bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prognostic role of PD-1, PD-L1, ALK, and ROS1 proteins expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma patients from Egypt
Authors: Bahnassy Abeer A. , Ismail Hoda , Mohanad Marwa , El-Bastawisy Ahmed , Yousef Hend F.
Published: May 2022

Background

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and c-ros oncogene1 (ROS1) expression may influence the prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive significance of PD-1/PD-L1 along with c-ros ROS1 and ALK in NSCLC patients.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry used to identify ALK, ROS1, PD-1, and PD-L1 proteins expression as well as ROS1 rearrangement via fluorescence in situ hybridization, in 70 NSCLC patients. Results were related to clinicopathological feature, survival, and treatment response.

Results

Expression of ROS1, ALK, PD-1, and PD-L1 and ROS1-rearrangement were detected in 18.57%, 54.29%, 84.29%, 87.14%, and 15.71% of the cases, respectively. No association was found between ROS1, PD-1, and PD-L1 and any clinicopathological features, survival, or treatment outcome. ALK expression significantly associated with stage-IV and left-sided tumors. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and ALK-positive patients had significantly reduced progression-free survival than patients with wild type EGFR [HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.37–2.93, p < 0.001] and negative-ALK expression [HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03–2.07, p = 0.03]. In multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis, EGFR-mutations, and ALK were independent predictors of NSCLC. PD-L1 expression was significantly correlated with PD-1 but not with ROS1, ALK, or EGFR-mutation.

Conclusion

Positive ALK expression and EGFR-mutations are independent adverse predictors of NSCLC. Overexpression of PD-1/PD-L1 is not a significant prognostic marker in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy, making them susceptible to immunotherapy. Since PD-1/PD-L1 expression is independent to oncogenic driver mutations, future studies into specific immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with targeted therapies for individualized treatment of NSCLC is warranted.

Positive ALK expression and EGFR mutations are independent risk factors for NSCLC. Overexpression of PD-1/PD-L1 is not a significant prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC who are receiving chemotherapy, making them immunotherapy susceptible. Given that PD-1/PD-L1 expression is not dependent on oncogenic driver mutations, additional research into specific immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with targeted therapies for the treatment of NSCLC on an individual basis is warranted.
New incidence or recurrence hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in genotype 4 hepatitis C virus treated with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir with or without ribavirin
Authors: Essawy Aya , Mehrez Mai , Shaheen Sara M. , El Garem Hassan , Sabri Nagwa A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Several studies have resulted in controversial data about the recurrence or new incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C who were treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).  

Aim: This observational study aimed to assess the occurrence rate of HCC in patients who developed a sustained virological response (SVR)..

METHOD:  A six-month prospective study was done at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute [NHTMRI] in Cairo, Egypt on 150 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir with or without ribavirin. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their laboratory values to either receive sofosbuvir/daclatasvir and ribavirin (S/D/R) or receive only sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (S/D). The main outcome measure was the occurrence of HCC.

Results: SVR-12 was 100%. 8.5% of patients developed HCC in the S/D/R group, while 0% in the S/D group.

Conclusion:  New incidence or recurrence of HCC may occur in CHC genotype 4 cirrhotic patients receiving sofosbuvir/daclatasvir and ribavirin (difficult to treat) although achieving SVR. The cause of HCC development in this study is cirrhosis, not the administered DAAs.
Evaluation of electrocardiogram: numerical vs. image data for emotion recognition system
Authors: Sayed Ismail Sharifah Noor Masidayu , Ab. Aziz Nor Azlina , Ibrahim Siti Zainab , Nawawi Sophan Wahyudi , Alelyani Salem , Mohana Mohamed , Chia Chun Lee
Published: May 2022

Background: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a physiological signal used to diagnose and monitor cardiovascular disease, usually using 2- D ECG. Numerous studies have proven that ECG can be used to detect human emotions using 1-D ECG; however, ECG is typically captured as 2-D images rather than as 1-D data. There is still no consensus on the effect of the ECG input format on the accuracy of the emotion recognition system (ERS). The ERS using 2-D ECG is still inadequately studied. Therefore, this study compared ERS performance using 1-D and 2-D ECG data to investigate the effect of the ECG input format on the ERS.

Methods: This study employed the DREAMER dataset, which contains 23 ECG recordings obtained during audio-visual emotional elicitation. Numerical data was converted to ECG images for the comparison. Numerous approaches were used to obtain ECG features. The Augsburg BioSignal Toolbox (AUBT) and the Toolbox for Emotional feature extraction from Physiological signals (TEAP) extracted features from numerical data. Meanwhile, features were extracted from image data using Oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF (ORB), Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), KAZE, Accelerated-KAZE (AKAZE), Binary Robust Invariant Scalable Keypoints (BRISK), and Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG). Dimension reduction was accomplished using linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and valence and arousal were classified using the Support Vector Machine (SVM).

Results: The experimental results show 1-D ECG-based ERS achieved 65.06% of accuracy and 75.63% of F1 score for valence, and 57.83% of accuracy and 44.44% of F1-score for arousal. For 2-D ECG-based ERS, the highest accuracy and F1-score for valence were 62.35% and 49.57%; whereas, the arousal was 59.64% and 59.71%.

Conclusions: The results indicate that both inputs work comparably well in classifying emotions, which demonstrates the potential of 1-D and 2-D as input modalities for the ERS.
The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa
Authors: Boulangé Alain , Lejon Veerle , Berthier David , Thévenon Sophie , Gimonneau Geoffrey , Desquesnes Marc , Abah Samuel , Agboho Prudenciène , Chilongo Kalinga , Gebre Tsegaye , Fall Assane Gueye , Kaba Dramane , Magez Stefan , Masiga Daniel , Matovu Enock , Moukhtar Aldjibert , Neves Luis , Olet Pamela A. , Pagabeleguem Soumaïla , Shereni William , Sorli Brice , Taioe Moeti O. , Tejedor Junco María Teresa , Yagi Rehab , Solano Philippe , Cecchi Giuliano
Published: May 2022

Vector-borne diseases affecting livestock have serious impacts in Africa. Trypanosomosis is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and other blood-suckingDiptera. The animal form of the disease is a scourge for African livestock keepers, is already present in Latin America and Asia, and has the potential to spread further. A human form of the disease also exists, known as human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness. Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis (COMBAT) is a four-year research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, whose ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of animal trypanosomosis (AT) in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination. COMBAT will strengthen AT control and prevention by improving basic knowledge of AT, developing innovative control tools, reinforcing surveillance, rationalizing control strategies, building capacity, and raising awareness. Knowledge gaps on disease epidemiology, vector ecology and competence, and biological aspects of trypanotolerant livestock will be addressed. Environmentally friendly vector control technologies and more effective and adapted diagnostic tools will be developed. Surveillance will be enhanced by developing information systems, strengthening reporting, and mapping and modelling disease risk in Africa and beyond. The socio-economic burden of AT will be assessed at a range of geographical scales. Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed. Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. The COMBAT project benefits from the expertise of African and European research institutions, national veterinary authorities, and international organizations. The project consortium comprises 21 participants, including a geographically balanced representation from 13 African countries, and it will engage a larger number of AT-affected countries through regional initiatives.
Vertebral fracture and dislocation patterns, location of injuries, and 6-month clinical outcomes in cats: A retrospective study
Authors:   Department of Companion Animals and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand, Saengthong A-Dul , Akatvipat Areerath ,   Department of Companion Animals and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand, Boonyayatra Sukolrat ,   Department of Food Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the vertebral fracture and dislocation patterns, spinal cord segment injury location, paretic grading, and the 6-month outcome in cats at a university veterinary hospital. The medical records and radiographs of cats with traumatic injuries were reviewed from October 2016 to December 2019. Eighty-nine cats were diagnosed with vertebral fracture and dislocation. The most damaged location was T3–L3 (36/89, 40.45%), followed by L4–L7 (33/89, 37.07%), S1–S3 (18/89, 20.22), C1–C5 (1/89, 1.12%), and C6–T2 (1/89, 1.12%). The patterns of vertebral damage could be classified as burst/compression (24/89, 26.96%), subluxation (19/89, 21.35%), complete luxation (16/89, 17.97%), combined fracture, and luxation (19/89, 21.35%), transverse fracture (10/69, 11.23%), and hyperextension (1/89, 1.12%). No hyperflexion-damaged pattern was detected in 89 cats. The T3–L7 lesion data was thoroughly examined (69 cats). Most of them preferred non-surgical treatment (33/69, 47.83%). Only 30 cats in the non-surgical group and 4 cats in the surgical group had tracking information. Six months after treatment, 60% of cats in the non-surgical group had better outcomes (18/30), while 66.67% of cats in the surgical group had better outcomes (4/6). Two cats in the surgical group had died of parvovirus infection. The mortality rate increased from 16.67% (6/36) at 3 months to 25% (9/36) at 6 months after treatment. All cats with paretic grade 5 had a poor prognosis. Most cats with paretic grades 1–4 receiving treatment had better clinical outcomes within 6 months and gradually improved. Follow-up should be performed for >6 months.
Molecular detection of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus from healthy broilers and backyard chickens for the first time in Bangladesh- A preliminary study
Authors:   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Akter Soudiya , Zereen Farah ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Islam Md. Saiful ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Sobur Md. Abdus ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Hossen Md. Ismail ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Siddique Mahbubul Pratik ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Hossain Muhammad Tofazzal ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, Rahman Md. Tanvir ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
Published: May 2022

Many of the Vibrio spp. are major public health concerns globally. Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are the etiology of pandemic and epidemic diarrhea and foodborne illness, respectively. Poultry has the potential to harbor pathogenic Vibrio spp., which can have a detrimental impact on public health if they are transmitted to humans. We, therefore, screened 54 cloacal swab samples from healthy chickens (broiler=27, backyard= 27) to detect V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus. Vibrio spp. were isolated and identified by culturing, biochemical tests, PCR, and antibiogram profiles were determined by disk diffusion method. By PCR, 29.63% (16/54; 95% CI: 19.14-42.83%) samples were positive for Vibrio spp., where backyard chickens had a significantly higher (p< 0.05) occurrence (44.44%; 27.59-62.69%) than broilers (14.82%; 95% CI: 5.92-32.48%). V. parahaemolyticus was found in 22.22% (6/27; 95% CI: 10.61-40.76%) of backyard chicken samples, which was significantly dominant (p< 0.05) than in broilers (0/27, 0%, 95% CI: 0.00-12.46%). In addition, V. cholerae was positive in 7.41% (2/27; 95% CI: 1.32-23.37%) of broiler, and 14.82% (4/27; 95% CI: 5.92-32.48%) of backyard chicken samples. The toxR gene was found in all V. cholerae isolates, suggesting the presence of other virulence genes, whereas no isolates of V. parahaemolyticus contained the tdh gene. Isolated Vibrio spp. had high to moderate resistance to tetracycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, and streptomycin. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus in broiler and backyard chickens is of public health concern because of the possibility of food chain contamination
One Health perspectives on sustainable rabies prevention in Thailand: a qualitative interview study
Authors:   Graduate Degree Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand, Kiratitana-olan Kritkarnda , Chaisowwong Warangkhana ,   Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand,   Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety Centre for Asia Pacific, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand, Thongkorn Kriangkrai ,   Department of Companion Animal and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand, Kreausukon Khwanchai ,   Department of Food Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand
Published: May 2022

Rabies is a challenging human and animal health concern that requires a multisectoral and interdisciplinary strategy for prevention and control. The aim of this study was to investigate One Health perspectives on long-term rabies prevention in disease-free subdistricts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was carried out in three rabies-free communities with diverse demographics, and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were gathered from 36 interviews with equal proportions of urban, suburban, and rural populations. Although none of the participants mentioned the term “One Health”, the majority of them comprehended that rather than a one-dimensional approach, a multi-dimensional approach to rabies prevention would be effective. The main theme from the interview analysis was multisectoral collaboration. The role of the local government in collaboration, the involvement of the medical and veterinary branches, and intersectoral action with community engagement were all sub-themes. Community leaders and village health volunteers collaborated with local authorities to connect community members. The use of wired broadcasting as a method of public communication was critical to increasing rabies knowledge and awareness. Human and animal health agencies provided support for rabies vaccine and medical equipment, as well as staff skills and practice training. Community participation in rabies activities contributed to preventing, detecting, and responding to the disease. The One Health concept must be developed and implemented in practice at all levels of all key sectors, particularly among the general population in rabies-endemic areas throughout the country.
Data-driven design of thin-film optical systems using deep active learning
Authors: Hong Youngjoon , Nicholls David P.
Published: May 2022

A deep learning aided optimization algorithm for the design of flat thin-film multilayer optical systems is developed. The authors introduce a deep generative neural network, based on a variational autoencoder, to perform the optimization of photonic devices. This algorithm allows one to find a near-optimal solution to the inverse design problem of creating an anti-reflective grating, a fundamental problem in material science. As a proof of concept, the authors demonstrate the method’s capabilities for designing an anti-reflective flat thin-film stack consisting of multiple material types. We designed and constructed a dielectric stack on silicon that exhibits an average reflection of 1.52 %, which is lower than other recently published experiments in the engineering and physics literature. In addition to its superior performance, the computational cost of our algorithm based on the deep generative model is much lower than traditional nonlinear optimization algorithms. These results demonstrate that advanced concepts in deep learning can drive the capabilities of inverse design algorithms for photonics. In addition, the authors develop an accurate regression model using deep active learning to predict the total reflectivity for a given optical system. The surrogate model of the governing partial differential equations can then be broadly used in the design of optical systems and to rapidly evaluate their behavior.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of a leaking gas cloud based on two scanning FTIR remote-sensing imaging systems
Authors: Hu Yunyou , Xu Liang , Xu Hanyang , Shen Xianchun , Deng Yasong , Xu Huanyao , Liu Jianguo , Liu Wenqing
Published: May 2022

Remote sensing imaging technology is one of the most powerful tools for gas leak monitoring in chemical industrial parks. In the case of leaks, it is necessary to quickly and accurately obtain detailed information of the gas cloud (volume, distribution, diffusion situation and location). This paper proposes a 3-D quantitative reconstruction method for gas clouds. Two scanning Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) remote-sensing imaging systems were used to perform telemetry experiments in a monitored space with a total volume of 314.9 m3, and the released gases were SF6 and CH4. One scanning FTIR remote-sensing imaging system can only measure a 2-D concentration-path-length product (CL) image of a 3-D gas cloud, where each pixel has attitude information of elevation and azimuth. Geometric methods are applied to locate the monitored space and construct a 3-D grid (longitude, latitude, altitude). The optical path length (OPL) sparse matrix of each layer is generated, and the concentration distribution of each layer is reconstructed by the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). The reconstructed results of each layer are stacked into a 3-D gas cloud and displayed on the 3-D Earth software at a set threshold. Three-dimensional leaking gas clouds (CH4, SF6) with geometric information and concentration distribution has been generated through the above processes from measurement, localization to reconstruction and display. On the premise that the gas cloud is completely covered by the field of view of each scanning system, the localization and quantification of the gas cloud is available. Then weighted concentration centers can be calculated from these gas clouds to approximate the leak source. The proposed method effectively extends the online leak monitoring application of the scanning FTIR remote-sensing imaging system.
Unified model for plasmon-induced transparency with direct and indirect coupling in borophene-integrated metamaterials
Authors: Ling Zi-xiao , Zeng Yi , Liu Gui-dong , Wang Ling-ling , Lin Qi
Published: May 2022

We propose, both numerically and theoretically, a uniform model to investigate the plasmonically induced transparency effect in plasmonic metamaterial consisting of dual-layer spatially separated borophene nanoribbons array. The dynamic transfer properties of light between two borophene resonators can be effectively described by the proposed model, with which we can distinguish and connect the direct and indirect coupling schemes in the metamaterial system. By adjusting the electron density and separation of two borophene ribbons, the proposed metamaterials enable a narrow band in the near-infrared region to reach high transmission. It provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, platform for optoelectronic integrated high-performance devices in the communication band.
Personal clothing style and self-concept: Embracing the true, the ideal and the creative self
Authors: Vingilyte Justina , Khadaroo Ameerah
Published: May 2022

Research shows that clothing style can influence self-perception, cognition and behaviour. However, the concept of personal clothing style and how it is linked to self-concept from an individual and subjective perspective of the wearer has received limited empirical attention. This qualitative study aimed to explore women’s lived experiences and perceptions of personal clothing style. Using a homogeneous sample of seven female participants, data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed that personal clothing style constitutes an embodiment of the true self, representation of the ideal self and expression of the creative self. More specifically, personal clothing style is predicated on self-knowledge, consistency and enduring sense of comfort. It is also perceived to actualize desired self-conceptions and one’s creative potential. Findings not only provide an empirically founded conceptualization of personal clothing style, but also identify its important psychological properties with implications for both psychology and fashion research.
Adjusting standard retail practices for nonstandard consumers: How punk and subcultural fashion boutiques find success and build community
Authors: Sklar Monica , Lehto Brewster Maureen , Whitley Brett
Published: May 2022

This research analyses the merchandising practices used to create a punk retail environment and shopping experience, distinct from more mainstream forms of consumption available simultaneously, as well as to document the merchandising history of United States punk style development, which is not widely known. Through primary interviews and archival data, this research discerns the practices that set these boutiques apart from their merchandising counterparts, Do It Yourself, or mass market chains. Analysis reviewed how these boutiques reconciled the challenge of appealing to critical consumers who were otherwise poised to potentially not need or want their services as scene members were a niche market segment that leaned anti-capitalist. Owner involvement, employee knowledge and retention, visual display, careful object selection and non-merchandising interaction with regional and national punk scenes are significant considerations. These stores provided community, commerce and educational spaces that projected subcultural authenticity through their business methods and cultural awareness. While not without some criticism of packaging a caricature of a lifestyle, overall the boutiques’ attempts at thoughtful practices led to consumer loyalty and business longevity, gaining market success alongside scene approval.
Weak center for a class of
Λ
–
Ω
differential systems
Authors: Zhou Zhengxin
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we give the necessary and sufficient conditions for a class of higher degree polynomial systems to have a weak center. As corollaries, we prove the correctness of the two conjectures about the weak center problem for the
Λ
–
Ω
differential systems.
On some differential equations involving a new kind of variable exponents
Authors: Aouaoui Sami
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we are concerned with some new first order differential equation defined on the whole real axis

R

.
The principal part of the equation involves an operator with variable exponent
p
depending on the variable
x
∈

R

through the unknown solution while the nonlinear part involves the classical variable exponent
p
(
x
)
.
Such kind of situation is very related to the presence of the variable exponent and has not been treated before. Our existence result of nontrivial solution cannot be reached using standard variational or topological methods of nonlinear analysis and some sophisticated arguments have to be employed.
Sobolev inequality with non-uniformly degenerating gradient
Authors: Mamedov Farman , Monsurrò Sara
Published: May 2022

In this paper we prove the following weighted Sobolev inequality in a bounded domain
Ω
⊂

R

n

,
n
≥
1
, of a homogeneous space
(

R

n

,
ρ
,
w
d
x
)
, under suitable compatibility conditions on the positive weight functions
(
v
,
w
,

ω
1

,

ω
2

,
…
,

ω
n

)

and on the quasi-metric
ρ
,

(

∫
Ω

|
f

|
q

v

w
d
z

)

1
q

≤

C

∑

i
=
1

N

(

∫
Ω

|

f

z
i

|
p

ω
i

M
S

w

d
z

)

1
p

,

f
∈

L
i
p

0

(

Ω
¯

)
,

where
q
≥
p
>
1
and

M
S

denotes the strong maximal operator. Some corollaries on non-uniformly degenerating gradient inequalities are derived.
Modeling of Degradation in Gas Turbine Engine by Modified Off Design Simulation
Authors: Sankar Balaji , Shah Brijeshkumar Jayesh , Jana Soumendu , Satpathy R K , Gouda Gantayata
Published: May 2022

Legacy turbojet engines suffer degradation in performance with usage. Degradations in engine components show different observable symptoms based on the control mode of the engine. Hence, to accurately model the engine and its degradations, a novel off-design modeling method that considers the control settings of the engine is presented. The improvement in degradation modeling due to the modified scheme is presented in detail. The mathematical model used in the degradation simulation is validated by comparing the model outputs to the engine mounted sensor measurements at various ratings in the engine test bed. The estimation component parameters used in the model through nonlinear gas path analysis and optimisation-based routines is also presented.
A Comprehensive Study of Fracture Toughness Determination from Conventional and Unconventional Methods
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kushal
Published: May 2022

In this work fracture toughness is determined by the Toughness model; Critical Stress-Strain Model and Energy release rate model using unconventional test method referred to as Spherical Indentation test (SIT) to reduce the large and costly experimental set up as required in Conventional Fracture Toughness Test. The toughness model correlates the indentation energy to fracture with fracture toughness, Critical Stress-Strain Model assumes that the critical fracture toughness is equal to the critical plastic work done by the material when a crack tends to propagate and as per the Energy release rate model, indentation depth is given by loading-unloading cycles. The unloading slope which is elastic provides the reduced Young’s Modulus of the material from each unloading cycle which reflects the occurrence of damage in the material. For the determination of contact radius at different indentation points, finite element analysis is performed using the material data obtained from the tensile test result obtained from the previous work of the author. Conventional method using the Compact Tension (CT) and Three-Point Bending (TPB) specimens for the same material is used to determine the fracture toughness and compared with the above-described model.
A Study on Effect of Operating Conditions on Gerotor Pump Performance
Authors: Hussain Tarique , Udaya Kumar M , Sarangi Niranjan , Sivaramakrishna M
Published: May 2022

One of the important accessories of the lubrication system of an aero-engine is the oil pump which consists of multiple pumps with tandem gerotor elements housed in a single casing. This paper presents the volumetric efficiency variation of a single-stage gerotor pump specially designed for aero-engine by conducting experiments at on and off-design conditions and comparing it with the CFD analysis. A Gerotor pump having fixed geometrical parameters designed based on a  athematical 1D model using MatLab and AMESim is manufactured and tested. Performance evaluation of these pumps for pressure and temperature has been discussed in this paper. Commercial CFD code ANSYS-Fluent with a standard k- ε turbulence model has been used for performance evaluation of gerotor pump. Flow characteristics studies on the prototype pump indicate that simulation results closely matched the experimental data. The study concludes that the simulation method adopted is appropriate for predicting the performance of the gerotor pump and the contribution of outlet pressure to the pump volumetric efficiency is significant.
Manoeuvring simulations of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle using quaternion
Authors: Patil Prasad Vinayak , Khan Md. Kareem , Korulla Manu , Nagarajan Vishwanath , Sha Om Prakash
Published: May 2022

The dynamics of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which can perform manoeuvres with pitch angles in the range of 90° is investigated in this paper. The purpose of the AUV is to perform station keeping manoeuvre at about 90° pitch angle by varying propeller revolution. The AUV is launched / retrieved in horizontal orientation.  Quaternion mathematics, 4 quadrant propeller open water characteristics and PID controller for propeller revolution are incorporated in manoeuvring mathematical model for this purpose.  A procedure for optimizing the gain coefficients for the PID controller is developed using the manoeuvring mathematical model. Two design configuration of the AUV are investigated, positively buoyant and negatively buoyant. It is shown that both the optimal gain coefficients for the PID controller for propeller revolution and dynamic response of the AUV are different for each design configuration.
A Tool for Supporting Conceptual Design of Multiple State Mechanical Devices
Authors: Majumder Anubhab , Chakrabarti Amaresh
Published: May 2022

Research into conceptual design of mechanical systems has evolved as an area of interest since last few decades. Conceptual design plays a significant role as an early stage of design to produce designs with higher quality by economically exploring a larger solution space. Several attempts have been made by researchers to automate the conceptual design synthesis process using computer support. However, most of that work has been focused on single state design problems. This paper deals with multiple state mechanical design problems and proposes a systematic method for synthesizing a larger solution space. A web-based tool is developed to guide designers through the step-by-step synthesis process by providing automated retrieval of initial solution proposals and modification rules.
Thermodynamic Investigation of a Modified Compression Ignition Engine Fueled by Diesel Biodiesel Ethanol Blends
Authors: Sarathbabu R.T. , Lakshmikantha Reddy M , Kannan M , Balaji R
Published: May 2022

The present study contrasts the thermodynamics analysis of modified diesel engines with traditional diesel engines. Thermodynamics study is done by the use of energy and exergy analysis for diesel, B20 (blend of 80 per cent diesel by volume with 20 per cent mahua biodiesel) and LHR modification and LTC 15 per cent EGR fuelled with B20 blend and 5 per cent ethanol with various loads ranging from no load to full load. Implemented two technologies for increasing engine efficiency. One of the primary techniques is the Low Heat Rejection (LHR) concept (or the so-called “Adiabatic” engine) applied. In the engine cylinder, a ceramic layer of Alumina (Al2O3) was used to modify the Low Heat Rejection (LHR). Another technique is Low-temperature combustion (LTC) modes are added by joining the inlet and exhaust pipes through valves to control the exhaust gas at an optimal rate of 15 per cent. The findings of energy and exergy distribution in the engine were compared using optimum alterations with fuel blends such as 20 per cent mahua biodiesel and 5 per cent ethanol. From energy distribution, best shaft power (QBP) (2.8kW) is transformed from heat input observed in the optimum altered engine at full load conditions compared to others. Due to modifications employed in the engine and fuels. Maximum unaccounted energy (QUN) loss in diesel (44 %). And highest thermal efficiency (31.2 %) is revealed in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC). From exergy distribution, it noticed that the same trend of energy distribution and at 100 per cent load condition, maximum (12.54kW) in diesel and minimum (8.45 kW) in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC) has obtained input availability (Ain).The maximum conversion rate of availability in brake power (Abp) (0.61 kW) in B20 (LHR). Compared to diesel, second law or exergetic efficiency more in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC).
Investigation of the Gum Stock Behavior of Polyurethane Crosslinking Matrix by Adding Triol Diol Mixtures for the Application of Composite Solid Rocket Propellants
Authors: Boshra Islam Kamal , Elhedery Tarek , Elbeih Ahmed
Published: May 2022

The addition of some advanced additives to improve the mechanical properties of polyurethane (PU) polymeric matrix, which acts as a binder system in composite solid rocket propellants (CSRPs), is a target for the energetic materials researchers. In this investigation, 45 compositions of different crosslinked PU matrices were produced to demonstrate the effect of adding crosslinking mixture (CM) on the mechanical capabilities of polyurethane gum stock. The crosslinking mixture (CM) is composed of a triol crosslinker, trimethylolpropane (TMP), and a chain extender, 1,4-butanediol

(BD). For comparison, traditional PU samples without crosslinking additives were formulated. As a prepolymer, HTPB was used with a curing agent (HMDI). The research was carried out with different ratios of TMP to BD, different curing ratios (NCO/OH=0.7, 0.9, and 1.1), and crosslinking mixture contents in the range of 0-5 wt.%. The mechanical characteristics of all the cured formulations were measured. It was demonstrated that changing the ratio of TMP to BD has a significant impact on the mechanical performance causing a wide range of elongation and strength qualities. Increasing the wt.% of triol crosslinker in the sample enhanced the tensile strength, whereas the strain has been decreased. The addition of diol chain extender increased the strain rate of the samples. The mechanical parameters were adjusted simply by employing the crosslinking ingredients to get exceptional mechanical characteristics at each NCO/OH curing ratios. Also it was concluded that PU samples of curing ratio (NCO/OH= 0.7-0.9) with TMP:BD (1:1) showed a promising results and could be used according to the requirements of the rocket system designers.
Biochemical and nutritional characteristics of some commercial banana (Musa spp.) cultivars of Kerala
Authors: Thatayaone Malikongwa , Saji Gomez , Meagle Joseph , Netravati  , Kuruvila Bintu
Published: May 2022

Biochemical and nutritional traits of 6 banana (Musa spp.) cultivars commercially cultivated in Kerala, belonging to different genomic groups viz. Pisang Lilin (AA), Grand Naine (ABB), Nendran (AAB), Karpooravalli (ABB), Njalipoovan (AB) and Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) were evaluated. Biochemical and nutritional characters on variables such as titratable acidity (%), total soluble solids (oBrix) (TSS), total protein (g), total carbohydrates (g), total fat (%), total ash (%), crude fibre (%), vitamin C (mg), calcium (mg), potassium (mg), total phenols (mg) and total carotenoid (µg) content were laid out in a completely randomized design and subjected to one way ANOVA to determine the significance (p=.05). The cultivar Nendran (AAB) exhibited desirable biochemical and nutritional traits, particularly for titratable acidity (0.34%), TSS (23.90oB), total carbohydrates (37.51g/100g), total ash (14.89%) and crude fibre (0.90%) content. Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) exhibited the highest values for major minerals of banana, especially calcium (168.90 mg/100g) and potassium (406.60 mg/100g). The current study reveals biochemical and nutritional variation among banana cultivars from different genomic groups, with similarities and differences overlapping even among banana cultivars from the same genomic group.
The notions of inertial balanced viscosity and inertial virtual viscosity solution for rate-independent systems
Authors: Riva Filippo , Scilla Giovanni , Solombrino Francesco
Published: May 2022

The notion of inertial balanced viscosity (IBV) solution to rate-independent evolutionary processes is introduced. Such solutions are characterized by an energy balance where a suitable, rate-dependent, dissipation cost is optimized at jump times. The cost is reminiscent of the limit effect of small inertial terms. Therefore, this notion proves to be a suitable one to describe the asymptotic behavior of evolutions of mechanical systems with rate-independent dissipation in the limit of vanishing inertia and viscosity. It is indeed proved, in finite dimension, that these evolutions converge to IBV solutions. If the viscosity operator is neglected, or has a nontrivial kernel, the weaker notion of inertial virtual viscosity (IVV) solutions is introduced, and the analogous convergence result holds. Again in a finite-dimensional context, it is also shown that IBV and IVV solutions can be obtained via a natural extension of the minimizing movements algorithm, where the limit effect of inertial terms is taken into account.
On master test plans for the space of BV functions
Authors: Nobili Francesco , Pasqualetto Enrico , Schultz Timo
Published: May 2022

We prove that on an arbitrary metric measure space a countable collection of test plans is sufficient to recover allBV{\operatorname{BV}}functions and their total variation measures. In the setting of non-branching𝖢𝖣⁢(K,N){\mathsf{CD}(K,N)}spaces (with finite reference measure), we can additionally require these test plans to be concentrated on geodesics.
Deep learning-based ensemble model for brain tumor segmentation using multi-parametric MR scans
Authors: Das Suchismita , Bose Srijib , Nayak Gopal Krishna , Saxena Sanjay
Published: May 2022

Glioma is a type of fast-growing brain tumor in which the shape, size, and location of the tumor vary from patient to patient. Manual extraction of a region of interest (tumor) with the help of a radiologist is a very difficult and time-consuming task. To overcome this problem, we proposed a fully automated deep learning-based ensemble method of brain tumor segmentation on four different 3D multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The segmentation is performed by three most efficient encoder–decoder deep models for segmentation and their results are measured through the well-known segmentation metrics. Then, a statistical analysis of the models was performed and an ensemble model is designed by considering the highest Matthews correlation coefficient using a particular MRI modality. There are two main contributions of the article: first the detailed comparison of the three models, and second proposing an ensemble model by combining the three models based on their segmentation accuracy. The model is evaluated using the brain tumor segmentation (BraTS) 2017 dataset and the F1 score of the final combined model is found to be 0.92, 0.95, 0.93, and 0.84 for whole tumor, core, enhancing tumor, and edema sub-tumor, respectively. Experimental results show that the model outperforms the state of the art.
How do middle voice markers and valency reducing constructions interact? Typological tendencies and diachronic considerations
Authors: Inglese Guglielmo
Published: May 2022

Middle voice markers are highly polyfunctional items that, among other things, also perform a range of valency-changing operations such as anticausativization and reflexivization. Typological research has shown that individual markers display a great deal of variation with respect to their inventory of functions. Explaining this variation remains a key question that a comprehensive typology of middle markers needs to address. We now know that only a sub-set of the possible polyfunctionality patterns is actually attested and that existing patterns often represent the result of specific grammaticalization processes. In this paper, I explore yet another possible factor, that is, the interaction between middle markers and other valency-changing constructions within the same language. Based on a study of 129 middle-marking languages, I single out two recurrent patterns, that is, complementarity and competition, and argue that their study offers crucial insights in explaining the synchronic polyfunctionality of middle markers.
Estimates of covering type and minimal triangulations based on category weight
Authors: Govc Dejan , Marzantowicz Wacław , Pavešić Petar
Published: May 2022

In a recent publication
[D. Govc, W. A. Marzantowicz and P. Pavešić,
Estimates of covering type and the number of vertices of minimal triangulations,
Discrete Comput. Geom. 63 2020, 1, 31–48],
we have introduced a new method, based on
the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category and the cohomology ring of a space X, that yields lower bounds
for the size of a triangulation of X. In this current paper, we present an important extension
that takes into account the fundamental group of X. In fact, if

π
1

⁢

(
X
)

{\pi_{1}(X)}

contains elements of
finite order, then one can often find cohomology classes of high ‘category weight’, which in turn
allow for much stronger estimates of the size of triangulations of X. We develop several weighted
estimates and then apply our method to compute explicit lower bounds for the size of triangulations of
orbit spaces
of cyclic group actions on a variety of spaces including products of spheres, Stiefel manifolds,
Lie groups and highly-connected manifolds.
Hyperspectral denoising based on the principal component low-rank tensor decomposition
Authors: Wu Hao , Yue Ruihan , Gao Ruixue , Wen Rui , Feng Jun , Wei Youhua
Published: May 2022

Due to the characteristics of hyperspectral images (HSIs), such as their high spectral resolution and multiple continuous narrow bands, HSI technology has become widely used in fields such as target recognition, environmental detection, and agroforestry detection. HSIs are subject, for various reasons, to noise in the processes of data acquisition and transmission. Therefore, the denoising of HSIs is very necessary and important. In this article, according to the characteristics of HSIs, an HSI denoising model combining principal component analysis (PCA) and CANDECOMP/PARAFAC decomposition (CP decomposition) is proposed, which is called PCA-TensorDecomp. First, we use PCA to reduce the dimension of HSI signals by obtaining the first K principal components and get the principal composite components. The low-rank part corresponding to the first K principal components is considered the characteristic signal. Then, low-rank CP decomposition is carried out, to denoise the first principal components and the remaining minor components, the secondary composite components, which contain a large amount of noise. Finally, the inverse PCA is then used to restore the HSIs denoised, such that the effect of comprehensive denoising is achieved. To test the effectiveness of the improved algorithm introduced in this article, we compare it with several methods on simulated and real hyperspectral data. The results of the analysis herein indicate that the proposed algorithm possesses a good denoising effect.
Volterra composition operators from Dirichlet–Morrey spaces to Bloch-type spaces
Authors: Xiao Mao
Published: May 2022

We study the boundedness and compactness of the Volterra composition operators

J

g
,
φ

{J_{g,\varphi}}

and

I

g
,
φ

{I_{g,\varphi}}

from Dirichlet–Morrey spaces to Bloch-type spaces. Furthermore, the essential norms of these operators are given.
Properties of Scots pine wood impregnated with capric acid for potential energy saving building material
Authors: Mohamad Amini Mohd Hazim , Temiz Ali , Hekimoğlu Gökhan , Köse Demirel Gaye , Sarı Ahmet
Published: May 2022

Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was impregnated with different concentrations of capric acid (CA) (20, 40, 60 and 80%) as phase change material (PCM). The hygroscopic, mechanical properties and thermal energy storage (TES) characteristics of the CA-impregnated wood were studied. The morphology, crystalline properties, phase change properties and thermo-regulative performance of CA-impregnated wood were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal performance analysis. CA-impregnated wood demonstrated an excellent performance of storing and releasing heat during phase change process, confirmed by DSC and FTIR analysis after an accelerated thermal cycling test. In addition, the accelerated thermal cycling test results indicated that CA-impregnated wood showed good thermal reliability and CA did not leach from the wood after the thermal cycling. Wood impregnated with CA solution of 80% concentration reduced the maximum temperature by 4.04 °C at the end of the heating period while it increased the minimum temperature by 2.83 °C at the end of the cooling period. The performance of storing and releasing heat during phase change process of CA impregnated Scots pine proves that it can be used as a thermal regulating building material to reduce energy consumption and cost caused by day and night temperature fluctuations.
Optimization of alkali metals discharge performance of blast furnace slag and its extreme value model
Authors: Chen Yan-bo , Deng Yong , Liu Ran , Chen Li-da , Guo Xing-min
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the alkali metals discharge capacity of slag, the gas-slag balance method was used to carry out the slag alkali metals discharge experiments, the effect of slag composition on alkali metals discharge performance of slag was studied, some suggestions were put forward to optimize the alkali metals discharge performance of slag and the extreme value model was established. The results show that the alkali metals discharge ratio of slag decreased with the increase in the binary basicity and mass fraction of TiO2, and increased with the increase in the mass fraction of MgO, Al2O3 and MnO. The change in slag composition led to the change in the solubility of alkali metal oxides in liquid slag, decomposition of alkali metal silicates, structure of the slag in liquid state and viscosity of the slag, and then affected the alkali metals discharge performance of slag. The ability of slag to absorb alkali metals was certain under the condition of fixed composition. With the help of slag alkali metals discharge extreme value model, whether the current slag meets the needs of blast furnace alkali metals discharge could be evaluated. The alkali metals discharge capacity of slag could be improved by optimizing the alkali metals discharge performance of slag combined with experiments and actual production.