bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composite Techniques of Structural Equation Modeling and Analytic Hierarchy Process for Information Technology Vendor Selection
Authors: Selvam Dhanapal Durai Dominic Panneer , Maitra Sarit , Parthiban P , Hameed Abdul Zubar
Published: May 2021

This paper had developed an effective information technology (IT) vendor selection model for banking & financial services industries (BFSI). For any business, profitability and growth depends on the right vendor selection in their purchase process. This paper identifies ten most influencing and important criteria with 43 sub-criteria to comprehend the vendor selection process. Furthermore, the authors developed a vendor selection score model using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This article intends to inform practice and conclude with practical recommendations to BFSI for vendor selection. The proposed composite technique identified the most eligible vendor to meet up with the buyer’s strategies. This article suggests the most desirable vendor for the required benefit. Vendor 1 (Silverlake) with a score of 44% promised to be the most recommended one that also performed consistently in the sensitivity test.
Inherited structure as a control on late Paleozoic and Mesozoic exhumation of the Tarbagatai Mountains, southeastern Kazakhstan
Authors: Gillespie Jack , Glorie Stijn , Jepson Gilby , Zhimulev Fedor , Gurevich Dmitriy , Danišík Martin , Collins Alan S.
Published: May 2021

Central Asia hosts the Tianshan, the largest intracontinental mountain belt in the world, which experienced major reactivation and uplift since the Oligocene in response to the collision of India with Asia. This reactivation was focused around pre-existing structures inherited from the Paleozoic tectonic history of the region. The significant Cenozoic tectonic reworking of Central Asia complicates efforts to understand earlier phases of intracontinental tectonics during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic. The Tarbagatai Mountains of eastern Kazakhstan record a thermotectonic history that provides insight into the timing and distribution of intracontinental tectonic activity in Central Asia prior to the India–Eurasia collision. Apatite fission-track and (U–Th–Sm)/He analysis of igneous samples from the Tarbagatai Mountains reveals two episodes of cooling as a result of exhumation following Paleozoic amalgamation. Initial intracontinental deformation during the Late Permian drove exhumation synchronous with activity along newly formed strike-slip faults spanning the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The major Chingiz–Tarbagatai Fault was reactivated during the Early Cretaceous, driving localized exhumation along the fault. The relative lack of Cenozoic tectonic activity in the Tarbagatai Mountains means that they provide unique insight into the broader thermotectonic evolution of Central Asia during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic.

Supplementary material:
Detailed thermochronological data, including plots and tables, are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5414555
Challenging the Security of Logic Locking Schemes in the Era of Deep Learning: A Neuroevolutionary Approach
Authors: Sisejkovic Dominik , Merchant Farhad , Reimann Lennart M. , Srivastava Harshit , Hallawa Ahmed , Leupers Rainer
Published: May 2021

Logic locking is a prominent technique to protect the integrity of hardware designs throughout the integrated circuit design and fabrication flow. However, in recent years, the security of locking schemes has been thoroughly challenged by the introduction of various deobfuscation attacks. As in most research branches, deep learning is being introduced in the domain of logic locking as well. Therefore, in this article we present SnapShot, a novel attack on logic locking that is the first of its kind to utilize artificial neural networks to directly predict a key bit value from a locked synthesized gate-level netlist without using a golden reference. Hereby, the attack uses a simpler yet more flexible learning model compared to existing work. Two different approaches are evaluated. The first approach is based on a simple feedforward fully connected neural network. The second approach utilizes genetic algorithms to evolve more complex convolutional neural network architectures specialized for the given task. The attack flow offers a generic and customizable framework for attacking locking schemes using machine learning techniques. We perform an extensive evaluation of SnapShot for two realistic attack scenarios, comprising both reference combinational and sequential benchmark circuits as well as silicon-proven RISC-V core modules. The evaluation results show that SnapShot achieves an average key prediction accuracy of 82.60% for the selected attack scenario, with a significant performance increase of 10.49 percentage points compared to the state of the art. Moreover, SnapShot outperforms the existing technique on all evaluated benchmarks. The results indicate that the security foundation of common logic locking schemes is built on questionable assumptions. Based on the lessons learned, we discuss the vulnerabilities and potentials of logic locking uncovered by SnapShot. The conclusions offer insights into the challenges of designing future logic locking schemes that are resilient to machine learning attacks.
Robust and Attack Resilient Logic Locking with a High Application-Level Impact
Authors: Liu Yuntao , Zuzak Michael , Xie Yang , Chakraborty Abhishek , Srivastava Ankur
Published: May 2021

Logic locking is a hardware security technique aimed at protecting intellectual property against security threats in the IC supply chain, especially those posed by untrusted fabrication facilities. Such techniques incorporate additional locking circuitry within an integrated circuit (IC) that induces incorrect digital functionality when an incorrect verification key is provided by a user. The amount of error induced by an incorrect key is known as the
effectiveness
of the locking technique. A family of attacks known as “SAT attacks” provide a strong mathematical formulation to find the correct key of locked circuits. To achieve high
SAT resilience
(i.e., complexity of SAT attacks), many conventional logic locking schemes fail to inject sufficient error into the circuit when the key is incorrect. For example, in the case of SARLock and Anti-SAT, there are usually very few (or only one) input minterms that cause any error at the circuit output. The state-of-the-art
s
tripped functionality logic locking (SFLL) technique provides a wide spectrum of configurations that introduced a tradeoff between SAT resilience and effectiveness. In this work, we prove that such a tradeoff is universal among all logic locking techniques. To attain high effectiveness of locking without compromising SAT resilience, we propose a novel logic locking scheme, called Strong Anti-SAT (SAS). In addition to SAT attacks, removal-based attacks are another popular kind of attack formulation against logic locking where the attacker tries to identify and remove the locking structure. Based on SAS, we also propose Robust SAS (RSAS) that is resilient to removal attacks and maintains the same
SAT resilience
and
effectiveness
as SAS. SAS and RSAS have the following significant improvements over existing techniques. (1) We prove that the
SAT resilience
of SAS and RSAS against SAT attack is not compromised by increase in
effectiveness
. (2) In contrast to prior work that focused solely on the circuit-level locking impact, we integrate SAS-locked modules into an 80386 processor and show that SAS has a high application-level impact. (3) Our experiments show that SAS and RSAS exhibit better SAT resilience than SFLL and their effectiveness is similar to SFLL.
The Uncertainty of Side-channel Analysis: A Way to Leverage from Heuristics
Authors: Rioja Unai , Paguada Servio , Batina Lejla , Armendariz Igor
Published: May 2021

Performing a comprehensive side-channel analysis evaluation of small embedded devices is a process known for its variability and complexity. In real-world experimental setups, the results are largely influenced by a huge amount of parameters, some of which are not easily adjusted without trial and error and are heavily relying on the experience of professional security analysts. In this article, we advocate the usage of an existing statistical methodology called Six Sigma (6

) for side-channel analysis optimization. This well-known methodology is commonly used in other industrial fields, such as production and quality engineering, to reduce the variability of industrial processes. We propose a customized Six Sigma methodology, which allows even a less-experienced security analysis to select optimal values for the different variables that are critical for the side-channel analysis procedure. Moreover, we show how our methodology helps in improving different phases in the side-channel analysis process.
Field-of-View Restriction to Reduce VR Sickness Does Not Impede Spatial Learning in Women
Authors: Adhanom Isayas Berhe , Al-Zayer Majed , Macneilage Paul , Folmer Eelke
Published: May 2021

Women are more likely to experience virtual reality (VR) sickness than men, which could pose a major challenge to the mass market success of VR. Because VR sickness often results from a visual-vestibular conflict, an effective strategy to mitigate conflict is to restrict the user’s field-of-view (FOV) during locomotion. Sex differences in spatial cognition have been well researched, with several studies reporting that men exhibit better spatial navigation performance in desktop three-dimensional environments than women. However, additional research suggests that this sex difference can be mitigated by providing a larger FOV as this increases the availability of landmarks, which women tend to rely on more than men. Though FOV restriction is already a widely used strategy for VR headsets to minimize VR sickness, it is currently not well understood if it impedes spatial learning in women due to decreased availability of landmarks. Our study (n=28, 14 men and 14 women) found that a dynamic FOV restrictor was equally effective in reducing VR sickness in both sexes, and no sex differences in VR sickness incidence were found. Our study did find a sex difference in spatial learning ability, but an FOV restrictor did not impede spatial learning in either sex.
3D Printed Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Abdalla Aya , Patel Bhavik Anil
Published: May 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has recently emerged as a novel approach in the development of electrochemical sensors. This approach to fabrication has provided a tremendous opportunity to make complex geometries of electrodes at high precision. The most widely used approach for fabrication is fused deposition modeling; however, other approaches facilitate making smaller geometries or expanding the range of materials that can be printed. The generation of complete analytical devices, such as electrochemical flow cells, provides an example of the array of analytical tools that can be developed. This review highlights the fabrication, design, preparation, and applications of 3D printed electrochemical sensors. Such developments have begun to highlight the vast potential that 3D printed electrochemical sensors can have compared to other strategies in sensor development.
Extraction of Selenium and Tellurium from CaCl2–LiCl-Based Molten Chlorides Containing Na2Se, Na2Te, and CaO
Authors: Sakamura Yoshiharu , Murakami Tsuyoshi , Uozumi Koichi
Published: May 2021

This study was conducted considering the separation of long-lived fission products of 79Se from vitrified high-level radioactive wastes. The redox behavior of Se on various electrodes was investigated in CaCl2 melts containing Na2Se and CaO at 1093 K. Se2− ions were anodically oxidized to form selenide compounds on Cu and Ni electrodes, which were not affected by presence of O2− ions. Potentiostatic electrolysis using a Ni anode yielded liquid Ni–Se alloy and Ni was thus evaluated as a suitable anode material for extracting Se. A chemical reaction using NiO and Ni metal was investigated for the extraction of Se as an alternative to electrodeposition. In addition, anodic deposition behaviors of Te and Se on Ni in an equimolar CaCl2–LiCl melt containing Na2Se, Na2Te, CaO, BaCl2, SrCl2, CsCl, KCl, and EuCl2 were investigated. The potential difference between the Ni telluride and selenide formations was about 0.20 V, indicating that Te can be extracted prior to Se. The NiO/Ni apparatus consisting of a Ni rod immersed in NiO powder placed in a MgO crucible was used to extract Te and Se in two steps. Most of Te was first extracted. Then, the remaining Te and Se were almost completely extracted.
Multi-Redox (V5+/V4+/V3+/V2+) Driven Asymmetric Sodium (De)intercalation Reactions in NASICON-Na3VIn(PO4)3 Cathode
Authors: Ghosh Subham , Jose Nirmal , Senthilkumar Baskar , Amonpattaratkit Penphitcha , Senguttuvan Premkumar
Published: May 2021

NASICON-Na3V2−xMx(PO4)3 (M = Al3+, Cr3+, Fe3+ & Ga3+) cathodes are attractive for sodium-ion battery application due to their high voltage multi-redox (V5+/V4+/V3+) couples and faster sodium-ion diffusivity. However, they suffer from rapid capacity decay due to irreversible structural changes occurring at high voltages. Herein, we present the structural and electrochemical sodium (de)intercalation properties of NASICON-Na3VIn(PO4)3 (NVIP) cathode. Although, this In3+-substituted cathode also undergoes similar high voltage structural degradation, but its structure is rejuvenated through the following low voltage deep-sodiation process, resulting in reversible capacities of ∼145 mA h g−1 (i.e., equivalent to ∼2.82 moles of Na per vanadium). Our combined electrochemical, in-operando X-ray diffraction and exsitu X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyses reveal asymmetric sodium (de)intercalation pathways of the NVIP cathode in the window of 4.2–1.2 V vs Na+/Na0 that is driven by multi-redox (V5+/V4+/V3+/V2+) couples.
Al Substitution for Mn during Co-Precipitation Boosts the Electrochemical Performance of LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2
Authors: Pei Ben , Zhou Hui , Goel Anshika , Zuba Mateusz , Liu Hao , Xin Fengxia , Whittingham M. Stanley
Published: May 2021

Nickel-rich layered oxides, such as LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC 811), are considered as one of the most promising candidates for the next-generation cathode because of their high energy densities and relatively low cost. However, the poor first Coulombic efficiency of NMC 811 leads to around a 15% capacity loss in the first cycle at a cut-off voltage of 4.4 V. Moreover, the structure degradation during cycling results in capacity fading and safety concerns, due to potential oxygen loss after charging. Here, with aluminum substitution for manganese through a developed continuous co-precipitation approach, the electrochemical performance of NMC 811 cathodes has been greatly enhanced. Among different Al% substituted samples, LiNi0.8Mn0.06Co0.1Al0.04O2 cathodes reduced by 50% the first capacity loss of pristine NMC 811(18.0 vs 35.9 mAh g−1) and improved the capacity retention from 81.4 to 96.4% after 60 cycles at 0.5C in the voltage range of 2.8–4.4 V.
From the Editor: Challenges in a Non-Utopian World
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: May 2021

The unspeakable events of September 11 have exacted a considerable toll in human suffering. But the true significance of “9-11” will only clarify with the hindsight of history. The victims were young and old, men and women, millionaires and the not so rich, military men and civilians. Among the dead (and missing) were not only Americans, but people from countries around the world (including many from my country of birth, India), and from an equally broad swath of religious beliefs. While America and the world will forever mourn these victims, they will also be equally thankful for the many who miraculously survived this tragedy.
Pennington Corner: Big Dog
Authors: Calvo Roque J.
Published: May 2021

Last July in New York City, I was inaugurated as the 51st president of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE). CESSE is a dynamic organization with a diverse membership and a talented group of volunteers who commit their time and energy to the program and activities of the organization.
Pennington Corner: 100 Years and Counting
Authors: Calvo Roque J.
Published: May 2021

There is truth in the numbers. Listen to the numbers. The numbers never lie. Have you ever heard any of these business axioms, and do you believe any of them? I have to admit that I’m a “numbers guy” at times, so with our centennial approaching I decided to take a look at what the Society’s numbers tell us about the first 100 years.
Society News - Spring 2001
Authors: Kohl Paul A.
Published: May 2021

In this edition of Society News we present an editorial by Paul A. Kohl.
From the President: ECS Centennial – Celebration of Our Past and Future
Authors: Talbot Jan B.
Published: May 2021

I am intrigued by the life stories of centenarians and the reasons for their longevity. Did they live to this old age due to great genetics, a healthy lifestyle, a special diet, a particular outlook, or some spiritual path? What was the quality of their life as they approached the 100-year mark? Although the “miracles” of modern medicine and healthier diets may keep us living longer, we may even ask if we want to live to be 100 and beyond?
The ECS Celebrations
Authors: Yess Mary E.
Published: May 2021

In 1902, at the founding of the Society, C. J. Reed moved that the new organization be called “The American Electrochemical Society.” Immediately thereafter (in the spirit of business meetings the world over), an amendment was introduced. Carl Hering proposed that the word electrochemical be written with a hyphen and a capital C. The amendment did not carry; it lost by a vote of 29 to 21. The annals do not record how long the discussion on hyphenation and capitalization lasted, nor do they relate the nature of the comments. Judging from other contemporary writings in the Transactions, however, they were quite likely to have been clever and highly entertaining. This anecdote about the Society’s name is just one of many interesting stories and pictures—from the droll to the serious—that will come to light during the Society’s Centennial Year in 2002.
ECS Journals Take a Quantum Leap
Authors: Yess Mary
Published: May 2021

Once upon a time, the ECS journals followed a very traditional path. BOE (Before the Online Era), the Journal of The Electrochemical Society was published in paper, one issue at a time, and carried by truck, boat, or plane to its final destination. Although the content of the Journal was of the highest quality, the timeliness of the receipt of that content was not its equal. The beginning of the new era came about for ECS with the launch of Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters in 1998.
Free Radicals - Spring 2001
Authors: Hall Dale
Published: May 2021

When we think about the government’s relationship to the sciences, we usually think in terms of money. The government’s financial support is crucial to scientific research, both fundamental and directed toward key national needs. The government also supports science in less direct but pivotal ways, such as funding scientific education and creating tax and other policies that encourage innovation.
Free Radicals: Virtual R & D
Authors: Woodall Jerry M.
Published: May 2021

“Hi, folks. It’s been over a year since we last “talked.” Hope you have been enjoying the beginning of the “real” new millennium. Yes, I’m stalling. This is because I am going to say something controversial. I am going to tell you that it is time for those research universities who haven’t done so to get real.
Free Radicals: Revamping Education (Revamping Science and Engineering Education to Meet the Needs of Graduates and High-Tech Companies)
Authors: Woodall Jerry
Published: May 2021

Hello again. The last time we talked, I was trying to make the point that the future of successful research universities will belong to those who aggressively partner with businesses, especially start-up businesses, whose commercial interests are aligned with university research expertise. I also addressed the hazards associated with these partnerships, including intellectual property (IP) and conflict of interest (COI) issues.
The High Temperature Materials Division
Authors: Visco Steven J.
Published: May 2021

The High Temperature Materials (HTM) Division was established in 1921. It is one of the two oldest Divisions of The Electrochemical Society. Not surprisingly, the Division is in strong financial shape, allowing HTM to sponsor a number of outstanding symposia, as well as awards for scientific distinction. The focus of the Division has broadened significantly from its origins in high temperature materials chemistry and corrosion to encompass high temperature electrochemical systems such as solid oxide fuel cells, ionic membranes, sensors, and the science and technology of chemical vapor deposition and related processes.
Tech Watch: Electrochromic Smart Windows: Toward an Energy Efficient Architecture
Authors: Granqvist Claes G.
Published: May 2021

The spring 2001 issue of Interface pointed at the imminent dangers to humankind associated with global climate changes, due to excessive use of fossil fuel, and argued strongly for the role of electrochemistry and photochemistry in benign technology devised to alleviate some of these dangers. The examples put forward in Interface included fuel cells, carbon dioxide sequestration, etc. This contribution emphasizes the possibilities of electrochromic smart windows for diminishing the need for electrically driven air conditioning and hence for energy efficiency, along with enhanced comfort, in buildings. The electrochromic smart window is capable of varying its transmittance upon charge insertion/extraction in electrochemically active materials—normally being thin film based on transition metal oxides.
Global Climate Change: Electrochemical and Photochemical Perspectives
Authors: Wieckowski Andrew
Published: May 2021

“Global temperatures could rise by as much as 10.5 degrees over the next century, triggering droughts, floods, and other disasters from shifts in weather patterns. The projected rise in average worldwide temperatures is sharply higher than the 2.5–5.5 degrees previously thought.” These are conclusions drawn from the recent United Nations meeting on climate change in Shanghai, China (January 2001), as reported, for example, by the Associated Press and CNN. Despite the fact that hundreds of scientists were involved in this study, including many from the U.S., many questions and doubts still remain about such assertions.
High Temperature Ion Conducting Ceramics
Authors: Ramanarayanan T. A. , Singhal Subhash C. , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: May 2021

Research in materials today has progressed from materials exhibiting structural functionality to those exhibiting electronic functionality. The study of solid-state ionics ushers in a new era of chemically functional materials. This chemical functionality arises out of the defect equilibria of these materials, and results in the ability to transport chemical species and actively participate in chemical reactions at their surface.
Fuel Cells: An Electrochemical Solution to Global Climate Change in the 21st Century
Authors: Wilkinson David P.
Published: May 2021

A major challenge facing mankind is to find much needed solutions to the increasing impact of energy consumption on the urban and global environment. Global warming and acidification of various fuel supply chains including fuel production and fuel use are major factors in the global impact.
Assembly of Metal Nanoparticle Arrays Using Molecular Bridges
Authors: Feldheim Dan
Published: May 2021

This article reviews recent work by our group aimed at organizing metal nanoparticles into symmetrically and spatially well defined architectures.
An Overview of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration
Authors: Medina Margaret-Gail , Bond Gillian M. , Stringer John
Published: May 2021

Increasing public concern about the possible effects that anthropogenic emissions of “greenhouse gases” such as CO2 may have on global climate has led to a variety of international meetings aimed at limiting these emissions. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, for example, calls for capping greenhouse gas concentrations.
On-line Deposition of Oxides on Flat Glass
Authors: Allendorf Mark D.
Published: May 2021

Oxide-coated glass is a major industrial product, with more than 110 million ft2/year of flat glass coated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Fluorine-doped tin oxide for use as low-emissivity or solar-control architectural glass is the largest product; but a wide range of other coatings are produced as well, including the oxides of silicon, titanium, aluminum, zinc, cobalt, iron, and chromium.
New Approaches to Titania and Silica CVD
Authors: Hitchman Michael L. , Alexandrov Sergei E
Published: May 2021

The companion article by Mark Allendorf highlights the importance of on-line CVD coating for flat glass manufacture. Two smaller, but fast growing, markets are those of precision optics and telecommunications. Both these markets are driven by the rapidly developing requirement for high throughputs. Current deposition methods rely on PVD techniques that are augmented with cumbersome tooling to move the complex geometries and thereby achieve time-averaged deposition over whole surface areas. Such techniques limit throughput and usually give a non-uniform deposit on parts of the coated sample, necessitating special alignment within an optic system and thereby incurring significant costs.
Listening to Corrosion
Authors: Huet François , Bautista Asunción , Bertocci Ugo
Published: May 2021

About 30 years ago, one of the authors had a colleague, a microbiologist interested in biocorrosion, who, in the spirit of free inquiry, had constructed a contraption with two electrodes connected through capacitors and a little microphone in between. The present author was invited to see the apparatus and to listen to corrosion. Sure enough, he could hear the deep groans, louder or fainter, depending on the rate of corrosion, varied by changing the aggressivity of the electrolyte.
Fungal Influenced Corrosion in Post-Tension Structures
Authors: Little Brenda , Staehle Roger W.
Published: May 2021

This paper describes the effect of fungi on the integrity of posttensioned tendons with respect to the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The occurrence of SCC is interpreted in terms of organic acids produced by fungal metabolic activity.
Surface Studies of Spontaneously Deposited Ruthenium on Pt(hk) Electrodes
Authors: Crown Alechia
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Colin Garfield Fink Summer Research Fellowship.
Bright Light from Thin Layer Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Maus Russell
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2001 Colin Garfield Fink Summer Research Fellowship.
Electrochemical Molecular Beams
Authors: Grant Kyle M.
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
Chemical Investigations of the GaAs to Borosilicate Glass Wafer Bonded Interface
Authors: Hansen Darren M.
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
The Electrochemistry of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy in Simulated Crack-Tip Solutions
Authors: Cooper Kevin R.
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
Catalytic Reduction of O2 to H2O by Vanadium-Schiff Base Complexes in Acetonitrile
Authors: Liu Zenghe
Published: May 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
High Thermal Stability and Fast Speed Phase Change Memory by Optimizing GeTe Alloys with Ru Doping
Authors: Xu Yongkang , Song Sannian , Yuan Zhenhui , Zhao Jin , Song Zhitang
Published: May 2021

Phase change memory (PCM) has obvious advantages in reading, writing, fatigue characteristics and other characteristics, which make it can be a universal memory. At the same time, as a storage-level memory, PCM technology is expected to change the computer architecture and realize the integration of storage and calculation. In this paper, Ru6.8Ge50Te50 is proposed for PCM, which has achieved 144.9 °C data retention for 10 years, 6 ns operation speed. The high data retention of the phase change material is mainly due to the high coordination number of Ru and its strong bonding with Ge and Te atoms in the amorphous phase, thus enhancing the robustness of the atomic matrix. The amorphous structure model is calculated through molecular dynamics melting-quenching process, which shows that a relatively uniform amorphous phase is obtained by Ru doping. These findings proved that Ru6.8Ge50Te50 can be used as a candidate storage material for PCM.
Influence of Nitrogen Incorporation Sites on Structural and Optical Properties of Sputtered TiO2-N Thin Films with Improved Visible Light Activity
Authors: Pjević Dejan , Savić Tatjana , Petrović Suzana , Peruško Davor , Čomor Mirjana , Kovač Janez
Published: May 2021

The influence of deposition and annealing parameters on optical, structural and photocatalytic properties of N-doped titanium-dioxide (TiO2) thin films have been studied. Anatase and anatase-rutile crystalline phase mixture TiO2 thin films were obtained depending on the reactive direct current (DC) sputtering and annealing conditions. Deposition in the nitrogen atmosphere produced N-doped TiO2 thin films with energy gap values shifted towards visible region in comparison with thin TiO2 films deposited without nitrogen in the atmosphere. The role of substitutional and interstitial nitrogen atoms incorporated in obtained crystalline structures during the deposition was shown important and was reflected in the efficiency of photocatalysis. It was found that thin TiO2 films with more substitutional incorporated nitrogen exhibits better photocatalytic properties. These results could be of importance towards achieving controlled synthesis of N-doped TiO2 thin films with desired structural and optical properties, especially with improved photo-activity in the visible part of the solar spectrum.
Application of Quantum Dot Down-Conversion Layer in Thin-Film Solar Cells to Increase Short-Wavelength Spectral Response
Authors: Yu Jong Hun , Cho Dae-Hyung , Lee Woo-Jung , Kim Woo-Ju , Kang Seong Jun , Chung Yong-Duck
Published: May 2021

The short-wavelength optical loss in the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells is inevitable owing to the substantial light absorption in the front layers such as the buffer layer and transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer. Quantum dots (QDs) with CdSe/ZnS core–shell structure is utilized to increase the short-wavelength spectral response of the CIGS thin-film solar cells. The QDs absorbs photons in the short-wavelength region (<540 nm) and re-emits the photons at approximately 540 nm; these photons penetrate the front layers and reach the CIGS absorber layer. The thickness of the QD layer was varied via drop coating with different QD concentrations, thereby facilitating the application of the optimized QD layer as a down-conversion layer in the CIGS thin-film solar cells. The photoelectric parameters of the CIGS thin-film solar cells were dependent on the QD thickness, and they were characterized using quantum efficiency measurements, spectrophotometric analysis, and current–voltage measurements. The CIGS thin-film solar cells with a 0.7 μm-thick QD layer exhibited the highest increase of 1.86 mA cm−2 and 0.75% in the short-circuit current density and efficiency, respectively.
Measurement of Iris Thickness at Different Regions in Healthy Chinese Adults
Authors: Li Qingchen , Zong Yuan , Wen Huiming , Yu Jian , Zhou Changbo , Jiang Chunhui , Liu Guangxing , Sun Xinghuai
Published: May 2021

Purpose. To study the variation of iris thicknesses in different regions and explore the possible correlations with age and gender. Methods. Healthy Chinese adults were recruited; the anterior segment of their eyes was imaged by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The horizontal scan of the right eye was selected, and the thicknesses of both the nasal and temporal irises were measured at 199 evenly spaced points. Results. A total of 233 subjects with an average age of 36.79 ± 10.04 years (range 19 to 62) were included in the final analysis. The mean iris thicknesses of the temporal and nasal sides were 364.79 ± 47.58 μm and 372.44 ± 43.75 μm, respectively. The mean nasal iris thickness was positively correlated with age (β = 0.9 μm/year;

P

 = 0.002), but the temporal one was not (β = 0.077 μm/year;

P

 = 0.806). At 139 points of the nasal iris and 146 points of the temporal iris, the iris thickness was significantly correlated with age (

P

 < 0.05). The thicknesses of the peripheral and pupillary parts were positively correlated with age, while the middle part was negatively correlated with age. No significant difference was observed in the mean iris thickness between genders (temporal: t = 1.597,

P

 = 0.112; nasal: t = 1.870,

P

 = 0.063), but females had a thicker iris than males at 50 points in the temporal side and 49 points in the nasal side (

P

 < 0.05); no point in males was observed to have thicker iris compared to females. Conclusion. Using SS-OCT and the novel method, thicknesses of the iris at different regions were measured. The thicknesses of the peripheral and pupillary irises increase with age, while the thicknesses of the middle part decrease.
[Retracted] Load Balancing Selection Method and Simulation in Network Communication Based on AHP‐DS Heterogeneous Network Selection Algorithm
Authors: Xiao Weiwei
Published: May 2021

This article proposes an Analytic Hierarchy Process Dempster‐Shafer (AHP‐DS) and similarity‐based network selection algorithm for the scenario of dynamic changes in user requirements and network environment; combines machine learning with network selection and proposes a decision tree‐based network selection algorithm; combines multiattribute decision‐making and genetic algorithm to propose a weighted Gray Relation Analysis (GRA) and genetic algorithm‐based network access decision algorithm. Firstly, the training data is obtained from the collaborative algorithm, and it is used as the training set, and the network attributes are used as the attribute set, and the continuous attributes are discretized by dichotomization, and the attribute that can make the greatest information gain is selected as the division feature, and a decision tree with strong generalization ability is finally obtained, which is used as the decision basis for network access selection. The simulation results show that the algorithm proposed in this thesis can effectively improve user service quality under three services, and the algorithm is simple and effective with low complexity. It first uses AHP‐DS hierarchical analysis to establish a recursive hierarchy for the network selection problem and obtains the subjective weights of network attributes through the judgment matrix. Then, it uses a genetic algorithm to adjust the subjective weight, defines the fitness function in the genetic algorithm‐based on gray correlation analysis, adjusts the weights of the selection operator, crossover operator, and variation operator in the genetic algorithm, and gets the network with the largest fitness as the target network, which can effectively improve the user service quality.
Gadgets and Messenger Applications as an Instrument for Secondary School Administration
Authors: Luniachek Vadym , Varenko Tetyana
Published: May 2021

This research is intended to study the influence that gadgets and messenger applications have on the management process in institutions of general secondary education (IGSE) in Ukraine. The relevance thereof is conditioned by the fact that this subject matter has never been previously in the focus of any specific research in either Ukraine or the world. It relies on the data collected through an online questionnaire distributed among the IGSE administrators of Ukraine. The findings reveal that the use of gadgets and messenger applications in IGSEs is becoming new normal in the management activity of the IGSE administrators while raising a number of ethical questions related to violation of the subordinates’ rights to privacy and personal time and space.
Free Vibration Investigations of Rotating FG Beams Resting on Elastic Foundation with Initial Geometrical Imperfection in Thermal Environments
Authors: Nguyen Van Dang
Published: May 2021

In practical operations of mechanical structures, it is not difficult to meet some large components such as helicopter rotors, gas turbine blades of marine engines, and rotating railway bridges, where these elements can be seen as beam models rotating around one fixed axis. Therefore, mechanical explorations of these structures with and without the effect of temperature will guide the design, manufacture, and use of them in practice. This is the first paper that uses the shear deformation theory-type hyperbolic sine functions and the finite element method to analyze the free vibration response of rotating FGM beams with initial geometrical imperfections resting on elastic foundations considering the effect of temperature. The material properties are assumed to be varied in the thickness direction of the beam based on the power law function and temperature changes The proposed theory and mathematical model are verified by comparing the results with other exact solutions. The numerical investigations have taken into account some geometrical and material parameters to evaluate the effects on the vibration behavior of the structure such as the rotational speed, temperature, as well as initial geometrical imperfections. The drawn comments have numerous scientific and practical implications for rotating beam structures.
Quantifying the Dynamic Stability of Gait Patterns in People with Hallux Valgus
Authors: Park Chaneun , Kang Nyeonju , Jeon KyoungKyu , Park Kiwon
Published: May 2021

Hallux valgus (HV), which is mainly caused by the wearing of narrow-width and high-heeled shoes, disrupts gait behavior because it deforms lower limb joints. There is limited information regarding the relationship between the foot disease HV and lower limb joints. Previous studies evaluating abnormal gait patterns caused by deformity used spatiotemporal parameters; however, they failed to characterize the overall gait dynamics. To address this issue, this study is aimed at characterizing the gait stability of patients with HV and examining the joints that are critically affected by HV. To assess complex gait dynamics, we quantified the potential changes in gait stability by using the maximum Lyapunov exponent (MLE). Angular displacements of the ankle, knee, and hip in the sagittal plane during walking were investigated to calculate the MLE for gait stability based on foot conditions (i.e., barefoot, flat shoes, and high heels). During walking, a large MLE (

P
<
0.05

) was noted for the knee joints of subjects with HV, relative to the other lower limb joints. HV appears to have the most critical effect on the knee joints during walking. Ankle movement exhibited higher dynamic stability than the other joint movements of the lower limb (

P
<
0.05

). The type of shoe used in the experiment showed no significant dependence with gait stability and joint movement (

P
>
0.05

). Quantitative assessments of dynamic stability using the MLE may help clinicians assess the overall gait dynamics of HV patients and other people suffering from gait disturbances.
Comparison of Dizziness Factors for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients with and without Dizziness: A Factor Analysis and Propensity Score Model Study
Authors: Ma Hon-Ping , Ong Jiann Ruey , Ou Ju-Chi , Chiang Yung-Hsiao , Lian Shoou-Yang
Published: May 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes major socioeconomic problems worldwide. In the United States, nearly three-quarters of patients with TBI have mild TBI (mTBI). 32% of these patients may develop dizziness. In this study, we analyzed the factor structure of the traditional Chinese version of the DHI and evaluate the differences in DHI factors between dizziness and nondizziness groups. In total, 315 patients with mTBI, comprising 158 with self-reported dizziness and 157 without dizziness, were recruited from three hospitals. The responses for Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) demonstrated between-group differences. The Chinese DHI had internal validity and had four factors that differed from the English version (3 aspects). The group effects for the physical subscale remained significantly different even after adjustments in the propensity score model. For the Chinese version, two of four factors remained significantly different in the effects between self-reported dizziness and nondizziness groups. The factors of our Chinese DHI differed from those of the original English version of DHI. After adjustments using the propensity score model, the physical subscale demonstrated significant differences between the self-reported dizziness and nondizziness groups. Only two factors from our Chinese DHI were significantly different; moreover, it contained only three physical, five functional, and three emotional items.
Nutritional Quality and Safety of Complementary Foods Developed from Blends of Staple Grains and Honey Bee Larvae (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Mekuria Shewangzaw Addisu , Kinyuru John N. , Mokua Beatrice Kiage , Tenagashaw Mesfin Wogayehu
Published: May 2021

Complementary foods must be adequate to satisfy the nutritional needs of the growing child together with breastfeeding. This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional composition, microbial safety, and sensory quality of extruded complementary foods developed from blends of staple grains and insect bee larva (Apis mellifera). Teff, maize, soybean, and bee larva samples were milled to flour and blended before extrusion as follows: ComF01 (57% maize, 29% teff, and 14% soybean) and ComF02 (58% maize, 29% teff, and 13% bee larvae) using NutriSurvey software (version, 2007). Nutrient composition, microbial, and sensory analyses of developed flour blends were conducted using standard methods. The proximate composition of moisture, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, and energy was significantly different between the developed and commercial wean-mix foods. ComF02 recorded the highest fat content (14.3 g/100 g), energy (427.18 kcal/100 g), and vitamins A (706 μg/100 g), B3 (8.2 mg/100 g), and B9 (86.7 mg/100 g) while ComF01 had the highest protein content (12.56 g/100 g). Iron (40.94 mg/100 g) and calcium (68.20 mg/100 g) were the minerals with the highest content in ComF02. Both ComF01 and ComF02 met the recommended dietary allowance of nutrients for infants aged 6-12 months. Overall, the present study showed that bee larvae can be used to develop complementary foods that are nutritionally adequate, microbiologically safe, and sensory acceptable meeting the dietary allowance of infants at an acceptable level compared to conventional cereal-based foods.
An Efflux Pumps Inhibitor Significantly Improved the Antibacterial Activity of Botanicals from Plectranthus glandulosus towards MDR Phenotypes
Authors: Nanmeni Gravalain , Tedonkeu Alex T. , Fankam Aimé G. , Mbaveng Armelle T. , Wamba Brice E. N. , Nayim Paul , Bitchagno Gabin T. M. , Nzogong Raïssa T. , Awouafack Maurice D. , Tene Mathieu , Beng Veronique P. , Kuete Victor
Published: May 2021

Bacterial multidrug resistance causes many therapeutic failures, making it more difficult to fight against bacterial diseases. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of extract, fractions, and phytochemicals from Plectranthus glandulosus (Lamiaceae) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative phenotypes expressing efflux pumps. The crude extract after extraction was subjected to column chromatography, and the structures of the isolated compounds were determined using spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques. Antibacterial assays of samples alone and in the presence of an efflux pump inhibitor (phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide, PAβN) were carried out using the broth microdilution method. The phytochemical study of P. glandulosus plant extract afforded seven major fractions (A–G) which lead to the isolation of seventeen known compounds. The ethanol extract of P. glandulosus was not active at up to 1024 μg/mL, whereas its fractions showed MICs varying from 32 to 512 μg/mL on the studied bacteria. Fraction C of P. glandulosus showed the lowest MIC (32 μg/mL) on E. coli ATCC8739 strain. Fraction D presented the highest activity spectrum by inhibiting the growth of 90% (9/10) of the studied bacteria. The presence of PAβN has improved the activity of extract and all fractions. Overall, the tested phytochemicals showed low activity against the studied bacteria. The overall results obtained in this study show that some fractions from P. glandulosus, mainly fractions C and D, should be investigated more for their possible use to fight against MDR bacteria.
Anaesthetic Efficacy of 4% Articaine in Comparison with 2% Lidocaine as Intraligamentary Injections after an Ineffective Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Mandibular Molars with Irreversible Pulpitis: A Prospective Randomised Triple-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Zargar Nazanin , Shooshtari Elnaz , Pourmusavi Leila , Akbarzadeh Baghban Alireza , Ashraf Hengameh , Parhizkar Ardavan
Published: May 2021

The objective of the current study was to compare the anaesthetic efficacy of supplemental intraligamentary (IL) injection of 4% articaine with that of 2% lidocaine in the mandibular first and second molars with irreversible pulpitis after an ineffective inferior alveolar nerve block injection (IANB) using the same anaesthetic in a randomised triple-blind clinical trial. Seventy-six adult patients, who were diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first or second molars, were divided into 2 groups and received IANB randomly. In patients with lip numbness, anaesthesia was evaluated with the cold and electrical pulp (EPT) tests, and if the reported number on EPT was below 100, supplemental IL injection was administered using the same anaesthetic. The teeth were retested after 5 minutes. The Heft–Parker visual analogue scale was used to evaluate pain after IANB and IL injections. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, chi-square, and independent-sample and paired-sample t-tests. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the success rates of supplemental IL and IANB injections between articaine and lidocaine. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the success rates of supplemental IL injection with lidocaine between the mandibular first and second molars. However, there was a significant difference in the success rates of supplemental IL injection with articaine between the mandibular first and second molars. Moreover, supplemental IL injections indicated no significant difference in the anaesthetic efficacy between articaine and lidocaine; nevertheless, they were more effective in the mandibular second molars, especially with articaine.
The Management of Primary Hyperaldosteronism in a Poor Technology Environment
Authors: Sossa Jean , Avakoudjo Dedjinnin Josue Georges , Yevi Dodji Magloire Ines , Fanou Lionelle , Natchagande Gilles , Agounkpe Michel Michael , Hodonou Fred , Hounto Yao Felicien , Atadokpede Felix
Published: May 2021

We report a case of Conn’s adenoma in a 35-year-old female successfully managed in a poor hospital technology environment.
Dynamics in a Nonautonomous Nicholson-Type Delay System
Authors: Muhammadhaji Ahmadjan , Halik Azhar
Published: May 2021

A kind of Nicholson-type delay system is considered. Several conditions on the ultimate boundedness, extinction, permanence, periodic solution, and global attractivity of the system are established by employing the inequality techniques and comparison method and constructing suitable Lyapunov functional.