bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet solicitation linked to enhanced occupational health and safety outcomes among sex workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada 2010–2019
Authors: Machat Sylvia , Lyons Tara , Braschel Melissa , Shannon Kate , Goldenberg Shira
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Examine the independent association between online solicitation and sex workers’ (SWs’) occupational health and safety (OHS), particularly violence and work stress.

Methods

Data were drawn from a cohort of women SWs (N=942, 2010–2019) in Vancouver, Canada. Analyses used descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic and linear regression using generalised estimating equations (GEE); explanatory and confounder modelling approaches were used.

Results

33.9% (n=319) of participants solicited online and 14.1% (n=133) primarily solicited online in the last 6 months in at least one study visit. In multivariable GEE analysis, factors associated with primarily soliciting online included younger age (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.95 per year older, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.97), sexual minority status (AOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.10), gender minority status (AOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.80 to 5.28), higher education (AOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.40), higher sex work income (AOR 1.03 per $100 weekly, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06), being an im/migrant to Canada (AOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.58) and primarily servicing in informal indoor workspaces (AOR 3.47, 95% CI 2.32 to 5.20). In separate GEE confounder models, primarily soliciting online significantly (1) reduced odds of physical/sexual workplace violence (AOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.06) and (2) reduced work stress (β coefficient −0.93, 95% CI −1.59 to −0.26).

Discussion/conclusions

Younger workers, gender/sexual minorities, im/migrants and those in informal indoor spaces had higher odds of soliciting online. Confounder models indicate access to online solicitation methods may support enhanced OHS. Decriminalisation of sex work—including advertising via online platforms—remains necessary to support SWs’ OHS.
Impact of the early 2020 COVID-19 crisis and lockdown on PrEP use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in France
Authors: Di Ciaccio Marion , Villes Virginie , Michels David , Morel Stéphane , Delabre Rosemary M , Rojas Castro Daniela , Velter Annie
Published: February 2022

Objective

To describe changes in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use during and following the COVID-19 lockdown in France (March–May 2020) and identify the factors associated with PrEP discontinuation among men who have sex with men (MSM) after the lockdown.

Methods

Data from the, an anonymous, cross-sectional internet survey among MSM in July 2020, were analysed. Among respondents who were using PrEP prior to the lockdown, a binary logistic regression model was used to compare participants who were still taking PrEP (current PrEP users) with those who were not taking PrEP at the time of the survey (former PrEP users).

Results

Among 8345 respondents, 946 were PrEP users before the lockdown, of whom 58.8% (n=556) reported stopping PrEP during the lockdown and 15.4% (n=146) were not using PrEP at the time of the survey. Among the 556 who stopped PrEP during lockdown, 86.5% (n=481) reported no sexual activity; 76.8% (n=427) restarted PrEP after lockdown. Former PrEP users were more likely to be younger, not living with a stable male sexual partner, report moderate anxiety, report increased psychoactive drug use during the lockdown, and report not having tested for HIV or STI since the end of the lockdown because they did not know where to go, preferred to wait or for another reason. Reporting fewer male sexual partners in the last 6 months was also significantly associated with being a former PrEP user.

Conclusions

MSM adapted PrEP use to their sexual activity during and after the French lockdown. After the lockdown, discontinued PrEP occurred more often among MSM who had fewer sexual partners and had mental health vulnerabilities. These factors could also be predictive of PrEP discontinuation in a more general context. PrEP users should be informed on how to safely stop/start PrEP and on the use of other prevention tools to reduce potential risk exposure during PrEP discontinuation.
Acute exacerbations in children’s interstitial lung disease
Authors: Seidl Elias , Schwerk Nicolaus , Carlens Julia , Wetzke Martin , Emiralioğlu Nagehan , Kiper Nural , Lange Joanna , Krenke Katarzyna , Szepfalusi Zsolt , Stehling Florian , Baden Winfried , Hämmerling Susanne , Jerkic Silvija-Pera , Proesmans Marijke , Ullmann Nicola , Buchvald Frederik , Knoflach Katrin , Kappler Matthias ,   the chILD EU collaborators, Griese Matthias
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Acute exacerbations (AEs) increase morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. Little is known about the characteristics and impact of AEs on children's interstitial lung disease (chILD).

Methods

The Kids Lung Register collected data on AEs, the clinical course and quality of life (patient-reported outcomes - PRO) of rare paediatric lung diseases. Characteristics of AEs were obtained.

Results

Data of 2822 AEs and 2887 register visits of 719 patients with chILD were recorded. AEs were characterised by increased levels of dyspnoea (74.1%), increased respiratory rate (58.6%) and increased oxygen demand (57.4%). Mostly, infections (94.4%) were suspected causing an AE. AEs between two register visits revealed a decline in predicted FEV1 (median −1.6%, IQR −8.0 to 3.9; p=0.001), predicted FVC (median −1.8%, IQR −7.5 to 3.9; p=0.004), chILD-specific questionnaire (median −1.3%, IQR −3.6 to 4.5; p=0.034) and the physical health summary score (median −3.1%, IQR −15.6 to 4.3; p=0.005) compared with no AEs in between visits. During the median observational period of 2.5 years (IQR 1.2–4.6), 81 patients died. For 49 of these patients (60.5%), mortality was associated with an AE.

Conclusion

This is the first comprehensive study analysing the characteristics and impact on the clinical course of AEs in chILD. AEs have a significant and deleterious effect on the clinical course and health-related quality of life in chILD.
Promoting convergence and closing gaps using affordability-based minimum taxes: an illustration using the European Union Tobacco Tax Directive
Authors: Branston J Robert , López-Nicolás Ángel
Published: February 2022

Background

The rules governing tobacco taxation in the European Union (EU) are currently under revision. Earlier research has proposed reforms aimed at stimulating price convergence across countries by linking national minimum taxes to a measure of average prices across the EU. This paper proposes that revised tax rules include an affordability criterion whereby minimum taxes are required to be no less than a common prespecified fraction of domestic average disposable income.

Methods

Longitudinal data on prices and taxes on factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco in 24 EU member states and the UK between 2011 and 2019 are used to estimate econometric models for their weighted average prices as a function of taxes. Two scenarios are simulated with the models’ estimates: a baseline scenario for the actual tax stance pertaining to 2020 and a reform scenario implementing an additional affordability criterion.

Results

The affordability criterion would significantly increase the price of both tobacco products, particularly in richer countries with relatively low tobacco prices that are often not affected by the increases in nominal minima mandated by the EU rules. There would also be some price convergence between the two tobacco products, both on average and in the majority of countries.

Conclusions

Such results show an affordability criterion could be a potentially fruitful complement to the tax reforms proposed in earlier research.
Baryon decays $$J/\psi \rightarrow B{\bar{B}}$$ within the QCD factorisation framework
Authors: Kivel Nikolay
Published: February 2022

We investigate $$J/\psi $$

J
/
ψ

decays into octet baryon–antibaryons pairs. The decay amplitudes are computed within the collinear QCD factorisation framework. The subleading amplitude, which describes the decay of longitudinally polarised charmonium, is computed using twist-4 three-quark distribution amplitudes. The obtained results are used for a qualitative analysis of the experimental data. It is found that the polarisation parameter $$\alpha _B$$

α
B

can be described with an accuracy 10–30%, which may indicate that the pQCD contribution dominates this observable.
BEHAVIORAL HETEROGENEITY IN THE JAPANESE AND US STOCK MARKETS
Authors: TAN SOOK-REI , LI CHANGTAI , CHIA WAI-MUN
Published: February 2022

Using monthly stock prices and exchange rate of Japan and the US from June 1980 to December 2019, we identify episodes of boom/bubble and bust/crash in these stock markets by comparing their market prices with their respective fundamental values. We then examine the price dynamic of the two stock markets and foreign exchange market using a three-market heterogeneous agent model with fundamentalists and chartists. Our results suggest that the degree of behavioral heterogeneity is greater in the boom/bubble regime than that of the bust/crash regime. We also confirm that behavioral heterogeneity and cross market trades prevail only during boom/bubble period which is consistent with existing literature of 1986–1991 Japanese asset price bubble.
Modern Art Design System Based on the Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Yinan
Published: February 2022

Depending on the rapid growth of technology and computer science and globalization, increasing universities and various training programs are expected to achieve increasing lifelong education currently. Based on the increase of visual saturation, one of these programs is undoubtedly visual arts creation. Nowadays, there is a need to reconsider the content of art education and arts programs in the light of modern art productions, changing aesthetic judgments, and social changes.One of the most challenging tasks an art teacher faces in today‘s classroom is explaining the meaning behind the art that is sometimes deemed meaningless or shocking. Hence, in this paper, Deep Learning Algorithm (DLA) has been proposed for modern art education.Profound learning outcomes in the art world shifted people’s traditional views; more and more people consider that when AI eventually eliminates artists, it is not a long way. To examine the algorithm’s performance in practise, experimental assessment exposes it to learning tasks. Such algorithmic features are frequently evaluated independently in terms of performance while learning a model, i.e. at training time, and performance while applying a learnt model, i.e. at test time. This article discusses the implementation of deep learning in drawing, music, literature, and describes the classical models and algorithms in those fields of art. One of the most significant aspects of utilising a deep learning technique is its capacity to perform feature engineering on its own. In this technique, an algorithm searches the data for characteristics that correlate and then combines together to facilitate quicker learning without being expressly directed to provide it. The proposed method supports a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning in the arts and outlines standards and skills for the art teacher in the content of art, knowledge of the students, instruction, curriculum development, and evaluation of student learning outcomes, program, and teacher effectiveness.
Study on Hierarchical Dynamic Adjustment of Integrated Circuit Flow Based on Nonlinear Detection
Authors: Cheng Lei , Lu Lin , Bhola Jyoti , Butter Ahmed Mateen
Published: February 2022

In order to solve the problem that the test time is long and the test efficiency is affected in the process of IC test. With the increase in the complexity of integrated circuits, it is difficult now to diagnose the faults. To overcome this situation, there is a need to upgrade the test strategies. Based on the fault probability model, the order of test types and test vector is being adjusted. To improve the test efficiency, the high-quality test types and test vectors are loaded first, and the fault circuits are hit earlier. A hierarchical dynamic method for IC test flow is proposed. The Bayesian probability model was established by counting the failure rates of each test type and each test vector in the sample integrated circuit, and the loading sequence of each test vector was adjusted according to the probability of hitting the fault point. As the test progresses, the test data are collected constantly, the test failure rates of test type and test vector are dynamically updated, and the loading sequence of test type and test vector is adjusted synchronously. It is proved that the final circuit test time is reduced to 32.172s by the dynamic adjustment method, and the test time is reduced by 53.9%. The use of dynamically adjusted test process can find the fault circuit earlier, significantly reduce the test time of the fault circuit, and improve the test efficiency.
Sequential Clustering and Classification Approach to Analyze Sales Performance of Retail Stores Based on Point-of-Sale Data
Authors: Yang Chao-Lung , Nguyen Thi Phuong Quyen
Published: February 2022

Point-of-Sale (POS) data analysis is usually used to explore sales performance in business commence. This manuscript aims to combine unsupervised clustering and supervised classification methods in an integrated data analysis framework to analyze the real-world POS data. Clustering method, which is performed on sales dataset, is used to cluster the stores into several groups. The clustering results, data labels, are then combined with other information in store features dataset as the inputs of the classification model which classifies the clustering labels by using store features dataset. Non-dominated sorting generic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is applied in the framework to employ the multi-objective of clustering and classification. The experimental case study shows clustering results can reveal the hidden structure of sales performance of retail stores while classification can reveal the major factors that effect to the sales performance under different group of retail stores. The correlations between sales clusters and the store information can be obtained sequentially under a series of data analysis with the proposed framework.
Behaviors of Composite Laminates Under Low-Energy Impact Using a Novel Analytical Framework
Authors: Han Xuecheng , Cai Hongneng , Sun Jie , Wei Zhiyuan , Huang Yaping , Meng Lingqi
Published: February 2022

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates have the characteristics of orthogonal anisotropy and heterogeneity, so the failure mechanism under low-energy impact is very complex. As a supplement to the experiment, it is necessary to develop numerical tools to predict the mechanical behavior of composite laminates under low-energy impact. In this paper, the mechanical behavior analysis framework of composite laminates under low-energy impact load is established by using the micromechanics of failure (MMF) theory and the mixed mode exponential cohesive zone model (CZM). The failure modes of intralaminar components in composite laminates are determined by MMF theory. The damage onset and evolution process of interlaminar delamination is described by the mixed mode exponential CZM. The finite element model of composite laminates under low-energy impact is developed using the Python scripts on ABAQUS/Explicit platform. The user-defined material subroutine VUMAT is written in Fortran language. The impact responses of composite laminates with several impact energies are predicted. The intralaminar failure modes and interlaminar delamination behavior are discussed in detail. The results show that the tensile failure of matrix and interlaminar shear delamination failure are the main failure modes of composite laminates under low-energy impact load. The experimental results present better consistency with the numerical analysis, indicating that the constructed multiscale analysis method is efficient and accurate. This study expands the analysis method of mechanical behavior of composite laminates under low-energy impact. The constructed mixed mode exponential CZM also has guiding significance for the failure analysis of other bonding materials.
Investigation of New 2D Half Metallic Ferromagnetic Materials
Authors: Torrichi M. , Ziani N. , Belmekki M.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we studied doping of pure hafnium disulfide (HfS2) by nonmagnetic atoms C and N. This doping was carried out by the substitution of a host atom S by doping atom C or N. The purpose of this work is to search new half-metallic material for the field of spintronics. This theoretical study is based on density functional theory (DFT) and GGA-PBE approximation. Our calculation revealed that the HfS2 binary material doping with carbon and nitrogen induces strong magnetism and predicts new doped materials HfS2-C and HfS2-N. Their magnetic moments are respectively 2[Formula: see text] and 1[Formula: see text]. The host atoms Hf and the doping atoms induce a strong magnetic moment, while the host atoms S introduce a weak magnetic moment. This magnetism results fundamentally from the coupling between the Hf-5d states and the X-2p states (X = C and N). These two new materials will be promising for the spintronic domain.
Data Transparency and Fairness Analysis of the NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Program
Authors: Badr Youakim , Sharma Rahul
Published: February 2022

Given the increased concern of racial disparities in the stop-and-frisk programs, the
New York Police Department
(
NYPD
) requires publicly displaying detailed data for all the stops conducted by police authorities, including the suspected offense and race of the suspects. By adopting a public data transparency policy, it becomes possible to investigate racial biases in stop-and-frisk data and demonstrate the benefit of data transparency to approve or disapprove social beliefs and police practices. Thus, data transparency becomes a crucial need in the era of
Artificial Intelligence
(
AI
), where police and justice increasingly use different AI techniques not only to understand police practices but also to predict recidivism, crimes, and terrorism. In this study, we develop a predictive analytics method, including bias metrics and bias mitigation techniques to analyze the NYPD Stop-and-Frisk datasets and discover whether underline bias patterns are responsible for stops and arrests. In addition, we perform a fairness analysis on two protected attributes, namely, the race and the gender, and investigate their impacts on arrest decisions. We also apply bias mitigation techniques. The experimental results show that the NYPD Stop-and-Frisk dataset is not biased toward colored and Hispanic individuals and thus law enforcement authorities can apply the bias predictive analytics method to inculcate more fair decisions before making any arrests.
Asynchronous Announcements
Authors: Balbiani Philippe , van Ditmarsch Hans , González Saúl Fernández
Published: February 2022

We propose a multi-agent epistemic logic of asynchronous announcements, where truthful announcements are publicly sent but individually received by agents, and in the order in which they were sent. Additional to epistemic modalities the logic contains dynamic modalities for making announcements and for receiving them. What an agent believes is a function of her initial uncertainty and of the announcements she has received. Beliefs need not be truthful, because announcements already made may not yet have been received. As announcements are true when sent, certain message sequences can be ruled out, just like inconsistent cuts in distributed computing.

We provide a complete axiomatization for this
asynchronous announcement logic
(
AA
). It is a reduction system that also demonstrates that any formula in
AA
is equivalent to one without dynamic modalities, just as for public announcement logic. A detailed example modelling message exchanging processes in distributed computing in
AA
closes our investigation.
A Decision Framework to Recommend Cruising Locations for Taxi Drivers under the Constraint of Booking Information
Authors: Hsieh Hsun-Ping , Lin Fandel , Chen Nai-Yu , Yang Tzu-Hsin
Published: February 2022

As the demand for taxi reservation services has increased, increasing the income of taxi drivers with advanced services has attracted attention. In this article, we propose a path decision framework that considers real-time spatial-temporal predictions and traffic network information. The goal is to optimize a taxi driver's profit when considering a reservation. Our framework contains four components. First, we build a grid-based road network graph for modeling traffic network information for speeding up the search process. Next, we conduct two prediction modules that adopt advanced deep learning techniques to guide proper search directions for recommending cruising locations. One module of the taxi demand prediction is used to estimate the pick-up probabilities of passengers in the city. Another one is destination prediction, which can predict the distribution of drop-off probabilities and capture the flow of potential passengers. Finally, we propose the H* (Heuristic-star) algorithm, which jointly considers pick-up probabilities, drop-off distribution, road network, distance, and time factors based on the attentive heuristic function to dynamically recommend next cruising locations. Compared with existing route planning methods, the experimental results on a real-world dataset have shown that our proposed approach is more effective and robust. Moreover, our designed search scheme in H* can decrease the computing time and allow the search process to be more efficient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that focuses on guiding a route, which can increase the income of taxi drivers under the constraint of booking information.
Efficient Shortest Paths in Scale-Free Networks with Underlying Hyperbolic Geometry
Authors: Bläsius Thomas , Freiberger Cedric , Friedrich Tobias , Katzmann Maximilian , Montenegro-Retana Felix , Thieffry Marianne
Published: February 2022

A standard approach to accelerating shortest path algorithms on networks is the bidirectional search, which explores the graph from the start and the destination, simultaneously. In practice this strategy performs particularly well on scale-free real-world networks. Such networks typically have a heterogeneous degree distribution (e.g., a power-law distribution) and high clustering (i.e., vertices with a common neighbor are likely to be connected themselves). These two properties can be obtained by assuming an underlying hyperbolic geometry.

To explain the observed behavior of the bidirectional search, we analyze its running time on hyperbolic random graphs and prove that it is Õ(
n
2 - 1/α
+
n
1/(2α)
+ δ
max
) with high probability, where α ∈ (1/2, 1) controls the power-law exponent of the degree distribution, and δ
max
is the maximum degree. This bound is sublinear, improving the obvious worst-case linear bound. Although our analysis depends on the underlying geometry, the algorithm itself is oblivious to it.
Effect and Progress of the Amorphization Process for Microscale Silicon Particles under Partial Lithiation as Active Material in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Graf Maximilian , Berg Clara , Bernhard Rebecca , Haufe Stefan , Pfeiffer Jürgen , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: February 2022

Microscale silicon particles in lithium-ion battery anodes undergo large volume changes during (de)lithiation, resulting in particle pulverization and surface area increase concomitant with a continuous growth of the solid-electrolyte-interphase. One approach to overcome these phenomena is to operate the silicon anode under capacity-limited conditions (i.e., with partial capacity utilization). Since crystalline silicon is irreversibly transformed into amorphous phases upon lithiation, the purpose of the partial capacity utilization is to maintain a crystalline phase and thus prevent particle disintegration. Here, we investigate the amorphization process of micro-sized silicon particles in a silicon-rich anode (70 wt% silicon) over extended charge/discharge cycling in half-cells with a lithium reference electrode, varying the lower cutoff potential of the Si electrode. While the capacity of Si electrodes after formation remain constant for lithiation cutoffs of ≥170 mV vs Li+/Li, their capacity continuously increases over cycling for cutoffs of <170 mV vs Li+/Li, implying an ongoing amorphization of the crystalline phase. To quantify the ratio of the amorphous phase fraction over cycling, we employed an in-situ XRD method, utilizing the copper reflex of the current collector as internal standard. This allowed to determine the extent of amorphization over the course of cycling depending on the lithiation potentials.
Study on the Ion Migration of Silver Ions from Aqueous Solution in Epoxy-Based Molding Compounds by TOF-SIMS Measurements
Authors: Bohrn Fabian , Leitzenberger Michael , Schwab Stefan , Kuegler Peter , Brunnbauer Lukas , Jordan Steffen , Hutter Herbert
Published: February 2022

Epoxy molding compounds are typically used for the encapsulation of modern-day electronic devices. These protect the semiconductor components from environmental influences, such as humidity and oxygen, which could harm the device. However, there is still a risk for corrosion phenomena, when the device is used in harsh conditions (e.g. high humidity and temperature). Electrochemical migration is a mechanism that can occur in the semiconductor device. For instance, silver wires, glues, solders or leadframe-platings used in the package combined with high humidity contact are a huge risk. For this type of corrosion to happen, Ag ions need to migrate through the molding compound. Therefore, measurement of the diffusion coefficient of silver ions in molding compounds can help to better predict the risk of silver migration and corrosion. In this study silver(I)salts were used source for Ag + ions. An Arrhenius correlation was found in the range from 298 K to 393 K. The diffusion coefficient as well as the activation energy of silver ions in four different molding compounds have been evaluated. The investigated activation energies as well as diffusion coefficients are in the range of 0.12 to 0.50 eV.
Band Alignment of Al2O3 on α-(AlxGa1-x)2O3
Authors: Xia Xinyi , Al-Mamun Nahid Sultan , Fares Chaker , Haque Aman , Ren Fan , Hassa Anna , von Wenckstern Holger , Grundmann Marius , Pearton S. J.
Published: February 2022

X Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy was used to measure valence band offsets for Al2O3 deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition on α-(AlxGa1-x)2O3 alloys over a wide range of Al contents, x, from 0.26–0.74, corresponding to a bandgap range from 5.8–7 eV. These alloys were grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition. The band alignments were type I (nested) at x <0.5, with valence band offsets 0.13 eV for x = 0.26 and x = 0.46. At higher Al contents, the band alignment was a staggered alignment, with valence band offsets of − 0.07 eV for x = 0.58 and −0.17 for x = 0.74, ie. negative valence band offsets in both cases. The conduction band offsets are also small at these high Al contents, being only 0.07 eV at x = 0.74. The wide bandgap of the α-(AlxGa1-x)2O3 alloys makes it difficult to find dielectrics with nested band alignments over the entire composition range.
Effect of Alkali Metal Ion on Chemical Mechanical Polishing of LiTaO3
Authors: Ye Li , Baoguo Zhang , Li Haoran Z. , Pengfei Wu , Ye Wang , Mengchen Xie
Published: February 2022

Low material removal rate (MRR) and poor surface quality are the two main problems in ultra-precision machining of LiTaO3 wafer. In order to improve the MRR of LiTaO3 in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), the effect of alkaline metal ion in slurry on the MRR of LiTaO3 was studied. The results show that adding an appropriate concentration of alkali metal ions to the slurry can increase the abrasive particle size and reduce the electrostatic repulsion between the abrasive and the wafer surface so as to enhance the mechanical effect. At mean time, Li+ replaced by K+ on the LiTaO3 wafer to produce easily removed KTaO3. Adding a certain amount of alkaline metal ion to the slurry improves the MRR of LiTaO3 wafer. Finally, when CMP was performed in slurry (pH 9) with a composition of 10 wt% SiO2 and 0.07 M KCl, the MRR of LiTaO3 is 111 nm min−1 and the surface roughness (Sq) is 0.3 nm.
Low-dose 1,3-butanediol reverses age-associated vascular dysfunction independent of ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate
Authors: McCarthy Cameron G. , Waigi Emily W. , Yeoh Beng San , Mell Blair , Vijay-Kumar Matam , Wenceslau Camilla F. , Joe Bina
Published: February 2022

1,3-Butanediol (1,3-BD) is often administered to stimulate the biosynthesis of the most abundant ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), and its purported salubrious effects. Here, we report that a low dose of 1,3-BD (5%) is sufficient to reverse age-associated vascular dysfunction, independent of βHB. Therefore, low-dose 1,3-BD could be a novel therapeutic to increase blood flow and improve the quality of life in the elderly.
Hypertension promotes microbial translocation and dysbiotic shifts in the fecal microbiome of nonhuman primates
Authors: Vemuri Ravichandra , Ruggiero Alistaire , Whitfield Jordyn M. , Dugan Greg O. , Cline J. Mark , Block Masha R. , Guo Hao , Kavanagh Kylie
Published: February 2022

Hypertension specifically had detrimental effects on microbial translocation when age and metabolic syndrome criteria were evaluated as drivers of cardiovascular disease in a relevant nonhuman primate model. Intestinal barrier function exponentially decayed over time with chronic hypertension, and microbial translocation was confirmed by detection of more microbial genes in regional draining lymph nodes. Chronic hypertension resulted in fecal microbial dysbiosis and elevations of the biomarker NT-proBNP. This study provides insights on the barrier dysfunction, dysbiosis, and hypertension in controlled studies of nonhuman primates. Our study includes a longitudinal component comparing naturally occurring hypertensive to normotensive primates to confirm microbial translocation and dysbiotic microbiome development. Hypertension is an underappreciated driver of subclinical endotoxemia that can drive chronic inflammatory diseases
Remote Ultrasound Scan Procedures with Medical Robots: Towards New Perspectives between Medicine and Engineering
Authors: Bucolo Maide , Bucolo Gea , Buscarino Arturo , Fiumara Agata , Fortuna Luigi , Gagliano Salvina
Published: February 2022

Background. This review explores state-of-the-art teleoperated robots for medical ultrasound scan procedures, providing a comprehensive look including the recent trends arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Physicians’ experience is included to indicate the importance of their role in the design of improved medical robots. From this perspective, novel classes of equipment for remote diagnostics based on medical robotics are discussed in terms of innovative engineering technologies. Results. Relevant literature is reviewed under the system engineering point of view, organizing the discussion on the basis of the main technological focus of each contribution. Conclusions. This contribution is aimed at stimulating new research to obtain faster results on teleoperated robotics for ultrasound diagnostics in response to the high demand raised by the ongoing pandemic.
Study on Passive and Semiactive Control Systems in Structures under Near- and Far-Field Earthquakes
Authors: Zamanian Mohammadreza , Kheyroddin Ali , Mortezaei Alireza
Published: February 2022

The construction demand for irregular structures is increasing due to the population growth of cities, limited construction areas, and the aesthetics of structures. Lack of proper understanding on the dynamic behavior of these structures during seismic events can lead to local and global failures on them. In order to investigate this issue, we used a regular 10-story structure with three different stiffness irregularity cases along the elevation. Irregularities are considered in three positions: the lower half of the structure height, the lowest story, and the middle story. In this study, to reduce the damage and mitigate the seismic response of the structure, three control systems are proposed including a magnetorheological (MR) damper with semiactive fuzzy controller as the semiactive control system, a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) as the passive control system, and the simultaneous use of them. Based on the numerical analyses under near- and far-field ground motions, the residual plastic deformations are significantly reduced by the simultaneous use of MR damper and TMD, while each of these dampers alone performs poorly in some cases. The results show that if these two dampers are used together, a more promising control system with robust performance against changes in system parameters can be achieved.
Cultivation of Subconsciousness and Its Training Effect in Physical Education Teaching and Training
Authors: Hou Xiaoyan , Dong Kongmei
Published: February 2022

The detection and tracking technology of moving human body is a hot and difficult point in the research of computer vision technology. Most of the current human body tracking systems use PC as the basic framework, through the calculation and analysis of the video data obtained by the camera. Subconscious is the consciousness that exists in our mind, but we do not realize it. It can stimulate the potential of athletes through the cultivation of subconsciousness, so that athletes can achieve better results. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the training and training effect of subconsciousness in physical education teaching and training. This paper mainly introduces the overview of subconsciousness, the characteristics of subconsciousness, and the cultivation of subconsciousness in physical education training. In this paper, from the track and field major of our school, we selected 48 people whose physical fitness is basically the same, and the results of 400-meter and 800-meter races are similar. The 48 people were randomly divided into four groups: control group 1, control group 2, subconscious group 1, and subconscious group 2. Control group 1 and control group 2 were given traditional physical education for 3 months, while subconscious group 1 and subconscious group 2 were given auditory stimulation for 3 months. Three months later, the physical fitness test, 400-meter race results, and 800-meter race results of the two groups of students were compared and analyzed. The experimental results show that, after three months of physical education training, the results of B1 group and B2 group in 400 m race were 52.35 s and 51.98 s, respectively. The results of group B1 and group B2 were 1.6 s and 1.8 s faster than those of group A1 and group A2 in the 400 m race, and the scores were increased by 3.1% and 3.4%, respectively. The average scores of physical fitness test of the subconscious group and the control group were 79.39 and 69.85, respectively. The average score of the physical fitness test of the subconscious group was 9.5 points higher than that of the control group, and the score was increased by 9.54%. It is proved that the cultivation of subconsciousness in physical education teaching and training can stimulate students’ interest in sports teaching and training and stimulate students’ sports potential, so as to improve the effect of students’ sports teaching and training.
Vision-Based Measurement for Catenary Transverse Vibrations in the Winding Mine Hoist
Authors: Ma Xiqiang , Yang Fang , Yin Xinke , Xue Yujun
Published: February 2022

The characteristics of rope vibration of the winding mine hoist are one of the main evaluation indices for evaluating the characteristics of the engineering mechanics and the safety coefficient of the hoist system. For this purpose, research was conducted on the vision-based measurement method for catenary transverse vibration. Firstly, a high-speed camera was utilized to capture grayscale images of the catenary transverse vibration. Secondly, the region of interest (ROI) was selected, and the ROI was binarized based on the wavelet edge extraction algorithm. Thirdly, in the ROI, the centroid position of the rope was obtained by calculating the matrix, which was described by the binary, and later, the transverse vibration signal of the catenary was obtained. Finally, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method was used to remove the periodic excitation caused by the displacement of the catenary winding. The experimental results show that the proposed method quickly and accurately comprehends the noncontact measurement of the catenary transverse vibration, and this method could also provide the technical support necessary for the measurement and evaluation of the safety parameters of the hoisting system.
Analysis of the Role of Selective Neck Dissection in Clinically Node‐Positive T3/T4 Oral Cancers
Authors: Maharaj Dungala Dileep , Seenivasagam Rajkumar Kottayasamy , Majumdar Kinjal Shankar , Thaduri Abhinav , Panuganti Achyuth , Kaul Pallvi , Kumar Jarang Rajesh , Mohammed Nooruddin
Published: February 2022

Introduction. The concept of selective neck dissection (SND) in locally advanced oral cancers is emerging. Contemporary studies support the feasibility of SND in selected node‐positive oral cancers with early primaries. Nevertheless, the suitability of SND in clinically node‐positive (cN+) oral cancers with advanced primaries (T3/T4) is unknown. Aim. This study explores if patients with cN+ advanced primaries were suitable candidates for SND by spotting the involved lymph node distribution in various stations of the neck. Secondary objectives were to check if predictive clinicopathological factors for metastases to the neck in general also apply for lymph node metastases to levels IV and V. Methods. The present retrospective study analysed the distribution of pathologically involved lymph nodes in 134 patients and explored the interrelation of various predictive factors and cervical metastases overall and those specific to levels IV and V. Results. Level V was involved in 6.7% (6/83) of T4 and none of the T3 primaries. Depth of invasion (DOI), perineural invasion (PNI), and skin invasion were statistically significant predictors for nodal metastases in general on multivariate analysis. Conclusion. Our analysis supports the option of considering SND, sparing level V in patients with cN+ oral cancers in a subset with T3 primary and nodal stage N2 and below.
Genomic Analysis of AZD1222 (ChAdOx1) Vaccine Breakthrough Infections in the City of Mumbai
Authors: Shetty Arusha , Chatterjee Gaurav , Rajpal Sweta , Srivastava Tuhina , Gardi Nilesh , Mirgh Sumeet , Gokarn Anant , Punatar Sachin , Shetty Nitin , Joshi Amit , Nair Sudhir , Murthy Vedang , Khattry Navin , Tembhare Prashant , Dikshit Rajesh , Chaturvedi Pankaj , More Ashwini , Kamtalwar Sujeet , Chavan Preeti , Bhat Vivek , Patil Amar , Dhumal Sachin , Bhat Prashant , Subramanian Papagudi , Gujral Sumeet , Badwe Rajendra , Patkar Nikhil , Gupta Sudeep
Published: February 2022

Background. This manuscript describes the genetic features of SARS-CoV-2 mutations, prevalent phylogenetic lineages, and the disease severity amongst COVID-19-vaccinated individuals in a tertiary cancer hospital during the second wave of the pandemic in Mumbai, India. Methods. This observational study included 159 COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic from 17th March to 1st June 2021 at a tertiary cancer care centre in Mumbai. The cohort comprised of healthcare workers, staff relatives, cancer patients, and patient relatives. For comparison, 700 SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced during the first wave (23rd April to 25th September 2020) at the same centre were also analysed. Patients were assigned to nonvaccinated (no vaccination or <14 days from the 1st dose, n = 92), dose 1(≥14 days from the 1st dose to <14 days from the 2nd dose, n = 29), and dose 2 (≥14 days from the 2nd dose, n = 38) groups. Primary measure was the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 genomic lineages among different groups. In addition, severity of COVID-19 was assessed according to clinical and genomic variables. Results. Kappa B.1.1671.1 and delta B.1.617.2 variants contributed to an overwhelming majority of sequenced genomes (unvaccinated: 40/92, 43.5% kappa, 46/92, 50% delta; dose 1: 14/29, 48.3% kappa, 15/29, 51.7% delta; and dose 2: 23/38, 60.5% kappa, 14/38 36.8% delta). The proportion of the kappa and delta variants did not differ significantly across the unvaccinated, dose 1, and dose 2 groups (

p

 = 0.27). There was no occurrence of severe COVID-19 in the dose 2 group (0/38, 0% vs. 14/121, 11.6%;

p

 = 0.02). SARS-CoV-2 genomes from all three severe COVID-19 patients in the vaccinated group belonged to the delta lineage (3/28, 10.7% vs. 0/39, 0.0%,

p

 = 0.04). Conclusions. Sequencing analysis of SARS-COV-2 genomes from Mumbai during the second wave of COVID-19 suggests the prevalence of the kappa B.1.617.1 and the delta B.1.627.2 variants among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Continued evaluation of genomic sequencing data from breakthrough COVID-19 is necessary for monitoring the properties of evolving variants of concern and formulating appropriate immune response boosting and therapeutic strategies.
Dual-Chain Blockchain in Agricultural E-Commerce Information Traceability Considering the Viniar Algorithm
Authors: Xie Zhenjun , Kong Hua , Wang Bin
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we consider the Vennia algorithm to conduct in-depth research and analysis on the traceability of dual-chain blockchain agricultural products' E-commerce information. This paper adds a collaborative verification module to the traceability system and carries out a detailed design of information storage, traceability consensus algorithm, and smart contract for agricultural products according to the characteristics of the agricultural products supply chain, among which the collaborative verification module adopts dynamic data storage technology; the ConsiderVinia consensus algorithm is improved by introducing the way of integral penalty mechanism to ensure the block data validity. After a comparative study of the features and differences of the three major blockchain technology platforms, this paper selects the super ledger to implement the agricultural traceability system based on blockchain technology, introduces the partitioning and credit mechanism into the ConsiderVinia algorithm, and elaborates the improvement process of the algorithm. The improved algorithm reduces the malicious behavior of nodes and maintains the system security through a credit mechanism while maintaining the consistency of blockchain. In the event of a transaction dispute, the third-party platform will determine the party at fault based on the transaction records and other evidence and make corresponding punishments and compensations. The experiment proves that the algorithm proposed in this paper can reduce the amount of network data transmission in the process of node consensus, which is better than the ConsiderVinia algorithm in terms of both throughput and latency, improves the consensus efficiency, and alleviates the communication bottleneck caused by the increase of users in blockchain applications, and the solution of applying the blockchain technology to the agricultural products traceability system is practical and feasible. The blockchain-based agricultural products information traceability system solves the problems of information asymmetry, difficult sharing, easy tampering, and storage centralization in the traditional IoT-based agricultural products traceability system and truly realizes the credible and reliable traceability of the whole chain of agricultural products information. The research content and results of this paper have certain theoretical and practical values.
Antiproliferative Activity of Two Unusual Dimeric Flavonoids, Brachydin E and Brachydin F, Isolated from Fridericia platyphylla (Cham.) L.G.Lohmann: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Evaluation
Authors: de Lima Carolina A. , Cubero Mayra C. Z. , Franco Yollanda E. M. , Rodrigues Carla D. P. , do Nascimento Jessyane R. , Vendramini-Costa Débora B. , Sciani Juliana M. , da Rocha Cláudia Q. , Longato Giovanna B.
Published: February 2022

Despite the breakthrough in the development of anticancer therapies, plant‐derived chemotherapeutics continue to be the basis of treatment for most types of cancers. Fridericia platyphylla is a shrub found in Brazilian cerrado biome which has cytotoxic, anti‐inflammatory, and analgesic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative potential of the crude hydroethanolic extract, subfraction (containing 59.3% of unusual dimeric flavonoids Brachydin E and 40.7% Brachydin F), as well as Brachydin E and Brachydin F isolated from F. platyphylla roots. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated in glioblastoma, lung, prostate, and colorectal human tumor cell lines. The crude hydroethanolic extract did not present cytotoxic activity, but its subfraction presented lower IC50 values for glioblastoma (U‐251) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PC‐3) cell lines. Brachydins E and F significantly reduced cell viability, proliferation, and clonogenic potential of PC‐3, inducing them to the process of regulated cell death. In silico studies have indicated nuclear receptors as targets for Brachydins E and F, and molecular docking has pointed out their binding into glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligand pocket. Targeting GR pathway has been described as a therapeutic strategy, especially for prostate cancer. These results suggest that Brachydin E and Brachydin F are promising compounds to be further explored for their antitumor effects.
Comprehensive Evaluation and Optimization Model of Regional Fire Protection Planning of Major Hazard Sources Based on Multiobjective Fuzzy Theory
Authors: Chen Fujiang , Chen Junying , Liu Jingang
Published: February 2022

The regional fire protection plan is an important part of the city’s overall plan, which represents the deepening of the regional fire protection plan and the specific content of the city’s economic regional fire protection plan. Fire protection is an important part of national economic and social development, and it is also one of the indicators to measure the level of modern culture. Effective and practical fire protection planning can effectively prevent and reduce fire risks and protect the lives and property of the people, which is very important for social development. In order to optimize the regional fire model, this study uses a very objective fuzzy theory to analyze and discuss the research objects. In view of the large amount of fuzzy information in fuzzy optimization, fuzzy criterion recognition, and fuzzy grouping, based on the generalized fuzzy distance and fuzzy number, this paper proposes a multiobjective fuzzy theory-based comprehensive evaluation and optimization model of fire planning for major hazard sources. The results show that hotel fire risks tend to be higher, which is the focus of people’s attention. Among the fire hazards, wholesale, retail, and catering industries are the hardest hit areas, accounting for 66.3%, and some other industries are also disaster areas that need to be dealt with.
A Class of Stochastic Programming Model in Investment Portfolio Based on Covering Rough Set
Authors: Zhou Lei , Zhang Dongli
Published: February 2022

In order to study the investment portfolio problem, this paper propose a class of stochastic programming model with rough feasible region, where randomness and roughness coexist. Based on the covering rough set, the concept of the discrete degree covering is defined to divide the rough feasible region. Furthermore, the discrete degree covering stochastic rough programming model (DDC-SRP) is constructed depending on a synthesis effect function that considers discrete degree and the expectation and variance for random objective function. Properties of the DDC-SRP model are discussed. In addition, the convexity of the DDC-SRP model is obtained in some certain conditions. Considering the random rough simulation, a genetic algorithm is introduced. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the validity of the DDC-SRP model.