bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
G-CSF as a suitable alternative to GM-CSF to boost dinutuximab-mediated neutrophil cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma treatment
Authors: Martinez Sanz Paula , van Rees Dieke J , van Zogchel Lieke M J , Klein Bart , Bouti Panagiota , Olsman Hugo , Schornagel Karin , Kok Ivana , Sunak Ali , Leeuwenburg Kira , Timmerman Ilse , Dierselhuis Miranda P , Kholosy Waleed M , Molenaar Jan J , van Bruggen Robin , van den Berg Timo K , Kuijpers Taco W , Matlung Hanke L , Tytgat Godelieve A M , Franke Katka
Published: May 2021

Background

Current immunotherapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma involves the therapeutic antibody dinutuximab that targets GD2, a ganglioside expressed on the majority of neuroblastoma tumors. Opsonized tumor cells are killed through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a process mediated by various immune cells, including neutrophils. The capacity of neutrophils to kill dinutuximab-opsonized tumor cells can be further enhanced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which has been shown in the past to improve responses to anti-GD2 immunotherapy. However, access to GM-CSF (sargramostim) is limited outside of Northern America, creating a high clinical need for an alternative method to stimulate dinutuximab responsiveness in the treatment of neuroblastoma. In this in vitro study, we have investigated whether clinically well-established granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can be a potentially suitable alternative for GM-CSF in the dinutuximab immunotherapy regimen of patients with neuroblastoma.

Methods

We compared the capacity of neutrophils stimulated either in vitro or in vivo with GM-CSF or G-CSF to kill dinutuximab-opsonized GD2-positive neuroblastoma cell lines and primary patient tumor material. Blocking experiments with antibodies inhibiting either respective Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) or neutrophil integrin CD11b/CD18 demonstrated the involvement of these receptors in the process of ADCC. Flow cytometry and live cell microscopy were used to quantify and visualize neutrophil-neuroblastoma interactions.

Results

We found that G-CSF was as potent as GM-CSF in enhancing the killing capacity of neutrophils towards neuroblastoma cells. This was observed with in vitro stimulated neutrophils, and with in vivo stimulated neutrophils from both patients with neuroblastoma and healthy donors. Enhanced killing due to GM-CSF or G-CSF stimulation was consistent regardless of dinutuximab concentration, tumor-to-neutrophil ratio and concentration of the stimulating cytokine. Both GM-CSF and G-CSF stimulated neutrophils required FcγRIIa and CD11b/CD18 integrin to perform ADCC, and this was accompanied by trogocytosis of tumor material by neutrophils and tumor cell death in both stimulation conditions.

Conclusions

Our preclinical data support the use of G-CSF as an alternative stimulating cytokine to GM-CSF in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma with dinutuximab, warranting further testing of G-CSF in a clinical setting.
In situ delivery of iPSC-derived dendritic cells with local radiotherapy generates systemic antitumor immunity and potentiates PD-L1 blockade in preclinical poorly immunogenic tumor models
Authors: Oba Takaaki , Makino Kenichi , Kajihara Ryutaro , Yokoi Toshihiro , Araki Ryoko , Abe Masumi , Minderman Hans , Chang Alfred E , Odunsi Kunle , Ito Fumito
Published: May 2021

Background

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a promising therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy given their ability to prime antigen-specific T cells, and initiate antitumor immune response. A major obstacle for DC-based immunotherapy is the difficulty to obtain a sufficient number of functional DCs. Theoretically, this limitation can be overcome by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); however, therapeutic strategies to engage iPSC-derived DCs (iPSC-DCs) into cancer immunotherapy remain to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence showing that induction of tumor-residing DCs enhances immunomodulatory effect of radiotherapy (RT) prompted us to investigate antitumor efficacy of combining intratumoral administration of iPSC-DCs with local RT.

Methods

Mouse iPSCs were differentiated to iPSC-DCs on OP9 stromal cells expressing the notch ligand delta-like 1 in the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Phenotype and the capacities of iPSC-DCs to traffic tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLNs) and prime antigen-specific T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry. Antitumor efficacy of intratumoral injection of iPSC-DCs and RT was tested in syngeneic orthotopic mouse tumor models resistant to anti-PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy.

Results

Mouse iPSC-DCs phenotypically resembled conventional type 2 DCs, and had a capacity to promote activation, proliferation and effector differentiation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of the cognate antigen in vitro. Combination of in situ administration of iPSC-DCs and RT facilitated the priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, and synergistically delayed the growth of not only the treated tumor but also the distant non-irradiated tumors. Mechanistically, RT enhanced trafficking of intratumorally injected iPSC-DCs to the TdLN, upregulated CD40 expression, and increased the frequency of DC/CD8+ T cell aggregates. Phenotypic analysis of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and myeloid cells revealed an increase of stem-like Slamf6+ TIM3− CD8+ T cells and PD-L1 expression in tumor-associated macrophages and DCs. Consequently, combined therapy rendered poorly immunogenic tumors responsive to anti-PD-L1 therapy along with the development of tumor-specific immunological memory.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate the translational potential of iPSC-DCs, and identify the therapeutic efficacy of a combinatorial platform to engage them for overcoming resistance to anti-PD-L1 therapy in poorly immunogenic tumors.
T cell mediated hypersensitivity to previously tolerated iodinated contrast media precipitated by introduction of atezolizumab
Authors: Hammond Sean , Olsson-Brown Anna , Gardner Joshua , Thomson Paul , Ali Serat-E , Jolly Carol , Carr Dan , Ressel Lorenzo , Pirmohamed Munir , Naisbitt Dean
Published: May 2021

Many adverse reactions associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments are immunologically driven and may necessitate discontinuation of the ICI. Herein, we present a patient who had been administered the radio contrast media amidotrizoate multiple times without issue but who then developed a Stevens-Johnson syndrome reaction after coadministration of atezolizumab. Causality was confirmed by a positive re-challenge with amidotrizoate and laboratory investigations that implicated T cells. Importantly, the introduction of atezolizumab appears to have altered the immunologic response to amidotrizoate in terms of the tolerance–elicitation continuum. Proof of concept studies demonstrated enhancement of recall responses to a surrogate antigen panel followingin-vitro(healthy donors) andin-vivo(ICI patients) administrations of ICIs. Our findings highlight the importance of considering all concomitant medications in patients on ICIs who develop immune-mediated adverse reactions. In the event of some immune-related adverse reactions, it may be critical to identify the culprit antigen-forming entity that the ICIs have altered the perception of rather than simply attribute causality to the ICI itself in order to optimize both patient safety and treatment of malignancies.
Preparation and catalytic property of composite ionic liquid immobilized on SBA-15
Authors: Lining Shan , Haiyue Wang , Liying Guo , Rongrong Zheng , Lili Shi , Shuo Zhang
Published: May 2021

In this work, we report a more simple and efficient way to synthesize a composite ionic liquid (IL) ([BMIM][Zn2Br5]) by directly coupling the IL with molecular sieves. Two kinds of immobilized catalysts were successfully synthesized: SBA-15-[BMIM][Zn2Br5] and SBA-15-CPTES-[BMIM][Zn2Br5]. The catalysts were used to catalyze the cycloaddition reaction of continuous transformation of CO2 and propylene oxide, and the catalytic performance of catalysts was further studied. Compared with the traditional IL catalysts, the catalysts not only have excellent catalytic performance, but also have a significantly longer service life. This is because the catalysts are formed by a high energy chemical bond of silane between IL catalysts and molecular sieves, which can effectively solve the problem of the loss of IL active components in the catalytic process.
Two-loop renormalisation of gauge theories in 4D implicit regularisation and connections to dimensional methods
Authors: Cherchiglia A. , Arias-Perdomo D. C. , Vieira A. R. , Sampaio M. , Hiller B.
Published: May 2021

We compute the two-loop $$\beta $$
β
-function of scalar and spinorial quantum electrodynamics as well as pure Yang–Mills and quantum chromodynamics using the background field method in a fully quadridimensional setup using implicit regularization (IREG). Moreover, a thorough comparison with dimensional approaches such as conventional dimensional regularization (CDR) and dimensional reduction (DRED) is presented. Subtleties related to Lorentz algebra contractions/symmetric integrations inside divergent integrals as well as renormalisation schemes are carefully discussed within IREG where the renormalisation constants are fully defined as basic divergent integrals to arbitrary loop order. Moreover, we confirm the hypothesis that momentum routing invariance in the loops of Feynman diagrams implemented via setting well-defined surface terms to zero deliver non-abelian gauge invariant amplitudes within IREG just as it has been proven for abelian theories.
Shadow cast by a rotating and nonlinear magnetic-charged black hole in perfect fluid dark matter
Authors: Ma Tian-Chi , Zhang He-Xu , He Peng-Zhang , Zhang Hao-Ran , Chen Yuan , Deng Jian-Bo
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we derived an exact solution of the spherically symmetric Hayward black hole surrounded by perfect fluid dark matter (PFDM). By applying the Newman–Janis algorithm, we generalized it to the corresponding rotating black hole. Then, we studied the shadows of rotating Hayward black hole in PFDM. The apparent shape of the shadow depends upon the black hole spin [Formula: see text], the magnetic charge [Formula: see text] and the PFDM intensity parameter [Formula: see text]. The shadow is a perfect circle in the non-rotating case [Formula: see text] and a deformed one in the rotating case [Formula: see text]. For a fixed value of [Formula: see text], the size of the shadow increases with the increasing [Formula: see text], but decreases with the increasing [Formula: see text]. We further investigated the black hole emission rate. We found that the emission rate decreases with the increasing [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text]) and the peak of the emission shifts to lower frequency. Finally, we discussed the observational prospects corresponding to the supermassive black hole Sgr A[Formula: see text] at the center of the Milky Way.
Comparative analysis of (Zinc ferrite, Nickel Zinc ferrite) hybrid nanofluids slip flow with entropy generation
Authors: Xiong P.-Y. , Khan M. Ijaz , Gowda R. J. Punith , Kumar R. Naveen , Prasannakumara B. C. , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: May 2021

This investigation is about hybrid nanofluid flowing over a sheet. We considered two-dimensional Darcy–Forchheimer flow of different hybrid nanofluids with the influence of uniform heat source sink and nonlinear thermal radiation. Different nanoparticles can be used to improve the thermal conductivity of a liquid. A study comparing the various hybrid nanofluids to nanofluid is considered. Here, we have selected manganese Zinc ferrite and Nickel Zinc ferrite as nanoparticles with kerosene oil and engine oil as carrier liquids. Suitable similarity transformations are used to construct the required ordinary differential equations. The influence of several non-dimensional parameters on velocity and thermal gradients is analyzed through graphs. Also, entropy generation is computed and analyzed through graph for different involved parameters. Here, we observed that [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] had lower velocity when compared to other two solutions. The entropy generation and Bejan number are high in [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] when compared to [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] and increase in heat generation parameter increases the rate of heat transfer.
Super-Resolution Based on Generative Adversarial Network for HRTEM Images
Authors: Mao Fuqi , Guan Xiaohan , Wang Ruoyu , Yue Wen
Published: May 2021

As an important tool to study the microstructure and properties of materials, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) images can obtain the lattice fringe image (reflecting the crystal plane spacing information), structure image and individual atom image (which reflects the configuration of atoms or atomic groups in crystal structure). Despite the rapid development of HTTEM devices, HRTEM images still have limited achievable resolution for human visual system. With the rapid development of deep learning technology in recent years, researchers are actively exploring the Super-resolution (SR) model based on deep learning, and the model has reached the current best level in various SR benchmarks. Using SR to reconstruct high-resolution HRTEM image is helpful to the material science research. However, there is one core issue that has not been resolved: most of these super-resolution methods require the training data to exist in pairs. In actual scenarios, especially for HRTEM images, there are no corresponding HR images. To reconstruct high quality HRTEM image, a novel Super-Resolution architecture for HRTEM images is proposed in this paper. Borrowing the idea from Dual Regression Networks (DRN), we introduce an additional dual regression structure to ESRGAN, by training the model with unpaired HRTEM images and paired nature images. Results of extensive benchmark experiments demonstrate that the proposed method achieves better performance than the most resent SISR methods with both quantitative and visual results.
Dynamics of a Bistable Current-Controlled Locally-Active Memristor
Authors: Gu Meiyuan , Wang Guangyi , Liu Jingbiao , Liang Yan , Dong Yujiao , Ying Jiajie
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a novel current-controlled locally-active memristor model to reveal the switching and oscillating characteristics of locally-active devices. It is shown that the memristor has two asymptotically stable equilibrium points on its power-off plot and therefore exhibits nonvolatility. Switching from one stable equilibrium point to another is achieved by applying a suitable current pulse. The locally-active characteristic of the memristor is measured by the DC [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] plot. A small-signal equivalent circuit on a locally-active operating point with the bias current [Formula: see text] is constructed for describing the characteristic of the locally-active region of the memristor. A periodic oscillator circuit composed of the locally-active memristor, a compensation inductor and a resistor is proposed, whose dynamics is analyzed in detail by using the Hopf bifurcation and the zeros and poles of the impendence function of the circuit. It is found that the locally-active memristor based circuit with different current biases or different initial conditions can exhibit different dynamics such as periodic oscillation and stable equilibrium point. If an energy storage element (capacitor) is added to the periodic oscillation circuit, a chaotic oscillator is obtained, which can exhibit abundant dynamics. The oscillation mechanism of the memristor-based oscillator is analyzed via dynamic route map (DRM), showing that the memristor is an essential device for generating periodic and chaotic oscillations, and its local activity is the cause for complex oscillations.
A Novel Nonideal Flux-Controlled Memristor Model for Generating Arbitrary Multi-Double-Scroll and Multi-Double-Wing Attractors
Authors: Zhang Sen , Zheng Jiahao , Wang Xiaoping , Zeng Zhigang , Peng Xuenan
Published: May 2021

This paper proposes a novel nonideal flux-controlled memristor model with a multipiecewise linear memductance function, which can be used to construct a memristive multi-scroll or multi-wing chaotic system. Importantly, arbitrary multi-double-scroll and multi-double-wing attractors can be generated depending on this memristor model directly and without the need to change the original nonlinear terms of the system. Another highlight is that the odd or even number of the double-scroll and double-wing attractors can also be freely controlled by the memristor model. To further illustrate these unique features, by introducing the memristor model into two classical chaotic systems, i.e. Jerk system and Lorenz system, multi-double-scroll and multi-double-wing chaotic attractors are obtained respectively. The formation mechanism of the multi-double-wing and multi-double-scroll attractors is also discussed. Moreover, the randomness of the chaotic binary sequences generated by the proposed memristor model is tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology test suite. The tested results are better than those of the well-known Lorenz system. Furthermore, the corresponding circuits are constructed. The experimental results and the numerical simulations coincide well with each other, showing the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed memristor model.
Efficient Image Inpainting Using Dimensional Space Reduction via Adaptive Patch-based Concept and Rank Lowering Technique
Authors: Peyvandi Kimia , Yaghmaee Farzin
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we present a new algorithm for image inpainting using low dimensional feature space. In our method, projecting a low dimensional space from the original space is accomplished firstly using SVD, which is named low rank component, and then the missing pixels are filled in the new space. Finally, the original image is inpainted so that adaptive patch size is considered by quad-tree based on the previous step. In our algorithm, the missing pixels in the target region are estimated twice, one in low dimension feature space and another in the original space. It is noticeable that both processes estimate the unknown pixels using patch-based idea and rank lowering concept. Experimental results of this algorithm show better consistency in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.
Elastic scattering for π+p using the Klein–Gordon equation
Authors: Arceo R. , Sandoval L. M. , Pedraza Omar , López L. A. , León-Soto G. , Martínez-Castro J.
Published: May 2021

Dispersion studies were made using the radial Klein–Gordon equation. The radial Klein–Gordon equation was solved numerically using the Yukawa potential and the solutions obtained were introduced in the [Formula: see text] matrix to calculate the cross-sections. This analysis was made for pions with protons at high energies. The coupling constant was adjusted in the potential to compare with experimental data and to set bounds for the parameter of the model.
DESIGNING SYSTEMS BOTTOM UP: FACETS AND PROBLEMS
Authors: SCHWEITZER FRANK
Published: May 2021

Systems design utilizes top-down and bottom-up approaches to influence social or economic systems such that a desired outcome is obtained. We characterize different approaches like network controllability, network interventions, nudging and mechanism design and discuss the problems involved. We argue that systems design cannot be reduced to solving complex optimization problems.
Insights on the polypyrrole based nanoformulations for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Kirar Seema , Thakur Neeraj Singh , Reddy Yeddula Nikhileshwar , Banerjee Uttam Chand , Bhaumik Jayeeta
Published: May 2021

This review is written to endow updated information on polypyrrole based photosensitizers for the treatment of deadly diseases such as cancer and microbial infection. Tetrapyrrolic macromolecules such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines hold unique photophysical properties which make them very useful compounds for various biomedical applications. Besides their properties, they also have some limitations such as low water solubility, bioavailability, biocompatibility and lack of specificity, etc. Researchers are trying to overcome these limitations by incorporating photosensitizers into the different types of nanoparticles and improve the quality of photodynamic therapy. We have contributed to this field by synthesizing and developing polypyrrolic photosensitizer based nanoparticles for potential applications in antimicrobial and anticancer photodynamic activity. Throughout this review, newly synthesized and existing PSs conjugated/encapsulated/doped/incorporated with nanoparticles are emphasized, which are essential for current and future research themes. Also in this review, we briefly summarized the research work carried over the past few years by considering the porphyrin based photosensitizers as alternative therapeutic entities for the treatment of microbial infections, cancers, and many other diseases.
High-selective room-temperature NO2 sensors based on a coumarin-substituted tris(phthalocyaninato) europium
Authors: Wu Yanling , Wei Chuangyu , Wang Hongyuan , Mei Zhuang , Xing Qianli , Su Jie , Ning Zeyu , Chen Yanli , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: May 2021

A novel coumarin-substituted phthalocyaninato triple-decker complex, Eu2[Pc(Cou)4]3 is designed and synthesized successfully. Introduction of the coumarin substituents onto the periphery of a phthalocyanine ring in the sandwich-type phthalocyaninato triple-decker not only increased the solubility and improved the film-forming ability, but also importantly ensured the suitable HOMO and LUMO energy levels. The solution-processed thin film of the Eu2[Pc(Cou)4]3 was prepared by a simple and low-cost quasi–Langmuir–Shäfer (QLS) method and applied as the gas sensor for the detection of NO2. Importantly, within the dynamic exposure period of 1 min, balanced, stable, a reproducible [Formula: see text]-type response to electron-accepting gas NO2 in the range of 4–35 ppm, was revealed, based on the QLS film of Eu2[Pc(Cou)4]3 complex at room temperature, dependant on the optimized molecular packing in [Formula: see text]-aggregation mode with a large specific surface area and good film conductivity.
CONFIGURATIONS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, INNOVATION, AND PERFORMANCE: EXPLORING FIRMS FROM BRAZIL
Authors: DÁVILA GUILLERMO ANTONIO , DOS ANJOS EDILENE CAVALCANTI
Published: May 2021

This paper identifies the profiles of Brazilian firms according to their use of knowledge management (KM) practices, and then compares both innovative performance and organisational performance among these profiles. It contributes to the knowledge-based view literature by extending our knowledge about the most efficient configurations of KM practices in emerging countries. A sample of 206 Brazilian firms was surveyed, and cluster analysis was used for identifying the firm profiles. We found that in emerging countries like Brazil, there are different firm profiles regarding the KM practices they use, and these configurations may lead the firm to different levels of performance. Specifically, we found that firms that achieve superior innovation performance have configurations of KM practices that include a high use of strategic management of knowledge, Information and communication technologies (ICT) that supports KM, and three knowledge-based human resource management practices: recruitment, training and development, and appraisal.
Effects of crystallization kinetics on the dielectric and electrical properties of BiFeO3films
Authors: González-Abreu Y. , Reis S. P. , Freitas F. E. , Eiras J. A. , Araújo E. B.
Published: May 2021

BiFeO3 thin films were prepared using the chemical solution route on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si(100) substrates under different crystallization kinetics. The crystallization kinetic effects on the dielectric and electrical properties have been investigated. These properties included dielectric permittivity, electric modulus, electrical conductivity measurements as a function of the temperature (300–525 K) and frequency (102–106 Hz), and leakage current measurements electric field range ± 30 kV/cm at room temperature. The differences observed in conductivity and current density of the BiFeO3 films were discussed in terms of possible defects induced by the crystallization kinetic. An anomalous relaxor-like dielectric behavior characterized by a broad maximum in the real dielectric permittivity as a function of temperature and the low-frequency dielectric dispersion has been observed. The nonexpected peaks in the real permittivity were accompanied by increasing at least four orders in the conductivity’s magnitude at high temperatures. The origin of the relaxor-like dielectric anomalies is discussed, suggesting that the dielectric permittivity peaks are artifacts due to carrier migration correlated to the onset of the Maxwell–Wagner effect.
Clustering financial time series to generate a new method of factor neutralization: An empirical study
Authors: Chen Yudong , Xu Renzhe , Wang Jiawei , Yang Hao , Wang Xiong
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we consider the problem of clustering the long financial time series of the Chinese A-share market, applying [Formula: see text]-means, [Formula: see text]-Shape, agglomerative hierarchical clustering, affinity propagation, and Gaussian mixture to redivide the Chinese stock market. The results after parameter tuning show that the stocks in redivided industries are more similar than those of Shenwan first-class industry. Then we generate a new method of factor neutralization, using the new industries to neutralize factors, and then constructing the investment portfolios to test the four basic factors. The experimental results show that the investment portfolio based on [Formula: see text]-means can steadily defeat the benchmark and the portfolio based on classical industry classification. This new method of factor neutralization can bring a stable and effective improvement to the returns of the factors and it is allowed be applied to other factors, which has a significant impact on factor investing.
Existence of Solitary Waves in a Perturbed KdV-mKdV Equation
Authors: Li Chengqun , Wei Minzhi , Lin Yuanhua
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we establish the existence of a solitary wave in a KdV-mKdV equation with dissipative perturbation by applying the geometric singular perturbation technique and Melnikov function. The distance of the stable manifold and unstable manifold is computed to show the existence of the homoclinic loop for the related ordinary differential equation systems on the slow manifold, which implies the existence of a solitary wave for the KdV-mKdV equation with dissipative perturbation.
Constraint Satisfaction for Motion Feasibility Checking
Authors: Lee Seokjun , Kim Incheol
Published: May 2021

Task and motion planning (TAMP) is a key research field for robotic manipulation tasks. The goal of TAMP is to generate motion-feasible task plan automatically. Existing methods for checking motion feasibility of task plan skeletons have some limitations of semantic-free pose candidate sampling, weak search heuristics, and early value commitment. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose a novel constraint satisfaction framework for checking motion feasibility of task plan skeletons. Our framework provides (1) a semantic pose candidate sampling method, (2) novel variable and constraint ordering heuristics based on intra- and inter-action dependencies in a task plan skeleton, and (3) an efficient search strategy using constraint propagation. Based upon these techniques, our framework can improve the efficiency of motion feasibility checking for TAMP. From experiments using the humanoid robot PR2, we show that the motion feasibility checking in our framework is 1.4x to 6.0x faster than previous ones.
Green Internet of Things and Big Data Application in Smart Cities Development
Authors: Yang Zhai , Jianjun Liu , Faqiri Humaira , Shafik Wasswa , Talal Abdulrahman Alanazi , Yusuf M. , Sharawy A.M.
Published: May 2021

This study reveals that increases in the global population command an augmented demand for products and services that calls for more effective ways of using existing natural resources and materials. The recent development of information and communication technologies, which had a great impact on many areas, also had a damaging effect on the environment and human health. Therefore, societies are moving toward a greener future by reducing the consumption of nonrenewable materials, raw materials, and resources while at the same time decreasing energy pollution and consumption. Since information technology is considered a tool for solving ecological difficulties, the green Internet of things (G‐IoT) is playing a vital role in creating a sustainable home. Extensive data analysis is required to obtain a valuable overview of the large and diverse data generated by the G‐IoT. The gathered information will facilitate forecasting, decision‐making, and other activities related to smart urban services and then contribute to the incessant development of G‐IoT technology. Therefore, even if sustainable and smart cities become an actuality, the G‐IoT approach and the knowledge gained through big data (BD) analysis will make cities more sustainable, safer, and smarter. The goal of this article is to combine innovation in technological development with the main focus on resource sharing in creating cities that improve the quality of life while reducing pollution and realizing more efficient use of the raw materials. In the practice of big data science, it is always of interest to provide the best description of the data under consideration. Recent studies have pointed out the applicability of the statistical distributions in modeling data in applied sciences. In this article, we introduce a new family of statistical models to provide the best description of the life span of the wireless sensors network’s data. Based on the proposed approach, a special submodel called new exponent power‐Weibull distribution is studied in detail. The applicability of the proposed model is shown by analyzing the life span of the wireless sensors network’s data.
Distance-Based Topological Polynomials Associated with Zero-Divisor Graphs
Authors: Ahmad Ali , López S. C.
Published: May 2021

Let

R

be a commutative ring with nonzero identity and let

Z

R

be its set of zero divisors. The zero-divisor graph of

R

is the graph

Γ

R

with vertex set

V

Γ

R

=

Z

R

∗

, where

Z

R

∗

=
Z

R

\

0

, and edge set

E

Γ

R

=

x
,
y

:
 
x
⋅
y
=
0

. One of the basic results for these graphs is that

Γ

R

is connected with diameter less than or equal to 3. In this paper, we obtain a few distance-based topological polynomials and indices of zero-divisor graph when the commutative ring is

ℤ

p

2

q

2

, namely, the Wiener index, the Hosoya polynomial, and the Shultz and the modified Shultz indices and polynomials.
Application of Montgomery T-Tube Placement in Treating Cotton-Myer IV Subglottic Airway Atresia after Bi-Level Airway Recanalization
Authors: Wu Fengjie , Yao Yangwei , Gu Yangyang , Yang Meng , Chen Enguo , Hu Huihui , Zhang Jisong , Dong Liangliang , Zhu Yeli
Published: May 2021

Objective. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of Montgomery T-tube placement in treating Cotton-Myer IV subglottic airway atresia after bi-level airway recanalization. Methods. This study is a retrospective study. 11 patients who were treated for IV subglottic airway atresia between January 2017 and January 2019 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University were involved in this study. The 11 patients all had undergone tracheotomies at our hospital, and they were transferred to the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine for Montgomery T-tube placement after bi-level airway recanalization when their subglottic airway was atretic. Patients were observed for their clinical manifestations after placement. The effectiveness of T-tube placement after bi-level airway recanalization was assessed. The incidence of short-term and long-term complications after surgery was assessed. Patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months for evaluating their airway recovery. Results. T-tubes were successfully placed in 11 patients. The atretic airways of all patients were recanalized after treatment. Eight patients got restoration of vocal ability, and 3 patients could only say simple words. None of the patients needed assisted oxygen inhalation. The SpO2 average level was increased from

95
±
2
%

before treatment to

97
±
3
%

after treatment. Patients had significant relief of cough or sputum, and they had less difficulty in dyspnea. All short- or long-term complications were self-relieved or controlled without further malignant progression after treatment by doctors. The average postoperative extubating time was (

14.86
±
3.62

) months. Conclusion. The application of Montgomery T-tube placement in treating Cotton-Myer IV subglottic airway atresia after bi-level airway recanalization is well effective and safe for patients, and it can be promoted in clinical treatment.
Comminuted Trapezium Fracture: Case Presentation and Review of Surgical Fixation Techniques
Authors: Spielman Amanda F. , Sankaranarayanan Sriram
Published: May 2021

We report a case of a 28-year-old male who sustained a comminuted trapezium fracture with carpometacarpal subluxation of the right hand. Treatment with internal fixation with a headless compression screw resulted in excellent outcomes.
Investigation of the Heterovalent Substitution Cadmium for Lanthanum in Molybdate La2MoO6
Authors: Chebyshev K. A. , Ignatov A. V. , Pasechnik L. V. , Selikova N. I. , Get`man E. I.
Published: May 2021

This paper presents the investigation of the heterovalent substitution of cadmium for lanthanum in the La2-xCdxMoO6-x/2 system. The samples were synthesized by the solid state reaction method at 1000°C. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction with Rietveld refinements, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy methods. The study results revealed that cadmium incorporation in the lanthanum molybdate leads to the transformation of the tetragonal structure of La2MoO6 to a cubic fluorite-like one. The content of the cubic phase reaches 94% in the Lа1.4Cd0.6MoO5.7 sample. The unit cell parameter of fluorite-like-phase decreases with cadmium content rising. The preferred location of cadmium ions in the cubic structure was established by the Rietveld refinement method. The heterovalent substitution cadmium for lanthanide in tetragonal La2MoO6 molybdate leads to the cubic fluorite phase stabilization in a similar way as it occurs in the process of reduction.
Evaluation of Efficacy of Various Surface Conditioning Methods on the Repair Bond Strength of Composite to Different Fracture Types of Zirconia Ceramics
Authors: Polat Serdar , Tokar Emre , Asar Neset Volkan , Kirmali Omer
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different surface treatment methods on shear bond strength between composite resin and different levels of zirconia ceramic. Laser surface-conditioning procedures have been reported as effective method to increase repair bond strength of composite to zirconia ceramics. Detailed information of effects of Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment with different pulse rates on the zirconia ceramics is lacking in the literature. 120 disc-shaped specimens were prepared including zirconia, veneering ceramic, and 50% veneering ceramic-50% zirconia surfaces. Four different surface treatments were applied to the specimens. These were grinding with diamond bur, sandblasting, and short and long pulse rates of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. An intraoral ceramic repair kit was used to repair specimens, and shear bond strength was performed on the composite resin to each specimen. The highest mean bond strength was seen in the veneering ceramic surface that was ground using a diamond bur, and the lowest mean bond strength value was observed in the same surface that was treated with long pulse laser irradiation. The sandblasting with alumina particles exhibited lower mean repairing bond strength among the rest of used methods in this study for the group which contained half of the veneering ceramic and half of the zirconia. Sandblasting and Er,Cr:YSGG laser using surface treatment procedures obtained appropriate bond strength for the group that included 50% veneering ceramic-50% zirconia, because of no significant differences observed among the applied surface conditioning methods in this group.
Effect of Sociodemographic Factors, Concomitant Disease States, and Measures Performed in the Emergency Department on Patient Disability in Ischemic Stroke: Retrospective Study from Lebanon
Authors: Malaeb Diana , Hallit Souheil , Al Harfany Hiba , Mansour Sara , Faugeras Frederic , Salameh Pascale , Hosseini Hassan
Published: May 2021

Background. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. The major factor affecting long-term survival other than age is the disability severity caused by stroke. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a global functional endpoint measurement used in acute stroke to evaluate the degree of disability or dependence in daily life activities. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of sociodemographic factors, concomitant disease states, and some measures performed in the emergency department (ED) on patients’ disability. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study on ischemic stroke patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit of three Lebanese university hospitals between June and December 2016. Patients were excluded if they had been discharged from ED without hospital admission or if mRS was not performed. The mRS was further subdivided into two categories considered as “good prognosis” (0-2 or 0-3) and “poor prognosis” (>2 or > 3). Results. 204 patients were included in the study with mean age of

65.4
±
11.9

years, hypertension was the most previous concomitant past medical disease (77.1%), and 27.1% of these patients had previous history of stroke. No significant differences were found in both mRS categories for all sociodemographic factors, and past medical history except that arrhythmia was significantly more common in the higher mRS

categories
>
2

and > 3. Based on multivariable analysis, there was a trend for previous intake of calcium channel blocker to be associated with lower mRS at admission (beta -0.586). However, intracranial arterial stenosis, ED

blood
 
glucose
>
180

 mg/dL, and performing brain imaging above 20 minutes after patient presentation to ED were significantly associated with higher mRS scores at discharge with an ORa and (confidence interval) of 2.986 (0.814, 10.962), 3.301 (1.072, 1.261), and 1.138 (1.071, 9.080), respectively. Conclusion. mRS is affected by previous disease states, prescribed medications, and acute measures performed in ED. It is also influenced by intracranial arterial stenosis etiology, which is associated with worse outcome.
[Retracted] Clinical Research of Combined Arteriovenous Approach Embolization on Complex Carotid‐Cavernous Fistulas
Authors: Xinxing Li , Jihui Zheng
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to observe the curative effect of combined arteriovenous approach embolization on complex carotid‐cavernous fistulas. The clinical data of 13 patients with complex carotid‐cavernous fistulas treated with combined arteriovenous approach embolization in our department between January 2017 and January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All 13 patients received the combined arteriovenous approach embolization with coil combined with Onyx glue. The intraoperative angiography immediately showed that the fistula could be completely blocked, and the carotid artery was/got unobstructed. The patients had no clinical symptoms recurring during a follow‐up period of 3‐18 months, on average 9.1 ± 6.3 months. A combined arteriovenous approach embolization on complex carotid‐cavernous fistulas is safe and effective since it can improve the occlusion rate and reduce the relapse rate.
Clinical Review of Ocular Traumas Resulting in Enucleation or Evisceration in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Hungary
Authors: Tóth Gábor , Pluzsik Milán Tamás , Csákány Béla , Sándor Gábor László , Lukáts Olga , Nagy Zoltán Zsolt , Szentmáry Nóra
Published: May 2021

Purpose. To analyse the demographic and clinical characteristics of ocular traumas resulting in enucleation/evisceration in a large tertiary referral center in a developed country (Hungary) over a period of 15 years. Patients and Methods. A retrospective review of enucleated/eviscerated eyes that underwent surgery between 2006 and 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, due to ocular trauma as the primary indication for enucleation/evisceration. For each subject, clinical history, B-scan ultrasound report, and histopathology results were reviewed. Results. There were 124 enucleated/eviscerated eyes from 124 patients (91 males (73.4%)). The mean age at the time of trauma was 37.3 ± 26.0 years while the mean age at the time of enucleation/evisceration was 46.9 ± 20.3 years. The main clinical diagnoses after ocular trauma were open globe injury (n = 96; 77.4%), ocular burns (n = 6; 4.8%), traumatic optic neuropathy (n = 4; 3.2%), bulbar avulsion (n = 3; 2.4%), traumatic cataract (n = 2; 1.6%), retinal ablation (n = 1; 0.8%), and traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (n = 1; 0.8%). Among the 124 patients, 98 (79.0%) underwent enucleation and 26 (21.0%) evisceration. Patients who underwent primary enucleation/evisceration (n = 24 19.4%) were significantly older at the time of the injury (57.7 ± 22.7 years) than people who underwent secondary eye removal (32.4 ± 24.4 years) (

p
<
0.0001

). The mean time interval between trauma and enucleation/evisceration was 114.9 ± 163.5 months. The main clinical indications for anophthalmic surgery were atrophia/phthisis bulbi (n = 56, 45.2%), acute trauma (n = 25, 20.2%), painful blind eye due to glaucoma (n = 17, 13.7%), endophthalmitis (n = 10, 8.1%), and cosmetic reasons (n = 7, 5.6%). One patient (0.8%) had sympathetic ophthalmia. Conclusions. Primary enucleation/evisceration was performed in one-fifth of all ocular trauma-related anophthalmic surgeries in our tertiary eye care center with enucleation being the most common procedure. Atrophia/phthisis bulbi was the most frequent immediate clinical indication for enucleation/evisceration.
Soret and Radiation Effects on Mixture of Ethylene Glycol‐Water (50%‐50%) Based Maxwell Nanofluid Flow in an Upright Channel
Authors: Sadiq Kashif , Jarad Fahd , Siddique Imran , Ali Bagh
Published: May 2021

In this article, ethylene glycol (EG) + waterbased Maxwell nanofluid with radiation and Soret effects within two parallel plates has been investigated. The problem is formulated in the form of partial differential equations. The dimensionless governing equations for concentration, energy, and momentum are generalized by the fractional molecular diffusion, thermal flux, and shear stress defined by the Caputo–Fabrizio time fractional derivatives. The solutions of the problems are obtained via Laplace inversion numerical algorithm, namely, Stehfest’s. Nanoparticles of silver (Ag) are suspended in a mixture of EG + water to have a nanofluid. It is observed that the thermal conductivity of fluid is enhanced by increasing the values of time and volume fraction. The temperature and velocity of water‐silver nanofluid are higher than those of ethylene glycol (EG) + water (H2O)‐silver (Ag) nanofluid. The results are discussed at 2% of volume fraction. The results justified the thermo‐physical characteristics of base fluids and nanoparticles shown in the tables. The effects of major physical parameters are illustrated graphically and discussed in detail.
Performance Analysis of Tyre Manufacturing System in the SMEs Using RAMD Approach
Authors: Velmurugan K. , Venkumar P. , Sudhakarapandian R.
Published: May 2021

In the recent trends, production plants in the automobile industries all over the world are facing a lot of challenges to achieve better productivity and customer satisfaction due to increasing the passenger’s necessity and demand for transportation. In this direction, the belt, tyre, and tube manufacturing plants act as vital roles in the day-to-day life of the automobile industries. Tyre production plant comprises five major units, namely, raw material selection, preparation, tyre components, finishing, and inspection. The main purpose of this research is to implement the new method to predict the most critical subsystems in the tyre manufacturing system of the rubber industry. As mathematically, any one maintenance parameter among reliability, availability, maintainability, and dependability (RAMD) parameters is evaluated to identify the critical subsystems and their effect on the effectiveness of the tyre production system. In this research, the effect of variation in maintenance indices, RAMD, is measured to identify the critical subsystem of the tyre production system based on the mathematical modeling Markov birth-death approach (MBDA), and the equations of the subsystems are derived by using the Chapman–Kolmogorov method. Besides, it also calculates the performance of certain maintenance parameters concerning time such as mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), and dependability ratio for each subsystem of the tyre production system. Finally, RAMD analysis of the tyre production systems has been executed for predicting the most critical subsystem by changing the rates of failure and repair of individual subsystems with the utilization of MATLAB software. RAMD analysis reveals that the subsystem bias cutting is most critical with the minimum availability of 0.8387, dependability 5.19, dependability ratio 0.8701, and maximum MTTR 38.46 hours of the subsystem. In this implementation of the proposed method, a real-time case study of the industrial repairable system of tyre manufacturing system has been taken for evaluating RAMD indices of the production plant of rubber industry cited in the southern region of Tamil Nadu, India.