bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer-Generated Holograms for 3D Imaging
Authors: Sahin Erdem , Stoykova Elena , Mäkinen Jani , Gotchev Atanas
Published: March 2020

Holography is usually considered as the ultimate way to visually reproduce a three-dimensional scene. Computer-generated holography constitutes an important branch of holography, which enables visualization of artificially generated scenes as well as real three-dimensional scenes recorded under white-light illumination. In this article, we present a comprehensive survey of methods for synthesis of computer-generated holograms, classifying them into two broad categories: wavefront-based methods and ray-based methods. We examine their modern implementations in terms of the quality of reconstruction and computational efficiency. As it is an integral part of computer-generated holography, we devote a special section to speckle suppression, which is also discussed under two categories following the classification of underlying computer-generated hologram methods.
Teaching teachers to offer STEM to undergrads
Authors: Guzdial Mark
Published: March 2020

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Mark Guzdial considers how teaching computing to undergraduates requires better education of the teachers as well.
Dead languages come to life
Authors: Anthes Gary
Published: March 2020

Artificial intelligence automates the translation of extinct languages.
How universities deploy student data
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: March 2020

Personalizing efforts to drive greater student retention and success.
Machine learning, meet whiskey
Authors: Mone Gregory
Published: March 2020

Technologies are coming increasingly closer to approximating the human senses of taste and smell.
Reinventing virtual machines
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: March 2020

The notion of scalable operating systems led Mendel Rosenblum to virtual machines, which have revolutionized datacenters and enabled modern cloud computing.
The temptation of data-enabled surveillance
Authors: Rubel Alan , Jones Kyle M. L.
Published: March 2020

Are universities the next cautionary tale?
A Bridge to the World
Authors: Xu Zhi-Hong
Published: March 2020

Zhi-Hong Xu is a plant physiologist who studied botany at Peking University (1959–1965). He joined the Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology (SIPP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), as a graduate student in 1965. He recalls what has happened for the institute, during the Cultural Revolution, and he witnessed the spring of science eventually coming to China. Xu was a visiting scholar at the John Innes Institute and in the Department of Botany at Nottingham University in the United Kingdom (1979–1981). He became deputy director of SIPP in 1983 and director in 1991; he also chaired the State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics SIPP (1988–1996). He worked as a visiting scientist in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, National University of Singapore, for three months each year (1989–1992). He served as vice president of CAS (1992–2002) and as president of Peking University (1999–2008). Over these periods he was heavily involved in the design and implementation of major scientific projects in life sciences and agriculture in China. He is an academician of CAS and member of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World. His scientific contributions mainly cover plant tissue culture, hormone mechanism in development, as well as plant developmental response to environment. Xu, as a scientist and leader who has made an impact in the community, called up a lot of excellent young scientists returning to China. His efforts have promoted the fast development of China's plant and agricultural sciences.
Review—Interfaces: Key Issue to Be Solved for All Solid-State Lithium Battery Technologies
Authors: Ding Zhanlai , Li Jianlong , Li Jiao , An Cunran
Published: March 2020

All solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) employing inorganic solid electrolytes or solid polymer electrolytes are attracting increasing interests for electrochemical energy storage devices due to their advantages of high energy density, high safety, wide operating temperature range and long cycle life. However, the large interfacial resistance originated from the insufficient solid-solid contact at electrolyte/electrode interface hinders the development of ASSLBs. In addition, the interfacial stability and compatibility also greatly affect the electrochemical performance of batteries. To realize the ASSLB’s application requires significant research in solid electrolyte materials and solid electrolyte/electrode interfaces. This review summarizes the research and development in solid electrolyte materials and the interfaces of solid electrolyte/electrode, paying special attention to the challenges and progress for the studies of interface issues in ASSLBs. Based on the overview, we attempt to propose approaches to the issue by interface engineering and prospective developments of ASSLBs.
Bipartite Consensus of Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems Based on Distributed Event-Triggered Control
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Kaien , Ji Zhijian , Han Shitao
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the bipartite consensus problem of heterogeneous multiagent systems composed of first-order and second-order agents is considered by utilizing the event-triggered control scheme. Under structurally balanced directed topology, event-triggered bipartite consensus protocol is put forward, and event-triggering functions consisting of measurement error and threshold are designed. To exclude Zeno behavior, an exponential function is introduced in the threshold. The bipartite consensus problem is transformed into the corresponding stability problem by means of gauge transformation and model transformation. By virtue of Lyapunov method, sufficient conditions for systems without input delay are obtained to guarantee bipartite consensus. Furthermore, for the case with input delay, sufficient conditions which include an admissible upper bound of the delay are obtained to guarantee bipartite consensus. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.
Diagnostic Value of Interferon-Gamma Release Assays Combined with Multiple Indicators for Tuberculous Peritonitis
Authors: He Xidong , Gao Yuanxue , Liu Qi , Zhao Zhifang , Deng Wanhang , Yang Hong
Published: March 2020

Objective. To investigate the diagnostic value of interferon-gamma release assays combined with multiple indicators for tuberculous peritonitis. Methods. Patients who were admitted to the hospital due to suspected tuberculous peritonitis were prospectively included during the 30-month study period. Moreover, healthy individuals were recruited and included in the control group. All the study participants were assessed using various indexes, such as interferon-gamma release assays. Results. A total of 180 patients with suspected tuberculous peritonitis were enrolled, and 24 were excluded. 73 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis were included in the tuberculous peritonitis group, 83 patients with other diseases in the other-disease control group, and 52 healthy individuals in the control group. Moreover, 83 patients in the other-disease control group and 52 participants in the control group were identified as 135 nontuberculous peritonitis patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the QuantiFERON-TB test was 0.851 (95% confidence interval: 0.799–0.903), and the optimal cutoff value was 0.55 IU/mL, which corresponds to a sensitivity and specificity of 86.30% and 80.00%, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curves for the combination of the QuantiFERON-TB test and the use of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum adenosine deaminase level, serum cancer antigen 125 level, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein level had an area under the curve of 0.859 (95% confidence interval: 0.809–0.909), with a sensitivity and specificity of 97.26% and 62.96%, respectively. Conclusions. The combined use of the QuantiFERON-TB test and multiple indexes can significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis.
Fetal-Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol-A Affects Quality of Spermatozoa in Adulthood Mouse
Authors: Chioccarelli Teresa , Manfrevola Francesco , Migliaccio Marina , Altucci Lucia , Porreca Veronica , Fasano Silvia , Cobellis Gilda
Published: March 2020

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is considered an endocrine disruptor with estrogenic activity. It is described as an environment-polluting industrial chemical whose adverse effects on the male reproductive system depend on the period of exposure (i.e., fetal, prepubertal, or adult life). We exposed male mice to BPA during the fetal-perinatal period (from 10 days post coitum to 31 days post partum) and investigated the impact of this early-life exposure on gamete health in adulthood animals at 78 days of age. Both in control and BPA-exposed mice, viability and motility of spermatozoa, as well as sperm motility acquisition and chromatin condensation of spermatozoa, have been evaluated. Results reveal harmful effect of BPA on viability and motility of sperm cells as well as on chromatin condensation status during epididymal maturation of spermatozoa. In particular, BPA exposure interferes with biochemical mechanism useful to stabilize sperm chromatin condensation, as it interferes with oxidation of thiol groups associated to chromatin.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Responsible for Beneficial Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Product “Exo-d-MAPPS” in Attenuation of Chronic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Harrell Carl Randall , Miloradovic Dragica , Sadikot Ruxana , Fellabaum Crissy , Markovic Bojana Simovic , Miloradovic Dragana , Acovic Aleksandar , Djonov Valentin , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Volarevic Vladislav
Published: March 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), due to their potential for differentiation into alveolar epithelial cells and their immunosuppressive characteristics, are considered a new therapeutic agent in cell-based therapy of inflammatory lung disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since most of the MSC-mediated beneficent effects were the consequence of their paracrine action, herewith, we investigated the effects of a newly designed MSC-derived product “Exosome-derived Multiple Allogeneic Protein Paracrine Signaling (Exo-d-MAPPS)” in the attenuation of chronic airway inflammation by using an animal model of COPD (induced by chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS)) and clinical data obtained from Exo-d-MAPPS-treated COPD patients. Exo-d-MAPPS contains a high concentration of immunomodulatory factors which are capable of attenuating chronic airway inflammation, including soluble TNF receptors I and II, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products. Accordingly, Exo-d-MAPPS significantly improved respiratory function, downregulated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, and IFN-γ), increased serum concentration of immunosuppressive IL-10, and attenuated chronic airway inflammation in CS-exposed mice. The cellular makeup of the lungs revealed that Exo-d-MAPPS treatment attenuated the production of inflammatory cytokines in lung-infiltrated macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer and natural killer T cells and alleviated the antigen-presenting properties of lung-infiltrated macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Additionally, Exo-d-MAPPS promoted the expansion of immunosuppressive IL-10-producing alternatively activated macrophages, regulatory DCs, and CD4+FoxP3+T regulatory cells in inflamed lungs which resulted in the attenuation of chronic airway inflammation. In a similar manner, as it was observed in an animal model, Exo-d-MAPPS treatment significantly improved the pulmonary status and quality of life of COPD patients. Importantly, Exo-d-MAPPS was well tolerated since none of the 30 COPD patients reported any adverse effects after Exo-d-MAPPS administration. In summing up, we believe that Exo-d-MAPPS could be considered a potentially new therapeutic agent in the treatment of chronic inflammatory lung diseases whose efficacy should be further explored in large clinical trials.
Inverting the Multiple-Assisting Tool Network Problem to Solve for Optimality
Authors: Rich Robert
Published: March 2020

Many network problems deal with the routing of a main tool comprised of several parallel assisting tools. These problems can be found with multi-tool-head routing of CNC machines, waterjets, plasma sprayers, and cutting machines. Other applications involve logistics, distribution, and material handling that require a main tool with assisting tools. Currently no studies exist that optimally route a main tool comprised of and fitted with multiple tools, nor do any studies evaluate the impact of adding additional capabilities to the tool set. Herein we define the network routing problem for a main tool comprised of multiple secondary tools. We introduce first principles to properly configure the main tool with the appropriate number of supporting tools such that that system is not overstatured. We invert the network geometry to extract the “best case” configuration for toolset configuration to include speed, range, and number of such that the system is lean. Our computational studies reveal that the theorems introduced herein greatly improve the overall system performance without oversaturating it with unused resources. In order to validate experiments, we define a mixed integer program and compare it to our metaheuristics developed for experimentation. Both the MIP and the metaheuristics herein optimally route a main tool with multiple assisting tools as well as the routing of a parcel delivery truck comprised of many drones.
Meta-Analysis of Integrated Therapeutic Methods in Noninvasive Lower Back Pain Therapy (LBP): The Role of Interdisciplinary Functional Diagnostics
Authors: Bitenc-Jasiejko Aleksandra , Konior Krzysztof , Lietz-Kijak Danuta
Published: March 2020

Introduction. Lower back pain (LBP) is almost a problem of civilizations. Quite often, it is a consequence of many years of disturbed distribution of tension within the human body caused by local conditions (injuries, hernias, stenoses, spondylolisthesis, cancer, etc.), global factors (postural defects, structural integration disorders, lifestyle, type of activity, etc.), or systemic diseases (connective tissue, inflammation, tumours, abdominal aneurysm, and kidney diseases, including urolithiasis, endometriosis, and prostatitis). Therefore, LBP rehabilitation requires the use of integrated therapeutic methods, combining the competences of interdisciplinary teams, both in the process of diagnosis and treatment. Aim of the Study. Given the above, the authors of the article conducted meta-analysis of the literature in terms of integrated therapeutic methods, indicating the techniques focused on a holistic approach to the patient. The aim of the article is to provide the reader with comprehensive knowledge about treating LBP using noninterventional methods. Material and Methods. An extensive search for the materials was conducted online using PubMed, the Cochrane database, and Embase. The most common noninterventional methods have been described, as well as the most relevantly updated and previously referenced treatment of LBP. The authors also proposed noninvasive (measurable) diagnostic procedures for the functional assessment of the musculoskeletal system, including initial, systematic, and cross-sectional control. All figures and images have been prepared by the authors and are their property. Results. This review article goes beyond combining a detailed description of each procedure with full references, as well as a comprehensive discussion of this very complex and troublesome problem. Conclusions. Lower back pain is a serious health problem, and this review article will help educate physicians and physiotherapists dealing with LBP in the options of evidence-based treatment. Ultimately, the article introduces and postulates the need to systematize therapeutic procedures in LBP therapy, with a long-term perspective.
Vehicle Detection and Ranging Using Two Different Focal Length Cameras
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2020

Vehicle detection is a crucial task for autonomous driving and demands high accuracy and real-time speed. Considering that the current deep learning object detection model size is too large to be deployed on the vehicle, this paper introduces the lightweight network to modify the feature extraction layer of YOLOv3 and improve the remaining convolution structure, and the improved Lightweight YOLO network reduces the number of network parameters to a quarter. Then, the license plate is detected to calculate the actual vehicle width and the distance between the vehicles is estimated by the width. This paper proposes a detection and ranging fusion method based on two different focal length cameras to solve the problem of difficult detection and low accuracy caused by a small license plate when the distance is far away. The experimental results show that the average precision and recall of the Lightweight YOLO trained on the self-built dataset is 4.43% and 3.54% lower than YOLOv3, respectively, but the computing speed of the network decreases 49 ms per frame. The road experiments in different scenes also show that the long and short focal length camera fusion ranging method dramatically improves the accuracy and stability of ranging. The mean error of ranging results is less than 4%, and the range of stable ranging can reach 100 m. The proposed method can realize real-time vehicle detection and ranging on the on-board embedded platform Jetson Xavier, which satisfies the requirements of automatic driving environment perception.
Case Series of Brittle Cornea Syndrome
Authors: Eleiwa Taher , Raheem Mariam , Patel Nimesh A. , Berrocal Audina M. , Grajewski Alana , Abou Shousha Mohamed
Published: March 2020

Purpose. This case series demonstrate diagnostic features, treatment options, and challenges for Brittle Cornea Syndrome.Observations. Three cases presented with bluish sclera and extremely thin cornea. Genetic workup was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of Brittle Cornea Syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by corneal thinning and blue sclera. Case 1 was a 4-year-old boy who developed cataract and glaucoma after undergoing right tectonic penetrating keratoplasty (PK) secondary to a spontaneous corneal rupture. Glaucoma was controlled medically. Later, the kid underwent right transcorneal lensectomy and vitrectomy with synechiolysis. After 6 weeks, he sustained graft dehiscence that was repaired using onlay patch graft. Case 2 was a 7-year-old boy who underwent PK in the right eye, then a pericardial patch graft in the left eye following spontaneous corneal rupture. Glaucoma in both eyes was controlled medically. Case 3 was the 2-year-old sister of the 2ndcase. She had a pachymetry of 238 μm OD and 254 μm OS. In the 3 cases, parents were instructed to take protective measures for both eyes and to continue with follow-up visits. Also, they were instructed to have regular screenings for late-onset hearing loss, dental abnormalities, and bone deformities.Conclusions. Long-term follow-up of children diagnosed with Brittle Cornea Syndrome is paramount to minimize the morbidity of corneal rupture and late-onset extraocular conditions.
Exact Free Vibration Analysis for Plate Built-Up Structures under Comprehensive Combinations of Boundary Conditions
Authors: Liu Xiang , Xie Chen , Dan Han-cheng
Published: March 2020

In this research, an exact dynamic stiffness model for spatial plate built-up structures under comprehensive combinations of different boundary conditions is newly proposed. Dynamic stiffness formulations for plate elements with 16 different types of supported opposite edges and arbitrarily supported boundary conditions along other edges are developed, which makes the dynamic stiffness method (DSM) more applicable to engineering problems compared to existing works. The Wittrick–Williams algorithm of the DSM is applied with the explicit expressions of the J0 count for plate elements under all above support conditions. In return, there is no need to refine the element in the DSM, and thus, it becomes immensely efficient. Moreover, the present theory is applied for exact free vibration analysis within the whole frequency range of three built-up structures which are commonly encountered in engineering. The results show that the DSM gives exact results with as much as 100-fold computational efficiency advantage over the commercial finite element method. Besides, benchmark results are also provided.
Analysis of the Impact of Traffic Violation Monitoring on the Vehicle Speeds of Urban Main Road: Taking China as an Example
Authors: Pan Fuquan , Yang Yongzheng , Zhang Lixia , Ma Changxi , Yang Jinshun , Zhang Xilong
Published: March 2020

In recent years, there are more and more applications of traffic violation monitoring in some countries. The present work aims to analyze the vehicle speeds nearby road traffic violation monitoring area on urban main roads and find out the impact of road traffic violation monitoring on the vehicle speeds. A representative urban main road section was selected and the traffic flow was recorded by camera method. The vehicle speeds before, within, and after the road traffic violation monitoring area were obtained by the calculation method. The speed data was classified and processed by SPSS software and mathematical method to establish the vehicle speed probability density models before, within, and after the road traffic violation monitoring area. The results show that the average speed and maximum speed within the traffic violation monitoring area are significantly slower than those before and after the traffic violation monitoring area. 70.1% of the vehicles before the road traffic violation monitoring area were speeding, and 80.2% of the vehicles after the road traffic violation monitoring area were speeding, while within the road traffic violation monitoring area, the speeding vehicles were reduced to 15.9%. When vehicles pass through the road traffic violation monitoring area, the vehicle speeds tend to first decrease and subsequently increase. In its active area, road traffic violation monitoring can effectively regulate driving behaviors and reduce speeding, but this effect is limited to the vicinity of the traffic violation monitoring. The distribution of vehicle speeds can be calculated from vehicle speed probability density models.
Inhibition of the Ubiquitin-Activating Enzyme UBA1 Suppresses Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice
Authors: Liao Jiawei , Yang Xiaolei , Lin Qiuyue , Liu Shuang , Xie Yunpeng , Xia Yunlong , Li Hui-Hua
Published: March 2020

Background. Ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) is the first and major E1 activating enzyme in ubiquitin activation, the initial step of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Defects in the expression or activity of UBA1 correlate with several neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders. However, whether UBA1 contributes to atherosclerosis is not defined. Methods and Results. Atherosclerosis was induced in apolipoprotein E-knockout (Apoe-/-) mice fed on an atherogenic diet. UBA1 expression, detected by immunohistochemical staining, was found to be significantly increased in the atherosclerotic plaques, which confirmed to be mainly derived from lesional CD68+ macrophages via immunofluorescence costaining. Inactivation of UBA1 by the specific inhibitor PYR-41 did not alter the main metabolic parameters during atherogenic diet feeding but suppressed atherosclerosis development with less macrophage infiltration and plaque necrosis. PYR-41 did not alter circulating immune cells determined by flow cytometry but significantly reduced aortic mRNA levels of cytokines related to monocyte recruitment (Mcp-1, Vcam-1, and Icam-1) and macrophage proinflammatory responses (Il-1β and Il-6). Besides, PYR-41 also suppressed aortic mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase (Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4) and lesional oxidative stress levels, determined by DHE staining. In vitro, PYR-41 blunted ox-LDL-induced lipid deposition and expression of proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1β and Il-6) and NADPH oxidases (Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4) in cultured RAW264.7 macrophages. Conclusions. We demonstrated that UBA1 expression was upregulated and mainly derived from macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaques and inactivation of UBA1 by PYR-41 suppressed atherosclerosis development probably through inhibiting macrophage proinflammatory response and oxidative stress. Our data suggested that UBA1 might be explored as a potential pharmaceutical target against atherosclerosis.
Cessation of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Determining Factors at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kelkay Bayew , Kindalem Eshetie , Tagele Animut , Moges Yohannes
Published: March 2020

Background. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the gold standard of infant feeding practice which lasts up to 6 months postpartum. Not all infants are exclusively breastfed in developing countries, including Ethiopia. This study, therefore, assessed the magnitude and determining factors of EBF cessation practice among mothers at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Method. Institutional-based cross-sectional study design using a systematic random sampling technique was applied to select 344 mothers of infants aged 9 months came for measles vaccination. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Independent variables with a P value of <0.05 indicated association. Result. The magnitude of cessation of EBF was 21.5% with 95% CI (17.24-25.76). Maternal age ≤ 19 years [AOR=5.53; 95% CI (1.07-28.57)], civil servants [AOR=4.73; 95% CI (2.20-10.19)], illiterate husbands [AOR=3.76; 95% CI (1.13-12.49)], primi-para [AOR=2.42; 95% CI (1.22-4.79)], no postnatal follow up [AOR=2.62; 95% CI (1.44-4.80)], and having poor knowledge on breastfeeding benefits and composition of breastmilk [AOR=3.15; 95% CI (1.56-6.35)] were independent factors significantly associated with cessation of EBF. Conclusion and recommendation. The magnitude of cessation of EBF was high. Maternal age, parity, employment status, postnatal follow-up, and breastfeeding knowledge as well as spouse literacy level were independent factors significantly associated with cessation of EBF. Our study provides further impetus for empowering young and primi-para with breastfeeding knowledge, an extension of maternity leave time, and support for breastfeeding at the workplace.
Predicting Crash Frequency for Urban Expressway considering Collision Types Using Real-Time Traffic Data
Authors: Zhang Hui , Li Siyao , Wu Chaozhong , Zhang Qi , Wang Yafen
Published: March 2020

Current studies on traffic crash prediction mainly focus on the crash frequency and crash severity of freeways or arterials. However, collision type for urban expressway crash is rarely considered. Meanwhile, with the rapid development of urban expressway systems in China in recent years, traffic safety problems have attracted more attention. In addition, the traffic characteristics are considered to be a potentially important predictor of traffic accidents; however, their impact on crashes has been controversial. Therefore, a crash frequency predicting model for urban expressway considering collision types is proposed in this study. The loop detector traffic data and historical crash data were aggregated based on the similarities of the traffic conditions 5 minutes before crash occurrence, among which crashes were divided by collision type (rear-end collision and side-impact collision). The impact of traffic characteristics along with weather variables as well as their interactions on crash frequency was modelled by using negative binomial regression model. The results indicated that the influence of traffic and weather factors on two collision types shared similar trend, but different level. For rear-end collisions, crash frequency increased with lower average speed and high traffic volume under low speed limit. And when the speed limit is high, higher average speed coupled with larger volume increases the probability of crash. Higher average speed and traffic volume increase the probability of side-impact collisions, without being affected by the speed limit. The findings of the present study could help to determine efficient safety countermeasures aimed at improving the safety performance of urban expressway.
Recurrent Anterior Vaginal Wall Hernia after a Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Dueñas-Garcia Omar Felipe , Hornsby Kristan
Published: March 2020

True pelvic floor areas are uncommon conditions, but they can occur after extensive pelvic surgery including radical cystectomies or pelvic exenteration. We present the case of a patient with a persistent hernia that failed a native tissue repair and required a prosthetic mesh implant as definitive surgical treatment.
Deuteronomy Reads the Pentateuch
Authors: Baden Joel S.
Published: March 2020

The parallel narratives in Deuteronomy and in Exodus-Numbers have long provided a basis for literary-historical investigations of the composition of the Pentateuch. They also, however, contribute significantly to a canonical reading of Deuteronomy and its place in the Pentateuch. The parallel stories - and specifically the differences between them - allow for a sharper definition of Deuteronomy’s message, the character of Moses, and the nature of biblical interpretation.
Deuteronomy’s Prodigal Son: Deut. 21:18-21 and the Agenda of the D Source
Authors: Boyd Samuel L.
Published: March 2020

This article examines the ways in which the law of the rebellious and stubborn son in Deut. 21:18-21 supports the agenda of the D source to subordinate any basis of authority in ancient Israel to its own legal vision of centralization. In particular, I explore theories regarding the origin of Deut. 21:18-21 as pre-deuteronomic and argue that, whatever its pre-history, the law of the rebellious and stubborn son functions well in the legal and religious rhetoric of D. I further support this analysis of Deut. 21:18-21 by recourse to and comparison with similar family laws in the Covenant Code and Holiness Legislation. Finally, I offer thoughts on the manner in which the severity of Deut. 21:18-21 explains two facets of the reception history of this passage.
Punctuating Paul’s Letters in Light of the Ancient Theory of Côla and Periods
Authors: Marschall Priscille
Published: March 2020

This article argues that the micro-structure of Paul’s letters is intrinsically linked to an aural logic. Taking 2 Corinthians 10:8-11 as an example and using the notions of côlon and period as described in the rhetoric and stylistic treatises of the Graeco-Roman world, I will show both the methods and the extent to which it is possible to reconstitute its original “punctuation” – i.e., the different breaks that punctuated this passage when it was read aloud. This will allow me to shed new light on the structure of the passage and, especially, on the debated question of the place of verse 9, namely the extent to which it is linked with either verse 8 or verses 10-11, or is rather independent. More generally, this article is an invitation to develop colometric analysis as an additional tool in debates concerning micro-structure and punctuation of NT texts.
How GDPR Enhances Transparency and Fosters Pseudonymisation in Academic Medical Research
Authors: Verhenneman G. , Claes K. , Derèze J.J. , Herijgers P. , Mathieu C. , Rademakers F.E. , Reyda R. , Vanautgaerden M.
Published: March 2020

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s in the context of academic medical research. One year into GDPR, it is clear that a change of mind and the uptake of new procedures is required. Research organisations have been looking at the possibility to establish a code-of-conduct, good practices and/or guidelines for researchers that translate GDPR’s abstract principles to concrete measures suitable for implementation. We introduce a proposal for the implementation of GDPR in the context of academic research which involves the processing of health related data, as developed by a multidisciplinary team at the University Hospitals Leuven. The proposal is based on three elements, three stages and six specific safeguards. Transparency and pseudonymisation are considered key to find a balance between the need for researchers to collect and analyse personal data and the increasing wish of data subjects for informational control.
Late Termination of Pregnancy in Belgium: Exploring Its Legality and Scope
Authors: De Meyer Fien
Published: March 2020

Termination of pregnancy when the foetus is considered viable remains a legal and ethical challenge for lawmakers and society. In Belgium, the lawfulness of late termination of pregnancy is contested by legal scholars up until today. Through statutory interpretation, this analysis demonstrates that this controversy is unwarranted and that termination of pregnancy for particularly severe and incurable foetal abnormality or for serious threats to the health of the pregnant person is also permitted after foetal viability. Nonetheless, by using open terms the Belgian Act on the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy creates considerable legal uncertainty. Drawing on a comparison with the regulatory frameworks of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, this article underlines the need for increased multidisciplinary debate, medical guidance, and scientific research on late termination of pregnancy in Belgium.
Linguistic Rights and Education in the Republics of the Russian Federation: Towards Unity through Uniformity
Authors: Jankiewicz Szymon , Knyaginina Nadezhda , Prina Federica
Published: March 2020

This article traces the evolution of the debate on the balancing of federal and regional competences in regulating the use of minority languages in Russia’s education system. Taking into account relevant law and judicial practice, as well as developments in center-periphery relations since 2017, the article argues that the federal center has been increasingly depriving Russia’s republics of the ability to self-regulate in the education sphere – particularly over the question as to whether they may require the compulsory study of republican languages (recognized as co-official with Russian) in schools located within their administrative borders. These processes can be located in the context of the centralization of the education system and a corresponding reduction of multilingualism in Russia’s schools. This can, in turn, be seen as part of an underlying drive to promote national unity through uniformity, through the dilution of the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity and a concurrent emphasis on the primacy of the Russian language. The article further argues that the Russian education system’s centralization has been ongoing: while it has intensified since 2017, the trajectory of the jurisprudence shows an earlier movement towards a concern for ‘unity’ that anticipated it.
Stones Alive!
Authors: Janowski Monica
Published: March 2020

This article explores the significance of stone in Southeast Asia, arguing that within the animistic ontologies of the region stone is a central cosmological concept. Stone, for the people of this region, is a locus of sentience, expressed through the presence of spirits. Cosmic power, which is equivalent to vital force, is believed to flow through the cosmos, flowing fastest in water and coalescing in stone. Stone is a source of power and life and is associated with origins and ancestors; the placing of stone is associated with status and becoming a significant ancestor. Southeast Asian ontologies, which regard the material world as made up of a constant flow of cosmic power, closely identified with life itself, do not separate mind and matter and see stone as alive. Stone is a lens through which we can view these ontologies and perhaps even question our own.
A Political Dance in the Rain
Authors: Engchuan Rosalia Namsai
Published: March 2020

Queer films are largely absent from Indonesian cinema and television screens due to the country’s current climate of LGBT ‘moral panic’. This article examines how, two decades after the reformation, Indonesian film practitioners are forced to navigate complex configurations of power and knowledge—negotiating social, political, and religious entanglements through their cinematic practices. My analysis is focused on komunitas film (film community/ies) and, more specifically, events and activities surrounding Luhki Herwanayogi’s short film On Friday Noon (2016), which chronicles the emotionally and physically fraught journey of a transgender Muslim woman as she seeks to perform Friday prayers. Drawing on this example, the article explores the disruptive potential of cinematic practice to challenge and nullify the ostensible binary between Islam and queerness, showing alternative ways of being Muslim in contemporary Indonesia, where piety and sexual identity often come together in unexpected ways.
Biodiversity of the aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) of the Arabian Peninsula: Vespoidea, Sapygidae
Authors: GADALLAH NEVEEN S. , BROTHERS DENIS J.
Published: March 2020

An updated checklist of the Arabian species of Sapygidae is provided here. The list includes a single identified valid species in the subfamily Sapyginae: Asmisapyga guichardi Gusenleitner. Distributions, both on the Peninsula and extra-limital, are provided; the species is not endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.
Biodiversity of the aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) of the Arabian Peninsula: Vespoidea, Tiphiidae
Authors: GADALLAH NEVEEN S. , BROTHERS DENIS J.
Published: March 2020

An updated checklist of the Arabian species of Tiphiidae is provided here. The list includes 38 identified valid species in 10 genera and three subfamilies: Anthoboscinae (1 genus, 2 species), Myzininae (7 genera, 29 species), and Tiphiinae (2 genera, 7 species). Distributions, both on the Peninsula and extra-limital, are provided for each species; 24 species (63%) are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.
Biodiversity of the aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) of the Arabian Peninsula: Apoidea (Spheciformes), Heterogynaidae
Authors: GADALLAH NEVEEN S.
Published: March 2020

An updated checklist of the Arabian species of Heterogynaidae is provided here. The list includes two identified valid species in one genus. Distributions on the Peninsula are provided for each species; both (100%) are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.
Biodiversity of the aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) of the Arabian Peninsula: Apoidea (Spheciformes), Sphecidae (sensu stricto)
Authors: GADALLAH NEVEEN S.
Published: March 2020

An updated checklist of the Arabian species of Sphecidae is provided here. The list includes 70 identified valid species in 10 genera and four subfamilies: Ammophilinae (4 genera, 35 species), Chloriontinae (1 genus, 6 species), Sceliphrinae (2 genera, 8 species) and Sphecinae (3 genera, 21 species). Distributions, both on the Peninsula and extra-limital, are provided for each species and subspecies; four species (6%) are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.
Identifying Thermal Decomposition Products of Nitrate Ester Explosives Using Gas Chromatography–Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Cruse Courtney A. , Pu Jingzhi , Goodpaster John V.
Published: March 2020

Analysis of nitrate ester explosives (e.g., nitroglycerine) using gas chromatography–vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC–VUV) results in their thermal decomposition into nitric oxide, water, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and formaldehyde. These decomposition products exhibit highly structured spectra in the VUV that is not seen in larger molecules. Computational analysis using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) was utilized to investigate the excited states and vibronic transitions of these decomposition products. The experimental and computational results are compared with those in previous literature using synchrotron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), photoabsorption spectroscopy, and other computational excited state methods. It was determined that a benchtop GC–VUV detector gives comparable results to those previously reported, and TDDFT could predict vibronic spacing and model molecular orbital diagrams.
Evaluating the Minimum-Wage Exemption of the Long-Term Unemployed in Germany
Authors: Umkehrer Matthias , vom Berge Philipp
Published: March 2020

The authors evaluate the exemption of long-term unemployed job seekers from Germany’s national minimum wage. Using linked survey and administrative micro data, they rely on a regression discontinuity design to identify the effects of the policy by comparing hiring rates, employment stability, and entry wages around the administrative threshold between short-term and long-term unemployment. They find that the exemption is very rarely used and that the minimum wage binds irrespective of past unemployment duration. While the minimum wage led to a relative rise in entry wages for the long-term unemployed compared to the short-term unemployed, the authors do not detect a relative deterioration in their employment prospects.
Magnesium-Dependent Promotion of H2O2 Production Increases Ecological Competitiveness of Oral Commensal Streptococci
Authors: Cheng X. , Redanz S. , Treerat P. , Qin H. , Choi D. , Zhou X. , Xu X. , Merritt J. , Kreth J.
Published: March 2020

The pyruvate oxidase (SpxB)–dependent production of H2O2 is widely distributed among oral commensal streptococci. Several studies confirmed the ability of H2O2 to antagonize susceptible oral bacterial species, including caries-associated Streptococcus mutans as well as several periodontal pathobionts. Here we report a potential mechanism to bolster oral commensal streptococcal H2O2 production by magnesium (Mg2+) supplementation. Magnesium is a cofactor for SpxB catalytic activity, and supplementation increases the production of H2O2 in vitro. We demonstrate that Mg2+ affects spxB transcription and SpxB abundance in Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii. The competitiveness of low-passage commensal streptococcal clinical isolates is positively influenced in antagonism assays against S. mutans. In growth conditions normally selective for S. mutans, Mg2+ supplementation is able to increase the abundance of S. sanguinis in dual-species biofilms. Using an in vivo biophotonic imaging platform, we further demonstrate that dietary Mg2+ supplementation significantly improves S. gordonii oral colonization in mice. In summary, our results support a role for Mg2+ supplementation as a potential prebiotic to promote establishment of oral health–associated commensal streptococci.
Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Microbiome in Deep-Dentin Caries
Authors: Liu G. , Wu C. , Abrams W.R. , Li Y.
Published: March 2020

Dental caries is a cariogenic bacteria-mediated, fermentable carbohydrate-driven dynamic disease. The new ecological hypothesis for dentin caries suggests that an alteration in the microbial community and the presence of specific metabolic pathway genes contribute to the initiation and progression of caries. This study aimed to determine the structural and functional characteristics of a microbial community of human deep-dentin carious lesions. Sixteen deep-dentin carious lesions were obtained from the first permanent molars of 8 patients aged 9 to 18 y. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to measure the microbial composition and abundance at the phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species levels. Functional analysis of the DNA sequencing data set was also performed and compared among different layers of the lesions using DIAMOND software against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. This study found that in the deep-dentin carious lesions, Actinobacteria (35.8%) and Firmicutes (31.2%) were the most prevalent phyla, followed by Bacteroidetes (13.6%), Proteobacteria (3.6%), and Fusobacteria (2.5%). The microbial composition varied among the individuals, but there were no significant differences in the distribution of the relative microbial abundance between the superficial layers and the deep layers. Although 14.5% of the top 10 taxa were identified as Lactobacillus at the genus level, only 25% of the deep-dentin carious samples showed Lactobacillus as the most abundant genus. Other abundant taxa included Actinomyces (10.5%), Olsenella (9.4%), Prevotella (8.8%), Propionibacterium (7.2%), Streptococcus (3.9%), Selenomonas (3.7%), Corynebacterium (1.9%), Leptotrichia (1.4%), and Parascardovia (1.1%). The most abundant pathway identified in the KEGG database was the metabolic pathway containing 101,427 annotated genes, which consisted of 51.4% of all annotated genes. The carbohydrate metabolism pathway, amino acid metabolism, and membrane transport were the functional traits of the level 2 pathways. These findings suggest that the potent interaction within the microbial communities in deep-dentin carious lesions may play a fundamental role in caries etiology.
The Apparent Failure of “Situational Analysis” to Take Hold and an Attempt at Revitalizing It
Authors: Palacio-Vera Alfonso
Published: March 2020

“Situational Analysis” (SA) constitutes Popper’s methodological proposal for the social sciences. We argue that notwithstanding Popper’s claim that SA is an attempt to extend the methodology of neoclassical economics to the rest of the social sciences, the former is better interpreted as an extension of his view of the “method” of history to the “theoretical” social sciences. The reason is that, unlike neoclassical economics, Popper’s formulation of SA presupposes that social scientists exhibit a “more complete” view of the “logic of the situation” than individual actors do, on average, which implies that the latter’s knowledge is “partially wrong” or “incomplete.”
Noise-tolerance consensus formation control for multi-robotic networks
Authors: Wang Chuangchuang , He Ping , Li Heng , Tian Jinyu , Wang Kuiyang , Li Yangmin
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the formation control for noise-tolerance consensus of multi-robotic networks and the mean square consensus condition. Firstly, the multi-robot model is expressed by applying a coordinate transformation based on the Euler-Lagrange equation. Compared with recent works, the control scheme presented in this work can indirectly obtain the evolution trend of position and velocity information of the robot. Besides, the noise and communication delay are involved in the formation control protocol. Secondly, the sufficient conditions of mean square consensus for formation control in multi-robotic networks with communication delay under noisy environments are obtained by using linear matrix inequality schemes. Finally, the numerical simulations are presented and submitted to demonstrate the correctness of the obtained results.