bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Face Recognition System for Operating in Unconstrained Environments
Authors: Sanchez-Moreno Alejandra Sarahi , Olivares-Mercado Jesus , Hernandez-Suarez Aldo , Toscano-Medina Karina , Sanchez-Perez Gabriel , Benitez-Garcia Gibran
Published: August 2021

Facial recognition is fundamental for a wide variety of security systems operating in real-time applications. Recently, several deep neural networks algorithms have been developed to achieve state-of-the-art performance on this task. The present work was conceived due to the need for an efficient and low-cost processing system, so a real-time facial recognition system was proposed using a combination of deep learning algorithms like FaceNet and some traditional classifiers like SVM, KNN, and RF using moderate hardware to operate in an unconstrained environment. Generally, a facial recognition system involves two main tasks: face detection and recognition. The proposed scheme uses the YOLO-Face method for the face detection task which is a high-speed real-time detector based on YOLOv3, while, for the recognition stage, a combination of FaceNet with a supervised learning algorithm, such as the support vector machine (SVM), is proposed for classification. Extensive experiments on unconstrained datasets demonstrate that YOLO-Face provides better performance when the face under an analysis presents partial occlusion and pose variations; besides that, it can detect small faces. The face detector was able to achieve an accuracy of over 89.6% using the Honda/UCSD dataset which runs at 26 FPS with darknet-53 to VGA-resolution images for classification tasks. The experimental results have demonstrated that the FaceNet+SVM model was able to achieve an accuracy of 99.7% using the LFW dataset. On the same dataset, FaceNet+KNN and FaceNet+RF achieve 99.5% and 85.1%, respectively; on the other hand, the FaceNet was able to achieve 99.6%. Finally, the proposed system provides a recognition accuracy of 99.1% and 49 ms runtime when both the face detection and classifications stages operate together.
Hydraulic and Structural Assessment of a Rubble-Mound Breakwater with a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Clemente Daniel , Calheiros-Cabral Tomás , Rosa-Santos Paulo , Taveira-Pinto Francisco
Published: August 2021

Seaports’ breakwaters serve as important infrastructures capable of sheltering ships, facilities, and harbour personnel from severe wave climate. Given their exposure to ocean waves and port authorities’ increasing awareness towards sustainability, it is important to develop and assess wave energy conversion technologies suitable of being integrated into seaport breakwaters. To fulfil this goal whilst ensuring adequate sheltering conditions, this paper describes the performance and stability analysis of the armour layer and toe berm of a 1/50 geometric scale model of the north breakwater extension project, intended for the Port of Leixões, with an integrated hybrid wave energy converter. This novel hybrid concept combines an oscillating water column and an overtopping device. The breakwater was also studied without the hybrid wave energy device as to enable a thorough comparison between both solutions regarding structural stability, safety, and overtopping performance. The results point towards a considerable reduction in the overtopping volumes through the integration of the hybrid technology by an average value of 50%, while the stability analysis suggests that the toe berm of the breakwater is not significantly affected by the hybrid device, leading to acceptable safety levels. Even so, some block displacements were observed, and the attained stability numbers were slightly above the recommended thresholds from the literature. It is also shown that traditional damage assessment parameters should be applied with care when non-conventional structures are analysed, such as rubble-mound breakwaters with integrated wave energy converters.
Hydrodynamic Behaviour of Floating Polygonal Platforms under Wave Action
Authors: Park Jeong Cheol , Wang Chien Ming
Published: August 2021

The hydrodynamic behaviour of floating regular polygonal platforms under wave action was studied by conducting parametric studies. Considering triangular, square, hexagonal, and circular platforms of similar size and draft, the results show that their added mass, radiation damping, and RAOs are similar. However, the wave exciting forces are slightly different, particularly the horizontal forces. The polygonal platforms oriented with one of its corners in line with the prevailing wave direction can lead to a reduction in the horizontal force on the platform, a feature that helps in reducing the cost of a mooring system. Moreover, such oriented platforms are able to disperse the waves better in multiple directions and hence will not pose problems for ships or marine vessels passing by the platform on the weather side. Thus, the orientation of a polygonal platform is an important design consideration. From the comparison study among different polygonal platforms, their wave attenuation performances are slightly similar. The hydrodynamic analyses performed herein for the parametric studies were sped up considerably by using a significantly lesser number of Fourier coefficient sets for the series functions that define the velocity potentials when compared to those used by previous researchers in their analytical approaches. The adoption of the radius function defined by cosine-type radial perturbation does not only generate the geometric boundaries of polygonal platforms, but it also simplifies the formulation and quickens the computations.
Atmospheric and Climatic Drivers of Tide Gauge Sea Level Variability along the East and South Coast of South Africa
Authors: Nhantumbo Bernardino J. , Backeberg Björn C. , Nilsen Jan Even Øie , Reason Chris J. C.
Published: August 2021

Atmospheric forcing and climate modes of variability on various timescales are important drivers of sea level variability. However, the influence of such drivers on sea level variability along the South African east and south coast has not yet been adequately investigated. Here, we determine the timescales of sea level variability and their relationships with various drivers. Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) was applied to seven tide gauge records and potential forcing data for this purpose. The oscillatory modes identified by the EMD were summed to obtain physically more meaningful timescales—specifically, the sub-annual (less than 18 months) and interannual (greater than two years) scales. On the sub-annual scale, sea level responds to regional zonal and meridional winds associated with mesoscale and synoptic weather disturbances. Ekman dynamics resulting from variability in sea level pressure and alongshore winds are important for the coastal sea level on this timescale. On interannual timescales, there were connections with ENSO, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), although the results are not consistent across all the tide gauge stations and are not particularly strong. In general, El Niño and positive IOD events are coincident with high coastal sea levels and vice versa, whereas there appears to be an inverse relationship between SAM phase and sea level.
Comparative Analysis of Two Approaches for Correcting the Systematic Ocean Temperature Bias of CAS-ESM-C
Authors: Du Mengjiao , Zheng Fei , Zhu Jiang , Lin Renping , Yi Kan
Published: August 2021

Currently, several ocean data assimilation methods have been adopted to increase the performance of air–sea coupled models, but inconsistent adjustments between the sea temperature with other oceanic fields can be introduced. In the coupled model CAS-ESM-C, inconsistent adjustments for ocean currents commonly occur in the tropical western Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean. To overcome this problem, a new ensemble-based bias correction approach—a simple modification of the Ensemble Optimal Interpolation (EnOI) approach for multi-variable into a direct approach for a single variable—is proposed to minimize the model biases. Compared with the EnOI approach, this new approach can effectively avoid inconsistent adjustments. Meanwhile, the comparisons suggest that inconsistent adjustment mainly results from the unreasonable correlations between temperature and ocean current in the background matrix. In addition, the ocean current can be directly corrected in the EnOI approach, which can additionally generate biases for the upper ocean. These induced ocean biases can produce unreasonable ocean heat sinking and heat storage in the tropical western Pacific. It will generate incorrect ocean heat transmission toward the east, further amplifying the inconsistency introduced through the tropical air–sea interaction process.
Priming of Plant Defenses against Ophiostoma novo-ulmi by Elm (Ulmus minor Mill.) Fungal Endophytes
Authors: Martínez-Arias Clara , Sobrino-Plata Juan , Gil Luis , Rodríguez-Calcerrada Jesús , Martín Juan Antonio
Published: August 2021

Some fungal endophytes of forest trees are recognized as beneficial symbionts against stresses. In previous works, two elm endophytes from the classes Cystobasidiomycetes and Eurotiomycetes promoted host resistance to abiotic stress, and another elm endophyte from Dothideomycetes enhanced host resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED). Here, we hypothesize that the combined effect of these endophytes activate the plant immune and/or antioxidant system, leading to a defense priming and/or increased oxidative protection when exposed to the DED pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. To test this hypothesis, the short-term defense gene activation and antioxidant response were evaluated in DED-susceptible (MDV1) and DED-resistant (VAD2 and MDV2.3) Ulmus minor genotypes inoculated with O. novo-ulmi, as well as two weeks earlier with a mixture of the above-mentioned endophytes. Endophyte inoculation induced a generalized transient defense activation mediated primarily by salicylic acid (SA). Subsequent pathogen inoculation resulted in a primed defense response of variable intensity among genotypes. Genotypes MDV1 and VAD2 displayed a defense priming driven by SA, jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET), causing a reduced pathogen spread in MDV1. Meanwhile, the genotype MDV2.3 showed lower defense priming but a stronger and earlier antioxidant response. The defense priming stimulated by elm fungal endophytes broadens our current knowledge of the ecological functions of endophytic fungi in forest trees and opens new prospects for their use in the biocontrol of plant diseases.
Insights into the Bioprospecting of the Endophytic Fungi of the Medicinal Plant Palicourea rigida Kunth (Rubiaceae): Detailed Biological Activities
Authors: dos Santos Igor Romeiro , Abdel-Azeem Ahmed M. , Mohesien Marwa T. , Piekutowska Magdalena , Sheir Donia H. , da Silva Lucas Leonardo , da Silva Castro Camila , Carvalho Daniel Diego Costa , Bezerra Jadson Diogo Pereira , Saad Hosam A. , Borges Leonardo Luiz , Xavier-Santos Solange
Published: August 2021

A multitude of plants from the Brazilian savanna are known for their medicinal properties. Many plants contain endophytic fungi, which lead to the production of bioactive compounds by both the fungi and their hosts. This study investigated the bioprospecting of endophytic fungi recovered from the leaves of Palicourea rigida, a native medicinal plant of the Brazilian savanna. Four fungal taxa (Colletotrichum sp. SXS649, Pestalotiopsis sp. SXS650, the order Botryosphaeriales SXS651, and Diaporthe sp. SXS652) were recovered. The phenolic, flavonoid, extracellular degrading enzymes (amylase, cellulase, protease, and tannase) and antioxidant activity of these taxa were determined. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity showed that the Botryosphaeriales SXS651 extract displays a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 23.20 mg mL−1 against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Diaporthe sp. SXS652 extract exhibited an MIC of 27.00 mg mL−1 against Escherichia coli. The Colletotrichum sp. SXS649 isolate inhibited tumors in potato discs by 69% at a concentration of 9.70 mg mL−1. All isolates had potential bioremediation criteria against soil contaminated with soybean oil, as proved by a high percentage of germination of Lactuca sativa and a reduction in phytotoxicity. Furthermore, the taxa under investigation demonstrated antagonistic action to phytopathogenic fungi, namely, Aspergillus niger, Inonotus rickii, Pestalotiopsis mangiferae, and Coniophora puteana, with an inhibition range between 34.2% and 76.9%. The preliminary toxicity assessment showed that all isolates possessed an LC50 of less than 100 mg mL−1 to the microcrustacean Artemia salina. These results indicate that the endophytic fungi of the Brazilian savanna are promising candidates for biotechnological and industrial applications and, in agricultural applications, for the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi.
Long COVID-19 Pulmonary Sequelae and Management Considerations
Authors: Boutou Afroditi , Asimakos Andreas , Kortianou Eleni , Vogiatzis Ioannis , Tzouvelekis Argyris
Published: August 2021

The human coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) and the associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are responsible for the worst global health crisis of the last century. Similarly, to previous coronaviruses leading to past pandemics, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS), a growing body of evidence support that a substantial minority of patients surviving the acute phase of the disease present with long-term sequelae lasting for up to 6 months following acute infection. The clinical spectrum of these manifestations is widespread across multiple organs and consists of the long-COVID-19 syndrome. The aim of the current review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the pulmonary manifestations of the long COVID-19 syndrome including clinical symptoms, parenchymal, and functional abnormalities, as well as highlight epidemiology, risk factors, and follow-up strategies for early identification and timely therapeutic interventions. The literature data on management considerations including the role of corticosteroids and antifibrotic treatment, as well as the therapeutic potential of a structured and personalized pulmonary rehabilitation program are detailed and discussed.
Endometrial SUSD2+ Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Tissue Engineering: Advances in Novel Cellular Constructs for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Hennes David M. Z. B. , Rosamilia Anna , Werkmeister Jerome A. , Gargett Caroline E. , Mukherjee Shayanti
Published: August 2021

Cellular therapy is an emerging field in clinical and personalised medicine. Many adult mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSC) or pluripotent derivatives are being assessed simultaneously in preclinical trials for their potential treatment applications in chronic and degenerative human diseases. Endometrial mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (eMSC) have been identified as clonogenic cells that exist in unique perivascular niches within the uterine endometrium. Compared with MSC isolated from other tissue sources, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue, eMSC can be extracted through less invasive methods of tissue sampling, and they exhibit improvements in potency, proliferative capacity, and control of culture-induced differentiation. In this review, we summarize the potential cell therapy and tissue engineering applications of eMSC in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), emphasising their ability to exert angiogenic and strong immunomodulatory responses that improve tissue integration of novel surgical constructs for POP and promote vaginal tissue healing.
Conditions for the Growth of the “Silver Economy” in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals: Peculiarities of Russia
Authors: Reshetnikova Liudmila , Boldyreva Natalia , Perevalova Maria , Kalayda Svetlana , Pisarenko Zhanna
Published: August 2021

A “silver economy” can drive economic growth. The key condition is effective demand, determined by the number of financially secure members of the elderly population. The aim of this study is to assess the conditions of the Russian “silver economy”, identify the constraints on its growth, and develop recommendations for their elimination to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. We applied multivariate statistical analysis methods. The absolute and structural numbers of elderly people in Russia were found to not differ much from those in the developed countries of Europe. Their financial support exhibits several important features. A state pension plays a key role in financing the needs of Russian pensioners. Income from labor occupies the second position. Asset-based reallocations are negligible. Public programs will improve the standard of living of current pensioners. For future pensioners, it is important to increase the income received from asset-based reallocations. Russian pensioners were found to have had a negative experience of participation in the funded pension system. It is necessary to stimulate the voluntary participation of future pensioners in the funded pension system and to change the regulation of the investment activities of pension managers. In general, the formation of conditions favorable to the “silver economy” may turn it into a driver of sustainable development in Russia.
Exploring PPPs in Support of Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration: A Case Study from Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: García-Morán Ana , Ulvund Simon , Unger Eva-Maria , Bennett Rohan Mark
Published: August 2021

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) may facilitate the implementation of fit-for-purpose land administration (FFPLA); however, the approach can be compromised when funding for land registration is insufficient or donor projects end. This paper aims to introduce a new form of PPP to the literature on FFPLA, further extending the discourse and options available on PPPs for FFPLA. A background review finds that whilst PPPs have had long standing application in land administration, there is room to explore approaches that seek increased involvement of non-conventional land sector actors. A case study methodology is applied to analyse recent developments of FFPLA in Côte d’Ivoire that includes a partnership between the government and a consortium of private sector companies. Results describe the novelty, challenges, opportunities, and success factors for the approach, when compared to existing forms of PPPs. It is found that the innovative partnership approach may create novel avenues for financing FFPLA in developing countries and for more active forms of participation of the private sector in improved land tenure governance. The model potentially creates sustainable buy-in from private sector corporations, who whilst not conventionally closely undertaking land administration efforts, rely intrinsically on it to achieve corporate social responsibility objectives.
The Spatial Distribution Characteristics of the Cultivated Land Quality in the Diluvial Fan Terrain of the Arid Region: A Case Study of Jimsar County, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Sheng Yang , Liu Weizhong , Xu Hailiang , Gao Xianchao
Published: August 2021

Environmental constraints are not only important aspects that affect the cultivated land quality but also necessary factors that shall be considered when evaluating the cultivated land quality scientifically. Moreover, identifying the quality condition of cultivated land accurately is the premise for guaranteeing food security. Based on the case study of diluvial fan terrain in Jimsar County, Xinjiang in the arid region of Northwest China, this study utilizes a geographic information system spatial analysis and a multifactor comprehensive evaluation method and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for cultivated land quality on account of three dimensions, namely soil properties, farming conditions, and natural environmental conditions. To reduce the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) effect and improve the accuracy of the quality evaluation results of cultivated land, this study compares the spatial interpolation methods of Inverse Distance Weighted Matrix (IDW), Ordinary Kriging (OK), and Spline Functions (Spline) based on different cultivated land evaluation units. Through the assessment on the comparison results, we finally adopted large-scale cultivated land as the quality evaluation unit of cultivated land and Ordinary Kriging (OK) as the spatial interpolation method. The results indicated that the average grade of the quality index of cultivated land in the diluvial fan terrain of Jimsar County is 6.66 at the middle or lower level; the quality of cultivated land and natural environment conditions reduce with the rise of elevation of the diluvial fan terrain, indicating a vertical zonality differentiation rule; the farming conditions keep sliding from the middle part of diluvial fan terrain to the edge of the diluvial fan terrain and the piedmont slope. The major factors affecting the quality of the cultivated land include the soil capacity, soil pH, soil organic matter, the quantity of straw returning to the field, source of irrigation water, water delivery method, part of the diluvial fan, groundwater level depth, and geomorphic type. Therefore, the measures to improve the quality of the cultivated land are put forward, mainly including improving the soil, carrying out land consolidation projects, and developing highly efficient water-saving irrigation agriculture. This study provides favorable references and directions for the sustainable utilization and quality improvement of cultivated land resources in arid regions.
Farmland Rental Participation, Agricultural Productivity, and Household Income: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Han Wenjing , Zhang Zhengfeng , Zhang Xiaoling , He Li
Published: August 2021

The rural land rental market is playing an increasingly important role in the agricultural transformation period for developing countries, including China, where rural farmland rental is highly context-specific with the implementation of the collective-owned rural land system; thus, in turn, the access to farmland rental markets for rural households has profoundly influenced their livelihood strategies and income earnings. This paper investigates the income impact differences caused by rural households’ farmland rental participation activities and explores such impact mechanisms by further evaluating the income impacts caused by rental area and household agricultural productivity. Data from the Chinese national household survey were used for estimating the empirical models. Our results show that farmland renting has positively affected households’ on-farm and total income, but there is no significant effect upon off-farm income. According to income differences across quantiles, we find households with high on-farm income are more sensitive about enlarging their farm size by renting farmland, and households with middle and upper-middle off-income may benefit more from renting out their farmland. Furthermore, the joint effects of renting area and household agricultural productivity on lessee households’ farm income is significantly positive. For lessor households, our results indicate that renting out farmland did not improve their off-farm and total income as it may have a limited effect on farm household labor distribution. Our findings suggest that engaging in farmland rental activity can enhance farming productivity efficiency and poverty alleviation among rural households. Under the collective-owned rural land system, it is urgent and necessary to initiate and design incentive policies to encourage highly efficient large farms to expand the farm size and provide smallholders with equal opportunities to engage in farmland rental activities.
NSD1: A Lysine Methyltransferase between Developmental Disorders and Cancer
Authors: Tauchmann Samantha , Schwaller Juerg
Published: August 2021

Recurrent epigenomic alterations associated with multiple human pathologies have increased the interest in the nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 (NSD1) lysine methyltransferase. Here, we review the current knowledge about the biochemistry, cellular function and role of NSD1 in human diseases. Several studies have shown that NSD1 controls gene expression by methylation of lysine 36 of histone 3 (H3K36me1/2) in a complex crosstalk with de novo DNA methylation. Inactivation in flies and mice revealed that NSD1 is essential for normal development and that it regulates multiple cell type-specific functions by interfering with transcriptional master regulators. In humans, putative loss of function NSD1 mutations characterize developmental syndromes, such as SOTOS, as well as cancer from different organs. In pediatric hematological malignancies, a recurrent chromosomal translocation forms a NUP98-NSD1 fusion with SET-dependent leukemogenic activity, which seems targetable by small molecule inhibitors. To treat or prevent diseases driven by aberrant NSD1 activity, future research will need to pinpoint the mechanistic correlation between the NSD1 gene dosage and/or mutational status with development, homeostasis, and malignant transformation.
Satellite Orbit Prediction Using Big Data and Soft Computing Techniques to Avoid Space Collisions
Authors: Puente Cristina , Sáenz-Nuño Maria Ana , Villa-Monte Augusto , Olivas José Angel
Published: August 2021

The number of satellites and debris in space is dangerously increasing through the years. For that reason, it is mandatory to design techniques to approach the position of a given object at a given time. In this paper, we present a system to do so based on a database of satellite positions according to their coordinates (x,y,z) for one month. We have paid special emphasis on the preliminary stage of data arrangement, since if we do not have consistent data, the results we will obtain will be useless, so the first stage of this work is a full study of the information gathered locating the missing gaps of data and covering them with a prediction. With that information, we are able to calculate an orbit error which will estimate the position of a satellite in time, even when the information is not accurate, by means of prediction of the satellite’s position. The comparison of two satellites over 26 days will serve to highlight the importance of the accuracy in the data, provoking in some cases an estimated error of 4% if the data are not well measured.
A Novel Framework for Mining Social Media Data Based on Text Mining, Topic Modeling, Random Forest, and DANP Methods
Authors: Huang Chi-Yo , Yang Chia-Lee , Hsiao Yi-Hao
Published: August 2021

The huge volume of user-generated data on social media is the result of the aggregation of users’ personal backgrounds, past experiences, and daily activities. This huge size of the generated data, the so-called “big data,” has been studied and investigated intensively during the past few years. In spite of the impression one may get from the media, a great deal of data processing has not been uncovered by existing techniques of data engineering and processing. However, very few scholars have tried to do so, especially from the perspective of multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM). These MCDM methods can derive influence relationships and weights associated with aspects and criteria, which can hardly be achieved by traditional data analytics and statistical approaches. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to propose an analytic framework to mine social networks, feed the meaningful information via MCDM methods based on a theoretical framework, derive causal relationships among the aspects of the theoretical framework, and finally compare the causal relationships with a social theory. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) will be adopted to derive topic models based on the data retrieved from social media. By clustering the topics into aspects of the social theory, the probability associated with each aspect will be normalized and then transformed to a Likert-type 5-point scale. Afterwards, for every topic, the feature importance of all other topics will be derived using the random forest (RF) algorithm. The feature importance matrix will be transformed to the initial influence matrix of the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). The influence relationships among the aspects and criteria and influence weights can then be derived by using the DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP). The influence weight versus each criterion can be derived by using DANP. To verify the feasibility of the proposed framework, Taiwanese users’ attitudes toward air pollution will be analyzed based on the value–belief–norm (VBN) theory by using social media data retrieved from Dcard (dcard.tw). Based on the analytic results, the causal relationships are fully consistent with the VBN framework. Further, the mutual influences derived in this work that were seldom discussed by earlier works, i.e., the mutual influences between altruistic concerns and egoistic concerns, as well as those between altruistic concerns and biosphere concerns, are worth further investigation in future.
Packing Three Cubes in D-Dimensional Space
Authors: Sedliačková Zuzana , Adamko Peter
Published: August 2021

Denote Vn(d) the least number that every system of n cubes with total volume 1 in d-dimensional (Euclidean) space can be packed parallelly into some rectangular parallelepiped of volume Vn(d). New results V3(5)≐1.802803792, V3(7)≐2.05909680, V3(9)≐2.21897778, V3(10)≐2.27220126, V3(11)≐2.31533581, V3(12)≐2.35315527, V3(13)≐2.38661963 can be found in the paper.
Applications of Non-Standard analysis in Topoi to Mathematical Neurosciences and Artificial Intelligence: Infons, Energons, Receptons (I)
Authors: Badea Ileana , Mocanu Carmen , Nichita Florin , Păsărescu Ovidiu
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this paper is to promote new methods in mathematical modeling inspired by neuroscience—that is consciousness and subconsciousness—with an eye toward artificial intelligence as parts of the global brain. As a mathematical model, we propose topoi and their non-standard enlargements as models, due to the fact that their logic corresponds well to human thinking. For this reason, we built non-standard analysis in a special class of topoi; before now, this existed only in the topos of sets (A. Robinson). Then, we arrive at the pseudo-particles from the title and to a new axiomatics denoted by Intuitionistic Internal Set Theory (IIST); a class of models for it is provided, namely, non-standard enlargements of the previous topoi. We also consider the genetic–epigenetic interplay with a mathematical introduction consisting of a study of the Yang–Baxter equations with new mathematical results.
An Innovative Hybrid Heap-Based and Jellyfish Search Algorithm for Combined Heat and Power Economic Dispatch in Electrical Grids
Authors: Ginidi Ahmed , Elsayed Abdallah , Shaheen Abdullah , Elattar Ehab , El-Sehiemy Ragab
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes a hybrid algorithm that combines two prominent nature-inspired meta-heuristic strategies to solve the combined heat and power (CHP) economic dispatch. In this line, an innovative hybrid heap-based and jellyfish search algorithm (HBJSA) is developed to enhance the performance of two recent algorithms: heap-based algorithm (HBA) and jellyfish search algorithm (JSA). The proposed hybrid HBJSA seeks to make use of the explorative features of HBA and the exploitative features of the JSA to overcome some of the problems found in their standard forms. The proposed hybrid HBJSA, HBA, and JSA are validated and statistically compared by attempting to solve a real-world optimization issue of the CHP economic dispatch. It aims to satisfy the power and heat demands and minimize the whole fuel cost (WFC) of the power and heat generation units. Additionally, a series of operational and electrical constraints such as non-convex feasible operating regions of CHP and valve-point effects of power-only plants, respectively, are considered in solving such a problem. The proposed hybrid HBJSA, HBA, and JSA are employed on two medium systems, which are 24-unit and 48-unit systems, and two large systems, which are 84- and 96-unit systems. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid HBJSA outperforms the standard HBA and JSA and other reported techniques when handling the CHP economic dispatch. Otherwise, comparative analyses are carried out to demonstrate the suggested HBJSA’s strong stability and robustness in determining the lowest minimum, average, and maximum WFC values compared to the HBA and JSA.
Business Cycles in a Two-Sided Altruism Model
Authors: Fujiu Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

This study demonstrates that business cycles with complex periodic fluctuations may arise in an overlapping generations model with two-sided altruism. The structure of an equilibrium dynamical system strongly depends on the degree of altruism in the model. If either altruism of a generation to the parent or the child disappears, the study also demonstrates that complex periodic fluctuations never occur. In this sense, two-sided altruism is essential for a complex business cycle.
Adaptive Proportional Integral Robust Control of an Uncertain Robotic Manipulator Based on Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient
Authors: Lu Puwei , Huang Wenkai , Xiao Junlong , Zhou Fobao , Hu Wei
Published: August 2021

An adaptive proportional integral robust (PIR) control method based on deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPGPIR) is proposed for n-link robotic manipulator systems with model uncertainty and time-varying external disturbances. In this paper, the uncertainty of the nonlinear dynamic model, time-varying external disturbance, and friction resistance of the n-link robotic manipulator are integrated into the uncertainty of the system, and the adaptive robust term is used to compensate for the uncertainty of the system. In addition, dynamic information of the n-link robotic manipulator is used as the input of the DDPG agent to search for the optimal parameters of the proportional integral robust controller in continuous action space. To ensure the DDPG agent’s stable and efficient learning, a reward function combining a Gaussian function and the Euclidean distance is designed. Finally, taking a two-link robot as an example, the simulation experiments of DDPGPIR and other control methods are compared. The results show that DDPGPIR has better adaptive ability, robustness, and higher trajectory tracking accuracy.
On the Poisson Stability to Study a Fourth-Order Dynamical System with Quadratic Nonlinearities
Authors: Pchelintsev Alexander N.
Published: August 2021

This article discusses the search procedure for Poincaré recurrences to classify solutions on an attractor of a fourth-order nonlinear dynamical system, using a previously developed high-precision numerical method. For the resulting limiting solution, the Lyapunov exponents are calculated, using the modified Benettin’s algorithm to study the stability of the found regime and confirm the type of attractor.
Palliative Sedation in COVID-19 End-of-Life Care. Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ramos-Rincon Jose-Manuel , Moreno-Perez Oscar , Gomez-Martinez Nazaret , Priego-Valladares Manuel , Climent-Grana Eduardo , Marti-Pastor Ana , Portilla-Sogorb Joaquin , Sanchez-Martinez Rosario , Merino Esperanza
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives: Descriptions of end-of-life in COVID-19 are limited to small cross-sectional studies. We aimed to assess end-of-life care in inpatients with COVID-19 at Alicante General University Hospital (ALC) and compare differences according to palliative and non-palliative sedation. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in inpatients included in the ALC COVID-19 Registry (PCR-RT or antigen-confirmed cases) who died during conventional admission from 1 March to 15 December 2020. We evaluated differences among deceased cases according to administration of palliative sedation. Results: Of 747 patients evaluated, 101 died (13.5%). Sixty-eight (67.3%) died in acute medical wards, and 30 (44.1%) received palliative sedation. The median age of patients with palliative sedation was 85 years; 44% were women, and 30% of cases were nosocomial. Patients with nosocomial acquisition received more palliative sedation than those infected in the community (81.8% [9/11] vs 36.8% [21/57], p = 0.006), and patients admitted with an altered mental state received it less (20% [6/23] vs. 53.3% [24/45], p = 0.032). The median time from admission to starting palliative sedation was 8.5 days (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0–14.5). The main symptoms leading to palliative sedation were dyspnea at rest (90%), pain (60%), and delirium/agitation (36.7%). The median time from palliative sedation to death was 21.8 h (IQR 10.4–41.1). Morphine was used in all palliative sedation perfusions: the main regimen was morphine + hyoscine butyl bromide + midazolam (43.3%). Conclusions: End-of-life palliative sedation in patients with COVID-19 was initiated quite late. Clinicians should anticipate the need for palliative sedation in these patients and recognize the breathlessness, pain, and agitation/delirium that foreshadow death.
Examining the Clinical Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to Intensive Care Units: A Nationwide Saudi Study
Authors: Al Mutair Abbas , Elhazmi Alyaa , Alhumaid Saad , Ahmad Gasmelseed , Rabaan Ali , Alghadeer Mohammed , Chagla Hiba , Tirupathi Raghavendra , Sharma Amit , Dhama Kuldeep , Alsalman Khulud , Alalawi Zainab , Aljofan Ziyad , Al Mutairi Alya , Alomari Mohammed , Awad Mansour , Al-Omari Awad
Published: August 2021

Backgroundand Objectives: COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease caused by a single-stranded RNA coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We aimed to conduct a nationwide multicenter study to determine the characteristics and the clinical prognostic outcome of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Materials and Methods: This is a nationwide cohort retrospective study conducted in twenty Saudi hospitals. Results: An analysis of 1470 critically ill COVID-19 patients demonstrated that the majority of patients were male with a mean age of 55.9 ± 15.1 years. Most of our patients presented with a shortness of breath (SOB) (81.3%), followed by a fever (73.7%) and a cough (65.1%). Diabetes and hypertension were the most common comorbidities in the study (52.4% and 46.0%, respectively). Multiple complications were observed substantially more among non-survivors. The length and frequency of mechanical ventilation use were significantly greater (83%) in the non-survivors compared with the survivors (31%). The mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 6 ± 5. The overall mortality rate of the cohort associated with patients that had diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart disease was 41.8%. Conclusion: Age; a pre-existing medical history of hypertension, diabetes and ischemic heart disease; smoking cigarettes; a BMI ≥ 29; a long mechanical ventilation and ICU stay; the need of ventilatory support; a high SOFA score; fungal co-infections and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use were key clinical characteristics that predicted a high mortality in our population.
Effects of Rapamycin on Insulin Brain Endothelial Cell Binding and Blood–Brain Barrier Transport
Authors: Nguyen Steven , Banks William A. , Rhea Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2021

Rapamycin is an exogenous compound that has been shown to improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models and can regulate pathways downstream of the insulin receptor signaling pathway. Insulin is also known to improve cognition in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease. Central nervous system (CNS) insulin must first cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a specialized network of brain endothelial cells. This transport process is regulated by physiological factors, such as insulin itself, triglycerides, cytokines, and starvation. Since rapamycin treatment can alter the metabolic state of rodents, increase the circulating triglycerides, and acts as a starvation mimetic, we hypothesized rapamycin could alter the rate of insulin transport across the BBB, providing a potential mechanism for the beneficial effects of rapamycin on cognition. Using young male and female CD-1 mice, we measured the effects of rapamycin on the basal levels of serum factors, insulin receptor signaling, vascular binding, and BBB pharmacokinetics. We found chronic rapamycin treatment was able to affect basal levels of circulating serum factors and endothelial cell insulin receptor signaling. In addition, while acute rapamycin treatment did affect insulin binding at the BBB, overall transport was unaltered. Chronic rapamycin slowed insulin BBB transport non-significantly (p = 0.055). These results suggest that rapamycin may not directly impact the transport of insulin at the BBB but could be acting to alter insulin signaling within brain endothelial cells, which can affect downstream signaling.
Theoretical Model and Experimental Study of Dynamic Hot Rolling
Authors: Yang Yanbo , Peng Yan
Published: August 2021

At present, the commonly used hot rolling model is only applicable to the static rolling process. However, to study the dynamic rolling process, a dynamic rolling model with roll vertical movement velocity parameters is required. In this study, the influence of the vertical movement velocity of the rolls on the rolling process is considered, and a dynamic rolling process model is proposed when the roll gap is reduced during the hot rolling dynamic rolling process. Mathematically, the model is based on the upper limit method. The model considers the influence of the dynamic rolling process on the length of the deformation zone, establishes a dynamic velocity field model and an average deformation rate model, and then solves the total power of the rolling process. Finally, the dynamic rolling force equation is given. Compared with the experimental results, the dynamic rolling model in this paper has high accuracy with an average error of 4%. In addition, the influence of roll vertical velocity on rolling parameters is discussed, which provides a basis for the study of the dynamic rolling process.
Substantively Lowered Levels of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) in Several Regions of the Human Brain in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Authors: Scholefield Melissa , Church Stephanie J. , Xu Jingshu , Patassini Stefano , Hooper Nigel M. , Unwin Richard D. , Cooper Garth J. S.
Published: August 2021

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential trace nutrient required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA). It has previously been shown that pantothenic acid is significantly decreased in multiple brain regions in both Alzheimer’s disease (ADD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). The current investigation aimed to determine whether similar changes are also present in cases of Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), another age-related neurodegenerative condition, and whether such perturbations might occur in similar regions in these apparently different diseases. Brain tissue was obtained from nine confirmed cases of PDD and nine controls with a post-mortem delay of 26 h or less. Tissues were acquired from nine regions that show high, moderate, or low levels of neurodegeneration in PDD: the cerebellum, motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, middle temporal gyrus, medulla oblongata, cingulate gyrus, and pons. A targeted ultra–high performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) approach was used to quantify pantothenic acid in these tissues. Pantothenic acid was significantly decreased in the cerebellum (p = 0.008), substantia nigra (p = 0.02), and medulla (p = 0.008) of PDD cases. These findings mirror the significant decreases in the cerebellum of both ADD and HD cases, as well as the substantia nigra, putamen, middle frontal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of HD cases, and motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of ADD cases. Taken together, these observations indicate a common but regionally selective disruption of pantothenic acid levels across PDD, ADD, and HD.
Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites of Public Health Significance in Fresh Horticultural Products Sold in Maputo Markets and Supermarkets, Mozambique
Authors: Salamandane Cátia , Lobo Maria Luísa , Afonso Sónia , Miambo Regina , Matos Olga
Published: August 2021

(1) Background: Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium are important neglected parasites associated with diarrhea, such as the emerging Enterocytozoon bieneusi. All three are foodborne parasites raising concerns in public health. This study intended to understand the intestinal parasite occurrence with emphasis on G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium, and E. bieneusi in fresh fruits/vegetables sold in the main municipal markets of Maputo city, Mozambique. (2) Methods: A total of 321 fresh horticultural products were purchased in the rainy and dry seasons (five markets/two supermarkets/one agricultural zone). Light microscopy (LM) and PCR analysis were performed. (3) Results: By LM and/or PCR, 29.3% of the samples presented at least one parasite (rainy season: 22.9%; dry season: 35.1%). The most contaminated horticultural products: collected in dry season, from Zimpeto and Fajardo markets, lettuce and pointed white cabbage. Overall, 3.7% of G. duodenalis, 1.3% of E. bieneusi, and other intestinal parasites (pathogenic and non-pathogenic) were identified. (4) Conclusions: Important pathogenic intestinal parasites were identified in fruits/vegetables commercially purchased in Maputo City. This fact must be taken into consideration when planning the management of these horticultural markets, in order to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh produce by intestinal parasites, and to prevent foodborne diseases.
Screening of Rhizosphere Bacteria and Nematode Populations Associated with Soybean Roots in the Mpumalanga Highveld of South Africa
Authors: Engelbrecht Gerhard , Claassens Sarina , Mienie Charlotte M. S. , Fourie Hendrika
Published: August 2021

Soybean is among South Africa’s top crops in terms of production figures. Over the past few years there has been increasingly more damage caused to local soybean by plant-parasitic nematode infections. The presence of Meloidogyne (root-knot nematodes) and Pratylenchus spp. (root lesion nematodes) in soybean fields can cripple the country’s production, however, little is known about the soil microbial communities associated with soybean in relation to different levels of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus infestations, as well as the interaction(s) between them. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the nematode population assemblages and endemic rhizosphere bacteria associated with soybean using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The abundance of bacterial genera that were then identified as being significant using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) was compared to the abundance of the most prevalent plant-parasitic nematode genera found across all sampled sites, viz. Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus. While several bacterial genera were identified as significant using LEfSe, only two with increased abundance were associated with decreased abundance of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus. However, six bacterial genera were associated with decreased Pratylenchus abundance. It is therefore possible that endemic bacterial strains can serve as an alternative method for reducing densities of plant-parasitic nematode genera and in this way reduce the damages caused to this economically important crop.