Extended Quark Potential Model from Random Phase Approximation

The quark potential model is extended to include the sea quark excitation using the random phase approximation (RPA). The effective quark interaction preserves the important Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) properties -- chiral symmetry and confinement simultaneously. A primary qualitive analysis shows that the $\pi$ meson as a well-known typical Goldstone boson and the other mesons made up of valence $q\bar{q}$ quark pair such as the $\rho$ meson can also be described in this extended quark potential model

Reducing Objectification Could Tackle Stigma in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from China

Stigmatization associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to be a complex issue and to extend into the later phases of the pandemic, which impairs social cohesion and relevant individuals\u27 well-being. Identifying contributing factors and learning their roles in the stigmatization process may help tackle the problem. This study quantitatively assessed the severity of stigmatization against three different groups of people: people from major COVID-19 outbreak sites, those who had been quarantined, and healthcare workers; explored the factors associated with stigmatization within the frameworks of self-categorization theory and core social motives; and proposed solutions to resolve stigma. The cross-sectional online survey was carried out between April 21 and May 7, 2020, using a convenience sample, which yielded 1,388 valid responses. Employing data analysis methods like multivariate linear regression and moderation analysis, this study yields some main findings: (1) those from major COVID-19 outbreak sites received the highest level of stigma; (2) factors most closely associated with stigmatization, in descending order, are objectification and epidemic proximity in an autonomic aspect and fear of contracting COVID-19 in a controllable aspect; and (3) superordinate categorization is a buffering moderator in objectification-stigmatization relationship. These findings are important for further understanding COVID-19-related stigma, and they can be utilized to develop strategies to fight against relevant discrimination and bias. Specifically, reinforcing superordinate categorization by cultivating common in-group identity, such as volunteering and donating for containment of the pandemic, could reduce objectification and, thus, alleviate stigma

Inhibition of pancreatic protein secretion by ghrelin in the rat

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65653/1/j.1469-7793.2001.0231k.x.pd

Fatigue life assessment of large scale T-jointed steel truss bridge components

Among current approaches for fatigue strength assessment, the effective notch stress method is widely employed by practising engineers designing welded joints. This is particularly important in the situation where the nominal stress and structural stress cannot be easily quantified. In this paper, the applicability of the so called effective notch stress approach on large-size T-joints in truss bridges is investigated through a comprehensive experimental programme supported by numerical analysis. A series of large-scale fatigue tests on prototype large-size T-joints with cope holes were conducted. These types of joints are normally used in fully welded truss bridges. Furthermore, a simple parametric study was conducted using finite element analysis to investigate the effect of plate thickness and cope-hole radius on effective notch stress. Comparison of the results with commonly used design guidance documents reveals that the effective notch stress approach provides a conservative estimate of the fatigue strength of the specimens tested in this experimental programme

A real-world pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse event reporting system events for diazepam

Background: Diazepam, one of the benzodiazepines, is widely used clinically to treat anxiety, for termination of epilepsy, and for sedation. However, the reports of its adverse events (AEs) have been numerous, and even fatal complications have been reported. In this study, we investigated the AEs of diazepam based on real data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adverse event reporting system (FAERS).Methods: Disproportionality in diazepam-associated AEs was assessed through the calculation of reporting odds ratios (RORs), proportional reporting ratios (PRRs), Bayesian confidence–propagation neural networks (BCPNNs), and gamma-Poisson shrinkage (GPS).Results: Among the 19,514,140 case reports in the FAERS database, 15,546 reports with diazepam as the “principal suspect (PS)" AEs were identified. Diazepam-induced AEs occurred targeting 27 system organ categories (SOCs). Based on four algorithms, a total of 391 major disproportionate preferred terms (PTs) were filtered out. Unexpectedly significant AEs such as congenital nystagmus, developmental delays, and rhabdomyolysis were noted, which were not mentioned in the drug insert.Conclusion: Our study identified potential signals of new AEs that could provide strong support for clinical monitoring and risk identification of diazepam