bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOTIVES OF CULTURAL COLONIALISM IN FOREIGN TOURIST GUIDEBOOKS OF BELARUS
Authors:   Consulting group “Here and Now”, Republic of Belarus, Minsk, Blishch Valiantsina L.
Published: January 2021

This article is devoted to the study of the specifics of the representation of Belarus and Belarus, recreated by foreign guides. The author considers foreign tourist guides to Belarus, published in 1994-2014, from the point of view of postcolonial theory and describes the ideological attitudes of colonial discourse, according to which Belarus is a passive object that is characterized by lack of development (backwardness), permanent dependence and victimhood. Such a representation strategy fits into the scheme of colonial discourse, the object of which is the Other, presented in the categories of local, ethnographic, backward (non-historical), non-independent, static. At the same time, it would seem that positive and innocent images strengthen ideological asymmetry and record the colonial image of the local population as primitive and submissive people. The representation of local residents in tourist texts as obedient and harmless romanticizes the image of a fearless and slightly naive savage, which is part of colonial discourse. Such a strategy of representation of Belarus and Belarusians is connected with the motives of cultural colonialism. The article describes the techniques by which these motifs are revealed: verb in a passive voice, multiple enumeration of words and expressions with negative connotations, use of various types of artistic trail, reception of comic. The revealed features allow us to consider foreign guides to Belarus, with the exception of the guide “Minsk: A Historical Guide and Brief Administrative, Professional and Commercial Directory”, as texts that reproduce ideological colonial asymmetry due to the presence of power relations between the West and Belarus, Russia and Belarus, an
HISTRIONICS AS A SUPREME LIFE FORM: JIM JARMUSH’S “DEAD MAN” IN THE CONTEXT OF ANTONIN ARTAUD’S LIFE
Authors:   FSBEI HE “Russian State Humanitarian University”, Salimova Leila F.
Published: January 2021

The article is a kind of aesthetic experiment that reveals patterns between two stories from the life of the fictional character William Blake from the film "dead Man" by American Director Jim Jarmusch and French theater theorist and philosopher Antonin Artaud. The complexity of the work lies in the fact that the comparison takes place between a fictional hero and a real person who made identical metaphysical trips to the bosom of an ancient civilization. The path is presented as an experience of reincarnation with the possibility of gaining new knowledge, liberation from the burden of pain and illness, fears and anxiety. The author is interested, among other things, in the stages of transformation of the personality and its transition from a reasonable state to a mad state with the exit to purification and liberation of the hero in death. The metamorphosis of the transition to the territory of the transcendent (mad) develops into a holistic individual performance-a challenge to society. Theatricality as the highest form of life itself and its completion determine the initiation process of Artaud and Blake. Artezianka theatricality and tragedy are the tears of all life and the creative forces. Blake's theatricality is realized in a gradual alienation from the everyday world and immersion in the ritual world, which requires him to perform a number of mandatory rites, for example, applying the blood of a slaughtered animal to the face. Comparative analysis takes into account the concept of disease and morbidity, which is considered not from a medical point of view, but in philosophical and aesthetic discourses. For both characters, the fact of theatricalization of life, the Monstration of its aesthetic and moral categories through the optics of ritual and ritual practice of the Indians is postulated.
O Papel da Farmacovigilância em Contexto da Pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Ferreira-da-Silva Renato , Ribeiro-Vaz Inês , Morato Manuela , Silva Ana Marta , Junqueira Polónia Jorge
Published: January 2021

N/a.
Criatividade tecnológica
Authors: Rosa Maurício , Dantas Douglas Martins
Published: January 2021

Este artigo objetiva investigar o processo criativo de professores e professoras de matemática enquanto esses constróem atividades com Tecnologias Digitais (TD) atuais e/ou que não são  conhecidas (novas para cada um), de forma a evidenciar os horizontes da criatividade que podem se desvelar nas dimensões matemática, pedagógica e tecnológica da Cyberformação com professores/as de matemática. Essa forma/ação compreende o trabalho com TD não sendo mecânico, técnico, como se as TD utilizadas fossem somente auxiliares ao ensino e à aprendizagem, mas que participam da constituição do conhecimento matemático. Assim, buscamos compreender, por meio do paradigma qualitativo de pesquisa, como as TD podem ser inseridas nas aulas de matemática, observando a criatividade nesse processo. Realizamos um curso semipresencial com professores/as de matemática e conseguimos perceber atos próprios de criatividade tecnológica, os quais se desvelam mediante atualizações no potencial criador e/ou no potencial criativo do indivíduo, ampliando o domínio subjetivo dos/as envolvidos/as nesse processo de forma/ação.
Parametric Study of Non-periodic and Hybrid Auxetic Bending-Active Gridshells
Authors: Sakai Yusuke , Ohsaki Makoto
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a design method of Auxetic Bending-Active Gridshells (ABAGs), which are curved surfaces generated from the initial flat grid with 2-dimensional auxetic patterns. One of the mechanical properties of ABAGs is that a dome-like shape of a curved surface can be easily
obtained by bending a grid due to negative Poisson's ratio for in-plane deformation. Shapes of auxetic patterns are relevant to Poisson's ratio. Non-periodic and/or hybrid 2-dimensional auxetic patterns are developed for designing the initial flat grid of ABAGs. Shape parameters are the sizes
of each plane unit for tuning its reentrant pattern, and two types of reentrant shapes are mixed on an initial flat grid. Using the non-uniform patterns, we can obtain an asymmetric and more complex free-form surface of ABAGs than those composed of a uniform reentrant pattern. Discrete Gaussian
curvature at each node on a curved surface is computed for quantitatively evaluating the properties of shapes of the obtained surfaces. Possibility of ABAGs as a new design tool is demonstrated by showing that various shapes are generated through large deformation analysis with the forced
displacements at the supports.
Atomic Structure and Binding of Carbon Atoms
Authors: Ali Mubarak
Published: January 2021

Many studies discuss carbon-based materials because of the versatility of carbon element. These studies deal with different ideas and discuss them within the scientific scope and application. Depending on the processing conditions of carbon precursor, carbon exists in its various allotropic forms. Electron transfer mechanism is responsible for converting the gaseous carbon atom into the various carbon states named graphite, nanotube, fullerene, diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene. To convert the carbon atom from existing state to a new state, two pieces of dash-shaped typical energy involve transferring filled state electrons to nearby unfilled states. In an electron transfer mechanism, the carbon atom preserves its equilibrium state. Through the involved typical energy, filled state electrons instantaneously and simultaneously transfer to the unfilled states. The involved dash-shaped typical energy has its conserved behavior that is partial. A transferring electron is also under the partially conserved forces. Carbon atoms in graphite, nanotube and fullerene states evolve and develop the structures partially. The structures of one dimension, two dimensions and four dimensions are formed respectively. In the formation of such structures, atoms bind by the pieces of same involved dash-shaped typical energy. The graphite structure under the attained dynamics of atoms only is also formed, but in two dimensions or in amorphous carbon. Here, force and energy, chemical in nature, together contribute. The structural formations in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene state atoms involve a different shaped typical energy. Such typical energy controls the orientation of electron while undertaking its one additional clamp of energy knot. The involved typical energy has a form like golf-stick. To undertake one additional clamp of energy knot, all four electrons (of the outer ring) in depositing diamond state atom get aligned along the south pole and all four unfilled energy knots (of the outer ring) in deposited diamond state atom get stretched along the east-west poles. In this way, a depositing diamond state atom binds to the deposited diamond state atom from ground to south. Growth is from south to ground, so the structure of diamond is ‘tetra-electron topological structure’. Binding of lonsdaleite state atoms is from ground to a bit south. To nucleate glassy carbon, layers of gaseous, graphite and lonsdaleite state atoms bind simultaneously. To grow glassy carbon, these layers repeat in the binding process. Mohs hardness of the nanostructured and microstructured carbon is also sketched.
Scaling of Measure Fluctuations on a Flapping Flag Device in the Open Channel Around a Cylinder At $Re=10^4$ : Taylor's Law Approach
Authors: De Bartolo Samuele , Vittorio Massimo De , Francone Antonio , Guido Francesco , LEONE Elisa , Mastronardi Vincenzo Mariano , Notaro Andrea , Tomasicchio Giuseppe Roberto
Published: January 2021

Experimental evidence showed how various complex systems, characterized by a fluctuation scaling, satisfy the well-known Taylor's law. The present work aims to apply for the first time Taylor's law, given its general treatment, for a flow field at $Re$ around $10^4$, since activity of each fluid particle is highly fluctuating, especially in the context of vortex shedding. In addition, the further element of innovation is the use of an innovative thin-films based device consisting of an elastic piezoelectric flapping flag that is proposed as a measuring instrument of the flow field. The oscillations of the flapping flag, due to the vortexes release downstream to an obstacle of cylindrical shape, generate an alternating piezoelectric voltage whose time history is similar to the chaotic components of the fully developed turbulent speed. Preliminary experimental results about the use of thin-films based device in a flume channel are reported together with a second order analysis on the voltage difference and a scaling law of the exponent scale.
Historical Review of Faba Bean Improvement in Western Canada
Authors: Khazaei Hamid , Hawkins Glen , Vandenberg Albert
Published: January 2021

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was considered a minor crop in the Canadian prairies until recently, but its potential for cultivation is increasing due to its positive environmental impact and economic value. This review provides a historical summary of faba bean improvement in western Canada. Although traditional breeding methods have proved useful, in the last decade faba bean improvement has benefited from advances in genetics, biochemistry and molecular breeding tools. The overall breeding goal is to develop high yielding germplasm with improved agronomic characteristics that will be of economic value to the emerging faba bean sectors, including the plant protein industry. To maximize value and acceptance by producers, processors and the food industry as a source of protein and dietary fibre, future faba bean varieties need to be high-yielding, have diverse seed size classes, disease resistance, genetically low vicine-convicine concentration, and have wider adaptation to different agro-ecological zones of Canada. The experiences over the last 40 years of faba bean improvement in western Canada may be useful to other breeding programs globally located in regions with similar agroecology. In the past 10–15 years, faba bean genetic development in Canada has benefited greatly from research and development interactions with most of the faba bean research programs in northern Europe.
Groundwater Quality Evolution Model in the Ring of Cenotes, Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Pérez-Ceballos Rosela , Canul-Macario Cesar , Pacheco-Castro Roger , Pacheco-Ávila Julia , Euán-Ávila Jorge , Merino-Ibarra Martín
Published: January 2021

Karst aquifers show dissolution/precipitation processes of the minerals present in the carbonate rocks. The Ring of Cenotes (RC) extends along the edge of the Chicxulub crater, in the limestone platform of the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), where groundwater shows preferential flow paths toward the coast near Celestun and Dzilam Bravo towns. This study aimed to describe the regional hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater of the RC, and its association with the dissolution/precipitation of the minerals present along its path to the ocean. To achieve this aim, we: a) characterized groundwater's hydrogeochemistry; b) determined the calcite, dolomite, and gypsum saturation indexes (reaction phases with the groundwater) in the study area; c) proposed a hydrogeochemical model developed through PHREEQC using an inverse modelling approach. The model predictions confirmed that there are two evolution pathways of the groundwater consistent with the preferential flow paths suggested in a previous regionalization of the RC. On the western path, where groundwater flows towards Celestun, an important marine intrusion influences the hydrogeochemical processes and represents a risk for the prevalence of freshwater. On the eastern path, where groundwater flows toward Dzilam Bravo, the hydrogeochemistry in the sinkholes correlates well with rainfall, suggesting a higher vulnerability during droughts than during rainy periods.
Associations of Phoretic Mites on Bark Beetles of the Genus Ips in the Black Sea Mountains of Turkey
Authors: Cilbircioğlu Cihan , Kovač Marta Matek , Pernek Milan
Published: January 2021

Phoretic mites use bark beetles for transportation to new, suitable habitats. Some phoretic mites act as predators and parasitoids of the bark beetles’ immature stages, especially egg and early larval stages, and are potential agents for the biological control of scolytine forest pests. One of the most numerous and largest mite orders is Mesostigmata which live very frequently in relationships with other invertebrates. Many are found in association with various species of bark beetles. Here, a total of 41 specimens of different bark beetles of the genus Ips (I. acuminatus, I. sexdentatus and I. typographus) were studied for presence, species composition, and abundance of phoretic mites. The beetles were collected on dead wood and parts of tree bark of Pinus nigra, P. slyvestris and Picea abies in the Black Sea Mountains in Kastamonu and Artin Province of Turkey. A total of 9 mite species in 2 genera were found, including Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Ereynetes sp., Histiostoma piceae, Paraleius cf. leontonychus, Pleuronectocaeleno barbara., Proctolaelaps hystricoides, Schizostethus simulatrix, Trichouropoda lamellosa and Urobovella ipidis. All species and genera are identified for the first time within Turkish fauna.
Psychological Distress and Well-Being Among Students of Health Disciplines: The Importance of Academic Satisfaction
Authors: Franzen Jessica , Jermann Francoise , Ghisletta Paolo , Rudaz Serge , Bondolfi Guido , Tran Nguyen Toan
Published: January 2021

Background Research on the mental health of students in health disciplines mainly focuses on psychological distress and nursing and medical students. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being and distress and related factors among undergraduate students training in eight different health-related tracks in Geneva, Switzerland. Methods This cross-sectional study used established self-filled scales for anxiety, depression, stress, psychological well-being, and study satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. Results In October 2019, out of 2835 invited students, 915 (32%) completed the survey. Lower academic satisfaction scores were strongly associated with depression (β=-.26, p<.001), anxiety (β=-.27, p<.001), and stress (β=-.70, p<.001), while higher scores with psychological well-being (β=.70, p<.001). Being female was strongly associated with anxiety and stress but not with depression or psychological well-being. Increased age was associated with enhanced psychological well-being. The nature of the academic training had a lesser impact on mental health and the academic year none. Conclusion Academic satisfaction strongly predicts depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological well-being. Training institutions should address the underlying factors that can improve students’ satisfaction with their studies while ensuring that they have access to psychosocial services that help them cope with mental distress and enhance their psychological well-being.
Oversights in the Respective Theorems of von Neumann and Bell are Homologous
Authors: Christian Joy
Published: January 2021

We show that the respective oversights in the von Neumann's general theorem against all hidden variable theories and Bell's theorem against their local-realistic counterparts are homologous. Both theorems unjustifiably assume the additivity of expectation values within hidden variable theories to derive their respective conclusions. However, for non-commuting observables, the equivalence of a sum of expectation values and the expectation value of the sum of measurement results, although respected within quantum mechanics, need not hold for hidden variable theories, regardless of specific characteristics such as local realism they may respect. Once this oversight is ameliorated from Bell's argument and local realism is implemented correctly, the bounds on the CHSH correlator work out to be +/-2\/2 instead of +/-2, thereby mitigating the conclusion of Bell's theorem. Consequently, what is ruled out by the Bell-test experiments is not local realism but the additivity of expectation values.
Interpretable Multi-Head Self-Attention Architecture for Sarcasm Detection in Social Media
Authors: Akula Ramya , Garibay Ivan
Published: January 2021

Sarcasm is a linguistic expression often used to communicate the opposite of what is said, usually something that is very unpleasant with an intention to insult or ridicule. Inherent ambiguity in sarcastic expressions, make sarcasm detection very difficult. In this work, we focus on detecting sarcasm in textual conversations from various social networking platforms and online media. To this end, we develop an interpretable deep learning model using multi-head self-attention and gated recurrent units. Multi-head self-attention module aids in identifying crucial sarcastic cue-words from the input, and the recurrent units learn long-range dependencies between these cue-words to better classify the input text. We show the effectiveness of our approach by achieving state-of-the-art results on multiple datasets from social networking platforms and online media. Models trained using our proposed approach are easily interpretable and enable identifying sarcastic cues in the input text which contribute to the final classification score. We visualize the learned attention weights on few sample input texts to showcase the effectiveness and interpretability of our model.
Islam dan Negara: Refleksi Gagasan Sekularisasi Nurcholis Madjid
Authors: Setiadi Ozi , Aprilianti Aeini Ahsani , Setyana Ita , Yakin Ahmad Ainul
Published: January 2021

Islam and State: The Reflection of Secularization Idea of Nurcholis Madjid. There are some typologies of Islamic political thought. They are fundamental, secular, and liberal. Secular is the typology of Islamic political thought that separate religion and state. In the West, religion and state are differentiated. They advanced because of the separation of religion and state, but not in Islam. Nurcholis Madjid is one of the Islamic political thinkers who explains the secularization of religion and the state. The purpose of this study is to analyze the thoughts of Nurcholis Madjid about the secularization of Islam and the state. This research uses descriptive analytical method. According Madjid the answers of modernization problems especially among the Indonesian Muslim community is secularization. Secularization is needed because Moslem cannot differentiate religion (din) and state (dawlah). Secularization is carried out for Moslems who “deify the world” which should be worldly, and give up religious matters. The formation of an Islamic state is the failure of Moslems to respond to the problem of modernization.
Functional Outcomes of Total Ankle Arthroplasty at a Mean Follow-up of 7.6 Years
Authors: Brodsky James W. , Scott Daniel J. , Ford Samuel , Coleman Scott , Daoud Yahya
Published: January 2021

Background:

In vivo gait analysis provides objective measurement of patient function and can quantify that function before and after ankle reconstruction. Previous gait studies have shown functional improvement for up to 4 years following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), but to date, there are no published studies assessing function at ≥5 years following TAA. We hypothesized that patients who underwent TAA would show significant improvements in walking function at a minimum follow-up of 5 years, compared with their preoperative function, as measured by changes in temporospatial, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters.

Methods:

Three-dimensional gait analysis with a 12-camera digital motion-capture system and double force plates was utilized to record temporospatial, kinematic, and kinetic measures in 33 patients who underwent TAA with either the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (Stryker; n = 28) or Salto Talaris Ankle (Integra LifeSciences; n = 5). Gait analysis was performed preoperatively and at a minimum follow-up of 5 years (mean, 7.6 years; range, 5 to 13 years).

Results:

Significant improvements were observed in multiple gait parameters, with temporospatial increases in cadence (+9.5 steps/min; p < 0.0001), step length (+4.4 cm; p = 0.0013), and walking speed (+0.2 m/s; p < 0.0001), and kinematic increases in total sagittal range of motion (+2.0°; p = 0.0263), plantar flexion at initial contact (+2.7°; p = 0.0044), and maximum plantar flexion (+2.0°; p = 0.0488). Kinetic analysis revealed no loss of peak ankle power, despite patients aging.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first study to report 7-year functional outcomes of TAA, quantified by objective, in vivo measurements of patient gait. Patients were shown to have sustained improvement in multiple objective parameters of gait compared with preoperative function.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Perfil nutricional y estrategias de publicidad en el empaque de alimentos procesados de trigo y maíz en la Ciudad de México
Authors: Marrón-Ponce Joaquín Alejandro , Fernández-Gaxiola Ana Cecilia , Cruz-Casarrubias Carlos , García-Guerra Armando , Pacheco-Miranda Selene , Quezada Amado David , Pérez-Luna Miriam , Donovan Jason
Published: January 2021

Objetivo. Evaluar la asociación entre el perfil nutricional y las estrategias de publicidad de alimentos procesados de trigo y maíz (APTM) ofertados en puntos de venta de la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos. Se recolectó información del contenido nutricional y tipos de publicidad para doce categorías de APTM en 58 puntos de venta localizados en zonas de niveles socioeconómicos (NSE) bajo y alto. Resultados. El 8.5 y 10.7% de APTM en NSE bajo y alto fueron saludables, respectivamente. ≤12% de los APTM fueron saludables, excepto harinas (~30%) y pastas (~95%). Entre ambos NSE, de 28.3% a 31.9% de APTM usaron personajes, de 46.5% a 50.1% promociones y de 38.2% a 41.3% claims. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas (p<0.001) en el uso de publicidad de APTM no saludables en ambas zonas de NSE. Conclusiones. La mayoría de los APTM en venta fueron no saludables, y se ofertaron más en el NSE bajo. En ambos NSE la mayoría de APTM no saludables usa estrategias publicitarias para estimular su consumo.
Revisión del impacto del sector ladrillero sobre el ambiente y la salud humana en México
Authors: Berumen-Rodríguez Alejandra Abigail , Pérez-Vázquez Francisco Javier , Díaz-Barriga Fernando , Márquez-Mireles Leonardo Ernesto , Flores-Ramírez Rogelio
Published: January 2021

Objetivo. Describir el trabajo precario en el sector ladrillero de México, sus efectos en salud e intervenciones. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión sobre el sector ladrillero, así como su impacto en la salud y los estudios de exposición que se han realizado en México en bases de datos y sitios gubernamentales con restricción de idioma inglés y español. Las palabras claves utilizadas fueron “trabajo precario”, “contaminación por ladrilleras”, “efectos en salud” e “intervenciones”. Resultados. Existen pocos trabajos que señalen la exposición ambiental y biológica en el sector ladrillero del país. Se encontraron diversas intervenciones en el sector para reducir los impactos ambientales y de salud, sin embargo, no se enfocan directamente en el trabajador y sus familias. Conclusión. Las zonas ladrilleras presentan altos niveles de contaminación. Se requiere de información que refleje la exposición a mezclas de sustancias tóxicas en trabajadores, familias y población aledaña a estas zonas.
La escala de afluencia familiar en la investigación sobre inequidades sociales en salud en adolescentes latinoamericanos
Authors: Pérez Adriana , Thrasher James , Monzón José Carlos , Arillo-Santillán Edna , Barnoya Joaquín , Mejía Raúl
Published: January 2021

Objetivo. Evaluar la escala de afluencia familiar (EAF), que consiste en el autorreporte sobre número de computadoras y automóviles del hogar, dormitorio propio y vacaciones, como indicador de nivel socioeconómico (NSE) familiar en adolescentes escolarizados de tres países latinoamericanos. Material y métodos. Fueron encuestados 14 717 estudiantes de secundaria de Argentina, México y Guatemala. Se evaluó la asociación de la EAF con otros indicadores de NSE a nivel familiar (nivel educativo parental, posesión de bienes y servicios tecnológicos) y de entorno escolar (índice de marginación, escuela pública o privada y matrícula escolar). Resultados. La EAF mostró menos datos faltantes que los otros indicadores familiares de NSE. Además, mostró asociaciones en la dirección esperada con los otros indicadores de NSE. Conclusiones. La EAF parece constituir un indicador válido tanto de la riqueza material familiar como del NSE a nivel de la escuela, útil para estudios sobre inequidades en salud en adolescentes latinoamericanos.
A New Approach To Estimating Ultimate Recovery for Multistage Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Wells by Utilizing Completion Parameters Using Machine Learning
Authors: Alarifi Sulaiman A. , Miskimins Jennifer
Published: January 2021

Reserves estimation is an essential part of developing any reservoir. Predicting the long-term production performance and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) in unconventional wells has always been a challenge. Developing a reliable and accurate production forecast in the oil and gas industry is mandatory because it plays a crucial part in decision-making. Several methods are used to estimate EUR in the oil and gas industry, and each has its advantages and limitations. Decline curve analysis (DCA) is a traditional reserves estimation technique that is widely used to estimate EUR in conventional reservoirs. However, when it comes to unconventional reservoirs, traditional methods are frequently unreliable for predicting production trends for low-permeability plays. In recent years, many approaches have been developed to accommodate the high complexity of unconventional plays and establish reliable estimates of reserves. This paper provides a methodology to predict EUR for multistage hydraulically fractured horizontal wells that outperforms many current methods, incorporates completion data, and overcomes some of the limitations of using DCA or other traditional methods to forecast production.

This new approach is introduced to predict EUR for multistage hydraulically fractured horizontal wells and is presented as a workflow consisting of production history matching and forecasting using DCA combined with artificial neural network (ANN) predictive models. The developed workflow combines production history data, forecasting using DCA models and completion data to enhance EUR predictions. The predictive models use ANN techniques to predict EUR given short early production history data (3 months to 2 years).

The new approach was developed and tested using actual production and completion data from 989 multistage hydraulically fractured horizontal wells from four different formations. Sixteen models were developed (four models for each formation) varying in terms of input parameters, structure, and the production history data period it requires. The developed models showed high accuracy (correlation coefficients of 0.85 to 0.99) in predicting EUR given only 3 months to 2 years of production data. The developed models use production forecasts from different DCA models along with well completion data to improve EUR predictions. Using completion parameters in predicting EUR along with the typical DCA is a major addition provided by this study. The end product of this work is a comprehensive workflow to predict EUR that can be implemented in different formations by using well completion data along with early production history data.
Is age and not antiretroviral therapy the strongest risk factor for chronic pain in HIV-infected population?
Authors: Kowalski Marcin , Horban Andrzej , Rongies Witold , Slomka Bartosz , Shahnazaryan Karen
Published: January 2021

Background. Chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) limits patients’ normal functioning both somatically and psychologically. The current state of knowledge on the topic is insufficient, with the underlying causes of this pain unexplained. Therefore we analyzed the frequency and factors associated with chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on ART.Methods. We conducted a prospective, survey study, including consecutive HIV-infected patients under specialist care at the HIV Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital for Infectious Disease in Warsaw between February 2014 and December 2016. During their routine visit all patients who agreed to participate in the study were surveyed using a study questionnaire. For all patients reporting any pain the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) form and Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions form (DN4) were completed. Data on history and current ART and laboratory measurements were obtained from electronical database. Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for group comparison. The potential factors associated with chronic pain were identified via logistic regression models. Results. In total 196 HIV-infected patients were included in the study, 57 (29,1%) of them reported chronic pain. The reported pain was mostly (75%) limited to a single area of the body. In univariable logistic regression model the odds of chronic pain were significantly higher with increasing age (OR 1.36 [95%CI:1.17-1.58]), time under specialist care (OR 2.25 [95%CI:1.42-35.7]), time on ART (OR2.96 [95%CI:1.60-5.49]), previous ART with zidovudine (OR 2.00[95%CI:1.06-1.55]) and previous treatment with ddI, ddC or d4T (OR4.13 [95%CI:1.92-8.91]). Homosexual route of HIV infection as compared to injecting drug use was decreasing the odds of chronic pain (OR0.33 [95%CI: 014-0.75]). In multivariable analyses, adjusting for all above the only factor associated with chronic pain was age (OR1.28 [95%CI:1.06-1.55]). Conclusions. The prevalence of chronic pain in the studied population of HIV-infected Polish patients was high. The only risk factor for chronic pain identified was age. With ageing HIV population it is therefore imperative to develop cooperation protocols for specialist HIV treatment clinics, pain treatment clinics, and rehabilitation units.
Challenges and opportunities associated with cervical cancer screening programs in a low income, high HIV prevalence context
Authors: Adedimeji Adebola Alade , Ajeh Rogers , Pierz Amanda , Nkeng Relindis , Nde Jackson Jr. , Fuhngwa Norbert , Nsame Denis , Nji Miriam , Dzudie Anastase , Anastos Kathryn M. , Castle Philip E.
Published: January 2021

Background Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among Cameroon women. The burden of cervical cancer is in part traceable to the inadequate understanding of contextual determinants of access to expanding screening and prevention opportunities. We explored multilevel individual, community and structural factors that facilitate or inhibit cervical cancer prevention in women at risk in a high HIV prevalence context. Methods We utilized an exploratory qualitative approach to obtain data through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from May to August, 2018. A two-stage systematic sampling strategy was used to select 80 women and 20 men who participated in 8 focus group discussions and 8 in-depth interviews. The socio-ecological model guided data analyses to identify micro-, meso-, and macro-level determinants of cervical cancer screening. Results Micro-level factors including lack of awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer, lack of access to information on and excessive costs for cervical cancer screening, low risk perceptions, and poor health seeking behaviors were major barriers for women seeking cervical cancer screening. Meso-level factors, such as social networks, socio-cultural norms, perceptions of the role of men and HIV-related stigma when screening is integrated into HIV care, also engender negative attitudes and behaviors. Macro-level barriers to cervical cancer screening included poorly equipped health facilities and a lack of national cancer prevention policies and programs. Conclusion In the context of the call for elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, our findings highlight challenges and opportunities that should be considered when implementing interventions to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening in low-middle income settings.
The Interactive Association between Sodium Intake, Alcohol Consumption and Hypertension among Elderly in Northern China: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Nan Xi , Lu Haiwen , Wu Jing , Xue Mingming , Qian Yonggang , Wang Wenrui , Wang Xuemei
Published: January 2021

Background: Hypertension is a worldwide public health problem. We sought to examine the interactive associations among sodium intake, alcohol consumption and hypertension among older adult residents of Inner Mongolia in northern China.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Survey for Nutrition and Adult Chronic Disease in Inner Mongolia. The prevalence of hypertension was age standardized by the direct method. Sodium intake and alcohol consumption were estimated using a weighing method and 24-hour recalls on 3 consecutive days. Hypertension was either self-reported or field-measured. Participants were categorized into six subgroups according to combinations of sodium intake status and drinking level. Logistic regression was used to determine the interactive effect of sodium intake and drinking on hypertension.Results: Of the 820 older adults who participated in this study, 523 (63.80%, age-standardized rate = 62.33%) had been diagnosed with hypertension. The mean sodium intake was 4.88 g. Sodium intake and drinking excessively were both independently related to higher risk of hypertension. A formal test for a multiplicative interaction between sodium intake and drinking revealed a significant interaction (p = 0.042), and the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for the interaction was 1.1 (1.0–1.3). After adjusting for confounders, the risk of hypertension was highest among those with both excessive sodium intake and excessive alcohol consumption, with an odds ratio of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.7–7.9).Conclusions: The study highlights the interactive effect of sodium intake and alcohol consumption on hypertension. Primary health care providers should pay special attention to older adults with hypertension—especially those with an unhealthy diet including both excessive sodium and excessive alcohol intake. These findings are applicable for older adults in Inner Mongolia and worldwide.
Climate velocities and lagged species elevational shifts in mountain ranges
Authors: Shen Sheng-Feng , Chan Wei-Ping , Kuo Hung-Chi , Chen I-Ching
Published: January 2021

Mountain ranges support concentrations of climate-endangered endemic species, and are potential refugia for species retreating from the lowlands under anthropogenic climate change. Predicting the outcome for biodiversity requires knowledge of whether species are shifting uphill at the same rate as temperature isotherms (i.e. whether they are successfully tracking the velocity of climatic changes)1. Here, we provide a global assessment of the velocity of climate change in mountain ranges: applying thermal dynamic theory, deriving moist adiabatic lapse rates (MALR) using local surface temperature and water vapor. MALR varied substantially around the world, from 3 to 9°C cooling per km elevation increase. Consider the rate of terrestrial surface warming from 1971 to 2015, 24 regions can be identified as exhibiting high velocities where the isotherms have shifted more than one standard deviation of the global mean value (> 8.45 m yr-1). High velocities are typically found in relatively dry parts of the world, but also occur in wet regions with low lapse rates, such as in Northern Sumatra, Western Guiana Shield, Northern Andes, Costa Rica, Nepal, and Madagascar. Analysis of biodiversity data in relation to mountain-specific velocities revealed more cases of tracking between species and isotherms than previously suggested2 and more likely occurred at lower climate velocity. Nevertheless, upslope migrations of montane species have generally been lagging behind climate velocity. Such lags could continue to effect change even if the climate were to stabilize immediately. Reducing emissions would be expected to minimize lags, as well as slow the velocities of warming and required responses everywhere.
Closed-formed solutions of geometric albedos and phase curves of exoplanets for any reflection law
Authors: Heng Kevin , Morris Brett M. , Kitzmann Daniel
Published: January 2021

The albedo of a celestial body is the frac-tion of light reﬂected by it. Studying the albe-dos of the planets and moons of the Solar Sys-tem dates back at least a century [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Of particular interest is the relationship between the albedo measured at superior conjunction (full phase), known as the “geometric albedo”, and the albedo considered over all phase angles, known as the “spherical albedo” [2, 6, 7]. Modern astronom-ical facilities enable the measurement of geomet-ric albedos from visible/optical secondary eclipses [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] and the inference of the Bond albedo (spherical albedo measured over all wavelengths) from in-frared phase curves [21, 22, 23, 24, 25] of transit-ing exoplanets. Determining the relationship be-tween the geometric and spherical or Bond albe-dos usually involves complex numerical calculations [26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] and closed-form solu-tions are restricted to simple reﬂection laws [33, 34]. Here we report the discovery of closed-form solu-tions for the geometric albedo and integral phase function that apply to any law of reﬂection. The integral phase function is used to obtain the phase integral, which is the ratio of the spherical to the geometric albedos. The generality of the solu-tions stems from a judicious choice of the coor-dinate system in which to perform diﬀerent parts of the derivation. The closed-formed solutions have profound implications for interpreting obser-vations. The shape of a reﬂected light phase curve and the secondary eclipse depth may now be self-consistently inverted to retrieve fundamental phys-ical parameters (single-scattering albedo, scatter-ing asymmetry factor, cloud cover). Fully-Bayesian phase curve inversions for reﬂectance maps and si-multaneous light curve detrending may now be per-formed, without the need for binning in time, due to the eﬃciency of computation. We demonstrate these innovations for the hot Jupiter Kepler-7b, inferring a revised geometric albedo of 0.12 ± 0.02, a Bond albedo of 0.18 ± 0.03 and a phase integral of 1.5 ± 0.1, which is consistent with isotropic scatter-ing. The scattering asymmetry factor is 0.04±0.15, implying that the aerosols are small compared to the wavelengths probed by the Kepler space tele-scope. In the near future, one may use the closed-form solutions discovered here to extract funda-mental parameters, across wavelength, from multi-wavelength phase curves of both gas-giant and ter-restrial exoplanets measured by the James Webb Space Telescope.
A Phase 2, Randomized Controlled Trial of Berberine Ursodeoxycholate (BUDCA) in Patients with Presumed Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Bisceglie Adrian Di , Harrison Stephen , Gunn Nadege , Kohli Anita , Liu Liping , Flyer Abbey , Goldkind Lawrence
Published: January 2021

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is frequently associated with obesity and diabetes and may lead to progressive liver disease although current treatment options are limited. Berberine ursodeoxycholate is an ionic salt of berberine and ursodeoxycholic acid, representing a new molecular entity that offers the possibility of combination therapy for NASH in a single treatment.Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of two doses of berberine ursodeoxycholate administered orally was conducted in a cohort of 100 subjects with fatty liver disease and diabetes. Treatment was for 18 weeks and endpoints measured included reduction in liver fat content measured by MRI proton density fat fraction, improvement in glycemic control, changes in liver-associated enzymes, safety and tolerability.Results: Subjects that received 1000 mg twice a day of berberine ursodeoxycholate had significantly greater reduction in liver fat content compared to placebo (mean absolute decrease -4.8% vs. -2.0% [p=0.011], mean relative decrease -24.1 vs -8.3% [p=0.016]). Also, compared to placebo, subjects receiving this dose also experienced significant improvement in glycemic control as well as reductions in serum alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities. Serum lipid levels decreased modestly during therapy. The higher dose of berberine ursodeoxycholate was associated with an average weight loss (LS Mean) of -3.5kg compared to only -1.1kg with placebo (p=0.012). Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort were the most frequently reported adverse events. Conclusions: Berberine ursodeoxycholate is single molecule with a broad spectrum of metabolic activity in patients with presumed NASH and diabetes. It is relatively well tolerated and data from this phase 2 randomized controlled trial supportr its further development as a treatment for NASH with diabetes.
Validation of lipid-related therapeutic targets for coronary heart disease prevention using human genetics
Authors: Gordillo-Maranon Maria , Zwierzyna Magdalena , Charoen Pimphen , Drenos Fotios , Chopade Sandesh , Shah Tina , Engmann Jorgen , Casas Juan-Pablo , Chaturvedi Nishi , Papacosta Olia , Wannamethee Goya , Wong Andrew , Sofat Reecha , Kivimaki Mika , Price Jackie , Hughes Alun , Gaunt Tom , Lawlor Debbie , Gaulton Anna , Hingorani Aroon , Schmidt Amand , Finan Chris
Published: January 2021

Drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) studies use DNA sequence variants in or near a gene encoding a drug target, that alter its expression or function, as a tool to anticipate the effect of drug action on the same target. Here, we applied MR to prioritize drug targets for their causal relevance for coronary heart disease (CHD). The targets were further prioritized using genetic co-localization, protein expression profiles from the Human Protein Atlas and, for targets with a licensed drug or an agent in clinical development, by sourcing data from the British National Formulary and clinicaltrials.gov. Out of the 341 drug targets identified through their association with circulating blood lipids (HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides), we were able to robustly prioritize 30 targets that might elicit beneficial treatment effects in the prevention or treatment of CHD. The prioritized list included NPC1L1 and PCSK9, the targets of licensed drugs whose efficacy has been already proven in clinical trials. To conclude, we discuss how this approach can be generalized to other targets, disease biomarkers and clinical end-points to help prioritize and validate targets during the drug development process.
Effect of The CRADLE Vital Signs Alert Device Intervention on Referrals for Obstetric Haemorrhage in Low-Middle Income Countries: A Secondary Analysis of A Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Control Trial
Authors: Giblin Lucie , Vousden Nicola , Nathan Hannah , Gidiri Muchabayiwa Francis , Goudar Shivaprasad , Sandall Jane , Seed Paul , Chappell Lucy , Shennan Andrew
Published: January 2021

Background Obstetric haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, 99% of which occur in low and middle income countries. The majority of deaths and adverse events are associated with delays in identifying compromise and escalating care. Management of severely compromised pregnant women may require transfer to tertiary centres for specialised treatment, therefore early recognition is vital for efficient management. The CRADLE vital signs alert device accurately measures blood pressure and heart rate, calculates the shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) and alerts the user to compromise through a traffic light system reflecting previously validated shock index thresholds. Methods This is a planned secondary analysis of data from the CRADLE-3 trial from ten clusters across Africa, India and Haiti where the device and training package were randomly introduced. Referral data were prospectively collected for a 4-week period before, and a 4-week period 3 months after implementation. Referrals from primary or secondary care facilities to higher level care for any cause were recorded. The denominator was the number of women seen for maternity care in these facilities. Results Between April 1 2016 and Nov 30th, 2017 536 223 women attended maternity care facilities. We reviewed a total of 144 cases that were referred, 119 cases 3.84% pre-implementation and 4.48% post-implementation were referred to higher-level facilities. Overall referrals did not significantly reduce (OR 0.89 (0.39- 2.05)) but there was a significant reduction in referrals for bleeding (OR 0.5 (0.39-0.65) following introduction of the device, with homogeneity (I-squared 10.4) between sites. There was no increase in any bleeding-related morbidity.Conclusions Referrals for obstetric haemorrhage reduced following implementation of the CRADLE Vital Signs Alert Device, occurring without an increase in maternal death or emergency hysterectomy. This demonstrates the potential benefit of Shock Index in management pathways for obstetric haemorrhage and targeting limited resources in low- middle- income settings. Trial Registration This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN41244132 (02/02/2016)