bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of total harmonic distortion of miniature loudspeakers used in mobile phones considering nonlinear acoustic damping
Authors: Huang Jie , Feng Xuelei , Chen Simiao , Shen Yong
Published: March 2021

Total harmonic distortion (THD) plays an important role in the performance of miniature loudspeakers used in mobile phones. Traditional nonlinear models fail to predict THD in the higher frequency domain. Significant discrepancies can be found between the prediction and measurement. In this study, an extended model considering nonlinear acoustic damping is proposed to address this issue. Flow separation occurring near the orifices of the sound port is of particular interest. Two velocity-dependent parameters were derived to model the nonlinear damping effect. Based on the extended model, the dynamics of miniature loudspeakers are described using the state-space method. Experiments and calculations confirm the validity of the extended model. The influence of nonlinear acoustic damping on THD is also discussed.
Sub-optimal construction of an auditory profile from temporally distributed spectral information
Authors: Richards Virginia M. , Tisby Mariel Kazuko , Suzuki-Gill Eli N. , Shen Yi
Published: March 2021

When spectral components of a complex sound are presented not simultaneously but distributed over time, human listeners can still, to a degree, perceptually recover the spectral profile of the sound. This capability of integrating spectral information over time was investigated using a cued informational masking paradigm. Listeners detected a 1-kHz pure tone in a simultaneous masker composed of six random-frequency tones drawn on every trial. The spectral profile of the masker was cued using a precursor sound that consisted of a sequence of 50-ms bursts, separated by inter-burst intervals of 100 ms. Each burst in the precursor consisted of pure tones at the masker frequencies with tones appearing at each of the masker frequencies at different presentation probabilities. As the presentation probability increased in different conditions, the detectability of the target improved, indicating reliable precursor cuing regarding the spectral content of the masker. For many listeners, performance did not significantly improve as the number of precursor bursts increased from 2 to 16, indicating inefficient integration of information beyond 2 bursts. Additional analyses suggest that when intensity of the bursts is relatively constant, the contribution of the precursor is dominated by information in the initial burst.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Toxin CpnT Is an ESX-5 Substrate and Requires Three Type VII Secretion Systems for Intracellular Secretion
Authors: Izquierdo Lafuente B. , Ummels R. , Kuijl C. , Bitter W. , Speer A.
Published: March 2021

CpnT, a NAD
+
glycohydrolase, is the only known toxin that is secreted by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. CpnT is composed of two domains; the C-terminal domain is the toxin, whereas the N-terminal domain is required for secretion.
Nutraceuticals Induced Changes in the Broiler Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota
Authors: Tolnai Emese , Fauszt Peter , Fidler Gabor , Pesti-Asboth Georgina , Szilagyi Endre , Stagel Aniko , Konya Jozsef , Szabo Judit , Stundl Laszlo , Babinszky Laszlo , Remenyik Judit , Biro Sandor , Paholcsek Melinda
Published: March 2021

In this trial, nutraceuticals were manufactured from waste products of food industry processing of Hungarian red sweet pepper and sour cherry and incorporated into the diet of poultry to investigate their effects on broilers’ growth and the broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. To avoid the generation of food waste products, we believe that this approach can be developed into a sustainable, green approach that can be implemented in commercial antibiotic-free poultry to provide safe and high-quality meat.
Reducing negative emotions in children using social robots: systematic review
Authors: Littler Brenda Kimbembi Maleco , Alessa Tourkiah , Dimitri Paul , Smith Christine , de Witte Luc
Published: March 2021

Background

For many children, visiting the hospital can lead to a state of increased anxiety. Social robots are being explored as a possible tool to reduce anxiety and distress in children attending a clinical or hospital environment. Social robots are designed to communicate and interact through movement, music and speech.

Objective

This systematic review aims at assessing the current evidence on the types of social robots used and their impact on children’s anxiety or distress levels when visiting the hospital for outpatient appointments or planned admissions.

Methods

Databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, PsychINFO and Google Scholar were queried for papers published between January 2009 and August 2020 reporting the use of social robots interacting with children in hospital or clinical environments.

Results

A total of 10 studies were located and included. Across these 10 studies, 7 different types of robots were used. Anxiety and distress were found to be reduced in the children who interacted with a social robot.

Conclusions

Overall, the evidence suggests that social robots hold a promising role in reducing levels of anxiety or distress in children visiting the hospital. However, research on social robots is at an early stage and requires further studies to strengthen the evidence base.
Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation or surveillance in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus with confirmed low-grade dysplasia: a multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Barret Maximilien , Pioche Mathieu , Terris Benoit , Ponchon Thierry , Cholet Franck , Zerbib Frank , Chabrun Edouard , Le Rhun Marc , Coron Emmanuel , Giovannini Marc , Caillol Fabrice , Laugier René , Jacques Jeremie , Legros Romain , Boustiere Christian , Rahmi Gabriel , Metivier-Cesbron Elodie , Vanbiervliet Geoffroy , Bauret Paul , Escourrou Jean , Branche Julien , Jilet Lea , Abdoul Hendy , Kaddour Nadira , Leblanc Sarah , Bensoussan Michael , Prat Frederic , Chaussade Stanislas
Published: March 2021

Objective

Due to an annual progression rate of Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) between 9% and 13% per year endoscopic ablation therapy is preferred to surveillance. Since this recommendation is based on only one randomised trial, we aimed at checking these results by another multicentre randomised trial with a similar design.

Design

A prospective randomised study was performed in 14 centres comparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (maximum of 4 sessions) to annual endoscopic surveillance, including patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BO with LGD. Primary outcome was the prevalence of LGD at 3 years. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of LGD at 1 year, the complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) at 3 years, the rate of neoplastic progression at 3 years and the treatment-related morbidity.

Results

125 patients were initially included, of whom 82 with confirmed LGD (76 men, mean age 62.3 years) were finally randomised, 40 patients in the RFA and 42 in the surveillance group. At 3 years, CE-IM rates were 35% vs 0% in the RFA and surveillance groups, respectively (p<0.001). At the same time, the prevalence LGD was 34.3% (95% CI 18.6 to 50.0) in the RFA group vs 58.1% (95% CI 40.7 to 75.4) in the surveillance group (OR=0.38 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.02), p=0.05). Neoplastic progression was found in 12.5% (RFA) vs 26.2% (surveillance; p=0.15). The complication rate was maximal after the first RFA treatment (16.9%).

Conclusion

RFA modestly reduced the prevalence of LGD as well as progression risk at 3 years. The risk-benefit balance of endoscopic ablation therapy should therefore be carefully weighted against surveillance in patients with BO with confirmed LGD.

Trial registration number

NCT01360541.
De novo TRPV4 Leu619Pro variant causes a new channelopathy characterised by giant cell lesions of the jaws and skull, skeletal abnormalities and polyneuropathy
Authors: Ragamin Aviel , Gomes Carolina C , Bindels-de Heus Karen , Sandoval Renata , Bassenden Angelia V , Dib Luciano , Kok Fernando , Alves Julieta , Mathijssen Irene , Medici-Van den Herik Evita , Eveleigh Robert , Gayden Tenzin , Pullens Bas , Berghuis Albert , van Slegtenhorst Marjon , Wilke Martina , Jabado Nada , Mancini Grazia Maria Simonetta , Gomez Ricardo Santiago
Published: March 2021

Background

Pathogenic germline variants in Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 Cation Channel (TRPV4) lead to channelopathies, which are phenotypically diverse and heterogeneous disorders grossly divided in neuromuscular disorders and skeletal dysplasia. We recently reported in sporadic giant cell lesions of the jaws (GCLJs) novel, somatic, heterozygous, gain-of-function mutations in TRPV4, at Met713.

Methods

Here we report two unrelated women with a de novo germline p.Leu619Pro TRPV4 variant and an overlapping systemic disorder affecting all organs individually described in TRPV4 channelopathies.

Results

From an early age, both patients had several lesions of the nervous system including progressive polyneuropathy, and multiple aggressive giant cell-rich lesions of the jaws and craniofacial/skull bones, and other skeletal lesions. One patient had a relatively milder disease phenotype possibly due to postzygotic somatic mosaicism. Indeed, the TRPV4 p.Leu619Pro variant was present at a lower frequency (variant allele frequency (VAF)=21.6%) than expected for a heterozygous variant as seen in the other proband, and showed variable regional frequency in the GCLJ (VAF ranging from 42% to 10%). In silico structural analysis suggests that the gain-of-function p.Leu619Pro alters the ion channel activity leading to constitutive ion leakage.

Conclusion

Our findings define a novel polysystemic syndrome due to germline TRPV4 p.Leu619Pro and further extend the spectrum of TRPV4 channelopathies. They further highlight the convergence of TRPV4 mutations on different organ systems leading to complex phenotypes which are further mitigated by possible post-zygotic mosaicism. Treatment of this disorder is challenging, and surgical intervention of the GCLJ worsens the lesions, suggesting the future use of MEK inhibitors and TRPV4 antagonists as therapeutic modalities for unmet clinical needs.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with SLE
Authors: Tang Wei , Askanase Anca D , Khalili Leila , Merrill Joan T
Published: March 2021

As the Moderna (mRNA-1273) and Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccines become available to patients with autoimmune diseases and SLE, practitioners will have to inform them about the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Here we discuss the challenges of applying vaccine data to patients with autoimmune diseases and the evidence available in the literature that may help in the decision process.
Two tobacco retailer programmes in Banyuwangi, Indonesia: a qualitative study
Authors: Azzahro Eqia Arum , Dewi Desak Made Sintha Kurnia , Puspikawati Septa Indra , Handayani Rizky Putri , Ayodya Gayatri , Prayogi Ahmad Rido'i Yuda , Sebayang Susy K
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The tobacco retail density in Indonesia is very high, and tobacco companies are creative at promoting their products at point of sale (POS). The study explores the strategies employed by tobacco companies through their retailer programmes in Banyuwangi, Indonesia.

Methods

In 2019 we conducted observation and indepth interviews with the owners/keepers of 12 retailers with Sampoerna Retail Community (SRC) signs and 6 retailers with Gudang Garam Strategic Partnership signs placed as store names in front of their stores. We analysed the data to identify key strategies used by each tobacco company.

Results

Gudang Garam promoted more visibility of their own products, while Sampoerna promoted their products in a power wall and also rearranged other products sold in the store to attract more customers. Sampoerna educated their retailers to attract and retain more customers by using schemes such as reward points and coupons. Sampoerna also developed and promoted the use of a mobile application for online sales.

Conclusions

Both programmes promote product and brand display at retailers to create brand loyalty. The SRC mobile application for online sales is potentially attractive to young customers and allows for data collection about retail and customer purchase behaviours that can be used for tailored marketing. Tobacco sales promotion strategies should be strongly regulated. Banning indoor tobacco advertisement, promotion and tobacco display at POS should be encouraged.
Exclusive dilepton production at forward rapidities in PbPb collisions
Authors: Goncalves V. P. , Martins D. E. , Rangel M. S.
Published: March 2021

The dilepton production at forward rapidities in diffractive and exclusive processes present in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at the LHC is investigated. Predictions for the $$e^+ e^-$$

e
+

e
-

, $$\mu ^+ \mu ^-$$

μ
+

μ
-

and $$\tau ^+ \tau ^-$$

τ
+

τ
-

cross sections are presented taking into account of realistic cuts that can be implemented by the LHCb Collaboration in a future experimental analysis. Our results indicate that the background associated with the diffractive production can be strongly suppressed and the exclusive processes can be cleanly separated. For the $$\tau ^+ \tau ^-$$

τ
+

τ
-

production, the semi and purely leptonic decay channels are considered. Our results indicate that a future experimental analysis of the dilepton production at the LHCb is feasible and can be useful to search for BSM physics.
Measurement of the principal quantum number distribution in a beam of antihydrogen atoms
Authors: Kolbinger B. , Amsler C. , Cuendis S. Arguedas , Breuker H. , Capon A. , Costantini G. , Dupré P. , Fleck M. , Gligorova A. , Higaki H. , Kanai Y. , Kletzl V. , Kuroda N. , Lanz A. , Leali M. , Mäckel V. , Malbrunot C. , Mascagna V. , Massiczek O. , Matsuda Y. , Murtagh D. J. , Nagata Y. , Nanda A. , Nowak L. , Radics B. , Sauerzopf C. , Simon M. C. , Tajima M. , Torii H. A. , Uggerhøj U. , Ulmer S. , Venturelli L. , Weiser A. , Wiesinger M. , Widmann E. , Wolz T. , Yamazaki Y. , Zmeskal J.
Published: March 2021

The ASACUSA (Atomic Spectroscopy And Collisions Using Slow Antiprotons) collaboration plans to measure the ground-state hyperfine splitting of antihydrogen in a beam at the CERN Antiproton Decelerator with initial relative precision of$$10^{-6}$$10-6or better, to test the fundamental CPT (combination of charge conjugation, parity transformation and time reversal) symmetry between matter and antimatter. This challenging goal requires a polarised antihydrogen beam with a sufficient number of antihydrogen atoms in the ground state. The first measurement of the quantum state distribution of antihydrogen atoms in a low magnetic field environment of a few mT is described. Furthermore, the data-driven machine learning analysis to identify antihydrogen events is discussed.

Graphic Abstract
Add-On Chinese Medicine for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (ACCORD): A Retrospective Cohort Study of Hospital Registries
Authors: Shu Zixin , Chang Kai , Zhou Yana , Peng Chaoan , Li Xugui , Cai Wei , Wei Li , Zheng Qiguang , Tian Haoyu , Xia Jianan , Yang Kuo , Wang Ning , Liu Jifen , Min Xiaojun , Yan Dengying , Sun Jing , Wu Huan , Li Xiaomeng , Zheng Yi , Yu Zecong , Lu Xi , Yang Yuxia , Jia Ting , Ji Jinghui , Zou Qunzheng , Wang Yinyan , Xiao Minzhong , Zhang Qing , Xiong Yajuan , Sun Feng , Zhu Qiang , Jiang Xingxing , Wang Guodong , Tang Sydney Chi-Wai , Zhang Junhua , Li Xiuyang , Zhang Nevin , Zhang Boli , Tong Xiaolin , Liu Baoyan , Zhou Xuezhong , Chan Kam Wa , Li Xiaodong
Published: March 2021

Chinese medicine (CM) was extensively used to treat COVID-19 in China. We aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of add-on semi-individualized CM during the outbreak. A retrospective cohort of 1788 adult confirmed COVID-19 patients were recruited from 2235 consecutive linked records retrieved from five hospitals in Wuhan during 15 January to 13 March 2020. The mortality of add-on semi-individualized CM users and non-users was compared by inverse probability weighted hazard ratio (HR) and by propensity score matching. Change of biomarkers was compared between groups, and the frequency of CMs used was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed to stratify disease severity and dose of CM exposure. The crude mortality was 3.8% in the semi-individualized CM user group and 17.0% among the non-users. Add-on CM was associated with a mortality reduction of 58% (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.77, [Formula: see text] = 0.005) among all COVID-19 cases and 66% (HR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.76, [Formula: see text] = 0.009) among severe/critical COVID-19 cases demonstrating dose-dependent response, after inversely weighted with propensity score. The result was robust in various stratified, weighted, matched, adjusted and sensitivity analyses. Severe/critical patients that received add-on CM had a trend of stabilized D-dimer level after 3–7 days of admission when compared to baseline. Immunomodulating and anti-asthmatic CMs were most used. Add-on semi-individualized CM was associated with significantly reduced mortality, especially among severe/critical cases. Chinese medicine could be considered as an add-on regimen for trial use.
Gut Microbiota in Tumor Microenvironment: A Critical Regulator in Cancer Initiation and Development as Potential Targets for Chinese Medicine
Authors: Wang Li , Peng Fu , Peng Cheng , Du Jun-Rong
Published: March 2021

Cancer is a disease with a high mortality and disability rate. Cancer consists not only of cancer cells, but also of the surrounding microenvironment and tumor microenvironment (TME) constantly interacting with tumor cells to support tumor development and progression. Over the last decade, accumulating evidence has implicated that microbiota profoundly influences cancer initiation and progression. Most research focuses on gut microbiota, for the gut harbors the largest collection of microorganisms. Gut microbiota includes bacteria, viruses, protozoa, archaea, and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting DNA damage, host immune response and chronic inflammation in various types of cancer (i.e., colon cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer). Notably, gut dysbiosis can reshape tumor microenvironment and make it favorable for tumor growth. Recently, accumulating studies have attached the importance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to cancer treatments, and the bioactive natural compounds have been considered as potential drug candidates to suppress cancer initiation and development. Interestingly, more recent studies demonstrate that TCM could potentially prevent and suppress early-stage cancer progression through the regulation of gut microbiota. This review is on the purpose of exhausting the significance of gut microbiota in the tumor microenvironment as potential targets of Chinese medicine.
Xanthorrhizol Suppresses Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Angiogenesis by Modulating Akt/eNOS Signaling and the NF-κB-Dependent Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules
Authors: Lee Sun Kyoung , Kim Mi-Jeong , Son Seung Hwa , Kim Ki Rim , Park Kwang-Kyun , Chung Won-Yoon
Published: March 2021

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation and migration are critical steps in tumor angiogenesis. Here, we investigated the anti-angiogenic activity of xanthorrhizol, a sesquiterpenoid isolated from the Indonesian medicinal plant Curcuma xanthorrhiza. Xanthorrhizol at noncytotoxic concentrations inhibited the proliferation, migration, and formation of capillary-like tubes in VEGF-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Xanthorrhizol inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and E-selectin in VEGF-treated HUVECs. The expression and transcriptional activity of NF-[Formula: see text]B were downregulated by xanthorrhizol in VEGF-treated HUVECs. Furthermore, xanthorrhizol significantly inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized eggs and Matrigel plugs subcutaneously injected into mice. Xanthorrhizol inhibited tumor volume and tumor-derived angiogenesis in mice inoculated with breast cancer cells. The in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic activities of xanthorrhizol were as potent as those of curcumin, a well-known anticancer agent derived from C. longa. Taken together, xanthorrhizol inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis of endothelial cells by blocking the activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS axis and subsequent upregulation of adhesion molecules induced by the transcriptional activation of NF-[Formula: see text]B. Xanthorrhizol is a promising anti-angiogenic agent and can serve as a beneficial agent to enhance anticancer treatments.
Recent LIGO-Virgo discoveries
Authors: Isi Maximiliano
Published: March 2021

The LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors carried out the first half of their third observing run from April through October 2019. During this period, they detected 39 new signals from the coalescence of black holes or neutron stars, more than quadrupling the total number of detected events. These detections included some unprecedented sources, like a pair of black holes with unequal masses (GW190412), a massive pair of neutron stars (GW190425), a black hole potentially in the supernova pair-instability mass gap (GW190521), and either the lightest black hole or the heaviest neutron star known to date (GW190814). Collectively, the full set of signals provided astrophysically valuable information about the distributions of compact objects and their evolution throughout cosmic history. It also enabled more constraining and diverse tests of general relativity, including new probes of the fundamental nature of black holes. This review summarizes the highlights of these results and their implications.
Observational aspect of black hole dark matter
Authors: Stodolsky L.
Published: March 2021

Advances in high angular resolution astronomy make it conceivable that black hole dark matter could be detected via angular deviation effects.

Assuming the dark matter in the galaxy is made of solar mass black holes, there is a nontrivial probability that a line-of-sight through the galaxy, leads to [Formula: see text]’s deviations, a value that has been discussed for various astronomical projects.

In cosmology, the effects are magnified by an increased density at early times and an opening of angles due to redshift. We stress the interest of the resolution in observations on the CMB and emphasize the distinction between this and the power spectrum. If the dark matter is made of primordial black holes, present at the CMB, random deflections of the CMB photons lead to a limit on the angular resolution, approximately [Formula: see text] rad, with [Formula: see text] the mass of the black holes. Using the resolutions of [Formula: see text] demonstrated in observations of the “acoustic peaks” then implies the limit [Formula: see text]. While this large value seems uninteresting, improved resolutions would lead to significant exclusion limits or conceivably the discovery of primordial black holes.
Diverse solitary and Jacobian solutions in a continually laminated fluid with respect to shear flows through the Ostrovsky equation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the generalized Jacobi elliptical functional (JEF) and modified Khater (MK) methods are employed to find the soliton, breather, kink, periodic kink, and lump wave solutions of the Ostrovsky equation. This model is considered as a mathematical modification model of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with respect to the effects of background rotation. The solitary solutions of the well-known mathematical model (KdV equation) usually decay and are replaced by radiating inertia gravity waves. The obtained solitary solutions emerge the localized wave packet as a persistent and dominant feature. Many distinct solutions are obtained through the employed computational schemes. Moreover, some solutions are sketched in 2D, 3D, and contour plots. The effective and powerful of the two used computational schemes are tested. Furthermore, the accuracy of the obtained solutions is examined through a comparison between them and that had been obtained in previously published research.
Asymptotic profile of a two-dimensional Chemotaxis–Navier–Stokes system with singular sensitivity and logistic source
Authors: Pang Peter Y. H. , Wang Yifu , Yin Jingxue
Published: March 2021

This paper is concerned with a spatially two-dimensional version of a chemotaxis system with logistic cell proliferation and death, for a singular tactic response of standard logarithmic type, and with interaction with a surrounding incompressible fluid through transport and buoyancy. Systems of this form are of significant relevance to the understanding of chemotaxis-fluid interaction, but the rigorous knowledge of their qualitative properties is yet far from complete. In this direction, using the conditional energy functional method, the present work provides some interesting contributions by establishing results on global boundedness, and especially on large time stabilization toward homogeneous equilibria, under mild assumptions on the initial data and appropriate conditions on the strength of the damping death effects.
A Pogorelov estimate and a Liouville-type theorem to parabolic k-Hessian equations
Authors: He Yan , Sheng Haoyang , Xiang Ni , Zhang Jiannan
Published: March 2021

We consider Pogorelov estimates and Liouville-type theorems to parabolic [Formula: see text]-Hessian equations of the form [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. We derive that any [Formula: see text]-convex-monotone solution to [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] satisfies a quadratic growth and [Formula: see text] must be a linear function of [Formula: see text] plus a quadratic polynomial of [Formula: see text].
Novel extended Zn-Heisenberg ferromagnet models
Authors: Sun Haichao , Han Rong , Yan Zhaowen
Published: March 2021

In this paper, in terms of taking values in a commutative subalgebra [Formula: see text] of Lie algebra [Formula: see text], one establishes two novel extended [Formula: see text]-Heisenberg ferromagnet models in both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-dimensions and derives their corresponding Lax representations. Moreover, we present their geometrical equivalent equations which are [Formula: see text]-nonlinear Schrödinger equations.
New hyrid conjugate gradient method as a convex combination of HZ and CD methods
Authors: Hamdi Amira , Sellami Badreddine , Belloufi Mohammed
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a new hybrid conjugate gradient algorithm is proposed for solving unconstrained optimization problems, the conjugate gradient parameter [Formula: see text] is computed as a convex combination of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Under the wolfe line search, we prove the sufficient descent and the global convergence. Numerical results are reported to show the effectiveness of our procedure.
An Intelligent Ground-Air Cooperative Navigation Framework Based on Visual-Aided Method in Indoor Environments
Authors: Wang Zi-Hao , Qin Kai-Yu , Zhang Te , Zhu Bo
Published: March 2021

In the future, heterogeneous robots are expected to perform more complex tasks in a cooperative manner, and the onboard navigation system is required to be capable of working safely and effectively in the area where GNSS signal is weak or even could not be received. To demonstrate this concept, we have developed a cooperative navigation system by the use of Ground-Aerial Vehicle Cooperation. The key innovations of the development lie in the following aspects: (1) a local scalable self-organizing network is constructed for data interaction between a small UAV and a reusable ground robot; (2) a new navigation framework is proposed to achieve visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) where carrying capacity of both the ground vehicle and UAV are systematically considered; (3) an octomap-based 3D environment reconstruction method is developed to achieve map pre-establishment in complex navigation environments, and the classic ORB-SLAM2 system is improved to be adaptive to actual environment exploration and perception. In-door flight experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution. More interestingly, by implementing a centroid tracking algorithm, the cooperative system is further capable of tracking a man moving in indoor environments.
A Simulation-driven Methodology for IoT Data Mining Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Savaglio Claudio , Fortino Giancarlo
Published: March 2021

With the ever-increasing diffusion of smart devices and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, a completely new set of challenges have been added to the Data Mining domain. Edge Mining and Cloud Mining refer to Data Mining tasks aimed at IoT scenarios and performed according to, respectively, Cloud or Edge computing principles. Given the orthogonality and interdependence among the Data Mining task goals (e.g., accuracy, support, precision), the requirements of IoT applications (mainly bandwidth, energy saving, responsiveness, privacy preserving, and security) and the features of Edge/Cloud deployments (de-centralization, reliability, and ease of management), we propose EdgeMiningSim, a simulation-driven methodology inspired by software engineering principles for enabling IoT Data Mining. Such a methodology drives the domain experts in disclosing actionable knowledge, namely descriptive or predictive models for taking effective actions in the constrained and dynamic IoT scenario. A Smart Monitoring application is instantiated as a case study, aiming to exemplify the EdgeMiningSim approach and to show its benefits in effectively facing all those multifaceted aspects that simultaneously impact on IoT Data Mining.
PETRA
Authors: Izadpanah Ramin , Peterson Christina , Solihin Yan , Dechev Damian
Published: March 2021

Emerging byte-addressable Non-Volatile Memories (NVMs) enable persistent memory where process state can be recovered after crashes. To enable applications to rely on persistent data, durable data structures with failure-atomic operations have been proposed. However, they lack the ability to allow users to execute a sequence of operations as transactions. Meanwhile, persistent transactional memory (PTM) has been proposed by adding durability to Software Transactional Memory (STM). However, PTM suffers from high performance overheads and low scalability due to false aborts, logging, and ordering constraints on persistence.

In this article, we propose PETRA, a new approach for constructing persistent transactional linked data structures. PETRA natively supports transactions, but unlike PTM, relies on the high-level information from the data structure semantics. This gives PETRA unique advantages in the form of high performance and high scalability. Our experimental results using various benchmarks demonstrate the scalability of PETRA in all workloads and transaction sizes. PETRA outperforms the state-of-the-art PTMs by an order of magnitude in transactions of size greater than one, and demonstrates superior performance in transactions of size one.
Twenty-First-Century Statistical and Computational Challenges in Astrophysics
Authors: Feigelson Eric D. , de Souza Rafael S. , Ishida Emille E.O. , Babu Gutti Jogesh
Published: March 2021

Modern astronomy has been rapidly increasing our ability to see deeper into the Universe, acquiring enormous samples of cosmic populations. Gaining astrophysical insights from these data sets requires a wide range of sophisticated statistical and machine learning methods. Long-standing problems in cosmology include characterization of galaxy clustering and estimation of galaxy distances from photometric colors. Bayesian inference, central to linking astronomical data to nonlinear astrophysical models, addresses problems in solar physics, properties of star clusters, and exoplanet systems. Likelihood-free methods are growing in importance. Detection of faint signals in complicated noise is needed to find periodic behaviors in stars and detect explosive gravitational wave events. Open issues concern treatment of heteroscedastic measurement errors and understanding probability distributions characterizing astrophysical systems. The field of astrostatistics needsincreased collaboration with statisticians in the design and analysis stages of research projects, and joint development of new statistical methodologies. This collaboration will yield more astrophysical insights into astronomical populations and the cosmos itself.
Examining CO2 as an Additive for Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation on Silicon Anodes
Authors: Hopkins Emma J. , Frisco Sarah , Pekarek Ryan T. , Stetson Caleb , Huey Zoey , Harvey Steven , Li Xiang , Key Baris , Fang Chen , Liu Gao , Yang Guang , Teeter Glenn , Neale Nathan R. , Veith Gabriel M.
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate that the addition of CO2 to a standard 1.0 M LiPF6 3:7 wt% ethylene carbonate:ethyl methyl carbonate electrolyte results in the formation of a thinner insoluble solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) that is dominated by the presence of LiF. In contrast, cells without CO2 result in a thicker insoluble SEI layer containing more organic constituents. The CO2 is incorporated in the dimethyl carbonate soluble part of the SEI composed primarily of polymeric poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on the surface of a thin inorganic layer. This combination of properties from CO2 addition provides an improved cycling performance through the reduction of irreversible side reactions, leading to higher coulombic efficiency. The results indicate that CO2 incorporates into the SEI and plays a role similar to additives like fluorinated ethylene carbonate and vinylene carbonate with respect to polymeric components.
Interactions between Oxide and LiF-BeF2-ZrF4-UF4 System through Electrochemical Techniques
Authors: Song Yulong , Shen Miao , Zhao Sufang , Tang Rui , Xie Leidong , Qian Yuan
Published: March 2021

The electrochemical reduction of UF4 in LiF-BeF2-UF4 (FLiBeU) and LiF-BeF2-ZrF4-UF4 (FLiBeZrU) molten salt was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and squarewave voltammetry (SWV). Two cathodic reduction peaks related to U4+/U3+ and U3+/U were detected in FLiBeU. Only the reduction peak of U4+/U3+ was confirmed in FLiBeZrU, and the linear relation between peak current density and U content within 1.1 mol% was established through SWV. Results of SWV, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrated that only ZrO2 precipitated with the addition of Li2O to FLiBeZrU at a Zr-to-U molar ratio (n
Zr
/n
U) greater than 4. Conversely, ZrO2 and UO2 co-precipitated at n
Zr
/n
U less than 4. Raman spectroscopy analyses of FLiBeZrU with various n
Zr
/n
U values indicated that [ZrF6]2– was primarily converted to[ZrF7]3– at n
Zr
/n
U > 4 and further to [ZrF8]4– at n
Zr
/n
U < 4. Due to the large steric hindrance and high negative-charge repulsion of [ZrF8]4–, its reaction with O2– was inhibited, so the excess O2– reacted with U4+ to produce UO2 precipitates.
Factors Influencing the Voltage Decay Rates of High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Park Jung O. , Choi SeongWoo
Published: March 2021

The voltage decay rates of two membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells were analyzed to investigate the causes of their degradation. The two MEAs were operated at a current density of 0.3 A cm−2 for 11,000 h at 150 °C, and I–V measurements were taken weekly for MEA 1 and daily for MEA 2. Initially, both MEAs showed a gradual voltage decay with decay rates under 8 μV h−1. The voltage decay rate in the gradual decay region was determined from the changes in the oxygen reduction reaction resistance in the cathode layer. In the later stages of operation, the voltage decay rates became exponential with respect to time, and the average rates increased in magnitude, yielding values over 30 μV h−1. The increase in the ohmic resistance of the membrane and proton transport resistance in the catalyst layer became the main factors in the later stages of cell operation. MEA 2, which was exposed to a daily high potential, showed an exponential decay sooner than MEA 1. The transition to exponential decay led to a rapid decay of the cell voltage and eventual MEA failure.
Development of Al-5%Zn-0.5%Sn-2.6%Mg Alloy as Sacrificial Anode for Cathodic Protection of Steel in 3 wt.% NaCl Solution
Authors: Oulmas Cilya , Mameri Sonia , Boughrara Dalila , Boutarfaia Slimane , Delhalle Joseph , Mekhalif Zineb , Kadri Abdelaziz
Published: March 2021

In this work, two aluminum alloys, Al-5Zn-0.5Sn and Al-5Zn-0.5Sn-2.6Mg, were prepared by melting in an induction furnace to be used as sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection of marine structures. The alloys are characterized by scanning electron microscopy mapping coupled to energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Afterwards, the corrosion behavior was studied in 3 wt.% NaCl solution through immersion tests, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and weight-loss measurements. Results display that active dissolution of Al-5%Zn-0.5%Sn-2.6%Mg alloy and its quasi-uniform corrosion is associated with the major precipitates MgZn2 and Mg2Sn particles formed during the melting process. Galvanic coupling measurements over 45 d were carried out on both alloys. The sacrificial cathodic protection of both anodes was successful but the couple efficiency was greater for Al-Zn-Sn-Mg owing to its more negative corrosion potential and uniform dissolution.
Review—Metal Organic Framework Based Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Sensing of Toxic Heavy Metal Ions: Progress and Their Prospects
Authors: Devaraj Manoj , Sasikumar Yesudass , Rajendran Saravanan , Ponce Lorena Cornejo
Published: March 2021

Heavy metal ions, which have harmful effects on living organisms, are extremely toxic to the environment. Therefore, with quick response time and low cost analytical instrument, it is of immense demand to assess the toxic levels of heavy metal ions. A promising and systematic way of perceiving the selective determination of metal ions in polluted water is electrochemical detection. Recent developments in metal organic frameworks (MOF) have ignited a considerable interest in the metal ion sensor field as an interesting class of electrode material. This paper reviews the MOF-based material as an electrode detection platform for toxic heavy metal ions. The rapidly evolving MOF has a 3D structure with tunable pore sizes, and a high specific area containing a large number of ions makes it ideal for ion exchange capture of toxic metal ions. The toxicity levels in the atmosphere of heavy metal ions such as arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium and recent advances in the use of MOF as an active electrode material for estimating these metal ions are discussed. The key advantages and disadvantages of electrochemical sensors based on MOF have also been evaluated, and the potential prospect of improving performance is also presented. Thus, the compiled review work could provide a torchlight and a pathway for more metal ion sensor research that gives science research and community research a vast dimension.
Liquid Electrodes for An/Ln Separation in Pyroprocessing
Authors: Liu Kui , Chai Zhi-Fang , Shi Wei-Qun
Published: March 2021

The aim of this work is to evaluate and compare the possibility of Cd, Hg, Al, Ga, Sn, Pb and Bi as candidate cathode materials based on their physicochemical and electrochemical properties and theoretical separation ability for actinides over lanthanides. First, the comparison of melting points and vapor pressures about those metals shows that Group 12 elements Cd and Zn are more practically suitable for the electrowinning process. Then, cyclic voltammetry conducted at 773 K on these cathodes in LiCl-KCl eutectic presents a trend of electrochemical reactivity (Bi > Sn > Ga ≥ Pb > Zn > Cd > Al), nobility (Bi > Pb ≥ Sn > Ga > Cd > Zn > Al) and electrochemical window (Cd > Al > Pb > Bi > Ga > Sn > Zn), respectively. Moreover, cyclic voltammograms of U3+ and La3+ collected at 773 K on these cathodes demonstrate different electrochemical reactivity scales Ec(U): Ga ≥ Bi > Sn > Al > Zn > Pb > Cd) and Ec(La): Bi > Sn ≥ Ga > Zn > Pb > Cd > Al), respectively, from the anodic to the cathodic side. From these results, a favorable trend for electrochemical separation of U over La can be obtained (Al > Ga > Zn > Bi > Sn > Pb > Cd). In addition, the theoretical Mediema model shows the relationships of the enthalpy of formation and the activity of different alloys as,

a

U
−
M

:

Al < Ga < Sn < Zn < Bi < Pb < Cd,

a

(
L
a
−
M
)

:

Bi < Sn < Pb < Al < Ga < Cd < Zn, suggests the interaction of Al and Ga to uranium is the strongest with the best theoretical separation performance.
Nicotinamide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Chronic Colitis in Mice through Its Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Modulates the Gut Microbiota
Authors: Kang Kai , Sun Yue , Pan Dan , Chang Bing , Sang Li-Xuan
Published: March 2021

Vitamin B (nicotinamide (NAM)), one of the most important nutritional components for humans, exerts anti-inflammatory activity. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of NAM on the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mice with chronic colitis. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 male mice by administration of 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and the mice were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (NS) or NAM. NAM treatment ameliorated weight loss and changes in colon length, disease activity index (DAI) score, and histologic scores. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis of LPL cells revealed that the level of interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-12p70, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interferon- (IFN-) γ, IL-21, and IL-17A was increased, while IL-10 was reduced, in the chronic colitis group compared to the control group, but the levels of all these factors were restored after NAM treatment. Then, 16S rRNA sequencing of the large intestinal content was performed, and analysis of alpha diversity and beta diversity showed that the richness of the gut microbiota was decreased in the DSS group compared to the control group and restored after NAM treatment. In addition, NAM modulated specific bacteria, including Odoribacter, Flexispira, and Bifidobacterium, in the NAM+chronic colitis group. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis indicated that NAM treatment restored disruptions in the functions of the gut microbiota (replication and repair, cell motility) in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, NAM also restored the reduction in valeric acid in mice with DSS-induced chronic colitis. Our results suggest that NAM treatment could alleviate DSS-induced chronic colitis in mice by inhibiting inflammation and regulating the composition and function of gut microbiota.
Distribution of
α

p

2

Modulo One with Prime Variable
p
of a Special Form
Authors: Xue Fei , Li Jinjiang , Zhang Min
Published: March 2021

Let

P

r

denote an almost-prime with at most

r

prime factors, counted according to multiplicity. In this paper, it is proved that, for

α
∈

ℝ
/
ℚ

,
 
β
∈
ℝ

, and

0
<
θ
<

10
/

1561

, there exist infinitely many primes

p

, such that

α

p

2

+
β

<

p

−
θ

and

p
+
2
=

P

4

, which constitutes an improvement upon the previous result.
An Exploratory Research on Constructing a Model of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education for College Students Based on Fuzzy Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Hao Chen
Published: March 2021

In order to improve the adaptive scheduling ability of the innovation and entrepreneurship education model for college students, a brain computing-based innovation and entrepreneurship education model for college students is proposed. Through career-planning education, team training will gradually cultivate the leadership skills of entrepreneurs and improve the overall level of innovation and entrepreneurship of college students. The paper proposes to use the fuzzy neural network algorithm to analyze the control constraint parameters of the college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship education model and optimize the design of the control objective function of the university. The control of students’ innovation and entrepreneurship education model is carried out using quantitative optimization methods. The fuzzy neural network is used to identify the control rights of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship education model through label recognition technology, and the control objective model of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship education model is constructed. The adaptive load-balancing control method is adopted to control the innovation and entrepreneurship education model of college students. Research shows that this method has a good balance and adaptive control ability in the construction of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship education model.
p
,
q

-Extended Struve Function: Fractional Integrations and Application to Fractional Kinetic Equations
Authors: Habenom Haile , Oli Abdi , Suthar D. L.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the generalized fractional integral operators involving Appell’s function

F

3

⋅

in the kernel due to Marichev–Saigo–Maeda are applied to the

p
,
q

-extended Struve function. The results are stated in terms of Hadamard product of the Fox–Wright function

ψ

r

s

z

and the

p
,
q

-extended Gauss hypergeometric function. A few of the special cases (Saigo integral operators) of our key findings are also reported in the corollaries. In addition, the solutions of a generalized fractional kinetic equation employing the concept of Laplace transform are also obtained and examined as an implementation of the

p
,
q

-extended Struve function. Technique and findings can be implemented and applied to a number of similar fractional problems in applied mathematics and physics.
TAMEC: Trusted Augmented Mobile Execution on Cloud
Authors: Shah Syed Luqman , Abbasi Irshad Ahmed , Bashier Gism Elseed Alwalid , Ali Sikandar , Anwar Zahid , Rajpoot Qasim , Riaz Maria
Published: March 2021

Cloud computing has emerged as an attractive platform for individuals and businesses to augment their basic processing capabilities. Mobile devices with access to Internet are also turning towards clouds for resource-intensive tasks by working out a trade-off between resources required for performing computation on-device against those required for off-loading task to the cloud. However, as with desktop clients, mobile clients face significant concerns related to confidentiality and integrity of data and applications moved to and from the cloud. Cloud-related security solutions proposed for desktop clients could not be readily ported to mobile clients owing to the obvious limitation in their processing capabilities and restrained battery life. We address this problem by proposing architecture for secure exchange and trusted execution between mobile devices and cloud hosts. We establish a symmetric-key-based secure communication channel between mobile and cloud, backed by a trusted coordinator. We also employee a Trusted Platform Module- (TPM-) based attestation of the cloud nodes on which the data and applications of mobile device will be hosted. This gives a comprehensive solution for end-to-end secure and trusted interaction of the mobile device with cloud hosts.