bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved Similarity-based Clustering Algorithm for Multi-database Mining
Authors: Miloudi Salim , Wang Yulin , Ding Wenjia
Published: April 2021

Clustering algorithms for multi-database mining (MDM) rely on computing $(n^2-n)/2$ pairwise similarities between $n$ multiple databases to generate and evaluate $m\in[1, (n^2-n)/2]$ candidate clusterings in order to select the ideal partitioning which optimizes a predefined goodness measure. However, when these pairwise similarities are distributed around the mean value, the clustering algorithm becomes indecisive when choosing what database pairs are considered eligible to be grouped together. Consequently, a trivial result is produced by putting all the $n$ databases in one cluster or by returning $n$ singleton clusters. To tackle the latter problem, we propose a learning algorithm to reduce the fuzziness in the similarity matrix by minimizing a weighted binary entropy loss function via gradient descent and back-propagation. As a result, the learned model will improve the certainty of the clustering algorithm by correctly identifying the optimal database clusters. Additionally, in contrast to gradient-based clustering algorithms which are sensitive to the choice of the learning rate and require more iterations to converge, we propose a learning-rate-free algorithm to assess the candidate clusterings generated on the fly in a fewer upper-bounded iterations. Through a series of experiments on multiple database samples, we show that our algorithm outperforms the existing clustering algorithms for MDM.
Bio-Functionalization of a Novel Biocompatible High Entropy Alloy Used For Bone Implants
Authors: Codescu Mirela Maria , Vladescu Alina , Geanta Victor , Voiculescu Ionelia , Pana Iulian , Dinu Mihaela , Kiss Adrian Emil , Braic Viorel , PATROI Delia , MARINESCU Virgil E , Mihai Iordoc
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a novel biocompatible alloy defined as FeMoTaTiZr was obtained and functionalized by hydroxyapatite-based coatings (HAP) in order to increase their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and resistance to corrosion for to be used as bone implants. To obtain the surface with antibacterial properties, the HAP coatings were doped with small amount of Zn. The alloy was prepared using the VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelting) equipment, while the coatings by RF magnetron sputtering method. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Ca and P in the case of all developed coatings, having Ca/P or Ca/(P+Zn) ratio of about 1.70 and 1.66, respectively. The XRD and ATR-FTIR investigations confirmed the presence of calcium phosphate phases. The roughness of uncoated substrates increased after coating with HAP, and it was considerably increased by the Zn addition. The electrochemical tests showed that the un-doped HAP exhibited good corrosion behavior, while Zn doped HAP coatings have a high dissolution rate in fetal bovine serum, being more proper as a biodegradable material.
Results of Active Middle Ear Implantation in Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss After Middle Ear Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Study (the ROMEO Study)
Authors: Song Chan Il , Cho Hyong-Ho , Choi Byung Yoon , Choi Jae Young , Choi Jin Woong , Choung Yun-Hoon , Chung Jong Woo , Chung Won-Ho , Hong Sung Hwa , Kim Yehree , Lee Byung Don , Lee Il-Woo , Lee Jong Dae , Lee Jun Ho , Lee Kyu-Yup , Moon Il Joon , Moon In Seok , Oh Seung-Ha , Park Hong Ju , Park Shi Nae , Seo Ji Won
Published: April 2021

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the user satisfaction, efficacy, and safety of round window (RW) vibroplasty using the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) in patients with persistent mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy.Methods. The study included 27 patients (mean age, 58.7 years; age range, 28–76 years; 11 men and 16 women) with mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy from 15 tertiary referral centers in Korea. The VSB was implanted at the RW. The Korean translation of the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (K-IOI-HA) questionnaire were used to evaluate user satisfaction as the primary outcome. The secondary outcome measures were audiological test results and complication rates.Results. The mean scores for ease of communication (61.3% to 29.7% to 30.2%), reverberation (62.1% to 43.1% to 37.4%), and background noise (63.3% to 37.7% to 34.3%) subscales of the APHAB questionnaire significantly decreased after VSB surgery. The mean K-IOI-HA scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than the mean preoperative score (18.6 to 27.2 to 28.1). The postoperative VSB-aided thresholds were significantly lower than the preoperative unaided and hearing aid (HA)-aided thresholds. There was no significant difference between preoperative unaided, preoperative HA-aided, and postoperative VSB-aided maximum phonetically balanced word-recognition scores. None of the 27 patients experienced a change in postoperative bone conduction pure tone average. One patient developed temporary facial palsy and two developed surgical wound infections.Conclusion. RW vibroplasty resulted in improved satisfaction and audiological test results in patients with mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy, and the complication rate was tolerable.
Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured NiFe Films under Influence of Heat Treatment
Authors: Fedosyuk V. M.
Published: April 2021

. Nanostructured NiFe films were synthesized by pulsed electrolytic deposition on silicon with a gold sublayer, after which they have been subjected to to temperature treatment at 373-673 K in order to study the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the objects under study. High-resolution atomic force microscopy has made it possible  to trace the stages of  microstructure evolution under the  influence of  heat treatment, including the process of  nonlinear increase in grain growth and two-stage agglomeration. It is shown that with an increase in heat treatment temperature to 673 K, the grain size increases from 68 to 580 nm in comparison with the initial sample, undergoing agglomeration processes at temperatures of  100 and 300 °C. The mechanical properties of nanostructured NiFe films have been studied by the nanoindentation method. The dependences of the hardness of Young’s modulus and the values of the resistance to elastoplastic deformation on depth have been obtained and analyzed in the paper. This approach has permitted to reveal differences in the behavior of the mechanical properties of the surface layer and the internal volume of the film under the action of different heat treatment temperatures, as well as to demonstrate the opposite reaction of different material layers to an increase in temperature. As a result of a thorough analysis of the deformation curves of nanoindentation, it has been found that the homogenization of the surface in combination with the activation of oxidation processes leads to the strengthening of near-surface layer of NiFe films. At the same time, the internal volume of the material is characterized by a nonlinear decrease in hardness and Young’s modulus with an increase in the heat treatment temperature. The explanation for this phenomenon has been found in the complex effect of a decrease in the number of grain boundaries (due to an increase in the average grain size with increasing temperature) and an increase in the concentration of gold atoms diffusing from the sublayer more actively with an increase in the processing temperature of NiFe films.
Influence of the Cut Axial Depth on Surface Roughness at High-Speed Milling of Thin-Walled Workpieces
Authors: Germashev A. I. , Logominov V. A. , Dyadya S. I. , Kozlova Y. V. , Krishtal V. A.
Published: April 2021

The paper presents the results of research on the dynamics of end milling of thin-walled work-pieces having complex geometric shapes. Since the milling process with shallow depths of cut is characterized by high intermittent cutting, the proportion of regenerative vibrations decreases, and the effect of forced vibrations on the dynamics of the process, on the contrary, increases. The influence of  axial depth of cut on the vibrations arising during processing, and roughness of the processed surface have been studied in paper.  The experiments have been carried out in a wide range of changes in the spindle speed at different axial cutting depths.  Vibrations of a thin-walled work-piece  have been recorded with an inductive sensor and recorded in digital form. Then an oscillogram has been used to estimate the amplitude and frequency of oscillations. The profilograms of the machined surface have been analysed. Roughness has been evaluated by the parameter Ra. The results have shown similar relationships for each of the investigated axial cutting depths. The worst cutting conditions  have been observed when the natural vibration frequency coincided with the tooth frequency or its harmonics. It is shown that the main cause of vibrations in high-speed milling  is forced rather than regenerative vibrations. Increasing the axial depth of cut at the same spindle speed increases the vibration amplitude. However, this does not significantly affect the roughness of the processed surface in cases when it comes to vibration-resistant processing.
Understanding Real-Time Job Signatures on Deepwater Cementing Jobs with Dynamic Losses
Authors: Dooply Mohammed , Schupbach Michael , Hampshire Kenneth , Contreras Jose , Flamant Nicolas
Published: April 2021

Two of the most important parameters to monitor during a primary cementing job are the flow rate in and return flow rate measurements. To achieve optimum job results of a primary cementing job, measuring annular return rates and comparing them with simulated data in real time will provide a better understanding of job signatures and result in the best possible top of cement (TOC) estimation prior to running any cement evaluation log or making a decision to continue drilling the next section of the well.

The return rate job signature along with the wellhead pressure is essential to understanding the behavior and discrepancies between simulated and acquired surface data. Therefore, to assess the risk of job issues, such as unsuspected washout and lost circulation among others, accurate measurements of the return rate are critical.

Historically, the cement job evaluation has been limited by the fact that most drilling rigs do not have an accurate flowmeter installed on the annulus return line, and a simple verification of mud tanks volume vs. pumped volume, as reported by drillers or mud loggers, more often than not results in an unreliable assessment of the volume lost downhole, due to the unfamiliarity with the U-tubing effect and lack of data consolidation from the cement unit (flow rate in) and the rig (flow rate in and flow rate out).

In this paper, we will review a solution developed to mitigate the lack of a direct flow-rate measurement by computing and displaying the return rate using either a paddle meter measurement or the derivative over time of the volume observed in the rig tanks.
West Africa Salt-Zone Cementing Best Practices: Laboratory Evaluation and 5-Year Field Application Review
Authors: Nana Degaul , Uba Christopher , Johnson Carl , Lonca Matthieu , Zghal Jamel
Published: April 2021

To determine which salt-based cement system (potassium chloride or sodium chloride) was suitable for cementing across halite and anhydrite salt sections in West Africa, eight slurry recipes were tested to assess how formation salt contamination would affect slurry properties. The formation salt used for testing was sampled from a deepwater, presalt well in Angola. The recommendations developed from the laboratory study were implemented in 10 projects across West Africa over 5 years with 100% operational and well integrity success.

A candidate deepwater well was selected in which the surface and intermediate strings penetrated salt formations. Four slurry designs (a lead and tail slurry used on each casing string) were programmed. Each slurry was designed and tested as two distinct systems using potassium chloride and sodium chloride salt, respectively, yielding a total of eight slurry designs. Using the methodology and data presented by Martins et al. (2002), the mass of dissolved formation salt that each slurry may receive during placement was estimated and duly incorporated into each slurry design. Subsequently, the salt-contaminated slurries were tested and compared with the properties of the initial uncontaminated slurries. On the basis of these results, conclusions were then made on which salt slurry system (potassium chloride or sodium chloride) exhibited better liquid and set properties after contamination with formation salt. Subsequently, this knowledge was applied to 10 projects across three countries in West Africa.

This study showed that when the contact time of liquid cement slurry to salt formation was low—typically when the salt-formation interval across which the cement slurry flowed was less than 100 m thick—the level of formation salt dissolution entering the slurry during placement was limited. In this case, a potassium chloride salt-based slurry delivered improved liquid and set properties as compared with a sodium chloride salt-based slurry. In the field, this knowledge was applied in all oilfield projects cemented by an oilfield service company between 2015 and 2020. This included deepwater, shallow offshore, and onshore wells. All related salt-zone cement jobs, including sidetrack plugs, placed across the salt formations were successful on the first attempt.

In an absence of industry consensus around salt-formation cement slurry design, this paper validates a guideline for West Africa, based on results from laboratory testing and 5 years of field application. In contrast to current literature that recommends only sodium chloride salt-based slurry designs across halite or anhydrite salt intervals, this work demonstrates that potassium chloride salt-based slurry systems can effectively be used to achieve well integrity where a halite or anhydrite salt interval is less than 100 m (328.1 ft) thick.
Interaction between Hydraulic Fracture and Pre-Existing Fracture under Pulse Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Wei Chao , Zhang Bo , Li Shucai , Fan Zhixin , Li Chengxin
Published: April 2021

Pulse hydraulic fracturing technology can greatly improve the effect of fracture propagation in rock and form complex fracture networks in reservoirs. The interaction mechanism between hydraulic fractures and pre-existing fractures under pulse hydraulic pressure is unclear. The induced laws of pre-existing fractures on the propagation direction of hydraulic fractures under different pulse frequencies and pulse hydraulic pressures are revealed in this work.

We have carried out traditional hydraulic fracturing (THF) tests and pulse hydraulic fracturing tests with rock-like specimens. We compared the interaction between hydraulic fractures and pre-existing fractures in the two hydraulic fracturing tests. Acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of the interaction between hydraulic fractures and pre-existing fractures during pulse hydraulic fracturing are analyzed.

The results show that pre-existing fractures in the rock-like specimen can induce the direction of propagation of hydraulic fractures. The influence of pre-existing fracture tips on hydraulic fracture propagation is greater with low pulse frequencies than with traditional hydraulic pressures and high pulse frequencies. When the pulse frequency is 1 Hz, hydraulic fractures are easily induced by pre-existing fracture tips. With increasing pulse frequency, the hydraulic fracture propagation direction gradually moves away from the pre-existing fracture tips and extends perpendicularly to the direction of the minimum principal stress. Under pulse hydraulic loading, more hydraulic fractures are generated around the wellbore than under THF and extend to the pre-existing fracture, and more hydraulic fractures around the wellbore are created with low-frequency pulse loading than with high-frequency pulse loading. Compared with traditional hydraulic pressures, hydraulic fracture propagation with low pulse frequencies (1 and 3 Hz) is more complex than hydraulic fracture propagation with traditional hydraulic pressures and high pulse frequencies (5 Hz). Under high pulse hydraulic pressure and pulse frequency, hydraulic fractures easily extend along the direction perpendicular to the direction of the minimum principal stress like propagation under traditional hydraulic pressure. The study of the interaction mechanism between hydraulic fractures and natural fractures under pulsating hydraulic pressure can provide a method for the formation of fracture network systems in large-scale fracturing and may improve the fracturing efficiency.
Full Reproduction of Surface Dynamometer Card Based on Periodic Electric Current Data
Authors: Zhu Dandan , Luo Xiaoting , Zhang Zhanmin , Li Xiangyi , Peng Gao , Zhu Liping , Jin Xuefeng
Published: April 2021

The surface dynamometer card is composed of ground load and ground displacement, which is of great significance to reflect the operation of rod pumping and the exploitation of crude oil. However, the current method of obtaining the surface dynamometer by sensors is a huge financial investment on the sensor installations and maintenance. In this paper, we propose an innovative method based on deep learning to reproduce the surface dynamometer card directly from electrical parameters. In our method, the convolution neural network is used as the basic layer to automatically extract the spatial characteristics of input data. A long short-term memory (LSTM) network as the core component is used for the output layer to consider the time dependence of the dynamometer card. Finally, the experimental shows that the proposed method achieves the mean relative error (MRE) of 4.00% on the real oil well data in A-oilfield, and the dynamometer card calculated by our model is basically consistent with the field data. In addition, the method has been tested in new wells with a rod pumping system, and the results show that the accuracy of the model is close to 90%, which has already greatly outperformed the previous methods.
Microbiomes attached to fresh perennial ryegrass- are temporally resilient and adapt to changing ecological niches
Authors: Huws Sharon , Edwards Joan. E. , Lin Wanchang , Rubino Francesco , Alston Mark , Swarbreck David , Caim Shabhonam , Stevens Pauline Rees , Pachebat Justin , Won Mi-Young , Oyama Linda B. , Creevey Christopher J. , Kingston-Smith Alison H.
Published: April 2021

BackgroundGut microbiomes, such as the rumen, greatly influence host nutrition due to their feed energy-harvesting capacity. We investigated temporal ecological interactions facilitating energy-harvesting at the fresh perennial ryegrass (PRG)-biofilm interface in the rumen using an in sacco approach and prokaryotic metatranscriptomic profiling. ResultsNetwork analysis identified two distinct sub-microbiomes primarily representing primary (<4h) and secondary (>4h) colonisation phases and the most transcriptionally active bacterial families (i.e Fibrobacteriaceae, Selemondaceae and Methanobacteriaceae) did not interact with either sub-microbiome, indicating non-cooperative behaviour. Conversely, Prevotellaceae had most transcriptional activity within the primary sub-microbiome (focussed on protein metabolism) and Lachnospiraceae within the secondary sub-microbiome (focussed on carbohydrate degradation). Putative keystone taxa, with low transcriptional activity, were identified within both sub-microbiomes, highlighting the important synergistic role of minor bacterial families, however, we hypothesise that they may be ‘cheating’ in order to capitalise on the energy-harvesting capacity of other microbes. In terms of chemical cues underlying transition from primary to secondary colonisation phases, we suggest that AI-2 based quorum sensing plays a role, based on LuxS gene expression data, coupled with changes in PRG chemistry. ConclusionsIn summary, we show that fresh PRG-attached prokaryotes are resilient and adapt quickly to changing niches. This study provides the first major insight into the complex temporal ecological interactions occurring at the plant-biofilm interface within the rumen. The study also provides valuable insights into potential plant breeding strategies for development of the utopian plant, allowing optimal sustainable production of ruminants.
Molecular Pathology Testing for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: An Observational Study of Elements Currently Present in Request Forms and Result Reports and The Opinion of Different Stakeholders
Authors: Dufraing Kelly , Casteren Kaat Van , Breyne Joke , D'Haene Nicky , Campenhout Claude Van , Borght Sara Vander , Zwaenepoel Karen , Rouleau Etienne , Schuuring Ed , Thüsen Jan von der , Dequeker Elisabeth
Published: April 2021

BackgroundFor patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted therapies are becoming part of the standard treatment. It is of question which information the clinicians provide on test requests and how the laboratories adapt test conclusions to this knowledge and regulations.MethodsThis study consisted of two components; 1) checking the presence of pre-defined elements (administrative and key for therapy-choice) on completed requests and corresponding reports in Belgian laboratories, both for tissue- and liquid biopsy (LB)-testing and b) opinion analysis from Belgian pathologists/molecular biologists and clinicians during national pathology/oncology meetings. ResultsData from 4 out of 6 Belgian laboratories with ISO-accreditation for LB-testing were analyzed, of which 75% were university hospitals. On the scored requests (N=4), 12 out of 19 ISO-required elements were present for tissue and 11 for LB-testing. Especially relevant patient history, such as line of therapy (for LB), tumor histology and the reason for testing were lacking. Similarly, 11 and 9 out of 18 elements were present in the reports (N=4) for tissue and LB, respectively. Elements that pathologists/molecular biologists (N=18) were missing on the request were the initial activating mutation, previous therapies, a clinical question and testing-related information. For reporting, an item considered important by both groups is the clinical interpretation of the test result. In addition, clinicians (N=28) indicated that they also wish to read the percentage of neoplastic cells. ConclusionsCommunication flows between the laboratory and the clinician, together with possible pitfalls were identified. Based on the study results, templates for complete requesting and reporting were proposed.
HGF and CXCL13, Two Antagonizing Cytokines in Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis, Predict the Severity and the Mortality of COVID-19
Authors: Perreau Matthieu , Suffiotti Madeleine , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Wiedemann Aurelie , Levy Yves , Laouénan Cédric , Ghosn Jade , Fenwick Craig , Comte Denis , Roger Thierry , Regina Jean , Vollenweider Peter , Waeber Gerard , Oddo Mauro , Calandra Thierry , Pantaleo Giuseppe
Published: April 2021

The objective of the present study was to identify biological signatures of severe COVID-19 predictive of admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). Over 170 immunological markers were investigated in a ‘discovery’ cohort (n=98 patients) of the Lausanne University Hospital (LUH-1). While cellular immunological markers lacked power in discriminating between ICU and non-ICU patients, 13 out of 49 cytokines were significantly associated with ICU admission in the three cohorts (P<0.05 to P<0.001). The cytokine results were confirmed in two ‘validation’ cohorts, i.e. the French COVID-19 Study (FCS; n=62) and a second LUH-2 cohort (n=47). Of note, HGF is a pleiotropic cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties playing a fundamental role in lung tissue repair, and CXCL13, a pro-inflammatory chemokine associated with pulmonary fibrosis and regulating the maturation of B cell response. The two cytokines in combination were the best predictors of ICU admission (positive and negative predictive values ranging from 81.8% to 93.1% and 85.2% to 94.4% in the 3 cohorts) and occurrence of death during patient follow-up (8.8 fold higher likelihood of death when both cytokines were increased). Up-regulation of HGF reflects the most powerful counter-regulatory mechanism of the host immune response to antagonize the pro-inflammatory cytokines including CXCL13 and to prevent lung fibrosis in COVID-19 patients.
Alleviation of zinc induced oxidative stress by polyamines in Plantago ovata Forsk
Authors: Pramanick Paulami , Chakraborty Anindita , Raychaudhuri Sarmistha Sen
Published: April 2021

Zinc causes toxicity to the plants in an excess concentration and it is manifested by chlorosis, rolling of leaf margins, and disruption of membrane integrity. The heavy metal stress also triggers the stimulation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Polyamines are naturally occurring, secondary metabolites, protecting plants from heavy metal-induced stress. Plants also up-regulate the mRNA expression of Metallothionein in response to heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. The alteration in Metallothionein type 2 (PoMT2) expression of a medicinally important herb Plantago ovata in presence of polyamines like Putrescine, Spermidine, and Spermine in addition to ZnSO4.H2O by the semi-quantitative and the quantitative methods have been demonstrated in the present study. We have observed reductions in the expression of the Metallothionein type 2 gene in the presence of the aforementioned polyamines which implies their protective and antioxidant properties to fight against the zinc induced stress. 1 mM Put has been more efficient in increasing the total chlorophyll content (compared to 2 mM Put) by about 36% each in 1000 µM ZnSO4 treated P. ovata seedlings. Spermidine also enhanced chlorophyll content. 2 mM Put and 0.5 mM Spm have shown even better efficiencies in increasing the total antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The lipid peroxidation has been found to decrease in Put and Spm supplemented samples by up to about 47% in both cases. Significant reductions in lipid peroxidation and down-regulation of PoMT2 gene expression indicate the roles of polyamines in partially alleviating Zn-induced oxidative damage.
Biological carbon pump affected by CO2 uptake in the Benguela Upwelling System
Authors: Siddiqui Claire , Rixen Tim , Lahajnar Niko , Plas Anja Van der , Louw Deon , Lamont Tarron , Pillay Keshnee
Published: April 2021

Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS) are well-known for their high productivity and fishery yields. However, being scarcely sampled and poorly represented in global models, their role as CO2 sources and sinks to the atmosphere remains elusive. Here, we present a compilation of shipboard measurements over the past two decades, showing how the Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) in the southeast Atlantic Ocean acts as a CO2 source in the north and CO2 sink in the south. Surface warming of upwelled waters increases the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and outgassing in both regions, but in the south, the biologically-mediated drawdown of CO2 exceeds this warming effect. Here, the biological carbon pump owes its stronger impact on pCO2 to higher shares of upwelling source waters carrying preformed nutrients supplied from the Southern Ocean. Their formation increases pCO2 in surface waters and counteracts human-induced invasion of CO2 in the Southern Ocean. However, their utilization in the BUS compensates for over 20% of the CO2 loss occurring in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. This emphasizes the role of the BUS as key to improve our understanding of the ocean’s response to climate change and the future evolution of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Quality Based Clustering of Node using Fuzzy-Fruit Fly Optimization for Cluster Head and Gateway Selection in Healthcare Application
Authors: Rahul P , Kaarthick B
Published: April 2021

Big data recently has gained tremendous importance in the way information is being disseminated. Transaction based data, unstructured data streaming to and fro from social media, increasing amounts of sensor and machine-to-machine data and many such examples rely on big data in conjunction with cloud computing. It is desirable to create wireless networks on-the-fly as per the demand or a given situation. In such a scenario reliable transmission of big data over mobile Ad-Hoc networks plays a key role in military healthcare applications. Limitations like congestion, Delay, Energy Consumption and Packet Loss Rate constraint pose a challenge for such systems. The most essential problem of Hybrid Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (H-MANET) is to select a suitable and secure path that balances the load through the Internet gateways. Also, the selection of gateway and overload through the network may cause packet losses and Delay (DL). Therefore, load-balancing between different gateways is required for achieving better performance. As a result, steady load balancing technique was employed that selects the gateways based on the Fuzzy Logic (FL) system and enhances the network efficiency. However, the Energy Consumption (EC) was high since gateways were selected directly from the number of nodes. Hence in this article, a novel Node Quality-based Clustering Algorithm (NQCA) using Fuzzy-Genetic for Cluster Head and Gateway Selection (FGCHGS) is proposed. In this algorithm, NQCA is performed based on the Improved Weighted Clustering Algorithm (IWCA). The NQCA algorithm separates the total network into number of clusters and the Cluster Head (CH) for each cluster is elected on the basis of the node priority, transmission range and node neighborhood fidelity. Moreover, the clustering quality is estimated according to the different parameters like node degree, EC, DL, etc, which are also utilized for estimating the combined weight value by using the FL system. Then, the combined weight values are optimized by using Genetic Algorithm (GA) to pick the most optimal weight value that selects both optimal CH and gateway. Conversely, the convergence time of GA and the error due to parameter tuning during optimization are high. Hence, a NQCA using Fuzzy-Fruit Fly optimization for Cluster Head and Gateway Selection (FFFCHGS) is proposed. In this algorithm, improved Fruit Fly (FF) algorithm is proposed instead of GA to select the most optimal CH and gateway. Finally, a performance effectiveness of the FFFCHGS algorithm is evaluated through the simulation outcomes in terms of EC, Packet Loss Rate (PLR), etc.
Fruit juice mediated multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of substituted isoxazoles and their in vitro bio evaluation
Authors: Shelu Susheel Gulati , Rajvir Rajvir Singh , Suman Suman Sangwan
Published: April 2021

A simple, efficient and eco-friendly procedure for the synthesis of isoxazoles derivatives (4a-4h) using one-pot three components reaction between substituted aldehydes (1a), methyl acetoacetate (2a) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (3a) has been achieved in presence of Cocos nucifera L. juice, Solanum lycopersicum L. juice and Citrus limetta juice respectively. This protocol is natural acid catalysed multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of potentially bioactive isoxazole derivatives. The homogeneity of synthesized compounds was confirmed by melting point and thin layer chromatography. The synthesized compounds were characterized by using 1HNMR, FTIR and CHN spectral analysis and evaluated for in vitro herbicidal activity against Raphanus sativus L. (Radish seeds). The compounds (4a-4h) were also screened for their fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by poisoned food techniques. Antibacterial activity was also tested against Erwinia carotovora and Xanthomonas citri by inhibition zone method. From bio evaluation data, it was found that compound 4b was most active against Raphanus sativus L. (root) and Raphanus sativus L. (shoot) respectively. Compound 4b was also found most active against both the fungus viz. R. solani and C. gloeosporioides showing maximum percentage growth inhibition i.e. 90.00 against R. solani and 82.45 against C. gloeosporioides at 2000 µg/mL concentration. Compound 4h has shown maximum inhibition zone i.e. 3.00-9.60 mm against Erwinia carotovora at 2000 µg/mL concentration. Maximum Xanthomonas citri growth was also inhibited by compound 4h showing inhibition zone 1.00-5.00 mm at highest concentration. Less reaction time, high yields of desired products, mild reaction conditions, simple work-up, cost effectiveness and no need of column chromatography are some beauties of present methodology.
Kidney biopsy in very elderly patients: indications, therapeutic impact and complications.
Authors: Fedi Mathilde , Bobot Mickaël , Torrents Julia , Gobert Pierre , Magnant Eric , Knefati Yannick , Verhelst David , Lebrun Gaëtan , Masson Valérie , Giaime Philippe , Santini Julien , Bataille Stanislas , Brunet Philippe , Dussol Bertrand , Burtey Stéphane , Mancini Julien , Daniel Laurent , Jourde-Chiche Noémie
Published: April 2021

Background: Few data is available on the risk/benefit balance of native kidney biopsy (KB) in very elderly patients.Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study in the Aix-Marseille area: the results of KB and medical charts of all patients over 85 years biopsied between January 2010 and December 2018 were reviewed. Results: 104 patients were included. Median age was 87 years. Indications for KB were: acute kidney injury (AKI) in 69.2% of patients, nephrotic syndrome (NS) with AKI in 13.5%, NS without AKI in 12.5%, and proteinuria in 4.8%. Median serum creatinine was 262 mmol/L, 21% of patients required dialysis at the time of KB. Significant bleeding occurred in 7 (6.7%) patients, requiring blood cell transfusion in 4 (3.8%), and radiological embolization in 1 (1%). The most frequent pathological diagnoses were: non-diabetic glomerular diseases (29.8%, including pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis in 9.6%), hypertensive nephropathy (27.9%), acute interstitial nephritis (16.3%), renal involvement of hematological malignancy (8.7%), and acute tubular necrosis (6.7%). After KB, 51 (49%) patients received a specific treatment: corticosteroids (41.3%), cyclophosphamide (6.7%), rituximab (6.7%), bortezomib (3.8%), other chemotherapies (3.8%). Median overall survival was 31 months. Median renal survival was higher in patients without AKI (p=0.007) or treated with corticosteroids (p=0.046). Dialysis-free survival censored for death was higher in patients without AKI (p=0.019), or treated (p=0.022), especially with corticosteroids (p=0.006).Conclusions: KB can reveal a diagnosis with therapeutic impact even in very elderly patients. Severe bleeding was not frequent in this cohort, but KB may have not been performed in more vulnerable patients.
The Association of Workplace Health Education on Smoking-Related Behaviour and Unequal Gains by Job Position in China: ABWMC Programme Findings
Authors: Lin Haoxiang , Chen Meijun , Zheng Yunting , Yun Qingping , Chang Chun
Published: April 2021

BackgroundAlthough the Chinese government has introduced a series of regulations to promote tobacco-related health education in workplaces, the implementation has been far from satisfactory. The aim of the present study was to explore the association of company level tobacco-related health education and employee’s smoking behavior.MethodsData from the 2018 Asia Best Workplace Mainland China programme were employed to address these aims. This was a cross-sectional study that included 14195 employees from 79 companies in mainland China. Spearman correlation tests were used to examine unadjusted correlation between the study variables, and binary logistic regression was used for multivariable analysis. The dependent variables included the smoking-related variables or health information-seeking behaviour. The explanatory variable is the company level tobacco-related health education.ResultsTobacco-related health education was associated with better smoking harm awareness, lower second-hand smoke exposure, better perceived workplace environment and positive health information-seeking behaviour. Job position interacted with health education, suggesting that positive association of health education were smaller for general employees than employees who held an administrative position.Conclusions﻿We conclude that workplace tobacco-related health education was not only associated with tobacco control effects but also had spillover effects, which were significant for higher-ranking employees. Policy makers should recognize and reduce the potential health disparities.
Low-field Onset of Wannier-Stark Localization in a Polycrystalline Hybrid Organic Inorganic Perovskite
Authors: Berghoff Daniel , Bühler Johannes , Bonn Mischa , Leitenstorfer Alfred , Meier Torsten , Kim Heejae
Published: April 2021

Control over light propagation in a material by applying external fields is at the heart of photonic applications. Here, we demonstrate ultrafast modulation of the optical properties in the room temperature polycrystalline MAPbI3 perovskite using phase-stable terahertz pulses, centered at 20 THz. The biasing field from the THz pulse creates extreme localization of electronic states in the ab plane – Wannier-Stark localization. This quasi-instantaneous reduction of dimensionality (from 3D to 2D) causes a marked change in the absorption shape, enabling the modulation depth to be tens of percent at moderate field strengths (3 MV/cm). The notably low-field onset results from a narrow electronic bandwidth, a large relevant lattice constant, and the coincidence of the two along the same direction in this tetragonal perovskite. We show that the transient optical response is in fact dominated by the least dispersive direction of the electronic band structure, facilitating a substantial modulation despite the arbitrary arrangement of the individual crystallites. The demonstration of THz-field-induced optical modulation in a solution-processed, disordered, and polycrystalline material is of substantial potential significance for novel photonic applications.
Data Mining for the Identification of Known and Candidate Transthyretin Amyloidosis Variants in the Saudi Population
Authors: Abouelhoda Mohamed , Mohty Dania , Alayary Islam , Meyer Brian F. , Arold Stefan T. , Fadel Bahaa M. , Monies Dorota
Published: April 2021

BackgroundFamilial transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTR) is an autosomal dominant disease with significant phenotypic heterogeneity. Its prevalence in Saudi Arabia has not previously been investigated. An existing exome variant database of Saudi individuals, sequenced to globally investigate rare diseases in the population, was mined for TTR variants and filtered for missense mutations resulting in single amino acid changes. A total of 13,906 Saudi exomes from unrelated individuals were analyzed blindly. ResultsThree TTR variants known to be associated with ATTR amyloidosis were identified. Additionally, three novel TTR mutations were identified. Structural analysis of the three novel variants suggests that at least two could be amyloidogenic. The most common variant associated with amyloidosis was p.Val142Ile (allele frequency 0.001). Further investigation of these variants and their translation to clinical practice may help to diagnose, monitor and manage patients with ATTR amyloidosis.ConclusionMultiple TTR variants potentially associated with systemic ATTR amyloidosis were identified in the Saudi population. Early diagnosis and intervention, facilitated by familial genetic testing of patients with ATTR amyloidosis, may benefit in the management of this disease. Early diagnosis could be enhanced through inclusion of ATTR variants in existing population-based screening programs.
Multivariate Modelling of Milk Fatty Acid Profile to Discriminate the Forages in Dairy Cows' Ration
Authors: Riuzzi Giorgia , Davis Hannah R. , Lanza Ilaria , Butler Gillian , Contiero Barbara , Gottardo Flaviana , Segato Severino
Published: April 2021

Although there are many studies on the importance of fatty acids (FA) in our diet and on the influence of cows’ diet on FA metabolism, only a few investigate their predictive capacity to discriminate the type, amount and conservation method of the dietary forages. This research quantitatifies differences in FA concentrations and, using a supervised factorial discriminant analysis (FDA), assesses which could be biomarkers when replacing maize silage with other silages, grass/lucerne hays or fresh grass. The statistical modelling identified three main clusters in milk FA profiles associated with silages, hays and fresh grass as dominant roughages. The main implication of a dairy cow feeding system based on poliphytic forages from permanent meadows is to enhance milk’s nutritional value thanks to an increase in beneficial FA belonging to omenga-3 polyunsaturated FA, conjugated linoleic acids and odd chain FA, compared to the use of maize silage from arable land. The study also identified a small but powerful and reliable pool of FA that can act as biomarkers to authenticate feeding systems: C16:1, C17:0, C18:0, C18:3n-3, C18:1 c-9, C18:1 t-11, C20:0.
An Enzymatic Method for Harvesting Functional Melanosomes After Keratin Extraction – Maximizing Resource Recovery from Human Hair 
Authors: Zhang Nan , Lai Hui Ying , Gautam Archana , De Kwek Darien Yu , Dong Yibing , Wang Qiang , Ng Kee Woei
Published: April 2021

Hair contains about 80% keratins and 1–3% melanin packaged in melanosomes. Both of which are high-value and functional raw materials that have potential applications in wide ranging fields. While keratin extraction has been widely refined, efficient methods of melanosome extraction are limited. The extraction of melanosomes requires complete removal of keratin, thus combined keratin extraction and melanosome isolation is logical. Herein, a successive process to harvest melanosomes after keratin extraction from human hair waste was developed. The yield of melanosome was about 1.3% of total hair mass. The structure of harvested melanosomes is well preserved based on surface morphology and interior ultrastructural observations using electron microscopy. The chemical structure, UV-filtering ability, and thermal stability of the melanosomes are examined to demonstrate preservation of native functions. Our strategy of combining melanosome isolation with keratin extraction is shown to be effective and significantly improves the total resource recovery efficiency from human hair waste.
Influence of Aloe vera and Pluronic F127 on the Enhancement of Photocatalytic Degradation and Antibacterial Activity of ZnO by sol-gel Synthesis Method
Authors: O Seifunnisha , J Shanthi
Published: April 2021

The development of plant-based photocatalyst with a minimum time of irradiation for water-soluble dye disposal from industries is a great significance to unravel water pollution. In the present work, the sol-gel synthesis method was employed for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Pluronic F127 and Aloe vera as dispersing media. A hexagonal wurtzite structure and surface morphology confirmed by XRD and FE-SEM analysis. The infrared study was applied to substantiate the acceptable compounds within the nanoparticles and phytochemicals presence within the extract. From the DRS spectra, Bandgap energy of ZnO nanoparticles (3.22eV) was decreased to 2.89eV by blending of Aloe vera and Pluronic F127 into ZnO. The photocatalytic action of different combinations of ZnO was examined against malachite green dye under UV light and visible light irradiation. Upto 95% degradation was achieved for ZnO/Aloe/PF127 with a minimum time of UV light exposure. All combinations of ZnO showed effective bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistance of E.coli, S.aureus, B.subtilis, and P.aeruginosa. These findings proved the overwhelming photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of ZnO samples, which might be used as effective remediation to treat textile dye wastewater.
Low Persistence of Antipsychotic Therapy in Parkinson Disease – Intolerance, Ineffectiveness, or Inertia?
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Phuong Pham , Abraham Danielle S. , Thibault Dylan , Weintraub Daniel , Willis Allison W.
Published: April 2021

Background: Antipsychotics are used in Parkinson disease (PD) to treat psychosis, mood, and behavioral disturbances. Commonly used antipsychotics differ substantially in their potential to worsen motor symptoms through dopaminergic receptor blockade. Recent real-world data on the use and persistence of antipsychotic therapy in PD are lacking. The objectives of this study are to (1) examine the persistence to overall and initial antipsychotic therapy in individuals with PD and (2) determine whether persistence varies by drug dopamine receptor blocking activity.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using U.S. commercially insured individuals in Optum 2001-2019. Adults age 40 years or older with PD initiating antipsychotic therapy, with continuous insurance coverage for at least six months following drug initiation, were included. Exposure to pimavanserin, quetiapine, clozapine, aripiprazole, risperidone, or olanzapine was identified based on pharmacy claims. Six-month persistence to overall and initial antipsychotic therapy was estimated by time to complete discontinuation or switching to a different antipsychotic. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated factors associated with discontinuation.Results: Overall, 38.6% of 3,566 PD patients in our sample discontinued antipsychotic therapy after the first prescription, 61.4% continued with overall treatment within six months of initiation. Clozapine use was too rare to include in statistical analyses. Overall therapy discontinuation was more likely for medications with dopamine-receptor blocking activity (adjusted hazard ratios 1.76 [95% confidence interval 1.40-2.20] for quetiapine, 2.15 [1.61-2.86] for aripiprazole, 2.12 [1.66-2.72] for risperidone, and 2.07 1.60-2.67] for olanzapine), compared with serotonin receptor-specific pimavanserin. Initial antipsychotic therapy discontinuation also associated greater dopamine-receptor blocking activity medication use – adjusted hazard ratios 1.57 (95% confidence interval 1.28-1.94), 1.88 (1.43-2.46), 2.00 (1.59-2.52) and 2.03 (1.60-2.58) for quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone, and olanzapine, respectively, compared with pimavanserin. Similar results were observed in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: Over one-third of individuals with PD stop antipsychotic therapy, especially if the initial drug has greater dopamine-receptor blocking activity. Understanding the drivers of antipsychotic discontinuation, including ineffectiveness, potentially inappropriate use, clinician inertia, patient adherence and adverse effects, is needed to inform clinical management of psychosis in PD and appropriate antipsychotic use in this population.