bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bubbles on Manufacturing Gold Dendrites and Silicon Nanowires Through the Fluoride-Assisted Galvanic Replacement Reaction
Authors: Lee Pee-Yew , Huang Hung Ji , Ko Tsung-Shine , Hung Ying-Lun , Wu Li-Yan , Fan Jia-Jun , Lin Yung-Sheng
Published: July 2023

The fluoride-assisted galvanic replacement reaction is a conventional method for fabricating metallic dendrites on silicon wafers. However, whether bubbles affect manufacturing metallic dendrites is unclear. This study investigated the effects of bubbles on manufacturing Au dendrites and silicon nanowires through metal-assisted chemical etching. The results of manufacture under three conditions (standard, shaking, and vacuum conditions) were compared. Synchronous growth of Au dendrites and silicon nanowires were observed on the silicon wafers. The Au dendrite deposition rate was higher than the silicon etching rate. Compared with the standard condition, the vacuum condition increased the synthesis rates of Au dendrites and silicon nanowires by 1.1 and 0.2 μm/min, respectively. Therefore, the elimination of bubbles by vacuum can considerably accelerate manufacturing Au dendrites and silicon nanowires.
Topology Optimization Design of Resonant Structures Based on Antiresonance Eigenfrequency Matching Informed by Harmonic Analysis
Authors: Giraldo Guzman Daniel , Lissenden Clifford , Shokouhi Parisa , Frecker Mary
Published: July 2023

In this article, we present a design methodology for resonant structures exhibiting particular dynamic responses by combining an eigenfrequency matching approach and a harmonic analysis-informed eigenmode identification strategy. This systematic design methodology, based on topology optimization, introduces a novel computationally efficient approach for 3D dynamic problems requiring antiresonances at specific target frequencies subject to specific harmonic loads. The optimization’s objective function minimizes the error between target antiresonance frequencies and the actual structure’s antiresonance eigenfrequencies, while the harmonic analysis-informed identification strategy compares harmonic displacement responses against eigenvectors using a modal assurance criterion, therefore ensuring an accurate recognition and selection of appropriate antiresonance eigenmodes used during the optimization process. At the same time, this method effectively prevents well-known problems in topology optimization of eigenfrequencies such as localized eigenmodes in low-density regions, eigenmodes switching order, and repeated eigenfrequencies. Additionally, our proposed localized eigenmode identification approach completely removes the spurious eigenmodes from the optimization problem by analyzing the eigenvectors’ response in low-density regions compared to high-density regions. The topology optimization problem is formulated with a density-based parametrization and solved with a gradient-based sequential linear programming method, including material interpolation models and topological filters. Two case studies demonstrate that the proposed design methodology successfully generates antiresonances at the desired target frequency subject to different harmonic loads, design domain dimensions, mesh discretization, or material properties.
If You're Not Confused, You're Not Paying Attention:
Ochrobactrum
Is Not Brucella
Authors: Moreno Edgardo , Middlebrook Earl A. , Altamirano-Silva Pamela , Al Dahouk Sascha , Araj George F. , Arce-Gorvel Vilma , Arenas-Gamboa Ángela , Ariza Javier , Barquero-Calvo Elías , Battelli Giorgio , Bertu Wilson J. , Blasco José María , Bosilkovski Mile , Cadmus Simeon , Caswell Clayton C. , Celli Jean , Chacón-Díaz Carlos , Chaves-Olarte Esteban , Comerci Diego J. , Conde-Álvarez Raquel , Cook Elizabeth , Cravero Silvio , Dadar Maryam , De Boelle Xavier , De Massis Fabrizio , Díaz Ramón , Escobar Gabriela I. , Fernández-Lago Luis , Ficht Thomas A. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Garin-Bastuji Bruno , Godfroid Jacques , Gorvel Jean-Pierre , Güler Leyla , Erdenliğ-Gürbilek Sevil , Gusi Amayel M. , Guzmán-Verri Caterina , Hai Jiang , Hernández-Mora Gabriela , Iriarte Maite , Jacob Nestor R. , Keriel Anne , Khames Maamar , Köhler Stephan , Letesson Jean-Jacques , Loperena-Barber Maite , López-Goñi Ignacio , McGiven John , Melzer Falk , Mora-Cartin Ricardo , Moran-Gilad Jacob , Muñoz Pilar M. , Neubauer Heinrich , O'Callaghan David , Ocholi Reuben , Oñate Ángel , Pandey Piyush , Pappas Georgios , Pembroke J. Tony , Roop Martin , Ruiz-Villalonos Nazaret , Ryan Michael P. , Salcedo Suzana P. , Salvador-Bescós Miriam , Sangari Félix J. , de Lima Santos Renato , Seimenis Aristarchos , Splitter Gary , Suárez-Esquivel Marcela , Tabbaa Darem , Trangoni Marcos David , Tsolis Renee M. , Vizcaíno Nieves , Wareth Gamal , Welburn Susan C. , Whatmore Adrian , Zúñiga-Ripa Amaia , Moriyón Ignacio
Published: July 2023

Bacteria of the genus
Brucella
are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged the brucellae with the primarily free-living, phylogenetically related
Ochrobactrum
spp. in the genus
Brucella
.
The Use of Machine Learning for Image Analysis Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Microbiology
Authors: Burns Bethany L. , Rhoads Daniel D. , Misra Anisha
Published: July 2023

The growing transition to digital microbiology in clinical laboratories creates the opportunity to interpret images using software. Software analysis tools can be designed to use human-curated knowledge and expert rules, but more novel artificial intelligence (AI) approaches such as machine learning (ML) are being integrated into clinical microbiology practice.
Broadly Effective ACE2 Decoy Proteins Protect Mice from Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Lu Mengjia , Yao Weitong , Li Yujun , Ma Danting , Zhang Zhaoyong , Wang Haimin , Tang Xiaojuan , Wang Yanqun , Li Chao , Cheng Dechun , Lin Hua , Yin Yandong , Zhao Jincun , Zhong Guocai
Published: July 2023

Engineering soluble ACE2 proteins that function as a receptor decoy to block SARS-CoV-2 infection is a very attractive approach to creating broadly effective and hard-to-escape anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. This article describes development of two antibody-like soluble ACE2 proteins that broadly block diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron.
Evolution of food and beverage prices after the front-of-package labelling regulations in Chile
Authors: Paraje Guillermo , Montes de Oca Daniela , Corvalán Camila , Popkin Barry M
Published: July 2023

Introduction

This study assesses the impact on prices of the 2016 Chilean comprehensive food policy package, centred around front-of-package warning labels for food and beverages high in saturated fats, sugars, calories and/or salt, on food and beverage prices, labelled or not.

Methods

Data from Kantar WorldPanel Chile, from January 2014 to December 2017, were used. The methodology implemented was interrupted time series analyses with a control group on Laspeyres Price Indices on labelled food and beverage products.

Results

After the regulations were implemented, prices among different categories of products (eg, high-in; reformulated but still high-in; reformulated and not high-in; not high-in) did not change with regulations relative to the control group. Specific price indices (relative to the control group) for households from different socioeconomic strata remained unchanged.

Conclusions

Even where reformulation was extensive, we found no evidence that it was associated with price changes, at least during Chile’s first year and a half of regulation implementation.
Altered hippocampal connectivity dynamics predicts memory performance in neuropsychiatric lupus: a resting-state fMRI study using cross-recurrence quantification analysis
Authors: Pentari Anastasia , Simos Nicholas , Tzagarakis George , Kagialis Antonios , Bertsias George , Kavroulakis Eleftherios , Gratsia Eirini , Sidiropoulos Prodromos , Boumpas Dimitrios T , Papadaki Efrosini
Published: July 2023

Objective

Τo determine whole-brain and regional functional connectivity (FC) characteristics of patients with neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) or without neuropsychiatric manifestations (non-NPSLE) and examine their association with cognitive performance.

Methods

Cross-recurrence quantification analysis (CRQA) of resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data was performed in 44 patients with NPSLE, 20 patients without NPSLE and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Volumetric analysis of total brain and specific cortical and subcortical regions, where significant connectivity changes were identified, was performed. Cognitive status of patients with NPSLE was assessed by neuropsychological tests. Group comparisons on nodal FC, global network metrics and regional volumetrics were conducted, and associations with cognitive performance were estimated (at p<0.05 false discovery rate corrected).

Results

FC in patients with NPSLE was characterised by increased modularity (mean (SD)=0.31 (0.06)) as compared with HCs (mean (SD)=0.27 (0.06); p=0.05), hypoconnectivity of the left (mean (SD)=0.06 (0.018)) and right hippocampi (mean (SD)=0.051 (0.0.16)), and of the right amygdala (mean (SD)=0.091 (0.039)), as compared with HCs (mean (SD)=0.075 (0.022), p=0.02; 0.065 (0.019), p=0.01; 0.14 (0.096), p=0.05, respectively). Hyperconnectivity of the left angular gyrus (NPSLE/HCs: mean (SD)=0.29 (0.26) and 0.10 (0.09); p=0.01), left (NPSLE/HCs: mean (SD)=0.16 (0.09) and 0.09 (0.05); p=0.01) and right superior parietal lobule (SPL) (NPSLE/HCs: mean (SD)=0.25 (0.19) and 0.13 (0.13), p=0.01) was noted in NPSLE versus HC groups. Among patients with NPSLE, verbal episodic memory scores were positively associated with connectivity (local efficiency) of the left hippocampus (r2=0.22, p=0.005) and negatively with local efficiency of the left angular gyrus (r2=0.24, p=0.003). Patients without NPSLE displayed hypoconnectivity of the right hippocampus (mean (SD)=0.056 (0.014)) and hyperconnectivity of the left angular gyrus (mean (SD)=0.25 (0.13)) and SPL (mean (SD)=0.17 (0.12)).

Conclusion

By using dynamic CRQA of the rs-fMRI data, distorted FC was found globally, as well as in medial temporal and parietal brain regions in patients with SLE, that correlated significantly and adversely with memory capacity in NPSLE. These results highlight the value of dynamic approaches to assessing impaired brain network function in patients with lupus with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Investigating full-heavy tetraquarks composed of $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{b}}$$ and $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{c}}$$
Authors: Hu Jing , He Bing-Ran , Ping Jia-Lun
Published: July 2023

The full-heavy tetraquarks $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{b}}$$

c
c

c

¯

b

¯

and $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{c}}$$

b
b

b

¯

c

¯

are systematically investigated within a quark model. The meson–meson structure, diquark–antidiquark structure and K-structure are considered in this work. There is no bound state for $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{b}}$$

c
c

c

¯

b

¯

and $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{c}}$$

b
b

b

¯

c

¯

systems in $$ IJ^{P}=00^{+},01^{+}$$

I

J
P

=

00
+

,

01
+

and $$ 02^{+}$$

02
+

channels. However, for $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{b}}$$

c
c

c

¯

b

¯

system, three possible resonance states with energy of $$ 10{,}079~\textrm{MeV} $$

10
,
079

MeV

, $$ 10{,}081~\textrm{MeV} $$

10
,
081

MeV

and $$ 10{,}177~\textrm{MeV} $$

10
,
177

MeV

are found in $$ IJ^{P}=00^{+},01^{+}$$

I

J
P

=

00
+

,

01
+

and $$ 02^{+}$$

02
+

, respectively, and their decay width $$ \Gamma $$
Γ
are 6.7–8.4 MeV, 1.4–7.2 MeV and 9.1–11.1 MeV. For $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{c}}$$

b
b

b

¯

c

¯

system, there also exist three possible resonance states with energy of $$ 16{,}474~\textrm{MeV} $$

16
,
474

MeV

, $$ 16{,}474~\textrm{MeV} $$

16
,
474

MeV

and $$ 16{,}541~\textrm{MeV} $$

16
,
541

MeV

in $$ IJ^{P}=00^{+},01^{+}$$

I

J
P

=

00
+

,

01
+

and $$ 02^{+}$$

02
+

, respectively, and the decay widths $$ \Gamma $$
Γ
of them are 2.2–6.1 MeV, 2.2–6.9 MeV and 5.3–8.5 MeV. $$bc{\bar{c}}{\bar{c}}$$

b
c

c

¯

c

¯

and $$cb{\bar{b}}{\bar{b}}$$

c
b

b

¯

b

¯

systems will have the same results as $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{b}}$$

c
c

c

¯

b

¯

and $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{c}}$$

b
b

b

¯

c

¯

, respectively. These full-heavy resonance states are worthy to be searched in the future experiments.
Dynamics and Circuit Implementation of a 4D Memristive Chaotic System with Extreme Multistability
Authors: Yan Shaohui , Ren Yu , Gu Binxian , Wang Qiyu , Wang Ertong
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a four-dimensional chaotic system based on a flux-controlled memristor with cosine function is constructed. It has infinitely many equilibria. By changing the initial values [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of the system and keeping the parameters constant, we obtained the distribution of infinitely many single-wing and double-wing attractors along the [Formula: see text]-coordinate, which verifies the initial-offset boosting behavior of the system. Then the complex dynamical behavior of the system is studied in detail through the phase portraits of coexisting attractors, the average value of state variables, Lyapunov exponent spectrum, bifurcation diagram, attraction basin and the complexity of spectral entropy (SE). In addition, the simulation of the Multisim circuit is also carried out, and the results of numerical simulation and analog circuit simulation are consistent. Finally, the chaotic sequence generated by the system is applied to image encryption, and according to the performance analysis, the proposed chaotic system has good security performance.
Slow–Fast Dynamics of a Coupled Oscillator with Periodic Excitation
Authors: Xia Yibo , He Jingwei , Kurths Jürgen , Bi Qinsheng
Published: July 2023

We study the influence of the coexisting steady states in high-dimensional systems on the dynamical evolution of the vector field when a slow-varying periodic excitation is introduced. The model under consideration is a coupled system of Bonhöffer–van der Pol (BVP) equations with a slow-varying periodic excitation. We apply the modified slow–fast analysis method to perform a detailed study on all the equilibrium branches and their bifurcations of the generalized autonomous system. According to different dynamical behaviors, we explore the dynamical evolution of existing attractors, which reveals the coexistence of a quasi-periodic attractor with diverse types of bursting attractors. Further investigation shows that the coexisting steady states may cause spiking oscillations to behave in combination of a 2D torus and a limit cycle. We also identify a period-2 cycle bursting attractor as well as a quasi-periodic attractor according to the period-2 limit cycle.
Blow-Up Method for Linearizability of Resonant Differential Systems
Authors: Ferčec Brigita , Žulj Maja , Giné Jaume
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the linearizability of a [Formula: see text] resonant differential system is studied. First, we describe a method to compute the necessary conditions for linearizability based on blow-up transformation. Using the method, we compute necessary linearizability conditions for a family of [Formula: see text] resonant system with quadratic nonlinearities. The sufficiency of the obtained conditions is proven either by the Darboux linearization method or using the recursive procedure after blow-up transformation.
Least Absolute Deviation Estimation for Uncertain Vector Autoregressive Model with Imprecise Data
Authors: Zhang Guidong , Shi Yuxin , Sheng Yuhong
Published: July 2023

The uncertain vector autoregressive model is able to model the interrelationships between different variables, which is more advantageous compared to the traditional autoregressive model, when modeling real-life objects and where the observed values are imprecise. In this paper, the parameters of the uncertain vector autoregressive model are estimated by using least absolute deviation estimation (LAD) to obtain a fitted uncertain vector autoregressive model, and residual analysis is performed to obtain estimates of expected values and variances of the residuals. In addition, future values are modeled by using forecasting methods, i.e., point estimation and interval estimation. The order of the uncertain vector autoregressive model is also determined by the indicator summation of test errors (STE) in the cross-validation, and we also analyze that the least absolute deviation estimation outperforms the least squares estimation method in the presence of outliers.
An Interleaving Guided Metamorphic Testing Approach for Concurrent Programs
Authors: Sun Chang-Ai , Dai Hepeng , Geng Ning , Liu Huai , Chen Tsong Yueh , Wu Peng , Cai Yan , Wang Jinqiu
Published: July 2023

Concurrent programs are normally composed of multiple concurrent threads sharing memory space. These threads are often interleaved, which may lead to some non-determinism in execution results, even for the same program input. This poses huge challenges to the testing of concurrent programs, especially on the test result verification—that is, the prevalent existence of the oracle problem. In this article, we investigate the application of metamorphic testing (MT), a mainstream technique to address the oracle problem, into the testing of concurrent programs. Based on the unique features of interleaved executions in concurrent programming, we propose an extended notion of metamorphic relations, the core part of MT, which are particularly designed for the testing of concurrent programs. A comprehensive testing approach, namely
ConMT
, is thus developed and a tool is built to automate its implementation on concurrent programs written in Java. Empirical studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of ConMT, and the experimental results show that in addition to addressing the oracle problem, ConMT outperforms the baseline traditional testing techniques with respect to a higher degree of automation, better bug detection capability, and shorter testing time. It is clear that ConMT can significantly improve the cost-effectiveness for the testing of concurrent programs and thus advances the state of the art in the field. The study also brings novelty into MT, hence promoting the fundamental research of software testing.
Evaluation of Gastroprotective Effect of Betalain-Rich Ethanol Extract from Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii Employing an In Vivo Rat Model
Authors: Abdelkader Saidi Saber , Al-Shaikh Turki M. , Hamden Khaled
Published: July 2023

The goal of this study is to investigate the antiulcer effects of betalain-rich extract (BRE). Gastric ulcer was induced by the administration of ethanol by gastric gavage route. This study showed that the supplementation of the BRE from pulp and peel at 800 mg/kg to rats with ethanol-induced gastric-ulcer significantly reduced the volume of gastric secretion (VGS) by 35% (

p
=
0.001

) and 34% (

p
=
0.0009

), the ulcer index (UI) by 41% (

p
=
0.001

) and 68% (

p
=
0.0008

), and the curative radio (CR) by 41% and 68%, respectively, as compared to untreated ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. In addition, the administration of pulp and peel BRE to rats at dose 800 mg/kg significantly attenuates the variation in pH of gastric juice (

p
=
0.008

and

p
=
0.001

) and its total acidity (TA) (

p
=
0.001

and

p
=
0.001

). The antiulcer effect of BRE was confirmed by macroscopic and histological evaluation. Furthermore, pulp and peel BRE attenuated gastric ulcer-induced stress oxidants in rats’ stomachs showed by a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation rate (

p
=
0.007

and

p
=
0.001

) and LDH activity (

p
=
0.01

and

p
=
0.008

) and a potential increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) (

p
=
0.01

and

p
=
0.008

), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (

p
=
0.006

and

p
=
0.001

), and catalase (CAT) (

p
=
0.001

and

p
=
0.0009

). Conclusion. Therefore, this study shows for the first time that BRE, a natural colorant from O. stricta, is efficient in the amelioration of ulcer and stomach inflammation.
Carbon Emission Influencing Factors and Scenario Prediction for Construction Industry in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei
Authors: Liu Wensheng , Ren Danchen , Ke Changbo , Ying Wei
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the factors causing the change in carbon emissions from direct energy consumption in the construction industry in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei are decomposed using the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) method to analyze the effect values and contribution rates of each macrofactor. Based on the decomposition results and given relevant national policies, five scenarios are set up for each influencing factor, and a regression stochastic impact on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) with ridge regression analysis is applied to each scenario combination for scenario prediction, forming a scientific and reasonable theoretical system to predict the future time of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in the construction industry of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei. The results show that (1) energy intensity and energy structure have a suppressive effect on direct energy consumption carbon emissions in the construction industry in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, and the industrial structure, economy, and population will promote an increase in carbon emissions. Energy intensity and the economy have a more significant effect on carbon emissions in the construction industry. (2) The peak year of carbon emissions varies with different scenarios, and the energy efficiency scenario achieves peak carbon in 2028, the earliest peak time, and the lowest peak, as it is the optimal emission reduction projection scenario.
Semisupervised Graph Neural Networks for Traffic Classification in Edge Networks
Authors: Yang Yang , Lyu Rui , Gao Zhipeng , Rui Lanlan , Yan Yu
Published: July 2023

Edge networking brings computation and data storage as close to the point of request as possible. Various intelligent devices are connected to the edge nodes where traffic packets flow. Traffic classification tasks are thought to be a keystone for network management; researchers can analyze packets captured to understand the traffic as it hits their network. However, the existing traffic classification framework needs to conduct a unified analysis, which leads to the huge bandwidth resources required in the process of transferring all captured packet files to train a global classifier. In this paper, a semisupervised graph neural network traffic classifier is proposed for cloud-edge architecture so that cloud servers and edge nodes could cooperate to perform the traffic classification tasks in order to deliver low latency and save bandwidth on the edge nodes. To preserve the structural information and interrelationships conveyed in packets within a session, we transform traffic sessions into graphs. We segment the frequently combined consecutive packets into granules, which are later transformed into the nodes in graphs. Edges could extract the adjacency of the granules in the sessions; the edge node side then selects the highly representative samples and sends them to the cloud server; the server side uses graph neural networks to perform semisupervised classification tasks on the selected training set. Our method has been trained and tested on several datasets, such as the VPN-nonVPN dataset, and the experimental results show good performance on accuracy, recall, and F-score.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption: A National Ecological Study in Mexican Adolescents
Authors: Ávila-Burgos Leticia , Guzmán-Saldaña Rebeca , Márquez-Corona María de Lourdes , Pontigo-Loyola América Patricia , Márquez-Rodríguez Sonia , Mora-Acosta Mariana , Acuña-González Gladys Remigia , Hernández-Morales Antonio , Medina-Solís Carlo Eduardo
Published: July 2023

Alcohol and cigarettes are the psychoactive substances that adolescents use most frequently. When both addictions are combined, they carry the worst burden of disease globally. The objective of this study was to identify whether socioeconomic factors correlate with alcohol and tobacco consumption in Mexican adolescents aged 10 years or more and to establish the relationship in the consumption between the two substances. This ecological study utilized data describing alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents aged 10–16 years (n = 48,837 ≈ N = 11,621,100). Having ever consumed any alcohol-containing beverage constituted alcohol consumption. Smoking a cigarette within 30 days constituted cigarette consumption. For both variables, the state-level percentages reported in the survey were used. Diverse socioeconomic variables were collected from official sources. Data on the prevalence of tobacco use and alcohol consumption were entered into an Excel database estimated for each of the states of the Mexican Republic, as well as the socioeconomic variables. We performed the analysis using Stata 14. Consumption prevalence was 15.0% for alcohol and 4.2% for tobacco. Alcohol consumption was not correlated with any studied socioeconomic variable (

p
>
0.05

). The prevalence of tobacco consumption among elementary school students correlated (

p
<
0.05

) with the portion of the population living in private dwellings without sewage, drainage, or sanitation (r = 0.3853). The prevalence of tobacco consumption among middle-school adolescents correlated with the portion of the employed population that earned up to two minimum wages (r = 0.3960), the percentage in poverty by income 2008 (r = 0.4754) and 2010 (r = 0.4531), and the percentage in extreme poverty by income 2008 (r = 0.4612) and 2010 (r = 0.4291). Positive correlations were found between tobacco consumption and alcohol consumption among both elementary (r = 0.5762,

p
=
0.0006

) and middle-school children (r = 0.7016,

p
=
0.0000

). These results suggest that certain socioeconomic factors correlate with tobacco consumption but not alcohol consumption. A correlation between alcohol consumption and tobacco consumption was observed. The results can be used for developing interventions in adolescents.
Autonomous Navigation of the UAV through Deep Reinforcement Learning with Sensor Perception Enhancement
Authors: Zhao Senyan , Wang Wei , Li Jun , Huang Subin , Liu Sanmin
Published: July 2023

The accuracy of autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in complex environments has become one challenging task. In this paper, an autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance of the UAV (ANOAU) algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has been proposed to achieve accurate path planning in complex environments. In our work, we use an actor–critic‐based DRL framework to achieve autonomous UAV control from sensor input to the output of the UAV’s action and design a set of reward functions that can be adapted to autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance for the UAV in the complex environment. Meanwhile, to alleviate the decision‐making bias caused by the incomplete observables of the UAV, we use a gate recurrent unit network to enhance the ability to perceive the uncertain environment, enhance the perception representation and improve the accuracy of UAV real‐time decision‐making. Experimental simulation results verify that the ANOAU algorithm achieves good UAV flight attitude adaptive adjustment in navigation and obstacle avoidance tasks and significantly improves the generalization ability and training efficiency of the UAV navigation controller in a complex environment.
Determinants of the Market Outlet Choice of Bamboo Culms (Yushania alpine) Producers in Banja District, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Mengstu Mulat , Alemu Asmamaw , Dagnew Abebe , Worku Chernet
Published: July 2023

Bamboo meets a growing and various bamboo product demand and generates revenue. The study is aimed at analyzing the critical variables that affect the choice of alternative bamboo market outlets. By using two stages sampling procedures, 114 bamboo producers were randomly and proportionally selected. The determinants that affect the choice of bamboo market outlet were analyzed by multivariate probit model. Based on the model result, the probability of bamboo producers to select wholesaler, retailer, processor, and local traders’ outlet were 16.8%, 46.2%, 60.8%, and 54.3%, respectively. The probability of success and failure to select four market outlets were 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. The result of MVP revealed that family size, total land holding size, amount of culm production, farming experience, distance to the market, and silviculture management practice affected the probability of farmers’ market outlet choice. Therefore, improving the producers’ knowledge and skills through capacity building and creating framers’ organization for collective action can help producers select the right market to sell bamboo products.
Comprehensive Analysis to Identify LINC00511–hsa-miR-625-5p–SEMA6A Pathway Fuels Progression of Skin Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Chen Guanghua , Yan Jia , Fu Zhou
Published: July 2023

Objective. Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a highly lethal malignancy that poses a significant threat to human health. Recent research has shown that competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks play a critical role in the development and progression of various types of cancer, including SKCM. The objective of this study is to investigate the ceRNA regulatory network associated with the transmembrane protein semaphorin 6A (SEMA6A) and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in SKCM. Methods. Expression profiles of four RNAs, including pseudogenes, long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and mRNAs were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The analysis was completed by bioinformatics methods, and the expression levels of the selected genes were verified by cell experiments. Results. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the LINC00511–hsa-miR-625-5p–SEMA6A ceRNA network was associated with SKCM prognosis. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis indicated that the LINC00511–hsa-miR-625-5p–SEMA6A axis may have an impact on changes in the tumor immune microenvironment of SKCM. Conclusion. The LINC00511–hsa-miR-625-5p–SEMA6A axis could be a promising therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker for SKCM.
Study on the Mechanical Response of a Dense Pipeline Adjacent to the Shallow Tunnel
Authors: Wu Bo , Zheng Weiqiang , Guo Fangyu , Xu Shixiang , Zhu Wenhua , Xu Bo , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to address the issue of disturbance caused by excavation tunnel construction on nearby dense pipelines. Relying on the actual project of Nanchang Metro, the three-dimensional finite element numerical simulation method is used to establish a multi-condition numerical model. At the same time, key influencing factors such as the clear distance, intersection angle, surrounding rock parameter, and construction method are considered. The mechanical response of the dense pipeline adjacent to the dug tunnel was systematically studied, and the influence of key factors on the mechanical behavior of the pipeline was analyzed. The results show that when using the CRD method for construction and grouting reinforcement of the surrounding strata of the tunnel, the maximum settlement of the vault is located at the vault of the right guide tunnel, and the maximum settlement value is located at the bottom of the rainwater pipe directly above the tunnel. The vertical displacement, maximum principal stress, and minimum principal stress of the pipeline are arranged in descending order for the full-face, stepped method, and CRD method. The greater the disturbance to the soil caused by the construction method, the more unfavorable the effect on the pipeline.
Hosoya, Schultz, and Gutman Polynomials of Generalized Petersen Graphs
P

n
,
1

and
P

n
,
2
Authors: Shaheen Ramy , Mahfud Suhail , Alhawat Qays
Published: July 2023

The graph theory has wide important applications in various other types of sciences. In chemical graph theory, we have many topological polynomials for a graph

G

through which we can compute many topological indices. Topological indices are numerical values and descriptors which are used to quantify the physiochemical properties and bioactivities of the chemical graph. In this paper, we compute Hosoya polynomial, hyper-Wiener index, Tratch–Stankevitch–Zefirov index, Harary index, Schultz polynomial, Gutman polynomial, Schultz index, and Gutman index of generalized Petersen graphs

P

n
,
1

and

P

n
,
2

.
PRISMA Archetype-Based Systematic Literature Review of Security Algorithms in the Cloud
Authors: Kwao Dawson John , Twum Frimpong , Hayfron Acquah James Benjamin , Missah Yaw Marfo
Published: July 2023

Industries have embraced cloud computing for their daily operations due to the volume of data they create. As data generation and consumption have increased, the challenges and opportunities have also increased. Researchers have proposed various cryptographic schemes to secure data on the cloud. Regardless of the multiple cryptographic schemes proposed, security remains an obstacle to cloud computing’s widespread adoption. Also, these cryptographic schemes’ run times are proportional to data sizes, motivating excessive CPU engagement during execution of huge data, which has consequences for the need for high bandwidth to transfer data to the cloud. This systematic review tries to uncover the most often used cryptographic schemes and their run time trends to attain confidentiality and privacy of cloud data. The study considered published articles from well-known databases such as Taylor & Francis, Scopus, Research Gate, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, Hindawi, Google Scholar, Sage, Emerald, Wiley Online Library, and ACM from 2016 to 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to select 73 published works for this study using keyword searching. Data security and cloud security were the security challenges that received the greatest attention in the study with encryption techniques as the most common solution. From the study, 90% of the schemes used to secure data on the cloud produced linear run times. The investigation discovered that nonlinear symmetric stream cipher methods were infrequently employed to protect the secrecy and privacy of cloud data.
Detection of an MN1::ETV6 Gene Fusion in a Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Erythroid Differentiation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Choate Lauren A. , Jiang Liuyan , Stein Mariam I. , Shen Wei , Baughn Linda B. , Peterson Jess F.
Published: July 2023

The MN1::ETV6 gene fusion resulting from t(12;22)(p13;q12) has been rarely reported in myeloid neoplasms. We describe a 69-year-old male with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with erythroid differentiation and t(12;22)(p13;q12) demonstrated by conventional chromosome studies. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization studies demonstrated a balanced ETV6 gene rearrangement (at 12p13). To further characterize this translocation, whole-genome sequencing was performed which confirmed t(12;22) with breakpoints involving the MN1 and ETV6 genes. Herein, we describe our case and review the literature to summarize the clinical and laboratory findings in patients with this rare but recurrent MN1::ETV6 gene fusion observed in myeloid neoplasms. Importantly, this case expands the clinical spectrum associated with the MN1::ETV6 gene fusion to include AML with erythroid differentiation. Lastly, this case demonstrates the importance of moving toward more comprehensive molecular testing to fully characterize the driver events in neoplastic genomes.
Clinically Defined Mutations in MEN1 Alter Its Tumor-suppressive Function Through Increased Menin Turnover
Authors: Duan Suzann , Sheriff Sulaiman , Elvis-Offiah Uloma B. , Witten Brandon L. , Sawyer Travis W. , Sundaresan Sinju , Cierpicki Tomasz , Grembecka Jolanta , Merchant Juanita L.
Published: July 2023

Loss of the tumor suppressor protein menin is a critical event underlying the formation of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in hormone-expressing tissues including gastrinomas. While aberrant expression of menin impairs its tumor suppression, few studies explore the structure–function relationship of clinical multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1) mutations in the absence of a complete LOH at both loci. Here, we determined whether clinical MEN1 mutations render nuclear menin unstable and lead to its functional inactivation. We studied the structural and functional implications of two clinical MEN1 mutations (R516fs, E235K) and a third variant (A541T) recently identified in 10 patients with gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NETs. We evaluated the subcellular localization and half-lives of the mutants and variant in Men1-null mouse embryo fibroblast cells and in hormone-expressing human gastric adenocarcinoma and NET cell lines. Loss of menin function was assessed by cell proliferation and gastrin gene expression assays. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the small-molecule compound MI-503 on stabilizing nuclear menin expression and function in vitro and in a previously reported mouse model of gastric NET development. Both the R516fs and E235K mutants exhibited severe defects in total and subcellular expression of menin, and this was consistent with reduced half-lives of these mutants. Mutated menin proteins exhibited loss of function in suppressing tumor cell proliferation and gastrin expression. Treatment with MI-503 rescued nuclear menin expression and attenuated hypergastrinemia and gastric hyperplasia in NET-bearing mice. Clinically defined MEN1 mutations and a germline variant confer pathogenicity by destabilizing nuclear menin expression.

Significance:

We examined the function of somatic and germline mutations and a variant of MEN1 sequenced from gastroenteropancreatic NETs. We report that these mutations and variant promote tumor cell growth and gastrin expression by rendering menin protein unstable and prone to increased degradation. We demonstrate that the menin-MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) inhibitor MI-503 restores menin protein expression and function in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential novel therapeutic approach to target MEN1 GEP-NETs.
Validation of Immunotherapy Response Score as Predictive of Pan-solid Tumor Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Benefit
Authors: Bulen Benjamin J. , Khazanov Nickolay A. , Hovelson Daniel H. , Lamb Laura E. , Matrana Marc , Burkard Mark E. , Yang Eddy Shih-Hsin , Edenfield William J. , Claire Dees Elizabeth , Onitilo Adedayo A. , Buchschacher Gary L. , Miller Alan M. , Parsons Benjamin M. , Wassenaar Timothy R. , Suga Jennifer M. , Siegel Robert D. , Irvin William , Nair Suresh , Slim Jennifer N. , Misleh Jamal , Khatri Jamil , Masters Gregory A. , Thomas Sachdev , Safa Malek M. , Anderson Daniel M. , Mowers Jonathan , Dusenbery Anna C. , Drewery Stephanie , Plouffe Komal , Reeder Travis , Vakil Hana , Patrias Lynnae , Falzetta Amanda , Hamilton Ryan , Kwiatkowski Kat , Johnson D. Bryan , Rhodes Daniel R. , Tomlins Scott A.
Published: July 2023

Immunotherapy response score (IRS) integrates tumor mutation burden (TMB) and quantitative expression biomarkers to predict anti-PD-1/PD-L1 [PD-(L)1] monotherapy benefit. Here, we evaluated IRS in additional cohorts. Patients from an observational trial (NCT03061305) treated with anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy were included and assigned to IRS-High (-H) versus -Low (-L) groups. Associations with real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Cox proportional hazards (CPH) modeling. Those with available PD-L1 IHC treated with anti-PD-(L)1 with or without chemotherapy were separately assessed. Patients treated with PD-(L)1 and/or chemotherapy (five relevant tumor types) were assigned to three IRS groups [IRS-L divided into IRS-Ultra-Low (-UL) and Intermediate-Low (-IL), and similarly assessed]. In the 352 patient anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy validation cohort (31 tumor types), IRS-H versus IRS-L patients had significantly longer rwPFS and OS. IRS significantly improved CPH associations with rwPFS and OS beyond microsatellite instability (MSI)/TMB alone. In a 189 patient (10 tumor types) PD-L1 IHC comparison cohort, IRS, but not PD-L1 IHC nor TMB, was significantly associated with anti-PD-L1 rwPFS. In a 1,103-patient cohort (from five relevant tumor types), rwPFS did not significantly differ in IRS-UL patients treated with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy plus anti-PD-(L)1, nor in IRS-H patients treated with anti-PD-(L)1 versus anti-PD-(L)1 + chemotherapy. IRS associations were consistent across subgroups, including both Europeans and non-Europeans. These results confirm the utility of IRS utility for predicting pan-solid tumor PD-(L)1 monotherapy benefit beyond available biomarkers and demonstrate utility for informing on anti-PD-(L)1 and/or chemotherapy treatment.

Significance:

This study confirms the utility of the integrative IRS biomarker for predicting anti-PD-L1/PD-1 benefit. IRS significantly improved upon currently available biomarkers, including PD-L1 IHC, TMB, and MSI status. Additional utility for informing on chemotherapy, anti-PD-L1/PD-1, and anti-PD-L1/PD-1 plus chemotherapy treatments decisions is shown.
The Scientific Wanderjahr of Vilnius Astronomer Andrew Strzecki in 1777–1778
Authors: Girininkaitė Veronika
Published: July 2023

Abstract: In 1777–1778, astronomer Andrew Strzecki (Polish Andrzej Strzecki, Lithuanian Andrius Streckis, 1737–1797) from Vilnius went on a scientific journey to Western Europe, visiting Vienna, Paris, London, and some other cities. This article aims to investigate and describe the motives, chronology, itinerary, and outcomes of this journey, and to evaluate the importance of this event for the science history of Vilnius and Europe. The research is based on an analysis of original correspondence, with some of the letters mentioned in print for the first time. The narrative method was applied to create a coherent storyline from the incomplete data found in various manuscripts and other sources. The research sheds light on previously obscure details of Early Modern European scientific communication, among them, the connections between astronomers of Vilnius and Vienna. The article also mentions the circumstances of the events, which were essential in the history of Vilnius University: the election of Marcin Poczobut Odlianicki (Lithuanian Martynas Odlianickis Počobutas, 1726–1810) as a member correspondent of the Paris Academy of Sciences and international recognition of the constellation he introduced, Taurus Poniatovii. The article confirms that the social and scientific ties of astronomers in Vilnius were much broader than what is usually described and included their close personal relationships with some of the first-rated scholars of the era, such as Rugerius Boskovich, Nevil Maskelyne, and Benjamin Franklin.
Dependence of Fast Changes in Global and Local Precipitation on the Geographical Location of Absorbing Aerosol
Authors: Williams Andrew I. L. , Watson-Parris Duncan , Dagan Guy , Stier Philip
Published: July 2023

Anthropogenic aerosol interacts strongly with incoming solar radiation, perturbing Earth’s energy budget and precipitation on both local and global scales. Understanding these changes in precipitation has proven particularly difficult for the case of absorbing aerosol, which absorbs a significant amount of incoming solar radiation and hence acts as a source of localized diabatic heating to the atmosphere. In this work, we use an ensemble of atmosphere-only climate model simulations forced by identical absorbing aerosol perturbations in different geographical locations across the globe to develop a basic physical understanding of how this localized heating impacts the atmosphere and how these changes impact on precipitation both globally and locally. In agreement with previous studies we find that absorbing aerosol causes a decrease in global-mean precipitation, but we also show that even for identical aerosol optical depth perturbations, the global-mean precipitation change varies by over an order of magnitude depending on the location of the aerosol burden. Our experiments also demonstrate that the local precipitation response to absorbing aerosol is opposite in sign between the tropics and the extratropics, as found by previous work. We then show that this contrasting response can be understood in terms of different mechanisms by which the large-scale circulation responds to heating in the extratropics and in the tropics. We provide a simple theory to explain variations in the local precipitation response to absorbing aerosol in the tropics. Our work highlights that the spatial pattern of absorbing aerosol and its interactions with circulation are a key determinant of its overall climate impact and must be taken into account when developing our understanding of aerosol–climate interactions.
A Modified Kain–Fritsch Convection Scheme for Extended-Range Prediction
Authors: Ridout James A.
Published: July 2023

This paper describes the convection parameterization in the Navy Earth System Prediction Capability (ESPC) system developed at the Naval Research Laboratory, with a focus on the scheme configuration in the v2.0 system. The parameterization is an update of a modification of the Kain–Fritsch convection scheme by Ridout et al. based on an assumed quasi-balance of updraft parcel buoyancy at the cloud-base level. Scheme updates include the treatment of updraft/environment mixing and additional updraft model features, including a parameterized reduction in net detrainment in cases of significant near-cloud upward motion, and a modified cloud-top condition. The scheme includes two convection modes: a turbulence-triggered and a dynamically triggered mode. Hindcast sensitivity with Navy ESPC to features of the scheme is investigated with 45-day integrations from 1 November 2011 for a portion of the Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) research program observational period that overlaps with the occurrence of two episodes of the MJO. The modified updraft mixing is critical in the hindcasts for consistent MJO eastward propagation, whereas the additional updraft updates significantly improve the representation of small-scale rainfall variability, while helping to inhibit development of excessive low-level easterly flow. The added turbulence-triggered convection mode helps to improve the representation of the separation of periods of enhanced MJO convection. The relative occurrence frequency of convective cloud-top height and column water vapor in the equatorial Indo-Pacific is investigated in the hindcasts, showing significant similarities with satellite retrieval results.

Significance Statement

This study describes the scheme used to represent the effects of convective clouds such as cumulus and cumulonimbus (thunderstorm clouds) in computerized 45-day global forecasts of the Earth system in a forecast model developed at the Naval Research Laboratory, focusing on the version currently undergoing testing for use by the U.S. Navy. Some of the development history and physical basis for the scheme are presented, and results from test simulations are included. The test results investigate potential forecast sensitivity to various features of the scheme and illustrate that the scheme can successfully represent certain effects of convective clouds on large-scale storm systems in the tropics that have global-scale impacts on extended-range (several weeks) prediction of the Earth’s atmosphere/ocean system.