bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Supply-chain System Framework Based on Internet of Things Using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Song Qun , Chen Yuhao , Zhong Yan , Lan Kun , Fong Simon , Tang Rui
Published: January 2021

Numerous supply-chain combines with internet of things (IoT) applications have been proposed, and many methods and algorithms enhance the convenience of supply chains. However, new businesses still find it challenging to enter a supply chain, because unauthorised IoT devices of different companies illegally access resources. As security is paramount in a supply chain, IoT management has become very difficult. Public resources allocation and waste management also pose a problem. To solve the above problems, we proposed a new IoT management framework that embraces blockchain technology to help companies to form a supply chain effectively. This framework consists of an access control system, a backup peer mechanism and an internal data isolation and transmission approach. The access control system has a registrar module and an inspection module. The registrar module is mainly responsible for information registration with a registration policy, which has to be followed by all the companies in the supply chain. Besides, it provides a revocation and updating function. The inspection module focuses on judging misbehaviour and monitors the actions of the subjects; when any misoperation occurs, the system will correspondingly penalise violators. So that all related actions and information are verified and stored into blockchain, the IoT access control and safety of IoT admission are enhanced. Furthermore, in a blockchain system, if one single peer in the network breaks down, then the whole system may stop, because consensus cannot be reached. The data of the broken peer may be lost if it does not commit yet. The backup peer mechanism allows the primary peer and the backup peer to connect to an inspecting server for acquiring real-time data. The internal data isolation and transmission modules transmit and stores private data without creating a new subchannel. The proposed method is taken full account of the stability of the network and the fault tolerance to guarantee the robust of the system. To obtain unbiases results, experiments are conducted in two different blockchain environment. The results show our proposed method are promising IoT blockchain system for the supply chain.
Victims Can Be Saviors
Authors: Alam Manaar , Bhattacharya Sarani , Mukhopadhyay Debdeep
Published: January 2021

Micro-architectural side-channel attacks are major threats to the most mathematically sophisticated encryption algorithms. In spite of the fact that there exist several defense techniques, the overhead of implementing the countermeasures remains a matter of concern. A promising strategy is to develop online detection and prevention methods for these attacks. Though some recent studies have devised online prevention mechanisms for some categories of these attacks, still other classes remain undetected. Moreover, to detect these side-channel attacks with minimal False Positives is a challenging effort because of the similarity of their behavior with computationally intensive applications. This article presents a generalized machine learning--based multi-layer detection technique that targets these micro-architectural side-channel attacks, while not restricting its attention only on a single category of attacks. The proposed mechanism gathers low-level system information by profiling performance counter events using Linux perf tool and then applies machine learning techniques to analyze the data. A novel approach using time-series analysis of the data is implemented to find out the correlation of the execution trace of the attack process with the secret key of encryption, which helps in dealing with False-Positives and unknown attacks. This article also provides a detailed theoretical analysis of the detection mechanism of the proposed model along with its security analysis. The experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the state-of-the-art reported techniques with high detection accuracy, low False Positives, and low implementation overhead while being able to detect before the completion of the attack.
A Modified Electrochemical Model to Account for Mechanical Effects Due to Lithium Intercalation and External Pressure
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Klinsmann Markus , Chumakov Sergei , Li Xiaobai , Kim Sun Ung , Metzger Michael , Besli Münir M. , Klein Reinhardt , Linder Christian , Christensen Jake
Published: January 2021

For a battery cell, both the porosity of the electrodes/separator and the transport distance of charged species can evolve due to mechanical deformation arising from either lithium intercalation-induced swelling and contraction of the active particles or externally applied mechanical loading. To describe accurately the coupling between mechanical deformation and the cell’s electrochemical response, we extend Newman’s DualFoil model to allow variable, non-uniform porosities in both electrodes and the separator, which are dynamically updated based on the electrochemical and mechanical states of the battery cell. In addition, the finite deformation theory from continuum mechanics is used to modify the electrochemical transport equations to account for the change of the charged species transport distance. The proposed coupled electrochemomechanical model is tested with a parameterized commercial cell. Our simulation results confirm that mass conservation is satisfied with the new formulation. We further show that mechanical effects have a significant impact on the cell’s electrochemical response at high charge/discharge rates.
Cardiovascular effects of air pollution: current evidence from animal and human studies
Authors: Lederer Agnes Maria , Fredriksen Per Morten , Nkeh-Chungag Benedicta Ngwenchi , Everson Frans , Strijdom Hans , De Boever Patrick , Goswami Nandu
Published: January 2021

Air pollution is a global health concern. Particulate matter (PM)2.5, a component of ambient air pollution, has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the pollutants that poses the greatest threat to public health. Cardiovascular health effects have been extensively documented, and these effects are still being researched to provide an overview of recent literature regarding air pollution-associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in humans. Additionally, potential mechanisms through which air pollutants affect the cardiovascular system are discussed based on human and additional animal studies. We used the strategy of a narrative review to summarize the scientific literature of studies that were published in the past 7 yr. Searches were carried out on PubMed and Web of Science using predefined search queries. We obtained an initial set of 800 publications that were filtered to 78 publications that were relevant to include in this review. Analysis of the literature showed significant associations between air pollution, especially PM2.5, and the risk of elevated blood pressure (BP), acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrhythmia, and heart failure (HF). Prominent mechanisms that underlie the adverse effects of air pollution include oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, and thrombogenicity. The current review underscores the relevance of air pollution as a global health concern that affects cardiovascular health. More rigorous standards are needed to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden imposed by air pollution. Continued research on the health impact of air pollution is needed to provide further insight.
Artificial intelligence for a personalized diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sánchez de la Nava Ana María , Atienza Felipe , Bermejo Javier , Fernández-Avilés Francisco
Published: January 2021

Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, its early identification, diagnosis, and treatment is still challenging. Due to its heterogeneous mechanisms and risk factors, targeting an individualized treatment of AF demands a large amount of patient data to identify specific patterns. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are particularly well suited for treating high-dimensional data, predicting outcomes, and eventually, optimizing strategies for patient management. The analysis of large patient samples combining different sources of information such as blood biomarkers, electrical signals, and medical images opens a new paradigm for improving diagnostic algorithms. In this review, we summarize suitable AI techniques for this purpose. In particular, we describe potential applications for understanding the structural and functional bases of the disease, as well as for improving early noninvasive diagnosis, developing more efficient therapies, and predicting long-term clinical outcomes of patients with AF.
The Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in a Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sun Qingmin , Jing Yali , Zhang Bingjie , Gu Tianwei , Meng Ran , Sun Jie , Zhu Dalong , Wang Yaping
Published: January 2021

Aims. Epidemiological data on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Chinese population is still rather scarce, and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy are inconsistent because of study designs, grading standards, and population samples. Materials and Methods. This hospital-based retrospective study included 1052 type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed by nonmydriatic fundus photography and/or fundus examination apparatus. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Results. A total of 352 (33.5% prevalence) subjects were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy based on our population. The patients in the DR group not only had significantly higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), urinary microalbumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), and systolic blood pressure but also had higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels compared to those in the non-DR group. Moreover, we confirmed that diabetes duration and HbA1c are strongly associated with DR risk. We also found that serum LH was an independent risk factor in male diabetic retinopathy patients (

OR
=
1.086

, 95% CI 1.024–1.152), and the levels of LH were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy prevalence (

P
=
0.018

). Conclusions. Our study strengthens the argument that diabetes duration and HbA1c are risk factors for patients with DR. Additionally; we firstly confirmed that serum LH was an independent risk factor in male diabetic retinopathy patients.
Genesis of Dolomite in Middle Permian Maokou Formation in Eastern Sichuan: Constraints from In Situ Geochemistry, Sr-Mg Isotopes, and Fluid Inclusions
Authors: Jiang Yanxia , Tan Xianfeng , Zhang Chengjiang , Jiang Wei , Wang Jia , Luo Long , Tan Dongping , Wang Wei , Xiong Zhifu
Published: January 2021

The dolostone reservoir of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in Eastern Sichuan has good prospects for oil and gas exploration. Study of dolomitizing genesis of the Maokou Formation is essential for predicting the distribution of the dolostone reservoir. Petrography, in situ geochemistry, Sr-Mg isotopes, and fluid inclusions were carried out on samples from the Maokou Formation in Eastern Sichuan in order to discuss the dolomitizing process. Based on mineral and textural characteristics, dolomites were divided into four components: partially clouded dolomite (PCD), mosaic-like dolomite (MLD), cloudy-centered and clear-rimmed dolomite (CACD), and saddle dolomite (SDD). Results indicate that the Maokou Formation in Eastern Sichuan mainly experienced two stages of dolomitization. PCD, MLD, and cloudy-centered dolomite (CCD) were formed during the early dolomitization. They all show turbid crystal planes and bright orange-red CL and have similar trace element contents, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and rare-earth patterns, indicating that they might be formed in the same fluid. This is a period when dolomitizing fluids mainly migrated along pores or microcracks and replaced protogenetic calcites, which occurred in the shallow burial stage of the Maokou Formation before the Late Permian. Clear-rimmed dolomite (CRD) and SDD were formed in the late stage of dolomitization. They all have clean crystal planes and darkly red CL. CRD of the ERY profile has trace element contents, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and rare-earth patterns similar to SDD of the HLCH profile and Well TL6, inferring that both may be formed in the same fluid. Combined with high SrO contents and homogenous temperatures of fluid inclusions of CRD and SDD and Mg-isotopic compositions, they were generated by hydrothermal dolomitization. The hydrothermal fluid stage is related to the movement of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, which was made up of basaltic magmatic fluids mixing with the surface water. The hydrothermal fluid mainly migrated upwards along structural fractures or faults and filled in structural fractures, occurring in the Late Permian to Middle-Late Triassic.
Total Saponins from Nigella glandulifera Seeds Ameliorate Adjuvant‐Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats by Inhibition of an Inflammatory Response and Bone Erosion
Authors: Zeng Li , Li Chenyang , Jiang Hailun , Chen Yan , Li Zhuorong , Xu Fang , Liu Rui
Published: January 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread inflammatory disease whose clinical manifestations are joint swelling, pain, and disability, affecting approximately 1% of individuals worldwide. Conventional anti‐RA drugs currently used in clinic have severe side effects. The present study is aimed at investigating the antiarthritic effects of total saponins from Nigella glandulifera seeds (TSNGS) in rats with adjuvant‐induced rheumatoid arthritis (AIA). Arthritis score, paw swelling, and body weight were monitored throughout the period of TSNGS treatment. The histopathological features and levels of cytokines, including IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, and IL‐17A, and OPG/RANKL signaling, were measured to determine the amelioration by TSNGS and its potential mechanisms on the inflammatory response and bone erosion. The differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in serum was assessed by flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that TSNGS at 10 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg inhibited AIA‐induced clinical score, paw swelling, and histological changes. TSNGS reduced the immune‐inflammatory reaction by restoring the secretion and expression of inflammatory cytokines and elevating the proportion of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, accompanied by an increase in transcription factor Foxp3 levels. TSNGS also displayed bone protection by upregulation of the OPG/RANKL pathway. Collectively, TSNGS inhibited arthritis in AIA rats and so represents a potential novel treatment for RA.
Exosomal MiR-1290 Promotes Angiogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting SMEK1
Authors: Wang Qiong , Wang Guanwen , Niu Lianjie , Zhao Shaorong , Li Jianjun , Zhang Zhen , Jiang Huimin , Zhang Quansheng , Wang Hang , Sun Peiqing , Xiang Rong , Chang Antao , Yang Shuang
Published: January 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, relies on the formation of new blood vessel for growth and frequent intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Therefore, it is important to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis of HCC. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to modulate angiogenic processes by modulating the expression of critical angiogenic factors. However, the potential roles of tumor-derived exosomal microRNAs in regulating tumor angiogenesis remain to be elucidated. In this study, our miRNome sequencing demonstrated that miR-1290 was overexpressed in HCC patient serum-derived exosomes, and we found that delivery of miR-1290 into human endothelial cells enhanced their angiogenic ability. Our results further revealed that SMEK1 is a direct target of miR-1290 in endothelial cells. MiR-1290 exerted its proangiogenic function, at least in part, by alleviating the inhibition of VEGFR2 phosphorylation done by SMEK1. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that miR-1290 is overexpressed in HCC and promotes tumor angiogenesis via exosomal secretion, implicating its potential role as a therapeutic target for HCC.
Strong Convergence Results of Split Equilibrium Problems and Fixed Point Problems
Authors: Zhu Li-Jun , Kuo Hsun-Chih , Wen Ching-Feng
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we investigate the split equilibrium problem and fixed point problem in Hilbert spaces. We propose an iterative scheme for solving such problem in which the involved equilibrium bifunctionsfandgare pseudomonotone and monotone, respectively, and the operatorsSandTare all pseudocontractive. We show that the suggested scheme converges strongly to a solution of the considered problem.
Study of the Propagation Characteristics of Terahertz Waves in a Collisional and Inhomogeneous Dusty Plasma with a Ceramic Substrate and Oblique Angle of Incidence
Authors: Rao Qingwen , Xu Guanjun , Wang Pengfei , Zheng Zhengqi
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the propagation properties of a terahertz (THz) wave in a collisional and inhomogeneous dusty plasma with a ceramic substrate and oblique angle of incidence are studied using the scattering matrix method. The influence of the various corresponding parameters, such as the frequency of the THz wave, angle of incidence, electron density, radius and density of the dust particles, and the collision frequency, on the absorbance and transmittance is calculated. The results of the simulation indicate that an increase in the wave frequency increases the transmittance and decreases the absorbance. Moreover, the absorbance of a THz wave in a dusty plasma with a ceramic substrate increases with an increase in the incident angle, maximum electron density, coefficient of steepness, density and radius of the dust particles, and collision frequency. These results provide an important theoretical basis for the problem of communication blackout between ground and spacecraft.
Club Cell Protein 16 Attenuates CD16brightCD62dim Immunosuppressive Neutrophils in Damaged Tissue upon Posttraumatic Sepsis-Induced Lung Injury
Authors: Becker Nils , Störmann Philipp , Janicova Andrea , Köhler Kernt , Horst Klemens , Dunay Ildiko Rita , Neunaber Claudia , Marzi Ingo , Vollrath Jan Tilmann , Relja Borna
Published: January 2021

Background. Recently, identification of immunosuppressive polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) that were traditionally described as proinflammatory cells emerged in the field of posttraumatic immunity. To understand their local and remote distribution after trauma, PMNL-subsets and the impact of immunomodulatory Club Cell protein (CC)16 that correlates with pulmonary complications were assessed. Methods. C57BL/6N mice were divided into three groups, receiving isolated blunt chest trauma (TxT), undergoing TxT followed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP,

TxT
+
CLP

) after 24 h, or sham undergoing analgosedation (

n
=
18

/group). Further, each group was subdivided into three groups receiving either no treatment (ctrl) or intratracheal neutralization of CC16 by application of anti-CC16-antibody or application of an unspecific IgG control antibody (

n
=
6

/group). Treatment was set at the time point after TxT. Analyses followed 6 h post-CLP. PMNL were characterized via expression of CD11b, CD16, CD45, CD62L, and Ly6G by flow cytometry in bone marrow (BM), blood, spleen, lung, liver, and bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage fluid (BALF and PL). Apoptosis was assessed by activated (cleaved) caspase-3. Results from untreated ctrl and IgG-treated mice were statistically comparable between all corresponding sham, TxT, and

TxT
+
CLP

groups. Results. Immature (CD16dimCD62Lbright) PMNL increased significantly in BM, circulation, and spleen after TxT vs. sham and were significantly attenuated in the lungs, BALF, PL, and liver. Classical-shaped (CD16brightCD62Lbright) PMNL increased after TxT vs. sham in peripheral tissue and were significantly attenuated in circulation, proposing a trauma-induced migration of mature or peripheral differentiation of circulating immature PMNL. Immunosuppressive (CD16brightCD62Ldim) PMNL decreased significantly in the lungs and spleen, while they systemically increased after TxT vs. sham. CLP in the

TxT
+
CLP

group reduced immunosuppressive PMNL in PL and increased their circulatory rate vs. isolated TxT, showing local reduction in affected tissue and their increase in nonaffected tissue. CC16 neutralization enhanced the fraction of immunosuppressive PMNL following TxT vs. sham and decreased caspase-3 in the lungs post-CLP in the

TxT
+
CLP

group, while apoptotic cells in the liver diminished post-TxT. Posttraumatic CC16 neutralization promotes the subset of immunosuppressive PMNL and antagonizes their posttraumatic distribution. Conclusion. Since CC16 affects both the distribution of PMNL subsets and apoptosis in tissues after trauma, it may constitute as a novel target to beneficially shape the posttraumatic tissue microenvironment and homeostasis to improving outcomes.
Amitriptyline Dependence and Its Associations: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Umaharan T. , Sivayokan S. , Sivansuthan S.
Published: January 2021

Amitriptyline, the second antidepressant invented next to imipramine, is indicated in many psychiatric conditions as well as for some organic disorders. The drug acts by increasing the availability of monoamines in the central nervous system postsynaptic clefts. Amitriptyline has long been suspected for abusive potential based on a few case reports, and the reports add evidence in favor of the hypothesis. This case report brings such material to the arena of evidence and discusses the probable mechanisms by which patients turn to abusing and be addicted to the drug. The article also argues matters associated with drug dispensing that might raise the risk of misuse of the drug, especially in countries where strict legislation for accessibility of prescribed drugs is not in practice.
Apigenin Alleviates Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Autophagy via TGF-β1/Smad3 and p38/PPARα Pathways
Authors: Ji Jie , Yu Qiang , Dai Weiqi , Wu Liwei , Feng Jiao , Zheng Yuanyuan , Li Yan , Guo Chuanyong
Published: January 2021

Objective. The aim of this study is to confirm the hepatocellular protective functions of apigenin and the molecular mechanism on liver fibrosis in mice. Methods. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and bile duct ligature (BDL) mouse fibrosis models were used to investigate the effects of apigenin on liver fibrosis. Sixty-six male C57 mice were randomly divided into eight groups, including the vehicle group, CCl4 group, CCl4+L-apigenin (20 mg/kg) group, CCl4+H-apigenin (40 mg/kg) group, sham group, BDL group, BDL+L-apigenin(20 mg/kg) group, and BDL+H-apigenin(40 mg/kg) group. Serum liver enzymes (ALT and AST), proteins associated with autophagy, and indicators linked with the TGF-β1/Smad3 and p38/PPARα pathways were detected using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting. Results. Our findings confirmed that apigenin could decrease the levels of ALT and AST, suppress the generation of ECM, inhibit the activation of HSCs, regulate the balance of MMP2 and TIMP1, reduce the expression of autophagy-linked protein, and restrain the TGF-β1/Smad3 and p38/PPARα pathways. Conclusion. Apigenin could alleviate liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and autophagy via TGF-β1/Smad3 and p38/PPARα pathways.
A Tightly Coupled BDS/INS Integrated Positioning Algorithm Based on Triple-Frequency Single-Epoch Observations
Authors: Ye Fei , Pan Shuguo , Gao Wang , Wang Hao , Ma Chun , Wang Yunfeng
Published: January 2021

Vehicular dynamic positioning based on tightly coupled (TC) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) integration in urban areas is due to either low accuracy of pseudorange or poor continuity of carrier phase, resulting in insufficient positioning performance. To enhance the stability while ensuring positioning accuracy, this paper proposed a tightly coupled Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)/INS integration scheme by improving measurement modelling with triple-frequency observations: first, a stepwise single-epoch ambiguity resolution of extra-wide-lane (EWL)/wide-lane (WL) combined observations and then modelling the measurement equation with fixed WL observation instead of conventional pseudorange or carrier phase. Experiments were carried out for verification with data collected in real traffic by a measurement vehicle. The proposed method achieved single-epoch output with an RMS statistical accuracy of decimetre level of 0.152 m horizontally and 0.196 m vertically. The signal outage experiment verified that the proposed algorithm is restoring high-accuracy positioning output in single-epoch once the signal is recaptured. The proposed method obtained a positioning accuracy improvement of 43.6% horizontally and 6.2% vertically in signal outage sections compared to the conventional method. This avoids the multiepoch ambiguity searching to fix with conventional carrier-phase processing, thereby improving the positioning stability.
Financial Risk Information Spreading on Metapopulation Networks
Authors: Lin Min , Duan Li
Published: January 2021

The financial risk information diffuses through various kinds of social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook. Individuals transmit the financial risk information which can migrate among different platforms or forums. In this paper, we propose a financial risk information spreading model on metapopulation networks. The subpopulation represents a platform or forum, and individuals migrate among them to transmit the information. We use a discrete‐time Markov chain approach to describe the spreading dynamics’ evolution and deduce the outbreak threshold point. We perform numerical simulation on artificial networks and discover that the financial risk information can be promoted once increasing the information transmission probability and active subpopulation fraction. The weight variance and migration probability cannot significantly affect the financial risk spreading size. The discrete‐time Markov chain approach can reasonably predict the above phenomena.
Grey Prediction Model for Drying Shrinkage of Cement Concrete Made from Recycled Coarse Aggregate Containing Superabsorbent Polymers
Authors: Zhang Jinbao , Li Song , Zhai Jiahui
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on the drying shrinkage of the recycled concrete (RC). The natural aggregate (NA) was replaced by recycled aggregate at three replacement ratios (0%, 50%, and 100%). Then, the recycled concrete (RC) with different SAP contents was prepared. The performance of recycled concrete with different SAP content was analyzed with slump test, compressive strength test, and drying shrinkage test. GM (1, N) grey prediction model was utilized to predict the drying shrinkage of recycled concrete containing SAP. The results show that the strength and durability of concrete are decreased by the addition of recycled aggregate. With the increase of the dosage of SAP, the strength and durability also raise. The prediction GM (1, N) model for the drying shrinkage of recycled concrete with SAP is in good agreement with the actual drying shrinkage.
Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions for Fractional Boundary Value Problems under Mild Lipschitz Condition
Authors: Bachar Imed , Mâagli Habib , Eltayeb Hassan
Published: January 2021

This paper deals with the following boundary value problem

D

α

u

t

=
f

t
,
u

t

,
t
∈

0
,
1

,

u

0

=
u

1

=

D

α
−
3

u

0

=

u

′

1

=
0
,

where

3
<
α
≤
4
,

D

α

is the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative, and the nonlinearity

f
,

which could be singular at both

t
=
0

and

t
=
1
,

is required to be continuous on

0
,
1

×
ℝ

satisfying a mild Lipschitz assumption. Based on the Banach fixed point theorem on an appropriate space, we prove that this problem possesses a unique continuous solution

u

satisfying

u

t

≤
c
ω

t

,
for
 
t
∈

0
,
1

 
and
 
c
>
0
,

where

ω

t

≔

t

α
−
2

1
−
t

2

.
Handling Imbalance Classification Virtual Screening Big Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Hussin Sahar K. , Abdelmageid Salah M. , Alkhalil Adel , Omar Yasser M. , Marie Mahmoud I. , Ramadan Rabie A.
Published: January 2021

Virtual screening is the most critical process in drug discovery, and it relies on machine learning to facilitate the screening process. It enables the discovery of molecules that bind to a specific protein to form a drug. Despite its benefits, virtual screening generates enormous data and suffers from drawbacks such as high dimensions and imbalance. This paper tackles data imbalance and aims to improve virtual screening accuracy, especially for a minority dataset. For a dataset identified without considering the data’s imbalanced nature, most classification methods tend to have high predictive accuracy for the majority category. However, the accuracy was significantly poor for the minority category. The paper proposes a K‐mean algorithm coupled with Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) to overcome the problem of imbalanced datasets. The proposed algorithm is named as KSMOTE. Using KSMOTE, minority data can be identified at high accuracy and can be detected at high precision. A large set of experiments were implemented on Apache Spark using numeric PaDEL and fingerprint descriptors. The proposed solution was compared to both no‐sampling method and SMOTE on the same datasets. Experimental results showed that the proposed solution outperformed other methods.
Comparison of Standard and Transepithelial Corneal Cross-Linking for the Treatment of Keratoconus: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Di Yu , Wang Jingyi , Li Ying , Jiang Yang
Published: January 2021

Purpose. To compare the clinical results of standard corneal cross-linking (SCXL) with transepithelial corneal cross-linking (TECXL) in progressive keratoconus using a meta-analysis. Methods. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to June 2020 to identify relevant studies. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Primary outcomes were change in uncorrected distance visual acuity and maximum keratometry (Kmax) after CXL. Secondary outcomes were change in corrected distance visual acuity, mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), spherical and cylindrical error, endothelial cells density (ECD), and central corneal thickness (CCT). Results. Sixteen studies with a total of 690 eyes (SCXL: 332 eyes; TECXL: 358 eyes) were included. At the last follow-up, SCXL provided a greater decrease in maximum keratometry (Kmax) than TECXL (weighted mean difference (WMD) −1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.96, −0.29). For the other outcomes, there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions. Except for a greater decrease in Kmax with SCXL group, both groups have a comparable effect on visual, pachymetric, and endothelial parameters at 24 months after surgery. Larger studies with a longer follow-up time are necessary to determine whether these techniques are comparable in the long term.
Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Barry Mazin
Published: January 2021

Objective. Data on the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Middle Eastern and North African countries are scarce. We aimed to review all relevant published data in countries belonging to this region to determine the overall prevalence of LTBI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Methods. In this systematic review PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for observational, prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional, and cohort studies providing prevalence data of LTBI in any MENA country. Studies fulfilling the search criteria were incorporated in the review. Overall prevalence of LTBI with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated using the random-effects model; heterogeneity was assessed usingI2statistics. Gender and age group-based subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the basis of heterogeneity. Results. The total number of overall LTBI studies identified was 956, of which 31 studies from ten countries within the MENA region were included that represented 12,439 subjects. The overall prevalence was 41.78% (95% CI 31.18% to 52.78%,I2=99.31%). By gender-based subgroup analysis, the prevalence of LTBI was 33.12% (95% CI 18.97% to 49.04%,I2=99.25%) and 32.65% (95% CI 19.79% to 47%,I2=98.89%) in males and females, respectively, while in the age-based subgroup analysis, the prevalence of LTBI was 0.44% (95% CI -0.05% to 0.9%), 3.37% (95% CI 2.23% to 4.74%,I2=0%), and 43.81% (95% CI 33.09% to 54.82%,I2=99.18%) for children, adolescents, and adults, respectively. Conclusion. This systematic review reveals a high prevalence of LTBI in the MENA region; enhanced LTBI surveillance and prompt infection prevention steps are urgently needed to prevent active tuberculosis, this would help achieve the World Health Organization End TB Strategy 2035, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 target in the MENA region.
PLDP: Personalized Local Differential Privacy for Multidimensional Data Aggregation
Authors: Shen Zixuan , Xia Zhihua , Yu Peipeng
Published: January 2021

The collection of multidimensional crowdsourced data has caused a public concern because of the privacy issues. To address it, local differential privacy (LDP) is proposed to protect the crowdsourced data without much loss of usage, which is popularly used in practice. However, the existing LDP protocols ignore users’ personal privacy requirements in spite of offering good utility for multidimensional crowdsourced data. In this paper, we consider the personality of data owners in protection and utilization of their multidimensional data by introducing the notion of personalized LDP (PLDP). Specifically, we design personalized multiple optimized unary encoding (PMOUE) to perturb data owners’ data, which satisfies

ϵ

total

-PLDP. Then, the aggregation algorithm for frequency estimation on multidimensional data under PLDP is developed, which is described in two situations. Experiments are conducted on four real datasets, and the results show that the proposed aggregation algorithm yields high utility. Moreover, case studies with four real datasets demonstrate the efficiency and superiority of the proposed scheme.
Controllable Architecture of Mesoporous Double-Nanoshell SiO2/TiO2 Hollow Tube Based on Layer by Layer Method
Authors: Chen Zhenzhong , Li Jia , Zhang Zheng , Liang Jun-fa , Luo Qizhi , Chen Xuncai
Published: January 2021

Double-shell tubular on-dimensional structure can be fabricated through a layer by layer method, in which the core template was removed to create the tubular shape. In this paper, we report, for the first time, the double nanoshell SiO2/TiO2 hollow tubes prepared through a layer-by-layer deposition method involving the sol-gel process for the SiO2 and TiO2 generation. During TEOS and TEOT hydrolysis/condensation for the SiO2 and TiO2 shell layer formation, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is adopted both as the structure-directing template and as the mesopore-channel template distributing around the shell. The obtained double-nanoshell hollow tubes illustrate a large surface area and high pore volume. Also, mesoporous double-nanoshell SiO2/TiO2 hollow tubes have the inner and outer shell thickness of about 80 nm and 120 nm, respectively. Plus, the shell thickness of SiO2 and TiO2 is controllable depending on the used concentration of TEOS and TEOT during their sol-gel process. Therefore, the technique for the preparation of SiO2/TiO2 mesoporous double-nanoshell hollow tubes could provide new insights into the construction of mesoporous double-shell and hollow structure for other multicomponent and hierarchical hybrid systems.
Mechanical Properties and Microscopic Geological Features under Uniaxial Compression in Tight Reservoir
Authors: Ren Dazhong , Yang Fu , Duan Zhonghui , Tian Tao , Zhou Ran , Liu Dengke
Published: January 2021

In this study, to investigate the mechanical properties and microscopic geological features, a series of uniaxial compression, petrophysical properties, X-ray diffraction, elements, and conductivity tests were conducted. The results indicate that quartz and plagioclase are essential minerals determining Upper Triassic sandstone compositions, while quartz plays a dominant role in the Lower Permian sandstones. Due to microcracks, the relationships between porosity and permeability of Upper Triassic sandstones are better than those of Lower Permian sandstones. Observations have shown that silicon and aluminum are the main elements of those rocks. The rocks which have large porosity and permeability have a strong capacity of anticompression resistance. There are good consistencies between the mechanical behavior and the high proportion of rigid minerals. Similarly, the rocks which have abundant silicon and aluminum could better support the structural integrity of rocks. High pore structure heterogeneity and abundant clay minerals have positive influence on the mechanical resistance. Shales have distinct plastic deformation features when compared with the sandstones.
An Improved Car-Following Model considering Desired Safety Distance and Heterogeneity of Driver’s Sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Shengrui , Zhou Bei , Jiao Shuaiyang , Huang Yan
Published: January 2021

We investigate the dynamic performance of traffic flow using a modified optimal velocity car-following model. In the car-following scenarios, the following vehicle must continuously adjust the following distance to the preceding vehicle in real time. A new optimal velocity function incorporating the desired safety distance instead of a preset constant is presented first to describe the abovementioned car-following behavior dynamically. The boundary conditions of the new optimal velocity function are theoretically analyzed. Subsequently, we propose an improved car-following model by combining the heterogeneity of driver’s sensitivity based on the new optimal velocity function and previous car-following model. The stability criterion of the improved model is obtained through the linear analysis method. Finally, numerical simulation is performed to explore the effect of the desired safety distance and the heterogeneity of driver’s sensitivity on the traffic flow. Results show that the proposed model has considerable effects on improving traffic stability and suppressing traffic congestion. Furthermore, the proposed model is compatible with the heterogeneity of driver’s sensitivity and can enhance the average velocity of traffic flow compared with the conventional model. In conclusion, the dynamic performance of traffic flow can be improved by considering the desired safety distance and the heterogeneity of driver’s sensitivity in the car-following model.
Community Public Safety Evaluation System Based on Location Information Service Architecture
Authors: Zhao Zili
Published: January 2021

The establishment of communities is for the better operation and management of cities, and community safety has gradually become a topic of increasing concern. It is not only an important part of the community public safety system, but also the foundation of social and economic development. With the improvement of the overall economic level of society, wireless network coverage has been greatly improved, smart devices have also been rapidly developed and popularized, and location-based information service systems have gradually entered the field of community public safety. At present, my country still lacks experience in community safety management. At the same time, there is no complete set of standards and evaluation system for the public safety evaluation system of urban communities. However, community public safety involves people’s livelihood issues and the stability and development of the city. Therefore, it is urgent to build a community public safety evaluation system based on the location information service architecture. Based on the safety community research and location service system, this paper uses the combination of theory and practice, quantitative and qualitative methods, and tentatively explored and constructed a community public safety evaluation system based on the location information service architecture. This article integrates location information service technology into the community public safety evaluation system, selects three indicator factors, investigates a more comprehensive evaluation subject, and combines the evaluation subject’s qualitative evaluation of community public safety with quantitative evaluation through fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. This paper conducts an empirical analysis of a certain community and finds that its public safety evaluation score is 62.6232 points, which is in the “general” ranks, and it needs to be combined with the location information service system to improve the community safety issues. This study has guiding significance for ensuring community public safety and has theoretical and practical significance for community construction and development.
Interaction of Two-Level Atom with Squeezed Vacuum Reservoir
Authors: Abebe Tamirat , Jobir Demissie , Gashu Chimdessa , Mosisa Ebisa
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the quantum properties of a two-level atom interaction with squeezed vacuum reservoir is throughly analyzed. With the aid of the interaction Hamiltonian and the master equation, we obtain the time evolution of the expectation values of the atomic operators. Employing the steady-state solution of these equations, we calculate the power spectrum and the second-order correlation function for the interaction of two-level atom with squeezed vacuum reservoir. It is found that the half width of the power spectrum of the light increases with the squeeze parameter,

r

. Furthermore, in the absence of decay constant and interaction time, it enhances the probability for the atom to be in the upper level.
Search Path Planning Algorithm Based on the Probability of Containment Model
Authors: Ren Jia , Liu Kun , Cui Yani , Du Wencai
Published: January 2021

The location of distress object in the maritime search area is difficult to determine, which has brought great difficulties to the search path planning. Aiming at this problem, a search path planning algorithm based on the probability of containment (POC) model for a distress object is proposed. This algorithm divides the area to be searched into several subareas by grid method and dynamically evaluates the POC of the distress object in each subarea using the Monte Carlo random particle method to build the POC model. On this basis, the POC is dynamically updated by employing the Bayes criterion within the constraint of the time window. Then, the sum of the POC of the object in the subareas is regarded as the weight of the search path. And the proposed algorithm dynamically executes the search path planning according to the maximum path weight. In comparison with the parallel line search path planning algorithm given in the “International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual,” the simulation results show that the search path planning algorithm based on the POC model of the distress object can effectively improve the search efficiency and the probability of search success of the distress object.
Methylation of 45S Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) Is Associated with Cancer and Aging in Humans
Authors: Shao Fengqing , Liu Xiaoqi , Zhang Xianzhi , Wang Qi , Wang Wencai
Published: January 2021

Cancer and aging, two distinct processes of cell development, are two major problems threatening our human health and life in current days. Epigenetic studies, especially DNA methylation, have been intensively investigated on them over the years, though a lot of unanswered issues remain. In the human genome, rDNA is a highly conserved tandem repeat family playing critical roles in protein synthesis, genome stability and integrity, etc. More importantly, rDNA is the significant target of DNA methylation, and a potential association between rDNA methylation and cancer and aging has emerged recently. However, whether there is a general trend that rDNA methylation is associated with cancer and aging remains an open issue. In this study, the involvement of rDNA methylation in a series of records of cancer and aging was investigated and summarized, upon which perspectives about rDNA methylation in cancer and aging were proposed. The results showed that rDNA methylation in most cancer cases displayed a consistent pattern with hypermethylation in the coding region but with hypomethylation in the promoter region, which likely facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of cancerous cells. Distinctively, both the coding and promoter regions of rDNA become increasingly methylated during the process of aging, indicating the decline of rDNA activity. The finding of rDNA methylation also implies its potential application as an epigenetic biomarker in the diagnosis of cancer and aging. This work will shed light on our understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and aging from the perspective of rDNA methylation.
The Polymethoxy Flavonoid Sudachitin Inhibits Interleukin‐1β‐Induced Inflammatory Mediator Production in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells
Authors: Hosokawa Yoshitaka , Hosokawa Ikuko , Ozaki Kazumi , Matsuo Takashi
Published: January 2021

Sudachitin, which is a polymethoxylated flavonoid found in the peel of Citrus sudachi, has some biological activities. However, the effect of sudachitin on periodontal resident cells is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine if sudachitin could decrease the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in interleukin‐ (IL‐) 1β‐stimulated human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLC). Sudachitin inhibited IL‐1β‐induced IL‐6, IL‐8, CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)10, CC chemokine ligand (CCL)2, MMP‐1, and MMP‐3 production in HPDLC. On the other hand, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐ (TIMP‐) 1 expression was increased by sudachitin treatment. Moreover, we found that the nuclear factor‐ (NF‐) κB and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways in the IL‐1β‐stimulated HPDLC were inhibited by sudachitin treatment. These findings indicate that sudachitin is able to reduce inflammatory mediator production in IL‐1β‐stimulated HPDLC by inhibiting NF‐κB and Akt pathways.
Preparation of an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor on Polyaniline‐Coated Graphite
Authors: Neupane Shova , Bhusal Suresh , Subedi Vivek , Nakarmi Krishna Badan , Gupta Dipak Kumar , Yadav Ram Jeewan , Yadav Amar Prasad
Published: January 2021

Control of glucose concentration has tremendous significance in medical diagnosis, pharmaceuticals, food, and fermentation industries. Herein, we report on the fabrication of a facile, low‐cost, and sensitive enzyme‐based amperometric sensor using the electrochemically deposited polyaniline (PANI) film on a graphite electrode. PANI was deposited from an aqueous solution of 0.2 M aniline in 1.0 M hydrocholoric acid (HCl) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Surface morphology and composition characterization of the PANI film were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Potentiostatic immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOX) enzyme in the PANI film was carried out at 0.75 V to fabricate an amperometric glucose biosensor (GOx/PANI/graphite biosensor). The glucose concentration response of the prepared sensor was studied amperometrically by detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The detection of H2O2 was optimized by calibrating the effects of pH, reduction potential, and background current. A reduction potential of ‐0.4 V at pH 6 was the best combination to get a maximum amperometric response of the GOx/PANI/graphite biosensor. A stable current response was obtained in 4 min with a high reproducibility in linearity within the concentration range of 0.01 M‐0.1 M D‐glucose. Therefore, the fabricated GOx/PANI/graphite biosensor could be a promising candidate for glucose sensing.