bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Structure and Training Adaptability of Athletes Based on Biomechanical Analysis
Authors: Yin Xiaoqin , Wang Lili , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2022

According to the kinematics analysis of the human body, a set of exoskeleton mechanical structures is designed to imitate the physiological structure and movement characteristics of the lower limbs of humans. To study the biomechanical characteristics of the exoskeleton in two different phases during walking and to provide a research basis for the design and optimization of the exoskeleton. Doctors and engineers are actively committed to the basic understanding and improvement of the tissue characteristics, structure, and function of the human musculoskeletal system. Firstly, according to the gait analysis of the lower limbs, the exoskeleton mechanical structure is designed by using three-dimensional modeling software. After the solid model is generated, the assembly, meshing, and element attribute assignment are carried out by using finite element software. And the face-to-face contact relationship between each building is established, and the stress distribution of the exoskeleton is simulated and analyzed. The stress distribution of the exoskeleton under different working conditions is significantly different. Since the calculation does not take into account uncertainties such as shocks that may occur during walking, it is necessary to consider and multiply a certain safety factor when designing the optimized exoskeleton.
Active Disturbance Rejection Control of Three-Phase LCL Grid-Connected Inverter under Unbalanced Grid Voltage
Authors: Yang Jianfeng , Meng Ningning
Published: February 2022

When the three-phase LCL grid-connected inverter operates under the condition of unbalanced grid voltage, the influence of the negative sequence component in the grid voltage will cause the grid-connected inverter system to produce active and reactive dual-frequency interference. This will cause the grid-side current to have many low-order harmonics, mainly the third harmonic, which does not conform the IEEE-Std. 929–2000 standard. In order to solve this problem, this paper designs a current auto-disturbance-rejection controller, which speeds up the tracking response speed of the system and reduces the harmonic content of the grid-side current under unbalanced conditions. At the same time, optimize the phase-locked loop structure and introduce a notch filter in the modulation link to eliminate the third low-frequency harmonic components and further improve the quality of the grid-side current waveform. Finally, the correctness of the control strategy suggested in this paper is verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulation.
Multiple-Layer Security Threats on the Ethereum Blockchain and Their Countermeasures
Authors: Duan Li , Sun Yangyang , Zhang Kejia , Ding Yong
Published: February 2022

Blockchain technology has been widely used in digital currency, Internet of Things, and other important fields because of its decentralization, nontampering, and anonymity. The vigorous development of blockchain cannot be separated from the security guarantee. However, there are various security threats within the blockchain that have shown in the past to cause huge financial losses. This paper aims at studying the multi-level security threats existing in the Ethereum blockchain, and exploring the security protection schemes under multiple attack scenarios. There are ten attack scenarios studied in this paper, which are replay attack, short url attack, false top-up attack, transaction order dependence attack, integer overflow attack, re-entrancy attack, honeypot attack, airdrop hunting attack, writing of arbitrary storage address attack, and gas exhaustion denial of service attack. This paper also proposes protection schemes. Finally, these schemes are evaluated by experiments. Experimental results show that our approach is efficient and does not bring too much extra cost and that the time cost has doubled at most.
Identity Model for Blockchain-Based Land Registry System: A Comparison
Authors: Shuaib Mohammed , Hafizah Hassan Noor , Usman Sahnius , Alam Shadab , Bhatia Surbhi , Koundal Deepika , Mashat Arwa , Belay Assaye
Published: February 2022

The land registry system is one of the essential components of any governance model required to ascertain the ownership records uniquely. This paper reviews the existing literature and provides a detailed literature review consisting of 3 stages based on three research questions (RQ) that highlight the step by step evaluation and analysis. We selected 48 primary articles out of 477 extracted from different scientific databases based on criteria and RQ defined in the research method section. The majority of these papers focus on assessing the identity issues related to the land registry system and reviewing the existing identity models to find the best possible identity model to resolve the identified identity problems in the land registry. This paper examines the current land registry model and its shortcomings. It explains the various blockchain types and their characteristics. It further evaluates the usability of blockchain technology in different aspects of the land registry. Identity management is one of such weaknesses in the blockchain-based land registry model that has been assessed in detail. Identity issues of blockchain-based models have been further evaluated on defined criteria. The paper ends with a discussion on possible identity models and their comparative analysis to ascertain the most suitable identity model to resolve the identity issues of land registry systems.
Effect of Different Dietary Selenium Sources on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Gut Microbiota, and Molecular Responses in Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Yu Qiuran , Xia Chuyan , Han Fenglu , Xu Chang , Rombenso Artur , Qin Jian G. , Chen Liqiao , Li Erchao
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the effect of different dietary selenium (Se) sources on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota, and molecular responses of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Four Se sources (sodium selenite, L-selenomethionine, selenium yeast, or Se nanoparticles) were added to purified diets to 0.4 mg Se/kg diet for shrimp (

1.60
±
0.14
 
g

). Each treatment was randomly assigned to 3 replicated tanks and 30 shrimp in each tank (500 L). After 8 weeks of breeding, L-selenomethionine and selenium yeast significantly increased weight gain compared with sodium selenite treatment, while sodium selenite significantly decreased the shrimp hepatosomatic index compared with the other groups. The L-selenomethionine significantly increased the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the hepatopancreas compared with the shrimp fed sodium selenite and decreased catalase activity and malondialdehyde content compared with other groups. The composition and β-diversity of gut microbiota were markedly changed in each group. The abundances of Rubrobacter and Rubritalea, Winogradskyella and Motilimonas, and Photobacterium in the gut microbiota were specially altered by L-selenomethionine, Se yeast, and Se nanoparticles, respectively. The sodium selenite group showed lower complexity of gut interspecies interactions. RNA-seq analysis showed that “arachidonic acid metabolism”-related genes were significantly enriched in the L-selenomethionine and Se yeast groups; “peroxisome” and “drug metabolism–other enzymes”-related genes were enriched in the Se nanoparticle group. Vibrio, Motilimonas, and Photobacterium were associated with amino acid and lipid metabolism. Pseudoalteromonas, Silicimonas, Roseovarius, and Halomonas inhibited the expression of glutathione peroxidase genes. These results suggested that organic Se, especially selenomethionine, is an effective feed supplement to promote growth and antioxidant capacity, maintain the health of gut microbiota, and promote the utilization of fatty acid and glutathione peroxidase genes in shrimp fed a 0.4 mg Se/kg diet.
A Unified Power Quality Conditioner for Feeder Reconfiguration and Setting to Minimize the Power Loss and Improve Voltage Profile
Authors: Huang Zhigao , Shahbaazy Farid , Davarpanah Afshin
Published: February 2022

Using devices such as unified power quality conditioners (UPQCs) in distribution networks seems essential for higher electricity quality. Moreover, distribution network reconfiguration is a suitable model for improving network characteristics, including loss reduction and voltage increase for distribution networks, and is widely used in this era. Here, the study discusses the rechanging of distribution networks for UPQC via proposing an appropriate model for it. In addition to the optimum structure of distribution networks, the most appropriate branch where UPQC must be located and the most appropriate reactive power size with which series and shunt filters must be injected into the grid are determined. The simulations have been applied on two 69‐ and 84‐standard‐bus networks. The results of the simulations indicate much power loss reduction and much voltage increase in the presence of UPQC compensators.
Low Hemoglobin‐to‐Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio Is Associated with Mortality in Patients with HBV‐Related Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Yu Ze , Zhang Tan , Shen Jianjiang
Published: February 2022

Background. The prognostic role of hemoglobin‐to‐red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) in HBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV‐DeCi) has not been established. The present study is aimed at determining the potential of HRR as a predictive factor for the prognosis of HBV‐DeCi patients. Methods. The study included 177 HBV‐DeCi patients. The clinical outcome was death at 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were applied to assess the predictive value of HRR for poor outcomes. Results. A total of 26 patients (14.7%) had died by 30 days. Patients with unfavorable outcomes had lower HRR than patients with favorable outcomes. Multivariate analysis revealed that HRR and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were independently associated with poor outcomes. Combination of HRR and MELD score may improve prognostic accuracy in HBV‐DeCi. Conclusions. The present findings indicate that low HRR may be a promising predictor for mortality in HBV‐DeCi patients.
Feature Classification-Based Inclination Measurement for Industrial Assembly Platform
Authors: Meng Zelin , Meng Lin , Tomiyama Hiroyuki
Published: February 2022

This paper proposed a method to realize inclination measurement for the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) assembly platform by utilizing deep learning technology. Because the existence of inclination angle of platform will introduce slight damages to the products during the assembly process, our research group designed a system to tackle this problem by replacing the motion estimation algorithm with a classification mechanism. In other words, by classifying the image of the installation platform, it is capable to determine which inclination angle (image class) an input image belongs to. From the analysis of evaluation experiments, the proposed system for inclination measurement mechanism is proved effective when tackling the problems mentioned above. In addition, the proposed IoT system costs less computation power and achieves relatively higher measurement accuracy.
Energy Management Model of Intelligent Park Based on Improved Depth Deterministic Gradient Strategy Algorithm
Authors: Xu Chen , Jiang Xianwei
Published: February 2022

The traditional distribution automation system, demand side management system, and distributed generation access and control system, respectively, solve the problems of regional distribution network power supply, customer power consumption, and new energy utilization to varying degrees. Intelligent Park evolved from the concept of intelligent park of State Grid Corporation, Modern enterprises, or residential areas that can make full use of modern communication, computer, automation, and other technologies to implement the power supply demand of the park. For the modern intelligent park with user-side temperature control load and demand response load access, an intelligent park energy management and optimal scheduling method based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm is proposed. Through the interaction between the agent and the energy environment of the intelligent park, the control strategy is adaptively learned. This method can realize the continuous action control of energy management in intelligent park and can realize the optimal scheduling decision of intelligent park in various scenarios. Firstly, based on the characteristics and types of intelligent park aggregation unit, the environment model of intelligent park energy management system interacting with agent is established. Secondly, the basic principle of deep deterministic policy gradient deep algorithm is introduced, and on this basis, the key links of deep reinforcement learning algorithm, such as action space, state space, reward mechanism, neural network structure, and learning process, are designed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by an example of a city intelligent park.
An Effective Hybrid Algorithm Based on Particle Swarm Optimization with Migration Method for Solving the Multiskill Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem
Authors: Dang Quoc Huu , Nguyen The Loc , Nguyen Doan Cuong
Published: February 2022

The paper proposed a new algorithm to solve the Multiskill Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (MS-RCPSP), a combinational optimization problem proved in NP-Hard classification, so it cannot get an optimal solution in polynomial time. The NP-Hard problems can be solved using metaheuristic methods to evolve the population over many generations, thereby finding approximate solutions. However, most metaheuristics have a weakness that can be dropping into local extreme after a number of evolution generations. The new algorithm proposed in this paper will resolve that by detecting local extremes and escaping that by moving the population to new space. That is executed using the Migration technique combined with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method. The new algorithm is called M-PSO. The experiments were conducted with the iMOPSE benchmark dataset and showed that the M-PSO was more practical than the early algorithms.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Neuron-Like Cell Transplantation Combined with Electroacupuncture Improves Synaptic Plasticity in Rats with Intracerebral Hemorrhage via mTOR/p70S6K Signaling
Authors: Yang Guoqiang , Zhu Jiayi , Zhan Guwen , Fan Guangbi , Deng Li , Tang Huajun , Jiang Xiaoqian , Chen Bo , Yang Chaoxian
Published: February 2022

Previous studies have shown that the combination of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation and electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is a neuroprotective strategy for treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the underlying mechanisms by which the combined treatment promotes neuroprotection remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the combined treatment on synaptic plasticity and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Therefore, rat ICH models were established by injecting collagenase and heparin, and the animals were randomly divided into model control (MC), EA stimulation (EA), MSC-derived neuron-like cell transplantation (MSC-dNLCs), and MSC-dNLC transplantation combined with EA stimulation (MSC-dNLCs+EA) groups. We observed the ultrastructure of the brain and measured the brain water content (BWC) and the levels of the microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), galactocerebrosidase (GALC), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) proteins. We also measured the levels of the phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) proteins, as well as the expression of synapse-related proteins. The BWC increased in rats after ICH and decreased significantly in ICH rats treated with MSC-dNLC transplantation, EA stimulation, or combined therapy. Meanwhile, after ICH, the number of blood vessels increased more evidently, but only the combined treatment reduced the number of blood vessels among rats receiving the three treatments. Moreover, the levels of MAP2, GALC, postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and synaptophysin (SYP) proteins, as well as the levels of the phosphorylated mTOR and p70S6k proteins, increased in the MSC-dNLCs+EA group compared with those in the MSC-dNLCs and EA groups. Compared with the MC group, GFAP expression was significantly reduced in the MSC-dNLCs, EA, and MSC-dNLCs+EA groups, but the differences among the three treatment groups were not significant. In addition, the number of synapses increased only in the MSC-dNLCs+EA group compared to the MC group. Based on these data, the combination of MSC-dNLC transplantation and EA stimulation exerts a synergistic effect on improving the consequences of ICH by relieving cerebral edema and glial scarring, promoting the survival of neurons and oligodendrocytes, and activating mTOR/p70S6K signaling to enhance synaptic plasticity.
Prune Belly Syndrome Associated with Interstitial 17q12 Microdeletion
Authors: Puvabanditsin Surasak , Shim Miry , Suell Jeffrey , Manzano Jeffrey , Blackledge Kristin , Bursky-Tammam Avram , Mehta Rajeev
Published: February 2022

We report a term male neonate presenting with a “prune belly,” bilateral hydronephrosis, hydroureter, posterior urethral obstruction, and bilateral undescended testes. Analysis with the whole genome SNP microarray revealed an interstitial deletion of about 1.49 megabase (MB) at chromosome 17q12. We present a rare association of prune belly syndrome with a chromosomal deletion in this same region.
Signature of m5C-Related lncRNA for Prognostic Prediction and Immune Responses in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Liu Xiangrong , Wang Dan , Han Shiyu , Wang Fang , Zang Jinfeng , Xu Caifeng , Dong Xue
Published: February 2022

Background. Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a high mortality and dismal prognosis, predicting to be the second most lethal malignancy. 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are both crucial in the prognostic outcome and immunotherapeutic effect for PC patients. Therefore, we aimed to create an m5C-related lncRNA signature (m5C-LS) for PC patients’ prognosis and treatment. Methods. Clinicopathological information and RNAseq data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to extract m5C-related lncRNAs in PC. Univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox analyses were adopted to build an m5C-LS. Kaplan–Meier (K-M), principal component analysis (PCA), and nomogram were utilized to assess model accuracy. In addition, we explored the model’s possible immunotherapeutic responses and drug sensitivity targets. Results. Three m5C-related lncRNAs were finally established to construct the risk signature, which has a good and independent predictive ability for PC patients. Based on the m5C-LS, patients were classified into the low- and high-m5C-LS group, with the latter having a worse prognosis. Furthermore, the m5C-LS allowed us to better discriminate the immunotherapeutic responses of PC patients in different subgroups. Conclusions. Our study constructed an m5C-LS and established a nomogram model that accurately predicted the prognosis of PC patients, as well as provides promising immunotherapeutic strategies in the future.
Construction of a Comprehensive Mental Health Evaluation System for Clinicians
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Wang Xumei
Published: February 2022

Objective. To detect problems of mental health disorders early and actively by constructing a comprehensive evaluation system of mental health. Methods. The evaluation system was constructed by the Minnesota personality questionnaire (MMPI), the personality questionnaire (EPQ), and the depression experience questionnaire (DEQ). Total 341 interns and residents in a general hospital were investigated with the questionnaire about psychological status, and the results were analyzed by SPSS22.0. Results. The KMO was 0.879, and the factor load of the seven factors was 0.49 to 0.856. The cumulative variance contribution reached 72.18%, and the overall consistency coefficient was 0.871. The relationship, emotional disorder, paranoia, reflection, and positive response were 0.893, 0.614, 0.867, 0.771 and 0.621, respectively. In this study, the mental health composite scores of all study subjects met a normal distribution, so level 3 scores of clinical interns and residents were established according to the deviation method. Conclusion. The constructed index system contains comprehensive indicators, good reliability efficiency, and a level 3 score, which helps individuals and hospitals to detect problems early, and provide guidance and advice for active intervention.
Maximal Information Coefficient-Based Testing to Identify Epistasis in Case-Control Association Studies
Authors: Guo Yingjie , Yuan Zhian , Liang Zhen , Wang Yang , Wang Yanpeng , Xu Lei
Published: February 2022

Interactions between genetic variants (epistasis) are ubiquitous in the model system and can significantly affect evolutionary adaptation, genetic mapping, and precision medical efforts. In this paper, we proposed a method for epistasis detection, called EpiMIC (epistasis detection through a maximal information coefficient (MIC)). MIC is a promising bivariate dependence measure explicitly designed for rapidly exploring various function types equally and for interpreting and comparing them on the same scale. Most epistasis detection approaches make assumptions about the form of the association between genetic variants, resulting in limited statistical performance. Based on the notion that if two SNPs do not interact, their joint distribution in all samples and in only cases should not be substantially different. We developed a statistic that utilizes the difference of MIC as a signal of epistasis and combined it with a permutation resampling strategy to estimate the empirical distribution of our statistic. Results of simulation and real-world data set showed that EpiMIC outperformed previous approaches for identifying epistasis at varying degrees of heredity.
Arsenic Induces Continuous Inflammation and Regulates Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg Balance in Liver and Kidney In Vivo
Authors: Duan Xiaoxu , Xu Guowei , Li Jinlong , Yan Nan , Li Xin , Liu Xuping , Li Bing
Published: February 2022

Numerous studies on arsenic-induced hepatonephric toxicity including cancer have been reported. Given that chronic inflammatory response and immune imbalance are associated with oncogenesis, we investigated whether arsenic could influence the hepatic and nephritic expression of inflammatory factors and the differentiation of T cells. Mice were exposed to NaAsO2 (0, 25, and 50 mg/L) for 1 and 3 months. Our data showed the destruction of the structure and inflammatory infiltration in the liver. The arsenic markedly increased the activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities increased in the liver at 25 and 50 mg/L arsenic for 3 months as well as in the kidney at both 1 and 3 months. An increased expression of inflammatory indicators (IL-1β, IL-12, and TNF-α) at 25 and 50 mg/L arsenic for 1 and 3 months in the liver and kidney, as well as IL-1β in the liver for 3 months and in the kidney at 50 mg/L for 1 and 3 months were demonstrated in our experiments. Besides, a definite tendency toward Th1/Th17 cytokines in the liver while Th2/Th17 cytokines in kidney was also observed by arsenic. Moreover, arsenic enhanced the expression of MAPK/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling molecules. In conclusion, the results of the study suggested that arsenic induces continuous immune-inflammatory responses in the liver and kidney.
An Automated Toxicity Classification on Social Media Using LSTM and Word Embedding
Authors: Alsharef Ahmad , Aggarwal Karan , Sonia  , Koundal Deepika , Alyami Hashem , Ameyed Darine
Published: February 2022

The automated identification of toxicity in texts is a crucial area in text analysis since the social media world is replete with unfiltered content that ranges from mildly abusive to downright hateful. Researchers have found an unintended bias and unfairness caused by training datasets, which caused an inaccurate classification of toxic words in context. In this paper, several approaches for locating toxicity in texts are assessed and presented aiming to enhance the overall quality of text classification. General unsupervised methods were used depending on the state-of-art models and external embeddings to improve the accuracy while relieving bias and enhancing F1-score. Suggested approaches used a combination of long short-term memory (LSTM) deep learning model with Glove word embeddings and LSTM with word embeddings generated by the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), respectively. These models were trained and tested on large secondary qualitative data containing a large number of comments classified as toxic or not. Results found that acceptable accuracy of 94% and an F1-score of 0.89 were achieved using LSTM with BERT word embeddings in the binary classification of comments (toxic and nontoxic). A combination of LSTM and BERT performed better than both LSTM unaccompanied and LSTM with Glove word embedding. This paper tries to solve the problem of classifying comments with high accuracy by pertaining models with larger corpora of text (high-quality word embedding) rather than the training data solely.
Prognostic Significance of SPARC Expression in Breast Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Shi Shuai , Ma Hong-Yan , Han Xin-Ying , Sang Yin-Zhou , Yang Ming-Yue , Zhang Zhi-Gang
Published: February 2022

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC, also known as osteonectin), is a small molecule glycoprotein associated with cell secretions. The purpose of our research is to clarify the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of SPARC expression in breast cancer. In this study, we performed a meta‐analysis and bioinformatics analysis using the PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, and CNKI databases. The meta‐analysis showed that SPARC expression was elevated in breast cancer tissue, compared with normal tissue, while SPARC expression in tumor stromal cells was higher than that of tumor cells. The expression of SPARC was positively correlated with histological grade and TNM staging. The Kaplan‐Meier plotter showed that low SPARC expression was negatively correlated with the overall, postprogression, and distant metastasis survival rates of patients. According to Oncomine database, SPARC expression was upregulated in breast cancer than normal tissues. In TCGA database, univariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM staging were negatively correlated with patient prognosis in breast cancers. Cox multivariate analysis showed that age, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM staging were important factors affecting the survival time of breast cancer patients. SPARC expression can be employed as a good indicator of prognosis of breast cancer patients, which will provide new methods and ideas of preventive treatment.
Research on Fresh Product Logistics Transportation Scheduling Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Yu Hongshen
Published: February 2022

With the improvement of the economic level, people’s quality of life continues to improve, the demand for fresh food is increasing, and the logistics of fresh products is also developing rapidly. We effectively balance the relationship between transportation costs and service levels in fresh product logistics and transportation businesses, improve the transportation capacity and efficiency of logistics transportation businesses, and improve the resource utilization of businesses. It is important for the development of the logistics transportation scheduling industry for fresh products. Significance. Based on this, this paper proposes a DNQ algorithm based on pointer network, which solves the single fresh product distribution service center-regional efficient logistics scheduling problem, and a feasible logistics transportation scheduling scheme can be obtained through simulation experiments. The simulation results show that the algorithm is superior to other common intelligent algorithms in terms of accuracy and stability, which proves that the algorithm is effective and feasible (the research results cannot be directly shown in the abstract and need to be supplemented) At the same time, it further explored the DNQ algorithm to improve the correction network, which can solve the complex problem of multiple fresh product distribution service centers-regional efficient logistics scheduling. It is a successful attempt to improve the solution algorithm. Complex logistics and transportation scheduling problems provide ideas and have good guidance and reference significance.
Connectivity Index in Vague Graphs with Application in Construction
Authors: Jiang Huiqin , Rao Yongsheng
Published: February 2022

The vague graph (VG), which has recently gained a place in the family of fuzzy graph (FG), has shown good capabilities in the face of problems that cannot be expressed by fuzzy graphs and interval‐valued fuzzy graphs. Connectivity index (CI) in graphs is a fundamental issue in fuzzy graph theory that has wide applications in the real world. The previous definitions’ limitations in the connectivity of fuzzy graphs directed us to offer new classifications in vague graph. Hence, in this paper, we investigate connectivity index, average connectivity index, and Randic index in vague graphs with several examples. Also, one of the motives of this research is to introduce some special types of vertices such as vague connectivity enhancing vertex, vague connectivity reducing vertex, and vague connectivity neutral vertex with their properties. Finally, an application of connectivity index in the selected town for building hospital is presented.
Integrating the MCDM Method to Explore the Business Model Innovation in Taiwan: A Case Study in Affiliated Restaurants
Authors: Chen Joyce Hsiu-Yu , Chang Hsueh-Feng , Hung Hsiu-Chu , Lin Yu-Shan
Published: February 2022

It is not easy for the hotel industry to develop a new business model. To find new consumers, Taiwan’s hotel industry has learned from the successful experience of internal restaurants and set up affiliated restaurants. The innovative business model has become an important niche for grasping key technologies and expanding advantages in terms of food and beverage management outside the hotel building. Based on this, and on the application of resource theory, this research is based on the authors’ previous research results which used resource-based theories as the basis to develop evaluation dimensions and criteria. This article continues this aspect and model, and merges MCDM models such as DEMATEL and DANP methods to formulate a research evaluation standard system for affiliated restaurants. According to the research results, there are four resource dimensions and eight measurement indicators for the development of key resources for affiliated restaurants; the importance of the four resources is in the following order: organizational ability, personal ability, tangible assets, and intangible assets, and the first two are the “causes” in the causal relationship. The important order of the eight measurement indicators is organizational resources, human resources, financial resources, physical resources, brand/business reputation resources, marketing resources, technical resources, and relationship resources; among them, human resources and financial resources are the most important factors which are the “causes” in the causal relationship. This study uses a multi-criteria decision-making model to explore the resource application, evaluation, and importance ranking of hotel development for affiliated restaurants, which provides a benchmark for the hotel industry to establish affiliated restaurants as an innovative business model. The study results can be referred to for the future and sustainable development of the hotel industry.
Demodicosis Associated with Wearing a Face Mask: A Case Report
Authors: Paichitrojjana Anon
Published: February 2022

Demodex mites are common ectoparasites of human pilosebaceous units that do not cause any skin symptoms. However, when there is an abnormal increase in Demodex mite density, it can cause multiple skin disorders which are grouped under the term demodicosis. During the COVID-19 outbreak, public health authorities worldwide recommend people to wear face masks when in public places to reduce respiratory transmission. Wearing face mask can cause changes in microenvironment, skin barrier function, and microbiome on human skin. There are several reports of facial skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and rosacea provoked by wearing masks for long periods of time. This is the first case report of demodicosis associated with wearing a face mask. A 46-year-old female presented with dry, itchy erythematous to purpuric patches with fine follicular scales on both cheeks and chin under the mask. Clinical symptoms started slowly with warm, slightly burning, and periodically itching sensation on both cheeks after 3 weeks of wearing surgical face mask for more than 8 h a day. Even after switching to a cloth mask and using topical steroid, the rash improved slightly and recurred after discontinuation of the treatment. The diagnosis of demodicosis was made by relevant correlation of clinical skin lesions, along with standardized skin surface biopsy results that detected abnormal proliferation of Demodex mites and clinical cure after oral ivermectin therapy.
Avascular Necrosis due to Delbet Type I Femoral Neck Fracture in an Adolescent: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Talebi Shahin , Sheibani Shirin , Hassani Pedram , Ghadiri Abolfazl
Published: February 2022

Among all pediatric fractures, femoral neck fracture is an infrequent injury that occurs due to high-energy trauma. The high risk of complications, such as avascular necrosis (AVN), which is the most common and serious complication, coxa vara, nonunion, premature physeal closure and infections, turns this fracture into an orthopedic emergency and increases the need for early treatment and intervention. Among the classifications of femoral neck fractures, which are known as the Delbet classification, type 1 is the least common but with the highest risk of AVN. Therapeutic action for these patients is close or open reduction with internal fixation under general anesthesia, which according to the evidences, open reduction is a more successful method. Due to the high probability of complications and the urgent need for treatment of femoral neck fracture, early intervention and timely treatment should be performed. Here, we report a 14-year-old boy who was brought to the emergency department with a Delbet type 1B fracture of the left femoral neck with detached epiphyseal portion of the femoral head due to a car accident. After one failed attempt to closed reduction, open reduction and internal fixation with a posterolateral (Kocher) approach was performed under general anesthesia. The reduction was maintained with guide pins and fixed with cannulated screws. After 8 months of follow-up, AVN was noticed.
Acquired Pellicle Engineering Using a Combination of Organic (Sugarcane Cystatin) and Inorganic (Sodium Fluoride) Components against Dental Erosion
Authors: Pelá Vinícius Taioqui , Niemeyer Samira Helena , Baumann Tommy , Levy Flávia Mauad , Henrique-Silva Flávio , Lussi Adrian , Carvalho Thiago Saads , Buzalaf Marília Afonso Rabelo
Published: February 2022

This study evaluated the combination of a sugarcane cystatin (CaneCPI-5) and sodium fluoride (NaF) in acquired pellicle engineering for the prevention of dental erosion in vitro. Seventy-five human enamel specimens were prepared and divided into 5 treatment groups (n = 15/group): Deionized water (Control); Elmex™ (SnCl2/NaF/AmF); 0.1 mg/mL CaneCPI-5; 500 ppm NaF; and CaneCPI-5+NaF (Combination). The specimens were individually treated (200 μL; 2 min; 37°C), then incubated in human saliva (200 μL; 1 h, at 37°C) for acquired pellicle formation. Afterward, the specimens were submitted to an erosive challenge (1% citric acid [CR], pH 3.6, 10 mL, 2 min, 25 °C). This sequence was conducted 5 times. Percentage of surface microhardness change (%SMC), relative surface reflection intensity (rSRI), and calcium released to the CR were measured and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). In general, all the treatments (SnCl2/NaF/AmF, CaneCPI-5, NaF, and Combination) significantly protected the enamel when compared the control group. Regarding %SMC and rSRI, the Combination was the most effective treatment, reducing the %SMC significantly (p < 0.01) when compared to all the other treatments, although this difference was not significant in the CR analysis. All treatments demonstrated a protective effect on enamel against dental erosion; however, the combination of CaneCPI-5 with NaF showed a greater protection.
Damaris (Acts 17:34) and an Aristocratic Family from Sparta
Authors: den Heijer Arco
Published: February 2022

This article surveys epigraphic evidence for Damaris, Damares and Damari(o)n to show that these are distinctively Spartan or Laconian names. It rejects the hypothesis that Damaris is a Lukan construction from Homeric δάµαρ (wife) or a typical name for a courtesan. Positively, it suggests that the woman named Damaris in Acts 17:34 could be imagined as a member of the Voluseni family, a prominent Spartan family connected with the Athenian elite. Finally, it examines the rhetorical force that a recognizably Spartan name could have in the narrative of Acts.
Gathered into One
Authors: Yoder Keith L.
Published: February 2022

This article reconsiders the two enigmatic scenes of Mary at Jesus’ feet in John 11 and 12. Previous scholarship has recognized ordered connections between John 11–12, and between John 12–13. Examination of John’s distinctive linkage between Mary and Judas uncovers an artistic network of figural cantilevers and triads that connect, or gather into one, scenes from all three chapters: Jesus’ Raising of Lazarus, Mary’s Anointing of Jesus, and the Foot Washing. This network architecture enables information transfer and implicit commentary between the three contexts, which in turn illuminates Jesus’ emotional anagnorisis with Mary on his way to Lazarus’ tomb, as well as Mary’s unconventional wiping of the ointment from his feet with her hair. Her opposition to Judas points up her alignment with Jesus, wherein he shares her tears and she shares his anointing. Finally, this network model provides an intelligible platform for the migration of key Synoptic elements away from John’s Anointing into his Lazarus story.
The Imperative Transformation beyond the Capitalism Pandemic
Authors: Liodakis George
Published: February 2022

This article starts with a brief exploration of the multiple crises currently facing global capitalism, encompassing over-accumulation crisis, an exacerbated environmental and ecological crisis, the evolving epidemiological crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and a dramatic cultural and ideological crisis. This manifold crisis is considered as a specific “capitalism pandemic.” The most important implications of this generalized crisis are subsequently analyzed, focusing in particular on globalization and its ecological implications associated more specifically with the COVID-19 pandemic. This general crisis raises the need of an imperative transformation beyond capitalism and towards socialism/communism. Finally, we briefly outline the main characteristics of communism as a specific form of social organization, and analyze the main aspects of a prolonged transformation period between capitalism and communism.
Encampment of Refugees in Kenya and the Failure of Economic Integration
Authors: Ngendakurio John Bosco
Published: February 2022

This article demonstrates how Kenya’s refugee encampment practice undermines refugees’ potential and fails local, regional, and global economy. It limits refugees’ integration and access to opportunities outside the refugee camps, rendering the benefits of globalization irrelevant. This article specifically looks at the impacts of the refugee encampment on participation, health, wellbeing, skills, and education. It also outlines the missed opportunities as a direct result of this practice. Highlighting these adverse impacts is a good start to advocate for more socially cohesive practices to help millions of refugees regain their freedom and achieve their potential – financially, socially, and politically.
Keepers of the Vineyard and the Fence around the Torah: The Vineyard Metaphor in Rabbinic Literature
Authors: Teugels Lieve M.
Published: February 2022

Rabbinic texts apply the metaphor of the vineyard to the Torah as well as to Israel. Conceptual Metaphor Theory allows us to explain the parallel use of the vineyard metaphor for the two target domains, Israel and the Torah. The conceptual metaphor of the vineyard includes such aspects as the fence, the vines and the wine. The generic metaphor something precious is a cultivated piece of land enables us to include related conceptual fields, such as a field of wheat, or another cultivated piece of land. By means of the principle of the “creation of similarity,” the Torah and Israel are linked in the rabbinic cultural world, using the notion of preciousness, segulah. The metaphor of the vineyard not only reflects, but also induces the similarity: conceived as vineyards, Israel and the Torah become precious in the minds of the people using and hearing or reading the metaphorical texts.
Still Allies? The Women Spinners’ Strike in Arzignano and Italian/British Tensions in Italy During the Immediate Post-First World War Period
Authors: Pozzato Paolo , Samuels Martin
Published: February 2022

Social, political and industrial upheavals swept across Europe after November 1918. These affected the victors too, with some social groups seeking to consolidate gains made during the war, while others attempted to restore pre-war norms. In Italy, industrial unrest in Vincenza added a distinctive gendered character. An overlooked factor is the role of British troops, who became involved with local women factory workers, and hence drawn into direct conflict with the Italian authorities as these attempted to suppress strikes. This confrontation, part of the wider falling out between the wartime allies, was only resolved through the hasty removal of British forces.
Agaricus brunneodiscus, a new species of Agaricus section Rarolentes from India
Authors: ARYA C.P. , KUMAR A. MANOJ , PRADEEP C.K. , PARRA LUIS A.
Published: February 2022

Agaricus brunneodiscus sp. nov. is described from Kerala State, India, based on morphological and molecular (nrITS) data. This species is characterized by medium-sized basidiomes with a white pileus, a brown centre disc breaking up into squamules, polymorphic cheilocystidia, and basidiospores that are considered large among the members of A. sect. Rarolentes. The macro- and micromorphological characters in conjunction with nrITS-based phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood (ML) method supported the placement of the new species in Agaricus sect. Rarolentes within Agaricus subg. Spissicaules. Descriptions, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided.
Pavetta trichardtensis (Rubiaceae) and its varieties
Authors: HAHN NORBERT
Published: February 2022

This article attempts to resolve the long-standing confusion surrounding the identities of Pavetta hirtiflora and Pavetta zoutpansbergensis, both treated as synonyms of Pavetta trichardtensis. It is proposed that the P. trichardtensis complex be split into two varieties. Extensive field work and investigation of herbarium specimens supported these two varieties as distinct and occurring on the Blouberg, Soutpansberg and Wolkberg ranges. The typical pubescent variety occurs on the Soutpansberg through to the Wolkberg and the glabrous variety occurs on the Soutpansberg, Blouberg and possibly Houtbosch (Woodbush).
Cross-Tropopause Transport of Surface Pollutants during the Beijing 21 July Deep Convection Event
Authors: Chen Xi , Wu Luolin , Chen Xiaoyang , Zhang Yan , Guo Jianping , Safieddine Sarah , Huang Fuxiang , Wang Xuemei
Published: February 2022

Air transport from the troposphere to the stratosphere plays an important role in altering the vertical distribution of pollutants in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). On 21 July 2012, Beijing was hit by an unprecedented extreme rainfall event. In the present study, the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) is used to simulate the change in vertical profiles of pollutants during this event. The integrated process rate (IPR) method was applied to quantify the relative contributions from different atmospheric processes to the changes in the vertical profile of pollutants and to estimate the vertical transport flux across the tropopause. The results revealed that, in the tropopause layer, during the torrential rainfall event, the values of O3 decreased by 35% and that of CO increased by 98%, while those of SO2, NO2, and PM2.5 increased slightly. Atmospheric transport was the main cause for the change in O3 values, contributing 32% of the net increase and 99% of the net decrease of O3. The calculations showed that the transport masses of CO, O3, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 to the stratosphere by this deep convection in 25 h were 6.0 × 107, 2.4 × 107, 7.9 × 105, 2.2 × 105, and 2.7 × 103 kg, respectively, within the ∼300 km × 300 km domain. In the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, penetrating deep convective activities can transport boundary layer pollutants into the UTLS layer, which will have a significant impact on the climate of this layer.
The role of patient advocacy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The 25-year journey of the HCMA
Authors: Salberg Lisa
Published: February 2022

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have clinical, logistical, and emotional needs that had previously lacked attention and a coordinated approach. The United States-based HCMA recognized Center of Excellence model coupled with strong patient education, support and advocacy services can serve as a model for other nations. Patients benefit from peer support and high-volume HCM care.
Interictal plasma endothelin-1 levels do not change in individuals with episodic and chronic migraine
Authors: Kim Jiyoung , Park Chae Gyu , Chu Min Kyung
Published: February 2022

Background

Individuals with migraine present ictal elevation of endothelin-1 levels. Migraine can be subclassified into episodic migraine and chronic migraine. Apart from the inconsistent reports on interictal endothelin-1 levels, most studies did not distinguish between episodic migraine and chronic migraine.

Methods

We measured plasma endothelin-1 levels in participants with episodic migraine (n = 87), with chronic migraine (n = 88), and controls (n = 50).

Results

Interictal endothelin-1 levels were not significantly different among participants with episodic migraine, those with chronic migraine, and controls (pg/ml, median and interquartile range, 10.19 [7.76–13.69] vs. 9.25 [6.91–10.73] vs. 9.46 [7.00–14.19], p = 0.131). After excluding participants with fibromyalgia (n = 50) and medication-overuse headache (n = 21), endothelin-1 levels were still similar among groups (10.51 [7.96–14.10] vs. 9.24 [6.96–10.81] vs. 9.46 [7.00–14.19], p = 0.230). Endothelin-1 levels did not significantly differ among participants with migraine with aura, those with migraine without aura, and controls (9.36 [4.26–13.35] vs. 9.50 [7.23–13.02] vs. 9.46 [7.00–14.19], p = 0.975). There was no significant association of endothelin-1 with headache intensity (mild, 8.99 [8.99–8.99] vs. moderate, 8.71 [6.85–12.15] vs. severe, 9.55 [7.23–13.13], p = 0.517) or headache frequency per month (exponential and 95% confidence interval, 0.709 [0.296–1.698], p = 0.440) in participants with episodic migraine and chronic migraine.

Conclusions

Interictal plasma endothelin-1 level is an unlikely marker for episodic migraine and chronic migraine.