bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
’A contradiction between our state and the tobacco company’: conflicts of interest and institutional constraints as barriers to implementing Article 5.3 in Bangladesh
Authors: Abdullah S M , Wagner-Rizvi Tracey , Huque Rumana , Kanan Sushama , Huque Samina , Ralston Rob , Collin Jeff
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Bangladesh has not yet adopted measures to implement Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) has drafted a guideline for implementation, but progress has stalled amid high levels of tobacco industry interference in public policy. This paper examines the barriers to minimising industry interference in a context of close relationships between government officials and tobacco companies.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with government officials, representatives from civil society, think tank and media organisations, and academic researchers. The data were analysed using a ‘3 Is’ framework developed within the political sciences, emphasising the interactive role ofideas, interestsandinstitutionsin policy change.

Results

The findings indicate that policyideasabout protecting public health policy making from tobacco industry interests are largely restricted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the NTCC specifically. Both individual and institutional conflicts ofinterestemerge as key barriers to progress to minimising industry interference and for tobacco control governance more broadly. The data also suggest that development of an Article 5.3 guideline has been shaped by the perceived interests of political actors and institutions, and theinstitutionalposition of the NTCC, constrained by limits on its resources, authority and isolation from other ministries.

Conclusion

NTCC’s initiatives towards implementing Article 5.3 constitute an important opportunity to address conflicts of interest that restrict tobacco control in Bangladesh. Progress in minimising industry interference is essential to realising the commitment to being smoke free by 2040.
Anisotropic magnetized neutron star
Authors: Bordbar Gholam Hossein , Karami Mohammad
Published: January 2022

As we know, the effect of strong magnetic field causes the anisotropy for the magnetized compact objects. Therefore, in this paper, we have studied the structure properties of anisotropic case of magnetized neutron star. We have derived the equation of state (EoS) of neutron star matter for two forms of magnetic fields, one uniform and one density dependent. We have solved the generalized Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations to examine the maximum mass and corresponding radius, Schwarzschild radius, gravitational redshift, Kretschmann scalar, and Buchdahl theorem for this system. It was shown that the maximum mass and radius of neutron star are increasing functions of the magnetic field. Also redshift, strength of gravity, and Kretschmann scalar increase as the magnetic field increases. In addition, the dynamical stability of anisotrop neutron star has been investigated, and finally a comparison with the empirical results has been made.
Improved FunkSVD Algorithm Based on RMSProp
Authors: Yue Xiaochen , Liu Qicheng
Published: January 2022

To solve the problem of low accuracy in the traditional FunkSVD recommendation algorithm, an improved FunkSVD algorithm (RM-FS) is proposed. RM-FS is an improvement of the traditional FunkSVD algorithm, using RMSProp, a deep learning optimization algorithm. The RM-FS algorithm can not only solve the problem of reduced accuracy of the traditional FunkSVD algorithm because of iterative oscillations but also alleviate the impact of data sparseness on the accuracy of the algorithm, achieving the effect of improving the accuracy of the traditional algorithm. The experimental results show that the RM-FS algorithm proposed in this paper effectively improves the accuracy of the recommendation algorithm, which is better than the traditional FunkSVD recommendation algorithm and other improved FunkSVD algorithms.
Remaining Activity Sequence Prediction for Ongoing Process Instances
Authors: Sun Xiaoxiao , Ying Yuke , Yang Siqing , Shen Hujun
Published: January 2022

Remaining activity sequence prediction (i.e. activity suffix prediction) aims at recommending the most likely future behaviors for ongoing process instances (i.e. traces), which enables process managers to rationally allocate resources and detect process deviations in advance. Recently, techniques of neural networks have found promising applications in activity suffix prediction by training a prediction model for next activity and iteratively performing the model to achieve the whole sequence prediction. However, the iterative prediction accumulates the deviations of each iteration and the result also lacks interpretability. In this paper, we propose a novel method to predict activity suffixes from the perspective of control flow and data flow for ongoing traces, where process discovery and trace replay techniques are employed to simulate executions of traces under real conditions and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) is applied to characterize the correlation between executed information and future execution. Sequence matching between historical prefix traces and ongoing traces is performed based on the above information to select the optimal-matched (i.e. most similar) activity suffix for ongoing process instances. Experiments on real-life datasets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other methods.
NEW RESULTS OF FRACTAL FRACTIONAL MODEL OF DRILLING NANOLIQUIDS WITH CLAY NANOPARTICLES
Authors: KHAN ILYAS , ALQAHTANI AISHA M. , KHAN ARSHAD , KHAN DOLAT , GANIE ABDUL HAMID , ALI GOHAR
Published: January 2022

In recent years, a new idea of the fractal fractional derivative has been introduced. However, it is not used for the free convection flow drilling nanoliquid with clay nanoparticles. In this paper, we have deliberated this new approach of the fractal fractional derivative with a power-law kernel for heat transfer in a drilling nanofluid with clay nanoparticle in a vertical channel. Water is taken as the base fluid. The flow of the fluid is between two fixed vertical parallel plates such that one of them is constantly heated. The resulting problem is modeled with a fractal fractional derivative operator with a power-law kernel. As the exact solution to this problem is not possible, therefore, the Crank–Nicolson Finite Difference Scheme (CNFDS) is used for numerical solutions. This idea for the fractal fractional fluid problem is used here for the first time in the literature. Results are portrayed in the various graphs using Maple-15 software. The importance of both fractal and fractional parameters is discussed in detail. Results showed that the fractal fractional parameter gives a more general solution of the velocity and temperature for the fixed fractional operators. Therefore, a mutual approach of fractal fractional clarifies the memory of the function better than fractional only.
The Role of Deception in a Game of ‘Hide and Seek’
Authors: McCormick Gordon H. , Owen Guillermo
Published: January 2022

This paper introduces the problem of active deception into the literature on search theory. We consider a game of ‘hide and seek’ in which a hider chooses to hide in one of many cells. Our hider also wishes to remain active which runs the risk of signaling his location. The searcher can look in any cell within the hider’s feasible operating environment but must prioritize his search. To do so, he looks for and has the option of following any indicator of the hider’s possible whereabouts. In conducting his search, however, he also risks signaling where he is about to look next. This gives the hider an opportunity to evade. Each player can employ ‘deceptive signals’, at some cost, to improve their respective chances of success. We examine the nature of the tradeoffs involved in deciding whether or not to use deceptive tactics under different assumptions about the nature of the players’ common operating environment.
Out-of-Plane Free Vibration Analysis of Continuous Curved Girders with Combined Linetypes Using Differential Quadrature Element Method
Authors: Sun Guangjun , Li Hongjing , Wang Tong , Xu Qiang
Published: January 2022

In this study, the out-of-plane free vibration equations of circular curved and clothoid transition curved girders with various boundary conditions were derived. The continuous curved girder with combined linetypes was discretized into separate curved girder elements. Based on the differential quadrature element method (DQEM), the Chebyshev–Gauss–Labatto unequal mesh division was applied to discretize the vibration equations of the continuous curved girder into those of the curved girder elements, along with the boundary conditions, internal geometric compatibility conditions, and force balance conditions. The out-of-plane natural frequency equations were derived considering the boundary conditions by the substitution method. The free vibration was solved for continuous curved girders with combined linetypes of circular and clothoid transition curves. The effectiveness of the DQEM was verified, and the effect of the number of grid points on the accuracy of the solution was evaluated. In addition, the effects of the bending/torsional stiffness ratio, warping coefficient, and boundary conditions on the natural frequencies of continuous curved girders with combined linetypes were investigated. The results showed that the DQEM can be efficiently used to solve the free vibration of multispan continuous curved girders with various linetype combinations. The frequencies of the continuous curved girder with combined linetypes decrease with the weakening of boundary constraints, but increase with increasing warping coefficient and bending/torsional stiffness ratio.
Parametric Instability of Rotating Functionally Graded Graphene Reinforced Truncated Conical Shells Subjected to Both Mechanical and Thermal Loading Conditions
Authors: Li X. , Jiang W. T. , Chen X. C.
Published: January 2022

This article focuses on parametric instability of rotating functionally graded (FG) truncated conical shells reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs) and subjected to both mechanical and thermal loading conditions. The GPL nanofillers are uniformly dispersed in each concentric conical layer but its weight fraction varies continuously along thickness direction, which induces the position-dependent effective material properties. Based on Love’s thin shell theory and Galerkin approach, the equations of motion for the conical shells are derived with the effects of the periodic axial loads, thermal expansion deformation, rotation-induced initial hoop tension, gyroscopic and centrifugal forces taken into account. Then, the parametric instability under combination parametric resonance for the conical shells is performed by the method of multiple scales, and the analytical solutions of both instability boundaries are obtained. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted which focuses on instability regions and vibration characteristics of the conical shell. Of particular interest in this process is the combined effect of the rotation, dynamic loads and thermal effects on dynamic stability of FG-GPL reinforced truncated conical shells.
Numerical Investigation on Interaction Between Structurally Cemented Stone Column-Seawall System and In Situ Sea Mud
Authors: Lin Ning , Jin Feng , Huang Duruo
Published: January 2022

This study focuses on the application of structured cementing technology in the marine environment, which is based on self-compacting cement-based materials and underwater self-protecting casting cementing technology. In this study, cylindrical samples of structuralized cemented stone columns are developed in the laboratory to test material strength and other key features related to the material. Following this line, extensive numerical experiments are conducted to investigate the interaction between in situ sea mud and cemented stone column-seawall systems. The methods developed in this study will provide a technical basis for understanding the behavior of the newly invented cemented stone column-seawall system from a numerical perspective.
Three-Dimensional Optimal Guidance with Lyapunov Redesign for UAV Interception
Authors: Yu Chang , Zhu Bing , Zuo Zongyu
Published: January 2022

Three-dimensional guidance laws are designed to intercept non-maneuvering targets and maneuvering targets in this paper. An optimal control approach with constant or time-variant feedback gain is proposed for interception. The cost function is designed with considerations on energy-efficiency and time-efficiency in the transient process. Lyapunov redesign method is applied to treat the target acceleration, where the precise information of target accelerations is not necessarily required. Efficacy of the proposed guidance laws is proved theoretically and verified by simulation results.
Facies analysis of the Greywacke Conglomerate Formation, Glenbuck, Scotland
Authors: Mitten A.J. , Gough A. , Leslie A.G. , Clarke S.M. , Browne M.A.E.
Published: January 2022

The early Devonian Greywacke Conglomerate Formation of the Lanark Basin, southwestern Midland Valley of Scotland, has been exposed by a new road cut in the Glenbuck area, East Ayrshire, enabling a high-resolution sedimentological analysis of this unusually high-quality section. This study provides a facies analysis of the sedimentary rocks exposed in the Glenbuck area, and comparison with contemporaneous bedrock sections from across the Lanark Basin and adjacent Southern Upland High. Eleven lithofacies are identified, grouped into five associations: aggradational talus cone, progradational talus cone, debris flow lobe, fan surface aqueous-alluvial deposits, and gravel barform deposits. These comprise medial and proximal alluvial fan deposits, controlled by autogenic scour and avulsion along with general fan progradation. Contemporaneous sediments are present around Silurian inliers in the Lanark Basin and adjacent regions of the Southern Upland High. Whilst deposits in the Lanark Basin are genetically similar, contemporaneous deposits of the Southern Upland High preserve a distinctly more angular clast assemblage, indicating textural immaturity relative to those in the Lanark Basin.
TT-TSVD: A Multi-modal Tensor Train Decomposition with Its Application in Convolutional Neural Networks for Smart Healthcare
Authors: Liu Debin , Yang Laurence T. , Wang Puming , Zhao Ruonan , Zhang Qingchen
Published: January 2022

Smart healthcare systems are generating a large scale of heterogenous high-dimensional data with complex relationships. It is hard for current methods to analyze such high-dimensional healthcare data. Specifically, the traditional data reduction methods can not keep the correlation among different modalities of data objects, while the latest methods based on tensor singular value decomposition are not effective for data reduction, although they can keep the correlation. This article presents a tensor train-tensor singular value decomposition (TT-TSVD) algorithm for data reduction. Particularly, the presented algorithm balances the correlation-preservation ability of modalities and data reduction ability by combining the advantages of the train structure of the tensor train decomposition and the association relationship between the tensor singular value decomposition retention mode. Extensive experiments are conducted on the convolutional neural network and the results clearly show that the presented algorithm performs effectively for data reduction with a low-loss classification accuracy; what is more, classification accuracy on medical image dataset has been improved a little.
JoT-GAN: A Framework for Jointly Training GAN and Person Re-Identification Model
Authors: Zhao Zhongwei , Song Ran , Zhang Qian , Duan Peng , Zhang Youmei
Published: January 2022

To cope with the problem caused by inadequate training data, many person re-identification (re-id) methods exploit generative adversarial networks (GAN) for data augmentation, where the training of GAN is typically independent of that of the re-id model. The coupling relation between them that probably brings in a performance gain of re-id is thus ignored. In this work, we propose a general framework, namely JoT-GAN, to jointly train GAN and the re-id model. It can simultaneously achieve the optima of both the generator and the re-id model, where the training is guided by each other through a discriminator. The re-id model is boosted for two reasons: (1) the adversarial training encourages it to fool the discriminator, and (2) the generated samples augment the training data. Extensive results on benchmark datasets show that for the re-id model trained with the identification loss as well as the triplet loss, the proposed joint training framework outperforms existing methods with separate training and achieves state-of-the-art re-id performance.
Transformational IT Leaders and Digital Innovation
Authors: Pittenger Linda M. , Berente Nicholas , Gaskin James
Published: January 2022

Does formal IT governance encourage innovation in the traditional domains of the IT function at the expense of new forms of "digital" innovation? We report on a study of 158 IT managers and leaders to understand the conditions under which transformational IT leadership can drive innovation in traditional forms of IT, as well as in the emerging "digital" domain. We find that highly formal IT governance practices can reduce ability of transformational IT managers and leaders to innovate in both domains, and this effect is greater for digital innovation. In stable cultures the moderation effect was strengthened, while insignificant in change cultures. We distinguish between IT innovation and digital innovation and operationalize this distinction, finding that in contexts with stability culture, the moderation is stronger for digital innovation than for traditional IT innovation.
Early-Stage Heat- And Discharge-Induced Transformations in a Lithium-Ion Cell Monitored by an Advanced Battery Management System
Authors: Srinivasan Rengaswamy , Demirev Plamen A. , Carkhuff Bliss G.
Published: January 2022

Processes at the graphitic anode in lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells affect the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) even when the anode temperature (Ta) is at or below 75 °C. Normal discharge may not raise Ta above 50 °C due to endothermic heat absorption by the anode. Under fast (>3C) discharge, exothermic reactions between the anode and the electrolyte increase Ta above 75 °C, even though surface-mounted temperature sensors do not measure it. Increase of Ta above 75 °C, even for one fast discharge cycle, permanently changes the cell impedance similarly to 15 months of calendar aging. In both cases, impedance measurements suggest loss of lithium ions from the electrolyte during the anode-electrolyte exothermic reaction that contributes to the growth of the SEI layer. Most battery management systems (BMS) monitor only the cell’s surface temperature (Tsurf). During fast discharge, most BMS register Tsurf < 75 °C, providing a false sense of safety, while the anode experiences unimpeded damage from reactions that may affect the SEI. An advanced Battery Internal Temperature Sensor-based—BMS (BITS-BMS) described in this work successfully monitors Ta and other intrinsic cell parameters in real time, and records heat- and discharge-induced events affecting the anode and the SEI.
In Situ Study of Catalyst Reconstruction during Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Feng Zhenxing , Wang Maoyu , Wang Zhe , Wu Yueshen , Wang Hailiang
Published: January 2022

Overconsumption of fossil energy has increased the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, leading to severe climatic problems. Toward establishing a sustainable energy system, it is desirable to develop carbon-neutral fuels, for which a promising approach is electrochemical conversion of CO2 to useful products powered by electricity generated from renewable energy sources. However, due to slow kinetics and diverging reaction of electrochemical CO2 reduction, high-performance catalysts are required. In this work, we have designed three copper (Cu)-complexes and one of them (CuPc) have exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to methane. Using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy we find CuPc undergoes reversible structural and oxidation state changes to form nanometer size Cu metallic clusters, while the other two decompose irreversibly. With the help from density functional theory, the small but stable Cu clusters generated in situ during reaction is identified as the reaction active site of electrochemical CO2 reduction and is responsible for CuPc’s high efficiency and selectivity. The insights learned from this study provide new ways to control the catalytic site at molecule level for the development of high electrocatalytic nano-materials.
(Invited) Multi-Scale and Multi-Physics Modeling for Advancing Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Material and Device Research
Authors: Haussener Sophia
Published: January 2022

Modelling can efficiently support the choice of the most interesting conceptual design approaches, material choices, and operating conditions for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic devices. Here, I will discuss modeling of three different ideas for versatile and cheap solar hydrogen and syngas production: i) photocatalytic particle suspended in a solution, ii) semiconductor particle-based photoelectrodes (PEs) fabricated by scalable dipping procedures, and iii) high-temperature approaches to photoelectrochemistry.

Modeling of scalable photocatalysis suspensions require understanding of the single particle band energetics and kinetics and coupling it to the heat, mass and charge transport processes in a complete suspension. I will show how we use and couple 1D single particle models and 2D suspension simulations to provide material and design guidance of photocatalytic suspension approaches. Modeling of complicated particle-based PEs, on the other hand, requires full 3D multi-scale device models accounting for the morphological details of the nano-scale and then coupling them through homogenization theory to the macroscopic device model. I will show how we utilized nano-tomography to obtain the exact nano-scale morphology and how this morphology is incorporated into direct pore-level modeling to predict inhomogeneity in the variable fields and corresponding underutilization of parts of the PE. Finally, I will show how we use advanced 2D heat transfer models and detailed 1D junction models for mixed electron and ion conductor interfaces to model and explore high temperature approaches to photoelectrochemistry. I will end with a general outlook on modeling of photo-driven devices.
(Invited) Photophysics of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots Designed for Efficient Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Robel Istvan
Published: January 2022

In the short time period since their first synthesis, all-inorganic cesium lead halide nanocrystals have been successfully employed as active materials in high-efficiency solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and wide-color-gamut phosphors. While such rapid progress is a testament to the favorable optoelectronic properties of this new materials class, further technological advances typically necessitate a more refined understanding of their photophysics. Here, we investigate in detail the optically active states in cesium lead halide nanocrystals using a variety of techniques ranging from ultrafast spectroscopy to high-field magneto-optical studies at cryogenic temperatures. Our measurements shed light on a variety of fundamental characteristics of these quantum dots such as the exciton diamagnetic shift and fine structure, polarized emission from photoexcited states, magnetic circular dichroism, and optically active biexcitons and trions. Implications of these photophysical properties on the performance of light conversion devices will be discussed.
Colossal Ionic Conductivity:Method of Measuring the Elastic Dipole of Charged States& a Reduced Model for the Screening of Heterolayer Structures
Authors: Francis Michael F
Published: January 2022

Colossal Ionic Conductivity, the fast diffusion of oxygen ions in heterolayer environments, has promised to provide oxygen migration rates fast enough for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. These promises have stirred great debate, but despite ongoing discussion, the physics controlling Colossal Ionic Conductivity remains poorly understood. Hypotheses offered have been mechanical effects, phase changes, sublattice melting, interfacial effects, and space charge effects, though none tested. Here, a method of calculating the elastic dipole of charged states is shown, which will enable the testing of the mechanical hypothesis.

Whichever physics are controlling, observed changes in conductivity have been shown to correlate with heterolayer material lattice mismatch. This lattice mismatch can be shown to be the result of strain dependent properties. Here, a reduced model of heterolayer structure and strain allowing the rapid screening of a large number of structures for the optimization of the conducting interface.
(Invited) In Situ Dealloying of Bulk Mg2sn in Mg-Ion Half Cell As an Effective Route to Nanostructured Sn for High Performance Mg-Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Yaghoobnejad Hooman , Fu Jintao , Kumar Hemant , Welborn Samuel S. , Shenoy Vivek B. , Detsi Eric
Published: January 2022

Nanostructured Sn as negative electrode material in Mg-ion batteries suffers from very slow magnesiation kinetics when its nanoscale feature sizes are not in the sub-100 nm range. Herein, we use electrochemical experiments in combination finite element modeling (FEM) to demonstrate a cost-effective route to nanostructured Sn for high performance Mg-ion battery anodes. Using FEM we found that antagonistic stresses developed during dealloying of Mg2Sn induce pulverization of the dealloyed material and formation of nanostructured Sn with characteristic feature size in the sub-100 nm range. These results were further confirmed through electrochemical experiments using a Mg half-cell consisting of bulk Mg2Sn particles with average characteristic size larger than 10 μm as the working electrode, cycled versus Mg metal as counter and reference electrodes, and all-phenyl complex (APC) electrolyte. Ex situ electron microscopy and diffraction techniques were used to study the working electrode material in the pristine, demagnesiated and re-magnesiated forms. The results suggest that the starting micrometer-sized Mg2Sn particles are converted into nanostructured β-Sn with characteristic sizes ranging from 10‒50 nm during the first demagnesiation. Electrochemical performance of the in situ formed nanostructured Sn was further investigated during subsequent (de)magnesiation cycles in combination with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS studies suggest the formation of passive films on the Mg2Sn electrode. A reversible capacity of 300 mAh/g was demonstrated over 150 cycles at the rate of C/5 after application of a combined sequence of regular galvanostatic cycling with an oxidative pulse to control the passive film formation. This work is expected to open new avenues for cost-effective routes to high performance alloy-type Mg-ion battery anodes without complex nanosynthesis steps.
Chemomechanical Effects in Electrocatalysis
Authors: Tavassol Hadi , Siwabessy Andrew , Vuong Jiam , Bloed Charles , Enriquez Alexis , Derakhshan Shahab
Published: January 2022

We report on electrochemical materials and processes with strong chemomechanical effects during electrocatalysis. We are particularly focused on anode and cathode processes for electrochemical water splitting. A combination of solid state, gas phase and thin film synthetic methods are used to prepare well-defined electrode materials. An optical laser method is used to perform in-situ surface stress measurements. We also employ Raman spectroscopy and imaging to map strain fields and inhomogeneity on surfaces. Combination of these responses provide unique insight into chemomechanics of hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.

We will discuss the results of surface stress and strain measurements during H+ adsorption and early stages of hydrogen evolution on model Pt-M (M = Cu and Ni) surface alloys and bilayers. We will also report on the catalytic properties of perovskite-based transition metal oxides toward oxygen evolution reaction. We focus on perovskites and brownmillerites of the Sr2-xCaxFe2O6-δ system, where δ = 0-1. This system exhibits varying oxygen deficiency, vacancy ordering and volumetric strain. Our results suggest that vacancy content, ordering, and lattice oxygens control the oxygen evolution activity. Particularly, we will explain the role of lattice oxygens in the Sr2-xCaxFe2O6-δ system using in-situ surface stress results.
Novel Approach for the Electrosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles
Authors: Rudman Kelly , Hosseini Seyyedamirhossein , Peters Dennis G
Published: January 2022

In recent decades, nanoparticles have become a prominent research topic due to their increased catalytic activity, which is attributed to their high surface areas. Although typical synthesis methods yield highly ordered monodispersed particles, they often require harsh synthesis conditions, such as high pressure or temperatures, and the use of high-purity reagents. Moreover, these syntheses are conducted on a microliter basis and are not easily scaled-up.1 Electrochemistry offers an alternative approach for the synthesis of nanoparticles under mild conditions, since most metal reduction potentials occur at less than 2 V. One of the earliest attempts at the electrosynthesis of nanoparticles was conducted by Reetz et al.2 In their work, a palladium sheet was stripped and then reduced ions at a platinum sheet to form nanoparticles. However, these nanoparticles were not monodispersed, and therefore not ideal for catalysis.

In the present work, copper nanoparticles have been synthesized in bulk via oxidation of a copper wire into a 99.7:2.3 nitromethane-water solution in the presence of an acid. A copper wire was stripped into solution and monitored via chronocoulometry. Once oxidized, copper ions were stabilized with polyethylene glycol and diffused to the cathode where they underwent electrochemical reduction with the aid of a sonic probe, which dispersed uniform-sized nanoparticles into solution. The size of these nanospheres can be controlled to range from approximately 2 nm to 250 nm due to different amounts of surfactant and copper in solution. In addition, other nanoparticle shapes, namely nanospheres and nanocubes, were obtained when the acid was changed from perchloric acid to hydrochloric acid. These changes in composition of the electrolyte allow for control over the shape and size of nanoparticles. This new method for electrosynthesis of nanoparticles allows for their shape and size control, which can be useful for large-scale, industrial purposes.

References

Gawande, M.B., Goswami, A., Felpin, F., Asefa, T., Huang, X., Silva, R., Zou, X., Zboril, R., Varma, R. S., Cu and Cu-Based Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis. Rev.
2016, 116, 3722–3811.

Reetz, M.T. , Helbig W., Size-Selective Synthesis of Nanostructured Transition Metal Clusters. Am. Chem. Soc.
1994, 116, 7401–7402.
Water and Latrine Services and Associated Factors among Residents of Negele Town, Southeast Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Dagaga Diriba Temesgen , Geleta Girma Deboch
Published: January 2022

Background. Access to at least a basic water service, improved sanitation, and hygiene contribute to the human health and socioeconomic development of a country. This study was conducted to assess the water and latrine service coverage and related factors among dwellers of Negele town, southeast Ethiopia. Method. Two Kebeles (small administrative units) were randomly selected from each of the three zones of the town to collect data via questionnaires from randomly selected household heads (380), interviews of purposely selected key informants (40), and personal observations employing a cross‐sectional survey design from March to May 2018. A Chi‐square test was conducted to examine the association between various demographic factors and having latrine/tap water. Result. Latrine coverage of the town was low (45%) mainly due to shortage of land or funds and expansion of illegal houses. The available latrines were poor in hygiene. Water service (solely tap water) coverage was very low (7.6%) as a result of deficient water sources and nonfunctioning pipelines. The zones, age, educational status, marital status, and family size of the participants were statistically significantly associated with having latrine or tap water, p < 0.05. The administration of the town has planned to build four public toilets and raise its water supply coverage to about 70% by 2019/2020. Conclusion. Coverage of latrine and water services of Negele town were so low, implying that it is not on track to achieve the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goal target 6.1 and 6.2. The administration of the town should provide land to residents and search for fund sources for the construction of standardized private and public toilets. Utilizing various water sources, maintaining nonfunctional, and constructing new pipelines should be promoted to improve the water service coverage of the town targeting the national and UN sustainable development goals.
Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Oral Disease
Authors: Wu Dong-Dong , Ngowi Ebenezeri Erasto , Zhai Yuan-Kun , Wang Yi-Zhen , Khan Nazeer Hussain , Kombo Ahmad Fadhil , Khattak Saadullah , Li Tao , Ji Xin-Ying
Published: January 2022

Oral diseases are among the most common human diseases yet less studied. These diseases affect both the physical, mental, and social health of the patients resulting in poor quality of life. They affect all ages, although severe stages are mostly observed in older individuals. Poor oral hygiene, genetics, and environmental factors contribute enormously to the development and progression of these diseases. Although there are available treatment options for these diseases, the recurrence of the diseases hinders their efficiency. Oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are highly produced in oral cavity as a result of bacteria activities. Together with bacteria components such as lipopolysaccharides, VSCs participate in the progression of oral diseases by regulating cellular activities and interfering with the immune response. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous neurotransmitter primarily produced endogenously and is involved in the regulation of cellular activities. The gas is also among the VSCs produced by oral bacteria. In numerous diseases, H2S have been reported to have dual effects depending on the cell, concentration, and donor used. In oral diseases, high production and subsequent utilization of this gas have been reported. Also, this high production is associated with the progression of oral diseases. In this review, we will discuss the production of H2S in oral cavity, its interaction with cellular activities, and most importantly its role in oral diseases.
Evaluation of Cardiac Space-Occupying Lesions by Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography and Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Ren Mingming , Huang Lei , Ye Xiaoqiang , Xv Zhifeng , Ouyang Chun , Han Zhen
Published: January 2022

Heart space-occupying lesions are a disease that occurs frequently in clinical setting, and therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat this type of pathologies properly. Angiographic echocardiography and transesophageal sonogram are widely used for clinical diagnosis. Their application provides a guarantee for the diagnosis of cardiac space-occupying lesions. In this paper, the application of cardiac contrast echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac space-occupying lesions was studied. Prediction of cardiac lesions can accurately determine the nature of cardiac occupancies and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and management judgments. The results of pathological analysis and experimental comparison showed that myocardial contrast echocardiography can accurately distinguish tumor and thrombus and make contribution to patients taking appropriate medical measures. At the same time, it can compare conventional transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography. The results showed that TEE could clearly show the cardiac lesions. The experimental data of 76.9% confirmed cases showed that the diagnostic accuracy is greatly improved. TEE can also clearly show small thrombus that TTE cannot, in which 2DTEE can clearly show the boundary between the space-occupying and surrounding tissues, and whether there is a clear boundary between the space-occupying and surrounding tissues is an important distinguishing point of benign and malignant tumors. In addition, the TEE probe can also be used for large angle imaging and multiangle rotation, so as to determine the tumor boundary and the spatial position relationship between the tumor and the surrounding tissue. All in all, myocardial contrast echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography have better clinical application effect on cardiac space-occupying lesions.
Application of the Blockchain Technology in the Vertical Value Chain Management of Enterprises
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Yiqi , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2022

This paper studies how the blockchain technology applies the enterprise’s vertical value chain management and specifically studies how the blockchain technology is applied to the management of various transaction information involved in the enterprise’s vertical value chain management. This paper first analyzes the basic needs of the enterprise vertical value chain management, analyzes the decentralization, integrity, and authenticity of relevant transaction information in management, and designs and implements enterprise value chain management solution based on the blockchain technology, including the design and implementation of organizations, consensus mechanisms, data structures, and business processes. The simulation data is used for testing, and finally, the solution is evaluated in terms of security, transparency, efficiency, and scalability. The research in this paper shows that the blockchain technology can be applied to the enterprise’s vertical value chain management, which can ensure the authenticity, transparency, tamper resistance, and security of various transaction information of enterprises, thus improving the quality and reliability of the vertical value chain management of enterprises.
Communication of Autonomous Vehicles in Road Accidents for Emergency Help in Healthcare Industries
Authors: Prem Raja D. , Vasudevan V.
Published: January 2022

Autonomous cars like driverless motors are considered solely in science fiction films; however, in 2019, they are turning into a veracity and reality. People all around the world are excited to see the driverless automobile in reality. Selfless vehicles do not want human intervention. A completely driverless car is nonetheless at a superior trying out stage; however, in part due to computerized technological know-how, it has been around for the last few years. A partly computerized car has points such as lane keeping, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. With a self-sustaining automobile device, the vehicle has to feel the environment and discover objects, and with the assistance of GPS, it should run on the right navigation course even while obeying site visitors and transportation rules. In addition to that, the safety of passengers and pedestrians is also very important. This capability to keep away from collisions with barriers and accidents during assemble is important. To forestall the self-sufficient vehicle, this autonomous system helps a lot. The sensor used in this gadget identifies the objects in front of the car and stops the car, directing it to go on a specific course to keep away from accidents and communicate with each other. This accident-avoidance gadget and communication system help the self-sustaining car to attain the vacation spot via coaching the vehicle with synthetic intelligence. By making the motors smartest the lifestyles fashion additionally turns into smartest.
Numerical Treating of Mixed Integral Equation Two-Dimensional in Surface Cracks in Finite Layers of Materials
Authors: Al-Bugami A. M.
Published: January 2022

The goal of this paper is study the mixed integral equation with singular kernel in two-dimensional adding to the time in the Volterra integral term numerically. We established the problem from the plane strain problem for the bounded layer medium composed of different materials that contains a crack on one of the interface. Also, the existence of a unique solution of the equation proved. Therefore, a numerical method is used to translate our problem to a system of two-dimensional Fredholm integral equations (STDFIEs). Then, Toeplitz matrix (TMM) and the Nystrom product methods (NPM) are used to solve the STDFIEs with Cauchy kernel. Numerical examples are presented, and their results are compared with the analytical solution to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the methods. The codes were written in Maple.
Yosida Approximation Iterative Methods for Split Monotone Variational Inclusion Problems
Authors: Dilshad Mohammad , Aljohani Abdulrahman F. , Akram Mohammad , Khidir Ahmed A.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we present two iterative algorithms involving Yosida approximation operators for split monotone variational inclusion problems (

S

p

MVIP

). We prove the weak and strong convergence of the proposed iterative algorithms to the solution of

S

p

MVIP

in real Hilbert spaces. Our algorithms are based on Yosida approximation operators of monotone mappings such that the step size does not require the precalculation of the operator norm. To show the reliability and accuracy of the proposed algorithms, a numerical example is also constructed.
The Effect of Guilingji Capsules on Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Huiqin , Chen Hanqing , Pei Hui , Wang Huichan , Ma Lina , Li Hao
Published: January 2022

Guilingji capsules (GLJC) have been shown to have antiaging effects and improve cognitive function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of GLJC for the treatment of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI). A total of 96 patients with VaMCI (aged 60–85 years) were enrolled in this 24-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. The patients were randomly assigned to a GLJC group (n = 48) or a Ginkgo group (n = 48). Patients in the GLJC group were treated using GLJC, whereas those in the Ginkgo group received Ginkgo extract tablets. We evaluated the participants at baseline and after a 12- and 24-week treatment period using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (CM-SS). The serum acetylcholine (Ach), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), homocysteine (Hcy), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum levels of the patients were measured before and after 24-week treatment. Analysis of the results of both groups showed that both interventions significantly increased the MoCA and MMSE scores of the patients and decreased their ADAS-Cog and CM-SS scores (

P
<
0.05

). The GLJC group showed greater improvement in MoCA, MMSE, and CM-SS scores than the Ginkgo group (

P
<
0.05

). However, both groups showed a significant increase in serum Ach and a decrease in serum AchE, Hcy, and hs-CRP levels (

P
<
0.05

). Furthermore, serum Ach increased and Hcy decreased more significantly in the GLJC group than in the Ginkgo group (

P
<
0.05

). These findings indicate that GLJC can improve the cognitive function, cholinergic system, and inflammatory cytokine levels of patients with VaMCI. Furthermore, this treatment can improve symptoms of syndromes diagnosed according to traditional Chinese medicine practice in patients with VaMCI.
Role of Focusing Distance in Picosecond Laser-Induced Cu Plasma Spectra
Authors: Chen Linyu , Deng Hu , Wu Zhixiang , Xiong Zhonggang , Guo Jin , Liu Quancheng , Samuel Akwasi Danso , Shang Liping
Published: January 2022

To study the effects of focusing distance on the characteristics of copper plasma, a picosecond laser is utilized to ablate a pure copper plate to generate a plasma spectrum. Following numerous experiments on the subject, three significant factors are determined: lens focal length, pulse energy, and the lens-to-sample distance. These factors are employed to analyze the spectral intensity, plasma temperature, and electron density in the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin condition. Due to the shielding effects of mixed plasma, the strongest spectral intensity is achieved in the prefocused case, no matter how much beam irradiance is employed. The more intensive the beam irradiance is, the more the optimal position is distant from the focal point. The variation of plasma temperature and electron density showed a peak in the prefocused case, which is consistent with the trend of spectral intensity. For the case of extremely high irradiance (on the focus), the shielding effects become seriously, and the resultant above three factors decreased sharply. When a longer-focal-length lens is employed, the spectral intensity exhibited an obvious bimodal trend. In the prefocused case, a longer-focal-length lens is helpful to eliminate the effects of the roughness of the target surface compared with a shorter one. Finally, the assumed LTE is validated by McWhirter relation, plasma relaxation time, and diffusion length, and the optically thin condition was also validated by spectral intensity ratio. We hope that this work could be an important reference for the future design of highly optimized experiments for Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS).
Ternary Complexation Process for New Spectrophotometric Assay of Levodopa using Ni(II) and 2,3-Diaminopyridine
Authors: Abdoon Fadam , Bichan Mustafa J. , Mohamed Ibrahim Abdelrahman , Mundher Tayyeh Alnoman , Kishore Medikondu , Abdelhakeem Khalid Azam
Published: January 2022

A novel, accurate, precise, inexpensive, and sensitive spectrophotometric approach is established to assay levodopa (LD) in both bulk drug and its pharmaceutical formulations. The method depends on the reaction of the ternary complex of a mixed-ligand type among LD, nickel(II) (Ni(II)), and 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP) to form a stable complex of Ni-LD-DAP which is not extractable. The complex showed maximum absorption at 478 nm, with the apparent molar absorptivity of 4.93 × 103 L·mol−1·cm−1 and Sandell’s sensitivity of 0.04 μg·cm−2. Beer’s law is obeyed within the concentration range of 2–58 μg·mL-1, and the regression line equation is as follows: Y = 0.0251X + 0.0045 (R2 = 0.9990; n = 5). The detection limit and quantitation limit are found to be 0.1388 μg·mL−1 and 0.4207 μg·mL−1, respectively. The present study achieved reasonable accuracy (average recovery of 100.17%) and good precision (RSD did not exceed 1.71%). The developed method has been validated according to the current ICH guidelines (2013). The results of pure LD and pharmaceutical preparations using the recommended spectrophotometry are promising.