E.T. Phone Home: Can Hollywood\u27s Big Break Include Fixing Environmental Carnage and Human Rights Violations from Co-Productions

With the continuous rise of globalization and the interconnectivity of nations, co-productions are becoming the new “hit” for movies and shows. When two or more foreign nations come together for entertainment purposes, co-productions are formed. How do these nations join forces for “movie magic?” Big brother film commissions, such as the Association of Film Commissioners International and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production, aid in the facilitation of co-productions. While consumers are unaware of the details and fine-print behind these co-productions, watchers might be surprised to learn that more than one-third of Hollywood’s productions are being produced abroad. Although these co-productions help create authentic and eye-popping storytelling, they come at a non-economic cost. Unfortunately, countries involved in these co-productions are committing environmental and human rights violations. As co-productions become more bountiful, environmental harm comes in the wake of foreign co-productions. Countries such as Iceland, Morocco, and Thailand (commonly known for their captivating landscapes and nature) are being corroded by co-productions aftermath. As proposed in this note, the curtain has not closed quite yet. With the implantation of a new environmental monitoring position or board within film commissions overseers (such as AFCI and Council of Europe), countries and co-productions can work to form a sustainable and nature-friendly production. Another important downfall of co-productions is the human rights violations that are buried beneath the production’s glamorous surface. With varying cultures and societal values, co-productions may lend way to perpetuating filming countries’ harmful norms. In fact, some countries even force these values and twist Hollywood’s hand to film in the desired foreign location. But at what cost should human livelihoods be sidelined? This note scrutinizes some examples of co-productions that looked the other way for their “perfect shot” and exploited natives. To counteract this narrative, this note also proposes a similar integration of a humanitarian overseer(s) in co-productions in quasi-government organizations (such as AFCI). It also proposes the potential for a complete bar on co-producing with countries known to perpetually violate human rights. With these proposed initiatives in action and co-producers on the same page, only then should the “show go on.

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

E.T. Phone Home: Can Hollywood\u27s Big Break Include Fixing Environmental Carnage and Human Rights Violations from Co-Productions

With the continuous rise of globalization and the interconnectivity of nations, co-productions are becoming the new “hit” for movies and shows. When two or more foreign nations come together for entertainment purposes, co-productions are formed. How do these nations join forces for “movie magic?” Big brother film commissions, such as the Association of Film Commissioners International and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production, aid in the facilitation of co-productions. While consumers are unaware of the details and fine-print behind these co-productions, watchers might be surprised to learn that more than one-third of Hollywood’s productions are being produced abroad. Although these co-productions help create authentic and eye-popping storytelling, they come at a non-economic cost. Unfortunately, countries involved in these co-productions are committing environmental and human rights violations. As co-productions become more bountiful, environmental harm comes in the wake of foreign co-productions. Countries such as Iceland, Morocco, and Thailand (commonly known for their captivating landscapes and nature) are being corroded by co-productions aftermath. As proposed in this note, the curtain has not closed quite yet. With the implantation of a new environmental monitoring position or board within film commissions overseers (such as AFCI and Council of Europe), countries and co-productions can work to form a sustainable and nature-friendly production. Another important downfall of co-productions is the human rights violations that are buried beneath the production’s glamorous surface. With varying cultures and societal values, co-productions may lend way to perpetuating filming countries’ harmful norms. In fact, some countries even force these values and twist Hollywood’s hand to film in the desired foreign location. But at what cost should human livelihoods be sidelined? This note scrutinizes some examples of co-productions that looked the other way for their “perfect shot” and exploited natives. To counteract this narrative, this note also proposes a similar integration of a humanitarian overseer(s) in co-productions in quasi-government organizations (such as AFCI). It also proposes the potential for a complete bar on co-producing with countries known to perpetually violate human rights. With these proposed initiatives in action and co-producers on the same page, only then should the “show go on.

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3–7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease

Marketing in Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): The State of the Art in a Chinese Socialist Economy

This paper adopts the context-embedded approach to examine the marketing practices of 307 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the People’’s Republic of China by comparing the survey findings with that of Hong Kong and Guangdong SMEs. Chinese SMEs focus on regional markets to avoid direct competition with Hong Kong SMEs in the international markets and also their Guangdong counterparts in the turbulent nationwide market. To market their own brands, Chinese SMEs have to analyze the market and use superior marketing strategies in the competitive markets. Chinese SMEs do not attain the superior competitive positions as that of their Guangdong counterparts, but they use customer satisfaction surveys and claims investigation to help develop excellence in product performance. Also, Chinese SMEs have to provide value-added products and services and also a well-rounded marketing competitive strategy to gain market shares. The traditional state-owned enterprise structure in China facilitates the development of hierarchical organizational structure and joint decision making process. Thus, care should be taken in assuming that marketing tools and techniques are equally applicable across all places, even in similar cultural contexts. Socio-cultural influences and mediating environmental factors should be considered when attempting to understand the marketing practices of Chinese small firms, specifically when China is in transition to a socialist market economy. Copyright Springer 2005chinese, marketing practices, small firm,