bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Pressure Relief Effect of Rock Mass with Different Borehole Parameters
Authors: Peng Chao , Liu Wanrong
Published: March 2021

Rock burst is one of the disaster accidents that can easily happen in rock cavern engineering. At present, one of the most commonly used methods to control rock burst is borehole pressure relief technology. In this paper, the influence of drilling layout schemes on the pressure relief effect of surrounding rock mass is systematically studied. The research results show that the strength reduction degree, AE evolution characteristics, failure modes of rock samples with different borehole positions, boreholes spacing, boreholes dip angles, and boreholes layout forms are different. The strength reduction degree of rock sample with an inclined arrangement form is the largest, followed by the arrangement form being up three‐flower layout or down three‐flower layout. Using the inclined layout and three‐flower layout can achieve better pressure relief effect of the surrounding rock mass. The research results are beneficial to the rock burst of surrounding rock of the cavern. The acoustic emission can effectively monitor the stability of the surrounding rock of the cavern. However, the threshold value and the occurrence time of the acoustic emission of the cavern instability changed after the cavern surrounding rock is drilled holes. If the borehole is arranged at the surrounding rock mass, the occurrence time of the cavern instability may be advanced.
Hybridized Deep Learning Model for Perfobond Rib Shear Strength Connector Prediction
Authors: Khalaf Jamal Abdulrazzaq , Majeed Abeer A. , Aldlemy Mohammed Suleman , Ali Zainab Hasan , Al Zand Ahmed W. , Adarsh S. , Bouaissi Aissa , Hameed Mohammed Majeed , Yaseen Zaher Mundher
Published: March 2021

Accurate and reliable prediction of Perfobond Rib Shear Strength Connector (PRSC) is considered as a major issue in the structural engineering sector. Besides, selecting the most significant variables that have a major influence on PRSC in every important step for attaining economic and more accurate predictive models, this study investigates the capacity of deep learning neural network (DLNN) for shear strength prediction of PRSC. The proposed DLNN model is validated against support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), and M5 tree model. In the second scenario, a comparable AI model hybridized with genetic algorithm (GA) as a robust bioinspired optimization approach for optimizing the related predictors for the PRSC is proposed. Hybridizing AI models with GA as a selector tool is an attempt to acquire the best accuracy of predictions with the fewest possible related parameters. In accordance with quantitative analysis, it can be observed that the GA‐DLNN models required only 7 input parameters and yielded the best prediction accuracy with highest correlation coefficient (R = 0.96) and lowest value root mean square error (RMSE = 0.03936 KN). However, the other comparable models such as GA‐M5Tree, GA‐ANN, and GA‐SVR required 10 input parameters to obtain a relatively acceptable level of accuracy. Employing GA as a feature parameter selection technique improves the precision of almost all hybrid models by optimally removing redundant variables which decrease the efficiency of the model.
The Application of a Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Membrane in the Vascularization of a Decellularized Tracheal Scaffold
Authors: Yao Zhi-Ye , Feng Bo-Wen , Liu Cai-Sheng , Liu Yu-Mei , Zhou Hai-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Hui , Jian Min-Qiao , Mo Jian-Ling , Liang Yi-Jing , Chen Liang , Liu Xiao-Qing , Chen Yan-Ling , Zhang Zhan-Song , He Shao-Ru
Published: March 2021

Airway stenosis is a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A tissue-engineered trachea is a new therapeutic method and a research hotspot. Successful vascularization is the key to the application of a tissue-engineered trachea. However, successful vascularization studies lack a complete description. In this study, it was assumed that rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were obtained and induced by ascorbic acid to detect the tissue structure, ultrastructure, and gene expression of the extracellular matrix. A vascular endothelial cell culture medium was added in vitro to induce the vascularization of the stem cell sheet (SCS), and the immunohistochemistry and gene expression of vascular endothelial cell markers were detected. At the same time, vascular growth-related factors were added and detected during SCS construction. After the SCS and decellularized tracheal (DT) were constructed, a tetrandrine allograft was performed to observe its vascularization potential. We established the architecture and identified rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell membranes by 14 days of ascorbic acid, studied the role of a vascularized membrane in inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by in vitro ascorbic acid, and assessed the role of combining the stem cell membranes and noncellular tracheal scaffolds in vivo. Fourteen experiments confirmed that cell membranes promote angiogenesis at gene level. The results of 21-day in vitro experiments showed that the composite tissue-engineered trachea had strong angiogenesis. In vivo experiments show that a composite tissue-engineered trachea has strong potential for angiogenesis. It promotes the understanding of diseases of airway stenosis and tissue-engineered tracheal regeneration in newborns and small infants.
Research on Deformation Characteristics and Control Technology of Soft Rock Roadway under Dynamic Disturbance
Authors: Zang Chuan-Wei , Chen Yang , Chen Miao , Zhu Hong-Mo , Qu Chen-Ming , Zhou Jia
Published: March 2021

In the mining process of an underground coal mine, the dynamic load often causes great damage to the roadway and affects the normal mining of coal mine. In this paper, the deformation of surrounding rocks under static load and different disturbance intensities is studied by numerical simulation. The results show that under the same static load condition, the greater the dynamic load strength is, the more obvious the roadway roof displacement subsidence is. With the increase in dynamic load propagation distance, the amplitude of the dynamic load waveform decreases gradually. Under the same disturbance load intensity, the variation of roadway displacement with different disturbance load frequencies is studied. According to the influence of dynamic load on the deformation of the roadway, a combined support plan of shotcrete anchor net and reinforcement anchor cable is proposed. Finally, the rationality of the optimized support scheme is verified by numerical simulation and field results. The results show that the combined support scheme can effectively increase the strength of the broken soft rock and reduce the deformation of the surrounding rock. At the same time, it releases the expansion energy generated by the mutual compression and deformation of the rock layers, effectively maintaining the long‐term stability of the roadway.
LMI-Based Analysis and Stabilization of Nonlinear Descriptors with Multiple Delays via Delayed Nonlinear Controller Schemes
Authors: Romero-Vega Javier Adrián , Villafuerte-Segura Raúl , Estrada-Manzo Víctor
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a convex approach for nonlinear descriptor systems with multiple delays; it allows designing delayed nonlinear controllers such that the closed-loop system holds exponential estimates for convergence. The proposal takes advantage of an equivalent convex representation of the given descriptor model together with Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals; thus, the conditions are in the form of linear matrix inequalities, which can be efficiently solved by commercially available software. To avoid possible saturation in the actuators, conditions for bounding the control input are also given. Numerical and academic examples illustrate the performance of the proposal.
A Polynomial-Time Exact Algorithm for
k
-Depot Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem on a Tree
Authors: Xu Liang , Zhang Tong , Hu Rantao , Guo Jialing
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a polynomial-time exact algorithm for the

k

-depot capacitated vehicle routing problem on a tree for fixed

k

(

k

-depot CVRPT for short), which involves dispatching a fixed number of

k

capacitated vehicles in depots on a tree-shaped graph to serve customers with the objective of minimizing total distance traveled. The polynomial-time exact algorithm improves the 2-approximation algorithm when

k

is a constant.
Research on the Matching of Impact Performance and Collision Coefficient of Hydraulic Rock Drill
Authors: Li Yelin
Published: March 2021

The stress wave produced by the piston impact, on the drill rod, is an important factor affecting impact performance. It is particularly important to control the stress waveform generated by the piston impact on the drill rod to meet the requirements of efficiency and component durability of some impact mechanical systems. Based on wave theory, the impact stress wave model of rock drilling is established, a dimensionless collision coefficient γ is put forward, and the matching relationship between different collision coefficients γ and stress waveforms is analysed. The length of the impact piston under the same material condition determines the change rule of the waveform. The stress waveform experimental verification is thus designed. The pressure chamber curves of different pistons in the rock drill were tested, the collision velocity of the piston was obtained, and the impact energy and impact power were calculated. The relationship between the impact performance and the collision coefficient γ is analysed. When γ is in the range of 9–11, the impact piston’s design of a high‐power rock drill can be satisfied. When γ is in the range of 3∼5, it is mainly designed for low‐power rock drills.
On Convergence Theorems for Generalized Alpha Nonexpansive Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: Bin Dehaish Buthinah A. , Alharbi Rawan K.
Published: March 2021

The present paper seeks to illustrate approximation theorems to the fixed point for generalized

α

-nonexpansive mapping with the Mann iteration process. Furthermore, the same results are established with the Ishikawa iteration process in the uniformly convex Banach space setting. The presented results expand and refine many of the recently reported results in the literature.
Mechanical Performance of Eco‐Friendly Sandwich Wall with Rice Husk Recycled Concrete
Authors: Chen Dingshi , Du Maohua , Tian Yubin , Du Wenmiao
Published: March 2021

In the construction industry, an approach to alleviate the environmental problem is to apply ecological composite materials to the construction field. In this paper, the authors added the recycled aggregate and the rice husks to the concrete and measured the strengths of rich husk recycled concrete (RHRC) with different factors as well as determined the constitutive model. Subsequently, the flexural experiment of RHRC sandwich wall was carried out and analyzed in detail, which proved that it could bear the wind loads in normal use condition by the calculation of the experimental data. Then, the compressive experiment and analyses were conducted similarly. Moreover, the finite element method was applied to study the influence of tie bars on the flexural bearing capacity and to deduce the simplified calculation method of vertical bearing capacity of RHRC walls.
A Novel Image Encryption Algorithm Based on the Delayed Maps and Permutation-Confusion-Diffusion Architecture
Authors: He Pengcheng , Sun Kehui , Zhu Congxu
Published: March 2021

To improve the dynamical behaviors of 1D chaotic maps, a new linear-delay-modulation method (LDM) is proposed. Derived from the Sine map, a delayed Sine map (DSM) is proposed based on the LDM. Then, we substitute the Sine map in the SIMM system with DSM and obtained a delayed SIMM system (DSIMM). Its chaotic performance is analyzed through the phase diagram, Lyapunov exponent spectrum, and complexity. The results show that the delayed chaotic map can generate more complex dynamical behaviors and more random sequences. Hence, we apply the two delayed systems to a novel image encryption algorithm with the permutation-confusion-diffusion architecture. Firstly, to permutate the pixel of the image efficiently, the plain-image is scrambled by using a multilayer of the nonlinear index. Secondly, the image is confused by using the chaotic matrix generated with two chaotic sequences, and then, the ciphertext is transformed into a 1D sequence. Finally, to improve the plaintext sensitivity and facilitate key management, we enhance the sensitivity by applying a novel diffusion algorithm instead of using plaintext-related keystream. The diffusion equation contains the sum of undiffused pixels and the operation of cyclic bit-shift. Simulation results for the gray image illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed encryption algorithm.
Spectrum of Mechanisms of Resistance to Crizotinib and Lorlatinib in ROS1 Fusion–Positive Lung Cancer
Authors: Lin Jessica J. , Choudhury Noura J. , Yoda Satoshi , Zhu Viola W. , Johnson Ted W. , Sakhtemani Ramin , Dagogo-Jack Ibiayi , Digumarthy Subba R. , Lee Charlotte , Do Andrew , Peterson Jennifer , Prutisto-Chang Kylie , Malik Wafa , Hubbeling Harper G. , Langenbucher Adam , Schoenfeld Adam J. , Falcon Christina J. , Temel Jennifer S. , Sequist Lecia V. , Yeap Beow Y. , Lennerz Jochen K. , Shaw Alice T. , Lawrence Michael S. , Ou Sai-Hong Ignatius , Hata Aaron N. , Drilon Alexander , Gainor Justin F.
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

Current standard initial therapy for advanced, ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase fusion (ROS1)-positive (ROS1+) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crizotinib or entrectinib. Lorlatinib, a next-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase/ROS1 inhibitor, recently demonstrated efficacy in ROS1+ NSCLC, including in crizotinib-pretreated patients. However, mechanisms of lorlatinib resistance in ROS1+ disease remain poorly understood. Here, we assessed mechanisms of resistance to crizotinib and lorlatinib.

Experimental Design:

Biopsies from patients with ROS1+ NSCLC progressing on crizotinib or lorlatinib were profiled by genetic sequencing.

Results:

From 55 patients, 47 post-crizotinib and 32 post-lorlatinib biopsies were assessed. Among 42 post-crizotinib and 28 post-lorlatinib biopsies analyzed at distinct timepoints, ROS1 mutations were identified in 38% and 46%, respectively. ROS1 G2032R was the most commonly occurring mutation in approximately one third of cases. Additional ROS1 mutations included D2033N (2.4%) and S1986F (2.4%) post-crizotinib and L2086F (3.6%), G2032R/L2086F (3.6%), G2032R/S1986F/L2086F (3.6%), and S1986F/L2000V (3.6%) post-lorlatinib. Structural modeling predicted ROS1L2086F causes steric interference to lorlatinib, crizotinib, and entrectinib, while it may accommodate cabozantinib. In Ba/F3 models, ROS1L2086F, ROS1G2032R/L2086F, and ROS1S1986F/G2032R/L2086F were refractory to lorlatinib but sensitive to cabozantinib. A patient with disease progression on crizotinib and lorlatinib and ROS1 L2086F received cabozantinib for nearly 11 months with disease control. Among lorlatinib-resistant biopsies, we also identified MET amplification (4%), KRAS G12C (4%), KRAS amplification (4%), NRAS mutation (4%), and MAP2K1 mutation (4%).

Conclusions:

ROS1 mutations mediate resistance to crizotinib and lorlatinib in more than one third of cases, underscoring the importance of developing next-generation ROS1 inhibitors with potency against these mutations, including G2032R and L2086F. Continued efforts are needed to elucidate ROS1-independent resistance mechanisms.
Breast cancer prediction model with decision tree and adaptive boosting
Authors: Assegie Tsehay Admassu , Tulasi R. Lakshmi , Kumar N. Komal
Published: March 2021

In this study, breast cancer prediction model is proposed with decision tree and adaptive boosting (Adboost). Furthermore, an extensive experimental evaluation of the predictive performance of the proposed model is conducted. The study is conducted on breast cancer dataset collected form the kaggle data repository. The dataset consists of 569 observations of which the 212 or 37.25% are benign or breast cancer negative and 62.74% are malignant or breast cancer positive. The class distribution shows that, the dataset is highly imbalanced and a learning algorithm such as decision tree is biased to the benign observation and results in poor performance on predicting the malignant observation. To improve the performance of the decision tree on the malignant observation, boosting algorithm namely, the adaptive boosting is employed. Finally, the predictive performance of the decision tree and adaptive boosting is analyzed. The analysis on predictive performance of the model on the kaggle breast cancer data repository shows that, adaptive boosting has 92.53% accuracy and the accuracy of decision tree is 88.80%, Overall, the adaboost algorithm performed better than decision tree.
Ensemble learning model for Wifi indoor positioning systems
Authors: Tinh Pham Doan , Ngoc Mai Ta Thi
Published: March 2021

WiFi indoor positioning researches have received much attention from researchers recently. In this research, we focus on studying the performance of indoor positioning systems that utilize our new proposed ensemble machine learning model. Our new ensemble learning model uses several models for normal data training and position prediction, then it uses the verification data together with its' prediction errors from trained models as the input data to train an intermediate classification model to classify which set of Wifi received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is the best match for each position prediction model. The experimental result shows that our proposed ensemble model outperforms other compared models.
The correlation between self-efficacy and peer interaction towards students’ employability in vocational high school
Authors: Tentama Fatwa , Nur Muhammad Zulfikar
Published: March 2021

Employability is an important factor that can determine the quality of prospective graduates, especially in vocational high schools. Therefore, vocational high schools, as one of the educational institutions that prepare workforce resources, need to pay attention to factors that can increase their students' employability. This study aims to empirically examine the role of self-efficacy and the peer interaction on student employability. The subjects of this study were 132 students at Vocational High School Muhammadiyah Prambanan. The data were collected through an employability scale, a self-efficacy scale, and a peer interaction scale. The data were then analyzed with multiple linear regression techniques. The results showed that: 1) Simultaneously, there was a very significant role that self-efficacy and peer interaction have on employability with p=0.000 (p<0.01); 2) Partially, there was also a very significant role that self-efficacy has on employability with p=0.000 (p<0.01); 3) Peer interaction also had a partially significant role on employability with p=0.001 (p<0.01). Both self-efficacy and peer interaction simultaneously contributed 40.8% to employability, but self-efficacy had a more dominant role (26.7%) than peer interactions (14.1%).
Effectiveness of anchoring vignettes in re-evaluating self-rated social and emotional skills in mathematics
Authors: Otgonbaatar Khajidmaa
Published: March 2021

In current assessment practice, self-ratings and questionnaires are a dominant tool used to measure the skills called social and emotional skills or non-cognitive skills, although the tools are affected by various biases. In this regard, the anchoring vignette approach was introduced against the biases, correcting individuals’ self-rated responses based on their rating of hypothetical individuals in the scenario. Drawing from students’ self-rated social and emotional skills in mathematics, this paper presented the study which examined the effect of anchoring vignette approach on reliability and correlation by comparing self-rated and vignette-corrected scales. Research participants were Mongolian students in ninth grade (N=308). The participants were administered in two scales: self-ratings for math perseverance and cooperative learning in math, followed by a vignette set. The vignette-corrected scale showed higher reliability than the self-rating scale for both math perseverance and cooperative learning in math. Besides, the vignette-corrected scales for gender and region showed a stronger and more significant correlation than the self-rating scales, suggesting that there might be gender- and region-related differences in the way the students act in math class. In summary, these findings suggest that the anchoring vignette approach has the potential to measure social and emotional or non-cognitive aspects of mathematics in a more reliable way. Future studies could further investigate the reliability and validity of the anchoring vignette approach by including more cultural groups and designing the vignettes while considering various math contents and vignette gender.
A child-friendly school: How the school implements the model
Authors: Fitriani Somariah , Istaryatiningtias Istaryatiningtias , Qodariah Lelly
Published: March 2021

The study was to examine the implementation of child-friendly school (CFS) in a public elementary school. This study employed a single case study method, as Public Elementary School ofRagunan 01 is the unit of research analysis. The school has been declared as a child-friendly school since 2015. The quantitative data generated, however, were only used to see the percentage of the characteristics of CFS model. Thus, the data were gathered through observation, questionnaires and interviews to obtain more comprehensive empirical data. The questionnaire was distributed to all teachers and 15 class coordinators of students’ parents to obtain data about the implementation of CFS. Interviews were conducted with several important multi-stakeholders identified. The results showed that thirteen characteristics of the CFS had been implemented well with a percentage value above 95%. It indicates that this school has been able to realize the CFS model following its principles. Besides, the school has met the requirement of the six essential components of CFS adapted according to Indonesian educational contexts. It indicates that the implementation of CFS is in accordance with the concept of UNICEF but with some differences.
Effect of service quality and motivation on the consumption behavior of students in the academic services
Authors: Kuswanto Kuswanto , Anderson Irzal
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to determine the effect of service quality and motivation to the consumption behavior of students in utilizing academic services. This research involved 87 students of Economic Education Study Program in University of Jambi, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with partial least squares technique (SEM-PLS). Student consumption behavior is an illustration of the level of satisfaction in utilizing academic services provided by universities. Satisfaction with academic services is a measure of the success of higher education performance in providing education. A good indicator of consumer behavior variables, namely making the University of Jambi academic services the best choice and choosing them as institutions of higher education to meet learning needs on an ongoing basis. The quality of academic services is shown by indicators of the reliability of officers in providing academic services, accuracy in the delivery of information, responsiveness in responding to complaints and student requests and harmonization of service relationships between officers and students. While consumption motivation is indicated by an indicator of trust in the services consumed it will facilitate the completion of academic affairs and the existence of attractive offers from higher education institutions. The quality of academic services has a significant effect on consumer behavior of students. Moreover, the consumption motivation variable is proven to be a significant mediator on the effect of service quality on student’s consumption behavior.
CORE learning model: Its effectiveness towards students’ creative thinking
Authors: Saregar Antomi , Cahyanti Umi Nur , Misbah Misbah , Susilowati Nur Endah , Anugrah Adyt , Muhammad Nurlaela
Published: March 2021

The research has been carried out at the Islamic junior high school of East Lampung to determine the effectiveness of the Connecting, Organizing, Reflecting, and Extending (CORE) learning model on students’ creative thinking skills on sound waves topic. The research method used was a quasi-experimental design with Non-Equivalent Control Group Design. Data on creative thinking skill were collected using essay test instrument. This research was conducted on the eighth-grade students of an Islamic senior high school in East Lampung with a sample of 60 students taken by using purposive sampling technique. Based on the Effect Size test, the effectiveness value of the CORE model on students’ creative thinking skills are 0.48 which is in the medium category. These results prove that the CORE learning model is effective in enhancing students’ creative thinking skills on sound wave material. This study also provides a storyboard on how to apply an effective CORE model to improve students’ creative thinking abilities.
Blended learning with Edmodo: The effectiveness of statistical learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sefriani Rini , Sepriana Rina , Wijaya Indra , Radyuli Popi , Menrisal Menrisal
Published: March 2021

The condition of all countries in the world is devastated by the presence of a corona virus epidemic known as Corona Virus Diseases-19 (COVID-19). The efforts of the Indonesian government to break the chain of distribution of COVID-19 in the midst of society is to impose a policy of keeping distance, avoiding publicity, frequent hand washing and wearing masks. This also has an impact on the field of education where learning from home is also known as work from home (WFH). Learning is done with an online learning system that at least applies distance, physical social protection. Blended learning is one that is done using the Edmodo application, which can be done online at home. The purpose of this study is to find out how effective the use of the blended-learning learning model with Edmodo applications is to students of Informatics Engineering Education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The results of this study indicate that the use of Edmodo's blended-learning learning model in Information Technology Education students during the COVID-19 pandemic period is effective and can be used as a virtual learning solution.
Diagnosing MERS-CoV using dempster-shafer method
Authors: Akbar Memen , Hidayat Fandy , Novayani Wenda
Published: March 2021

MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus) is a respiratory syndrome disease caused by the coronavirus which attacks the respiratory tract from mild to severe. MERS-CoV was first reported in Saudi Arabia; total cases of MERS-CoV have continued to increase. In Indonesia, the MERS-CoV enters through the pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah. But not many people know about this disease and its symptoms. For this reason, an expert system was developed to diagnose MERS-CoV using the Dempster-Shafer method. The system can detect the disease from the symptoms inputted by user. The output of the system is the value of the probability of the disease, the level of the disease and the suggested. The levels of the disease are Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 where each has a different treatment based on the level of the disease. The system contains information about MERS-CoV in the form of videos and text. The system was built using the PHP programming language. The testing result shows that all system functionalities have been fulfilled. The expert validation testing had obtained at 76.7%, which prove that the system is good enough in diagnosing MERS-CoV and the results obtained from the questionnaire is at an average of 84.13% which is very good in helping users in diagnosing disease. The expert system that has been developed can help people in diagnosing the disease before consulting with a doctor.MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus) is arespiratory syndrome disease caused by the coronavirus which attacks therespiratory tract from mild to severe. MERS-CoV was first reported in SaudiArabia; total cases of MERS-CoV have continued to increase. In Indonesia,the MERS-CoV enters through the pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah. But notmany people know about this disease and its symptoms. For this reason, anexpert system was developed to diagnose MERS-CoV using the DempsterShafer method. The system can detect the disease from the symptomsinputted by user. The output of the system is the value of the probability ofthe disease, the level of the disease and the suggested. The levels of thedisease are Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 where each has a different treatmentbased on the level of the disease. The system contains information aboutMERS-CoV in the form of videos and text. The system was built using thePHP programming language. The testing result shows that all systemfunctionalities have been fulfilled. The expert validation testing had obtainedat 76.7%, which prove that the system is good enough in diagnosing MERSCoV and the results obtained from the questionnaire is at an average of84.13% which is very good in helping users in diagnosing disease. Theexpert system that has been developed can help people in diagnosing thedisease before consulting with a doctor.
 
Modeling of factors influencing exploration of medical career choices
Authors: Syakurah Rizma Adlia , Prabandari Yayi Suryo , Widyandana Widyandana , Bramantoro Taufan
Published: March 2021

Majority of medical students choose clinical specialties as their career choice, compared to other medical fields. This study aimed to finding an effective model of career exploration behaviour in medical students to construct effective career interventions. This study obtained 1030 students of medical faculties in Indonesia. All data used an online survey questionnaire that was collected starting from October 12th-25th 2015. Data analysis used Partial Least Square-Path Modelling using R statistical software to create a model in order to find correlation and pathway among each variable. The result showed both direct and indirect correlation towards the variables studied. Personal accomplishment had a stronger influence on self-efficacy (β=0.317, p<0.001). This study concluded that verbal persuasion and self-efficacy correlate directly to career exploration. All variables are related to career exploration in medical students. Educators and policymakers are able to construct intervention in this area to encourage medical students to start exploring career options early.
Nicotine level associated with decreasing Treg number in smoker healthy volunteers
Authors: Akrom Akrom , Purnamasari Tri Julia , Nurfaiz Zaky , Adnan Adnan , Darmawan Endang , Muhlis Muhammad
Published: March 2021

The intensity of cigarette exposure is associated with the severity of the inflammatory reaction. Treg cell plays a role in suppressing the inflammatory response. There has been no clear evidence on the relationship between smoker behavior with the nicotine level and Treg number. We will investigate the relationship between smoking behavior with the nicotine level and Treg number. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 106 healthy volunteers in Yogyakarta. We interviewed the subjects and took their blood samples for hemogram, Treg number, nicotine level, and blood chemistry examination. The inclusion criteria were fit, male or female, aged 18 years or older, and willing to volunteer proven by completing and signing the informed consent. We collected the data on smoking habits through interviews guided by a questionnaire. We examined hemogram and blood chemistry using a spectrophotometer, while the levels of nicotine were measured using The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We described the characteristics of the subjects by univariate analysis. The bivariate analysis was to determine the relationship between cigarette smoking length with nicotine level and Treg number. The results show a connection between the range of tobacco and cigarette number with nicotine levels in the blood with a value of r=0.63 in the Pearson correlation test p<0.00. It can be concluded that there is a relationship between behavior smoking with nicotine levels and Treg counts.
Gender difference in betel quid consumption levels and tobacco use among adults in Myanmar
Authors: Aye Yin Min , Hong Seo Ah , Thepthien Bang-On , Tiraphat Sariyamon
Published: March 2021

Several small scaled studies in Myanmar investigated determinants of betel quid chewing status but to better understand more complete profiles of betel quid chewing habits, this study investigated the associations of betel quid consumption levels with tobacco and sociodemographic factors using a nationally representative sample in Myanmar. A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis was conducted by using Myanmar demographic and health survey (MDHS) (2015-2016). Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression were performed with p-value<0.05 as significance. Men averagely chewed 5.59 (SD=8.229) pieces per day while women chewed 1.25 (SD=3.584) pieces. The prevalence of chewing daily pieces 1-2, 3-5 and 6+ were 7.9%, 17.1% and 34.2% for men and 6.1%, 8% and 7.1 %, respectively, for women. In multivariate analysis, low education, low family wealth, married, and urban were more likely to chew 6+ pieces per day relevant to no consumption in both genders, while a positive association with age was observed only in women. Tobacco use was associated with low consumption level (1-2 pieces), relative to no consumption in both genders. Therefore, this study underlined the need to improve knowledge on the dangers associated with betel quid chewing and tobacco use among socially disadvantaged populations and urban residents.
Health facilities roles in measuring progress of universal health coverage
Authors: Haider Muhiuddin , Vooris Emily , Krishnan Ananya
Published: March 2021

Outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3.8, universal health coverage (UHC) ensures all people can access affordable and equitable essential health services without facing economic challenges. Advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), countries can strengthen their health systems and subsequently UHC by establishing a robust health system on a framework of service delivery; health workforce; information; medical products, vaccines and technologies; financing; and leadership and governance. By achieving UHC, countries progress in other health-related goals and provide for healthier children, a stronger workforce and long-term economic development. As announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2011, Bangladesh has remained committed towards UHC through the implementation of programs that increase availability and financial accessibility of essential health services. To produce information regarding their contribution to UHC and specifically the work of its health facilities, Bangladesh produced the 2017 Bangladesh health facilities survey (BHFS). Based on a qualitative analysis, the 2017 BHFS provides substantial information regarding the presence of essential services within different facilities and locations. However, the survey inadequately addresses other components that contribute to availability and accessibility of services, including utilization, patient load, quality of care and financial burden. Subsequently, the 2017 BHFS does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of their health facilities and their contribution to UHC. Arguably, a future survey must address these topics and incorporate a multidisciplinary approach to successfully implement UHC. This approach would incorporate multidisciplinary stakeholders including economists, public health figures and politicians to address challenges such as financial burden, public distrust, and qualified training of providers.
Efficacy of working from home among urban professionals in Malaysia during the pandemic: The robust predictive role of mattering
Authors: Prihadi Kususanto Ditto , Lim Edward S.Z. , Chan Kwok Chee , Lee Shirlyn M. H. , Ridwan Aniq
Published: March 2021

Past studies suggested that the sense of mattering tend to be a robust predictor of work self-efficacy, even when controlling for strong variables such as state self-esteem. This current study aimed to investigate whether the aforementioned suggested still holds among working adults who had to work from home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, where the government enforced movement control order (MCO), a semi-quarantine policy where individuals can only travel within 10 kilometer radius of their respective homes. We hypothesized that the state self-esteem will fully mediate the link between mattering and work self-efficacy during the period of WFH, and that trait extraversion will moderate the mediation. In the 5th week of the MCO, our data was gathered from 109 urban working adults in Malaysia who had to WFH by employing General Mattering Scale, State Self-Esteem Scale, Remote Work Self Efficacy Measure, and the extraversion facet in Big Five Inventory. The result of bootstrap analyses with 5000 samples using PROCESS Macro Model 8 suggested that state self-esteem mediated partially mediated the association of mattering and work self-efficacy among individuals at all levels of extraversion. Discussion, limitations and suggestions are provided in the end of the paper.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis
Authors: Vincent Flavien , Ternacle Julien , Denimal Tom , Shen Mylène , Redfors Bjorn , Delhaye Cédric , Simonato Matheus , Debry Nicolas , Verdier Basile , Shahim Bahira , Pamart Thibault , Spillemaeker Hugues , Schurtz Guillaume , Pontana François , Thourani Vinod H. , Pibarot Philippe , Van Belle Eric
Published: March 2021

After 15 years of successive randomized, controlled trials, indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are rapidly expanding. In the coming years, this procedure could become the first line treatment for patients with a symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and a tricuspid aortic valve anatomy. However, randomized, controlled trials have excluded bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which is the most frequent congenital heart disease occurring in 1% to 2% of the total population and representing at least 25% of patients 80 years of age or older referred for aortic valve replacement. The use of a less invasive transcatheter therapy in this elderly population became rapidly attractive, and approximately 10% of patients currently undergoing TAVR have a BAV. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the “European Conformity” have approved TAVR for low-risk patients regardless of the aortic valve anatomy whereas international guidelines recommend surgical replacement in BAV populations. Given this progressive expansion of TAVR toward younger and lower-risk patients, heart teams are encountering BAV patients more frequently, while the ability of this therapy to treat such a challenging anatomy remains uncertain. This review will address the singularity of BAV anatomy and associated technical challenges for the TAVR procedure. We will examine and summarize available clinical evidence and highlight critical knowledge gaps regarding TAVR utilization in BAV patients. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the role of computed tomography scans in the diagnosis, and classification of BAV and TAVR procedure planning. Overall, we will offer an integrated framework for understanding the current role of TAVR in the treatment of bicuspid aortic stenosis and for guiding physicians in clinical decision-making.
New record of Lissoporcellana demani Dong & Li, 2014 (Decapoda, Anomura, Galatheoidea, Porcellanidae) from southeast Africa
Authors: Dong Dong , Kazmi Quddusi B. , Siddiqui Feroz A.
Published: March 2021

The porcellanid crab Lissoporcellana demani Dong & Li, 2014 is reported for the first time from southeast Africa, based on material collected from trawls off Mozambique during the International Indian Ocean Expedition in 1963-1964. Lissoporcellana demani has been known only from the western Pacific, and the present specimens greatly extend the previously known distribution range of this species to the western Indian Ocean. Illustrations of a specimen are provided. Morphological variations of L. demani and characters distinguishing it from closely related congeneric species are discussed.
Positive association between experimental cortisol increases and cage-measures of feeding behavior in wild-caught gerbils
Authors: Sargunaraj Franklin , St. Juliana Justin R. , Downs Cynthia J. , Khokhlova Irina S. , Koren Lee , Matas Devorah , Wynne-Edwards Katherine E. , Kotler Burt P.
Published: March 2021

Glucocorticoid hormone levels vary within a forager based upon environmental stressors such as illumination and riskier habitats, and a forager’s response to environmental variables depends upon its glucocorticoid levels. Here, we report on a laboratory experiment in which we manipulated cortisol in Allenbyi’s gerbils (Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi) to test the relationship between cortisol and behavior. We then quantified the resulting blood cortisol levels and feeding behavior in gerbils. Thirty gerbils were injected with 21-day slow-release cortisol pellets drawn from 5 different dosages. We quantified the physiological response to pellet implantation in gerbils by measuring cortisol level in blood serum using ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). We fed gerbils daily by mixing millet seeds into the sand inside rodent cages and measured the remaining seeds the following day to quantify feeding efforts. Some evidence supports that subcutaneous supplementation of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the gerbils led to higher blood serum levels. Cortisol levels varied according to time period of measurement. Gerbils that received lower dosages consumed most of the food presented to them when compared to those receiving the highest doses. In this manner, we delineate a pattern on cortisol hormone level variation over time following dosing and consequences in feeding behavior.
Role of Baroclinic Trough in Triggering Vertical Motion during Summertime Heavy Rainfall Events in Korea
Authors: Park Chanil , Son Seok-Woo , Kim Jung-Hoon
Published: March 2021

The nature of the vertical motion responsible for the summertime heavy rainfall events (HREs) in South Korea is quantitatively examined. By compositing 318 HREs from June to September in 1979–2018, it is found that the synoptic conditions of the HREs are typically characterized by a developing surface cyclone with a southwesterly low-level jet on its southeastern flank and an upper-level trough to the west of the HREs. This baroclinic environment allows for well-organized vertical motion over South Korea at the equatorward side of the upper-level jet entrance. The relative importance of dynamic and diabatic forcings in driving the vertical motion is further quantified by solving the quasigeostrophic omega equation. It turns out that the dynamic forcing, defined as Q-vector convergence, is comparable to the diabatic forcing in the developing stage of the HREs. The diabatic forcing, however, becomes more important in the mature stage as latent heating rapidly increases. The decomposition of the Q vector into the transverse (cross-isentropic) and shearwise (along-isentropic) components reveals that the dynamic uplift is largely caused by the shearwise Q-vector convergence, which is closely related to the developing trough in the upper to middle troposphere on the west of the HREs. This result indicates that the HREs in South Korea are organized by the baroclinic trough coupled to moist processes, with a minor contribution of the thermally direct secondary circulation at the entrance region of the upper-level jet.
Dynamical analysis of a reduced model for the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Quinn Courtney , Harries Dylan , O’Kane Terence J.
Published: March 2021

The dynamics of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are analyzed through a data-driven model obtained from atmospheric reanalysis data. We apply a regularized vector autoregressive clustering technique to identify recurrent and persistent states of atmospheric circulation patterns in the North Atlantic sector (110°W-0°E, 20°N-90°N). In order to analyze the dynamics associated with the resulting cluster-based models, we define a time-dependent linear delayed map with a switching sequence set a priori by the cluster affiliations at each time step. Using a method for computing the covariant Lyapunov vectors (CLVs) over various time windows, we produce sets of mixed singular vectors (for short windows) and approximate the asymptotic CLVs (for longer windows). The growth rates and alignment of the resulting time-dependent vectors are then analyzed. We find that the window chosen to compute the vectors acts as a filter on the dynamics. For short windows, the alignment and changes in growth rates are indicative of individual transitions between persistent states. For long windows, we observe an emergent annual signal manifest in the alignment of the CLVs characteristic of the observed seasonality in the NAO index. Analysis of the average finite-time dimension reveals the NAO− as the most unstable state relative to the NAO+, with persistent AR states largely stable. Our results agree with other recent theoretical and empirical studies that have shown blocking events to have less predictability than periods of enhanced zonal flow.
Observation Impact Study of an Arctic Cyclone Associated with a Tropopause Polar Vortex (TPV)-Induced Rossby Wave Initiation Event
Authors: Johnson Aaron , Wang Xuguang
Published: March 2021

A case study characterized by Arctic cyclogenesis following a tropopause polar vortex (TPV)-induced Rossby wave initiation event is used to better understand how well existing observations constrain analyses of processes influencing Arctic cyclone predictive skill. Complementary techniques of observation system experiments (OSE) and ensemble sensitivity analysis (ESA) are used to investigate the impacts of existing observation networks on predictions for this case. The ESA reveals that the large-scale Rossby wave structure is correlated with both Arctic cyclone track and amplitude errors. The ensemble analyses of midlevel moisture in the warm conveyor belt region were correlated with forecast cyclone amplitude, but this feature was poorly sampled in existing observations. There is also a sensitivity of Arctic cyclone forecast amplitude error to low-level temperature in the air mass of the cyclogenesis region at analysis time and a sensitivity of Arctic cyclone forecast track error to low-level temperature in the region of an Arctic cold front and a coastal front at the analysis time. The OSEs for this case reveal that Arctic cyclone track error is more sensitive to denial of existing observations than amplitude error. While lower-level (below 700 hPa) observations had the greatest impact on the surface cyclone during the early stages, upper-level (above 500 hPa) observations had the dominant impact during its later evolution. Denying temperature from just three well-placed sondes substantially increased track error by degrading analyses of the TPV amplitude and its interaction with the waveguide and developing Rossby wave packet. These results are encouraging for further Arctic cyclone forecast improvements through addition of even a small number of well-placed observations.