acute, initial episode of CDI is also limited. Described here is a case of successful treatment of CDI after 4 FMTs during an acute, initial episode of severe, refractory Clostridioides difficile colitis.

A 69-year-old community-dwelling, Caucasian male presented after 48 hours of vomiting and diarrhea. A stool sample was collected and resulted positive for Clostridioides difficile by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patient was treated with several days of oral and rectal vancomycin therapy in addition to intravenous metronidazole, but those treatments failed. His clinical and nutrition status deteriorated over the course of several days until salvage therapy was ordered, with administration of 1 inpatient nasogastric FMT and 1 inpatient colonoscopic FMT followed by outpatient colonoscopic FMTs on 2 consecutive days within 2 weeks of hospital discharge.

Conclusion

This case suggests a role for early, repeat FMT during an initial presentation of a severe Clostridioides difficile colitis episode refractory to pharmacologic antimicrobial therapy. It also adds to emerging literature regarding the timing of antibiotic cessation surrounding FMT.
Opportunities for improving opioid disposal practices in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Giannitrapani Karleen F , Brown-Johnson Cati , McCaa Matthew , Mckelvey Jeremiah , Glassman Peter , Holliday Jesse , Sandbrink Friedhelm , Lorenz Karl A
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The potentially vast supply of unused opioids in Americans’ homes has long been a public health concern. We conducted a needs assessment of how Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities address and manage disposal of unused opioid medications to identify opportunities for improvement.

Methods

We used rapid qualitative content analysis methods with team consensus to synthesize findings. Data were collected in 2 waves: (1) semistructured interviews with 19 providers in October 2019 and (2) structured questions to 21 providers in March to April of 2020 addressing how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed disposal priorities.

Results

While many diverse strategies have been tried in the VA, we found limited standardization of advice on opioid disposal and practices nationally. Providers offered the following recommendations: target specific patient scenarios for enhanced disposal efforts, emphasize mail-back envelopes, keep recommendations to providers and patients consistent and reinforce existing guidance, explore virtual modalities to monitor disposal activity, prioritize access to viable disposal strategies, and transition from pull to push communication. These themes were identified in the fall of 2019 and remained salient in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

A centralized VA national approach could include proactive communication with patients and providers, interventions tailored to specific settings and populations, and facilitated access to disposal options. All of the above strategies are feasible in the context of an extended period of social distancing.
Knowledge bases and software support for variant interpretation in precision oncology
Authors: Borchert Florian , Mock Andreas , Tomczak Aurelie , Hügel Jonas , Alkarkoukly Samer , Knurr Alexander , Volckmar Anna-Lena , Stenzinger Albrecht , Schirmacher Peter , Debus Jürgen , Jäger Dirk , Longerich Thomas , Fröhling Stefan , Eils Roland , Bougatf Nina , Sax Ulrich , Schapranow Matthieu-P
Published: April 2021

Precision oncology is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary medical specialty. Comprehensive cancer panels are becoming increasingly available at pathology departments worldwide, creating the urgent need for scalable cancer variant annotation and molecularly informed treatment recommendations. A wealth of mainly academia-driven knowledge bases calls for software tools supporting the multi-step diagnostic process. We derive a comprehensive list of knowledge bases relevant for variant interpretation by a review of existing literature followed by a survey among medical experts from university hospitals in Germany. In addition, we review cancer variant interpretation tools, which integrate multiple knowledge bases. We categorize the knowledge bases along the diagnostic process in precision oncology and analyze programmatic access options as well as the integration of knowledge bases into software tools. The most commonly used knowledge bases provide good programmatic access options and have been integrated into a range of software tools. For the wider set of knowledge bases, access options vary across different parts of the diagnostic process. Programmatic access is limited for information regarding clinical classifications of variants and for therapy recommendations. The main issue for databases used for biological classification of pathogenic variants and pathway context information is the lack of standardized interfaces. There is no single cancer variant interpretation tool that integrates all identified knowledge bases. Specialized tools are available and need to be further developed for different steps in the diagnostic process.
NSL2CD: identifying potential circRNA–disease associations based on network embedding and subspace learning
Authors: Xiao Qiu , Fu Yu , Yang Yide , Dai Jianhua , Luo Jiawei
Published: April 2021

Many studies have evidenced that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators in various pathological processes and play vital roles in many human diseases, which could serve as promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. However, the functions of most of circRNAs remain to be unraveled, and it is time-consuming and costly to uncover those relationships between circRNAs and diseases by conventional experimental methods. Thus, identifying candidate circRNAs for human diseases offers new opportunities to understand the functional properties of circRNAs and the pathogenesis of diseases. In this study, we propose a novel network embedding-based adaptive subspace learning method (NSL2CD) for predicting potential circRNA–disease associations and discovering those disease-related circRNA candidates. The proposed method first calculates disease similarities and circRNA similarities by fully utilizing different data sources and learns low-dimensional node representations with network embedding methods. Then, we adopt an adaptive subspace learning model to discover potential associations between circRNAs and diseases. Meanwhile, an integrated weighted graph regularization term is imposed to preserve local geometric structures of data spaces, and L1,2-norm constraint is also incorporated into the model to realize the smoothness and sparsity of projection matrices. The experiment results show that NSL2CD achieves comparable performance under different evaluation metrics, and case studies further confirm its ability to discover potential candidate circRNAs for human diseases.
Identification of multiple RNAs using feature fusion
Authors: Singh Dalwinder , Madhawan Akansha , Roy Joy
Published: April 2021

Detection of novel transcripts with deep sequencing has increased the demand for computational algorithms as their identification and validation using in vivo techniques is time-consuming, costly and unreliable. Most of these discovered transcripts belong to non-coding RNAs, a large group known for their diverse functional roles but lacks the common taxonomy. Thus, upon the identification of the absence of coding potential in them, it is crucial to recognize their prime functional category. To address this heterogeneity issue, we divide the ncRNAs into three classes and present RNA classifier (RNAC) that categorizes the RNAs into coding, housekeeping, small non-coding and long non-coding classes. RNAC utilizes the alignment-based genomic descriptors to extract statistical, local binary patterns and histogram features and fuse them to construct the classification models with extreme gradient boosting. The experiments are performed on four species, and the performance is assessed on multiclass and conventional binary classification (coding versus no-coding) problems. The proposed approach achieved >93% accuracy on both classification problems and also outperformed other well-known existing methods in coding potential prediction. This validates the usefulness of feature fusion for improved performance on both types of classification problems. Hence, RNAC is a valuable tool for the accurate identification of multiple RNAs .
Countertransference Narratives of a Social Worker in Supervision
Authors: Otava Ladislav
Published: April 2021

This work focuses on the interactions of a social worker with clients who are affected by the worker’s unresolved problems. Deductive qualitative analysis was used in monitored supervision sessions, which enabled a case study to be made of the structural model of the worker’s narratives of countertransference. Sources in the area of family relations are described, as are triggers in the social worker’s actions and the actions of colleagues. Manifestations appear in relationships with clients. Consequences are captured as obstacles as well as opportunities for helping clients. Managing is described in the form of sharing with other persons, self-education, supervision and psychotherapy. Speaking is identified as a universal tool for managing the feelings and behaviours, which accompany the interaction between social worker and client. The process of free association, experimental interpretation and subsequent discussion about them in supervision constitute an appropriate procedure in this regard. The characteristics of countertransference in this process appear gradually, drawn in cycles from deeper in the social worker’s consciousness.
Essential Cases: Land Law
Authors: Nair Aruna
Published: April 2021

Essential Cases: Land Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. Essential Cases provides you with succinct summaries of some of the landmark and most influential cases in land law. Each summary begins with a review of the main case facts and decisions. The summary is then concluded with expert commentary on the case from the author, Aruna Nair, including her assessment of the wider questions raised by the decision.
Essential Cases: Equity & Trusts
Authors: Whayman Derek
Published: April 2021

Essential Cases: Equity & Trusts provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. Essential Cases provides you with succinct summaries of some of the landmark and most influential cases in equity and trusts. Each summary begins with a review of the main case facts and decision. The summary is then concluded with expert commentary on the case from the author, Derek Whayman, including his assessment of the wider questions raised by the decision.
Personal factors that affect disabled people’s access to healthcare in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana
Authors: Acheampong Enoch , Nadutey Alberta , Bredu-Darkwa Peter , Agyei-Baffour Peter , Edusei Anthony Kwaku
Published: April 2021

The health status and quality of life of disabled people are of immense public health concern and the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved if the healthcare needs of disabled people are not met. A qualitative case study was conducted in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana to ascertain personal factors that affect disabled people’s access to healthcare in the context of disability stigma. A total of 30 disabled participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected through an interview guide utilizing a face-to-face interview and focus group discussion. Themes were developed and presented as findings and relevant quotes have been provided to support the findings. The study found factors such as self-stigma, knowledge about disability condition, financial challenges, location and accessibility challenges, communication challenges and lack of personal assistants which affect their access to healthcare. The experiences of disabled people have influenced them to construct their meanings regarding their conditions and subsequent health-seeking behavior. It is recommended that the district health directorate in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education should intensify public health education in the district which should be custom-made to suit the community’s needs and understanding of disability taking into account local culture and belief system.
A rare missense variant in theATP2C2gene is associated with language impairment and related measures
Authors: Martinelli Angela , Rice Mabel L , Talcott Joel B , Diaz Rebeca , Smith Shelley , Raza Muhammad Hashim , Snowling Margaret J , Hulme Charles , Stein John , Hayiou-Thomas Marianna E , Hawi Ziarih , Kent Lindsey , Pitt Samantha J , Newbury Dianne F , Paracchini Silvia
Published: April 2021

At least 5% of children present unexpected difficulties in expressing and understanding spoken language. This condition is highly heritable and often co-occurs with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia and ADHD. Through an exome sequencing analysis, we identified a rare missense variant (chr16:84405221, GRCh38.p12) in the ATP2C2 gene. ATP2C2 was implicated in language disorders by linkage and association studies, and exactly the same variant was reported previously in a different exome sequencing study for language impairment (LI). We followed up this finding by genotyping the mutation in cohorts selected for LI and comorbid disorders. We found that the variant had a higher frequency in LI cases (1.8%, N = 360) compared with cohorts selected for dyslexia (0.8%, N = 520) and ADHD (0.7%, N = 150), which presented frequencies comparable to reference databases (0.9%, N = 24 046 gnomAD controls). Additionally, we observed that carriers of the rare variant identified from a general population cohort (N = 42, ALSPAC cohort) presented, as a group, lower scores on a range of reading and language-related measures compared to controls (N = 1825; minimum P = 0.002 for non-word reading). ATP2C2 encodes for an ATPase (SPCA2) that transports calcium and manganese ions into the Golgi lumen. Our functional characterization suggested that the rare variant influences the ATPase activity of SPCA2. Thus, our results further support the role of ATP2C2 locus in language-related phenotypes and pinpoint the possible effects of a specific rare variant at molecular level.
The Everyday Life of Security: Capturing Space, Practice, and Affect
Authors: Nyman Jonna
Published: April 2021

Security shapes everyday life, but despite a growing literature on everyday security there is no consensus on the meaning of the “everyday.” At the same time, the research methods that dominate the field are designed to study elites and high politics. This paper does two things. First, it brings together and synthesizes the existing literature on everyday security to argue that we should think about the everyday life of security as constituted across three dimensions: space, practice, and affect. Thus, the paper adds conceptual clarity, demonstrating that the everyday life of security is multifaceted and exists in mundane spaces, routine practices, and affective/lived experiences. Second, it works through the methodological implications of a three-dimensional understanding of everyday security. In order to capture all three dimensions and the ways in which they interact, we need to explore different methods. The paper offers one such method, exploring the everyday life of security in contemporary China through a participatory photography project with six ordinary citizens in Beijing. The central contribution of the paper is capturing—conceptually and methodologically—all three dimensions, in order to develop our understanding of the everyday life of security.
Education: A compassionate use of cefiderocol to treat osteomyelitis caused by an XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chavda A , Gilchrist M , Samarasinghe D
Published: April 2021

We report a 59-year-old male with left leg osteomyelitis caused by an XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain following a road traffic accident. Limited treatment options and adverse antimicrobial reaction led to consideration of cefiderocol together with appropriate surgical intervention. Improved bony remodelling over the tibia and fibula was observed with good bony alignment and no adverse features. Physiotherapy support was continued for 4 months following treatment, which resulted in good functional mobility, improved proprioception and full ability to bear weight. This case also adds to multiple reports that describe safe and successful use of cefiderocol to treat MDR, aerobic Gram-negative infections. The prescribing information for cefiderocol is available at: https://shionogi-eu-content.com/gb/fetcroja/pi.
Validation of the AtlasTMCampylobacter Detection Assay: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 032101
Authors: Rishi Anantharama , Huff Kenna , Han Sukkyun , Mai Tam , Zhao Yu , Jang Yongseog , Lorr Joseph , Samadpour Mansour
Published: April 2021

Background

Campylobacter spp. are a major causal agent for diarrheal illness in humans. Detection of Campylobacter spp. in food is critical to reduce foodborne illness, and to provide safe foods.

Objective

The aim was to evaluate the Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay for AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM certification for detecting C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari in foods after 12 h enrichment.

Method

The Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay was compared to the ISO 10272–1:2017 reference culture method for chicken carcass rinse, turkey carcass sponge, raw ground poultry, raw ground pork, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meats. Inclusivity, exclusivity, product consistency, product stability, and robustness studies were also performed. An independent laboratory evaluated the performance of the Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay method on chicken carcass rinse.

Results

No significant differences were observed between the Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay and the reference ISO method in spiked food matrixes. The Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay detected all 50 inclusive organisms and none of the 30 exclusive organisms. Product consistency and stability studies showed no statistical differences between lots or over the term of the shelf-life using accelerated method study. Finally, the robustness study showed no statistical difference between different sample volumes, enrichment times, and storage time after sample transfer.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay is comparable to ISO 10272–1:2017 for detecting Campylobacter in chicken carcass rinse, turkey carcass sponge, raw ground poultry, raw ground pork, and RTE meats.

Highlights

The Atlas Campylobacter Detection Assay is a rapid, accurate molecular method able to detect C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari in in chicken carcass rinse, turkey carcass sponge, raw ground poultry, raw ground pork, and RTE meats within 12–18 h.
Actions Toward Containment, Control, and Eradication of Invasive Conehead Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera: Termitidae)
Authors: Thorne Barbara L , Alspach Sue , Tenn Katherine E , Clark Marah S
Published: April 2021

Early, strategic IPM actions can eradicate relatively new invasive conehead termite [Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Blattodea: Isoptera: Termitidae)] populations, preventing negative economic and ecological consequences should this pest of agriculture, structures, and natural areas become permanently established and spread. Conspicuous foraging tunnels and above-ground nests are key aspects of N. corniger biology that render colonies vulnerable to discovery and elimination. Because the goal is eradication, the termites must be controlled wherever found—structure, yard, park, overgrown lot, orchard, forest, natural area, etc. Effective IPM methods exist to contain, control, and eradicate invasive nasutes. Removing and safely disposing dead plant material and stored wood helps reduce termite food and harborage, enables liquid insecticides to penetrate soil, and facilitates access for inspections. IPM involves a combination of physical interventions including nest destruction teamed with targeted insecticide applications, followed by diligent monitoring. Fumigation is required only in unusual situations. By killing colonies and reducing overall population size, alate (swarmer) dispersal can be reduced or eliminated, thus substantially slowing—with goal of halting—infested zone expansion. This paper details specific approaches, protocols, and recommendations for detection, treatment, transport prevention, and risk-based monitoring. We present practical suggestions regarding outreach, advocacy, partnerships with stakeholders, and networking with informed professionals. All recommendations stem from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ invasive conehead termite program’s best practices and lessons learned experiences during significant mitigation progress, with eradication of two populations of invasive coneheads that spread from a single introduction into Florida as an achievable goal.
Real-World Effectiveness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Against Cervical Cancer
Authors: Kjaer Susanne K , Dehlendorff Christian , Belmonte Federica , Baandrup Louise
Published: April 2021

Background

The primary goal of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is to reduce morbidity and mortality from HPV-associated disease, especially cervical cancer. We determined the real-world effectiveness of HPV vaccination against cervical cancer.

Methods

The study included women aged 17-30 years living in Denmark October 2006-December 2019. From nationwide registries, information on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer diagnoses were retrieved. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cervical cancer according to vaccination status were estimated using Poisson regression with HPV vaccination treated as a time-varying variable and stratified by age at vaccination. We adjusted for attained age, education, and ethnicity. To address the effect of prevalent disease, different buffer periods were used, with 1-year buffer period as primary analysis.

Results

The cohort comprised 867 689 women. At baseline, 36.3% were vaccinated at age 16 years and younger, and during follow-up, 19.3% and 2.3% were vaccinated at ages 17-19 years and 20-30 years, respectively. For women vaccinated at ages 16 years and younger or 17-19 years, the IRRs of cervical cancer were 0.14 (95% CI = 0.04 to 0.53) and 0.32 (95% CI = 0.08 to 1.28), respectively, compared with unvaccinated women. In women aged 20-30 years at vaccination, the incidence rate was higher than among unvaccinated women (IRR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.80 to 1.79) but slightly decreased with increasing buffer period (IRR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.55 to 1.32, with 4-year buffer period).

Conclusion

HPV vaccine effectiveness against cervical cancer at the population level is high among girls vaccinated younger than age 20 years. The lack of immediate effect in women vaccinated at age 20-30 years points to the importance of early age at vaccination.
The GALAH Survey: using galactic archaeology to refine our knowledge of TESS target stars
Authors: Clark Jake T , Clerté Mathieu , Hinkel Natalie R , Unterborn Cayman T , Wittenmyer Robert A , Horner Jonathan , Wright Duncan J , Carter Brad , Morton Timothy D , Spina Lorenzo , Asplund Martin , Buder Sven , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Casey Andy , De Silva Gayandhi , D’Orazi Valentina , Duong Ly , Hayden Michael , Freeman Ken , Kos Janez , Lewis Geraint , Lin Jane , Lind Karin , Martell Sarah , Sharma Sanjib , Simpson Jeffrey , Zucker Dan , Zwitter Tomaz , Tinney Christopher G , Ting (丁源森) Yuan-Sen , Nordlander Thomas , Amarsi Anish M
Published: April 2021

An unprecedented number of exoplanets are being discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Determining the orbital parameters of these exoplanets, and especially their mass and radius, will depend heavily upon the measured physical characteristics of their host stars. We have cross-matched spectroscopic, photometric, and astrometric data from GALAH Data Release 2, the TESS Input Catalog and Gaia Data Release 2, to create a curated, self-consistent catalogue of physical and chemical properties for 47 285 stars. Using these data, we have derived isochrone masses and radii that are precise to within 5 per cent. We have revised the parameters of three confirmed, and twelve candidate, TESS planetary systems. These results cast doubt on whether CTOI-20125677 is indeed a planetary system, since the revised planetary radii are now comparable to stellar sizes. Our GALAH–TESS catalogue contains abundances for up to 23 elements. We have specifically analysed the molar ratios for C/O, Mg/Si, Fe/Si, and Fe/Mg, to assist in determining the composition and structure of planets with Rp < 4R⊕. From these ratios, 36 per cent fall within 2$\sigma$ sigma of the Sun/Earth values, suggesting that these stars may host rocky exoplanets with geological compositions similar to planets found within our own Solar system.
The Thousand-Pulsar-Array programme on MeerKAT – V. Scattering analysis of single-component pulsars
Authors: Oswald L S , Karastergiou A , Posselt B , Johnston S , Bailes M , Buchner S , Geyer M , Keith M J , Kramer M , Parthasarathy A , Reardon D J , Serylak M , Shannon R M , Spiewak R , van Straten W , Venkatraman Krishnan V
Published: April 2021

We have measured the scattering time-scale, τ, and the scattering spectral index, α, for 84 single-component pulsars. Observations were carried out with the MeerKAT telescope as part of the Thousand-Pulsar-Array programme in the MeerTime project at frequencies between 0.895 and 1.670 GHz. Our results give a distribution of values for α (defined in terms of τ and frequency ν as τ ∝ ν−α) for which, upon fitting a Gaussian, we obtain a mean and standard deviation of 〈α〉 = 4.0 ± 0.6. This is due to our identification of possible causes of inaccurate measurement of τ, which, if not filtered out of modelling results, tend to lead to underestimation of α. The pulsars in our sample have large dispersion measures and are therefore likely to be distant. We find that a model using an isotropic scatter broadening function is consistent with the data, likely due to the averaging effect of multiple scattering screens along the line of sight. Our sample of scattering parameters provides a strong data set upon which we can build to test more complex and time-dependent scattering phenomena, such as extreme scattering events.
ERG transcription factors have a splicing regulatory function involving RBFOX2 that is altered in the EWS-FLI1 oncogenic fusion
Authors: Saulnier Olivier , Guedri-Idjouadiene Katia , Aynaud Marie-Ming , Chakraborty Alina , Bruyr Jonathan , Pineau Joséphine , O’Grady Tina , Mirabeau Olivier , Grossetête Sandrine , Galvan Bartimée , Claes Margaux , Al Oula Hassoun Zahra , Sadacca Benjamin , Laud Karine , Zaïdi Sakina , Surdez Didier , Baulande Sylvain , Rambout Xavier , Tirode Franck , Dutertre Martin , Delattre Olivier , Dequiedt Franck
Published: April 2021

ERG family proteins (ERG, FLI1 and FEV) are a subfamily of ETS transcription factors with key roles in physiology and development. In Ewing sarcoma, the oncogenic fusion protein EWS-FLI1 regulates both transcription and alternative splicing of pre-messenger RNAs. However, whether wild-type ERG family proteins might regulate splicing is unknown. Here, we show that wild-type ERG proteins associate with spliceosomal components, are found on nascent RNAs, and induce alternative splicing when recruited onto a reporter minigene. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ERG and FLI1 regulate large numbers of alternative spliced exons (ASEs) enriched with RBFOX2 motifs and co-regulated by this splicing factor. ERG and FLI1 are associated with RBFOX2 via their conserved carboxy-terminal domain, which is present in EWS-FLI1. Accordingly, EWS-FLI1 is also associated with RBFOX2 and regulates ASEs enriched in RBFOX2 motifs. However, in contrast to wild-type ERG and FLI1, EWS-FLI1 often antagonizes RBFOX2 effects on exon inclusion. In particular, EWS-FLI1 reduces RBFOX2 binding to the ADD3 pre-mRNA, thus increasing its long isoform, which represses the mesenchymal phenotype of Ewing sarcoma cells. Our findings reveal a RBFOX2-mediated splicing regulatory function of wild-type ERG family proteins, that is altered in EWS-FLI1 and contributes to the Ewing sarcoma cell phenotype.
Social Welfare Policy in Japan
Authors: Estévez-Abe Margarita
Published: April 2021

This chapter surveys main topics and debates related to the Japanese welfare state. For a long time, scholars disagreed on the basic facts about Japan’s postwar welfare state. Some said it was too small, other said it was not. This chapter solves this mystery by introducing the concept of functional equivalents. It explains how social welfare programs and their functional equivalents had become important components of the so-called Japanese model of capitalism in the postwar period. Once the new socioeconomic conditions that arose in the 1990s (demographic aging, economic stagnation, and financial liberalization), pressures for change intensified. The chapter demonstrates how the electoral context had set the political parameters on welfare politics in Japan differently before and after the 1994 electoral reform.
The Music Cities Paradigm
Authors: Baker Andrea
Published: April 2021

Because music cities are fast becoming economically important urban spaces for neoliberal capitalism, this chapter draws a map of this emerging field of research. Using thematic analysis, it offers an overview of the current debates connected with the development of music cities, focusing on two key issues, definitional problems, and the music city branding process. Building on these issues, the chapter examines a set of algorithms used to describe the development of neoliberal music cities, based on economics, the creative cities index, and heritage. In case studies of the size, scope, and significance of London, New York City, and Los Angeles, it uses algorithms to unpack the branding of these neoliberal cities as music city superstars. Uncovering a global music ecosystem based on a three-tiered cultural hierarchy of authority, where the city on the highest tier has the most power and influence in the global music industry, it notes that London is highest in the hierarchy because it is seen as the music business capital of the world. Representing the digital music and music consumption capitals of the world, New York City is second in the hierarchy, and Los Angeles, viewed as the entertainment capital, is third. The chapter concludes by offering a summary of what the study of global music cities might look like in the future.
Toward A Concept-Driven Sociology
Authors: Zerubavel Eviatar
Published: April 2021

This chapter argues for a Concept-Driven sociology. Concept-Driven research defies the seemingly binary choice conventionally made between the acts of “describing” (as in inductive empiricism) and “explaining” (as in deductive positivism), instead highlighting the acts of identifying patterns and analyzing, which are neither descriptive nor explanatory but, rather, analytical. When conducting such research, one’s goal is indeed identifying and analyzing socially-patterned phenomena in an effort to reveal their fundamental features. Such intellectual endeavor can be called social pattern analysis. As one might expect, in Concept-Driven scholarship, concepts constitute the metaphorical “lenses” through which researchers access the empirical world, their role defined primarily in terms of attentional sensitization. Ultimately, Concept-Driven sociology presupposes certain cognitive skills that anyone can cultivate. In fact, it involves several such skills — namely focusing, generalizing, “exampling,” and analogizing — that have actually been tacitly utilized by various sociologists yet never explicitly analyzed from a strictly methodological standpoint.
Interactionist Tools for Assessing Community Resilience
Authors: Leap Braden
Published: April 2021

This chapter contends that classic and contemporary research by symbolic interactionists, and those in closely related theoretical traditions, can provide an effective toolkit for enriching assessments of how resilience unfolds in practice. This is especially important if we hope to develop and implement policies and programs that have a greater potential for enhancing communities' abilities to effectively respond to socio-ecological disruptions. The chapter discusses resilience theory before addressing how interactionist work on institutions as well as interactions between humans and nonhumans—what can be referred to as (non)human interactions—can enrich considerations of resilience. Socio-ecological resilience theory has increasingly been utilized by scholars, development officials, and policy makers to assess whether and how communities can be sustained in response to disruptions related to a range of socio-ecological processes such as floods, epidemics, climate change, and economic downturns. Paralleling others who advocate employing multiple theoretical traditions to better assess the intricate complexities of resilience, instead of arguing that symbolic interaction should supplant other approaches to studying resilience, the chapter emphasizes that symbolic interactionism can complement and extend existing research on resilience.
The Idea of the “Islamic Intellectual”
Authors: El-Affendi Abdelwahab
Published: April 2021

The concept of an “Islamic intellectual” poses many problems of intelligibility, validity and relevance. It is rejected by the secular mainstream that sees the intellectual as, by definition, secular, and by conservative and radical Islamic trends as an illegitimate usurper of religious authority. However, historical and present realities demonstrate the existence and pivotal modernizing and bridging role of this supposedly impossible figure. Leading “Islamic” intellectuals like Iqbal, Shari‘ati, Bennabi, etc., have played decisive intellectual, social, and spiritual roles, including launching revolutions or creating new countries. This chapter seeks to unravel the paradoxes of this at once impossible and indispensable figure.
Social Media and Contentious Politics
Authors: De Angelis Enrico , Badran Yazan
Published: April 2021

This chapter aims to re-examine the complex relationship between social media and contentious politics following the 2011 uprisings in Egypt and Syria. The chapter explores the contingent, differentiated, and contradictory roles that social media played in each of these cases. The authors combine critical theoretical approaches to the internet and situated ethnographic accounts to make sense of this issue along the different phases of mobilization and its aftermath. They argue that the alternative hierarchies of power and visibility engendered by digital activism and facilitated by social media are an essential vehicle when it comes to establishing an effective connection between the street and the networked public sphere in the mobilization phase. In the post-mobilization phase, however, the logics of social media begin to hinder the ability of social movements to coalesce and transform the energy of the street into political decisions or leverage. Finally, they also argue that in the aftermath of mobilization, these alternative online hierarchies of power and visibility tend to quickly lose their legitimizing function, which rested upon their, now severed, connection with the street.
Translations: Adorno and Dahlhaus
Authors: Patteson Thomas
Published: April 2021

This article provides an introduction to the English translations of texts on timbre and orchestration by German scholars Theodor W. Adorno and Carl Dahlhaus. The Adorno text, “The Function of Timbre in Music,” is based on a series of lectures he gave at the Darmstadt Summer Courses for New Music in 1966, while Dahlhaus’ essay “On the Theory of Instrumentation” was originally published in the journal Die Musikforschung in 1985. This introduction gives an overview into the differing approaches of the two authors to the problem of musical timbre and briefly considers the challenges presented in the translation of German words such as Klang, Farbe, and Klangfarbe.
The Expressive Culture of Sound Communication among Humans and Other Beings
Authors: Titon Jeff Todd
Published: April 2021

This chapter is divided into four parts, addressed in turn to four questions: (1) How might phenomenological methods inform field research and ethnographic studies of people making music? (2) How do concepts from phenomenology, especially direct social perception, direct perception empathy, and embodiment, inform research on the expressive culture of same-species beings, both human and nonhuman, communicating with each other by means of sound? (3) How might phenomenology contribute to our understanding of cross-species sonic communication? (4) What might be gained (and lost) when ethnomusicologists reorient their research from the study of people making music to eco-ethnomusicology, the study of beings making sound?
Human Resource Management in the Nordic Context
Authors: Bévort Frans , Einarsdottir Arney
Published: April 2021

The Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, stand out as comparably affluent, competitive, low-inequality, and highly regulated welfare societies. This is not least the case in the unique way labor markets are regulated in highly collaborative arrangements in which employers, employees, and the state historically have found balances of power and interests. The chapter discusses how this specific institutional context affects the evolution of human resource management (HRM) practices. Arguably, many HRM areas are affected directly by this context: for example, questions of employment, education, and healthcare are often solved at a societal level rather than at the organizational HRM level. First, the Nordic social model and HRM ideology are reviewed. Then, the limits of the claim that the Nordic countries form a cluster with very similar attributes in relation to HRM is discussed by examining some of the characteristics and differences for each country. Furthermore, data from the International Cranet survey are used to compare and highlight commonalities and differences characterizing HRM practices in the Nordic countries. Nordic HRM operates on the back of an existing collaborative labor market and a social model where deep-rooted egalitarian values and harmony of interests thrive. The chapter shows how this context affects the status of HRM and HRM practices in the five Nordic countries.