bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design Guidelines on Deep Learning–based Pedestrian Detection Methods for Supporting Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Boukerche Azzedine , Sha Mingzhi
Published: August 2021

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) enable transportation participants to communicate with each other by sending and receiving messages, so that they can be aware of their surroundings and facilitate efficient transportation through better decision making. As an important part of ITS, autonomous vehicles can bring massive benefits by reducing traffic accidents. Correspondingly, much effort has been paid to the task of pedestrian detection, which is a fundamental task for supporting autonomous vehicles. With the progress of computational power in recent years, adopting deep learning–based methods has become a trend for improving the performance of pedestrian detection. In this article, we present design guidelines on deep learning–based pedestrian detection methods for supporting autonomous vehicles. First, we will introduce classic backbone models and frameworks, and we will analyze the inherent attributes of pedestrian detection. Then, we will illustrate and analyze representative pedestrian detectors from occlusion handling, multi-scale feature extraction, multi-perspective data utilization, and hard negatives handling these four aspects. Last, we will discuss the developments and trends in this area, followed by some open challenges.
Evaluation of Software Architectures under Uncertainty
Authors: Sobhy Dalia , Bahsoon Rami , Minku Leandro , Kazman Rick
Published: August 2021

Context:
Evaluating software architectures in uncertain environments raises new challenges, which require continuous approaches. We define continuous evaluation as multiple evaluations of the software architecture that begins at the early stages of the development and is periodically and repeatedly performed throughout the lifetime of the software system. Numerous approaches have been developed for continuous evaluation; to handle dynamics and uncertainties at run-time, over the past years, these approaches are still very few, limited, and lack maturity.
Objective:
This review surveys efforts on architecture evaluation and provides a unified terminology and perspective on the subject.
Method:
We conducted a systematic literature review to identify and analyse architecture evaluation approaches for uncertainty including continuous and non-continuous, covering work published between 1990–2020. We examined each approach and provided a classification framework for this field. We present an analysis of the results and provide insights regarding open challenges.
Major results and conclusions:
The survey reveals that most of the existing architecture evaluation approaches typically lack an explicit linkage between design-time and run-time. Additionally, there is a general lack of systematic approaches on how continuous architecture evaluation can be realised or conducted. To remedy this lack, we present a set of necessary requirements for continuous evaluation and describe some examples.
Multioperator Algorithm-Based Ultrasound Imaging Combined with Hysteroscopy for the Diagnosis of Endometrial Polyps
Authors: Li Yousheng , Xia Guitao
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to explore the diagnosis of endometrial polyps (EMP) by ultrasound imaging based on multi-operator algorithms combined with hysteroscopy. This study is the first to investigate the resolution of the ultrasound adaptive beamforming algorithm (MOAD), after which the proposed algorithm was applied to ultrasound diagnosis of 102 patients with EMP and pathologically diagnosed with vaginal irregular bleeding, and the evaluation efficacy of the MOAD algorithm based on EMP was compared. The resolution of the MOAD-based imaging algorithm (0.0645) was significantly lower than that of the diagonal loading operator (0.1475), the symbol coherence coefficient operator (0.1342), and the generalized coherence factor operator (0.1234), with significant differences (

P
<
0.05

). The proportion of patients with EMP aged 46–55 years was the largest (55.9%). There were 64 cases of EMP that produced complications, of which the proportion of patients with uterine fibroids (41.52%), abnormal uterine bleeding (76.24%), and menstrual changes (42.57%) was relatively large. Patients with nonfunctioning polyps accounted for the largest proportion (84.46%), followed by those with basal polyps (76.24%), and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The positive cases of EMP detected by ultrasound imaging (38 cases) were significantly lower than those with pathological diagnosis (94 cases), and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The SE, SP, FNR, and FPR of EMP diagnosed by ultrasound imaging combined with hysteroscopy were 64.45%, 84.67%, 35.48%, and 13.36%, respectively. It has high diagnostic value compared with single ultrasound imaging diagnosis, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, the imaging based on the MOAD algorithm is obvious and the pixel resolution can be successfully improved. The diagnostic value of ultrasound combined with hysteroscopy for EMP was better than that of ultrasound alone (

P
<
0.05

), and it had a high diagnostic value.
Pharmacological Properties and Health Benefits of Eugenol: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Nisar Muhammad Farrukh , Khadim Mahnoor , Rafiq Muhammad , Chen Jinyin , Yang Yali , Wan Chunpeng Craig
Published: August 2021

The biologically active phytochemicals are sourced from edible and medicinally important plants and are important molecules being used for the formulation of thousands of drugs. These phytochemicals have great benefits against many ailments particularly the inflammatory diseases or oxidative stress‐mediated chronic diseases. Eugenol (EUG) is a versatile naturally occurring molecule as phenolic monoterpenoid and frequently found in essential oils in a wide range of plant species. EUG bears huge industrial applications particularly in pharmaceutics, dentistry, flavoring of foods, agriculture, and cosmeceutics. It is being focused recently due to its great potential in preventing several chronic conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared EUG as a nonmutant and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) molecule. The available literature about pharmacological activities of EUG shows remarkable anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties and has a significant effect on human health. The current manuscript summarizes the pharmacological characteristics of EUG and its potential health benefits.
Structural Design and Preliminary Tests of a Novel Patient Transfer Apparatus for Medical Scenarios
Authors: Tian Yu , Wang Hongbo , Zhang Yongshun , Su Bowen , Du Jiazheng , Wang Xincheng , Feng Yongfei , Cheng Bo , Niu Jianye
Published: August 2021

Patient transfer has always been a difficult problem, usually requiring multiple caregivers to work together, which is time consuming and can easily cause secondary injuries to the patient. In addition, with the crisis of COVID-19, the issue of patient transfer is even more critical, as caregivers are at a high risk of infection, causing significant damage to healthcare resources. In this paper, a patient transfer assist system named E-pat-plus (Easy Patient Transfer plus) has been proposed; it can assist caregivers in transferring patients, reduce direct contact between them, and avoid secondary injuries. In the mechanical structure of this apparatus, a novel five-gear assembly module and a synchronous belt pulley set are proposed; they are the key points to the basic functional realization of the device and can reduce the cost of the prototype. Furthermore, a fuzzy (proportion-integration-differentiation) PID-based cross-coupling control strategy is applied to the apparatus to ensure the stability and safety of the operation. Finally, some preliminary experiments, including current experiments and error experiments, are carried out to verify the reliability of the device and lay the foundation for clinical tests.
Analysis of Market Competitiveness of Container Railway Transportation
Authors: Zheng Pingbiao , Quan Shiqi , Chu Wenjun
Published: August 2021

With the personalized and diversified development of customer demand in the freight market, road transportation has become a main competitor of railway transportation in container transportation due to its high flexibility, convenience, and low prices. Based on the generalized cost and logit model, this paper constructs a container railway goods transport market competitiveness model including four indicators of economy, timeliness, environmental protection, and safety. Take 20 ft container transportation as an example, the impact of changes in railway goods charge and railway travelling speed on the competitiveness of the railway goods transport market is analysed. Some realistic suggestions, including optimizing the railway tariff system, increasing the travelling speed of railway, innovating container intermodal products, and making full use of policy-oriented advantages are concluded.
Late-Onset Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Results in Jejunal Stricture Managed with Endoscopic Dilation
Authors: Park Steven , Miller John , Cheong Janice , Ullah Asad , Saubermann Lawrence , Decross Arthur
Published: August 2021

Background. Late-onset posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after orthotopic heart transplantation is rare. Case Presentation. We present a rare diagnosis of small bowel stricture caused by healed lymphomatous ulcers in a patient with orthotopic heart transplantation and PTLD diagnosed 25 years after initial transplantation. We also demonstrate successful endoscopic balloon dilations that improved the patient’s obstructive symptoms. Conclusion. It is important to consider stricture from healed lymphomatous ulcers in posttransplant patients presenting with obstructive symptoms.
A Feasibility Study on Smart Mattresses to Improve Sleep Quality
Authors: Zhang Zicheng , Jin Xinchen , Wan Zechuan , Zhu Minghuan , Wu Shanshan
Published: August 2021

Good sleep quality is essential, especially for clinical users. Sleep disorders not only impair the success rate of treatment but also delay recovery. They can seriously interfere with treatment outcomes and even endanger a user’s life. In this study, we created a smart mattress containing 10 × 18 air packs and control units. Each air pack contains a set of pressure and height sensors and two air valves. Each row control unit can detect and adjust the pressure and height of each air bag in the row. When the bed body is turned on, it automatically initializes, adjusts the state of each air bag to the same height and pressure, and enters a slow scanning state. When perceived objects or people are lying on the bed, the bed automatically perceives the human body structure and body pressure matrix, increases the scanning speed for more timely and accurate measurements of the digital matrix and forming pressure by matrix-normalized processing, and then uses local pressure variance detection to automatically adjust to the sleeping position of the human body and thus achieve a uniform force distribution and a comfortable state. Finally, pressure matrix binarization was used to match sleeping position templates to identify the best template for automatic recognition of the sleeping position. The experimental results show that the sleeping position recognition method has high accuracy, recall, and precision. Our mattress is designed with interfaces for external devices. In future research, the smart mattress can connect to an auxiliary part of a smart ecosystem consisting of a smart pill box, a smart lighting system, and a microclimate system, which is expected to yield a more comprehensive intelligent ward to explore the possibility of improving sleep quality.
Waitlist Mortality and Posttransplant Outcomes in African Americans with Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Authors: Nsubuga John Paul , Goyes Daniela , Trivedi Hirsh D. , Medina-Morales Esli , Patwardhan Vilas , Bonder Alan
Published: August 2021

Background. Liver transplantation is indicated in end-stage liver disease due to autoimmune diseases. The liver allocation system can be affected by disparities such as decreased liver transplant referrals for racial minorities, especially African Americans that negatively impact the pre- and posttransplant outcomes. Aim. To determine differences in waitlist survival and posttransplant graft survival rates between African American and Caucasian patients with autoimmune liver diseases. Study. The United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to identify all patients with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis who underwent liver transplant from 1988 to 2019. We compared waitlist survival and posttransplant graft survival between Caucasians and African Americans using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression models. We also evaluated the cumulative incidence of death or delisting for deterioration and posttransplant incidence of death and retransplantation using competing risk analysis. Results. African Americans were more likely to be removed from the waitlist for death or clinical deterioration (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.26, 95% CI 1–1.58,

P
=
0.046

) using competing risk analysis. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, there was no difference in posttransplant graft survival among the two groups (hazard ratio (HR) 1.10, 95% CI 0.98–1.23,

P
=
0.081

). Conclusions. Despite the current efforts to reduce racial disparities, we found that African Americans are more likely to die on the waitlist for liver transplant and are less likely to be transplanted, with no differences in graft survival rates. The persistence of healthcare disparities continues to negatively impact African Americans.
m6A Methyltransferase 3 Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells through the m6A Modification of YAP1
Authors: Zhou Wenjie , Xian Qingying , Wang Qi , Wu Chen , Yan Haijiao , Li Xiaodong , Lu Lu , Wu Changping , Zhu Danxia , Xu Xiaoli , Wu Jun
Published: August 2021

Gastric cancer is the most common gastrointestinal tumor with an increasing incidence. Furthermore, advanced gastric cancer is more common, but the mechanism underlying the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer has not been thoroughly explored. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) may be involved in the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer. Therefore, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in the Hippo pathway was selected as the target, and the relationship between METTL3 and the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer was proved through a series of experiments. This research showed that the expression of m6A and METTL3 was upregulated in human gastric cancer tissues and gastric cancer cell lines. After lentiviral transfection, METTL3 silencing in AGS (human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS) and MKN-45 (human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45) gastric cancer cell lines directly inhibited the proliferation, aggressiveness, and migration of gastric cancer cells. Mechanically, the inhibition of the YAP1-TEAD signaling pathway by peptide 17 reduces m6A methylation and the total mRNA level of YAP1. It also eliminates the promoting effect of METTL3 on the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells. In turn, the overexpression of YAP1 eliminates the inhibitory effect of METTL3 silencing on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. This article proved that m6A methyltransferase METTL3 promoted the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells through the m6A modification of YAP1.
Design and Performance Research of Flexible Drill Pipe Joint Based on Bionic Theory
Authors: Wang Chuanliu , Ju Pei
Published: August 2021

Fatigue fracture is the main failure form of mining drill pipe joints, which directly leads to the occurrence of drill pipe drop accidents. Based on the principle of engineering bionics, the spine structure and kinematic behavior characteristics of cheetah were studied; the bionic design and trial production of drill pipe joints were carried out. For the bionic drill pipe joint, it separates the torsion transmission function from the connection function, and when the torsion transmission function of the joint fails, the connection function is still effective, so as to achieve the effect of “breaking the bones and connecting the ribs.” The mechanical and flow field properties of the bionic drill pipe joint were analyzed. Mechanical test results showed that, for the bionic drill pipe joint, the average tensile capacity was 555.48 kN and the average torsion capacity was 8914.13 N·m, which met the mechanical performance requirements. The flow field numerical simulation results showed that, when the drilling fluid velocity field and pressure field were stable and change evenly, there is no risk of leakage. The study results can provide a new research idea for the research and development of mine drill pipe joint with long life and antidropping function.
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker and Neprilysin Inhibitor Suppresses Cardiac Dysfunction by Accelerating Myocardial Angiogenesis in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Suematsu Yasunori , Tashiro Kohei , Morita Hidetaka , Ideishi Akihito , Kuwano Takashi , Miura Shin-ichiro
Published: August 2021

Hypothesis. Myocardial angiogenesis is important for maintaining cardiac contractile function in patients with cardiac hypertrophy. Evidence shows that angiotensin receptor blocker and neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) improve heart failure. The present study investigated the myocardial angiogenic effect of valsartan plus sacubitril in early-stage cardiac dysfunction. Materials and Methods. Male apolipoprotein E-knockout mice fed a high-fat diet were divided into control (CTL), valsartan (30 mg/kg) (VAL), sacubitril (30 mg/kg) (SAC), and valsartan plus sacubitril (30 mg/kg each) (VAL/SAC) groups after 4 weeks of prefeeding and were subsequently treated for 12 weeks. Results. The VAL/SAC group exhibited significantly higher serum brain natriuretic peptide levels; more subtle changes in left ventricular systolic diameter, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction, and significantly higher expression levels of natriuretic peptide precursor B and markers of angiogenesis, including clusters of differentiation 34, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1, than the CTL group. Conclusions. Valsartan plus sacubitril preserved left ventricular systolic function in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice fed a high-fat diet. This result suggests that myocardial angiogenic factors induced by ARNI might provide cardioprotective effects.
Inflamm-Aging-Related Cytokines of IL-17 and IFN-γ Accelerate Osteoclastogenesis and Periodontal Destruction
Authors: Tan Jingyi , Dai Anna , Pan Lai , Zhang Lan , Wang Zhongxiu , Ke Ting , Sun Weilian , Wu Yanmin , Ding Pei-Hui , Chen Lili
Published: August 2021

Periodontal disease (PD), as an age-related disease, prevalent in middle-aged and elderly population, is characterized as inflammatory periodontal tissue loss, including gingival inflammation and alveolar bone resorption. However, the definite mechanism of aging-related inflammation in PD pathology needs further investigation. Our study is aimed at exploring the effect of inflamm-aging-related cytokines of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on osteoclastogenesis in vitro and periodontal destruction in vivo. For receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand- (RANKL-) primed bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), IL-17 and IFN-γ enhanced osteoclastogenesis, with the expression of osteoclastogenic mRNA (TRAP, c-Fos, MMP-9, Ctsk, and NFATc1) and protein (c-Fos and MMP-9) upregulated. Ligament-induced rat models were established to investigate the role of IL-17 and IFN-γ on experimental periodontitis. Both IL-17 and IFN-γ could enhance the local inflammation in gingival tissues. Although there might be an antagonistic interaction between IL-17 and IFN-γ, IL-17 and IFN-γ could facilitate alveolar bone loss and osteoclast differentiation.
Leonurine Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Insufficient Angiogenesis by Regulating the PI3K/Akt‐eNOS Signaling Pathway in H2O2‐Induced HUVECs
Authors: Liao Li , Gong Lihong , Zhou Mengting , Xue Xinyan , Li Yunxia , Peng Cheng
Published: August 2021

Thrombus is considered to be the pathological source of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease and thrombotic complications, while oxidative stress is regarded as an important factor in vascular endothelial injury and thrombus formation. Therefore, antioxidative stress and maintaining the normal function of vascular endothelial cells are greatly significant in regulating vascular tension and maintaining a nonthrombotic environment. Leonurine (LEO) is a unique alkaloid isolated from Leonurus japonicus Houtt (a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)), which has shown a good effect on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. In this study, we explored the protective effect and action mechanism of LEO on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after damage by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The protective effects of LEO on H2O2‐induced HUVECs were determined by measuring the cell viability, cell migration, tube formation, and oxidative biomarkers. The underlying mechanism of antioxidation of LEO was investigated by RT‐qPCR and western blotting. Our results showed that LEO treatment promoted cell viability; remarkably downregulated the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and upregulated the nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in H2O2‐induced HUVECs. At the same time, LEO treatment significantly promoted the phosphorylation level of angiogenic protein PI3K, Akt, and eNOS and the expression level of survival factor Bcl2 and decreased the expression level of death factor Bax and caspase3. In conclusion, our findings suggested that LEO can ameliorate the oxidative stress damage and insufficient angiogenesis of HUVECs induced by H2O2 through activating the PI3K/Akt‐eNOS signaling pathway.
Coexisting Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome and Central Diabetes Insipidus in a Patient with Posterior Cerebrovascular Infarction: A Case Report
Authors: Omar Mohamad A.E. , Kewan Hesham F. , Kandeel Hussein , Shehadeh Ammar M.H.
Published: August 2021

Background: Disorders of sodium balance are common in critically ill neurologic patients. However, the coexisting of cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW) and central diabetes insipidus (CDI) in such patients is rare. Early recognition of such conditions is challenging, thus making the prognosis ominous. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male patient presented with acute posterior cerebrovascular infarction complicated by several attacks of disturbed sodium homeostasis. The first attack manifested as hypernatremia (up to 161 mmol/L) and polyuria with high urine sodium (188 mmol/L) could only be explained by CSW on top of CDI. Especially the patient was not receiving any hyperosmolar or sodium-containing fluids. Serum sodium was corrected by desmopressin acetate. Later, the patient developed 2 attacks of hyponatremia (down to 119 mmol/L) diagnosed as CSW that was treated with fludrocortisone. Finally, he developed hypernatremia (up to 165 mmol/L) diagnosed as CDI and was treated with desmopressin acetate. Conclusion: Sodium hemostasis disorders require full consideration of serum electrolytes, intravascular volume state, and urine electrolytes in view of the clinical condition. Early diagnosis and administration of the proper treatment are the cornerstones of successful management.
«Ella es mi favorita»: perspectivas infantiles sobre el buen cuidado en residencias
Authors: Garcia Quiroga Manuela Eleonora , Urbina Hurtado Carolina
Published: August 2021

(analítico)Esta investigación explora las perspectivas de niños/as que viven en programas residenciales respecto a las características de un buen cuidador/a. Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo utilizando técnicas gráficas y entrevistas grupales a 14 niños/as que viven en residencias de Valparaíso-Chile. Se identificó la red de cuidado percibido por los niños/as a nivel individual y residencial, destacando las figuras residenciales por sobre familiares. Los niños/as manifestaron una especificidad del vínculo con sus cuidadoras residenciales y sugieren características de un buen cuidador, asociadas a protección, permanencia y acompañamiento cotidiano. El cariño es un elemento transversal en la narrativa infantil sobre sus experiencias de cuidado y perspectivas sobre lo que hace un buen cuidador. Los resultados sugieren quelos programas residenciales debieran considerar las perspectivas infantiles y crear condiciones para favorecer esta vinculación afectiva.
Palabras clave: Afectividad, bienestar de la infancia, cuidado del niño, infancia, orfanatos. Thesauro de Ciencias Sociales de la Unesco.
Infancia y la política cultural del desarrollo en el Día Panamericano, 1930-1948
Authors: Albarran Elena Jackson
Published: August 2021

(analítico)En este artículo se sostiene una mirada crítica a la construcción de una infancia latinoamericana imaginada desde la posición de los Estados Unidos, a través de la política cultural del panamericanismo; ello a partir de un análisis de la participación infantil hemisférica en el festejo del Día de las Américas (14 de abril) como un proyecto político- cultural de la Unión Panamericana. Por medio de un análisis de fuentes primarias a partir de los métodos de la historia cultural, se aprecia la nueva visibilidad en la esfera pública de los niños como impulsores culturales de una nueva política hemisférica construida desde Washington, D. C. La resultante construcción metafórica de una mirada (neo)colonizadora que infantilizaba a los países latinoamericanos se intensificaba cuando se movilizaba a los niños y niñas como agentes de la política exterior.
Palabras clave: Historia moderna, relaciones exteriores, diplomacia, historia latinoamericana, infancia, nacionalismo.Thesauro de Ciencias Sociales de la Unesco.
Extracellular Vesicle Surface Markers as a Diagnostic Tool in Transient Ischemic Attacks
Authors: Burrello Jacopo , Bianco Giovanni , Burrello Alessio , Manno Concetta , Maulucci Francesco , Pileggi Marco , Nannoni Stefania , Michel Patrik , Bolis Sara , Melli Giorgia , Vassalli Giuseppe , Albers Gregory W. , Cianfoni Alessandro , Barile Lucio , Cereda Carlo W.
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising biomarkers for cerebral ischemic diseases, but not systematically tested in patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). We aimed at (1) investigating the profile of EV-surface antigens in patients with symptoms suspicious for TIA; (2) developing and validating a predictive model for TIA diagnosis based on a specific EV-surface antigen profile.

Methods:

We analyzed 40 subjects with symptoms suspicious for TIA and 20 healthy controls from a training cohort. An independent cohort of 28 subjects served as external validation. Patients were stratified according to likelihood of having a real ischemic event using the Precise Diagnostic Score, defined as: unlikely (score 0–1), possible-probable (score 2–3), or very likely (score 4–8). Serum vesicles were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis and EV-surface antigen profile characterized by multiplex flow cytometry.

Results:

EV concentration increased in patients with very likely or possible-probable TIA (
P
<0.05) compared with controls. Nanoparticle concentration was directly correlated with the Precise Diagnostic score (
R
=0.712;
P
<0.001). After EV immuno-capturing, CD8, CD2, CD62P, melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, CD42a, CD44, CD326, CD142, CD31, and CD14 were identified as discriminants between groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed a reliable diagnostic performance for each of these markers taken individually and for a compound marker derived from their linear combinations (area under the curve, 0.851). Finally, a random forest model combining the expression levels of selected markers achieved an accuracy of 96% and 78.9% for discriminating patients with a very likely TIA, in the training and external validation cohort, respectively.

Conclusions:

The EV-surface antigen profile appears to be different in patients with transient symptoms adjudicated to be very likely caused by brain ischemia compared with patients whose symptoms were less likely to due to brain ischemia. We propose an algorithm based on an EV-surface-antigen specific signature that might aid in the recognition of TIA.
Common and Distinct Roles of Frontal Midline Theta and Occipital Alpha Oscillations in Coding Temporal Intervals and Spatial Distances
Authors: Liang Mingli , Zheng Jingyi , Isham Eve , Ekstrom Arne
Published: August 2021

Judging how far away something is and how long it takes to get there is critical to memory and navigation. Yet, the neural codes for spatial and temporal information remain unclear, particularly the involvement of neural oscillations in maintaining such codes. To address these issues, we designed an immersive virtual reality environment containing teleporters that displace participants to a different location after entry. Upon exiting the teleporters, participants made judgments from two given options regarding either the distance they had traveled (spatial distance condition) or the duration they had spent inside the teleporters (temporal duration condition). We wirelessly recorded scalp EEG while participants navigated in the virtual environment by physically walking on an omnidirectional treadmill and traveling through teleporters. An exploratory analysis revealed significantly higher alpha and beta power for short-distance versus long-distance traversals, whereas the contrast also revealed significantly higher frontal midline delta–theta–alpha power and global beta power increases for short versus long temporal duration teleportation. Analyses of occipital alpha instantaneous frequencies revealed their sensitivity for both spatial distances and temporal durations, suggesting a novel and common mechanism for both spatial and temporal coding. We further examined the resolution of distance and temporal coding by classifying discretized distance bins and 250-msec time bins based on multivariate patterns of 2- to 30-Hz power spectra, finding evidence that oscillations code fine-scale time and distance information. Together, these findings support partially independent coding schemes for spatial and temporal information, suggesting that low-frequency oscillations play important roles in coding both space and time.
PONT: A Protocol for Online Neuropsychological Testing
Authors: Saban William , Ivry Richard B.
Published: August 2021

A major challenge for neuropsychological research arises from the fact that we are dealing with a limited resource: the patients. Not only is it difficult to identify and recruit these individuals, but their ability to participate in research projects can be limited by their medical condition. As such, sample sizes are small, and considerable time (e.g., 2 years) is required to complete a study. To address limitations inherent to laboratory-based neuropsychological research, we developed a protocol for online neuropsychological testing (PONT). We describe the implementation of PONT and provide the required information and materials for recruiting participants, conducting remote neurological evaluations, and testing patients in an automated, self-administered manner. The protocol can be easily tailored to target a broad range of patient groups, especially those who can be contacted via support groups or multisite collaborations. To highlight the operation of PONT and describe some of the unique challenges that arise in online neuropsychological research, we summarize our experience using PONT in a research program involving individuals with Parkinson disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. In a 10-month period, by contacting 646 support group coordinators, we were able to assemble a participant pool with over 100 patients in each group from across the United States. Moreover, we completed six experiments (n > 300) exploring their performance on a range of tasks examining motor and cognitive abilities. The efficiency of PONT in terms of data collection, combined with the convenience it offers the participants, promises a new approach that can increase the impact of neuropsychological research.
Muḥammad Šīrīn Maġribī (d. 810/1408) as a Key Agent in the Transmission of Akbarī Silsilas
Authors: Martini Giovanni Maria
Published: August 2021

This article aims at reassessing the historical and intellectual standing of Muḥammad Šīrīn Maġribī (d. 810/1408) by demonstrating the key role he played in the transmission of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s (d. 638/1240) chains of spiritual descent. This is, at the same time, an original contribution to the study of Akbarī silsilas. A re-reading of familiar sources, together with a range of previously unknown or unexplored documents, leads to a reassessment of established scholarship on Šīrīn Maġribī which has hitherto seen him primarily as a Sufi poet. The present study provides an enhanced portrait of this figure, shedding light on his intense intellectual activity over and above poetry, and on the significant role he played in contemporary Sufi networks far beyond Tabriz and the Persianate World. In this new light, Maġribī emerges as an eminent and influential agent of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s legacy through the transmission of Akbarī silsilas, the teaching of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s works, and the writing of influential texts that contributed to the diffusion of Akbarī doctrines.
في البحث عن مشترك إنساني كوني: أسئلة الديني والأخلاقي والتواصلي بين يورغين هابرماس وطه عبد الرحمن
Authors: عباس (Hamed Ragab Abbas) حامد رجب
Published: August 2021

الخلاصة

تثير هذه الورقة البحثية سؤالات (الدين، والأخلاق، والتواصل)، لدى أنموذجين من نماذج الفكر، أحدهما يمثل السياق الفكري الغربي الحداثي وهو هابرماس، والآخر يمثل السياق الإسلامي وهو المفكر المغربي طه عبد الرحمن. وتسعى هذه الورقة للإجابة على تساؤل مؤدَّاه: كيف أشكل كلٌّ من هابرماس وعبد الرحمن سؤالات (الديني والأخلاقي والتواصلي) على محك الحداثة لبلوغ أفق كوني قيمي؟ فالحداثة تظل مشتركًا بين كلا المفكرين على الرغم من الاختلاف في منطلقات وأدوات كلٍّ منهما في مقاربتها، فإذا كانت الحداثة لدى هابرماس مشروعًا وميراثًا تنويريًا لم يكتمل بعد من حيث التجسيد، ومن ثم فإن بلوغ المجتمع ما بعد العلماني (الذي يعيد للدين موقعه فى الفضاء العام، ويتجاوز العقل الأداتي وحالة التشيؤ لإنسان الحداثة) ربما يعد ضرورة بنظر هابرماس لتجاوز أعطاب الحداثة، وعلى الجانب الآخر، يطرح عبد الرحمن نموذجه الإسلامي للحداثة ليتحدث عن روح الحداثة كمشترك إنساني يتجاوز واقع الحداثة الغربي الذي أثبت إفلاسه بنظره، ومن ثَمَّ فالتأسيس لحداثة إسلامية ذات بُعد روحي كبديل للحداثة الغربية ذات التوجه المادي يعدُّ ضرورة وجودية للذات العربية والإسلامية بنظر طه، لاسيما وأن الحداثة لديه إمكاناتٌ متعددة وليست إمكانًا واحدًا‪.‬
Aquatisphaeria thailandica gen. et sp. nov. (Tetraplosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from freshwater habitat in Thailand
Authors: LI WEN-LI , BAO DAN-FENG , LIU NING-GUO , HYDE KEVIN D. , LIU JIAN-KUI
Published: August 2021

A novel hyphomycetous genus collected from submerged wood in a freshwater stream in Thailand is introduced. The fungus is similar to Tetraplosphaeriaceae species in having subglobose conidial body and elongated setose appendages arising from conidial body. However, its unique combination of macronematous conidiophores and conidia composed with several columns of cells differs it from other genera in Tetraplosphaeriaceae. The phylogenetic analysis based on a combined LSU, ITS and SSU sequence data indicated that our two strains formed a distinct lineage in the family and they cannot be assigned to any existing genera. Therefore, we introduce a new genus Aquatisphaeria to accommodate the new taxa with A. thailandica as the type species. The detailed description, illustration and comparison with related taxa are provided.
Strobilanthes bolavenensis, a new species of Acanthaceae from Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos
Authors: YAMAZAKI KAITO , SOULADETH PHETLASY , TAGANE SHUICHIRO
Published: August 2021

A new species of Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae), S. bolavenensis, is described from Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. Photos and illustration are given together with information of habitat, ecology, vernacular name and preliminary conservation assessment based on IUCN criteria.
Feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from passerines and kingfishers in Canada
Authors: MIRONOV SERGEY V. , GALLOWAY TERRY D.
Published: August 2021

Investigation of the diversity and taxonomy of feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) on passerines (Passeriformes) and kingfishers (Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae) in Manitoba revealed 19 species in 5 genera. Of them, eight new species are described, seven of these from passerines and one from a kingfisher: Alaudicola eremophila sp. n. from Eremophila alpestris (Alaudidae), Amerodectes icteri sp. n. from Icterus galbula (Icteridae), A. pheucticus sp. n. from Pheucticus ludovicianus (Cardinalidae), A. tiffanyluiae sp. n. from Oporornis agilis (Parulidae), A. tretiakae sp. n. from Molothrus ater (Icteridae), Tyrannidectes sealyi sp. n. from Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus, 1758) (type host) and Tyrannus verticalis Say, and T. empidonicus sp. n. from Empidonax minimus (Tyrannidae), and Proterothrix megaceryle sp. n. from Megaceryle alcyon (Alcedinidae). Additionally, nine pterodectine species are reported for the first time in the fauna of Canada. Based on re-evaluation of diagnostic charcters, new diagnoses are proposed for the genera Amerodectes, Tyrannidectes, and Metapterodectes, and species contents of these genera are revised. Four species are transferred from the genus Amerodectes to Tyrannidectes with the new combinations proposed: T. caribaeus (Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011) comb. n., T. charitomenos (Hernandes, 2018) comb. n., T. pitangi (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., T. vireonis (Hernandes and Pedroso, 2016) comb. n. Six species are transferred from the genus Tyrannidectes to Metapterodectes with the new combinations: M. amaurochalinus (Hernandes and Valim, 2006) comb. n., M. cinclodes (Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011) comb. n., M. crassus (Trouessart, 1885) comb. n., M. falcklandicus (Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011) comb. n., M. fissuratus (Hernandes and Valim, 2005) comb. n., and M. pteroptochi (Mironov and González-Acuña, 2015) comb. n.
A Statistical Analysis of Extreme Hot Characteristics and their Relationships with Urbanization in Southern China during 1971–2020
Authors: Gao Huanyan , Luo Yali , Jiang Xiaoling , Zhang Da-Lin , Chen Yang , Wang Yongqing , Shen Xinyong
Published: August 2021

In this study, the total days, mean duration, and intensity of extreme hot events over southern China during the 1971–2020 warm seasons are analyzed, based on daily maximum and minimum temperatures, by comparing the newly proposed independent hot day (IHD), independent warm night (IWN), and compound extreme (CMPD, i.e., the continuous occurrences of hot days and hot nights) to the traditionally defined hot day and warm night. Relationships between the hot extremes and urbanization are explored with 1-km resolution population density data. Results show obvious differences in the spatial distributions between IHD, IWN, and CMPD over southern China. Positive correlations of 0.43, 0.41 and 0.37 are found between the population density and the total days, mean duration and mean intensity of CMPD, respectively, which are qualitatively similar to those using the traditional hot days and warm nights. In contrast, negative correlations between the IHD and IWN indices and the population density are found, as those indices are more apparent over rural areas. Moreover, total days, mean duration and mean intensity of CMPD increase significantly with trends of about 103% decade-1, 21% decade-1 and 38% decade-1, respectively, during the rapid urbanization period from mid-1990s to 2020, which are about 4.9, 2.1 and 2.4 times of their counterparts from 1970 to mid-1990s, while less significant and smaller differences between the two eras are found in IHD and IWN. These results will provide a new scientific basis for evaluating climate models of hot extremes in southern China and have important implications for the other urbanized regions as well.
New Empirical Formulation for the Sublimational Breakup of Graupel and Dendritic Snow
Authors: Deshmukh Akash , Phillips Vaughan T. J. , Bansemer Aaron , Patade Sachin , Waman Deepak
Published: August 2021

Ice fragments are generated by sublimation of ice particles in subsaturated conditions in natural clouds. Conceivably, such sublimational breakup would be expected to cause ice multiplication in natural clouds. Any fragment that survives will grow to become ice precipitation that may sublimate and fragment further. As a first step toward assessing this overlooked process, a formulation is proposed for the number of ice fragments from sublimation of ice particles for an atmospheric model. This is done by amalgamating laboratory observations from previously published studies. The concept of a “sublimated mass activity spectrum” for the breakup is applied to the dataset. The number of ice fragments is determined by the relative humidity over ice and the initial size of the parent ice particles. The new formulation applies to dendritic crystals and heavily rimed particles only. Finally, a thought experiment is performed for an idealized scenario of subsaturation with in-cloud descent. Scaling analysis yields an estimate of an ice enhancement ratio of about 5 (10) within a weak deep convective downdraft of about 2 m s−1, for an initial monodisperse population of dendritic snow (graupel) particles of 3 L−1 and 2 mm. During descent, there is a dynamic equilibrium between continual emission of fragments and their depletion by sublimation. A simplified bin microphysics parcel model exhibits this dynamical quasi equilibrium, consistent with the thought experiment. The fragments have average lifetimes of around 90 and 70 s for dendrites and graupel, respectively. Sublimational breakup is predicted to cause significant secondary ice production.
Outcome and Timing of Ostomy Reversal Surgery for Diverticular Disease in Veterans Administration Hospitals
Authors: Napolitano Michael A. , Holleran Timothy J. , Sparks Andrew D. , Zimmermann Jason , Brody Fredrick J. , Duncan James E.
Published: August 2021

Background

Veterans undergoing elective surgery for diverticular disease have an ostomy creation rate of 18%. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes and timing of ostomy reversal surgery, perioperative complications, and differences between colostomy and ileostomy reversal outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project (VASQIP) database was performed. Patients undergoing elective colectomy for diverticular disease between 2004 and 2018 were identified. Demographics, comorbidities, ostomy type, time to reversal, and postoperative complications were analyzed.

Results

4,198 patients underwent elective colectomy for diverticular disease, with 751 patients (17.9%) receiving an ostomy. Of patients who received an ostomy, 407 had ostomy reversal surgery within the Veterans Health Administration system (54.2%), with 243 colostomies, 149 ileostomies, and 15 unspecified. Median time to ostomy reversal was 5.0 months (interquartile range 3.2, 7.8). Complication rate after reversal was 23.1%; surgical site infection was most common (9.1%). Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists classification >3 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = .40[.22-.72]), increasing age (aOR = .98[.97-.99]), laparoscopic index procedure (aOR = .42[.27-.63]), and hypertension (aOR = .63[.46-.87]) were less likely to have their ostomy reversed. There were no differences in postoperative complication rates after ostomy vs ileostomy reversals. Reversals after 4.6 months were associated with 3.4-times higher odds of complications.

Conclusion

Ostomy creation and reversal rates are similar between the veteran and non-veteran populations in the United States. Delays in reversal surgery were associated with worse postoperative outcomes, which underscore the importance of close follow-up for patients with an ostomy after elective colectomy for diverticular disease.
Deceptive Claims Using Fake News Advertising: The Impact on Consumers
Authors: Rao Anita
Published: August 2021

Fake news advertising—advertising that mimics legitimate news articles—can be harmful if it misleads consumers to take actions they otherwise would not have taken (e.g., purchase an inferior product). However, little is known about whether fake news ads bring in new customers or are merely viewed by people already in the market for the advertised products. The author exploits a Federal Trade Commission–enabled shutdown of fake news advertisements for various products such as acai cleanses and teeth whiteners (but where the product sites continued to remain operational) to identify the extent of consumer interest in the presence and absence of fake news advertising. The findings indicate that interest wanes after the shutdown of fake news advertising, with the probability of a product site not receiving any new visits increasing by 22%. The overall decline in visits caused by the absence of fake news ads occurs despite some substitution by consumers to regular advertisements.
Grief Rituals and Grief Reactions of Bereaved Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Şimşek Arslan Buket , Buldukoğlu Kadriye
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the grief rituals and grief reactions of individuals who experienced the death of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study included 114 participants. The majority of participants (81.6%) stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the grieving process. The participants who stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the grieving process showed more physiological grief reactions. The implementation of grief rituals did not affect the grief reactions (p > .05). It is recommended to conduct studies with individual in-depth interviews in order to determine the effects of grief rituals on the grieving process in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dancing K-Pop with Chinese and “English in Class Please”: Policy Negotiations as Relational-Languaging Episodes
Authors: Harrison Simon , Chen Yu-Hua
Published: August 2021

Pointing out that language policy negotiations in classroom discourse are an understudied kind of “language-related episode”, and proposing that Tim Ingold’s notion of “meshwork” dissolves a boundary that typically encloses their analysis, this paper examines how a rich and indicative example of student group interaction on a British university campus in China becomes interwoven with multiple threads, including: different languages, Korean pop dance moves, coffee from the campus Starbucks, and the teacher’s repeated attempts at English-Medium Instruction policy enforcement. Our example was discovered in corpus recordings of group activities during classes in English for Academic Purposes, then transcribed for embodied activity (primarily speech and gesture) and further explored in relation to the multiple threads which visibly and audibly became involved. Analysis of the episode shows how students’ relational-languaging behaviours must negotiate, respond, and adapt to the policy enforcement, illustrating some of the tensions immanent to the transnational higher education experience.
Book review: Suraj Yengde, Caste Matters
Authors: Jangir Hemraj P. , Gochhayat Rajanikanta
Published: August 2021

Suraj Yengde, Caste Matters. Penguin Random House, 2019, 325 pp., ₹599. ISBN: 978-0-670-09122-5 (Paperback).
Book review: Indrajit Pal and Tuhin Ghosh, Natural Hazards Management in Asia
Authors: Kanal A. Senthamizh
Published: August 2021

Indrajit Pal and Tuhin Ghosh, Natural Hazards Management in Asia, New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2018, 381 pp., ₹1,250, ISBN: 9789386602183 (Hardcover).