bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction Score for Cervical Spine Fracture in Patients with Traumatic Neck Injury
Authors: Athinartrattanapong Natsinee , Yuksen Chaiyaporn , Leela-amornsin Sittichok , Jenpanitpong Chetsadakon , Wongwaisayawan Sirote , Leelapattana Pittavat
Published: March 2021

Background. Cervical spine fracture is approximately 2%–5%. Diagnostic imaging in developing countries has several limitations. A computed tomography scan is not available 24 hours and not cost-effective. This study aims to develop a clinical tool to identify patients who must undergo a computed tomography scan to evaluate cervical spine fracture in a noncomputed tomography scan available hospital. Methods. The study was a diagnostic prediction rule. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between August 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018, at the emergency department. This study included all patients aged over 16 years who had suspected cervical spine injury and underwent a computed tomography scan at the emergency department. The predictive model and prediction scores were developed via multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. 375 patients met the criteria. 29 (7.73%) presented with cervical spine fracture on computed tomography scan and 346 did not. Five independent factors (i.e., high-risk mechanism of injury, paraparesis, paresthesia, limited range of motion of the neck, and associated chest or facial injury) were considered good predictors of C-spine fracture. The clinical prediction score for C-spine fracture was developed by dividing the patients into three probability groups (low, 0; moderate, 1–5; and high, 6–11), and the accuracy was 82.52%. In patients with a score of 1–5, the positive likelihood ratio for C-spine fracture was 1.46. Meanwhile, those with a score of 6–11 had an LR+ of 7.16. Conclusion. In a noncomputed tomography scan available hospital, traumatic spine injuries patients with a clinical prediction score ≥1 were associated with cervical spine fracture and should undergo computed tomography scan to evaluate C-spine fracture.
Adolescents’ Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters with Their Parents and Associated Factors among Secondary and Preparatory School Students in Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Bikila Tesfaye Shibiru , Dida Nagasa , Bulto Gizachew Abdissa , Debelo Bikila Tefera , Temesgen Kababa
Published: March 2021

Background. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication is most likely to promote healthy sexual practices and to reduce risky sexual behavior among adolescents. Communication is the principal means for parents to transmit sexual values and knowledge to their children. Although there are few studies conducted on parent-adolescent communication, there is no study conducted in the town of Ambo. This study was aimed at assessing the level of parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues and its associated factors among school students in Ambo town, Oromia, Ethiopia. Method. An institution-based concurrent mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 591 secondary and preparatory school students in Ambo town from February 24th to March 9th, 2019. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study subject. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, and FGD was conducted with parents of students. Data was entered using EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23.0 for statistical analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the association using a 95% confidence interval (CI) and

p

value (<0.05). Results. The proportion of students who had communication on sexual and reproductive health issues with their parents was 222 (37.6%). Being female (

AOR
=
2.07

, 95% CI: 1.40-3.07), private school (

AOR
=
2.77

, 95% CI: 1.17-3.69), a father with secondary education (

AOR
=
2.93

, 95% CI: 1.05-8.12) and diploma and above (

AOR
=
3.27

, 95% CI: 1.23-8.71), considering sex education necessary (

AOR
=
2.83

, 95% CI: 1.22-6.57), got information about SRH issues from school (

AOR
=
2.01

, 95% CI: 1.06-2.36) and media (

AOR
=
2.92

, 95% CI: 1.49-3.71), and mother’s openness to communicate about SRH issues (

AOR
=
3.30

, 95% CI: 1.31-4.05) were found to be significantly associated with parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues. Conclusions. The study showed that parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues is low. Being female, those from a private school, father’s education, perceived importance of sex education, source of information about SRH issues (school and media), and mother’s openness to communicate about SRH issues were identified to be factors associated with the communication. Therefore, the concerned body should consider the identified factors to improve the current level of parent-adolescent communication and adolescent reproductive health.
On the Influences of Air Bubbles on Water Flow in a Two-Dimensional Channel
Authors: Huang Wenyun , Yun Honglu , Huang Wenchao , Zhang Bin , Lyu Xujian
Published: March 2021

As an inevitable trend for the sustainable development of the global economy, saving energy and reducing emissions are key goals for the entire world. The use of air bubbles to reduce viscous friction is one of the most effective approaches to achieve this goal, as it may significantly reduce the frictional drag of ships. However, the injection of air bubbles will change flow characteristics near the wall due to the significant differences in density and viscosity between air and water. In addition, parameters such as bubble size, bubble surface tension, bubble number and bubble position also affect the flow near the wall, resulting in significant diversity and instability in two-phase flow. To clarify the mechanism of these effects, a two-dimensional channel flow with air bubbles is studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The interactions between bubbles and water and between bubbles and wall are studied, and the detailed characteristics of bubbles moving in fully developed flow are considered. This study shows that the velocity gradient is the main factor influencing wall shear stress, and the presence of bubbles has a marked impact on the local velocity gradient distribution of the nearby flow. It is also found that shorter distance between a bubble and the wall enhances the flow interaction and leads to more significant perturbations of wall shear stress.
The Role of Nanomaterials in Stroke Treatment: Targeting Oxidative Stress
Authors: Song Guini , Zhao Min , Chen Hanmin , Lenahan Cameron , Zhou Xiangyue , Ou Yibo , He Yue
Published: March 2021

Stroke has a high rate of morbidity and disability, which seriously endangers human health. In stroke, oxidative stress leads to further damage to the brain tissue. Therefore, treatment for oxidative stress is urgently needed. However, antioxidative drugs have demonstrated obvious protective effects in preclinical studies, but the clinical studies have not seen breakthroughs. Nanomaterials, with their characteristically small size, can be used to deliver drugs and have demonstrated excellent performance in treating various diseases. Additionally, some nanomaterials have shown potential in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stroke according to the nature of nanomaterials. The drugs’ delivery ability of nanomaterials has great significance for the clinical translation and application of antioxidants. It increases drug blood concentration and half‐life and targets the ischemic brain to protect cells from oxidative stress‐induced death. This review summarizes the characteristics and progress of nanomaterials in the application of antioxidant therapy in stroke, including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and neural regeneration. We also discuss the prospect of nanomaterials for the treatment of oxidative stress in stroke and the challenges in their application, such as the toxicity and the off‐target effects of nanomaterials.
A DOFS-Based Approach to Calculate the Height of Water-Flowing Fractured Zone in Overlying Strata under Mining
Authors: Piao Chunde , Li Jinjun , Wang Dangliang , Qiao Wei
Published: March 2021

The distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) is a technique that can obtain full spatial and temporal information concerning the behavior of a large range of measurand fields along a fiber path and realize the distributed monitoring of the overburden section under mining. To calculate the height of water-flowing fractured zone caused by the exploitation of coal, this study employed distributed optical fiber sensors with OSI-C-S optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) technology and designed a similar-material model test based on the engineering geological conditions of Daliuta Coal Mine. Through the test, deformation characteristics of overlying strata were studied, the linear relationship was summarized between the strain gradient and the shear stress measured by fiber sensors when the rock layer cracks, and a method was proposed of using the measured strain to measure the height of the water-flowing fractured zone in overlying strata. The test results show that there are several locations where the sign of the shear stress changes (positive to negative or vice versa) in the overlying strata during the initial stage of coal seam mining. As the working face advanced, the change locations gradually concentrated at the place where the rock cracks. By identifying the breakpoints of the rock and the locations where the sign of the shear stress measured by fiber sensors changes, this paper calculated the height of the water-flowing fractured zone in Daliuta Coal Mine. After comparing the height with the abscission layer position in the model test and the predicted height by the empirical formulas in the specification, it has been found that the three results are basically consistent, which in turn verifies the accuracy of this method.
Modelling of Transient CO2/Water Flow in Wellbore considering Multiple Mass and Heat Transfer
Authors: Zhao Xinxin , Yan Xiangzhen , Sun Xiaohui , Zhao Qing , Jiang Hongwei , Gao Yonghai , Yang Guang
Published: March 2021

A transient fully coupled model is proposed to investigate the two-phase flow of CO2 and water-based fluid in a wellbore, considering the complex mass and heat transfer in different flow patterns and dynamic coupling between the wellbore and reservoir. Based on mass conservation, momentum, and energy balance, the model employs a state-of-the-art equation of state and transport models to analyze the variations of multiphase flow behaviors and CO2 properties in a wellbore. Applied in the scenario of a drilled gas kick, the proposed model is used to simulate the processes of gas migration and two-phase flow in the wellbore. The results indicate that the CO2 solubility increases gradually with the increment of depth, the trend of which shows an abrupt change in 500-1000 m due to the phase transition of CO2. During kick development, the fronts of free gas and dissolved gas increase almost linearly with time. Through a comparison of CO2 and CH4 kicks, gas dissolution is found to significantly suppress the development process of CO2 kick. The error in kick prediction can reach 42% if the effect of gas dissolution is neglected. However, it can be neglected for CH4 kick.
Study on Fluid‐Structure Interaction of Flexible Membrane Structures in Wind‐Induced Vibration
Authors: Sun Fangjin , Zhu Donghan , Liu Tiantian , Zhang Daming
Published: March 2021

A strongly coupled monolithic method was previously proposed for the computation of wind‐induced fluid‐structure interaction of flexible membranous structures by the authors. How to obtain the accurate solution is a key issue for the strongly coupled monolithic method. Projection methods are among the commonly used methods for the coupled solution. In the work here, to impose initial pressure boundary conditions implicitly defined in the original momentum equations in classical projection methods when dealing with large‐displacement of membranous structures, a modified factor is introduced in corrector step of classical projection methods and a new modified projection method is obtained. The solution procedures of the modified projection method aimed at strongly coupled monolithic equations are given, and the related equations are derived. The proposed method is applied to the computation of a two‐dimensional fluid‐structure interaction benchmark case and wind‐induced fluid‐structure interaction of a three‐dimensional flexible membranous structure. The performance and efficiency of the modified projection method are evaluated. The results show that the modified projection methods are valid in the computation of wind‐induced fluid‐structure interaction of flexible membranous structures, with higher accuracy and efficiency compared with traditional methods. The modified value has little effects on the computation results whereas iteration times has significant effects. Computation accuracy can be improved greatly by increasing iteration times with less increase in computation time and little effects on stability with the modified projection method.
Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence, Stage, and Survival: A Large Population-Based Study
Authors: Flores Yvonne N. , Datta Geetanjali D. , Yang Liu , Corona Edgar , Devineni Divya , Glenn Beth A. , Bastani Roshan , May Folasade P.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Liver cancer is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the United States, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is its most common form. Disease burden and risk factors differ by sex and race/ethnicity, but a comprehensive analysis of disparities by socioeconomic status (SES) is lacking. We examined the relative impact of race/ethnicity, sex, and SES on HCC incidence, stage, and survival.

Methods:

We used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 data to identify histologically confirmed cases of HCC diagnosed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015. We calculated age-adjusted HCC incidence, stage at diagnosis (local, regional, distant, unstaged), and 5-year survival, by race/ethnicity, SES and sex, using SEER*Stat version 8.3.5.

Results:

We identified 45,789 cases of HCC. Incidence was highest among low-SES Asian/Pacific Islanders (API; 12.1) and lowest in high-SES Whites (3.2). Incidence was significantly higher among those with low-SES compared with high-SES for each racial/ethnic group (P < 0.001), except American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). High-SES API had the highest percentage of HCC diagnosed at the local stage. Of all race/ethnicities, Blacks had the highest proportion of distant stage disease in the low- and high-SES groups. Survival was greater in all high-SES racial/ethnic groups compared with low-SES (P < 0.001), except among AI/ANs. Black, low-SES males had the lowest 5-year survival.

Conclusions:

With few exceptions, HCC incidence, distant stage at diagnosis, and poor survival were highest among the low-SES groups for all race/ethnicities in this national sample.

Impact:

HCC prevention and control efforts should target low SES populations, in addition to specific racial/ethnic groups.
Relevance of Molecular Groups in Children with Newly Diagnosed Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor: Results from Prospective St. Jude Multi-institutional Trials
Authors: Upadhyaya Santhosh A. , Robinson Giles W. , Onar-Thomas Arzu , Orr Brent A. , Johann Pascal , Wu Gang , Billups Catherine A. , Tatevossian Ruth G. , Dhanda Sandeep Kumar , Srinivasan Ashok , Broniscer Alberto , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Vinitsky Anna , Armstrong Gregory T. , Bendel Anne E. , Hassall Tim , Partap Sonia , Fisher Paul G. , Crawford John R. , Chintagumpala Murali , Bouffet Eric , Gururangan Sridharan , Mostafavi Roya , Sanders Robert P. , Klimo Paul , Patay Zoltan , Indelicato Daniel J. , Nichols Kim E. , Boop Frederick A. , Merchant Thomas E. , Kool Marcel , Ellison David W. , Gajjar Amar
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

Report relevance of molecular groups to clinicopathologic features, germline SMARCB1/SMARCA4 alterations (GLA), and survival of children with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) treated in two multi-institutional clinical trials.

Materials and Methods:

Seventy-four participants with newly diagnosed ATRT were treated in two trials: infants (SJYC07: age < 3 years; n = 52) and children (SJMB03: age 3–21 years; n = 22), using surgery, conventional chemotherapy (infants), or dose-dense chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (children), and age- and risk-adapted radiotherapy [focal (infants) and craniospinal (CSI; children)]. Molecular groups ATRT-MYC (MYC), ATRT-SHH (SHH), and ATRT-TYR (TYR) were determined from tumor DNA methylation profiles.

Results:

Twenty-four participants (32%) were alive at time of analysis at a median follow-up of 8.4 years (range, 3.1–14.1 years). Methylation profiling classified 64 ATRTs as TYR (n = 21), SHH (n = 30), and MYC (n = 13), SHH group being associated with metastatic disease. Among infants, TYR group had the best overall survival (OS; P = 0.02). However, outcomes did not differ by molecular groups among infants with nonmetastatic (M0) disease. Children with M0 disease and <1.5 cm2 residual tumor had a 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 72.7 ± 12.7% and OS of 81.8 ± 11%. Infants with M0 disease had a 5-year PFS of 39.1 ± 11.5% and OS of 51.8 ± 12%. Those with metastases fared poorly [5-year OS 25 ± 12.5% (children) and 0% (infants)]. SMARCB1 GLAs were not associated with PFS.

Conclusions:

Among infants, those with ATRT-TYR had the best OS. ATRT-SHH was associated with metastases and consequently with inferior outcomes. Children with nonmetastatic ATRT benefit from postoperative CSI and adjuvant chemotherapy.
Panitumumab-Associated Drug-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia in a Patient with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Takamizawa Shigemasa , Shoji Hirokazu , Hirano Hidekazu , Izutsu Koji , Yamamoto Shun , Iwasa Satoru , Honma Yoshitaka , Okita Natsuko , Takashima Atsuo , Kato Ken , Boku Narikazu
Published: March 2021

Severe thrombocytopenia is a rare adverse event of panitumumab. Here, we report the first patient with metastatic colorectal cancer who developed severe thrombocytopenia, diagnosed as panitumumab-associated drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP). A clinical diagnosis of DITP can be obtained by excluding other causes of thrombocytopenia and is confirmed by the recovery of thrombocytopenia after the discontinuation of the suspected drug. Treatment includes permanent discontinuation of the suspected drug. Re-exposure should be avoided. It should be kept in mind that panitumumab can induce DITP in the case of a new, sudden, unexpected, and isolated drop in platelet count after excluding other causes of thrombocytopenia.
Netrins: Evolutionarily Conserved Regulators of Epithelial Fusion and Closure in Development and Wound Healing
Authors: Chaturvedi Vishal , Murray Michael J.
Published: March 2021

Epithelial remodelling plays a crucial role during development. The ability of epithelial sheets to temporarily lose their integrity as they fuse with other epithelial sheets underpins events such as the closure of the neural tube and palate. During fusion, epithelial cells undergo some degree of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereby cells from opposing sheets dissolve existing cell-cell junctions, degrade the basement membrane, extend motile processes to contact each other, and then re-establish cell-cell junctions as they fuse. Similar events occur when an epithelium is wounded. Cells at the edge of the wound undergo a partial EMT and migrate towards each other to close the gap. In this review, we highlight the emerging role of Netrins in these processes, and provide insights into the possible signalling pathways involved. Netrins are secreted, laminin-like proteins that are evolutionarily conserved throughout the animal kingdom. Although best known as axonal chemotropic guidance molecules, Netrins also regulate epithelial cells. For example, Netrins regulate branching morphogenesis of the lung and mammary gland, and promote EMT during Drosophila wing eversion. Netrins also control epithelial fusion during optic fissure closure and inner ear formation, and are strongly implicated in neural tube closure and secondary palate closure. Netrins are also upregulated in response to organ damage and epithelial wounding, and can protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury and speed wound healing in cornea and skin. Since Netrins also have immunomodulatory properties, and can promote angiogenesis and re-innervation, they hold great promise as potential factors in future wound healing therapies.
VEGF-Induced Endothelial Podosomes via ROCK2-Dependent Thrombomodulin Expression Initiate Sprouting Angiogenesis
Authors: Kuo Cheng-Hsiang , Huang Yi-Hsun , Chen Po-Ku , Lee Gang-Hui , Tang Ming-Jer , Conway Edward M. , Shi Guey-Yueh , Wu Hua-Lin
Published: March 2021

Objective:

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) plays a critical role in physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Endothelial 3D podosomes (3DPs) are a type of F-actin-rich membrane microdomain, predominantly found in endothelial tip cells controlled by VEGF signaling during sprouting angiogenesis, such as occurs in retinal vasculature development. The molecular mechanisms governing 3DP formation have not been completely elucidated.

Approach and Results:

By using in vitro cell models and in vivo mouse models, we study the role of TM (thrombomodulin) in VEGF-induced endothelial 3DPs. Here, we report that VEGF can induce the expression of TM via ROCK2 (Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2). Furthermore, ROCK2 can catalyze the phosphorylated activation of ezrin to promote the association of the cytoplasmic domain of TM with F-actin in 3DPs and thereby promote the formation of 3DPs. We used endothelial cells transfected with different TM mutants as models to verify the role of TM domains in 3DPs and angiogenic activity. TM expression in endothelial cells augments angiogenic activity, a response that is dependent on the interaction of the cytoplasmic tail of TM with ezrin, and the integrity of the lectin-like domain of TM. Thus, as compared with wild-type counterparts, mice lacking the lectin-like domain of TM exhibit reduced neovascularization of granulation tissues during cutaneous wound healing and less retinal neovascularization in a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Conclusions:

VEGF-ROCK2-ezrin-TM-F-actin axis promotes the formation of the lipid raft membrane-associated complex configuration, 3DP, which plays a critical role in mediating tube formation and cell migration of endothelial cells in sprouting angiogenesis.
Impaired Peripheral Microvascular Function and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Young An , Garcia Mariana , Sullivan Samaah M. , Liu Chang , Moazzami Kasra , Ko Yi-An , Shah Amit J. , Kim Jeong Hwan , Pearce Brad , Uphoff Irina , Bremner J. Douglas , Raggi Paolo , Quyyumi Arshed , Vaccarino Viola
Published: March 2021

Objective:

In patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) remains elevated despite treatment. The role of microvascular dysfunction on MACE beyond traditional risk indicators and inflammation is not well established. We examined whether peripheral microvascular dysfunction is associated with MACE in patients with CAD.

Approach and Results:

Microvascular function was measured with the Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) using digital peripheral arterial tonometry in 546 patients with CAD, who were followed 7 years for incident MACE. The primary end point included cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction; the secondary end point included cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or heart failure hospitalization. Hazard models for competing risk were used to estimate the association between RHI and MACE adjusting for age, sex, race, traditional risk factors, medications, and CAD severity. We also examined the association of baseline interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and matrix metallopeptidase-9 with RHI.

Mean age was 62±9 years. Mean RHI was 2.1±0.63. After adjustment, for each 1-SD decrease in RHI, there was a 40% increase in the primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1–1.9],
P
=0.01) and a similar increase in the secondary end point (HR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1–1.7],
P
=0.006). Inflammatory biomarker levels were associated with greater RHI impairment (
P
<0.05) but did not affect the relationship between RHI and MACE.

Conclusions:

Peripheral microvascular dysfunction is associated with increased risk of MACE in patients with stable CAD, implicating the role of microvascular disease in the pathogenesis of adverse outcomes in patients with CAD.
Cardiac Tissues From Stem Cells
Authors: Campostrini Giulia , Windt Laura M. , van Meer Berend J. , Bellin Milena , Mummery Christine L.
Published: March 2021

The ability of human pluripotent stem cells to form all cells of the body has provided many opportunities to study disease and produce cells that can be used for therapy in regenerative medicine. Even though beating cardiomyocytes were among the first cell types to be differentiated from human pluripotent stem cell, cardiac applications have advanced more slowly than those, for example, for the brain, eye, and pancreas. This is, in part, because simple 2-dimensional human pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocyte cultures appear to need crucial functional cues normally present in the 3-dimensional heart structure. Recent tissue engineering approaches combined with new insights into the dialogue between noncardiomyocytes and cardiomyocytes have addressed and provided solutions to issues such as cardiomyocyte immaturity and inability to recapitulate adult heart values for features like contraction force, electrophysiology, or metabolism. Three-dimensional bioengineered heart tissues are thus poised to contribute significantly to disease modeling, drug discovery, and safety pharmacology, as well as provide new modalities for heart repair. Here, we review the current status of 3-dimensional engineered heart tissues.
Universality of citation distributions: A new understanding
Authors: Golosovsky Michael
Published: March 2021

Universality of scaled citation distributions was claimed a decade ago but its theoretical justification has been lacking so far. Here, we study citation distributions for three disciplines—Physics, Economics, and Mathematics—and assess them using our explanatory model of citation dynamics. The model posits that the citation count of a paper is determined by its fitness: the attribute, which, for most papers, is set at the moment of publication. In addition, the papers’ citation count is related to the process by which the knowledge about this paper propagates in the scientific community. Our measurements indicate that the fitness distribution for different disciplines is nearly identical and can be approximated by the log-normal distribution, while the viral propagation process is discipline specific. The model explains which sets of citation distributions can be scaled and which cannot. In particular, we show that the near-universal shape of the citation distributions for different disciplines and for different citation years traces its origin to the nearly universal fitness distribution, while deviations from this shape are associated with the discipline-specific citation dynamics of papers.
Latent Compositional Representations Improve Systematic Generalization in Grounded Question Answering
Authors: Bogin Ben , Subramanian Sanjay , Gardner Matt , Berant Jonathan
Published: March 2021

Answering questions that involve multi-step reasoning requires decomposing them and using the answers of intermediate steps to reach the final answer. However, state-of-the-art models in grounded question answering often do not explicitly perform decomposition, leading to difficulties in generalization to out-of-distribution examples. In this work, we propose a model that computes a representation and denotation for all question spans in a bottom-up, compositional manner using a CKY-style parser. Our model induces latent trees, driven by end-to-end (the answer) supervision only. We show that this inductive bias towards tree structures dramatically improves systematic generalization to out-of- distribution examples, compared to strong baselines on an arithmetic expressions benchmark as well as on C losure, a dataset that focuses on systematic generalization for grounded question answering. On this challenging dataset, our model reaches an accuracy of 96.1%, significantly higher than prior models that almost perfectly solve the task on a random, in-distribution split.
An Epistemic Troika
Authors: Fine Gail
Published: March 2021

In a characteristically stimulating and important paper, ‘Episteme’, Myles Burnyeat discusses what he calls the epistemic troika, which consists of knowledge by acquaintance, knowledge that, and knowledge how. He argues that the troika ‘lacks universal validity’; he ‘suspects’ that it is the product of Anglophone philosophy in the 1950s-early 1970s. He also challenges the philosophical value of the troika. In my paper, I explore the troika, both in its own right and as a guide to Plato’s epistemology; I also assess Burnyeat’s views on these issues.
Drinking and Discourse in Plato
Authors: Anagnostou-Laoutides Eva , Payne Andrew
Published: March 2021

The article argues that in the Symposium, but also the Phaedrus and the Protagoras, Plato instructs us on the correct way of engaging in discourse by adducing examples from the activities of drinking and singing (/performing poetry). By presenting Socrates as grappling with the use of wine, rhetoric and poetry, almost failing at times, but always able to recollect himself and identify the faults in his methods (as well as of others), Plato recognizes the difficulties of the process, while acknowledging Socrates’ extraordinary intellect.
Plotinus on the Conception of Time (ennoia chronou): A Re-Examination of Enn. 3.7(45).12
Authors: Michalewski Alexandra
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to revisit a debated issue concerning the formation of the “conception of time” in Plotinus’ treatise On Eternity and Time. Over the last several years, studies have drawn attention to the fact that ennoia (“conception”) in Plotinus does not always refer to the existence of an innate notion in the soul, but that it can also refer to a conception that is formed empirically. However, it is unclear whether this holds true also for the conception of time. My claim is that, far from attributing an empirical origin to the formation of the ennoia of time, Plotinus is committed to distinguishing the ennoia of number, which measures times, from the ennoia of time in the proper sense. However, just as it is necessary to distinguish essential time from its manifestation, measured by the movements of the heavenly bodies, we must also distinguish the innate notion of essential number, which the soul naturally possesses in itself, from the notion of arithmetical number, obtained through the observation of discrete quantities. This paper thus proposes to read Enn. 3.7(45).12 in connection with the analyses developed in Enn. 6.6(34).4, which concern the ennoia of number.
The Many Voices of a Teacher without Teachers
Authors: Motta Anna
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to show that an introductory step to the Neoplatonic exegesis of the dialogue was to redefine the figure of Socrates and Socratism, so as to offer aspiring Platonists a correct interpretation of Plato and of the Neoplatonic metaphysical system. In the final stages of a long tradition, Socrates became the teacher par excellence not only of Plato but of all Platonists. In particular, by focusing on the Prolegomena to Platonic philosophy I wish to highlight the fact that, when it comes to teaching, there is no Socrates but Plato’s teacher, a teacher whose many voices – universalised according to well-defined criteria – can also be attributed to Plato. If Plato came to be seen as polyphonic and always self-consistent, this is probably because it was possible to show that Socrates’ hallmark was his ability to remain consistent while expressing many different opinions in the dialogues.
L’“uno” e l’“intelletto” dell’anima umana: ricezioni neoplatoniche del Fedro di Platone
Authors: Neola Benedetto
Published: March 2021

Thanks to the exegesis, Iamblichus succeeds in forging a psycho-epistemological doctrine which can boast a remarkable degree of consistency, albeit not always without minor flaws. Notably, the exegesis of Plato’s Phaedrus plays a pivotal role in constructing this system, despite moving not from phrases of the dialogue, but simply from single words, like κυβερνήτης and ἡνίοχος. Iamblichus’ anathema against Plotinus’ psychology makes Socrates’ palinode the sacred text from which to elicit those formulae of orthodoxy bound to be devoutly recited by posterior Platonists, like Hermias of Alexandria. Indeed, in this text the divine Plato has revealed the essence of the triad νοερόν, νοητόν, κριτήριον, whose each element is susceptible of being dichotomized: νοερόν in νοῦς and ἕν, νοητόν in νοητόν and ἀκρότατα νοητά, κριτήριον in καθαρμός/φιλοσοφία and ἐνθουσιασμός/θεουργία. The result of this complex and fascinating move is an outstanding proof of philology and philosophy, psychology and epistemology hermeneutics and mysticism.
The Secularisation Thesis Recast: Christianity in Modern China and South Korea
Authors: Baar Jemima A.H.
Published: March 2021

Steve Bruce’s and Karel Dobbelaere’s secularisation theses – that industrialisation, urbanisation, societalisation, and rationalisation erode religion on macro-, meso- and micro-levels – can be challenged by reference to the growth and vitality of Christianity in China and South Korea. Christianity propelled economic growth and political change in South Korea at the end of the twentieth century, and has recognised potential in China. Religious institutions play critical roles in contemporary South Korean and Chinese communities. Although in an economically dynamic age permeated by scientific thinking, Christianity thrives in the private sphere in China. The plateauing of the growth rate of South Korean Christianity in recent decades coincides with widespread stability and prosperity in the country, which may have reduced the psychological and practical needs for religion. Thus, the Secularisation Thesis ought to be recast: social stability and prosperity better explain religious decline than industrialisation, urbanisation, societalisation, and rationalisation.
Some new species of Phaneroptera, Eulioptera and Scolocerca (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from West Tropical Africa
Authors: MASSA BRUNO
Published: March 2021

The author describes Phaneroptera abdita n. sp., characterized by only two apical spurs; two new species of Eulioptera, E. iolandae n. sp. with unarmed fore coxae, E. atypica n. sp., with atypical opaque tegmina; and Scolocerca thomasi n. sp., all from West Tropical Africa. In addition, he discusses on the probable only African distribution of Phaneroptera sparsa Stål, 1857, and transfers Dithela longicaudata Massa, 2017 to the genus Eulioptera Ragge, 1956.
Low-Temperature Solution-Processed Synthesis of Hollow SnO2@TiO2 Core–Shell Hierarchical Structure for Self-Powered Ultraviolet Photodetectors
Authors: Chen Lulu , Wang Youqing , Yuan Baohe , Ren Peiling , Xie Erqing , Pan Xiaojun , Zhou Jinyuan
Published: March 2021

The interest in investigating hollow core–shell nanostructures was stimulated by their intrinsic advantage in light absorption and photocarrier separation for promising applications in photoelectrochemical devices. Here, SnO2@TiO2 core–shell hierarchical tubular structure was designed and prepared via a low-temperature solution route using carbon nanofibers as templates. The heterostructure consists of SnO2 nanotubes and TiO2 nanocones, which facilities photocarrier separation and transport by built-in electric field at their interface, and direct transport path served by SnO2 nanotubes. The large specific surface area was also believed to contribute to improve performance by providing more active sites for chemical reactions. After assembling into a photoelectrochemical-type ultraviolet photodetector, the detector exhibits a high short-circuit photocurrent density of 870 μA cm–2 under ultraviolet illumination (λ = 365 nm) of 35 mW cm–2 without bias voltage. The photosensitivity can reach up to 3781, and the feature response time was in microseconds, 33 ms for rise process and 13 ms for decay process. It is believed that this structure with combined advantageous features is extendable to other photoelectrochemical cases, such as dye-sensitized solar cells and artificial photosynthesis.
Semiconductor Photoanode Photoelectric Properties of Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhao Shuaitongze , Xu Shifeng
Published: March 2021

One-dimensional TiO2, ZnO, and Fe2O3 nanorod arrays are selected as the photocatalytic methanol fuel cell photoanodes, and a greenhouse catalytic methanol fuel cell device is designed. With the photo-generated holes' participation in fuel molecules' oxidation in the semiconductor electrode, chemical energy is converted into electric energy. Firstly, with pot-doped tin dioxide (TRS) as the substrate, TiO2, ZnO, and Fe2O3 nanorod arrays are prepared by hydrothermal method. TiO2 and ZnO are excellent photoelectric catalytic materials with similar energy band capability and strong separation capability for photo-generated charges in the energy band analysis. With a narrow band gap, Fe2O3 can be oxidized by water with visible light. In the experiment, different anodes' photoelectric properties are tested by the Mott-Schottky equation, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical analysis. The results show that the ZnO-based photoanode's maximum short-circuit current can reach 1.86 mA/cm2, and its open-circuit voltage can reach 1.15 V, the ZnO-based photoanode's 0.92 mA/cm2 and 1.36 V, and the Fe2O3-based photoanode's 0.08 mA/cm2 and 1.18 V. Compared with Fe2O3 electrodes, TiO2 and ZnO thin-film electrodes have better photocurrent conversion ability in dark, simulated sunlight, and visible light conditions. Fe2O3 electrodes can also generate strong instantaneous anode photocurrents after irradiation.
Analytical Treatment for the Dynamics of Second Law Analysis of Jeffery Nanofluid with Convective Heat and Mass Conditions
Authors: Akhtar Rizwan , Awais Muhammad , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Abrar M. N. , Shah Sayyar Ali , Yuan Aihua , Awan Saeed Ehsan , Shoaib Muhammad , Xu Li , Shaheen Asma , Aslam Bilal
Published: March 2021

This study has been managed for the investigation of entropy generation of inclined magnetic field (MG) on the Jeffery nanofluid flow on a stretching surface containing viscous dissipation. Heat generation or absorption effects are likewise considered on the magnetohydromagnetic flow problem and electric field is considered negligible. The boundary layer approach is incorporated for simplification of the proposed governing equations in which the target of analysis is focused near the surface of the fluidic problem. The concept of dimensionless parameters are used for simplification of the proposed system which overcomes the complexity of the problem. The relaxation and retardation times are also considered for the non-Newtonian Jeffrey fluid model for better analysis of the entropy generation of inclined MG on the Jeffery nanofluid flow on a stretching surface containing viscous dissipation. The strength of analytical homotopy analysis approach is employed for finding the solutions of the proposed fluidic system in terms of energy, momentum and concentration which is effective in the spatial domain. Graphical explanation for flow parameters have been incorporated. The tabular description is given for the convergence analysis and comparison of velocity gradient at the sheet surface f″ (0) for analytical solution (HAM) computed in this manuscript along with the numerical solution. The aim of second law analysis can be achieved by increasing the magnitude of the finite different temperature parameter. The current study is also described for Newtonian fluid as a special case of our study. Stream lines patterns are also provided for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid models.
The Springtime Western Pacific Pattern: Its Formation and Maintenance Mechanisms and Climate Impacts
Authors: Zhuge Anran , Tan Benkui
Published: March 2021

Based on daily data from the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55) covering the spring seasons from 1958 to 2018, this study examines the formation mechanisms and climate impacts of the springtime western Pacific (WP) pattern as subseasonal climate variability over North Pacific. Results suggest that the springtime WP pattern arises from a weak dipole-like disturbance over North Pacific and disturbances over East Asia. The energetic analysis suggests that the baroclinic energy conversion acts as an important energy source to balance the available potential energy loss caused by transient eddies and diabatic heating and acts as a kinetic energy (KE) source for the WP pattern. For the feedback forcing by total transient eddies, it acts as a major KE source for the WP pattern before day 0 and acts as a strong KE sink after day 0. It turns out that the barotropic energy conversion makes only weak KE contribution to the WP pattern. Once the WP pattern forms, East Asia and North America experience strong surface air temperature anomalies of opposite signs, while strong sea surface temperature anomalies are found to occur over midlatitude and tropical North Pacific at the same time. Concurrently, the Pacific jet and the storm track shift northward or southward around their climatological position. In addition, a dipole-like shallow convective anomaly appears over midlatitude North Pacific, and a band of anomalous deep convection tends to occur in the tropics as the energy of the WP pattern propagates into the region.
Joint Boost to Super El Niño from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
Authors: Wang Jia-Zhen , Wang Chunzai
Published: March 2021

Super El Niño has been a research focus since the first event occurred. On the basis of observations and models, we propose that a super El Niño emerges if El Niño is an early-onset type coincident with the distribution of an Atlantic Niña (AN) in summer and a positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) in autumn, conditions referred to as the Indo-Atlantic Booster (IAB). The underlying physical mechanisms refer to three-ocean interactions with seasonality. Early onset endows super El Niño with adequate strength in summer to excite wind-driven responses over the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, which further facilitate IAB formation by coupling with the seasonal cycle. In return, IAB alternately produces additional zonal winds U over the Pacific Ocean, augmenting super El Niño via the Bjerknes feedback. Adding AN and IOD indices into the regression model of U leads to a better performance than the single Niño-3.4 model, with a rise in the total explained variances by 10%–20% and a reduction in the misestimations of super El Niños by 50%. Extended analyses using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models further confirm the sufficiency and necessity of early onset and IAB on super El Niño formation. Approximately 70% of super El Niños are early-onset types accompanied by IAB and 60% of early-onset El Niños with IAB finally grow into extreme events. These results highlight the super El Niño as an outcome of pantropical interactions, so including both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and their teleconnections with the Pacific Ocean will greatly improve super El Niño prediction.
A micromechanical model of elastic-damage properties of innovative pothole patching materials featuring high-toughness, low-viscosity nanomolecular resin
Authors: Zhang H , Ju J Woody , Zhu WL , Yuan KY
Published: March 2021

Innovative pothole patching materials reinforced with a high-toughness, low-viscosity nanomolecular resin, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD, C10H12), have been experimentally proven to be effective in repairing cracked asphalt pavements and can significantly enhance their durability and service life. In this paper, a three-dimensional micromechanical framework is proposed based on the micromechanics and continuum damage mechanics to predict the effective elastic-damage behaviors of this innovative pothole patching material under the splitting tension test (ASTM D6931). In this micromechanical model, irregular coarse aggregates are approximated and simulated by randomly allocated multi-layer-coated spherical particles in certain representative sizes. Fine aggregates, asphalt binder (PG64-10), cured DCPD (p-DCPD), and air voids are formulated into an isotropic elastic asphalt mastic matrix based on the multilevel homogenization approach. The theoretical micromechanical elastic-damage predictions are then systemically compared with properly designed laboratory experiments as well as three-dimensional finite elements numerical simulations for the innovative pothole patching materials.
Effective anti-plane moduli of couple stress composites containing elliptic multi-coated nano-fibers with interfacial damage and variational bounds
Authors: Hashemian B , Shodja HM
Published: March 2021

Prediction of the anti-plane moduli of solids consisting of a given distribution of unidirectionally aligned elliptic multi-coated fibers with interfacial damage is the focus of this paper. The fibers and their coating layers may be in the order of nano or micro scales. All the constituent phases of the composite are supposed to be described in terms of couple stress elasticity. Accordingly, the bounds for the overall shear moduli of the aforementioned composites are provided by employing the principles of minimum potential and complementary energies. Certain subtleties associated with the elliptic multi-coated fibers for three cases of pure sliding (completely damaged), imperfect (partially damaged), and perfect (undamaged) interface conditions will be discussed. The inherent anisotropy introduced due to the ellipse geometry of the fibers’ cross-sections is addressed. The effects of the ellipse aspect ratio as well as its size, interfacial damage, and rigidity on the effective anti-plane moduli of such composites will be examined.
Endovascular Repair of a Post-Renal Transplant Internal Iliac Artery Pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Vijayvergiya Rajesh , Kasinadhuni Ganesh , Sharma Ashish , Lal Anupam
Published: March 2021

Anastomotic site pseudoaneurysm following renal transplantation is a rare vascular complication. Its etiology include defective suture techniques and infections. The clinical presentation includes allograft dysfunction, local mass effect, exsanguination, and rupture. Open surgical repair is associated with significant morbidity and allograft dysfunction. Endovascular stent-graft can be a less invasive, alternative approach. We describe a case of large pseudoaneurysm arising from the internal iliac artery in a post-renal transplant patient. It was successfully treated with the stent-graft. The externally compressed right common iliac vein was also treated with a self-expanding non-graft stent. Thus, endovascular approach can be an effective alternative to open repair for post-renal transplant iliac artery pseudoaneurysm.