bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Full-Duplex MIMO System Based on CP-Free OFDM in Sensor Network
Authors: Jiang Hao , Chen Hongming
Published: July 2022

Recently, results have shown that full-duplex (FD) system based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is potential for wireless sensor networks. However, extending FD to further improve spectral efficiency by removing cyclic prefix (CP) with optimal canceling self-interference (SI) remains a challenge. In this paper, we analytically study the conventional FD OFDM system and proposed a CP-free system on this basis. The key point of the proposed scheme is the symbols transmitted in a unit of two identical symbols without CP. To eliminate the intersymbol interference, the disturbed part are replaced by the repeated signal at the receiver, which has the same effect as CP. Finally, an SI cancellation is down to restore the transmitted symbols. As a key of analysis, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) FD simulation model is carried to show that our proposed scheme is effectiveness in terms of the bit error ratio (BER).
Improved Fitness-Dependent Optimizer for Solving Economic Load Dispatch Problem
Authors: Tahir Barzan Hussein , Rashid Tarik A. , Rauf Hafiz Tayyab , Bacanin Nebojsa , Chhabra Amit , Vimal S. , Yaseen Zaher Mundher
Published: July 2022

Economic load dispatch depicts a fundamental role in the operation of power systems, as it decreases the environmental load, minimizes the operating cost, and preserves energy resources. The optimal solution to economic load dispatch problems and various constraints can be obtained by evolving several evolutionary and swarm-based algorithms. The major drawback to swarm-based algorithms is premature convergence towards an optimal solution. Fitness-dependent optimizer is a novel optimization algorithm stimulated by the decision-making and reproductive process of bee swarming. Fitness-dependent optimizer (FDO) examines the search spaces based on the searching approach of particle swarm optimization. To calculate the pace, the fitness function is utilized to generate weights that direct the search agents in the phases of exploitation and exploration. In this research, the authors have used a fitness-dependent optimizer to solve the economic load dispatch problem by reducing fuel cost, emission allocation, and transmission loss. Moreover, the authors have enhanced a novel variant of the fitness-dependent optimizer, which incorporates novel population initialization techniques and dynamically employed sine maps to select the weight factor for the fitness-dependent optimizer. The enhanced population initialization approach incorporates a quasi-random Sabol sequence to generate the initial solution in the multidimensional search space. A standard 24-unit system is employed for experimental evaluation with different power demands. The empirical results obtained using the enhanced variant of the fitness-dependent optimizer demonstrate superior performance in terms of low transmission loss, low fuel cost, and low emission allocation compared to the conventional fitness-dependent optimizer. The experimental study obtained 7.94E−12, the lowest transmission loss using the enhanced fitness-dependent optimizer. Correspondingly, various standard estimations are used to prove the stability of the fitness-dependent optimizer in phases of exploitation and exploration.
Evaluation of Digital Transformation Maturity of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurial Enterprises Based on Multicriteria Framework
Authors: Li Lan
Published: July 2022

This paper firstly constructs a set of digital maturity evaluation system for small and medium-sized enterprises based on the maturity model theory and adopts the AHP-DEMATEL evaluation method to evaluate the digital maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises. The four dimensions of digital strategy, operational technology, cultural organization capabilities, and ecosystem explore the impact mechanism of digitalization on enterprise product transformation capabilities. This research fully combines theory with practice and effectively makes up for the lack of digital theory research of small- and medium-sized enterprises.
A Context-Aware MRIPPER Algorithm for Heart Disease Prediction
Authors: Almutairi Saad , Manimurugan S. , Chilamkurti Naveen , Aborokbah Majed Mohammed , Narmatha C. , Ganesan Subramaniam , Alzaheb Riyadh A. , Almoamari Hani
Published: July 2022

These days, mobile computing devices are ubiquitous and are widely used in almost every facet of daily life. In addition, computing and the modern technologies are not really coexisting anymore. With a wide range of conditions and areas of concern, the medical domain was also concerned. New types of technologies, such as context-aware systems and applications, are constantly being infused into the medicine field. An IoT-enabled healthcare system based on context awareness is developed in this work. In order to collect and store the patient data, smart medical devices are employed. Context-aware data from the database includes the patient’s medical records and personal information. The MRIPPER (Modified Repeated Incremental Pruning to Produce Error) technique is used to analyze and classify the data. A rule-based machine learning method is used in this algorithm. The rules for analyzing datasets in order to make predictions about heart disease are framed using this algorithm. MATLAB is used to simulate the proposed model’s performance analysis. Other models like random forest, J48, CART, JRip, and OneR algorithms are also compared to validate the proposed model’s performance. The proposed model obtains 98.89 percent accuracy, 96.76 percent precision, 99.05 percent sensitivity, 94.35 percent specificity, and 97.60 percent f-score. Predictions for subjects in the normal and abnormal classes were both accurate with 97.38 for normal and 97.93 for abnormal subjects.
Research on Working Memory States Based on Weighted
K
-Order Propagation Number Algorithm: An EEG Perspective
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhang Yuhong , Ding Weiwei , Cui Fachang , Huang Liya
Published: July 2022

Working memory (WM) is considered the mental workplace that retains and manipulates information. This study investigates the internal mechanism in WM states from an electroencephalography (EEG) network perspective. Firstly, we devised a novel letter-sequence version of the

n

-back experiment to collect EEG data, analyzed the neural oscillations in the theta and gamma bands, and then constructed Phase Lock Value (PLV) grounded brain networks to examine the synchronizations among dissimilar brain regions. The complex topology properties (e.g., global efficiency, local efficiency, and small-worldness) were scrutinized as well. Additionally, we presented an original algorithm, the Weighted

K

-Order Propagation Number (WKPN) algorithm, to extract the important brain regions associated with WM processes. The simulation revealed that the frontal and posterior regions were activated in two WM states, i.e., update and readout states. Throughout the readout, brain networks performed better in efficiency and resistance to interference. Furthermore, the right prefrontal and parietooccipital regions became more prominent in the completion of extra difficult WM tasks. In summary, these EEG-based results can be taken as promising evidence to understand and improve WM.
Presurgery Adhesion Molecules and Angiogenesis Biomarkers Are Differently Associated with Outcomes in Colon and Rectal Cancer: Results from the ColoCare Study
Authors: Ose Jennifer , Gigic Biljana , Hardikar Sheetal , Lin Tengda , Himbert Caroline , Warby Christy A. , Peoples Anita R. , Lindley Clara L. , Boehm Juergen , Schrotz-King Petra , Figueiredo Jane C. , Toriola Adetunji T. , Siegel Erin M. , Li Christopher I. , Ulrich Alexis , Schneider Martin , Shibata David , Ulrich Cornelia M.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Cell-to-cell adhesion and angiogenesis are hallmarks of cancer. No studies have examined associations of adhesion molecules and angiogenesis biomarkers with clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer.

Methods:

In presurgery serum from n = 426 patients with colorectal cancer (stage I–III), we investigated associations of CRP, SAA, adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1), and angiogenesis markers (VEGF-A and VEGF-D) with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and risk of recurrence. We computed HRs and 95% confidence intervals; adjusted for age, sex, BMI, stage, site, and study site, stratified by tumor site in exploratory analyses.

Results:

N = 65 (15%) were deceased, and 39 patients (14%) had a recurrence after a median follow-up of 31 months. We observed significant associations of biomarkers with OS, DFS, and risk of recurrence on a continuous scale and comparing top to bottom tertile, with HRs ranging between 1.19 and 13.92. CRP was associated with risk of death and recurrence in patients in the top tertile compared with patients in the bottom tertile, for example, risk of recurrence HRQ3-Q1: 13.92 (1.72–112.56). Significant heterogeneity between biomarkers and clinical outcomes was observed in stratified analysis by tumor site for CRP, SAA, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and VEGF-D. VEGF-D was associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of death for rectal cancer (HRlog2: 3.26; 95% CI, 1.58–6.70) compared with no association for colon cancer (HRlog2: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.35–1.73; Pheterogenity = 0.01).

Conclusions:

Adhesion molecules and angiogenesis biomarkers are independent prognostic markers for colorectal cancer, with differences by tumor site.

Impact:

There is need for tailored treatment for colon and rectal cancer.
Lectin Pathway Enzyme MASP-2 and Downstream Complement Activation in COVID-19
Authors: Götz Maximilian Peter , Skjoedt Mikkel-Ole , Bayarri-Olmos Rafael , Hansen Cecilie Bo , Pérez-Alós Laura , Jarlhelt Ida , Benfield Thomas , Rosbjerg Anne , Garred Peter
Published: July 2022

Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) is the main activator of the lectin complement pathway and has been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To study a possible association between MASP-2 and COVID-19, we aimed at developing a sensitive and reliable MASP-2 ELISA. From an array of novel mouse-monoclonal antibodies using recombinant MASP-2 as antigen, two clones were selected to create a sandwich ELISA. Plasma samples were obtained from 216 healthy controls, 347 convalescent COVID-19 patients, and 147 prospectively followed COVID-19 patients. The assay was specific towards MASP-2 and did not recognize the truncated MASP2 splice variant MAP-2 (MAp19). The limit of quantification was shown to be 0.1 ng/mL. MASP-2 concentration was found to be stable after multiple freeze-thaw cycles. In healthy controls, the mean MASP-2 concentration was 524 ng/mL (95% CI: 496.5–551.6). No significant difference was found in the MASP-2 concentrations between COVID-19 convalescent samples and controls. However, a significant increase was observed in prospectively followed COVID-19 patients (mean: 834 ng/mL [95% CI: 765.3–902.7, p < 0.0001]). In these patients, MASP-2 concentration correlated significantly with the concentrations of the terminal complement complex (ρ = 0.3596, p < 0.0001), with the lectin pathway pattern recognition molecules ficolin-2 (ρ = 0.2906, p = 0.0004) and ficolin-3 (ρ = 0.3952, p < 0.0001) and with C-reactive protein (ρ = 0.3292, p = 0.0002). Overall, we developed a specific quantitative MASP-2 sandwich ELISA. MASP-2 correlated with complement activation and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients, underscoring a possible role of MASP-2 in COVID-19 pathophysiology.
High MT2A Expression Predicts Worse Prognosis in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Li Wei-Ming , Ke Hung-Lung , Kuo Yu-Hsuan , Lai Hong-Yue , Chan Ti-Chun , Hsing Chung-Hsi , Hsieh Kun-Lin , Li Wan-Shan , Chen Tzu-Ju , Wei Yu-Ching , Wu Wen-Jeng , Huang Steven K. , Li Chien-Feng
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Dysregulation of metal ion homeostasis is associated with urothelial carcinogenesis. From a published urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma (UBUC) transcriptome, we identified metallothionein 2A (MT2A) as the most significantly upregulated gene implicated in cancer progression among metal ion binding-related genes. Therefore, we analyzed the association between MT2A expression and clinical significance in our well-characterized cohort of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and UBUC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics of 295 and 340 patients with UBUC and UTUC, respectively. MT2A expression was assessed using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. We further correlated MT2A expression with clinicopathological factors, disease-specific survival (DSS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) using the Pearson’s χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results: High MT2A expression was significantly associated with aggressive pathological features including high tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, high tumor grade, vascular invasion, and perineural invasion. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, high MT2A expression was significantly correlated with poor DSS (p < 0.0001) and MFS (p < 0.0001); in the multivariate analysis, it was an independent predictor of CSS (p < 0.001) and MFS (p = 0.001). Gene coexpression analysis demonstrated that MT2A overexpression promotes UC progression through complement activation. Conclusion: High MT2A expression correlated with aggressive UC features and was an independent predictor of cancer metastasis and patient survival, suggesting its role in risk stratification and decision-making in patients with UTUC and UBUC.
Role of Sarcopenia in Advanced Malignant Cutaneous Melanoma Treated with Immunotherapy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Surov Alexey , Meyer Hans-Jonas , Wienke Andreas
Published: July 2022

Introduction: The role of sarcopenia in malignant cutaneous melanoma is unclear. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to analyze the prevalence and clinical role of sarcopenia in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma based on a large cohort. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases were checked for relationships between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in melanoma up to September 2021. Overall, 6 studies including 719 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 40.23%. Sarcopenia did not influence dose-limiting toxicity of treatment, hazard ratio (HR) 1.01, 95% CI (0.70–1.47). Sarcopenia was associated with lower progression-free survival (PFS): HR 1.49, 95% CI (0.98–2.26), and lower overall survival (OS): HR 1.67, 95% CI (1.11–2.52). Conclusions: The cumulative prevalence of sarcopenia in malignant cutaneous melanoma is 40.77%. Sarcopenia is slightly associated with PFS and OS and it is not associated with treatment toxicity.
Human-Animal Studies in Israel: A Field in the Making
Authors: Hirsch-Matsioulas Orit , Ben-Yonatan Anat , Chen Limor , Sadetzki Yaara , Shir-Vertesh Dafna
Published: July 2022

This article outlines the emergence and development of human-animal studies in Israel (HASI). It sketches the changes the field has undergone and its accomplishments to date, identifying key challenges and opportunities. The article highlights two major shifts that HASI has undergone throughout the years: the first, an initial focus on animal-assisted therapy (AAT) that eventually gave way to a multidisciplinary approach to human-animal relations; and the second, a transition from a humanistic perspective to growing critical involvement in HAS and partial post-humanistic epistemology. The past and current institutional state of human-animal studies in Israel is traced, characterized by ongoing infrastructure changes, alongside a growing group of scholars that aim to develop the field. We conclude with a contemplation of future directions and prospects for HASI.
Take-Off in an Inhospitable Climate
Authors: Szalontai Balázs , Choi Changyong
Published: July 2022

The article examines the role of infrastructure, governance, and political stability in the development of export-oriented manufacturing (EOM) in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, comparing their experiences with Africa’s slower industrial growth. These factors occupy a prominent place in transaction cost economics, and the World Bank’s development programs strongly stressed infrastructure building and good governance. The article concludes that despite the assumptions expressed in the World Bank’s recommendations, neither efficient infrastructure nor good governance nor political stability constituted a prerequisite of EOM in the Asian latecomers. In these spheres, the performance of EOM-reliant Bangladesh and Cambodia was hardly favourable if compared to Vietnam, Laos, and Africa. Still, the contrast between Vietnam’s diversified industrial exports and the narrow export profile of Bangladesh and Cambodia implies that a country cannot evolve from factor-driven development to efficiency-driven and innovation-driven development without overcoming the problems of poor infrastructure, red tape, corruption, and political instability.
R2P and the Use of Force
Authors: Bellamy Alex J.
Published: July 2022

This piece examines the place of the use of force in R2P. It shows that a sceptical view about the use of force to protect populations, a view guided by the seemingly ‘endless wars’ of the global ‘war on terror’ and the troubled legacy of intervention in Libya, has become predominant. The principle’s earliest advocates went to considerable lengths to distinguish it from the bad old days of ‘humanitarian intervention’ in part to assuage fears and in part to burnish R2P’s apparent novelty. However, experience shows that in the face of determined perpetrators force, with all the problems that entails, sometimes is necessary to protect from populations. This piece suggests the need to bring the use of force back in to debates about implementing R2P
“In Control … Under Control”
Authors: Simpson Hannah
Published: July 2022

Allusions to gendered violence and sexual assault in Samuel Beckett’s works raise difficult questions in today’s classroom and theatre auditoria. So too does the physical subjugation that Beckett’s female actors often endure on stage. How far might our post-#MeToo sensibilities usefully inform our reading of instances of gendered subjugation and sexualised violence in Beckett’s theatre? This article focuses on Not I as a playtext that combines intimations of sexual assault with a history of female actors suffering physically in performance. It uses the lens of rape play—enacted for therapeutic value within the BDSM community for sexual assault survivors—to read Not I as an embodied trauma narrative, and to open up discussion of forms of coercion and consent in Beckett’s work.
UN Sanctions as Leverage in Mediation Processes?
Authors: Giumelli Francesco , Weber Annette
Published: July 2022

This article analyzes the role of UN sanctions in the context of peace negotiations in South Sudan from the outbreak of the civil war in December 2013 until the signing of the peace agreement in August 2015. Drawing on the literature regarding third-party intervention in civil wars, it explores whether the UN sanctions regime—established in March 2015—was conceived as an instrument of leverage to get the parties to agree to a settlement. The article asks two questions: Have sanctions and mediation been coordinated? Has the interlink between sanctions and mediation been successful? First, there has been little coordination between sanctions and mediation. Second, UN sanctions did not appear to play a crucial role in the mediation process. This analysis is based on desk research and nineteen interviews with officials from the UN, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other regional actors conducted between 2017 and 2018.
استعمالُ المشتَرَكِ الحَرْفِيِّ في معانيه من خلال القرآن الكريم: حرفُ “اللام“ في سورة العنكبوت نموذجًا
Authors: Haswa Maher Hussein , Abuzaina Mansour Mahmoud
Published: July 2022

The study dealt with the usages of common /l/ whether separated or attached. It tried to induce the meanings of /l/ linguistically and highlighted its uses in Al-Ankabūt Chapter. The study highlighted the relationship between the topics tackled in the chapter and the meanings and uses of /l/. The study eventually came to conclude that the different meanings of /l/ that reached 30 meanings for some, can actually be presumed to 6 meanings, all appearing in Al-Ankabūt Chapter in 23 verses; the non-functional /l/ in its 5 versions is initiative /l/, and it took place in 25 verses, all of them appealing to emphasis. Swearing /l/ is found in 3 verses, while Responsive /l/ that follows ‘without’ appeared once for emphasis, and Affirmative or imperative /l/ also used once for the sake of emphasis. This study also concluded that the use of /l/ in different meanings at once is possible as long as the meanings are not opposed.
Unique Radar Observations of Large Raindrops in Tropical Warm Rain during PISTON
Authors: Chudler Kyle , Rutledge Steven A. , Dolan Brenda
Published: July 2022

Isolated warm-rain cells are an important feature over the tropical oceans. Although warm rain is typically associated with relatively small raindrops, large raindrops (>4.5 mm in diameter) have been observed in some cases. Previous studies have examined warm rain cells with large drops on a case-study basis, but they have yet to be investigated in a broader, statistical sense. During the recent Propagation of Intraseasonal Oscillations (PISTON) field campaign, a C-band polarimetric radar routinely measured extreme values of differential reflectivity in small, isolated convection, indicating the presence of large drops. Using an objective feature identification and tracking algorithm, this study offers new insights to the structure and frequency of cells containing large drops. Cells with high differential reflectivity (>3.5 dB) were present in 24% of all radar scans. The cells were typically small (8-km2 mean area), short lived (usually <10 min), and shallow (3.7-km mean height). High differential reflectivity was more often found on the upwind side of the cells, suggesting a size sorting mechanism was operating establishing a low concentration of large drops on the upwind side. Differential reflectivity also tended to increase at lower altitudes, which is hypothesized to be due to continued drop growth and increasing temperature (increasing the dielectric constant of water). Rapid vertical cross-section radar scans, as well as transects made by a Learjet aircraft with onboard particle probes, are also used to analyze these cells, and support the conclusions drawn from statistical analysis.
Public Health System Response to the Healthcare Needs of an Indigenous Community in Kerala, India
Authors: Athira V.H.  , Nalini R.
Published: July 2022

The article aims to assess the public health system response towards the health scenario of an indigenous community in Kerala in order to draw conclusions on the success level and gaps in the tribal health administration. The study is a qualitative exploration through in-depth interviews of stakeholders. The research highlights progress, strengths, deficiencies and barriers relating to the planning and implementation of health care administration in Attappadi tribal block. The major themes reflect on the healthcare administration in terms of evidence–practice gap, health literacy and participatory planning, status of healthcare interventions, and decentralisation. Various parameters of corrective actions for the improvement in the administration are also discussed. There is a necessity to improvise health interventions with the participation of tribal communities to derive sustainable solutions. Innovative and tailor-made programmes which rely on evidence-based, strength-based and collaborative approaches can improve the healthcare administration among the tribal communities.
Stopping state repression: An examination of spells
Authors: Davenport Christian , Appel Benjamin J
Published: July 2022

While research into why repression/human rights violation goes up or down has thrived over the past 50 years, essentially no effort has been made to examine what stops this behavior once under way – especially activity that is large-scale as well as violent. To address this topic, we put forward the idea of a repressive spell (similar to that in the study of war, civil war, and terrorism) and a new theoretical framework that conceptualizes repression as a sticky process that is unlikely to terminate unless it is disturbed in some manner. Such an orientation is important because it leads us to conclude that disturbance is more likely to happen under situations of democratization compared to any of the factors typically highlighted in the literature and relevant policy community. Investigating a new database regarding 239 large-scale repression spells from 1976 to 2006, we find that democratization is associated with spell-termination and there is little systematic pacifying influence from anything else. Additionally, we find that nonviolent movements for change principally drive democratization but that these movements have little direct impact on state repression spells in and of themselves.
A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study of Norwegian Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs About Sources of Teaching Knowledge and Motivation to Learn From Theory and Practice
Authors: Ferguson Leila E. , Bråten Ivar , Skibsted Jensen Magne , Andreassen Ulf Rune
Published: July 2022

We set out to investigate preservice teachers’ beliefs about sources of teaching knowledge and their motivation to learn from practice and theory in teacher education in a longitudinal study ( n = 96, at the beginning of the study). Participants placed more trust in experiential knowledge sources compared with formalized sources and participants’ beliefs about sources of teaching knowledge generally predicted their motivation to learn from different sources. Quantitative results were further supported and elaborated by qualitative interview data that suggested development of preservice teachers’ beliefs about sources of teaching knowledge and their understanding of the relation between theoretical and practical knowledge over time. The findings extend existing literature by providing a window on how (preservice) teachers may articulate their views about sources of teaching knowledge and relations between theory and practice, with expected consequences for teaching practice. Implications for teacher educators’ practice are also discussed.
Secrecy & anonymity in donor assisted conception and the right to genetic origins information: The current status in Greece
Authors: Koukoulis Andreas-Nikolaos
Published: July 2022

When the issue of donor assisted conception arises, two bioethical and legal issues have to be answered. Firstly, when can a donor be considered as a legal parent of a child who claims to have been born through his genetic material? Secondly, should anonymous sperm donation be allowed? In this article, these questions are answered according to Greek Law. Also, the author provides integrated solutions to legal problems.
The Political Work of “Culture” in Struggles to Reform the Mexican State
Authors: Graizbord Diana , Souza Leão Luciana de
Published: July 2022

This article addresses the question of how state officials promote reform and generate buy-in absent sanctioning power. We examine how, in such cases, reformers deploy culture as a “category of practice” to articulate political projects, direct resources and energies, and make certain reform efforts possible. Drawing on participant observation and 120 in-depth interviews, we examine culture-talk and culture-work within efforts aimed at implementing monitoring and evaluation policies in Mexico. We find culture-talk helps reformers account for failure and set their reform efforts apart from competing proposals, while culture-work seduces cooperation and ensures reformers access to different parts of the state. We argue that when mobilized against the challenges reformers face, culture narratives and practices have important political effects, contributing to the legitimation, expanding jurisdiction, and organizational survival of reform niches in Mexico. Our argument illuminates the cultural dimensions of political reform and the performative power of state reform actors.
A multi-energy load prediction of a building using the multi-layer perceptron neural network method with different optimization algorithms
Authors: Yan Zhongzhen , Zhu Xinyuan , Wang Xianglong , Ye Zhiwei , Guo Feng , Xie Lei , Zhang Guiju
Published: July 2022

Since cooling and heating loads are recognized as key characteristics for evaluating the energy efficiency of buildings, it appears indisputable that they must be predicted and analyzed for residential structures. Accordingly, the multi-layer perceptron neural network is applied for predicting the heating and cooling loads using the experimental dataset. The used dataset is obtained by monitoring the impact of the building's dimensions on energy consumption. To optimize the training process of the multi-layer perceptron neural network, several optimizers are employed. Besides, different statistical performance indicators are considered to see which selected optimizer outperforms the rest in terms of accuracy and authenticity. The obtained results emphasize the remarkable performance of adaptive chaotic grey wolf optimization, which can be used to train the multi-layer perceptron neural network and forecast the buildings’ energy consumption with the highest accuracy. According to the obtained results, the hybrid multi-layer perceptron neural network- adaptive chaotic grey wolf optimization method demonstrates the best performance. The optimum number of neurons in the hidden layer is obtained to be 15. Also, based on the statistical performance indicators, the selected method reveals an R2 of 0.9123 and 0.9419 for cooling and heating loads, respectively.
Intraosseous Hemangioma of the Ethmoid Sinus: A Case Report
Authors: Deng Yuhui , Shi Yi , Chen Xiaocai , Hu Weiqi , Xu Weimin
Published: July 2022

Intraosseous hemangiomas usually occur in the vertebrae and skull bones, whereas those arising within the nasal cavity are exceedingly rare. Here, we describe the case of a 40-year-old woman with nasal congestion who presented to our hospital with a tumor located in the left nasal cavity. Unenhanced paranasal computed tomography revealed an approximately 3 cm large mass originating from the anterior wall of the ethmoid sinus. Pre-operative imaging failed to reveal the etiology of the mass. The tumor was successfully resected using a trans-nasal endoscopic approach without pre-operative embolization. No complications occurred during the post-operative period, and there was no evidence of recurrence at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed endothelium-lined blood-filled vascular spaces within the bony trabecule, suggesting a pattern typical of intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Thus, although intraosseous hemangiomas of the nasal cavity are extremely rare, they must be considered when a bony mass is detected in the nasal cavity.
Making an art into a science: a mathematical “Likert tool” can change PI-RADS (v2) scores into Likert scores when reporting multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer
Authors: Stevens William Mark , Parchment-Smith Catherine , Melling Philip Peter , Smith Jonathan Timothy
Published: July 2022

Background

When reporting multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer, UK national guidelines recommend allocating both Likert and PI-RAD scores. Likert scores have been shown to better predict clinically significant cancer (csPCa) but are subjective and lack standardization.

Purpose

To compare differences in outcomes between the scoring systems and create a mathematical tool that can help to objectively allocate Likert scores.

Material and Methods

A total of 791 patients referred with query prostate cancer between 2017 and 2019 were prospectively allocated PI-RADS and Likert scores by a single experienced reporter. Histology results were used to compare the predictive accuracy of both scoring systems. A “Likert tool” was created based on a logistic regression of features found to be predictors of csPCa in a cohort of 2018–2019 patients (n = 411). Its performance was evaluated.

Results

Assuming a policy whereby patients with a PI-RADS/Likert score of ≥3 are biopsied, Likert scoring (sensitivity 0.92, specificity 0.77) would have resulted in 107 fewer biopsies and 20.3% higher cancer yields than the PI-RADS score (sensitivity 0.99, specificity 0.43). Thirteen patients would have avoided over-diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (iPCa). Similar outcomes (111 fewer biopsies, 22.3% increase in cancer yield, iPCa diagnosis avoided in 16 patients) could be seen when the “Likert tool” was applied to the same patient cohort (sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.79) and to a separate cohort (n = 380).

Conclusion

PI-RADS and Likert scores are different. A “Likert tool” could reduce inter-reporter variability, decrease the number of patients unnecessarily biopsied, increase csPCa yield, and decrease over-diagnosis of iPCa.
Central venous catheters-related-thrombosis and risk factors in oncological patients: A retrospective evaluation of recent risk scores
Authors: Taglialatela Ida , Mariani Luigi , Dotti Katia Fiorella , Di Vico Laura , Pisanu Maria Neve , Facchinetti Claudia , De Braud Filippo , Ferrari Laura Anna Maria
Published: July 2022

Background:

Insertions of central venous catheters (CVC) has become a common practice in Onco-Hematologic Units to administer systemic treatments. Unfortunately they can cause complications influencing patient’s care-pathway significantly. Oncological patients have a higher thrombotic risk than the general population, therefore specific recent risk scores are spreading through the clinical practice, such as Khorana, Protecht, COMPASS-CAT, and Michigan scores.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort of 177 out of a total of 3046 outpatients accessing the Medical Day Hospital of Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano from March 2019 to February 2021 aged ⩾ 18 years who developed CVC complications was analyzed extracting clinical data from their medical records. Focusing on the risk factors, especially through recent risk scores to estimate the thrombotic risk we used Wilcoxon-test for continuous variables and the Pearson-Chi-Square test for categorical variables.

Results:

Anticoagulants resulted a protective factor mostly for partial CVC occlusion (p = 0.0001), preventing CVC occlusions. CVC occlusions were significantly associated with epitelial tumor histotype, (p = 0.0061). Complete CVC occlusions were significantly associated with peripherical inserted central venous catheters (PICC) (p < 0.0001). Catheter-related-thrombosis (CRT) was significantly associated with peripherical-inserted-central-venous-catheter, both when it was diagnosed clinically (p = 0.0121) and radiographically (p = 0.0168). There was a strong association between CRT and a high grade of Khorana Score (p = 0.0195), Protecht Score (p = 0.0412), COMPASS-CAT Score (p = 0.0027). A positive statistical trend was observed between the Michigan Score and CRT in patients carrying PICC (p = 0.053).

Conclusions:

There are many different and various factors associated with higher or lower risk of CVC thrombotic complications, so it could be useful to test the recent risk scores to estimate thrombotic risk in oncological patients in clinical practice.
Signs and Their Temporality: The Performative Power of Interpretation in the Supreme Court
Authors: Moore Abigail Cary
Published: July 2022

Building on pragmatist uses of semiotics as a heuristic for understanding social interaction, this article argues that temporality is a significant and undertheorized component of signs and their interpretation. Using transcripts from the oral argumentation of a Supreme Court case, I examine how different interpretations of the same sign (a burning cross) rely not only on differing understandings of the sign’s object and how that object is signified but also, more specifically, differing understandings of the sign’s relationship to the past, present, and future.
Religion and civilization in the sociology of Norbert Elias: Fantasy–reality balances in long-term perspective
Authors: Linklater Andrew
Published: July 2022

Many sociologists have drawn attention to the puzzling absence of a detailed discussion of religion in Elias’s investigation of the European civilizing process. Elias did not develop a sociology of religion, but he did not overlook the importance of beliefs in the ‘spirit world’ in the history of human societies. In his writings such convictions were described as fantasy images that could be contrasted with ‘reality-congruent’ knowledge claims. Elias placed fantasy–reality balances, whether religious or secular, at the centre of the analysis of how societies have dealt with collective fears that arise in response to largely uncontrolled conditions. He located religious orientations within a broader framework of analysis regarding fantasy–reality balances in the first human groups and in current state-organized societies. Elias stressed how balances changed in ‘civilized’ societies with the rise of the natural sciences. But his writings emphasized the continuing influence of fantasy images in technologically sophisticated societies, particularly in the context of national and international power struggles. His analysis of how fantasy images acquired considerable influence under conditions of fear is important for studies of social responses to global challenges including climate change. Connections with Weber’s sociology of religion point the way to theoretically informed empirical research on balances between fantasy and reality-congruence in a tumultuous and unpredictable era.
Effects of the grinding conditions on geometry of microstructured surfaces fabricated via designed precision grinding
Authors: Monier Amr , Guo Bing , Zhao Qingliang , Guo Zhenfei , Mahmoud Tamer S. , Zhang Jun
Published: July 2022

Precision grinding is a promising method for machining microstructured surfaces. Controlling microstructured surface geometries provides interesting insights into the optimisation of their usage based on the application fields. This requires an understanding of the effects of the factors influencing the grinding process. The effects of the designed process parameters on the geometries of microstructured surfaces machined using precision grinding is investigated herein. The investigated parameters include the velocity ratio between the workpiece feed rate and wheel cutting velocity, in addition to the grinding depth of cut. First, a mathematical model is developed to correlate the designed grinding parameters and the resultant geometry of the ground microstructured surfaces; furthermore, the geometrical parameters of the surface microstructures are defined. Subsequently, an algorithm and a simulation method are used to illustrate the change in the microstructure geometries with varying operating parameters. Subsequently, precision grinding experiments under various conditions are performed on the surfaces of TC4 titanium alloys for experimental investigations. The obtained microstructure geometries are analysed and compared with those predicted via simulation. The results confirmed the accuracy and ability of proposed strategy in designing and machining the microstructured surfaces with controlled geometry via precision grinding. Finally, the behaviour of the geometrical parameters of the microstructured surfaces based on the investigated operating parameters is discussed.
Personality Across World Regions Predicts Variability in the Structure of Face Impressions
Authors: Oh DongWon , Martin Jared D. , Freeman Jonathan B.
Published: July 2022

Research on face impressions has often focused on a fixed, universal architecture, treating regional variability as noise. Here, we demonstrated a crucial yet neglected role of cultural learning processes in forming face impressions. In Study 1, we found that variability in the structure of adult perceivers’ face impressions across 42 world regions ( N = 287,178) could be explained by variability in the actual personality structure of people living in those regions. In Study 2, data from 232 world regions ( N = 307,136) revealed that adult perceivers use the actual personality structure learned from their local environment to form lay beliefs about personality, and these beliefs in turn support the structure of perceivers’ face impressions. Together, these results suggest that people form face impressions on the basis of a conceptual understanding of personality structure that they have come to learn from their regional environment. The findings suggest a need for greater attention to the regional and cultural specificity of face impressions.
Morphologic Pattern, Frequency, and Spatial Distribution of Lymphovascular Invasion Foci in Radical Prostatectomy Specimens
Authors: Al Qa’qa’ Shifaa’ , Downes Michelle R. , Jain Rahi , van der Kwast Theodorus
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is an adverse pathological finding in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens associated with increased risk of metastatic disease. Its variable incidence may be attributed to underreporting. We characterized the location, quantity, and morphology of LVI foci in RP specimens and assessed the relationship between LVI and cribriform and intraductal carcinoma and metastatic risk. Methods. Two pathologists reviewed retrospectively 54 RP specimens reported as positive for LVI. Ambiguous cases were confirmed by immunostaining for ERG, CD31 and D2-40. Results. In 4/54 (7.4%), LVI could not be confirmed. Main mimickers of LVI were retraction artifact and dislodged tumor cells. Based on our review, the most important criteria to distinguish LVI from its mimickers were a corrugated lining of vascular spaces, endothelial nuclei bulging into the lumen, and presence of proteinaceous material. The LVI frequency per case ranged from 1 to 109 (median 7.5). In 47/50 (94%) cases with LVI, the associated carcinoma comprised cribriform pattern and/or intraductal carcinoma. The most common morphology of LVI foci was cribriform, occurring in 43/50 specimens, representing 469/843 (56%) of LVI foci. Most LVI foci were intraprostatic and located at the carcinoma-stroma interface. Particularly the risk of bone metastases during follow-up was independently associated with higher frequency of LVI foci ( P = .009). Conclusions. The detailed description of prostatic LVI, and awareness of their predominant location and morphology may help its identification and improve the diagnostic accuracy of LVI in pathology reporting. The clinical impact of LVI quantification in prostate cancer needs validation by further studies.
Stability of general asymmetric-anisotropic rotors subject to harmonic follower force
Authors: Khader Naim , Magableh Mohammad NA
Published: July 2022

The presented work examines the stability of general rotors subject to harmonic follower force. The examined rotor consists of asymmetric Timoshenko shaft carrying asymmetric rigid disk and supported by anisotropic flexible bearings. The assumed modes method is combined with Lagrange’s equation to derive the governing equations of motion with the help of symbolic computation. The employed approach resulted in equations of motion with multi-frequency periodic coefficients, and Floquet’s method was used to determine stability boundaries of the considered rotors. After validation of the proposed mathematical model, it was employed to examine the combined effect of rotor asymmetry, support anisotropy, and rotor speed on its stability in the presence of harmonic follower force. The presented results show that the considered general rotor exhibits both subharmonic and combination instabilities, which were completely identified and investigated. Additional higher order subharmonic and combination instabilities are observed for general rotors only.
Axiology of Tourism Shopping: A Cross-Level Investigation of Value-in-the-Experience (VALEX)
Authors: Wong IpKin Anthony , Huang GuoQiong Ivanka , Li Zhuo Catherine
Published: July 2022

This study draws on the premise of value-in-the-experience (VALEX), axiology, and situated cognition to investigate how value is contextualized within a broader social system that is manifested through the service environment where the shopping experience occurs. A cross-level framework is proposed to examine how shopping value is embedded within the broader setting. Findings reveal that the broader shopping environment is a facilitator of the value–experience process when tourists are seeking hedonic value, while it is a disabler when they are seeking utilitarian value. This inquiry opens a new avenue of research in shopping tourism, with a focus on a more complex dynamic of value-in-context based on situated cognition.
Total hip arthroplasty using an alkali- and heat-treated titanium Zweymüller stem with no trochanteric shoulder: results at 5-year follow-up
Authors: Tsukada Sachiyuki , Wakui Motohiro
Published: July 2022

Background:

A trochanteric shoulder is 1 of the characteristics of the original Zweymüller femoral stem for total hip arthroplasty (THA). There have been few clinical reports of THA using recently available versions of Zweymüller-type stems with eliminated trochanteric shoulder.

Methods:

82 consecutive THAs with a Zweymüller-type stem without trochanteric shoulder were analyzed. The stem was made of alkali- and heat-treated titanium, straight, tapered, with rectangular cross-section. Survivorship was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results:

76 of 82 hips (92.7%) were followed for more than 5 years or until revision. 35 of 82 hips (42.7%), were revised and the predominant reason for revision was aseptic loosening of the femoral stem (34 of 35 hips, 97.1%). Survival with revision for any reason as the endpoint was 71.3% (95% CI, 51.8% to 80.1%) at 5 years.

Conclusions:

The survival of the modified Zweymüller-type stem with no trochanteric shoulder was unacceptably low.
Identification of self-lubricative mode for the ultrasonic treated AA6061-B4C-CNT hybrid composites
Authors: Surendran KT Sunu , Gnanavelbabu A , Rajkumar K.
Published: July 2022

This research investigates the self-lubricative behavior of boron carbide (B4C) and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced 6061 aluminium alloy hybrid composites. Hybrid composites were prepared by varying the volume percentages (5–15%) of B4C and CNT. Novel ultrasonic vibration (frequency of 20 kHz and power of 2.5 kW) assisted stir casting process was used for fabricating hybrid composites. A pin-on-disc type tribometer mounted with EN-8 as the counterface material was used to evaluate the friction and wear behavior of hybrid composites under dry sliding conditions. Normal loads ranging from 15–45 N and sliding speeds ranging from 1–2 m/s were applied during the experiments. The self-lubricative properties of different hybrid composites were assessed through the examination of the worn surface of pins using surface characterization techniques such as Scanning electron microscopy, Electron dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The experimental results indicated that the addition of CNT particles increased the hardness of hybrid composites. The matrix strengthening efficiency of CNT was found to be greater at 10 vol.% of B4C, indicating a maximum hardness ranging from 102 to 109 VHN. In comparison, 10 vol.% of CNT hybrid composites showed superior tribological performance at all wear testing conditions. The mode of wear of hybrid composites suggested by the analysis on the worn pin surface was as follows: Scarce (5 vol.% CNT), Tribolayer (10 vol.% CNT) and Fracture (15 vol.% CNT).