Unique Positions Research Articles

Amid COVID-19 crisis, pain therapeutics telehealth services by pharmacist clinicians fill unique void and mitigate risk.

Patients with chronic pain syndromes are facing additional challenges from syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus compared with the general population. New reasons for compounded social isolation and commensurate opioid dose creeping and suicidality/anxiety, difficulty in obtaining legitimate medications, proper comprehensive evaluations, ongoing opioid risk stratification for opioid abuse/misuse, safe opioid tapers if necessary, and other opportunities for pharmacist intervention are clear. We discuss opportunities for pharmacist-run telehealth visits, reimbursement for services, and various aspects of interventions during this time of international emergency where all healthcare professionals have been asked to step up to help combat the mutual threat of COVID19. Clinical pharmacists in every specialty area are part of the essential healthcare workforce, but those practicing pain management in particular are in unique positions to assist all providers in adhering to chronic pain guidelines and various government mandates, and to foster optimal outcomes to complex patients with chronic pain. Furthermore, those that are available by telemedicine allow for improved access to quality and appropriate pain medication management, and additionally support opioid risk mitigation strategies, helping fill an unmet access to those at higher risk. This practice has the potential to help offset primary care provider workload, allowing for a decreased overall burden, especially in a complex, time-consuming, and high-risk patient population.

Fabrication of (4, 10) and (4, 12)-Connected Multifunctional Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Targeted Adsorption of a Guest Molecule.

Following the principle of a topology guide, a zirconium MOF (PCN-207) based on the H4TPTA ligand (tetramethyl(4,4',4″,4‴-(pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetrayl))tetrabenzoic acid) with C2 symmetry and an 8-connected Zr6(μ3-OH)8(OH)8]8+ cluster with D4h symmetry has been synthesized. PCN-206 can also be obtained by modulating the benzoic acid usage to change the flexibility of the H4TPTA ligand. The unique positions of 8-connected Zr6 clusters in the flu and scu networks and the flexibility of the tetratopic primary linker enable the precise insertion of fumarate (FA), 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC), and even 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2NDC) in a one-pot reaction. Auxiliary linkers are used to generate new MOF structures or topologies or to split the pore spaces, which may significantly change the porosity and chemical and physical properties of scaffold MOFs. The results provide a successful strategy for the rational design of multicomponent Zr-MOFs. Because of differences in composition and configuration between structures, PCN-207 shows the highest separation capability of light hydrocarbons; moreover, PCN-206 exhibits the highest adsorption capacity of 2,4-D and DCF among MOFs at present.

Computational synthesis of carbon doped BaAl4S7-xCx as a unique solid-state device

New solid-state materials are emerging with precise prospect of revolutionizing new electronic device. The BaAl4S7 is originally a non-linear optical material. However, the unique plane analysis suggests that it could be converted into a white light source solid-state device if doped. In this paper, we present a unique doping technique that converts BaAl4S7 to a unique solid-state device by doping the sample with carbon at unique positions.

Comparative vibration analysis on IC engine with biodiesel and multi-walled carbon nanotube

Sound and vibration caused in the engine due to combustion process may affect the users. One of the vital qualities of diesel fuel is high sound and vibration. The vibration of the engine is one of the primary factors in engine structure and maintenance. Vibration estimation on the engine block, cylinder head is a non-intrusive strategy and has been utilized effectively for fault prediction of diesel engines. The vibration signals along with signal processing techniques are utilized to highlights the features that are sensitive to faults. In this work, experimental tests have been carried out to assess the vibration of a diesel engine with diesel, 20 % biodiesel (Ethyl Ester of ground nut acid oil EEGOA) and 30 ppm Multi-walled Carbon Nano tubes with 20 % biodiesel (MWCNT30ppm B20EEGAO) at various load (20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 %). Digital Vibration Meter Model: Equinox-VM 6360 is utilized to gauge the vibration in three unique positions, one is cylinder head of the engine, second one is crank of the engine, and third one is bottom of the engine. In this work, the vibration is measured in terms of acceleration. The MWCNT30ppm B20EEGAO blend demonstrates the lower vibration compared with different blends.

Genome-Wide Variant Identification and High-Density Genetic Map Construction Using RADseq for Platycladus orientalis (Cupressaceae).

Platycladus orientalis is an ecologically important native conifer in Northern China and exotic species in many parts of the world; however, knowledge about the species’ genetics and genome are very limited. The availability of well-developed battery of genetic markers, with large genome coverage, is a prerequisite for the species genetic dissection of adaptive attributes and efficient selective breeding. Here, we present a genome-wide genotyping method with double-digestion restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) that is effective in generating large number of Mendelian markers for genome mapping and other genetic applications. Using 139 megagametophytes collected from a single mother tree, we assembled 397,226 loci, of which 108,683 (27.4%) were polymorphic. After stringent filtering for 1:1 segregation ratio and missing rate of <20%, the remaining 23,926 loci (22% of the polymorphic loci) were ordered into 11 linkage groups (LGs) and distributed across 7,559 unique positions, with a total map length of 1,443 cM and an average spacing of 0.2 cM between adjacent unique positions. The 11 LGs correspond to the species’ 11 haploid genome chromosome number. This genetic map is among few high-density maps available for conifers to date, and represents the first genetic map for P. orientalis. The information generated serves as a solid foundation not only for marker-assisted breeding efforts, but also for comparative conifer genomic studies.

Development and Management of Guizhou Convention and Exhibition Industry Based on Brand Vision

The Convention and Exhibition industry has become an important tool to improve regional economic growth, and plays an increasingly significant role in enhancing the city's visibility and competitiveness. However, Guizhou convention and exhibition industry started late due to many reasons including the unique unfavorable geographic positions, underdeveloped economy and deficiency of the professional talented persons. This paper focuses on the development and the management of industry, discusses the history and branding Stage of Guizhou convention and exhibition industry, analyzes the local advantages of cool climate, good ecological environment and big data in the province, which are attractive for the convention and exhibition industry, and make some suggestion for the development and management of Guizhou convention and exhibition industry.

Populist Radical Right Party-Voter Policy Representation in Western Europe

ABSTRACTIn this study we assess policy representation by populist radical right (PRR) parties in ten West European countries. Going beyond aggregate left-right or socio-cultural (GAL-TAN) dimensions of political conflict, we study representation on policy issues related to the PRR parties’ core ideological features nativism, populism, and authoritarianism. Analysing data from party expert and voter surveys, we find that the PRR parties provide largely unique policy positions that are congruent with their voters’ preferences in terms of their opposition to immigration and the European Union. By contrast, the parties are less representative in terms of their value conservative and authoritarian positions on gay rights and civil liberties. The findings have relevance for our understanding of party strategy, voter behaviour, and the dimensionality of political competition.

Musical instrument directivity measurements

Over the past several decades, researchers have developed various techniques to measure directional radiation patterns of musical instruments. After summarizing and categorizing several of them, this presentation will focus on recent developments made by the authors to measure directivities with high angular resolution. The frequency-dependent patterns of 16 played musical instruments were acquired using 2522 unique microphone positions over a sphere in an anechoic chamber. This led to associated frequency-dependent spherical-harmonic expansions with readily shareable coefficients. Several steps were implemented to improve and validate the measurements, and make their costs manageable. The presentation will discuss key results and future directions.Over the past several decades, researchers have developed various techniques to measure directional radiation patterns of musical instruments. After summarizing and categorizing several of them, this presentation will focus on recent developments made by the authors to measure directivities with high angular resolution. The frequency-dependent patterns of 16 played musical instruments were acquired using 2522 unique microphone positions over a sphere in an anechoic chamber. This led to associated frequency-dependent spherical-harmonic expansions with readily shareable coefficients. Several steps were implemented to improve and validate the measurements, and make their costs manageable. The presentation will discuss key results and future directions.

An archival database of high-resolution directivities

Having easily accessible and accurate directivity patterns of sound sources is valuable for many applications, including architectural acoustics modeling and spatial audio. To provide this information to other researchers, the authors of this presentation are creating an online directivity database for live human speech, played musical instruments, and other sources of sound. The results are derived from recordings of the sources over their useful bandwidths at 2522 unique microphone positions over a surrounding sphere (i.e., with 5-deg resolution in both the polar and azimuthal angles). Processing of the recordings has led to frequency-dependent spherical-harmonic expansions. The expansion coefficients, as well as broad-band tabulated attenuation results (commonly used in architectural acoustics simulation packages), are freely available in the ASCII format. The database also contains figures and animations of the directivity patterns, allowing for quick visualization. The collections should help improve modeling of various acoustic spaces, microphone placements for recordings, and general understanding of source radiation characteristics.

Neglected tropical disease as a 'biographical disruption': Listening to the narratives of affected persons to develop integrated people centred care in Liberia.

BackgroundIntegrated disease management, disability and inclusion (DMDI) for NTDs is increasingly prioritised. There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of integrated DMDI from the perspective of affected individuals and how this varies by differing axes of inequality such as age, gender, and disability. We used narrative methods to consider how individuals’ unique positions of power and privilege shaped their illness experience, to elucidate what practical and feasible steps could support integrated DMDI in Liberia and beyond.MethodsWe purposively selected 27 participants affected by the clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, Buruli Ulcer, and onchocerciasis from three counties in Liberia to take part in illness narrative interviews. Participants were selected to ensure maximum variation in age, gender and clinical manifestation. Narrative analysis was grounded within feminist intersectional theory.FindingsFor all participants, chronic illness, morbidity and disability associated with NTDs represented a key moment of ‘biographical disruption’ triggering the commencement of a restitution narrative. Complex health seeking pathways, aetiologies and medical syncretism meant that adoption of the ‘sick role’ was initially acceptable, but when the reality of permanency of condition was identified, a transition to periods of chaos and significant psycho-social difficulty occurred. An intersectional lens emphasises how biographical disruption is mediated by intersecting social processes. Gender, generation, and disability were all dominant axes of social inequity shaping experience.SignificanceThis is one of the first studies to use narrative approaches to interrogate experience of chronic disabling conditions within LMICs and is the only study to apply such an analysis to NTDs. The emotive power of narrative should be utilised to influence the value base of policy makers to ensure that DMDI strategies respond holistically to the needs of the most marginalised, thus contributing to more equitable people-centred care.

Gender variations in the relationship between social capital and mental health outcomes among the Indigenous populations of Canada

BackgroundIn this paper we examine the relationship between social capital and two mental health outcomes—self-rated mental health (SRMH) and heavy episodic drinking (HED)—among the Indigenous populations of Canada. We operationalize a unique definition of social capital from Indigenous specific sources that allows for an analysis of the importance of access to Indigenous networks and communities. We also examine gender variations in the relationship between social capital and the two outcomes, as there is a noticeable lack of research examining the influence of gender in the recent literature on the mental health of Indigenous populations in Canada.MethodsUsing data from the 2012 cycle of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, logistic regression models were estimated to assess if gender was a significant predictor of either SRMH or HED among the entire Indigenous sample. The sample was then stratified by gender and the relationship between two social capital variables—one general and one indigenous-specific—and each mental health outcome was assessed separately among male and female respondents. All analyses were also further stratified into specific Indigenous groups—First Nations, Métis, or Inuit—to account for the unique cultures, histories, and socioeconomic positions of the three populations.ResultsFemale respondents were more likely to report fair or poor SRMH in the total sample as well as the First Nations and Métis subsamples (OR = 1.48, CI = 1.14–1.91; OR = 1.63, CI = 1.12–2.36; OR = 1.44, CI = 1.01–2.05 respectively). However, female respondents were less likely than males to engage in weekly HED in all three of the same populations (OR = 0.43, CI = 0.35–0.54, all respondents; OR = 0.42, CI = 0.31–0.58, First nations; OR = 0.39, CI = 0.27–0.56, Métis). Social capital from sources specific to Indigenous communities was associated with lower odds of weekly HED, but only among Indigenous men. Meanwhile the strength of family ties was associated with lower odds of reporting fair/poor SRMH among both Indigenous men and women. However, these results vary in strength and significance among the different Indigenous populations of Canada.ConclusionsThe results of this paper address a critical gap in the literature on gender differences in SRMH and HED among the Indigenous populations of Canada, and reveal gendered variations in the relationship between social capital and SRMH and HED. These findings support further investigation into the role that social capital and particularly Indigenous-specific forms of social capital may play as a determinant of health. This research could contribute to future mental health initiatives aimed at strengthening the social capital of Indigenous populations and promoting resilient Indigenous communities with strong social connections.

Construction of a high-density genetic map of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. Moutan) using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) approach

High-density genetic maps play a vital role in dissecting genetic components of biologically or agronomically important traits and molecular marker-assisted selection breeding, especially for a species with limited genomic information. Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. Moutan DC.) is a traditional flowering plant in China, with important ornamental value, which have been spread around the world. However, less genetic and genomic information is available for the tree peony molecular studies. Here, we performed restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) of an F1 population, derived from a traditional variety “Qing Long Wo Mo Chi (QL)” and a variety “Mo Zi Lian (MZL)”. High-density genetic maps were developed using RADseq markers for female (1471 markers) and male (793 markers) parents. They covered 965.69 and 870.21 cM, with the average marker intervals of 0.66 and 1.10 cM along the seven and five linkage groups (LGs), respectively. Furthermore, the identified markers were assigned to 1671 bins, representing the unique genetic positions in LGs, and inter-marker distances smaller than 5 cM covered 97.93% of genetic maps. This study suggests that rapid de novo construction of genetic maps in peony could be conducted through RADseq approach, which provides an important tool for further linkage mapping and genomic structure analysis, and enable development of molecular markers for molecular breeding in tree peony.

A novel high-density grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) integrated linkage map using GBS in a half-diallel population.

A half-diallel population involving five elite grapevine cultivars was generated and genotyped by GBS, and highly-informative segregation data was used to construct a high-density genetic map for Vitis vinifera L. Grapevine is one of the most relevant fruit crops in the world. Deeper genetic knowledge could assist modern grapevine breeding programs to develop new wine grape varieties able to face climate change effects. To assist in the rapid identification of markers for crop yield components, grape quality traits and adaptation potential, we generated a large Vitis vinifera L. population (N = 624) by crossing five red wine cultivars in a half-diallel scheme, which was subsequently sequenced by an efficient GBS procedure. A high number of fully informative genetic variants was detected using a novel mapping approach capable of reconstructing local haplotypes from adjacent biallelic SNPs, which were subsequently used to construct the densest consensus genetic map available for the cultivated grapevine to date. This 1378.3-cM map integrates 10 bi-parental consensus maps and orders 4437 markers in 3353 unique positions on 19 chromosomes. Markers are well distributed all along the grapevine reference genome, covering up to 98.8% of its genomic sequence. Additionally, a good agreement was observed between genetic and physical orders, adding confidence in the quality of this map. Collectively, our results pave the way for future genetic studies (such as fine QTL mapping) aimed to understand the complex relationship between genotypic and phenotypic variation in the cultivated grapevine. In addition, the method used (which efficiently delivers a high number of fully informative markers) could be of interest to other outbred organisms, notably perennial fruit crops.

International Humanitarian Law and Review of Recurrent Violations Including Chemical Weapons Use

Introduction:The basis of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the Theory of Natural Law, which states that the laws of morality and the ability to use reason in the determination of inalienable human rights, are innate to humans, and cannot be taken away by any states or laws. IHL is an agreement among nation-states that applies to situations of conflict to protect civilians and guides conduct in time of war. IHL extends protection to civilian medical personnel. The recent escalation in chemical weapons use by states has violated IHL and the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) treaty, with little repercussion from the international community.Aim:We review the increase in chemical weapons use, international chemical weapon treaty violations, and violations of IHL against medical personnel.Methods:A review was conducted of existing medical and grey literature for sources discussing chemical agents, their history, and violations of laws prohibiting their production, stockpiling, or use. The following publications were reviewed: PubMed, EBSCHost, and Google Scholar.Results:The use of sarin, chlorine, and mustard gas against civilians has been confirmed multiple times in Syria by the United Nations since 2011. Physicians for Human Rights mapped 537 attacks, both violent and chemical, against 348 different medical facilities in Syria from March 2011 to July 2018. Since March 2011, at least 847 civilian medical personnel have reportedly been killed. Many were killed by government forces as part of a war strategy creating further incapacitation. Most recently, Medecins Sans Frontiers concluded its Yemen mission due to repeated attacks, including two in one week in October 2018.Discussion:There must be recognition and emphasis on the health severity of such attacks and the violations of IHL and the CWC. Physicians must use their unique positions for advocacy and call for action in upholding international treaties.

Synthesis of Benzo[f]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidines via the Tandem Intramolecular Pinner/Dimroth Rearrangement and their Antibacterial and Antioxidant Evaluation

Chromenes and pyrimidines have occupied unique positions in the design and synthesis of novel biologically-active agents due to their broad spectrum of activities. Earlier reports had already estab...

Global Description of Action-Angle Duality for a Poisson\u2013Lie Deformation of the Trigonometric varvec{mathrm {BC}_n} Sutherland System

Integrable many-body systems of Ruijsenaars–Schneider–van Diejen type displaying action-angle duality are derived by Hamiltonian reduction of the Heisenberg double of the Poisson–Lie group mathrm{SU}(2n). New global models of the reduced phase space are described, revealing non-trivial features of the two systems in duality with one another. For example, after establishing that the symplectic vector space mathbb {C}^nsimeq mathbb {R}^{2n} underlies both global models, it is seen that for both systems the action variables generate the standard torus action on mathbb {C}^n, and the fixed point of this action corresponds to the unique equilibrium positions of the pertinent systems. The systems in duality are found to be non-degenerate in the sense that the functional dimension of the Poisson algebra of their conserved quantities is equal to half the dimension of the phase space. The dual of the deformed Sutherland system is shown to be a limiting case of a van Diejen system.

ForeWomen

In June 1954, Eunice Kathleen Waymon performed on an Atlantic City stage for the first time under the name Nina Simone. This performative self-creation is mirrored in the structure and lyrical content of one of her best-known songs, “Four Women,” in which each verse features Simone singing as a different woman. By examining the similarities between the varying accounts of Waymon’s transformation into Simone, and by conducting a close reading of Simone’s performances of “Four Women,” it is possible to understand Simone’s song as challenging representational politics by pluralizing identities. This strategic decision was underscored when the rapper Talib Kweli and DJ Hi Tek recreated “Four Women” as “For Women” on their 2000 record Reflection Eternal. “For Women” reproduces the structure and message of Simone’s original. Mimicking the logic of self-creation that Simone embodied both in her life and in “Four Women,” Kweli and Hi-Tek craft a song where Kweli transitions, often mid-verse, between rapping about each of these four women in the third person and taking on the first-person perspective of each woman. Understanding these two examples together illustrates the power and legacy of “Four Women” and its critique of representational politics and of the rigidity of unique subject positions.

Local Magnetic Fields in Diamagnetic BiSbO4 and Bi4Si3O12: 209Bi NQR

Local magnetic fields Hloc exceeding significantly the magnetic fields produced by nuclear magnetic moments (a few gauss) have been detected in bismuth compounds with valence s and p electrons, which are generally believed to be diamagnetic, by the methods based on measuring the parameters of nuclear quadrupole interactions. Anomalies in the magnetic properties of BiSbO4 and Bi4Si3O12 were clearly manifested when analyzing the line shapes in their 209Bi NQR spectra. The quartet of lines for the lower transition ν1 (Δm = 1/2–3/2) in the spectrum of Bi4Si3O12 in zero external magnetic field and the doublets for the lines of all other transitions in the spectrum of BiSbO4 at unique crystallographic positions of bismuth atoms in the crystal lattices of the compounds suggest a magnetic nature of the splittings. The most probable values of Hloc in these compounds are those in the range from 40 to 100 G.

A low-cost bench-top research device for turbidity measurement by radially distributed illumination intensity sensing at multiple wavelengths

Presented here is a new bench-top research device for the measurement of the optical turbidity of natural sediment-laden water samples. This prototype device employs 18 unique angular measurement positions and a variety of user-selectable LED light sources. The motivation for this project was the need to generate more parameter-rich data sets pertaining to the light-scattering properties of natural sediment suspensions, and to address the issues raised by Kitchener et al. (2017) concerning the inconsistent calibration methodologies currently employed to quantify suspended sediment concentration (SSC) by optical turbidity measurement. The mechanical design comprises re-purposed waste plastic materials and 3D-printed parts. The active light-source control and monitoring hardware and firmware executes on the open-source Arduino embedded microcontroller platform. The modular light sensors plug into any of the angular measurement positions, providing a 0–5 V nominal output signal, which is readable by the user's choice of data-acquisition system. The device will facilitate the highly detailed characterization of suspended sediment samples, providing 18 voltage output channels for analysis by the user. The precise calibration of the light sensors is by the use of neutral density (ND) filters in conjunction with light-source electrical current measurements, providing light-source intensity values as required. The empirical data provided by existing turbidity meters are acquired using incommensurate methodologies, and therefore they are not cross-comparable. A new methodology, described here, facilitates the cross-comparability of turbidity measurements.

Novel biotechnologies for eradicating wasps: seeking Māori studies students’ perspectives with Q method

ABSTRACTAligned with the New Zealand government’s ‘Predator-Free 2050’ target for Aotearoa New Zealand, National Science Challenge: Our Biological Heritage supports research into five distinct ‘novel biotechnological controls’ of exotic wasps. A framing question within this project is which controls are considered ‘socially acceptable’ and thus suitable for further development to control and potentially eradicate introduced wasps? How can the public answer this question without first engaging with complex technologies? Can they develop and express an informed view that still reflects their ‘gut’ reactions and unique positions? To model and explore the views of an ‘informed public’, university students in Māori studies engaged in reflection, writing and mapping activities; choice and ranking exercises; Q Method; and focus group interviews. Amongst the interviewees, Q Method analysis distinguished three ‘factors’, describing unique viewpoints: those who see the potential of biotechnologies, those who are in doubt about them and those in a position of trust in scientists. Overall, the group see potential in new biotechnologies for wasps but are wary of political, economic and social decision-making mechanisms.