bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Normalized Orthogonal Gradient Adaptive Algorithm Based on Spline Adaptive Filtering for Smart Communication Technology
Authors: Wiangtong Theerayod , Sitjongsataporn Suchada
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a general theoretical framework of spline adaptive filtering based on a normalized version of orthogonal gradient adaptive algorithm. A nonlinear spline adaptive filter normally consists of a linear combination with a memory-less function and a spline function for adaptive approach. We explain how the adaptive linear filter and spline control points are derived in a straightforward iterative gradient-based method. In order to improve the convergence characteristics, the normalized version of orthogonal gradient adaptive algorithm is introduced by the orthogonal projection along with the gradient adaptive algorithm. In addition, a simple form of adaptation algorithm is introduced how to obtain a lower bound on the excess mean square error (MSE) in a theoretical basis. Convergence and stability analysis based on the MSE criterion are proven in terms of the excess MSE. Simulation results reveal that the proposed algorithm achieves more robustness compared with the conventional spline adaptive filtering algorithm.
Dynamic Modeling and Closed-Loop Control of a Tapped Inductor Buck Converter
Authors: Trakuldit Siripan , Bunlaksananusorn Chanin
Published: July 2021

Modern smart electronic and information technology (IT) devices require a low DC voltage for operation. The low supply voltage is typically provided by a dedicated DC−DC converter by stepping down the system’s bus voltage (e.g., 12 V). It is essential that the converter possesses a large voltage step-down gain and, at the same time, operates at high efficiency. A tapped inductor buck converter (TIBC) is a topology that has a potential to meet these requirements. It has a simple circuit structure and high efficiency similar to a buck converter, but can give a larger voltage step-down gain. This paper presents a dynamic modeling and closed-loop control of a TIBC. The state space averaging (SSA) method is adopted for the dynamic modeling to derive small-signal transfer functions of the converter. Based on the duty-cycle-to-output voltage transfer function, a closed-loop control is designed to keep the converter’s output voltage constant. To verify the design, a prototype TIBC with closed-loop control is implemented. Experimental results show that the prototype converter has good output voltage regulation and fast transient response when subject to a step load. The effect of the crossover frequency and phase margin on the converter’s transient response is also illustrated.
Digital Forensics Security Analysis on iOS Devices
Authors: Wu Min-Hao , Chang Ting-Cheng , Li-Min Yi
Published: July 2021

With the rapid development of the Internet era, cell phones play an essential and indispensable role in nowadays life. Smartphones have profoundly influenced our social relationships and our daily lives. Generally speaking, the most common tools we hear about in our daily lives are QQ, WeChat, and other Internet communication services that allow users to send text messages, pictures, and documents, providing a more convenient and faster medium for people to communicate and chat. The popularity and convenience of mobile technology have changed people’s habits of communication. People no longer need to rely on computers to communicate, and computers cannot communicate anytime and anywhere. In the kernel of Linux and Windows, as long as the Message Hooker will install, it can monitor the messages of other programs, including WeChat and QQ, in this research. We can provide relevant law enforcement officers with effective evidence collection so that criminals will not be able to hide. The suspects often delete their WeChat or QQ records after committing the crime. It impossible for our law enforcement agencies to obtain evidence directly from the cell phone and the crime facts. Our research hopes to use some technology to help law enforcement units effectively obtain strong evidence in the iPhone not to hide the crime facts.
News Article Based Industry Risk Index Prediction for Industry-Specific Evaluation
Authors: Kim Kyungwon , Yoon Kyoungro
Published: July 2021

The existing industry evaluation method utilizes the method of collecting the structured information such as the financial information of the companies included in the relevant industry and deriving the industrial evaluation index through the statistical analysis model. This method takes a long time to calculate the structured data and cause the time delay problem. In this paper, to solve this time delay problem, we derive monthly industry-specific interest and likability as a time series data type, which is a new industry evaluation indicator based on unstructured data. In addition, we propose a method to predict the industrial risk index, which is used as an important factor in industrial evaluation, based on derived industry-specific interest and likability time series data.
Information Credibility Evaluation in Presence of Users’ Safety in New Retailing
Authors: Wang Dong , Wang Kehong , Yan Lemei , Yue Zeyu , Zhang Jiewen
Published: July 2021

Understanding users’ safety perception of the credibility of web-based information has become increasingly important in the context of new retailing. This study extends the existing literature by exploring the factors influencing information credibility in the context of new retailing. Based on the technology acceptance model and the rational behavior theory, a theoretical model for the assessment of information credibility in new retailing was developed. We analyzed the factors influencing users’ safety preference toward information communication procedures and information credibility in new retailing based on two aspects: perceived information quality and user judgment motivation. The reliability and validity of the model measure were analyzed, and structural equation modeling was used to test the model hypotheses. The following results were obtained: (1) Authenticity, accuracy, and practicability positively affected the perceived information quality of new retailing information; (2) User judgment motivation had a positive impact on information users’ safety preference and information credibility; (3) Users’ safety preference positively affected information credibility; (4) Information acquisition, social interaction, and self-identity positively affected the perceived credibility of new retailing information.
Secure Browsing in Local Government: The Case of Portugal
Authors: Gomes Hélder , Zúquete André , Dias Gonçalo Paiva , Marques Fábio
Published: July 2021

This article addresses the adoption and use of Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) in the entry pages of the official websites of all (308) Portuguese municipalities. This is relevant because such websites are typically used to provide transactional services to citizens, and citizens need to trust that websites are authentic and that confidentiality and integrity of the information exchanged is assured in the communication process. Automated and, whenever needed, manual analyses were used to investigate the entry pages. Specifically, we checked for the existence of an HTTPS site; the correctness of website certificates and their certification chain; coherence between contents of the HTTP and HTTPS versions of websites; redirection from the HTTP version of a website to its HTTPS version; the existence of resources fetched using HTTP in HTTPS versions of websites; and exploitation of HSTS. A Quality Indicator was then defined and a classification of the municipalities into quality groups was produced. Possible determinants for the results obtained by the municipalities were also investigated. The general conclusion is that there is still much to be done to assure that citizens can communicate securely with the websites of all Portuguese municipalities, since only 3.6% of the municipalities were considered good, while 46.1% do not guarantee the minimum conditions. We argue that these results are associated with the fact that most Portuguese municipalities do not have the critical technical and managerial mass to correctly implement and maintain their websites. To mitigate this limitation, we propose the dissemination of technical instructions on how to correctly configure and deploy municipal HTTPS websites and the creation of shared services between the smaller municipalities.
Geospatially Partitioning Public Transit Networks for Open Data Publishing
Authors: Delva Harm , Rojas Julián Andrés , Colpaert Pieter , Verborgh Ruben
Published: July 2021

Public transit operators often publish their open data in a data dump, but developers with limited computational resources may not have the means to process all this data efficiently. In our prior work we have shown that geospatially partitioning an operator’s network can improve query times for client-side route planning applications by a factor of 2.4. However, it remains unclear whether this works for all network types, or other kinds of applications. To answer these questions, we must evaluate the same method on more networks and analyze the effect of geospatial partitioning on each network separately. In this paper we process three networks in Belgium: (i) the national railways, (ii) the regional operator in Flanders, and (iii) the network of the city of Brussels, using both real and artificially generated query sets. Our findings show that on the regional network, we can make query processing 4 times more efficient, but we could not improve the performance over the city network by more than 12%. Both the network’s topography, and to a lesser extent how users interact with the network, determine how suitable the network is for partitioning. Thus, we come to a negative answer to our question: our method does not work equally well for all networks. Moreover, since the network’s topography is the main determining factor, we expect this finding to apply to other graph-based geospatial data, as well as other Link Traversal-based applications.
Wireless Sensor Network Node Localization Algorithm Based on PSO-MA
Authors: Liu Wenli , Shi Cuiping , Zhu Hengjun , Yu Hongbo
Published: July 2021

Aiming at the large error and low accuracy of wireless sensor node location, this paper proposes a node location method based on the fusion of Particle Swarm Optimization and Monkey Algorithm (PSO-MA). Firstly, this article describes the node location model based on DV-HOP algorithm; secondly, this article uses PSO in node location, uses place Laplace distribution for population initialization, improves population diversity, and optimizes particle weights to avoid algorithm falling into local optimality. In this paper, dynamic guidance factors are used to update individual positions to improve individual optimization capabilities, and Monkey Algorithm is used to select individuals to improve the quality of optimal solutions. In the simulation experiment, the algorithm PSO and MA of this paper are compared to achieve better positioning results in the reference node ratio, node density and communication radius indicators.
Patterns for Migration of SOA Based Applications to Microservices Architecture
Authors: Vinay Raj  , Sadam Ravichandra
Published: July 2021

Service oriented architecture (SOA) has been widely used in the design of enterprise applications over the last two decades. Though SOA has become popular in the integration of multiple applications using the enterprise service bus, there are few challenges related to delivery, deployment, governance, and interoperability of services. To overcome the design and maintenance challenges in SOA, a new architecture of microservices has emerged with loose coupling, independent deployment, and scalability as its key features. With the advent of microservices, software architects have started to migrate legacy systems to microservice architecture. However, many challenges arise during the migration of SOA to microservices, including the decomposition of SOA to microservice, the testing of microservices designed using different programming languages, and the monitoring the microservices. In this paper, we aim to provide patterns for the most recurring problems highlighted in the literature i.e, the decomposition of SOA services, the size of each microservice, and the detection of anomalies in microservices. The suggested patterns are combined with our experience in the migration of SOA-based applications to the microservices architecture, and we have also used these patterns in the migration of other SOA applications. We evaluated these patterns with the help of a standard web-based application.
Transformation Approach of Open Web Data to Linked Open Data
Authors: Meherehera Amina , Mekideche Imane , Zemmouchi-Ghomari Leila , Ghomari Abdessamed Réda
Published: July 2021

A large amount of data available over the Web and, in particular, the open data have, generally, heterogeneous formats and are not machine-readable. One promising solution to overcome the problems of heterogeneity and automatic interpretation is the Linked Data initiative, which aims to provide unified practices for publishing and contextually to link data on the Web, by using World Wide Web Consortium standards and the Semantic Web technologies. LinkedIn data promote the Web’s transformation from a web of documents to a web of data, ensuring that machines and software agents can interpret the semantics of data correctly and therefore infer new facts and return relevant web data search results.

This paper presents an automatic generic transformation approach that manipulates several input formats of open web data to linked open data. This work aims to participate actively in the movement of publishing data compliant with linked data principles.
Etude par simulation numérique d’un réacteur de synthèse de nanopoudres
Authors: Amara Mohamed , Ganaoui Mohammed El
Published: July 2021

In the present work, a numerical model was developed for the simulation of the process of ceramic powder synthesis by the laser pyrolysis. It takes into account the flow, heat transfer and chemical reactions. The aim of this investigation is to develop a three dimensional model of the reactor and to characterize the influence of the various involved thermal parameters during the process. This will contribute to an improved fundamental understanding of the heat and mass transfer and fluid flow during the synthesis of ceramic nanopowdera. In addition, The reactor is studied under turbulent flow regime in order to provide first guidance of the design and the optimisation of the geometry of an industrial synthesis reactor.
Méthode de réduction de modèles pour l’analyse de structures composites à matrice élastomérique
Authors: Lejeunes Stéphane , Boukamel Adnane , Cochelin Bruno
Published: July 2021

In this paper we present a model reduction technique, to find the equilibrium state at finite strain of tridimensional structures which have, invariant properties in a direction. Based on finite-elements formulation, this technique consists in the projection of the unknows fields on a polynomial basis in the purpose to reduce the problem dimension. A finite-element is developped for the case of nearly-incompressible visco-hyperelastic behavior for the study of an elastomeric based beam structure.
Sonic boom mitigation via shape optimization using an adjoint method and application to a supersonic fighter aircraft
Authors: Maute Kurt , Farhat Charbel , Argrow Brian , Nikbay Melike
Published: July 2021

This paper describes a computational method for the analysis and mitigation via shape optimization of the sonic boom associated with supersonic flight. The method combines a CFD approach for determining the near-field pressure field and an acoustic scheme for predicting the initial shock pressure rise at the ground. Two venues are considered for computing the ground signature. The performance of both approaches is evaluated using flight test data of two different configurations of an F5 fighter aircraft.
The sensitivity equation method in fluid mechanics
Authors: Pelletier Dominique , Hay Alexander , Etienne Stéphane , Borggaard Jeff
Published: July 2021

We present the sensitivity Equation Method (SEM) as a complementary tool to adjoint based optimisation methods. Flow sensitivities exist independently of a design problem and can be used in several non-optimization ways: characterization of complex flows, fast evaluation of flows on nearby geometries, and input data uncertainties cascade through the CFD code to yield uncertainty estimates of the flow field. The Navier-Stokes and sensitivity equationssensitivity are solved by an adaptive finite element method.
Optimisation de la chaîne complète du procédé de moulage par injection métallique
Authors: Ayad Ghassane , Barriere Thierry , Gelin Jean-Claude
Published: July 2021

This paper is related to the parametric identification and optimization of the injection moulding and sintering stage of the Metal Injection Moulding process. The injection stage is described using a biphasic flow formulation, whereas the sintering mechanism by solid state diffusion is accounted through a viscoplastic type material model. The accuracy of the numerical results of the injection moulding or sintering stages is strongly dependent on the identification of physical parameters entering in the models. In this paper one propose to combine the optimization of the injection moulding stage with the parametric identification of the sintering stage in order to determine the size of the mould cavities in order to get components without defects and with the appropriate resulting geometrical sizes and mechanical properties.
Fast non-iterative methods for defect identification
Authors: Bonnet Marc , Guzina Bojan B. , Nemitz Nicolas
Published: July 2021

This communication summarizes recent investigations on the identification of defects (cavities, inclusions) of unknown geometry and topology by means of the concept of topological sensitivity. This approach leads to the fast computation (equivalent to performing a few direct solutions), by means of ordinary numerical solution methods such as the BEM (used here), the FEM or the FDM, of defect indicator functions. Substantial further acceleration is obtained by using fast multipole accelerated BEMs. Possibilities afforded by this approach are demonstrated on numerical examples. The paper concludes with a discussion of further research on theoretical and numerical issues.
Adjoints of large simulation codes through Automatic Differentiation
Authors: Hascoët Laurent , Dauvergne Benjamin
Published: July 2021

Adjoint methods are the choice approach to obtain gradients of large simulation codes. Automatic Differentiation has already produced adjoint codes for several simulation codes, and research continues to apply it to even larger applications. We compare the approaches chosen by existing Automatic Differentiation tools to build adjoint algorithms. These approaches share similar problems related to data-flow and memory traffic. We present some current state-of-the-art answers to these problems, and show the results on some applications.
Numerical simulation of damage in two-scale model of stainless steel 15-5PH
Authors: Wu Tong , Gilles Philippe , Coret Michel , Combescure Alain
Published: July 2021

This study concerns the modeling of the damage induced by a complex history of thermo-elasto-plastic multiphase in heat-affected-zone (HAZ) of welding. In this work, a twoscale model of elasto-plastic damaged multiphase is developed. The constitutive equations of the model are a coupling between the ductile damage, elasto-plastic deformations and phase transformation.
Multimodeling of multi-alterated structures in the Arlequin framework
Authors: Dhia Hachmi Ben , Elkhodja Nadia , Roux François-Xavier
Published: July 2021

The goal of this work is the development of a numerical methodology for flexible and low-cost computation and/or design of complex structures that might have been obtained by a multialteration of a sound simple structure. The multimodel Arlequin framework is herein used to meet the flexibility and low-costs requirements. A preconditioned FETI-like solver is adapted to the solution of the discrete mixed Arlequin problems obtained by using the Finite Element Method. Enlightening numerical results are given.
The contribution of volunteers in social care services for older people
Authors: Cameron Ailsa , Johnson Eleanor K. , Lloyd Liz , Willis Paul , Smith Randall
Published: July 2021

Faced with unprecedented challenges, the adult social care sector in England has seen increasing attention given to the potential of volunteers to contribute to service provision. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that explored the contribution made by volunteers to social care services for older people. The article draws attention to the difficulties associated with recruiting and training volunteers to work in the sector, particularly during a period of reduced public expenditure, which is putting the sector under strain. Given the challenges faced, the article considers whether it is appropriate to involve volunteers in care work.
Describing youth as actionists for peer sexual violence prevention: correlates of opportunity to act
Authors: Banyard Victoria , Edwards Katie , Mitchell Kimberly J. , Greenberg Patricia , Jones Lisa
Published: July 2021

Objective:

An emerging prevention strategy to reduce peer sexual violence among adolescents is bystander training (that is, actionism). The situational-cognitive model of actionism describes key variables that may promote action, the first of which is detecting the opportunity to help. The purpose of this study was to examine this first stage of action to better understand youth who report opportunity to respond to situations of sexual violence.

Method:

The current cross-sectional study examined a measure of youth bystander opportunity in a baseline sample of youth in school grades 7–10 in the Great Plains region of the US (N=2,225). Students indicated whether they witnessed four situations related to risk of peer sexual violence.

Results:

Opportunities for actionism varied based on the type of situation. Opportunities to intervene were most common for situations involving unwanted touching and sexual rumours. Older youth, girls and youth with self-reported risk factors such as alcohol use and internalising symptoms were more likely to report opportunities for actionism.

Discussion:

Further study of bystander opportunity and correlates of bystander opportunity could help better tailor prevention approaches to provide practice in strategies that are based on the range of opportunities which particular groups of youth may be most likely to encounter.
Ultrasound segmentation-guided edge artifact reduction in diffuse optical tomography using connected component analysis
Authors: Li Shuying , Zhang Menghao , Zhu Quing
Published: July 2021

Ultrasound (US)-guided diffuse optical tomography (DOT) has demonstrated potential value for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment response assessment. However, in clinical use, the chest wall, poor probe-tissue contact, and tissue heterogeneity can all cause image artifacts. These image artifacts, appearing commonly as hot spots in the non-lesion regions (edge artifacts), can decrease the reconstruction accuracy and cause misinterpretation of lesion images. Here we introduce an iterative, connected component analysis-based image artifact reduction algorithm. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is used to segment co-registered US images to extract the lesion location and size to guide the artifact reduction. We demonstrate its performance using Monte Carlo simulations on VICTRE digital breast phantoms and breast patient images. In simulated tissue mismatch models, this algorithm successfully reduces edge artifacts without significantly changing the reconstructed target absorption coefficients. With clinical data it improves the optical contrast between malignant and benign groups, from 1.55 without artifact reduction to 1.91 with artifact reduction. The proposed algorithm has a broad range of applications in other modality-guided DOT imaging.
Integrated Si3N4 microresonator-based quantum light sources with high brightness using a subtractive wafer-scale platform
Authors: Wu Kaiyi , Zhang Qianni , Poon Andrew W.
Published: July 2021

The silicon nitride (Si3N4) platform, demonstrating a moderate third-order optical nonlinearity and a low optical loss compared with those of silicon, is suitable for integrated quantum photonic circuits. However, it is challenging to develop a crack-free, wafer-scale, thick Si3N4 platform in a single deposition run using a subtractive complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible fabrication process suitable for dispersion-engineered quantum light sources. In this paper, we demonstrate our unique subtractive fabrication process by introducing a stress-release pattern prior to the single Si3N4 film deposition. Our Si3N4 platform enables 950 nm-thick and 8 μm-wide microring resonators supporting whispering-gallery modes for quantum light sources at 1550 nm wavelengths. We report a high photon-pair generation rate of ∼1.03 MHz/mW2, with a high spectral brightness of ∼5×106 pairs/s/mW2/GHz. We demonstrate the first heralded single-photon measurement on the Si3N4 platform, which exhibits a high quality of conditional self-correlation gH(2)(0) of 0.008 ± 0.003.
Semi-transparent 3D microelectrodes buried in fused silica for photonics applications
Authors: Guduru S. S. K. , Bucella S. G. , Bonfadini S. , Vishnubhatla K. C. , Caironi M. , Criante L.
Published: July 2021

We report the realization of semi-transparent 3D microelectrodes fully embedded in a fused silica substrate by a combination of femtosecond laser microfabrication and inkjet printing. We also demonstrate the application of such electrodes in a proof-of-concept lab-on-chip device configuration, which acts as a liquid crystal molecular polarization rotator using on-chip electric fields. This work constitutes a first of its kind synergy between two widely used microfabrication techniques, femtosecond laser and inkjet, demonstrating a very efficient integration of optical, electrical and microfluidic components in a unique platform and thus enabling fast prototyping of 3D structured electro-optic lab-on-chips.
Ppt level carbon monoxide detection based on light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy exploring custom quartz tuning forks and a mid-infrared QCL
Authors: Qiao Shunda , Ma Yufei , He Ying , Patimisco Pietro , Sampaolo Angelo , Spagnolo Vincenzo
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we report on an ultra-highly sensitive light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy (LITES)-based carbon monoxide (CO) sensor exploiting custom quartz tuning forks (QTFs) as a photodetector, a multi-pass cell and a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (QCL) for the first time. The QCL emitting at 4.58 µm with output power of 145 mW was employed as exciting source and the multi-pass cell was employed to increase the gas absorption pathlength. To reduce the noise level, wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) and second harmonic demodulation techniques were exploited. Three QTFs including two custom QTFs (#1 and #2) with different geometries and a commercial standard QTF (#3) were tested as photodetector in the gas sensor. When the integration time of the system was set at 200 ms, minimum detection limits (MDLs) of 750 part-per-trillion (ppt), 4.6 part-per-billion (ppb) and 5.8 ppb were achieved employing QTF #1 #2, and #3, respectively. A full sensor calibration was achieved using the most sensitive QTF#1, demonstrating an excellent linear response with CO concentration.
Adsorption of graphene-based metamaterials and its application in detection of heavy metal ions
Authors: Zhao Xin , Yi Jianjia , Zhu Lina , Wang Jing , Lin Menglan , Chen Xiaoming , Burokur Shah Nawaz
Published: July 2021

We propose a graphene-based terahertz metamaterial approach to the detection of heavy metal ions (HMIs). Theoretical calculations and numerical simulations show that the amplitude and phase of electromagnetically induced transparency/reflection resonance of the devices depending on the concentration and type of the HMI in the solution. By changing the bias voltage, the devices can be easily adjusted to their linear working regime for enhanced response speed and performance. By adding specific functional groups to the graphene, the devices may even recognize one specific HMI out of many due to selective adsorption. The proposed concept and discussed method can be helpful to design highly sensitive, fast, and reusable HMI detectors.
Anatomy into the battle of supporting or opposing reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter: A temporal and spatial analysis
Authors: Li Lingyao , Erfani Abdolmajid , Wang Yu , Cui Qingbin
Published: July 2021

Reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a battle on social media. The supporters perceived that the lockdown policy could damage the economy and exacerbate social inequality. By contrast, the opponents believed it was necessary to contain the spread and ensure a safe environment for recovery. Anatomy into the battle is of importance to address public concerns, beliefs, and values, thereby enabling policymakers to determine the appropriate solutions to implement reopening policy. To this end, we investigated over 1.5 million related Twitter postings from April 17 to May 30, 2020. With the aid of natural language processing (NLP) techniques and machine learning classifiers, we classified each tweet into either a “supporting” or “opposing” class and then investigated the public perception from temporal and spatial perspectives. From the temporal dimension, we found that both political and scientific news that were extensively discussed on Twitter led to the perception of opposing reopening. Further, being the first mover with full reopen adversely affected the public reaction to reopening policy, while being the follower or late mover resulted in positive responses. From the spatial dimension, the correlation and regression analyses suggest that the state-level perception was very likely to be associated with political affiliation and health value.
Hyperspectral image spectral-spatial classification via weighted Laplacian smoothing constraint-based sparse representation
Authors: Chen Eryang , Chang Ruichun , Guo Ke , Miao Fang , Shi Kaibo , Ye Ansheng , Yuan Jianghong
Published: July 2021

As a powerful tool in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification, sparse representation has gained much attention in recent years owing to its detailed representation of features. In particular, the results of the joint use of spatial and spectral information has been widely applied to HSI classification. However, dealing with the spatial relationship between pixels is a nontrivial task. This paper proposes a new spatial-spectral combined classification method that considers the boundaries of adjacent features in the HSI. Based on the proposed method, a smoothing-constraint Laplacian vector is constructed, which consists of the interest pixel and its four nearest neighbors through their weighting factor. Then, a novel large-block sparse dictionary is developed for simultaneous orthogonal matching pursuit. Our proposed method can obtain a better accuracy of HSI classification on three real HSI datasets than the existing spectral-spatial HSI classifiers. Finally, the experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
How urbanisation alters the intensity of the urban heat island in a tropical African city
Authors: Li Xueqin , Stringer Lindsay C. , Chapman Sarah , Dallimer Martin
Published: July 2021

Due to the combined effects of urban growth and climate change, rapid urbanisation is particularly challenging in African cities. Areas that will house a large proportion of the urban population in the future coincide with where natural hazards are expected to occur, and where hazard risk management institutions, knowledge, and capacity are often lacking. One of the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, whereby urban areas are warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This study investigates urbanisation patterns and alterations in surface UHI (SUHI) intensity for the Kampala urban cluster, Uganda. Analyses show that between 1995 and 2017, Kampala underwent extensive changes to its urban built-up area. From the centre of the city to adjoining non-built up areas in all directions, the urban land cover increased from 12,133 ha in 1995 to 25,389 ha in 2016. The area of SUHI intensity in Kampala expanded significantly over the 15-year period of study, expanding from 22,910 ha in 2003 to 27,900 ha in 2016, while the annual daytime SUHI of 2.2°C in 2003 had decreased to 1.9°C by 2017. Although SUHI intensity decreased in some parts of the city, elsewhere it increased, suggesting that urbanisation does not always lead to a deterioration of environmental conditions. We postulate that urban development may therefore not necessarily create an undesirable impact on local climate if it is properly managed. Rapidly growing cities in Africa and elsewhere should ensure that the dynamics of their development are directed towards mitigating potentially harmful environmental impacts, such as UHI effect through careful planning that considers both bluespaces and greenspaces.
Characterization of real-world networks through quantum potentials
Authors: Amoroso Nicola , Bellantuono Loredana , Pascazio Saverio , Monaco Alfonso , Bellotti Roberto
Published: July 2021

Network connectivity has been thoroughly investigated in several domains, including physics, neuroscience, and social sciences. This work tackles the possibility of characterizing the topological properties of real-world networks from a quantum-inspired perspective. Starting from the normalized Laplacian of a network, we use a well-defined procedure, based on the dressing transformations, to derive a 1-dimensional Schrödinger-like equation characterized by the same eigenvalues. We investigate the shape and properties of the potential appearing in this equation in simulated small-world and scale-free network ensembles, using measures of fractality. Besides, we employ the proposed framework to compare real-world networks with the Erdős-Rényi, Watts-Strogatz and Barabási-Albert benchmark models. Reconstructed potentials allow to assess to which extent real-world networks approach these models, providing further insight on their formation mechanisms and connectivity properties.
Novel non-invasive in-house fabricated wearable system with a hybrid algorithm for fetal movement recognition
Authors: Delay Upekha , Nawarathne Thoshara , Dissanayake Sajan , Gunarathne Samitha , Withanage Thanushi , Godaliyadda Roshan , Rathnayake Chathura , Ekanayake Parakrama , Wijayakulasooriya Janaka
Published: July 2021

Fetal movement count monitoring is one of the most commonly used methods of assessing fetal well-being. While few methods are available to monitor fetal movements, they consist of several adverse qualities such as unreliability as well as the inability to be conducted in a non-clinical setting. Therefore, this research was conducted to design a complete system that will enable pregnant mothers to monitor fetal movement at home. This system consists of a non-invasive, non-transmitting sensor unit that can be fabricated at a low cost. An accelerometer was utilized as the primary sensor and a micro-controller based circuit was implemented. Clinical testing was conducted utilizing this sensor unit. Two phases of clinical testing procedures were done and during the first phase readings from 120 mothers were taken while during the second phase readings from 15 mothers were taken. Validation was done by conducting an abdominal ultrasound scan which was utilized as the ground truth during the second phase of the clinical testing procedure. A clinical survey was also conducted in parallel with clinical testings in order to improve the sensor unit as well as to improve the final system. Four different signal processing algorithms were implemented on the data set and the performance of each was compared with each other. Out of the four algorithms three algorithms were able to obtain a true positive rate around 85%. However, the best algorithm was selected on the basis of minimizing the false positive rate. Consequently, the most feasible as well as the best performing algorithm was determined and it was utilized in the final system. This algorithm have a true positive rate of 86% and a false positive rate of 7% Furthermore, a mobile application was also developed to be used with the sensor unit by pregnant mothers. Finally, a complete end to end method to monitor fetal movement in a non-clinical setting was presented by the proposed system.
Role of cancer literacy in cancer screening behaviour among adults of Kaski district, Nepal
Authors: Koirala Reecha , Gurung Nisha , Dhakal Sarita , Karki Sulata
Published: July 2021

Cancer Screening is a key approach to detect cancer at an early stage and help reduce cancer mortality globally. Inadequate Cancer Literacy may pose a barrier to patient engagement in getting screened for cancer. This study assessed Cancer Screening behavior and its association with Cancer Literacy and other factors among adults of Kaski district, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 adults from March to August 2019, selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data on demographics, history of cancer, use of naturopathy, fatalism, family support, cancer literacy and cancer screening behaviour were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, with the aid of face-to-face interviews. Cancer Literacy was measured using a cancer health literacy tool (CHLT-6), and Cancer Screening behaviour was assessed on the basis of the self reported information about having gone through any type of cancer screening in the past. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was calculated to determine the strength of association using Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis. Only 43.4% of the respondents had Cancer Literacy scores more than the median and only 11.7% had ever gone through any Cancer Screening test in the past. In this study, Cancer Screening behaviour was significantly associated with Cancer Literacy [OR = 1.43, 95% CI (1.01–2.02)]. Similarly, significant association was found between Cancer Screening behaviour and other exposure variables such as age [OR = 1.06, 95% CI (1.02–1.11)] and gender [OR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.01–0.35)]. This study showed low cancer screening and cancer literacy scores amongst the respondents. This suggests that to tackle the ever increasing burden of cancer and hence, to increase cancer screening, we need to focus on improving knowledge and awareness about cancer, as well as, on targeting efforts towards people’s understanding of basic health and cancer terminologies.
Treatment patterns in patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema: A real-world claims analysis in Dubai
Authors: Kozak Igor , Gurbaxani Avinash , Safar Ammar , Rao Prasan , Masalmeh Amal , Assaf Hazar , Farghaly Mohamed , Pathak Prathamesh , Natarajan Ashok , Saffar Insaf
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To characterize the pattern of approved anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Method

This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, observational cohort analysis of the Dubai Real-world Claims Database with a 360-day follow-up period. Adult patients diagnosed with nAMD or DME treated with ranibizumab or aflibercept for the first time were included. The primary objective was to evaluate anti-VEGF treatment patterns with respect to the proportion of patients receiving ranibizumab and aflibercept for nAMD and DME separately.

Results

Of the 451 patients included in the final study cohort, 83.6% and 16.4% had a diagnosis of DME (ranibizumab: 48.5%; aflibercept: 51.5%) and nAMD (ranibizumab: 40.5%; aflibercept: 59.5%), respectively, at baseline. Treatment frequency of ranibizumab/aflibercept was similar for nAMD (mean: 2.4/2.9 injections; p = 0.2389) with fewer injections in the ranibizumab cohort for DME (mean: 1.9/2.5 injections; p = 0.0002). Most patients received ≤3 anti-VEGF injections during the 360-day follow-up period. The time between consecutive treatments was large (nAMD: 73.6 days/10.5 weeks; DME: 80.5 days/11.5 weeks). Approximately 10%–13.5% of patients switched their anti-VEGF therapy. Most patients (83.8%) had a diabetes diagnosis during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

This real-world study provides an initial understanding of anti-VEGF treatment patterns in patients with nAMD and DME in the UAE. Treatment frequency of the 2 anti-VEGF agents assessed was similar in both patient populations. Both treatments were infrequently administered with large dosing intervals.
On-admission SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia as a single potent predictive marker of critical condition development and mortality in COVID-19
Authors: Miki Shoji , Sasaki Hiroaki , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Miyata Nobuyuki , Yoshimura Yukihiro , Miyazaki Kazuhito , Matsumura Takayuki , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Suzuki Tadaki , Matano Tetsuro , Kawana-Tachikawa Ai , Tachikawa Natsuo
Published: July 2021

Background

This study aimed to clarify how SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia is related to COVID-19 critical condition development and mortality in comparison with other predictive markers and scoring systems.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at Yokohama Municipal Citizen’s Hospital and National Institute of Infectious Diseases. We recruited adult patients with COVID-19 admitted between March 2020 and January 2021. We compared RNAemia with clinical status on admission including scoring systems such as the 4C Mortality, CURB-65, and A-DROP, as well as the Ct value of the nasopharyngeal PCR, in predicting COVID-19 mortality and critical condition development.

Results

Of the 92 recruited patients (median age, 58; interquartile range, 45–71 years), 14 (14.9%) had RNAemia. These patients had an older age (median, 68 years vs. 55.5 years; p = 0.011), higher values of lactated dehydrogenase (median, 381 U/L vs. 256.5 U/L, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (median, 10.9 mg/dL vs. 3.8 mg/dL; p < 0.001), D-dimer (median, 2.07 μg/mL vs. 1.28 μg/mL; p = 0.015), lower values of lymphocyte (median, 802/μL vs. 1007/μL, p = 0.025) and Ct of the nasopharyngeal PCR assay (median, 20.59 vs. 25.54; p = 0.021) than those without RNAemia. Univariate analysis showed RNAemia was associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR], 18.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.92–89.76; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.7851; p = 0.002) and critical condition (OR, 72.00; 95% CI, 12.98–399.29; AUC, 0.8198; p < 0.001). Plus, multivariate analysis also revealed the association of RNAemia with critical condition (adjusted OR, 125.71; 95% CI, 11.47–1377.32; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

On-admission SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia is a potent predictive marker of COVID-19 critical condition and mortality. The adjusted OR for critical condition was as high as 125.71.
One-year change in plasma volume and mortality in the Japanese general population: An observational cohort study
Authors: Otaki Yoichiro , Watanabe Tetsu , Konta Tsuneo , Watanabe Masafumi , Asahi Koichi , Yamagata Kunihiro , Fujimoto Shouichi , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Narita Ichiei , Kasahara Masato , Shibagaki Yugo , Iseki Kunitoshi , Moriyama Toshiki , Kondo Masahide , Watanabe Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2021

Background

Changes in plasma volume, a marker of plasma volume expansion and contraction, are gaining attention in the field of cardiovascular disease because of its role in the prevention and management of heart failure. However, it remains unknown whether a 1-year change in plasma volume is a risk factor for all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

Methods and results

We used a nationwide database of 134,291 subjects (age 40–75 years) who participated in the annual “Specific Health Check and Guidance in Japan” check-up for 2 consecutive years between 2008 and 2011. A 1-year change in plasm volume was calculated using the Strauss–Davis-Rosenbaum formula. There were 220 cardiovascular deaths, 1,001 non-cardiovascular deaths including 718 cancer deaths, and 1,221 all-cause deaths during the follow-up period of 3.9 years. All subjects were divided into quintiles based on the 1-year change in plasma volume. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the highest 5th quintile had the greatest risk among the five groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis demonstrated that a 1-year change in plasma volume was an independent risk factor for all-cause, cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular, and cancer deaths. The addition of a 1-year change in plasma volume to cardiovascular risk factors significantly improved the C-statistic, net reclassification, and integrated discrimination indexes.

Conclusions

Here, we have demonstrated for the first time that a 1-year change in plasma volume could be an additional risk factor for all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular (mainly cancer) mortality in the general population.
Comparison of apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, TC/HDL-C, and lipoprotein (a) for predicting outcomes after PCI
Authors: Jung Hae Won , Hong Seung-Pyo , Kim Kee-Sik
Published: July 2021

Background and aims

The Apo B/A1 ratio is a major factor that predicts future cardiovascular outcomes. However, it is unclear whether the apolipoprotein B (Apo B)/apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) is a better predictor of future outcome than the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio or lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the impact of the Apo B/A1 ratio on the patients who achieved LDL-C below 70 mg/dL one year after PCI.

Methods

We included 448 PCI patients whose LDL-C levels were below 70 mg/dL at follow-up. The Apo B/A1 ratio, TC/HDL-C ratio, and Lp (a) levels were measured at the time of PCI and follow-up, and decreases in these parameters between baseline and follow-up were assessed as potential markers to predict major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs).

Results

During a median follow-up period of 38.0 months, 115 MACEs were recorded. The tertile with the lowest decrease in the Apo B/A1 ratio (≤ 0.146) showed a lower MACE survival rate compared to the other tertiles. There were no differences in MACE survival rates for the TC/HDL-C ratio or Lp (a) levels.

Conclusions

The Apo B/A1 ratio had better predictive accuracy for clinical outcomes compared to the TC/HDL-C ratio and Lp (a) level. A lower decrease in the Apo B/A1 ratio may be a residual risk factor for MACEs in patients who have reached LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL after PCI.