bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous immunoglobulin in COVID-19 associated Guillain–Barré syndrome in pregnancy
Authors: Garcia Jao Jarro , Turalde Christian Wilson , Bagnas Marjorie Anne , Anlacan Veeda Michelle
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This autoimmune sequela is a manifestation of the neurotropism potential of the virus. At present, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, clinical features, management and outcomes of the condition is still evolving. This paper presents the case of a 22-year-old pregnant patient who came in with a history of upper respiratory tract symptoms followed by acroparaesthesia and progressive ascending weakness. She was confirmed to have COVID-19 and GBS and was subsequently managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) followed by supportive therapy. To the authors’ knowledge and based on their literature search, this is the first reported case of GBS in a COVID-19 confirmed pregnant patient who received IVIg.
Dyskeratosis congenita and squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular alveolar ridge
Authors: Manfuso Alfonso , Risitano Antonio Maria , Copelli Chiara
Published: May 2021

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare disease caused by telomerase dysfunction classically characterised by the triad: skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy and mucosal leukoplakia. Few cases are described in literature regarding patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma affected by dyskeratosis congenita, and the therapeutic decisions are not yet well defined. A review of the literature of the last 20 years (2001–2021) was performed, and it was analysed the case of a 38-year-old male patient affected by dyskeratosis congenita diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma of the inferior alveolar ridge, treated with surgery. The absence of complications and the good postoperative recovery of the patient comfort in saying that resection and reconstructive surgery can be safely performed. The occurrence of disseminated disease 6 months after the treatment warns about the extreme aggressiveness of the pathology, its often systemic nature and the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach as well as further studies.
Severity of gastric intestinal metaplasia predicts the risk of gastric cancer: a prospective multicentre cohort study (GCEP)
Authors: Lee Jonathan W J , Zhu Feng , Srivastava Supriya , Tsao Stephen KK , Khor Christopher , Ho Khek Yu , Fock Kwong Ming , Lim Wee Chian , Ang Tiing Leong , Chow Wan Cheng , So Jimmy Bok Yan , Koh Calvin J , Chua Shijia Joy , Wong Andrew S Y , Rao Jaideepraj , Lim Lee Guan , Ling Khoon Lin , Chia Chung-King , Ooi Choon Jin , Rajnakova Andrea , Yap Wai Ming , Salto-Tellez Manuel , Ho Bow , Soong Richie , Chia Kee Seng , Teo Yik Ying , Teh Ming , Yeoh Khay-Guan
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) attributed to gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM), and validate the Operative Link on Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia (OLGIM) for targeted endoscopic surveillance in regions with low-intermediate incidence of GC.

Methods

A prospective, longitudinal and multicentre study was carried out in Singapore. The study participants comprised 2980 patients undergoing screening gastroscopy with standardised gastric mucosal sampling, from January 2004 and December 2010, with scheduled surveillance endoscopies at year 3 and 5. Participants were also matched against the National Registry of Diseases Office for missed diagnoses of early gastric neoplasia (EGN).

Results

There were 21 participants diagnosed with EGN. IM was a significant risk factor for EGN (adjusted-HR 5.36; 95% CI 1.51 to 19.0; p<0.01). The age-adjusted EGN incidence rates for patients with and without IM were 133.9 and 12.5 per 100 000 person-years. Participants with OLGIM stages III–IV were at greatest risk (adjusted-HR 20.7; 95% CI 5.04 to 85.6; p<0.01). More than half of the EGNs (n=4/7) attributed to baseline OLGIM III–IV developed within 2 years (range: 12.7–44.8 months). Serum trefoil factor 3 distinguishes (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics 0.749) patients with OLGIM III–IV if they are negative forH. pylori. Participants with OLGIM II were also at significant risk of EGN (adjusted-HR 7.34; 95% CI 1.60 to 33.7; p=0.02). A significant smoking history further increases the risk of EGN among patients with OLGIM stages II–IV.

Conclusions

We suggest a risk-stratified approach and recommend that high-risk patients (OLGIM III–IV) have endoscopic surveillance in 2 years, intermediate-risk patients (OLGIM II) in 5 years.
Histological background of dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour
Authors: Yamada Yuichi , Kohashi Kenichi , Kinoshita Izumi , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Iwasaki Takeshi , Yoshimoto Masato , Ishihara Shin , Toda Yu , Ito Yoshihiro , Kuma Yuki , Yamada-Nozaki Yui , Koga Yutaka , Hashisako Mikiko , Kiyozawa Daisuke , Kitahara Daichi , Narutomi Fumiya , Kuboyama Yusuke , Nakamura Takahito , Inoue Takeshi , Mukai Munenori , Honda Yumi , Toyokawa Gouji , Tsuchihashi Kenji , Fushimi Fumiyoshi , Taguchi Kenichi , Nishiyama Kenichi , Tamiya Sadafumi , Oshiro Yumi , Furue Masutaka , Nakashima Yasuharu , Suzuki Satoshi , Iwaki Toru , Oda Yoshinao
Published: May 2021

Aims

Dedifferentiation is a histological phenomenon characterised by abrupt transition of histology to a sarcomatous component with high-grade malignant potential in solitary fibrous tumour (SFT). The authors histologically reviewed SFT cases to reveal the histological background of dedifferentiated SFTs.

Methods

Clinicopathological and histopathological findings of 145 SFT cases were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining and genetic analysis were also performed.

Results

The non-dedifferentiated components showed a cellular component in 45 of 145 (31%), high mitotic rate (≥4/10 high-powered field) in 12 of 145 (8.2%) tumours, necrosis in 7 of 145 (4.8%) tumours, multinodular growth pattern in 39 of 132 (29.5%) available tumours and intratumoural fibrous septa in 37 of 131 (28.2%). Immunohistochemically, the non-dedifferentiated components were positive for CD34 in 128 of 141 (90.7%), bcl-2 in 101 of 133 (75.9%), nuclear pattern of β-catenin in 64 of 127 (50.3%) and p16 in 22 of 140 (15.7%). Loss of Rb protein expression was detected in 17 of 110 (15.4%) cases. Statistically, cellular component, multinodular structure, p16 overexpression and Rb protein loss were significantly associated with dedifferentiation. Moreover, cellular component and multinodular structure were significantly associated with p16 overexpression and Rb protein loss. All the non-deddifferentiated components showed wild type of p53 expression. The dedifferentiated components of all 10 dedifferentiated tumours presented positivity for p16 in 9 of 10 (90%) and mutational type of p53 in 5 of 10 (50%). Loss of Rb protein expression was detected in 6 of 10 (60%).

Conclusions

The authors propose that cellular or multinodular transformation may be associated with dedifferentiation. They also suggest that cellular and multinodular transformation may be associated with p16 overexpression and Rb downregulation.
WEB device for treatment of posterior communicating artery aneurysms
Authors: Aguiar Guilherme , Caroff Jildaz , Mihalea Cristian , Cortese Jonathan , Girot Jean-Baptiste , Elawady Ahmed , Vergara Martinez Jeickson , Ikka Léon , Gallas Sophie , Chalumeau Vanessa , Ozanne Augustin , Moret Jacques , Spelle Laurent
Published: May 2021

Background

Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms has proved to be safe and effective, but the use of these devices in sidewall aneurysms has been reported only in a small number of case series.

Objective

To report our results in a cohort of consecutive patients in whom a WEB device was used as first-line treatment for posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of PComA aneurysms treated with a WEB device in our institution from June 1, 2012 to November 15, 2020. Clinical and radiological findings were evaluated at immediate and last follow-up.

Results

A total of 219 aneurysms were treated with a WEB device, including 15 PComA aneurysms in 15 patients, 10 of which were ruptured. Aneurysms were wide necked, with a mean aspect ratio of 1.6 (range 0.7–3.0) and a mean neck size of 4.2 mm (range 2.6–7.4 mm). No intraoperative rupture occurred and only one thromboembolic event was noted. Among the group with at least a 3-month digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up, complete and adequate occlusion were obtained in 54% and 72%, respectively (average follow-up 13 months). Re-treatment was needed for two initially ruptured aneurysms. No procedure-related morbidity or mortality was reported.

Conclusion

This series suggests the high safety profile of WEB devices even when used in off-label indications. Treatment with these devices seems to be a valuable strategy for ruptured wide-neck PComA aneurysms, avoiding the need for antiplatelet medication. However, occlusion rates should be investigated in further larger studies.
Efficacy of perineural versus intravenous dexmedetomidine as a peripheral nerve block adjunct: a systematic review
Authors: Hussain Nasir , Brummett Chad M , Brull Richard , Alghothani Yousef , Moran Kenneth , Sawyer Tamara , Abdallah Faraj W
Published: May 2021

Background

Dexmedetomidine is an effective local anesthetic adjunct for peripheral nerve blocks. The intravenous route for administering dexmedetomidine has been suggested to be equally effective to the perineural route; but comparative evidence is conflicting.

Objectives

This evidence-based review evaluated trials comparing the effects of intravenous to perineural dexmedetomidine on peripheral nerve block characteristics in adult surgical patients. Our primary aim was to evaluate the durations of sensory and motor blockade. Duration of analgesia, onset times of sensory and motor blockade, analgesic consumption, rest pain, and dexmedetomidine-related adverse events were evaluated as secondary outcomes.

Evidence review

We sought randomized trials comparing the effects of intravenous to perineural dexmedetomidine on peripheral nerve block characteristics. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for when an outcome was reported by at least three studies.

Results

Ten studies compared intravenous and perineural dexmedetomidine in the setting of upper extremity blocks (seven), lower extremity blocks (two), and truncal block (one). The doses of dexmedetomidine supplementing long-acting local anesthetics varied between a predetermined dose (50 μg) and a weight-based dose (0.5 μg/kg–1.0 μg/kg). Clinical diversity precluded quantitative pooling; and evidence is presented as a systematic review. Compared with the intravenous route, moderate quality evidence found that perineural dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of sensory blockade in four of six trials and motor blockade in five of seven trials. Perineural dexmedetomidine also hastened the onset of sensory and motor blockade in three of six trials. No differences were reported for the remaining outcomes; and intravenous dexmedetomidine was not superior for any outcome in any of the trials.

Conclusions

Moderate quality evidence appears to suggest that intravenous dexmedetomidine is an inferior peripheral nerve block adjunct compared with perineural dexmedetomidine. Perineural dexmedetomidine is associated with longer durations and faster onset of sensory and motor blockade.
Relativistic spin sum rules and the role of the pivot
Authors: Lorcé Cédric
Published: May 2021

Spin sum rules depend on the choice of a pivot, i.e. the point about which the angular momentum is defined, usually identified with the center of the nucleon. The latter is however not unique in a relativistic theory and has led to apparently contradictory results in the literature. Using the recently developed phase-space approach, we compute for the first time the contribution associated with the motion of the center of the nucleon, and we derive a general spin sum rule which reduces to established results after appropriate choices for the pivot and the spin component.
Chiral dynamics and S-wave contributions in $${\bar{B}}^0/D^0 \rightarrow \pi ^{\pm }\eta \ l^{\mp } \nu $$ decays
Authors: Shi Yu-Ji , Meißner Ulf-G.
Published: May 2021

In this work, we analyze the semi-leptonic decays $$\bar{B}^0/D^0 \rightarrow (a_0(980)^{\pm }\rightarrow \pi ^{\pm }\eta ) l^{\mp } \nu $$

B

¯

0

/

D
0

→

(

a
0

(
980
)

±

→

π
±

η
)

l
∓

ν

within light-cone sum rules. The two and three-body light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs) of the B meson and the only available two-body LCDA of the D meson are used. To include the finite-width effect of the $$a_0(980)$$

a
0

(
980
)

, we use a scalar form factor to describe the final-state interaction between the $$\pi \eta $$

π
η

mesons, which was previously calculated within unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory. The result for the decay branching fraction of the $$D^0$$

D
0

decay is in good agreement with that measured by the BESIII Collaboration, while the branching fraction of the $${\bar{B}}^0$$

B

¯

0

decay can be tested in future experiments.
Detection of Damages in Mooring Lines of Spar Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Using Fuzzy Classification and Arma Parametric Modeling
Authors: Rezaee Mousa , Fathi Reza , Jahangiri Vahid , Ettefagh Mir Mohammad , Jamalkia Aysan , Sadeghi Morteza H.
Published: May 2021

Floating wind turbines may encounter severe situations because of harsh environments. Higher cost of repair and maintenance of floating wind turbines have led researches to focus on damage detection methods that can prevent sudden failures. This paper presents an applicable method of damage detection and structural health monitoring for floating wind turbines based on the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model and fuzzy classification. First, the dynamic model of a spar type floating wind turbine is constructed, by which the time responses of each degree of freedom of the system are acquired. With the system’s nonlinearity included, the intrinsic mode functions are obtained for the response signal. The Hilbert–Huang transform is applied and the appropriate measured signal for each degree of freedom is chosen for the ARMA modeling. In order to evaluate the proposed method, the ARMA parameters are first estimated for the undamaged condition then assumed damages are injected to the model and the ARMA parameters are once again estimated for the damaged condition. These parameters are considered as inputs for the fuzzy classification method. After training the system using the assumed damaged and undamaged conditions, the proposed method is simulated. Furthermore, the effect of measurement noise on the success rate is investigated. The results show that, in the presence of noise, the proposed method is able to identify the damage location and severity of mooring lines with acceptable success rate.
Science-Industry Cooperation: What are the Benefits for the Public Part? Evidence from Argentine Biopharmaceutical Sector
Authors: Verre Vladimiro , Milesi Darío , Petelski Natalia
Published: May 2021

This work discusses the generally accepted idea that public–private cooperation only generates unilateral transfers of knowledge from public research and development (R&D) institutions to industrial firms and suggests that there are collaborative patterns in which the generation of knowledge is joint and it is characterized by the presence of bidirectional flows of knowledge. Through a multi-case study, this aspect is investigated in three public–private partnerships in the Argentine biopharmaceutical sector, focusing in particular on the knowledge flows and the identification of possible learning processes that the public part develops when cooperating with firms. The main findings and contributions of the work are that knowledge in the hands of the industry flows towards the public part, strengthening its R&D capabilities, that all the benefits received by the public part can be understood in terms of learning and that science–industry cooperation is compatible with the enrichment of the public research agenda.
Hopf Quasimodules and Yetter-Drinfeld Modules over Hopf Quasigroups
Authors: Zhang Tao , Gu Yue , Wang Shuanhong
Published: May 2021

We introduce the notions of a four-angle Hopf quasimodule and an adjoint quasiaction over a Hopf quasigroup [Formula: see text] in a symmetric monoidal category [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] possesses an adjoint quasiaction, we show that symmetric Yetter-Drinfeld categories are trivial, and hence we obtain a braided monoidal category equivalence between the category of right Yetter-Drinfeld modules over [Formula: see text] and the category of four-angle Hopf modules over [Formula: see text] under some suitable conditions.
Algebraic Properties of Edge Ideals of Some Vertex-Weighted Oriented Cyclic Graphs
Authors: Wang Hong , Zhu Guangjun , Xu Li , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: May 2021

We provide some exact formulas for the projective dimension and regularity of edge ideals associated to some vertex-weighted oriented cyclic graphs with a common vertex or edge. These formulas are functions in the weight of the vertices, and the numbers of edges and cycles. Some examples show that these formulas are related to direction selection and the assumption that [Formula: see text] for any vertex [Formula: see text] cannot be dropped.
Urban Planning and Human Development: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Reveals the Linkage
Authors: Moon J. Robin , Kwartler Michael
Published: May 2021

The onset and aftermath of COVID-19 can be understood as an extreme event within the context of New York City, in terms of urban planning and design, public health, and the cross-section of the two. Over the course of a few months since early March, 2020, infection rates, illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 swept through New York rapidly. It also became apparent early on that people were not being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus equally, nor was COVID-19 spreading over a level-playing field. In this commentary, we examine what role COVID-19 played in a “social biopsy” of long-standing structural inequity in New York City, to reveal a deep, metastasizing tumor underneath the extreme wealth. We tell the story of the historical context in low-income public and non-profit housing and urban planning in New York City leading up to the pandemic’s outbreak, how the structural inequity was built into place over time by design, how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our understanding of equitable and sustainable New York City for New Yorkers, and ways that the pandemic has reinforced our individual and collective sense of uncertainty in the future and distrust in a common good. We then discuss how we can recover, restore and rebuild from the urban planning and public health perspectives, for New York City and beyond. Rebuilding will require reimagining a new normal, and we suggest unique but tried-and-true, complementary and collaborative roles for community stakeholders.
Seismic characterization of carbonate platforms and reservoirs: an introduction and review
Authors: Hendry James , Burgess Peter , Hunt David , Janson Xavier , Zampetti Valentina
Published: May 2021

Improved seismic data quality in the last 10–15 years, innovative use of seismic attribute combinations, extraction of geomorphological data and new quantitative techniques have significantly enhanced understanding of ancient carbonate platforms and processes. 3D data have become a fundamental toolkit for mapping carbonate depositional and diagenetic facies, and associated flow units and barriers, giving a unique perspective on how their relationships changed through time in response to tectonic, oceanographic and climatic forcing. Sophisticated predictions of lithology and porosity are being made from seismic data in reservoirs with good borehole log and core calibration for detailed integration with structural, palaeoenvironmental and sequence stratigraphic interpretations. Geologists can now characterize entire carbonate platform systems and their large-scale evolution in time and space, including systems with few outcrop analogues such as the Lower Cretaceous Central Atlantic ‘pre-salt’ carbonates. The papers introduced in this review illustrate opportunities, workflows and potential pitfalls of modern carbonate seismic interpretation. They demonstrate advances in knowledge of carbonate systems achieved when geologists and geophysicists collaborate and innovate to maximize the value of seismic data from acquisition, through processing to interpretation. Future trends and developments, including machine learning and the significance of the energy transition, are briefly discussed.
Hardware Trojan Horse Detection through Improved Switching of Dormant Nets
Authors: Dhar Tapobrata , Roy Surajit Kumar , Giri Chandan
Published: May 2021

Covert Hardware Trojan Horses (HTH) introduced by malicious attackers during the fabless manufacturing process of integrated circuits (IC) have the potential to cause malignant functions within the circuit. This article employs a Design-for-Security technique to detect any HTHs present in the circuit by inserting tri-state buffers (TSB) in the ICs that inject the internal nets with weighted logic values during the test phase. This increases the transitions in the logic values of the nets within the IC, thereby stimulating any inserted HTH circuits. The TSBs are efficiently inserted in the IC considering various circuit parameters and testability measures to bolster the transitions in logic values of the nets throughout the IC while minimising the area overhead. Simulation results show a significant increase in transitions in logic values within HTH triggers using this method, thus aiding in their detection through side-channel analysis or direct activation of the payload.
Improving the Quality of FPGA RO-PUF by Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
Authors: A. Asha K. , Hsu Li En , Patyal Abhishek , Chen Hung-Ming
Published: May 2021

Ring Oscillator Physical Unclonable Functions (RO-PUFs) exploit the inherent manufacturing process variations, such as systematic and stochastic variations, to generate secret PUF responses that are unique to the device. Stochastic variations are random, while systematic variation exhibits a strong spatial correlation. Therefore, systematic process variation reduces the randomness of the PUF response. This lowers the ability of a PUF response to uniquely identify and authenticate individual devices. Further, the impact of systematic variation is paramount when the two ROs in comparison are placed far apart. Comparing the ROs that are close to each other does improve the randomness, but the responses generated are unreliable and limiting the possible Challenge-Response Pairs (CRPs).

In this article, we are proposing a method to reduce the impact of systematic process variation on the RO oscillation frequencies by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Principal Components (PCs) model the directions of systematic and stochastic variation present on a device. By projecting the oscillation frequencies in the direction of stochastic variation, the impact of systematic variation can be reduced. Our proposed method neither restricts the placement of ROs to close groups nor limits the possible CRPs. The method is evaluated on a large population of 218 Xilinx Artix-7 FPGAs. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method, we purposely paired the ROs that are placed far apart on the FPGA fabric. Results obtained prove the ability of the proposed method in removing the impact of systematic variation on the oscillation frequencies and thereby producing truly random responses.
Bridging the Gap between RTL and Software Fault Injection
Authors: Laurent J. , Deleuze C. , Pebay-Peyroula F. , Beroulle V.
Published: May 2021

Protecting programs against hardware fault injection requires accurate software fault models. However, typical models, such as the instruction skip, do not take into account the microarchitecture specificities of a processor. We propose in this article an approach to study the relation between faults at the Register Transfer Level (RTL) and faults at the software level. The goal is twofold: accurately model RTL faults at the software level and materialize software fault models to actual RTL injections. These goals lead to a better understanding of a system's security against hardware fault injection, which is important to design effective and cost-efficient countermeasures. Our approach is based on the comparison between results from RTL simulations and software injections (using a program mutation tool). Various analyses are included in this article to give insight on the relevance of software fault models, such as the computation of a coverage and fidelity metric, and to link software fault models to hardware RTL descriptions. These analyses are applied on various single-bit and multiple-bit injection campaigns to study the faulty behaviors of a RISC-V processor.
Spot the Difference
Authors: Um Kiwon , Hu Xiangyu , Wang Bing , Thuerey Nils
Published: May 2021

Comparative evaluation lies at the heart of science, and determining the accuracy of a computational method is crucial for evaluating its potential as well as for guiding future efforts. However, metrics that are typically used have inherent shortcomings when faced with the under-resolved solutions of real-world simulation problems. We show how to leverage the human visual system in conjunction with crowd-sourced user studies to address the fundamental problems of widely used classical evaluation metrics. We demonstrate that such user studies driven by visual perception yield a very robust metric and consistent answers for complex phenomena without any requirements for proficiency regarding the physics at hand. This holds even for cases away from convergence where traditional metrics often end up with inconclusive results. More specifically, we evaluate results of different essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) schemes in different fluid flow settings. Our methodology represents a novel and practical approach for scientific evaluations that can give answers for previously unsolved problems.
The Macroeconomics of Financial Speculation
Authors: Simsek Alp
Published: May 2021

I review the literature on financial speculation driven by belief disagreements from a macroeconomics perspective. To highlight unifying themes, I develop a stylized macroeconomic model that embeds several mechanisms. With short-selling constraints, speculation can generate overvaluation and speculative bubbles. Leverage can substantially inflate speculative bubbles, and leverage limits depend on perceived downside risks. Shifts in beliefs about downside tail scenarios can explain the emergence and the collapse of leveraged speculative bubbles. Speculative bubbles are related to rational bubbles, but they match better the empirical evidence on the predictability of asset returns. Even without short-selling constraints, speculation induces procyclical asset valuation. When speculation affects the price of aggregate assets, it also influences macroeconomic outcomes such as aggregate consumption, investment, and output. Speculation in the boom years reduces asset prices, aggregate demand, and output in the subsequent recession. Macroprudential policies that restrict speculation in the boom can improve macroeconomic stability and social welfare.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Low-Cost Micro-Volume Electrochemical Cell Using PCB for Electroanalytical Applications
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Maryam , Haghighi Behzad
Published: May 2021

Two pieces of printed circuit board (PCB) were used to pattern working electrode (p-WE) on one piece and the reference and auxiliary electrodes (p-RE and p-AE, respectively) on the second piece using photolithography followed by wet etching. Teflon spacer/filter paper was mounted between two patterned PCB pieces to separate p-WE from p-RE and p-AE, to provide a space to hold electrolyte solution and finally to assemble low-volume/micro-volume electrochemical cells, respectively. The electrochemical performances of the assembled electrochemical cells were evaluated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry using [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− as the redox probe and the obtained results were compared with those obtained using a conventional electrochemical cell. Then, the assembled micro-volume electrochemical cell was applied for the electrochemical detection of alanine as a typical amino acid with satisfactory results. The reproducibility for five times detection of 10 μl alanine (5 mM) using the assembled micro-volume electrochemical cell was better than 12%.
[Retracted] Research on the Model of Music Sight‐Singing Guidance System Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Zhe Tong
Published: May 2021

Intelligent Guided Learning System (ITS) is a computer system that uses computers to imitate the experience and methods of teaching experts to assist in teaching; ITS provides learners with personalized learning resources and adaptive teaching methods, thus reducing students’ dependence on teachers and realizing independent learning. After years of research and development, and with the help of artificial intelligence technology, ITS has basically formed a stable structure and unified implementation specifications and has given birth to many excellent products in disciplines such as basic computer, language, medicine, and mathematics. Based on the above background, this paper takes the system structure of universal ITS as the basis, combines the characteristics of music sight‐singing subject in teaching contents and teaching methods, researches the intelligent guidance system model of music sight‐singing, and completes the design of the overall system architecture. The specific strategies and implementation methods of the teaching methods, resource recommendation, and ability assessment components of the teaching model are studied. The research includes the definition of the difficulty characteristics of the score, the design of the score recommendation algorithm, the design of the sight‐singing scoring algorithm, and the experimental analysis of each algorithm. It is proposed that the difficulty feature‐based score recommendation algorithm is the core component of resource recommendation in the teacher model, and the sight‐singing scoring algorithm is the basis for ability assessment and learner model update.
Cayley Graphs over LA-Groups and LA-Polygroups
Authors: Abughazalah Nabilah , Yaqoob Naveed , Bashir Asif
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper is the study of simple graphs that are generalized Cayley graphs over LA-polygroups

GCLAP
−
graphs

. In this regard, we construct two new extensions for building LA-polygroups. Then, we define Cayley graph over LA-group and GCLAP-graph. Further, we investigate a few properties of them to show that each simple graph of order three, four, and five (except cycle graph of order five which may or may not be a GCLAP-graph) is a GCLAP-graph and then we prove this result.
Matching Transportation Ontologies with Word2Vec and Alignment Extraction Algorithm
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Wang Haolin , Zhang Jie , Huang Yikun , Li Mengting , Zhu Hai
Published: May 2021

The development of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) faces the challenge of integrating data from multiple unrelated sources. As one of the core technologies of knowledge integration in ITS, an ontology typically provides a normative definition of transportation domain that can be used as a reference for information integration. However, due to the subjectivity of domain experts, a concept may be expressed in multiple ways, yielding the ontology heterogeneity problem. Ontology matching (OM) is an effective method of addressing it, which is of help to further realize the mutual communication between the ontology-based ITSs. In this work, we first propose to use Word2Vec to model the entities in vector space and calculate their similarity values. Then, a stable marriage-based alignment extraction algorithm is presented to determine high-quality alignment. In the experiment, the performance of the proposal is tested by using the benchmark track of OAEI and real transportation ontologies. The experimental results show that our approach is able to obtain higher quality alignment results than OAEI’s participants and other state-of-the-art ontology matching techniques.
Research on the Settlement Regulation and Stability of Large Building Foundation over Gobs: A Case Study in the Xiangcheng Coal Mine, China
Authors: Guo Wenyan , Hu Bingnan , Zhang Junying , Chen Qingtong , Jia Xinguo , Li Jianghua
Published: May 2021

Due to the acceleration of urbanization in China, the land use and new building construction in mining subsidence areas are increasing. However, a large high‐rise building (100 m × 80 m × 100 m) was planned to be built above gob areas in the Xiangcheng Mine subsidence area. According to the analysis of the borehole exploration data, borehole TV observations, and theoretical calculations, there were broken bedrock and developmental fractures in the fracture and caved zones above the gob areas. In addition, the depth affected by the building load is less than 9 m from the top of the fracture zone; thus, the stabilities of the gobs are low. Then, through the theoretical analysis of the space stress, compression settlement of foundation soil, and residual settlement of the gob and coal pillar under loads, combining the similar simulation study on settlement characteristics of foundation soil and gobs, the total settlement of the foundation can be regarded as the vector superposition of the compression settlement and residual settlement; then, the maximum settlement is calculated as 555 mm and the maximum tilt is 14.9 mm/m under the building load, which are greater than the permissible values of 200 mm and 2 mm/m, indicating that the foundation’s stability is inadequate. Therefore, the treatment measures of the deep pile group foundations in the soil layer and grouting reinforcement in the gobs were simultaneously put forward to effectively improve the stability of the building foundations.
On the Influence of Pile Foundation Settlement of Existing High‐Rise Buildings on the Surrounding Buildings
Authors: Chen Ke
Published: May 2021

Pile foundation settlement is a kind of foundation form. In recent years, because of the increasing population and economic development in China, high‐rise buildings have emerged in people’s vision. Due to the development of engineering construction, the type and technology of pile foundation, as well as the control and detection of the single pile and pile group have been greatly improved. In view of the influence of pile foundation settlement on the surrounding environment of high‐rise buildings, this paper mainly studies from the angle of single pile settlement and pile group settlement. According to the construction method of pile foundation, the static pressure sinking pipe cast‐in‐place pile can produce soil squeezing effect in pile foundation construction. The experimental analysis was carried out. According to the engineering example, finite element numerical simulation is used to analyze the influence degree of pile foundation settlement on adjacent buildings with and without raft, and the feasibility and correctness of numerical simulation are analyzed by comparing the simulation results with the measured values. This paper mainly studies the influence of pile foundation settlement of high‐rise buildings on surrounding buildings from the aspects of problems and solutions.
[Retracted] In Silico Structural, Functional, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Cytochrome (CYPD) Protein Family
Authors: Ahmad Hafiz Ishfaq , Afzal Gulnaz , Jamal Adil , Kiran Shumaila , Khan Musarrat Abbas , Mehmood Khalid , Kamran Zahid , Ahmed Irfan , Ahmad Shakeel , Ahmad Asmar , Hussain Javed , Almas Sadaf
Published: May 2021

Cytochrome (CYP) enzymes catalyze the metabolic reactions of endogenous and exogenous compounds. The superfamily of enzymes is found across many organisms, regardless of type, except for plants. Information was gathered about CYP2D enzymes through protein sequences of humans and other organisms. The secondary structure was predicted using the SOPMA. The structural and functional study of human CYP2D was conducted using ProtParam, SOPMA, Predotar 1.03, SignalP, TMHMM 2.0, and ExPASy. Most animals shared five central motifs according to motif analysis results. The tertiary structure of human CYP2D, as well as other animal species, was predicted by Phyre2. Human CYP2D proteins are heavily conserved across organisms, according to the findings. This indicates that they are descended from a single ancestor. They calculate the ratio of alpha‐helices to extended strands to beta sheets to random coils. Most of the enzymes are alpha‐helix, but small amounts of the random coil were also found. The data were obtained to provide us with a better understanding of mammalian proteins’ functions and evolutionary relationships.
[Retracted] Periodontal Clinical Parameters as a Predictor of Bite Force: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Alsharif Hussain Nayef Hussain , Ganji Kiran Kumar , Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Manay Srinivas Munisekhar , Bandela Vinod , Sghaireen Mohammed Ghazi , Mousa Mohammed Assayed
Published: May 2021

Objective. To investigate the correlation of periodontal parameters and bite force in different stages of periodontitis after phase I periodontal therapy. Methods. Periodontal clinical parameters such as mobility, attachment loss, gingival recession, and percentage of bone remaining were recorded at the mandibular first molar region after phase I therapy in subjects categorized according to the stage of periodontitis. Corresponding bite force was recorded at the first mandibular molar region using a bite force device after phase I therapy. ANOVA test was used to assess the significant difference among different groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between measured variables. Results. The ANOVA test represents that there is no statistical significant difference between the bite force in stage I, stage II, and stage III type of periodontitis. A strong positive correlation was found (r = 0.537) between bite force and percentage of remaining alveolar bone support whereas negative correlation was observed in measured parameters such as mobility (r = −0.0181), attachment loss (r = −0.608), and gingival recession (r = −0.435). Conclusion. Among all periodontal clinical parameters, the percentage of remaining alveolar bone is the strong predictor of bite force and mobility; attachment loss and gingival recession cannot predict the bite force in the first molar region. Bite force is variable in different stages of periodontitis.
Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Zhenrui , Zhuang Jie , Zhang Shiwen , He Qingyi , Zhao Rui , Alima Tursen , Fang Lei
Published: May 2021

Background. The number of patients with musculoskeletal pain, which seriously affects people’s quality of life, has increased. Traditional Chinese exercises are accepted and practiced to strengthen the body. Objective. This study aims to explore the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Methods. A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to traditional Chinese exercises on patients with musculoskeletal pain was completed using PubMed, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Med Online databases. All RCTs published until February 2021 were considered. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the predesigned inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data was extracted and assessed for their risk of bias via the Cochrane collaboration tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 and Rx64 4.0.2 software. Results. A total of 45 RCT studies with 3178 patients were included. Traditional Chinese exercises were able to effectively alleviate patients with musculoskeletal pain (MD = −1.54, 95% confidence interval (−1.88, −1.19),

P

 < 0.01). Among them, the Yi Jin Jing exercise was superior to other exercises, while Wu Qin Xi showed no significant effects. Besides, traditional Chinese exercises had significant positive effects on the dysfunction and stiffness of the waist and knee joints. Traditional Chinese exercises could effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with musculoskeletal pain. Particularly, the Yi Jin Jing exercise presented the most significant positive effect on pain reduction.
Incidence, Patient‐Related Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Postoperative Pneumonia after Cholecystectomy: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Teng Yun-Hui , Liu Fu-Chao , Liu Keng-Hao , Lin Jr-Rung , Yu Huang-Ping
Published: May 2021

Background. Cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. The objective of this large, population‐based cohort study is to explore the risk factors of pneumonia after cholecystectomy in Taiwan. Methods. From the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, we selected all patients who underwent cholecystectomy by using ICD‐9‐codes, from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2016. The patients were separated into two groups based on the presence or absence of postoperative pneumonia. Basic information, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were evaluated using a t‐test or chi‐square test. There were 6056 patients in the pneumonia group and 24224 patients in the control group. These two groups were shown in a ratio of 1 : 4 and were matched by age and sex. The log‐rank test was used to examine differences in postoperative mortality between patients with and without pneumonia. Preoperative risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age and sex. Results. The final dataset included 282184 cholecystectomy patients. Of these patients, 6056 (2.15%) had postoperative new‐onset pneumonia. The patient‐related risk factors for pneumonia after cholecystectomy in the order of relevance were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, surgical type, hemodialysis, coronary artery disease, and liver cirrhosis. Compared to patients without postcholecystectomy pneumonia, those with postcholecystectomy pneumonia had higher rates of mortality (within first month, 1.72% vs. 2.28%, P < 0.005) and admission to intensive care unit (15.02% vs. 41.80%, P < 0.0001) and longer hospital stays (10.71 vs. 18.55 days, P < 0.0001). Conclusion. Our results show that postcholecystectomy associated with pneumonia had higher rates of morbidity and mortality in this clinical population. Early identification and possible management of risk factors for pneumonia could improve outcomes of cholecystectomy and lower the risk for patient comorbidities after surgery.
Interleukin-18 in Brazilian Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Can Leflunomide Reduce It?
Authors: Gualberto Cardoso Pablo Ramon , Diniz Lopes Marques Claudia , de Melo Vilar Kamila , Dantas Andrea Tavares , Branco Pinto Duarte Angela Luzia , Pitta Ivan da Rocha , Galdino da Rocha Pitta Maira , Barreto de Melo Rêgo Moacyr Jesus
Published: May 2021

Objectives. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the world’s population. This is a chronic autoimmune disease. It is predominant in females with progressive joint damage. Immune cells are involved, especially Th1/Th17 lymphocytes and their inflammatory cytokines. These proteins have different functions in the immune system, such as IL-16 is a chemotactic factor; IL-18 can activate NFκB transcription producing inflammatory proteins; IL-31 can activate the JAK/STAT pathway which leads to the production of inflammatory factors in chronic diseases; IL-33 promotes IL-16 secretion which causes lymphocyte recruitment, and IL-32 and IL-34 appear to increase TNF secretion by macrophages activation in AR. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of IL-16, IL-18, IL-31, IL-32, IL-33, and IL-34 and compare them with the severity and treatment of RA patients if there are any correlations. Methods. A total of 140 RA patients and 40 healthy donors were recruited from the Department of Rheumatology at Hospital das Clínicas from the Federal University of Pernambuco. 60 AR patients were naïve for any treatment. Serum cytokine levels were determined using an ELISA kit. Results. Serum IL-16 (p = 0.0491), IL-18 (p < 0.0001), IL-31 (p = 0.0004), and IL-32 (p = 0.0040) levels were significantly increased in RA patients compared with healthy donors. It was observed that patients using leflunomide had the lowest IL-18 levels, close to controls levels (p = 0.0064). Conclusion. IL-16, IL-18, IL-31, and IL-32 are increased in the serum of RA patients. IL-18 is at lower levels in those AR who are taking leflunomide as treatment.
Qualitatively Stable Nonstandard Finite Difference Scheme for Numerical Solution of the Nonlinear Black–Scholes Equation
Authors: Mehdizadeh Khalsaraei Mohammad , Shokri Ali , Mohammadnia Zahra , Sedighi Hamid Mohammad
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we use a numerical method for solving the nonlinear Black–Scholes partial differential equation of the European option under transaction costs, which is based on the nonstandard discretization of the spatial derivatives. The proposed scheme, in addition to the unconditional positivity, is stable, consistent, and monotone. In order to illustrate the efficiency of the new method, numerical results have been performed by four models.
Erythema Multiforme Attributable to Herpes Simplex Virus: Clinical Aspects and Treatment
Authors: Mtiri Aya , Bouslama Ghada , Messouad Nour-sayda Ben , Abidi Iyadh , Youssef Souha Ben , Sriha Badreddine
Published: May 2021

Erythema multiforme is an acute mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reaction with various etiological factors, including herpes simplex virus, medications, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies, but the most common cause is infection by herpes simplex virus. The most characteristic feature is the presence of “target lesions.” There are no specific diagnostic tests for EM, and the diagnosis is based on clinical signs and symptoms and biopsy if required. We report a case of recurrent herpes-associated erythema multiforme managed with prophylactic acyclovir for 6 months: a 17-year-old boy had recurrent cutaneous lesions as well as lesions in the oral cavity and lips. Positive serology for herpes simplex virus and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis.
Requirement Engineering Challenges in Agile Software Development
Authors: Rasheed Aqsa , Zafar Bushra , Shehryar Tehmina , Aslam Naila Aiman , Sajid Muhammad , Ali Nouman , Dar Saadat Hanif , Khalid Samina
Published: May 2021

Agile software development has large success rate due to its benefits and promising nature but natively where the size of the project is small. Requirement engineering (RE) is crucial as in each software development life cycle, “Requirements” play a vital role. Though agile provides values to customer’s business needs, changing requirement, and interaction, we also have to face impediments in agile, many of which are related to requirement challenges. This article aims to find out the challenges being faced during requirement engineering of agile projects. Many research studies have been conducted on requirement challenges which are somehow biased, no suggestions are given to improve the agile development process, and the research does not highlight large-scale agile development challenges. Hence, this article covers all the challenges discussed above and presents a comprehensive overview of agile models from requirement engineering perspective. The findings and results can be very helpful for software industry to improve development process as well as for researchers who want to work further in this direction.