bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insightful study of the characterization of the Cobalt oxide nanomaterials and hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Raza Muhammad Yasir , Haider Jamil Abbas , Ahammad N. Ameer , Guedri Kamel , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, nanoparticles of cobalt oxide (Co3O[Formula: see text] are prepared at different temperatures [Formula: see text]C, [Formula: see text]C and [Formula: see text]C using the hydrothermal method. Cobalt nitrate hexahydrate: Co (NO[Formula: see text]H2O is used as precursor and potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used as precipitating agent. Particle size is controlled using precursor concentration. It is also investigated in this research that particle size increases at high-temperature. Nanoparticles of size between (13.62–17.81 nm) are obtained using this technique (Hydrothermal method). SEM results provide nonuniform distribution of nanoparticles with sharp grain boundaries. Electrical characterization confirms the semiconducting behavior of the material as resistivity decreases with increase in temperature. Electrochemical measurements show detection of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 by nanoparticles of Co3O4.
Selecting the Best Health Care Systems: An Approach Based on Opinion Mining and Simplified Neutrosophic Sets
Authors: Serrano-Guerrero Jesus , Bani-Doumi Mohammad , Romero Francisco P. , Olivas Jose A.
Published: October 2022

Measuring what hospital offers the best services is very difficult, for that reason, the opinions from previous patients have become an essential tool for the new possible clients to decide which services they must select. Many online platforms deal with opinions to analyze their services/products, primarily, by means of aspect-based sentiment analysis techniques. These techniques are mainly based on the detection of features from services/products to model the feelings toward them. Most models primarily cope with positiveness, negativeness and neutrality; nevertheless, these do not reflect other situations in which there are positive and negative aspects, but the overall sentiment is not neutral, but indeterminate. To face this issue, simplified neutrosophic sets can be a useful tool. Therefore, this study presents a novel application of the simplified neutrosophic sets to hospital ranking. The application, first, detects the hospital features, second, models the feelings toward them using simplified neutrosophic sets, and finally, ranks the hospitals according to the patients’ preferences. It has been tested using opinions from a real website and compared against other fuzzy logic-based approaches. The achieved results outperform the ones obtained by other proposals, revealing that simplified neutrosophic sets can be an interesting solution to model feelings.
The Ordovician ocean circulation: a modern synthesis based on data and models
Authors: Pohl Alexandre , Nardin Elise , Vandenbroucke Thijs R. A. , Donnadieu Yannick
Published: October 2022

Surface currents constitute an efficient transport agent for (larvae of) marine faunas, while the circulation of water masses in the ocean interior drives nutrient redistribution, ventilates the ocean and contributes to shaping surface biological productivity and the benthic redox landscape. Therefore, a robust understanding of ocean circulation, both shallow and deep, and of its response to climate change, is required to interpret palaeobiogeographic signals, biological productivity patterns and biodiversity trends. This is especially critical during periods of dynamic biological change, such as the Ordovician. Yet, oceanic circulation patterns leave no direct evidence in the geological record and can therefore be reconstructed solely based on indirect indicators, such as the distribution of faunas and geochemical proxies. General circulation models offer independent, physically robust insights onto the coupling between climate change and ocean circulation. Integrated approaches based on the assimilation of geological data in numerical models thus constitute a promising way forward. We here provide a literature review and updated synthesis of the current understanding of the Ordovician ocean circulation, based on data and models.
The Ordovician of Sardinia (Italy): from the ‘Sardic Phase’ to the end-Ordovician glaciation, palaeogeography and geodynamic context
Authors: Loi Alfredo , Cocco Fabrizio , Oggiano Giacomo , Funedda Antonio , Vidal Muriel , Ferretti Annalisa , Leone Francesco , Barca Sebastiano , Naitza Stefano , Ghienne Jean-François , Pillola Gian Luigi
Published: October 2022

This review illustrates the most important features of the Ordovician successions of the Sardinian basement. We focus on the stratigraphy and tectonic structures in the tectonic units of the External and Nappe zones of the Variscan basement. The Ordovician successions are characterized by unconformities related to tectonic events ascribed to the Sardic and Sarrabese phases. The different durations of the unconformity-related gaps in the External (17 myr) and Nappe (6 myr) zones, recent work on the trilobite fossil content, and the occurrence of a volcanic arc only in the Nappe Zone (Sarrabus and Gerrei units) highlight significant discrepancies suggesting that these domains did not share the same geodynamic setting and palaeogeographical position during the Ordovician. This implies they were amalgamated only in Variscan times. Whereas for the external and nappe zones the Ordovician features are clear, the high-grade metamorphic Inner Zone, where numerous Ordovician ortho- and para-gneiss occur, more detailed studies are needed to define a complete framework for the Ordovician evolution of Sardinia. The present revision of data for the best-preserved succession of Sardinian tectonic units suggests that at least two distinct terranes, which did not share the same Ordovician evolution, were only amalgamated during the Variscan Orogeny.
ZnMn2O4/Carbon Composite Recycled from Spent Zinc-Carbon Batteries for Zn-Air Battery Applications
Authors: Nivedha L. K. , Murugaiah Dhinesh Kumar , Kandregula Ganapathi Rao , Murugan Raja , Ramanujam Kothandaraman
Published: October 2022

ZnMn2O4, a non-precious metal catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), was recycled from the spent primary Zn–C battery and utilized in the zinc-air battery. Catalysts exhibiting facile ORR kinetics is a requirement for building efficient Zinc-air battery. ZnMn2O4 demonstrated an excellent catalytic activity towards ORR in an aqueous alkaline medium, with an onset potential of 0. 90 V vs RHE. The recycled ZnMn2O4 manifested a similar performance (at ∼1.0 V) as the chemically synthesized one with a specific capacity of 210 mAh gzn
−1 at a constant current discharge of 15 mA cm−2. A single electrode potential study was done to comprehend the losses at the electrodes and to identify the limiting electrode. Interestingly, the cathode was improving during discharge, which is in contrast to the expectation due to the accumulation of peroxide around the catalytic layer. Although the anode has exhibited minimal polarization, beyond a capacity of 210 mAh g−1, the supersaturation of electrolyte occurs with zincate ion causing precipitation of ZnO on the cell components, thereby leading to sudden polarization of the cell and hence zinc electrode act as a limiting electrode in this system.
Deformation Mechanics of Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layer: Cyclic Response and Constitutive Model
Authors: Koorata Poornesh Kumar
Published: October 2022

The deformation mechanics of a typical gas diffusion layer using experimental and advanced modelling technique is reported. The experimental cyclic response is observed similar to pseudo-elastic materials with highly nonlinear loading/unloading. The cyclic compressive mechanical response of gas diffusion layer (GDL) is modelled to be the outcome of cumulative changes in deformation kinematics of matrix and fiber fractions. The individual mechanisms necessitating the energy dissipation, residual strain, and stress softening during cyclic mechanical response are related to nonlinear hyperelastic matrix with the damage function and inelastic activation function at the interface of constituents. The model predicts highly nonlinear elastic loading, residual strain, hysteresis, and damage quotient associated with stress softening as a function of several cycles. The significant takeaway from this study is in terms of quantifying strength, inelastic nature of individual constituents. The proposed model is simulated for low-level altering stresses of up to twenty cycles. The results show the build-up of residual strains and hysteresis as a function of fuel cell clamping pressure.
Novel Operating Modes for the Charging of Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Berliner Marc D. , Jiang Benben , Cogswell Daniel A. , Bazant Martin Z. , Braatz Richard D.
Published: October 2022

Conventional battery simulation tools offer current, voltage, and power operating modes. This article presents General Operating Modes (GOMs), which move beyond these standard modes and allow battery models of any scale to simulate novel operating modes such as constant temperature, constant lithium plating overpotential, and constant concentration. The governing equations of the battery model are solved alongside a single algebraic constraint that determines the current. The operating modes are simulated efficiently and deterministically inside a differential-algebraic equation (DAE) solver, and constraints are satisfied within solver tolerances. We propose a mixed-continuous discrete (aka hybrid) solution to the constrained charging problem, using the GOMs to satisfy charging constraints. This approach enables nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) to be implementable in real-time while directly using sophisticated physics-based battery models. The approach is demonstrated for three models of various complexity: a thin-film nickel hydroxide electrode model, a Single-Particle (SP) model, and a Porous Electrode Theory (PET) model. The hybrid fast charging algorithm is shown to be slightly suboptimal for the thermal SP model in some cases, which is not of practical importance for NMPC.
Fatigue Reliability Analysis System for Key Components of Aero-Engine
Authors: Qi Huizhi , Lu Yaqing , Song Shufang , Xu Qiannan
Published: October 2022

Aero-engine is known as the heart of an aircraft. Fatigue is one of the main causes of aero-engine failure, therefore, it is essential to predict the fatigue life in the aero-engine design process. Due to the uncertainty of influencing factors, it is necessary to further analyze the fatigue reliability. First, the fatigue life should be predicted on the basic of finite element analysis. The steps include parametric modeling, stress-strain analysis, load spectrum acquisition, and selection of fatigue life prediction model. Then, the reliability estimation of fatigue life should be employed, including the statistical analysis of influencing factors, reliability analysis method, and reliability estimation of fatigue life. Taking turbine blade and test probe of aero-engine as the research objects, the fatigue reliability analysis system is developed based on the ABAQUS-MATLAB platform. Statistical analysis shows that fatigue life approximately obeys lognormal distribution, and the distribution parameters estimated by MCS and Kriging are coincide, while Kriging only needs dozens of training samples. Under different reliability indexes, the design fatigue life error between Kriging and MCS is less than 1%, which meets the accuracy requirements and can effectively guide the fault detection and maintenance of aero-engine.
International Normalized Ratio-to-Albumin Ratio as a Novel Marker of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Severity
Authors: Choi Jeongwoo , Lee Je Seop , Lee Solmoon , Kim Yong Won , Lee Yoonsuk , Kim Tae Youn
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal emergency, and effective management depends on early risk stratification. The Glasgow–Blatchford and Rockall scores are commonly used prognostic measures for UGIB, although these scoring systems are relatively difficult to apply in early emergency settings. AIMS65 with five items, albumin, international normalized ratio, mental status, systolic blood pressure, and age (>65 years), showed efficacy in predicting long-term hospitalization and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of the prothrombin time-international normalized ratio-to-albumin ratio (PTAR) in the emergency room for early UGIB risk stratification. Methods. We retrospectively examined patients who visited a tertiary academic hospital’s emergency department (ED) with UGIB as the chief presentation between January 2019 and December 2020. The cutoff values and diagnostic accuracies of the PTAR, Glasgow–Blatchford score, AIMS65 score, pre-endoscopy, and complete Rockall score were analyzed, and the performance of the PTAR was compared with that of other risk stratification methods. In total, 519 patients were enrolled: 163 patients were admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 35 died during admission. Multiple logistic regression analyses confirmed the association of the PTAR with ICU admission and mortality. The adjusted odd ratio (aOR) of the PTAR for ICU admission care was 8.376 (2.722–25.774), and the aOR of the PTAR for mortality was 27.846 (8.701–89.116). Conclusions. The PTAR measured in the ED is an independent factor related to ICU admission and mortality in patients with UGIB. Using ED blood laboratory results, which are reported relatively quickly and are easy to acquire and calculate, the PTAR can be used as a risk stratification marker in the early emergency setting.
A Novel Robotic Exoskeleton for Finger Rehabilitation: Kinematics Analysis
Authors: Dai Yong , Ji Junhong , Yang Guocai , Yang Yu
Published: October 2022

A novel robotic exoskeleton for fingers rehabilitation is developed, which is driven by linear motors through Bowden cables. For each finger, in addition to three links acting as phalanxes, two more links acting as knuckles are also implemented. Links are connected through passive joints, by which translational and rotary movements can be realized simultaneously. Either flexion or extension motion is accomplished by one cable of adequate stiffness. This exoskeleton possesses good adaptability to finger length of different subjects and length variations during movement. The exoskeleton’s kinematics model is built by the statistics method, and piecewise polynomial functions (PPF) are chosen to describe the relationship between motor displacement and joint variables. Finally, the relationship between motor displacement and the finger’s total bending angle is obtained, which can be used for rehabilitation trajectory planning. Experimental results show that this exoskeleton achieves nearly the maximum finger bending angle of a healthy adult person, with the maximum driving force of 68.6 N.
Chemical Shift-Encoded MRI of Bone Metabolic Markers in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Ma Li-ping , Sheng Cui-yun , Qian Long , Zeng Zhi-bin , Li Gen
Published: October 2022

Objective. To investigate the feasibility and correlation of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fat fraction (FF) and R2

∗

as markers of bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. 75 AS patients were classified into an early active group (EA), late active group (LA), and inactive group (IA). Additionally, 54 matched healthy individuals were selected to be part of the normal control group (NC). All participants underwent chemical shift encoded based MRI (IDEAL-IQ) and routine clinical SIJ MRI at 3.0 T. FF and R2

∗

were measured in subchondral bone, bone marrow edema (BME), and fat metaplasia (FM). Out of the participants, 39 with BME lesions (15 from EA, 16 from LA, 8 from IA) and 39 with FM lesions (9 from EA, 17 from LA, 13 from IA) were included. Differences in FF, R2

∗

value for subchondral bone of all participants and for BME, FM lesions were evaluated. Subsequently, different stages of BME and FM in patient groups were compared, and the relationship between FF and R2

∗

was analyzed. Results. A significant difference in FF was demonstrated among the BME, FM and the normal bone marrow (

p
<
0.001

), meanwhile, the difference of R2

∗

value in FM was significantly lower (

p
=
0.034

, 0.012) than that of BME and that of normal bone marrow. At lever of different lesions, only the FF for BME was significantly different among 3 patient groups (

p
=
0.001

), while there was no significantly different FF for FM among 3 patient groups. Unlike in BME lesions, the FF in FM lesions had a negative correlation with R2

∗

(

p
<
0.001

,

r
=
−
0.488

). Conclusion. FF and R2

∗

measurements help to quantitatively analyze the bone marrow fat composition and bony trabecular microstructure changes in AS, providing a noninvasive and accurate assessment basis for AS bone metabolism abnormalities.
Correlation of Glucose Metabolism with Cancer and Intervention with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Lai Gui-hua , Wang Fei , Nie Duo-rui , Lei Shu-jun , Wu Zhuo-jun , Cao Jian-xiong , Tang Lan-lan
Published: October 2022

Cancer is a complex disease with several distinct characteristics, referred to as “cancer markers” one of which is metabolic reprogramming, which is a common feature that drives cancer progression. Over the last ten years, researchers have focused on the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in cancer. In cancer, the oxidative phosphorylation metabolic pathway is converted into the glycolytic pathway in order to meet the growth requirements of cancer cells, thereby creating a microenvironment that promotes cancer progression. The precise mechanism of glucose metabolism in cancer cells is still unknown, but it is thought to involve the aberrant levels of metabolic enzymes, the influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the activation of tumor-promoting signaling pathways. It is suggested that glucose metabolism is strongly linked to cancer progression because it provides energy to cancer cells and interferes with antitumor drug pharmacodynamics. Therefore, it is critical to unravel the mechanism of glucose metabolism in tumors in order to gain a better understanding of tumorigenesis and to lay the groundwork for future research into the identification of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, multiple components, and less toxic side effects and has unique advantages in tumor treatment. In recent years, researchers have found that a variety of Chinese medicine monomers and compound recipes play an antitumor role by interfering with the reprogramming of tumor metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of metabolism reprogramming of tumor cells and the role of TCM in regulating glucose metabolism are reviewed in this study, so as to provide a new idea for antitumor research in Chinese medicine.
Simulation of the Industrial Oil Adsorption Purification Process for Automation Tasks
Authors: Yaroshchuk Liudmyla , Tiurina Yevheniia
Published: October 2022

Objective reasons associated with an increase of transport quantity and the volume of industrial goods and energy service production lead to the accumulation of used oils and greases. These substances can be reused in the case of their purification. Such resource saving is facilitated by the development of technologies, in particular, adsorption purification and efficient systems for their automation. The article carried out a detailed analysis of the continuous adsorption purification technological system and indicated its significant differences from the point of view of control systems with special preparation of raw materials. The conclusion about the presence of nonstationarity and stochasticity sources of continuous adsorption as a control object is substantiated, which made it possible to impose requirements on the properties of the control model. The existing methods of adsorption mathematical description are analyzed within their use for continuous control. Structures of dynamic models based on a combination of analytical and experimental methods are proposed. Analytical models are based on mass balances of substances, known forms of approximations for describing equilibrium conditions and adsorption kinetics are studied, and experimental and statistical modeling is carried out to determine possible structures of the connection between technological variables during control. A structural-parametric scheme of the model and a scheme for its adaptation in control systems have been formed. An example of an adsorption simulation model formation using MATLAB+Simulink is shown. The results can be used to develop software for control systems of continuous adsorption and to test control algorithms.
Photochemistry, Functional Properties, Food Applications, and Health Prospective of Black Rice
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdul , Umar Maryam , Habib Ayesha , Imran Muhammad , Khalid Waseem , Lima Clara Mariana Gonçalves , Shoukat Aurbab , Itrat Nizwa , Nazir Anum , Ejaz Afaf , Zafar Amna , Awuchi Chinaza Godswill , Sharma Rohit , Santana Renata Ferreira , Emran Talha Bin
Published: October 2022

This review investigates black rice’s photochemistry, functional properties, food applications, and health prospects. There are different varieties of black rice available in the world. The origins of this product can be traced back to Asian countries. This rice is also known as prohibited rice, emperor’s rice, and royal’s rice. Black rice is composed of different nutrients including fiber, protein, carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamin B complex. It contains an antioxidant called anthocyanin and tocopherols. Antioxidants are found mostly in foods that are black or dark purple. Due to its nutritious density, high fiber level, and high antioxidant content, black rice is a good alternative to white and brown rice. Utilizing black rice in various foods can enhance the nutritional value of food and be transformed into functional food items. Many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) can be prevented by eating black rice daily, including cancer cells, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma, digestive health, and stroke risk. This review aim was to discuss the role of nutritional and functional properties of black rice in the formation of functional food against different noncommunicable diseases.
Developing a Measure to Quantify Ocular Pain Postoperatively: The Adaptation of the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey
Authors: Yildiz-Tas Ayse , Sonmez Sadi Can , Kisakurek Zeynep Busra , Deniz Gulsum , Baygül Arzu , Kesim Cem , Karslioglu Melisa Zisan , Ozturkmen Cem , Kurt Rengin Aslihan , Hamrah Pedram , Sahin Afsun
Published: October 2022

Purpose. Since quantification and communication of ocular pain is important for a healthier patient follow-up and postoperative guidance, reliable measures like the Ophthalmic Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) are needed to assess the outcome and management of different operations. To address that need, we carried out the adaptation of OPAS into Turkish to reach different age groups and backgrounds, widening the use of OPAS on patients who underwent an ophthalmic operation. Methods. We used back-translation method and achieved cultural adaptation through content validity scoring by 5 independent ophthalmologists. The survey is then administered three times: preoperatively, postoperatively within 24 hours, and finally a week later in the follow-up visit. Validity is measured in comparison to Visual Analog Scale using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and reliability is measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Factor analysis is performed by principal component analysis and rotation is performed using Varimax method when necessary. Results. We reached a total of 132 patients with a mean age of 64.2 years. Most of them underwent phacoemulsification (n = 83), followed by PRK (n = 37). Overall, the T-OPAS demonstrated good reliability (mean C. alpha: 0.830) and its correlation with the VAS was especially high (S. coeff. >0.5) in the first three sections in all three surveys. Factor analysis yielded 5 subscales, allowing us to shape the final form of T-OPAS. Conclusion. Through this adaptation of OPAS into a foreign language, we present a reliable and valid tool for postoperative pain quantification, allowing objective measurement of pain in different populations such as the elderly.
Clinical Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus on Conjunctival Hyperemia Caused by Prostaglandin Analogues
Authors: Yang Jing , Shi Yiyu , Chen Haibo
Published: October 2022

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus ophthalmic solution on conjunctival hyperemia caused by prostaglandin analogues. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 120 patients diagnosed with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The enrolled patients developed symptoms of conjunctival hyperemia during the administration of travoprost ophthalmic solution. The patients were divided into two groups: 0.004% travoprost solution was administered in the control group. A combination of 0.004% travoprost solution with tacrolimus was administered in the experimental group. Clinopathological parameters including intraocular pressure (IOP), subjective dry eye symptom score (SDES), hyperemia score, and noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) were recorded at week 0, 1, 2, and 4. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measurement was employed for statistical analysis using SPSS 22.0 software. Results. At week 1, 2, and 4, the IOP and SDES of both the control and experimental groups were significantly lower when compared the values at week 0 (before treatment). No significant differences in the IOP values between the two groups were observed at all time points. At week 2, the SDES and hyperemia score were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group, and the NIBUT was significantly longer in the experimental group. The above parameters showed no significant difference at week 4 between the two groups, although the average SDES and hyperemia score were slightly lower in the experimental group. Conclusion. Tacrolimus ophthalmic solution can relieve conjunctival hyperemia, improve ocular surface conditions, and reduce discomfort caused by prostaglandin analogues.
Investigation of the Differential Power of Young’s Internet Addiction Questionnaire Using the Decision Stump Tree
Authors: Docharkhehsaz Mohammad , Hashemi Nosratabad Touraj , Beirami Mansour , Sattari Mohammad Taghi
Published: October 2022

Background. Internet addiction is one of the serious consequences of recent advances in the use of social media. Early detection of Internet addiction is essential because of its harms and is necessary for timely and effective treatment. Aim. The aim of this study was to use data mining and an artificial intelligence algorithm to estimate the differential power of each question in the Young Internet Addiction Test and build a decision stump model to predict which item in the questionnaire can be representative of the whole questionnaire. Methods. This is a descriptive study conducted at the University of Tabriz, in which 256 undergraduate students were selected in randomized cluster sampling, and they completed Young’s IAT (Internet Addiction Test) questionnaire and some demographic questions. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS and were divided into two groups, normal and addicted, by using a cut-off point. Also, the data of the subjects was used to model the decision stump tree in WEKA. The clustering item was the normal and addicted specifier. Results. The study shows that Cronbach’s alpha of the IAT is 0.88, which shows good internal integration of subjects that are used to develop the model in WEKA (the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis). Data analysis showed that by using the second question of this questionnaire as the root of the decision stump tree model, it is possible to distinguish between Internet addicts and healthy users with 82% accuracy using this model. Conclusion. The study shows innovative ways in which decision stump trees and data mining can help to improve methods used in Clinical Psychotherapy and Human Science. Regarding this, the study showed that early detection of Internet addiction would be possible by using the 2nd question of the IAT. Also, early detection can result in cost-effectiveness for the whole healthcare system.
Application of Virtual Reality Technology and Unsupervised Video Object Segmentation Algorithm in 3D Model Modeling
Authors: Yang Hui , Liu Qiuming
Published: October 2022

3D modeling is the most basic technology to realize VR (virtual reality). VOS (video object segmentation) is a pixel-level task, which aims to segment the moving objects in each frame of the video. Combining theory with practice, this paper studies the process of 3D virtual scene construction, and on this basis, researches the optimization methods of 3D modeling. In this paper, an unsupervised VOS algorithm is proposed, which initializes the target by combining the moving edge of the target image and the appearance edge of the target and assists the modeling of the VR 3D model, which has reference significance for the future construction of large-scale VR scenes. The results show that the segmentation accuracy of this algorithm can reach more than 94%, which is about 9% higher than that of the FASTSEG method. 3D modeling technology is the foundation of 3D virtual scene; so, it is of practical significance to study the application of 3D modeling technology. At the same time, it is of positive significance to use the unsupervised VOS algorithm to assist the VR 3D model modeling.
Accurate Solution for Orthotropic Beams with Continuously Variable Cross Sections
Authors: Fang Weihua , Chen Zhi , Xu Yepeng
Published: October 2022

Orthotropic materials and components are widely used in various engineering fields, such as aerospace, energy, infrastructure, and water conservancy projects. The orthotropic components such as slabs and beams cannot be investigated accurately by using traditional beam theory because it is unable to take more elastic constants into account. The precise stress distribution of orthotropic simply supported beams of any thickness is determined in this article. Meanwhile, all undetermined coefficients of the stress function are derived by performing a Fourier sine series expansion upon the bottom and top surfaces of the beam. It shows that the resolution corresponds well with the numerical analysis findings from the finite element method. It indicates rapid convergence and can obtain high-precision and high stress analysis results, which has a good application prospect in engineering.
Prevention of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Delirium and Early Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Lobectomy
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wang Wei-Bo , Ding Hui , Fu Hua-Jun , Jiang Yan-An
Published: October 2022

Objective. To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive function and delirium in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods. 109 elderly patients (age is more than 65 years) who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy in our hospital from June 2020 to Feb 2022 were randomly divided into the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group (n = 54) and the control group (n = 55). The patients in the experimental group were given dexmedetomidine by intravenous pump, intravenous pump 0.5 μg/kg within 10 minutes, and maintained the speed of 0.5 μg/(kg. h) to 30 min before the operation was ended. The control group was given the same amount of normal saline. Delirium assessment-severity (CAM-S) assessment and Mini-Cog were used to assess the severity levels of POD and POCD 24 h before, 6 hours after, one day after the operation, three days after the operation, and 1 week after the operation. Serum TNF-αα and NSE levels were assessed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NRS pain marks were assessed in the DEX group at postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and 24 postoperation. Surgical pierhysmographic index (SPI) evaluation was performed at five time points. Results. The Mini-Cog scores in the DEX group were markedly enhanced compared with those in the saline group 6 and 24 hours after the operation. The SPI values in the DEX group were markedly reduced within 2 min after intubation and at surgical sutures. Moreover, the CAM scores in the DEX group were markedly reduced 24 hours after the operation. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were significantly decreased in the DEX group at T1∼T3. Conclusion. The use of dexmedetomidine in the thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients could reduce the occurrence and severity of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and delirium.
Dynamic Predictive Models with Visualized Machine Learning for Assessing the Risk of Lung Metastasis in Kidney Cancer Patients
Authors: Xu Chan , Zhou Qian , Liu Wencai , Li Wenle , Dong Shengtao , Li Wanying , Xu Xiaofeng , Qiao Ximin , Jiang Youli , Chen Jingfang , Yin Chengliang
Published: October 2022

Objective. To establish and verify the clinical prediction model of lung metastasis in renal cancer patients. Method. Kidney cancer patients from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017, in the SEER database were enrolled in this study. In the first section, LASSO method was adopted to select variables. Independent influencing factors were identified after multivariate logistic regression analysis. In the second section, machine learning (ML) algorithms were implemented to establish models and 10-foldcross-validation was used to train the models. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curves, probability density functions, and clinical utility curve were applied to estimate model’s performance. The final model was shown by a website calculator. Result. Lung metastasis was confirmed in 7.43% (3171 out of 42650) of study population. In multivariate logistic regression, bone metastasis, brain metastasis, grade, liver metastasis, N stage, T stage, and tumor size were independent risk factors of lung metastasis in renal cancer patients. Primary site and sequence number were independent protection factors of LM in renal cancer patients. The above 9 impact factors were used to develop the prediction models, which included random forest (RF), naive Bayes classifier (NBC), decision tree (DT), xgboost (XGB), gradient boosting machine (GBM), and logistic regression (LR). In 10-foldcross-validation, the average area under curve (AUC) ranked from 0.907 to 0.934. In ROC curve analysis, AUC ranged from 0.879–0.922. We found that the XGB model performed best, and a Web-based calculator was done according to XGB model. Conclusion. This study provided preliminary evidence that the ML algorithm can be used to predict lung metastases in patients with kidney cancer. This low cost, noninvasive and easy to implement diagnostic method is useful for clinical work. Of course this model still needs to undergo more real-world validation.
Prognostic Model and Immune Infiltration of Ferroptosis Subcluster-Related Modular Genes in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Deng Huachu , Lin Yongjian , Gan Fu , Li Baibei , Mou Zhenshan , Qin Xingan , He Xiaoyu , Meng Yunchao
Published: October 2022

Background. Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the gastrointestinal tumors with the highest mortality rate. The number of GC patients is still high. As a way of iron-dependent programmed cell death, ferroptosis activates lipid peroxidation and accumulates large reactive oxygen species. The role of ferroptosis in GC prognosis was underrepresented. The objective was to investigate the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in the prognosis and development of GC. Methods. Datasets of GC patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database that include clinical information and RNA seq data. Through nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering, we identified and unsupervised cluster analysis of the expression matrix of FRGs. And we constructed the co-expression network between genes and clinical characteristics by consensus weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The prognostic model was constructed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. The potential mechanisms of development and prognosis in GC were explored by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, gene ontology (GO), tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and tumor mutation burden (TMB). Results. Two molecular subclusters with different expression patterns of FRGs were identified, which have significantly different survival states. Ferroptosis subcluster-related modular genes were identified by WGCNA. Based on 8 ferroptosis subcluster-related modular genes (collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), podoplanin (PDPN), procollagen-lysine,2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2 (GFPT2), ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1), G protein-coupled receptor 176 (GPR176), serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1), dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1)) and clinicopathological features, a nomogram was constructed and validated for their predictive efficiency on GC prognosis. Through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 0.721, 0.747, and 0.803, respectively, indicating that the risk-scoring model we constructed had good prognosis efficacy in GC. The degree of immune infiltration in high-risk group was largely higher than low-risk group. It indicated that the immune cells have a good response in high-risk group of GC. The TMB of high-risk group was higher, which could generate more mutations and was more conducive to the body’s resistance to the development of cancer. Conclusion. The risk-scoring model based on 8 ferroptosis subcluster-related modular genes has shown outstanding advantages in predicting patient prognosis. The interaction of ferroptosis in GC development may provide new insights into exploring molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies for GC patients.
Entropy Information of Pulse Dynamics in Three Stages of Pregnancy
Authors: Li Nan , Yu Jiarui , Huang Luqi , Mao Xiaobo , Zhao Yuping , Yu Yi
Published: October 2022

The aim of the present study is to use entropy to explore the change of pulse generated by normal pregnant women with gestational. Firstly, the subjects were divided into early (E), middle (M), and late (L) three stages according to gestational age. Then, pulse signals of the Chi position of 90 pregnant women at different gestational ages were collected. Secondly, the four entropies, namely fuzzy entropy (FuEn), approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SamEn), and permutation entropy (PerEn), were applied to the analysis of the long-term pulse changes of the pregnancy. Finally, the related information about pulse in different stages of pregnancy is given by the analysis of four kinds of entropy. Furthermore, the statistical tests are conducted for further comparison, and the descriptive statistics and the results are presented. In addition, boxplots are employed to show the distribution of four entropies of pregnancy. This work has studied the changes in pulse during pregnancy from quantitative and qualitative aspects. Our results show that entropy improves the diagnostic value of pulse analysis during pregnancy and could be applied to facilitate noninvasive diagnosis of pregnant women’s physiological signals in the future.
Discrete Element Simulation and Monitoring Analysis of Different Construction Methods of the Shallow Buried Bias Tunnel
Authors: Ge Chenyu , Su Liping , Wang Lin , Xu Shuo , Yu Pengqiang
Published: October 2022

Affected by the bias stress, the mechanical properties of shallow buried bias tunnel construction are complex. The influence of different construction methods on the stability of the portal section of the shallow buried bias tunnel has received significant attention in past studies, but the microscopic mechanism of it has not been properly analyzed. In this study, the discrete element method is used to simulate the construction steps of the three‐step method and the single side heading method with and without systematic bolt supports taking Qijiazhuang tunnel as the research object. The tunnel surrounding rock stress, vertical displacement, and surface deformation results under different working conditions are analyzed, and the mechanism of systematic bolt supports is analyzed from microscopic perspective. The results show that the single side heading method can gradually release the load and deformation and better play the supporting capacity of lining; the existence of systematic bolt improves the shear capacity of surrounding rock and enhances the arching effect, thus significantly reducing the vertical displacement of surrounding rock and surface deformation. Finally, compared with the field monitoring data, it is recommended to adopt the single side heading method with systematic bolt support for the construction of the portal section.
Early Stage Finding of an Immune-Enhanced Genetic Subtype of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Related with T-Cell Depletion
Authors: yang Ying , shen Qibin , dong Haijun , liu Tiancheng , dong Shunli , li Dong
Published: October 2022

Background. Molecular categorization of lung cancer in medical care is becoming increasingly important on a regular basis. One of the molecular classifications of NSCLC (early-stage NSCLC) supports that tumors of different biological varieties differ in terms of their genomes and clinical characteristics. Methods. Based on published immune cell signatures and early-stage NSCLC gene expression data including cancer genome maps, we used consensus cluster analysis to identify immune molecular subtypes associated with early-stage NSCLC expression subtypes. These subtypes were correlated with early-stage NSCLC expression subtypes. Next, applying a wide range of statistical techniques, we evaluated the link between molecular subtypes and clinical features, immunological microenvironment, and immunotherapy reactivity. Molecular subtypes were defined as a classification of cancerous cells. Results. Multiple RNAseq cross-platform datasets of immune genes were used to identify two molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) of NSCLC, with C1 showing a more favorable prognosis than C2. The results were validated on the CSE datasets. In terms of clinical characteristics, C2 subtype samples with a worse prognosis showed a more advanced tumor stage and higher mortality. C2 showed immuno-infiltrative characteristics but had depletion of T-cells. Biological functions such as EMT were enriched on C2. A low TIDE score in C1 indicated that C1 samples could benefit from taking immunotherapy. C2 were more susceptible to standard chemotherapeutic treatments such paclitaxel, cisplatin, sorafenib, crizotinib, and erlotinib. Conclusion. According to our findings, early-stage NSCLC patients may benefit from receiving treatment with immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Clinical Value on Combined Detection of Serum CA724, DKK1, and TK1 in Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wang Yu , Cui Dongqing , Li Di , Li Dan , Wang Honglei , Wu Yu
Published: October 2022

Objective. To explore the clinical value on combined detection of serum carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724), secreted protein dickkopf-1 (DKK1), and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Methods. The clinical data of 63 GC patients (GC group) and 54 patients with benign gastric lesions (control group) admitted to Zhu Xianyi Memorial Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from June 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of serum CA724, DKK1, and TK1 in the two groups were detected by electrochemiluminescence instrument, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and enhanced chemiluminescence. The diagnostic efficacy of single detection and combined detection was analyzed by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results. Compared with the control group, the serological indexes of patients in GC group were markedly higher (

P
<
0.001

). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve of serum CA724, DKK1, TK1, and combined detection in the diagnosis of GC were 0.849, 0.754, 0.685, and 0.923, respectively; and the sensitivity and specificity of their combined detection were higher than those of separate detection. Conclusion. The levels of serum CA724, DKK1, and TK1 were highly expressed in GC patients, with a higher diagnostic value for GC in their combined detection, which can effectively screen and assist the diagnosis of GC.
Prolonged Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans Growth and Biofilm Formation by Sustained Release of Chlorhexidine from Varnish Coated Dental Abutments: An in Vitro Study
Authors: Feldman Mark , Moustafa Elsayed Walid Shaaban , Friedman Michael , Gati Irith , Steinberg Doron , Marei Hesham
Published: October 2022

Background. It has been confirmed that bacterial biofilm covering dental implants is the main microbial source causing preimplant infectious and inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial/antibiofilm effect of chlorhexidine, incorporated into a sustained-release varnish of chlorhexidine (SRV-CHX) coating, on dental abutments. Materials and Methods. Three kinds of dental abutments were used: a high-performance semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic polyetheretherketone (PEAK) healing abutment, a titanium healing abutment, and a titanium permanent abutment. These abutments were coated with SRV-CHX or SRV-placebo and exposed daily to fresh cultures of Streptococcus mutans. The effect of SRV-CHX on S. mutans growth on agar plates was studied by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) around each tested abutment every day for a period of 36 days. Biofilm formation on the SRV-CHX/placebo-coated abutments was detected using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and monitored by crystal violet (CV) staining. Results. SRV-CHX-coated abutments 2 and 3 were able to inhibit S. mutans growth for 34 days, while abutment 1 inhibited growth for 32 days. Abutment-associated biofilm formation was notably inhibited by SRV-CHX coating after 13 days of incubation with S. mutans. Finally, the biofilm formed around SRV-CHX-coated abutments was completely inhibited up to 12 days of abutment exposure to S. mutans. Conclusion. Coating of dental abutments with SRV-CHX demonstrated long-term effective inhibition of S. mutans growth and biofilm formation on the abutment surface.