bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a dynamic intelligent recognition system for a real-time tracking robot
Authors: Salih Thair Ali , Ghazal Mohammed Talal , Mohammed Zaid Ghanim
Published: September 2021

Nowadays, the development of computer vision technology help to overcome track and identify humans within a location in the complex environment through mobile robots, which gives the motivation to presents a vision-based approach to a mobile security robot. The proposed system utilizes a wireless camera to detect the objects in the field of robot view. Principle component analysis (PCA) algorithm and filters are used to implement and demonstrate the process of the images. This gives the designed system the ability to recognize objects independently from current light conditions. Frame tracking in the images uses an attention system to get an estimate of the position of a person. This estimate helps the applied camera to identify objects with changing background lighting conditions such as a fire inside a building. By using this estimate, the applied camera could identify objects with changing background lighting conditions such as a fire inside premises. The system has been tested using the MATLAB environment, and the empirical performance explains the efficiency and strongness of the suggested device.
МРТ-діагностика плеоморфних аденом слинних залоз. Нові розширені критерії оцінки
Authors: Бродецький І. С. , Маланчук В. О. , Ребенков С. О.
Published: September 2021

Резюме. Одним із важливих методів діагностики пухлин слинних залоз (плеоморфних аденом) на передопераційному етапі є магнітно-резонасна томографія (МРТ). Вона дозволяє визначити не лише локалізацію пухлини та особливості її структури, а й топографію навколишніх її тканин, визначити можливі зміни в них. Застосування МРТ у діагностиці плеоморфних аденом (ПА) слинних залоз дозволить розширити критерії її оцінки та визначити її особливості.

Мета дослідження – визначити нові розширені діагностичні критерії плеоморфних аденом слинних залоз за допомогою МРТ-дослідження.

Матеріали і методи. Матеріалом дослідження було 30 хворих із пухлинами великих слинних залоз (плеоморфні аденоми), які проходили лікування в КМКЛ №12 ЩЛВ № 2 в період з 2018 до 2020 року. Всі хворі пройшли загальноклінічне обстеження. Видалений матеріал підпадав патогістологічному дослідженню. Магнітно-резонасну томографію проводили на апараті MPT Toshiba Vantage Titan 1.5T.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. МРТ-дослідження, проведене хворим на плеоморфні аденоми слинних залоз, показало, що у всіх хворих пухлина була представлена у вигляді 1 вузла, із горбковою поверхнею та деформацією капсули у 20 (60 %) випадках, нерівномірністю капсули – (0,68±0,24) мм, та найбільшим розміром пухлини у вертикальній проекції – (25,32±11,11) мм, середнім співвідношення об’єму пухлини до об’єму залози – 0,24±0,27 (23 %), локальним розширенням проток залози біля пухлини у 15 (50 %) хворих, однорідністю пухлини без капсули – 183,7±85,47, середньою оптичною щільністю на Т2 TSE ВІ – 1428,8±881,69, коефіцієнтом дифузії, який можливо виміряти (x10-3 mm2/s) – 1,88±0,41, відстанню від поверхні пухлини до шкіри – (5,061±2,34) мм.

Висновки. Проведені МРТ-дослідження дозволи виділити 5 груп параметрів, які необхідно використовувати для опису ПА слинних залоз (загальні параметри пухлини, кількісні показники щільності пухлини; характеристика капсули пухлини; розмір залози, пухлини та їх локалізація; наявність запальних змін в тканинах, що оточують пухлину).
ДИЗАЙН ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТУ ПРИ ПРОВЕДЕННІ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ ЗІ СТВОРЕННЯ ТАБЛЕТОВАНИХ ЛІКАРСЬКИХ ЗАСОБІВ Повідомлення 4. Використання методу “Якість шляхом розробки” (QbD) при оптимізації складу та технології таблетованих лікарських засобів
Authors: Hroshovyi T. A. , Pavliuk B. V. , Chubka M. B. , Demchuk M. B. , Nayda Yu. V.
Published: September 2021

Мета роботи. Аналіз і систематизація даних літератури щодо використання підходу «Якість шляхом розробки» (Quality by Design) з метою розробки оптимального складу та технології таблетованих лікарських засобів.
Матеріали і методи. У роботі використано методи інформаційного пошуку, аналізу даних наукової літератури щодо можливого застосування підходу «Якість шляхом розробки» та практичного його використання при розробці складу та технології таблетованих лікарських засобів.
Результати й обговорення. У роботі охарактеризована загальна концепція підходу «Якість шляхом розробки» у фармацевтичній технології лікарських засобів. Наведено дані щодо практичного застосування даного підходу при розробці складу та технології таблетованих лікарських засобів та їхньої оптимізації.
Висновки. «Якість шляхом розробки» є важливою та широко використовуваною стратегією розробки лікарських засобів. При використанні даного підходу основну увагу приділяють безпеці та ефективності лікарського засобу, узагальнюють технологічне розуміння фармацевтичного процесу та застосовуваних методів, здійснюють наукове обґрунтування оцінки ризиків, визначення критичних показників якості та аналіз їхнього впливу на кінцеву якість розробленого засобу.
A transformação da paisagem na favela objeto de regularização fundiária
Authors: Dosso Taisa Cintra , Silva Jonathas Magalhães Pereira da
Published: September 2021

O trabalho contribui para o debate referente à transformação da paisagem em favelas que ocorreram processos de regularização fundiária. A paisagem é entendida aqui como produto e processo de ocupação do território que revela os conflitos sociais do espaço. A transformação da paisagem urbana revela a profunda mudança nos costumes e hábitos nas relações espaço-tempo. A política pode contribuir para essas mudanças, manifestando-se na paisagem. Num espectro menor, na favela, quando ocorre a política pública de regularização fundiária, a paisagem reflete essa nova forma de ocupação do território, transformando aspectos morfológicos. A favela regularizada é refletida na paisagem em mutação, na paisagem transformada pelo processo.
O invariável, a norma e o desconhecido: a emergência da arquitetura moderna brasileira em debate
Authors: Pignaton Clara Bonna
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo expõe os conflitos decorrentes da emergência da linguagem moderna no Brasil no campo da arquitetura através de debates ocorridos em veículos públicos como jornais e congressos. A discussão travada entre arquitetos e pensadores como Flávio de Carvalho, Mario de Andrade e Le Corbusier elucidam as preocupações da época, sejam elas a construção de uma identidade nacional, o progresso, a normatização, bem como a dialética entre a racionalidade e as emoções.
Habitação social e o Programa de Urbanização de Favelas: o Conjunto Paraisópolis, em São Paulo
Authors: Figueiredo Ana Carolina Carvalho
Published: September 2021

O Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD) aponta que cerca de 3,5 bilhões de pessoas, ou seja, metade da população humana, vive nas cidades e que a tendência é que este número alcance quase 60% em 2030. Enquanto isso, o número de habitantes em favelas também cresce e já ultrapassa os 828 milhões no mundo. Considerando tal cenário, o presente artigo apresenta um panorama da produção da habitação de interesse social no Brasil, com enfoque especial na cidade de São Paulo. Neste contexto o artigo presente vem apresentar a atuação do Programa de Urbanização de Favelas na capital paulista destacando o projeto do Complexo Paraisópolis, localizado na Zona Sul do município. Foram utilizadas como ferramentas metodológicas, neste sentido, pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, bem como entrevistas. O resultado final aponta o cenário da cidade de São Paulo, a partir de um caso específico da segunda maior favela da cidade, onde algumas ações pontuais vêm sendo feitas no sentido de ampliar o acesso à moradia digna e infraestrutura, ainda que existam pontos de deficiência que devem ser melhorados na atuação do Estado sobre essas áreas de vulnerabilidade.
Coautores urbanos: cidadãos formais, marginalizados e ativistas urbanos
Authors: Rocha Gabrielle
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo tem como objeto de estudo os coautores urbanos, responsáveis por exemplificar através do cotidiano o conceito de coautoria urbana. Estes coautores podem atuar através do urbanismo de topo (quando detém algum tipo de poder, seja ele econômico, social ou político) e do urbanismo de base (quando detém pouco ou nenhum poder, ou são menos favorecidos). Neste artigo, é priorizada a atuação da base, na qual foram percebidas semelhanças entre alguns grupos em suas formas de apropriação, visões de cidade e experiências, formando, então, as chamadas camadas coautoras. Assim, são trabalhadas as territorialidades, micropolíticas, corpos e papéis de três camadas coautoras da base: os cidadãos formais, os cidadãos marginalizados e os ativistas urbanos.
Estudo da forma arquitetônica do Santuário Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro - Salgueiro/PE
Authors: Cabral Maria Izabel Rego , Oliveira Junior Antônio Italcy de , Santos Yanne Pereira de Andrade
Published: September 2021

O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a forma arquitetônica do Santuário Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro, enquanto tipo funcional religioso que possui referências modernistas. A construção, localizada na cidade de Salgueiro, Pernambuco, foi idealizada e construída por um morador da comunidade local na década de 1980, fato constatado em visita realizada em outubro de 2018. Na década de 1990, foi reformada, quando teve a assessoria técnica de um engenheiro. A construção, executada sem projeto arquitetônico, é, por este motivo, aqui considerada autoconstrução. A escolha deste exemplar como objeto de pesquisa deve-se ao fato de constituir um relevante marco arquitetônico de Salgueiro e sua expressão plástica de repetição de estruturas dispostas radialmente aproxima-se formalmente de relevantes templos sacros modernistas brasileiros.
Vignola em Português: anotações a partir das Regras das Cinco Ordens de 1787
Authors: Brandão Angela
Published: September 2021

Este texto trata da difusão dos Tratados de Arquiteutra do Renascimento, em especial de Giacommo Barozzi da Vignola: Regole delle cinque ordine dell’Architettura (1572). Tal difusão   como literatura aristocrática; como conhecimento erudito de arquitetos nas Academias; mas também como saber adaptado ao mundo dos artesãos, exigido para  exames de ofício, de acordo com o Livro dos Regimentos dos Oficiais Mecânicos, compilado em Lisboa (1576). Desde o século XVII, as edições de Vignola indicam diferentes utilizações deste conhecimento, sendo que no XVIII adquire um sentido de resgate do Antigo, em detrimento das invenções do Barroco e Rococó. Nesse contexto surgem as duas primeiras edições portuguesas de Vignola.
O papel do dicionário de Quatremère de Quincy nos debates sobre as preceptivas arquitetônicas
Authors: Pereira Renata Baesso
Published: September 2021

Em 1788, Quatremère de Quincy (Paris, 1755-1849), que então se afirmava nos círculos eruditos de debates sobre a Arte na França, foi comissionado para elaborar o Dictionnaire d’Architecture para a Encyclopédie Méthodique do editor Panckoucke. A obra original foi publicada em três tomos (entre 1788 e 1825) e, em 1832, seu autor a redistribuiu e condensou em dois volumes no Dictionnaire historique d’architecture. O artigo discute as razões pelas quais esse gênero de texto, que separa os temas por verbetes e é publicado em fascículos, foi eleita para levar matérias ligadas à teoria da Arquitetura a várias classes de leitores, com o objetivo de orientar a formação do gosto não apenas dos arquitetos, mas também do público letrado em geral.
Entre nostalgia e modernidade: eclético e Déco no Brasil
Authors: Magro Junior José Carlos , Landim Paula da Cruz
Published: September 2021

O eclético e o Art Déco foram dois estilos presentes na constelação arquitetônica do mundo no século XIX e XX. Sob a ótica dos fenômenos, dentro do território brasileiro, procura-se estabelecer relações a partir da configuração do espaço e sua relação social, cultural e política. Ambos os movimentos tiveram um impacto significativo na paisagem brasileira e suas relações de influência apresentam raízes mais profundas. Neste trabalho o objetivo foi abordar qual a relação e quais as circunstâncias que possibilitaram o redesenho arquitetônico brasileiro pelas novas práticas decorativas que emergiam. A partir dessa análise buscamos conectar a linguagem da arquitetura a caminhos que levaram o país rumo à modernização.
Vila Z. D. Costi: a história e a arquitetura resultante de um grupo de moradias operárias em Passo Fundo
Authors: Diniz Pedro Henrique Carretta , Almeida Caliane Christie Oliveira de
Published: September 2021

Este artigo se insere na temática da habitação operária. Objetivou-se analisar o processo de implantação do Frigorífico Z. D. Costi e sua vila (1948 – 1959), localizados na cidade de Passo Fundo/RS, observando a inserção urbana e a arquitetura resultante. Quanto aos procedimentos metodológicos, o artigo foi desenvolvido em três principais etapas: pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e pesquisa em campo. Espera-se que este artigo corrobore para o conhecimento da história da habitação operária em cidades de porte médio, destacando a importância do mencionado complexo frigorífico para a conformação do parque habitacional na localidade.
Ensino como formação técnica e política para o exercício da função social da Arquitetura: resgate da experiência de Mayumi Watanabe de Souza Lima em São Carlos
Authors: Frota Beatriz Borges Araujo , Sanches Aline Coelho
Published: September 2021

Este artigo trata da atuação docente da arquiteta Mayumi Watanabe de Souza Lima (1934-1994), entre 1987 e 1994, no então Curso de Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC-USP), hoje Instituto de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Carlos (IAU-USP), assunto pouco documentado, mas ainda presente na memória de seus alunos e colegas de profissão. Após o resgate de sua trajetória e seu posicionamento frente ao ensino e produção de arquitetura, aponta-se a indissociabilidade entre sua atuação como arquiteta e como professora, sempre orientada para o projeto de equipamentos de caráter público e social, pensados em rede e a partir da investigação das possibilidades técnicas e de produção da arquitetura.
Interfaces metropolitanas e regionais do urbano: reconhecendo nós territoriais no Brasil
Authors: Tavares Jeferson Cristiano
Published: September 2021

O objetivo é problematizar o processo de urbanização do território nacional pelas relações metropolitanas e regionais no espaço urbano. O objeto de análise são as ações de planejamento federal (políticas, planos, programas e provisão infraestrutural) a partir dos anos 1990 e sua compreensão pelas relações com o movimento migratório urbano-urbano e com as novas funções regionais das cidades. Tendo em vista um referencial teórico-conceitual estrangeiro de reestruturação produtiva, divisão internacional do trabalho e urbanização global, a presente análise destaca as particularidades do processo de urbanização no Brasil e conclui pela identificação de uma transição do ordenamento territorial baseado na polarização do espaço metropolitano para a constituição de territórios nodais propensos a articulações em rede.
Nonbone Marrow CD34
+
Cells Are Crucial for Endothelial Repair of Injured Artery
Authors: Jiang Liujun , Chen Ting , Sun Shasha , Wang Ruilin , Deng Jiacheng , Lyu Lingxia , Wu Hong , Yang Mei , Pu Xiangyuan , Du Luping , Chen Qishan , Hu Yanhua , Hu Xiaosheng , Zhou Yijiang , Xu Qingbo , Zhang Li
Published: September 2021

Rationale:

Endothelial cells play a critical role in multiple cardiovascular diseases. Circulating CD34
+
cells are believed to be endothelial progenitors that have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the exact identity and the role of CD34
+
cells in vascular regeneration remains unclear.

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the exact identity and the role of CD34
+
cells in vascular regeneration.

Methods and Results:

Compared with healthy arteries, CD34 expression percentage was significantly increased in diseased femoral arteries from patients. Using a guidewire-induced endothelial denudation model, we reported the transcriptional profiling of over 30 000 cells by single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and provided a cell atlas of normal and lesioned arteries in mouse, in which a heterogeneous population of CD34
+
cells was revealed. Combining the inducible lineage tracing
Cd34
-CreER
T2
;R26-tdTomato mouse model and bone marrow transplantation experiments, we showed that nonbone marrow CD34
+
mesenchymal cells acquired endothelial cell fate in the injured femoral artery rather than preexiting endothelial cells, while bone marrow-derived CD34
+
cells differentiated into immune cells locally after vessel injury. Depletion of nonbone marrow CD34
+
cells using diphtheria toxin-induced cell ablation models exacerbate neointimal lesions of the injured vessel. Furthermore, isolated vascular adventitia CD34
+
cells displayed endothelial differentiation, in which microRNA-21-Smad7-pSmad2/3 pathway regulated endothelial gene expression and function during differentiation.

Conclusions:

Our study provides a transcriptional and cellular landscape of vessels after endothelial denudation. Our findings suggest heterogeneous CD34
+
cells serve as a contributor not only to endothelial regeneration but also an inflammatory response that may provide therapeutic insights into vascular diseases.
Teprasiran, a Small Interfering RNA, for the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Thielmann Matthias , Corteville David , Szabo Gabor , Swaminathan Madhav , Lamy Andre , Lehner Lukas J. , Brown Craig D. , Noiseux Nicolas , Atta Mohamed G. , Squiers Elizabeth C. , Erlich Shai , Rothenstein Daniel , Molitoris Bruce , Mazer C. David
Published: September 2021

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects up to 30% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, leading to increased in-hospital and long-term morbidity and mortality. Teprasiran is a novel small interfering RNA that temporarily inhibits p53-mediated cell death that underlies AKI.

Methods:

This prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase 2 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a single 10 mg/kg dose of teprasiran versus placebo (1:1), in reducing the incidence, severity, and duration of AKI after cardiac surgery in high-risk patients. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who developed AKI determined by serum creatinine by postoperative day 5. Other end points included AKI severity and duration using various prespecified criteria. To inform future clinical development, a composite end point of major adverse kidney events at day 90, including death, renal replacement therapy, and ≥25% reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate was assessed. Both serum creatinine and serum cystatin-C were used for estimated glomerular filtration rate assessments.

Results:

A total of 360 patients were randomly assigned in 41 centers; 341 dosed patients were 73±7.5 years of age (mean±SD), 72% were men, and median European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score was 2.6%. Demographics and surgical parameters were similar between groups. AKI incidence was 37% for teprasiran- versus 50% for placebo-treated patients, a 12.8% absolute risk reduction,
P
=0.02; odds ratio, 0.58 (95% CI, 0.37–0.92). AKI severity and duration were also improved with teprasiran: 2.5% of teprasiran- versus 6.7% of placebo-treated patients had grade 3 AKI; 7% teprasiran- versus 13% placebo-treated patients had AKI lasting for 5 days. No significant difference was observed for the major adverse kidney events at day 90 composite in the overall population. No safety issues were identified with teprasiran treatment.

Conclusions:

The incidence, severity, and duration of early AKI in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery were significantly reduced after teprasiran administration. A phase 3 study with a major adverse kidney event at day 90 primary outcome that has recently completed enrollment was designed on the basis of these findings (NCT03510897).

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02610283.
Coronary Microcirculatory Dysfunction and Acute Cellular Rejection After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Lee Joo Myung , Choi Ki Hong , Choi Jin-Oh , Shin Doosup , Park Yoonjee , Kim Juwon , Lee Seung Hun , Kim Darae , Yang Jeong Hoon , Cho Yang Hyun , Sung Kiick , Choi Ji Yeon , Park Meesoon , Kim Jung-Sun , Park Taek Kyu , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo-Yong , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol , Oh Jae K. , Jeon Eun-Seok
Published: September 2021

Background:

Acute cellular rejection is a major determinant of mortality and retransplantation after heart transplantation. We sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction assessed by index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for the risk of acute cellular rejection after heart transplantation.

Methods:

The present study prospectively enrolled 154 heart transplant recipients who underwent scheduled coronary angiography and invasive coronary physiological assessment 1 month after transplantation. IMR is microcirculatory resistance under maximal hyperemia. By measuring hyperemic mean transit time using 3 injections (4 mL each) of room-temperature saline under maximal hyperemia, IMR was calculated as hyperemic distal coronary pressure×hyperemic mean transit time. The primary end point was biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection of grade ≥2R during 2 years of follow-up after transplantation and was compared by using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression according to IMR. The incremental prognostic value of IMR, in addition to the model with clinical factors, was evaluated by comparison of C-index, net reclassification index, and integrated discrimination index.

Results:

The mean age of recipients was 51.2±13.1 years (81.2% male), and the cumulative incidence of acute cellular rejection was 19.0% at 2 years. Patients with acute cellular rejection had significantly higher IMR values at 1 month than those without acute cellular rejection (23.1±8.6 versus 16.8±11.1,
P
=0.002). IMR was significantly associated with the risk of acute cellular rejection (per 5-U increase: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.04–1.34],
P
=0.011) and the optimal cutoff value of IMR to predict acute cellular rejection was 15. Patients with IMR≥15 showed significantly higher risk of acute cellular rejection than those with IMR<15 (34.4% versus 3.8%; adjusted hazard ratio, 15.3 [95% CI 3.6–65.7],
P
<0.001). Addition of IMR to clinical variables showed significantly higher discriminant and reclassification ability for risk of acute cellular rejection (C-index 0.87 versus 0.74,
P
<0.001; net reclassification index 1.05,
P
<0.001; integrated discrimination index 0.20,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction assessed by IMR measured early after heart transplantation showed significant association with the risk of acute cellular rejection. In addition to surveillance endomyocardial biopsy, early stratification using IMR could be a clinically useful tool to identify patients at higher risk of future acute cellular rejection after heart transplantation.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02798731.
Morphological and phylogenetic insights reveal Cucurbitaria berberidicola (Cucurbitariaceae, Pleosporales) as a new species from Uzbekistan
Authors: APPADOO MICHÉE A. , WANASINGHE DHANUSHKA N. , GAFFOROV YUSUFJON , CHETHANA K.W. THILINI , ABDURAZAKOV AZIZ , HYDE KEVIN D. , LI QIRUI
Published: September 2021

A survey of microfungi in the mountain areas of Uzbekistan revealed several specimens of cucurbitaria-like taxa. In this paper, one new species of Cucurbitaria is described based on a polyphasic approach, including morphological examination and molecular phylogeny. We compared the sexual morph (ascomata, asci, and ascospores) of the specimens collected with known species of Cucurbitaria and carried out multi loci (LSU, ITS, rpb2 and tef1-α) phylogenetic analyses. Cucurbitaria berberidicola sp. nov. is morphologically closely related to Cucurbitaria berberidis (the generic type) and C. oromediterranea. The sequence-based analyses verified a clear distinction, hence supporting the introduction of the new species.
Pabstiella hileiaensis (Orchidaceae Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Bahia, Brazil
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ MORALES NICOLÁS , TOSCANO DE BRITO A. L. V. , SMIDT ERIC DE CAMARGO
Published: September 2021

Distributed along the eastern coast of South America and considered one of the world’s biological hotspots, the Atlantic Rainforest harbors outstanding levels of richness and endemism (Myers et al. 2000). Specifically, with 14,847 vascular plant species (Reginato & Michelangeli 2020), including 1,480 (1,100 endemics) belonging to the Orchidaceae (BFG, 2015), this biome is considered a priority for plant and orchid conservation in the Neotropics since more than 88% of its pre-Columbian area is already lost (Peres et al. 2020).
Sphaeropteris guangxiensis Y. F. Gu & Y. H. Yan (Cyatheaceae), a new species of tree fern from Southern China
Authors: GU YU-FENG , MORIGENGAOWA  , JIANG RI-HONG , LIU BAO-DONG , YAN YUE-HONG
Published: September 2021

Nearly 103 species of Sphaeropteris are distributed in tropical area, of which three species are indigenous to China. Our previous molecular study of the genus in China showed that there is an undescribed species from Guangxi province which could be originated from natural hybridization. In this study, we carried out further morphological studies on the species of Sphaeropteris in China, and assessed the status of the new species. Here, we described and illustrated the new species as S. guangxiensis Y.F. Gu & Y.H. Yan.
Airborne Gold Nanoparticle Detection Using Photoluminescence Excited with a Continuous Wave Laser
Authors: Samuelsson Per , Snellman Markus , Magnusson Martin H. , Deppert Knut , Aldén Marcus , Li Zhongshan
Published: September 2021

We report the observation of photoluminescence emission from airborne gold, silver, and copper nanoparticles. A continuous wave 532 nm laser was employed for excitation. Photoluminescence from gold nanoparticles carried in a nitrogen gas flow was both spectrally resolved and directly imaged in situ using an intensified charge-coupled device camera. The simultaneously detected Raman signal from the nitrogen molecules enables quantitative estimation of the photoluminescence quantum yield of the gold nanoparticles. Photoluminescence from metal nanoparticles carried in a gas flow provides a potential tool for operando imaging of plasmonic metal nanoparticles in aerosol reactions.
Fabrication and characterization of polycarbonate-silica filaments for 3D printing applications
Authors: Kodali Deepa , Umerah Chibu O , Idrees Mohanad O , Jeelani S , Rangari Vijaya K
Published: September 2021

Owing to its robustness, ability to achieve complex geometries, and ease of use, 3D printing has become one of the noteworthy applications in the field of engineering. Polycarbonate has become a thermoplastic of interest due to its excellent mechanical and optical properties. Especially when infused with nanosilica, polycarbonate becomes a potential candidate for 3D printing with enhanced properties. Polycarbonate nanocomposite filaments infused with AEROSIL (nanosilica) have been melt extruded with various filler loadings of 0.5, 1, and 3 wt% and are then 3D printed. The thermal analysis of the filaments has shown that thermal stability of the filaments increases with increase in filler loading. Tensile tests have shown that addition of nanosilica have enhanced the mechanical properties of the filaments as well as 3D printed films. The addition of silica in low concentrations exhibit higher transmittance of UV light, as silica restricts the mobility of polycarbonate. Despite 3D printing causing voids in bulk materials, silica at low concentration (0.5 and 1 wt%) can improve the mechanical and optical properties. These improvements are promising for applications in thin film interfaces and the automotive industry.
Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Postural Control and Balance in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bilek Furkan , Tekin Fatih
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) applied to paraspinal muscles on balance and postural control in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). A total of 32 children with unilateral CP were included in the study. The children participated in a one-session control to evaluate their reactions to ESWT before randomly assigning them into experimental and control groups. We evaluated children twice: before and after the treatment. We used the Trunk Control Measurement Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in these assessments. Following the pre-test session, we applied Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) programs to both groups at the rate of twice per week for eight weeks; additionally, we applied ESWT only to the experimental group at the rate of twice a week for eight weeks. While there were trends toward increased trunk control skills, PBS scores and TUG test performances from pre- to post-testing in both groups, these improvements were only statistically significant in the experimental group ( p < 0.05). We conclude that for children with unilateral CP, ESWT applied to paraspinal muscles has significant additive value when combined with NDT to improve postural control and balance.
Postural Control, Dual Task Performance and Executive Function Following an Ultramarathon
Authors: Smith Dean L. , Haworth Joshua L. , Brooks Eric K. , Cousins Julie M.
Published: September 2021

As research into the postural and cognitive effects of ultramarathon running is sparse and still needed, we investigated the effect of ultramarathon running on runners’ postural control, dual task postural control and a measure of executive function—the flanker test, expecting fatigue-related deterioration on each measure. We used a pre- and post-test research design with 14 runners who completed (a) postural assessment with eyes open and closed, on a flat surface and on foam during (b) a two-choice reaction time dual task postural assessment, and (c) an executive function modified flanker task. With regard to postural stability, we observed, after running, increased anterior-posterior (AP) path length and AP root mean square (RMS) and reductions in both mediolateral (ML) RMS and ML median frequency. Dual task analysis showed reduced ML RMS prior to the race, whereas the effect was absent afterwards. Reaction times were not significantly altered between pre-post or surface conditions assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in mean modified flanker scores before and after the race. These data demonstrated that, following an endurance run, there were plane specific movement adaptations in postural sway that may have resulted from neuroprotective changes under extreme fatigue.
Internal Consistency of the Customized Employment Discovery Fidelity Scale: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Riesen Tim , Hall Stephen , Keeton Beth , Snyder Aubrey
Published: September 2021

The Discovery Fidelity Scale (DFS) is a 15-item instrument used to determine fidelity to discovery best practices at the systems and services level. Fidelity scale development is typically guided by an iterative, three-part process that includes identifying and specifying the fidelity structure and content, measuring and confirming the content, and assessing the internal consistency and reliability of the scale. This study is the initiation of the third step of the fidelity process to determine if items on the DFS accurately and reliably measure the discovery construct (internal consistency). The study also examined outcomes for individuals engaged in the discovery process. The results of the study suggest that (a) both the systems and services components appear to measure their respective constructs and (b) the overall discovery construct appears to have acceptable internal consistency.
Multi-dimensional Taylor network adaptive predictive control for single-input single-output nonlinear systems with input time-delay
Authors: Li Chen-Long , Yan Hong-Sen , Zhang Jiao-Jun
Published: September 2021

In this study, an adaptive predictive control approach based on the multi-dimensional Taylor network (MTN) is proposed for the real-time tracking control of single-input single-output nonlinear systems with input time-delay. Two MTNs are used to implement the accurate tracking control. First, to compensate for the influence of time-delay, MTN is taken as a predictor and the damped recursive least squares algorithm is used as its online learning algorithm. Second, a feed-forward MTN controller is developed on the basis of the proportional–integral–derivative controller, and the closed-loop errors between the reference input and the system output are directly chosen to be the MTN controller’s inputs. The back propagation algorithm is introduced for its learning which can update its weights online at stable learning rate by the errors caused by the system’s uncertain factors. Convergence and stability analysis are given to guarantee the performance of our proposed approach. Finally, two examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Chaos theory for prognostic purposes in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Dachraoui Chaima , Mouelhi Aymen , Drissi Cyrine , Labidi Salam
Published: September 2021

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disease. Its diagnosis and evaluation require a visual assessment in brain magnetic resonance images. This neurological disease is characterized by its unpredictable evolution. The most common form is relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, consisting of episodes of neurological dysfunction remitting with a variable degree of recovery. The underlying mechanisms are still unknown and have no mathematical models to explain this spatial and temporal dissemination. The main objective of this paper is to propose an approach based on chaos theory to define the clinical characteristics for lesion progression, principally its evolution. Previous authors have explored the nervous system by accurately modeling their attractors in the phase space and reproducing a non-linear result. This remains to be compared with chaotic attributes. In this work, multiple sclerosis lesions are treated through modeling and calculating of their degree of evolution. This is a retrospective study of cases collected from the National Institute of Neurology Mongi Ben Hmida. It included 74 patients with an age group ranging from 20 to 72 years. Four clinical trials are properly discussed: unstable cases with active lesions may be described by dynamic and non-linear systems presenting higher chaos value compared to ill patients with inactive lesions. On the other hand, the accuracy of chaos demonstration can be favorably affected by the reduced resolution of magnetic resonance images. Therefore, the interest is in preprocessing to improve the eventual results. High accuracy was achieved for the models discussed in this paper (91.97–85.1%). Accordingly, the suitability and practical usefulness of the ‘simple’ pretreatment to achieve multiple sclerosis classification are demonstrated.
Outsourcing for How Long? Factors and Duration of Employing Foreign Live-in Domestic Helpers
Authors: Cheung Adam K. L.
Published: September 2021

A remarkable rise in outsourcing domestic labor has been well documented, but the scope of the existing studies is limited. This study aims at investigating the factors and duration of using live-in domestic help in Hong Kong. The study also aims at disentangling the cross-sectional patterns in using paid domestic help into two different patterns: differential risks in the transition into the practice and the differential risks in the transition out from the practice. This study analyzes retrospective life-history data from a representative household survey ( N = 2003). Discrete-time logit models were employed. The results show that employing live-in helpers is a stable practice that could last for more than a decade. Yet, the factors for using and ending the practice are different. The results show that the flexible outsourcing framework could satisfactorily explain the families employing live-in helpers but is less applicable in explaining the duration of the practice.
Arachnoid membrane as a source of sphingosine-1-phosphate that regulates mouse middle cerebral artery tone
Authors: Jiménez-Altayó Francesc , Marzi Julia , Galan María , Dantas Ana Paula , Ortega Marisa , Rojas Santiago , Egea Gustavo , Schenke-Layland Katja , Jiménez-Xarrié Elena , Planas Anna M
Published: September 2021

Growing evidence indicates that perivascular tissue is critical to modulate vessel function. We hypothesized that the arachnoid membrane surrounding middle cerebral artery (MCA) regulates its function via sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced vasoconstriction. The MCA from 3- to 9-month-old male and female wild-type (Oncine France 1 and C57BL/6) mice and sphingosine kinase 2 knockout (SphK2-/-) mice in the C57BL/6 background was mounted in pressure myographs with and without arachnoid membrane. Raman microspectroscopy and imaging were used for in situ detection of S1P. The presence of arachnoid tissue was associated with reduced external and lumen MCA diameters, and with an increase in basal tone regardless of sex and strain background. Strong S1P-positive signals were detected in the arachnoid surrounding the MCA wall in both mice models, as well as in a human post-mortem specimen. Selective S1P receptor 3 antagonist TY 52156 markedly reduced both MCA vasoconstriction induced by exogenous S1P and arachnoid-dependent basal tone increase. Compared to 3-month-old mice, the arachnoid-mediated contractile influence persisted in 9-month-old mice despite a decline in arachnoid S1P deposits. Genetic deletion of SphK2 decreased arachnoid S1P content and vasoconstriction. This is the first experimental evidence that arachnoid membrane regulates the MCA tone mediated by S1P.
Is cricket ‘for everyone’? Reflections on the 2021 Ollie Robinson scandal
Authors: Berkson Sam
Published: September 2021

The author, a keen recreational cricketer and educationalist, reflects on the nature of racism and commitment to anti-racism in the game in England, where, recently, Ollie Robinson was penalised for historical tweets on social media. Through interviews with key players from ethnic minorities about their experiences, he concludes that the culture of cricket and the colour of its selection bear the hallmarks of an upper-class, public school-inculcated privilege and profound racism, more serious than Robinson’s offensive tweets.
Aging Gracefully in Place: An Evaluation of the Capability of the CAPABLE© Approach
Authors: Breysse Jill , Dixon Sherry , Wilson Jonathan , Szanton Sarah
Published: September 2021

As American adults live longer, society must prioritize effective strategies promoting safe aging-in-place and decreasing institutional health care costs. Social determinants of health, especially housing, critically influence older adult health, particularly for disadvantaged, low-income older adults. Johns Hopkins University developed Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE©), a client-centered, home-based program to improve older adults’ function and capacity to age in place. This evaluation studied CAPABLE’s long-term effectiveness in four distinct locations in California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Seven months after CAPABLE, intervention group participants experienced greater improvements than the control group in activities of daily living limitations (2-point vs. 0.7-point improvement, p = .012), falls efficacy (8.9-point improvement vs. 0.1-point worsening, p = .012), depression (1.3-point improvement vs. 0.4-point worsening, p = .021), and pain (1.5-point improvement vs. 0.3-point worsening, p = .002). These results add to existing research on short-term effectiveness in urban locales, showing CAPABLE yields long-term health improvement for older adults in micropolitan and small urban locations, with different implementation organizations, housing stocks, and clients.
Teachers’ Ontological Perspectives of Computational Thinking and Assessment: A Text Mining Approach
Authors: Lai Rina P.Y.
Published: September 2021

As a dynamic and multifaceted construct, computational thinking (CT) has proven to be challenging to conceptualize and assess, which impedes the development of a workable ontology framework. To address this issue, the current article describes a novel approach towards understanding the ontological aspects of CT by using text mining and graph-theoretic techniques to elucidate teachers’ perspectives collected in an online survey (N = 105). In particular, a hierarchical cluster analysis, a knowledge representation method, was applied to identify sub-groups in CT conceptualization and assessment amongst teachers. Five clusters in conceptualization and two clusters in assessment were identified; several relevant and distinct themes were also extracted. The results suggested that teachers attributed CT as a competence domain, relevant in the problem- solving context, as well as applicable and transferrable to various disciplines. The results also shed light on the importance of using multiple approaches to assess the diversity of CT. Overall, the findings collectively contributed to a comprehensive and multi-perspective representation of CT that refine both theory and practice. The methodology employed in this article has suggested a minor but significant step towards addressing the quintessential questions of “what is CT?” and “how is it evidenced?”.
The Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden Plan Designing in Reverse
Authors: Alt Gordon J.
Published: September 2021

The article follows the history of the Hirshhorn Museum of Art's Sculpture Garden in Washington DC and explores the highlights of the proposal that is being considered that will change the present sculpture garden design and layout. There is a summary of sculpture garden design throughout history and a review of the original garden that was designed by Gordon Bundshaft in 1974 and why it was changed by Lester Collins in 1981. It also explores how it has evolved into the present sculpture garden. It discusses the proposed garden design and the critical change the new design will have on the current garden and what are the supposed benefits and criticisms the new plan has caused.
Child Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Individual, Community, and National Factors
Authors: Hayes Brittany E. , Protas Michelle E.
Published: September 2021

Despite being a human rights violation, child marriage still takes place across the globe. Prior scholarship has shown early marriage to be associated with an increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). Drawing on data from the nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys—conducted in developing and transitional nations where rates of child marriage tend to be higher—the current study provides a cross-national examination of individual-, community-, and national-level predictors of child marriage and their association with physical and emotional IPV. The sample of ever married women includes 281,674 respondents across 46 developing and transitional nations. Findings reveal the prevalence of child marriage was largely consistent with worldwide estimates. Over half of the sample (59.97%) were over the age of 18 when they married and about 1 in 10 women were married at age 14 or younger. A later age at marriage, measured continuously, was associated with lower odds of physical and emotional IPV. When considering the 18 and over cutoff traditionally used to operationalize child marriage, the odds of physical and emotional IPV were lower for women who married over the age of 18 than women who were 14 and younger when they married. However, there was a confounding effect when considering age at marriage as 18 and over when community-level predictors were not included in the model estimating physical abuse. This underscores the need to consider the nested nature of respondents’ experiences. Further, national legislation that protects against child marriage was not associated with risk of physical or emotional IPV. However, population size increased the odds of physical IPV and lowered the odds of emotional IPV. Such findings can be interpreted in light of opportunity theory and provide direction for prevention and intervention programming.
Perforation mechanics of UHMWPE soft ballistic sub-laminate and soft ballistic armor pack: A finite element study
Authors: Haque Bazle Z (Gama) , Gillespie John W
Published: September 2021

Soft-ballistic sub-laminate (SBSL) made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers in [0/90] stacking sequence are the building block of a multi-layer soft-ballistic armor pack (SBAP, aka Soft Armor). A systematic study of the perforation dynamics of a single layer SBSL and several multi-layer SBAPs (2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 layers) is presented for the first time in the literature. A previously validated finite element model of transverse impact on a single layer is used to study the perforation mechanics of multi-layer SBAPs with friction between individual layers. Following the classical definition of ballistic limit velocity, a minimum perforation velocity has been determined for free-standing single layer SBSL and multi-layer SBAPs. For the multi-layer SBAPs, complete perforations have been identified as progressive perforation of individual layers through the thickness. The minimum perforation velocities of multi-layer SBAPS is linear with the areal density for the eight (8) layer target and thicker. Large deformation behavior and perforation mechanics of the SBAPs is discussed in detail.
Clinical course of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis due to non-tuberculosis mycobacterium – A single centre experience spanning 20 years
Authors: Fung Winston Wing-Shing , Chow Kai-Ming , Li Philip Kam-Tao , Szeto Cheuk-Chun
Published: September 2021

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are difficult to diagnose, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and clinical course remains unclear. We determined the prevalence and clinical course of peritonitis caused by these organisms through our kidney registry over 20-year period.

Method:

We reviewed all patients with NTM peritonitis identified in our tertiary centre between July 2000 and July 2020. The demographic characteristics, microbiological and clinical outcomes were examined.

Result:

Among 27 patients identified, 20 patients presented with abdominal pain and all had cloudy peritoneal fluid. Twenty-one cases had concomitant exit site infection and 14 cases had prior antibiotic use. The majority of the cases are caused by Mycobacterium chelonae (37%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (29.7%), with most being resistant to fluoroquinolones (59.3%) and cefoxitin (73.1%). They are all sensitive to amikacin otherwise. None of the cases achieve primary response at day 10 and 20 cases resulted in Tenckhoff catheter removal. Only two of them were able to resume PD. Eight patients died in our cohort. The presence of exit site infection, the use of prior antibiotics and topical disinfectants did not associate with a poorer outcome.

Conclusion:

NTM peritonitis remains difficult to treat and often with a delay in diagnosis. Refractory peritonitis with negative culture and a poor response to standard antibiotics should raise a possibility of NTM infection and prompt catheter removal and an expert with experience treating NTM infections should be consulted.