bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Income Differences between Flexibly and Nonflexibly Employed Persons and Their Deconstruction: An Analysis Based on Data from the 2018 China Mobility Monitor
Authors: Chen Xiongying , Xie Yu , Wu Keqiang , Zhao Xin , Zhang BingBing , Yao Yin , Wang Xinyu
Published: December 2021

The article analyzed the income differences between flexibly and nonflexibly employed persons based on the 2018 China Mobile Population Dynamics Monitoring Data, using OLS methods, propensity score matching (PSM), and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. The results show that the income of flexibly employed persons is 11.9%–23.6% higher than that of nonflexibly employed persons, with differences in individual endowment characteristics explaining 53.9% of the income difference and differences in coefficients of nonmarket factors explaining 45.7% of the income difference. The degree of income difference between the two groups in different industries varies; except for the primary industry, the secondary and tertiary industries all show higher income for flexibly employed persons than for nonflexibly employed persons. The difference in income between the two groups was as high as 25% or more in the sectors of “rental and business services,” “education,” and “culture, sports, and entertainment.” The high ratio of employers and self-employed workers in flexible employment and the fact that the average number of hours worked per week is 12.6 hours higher for flexible workers than for nonflexible workers are important factors contributing to the difference in earnings between these two groups. Clarifying the extent of the current income disparity between flexible and nonflexible employment groups and its sources, and formulating and adjusting relevant policies and measures in a timely manner are conducive to creating a fair and equitable labour market environment and promoting the healthy development of flexible employment under the new circumstances.
Analysis of Privacy-Preserving Edge Computing and Internet of Things Models in Healthcare Domain
Authors: Almusallam Naif , Alabdulatif Abdulatif , Alarfaj Fawaz
Published: December 2021

The healthcare sector is rapidly being transformed to one that operates in new computing environments. With researchers increasingly committed to finding and expanding healthcare solutions to include the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, there is a need to monitor more closely than ever the data being collected, shared, processed, and stored. The advent of cloud, IoT, and edge computing paradigms poses huge risks towards the privacy of data, especially, in the healthcare environment. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research focused on seeking efficient and effective solutions that ensure data privacy in the healthcare domain. The data being collected and processed by healthcare applications is sensitive, and its manipulation by malicious actors can have catastrophic repercussions. This paper discusses the current landscape of privacy-preservation solutions in IoT and edge healthcare applications. It describes the common techniques adopted by researchers to integrate privacy in their healthcare solutions. Furthermore, the paper discusses the limitations of these solutions in terms of their technical complexity, effectiveness, and sustainability. The paper closes with a summary and discussion of the challenges of safeguarding privacy in IoT and edge healthcare solutions which need to be resolved for future applications.
An Efficient Cancer Classification Model Using Microarray and High‐Dimensional Data
Authors: Fathi Hanaa , AlSalman Hussain , Gumaei Abdu , Manhrawy Ibrahim I. M. , Hussien Abdelazim G. , El-Kafrawy Passent
Published: December 2021

Cancer can be considered as one of the leading causes of death widely. One of the most effective tools to be able to handle cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment is by using expression profiling technique which is based on microarray gene. For each data point (sample), gene data expression usually receives tens of thousands of genes. As a result, this data is large‐scale, high‐dimensional, and highly redundant. The classification of gene expression profiles is considered to be a (NP)‐Hard problem. Feature (gene) selection is one of the most effective methods to handle this problem. A hybrid cancer classification approach is presented in this paper, and several machine learning techniques were used in the hybrid model: Pearson’s correlation coefficient as a correlation‐based feature selector and reducer, a Decision Tree classifier that is easy to interpret and does not require a parameter, and Grid Search CV (cross‐validation) to optimize the maximum depth hyperparameter. Seven standard microarray cancer datasets are used to evaluate our model. To identify which features are the most informative and relative using the proposed model, various performance measurements are employed, including classification accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, F1‐score, and AUC. The suggested strategy greatly decreases the number of genes required for classification, selects the most informative features, and increases classification accuracy, according to the results.
An Image Encryption Algorithm Based on a New Hybrid Power Exponent Chaotic System
Authors: Zou Dongyao , Li Ming , Li Jun , Li Zhigang
Published: December 2021

Aiming at the problem of a small parameter value range when a one-dimensional chaotic system presents a chaotic state, this paper proposes a new type of hybrid power exponential chaotic system (HPECS). HPECS combines the classic one-dimensional Sine chaotic system to form a new chaotic system (HPECS-SS). Experiments show that the obtained new chaotic system has better chaotic performance, a more extensive parameter value range, and higher sensitivity. Simultaneously, on the basis of HPECS-SS, a new image encryption algorithm is proposed. The algorithm uses the key generated by the SHA-512 algorithm and HPECS-SS to iteratively output the chaotic sequence, SFY algorithm combines the chaotic sequence to perform two rounds of scrambling on the plaintext sequence to obtain the scrambling sequence, and finally, through the modulus operation to diffuse the scrambling sequence to form the encryption matrix of the plaintext image, simulation experiment analysis shows that the algorithm has a large key space, good encryption effect, and security; the pixel change rate (NPCR) and the normalized average change intensity (UACI) are close to ideal values which can resist various cryptanalysis and attacks.
Nobiletin Inhibits Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer by Inactivating WNT/β-Catenin Signaling through Downregulating miR-15-5p
Authors: Han Sang Hyup , Han Jeong Hee , Chun Wan Joo , Lee Sang Soo , Kim Hae Sung , Lee Jin Won
Published: December 2021

Background. Nobiletin is a natural compound with anticancer activity; however, the mechanism is not clear. Methods. The inhibitory effect of nobiletin on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was examined using soft agar, Transwell, and apoptosis analyses. Cancer stemness was measured by sphere assay. Genes and miRNAs regulated by nobiletin were identified by whole-genome sequencing. Protein levels were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Results. Nobiletin significantly inhibited NSCLC cell colony formation and sphere formation and induced apoptosis. Nobiletin upregulated negative regulators of WNT/β-catenin signaling, including NKD1, AXIN2, and WIF1, while it inhibited the expression of β-catenin and its downstream genes, including c-Myc, c-Jun, and cyclin D1. Furthermore, we identified that GN inhibits miR-15-5p expression in NSCLC cells and that NKD1, AXIN2, and WIF1 are the target genes of miR-15-5p. Conclusions. Nobiletin has a strong inhibitory effect on NSCLC, and nobiletin plays an anticancer role by inhibiting miR-15-5p/β-catenin signaling in NSCLC.
Modeling and Simulation of Wake Safety Interval for Paired Approach Based on CFD
Authors: He Xin , Ma Yilong , Yang Hong , Chen Yaqing
Published: December 2021

In order to relieve the stress caused by the surge of flight flow, Closely Spaced Parallel Runways (CSPRs) have been built in many hub airports, and a paired approach mode has been applied to CSPRs in some countries. This paper proposes a method for optimizing the wake separation between aircrafts which utilizes a paired approach, aiming at reducing longitudinal separation by using computational fluid dynamics technology. Firstly, the model of the wake vortex field of the paired lead aircraft is constructed. Secondly, the numerical simulation preparation for the characteristics of the wake vortex field is completed through the computational pretreatment of the model. Thirdly, a calculation model of wake safety interval based on paired approach operation is established. Finally, the proposed method shows its superiority comparing with other methods. This method realized visual analysis of wake vortex through optimization modeling based on computational fluid dynamics, contributing to increasing the capacity of the runway and improving the operation efficiency of an aerodrome.
CYP1B1-AS1 Is a Novel Biomarker in Glioblastoma by Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Ye Tao , Li Lan-lan , Peng Xue-mei , Li Qin
Published: December 2021

Objective. Growing evidence shows that enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are pivotal for tumor progression. In this research, our team aimed to identify the survival-related eRNAs and further explore their potential function in glioblastoma (GBM). Methods. RNA-sequencing data in 31 tumor types were acquired from TCGA datasets. The survival-related eRNAs were identified by the use of Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Spearman’s correlation analyses. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was completed to investigate the underlying signal paths of the critical eRNA. Pancancer assays were applied to explore the association between CYP1B1-AS1 and CYP1B1. Results. We identified 74 survival-related eRNAs and focused on CYP1B1-AS1 which displayed the greatest cor value. CYP1B1 was identified as a regulatory target of CYP1B1-AS1. KEGG analyses suggested that CYP1B1-AS1 might play an essential role through CK-CKR mutual effect, complement and coagulation cascades, TNF signal path, and JAK-STAT signal path. The pancancer verification outcomes revealed that CYP1B1-AS1 was related to survival in 4 cancers, i.e., LIHC, KIRP, KICH, and KIRC. Association was discovered between CYP1B1-AS1 and the targeted gene, CYP1B1, in 29 cancer types. Conclusion. The outcomes herein provided the first evidence that overexpression of CYP1B1-AS1 might be a potential molecular biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with GBM.
Transcription Factors Leading to High Expression of Neuropeptide L1CAM in Brain Metastases from Lung Adenocarcinoma and Clinical Prognostic Analysis
Authors: Feng Xu , Guan Ning , Xu Enshi , Miao Ye , Li Chenguang
Published: December 2021

Background. There is a lack of understanding of the development of metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study is aimed at exploring the upstream regulatory transcription factors of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and to construct a prognostic model to predict the risk of brain metastasis in LUAD. Methods. Differences in gene expression between LUAD and brain metastatic LUAD were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The GRNdb (http://www.grndb.com) was used to reveal the upstream regulatory transcription factors of L1CAM in LUAD. Single-cell expression profile data (GSE131907) were obtained from the transcriptome data of 10 metastatic brain tissue samples. LUAD prognostic nomogram prediction models were constructed based on the identified significant transcription factors and L1CAM. Results. Survival analysis suggested that high L1CAM expression was negatively significantly associated with overall survival, disease-specific survival, and prognosis in the progression-free interval (p<0.05). The box plot indicates that high expression of L1CAM was associated with distant metastases in LUAD, while ROC curves suggested that high expression of L1CAM was associated with poor prognosis. FOSL2, HOXA9, IRF4, IKZF1, STAT1, FLI1, ETS1, E2F7, and ADARB1 are potential upstream transcriptional regulators of L1CAM. Single-cell data analysis revealed that the expression of L1CAM was found significantly and positively correlated with the expression of ETS1, FOSL2, and STAT1 in brain metastases. L1CAM, ETS1, FOSL2, and STAT1 were used to construct the LUAD prognostic nomogram prediction model, and the ROC curves suggest that the constructed nomogram possesses good predictive power. Conclusion. By bioinformatics methods, ETS1, FOSL2, and STAT1 were identified as potential transcriptional regulators of L1CAM in this study. This will help to facilitate the early identification of patients at high risk of metastasis.
Revealing the Therapeutic Uses of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Its Potential for Drug Discovery
Authors: Tesfaye Azene
Published: December 2021

Background. Garlic is a common bulb vegetable that is used to flavor and flavor food. The plant contains biologically active components that contribute to its pharmacological properties. This paper attempts to examine the therapeutic uses and potential role in the drug development of garlic for various human diseases. Methods. To obtain crucial data and scientific knowledge about the therapeutic uses of garlic, systematic literature searches were conducted using key terms on well-known indexed platforms such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, and popular search engines. Results. Garlic, which is utilized as a spice and flavoring ingredient, is found to have fundamental nutritional components. Carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins are all found in abundance in this plant. The plant also has a high medicinal value and is used to cure a variety of human diseases. It has anti-inflammatory, rheumatological, ulcer inhibiting, anticholinergic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antistress, antidiabetes, anticancer, liver protection, anthelmintics, antioxidants, antifungal, and wound healing properties, as well as properties that help with asthma, arthritis, chronic fever, tuberculosis, runny nose, malaria, leprosy, skin discoloration, and itching, indigestion, colic, enlarged spleen, hemorrhoids, fistula, bone fracture, gout, urinary tract disease, diabetes, kidney stones, anemia, jaundice, epilepsy, cataract, and night blindness. Conclusions. The nutritional content of the plant is significant, and it has incredible therapeutic potential. The findings of this study are needed to investigate the therapeutic potential, as it may be a promising option for drug development.
Results for Chaos Synchronization with New Multi‐Fractional Order of Neural Networks by Multi‐Time Delay
Authors: Abd Latiff Fatin Nabila , Mior Othman Wan Ainun
Published: December 2021

A new finding is proposed for multi‐fractional order of neural networks by multi‐time delay (MFNNMD) to obtain stable chaotic synchronization. Moreover, our new result proved that chaos synchronization of two MFNNMDs could occur with fixed parameters and initial conditions with the proposed control scheme called sliding mode control (SMC) based on the time‐delay chaotic systems. In comparison, the fractional‐order Lyapunov direct method (FLDM) is proposed and is implemented to SMC to maintain the systems’ sturdiness and assure the global convergence of the error dynamics. An extensive literature survey has been conducted, and we found that many researchers focus only on fractional order of neural networks (FNNs) without delay in different systems. Furthermore, the proposed method has been tested with different multi‐fractional orders and time‐delay values to find the most stable MFNNMD. Finally, numerical simulations are presented by taking two MFNNMDs as an example to confirm the effectiveness of our control scheme.
Benefit Effect of Dendrobium officinale Ultrafine Powder on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Rats by Improving Colon Mucosal Barrier
Authors: Zheng Xiang , Xiong Tao-Xiu , Zhang Ke , Zhou Fu-Chen , Wang Hui-Ying , Li Bo , Dong Ying-Jie , He Xinglishang , Li Lin-Zi , Yu Qiao-Xian , Lv Gui-Yuan , Chen Su-Hong
Published: December 2021

Aim and Objective. To study the effect of Dendrobium officinale ultrafine powder (DOFP) on the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Materials and Methods. After intragastric administration of DOFP for 3 weeks, the rat UC model was made by the administration of 4% oral DSS solution for one week, and the drug was given at the same time. During the experiment, the disease activity index (DAI) score of the rats was regularly computed. At the end of the experiment, the blood routine indexes of rats were obtained. The histopathological changes in the colon were monitored by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and PAS staining and observation of ultrastructural changes in the colon by transmission electron microscope. Occludin expression in the colon was monitored by Western blot, the expression of claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the colon was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results. The results firstly indicated that DOFP could significantly alleviate the signs and symptoms of the DSS-induced rats UC model, which manifested as improvement of body weight loss, increase of colon length, and improvement of the symptoms of diarrhea and hematochezia. Then, results from histopathology, blood routine examination, and transmission electron microscope analysis further implied that DOFP could dramatically reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and restore intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. In addition, the experiments of Western Blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and PAS staining also further confirmed that DOFP could markedly increase related protein expressions of the intestinal barrier and mucus barrier, as the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 in the colon significantly decreased. The experiments of immunohistochemistry confirmed that DOFP could markedly decrease protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Conclusion. DOFP notably alleviated inflammatory lesions, repaired the colon mucosa damage by promoting the expression of tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 and inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and finally achieved the purpose of treating UC.
Network Position and Crowdsourcing Innovation Contribution Behavior: The Moderating Role of Knowledge Absorption Capacity
Authors: Meng Qingliang , Hang Yi , Chen Xiaojun
Published: December 2021

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between network position and crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior and the moderating effects of knowledge absorption capacity on the aforementioned relationship. Design/Methodology/Approach. Focusing on the Chinese context, the study conducts empirical research with the user’s knowledge‐sharing network of the MIUI community to test the research model. The negative binomial regression model which is suitable for processing discrete data is used to examine the main effects of the network position, knowledge absorption capacity, and crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior. Findings. The findings reveal that the closer the user gets to the center of the network, the more likely they will contribute. The users’ knowledge absorption capacity can help stimulate the users’ crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior, and the users with stronger knowledge absorption capacity are more likely to transform their network position advantages into innovative contribution behaviors. Practical Implications. The study provides evidence that network position has a positive impact on their crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior, and knowledge absorption capacity promotes the crowdsourcing innovation behavior of users. Managers should encourage users to occupy a favorable network position and increase knowledge exchange with other users, while at the same time continuously improving their own knowledge absorption capacity. Originality/Value. This study combines social network theory and the individual mindset to introduce knowledge absorptive capacity into the relationship model of the user’s network position and crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior, thereby constructing a complete path of “knowledge supply‐knowledge acquisition‐knowledge application‐knowledge output.” The study contributes to provide a theoretical basis for an in‐depth understanding of the influence relationship between network position and crowdsourcing innovation contribution behavior. Also, it provides a reference for enterprises to carry out practical crowdsourcing innovation community governance and improve innovation performance.
Soft Sensor Development Based on Quality‐Relevant Slow Feature Analysis and Bayesian Regression with Application to Propylene Polymerization
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhou Le , Jie Jing , Wu Xiaoli
Published: December 2021

Data‐driven soft sensors are widely used to predict quality indices in propylene polymerization processes to improve the availability of measurements and efficiency. To deal with the nonlinearity and dynamics in propylene polymerization processes, a novel soft sensor based on quality‐relevant slow feature analysis and Bayesian regression is proposed in this paper. The proposed method can handle the dynamics of the process better by extracting quality‐relevant slow features, which present both the slowly varying characteristic and the correlations with quality indices. Meanwhile, a Bayesian inference model is developed to predict the quality indices, which takes advantages of a probability framework with iterative maximum likelihood techniques for parameter estimation and a sparse constraint for avoiding overfitting. Finally, a case study is conducted with data sampled from a practical industrial propylene polymerization process to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Decompensated Superior Oblique Palsy Secondary to Bilateral Nutritional Optic Neuropathy Following Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Nche Eleanor , Ben-Avi Ravid , Shemesh Ari , Kruger Joshua M.
Published: December 2021

Optic neuropathy can occur secondary to nutritional deficiencies in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. We present a unique case of a 39-year-old man, claiming to be generally healthy, who presented with intermittent vertical diplopia and bilateral decreased vision in each eye. Visual acuity was 6/18 in the right eye and 6/12 in the left eye. Ishihara testing was defective for both eyes. Automated visual fields showed a severe generalized reduction in sensitivity in both eyes. The patient had a left head tilt and a right intermittent hypertropia of 30 prism diopters in primary position. CT of the orbits revealed a right superior oblique of small caliber. On further questioning, the patient admitted to a history of bariatric surgery 7 years prior to presentation with failure to take any nutritional supplements. Blood work demonstrated deficiencies in folate, thiamine, and copper. Within 6 months of initiating nutritional supplements, the vision in each eye was markedly improved and the diplopia resolved. There was an associated normalization of thiamine and copper, but folate levels remained low. We believe that the nutritional deficiency caused a bilateral optic neuropathy and the resulting vision loss precipitated a manifestation of a congenital superior oblique palsy that had previously just been a phoria. The case emphasizes the importance of considering occult sensory etiologies of acquired strabismus.
Rapunzel Syndrome – A Case Report: Trichobezoar as a Cause of Gastric Outlet Obstruction and Intestinal Perforation
Authors: Ishaq Nazia , Khaleeq Tahir
Published: December 2021

Rapunzel syndrome is described as a rare manifestation of gastric trichobezoar extending throughout the bowel and is associated with psychiatric disorders. Its incidence in Pakistan is very rare and is found characteristically in adolescent females. Large or complicated trichobezoars are best managed by surgery. Psychiatric follow-up is essential to diminish the frequency of recurrence. We report an unusual case of Rapunzel syndrome causing gastric outlet obstruction and intestinal perforation.
Advances in the Genetics of Congenital Ptosis
Authors: Wu Peixuan , Ma Jing , Zhang Tianyu , Ma Duan
Published: December 2021

Congenital ptosis, a birth defects presents at birth or by 1 year of age, is characterized by the drooping of the upper eyelid. Either in isolation (nonsyndromic) or with many different systemic disorders (syndromic). The estimated prevalence of ptosis (congenital and acquired) ranges from 0.79 to 1.99 per 10,000 people in different populations, and it is more prevalent in males. The underlying pathogenesis of congenital ptosis is myogenic and neurogenic, related to the development of muscles and nerves. Although most cases are sporadic, there are familial transmission characteristics, including autosomal dominant, recessive mode, and X-linkage inheritance patterns. Moreover, some forms are due to chromosomal aberrations and mutations and deletions in mitochondrial DNA. Genes involved in simple congenital ptosis (SCP) are ZFHX4 and COL25A1. The clinical aspects of various syndromes involving congenital ptosis are partly caused by single-gene mutations. However, the pathogenesis of congenital ptosis is not fully understood. We review the reported epidemiology, genetics, and clinical features of congenital ptosis and associated syndromes here.
Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and Longitudinal Tau Accumulation in Older Adults
Authors: Sible Isabel J. , Nation Daniel A. , Weiner Michael , Aisen Paul , Petersen Ronald , Jack Clifford R. , Jagust William , Trojanowki John Q. , Toga Arthur W. , Beckett Laura , Green Robert C. , Saykin Andrew J. , Morris John , Shaw Leslie M.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) is predictive of dementia, independent of average blood pressure levels, but neuropathological mechanisms remain unclear. We examined whether BPV in older adults is related to tau accumulation in brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer disease and whether relationships are modified by apoϵ4 carrier status.

Methods:

Two hundred eighty-six Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants without history of dementia underwent 3 to 4 blood pressure measurements over 12 months and ≥1 tau positron emission tomography thereafter. BPV was calculated as variability independent of mean. Each scan determined tau burden (standardized uptake value ratio) for a temporal meta–region of interest, including burden from entorhinal cortex, amygdala, parahippocampus, fusiform, inferior temporal, and middle temporal. Bayesian linear growth modeling examined the role of BPV, apolipoprotein ϵ4 carrier status, and time on regional tau accumulation after controlling for several variables, including baseline hypertension.

Results:

Elevated BPV was related to tau accumulation at follow-up in a temporal meta-region, independent of average blood pressure levels (ß, 0.89 [95% credible interval, 0.86–0.92]) and especially in entorhinal cortex (ß, 2.57 [95% credible interval, 2.15–2.99]). Apoϵ4 carriers with elevated BPV had the fastest tau accumulation at follow-up (ß, 1.73 [95% credible interval, 0.47–3.03]).

Conclusions:

BPV is related to tau accumulation in brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer disease, independent of average blood pressure. APOEϵ4 modified this relationship. Bidirectionality of findings is possible. BPV may represent a marker of vascular dysfunction related to early-stage tau pathology contributing to Alzheimer disease.
Rutba vs Ġāya: A Reconsideration of the Impact of the Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-Ṣafāʾ on Maslama b. Qāsim al-Qurṭubī
Authors: de Callataÿ Godefroid
Published: December 2021

This study aims to reconsider the impact of the Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-Ṣafāʾ on the Rutbat al-ḥakīm (The Rank of the Sage) and the Ġāyat al-ḥakīm (The Aim of the Sage). Exclusively concerned with textual evidence taken from the three works and making extensive use of the programme Qawl, it shows that the way Maslama b. Qāsim al-Qurṭubī refers to the Iḫwānian corpus in the Rutba reveals a far less familiarity with that work than at the time he writes the Ġāya. This difference of treatment suggests that, contrary to what was previously assumed, Maslama had no access to the text of the Rasāʾil before he started writing his ultimate treatise.
Political Reforms as Religious Revival: Conceptual Foundations of Tanzimat
Authors: Topal Alp Eren
Published: December 2021

Parallel to Arab Nahḍah, Ottoman modernization program is associated with the Tanzimat, a period of drastic social, political and institutional transformation. The word tanẓīmāt itself, however, merely means “regulations” or “reorganization” and very little has been done in investigating the conceptual or ideational foundations of Tanzimat reforms. The question at stake here is how these series of reforms were justified and legitimized within the Ottoman political culture. Accordingly, this paper focuses on reform debates among Ottoman bureaucrats and statesmen in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and proposes the concept and doctrine of taǧdīd (renewal) as a key to understanding Ottoman reform and religious transformation. Ottoman reformers at the turn of 19th century resorted to the doctrine of centennial renewal in order to both criticize the moral shortcomings of Ottoman political system and legitimize innovation. Within this logic, Ottoman reformist sultans and politicians have frequently been referred to as muǧaddids, that is restorers. This paper will present an account of the concept of taǧdīd based on Ottoman political and historical writing from the period. I argue that Ottoman reform was inseparable from the logic of religious revival and that Ottoman debates should be considered as part of and discussed in relation to the 18th-century Muslim revivalism which has attracted growing attention in the last decade.
Domesticating the Turks, Staging Otherness. The Tradition of Embodying the Turks, the Parata dei Turchi of Potenza and Its Narration in 20th-Century Folkloric Descriptions
Authors: Tagliaferri Filomena Viviana
Published: December 2021

The aim of the essay is to analyse the presence of Oriental characters in the patron saint’s Feast of San Gerardo, taking place in the city of Potenza on 29 May. After offering an insight into the integration of Oriental characters into Italian early modern culture, the paper will first focus on the ‘historicity’ of the Parata dei Turchi and its carnivalesque function. It will then move to the way in which the Turks were represented between the 19th and 20th centuries — that is, the period from which sources present it as an already long-established tradition — seeking to offer a contribution to the interpretation of the tradition of the parading of Turkish masks on the annual procession of San Gerardo.
“We Kind of do not Dare to Tell Everybody that we are in a Program for Disabled Students, Because Some are Afraid that they will be Made Fun of”
Authors: Sverrisdóttir Anna Björk , Hove Geert Van
Published: December 2021

Implementing inclusive education has proven problematic all over the world. The reasons are multiple, but one of them can presumably be related to the way students with disabilities are “created”, viewed, and responded to as “special education students” within schools. To challenge this, we need to understand students’ position within the school. In this article, the focus is on identifying the position of students who receive special education in schools in Iceland by mapping their power relations and resistance within the discursive norm of special education. We use the method of thinking with theory and read data in accordance with Foucault’s theories of power relations and resistance and Deleuze and Guattari’s concepts of line of flight and becoming. Findings show that power relations affect students variously and although students’ resistance is manifested differently between individuals, a common thread is visible when resisting their static position as special education students.
Zen Chanting and Jazz at a Public Arts Festival
Authors: Mross Michaela
Published: December 2021

This article explores ritual change and innovation based on my participation as a saxophone player in two rituals featuring traditional Buddhist chant and jazz, which were performed at the Sōtō Zen temple Tōkōji in Ōmiya (Saitama prefecture) during the Yume Arts Festival. In designing these ceremonies, the monks selected elements from traditional rituals and put them together in new ways, while adding new entertaining elements, such as jazz and yōkai. I suggest that the modularity of rituals made it possible to easily create new ceremonies and perform them without extensive rehearsals. Moreover, I show that the monks aimed to offer an entertaining performance in order to reach out to the local community. This article further illuminates that Sōtō Zen has a rich sonic dimension, which our crossover ceremonies showcased.
Pei Xiu (791–864) and Lay Buddhism in Tang Chan
Authors: Wu Jiang
Published: December 2021

Pei Xiu 裴休 (791–864) was a literati follower of Buddhist teachers, among whom the two most eminent were Zongmi 宗密 (780–841) and Huangbo Xiyun 黃檗希運 (?–850). These two teachers had notably different spiritual orientations: one was the synthesizer of Chan and Huayan teachings, the other a member of the more radical Hongzhou 洪州 school. Rather than passively patronizing Buddhist teachers, Pei Xiu served as an active agent of his own religiosity and influenced Buddhist communities broadly. Through examining Pei Xiu’s Quanfa putixin wen 勸發菩提心文 [Essay Exhorting the Generation of Bodhicitta], Chuanxin fayao 傳心法要 [Essentials of The Transmission of Mind], which he prefaced and edited, and his various prefaces and epitaphs written for Zongmi and other monks, this study scrutinizes the transformation of early Chinese Chan communities before they were reimagined as ‘mature’ and ‘classical’ in later times.
Three new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) endemic to the north-wet-arc in the Maya Highlands of Guatemala
Authors: VÁZQUEZ-GARCÍA J. ANTONIO , TRIBOUILLIER-NAVAS ERICK , ARCHILA FREDY , VÉLIZ MARIO , PEÑA A. SALOME ORTEGA , SHALISKO VIACHESLAV
Published: December 2021

Three new Magnolia species and a new record from Guatemala are described and illustrated. Two of the new species, M. javieri and M. oscarrodrigoi, are from Alta Verapaz Department and one, M. veliziana, is from Quiché Department. Additionally, M. faustinomirandae is newly reported for the flora of Guatemala. With this contribution, the number of native Guatemalan species increases from 11 to 15 species. An updated distribution map and a key to species are provided. Guatemala, particularly the north-wet-arc in the Maya Highlands, is now an important centre of diversification and endemism for Magnolia. The conservation status of the newly proposed species was unofficially assessed using IUCN criteria.
Blood Pressure Monitoring Based on Carbonized Lens Cleaning Paper-Based Flexible Strain Sensor
Authors: Li Xingyang , Wu Kaiqiang , Deng Haijing
Published: December 2021

Blood pressure (BP) is an important indicator for measuring human health, especially continuous BP, which can indirectly reflect the operating conditions of the heart and blood vessels. The increase in wearable devices has promoted the development of high-performance flexible strain
sensors that can monitor various physiological signals and human motion signals. In this work, we used carbonized non-woven lens cleaning paper as the sensitive element to prepare a wide working range (0–100% strain) and high sensitivity (sensitivity in the range of 0–60% is 32,
sensitivity in the range of 60–100% strain is as high as 162), fast response capability (response time less than 20 ms), with long-term cycle stability (greater than 10,000 cycles). Based on this sensor, we collected the user’s radial artery pressure pulse wave signal, and proposed
a wearable continuous BP monitoring method based on the pressure pulse wave signal. This method includes pulse wave signal monitoring, pulse wave feature extraction, and establishment of a BP prediction model. The results show that there is a strong correlation and satisfactory accuracy between
the predicted BP value and the reference BP value, thus demonstrating its application potential in personal BP monitoring.
Preparation of Magnetic Resonance Nano Contrast Agent and Its Adoption in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Guo Rong , Ma Binbin , Nie Jiaqiu
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to explore the value of preoperative mammography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors of nipple discharge. A biocompatible T1 contrast agent KMnF3 nanoparticle was first developed in the research, and then RGD-coupled KMnF3
nanoparticles were further synthesized as a highly sensitive tumor-targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. While the nanoparticle was characterized physically, cytotoxicity test and MRI test in breast cancer mice were performed, and the excised tumors were subjected to immunostaining
and tumor electron microscope section processing. At the same time, 60 patients with nipple discharge were screened to participate in the research, and the prepared MRI nano contrast agent was used for the differential diagnosis of breast benign/malignant tumors of nipple discharge. In the
experiment, the synthetic nanoparticles were tested by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), which proved that the designed RGDtu/KMnF3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. The quantitative analysis of the synthesized nanoparticles showed that the relaxation efficiency reached
23.12 mM−1s−1, and there was no obvious toxicity. After staining, the microscope showed that the tumor was proliferating. After intravenous injection of low-dose RGDtu/KMnF3 contrast agent, nanoparticles were found in the tumor tissue. It was found
that the synthesized nanoparticles enhanced the contrast of tumors with a volume of less than 50 mm3 by observing tumor slices. The imaging of the patient’s breast showed that the X-ray classification of galactography based on this contrast agent was statistically significant
in distinguishing benign/malignant lesions of nipple discharge (X2 = 58.700, P < 0.01).
Water Lifting and Outflow Gain of Kinetic Energy in Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Makarieva Anastassia M. , Gorshkov Victor G. , Nefiodov Andrei V. , Chikunov Alexander V. , Sheil Douglas , Nobre Antonio Donato , Nobre Paulo , Plunien Günter , Molina Ruben D.
Published: December 2021

While water lifting plays a recognized role in the global atmospheric power budget, estimates for this role in tropical cyclones vary from no effect to a major reduction in storm intensity. To better assess this impact, here we consider the work output of an infinitely narrow thermodynamic cycle with two streamlines connecting the top of the boundary layer in the vicinity of maximum wind (without assuming gradient-wind balance) to an arbitrary level in the inviscid free troposphere. The reduction of a storm’s maximum wind speed due to water lifting is found to decline with increasing efficiency of the cycle and is about 5% for maximum observed Carnot efficiencies. In the steady-state cycle, there is an extra heat input associated with the warming of precipitating water. The corresponding positive extra work is of an opposite sign and several times smaller than that due to water lifting. We also estimate the gain of kinetic energy in the outflow region. Contrary to previous assessments, this term is found to be large when the outflow radius is small (comparable to the radius of maximum wind). Using our framework, we show that Emanuel’s maximum potential intensity (E-PI) corresponds to a cycle where total work equals work performed at the top of the boundary layer (net work in the free troposphere is zero). This constrains a dependence between the outflow temperature and heat input at the point of maximum wind, but does not constrain the radial pressure gradient. We outline the implications of the established patterns for assessing real storms.
Revisiting the Existence of the Global Warming Slowdown during the Early Twenty-First Century
Authors: Wei Meng , Song Zhenya , Shu Qi , Yang Xiaodan , Song Yajuan , Qiao Fangli
Published: December 2021

There are heated debates on the existence of the global warming slowdown during the early twenty-first century. Although efforts have been made to clarify or reconcile the controversy over this issue, it is not explicitly addressed, restricting the understanding of global temperature change particularly under the background of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Here, using extensive temperature datasets, we comprehensively reexamine the existence of the slowdown under all existing definitions during all decadal-scale periods spanning 1990–2017. Results show that the short-term linear trend–dependent definitions of slowdown make its identification severely suffer from the period selection bias, which largely explains the controversy over its existence. Also, the controversy is further aggravated by the significant impacts of the differences between various datasets on the recent temperature trend and the different baselines for measuring slowdown prescribed by various definitions. However, when the focus is shifted from specific periods to the probability of slowdown events, we find the probability is significantly higher in the 2000s than in the 1990s, regardless of which definition and dataset are adopted. This supports a slowdown during the early twenty-first century relative to the warming surge in the late twentieth century, despite higher greenhouse gas concentrations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this decadal-scale slowdown is not incompatible with the centennial-scale anthropogenic warming trend, which has been accelerating since 1850 and never pauses or slows. This work partly reconciles the controversy over the existence of the warming slowdown and the discrepancy between the slowdown and anthropogenic warming.
The Anatomy of a Series of Cloud Bursts that Eclipsed the U.S. Rainfall Record
Authors: Corrigan Terrence J. , Businger Steven
Published: December 2021

A series of extreme cloudbursts occurred on 14 April 2018 over the northern slopes of the island of Kaua‘i, Hawaii. The storm inundated some areas with 1262 mm (∼50 in.) of rainfall in a 24-h period, eclipsing the previous 24-h U.S. rainfall record of 1100 mm (42 in.) set in Texas in 1979. Three periods of intense rainfall are diagnosed through detailed analysis of National Weather Service operational and special datasets. On the synoptic scale, a slowly southeastward propagating trough aloft over a deep layer of low-level moisture (>40 mm of total precipitable water) produced prolonged instability over Kaua‘i. Enhanced northeast to east low-level flow impacted Kaua‘i’s complex terrain, which includes steep north- and eastward-facing slopes and cirques. The resulting orographic lift initiated deep convection. The wind profile exhibited significant shear in the troposphere and streamwise vorticity within the convective storm inflow. Evidence suggests that large directional shear in the boundary layer, paired with enhanced orographic vertical motion, produced rotating updrafts within the convective storms. Mesoscale rotation is manifest in the radar data during the latter two periods, and reflectivity cores are observed to propagate both to the left and to the right of the mean shear, which is characteristic of supercells. The observations suggest that the terrain configuration in combination with the wind shear separates the area of updrafts from the downdraft section of the storm, resulting in almost continuous heavy rainfall over Waipā Garden.
A Climatology of Cell Mergers with Supercells and Their Association with Mesocyclone Evolution
Authors: Flournoy Matthew D. , Lyza Anthony W. , Satrio Martin A. , Diedrichsen Madeline R. , Coniglio Michael C. , Waugh Sean
Published: December 2021

In this study, we present a climatology of observed cell mergers along the paths of 342 discrete, right-moving supercells and their association with temporal changes in low-level mesocyclone strength (measured using azimuthal shear). Nearly one-half of the examined supercells experience at least one cell merger. The frequency of cell merger occurrence varies somewhat by geographical region and the time of day. No general relationship exists between cell merger occurrence and temporal changes in low-level azimuthal shear; this corroborates prior studies in showing that the outcome of a merger is probably sensitive to storm-scale and environmental details not captured in this study. Interestingly, we find a significant inverse relationship between premerger azimuthal shear and the subsequent temporal evolution of azimuthal shear. In other words, stronger low-level mesocyclones are more likely to weaken after cell mergers and weaker low-level mesocyclones are more likely to strengthen. We also show that shorter-duration cell merger “events” (comprising multiple individual mergers) are more likely to be associated with a steady or weakening low-level mesocyclone whereas longer-duration cell merger events (3–4 individual mergers) are more likely to be associated with a strengthening low-level mesocyclone. These findings suggest what physical processes may influence the outcome of a merger in different scenarios and that the impact of these processes on low-level mesocyclone strength may change depending on storm maturity. We establish a baseline understanding of the supercell–cell merger climatology and highlight areas for future research in how to better anticipate the outcomes of cell mergers.

Significance Statement

A common assumption in idealized supercell simulations is that the background environment is homogeneous. Cells merging into a primary supercell represent one of many ways in which the environment might be significantly inhomogeneous. This study analyzes the paths of 342 supercells with a particular focus on how cell merger occurrence influences the strength of the low-level mesocyclone. Almost one-half of all supercells experience at least one cell merger. Supercells are more likely to weaken after a cell merger event if the premerger mesocyclone was strong or if the merger event is relatively short, and vice versa for the likelihood for a supercell to strengthen. These findings are important for those interested in short-term predictions of supercell evolution in response to cell mergers and suggest what dynamic processes may play a role in governing these relationships.