bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An auxiliary hybrid heuristic approach for objective function design evaluation
Authors: Lei Li , Kwan Raymond S.K. , Lin Zhiyuan
Published: April 2023

Real-world combinatorial optimization problems are mostly NP-hard, and often only near-optimal solutions can be obtained practically. To differentiate as fine-grained as possible the near-optimal solutions is therefore desirable. Moreover, a real-world problem may have numerous possible structural properties of concern to the practitioners, too numerous to be all elicited and incorporated as optimization criteria in an objective function.
In contrast with pure heuristics, we consider hybrid (meta-)heuristics that utilise an exact solver iteratively to solve a series of significantly reduced problem instances converging to near-optimal solutions within practical time. To avoid the hybrid heuristic being stranded in a “poorly differentiated” solution space, an effective objective function design plays an important role. We propose a methodology to benchmark the effectiveness of alternative objective function designs. The main metric used is the structural similarity between the solutions obtained by the hybrid heuristic and by the exact solver. Several other solution features are also distilled and aggregated in the benchmark.
This methodology is explained and demonstrated on a train unit scheduling problem tested with four alternative objective functions. The results show that two of them are significantly more effective than the others in differentiating solutions of different qualities and speeding up the solution process. Moreover, some criteria not modeled explicitly could also be satisfied implicitly in the effective objective designs.
Social interactions, loneliness and collective health: A new angle on an old debate
Authors: KOVACIC MATIJA , CASABIANCA ELIZABETH
Published: April 2023

Loneliness is increasingly being recognized as an important economic and public health issue. This paper investigates the relationship between historically rooted norms that drive individuals to conform to predefined behavioral standards and contemporary perceptions of social interactions and attitudes towards loneliness. Using a sub-population of second-generation immigrants, we identify an intergenerationally transmitted component of culture that reflects the importance of restrained discipline and rules characterizing highly intensive pre-industrial agricultural systems. We show that this cultural dimension influences perceptions of the quality of social relationships and significantly affects the likelihood of experiencing loneliness. The identified trait is then used to instrument loneliness in a two-stage model for health. We find that loneliness directly affects body mass index and some specific mental health issues. We argue, however, that loneliness may influence other health outcomes indirectly due to its economically significant effect on the increased body mass index. The results are robust to a battery of sensitivity checks. Our findings add to a growing body of research on the importance of attitudes in predicting significant economic and health outcomes, opening up a new channel via which deeply-rooted geographical, cultural, and individual characteristics may influence comparative economic development processes.
Controlled synthesis of MWCNTs/V2O5 nanocomposite by hydrothermal approach for adsorption and photodegradation processes
Authors: Ashery Marwa H. , Elnouby Mohamed , EL-Maghraby Mohamed , Elsehly Emad M.
Published: April 2023

The current work outlines the synthesis of pristine multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PMWCNTs) and functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) based on Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications. The functionalized MWCNTs were obtained by the oxidizing agents (H2SO4 and HNO3) to introduce the oxygenated functional groups. The samples were synthesized by hydrothermal approach and investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These tools revealed the structure and morphology of the prepared nanocomposites as well as their elemental compositions. The photocatalytic activity of FMWCNTs/V2O5 and PMWCNTs/V2O5 nanocomposites was assessed via Methylene Blue (MB) degradation from water under visible light. The results demonstrated that the removal percentage of FMWCNTs/V2O5 and PMWCNTs/V2O5 could reach 98.9% and 94.9%, respectively. It was noted that MB adsorption and photodegradation tend to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics. The mechanism of MB adsorption by FMWCNTs/ V2O5 nanoparticles was explained. MWCNTs/metal oxide nanocomposites could provide an opportunity for further applications of these nanomaterials to remove other dyes and contaminants from wastewater.
Anatomical variations of the zygomaticofacial foramen and its related canal through the zygomatico-orbital and zygomaticotemporal foramina in dry human skulls
Authors: Chatzioglou Gkionoul Nteli , Sağlam Latif , Çandır Buse Naz , Yiğit Mehmet , Gayretli Özcan
Published: April 2023

Purpose
The aim of this study is to reveal the location of the zygomaticofacial foramina, the variations of their numbers, and their connections between the zygomatico-orbital and zygomaticotemporal foramina.
Methods
Ethics committee approval of our study was received by the Istanbul Medical Faculty Clinical Research Ethics Committee (date:30.07.2021, number:358356). 171 zygomatic bones of unknown gender from the Department of Anatomy, Istanbul University, were included in this study. The number of zygomaticofacial foramen and their connections with the zygomatico-orbital foramen and the zygomaticotemporal foramina were examined. Also, the morphometric distances between the zygomaticofacial foramen were calculated. Evaluation of the data was done with SPPS v.21.
Results
The number of zygomaticofacial foramina was found as 299. It was found single, double, three, four, five and six foramina, in 52 (30.4%), 52 (30.4%), 24 (14.03%), 10 (5.85%), 5 (2.93%), 1 (0.58%) zygomatic bone, respectively. Zygomaticofacial foramen was absent in 27 (15.8%) bones. Of these 299 foramina, 129 were found to be connected with zygomatico-orbital foramen and 23 with zygomaticotemporal foramen. It was noted that 147 zygomaticofacial foramina had no connection with any foramina. The distances between the zygomaticofacial foramen and the frontozygomatic suture, temporal process, maxillary process, the lowest point of the zygomatic bone, and orbital rim were found as 25.30 ± 2.81mm, 18.74 ± 3.56mm, 21.56 ± 4.16mm, 18.72 ± 2.57mm, 6.67 ± 3.27mm, respectively.
Conclusion
Consequently, the location and variations of ZFF are of great importance for maxillofacial surgery and regional block anesthesia. Knowing its location and variations will help prevent complications during any surgical intervention in this region.
Developing new intermuscular coordination patterns through an electromyographic signal-guided training in the upper extremity
Authors: Seo Gang , Park Jeong-Ho , Park Hyung-Soon , Roh Jinsook
Published: April 2023

Background Muscle synergies, computationally identified intermuscular coordination patterns, have been utilized to characterize neuromuscular control and learning in humans. However, it is unclear whether it is possible to alter the existing muscle synergies or develop new ones in an intended way through a relatively short-term motor exercise in adulthood. This study aimed to test the feasibility of expanding the repertoire of intermuscular coordination patterns in an intended way through an isometric, electromyographic (EMG) signal-guided exercise in the upper extremity (UE) of neurologically intact individuals.Methods 10 participants were trained for six weeks to induce independent control of the activation of a pair of elbow flexor muscles that tended to be naturally co-activated in force generation. An untrained isometric force generation task was performed to assess the effect of the training on the intermuscular coordination of the trained UE. We applied a non-negative matrix factorization on the EMG signals recorded from 12 major UE muscles during the assessment to identify the muscle synergies. In addition, the task performance and the characteristics of individual muscles’ activity in both time and frequency domains were quantified as the training outcomes.Results Typically, in two weeks of the training, participants could use newly developed muscle synergies when requested to perform new, untrained motor tasks by activating their UE muscles in the trained way. Meanwhile, their habitually expressed muscle synergies, the synergistic muscle activation groups that were used before the training, were conserved throughout the entire training period. The number of muscle synergies activated for the task performance remained the same. As the new muscle synergies were developed, the neuromotor control of the trained muscles reflected in the metrics, such as the ratio between the targeted muscles, number of matched targets, and task completion time, was improved.Conclusion These findings suggest that our protocol can increase the repertoire of readily available muscle synergies and improve motor control by developing the activation of new muscle coordination patterns in healthy adults within a relatively short period. Furthermore, the study shows the potential of the isometric EMG-guided protocol as a neurorehabilitation tool for aiming motor deficits induced by abnormal intermuscular coordination after neurological disorders.Trial Registration This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) of the Korea National Institute of Health (KCT0005803) on 1/22/2021.
Effect of press temperature on oat husk particleboards bound with a dialdehyde starch adhesive
Authors: Neitzel Nicolas , Hosseinpourpia Reza , Adamopoulos Stergios
Published: April 2023

In the search for alternative raw materials of agricultural origin and bio-based adhesives for wood panel manufacturing, the influence of production parameters has hardly been investigated. Therefore, this study examined the effect of press temperature on the properties of an oat husk particleboard bonded by a dialdehyde starch-based adhesive of 99.52% bio-based content. From a pressing temperature of 160°C, the particleboards became increasingly darker, and the internal bond and bending strength deteriorated. The increasing press temperature initiates processes between oat husk and dialdehyde starch, such as the Maillard reaction, which accelerate the degradation of the adhesive and reduce its bonding capacity.
Systemic inflammatory regulators and primary ovarian insufficiency: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Jiahui , Zhao Xia , Luo Rong , Xia Di , Liu Yi , Shen Tao , Liang Yuanjiao
Published: April 2023

Background: Recent studies have suggested a potential link between systemic inflammatory regulators and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI); however, a causal relationship between them remains unclear. In this study, we explored the causal link between systemic inflammatory regulators and POI risk using a bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) strategy.
Results: This approach utilized the most extensive genome-wide association study involving 41 systemic inflammatory regulators in a sample of 8,293 Finnish individuals and POI data from the FinnGen consortium (254 cases vs. 118,228 controls). The inverse variance weighting approach served as a primary MR method, and four additional MR techniques (Maximum Likelihood, MR-Egger, Weighted Median, and constrained Maximum Likelihood and Model Averaging Bayesian ) were applied to support and validate results. Cochran's Q statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of instrumental variables, whereas the MR-Egger and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier tests detected horizontal pleiotropy. The MR Steiger test evaluated the strength of a causal association. Our findings suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54–0.99, P=0.046) and interleukin-10 (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.85, P=0.0091) exhibit protective effects on POI. Reverse MR analysis revealed no significant effect of POI on these 41 systemic inflammatory regulators. No notable heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed in the instrumental variables.
Conclusions: This study revealed a causal relationship between 41 systemic inflammatory regulators and POI. Further investigations are necessary to assess the potential of these biomarkers as diagnostic tools, preventive strategies, and therapeutic targets for POI.
Identification of Dual STRN-NTRK2 Rearrangements in a High Grade Sarcoma, With Good Clinical Response to First-line Larotrectinib Therapy
Authors: lin ruihe , Mallick Atrayee Basu , Wang Zi-Xuan , Brown Scot Andrew , Lu Bo , Jiang Wei
Published: April 2023

Background: Among the three NTRK genes, NTRK2 possesses a tremendous structural complexity and involves tumorigenesis of several types of tumors. To date, there are only STRN and RBPMS are identified in the fusion with NTRK2 in adult soft tissue tumors. More recently, the highly selective Trk tyrosine kinases inhibitors, including larotrectinib and entrectinib, have shown significant efficacy for treating tumors harboring NTRK fusions and were approved by FDA.
Case presentation: We report a case of sarcoma in a 35-year-old female harboring two STRN-NTRK2gene fusions, with a good clinical response to first-line larotrectinib treatment. Core biopsy of the 16.5 cm gluteal mass showed a high-grade mesenchymal neoplasm with features reminiscent of a solitary fibrous tumor, but negative STAT6. In-house next-generation sequencing gene fusion panel showed two in-frame STRN-NTRK2 fusions, which contain the same 5’ partner sequence (exon 1-3) of STRN, and the 3’ fusion partner starting from either the exon 15 or the exon 16 of NTRK2. Due to the large size and location of the tumor, first-line neoadjuvant therapy with larotrectinib was initiated. The patient has an excellent clinical response with an 83% tumor size reduction by imaging. The tumor was subsequently completely resected. After 130 days, larotrectinib was reinitiated for lung metastasis (up to 7 cm), and a complete resolution was achieved. When compared with NTRK1 and NTRK3, NTRK2 fusions are the least common. Of note, the only other report in the literature on NRTK2 fusion-positive sarcoma also showed solitary fibrous tumor (SFT)-like morphology, and the patient responded well to larotrectinib as the second line adjuvant therapy.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the identification of NTRK2 fusions in patients with soft tissue tumors could significantly improve the clinical outcome through selective NTRK inhibitor therapy, especially in the first-line setting. Prompt RNA-based NGS testing at initial diagnosis may benefit these patients. Our case is the first in the literature on NTRK2 fusion sarcoma with first-line larotrectinib therapy in the primary and metastatic setting, with good clinical response and minimal side effects.
Effects of Eight-Week Resistance Training on the Quality of Life and Sleep Quality of Untrained Men with a History of COVID-19
Authors: Kalayeh Morteza Bagheri , Gaeini Abbas Ali , Kordi Mohammad Reza , Kalayeh Mahdieh Bagheri
Published: April 2023

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused physical, psychological, and functional complications in society, with particular impacts on positive cases. Reduced quality of life (QOL) and sleep quality are among the many problems experienced by COVID-19 patients. Hence, exercise rehabilitation gains further importance after people are afflicted with COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the effects of resistance training on the QOL and sleep quality in untrained men with a history of COVID-19.
Methods Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, purposive sampling was employed to select 34 individuals who were willing to participate in the study. They were then randomly assigned to a resistance training group and a control group (n=17 per group). In order to evaluate the pretest scores of sleep quality and those of QOL, the participants were asked to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), respectively. Subsequently, the training group received eight weeks of resistance training held three sessions weekly. The participants re-completed the foregoing questionnaires when all training sessions were over to determine their posttest scores. The resultant data were then analyzed in SPSS 27.
Results The research findings indicated significant differences between the resistance training group and the control group regarding the QOL and sleep quality after eight weeks of resistance training (P ≤ 0.05).
Conclusions Given the findings of the current study, one can conclude that resistance training has positive effects on the QOL and sleep quality in untrained men with a history of COVID-19. Hence, resistance training can probably be recommended to rehabilitate patients with COVID-19.
Trial registration number IRCT20230221057480N1, 2023-03-04, retrospectively registered.
Non-relativistic bound state solutions of a linear combination of deformed Hulthén plus generalized Kratzer potentials using Feynman path integral approach
Authors: Sadoun Mohamed Améziane , Haddad Fouzi
Published: April 2023

The approximate bound state solutions of Schrödinger equation with linear combination of a q-deformed Hulthén potential plus screened Kratzer potential were obtained with the help of appropriate approximation to evaluate the centrifugal term. The Feynman path integral approach was used to obtain the analytical solutions. The energy spectrum and the normalized wave functions of the bound states are derived from the poles of the Green’s function and its residues. Particular cases of these potentials are also discussed briefly and it is found that obtained results are in good agreement with those obtained in the literature.
Effect of closed suction irrigation on patients with brucellosis spondylitis after one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion with internal fixation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wen Fayan , Li Zhenjun , Qiang Tianming , Li Yiqi , Liu Bei , Yang Yinjun , Li Yan , Liu Yongming
Published: April 2023

Objective: Currently, the treatment of brucellosis spondylitis (BS) is still a major clinical problem. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of closed suction irrigation on patients with BS after one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion with internal fixation.
Methods: This is a single blind randomized clinical controlled trial. A total of 30 patients with BS after one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion with internal fixation admitted from August 2022 to March 2023 were randomly divided into control group and experimental group according to the ratio of 1:1, with 15 patients in each group. The control group was treated with routine antibiotic therapy after operation, the experimental group was treated with gentamicin closed suction irrigation at the basis of the control group. From the first day after operation, the wound was continuously washed with 80mg gentamicin +3000ml normal saline once a day for 2 weeks. By the third week, stop suction irrigation and continue to receive routine antibiotic treatment. The inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C- reactive protein (CRP)], the visual analogue scale (VAS) and oswestry disability index (ODI) were observed before operation, the 1st day after operation, and 1-week and 2-week after intervention. Multiple interpolation for missing data.
Results: Intention-to-treat analysis was used. All were analyzed in their randomized group. The results showed that the inflammatory markers, VAS and ODI in both groups decreased after 1-week of intervention (P<0.001), and the experimental group decreased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After 2-week of intervention, these significant differences still existed, and a significant difference compared with the 1-week (P<0.001). In addition, after 2-week of intervention, the ESR of patients in the experimental group decreased to a low level before operation (P<0.001), but the control group did not find this change. There were no adverse events were observed during the study. All patients were discharged with bone graft fusion degree of Grade 3. No postoperative complications occurred and the incision healed well.
Conclusion: Closed suction irrigation of gentamicin is safe and feasible for patients with BS after one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion with internal fixation, which can reduce inflammatory markers, relieve pain and improve functional ability.
Mercury distribution in plants and soils from the former mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Tuscany, central Italy)
Authors: Meloni Federica , Farieri Alessandro , Higueras Pablo L. , Esbrí José M. , Nisi Barbara , Cabassi Jacopo , Rappuoli Daniele , Vaselli Orlando
Published: April 2023

The distribution of heavy metals in plants growing in soils from active and abandoned mining areas is of scientific significance as it allows one to recognize their ability to survive in a hostile environment and to provide useful indications for phytoremediation operations. In this work, soils developed in the former Hg-mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Tuscany, Central Italy) were analyzed for total, leached Hg, % of organic- and inorganic-related Hg. The dehydrogenase enzyme activity (DHA) was also measured with the aim to evaluate the status of the soil, being characterized by high Hg content. Eventually, the concentration of Hg in the different parts of the plants growing on these soils was analyzed. The soils showed Hg content up to 1068 mg kg− 1 and in most of them is dominated by inorganic Hg (up to 92%). The DHA concentrations were < 151 µg TPF g− 1day− 1, suggesting that the presence of Hg is not significantly affecting the enzymatic soil activity. This is also supported by the bioaccumulation factor (BF) that is < 1 in most of the studied plants. Generally speaking, the plant leaves appear to be one of the main pathways of Hg uptake, as also observed in other mining areas, e.g. Almaden (Spain), suggesting that particulate-Hg and Hg0 are the main forms entering the plant system, the latter derived by the GEM emitted by both the edifices hosting the roasting furnaces and the soils themselves.
Low-Dose Total Body Irradiation Enhances Systemic Anti-tumor Immunity Induced by Local Cryotherapy
Authors: Liao Yin , Chen Yao , Liu Shuya , Wang Weizhou , Fu Shaozhi , Wu Jingbo
Published: April 2023

The immune system plays a key role in the elimination of tumors. Strategies that restore the immune system's ability to recognize malignant cells have yielded clinical benefits but only in some patients. Tumor cells survive cryotherapy and produce a vast amount of antigens to trigger innate and adaptive responses. However, because tumor cells have developed immune escape mechanisms, cryotherapy alone may not be enough to induce a significant immune response. In this study, we present unique treatment options for enhancing the immune response caused by cryotherapy, pointing to the way forward for cancer treatment. We found that low-dose total body irradiation (L-TBI) in conjunction with local cryotherapy can effectively control tumor regrowth, inhibit tumor lung metastasis, extend the survival time of mice, and stimulate a long-term protective anti-tumor immune response to resist the re-challenge of tumor cells. The anti-tumor mechanism of this combination therapy may be related to the stimulation of inflammatory factors IFN-γ and IL-2, as well as an increase in immune effector cells (CD8 + T cells) and a decrease in immunosuppressive cells (MDSC, Treg cells) in the spleen or tumor tissue.
Quasi~λ-cyclic Codes Over a Class of Finite Commutative Semi-simple Rings
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang HuanYu , Heng Ziling , Li Jiawei
Published: April 2023

In coding theory, quasi λ-cyclic codes form an important class of codes which have been extensively studied. In this paper, we investigate the algebraic structure of quasi λ-cyclic codes over finite commutative semi simple rings. And we establish the relationship between quasi λ-cyclic codes over finite commutative semi-simple ring R and quasi λ-cyclic codes over finite fields Fq. Furthermore, we decompose quasi λ-cyclic codes to a direct sum of component codes C linear codes over rings, give the decomposition of quasi λ-cyclic codes and describe its dual codes.
Retrospective Evaluation of Preoperative Blood Inflammation Biomarkers for Predicting Post-PCNL SIRS
Authors: Aizezi Xierzhati , Feng Liancheng , Wang Zheng , Ma Yuan , Li Jifu , Keremu Abuduweili , Rouzi Maihemujiang , Dilixiati Ailiyaer , Shi Hanzhen , Wang Beiping , Huang Jinxing
Published: April 2023

Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative inflammation indicators in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 222 patients who underwent PCNL at our institution between January 2018 and December 2022. The primary endpoint was the development of SIRS after PCNL. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify the independent factors associated with SIRS post-PCNL. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated.
Results:
Among the 222 patients who underwent PCNL, 56 patients (25.2%) developed SIRS. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum leukocyte (OR 1.751; 95% CI 1.304-2.352; p ＜0.001), stone size (OR 2.589; 95% CI 1.164-5.756; p = 0.02), and positive urine culture (OR 5.905; 95% CI 2.397-14.548; p ＜0.001) were independent predictors of post-PCNL SIRS. The optimal cutoff value of serum leukocyte was 6.39×109/L through ROC analysis. In addition, there was no statistically significant correlation between preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the incidence of postoperative SIRS.
Conclusion:
Results demonstrate that stone size, preoperative serum leukocyte count, and urine culture are significant predictors of the development of SIRS following PCNL, and could therefore serve as useful predictors in clinical practice. Conversely, no significant association between other clinical inflammation biomarkers and the occurrence of post-PCNL SIRS was observed.
The Impact of Actuator Nozzle and Surroundings Condition on Drug Delivery using Pressurized-Metered Dose Inhalers
Authors: Jahed Mahsa , Kozinski Janusz , Pakzad Leila
Published: April 2023

The most commonly used method to deliver aerosolized drugs to the lung is with pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs). The spray actuator is a critical component of a pMDI, since it controls the atomization process by forming aerosol plumes and determining droplet size distribution. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, this study investigated the effect of two different nozzle types (single conventional and twin nozzles) on drug deposition in the mouth-throat (MT) region. We also studied the behavior of aerosol plumes in both an open-air environment and the MT geometry. Our study revealed that spray aerosol generated in an unconfined, open-air environment with no airflow behaves distinctly from spray introduced into the MT geometry in the presence of airflow. In addition, the actuator structure significantly impacts the device's efficacy. In the real MT airway, we found that the twin nozzle increases drug deposition in the MT region and its higher aerosol velocity negatively affects its efficiency.
Baryon masses estimate in heavy-flavor QCD
Authors: Rocha Maria Gomez , More Jai , Serafin Kamil
Published: April 2023

We apply the renormalization group procedure for effective particles (RGPEP) to the QCD eigenvalue problem for only heavy quarks. We derive the effective Hamiltonian that acts on the Fock space by solving the RGPEP equation up to second order in powers of the coupling constant. The eigenstates that contain three quarks and two or more gluons are eliminated by inserting a gluon-mass term in the component with one gluon and formulate the eigenvalue problem for baryons.We estimate masses for bbb and ccc states and find that the results match the estimates obtained in lattice QCD and in quark models.
ESASCF: A Framework for Expertise Extraction, Generalization and Reply for an Optimized Automation of Network Security Compliance
Authors: GHANEM MOHAMED C , CHEN THOMAS M , KETTOUCHE MOHYI E
Published: April 2023

The Cyber threats exposure has created worldwide pressure on organizations to comply with cyber security standards and policies for protecting their digital assets. Vulnerability assessment (VA) and Penetration Testing (PT) are widely adopted Security Compliance (SC) methods to identify security gaps and anticipate security breaches, In the computer networks context and despite the use of autonomous tools and systems, security compliance remains highly repetitive and resources consuming. In this paper, we tackled the problem of security auditing systems in networks infrastructures by designing and developing an Expert-System Automated Security Compliance Framework (ESASCF) which enables industrial and open-source VA and PT tools and systems to become efficient through extracting, storing and re-using the expertise in similar scenarios or while re-testing the same assets. The ES-led Security Compliance framework observe, learn and assist human expert to eventually take over autonomously the future repeated tasks and thus enable a prioritized and fast handling for both periodic and Ad-Hoc compliance re-assessment and re-testing. The obtained results validate the performance enhancement notably by cutting the time required for an expert to 50% in the context of reassessing and 20% in re-testing which represent a significant cost-cutting in addition to the long-term impact illustrated in the knowledge extraction, generalization and re-utilization.
Properties of Pseudoscalar Mesons in a Contact Interaction
Authors: Almeida-Zamora B. , Cobos-Martínez J.J. , Segovia J.
Published: April 2023

We study pseudoscalar meson properties and compute the γ*γ → π0, η, η′ transition form factor inthe framework of the Dyson-Schwinger equations (DSE) and Bethe-Salpeter equations (BSE), usinga momentum-independent contact interaction. The contact interaction is capable to describe theobservable properties, but produce a transition form factor whose evolution for large Q2 disagreeswith experiment, as well as its asymptotic power-law behavior conflicts with pQCD.
Quercetin alleviates inflammation induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in MARC-145 cells through the regulation of arachidonic acid and glutamine metabolism
Authors: Guang Qian , Zhang Longze , Tang Xin , Li Jiakai , Cao Chong , Chen Hongbo , Qiu Longxin
Published: April 2023

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection causes severe inflammatory response and respiratory disease. Quercetin is among the widely occurring polyphenol, found abundantly in nature. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-viral properties. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of quercetin on PRRSV induced inflammation in MARC-145 cells. Observing the cytopathic effect and measurements of inflammatory markers in MARC-145 cells collectively demonstrate that quercetin elicits a curative effect on PRRSV-induced inflammation. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was further used for a non-targeted metabolic analysis of the the role of quercetin in the metabolic regulation of PRRSV inflammation in MARC-145 cells. It was shown that quercetin attenuated PRRSV-induced cytopathy in MARC-145 cells. We also found that quercetin inhibited PRRSV-induced mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Metabolomics analysis revealed that quercetin ameliorated PRRSV-induced inflammation. Pathway analysis results revealed that PRRSV-induced pathways including arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism were suppressed by quercetin. Moreover, we confirmed that quercetin inhibited the activation of NF-κB/p65 pathway, probably by attenuating PLA2, LOX and COX mRNA expression. These results provide a crucial insight into the molecular mechanism of quercetin in alleviating PRRSV-induced inflammation.
ENSO Climate Patterns on Global Economic Conditions
Authors: Dufrénot Gilles , Ginn William , Pourroy Marc
Published: April 2023

We investigate the role of ENSO climate patterns on global economic conditions. The estimated model is based on a rich and novel monthly dataset for 20 economies, capturing 80.2% of global output (based on IMF data) over the period 1999:01 to 2022:03. The empirical evidence from an estimated global vector autoregres-sion with local projections (GFAVLP) model links an El Niño (EN) shock with higher output and inflation, corresponding with lower global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU). While a shock to the world oil and food price is inflationary, a food price shock leads to elevated GEPU, more so during a La Nina (LN) shock. A main finding is that an increase of the food price can be a source of global vulnerability. The findings indicate that the weather shock impact on global economic conditions is dependent on the climate state. Our result undermines existing studies connecting climate change and economic damage via statistical approach.
When a glimpse is enough: partial mimicry of jumping spiders by insects
Authors: Muñoz-Amezcua Carlos E. , Tapia-McClung Horacio , Rao Dinesh
Published: April 2023

Many flies and moths mimic the frontal appearance of jumping spiders. This type of mimicry, which we term as Partial mimicry, can be distinguished from Batesian mimicry since the mimic has spider resembling patterns only in certain parts of the body, and not the entire body. The presence of spider like patterns is obvious only at certain angles suggesting that the mimic is frequently targeted by its predators from particular angles. We tested this hypothesis using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNNs). First, we trained the network on images of forward facing jumping spiders, where features such as the large principal eyes, small lateral eyes and outstretched legs were evident. Then we tested the classifier on images of jumping spider mimicking flies and moths. A probability value according to the likelihood of the image being a jumping spider or not was assigned by the classifier. We show that the classifierwas more likely to misidentify mimicking flies and moths as jumping spiders, but that this probability varied according to the species tested. We further tested it on images of flies from different angles and by taking into consideration the visual acuity of potential predators. Our results suggest that 1. Neural networks can be efficient toolsfor testing evolutionary hypotheses, 2. partial mimicry may be a result of the effect of the signaling angle and orientation of the mimics in combination with the likelihood that predators may depend on cognitive shortcuts to identify insects as prey. Further experiments incorporating the properties of the visual system of predators (such as vision in ultraviolet) would result in a better understanding of the evolution of partial mimicry.
Advantages of ultrasound identification of the distal insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament during ligament reconstructions.
Authors: Beldame Julien , Charpail Christel , sacco riccardo , lalevée matthieu , duparc fabrice
Published: April 2023

Introduction: In lateral ankle instability, anatomical ligament reconstructions are generally performed using arthroscopy. The ligament graft is passed through the talar, fibular and calcaneal tunnels, reconstructing the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular (CFL) bundles. However, the calcaneal insertion of the CFL needs to be performed in an extra-articular fashion, and cannot be carried out under arthroscopy, thus requiring specific anatomical landmarks. For obtaining these landmarks, methods based on radiography or surface anatomy have already been described but can only offer an approximate identification of the actual CFL anatomical insertion point. In contrast, an ultrasound technique allows direct visualization of the insertion point and of the sural nerve that may be injured during surgery. Our study aimed to assess the reliability and accuracy of ultrasound visualization when performing calcaneal insertion of the CFL with specific monitoring of the sural nerve.
Material and methods: Our anatomical study was carried out on 15 ankles available from a body donation program. Ultrasound identification of the sural nerve was obtained first with injection of dye. A needle was positioned at the level of the calcaneal insertion of the CFL.
After dissection, in all the ankles, the dye was in contact with the sural nerve and the needle was located in the calcaneal insertion area of the CFL. The mean distance between the sural nerve and the needle was 4.8mm (range 3–7 mm).
Discussion-Conclusion: A pre- or intra-operative ultrasound technique is a simple and reliable means for obtaining anatomical landmarks when drilling the calcaneal tunnel for ligament reconstruction of the lateral plane of the ankle. This tunnel should preferably be drilled obliquely from the heel towards the subtalar joint (1h-3h direction on an ultrasound cross-section), which preserves a maximum distance from the sural nerve for safety purposes, while allowing an accurate anatomical positioning of the osseous tunnel.
Analysis and design of a novel RF MEMS switch with low pull-down voltage, high return loss, and high isolation at 10- 60GHz
Authors: Zhou Jiali , Yang Fuxing , Deng Kun , Lai Chengqi
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a novel radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical systems (RF MEMS) switch fabricated on a high resistivity silicon substrate. Slots, like square interleaved slots and split-ring slots, are used in the transmission-line to get better RF performance. Comparing three switch structures with different slot cells, the switch with square interleaved slots is suitable at Ka-band (26 ~ 40GHz), but the switch with split-ring slots can be applied to RF circuits at 10-60GHz. The switch with split-ring slots is optimal for the switching mechanism in diverse 5G RF circuitry. When it works at 30GHz, it shows a low insertion loss better than − 0.256dB, a low re-turn loss better than − 22dB, and the isolation is observed below − 39dB. Its “pull-down” voltage is 6.5V. Due to its outstanding performance, the proposed RF MEMS switch is suitable for various applications.
Regularizing fuel-optimal, multi-impulse trajectories
Authors: Oshima Kenta
Published: April 2023

The regularization theory has successfully enabled the removal of gravitational singularities associated with celestial bodies. This paper merges regularizing techniques into a multi-impulse trajectory design framework that requires delicate computations specifically in a fuel minimization problem. Regularized variables based on the Levi-Civita or Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation express instantaneous velocity changes in a gradient-based direct optimization method. The formulation removes the notorious singularities associated with null thrust impulses from derivatives of an objective function in the fuel minimization problem. The favorite singularity-free property enables accurate reductions of unnecessary impulses and additions of necessary impulses for local optimal solutions in an automatic manner. Examples of fuel-optimal, multi-impulse trajectories are presented including novel transfer solutions between a near rectilinear halo orbit and a distant retrograde orbit.
Representation of Modes of Atmospheric Circulation Variability by Self-organizing Maps: A Study Using Synthetic Data
Authors: Stryhal Jan , Beranová Romana , Huth Radan
Published: April 2023

Self-organizing maps (SOMs) represent a popular tool for classifying atmospheric circulation patterns. One of their traditional applications has been to link typical synoptic-scale patterns to large-scale teleconnections, or modes of low-frequency circulation variability. However, recently there have been attempts to interpret an array of SOM nodes directly as a continuum of teleconnections, grounded in SOMs’ ability to combine two otherwise distinct approaches to data analysis, that is, exploratory projection (or, dimensionality reduction) and classification. This conceptual shift calls for methodological studies that would improve our understanding of how orthogonal modes of variability, typically used to describe teleconnections, relate to SOM outputs. Here, we define three idealized modes of variability and use their various combinations to generate synthetic data sets. Many variants of SOMs are generated for SOMs of various shapes and sizes. The results show that projection of modes on a SOM array is sensitive not only to data structure, but also to various SOM parameters. The leading mode of variability projects rather strongly on SOMs if its explained variance is markedly higher than that of the second-order mode; the remaining modes project considerably more weakly, and all modes tend to blend when their explained variance is similar, which leads to underrepresentation of some phases of modes and/or combinations of modes among the SOM patterns. Furthermore, we show that some features of SOM topology that were previously considered a proof of data nonlinearity appear even if the underlying modes of variability are strictly linear.
Postmodernist marketing
Authors: Radenković Šošić Bojana
Published: April 2023

The traits of postmodernist communication with consumers are based on the transmission of postmodernist concepts in the area of marketing and communication with consumers. The paper offers an overview of the basic semiological points of interpretation of commercial messages, especially the semiotic square pioneered by Jean-Marie Floch, as well as offering an analysis of commercial messages according to the most prominent traits of postmodernist marketing: creating the effect of hyperreality, fragmentary communication, and displacement of reality, bringing opposites together and accepting difference. The results of the analysis confirm the hypothesized high level of congruence of certain postmodernist traits of marketing with messages which emphasize the ludist and utopian values of products.
Creating context: Ethnography and local concept “both a man and a woman” in the Roma community in Skopje
Authors: Crvenkovska Risteska Ines
Published: April 2023

The research in this text focuses on creating a research context, which reflects the notion of sexuality of individuals born as male and feeling as “women” or “as both male and female” in the Roma community in Skopje. The ethnographic “field” is created nontraditionally and reflects the characteristics of the local sex/gender “both male and female” concept, which leads to the systemic characteristics in the local economies where sexuality acquires an economic form.
Institutional Communication and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Italian Government Media Campaigns
Authors: Radenković Šošić Bojana , Koprivica Lelićanin Marija
Published: April 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 virus struck the entire world unexpectedly, and Italy was one of the countries that suffered the most losses. Considering the importance and influence of the media in crisis and risk situations, the main aim of this paper is to examine official institutional public announcements issued by the Republic of Italy from February 2020 to July 2021. Following previous research recommendations that advocate the informational and persuasive nature of institutional communication during times of crisis and risk, these audio-visual messages are examined from two complementary perspectives: as institutional communication and as commercials. A distinct theoretical and analytical approach is developed by combining tools from various topic areas, in this case, public relations and semiotics. As a result, the messages are first examined through the lens of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication as an Integrative Model. Throughout the various stages of crisis communication, various pragmatic, rhetorical, and semiotic tools are identified and analyzed. It is possible to conclude that institutional communication in the studied period goes through nearly the entire cycle of the integrative model. The evaluation stage's full potential is still untapped, but there are some sporadic evaluative attempts within previous stages. Simultaneously, by analyzing pandemic narratives, values, and semiotic resources at various stages of the pandemic, it becomes clear that these video clips are positioned differently within Flock's square, with linguistic-stylistic and semiotic features of varying complexity and creativity. As the pandemic progresses, the advertisements become more substantial, and then mythical, glorifying the Italian nation and cultural heritage, from the initial referential advertisements. The artistic expression of Tornatore's advertisement "Room of Embraces" serves as the oblique advertisement. In the final stages of the pandemic institutional communication, the government is turning to real-life images once more, but this time in a completely different mood. Instead of fabricated real-life images with a spokesperson at the center of the message, there are now authentic images of young people, beaches, music, and happy TV faces as immediate, intimate, and optimistic messages about the future.