bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A patient-oriented approach to the development of a primary care physical activity screen for embedding into electronic medical records
Authors: Clark Rebecca E. , Milligan James , Ashe Maureen C. , Faulkner Guy , Canfield Carolyn , Funnell Larry , Brien Sheila , Butt Debra A. , Mehan Upender , Samson Kevin , Papaioannou Alexandra , Giangregorio Lora
Published: November 2020

Physical activity questionnaires exist, but effective implementation in primary care remains an issue. We sought to develop a physical activity screen (PAS) for electronic medical record (EMR) integration by 1) identifying healthcare professionals’ (HCPs), patients’ and stakeholders’ barriers to and preferences for physical activity counselling in primary care; and 2) using the information to co-create the PAS. We conducted semi-structured interviews with primary care HCPs, patients and stakeholders, and used content and thematic analyses to inform iterative co-design of the PAS. Interviews with 38 participants (mean age 41 years) resulted in 2 themes: 1) HCPs are willing to conduct physical activity screening, but acknowledge they don’t do it well; and 2) HCPs have limited opportunity and capacity to discuss physical activity, and need a streamlined process for EMR that goes beyond quantifying physical activity. HCPs, patients and stakeholders co-designed a physical activity screen for integration into the EMR that can be tested for feasibility and effects on HCP behaviour and patients’ physical activity levels.

Novelty: EMR-integration of physical activity screening needs to go beyond just asking about physical activity minutes. Primary care professionals have variable knowledge and time, and need physical activity counselling prompts and resources. We co-developed a physical activity EMR tool with patients and primary care providers.
Fluctuating viscoelasticity based on a finite number of dumbbells
Authors: Hütter Markus , Olmsted Peter D. , Read Daniel J.
Published: November 2020

Two alternative routes are taken to derive, on the basis of the dynamics of a finite number of dumbbells, viscoelasticity in terms of a conformation tensor with fluctuations. The first route is a direct approach using stochastic calculus only, and it serves as a benchmark for the second route, which is guided by thermodynamic principles. In the latter, the Helmholtz free energy and a generalized relaxation tensor play a key role. It is shown that the results of the two routes agree only if a finite-size contribution to the Helmholtz free energy of the conformation tensor is taken into account. Using statistical mechanics, this finite-size contribution is derived explicitly in this paper for a large class of models; this contribution is non-zero whenever the number of dumbbells in the volume of observation is finite. It is noted that the generalized relaxation tensor for the conformation tensor does not need any finite-size correction.

Graphical abstract
Cyclic quantum teleportation via GHZ-like state
Authors: Verma Vikram
Published: November 2020

Following the work of Chen et al. [Quantum Inf. Process. 16, 201 (2017)] and Zhang [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 34, 1950290 (2019)], we propose a scheme for cyclic quantum teleportation (CYQT) in which three participants Alice, Bob and Charlie can teleport three arbitrary single-qubit information states cyclically among themselves by using GHZ-like states. Chen et al. and Zhang proposed schemes for CYQT and bidirectional quantum teleportation (BQT) involving three participants, respectively. In the scheme of Chen et al., the quantum teleportation (QT) can be realized successfully between any two participants without the help of third participants and in Zhang’s scheme, two unknown single-qubit states are teleported bidirectionally between two participants with the help of a third participant. On the other hand, in our proposed scheme, all the three participants are controller as well as sender and receiver. The teleportation processes Alice [Formula: see text] Bob, Bob [Formula: see text] Charlie and Charlie [Formula: see text] Alice are controlled by Charlie, Alice and Bob, respectively, and hence the CYQT could not be realized successfully without the cooperation of all three participants. If any one participant denies to cooperate with other two participants, then the CYQT cannot be realized successfully.
Does holographic equipartition demand a pure cosmological constant?
Authors: Krishna P. B. , Mathew Titus K.
Published: November 2020

The spacial expansion of the universe could be described as a tendency for satisfying holographic equipartition which inevitably demands the presence of dark energy. We explore whether this novel idea proposed by Padmanabhan gives any additional insights into the nature of dark energy. In particular, we obtain the constraints imposed by the law of emergence on the equation of state parameter, [Formula: see text]. We also present a thermodynamic motivation for the obtained constraints on [Formula: see text]. Further, we explicitly prove the feasibility of describing a dynamic dark energy model through the law of emergence. Interestingly, both holographic equipartition and the entropy maximization demand an asymptotically de Sitter universe with [Formula: see text], rather than a pure cosmological constant.
A modern guide to 𝜃-Poincaré
Authors: Addazi Andrea , Marcianò Antonino
Published: November 2020

Motivated by the recent interest in underground experiments phenomenology (see Refs. 1–3), we review the main aspects of one specific noncommutative space–time model, based on the Groenewold–Moyal plane algebra, the [Formula: see text]-Poincaré space–time. In the [Formula: see text]-Poincaré scenario, the Lorentz co-algebra is deformed introducing a noncommutativity of space–time coordinates. In such a theory, a new quantum field theory in noncommutative space–time can be reformulated. Tackling on several conceptual misunderstanding and technical mistakes in the literature, we will focus on several issues such: (i) the construction of fields theories in [Formula: see text]-Poincaré; (ii) the unitarity of the S-matrix; (iii) the violation of locality, (iv) the violation of the spin-statistic theorem and the Pauli principle; (v) the observables for underground experiments.
Coulomb law in the nonuniform Euler–Heisenberg theory
Authors: Bermúdez Manjarres A. D. , Nowakowski M. , Batic D.
Published: November 2020

We consider the nonlinear classical field theory which results from adding to the Maxwell’s Lagrangian the contributions from the weak-field Euler–Heisenberg Lagrangian and a nonuniform part which involves derivatives of the electric and magnetic fields. We focus on the electrostatic case where the magnetic field is set to zero, and we derive the modified Gauss law, resulting in a higher-order differential equation. This equation gives the electric field produced by stationary charges in the higher-order nonlinear electrodynamics. Specializing for the case of a point charge, we investigate the solutions of the modified Gauss law and calculate the correction to the Coulomb law.
Optical theorem and indefinite metric in λϕ4 delta-theory
Authors: Avila Ricardo , Reyes Carlos M.
Published: November 2020

A class of effective field theory called delta-theory, which improves ultraviolet divergences in quantum field theory, is considered. We focus on a scalar model with a quartic self-interaction term and construct the delta theory by applying the so-called delta prescription. We quantize the theory using field variables that diagonalize the Lagrangian, which include a standard scalar field and a ghost or negative norm state. As well known, the indefinite metric may lead to the loss of unitary of the [Formula: see text]-matrix. We study the optical theorem and check the validity of the cutting equations for three processes at one-loop order, and found suppressed violations of unitarity in the delta coupling parameter of the order of [Formula: see text].
Design of Low-Noise Two-Path Amplifier for 6–16 GHz Applications
Authors: Tarighat Asieh Parhizkar , Yargholi Mostafa
Published: November 2020

A two-path low-noise amplifier (LNA) is designed with TSMC 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m standard RF CMOS process for 6–16[Formula: see text]GHz frequency band applications. The principle of a conventional resistive shunt feedback LNA is analyzed to demonstrate the trade-off between the noise figure (NF) and the input matching. To alleviate the mentioned issue for wideband application, this structure with noise canceling technique and linearity improvement are applied to a two-path structure. Flat and high gain is supplied by the primary path; while the input and output impedance matching are provided by the secondary path. The [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB bandwidth can be increased to a higher frequency by inductive peaking, which is used at the first stage of the two paths. Besides, by biasing the transistors at the threshold voltage, low power dissipation is achieved. The [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB gain bandwidth of the proposed LNA is 10[Formula: see text]GHz, while the maximum power gain of 13.1[Formula: see text]dB is attained. With this structure, minimum NF of 4.6[Formula: see text]dB and noise flatness of 1[Formula: see text]dB in the whole bandwidth can be achieved. The input impedance is matched, and S[Formula: see text] is lower than [Formula: see text]10 dB. With the proposed linearized LNA, the average IIP[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dBm is gained, while it occupies 1051.7[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m die area.
Self-Similarity in the Representative File System Workloads: Analysis and Modeling
Authors: Zou Qiang , Tan Yujuan
Published: November 2020

As one of the workload characteristics, the anomaly behaviors in real workload have been recognized as a critical requirement for file system design. In this paper, a set of traces collected from typically realistic file system have been analyzed. The correlation study of I/O request inter-arrival times shows that it is necessary to examine the self-similarity in file system workload. Then the phenomenon of self-similarity which had been initially observed in network and disk I/O workload has also been visually and statistically observed in file system workload. In addition, we implement an I/O series generator in which the inputs are the measured properties of the available trace data. Experimental results show that this model can accurately emulate the complex access arrival behaviors of real file systems, particularly the heavy-tail characteristics.
Pipeline FPGA-Based Implementations of ANNs for the Prediction of up to 600-Steps-Ahead of Chaotic Time Series
Authors: Pano-Azucena Ana Dalia , Tlelo-Cuautle Esteban , Ovilla-Martinez Brisbane , de la Fraga Luis Gerardo , Li Rui
Published: November 2020

Chaotic time series prediction can be performed by applying different architectures of artificial neural networks (ANNs) that can be implemented on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). However, the main challenges are the reduction of hardware resources to develop faster ANNs and the prediction capabilities for large horizons. In this manner, the contribution is devoted to introduce pipeline architectures in which some registers are placed between combinational blocks to divide the logic into shorter stages that can run with a faster clock. The cases of study are the multilayer perceptron (MLP), nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX), and echo state network (ESN). In addition, another contribution is devoted to introduce the application of the decimation technique to extend the prediction horizon of the ANNs from 12 to 600-steps-ahead. The prediction capabilities of the MLP, NARX and ESN are compared by using eight chaotic time series with different maximum Lyapunov exponents. The pipeline FPGA-based implementations show that the ESN with a reservoir of at least 30 neurons guarantees a large prediction horizon of 600-steps-ahead. Another important advantage of the ESN is that its FPGA-based implementation can be performed by reusing one neuron, thus requiring the lowest quantity of hardware resources.
Virtual mosaic knot theory
Authors: Ganzell Sandy , Henrich Allison
Published: November 2020

Mosaic diagrams for knots were first introduced in 2008 by Lomanoco and Kauffman for the purpose of building a quantum knot system. Since then, many others have explored the structure of these knot mosaic diagrams, as they are interesting objects of study in their own right. Knot mosaics have been generalized by Garduño to virtual knots, by including an additional tile type to represent virtual crossings. There is another interpretation of virtual knots, however, as knot diagrams on surfaces, which inspires this work. By viewing classical mosaic diagrams as [Formula: see text]-gons and gluing edges of these polygons, we obtain knots on surfaces that can be viewed as virtual knots. These virtual mosaics are our present objects of study. In this paper, we provide a set of moves that can be performed on virtual mosaics that preserve knot and link type, we show that any virtual knot or link can be represented as a virtual mosaic, and we provide several computational results related to virtual mosaic numbers for small classical and virtual knots.
Real scalar field solutions of the EKG equations including matter
Authors: de Oca A. Cabo Montes , Fontanella D. Suarez
Published: November 2020

Static (not stationary) solutions of the Einstein–Klein–Gordon (EKG) equations including matter are obtained for real scalar fields. The scalar field interaction with matter is considered. The introduced coupling allows the existence of static solutions in contraposition with the case of the simpler EKG equations for real scalar fields and gravity. Surprisingly, when the considered matter is a photon-like gas, it turns out that the gravitational field intensity at large radial distances becomes nearly a constant, exerting an approximately fixed force to small bodies at any distance. The effect is clearly related with the massless character of the photon-like field. It is also argued that the gravitational field can generate a bounding attraction, that could avoid the unlimited increase in mass with the radius of the obtained here solution. This phenomenon, if verified, may furnish a possible mechanism for explaining how the increasing gravitational potential associated to dark matter, finally decays at large distances from the galaxies. A method for evaluating these photon bounding effects is just formulated in order to be further investigated.
Almost periodicity and periodicity for nonautonomous random dynamical systems
Authors: Raynaud de Fitte Paul
Published: November 2020

We present a notion of almost periodicity which can be applied to random dynamical systems as well as almost periodic stochastic differential equations in Hilbert spaces (abstract stochastic partial differential equations). This concept allows for improvements of known results of almost periodicity in distribution, for general random processes and for solutions to stochastic differential equations.
On the Stress Fluctuation in the Smoothed Finite Element Method for 2D Elastoplastic Problems
Authors: Zhi Peng , Wu Yuching
Published: November 2020

In this study, the unusual stress fluctuation in the smoothed finite element method (SFEM) for 2D elastoplastic problems is investigated. The governing equation of the 2D elastoplastic problem based on SFEM is presented. The mysterious stress fluctuations from different SFEM approaches are explored. It is demonstrated that conventional finite element method might experience the same symptom. It is found that the stress noises only occur for cases consisting of elements with linear shape functions. Three strategies, including use of higher-order elements, modification of interpolation techniques, and evenly distributed mesh division are proposed to prevent mysterious stress fluctuations. All of them could considerably minimize the strange stress noises.
Optimal Routing and Deep Regression Neural Network for Rice Leaf Disease Prediction in IoT
Authors: Vimala S. , Gladiss Merlin N. R. , Ramanathan L. , Cristin R.
Published: November 2020

To meet the increasing food demand, production of rice is increased. Unfortunately, rice leaf disease has caused a major problem in the agricultural yield. Various disease prediction strategies are developed in the Internet of Things (IoT) agricultural applications, but accurately predicting the disease causes substantial environmental issues. Therefore, an effective method named Sunflower EarthWorm (S-EWA) optimization algorithm is proposed in this research to predict the disease in the rice crop. The sensor nodes are dispersed randomly in the IoT network of agricultural field, and these sensor nodes collect the agricultural data from the rice crop and are sent to the base station (BS) through the optimal path, which is computed using the proposed Sunflower EarthWorm optimization algorithm. The regeneration, the reproduction, and the dynamic behavior of the optimization algorithm effectively transfer the data through routing using the optimal path. The optimization algorithm uses the fitness function to determine the optimal path based on the position of earthworms. Deep Regression Neural Network uses the artificial neurons and performs the disease prediction of rice leaf at BS. The proposed S-EWA- based DBN attained better performance in terms of accuracy as 95.2, sensitivity as 95.51, and specificity as 94.89 by varying the training percentage, and accuracy as 95.7, sensitivity as 95.86, and specificity as 95.54 by varying the hidden layers, respectively.
Understanding the Belt and Road Initiative in Myanmar: A Socio-Politico and Economic Approach
Authors: Gong Xue
Published: November 2020

As an infrastructure financier, China has been playing a dominant role in many sectors of Myanmar’s economy. Following Myanmar’s political and economic transition to a new quasi-civilian government in the early 2010s, the suspension of several China-backed projects caused the relationship between the two countries to rapidly turn sour. Nonetheless, many believe that the rift between the Myanmar government and the international community following the Rohingya crisis provided China an opportunity to rebuild closer ties with Myanmar. This paper argues that China’s BRI promotion and implementation in Myanmar cannot be interpreted as contingent on Myanmar’s isolated relations with the international community. Although Myanmar is relatively small in power, it can now decide on its development strategies. To understand the challenges of BRI promotion in Myanmar, a more nuanced bottom-up approach is needed. Other than the state-level relations, the prospect of BRI in Myanmar also depends on the role of societal actors in Myanmar. Because of the growing influence of these non-state societal actors, Chinese actors have started to pay attention to local norms and demands. However, their adaptation to local norms is constrained by socio-politico-economic dimensions of the Chinese capitals in Myanmar.
Adsorption of Aqueous Organic Dyes onto α-Fe2O3/Graphene Oxide: Insights into the Interaction Mechanism
Authors: Bulin Chaoke , Li Bo , Zhang Yanghuan , Zhang Bangwen
Published: November 2020

Removing organic dyes from wastewater is an important task of environmental remediation. In this work, a nano composite α-Fe2O3/graphene oxide (α-Fe2O3/GO) was fabricated with a facile hydrothermal process. The as fabricated α-Fe2O3/GO was characterized and tested as adsorbent for removing two typical ionic dyes Congo red (CR) and methyl violet (MV) from aqueous solutions. The interaction mechanisms of α-Fe2O3/GO with CR and MV were analyzed. Findings presents, synergistic effect between α-Fe2O3 and GO made α-Fe2O3/GO outperform either α-Fe2O3 or GO. α-Fe2O3/GO exhibited high adsorption capacity and cycling performance, most importantly, ultrafast adsorption kinetics especially on MV. Adsorptions of CR and MV equilibrated in 8 min and 5 min, the corresponding adsorption percent/quantity were 95.78%/239.45 mg·g−1 and 99.907%/1998.14 mg·g−1, respectively. The good adsorption performance of α-Fe2O3/GO originated from its thin morphology, abundant oxygen containing groups, as well as strong chemical interaction with CR and MV. The adsorptions were thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic, while kinetically controlled by surface reaction. Hydrogen bond and π–π interaction was the primary interaction mechanism between adsorbate and adsorbent. The merits including simple fabrication and superior adsorption performance may endow α-Fe2O3/GO promising application in removing organic dyes.
Quantitative Analysis of Contact Angle of Water on SiC: Polytype and Polarity Dependence
Authors: Kim Jung Gon , Yoo Woo Sik , Park Jin Yong , Lee Won Jae
Published: November 2020

A SiC crystal mixed with 4H-, 6H-, and 15R-SiC polytypes and their wetting properties were characterized using precisely dispensed de-ionized (DI) water drops. Contact angles of a DI water drop on SiC surfaces were quantitatively determined by analyzing the sideview image of a DI water drop in contact with the SiC substrate with mixed polytypes using image analysis software. The contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle for the Si-face (0001) was approximately 4o ∼ 8o greater than that for the C-face (000-1) regardless of polytype. The surface roughness of both Si-face and C-face was measured using atomic force microscopy and confirmed to be nearly identical. Due to the difference in surface energy of polarity of SiC basal planes, the contact angle measured from the Si-face (0001) after native oxide removal showed significant decrease and it recovered over time by room temperature oxidation in air. In contrast, the contact angle measured from the C-face (000-1) after native oxide removal, showed significant decrease and it was maintained, even after room temperature oxidation for 24 h in air. We found that there is correlation between the wetting property of SiC polytypes of 4H-, 6H-, and 15 R and a difference in their surface potential energy corresponding to the hexagonality of each SiC polytype determined by the atomic arrangement.
Identification of Functional Genes in Pterygium Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Xu Yuting , Qiao Chen , He Siying , Lu Chen , Dong Shiqi , Wu Xiying , Yan Ming , Zheng Fang
Published: November 2020

Purpose. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network regulatory has been investigated in the occurrence and development of many diseases. This research aimed at identifying the key RNAs of ceRNA network in pterygium and exploring the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods. Differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed with the R programming language. LncRNA and miRNA expressions were extracted and pooled by the GEO database and compared with those in published literature. The lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network was constructed of selected lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. Metascape was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses on mRNAs of the ceRNA network and to perform Protein‐Protein Interaction (PPI) Network analysis on the String website to find candidate hub genes. The Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD) was used to find hub genes closely related to pterygium. The differential expressions of hub genes were verified using the reverse transcription‐real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). Result. There were 8 lncRNAs, 12 miRNAs, and 94 mRNAs filtered to construct the primary ceRNA network. A key lncRNA LIN00472 ranking the top 1 node degree was selected to reconstruct the LIN00472 network. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment showed the mRNAs in ceRNA networks mainly involved in homophilic cell adhesion via plasma membrane adhesion molecules, developmental growth, regulation of neuron projection development, cell maturation, synapse assembly, central nervous system neuron differentiation, and PID FOXM1 PATHWAY. According to the Protein‐Protein Interaction Network (PPI) analysis on mRNAs in LINC00472 network, 10 candidate hub genes were identified according to node degree ranking. Using the CTD database, we identified 8 hub genes closely related to pterygium; RT‐qPCR verified 6 of them were highly expressed in pterygium. Conclusion. Our research found LINC00472 might regulate 8 hub miRNAs (miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐183‐5p, miR‐138‐5p, miR‐211‐5p, miR‐221‐3p, miR‐218‐5p, miR‐642a‐5p, miR‐5000‐3p) and 6 hub genes (CDH2, MYC, CCNB1, RELN, ERBB4, RB1) in the ceRNA network through mainly PID FOXM1 PATHWAY and play an important role in the development of pterygium.
Composite One- to Six-Scroll Hidden Attractors in a Memristor-Based Chaotic System and Their Circuit Implementation
Authors: Li Ying , Xia Xiaozhu , Zeng Yicheng , Hong Qinghui
Published: November 2020

Chaotic systems with hidden multiscroll attractors have received much attention in recent years. However, most parts of hidden multiscroll attractors previously reported were repeated by the same type of attractor, and the composite of different types of attractors appeared rarely. In this paper, a memristor-based chaotic system, which can generate composite attractors with one up to six scrolls, is proposed. These composite attractors have different forms, similar to the Chua’s double scroll and jerk double scroll. Through theoretical analysis, we find that the new system has no fixed point; that is to say, all of the composite multiscroll attractors are hidden attractors. Additionally, some complicated dynamic behaviors including various hidden coexisting attractors, extreme multistability, and transient transition are explored. Moreover, hardware circuit using discrete components is implemented, and its experimental results supported the numerical simulations results.
Dynamics Analysis of a Mathematical Model for New Product Innovation Diffusion
Authors: Li Chunru , Ma Zujun
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a mathematical model with time-delay-related parameters and media coverage to describe the diffusion process of new products is proposed, in which the time-delay-related parameters denote the stage in which potential customers decide whether to adopt a new product. Then, the stability and the Hopf bifurcation of the proposed model are analyzed in detail. The center manifold theorem and the normal form theory are used to investigate the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution. Moreover, a numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the difference between the model with delay-dependent parameters and that with delay-independent parameters. The results show that there is significant difference between the two models.
Isolated Native Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in a Nonintravenous Drug User
Authors: Shibru Habtewold , Greffie Ermias shenkutie , Abay Zenahbezu , Muhie Oumer Abdu
Published: November 2020

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease characterized by high morbidity and mortality. IE was first described in the mid-16th century. Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) represents 5% to 10% of all IE episodes in adults. RSIE can be divided into three groups according to the underlying risk factors: intravenous drug users (IDUs), cardiac device carriers, and the “three noes” group (no left-sided IE, no IDUs, and no cardiac devices). Tricuspid valve endocarditis in nonintravenous drug users can occur in a variety of conditions including congenital heart disease, intracardiac devices, central venous catheters, and immunologically debilitated patients. Due to the rareness of isolated native nonrheumatic tricuspid valve endocarditis, here, we like to present an 18-year-old male from rural Ethiopia with the diagnosis of isolated native tricuspid valve endocarditis that was treated and cured.
2-Quasitotal Fuzzy Graphs and Their Total Coloring
Authors: Repalle V. N. Srinivasa Rao , Agama Fekadu Tesgera
Published: November 2020

Coloring of fuzzy graphs has many real-life applications in combinatorial optimization problems like traffic light system, exam scheduling, and register allocation. The coloring of total fuzzy graphs and its applications are well studied. This manuscript discusses the description of 2-quasitotal graph for fuzzy graphs. The proposed concept of 2-quasitotal fuzzy graph is explicated by several numerical examples. Moreover, some theorems related to the properties of 2-quasitotal fuzzy graphs are stated and proved. The results of these theorems are compared with the results obtained from total fuzzy graphs and 1-quasitotal fuzzy graphs. Furthermore, it defines 2-quasitotal coloring of fuzzy total graphs and which is justified.
Synthesis and Characterization of Green Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Antiproliferative Effects through Apoptosis Induction and MicroRNA Modulation in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Aalami Amir Hossein , Mesgari Mohammad , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: November 2020

Changes in the expression of microRNAs can affect cancer cells’ viability and behavior and the impact on cancer treatment. In this study, the expression of miR-155-5p, miR-203a-3p, and miR-223-3p in the MCF7 cancer cell line was studied when exposed to ZnO nanoparticles synthesized through a green route. Mentioned ZnO-NPs were well characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, DLS, XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, zeta potential, and AFM analyses. Cellular studies were conducted using ZnO-NPs before miRNA investigations including MTT cytotoxicity test against MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and HFF cell lines. Moreover, apoptosis assays were performed using morphological analysis, fluorescent dyes, flow cytometry, and evaluation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 gene expression. Biological properties such as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of these novel ZnO-NPs were considered. MTT assays showed that the inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ZnO-NPs after 24 h was 11.16 μg/mL, 60.08 μg/mL, and 26.3 μg/mL on MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and HFF cells, respectively. The qRT-PCR results showed reduced expression of miR-155-5p, miR-203a-3p, and miR-223-3p when the MCF7 cells were treated with the IC50 concentration of ZnO-NPs (11.16 μg/mL). The antioxidant activity results showed EC50 values at 57.19 μg/mL and 31.5 μg/mL in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs was determined on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains and fungi using MIC and MBC assays. These NPs had a significant effect in reducing the expression of microRNAs in breast cancer cells. Finally, ZnO-NPs exerted antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Best Proximity Coincidence Point Results forα,D-Proximal Generalized Geraghty Mappings inJS-Metric Spaces
Authors: Wiriyapongsanon Atit , Charoensawan Phakdi , Chaobankoh Tanadon
Published: November 2020

We introduce a type of Geraghty contractions in aJS-metric spaceX,calledα,D-proximal generalized Geraghty mappings. By using the triangular-α,D-proximal admissible property, we obtain the existence and uniqueness theorem of best proximity coincidence points for these mappings together with some corollaries and illustrative examples. As an application, we give a best proximity coincidence point result inXendowed with a binary relation.
Research on the Pore Evolution of Sandstone in Cold Regions under Freeze-Thaw Weathering Cycles Based on NMR
Authors: Pan Zheng , Zhou Keping , Gao Rugao , Jiang Zhen , Yang Chun , Gao Feng
Published: November 2020

The evolution of the rock pore structure is an important factor influencing rock mechanical properties in cold regions. To study the mesoscopic evolution law of the rock pore structure under freeze-thaw weathering cycles, a freeze-thaw weathering cycle experiment was performed on red sandstone from the cold region of western China with temperatures ranging from -20°C to +20°C. The porosity, T2 spectral distribution, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of the red sandstone after 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 freeze-thaw weathering cycles were measured by the nondestructive detection technique nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results show that the porosity of sandstone decreases first and then increases with the increase of the freeze-thaw weathering cycles and reaches the minimum at 60 of freeze-thaw weathering cycles. The evolution characteristics of porosity can be divided into three stages, namely, the abrupt decrease in porosity, the slow decrease in porosity, and the steady increase in porosity. The evolution characteristics of the T2 spectrum distribution, movable fluid porosity (MFP), and MRI images in response to the freeze-thaw weathering process are positively correlated with the porosity. Analysis of the experimental data reveals that the decrease in the porosity of the red sandstone is mainly governed by mesopores, which is related to the water swelling phenomenon of montmorillonite. Hence, the pore connectivity decreases. As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increases, the effect of the hydrophysical reaction on the porosity gradually disappears, and the frost heaving effect caused by the water-ice phase transition gradually dominates the pore evolution law of red sandstone.
Capture of 3D Human Motion Pose in Virtual Reality Based on Video Recognition
Authors: Fu Qiang , Zhang Xingui , Xu Jinxiu , Zhang Haimin
Published: November 2020

Motion pose capture technology can effectively solve the problem of difficulty in defining character motion in the process of 3D animation production and greatly reduce the workload of character motion control, thereby improving the efficiency of animation development and the fidelity of character motion. Motion gesture capture technology is widely used in virtual reality systems, virtual training grounds, and real-time tracking of the motion trajectories of general objects. This paper proposes an attitude estimation algorithm adapted to be embedded. The previous centralized Kalman filter is divided into two-step Kalman filtering. According to the different characteristics of the sensors, they are processed separately to isolate the cross-influence between sensors. An adaptive adjustment method based on fuzzy logic is proposed. The acceleration, angular velocity, and geomagnetic field strength of the environment are used as the input of fuzzy logic to judge the motion state of the carrier and then adjust the covariance matrix of the filter. The adaptive adjustment of the sensor is converted to the recognition of the motion state. For the study of human motion posture capture, this paper designs a verification experiment based on the existing robotic arm in the laboratory. The experiment shows that the studied motion posture capture method has better performance. The human body motion gesture is designed for capturing experiments, and the capture results show that the obtained pose angle information can better restore the human body motion. A visual model of human motion posture capture was established, and after comparing and analyzing with the real situation, it was found that the simulation approach reproduced the motion process of human motion well. For the research of human motion recognition, this paper designs a two-classification model and human daily behaviors for experiments. Experiments show that the accuracy of the two-category human motion gesture capture and recognition has achieved good results. The experimental effect of SVC on the recognition of two classifications is excellent. In the case of using all optimization algorithms, the accuracy rate is higher than 90%, and the final recognition accuracy rate is also higher than 90%. In terms of recognition time, the time required for human motion gesture capture and recognition is less than 2 s.
Attitude Measurement of Special Aircraft Based on Geomagnetic and Angular Velocity Sensors
Authors: Pingan Zhang , Wei Wang , Ming Gao , Jinli Che
Published: November 2020

Aiming at the problem of attitude test of special aircraft in flight, the combined test technology of geomagnetic sensor and angular velocity sensor is studied. The mathematical model of special aircraft roll attitude test based on combined measurement is established. The error models of special aircraft roll angle based on yaw angle input and pitch angle input are derived, respectively, and based on the actual flight trajectory data of aircraft, the mathematical model of special aircraft roll attitude test is established The simulation results show that the roll angle error input by yaw angle is between -0.4° and 0.9°, while the roll angle error input by pitch angle is between -0.4° and 1.2°, which shows that the calculation accuracy of roll angle input by yaw angle is higher, and the existence of magnetic measurement blind area is verified. In this paper, the method of judging the blind area of geomagnetic survey and the algorithm model of eliminating the influence of blind area are proposed.
Antiphotoaging Potential of Extracts of Yin‐Tonic Herbal Medicine in Skin Cell and Human Skin Equivalent
Authors: Kang Yun-mi , Seo Min-gyu , Lee Kyou-young , An Hyo-jin
Published: November 2020

Yin‐tonic herbal medicines have been shown to possess properties that make skin healthy by nourishing within various organs of the body. However, the antiphotoaging effect of these medicines on the skin has not been fully studied. Photoaging occurs with prolonged sun exposure and causes skin damage and aging, with depletion of the dermal extracellular matrix and chronic alterations in skin structure, such as wrinkles. In this study, we assessed the antiphotoaging effects of eight yin‐tonic herbal medicines on human skin cells and skin equivalents. The levels of type I procollagen and matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) in ultraviolet B‐ (UVB‐) irradiated CCD‐986sk fibroblasts were measured, and then three medicines were chosen based on screening results. Using UVB‐irradiated human skin equivalents, we evaluated the effect of three yin‐tonic herbal medicines on histological changes of skin, epidermal and dermal thickness, and MMP‐1 production. Furthermore, we observed collagen fiber content and protein expression of filaggrin in UVB‐irradiated human skin equivalents. Yin‐tonic herbal medicines increased type I procollagen levels and decreased the production of MMP‐1 in UVB‐irradiated CCD‐986sk fibroblasts. The three selected yin‐tonic herbal medicines recovered the collagen content and filaggrin expression via MMP‐1 downregulation in UVB‐irradiated human skin equivalents. Our results show that yin‐tonic herbal medicines can prevent skin photoaging by reduction of MMP‐1 levels and increasing the expression of moisturizing factors. Based on these results, we suggest that yin‐tonic herbal medicines have the potential to be used as helpful agent for skin photoaging.
An Anonymous and Efficient ECC-Based Authentication Scheme for SIP
Authors: Zhou Yousheng , Chen Xinyun
Published: November 2020

Session initiation protocol (SIP), a widely used signal protocol for controlling multimedia communication sessions, is under numerous attacks when performing the authentication steps between the user and server. So secure authentication schemes are needed to be presented for SIP. Recently, Arshad et al. advanced novel schemes for SIP using elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and claimed their schemes can resist various attacks. However, Lu et al. found that Arshad et al.’s scheme cannot resist trace and key-compromise impersonation attacks; hence, it cannot provide proper mutual authentication. Meanwhile, an enhanced scheme was advanced by Lu et al. and they stated that their scheme can stand up to possible known attacks. Nevertheless, in this paper, we conclude that Arshad and Nikooghadam’s scheme is insecure against impersonation attack and Lu et al.’s scheme is still vulnerable to impersonation attack. To overcome these weaknesses of their schemes, we present a novel anonymous ECC-based scheme for SIP. Security analysis and performance analysis show that our proposed scheme can resist various known attacks and efficient in the meantime.
Neurocysticercosis Diagnosed by Taenia solium PCR on Brain Biopsy
Authors: Ong Sean Wei Xiang , Chavatte Jean-Marc , Chia Jonathan Wei Zhong , Kirollos Ramez Wadie , Sitoh Yih Yian , Ding Cristine , Chan Monica
Published: November 2020

Neurocysticercosis is a common cause for brain lesions and adult-onset epilepsy in endemic countries. However, diagnosis is challenging in the absence of typical radiologic or histopathologic features. In this case report, we present a case of a 35-year-old male with a new-onset seizure and a rim-enhancing temporal lobe lesion. Radiologic features were nonspecific, and brain biopsy was performed. Histologic features showed only nonspecific granulomatous inflammation, and the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was confirmed only with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on brain biopsy tissue demonstrating PCR products consistent with Taenia solium. This case highlights the diagnostic role of PCR in such clinical situations whereby the diagnosis is unclear after initial routine evaluation.
The mediating role of perceived administrative support for the effect of job motivation on organizational identification
Authors: Özdemir Gökçe
Published: November 2020

In this study, the mediating role of perceived administrative support for the effect of teachers’ job motivation on their organizational identification perceptions was investigated. For this purpose, in mind, the opinions of 320 kindergarten teachers in 304 schools from 13 different school districts of Şahinbey/Gaziantep were received. However, 233 scales were taken into consideration. The research data were collected through Job Motivation Scale (JMS), Organizational Identification Scale (OIS) and Perceived Administrative Support Scale (PASS). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and path analysis were used in data analysis. Analysis results revealed that the job motivation perceptions of teachers were high. In addition, it was revealed that the participants also had high scores for organizational identification and perceived administrative support. Correlation analyses yielded positive, moderate and significant relationships between the research variables. Path analysis uncovered that perceived administrative support had a “partial mediating” role for the relationship between job motivation and organizational identification. Based on research findings, it was concluded that the effect of job motivation on teachers’ identification with their organizations was realized through perceived administrative support, albeit partially.
Value preferences and requirements of the students attending the regional boarding secondary schools
Authors: Yazıcı Sibel , Fidan Nuray Kurtdede
Published: November 2020

The aim of the study was to reveal the preferences and requirements of the students attending the Regional Boarding Secondary Schools (YBO) concerning the values contain in the educational program of the social studies course. The study was designed within the framework of phenomenology which is among the qualitative research methods. The participants of the study are 79 eight grade students attending a regional boarding secondary school in the Turkey. The data of the study are collected through a survey questionnaire with two parts which contains open-ended items. The data were analysed using the descriptive and content analyses. The findings of the study show that the participants do not differ based on gender and the socio-economic background of their families. The frequently preferred values by the participants are found to be attaching importance to the family unity, honesty, sympathy and patriotism. Another finding is that the participants do not provide a clear justification for each of the values they preferred. This suggests that it is difficult to establish a justification for the value. However, requirements value justifications are analyzed, it is seen that students they express the definition of value, its importance and the expectations of having this specific value.
Student retention in Indonesian private university
Authors: Talar Yulianti , Gozaly Jimmy
Published: November 2020

Private universities require more effort to retain student students so that these students can complete their studies and then work in the community. Through this research, input will be given to the study program regarding the improvement that must be made so that the private university can compete with the public university and educate the nation's children. Data collection was obtained through questionnaires and observations to 209 students. Data processed by Discriminant Analysis, Crosstabulations, and Correlations Analysis dan statistical descriptive methods. Independent variables that significantly affect student retention are satisfaction with the closeness of social relationships with fellow students, student confidence to graduate on time, student confidence to get a good career after graduation, and college attendance. Study program still has to work hard to make improvements to increase satisfaction and students' engagement level.
Suicidal thoughts among university students: The role of mattering, state self-esteem and depression level
Authors: Prihadi Kususanto Ditto , Wong Charon Y.S. , Chong Erina Y.V. , Chong Kate Y.X.
Published: November 2020

The protective role of mattering on suicide ideation among university students was examined. Our study is grounded in the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide, which led to a hypothesis that between depression levels and state self-esteem has significant serial multiple mediating effects on the relationship between mattering and suicide ideation. University students from various nationality who study in Indonesia and Malaysia (n=509) responded to General Mattering Scale, State Self-Esteem Scale, Beck’s Depression Inventory, and Suicide Ideation Attributes Scale, as well as demographic details including their gender, spirituality, education, birth order and nationality. The result of Bootstrap analyses with 95% confident interval from 5000 samples suggested that the serial mediation partially occurred to the link between mattering and suicide ideation.
Arts-based assessment in educational settings
Authors: Kantor Jiří , Lei Xianmei
Published: November 2020

Arts-based assessment is an objective measure that incorporates artistic experience or artistic materials into the assessment process and enables to get unique contributions about pupils. The current survey focused on arts-based assessment in the Czech Republic to explore the following issues: how did arts therapists assess suitability of therapy for pupils; which areas of therapeutic process were evaluated and what made the process of arts-based assessments specific in educational institutions. A mixed methods study used a statistical analysis of a survey with “The Practice in Arts Therapies questionnaire” (n = 142 arts therapists) and an inductive analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 10 arts therapists). Results revealed that arts-based assessments were more likely to be characterized by qualitative nonstandardized assessments based on observation, analysis of artistic products/artistic process and reflexive techniques and are related to prevalent humanistic orientation. Educational environment influenced the assessments mainly in the content and organization of the process. On this basis, there is a need to support the usage of standardized arts-based assessments and to develop standards for the implementation of arts-based assessment suitable for educational institutions. More advanced training in this area should be included into professional courses and further education of arts therapists.