bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vagus nerve stimulation therapy in people with drug-resistant epilepsy (CORE-VNS): rationale and design of a real-world post-market comprehensive outcomes registry
Authors: Sen Arjune , Verner Ryan , Valeriano James P , Lee Ricky , Zafar Muhammad , Thomas Rhys , Kotulska Katarzyna , Jespers Ellen , Dibué Maxine , Kwan Patrick
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy System (VNS Therapy) is an adjunctive neuromodulatory therapy that can be efficacious in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). CORE-VNS aims to examine the long-term safety and clinical outcomes of VNS in people with DRE.

Methods and analysis

The CORE-VNS study is an international, multicentre, prospective, observational, all-comers, post-market registry. People with DRE receiving VNS Therapy for the first time as well as people being reimplanted with VNS Therapy are eligible. Participants have a baseline visit (prior to device implant). They will be followed for a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 60 months after implant. Analysis endpoints include seizure frequency (average number of events per month), seizure severity (individual-rated categorical outcome including very mild, mild, moderate, severe or very severe) as well as non-seizure outcomes such as adverse events, use of antiseizure medications, use of other non-pharmacological therapies, quality of life, validated measures of quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index or Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire) and healthcare resource utilisation. While the CORE-VNS registry was not expressly designed to test hypotheses, subgroup analyses and exploratory analysis that require hypothesis testing will be conducted across propensity score matched treatment groups, where possible based on sampling.

Ethics and dissemination

The CORE-VNS registry has already enrolled 823 participants from 61 centres across 15 countries. Once complete, CORE-VNS will represent one of the largest real-world clinical data sets to allow a more comprehensive understanding of the management of DRE with adjunctive VNS. Manuscripts derived from this database will shed important new light on the characteristics of people receiving VNS Therapy; the practical use of VNS across different countries, and factors influencing long-term response.

Trail registration number

NCT03529045.
Person-centred care transitions for people with stroke: study protocol for a feasibility evaluation of codesigned care transition support
Authors: Flink Maria , Lindblom Sebastian , Tistad Malin , Laska Ann Charlotte , Bertilsson Bo Christer , Wärlinge Carmen , Hasselström Jan , Elf Marie , von Koch Lena , Ytterberg Charlotte
Published: December 2021

Background

Care transitions following stroke should be bridged with collaboration between hospital staff and home rehabilitation teams since well-coordinated transitions can reduce death and disability following a stroke. However, health services are delivered within organisational structures, rather than being based on patients’ needs. The aim of this study protocol is to assess the feasibility, operationalised here as fidelity and acceptability, of a codesigned care transition support for people with stroke.

Methods

This study protocol describes the evaluation of a feasibility study using a non-randomised controlled design. The codesigned care transition support includes patient information using videos, leaflets and teach back; what-matters-to me dialogue; a coordinated rehabilitation plan; bridged e-meeting; and a message system for cross-organisational collaboration. Patients with stroke, first time or recurrent, who are to be discharged home from hospital and referred to a rehabilitation team in primary healthcare for continued rehabilitation in the home will be included. One week after stroke, data will be collected on the primary outcome, namely satisfaction with the care transition support, and on the secondary outcome, namely health literacy and medication adherence. Data on use of healthcare will be obtained from a register of healthcare contacts. The outcomes of patients and significant others will be compared with matched controls from other geriatric stroke and acute stroke units, and with matched historic controls from a previous dataset at the intervention and control units. Data on acceptability and fidelity will be assessed through interviews and observations at the intervention units.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approvals have been obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. The results will be published open-access in peer-reviewed journals. Dissemination also includes presentation at national and international conferences.

Discussion

The care transition support addresses a poorly functioning part of care trajectories in current healthcare. The development of this codesigned care transition support has involved people with stroke, significant other, and healthcare professionals. Such involvement has the potential to better identify and reconceptualise problems, and incorporate user experiences.

Trial registration number

http://www.clinicaltrials.govid:NCT02925871. Date of registration 6 October 2016.

Protocol version

1.
Development of an optimised physiotherapist-led treatment protocol for lateral elbow tendinopathy: a consensus study using an online nominal group technique
Authors: Bateman Marcus , Saunders Benjamin , Littlewood Chris , Hill Jonathan C
Published: December 2021

Objectives

There are a wide range of physiotherapy treatment options for people with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET); however, previous studies have reported inconsistent approaches to treatment and a lack of evidence demonstrating clinical effectiveness. This study aimed to combine the best available research evidence with stakeholder perspectives to develop key components of an optimised physiotherapist-led treatment protocol for testing in a future randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Design

Online consensus groups using nominal group technique (NGT), a systematic approach to building consensus using structured multistage meetings.

Setting

UK National Health Service (NHS).

Participants

10 physiotherapists with special interest in LET, 2 physiotherapy service managers and 3 patients who had experienced LET.

Interventions

Two consensus groups were conducted; the first meeting focused on agreeing the types of interventions to be included in the optimised treatment protocol; the second meeting focused on specific details of intervention delivery. Participants were sent an evidence summary of available treatments for LET prior to the first meeting. All treatment options were discussed before anonymous voting and ranking of priority. Consensus for inclusion of each treatment option was set at ≥70% based on OMERACT guidelines. Options with 30%–69% agreement were discussed again, and a second vote was held, allowing for a change of opinion.

Results

The optimised physiotherapist-led treatment package included: advice and education, exercise therapy and orthotics. Specific components for each of these interventions were also agreed such as: condition-specific advice, health-promotion advice, exercise types, exercise into ‘acceptable’ levels of pain, exercise dosage and type of orthoses. Other treatment options including electrotherapy, acupuncture and manual therapy were excluded.

Conclusion

An optimised physiotherapist-led treatment protocol for people with LET was successfully developed using an online NGT consensus approach. This intervention is now ready for testing in a future pilot/feasibility RCT to contribute much needed evidence about the treatment of LET.

Trial registration number

This is the pre-cursor to the OPTimisE Pilot and Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial. Registration:https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN64444585
Proton beam radiation for iris melanoma: case series and review of literature
Authors: Hauzinger Jasmine Alexandra , Blatsios Georgios , Haas Gertrud , Zehetner Claus , Velez-Escola Luisa , Nowosielski Yvonne , Seifarth Christof , Rauchegger Teresa , Haider Bernhard , Bechrakis Nikolaos E
Published: December 2021

Objective

Purpose of this study is to analyse the visual outcomes, the complication and eye retention rate as well as tumour control data of patients treated with proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) for iris melanoma.

Methods

Retrospective case series and review based on patients’ records. All tumours were categorised according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer staging criteria for primary iris melanoma und underwent either sectorial or whole anterior segment PBRT.

Results

Thirteen cases were identified of which five received PBRT of the whole anterior segment and eight received sectorial PBRT. Local tumour control after a mean follow-up of 25 months was 92%. Complications after PBRT included cataract (46%), secondary glaucoma (31%), superficial keratitis (15%) and madarosis (8%). Complications were more common in patients necessitating irradiation of the entire anterior segment than in patients which received sectorial irradiation. Eye retention was achieved in all cases. No statistically significant difference in the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) was found before and after treatment. Comparison of mean BCVA and IOP between different treatment groups (complete anterior segment vs sectorial irradiation) at the last follow-up visit were also not significantly different. No patient developed metastatic disease during follow-up.

Conclusion

PBRT is a safe and vision preserving therapeutic modality for iris melanoma. Complete irradiation of the anterior segment is associated with higher complication rates.
Comparison of the airway microbiota in children with chronic suppurative lung disease
Authors: Ahmed Bushra , Cox Michael J , Cuthbertson Leah , James Phillip , Gardner Laura , Cookson William , Davies Jane , Moffatt Miriam , Bush Andrew
Published: December 2021

Rationale

The airway microbiota is important in chronic suppurative lung diseases, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). This comparison has not previously been described but is important because difference between the two diseases may relate to the differing prognoses and lead to pathological insights and potentially, new treatments.

Objectives

To compare the longitudinal development of the airway microbiota in children with PCD to that of CF and relate this to age and clinical status.

Methods

Sixty-two age-matched children (age range 0.5–17 years) with PCD or CF (n=31 in each group) were recruited prospectively and followed for 1.1 years. Throat swabs or sputum as well as clinical information were collected at routine clinical appointments. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed.

Measurements and main results

The microbiota was highly individual and more diverse in PCD and differed in community composition when compared with CF. WhileStreptococcuswas the most abundant genus in both conditions,Pseudomonaswas more abundant in CF withHaemophilusmore abundant in PCD (Padj=0.0005). In PCD only, an inverse relationship was seen in the relative abundance ofStreptococcusandHaemophiluswith age.

Conclusions

Bacterial community composition differs between children with PCD and those with CF.Pseudomonasis more prevalent in CF andHaemophilusin PCD, at least until infection withPseudomonassupervenes. Interactions between organisms, particularly members ofHaemophilus,StreptococcusandPseudomonasgenera appear important. Study of the interactions between these organisms may lead to new therapies or risk stratification.
Sociodemographic and clinical factors, visit expectations and driving factors for emergency department attendance for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection
Authors: Chow Angela , Keng Bryan , Guo Huiling , Aung Aung Hein , Huang Zhilian , Weng Yanyi , Ang Hou
Published: December 2021

Background

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) account for substantial non-urgent ED attendances. Hence, we explored the reasons for such attendances using a mixed-methods approach.

Methods

We interviewed adult patients with URTI who visited the second busiest adult ED in Singapore from June 2016 to November 2018 on their expectations and reasons for attendance. A structured questionnaire, with one open-ended question was used. Using the Andersen’s Behavioural Model for Healthcare Utilisation, the topmost reasons for ED attendances were categorised into (1) contextual predisposing factors (referral by primary care physician, family, friends or coworkers), (2) contextual enabling factors (convenience, accessibility, employment requirements), (3) individual enablers (personal preference and trust in hospital-perceived care quality and efficiency) and (4) individual needs (perceived illness severity and non-improvement). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to assess associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors, patient expectations for ED visits and the drivers for ED attendance.

Results

There were 717 patients in the cohort. The mean age of participants was 40.5 (SD 14.7) years, 61.2% were males, 66.5% without comorbidities and 40.7% were tertiary educated. Half had sought prior medical consultation (52.4%) and expected laboratory tests (55.7%) and radiological investigations (46.9%). Individual needs (32.8%) and enablers (25.1%) were the main drivers for ED attendance. Compared with ED attendances due to contextual enabling factors, attendances due to other drivers were more likely to be aged ≥45 years, had prior medical consultation and expected radiological investigations. Having a pre-existing medical condition (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.78, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.04) and an expectation for laboratory tests (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.64) were associated with individual needs while being non-tertiary educated (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.45) and having pre-existing comorbidities (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.10) were associated with individual enablers.

Conclusions

Meeting individual needs of perceived illness severity or non-improvement was the topmost driver of ED visits for URTI, while contextual enabling factors such as convenience was the lowest. Patients’ sociodemographic and clinical factors and visit expectations influence their motivations for ED attendances. Addressing these factors and expectations can alleviate the overutilisation of ED services.
Leptomeningeal disease and brain control after postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery with or without immunotherapy for resected brain metastases
Authors: Minniti Giuseppe , Lanzetta Gaetano , Capone Luca , Giraffa Martina , Russo Ivana , Cicone Francesco , Bozzao Alessandro , Alongi Filippo , Nicosia Luca , Fineschi Gioia , Marchetti Luca , Tufo Tommaso , Bianciardi Federico , Esposito Vincenzo , Gentile PierCarlo , Paolini Sergio
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Immunotherapy has shown activity in patients with brain metastases (BM) and leptomeningeal disease (LMD). We have evaluated LMD and intraparenchymal control rates for patients with resected BM receiving postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and immunotherapy or postoperative SRS alone. We hypothesize that postoperative SRS and immunotherapy will result in a lower rate of LMD with acceptable toxicity compared with postoperative SRS.

Patients and methods

One hundred and twenty-nine patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma BM who received postoperative fractionated SRS (fSRS; 3×9 Gy) in combination with immunotherapy or postoperative fSRS alone for completely resected BM were retrospectively evaluated. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of LMD after treatments. The secondary endpoints were local failure, distant brain parenchymal failure (DBF), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related toxicity.

Results

Sixty-three patients received postoperative SRS and immunotherapy, either nivolumab or pembrolizumab, and 66 patients received postoperative SRS alone to the resection cavity. With a median follow-up of 15 months, LMD occurred in 19 patients: fSRS group, 14; fSRS and immunotherapy, 5. The 12-month LMD cumulative rates were 22% (95% CI 14% to 37%) in the fSRS group and 6% (95% CI 2% to 17%) in the combined treatment group (p=0.007). Resection cavity control was similar between the groups, whereas DBF and OS were significantly different; the 1-year DBF rates were 31% (95% CI 20% to 46%) in the fSRS and immunotherapy group and 52% (95% CI 39% to 68%) in the fSRS group; respective OS rates were 78% (95% CI 67% to 88%) and 58.7% (95% CI 47% to 70%). Twenty-two patients undergoing postoperative fSRS and immunotherapy and nine subjected to postoperative fSRS experienced treatment-related imaging changes suggestive of radiation-induced brain necrosis (p=0.02).

Conclusions

Postoperative fSRS in combination with immunotherapy decreases the incidence of LMD and DBF in patients with resected BM from NSCLC and melanoma as compared with fSRS alone, reducing the rate of neurological death and prolonging survival.
Enzyme complex addition in barley or rye broiler diets with two energy levels fed from 1 to 21 days
Authors: de Souza Caio Henrique Pereira , Sakamoto Márcia Izumi , Pozza Paulo Cesar , dos Santos Tatiana Carlesso , Lipori Humberto Marques , Hirata Alceu Kazuo , Murakami Alice Eiko
Published: December 2021

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate diet digestibility, performance, digestive parameters, and blood parameters when an enzyme complex (EC) was used in barley- and rye-based diets with different energy levels. In the digestibility assay (exp. I), 108 seventeen-day-old Cobb male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design in 2 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement with two feeds (barley or rye), two EC levels (0% and 0.02%), and two energy levels [3025 and 3125 kcal apparent metabolizable energy (AME)·kg−1], plus a control treatment. In exp. II, 1080 one-day-old Cobb male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design in 2 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement with two feeds (barley or rye), two EC levels (0% and 0.02%), and two energy levels (2875 and 2975 kcal AME·kg−1). No interactions were observed for any variables (exp. I and II). Enzyme complex improved the apparent metabolizable coefficient of gross energy (P = 0.0432) of diets. The EC provided greater weight gain (P = 0.0003) and better feed conversion (P = 0.0025). Intestinal viscosity at 21 d was reduced (P < 0.0001) with the addition of the EC. The EC improved nutrient digestibility and performance, but the effects of energy reduction on performance could not be overcome.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for Kirchhoff–Schrödinger–Poisson system with critical growth
Authors: Che Guofeng , Chen Haibo
Published: December 2021

This paper is concerned with the following Kirchhoff–Schrödinger–Poisson system: [Formula: see text] where constants [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the parameters. Under some appropriate assumptions on [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we prove the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions for the above system via variational methods. Some recent results from the literature are greatly improved and extended.
Quantum secure direct communication based on quantum homomorphic encryption
Authors: Huang Xi , Zhang Shibin , Chang Yan , Yang Fan , Hou Min , Cheng Wen
Published: December 2021

As one of the most important branches of quantum cryptography, quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) is used to transmit the secret message directly rather than distribute a random key. Quantum homomorphic encryption (QHE) enables arbitrary quantum transformation on encrypted data without decrypting the data. To date, the previously proposed QSDC schemes are mainly based on different quantum states. The research of the QSDC scheme based on QHE is still blank. In this paper, a QSDC scheme by taking advantage of the properties of QHE is proposed. The proposed protocol has applied QHE and decoy photons to prevent various types of attacks. The proposed scheme only utilizes the rotation operation to encode the secret message which is easy to implement with the current technologies. Moreover, the communication efficiency and the qubit-utilization ratio are analyzed in this paper, which shows that this protocol has good performance in the qubit-utilization ratio, and the qubit efficiency of the QSDC scheme has improved.
Strategy of state transfer for open quantum systems by no-knowledge feedback control: Via reverse engineering
Authors: Hu Juju , Ke Qiang , Ji Yinghua
Published: December 2021

It has long been interest to control the transfer of population between specified quantum states and protect the coherence of the system at the same time. In this paper, we investigate a scheme to improve the strategy of state transfer for open quantum systems using no-knowledge measurement-based feedback control and reverse engineering. In order to ensure that the system can process information effectively, we first design the control pulse in advance from the perspective of population and coherence and then verify it through numerical simulations. The research results show that, based on the designed control pulse, we can indeed drive the system from any initial state to the desired target state, and the coherence of the system can be effectively protected during the state transition.
Abundant soliton wave solutions for the (3+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient nonlinear wave equation in liquid with gas bubbles by bilinear analysis
Authors: Tao Guanqi , Manafian Jalil , İlhan Onur Alp , Zia Syed Maqsood , Agamalieva Latifa
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we check and scan the (3+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient nonlinear wave equation which is considered in soliton theory and generated by considering the Hirota bilinear operators. We retrieve some novel exact analytical solutions, including cross-kink soliton solutions, breather wave solutions, interaction between stripe and periodic, multi-wave solutions, periodic wave solutions and solitary wave solutions for the (3+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient nonlinear wave equation in liquid with gas bubbles by Maple symbolic computations. The required conditions of the analyticity and positivity of the solutions can be easily achieved by taking special choices of the involved parameters. The main ingredients for this scheme are to recover the Hirota bilinear forms and their generalized equivalences. Lastly, the graphical simulations of the exact solutions are depicted.
Chirp form selection to produce intense and broad harmonic spectra and attosecond pulses in the presence of single and superposition initial states
Authors: Wang Yuning , Feng Liqiang , McCain John , Liu Hang
Published: December 2021

The chirp form selection for producing intense and broad high-order harmonic spectra has been investigated when the initial state is chosen to be the single or superposition states. It is found that, for the case of a single ground initial state, the down-chirp is much better for extending the harmonic cutoff with the stronger emission intensity. Moreover, the multi-color combined field is beneficial to produce the larger harmonic cutoff and higher harmonic intensity. After the control of laser waveform, the combination of 3-color down-chirps with a proper UV pulse is the best condition to obtain the intense X-ray spectral continuum and the isolated attosecond pulse. For the case of superposition initial state, both the up-chirp and down-chirp are beneficial to generate the high-intensity spectral regions. However, with the combination of multi-color field, only the harmonic cutoff can be further extended, and the harmonic intensity presents almost no changes for the superposition initial state case. Finally, by properly choosing the 3-color up-chirps or 3-color down-chirps combined pulses, the stronger intensity harmonic spectra covering the X-ray region can be obtained, which can produce the isolated pulses of 37 as.
Comparative study of the electronic structure and optical properties of the Heusler alloys Co2MGa and Co2MAl (M = Fe and Ni)
Authors: Shreder E. I. , Makhnev A. A. , Suresh K. G. , Kostenko M. G. , Chernov E. D. , Ivanov V. G. , Lukoyanov A. V.
Published: December 2021

The electronic structure and optical properties of the Heusler alloys Co2NiGa, Co2NiAl, Co2FeGa, and Co2FeAl are reported and compared in this work. In the Fe-based alloys, Co2FeGa and Co2FeAl, the electronic structure is found to have 100% spin polarization with the indirect energy gap in the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] direction, whereas in Co2NiGa and Co2NiAl, the density of states is metallic in both spin projections with spin polarization of 55% (Co2NiGa) and 37% (Co2NiAl). Total and Co partial magnetic moments of all Heusler alloys for the optimized lattice parameters were found in a good agreement with previous calculations and experimental data. The frequency dependence of the real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric constant for the Heusler alloys is studied in the spectrum region of 0.08–5 eV. The research results are discussed based on the performed calculations of the electronic structure. It was found that the character of variations of the spectral parameters of the alloys is typical for media with the metallic conductivity. In the IR region, the mechanism of the intraband acceleration of electrons by the light wave field dominates. The significant changes in the optical spectrum, magnetic moment, spin polarization and electronic structure were revealed in Co2MGa and Co2MAl for different M atoms which motivate further investigations of the Co-based Heusler alloys as promising materials for spintronics.
Satellite constructions and geometric classification of Brunnian links
Authors: Bai Sheng , Ma Jiming
Published: December 2021

We study satellite operations on Brunnian links. First, we find two special satellite operations, both of which can construct infinitely many distinct Brunnian links from almost every Brunnian link. Second, we give a geometric classification theorem for Brunnian links, characterize the companionship graph defined by Budney in [JSJ-decompositions of knot and link complements in [Formula: see text], Enseign. Math. 3 (2005) 319–359], and develop a canonical geometric decomposition, which is simpler than JSJ-decomposition, for Brunnian links. The building blocks of Brunnian links then turn out to be Hopf [Formula: see text]-links, hyperbolic Brunnian links, and hyperbolic Brunnian links in unlink-complements. Third, we define an operation to reduce a Brunnian link in an unlink-complement into a new Brunnian link in [Formula: see text] and point out some phenomena concerning this operation.
Finger Vein Recognition Model for Biometric Authentication Using Intelligent Deep Learning
Authors: Madhusudhan M. V. , Udaya Rani V. , Hegde Chetana
Published: December 2021

In recent years, biometric authentication systems have remained a hot research topic, as they can recognize or authenticate a person by comparing their data to other biometric data stored in a database. Fingerprints, palm prints, hand vein, finger vein, palm vein, and other anatomic or behavioral features have all been used to develop a variety of biometric approaches. Finger vein recognition (FVR) is a common method of examining the patterns of the finger veins for proper authentication among the various biometrics. Finger vein acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and authentication are all part of the proposed intelligent deep learning-based FVR (IDL-FVR) model. Infrared imaging devices have primarily captured the use of finger veins. Furthermore, a region of interest extraction process is carried out in order to save the finger part. The shark smell optimization algorithm is used to tune the hyperparameters of the bidirectional long–short-term memory model properly. Finally, an authentication process based on Euclidean distance is performed, which compares the features of the current finger vein image to those in the database. The IDL-FVR model surpassed the earlier methods by accomplishing a maximum accuracy of 99.93%. Authentication is successful when the Euclidean distance is small and vice versa.
A Review on Rice Crop Disease Classification Using Computational Approach
Authors: Malathi V. , Gopinath M. P.
Published: December 2021

Rice is a significant cereal crop across the world. In rice cultivation, different types of sowing methods are followed, and thus bring in issues regarding sampling collection. Climate, soil, water level, and a diversified variety of crop seeds (hybrid and traditional varieties) and the period of growth are some of the challenges. This survey mainly focuses on rice crop diseases which affect the parts namely leaves, stems, roots, and spikelet; it mainly focuses on leaf-based diseases. Existing methods for diagnosing leaf disease include statistical approaches, data mining, image processing, machine learning, and deep learning techniques. This review mainly addresses diseases of the rice crop, a framework to diagnose rice crop diseases, and computational approaches in Image Processing, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Convolutional Neural Networks. Based on performance indicators, interpretations were made for the following algorithms namely support vector machine (SVM), convolutional neural network (CNN), backpropagational neural network (BPNN), and feedforward neural network (FFNN).
The sub-class sizes of some elements being square free
Authors: Zhao Xianhe , Zhou Yanyan , Chen Ruifang , Huang Qin
Published: December 2021

Let x be an element of a finite group G, and p a prime factor of the order of G. It is clear that there always exists a unique minimal subnormal subgroup containing x, say [Formula: see text]. We call the conjugacy class of x in [Formula: see text] the sub-class of x in G, see [G. Qian and Y. Yang, On sub-class sizes of finite groups, J. Aust. Math. Soc. (2020) 402–411]. In this paper, assume that [Formula: see text] is the product of the subgroups A and B, we investigate the solvability, p-nilpotence and supersolvability of the group G under the condition that the sub-class sizes of prime power order elements in [Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text] free, [Formula: see text] free and square free, respectively, so that some known results relevant to conjugacy class sizes are generalized.
THE CONVERSION FROM INFORMALITY TO A FORMAL ENTITY: LINKS TO THE NATURE OF THE OWNER-MANAGER
Authors: RAHOU EL HASSANIA , TAQI AHMED
Published: December 2021

Recognizing the heterogeneity of informal microentrepreneurs, this paper assesses the determinants of their willingness to enter the formal sector. Based on human capital theory and social capital theory, we test the hypothesis that firm decision-making regarding formalization is a function of the nature of the informal microentrepreneur. Using data collected from 500 informal microentrepreneurs in Morocco, and employing a logistic regression model, we find that higher education level, motivation by business opportunity, entrepreneurship training, work experience, gender and the importance of social networks have an impact on the desire to formalize. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and policy implications.
Surface engineering of Ti3C2Tx MXene by oxygen plasma irradiation as room temperature ethanol sensor
Authors: Wang Zijing , Wang Fen , Hermawan Angga , Zhu Jianfeng , Yin Shu
Published: December 2021

In this work, a surface modification strategy by oxygen plasma irradiation was introduced for the first time to significantly improve the room temperature sensing performance of Ti3C2T[Formula: see text] MXene. Oxygen plasma irradiation induced TiO2formation on the Ti3C2T[Formula: see text] surface, produced lattice distortion, increased the specific surface area, and provided mesoporous structures. The gas sensitivity performance characterization results show the gas response value of Ti3C2T[Formula: see text] irradiated for 0.5 h (Ti3C2T[Formula: see text]0.5P) was hundreds of times better than the pristine Ti3C2T[Formula: see text]alongside with its sufficient response time (280 s) and rapid recovery time (11 s). The excellent sensing performance is attributed to the formation of more reactive sites on the edge and basal planes of Ti3C2T[Formula: see text] and mesoporous structures which greatly improved the adsorption of ethanol. Additionally, the relatively low work function of TiO2facilitates the formation of a Schottky junction for easy migration of charge carrier, the thereby shortening the sensing response time. This strategy offers a facile and controllable surface modification of other 2D materials, without damaging their structures.
Counting Homomorphisms to Trees Modulo a Prime
Authors: Göbel Andreas , Lagodzinski J. A. Gregor , Seidel Karen
Published: December 2021

Many important graph-theoretic notions can be encoded as counting graph homomorphism problems, such as partition functions in statistical physics, in particular independent sets and colourings. In this article, we study the complexity of  #

p

H
OMS
T
O
H
, the problem of counting graph homomorphisms from an input graph to a graph
H
modulo a prime number 
p
. Dyer and Greenhill proved a dichotomy stating that the tractability of non-modular counting graph homomorphisms depends on the structure of the target graph. Many intractable cases in non-modular counting become tractable in modular counting due to the common phenomenon of cancellation. In subsequent studies on counting modulo 2, however, the influence of the structure of 
H
on the tractability was shown to persist, which yields similar dichotomies.

Our main result states that for every tree 
H
and every prime 
p
the problem #

p

H
OMS
T
O
H
is either polynomial time computable or #

p

P-complete. This relates to the conjecture of Faben and Jerrum stating that this dichotomy holds for every graph
H
when counting modulo 2. In contrast to previous results on modular counting, the tractable cases of #

p

H
OMS
T
O
H
are essentially the same for all values of the modulo when
H
is a tree. To prove this result, we study the structural properties of a homomorphism. As an important interim result, our study yields a dichotomy for the problem of counting weighted independent sets in a bipartite graph modulo some prime 
p
. These results are the first suggesting that such dichotomies hold not only for the modulo 2 case but also for the modular counting functions of all primes 
p
.
Central Role of the Antigen-Presentation and Interferon-γ Pathways in Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Paschen Annette , Melero Ignacio , Ribas Antoni
Published: December 2021

Resistance to immunotherapy is due in some instances to the acquired stealth mechanisms of tumor cells that lose expression of MHC class I antigen–presenting molecules or downregulate their class I antigen–presentation pathways. Most dramatically, biallelic β2-microglobulin (B2M) loss leads to complete loss of MHC class I expression and to invisibility to CD8+T cells. MHC class I expression and antigen presentation are potently upregulated by interferon-γ (IFNγ) in a manner that depends on IFNγ receptor (IFNGR) signaling via JAK1 and JAK2. Mutations in these molecules lead to IFNγ unresponsiveness and mediate loss of recognition and killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Loss of MHC class I augments sensitivity of tumor cells to be killed by natural killer (NK) lymphocytes, and this mechanism could be exploited to revert resistance, for instance, with interleukin-2 (IL-2)-based agents. Moreover, in some experimental models,potent local type I interferon responses, such as those following intratumoral injection of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) or TLR3 agonists, revert resistance due to mutations of JAKs.
Multiple-Timescale Representations of Space: Linking Memory to Navigation
Authors: Tang Wenbo , Jadhav Shantanu P.
Published: December 2021

When navigating through space, we must maintain a representation of our position in real time; when recalling a past episode, a memory can come back in a flash. Interestingly, the brain's spatial representation system, including the hippocampus, supports these two distinct timescale functions. How are neural representations of space used in the service of both real-world navigation and internal mnemonic processes? Recent progress has identified sequences of hippocampal place cells, evolving at multiple timescales in accordance with either navigational behaviors or internal oscillations, that underlie these functions. We review experimental findings on experience-dependent modulation of these sequential representations and consider how they link real-world navigation to time-compressed memories. We further discuss recent work suggesting the prevalence of these sequences beyond hippocampus and propose that these multiple-timescale mechanisms may represent a general algorithm for organizing cell assemblies, potentially unifying the dual roles of the spatial representation system in memory and navigation.
Impact of acute dynamic exercise on vascular stiffness in the retinal arteriole in healthy subjects
Authors: Ikemura Tsukasa , Nakamura Nobuhiro , Hayashi Naoyuki
Published: December 2021

Acute dynamic exercise is well known to improve vascular stiffness in the conduit artery while its effect on the retinal arterioles has been unknown. This study showed that an acute dynamic exercise does not change vascular stiffness in the retinal arteriole in healthy humans. Different responses to acute dynamic exercise in vascular stiffness in retinal arterioles and conduit arteries are suggested.
Depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and protection with duroquinone in isolated perfused lungs from rats exposed to hyperoxia
Authors: Audi Said H. , Ganesh Swetha , Taheri Pardis , Zhang Xiao , Dash Ranjan K. , Clough Anne V. , Jacobs Elizabeth R.
Published: December 2021

This study is the first to measure hyperoxia-induced Δψm depolarization in isolated perfused lungs. Hyperoxia resulted in a partial depolarization of Δψm, which was fully reversed with duroquinone, demonstrating the utility of this approach for assessing the impact of potential therapies that target mitochondria such as exogenous quinones.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and muscle and whole body functional deficits in cancer patients with weight loss
Authors: Kunz Hawley E. , Port John D. , Kaufman Kenton R. , Jatoi Aminah , Hart Corey R. , Gries Kevin J. , Lanza Ian R. , Kumar Rajiv
Published: December 2021

To our knowledge, this is the first study to suggest that skeletal muscle mitochondrial deficits are associated with cancer-associated weight loss in humans. Mitochondrial deficits and alterations in the phospholipid metabolome were concurrent with reductions in whole body and skeletal muscle functional capacity. Whether mitochondrial deficits are causal or secondary to cancer-associated weight loss and functional deficits remains to be determined, but this study supports further exploration of mitochondria as a driver of cancer-associated losses in muscle mass and function.
Design and Analysis of Interactive Multimedia Online Physical Education Platform considering Moving Object Segmentation Algorithm
Authors: Hu Yanle , Zhou Jing , Gao Bin
Published: December 2021

With the development of Internet technology, Internet plus education has become a new mode of changing traditional education methods. Therefore, online physical education has attracted more and more attention. This paper introduces the sports object segmentation algorithm, designs an interactive multimedia online sports education platform by combining the research needs of sports online education platform, and analyzes online sports education from three aspects, sports teaching management, sports teaching resources, and sunshine sports activities, in order to improve the quality of sports education and improve students’ learning interest. Simulation results show that the algorithm is effective and can support the analysis of interactive multimedia online physical education platform.
Container Multimodal Cooperative Transportation Management Information System Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology
Authors: Wang Ling , Fu Shuai
Published: December 2021

Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science, which includes natural language, intelligent processing, and professional methods. Since the birth of artificial intelligence, the technology and application fields have continued to grow, and the application fields have also continued to expand. This article aims to study the application of artificial intelligence technology in the management information system of container multimodal transportation and to provide convenient and efficient operation methods for container multimodal transportation. This paper proposes the C-means clustering method. Through the research and development of the terminal management system, it has achieved great success in automation, intelligent planning, and integrated management. At the same time, the EDI system is adopted, which mainly uses the combination of GPS and GIS information platform Internet network technology. Therefore, when evaluating the operation of the multimodal transport virtual container under the control of coproduction, the DEA method is used to operate the multimodal virtual container. The situation is analyzed and evaluated, and the multimodal transport virtual container is determined through investment. The experimental results of this article show that the artificial intelligence system achieves the most efficient multimodal transport management with the most efficient system model, combined with the leading container multimodal transport virtual enterprise, to provide the best way of the management process for the development of the multimodal transport management information system. The intact rate of container cargo during transportation is as high as 99.7%.
Energy-Efficient UAV Trajectory Design with Information Freshness Constraint via Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Li Xinmin , Li Jiahui , Liu Dandan
Published: December 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technique with flexible deployment has enabled the development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, it is difficult to guarantee the freshness of information delivery for the energy-limited UAV. Thus, we study the trajectory design in the multiple-UAV communication system, in which the massive ground devices send the individual information to mobile UAV base stations under the demand of information freshness. First, an energy-efficiency (EE) maximization optimization problem is formulated under the rest energy, safety distance, and age of information (AoI) constraints. However, it is difficult to solve the optimization problem due to the nonconvex objective function and unknown dynamic environment. Second, a trajectory design based on the deep Q-network method is proposed, in which the state space considering energy efficiency, rest energy, and AoI and the efficient reward function related with EE performance are constructed, respectively. Furthermore, to avoid the dependency of training data for the neural network, the experience replay and random sampling for batch are adopted. Finally, we validate the system performance of the proposed scheme. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can achieve a better EE performance compared with the benchmark scheme.
Rotating Machinery Fault Diagnosis Method Based on Improved Semisupervised Generative Confrontation Network
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Qian , Qin Jin
Published: December 2021

Error diagnosis and detection have become important in modern production due to the importance of spinning equipment. Artificial neural network pattern recognition methods are widely utilized in rotating equipment fault detection. These methods often need a large quantity of sample data to train the model; however, sample data (especially fault samples) are uncommon in engineering. Preliminary work focuses on dimensionality reduction for big data sets using semisupervised methods. The rotary machine’s polar coordinate signal is used to build a GAN network structure. ANN and tiny samples are utilized to identify DCGAN model flaws. The time-conditional generative adversarial network is proposed for one-dimensional vibration signal defect identification under data imbalance. Finally, auxiliary samples are gathered under similar conditions, and CCNs learn about target sample characteristics. Convolutional neural networks handle the problem of defect identification with small samples in different ways. In high-dimensional data sets with nonlinearities, low fault type recognition rates and fewer marked fault samples may be addressed using kernel semisupervised local Fisher discriminant analysis. The SELF method is used to build the optimum projection transformation matrix from the data set. The KNN classifier then learns low-dimensional features and detects an error kind. Because DCGAN training is unstable and the results are incorrect, an improved deep convolutional generative adversarial network (IDCGAN) is proposed. The tests indicate that the IDCGAN generates more real samples and solves the problem of defect identification in small samples. Time-conditional generation adversarial network data improvement lowers fault diagnosis effort and deep learning model complexity. The TCGAN and CNN are combined to provide superior fault detection under data imbalance. Modeling and experiments demonstrate TCGAN’s use and superiority.
Stress Wave Propagation and Energy Absorption Properties of Heterogeneous Lattice Materials under Impact Load
Authors: Zhao Cun , Zhang Meng , Li Guoxi , Wang Dong
Published: December 2021

A heterogeneous lattice material composed of different cells is proposed to improve the energy absorption capacity. The heterogeneous structure is formed by setting layers of body‐centered XY rods (BCCxy) cells as the reinforcement in the body‐centered cubic (GBCC) uniform lattice material. The heterogeneous lattice samples are designed and processed by additive manufacturing technology. The stress wave propagation and energy absorption properties of heterogeneous lattice materials under impact load are analyzed by finite element simulation (FES) and Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments. The results show that, compared with the GBCC uniform lattice material, the spreading velocity of the stress of the (GBCC)3(BCCxy)2 heterogeneous lattice material is reduced by 18.1%, the impact time is prolonged 27.9%, the stress peak of the transmitted bar is reduced by 34.8%, and the strain energy peak is reduced by 29.7%. It indicates that the heterogeneous lattice materials are able to reduce the spreading velocity of stress and improve the energy absorption capacity. In addition, the number of layers of reinforcement is an important factor affecting the stress wave propagation and energy absorption properties.
Analytical Solution for Circular Tunnel under Obliquely Incident P Waves considering Different Contact Conditions
Authors: Duan Yawei , Zhao Mi , Huang Jingqi , Li Huifang , Du Xiuli
Published: December 2021

An analytical solution for the seismic‐induced thrust and moment of the circular tunnel in half‐space under obliquely incident P waves is developed in this study, which is the superposition of the solution for deep tunnels under incident and reflected P waves and the reflected SV waves. To consider tangential contact stiffness at the ground‐tunnel interface, a spring‐type stiffness coefficient is introduced into the force‐displacement relationship. Moreover, the tunnel lining is treated as the thick‐wall cylinder, providing more precise forecasts than beam or shell models used in previous analytical solution, especially for tunnels with thick lining. The reliability of the proposed analytical solution is assessed by comparing with the dynamic numerical results. Based on the proposed analytical solution, parametrical studies are conducted to investigate the effect of some critical factors on the tunnel’s seismic response, including the incident angles, the tangential contact stiffness at the ground‐tunnel interface, and the relative stiffness between the ground and the tunnel. The results demonstrate that the proposed analytical solution performs well and can be adopted to predict the internal forces of circular tunnels under obliquely incident P waves in seismic design.