Victim-Warriors and Restorers—Heroines in the Post-Apocalyptic World of Mad Max: Fury Road

The article discusses the evolving image of female characters in the Mad Max saga directed by George Miller, focusing on Furiosa’s rebellion in the last film—Mad Max: Fury Road. Interestingly, studying Miller’s post-apocalyptic action films, we can observe the evolution of this post-apocalyptic vision from the male-dominated world with civilization collapsing into chaotic violence visualized in the previous series to a more hopeful future created by women in the last part of the saga: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). We observe female heroes: the vengeful Furiosa, the protector of oppressed girls and sex slaves, the women of the separatist clan, and the wives of the warlord, who bring down the tyranny and create a new “green place.” It is worth emphasizing that the plot casts female solidarity in the central heroic role. In fact, the Mad Max saga emerges as a piece of socially engaged cinema preoccupied with the cultural context of gender discourse. Noticeably, media commentators, scholars and activists have suggested that Fury Road is a feminist film.

All genera of the world: an introduction to the inventory

The ’All genera of the world’ series was announced by Zhang (2020) when Megataxa was launched. It aims to publish a full list of all genera (living and fossil) in a current consensus classification, including species richness, type species, and synonyms/homonyms (if any) for each genus. Original references for the generic names, type species, and nomenclatural changes should be checked and listed. This series, when completed, will provide a basis for a full inventory of life on Earth. It is an extension of a previous series of papers to the family level for animal diversity (Zhang 2011, 2013). The series invites individual taxonomists or a large team to submit small articles or large monographs for their taxa.

How Has Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy Changed in Italy between 2004 and 2011? An Analysis of the National Patterns-Of-Practice (POP) Database by the Uro-Oncology Study Group of the Italian Society of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)

Background and purpose: Two previous “Patterns Of Practice” surveys (POP I and POP II), including more than 4000 patients affected by prostate cancer treated with radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) between 1980 and 2003, established a “benchmark” Italian data source for prostate cancer radiotherapy. This report (POP III) updates the previous studies. Methods: Data on clinical management and outcome of 2525 prostate cancer patients treated by EBRT from 2004 to 2011 were collected and compared with POP II and, when feasible, also with POP I. This report provides data on clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, radiation therapy management, and toxicity as collected within the framework of POP III. Results: More than 50% of POP III patients were classified as low or intermediate risk using D’Amico risk categories as in POP II; 46% were classified as ISUP grade group 1. CT scan, bone scan, and endorectal ultrasound were less frequently prescribed. Dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), and hypofractionated RT were more frequently offered during the study period. Treatment was commonly well tolerated. Acute toxicity improved compared to the previous series; late toxicity was influenced by prescribed dose and treatment technique. Five-year overall survival, biochemical relapse free survival (BRFS), and disease specific survival were similar to those of the previous series (POP II). BRFS was better in intermediate- and high-risk patients treated with ≥ 76 Gy. Conclusions: This report highlights the improvements in radiotherapy planning and dose delivery among Italian Centers in the 2004–2011 period. Dose-escalated treatments resulted in better biochemical control with a reduction in acute toxicity and higher but acceptable late toxicity, as not yet comprehensively associated with IMRT/IGRT. CTV-PTV margins >8 mm were associated with increased toxicity, again suggesting that IGRT—allowing for tighter margins—would reduce toxicity for dose escalated RT. These conclusions confirm the data obtained from randomized controlled studies.

On the Concept of Gravito-Rotational Acceleration and its Consequences for Compact Stellar Objects

In a previous series of papers relating to the Combined Gravitational Action (CGA), we have exclusively studied orbital motion without spin. In the present paper, we apply CGA to any self-rotating material body, i.e., an axially spinning massive object, which itself may be locally seen as a gravito-rotational source because it is capable of generating the gravito-rotational acceleration, which seems to be unknown to previously existing theories of gravity. The consequences of such an acceleration are very interesting, particularly for Compact Stellar Objects. Independently of the equation of state, it is found that the minimum radius of a stable neutron star is three times its gravitational radius, Rmin = 3GMNS/c2, and its critical and maximum internal magnetic field strength cannot exceed the value of 3×1018 G.

Concept of Gravito-Rotational Acceleration and its Consequences for Compact Stellar Objects

In a previous series of papers relating to the Combined Gravitational Action (CGA), we have exclusively studied orbital motion without spin. In the present paper, we apply CGA to any self-rotating material body, i.e., an axially spinning massive object, which itself may be locally seen as a gravito-rotational source because it is capable of generating the gravito-rotational acceleration, which seems to be unknown to previously existing theories of gravity. The consequences of such an acceleration are very interesting, particularly for Compact Stellar Objects. Independently of the equation of state, it is found that the critical and maximum internal magnetic field strength of a stable neutron star cannot exceed the value of 3x1018G.

Eurobonds: Three Lessons from China’s “Debt Centralization/Decentralization” Experience

Eurobonds, dubbed as Coronabonds in the context of the current coronavirus crisis, are being hotly debated among the euro area member states amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The debate is in many ways a retread of the euro area sovereign debt crisis of 2011–2012. As China’s “debt centralization/decentralization” experience is comparable with the introduction of Eurobonds in the European Union (EU) in terms of institutional mechanism design, we review our previous series of studies of China’s “debt centralization/decentralization” experience to shed some light on the Eurobonds debate. We obtain three key lessons. First, the introduction of Eurobonds in EU is likely to soften the budget constraint of the governments of the euro area member states. Second, it is also likely to strengthen the moral hazard incentives of the governments of the euro area member states to intentionally overstate their budget problems. Finally, the magnitudes of the moral hazard effects generated by the introduction of Eurobonds in EU are likely larger than their respective counterparts in China.

Contemporary Surgical Management of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

Objectives Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are uncommon tumors with an evolving treatment paradigm. The objective of this study was to compare our prior experience reported in 2005 with our most contemporary series to compare practice improvements and the impact of expanded endonasal procedures. Design Retrospective review comparing a contemporary 22 patients with JNA who underwent surgical management between 2005 and 2019, compared with a historical cohort of 65 patients from the same center. Results The most common presenting symptom was epistaxis (68%). The median maximum tumor diameter was 4.4 cm. All patients underwent preoperative embolization. An endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) was used in 18 patients (82%), compared with 9% in the series prior to 2005. Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. The median estimated blood loss was 175 and 350 mL for EEA and open (transfacial) cases, respectively. Only two patients (9%) required a blood transfusion compared with 52% on the previous series. The median follow-up was 19 months. The overall recurrence rate was 9% in this series and 24% in the previous series. No patient required radiation therapy in follow-up compared with 3% in our historical cohort. Conclusion There have been significant changes regarding the management of patients with JNA compared with the previous Mayo Clinic experience. The EEA has become the preferred route over the transfacial approaches to treat JNA in selected patients who do not have intracranial extension. Preoperative embolization has aided in reducing the postoperative transfusion rates.

IgG subclasses in cryoglobulins: link to composition and clinical manifestations

Background Cryoglobulins (CG) are immunoglobulins which precipitate at low temperature. The analysis of IgG subclass composition of CG is poorly reported. The aim of this study was to determine the subclasses of IgG-containing type I and mixed type II and III CG in relation to clinical manifestations. Methods Out of a previous series of 1675 patients, inclusion criteria were a cryoprecipitate > 1 mL and a total IgG > 300 mg/L. IgG subclasses were quantified by immunoturbidimetry, rheumatoid factor (RF), and C4 by immunonephelometry. Clinical parameters were collected from hospital charts. Results CG samples from 86 patients were included, 10 type I CG and 76 mixed CG. Type I CG subclasses were IgG1 (6/10) and IgG2/IgG3 (4/10), never IgG4. IgG subclass in type II vs. III CG were 73.3 ± 15.2% vs. 52.5 ± 20.7% for IgG1 (p < 0.0001), 15.4 ± 8.2% vs. 25.9 ± 14% for IgG2 (p < 0.0001), 8.4 ± 12.4 vs. 21.2 ± 14% for IgG3 (p < 0.0001), and 3 ± 5.2% vs. 0.5 ± 1.2 for IgG4 (p < 0.0001). In mixed CG, the higher proportion of IgG4 was associated with RF positive CG (p = 0.01) and low C4 (p = 0.01). In type I CG, IgG1 were associated with severe vasculitis manifestations, IgG2/IgG3 with cutaneous or renal manifestations. In mixed CG, IgG2 was the only subclass associated with CG manifestations, with a higher concentration in asymptomatic (162.6 ± 29.5 mg/L) vs. symptomatic patients with cutaneous (103 ± 17.8 mg/L, p = 0.04) and neurological (108 ± 24 mg/L, p = 0.04) manifestations. Conclusion In type I IgG CG, IgG1 was the main CG subclass associated with CG vasculitis. In mixed CG, low IgG2 concentration was linked to CG cutaneous and neurological manifestations.

Investigations on the Triboelectrostatic Charging Behaviour and the Triboelectrostatic Sortability of Different Oxides

In the course of this study, several test series were carried out to investigate the triboelectrostatic charging behaviour of various oxides. At the beginning, the influence of the degree of aging and the influence of the sample storage on the charging efficiency of the oxide samples was analysed. For this purpose, two oxide samples were stored under different environmental conditions and then sorted using triboelectrostatic belt separation. Results of a previous series of tests showed that an increased feed temperature has a negative effect on the charging behaviour of calcium and magnesium oxide. Therefore, the effects of a reduced feed temperature were also examined. For these experiments, samples were stored at 8 °C under exclusion of air. In addition, a series of tests was carried out with a gradual increase of the voltage on the triboelectrostatic belt separator in order to determine possible differences in the charging efficiency of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide and to subsequently use them for the separation.

Unsaturated Stream-Aquifer Connection When the Riverbed Itself Desaturates

In a previous series of 3 articles in this Journal we have looked at the situation when the aquifer desaturates while the riverbed (clogging layer) remained saturated. However it is quite possible that the riverbed itself will desaturate, particularly if the river stage is low and especially when the river goes dry. In this article we look at the situation when indeed the riverbed desaturates as the capillary pressure at the interface between the bottom of the riverbed and the top of the unsaturated zone in the aquifer exceeds the riverbed entry pressure, while the river itself does not go dry. Utilizing different soil textures for a riverbed we found that the seepage rate, following a slight increase in value, tends rapidly to an asymptotic limit which is not much higher than the seepage value at incipient desaturation of the riverbed. Thus the assumption that the riverbed does not desaturate may lead to grossly exaggerated values of the seepage rate.