bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and surgical management of persistent fetal vasculature
Authors: Khandwala Nikhila , Besirli Cagri , Bohnsack Brenda L
Published: April 2021

Objective

To analyse outcomes in different forms of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV).

Methods and analysis

Retrospective cohort study at a university-based practice of children presenting with PFV between 2011 and 2020. Exclusion criteria was surgical management outside of our institution and follow-up less than 1 month. Wilcoxon and Student’s t-tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Forty-six eyes of 45 patients presented with PFV at 16.7±31.3 (median 2.8) months old with 32.6±29.8 (median 22.5) months of follow-up. Types of PFV included: mild combined anterior-posterior (23 eyes, 50%), severe combined anterior-posterior (18 eyes, 39%), severe anterior (3 eyes, 7%), mild anterior (1 eye, 2%) and posterior (1 eye, 2%). Thirty-two eyes (70%) underwent PFV surgical correction; lensectomy (13 mild combined), vitrectomy (3 mild combined), sequential lensectomy then vitrectomy (3 severe combined), combined lensectomy-vitrectomy (11 severe anterior or severe combined), laser retinopexy (1 mild combined). Five eyes required additional vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment, fold or cyclitic membrane. Nine eyes developed glaucoma, six requiring Intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering surgery. At final follow-up, 32 eyes had at least form vision and 6 eyes were aversive to light. Eight eyes, all which were severe combined, and four that did not undergo PFV surgery, were unable to detect light due to phthisis bulbi (7) and optic nerve hypoplasia (1).

Conclusions

Classification of PFV is important in determining surgical approach with severe cases often requiring both lensectomy and vitrectomy for optimal anatomic and functional outcomes.
Potential of community-based risk estimates for improving hospital performance measures and discharge planning
Authors: Reid Michael , Kephart George , Andreou Pantelis , Robinson Alysia
Published: April 2021

Background

Risk-adjusted rates of hospital readmission are a common indicator of hospital performance. There are concerns that current risk-adjustment methods do not account for the many factors outside the hospital setting that can affect readmission rates. Not accounting for these external factors could result in hospitals being unfairly penalized when they discharge patients to communities that are less able to support care transitions and disease management. While incorporating adjustments for the myriad of social and economic factors outside of the hospital setting could improve the accuracy of readmission rates as a performance measure, doing so has limited feasibility due to the number of potential variables and the paucity of data to measure them. This paper assesses a practical approach to addressing this problem: using mixed-effect regression models to estimate case-mix adjusted risk of readmission by community of patients’ residence (community risk of readmission) as a complementary performance indicator to hospital readmission rates.

Methods

Using hospital discharge data and mixed-effect regression models with a random intercept for community, we assess if case-mix adjusted community risk of readmission can be useful as a quality indicator for community-based care. Our outcome of interest was an unplanned repeat hospitalisation. Our primary exposure was community of residence.

Results

Community of residence is associated with case-mix adjusted risk of unplanned repeat hospitalisation. Community risk of readmission can be estimated and mapped as indicators of the ability of communities to support both care transitions and long-term disease management.

Conclusion

Contextualising readmission rates through a community lens has the potential to help hospitals and policymakers improve discharge planning, reduce penalties to hospitals, and most importantly, provide higher quality care to the people that they serve.
Explicit Construction of Optimal Witnesses for Input-Output Correlations Attainable by Quantum Channels
Authors: Dall’Arno Michele , Brandsen Sarah , Buscemi Francesco
Published: April 2021

Given a quantum channel — that is, a completely positive trace-preserving linear map — as the only communication resource available between two parties, we consider the problem of characterizing the set of classical noisy channels that can be obtained from it by means of suitable classical-quantum encodings and quantum-classical decodings, respectively, on the sender’s and the receiver’s side. We consider various classes of linear witnesses and compute their optimum values in closed form for several classes of quantum channels. The witnesses that we consider here are formulated as communication games, in which Alice’s aim is to exploit a single use of a given quantum channel to help Bob guess some information she has received from an external referee.
HeterSkinNet
Authors: Pan Xiaoyu , Huang Jiancong , Mai Jiaming , Wang He , Li Honglin , Su Tongkui , Wang Wenjun , Jin Xiaogang
Published: April 2021

Character rigging is universally needed in computer graphics but notoriously laborious. We present a new method, HeterSkinNet, aiming to fully automate such processes and significantly boost productivity. Given a character mesh and skeleton as input, our method builds a heterogeneous graph that treats the mesh vertices and the skeletal bones as nodes of different types and uses graph convolutions to learn their relationships. To tackle the graph heterogeneity, we propose a new graph network convolution operator that transfers information between heterogeneous nodes. The convolution is based on a new distance HollowDist that quantifies the relations between mesh vertices and bones. We show that HeterSkinNet is robust for production characters by providing the ability to incorporate meshes and skeletons with arbitrary topologies and morphologies (e.g., out-of-body bones, disconnected mesh components, etc.). Through exhaustive comparisons, we show that HeterSkinNet outperforms state-of-the-art methods by large margins in terms of rigging accuracy and naturalness. HeterSkinNet provides a solution for effective and robust character rigging.
How verbal variety kills comprehension
Authors: Yaffe Philip
Published: April 2021

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.

The purpose of expository (non-fiction) writing and speaking is usually to inform or instruct. To do either successfully, you must present your ideas more than once. Otherwise, people who read it or hear it, even if they completely understand it at the moment, over time (often a very short time) will either confuse it or forget it. Presenting information and ideas more than once is not simply a matter of saying the same things the same way two or three times. It is more subtle than that.
An Analysis of the Impact of Particle Growth on Transport Losses in Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Darling R. M. , Burlatsky S. F.
Published: April 2021

Voltage cycling causes catalyst nanoparticles in polymer-electrolyte fuel cells to grow. The concomitant loss of interfacial area results in larger kinetic, transport, and possibly ohmic overpotentials. This paper uses recently published experimental data and mathematical models to investigate the evolutions of transport and ohmic resistances to platinum nanoparticles located on the surface and inside the micropores of carbon black supports. Resistance to oxygen transport rises as surface area declines primarily because the flux to each remaining larger platinum particle increases. The path lengths governing oxygen diffusion to surface and buried platinum sites also increase as nanoparticles grow. Platinum nanoparticles on the surface become relatively less favorable as voltage cycling proceeds because they grow faster than platinum in micropores. Because voltage cycling causes total interfacial area to decline, and the fraction located inside micropores to increase, nanoscale ohmic losses increase as a catalyst layer decays. The practical importance of this effect is difficult to discern because proton conductivity in carbon micropores is not well characterized.
Effect of Particle Size on the Dissolution of Pt3Co/C and Pt/C PEMFC Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , DeCrane Stacy , Nowicki Tammy , Kariuki Nancy N. , Ball Sarah C. , Myers Deborah J.
Published: April 2021

Potentiostatic and potentiodynamic Pt and Co dissolution were investigated for three Pt3Co/C catalysts with particle sizes of 4.9, 8.1, and 14.8 nm in aqueous electrolyte at potentials encountered by the PEMFC cathode. For all three Pt3Co/C catalysts under prolonged potentiostatic dissolution, the dissolved Pt steady state concentration increases from 0.85 V to reach a maximum at 1.1−1.15 V and decreases at higher potentials. The dependence of the dissolved Pt steady state concentration on particle size reveals that catalyst stability decreases with decreasing mean particle size, whereas the stability under potential cycling conditions is non-monotonic with particle size. Preferential dissolution of Co from all three Pt3Co catalysts was observed at all potentials, which increases at >1.1 V, the region over which Pt dissolution decreases, reflecting the opposing effects of Pt oxide formation on Pt and Co dissolution. Comparison of Pt3Co/C and Pt/C with similar mean particle sizes (4.9 vs 5.0 nm) and particle size distributions reveals that the Pt3Co/C has a higher potentiostatic dissolution rate (4–5 times), a higher steady state concentration of dissolved Pt (∼2 times), and a larger change in electrochemically-active surface area (ECA) (18 times) after prolonged cycling, indicating that Pt3Co has inferior stability. The higher rates of Pt dissolution for Pt3Co vs Pt have been attributed to higher extents of surface Pt oxidation, as determined using voltammetric oxide reduction charges and the white line intensities in Pt L3 X-ray absorption spectra.
Perception of Iraqi Orthodontists and Patients toward Accelerated Orthodontics
Authors: Al-Attar Ali M. , Al-Shaham Samher , Abid Mushriq
Published: April 2021

Background/Purpose. In the literature, no consensus about the duration of orthodontic treatment has been reached out. This study aimed to identify orthodontist’s and patient’s perception about the time of orthodontic treatment and their willingness to undergo and pay for various acceleration techniques and procedures. Materials and Methods. An electronic survey was conducted from August to October 2020. The questionnaire consisted of 20 multiple choice questions which was designed and emailed to members of the Iraqi Orthodontic Society and self-administered to patients in several orthodontic centers in Baghdad. The questionnaire included questions about the perception toward the duration of orthodontic treatment, approval of different procedures used to reduce treatment time, and how much fee increment they are able to pay for various techniques and appliances. Descriptive and chi-square test statistics were used, and the level of significance was set at

p
≤
0.05

. Results. The response rate was 78.7%. The willingness for additional techniques and procedures was rated in the following order: customized appliances: 50.8% orthodontists and 38.4% patients, followed by intraoral vibrating devices: 49.2% orthodontists and 38.1% patients, piezocision: 10.2% orthodontists and 8.2% patients, and corticotomies: 8.1% orthodontists and 5.9% patients. Most orthodontists were willing to pay up to 40% of treatment income for the acceleration procedure, while the payment of patients was up to 20%. Conclusion. Both orthodontists and patients were interested in techniques that can decrease the treatment duration. Noninvasive accelerating procedures were more preferable by orthodontists and patients than invasive surgical procedures.
The Simplified Expression of Machine Learning and Multivariate Statistical Analysis Based on the Centering Matrix
Authors: Xue Zhen , Zhang Liangliang
Published: April 2021

In machine learning (ML) algorithms and multivariate statistical analysis (MVA) problems, it is usually necessary to center (zero centered or mean subtraction) the original data. The centering matrix plays an important role in this process. The full consideration and use of its properties may contribute to the speed or stability improvement of some related ML algorithms. Therefore, in this paper, we discussed in detail the properties of the centering matrix, proved some previously known properties, and deduced some new properties. The involved properties mainly consisted of the centering, quadratic form, spectral decomposition, null space, projection, exchangeability, Kronecker square, and so on. Based on this, we explored the simplified expression role of the centering matrix in the principal component analysis (PCA) and regression analysis theory. The results show that the sum of deviation squares which is widely used in regression theory and variance analysis can be expressed by the quadratic form with the centering matrix as the kernel matrix. The ML algorithms introducing the centering matrix can greatly simplify the learning process and improve predictive ability.
Improved Performance of ELISA and Immunochromatographic Tests Using a New Chimeric A2-Based Protein for Human Visceral Leishmaniasis Diagnosis
Authors: Figueiredo Maria Marta , dos Santos Anna R. R. , Godoi Lara C. , de Castro Natália S. , de Andrade Bruno C. , Sergio Sarah A. R. , Jerônimo Selma M. B. , de Oliveira Edward J. , Valencia-Portillo Ruth T. , Bezerra Lucilândia M. , Goto Hiro , Sanchez Maria C. A. , Junqueira Caroline , Teixeira Santuza M. R. , da Fonseca Flávio G. , Gazzinelli Ricardo T. , Fernandes Ana Paula
Published: April 2021

Summary. Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health problem worldwide, leading to significant mortality rates if not properly treated and controlled. Precise identification of infected patients is essential to establish treatment and control measures. Although several VL serological diagnosis advances have been accomplished lately, mainly using recombinant antigens and immunochromatographic tests (ICTs), improvements may still be achieved using multiepitope chimeric proteins in different test platforms. Here, we reported on the evaluation of ELISA and an ICT developed with a new chimeric protein, named DTL-4, based on repetitive antigenic sequences, including those present in the A2 protein. Methods. A total of 1028 sera samples were used for the development and validation of ELISA (321 samples from L. infantum-infected patients, 62 samples from VL/AIDS coinfected patients, 236 samples from patients infected with other diseases, and 409 samples from healthy donors). A total of 520 sera samples were used to develop and validate ICT (249 samples from L. infantum-infected patients, 46 samples from VL/AIDS coinfected patients, 40 samples from patients infected with other diseases, and 185 samples from healthy donors). Findings. Using the validation sera panels, DTL-4-based ELISA displayed an overall sensitivity of 94.61% (95% CI: 89.94-97.28), a specificity of 99.41% (95% CI: 96.39-99.99), and an accuracy of 97.02% (95% CI: 94.61-98.38), while for ICT, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values corresponded to 91.98% (95% CI: 86.65-95.39), 100.00% (95% CI: 96.30-100.00), and 95.14% (95% CI: 91.62-97.15), respectively. When testing sera samples from VL/AIDS coinfected patients, DTL-4-ELISA displayed a sensitivity of 77.42% (95% CI: 65.48-86.16), a specificity of 99.41% (95% CI: 96.39-99.99), and an accuracy of 93.51% (95% CI: 89.49%-96.10%), while for DTL-4-ICT, sensitivity was 73.91% (95% CI: 59.74-84.40), specificity was 90.63% (95% CI: 81.02-95.63), and accuracy was 82.00% (95% CI: 73.63-90.91). Conclusion. DTL-4 is a promising candidate antigen for serodiagnosis of VL patients, including those with VL/AIDS coinfection, when incorporated into ELISA or ICT test formats.
Ultrafiltration Extract of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Hedysari Attenuates Risk of Low-Dose X-Ray Radiation-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis In Vitro
Authors: Chang Juan , Ma Chengxu , Guo Huan , Ran Haiqiong , Chen Guolian , Li Yingdong
Published: April 2021

The risk of radiation-induced heart damage (RIHD) is a growing concern since recent advances in radiation therapy (RT) for cancer treatments have significantly improved the number of survivors. Radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF) is the final pathological condition of RIHD and main change leading to serious cardiovascular complications following RT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrafiltration extract of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Hedysari (RAS-RH) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of cardiac fibroblasts after X-irradiation in vitro. The RAS-RH extract was from the Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) in TCM. Primary cardiac fibroblasts were irradiated with 1 Gy X-ray to evaluate the effect of RAS-RH on the expression levels of cell proliferation, apoptosis, ROS, and fibrotic molecules. Our data demonstrated that X-irradiation at 1 Gy resulted in the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts; RAS-RH attenuated the myocardial fibrosis. Furthermore, X-ray radiation reduced the apoptosis of cardiac fibroblasts; RAS-RH accelerated the apoptosis of these cells after irradiation. In addition, the damage driven by ROS in primary cardiac fibroblasts after irradiation was weakened by RAS-RH and the expression of TGF-β1, Col1, and α-SMA increased after irradiation; RAS-RH decreased the expression of these makers. Overall, these data indicate that low-dose X-ray irradiation boosts myocardial fibrosis, and the effect of RAS-RH protects against fibrosis via attenuating the proliferation and accelerating the apoptosis of myocardial fibroblasts after X-irradiation.
Quasistatic Solutions versus Full-Wave Solutions of Single-Channel Circular RF Receive Coils on Phantoms of Varying Conductivities at 3 Tesla
Authors: Beck Michael J. , Parker Dennis L. , Hadley J. Rock
Published: April 2021

Purpose. Although full-wave simulations could be used to aid in RF coil design, the algorithms may be too slow for an iterative optimization algorithm. If quasistatic simulations are accurate within the design tolerance, then their use could reduce simulation time by orders of magnitude compared to full-wave simulations. This paper examines the accuracy of quasistatic and full-wave simulations at 3 Tesla. Methods. Three sets of eight coils ranging from 3–10 cm (24 total) were used to measure SNR on three phantoms with conductivities of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 S/m. The phantom conductivities were chosen to represent those typically found in human tissues. The range of coil element sizes represents the sizes of coil elements seen in typical coil designs. SNR was determined using the magnetic and electric fields calculated by quasistatic and full-wave simulations. Each simulated SNR dataset was scaled to minimize the root mean squared error (RMSE) when compared against measured SNR data. In addition, the noise values calculated by each simulation were compared against benchtop measured noise values. Results. The RMSE was 0.285 and 0.087 for the quasistatic and full-wave simulations, respectively. The maximum and minimum quotient values, when taking the ratio of simulated to measured SNR values, were 1.69 and 0.20 for the quasistatic simulations and 1.29 and 0.75 for the full-wave simulations, respectively. The ratio ranges, for the calculated quasistatic and full-wave total noise values compared to benchtop measured noise values, were 0.83–1.06 and 0.27–3.02, respectively. Conclusions. Full-wave simulations were on average 3x more accurate than the quasistatic simulations. Full-wave simulations were more accurate in characterizing the wave effects within the sample, though they were not able to fully account for the skin effect when calculating coil noise.
Optimization of One‐Step Block Method for Solving Second‐Order Fuzzy Initial Value Problems
Authors: Al-Refai Safa , Syam Muhammed I. , Al-Refai Mohammed
Published: April 2021

In this article, we present a one‐step hybrid block method for approximating the solutions of second‐order fuzzy initial value problems. We prove the stability and convergence results of the method and present several examples to illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. The numerical results are compared with the existing ones in the literature.
Experimental Study on the Bond Performance between Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Bar and Unsaturated Polyester Resin Concrete
Authors: Li Wenchao , Zhou Min , Liu Fusheng , Jiao Yuzhao , Wu Qingfeng
Published: April 2021

Fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bar‐reinforced unsaturated polyester resin concrete (UPC) can solve the problem of rebar corrosion in ordinary reinforced concrete members. However, it has not been widely used in engineering practice because there have been few studies conducted on the bond behaviors of FRP bar and UPC, and the interaction mechanisms between FRP bar and UPC have not been well understood. A series of pull‐out tests are conducted on FRP bar‐UPC specimens to study the bond behaviors between these two materials. Parametric studies are also carried out to investigate the effects of FRP bar diameter, fiber type, type of surface treatment, concrete cover thickness, and interfacial bond length between the two. Three failure modes of the specimens are observed from pull‐out tests, i.e., FRP bar pull‐out, tensile failure of FRP bar, and UPC split. A new constitutive model is, therefore, proposed to predict the bond stress of FRP bar and UPC in the residual stage, and the proposed model is finally verified by test data reported in this study.
Effects of Combined Physical Activity and Cognitive Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Sun Qianqian , Xu Shurui , Guo Shuai , You Yue , Xia Rui , Liu Jiao
Published: April 2021

Background. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is recognized as the earliest prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Emerging studies explored the effects of combined physical activity and cognitive training interventions on cognitive ability, psychological well-being, and emotion of older adults with SCD, but the results are now still controversial. Objective. This study systematically evaluated the enhancement effects of the combined physical-cognitive interventions on memory self-efficacy, objective cognitive function, psychological well-being, and emotion of older adults with SCD. Methods. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang degree and conference papers database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical (VIP) databases from their inception to 28 February 2020, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, 2020, Issue 3), and the reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched. Data analysis and bias risk evaluation were conducted in 2020. Two reviewers (SG and YY) independently evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies using the RoB 2 tool. Results. Eleven RCTs involving 1713 participants with SCD (age 68.0 ± 6.1) were included for review and meta-analysis. The interventions in the included studies were physical activity combined with cognitive training. Multiple-modality exercise with mind-motor training, supervised strategy-based memory training sequentially after stationary cycling, Dejian Mind-Body intervention, and physical activity and cognitive stimulation were also practiced. Conclusions. Compared to the active or nonactive control groups, the combined interventions are effective in improving objective cognitive function in SCD which may show the potential value of combined physical-cognitive interventions in improving objective cognitive ability and preventing the conversion of SCD to MCI or AD and no adverse effects. However, owing to the limitations of the included studies, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.
Minimal Residual Disease Detection using a Plasma-only Circulating Tumor DNA Assay in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Parikh Aparna R. , Van Seventer Emily E. , Siravegna Giulia , Hartwig Anna V. , Jaimovich Ariel , He Yupeng , Kanter Katie , Fish Madeleine G. , Fosbenner Kathryn D. , Miao Benchun , Phillips Susannah , Carmichael John H. , Sharma Nihaarika , Jarnagin Joy , Baiev Islam , Shah Yojan S. , Fetter Isobel J. , Shahzade Heather A. , Allen Jill N. , Blaszkowsky Lawrence S. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Dubois Jon S. , Franses Joseph W. , Giantonio Bruce J. , Goyal Lipika , Klempner Samuel J. , Nipp Ryan D. , Roeland Eric J. , Ryan David P. , Weekes Colin D. , Wo Jennifer Y. , Hong Theodore S. , Bordeianou Liliana , Ferrone Cristina R. , Qadan Motaz , Kunitake Hiroko , Berger David , Ricciardi Rocco , Cusack James C. , Raymond Victoria M. , Talasaz AmirAli , Boland Genevieve M. , Corcoran Ryan B.
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

Detection of persistent circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after curative-intent surgery can identify patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) who will ultimately recur. Most ctDNA MRD assays require tumor sequencing to identify tumor-derived mutations to facilitate ctDNA detection, requiring tumor and blood. We evaluated a plasma-only ctDNA assay integrating genomic and epigenomic cancer signatures to enable tumor-uninformed MRD detection.

Experimental Design:

A total of 252 prospective serial plasma specimens from 103 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative-intent surgery were analyzed and correlated with recurrence.

Results:

Of 103 patients, 84 [stage I (9.5%), II (23.8%), III (47.6%), IV (19%)] had evaluable plasma drawn after completion of definitive therapy, defined as surgery only (n = 39) or completion of adjuvant therapy (n = 45). In “landmark” plasma drawn 1-month (median, 31.5 days) after definitive therapy and >1 year follow-up, 15 patients had detectable ctDNA, and all 15 recurred [positive predictive value (PPV), 100%; HR, 11.28 (P < 0.0001)]. Of 49 patients without detectable ctDNA at the landmark timepoint, 12 (24.5%) recurred. Landmark recurrence sensitivity and specificity were 55.6% and 100%. Incorporating serial longitudinal and surveillance (drawn within 4 months of recurrence) samples, sensitivity improved to 69% and 91%. Integrating epigenomic signatures increased sensitivity by 25%–36% versus genomic alterations alone. Notably, standard serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels did not predict recurrence [HR, 1.84 (P = 0.18); PPV = 53.9%].

Conclusions:

Plasma-only MRD detection demonstrated favorable sensitivity and specificity for recurrence, comparable with tumor-informed approaches. Integrating analysis of epigenomic and genomic alterations enhanced sensitivity. These findings support the potential clinical utility of plasma-only ctDNA MRD detection.

See related commentary by Bent and Kopetz, p. 5449
A Double Metachronous Ureter Metastasis following Curative Resection of Rectal Cancer
Authors: Aghalarov Ilgar , Förster Sarah , Tannapfel Andrea , Ubrig Burkhard , Uhl Waldemar , Belyaev Orlin
Published: April 2021

A malignant ureteral obstruction is most often due to primary tumors of the ureter. However, it can occur secondary due to external tumor compression or metastatic infiltration. Distant metastases to the ureter are extremely rare. We present a case of a rare double distant metachronic metastasis to the right ureter as well as to the right renal pelvis in a 58-year-old female with a history of anterior resection for rectal cancer 2 years earlier. She presented with recurrent urinary tract infection and right hydronephrosis caused by an ureteral mass. The patient underwent a right nephroureterectomy via laparotomy. Two metastases of the rectal cancer in the ureteral mucosa were verified at histology. On account of the infiltration of the right ureteral orifice, a completion transurethral resection of the tumor was performed. A follow-up 3 and 6 months later showed no signs of tumor relapse and the patient was doing well. The differential diagnosis of malignant ureteral obstruction in patients with history of colorectal cancer should include the rare possibility of distant metastasis from the primary tumor.
Impact of sensorless neural direct torque control in a fuel cell traction system
Authors: Aissa Benhamou , Hamza Tedjini , Yacine Guettaf , Mohamed Nour
Published: April 2021

Due to the reliability and relatively low cost and modest maintenance requirement of the induction machine make it one of the most widely used machines in industrial applications. The speed control is one of many problems in the traction system, researchers went to new paths instead the classical controllers as PI controller, they integrated the artificial intelligent for its yield. The classical DTC is a method of speed control by using speed sensor and PI controller, it achieves a decoupled control of the electromagnetic torque and the stator flux in the stationary frame, besides, the use of speed sensors has several drawbacks such as the fragility and the high cost, for this reason, the specialists went to propose an estimators as Kalman filter. The fuel cell is a new renewable energy, it has many applications in the traction systems as train, bus. This paper presents an improved control using DTC by integrate the neural network strategy without use speed sensor (sensorless control) to reduce overtaking and current ripple and static error in the system because the PI controller has some problems like this; and reduce the cost with use a renewable energy as fuel cell.
Design and performance evaluation of a solar tracking panel of single axis in Colombia
Authors: González-Acevedo Hernando , Muñoz-Maldonado Yecid , Ospino-Castro Adalberto , Serrano Julian , Atencio Anthony , Saavedra Cristian Jaimes
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the mechanical design of a single axis solar tracking system, as well as the electronic design of a system that to record in real time the electric power delivered by the solar tracker and to evaluate its performance. The interface was developed in Labview and it compares the power supplied by the tracker with the power supplied by static solar panel of the same characteristics. The performance is initially simulated using Pv-Syst software, and later validated with the data obtained by the interface. As a result, the use of the solar tracker increases the power delivered by a minimum of 19%, and it can go as high as 47.84%, with an average in increase in power of 19.5% in the monthly energy production. This experimental result was compared with the simulation by Pv-Syst software and shows a difference of only 2.5%, thus validating the reliability of the simulation. This behavior pattern coincides with previous studies carried out for equatorial latitudes.
Comparative analysis of short-term demand predicting models using ARIMA and deep learning
Authors: Bousqaoui Halima , Slimani Ilham , Achchab Said
Published: April 2021

The forecasting consists of taking historical data as inputs then using them to predict future observations, thus determining future trends. Demand prediction is a crucial component in the supply chain’s process that allows each member to enhance its performance and its profit. Nevertheless, because of demand uncertainty supply chains usually suffer from many problems such as the bullwhip effect. As a solution to those logistics issues, this paper presents a comparative analysis of four time series demand forecasting models; namely, the autoregressive integrated moving Average (ARIMA) a statistical model, the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) a feedforward neural network, the long short-term memory model (LSTM) a recurrent neural network and the convolutional neural network (CNN or ConvNet) a deep learning model. The experimentations are carried out using a real-life dataset provided by a supermarket in Morocco. The results clearly show that the convolutional neural network gives slightly better forecasting results than the Long short-term memory network.
Efficiency of the energy contained in modulators in the Arabic vowels recognition
Authors: Abajaddi Nesrine , Elfahm Youssef , Mounir Badia , Elmaazouzi Laila , Mounir Ilham , Farchi Abdelmajid
Published: April 2021

The speech signal is described as many acoustic properties that may contribute differently to spoken word recognition. Vowel characterization is an important process of studying the acoustic characteristics or behaviors of speech within different contexts. This current study focuses on the modulators characteristics of three Arabic vowels, we proposed a new approach to characterize the three Arabic vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/. The proposed method is based on the energy contained in the speech modulators. The coherent subband demodulation method related to the spectral center of gravity (COG) was used to calculate the energy of the speech modulators. The obtained results showed that the modulators energy help characterize the Arabic vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/ with an interesting recognition rate ranging from 86% to 100%.
Figurinha repetida não enche álbum, dizem
Authors: Rosa Carlos Gontijo , Silva Rosely de Fátima , Simas Mônica Muniz de Souza , Poma Paola
Published: April 2021

Editorial para o número Especial: Coletânea de Entrevistas
Janus Kinase 3 Deficiency Promotes Vascular Reendothelialization—Brief Report
Authors: Wang Yung-Chun , Cai Dunpeng , Cui Xiao-Bing , Chuang Ya-Hui , Fay William P. , Chen Shi-You
Published: April 2021

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine the role of JAK3 (Janus kinase 3) in reendothelialization after vascular injury.

Methods and Results:

By using mouse carotid artery wire injury and rat balloon injury model, we found that JAK3 regulates reendothelialization and endothelial cell proliferation after vascular injury. JAK3 and phospho-JAK3 levels were increased in neointimal smooth muscle cells in response to vascular injury in mice. JAK3 deficiency dramatically attenuated the injury-induced intimal hyperplasia in carotid arteries of both male and female mice. Importantly, JAK3 deficiency caused an increased rate of reendothelialization following mechanical injury. Likewise, knockdown of JAK3 in medial smooth muscle cells elicited an accelerated reendothelialization with reduced intimal hyperplasia following balloon injury in rat carotid arteries. Interestingly, knockdown of JAK3 restored the expression of smooth muscle cell contractile protein smooth muscle α-actin in injury-induced intimal smooth muscle cells while increased the proliferating endothelial cells in the intima area.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate a novel role of JAK3 in the regeneration of endothelium after vascular injury, which may provide a new strategy to enhance reendothelialization while suppressing neointimal formation for effective vascular repair from injury.
The Form and Communicative Impact of Shona Postproverbials
Authors: Mamvura Zvinashe , Nyota Shumirai
Published: April 2021

This article explores the syntax-semantics nexus of Shona postproverbials in the contemporary Zimbabwean society. In terms of syntax, Shona postproverbials are aligned to the following types of sentences found in the Shona language; substantival, verbal, and a combination of both. Like traditional proverbs, there is no postproverbial that takes the form of the ideophonic sentence. The communicative power of postproverbials is an inherent, inbuilt, and internal property stemming from their syntactic and lexical properties. The postproverbial forms, studied in this article, exhibit innovation and ingenuity of the users. The communicative force of the postproverbials arises from the correspondence and cross-correspondence of the structures and grammatical items that constitute them. Congruence and contrast of the lexical items found in the postproverbials also contribute to meanings. The study established that, just like the traditional proverbs, postproverbials are pithy and terse philosophical statements that resonate with a people’s collective experience. In most cases, the postproverbials provide a conduit for people to comment on issues regarded as politically ‘taboo’ and sensitive in a society where the state does not tolerate open criticism.
Of Proverbs and Postproverbial (Re)Constructions
Authors: Egbara Chukwudi Christian
Published: April 2021

This paper evaluates postproverbial (re)constructions of selected Igbo proverbs and the ‘altering alternatives’ regenerated from the original Igbo proverbs. Eighteen randomly selected Igbo proverbs, the proverbial expressions and their postproverbial (re)constructions were subjected to critical analysis. The study revealed that there are noticeable changings in rendering of the selected proverbs. These changings occur largely either due to lack of an in-depth knowledge in the usage of the traditional proverbs, disconnection with the custodians/sources of the Igbo proverbs, urbanisation influence on the Igbo speakers or both. Hence the manufacturing of the ‘altering alternatives’, known as postproverbials. The paper, therefore, urges Igbo language speakers and the would-be users, to draw closer by retracing their step in the choice and usage of Igbo proverbs against the near-overbearing influence of proverbials on the autochthonous, symbolic, semantic, and philosophical essence of Igbo traditional proverbs.
Structure et Régénération des Peuplements Naturels de Balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Et Ziziphus Mauritiana Lam. Suivant un Gradient Écologique dans la Région de Maradi au Niger
Authors: Habou Rabiou , Massaoudou Moussa , Abasse Tougiani , Ali Mahamane , Larwanou Mahamane , Van Damme Patrick
Published: April 2021

Les espèces ligneuses jouent un rôle important dans la vie des populations locales. Parmi les espèces couramment utilisées au Niger figurent Balanites aegyptiaca et Ziziphus mauritiana. Ces deux espèces sont exploitées comme sources alimentaires et pour divers produits médicinaux, avec comme conséquence une réduction de leurs peuplements. La présente étude vise à analyser la structure des peuplements et les modes de régénération des deux espèces dans deux secteurs agro-écologiques contrastées de la région de Maradi au centre sud du Niger. Au total, 60 relevés ont été délimités, d’une part dans des formations naturelles dominées par ces espèces, et d’autre part dans les systèmes agrosylvopastoraux des secteurs sahélien et sahélo-soudanien. Dans chaque placette et sur chaque arbre, le diamètre à 1,30 m au rasdu sol , la hauteur totale et deux diamètres perpendiculaires de houppier ont été mesurés. L’inventaire de la régénération a été effectué dans 5 placeaux. La nature de la régénération (drageon, marcotte, semis naturel), la hauteur totale et le nombre de tiges de chaque plantule ont été notés. La densité de B. aegyptiaca ne varie significativement entre sites et entre secteurs. Par contre, la densité de Z. mauritiana varie significativement entre sites et entre secteurs. En effet, le site de Birni Lallé, situé dans le secteur sahélien strict, et le site de Kegil dans le secteur sahélo-soudanien ont les densités les plus élevées de Z. mauritiana avec respectivement 66,4 ± 52,5 et 77,5 ± 61,4 arbres/ha. L’analyse de la distribution des tiges par classe de diamètre montre que pour les deux espèces, les individus jeunes sont bien représentés. Cela suggère une bonne régénération de ces espèces. L’analyse de la densité et nature de régénération montre que les deux espèces se régénèrent essentiellement par drageonnage. En réponse au ramassage des fruits pour diverses utilisations, les espèces B. aegyptiaca et Z. mauritiana ont développé des stratégies alternatives de propagation en zone sahélienne. Cette aptitude à la propagation végétative permet aux deux espèces de s’adapter en zones arides caractérisées par la sécheresse et les hautes températures.
Beyond Silencing the Guns: China and a New Metaphor for Peace and Security in Africa
Authors: Velthuizen Andreas
Published: April 2021

The author presents the tentative results of ongoing research into a new paradigm for peace and security in Africa. The empirical foundation of the research is the result of a triangulation of research methods that involved literature study, reflexive journaling and thematic analysis. The discussion aims to determine how China can contribute to the renewal of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). The aim is achieved by discussing and analysing the current APSA, including the challenges experienced, as well as the policy commitments and security activities of China in Africa. The research concludes that China is building a military intervention capacity to protect its interests in Africa. However, a new metaphor is needed that will bring solutions to the peace and security challenges of Africa. In this regard China can play an important role in assisting the APSA to focus on issues such as social transformation, capacity building for socio-economic development, and education aimed at peace and security.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo-China’s Deals on Construction of Roads in Exchange of Mines
Authors: Shirambere Philippe Tunamsifu
Published: April 2021

After 32 years of dictatorship regime and a decade of various armed conflicts. the newly elected DRC government in 2006 was expected to receive US$4 billion from the traditional Western donors for reconstruction and development to help cement peace. Based on the issue of the lack of trust in the public institutions, the West failed to provide its promised aid following its conditionality. Alternatively, Joseph Kabila approached China to secure his cinq chantiers. Without prior conditionality on good-governance and human rights, China agreed to provide its financial support valued at US$ 9 billion in exchange for mines.

Using historical and comparative methods, findings reveal that the Chinese presence in the DRC goes back to the colonial era of the 19th century. The conditionality for financial support seems inadequate for post-conflict countries in need of reconstruction. Also, the Chinese non-interference policy as an alternative to the western approach needs to be transparent.
What are the Spiritual Sacrifices of 1 Peter 2:5? Some Light from Philo of Alexandria
Authors: Richardson Philip
Published: April 2021

Peter’s reference to ‘spiritual sacrifices’ in 1 Pet. 2:5 is unspecified and scholars have proposed a variety of possible solutions to identify their referent. In this paper, we shed light on this question by considering how the term may have been heard by the readers in their historical context. Most scholars consider the audience to be majority Gentile and clearly in a diaspora setting (1 Pet. 1:1). Philo, as a Hellenistic Jewish author writing to the diaspora, has much to say about spiritual sacrifices, connecting them with the rational soul of virtue, which is purified from the passions and issues in virtuous conduct. Returning to 1 Peter, we observe the wider context of 1 Pet. 2:5 emphasizes purity of heart and soul, a disciplined mind and a self-controlled avoidance of passion, which also issues in virtuous conduct. This framework would have helped the original readers to identify the spiritual sacrifices.
The triumph of the kingdom: interpreting Revelation 6–16
Authors: Guy Laurie
Published: April 2021

Does Revelation 6–16 primarily convey a message of disaster and judgment? Because John’s primary purpose is to bring hope to his suffering audience, this negative interpretation is to be questioned. Revelation 6–16 includes several hopebearing intercalations (chapters 7, 10–11, and 12–14). These insertions convey the primary message of Revelation 6–16. The section is prefaced by major concern that a scroll be opened. It is commonly felt that its contents are revealed as the seals are opened. However, no revelation can occur until the final seal is broken. When this occurs nothing happens. Instead a cycle of trumpets begins. Revelation indicates that the anticipated revelation will occur when the seventh trumpet is blown. So Revelation points primarily to a revelation of the kingdom of God (11:15), not to judgmental disaster. The latter, echoing aspects of the Old Testament, is conventional language, indicating the sorts of things that happen on an ongoing basis and that call for repentance. But the central message of Revelation 6–16 is that the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah.
A Theology of Wisdom as the imago Dei: A Response to When God Talks Back
Authors: McNamara B. M. D.
Published: April 2021

This article provides an Evangelical response to When God Talks Back by Tanya Luhrmann. Her book gives a unique perspective on Charismatic practices and provides a way of understanding the Vineyard Church, from a psychological anthropologist’s perspective. This response contends that, despite some areas of agreement, Luhrmann’s reasons for the Vineyard’s practices are inadequate, and argues that the Vineyard’s discernment practices echo a biblical wisdom tradition. Not only this but also that this tradition is based upon a different interpretation of the image of God, which understands the imago Dei as a ‘wisdom-image’. These ideas are developed through the exegesis of Gen. 1:1, 26; Prov. 3:19–20; 8:22–23; and selected passages in Colossians, in order to give support for this interpretation of the imago Dei, to engage with Luhrmann, and to justify the Vineyard Church’s practices.
Paul’s Experience of the Miraculous
Authors: Twelftree Graham H.
Published: April 2021

After establishing Paul’s understanding of the miraculous as an extraordinary or humanly possible event empowered and directed by God for the benefit of others, this article seeks to describe the place of the miraculous in Paul’s life. It is argued that Paul experienced the miraculous in revelatory experiences through which he understood God called him to ministry and, on other occasions, revealed things to him. Paul’s writings show that he exercised a number of speaking gifts, but there is no evidence he had the gifts of healing, exorcism or miracles. In despair he experienced God’s rescue; and he reports the healing of Ephaphroditus. However, prayer for some recurring physical problem that was answered not by healing but an assurance of God’s grace caused Paul to rejoice in his weaknesses as the places and spaces where he and others could see the power of God in an ordinary life.
Getting In and Staying In: Another Look at 4QMMT and Galatians
Authors: Lee Yongbom
Published: April 2021

E. P. Sanders criticized the previous New Testament scholarship’s stereotypical portrait of Second Temple Judaism as a legalistic religion, proposing that it can be typically described in what he calls ‘covenantal nomism’, that is, one ‘gets in’ the covenant by God’s gracious election and ‘stays in’ the covenant by obedience to the law. However, this does not describe the Qumran sectarian group who required the works of the law and their particular halakhoth not only to ‘stay in’ but also to ‘get in’ the sectarian covenant. Comparison between 4QMMT and Galatians, and a mirror reading of Galatians suggest that Paul’s opponents persuaded the Galatians to do the works of the law not only to ‘stay in’ but also to ‘get in’ the true covenant of God, to become full members of God’s covenant people, for one is justified by the works of the law, in addition to faith in Christ.