def ping_endpoint():
    """API endpoint determines potential article hash exists in db

    :return: status code 204 -- hash not present, continue submission
    :return: status code 201 -- hash already exists, drop submission
    """
    db = get_db()
    target_hash = request.form.get('hash')
    if db.raw.find({'hash': target_hash}).count():
        return Response(status=201)
    else:
        return Response(status=204)