Mean-Periodic Functions Associated with the Jacobi-Dunkl Operator on R

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 34K99, 44A15, 44A35, 42A75, 42A63Using a convolution structure on the real line associated with the Jacobi-Dunkl differential-difference operator Λα,β given by: Λα,βf(x) = f'(x) + ((2α + 1) coth x + (2β + 1) tanh x) { ( f(x) − f(−x) ) / 2 }, α ≥ β ≥ −1/2 , we define mean-periodic functions associated with Λα,β. We characterize these functions as an expansion series intervening appropriate elementary functions expressed in terms of the derivatives of the eigenfunction of Λα,β. Next, we deal with the Pompeiu type problem and convolution equations for this operator

Deep Convolutional Architecture for Block-Based Classification of Small Pulmonary Nodules

A pulmonary nodule is a small round or oval-shaped growth in the lung. Pulmonary nodules are detected in Computed Tomography (CT) lung scans. Early and accurate detection of such nodules could help in successful diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. In recent years, the demand for CT scans has increased substantially, thus increasing the workload on radiologists who need to spend hours reading through CT-scanned images. Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) systems are designed to assist radiologists in the reading process and thus making the screening more effective. Recently, applying deep learning to medical images has gained attraction due to its high potential. In this paper, inspired by the successful use of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) in natural image recognition, we propose a detection system based on DCNNs which is able to detect pulmonary nodules in CT images. In addition, this system does not use image segmentation or post-classification false-positive reduction techniques which are commonly used in other detection systems. The system achieved an accuracy of 63.49% on the publicly available Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) dataset which contains 1018 thoracic CT scans with pulmonary nodules of different shapes and sizes

Congenital pyloric atresia: clinical features, diagnosis, associated anomalies, management and outcome

Background: Congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) is very rare and usually seen as an isolated anomaly, which has an excellent prognosis. CPA can be associated with other anomalies or familial and these are usually associated with other hereditary conditions with poor prognosis. This review is based on our experience with 20 infants with CPA.Patients and methods: This is a review of CPA, highlighting its clinical features; associated anomalies; and aspects of diagnosis, management and outcome.Results: This review is based on our experience with 20 patients with CPA (nine male and 11 female). Their mean birth weight was 2.1 kg (1.1-3.9 kg). Polyhydramnios was seen in 13 (65%) patients. Seven patients were full-term and the remaining 13 were premature. Two were brothers and four were members of the same family. Isolated CPA was seen in seven (35%) patients and 13 had associated anomalies. Epidermolysis bullosa was seen in eight (40%) patients and multiple intestinal atresias in five (25%). Three patients had associated esophageal atresia. Pyloric diaphragm was the most common and seen in 13 patients including double diaphragms in two followed by pyloric atresia with a gap in four and pyloric atresia without a gap in three. All patients did well in the early postoperative period; however, 10 died later giving an overall survival of 40%. Sepsis was the main cause of death.Conclusion: CPA is a very rare malformation that can be familial and inherited as an autosomal recessive. It can either occur as an isolated lesion with an excellent prognosis, or be associated with other anomalies. The overall prognosis of CPA, however, is still poor, and this is due to the frequent-and often fatal-associated anomalies.Keywords: aplasia cutis congenita, congenital pyloric atresia, epidermolysis bullosa, hereditary multiple intestinal atresi

Thoracoscopic excision of asymptomatic posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma. A case series study

Background Posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma is the most frequent type of neurogenic tumors, and usually it is asymptomatic. The surgical approach to excise it may differ from center to center based on the surgeon's experience as well as the size of tumor. We aim to present our center's experience and short-term outcomes in surgical excision of posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma. Methods This retrospective case series study, from June 2019 till December 2022, included 9 asymptomatic patients with mean age of 31± 5 years who expressed lesion in the posterior mediastinum. The mean size of the tumor was   5.3±3.6 cm in maximal dimensions.  Results There were 7 males and 2 females with mean age was 31± 5 years,  the excision by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS)  was  employed in 8 patients and conventional thoracotomy was carried out in 1 case.  The mean operative time was 57±14 minutes with mean operative blood loss 50±10 ml. The mean postoperative chest tube drainage was 120±80 ml and no complications related to the procedures were observed. The average time of hospital stay after VATS treatment was 2 days, while after thoracotomy it was 5 days and patient suffered from ptosis that eventually recovered after 1 month with supportive treatment. Histopathological examination confirmed benign nature of ganglioneuroma in all cases. Conclusions Thoracoscopic excision of asymptomatic posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumor is safe, feasible and reduces postoperative pain, however, open technique might be considered for large-sized tumor to minimize the possible complications

Effect of consumer innovativeness on new product purchase intentions through learning process and perceived value

© 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license. Prior research on the impact of consumer innovativeness on new product purchase intentions experienced confusion about the definition of innovativeness and the interest in a specific domain. To fill the gaps, this study builds a new model to examine the multivariate effects of different variables on new product purchase intentions in general and the interplay between all latent variables. We tested a sample of 438 responses that reflect the perspectives of the public in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, by using partial least squares/structural equation modeling. Substantively, perceived value intercedes in the impact of consumer innovativeness on purchase intentions. Similarly, the learning process mediates the effect of consumer innovativeness on purchase intentions, whereas perceived value mediates the effect of the learning process on purchase intentions. Finally, the learning process and perceived value mediate the effect of consumer innovativeness on new product purchase intentions

Histological and Histochemical Studies on the Ampulla of the Deferent Duct of Donkey (Equus asinus)

The present study was performed on the ampulla of the deferent duct of 24 sexually mature apparently healthy male donkeys (5 to 7 years) distributed over the four seasons of the year. The ampullary glands were branched tubulo-alveolar in type which they were opened in a central lumen. The luminal and the glandular epithelium were formed of principal and basal cells. Singly scattered rod- shaped cells were observed among the principal cells. PAS positive reactivity was observed in the surface and the glandular epithelium of the ampulla ductus deferentis. Only the luminal contents and the secretory materials attached to the apical border of the principal cells, showed positive reactivity for alcian blue. The present study presents the first description of the ampulla ductus deferentis of donkey. In addition to, it acts as a reservoir for sperms it had a secretory function for neutral and acid mucopolysaccharid

Performance comparison of selection nanoparticles for insulation of three core belted power cables

This paper presents an investigation on the enhancement of electrical insulations of power cables materials using a new multi-nanoparticles technique. It has been studied the effect of adding specified types and concentrations of nanoparticles to polymeric materials such as PVC for controlling on electric and dielectric performance. Prediction of effective dielectric constant has been done for the new nanocomposites based on Interphase Power Law (IPL) model. The multi-nanoparticles technique has been succeeded for enhancing electric and dielectric performance of power cables insulation compared with adding individual nanoparticles. Finally, it has been investigated on electric field distribution in the new proposed modern insulations for three-phase core belted power cables. This research has focused on studying development of PVC nanocomposite materials performance with electric field distribution superior to the unfilled matrix, and has stressed particularly the effect of filler volume fraction on the electric field distribution