The \u27New Woman\u27 Gender Roles and Urban Modernism in Interwar Berlin and Shanghai

During the interwar period, urban modernism was connected to opposing ideals of womanhood. On the one hand, women’s participation in a culture of leisure, consumption and body consciousness created images of the New Women in Berlin and Shanghai during the 1920s and early 1930s. On the other hand, women in Weimar Berlin and Republican Shanghai were both desired and feared for their role in the significant changes in these two metropoles. This article analyzes the emergence of the neue Frau and modeng xiaojie. The growth of the cities, industrialization and changes in the work force provided new opportunities for many women’s lives. However, in the interwar period, anxiety-ridden discourses about sexual disorder and moral decay became significant forces and shaped attitudes toward women’s roles in urban society. The article examines the critics and conflicts generated by the modern women in the two societies and the conditions leading to the demise of the modern women era in China and Germany

Occupational exposure to e-waste: human biomonitoring and biomarkers of early biological effects

Os resíduos de equipamento elétrico e eletrónico (REEE) tornaram-se uma grande preocupação dada sua rápida expansão global, que não mostra indícios de desaceleração. Como a composição dos resíduos eletrónicos é intrinsecamente prejudicial, contendo uma variedade de substâncias perigosas, como metais pesados e retardadores de chama, é certo que representa uma ameaça significativa à saúde humana e ambiental. A exposição ocupacional aos REEE é conhecida por ser uma das formas mais diretas de exposição e, portanto, a biomonitorização eficaz de trabalhadores em atividades de reciclagem de componentes eletrónicos é fundamental. O ensaio do micronúcleo com bloqueio de citocinese (CBMN) em linfócitos do sangue periférico humano (PBL) é uma ferramenta valiosa para avaliar os efeitos da exposição humana a agentes genotóxicos. Os micronúcleos (MN) demonstraram ser excelentes biomarcadores para medir o nível de dano genético, uma vez que refletem quebra ou perda cromossómica causada pela exposição a agentes genotóxicos, após a divisão das células. Sob a iniciativa HBM4EU, os objetivos deste projeto foram os seguintes: descrever o estado da arte da exposição ocupacional a REEE e avaliar os efeitos genotóxicos em trabalhadores expostos a esses resíduos, através da análise da frequência de MN em PBL. A revisão da literatura sublinhou a escassez de estudos de biomonitorização sobre a exposição a REEE que relacionassem a exposição com os possíveis efeitos adversos na saúde, identificando a necessidade de novas abordagens harmonizadas para avaliar os e seus efeitos na saúde dos trabalhadores. Os resultados do estudo piloto em ambiente ocupacional não mostraram diferenças significativas entre os grupos exposto e controlo na frequência de MN, o que contraria a hipótese de que os trabalhadores envolvidos nesta atividade de gestão de REEE pudessem revelar efeitos genotóxicos em PBL. Foram avançadas várias possibilidades para explicar este resultado, incluindo o pequeno tamanho da amostra, diferenças interindividuais e uso de equipamentos de proteção em algumas das atividades realizadas. Para concluir, será necessário estender este estudo ocupacional, incluindo um maior número de participantes expostos e outros biomarcadores de efeito, para melhorar a avaliação dos potenciais efeitos biológicos precoces decorrentes da exposição a REEE. Para além disso, será crucial incluir biomarcadores para avaliar a exposição desses trabalhadores a diversos produtos químicos, por forma a, caso haja necessidade, se instituírem medidas mitigadoras para proteger sua saúde.E-waste has become a major concern given its rapid global expansion, which shows no indications of slowing down. Since the composition of e-waste is intrinsically harmful, containing a variety of hazardous substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants, it is likely that it poses a significant threat to human and environmental health. Occupational exposure to e-waste is known for being one of the most direct forms of exposure. Thus, effective biomonitoring of workers whose jobs include the recycling of electronic components is critical. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) is a reliable tool to assess the effects of human exposure to genotoxins by measuring the extent of chromosomal damage in cells, both chromosome breakage or chromosome loss in dividing cells. Under the HBM4EU initiative, the goal of this project was two-fold: to describe the state of the art of occupational exposure to E-Waste and to perform a pilot study to assess the early biological effects from e-waste exposure in workers from E-waste management industries by using the micronucleus assay. The literature review underlined the scarcity of HBM studies around e-waste that related exposure with the possible adverse health effects and called for new, harmonized approaches to the issue of e-waste and its effects in occupational settings. The results of the effect biomarkers assessment in exposed workers showed no significant differences between exposed and control groups in the MN frequency, although our assumptions were that e-waste workers would show higher levels of genotoxic damage. Nonetheless, several factors, such as low sample size, interindividual differences and use of protective equipment in e-waste workers might have contributed to these results. To conclude, there is a need to extend this pilot occupational study by including a higher number of exposed participants and other effect biomarkers, to better assess potential early biological effects from exposure. In addition, from the literature review and considering the design of such human biomonitoring studies, it will be crucial to include biomarkers to assess the exposure of these workers to several chemicals, in order to know whether mitigation measures are needed to protect their health

The bioethics of genome editing in livestock

Recently, a host of genome editing technologies have emerged that can edit the genome with progressively increasing efficiency and ease of use. These technologies are based on the use of sequence-specific engineered nucleases, like zinc finger nucleases (ZFN), meganucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN). Genome editing has been revolutionized, in recent years, with the emergence of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated protein 9 (Cas9). Consequently, there have been new applications of these genome editing technologies. These genome editing technologies have a huge range of possible applications in livestock welfare, health, productivity, disease resistance, enhance food to human health. These technologies and their applications have sparked both enthusiasm and worry, raising new questions on ethics and governance and generating many debates all over the world. The present work has, therefore, aimed to analyse the ethical issues raised through genome editing applications in livestock and how bioethics could contribute to the search for recommendations in scientific research in the area of genome editing. For this, a literature review based on methodology Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) was made, in order to understand the state of the art. Issues like ethics, legal and social implications were raised. However, it seems necessary to carry out a revision of the regulatory framework or a boundary definition in order to better clarify the purpose and the limits of the use of this technology. In addition, defining a risk assessment and management procedure, as well as the public acceptance, are important factors for a higher integration of genome editing in our society. In conclusion, genome editing in livestock for all the applied purposes must be considered with prudence and caution until the risks have been rigorously characterised and answered, as well as the public has been properly informed and consulted.Têm vindo a surgir novas tecnologias de edição de genoma que têm a capacidade de editar o genoma com uma grande eficiência e facilidade. Estas tecnologias são baseadas com recurso de nucleases como as Nucleases de Dedo de Zinco (ZFN), Meganucleases e nucleases baseadas como Ativadores de Transcrição (TALEN). Contudo, a edição do genoma foi revolucionada, nos últimos anos, com o surgimento de Repetições Palindrômicas Curtas Agrupadas e Regularmente Interespaçadas (CRISPR) e da proteína 9 associada a CRISPR (Cas9) que com ela trouxe novas aplicações. Estas tecnologias de edição de genoma têm uma ampla gama de aplicações em animais para consumo humano como no bem-estar, na saúde, na produtividade, na resistência a doenças e ainda na melhoria da alimentação para a saúde humana e por isso, despertaram um enorme entusiasmo como também preocupação, pois levantaram novas questões éticas, debatidas em todo o mundo. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as questões éticas levantadas pela utilização da edição de genoma na pecuária assim como, perceber como poderá a bioética contribuir para a procura de recomendações em pesquisas científicas na área de edição de genoma. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura baseada na metodologia Itens de Relatório Preferidos para Revisões Sistemáticas e Meta-Análises (PRISMA), a fim de compreender o estado da arte do tema em questão. Questões como as implicações éticas, legais e sociais foram abordadas. Contudo, como trabalho futuro parece-nos necessário uma revisão sobre a corrente regulação ou então a definição de limites para melhor esclarecer a finalidade do uso dessa tecnologia. Por outro lado, a elaboração de uma avaliação de risco e procedimento de gestão, bem como a aceitação do público, são também fatores cruciais para uma maior integração da edição do genoma na nossa sociedade. Em suma, a edição do genoma na pecuária para todos os fins deverá ser feita com prudência e cautela até que os riscos tenham sido rigorosamente caracterizados e conhecidos, bem como o público tenha sido devidamente informado e consultado

A survey on knowledge, attitude & confidence level of disaster management among doctors in Terengganu.

Background Disasters are unpredictable events that kill and affect people, demolish properties and disrupt environment. During such events, doctors play a vital role in dealing with the victims. It is crucial for doctors especially doctors working in emergency department to be prepared in facing the aftermath of disasters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and confidence level of disaster management among doctors working in emergency department. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study using convenient sample conducted in all emergency department in Terengganu. A questionnaire was designed based on National Security Council under Directive No. 20, hospital disaster plan and review of relevant literature. It was edited by two emergency physicians and pre-test was conducted in HUSM to validate and test the reliability of the questionnaire. All doctors working in emergency department in Terengganu were included in this study. The study was conducted from January 2014 till March 2014. The questionnaires were circulated with help from representative from each hospital. It was anonymous and no time limit. The questionnaires were then collected and coded accordingly. Statistical analysis was used using SPSS version 21. Result A total of 92 doctors were analyzed. Average age was 28 years and 62% of doctors were from emergency department with in-house emergency physician. 28% of respondent had attended disaster drill previously and only 13% of doctors who had experienced in dealing with real disaster. The mean knowledge, attitude and confidence level were 72.14, 75.20, and 16 percent, respectively. Previously attended disaster drill was found to significant factors for good knowledge (p=0.000) and increase confidence level (p=0.03). Service duration and duration of working in emergency department were also found to be significant factors affecting knowledge (p=0.008) and attitude (p=0.000) towards disaster management. Conclusion We concluded that the knowledge regarding disaster management among doctors in Terengganu was at an average level. However, the majority of emergency doctors were found to have positive attitude towards disaster management. Despite this, self reported confidence was poor among doctors working in emergency department. Our results also suggest that advanced life support (e.g. TLS, ATLS) and frequent involvement in disaster drills are important for effective management of disaster in the future

The LINC00961 transcript and its encoded micropeptide SPAAR regulate endothelial cell function

AIMS: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play functional roles in physiology and disease, yet understanding of their contribution to endothelial cell (EC) function is incomplete. We identified lncRNAs regulated during EC differentiation and investigated the role of LINC00961 and its encoded micropeptide, small regulatory polypeptide of amino acid response (SPAAR), in EC function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Deep sequencing of human embryonic stem cell differentiation to ECs was combined with Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) RNA-seq data from vascular cells, identifying 278 endothelial enriched genes, including 6 lncRNAs. Expression of LINC00961, first annotated as an lncRNA but reassigned as a protein-coding gene for the SPAAR micropeptide, was increased during the differentiation and was EC enriched. LINC00961 transcript depletion significantly reduced EC adhesion, tube formation, migration, proliferation, and barrier integrity in primary ECs. Overexpression of the SPAAR open reading frame increased tubule formation; however, overexpression of the full-length transcript did not, despite production of SPAAR. Furthermore, overexpression of an ATG mutant of the full-length transcript reduced network formation, suggesting a bona fide non-coding RNA function of the transcript with opposing effects to SPAAR. As the LINC00961 locus is conserved in mouse, we generated an LINC00961 locus knockout (KO) mouse that underwent hind limb ischaemia (HLI) to investigate the angiogenic role of this locus in vivo. In agreement with in vitro data, KO animals had a reduced capillary density in the ischaemic adductor muscle after 7 days. Finally, to characterize LINC00961 and SPAAR independent functions in ECs, we performed pull-downs of both molecules and identified protein-binding partners. LINC00961 RNA binds the G-actin sequestering protein thymosin beta-4x (Tβ4) and Tβ4 depletion phenocopied the overexpression of the ATG mutant. SPAAR binding partners included the actin-binding protein, SYNE1. CONCLUSION: The LINC00961 locus regulates EC function in vitro and in vivo. The gene produces two molecules with opposing effects on angiogenesis: SPAAR and LINC00961

The BG News September 19, 1990

The BGSU campus student newspaper September 19, 1990. Volume 73 - Issue 16https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/6109/thumbnail.jp

The disrespected state: China’s struggle for recognition through ‘soft power’

This study examines the Western-originated International Relations (IR) concept of Soft Power in the context of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In order to bring more nuance to the particular localised phenomena, the thesis presents three different approaches to the study of soft power: qualitative rhetorical analysis, media analysis and automated sentiment analysis. The results show that soft power is envisioned within the PRC as a political tool for international and domestic use, that the economy is where China has the most soft power potential in Western media, and that the PRC soft power policies are driven by emotions rather than rational calculation, guided by perception of disrespect. The contribution of the study is thus divided into three parts. Firstly, a discourse analysis of relevant Chinese academic journal articles published on the Mainland in Chinese 2000-2015 (n=31) shows that soft power rhetoric aims at national identity formation using such category arguments as ‘Anti-Westernisation’ and ‘cultural security’. In essence, the analysed soft power rhetoric formulates Chinese culture as being under threat from globalisation and Westernisation. Secondly, the study applies media analysis to interpret popular culture produced by the PRC public diplomacy bureaucracy. The results find negative dispositions vis-à-vis ‘self’ and ‘other’, as well as in-group/out-group symbolism in the analysed popular culture texts. Thirdly, to quantify China’s Western media image as part of its soft power push, the study applies an automated dictionary method to analyse two Reuters news article corpora covering the years 1996–1997 and 2008–2009 (n=1,400,000). Using automated content classification, the data is first geocoded into China-, Japan-, South Korea-, Taiwan-, and Hong Kong-related coverage and then further categorised into cultural, political, and economic topics. An automated sentiment analysis is applied to each category to quantify the tendency of the articles. The results emphasise the importance of economy in China related coverage, whereby the assumption of Chinese public diplomacy is not supported: no categorical negative Western media slant against China in comparison to other East Asian regions is found. The study demonstrates that the phenomenon referred to as soft power within the PRC tackles the challenges of modernisation and progress by placing emphasis on cultural safety and national image construction amid the perceived threats of globalisation and Westernisation. This is seen as an answer for the Chinese state in search of national identity, legitimacy and communal acceptance, still struggling with a collective perception of disrespect stemming from historical Western hegemony

Selected Endothelial Responses after Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Along with the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents, radiation therapy has revolutionized the prognosis of patients with various cancers. However, with a longer life expectancy, radiation treatment-related comorbidity, like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), becomes an issue for cancer survivors. In addition, exposure to X-rays for medical diagnostics is dramatically increasing at the present times. A pressing question is whether or not exposure to these very low doses can cause health damage. Below 0.5 gray (Gy), an increased risk cannot be evidenced by epidemiology alone, and in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies focused on the elucidation of molecular signaling pathways are needed. Given the critical role of the endothelium in normal vascular functions, a complete understanding of radiation-induced endothelial dysfunction is crucial. In this way, the current radiation protection system could be refined if needed, making it possible to more accurately assess the cardiovascular risk in the low-dose region. Finally, radiation-induced CVD, like CVD in general, is a progressive disorder that may take years to decades to manifest. Therefore, experimental studies are warranted to fulfill the urgent need to identify noninvasive biomarkers for an early detection and potential interventions—together with a healthy lifestyle—that may prevent or mitigate these adverse effects