bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early PARacetamol (EPAR) Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Paracetamol to Promote Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants
Authors: Schindler Tim , Smyth John , Bolisetty Srinivas , Michalowski Joanna , Mallitt Kylie-Ann , Singla Abhijeet , Lui Kei
Published: April 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate whether early treatment with paracetamol reduces the number of infants requiring intervention for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and assess the safety profile of paracetamol during the early postnatal period. Methods: This was a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Preterm infants born at <29-week gestation with a ductus arteriosus >0.9 mm at 6 h of life were randomized to either (1) intravenous paracetamol (15 mg/kg initially and then 7.5 mg/kg every 6 h) or (2) intravenous dextrose for 5 days. The primary outcome was the need for any intervention for PDA up to 5 days. Secondary outcomes included ductal closure at 5 days, ductal size at 48 h, ductal reopening, mortality, and significant morbidities. Results: Of 58 infants randomized, 29 were allocated to the intervention and 29 to the control group. The trial was stopped for benefit at 50% recruitment after reaching the prespecified stopping criteria. Less infants in the intervention group required intervention for PDA up to 5 days (6 [21%] vs. 17 [59%] infants [p = 0.003]; relative risk reduction 0.35 [95% CI 0.16–0.77; NNT 2.6]). The intervention group had a higher rate of ductal closure (20 [69%] vs. 8 [28%] infants [p = 0.002]) and smaller ductal size (1.0 mm [±0.8] vs. 1.4 mm [±0.9]; p = 0.04). Three deaths occurred (2 in the intervention group), which were not attributed to the intervention. No other adverse events were reported. Discussion/Conclusion: Early paracetamol treatment reduced the number of infants requiring intervention for PDA. Short-term safety data were reassuring, acknowledging the small number of infants involved in the study.
Versorgung von allergischen Erkrankungen: Große Fortschritte in der digitalen Transformation
Authors: Traidl Stephan
Published: April 2021

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.
Hybrid sliding PID controller for torsional vibrations mitigation in rotary drilling systems
Authors: Mendil Chafiaa , Kidouche Madjid , Doghmane Mohamed Zinelabidine
Published: April 2021

During the drilling process, the drilling system devices can be exposed to several types of phenomena incited by lateral, axial, and torsional vibrations. The latter can lead to severe damages if they are not efficiently controlled and quickly mitigated. This research work is focused on the torsional vibrations, which are stimulated by the nonlinear dynamical interaction between the geological rocks and the drill bit. Wherein, a model with three degrees of freedom was designed to demonstrate the severity of the stick-slip phenomenon as consequence of torsional vibrations. The main objective of this study was to design a robust controller based on hybridizing a conventional PID controller with sliding mode approach in order to mitigate rapidly the torsional vibrations. Moreover, a comparative study between PI, PID and sliding mode controllers allowed us to emphasize the effectiveness of the new hybrid controller and improve the drilling system performances. Furthermore, the chattering phenomenon in the sliding surface was overcome by using the saturation function rather than the sign function. The obtained results proved the usefulness of the proposed controller in suppressing the stick-slip phenomenon for smart industrial drilling systems.
Classifying a type of brain disorder in children: an effective fMRI based deep attempt
Authors: Mahmoud Abeer M , Karamti Hanen
Published: April 2021

Recent advanced intelligent learning approaches that are based on using neural networks in medical diagnosing increased researcher expectations. In fact, the literature proved a straight-line relation of the exact needs and the achieved results. Accordingly, it encouraged promising directions of applying these approaches toward saving time and efforts. This paper proposes a novel hybrid deep learning framework that is based on the restricted boltzmann machines (RBM) and the contractive autoencoder (CA) to classify the brain disorder and healthy control cases in children less than 12 years. The RBM focuses on obtaining the discriminative set of high guided features in the classification process, while the CA provides the regularization and the robustness of features for optimal objectives. The proposed framework diagnosed children with autism recording accuracy of 91, 14% and proved enhancement compared to literature.
A composite controller based on nonlinear H_∞ and nonlinear disturbance observer for attitude stabilization of a flying robot
Authors: Razmavar Vahid , Talebi Heidar Ali , Abdollahi Farzaneh
Published: April 2021

In this article a novel composite control technique is introduced. We added a nonlinear disturbance observer to a nonlinear H_∞ control to form this composite controller. The quadrotor kinematics and dynamics is formulated using euler angles and parameters. After that, this nonlinear robust controller is developed for this flying robot attitude control for the outdoor conditions. Because under these conditions the flying robot, experiences both external disturbance and parametric uncertainty. Stability analysis is also presented to show the global asymptotical stability using a Lyapunov function. The simulation results showed that the suggested composite controller had a better performance in comparison with a nonlinear H_∞ control scheme.
A review of remote health monitoring based on internet of things
Authors: AlShorman Omar , Alshorman Buthaynah , Masadeh Mahmoud , Alkahtani Fahad , Al-Absi Basim
Published: April 2021

Managing, diagnosis, prognosis, continuous monitoring, early detection, and preventing chronic diseases for patients and elderly people have been gained a crucial role nowadays. However, elderly people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental diseases, need special health care. With the help of the internet of things (IoT) technologies, remote health monitoring (RHM) helps patients, caregivers, and countries for improving healthcare services, such as medical files services, mobile healthcare (mhealth), telemedicine services, and sensing technology. Moreover, RHM aims to reduce hospitalized demands and costs. The main contribution of the proposed study is to review RHM studies based on IoT technologies. Moreover, the challenges and possible future trends of RMH are highlighted.
Effect of controlling maximum-SNR-based relay selection strategy in cooperative wireless communication systems
Authors: Altubaishi Essam Saleh
Published: April 2021

Relay selection strategy under maximum-signal-to-noise ratio (MAX-SNR) criterion was proven to maximize performance but at the expense of losing fairness among the cooperative relays. In this work, the effect of controlling the MAX-SNR criterion on the spectral efficiency of cooperative wireless communication system with adaptive modulation is investigated. Specifically, the probability density function (PDF) of the end-to-end SNR for the considered system is derived when the controlled selection criterion is considered. Base on that PDF, the average spectral efficiency is then derived and investigated. The results show how the spectral efficiency of the system deteriorates as controlling the selection of a relay. Furthermore, the results of Monte Carlo simulation validate the derived expression.
Adaptive security approach for wireless sensor network using RSA algorithm
Authors: Asaad Maha Salah , Croock Muayad Sadik
Published: April 2021

A type of distributed and self-regulating network is the wireless sensor network (WSN). The sensor nodes have limited computing capabilities, memory, battery power are needed to ensure a strong security design. In this paper, an adaptive cryptographic scheme for WSN that is operating on routing ad hoc on-demand vector routing (AODV) protocol. The adaptive term refers to the adopted mechanism between heavy and light asymmetric cryptography techniques of RSA. The heavy technique adopts the complete version of RSA algorithm, while the light one considers a reduced complexity version. This is to control the security operation over the included nodes even with low power ratio. In various case studies, the proposed scheme is checked and the result obtained shows the high efficiency of results in terms of protection guarantee.
Intelligent system for recruitment decision making using an alternative parallel-sequential genetic algorithm
Authors: Tkatek Said , Bahti Saadia , Abdoun Otman , Abouchabaka Jaafar
Published: April 2021

The human resources (HR) manager needs effective tools to be able to move away from traditional recruitment processes to make the good decision to select the good candidates for the good posts. To do this, we deliver an intelligent recruitment decision-making method for HR, incorporating a recruitment model based on the multipack model known as the NP-hard model. The system, which is a decision support tool, often integrates a genetic approach that operates alternately in parallel and sequentially. This approach will provide the best recruiting solution to allow HR managers to make the right decision to ensure the best possible compatibility with the desired objectives. Operationally, this system can also predict the altered choice of parallel genetic algorithm (PGA) or sequential genetic algorithm (SeqGA) depending on the size of the instance and constraints of the recruiting posts to produce the quality solution in a reduced CPU time for recruiting decision-making. The results obtained in various tests confirm the performance of this intelligent system which can be used as a decision support tool for intelligently optimized recruitment.
Unequal clustering in wireless sensor network: a review
Authors: Al-ani Khalid Waleed , Bin Abdullah Fairuz , Yossuf Salman
Published: April 2021

In recent time, the applications' diversity of wireless sensor network (WSN) attracts many researchers. WSN comprises of many sensor nodes with limited battery power. Therefore, energy consumption should be controlled to the optimum. Clustering is an efficient solution for energy management in WSN, but clustering does not consider the sink node location. It will cause the energy hole problem in multi-hop routing. Energy hole problem was solved by unequal clustering. A review of various unequal clustering mechanisms is presented in this paper. The comparison between the various mechanisms was based on cluster head election process, cluster properties, simulation parameters and energy efficiency to highlight a more efficient and scalable unequal clustering algorithm for WSN.
Service landscape for private universities in indonesia based on service oriented architecture and cloud technology
Authors: Renaldi Faiza , Santikarama Irma , C. Djamal Esmeralda , Java Maulidin Agya
Published: April 2021

Information technology (IT) has been widely adopted and is believed to improve academic processes’ efficiency and run private universities’ academic functions (PTSs) in Indonesia. Nonetheless, adopting diverse technologies for them will also create many challenges. PTSs are struggling to survive in terms of technological implementation, in the sense that the investment and implementation rate in the PTSs just cannot catch up with the technological advancement rate. Even when more PTSs are trying to transform into digital entities, the next problem will be system integration and flexibility. This study aims to overcome this problem by implementing a framework that can be both integrated and flexible while also serving the efficiency of investments. Many studies already suggested that Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and cloud technology are the solutions.
Nevertheless, none has been able to define what standard services can be applied within those platforms. To determine this, we use the BIAN service landscape, which was translated from the banking industry, offering a comprehensive view of the business domain and business capabilities alongside its service functions. While BIAN offers common services throughout the same platform, we modify the framework using the OASIS model from SOA, which allows the framework to be flexible in complying with many platforms of databases, programming languages, and network infrastructures. We completed our study by defining one business area: academic processes, three business domains, 19 business capabilities, and 84 service functions. We are strongly confident that our findings and study results will act as a reference in creating a cloud-based platform for Indonesia’s higher education academic systems.
Geometric control of quadrotor UAVs using integral backstepping
Authors: Bouchaib Ali , Taleb Rachid , Massoum Ahmed , Mekhilef Saad
Published: April 2021

The traditional quadcopter control systems should deal with two common problems. Namely, the singularities related to the inverse kinematics and the ambiguity linked to the quaternion representation of the dynamic model. Moreover, the stability problem due to the system nonlinearity and high degree of coupling. This paper provides a solution to the two issues by employing a geometrical integral-backstepping control system. The integral terms were added to improve system ability to track desired trajectories. The high-level control laws are considered as a virtual control and transmitted to the low-level to track the high-level commands. The proposed control system along with the quadcopter dynamic model were expressed in the special Euclidean group SE(3). Finally, the control system robustness against mismatching parameters was studied while tracking various paths.
A survey on predicting oil spills by studying its causes using deep learning techniques
Authors: Mohamed Nasr Mona , Kamal Kamel Fahd , Abd Elwahab Yasmen Samhan
Published: April 2021

It’s so easy to know the accidents as it’s already happened and solving these accidents is immediately handled, but searching for a solution for these accidents, don’t deny the existence of reasons that made accidents happen. Knowing the source of accidents will help in avoiding them to occur in the future. It’s an important field in searching as some human lives depend on the safety of such a field, so it’s so important to use a powerful technique to define these reasons as the research point in spill accidents and predicting accidents and to predict the occurrence of the accident before its happening depending on its reasons that lead to that accident in past times so with similar conditions it might happen an accident but it needs a sufficient data and a powerful technique such as deep learning techniques that give very precise results and by using this tool an Intelligent Model will build to predict oil spilling. In this survey paper, related work will be discussed to enhance that work.
Algorithmic TCAM on FPGA with data collision approach
Authors: Trinh Nguyen , Thi Kim Anh Le , Nguyen Hung , Tran Linh
Published: April 2021

Content addressable memory (CAM) and ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) are specialized high-speed memories for data searching. CAM and TCAM have many applications in network routing, packet forwarding and Internet data centers. These types of memories have drawbacks on power dissipation and area. As field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is recently being used for network acceleration applications, the demand to integrate TCAM and CAM on FPGA is increasing. Because most FPGAs do not support native TCAM and CAM hardware, methods of implementing algorithmic TCAM using FPGA resources have been proposed through recent years. Algorithmic TCAM on FPGA have the advantages of FPGAs low power consumption and high intergration scalability. This paper proposes a scaleable algorithmic TCAM design on FPGA. The design uses memory blocks to negate power dissipation issue and data collision to save area. The paper also presents a design of a 256 x 104-bit algorithmic TCAM on Intel FPGA Cyclone V, evaluates the performance and application ability of the design on large scale and in future developments.
Nonprofit Advocacy at the American Heart Association: Creating a Visionary Way Forward at Our 40th Anniversary: An American Heart Association Policy Statement
Authors: Churchwell Keith , Antman Elliott , Birnbaum Jill , Desai Nihar R. , Harrington Robert A. , Holubowich Emily J. , Ivy Kendra N. , Schoeberl Mark , Warner John J. , White Courtney J. , Whitsel Laurie P. , Yancy Clyde ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Advocacy Coordinating Committee
Published: April 2021

In 2021, the American Heart Association celebrates its 40th anniversary in advocacy. This policy statement details the arc of the organization’s nonpartisan, evidence-based, equity-focused approach to advocating for public policy change, highlighting key milestones and describing the core components of the association’s capacity and activity at all levels of government. This policy statement presents a vision and strategic imperative for future American Heart Association advocacy efforts to inform and influence policy changes that advance equitable, impactful societal solutions that transform and improve cardiovascular health for everyone. The American Heart Association maintains accountability by measuring and evaluating the totality of this work and its impact on equitable health outcomes. The American Heart Association will apply these lessons to constantly refine its own strategic policy focus and advocacy efforts. The association will also serve as a resource and catalyst to other organizations working to engage and educate policy makers, partners, the media, and funders about the important role and contribution of public policy change to achieve shared goals.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor: A Target for Protection Against Hypertension, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Organ Remodeling
Authors: Fatima Naureen , Patel Sanket N. , Hussain Tahir
Published: April 2021

The renin-angiotensin system is of vital significance not only in the maintenance of blood pressure but also because of its role in the pathophysiology of different organ systems in the body. Of the 2 Ang II (angiotensin II) receptors, the AT
1
R (Ang II type 1 receptor) has been extensively studied for its role in mediating the classical functions of Ang II, including vasoconstriction, stimulation of renal tubular sodium reabsorption, hormonal secretion, cell proliferation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The other receptor, AT
2
R (Ang II type 2 receptor), is abundantly expressed in both immune and nonimmune cells in fetal tissue. However, its expression is increased under pathological conditions in adult tissues. The role of AT
2
R in counteracting AT
1
R function has been discussed in the past 2 decades. However, with the discovery of the nonpeptide agonist C21, the significance of AT
2
R in various pathologies such as obesity, hypertension, and kidney diseases have been examined. This review focuses on the most recent findings on the beneficial effects of AT
2
R by summarizing both gene knockout studies as well as pharmacological studies, specifically highlighting its importance in blood pressure regulation, obesity/metabolism, organ protection, and relevance in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dietary Magnesium Insufficiency Induces Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in Mice Associated With Reduced Kidney Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase Activity
Authors: Kumagai Asako , Takeda Satoru , Sohara Eisei , Uchida Shinichi , Iijima Hiroshi , Itakura Astuo , Koya Daisuke , Kanasaki Keizo
Published: April 2021

COMT (Catechol-O-methyl transferase), an enzyme that metabolizes catechol, requires magnesium (Mg
2+
) to maintain its activity. Low COMT activity causes insufficient 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), a biologically active metabolite from hydroxyestradiol, which leads to hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia. Hypoestrogenism increases the risk of salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH). SSH and preeclampsia are risk factors for each other; however, the molecular mechanism of this interaction is unclear. We focused on the interactive effect of Mg
2+
insufficiency and genetic COMT deficiency on SSH using 2 strains of mice with genetically distinct COMT activity. In male mice, BL6 (C57BL/6J), a high-activity COMT strain, displayed unaltered blood pressure regardless of the Mg
2+
and salt levels in food; DBA (DBA/2J), a low-activity COMT strain, developed SSH under low Mg
2+
and high-salt conditions. COMT inhibition in C57BL/6J strain also induced SSH. Treatment with 2-ME ameliorated SSH in both models. The ATR1 (angiotensin II type 1 receptor)–STE20-SPAK (serine-proline alanine-rich kinase)–NCC (sodium chloride cotransporter) axis, molecules associated with sodium reabsorption in distal convoluted tubules, was activated in mice that developed SSH. In female DBA mice, ovariectomized mice displayed SSH under low Mg
2+
associated with activation of ATR1-SPAK-NCC axis; 2-ME inhibited all, whereas the blood pressure of sham mice was unaltered regardless of any intervention. Our findings revealed that Mg
2+
insufficiency exaggerated the low COMT activity and induced SSH via the ATR1-SPAK-NCC axis due to 2-ME insufficiency, suggesting a new pathophysiological role that links COMT/2-ME deficiency with hypertensive syndrome.
Local Action of Neprilysin Exacerbates Pressure Overload Induced Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Nakagawa Hitoshi , Kumazawa Takuya , Onoue Kenji , Nakada Yasuki , Nakano Tomoya , Ishihara Satomi , Minamino Naoto , Hosoda Hiroshi , Iwata Nobuhisa , Ueda Tomoya , Seno Ayako , Nishida Taku , Soeda Tsunenari , Okayama Satoshi , Watanabe Makoto , Kawakami Rika , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: April 2021

NEP (Neprilysin) degrades natriuretic peptides, and its inhibition is a clinically accepted target for heart failure treatment. NEP is widely expressed in various organs, including the heart. However, the pathophysiological significance of local cardiac NEP is not fully understood. To study the local function of NEP in the heart, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing NEP, specifically in cardiomyocytes (CM-NEP Tg). At baseline, CM-NEP Tg mice showed significantly lower levels of plasma ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), plasma cGMP, and cardiac tissue cGMP versus wild-type (WT) mice. Blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiomyocyte diameter were greater in CM-NEP Tg than WT mice. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis or ejection fraction. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery significantly increased left ventricular weight in WT and CM-NEP Tg mice 3 weeks post-op versus sham surgery; however, the cardiac hypertrophic response to TAC was higher in CM-NEP Tg than WT mice. Cardiac interstitial fibrosis was induced in TAC CM-NEP Tg mice, whereas TAC WT mice had none. TAC CM-NEP Tg, but not TAC WT, mice developed cardiac dysfunction secondary to TAC with echocardiography. Furthermore, administration of human ANP to raise plasma ANP levels comparable to those in WT mice neither improved the exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis nor recovered impaired cardiac function in CM-NEP Tg mice after TAC. In conclusion, overexpression of NEP in cardiomyocytes promoted degradation of natriuretic peptides in the heart and led to an exaggerated response of hypertrophy and fibrosis to pressure overload.
PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) Testing in Clinical Practice: Evidence From a Canadian Tertiary Maternity Referral Center
Authors: McLaughlin Kelsey , Snelgrove John W. , Audette Melanie C. , Syed Atif , Hobson Sebastian R. , Windrim Rory C. , Melamed Nir , Carmona Sergio , Kingdom John C.
Published: April 2021

There is little evidence evaluating angiogenic growth factor testing in real-world obstetric settings. This investigation evaluated maternal and perinatal pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal PlGF (placental growth factor) levels in real-world clinical care of high-risk pregnancies. From March 2017 to December 2019, 979 pregnant women with suspected risk of placental dysfunction, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or fetal growth restriction completed PlGF testing between 20+0 and 35+6 weeks of gestation. Maternal, fetal, and delivery characteristics were extracted through the electronic medical record system. The primary outcome of preterm birth was assessed using Royston-Parmar survival models and summarized with Kaplan-Meier methods. Of the 979 pregnant women, 289 had low PlGF levels (29.5%), and 690 had normal PlGF levels (70.5%). The survival probability of ongoing pregnancy free from preterm birth within 2- and 4-weeks following PlGF testing was significantly reduced in women with low PlGF levels, relative to women with normal PlGF levels (0.57 versus 0.99, standardized survival difference, −0.43 [95% CI, −0.76 to −0.09], and 0.37 versus 0.99, standardized survival difference, −0.62 [95% CI −0.87 to −0.38], respectively). Women with low PlGF levels were more likely to develop early-onset preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 58.2 [95% CI, 32.1–105.4]) and have a stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio, 15.9 [95% CI, 7.6–33.3]). PlGF status distinguished placental from fetal causes of stillbirth. Low PlGF levels in high-risk pregnant women are strongly associated with increased rates of imminent preterm birth, as well as related adverse outcomes, including early-onset preeclampsia and stillbirth.
Late-Life Vascular Risk Score in Association With Postmortem Cerebrovascular Disease Brain Pathologies
Authors: Oveisgharan Shahram , Yu Lei , Capuano Ana , Arvanitakis Zoe , Barnes Lisa L. , Schneider Julie A. , Bennett David A. , Buchman Aron S.
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose:

The general cardiovascular Framingham risk score (FRS) identifies adults at increased risk for stroke. We tested the hypothesis that baseline FRS is associated with the presence of postmortem cerebrovascular disease (CVD) pathologies.

Methods:

We studied the brains of 1672 older decedents with baseline FRS and measured CVD pathologies including macroinfarcts, microinfarcts, atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. We employed a series of logistic regressions to examine the association of baseline FRS with each of the 5 CVD pathologies.

Results:

Average age at baseline was 80.5±7.0 years and average age at death was 89.2±6.7 years. A higher baseline FRS was associated with higher odds of macroinfarcts (odds ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.07–1.13],
P
<0.001), microinfarcts (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01–1.07],
P
=0.009), atherosclerosis (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04–1.11],
P
<0.001), and arteriolosclerosis (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01–1.07],
P
=0.005). C statistics for these models ranged from 0.537 to 0.595 indicating low accuracy for predicting CVD pathologies. FRS was not associated with the presence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Conclusions:

A higher FRS score in older adults is associated with higher odds of some, but not all, CVD pathologies, with low discrimination at the individual level. Further work is needed to develop a more robust risk score to identify adults at risk for accumulating CVD pathologies.
Revealing Christ’s Presence in Jesus Films and Dreams: Towards Ontonic Semiotics of Non-representation
Authors: Merz Johannes
Published: April 2021

Jesus films remain popular in missionary work, yet little is known about how they communicate. Working with viewers in Benin, West Africa, I observed that they watch films as an embodied practice that goes beyond the explanatory power of meaning-based communication models. For them, the filmic portrayal of Jesus is not an image or representation; it rather reveals Christ’s presence in a veracious and immediate way. Consequently, people experience the actor as if he were Jesus, who sometimes interacts with them in dreams. I argue that current anthropological theories are inadequate when trying to account for this. By shifting the focus from meaning to presence, and by introducing the notion of the ‘onton,’ I propose the novel approach of ‘ontonic semiotics’ that accounts for how people make sense of, and interact with, the world. This approach highlights the need to give more attention to how Jesus appears to global audiences.
Notes on the nomenclatural types of Notoceras bicorne (Cruciferae) and its heterotypic synonyms
Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO P. PABLO , LAGUNA EMILIO
Published: April 2021

The names Erysimum bicorne (basionym of Notoceras bicorne), Notoceras hispanicum, and Diceratium prostratum are discussed. A specimen preserved at BM and collected by Francis Masson in 1778 in Canary Islands (Spain) was indicated as the type of N. bicorne. This specimen at BM is the only original material found for this name. However, as cannot exclude that there were more than one specimen of this taxon, we consider this specimen in this work as the lectotype of the name, admitting that the specimen might well be the holotype of N. bicorne. A plant collected by Mariano Lagasca y Segura in 1819 in Orihuela (Alicante province, Spain) and preserved at G (G-DC) is designated as the neotype of Diceratium prostratum. Finally, the name Notoceras hispanicum published by Candolle in 1821 is an illegitimate name because it was nomenclaturally superfluous when published.
“Powerlessness, Impotence, Astonishment, and the Need for an Immediate Lie”: The Byproducts of Lopez Mausere
Authors: Stańczyk Xawery
Published: April 2021

The article focuses on the question of national, gender, and religious identity in the poetry and other writings of Wojciech Stamm, also known as Lopez Mausere and Gertruda Jarząbek. Mausere’s affiliation with the Polish Failures Club (Club der Polnischen Versager) in Berlin and the relationships between his biography and literature are examined as well. The author contends that Mausere’s concept of poetry as a genre similar to a joke, anecdote, mistake or deliberate deception, as well as his use of low, slang or colloquial registers of language, reflect Stamm’s belief that the carnivalized upside-down world is more real than the illusion produced by social roles, norms, statuses, hierarchies, and identities. Thus, failure to perform one’s role or normative identity might ultimately prove more creative and meaningful than the proper observance of prevalent social mores.
Job Analyses of Earth Science Data Librarians and Data Managers
Authors: Bishop Bradley Wade , Orehek Ashley Marie , Collier Hannah R.
Published: April 2021

This study’s purpose is to capture the skills of Earth science data managers and librarians through interviews with current job holders. Job analysis interviews were conducted of 14 participants—six librarians and eight data managers—to assess the types and frequencies of job tasks. Participants identified tasks related to communication, including collaboration, teaching, and project management activities. Data-specific tasks included data discovery, processing, and curation, which require an understanding of the data, technology, and information infrastructures to support data use, reuse, and preservation. Most respondents had formal science education and six had a master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences. Most of the knowledge, skills, and abilities for these workers were acquired through on-the-job experience, but future professionals in these careers may benefit from tailored education informed through job analyses.
Seasonal Gap Theory for ENSO Phase Locking
Authors: Kim Soong-Ki , An Soon-Il
Published: April 2021

The life cycle of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) typically follows a seasonal march, onset in spring, developing during summer, maturing in boreal winter, and decaying over the following spring. This feature is referred to as ENSO phase locking. Recent studies have noted that seasonal modulation of the ENSO growth rate is essential for this process. This study investigates the fundamental effect of a seasonally varying growth rate on ENSO phase locking using a modified seasonally-dependent recharge oscillator model. There are two phase locking regimes associated with the strength of the seasonal modulation of growth rate: (1) a weak regime in which only a single peak occurs; and (2) a strong regime in which two types of events occur either with a single peak or double peak. Notably, there is a seasonal gap in the strong regime, during which the ENSO peak cannot occur because of large-scale ocean-atmosphere coupled processes. We also retrieve a simple analytical solution of the seasonal variance of ENSO, revealing that the variance is governed by the time-integral of seasonally varying growth rate. Based on this formulation, we propose a seasonal energy index (SEI) that allows explaining the seasonal gap, and provides an intuitive explanation for ENSO phase locking, potentially applicable to global climate model ENSO diagnostics.
The Effects of Ice Habit on Simulated Orographic Snowfall
Authors: Sterzinger Lucas J. , Igel Adele L.
Published: April 2021

Many factors are at play in determining the amount and distribution of mountain snowfall that is predicted by weather models; among them is the influence of assumed ice habit on snowfall distribution. Ice habit is necessarily greatly simplified in microphysics schemes and uncertainty remains in how best to model ice processes. In this study we simulate a Sierra Nevada snowfall event driven by an extratropical cyclone in February 2014. We have simulated the storm with four fixed habit types as well as with an ice habit scheme that is variable in time and space. In contrast to some previous studies, we found substantially smaller sensitivity of total accumulated precipitation amount and negligible changes in spatial distribution to the ice habit specification. The reason for smaller sensitivity seems to be linked to strong aggregation of ice crystals in the model. Nonetheless, while changes in total accumulated precipitation were small, changes in accumulated ice hydrometeors were larger. The variable-habit simulation produced up to 37% more ice precipitation than any of the fixed-habit simulations with an average increase of 14%. The variable-habit simulation led to a maximization of ice growth in the atmosphere and, subsequently, ice accumulation at the surface. This result points to the potential importance of accounting for the time and space variation of ice crystal properties in simulations of orographic precipitation.
An Impact Study of GNSS RO Data on the Prediction of Typhoon Nepartak (2016) Using a Multiresolution Global Model with 3D-Hybrid Data Assimilation
Authors: Chen Shu-Ya , Shih Cheng-Peng , Huang Ching-Yuang , Teng Wen-Hsin
Published: April 2021

Conventional soundings are rather limited over the western North Pacific and can be largely compensated by GNSS radio occultation (RO) data. We utilize the GSI hybrid assimilation system to assimilate RO data and the multiresolution global model (MPAS) to investigate the RO data impact on prediction of Typhoon Nepartak that passed over southern Taiwan in 2016. In this study, the performances of assimilation with local RO refractivity and bending angle operators are compared for the assimilation analysis and typhoon forecast. Assimilations with both RO data have shown similar and comparable temperature and moisture increments after cycling assimilation and largely reduce the RMSEs of the forecast without RO data assimilation at later times. The forecast results at 60–15-km resolution show that RO data assimilation largely improves the typhoon track prediction compared to that without RO data assimilation, and assimilation with bending angle has better performances than assimilation with refractivity, in particular for wind forecast. The improvement in the forecasted track is mainly due to the improved simulation for the translation of the typhoon. Diagnostics of wavenumber-1 potential vorticity (PV) tendency budget indicates that the northwestward typhoon translation dominated by PV horizontal advection is slowed down by the southward tendency induced by the stronger differential diabatic heating south of the typhoon center for bending-angle assimilation. Simulations with the enhanced resolution of 3 km in the region of the storm track show further improvements in both typhoon track and intensity prediction with RO data assimilation. Positive RO impacts on track prediction are also illustrated for two other typhoons using the MPAS-GSI system.
Efficient Estimation of a Scale Parameter of Bivariate Lomax Distribution by Ranked Set Sampling
Authors: Koshti Rohan D. , Kamalja Kirtee K.
Published: April 2021

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is an efficient technique for estimating parameters and is applicable whenever ranking on a set of sampling units can be done easily by a judgment method or based on an auxiliary variable. In this paper, we assume [Formula: see text]to have bivariate Lomax distribution where a study variable [Formula: see text]is difficult and/or expensive to measure and is correlated with an auxiliary variable [Formula: see text] which is readily measurable. The auxiliary variable is used to rank the sampling units. In this article, we propose an estimator for the scale parameter of bivariate Lomax distribution using some of the modified RSS schemes. Efficiency comparison of the proposed estimators is performed numerically as well as graphically. A simulation study is also performed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed estimators. Finally, we implement the results to real-life datasets.

AMS classification codes: 62D05, 62F07, 62G30
Fatigue delamination growth characterization of a directly bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic laminates and aluminum alloys with surface nanostructure using DCB test
Authors: Saito Kei , Jespersen Kristine M , Ota Hiroki , Wada Keita , Hosoi Atsushi , Kawada Hiroyuki
Published: April 2021

With the recent demand for weight reduction, structural materials for transportation equipment are being replaced by carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs). Therefore, techniques to join CFRTPs to alloys are needed. In this study, the fatigue delamination growth of bonded CFRTP/aluminum alloy joints was characterized. The specimens were bonded in three ways, using adhesive, direct chemical bonding, and direct chemical bonding with a nanostructured surface. The type of the specimen was double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen, which consisted of aluminum alloy (A5052) and plain woven CFRTP. The lay-up of the CFRTP was [(0,90)]9 and the used matrix was PA6. Fatigue loading was applied in displacement control mode. The ratio between the minimum and maximum displacement was 0.1, and the test frequency was 5 Hz. The crack length during the fatigue tests was obtained by compliance calibration. Fatigue was characterized by constructing a Paris diagram for each specimen type. The fracture surface distinctively changed from smooth brittle-like fracture to hair-like ductile fracture post fabricating a nanostructure and chemical bonding. As a result, the fatigue crack growth resistance of the specimen with the nanostructure significantly improved due to the hair-like ductile fracture.
The diversity of repression: Measuring state repressive repertoires with events data
Authors: Bagozzi Benjamin E , Berliner Daniel , Welch Ryan M
Published: April 2021

Tactical repertoires of mobilization and repression play an essential role in understanding dynamics of political violence, yet existing quantitative approaches focus primarily on intensities or counts of repressive actions. We focus instead on the diversity of repression, and demonstrate a novel method of measuring repertoires of state repression using event data. We show that more repressive states are likely to employ more diverse repertoires of repression, rather than specializing narrowly in particularly coercive tactics. We demonstrate that, globally, repertoires of state repression are growing less diverse over time. Finally, in the Online appendix, we model repertoires of repression across countries and over time, finding evidence of broader repertoires during protest and civil war, but narrower under democratic regimes and international human rights treaties.
Understanding the Experiences of Elderly Bereaved Men and the Bond With Their Pets
Authors: Thompson, PsyD Monique C. , Kim, PhD Angela B.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the bereaved Older males’ experiences with the interaction and ownership of a companion animal after the death of their partner. The primary researcher recruited 13 participants via a criterion-based purposeful sampling method to assure the quality of the information collected. Results revealed six themes: (a) bonds with their pets grew stronger and closer after the loss of their wife; (b) men were able to express their grief to their pets; (c) companion animals helped the men psychologically during grief; (d) pets were influential during times when the wife’s presence would have been valuable; (e) companion animals helped men with loneliness and social connection; and (f) companion animals helped men find a new normal by providing a purpose and routine during bereavement. The pets proved to be a source of support for these widowed men.
The Relationship Between Religious Orientation, Coping Strategies and Suicidal Behaviour
Authors: Ooi Mei Yin , Rabbani Mohtaram , Yahya Amira Najiha , Siau Ching Sin
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between religious orientation, coping strategies and suicidal behaviour among secondary school adolescents and college students. A total of 196 participants (73 adolescents and 123 adults college students) completed the online survey consisting of the Religious-Orientation Scale-Revised, Brief COPE and Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised. Adolescents in secondary school had higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviour than college students (OR 4.40, 95% CI: 1.133, 17.094, p = 0.032). Individuals who employed an avoidant coping strategy had higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviour after adjusting for other relevant variables, which indicated that when a person engages in avoidant coping strategy, it is most likely that they have a higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviour (OR 1.118, 95% CI: 1.050, 1.189, p < 0.001). There is an urgent need to initiate psychological interventions to reduce suicide behaviour risk among Malaysian secondary school adolescents.
Natural Death Versus Known Date-Of-Death: A Qualitative Study of Views on Voluntary Assisted Dying in an Online Course About Death
Authors: Rawlings Deb , Winsall Megan , Miller-Lewis Lauren , Tieman Jennifer
Published: April 2021

The study aimed to describe views on Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), gleaned through qualitative analysis of participant responses to a set activity, run during the 2018 ‘Dying2Learn’ Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Data from 508 participants, most of whom identified as health professionals, were analysed using thematic content analysis, and themes generated. A large proportion of participants discussed their personal views related to VAD, specifically around choice, control, dignity, palliative care and dying at home, medical intervention, societal factors, the impact on those left behind, laws and regulations, dying ‘naturally’, advance care directives, and being in pain. In this study, participants had many different views on the act itself, often divisive, but also with common concepts such as respecting the choices and decisions of others.
The miR-146b-5p promotes Ewing’s sarcoma cells progression via suppressing the expression of BTG2
Authors: Qu Lizhen , Zhang Wu , Li Jiajiang , Liu Peng
Published: April 2021

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a malignant tumor that occurs mostly in children. However, the underlying mechanisms of ES are still unknown. Analyzing the results of two previous miRNA array reports, we found that miR-146b-5p might be an onco-miRNA in ES progression. To test this hypothesis, we detected the expression levels of miR-146b-5p by real-time PCR and observed the effects of miR-146b-5p on the progression of ES cells by CCK8 and transwell assays. Bioinformatics and luciferase assays were used to identify the target genes of miR-146b-5p. It showed that the expression levels of miR-146b-5p were upregulated in ES cell lines compared with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Up- or downregulation of miR-146b-5p in ES cell lines could effectively promote or block the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ES cells, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated that BTG2 was one of the target genes and mediated the effects of miR-146b-5p in ES cells. Interestingly, we also found that miR-146b-5p was partly involved in the anticancer effects of pemetrexed in ES cells. Our study revealed that miR-146b-5p affected the progression of ES by suppressing BTG2, which might shed light on anticancer drug development and ES treatment in the future.
The association between depression and chronic lower back pain from disc degeneration and herniation of the lumbar spine
Authors: Kao Yeh-Chan , Chen Ji-Ying , Chen Hsi-Han , Liao Kuang-Wen , Huang Shiau-Shian
Published: April 2021

Objective

Chronic lower back pain induced by lumbar disc degeneration or herniation exerts a great impact on patients’ daily lives. Depression and anxiety often exist among patients with lower back pain. Some studies mentioned about mechanisms, such as inflammatory biomarkers, which are commonly seen in herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Method: Our study used a large database from the National Health Insurance to explore the incidence rate of MDD in patients with HIVD and correlated risk factors. A total of 41,874 patients with HIVD were included in this work. The control group was matched by using propensity scores. Results: The results showed a temporal association between prior HIVD and subsequent MDD after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Patients with HIVD were at high risk of developing MDD (hazard ratio, HR: 9.00, 95% confidence interval, CI: 7.196–11.257) even after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities (HR: 8.47, 95% CI: 6.84–10.49, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The combination of HIVD and MDD represents an important health problem that is associated with higher disability rates, socioeconomic disadvantage, and greater utilization of health care resources. Early detection and combined treatment of depressive symptoms may benefit patients with HIVD.
Consultation in Ecuador: Institutional Fragility and Participation in National Extractive Policy
Authors: Vela-Almeida Diana , Torres Nataly
Published: April 2021

An analysis of five lawsuits against the infringement of the rights to participation illustrates that effective compliance with free prior and informed consultation and popular consultation on extractive projects in Ecuador is compromised by state institutional fragility. While suits on the rights to participation have served as strategies to halt extractive projects that lack prior consultation, extractive activities continue to present great risks to territorial defense and the good-living agenda.

Un análisis de cinco demandas contra la violación del derecho a la participación ilustra que el cumplimiento efectivo de la consulta previa, libre e informada y la consulta popular sobre proyectos extractivos en Ecuador se ha visto comprometido por la fragilidad institucional del Estado. Si bien las demandas en torno a los derechos de participación han servido como estrategias para detener los proyectos extractivos que carecen de consulta previa, las actividades extractivas siguen presentando grandes riesgos para la defensa territorial y la agenda del buen vivir.