Comments on "New hypergeometric identities arising from Gauss’s second summation theorem"

In 1997, Exton [J. Comput. Appl. Math. 88 (1997) 269–274] obtained a general transfor- mation involving hypergeometric functions by elementary manipulation of series. A number of hypergeometric identities not previously recorded in the literature were then deduced by application of Gauss’ second summation theorem and other known hypergeometric summa- tion theorems. However, many of the results stated by Exton contain errors. It is the purpose of this note to present the corrected forms of these hypergeometric identities

Bigger data for Big Data: from Twitter to brain-computer interface

We are sympathetic with Bentley et al’s attempt to encompass the wisdom of crowds in a generative model, but posit that success at using Big Data will include more sensitive measurements, more and more varied sources of information, as well as build from the indirect information available through technology, from ancillary technical features to data from brain-computer interface

Optimization of nanostructured/nano sized rice husk ash preparation

تم تطوير إجراء لإنتاج رماد قشر الأرز.  وقد تم دراسة تأثير العوامل المؤثرة على إنتاجية وخصائص السيليكا غير المتبلورة وهذه العوامل هى الكمية الابتدائية لقشر الأرز و ظروف الاحتراق و التقليب . تم التوصل إلى أن أفضل كمية كانت 20 غراما في الدقيقة في صحن تبخر خزفي بحجم 125 مل يحترق لمدة ساعتين عند درجة حرارة 700 درجة مئوية ، مع تبريد على ثلاث فترات أثناء الاحتراق لإنتاج السليكا عند أقل فقد عند الاشتعال وقد وجد أيضا أن  فترات التبريد تلعب دوراَ هاماَ فى تباين حجم الهيكل النانوي وتوزيع شكل الجسيمات. بالاضافة إلى أنه لم يتم العثور على مراحل بلورية في رماد قشر الأرز في جميع الحالات.The objective of the study is developing a procedure for production and characterization of rice husk ash (RHA). The effects of rice husk (RH) amount, burning/cooling conditions combined with stirring on producing of RHA with amorphous silica, highest SiO2, lowest loss on ignition (LOI), uniform particle shape distribution and nano structured size have been studied. It is concluded that the best amount is 20 g RH in 125 ml evaporating dish Porcelain with burning for 2 h at temperature 700 °C combined with cooling three times during burning to produce RHA with amorphous silica, SiO2 90.78% and LOI 1.73%. On the other hand, cooling and stirring times affect the variation of nano structured size and particle shape distribution. However, no crystalline phases were found in RHA in all cases. Results proved that the Attritor ball mill was more suitable than vibration disk mill for pulverizing nano structured RHA with 50% of particle size (D50) lower than 45 mm and 99 % of particle size (D99) lower than 144 mm to nanosized RHA with D50 lower than 36 nm and D99 lower than 57 nm by grinding time 8.16 min to every 1 g RHA without changes in morphousity of silica

Extraction and characterization of Nanocellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse as agro-waste

This study aimed to characterize nanocellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by acid hydrolysis 60% (w/w) H2SO4 at 45 â—¦C. The effect of hydrolysis time (20, 30 and 40 min) on the structure and properties of the nanofibers was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the hemicellulose and lignin were removed extensively in the cellulose whiskers. The morphology and dimensions of the fibers and acid-released cellulose nanowhisker (CNW) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that SCB could be used as source to obtain cellulose whiskers and they had needle-like structures. Longer hydrolysis time produced a lower yield of nanofibers; whereas the degree of crystallinity increased from 38.22% to 65.37% with increasing hydrolysis time due to removal of amorphous cellulose

A study on text-score disagreement in online reviews

In this paper, we focus on online reviews and employ artificial intelligence tools, taken from the cognitive computing field, to help understanding the relationships between the textual part of the review and the assigned numerical score. We move from the intuitions that 1) a set of textual reviews expressing different sentiments may feature the same score (and vice-versa); and 2) detecting and analyzing the mismatches between the review content and the actual score may benefit both service providers and consumers, by highlighting specific factors of satisfaction (and dissatisfaction) in texts. To prove the intuitions, we adopt sentiment analysis techniques and we concentrate on hotel reviews, to find polarity mismatches therein. In particular, we first train a text classifier with a set of annotated hotel reviews, taken from the Booking website. Then, we analyze a large dataset, with around 160k hotel reviews collected from Tripadvisor, with the aim of detecting a polarity mismatch, indicating if the textual content of the review is in line, or not, with the associated score. Using well established artificial intelligence techniques and analyzing in depth the reviews featuring a mismatch between the text polarity and the score, we find that -on a scale of five stars- those reviews ranked with middle scores include a mixture of positive and negative aspects. The approach proposed here, beside acting as a polarity detector, provides an effective selection of reviews -on an initial very large dataset- that may allow both consumers and providers to focus directly on the review subset featuring a text/score disagreement, which conveniently convey to the user a summary of positive and negative features of the review target.Comment: This is the accepted version of the paper. The final version will be published in the Journal of Cognitive Computation, available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12559-017-9496-

Cellular and humoral immune responses and protection against schistosomes induced by a radiation-attenuated vaccine in chimpanzees

The radiation-attenuated Schistosoma mansoni vaccine is highly effective in rodents and primates but has never been tested in humans, primarily for safety reasons. To strengthen its status as a paradigm for a human recombinant antigen vaccine, we have undertaken a small-scale vaccination and challenge experiment in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Immunological, clinical, and parasitological parameters were measured in three animals after multiple vaccinations, together with three controls, during the acute and chronic stages of challenge infection up to chemotherapeutic cure. Vaccination induced a strong in vitro proliferative response and early gamma interferon production, but type 2 cytokines were dominant by the time of challenge. The controls showed little response to challenge infection before the acute stage of the disease, initiated by egg deposition. In contrast, the responses of vaccinated animals were muted throughout the challenge period. Vaccination also induced parasite-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG, which reached high levels at the time of challenge, while in control animals levels did not rise markedly before egg deposition. The protective effects of vaccination were manifested as an amelioration of acute disease and overall morbidity, revealed by differences in gamma-glutamyl transferase level, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and hematocrit. Moreover, vaccinated chimpanzees had a 46% lower level of circulating cathodic antigen and a 38% reduction in fecal egg output, compared to controls, during the chronic phase of infection

Egyptian consensus on treat-to-target approach for osteoporosis: a clinical practice guideline from the Egyptian Academy of bone health and metabolic bone diseases

Background: This study was carried out to achieve an Egyptian expert consensus on a treat-to-target managementstrategy for osteoporosis using Delphi technique. A scientific committee identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in osteoporosis in Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (2 rounds) to establish a consensus on 15 clinical standards: (1) concept, (2) diagnosis, (3) case identification, (4) whom to treat, (5) who should treat?, (6) case stratification and intervention thresholds, (7) falls risk, (8) investigations, (9) treatment target, (10) management, (11) optimum treatment duration, (12) monitoring, (13) drug holiday, (14) osteoporosis in men, and (15) post-fracture care and fracture liaison service. Results: The surveys were sent to an expert panel (n = 25), of whom 24 participated in the two rounds. Respondents were drawn from different governorates and health centres across Egypt including the Ministry of Health. Most of the participants were rheumatologists (76%), followed by internists (8%), orthopaedic doctors (4%), rehabilitation doctors (4%), primary care (4%), and ortho-geriatrics (4%) physicians. Seventy-two recommendations, categorised into 15 sections, were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 83.4 to 100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ≥ 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all 15 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. An algorithm for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis has been suggested. Conclusion: A wide and representative panel of experts established a consensus regarding the management of osteoporosis in Egypt. The developed guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all Egyptian healthcare professionals who are involved in its management

In-stent thrombosis after 68 months of implantation inspite of continuous dual antiplatelet therapy: a case report

Lately, there has been an increased incidence of late stent thrombosis; especially following Drug eluting stent (DES) implantation. Several factors are associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis, including the procedure itself, patient and lesion characteristics, stent design, and premature cessation of anti-platelet drugs. We present a case of late stent thrombosis (LST) following DES implantation after a period of 68 months, making it the longest reported case of LST reported in the literature, despite the use of dual anti-platelet therapy

Consensus evidence-based recommendations for treat-to-target management of immunoglobulin A vasculitis

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis as well as management of IgAV represent a major challenge for health care professionals. This study was carried out to attain an evidence-based expert consensus on a treat-to-target management approach for IgAV using Delphi technique. The preliminary scientific committee identified a total of 16 key clinical questions according to the patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) approach. An evidence-based, systematic, literature review was conducted to compile evidence for the IgAV management. The core leadership team identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in IgAV management in Egypt upon which experts were gathered from different governorates and health centers across Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (two rounds) to reach a consensus. An online questionnaire was sent to expert panel (n = 26) who participated in the two rounds. After completing round 2, a total of 20 recommendation items, categorized into two sections were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 91.7–100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ⩾75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all the 20 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management have been suggested. This was an expert, consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAV and IgA vasculitic nephritis, based on best available evidence and expert opinion. The guideline presented a strategy of care with a pathway to achieve a state of remission as early as possible