bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Enhanced ARAS Method for Critical Path Selection of Engineering Projects with Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Dorfeshan Yahya , Mousavi Seyed Meysam , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Antucheviciene Jurgita
Published: December 2020

Appraising the alternative among a set versus conflicting factors is taken into account as an essential issue in real-world decision problems. In this paper, a new multicriteria group decision-making (MCGDM) model is introduced with a fuzzy relative preference relation (FRPR) concept and additive ratio assessment (ARAS) method. FRPR is a useful way to reduce time complexity and to avoid pairwise comparisons. Also, a new method for determining the weights of experts by using an extension of the reference point method is presented and added to this new MCGDM model for an aggregation of the experts’ judgments. Finally, a case study about the selection problem of the engineering project in exploration and sampling projects of lead and zinc mine by decisive criteria are solved to denote the capability of the presented model. Furthermore, to illustrate the various applications of the proposed method in different decision problems, an example of literature is solved.
A New Interactive Algorithm for Continuous Multiple Criteria Problems: A Portfolio Optimization Example
Authors: Karakaya Gülşah , Şakar Ceren Tuncer
Published: December 2020

In continuous multiple criteria problems, finding a distinct preferred solution for a decision maker (DM) is not straightforward. There are few recent studies proposed for this task, and the algorithms developed are cognitively difficult and complex for the DM in general. We propose a novel interactive algorithm to guide the DM in converging highly-preferred solutions in continuous multiple criteria problems. We test our algorithm on portfolio optimization problems formed with the stocks included in the S&P 100 index using expected return, liquidity, conditional value at risk, and mean absolute deviation as criteria. We simulate DM responses with linear and nonlinear preference functions and use various weights for the criteria. The experiments show that our algorithm is able to find highly-preferred solutions in considerably low number of iterations. We also test our algorithm against benchmark algorithms and demonstrate that our algorithm produces superior or comparable results.
Tectonic significance of the Variscan suture between Brunovistulia and the Bohemian Massif
Authors: Collett Stephen , Štípská Pavla , Schulmann Karel , Míková Jitka , Kröner Alfred
Published: December 2020

The Velké Vrbno Dome crops out at the boundary between the Brunovistulian Terrane and the internal parts of the Bohemian Massif. Here, eclogite boudins occur within an Ediacaran volcano-sedimentary sequence. Strong Nb depletion (Nb/Nb* = 0.19–0.82) combined with moderately positive Nd isotopic compositions (εNd
(i)
 = +3.89 – +5.77) is used to argue for emplacement of the eclogite protoliths in a transitional supra-subduction to continental-rift setting. Conversely, heterogeneously enriched large ion lithophile elements and highly radiogenic Sr isotopic ratios (
87
Sr/
86
Sr = 0.705–0.720) are interpreted to have been modified following fluid infiltration subsequent to eclogite-facies metamorphism.

U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry dating of magmatic zircon from the rift-type eclogite indicates Early Cambrian emplacement (
c.
535 Ma) following episodic Ediacaran volcanic arc activity. Moreover, a continental setting is emphasized by zircon dating of a mylonitic orthogneiss, revealing a fragment of Palaeoproterozoic (
c.
2000 Ma) basement, the first such finding within the Brunovistulian Terrane
sensu stricto
.

The new data from eclogite confirm that rifting in this segment of Gondwana pre-dated the Ordovician opening of the Rheic Ocean and therefore that the suture between Brunovistulia and the rest of the Bohemian Massif likely represents the vestige of an older hyperextended basin or oceanic tract.

Supplementary material:
Previously unpublished single zircon evaporation ages from Ediacaran orthogneiss from the Velké Vrbno Dome (supplement A); detailed analytical methodology (supplement B); whole rock geochemical data (supplement C); and U-Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon data (supplement D) are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5233079
Will You Trust This TLS Certificate?
Authors: Ukrop Martin , Kraus Lydia , Matyas Vashek
Published: December 2020

Flawed TLS certificates are not uncommon on the Internet. While they signal a potential issue, in most cases they have benign causes (e.g., misconfiguration or even deliberate deployment). This adds fuzziness to the decision on whether to trust a connection or not. Little is known about perceptions of flawed certificates by IT professionals, even though their decisions impact high numbers of end users. Moreover, it is unclear how much the content of error messages and documentation influences these perceptions.

To shed light on these issues, we observed 75 attendees of an industrial IT conference investigating different certificate validation errors. We also analyzed the influence of reworded error messages and redesigned documentation. We find that people working in IT have very nuanced opinions, with trust decisions being far from binary. The self-signed and the name-constrained certificates seem to be over-trusted (the latter also being poorly understood). We show that even small changes in existing error messages can positively influence resource use, comprehension, and trust assessment. At the end of the article, we summarize lessons learned from conducting usable security studies with IT professionals.
A Theoretical Revisit to Linear Convergence for Saddle Point Problems
Authors: Wu Wendi , Zhao Yawei , Zhu En , Liu Xinwang , Zhang Xingxing , Luo Lailong , Wang Shixiong , Yin Jianping
Published: December 2020

Recently, convex-concave bilinear Saddle Point Problems (SPP) is widely used in lasso problems, Support Vector Machines, game theory, and so on. Previous researches have proposed many methods to solve SPP, and present their convergence rate theoretically. To achieve linear convergence, analysis in those previouse studies requires strong convexity of φ(
z
). But, we find the linear convergence can also be achieved even for a general convex but not strongly convex φ(
z
). In the article, by exploiting the strong duality of SPP, we propose a new method to solve SPP, and achieve the linear convergence. We present a new general sufficient condition to achieve linear convergence, but do not require the strong convexity of φ(
z
). Furthermore, a more efficient method is also proposed, and its convergence rate is analyzed in theoretical. Our analysis shows that the well conditioned φ(
z
) is necessary to improve the efficiency of our method. Finally, we conduct extensive empirical studies to evaluate the convergence performance of our methods.
Susan Davidson Speaks Out on Collaborating with Other Research Areas and Balancing Work and Family
Authors: Davidson Susan
Published: December 2020

Welcome to ACM SIGMOD Records series of interviews with distinguished members of the database community. I'm Marianne Winslett, and today we're at the 2017 SIGMOD and PODS conference in Chicago. I have with me Susan Davidson, who's a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Sue is an ACM Fellow, a Corresponding Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the recipient of the 2017 IEEE Technical Committee on Data Engineering Impact Award. Sue has served as the chair of her department, Deputy Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, a member of the NSF Cise Advisory Committee, and as the chair of the Computing Research Association. Sue's Ph.D. is from Princeton University. So, Sue, welcome.
Reparation and Electrochemical Performance of Acetylene Black-Doped Ti-PbO2 Electrode with High Electron Transfer Rate
Authors: Zhang Junze , Wang Hongning , Chen Ruoyu
Published: December 2020

During the electrochemical preparation process, the electron transport rate in the PbO2 active layer could be greatly increased resulting from reduction in the oxidation of the Ti substrate, which effectively improved the service life and catalytic degradation efficiency of the PbO2 Dimension Stable Anode (PbO2 DSA) electrode. Through adding nano-acetylene black (ACET) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) into the plating solution, an ACET doped Ti/PbO2 electrode was successfully prepared via an anodic oxidation method. Results of field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), diffraction of X-rays (XRD), transmission Electron Microscope(TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization indicated that 2.10 ∼ 2.75 wt% of ACET doping amount hardly changed the morphology and lattice constant of the PbO2 electrode. With electrochemical alternating current impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), it confirmed that ACET reduced the charge transfer impedance (Rct) of the PbO2 electrode up to 95%, and restrained the potential of oxygen evolution reaction(OER). With the increase of electron transport rate, the generation rate of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) on the electrode surface was enhanced significantly. Compared with the Ti/PbO2 electrode, the ACET-doped Ti/PbO2 electrode exhibited higher electrocatalytic efficiency to phenol degradation. During the degradation process, the consumption of time and energy could be reduced by 33% and 34%, respectively. At the same current density, the required voltage for preparing the ACET-modified Ti/PbO2 electrode was much lower. In the assistant of lower deposition voltage, the ACET-doped Ti/PbO2 electrode possessed a stronger binding force to Ti substrate, and meanwhile obtained a longer lifespan.
Sex differences in blood pressure responsiveness to spontaneous K-complexes during stage II sleep
Authors: Greenlund Ian M. , Smoot Carl A. , Carter Jason R.
Published: December 2020

K-complexes during stage II sleep are known to elicit acute increases in blood pressure and heart rate. In the present study, we confirm an increase in blood pressure and heart rate following a spontaneous K-complex in men and women. In contrast, the pressor response following a spontaneous K-complex was augmented in men compared with age-matched women. The increased blood pressure response to spontaneous K-complexes during stage II sleep in men highlight known cardiovascular sex differences, with implications for nocturnal blood pressure control.
On the (Consecutively) Super Edge-Magic Deficiency of Subdivision of Double Stars
Authors: Krisnawati Vira Hari , Ngurah Anak Agung Gede , Hidayat Noor , Alghofari Abdul Rouf
Published: December 2020

LetGbe a finite, simple, and undirected graph with vertex setVGand edge setEG. A super edge-magic labeling ofGis a bijectionf:VG∪EG⟶1,2,…,VG+EGsuch thatfVG=1,2,…,VGandfu+fuv+fvis a constant for every edgeuv∈EG. The super edge-magic labelingfofGis called consecutively super edge-magic ifGis a bipartite graph with partite setsAandBsuch thatfA=1,2,…,AandfB=A+1,A+2,…,VG. A graph that admits (consecutively) super edge-magic labeling is called a (consecutively) super edge-magic graph. The super edge-magic deficiency ofG, denoted byμsG, is either the minimum nonnegative integernsuch thatG∪nK1is super edge-magic or+∞if there exists no suchn. The consecutively super edge-magic deficiency of a graphGis defined by a similar way. In this paper, we investigate the (consecutively) super edge-magic deficiency of subdivision of double stars. We show that, some of them have zero (consecutively) super edge-magic deficiency.
Asymmetric Information on Price Can Affect Bertrand Duopoly Players with the Gradient-Based Mechanism
Authors: Askar S. S.
Published: December 2020

We study a Bertrand duopoly game in which firms adopt a gradient-based mechanism to update their prices. In this competition, one of the firms knows somehow the price adopted by the other firm next time step. Such asymmetric information of the market price possessed by one firm gives interesting results about its stability in the market. Under such information, we use the bounded rationality mechanism to build the model describing the game at hand. We calculate the equilibrium points of the game and study their stabilities. Using different sets of parameter values, we show that the interior equilibrium point can be destabilized through flip and Neimark–Sacker bifurcations. We compare the region of stability of the proposed model with a classical Bertrand model without asymmetric information. The results show that the proposed game’s map is noninvertible with type

Z

0

−

Z

2

or

Z

1

−

Z

3

, while the classical model is of type

Z

0

−

Z

2

only. This explains the quite complicated basins of attraction given for the proposed map.
Characterizations of a Class of Dirichlet-Type Spaces and Related Operators
Authors: Liu Xiaosong , Li Songxiao
Published: December 2020

In this paper, some characterizations are given in terms of the boundary value and Poisson extension for the Dirichlet-type space

D

μ

. The multipliers of

D

μ

and Hankel-type operators from

D

μ

to

L

2

P

μ

d
A

are also investigated.
Finite Element Modeling for the Antivibration Pavement Used to Improve the Slope Stability of the Open-Pit Mine
Authors: Huang Jiandong , Duan Tianhong , Lei Yawei , Hasanipanah Mahdi
Published: December 2020

Vibrations induced by traffic are of concern for the slope stability of the open-pit mine. Different solutions to mitigate this phenomenon are under investigation. In the field of pavement engineering, the so-called antivibration paving technologies are under investigation in order to avoid the generation of excessive vibration and contains propagation. To more fully examine the effectiveness and potential of the antivibration pavement in the application of vibration absorbing for the open-pit mines, numerical simulations based on a two-dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) model were conducted. Sensitivity analysis of varying monitored points and varying loads are performed. Several important parameters such as the damping layer position and thickness and damping ratio are evaluated as well. By using this FE simulation to model the vibration response induced by traffic, the costly construction mistakes and field experimentation can be avoided.
Assessment of Uncertainties in Energetic and Exergetic Performances of a Flat Plate Solar Water Heater
Authors: Harrabi Intissar , Hamdi Mohamed , Hazami Majdi
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to quantify sensitivities of energy and exergy performances of Flat Plate Solar Water Heaters (FPSWHs) with respect to measurement parameters. For that purpose, a computational tool is developed and validated by using outdoor conditions according to the test standard EN 12975. First of all, numerical simulations are compared with experimental results and available data in the literature, and the comparison shows a good agreement. Then, we apply the proposed model to the quantification of uncertainties associated with transient simulation. Results show that ambient temperature is the main relevant factor in operating conditions, and its effect reaches 13.7% and 3.89% on energy and exergy efficiencies, respectively, when the deviation in the sensor measurement is about ±1°C. When 0.15 v% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-Ethylene-Glycol (E-G) (30 : 70) nanofluid is used as working fluid, results show that a suitable choice of nanofluid properties achieves 84.7% of the thermal efficiency during the zero reduced temperature conditions compared to 75.4% when the collector works with E-G. Using common empirical correlations affects substantially the accuracy of the fitting parameters, and the deviation in exergy efficiency reaches 1.18%.
Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy
Authors: Liang Xufei , Wang Yueying , Yin Xi , Gong Xiaohong , Pan Shuo , Chen Ziliang , Geng Xuhong
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer may be at risk of developing cardiac dysfunction and electrophysiological abnormalities. The aim of this study is to evaluate alterations in electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Materials and Methods. This was a prospective single-center cohort study conducted in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China. Participants with breast cancer referred for chemotherapy from May 1, 2019, to October 1, 2019, were invited to participate in the study. Standard 12-lead ECG and echocardiography were performed at baseline or before chemotherapy (prechemotherapy) (T0), after 1 cycle (T1), after 3 cycles (T2), and at the end of chemotherapy (T3). Results. A total of 64 patients with diagnosed breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy were included. Echocardiographic parameters showed no significant variation during the entire procedure (all

P
>
0.05

). The incidence of abnormal ECG increased from 43.75% at baseline to 65.63% at the end of chemotherapy, of which only the prevalence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) was significantly increased after the drug regimen (26.56% to 53.13%). At the end of the treatment, heart rate, P-wave dispersion, corrected QT interval, T-peak to T-end, RR, SV1, RV5, Sokolow–Lyon index (SLI), and index of cardioelectrophysiological balance deteriorated markedly (all

P
<
0.05

). The area under the curve for SLI and QT dispersion (QTd) derived by ECG was 0.710 and 0.606, respectively. The cutoff value with 2.12 of SLI by ECG had a sensitivity of 67.2% and specificity of 71.9% for differentiating patients after therapy from baselines. The cutoff value with 0.55 of QTd had a sensitivity of 60.9% and specificity of 60.9%. Conclusions. The current study demonstrated that ECGs can be used to detect electrophysiological abnormalities in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. ECG changes can reflect subclinical cardiac dysfunction before the echocardiographic abnormalities.
Cytotoxicity and Anticancer Activity of Donkioporiella mellea on MRC5 (Normal Human Lung) and A549 (Human Lung Carcinoma) Cells Lines
Authors: Sairi Anith M. M. , Ismail Siti Izera , Sukor Arina , Rashid Noraswati M. N. , Saad Norsazilawati , Jamian Syari , Abdullah Sumaiyah
Published: December 2020

Polypores are mushrooms which are rich in bioactivities and for generations, they have been widely used as herbal remedies. Despite their significant importance in treatments of various health issues, only a few local species have been reported for their pharmacological potentials. The present study was carried out to establish cytotoxicity potentials of Donkioporiella mellea, a local polypore species collected from forested areas in Malaysia at cellular levels on normal human lung (MRC5) and human lung carcinoma (A549) cell lines. Survival and inhibition rates were analyzed by 3‐(4, 5)‐dimethylthiahiazo (‐z‐y‐l)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) while monitoring changes on cellular shapes by inverted phase contrast microscopy. Survival rates of MRC5 cells were observed to be significantly higher than A549 after treatments with various concentrations of polypore extracts. MRC5 cells showed excellence in survival performance when treated with hot and cold aqueous extracts. Cold aqueous extract showed higher cytotoxicity activities compared to hot aqueous extract (p < 0.0001) with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 414.29 μg/ml and >1000 μg/ml, respectively. Treatments with tamoxifen as a control exhibited necrotic features in both cell lines. The results suggest that D. mellea possesses pharmacological potentials that can be utilized for human consumption as a new bioresource alternative, thus encouraging research advancement in mycological and nutraceutical studies.
Fractional-Order Modeling and Analysis of a Variable Structure Hybrid Energy Storage System for EVs
Authors: Wang Jianlin , Xu Dan , Zhou Jiahui , Mao Jinlu
Published: December 2020

Hybrid energy storage system has been widely studied as an important technology for electric vehicles. Since the hybrid energy storage system is a nonlinear and complex system, the modeling of the system and the high-precision nonlinear control strategy are technical difficulties for research. The establishment of a high-precision mathematical model of the hybrid energy storage system is the basis for the study of high-quality nonlinear control algorithms. Fortunately, the theory of fractional calculus can help build accurate mathematical models of hybrid energy storage systems. In order to obtain the high-quality nonlinear control strategy of this complex system, this paper, respectively, carried out fractional-order modeling and analysis on the three basic equivalent working states of the hybrid energy storage system of electric vehicles. Among them, the fractional-order average state space model is carried out for the equivalent Buck and Boost mode. Also, the steady-state analysis of the equivalent Dual-Boost mode is carried out by combining the fractional-order calculus theory with the equivalent small parameter variable method. Finally, the effectiveness and precision of the fractional-order model are proved by simulation and experiment.
Stability of a Roadway below a Coal Seam under Dynamic Pressure: A Case Study of the 11123 Floor Gas Drainage Roadway of a Mine in Huainan, China
Authors: Zhang Pingsong , Ou Yuanchao , Liu Chang , Sun Binyang , Xu Chong
Published: December 2020

Coal and gas outburst is an important risk faced by coal seam mining in the Huainan region of China. In order to control gas outburst, the gas is predrained by digging a floor gas drainage roadway. To study deformation due to dynamic pressure, the failure characteristics of the floor, and their effect on the stability of the floor gas drainage roadway, a comprehensive monitoring method combining Brillouin optical time‐domain reflectometry‐ (BOTDR‐) distributed fiber optics and self‐potential exploration was adopted. Dynamic data monitoring of the rock strata between the 11123 working face floor and the floor gas drainage roadway of a mine in Huainan was carried out. The field data obtained showed that, when stabilized by rock bolts and other fixed components in the surrounding rock mass of the floor gas drainage roadway, under the influence of mining, the area of concentrated stress appeared at a depth of 20.7 m, when cracks eventually formed, but the overall structural stability of the surrounding rock mass remained good. The stress distribution and crack evolution of the bottom plate under the influence of dynamic pressure showed spatiotemporal characteristics. Of these, the effect of the lead support stress was 107.48 m, and the range of effect of the hysteresis stress was 34.42 m. When the working face mining position arrives and is far from the monitoring station, the failure depth of floor rock stratum shows the following rule: unchanged in the early stage, deepened continuously in the middle stage, and finally remained stable. It takes about eight days for the dynamic adjustment of this process to finally stabilize. The results of this study can provide guidance for devising suitable procedures for carrying out intelligent green safety mining and for warning about the hazards of roadway damage.
Simultaneous Operations of Pregrouting and Shaft Drilling in Shaft Construction
Authors: Xu Zhipeng , Feng Xuhai , Li Shengsheng , Fan Liming , Liu Changwu
Published: December 2020

In shaft construction, conducting shaft drilling and pregrouting simultaneously is expected to speed up the sinking rate and save the cost. Reasonable determination of the spatial locations of the drilled shaft and grouting holes and proper defining of the start time of each construction work are the crucial techniques. To smoothly execute the simultaneous operations, the bedrock to be grouted is divided into two sections. The upper bedrock is injected first using straight grouting holes to act as a tight cover to protect shaft drilling. Then, the lower formations are grouted using S‐shaped grouting holes, which are performed simultaneously with shaft drilling. The construction time of simultaneous operations of pregrouting for the lower bedrock using S‐shaped holes and shaft drilling is the saved time. The main technical challenges include the stability of grouting holes and safety of shaft walls, as well as the disposal of the contaminative waste drilling mud. The stability of grouting holes which might affect by the shaft drilling‐induced ground vibration could be evaluated according to the penetration of ground vibration caused by TBM tunnelling. If the grouting hole is in the range of ground vibration, protective measures including casing and ground improvement should be utilized to ensure the stability of grouting holes. The stability of unlined walls of the drilled shaft caused by the increased groundwater pressure can be achieved by a tight cover between the drilled shaft and pregrouting holes. The thickness of the cover is actually the length of the straight holes. The cover should have sufficient thickness and impermeability, which can considerably reduce or even completely stop the increased groundwater pressure in vicinity of the drilled shaft. The thickness and permeability of the cover could be determined using Maag’s solution for penetration of grouts in porous media. On the other hand, the waste drilling mud with proper modifications can be reutilized to prepare clay‐cement‐like grouts, which could provide an eco‐friendly and cheap solution to harmlessly treat the huge volume of waste drilling mud. The properties of waste drilling mud and behaviors of grouts prepared using the waste mud should be experimentally investigated before reutilization, owing to uncertainties of geology in various cases. The construction time using the simultaneous operation method is just about 60% of that of the traditional excavation method, and the low value of measured residual water inflow shows the reliability of reusing the waste drilling mud as grouting materials. The proposed method could virtually improve the shaft sinking rate and save the construction cost. The principles developed for these technical challenges have been proved to be applicable in practices, which are believed to strongly support the applicability of this new method in other cases.
Dynamic Response Characteristics of the Structures under Excavation by High-Efficiency Blasting in the Urban Ultradeep Foundation Pit
Authors: Lei Zhen , Chen Qing , Zhao Wen , Li Yu-Jing , Gao Zheng-Hua
Published: December 2020

To ensure the safe and efficient excavation of ultradeep foundation pits in a complex urban environment, the ultradeep foundation pit excavation project of Liuguangmen Urban Complex in Guiyang City was taken as the study point. A high-efficiency blasting method was proposed for the excavation of vibration-isolating slot and electronic detonators, and a three-dimensional spatial calculation model of the foundation pit structure was established. In addition, the field test and numerical simulation of the blasting vibration were developed. The feasibility of the high-efficiency blasting method was demonstrated, and the propagation law of the dynamic response characteristic parameters of the structure was explored using an electronic detonator and vibration-isolating slot. The results show that the electronic detonator carried out peak shaving within the group, unloading waves between the groups, and the blocking effect of the vibration-isolating slot, and all these effectively reduced the peak stress and peak particle vibration velocity, evenly distributed the vibration velocity, and guaranteed the safety of the surrounding existing buildings, proving the feasibility of the efficient blasting method. There is a “wall effect” at the supporting pile, whose propagation velocity is lower than that inside the rock mass, and the PPV is radial X > tangential Y > vertical Z. The peak values of stress, strain, and PPV all decrease with increasing supporting pile height, and there is an inflection point at 20 m. The internal nodes of the pile reciprocate without sharp change and failure in displacement. The peak displacement of different nodes is in the order X > Y > Z with increasing pile height, and the maximum peak value is 0.08 mm.
Liraglutide Promotes Osteoblastic Differentiation in MC3T3-E1 Cells by ERK5 Pathway
Authors: Sun Yue , Liang Yuzhen , Li Zhengming , Xia Ning
Published: December 2020

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of liraglutide on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the promoting effects of liraglutide were investigated in MC3T3-E1 cells. The results indicated that cell viability was affected following the treatment of the cells with different concentrations of liraglutide (0, 10, 100, and 1000 nM) at different time periods of culture (24, 48, and 72 h). Moreover, the activity levels of alkaline phosphatase and the number of mineralized nodules in MC3T3-E1 cells were significantly increased following treatment with 100 nM liraglutide. The mRNA and protein levels of Col-1, OPG, and OCN in MC3T3-E1 cells were also markedly increased following 100 nM liraglutide treatment compared with those of the control group. The expression levels of the ERK5 signaling pathway key proteins (MEK5, p-ERK5, ERK5, and NUR77) were increased following liraglutide treatment in MC3T3-E1 cells, and the gene expression levels of the ERK5 signaling pathway were also elevated. Moreover, the ERK5 inhibitor XMD8-92 significantly decreased the expression levels of p-ERK5 and NUR77 as well as the proliferation of osteoblasts. However, these changes could be rescued by liraglutide to some extent. Therefore, these results revealed that liraglutide may promote osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation in MC3T3-E1 cells via the activation of the ERK5 signaling pathway.
Sliding Mode Integrated Control for Vehicle Systems Based on AFS and DYC
Authors: Lu Chao , Yuan Jing , Zha Genlong
Published: December 2020

This paper has investigated an integrated control of active front steering (AFS) and direct yaw-moment control (DYC) for vehicle systems. First of all, the desired yaw rate and sideslip angle are estimated by using a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) model of the vehicle system. On this basis, the actual sideslip angle is estimated by means of an observer. Then, the sliding mode control (SMC) is developed for AFS and DYC, respectively, to guarantee that the actual yaw rate and the sideslip angle track their reference signals. Additionally, the disturbance observer (DOB) technique is introduced to further improve the control performance. Finally, the simulation results validate the superiority of the AFS and DYC integrated control by using CarSim software during the following conditions: double lane change and side wind disturbance.
Firefly Optimization Algorithm for the Prediction of Uplift due to High‐Pressure Jet Grouting
Authors: Dai Wukui , Liang Li , Zhang Bingji
Published: December 2020

A project that needs to be uplifted by high‐pressure jet grouting (HPJG) is exposed to particular geological and engineering circumstances; meanwhile, HPJG has intense subjectivity, short of the theoretical base, to ascertain the influence angle β and enlarged radius Δa, which are the main parameters that affect the uplift effect. Therefore, we proposed a new method based on the firefly optimization algorithm to search for the optimal solution for the target function. Stochastic medium theory (SMT) was used in this article, in which the effect of single‐pile HPJG was simulated as the superposition effect of the foam slurry at the same distance, to construct a stochastic medium prediction model of the effect of uplift due to multi‐HPJG. In accordance with the range of the prediction results of single‐pile HPJG and combined with in situ monitoring data to define the target function, the optimal parameters are substituted into the prediction model to predict the subsequent uplift effect due to HPJG. As a result of the global optimization capacity and by comparison with the genetic algorithm, the FOA has a greater advantage in terms of effectiveness and precision. Finally, it is proven that the prediction result meets the requirement of the prediction in advance by statistical data.
Association of Test Anxiety with Temporomandibular Disorder in Health Professions Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alamri Abdulaziz , Shahin Suliman , Bakhurji Eman A. , Alsulaiman Ahmed A. , Salloot Zainah , Nazir Muhammad
Published: December 2020

Objective. To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and its association with text anxiety among undergraduate medical, dental, and pharmacy students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study included health professions students who responded to Fonseca’s questionnaire and Test Anxiety Inventory by Spielberger to evaluate TMD and test anxiety, respectively. TMD score was compared in different categories of students, and bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses evaluated the influence of test anxiety on TMD. Results. The study included 884 participants (44.8% males and 55.2% females) with a mean age of 21.46 ± 1.36 years. Regarding items of Fonseca’s questionnaire, most students reported being tense/nervous (65.7%) and had headaches (57.5%). About 45.8% of the participants reported no TMD, and remaining had mild (40.4%), moderate (11.3%), and severe (2.5%) TMD. The mean TMD score was significantly higher in students with high test anxiety (25.6 ± 18.32) than those with low test anxiety (20.25 ± 16.97) (

P
<
0.001

). Mean test anxiety scores significantly differed among TMD categories (

P
<
0.001

) with the lowest score in the no TMD group and the highest in the moderate TMD group. Female gender (adjusted odds ratio 1.4, P 0.039) and high test anxiety (adjusted odds ratio 1.92,

P
<
0.001

) were significantly associated with increased odds of having TMD. Conclusions. The study revealed a high prevalence of TMD among students. There was a significant association between test anxiety and TMD. The data obtained may guide preventive policies and program on test anxiety and TMD.
hsa_circRNA_000166 Facilitated Cell Growth and Limited Apoptosis through Targeting miR-326/LASP1 Axis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hao Qin , Zhang Zhongtao
Published: December 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) belong to noncoding RNAs and are widely expressed in a variety of cell species, including cancers. However, the function and mechanism of circRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been well investigated. Here, we firstly downloaded and analyzed the circRNA expression profile of CRC from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. And we identified 181 differentially expressed circRNAs between 10 pairs of CRC and adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, we observed that the expression of hsa_circRNA_000166 was the top increased among these circRNAs. Then, we confirmed an upregulation of hsa_circRNA_000166 in CRC tissues and cell lines and observed that higher expression of hsa_circRNA_000166 was associated with poor 5-year survival rate of patients with CRC. Next, we investigated the function of hsa_circRNA_000166 during CRC progression by knocking down its expression. Cell growth and apoptosis assay revealed that hsa_circRNA_000166 regulated the cell growth and apoptosis in CRC cell lines. Furthermore, we identified that hsa_circRNA_000166 targeted the miR-326/LASP1 pathway using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. Finally, suppression of miR-326 or overexpression of LASP1 could sufficiently rescue the aberrant cell growth and apoptosis in CRC cell lines. Taken together, our results indicated that downregulation of hsa_circRNA_000166 inhibited the cell growth and facilitated apoptosis during CRC development by sponging the miR-326/LASP1 pathway.
Simultaneous Determination of Caffeine and Taurine in Energy Drinks by FT-MIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Analysis
Authors: González-Vázquez Marcela , Meza-Márquez Ofelia Gabriela , Gallardo-Velázquez Tzayhri , Osorio-Revilla Guillermo , Velázquez Hernández José Luis , Hernández-Martínez Maylet
Published: December 2020

Energy drinks have been studied due to their damaging side effects on the health of their consumers when consumed in excess or when combined with alcohol. Our objective was to develop chemometric models, based on Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy, to quantify the taurine and caffeine content in energy drinks rapidly and simultaneously. The taurine and caffeine content in the 50 samples ranged between 0 and 69.51 mg/100 mL and 14.92 and 1126.17 mg/100 mL, respectively. The best prediction model was obtained with the partial least squares (PLS1) algorithm; for taurine, the following values were obtained: determination coefficient of calibration (Rc2) = 0.9999, standard error of calibration (SEC) = 0.15, determination coefficient of validation (Rv2) = 0.9997, and standard error of prediction (SEP) = 0.16; for caffeine, Rc2 = 0.9999, SEC = 0.26, Rv2 = 0.9999, and SEP = 0.32. The model developed with PLS1 showed certainty in predictions during the validation stage and during application to external samples. FT-MIR coupled to chemometrics is a reliable and fast technique (compared to conventional techniques) to quantify taurine and caffeine in energy drinks simultaneously.
Scalp Acupuncture Enhances the Functional Connectivity of Visual and Cognitive‐Motor Function Network of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Liu Huacong , Chen Lanpin , Zhang Guifeng , Jiang Yijing , Qu Shanshan , Liu Songyan , Huang Yong , Chen Junqi
Published: December 2020

Object. To explore the specific effect of the international standard scalp acupuncture (ISSA) on patients with brain dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (Rs‐fMRI). Design. A parallel‐group randomized controlled trial. Participants. 30 hemiplegic patients with middle cerebral artery acute infarction of the dominant hemisphere. Interventions. 30 patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. 15 patients in the treatment group (TG) were treated with ISSA, needling at the parietal midline (MS5) and left anterior/posterior parietal‐temporal oblique lines (MS6 and MS7), combined with western routine treatment. While another 15 patients in the control group (CG) received routine treatment only. Main Outcome Measures. (1) Functional connectivity (FC): patients received brain scan using 3.0 T MRI after the treatment for 1 week. Based on the Matlab2012a platform, SPM12 software and DPABI software were used to process the scanning data and finally the functional connectivity of the brain was obtained. (2) National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Results. The difference in the NIHSS score between the two groups of patients before and after treatment was statistically significant (tNIHSS = 2.225; PNIHSS = 0.038), indicating that TG had a better effect. Centered to the seed region of the left supplementary motor area (SMA) (−5.32, 4.85, 61.38), FC increased at the left middle cerebellar peduncle, left cerebellum posterior lobe (uvula and declive), vermis, fusiform gyrus, lingual gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, calcarine, cuneus, precuneus, BA7, BA18 and BA19, etc. Centered to the seed region of the left parahippocampal gyrus (PG) (−21.17, −15.95, −20.70), FC increased at the left precuneus, inside‐paracingulate, inferior parietal gyrus, paracentral lobule, BA5, BA6, BA7, and BA40, right median cingulate, precuneus, BA19, BA23, and BA31, etc. Conclusions. It is indicated that ISSA can regulate the brain functional connection in patients with middle cerebral artery acute infarction in the dominant hemisphere and specifically strengthen the connections between visual, cognitive, motor control, and planning‐related brain regions, which may be related to the recovery of movement in the mechanism. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IOR-15007672.
Failure Mechanism and Control Technology of Thick and Soft Coal Fully Mechanized Caving Roadway under Double Gobs in Close Coal Seams
Authors: Xie Shengrong , Wu Xiaoyu , Chen Dongdong , Sun Yaohui , Wang En , Wu Xiaowei , Duan Xiaobo , Jiang Zaisheng , Qi Pengyu , Shi Songhao
Published: December 2020

The surrounding rock of the roadway under double gobs in the lower coal seams is partially damaged by the mining of the upper coal seam and the stress superimposition of the stepped coal pillars. What is worse, the upper layer of the roof is collapse gangue in double gobs, which makes the anchor cable unable to anchor the reliable bearing layer, so the anchoring performance is weakened. The actual drawing forces of the anchor bolt and anchor cable are only approximately 50 kN and 80 kN, respectively. The roadway develops cracks and large deformations with increasing difficulty in achieving safe ventilation. In view of the above problems, taking the close coal seam mining in the Zhengwen Coal Mine as the engineering background, a theoretical calculation is used to obtain the loading of the step coal pillars and the slip line field distribution of the floor depth. The numerical simulation monitors the stress superimposition of stepped coal pillars and the distribution of elastoplastic areas to effectively evaluate the layout of mining roadways. The numerical simulation also analyzes the effective prestress field distribution of the broken roof and grouting roof anchor cable. A laboratory test was used to monitor the strength of the grouting test block of the broken coal body. Then, we proposed that grouting anchor cable be used to strengthen the weak surface of the roof and block the roof cracks. From on-site measurement, the roadway was seen to be arranged in the lateral stress stabilization area of the stepped coal pillars, the combined support technology of the grouting anchor cable (bolt) + U type steel + a single prop was adopted, the roadway deformation was small, the gas influx was reduced, and the drawing force of the anchor bolt and the anchor cable was increased to approximately 160 kN and 350 kN, respectively. The overall design and control technology of the roadway can meet the site safety and efficient production requirements.
Mechanism of SQQX Decoction’s Protective Effect on SHR: A Serum Metabolomics‐Based Analysis
Authors: Wu Jiayun , Li Lingling , Li Lin , Li Yanjun , Xiao Xiang , Qiao Jiajun , Sun Rui , Yang Deshuang , Yao Ruiqi , Huang Li
Published: December 2020

SangQiQingXuan (SQQX) decoction is a pharmaceutical preparation exerting good therapeutic efficacy on high blood pressure (BP) and has widely been accepted in primarily hypertensive patients as a herbal formula prescribed by Professor Li Huang from China‐Japan Friendship Hospital according to her 30‐year clinical experience. A previous study showed that SQQX could reduce BP by decreasing levels of many inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and elevating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) expression. However, a research focusing on SQQX’s protection against HTN from a metabolomic perspective has never been done before. This study aimed to figure out the metabolic profiling variations due to oral administration of SQQX in spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) models and to find out the optimal dosage of SQQX. SHR in the intervention group orally received SQQX extract of three doses, namely, the low‐ (5.25 g/kg/d), middle‐ (10.5 g/kg/d), and high‐dosage groups (21 g/kg/d) for 90 days. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, and their serum was collected for further examination. Serum metabolic profiling variations were analyzed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). Results showed that dealing with SQQX remarkably decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) of SHRs and the high‐dosage group was with the best therapeutic effect where a total of 11 metabolites were markedly changed in contrast to the model group. Orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) score plot showed that the 5 groups of serum samples were divided into 5 categories, and the metabolic trajectory of the high‐dosage SQQX group was inclined to move to the control group. Glycochenodeoxycholic acid, nicotinamide‐N‐oxide, and tryptophan betaine might be biomarkers that specifically marked the protective effects of SQQX against high BP mainly involving in cholesterol metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. To conclude, SQQX has a protective effect on SHR, which may be partially correlated to restoration of perturbed metabolism in serum.
Nitrate Removal from Waste-Water Using Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: To Phuong Kim , Ma Hoa Thai , Nguyen Hoang Lam , Nguyen Tan Tai
Published: December 2020

This work presented the removal of nitrate ions in aqueous solution based on silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), which were extracted from rice husk ash. The optimal conditions for nitrate ion adsorption were studied including pH, contact time, adsorbate concentration, and amount of absorbance. The surface morphological analysis showed that the SiNPs extracted (purity of 98%) were around 50 nm with a surface area of 30 m2·g−1 and adsorption average pore width of 2.72 nm, offers possibility for high capability of nitrate ion removal. The experimental results showed that the nitrate ion capability of adsorption was obtained around 14.22 mg·g−1 with a concentration range from 0 to 25 mg·L−1 based on optimizing conditions including pH 6, contact time of 50 minutes, and SiNP dosage of 0.15 g vol−1. In addition, nitrate ion removal based on SiNPs will provide considerate benefits such as the reducing costly sample pretreatment steps, less time-consuming, and reliable methods for processing nitrate-polluted water.
Late-Onset Bilateral Choroidal Metastases from Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Georgakopoulos Constantinos D. , Pallikari Athina , Plotas Panagiotis , Makri Olga E.
Published: December 2020

Aim. To present a case of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with late-onset bilateral choroidal metastases. Case Report. A 57-year-old male patient in the Oncology Clinic complained of reduced vision in the right eye (OD) for 7 days. The patient, who was under immunotherapy with nivolumab, had been diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the left kidney 15 years ago that recurred in the right kidney before 2 years. Metastases in the brain, lungs, and bones had also been diagnosed. On ophthalmological examination, the visual acuity was 20/50 OD and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). Dilated fundus examination in OD revealed a single raised oval-shaped yellowish choroidal nodule infratemporally with macular involvement. A similar lesion, sparing the macula, was observed in OS. Fundus autofluorescence revealed diffuse punctate hyperautofluorescence on the lesions. Serous macular detachment was also observed in OD. A standardized A-scan ultrasound demonstrated an irregular structure of the lesions with moderate to high internal reflectivity. Based on the history and clinical and echographic characteristics, the diagnosis of bilateral choroidal metastases from renal cell carcinoma was set. Conclusion. Choroidal metastases from the primary renal tumor are extremely rare. The time interval between primary malignancy and choroidal metastasis is reported to be 12-96 months. Bilateral choroidal metastases have been described in 9 cases. We describe a rare case where bilateral choroidal metastases were diagnosed 15 years after the initial diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.