bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized Phase II Trial of Sipuleucel-T with or without Radium-223 in Men with Bone-metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Marshall Catherine H. , Fu Wei , Wang Hao , Park Jong Chul , DeWeese Theodore L. , Tran Phuoc T. , Song Daniel Y. , King Serina , Afful Michaella , Hurrelbrink Julia , Manogue Charlotte , Cotogno Patrick , Moldawer Nancy P. , Barata Pedro C. , Drake Charles G. , Posadas Edwin M. , Armstrong Andrew J. , Sartor Oliver , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To investigate whether radium-223 increases peripheral immune responses to sipuleucel-T in men with bone-predominant, minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Patients and Methods:

A total of 32 patients were randomized 1:1 in this open-label, phase II multicenter trial. Patients in the control arm received three sipuleucel-T treatments, 2 weeks apart. Those in the combination arm received six doses of radium-223 monthly, with sipuleucel-T intercalated between the second and fourth doses of radium-223. The primary endpoint was a comparison of peripheral antigen PA2024-specific T-cell responses (measured by proliferation index). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and PSA responses.

Results:

We enrolled 32 patients, followed for a median of 1.6 years. Six weeks after the first sipuleucel-T dose, participants in the control arm had a 3.2-fold greater change in PA2024-specific T-cell responses compared with those who received combination treatment (P = 0.036). Patients in the combination arm were more likely to have a >50% PSA decline [5 (31%) vs. 0 patients; P = 0.04], and also demonstrated longer PFS [39 vs. 12 weeks; HR, 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14–0.76] and OS (not reached vs. 2.6 years; HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.08–1.23).

Conclusions:

Our data raise the possibility of greater clinical activity with the combination of sipuleucel-T and radium-223 in men with asymptomatic bone mCRPC, despite the paradoxically lower immune responses observed. Additional study to confirm these findings in a larger trial is warranted.
Pneumonia Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Hospitalized COPD Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yu Yan , Liu Wei , Jiang Hong-Li , Mao Bing
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a heightened risk of pneumonia. Whether coexisting community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can predict increased mortality in hospitalized COPD patients is still controversial. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the association between CAP and mortality and morbidity in COPD patients hospitalized for acute worsening of respiratory symptoms. Methods: In this review, cohort studies and case-control studies investigating the impact of CAP in hospitalized COPD patients were retrieved from 4 electronic databases from inception until December 2019. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, and readmission rate. The Mantel-Haenszel method and inverse variance method were used to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD), respectively. Results: A total of 18 studies were included. The presence of CAP was associated with higher mortality (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.50–2.30; p < 0.00001), longer length of hospital stay (MD = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.19–2.59; p < 0.00001), more need for mechanical ventilation (RR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.32–1.67; p < 0.00001), and more ICU admissions (RR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.24–2.03; p = 0.0002) in hospitalized COPD patients. CAP was not associated with longer ICU stay (MD = 5.2; 95% CI: −2.35 to 12.74; p = 0.18) or higher readmission rate (RR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.96–1.09; p = 0.47). Conclusion: Coexisting CAP may be associated with increased mortality and morbidity in hospitalized COPD patients, so radiological confirmation of CAP should be required and more attention should be paid to these patients.
Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Binding Proteins and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Khan Muhammad Tahir , Irfan Muhammad , Ahsan Hina , Ahmed Abrar , Kaushik Aman Chandra , Khan Anwar Sheed , Chinnasamy Sathishkumar , Ali Arif , Wei Dong-Qing
Published: January 2021

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic has resulted in thousands of infections and deaths worldwide. Several therapies are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the development of new drugs and the repositioning of existing drugs can only be achieved after the identification of potential therapeutic targets within structures, as this strategy provides the most precise solution for developing treatments for sudden epidemic infectious diseases. Summary: In the current investigation, crystal and cryo-electron microscopy structures encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome were systematically examined for the identification of potential drug targets. These structures include nonstructural proteins (Nsp-9; Nsp-12; and Nsp-15), nucleocapsid (N) proteins, and the main protease (Mpro). Key Message: The structural information reveals the presence of many potential alternative therapeutic targets, primarily involved in interaction between N protein and Nsp3, forming replication-transcription complexes (RTCs) which might be a potential drug target for effective control of current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. RTCs consist of 16 nonstructural proteins (Nsp1-16) that play the most essential role in the synthesis of viral RNA. Targeting the physical linkage between the envelope and single-stranded positive RNA, a process facilitated by matrix proteins may provide a good alternative strategy. Our current study provides useful information for the development of new lead compounds against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
First record of Salacia tetracythara Lamouroux, 1816 (Hydrozoa, Sertulariidae) as an alien hydroid for the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Mendonça Luana Marina de Castro , Guimarães Carmen Regina Parisotto , González-Duarte Manuel María , Haddad Maria Angélica
Published: January 2021

We present here the first record of Salacia tetracythara as an alien species for the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the coast of the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil. The species was found attached to an artificial experimental plate installed in the rainy period (July-October 2017), in an estuarine region of the Sergipe River near the Sergipe Harbour. Salacia tetracythara is characterized by a small triangular space below each hydrotheca and two types of microbasic mastigophore nematocysts that differ in shape, size, and location. The species was described from Australia and has been recorded only for tropical to temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific. Salacia tetracythara seems to be a recent introduction into the Atlantic Ocean and, its introduction probably derived from ship transport between the Sergipe Harbour and regions of Oceania and/or Asia. Further investigation should be conducted to determine whether the species is established in the region and how far inside the estuary it has gone.
Exiles and Remnants as a Social Phenomenon
Authors: Furman Refael
Published: January 2021

This study identifies similar sociological patterns connected with identity issues in the biblical prophetic literature concerning the Babylonian exile in and two “modern-time diasporas,” the Armenian and the Palestinian. Certain criteria were found common to the inspected cases, suggesting common identity shaping patterns that may transcend time and culture.
2018 Annual Report of Chinese Semiotic Studies
Authors: Zhu Haoyun , Rao Guangxiang
Published: January 2021

By analysing semiotic papers, works and academic conferences from 2018, this paper aims to describe the development of Chinese semiotics. During this year, the study of semiotics in China further advanced in the fields of Marxist semiotics, communication semiotics, cultural semiotics, ecological semiotics and art semiotics. Overall, theoretical explorations and the integration of applications became development trends in semiotics. Further, the traditional concept of semiotics gained new interpretations through the introduction of new methods and ideas. In turn, the ‘meaning’ attribute of semiotics provided a unique analytical perspective for cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence and ecological environments.
The genus Cystoseira s.l. (Ochrophyta, Fucales, Sargassaceae) in the Black Sea: morphological variability and molecular taxonomy of Gongolaria barbata and endemic Ericaria crinita f. bosphorica comb. nov.
Authors: SADOGURSKA SOFIA S. , NEIVA JOÃO , FALACE ANNALISA , SERRÃO ESTER A. , ISRAEL ÁLVARO
Published: January 2021

Brown algae of the genus Cystoseira sensu lato form the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems throughout the Mediterranean Sea and have equal roles also in the Black Sea where they have been decreasing in the recent years. The taxonomy of Cystoseira s.l. taxa from the Black Sea is still not well understood, and questions arise when related taxa have to be delimited. In addition to morphological descriptions, this study provides for the first time molecular data of the Black Sea Cystoseira s.l. distinct morphologies as an additional tool to clarify their identities and phylogenetic affinities. The analysis of two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1—COI, and 23S-tRNAVal intergenic spacer—mt-spacer) showed that Cystoseira s.l. specimens from the Black Sea belong to two recently resurrected genera, namely Gongolaria and Ericaria. Molecular data confirm the morphological identification of G. barbata, which is characterized by high morphological plasticity in the Black Sea. The morphological data presented in this study support the transition of G. barbata to the genus Gongolaria, which was previously proposed based solely on genetic data. For the Black Sea endemic taxon C. bosphorica, sequence divergence suggests conspecificity with Mediterranean Sea species E. crinita and E. barbatula. However, considering original morphological characteristics of the taxon, its geographical isolation, and endemism, the new combination Ericaria crinita f. bosphorica comb. nov. is proposed.
Nomenclatural notes on Melastomateae (Melastomataceae)
Authors: GUIMARÃES PAULO JOSÉ FERNANDES , MICHELANGELI FABIÁN A.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this correspondence is to add, correct, or clarify some nomenclatural and taxonomic issues in the tribe Melastomeae Bartling (1830: 329), mostly due to recent changes in the taxonomy of the large genus Tibouchina Aublet (1775: 445). Recently a new taxonomic framework for Tibouchina was presented by Guimarães et al. (2019), in which taxa in this large genus were rearranged in four genera: Tibouchina, the newly erected Andesanthus P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang. in Guimarães et al. (2019: 947–948), and the resurrected Chaetogastra Candolle (1828: 131) and Pleroma Don (1823: 283). In this work (Guimarães et al. 2019) three species were omitted, and two others wrongly transferred, and those issues are corrected here.
Further studies on harvestman genus Homolophus (Opiliones: Phalangiidae), with descriptions of two new species
Authors: SNEGOVAYA NATALY YU. , COKENDOLPHER JAMES C.
Published: January 2021

A key to the members of the subfamily Opilioninae is presented, including the genus Homolophus. That same genus is briefly reviewed, diagnosed, and redescribed based upon a study of approximately half of the described species. Many older museum specimens from the Zoological Institute (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) were identified and all species present were redescribed. A list of the 29 currently accepted species (all from Northeastern and Central Asia) is presented along with a list of another four species that their validity and proper inclusion in the genus are questioned (still need to be investigated extensively). Descriptions and redescriptions with many illustrations are presented for two new species and 15 previously described species of Homolophus: H. albofasciatus (Kulczyński, 1901); H. almasyi (Roewer, 1911); H. andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008; H. arcticus Banks, 1893; H. asiaticus (Gricenko, 1979a); H. betpakdalensis (Gricenko, 1976); H. charitonovi (Gricenko, 1972); H. chemerisi Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008; H. chevrizovi Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008; H. gobiensis Tsurusaki, Tchemeris & Logunov, 2000; H. kozlovi sp. nov.; H. martensi (Staręga, 1986); H. milkoi sp. nov.; H. nordenskioeldi (L. Koch, 1879a); H. pallens (Kulczyński, 1901); H. silhavyi Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008; H. tibetanus (Roewer, 1911); H. vladimirae (Šilhavý, 1967). New country distributional records are detailed for nine species, not including those for the two new species. Three new combinations with Homolophus (H. almasyi, H. asiaticus, H. charitonovi) are recognized for Opilio almasyi Roewer, 1911, Opilio asiaticus Gricenko, 1979a, and Globipes charitonovi Gricenko, 1972.
Redescription of Brachirus aspilos (Bleeker 1852), a senior synonym of four nominal species, with a note on the distribution of Dagetichthys marginatus (Boulenger 1900) (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)
Authors: OKAMOTO JO , MOTOMURA HIROYUKI
Published: January 2021

The poorly known sole Brachirus aspilos (Bleeker 1852) is redescribed on the basis of the holotype and 48 non-type specimens from Japan, Taiwan, Philippine, Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 64–76 (mode 71), anal-fin rays 51–62 (56), pored scales on straight portion of lateral line 93–126 (118); vertebrae 41–44 (43); pectoral-fin rays 4–7 (6) and 4–7 (5) on ocular and blind sides, respectively; pelvic-fin rays 4–6 (5) and 4–5 (4) on ocular and blind sides, respectively; caudal-fin rays 13–15 (14); body slightly elongate, its depth 40.0–51.0 (mean 45.5)% SL; head length 16.1–23.9 (18.6)% SL; pectoral fin on ocular side longer than that on blind side, 5.3–7.6 (6.6)% SL and 4.0–6.0 (4.8)% SL, respectively; pelvic fin on ocular side longer than that on blind side, 4.9–7.4 (6.0)% SL and 4.3–7.5 (5.8)% SL, respectively; body depth below lateral line 21.7–27.1 (23.4)% SL; lips without labial papillae; eyes separated by scaled interorbital space; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales on blind side; body on ocular side uniformly brown or grey with dark vermiculation, some small white blotches along dorsal- and anal-fin bases, or without remarkable pattern. Brachirus dicholepis (Peters 1877), B. heterolepis (Bleeker 1856), B. marmoratus (Bleeker 1853), and B. sorsogonensis (Evermann & Seale 1907), previously regarded as valid species, are all regarded as junior synonyms of B. aspilos. In addition, specimens previously reported as Dagetichthys marginatus (Boulenger 1900) from the western Pacific Ocean are re-identified as B. aspilos, the former species being considered restricted to South African waters.
Effect of Icariin on Osteoclasts and Its Mechanism
Authors: Wu Xiaoxiao , Fu Xi , Qin Xiabing
Published: January 2021

Background: The paper aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Icariin regulating RANKLinduced osteoclast-ogenesis and bone resorption, and to investigate whether Icariin could be a potential therapeutic drug for diseases of bone loss related to osteoclast. Material and
methods: Osteoclasts were cultured. MTT to determine cell viability. Von Kossa to determine the effect of Icariin on bone resorption. F-actin ring staining to measure the expressions of various proteins, and WB method was used to measure the expression of p-65. Results: MTT showed
that Icariin is not toxic to osteoclasts. The bone resorption result showed that RANKL-mediated osteoclast bone resorption was reduced in the early stage, and the higher the intervention concentration, the smaller the bone resorption area. F-actin ring staining indicated that it is possible
to reduce the differentiation and bone resorption capacity of osteoclasts by hindering the formation of F-actin ring in the early stage, and in a concentration-dependentmanner. Significantly reduced the expressions of key transcription factors-NFATc1 and c-Fos. It significantly inhibited the
phosphorylation and nucleation of NF-κB subunit p65 induced by RANKL, and significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 proteins in the MAPK pathway activated by RANKL. Conclusion: Icariin can effectively inhibit osteoclast differentiation, F-actin ring formation,
and bone resorption. By inhibiting the key transcription factors NFATc1 and c-Fos to down-regulate related expressions, thereby impeding osteoclast differentiation, Icariin may regulate key transcription factors NFATc1 and c-Fos through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Studies
have suggested that Icariin could be a potential treatment for diseases of bone loss related to osteoclasts.
On the Generation of Weddell Sea Polynyas in a High-Resolution Earth System Model
Authors: Kurtakoti Prajvala , Veneziani Milena , Stössel Achim , Weijer Wilbert , Maltrud Mathew
Published: January 2021

Larger Weddell Sea polynyas (WSPs), differentiated in this study from the smaller Maud Rise Polynyas (MRPs) that form to the east of the prime meridian in the proximity of the Maud Rise seamount, have last been observed in the 1970s. We investigate WSPs that grow realistically out of MRPs in a high-resolution preindustrial simulation with the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, version 0.1. The formation of MRPs requires high resolution to simulate the detailed flow around Maud Rise, whereas the realistic formation of WSPs requires a model to produce MRPs. Furthermore, WSPs tend to follow periods of a prolonged buildup of a heat reservoir at depth and weakly negative wind stress curl in association with the core of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies at an anomalously northern position. While this scenario also leads to drier conditions over the central Weddell Sea, which some literature claims to be a necessary condition for the formation of WSPs, our model results indicate that open-ocean polynyas do not occur during periods of weakly negative wind stress curl despite drier atmospheric conditions. Our study supports the hypothesis noted in earlier studies that a shift from a weakly negative to a strongly negative wind stress curl over the Weddell Sea is a prerequisite for WSPs to form, together with a large heat reservoir at depth. However, the ultimate trigger is a pronounced MRP, whose associated convection creates high surface salinity anomalies that propagate westward with the flow of the Weddell Gyre. If large enough, these anomalies trigger the formation of a WSP and a pulse of newly formed Antarctic Bottom Water.
Daily Rainfall Estimate by Emissivity Temporal Variation from 10 Satellites
Authors: You Yalei , Munchak S. Joseph , Peters-Lidard Christa , Ringerud Sarah
Published: January 2021

Rainfall retrieval algorithms for passive microwave radiometers often exploit the brightness temperature depression due to ice scattering at high-frequency channels (≥85 GHz) over land. This study presents an alternate method to estimate the daily rainfall amount using the emissivity temporal variation (i.e., Δe) under rain-free conditions at low-frequency channels (19, 24, and 37 GHz). Emissivity is derived from 10 passive microwave radiometers, including the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI), the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2), three Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounders (SSMIS), the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), and four Advanced Microwave Sounding Units-A (AMSU-A). Four different satellite combination schemes are used to derive the Δe for daily rainfall estimates. They are all 10 satellites, 5 imagers, 6 satellites with very different equator crossing times, and GMI only. Results show that Δe from all 10 satellites has the best performance with a correlation of 0.60 and RMSE of 6.52 mm, compared with the Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) Final run product. The 6-satellites scheme has comparable performance with the all-10-satellites scheme. The 5-imagers scheme performs noticeably worse with a correlation of 0.49 and RMSE of 7.28 mm, while the GMI-only scheme performs the worst with a correlation of 0.25 and RMSE of 11.36 mm. The inferior performance from the 5-imagers and GMI-only schemes can be explained by the much longer revisit time, which cannot accurately capture the emissivity temporal variation.
Frame Restructuration: The Making of an Alternative Business Incubator amid Detroit’s Crisis
Authors: Kim Suntae
Published: January 2021

Adaptive responses to crisis rely on effective cognitive frames: understanding what is going on amid unfolding crisis and what should be done to address it. Research has shown that failing to drop a routine cognitive frame exacerbates crises, while nimbly adopting a novel frame enhances resilience. This suggests that actors in crisis have an urgent dual mission: to simultaneously destroy and construct frames. Existing research offers little guidance on how actors can accomplish this in the midst of their struggles to survive threatening and disruptive circumstances. I address this shortcoming by drawing from a 22-month ethnography of a Detroit business incubator, analyzing how it gradually developed a novel diagnostic and prognostic frame of the city’s unfolding crisis. I propose and show that actors amid crisis construct a novel frame—while dismantling an old one—through a process of frame restructuration: the novel frame emerges from and co-evolves with unconventional actions that pragmatically address the exigencies of the crisis. Mutual constitution between pragmatic actions and the emergent frame can be critically propelled by the use of metaphor, which helps actors instantly reframe the context.
The “Something More” Than Working Alliance: Authentic Relational Moments
Authors: Békés Vera , Hoffman Leon
Published: January 2021

The importance of relational processes during psychotherapy and psychoanalysis has long been emphasized. Theoretical and empirical investigations have focused mostly on episodes in which the therapeutic relationship is taken over by transference, leads to enactments, or suffers ruptures, and much less on understanding the role of positive relational episodes in the change process during psychotherapy. Episodes of the latter type, conceptualized as Authentic Relational Moments (ARMs), are core experiences in the patient’s implicit relational learning in psychotherapy. ARMs are episodes in which the connection between patient and therapist is especially strong, deep, and genuine; their three main aspects are authenticity, understanding, and witnessing.
Clinical and Radiologic Characterization of Frontal Sinusitis in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Velasquez Nathalia , Strober William , Shaffer Amber , Stapleton Amanda
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Frontal sinusitis in the pediatric population is a disease that has not been thoroughly studied or characterized. The goals of this study are to characterize the clinical presentation, radiologic variables, treatment modalities, complications, and prognosis associated with acute and chronic frontal sinus disease in the pediatric population.

Methods:

IRB-approved retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with acute (AFS) or chronic frontal sinusitis (CFS) and underwent frontal sinus surgery at a tertiary level Children’s Hospital from 2006 to 2016. Patients with AFS were compared to patients with CFS. Statistical analysis completed using chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, statistical significance set at P < .05.

Results:

A total of 19 patients with AFS and 15 patients with CFS were analyzed. There was a male predominance in AFS and female predominance in CFS ( P < .05).AFS patients were less likely to have allergies, prior sinus disease, or significant comorbidities ( P < .05).Additionally, AFS patients presented with constitutional, neurologic, and ocular symptoms. The CFS group had predominantly sinonasal symptoms. CT-scan analysis showed that AFS patients had higher prevalence of complex frontal anatomy (Type-II cells, concha bullosa) compared with CFS patients ( P < .05). Culture results were positive in 78% of the AFS group, with S. Anginosus (53%), Anaerobes (20%), and normal flora (17%). In the CFS group cultures were positive in 60% of the patients, 56% grew normal flora, 13% H. Influenzae, 6.5% Pseudomonas, and 24.5% other species. CFS patients were more likely to have persistent sinus disease and require repeat sinus procedures ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

There are 2 distinct presentations of frontal sinus disease in the pediatric population. Patients with AFS vary significantly from those with CFS. Males, ages 13 to 18 years old, who cultured positive for S. Anginosus (former S.Milleri) dominated the AFS subgroup. Whereas as female patients with a history of allergic rhinitis and muco-cilliary disease were more prominent in the CRS subgroup. Correct identification and understanding of these 2 different entities are crucial for the appropriate short and long-term patient management.
Are point-of-care urine drug testing devices suitable for antenatal drug screening? A study verifying the Alere® Drug Screen Test Cup for the detection of six classes of drug in a pregnant population
Authors: Dale Rachel C , Ford Loretta T , Street Catherine
Published: January 2021

Background

Currently, there are no national guidelines for antenatal drug testing. At Colchester Hospital, we use a strategy of screen-only using point-of-care testing to detect illicit drug use in pregnancy. To determine the suitability of this approach, we have compared the results of urine analysis by point-of-care testing with another NHS specialist clinical toxicology service that uses confirmation mass spectrometry.

Methods

A total of 482 anonymized random urine specimens from antenatal clinics were tested for six drug classes: amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cocaine, methadone and opiates using the Alere™ Drug Screen Urine Test Cup. The manufacturer’s claims for positive cut-off and result stability were verified using spiked blank urine. Confirmatory testing was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for detection of 26 individual drugs.

Results

Of 473 urine samples with adequate volume for point-of-care screening, 4.4% tested positive: 19 opiate and 2 cocaine. Concordance between point-of-care screening and UPLC-MS/MS confirmation was 97.9% for all drugs and 78.9% for opiates. Using spiked urine, only positive results for opiates were stable when read up to the manufacturer’s recommended time of 60 min.

Conclusions

The key advantages of using point-of-care devices to detect drug use in pregnancy are that is convenient and cheap. However, the clinical utility of point-of-care testing is limited by its poor sensitivity. Best practice is to confirm results using a more specific and sensitive method. As a result of this study, we are now reviewing our own procedures to consider introducing routine confirmation by mass spectrometry.
A Pedagogical Note on Asymptotic Normality of a Two-Sample Approximate Pivot for Comparing Means
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Nitis
Published: January 2021

A two-sample pivot for comparing the means from independent populations is well known. For large sample sizes, the distribution of the pivot is routinely approximated by a standard normal distribution. The question is about the thinking process that may guide one to rationalize invoking the asymptotic theory. In this pedagogical piece, we put forward soft statistical arguments to make users feel more at ease by suitably indexing the sample sizes from a practical standpoint that would allow a valid interpretation and understanding of pointwise convergence of the pivot's cumulative distribution function (c.d.f.) to the c.d.f. of a standard normal random variable.
Self-Perceptions of Attractiveness and Offending During Adolescence
Authors: Mowen Thomas J. , Boman John H. , Kopf Samantha , Booth Margaret Z.
Published: January 2021

Despite a well-established body of research demonstrating that others’ evaluations of a person’s physical attractiveness carry significant meaning, researchers have largely ignored how self-perceptions of physical attractiveness relate to offending behaviors. Applying general strain theory and using eight waves of panel data from the Adolescent Academic Context Study, we explore how self-perceptions of attractiveness relate to offending as youth progress through school. Results demonstrate that youth who perceive themselves as more attractive engage in more—not less—offending. Depression, which is treated as a form of negative affect, does not appear to mediate this relationship. We conclude by raising attention to the possibility that being “good-looking” may actually be a key risk factor for crime.
Mother Nature and the nature of motherhood: Gestational surrogacy and ecospirituality as two postmodern forms of sacralization
Authors: Camorrino Antonio
Published: January 2021

In this article the author aims to highlight some similarities and differences between the contemporary imagery of motherhood and that of ecospirituality. Apart from apparent differences, both these imageries are based on a peculiar alliance with nature. Demonstrating why these phenomena have to be considered postmodern forms of sacralization is the goal of this article. For this purpose, the author first briefly reconstructs some socio-historical stages of the imagery of the body and how this has changed from Christian to contemporary societies. The second section analyses the concept of health, focusing on the changes that affect the idea of death. The third section identifies the main features of gestational surrogacy as a characteristic phenomenon of late modern society. In the fourth section, the author shows the postmodern nature of gestational surrogacy. The fifth section compares the imagery of gestational surrogacy to that of ecospirituality, detecting some differences and similarities. In the conclusion, through an approach close to the sociology of religion, the author suggests that both these phenomena respond to the same demand for meaning and they are the product of a radical change in the relationship between human being, nature and the sacred.
Commercial surrogacy in the age of intensive mothering
Authors: Jacobson Heather
Published: January 2021

This study examines the navigation of intensive mothering ideology – the dominant cultural mothering schema in the US which places pressure on mothers to exclusively devote time and energy to their children, casting any other activity as problematic – within the lived experience of a unique cohort of mothers: women paid to gestate and birth babies for others. Based on in-depth interviews with US commercial surrogates, this study adds new depth to the body of research on intensive mothering by extending the arena of examination beyond work/family balance negotiations, where much of the literature is located. US surrogates understand surrogacy, which is rigorous labor, frequently takes time away from their families, and requires support from family members, not as a form of employment but as a ‘selfish pursuit,’ one they primarily engage in out of their own interests and desires. This study finds that the positive moral framework of surrogate labor as ‘altruistic self-sacrifice’ common within the US surrogacy industry and community, the fact that surrogacy is a relatively short-term ‘gig,’ and the healthy monetary compensation surrogates receive that serves as a tangible ‘thank you gift’ to families, help to buffer surrogates from full intensive mothering accountability. The experiences of US surrogates navigating mothering pressures while participating in surrogacy offer a window into how other contemporary US mothers might resist intensive mothering norms while engaging in non-familial and non-employment activities in their lives, activities such as hobbies or personal time away from family.
Determinants of Ethiopian Coffee Exports to Its Major Trade Partners: A Dynamic Gravity Model Approach
Authors: Eshetu Fassil , Goshu Degye
Published: January 2021

The aim of this article is to examine export determinants of Ethiopian coffee to 31 trade partner countries using a dynamic gravity model and system generalised moment method of estimation (GMM) for the period 1998–2016. Descriptive results showed that Ethiopia was exporting only 39% of its total coffee production, and 53.5% and 34.13% of Ethiopian coffee exports were directed to European and Asian countries, respectively, over the period 1998–2016. Regression results revealed that trade openness, population size of Ethiopia, foreign direct investment and institutional quality index of Ethiopia are positively and significantly affecting volume of Ethiopian coffee export. But population of partner countries, weighted distance, lagged export volume and real exchange rate are negatively and significantly influencing export volume of Ethiopian coffee. Hence, Ethiopia needs to diversify its export destinations and export items a way from primary agricultural exports to secondary industrial exports in order to secure dependable source of foreign currency. Also, controlling corruption, increasing government effectiveness, ensuring political stability promotion of foreign direct investment and encouraging trade liberalisation would help to boost the volume of Ethiopian coffee export.

JEL Codes: F12, F13, F14
Labour in India and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jha Praveen , Kumar Manish
Published: January 2021

The fact that labour in India, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been trapped in an unprecedented crisis, in living memory, is widely acknowledged. The employment and livelihoods of the overwhelming majority of workers have taken huge hits, and a massive uncertainly continues to loom over their immediate foreseeable future. This article focuses on how the world of work in India has been impacted by the pandemic, and it seeks to investigate the ongoing challenges. However, the massive vulnerability of workers in the country, which has been brutally exposed in the current crisis, did not emerge overnight and needs to be situated against the backdrop of the so-called economic reforms, in particular those during the preceding 6 years of the current dispensation at the centre and its (mis)management. This is done in the first substantive section of the article, although very briefly. The second substantive section takes stock of the current conditions of the world of work, exacerbated by the pandemic, as it continues to evolve. The challenges confronting India’s working people at the current juncture are enormous, to say the least, but the ruling dispensation, at best, appears to be indifferent to their lives. We close the article with some concluding remarks and immediate policy pointers.

JEL Classification: J21, J23, J46
The COVID-19 test of the United Nations Security Council
Authors: Charbonneau Bruno
Published: January 2021

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has failed the COVID-19 test, unable to promote or facilitate multilateral cooperation in dealing with the outbreak. This is worrying given its relevance as a principal organ of the United Nations (UN) that could enable or constrain international cooperation and given the need for such cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The failure of the UNSC to respond adequately to the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the historical limits of the UNSC as a forum for international cooperation. It also suggests that highlighting and debating UNSC reforms are not sufficient or even productive ways to move forward, especially in the context of the challenges that pandemics and climate change represent for global cooperation. It is far from clear if the UN system can change the global structures on which it was built. What does seem clear is that the UNSC is not where one will find the seeds of change for reimagining global order.
Investigation of instability in ultrasonic welding under parametric excitation
Authors: He Yongqiang , Zhao Lewei
Published: January 2021

This paper develops a time-varying model for battery tabs based on the parametric excitation of Euler-Bernoulli beams. The instability caused by combination resonance under a high-frequency longitudinal load is considered. A Galerkin procedure is used to discretize the time-dependent problem into the Mathieu equation. The critical axial load is obtained from the transition curve of combination resonance. The effectiveness of the stability analysis was verified by numerical simulations involving longitudinal and bending loads.
A probe into the application of English euphemism in college classroom teaching under multimedia network technology
Authors: Zhai Zhongwei
Published: January 2021

With the rapid development of modern computer technology, computer information management system has basically replaced the information statistics based on handwritten records. Due to the rapid development of computer technology, big changes have happened in people's way of life. Accordingly, along with the network technology and the computer technology development, the teaching method also develops rapidly. From the initial projection technology to the current multimedia classroom, microphone audio screen is available. At present, most online teaching platforms provide students with a unified teaching process, and cannot provide corresponding learning resources according to the different characteristics of learners. In order to ameliorate the efficiency of educational information, it is necessary to arouse the enthusiasm of students in the process of learning, and a variety of multimedia network learning platforms begin to be established. English euphemism is also very important in English teaching, which can improve teachers' teaching level, and secondly, improve students' oral English communication level. In this paper, a network teaching system embedded in English euphemism database is proposed to provide more convenience and resources for teachers and students to learn English. Through the technology of network, database and so on, the design of the network teaching platform is realized successfully. Finally, through the actual test and investigation, the utility of the system is fully affirmed. The application of English euphemism teaching in multimedia has a very profound foundation.
Countermeasures of interest flooding attack in named data networking: A survey
Authors: Yu Linjun , Ai Huali , Choi Dong-Oun
Published: January 2021

Named data networking (NDN) is a typical representation and implementation of information-centric networking and serves as a basis for the next-generation Internet. However, any network architectures will face information security threats. An attack named interest flooding attack (IFA), which is evolved, has becomes a great threat for NDN in recent years. Attackers through insert numerous forged interest packets into an NDN network, making the cache memory of NDN router(s) overrun, interest packets for the intended users. To take a comprehensive understanding of recent IFA detection and mitigation approaches, in this paper, we compared nine typical approaches to resolving IFA attacks for NDN, which are interest traceback, token bucket with per interface fairness, satisfaction-based interest acceptance, satisfaction-based push back, disabling PIT exhaustion, interest flow control method based on user reputation and content name prefixes, interest flow balancing method focused on the number of requests on named data networking, cryptographic route token, Poseidon local, and Poseidon distributed techniques. In addition, we conducted a simulation using Poseidon, a commonly used IFA resolution approach. The results showed that Poseidon could resolve IFA issues effectively.
Feasibility analysis of letting multi-channel surround sound system into college singing class
Authors: Li Pan , Li Yan
Published: January 2021

The multi-channel surround system used for multimedia teaching can bring more powerful auditory effects to the audience, and can fully mobilize students’ interest and enthusiasm in learning. Such as music arrangement, Yunnan musical instruments, the sound characteristics of national music and national musical instruments, and the sound processing knowledge of music processing. You can quickly master basic music arrangement, the sound characteristics of musical instruments, and the knowledge of mixing and processing music. Achieve better teaching results. Most multimedia devices on the market, with the music and sound effects, a high compression mono or stereo transmission. This mono or stereo transmission with a high compression ratio is very low quality. Since audio is far less powerful than visual impact, and the capacity of the disc used to store audio is small, people tend to focus on visual information processing, but ignore the importance of audio. Multi-channel surround sound technology has received more and more attention in the teaching practice of film and television colleges, but it is also affected by various factors such as venue facilities. This has caused bottlenecks in teaching in this field and has greatly affected the teaching effect. This paper designs and constructs a mobile multi-channel surround sound teaching system from a practical perspective. As part of a multimedia teaching device, try to use the best digital surround sound system for today’s audio reproduction. The feasibility of entering the digital surround sound system into the multimedia teaching classroom is analyzed. Better promote students’ correct understanding of audio and use modern high-tech digital technology to spread real art.
Health Shocks and Unbalanced Growth of Medical Resources: Evidence From the SARS Epidemic in China
Authors: Wang Juan , Wu Hantao
Published: January 2021

Since the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in 2003, the Chinese government has increased inputs to bolster the health care system. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the geographic maldistribution of health resources in China. We examine the spatial and temporal variation of the SARS epidemic using a difference-in-differences strategy. Our empirical results show that, compared with cities without SARS case reports, exogenous health shocks significantly increased the affected cities' medical resources supply. We provide multiple robustness tests to examine the validity of the main findings. Further study shows that the mechanism is because the SARS event increased the financial autonomy of the epidemic-affected cities, thus providing an incentive for local governments to increase health resources. Meanwhile, health shocks have little influence on the regions with only imported cases than the infected area. These findings provide a possible explanation for the inequality in the distribution of health resources.
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Policy Under Mnangagwa
Authors: Melber Henning , Southall Roger
Published: January 2021

Under the presidency of Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is characterized by the desire to ‘re-engage’ with the West with a view to securing the removal of sanctions and encouraging investment. In this, it has received the backing of the African Union and Southern African Development Community states. Simultaneously, the violence of the Mnangagwa regime has reinforced the reluctance of the West to remove sanctions, and Zimbabwe has even begun to test the patience of its neighbours. The government has placed renewed faith in the ‘Look East Policy’, but China is seeking to match its investments with tighter control.
The role of MgO nanoparticles addition, and γ-irradiation on the microstructural, and tensile properties of Al-1100 alloy
Authors: Mohammed Gh , El-Gamal S
Published: January 2021

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are innovative engineering materials in which a tough reinforcement is included in the aluminum matrix to improve its properties. In the study, MgO (0–4  wt.%) was loaded to Al-1100. The XRD reveals that MgO has a cubic crystal structure, purity of 100 %, and the average crystallite size is 17.4 nm, from Scherer's formula. HR-TEM reflected that MgO displays nanoparticle-like morphology. The microstructural properties of AMCs manifested the intermetallic compounds’ absence, grain refinement, good MgO distribution, and the presence of few porosities. The density measurement confirmed the decrease in the experimental density with increasing MgO while the theoretical density increased. The maximum porosity found is 1.4 % which is accepted in the fabrication of AMCs. The tensile properties revealed that as the strain rate ([Formula: see text]), γ-irradiation dose, and MgO content increases, the fracture stress ([Formula: see text]) increases while the ductility (εΤ) decreases. These three parameters could control the tensile properties of AMCs reinforced with MgO as well. An improvement by 140 % in σf was achieved for AMC with 4  wt.% MgO (at [Formula: see text] = 1.2 × 10−3 s−1, 2 MGy) compared to plain Al-1100 alloy (at [Formula: see text] = 5.4 × 10−5 s−1, 0 Gy). It was suggested that the load transfer from matrix to reinforcement was efficient which directly improves the load-carrying ability of these synthesized AMCs. Several mechanisms such as Orowan strengthening, and dislocation strengthening, were suggested to interpret the tensile properties.
Dynamic compressive response of 3D GFRP composites with shear thickening fluid (STF) matrix as cushioning materials
Authors: Jeddi Mohsen , Yazdani Mojtaba
Published: January 2021

Whereas most previous studies have focused on improving the penetration resistance of Shear Thickening Fluids (STFs) treated composites, in this study, the dynamic compressive response of single and multi-ply 3 D E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites with the STF matrix was investigated by using a drop-weight low-velocity impact test. The experimental results revealed the STF improved the compressive and cushioning performance of the composites such that with increasing its concentration, further improvement was observed. The five-ply composite containing the STF of 30 wt% silica nanoparticles and 1 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reduced the applied peak force by 56% and 26% compared to a steel plate and five-ply neat samples, respectively. A series of repeated impacts was performed, and it was found that the performance of high-concentration composites is further decreased under this type of loading.
Study of flow-induced fiber in-plane deformation during high pressure resin transfer molding
Authors: Zhao Selina , Rodgers William R , Frieberg Bradley , Newaz Golam
Published: January 2021

High Pressure Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM) is a new variant of composite Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process that enables a short cycle time and a high composite strength to weight ratio, thus presents a great potential for fabricating automotive structural parts. Due to the high injection pressure, fiber-tow washout is becoming one of the major defects which impact the properties of composite materials. To predict and mitigate the fiber-tow washout problem, approaches of both experimental process optimization and computational prediction are essential. In this paper, an experimental study of fiber-tow washout is undertaken to determine the flow injection limits beyond which the preform deformation can be observed at various fiber volume fractions. A feasibility map is developed for a specific fabric and resin combination. It provides a means to determine the injection rates and fiber volume fractions to fabricate a quality part with minimal in-plane fiber washout due to the hydrodynamically flow-induced force during the HP-RTM process.