bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Systemic Risk of the Turkish Banking Industry Based on a Systemic Risk Measurement Framework of the Fractional Brownian Motion
Authors: Fan Hong , Feng Lingli , Zhou Ruoyu
Published: October 2021

Since the 2008 financial crisis, it is an important issue to assess the systemic risk of banks, but there is a lack of research on the assessment of the systemic risk of Turkey’s financial system. In addition, geometric Brownian motion is used in most of the assessment frameworks of systemic risk under the normal financial market state, while the Turkish financial market has the situation of spike and thick tail. Therefore, this paper proposes a fractional Brownian motion measurement framework of systemic risk to study the systemic risk of the Turkish financial system. Firstly, this paper uses the data of 11 Turkish listed banks from 2014 to 2019 to conduct a normality test and demonstrate that its market has the characteristics of a fractal market; that is, there is a spike and thick tail distribution phenomenon in the stock price trend. Then, this paper proposes a fractional Brownian motion systemic risk measurement framework (fBSM). Based on the proposed theoretical framework and the actual data of Turkish listed banks from 2014 to 2019, a dynamically evolving Turkish banking network system is constructed to measure the systemic risk in the Turkish banking system. The research results find that the systemic risk is the highest in 2017, which then improved and gradually recovered. In addition, when analyzing the sensitivity of the Hurst index, it shows that with the increase in Hurst index, the Hurst index elasticity of Turkish banks’ asset value increases gradually and the asset value also increases continuously. Hence, the Hurst index has a greater impact on asset value. Therefore, the measurement framework of systemic risk based on the fBSM can better monitor the systemic risk than the traditional geometric Brownian motion in the Turkish banking system.
Mechanism of Action of Dengzhan Shengmai in Regulating Stroke from an Inflammatory Perspective: A Preliminary Analysis of Network Pharmacology
Authors: Yan Yiqi , Sun Chao , Rong Xiaoting , Han Rui , Zhu Shan , Su Rui , Jin Ya , Li Lin , Liu Jun
Published: October 2021

Stroke is a complicated disease with an increasing incidence and a very high mortality rate. A classical Chinese herbal medicine, Dengzhan Shengmai (DZSM), has shown to have therapeutic effects on stroke; however, its chemical basis and molecular mechanism are still unclear. In this study, a systems biology approach was applicable to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action of DZSM on stroke. All the compounds were obtained from databases, and pendant-related targets were obtained from various data platforms, including the TCM Systematic Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, TCM Integrated Database (TCMIP), High Throughput Experimental Reference Database (HERB), Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), SwissTargetPredicition, and SymMap, The Human Gene Database (GENECARD) and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) were used for stroke disease target data, followed by network pharmacology analysis to predict the potential effect of DZSM on stroke. Animal experiments were intended to validate the underlying mechanisms. A total of 846 chemical components were compiled for the targets of DZSM drug, and quercetin, kaempferol, and Wuweizisu C are the highest chemical components compiled from DZSM. Overlapping with 375 disease-specific targets and 149 core targets, the core targets include TNF, IL-6, ALB, and AKT1, which are shown to regulate the disease process from an anti-inflammatory perspective. 198 enrichment messages were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis, and we believe that the role of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, TNF signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway is more important. Based on rat experiments, we also demonstrated that DZSM could effectively modulate the inflammation level of brain infarct tissues and effectively alleviate behavioral characteristics. Grouped together, our study suggests that the combination of network pharmacology prediction and experimental validation can provide a useful tool to describe the molecular mechanisms of DZSM in Chinese medicine (TCM).
Human Action Recognition Technology in Dance Video Image
Authors: Qiao Lei , Shen QiuHao
Published: November 2021

In order to effectively improve the recognition rate of human action in dance video image, shorten the recognition time of human action, and ensure the recognition effect of dance motion, this study proposes a human motion recognition method of dance video image. This recognition method uses neural network theory to transform and process the human action posture in the dance video image, constructs the hybrid model of human motion feature pixels according to the feature points of human action in the image coordinate system, and extracts the human motion features in dance video image. This study uses the background probability model of human action image to sum the variance of human action feature function and update the human action feature function. It can also use Kalman filter to detect human action in dance video image. In the research process, it gets the human multiposture action image features according to the linear combination of human action features. Combined with the feature distribution matrix, it processes the human action features through pose transformation and obtains the human action feature model in the dance video image to accurately identify the human action in the dance video image. The experimental results show that the dance motion recognition effect of the proposed method is good, which can effectively improve the recognition rate of human action in dance video image and shorten the recognition time.
Research on Contribution Rate of Independent Innovation to Economic Growth: Evidence from Changshou District of Chongqing City in China
Authors: Wang Xing , Wang Yuhong
Published: October 2021

Using the data of Chongqing Statistical Yearbooks from 2015 to 2020 and based on the Cobb-Douglas production function of Solow residual method, this paper constructs a functional relationship model among GDP, employment number, fixed asset investment, and economic growth. The contribution rate of independent innovation in Changshou District of Chongqing City is improved by using polynomial distributed lag model. Besides, the contribution rate of independent innovation in Shapingba District, Yuzhong District, Jiangbei District, and Beibei District of Chongqing City is compared with that in Changshou District. The research shows that, overall, independent innovation contributes a lot to the economic growth of Changshou District, but its contribution rate is in a slowly declining state. The government needs to take active measures to improve the level of independent innovation and promote the regional economic growth.
Research on Deformation Mechanisms of a High Geostress Soft Rock Roadway and Double-Shell Grouting Technology
Authors: Wang Fengnian , Chen Shizhuang , Gao Pan , Guo Zhibiao , Tao Zhigang
Published: October 2021

In this study, the deformation characteristics and mechanical properties of coal and rock mass in the S2N5 working face of the Xiaokang coal mine are analyzed to address the problem of large deformation of soft rocks with high in situ stress surrounding roadways. Through a newly developed grouting pipe, a double-shell grouting technology, consisting of low-pressure grouting and high-pressure split grouting, is proposed for the Xiaokang coal mine. In addition, the effect of grouting is evaluated by borehole peeping and deformation monitoring. The results show that the double-shell grouting technology can effectively improve the overall mechanical properties of the surrounding coal and rock mass, preventing the large deformation and failure of the roadway. This technology can be useful when analyzing and preventing large deformation of soft rock roadways.
Estimation of Super High‐Rise Pumping Pressure for High‐Performance Concrete Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling and Situation Measurement
Authors: Cui Weijiu , Zhao Chuankai , Wang Sheng
Published: October 2021

Traditional methods fail to predict the pumping pressure loss of high‐performance concrete properly in super high‐rise pumping situations due to complex changes of concrete properties. Therefore, it is imperative to propose a relative accurate method for pumping pressure estimation in super high‐rise buildings. This paper builds the simplified pressure calculation method “pressure induced by the gravity plus pressure along the pipe line.” The later one is gained by establishing topology optimized model based on computational fluid dynamics and considering the lubrication layer formation. The effect of rheological properties and flow rate is analyzed based on this model in detail. Furthermore, the developed calculation method is verified by the measured pumping pressure during the super high‐rise building construction of the Shanghai Tower (the tallest building in China recently). The relative differences between the calculation results and the measured data in situ are less than 6%, indicating the applicability of this method for predicting the pressure loss of the super high‐rise pumping.
A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Ramp Metering Based on Traffic Video Data
Authors: Liu Bing , Tang Yu , Ji Yuxiong , Shen Yu , Du Yuchuan
Published: October 2021

Ramp metering that uses traffic signals to regulate vehicle flows from the on-ramps has been widely implemented to improve vehicle mobility of the freeway. Previous studies generally update signal timings in real-time based on predefined traffic measurements collected by point detectors, such as traffic volumes and occupancies. Comparing with point detectors, traffic cameras—which have been increasingly deployed on road networks—could cover larger areas and provide more detailed traffic information. In this work, we propose a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) method to explore the potential of traffic video data in improving the efficiency of ramp metering. Vehicle locations are extracted from the traffic video frames and are reformed as position matrices. The proposed method takes the preprocessed video data as inputs and learns the optimal control strategies directly from the high-dimensional inputs. A series of simulation experiments based on real-world traffic data are conducted to evaluate the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that, in comparison with a state-of-the-practice method, the proposed DRL method results in (1) lower travel times in the mainline, (2) shorter vehicle queues at the on-ramp, and (3) higher traffic flows downstream of the merging area. The results suggest that the proposed method is able to extract useful information from the video data for better ramp metering controls.
Cluster Design and Optimization of SWIPT‐Based MEC Networks with UAV Assistance
Authors: E Xuefei , Ma Zhonggui , Huang JunFeng
Published: November 2021

In recent years, service isolation and service miniaturization have become very popular. The large services are dismantled into multiple low‐cost and simple small services to improve the scalability and disaster tolerance of the entire services. A service network composed of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and MEC servers is proposed in this paper, which aims at decoupling multiple services of the SWIPT‐MEC network. In this network, UAVs take charge of energy transmission and calculation task scheduling and MEC servers are focused on task calculation. To meet the resource requirements of the ground nodes (GNs) in the network, we designed a distributed iterative algorithm to solve the resource allocation decision problem of GNs and used the modified expert bat algorithm to complete the UAV’s trajectory planning in a two‐dimensional space. The results show that the algorithm can formulate a more fair resource allocation strategy, and its performance is improved by 7% compared with the traditional bat algorithm. In addition, the algorithm in this paper can also adapt to changes in task length and has a certain degree of stability.
Simulation Analysis of the Evolution of Sustainable Operation of Transport Infrastructure Projects under Government Regulation Based on Prospect Theory and BP Neural Network
Authors: Ma Chongsen , Chen Yun , Zhang Yinghui
Published: November 2021

The decisions and actions of operators in the operation of transport infrastructure play a crucial role in the sustainability of the project but are influenced by factors such as the strength of government regulation and the frequency of use by users. The influence of social recognition and acceptance by the authorities on the decisions of the various parties involved in a project is becoming increasingly significant. To address this issue, this paper attempts to apply prospect theory to characterize the impact of changes in recognition on the decisions of project managers and the government from the perspective of recognition and to construct a tripartite evolutionary game model for the government, the operator, and the users, taking into account the combined effect of multiple factors, to explore the evolutionary law of the operator’s strategy choice. Evolutionary game theory, in which each person is considered irrational and behavior is changeable, is more realistic. The addition of prospect theory allows the model to more realistically reflect the decisions of each participant in the game process when faced with risk. The results of the study show that there is an optimal level of external regulation to maximize the benefits for all three parties in the game, strong government regulation does not necessarily improve service quality, operators tend to provide low-quality services in the game process and incentives should be increased, and that attempts should be made to provide users with a variety of transport infrastructure options to ensure that users’ interests are maximized. The paper further analyzes the indicators established by sensitive factors using BP neural networks on the basis of the analysis of transportation infrastructure operation and impact sensitive factors using evolutionary games and finds that the conclusions obtained by deep learning algorithms are more consistent with those obtained using evolutionary games, achieving cross-validation of the results. The reliability of the result is improved, and it is demonstrated that deep learning algorithms can be introduced as a supplement in the process of future analysis of transportation infrastructure operations. Finally, management suggestions are made in light of the actual situation.
Nonadherence to Self-Care Practices, Antihypertensive Medications, and Associated Factors among Hypertensive Patients in a Follow-up Clinic at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wake Addisu Dabi , Tuji Techane Sisay , Sime Addisu Tadesse , Mekonnin Mekuria Tesfaye , Taji Taju Mohamed , Hussein Alfia Abdurahaman
Published: October 2021

Background. Hypertension is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases affecting several individuals globally. However, the level of nonadherence to self-care practices, antihypertensive medications, and associated factors among hypertensive patients in a follow-up clinic at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital is unknown. Objective. To assess the level of nonadherence to self-care practices, antihypertensive medications, and associated factors among hypertensive patients in a follow-up clinic at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, in 2020. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted on 115 hypertensive patients who visited the follow-up clinic at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital from December 24, 2020, to January 15, 2021. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.2.0.0 and exported to SPSS version 21.0 for statistical analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the presence of statistical association between dependent and independent variables. Results. A total of 115 hypertensive patients were enrolled into the study, giving a response rate of 98.29%. The mean age of the study participants was 55.17 years (SD = 17.986). More than half of them (59 (51.3%)) were females. More than half of them (58 (50.4%)) were married. Nearly two-thirds of them (79 (68.7%)) had formal education. The level of nonadherence to self-care practices was 67.0% (n = 77, 95% CI: 60.0, 75.7). Meanwhile, the patient’s level of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications was 16.5% (n = 19, 95% CI: 10.4, 24.3). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age >45 years (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.16, 7.18), having no formal education (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.32, 3.74), and having ≤5 years’ duration since diagnoses of hypertension (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.25) were factors significantly associated with nonadherence to self-care practices. Being male (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.93, 9.59), being married (AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.29, 13.76), and having an average monthly income of ≤2500 ETB (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.09, 7.08) were factors significantly associated with nonadherence to medications. Conclusion. In the present study, the level of both nonadherence to self-care practices and antihypertensive medications was relatively high. There is a need to initiate programs that could create awareness about adherence to self-care practices and antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients to improve their level of adherence.
Intelligent Rural Tourism Environmental Suitability Evaluation System Based on a Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Ying Feng
Published: October 2021

After years of vigorous development, the scale of rural tourism industry has gradually expanded throughout the country, and it has become an important means of coordinating urban and rural areas to drive farmers’ incomes and get rich. Nowadays, the level of informatization is constantly improving, the construction of smart cities is constantly advancing, the personalized demand of tourists is increasingly strong, especially the rural tourist spots scattered in the vast countryside which have a great spatial breadth, and the traditional management method can no longer meet the needs of the source objects whose main travel mode is self‐driving. Therefore, only when rural tourism develops in the direction of intelligence can it successfully realize the transformation and upgrading of rural tourism industry. This paper takes a rural tourism resort in a certain area as the research object and builds an intelligent rural tourism environmental suitability evaluation system with three criterion levels: natural geographic conditions, traffic environmental conditions, and tourism spatial conditions. The weight of each indicator layer is obtained through the analytic hierarchy process, and the reclassified raster data of indicators is weighted and superimposed on the ArcGIS operating platform to obtain the evaluation result of the environmental suitability of smart rural tourism. According to the results of suitability evaluation, the most suitable area is selected as the potential area of the intelligent rural tourism environment in a certain area. According to the natural and cultural tourism resource conditions in the block, the potential block is divided into functions. A comprehensive comparison of the suitability spatial differentiation map of the smart rural tourism environment in a certain area with the suitability spatial differentiation map of each subsystem can more clearly find that the suitability score of the economic development subsystem and the basic support subsystem is a county‐level village in a certain area. Among them, the suitability of the rural economic development subsystem is similar to the distribution of the suitability of the smart rural tourism environment in a certain area; that is, it is positively correlated with the suitability of the smart rural tourism environment. Therefore, improving the level of rural economic development and increasing investment in the construction of a smart rural tourism environment play an important role in improving the level of public services and infrastructure coverage.
Mining Travel Time of Airport Ferry Network Based on Historical Trajectory Data
Authors: Ding Cong , Bi Jun , Xie Dongfan , Zhao Xiaomei , Liu Yi
Published: October 2021

An airport ferry vehicle is a ground service vehicle used to transfer passengers between the far apron and the terminal. The travel time of ferry tasks in the airport ferry network is an important decision-making basis for ferry vehicle scheduling. This paper presents a graph-based method to mine the travel time between nodes in the airport ferry network. Firstly, combined with map and trajectory information, the method takes the terminal boarding gates, parking lots, and remote stands as road network nodes to build a complete airport ferry road network. Then, this paper uses big data processing technology to identify the travel time between regional connection nodes by data fusion through the temporal and spatial relationship between flight schedule and ferry vehicle GPS travel trajectory. Finally, the Floyd shortest path algorithm in graph theory is used to obtain the shortest path and travel time of all OD points. The experimental results show that all the ferry times calculated by the method proposed in this paper can better reflect the actual driving situation. This method saves the manpower, material resources, and time cost of on-site investigation and lays a foundation for the scheduling of ferry vehicles.
Speech Encryption Scheme Based on Ciphertext Policy Hierarchical Attribute in Cloud Storage
Authors: Zhang Qiuyu , Zhao Zhenyu , Fu Minrui
Published: October 2021

In order to ensure the confidentiality and secure sharing of speech data, and to solve the problems of slow deployment of attribute encryption systems and fine-grained access control in cloud storage, a speech encryption scheme based on ciphertext policy hierarchical attributes was proposed. First, perform hierarchical processing of the attributes of the speech data to reflect the hierarchical structure and integrate the hierarchical access structure into a single-access structure. Second, use the attribute fast encryption framework to construct the attribute encryption scheme of the speech data, and use the integrated access to the speech data; thus, the structure is encrypted and uploaded to the cloud for storage and sharing. Finally, use the hardness of decisional bilinear Diffie–Hellman (DBDH) assumption to prove that the proposed scheme is secure in the random oracle model. The theoretical security analysis and experimental results show that the proposed scheme can achieve efficient and fine-grained access control and is secure and extensible.
Bayesian Estimations of Exponential Distribution Based on Interval-Censored Data with a Cure Fraction
Authors: Ahmed Al Omari Mohammed
Published: October 2021

Censored data are considered to be of the interval type where the upper and lower bounds of an event’s failure time cannot be directly observed but only determined between interval inspection times. The analyses of interval-censored data have attracted attention because they are common in the fields of reliability and medicine. A proportion of patients enrolled in clinical trials can sometimes be cured. In some instances, their symptoms mostly disappear without any recurrence of the disease. In this study, the proportion of such patients who are cured is estimated. Furthermore, the Bayesian approach under the gamma prior and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is used to estimate the cure fraction depending on the bounded cumulative hazard (BCH) model based on interval-censored data with an exponential distribution. The Bayesian approach uses three loss functions: squared error, linear exponential, and general entropy. These functions are compared with the MLE and used between estimators. Moreover, they are obtained using the mean squared error, which locates the best option to estimate the parameter of an exponential distribution. The results show that the BCH model and lambda parameter of the exponential distribution based on the interval-censored data can be best estimated using the Bayesian gamma prior with a positive loss function of the linear exponential.
Endovascular Treatment of Right Heart Masses Utilizing the AngioVac System: A 6-Year Single-Center Observational Study
Authors: Katapadi Aashish , Richards Lauren , Fischer William , Allaqaband Suhail Q. , Bajwa Tanvir , Jan M. Fuad
Published: October 2021

Objective. To describe our institution’s experience with the AngioVac system. Background. Intracardiac and intravascular masses previously required surgical excision, but now, there are a number of minimally invasive options. With the advent of vacuum aspiration, more specifically the AngioVac System (AngioDynamics, NY, USA), there exists a system with both low mortality and minor complications. However, the number of retrospective studies remains limited. Outcome data for high-risk patients are also limited. Methods. Data were collected and analyzed in patients who underwent AngioVac therapy at our tertiary care center from January 2014 to December 2020. Results. Our results demonstrated a 93.3% intraoperative success rate and a 100% intraoperative survival rate. However, a number of complications, including but not limited to hematomas, anemia, and hypotension, occurred, as described below. Conclusions. Our experiences demonstrated good outcomes and continue to support the usefulness of the AngioVac System. The data also support the use of AngioVac as a treatment option for the debulking or removal of right heart masses in critically ill patients.
Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna for VANET, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX Wireless Communication Systems
Authors: Rahmani Faouzi , Amar Touhami Naima , Belbachir Kchairi Abdelmounaim , Aknin Noura , Taher Nihade
Published: October 2021

This work presents the design and analysis of a beam switching antenna for VANET, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX wireless communication systems. The proposed reconfigurable antenna is powered by a coaxial cable and consists of a circular patch, six fish-shaped radiating elements, and a circular planar ground. The antenna was constructed on a Rogers RT5880 substrate. Its dimensions are as follows: 0.81λ0 × 0.81λ0 × 0.03λ0. It performs six reconfigurable operating states, at the same frequency, by controlling the activation and deactivation of six PIN diodes to change the beam’s direction. A theoretical equivalent circuit model of the antenna is extracted. A progressive analysis of improving the antenna characteristic performances is provided. The bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 9.07% (measured), 9.62% (simulated), and 9.31% (theoretical). The designed antenna has a maximum gain of 9.57 dB for all pattern states and a superior efficiency ratio from 85% to 95% over the operating range (5.54 GHz–6.10 GHz). The proposed reconfigurable antenna is fabricated. Measured, simulated, and theoretical results are given and show good agreement, including reflection coefficient (S11) and radiation patterns.
Mucosal Healing in Crohn’s Disease: Bull’s Eye or Bust? “The Pro Position”
Authors: O’Moráin Neil , Doherty Jayne , Stack Roisin , Doherty Glen A.
Published: November 2021

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract with disease behaviour based on the depth and severity of mucosal injury. Cumulative injury can result in complications including stricture formation and penetrating complications which often require surgical resection of diseased segments of the intestine resulting in significant morbidity. Accurate assessment of disease activity and appropriate treatment is essential in preventing complications. Summary: Treatment targets in the management of CD have evolved with the advent of more potent immunosuppressive therapy. Targeting the resolution of sub-clinical inflammation and achieving mucosal healing is associated with the prevention of stricturing and penetrating complications. Identifying non-invasive modalities to assess mucosal healing remains a challenge. Key Messages: Mucosal healing minimizes the risk of developing disease complications, prolongs steroid-free survival, and reduces hospitalization and the need for surgical intervention.
From Helsinki to “Mars”
Authors: Selvage Douglas
Published: November 2021

After the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) at Helsinki on 1 August 1975, the Soviet Union sought to compel the West to accept its vision for détente. This meant, on the one hand, the acceptance of the political and social status quo within the Soviet bloc and, on the other hand, the “completion” of the existing political détente with “military détente”—namely, East-West arms control agreements that preserved or augmented existing Warsaw Pact advantages. To this end, the KGB and its Soviet-bloc partners undertook two parallel campaigns of active measures, “Synonym” and “Mars.” Despite tactical successes, both campaigns failed to achieve their goals. The United States, supported by other Western governments, continued to pressure the Eastern-bloc governments on human rights violations, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continued to modernize its forces in Europe, most importantly with the stationing of U.S. Euromissiles in 1983 in accordance with NATO's dual-track decision of December 1979.
Medical and social domains of ageing research in Singapore (2008–2018): a scoping review
Authors: Tam Chen Hee , Ho Elaine Qiao Ying , Hewage Sumali Subhashini , Tyagi Shilpa , Koh Gerald Choon Huat
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

This scoping review examined the number, types and characteristics of journal publications on ageing in Singapore from 2008 to 2018 to determine how ageing research in medical and social domains in Singapore has transformed over time.

Methods:

Using relevant search terms, articles were extracted from multiple databases and then screened and reviewed for eligibility and inclusion by independent reviewers. Data such as article title, authors, year of publication, name of journal, type of journal, study design and the kind of data used were charted from the included articles for evidence synthesis.

Results:

Since 2008, there has been a steady increase in the number of publications on ageing in medical and social domains in Singapore. In the medical domain, publications on Ophthalmology (22%) made up the largest proportion of the existing medical literature on ageing in Singapore, followed by Physical Functioning (17%), which involved physiological measurements of physical well-being, and Geriatrics (16%). Non-medical publications comprised 38% of all the included publications, with publications on the social aspects of ageing (43%) forming the largest group in this cluster, followed by publications on Prevention (19%) and Healthcare services (18%). The study design was mostly observational (82%), with only 3% of interventional studies.

Conclusion:

While ageing research had expanded in Singapore in the last decade, it was predominantly discipline specific and observational in design. As ageing issues are complex, with biology intersecting with psychology and sociology, we call for greater interdisciplinary collaboration, the conduct of more interventional studies, as well as more research in understudied and emerging areas.
Effect of body mass index on inpatient rehabilitation outcome after stroke in a Southeast Asian cohort: a prospective study
Authors: Jong Sze Chin , Fuentes Jovic Aguipo , Seow Angie En Qin , Lim Chien Joo , Chandran Gobinathan , Chua Karen Sui Geok
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

We examined the association between admission body mass index (BMI) and discharge rehabilitation functional outcome using the functional independence measure (FIM) in a Southeast Asian cohort of stroke patients during inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods:

A prospective, observational cohort study of stroke patients admitted to a single inpatient rehabilitation unit was conducted. Using the World Health Organization Asian standards, BMI was classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–22.9 kg/m2) and overweight (≥23 kg/m2). The primary outcome measure was discharge FIM, and secondary outcomes included FIM gain, FIM efficiency and FIM effectiveness.

Results:

Two hundred and forty-seven stroke subjects were enrolled. The mean age of the cohort was 59.48 (standard deviation [SD] 12.35) years; 64.4% (n = 159) were male and 52.6% (n = 130) had ischaemic stroke. The distributions of underweight, normal and overweight based on BMI on admission were 10.9% (n = 27), 33.2% (n = 82) and 55.9% (n = 138), respectively, and the distributions upon discharge were 11.7% (n = 29), 38.1% (n = 94) and 50.2% (n = 124), respectively. Significant small decreases in BMI from admission to discharge were found (median [interquartile range] 23.58 [23.40–24.70] vs. 23.12 [22.99–24.21]; P < 0.001). Similarly, clinically significant FIM gains (mean ΔFIM 26.71; 95% confidence interval 24.73, 28.69, P < 0.001) were noted after a median length of stay of 36 days. No significant relationships were found between BMI and discharge FIM (P = 0.600), FIM gain (P = 0.254), FIM efficiency (P = 0.412) or FIM effectiveness (P = 0.796).

Conclusion:

Findings from this study unequivocally support the benefits of acute inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Patients in the obese BMI range tended to normalise during rehabilitation. Body mass index, whether underweight, normal or overweight, did not correlate with discharge FIM.
Notes on the genus Chamaeanthus (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Vandeae, Aeridinae) with a new species from Vietnam
Authors: PHAM PHUOC DIEN , Kumar Pankaj , DANG VAN SON , NGUYEN DINH HIEP , BUI VAN HUONG , TU BAO NGAN , DANG MINH QUAN , TRUONG BA VUONG
Published: November 2021

N/A
The interesting and complex tribe Oxycoleini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): a new genus, new species, and taxonomic notes
Authors: DE L. NASCIMENTO FRANCISCO ERIBERTO , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: October 2021

The inclusion of Tethlimmena Bates, 1872 in Oxycoleini is reinforced, with the consequent exclusion of Eroschemini Lacordaire, 1868 from the American fauna. Oxycoleus obscurus Júlio, 1997 is transferred to Tethlimmena. Wappesia gen. nov. is described to include Oxycoleus cyaneus Martins & Galileo, 2005, Tethlimmena gahani Gounelle, 1911 (currently, in Oxycoleus), and Tethlimmena gahani tristis Melzer, 1933 (currently, in Oxycoleus as O. tristis). A key to genera of Oxycoleini is provided. Two new species of Oxycoleus are described: O mirabilis, from Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala (Baja Verapaz); and O. similis, from Costa Rica (Guanacaste) and Panama (Chiriquí). The male of Oxycoleus flavipes Martins & Galileo, 2006 is described for the first time. Notes on O. laetus Júlio, 1997 are provided.
Morphological description of the final instar larvae of Argia reclusa Selys, 1865 and Tigriagrion aurantinigrum Calvert, 1909 from Southeastern Brazil (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Authors: VILELA DIOGO SILVA , VENÂNCIO HENRIQUE , SANTOS JEAN CARLOS
Published: October 2021

The final instar larvae of Argia reclusa Selys, 1865 and Tigriagrion aurantinigrum Calvert, 1909 are described, diagnosed and illustrated. The larvae of A. reclusa has a very prominent premental ligula, shared with a single species in Brazil, from which it can be separated by a combination of characters. The larvae of T. aurantinigrum is similar to most Oxyagrion in regard to prementum and lamellae shape, and differs from those taxa in palpal and premental setation and number of teeth on the labial palp. Both larvae were collected in a small stream of the Cerrado biome, where both species are common.
The ant genus Strumigenys Smith, 1860 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in western North America North of Mexico
Authors: BOOHER DOUGLAS B.
Published: November 2021

Strumigenys is a globally distributed genus of mostly cryptic leaf-litter ants. In North America they are common throughout eastern deciduous forests but become increasingly rare to the west. Here I review the Strumigenys fauna of western North America north of the Mexico border including all states west of the eastern border of Texas. Six new native species with ranges entirely within this region are described: S. collinsae sp. nov., S. macgowni sp. nov., S. mendezi sp. nov., S. moreauviae sp. nov., S. lucky sp. nov., and S. subtilis sp. nov. Strumigenys ananeotes Longino & Booher 2019 is given a more thorough description, and S. alberti Forel 1893, a Neotropical species, is reported from the region for the first time. All new species bear clear morphological relationships with a native North American clade of “smithistrumiform” species. I include species accounts and provide an illustrated key for all species of this region.
Cybister (s. str.) poblanus sp. n. from Mexico and notes on other species of Cybistrinae (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
Authors: ARCE-PÉREZ ROBERTO , NOVELO-GUTIÉRREZ RODOLFO , FERY HANS
Published: November 2021

Cybister (s. str.) poblanus sp. n. is described from the Puebla state in Mexico. The species belongs to a group of members of the genus Cybister Curtis, 1827, which occur only in North America (including the Caribbean Islands) and are characterised by having several distinct ridges on the metacoxae (stridulatory organ) in males. The new species is the third of the genus reported for Mexico and the fourth for North America. It can easily be separated from its congeners by its great size and the shape of the male aedeagus. The habitus, the male genitalia and other details of C. poblanus sp. n. are illustrated and photographs of the male genitalia of the other three Cybister are given for comparison. Megadytes (Bifurcitus) lherminieri (Guérin-Méneville, 1829) and M. (B.) magnus Trémouilles & Bachmann, 1980 are the only other big species of subfamily Cybistrinae which occur in North America. They are externally similar to the new species and can easily be confused with it, hence the illustrations of their aedeagi to facilitate identification. A key to species is given for all species of Cybistrinae occurring in America north of Belize and Guatemala, including Cuba and the Bahamas. Lectotypes are designated for Cybister flavocinctus Aubé, 1838, Cybister explanatus var. fusculus Zimmermann, 1919, and Cybister (Megadytes) aubei Wilke, 1920. Notes are given on material of some Neotropical and Nearctic species of Cybister and Megadytes stored in different museums.
Co-analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen and glucose with novel cut-off levels better distinguishes between mucinous and non-mucinous neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions
Authors: Barutcuoglu Burcu , Oruc Nevin , Ak Güneş , Kucukokudan Serdar , Aydın Ahmet , Nart Deniz , Harman Mustafa
Published: October 2021

Background

Pancreatic cyst fluid analysis plays an important role in distinguishing between mucinous and non-mucinous cyst lesions. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, and glucose in differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) and determine the best cut-off levels.

Methods

Patients’ data were evaluated retrospectively. 102 patients’ PCLs were grouped as non-neoplastic ( n = 25), non-mucinous neoplastic ( n = 20), mucinous neoplastic ( n = 47) and pancreatic adenocarcinomas with cystic degeneration ( n = 10); and CEA, CA 19-9, and glucose levels were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed, and the ideal cut-off values were determined.

Results

Cyst fluid CEA and CA 19-9, levels were significantly higher ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) and glucose levels were significantly lower ( P = 0.001) in mucinous than in non-mucinous neoplastic PCLs. Area under curve with 95% confidence interval of CEA, glucose and CEA and glucose test combination was 0.939 (95% CI = 0.885–0.993, P = 0.001), 0.809 (95% CI = 0.695–0.924, P < 0.001) and 0.937 (95% CI = 0.879–0.995), respectively. CEA cut-offs to rule-in and rule-out mucinous neoplastic were 135.1 ng/mL (sensitivity = 62%, specificity = 94.7%) and 6.12 ng/mL (sensitivity = 94.1%, specificity = 80.4%), respectively. Glucose cut-off of 2.8 mmol/L was chosen both to rule-in and rule-out mucinous neoplastic PCLs (sensitivity = 78%, specificity = 80%). Co-analysis of CEA and glucose to distinguish mucinous from non-mucinous neoplastic PCLs had sensitivity = 87.8%, specificity = 93.3%, and diagnostic accuracy = 89.3%.

Conclusions

We concluded that co-analysis of cyst fluid CEA (cut-off = 135.1 ng/mL) and glucose (cut-off = 2.8 mmol/L) at novel cut-offs had the best testing performance to rule-in mucinous neoplastic PCLs. To rule-out mucinous PCLs co-analysis of CEA (cut-off = 6.12 ng/mL) and glucose (cut-off = 2.8 mmol/L) added value to prediction.
3D printed continuous glass fibre-reinforced polyamide composites: Fabrication and mechanical characterisation
Authors: Saidane El Hadi , Arnold Gilles , Louis Pascal , Pac Marie-José
Published: October 2021

Fused Filament Fabrication is a very common additive manufacturing technology and several manufacturers have developed commercial 3D-printers that enable the use of fibre-reinforced filaments in order to improve the mechanical properties of the printed parts. The obtained material is a composite that exhibits complex mechanical properties. The aim of this study is to characterize the mechanical behaviour of 3D-printed continuous glass fibre-reinforced polyamide composites. In a first step, we focus on the reinforced filament: the heterogeneity of its microstructure is evidenced as well as its brittle elastic tensile behaviour. In a second step, parts of different fibre orientations and fibre volume contents are manufactured using a Mark Two 3D-printer (MarkForged®), their microstructure is analysed and tensile, flexural and short beam bending tests are performed. As expected, the results show a significant influence of fibre volume content and fibre orientation. Standard homogenization methods are used to compare the predicted mechanical behaviour to the experimental results. Regarding the elastic stiffness, a good correlation is observed when the material is loaded in the direction of the fibres. Regarding the tensile strength, the results show that no benefit is obtained above a fibre volume content of about 11%. These results highlight the importance of choosing an optimised stacking sequence prior to the printing process, in order to obtain composites with the desired mechanical properties. The mechanical results are analysed in the light of Scanning Electron Microscopy observations of specimen cross-sections before and after testing.
Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Stakeholders in African American and Latinx Communities in the Deep South Through the Lens of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Bateman Lori B. , Hall Allyson G. , Anderson William A. , Cherrington Andrea L. , Helova Anna , Judd Suzanne , Kimberly Robert , Oates Gabriela R. , Osborne Tiffany , Ott Corilyn , Ryan Melissa , Strong Christian , Fouad Mona N.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccination intention among African American and Latinx participants and suggest intervention strategies.

Approach

Ninety minute virtual focus groups (N = 8), segmented by county, race and ethnicity were conducted with stakeholders from 3 vulnerable Alabama counties.

Participants

Participants (N = 67) were primarily African American and Latinx, at least 19 years, and residents or stakeholders in Jefferson, Mobile, and Dallas counties.

Setting

Focus groups took place virtually over Zoom.

Methods

The semi-structured guide explored perceptions of COVID-19, with an emphasis on barriers and facilitators to vaccine uptake. Focus groups lasted approximately 90 minutes and were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by a team of 3 investigators, according to the guidelines of Thematic Analysis using NVivo 12. To provide guidance in the development of interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy, we examined how themes fit with the constructs of the Health Belief Model.

Results

We found that primary themes driving COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, ordered from most to least discussed, are mistrust, fear, and lack of information. Additionally, interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy should be multi-modal, community engaged, and provide consistent, comprehensive messages delivered by trusted sources.
Nexus between entrepreneurship education, motivations, and intention among Indian university students: The role of psychological and contextual factors
Authors: Hassan Aamir , Anwar Imran , Saleem Ambreen , Alalyani Wafa Rashid , Saleem Imran
Published: October 2021

This study assesses the impact of different psychological and contextual factors on entrepreneurial motivations and the role of entrepreneurial motivations in determining the entrepreneurial intention of students at Indian universities. The paper also explores whether gender acts as a moderator in the entrepreneurial motivation–intention relationship. Cross-sectional data were collected by administering a questionnaire to 329 students who had received entrepreneurship education during their course program. A confirmatory factor analysis model was run to ensure the model’s fitness, reliability, and validity, while structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses. The study validates the following key findings. First, the psychological factors of perceived cultural support and entrepreneurship education foster entrepreneurial motivations, which help determine students’ entrepreneurial intention, whereas fear of failure negatively affects students’ entrepreneurial motivations. Second, the contextual factors of government support policies and access to entrepreneurial finance do not influence entrepreneurial motivations. Third, entrepreneurial motivations significantly enhance the entrepreneurial intention of students. Fourth, gender negatively moderates the entrepreneurial motivation–intention relationship. The study contributes to the literature on the entrepreneurial motivation–intention relationship using psychological and contextual factors and also explores the interaction effect of gender on that relationship.
Development and characterization of bio-composites using senegalia catechu resin
Authors: R Vinayagamoorthy , G Venkatakoteswararao
Published: October 2021

Owing to the increase in demand on bio-degradable materials, the present researches focus on the development of materials with full degradability. This research is intended to develop a bio-resin–based composite from senegalia catechu gum for light load automotive applications. The bio-resin obtained from the plant is processed with commercial polyester in order to make it as a functional resin for composite preparation. The synthesized resin is made in the form of structural materials by adding jute reinforcements in varying proportions. An extensive study on the various characters in comparison with the synthetic resin–based composites has been done which includes mechanical strengths analysis and thermal characters investigation. It is revealed that the bio-resin–based composites are good against tensile, flexural and impact loads as compared to that of the synthetic resin composites. In addition, it has been witnessed that the material with 40% weight of jute fabric is apt for offering highest resistance against tensile, flexural and impact loads. Micro-structural investigations proved that the bio-resin–based composites are superior in reducing the flaws and enhancing the bonding of resin with fibres as compared to that of the synthetic resin-based composites. Further, the thermal characterization showed that the bio-resin–based composites have high thermal stability as compared to the synthetic composites, and hence, a positive sign is obtained for bio-resin–based composites in both mechanical and thermal characters.