bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-racist Cultural Policies and Pandemic Crisis: Strategies to Strengthen the Creative Skills of Black Artists
Authors: Neves de Oliveira Victor Hugo
Published: July 2022

Este artigo elabora uma discussão sobre a pandemia produzida pelo novo coronavírus como um fenômeno relacionado aos contextos das desigualdades étnico- sociais e às crises sistêmicas vinculadas ao colonialismo. Acredita-se que as injustiças raciais colaboram com a redução das capacidades de sonhar, pensar e realizar das e dos artistas pretos. Parte-se, portanto, da questão: “quais estratégias têm sido organizadas para estimular artistas pretos e pretas a retomarem as capacidades criativas no contexto da pandemia?”. Toma-se como campo de abrangência o estado da Paraíba no Brasil. O objetivo é compartilhar os processos relacionados às ações do Fórum de Artistas Pretos e Pretas da Paraíba na luta pela implementação de políticas públicas antirracistas para as Artes em tempos de pandemia. Teoricamente, aborda-se o conceito de decolonialidade como um projeto coletivo capaz de gerar emancipação por meio de atitudes combativas à continuidade do colonialismo moderno. Discute-se a importância da valorização de aspectos da autorreflexão, da crítica criativa e do ativismo nos processos de resistência às representações do racismo e do colonialismo. Pretende-se, com essa discussão, garantir visibilidade para a importância de os agentes culturais pretos e pretas, envolvidos na cadeia de formação da cultura, tomarem para si a consciência dos prejuízos gerados pelo racismo e criarem condições de promoção da equidade racial a favor de uma sociedade mais justa
Oral vibratory sensations during voice production at different laryngeal and semi-occluded vocal tract configurations
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyan
Published: July 2022

Voice therapy often emphasizes vibratory sensations in the front part of the vocal tract during phonation to improve vocal efficiency. It remains unclear what laryngeal and vocal tract adjustments are elicited in speakers by this emphasis on oral vibratory sensations. Using a three-dimensional phonation model, this study aims to identify laryngeal and epilaryngeal adjustments that might produce maximal oral vibratory sensations during phonation, as quantified by the oral sound pressure level (SPL), and thus are likely to be elicited in voice therapy at different semi-occluded vocal tract configurations. Results show that maximum oral SPL occurs at intermediate vocal fold adduction configurations characterized by a trade-off between glottal gap and vocal fold vertical thickness. Epilaryngeal tube narrowing further increases the oral SPL in an open vocal tract, but has little effect on oral SPL in semi-occluded vocal tracts. Laryngeal and epilaryngeal configurations producing the maximum oral SPL generally have lower peak vocal fold contact pressure when producing a target output SPL. These favorable configurations are more easily identified in open vocal tracts than semi-occluded vocal tracts. However, semi-occlusion increases both the mean and dynamic oral pressure, which may familiarize speakers with oral vibratory sensations and facilitate adoption of favorable laryngeal configurations.
Controlling and visualizing Dirac physics in topological semimetal heterostructures
Authors: Kealhofer David A. , Kealhofer Robert , Ohara Daniel , Pardue Tyler N. , Stemmer Susanne
Published: July 2022

A bulk crystal of cadmium arsenide is a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal, but, in a thin film, it can behave like a three-dimensional topological insulator. This tunability provides unique opportunities to manipulate and explore a topological insulator phase. However, an obstacle to engineering such tunability is the subtlety of transport-based discriminants for topological phases. In this work, the quantum capacitance of cadmium arsenide–based heterostructures provides two direct experimental signatures of three-dimensional topological insulator physics: an insulating three-dimensional bulk and a Landau level at zero energy that does not disperse in a magnetic field. We proceed to join our ability to see these fingerprints of the topological surface states with flexibility afforded by our epitaxial heterostructures to demonstrate a route toward controlling the energy of the Dirac nodes on each surface. These results point to new avenues for engineering topological insulators based on cadmium arsenide.
Supplemental Material: Tracing remnants of Ediacaran S-type granitoids from beach placers in SE Madagascar
Authors: Athira P.G. , Sajeev Krishnan , et al.
Published: July 2022

Table S1: LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope ratios and age data of zircons from the beach sands of SE coast of Madagascar. Table S2: LA-ICP-MS trace element data of zircons from the beach sands of SE coast of Madagascar. Table S3: LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope ratios and age data of monazites from beach sands of SE coast of Madagascar. Table S4: LA-ICP-MS trace element data of monazites from the beach sands of SE coast of Madagascar. Table S5: MC-LA-ICP-MS Hf isotopic data of zircons from the beach sands of SE coast of Madagascar.
Factors associated with choroidal microvascular dropout change
Authors: Micheletti Eleonora , Moghimi Sasan , Nishida Takashi , El-Nimri Nevin , Mahmoudinedzah Golnoush , Kamalipour Alireza , Mohammadzadeh Vahid , Zangwill Linda M , Weinreb Robert N
Published: July 2022

Background/aims

To investigate the factors associated with choroidal microvasculature drop-out (MvD) enlargement detected by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in glaucomatous eyes.

Methods

Ninety-one eyes of 68 primary open-angle glaucoma patients were enrolled. Only eyes with a minimum of four good quality OCT-A and OCT scans of the optic nerve head acquired at least and with a minimum of 2 years follow-up were included. Area and angular circumference of MvD were analysed on en face images. Univariable and multivariable mixed effects models were constructed to identify the factors contributing to MvD area and angular circumference change over time.

Results

Peripapillary MvD was detected in 53 (58.2%) eyes at baseline and in an additional 17 (18.6%) eyes during follow-up, whereas MvD was not detected in 21 (23.0 %) eyes during the entire follow-up period. In multivariable analysis, worse baseline visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD) (ß=0.27, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.44, p=0.002), greater intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations (ß=0.86, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.48, p=0.007), higher peak IOP (ß=0.17, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.35, p=0.067) and greater number of IOP lowering medications (ß=1.36, 95% CI 0.67 to 2.05, p<0.001) were associated with faster MvD area enlargement. Worse baseline VF MD and greater IOP fluctuation were also associated with significantly faster MvD circumferential enlargement in multivariable models.

Conclusion

Greater IOP fluctuation, higher peak IOP, worse baseline VF MD and greater number of glaucoma medications were significantly associated with MvD enlargement in glaucomatous eyes. The identification of factors associated with MvD enlargement may improve our understanding of the role of choroidal vasculature in glaucoma.
Morbidity and mortality patterns of preterm low birthweight neonates admitted to referral hospitals in the Amhara region of Ethiopia: retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Genie Yalemtsehay Dagnaw , Kebede Belete Fenta , Silesh Zerihun Mulualem , Tilahun Beyene Desalew
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the morbidity and mortality patterns of preterm neonates with low birth weight admitted in the Amhara region referral hospitals in Ethiopia.

Design

Hospital-based retrospective follow-up study.

Setting

Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia.

Participants

A total of 291 preterm neonates low birth weight that were admitted to referral hospitals in the Amhara region between 1 January 2017 and 30 December 2018 were reviewed. Data were entered into Epi-data V.4.4.2.1 and exported to STATA V.14 for analysis, and variables with a p value of <0.05 at 95% confidence level in multivariable logistic regression model analysis were declared as statistically significant associated factors of mortality.

Primary outcome

Morbidity and mortality patterns in preterm low birthweight neonates.

Results

This study revealed that 37.8% (95% CI 32.4% to 43.5%) of preterm low birthweight neonates died. The most common morbidities found were 219 (75.26%) hypothermia, followed by 201 (69.07%), 145 (49.83%), 39 (13.4%) and 24 (8.25%) with sepsis, respiratory distress, jaundice and congenital anomalies, respectively. Sepsis (AOR: 2.0; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.89), respiratory distress (AOR: 4.6; 95% CI 2.51 to 8.40), hypoglycaemia (AOR 3.91; 95% CI 1.09 to 10.52), APGAR score at fifth minute <7 (AOR 0.39; 95% CI (0.18 to 0.82) and duration of hospital stay below mean (<9.82 days) (AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.33) were associated with mortality.

Conclusion

The mortality rate of preterm low birthweight neonates was high, indicating that this is a public health issue. Hypothermia, sepsis, respiratory distress, jaundice and congenital anomalies were the common morbidities. Sepsis, respiratory distress, hypoglycaemia, Apgar score at fifth minute <7 and duration of hospital stay below the mean were independent factors of mortality. However, these need to be further investigated in future research and appropriately addressed using prospective follow-up.
Programmes to support transitions in community care for children with complex care needs: a scoping review
Authors: Breneol Sydney , Doucet Shelley , McIsaac Jessie-Lee , Riveroll Angela , Cassidy Christine , Charlton Patricia , McCulloch Holly , McKibbon Shelley , Luke Alison , Splane Jennifer , Curran Janet A
Published: July 2022

Objective

This scoping review aimed to map the range of programmes in the literature to support children and youth with complex care needs and their families during transitions in care in the community.

Design

A scoping review of the literature.

Context

This review included programmes that supported the transition in care to home and between settings in the community.

Data sources

We implemented our strategy to search five databases: (1) PubMed; (2) CINAHL; (3) ERIC; (4) PyscINFO and (5) Social Work Abstracts. The search was last implemented on 29 April 2021.

Study selection

Our search results were imported into Covidence Systematic Review Software. First, two reviewers assessed titles and abstracts against our eligibility criteria. Relevant articles were then retrieved in full and reviewed by two reviewers for inclusion. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.

Data extraction

Relevant data were extracted related to population, concept, context, methods and key findings pertinent to our review objective.

Results

A total of 2482 records were identified. After our two-stage screening process, a total of 27 articles were included for analysis. Articles ranged in the type of transitions being supported and target population. The most common transition reported was the hospital-to-home transition. Intervention components primarily consisted of care coordination using a teams-based approach. The most reported barriers and enablers to implementing these transition care programmes were related to physical opportunities.

Limitations

Included articles were limited to English and French.

Conclusions

This review identified important gaps within the literature, as well as areas for future consideration to ensure the effective development and implementation of programmes to support children and youth with complex care needs during transitions in care.
Autologous T cell responses to primary human colorectal cancer spheroids are enhanced by ectonucleotidase inhibition
Authors: Bonnereau Julie , Courau Tristan , Asesio Nicolas , Salfati Delphine , Bouhidel Fatiha , Corte Hélène , Hamoudi Sarah , Hammoudi Nassim , Lavolé Julie , Vivier-Chicoteau Justine , Chardiny Victor , Maggiori Leon , Blery Mathieu , Remark Romain , Bonnafous Cécile , Cattan Pierre , Toubert Antoine , Bhat Purnima , Allez Matthieu , Aparicio Thomas , Le Bourhis Lionel
Published: July 2022

Objective

T cells are major effectors of the antitumoural immune response. Their activation by tumour-associated antigens can unleash their proliferation and cytotoxic functions, leading to tumour cell elimination. However, tumour-related immunosuppressive mechanisms including the overexpression of immune checkpoints like programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), are also engaged, promoting immune escape. Current immunotherapies targeting these pathways have demonstrated weak efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is thus crucial to find new targets for immunotherapy in this cancer type.

Design

In a prospective cohort of patients with CRC, we investigated the phenotype of tumour-related and non-tumour related intestinal T cells (n=44), particularly the adenosinergic pathway, correlating with clinical phenotype. An autologous coculture model was developed between patient-derived primary tumour spheroids and their autologous tumour-associated lymphocytes. We used this relevant model to assess the effects of CD39 blockade on the antitumour T cell response.

Results

We show the increased expression of CD39, and its co-expression with PD-1, on tumour infiltrating T cells compared with mucosal lymphocytes. CD39 expression was higher in the right colon and early-stage tumours, thus defining a subset of patients potentially responsive to CD39 blockade. Finally, we demonstrate in autologous conditions that CD39 blockade triggers T cell infiltration and tumour spheroid destruction in cocultures.

Conclusion

In CRC, CD39 is strongly expressed on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes and its inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating patients.
Pattern of congenital anomalies among pediatric surgical patients in a tertiary care hospital in northern Tanzania
Authors: Magwesela Faraja Mussa , Rabiel Happiness , Mung'ong'o Catherine Mlelwa
Published: July 2022

Background

Congenital anomalies are major causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age and make a significant contribution to the surgical burden of diseases. Most anomalies have multifactorial causes and commonly affect the central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems. Countries with improved pediatric surgical care have shown dramatic reductions in morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of congenital anomalies presenting in our surgical departments in patients under 5 years of age.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study was done. Data were obtained from clinical records of patients under 5 years of age, who underwent surgical correction of their congenital anomalies between 2017 and 2021. Analysis was done to identify the proportion of congenital anomalies managed in our setting.

Results

Congenital anomalies contributed 4.6% of overall surgical burden. Totally, 822 patients with congenital anomalies were included for analysis. The most commonly diagnosed congenital anomaly was inguinal hernia, followed by hydrocephalus, neural tube defects and cleft lips. The most commonly affected system was the central nervous system, anterior abdominal wall, orofacial and digestive system in decreasing order of frequency. Most of our patients presented outside the neonatal period (84.4%), and few (16.1%) had more than one system affected. Male children comprised 64%.

Conclusions

Delayed presentation of children with congenital anomalies is still a significant problem in our area. Prevention through nutritional supplementation and antenatal screening is crucial. The true epidemiology of congenital anomalies in northern Tanzania is still obscure.
Effect of matrix strength on pull-out behaviour of hooked steel fibre-reinforced cementitious composites
Authors: Jamee Mansour , Alaee Farshid Jandaghi , Zeighami Ehsanollah
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the effect of matrix composition and its mechanical properties, mainly compressive strength, on the pull-out response of hooked steel fibres. A limited experimental study was also conducted on silica fume to cement and sand to cement ratios to gain further insight into the effect of matrix composition. The experimental program involved hooked steel fibres embedded in six different matrices. Test results have shown that pull-out behaviour of hooked steel fibre is influenced by the matrix composition and its compressive strength. All the fibres were pulled out from matrix without any fibre rupture. Hooked fibres produce a higher pull-out load with a higher compressive strength matrix and leads to significant enhancements in both pull-out load and pull-out energy in higher strength matrix than in lower strength matrix. Based on the result, all aspects of pull-out comprising pull-out load, pull-out energy, and equivalent bond strength were improved as the silica fume to cement ratio increased.
Extreme dilaton black holes in 2 + 1 dimensions: quasinormal modes
Authors: Fernando Sharmanthie , González P. A. , Vásquez Yerko
Published: July 2022

We study neutral massless scalar field perturbations around an extreme dilaton black hole in 2 + 1 dimensions: the wave equations of the massless scalar field is shown to be exactly solvable in terms of Whittaker functions. Thus, the quasinormal modes are computed exactly and shown to be purely imaginary: we show the existence of stable and unstable modes. Interestingly, the quasinormal modes do not depend on the black holes parameters and the fundamental mode is always unstable and depends only on the parameters of the test field. Also, we determine the quasinormal frequencies via the improved asymptotic iteration method which shows a good agreement with the analytical results.
EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TURBULENCE ON FIRM INNOVATION PERFORMANCE IN EMERGING MARKETS: USING AN ENVIRONMENT-STRATEGY-PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK
Authors: MOKHTARZADEH NIMA GAROUSI , MAHDIRAJI HANNAN AMOOZAD , JAFARPANAH ISMAIL , CAO DONGMEI
Published: July 2022

Evidence suggests that turbulent environment exposure is a significant driving force for business innovation. The automotive industry is strongly influenced by environmental dynamics due to continuous technological changes. Car OEMs require an accurate landscape of industrial uncertainties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of business environmental turbulence (BET) in innovation performance. Applied to the environment-strategy-performance framework and underpinned by the dynamic capability view (DCV) and contingency theory, our research model concerns both the antecedent and moderation roles of BET in innovation performance. A sample of 306 questionnaire data is collected from the management of Iranian automotive firms, and PLS-SEM is used for the analysis. The results suggest that BET improves innovation performance through enhancing networking capability (NC) and collaborative innovation capability (CIC). Besides, BET positively moderates the relationship between NC and innovation performance. This study contributes to understanding business innovation in a turbulent environment setting. Our findings offer important implications for managers to set strategies, particularly in a dynamic environment.
Using Machine Learning to Enhance Archival Processing of Social Media Archives
Authors: Fan Lizhou , Yin Zhanyuan , Yu Huizi , Gilliland Anne J.
Published: July 2022

This article reports on a study using machine learning to identify incidences and shifting dynamics of hate speech in social media archives. To better cope with the archival processing need for such large-scale and fast evolving archives, we propose the Data-driven and Circulating Archival Processing (DCAP) method. As a proof-of-concept, our study focuses on an English language Twitter archive relating to COVID-19: Tweets were repeatedly scraped between February and June 2020, ingested and aggregated within the COVID-19 Hate Speech Twitter Archive (CHSTA), and analyzed for hate speech using the Generative Adversarial Network–inspired DCAP method. Outcomes suggest that it is possible to use machine learning and data analytics to surface and substantiate trends from CHSTA and similar social media archives that could provide immediately useful knowledge for crisis response, in controversial situations, or for public policy development, as well as for subsequent historical analysis. The approach shows potential for integrating multiple aspects of the archival workflow and supporting automatic iterative redescription and reappraisal activities in ways that make them more accountable and more rapidly responsive to changing societal interests and unfolding developments.
One Proxy Device Is Enough for Hardware-Aware Neural Architecture Search
Authors: Lu Bingqian , Yang Jianyi , Jiang Weiwen , Shi Yiyu , Ren Shaolei
Published: July 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used in numerous realworld applications such as vision-based autonomous driving and video content analysis.
Traffic Refinery
Authors: Bronzino Francesco , Schmitt Paul , Ayoubi Sara , Kim Hyojoon , Teixeira Renata , Feamster Nick
Published: July 2022

Network management often relies on machine learning to make predictions about performance and security from network traffic. Often, the representation of the traffic is as important as the choice of the model. The features that the model relies on, and the representation of those features, ultimately determine model accuracy, as well as where and whether the model can be deployed in practice. Thus, the design and evaluation of these models ultimately requires understanding not only model accuracy but also the systems costs associated with deploying the model in an operational network. Towards this goal, this paper develops a new framework and system that enables a joint evaluation of both the conventional notions of machine learning performance (model accuracy) and the systems-level costs of different representations of network traffic. We highlight these two dimensions for two practical network management tasks, video streaming quality inference and malware detection, to demonstrate the importance of exploring different representations to find the appropriate operating point. We demonstrate the benefit of exploring a range of representations of network traffic and present Traffic Refinery, a proof-of-concept implementation that both monitors network traffic at 10~Gbps and transforms traffic in real time to produce a variety of feature representations for machine learning. Traffic Refinery both highlights this design space and makes it possible to explore different representations for learning, balancing systems costs related to feature extraction and model training against model accuracy.
Metamorphic Testing of Deep Learning Compilers
Authors: Xiao Dongwei , Liu Zhibo , Yuan Yuanyuan , Pang Qi , Wang Shuai
Published: July 2022

The prosperous trend of deploying deep neural network (DNN) models to diverse hardware platforms has boosted the development of deep learning (DL) compilers. DL compilers take high-level DNN model specifications as input and generate optimized DNN executables for diverse hardware architectures like CPUs, GPUs, and hardware accelerators. We introduce MT-DLComp, a metamorphic testing framework specifically designed for DL compilers to uncover erroneous compilations. Our approach leverages deliberately-designed metamorphic relations (MRs) to launch semantics-preserving mutations toward DNN models to generate their variants. This way, DL compilers can be automatically tested for compilation correctness by comparing the execution outputs of the compiled DNN models and their variants without manual intervention. We detected over 435 inputs that can result in erroneous compilations in four popular DL compilers, all of which are industry-strength products maintained by Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google. We uncovered four bugs in these compilers by debugging them using the error-triggering inputs.
Sequential Fair Allocation
Authors: Sinclair Sean R. , Banerjee Siddhartha , Yu Christina Lee
Published: July 2022

We consider the problem of dividing limited resources to individuals arriving over T rounds. Each round has a random number of individuals arrive, and individuals can be characterized by their type (i.e. preferences over the different resources). A standard notion of 'fairness' in this setting is that an allocation simultaneously satisfy envy-freeness and efficiency. For divisible resources, when the number of individuals of each type are known upfront, the above desiderata are simultaneously achievable for a large class of utility functions. However, in an online setting when the number of individuals of each type are only revealed round by round, no policy can guarantee these desiderata simultaneously.

We show that in the online setting, the two desired properties (envy-freeness and efficiency) are in direct contention, in that any algorithm achieving additive counterfactual envy-freeness up to a factor of LT necessarily suffers a efficiency loss of at least 1 / LT. We complement this uncertainty principle with a simple algorithm, Guarded-Hope, which allocates resources based on an adaptive threshold policy and is able to achieve any fairness-efficiency point on this frontier.
On Multivariate Singular Spectrum Analysis and Its Variants
Authors: Agarwal Anish , Alomar Abdullah , Shah Devavrat
Published: July 2022

We introduce and analyze a simpler, practically useful variant of multivariate singular spectrum analysis (mSSA), a known time series method to impute (or de-noise) and forecast a multivariate time series. Towards this, we introduce a spatio-temporal factor model to analyze mSSA. This model includes the usual components used to model dynamics in time series analysis, such as trends (low order polynomials), seasonality (finite sum of harmonics), and linear time-invariant systems. We establish that given N time series and T observations per time series, the in-sample prediction error for both imputation and forecasting under mSSA scales as 1/√ min(N, T)T. This is an improvement over: (i) the 1/√T error scaling of SSA, which is the restriction of mSSA to univariate time series; (ii) the 1/min(N, T) error scaling for Temporal Regularized Matrix Factorized (TRMF), a matrix factorization based method for time series prediction. That is, mSSA exploits both the 'temporal' and 'spatial' structure in a multivariate time series. Our experimental results using various benchmark datasets confirm the characteristics of the spatio-temporal factor model and our theoretical findings---our variant of mSSA empirically performs as well or better compared to neural network based time series methods, LSTM and DeepAR.
Large-System Insensitivity of Zero-Waiting Load Balancing Algorithms
Authors: Liu Xin , Gong Kang , Ying Lei
Published: July 2022

This paper studies the sensitivity (or insensitivity) of a class of load balancing algorithms that achieve asymptotic zero-waiting in the sub-Halfin-Whitt regime, named LB-zero. Most existing results on zero-waiting load balancing algorithms assume the service time distribution is exponential. This paper establishes the large-system insensitivity of LB-zero for jobs whose service time follows a Coxian distribution with a finite number of phases. This result suggests that LB-zero achieves asymptotic zero-waiting for a large class of service time distributions. To prove this result, this paper develops a new technique, called "Iterative State-Space Peeling'' (or ISSP for short). ISSP first identifies an iterative relation between the upper and lower bounds on the queue states and then proves that the system lives near the fixed point of the iterative bounds with a high probability. Based on ISSP, the steady-state distribution of the system is further analyzed by applying Stein's method in the neighborhood of the fixed point. ISSP, like state-space collapse in heavy-traffic analysis, is a general approach that may be used to study other complex stochastic systems.
MalRadar
Authors: Wang Liu , Wang Haoyu , He Ren , Tao Ran , Meng Guozhu , Luo Xiapu , Liu Xuanzhe
Published: July 2022

A reliable and up-to-date malware dataset is critical to evaluate the effectiveness of malware detection approaches. Although there are several widely-used malware benchmarks in our community (e.g., MalGenome, Drebin, Piggybacking and AMD, etc.), these benchmarks face several limitations including out-of-date, size, coverage, and reliability issues, etc. In this paper, we first make effort to create MalRadar, a growing and up-to-date Android malware dataset using the most reliable way, i.e., by collecting malware based on the analysis reports of security experts. We have crawled all the mobile security related reports released by ten leading security companies, and used an automated approach to extract and label the useful ones describing new Android malware and containing Indicators of Compromise (IoC) information. We have successfully compiled MalRadar, a dataset that contains 4,534 unique Android malware samples (including both apks and metadata) released from 2014 to April 2021 by the time of this paper, all of which were manually verified by security experts with detailed behavior analysis. Then we characterize the MalRadar dataset from malware distribution channels, app installation methods, malware activation, malicious behaviors and anti-analysis techniques. We further investigate the malware evolution over the last decade. At last, we measure the effectiveness of commercial anti-virus engines and malware detection techniques on detecting malware in MalRadar. Our dataset can be served as the representative Android malware benchmark in the new era, and our observations can positively contribute to the community and boost a series of studies on mobile security.
Cross-Modal Plasticity in Brains Deprived of Visual Input Before Vision
Authors: López-Bendito Guillermina , Aníbal-Martínez Mar , Martini Francisco J.
Published: July 2022

Unimodal sensory loss leads to structural and functional changes in both deprived and nondeprived brain circuits. This process is broadly known as cross-modal plasticity. The evidence available indicates that cross-modal changes underlie the enhanced performances of the spared sensory modalities in deprived subjects. Sensory experience is a fundamental driver of cross-modal plasticity, yet there is evidence from early–visually deprived models supporting an additional role for experience-independent factors. These experience-independent factors are expected to act early in development and constrain neuronal plasticity at later stages. Here we review the cross-modal adaptations elicited by congenital or induced visual deprivation prior to vision. In most of these studies, cross-modal adaptations have been addressed at the structural and functional levels. Here, we also appraise recent data regarding behavioral performance in early–visually deprived models. However, further research is needed to explore how circuit reorganization affects their function and what brings about enhanced behavioral performance.
Synthesis of Barium Tungstate Up-Conversion Phosphor Applied in Temperature Sensing and Anti-Counterfeiting
Authors: Yi Soung-Soo , Jung Jae-Yong
Published: July 2022

Crystalline BaWO4 was synthesized by preparing a precursor by co-precipitation followed by heat treatment at 800 °C. For use as up-conversion phosphor materials, rare earth ions Er3+ and Yb3+ were co-doped. In the synthesized BaWO4:[Er3+]/[Yb3+], a strong peak from the (112) phase, the main peak, could be observed in the XRD analysis and had a tetragonal structure. The lattice constant was changed by the rare earth doping, and when the sample was excited at 980 nm, green light emission was confirmed. The luminescence intensity changed according to the change in the amount of Er3+, a rare earth ion, and the luminescence intensity increased strongly as the laser power of the excitation wavelength increased. This is a phenomenon caused by the two-photon effect, and it was possible to confirm the characteristics of the up-conversion phosphor. To investigate the use of the synthesized phosphor for temperature sensors and anti-counterfeiting, a flexible composite and ink were made, respectively. As the temperature increased, the luminous intensity of the flexible composite was weakened, and the produced ink was difficult to observe with the naked eye when applied to banknotes, but when illuminated with a 980 nm laser, the green label could be seen.
Manganese, Iron, Lead, and Zinc Levels and Haematological Profile among Welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District, Ghana
Authors: Bainin Isaac , Gyasi Samuel Fosu , Awuah Esi , Obeng-Ofori Daniel , Abdallah Faisal , Donkoh Emmanuel Timmy , Asamoah Akwasi , Adu Robert
Published: July 2022

Welders are exposed to metal ions or oxides through direct contact at occupational sites or indirectly through uptake from contaminated dust or air. This study was a case‐control study designed to assess the levels of some heavy metals and the hematological profile of welders (cases) as compared to nonwelders (controls) from Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of Ghana, comparatively to determine whether their values are within acceptable international range. A quantitative‐based survey using structured questionnaires was used to collect demographic data from purposively selected welders (n = 40) and nonwelders (n = 40) from the study area. Five (5 mL) blood samples were collected from the study participants and analyzed for blood cell count as well as levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, and Zn. There were no significant differences in the Mn, Zn, and Fe levels between the welders and nonwelders (p = 0.431, 0.53 vs. 0.23 mg/L, p = 0.05, 0.41 vs. 0.15, p = 0.886, 1.82 vs. 1.11). The level of Pb was, however, significantly lower among welders compared to the nonwelders (p = 0.016, 0.09 < 0.3 mg/L). The total white blood cell count did not differ significantly between welders and nonwelders (p = 0.365, 5.16 vs. 4.85 × 109/L). However, the mixed cell fraction was significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (p = 0.027, 0.34 × 109/L > 0.28 × 109/L). Red blood cell count and indices showed no significant differences between the welders and nonwelders. Hemoglobin levels in welders were, however, higher (14.47 g/dL) but this was not statistically significant compared to their nonwelder counterparts (13.85 g/dL). It was concluded from the study that welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of the Western Region of Ghana had elevated levels of Pb in their bodies. This was associated with an increase in mixed white blood cell fraction platelets. However, the recorded levels were within the accepted physiological limits suggesting that the heavy metal exposure of welders had no clinically pathological significance.
Effect and Mechanism of Yisui Fuyongtang (YSFYT) Decoction on Cognitive Function and Synaptic Plasticity in Rats with Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Gong Tingliang , Luo Zhaoliang , Huang Li , Xiao Caixian , Yi Junlu , Yan Junfeng , Chen Qian , Li Weihong , Tao Wenqiang
Published: July 2022

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) has emerged as the second major disease responsible for dementia, and there is still a lack of effective treatment methods for this disorder to date. Clinical medications have found that Yisui Fuyongtang (YSFYT) Decoction is effective in improving neurological signs and learning-memory functions in patients who develop white matter lesions and whole brain atrophy. To clarify the effect and molecular regulation mechanism of YSFYT Decoction on model rats, this research analyzed the influence of YSFYT Decoction on the learning-memory ability and lipid metabolism of rats based on behavioral and biochemical analysis. Further pathology and protein detection methods were adopted to investigate the action of YSFYT Decoction on the neurons in the hippocampus of model rats and the regulation of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine protein kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway. Compared with the VCI group, after YSFYT Decoction administration, the ratio of swimming time in the platform, number of crossing the platform, number of active avoidance, and proportion of active avoidance of the rats were markedly increased, whereas the response latency was substantially reduced (

p
<
0.05

). Biochemical tests indicated that contents of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of the model rats in YSFYT Decoction treatment group were greatly reduced, whereas those of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were elevated (

p
<
0.05

). Additionally, Bcl-2 expression in YSFYT Decoction treatment group was significantly increased, but neuron apoptosis of the hippocampus tissue was reduced. Meanwhile, neuron number was apparently higher than that in VCI model group. Following Yisui Decoction treatment, expressions of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), synaptophysin (SYP), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), NMDAR subunit 2B (NR2B), BDNF, TrkB, phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and phospho-protein kinase B (p-AKT) were markedly elevated. Taken together, YSFYT Decoction could activate the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, elevate Bcl-2 expression, and minimize neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus, thereby improving the behavioral characteristics and biochemical indicators of the VCI rat model.
The Sedimentary Geochemical Characteristics and Geological Significance of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation Accumulation of Organic Matter Black Shale on the Southeastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Wu Bin
Published: July 2022

At present, the understanding of the sedimentary paleoenvironment and organic matter enrichment law of black shale in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation is still insufficient. This time, we investigated the total organic carbon (TOC) content, X-ray diffraction mineralogical composition, and the major and trace element abundances of the newly recovered cores of three shale gas exploration wells in Changning, Qianjiang, and Xiushan areas which were, respectively, selected to discuss and compare the varying paleoenvironmental conditions and the factors that control organic matter accumulation, such as terrigenous input, redox conditions, primary productivity, and the degree of water retention in the basin. The results show that black siliceous shale lithofacies, gray-black shale lithofacies, gray-black silty shale lithofacies, gray argillaceous siltstone lithofacies, and gray shell marl lithofacies are mainly deposited in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin. Organic-rich black shale is mainly concentrated in the lower part of the Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation. The continuous thickness of organic carbon content greater than 2% in the Changning area is 32 m, the continuous thickness in the Qianjiang area is 22 m, and the continuous thickness in the Xiushan area is 11 m. The hydrocarbon generation potential gradually weakens from west to east. The identification of the geochemical behavior characteristics of major and trace elements shows that enrichment of the organic matter black shale section in the Changning-Qianjiang-Xiushan areas is mainly formation in the anoxic-moderate water mass restriction environment with high primary productivity and less terrigenous detritus input under the low hydrodynamic conditions. However, the correlations of terrigenous detrital proxies Ti/Al, redox proxies V/Cr, Ni/Co, and paleoproductivity proxies Babio with the TOC contents show that the Changning area is a favorable area for the formation of organic-rich black shale and the Qianjiang area is affected by the Wuling underwater uplift; the thickness of the black shale deposits becomes thinner; the Xiushan area is adjacent to the Xuefeng uplift, and the deposition conditions of the accumulation of organic matter black shale deteriorate, which is unfavorable for shale gas exploration.
Deployment Impact Experiment and Dynamic Analysis of Modular Truss Antenna
Authors: Zheng Shikun , Li Tuanjie , Zhao Jiang , Ma Xiaofei , Zhu Jialong , Huang Zhirong , Lang Yingyi
Published: July 2022

The deployment of a modular truss antenna reflector is relied on the driven energy of the springs between the components of the structure. The deployment process is characterized by fast speed and large impact. In order to study the impact characteristics of antenna deployment on the boundary, the deployment dynamic analysis of a modular truss antenna reflector is carried out. The deployment impact experiment is performed to obtain the impact forces of the reflector on the boundary. The dynamic model of the modular truss reflector is modified according to the experiment results. The dynamic analysis of a satellite with an arm and a modular truss reflector is conducted by using the modified reflector model. The dynamic behavior of the satellite in orbit during the modular truss antenna reflector deployment is predicted.
Dematel-ISM-Based Study of the Impact of Safety Factors on Urban Rail Tunnel Construction Projects
Authors: Ou Liang , Chen Yun , Zhang Jing , Ma Chongsen
Published: July 2022

The factors affecting urban rail tunnel construction projects are very complex and are influenced by many factors such as the social environment, the construction process, and the way construction is managed. These influencing factors interact with each other, leading to the complexity of the development risks of this type of project. However, at present, the research on engineering construction risk is mainly focused on the field of housing construction, and there are few researches on the risk of urban tunnel construction. At the same time, with the continuous development of urbanization, the coverage of urban underground rail transport is increasing, so it is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the construction process of urban underground tunnels. This paper uses the literature collection method and the LDA model to initially identify the impact factors, and on this basis, the final set of evaluation impact factors is determined by means of expert interviews. Based on the set of influencing factors, the Dematel-ISM model was used to obtain a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting urban rail tunnel construction projects by comparing topological maps and obtaining a Dematel-ISM model diagram with a cause-effect reachable hierarchy. Finally, the results obtained are applied to the actual development to verify the validity of the model. The results of the study show that construction operation, sequence arrangement, and procedure selection are the key influencing factors for safety risks in urban rail tunnel construction projects.
The Successful Anesthetic Management of a Cesarean Delivery in a Patient with Fanconi–Bickel Syndrome
Authors: DeLeon Alexander M. , Gaiha Rishi D. , Peralta Feyce M.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Fanconi–Bickel syndrome (FBS) is a rare genetic condition characterized by extremely short stature, renal tubular dysfunction, osteoporosis, and rickets. The literature is scant regarding the successful reproduction of women with FBS. Cesarean delivery is indicated due to the risk of pelvic fracture from vaginal delivery in a patient with FBS and rickets, yet no case describing the anesthetic has been reported. Clinical Findings. We present a 39-inch-tall, 46.47 kg/m2 BMI woman with FBS who was scheduled for cesarean delivery and requesting neuraxial anesthesia. A low-dose, combined spinal-epidural technique (CSE) was employed to account for her extreme short stature yet allow for additional dosing if needed. The cesarean delivery, hospital course, and follow-up were all uneventful. Conclusion. A single case of an FBS patient’s successful pregnancy was previously reported in the literature without describing the anesthetic technique. Our case is unique in that it is the first case in the literature that we are aware of describing the anesthetic technique. This case may provide a template for clinicians treating FBS patients and patients with extremely short stature.
Study on the Mechanism of Sparks Generated Mechanical Friction
Authors: Pan He , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2022

In the field of explosion protection, measures must be taken to prevent ignition sources due to mechanical friction and impact. One of the most dangerous sources of ignition in methane-air mixtures is sparks, which are easily induced by friction and impact from light metals. In general, sparks and hot surfaces are coexistent in the friction processes of metal contacts. The questions are whether sparks are a truly effective ignition source and whether the nature of materials plays a decisive role in the ignition ability of sparks. Therefore, this research focuses on the temperature of hot surfaces and sparks generated by friction between pure copper, Q235A steel, and TC4 titanium alloy and the grinding wheel. The effect of the relative rotating speed on the friction temperature and friction spark characteristics is investigated. The result indicates that friction sparks are indeed easier to detonate gas than hot surfaces. Moreover, a mathematical model based on the heat transfer theory is used to prove that the sparks induced by friction from TC4 alloys are more hazardous than those induced by friction from copper and Q235A steel. The factors affecting the energy released by sparks are listed in the formula.
Performance of Cassava under Lime, Fertilizer, and Legume Intercropping on Exhausted Land in Northern Zambia
Authors: Kaluba Peter , Mwamba Sydney , Moualeu-Ngangue Dany Pascal , Chiona Martin , Munyinda Kalaluka , Winter Etti , Stützel Hartmut , Chishala Benson H.
Published: July 2022

Cassava yields of 6 t ha−1 are lower than the potential yield of 20–25 t ha−1 obtained in Northern Zambia. It is grown in legume intercropping with little or no fertilizer, causing nutrient depletion with consequent land abandonment. Therefore, the study objective was to investigate the performance of cassava under lime, fertilizer, and grain legume intercropping on exhausted land in Northern Zambia. A split-split plot design experiment was conducted over two seasons, comprising two lime rates (0 and 300 kg ha−1), two fertilizer rates (0 and 100N : 23P:80 K kg ha−1), and three grain legumes (common beans, cowpea, and soybean) intercropped in cassava and sole cassava arranged in RCBD with three replications. Periodic measurements of leaf area index (LAI), light interception, weather data, and yield components were recorded. A linear mixed model with year as a random factor was performed to assess the treatment effect of lime, fertilizer, and legume species intercropping on cassava growth characteristics, radiation-use efficiency (RUE), and selected yield components. Lime, fertilizer rates, and legume species intercropping were assigned as main, sub-, and sub-sub-treatments, respectively. Fertilization and fertilization + lime treatments in sole cassava and cassava-common bean intercropping significantly increased the RUE and light extinction coefficient (k) compared to nonfertilized and only lime treatments. Lime x fertilizer x cropping system interaction was significant on chlorophyll index and plant height, RUE, tuber yield, HI, and total dry matter (TDM) yield. Cropping system x year interactions were significant on season LAI. On average, every kg of cassava yield loss in intercropping was compensated by 0.46 kg soybean, 0.20 kg common beans, and 0.26 kg of cowpea. NPK fertilizer + lime, NPK fertilizer, and grain legume intercropping may be adopted to increase cassava tuber yields and legume grain yield response on nutrient-depleted soils in high rainfall areas of Zambia.