bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analytical Approach to Cam-Modulated Linkage Synthesis Using Conjugate Geometry
Authors: Shooter Steven B. , Tidwell Paul H. , Reinholtz Charles F.
Published: March 2021

Cam-modulated linkages are a combination of cams and traditional linkages. These mechanisms have the advantage of satisfying an infinite number of precision points for path generation and body guidance synthesis problems. It is possible to synthesize these mechanisms graphically; however, established graphical synthesis methods can be tedious and do not lend themselves to iterative mechanism design or optimization techniques. An analytical method for synthesizing cams for cam-modulated linkages using principles of conjugate geometry is presented. The method is valid for two-dimensional or three-dimensional mechanisms. The same method is used for followers undergoing complex motions. The method is applied to verify the synthesis of a high speed printing mechanism produced by Pitney-Bowes.
Stress-Driven Cam Mechanism Synthesis Using the Phantom Linkage Method
Authors: Eventoff Arnold T.
Published: March 2021

The capability for automatically deriving the geometry of a cam and its driven linkage geometry as a function of critical design parameters is described. A technique developed called “The Phantom Linkage Method” enables instantaneous updating of a critical parameter (e.g. cam-follower contact stress) as a function of various system parameters. Linkage geometry and properties, timing diagram parameters, and static and dynamic loads in the system due to springs, gravity, and inertially-induced forces are included in the critical parameter calculation.

The first part of the paper describes a method for instantly defining the shape of a cam surface as a function of linkage geometry and required output motion for a full cycle of motion.

The second part adds static and dynamic forces to the analysis. The Phantom Linkage Method in conjunction with a series of equivalent drive ratios derived from the geometry is then used to determine cam-follower contact stress for a full cycle of motion.

Finally, by including optimization capabilities, the mechanism and cam geometry, as well as the timing diagram, can be synthesized simultaneously to minimize an objective function describing a critical design parameter such as cam-follower contact stress.
An Advisory Conceptual Design Tool for Mechanical Transmission Systems
Authors: Huang C. P. , Liou F. W. , Malyamakkil J. J. , Lu W. F.
Published: March 2021

This paper presents an advisory conceptual design tool for mechanical transmission systems. Space consideration was taken into account during the design process. A prototype function tree was built in the form of knowledge-based system to transfer a designer’s idea into a set of mechanical components. An advisory expert system was also developed to help a designer in decision making. As an example, a packaging machine is designed using the developed system.
The Topological Analysis of Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Murphy Morgan D. , Midha Ashok , Howell Larry L.
Published: March 2021

Following the topological synthesis of mechanisms, a topological analysis constitutes the second phase of the type-synthesis process. Topological analysis involves investigating distinct ways of specifying inputs, outputs and joint types to satisfy the functional requirements. For compliant mechanisms, the number of possible input combinations is typically much greater than for their rigid-body counterparts. Therefore, a systematic approach to input specification is required. This paper deals primarily with the development of a systematic input specification procedure for compliant mechanisms, while building on the rigid-body type-synthesis techniques and the terminology previously established for compliant elements. The techniques developed are straightforward and may be easily automated.
A Generalized Loop-Closure Theory for the Analysis and Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Howell Larry L. , Midha Ashok
Published: March 2021

Compliant mechanisms gain at least some of their motion from flexible members. The combination of large-deflection beam analysis, kinematic motion analysis, and energy storage makes the analysis of compliant mechanisms difficult. The design of mechanisms often requires iteration between synthesis and analysis procedures. In general, the difficulty in analysis has limited the use of compliant mechanisms to applications where only simple functions and motions are required. The pseudo-rigid-body model concept promises to be the key to unifying the compliant and rigid-body mechanism theories. It simplifies compliant mechanism analysis by determining an equivalent rigid-body mechanism that accurately models the kinematic characteristics of a compliant mechanism. Once this model is obtained, many well known concepts from rigid-body mechanism theory become amenable for use to analyze and design compliant mechanisms. The pseudo-rigid-body-model concept is used to develop a generalized loop-closure method for the analysis and synthesis of compliant mechanisms. Synthesis is divided into two major categories: (i) rigid-body replacement synthesis, wherein only kinematic constraints are considered, and (ii) synthesis for compliance, wherein considerations of the energy storage and input/output force/torque characteristics of compliant mechanisms are utilized. The method allows compliant mechanisms to be designed for tasks that would have earlier been assumed to be unlikely, if not impossible, applications of compliant mechanisms. Examples of function, motion, and path generation of compliant mechanisms are presented for the first time.
The Determination of the Motion of Particles With Flat Facets on Oscillating Transporting Planes Using Coulomb Friction
Authors: Balan I. B. , Ursu N. N. , Mangeron D. J.
Published: March 2021

The paper presents a mathematical formulation for determining the relative motion of independent particles over oscillating transport planes considering Coulomb friction. This study addresses particles in continuous contact with the transport planes (without jumps).

The particle dynamic behaviour is obtained by numerically integrating the equation of motion by using a special purpose computer program and a computer program commercially available and marketed by ALGOR called Dyna Pak. Both methods give comparable results.
Geometry and Position Analysis of a Novel Class of Hybrid Manipulators
Authors: Zhang Change-de , Song Shin-Min
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a novel class of hybrid manipulators composed of two serially connected parallel mechanisms, each of which has three degrees of freedom. The lower and upper platforms respectively control the position and orientation of the end-effector. The advantages of this type of hybrid manipulator are larger workspace (as compared with parallel manipulators) and better rigidity and higher load-carrying capability (as compared with serial manipulators). The closed-form solutions of the forward and inverse position analyses are discussed. For forward position analysis, it is shown that the resultant equation for the positional mechanism is an 8-th order, a 6-th order, a 4-th order, or a 2-nd order polynomial, depending on the geometry and joint types of the passive subchain, while for the orientational mechanism, it is an 8-th order, or a 2-nd polynomial depending on the geometry. For inverse position analysis, it is demonstrated that the positional and orientational mechanisms both possess analytical closed-form solutions.
Control Systems in Manufacturing
Authors: Telagi Mruthyunjaya S. , Soni Athamaram H.
Published: March 2021

This paper reviews different control methodologies applied in manufacturing environment. Since comparatively newer control methodologies like — Neural networks, Fuzzy logic, and Cerebellar model articulation controller have gained more research interests in recent years, they have been dealt in more detail. With this, we have presented application of neural network for endeffector positioning of three degree planar robot and results have been evaluated. Finally the future research trends in these areas have been discussed.
Interference Detection of Non-Convex Solids for Manipulators
Authors: Abdel-Malek Karim A. , Paul Burton
Published: March 2021

When performing a computer simulation on analytical study of robot motions it is possible to unwittingly require a part of the robot (e.g. the hand) to interpenetrate (i.e. to interfere with) another part (e.g. an arm). It is therefore important to be able to predict in advance whether self interference or collision of any type occurs. This problem arises in fields of interest other than robotics, e.g. computer aided design and computer graphics. In this report, we have developed a computational method which predicts interference of moving objects in space. The method works for non-convex solids and multiply-connected solids (solids containing holes). The method checks the boundaries of surfaces enveloping solids for interference. Every pair of surfaces (one on each body) are examined for points of intersection. Points of interest are then studied to determine whether any two solids do interfere. The theory is developed for planar, ruled, and double curved surfaces.
Virtual Reality Promises New Design Capabilities
Authors: Trego Angela , Magleby Spencer
Published: March 2021

Virtual reality has received much attention in the past few years in relation to entertainment and simulation. Although there is much hype surrounding virtual reality, the underlying technologies and concepts could have a significant impact on computer-based design engineering tools. This paper explores the possible applications of virtual reality to the engineering design process. The objective of the described research is to explore opportunities to create tools, environments, and systems which will increase the designer’s productivity through the application of virtual reality (VR) technologies and concepts. Background on design, CAD and VR is presented to give a context for later proposals. Previous research in the application of VR to CAD is reviewed. Specific VR capabilities are presented to show their possible application in mechanical design and CAD systems specifically. The potential applications of VR are explored in a structured manner with examples for each category. The paper concludes with recommendations on further research and development directions.
A Knowledge-Based Engineering Method to Integrate Metal Forming Process Design and Simulation
Authors: Robertson Tom , Prasad Biren , Duggirala Ravi
Published: March 2021

The integration of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools is an important consideration in metal forming design. Traditionally, engineering functions such as classical analysis, FEA, CAD, etc. are performed separately. The emergence of knowledge-based engineering (KBE) tools and its language-based structure provides a basis to integrate design functions. This paper presents a KBE system which effectively integrates metal forming process design and FEA analysis by automating the pre-processing required for metal forming simulation for two dimensional problems. The method will be applicable to 3D problems as FEA technology improves.
EXPRESS-P: Extending EXPRESS for Process Modeling and Monitoring
Authors: Felser Winfried , Mueller Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

The upcoming ISO standard EXPRESS has been defined as a data specification language for the use within STEP. EXPRESS supports the modeling of static structural relationships and consistency constraints whereas the applicability of EXPRESS for the modeling of behavior is very limited. Thus, at present there is an ongoing discussion by which means EXPRESS should be extended with.

In this paper, we present EXPRESS-P. EXPRESS-P is an extension of EXPRESS by the concepts of the formal languages SDL (CCITT Standard), Estelle (ISO Standard), and GRAPES-86. Within these approaches a system is described as a network of communicating concurrent agents. In addition to the language, we introduce graphical means for this extension (System and Process Diagrams). Finally, we give a practical example by modeling an injection molding process in order to demonstrate the applicability of EXPRESS-P.
Autogenic translation and counter point bar deposition in meandering rivers
Authors: Sylvester Z. , Durkin P.R. , Hubbard S.M. , Mohrig D.
Published: March 2021

Although it has long been recognized that deposition along meandering rivers is not restricted to convex banks (i.e., point bars), the consensus is that sediment deposition on concave banks of channel bends mostly occurs when meander bends translate downstream because erosion-resistant barriers inhibit their lateral migration. Using a kinematic model of channel meandering and time lapse satellite imagery from the Mamoré River in Bolivia, we show that downstream translation and associated concave bank deposition are essential, autogenic parts of the meandering process, and resulting counter point bars are expected to be present whenever perturbations such as bend cutoffs and channel reoccupations create short bends with high curvatures. The implication is that zones of concave bank deposition with lower topography, finer-grained sediment, slack water, and riparian vegetation that differs from point bars are more common than previously considered.
International psychometric validation of the Living with Chronic Illness Scale in Spanish-speaking patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Corchon Silvia , Rodriguez-Blazquez Carmen , Carvajal-Carrascal Gloria , Fuentes-Ramirez Alejandra , Ruiz de Ocenda Manuel Ignacio , Caparros Neus , Timonet-Andreu Eva , Navarta-Sanchez Maria Victoria , Ambrosio Leire
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To validate the Living with Chronic Illness (LW-CI) Scale in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design

Observational, cross-sectional validation study with retest. Acceptability, reliability, precision and construct validity were tested.

Setting

The study took place in primary and secondary specialised units of public and private hospitals of Spain and Colombia.

Participants

The study included 612 patients with COPD assessed from May 2018 to May 2019. A consecutive cases sampling was done. Inclusion criteria included: (A) patients with a diagnosis of COPD; (B) native Spanish speaking; (C) able to read and understand questionnaires; and (D) able to provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria included: (A) cognitive deterioration and (B) pharmacological effect or disorder that could disrupt the assessment.

Results

The LW-CI-COPD presented satisfactory data quality, with no missing data or floor/ceiling effects, showing high internal consistency for all the domains (Cronbach’s alpha for the total score 0.92). Test–retest reliability was satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.92). The LW-CI-COPD correlated 0.52–0.64 with quality of life and social support measures. The scale demonstrated satisfactory known-groups validity, yielding signiﬁcantly different scores in patients grouped according to COPD severity levels.

Conclusions

This has been the first validation study of the LW-CI-COPD. It is a feasible, reliable, valid and precise self-reported scale to measure living with COPD in the Spanish-speaking population. Therefore, it could be recommended for research and clinical practice to measure this concept and evaluate the impact of centred-care interdisciplinary interventions based on the patients’ perspective, focused on providing holistic and comprehensive care to patients with COPD.
Effect of exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy and infancy on paediatric allergic rhinitis
Authors: Lin Yu-Ting , Shih Hao , Jung Chau-Ren , Wang Chi-Min , Chang Ya-Chu , Hsieh Chia-Yun , Hwang Bing-Fang
Published: March 2021

Background

The effect of prenatal and postnatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) on the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) is poorly understood. We further identified the vulnerable period for AR development to determine methods to decrease adverse effects.

Methods

We used a large population-based birth cohort of 140 911 singleton live infants in Taichung, Taiwan with a highly temporal-resolution satellite-based hybrid model to evaluate the effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposure on the onset of AR.

Results

Among 140 911 children, 47 276 (33.55%) were cases of incident AR. The mean age of the children with AR at initial diagnosis was 2.97±1.78 years. We identified a significant association of AR with an interquartile range (IQR 17.98 µg/m
3
) increase in PM
2.5
from 30 gestational weeks to 52 weeks after birth. The exposure-response relationship revealed that AR had a significant positive association between PM
2.5
of 26–76 µg/m
3
(adjusted hazard ratios ranged from 1.00 to 1.05).

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that both prenatal and postnatal exposures to PM
2.5
are associated with later development of AR. The vulnerable time window may be within late gestation and the first year of life. Further study is required to confirm the vulnerable time period of PM
2.5
on AR.
The impacts of a fibrolytic enzyme additive on digestibility and performance in the grower and early finisher period, and supplementalSaccharomyces cerevisiaeon performance and rumen health in the late finisher period for feedlot cattle
Authors: Williams Melissa S. , AlZahal Ousama , Mandell Ira B. , McBride Brian W. , Wood Katharine M.
Published: March 2021

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of a fibrolytic enzyme pretreatment on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, and ruminal pH throughout the grower and early finisher period (exp. 1), and to examine the impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on intake, performance, and indicators of gut health in the late finisher period (exp. 2). A total of 54 steers were randomly assigned to a subgroup determining experimental treatment groups. In exp. 1, steers were randomized to control (CON1; no enzyme) or enzyme [ENZ; 0.75 mL·kg−1dry matter (DM) of feed] dietary treatments. Digestibility was improved (P ≤ 0.05) in ENZ steers for DM, crude protein, net energy for gain, and sugars but did not affect (P ≥ 0.12) dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), or reticulo-ruminal pH. In exp. 2, the treatments were control (CON2; no yeast) or yeast (YST; 3.0 g·animal−1daily) supplemented diets. Rumen papillae were collected for mRNA expression of gut barrier function (OCLN, CLDN, ZO1, and ZO2) and immune response (TLR2, TLR4, and FCAR) genes and histological measurements. Yeast supplementation decreased (P < 0.001) DMI by 31%, reduced variation in DMI, and improved feed conversion ratios but did not impact rumen health mRNA expression or histology measures (P ≥ 0.07). Overall, enzyme supplementation improved the digestibility of some nutrients in the grower period, and yeast supplementation improved feed efficiency, without impacting growth performance or gut health.
A low-cost radiation detection system to monitor radioactive environments by unmanned vehicles
Authors: Chierici Andrea , Malizia Andrea , di Giovanni Daniele , Fumian Francesca , Martellucci Luca , Gaudio Pasquale , d’Errico Francesco
Published: March 2021

Unconventional scenarios with hazardous radioactive levels are expected as consequences of accidents in the industrial sector of the nuclear energy production or following intentional releases of radioactive materials for terrorist purposes (dirty bombs, indoor contaminations, etc.). Nowadays, the need to balance the high standards of safety and security through an effective detection network is a matter of paramount importance. In this work, the authors’ challenge has been to design, realize and test a low-cost gamma detection and spectroscopy system which may be used in unmanned vehicles in general and/or drones with low payload capabilities. The designed platform may be used to carry out mapping or localization operations in order to reduce the risk factor for first responders or for the population affected by radiological and nuclear events. In this paper, the design process of a gamma ray detection and spectroscopy system based on affordable and commercially available technologies is presented along with the results of our ongoing characterization of the prototype.
Fabrication of a novel liquid metal microelectrode in microfluidic chip
Authors: Gong Yanli , Peng Bei , Weng Xuan , Jiang Hai
Published: March 2021

Electrokinetics is a good fluid control tool in microfluidics and usually microelectrodes play important roles in such approach such as generating a desired electric field. Though the fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) microelectrodes has been relatively mature, they cannot generate uniform electric field in space. Three-dimensional (3D) microelectrodes developed more recently may solve the problem, however the fabrication process is usually complicated and requires micro-alignment platform. Non-toxic liquid metal is a good material for making electrodes that has been introduced into microfluidics. It can be injected directly into a microchannel to form an electrode, but its special physical properties make the injection process complex and difficult to control. In this study, we investigated an optimized manufacturing method of liquid metal microelectrode in a microchip by numerical analysis and experimental study. High quality microelectrodes on morphology and stability were successfully fabricated. A fluorescent enrichment experiment was performed using the developed microelectrode in a microfluidic chip. The result shows that the optimized fabrication method of microelectrode in this study provides a promising way for high quality and good performance liquid metal microelectrode formation, and paves the way for its versatile applications.
Dual modulation of topological edge states from two-dimensional photonic crystals with lattice shrink
Authors: Li Xiao-Xue , Fang Yun-Tuan , Yang Li-Xia
Published: March 2021

The current topological edge states lack dynamical modulation and the intense field localization effect. To solve these problems, we construct a topological edge state structure based on two-dimensional photonic crystals with lattice shrink. Through the optimization of structure parameters, a nearly flat edge state dispersion curve occurs in a wide bandgap. The topological edge states with intense field localization take on some unique properties such that the transport directions can be controlled by both the source spin and the source position. The transport modes can be dynamically switched between the two opposite unidirectional channels just through moving the source position.
Car-following model of connected and autonomous vehicles considering both average headway and electronic throttle angle
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Yun , Li Kun , Li Qiaoru , Zheng Qiang
Published: March 2021

The connected and automated vehicle (CAV) is regarded as an effective way to improve traffic efficiency and safety, which can utilize vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology to obtain real-time status information from multiple preceding vehicles. In view of the car-following characteristic of CAV in a V2V communications environment, an extended car-following model AHT-FVD is proposed which takes both average headway and electronic throttle angle difference into account. The stability of this model is examined via linear stability analysis. It is found that the proposed model has a larger stability region than both the full velocity difference (FVD) model and throttle-based FVD (T-FVD) model. Namely, this AHT-FVD model can effectively stabilize traffic flow and alleviate traffic congestion in theory. Moreover, a series of numerical simulations are carried out to explore how average headway together with electronic throttle angle difference influences the stability of traffic flow. Simulation results show that increasing either the average headway weight or the electronic throttle angle difference control signal coefficients can yield higher traffic flow stability. Simulation result is highly consistent with theoretical analysis.
Dynamic Characteristics and Time‐History Analysis of Hydraulic Climbing Formwork for Seismic Motions
Authors: Yao Gang , Guo Haoting , Yang Yang , Xiang Chengming , Robert Soltys
Published: March 2021

With the widespread use and increasing cycle life of climbing formwork to construct high‐rise buildings in earthquake‐prone areas, the risk of earthquakes during the construction period increases. Hence, it is necessary to analyze the seismic response of climbing formwork. According to actual climbing formwork in the super high‐rise office building of Wanda Plaza in Kunming, China, the finite element model of the climbing formwork is established on the Ansys platform. The correctness of the model is verified by comparing the natural frequencies of the actual climbing formwork and the finite element model. The time‐history analysis of the climbing formwork subjected to earthquakes of varying strong magnitudes is carried out. The maximum displacement position and maximum von Mises stress position of the climbing formwork under different working conditions are determined, and the seismic response of the climbing formwork is analyzed. It has been found that when the formwork is under construction, the maximum displacement position of the climbing formwork is at the center of the long beam of the upper platform, and the maximum von Mises stress position is the joint of the outer pole of the main platform and tripod. Under the climbing condition, the maximum displacement position of the climbing formwork is at the top of the outer pole of the upper platform, and the maximum von Mises stress position is the joint of the beam of the tripod and guide rail. The climbing formwork is partially damaged under the simulated earthquake. However, the displacement is large, and some components have reached the yield state. It is recommended to strengthen the connection between the upper platform and the guide rail and enhance the strength and rigidity of the outer pole and tripod. Climbing formwork is more sensitive to horizontal earthquakes and has minimal sensitivity to vertical earthquakes. The structure attached to the climbing formwork will reduce its sensitivity to earthquakes. The research results are of practical significance for seismic design and improvement of climbing formwork.
Hybrid Feature Selection for Amharic News Document Classification
Authors: Endalie Demeke , Haile Getamesay
Published: March 2021

Today, the amount of Amharic digital documents has grown rapidly. Because of this, automatic text classification is extremely important. Proper selection of features has a crucial role in the accuracy of classification and computational time. When the initial feature set is considerably larger, it is important to pick the right features. In this paper, we present a hybrid feature selection method, called IGCHIDF, which consists of information gain (IG), chi-square (CHI), and document frequency (DF) features’ selection methods. We evaluate the proposed feature selection method on two datasets: dataset 1 containing 9 news categories and dataset 2 containing 13 news categories. Our experimental results showed that the proposed method performs better than other methods on both datasets 1and 2. The IGCHIDF method’s classification accuracy is up to 3.96% higher than the IG method, up to 11.16% higher than CHI, and 7.3% higher than DF on dataset 2, respectively.
Multiobjective Model and Improved Artificial Raindrop Algorithm for Virtual Network Mapping
Authors: Xuan Hejun , Zhao Xuelin , You Lei , Liu Zhenghui , Li Yanling
Published: March 2021

Network virtualization (NV) can provide the resource according to the request and can improve the flexibility of the network. It has become the key technology of 5G communication. Resource scheduling in virtual network mapping is an important problem faced by NV technology. To enhance the performance of the network, optimal resource scheduling schemes should be determined. In general, maximum index of frequency slots used, energy consumption, and the ratio of used frequency slots are three very important indicators for the network. Based on the previous research studies, we first take these three indicators into the objective of the mathematical model and define a novel multiobjective optimization model. Then, the three objectives are integrated into one objective to be minimized by using the sum weighted strategy. Finally, an efficient algorithm, which integrates the advantages of artificial raindrop algorithm (ARA), particle swarm optimization, and differential evolution, is proposed and denoted as IARA. Moreover, simulation experiments have been conducted in several experimental scenes with other compared algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm IARA can obtain better scheduling schemes than the compared algorithms.
Acupoints for Tension-Type Headache: A Literature Study Based on Data Mining Technology
Authors: Lu Lingyun , Wen Qian , Hao Xinyu , Zheng Qianhua , Li Ying , Li Ning
Published: March 2021

Objectives. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and principles of acupoints, which were applied for treating tension-type headache (TTH). Methods. Four databases were searched for the literature studies of treating TTH with acupuncture and moxibustion up to September 1, 2020. Titles, journals, authors, key words, interventions, main acupoints, and outcomes of the included literature studies were extracted and inputted into the self-established Data Excavation Platform of Acupoint Specificity for analysis. Results. In total, 128 papers containing 137 prescriptions, 89 meridian acupoints, and 7 extraordinary acupoints of treating TTH with acupuncture and moxibustion were included. The total frequency of acupoints’ application was 763 times. Fengchi (GB20), Baihui (GV20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) were used most frequently. The acupoints in Yang meridians were utilized more than those in Yin meridians (66.1% vs. 17.8%), and the acupoints in the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang were applied most commonly. 59.9% (457/763) of the applied acupoints were on the head, face, and neck, and 31.7% (242/763) were on the four limbs. Additionally, the proportion of specific acupoints’ application was 78.2% (597/763). Conclusions. The prescription of Fengchi (GB20), Baihui (GV20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) might be relatively reasonable in clinical practices of treating TTH with acupuncture, which should be verified in further studies.
Inequalities for Riemann–Liouville Fractional Integrals of Strongly

s
,
m

-Convex Functions
Authors: Zhang Fuzhen , Farid Ghulam , Akbar Saira Bano
Published: March 2021

The results of this paper provide two Hadamard-type inequalities for strongly

s
,
m

-convex functions via Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals and error estimations of well-known fractional Hadamard inequalities. Their special cases are given and connected with the results of some published papers.
Atypical Nodular Pulmonary Kappa Light-Chain Deposition
Authors: Nellipudi Jessy , Brealey John , Klebe Sonja , Lance David
Published: March 2021

We report a case of an incidental positron emission tomography avid right middle lobe lesion which was increasing in size. Due to concerns regarding malignancy, the patient underwent right middle lobectomy. Microscopic examination showed a

12
×
10
×
10

 mm poorly circumscribed lesion composed of eosinophilic material. The material labelled strongly for kappa light chains; however, Congo red stain was only weakly positive and without “apple-green” positive birefringence under polarised light. Electron microscopy revealed fibrillar amyloid-like material. The features were those of kappa light-chain deposition.
Study on Cyclic Cumulative Deformation Characteristics and the Equivalent Cyclic Creep Model of Soft Clay
Authors: Zhu Wenbo , Dai Guoliang , Gong Weiming
Published: March 2021

Suction caisson foundations can be used to anchor tension leg platforms. The soil at the bottom of the caisson undergoes both unloading and cyclic loading under wind and wave loads. However, the problem of cyclic cumulative deformation of soft clay under unloading has rarely been addressed. So, the strain cumulative deformation and strain softening characteristics of soft clay are studied by cyclic triaxial tests. The test results show that under low static deviator stress ratios and dynamic deviator stress ratios, the soil has a low level of strain accumulation and softening. As the dynamic deviator stress ratios increase, the cumulative cyclic deformation gradually increases, which rapidly develops in the early stage and tends to stabilize in the later stage. Moreover, the softening index gradually increases and is linearly related to the logarithm of the number of cycles. The cyclic cumulative deformation of the soil increases with increases in unloading stress and dynamic deviator stress, showing a creep characteristic of attenuation and then stabilization. Based on the tests, an equivalent cyclic creep model is established to describe the strain accumulation and softening of soil and verified through comparison with the test results. Then, the model is extended to a three-dimension model, and a finite element subroutine is developed for studying the strain cumulative deformation and strain softening characteristics of soft clay.
Mixed Spline Smoothing and Kernel Estimator in Biresponse Nonparametric Regression
Authors: Rahmawati Dyah P. , Budiantara I. N. , Prastyo Dedy D. , Octavanny Made A. D.
Published: March 2021

Mixed estimators in nonparametric regression have been developed in models with one response. The biresponse cases with different patterns among predictor variables that tend to be mixed estimators are often encountered. Therefore, in this article, we propose a biresponse nonparametric regression model with mixed spline smoothing and kernel estimators. This mixed estimator is suitable for modeling biresponse data with several patterns (response vs. predictors) that tend to change at certain subintervals such as the spline smoothing pattern, and other patterns that tend to be random are commonly modeled using kernel regression. The mixed estimator is obtained through two-stage estimation, i.e., penalized weighted least square (PWLS) and weighted least square (WLS). Furthermore, the proposed biresponse modeling with mixed estimators is validated using simulation data. This estimator is also applied to the percentage of the poor population and human development index data. The results show that the proposed model can be appropriately implemented and gives satisfactory results.
Classical Theory of Linear Multistep Methods for Volterra Functional Differential Equations
Authors: Li Yunfei , Li Shoufu
Published: March 2021

Based on the linear multistep methods for ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and the canonical interpolation theory that was presented by Shoufu Li who is exactly the second author of this paper, we propose the linear multistep methods for general Volterra functional differential equations (VFDEs) and build the classical stability, consistency, and convergence theories of the methods. The methods and theories presented in this paper are applicable to nonneutral, nonstiff, and nonlinear initial value problems in ODEs, Volterra delay differential equations (VDDEs), Volterra integro-differential equations (VIDEs), Volterra delay integro-differential equations (VDIDEs), etc. At last, some numerical experiments verify the correctness of our theories.
Approximation Properties of

p
,
q

-Szász-Mirakjan-Durrmeyer Operators
Authors: Lin Zhi-Peng , Cheng Wen-Tao , Xu Xiao-Wei
Published: March 2021

In this article, we introduce a new Durrmeyer-type generalization of

p
,
q

-Szász-Mirakjan operators using the

p
,
q

-gamma function of the second kind. The moments and central moments are obtained. Then, the Voronovskaja-type asymptotic formula is investigated and point-wise estimates of these operators are studied. Also, some local approximation properties of these operators are investigated by means of modulus of continuity and Peetre

K

-functional. Finally, the rate of convergence and weighted approximation of these operators are presented.
Some Characterizations of Weighted Holomorphic Function Classes by Univalent Function Classes
Authors: Ahmed A. El-Sayed , Omran S.
Published: March 2021

Some characterizations ofQK,ωp,q−type classes of holomorphic functions by Schwarzian derivatives with known conformal-type mappings are introduced in the present manuscript. Moreover, the action of the pre-Schwarzian derivatives onQK,ωp,q−type classes, typically the univalent ones by using concerned Carleson-type measures, is investigated. In addition, we reveal important characterizations of some concerned weighted analytic-type spaces with the known Schwarzian derivatives evolving certainQ−type of concerned function class for a high utility toward practical and feasible application of concerned domains.
Gut-Lung Axis in COVID-19
Authors: Allali Imane , Bakri Youssef , Amzazi Saaïd , Ghazal Hassan
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 is a pandemic infection of the respiratory system caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was found in many parts of the COVID-19 patients including the stool, suggesting a potential interaction with the host’s gut microbiome. The gut microbiome also plays major roles in immunity and inflammation. It also impacts pulmonary functions through the gut-lung axis. There have been recent reports of the importance of the host microbiome in infection and pathogenicity. The understanding of the gut and lung microbiomes would open the gate to new therapeutic approaches.
Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction against Preeclampsia by a Network Pharmacology Approach
Authors: Cheng Shuqing , Liu Xijuan , Chen Aner , Li Haibo , Yan Lulu
Published: March 2021

Background. Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction (BBTD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been revealed to promote symptoms of preeclampsia (PE) in clinical practice. However, its mechanisms of action and molecular targets for the treatment of PE are not clear. Method. The potential mechanisms of the BBTD against PE were explored using network pharmacology approach and bioinformatic analysis. The PE animal model was induced by phosphatidylserine/dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine. The effects of BBTD in the treatment of PE were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The expressions of RNA and proteins were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. The cell behavior was detected using the MMT assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay. Results. A total of 173 active compounds of BBTD with 346 targets were identified, and 516 target genes related to PE were also identified from databases. 195 candidate targets for BBTD were screened from the merged PPI network of BBTD-target proteins and PE-related targets. The pathway enrichment analyses showed that the BBTD had the potential to influence a variety of biological pathways. Further pathway-gene network analysis suggested BBTD may improve symptoms of PE via several genes, including MDM2, TP53, RELA, MYC, AKT1, and EGFR. The validation results demonstrated that BBTD treatment promoted pregnancy outcome in the PE animal model. Meanwhile, BBTD regulated the gene expression of MDM2, TP53, RELA, MYC, and EGFR and inhibited the EGFR-JAK/STAT signaling pathway in placental tissue and trophoblast cells. In addition, BBTD promoted the proliferation and invasion and reduced the apoptosis of trophoblast cells. Conclusion. BBTD improved PE by inhibiting the EGFR-JAK/STAT signaling pathway and promoting the proliferation and invasion and reduced the apoptosis of trophoblast cells.
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Mwandia George , Simon Ryan Q. , Polenakovik Hari , Booher Katelyn J.
Published: March 2021

We describe a case of gonococcal spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in a 48-year-old sexually active female with alcoholic cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. She was admitted with fever, abdominal pain and distension without dysuria, dyspareunia, or vaginal discharge. On exam, she was icteric with features of sepsis and tense ascites. She underwent paracentesis. The ascitic fluid analysis revealed a neutrophil count of 1,050/µL, and culture grew Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Pelvic examination findings were negative for pelvic inflammatory disease; however, an endocervical swab was positive for N. gonorrhoeae by PCR. She was diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis secondary to N. gonorrhoeae and was successfully treated with a seven-day course of IV ceftriaxone. N. gonorrhoeae spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is an extremely rare entity reported only twice despite the high prevalence of gonorrhoeae in the general population. We hypothesize that gonococcal SBP may be frequently undiagnosed since it responds to empiric antibiotics used to treat SBP. It is important for the clinician to be aware of gonococcus as a rare but potential pathogen in SBP. Future studies are needed to determine if routine gonococcal screening in SBP cases would be of clinical utility.
An Exploratory Study of Training Intensity in EEG Neurofeedback
Authors: Esteves Inês , Nan Wenya , Alves Cristiana , Calapez Alexandre , Melício Fernando , Rosa Agostinho
Published: March 2021

Neurofeedback training has shown benefits in clinical treatment and behavioral performance enhancement. Despite the wide range of applications, no consensus has been reached about the optimal training schedule. In this work, an EEG neurofeedback practical experiment was conducted aimed at investigating the effects of training intensity on the enhancement of the amplitude in the individual upper alpha band. We designed INTENSIVE and SPARSE training modalities, which differed regarding three essential aspects of training intensity: the number of sessions, the duration of a session, and the interval between sessions. Nine participants in the INTENSIVE group completed 4 sessions with 37.5 minutes each during consecutive days, while nine participants in the SPARSE group performed 6 sessions of 25 minutes spread over approximately 3 weeks. As a result, regarding the short-term effects, the upper alpha band amplitude change within sessions did not significantly differ between the two groups. Nonetheless, only the INTENSIVE group showed a significant increase in the upper alpha band amplitude. However, for the sustained effects across sessions, none of the groups showed significant changes in the upper alpha band amplitude across the whole course of training. The findings suggest that the progression within session is favored by the intensive design. Therefore, based on these findings, it is proposed that training intensity influences EEG self-regulation within sessions. Further investigations are needed to isolate different aspects of training intensity and effectively confirm if one modality globally outperforms the other.
Abstract P08: Adenosine-based cancer immunotherapy for COVID-19
Authors: Monticone Giulia , Ramsay Alistair , Miele Lucio
Published: March 2021

Cancer immunotherapy has shaped the way in which we design cancer treatments, introducing the paradigm of taking advantage of our immune system to fight cancer. We propose that the same concept could be applied to infectious diseases and, especially, to those that hamper the immune system like COVID-19. It is well known that an adaptive immune response is able to eradicate viral infections and CD8+ T-cells are key in such anti-viral response. Furthermore, several studies reported that the number of CD8+ T-cells is reduced in COVID-19 patients since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 infection and further decreased in severe cases. CD8+ T-cells often show signs of exhaustion, loss of T-cell functions and suppression in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that hampering CD8+ T-cells could be a way by which SARS-CoV-2 infection progresses. Importantly, the number of CD8+ T cells appears to re-increase in patients that are recovering from COVID-19, suggesting that CD8+ T-cells could be a key factor that determines whether our body can recover from the disease. We propose that therapies that boost CD8+ T cells could be effective in clearing SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19. To test this, we will take advantage of the adenosine-mediated immunomodulation. Adenosine, an ATP metabolite that is produced during inflammation, hypoxia and in the tumor microenvironment, was found to suppress the immune response through activation of adenosine receptors present on immune cells. Small molecules antagonists that block one of these receptors, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonists, are currently being studied to boost anti-cancer T-cell mediated immune responses. Our data show that treatment with an A2AR antagonist restores and stabilizes Notch1, a key pathway for T-cell functions, along with production of INF-gamma and Granzyme B and proliferation in CD8+ T-cells. As a proof of concept, our data indicates that treatment with an A2AR antagonist increases CD8+ T-cells anti-cancer response in tumor-derived organoids, suggesting that the treatment boosts CD8+ T-cells-mediated immune response. Ongoing work aims to test whether the A2AR antagonist treatment restores several parameters of T-cell function that are specifically modified in COVID-19. This analysis will help to predict the action of the A2AR antagonist on T-cells in vivo and we ultimately aim to test this treatment in a mouse model for COVID-19. Overall, our work could introduce a new paradigm and new therapies for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Citation Format: Giulia Monticone, Alistair Ramsay, Lucio Miele. Adenosine-based cancer immunotherapy for COVID-19 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr P08.