bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analog Compatible Logic Functions Using EXCCIIs and an Extended Application for Sigmoid Activation Function
Authors: Maheshwari Sudhanshu
Published: October 2022

This paper introduces the use of an extra X current conveyor (EXCCII) for realizing logic operations, suited for mixed signal design, without necessitating separate digital blocks. The NOR and OR logic functions are thus shown to be realized using the current-mode analog building block operable at a low voltage. The use of [Formula: see text] V supply makes the new circuits operable at low voltage. The EXCCII bias current used in the design is 25 [Formula: see text]A. The input currents for defining logic 0 and logic 1 are, respectively, taken as 0 mA and 0.5 mA. The proposed circuits’ delay is found to be 10 ns for low-to-high transition, while 2 ns for high-to-low transition for NOR gate under capacitive loading conditions. The use of the current-mode approach makes the new proposed circuit apt for current-mode signal processing. The new proposed logic function circuits are compatible with analog circuits, thus providing an easy merger for mixed signal systems design, paving the way to a modular design approach. As an extended application in artificial neural networks, the proposed circuit is shown to generate a sigmoid activation function with convincing results. Several results are included by varying the reference current, and the circuit’s robustness aspect is also tested in the presence of fluctuation in the bias current of EXCCII. The novel approach of utilizing an analog building block for realizing digital functions is, therefore, verified with promising future applications.
Numerical semigroups without consecutive small elements
Authors: Rosales José C. , Branco Manuel B. , Traesel Márcio A.
Published: October 2022

In this work, we study [Formula: see text]-semigroups, that is, numerical semigroups which have no consecutive elements less than the Frobenius number. We give algorithms that allow computation of the whole set of [Formula: see text]-semigroups with a given genus, multiplicity and Frobenius number and from this we study interesting families of [Formula: see text]-semigroups which are Frobenius varieties, pseudo-varieties; R-varieties.
Cross-connection structure of locally inverse semigroups
Authors: Azeef Muhammed P. A. , Volkov Mikhail V. , Auinger Karl
Published: October 2022

Locally inverse semigroups are regular semigroups whose idempotents form pseudo-semilattices. We characterize the categories that correspond to locally inverse semigroups in the realm of Nambooripad’s cross-connection theory. Further, we specialize our cross-connection description of locally inverse semigroups to inverse semigroups and completely [Formula: see text]-simple semigroups, obtaining structure theorems for these classes. In particular, we show that the structure theorem for inverse semigroups can be obtained using only one category, quite analogous to the Ehresmann–Schein–Nambooripad Theorem; for completely [Formula: see text]-simple semigroups, we show that cross-connections coincide with structure matrices, thus recovering the Rees Theorem by categorical tools.
Algorithmic local monomialization of a binomial: A comparison of different approaches
Authors: Gaube Sabrina Alexandra , Schober Bernd
Published: October 2022

We investigate different approaches to transform a given binomial into a monomial via blowing up appropriate centers. In particular, we develop explicit implementations in Singular, which allow to make a comparison on the basis of numerous examples. We focus on a local variant, where centers are not required to be chosen globally. Moreover, we do not necessarily demand that centers are contained in the singular locus. Despite these restrictions, the techniques are connected to the computation of [Formula: see text]-adic integral whose data is given by finitely many binomials.
Rebrightening properties of multi-wave band afterglows in GRBs associated with supernovae
Authors: Wang Q. , Zhang Z. B. , Pan Q. , Li X. J.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we collect 54 Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows rebrightening in X-ray, optical, and radio bands to build the biggest sample so far, of which 18 type-Ic/b Supernova (SN)-associated GRBs have been deeply investigated. We confirm that the distribution of spectral luminosities of SN-associated GRBs has a wider scope of five orders of magnitude. After excluding short- and low-luminosity SN/GRBs, we obtain the mean light curves of high-luminosity SN/GRBs at different radio frequencies. It is found that the mean radio light curves peak twice on the tens of days and several months in each since the burst trigger. There is a time delay between radio afterglows at different frequencies, i.e. the high-frequency emissions come earlier than those low-frequency ones. We study in detail the multiband rebrightening behaviors of GRB 980425 and GRB 030329 with the most radio observation data at present. Unlike GRB 980425, the rebrightening component contributed from GRB 030329/SN 2003dh is indistinguishable. However, we predict that both SN/GRBs will produce the considerable mJy-level rebrightening emissions from their individual SN remnants on the late-times of 103th years for GRB 980425 and 64th years for GRB 030329, which is observable for the current facilities and would be detected by the forthcoming radio telescopes.
Structural Damage Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks Based on Modal Strain Energy and Population of Structures
Authors: Zhang Jiqiao , Jin Zihan , Teng Shuai , Chen Gongfa , Cui Fangsen
Published: October 2022

A convolutional neural network (CNN)-based structural damage detection (SDD) method using populations of structures and modal strain energy (MSE) is proposed. In this study, sufficient samples of the CNN are provided by numerical simulations, and the size of the model can be changed by modifying the coordinates of some nodes, thereby establishing a series of numerical models (i.e., a population). Finally, three groups are investigated, the effects of multiple indices on damage detection based on population are compared. The results demonstrate that the MSE as a damage index is superior to the other indices.
Spectral Methods For Hammerstein Integral Equations with Nonsmooth Kernels
Authors: Arrai Mohamed , Allouch Chafik , Bouda Hamza
Published: October 2022

In this paper, polynomial-based projection type and modified projection-type methods for approximating the solution of Hammerstein integral equations with a kernel of Green’s function type are proposed. The projection is either an orthogonal projection or an interpolatory projection using Legendre polynomial basis. The orders of convergence of these methods and those of superconvergence of the iterated modified projection-type methods are analyzed. A numerical example is given to illustrate the theoretical estimates.
An Efficient Redirection of Positional Interactions in Mixed/ Augmented Reality
Authors: Ullal Akshith , Watkins Alexandra , Sarkar Nilanjan
Published: October 2022

With the rise in remote work culture and increased computing capabilities of head-mounted displays (HMDs), more immersive, collaborative experiences are desired in remote–local mixed/augmented reality (MR/AR). Photorealistic full-body avatar representations of users in remote workspace interactions have shown to have increased social presence, nonverbal behavior, and engagement. However, a direct mapping of the body pose angles from local to the remote workspace will, in most cases, result in positional errors during human–object interaction, caused by the dissimilarity between remote and local workspaces. Hence, the interaction must be retargeted, but it should be retargeted in such a way that the original intent of the body pose should be preserved. However, these two objectives sometimes contradict each other. As a result, a multi-objective optimization (MO) problem can be formulated where the primary objective is to minimize positional errors and the secondary objective is to preserve the original interaction body pose. The current state-of-the-art solution uses an evolutionary computation-based inverse kinematic (IK) approach to solve the MO problem where the weights between the objectives must be set by the user based on trial and error, leading to a suboptimal solution. In this paper, we present a new dynamic weight allocation approach to this problem, where a user has the flexibility to set a chosen minimum error tolerance, and the weights will be distributed between the objectives based on a dynamic allocation algorithm. We have used a two-pronged approach to test the adaptability and robustness of this mechanism: (i) on motion-captured human animations of varying levels of speeds, error tolerances, redirections and (ii) we conducted an experiment involving 12 human participants and recorded, redirected their actions performed during a book-shelving task in AR. Compared to the static weighting, the dynamic weighted mechanism showed a net ([Formula: see text] objective) decrease in error ranging from 20.5% to 34.42% across varying animation speeds and a decrease in error ranging from 11.44% to 36.2% for the recorded human actions during the AR task, demonstrating its robustness and better pose preservation across interactions.
Experimental Evaluation of a 3-Armed 6-DOF Parallel Robot for Femur Fracture Surgery
Authors: Alruwaili Fayez , Saeedi-Hosseiny Marzieh S. , Clancy Michael , McMillan Sean , Iordachita Iulian I. , Abedin-Nasab Mohammad H.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the experimental position and force testing of a 3-armed 6-DOF Parallel Robot, Robossis, that is specifically designed for the application of long-bone femur fracture surgery. Current surgical techniques require a significant amount of time and effort to restore the fractured femur fragments’ length, alignment and rotation. To address these issues, the Robossis system will facilitate the femur fracture surgical procedure and oppose the large traction forces/torques of the muscle groups surrounding the femur. As such, Robossis would subsequently improve patient outcomes by eliminating intraoperative injuries, reducing radiation exposure from X-rays during surgery and decreasing the likelihood of follow-up operations. Specifically, in this paper, we study the accuracy of the Robossis system while moving in the operational workspace under free and simulated traction loads of ([Formula: see text]–1100[Formula: see text]N). Experimental testing in this study demonstrates that Robossis can reach the most extreme points in the workspace, as defined by the theoretical workspace, while maintaining minimal deviation from those points with an average deviation of 0.324[Formula: see text]mm. Furthermore, the force testing experiment shows that Robossis can counteract loads that are clinically relevant to restoring the fractured femur fragments’ length, alignment and rotation. In addition, we study the accuracy of Robossis motion while coupled with the master controller Sigma 7. The results show that Robossis can follow the desired trajectory in real-time with an average error of less than 1[Formula: see text]mm. To conclude, these results further establish the ability of the Robossis system to facilitate the femur fracture surgical procedure and eliminate limitations faced with the current surgical techniques.
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with Thin Endometrium Regardless Endometrial Thickening: Multicenter Retrospective Study with Elimination of Embryonic Confounders
Authors: Suzuki Satoshi , Kusumi Maki , Maeda Tomoko , Kawai Kiyotaka , Kawamura Toshihiro , Okamoto Eri , Jo Toushun , Tsutsumi Ryo , Takamizawa Satoru , Nakayama Takahiro , Nabeta Motowo , Nishiyama Yukio , Nomiyama Mari , Furui Kenji , Morimoto Yoshiharu , Tsutsumi Osamu
Published: October 2022

Objective: To determine whether endometrial thickening is an important factor for pregnancy outcomes in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for patients with thin endometrium.

Methods: Data from the registry database of the Japan Gynecologic PRP Study Group from April 2019 to October 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 208 patients who underwent single blastocyst transfer (SBT) after PRP due to thin endometrium (¡8 mm) in their previous cycle were included in the study. Their pregnancy outcomes were compared with their own historical data before PRP infusion. The same patient group was then divided into 136 patients whose endometrium thickened after PRP and 72 patients whose endometrium did not, and the pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, to eliminate embryonic confounding, 28 patients who had single euploid blastocyst transfer (SEBT) with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) were selected from the same patient group and divided into two groups of 22 patients whose endometrium thickened and 6 patients whose endometrium did not, and the pregnancy outcomes were compared in the same method.

Results: After PRP administration, the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and miscarriage rate were all significantly improved compared with the historical controls (34.1 vs 20.0, [Formula: see text]; 22.6 vs 3.9, [Formula: see text]; 33.8 vs 73.4, [Formula: see text]). There were no statistically significant differences in the respective rates between the “thickened endometrium” group and the “unthickened endometrium” group in SBT group (36.0 vs [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; 25.7 vs [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; 28.5 vs [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], respectively). Likewise, in the SEBT with PGT-A group, there were no statistically significant differences in results between the two groups (36.4 vs [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; 36.4 vs [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; 0 vs [Formula: see text], respectively).

Conclusions: PRP administration to patients with thin endometrium improves pregnancy outcomes even when endometrial thickening is not achieved.
SoK: Deep Learning-based Physical Side-channel Analysis
Authors: Picek Stjepan , Perin Guilherme , Mariot Luca , Wu Lichao , Batina Lejla
Published: October 2022

Side-channel attacks represent a realistic and serious threat to the security of embedded devices for already almost three decades. A variety of attacks and targets they can be applied to have been introduced, and while the area of side-channel attacks and their mitigation is very well-researched, it is yet to be consolidated.

Deep learning-based side-channel attacks entered the field in recent years with the promise of more competitive performance and enlarged attackers’ capabilities compared to other techniques. At the same time, the new attacks bring new challenges and complexities to the domain, making the
systematization of knowledge (SoK)
even more critical.

We first dissect deep learning-based side-channel attacks according to the different phases they can be used in and map those phases to the efforts conducted so far in the domain. For each phase, we identify the weaknesses and challenges that triggered the known open problems. We also connect the attacks to the threat models and evaluate their advantages and drawbacks. Finally, we provide a number of recommendations to be followed in deep learning-based side-channel attacks.
Understanding Relevance Judgments in Legal Case Retrieval
Authors: Shao Yunqiu , Wu Yueyue , Liu Yiqun , Mao Jiaxin , Ma Shaoping
Published: October 2022

Legal case retrieval, which aims to retrieve relevant cases given a query case, has drawn increasing research attention in recent years. While much research has worked on developing automatic retrieval models, how to characterize relevance in this specialized information retrieval (IR) task is still an open question. Towards an in-depth understanding of relevance judgments, we conduct a laboratory user study that involves 72 participants of different domain expertise. In the user study, we collect the relevance score along with detailed explanations for the relevance judgment and various measures of the judgment process. From the collected data, we observe that both the subjective (e.g., domain expertise) and objective (e.g., query/case property) factors influence the relevance judgment process. By investigating the collected user explanations, we identify task-specific patterns of user attention distribution and re-think the criteria for relevance judgments. Moreover, we investigate the similarity in attention distribution between models and users. Further, we propose a two-stage framework that utilizes user attention to improve relevance estimation for legal case retrieval. Our study sheds light on understanding relevance judgments in legal case retrieval and provides implications for improving the design of corresponding retrieval systems.
Hardware-aware Quantization/Mapping Strategies for Compute-in-Memory Accelerators
Authors: Huang Shanshi , Jiang Hongwu , Yu Shimeng
Published: October 2022

The
emerging non-volatile memory (eNVM)
based mixed-signal
Compute-in-Memory (CIM)
accelerators are of great interest in today's AI accelerators design due to their high energy efficiency. Various CIM architectures and circuit-level designs have been proposed, showing superior hardware performance for
deep neural network (DNN)
acceleration. However, hardware-aware quantization strategies for CIM-based accelerators are not systematically explored. Since there are a variety of design options for neural network mapping on CIM systems while improper strategies may narrow the circuit-level design space and further limit the hardware performance, it is important to make a comprehensive early-stage design space exploration and find appropriate quantization/mapping strategies to achieve better hardware performance. In this paper, we provide a joint algorithm-hardware analysis and compare the system-level hardware performance for various design options, including quantization algorithms, data representation methods and
analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
configurations. This work aims to propose guidelines for choosing more hardware-friendly design options for chip architects. According to our evaluation results for CIFAR-10/100 and ImageNet classification, the properly chosen quantization approach and optimal mapping strategy (dynamic fixed-point quantization + 2’s complement representation/shifted unsigned INT representation + optimized precision ADC) could achieve ∼2 × energy efficiency and 1.2 ∼ 1.6 × throughput with 5%∼25% reduced area overhead, compared to naïve strategy (fixed-point quantization + differential pair number representation + full precision ADC).
Sudden pH and Cl− Concentration Changes during the Crevice Corrosion of Type 430 Stainless Steel
Authors: Matsumura Kengo , Nishimoto Masashi , Muto Izumi , Sugawara Yu
Published: October 2022

To determine whether large sudden pH and Cl
−
concentration changes occur during the crevice corrosion of Fe-16Cr, as in the case of Fe-18Cr-10Ni-5.4Mn, simultaneous measurement of the pH and Cl
−
concentration was performed in 0.01 M NaCl (pH 3.0). The corrosivity of the crevice solution was different before and after crevice corrosion initiation, and the sudden changes in the pH and Cl
−
concentration inside the crevice were the same as those for Fe-18Cr-10Ni-5.4Mn. The incubation period was characterized by weak acidification (pH 1.6−2.0) and a small accumulation of Cl
−
(0.1−0.3 M). The growth period was characterized by strong acidification (pH ≤ 1.0) and a large accumulation of Cl
−
(≥1.0 M). At the crevice corrosion initiation site, a metastable pit was observed and a S signal was detected from the residual in the pit. It can be concluded that the crevice corrosion of Type 430 stainless steels is initiated by Cl
−
, which generates metastable pitting at sulfide inclusions. The effect of the electrode potential on the pH and Cl
−
concentration was investigated in 0.01 M NaCl from −0.05 to 0.1 V. No effect of potential was observed during both the crevice corrosion incubation and growth periods.
Menthol Inhibits Candida albicans Growth by Affecting the Membrane Integrity Followed by Apoptosis
Authors: Zore Gajanan , Thakre Archana , Abdulghani Mazen , Bhosle Kajal , Shelar Amruta , Patil Rajendra , Kharat Kiran , Karuppayil Sankunny
Published: October 2022

Inclusion of Candida albicans in the list of pathogens with potential drug resistance threat in recent years has compelled scientists to explore novel and potent antifungal agents. In this study, we have evaluated anti-Candida potential of menthol against different growth forms and synergistic potential with fluconazole. Menthol inhibited planktonic growth of all the isolates completely at ≤3.58 mM and killed 99.9% inoculum at MIC, indicating that menthol is fungicidal. Menthol inhibited hyphal form growth completely at 0.62 mM. It has inhibited developing a biofilm by 79% at 3.58 mM, exhibiting excellent activity against recalcitrant biofilms. FIC index values of 0.182 and 0.093 indicate excellent synergistic activity between fluconazole and menthol against planktonic and biofilm growth, respectively. Menthol enhanced rate of OxPhos among 22% cells; arrested 71% cells at G2-M phase of cell cycle and induced apoptosis in 15% cells. Thus, menthol exhibits excellent anti-Candida activity against differentially susceptible isolates as well as various growth and morphological forms of C. albicans. Menthol affects membrane integrity thereby inducing oxidative stress followed by cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Considering the excellent anti-Candida potential and as it is Generally Recognized as Safe by the Food and Drug Administration, it may find use in antifungal chemotherapy, alone or in combination.
Embryonic Development and Histological Analysis of Skeletal Muscles of Tenuidactylus caspius (Eichwald, 1831) Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)
Authors: Najafov Janbakhish , Hashimov Ramin , Khalilov Rovshan , Vahedi Parviz
Published: October 2022

During embryonic development of the Caspian thin-toed gecko migration, formation of myoblast and myosatellite cells occurs in the cranial-distal direction. Somite formation begins in the body part close to the skull and ends in the tail. The time of separation of somites from the proximal mesoderm depends on the temperature of the air and the substrate. Myoblast cells reach their targets and are connected, and the membranes in the area of their contact are destroyed. Myoblast’s fusion creates myosymplasts. The intermediate stage is observed after the formation of small myosymplasts. After that, the chain shape of myosymplasts are transformed into an intermediate plaque form. At this intermediate stage, the number of a nucleus is small, the shape of the nucleus differs from each other, and the location of the nucleus varies. Afterward, the connection of the intermediate forms with each other and with myoblasts forms a rounded shape, where the initial development of myotubules takes place. A fully formed myotubular and myosatellite cells are surrounded by a basal membrane and shape a muscle fiber. The skeletal muscles of the adult Caspian thin-toed gecko are mainly composed of white fibers. Thus, it allows the gecko to move very fast in a short time. Due to the small number of mitochondria in the myotubes, oxygen gas demand is decreased and the body is prevented from overheating.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Diagnosed by MRI-Guided Biopsy among BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutation Carriers
Authors: Faermann Renata , Friedman Eitan , Kaidar-Person Orit , Weidenfeld Jonathan , Brodsky Malka , Shalmon Anat , Halshtok Neiman Osnat , Gotlieb Michael , Yagil Yael , Samoocha David , Madorsky Feldman Dana , Sklair-Levy Miri
Published: October 2022

Background. While BRCA1/BRCA2 pathogenic sequence variants (PSVs) clearly confer an increased risk for invasive breast cancer, the extent to which these mutant alleles increase DCIS risk is less clear. Objective. To assess the rate of detection over a 5-year period, and MRI imaging features of pure noncalcified DCIS in a cohort of Israeli BRCA1/BRCA2 PSV carriers attending a high-risk clinic from 2015 to 2020. Materials and Methods. All female BRCA1/BRCA2 PSV-carriers followed at the Meirav High-risk clinic from 2015 to 2020 were eligible if they underwent semiannual breast imaging (MRI/mammography) and MRI-guided biopsy-proven pure DCIS. Clinical data, pathology information, and imaging characteristics were retrieved from the computerized archiving system. Results. 18/121 (15.2%) participating BRCA1 PSV carriers and 8/81 (10.1%) BRCA2 PSV-carriers who underwent MRI-guided biopsy were diagnosed with DCIS. The median age of BRCA1 carriers and BRCA2 carriers was 49.8 years and 60.6 years, respectively (

p
=
0.55

). Negative estrogen-receptor tumors were diagnosed in 13/18 (72%) BRCA1 and 2/8 (25%) BRCA2 PSV carriers (

p
<
0.05

). Thirteen (13/18–72%) BRCA1 carriers had intermediate to high-grade or high-grade DCIS compared with 4/8 (50%) of BRCA2 carriers (

p
=
0.03

). Over the 5-year study period, 29/1100 (2.6%) BRCA1/BRCA2 PSV carriers were diagnosed with DCIS seen on MRI only. Conclusion. MRI-detected noncalcified DCIS is more frequent in BRCA1 PSV carriers compared with BRCA2 carriers, unlike the BRCA2 predominance in mammography-detected calcified DCIS. BRCA1-related DCIS is diagnosed earlier, more likely to be estrogen receptor-negative and of higher grade compared with BRCA2-related DCIS. Future prospective studies should validate these results and assess the actual impact they might have on clinical management of BRCA PSV carriers.
Effect of Anemia on Readmission and Death in Octogenarian Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: He Yu , Chen Ying , Cao Kai , Zheng Hui
Published: October 2022

Objectives. Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in the octogenarian population is a highly prevalent disorder associated with increased mortality rates. Anemia is a common disorder in older adults and is often left untreated. We investigated whether anemia was a risk factor for LRTI-caused readmission and death in octogenarian patients. Design. A retrospective cohort study was designed. Participants. Old patients (age: ≥80 years) hospitalized at the Department of Geriatrics to undergo treatment for LRTIs were included. A total of 215 patients (mean age: 88.73 years; 77.2% men) were studied. The patients were divided into two groups (anemia and non-anemia) based on the hemoglobin level. They were followed up for 1 year after discharge or until mortality event. The primary follow-up outcome was LRTI-caused readmission and/or death. Results. The risk of readmission due to LTRI within 1 year of discharge was 2.308 times higher in the anemia group than the risk for the non-anemia group. The number of patients experiencing ≥2 readmissions in the anemia group was significantly higher than that in the non-anemia group (35 (23.5%) vs. 2 (3%),

P
<
0.001

). To prevent readmission of one case, only 2.65 cases with anemia needed to be treated. Furthermore, the risk of LRTI-related deaths was 6.644 times higher in the anemia group than the risk for the non-anemia group. To prevent death of one case, only 3.9 cases with anemia needed to be treated. Statistic results revealed that hemoglobin was an independent protective factor for LRTI-caused readmission (logistic regression method, OR, 0.969; 95% CI, 0.950–0.989) and deaths (Cox regression method, β, −0.037, HR, 0.964; 95% CI, 0.934–0.994). Conclusions. Anemia is a widely prevalent and relevant risk factor associated with LRTI-caused readmission and death within 1 year of discharge in octogenarian patients. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with NCT05355324.
Electroosmotic Dewatering of Iron Ore Tailings: A Laboratory Study to Improve Geotechnical Properties
Authors: Yüksek Salih
Published: October 2022

Minerals are subjected to ore processing to turn them into usable and saleable raw materials. First of all, the ore is reduced to the smallest size with the crushing‐grinding process, and after using water and chemical additives, according to the characteristics of the ore, useful minerals are taken, and unwanted minerals are stored in the tailings pools. Approximately, 26 million tons of mineral wastes were generated annually from ore processing facilities in Turkey. The construction of tailings pools, the stability of the tailing sludge, and the safety of dams are a burdensome issue faced by miners. In the ore plants, an average of 3 tons of water is used to enrich 1 ton of ore, and most of the wastewater cannot be removed by traditional methods, causing various economic, environmental, and stability problems. In this study, the dewatering of an iron ore tailing by applying different voltages by the electroosmosis method was investigated in the laboratory environment. By discharging the water of the iron ore tailings by the electroosmosis method, the solid content was increased from 43.01% to 87.63%. Thus, it has been observed that there will be a significant improvement in the geotechnical properties of the tailings’ material. It has been estimated that electroosmotic dewatering rises with increasing the voltage gradient and the energy consumption varies in the range of 0.588–30.645 kWh/dry ton. The void ratio decreased from 5.58% to 0.23%. In the dewatering experiments, different parameters such as the amount of water discharged, density, void ratio, water content, and power consumed were measured or calculated and the relationships between them were discussed with graphics. In electroosmosis experiments, it has been observed that besides the voltage applied in the discharge of water, the mineralogy of the tailings has a significant effect. Since there are serious abrasions on the electrodes used in the experiments, alternative electrodes should be tried.
“Jing-Ning Granules” Can Alleviate Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Rats by Modulating Dopaminergic D2/D1-Like Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways
Authors: Ding Jie , Ding Yiyun , Wu Jingjing , Deng Jialin , Yu Qingyang , Wang Junhong
Published: October 2022

Background. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Jing-Ning Granules (JNG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can alleviate ADHD. Although JNG is commonly used for the effective treatment of ADHD and has obtained the national invention patent, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Objective. In this study, we examined the effect and mechanism of JNG in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). We hypothesized that JNG affects dopaminergic D2/D1-like receptors and related pathways. Materials and Methods. Six rat groups were used in the experiment: Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, control group) and five SHR groups, including a model group; atomoxetine (ATX, positive control) group; and low, medium, and high-dose JNG groups. The corresponding treatments were daily administered to each group for 6 weeks. A behavioral test, including a step-down test and open field test (OFT), was carried out at the end of treatment. After the behavioral test, all animals were sacrificed, and the brain tissue was collected and analyzed ex vivo; histopathological analysis was performed to assess the pathological changes of the hippocampus; expression of D1-like and D2-like receptors, sensor protein calmodulin (CaM), protein kinase A (PKA), and calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein kinase (CaMKII) in the striatum and hippocampus was measured by western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR); cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in the striatum were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the level of Ca2+ in the striatum was analyzed by a calcium kit. Results. Our results showed that ATX or JNG could ameliorate the hyperactive/impulsive behavior and cognitive function of ADHD by promoting neuroprotection. Mechanistically, ATX or JNG could prompt the expressions of Dl-like and D2-like receptors and improve the mRNA and protein levels of cAMP/PKA and Ca2+/CAM/CAMKII signaling pathways. Conclusion. These results indicate that JNG can produce therapeutic effects by regulating the balance of D2/D1-like receptor-mediated cAMP/PKA and Ca2+/CaM/CaMKII signaling pathways.
A Power Forecasting Method for Ultra-Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Generation Using Transformer Model
Authors: Tian Fengyuan , Fan Xuexin , Wang Ruitian , Qin Haochen , Fan Yaxiang
Published: October 2022

The volatility of solar energy, geographic location, and weather factors continues to affect the stability of photovoltaic power generation, reliable and accurate photovoltaic power prediction methods not only effectively reduce the operating cost of the photovoltaic system but also provide reliable data support for the energy scheduling of the light storage microgrid, improve the stability of the photovoltaic system, and provide important help for the optimization operation of the photovoltaic system. Therefore, it is an important study to find reliable photovoltaic power prediction methods. In recent years, researchers have improved the accuracy of photovoltaic power generation forecasting by using deep learning models. Compared with the traditional neural network, the Transformer model can better learn the relationship between weather features and has good stability and applicability. Therefore, in this paper, the transformer model is used for predicting ultra-short-term photovoltaic power generation, and the photovoltaic power generation data and weather data in Hebei are selected. In the experiment, the prediction result of the transformer model was compared to the GRU and DNN models to show that the transformer model has better predictive ability and stability. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed Transformer model outperforms the GRU model and DNN model by a difference of about 0.04 kW and 0.047 kW in the MSE value, and 22.0% and 29.1% of the MAPE error. In addition, the public DC competition dataset is selected for control experiments to demonstrate the general applicability of the transformer model for PV power prediction in different regions.
Remote Monitoring of Vital and Activity Parameters in Chronic Transfusion-Dependent Patients: A Feasibility Pilot Using Wearable Biosensors
Authors: Tonino Rik Paulus Bernardus , Tweardy Mackenzie , Wegerich Stephan , Brouwer Rolf , Zwaginga Jaap Jan , Schipperus Martin Roelof
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Little is known if, and to what extent, outpatient red blood cell (RBC) transfusions benefit chronic transfusion-dependent patients. Costs, labour, and potential side effects of RBC transfusions cause a restrictive transfusion strategy to be the standard of care. However, effects on the actual performance and quality of life of patients who require RBCs on a regular basis are hardly studied. The aim of this study was to assess if new technologies and techniques like wearable biosensor devices and web-based testing can be used to measure physiological changes, functional activity, and hence eventually better assess quality of life in a cohort of transfusion-dependent patients. Methods: We monitored 5 patients who regularly receive transfusions during one transfusion cycle with the accelerateIQ biosensor platform, the Withings Steel HR, and web-based cognitive and quality of life testing. Results: Data collection by the deployed devices was shown to be feasible; the AccelerateIQ platform rendered data of which 97.8% was of high quality and usable; of the data the Withings Steel HR rendered, 98.9% was of high quality and usable. Furthermore, heart rate decreased and cognition improved significantly following RBC transfusions. Activity and quality of life measures did not show transfusion-induced changes. Conclusion: In a 5-patient cohort of transfusion-dependent patients, we found that the accelerateIQ, Withings Steel HR, and CANTAB platforms enable acquisition of high-quality data. The collected data suggest that RBC transfusions significantly and reversibly decrease heart rate and increase sustained attention in this cohort. This feasibility study justifies larger validation trials to confirm that these wearables can indeed help to determine personalized RBC transfusion strategies and thus optimization of each patient’s quality of life.
Impairment of Inspiratory Muscle Function after COVID-19
Authors: Nagel Christian , Olschewski Horst , Sorichter Stephan , Uezgoer Gordana , Diehm Curt , Huppert Peter , Iber Thomas , Herth Felix , Harutyunova Satenik , Marra Alberto M. , Benjamin Nicola , Salkić Amina , Grünig Ekkehard , Egenlauf Benjamin
Published: October 2022

Background: Persistent symptoms after acute coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) are common, and there is no significant correlation with the severity of the acute disease. In long-COVID (persistent symptoms >4 weeks after acute COVID-19), respiratory symptoms are frequent, but lung function testing shows only mild changes that do not explain the symptoms. Although COVID-19 may lead to an impairment of the peripheral nervous system and skeletal muscles, respiratory muscle function has not been examined in this setting. Methods: In this study, we assessed the severity of dyspnea (NYHA-function class) in long-COVID patients and analyzed its association with body mass index (BMI), FEV1, forced vital capacity, other parameters of body plethysmography, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), arterial blood gases, and inspiratory muscle function, assessed by airway occlusion pressure (P0.1) and maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) in two respiratory clinics in Germany between Oct 2020 and Aug 2021. Results: A total of 116 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 50.2 ± 14.5 years; BMI, 26.7 ± 5.87 kg/m2; NYHA class I, 19%; II, 27%; III, 41%; and IV, 14%. While lung function values and computed tomography or conventional X-ray of the chest were in the normal range, inspiratory muscle function was markedly impaired. P01 was elevated to 154 ± 83%predicted and PImax was reduced to 41 ± 25%predicted. PImax reduction was strongly associated with the severity of dyspnea but independent of BMI, time after acute COVID-19 and most of the other parameters. Conclusions: This study shows that in long-COVID patients, respiratory symptoms may be mainly caused by reduced inspiratory muscle strength. Assessment of PImax and P0.1 might better explain dyspnea than classical lung function tests and DLCO. A prospective study is needed to confirm these results.
Bullöses Pemphigoid: Ein small molecule zeigt großes Potenzial
Authors: Braun-Falco Markus
Published: October 2022

Importance: Bullous pemphigoid is a difficult-to-treat autoimmune blistering skin disease that predominantly affects older adults and is associated with an increased mortality rate. Objective: To examine the safety and therapeutic potential of nomacopan, an inhibitor of leukotriene B4 and complement C5, in patients with bullous pemphigoid. Design, setting, and participants: This multicenter, single-group, phase 2a nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted in the dermatology departments of universities in the Netherlands and Germany. Participants were enrolled between September 2018 and April 2020. Older adult patients (aged ≥55 years) with mild to moderate, new-onset or relapsing bullous pemphigoid were recruited into the study. Interventions: Patients received nomacopan, 90 mg, subcutaneously on day 1 and 30 mg subcutaneously daily until day 42. Main outcomes and measures: The primary end point was the proportion of patients with grade 3 to 5 (severe) adverse events associated or possibly associated with nomacopan. Secondary end points included mean absolute and percentage changes in the Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) activity score, the BPDAI pruritus score, and the patient-reported outcome measures Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (TABQOL). Results: A total of 9 patients (median [range] age, 75 [55-85] years) with bullous pemphigoid were included in the trial, of whom 5 were women (55.6%). No serious adverse events associated with nomacopan were found. The mean (90% CI) BPDAI activity score decreased from 32.0 (8.7) points on day 1 to 19.6 (9.0) points on day 42. Seven of 9 patients (77.8%) responded to nomacopan with a reduction in the BPDAI activity score of at least 8 points between days 1 and 42; in 3 responders, the reduction was 80% or greater. On day 42, the mean (90% CI) BPDAI pruritus score had decreased by 6.8 (4.6) points from 17.6 (4.0) points on day 1. The mean (90% CI) DLQI score decreased from 11.3 (4.2) points at baseline to 6.4 (3.8) points by day 42, and the mean (90% CI) TABQOL score decreased from 14.6 (5.4) points at baseline to 10.3 (5.0) points on day 42. Conclusions and relevance: Results of this nonrandomized controlled trial suggest that nomacopan can be well tolerated in older patients with bullous pemphigoid and may have therapeutic benefits for suppressing acute flares of this disease. A larger, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial is warranted to confirm this safety profile and to establish nomacopan as a new therapeutic option for bullous pemphigoid. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04035733.
Photodynamische Therapie: Kombination verbessert das medizinische und ästhetische Ergebnis auf lichtgeschädigter Haut
Authors: Schulz Andrea
Published: October 2022

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the novel 10% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) hydrochloride gel (10% ALA gel) and BF-RhodoLED® light (635 nm; 37 J/cm2 ) in combination with intense pulsed light (IPL) to augment the medical and aesthetic improvement of photodamaged skin of the décolleté. Methods:This was a single-site prospective, randomized, intraindividual split chest pilot study with 20 female subjects with moderate to severe photodamage of the décolleté. Subjects were randomized to ALA-PDT + IPL to one split-side of the chest and ALA-PDT only to the contralateral side. Three blinded raters assessed aesthetic improvement using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). Results:Eighteen subjects completed the study. Superior GAIS results were achieved on the ALA-PDT + IPL treatment side than on the ALA-PDT only treatment side (p < 0.001) after 24 weeks of follow-up. Conclusions:ALA-PDT using 10% ALA hydrochloride gel and BF-RhodoLED® light had superior rejuvenation effects on the décolleté when combined with IPL compared to ALA-PDT alone.
Representations within the Intraparietal Sulcus Distinguish Numerical Tasks and Formats
Authors: Koch Griffin E. , Libertus Melissa E. , Fiez Julie A. , Coutanche Marc N.
Published: October 2022

How does our brain understand the number five when it is written as an Arabic numeral, and when presented as five fingers held up? Four facets have been implicated in adult numerical processing: semantic, visual, manual, and phonological/verbal. Here, we ask how the brain represents each, using a combination of tasks and stimuli. We collected fMRI data from adult participants while they completed our novel “four number code” paradigm. In this paradigm, participants viewed one of two stimulus types to tap into the visual and manual number codes, respectively. Concurrently, they completed one of two tasks to tap into the semantic and phonological/verbal number codes, respectively. Classification analyses revealed that neural codes representing distinctions between the number comparison and phonological tasks were generalizable across format (e.g., Arabic numerals to hands) within intraparietal sulcus (IPS), angular gyrus, and precentral gyrus. Neural codes representing distinctions between formats were generalizable across tasks within visual areas such as fusiform gyrus and calcarine sulcus, as well as within IPS. Our results identify the neural facets of numerical processing within a single paradigm and suggest that IPS is sensitive to distinctions between semantic and phonological/verbal, as well as visual and manual, facets of number representations.
‘Sauté Urbanisation’
Authors: Diana Antonella
Published: October 2022

In the last 20 years of economic reforms, China has embraced an explicit policy of urbanisation. In the literature, space and place-making are often perceived as distinct or conflicting dimensions of urban change, whereby the former is severed from or dominates the latter. By focusing on the multi-ethnic south-western frontier of Yunnan, this paper explores the effects of recent urbanisation on Tai ethnic minority communities in the expanding border city of Jinghong. It suggests that we need to conceptualise urbanisation in dialectic terms rather than as a dichotomy. Drawing on Massey (2005), it analyses space through the prism of ‘multiplicity’, ‘interrelation’, and ‘openness’ and place through its interconnection with the broader power geometries of space. Specifically, the paper argues that urbanisation can produce a two-way dynamic whereby space co-opts place and place permeates space through consensus, in the guise of ‘ethnic modernity’. The resulting ‘sauté urbanisation’ captures these mutually informing practices of space construction and place-making.
Right Inferior Parietal Lobule Causally Contributes to Stimulus Encoding for Temporal Order and Duration Perception: Evidence from Stimulus–Stimulant Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Reid Matthew J. , Wilson Daniel A. , Lee Kwang-Hyuk
Published: October 2022

Temporal-order judgment (TOJ) and duration perception are fundamental aspects of subjective time experience. Previous research indicates that both may involve the inferior parietal lobe (IPL), yet the two have been studied in different contexts. This study sought to determine whether the IPL causally contributes to the temporal stimulus encoding process in TOJ and duration perception. To this end, we utilized single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as both a task stimulus and a disruptive stimulant. We combined the two tasks into an adaptive staircase method and measured both discrimination thresholds and reaction times. In a 2 × 2 within-subjects design, 24 participants performed the two tasks over two separate days (left or right IPL). Discrimination thresholds during both tasks were significantly higher in right IPL than left IPL conditions, without significant reaction time differences between the conditions. We thus provide a shared neural substrate within the right IPL, which subserves both temporal-order judgment and duration perception by encoding temporal representations. Our novel use of single-pulse TMS would be useful for other TMS studies in terms of the ability to selectively disrupt the stimulus encoding process and experimental efficiency.