bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation for heat and mass transport analysis for magnetic-nanofluids flow through stretchable convergent/divergent channels
Authors: Hashim  , Hafeez Muhammad , Chu Yu Ming
Published: July 2021

This paper adopts a theoretical approach to explore the heat and mass transport features for MHD Jeffery–Hamel flow of viscous nanofluids through convergent/divergent channels with stretching or shrinking walls. Recently, this type of flows generated by nonparallel inclined plates with converging or diverging properties has been frequently utilized in various industrial and engineering processes, like, blood flow through arteries, different cavity flows and flow through canals. The current flow model is formulated mathematically in terms of partial differential equations (PDEs) in accordance with conservation laws under an assumption that the flow is symmetric and purely radial. In addition, heat and mass transport mechanisms are being modeled in the presence of Brownian motion and thermophoretic aspects using Buongiorno’s nanofluid model. The dimensionless variables are employed to get the non-dimensional forms of the governing PDEs. The built-in MATLAB routine bvpc4 is implemented to determine the numerical solutions for governing the nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Numerical results are presented in the form of velocity, temperature and concentration plots to visualize the influence of active flow parameters. The simulated results revealed that the Reynold number has an opposite effect on dimensionless velocity profiles in the case of convergent and divergent channels. Besides, the temperature distributions enhance for higher values of Brownian motion parameter.
Bio-convective couple stress nanofluid behavior analysis with temperature-dependent viscosity and higher order slip encountered by a moving surface
Authors: Li Yun-Xiang , Khan Sami Ullah , Shah Faqir , Waqas Hassan , Khan M. Ijaz , Malik M. Y.
Published: July 2021

In nanotechnology, the nanofluids are decomposition of base materials and nanoparticles where the nanoparticles are immersed in base liquid. The utilization of such nanoparticles into base liquids can significantly enhance the thermal features of resulting materials which involve applications in various industrial and technological processes. While studying the rheological features of non-Newtonian fluids, the constant viscosity assumptions are followed in many investigations. However, by considering the viscosity as a temperature-dependent is quite useful to improve the heating processes along with nanoparticles. Keeping such motivations in mind, this investigation reports the temperature-dependent viscosity and variable heat-dependent conductivity in bioconvection flow of couple stress nanoparticles encountered by a moving surface. The famous Reynolds exponential viscosity model is used to deploy the relations for temperature-dependent viscosity. Moreover, the activation energy and higher order slip (Wu’s slip) are also elaborated to make this investigation more novel and unique. The emerging flow equations for governing flow problem are formulated which are altered into non-dimensional forms. The numerical simulations with applications of Runge–Kutta fourth–order algorithm are focused to obtain the desired solution. Before analyzing the significant physical features of various parameters, the confirmation of solution is done by comparing the results with already reported investigations as limiting cases. The results are graphically elaborated with relevant physical consequences. Various plots for velocity, temperature, concentration, wall shear stress, local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number and motile density numbers are prepared.
Borel subalgebras of restricted Cartan -Type Lie algebras
Authors: Ou Ke , Shu Bin
Published: July 2021

It is still an open problem to determine the conjugacy classes of Borel subalgebras of non-classical type Lie algebras. In this paper, we prove that there are at least 2 conjugacy classes of Borel subalgebras as well as maximal triangulable subalgebras of restricted Cartan type Lie algebras of type W, S and H. We are particularly interested in maximal triangulable subalgebras of [Formula: see text] under some conditions which is called [Formula: see text]-subalgebras (Definition 3.1). We classify the conjugacy classes of [Formula: see text]-subalgebras for [Formula: see text] and determine their representatives.

This paper and its sequel [Z. Lin, K. Ou and B. Shu, Geometric Setting of Jacobson–Witt Algebras, preprint] attempt to establish both algebraic and geometric setting for geometric representation theory of [Formula: see text]
Families of generalized Cohen–Macaulay and filter rings
Authors: Azimi Y. , Shirmohammadi N.
Published: July 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with unity, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] an ideal of [Formula: see text]. Define [Formula: see text] to be [Formula: see text] a quotient of the Rees algebra. In this paper, we investigate when the rings in the family are generalized Cohen–Macaulay or filter rings and show that these properties are independent of the choice of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Almost quasi-Yamabe solitons and gradient almost quasi-Yamabe solitons in f-kenmotsu manifolds
Authors: Ghosh Sujit , De Uday Chand
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we study almost quasi-Yamabe solitons and gradient almost quasi-Yamabe solitons in [Formula: see text]-dimensional [Formula: see text]-Kenmotsu manifolds.
Multicamera 3D Viewpoint Adjustment for Robotic Surgery via Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Su Yun-Hsuan , Huang Kevin , Hannaford Blake
Published: July 2021

While robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) procedures afford a variety of benefits over open surgery and manual laparoscopic operations (including increased tool dexterity, reduced patient pain, incision size, trauma and recovery time, and lower infection rates [ 1 ], lack of spatial awareness remains an issue. Typical laparoscopic imaging can lack sufficient depth cues and haptic feedback, if provided, rarely reflects realistic tissue–tool interactions. This work is part of a larger ongoing research effort to reconstruct 3D surfaces using multiple viewpoints in RMIS to increase visual perception. The manual placement and adjustment of multicamera systems in RMIS are nonideal and prone to error [ 2 ], and other autonomous approaches focus on tool tracking and do not consider reconstruction of the surgical scene [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The group’s previous work investigated a novel, context-aware autonomous camera positioning method [ 6 ], which incorporated both tool location and scene coverage for multiple camera viewpoint adjustments. In this paper, the authors expand upon this prior work by implementing a streamlined deep reinforcement learning approach between optimal viewpoints calculated using the prior method [ 6 ] which encourages discovery of otherwise unobserved and additional camera viewpoints. Combining the framework and robustness of the previous work with the efficiency and additional viewpoints of the augmentations presented here results in improved performance and scene coverage promising towards real-time implementation.
Rapid changes from arid to humid conditions during the onset of the Paraná–Etendeka Igneous Province: can volcanic gas emissions from continental flood basalts affect the precipitation regime?
Authors: da Cruz Vinicius Godoi Pereira , de Lima Evandro Fernandes , Rossetti Lucas de Magalhaes May , Pasqualon Natalia Gauer
Published: July 2021

Despite the intriguing correlation between continental flood basalt provinces and environmental crises, little is known about how the local/regional sedimentary systems and environment respond to flood basalt volcanism. Active sedimentary systems, and their interaction with volcanism, provide an important rock record to understand palaeoenvironments in volcanic settings. The Paraná–Etendeka Igneous Province is a well-known example of a continental flood basalt emplaced on a dry desert environment, but evidence has also shown the existence of humid conditions during the volcanic episode. This work describes and interprets non-volcanic sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks interbedded with Paraná–Etendeka Igneous Province lavas in southernmost Brazil to better understand the palaeoenvironmental process and changes during the onset of volcanism. Non-volcanic sedimentary rocks record the existence of ephemeral sheet-like flows and ponds/lakes while volcaniclastic rocks document hydromagmatic activity, supporting a change to more humid conditions. Stratigraphic constraints indicate that this change started with the onset of volcanism and affected the whole province. We suggest that SO
2
degassing from the Paraná–Etendeka province may have caused a net global surface cooling, resulting in precipitation redistribution and a local increase in rainfall. This hypothesis may help explain the cooling and increased humidity observed elsewhere to be closely related to the Paraná–Etendeka emplacement.
A channelized debris-avalanche deposit from Pirongia basaltic stratovolcano, New Zealand
Authors: McLeod Oliver Emerson , Pittari Adrian
Published: July 2021

A newly discovered, large volume (3.3 km
3
) volcanic debris-avalanche is described from the Pirongia Volcano in North Island, New Zealand. Mapping, field surveys and drill core data were used to reconstruct the distribution and facies of the deposit (the Oparau breccia). The debris avalanche was channelized into a lowland graben structure resulting in a prolonged runout distance of ≥20 km and substantial thickness of >200 m in medial areas. The deposit contains block and matrix facies dominated by ankaramite basalt sampled from the oldest parts of the volcanic edifice. The age of deposition of the Oparau breccia is constrained to the period 2.2–1.75 Ma. The collapse source zone is marked by a prominent unconformity on the southwestern flank of the mountain. Movement on faults within the graben is identified as the most likely cause of sector collapse. The collapse scarp is infilled by 5 km
3
of post-collapse volcanic material.
Volcano–air–sea interactions in a coastal tuff ring, Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Sohn Young Kwan , Sohn Chanwoo , Yoon Woo Seok , Jeong Jong Ok , Yoon Seok-Hoon , Cho Hyeongseong
Published: July 2021

The Holocene tuff ring of Songaksan, Jeju Island, Korea, is intercalated with wave-worked deposits at the base and in the middle parts of the tuff sequence. They are interpreted to have resulted from fair-weather wave action at the beginning of the eruption and storm wave action during a storm surge event in the middle of the eruption, respectively. The tuff ring is overlain by another marine volcaniclastic formation, suggesting erosion and reworking by marine processes because of post-eruption changes in sea-level. Dramatic changes in the chemistry, accidental componentry and ash-accretion texture of the pyroclasts are also observed between the tuff beds deposited before and after the storm invasion. The ascent of a new magma batch, related to the chemical change, could not be linked with either the Earth and ocean tides or the meteorological event. However, the changes in the texture of the pyroclasts suggest a sudden change in the diatreme fill from water-undersaturated to supersaturated because of an increased supply of external water into the diatreme. Heavy rainfall associated with the storm is inferred to have changed the water saturation in the diatreme. Songaksan demonstrates that there was intimate interaction between the volcano and the environment.
Early Detection of Health Changes in the Elderly Using In-Home Multi-Sensor Data Streams
Authors: Wu Wenlong , Keller James M. , Skubic Marjorie , Popescu Mihail , Lane Kari R.
Published: July 2021

The rapid aging of the population worldwide requires increased attention from healthcare providers and the entire society. For the elderly to live independently, many health issues related to old age, such as frailty and risk of falling, need increased attention and monitoring. When monitoring daily routines for older adults, it is desirable to detect the early signs of health changes before serious health events, such as hospitalizations, happen so that timely and adequate preventive care may be provided. By deploying multi-sensor systems in homes of the elderly, we can track trajectories of daily behaviors in a feature space defined using the sensor data. In this article, we investigate a methodology for tracking the evolution of the behavior trajectories over long periods (years) using high-dimensional streaming clustering and provide very early indicators of changes in health. If we assume that habitual behaviors correspond to clusters in feature space and diseases produce a change in behavior, albeit not highly specific, tracking trajectory deviations can provide hints of early illness. Retrospectively, we visualize the streaming clustering results and track how the behavior clusters evolve in feature space with the help of two dimension-reduction algorithms: Principal Component Analysis and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding. Moreover, our tracking algorithm in the original high-dimensional feature space generates early health warning alerts if a negative trend is detected in the behavior trajectory. We validated our algorithm on synthetic data and tested it on a pilot dataset of four TigerPlace residents monitored with a collection of motion, bed, and depth sensors over 10 years. We used the TigerPlace electronic health records to understand the residents’ behavior patterns and to evaluate the health warnings generated by our algorithm. The results obtained on the TigerPlace dataset show that most of the warnings produced by our algorithm can be linked to health events documented in the electronic health records, providing strong support for a prospective deployment of the approach.
Self-Similar Fractal Drawings Inspired by M. C. Escher’s Print
Square Limit
Authors: Ouyang Peichang , Chung Kwok Wai , Nicolas Alain , Gdawiec Krzysztof
Published: July 2021

A fractal tiling (
f
-tiling) is a kind of rarely explored tiling by similar polygonal tiles which possesses self-similarity and the boundary of which is a fractal. Based on a tiling by similar isosceles right triangles, Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher created an ingenious print
Square Limit
in which fish are uniformly reduced in size as they approach the boundaries of the tiling. In this article, we present four families of
f
-tilings and propose an easy-to-implement method to achieve similar Escher-like drawings. By systematically investigating the local star-shaped structure of
f
-tilings, we first enumerate four families of
f
-tilings admitted by kite-shaped or dart-shaped prototiles. Then, we establish a fast binning algorithm for visualising
f
-tilings. To facilitate the creation of Escher-like drawings on the reported
f
-tilings, we next introduce one-to-one mappings between the square, and kite and dart, respectively. This treatment allows a pre-designed square template to be deformed into all prototiles considered in the article. Finally, we specify some technical implementations and present a gallery of the resulting Escher-like drawings. The method established in this article is thus able to generate a great variety of exotic Escher-like drawings.
HashGraph—Scalable Hash Tables Using a Sparse Graph Data Structure
Authors: Green Oded
Published: July 2021

In this article, we introduce HashGraph, a new scalable approach for building hash tables that uses concepts taken from sparse graph representations—hence, the name HashGraph. HashGraph introduces a new way to deal with hash-collisions that does not use “open-addressing” or “separate-chaining,” yet it has the benefits of both these approaches. HashGraph currently works for static inputs. Recent progress with dynamic graph data structures suggests that HashGraph might be extendable to dynamic inputs as well. We show that HashGraph can deal with a large number of hash values per entry without loss of performance. Last, we show a new querying algorithm for value lookups. We experimentally compare HashGraph to several state-of-the-art implementations and find that it outperforms them on average 2× when the inputs are unique and by as much as 40× when the input contains duplicates. The implementation of HashGraph in this article is for NVIDIA GPUs. HashGraph can build a hash table at a rate of 2.5 billion keys per second on a NVIDIA GV100 GPU and can query at nearly the same rate.
Postcolonial Semiotics
Authors: Reyes Angela
Published: July 2021

This article provides an overview of recent scholarship on postcolonial semiotics: processes through which linguistic and other signs are linked to the colonial and its ongoing relevance in the construction of value. After tracing the question of colonialism across scholarly lineages in linguistic anthropology, this article focuses on elite formations as a key realm within postcolonial semiotics and on “fake,” “mix,” and “excess” as central qualities that constitute chronotopically anchored dimensions of ambivalent, aspirational postcolonial eliteness. Linguistic anthropological work on postcolonial elite formations illuminates how economic interests are advanced through the creation of ambiguous value around emblems presupposed as colonial and attached to differentiated elite types in fractally recursive forms. Scholarship on postcolonial semiotics reveals how colonial hierarchies persist through the continuous production of divisible interior alterities that create nested categories of the formerly colonized, inventing elite types that are both denigrated and admired for their supposed approximation to imperial modes of being and speaking.
Effects of remifentanil on pharyngeal swallowing and esophageal motility: no impact of different bolus volumes and partial antagonism by methylnaltrexone
Authors: Cajander Per , Omari Taher , Cock Charles , Magnuson Anders , Scheinin Mika , Savilampi Johanna
Published: July 2021

In this randomized controlled trial, we used the “Swallow Gateway” online platform to analyze the effects of remifentanil on pharyngeal and esophageal swallowing. It is not fully understood whether remifentanil-induced swallowing dysfunction is mediated by peripheral or central mechanisms. By using methylnaltrexone, we demonstrated that effects of remifentanil on pharyngeal swallowing were predominantly centrally mediated, whereas its effects on the distal esophagus may be mediated by both central and peripheral mechanisms.
Hemodynamic modeling of the circle of Willis reveals unanticipated functions during cardiovascular stress
Authors: Muskat J. C. , Rayz V. L. , Goergen C. J. , Babbs C. F.
Published: July 2021

Hemodynamic modeling reveals potential evolutionary benefits of the intact circle of Willis (CW) during fear and aerobic exercise. The CW equalizes pulse waveforms due to bidirectional shunting of blood flow through communicating arteries, which boosts vertebrobasilar blood flow velocity and acceleration. These phenomena may enhance perfusion of the brainstem and cerebellum via nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation, improving performance of the reticular-activating system and motor coordination in survival situations.
Influence of Variable Nonlocal Parameter and Porosity on the Free Vibration Behavior of Functionally Graded Nanoplates
Authors: Vinh Pham Van , Huy Le Quang
Published: July 2021

This paper studies the influence of the variable nonlocal parameter and porosity on the free vibration behavior of the functionally graded nanoplates with porosity. Four patterns of distribution of the porosity through the thickness direction are considered. The classical nonlocal elasticity theory is modified to take into account the variation of the nonlocal parameter through the thickness of the nanoplates. The governing equations of motion are established using simple first‐order shear deformation theory and Hamilton’s principle. The closed‐form solution based on Navier’s technique is employed to solve the governing equations of motion of fully simply supported nanoplates. The accuracy of the present algorithm is proved via some comparison studies in some special cases. Then, the effects of the porosity, the variation of the nonlocal parameter, the power‐law index, aspect ratio, and the side‐to‐thickness ratio on the free vibration of nanoscale porous plates are investigated carefully. The numerical results show that the porosity and nonlocal parameter have strong effects on the free vibration behavior of the nanoplates.
Application of Mathematical Economic Model in Financial System in Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Tang Boqi
Published: July 2021

In the field of economic research, most of the sample data is not obtained based on controllable experiments but generated during the normal operation of the economic system. Therefore, the change of an economic variable is usually not caused by a single change of a cause variable. It is the result of a combination of multiple factors. Therefore, it is necessary to study the application of mathematical intelligent computing in computer intelligent manufacturing system. The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of mathematical intelligent computing in computer intelligent manufacturing system. For this reason, this paper uses the furnace temperature control model to carry out simulation experiment. In this simulation experiment, three algorithms of mathematical intelligent computing are mainly used, including BPES intelligent computing method, genetic algorithm, and MARS algorithm. The research results show that the superparameter optimization based on MARS has high efficiency, and the best result, the worst result, the average result, the variance, and the average time of multiple independent runs are controlled below 0.03 s. In this experiment, when the hidden layer node is 9, the prediction error value is the smallest, and the model simulation curve is basically consistent with the measured curve trend. In the simulation experiment of this paper, these three algorithms have shown good results in their respective links.
Medical Image Key Area Protection Scheme Based on QR Code and Reversible Data Hiding
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Xu Jian , Ma Bin , Wang Chunpeng , Li Jian , Wang Yuli
Published: July 2021

Medical image data, like most patient information, has high requirements for privacy and confidentiality. To improve the security of medical image transmission within the open network, we proposed a medical image key area protection algorithm based on reversible data hiding. First, the coefficient of variation is used to identify the key area, that is, the lesion area of the image. Then, the other regions are divided into blocks to analyze the texture complexity. Next, we propose a new reversible data hiding algorithm, which embeds the content of the key area into the high-texture regions. On this basis, a quick response (QR) code is generated using the ciphertext of the basic image information to replace the original lesion area. Experimental results show that this method can not only safely transmit sensitive patient information by hiding the content of the lesion, it can also store copyright information through QR code and achieve accurate image retrieval.
Protective Effects of A. sativa against Oxidative Stress‐Induced Liver Damage in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Ltaif Mabrouka , Gargouri Manel , Soussi Ahlem
Published: July 2021

Postmenopausal women express great failure in their ovarian hormone production, especially estrogen. This deficiency may promote hypercholesterolemia and accelerate the redox imbalance. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Avena sativa against estrogen deficiency‐induced liver and uterus oxidative injury in experimental ovariectomized mice. Female mice were randomly divided into five groups: group one (negative control) received normal diet and distilled water (C), group two (positive control) received daily enriched diet with oat grains and was kept on tap distilled water at a dose of 200 mg kg−1 d−1 (A), group three (ovariectomized mice) was nontreated fed with normal diet (O), group four includes ovariectomized mice treated daily with estradiol given by intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 100 μg kg−1 d−1 (OE), and the fifth group also includes ovariectomized mice which received enriched diet with oat grain parts with the same dose given to group two. The treatment period lasted two consecutive months. Both oat and hormonal treatments of ovariectomized groups resulted in a significant reduction in triglycerides and total cholesterol and increased high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the plasma after 21 and 60 days of treatment. Besides, the coadministration of A. sativa has decreased the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increased transaminase activities after 21 and 60 days of treatment. On the other hand, this cereal has restored the enzymatic (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities (GSH) as well as the elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (AOPP and PCO) to near‐normal values. The beneficial effects of this cereal were confirmed by a histological study of the liver and uterus of all previous cited groups. Our finding emphasized the antioxidant and antilipidemic effect of oat grain part, suggesting the use of this cereal in the prevention of liver and uterus diseases that occurred in postmenopausal women.
A Combining Method for Wireless Protocol Conformance Testing: A Empirical Case
Authors: Wei-Wei Lin , Hong-Wei Zeng , Kim Jung Yoon
Published: July 2021

Ensuring the consistency of protocol implementation and protocol specification is the basic premise of wireless communication. With the application of wireless communication in more and more fields, the wireless communication environment becomes more and more complex, and the fault coverage of wireless protocol conformance testing is also facing more and more challenges. To solve this problem, this paper uses Finite State Machine (FSM) as a formal description tool for wireless protocols and presents a combining test method based on two test methods with complementary characteristics in the test technologies based on structural coverage and state identification. Then, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of the method based on 14 empirical cases. The experimental results show that the fault coverage of each empirical case can be effectively improved to 100% when the average test cost is only increased by 17.99%.
Er,Cr:YSGG 2780 nm Laser Treatment of Lip Melanin Hyperpigmentation
Authors: Agha Manaf Taher , Polenik Pavel , Hassan Mawada
Published: July 2021

Background. In the current research, Er,Cr:YSGG laser been used in ablative mode to peel the pigmentation, and many sessions were done to completely remove the melanin pigmentations. Materials and Methods. 85 patients were selected and Er,Cr : YSGG laser with 2780 nm wavelength in ablative mode (iPlus, Biolase, USA) was used to treat patients with dark lip melanin pigmentation, using gold handpiece and MZ 10 tip (diameter of 1 mm), and the parameters were set as follows: energy density 28.7 J/cm2, frequency 30 Hz, water cooling 100%, and air cooling 60%. Results. The vast majority of the patients (82.4%) had mild adverse effects after the lip depigmentation and 74.1% of patients reported complete improvement of the lip with a high satisfaction rate (84.7%) during the follow-up period with a low level of relapse. Conclusion. Er,Cr:YSGG 2670 nm is an effective tool to achieve excellent esthetic results in the treatment of lip melanin pigmentation; it is very well tolerated by patients with minimal adverse effects.
Building Information Modelling‐ (BIM‐) Based Generative Design for Drywall Installation Planning in Prefabricated Construction
Authors: Cuellar Lobo Jose Daniel , Lei Zhen , Liu Hexu , Li Hong Xian , Han SangHyeok
Published: July 2021

In prefabricated construction, building components are manufactured off‐site before shipping to the site for installation. Accurate design and planning are essential for smooth on‐site execution and improved efficiency, which requires evaluations of various design options. However, due to the design process’s complexity, such evaluations cannot be achieved without automation and optimization. Meanwhile, the recent advancement of digital design technologies (e.g., building information modelling (BIM)) has enabled flexibility in the design process. The integration of BIM with other analytical algorithms also allows optimization of designs, such as the generative design that can parametrize the design. This study proposes a generative design approach that utilizes the optimization of the drywall installation layout to improve overall project efficiency. The framework includes a decision support module that considers environmental, cost, and aesthetic aspects to identify the optimal layout. The framework’s practical applicability has been successfully demonstrated through a case study. After implementation, three “best” design alternatives were found according to the decision aspects. The design improvements achieved were 37.5%, 7%, and 54% for the environmental, cost, and aesthetic factors, respectively. Accordingly, practitioners can make better decisions on planning drywall projects. This approach has proven effective in planning drywall installation and can be applied in similar design scenarios for other prefabricated construction processes.
Primary Cecal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report of a Rare Tumor with Poor Prognosis
Authors: Bouzroud Mohamed , Azzakhmam Mustapha , El Mehdi Aboulfeth , Mohammed Bouchentouf Sidi , Hakim El Kaoui , Mohaned Oukabli , Ahmed Bounaim
Published: July 2021

Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon is a rare tumor and primary cecal localization is unusual. This malignant condition is marked by a worst prognosis due to early local invasion. We report a case of a 46-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of peritonitis. CT scan showed a cecal tumor perforated in the retroperitoneal space. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy without intestinal anastomosis. The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by histopathological examination. Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, hence, the interest of early diagnosis and management.
Sequential Probabilistic Ratio Test for the Scale Parameter of the
P
-Norm Distribution
Authors: Ren Huan , Hu Hongchang , Zeng Zhen
Published: July 2021

We consider a series of independent observations from a

P

-norm distribution with the position parameter

μ

and the scale parameter

σ

. We test the simple hypothesis

H

0

:
σ
=

σ

1

versus

H

1

:
 
σ
=

σ

2

. Firstly, we give the stop rule and decision rule of sequential probabilistic ratio test (SPRT). Secondly, we prove the existence of

h

σ

which needs to satisfy the specific situation in SPRT method, and the approximate formula of the mean sample function is derived. Finally, a simulation example is given. The simulation shows that the ratio of sample size required by SPRT and the classic Neyman–Pearson

N

−

P

test is about

50.92
%

at most,

38.30
%

at least.
Optimal Adaptive Control and Backstepping Control Method with Sliding Mode Differentiator
Authors: Sun Shengxin , Zhao Yang , Wu Hao
Published: July 2021

In order to improve the success rate of space debris object capture, how to increase the resistance to interference in the space robot arm has become an issue of interest. In addition, since the space operation time is always limited, finite‐time control has become another urgent requirement needed to be addressed. Considering external disturbances, two control methods are proposed in this paper to solve the control problem of space robot arm. Firstly, a linear sliding mode control method is proposed considering the model uncertainties and external disturbances. The robot arm can track the desired trajectory, while a trade‐off between optimality and robustness of the solved system can be achieved. Then, in order to reduce conservativeness and relax restrictions on external disturbances, a novel backstepping control method based on a finite‐time integral sliding mode disturbance observer is developed, which compensates for the effects of both model uncertainties and infinite energy‐based disturbance inputs. Finally, simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Noncontact Heart Rate Measurement Using a Webcam, Based on Joint Blind Source Separation and a Skin Reflection Model: For a Wide Range of Imaging Conditions
Authors: Zhang Boyuan , Li Hengkang , Xu Lisheng , Qi Lin , Yao Yudong , Greenwald Stephen E.
Published: July 2021

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) can be used for noncontact and continuous measurement of the heart rate (HR). Currently, the main factors affecting the accuracy and robustness of rPPG‐based HR measurement methods are the subject’s skin tone, body movement, exercise recovery, and variable or inadequate illumination. In response to these challenges, this study is aimed at investigating a rPPG‐based HR measurement method that is effective under a wide range of conditions by only using a webcam. We propose a new approach, which combines joint blind source separation (JBSS) and a projection process based on a skin reflection model, so as to eliminate the interference of background illumination and enhance the extraction of pulse rate information. Three datasets derived from subjects with different skin tones considering six environmental scenarios are used to validate the proposed method against three other state‐of‐the‐art methods. The results show that the proposed method can provide more accurate and robust HR measurement for all three datasets and is therefore more applicable to a wide range of scenarios.
The Role of Psychologic Stress in Cancer Initiation: Clinical Relevance and Potential Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Falcinelli Marta , Thaker Premal H. , Lutgendorf Susan K. , Conzen Suzanne D. , Flaherty Renée L. , Flint Melanie S.
Published: July 2021

The hypothesis that the physiologic response to psychologic stress influences the initiation of cancer is highly controversial. The link between initiating stressors, the psychologic stress response, and disease is plausible, considering that the stress response is associated with defined physiologic outcomes and molecular mechanisms. In light of this, we review the clinical relevance of psychologic stress on the risk of cancer, and we propose potential molecular pathways that may link the stress response to early stages of malignant cell transformation.
Developing Drugs for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Draft Guidance from the FDA
Authors: Lyons Erica , Line Charles , Lee Jessica J.
Published: July 2021

The administration of preventative therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is an essential component of the treatment plan for many patients with cancer. In May 2021, the FDA issued a draft guidance for industry to facilitate the clinical development of drugs for the prevention of CINV in adults. FDA guidance has a vital role in the regulatory dialogue between the Agency and external stakeholders. Sharing the FDA's current recommended approach can expedite drug development and ultimately the availability of safe and effective therapies to patients in need. In addition, guidance documents may be leveraged to facilitate communication between regulatory agencies, the academic community, patient advocacy groups, and the pharmaceutical industry. The draft guidance for industry Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Developing Drugs for Prevention (May 2021) outlines the FDA's current recommendations regarding clinical development programs for drugs for the prevention of CINV and the required attributes of patients for enrollment, aspects of trial design, and efficacy assessments. This article provides an overview of the recommendations contained in the draft guidance.
Association between Latent Trajectories of Fluid Balance and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Wang Meiping , Zhu Bo , Jiang Li , Luo Xuying , Wang Na , Zhu Yibing , Xi Xiuming ,   Beijing Acute Kidney Injury Trial (BAKIT) Workgroup
Published: July 2021

Introduction: We aimed to identify different trajectories of fluid balance (FB) and investigate the effect of FB trajectories on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and the dose-response association between fluid overload (FO) and mortality. Methods: We derived data from the Beijing Acute Kidney Injury Trial (BAKIT). A total of 1,529 critically ill patients with AKI were included. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, and hospital mortality, ICU mortality and AKI stage were the secondary outcomes. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the trajectory of FB during the first 7 days. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between FB trajectories and clinical outcomes. A logistic regression model with restricted cubic splines was used to examine the dose relationship between FO and 28-day mortality. Results: Three distinct trajectories of FB were identified: low FB (1,316, 86.1%), decreasing FB (120, 7.8%), and high FB (93, 6.1%). Compared with low FB, high FB was associated with increased 28-day mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–3.19) and AKI stage (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.23–3.37), whereas decreasing FB was associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality by approximately half (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32–0.87). Similar results were found for the outcomes of ICU mortality and hospital mortality. We observed a J-shaped relationship between maximum FO and 28-day mortality, with the lowest risk at a maximum FO of 2.8% L/kg. Conclusion: Different trajectories of FB in critically ill patients with AKI were associated with clinical outcomes. An FB above or below a certain range was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Further studies should explore this relationship and search for the optimal fluid management strategies for critically ill patients with AKI.
Tyramine 1 Receptor Distribution in the Brain of Corbiculate Bees Points to a Conserved Function
Authors: Thamm Markus , Wagler Katharina , Brockmann Axel , Scheiner Ricarda
Published: July 2021

Sucrose represents an important carbohydrate source for most bee species. In the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) it was shown that individual sucrose responsiveness correlates with the task performed in the colony, supporting the response threshold theory which states that individuals with the lowest threshold for a task-associated stimuli will perform the associated task. Tyramine was shown to modulate sucrose responsiveness, most likely via the tyramine 1 receptor. This receptor is located in brain areas important for the processing of gustatory stimuli. We asked whether the spatial expression pattern of the tyramine 1 receptor is a unique adaptation of honeybees or if its expression represents a conserved trait. Using a specific tyramine receptor 1 antibody, we compared the spatial expression of this receptor in the brain of different corbiculate bee species, including eusocial honeybees, bumblebees, stingless bees, and the solitary bee Osmia bicornis as an outgroup. We found a similar labeling pattern in the mushroom bodies, the central complex, the dorsal lobe, and the gnathal ganglia, indicating a conserved receptor expression. With respect to sucrose responsiveness this result is of special importance. We assume that the tyramine 1 receptor expression in these neuropiles provides the basis for modulation of sucrose responsiveness. Furthermore, the tyramine 1 receptor expression seems to be independent of size, as labeling is similar in bee species that differ greatly in their body size. However, the situation in the optic lobes appears to be different. Here, the lobula of stingless bees is clearly labeled by the tyramine receptor 1 antibody, whereas this labeling is absent in other species. This indicates that the regulation of this receptor is different in the optic lobes, while its function in this neuropile remains unclear.
Functional Constipation in Older Adults: Prevalence, Clinical Symptoms and Subtypes, Association with Frailty, and Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: Arco Sandra , Saldaña Esther , Serra-Prat Mateu , Palomera Elisabet , Ribas Yolanda , Font Sergi , Clavé Pere , Mundet Lluís
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Functional constipation (FC) is very prevalent in older adults, especially in women, but its relationship with frailty is not fully understood. The aims were to assess FC prevalence, clinical symptoms and subtypes, association with frailty, and impact on quality of life (QoL) in older people. Methods: This epidemiological study included 384 individuals aged over 70 years recruited from the community, a hospital, and a nursing home and stratified into robust, pre-frail, and frail groups (Fried criteria). The following criteria were evaluated: frailty, FC (Rome III criteria), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Chart), comorbidities (Charlson), dependency (Barthel), QoL (EQ5D), and clinical and sociodemographic data. Defined by symptom aggregation were 2 main clinical subtypes as follows: slow colonic transit time (CTT) and functional defecation disorder (FDD). Results: Mean age was 79.11 ± 6.43 years. Overall FC prevalence was 26.8%, higher in women (32.4% women vs. 21.8% men; p = 0.019) and highest in frail patients (41.7% frail vs. 33.9% pre-frail vs. 24.2% robust; p < 0.001). Straining and hard stools (Bristol 1–2) were the most prevalent symptoms (89.3 and 75.7%, respectively). Frailty and benzodiazepine intake were independently associated with FC. Patients with FC obtained poorer QoL scores in the EQ5D (perceived health 66.09 ± 17.8 FC patients vs. 56.4 ± 19.03 non-FC patients; p < 0.05). The FDD subtype became significantly more prevalent as frailty increased (6.5, 25.8, and 67.7% for robust, pre-frail, and frail patients, respectively); the slow CTT subtype was significantly more frequent in robust patients (38.5% robust vs. 30.5% pre-frail vs. 23.1% frail), p = 0.002. Discussion/Conclusion: FC prevalence in older adults was high, especially in women, and was associated with frailty and poor QoL. Clinical subtypes as related to frailty phenotypes reflect specific pathophysiological aspects and should lead to more specific diagnoses and improved treatment.
Management of a Persistent Oblique Occipital Sinus with Staged Ligation in a Case of Medulloblastoma: A Case Report
Authors: Tyagi Gaurav , Singh Gyani Jail , Beniwal Manish , Srinivas Dwarakanath
Published: July 2021

Introduction: A patent persistent occipital sinus (OS) can be seen in 10% of adults. The presence of such a dominant draining OS can present as a challenge for posterior fossa surgeries. Occlusion or division of the sinus can cause venous hypertension, causing a cerebellar bulge or increased intra-op bleeding. Case report: A 3-and-a-half-year-old female child presented with a vermian medulloblastoma with hydrocephalus. MR venography (MRV) revealed a large patent OS draining from the torcula to the right sigmoid sinus. She underwent a left Frazier’s point VP shunt followed by a midline suboccipital craniotomy for the lesion. The OS was divided during a “Y”-shaped durotomy. Following the sinus ligation, there was a significant cerebellar bulge and excessive bleeding from the lesion. We released cisternal CSF and punctured the tumor cysts to allow the brain bulge to settle. Hemostasis was secured, and surgery was deferred, an augmented duroplasty was done, and bone flap was removed to allow for intracranial pressure decompression. The patient was electively ventilated for 24 h and weaned off gradually. A repeat MRV at 7 days showed the reorganization of the venous outflow at the torcula. Reexploration with tumor resection was done on post-op day 10. The patient recovered well from the surgery and was referred for adjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Surgeons should carefully analyze venous anatomy before posterior fossa surgeries. The persistent dominant OS, when present, should be taken care of while planning the durotomy. A hypoplastic but persistent transverse sinus allowed us to ligate and divide the OS. By doing a staged division of the sinus, reorganization of the venous outflow from the torcula can be allowed to occur, and the lesion can be resected.
The Effect of Ownership Structure and Audit Quality on Firm Performance
Authors: Angsoyiri Dramani
Published: July 2021

The study examined the effect of ownership structure and audit quality on firm performance of listed companies in Ghana. The research employed a quantitative research approach; secondary data was extracted from various annual reports and financial statements of the selected companies. The target population was all 42 listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The sample size was 20 companies selected from all industries. The study period was 2013-2018 resulted in 160 firm-yearly empirical observations. The study used return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as the performance measure. Ownership structure was measured using managerial ownership and institutional ownership, audit quality was also measured with the auditor’s reputation, audit committee size and audit committee independence. The control variables used were board size and firm size. The researcher found a weak positive correlation between institutional and managerial ownership and firm performance. Moreover, there was a positive effect of audit quality on firm performance. It implies that the engagement of the services of the Big 4 audit firms has an incremental effect on firm performance. Audit committee size posited a positive effect on firm performance whereas audit committee independence was seen to harm firm performance. Similarly, board independence showed a positive effect on ROE and a negative effect on ROA. Board size, however, indicated a positive effect on firm performance. The researcher recommended the pressing need of diversifying sharehold-ings in firms as a sweetener to attract more skills and expertise among shareholders that can be tapped to enhance the performance of firms. However, managers should be protected from unnecessary shareholding meddling.
A Pre-Experimental Research on the Implementation of Selected Class-room Assessment Techniques for Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health
Authors: Tabuena Almighty C.
Published: July 2021

The primary objective of this study is to examine and identify the classroom assessment techniques (CATs) that might provide and help teachers through assessment and evaluation processes in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) using pre-experimental research through one-group pretest-posttest design. The study was conducted at Jose Abad Santos High School in Manila, Philippines during the third grading period of the researcher’s practicum. The sample of the study consists of 20 students selected through the purposive sampling technique. Quantitative and quali-tative data analyses were employed. The instruments used in the study were a teacher made quiz, CATs sample assessment as the treatment, and the perception survey questionnaire (PSQ) regarding the CATs. The result revealed that there is a significant difference between the pre-evaluation and post-evaluation after the CATs implementation. In the post-evaluation, the mean score was significantly higher than the pre-evaluation, which indicates that the CATs improved the performance of students in MAPEH. On the other hand, as revealed in the PSQ, the students regarded the CATs positively. It shows, in this case, that CATs are a great alternative to traditional assessments. Other CATs to be developed and implemented for better learning and effective teaching are recommended.