bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on Spain’s legislative experience providing access to healthcare to irregular migrants: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Hsia Renee Y , Gil-González Diana
Published: August 2021

Objectives

In 2018, Spain adopted a national law that significantly expanded healthcare access to all residents, including undocumented migrants. This was a substantial shift from a more restrictive system of coverage in previous years. However, irregular migrants continue to experience challenges accessing healthcare in Spain. This study aimed to describe the legislative and administrative barriers to implementation of this law from the perspective of providers and administrators of the healthcare system.

Design

We interviewed 12 individuals using a semistructured format.

Setting

Spain.

Participants

12 participants were interviewed; 7 males, 5 females. Participants included Spanish healthcare workers, government officials, hospital administrators, individuals working with non-governmental organisations focused on the provision of healthcare, and experts studying healthcare for underserved populations.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Interviews delved into personal experiences and knowledge of the entitlements and barriers of providing or trying to access care for undocumented migrants.

Results

The interviews yielded eight key themes: (1) context of universal healthcare in Spain pre-2012; (2) erosion of trust as rationale for more restrictive policies of 2012; (3) challenges of the 3-month residency requirement; (4) areas of ambiguity: exceptions in the 2012 Royal Decree Law not discussed in the 2018 Royal Decree Law; (5) jurisdictional authority and conflicts between national and AC government; (6) near impossibility of obtaining documentation for exportation of healthcare; (7) difficulties obtaining necessary paperwork to register residency; and (8) rise of NGOs to provide support to irregular migrants.

Conclusion

While there has been a general political movement to expand healthcare access for undocumented migrants in Spain, there remains a fundamental need to clarify the legal entitlements for undocumented migrants nationally and create administrative consistency across autonomous communities for providing health cards for undocumented migrants. Other countries may be able to draw lessons from the Spanish experience about the legislative frameworks surrounding access to healthcare for undocumented migrants.
What is the effectiveness of community-based health promotion campaigns on chlamydia screening uptake in young people and what barriers and facilitators have been identified? A mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Pearce Emma , Jolly Kate , Harris Isobel Marion , Adriano Ada , Moore David , Price Malcolm , Ross Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Background

The UK National Chlamydia Screening Programme uses an opportunistic approach. Many programmes use campaigns to raise awareness of chlamydia screening in young people. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of campaigns on uptake of chlamydia screening in young people.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of articles assessing the outcomes of community-based health-promotion campaigns to increase chlamydia screening in young people, their experiences of the campaigns and other facilitators and barriers to the conduct of the campaigns. We searched four databases for quantitative and qualitative studies with no language restrictions.

Main results

From 10 329 records identified, 19 studies (20 articles) were included in the review: 14 quantitative, 2 qualitative and 3 mixed methods. All studies with quantitative outcomes were before-after study designs or interrupted time series. The prediction interval for relative change (RC) in test counts ranged from 0.95 to 1.56, with a summary pooled estimate of RC 1.22 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.30, 13 studies, I2=97%). For test positivity rate, 95% prediction interval was 0.59 to 1.48, with a summary pooled estimate of RC 0.93 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.07, 8 studies, I2=91.8%). Large variation in characteristics between studies precluded exploring outcomes by type of campaign components. Seven major qualitative themes to improve screening were identified: targeting of campaigns; quality of materials and message; language; anonymity; use of technology; relevance; and variety of testing options.

Conclusions

Health promotion campaigns aiming to increase chlamydia testing in those aged 15–24 years may show some effectiveness in increasing overall numbers of tests, however numbers of positive tests do not follow the same trend. Qualitative findings indicate that campaigns require clear, relevant messaging that displays the full range of testing options and assures anonymity in order to be effective.
Reinforcement schemes for cold-formed steel joists with a large web opening in the flexural zone: an experimental investigation
Authors: Acharya Sandesh R. , Sivakumaran Ken S.
Published: August 2021

The objective of this investigation was to develop an economical and an efficient reinforcement scheme for large web openings in cold-formed steel (CFS) joists in flexural zones that would restore the original moment resistance of the section. This investigation considered commonly used floor joists in North American CFS construction. Tests on joists webs with no openings and with large circular and square openings located at the mid-depth revealed that large openings can reduce the flexural strength by 23%. A reinforcement scheme was established consisting of the screw fastening of bridging channels [38.1 mm × 12.7 mm (1.5″ × 0.5″)] with the same thickness as the receiving joist, along the compression and the tensile edges of the opening, using a screw spacing of 31.75 mm. Three identical tests utilizing the proposed reinforcement scheme restored the corresponding flexural strengths of the CFS section under consideration, and the failure locations were outside the reinforced opening regions.
Cover crop effects on soil temperature in a clay loam soil in southwestern Ontario
Authors: Yang X.M. , Reynolds W.D. , Drury C.F. , Reeb M.D.
Published: August 2021

Although it is well established that soil temperature has substantial effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production, little is known of soil temperatures under living cover crops. Consequently, soil temperatures under a crimson clover and white clover mix, hairy vetch, and red clover were measured for a cool, humid Brookston clay loam under a corn–soybean–winter wheat/cover crop rotation. Measurements were collected from August (after cover crop seeding) to the following May (before cover crop termination) at 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm depths during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. Average soil temperatures (August–May) were not affected by cover crop species at any depth, or by air temperature at 60 cm depth. During winter, soil temperatures at 15, 30, and 45 cm depths were greater under cover crops than under a no cover crop control (CK), with maximum increase occurring at 15 cm on 31 January 2019 (2.5–5.7 °C) and on 23 January 2020 (0.8–1.9 °C). In spring, soil temperatures under standing cover crops were cooler than the CK by 0.1–3.0 °C at 15 cm depth, by 0–2.4 °C at the 30 and 45 cm depths, and by 0–1.8 °C at 60 cm depth. In addition, springtime soil temperature at 15 cm depth decreased by about 0.24 °C for every 1 Mg·ha−1 increase in live cover crop biomass. Relative to bare soil, cover crops increased near-surface soil temperature during winter but decreased near-surface soil temperature during spring. These temperature changes may have both positive and negative effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production.
Fixing the Canadian Species at Risk Act: identifying major issues and recommendations for increasing accountability and efficiency
Authors: Turcotte Audrey , Kermany Natalie , Foster Sharla , Proctor Caitlyn A. , Gilmour Sydney M. , Doria Maria , Sebes James , Whitton Jeannette , Cooke Steven J. , Bennett Joseph R.
Published: August 2021

Since the implementation of the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003, deficiencies in SARA and its application have become clear. Legislative and policy inconsistencies among responsible federal agencies and the use of a subjective approach for prioritizing species protection lead to taxonomic biases in protection. Variations in legislation among provinces/territories and the reluctance of the federal government to take actions make SARA’s application often inefficient on nonfederally managed lands. Ambiguous key terms (e.g., critical habitat) and disregard for legislated deadlines in many steps impede the efficacy of SARA. Additionally, the failure to fully recognize Indigenous knowledge and to seek Indigenous cooperation in the species protection process leads to weaker government accountability, promotes inequity, and leads to missed opportunities for partnerships. New legislative amendments with well-defined and standardized steps, including an automatic listing process, a systematic prioritization program, and clearer demands (e.g., mandatory threshold to trigger safety net/emergency order) would improve the success of species at risk protection. Moreover, a more inclusive approach that brings Indigenous representatives and independent scientists together is necessary for improving SARA’s effectiveness. These changes have the potential to transform SARA into a more powerful act towards protecting Canada’s at-risk wildlife. (The graphical abstract follows.)
Onboarding Effect on Employee Creativity: The Moderating Role of Psychological Empowerment
Authors: Chenji Kalaa , Raghavendra Sode
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of onboarding on employee creativity and test if psychological empowerment moderates the relationship between onboarding and perceived employee creativity of knowledge workers. Data required for the survey was collected from 550 knowledge workers of three firms in service sector in India. The model was analysed using ANOVA, Chi-square test and regression analysis and was used to establish the conditional indirect effects of the moderator. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient. The results of the study supported the impact of onboarding levels on employee creativity. This study proved higher level of creativity for employees who experienced four levels of onboarding. The results indicated onboarding to strongly influence employee creativity. Onboarding also proved to moderate the effect of psychological empowerment on employee creativity. The crucial theoretical implication is to study the effect of onboarding on new employee perception, production and productivity. The study aims to provide insights to improve new employee creativity on successful onboarding and role of psychological empowerment on it. Much scope of future research on onboarding exists as research in this direction is on surge in the recent days.
EXPLORING THE EVOLUTION OF BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION ALLIANCES: THE CASE OF VELASCA
Authors: DAOOD ANTONIO , GIUSTINIANO LUCA , GATTI MAURO
Published: August 2021

Firms jointly conduct business model innovation (BMI) through business model innovation alliances (BMIAs). However, the understanding of how BMIA partnerships evolve and how different partners contribute to the inter-organisational BMI process remains vague. Building on process theory, our study addresses this gap by adopting a processual stance towards the evolution of a successful BMIA. Three main propositions emerge from our findings. First, BMIA evolution follows the progression of an alliance-level BMI process that can entail nested firm-level BMI processes aimed at making the partners’ BMs more functional within the overarching inter-organisational BMI. Second, relatively small changes in BMs at the member level can lead to significant and novel changes in the BM at the alliance level. Third, BMIA evolution builds on leveraging complementarities amongst firms of different sizes and at different stages of development, and on resolving conflictual attitudes amongst similar partners.
Compositional Rule of Inference with a Complex Rule Using Lukasiewicz t-Norm
Authors: Zerarka Nourelhouda , Kacem Saoussen Bel Hadj , Tagina Moncef
Published: August 2021

Inference systems are intelligent software performed generally to help people take appropriate decisions and solve problems in specific domains. Fuzzy inference systems are a kind of these systems that are based on fuzzy knowledge. To handle the fuzziness in the inference, the compositional rule of inference is used, which has two parameters: a t-norm and an implication operator. However, most of the combinations of t-norm/implication do not give an adequate inference result that coincides with human intuitions. This was the motivation for several works to study these combinations and to identify those that are compatible, in order to guarantee a performance close to that of humans. We are interested in this paper to a more general form of rules, which is complex rules, whose premise is a conjunction of propositions. To obtain the consequence in a fuzzy inference system using the compositional rule of inference with a complex rule, we study, in this work, Lukasiewicz t-norm which was not investigated before in this context. We combine it with known implications, and we verify the satisfaction of some criteria that model human intuitions.
Artificial Neural Network Applied to Predicting the Surface Tension of Acoustically Levitated Droplets of Supercooling Nanofluids
Authors: Wu Baohui , Liu Yudong , Wang Dengshi , Jiang Nan , Zhang Jie , Wang Xiaorong , Xiao Yuxin
Published: August 2021

Droplet oscillation method is a noncontact experimental approach, which can be used to measure the surface tension of acoustically levitated droplet. In this paper, we obtained huge amounts of experimental data of deionized water and water-based graphene oxide nanofluids within the temperature range of [Formula: see text]8.2–[Formula: see text]C. Based on the experimental data, we analyzed the influence of droplet’s deformation and frequency shift phenomenon on the surface tension of levitated droplet. Eight parameters that strongly correlate with surface tension were found and used as input neurons of artificial neural network model to predict the surface tension of supercooling graphene oxide nanofluids. The experimental data of nonsupercooling graphene oxide nanofluids were used as training set to optimize artificial neural network model, and that of deionized water were served as validation set, which was used to verify the predictive ability of artificial neural network model. The root mean square error of the optimized artificial neural network model to validation set is only 0.2558[Formula: see text]mN/m, and the prediction values of the surface tension of supercooling deionized water were in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated by Vargaftik equation, which indicates that artificial neural network model can deal well with the complex nonlinear relationship. Afterwards, we successfully predicted the surface tension of supercooling nanofluids by means of the optimized artificial neural network model and obviously reduced the dispersion and deviation caused by droplet deformation and other problems during oscillation process.
Ventilation of the Southern Ocean Pycnocline
Authors: Morrison Adele K. , Waugh Darryn W. , Hogg Andrew McC. , Jones Daniel C. , Abernathey Ryan P.
Published: August 2021

Ocean ventilation is the transfer of tracers and young water from the surface down into the ocean interior. The tracers that can be transported to depth include anthropogenic heat and carbon, both of which are critical to understanding future climate trajectories. Ventilation occurs in both high- and midlatitude regions, but it is the southern midlatitudes that are responsible for the largest fraction of anthropogenic heat and carbon uptake; such Southern Ocean ventilation is the focus of this review. Southern Ocean ventilation occurs through a chain of interconnected mechanisms, including the zonally averaged meridional overturning circulation, localized subduction, eddy-driven mixing along isopycnals, and lateral transport by subtropical gyres. To unravel the complex pathways of ventilation and reconcile conflicting results, here we assess the relative contribution of each of thesemechanisms, emphasizing the three-dimensional and temporally varying nature of the ventilation of the Southern Ocean pycnocline. We conclude that Southern Ocean ventilation depends on multiple processes and that simplified frameworks that explain ventilation changes through a single process are insufficient.
Human adipose and skeletal muscle tissue DNA, RNA, and protein content
Authors: Stroh Andrew M. , Lynch Colleen E. , Lester Bridget E. , Minchev Kiril , Chambers Toby L. , Montenegro Cristhian F. , Chavez Martinez Clarisa , Fountain William A. , Trappe Todd A. , Trappe Scott W.
Published: August 2021

This investigation studied DNA, RNA, and protein contents of adipose and skeletal muscle tissues from young active individuals. A series of optimization steps were investigated to aid in determining the optimal approach to extract high-yield and high-quality biomolecules. These findings contribute to the knowledge gap in adipose tissue requirements for molecular biology assays, which is of increasing importance due to the growing interest in adipose tissue research involving human exercise physiology research.
Severity of central sleep apnea does not affect sleeping oxygen saturation during ascent to high altitude
Authors: Bird Jordan D. , Kalker Anne , Rimke Alexander N. , Chan Jason S. , Chan Garrick , Saran Gurkarn , Jendzjowsky Nicholas G. , Wilson Richard J. A. , Brutsaert Thomas D. , Sherpa Mingma T. , Day Trevor A.
Published: August 2021

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is universal during ascent to high altitude, with intermittent and transient fluctuations in oxygen saturation, but the consequences on mean sleeping blood oxygenation are unclear. We assessed indices of CSA and mean sleeping peripheral oxygen saturation ([Formula: see text]) during ascent to high altitude using two ascent profiles: rapid ascent and residence at 3,800 m and incremental ascent to 5,160 m. The severity of CSA was not correlated with mean sleeping [Formula: see text] with ascent.
Chinese Patent Medicine as Adjuvant for Mild-to-Moderate Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Sun Yu-Xin , Yang Guo-Yan , Karamacoska Diana , Wang Xiao , Li Yuan-Xi , Hou Wen-Bin , Zheng You-You , Liu Jian-Ping , Liu Zhao-Lan
Published: August 2021

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese patent medicine for mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC) using network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, Sino-Med, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP) databases to October, 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Chinese patent medicine for mild-to-moderate active UC. The main analysis was complemented by network subanalyses and standard pairwise comparisons. Statistical heterogeneity, inconsistencies, and ranking probability were also evaluated. Results. The databases search identified 3222 citations, of which 33 RCTs involving 2971 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 15 Chinese patent medicines were analyzed. The overall quality of the included studies was low. Pairwise meta-analysis showed that Chinese patent medicine was superior to Mesalazine in improving disappearances of clinical symptoms, recurrence rate, and Mayo score. Based on decreases in adverse events, results from NMA showed that Xilei powder plus Mesalazine was more effective than other drugs. Other NMA results indicated that Danshen freeze-dried powder plus Mesalazine (RR: 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02–0.78) and Kangfuxin lotion plus Mesalazine (RR: 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07–0.57) were superior to Mesalazine in decreasing recurrence rate. Another NMA result indicated that Kangfuxin lotion plus Mesalazine (RR: 0.00; 95% CI, 0.00–0.02) and Zhi Kang capsule plus Mesalazine (RR: 0.00; 95% CI, 0.00–0.02) were superior to Mesalazine in increasing the disappearance of tenesmus. Conclusion. In the probability sorting, Xilei powder combined with Mesalazine ranked first for having the fewest adverse events, Maintaining Intestines Antidiarrheal Pills combined with Mesalazine ranked first for having the lowest recurrence rate, Xilei powder combined with Mesalazine ranked first for improving disappearance rate of mucopurulent bloody stool/abdominal pain, and Kangfuxin lotion combined with Mesalazine ranked first for improving the disappearance rate of diarrhea/tenesmus. However, there is a lack of direct comparisons among Chinese patent medicines for UC. More multiarm RCTs are needed in the future to provide direct comparative evidence.
Evaluation on Antidiabetic Properties of Medicinal Plants from Myanmar
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Arunachalam Karuppusamy , Wang Yuehu , Zhang Yu , Yang Jun , Hein Pyae Phyo , Mon Aye Mya , Li Jianwen , Inta Angkhana , Yang Xuefei
Published: August 2021

Objectives. To explore the effective and safe medicines for treating diabetes. Methods. Hydroalcoholic extracts of 130 medicinal plants belonging to 66 families were evaluated using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) inhibition and glucose uptake methods together with a literature review. Results. The extracts of 22 species showed the PPL inhibition activity; 18 extracts of 15 species stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Among them, Mansonia gagei J.R. Drumm., Mesua ferrea L., and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. exhibited both activities. The extracts of Caladium lindenii (André) Madison rhizomes and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. leaves presented the utmost lipase inhibitory activity with IC50 of 6.86 ± 0.25 and 11.46 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts of Coptis teeta Wall. rhizomes and Croton tiglium L. seeds stimulated the maximum glucose uptake. Ten species are reported to have antidiabetic activity for the first time. Flavonoids and triterpenoids are the dominant antidiabetic compounds in selected medicinal plants from Myanmar. Conclusions. P. zeylanica, L. cubeba, H. crenulate, M. gagei, C. teeta, and M. ferrea are worthy to advance further study according to their strong antidiabetic activities and limited research on effects in in vivo animal studies, unclear chemical constitutes, and safety.
Using Division Method to Convert the K-Input MIMO System to SISOs System Combined with Optimal Algorithm Application to Control of a Flexible Link System for the Oscillation (K =1,2)
Authors: Danh Nguyen Cong
Published: August 2021

The flexible link system (FLS) was a highly nonlinear model, multivariable and absolutely unstable dynamic system. In practice, it is common to integrate multiple subsystems into the main system with dynamically turned k-input signals (k =1, 2,…, N) to diversity the functionality of the main system. The flexibility of the division method to convert k-input MIMO system to SISOs system combined with the optimal algorithm creates a powerful tool that can be applied to many different MIMO nonlinear systems with high success rates. The optimal controllers can be created in the future for the flexible system is implemented on an experiment system using Arduino UNO micro-controller KIT. This paper describes division method to convert the k-input MIMO system to SISOs system, after that combined with the optimal algorithm to control for the flexible link system. Specifically, the author will conduct oscillating component analysis of a system with k input pairs (k =1, 2) so that the author can better understand the nature of sub-components as they interact with the system.
Using an Efficient Technique Based on Dynamic Learning Period for Improving Delay in AI-Based Handover
Authors: Majid Saad Ijaz , Shah Syed Waqar , Marwat Safdar Nawaz Khan , Hafeez Abdul , Ali Haider , Jan Naveed
Published: August 2021

The future high-speed cellular networks require efficient and high-speed handover mechanisms. However, the traditional cellular handovers are based upon measurements of target cell radio strength which requires frequent measurement gaps. During these measurement windows, data transmission ceases each time, while target bearings are measured causing serious performance degradation. Therefore, prediction-based handover techniques are preferred in order to eliminate frequent measurement windows. Thus, this work proposes an ultrafast and efficient XGBoost-based predictive handover technique for next generation mobile communications. The ML algorithm in general prefers 70–30% of training and test data, respectively. However, always obtaining 70% of training samples in mobile communications is challenging because the channel remains correlated within coherence time only. Therefore, collecting training samples beyond coherence time limits performance and adds delay; thus, the proposed work trains the model within coherence time where this fixed data split of 70–30% makes the model exceed coherence time. Despite the fact that the proposed model gets starved of required training samples, still there is no loss in predication accuracy. The test results show a maximum delay improvement of up to 596 ms with enhanced performance efficiency of 68.70% depending upon the scenario. The proposed model reduces delay and improves efficiency by having an appropriate training period; thus, the intelligent technique activates faster with improved accuracy and eliminates delay in the algorithm to predict mmWaves’ signal strength in contrast to actually measuring them.
Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicological Aspects
Authors: Timalsina Deepak , Devkota Hari Prasad , Bhusal Deepti , Sharma Khaga Raj
Published: August 2021

Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. (Syn. Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam.), belonging to the Rubiaceae family, is distributed in south Asian countries. It is used as a traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal and hepatic problems and as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The main aim of this review is to collect and analyze the available scientific information on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of C. spinosa. The scientific information related to C. spinosa was collected from various resources and databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed, and other databases. C. spinosa was found to be an important crude drug of the traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda. It was found to be used by the people of India as an alternative medicine, while the fruit of this plant was found to be used in dietary regimens as well. Active phytochemicals such as catunarosides, randianin, and several other saponins and triterpenoids possess various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities. Many studies have been performed to isolate the active compounds; however, there is a need for more activity-guided isolation studies. Various in vitro studies showed promising results but there are not many studies related to mechanism of actions using animal models. Hence, future studies on C. spinosa should focus on correlating the traditional uses with active phytoconstituents and modern pharmacological activities.
Universal Nonlinear Spiking Neural P Systems with Delays and Weights on Synapses
Authors: Wang Liping , Liu Xiyu , Zhao Yuzhen
Published: August 2021

The nonlinear spiking neural P systems (NSNP systems) are new types of computation models, in which the state of neurons is represented by real numbers, and nonlinear spiking rules handle the neuron’s firing. In this work, in order to improve computing performance, the weights and delays are introduced to the NSNP system, and universal nonlinear spiking neural P systems with delays and weights on synapses (NSNP‐DW) are proposed. Weights are treated as multiplicative constants by which the number of spikes is increased when transiting across synapses, and delays take into account the speed at which the synapses between neurons transmit information. As a distributed parallel computing model, the Turing universality of the NSNP‐DW system as number generating and accepting devices is proven. 47 and 43 neurons are sufficient for constructing two small universal NSNP‐DW systems. The NSNP‐DW system solving the Subset Sum problem is also presented in this work.
A LoRa-Based Lightweight Secure Access Enhancement System
Authors: Jiang Yu , Fu Hua , Hu Aiqun , Sun Wen
Published: August 2021

The access control mechanism in LoRa has been proven to have high security risks. In order to improve the secure access ability of LoRa terminals, this paper presents a physical layer-based authentication system for security enhancement. Different from the security access technology of cryptography, a lightweight gateway architecture called LW-LoRaWAN is proposed to realize a data frame-based authentication with radio frequency fingerprint (RFF). A novel RFF feature of Cross Power Spectral Density (CPSD) is used to achieve a fast authentication with one single frame. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the proposed system not only reinforces the authentication security of LoRa network but also protects the LoRa terminals against the Sybil attacks. The LW-LoRaWAN provides new security approach from physical layer for LoRa network.
The Principle-Agent Conflict Problem in a Continuous-Time Delegated Asset Management Model
Authors: Li Yanan , Li Chuanzheng
Published: August 2021

This paper considers the principle-agent conflict problem in a continuous-time delegated asset management model when the investor and the fund manager are all risk-averse with risk sensitivity coefficients

γ

f

 and 

γ

m

, respectively. Suppose that the investor entrusts his money to the fund manager. The return of the investment is determined by the manager’s effort level and incentive strategy, but the benefit belongs to the investor. In order to encourage the manager to work hard, the investor will determine the manager’s salary according to the terminal income. This is a stochastic differential game problem, and the distribution of income between the manager and the investor is a key point to be solved in the custody model. The uncertain form of the incentive strategy implies that the problem is different from the classical stochastic optimal control problem. In this paper, we first express the investor’s incentive strategy in term of two auxiliary processes and turn this problem into a classical one. Then, we employ the dynamic programming principle to solve the problem.
Robust Graph Factorization for Multivariate Electricity Consumption Series Clustering
Authors: Zheng Kaihong , Liang Honghao , Zeng Lukun , Chen Xiaowei , Li Sheng , Jiang Hefang , Gong Qihang , Li Sijian , Yang Jingfeng , Zhou Shangli
Published: August 2021

Multivariate electricity consumption series clustering can reflect trends of power consumption changes in the past time period, which can provide reliable guidance for electricity production. However, there are some abnormal series in the past multivariate electricity consumption series data, while outliers will affect the discovery of electricity consumption trends in different time periods. To address this problem, we propose a robust graph factorization model for multivariate electricity consumption clustering (RGF-MEC), which performs graph factorization and outlier discovery simultaneously. RGF-MEC first obtains a similarity graph by calculating distance among multivariate electricity consumption series data and then performs robust matrix factorization on the similarity graph. Meanwhile, the similarity graph is decomposed into a class-related embedding and a spectral embedding, where the class-related embedding directly reveals the final clustering results. Experimental results on realistic multivariate time-series datasets and multivariate electricity consumption series datasets demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed RGF-MEC model.
Secure Online Examination with Biometric Authentication and Blockchain-Based Framework
Authors: Zhu Xiaoling , Cao Chenglong
Published: August 2021

E-learning has been carried out all over the world and then online examinations have become an important means to check learning effect during the outbreak of COVID-19. Participant authenticity, data integrity, and access control are the assurance to online examination. The existing online examination schemes cannot provide the protection of biometric features and fine-grained access control. Particularly, they did not discuss how to resolve some disputes among students, teachers, and a platform in a fair and reasonable way. We propose a novel biometric authentication and blockchain-based online examination scheme. The examination data are encrypted to store in a distributed system, which can be obtained only if the user satisfies decryption policy. And the pieces of evidence are recorded in a blockchain network which is jointly established by some credible institutions. Unlike other examination authentication systems, face templates in our scheme are protected using a fuzzy vault and a cryptographic method. Furthermore, educational administrative department can determine who the real initiator of malicious behavior is when a dispute arises using a dispute determination protocol. Analysis shows that no central authority is required in our scheme; the collusion of multiple users cannot obtain more data; even if the authorities compromise, biometric features of each user will not be leaked. Therefore, in terms of privacy-preserving biometric templates, fine-grained access, and dispute resolution, it is superior to the existing schemes.
Effect of Anolyte pH on the Performance of a Dual-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell Operated with Different Biomass Feed
Authors: Halim Md. Abdul , Rahman Md. Owaleur , Ibrahim Mohammad , Kundu Rituparna , Biswas Biplob Kumar
Published: August 2021

Finding sustainable alternative energy resources and treating wastewater are the two most important issues that need to be solved. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has demonstrated a tremendous potential in bioelectricity generation with wastewater treatment. Since wastewater can be used as a source of electrolyte for the MFC, the salient point of this study was to investigate the effect of pH on bioelectricity production using various biomass feed (wastewater and river water) as the anolyte in a dual-chambered MFC. Maximum extents of power density (1459.02 mW·m−2), current density (1288.9 mA·m−2), and voltage (1132 mV) were obtained at pH 8 by using Bhairab river water as a feedstock in the MFC. A substantial extent of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (94%) as well as coulombic efficiency (41.7%) was also achieved in the same chamber at pH 8. The overall performance of the MFC, in terms of bioelectricity generation, COD removal, and coulombic efficiency, indicates a plausible utilization of the MFC for wastewater treatment as well as bioelectricity production.
Lived Experiences of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Hemodialysis in Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Hailemariam , Gutema Hordofa , Wasihun Yosef , Dagne Samuel , Menber Yonatan , Petrucka Pammela , Fentahun Netsanet
Published: August 2021

Purpose. Chronic kidney disease is a challenging disease and global public health problem. The burden of chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis is increasing in Ethiopia, but few studies explored the lived experiences of chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis. This study explored the lived experiences of chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis, in the Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. A phenomenological study design was conducted with 12 chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis between September 1 and October 30, 2019. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants, and a semistructured in-depth interview guide was used to collect the data. The investigators audio-taped the interviews and then transcribed them verbatim. Finally, the transcribed data were imported to Atlas.ti™-7 software for coding, and then, thematic analysis was done. Transferability, dependability, credibility, and conformability were embedded to ensure data quality. Results. In this study, six major themes were emerged: (1) the seriousness of the disease, (2) challenges to get hemodialysis, (3) financial constraint, (4) restricted life, (5) feeling of dependency, and (6) psychological impacts. Conclusion. The restrictive nature of the disease affects a participant’s financial status which makes it challenging to obtain the service and increases feelings of dependency. These circumstances impact the psychology of the participants. We would recommend that every patient with hemodialysis needs social and psychological support. We would also recommend the need to extend the study to other areas of the country to confirm or disconfirm the findings.
Application of Multiscale Facial Feature Manifold Learning Based on VGG‐16
Authors: Ge Huilin , Zhu Zhiyu , Liu Runbang , Wu Xuedong
Published: August 2021

Purpose. In order to solve the problems of small face image samples, high size, low structure, no label, and difficulty in tracking and recapture in security videos, we propose a popular multiscale facial feature manifold (MSFFM) algorithm based on VGG16. Method. We first build the VGG16 architecture to obtain face features at different scales and construct a multiscale face feature manifold with face features at different scales as dimensions. At the same time, the recognition rate, accuracy rate, and running time are used to evaluate the performance of VGG16, LeNet‐5, and DenseNet on the same database. Results. From the results of comparative experiments, it can be seen that the recognition rate and accuracy of VGG16 are the highest among the three networks. The recognition rate of VGG16 is 97.588%, and the accuracy is 95.889%. And the running time is only 3.5 seconds, which is 72.727% faster than LeNet‐5 and 66.666% faster than DenseNet. Conclusion. The model proposed in this paper breaks through the key problem in the face detection and tracking problem in the public security field, predicts the position of the face target image in the time dimension manifold space, and improves the efficiency of face detection.
Identifying Active Compounds and Mechanism of Camellia nitidissima Chi on Anti-Colon Cancer by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Authors: Chen Yiwei , Hao Erwei , Zhang Fan , Du Zhengcai , Xie Jinling , Chen Feng , Yu Chunlin , Hou Xiaotao , Deng Jiagang
Published: August 2021

Camellia nitidissima Chi (CNC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with anticancer property. However, its underlying mechanisms of anti-colon cancer (CC) remain unknown. Therefore, a systematic approach is proposed in the present study to elucidate the anticancer mechanisms of CNC based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Initially, the potential active ingredients of CNC were verified via the TCMSP database based on the oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL) terms. Hub targets of CNC were acquired from SwissTarget prediction and TCMSP databases, and target genes related to CC were gathered from GeneCards and OMIM databases. Cytoscape was used to establish the compound-target networks. Next, the hub target genes collected from the CNC and CC were parsed via GO and KEGG analysis. Results of GO and KEGG analysis reveal that quercetin and luteolin in CNC, VEGFA and AKT1 targets, and PI3K-Akt pathway were associated with the suppression of CC. Besides, the result of molecular docking unveils that VEGFA demonstrates the most powerful binding affinity among the binding outcomes. This finding was successfully validated using in vitro HCT116 cell model experiment. In conclusion, this study proved the usefulness of integrating network pharmacology with in vitro experiments in the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM.
Research on Microscopic Evolution Laws of Sandstone Deformation and Failure Based on the Particle Discrete Element Method
Authors: Cai Zhiwei , Wu Tongqing , Lu Jian , Wu Yue , Xu Nianchun
Published: August 2021

The fracture of sandstone is closely related to the condition of internal microcracks and the fabric of micrograin. The macroscopic mechanical property depends on its microscopic structures. However, it is difficult to obtain the law of the microcrack growth under loading by experiments. A series of microscopic sandstone models were established with particle flow code 3D (PFC3D) and based on the triaxial experiment results on sandstones. The experimental and numerical simulations of natural and saturated sandstones under different confining pressures were implemented. We analyzed the evolution of rock deformation and the rock fracture development from a microscopic view. Results show that although the sandstones are under different confining pressures, the law of microcrack growth is the same. That is, the number of the microcracks increases slowly in the initial stage and then increases exponentially. The number of shear cracks is more than the tensile cracks, and the proportion of the shear cracks increases with the increase of confining pressure. The cracking strength of natural and saturated sandstones is 26% and 27% of the peak strength, respectively. Under low confining pressure, the total number of cracks in the saturated sample is 20% more than that of the natural sample and the strongly scattered chain is barely seen. With the increase of the confining pressure, the effect of water on the total number of cracks is reduced and the distribution of the strong chain is even more uniform. In other words, it is the confining pressure that mainly affects the distribution of the force chain, irrespective of the state of the rock, natural or saturated. The research results reveal that the control mechanism of shear crack friction under the different stress states of a rock slope in the reservoir area provides a basis for evaluating the stability of rock mass and predicting the occurrence of geological disasters.
Certain Class of Analytic Functions with respect to Symmetric Points Defined by Q-Calculus
Authors: Karthikeyan K. R. , Murugusundaramoorthy G. , Purohit S. D. , Suthar D. L.
Published: August 2021

In this study, we familiarise a novel class of Janowski-type star-like functions of complex order with regard to

j
,
k

-symmetric points based on quantum calculus by subordinating with pedal-shaped regions. We found integral representation theorem and conditions for starlikeness. Furthermore, with regard to

j
,
k

-symmetric points, we successfully obtained the coefficient bounds for functions in the newly specified class. We also quantified few applications as special cases which are new (or known).
Identification of Stabilization of Malvid Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Stress Activation via the AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zheng Fei , Xue Hai , Wang Bi-Xiang , Wu Man-Yu , Chen Dong-Xia , Yue Hao , Wen Lian-Kui , He Yang
Published: August 2021

Vitis amurensis Rupr. “Beibinghong” is abundant in anthocyanins, including malvidin (Mv), malvidin-3-glucoside (Mv3G), and malvidin-3,5-diglucoside (Mv35 G). Anthocyanins offer nutritional and pharmacological effects, but their stability is poor. Interaction of malvid anthocyanins with caffeic acid through ultrahigh pressure technology produces stable anthocyanin derivatives. This study aims to identify the structure of stable mallow-like anthocyanins and to determine the effect of these stable anthocyanins on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with H2O2-induced oxidative damage and the signaling pathway involved. The products of malvid anthocyanins and caffeic acid bonding were identified and analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS). The bonding products were malvidin-3-O-guaiacol (Mv3C), malvidin-3-O-(6″-O-caffeoyl)-glucoside (Mv3CG), and malvidin-3-O-(6″-O-caffeoyl)-5-diglucoside (Mv3C5G). An oxidative stress injury model in HUVECs was established using H2O2 and treated with Mv, Mv3G, Mv35 G, Mv3C, Mv3CG, and Mv3C5G at different concentrations (10, 50, and 100 μmol/L). Results showed that the above compound concentrations can significantly increase cell proliferation rate and reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species at 100 μmol/L. The effects of the most active products Mv and Mv3C on the AMP-activated protein (AMPK)/silencing information regulator-1 (SIRT1) pathway were analyzed. Results showed that Mv and Mv3C significantly increased SOD activity in the cells and significantly upregulated the expression of SIRT1 mRNA, SIRT1, and p-AMPK protein. However, they did not significantly change the expression of AMPK protein. After the silent intervention of siRNA in SIRT1 gene expression, the upregulation of SIRT1 and p-AMPK protein by Mv and Mv3C was significantly inhibited. These results indicate that stabilization malvid anthocyanins exerts an antioxidant activity via the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway.
Emergence of a Novel Reassortant H5N3 Avian Influenza Virus in Korean Mallard Ducks in 2018
Authors: Yeo Seon-Ju , Hoang Vui Thi , Duong Tuan Bao , Nguyen Ngoc Minh , Tuong Hien Thi , Azam Mudsser , Sung Haan Woo , Park Hyun
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The avian influenza (AI) virus causes a highly contagious disease which is common in wild and domestic birds and sporadic in humans. Mutations and genetic reassortments among the 8 negative-sense RNA segments of the viral genome alter its pathogenic potential, demanding well-targeted, active surveillance for infection control. Methods: Wild duck fecal samples were collected during the 2018 bird health annual surveillance in South Korea for tracking variations of the AI virus. One low-pathogenic avian influenza H5N3 reassortment virus (A/mallard duck/South Korea/KNU18-91/2018 [H5N3]) was isolated and genomically characterized by phylogenetic and molecular analyses in this study. Results: It was devoid of polybasic amino acids at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site and exhibited a stalk region without deletion in the neuraminidase (NA) gene and NA inhibitor resistance-linked E/D627K/N and D701N marker mutations in the PB2 gene, suggesting its low-pathogenic AI. It showed a potential of a reassortment where only HA originated from the H5N3 poultry virus of China and other genes were derived from Mongolia. In phylogenetic analysis, HA was different from that of the isolate of H5N3 in Korea, 2015. In addition, this novel virus showed adaptation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, with 8.05 ± 0.14 log10 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) /mL at 36 h postinfection. However, it could not replicate in mice well, showing positive growth at 3 days postinfection (dpi) (2.1 ± 0.13 log10 TCID50/mL) but not at 6 dpi. Conclusions: The HA antigenic relationship of A/mallard duck/South Korea/KNU18-91/2018 (H5N3) showed differences toward one of the old low-pathogenic H5N3 viruses in Korea. These results indicated that a novel reassortment low-pathogenic avian influenza H5N3 subtype virus emerged in South Korea in 2018 via novel multiple reassortments with Eurasian viruses, rather than one of old Korean H5N3 strains.