bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Implications of Non-Compliance with Safety Practices in Construction Projects: Construction Professionals’ Awareness Level
Authors: Aina Ijaola Irewolede , Hezekiah Omolayo Olatunbosun , Omorinsola Akerele Adebimpe , Faith Osas Ehigiator , Ayobami Sonibare Samuel
Published: June 2021

Despite the numerous implications of non-compliance with safety practices in construction projects, there are still reports of a low level of compliance with safety rules on construction sites. The study seeks to investigate the awareness level on the implications of non-compliance with safety practices among professionals in construction projects. From the existing literature, two major types of implications namely; direct and indirect cost implications of non-compliance with safety rule were investigated. Questionnaires were used to elicit information from respondents. A hypothesis that examines the differences in the level of awareness on the implications of non-compliance with safety practices among construction professionals was postulated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the hypothesis. The findings show that the awareness level on the implications of non-compliance with safety practice among each professional is high and that there are significant differences in the level of awareness on six implications of non-compliance with safety practices; ‘physical injury/fatality to persons’, ‘workmen’s compensation’, ‘liability insurance premiums, ‘low morale of supervisors and workers’, ‘costs of delay’ and ‘time of cost’. The study concludes that professionals are aware of the implications of non-compliance with safety practices and their professional background affects the awareness level of six of the implications of non-compliance with safety practices. The study contributes to knowledge by identifying the six implications of non-compliance with safety practices where disparity exists in the awareness level among construction professionals. In cases where disparity exists in the awareness level among professionals, construction firms should adopt group discussion as a means of sensitization to increase awareness levels.
Assessment of Factors Responsible for Encroachment on Public Land in Ajoda New Town in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Adedapo Ogungbe Mayowa , Oyewole Bello Mustapha
Published: June 2021

Public land is crucial for the execution of developmental projects in many nations. However, studies have indicated that most of the time, public land is often being encroached. The issue of concern in this paper is: why do people encroach on public land? A contextual investigation approach was embraced for this study and residents of Ajoda New Town (ANT) - a scheme of Oyo State Government, Nigeria were involved as respondents to a structured questionnaire prepared on a five-point Likert scale format. Respondents were randomly selected, and, a total of 322 completed copies of the questionnaire were found valid for data analysis. The study employed Weighted Mean Score and Principal Component Analysis in determining the factors that led to the land encroachment in the community. Results indicate that faulty administrative/implementation, the hostile attitude of original settlers, and excessive land acquisition by the government are the major factors responsible for land encroachment in the study area. It was recommended that during the acquisition process, the government should imbibe the culture of acquiring a reasonable portion of land which will not be far more than what is required to avoid encroachment, and adequate compensation paid to the affected persons.
Sociability through the Movement of Young Children: The Effects of Exercise Programs involving Rhythm Play on the Potential for Physical Expression
Authors: Yoshimi Eri
Published: June 2021

This study aims to examine the potential for physical expression on the part of infants through observations of their motions before and after exercise programs, with an understanding of the potential for physical expression as the development of a sociality that seeks to communicate with other children in the experience of an exercise program. The 106 study participants comprised 29 three-year-olds, 44 four-year-olds, and 33 five-year-olds. During the exercise intervention period, a exercise program focusing on rhythm play was carried out for 6 minutes per day. The ability for physical expression was analyzed using 12 criteria related to the areas of motion, space, dynamics, time, and relationships, which revealed the characteristics of each grade of students. Significant interactions were observed in criteria 11 and 12, related to the area of relationships, across all grades. Specifically, in the efforts of those from around the age of four, which involved repeating motions in a particular rhythm, it was shown that this could be expected to greatly increase the impact on the potential for bodily expression. It was discovered that the experience of an exercise program involving rhythm play, even if they only experienced it a few times, brought a greater degree of richness to the movement of the children while at the same time expanding their awareness of other children and giving rise to behaviors through which they actively participated in communication.
Contrast of Visions in Paule Marshall and Laurent Gaudé’s Novels
Authors: Tia Daniel
Published: June 2021

This article examines two novels written by two writers from distinct nationalities –one is an American citizen and the other is a French citizen; their linguistic landmarks are visibly illustrated in their respective texts. Despite that cultural difference, those exegetes of literature, share common aesthetic values. On the one hand, they cross their geographical boundaries and on the other hand, textualize black Diaspora, Western social realities, African/Western cultures and spaces, thus giving credence to the ideals of globalization. A global policy, which advocates the removal of cultural barriers between countries and human beings. Through creative art, those writers free themselves from every sectarian practice, promote the humanist and open one. Being now world citizens and evolving in a planetary village, they make divergent judgments upon some of the regions of their new ideal society. Black/white characters, through the prism of literary texts, judge Africa and the Western World. Both spaces are poetically praised and denigrated. This perceptive ambivalence is the focus point of the current study, whose anchor is primarily comparative semiotics. By drawing upon its operational principles, this work aims to decipher the semantic network, which emerges from both visions.
Analytical Modeling of Shear Localization in Orthogonal Cutting Processes
Authors: Fazlali Mohammadreza , Ponga Mauricio , Jin Xiaoliang
Published: June 2021

This paper presents an analytical thermo-mechanical model of shear localization and shear band formation in orthogonal cutting of high-strength metallic alloys. The deformation process of the workpiece material includes three stages: homogeneous deformation, shear localization, and chip segmentation. A boundary layer analysis is used to analytically predict the temperature, stress, and strain rate variations in the primary shear zone associated with the shear localization. The predictions of shear band spacing and width from the proposed model are verified by experimental characterization of the chip morphology. The rolling of shear bands on the tool rake face is discussed from the experimental observations. The cutting tool temperature, which is influenced by the heat generated during the shear band formation, is simulated and compared with finite element simulations. The proposed analytical model reveals the fundamental mechanism of the complete shear localization process in orthogonal cutting and predicts the stress and temperature variations with high computational efficiency.
Humans attend to signal duration but not temporal structure for sound detection: Steady-state versus pulse-train signals
Authors: Wright Beverly A. , Dai Huanping
Published: June 2021

Most sounds fluctuate in amplitude, but do listeners attend to the temporal structure of those fluctuations when trying to detect the mere presence of those sounds? This question was addressed by leading listeners to expect a faint sound with a fixed temporal structure (pulse train or steady-state tone) and total duration (300 ms) and measuring their ability to detect equally faint sounds of unexpected temporal structure (pulse train when expecting steady state) and/or total duration (<300 ms). Detection was poorer for sounds with unexpected than with expected total durations, replicating previous outcomes, but was uninfluenced by the temporal structure of the expected sound. The results disagree with computational predictions of the multiple-look model, which posits that listeners attend to both the total duration and temporal structure of the signal, but agree with predictions of the matched-window energy-detector model, which posits that listeners attend to the total duration but not the temporal structure of the signal. Moreover, the matched-window energy-detector model could also account for previous results, including some that were originally interpreted as supporting the multiple-look model. Taken together, at least when detecting faint sounds, listeners appear to attend to the total duration of expected sounds but to ignore their detailed temporal structure.
Genetic Analysis of DinG Family Helicase YoaA and Its Interaction with Replication Clamp Loader Protein HolC in Escherichia coli
Authors: Sutera Vincent A. , Sass Thalia H. , Leonard Scott E. , Wu Lingling , Glass David J. , Giordano Gabriela G. , Zur Yonatan , Lovett Susan T.
Published: June 2021

Maintaining genomic stability is crucial for all living organisms. Replication of DNA frequently encounters barriers that must be removed to complete genome duplication.
Comparative Study on H20 Steel Billets: Additive Manufacturing vs. Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Nasar S. , Baruch L. J. , Vijay S. J. , Srinivas C. K. , Jose J. , Popov V. V.
Published: June 2021

Additive Manufacturing is one of the revolutionizing technologies of modern manufacturing industry. This technology has time and again proved that any material can be fabricated by it if the right parameters are employed. Other technologies such as powder metallurgy are also dominating the manufacturing industries owing to its potential flexibility in manufacturing complex shapes. In this work, an attempt has been made to fabricate cylindrical components through both the techniques, and their properties are compared. A study on metallurgical properties revealed that both provide similar microstructures, but powder metallurgy yielded better mechanical properties. It has been also observed that the tribological properties are better in additive manufactured components. The reason for this behavior has been studied and discussed.
Pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide in children and adolescents treated for tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Ruslami Rovina , Gafar Fajri , Yunivita Vycke , Parwati Ida , Ganiem Ahmad R , Aarnoutse Rob E , Wilffert Bob , Alffenaar Jan-Willem C , Nataprawira Heda M
Published: June 2021

Objective

To assess the pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide in children and adolescents with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

Design

Prospective observational pharmacokinetic study with an exploratory pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis.

Setting

Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.

Patients

Individuals aged 0–18 years clinically diagnosed with TBM and receiving first-line anti-tuberculosis drug dosages according to revised WHO-recommended treatment guidelines.

Interventions

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide were assessed on days 2 and 10 of treatment.

Main outcome measures

Plasma exposures during the daily dosing interval (AUC0–24), peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and CSF concentrations.

Results

Among 20 eligible patients, geometric mean AUC0–24 of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide was 18.5, 66.9 and 315.5 hour∙mg/L on day 2; and 14.5, 71.8 and 328.4 hour∙mg/L on day 10, respectively. Large interindividual variabilities were observed in AUC0–24 and Cmax of all drugs. All patients had suboptimal rifampicin AUC0–24 for TBM treatment indication and very low rifampicin CSF concentrations. Four patients developed grade 2–3 drug-induced liver injury (DILI) within the first 4 weeks of treatment, in whom anti-tuberculosis drugs were temporarily stopped, and no DILI recurred after reintroduction of rifampicin and isoniazid. AUC0–24 of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide along with Cmax of isoniazid and pyrazinamide on day 10 were higher in patients who developed DILI than those without DILI (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Higher rifampicin doses are strongly warranted in treatment of children and adolescents with TBM. The association between higher plasma concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide and the development of DILI needs confirmatory studies.
Lacrimal sac rhinosporidiosis
Authors: Parida Pradipta Kumar , Thangavel Saranya , Raja Kalaiarasi , Saxena Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2021

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic mucocutaneous granulomatous disease caused byRhinosporidium seeberi, involving primarily the nose and nasopharynx. Very rarely, the disease can affect the lacrimal sac. Here we report a 35-year-old male patient who had rhinosporidial involvement of the nose 5 years ago, for which he underwent endoscopic nasal surgery. Five years after the excision of the nasal mass, he presented with lacrimal sac involvement. The clinical presentation and the management of lacrimal sac rhinosporidiosis are discussed here.
Overexpression of lipoic acid synthase gene alleviates diabetic nephropathyof Leprdb/dbmice
Authors: Zhao Yingzheng , Yan Tingting , Xiong Cheng , Chang Meiyu , Gao Qiyu , Yao Sanqiao , Wu Weidong , Yi Xianwen , Xu Guangcui
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) develops in about 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes and remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The mechanisms of DN remain to be elucidated. Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the development of DN but antioxidant therapy has produced conflicting results. Therefore, we sought to define the role of antioxidant in retarding the development of DN in this study.

Research design and methods

We generated a new antioxidant/diabetes mouse model,LiasH/HLeprdb/dbmice, by crossingdb/dbmice withLiasH/Hmice, which have overexpressedLiasgene (~160%) compared with wild type, and also correspondingly increased endogenous antioxidant capacity. The new model was used to investigate whether predisposed increased endogenous antioxidant capacity was able to retard the development of DN. We systemically and dynamically examined main pathological alterations of DN and antioxidant biomarkers in blood and kidney mitochondria.

Results

LiasH/HLeprdb/dbmice alleviated major pathological alterations in the early stage of DN, accompanied with significantly enhanced antioxidant defense. The model targets the main pathogenic factors by exerting multiple effects such as hypoglycemic, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant, especially protection of mitochondria.

Conclusion

The antioxidant animal model is not only very useful for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of DN but also brings insight into a new therapeutic strategy for clinical applications.
Case study of the beneficiary group distribution of curative care expenditure based on SHA 2011 in Xinjiang autonomous region, China
Authors: Feng Honghong , Pan Kai , Li Xiaoju , Zhang Liwen , Mao Lu , Rui Dongsheng
Published: June 2021

Background

The System of Health Accounts 2011 (SHA 2011) assists in health policy analysis and health expenditure comparison at the international level. Based on SHA 2011, this study analysed the distribution of beneficiary groups of curative care expenditure (CCE) in Xinjiang, to present suggestions for developing health policies.

Methods

A total of 160 health institutions were selected using the multistage stratified random sampling method. An analysis of the agewise CCE distribution, institutional flow, and disease distribution was then performed based on the SHA 2011 accounting framework.

Results

In 2016, the CCE in Xinjiang was ¥50.05 billion, accounting for 70.18% of current health expenditure and 6.66% of the gross domestic product. The per capita CCE was ¥2366.56. The CCE was distributed differently across age groups, with the highest spending on people over the age of 65 years. The CCE was highest for diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. Most of the expenditure was incurred in hospitals and, to a lesser extent, in primary healthcare institutions. Family health expenditure, especially on children aged 14 years and below, accounted for a relatively high proportion of the CCE.

Conclusion

SHA 2011 was used to capture data, which was then analysed according to the newly added beneficiary dimension. The findings revealed that the use of medical resources is low, the scale of primary medical institutions needs to be significantly expanded and there is a need to optimise the CCE financing scheme. Therefore, the health policymaking department should optimise the relevant policies and improve the efficiency of health services.
Translation and adaptation of the STOPP-START screening tool to Portuguese for detecting inappropriate prescriptions in older people: a protocol
Authors: Monteiro Luís , Monteiro-Soares Matilde , Mendonça Liliane Vélia , Ribeiro-Vaz Inês , Martins Carlos , Teixeira Andreia
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Rational prescribing for older adults is a challenge because they usually exhibit multimorbidity and multimedication. One available and reliable tool to tackle this issue consists of the Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions (STOPP) and the Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START), which has been associated with improvements in clinical outcomes. Our goal here is to translate and validate the STOPP-START screening tool for use with Portuguese general practitioners/family physicians.

Methods and analysis

The study will be conducted in four phases: phase I—translation of the STOPP-START screening tool to Portuguese; phase II—data collection of patient data; phase III—intrarater reliability and agreement study; and phase IV—inter-rater reliability and agreement study.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Central Health Region of Portugal (where the study will take place). Every participant will sign a written consent form. We intend to publish the full article in a related peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations, reports and in a PhD thesis.
Thromboembolic risk stratification by TRiP(cast) score to rationalise thromboprophylaxis in patients with lower leg trauma requiring immobilisation: a study protocol of the casting stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial
Authors: Douillet Delphine , Riou Jeremie , Thoma Maximilien , Moumneh Thomas , Darsonval Astrid , Trinh-Duc Albert , Hugli Olivier , Chauvin Anthony , Penaloza Andrea , Roy Pierre-Marie
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Patients with lower limb trauma requiring orthopaedic immobilisation may be at risk of venous thromboembolism but opinions differ about who may benefit from thromboprophylactic anticoagulant treatment.

The aim of this CASTING study is to demonstrate the safety of thromboprophylaxis based on the Thrombosis Risk Prediction for patients with cast immobilisation (TRiP(cast) score with regards to the 3-month incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism events in low-risk patients not receiving thromboprophylaxis, as well as the usefulness of this strategy on the rate of patients receiving anticoagulant treatment in comparison to current practice.

Methods and analysis

CASTING will be a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled clinical trial, performed in 15 emergency departments in France and Belgium. With their informed consent, outpatients admitted to one of the participating emergency departments for a lower limb trauma requiring orthopaedic immobilisation without surgery will be included. All centres will begin the trial with the ‘observational period’ and, every 2 weeks, 1 centre will be randomly assigned to switch to the ‘interventional period’ and to apply the TRiP(cast) score, in which only patients with a score ≥7 will receive thromboprophylactic anticoagulant treatment. The primary endpoint is the rate of clinical thromboembolic events within 90 days following the inclusion of low-risk patients not receiving thromboprophylaxis.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud I (Ethics Review ID-RCB: 2019-A01829-48) for France and the Comité d’éthique hôpital-facultaire Saint Luc (N° B403201941338) for Belgium. It is carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04064489.
Influence of simulation-based training on reflective practice
Authors: Aitken John A , Torres Elisa M , Kaplan Seth , DiazGranados Deborah , Su Lillian , Parker Sarah
Published: June 2021

Simulation-based training (SBT) is often evaluated based on the transfer of specific knowledge and skills. In contrast, the degree to which reflective practice is inculcated by SBT is rarely considered. Because reflection is a pillar of adult learning theories, we sought to examine the degree to which participation in SBT was associated with increased reflective practice. Eighty-one healthcare professionals completed a survey which included the number of SBTs they participated in during the past 2 years, content-related and administrative-related features of those SBTs and a key aspect of reflective practice (ie, self-appraisal). The number of SBTs healthcare professionals participated in during the past 2 years was positively associated with reflective self-appraisal. This relationship was neither moderated by the inclusion of reflection components in SBTs nor by the voluntary/mandatory nature of participation in SBTs. Furthermore, the facilitator was ranked as the most important feature of the overall learning experience in SBTs. Also, no significant differences were found between the number of technical skills based and non-technical skills based SBTs. These findings demonstrate the importance of evaluating SBTs for facilitating reflective learning mindsets that healthcare practitioners can apply beyond the specific skills trained by SBTs.
Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 4378 UK healthcare workers and ancillary staff: initial baseline data from a cohort study collected during the first wave of the pandemic
Authors: Lamb Danielle , Gnanapragasam Sam , Greenberg Neil , Bhundia Rupa , Carr Ewan , Hotopf Matthew , Razavi Reza , Raine Rosalind , Cross Sean , Dewar Amy , Docherty Mary , Dorrington Sarah , Hatch Stephani , Wilson-Jones Charlotte , Leightley Daniel , Madan Ira , Marlow Sally , McMullen Isabel , Rafferty Anne-Marie , Parsons Martin , Polling Catherine , Serfioti Danai , Gaunt Helen , Aitken Peter , Morris-Bone Joanna , Simela Chloe , French Veronica , Harris Rachel , Stevelink Sharon A M , Wessely Simon
Published: June 2021

Objectives

This study reports preliminary findings on the prevalence of, and factors associated with, mental health and well-being outcomes of healthcare workers during the early months (April–June) of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Methods

Preliminary cross-sectional data were analysed from a cohort study (n=4378). Clinical and non-clinical staff of three London-based NHS Trusts, including acute and mental health Trusts, took part in an online baseline survey. The primary outcome measure used is the presence of probable common mental disorders (CMDs), measured by the General Health Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are probable anxiety (seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder), depression (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (six-item Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder checklist), suicidal ideation (Clinical Interview Schedule) and alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test). Moral injury is measured using the Moray Injury Event Scale.

Results

Analyses showed substantial levels of probable CMDs (58.9%, 95% CI 58.1 to 60.8) and of PTSD (30.2%, 95% CI 28.1 to 32.5) with lower levels of depression (27.3%, 95% CI 25.3 to 29.4), anxiety (23.2%, 95% CI 21.3 to 25.3) and alcohol misuse (10.5%, 95% CI 9.2 to 11.9). Women, younger staff and nurses tended to have poorer outcomes than other staff, except for alcohol misuse. Higher reported exposure to moral injury (distress resulting from violation of one’s moral code) was strongly associated with increased levels of probable CMDs, anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms and alcohol misuse.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that mental health support for healthcare workers should consider those demographics and occupations at highest risk. Rigorous longitudinal data are needed in order to respond to the potential long-term mental health impacts of the pandemic.
The alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada
Authors: Desforges Jessica E. , Clarke Julia , Harmsen Evaline J. , Jardine Alex M. , Robichaud Jessica A. , Serré Serina , Chakrabarty Prosanta , Bennett Joseph R. , Hanna Dalal E.L. , Smol John P. , Rytwinski Trina , Taylor Jessica J. , Martel André L. , Winegardner Amanda K. , Marty Jerome , Taylor Mark K. , O’Connor Constance M. , Robinson Stacey A. , Reid Andrea J. , Creed Irena F. , Gregory-Eaves Irene , Lapointe Nicolas W.R. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: June 2021

Little is known about the current state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada, one of the countries with the greatest amount of surface waters in the world. To address this knowledge gap, we compiled a list of all available assessments of conservation status for freshwater species (over 3000 taxa) and further evaluated the overall status of six distinct taxonomic groups, focusing on organisms reliant on fresh waters (i.e., aquatic plants, invertebrates (with a focus on freshwater mussels), fishes, herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), birds, and mammals). Overall, 11.7% of all freshwater species of plants and animals assessed were found to be “at risk” (i.e., listed as “Threatened”, “Endangered”, or “Extirpated”) and 17.9% identified as “Special Concern”. We found that 37.9% of species lacked sufficient data to enable their status to be assessed. Data gaps in Canada’s assessment of its freshwater species were most prevalent in invertebrates (excluding freshwater mussels). Given the alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada, we conclude by providing recommendations that focus on evaluating temporal trends and informing conservation actions.
A numerical study on the thermocapillary migration of a droplet under microgravity with periodic thermal boundaries using the front-tracking method
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ma Ziqiang , Yao Mengjun , Gao Hui , Xu Xun
Published: June 2021

This paper mainly studied the thermocapillary migration of deformable droplets induced by periodic temperature boundary under microgravity conditions. The finite-difference/front-tracking (FD/FT) method was used to solve the Navier–Stokes equation coupled with the energy equation, and the continuum surface force (CSF) model was used to simplify the surface tension of the phase interface. The results showed that the maximum droplet migration velocity increased with the increase of temperature amplitude, and the droplet cycle period became shorter with the increase of temperature angular frequency. In the 1/4 cycle, the initial movement time of droplet decreased with the increase of temperature phase. If the phase was reversed, the initial movement direction of the droplet changed. With the increase of Reynolds number (Re), the droplet tended to maintain its motion inertia.
The study of neutron capture processes in AlN nanoparticles
Authors: Naghiyev T. G.
Published: June 2021

The neutron capture processes in the AlN nanoparticles were investigated by computer modeling. Neutrons absorption were separately investigated for aluminum (Al) and nitrogen (N) atoms in the AlN nanoparticles. The modeling was performed separately for each stable Al and N isotopes, because the effective absorption cross-section of different types of isotopes of Al and N atoms is different. Moreover, effective cross-section spectra of neutron capture for aluminum and nitrogen atoms were comparatively investigated.
Weak Bi-Center and Critical Period Bifurcations of a Z2-Equivariant Quintic System
Authors: Wu Yusen
Published: June 2021

With the help of computer algebra system-Mathematica, this paper considers the weak center problem and local critical periods for bi-center of a [Formula: see text]-equivariant quintic system with eight parameters. The order of weak bi-center is identified and the exact maximum bifurcation number of critical periods generated from the bi-center is given via the combination of symbolic calculation and numerical analysis.
Beyond gravitomagnetism with applications to Mercury’s perihelion advance and the bending of light
Authors: Rocha Flavia , Marinho Rubens , Malheiro Manuel , Carvalho Geanderson Araújo , Ludwig Gerson Otto
Published: June 2021

The expansion of both sides of Einstein’s field equations in the weak-field approximation, up to terms of order [Formula: see text] is derived. This new approach leads to an extended form of gravitomagnetism (GEM) properly named as Beyond Gravitomagnetism (BGEM). The metric of BGEM includes a quadratic term in the gravitoelectric potential n the time and also space metric functions in contrast with first post-Newtonian [Formula: see text]PN approximation where the quadratic term appears only in the time metric function. This nonlinear term does not appear in conventional GEM, but is essential in achieving the exact value of Mercury’s perihelion advance as we explicitly show. The new BGEM metric is also applied to the classical problem of light deflection by the Sun, but the contribution of the new nonlinear terms produce higher-order terms in this problem and can be neglected, giving the correct result obtained already in the Lense–Thirring (GEM) approximation. The BGEM approximation also provides new terms that depend on the dynamics of the system, which may bring new insights into galactic and stellar physics.
Algorithm for Solving the Component Assignment Problem in a Multistate Sliding Window System
Authors: Nakamura Taishin
Published: June 2021

The multistate sliding window system (SWS) comprises [Formula: see text] multistate components arranged in a line; each group of [Formula: see text] consecutive multistate components is considered as a window. If the total performance rate in a window does not meet the predetermined demand [Formula: see text], then that window is regarded as a failure. The SWS fails if and only if there exists at least one failed window. Several researchers have considered the component assignment problem for the SWS with the aim of finding an appropriate component arrangement that maximizes system reliability. Such an arrangement is called the optimal arrangement. Although several metaheuristic and heuristic algorithms have been proposed, an exact algorithm for solving the component assignment problem of the SWS has not been developed thus far. Therefore, in this study, a branch-and-bound-based algorithm is developed to determine the optimal arrangement of the SWS efficiently. Furthermore, a recursive method is proposed to compute the system reliability. Combining the branch-and-bound-based algorithm with the recursive method enables reduction of the complexity of the reliability computations for determining the optimal arrangement. To investigate the efficiency of the branch-and-bound-based algorithm, numerical experiments were conducted; it was observed that the parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have the maximum effect on computation time, whereas parameter [Formula: see text] has minimal effect. The proposed algorithm is useful for improving the reliability of a practical system that can be expressed as an SWS. In addition, the optimal arrangements can be used to measure the heuristic and metaheuristic performances because they guarantee global optimality.
Optimal Periodic Inspection Policy for a Parallel System Subject to Continuous Bi-Levels Degradation
Authors: Cherfaoui Bachir , Laggoune Radouane
Published: June 2021

Each system goes through several intermediate states between its initial state and the failure state, which are called degradation states. In addition, knowing these intermediate states allows us the building of an effective maintenance plan for the system under consideration. In this paper, we have considered a two-component parallel system where each component is subjected to two levels of degradation. Our first objective is to identify the mathematical (probabilistic) model associated with this system and this when the hypothesis of periodic inspection of the system is retained. Then, the main idea is to build the economic model encompassing the different average costs (inspection costs, preventive maintenance costs and corrective maintenance costs) spent during a renewal cycle. The latter will allow us to determine the optimal “inspection interval” while minimizing the average global-cost spent. Finally, in order to illustrate and analyze the sensitivity of the optimal inspection policy to the various maintenance costs, numerical examples are presented.
BEHAVIOR OF APSED TBCS SUBJECTED TO COOLING MEDIA IN THERMAL CYCLE SYSTEMS
Authors: DWIVEDI VIJAY KUMAR , KUMAR DIPAK
Published: June 2021

In this study, first, yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with CoNiCrAlY bond coats both were fabricated on IN718 superalloy substrate, using air plasma spraying (APS) techniques. In order to understand the actual microstructural morphological behavior, phase stability, and thermal cycling behaviors of 8YSZ TBCs were characterized by field emission spectroscopy equipped scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal cycling test. DSC results confirmed the basic reason of selecting the high cycling temperature. The crack initiation and propagation under thermal stresses due to temperature differences from maximum temperature of 1100∘C to cooling medium; here, air cooling and water quenching are used. Arising from either edges or corners it was observed serious problem which is restraining thermal cycling lifetime of TBCs, indicating failure mechanism is independent from operating parameters of thermal cycling test. However, in comparison to water-cooled thermal fatigue life, air-cooled thermal fatigue lifetime was 2.36 times better.
An iterative scheme for the oscillation criteria of a nonlinear delay differential equation with several deviating arguments
Authors: Basu R.
Published: June 2021

This paper deals with the oscillatory results of first order nonlinear delay differential equations with several deviating arguments by employing an iterative process. The results presented here has improved the outcomes of [1, 2, 8]. Various examples are solved in MATLAB software to illustrate the relevance of the main results.
List injective coloring of planar graphs with disjoint 5−-cycles
Authors: Li Wenwen , Cai Jiansheng
Published: June 2021

An injective [Formula: see text]-coloring of a graph [Formula: see text] is called injective if any two vertices joined by a path of length two get different colors. A graph [Formula: see text] is injectively [Formula: see text]-choosable if for any color list [Formula: see text] of admissible colors on [Formula: see text] of size [Formula: see text] it allows an injective coloring [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] whenever [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] denote the injective chromatic number and injective choosability number of [Formula: see text], respectively. Let [Formula: see text] be a plane with disjoint [Formula: see text]-cycles and maximum degree [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text].
Symplectic schemes and symmetric schemes for nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the case of dark solitons motion
Authors: Yao Yiming , Xu Miao , Zhu Beibei , Feng Quandong
Published: June 2021

In this paper, symplectic schemes and symmetric schemes are presented to simulate Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NLSE) in case of dark soliton motion. Firstly, by Ablowitz–Ladik model (A–L model), the NLSE is discretized into a non-canonical Hamiltonian system. Then, different kinds of coordinate transformations can be used to standardize the non-canonical Hamiltonian system. Therefore, the symplectic schemes and symmetric schemes can be employed to simulate the solitons motion and test the preservation of the invariants of the A–L model and the conserved quantities approximations of the original NLSE. The numerical experiments show that symplectic schemes and symmetric schemes have similar simulation effect, and own significant superiority over non-symplectic and non-symmetric schemes in long-term tracking the motion of solitons, preserving the invariants and the approximations of conserved quantities. Moreover, it is obvious that coordinate transformations with more symmetry have a better simulation effect.
Mutual Gains from Eurasian Railway Connectivity
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: June 2021

This paper analyzes the relationship between Eurasian rail services (especially the China–EU services that have flourished since 2011) and the overland “Belt” part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The initial market-driven stimulus was from car and electronics firms linking their East Asian and European production networks, and the establishment of Eurasian value chains remains an important theme. As regular rail freight services between China and Europe became more frequent, between more termini and offering more ancillary services, trade costs were reduced along the BRI Belt with mutual benefits for Asian and European countries. The paper first documents the growth and current status of the overland rail freight services; the sound economic foundation for the rail services and the continued growth of traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate the sustainability of this part of the BRI. It then discusses the relationship of the Eurasian rail services to the wider BRI, emphasizing the importance of multiple routes and of connections to ports. Finally, the paper reviews the literature on the economic gains from improved rail connectivity and on the relationship between hard and soft infrastructure. The principal conclusion is that market-driven commercial incentives, public policies and the BRI have contributed to the success of the Belt mainlines and links to Indian Ocean ports are expected to integrate the currently separate Belt and Road.
Placement of Digital Microfluidic Biochips via a New Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Chen , Yuan Bo , Ho Tsung-Yi , Yao Xin
Published: June 2021

Digital microfluidic biochips (DMFBs) have been a revolutionary platform for automating and miniaturizing laboratory procedures with the advantages of flexibility and reconfigurability. The placement problem is one of the most challenging issues in the design automation of DMFBs. It contains three interacting NP-hard sub-problems: resource binding, operation scheduling, and module placement. Besides, during the optimization of placement, complex constraints must be satisfied to guarantee feasible solutions, such as precedence constraints, storage constraints, and resource constraints. In this article, a new placement method for DMFB is proposed based on an evolutionary algorithm with novel heuristic-based decoding strategies for both operation scheduling and module placement. Specifically, instead of using the previous list scheduler and path scheduler for decoding operation scheduling chromosomes, we introduce a new heuristic scheduling algorithm (called order scheduler) with fewer limitations on the search space for operation scheduling solutions. Besides, a new 3D placer that combines both scheduling and placement is proposed where the usage of the microfluidic array over time in the chip is recorded flexibly, which is able to represent more feasible solutions for module placement. Compared with the state-of-the-art placement methods (T-tree and 3D-DDM), the experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method based on several real-world bioassay benchmarks. The proposed method can find the optimal results with the minimum assay completion time for all test cases.
Display to Labeled Proofs and Back Again for Tense Logics
Authors: Ciabattoni Agata , Lyon Tim S. , Ramanayake Revantha , Tiu Alwen
Published: June 2021

We introduce translations between display calculus proofs and labeled calculus proofs in the context of tense logics. First, we show that every derivation in the display calculus for the minimal tense logic Kt extended with general path axioms can be effectively transformed into a derivation in the corresponding labeled calculus. Concerning the converse translation, we show that for Kt extended with path axioms, every derivation in the corresponding labeled calculus can be put into a special form that is translatable to a derivation in the associated display calculus. A key insight in this converse translation is a canonical representation of display sequents as labeled polytrees. Labeled polytrees, which represent equivalence classes of display sequents modulo display postulates, also shed light on related correspondence results for tense logics.
Central Odontogenic Myxoma: A Radiographic Analysis
Authors: Ghazali Ahmad Badruddin , Arayasantiparb Raweewan , Juengsomjit Rachai , Lam-ubol Aroonwan
Published: June 2021

Objective. This study aimed to determine the radiographic characteristics of odontogenic myxomas (OMs) and their associations. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled radiographs of patients taken between 2005 and 2019 with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of central OM. OM radiographic features were evaluated, including location, border, locularity, involved area, the number of included teeth, root resorption, tooth displacement, bone expansion, bone perforation, and periosteal reaction. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results. Significant associations were found between the OM border and the affected jaw (

p
=
0.036

), locularity (

p
=
0.036

), involved areas (

p
=
0.009

), and bone perforation (

p
=
0.036

). OMs with an ill-defined border were associated with maxillary lesions, multilocularity, dentate areas, and cortical bone perforation. The number of included teeth (2 or fewer or 3 or more) was significantly associated with locularity (

p
=
0.010

), involved area (

p
=
0.045

), and bone expansion (

p
=
0.010

). Larger OMs including 3 or more teeth, were associated with a multilocular appearance, dentate areas, and bone expansion. Conclusion. The border of OM and the number of included teeth are related to other radiographic appearances. Understanding these relationships could help in treatment decisions and help better understand the nature of OM.
The Dominant Design of Disruptive Innovations in the 3rd‐Party Online Payment in China
Authors: Lu Lu , Zhou Yang , Wang Chenxiao , Zhang Qingpu
Published: June 2021

As a disruptive innovation on the traditional payment mode, the 3rd‐party online payment has been involved in disruptive innovations featuring contextualized and modernized characteristics, but a theoretical summary is urgently needed for the dominant design of these disruptive innovations. Therefore, an in‐depth case study is done with Alipay and PayPal as the subject, and it comes to elaborate four key aspects involved in the dominant design of disruptive innovations of the 3rd‐party online payment. Namely, adopt new innovative derivations, create new product attributes, construct new business models, and process subsequent performance improvements. In addition, the factors that differ from the traditional disruptive innovations are also spotted, including two innovative driving forces, two new product features, and four business modes.
Design of Smart Home Service Robot Based on ROS
Authors: Peng Jiansheng , Ye Hemin , He Qiwen , Qin Yong , Wan Zhenwu , Lu Junxu
Published: June 2021

At present, the functions of home service robots are not perfect, and home service robot systems that can independently complete autonomous inspections and home services are still lacking. In response to this problem, this paper designs a smart home service robot system based on ROS. The system uses Raspberry Pi 3B as the main control to manage the nodes of each sensor. CC2530 sets up a ZigBee network to collect home environmental information and control home electrical appliances. The image information of the home is collected by the USB camera. The human speech is recognized by Baidu Speech Recognition API. When encountering a dangerous situation, the GSM module is used to give users SMS and phone alarms. Arduino mega2560 is used as the bottom controller to control the movement of the service robot. The indoor environment map of the home is constructed by the lidar and the attitude sensor. The service robot finally designed and developed realizes the functions of wireless control of home appliances, voice remote control, autonomous positioning and navigation, liquefied gas leakage alarm, and human infrared detection alarm. Compared with the household service robots in the related literature, the household service robots developed by us have more complete functions. And the robot system has completed the task of combining independent patrol and home service well.
Protective Effects of Topical Application of Nitrite on Testicular Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Lee Jae Won , Hwang Ee Taek , Han Jin Soo
Published: June 2021

Testicular torsion is a urologic emergency induced by torsion of the spermatic cord, interrupting blood circulation to the testis. Therapeutic options for testicular torsion, except surgical restoration of testis, are rarely applied in clinical practice. This study, therefore, investigated whether topical application of nitrite (NO2-) is beneficial in tissue damage due to testicular ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Pubertal Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned to seven groups: group A, sham‐operated control group; group B, I/R with no treatment; groups C, D, and E, I/R followed by treatment with three different doses of nitrite; group F, I/R followed by administration of nitrite and a NO scavenger, C‐PTIO (2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide potassium salt); and group G, I/R followed by administration of nitrate (NO3-). Unilateral testicular ischemia was maintained for 5 h, followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Nitrite and nitrate were topically administered before reperfusion. Compared to group A, germ cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymatic function, and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased, along with abnormal morphology and impaired spermatogenesis in group B (P < 0.05). In contrast, testicular damage was generally attenuated in the nitrite treatment groups due to a reduction in superoxide and peroxynitrite levels and the inhibition of caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis (P < 0.05 vs. group B). These therapeutic effects of nitrite‐derived NO were suppressed after injection of C‐PTIO, which showed in group F. Taken together, our results demonstrate that topical application of nitrite may be one of the therapeutic strategies for testicular ischemia‐reperfusion injury.