bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioural interventions to address rational use of antibiotics in outpatient settings of low‐income and lower‐middle‐income countries
Authors: Nair Mohit M. , Mahajan Raman , Burza Sakib , Zeegers Maurice P.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To explore the current evidence on interventions to influence antibiotic prescribing behaviour of health professionals in outpatient settings in low‐income and lower‐middle‐income countries, an underrepresented area in the literature.

Methods

The systematic review protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020170504). We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for studies relating to antibiotic prescribing of health professionals in outpatient settings in low‐income and lower‐middle‐income countries. Behavioural interventions were classified as persuasive, enabling, restrictive, structural or bundle (mix of different interventions). In total, 3,514 abstracts were screened and 42 studies were selected for full‐text review, with 13 studies included in the final narrative synthesis.

Results

Of the 13 included studies, five were conducted in Vietnam, two in Sudan, two in Tanzania, two in India and two in Kenya. All studies were conducted in the outpatient or ambulatory setting: eight took place in primary health centres, two in private clinics and three in pharmacies. Our review found that enabling or educational interventions alone may not be sufficient to overcome the ingrained incentives to link revenue generation to sales of antibiotics, and hence, their inappropriate prescription or misuse. Bundle interventions appear to be very effective at changing prescription behaviour among healthcare providers, including drug sellers and pharmacists.

Conclusions

Multi‐faceted bundle interventions that combine regulation enforcement with face‐to‐face education and peer influence may be more effective than educational interventions alone at curbing inappropriate antibiotic use.
Spatial pattern and determinants of HIV infection among adults aged 15 to 54 years in India – Evidence from National Family Health Survey‐4 (2015‐16)
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Yuvaraj , Majella Marie Gilbert , Rajaa Sathish , Bharathi Arivarasan , Saya Ganesh Kumar
Published: January 2021

Objective

To assess the spatial pattern and determinants of HIV infection in India.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis using the National Family Health Survey‐4 data obtained from the Demographic Health Survey programme. We accounted for clustering and stratification in the sampling design using the svyset command. Spatial analysis was performed by generating the Moran’s I statistic and local indicators for spatial association (LISA) maps. Logistic regression was performed to identify the determinants of HIV infection.

Results

230 213 individuals were included. Prevalence of HIV infection in India was 0.24% (95% CI: 0.21%–0.28%). Being separated/widowed/divorced (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.22–5.40), living in an urban area (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.79–3.37), being resident in the North‐Eastern (aOR = 4.25, 95% CI: 2.60–6.93), Southern (aOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.99–4.91) or Western region (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.08–4.33), having a history of multiple sexual partners (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.42–2.79), a suspected STI (aOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.38–3.90) or self‐reported TB (aOR = 7.80, 95% CI: 2.52–24.05) were significantly in association with HIV infection. Moran’s I was 0.377, suggesting positive spatial autocorrelation. The LISA cluster map indicated 60 hotspot districts in India, mostly in southern states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana followed by north‐eastern states such as Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Assam.

Conclusion

HIV infection among adults aged 15–54 years in India is spatially clustered with the majority occurring in southern and north‐eastern states. Hence, region‐ or district‐specific strategies with focused interventions should be adopted.
Becoming with a police dog: Training technologies for bonding
Authors: Smith Harriet , Miele Mara , Charles Nickie , Fox Rebekah
Published: January 2021

To develop and illustrate the potential for visual methodologies in conducting multispecies ethnography, we present a case study of general‐purpose police dog training in the UK. Our argument is two‐fold: first, we draw on STS approaches and insights for looking at training activities as material and socio‐cultural devices that, we argue, constitute a training technology. Here we have been influenced by the work of Cussins and adopted her concept of “ontological choreographies” for addressing the development of the police dog–police officer bond and ability to communicate for working together. Second, we argue that visual data capture presents valuable opportunities for “less human‐centred” and more symmetrical methods to approach non‐human/more than human research subjects. We illustrate how photo diaries and video clips enabled us to remain attentive to the material and embodied practices of dog training, bringing to the fore the dogs’ actions, tools, and devices and thus enlivening the material–cultural choreographies of the training activities. In conclusion, we elucidate how this onto‐epistemological approach enabled us to investigate the material and corporeal construction of the general purpose (GP) police dog.
Exposure to high fructose corn syrup during adolescence in the mouse alters hepatic metabolism and the microbiome in a sex‐specific manner
Authors: Bhat Shazia F. , Pinney Sara E. , Kennedy Katherine M. , McCourt Cole R. , Mundy Miles A. , Surette Michael G. , Sloboda Deborah M. , Simmons Rebecca A.
Published: January 2021

Key points

The prevalence of obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in children is dramatically increasing at the same time as consumption of foods with a high sugar content. Intake of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a possible aetiology as it is thought to be more lipogenic than glucose.

In a mouse model, HFCS intake during adolescence increased fat mass and hepatic lipid levels in male and female mice. However, only males showed impaired glucose tolerance.

Multiple metabolites including lipids, bile acids, carbohydrates and amino acids were altered in liver in a sex‐specific manner at 6 weeks of age. Some of these changes were also present in adulthood even though HFCS exposure ended at 6 weeks.

HFCS significantly altered the gut microbiome, which was associated with changes in key microbial metabolites.

These results suggest that HFCS intake during adolescence has profound metabolic changes that are linked to changes in the microbiome and these changes are sex‐specific.

The rapid increase in obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease in children over the past 20 years has been linked to increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), making it essential to determine the short‐ and long‐term effects of HFCS during this vulnerable developmental window. We hypothesized that HFCS exposure during adolescence significantly impairs hepatic metabolic signalling pathways and alters gut microbial composition, contributing to changes in energy metabolism with sex‐specific effects. C57bl/6J mice with free access to HFCS during adolescence (3–6 weeks of age) underwent glucose tolerance and body composition testing and hepatic metabolomics, gene expression and triglyceride content analysis at 6 and 30 weeks of age (n = 6–8 per sex). At 6 weeks HFCS‐exposed mice had significant increases in fat mass, glucose intolerance, hepatic triglycerides (females) and de novo lipogenesis gene expression (ACC, DGAT, FAS, ChREBP, SCD, SREBP, CPT and PPARα) with sex‐specific effects. At 30 weeks, HFCS‐exposed mice also had abnormalities in glucose tolerance (males) and fat mass (females). HFCS exposure enriched carbohydrate, amino acid, long chain fatty acid and secondary bile acid metabolism at 6 weeks with changes in secondary bile metabolism at 6 and 30 weeks. Microbiome studies performed immediately before and after HFCS exposure identified profound shifts of microbial species in male mice only. In summary, short‐term HFCS exposure during adolescence induces fatty liver, alters important metabolic pathways, some of which continue to be altered in adulthood, and changes the microbiome in a sex‐specific manner.
A physiological model of the inflammatory‐thermal‐pain‐cardiovascular interactions during an endotoxin challenge
Authors: Dobreva Atanaska , Brady‐Nicholls Renee , Larripa Kamila , Puelz Charles , Mehlsen Jesper , Olufsen Mette S.
Published: January 2021

Key points

Inflammation in response to bacterial endotoxin challenge impacts physiological functions, including cardiovascular, thermal and pain dynamics, although the mechanisms are poorly understood.

We develop an innovative mathematical model incorporating interaction pathways between inflammation and physiological processes observed in response to an endotoxin challenge.

We calibrate the model to individual data from 20 subjects in an experimental study of the human inflammatory and physiological responses to endotoxin, and we validate the model against human data from an independent study.

Using the model to simulate patient responses to different treatment modalities reveals that a multimodal treatment combining several therapeutic strategies gives the best recovery outcome.

Uncontrolled, excessive production of pro‐inflammatory mediators from immune cells and traumatized tissues can cause systemic inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, one of the ten leading causes of death in the USA, and one of the three leading causes of death in the intensive care unit. Understanding how inflammation affects physiological processes, including cardiovascular, thermal and pain dynamics, can improve a patient's chance of recovery after an inflammatory event caused by surgery or a severe infection. Although the effects of the autonomic response on the inflammatory system are well‐known, knowledge about the reverse interaction is lacking. The present study develops a mathematical model analyzing the inflammatory system's interactions with thermal, pain and cardiovascular dynamics in response to a bacterial endotoxin challenge. We calibrate the model with individual data from an experimental study of the inflammatory and physiological responses to a one‐time administration of endotoxin in 20 healthy young men and validate it against data from an independent endotoxin study. We use simulation to explore how various treatments help patients exposed to a sustained pathological input. The treatments explored include bacterial endotoxin adsorption, antipyretics and vasopressors, as well as combinations of these. Our findings suggest that the most favourable recovery outcome is achieved by a multimodal strategy, combining all three interventions to simultaneously remove endotoxin from the body and alleviate symptoms caused by the immune system as it fights the infection.
A sodium background conductance controls the spiking pattern of mouse adrenal chromaffin cells in situ
Authors: Milman Alexandre , Ventéo Stéphanie , Bossu Jean‐Louis , Fontanaud Pierre , Monteil Arnaud , Lory Philippe , Guérineau Nathalie C.
Published: January 2021

Key points

Mouse chromaffin cells in acute adrenal slices exhibit two distinct spiking patterns, a repetitive mode and a bursting mode.

A sodium background conductance operates at rest as demonstrated by the membrane hyperpolarization evoked by a low Na+‐containing extracellular saline.

This sodium background current is insensitive to TTX, is not blocked by Cs+ ions and displays a linear I‐V relationship at potentials close to chromaffin cell resting potential. Its properties are reminiscent of those of the sodium leak channel NALCN.

In the adrenal gland, Nalcn mRNA is selectively expressed in chromaffin cells.

The study fosters our understanding of how the spiking pattern of chromaffin cells is regulated and adds a sodium background conductance to the list of players involved in the stimulus‐secretion coupling of the adrenomedullary tissue.

Chromaffin cells (CCs) are the master neuroendocrine units for the secretory function of the adrenal medulla and a finely‐tuned regulation of their electrical activity is required for appropriate catecholamine secretion in response to the organismal demand. Here, we aim at deciphering how the spiking pattern of mouse CCs is regulated by the ion conductances operating near the resting membrane potential (RMP). At RMP, mouse CCs display a composite firing pattern, alternating between active periods composed of action potentials spiking with a regular or a bursting mode, and silent periods. RMP is sensitive to changes in extracellular sodium concentration, and a low Na+‐containing saline hyperpolarizes the membrane, regardless of the discharge pattern. This RMP drive reflects the contribution of a depolarizing conductance, which is (i) not blocked by tetrodotoxin or caesium, (ii) displays a linear I‐V relationship between −110 and −40 mV, and (iii) is carried by cations with a conductance sequence gNa > gK > gCs. These biophysical attributes, together with the expression of the sodium‐leak channel Nalcn transcript in CCs, state credible the contribution of NALCN. This inaugural report opens new research routes in the field of CC stimulus‐secretion coupling, and extends the inventory of tissues in which NALCN is expressed to neuroendocrine glands.
Erratum: “Analysis of the Performance of Plasma Actuators Under Low-Pressure Turbine Conditions Based on Experiments and URANS Simulations” [ASME Turbo Expo 2017: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, Volume 2A: Turbomachinery, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, June 26–30, 2017, Conference Sponsors: International Gas Turbine Institute, ISBN: 978-0-7918-5078-7, Copyright © 2017 by ASME. Paper No. GT2017-64867, V02AT40A034; 15 pages; doi: 10.1115/GT2017-64867]
Authors: Martínez D. S. , Pescini E. , Marra F. , De Giorgi M. G. , Ficarella A.
Published: January 2021

This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper “Analysis of the Performance of Plasma Actuators Under Low-Pressure Turbine Conditions Based on Experiments and URANS Simulations” which was published in Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2017: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, Volume 2A: Turbomachinery, V02AT40A034, June 2017, GT2017-64867, doi: 10.1115/GT2017-64867.
Convergent Validity of the Fitbit Charge 2 to Measure Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Adults
Authors: McVeigh Joanne A. , Ellis Jennifer , Ross Caitlin , Tang Kim , Wan Phoebe , Halse Rhiannon E. , Dhaliwal Satvinder Singh , Kerr Deborah A. , Straker Leon
Published: January 2021

Activity trackers provide real-time sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) data enabling feedback to support behavior change. The validity of activity trackers in an obese population in a free-living environment is largely unknown. This study determined the convergent validity of the Fitbit Charge 2 in measuring SB and PA in overweight adults. The participants (n = 59;M ± SD: age = 48 ± 11 years; body mass index = 34 ± 4 kg/m2) concurrently wore a Charge 2 and ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 8 days. The same waking wear periods were analyzed, and standard cut points for GT3X+ and proprietary algorithms for the Charge 2, together with a daily step count, were used. Associations between outputs, mean difference (MD) and limits of agreement (LOA), and relative differences were assessed. There was substantial association between devices (intraclass correlation coefficients from .504, 95% confidence interval [.287, .672] for SB, to .925, 95% confidence interval [.877, .955] for step count). In comparison to the GT3X+, the Charge 2 overestimated SB (MD = 37, LOA = −129 to 204 min/day), moderate to vigorous PA (MD = 15, LOA = −49 to 79 min/day), and steps (MD = 1,813, LOA = −1,066 to 4,691 steps/day), and underestimated light PA (MD = −32, LOA = −123 to 58 min/day). The Charge 2 may be a useful tool for self-monitoring of SB and PA in an overweight population, as mostly good agreement was demonstrated with the GT3X+. However, there were mean and relative differences, and the implications of these need to be considered for overweight adult populations who are already at risk of being highly sedentary and insufficiently active.
In Vitro
Resistance and Evolution of Resistance to Tavaborole in Trichophyton rubrum
Authors: Mazzantini Diletta , Celandroni Francesco , Calvigioni Marco , Lupetti Antonella , Ghelardi Emilia
Published: January 2021

Tavaborole is currently used in the topical treatment of onychomycosis. In this study, we analyzed the
in vitro
emergence/evolution of resistance against tavaborole in
Trichophyton rubrum
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Myophage Muenster
Authors: Martin Cody , Lessor Lauren , Clark James , Le Tram , Gill Jason J. , Young Ryland , Liu Mei
Published: January 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniaeis associated with antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections. Here, we present the annotated genome sequence of theKlebsiellajumbo phage Muenster. The Muenster genome sequence (346,937 bp) encodes 6 tRNAs and 561 putative protein-coding genes, including 9 tail fibers, suggesting a genetic mechanism to broaden the host range.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella aerogenes Siphophage Solomon
Authors: Hudson Alexis T. , Clark James , Gill Jason J. , Liu Mei
Published: January 2021

Klebsiella aerogenesis a bacterium that can cause a variety of infections. Phage-based biotechnologies may be useful for controlling antibiotic-resistant strains of this bacterium. The characterization ofK. aerogenesphage Solomon is described here. Solomon has a 51,775-bp genome, with structural components closely resembling those ofEscherichia colisiphophage T1.
Influence of Co and Mn substitution on magnetic properties of novel Y2FeSi Heusler alloy
Authors: Kasprzak G. , Rzacki J.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents results of density functional theory (DFT) studies on structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of novel Y2FeSi Heusler material characterized by spin polarization at Fermi level of [Formula: see text] and magnetic moment of 1.56 [Formula: see text]. The total magnetic moment of investigated material is dominated by Iron sites, while magnetic moments coming from Yttrium sites are aligned antiparallel to the Iron. Here, we introduced Co and Mn substitutions to alter the magnetic and electronic properties of the studied material. The Heusler alloys are very sensitive to electronic structure changes induced by ionic substitutions, which allowing to specifically modulate their properties. The Co-substitution lowered the total magnetic moment to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.20 [Formula: see text] and Mn caused a rise to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.93 [Formula: see text]. Introduction of Mn resulted in [Formula: see text] spin polarization. We hope that this study will promote further theoretical as well as experimental interest in these types of compounds.
Piecewise Hereditary Triangular Matrix Algebras
Authors: Li Yiyu , Lu Ming
Published: January 2021

For any positive integer [Formula: see text], we clearly describe all finite-dimensional algebras [Formula: see text] such that the upper triangular matrix algebras [Formula: see text] are piecewise hereditary. Consequently, we describe all finite-dimensional algebras [Formula: see text] such that their derived categories of [Formula: see text]-complexes are triangulated equivalent to derived categories of hereditary abelian categories, and we describe the tensor algebras [Formula: see text] for which their singularity categories are triangulated orbit categories of the derived categories of hereditary abelian categories.
Danhong Injection and Trimetazidine Protect Cardiomyocytes and Enhance Calcium Handling after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Shi Xiaolu , Gao Jinhuan , Zhou Rui , Guo Feifei , Zhang Yi , Fan Fangfang , Zhai Qu , Sun Mingjie , Yang Hongjun
Published: January 2021

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. However, there is no effective treatment for MI. In this study, trimetazidine (TMZ) and Danhong injection (DHI), representing western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine for MI, were used as tools to identify vital processes in alleviating MI injury. Administration of DHI and TMZ obviously decreased myocardial infarct size, improved ultrasonic heart function, and reduced creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) levels after MI. RNA-seq results indicated calcium ion handling and negative regulation of apoptotic process were vital processes and DHI and TMZ obviously reduced the expression of CaMK II and inhibited cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. Furthermore, DHI and TMZ increased p-S16-PLB, p-S16T17-PLB, CACNA1C, p-RyR2, and p-PKA expression but did not affect SERCA2a expression. In addition to the enhancement of cardiac myocyte shortening amplitude, maximum shortening velocity, and calcium transients, DHI and TMZ increased sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content and enhanced SERCA2a calcium uptake capability by upregulating the phosphorylation of PLB but did not affect calcium exclusion by NCX. In conclusion, DHI and TMZ protect against MI through inhibiting apoptosis by downregulating CaMKII pathway and enhancing cardiac myocyte contractile functions possibly through the PKA signaling pathway.
Fas‐Associated Factor 1 Promotes Hepatic Insulin Resistance via JNK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Sun Bao , Zhou Jiecan , Gao Yongchao , He Fazhong , Xu Heng , Chen Xiaoping , Zhang Wei , Chen Ling
Published: January 2021

Fas‐associated factor 1 (FAF1), a member of the Fas death‐inducing signaling complex, is reported to interact potentially with diverse proteins and function in diverse cellular possesses. It remains unclear, however, whether FAF1 is involved in hepatic metabolic disorder and insulin resistance. This study aims to elucidate the role and the molecular mechanism of FAF1 in hepatic insulin resistance. Rats treated with high‐fat diets are used as hepatic insulin resistance animal models. Quantitative real‐time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence assay are utilized to detect the FAF1 expression. The expression of relevant proteins is detected by Western blotting. We determine ROS production, lipid accumulation, and glucose uptake by using flow cytometry. Immunoprecipitation is employed to investigate protein‐protein interaction. We find that increased expression of FAF1 occurred in the livers of insulin‐resistant rats. Using gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function approaches, we observe dramatic exacerbation of insulin resistance, upregulated gluconeogenesis genes, downregulated glucose transport genes, and enhanced ROS production by FAF1 overexpression, whereas downregulation of FAF1 leads to a completely opposite phenotype. Mechanistically, FAF1 interacts directly with c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and activates its phosphorylation, thereby blocking the downstream insulin signaling pathway and leading to insulin resistance. Our data indicate that FAF1 is a potent regulator in hepatic metabolic disorder and insulin resistance.
Shentong Zhuyu Decoction Inhibits Inflammatory Response, Migration, and Invasion and Promotes Apoptosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast‐like Synoviocytes via the MAPK p38/PPARγ/CTGF Pathway
Authors: Han Ying , Wang Jing , Jin Meng , Jia Lin , Yan Cuihuan , Wang Yali
Published: January 2021

Introduction. The current study is aimed at exploring the effect of Shentong Zhuyu Decoction on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA‐FLS) and its underlying molecular mechanism. Materials and Methods. The type II collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model was established. Subsequently, the RA‐FLS were isolated from the CIA rat model and identified by immunohistochemistry. The viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion of RA‐FLS were detected by the cell counting kit 8 (CCK‐8) assay, flow cytometry, wound‐healing assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The levels of MAPK p38, PPARγ, CTGF, Bcl‐2, Bax, caspase‐3, IL‐1β, MMP‐3, CDK4, and cyclin D1 were determined by qRT‐PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results. After treatment with Shentong Zhuyu Decoction medicated serum, the OD570 value, migrative and invasive abilities, and the secretion of IL‐1β, MMP‐3 were remarkably decreased in RA‐FLS, while the apoptosis rate was increased. Further, results showed that Shentong Zhuyu Decoction inhibited the transition from the G1 phase to S phase. Additionally, Shentong Zhuyu Decoction significantly inhibited the expression of Bcl‐2, CDK4, cyclin D1, MAPK p‐p38, and CTGF, whereas elevated the levels of Bax, caspase‐3, and PPARγ. Importantly, the effects of Shentong Zhuyu Decoction were consistent with the trends of MAPK P38 inhibitor (SB203580) and PPARγ agonist (GW1929). Conclusions. Shentong Zhuyu Decoction inhibited viability, inflammatory response, migration, invasion, and transition from the G1 phase to S phase and promoted apoptosis of RA‐FLS via the MAPK p38/PPARγ/CTGF pathway.
Improved ECC-Based Three-Factor Multiserver Authentication Scheme
Authors: Wu Tsu-Yang , Yang Lei , Lee Zhiyuan , Chen Chien-Ming , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Islam SK Hafizul
Published: January 2021

A multiserver environment can improve the efficiency of mobile network services more effectively than a single server in managing the increase in users. Because of the large number of users, the security of users’ personal information and communication information is more important in a multiserver environment. Recently, Wang et al. proposed a multiserver authentication scheme based on biometrics and proved the security of their scheme. However, we first demonstrate that their scheme is insecure against a known session-specific temporary information attacks, user impersonation attacks, and server impersonation attacks. To solve the security weakness, we propose an improved scheme based on Wang et al.’s scheme. The security of our improved scheme is also validated based on the formal security analysis, Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic, ProVerif, and informal security analysis. Security and performance comparisons prove the security and efficiency of our scheme.
Similarity Measures between Intuitionistic Fuzzy Credibility Sets and Their Multicriteria Decision-Making Method for the Performance Evaluation of Industrial Robots
Authors: Ye Jun , Du Shigui , Yong Rui
Published: January 2021

To enhance the credibility level/measure of an intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS), this study proposes the notion of an intuitionistic fuzzy credibility set (IFCS) to express the hybrid information of a pair of a membership degree and a credibility degree and a pair of a nonmembership degree and a credibility degree. Next, we propose generalized distance and similarity measures between IFCSs and then further generalize the weighted generalized distance measure of IFCSs to the trigonometric function-based similarity measures of IFCSs, including the cosine, sine, tangent, and cotangent similarity measures based on the weighted generalized distance measure of IFCSs. Then, a multicriteria decision making (MCDM) method using the proposed similarity measures is developed in the environment of IFCSs. An illustrative example about the performance evaluation of industrial robots and comparative analysis are presented to indicate the applicability and efficiency of the developed method in the setting of IFCSs.
Application of the Multiple Exp-Function, Cross-Kink, Periodic-Kink, Solitary Wave Methods, and Stability Analysis for the CDG Equation
Authors: Bin Jebreen Haifa , Chalco-Cano Yurilev
Published: January 2021

In this article, the exact wave structures are discussed to the Caudrey-Dodd-Gibbon equation with the assistance of Maple based on the Hirota bilinear form. It is investigated that the equation exhibits the trigonometric, hyperbolic, and exponential function solutions. We first construct a combination of the general exponential function, periodic function, and hyperbolic function in order to derive the general periodic-kink solution for this equation. Then, the more periodic wave solutions are presented with more arbitrary autocephalous parameters, in which the periodic-kink solution localized in all directions in space. Furthermore, the modulation instability is employed to discuss the stability of the available solutions, and the special theorem is also introduced. Moreover, the constraint conditions are also reported which validate the existence of solutions. Furthermore, 2-dimensional graphs are presented for the physical movement of the earned solutions under the appropriate selection of the parameters for stability analysis. The concluded results are helpful for the understanding of the investigation of nonlinear waves and are also vital for numerical and experimental verification in engineering sciences and nonlinear physics.
Short‐Term Traffic Flow Prediction with Weather Conditions: Based on Deep Learning Algorithms and Data Fusion
Authors: Hou Yue , Deng Zhiyuan , Cui Hanke
Published: January 2021

Short‐term traffic flow prediction is an effective means for intelligent transportation system (ITS) to mitigate traffic congestion. However, traffic flow data with temporal features and periodic characteristics are vulnerable to weather effects, making short‐term traffic flow prediction a challenging issue. However, the existing models do not consider the influence of weather changes on traffic flow, leading to poor performance under some extreme conditions. In view of the rich features of traffic data and the characteristic of being vulnerable to external weather conditions, the prediction model based on traffic data has certain limitations, so it is necessary to conduct research studies on traffic flow prediction driven by both the traffic data and weather data. This paper proposes a combined framework of stacked autoencoder (SAE) and radial basis function (RBF) neural network to predict traffic flow, which can effectively capture the temporal correlation and periodicity of traffic flow data and disturbance of weather factors. Firstly, SAE is used to process the traffic flow data in multiple time slices to acquire a preliminary prediction. Then, RBF is used to capture the relation between weather disturbance and periodicity of traffic flow so as to gain another prediction. Finally, another RBF is used for the fusion of the above two predictions on decision level, obtaining a reconstructed prediction with higher accuracy. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed model are verified by experiments.
Stability Analysis of TBM Tunnel Undercrossing Existing High‐Speed Railway Tunnel: A Case Study from Yangtaishan Tunnel of Shenzhen Metro Line 6
Authors: Zhao Mingji , Cheng Yun , Song Zhanping , Wang Tong , Zhang Yuwei , Gong Yitong , Song Yuncai
Published: January 2021

During the construction of the underpass of a new tunnel, the excavation unloading effect disturbs surrounding rock masses and promotes surrounding rock deformation, inevitably changing stress and displacement in the existing tunnel. Taking Yangtaishan tunnel excavation of Shenzhen Metro Line 6 as an engineering example, effects of excavation programs of left and right lines on the deformation characteristics of newly excavated and existing tunnels were evaluated based on Midas numerical model and priority excavation advantages of the left line were determined. The settlement and horizontal deformation characteristics of the existing tunnel were analyzed using the construction monitoring method. Results showed that maximum settlement and horizontal deformation of the existing tunnel were 1.35 and 0.23 mm, respectively. Settlement of invert and inverted top along axis direction was from growth to decline, and then a V‐shaped settlement trough was formed with maximum settlement values of 1.36 and 0.97 mm, respectively. Maximum settlement and uplift of the newly built tunnel appeared on the upper and bottom parts of invert, respectively. In the newly built tunnel segments, the top settlement was dominated and deformation was mainly distributed in both side areas. At the top of the existing tunnel segment, convergence settlement was 3.09 mm and settlement rate was slow first which was accelerated, then stabilized, and finally slowed down again which was opposite to the uplift development trend of the bottom of tunnel segment. The top of the existing tunnel segment showed four settlement stages, slow, rapid, stable, and slow settlement stages. Compared with the right line, preferential excavation of the left line had obvious advantages in terms of tunnel stability. The unloading effect of TBM excavation created vault settlement in the existing tunnels where actual settlement values were 1.12 and 1.13 times, which theoretically calculated settlement. The horizontal deformation of the existing tunnel was varied first linearly and then nonlinearly with maximum deformation in the convergence stage of 1.47 mm.
Factors Related to Bone Metabolism in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Wang Chenxiu , Huo Yanan , Li Xinchang , Lin Anhua , Hu Qingxiang , Xiong Changhui , Deng Ying
Published: January 2021

This study is aimed at establishing the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and determining the risk factors for bone mass loss. We invited KTRs who were under regular follow-up at Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated with Nanchang University to attend an assessment of osteoporotic risk assessed by questionnaire, biochemical profile, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning of the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck. Binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the different variables and bone mass density (BMD). A total of 216 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The group consisted of 156 men (72.22%) and 60 women (27.78%), and the mean age was

41.50
±
9.98

years. There were 81 patients with normal bone mass (37.50%) and 135 patients with bone mass loss (62.50%). Logistic regression analysis showed that a higher phosphorus value and higher alkaline phosphatase concentration and a longer use of glucocorticoids were risk factors for bone mass loss in KTRs, and maintaining an appropriate weight and exercising an appropriate number of times per week helped to maintain bone mass.
Investigation of Nonlinear Behaviour of Semiburied Cylindrical Concrete Reservoir without Dynamic Load Effect
Authors: Fatahi Mazhar , Halghi Mahdi Meftah , Soltani Tehrani Mehran
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to examine the effect of rigid and flexible foundations on the response by a semiburied water storage reservoir. In this study, the reservoir support conditions of both flexible and inflexible states were studied. The seismic behaviour of reinforced and prestressed concrete reservoirs was compared based on their support conditions. The powerful numerical method FEM was used to study about the nonlinear behaviour of cylindrical reservoirs using static and dynamic nonlinear analysis. The values of the results correcting factor in the design codes and standards were evaluated. Moreover, the response correcting behaviour (R) was evaluated based on the findings from a push‐over and nonlinear dynamic analysis. This research finding indicated that the reservoir shapes and support types affect the deformability of the reservoirs. Reservoirs with prestressed concrete show less flexibility compared to reinforced concrete reservoir. Finally, it is resulted that displacement, base shear, and wave height obtained from time history analysis are more than those of response spectrum analysis, indicating insufficiency of response spectrum analysis.
Micropolar Couple Stress Nanofluid Flow by Non-Fourier’s-Law Heat Flux Model past a Stretching Sheet
Authors: Gadisa Gosa , Takele Tagay , Jabessa Shibiru
Published: January 2021

In this investigation, thermal radiation effect on MHD nonlinear convective micropolar couple stress nanofluid flow by non-Fourier’s-law heat flux model past a stretching sheet with the effects of diffusion-thermo, thermal-diffusion, and first-order chemical reaction rate is reported. The robust numerical method called the Galerkin finite element method is applied to solve the proposed fluid model. We applied grid-invariance test to approve the convergence of the series solution. The effect of the various pertinent variables on velocity, angular velocity, temperature, concentration, local skin friction, local wall couple stress, local Nusselt number, and local Sherwood number is analyzed in both graphical and tabular forms. The range of the major relevant parameters used for analysis of the present study was adopted from different existing literatures by taking into consideration the history of the parameters and is given by

0.07
≤
Pr
≤
7.0
,
0.0
≤
λ
,
ε
≤
1.0
,
0.0
≤

R

d

,
D
f
 
,
S
r
,
K
,
≤
1.5
,
0.0
≤

γ

E

≤
0.9
,
0.9
≤
S
c
≤
1.5
,
0.5
≤
M
≤
1.5
,
0.0
≤
β
≤
1.0
,
0
.
2
≤
N
b
≤
0
.
4
,
0
.
1
≤
N
t
≤
0
.
3
.

The result obtained in this study is compared with that in the available literatures to confirm the validity of the present numerical method. Our result shows that the heat and mass transfer in the flow region of micropolar couple stress fluid can be enhanced by boosting the radiation parameters.
An Improved Monte Carlo Method Based on Neural Network and Fuzziness Analysis: A Case Study of the Nanpo Dump of the Chengmenshan Copper Mine
Authors: Gao Feng , Wu Xiaodong , Wu LeWen
Published: January 2021

The landslide of dump is a man-made geological disaster which will bring great harm to the surrounding people and environment, and probabilistic reliability analysis is commonly used to analyze the probability of slope landslide or whether protective measures should be taken. Monte Carlo simulation is the most commonly used method, but there are some problems, such as low efficiency, statistical ambiguity of small samples, and the fuzzy transition interval of the stability criterion. This paper proposes an improved Monte Carlo method that uses an improved bootstrap method to process small samples of geotechnical data, employs ELM (extreme learning machine) based on PSO (particle swarm optimization) to fit the limit equilibrium method function, and constructs the safety factor membership function of the dump site considering the fuzzy transition interval. This method was applied to an example slope of the dump site in Chengmenshan, Jiangxi. Comparing the analysis result with the result of the traditional MCS (Monte Carlo Search) method, it was found that after adding the safety factor membership function, the result was closer to the actual situation of the dump site, and the probability of failure and reliability index values were closer to those of the dangerous state; after the original function was replaced by the PSO-ELM model, the efficiency of the MCS method was greatly improved while the results maintained high consistency with the original results; the MCS method combined with the bootstrap method not only simulated the fuzzy uncertainty of the original sample statistics and distribution type but also expressed the reliability index and probability of failure as a two-sided confidence interval with a certain confidence level. The above conclusion proves the effectiveness and superiority of this method compared with the original MCS method.
A Landslide Displacement Prediction Method with Iteration-Based Combined Strategy
Authors: Li L. , Zhang S. X. , Qiang Y. , Zheng Z. , Li S. H. , Xia C. S.
Published: January 2021

Predicting landslide displacement is of great significance in geotechnical engineering. An iteration-based combined prediction method was proposed for predicting the landslide displacement in this paper. Firstly, the landslide displacement was predicted by 10 latest multivariable grey models, and then the final landslide displacement prediction value was obtained through an iteration-based combined strategy. Concurrently, the reliability of the quadratic programming-based combined prediction method (QPCPM) and the iteration-based combined prediction method (ICPM) was rigorously proved in this paper. In addition, the inapplicability conditions of the optimal weight-based combined prediction method (OWCPM) were pointed out. ICPM could be regarded as a simplified version of QPCPM. The Bazimen and Baishuihe landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China were used as numerical examples to elaborate the performance of ICPM. This paper also demonstrated the reliability of ICPM by considering the effects of rainfall and reservoir water level on landslide displacement. Overall, ICPM features in simple and easy calculation and has rosy engineering application prospects.
Prolonged Systemic Inflammation Alters Muscarinic Long-Term Potentiation (mLTP) in the Hippocampus
Authors: Shavit-Stein Efrat , Dori Amir , Shimon Marina Ben , Gofrit Shany Guly , Maggio Nicola
Published: January 2021

The cholinergic system plays a fundamental role in learning and memory. Pharmacological activation of the muscarinic receptor M1R potentiates NMDA receptor activity and induces short-term potentiation at the synapses called muscarinic LTP, mLTP. Dysfunction of cholinergic transmission has been detected in the settings of cognitive impairment and dementia. Systemic inflammation as well as neuroinflammation has been shown to profoundly alter synaptic transmission and LTP. Indeed, intervention which is aimed at reducing neuroinflammatory changes in the brain has been associated with an improvement in cognitive functions. While cognitive impairment caused either by cholinergic dysfunction and/or by systemic inflammation suggests a possible connection between the two, so far whether systemic inflammation affects mLTP has not been extensively studied. In the present work, we explored whether an acute versus persistent systemic inflammation induced by LPS injections would differently affect the ability of hippocampal synapses to undergo mLTP. Interestingly, while a short exposure to LPS resulted in a transient deficit in mLTP expression, a longer exposure persistently impaired mLTP. We believe that these findings may be involved in cognitive dysfunctions following sepsis and possibly neuroinflammatory processes.
An Image Enhancement Algorithm Based on Fractional‐Order Phase Stretch Transform and Relative Total Variation
Authors: Wang Wei , Jia Ying , Wang Qiming , Xu Pengfei
Published: January 2021

The main purpose of image enhancement technology is to improve the quality of the image to better assist those activities of daily life that are widely dependent on it like healthcare, industries, education, and surveillance. Due to the influence of complex environments, there are risks of insufficient detail and low contrast in some images. Existing enhancement algorithms are prone to overexposure and improper detail processing. This paper attempts to improve the treatment effect of Phase Stretch Transform (PST) on the information of low and medium frequencies. For this purpose, an image enhancement algorithm on the basis of fractional‐order PST and relative total variation (FOPSTRTV) is developed to address the task. In this algorithm, the noise in the original image is removed by low‐pass filtering, the edges of images are extracted by fractional‐order PST, and then the images are fused with extracted edges through RTV. Finally, extensive experiments were used to verify the effect of the proposed algorithm with different datasets.
Influence of the Force Arm on the Flexural Performance of Prestressed Glulam Beams
Authors: Mei Lidan , Guo Nan , Zuo Hongliang , Li Ling , Li Guodong
Published: January 2021

In recent years, extensive attention has been drawn to prefabricated buildings, particularly wood construction. Glulam beams are the major supporting components of modern wood buildings. Since the force arm is the most critical indicator to evaluate the resistance moment of the glulam beam string structure, it is necessary to further study the influence of the force arm on the mechanical properties of the glulam beam string structure. We tested the flexural performance of 15 prestressed glulam beams, which were divided into two groups (A and B) to, respectively, research the influences of the string arm and the end arm on the bearing capacity, failure mode, stress distribution, and deformation performance of glulam beams. The results showed that when the height of the end arm remained constant and the string arm increased from 90 mm to 130 mm and 170 mm, the bearing capacity of the beam increased by 6.77% and 17.22%, respectively. Moreover, as the depth of the compression zone of the glued timber beam gradually increased, the failure mode of the beam changed from the brittle tension failure of the beam bottom to the ductile compression failure of the beam top. When the height of the string arm remained constant and the end arm increased from 10 mm to 30 mm and 50 mm, the bearing capacity of the beam increased by 4.27% and 8.13%, respectively. The beam had no significant change in the failure mode, while it could bear the stress more uniformly. Based on the experimental results and principles of equilibrium, moment equilibrium, and similar triangle, we calculated the ultimate bearing capacity of the glulam beam and proposed a design method for durable wood structures.
Numerical Investigation of Inlet Thermodynamic Conditions on Solid Fuel Ramjet Performances
Authors: Li Weixuan , Zhao Dan , Chen Xiong , Zhu Liang , Ni Siliang
Published: January 2021

In this work, 2D numerical RANS (Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes) simulations were carried out to investigate the thermodynamic performance of a solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) with different inlet conditions. This is achieved by using an in-house FORTRAN code to simulate a 2D turbulent, reacting, unsteady flow in the ramjet engine. The inlet conditions are characterized by three key parameters: (1) swirl number (

S

N

), (2) mass flow rate (

m
̇

air

), and (3) inlet temperature (

T

in

). With the code numerically validated by benchmarking with a number of computed cases, it is applied to perform systematic studies on the turbulent flow recirculation, combustion, and heat transfer characteristics. It is found that increasing

S

N

,

m
̇

air

, or

T

in

can dramatically enhance the combustion heat release rate, regression rate, and combustor average temperature. Furthermore, the analysis on the chemical reaction intermediate (CO) reveals that the chemical reaction is more sufficient with increased

m
̇

air

, but

S

N

=
0

. In addition, a secondary vortex is generated at the corner of the backward facing step in the presence of a swirl flow resulting from the instability of the shear layer. Finally, the nonlinear correlations between the heat transfer, combustion characteristics, and flow field characteristics and the corresponding inlet thermodynamic parameters are identified.
The Polyphenol Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Irradiated Rye Grains
Authors: Gumul Dorota , Berski Wiktor
Published: January 2021

The irradiation process extends the cereal grain storage period, but also affects their chemical composition and antioxidants properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of gamma irradiation on the content of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins as well as the quantitative and qualitative profile of polyphenols in rye grains. The potential antioxidant capacity was also evaluated. The irradiation process resulted in an average increase of 10% of the total phenolic content as compared to the raw material, with each of the analyzed varieties reacting in different manners. The amount of tannins increased after irradiation at a constant level regardless of the applied gamma ray doses in the all analyzed rye grain varieties. The antiradical and antioxidant activity of rye grains after the irradiation process did not change or was reduced.