bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent wireless theranostic contact lens for close-loop electrical sensing and regulation of glaucoma
Authors: Yang Cheng , Wu Qianni , Liu Junqing , Mo Jingshan , Li Xiangling , Yang Chengduan , Liu Ziqi , Yang Jingbo , Jiang Lelun , Chen Weirong , Chen Hui-jiuan , Wang Ji , Xie Xi
Published: November 2021

Engineered closed-loop devices that can wirelessly track intraocular pressure (IOP) and offer feedback-medicine administrations are highly desirable for glaucoma treatments, yet remain difficult to develop. Integrated theranostic systems based on contact lens still confront several challenges, including size limits, requirements of wireless operations, and cross-coupling between multiple functional modulus. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, an integrated wireless theranostic contact lens (WTCL) for in situ electrical sensing and on-demand drug delivery of glaucoma was developed. The WTCL utilized a highly compact circuitry and structural design, which enabled high-degreed integration of IOP sensing and electrically controlled delivery modulus on the curved and limited surface of contact lens. The wireless IOP sensing modulus could ultra-sensitively detect IOP fluctuations, due to the unique cantilever configuration design of LCR circuit with ultra-soft air dielectric film sandwiched between each capacitive sensing plate. The drug delivery modulus employed a highly efficient wireless power transfer circuit, to trigger delivery of anti-glaucoma drug into aqueous chamber via iontophoresis to enhance drug permeation across cornea. The specialized design of frequency separation enabled individual operations of different modules without cross-coupling. The minimally invasive, smart, wireless and closed-loop theranostic features endowed the WTCL as a highly promising system for glaucoma treatments.
Immunopathology and parasite sequestration cause severe cerebral trypanosomiasis in animals
Authors: Pereira Sara Silva , De Niz Mariana , Serre Karine , Ouarné Marie , Franco Claudio A , Figueiredo Luisa M
Published: November 2021

Trypanosoma congolense causes a syndrome of variable severity in animals in sub-Saharan Africa. Cerebral trypanosomiasis is an acute form, but the mechanism underlying this severity remains unknown. We developed a mouse model of cerebral trypanosomiasis with T. congolense strain 1/148 and characterized the cellular, behavioral and physiological consequences of this infection. Using in vivo imaging, we show large parasite sequestration in the brain vasculature for long periods of time (up to 8 hours), that results in extensive brain damage partly caused by ICAM1-mediated recruitment and accumulation of T cells. Antibody-mediated ICAM1 blocking and lymphocyte absence reduce parasite sequestration in the brain and prevent the onset of cerebral trypanosomiasis. Here, we establish a new mouse model of cerebral trypanosomiasis and we propose a mechanism whereby parasite sequestration, host ICAM1, and T cells play a pivotal role.
Assessment of occupational stress and its associated factors among health care professionals working in Gurage Zone Public Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Haligamo Demamu , Haligamo Tanimo
Published: November 2021

Background: Job-related stress is harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job don’t match the capabilities and needs of the worker. Therefore, if work isn’t properly managed, job stress can happen that leads to illness, absenteeism, high turnover, and decreased productivity that compromise provision of quality service to clients. Workers are backbones of countries development that are at risk of different occupational stresses. And, there’s no information about job-related stress among healthcare professionals and predicting factors around the study area. So, this study is aimed to assess occupational related stress and predicting factors among health care professional working in Gurage Zone public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia by August 2021. Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess occupational related stress and predicting factors among health care professionals. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 345 study participants. The data was collected and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version.23. The association between dependent and independent variables were checked by using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Finally, descriptive writings, tables and graphs were used to describe study variables. Result: The result showed that the prevalence of occupation (work-related) stress among healthcare professionals was 78.3%. Wards in which healthcare professionals are working, position of healthcare professionals, working hour and work shift have significant association with stress status of respondents. When compared to Medical ward, professionals working in other wards were 1.62 times more likely to have stress [AOR 1.62 (1.23, 2.13)]. Also, when compared to respondents who are working for 8 hour per day, those working more than 8 hour per day were 70 times more likely to have stress [AOR 70 (85, 582)]. Discussion and Conclusion: According to this study three out of four respondents were found to have stress among healthcare professionals. Regular trainings for healthcare professional should be needed in public hospitals to reduce stresses.
Dynamic Tax Competition, Home Bias and the gain from Non-preferential Taxation Regimes: A case for unilateral commitment
Authors: Kishore Kaushal
Published: November 2021

A country has an incentive to unilaterally commit to a non-preferential taxation regime even though the competitor adopts a preferential taxation regime. We show that a mixed taxation regime arises in a dynamic two-period model of tax competition between two symmetric countries where an investor has home-bias for the country where he/she invests in the initial period. A scenario where competing countries jointly adopt non-preferential taxation regimes is also a subgame-perfect equilibrium. The tax revenue of the country which adopts a preferential taxation regime in a mixed taxation regime is equal to the tax revenue a country receives when competing countries jointly adopt a non-preferential taxation regime.JEL classification: F21; H21; H25; H87
Effects of Livestock Grazing on Interannual Variation of Soil Methane Uptake in an Inner Mongolian Meadow Steppe
Authors: Yan Ruirui , Zhang Yu , Chen Jiquan , Li Linghao , Shao Changliang , Yan Yuchun , Wang Xu , lv xiaotao , Chen Jinqiang , Xin Xiaoping
Published: November 2021

Background and aims. This study aimed at identifying the effects of livestock grazing on interannual variation in soil CH4 uptake and underlying mechanisms in a meadow steppe ecosystem. Methods. A multi-year grazing experiment subject to six stocking rates was conducted to quantify CH4 fluxes as well as the changes in driving factors: vegetation traits, soil physicochemical properties and climatic parameters. The closed static chamber technique and a gas chromatograph were used to measure methane fluxes. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to explore empirical relationships. Results. With increasing stocking rate, the multi-year mean CH4 uptake rate decreased in a sigmoid curve-shaped manner, with the threshold point appearing in the light grazing treatment. The interannual changes in soil CH4 uptake were highly dependent on stocking rate, with increasing, leveling and decreasing trends detected with increasing grazing intensity. Major factors affecting CH4 fluxes included vegetation traits, soil moisture, and soil nitrogen content, with the soil NH4+-N content assuming the most important role. However, predominant factors regulating interannual changes in CH4 uptake were rainfall, belowground biomass, and soil nitrogen regime. Conclusions. The steppe ecosystem acted as a CH4 sink, irrespective of stocking rate and year. However, light grazing can be the threshold grazing intensity in terms of both the CH4 uptake potential and primary production in this steppe ecosystem. Our findings have important implications for further understanding magnitudes and regulations of CH4 uptake in grassland soils worldwide.
Island-based Cuckoo Search with Elite Opposition-based Learning and Multiple Mutation Methods for Solving Discrete and Continuous Optimization Problems
Authors: Abed-alguni Bilal H. , Paul David
Published: November 2021

The Island Cuckoo Search ( i CSPM) algorithm is a new variation of Cuckoo Search (CS) that uses the island model and the Highly Disruptive Polynomial (HDP) mutation for solving a broad range of optimization problems. This article introduces an improved i CSPM algorithm called i CSPM with elite opposition-based learning and multiple mutation methods ( i CSPM2). i CSPM2 has three main characteristics. Firstly, it separates candidate solutions into a number of islands (sub-populations) and then divides the islands equally among four improved versions of CS: CS via Le'vy fights (CS1) [1], CS with HDPM mutation (CS10) [2], CS with Jaya mutation (CSJ) and CS with pitch adjustment mutation (CS11) [2]. Secondly, it uses Elite Opposition-based Learning (EOBL) to improve its convergence rate and exploration ability. Finally, it uses the Smallest Position Value (SPV) with scheduling problems to convert continuous candidate solutions into discrete ones. A set of 15 popular benchmark functions was used to compare the performance of iCSPM2 to the performance of the original i CSPM algorithm based on different experimental scenarios. Results indicate that i CSPM2 exhibits improved performance over i CSPM. However, the sensitivity analysis of i CSPM and i CSPM2 to their parameters indicates that their convergence behavior is sensitive to the island model parameters. Further, the single-objective IEEE CEC 2014 functions were used to evaluate and compare the performance of iCSPM2 to four well-known swarm optimization algorithms: DGWO [3], L-SHADE [4], MHDA [5] and FWA-DM [6]. The overall experimental and statistical results suggest that i CSPM2 has better performance than the four well-known swarm optimization algorithms. i CSPM2's performance was also compared to two powerful discrete optimization algorithms (GAIbH [7] and MASC [8]) using a set of Taillard's benchmark instances for the permutation flow shop scheduling problem. The results indicate that i CSPM2 performs better than GAIbH and MASC. The source code of i CSPM2 is publicly available at https://github.com/bilalh2021/iCSPM2
Asian Monsoon Projection With a New Large-Scale Monsoon Definition
Authors: Dai Xingang , Yang YANG , Ping WANG
Published: November 2021

This paper focuses on Asian monsoon projection with CMIP5 multi-model outputs. A large-scale monsoon herewith is defined as a vector field of vertically integrated moisture flux from the surface to 500 hPa. Results demonstrate that the model ensemble mean underestimated the summer monsoon and overestimated slightly the winter monsoon over South Asia in both CMIP5 historical climate simulation and the monsoon projection for 2006-2015. The major of the bias is the model climate drift (MCD), which is removed in the monsoon projection for 2016 -2045 under scenarios RCP4.5 for reducing the uncertainty. The projection shows that two increased moisture flows northward appeared across the Equator of Indian Ocean, the first is nearby Somalia coast toward northwestern part of South Asia, leading to excess rainfall in where the wet jet could reach, and the second starts from the equatorial section (80°E-100°E) toward northeastern Bay of Bengal, leading to more rainfall spreading over the northwestern coast of Indochina Peninsula. In addition, a westward monsoon flow is intensified over the Peninsula leading to local climate moisture transport belt shifted onto South China Sea, which would reduce moisture transport toward Southwest China on one hand, and transport more moisture onto the southeast coast of the China mainland. The anomalous monsoon would result in a dry climate in Northwest China and wet climate in the coast belt during summer monsoon season for the period. Besides, the Asian winter monsoon would be seemingly intensified slightly over South Asia, which would bring a dry winter climate to Indian subcontinent, Northwest China, but would be more rainfall in southeast part of Arabian peninsula with global climate warming.
Set-Valued Uncertain Process: Definition and Some Properties
Authors: Ghaffari-Hadigheh ‎Alireza
Published: November 2021

Some phenomena are developing over time, while they are uncertain sets at each moment. From an uncertain set, we mean an unsharp concept, such as “illness” and “recovery”, that is not exactly clear, even for an expert. The values of a parameter that are considered “recovery” would guide one to explain the underlying concept quantitatively. For instance, in recovering from some disease, different levels of health might be assumed. Particularly, at each specific time moment, being healthy to some degree would be measured by belonging parameter values to a set of numbers with a specific belief degree. This set might be extracted using imprecisely observed data, while an expert opinion completely expresses the belief degree. Such concepts would direct one to employ uncertainty theory as a strong axiomatic mathematical framework for modeling human reasoning. Another important feature of these sets is their variation over time. For instance, the set defining “recovery” at the beginning stage of recovery in a disease would be completely or partially different from that at other stages. These characteristics result in considering a sequence of evolving sets over time. Analyzing the behavior of such a sequence motivated us to define the set-valued uncertain process. This concept is a combination of uncertain set, uncertain process, and uncertain sequence. Here, we introduce the main concept. Some properties are extracted and clarified, along with some illustrative examples.
Archaic chaperone-usher pilus self-secretes into a superelastic zigzag spring architecture
Authors: Zavialov Anton , Pakharukova Natalia , Malmi Henri , Tuittila Minna , Paavilainen Sari , Dahlberg Tobias , Andersson Magnus , Myint Si Lhyam , Uhlin Bernt Eric , Ghosal Debnath , Chang Yi-Wei , Jensen Grant , Knight Stefan , Lamminmäki Urpo
Published: November 2021

Adhesive pili are hair-like appendages assembled via the chaperone-usher pathway (CUP) that mediate host tissue colonization and biofilm formation of Gram-negative bacteria 1-3. Archaic CUP pili, the most diverse and widespread CUP adhesins, are promising vaccine and drug targets due to their prevalence in the most troublesome multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens 1,4,5. However, their architecture and assembly-secretion process remain unknown. Here, we present the 3.4 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the prototypical archaic Csu pilus that mediates biofilm formation of Acinetobacter baumannii, a notorious MDR nosocomial pathogen. In contrast to the thick helical tubes of the classical CUP pili, archaic pili assemble into a conceptually novel ultrathin zigzag architecture secured by an elegant clinch mechanism. The molecular clinch provides the pilus with high mechanical stability as well as superelasticity, a property observed now for the first time in biomolecules, while enabling a more economical and faster pilus production. Furthermore, we demonstrate that clinch formation at the cell surface drives pilus secretion through the outer membrane. These findings suggest that clinch-formation inhibitors might represent a new strategy to fight MDR bacterial infections.
Genome-wide identification, classification and expression analysis of the JmjC domain-containing histone demethylase gene family in Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Wang Jie , Jiang Xiaoke , Bai Hanrui , Liu Changning
Published: November 2021

JmjC domain-containing proteins, an important family of histone lysine demethylase, play significant roles in maintaining the homeostasis of histone methylation. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the JmjC domain-containing gene family in Jatropha curcas and found 20 JmjC domain-containing genes (JcJMJ genes). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these JcJMJ genes can be classified into five major subgroups, and genes in each subgroup had similar motif and domain composition. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed that the number and types of cis-regulatory elements owned by the promoter of JcJMJ genes in different subgroups were significantly different. Moreover, the miRNA target prediction result revealed a complicated miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulatory network, in which JcJMJ genes were regulated by different numbers and types of miRNAs. Further analysis of the tissue and stress expression profiles showed that many JcJMJ genes had tissue and stress expression specificity. All these results provided valuable information for understanding the evolution of JcJMJ genes and the complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation involved and laid the foundation for further functional analysis of JcJMJ genes.
Ghost Attractor in Fractional Order Blinking System and its Application
Authors: Kamal Fatma Mohamed , Elsaid Ahmed , Elsonbaty Amr Refaat
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the occurrence of ghost attractor is verified in three cases of a proposed fractional order Rössler blinking system. Firstly, the dynamical behaviors of the short memory fractional order prototype-4 Rössler system with Chua’s diode are explored via bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponents. It is depicted that this system exhibits a variety of dynamics including limit cycles, period doubling and chaos. Then, a proposed non-autonomous fractional order Rössler blinking system is introduced. Numerical simulations are employed to confirm the existence of ghost attractors at specific cases which involve very fast switching time between two composing autonomous fractional subsystems. It is found that the presented fractional order blinking system is very sensitive to system parameters, initial conditions and stochastic process parameters. Thus, the induced chaotic ghost attractor is utilized in a suggested ghost attractor-based chaotic image encryption scheme for first time. Finally, a detailed security analysis is carried out and reveals that the proposed image cryptosystem is immune against different types of attacks such as differential attacks, brute force attacks, cropping and statistical attacks.
MAGNETIC NANOLIPOSOMES: A REVIEW ON PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION METHODS
Authors:   Department of  Pharmaceutical Technology, University College  of Engineering,  Anna University,          BIT  Campus,  Tiruchirappalli-620024,  Tamil  Nadu,  India, Selvamani Palanisamy , Par Venkata  Krishnan ,   Department of  Pharmaceutical Technology, University College  of Engineering,  Anna University,          BIT  Campus,  Tiruchirappalli-620024,  Tamil  Nadu,  India, Rajamanickam Rosi ,   Department of  Pharmaceutical Technology, University College  of Engineering,  Anna University,          BIT  Campus,  Tiruchirappalli-620024,  Tamil  Nadu,  India, Latha Subbiah ,   Department of  Pharmaceutical Technology, University College  of Engineering,  Anna University,          BIT  Campus,  Tiruchirappalli-620024,  Tamil  Nadu,  India
Published: November 2021

Magnetic nanoliposomes are versatile nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. These liposomes can enhance the efficacy of bioactive compounds by improving pharmacokinetic parameters. Chemical ingredients of magnetic nanoliposomes include ferrofluid, cholesterol and phospholipid molecules. The preparation of magnetic nanoliposomes involves two steps viz. synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and then combination with prepared nanoliposomes. The magnetic nanoliposomes are synthesized by various chemical methods including co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, microemulsion and hydrothermal synthesis. The nanoliposomes are prepared by sonication, extrusion, micro-fluidization techniques. Characterization studies included size, nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, size exclusion chromatography, DSC, encapsulation efficiency. This study provides an overview of the preparation and characterization techniques of magnetic nanoliposomes.
Aspects regarding the maintenance of climate inside the hyperbaric chamber of the Diving Center
Authors: T Stanciu
Published: November 2021

The climate conditioning of a hyperbaric chamber is extremely important, as the health or even lives of the divers depend on it. Climate conditioning consists of controlling and maintaining the following factors inside the enclosure:  Temperature  Humidity  The parameters of the breathing gas In this paper I have analyzed some of the aspects regarding the thermo-hygrometric phenomena and the composition of the breathing gas mix, phenomena that accompany any dive in saturation. The variation in temperature and humidity under pressure and during decompression differs from the unitary dives with Nitrox, because of helium, the main component of breathing gas. When planning the dive, one must take into account the presence of atmospheric air in the hyperbaric chamber at the beginning of the compression process, in order to avoid hyperoxia.
Quality management applied to analyze the reduction of the pollution which is generated from road transportation in agglomerated urban areas
Authors: L Luca
Published: November 2021

This paper uses a quality management tool called the fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram), which is based on non-numeric data, to show what solutions are to solve an analyzed problem: the reducing pollution from road transportation in agglomerated urban areas. This study aims to identify the possible, main and secondary causes that could generate the studied problem. The factors that determine the reducing pollution from road transportation are presented. Factors are grouped into several main categories. In the paper a new model of the fishbone diagram which highlights main and secondary categories of potential causes that determine the problem solving is presented. The diagram allows for a clear definition of the problem studied and provides a visual graphical chart of the factors that determine the studied problem. The fishbone diagram provides guidelines for city development to protect the environment and optimizing the level and type of road transport to reduce the pollution phenomenon. The paper aims to group the factors that determine the reducing pollution from road transportation in agglomerated urban areas on main categories, so that appropriate action will subsequently be taken by the main responsible actors. The paper presents four main factors: policies and legislation, local authority management, car manufacturers and car users.
Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on employee income: A case study of the Vietnamese aviation industry
Authors: Yen Le Thi , Thang Dao Quyet , Dung Doan Viet
Published: November 2021

The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the income of employees who work in the aviation sector in Vietnam. These workers are working in the field that has been most negatively affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. The study uses data collected from 280 Vietnamese employees working in the aviation industry. The pool OLS model is studied and used to analyze the influence of factors on the income of people who work in the aviation sector in Vietnam. The research results show that the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced the earnings of workers in the aviation sector (the effect factor is –5.576921); the income of workers is affected by many factors but in varying degrees such as a work area; gender; educational level; work experience; the number of jobs creating money; personal investments of the part of employees. At the same time, the research findings also show that the difference in the wages of employees in the aviation industry before and after the Covid-19 is vastly different (income difference is about 12.21 million VND/month).
The Impact of Switching Costs on Customer Loyalty: A Study among Customers of Mobile Telephony
Authors: Ricki Allan , Raharso Andreas
Published: November 2021

The conditions for doing business are changing rapidly. In last few years the mobile telecom market has witnessed a substantial growth and rapid changes globally as well as domestically. Customer loyalty is a critical issue in the success of any business system, for this reason, the main condition for protecting the subscriber base is to win customer loyalty, a key necessity for the maintenance of a brand’s life in the long term. To achieve this aim, customer loyalty must be measured and “switching costs” identified. The latter render subscribers’ preference for rival operator more expensive. In this connection, this study aim is to measure the impact of switching costs on customer loyalty, and the direct and indirect of “switching costs” on customer loyalty. For doing so, a survey has been performed on customers of the prepaid and postpaid mobile service operator in Indonesia, questionnaire were distributed among them and the results analyzed base upon the proposed research questions and hypotheses, and finally the conclusions and implications were made.
Determinants of Capital Structure across Industries at Jakarta Stock Exchange
Authors: Christina Christina , Halim Johan
Published: November 2021

There are several objectives to be accomplished in this study. The main purpose of this research is to determine the nature of capital structure across non-finance industries in Indonesia, whether they prefer to use debt or equity as their source of financing. Subsequently, factors that influenced the capital structure of a company are then identified. In this study, the company’s profitability, size, and dividend payout are considered as those factors that have relationship with leverage. Finally, this research also conducted to examine whether a company’s capital structure decision affects its growth of shares price. In doing so, multiple regression analysis is used in order to determine whether there is relationship between variables tested. The sample of analysis includes 230 companies listed in Jakarta Stock Exchange from all industries, except finance, in 2006. The findings of this research confirm that, first of all, capital structure varies across industries. Each industry would have different decisions regarding its optimal capital structure, depends on several factors. This leads to the second findings, in which it proves that there is negative significant relationship between profitability and leverage, positive significant relationship between company’s size and leverage, and negative relationship between dividend payout and leverage. Finally, this research also verifies that there is no relationship between leverage and company’s growth of shares price, which means that the growth of shares price is not influenced by the company’s capital structure decision. Capital structure decision plays an important role in maximizing the firm’s value. By having the most optimal capital structure, firms might be able to push its cost to the minimum point, which then assist them in dealing with the competitive environment. Consequently, it is important to determine the factors that influence the capital structure of companies.
THE DETERMINANTS OF MANAGEMENT FORECASTS ERROR AND THE IPO UNDERPRICING: A CASE STUDY OF INDONESIAN IPO
Authors: Hutagaol Yanthi , Siauw Florens , Ekaputra Irwan A.
Published: November 2021

To reduce the well-known information asymmetry in the IPO market, the issuing firms are required to publish offering prospectuses. One type of information disclosed in the prospectus is the management financial forecasts in which the IPO firms predict expected earnings at the end of year after the listing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of forecasted error published by the management in the IPO prospectuses. This study observes six possible determinants that affect the absolute forecast errors (AFE). Furthermore, this study also examines whether the earning forecast errors could explain the IPO stylish underpricing phenomenon.A sample of 124 IPO firms that went public in Indonesian Stock Exchange (prior Jakarta Stock Exchange) during the 1997 – 2005 period. The results show that the research models proposed are valid models. The management AFE is determined by firm size, forecast interval period, industry, and the firm business range.  This study also finds that the AFE is positively related to the IPO underpricing, suggesting that the higher the forecast errors, the more underpriced is the IPO. Moreover, it is also found that market condition also influences the underpricing level in Indonesian IPO market.
MOMENTUM INVESTING STRATEGY IN IDX: AN EXPERIMENT
Authors: Liem Ronald W.
Published: November 2021

This research aims to test whether the Momentum investing strategy is better than passive investing strategy. The research method used is experiment design. The population observed is Kompas100 shares. The sample is filtered using several iterations based on the market performance as the momentum points and other fundamental factors to form optimal portfolios. The data used is the quarterly data. The t-test and Mann-Whitney means difference tests are performed to assess the differences of the results of momentum strategy and the market. The results show that momentum strategy provides higher returns than the market does.This experiment suggests that momentum investing strategy is applicable in IDX.
Predição de Séries Temporais Caóticas baseada em Modelo ARMA via Algoritmo Adaptativo FVSS-NLMS
Authors: Noronha Rodrigo Possidônio
Published: November 2021

Neste trabalho é utilizado o modelo ARMA (do inglês, AutoRegressive Moving Average) para a predição de séries temporais caóticas. A estimativa do vetor de pesos do modelo ARMA pode ser obtida através de um algoritmo de otimização baseado em gradiente descendente estocástico, de tal forma que o desempenho de predição de uma série temporal caótica realizada pelo modelo ARMA é influenciado pelo valor do tamanho de passo. Para isto, neste trabalho é proposta uma nova versão do algoritmo NLMS (do inglês, Normalized Least Mean Square) com o tamanho de passo adaptado por um MFIS (do inglês, Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System) para atualização da estimativa do vetor de pesos do modelo ARMA. O desempenho do modelo ARMA para a predição de séries temporais caóticas foi comparado com os resultados obtidos pelas versões tradicionais dos algoritmos LMS (do inglês, Least Mean Square) e NLMS.
Proposta de um modelo para predição do resultado das eleições presidenciais brasileiras baseado em técnicas de regressão
Authors: Robaina Gabriel , Baldo Fabiano
Published: November 2021

Prediction of elections is a subject that excites the population, especially in the last few months before an election. In Brazil, there is a wide availability of political, economic and social data, in institutions such as TSE, IBGE and opinion research institutes that can be used as sources to create prediction models. Therefore, this work aims to build multivariate linear regression and regression tree models to predict the percentage of votes received by the situational candidate for the presidency of Brazil. The multivariate linear regression model had the smallest prediction errors, with MAE of 1.45 in the first round and 1.48 in the second, with margins smaller than 1\% in 2002, 2006 and 2018. The proposed models seemed to be more accurate than other models found in the literature. As main contributions, it was possible to observe that the sampling of data by state and the use of the illiteracy rate and the popular vote intention contributed directly to the performance of the models.
Variants of ctxB alleles of Vibrio cholerae O1 caused sequential cholera outbreaks in the tribal areas of Odisha, India
Authors: Pal Bibhuti Bhusan , Nayak Smruti Ranjan , Nayak Ashish Kumar , Behera Dipti Ranjan , Pany Swatishree , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: November 2021

Cholera localized outbreaks/epidemics accounting for high morbidity and mortality have been reported in different years both from the coastal and tribal districts of Odisha. In the present study, the emergence and spread of two sequential cholera outbreaks reported in July to October 2012 from Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of Odisha was investigated. Environmental water samples from different sources and rectal swabs from diarrhoea patients were analysed for identification, antibiogram profiles and molecular studies using DMAMA-PCR assays. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was done on some selected Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated from these cholera outbreak areas. Results showed 42% of rectal swabs and 2.3% of water samples collected from both the districts were positive for Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa biotype El Tor carrying both ctxB1 and ctxB7 genotypes. The common resistance profile of V. cholerae O1 strains was ampicillin, nalidixic acid, furazolidone and co-trimoxazole. The PFGE analysis on selected V. cholerae O1 strains of ctxB1 and ctxB7 genotypes showed three pulsotypes with 96% similarity matrix exhibiting the relationship with their respective water sources. Hence, continuous surveillance is highly essential to monitor the antibiogram profile and changing pattern of ctxB genotypes of V. cholerae O1 in this region.
Development of an Integrated Irrigation Water Quality Index (IIWQIndex) model
Authors: Islam Md. Shajedul , Mostafa M. G.
Published: November 2021

There are many irrigation water quality indices used to assess water suitability, despite having limitations. It is therefore imperative to develop a water quality index to evaluate irrigation water more accurately. This study highlights an Integrated Irrigation Water Quality Index (IIWQIndex) using the sub-index and aggregated equations. This proposed index model was improved and updated across four characteristics: the verified desirable and permissible value of parameters, maximum hazard class, and modified rating system of diversified parameters. The proposed IIWQIndex model classified irrigation water into five categories: rejection, poor, moderate, good, and excellent. This model assessed two types of water to justify the model by categorizing the irrigation waters. The calculated results showed that the index values were 75.77 and 36.51, and the water category was ‘good’ and ‘rejected’ for the calcite (Ca–HCO3) and sodic (Na–Cl) water, respectively. This index model also satisfactorily evaluated different types of water datasets of eight geographic locations in the world. The study illustrated that the IIWQIndex evaluated values and water categories were rational and comprehensive at predicting the suitability of irrigation water.
Correlation of Oxidative Stress with Melasma: An Overview
Authors: Katiyar Shweta , Yadav Dhananjay
Published: November 2021

:

Melasma is a hypermelanotic skin disorder characterized by dark brown macules of symmetrical
sizes and shapes that develop over time. Apart from the multiple etiological factors for melasma, such as hormonal
imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, drugs, and contraceptive pills, a new and significant cause has been discovered:
the effect of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the result of disequilibrium between reactive oxygen species
and antioxidants in the cells. It is a key element that can cause skin hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.
The physiological significance of reactive oxygen species and its function in skin health are addressed in
this study. The development process and pathophysiology of reactive oxygen species with melasma disorder
are also highlighted and the advantages of integrating antioxidants in clinical and experimental environments
are discussed.
Inhalable Polymeric Micro and Nano-immunoadjuvants for Developing Therapeutic Vaccines in the Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Dondulkar Ayusha , Akojwar Natasha , Katta Chanti , Khatri Dharmendra K. , Mehra Neelesh K. , Singh Shashi B. , Madan Jitender
Published: November 2021

:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of death in millions of cancer patients. Lack of diagnosis at an early stage in addition to no specific guidelines for its treatment, and a higher rate of treatment- related toxicity further deteriorate the conditions. Current therapies encompass surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy according to the pattern and the stage of lung cancer. Among all, with a longlasting therapeutic action, reduced side-effects, and a higher rate of survival, therapeutic cancer vaccine is a new, improved strategy for treating NSCLC. Immunoadjuvants are usually incorporated into the therapeutic vaccines to shield the antigen against environmental and physiological harsh conditions in addition to boosting the immune potential. Conventional immunoadjuvants are often associated with an inadequate cellular response, poor target specificity, and low antigen load. Recently, inhalable polymeric nano/micro immunoadjuvants have exhibited immense potential in the development of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of NSCLC with improved mucosal immunization. The development of polymeric micro/nano immunoadjuvants brought a new era for vaccines with increased strength and efficiency. Therefore, in the present review, we explained the potential application of micro/nano immunoadjuvants for augmenting the stability and efficacy of inhalable vaccines in the treatment of NSCLC. In addition, the role of biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic polymers has also been discussed with case studies.
Interleukin-6: Important Mediator of Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid
Hemorrhage
Authors: Lucke-Wold Brandon , Hosaka Koji , Dodd William , Motwani Kartik , Laurent Dimitri , Martinez Melanie , Hoh Brian
Published: November 2021

:

The correlation of neuroinflammation with the development of cerebral vasospasm following
subarachnoid hemorrhage has been well documented in the literature; both clinical and preclinical.
The exact mechanisms by which this process occurs, however, are poorly elucidated. Recent
evidence indicates that interleukin-6 is not only an important prognostic biomarker for
subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent vasospasm development but also an integral component
in the progression of injury following initial insult. In this review, we briefly highlight other pathways
under investigation and focus heavily on what has been discovered regarding the role of interleukin
6 and cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. A proposed mechanistic
pathway is highlighted in written and graphical format. A discussion regarding the human correlative
findings and initial pre-clinical mechanistic studies is addressed. Finally, in the future investigation
section, innovative developments and a clear description of areas warranting further scientific
inquiry are emphasized. This review will catalyze continued discovery in this area of emerging
significance and aid in the quest for effective vasospasm treatment where limited clinical therapeutics
currently exist.
Plasma Apolipoprotein-AIV Downregulated in Patients with Major Depressive
Disorder having Suicidal Ideation Compared to those without Suicidal
Ideation
Authors: Mandal Amit Kumar , Mathew Boby , Srinivasan Krishnamachari , Pradeep Johnson , Thomas Tinku
Published: November 2021

Background:

Identification of a peripheral biological marker might aid in identifying patients
at high risk of attempting suicide and might help in effective early intervention.

Objective:

In the present study, we extend the findings of our previous multidimensional proteomics
study by examining the levels of plasma Apolipoprotein-AIV in patients diagnosed with
major depression with and without suicidal ideation compared to age and gender-matched controls.

Methods:

Using the mass spectrometry platform, we quantified the levels of plasma Apolipoprotein-
AIV in patients with major depressive disorder with and without suicidal ideation compared to
matched controls with isotope-labelled peptides-based quantitative proteomics approach.

Results:

The targeted quantitative proteomics approach with isotope-labelled peptides showed that
plasma Apolipoprotein-AIV was significantly downregulated in depressed patients having suicidal
ideation 1.45 (CI:1.11-1.90) compared to those without suicidal ideation 0.88 (CI:0.77-1.003).

Conclusion:

These findings extend our earlier observation of downregulation of plasma Apolipoprotein-
AIV in patients with suicidal attempts to depressed patients with suicidal ideation. The consistent
downregulation of plasma Apolipoprotein-AIV observed in both the proteomics studies
suggests Apolipoprotein-AIV might be a plasma-based biomarker for suicidal behaviour.
Omega 3 Supplementation Improves Inflammation and Antioxidant
Defense in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Mekki Khedidja , Benharrat Latifa Imen , Senouci Azzeddine , Benhabib Wassila
Published: November 2021

Background:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female
endocrine disorder and is accompanied by metabolic syndrome (MS), a risk factor for cardiovascular
disorders.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of Omega 3 on the improvement of some metabolic parameters.

Materials/Methods:

Sixty women (29±6 years) with PCOS and MS were randomized into two
groups: 30 received supplementation with omega-3 (Doppelherz, Activ, Germany), 3g/day (1g
per capsule and 3 capsules/day), (180mg Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)/ 120mg Docosahexaenoic
Acid DHA per day), and 30 were used as controls. Blood samples were drawn at baseline
(T0), 3 weeks (T1) and 6 weeks (T2) after start of treatment. We analysed glycemia, lipid
profile, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Results:

In omega-3 group compared to control, a reduction (p<0.05) in glucose levels was
noted at T1 and T2. C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were decreased (-25%) at T2. Oxidative
stress remain unchanged, but the activity of superoxide dismutase increased as well as
the concentrations of Catalase and thiols at T1 and T2 (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Omega 3 supplementation improves hyperglycemia, inflammation, and antioxidant
defense in PCOS women with MS, and may lead to decreased cardiovascular complications.
Withdrawal Notice: Developing a Nanoemulsion for Permeation of Peptides of Bee Venom through the Skin
Authors: Yousefpoor Yaser , Amani Amir , Divsalar Adeleh , Vafadar Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2021

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors of the journal Current Nanoscience.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php

BENTHAM SCIENCE DISCLAIMER:

It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure or table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors, if plagiarism or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
High-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Accelerates
onset Time of Beneficial Treating Effects and Improves Clinical
Symptoms of Depression
Authors: Zou Shaohong , Dai Lilei , Wang Peng , Du Hui , Guo Qingshan , Li Fen , He Xinfu
Published: November 2021

Background:

In recent years, more and more patients with depression demonstrate suicidal
intention and suicidal behavior.

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in
treating depression with suicidal ideation.

Methods:

Eighty-nine depression patients with suicide intention were administrated drugs combined
with four weeks of Active rTMS (n=40) or sham (n=49) rTMS treatment. The 24-item Hamilton
Depression Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale
(SIOSS) were used to evaluate suicide risk and depression severity at baseline, weeks 2 and 4. A
25% reduction in HAMD-24 score from baseline was defined as treatment response. More than a
20% reduction in HAMD-24 score from baseline within the first 2 weeks of treatment was defined
as an early improvement.

Results:

No statistical significance was found for baseline sociodemographic and illness characteristics
between the two groups (P >0.05). There was a significant difference for HAMD-24 and
SIOSS scores between the two groups at weeks 2 and 4. Active rTMS group demonstrated a more
significant score reduction compared to the Sham rTMS group at weeks 2 and 4. There was a significantly
greater number of patients with early improvement observed in the Active rTMS group compared
to those in the Sham rTMS group at weeks 2 (P <0.05). There was a significant difference in
responder rates between the two groups at weeks 4 for HAMD-24 scores (P <0.05).

Conclusion:

rTMS could accelerate the onset time of beneficial treating effects and improve clinical
symptoms of depression. During the treatment course, cognitive disorder, sleep disorder, anxiety/
somatization, retardation, and hopelessness symptoms were improved dramatically, and suicidal
ideation was reduced.
Simulator use on competence
Authors: Masrupah Masrupah
Published: November 2021

Utilization of a bridge simulator that provides an accurate picture of conditions such as on the bridge of a ship to increase the competence that is incorporated in the navigation function. This survey research takes samples from the population and uses a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The sample used in this study was cadets majoring in marine engineering at the Makassar Shipping Science Polytechnic campus. Collecting data using the questionnaire method, and for data analysis by simplifying all data and then presenting it in a systematic arrangement, after that interpreting or interpreting the data obtained. By practicing using a simulator, cadets can practice and understand the function of the material whose scope is about Radar (radio detection & ranging), AIS (Automatic Identification System), GPS, and ECDIS.
right to receive legal assistance in criminal proceedings in Russia and in foreign countries
Authors: Kupryashina Elena A. , Boev Dmitry V. , Gileva Anna A. , Lyakhova Anzhelika I. , Shumilin Sergey F.
Published: November 2021

The paper analyses the legislation of the Russian Federation and some foreign countries on the right of citizens to provide them with legal assistance in criminal cases, as well as the problems arising in its implementation. The paper also summarizes the experience of the studied countries in order to improve their legislation in this area of criminal justice. Methodologically, the work uses scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as historical and comparative methods; all are given in an integrated approach. Among the conclusions, we underline the fact that some countries are introducing norms and tendencies from international law into their legal systems; the basic international principles of lawyer's activities, including principles for defenders, are fixed in the basic principles on the role of lawyers, which describe the right to receive free legal aid for those who are the poor; also that citizens have the right to choose a representative of their interests in the judiciary and have the opportunity to contact with their defenders at any time.