bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Study of the Hemorrhage Risk after Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Associated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Yasuda Ritsu , Yoshida Naohisa , Murakami Takaaki , Hirose Ryohei , Inoue Ken , Dohi Osamu , Naito Yuji , Inada Yutaka , Okuda Takashi , Hasegawa Daisuke , Okuda Kotaro , Ogiso Kiyoshi , Inagaki Yoshikazu , Soga Koichi , Tomie Akira , Itoh Yoshito
Published: December 2019

Backgrounds and Aims. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become widely used for preventing thromboembolism. However, postoperative hemorrhage (POH) is a major complication associated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for colorectal lesions. In this multicenter study, we analyzed the incidence of POH after EMR associated with DOACs and explored the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods. This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted at 8 Japanese institutions. A total of 2062 cases that underwent EMR for colorectal lesions at these 8 institutions from October 2016 to September 2017 were analyzed. The cases were divided into 4 groups: the DOAC group (63 cases), warfarin group (34 cases), antiplatelet group (185 cases), and no antithrombotics group (1780 cases). In all lesions of the DOAC and warfarin groups, endoscopic clipping was performed after EMR. The rate of POH in the DOAC group, patients’ clinical characteristics, the risk factors of POH, and the rate of thromboembolism due to stopping DOACs were compared with other groups. Results. The rates of POH were 7.9%∗ (5/63), 2.9% (1/34), 3.2% (6/185), and 0.6%∗∗ (11/1780) in the DOAC, warfarin, antiplatelet, and no antithrombotics groups, respectively (∗ vs. ∗∗, p<0.001). Regarding risk factors, the tumor size with POH (mm) was significantly bigger than that without POH (16.2±8.3 vs. 7.2±4.9, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the rates of POH based on the type of DOAC. In addition, no thromboembolisms occurred due to stopping of DOAC treatment. Conclusions. Patients receiving DOACs had significantly higher rates of POH after EMR than those without antithrombotics.
An Overall Glance of Evidence Supportive of One-Hour and Two-Hour Postload Plasma Glucose Levels as Predictors of Long-Term Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Mann Baldeep K. , Bhandohal Janpreet S. , Hong Jungrak
Published: December 2019

This review summarizes the vast literature describing the long-term epidemiological studies with emphasis on postprandial glucose as a stronger predictor of cardiovascular complications as compared to fasting glucose and HbA1c. Many molecular studies also supported this fact by illustrating that postchallenge hyperglycemia is associated with elevated biomarkers of systemic inflammation in the plasma and thus increasing the chances of vascular damage. Large-scale studies have proved that vascular stiffness, brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity, carotid intima thickness, and left ventricular hypertrophy have been associated with postprandial glucose as compared to fasting glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin.
Gonadotropin-Induced Spermatogenesis in CHH Patients with Cryptorchidism
Authors: Liu Zhaoxiang , Mao Jiangfeng , Xu Hongli , Wang Xi , Huang Bingkun , Zheng Junjie , Nie Min , Zhang Hongbing , Wu Xueyan
Published: December 2019

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) patients with cryptorchidism history usually have poor spermatogenesis outcome, while researches focusing on this population are rare. This study retrospectively evaluated gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis outcome in CHH patients with cryptorchidism (n = 40). One hundred and eighty-three CHH patients without cryptorchidism were served as control. All patients received combined gonadotropins therapy (HCG and HMG) and were followed up for at least 6 months. The median follow-up period was 24 (15, 33) months (totally 960 person-months). Sperm (>0/ml) initially appeared in semen at a median of estimated 24 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 17.8–30.2). Twenty (20/40, 50%) patients succeeded in producing sperms, and the average time to produce first sperm was 19 ± 8 months. Five pregnancies were achieved in 9 (5/9, 56%) couples who desired for children. Compared with CHH patients without cryptorchidism (n = 183), cryptorchid patients had longer median time for sperm appearance in semen (24 months vs. 15 months, P<0.001), lower rate of spermatogenesis (50% vs. 67%, P=0.032), and lower mean sperm concentration (1.9 (0.5, 8.6) million/ml vs. 11.1(1.0, 25.0) million/ml, P=0.006) at the last visit. In conclusion, CHH patients with cryptorchidism require a longer period for gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis. The successful rate and sperm concentration were lower than patients without cryptorchidism.
Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer Invasion Depth: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Ding , Xi Xiao-xia
Published: December 2019

Background. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the first imaging modality for investigating the depth of invasion in early gastric cancer (EGC). However, there is presently no consensus on the accuracy of EUS in diagnosing the invasion depth of EGC. Aim. This study is aimed at systematically evaluating the accuracy of EUS in diagnosing the invasion depth of EGC and its affecting factors. Methods. The literatures were identified by searching PubMed, SpringerLink, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Nature, and Karger knowledge databases. Two researchers extracted the data from the literature and reconstructed these in 2×2 tables. The Meta-DiSc software was used to evaluate the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic advantage ratio, and 95% confidence interval (CI). The SROC was drawn, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic value. Results. A total of 17 articles were selected, which included 4525 cases of lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic dominance ratio, and 95% CI of EUS for diagnosing EGC was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.86-0.88), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.65-0.70), 2.90 (95% CI: 2.25-3.75), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.13-0.23), and 18.25 (95% CI: 12.61-26.39), respectively. The overall overstaging rate of mucosa/submucosa 1 (M/SM1) and SM by EUS was 13.31% and 32.8%, respectively, while the overall understaging rate of SM was 29.7%. The total misdiagnosis rates for EUS were as follows: 30.4% for lesions≥2 cm and 20.9% for lesions<2 cm, 27.7% for ulcerative lesions and 21.4% for nonulcerative lesions, and 22% for differentiated lesions and 26.9% for undifferentiated lesions. Conclusion. EUS has a moderate diagnostic value for the depth of invasion of EGC. The shape, size, and differentiation of lesions might be the main factors that affect the accuracy of EUS in diagnosing EGC.
Equation for the Degradation of Uniaxial Compression Stress of Concrete due to Freeze-Thaw Damage
Authors: Yang Xiaolin , Wang Genhui , Gao Shiwu , Song Min , Wang Anqi
Published: December 2019

To study the freeze-thaw damage characteristics of concrete, the uniaxial compressive tests of concrete under different number of freeze-thaw cycles were conducted, and the damage variable of freeze-thaw was obtained. The test results showed that the stress was a function of strain and freeze-thaw damage variable, and it can describe the degradation of concrete strength. Meanwhile, the equation for the stress-strain curved surface about strain and freeze-thaw damage variable was also proposed in this paper. The derivative function of the stress-strain curved surface equation with respect to strain presented the change of elastic modulus with the increase of freeze-thaw cycle number. Equation proposed in this paper can be used for predicting the concrete lifetime effectively in cold and large temperature difference regions.
A Time‐Aware CNN‐Based Personalized Recommender System
Authors: Yang Dan , Zhang Jing , Wang Sifeng , Zhang XueDong
Published: December 2019

Recommender system has received tremendous attention and has been studied by scholars in recent years due to its wide applications in different domains. With the in‐depth study and application of deep learning algorithms, deep neural network is gradually used in recommender systems. The success of modern recommender system mainly depends on the understanding and application of the context of recommendation requests. However, when leveraging deep learning algorithms for recommendation, the impact of context information such as recommendation time and location is often neglected. In this paper, a time‐aware convolutional neural network‐ (CNN‐) based personalized recommender system TC-PR is proposed. TC-PR actively recommends items that meet users’ interests by analyzing users’ features, items’ features, and users’ ratings, as well as users’ time context. Moreover, we use Tensorflow distributed open source framework to implement the proposed time‐aware CNN‐based recommendation algorithm which can effectively solve the problems of large data volume, large model, and slow speed of recommender system. The experimental results on the MovieLens‐1m real dataset show that the proposed TC-PR can effectively solve the cold‐start problem and greatly improve the speed of data processing and the accuracy of recommendation.
Pilot Study of a Powered Exoskeleton for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Based on the Wheelchair
Authors: Meng Qiaoling , Xie Qiaolian , Shao Haicun , Cao Wujing , Wang Feng , Wang Lulu , Yu Hongliu , Li Sujiao
Published: December 2019

To help hemiplegic patients with stroke to restore impaired or lost upper extremity functionalities efficiently, the design of upper limb rehabilitation robotics which can substitute human practice becomes more important. The aim of this work is to propose a powered exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation based on a wheelchair in order to increase the frequency of training and reduce the preparing time per training. This paper firstly analyzes the range of motion (ROM) of the flexion/extension, adduction/abduction, and internal/external of the shoulder joint, the flexion/extension of the elbow joint, the pronation/supination of the forearm, the flexion/extension and ulnar/radial of the wrist joint by measuring the normal people who are sitting on a wheelchair. Then, a six-degree-of-freedom exoskeleton based on a wheelchair is designed according to the defined range of motion. The kinematics model and workspace are analyzed to understand the position of the exoskeleton. In the end, the test of ROM of each joint has been done. The maximum error of measured and desired shoulder flexion and extension joint angle is 14.98%. The maximum error of measured and desired elbow flexion and extension joint angle is 14.56%. It is acceptable for rehabilitation training. Meanwhile, the movement of drinking water can be realized in accordance with the range of motion. It demonstrates that the proposed upper limb exoskeleton can also assist people with upper limb disorder to deal with activities of daily living. The feasibility of the proposed powered exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation training and function compensating based on a wheelchair is proved.
MRI Tumor Regression Grade and Circulating Tumor DNA as Complementary Tools to Assess Response and Guide Therapy Adaptation in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Khakoo Shelize , Carter Paul David , Brown Gina , Valeri Nicola , Picchia Simona , Bali Maria Antonietta , Shaikh Ridwan , Jones Thomas , Begum Ruwaida , Rana Isma , Wotherspoon Andrew , Terlizzo Monica , von Loga Katharina , Kalaitzaki Eleftheria , Saffery Claire , Watkins David , Tait Diana , Chau Ian , Starling Naureen , Hubank Michael , Cunningham David
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Response to preoperative chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) varies. We assessed whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) might be an early indicator of tumor response or progression to guide therapy adaptation in rectal cancer.

Experimental Design:

A total of 243 serial plasma samples were analyzed from 47 patients with localized rectal cancer undergoing CRT. Up to three somatic variants were tracked in plasma using droplet digital PCR. RECIST and MRI tumor regression grade (mrTRG) evaluated response. Survival analyses applied Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression.

Results:

ctDNA detection rates were: 74% (n = 35/47) pretreatment, 21% (n = 10/47) mid CRT, 21% (n = 10/47) after completing CRT, and 13% (n = 3/23) after surgery. ctDNA status after CRT was associated with primary tumor response by mrTRG (P = 0.03). With a median follow-up of 26.4 months, metastases-free survival was shorter in patients with detectable ctDNA after completing CRT [HR 7.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.4–21.5; P < 0.001], persistently detectable ctDNA pre and mid CRT (HR 3.8; 95% CI, 1.2–11.7; P = 0.02), and pre, mid, and after CRT (HR 11.5; 95% CI, 3.3–40.4; P < 0.001) compared with patients with undetectable or nonpersistent ctDNA. In patients with detectable ctDNA, a fractional abundance threshold of ≥0.07% mid CRT or ≥0.13% after completing CRT predicted for metastases with 100% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity for mid CRT and 66.7% for CRT completion. All 3 patients with detectable ctDNA post-surgery relapsed compared with none of the 20 patients with undetectable ctDNA (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

ctDNA identified patients at risk of developing metastases during the neoadjuvant period and post-surgery, and could be used to tailor treatment.
Intratumoral Plasmid IL12 Electroporation Therapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma Induces Systemic and Intratumoral T-cell Responses
Authors: Greaney Samantha K. , Algazi Alain P. , Tsai Katy K. , Takamura Kathryn T. , Chen Lawrence , Twitty Christopher G. , Zhang Li , Paciorek Alan , Pierce Robert H. , Le Mai H. , Daud Adil I. , Fong Lawrence
Published: December 2019

Whereas systemic IL12 is associated with potentially life-threatening toxicity, intratumoral delivery of IL12 through tavokinogene telseplasmid electroporation (tavo) is safe and can induce tumor regression at distant sites. The mechanism by which these responses are mediated is unknown but is presumed to result from a cellular immune response. In a phase II clinical trial of tavo (NCT01502293), samples from 29 patients with cutaneous melanoma with in-transit disease were assessed for immune responses induced with this treatment. Within the blood circulating immune cell population, we found that the frequencies of circulating PD-1+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells declined with treatment. Circulating immune responses to gp100 were also detected following treatment as measured by IFNγ ELISpot. Patients with a greater antigen-specific circulating immune response also had higher numbers of CD8+ T cells within the tumor. Clinical response was also associated with increased intratumoral CD3+ T cells. Finally, intratumoral T-cell clonality and convergence were increased after treatment, indicating a focusing of the T-cell receptor repertoire. These results indicated that local treatment with tavo can induce a systemic T-cell response and recruit T cells to the tumor microenvironment.
Prevalence and Altered Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in China: A Nationwide Survey in 2013
Authors: Sun Dongling , Jiang Bin , Ru Xiaojuan , Sun Haixin , Fu Jie , Wu Shengping , Wang Linhong , Wang Limin , Zhang Mei , Liu Baiyun , Wang Wenzhi ,   for the NESS-China investigators
Published: December 2019

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability annually worldwide. However, the epidemiology of TBI had not been established in China. We conducted a nationally representative door-to-door survey in the general population across all age groups in 31 provinces in mainland China in 2013. Methods: All participants were reviewed for a history of physician-diagnosed TBI by trained investigators using a structured questionnaire. TBI survivors were considered as prevalent cases at the prevalent time. The present study also examined the odds of TBI as a function of sex, age, and other demographical variables using logistic regression model. Results: Of 583,870 participants, 2,673 individuals had suffered from a TBI during their past life, yielding a weighted prevalence of being 442.4 (95% CI 342.2–542.6) per 100,000 person. The TBI prevalence increased with increasing age. The present study observed the multiadjusted ORs of TBI were 1.9 (95% CI 1.8–2.1) for the male, 1.9 (95% CI 1.2–3.1) for the farmers, 1.9 (95% CI 1.2–3.3) for the retiree or homemakers, 3.4 (95% CI 1.5–7.7), and 2.8 (95% CI 1.1–6.6) for those whose education were primary school and high school, respectively. The most common external cause was road traffic accidents among those who were aged 18–34 years old and those whose educational levels were middle school in both genders. Conclusions: Our results indicate TBI was substantially prevalent among Chinese population and underscore the need to develop national strategies to improve the safe education on road and traffic of TBI in rural residents and some subgroup population.
Urea for Chronic Hyponatremia
Authors: Rondon-Berrios Helbert
Published: December 2019

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered clinically. While acute and/or severe hyponatremia is commonly associated with significant symptoms, milder and more chronic forms of hyponatremia remain clinically inconspicuous. Recent evidence suggests that even milder forms of hyponatremia are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite this, currently available treatments for chronic hyponatremia lack data on efficacy and/or have important limitations related to patient nonadherence, adverse side effects, and/or significant costs. Consequently, there is a clear need for investigation of alternative treatments for this common condition. Summary: Small case series conducted in Europe since the early 1980s suggest that urea, an oral osmotic diuretic that increases urinary water excretion, is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic hyponatremia. In 2016, a novel formulation of urea became available in the United States. Our group recently reported the first and only study describing the efficacy and safety of this American formulation of oral urea among hospitalized patients with hyponatremia. Key Messages: Oral urea appears to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated therapeutic strategy in the management of chronic hyponatremia.
Comparison of Different Slice Thicknesses in Computed Tomography for Labyrinthine Fistula Evaluation
Authors: Du Qiang , Hong Rujian , Pan Yucheng , Liu Junhua , Liang Qin , Wang Kaishi , Han Zhao , Wang Wuqing
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of different slice thicknesses in computed tomography for labyrinthine fistula evaluation and to determine the appropriate slice thickness. Methods: A total of 258 patients who underwent mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. The radiological diagnoses were compared with intraoperative findings. Sensitivity and specificity of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick computed tomographic (CT) images for the evaluation of labyrinthine fistulae were calculated. Cohen’s κ coefficient was also calculated. Results: The sensitivities of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images for the evaluation of labyrinthine fistulae were 76.9, 86.5, 90.4, and 93.3% (observer 1) and 67.3, 76.0, 79.8, and 87.5% (observer 2), respectively. The specificities of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images for labyrinthine fistula evaluation were 96.1, 94.8, 95.5, and 95.5% (observer 1) and 99.4, 97.4, 95.5, and 94.8% (observer 2), respectively. Cohen’s κ coefficients were 0.790, 0.788, 0.876, and 0.911 in 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images, respectively. Conclusions: The sensitivity of CT for labyrinthine fistula evaluation increases with decreasing slice thickness, while the specificity does not improve.
Evaluation of Safety and Short-term Outcomes of Therapeutic Rigid Bronchoscopy Using Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Spontaneous Assisted Ventilation
Authors: Murgu Septimiu , Laxmanan Balaji , Stoy Sean , Egressy Katarine , Chaddha Udit , Farooqui Farhan , Brunner Ryan , Hogarth Kyle , Chaney Mark
Published: December 2019

Background: There is a paucity of published data regarding the optimal type of anesthesia and ventilation strategies during rigid bronchoscopy. Objective: The aim of our study is to report the procedural and anesthesia-related complications with rigid bronchoscopy using total intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous assisted ventilation. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy at the University of Chicago between October 2012 and December 2014 was performed. Data were recorded relating to patients’ demographics, comorbidities, type of anesthesia, need for neuromuscular blockade (NMB), intraoperative hypoxemia, hypotension, perioperative adverse events, and mortality. Results: Fifty-five patients underwent 79 rigid bronchoscopy procedures; 90% were performed for malignant disease and 90% of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III or IV. The majority (76%) did not require use of NMB. The most common adverse events were intraoperative hypoxemia (67%) and hypotension (77%). Major bleeding and postoperative respiratory failure occurred in 3.8 and 5.1% of procedures, respectively. There was no intraoperative mortality or cardiac dysrhythmias. The 30-day mortality was 7.6% and was associated with older age, inpatient status, congestive heart failure, home oxygen use, and procedural duration. Intraoperative hypoxemia, hypotension, and ASA class were not associated with 30-day mortality. The majority (94%) of patients were discharged home. The use of NMB did not impact outcomes. Conclusions: This study suggests that therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy can be safely performed with total intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous assisted ventilation in patients with central airway obstruction, significant comorbidities, and a high ASA class. The only significant modifiable variable predicting the 30-day mortality was the duration of the procedure.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak to the IPG Subcutaneous Pocket after Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation: A Case Report
Authors: Hanuska Jaromir , Urgosik Dusan , Raev Stefan , Ruzicka Filip , Jech Robert
Published: December 2019

This case report presents a 54-year-old Parkinson´s disease patient who underwent a DBS implantation to the subthalamic nuclei bilaterally. Shortly after the operation, the subcutaneous pocket of the generator filled with a liquid. Repeated aspirations did not show any bacterial contamination, and an infection was not found. In the sample, a beta-trace protein was detected that proved the presence of cerebrospinal fluid. A lumbar drain was immediately placed, and a chest compression bandage was fastened for 7 days. After removing the lumbar drain and the compression bandage, no additional liquid was observed, and the wound healed without any other complication. We present an unusual adverse event related to DBS surgery and suggest an effective treatment that has led to uncomplicated healing.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subtypes: New Names for Old Medical Conditions
Authors: Grad  Simona , Dumitrascu Dan L.
Published: December 2019

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), also called disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Over the years, the definition and classification of IBS suffered several conceptual changes. The work of the Rome Committees has largely contributed to the progress in knowledge and awareness of IBS. This paper is an overview of the evolution of diagnosis and classification criteria of IBS. Background: The majority of the complaints causing presentation to the general gastroenterological centers are represented by FGID. IBS is the most frequent among them. IBS is not a uniform condition but includes an array of particular forms called subtypes. Criteria for the identification of the IBS subtypes have suffered several changes in parallel with the accumulation of scientific evidence about this disorder. Classification of IBS subtypes relies on symptoms. Summary: This is a review of the evolution of the criteria for diagnosis and classification of IBS subtypes. Starting with older names given to IBS, some changes in definition and diagnosis have been operated by each edition of the Rome criteria. These changes have led to the better identification of patients with IBS. The management of IBS depends on subtypes and should be individualized. Key Messages: IBS is the main FGID, called also DGBI. It is not a homogenous disorder but a generic name for an array of subtypes with common features but with clinical differences. The diagnosis and classification of IBS subtypes have evolved in time, in accordance with the progress of the knowledge on pathogenesis. It is important for healthcare providers to recognize the subtypes and to use a common nomenclature (that offered by the Rome Committees work).
Why the N (Nutrition) was Added in the EAGEN Acronym?
Authors: Milosavljević Tomica , Kostić-Milosavljević Mirjana
Published: December 2019

Background: Nutrition has been neglected for a long time as an important factor in the pathogenesis of digestive diseases, but also in the treatment, despite Hippocrates long ago insisted “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Summary: New insights into the importance of nutrition in the emergence of disease, and especially in the field of prevention of diseases of the digestive tract, impose the need to pay special attention to the nutrition field. The goal of nutrition as one of the focuses of European Association on Gastroenterology, Endoscopy and Nutrition (EAGEN) activities means awareness of the importance and the goal of making nutrition knowledge a part of comprehensive gastroenterologist’s continuous education. All the above arguments directed the EAGEN to have nutrition (N) – in the name of the organization – acronym, on an equal basis with clinical gastroenterology (G) and endoscopy (E). Key Messages: “Nomen est omen” – The name is a sign, the name speaks for itself; that is, the best explanation for a name change in the fifth decade of organization’s existence and activity, such as pointing to the direction of future activities and priorities.
ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ МЕТРИКИ ХАУСДОРФА ДЛЯ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ НЕТИПОВИХ КАРДІОЦИКЛІВ У ТРИВИМІРНОМУ ФАЗОВОМУ ПРОСТОРІ КООРДИНАТ ВЕКТОРКАРДІОГРАМИ
Authors: Vyshnevskyi V.V. , Romanenko T. M.
Published: December 2019

Сигнал електрокардіограми відноситься до циклічних сигналів, у яких, на відміну від періодичних сигналів, можна виділити подібні, але не тотожні цикли. Тому при розробленні діагностичних алгоритмів застосовують процедури усереднення. Реальні електрокардіограми можуть мати значні спотворення окремих кардіоциклів, тому виникає потреба у визначенні нетипових циклів. У статті запропоновано алгоритм застосування метрики Хаусдорфа для визначення нетипових кардіоциклів електрокардіограми, поданої у тривимірному фазовому просторі координат.
Challenging Porous Frontiers: Atlantic merchants and the potential of the Indian Ocean, 1640–1650
Authors: Svalastog J.M.
Published: December 2019

An imagined divide existed between the Atlantic and Indian Ocean since the earliest days of European transoceanic discovery. The separation was reflected in the charters granted to England’s major trading companies which limited access for private merchants to eastern markets. The Indian Ocean was covered by the charter held by the East India Company and centered on bilateral luxury trade. The trade and activity in Atlantic, by contrast, quickly focused around colonization, agricultural production and trade. However, certain Atlantic merchants saw the potential of applying methods of economic expansion from the Atlantic, more specifically the early American colonies, to new colonization projects in the Indian Ocean. This article considers one such prominent Atlantic merchant, Maurice Thomson. Though his plans did not reach fruition he left a tangible impact on the eic in his attempts to introduce Atlantic methods to the East- thus underlining the porous frontier that separated them.
Exploring New Roles for the Philippine Military: Implications for Civilian Supremacy
Authors: Hall Rosalie Arcala
Published: December 2019

The Philippine military performs on array of traditional (internal security and external defense) and non-traditional (development, disaster relief and rehabilitation, and environmental protection) functions. Historically, it was preoccupied with counterinsurgency operations, which included civic action and development component. After 7 986, the military's role in internal security operations has been streamlined and circumscribed by statutes which criminalize human rights violations. Plans for the military to shift to on external defense mode in 7 995 was scuttled after renewed insurgency threat. There was also a parallel expansion in the military's non-traditional functions after the transition owing to pragmatic considerations by civilian authorities to put the military's resources to use.
Some Linguistic Implications of Transferring Rituals Online: The Case of bay’ah or Allegiance Pledging in Sufism
Authors: Rosowsky Andrey
Published: December 2019

Within the growing body of research devoted to exploring digital religion (Campbell, 2013), relatively little attention has been paid to the linguistic implications of religion moving online. In a study focusing on the online ritual of bay’ah, or allegiance pledging, in Sufism, this article presents findings that identify instances of language form and practice being modified and transformed when ritual moves online. Two aspects of linguistic change are considered. The first explores how an offline, predominantly orally based ritual transfers to a predominantly visual and written mode of communication online. The second considers how ritual performativity is maintained, modified or reduced as a consequence of this transfer. Using a combination of multimodal discourse analysis and speech act theory, an analysis of the findings suggests that a variety of approaches are used by designers of online ritual portals to address these linguistic challenges.
Divine Violence: The Ethics and Aesthetics of the Goddess-woman in the Abused Goddess Ad Campaign
Authors: Edoho-Eket Nkoyo
Published: December 2019

In the fall of 2013, an ad campaign from the Mumbai-based agency Taproot exploded in popularity on social media and was featured on a variety of news sites, particularly in India and the United States. The campaign, known as the Abused Goddess ads, depicted an iteration of the Goddess most accurately characterized as a Goddess-woman, a divine-human hybrid figure possessing both the divine power of shakti and the vulnerability of human women. Stylized in the “canonical” images of the Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga, the Goddess-women were shown as bruised victims of domestic violence. The Abused Goddess ads precipitated and codified the contemporary depictions of the Goddess-woman whose later iterations appear in the work of numerous digital artists. In particular, the ads exemplify an aesthetic that harnesses the power of shame and the mingling of gazes to further a secular-humanist ethic at the expense of devotional experience.
The Baku Bae Movement
Authors: Dewi Yustina Trihoni Nalesti , Kwik Jonathan
Published: December 2019

Ethnic and religious plurality is inextricably linked with Ambonese history. The conflict of 1999–2003 disrupted this stability and caused great damage, segregation, and radicalization. Reestablishing peace proved difficult because of complex social, economic, political, and religious factors, and parties struggled to address deep-rooted issues such as intergroup distrust and hatred. The Baku Bae Peace Movement (gbb) was an informal movement with humble beginnings, which quickly developed into a community effort and reignited intergroup fraternity by deploying a series of effective strategies. This article examines the gbb, its key strengths and weaknesses, and the contextual factors that led to its success. The success of the gbb may be attributed to inclusive grassroots participation and the invocation of shared moral values. This article concludes that although the gbb is difficult to replicate elsewhere, its core values can be implemented in other conflict regions to minimize or resolve religious violence, polarization, and fundamentalism.
The Legal Status of Religious Groups in Argentina
Authors: Arlettaz Fernando
Published: December 2019

The Argentinian Constitution of 1853 established a religious policy based on two main principles: freedom of religion and the privileged status of the Catholic Church. In 1966, an agreement with the Catholic Church eliminated the power of the government to interfere in ecclesiastical matters, but maintained the privileged status of Catholicism. Today, the religious configuration of Argentinian society differs greatly from that of the 19th century. Amidst increasing religious diversity, some legal changes point to the transformation of the Argentinian regime from a nearly confessional state into a multi-confessional, yet not an egalitarian one.
Distinguishing Companions: Mixed-Confession Education, Assimilation, and Islamic Thought
Authors: Gutmann Timothy
Published: December 2019

In this paper, I consider controversies over the question of mixed-confession education in late-19th century Beirut and contrast the assumptions behind them with those that governed educational and mixed spaces in the premodern Muslim world. The paper has two parts. In part one, I examine how Muḥammad ʿAbduh (1849–1905), a scholar who wanted to inspire Muslims to engage a changing world with generous confidence, theorized mixed education. By contrast, Yūsuf al-Nabhānī (1849–1932), believed modernity and cross-confessional schooling threatened the distinctiveness of this community. In part two, I present a formative work on educational theory Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī’s (1058–1111) formative educational theory and a text by Taqī al-Dīn ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328) on that tells Muslims how to preserve their distinctiveness from non-Muslims. Ghazālī’s text describes how Muslims are to cultivate themselves and fellowship among Muslims, and Ibn Taymiyya’s instructs them how to preserve themselves and their community in a world of others. The premodern texts clearly delineate different kinds of spaces that are put together in modern education, in which the question of difference provokes considerable anxiety and instability. Throughout I draw on the work of Saba Mahmood, who troubles modern understandings of inclusion and exclusion, subjects and their worlds, and ethics and politics.
The Constraints of Choice: Secular Sensibilities, Pious Critique, and an Islamic Ethic of Sisterhood in France
Authors: Wesselhoeft Kirsten
Published: December 2019

Muslim women in France engage with moral language of choice, freedom, and rights in a way that offers a framework for the intensification rather than the dilution of pious aspirations. At the same time, the centrality of choice in French state discourses pertaining to Muslim women over-determines the language of choice, freedom, and rights through association with political secularism. Against the background of the valorization of gender mixing (mixité) in state discourses, all-female Islamic social settings reconfigure gender separation (non-mixité) through a pious ethos of rights, freedoms, and personal development that makes up part of the “assemblage” of secularity in the French context, even as these settings are opposed to political secularism.
The Blood of Others
Authors: de Saint Aubert Emmanuel , McWeeny Jennifer
Published: December 2019

The author argues, with reference to a number of Merleau-Ponty’s unpublished manuscripts, that the philosopher’s notion of encroachment (empiétement) has origins in Simone de Beauvoir’s 1945 novel The Blood of Others. He examines how the two philosophers approach the encroachment of freedoms, the political stance of pacifism, and the interpretation of Voltaire’s Candide (Part I). The impact of Élisabeth Lacoin’s death on Beauvoir’s and Merleau-Ponty’s philosophies, as well as their relationships with Jean-Paul Sartre is also considered (Part II).
The genus Chalybion Dahlbom, 1843 (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) from Northwest Vietnam, with description of a new species
Authors: PHAM PHONG HUY , OHL MICHAEL , TRUONG LAM XUAN
Published: December 2019

The genus Chalybion Dahlbom, 1843 from northwest Vietnam is studied. Six species of the genus are recorded for the area. Of these, C. dolichothorax (Kohl, 1918) and C. gracile Hensen, 1988 are new records, whereas C. tanvinhensis sp. nov. is described as a new species. Notes on the nest of the new species and keys to both sexes of the six species reported from northwest Vietnam are provided.
Systematics of the Ameerega rubriventris complex (Anura: Dendrobatidae) with descriptions of two new cryptic species from the East-Andean versant of Peru
Authors: BROWN JASON L. , SIU-TING KAREN , VON MAY RUDOLF , TWOMEY EVAN , GUILLORY WILSON X. , DEUTSCH MICHAEL S. , CHÁVEZ GERMÁN
Published: December 2019

We describe two new species of poison frog from central and southern Peru that have been referred to as Ameerega picta, A. hahneli, or A. altamazonica throughout the past thirty years. Our phylogenies generated with genomic data provide strong support that the two new species are successive sisters to two described taxa, A. rubriventris and A. altamazonica, and collectively comprise the Ameerega rubriventris complex. The first new taxon, Ameerega panguana sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other Ameerega by its combination of a unique white venter and an advertisement call of 1–2 notes per second. The second new taxon, Ameerega imasmari sp. nov., is the only cryptically colored Ameerega species that is disttributed across the Fitzcarrald Arch in Southern Peru which possesses a ‘peep’ advertisement call consisting of 3–4 notes per second and a dominant frequency of 4.3–4.5 kHz. Within the Ameerega rubriventris complex, we observed differences between species in their ventral coloration, tympanum diameter, and call, which suggest that these taxa are reproductively isolated from each other.
A review of the genus Dryocoetiops Schedl, with new species, new synonymy and a key to species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Authors: BEAVER ROGER A. , SMITH SARAH M. , SANGUANSUB SUNISA
Published: December 2019

Eighteen species currently placed in the genus Dryocoetiops Schedl, 1957, are reviewed. Two new species are described: Dryocoetiops pasohensis Beaver, Smith and Sanguansub, D. salebrosus Beaver, Smith and Sanguansub. The following new synonymy is proposed: Dryocoetiops apatoides (Eichhoff, 1875) (= Taphrorychus striatus Nobuchi, 1966, syn. n.); Dryocoetiops moestus (Blandford, 1894) (= Dryocoetes australis Schedl, 1942, syn. n., Dryocoetes coffeae Eggers, 1923, syn. n., = Dryocoetes dinoderoides Blandford, 1894, syn. n., = Dryocoetes eugeniae Schedl, 1942, syn. n., = Dryocoetes hirsutus Schedl, 1939, syn. n., = Dryocoetes javanus Eggers, 1936, syn. n., = Dryocoetes malaccensis Schedl, 1942, syn. n., = Pseudopoecilips taradakensis Murayama, 1957, syn. n., = Dryocoetes tonkinensis Schedl, 1942, syn. n.); Dryocoetiops semigranulatus (Eggers, 1936) (= Dryocoetes kepongi Schedl, 1953, syn. n.). The following new combinations are proposed: Coccotrypes flavicornis (Blandford, 1895) comb. n.; Procryphalus petioli (Beaver, 1990) comb. n., both from Dryocoetiops. A key is provided to the females of ten species remaining in Dryocoetiops; males remain unknown in the genus. The taxonomy, distribution and biology of the species are briefly reviewed, and some new distributional records included.
Peptide Multifunctionalized Gold Nanorods with Dual pH/NIR Responsive Release of Doxorubicin for High-Efficiency Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wang Jing , Ma Kang , Wang Hui , Hu Zhiqiang , Fu Yan , Li Fengmei
Published: December 2019

In this study, gold nanorods (GNRs), uniformly coated with polydopamine (PDA), were developed as a multifunctional nanocarrier for targeted, pH, and near infrared (NIR) irradiation dual-stimuli triggered drug delivery. Doxorubicin (DOX), a hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drug, was conveniently
and heavily loaded into the nanocarrier through π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. It was further passivated by thiolated poly(ethylene glycol)-tumor homing peptides (NGR and TAT) to improve its cancer tissue penetrating, and accurate targeting ability.
The developed NGR/TAT-DOX-PDA@GNRs could not only specifically and effectively deliver therapeutic agents to the tumor sites, but also facilitated controlled release of DOX, triggered via pH and near infrared light dual-stimuli. The studies of tumor cell ablation confirmed that this chemo-photothermal
synergistic therapy offered superior therapeutic efficacy, improved chemosensitivity, and enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy. Therefore, this combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy, based on NGR/TAT-DOX-PDA@GNRs, can maximize the therapeutic efficacy, and minimize the dosage-related
adverse effects in cancer treatment.
SUF: Smart and User Friendly Office Setup in Pervasive Computing Environment
Authors: Mohan Ajay , Batra Neera
Published: December 2019

It aims at providing security not only to the transmission or the data input–output but also to the defense system from the source which is target node attached to the network, particularly in the wireless network environment. To fulfill the requisites of the pervasive computing
model, distributed trust can also be added to the security infrastructure instead of the traditional meaning of appraising trust, so trust management can establish a trust relationship. This adapted approach works on utter strategies for authenticating visitor(s) and access control, providing
the individual securitycredentials, by providing the permission to the entity to change the access rights of other entity or provide them the access to deferring the third parties when required. Services are accessible by the authorized users only if they have rights to access or if the user
has assigned that access right to them because of all the rights for which they possess the permission they can assign. The rights can be taken back or annulled. The rights for specific service or the particular service also possess the right to make use of the other service is associated
with the user, devices and the agents only.
The Fuzzyfied Supply Chain Finite Planning Horizon Model
Authors: Mishra Sanjay , Mishra Nitin Kumar , Singh Vikramjeet , Singh Pushpinder , Saxena Seema
Published: December 2019

A supply chain model is discussed for materials substances such as metals, ceramics, or plastics manufactured which is deteriorating in nature. Fuzzy parameters such as fuzzy deterioration cost, fuzzy holding cost fuzzy inventory carrying cost etcetera are considered for framing of
the model which are later defuzzified using Centroid, Signed Distance and Graded Mean Representation method. Centralized replenishment policy in this finite planning horizon model is discussed along with sensitivity analysis.
Stackable Smart Footwear Rack Using Infrared Sensor
Authors: Gupta Rupesh , Sharma Sarang , Gupta Sheifali , Gupta Deepali
Published: December 2019

The present solution relates to a stackable smart footwear rack and a cabinet housing the stackable smart footwear rack. The present solution provides easy access to organize, store and retrieve footwear in the racks in addition to providing efficient utilization of storage space in
a smart and intelligent manner by means of human machine interface and sensors coupled to motor mechanisms. The present solution also helps negate disorganized arrangement of footwear in the racks and is easy to use thereby contributing to a comfortable lifestyle for people of all age groups.
Additionally, the present solution also provides a means to minimize any incidences of dust, odor or dirt in the cabinets and racks due to soiled footwear leading to increased levels of hygiene when handling the contents.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Solid and Perforated Fins in Regular Arrangement
Authors: Gupta Rupesh , Singh Varinder , Gupta Sheifali , Gupta Deepali
Published: December 2019

Extended surfaces are widely used in various applications like aerospace parts design, cooling and also in solar collectors for effective dissipation of heat. The present paper gives us an idea about the heat transfer analysis for solid pin fin and perforated pin fins that are fitted
in a rectangular chamber. The rectangular chamber has a cross section area of 300 * 200 mm2. It is concluded from the experiment that perforated pin fin always works better as compared to solid pin fin in all conditions. Moreover, for lower range of Reynolds number, solid pin fin
performs better whereas for higher range of Reynolds number, perforated pin fin performs better as compared to circular pin fin.
An Analysis of Integration of Internet of Things and Cloud Computing
Authors: Kakkar Latika , Gupta Deepali , Saxena Sapna , Tanwar Sarvesh
Published: December 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) comprises of various smart devices which are networked together to detect, accumulate, process, improve and interchange significant data over the Internet. IoT has improved our lifestyle by offering various applications such as intelligent home, smart healthcare,
traffic monitoring and smart city devices. The IoT devices have restriction of power, battery life, memory and network constraints, so cloud can be used for accumulating and analyzing the IoT data. Due to the considerable increase in data transfer over Internet and other devices, the confidential
information from the IoT sources required to be secure from any third party access. Cloud computing (CC) on the other side provides a protected, abrupt and advantageous data storage and computing services all over the internet. The integration of both these technologies can prove to be beneficial
for each other. Therefore, we need an efficient and authentic method for secure communication in the IoT and cloud based big data environment. This paper provides a review of amalgamation of the IoT and cloud by featuring the implementation challenges and integration benefits.
System Model for Prediction Analytics Using K-Nearest Neighbors Algorithm
Authors: Prasad Devendra , Goyal Sandip Kumar , Sharma Avinash , Bindal Amit , Kushwah Virendra Singh
Published: December 2019

Machine Learning is a growing area in computer science in today’s era. This article is focusing on prediction analysis using K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) Machine Learning algorithm. Data in the dataset are processed, analyzed and predicated using the specified algorithm. Introduction
of various Machine Learning algorithms, its pros and cons have been discussed. The KNN algorithm with detail study is given and it is implemented on the specified data with certain parameters. The research work elucidates prediction analysis and explicates the prediction of quality of restaurants.