bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The workplace at the bottom of global supply chains as a site of reproduction of colonial relations: Reflections on the cashew‐processing industry in Mozambique
Authors: Stevano Sara
Published: October 2021

In the context of global supply chains, the workplace is a site of realization of global–local interrelations and materialization of class, gender and race exploitation. This paper explores these relations in the Mozambican cashew‐processing factory, the workplace at the bottom of the cashew global supply chain. The aim is to extend the literature on labor and global production networks by addressing the underexplored dimension of the everyday practices of work organization and by centering the interdependence of economic and socio‐cultural relations. Taking a feminist social reproduction perspective and drawing on insights from Quijano's coloniality of labor, the article conceptualizes the workplace at the bottom of global supply chains as a site of reproduction of colonial relations. The workplace is both internally fragmented and embedded within the structures of the local and global economy. Through the internal fragmentation, multiple forms of oppression and exploitation are reproduced. Through the external links with the structures of the local and global economy, the complexity of working lives as well as the colonial relations between employers and workers become visible.
“In the midst of this lifelike grief”: Nick Laird’s maternal elegies in Feel Free
Authors: Píetrzak Wit
Published: October 2021

The article focuses on elegies for the mother figure in Nick Laird’s collection Feel Free (2018). I first offer a brief discussion of the maternal elegy in contemporary Irish poetry and then go on to argue that, faced with the inexpressibility of death, Laird seeks relief from the sorrow of loss in his own parental love, as full of heartfelt fondness as it is imperfect. Thus his elegies, tentatively committed to poetry as a consoling force, place solace for the death of the mother in the familial bond between the poet and his children.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in South India
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Yuvaraj , Ezhumalai Komala , Murali Sharan , Rajaa Sathish , Jose Maria , Sathishkumar Abilasha , Soundappan Govindarajan , Horsburgh Charles , Hochberg Natasha , Johnson William Evan , Knudsen Selby , Salgame Padmini , Ellner Jerrold , Prakash Babu Senbagavalli , Sarkar Sonali
Published: October 2021

Objective

We aimed to determine the prevalence and find the risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the household contacts (HHC) of pulmonary TB patients.

Methods

This cohort study was conducted from 2014 to 2019. Pretested standardised questionnaires and tools were used for data collection. The prevalence of LTBI among HHCs of TB patients was summarised as proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI). Mixed‐effects generalised linear modelling function (meglm) in STATA with family Poisson and log link was performed to find the factors associated with LTBI.

Results

In total, 1523 HHC of pulmonary TB patients were included in the study. Almost all HHC shared their residence with the index case (IC) for more than a year; 25% shared the same bed with the IC. The prevalence of LTBI among the HHC of TB patients was 52.6% (95% CI: 50.1–55.1%). In an adjusted model, we found that among HHC belonging to the age group of 19–64 years (aIRR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.3; p‐value: 0.02), to the age group >65 years (aIRR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.9, p‐value: 0.02) and sharing the same bed with the IC (aIRR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.3, p value: 0.04) were independent determinants of LTBI among the HHC.

Conclusion

One in two household contacts of TB patients have latent tuberculosis infection. This underscores the need of targeted contact screening strategies, effective contact tracing and testing using standardised methods in high TB burden settings.
A Study on Methods for Determining Phase Space Reconstruction Parameters
Authors: Lang Shi hui , Zhu Hua , Sun Guo dong , Jiang Yu , Wei Chun ling
Published: October 2021

Several pairs of algorithms were used to determine the phase space reconstruction parameters to analyze the dynamic characteristics of chaotic time series. The reconstructed phase trajectories were compared with the original phase trajectories of the Lorenz attractor, Rössler attractor, and Chen's attractor to obtain the optimum method for determining the phase space reconstruction parameters with high precision and efficiency. The research results show that the false nearest neighbor method and the complex autocorrelation method provided the best results. The saturated embedding dimension method based on the saturated correlation dimension method is proposed to calculate the time delay. Different time delays are obtained by changing the embedding dimension parameters of the complex autocorrelation method. The optimum time delay occurs at the point where the time delay is stable. The validity of the method is verified by combing the application of the correlation dimension, showing that the proposed method is suitable for the effective determination of the phase space reconstruction parameters.
Milling Processes With Active Damping: Modeling and Stability
Authors: Lehotzky David , Mancisidor Iker , Munoa Jokin , Dombovari Zoltan
Published: October 2021

Active dampers are on the verge of appearing in commercial machines as devices that assist the avoidance of machine tool chatter. The adjustment of control parameters in these devices is mostly guided by models that do not consider the dynamics within the control loop of active damper. Therefore, these models neglect the dynamics of actuation, measurement, and filtering, which can result in inaccurate stability predictions that hinder the efficient tuning of active dampers. To formulate a more realistic model for milling processes assisted by active damping, this paper derives a novel mathematical model that takes into account the internal dynamics of the actuator, measuring device, and discrete filtering. This study shows that accurate stability prediction requires the incorporation of actuator and filter dynamics into the model, especially at high spindle speeds and large feedback gains.
Using Weather and Schedule-Based Pattern Matching and Feature-Based Principal Component Analysis for Whole Building Fault Detection—Part I Development of the Method
Authors: Chen Yimin , Wen Jin , Lo James
Published: October 2021

A whole building fault (WBF) refers to a fault occurring in one component, but may cause impacts on other components or subsystems, or arise significant impacts on energy consumption and thermal comfort. Conventional methods (such as component level rule-based method or physical model-based method) which targeted at component level fault detection cannot be successfully used to detect a WBF because of the fault propagation among the closely coupled equipment or subsystems. Therefore, a novel data-driven method named weather and schedule-based pattern matching (WPM) and feature-based principal component analysis (FPCA) method for WBF detection is developed. Three processes are established in the WPM-FPCA method to address three main issues in WBF detection. First, a feature selection process is used to pre-select data measurements which represent a whole building’s operation performance under a satisfied status, namely, baseline status. Second, a WPM process is used to locate weather and schedule patterns in the historical baseline database, which are similar to that from the current/incoming operation data, and to generate a WPM baseline. Lastly, real-time PCA models are generated for both the WPM baseline data and the current operation data. Statistic thresholds used to differentiate normal and abnormal (faulty) operations are automatically generated in this PCA modeling process. The PCA models and thresholds are used to detect the WBF. This paper is the first of a two-part study. Performance evaluation of the developed method is conducted using data collected from a real campus building and will be described in the second part of this paper.
Effect of Application of Electric Force to Diesel Fuel Droplets Charged Through Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment on Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Flame
Authors: Pourhoseini S. H. , Ramezani-Aval H.
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes a new feasible method to allow continuous change in the primary injection spray cone angle of liquid fuel droplets, which are injected from nozzles in liquid fuel combustion systems, to control the flame shape and thermal characteristics of the flame. The method is based on electric force applied to fuel droplets charged through frictional effects between the internal surface of the nozzle and the fuel flow as the liquid fuel is sprayed (based on the Millikan oil-drop experiment). A sprint computational fluid dynamics code was developed to investigate the effect of application of electric force to charged diesel fuel droplets, which were injected from a pressure swirl atomizer, on physical and thermal characteristics of a two-dimensional axisymmetric turbulent jet diffusion flame. The results show that an electric field applied to charged fuel droplets (electric force) changes the spatial distribution of the liquid fuel droplets in the flame reaction zone. An applied electric force in (−y) direction diverts the fuel droplets towards the axis centerline of the furnace and, consequently, decreases the primary injection cone angle and increases the concentration of the evaporated droplets around the axis centerline, which enhances the fuel-oxidant mixing rate and raises the flame temperature. Unlike an applied electric force in (−y) direction, an applied electric force in (+y) direction decreases the flame temperature. However, as the primary injection cone angle is decreased, an applied electric force in (+y) direction increases the flame temperature.
Boron-Nitride Nanosheet-Based Thermal Barrier Coating for Micro-Combustor Performance Improvement
Authors: Yang Bao , Hu Liangbing , Ping Weiwei , Roy Rishi , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: October 2021

One of the major challenges in the development of micro-combustors is heat losses that result in flame quenching, and reduced combustion efficiency and performance. In this work, a novel thermal barrier coating (TBC) using hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets as building blocks was developed and applied to a Swiss roll micro-combustor for determining its heat losses with increased temperatures inside the combustor that contributes to improved performance. It was found that by using the h-BN TBC, the combustion temperature of the micro-combustor increased from 850 K to 970 K under the same thermal loading and operational conditions. This remarkable temperature increase using the BN TBC originated from its low cross-plane thermal conductivity of 0.4 W m−1 K−1to mitigate the heat loss from the micro-combustor plates. Such a low thermal conductivity in the h-BN TBC is attributed to its interfacial resistance between the nanosheets. The development of h-BN TBC provides an effective approach to improve thermal management for performance improvements of gas turbine engines, rocket engines, and all various kinds of micro-combustors.
Effect of U-Flex-to-Install and Dynamic U-Flexing on Li-Ion Battery State of Health Degradation Subjected to Varying Fold Orientations, Folding Speeds, Depths of Charge, C-Rates, and Temperatures
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Soni Ved , Miller Scott
Published: October 2021

The demand for wearable consumer electronics, fitness accessories, and biomedical equipment has led to the growth research and development of thin flexible batteries. Wearable equipment and other asset monitoring applications require conformal installation of power sources on nonplanar surfaces. For power sources in wearable electronics, durability to sustain repetitive mechanical stresses induced by human body motion is paramount along with the usual desirable power source characteristics. Previous research documenting the reliability of statically and dynamically folded power sources is scarce and does not follow standardized test protocols. Particularly, the use of manual stressing for mechanical folding of the power sources instead of a mechanical test setup is a key shortcoming in existing literature. Data are lacking on battery life cycling and in situ mechanical stress-testing of the power sources including their impact of performance and reliability. This study aims to overcome these deficiencies by testing a commercial Li-ion power source under static as well as dynamic folding. Furthermore, the fold orientation and its fold speed are varied to evaluate the effect of different mechanical stress topologies on the power source. Finally, a regression model was developed to capture the effect of these use parameters on battery capacity degradation.
Classification of dispersive gunshot calls using a convolutional neural network
Authors: Goldwater Mark , Bonnel Julien , Cammareri Alejandro , Wright Dana , Zitterbart Daniel P.
Published: October 2021

A convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained to identify multi-modal gunshots (impulse calls) within large acoustic datasets in shallow-water environments. South Atlantic right whale gunshots were used to train the CNN, and North Pacific right whale (NPRW) gunshots, to which the network was naive, were used for testing. The classifier generalizes to new gunshots from the NPRW and is shown to identify calls which can be used to invert for source range and/or environmental parameters. This can save human analysts hours of manually screening large passive acoustic monitoring datasets.
Impact of Outdoor Gyms on Adults’ Participation in Physical Activity: A Natural Experiment in Chile
Authors: Oliveros María J. , Serón Pamela , Lanas Fernando , Bangdiwala Shrikant I.
Published: October 2021

Background: Although low levels of physical activity have slightly decreased globally, the need to reverse the physical inactivity remains urgent. One approach has been the installation of outdoor gyms (OGs). Method: A natural experiment arose from the installation of OGs in different neighborhoods of the city of Temuco, Chile. Baseline measurements were collected between 2006 and 2017 in a cohort of adults participating in the Prospective Urban & Rural Epidemiology study. Physical activity was assessed with the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and time-varying covariates was assessed every 3 years. The multistage hierarchical, nested sampling process and the follow-up assessments led to data correlated at different levels, thus the authors analyzed the data using a logistic multilevel model. Result: 2463 urban adults from 16 neighborhoods, with an average age of 51.7 (9.8) years (67% female), were included. Having an adequate number of OGs improved the odds of complying with the World Health Organization’s recommendations (adjusted odds ratio = 4.64, 3.95–5.45). In addition, being male (odds ratio = 1.53, 1.32–1.77) and under the age of 60 years (odds ratio = 0.83, 0.71–0.97) were associated with being physically active. Conclusion: The presence of more OGs can have a positive impact on physical activity recommendations.
An affinity-enhanced, broadly neutralizing heavy chain–only antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models
Authors: Schepens Bert , van Schie Loes , Nerinckx Wim , Roose Kenny , Van Breedam Wander , Fijalkowska Daria , Devos Simon , Weyts Wannes , De Cae Sieglinde , Vanmarcke Sandrine , Lonigro Chiara , Eeckhaut Hannah , Van Herpe Dries , Borloo Jimmy , Oliveira Ana Filipa , Catani João Paulo Portela , Creytens Sarah , De Vlieger Dorien , Michielsen Gitte , Marchan Jackeline Cecilia Zavala , Moschonas George D. , Rossey Iebe , Sedeyn Koen , Van Hecke Annelies , Zhang Xin , Langendries Lana , Jacobs Sofie , ter Horst Sebastiaan , Seldeslachts Laura , Liesenborghs Laurens , Boudewijns Robbert , Thibaut Hendrik Jan , Dallmeier Kai , Velde Greetje Vande , Weynand Birgit , Beer Julius , Schnepf Daniel , Ohnemus Annette , Remory Isabel , Foo Caroline S. , Abdelnabi Rana , Maes Piet , Kaptein Suzanne J. F. , Rocha-Pereira Joana , Jochmans Dirk , Delang Leen , Peelman Frank , Staeheli Peter , Schwemmle Martin , Devoogdt Nick , Tersago Dominique , Germani Massimiliano , Heads James , Henry Alistair , Popplewell Andrew , Ellis Mark , Brady Kevin , Turner Alison , Dombrecht Bruno , Stortelers Catelijne , Neyts Johan , Callewaert Nico , Saelens Xavier
Published: October 2021

A heavy chain–only antibody drug with broad SARS coronavirus neutralizing activity protects mice and hamsters.
Efficacy of an Acid-Oxidizing Solution against Mycobacterium ulcerans
Authors: Warryn Louisa , Pluschke Gerd
Published: October 2021

For the treatment of chronic wounds, acid-oxidizing solutions (AOSs) with broad-spectrum microbicidal activity without disturbing granulation tissue formation, have been developed. We found AOSs to efficiently kill
Mycobacterium ulcerans
, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, which is able to survive harsh decontamination treatments.
Linear Regression Equations To Predict β-Lactam, Macrolide, Lincosamide, and Fluoroquinolone MICs from Molecular Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Demczuk Walter , Martin Irene , Griffith Averil , Lefebvre Brigitte , McGeer Allison , Tyrrell Gregory J. , Zhanel George G. , Kus Julianne V. , Hoang Linda , Minion Jessica , Van Caeseele Paul , Gad Rita Raafat , Haldane David , Zahariadis George , Mead Kristen , Steven Laura , Strudwick Lori , Mulvey Michael R.
Published: October 2021

Antimicrobial resistance in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
represents a threat to public health, and monitoring the dissemination of resistant strains is essential to guiding health policy. Multiple-variable linear regression modeling was used to determine the contributions of molecular antimicrobial resistance determinants to antimicrobial MICs for penicillin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Training data sets consisting of Canadian
S. pneumoniae
isolates obtained from 1995 to 2019 were used to generate multiple-variable linear regression equations for each antimicrobial.
Potency of Omadacycline against Mycobacteroides abscessus Clinical Isolates
In Vitro
and in a Mouse Model of Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Nicklas Danielle A. , Maggioncalda Emily C. , Story-Roller Elizabeth , Eichelman Benjamin , Tabor Chavis , Serio Alisa W. , Keepers Tiffany R. , Chitra Surya , Lamichhane Gyanu
Published: October 2021

The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases in the United States is rising and has surpassed that of tuberculosis. Most notable among the nontuberculous mycobacteria is
Mycobacteroides abscessus
, an emerging environmental opportunistic pathogen capable of causing chronic infections.
M. abscessus
disease is difficult to treat, and the current treatment recommendations include repurposed antibiotics, several of which are associated with undesirable side effects.
Updated Analysis of the Surface Carbohydrate Gene Clusters in a Diverse Panel of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates
Authors: Kenyon Johanna J. , Hall Ruth M.
Published: October 2021

To enhance the utility of the genetically diverse panel of
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolates reported recently by Galac and coworkers (AAC 64: e00840-20) and to identify the novel KL and OCL, all of the gene clusters that direct the biosynthesis of capsular polysaccharide and of the outer core of lipooligosaccharide, respectively, were re-examined. The nine KL and one OCL previously recorded as novel were identified and nine further novel KL and two OCL were found.
Identification of Novel Translated Small Open Reading Frames in
Escherichia coli
Using Complementary Ribosome Profiling Approaches
Authors: Stringer Anne , Smith Carol , Mangano Kyle , Wade Joseph T.
Published: October 2021

Small proteins of <51 amino acids are abundant across all domains of life, but they are often overlooked because their small size makes them difficult to predict computationally and they are refractory to standard proteomic approaches. Recent studies have discovered small proteins by mapping the location of translating ribosomes on RNA using a technique known as ribosome profiling.
Haemorrhagic ulcerative duodenitis in a patient with COVID-19 infection: clinical improvement following treatment with budesonide
Authors: Awwad Ibrahim , Greuel Selina , Tacke Frank , Fischer Christian
Published: October 2021

We present a case of a male patient in his mid-30s with COVID-19-induced lung failure requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, who needed an emergency oesophagogastroduodenoscopy due to major upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy exposed severe ulcerative duodenitis with diffuse mucosal bleeding. While CT angiography did not show any signs of ischaemia, histopathology revealed duodenitis with substantial inflammatory cell infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and CD3+T lymphocytes with equal CD4+/CD8+distribution. Since the composition of cell infiltrates coincides with changes in inflammatory patterns of the respiratory mucosa from patients with COVID-19 and in COVID-19-associated enterocolitis, and systemic dexamethasone treatment became standard of care in ventilated intensive care unit patients with COVID-19 infection, we initiated an individualised therapeutic attempt to treat the duodenitis with topical enteral budesonide. Follow-up oesophagogastroduodenoscopies within 4 weeks of enteral budesonide administration revealed a full clinical and histological healing of the duodenal mucosa with marked reduction of neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltrates.

To our knowledge, the current report is the first description of enteral budesonide treatment of duodenitis in a patient with COVID-19 infection and warrants further investigation, whether budesonide might constitute a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of COVID-19-related intestinal mucosal damage.
Coronary CT angiography for improved assessment of patients with acute chest pain and low-range positive high-sensitivity troponins: study protocol for a prospective, observational, multicentre study (COURSE trial)
Authors: Arslan Murat , Schaap Jeroen , Van Gorsel Bart , Budde Ricardo PJ , Bekkers Sebastiaan CAM , Van Cauteren Yvonne JM , Damman Peter , Habets Jesse , Dubois Eric A , Dedic Admir
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Current evaluation of patients suspected of a non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) involves the use of algorithms that incorporate clinical information, electrocardiogram (ECG) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-troponins). While primarily designed to rule out NSTE-ACS safely, these algorithms can also be used for rule in of NSTE-ACS in some patients. Still, in a substantial number of patients, these algorithms do not provide a conclusive work-up. These patients often present with an atypical clinical profile and low-range positive hs-troponin values without a characteristic rise or fall pattern. They represent a heterogeneous group of patients with various underlying conditions; only a fraction (30%–40%) will eventually be diagnosed with a myocardial infarction. Uncertainty exists about the optimal diagnostic strategy and their management depends on the clinical perspective of the treating physician ranging from direct discharge to admission for invasive coronary angiography. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive test that has been shown to be safe, fast and reliable in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. In this study, we will determine the usefulness of CCTA in patients with acute chest pain and low-range positive hs-troponin values.

Methods and analysis

A prospective, double-blind, observational, multicentre study conducted in the Netherlands. Patients aged 30–80 years presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain and a suspicion of NSTE-ACS, a normal or non-diagnostic ECG and low-range positive hs-troponins will be scheduled to undergo CCTA. The primary outcome is the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA for the diagnosis of NSTE-ACS at discharge, in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (registration number MEC-2017-506). Written informed consent to participate will be obtained from all participants. This study’s findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03129659).
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome—A Case Report
Authors: Newton A P
Published: October 2021

A case of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome presenting acutely with ileo-ileal intussusception is described. Management issues including follow up protocols are reviewed with reference to the current literature.
Operational Telemedicine
Authors: Buxton P J , Vassallo D J
Published: October 2021

A simple, effective digital camera and E-mail-based telemedicine system has been developed using commercially available equipment. Initial trials were successful and this system is now deployed in several operational units. A retrospective audit has shown it to be of value in 50% of referrals.
The pathophysiology of primary blast injury and its implications for treatment. Part I: The thorax
Authors: Guy R. J. , Cripps N. P. J. , Glover M. A.
Published: October 2021

There is insufficient evidence to support a definitive approach to the clinical management of primary pulmonary blastinjury. Post-blast cardiovascular and pulmonary changes are reviewed in this paper in order to highlight important aspects in the immediate management of the blast injury casualty.

Blast profiles and theoretical mechanisms of injury vary widel but all result in mechanical disruption and cause similar pathological, physiological and biochemical responses. Some patients may present acutely, while others appear unharmed and develop respiratory failure 12–24 hours later. Treatment outcome may depend on the judicious use of resuscitative fluids and respiratory support. The rôles of supplementary oxygen and assisted ventilation remain controversial although administration of high inspired oxygen concentrations and respiratory support may be unavoidable. The advantage of pharmacological manipulation of reflex mechanisms is as yet unproven. Hyperbaric therapy may improve survival in pulmonary blast injury.
Handsearching the Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service for Trials
Authors: Hedger N. A. , Croft A. M. J. , Rowe M.
Published: October 2021

As part of the Cochrane Collaboration’s international research endeavour, the authors carried out a handsearch of the Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service from 1948 to 1998, searching for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Five trials were identified, of which three were RCTs and two were CCTs. The first trial was published in 1960. The identified trials were in the fields of dentistry (two trials), gastroenterology, occupational medicine and orthopaedic surgery. Of the five trials, only two had been located previously through a rigorous interrogation of Medline. The three newly identified trials were reported to the UK Cochrane Centre, and details of these three trials were entered into Medline for use by clinicians and investigators in the future.
Pelvic synovial cyst formation secondary to perforation of the quadrilateral plate: a case report
Authors: Howell G. E. D.
Published: October 2021

A seventy seven-year-old female presented to her gynaecologist with right-sided pelvic pain and irregular per vaginal bleeding. Ten years earlier she had undergone a right cementless total hip arthroplasty. The press fit acetabular component had been augmented by screws. Radiological investigation requested by her gynaecologist identified a right iliac fossa mass. This communicated with the hip joint via a screw track formed by a fixation screw that had penetrated the medial wall of the acetabulum at total hip arthroplasty. Following aspiration of the fluid within the cyst, microscopy demonstrated it to be of synovial origin. Her symptoms subsequently resolved. This condition has not been reported previously.
The medical bequest of disaster at sea: Commodore Anson’s circumnavigation 1740–44
Authors: James Watt
Published: October 2021

Anson’s circumnavigation was characterised by his indomitable leadership which enabled men to triumph over medical and environmental disasters responsible for appalling suffering and loss of life. The medical bequest of the Anson voyage was not only the detailed descriptions of nutritional deficiency diseases in their various guises, but in the spirit of inquiry it generated, the recognition of a need for research and continuing postgraduate education and the requirement for evidence-based medicine. The controversy it aroused resounded until the twentieth century.
Real-world observational study of assessment of CHA2DS2-VASc, C2HEST and HAVOC scores for atrial fibrillation among patients with rheumatological disorders: a nationwide analysis
Authors: Hu Wei Syun , Li Lin Cheng
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This is a nationwide-based retrospective study aiming to compare the three different scoring systems (CHA2DS2-VASc, C2HEST and HAVOC scores) in the prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with rheumatological disease.

Methods

We used the Fine and Gray model to estimate the risk of AF (subhazard ratio and 95% CI). The predictive accuracy and discriminatory ability of the predictive model were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Among the three predictive models, the model using CHA2DS2-VASc score had the better discriminative ability with an ROC of 0.79. The model with C2HEST score had an ROC of 0.78. The discriminative ability of the HAVOC score was 0.77, estimated by ROC.

Conclusion

We concluded the CHA2DS2-VASc score has better performance in predicting AF compared with C2HEST score or HAVOC score.
Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process framework for quantifying the flood resilience of housing infrastructure systems
Authors: Sen Mrinal Kanti , Dutta Subhrajit , Kabir Golam , Laskar Shamim Ahmed
Published: October 2021

Housing constitutes a basic need for all living beings. Unfortunately, natural hazards, including floods, pose a severe threat to housing infrastructure systems. In turn, this paper develops a framework to quantify the resilience of housing infrastructure systems against flood hazards. The parameters for this resilience are based on the literature and knowledge from experts. This paper gauges the significance of each resilience parameter by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the fuzzy AHP. The evaluated values are then compared to observe the effectiveness of fuzzy AHP over AHP. The evaluated importance of each parameter will help stakeholders focus on the most important parameters and, in turn, boost the flood resilience of infrastructure. This paper then implements the developed framework in a study area to quantify local flood resilience. This resilience value will help stakeholders in the considered area to understand the resilience of local housing infrastructure.
Erratum to: $$\pi ^-p\rightarrow \eta ^{(\prime )} \pi ^- p$$ in the double-Regge region
Authors: Bibrzycki Ł. , Fernández-Ramírez C. , Mathieu V. , Mikhasenko M. , Albaladejo M. , Hiller Blin A. N. , Pilloni A. , Szczepaniak A. P.
Published: October 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09420-1
Impact of receiver imbalances on the security of continuous variables quantum key distribution
Authors: Pereira Daniel , Almeida Margarida , Facão Margarida , Pinto Armando N. , Silva Nuno A.
Published: October 2021

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) provides a theoretical unconditionally secure solution to distribute symmetric keys among users in a communication network. However, the practical devices used to implement these systems are intrinsically imperfect, and, as a result, open the door to eavesdropper attacks. In this work, we show the impact of receiver device imperfections on the estimated channel parameters, performance and security of a CV-QKD system. The presented results show that, due to the erroneously estimated channel parameters, non-monitored imbalances can pose a security risk or even reduce the system’s performance. Our results show the importance of monitoring these imbalances and hint at the possibility of compensating for some receiver imbalances by tuning other components.
The Influence of In-Vehicle Subtasks on Driving Performance Using the Lane-Changing Test
Authors: Wu Ling , Zhu Tong
Published: October 2021

To improve the specification and applicability of performance indicators for in-vehicle subtask impact experiments, additional driving performance indicators were added to the international standard test environment, the lane-changing test (LCT). The comprehensive characteristics of multiple indicators were studied using the C4.5 decision tree. The paired memory test was selected as a subtask, and data on driving trajectory, speed, and steering angle were collected and analyzed under three task conditions (baseline, easy task, and difficult task). The results showed that the newly added indicators such as lane offset times, initial lane-changing distance, and correct lane-changing ratio could reflect the new driving characteristics from the aspects of the times of lateral deviation over threshold events, driver response, error proportion, etc. Subjects with different driving states were grouped into the lane-keeping indicator and lane-changing indicator. By using the C4.5 decision tree, classification accuracies of 85.2% and 91.3% were achieved, respectively, which indicated a high accuracy rate of task state discrimination. The overall performance of lane keeping and lane changing was different under the action of the subtasks, especially the lane-changing performance.
An Improved Empirical Mode Decomposition Algorithm Based on Frequency Rotation Factor and Vector Operation in Complex Plane
Authors: Hu Hongqian , Shi Weifeng
Published: October 2021

In order to overcome the phenomenon of aliasing mode in empirical mode decomposition (EMD), an improved EMD method based on frequency rotation factor and vector operation is proposed. First, fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to determine the frequency components contained in the original signal. Second, Hilbert transform is applied to transform the real plane analysis into complex plane analysis, then the amplitude frequency product of the signal is satisfied with adaptive full decomposed by frequency inversion and vector operation. Third, the traditional EMD algorithm is used to extract the lowest frequency mode in the complex frequency domain while it is the highest frequency in the time domain (because the frequency inversion operation is performed in the previous step), and finally the original mode of the real plane is restored by forward frequency rotation and inverse vector operation, so as to complete all modal decomposition through this loop algorithm. The simulation results show that the method can effectively separate the aliasing problem and extract the useful signals with low time cost.
Prediction of Cancer-Related piRNAs Based on Network-Based Stratification Analysis
Authors: Liu Yajun , Xie Guo , Li Aimin , He Zongzhen , Hei Xinhong
Published: October 2021

PIWI-interacting RNA (PiRNA) was discovered in 2006 and is expected to become a new biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases. The purpose of this study is to explore functions of piRNAs and identify cancer subtypes on the basis of the pattern of transcriptome and somatic mutation data. A total of 285 510 SNPs in piRNAs and genes, which might affect piRNA biogenesis or piRNA targets binding were identified. Significant co-expression networks of piRNAs were then constructed separately for 12 major types of cancer. Finally, mutational matrices were mapped to piRNA network, propagated, and clustered for identification of cancer-related piRNAs and cancer subtypes. Findings showed that subtypes of three types of cancer (COAD, STAD and UCEC), which are significantly associated with survival were identified. Analysis of differentially expressed piRNAs in UCEC subtypes showed that piRNA function is closely related to cancer hallmarks “Enabling Replicative Immortality” and contributes to initiation of cancer.
An Optimized Dynamic Migration Method of Virtual Machine
Authors: Xu Deliang , Li Liuwei , Zhang Huajie , Li Jianjun , Xu Hao
Published: October 2021

Virtualization technology, as the technical support for cloud computing, frees users from the limitations of hardware resources. Dynamic migration technology enables virtual machines to be moved across hosts, and services running on the virtual machines are basically uninterrupted during the migration process, which greatly facilitates the maintenance work in the data center. However, dynamic migration needs to transmit a large amount of repeated data. In order to improve the migration efficiency, this paper conducts the following research on the original pre-copy algorithm. First, we introduce a high dirty page determination algorithm based on the locality principle to classify memory pages and propose an improved memory migration pre-copy algorithm on this basis. Second, in order to solve the problem that the pre-copy algorithm cannot converge under a high load, an improved VM downtime determination algorithm is proposed. Third, the paper also introduces the LZ4 compression algorithm to further optimize the memory migration process. Finally, this paper implements the above optimization scheme on a KVM platform and tests its performance. It is compared with the native pre-copy algorithm and Three-Phase Optimization algorithm (TPO). The result shows that the optimized scheme significantly reduces the total migration time and downtime.
Notice of Retraction: Adaptive Decentralized Tracking Control for Nonlinear Large-Scale Systems
Authors: Chandran Karthik , Zhang Weidong , Murugesan Rajalakshmi , Prasanna S. , Baseera A. , Pandiyan Sanjeevi
Published: October 2021

This article has been retracted at the request of the first and corresponding author, Dr. Karthik Chandran. The author has alerted the Editor-in-Chief of IJUFKS the reasons for the retraction: The proposed system was modelled with the incorrect data set. The system response has become incorrect because of this incorrect data set. Two percent of the information (mathematical assumptions) was taken from one paper without proper citation of the source.
Maintaining Constrained Path Problem for Directed Acyclic Graphs
Authors: Hao Chenying , Zhang Shurong , Yang Weihua
Published: October 2021

In order to restore the faulty path in network more effectively, we propose the maintaining constrained path problem. Give a directed acyclic graph (DAG) [Formula: see text] with some faulty edges, where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. For any positive number [Formula: see text], we give effective maintain algorithm for finding and maintaining the path between source vertex [Formula: see text] and destination [Formula: see text] with length at most [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we consider the parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which are used to measure the numbers of edges and vertices which are influenced by faulty edges, respectively. The main technique of this paper is to define and solve a subproblem called the one to set constrained path problem (OSCPP) which has not been addressed before. On the DAG, compared with the dynamic shortest path algorithm with time complexity [Formula: see text] [16] and the shortest path algorithm with time complexity [Formula: see text] [18], based on the algorithm for OSCPP, we develop a maintaining constrained path algorithm and improve the time complexity to [Formula: see text] in the case that all shortest paths from each vertex [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] have been given.
Explicit small image theorems for residual modular representations
Authors: Peaucelle Baptiste
Published: October 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be the residual Galois representation attached to a newform [Formula: see text] and a prime ideal [Formula: see text] in the integer ring of its coefficient field. In this paper, we prove explicit bounds for the residue characteristic of the prime ideals [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is exceptional, that is reducible, of projective dihedral image, or of projective image isomorphic to [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. We also develop explicit criteria to check the reducibility of [Formula: see text], leading to an algorithm that computes the exact set of such [Formula: see text]’s. We have implemented this algorithm in PARI/GP. Along the way, we construct lifts of Katz’ [Formula: see text] operator in characteristic zero, and we prove a new Sturm bound theorem.
Estimation of induced residual stresses and corrosion behavior of machined Inconel 718 superalloy: 3D-FE simulation and optimization
Authors: Nasralla Khalaf , Shihab Suha K. , Mahmoud Adel K. , Gattmah Jabbar
Published: October 2021

Nickel super alloys like Inconel 718 characterize a significant metal part in the structures of aircraft and engine components. The high reliability levels are the major conditions during the manufacturing of these essential structural components in aerospace production. Surface integrity is the most important factor considered for estimating the quality of machined surfaces in term of finishing as well as strongly effect on the corrosion behavior of the machined surface. In this study, three-dimensional (3D)-finite element (3D-FE) simulations were accomplished to determine induced residual stresses in machined Inconel 718 alloy. 3D simulations were executed in the sequential successive method using the design of experiments (DOEs) based on Taguchi L9 technique. Subsequently, a veritable turning was implemented based on the selected Taguchi design to validate the simulation results. Also, the efficiency of independent parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut) on the surface integrity (surface roughness, microhardness, induced residual stresses), and corrosion rate of the machined surface were explored experimentally. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was obtained that the feed rate is the most relevant factor related to surface roughness and corrosion rate while cutting speed is the most relevant factor related to microhardness and induced residual stresses. The analyzed polarization curves confirmed that the reducing surface roughness and increasing induced compressive residual stresses are robustly related to enhancing the corrosion behavior of Inconel 718. Robust agreement was detected between the predicted and measured data. The optimal values of independent parameters that led to optimal surface integrity and minimum value of corrosion rate were found. Based on the revealed simulation results, the 3D-FE simulation of the turning process afforded consistent data as compared to experimental measurements for the wide range of induced residual stresses.
Grain boundary plane rotation analysis for FCC bicrystal structures using MD simulation
Authors: Chiba Ryoichi , Kansuwan Panya
Published: October 2021

Grain boundary (GB) plane rotation, one of the GB engineering mechanisms, was investigated using the activation–relaxation technique by molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation systems considered in this work are bicrystals with Lennard-Jones-type interatomic potential. The systems of four GB types established are symmetric (SYM), asymmetric (ASYM), symmetric zigzag (SZ), and high-angle zigzag (HZ) models. Of the first two models, [Formula: see text]5 (310) for SYM and [Formula: see text] tilted for ASYM particularly provided reference atomic potential energy distributions and structures at minimum energy state at 0 K. The characteristic of SYM is the discrete atomistic potential distributions which are distinct from ASYM. The other two models based on zigzag-like GBs were created by rotating GB planes about [001] at the center of a [Formula: see text]5 (310)[Formula: see text]GB system for the SZ case and a high-angle GB system for the HZ case. Simulation results show that the initially tilted GBs kinetically transferred to relaxed states for shorter-length GBs through a series of curved GBs. The GBs consist of different combinations of order defect segments, amorphous regions, and defect-free regions. A mechanism proposed is the GB plane rotation, the rate of which is structure-dependent. A low-[Formula: see text] coincidence site lattice boundary section can stabilize the systems at a specified metastable state.
Multi-Objective Optimization of the Spatial Structure and Layout of the Protected Area Based on Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of the Yellow River’s Headwaters Region in the Three-River-Source National Park
Authors: LIU Menghao , XI Jianchao
Published: October 2021

The optimization of the spatial structure and layout is to determine an optimal and cost-effective land-use allocation plan for protected areas. The key goal is to maximizing the value of ecosystem services. This paper establishes a framework for optimizing the spatial structure and layout of the protected area based on ecosystem services. With the objective of maximizing the value of ecosystem services, it uses the CoMOLA (Constrained Multi-objective Optimization of Land-use Allocation) model for multi-objective optimization under the constraints of area and conversion rules. Taking the Yellow River’s headwaters region in the Three-River-Source (Sanjiangyuan) National Park as the study area, this paper uses the data of the year 2015 as a benchmark, and obtains the optimization results of the study area by 2035. The results show that the total value of ecosystem services of the Yellow River’s headwaters region after optimization will reach RMB [Formula: see text], with a total increase of RMB [Formula: see text] (8.47%). The land covers that contribute most to the value of ecosystem services are rivers, lakes and wetlands (51.55%), and grasslands (40.71%). Among the various types of ecosystem services, the value of provisioning services will increase by RMB [Formula: see text], regulating services by RMB [Formula: see text], supporting services by RMB [Formula: see text], and cultural services by RMB [Formula: see text]. The research results can provide a scientific basis for the spatial optimization of protected areas and the management of national parks.
Implementation of the Neural Networks for Improving the Projects’ Performance of Steel Structure Projects
Authors: Elhegazy Hosam , Badra Niveen , Haggag Said Aboul , Abdel Rashid Ibrahim
Published: October 2021

This paper aims at developing a model to measure and evaluate the performance and productivity of the construction of steel structure projects (SSPs). Practitioners and experts comprising a statistically representative sample were invited to participate in a structured questionnaire survey to achieve the objective. The questionnaire consisted of 17 factors that were classified under the following four primary categories, with terms such as feasibility study stage, planning stage, design, and engineering stage, and construction stage. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used for designing a model on MATLAB for measuring and evaluating the projects’ performance of the Construction of SSP based on the 14 factors that affect the steel structure process. The results suggest that the proposed ANN model for SSP can produce measures and evaluate the projects’ performance quickly and accurately when actual data is available for model training. The user can enter the values of main factors that affect their projects’ performance to produce an accurate output of the evaluation for the projects’ performance and productivity. The construction industry can use the findings of this paper as a basis for improving the projects’ performance of the construction for SSP.