bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clustering with implicit constraints: A novel approach to housing market segmentation
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqi , Zheng Yanqiao , Ye Xinyue , Peng Qiong , Wang Wenbo , Li Shengwen
Published: December 2021

Constrained clustering has been widely studied and outperforms both the traditional unsupervised clustering and experience‐oriented approaches. However, the existing literature on constrained clustering concentrates on spatially explicit constraints, while many constraints in housing market studies are implicit. Ignoring the implicit constraints will result in unreliable clustering results. This article develops a novel framework for constrained clustering, which takes implicit constraints into account. Specifically, the research extends the classical greedy searching algorithm by adding one back‐and‐forth searching step, efficiently coping with the order sensitivity. Via evaluation on both synthetic and real data sets, it turns out that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing algorithms, even when only the traditional pairwise constraints are provided. In an application to a concrete housing market segmentation problem, the proposed algorithm shows its power to accommodate user‐specified homogeneity criteria to extract hidden information on the underlying urban spatial structure.
Evidence‐based evaluation of owner‐reported outcome measures for canine orthopedic care – a COSMIN evaluation of 6 instruments
Authors: Radke Heidi , Joeris Alexander , Chen Maio
Published: December 2021

Objective

To systematically review the currently available validated owner‐reported outcome measures (OROMs) for assessing pain and function in dogs with osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.

Study design

Systematic review.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was performed in December, 2019, using search terms relevant to OROMs for pain and function in dogs with osteoarthritis and other joint diseases. The measurement properties of the resulting outcome instruments and validation studies were evaluated with the Consensus‐Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN).

Results

Seventeen publications describing the validation of 6 OROMs were selected and evaluated with the COSMIN. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), Canine Orthopedic Index (COI), and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) provided evidence of sufficient content validity. Internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness were the most frequently validated other properties. Both CBPI and COI had sufficient internal consistency; LOAD, being formative in construct, need not be assessed for internal consistency. No instruments provided information on measurement errors.

Conclusion

The CBPI, COI, and LOAD can be recommended for use in dogs with osteoarthritis. Further evidence is necessary to increase the interpretability of these instruments or expand their application into other canine orthopedic conditions. Further evidence is also needed before the other 3 instruments can be recommended.

Clinical significance

This systematic evaluation of 6 OROMs provides clinicians and researchers with a tool that facilitates and improves evidence‐based selection of outcome measures for evaluating canine osteoarthritis and other joint disease treatments.
SCIENCE–RELIGION BOUNDARIES IN INDIAN SCIENTIFIC WORKPLACES
Authors: Khalsa Simranjit , Kalinowski Brenton , Vaidyanathan Brandon , Ecklund Elaine Howard
Published: December 2021

Recent social scientific studies have focused on the different ways in which scientists conceive of the relationship between science and religion, conflict, complementary, independent, or some other understanding. However, there is still much less research on scientists’ religious lives outside the United States and the United Kingdom. Drawing on data from participant observation, in‐depth interviews (N = 80) and nationally representative surveys (N = 1,763) with physicists and biologists in India, we begin to address this gap. We find that even though the majority of scientists report the independence view through our survey, when interviewed they say that religion and scientific work overlap considerably and in distinctive ways from the United States and the United Kingdom. Specifically, Indian scientific institutions (1) seek religious authorization, (2) offer religious accommodation to staff and students, and (3) facilitate selective integration of religion into the workplace. Our article shows how, in spite of scientists’ espoused preferences for non‐overlapping magisteria and attempts to construct boundaries between religion and science, religion overlaps with science in scientific workplaces.
All‐optical monitoring of excitation–secretion coupling demonstrates that SV2A functions downstream of evoked Ca2+ entry
Authors: Bradberry Mazdak M. , Chapman Edwin R.
Published: December 2021

SV2A, an essential transporter‐like synaptic vesicle protein, is a major target for antiepileptic drugs and a receptor for clostridial neurotoxins including Botox. While SV2A is required for normal levels of evoked neurotransmitter release, the mechanism underlying this role remains unclear. Here, we introduce a new chemogenetic approach for all‐optical monitoring of excitation–secretion coupling, and we demonstrate its use in characterizing the SV2A knockout (KO) phenotype in cultured hippocampal neurons. This method employs the HaloTag system to target a robust small‐molecule Ca2+ indicator, JF646–BAPTA, to the presynaptic compartment. The far‐red fluorescence of this indicator enables multiplexing with the fluorescent glutamate sensor iGluSnFR for detection of presynaptic Ca2+ influx and glutamate release at the same axonal boutons. Evoked glutamate release probability was reduced in SV2A KO neurons without a change in presynaptic Ca2+ entry, suggesting that SV2A supports vesicle fusion by increasing the functional availability, or efficiency, of the Ca2+‐regulated membrane fusion machinery.

Key points

One of the most prescribed antiepileptic medications, levetiracetam, acts by binding a protein of uncertain molecular function.

This transporter‐like protein, SV2A, is trafficked to synaptic vesicles and acts to support neurotransmitter release, but the mechanism underlying this function has not been determined

In this study, we sought to establish whether SV2A changes Ca2+ signalling at nerve terminals, which is a key regulatory system for synaptic vesicle exocytosis.

To do so, we adapted new chemogenetic tools to perform all‐optical measurements of presynaptic Ca2+ and glutamate release in neurons lacking SV2A.

Our measurements showed that loss of SV2A reduces glutamate release without reducing Ca2+ influx at hippocampal nerve terminals, demonstrating that SV2A increases the likelihood that Ca2+ will trigger synaptic vesicle fusion.
Phytoecdysteroids: Chemical Structure And Biological Activity
Authors: Akhmetkarimova Zh.S. , Temirgaziev B.S.
Published: December 2021

Owing to the need to develop new medicines and biologically active food additives with adaptogenic effects, phytoecdysteroids – polyhydroxylated sterols-are of great interest. Different types of drugs, extracts and individual compounds, have a wide range of pharmacological effects on several organs, such as the brain, blood, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as on various biochemical processes and physiological functions. Extracts and preparations from plants are safe and exhibit additional biological effects (antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antifidant). Data on the chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological characteristics of R. carthamoides demonstrate that this species has beneficial therapeutic properties, and indicate its potential as an effective adaptogenic herbal remedy.
Galactosidases Of Strain Bifidobacterium Longum Bim В-813d With Transglycosylating Activity
Authors: Morozova A.N. , Golovnyova N.А. , Ryabaya N.E. , Safonova M.E.
Published: December 2021

Activity of bifidobacterial culture B. longum BIM В-813D to synthesize α- and β-galactosidases was investigated. Full genome sequencing and biochemical analysis have revealed isoenzymes with α- and β-galactosidase activities capable in addition to hydrolytic action to carry out transglycosylation reactions yielding galactooligosaccharides.

The obtained data enable to recommend bifidobacteria B. longum BIM В-813D as a key ingredient of probiotic products.
Evaluation of Nusselt Number for a Flow in a Parallel Plates Using Magnetohydrodynamics Second-Order Slip Model
Authors: Simsek Hatice
Published: December 2021

This study is the examination of magnetohydrodinamics (MHD) flow and heat transfer between microparallel plates with constant wall heat flux using two different boundary condition coefficients, widely known in the literature, in a second-order slip flow and temperature jump boundary condition model. The stream of incompressible viscous liquid between rigid microtwin plates with electrical conductivity was assumed to be steady, laminar, hydrodynamically and thermally fully improved. The effects of dilution, viscous dissipation, and axial transmission, which are significant at the microscale, are also contained in the analysis. Momentum and energy equations are solved analytically under second-order slip velocity and temperature jump boundary conditions. Closed type answers for the temperature field and the fully developed Nusselt number are derived as a function of the magnetic parameter (MHD), Knudsen number and modified Brinkman number. Particular attention has been paid to the effects of the magnetic field on the second-order slip flow conditions. The use of the second-order boundary condition coefficients proposed in the study varies according to the proposed boundary conditions and tends to increase and decrease the heat transfer. Otherwise, MHD increases the heat transfer for both boundary conditions.
A Method for Monitoring Vibrational Fatigue of Structure and Components
Authors: Moussallam Nadim , Ziegler Rainer , Rudolph Jürgen , Bergholz Steffen
Published: December 2021

A vibrational fatigue monitoring system has been developed by Framatome to assess, in real-time, the evolution of industrial structures, systems and components lifetime expectancy. Its originality comes from the fact that only one or a few acceleration measurements are necessary to reconstruct the complete stress history in the whole structure, including on welds or bolted connections that could not have been directly instrumented. From this stress history, a fatigue analysis with a rainflow counting algorithm is conducted and the cumulative usage factor of each weld or bolt is determined. The remaining life duration is then estimated. The method has been numerically and experimentally validated in that sense that the reconstructed stress histories were successfully compared to direct stress calculations and measurements. The system was then installed on five industrial structures submitted to transient dynamic excitations. It is expected that it will soon find further applications notably in monitoring vibrations induced during power plants transients that may induce some temporary resonance of piping equipment. Finally, the vibrational monitoring system can also be combined with a thermal fatigue monitoring system, many of which are already deployed, at least on nuclear power plants, and the reconstructed stresses might include both thermal and mechanical effects. Installing such a fatigue monitoring on a set of sensitive systems and components could be a valuable brick in the present trend of building digital twins of power plants or other industrial structures.
Bounded Elastic Moduli Multiplier Technique for Limit Loads: Part 2—Case Studies
Authors: Mangalaramanan Sathya Prasad
Published: December 2021

Part 1 of the article provides the theoretical underpinnings of a new method to determine statically admissible stress distributions in a structure, called bounded elastic moduli multiplier technique (BEMMT). It is shown that this method offers statically admissible stress distributions better than the power law and closer to elastic-plastic solutions for textbook cases such as thick cylinder, beam, etc. This part of the article offers several numerical examples to demonstrate the robustness of the method. Upper and lower bound limit loads are calculated using iterative elastic analyses using both power law and BEMMT. These results are compared with the ones obtained from elastic-plastic FEA. Consistently BEMMT has outperformed power law when it comes to estimating lower bound limit loads.
Experimental Determination of the Unipolarity of Pulsed Terahertz Radiation
Authors: Arkhipov M. V. , Tsypkin A. N. , Zhukova M. O. , Ismagilov A. O. , Pakhomov A. V. , Rosanov N. N. , Arkhipov R. M.
Published: December 2021

Energy, pulse duration, and frequency of the spectral maximum are important characteristics of pulsed terahertz radiation. The unipolarity of radiation is another characteristic that is paid less attention to. This paper demonstrates possible ways how to determine the presence of unipolarity in the radiation of pulsed terahertz sources. The first approach is based on integrating the time dependence of the field strength in the far zone obtained experimentally. The second approach uses radio-technical equipment by means of recording low-frequency components of pulses, which exist in the unipolar terahertz radiation. The results of experiments are presented with recording the unipolar component of THz pulses by both methods. The existence of unipolarity is shown for pulses from some types of terahertz radiation sources. Estimations are made for the electric area and the degree of unipolarity of the pulsed radiation for the first time.
Matrix model partition function by a single constraint
Authors: Mironov A. , Mishnyakov V. , Morozov A. , Rashkov R.
Published: December 2021

In the recent study of Virasoro action on characters, we discovered that it gets especially simple for peculiar linear combinations of the Virasoro operators: particular harmonics of $${\hat{w}}$$

w
^

-operators. In this letter, we demonstrate that even more is true: a singlew-constraint is sufficient to uniquely specify the partition functions provided one assumes that it is a power series in time-variables. This substitutes the previous specifications in terms of two requirements: either a string equation imposed on the KP/Toda $$\tau $$
τ
-function or a pair of Virasoro generators. This mysterious single-entry definition holds for a variety of theories, including Hermitian and complex matrix models, and also matrix models with external matrix: the unitary and cubic Kontsevich models. In these cases, it is equivalent to W-representation and is closely related to super integrability. However, a similar single equation that completely determines the partition function exists also in the case of the generalized Kontsevich model (GKM) with potential of higher degree, when the constraint algebra is a larger W-algebra, and neither W-representation, nor superintegrability are understood well enough.
Potential Role of Natural Plant Medicine Cyclocarya paliurus in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wang Han , Tang Cheng , Gao Zezheng , Huang Yishan , Zhang Boxun , Wei Jiahua , Zhao Linhua , Tong Xiaolin
Published: December 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common chronic metabolic disease that has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. It poses a serious threat to human health and places a considerable burden on global social medical work. To meet the increasing demand for T2DM treatment, research on hypoglycemic drugs is rapidly developing. Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja is a medicinal plant that grows in China. The leaves of C. paliurus contain polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and other chemical components, which have numerous health benefits. Therefore, the use of this plant has attracted extensive attention in the medical community. Over the past few decades, contemporary pharmacological studies on C. paliurus extracts have revealed that it has abundant biological activities. Multiple in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that C. paliurus extracts are safe and can play a therapeutic role in T2DM through anti-inflammatory and antioxidation activities, and intestinal flora regulation. Its efficacy is closely related to many factors, such as extraction, separation, purification, and modification. Based on summarizing the existing extraction methods, this article further reviews the potential mechanism of C. paliurus extracts in T2DM treatment, and we aimed to provide a reference for future research on natural plant medicine for the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its related complications.
Automatic Modulation Recognition Based on Hybrid Neural Network
Authors: Duan Qiang , Fan Jianhua , Wei Xianglin , Wang Chao , Jiao Xiang , Wei Nan
Published: December 2021

Recognizing signals is critical for understanding the increasingly crowded wireless spectrum space in noncooperative communications. Traditional threshold or pattern recognition‐based solutions are labor‐intensive and error‐prone. Therefore, practitioners start to apply deep learning to automatic modulation classification (AMC). However, the recognition accuracy and robustness of recently presented neural network‐based proposals are still unsatisfactory, especially when the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is low. In this backdrop, this paper presents a hybrid neural network model, called MCBL, which combines convolutional neural network, bidirectional long‐short time memory, and attention mechanism to exploit their respective capability to extract the spatial, temporal, and salient features embedded in the signal samples. After formulating the AMC problem, the three modules of our hybrid dynamic neural network are detailed. To evaluate the performance of our proposal, 10 state‐of‐the‐art neural networks (including two latest models) are chosen as benchmarks for the comparison experiments conducted on an open radio frequency (RF) dataset. Results have shown that the recognition accuracy of MCBL can reach 93% which is the highest among the tested DNN models. At the same time, the computation efficiency and robustness of MCBL are better than existing proposals.
Joint Decision-Making Model Based on Consensus Modeling Technology for the Prediction of Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Wang Yukun , Chen Xuebo
Published: December 2021

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the major cause of clinical trial failure and postmarketing withdrawals of approved drugs. It is very expensive and time-consuming to evaluate hepatotoxicity using animal or cell-based experiments in the early stage of drug development. In this study, an in silico model based on the joint decision-making strategy was developed for DILI assessment using a relatively large dataset of 2608 compounds. Five consensus models were developed with PaDEL descriptors and PubChem, Substructure, Estate, and Klekota–Roth fingerprints, respectively. Submodels for each consensus model were obtained through joint optimization. The parameters and features of each submodel were optimized jointly based on the hybrid quantum particle swarm optimization (HQPSO) algorithm. The application domain (AD) based on the frequency-weighted and distance (FWD)-based method and Tanimoto similarity index showed the wide AD of the qualified consensus models. A joint decision-making model was integrated by the qualified consensus models, and the overwhelming majority principle was used to improve the performance of consensus models. The application scope narrowing caused by the overwhelming majority principle was successfully solved by joint decision-making. The proposed model successfully predicted 99.2% of the compounds in the test set, with an accuracy of 80.0%, a sensitivity of 83.9, and a specificity of 73.3%. For an external validation set containing 390 compounds collected from DILIrank, 98.2% of the compounds were successfully predicted with an accuracy of 79.9%, a sensitivity of 97.1%, and a specificity of 66.0%. Furthermore, 25 privileged substructures responsible for DILI were identified from Substructure, PubChem, and Klekota–Roth fingerprints. These privileged substructures can be regarded as structural alerts in hepatotoxicity evaluation. Compared with the main published studies, our method exhibits certain advantage in data size, transparency, and standardization of the modeling process and accuracy and credibility of prediction results. It is a promising tool for virtual screening in the early stage of drug development.
Bounding the Inefficiency of the Multiclass, Multicriteria C‐Logit Stochastic User Equilibrium in a Transportation Network
Authors: Yuan Lekai , Zhang Xi , Shi Chaofeng
Published: December 2021

We derive the exact inefficiency upper bounds of the multiclass C‐Logit stochastic user equilibrium (CL‐SUE) in a transportation network. All travelers are classified on the basis of different values of time (VOT) into M classes. The multiclass CL‐SUE model gives a more realistic path choice probability in comparison with the logit‐based stochastic user equilibrium model by considering the overlapping effects between paths. To find efficiency loss upper bounds of the multiclass CL‐SUE, two equivalent variational inequalities for the multiclass CL‐SUE model, i.e., time‐based variational inequality (VI) and monetary‐based VI, are formulated. We give four different methods to define the inefficiency of the multiclass CL‐SUE, i.e., to compare multiclass CL‐SUE with multiclass system optimum, or to compare multiclass CL‐SUE with multiclass C‐Logit stochastic system optimum (CL‐SSO), under the time‐based criterion and the monetary‐based criterion, respectively. We further investigate the effects of various parameters which include the degree of path overlapping (the commonality factor), the network complexity, degree of traffic congestion, the VOT of user classes, the network familiarity, and the total demand on the inefficiency bounds.
Durability Evaluation of Concrete Bridges Based on the Theory of Matter Element Extension—Entropy Weight Method—Unascertained Measure
Authors: Li Qing-fu , Yu Ying-qiao
Published: December 2021

To accurately evaluate the durability of reinforced concrete girder bridges, a durability evaluation model was developed based on the matter element extension theory, entropy weight method, and unascertained measure theory. A total of seven indicators were selected for durability evaluation: the concrete presumed strength uniformity coefficient, reinforcement corrosion potential level, chloride ion content, average value of concrete relative carbonation depth, crack width, resistivity, and characteristic value of the reinforcement protective layer thickness. The weights of the durability evaluation indices were assigned using matter element extension combined with the entropy weight method, and the multi-indicator comprehensive evaluation vector was obtained by combining the single-indicator measurement matrix. The evaluation results were analyzed by applying the confidence criterion. The results showed that the evaluation results of this model matched with the actual conditions of the girder bridges, which indicates that this durability evaluation model has good applicability and is reasonable. Finally, a comparative study proved that the model could accurately evaluate the bridge durability.
A Dual‐Frequency Miniaturized Frequency Selective Surface Structure Suitable for Antenna Stealth
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Maojun , Le Mingnan , Li Bin , Wei Jiaqi
Published: December 2021

A tiny dual‐band frequency selective surface structure is proposed in this paper. With dual‐band rejection characteristics at the corresponding frequency points of the S‐band and C‐band, suitable for antenna stealth. To achieve miniaturization, the unit‐cell architecture resembles the shape of a “S.” First of all, the author describes the parameters of the surface element, and then, the transmission characteristics of the surface element are analyzed by the equivalent circuit method. By maintaining a constant response to TE and TM polarization patterns and oblique incident angles, the suggested device ensures angular independence. The measured findings from the constructed FSS are used to validate the computed results. Finally, a new unit structure is provided for the application of FSS in antenna stealth.
Modeling the Use of Online Knowledge Community: A Perspective of Needs‐Affordances‐Features
Authors: Jiao Zeyu , Chen Jianbin , Kim Eunjin
Published: December 2021

With the support of network information technology, the Online Knowledge Community (OKC) has emerged. Among different OKC applications, some entered into the new era of popular knowledge production, while others experienced the process to decline. In order to solve the dilemma faced by the OKC platforms, the needs‐affordances‐features (NAF) perspective on OKC is proposed by taking Zhihu, one of the most popular OKC applications in China as an example. According to NAF, the psychological needs of individuals motivate the use of Zhihu to the extent to which Zhihu offers affordances that satisfy the individuals’ needs. By collecting data through questionnaires and using SPSS and AMOS for data analysis, the relationship between individuals’ psychological needs and Zhihu affordances is identified. This paper generates two aspects of implications. In terms of theoretical implications, a more comprehensive framework is developed for the affordances of OKC as a whole, and the NAF model is leveraged to identify related psychological needs which motivate the use of a specific OKC application—Zhihu. Further research can leverage NAF to identify different OKC platform features which satisfy the psychological needs of their targeting users to optimize the system of OKC platforms. As for practical implications, by building the relationship between the affordances of OKC platforms and users’ psychological needs, marketers have to realize that although the digital platform system has a certain degree of imitability, the value positioning, user community, and core capabilities behind those platforms are all different. Thus, the platform system must also be differentiated. In order to determine the appropriate business model, a clear understanding of these organizational features should be identified.
Clinical Evaluation for Space Maintainer after Unilateral Loss of Primary First Molar in the Early Mixed Dentition Stage
Authors: Mosharrafian Shahram , Baghalian Ali , Hamrah Mohammad Hassan , Kargar Mojgan
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: Controversy exists regarding the need for a space maintainer after early unilateral loss of a primary first molar. This study aimed to assess the need for a space maintainer after unilateral loss of a primary first molar in the early mixed dentition period. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, fifty children between 6 and 8 years who had lost a primary first molar unilaterally later than 6 months ago were randomly selected. Midline deviation, molar and canine relationships at both sides, facial growth pattern, and the amount of space loss were all assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 via the one-sample t-test, paired t-test, and linear regression (alpha = 0.05). Results. The mean amount of space loss was 1.36 ± 0.78 mm (1.32 mm in the maxilla and 1.40 mm in the mandible). Time since tooth extraction and facial pattern had significant correlations with space loss

P
<
0.05

. Conclusion. In this particular age group, it is imperative to precisely assess the related factors such as the facial pattern and time since tooth extraction to decide about the placement of a space maintainer for a prematurely lost primary first molar.
Correlation Analysis of Synchronization Type and Degree in Respiratory Neural Network
Authors: Xu Jieqiong , Yuan Quan , Chen Huiying
Published: December 2021

Pre‐Bötzinger complex (PBC) is a necessary condition for the generation of respiratory rhythm. Due to the existence of synaptic gaps, delay plays a key role in the synchronous operation of coupled neurons. In this study, the relationship between synchronization and correlation degree is established for the first time by using ISI bifurcation and correlation coefficient, and the relationship between synchronization and correlation degree is discussed under the conditions of no delay, symmetric delay, and asymmetric delay. The results show that the phase synchronization of two coupling PBCs is closely related to the weak correlation, that is, the weak phase synchronization may occur under the condition of incomplete synchronization. Moreover, the time delay and coupling strength are controlled in the modified PBC network model, which not only reveals the law of PBC firing transition but also reveals the complex synchronization behavior in the coupled chaotic neurons. Especially, when the two coupled neurons are nonidentical, the complete synchronization will disappear. These results fully reveal the dynamic behavior of the PBC neural system, which is helpful to explore the signal transmission and coding of PBC neurons and provide theoretical value for further understanding respiratory rhythm.
On
r
-Generalized Fuzzy
ℓ
-Closed Sets: Properties and Applications
Authors: Taha I. M.
Published: December 2021

In the present study, we introduce and characterize the class of

r

-generalized fuzzy

ℓ

-closed sets in a fuzzy ideal topological space

X
,
τ
,
ℓ

in Šostak sense. Also, we show that

r

-generalized fuzzy closed set by Kim and Park (2002)

⟹

r

-generalized fuzzy

ℓ

-closed set, but the converse need not be true. Moreover, if we take

ℓ
=

ℓ

0

, the

r

-generalized fuzzy

ℓ

-closed set and

r

-generalized fuzzy closed set are equivalent. After that, we define fuzzy upper (lower) generalized

ℓ

-continuous multifunctions, and some properties of these multifunctions along with their mutual relationships are studied with the help of examples. Finally, some separation axioms of

r

-generalized fuzzy

ℓ

-closed sets are introduced and studied. Also, the notion of

r

-fuzzy

G

∗

-connected sets is defined and studied with help of

r

-generalized fuzzy

ℓ

-closed sets.
Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Varies with Lymph Node Metastasis Status in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jia Jing , Li MinZhe , Teng Wenhao , Wang Lin , Zang Weidong , Xiao Jun , Chen Ying
Published: December 2021

Background. Preoperative serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (pCEA) is generally recognized as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), but the stage-specific role of pCEA in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Objective. We investigated the prognostic significance of pCEA levels in different tumor stages of nonmetastatic CRC patients. Methods. Six hundred and fifteen CRC patients at stage I–III were retrospectively analyzed. All of them received curative tumor resection. The X-tile program was used to generate stage-specific cutoff values of pCEA for all patients and two subpopulations (lymph node-positive or -negative). The prognostic significance of pCEA was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. A nomogram model that combined pCEA score and clinical feature indexes was established and evaluated. Results. Two cutoff values were identified in the study population. At a cutoff value of 4.9 ng/mL, a significantly higher 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (82.16%) was observed in the pCEA-low group (<4.9 ng/mL) compared with 65.52% in the pCEA-high group (≥4.9 ng/mL). Furthermore, at the second cutoff value of 27.2 ng/mL, 5-year OS was found to be only 40.9%. Stratification analysis revealed that preoperative serum level of pCEA was an independent prognostic factor (OR = 1.991,

P
<
0.01

) in the subpopulation of lymph node metastasis (stage III) patients, and the relative survival rates in the pCEA-low (≤4.9 ng/mL), pCEA-medium (4.9–27.2 ng/mL), and pCEA-high (≥27.2 ng/mL) groups were 73.4%, 60.5%, and 24.8%, respectively (

P
<
0.05

). However, no such effect was observed in the lymph node nonmetastasis (stage I and II) subgroup. The established nomogram showed acceptable predictive power of the 5-year OS rate (C-index: 0.612) in lymph node-positive CRC patients, with an area under the curve value of 0.772, as assessed by ROC curve analysis. Conclusions. Pretreatment serum CEA levels had different prognostic significance based on the lymph node metastasis status. Among stage III CRC patients, pCEA was an independent prognostic factor. Five-year OS rates could be predicted according to the individual pCEA level at the different cutoff values.
MalSEIRS: Forecasting Malware Spread Based on Compartmental Models in Epidemiology
Authors: Martínez Martínez Isabella , Florián Quitián Andrés , Díaz-López Daniel , Nespoli Pantaleone , Gómez Mármol Félix
Published: December 2021

Over the last few decades, the Internet has brought about a myriad of benefits to almost every aspect of our daily lives. However, malware attacks have also widely proliferated, mainly aiming at legitimate network users, resulting in millions of dollars in damages if proper protection and response measures are not settled and enforced. In this context, the paper at hand proposes MalSEIRS, a novel dynamic model, to predict malware distribution in a network based on the SEIRS epidemiological model. As a result, the time‐dependent rates of infection, recovery, and loss of immunity enable us to capture the complex dynamism of malware spreading behavior, which is influenced by a variety of external circumstances. In addition, we describe both offensive and defensive techniques, based on the proposed MalSEIRS model, through extensive experimentation, as well as disclosing real‐life malware campaigns that can be better understood by using the suggested model.
Intelligent System for Training and Assessment of Basketball Referee in Sports Event Using Intelligent Sensor
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Ren Jie , Yang Haitao , Sun Yangjie
Published: December 2021

Aiming at the problem of the fairness of the judgment results in the traditional basketball referee training and evaluation process affected by external factors, an intelligent system for training and assessment of basketball referees in sports events based on intelligent sensors is proposed. We collect the judged poses of basketball referees by wearing intelligent sensor devices, store the collected information in the database using the converter, and analyze the pose data with the quaternion pose solution method based on complementary filters. According to the comparator, the analysis result is compared with the standard judgment information, and the action is judged whether the action conforms to the basketball judgment rules of the sports event. The judge’s action pose score is evaluated according to the judgment result, and the training assessment result is outputted. The results show that the system can clearly simulate the acceleration and pose angle data of the referee’s complex actions, the recognition rate of various basketball penalty poses is high, and the error of the pitch, yaw, and roll pose calculations is small. The response time of this system is 4 ms, when the number of requests sent by the client is 200 which is unanimously approved by the referees.
Investigation on Thrust Force Conversion Method of Oscillating Caudal Fin Based on Wake Vortex Field Structure
Authors: Ling Hongjie , Wang Zhidong
Published: December 2021

The wake field of the flexible oscillating caudal fin is investigated using the Digital Particle Image Velocity (DPIV) system. The distributions of the vorticity with different Strouhal numbers are presented, and a self-developed program is used for calculating the velocity circulation of the vortex ring. Quantitative analysis of the wake field such as velocity circulation of the vortex ring, vortex radius, and the center-to-center spacing of vortex pair is presented. A three-dimensional vortex ring chain model of oscillating caudal fin is introduced. A conversion model between velocity circulation and dynamic moment of the vortex ring is presented according to the vortex dynamics theory, and a self-developed program is used for the calculation, in which the conversion of the thrust force based on wake field of oscillating caudal fin is carried out. Comparisons of the results of the two kinds flexible caudal fins thrust force conversion with the result of tricomponent balance system have been done in this paper. The relative errors are 5.86% and 3.44%, respectively. It is shown that the thrust force conversion model of flexible oscillating caudal fin is accurate and reliable, and the method presented in the paper provides an effective model for the quantitative conversion between the flow field and the thrust force of the caudal fin.
Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis Identifies Specific Functional Modules and Genes in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Xu Wei , Xu Jian , Wang Zhiqiang , Jiang Yuequan
Published: December 2021

Objective. Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is one of the most aggressive malignancies globally with an undesirable five-year survival rate. Here, this study was conducted for determining specific functional genes linked with ESCA initiation and progression. Methods. Gene expression profiling of ESCA was curated from TCGA (containing 160 ESCA and 11 nontumor specimens) and GSE38129 (30 paired ESCA and nontumor tissues) datasets. Differential expression analysis was conducted between ESCA and nontumor tissues with adjusted

p

value <0.05 and |log2fold-change|>1. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted for determining the ESCA-specific coexpression modules and genes. Thereafter, ESCA-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were intersected. Functional enrichment analysis was then presented with clusterProfiler package. Protein-protein interaction was conducted, and hub genes were determined. Association of hub genes with pathological staging was evaluated, and survival analysis was presented among ESCA patients. Results. This study determined 91 ESCA-specific DEGs following intersection of DEGs and ESCA-specific genes in TCGA and GSE38129 datasets. They were remarkably linked to cell cycle progression and carcinogenic pathways like the p53 signaling pathway, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. Ten ESCA-specific hub genes were determined, containing ASPM, BUB1B, CCNA2, CDC20, CDK1, DLGAP5, KIF11, KIF20 A, TOP2A, and TPX2. They were prominently associated with pathological staging. Among them, KIF11 upregulation was in relation to undesirable prognosis of ESCA patients. Conclusion. Collectively, we determined ESCA-specific coexpression modules and hub genes, which offered the foundation for future research concerning the mechanistic basis of ESCA.
Research on Optimal Investment Reinsurance of Insurance Companies under Delayed Risk Model
Authors: Xiao Yun , Qiu Zhijian
Published: December 2021

The reinsurance and investment portfolio of insurance companies has always been a hot issue in insurance business. In insurance practice, it is inevitable for insurance companies to invest their own funds in order to expand their capital scale and enhance market competitiveness so as to obtain greater returns. At the same time, in order for insurance companies to disperse insurance risks and to avoid too concentrated claims or catastrophes caused by failure to perform compensation responsibilities, the purchase of reinsurance business has also become an important way. Stochastic control theory is widely used in reinsurance and investment issues. Based on the reinsurance system architecture, this paper establishes a reinsurance delay risk investment model, which reduces the amount of claims to be borne by buying proportional reinsurance to avoid bankruptcy caused by the excessive amount of claims. By using the delayed venture capital model to describe the earnings of insurance companies, the optimal investment and reinsurance strategy are solved under the optimization criterion of minimizing the probability of bankruptcy. By analyzing the model parameter data, the influence of each parameter on optimal investment strategy and optimal reinsurance strategy is discussed.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Services at Public Health Facilities in Nekemte Town
Authors: Eba Sinkinesh , Kejela Gemechu , Tamiru Afework
Published: December 2021

Background. Viral hepatitis is an emerging global health problem. A pregnant mother infected with the hepatitis B virus has a high rate of vertical transmission, causing adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Understanding the magnitude of the problem and associated factors has paramount importance to avert such adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at public health facilities in Nekemte town. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Nekemte town from June 1 to July 30, 2020. All public health institutions in Nekemte town (two hospitals and one health center) were recruited, and study participants were selected by using a systematic sampling method. The data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires using a face-to-face interview, and a blood sample was collected to test for hepatitis B surface antigen. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors significantly associated with hepatitis B virus infection. Variables with a

p

value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of the outcome variable. Result. The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was 16 (5.8%) [95% CI: 3.2-8.7], which indicates intermediate endemicity. History of abortion (AOR =6.155; 95% CI: 1.780, 21.291), history of contact with hepatitis patient (AOR =7.178; 95% CI: 1.702, 30.279), and having multiple sexual partners (AOR =6.788; 95% CI: 1.701, 27.086) had a statistically significant association with hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity. Conclusion. Hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among pregnant women in this study shows intermediate endemicity. Therefore, health professionals should provide health information on the risk of having multiple sexual partners, risk factors of unprotected contact with hepatitis patients, and abortion for pregnant women during their antenatal care visits.
Information Security Management of Sharing Economy Based on Blockchain Technology
Authors: Xiao Jian
Published: December 2021

Based on the unprecedented development of current information technology, under the prevalence of third‐party payment, in order to increase the utilization rate of idle resources and meet the diversified economic needs of today’s era, as an emerging economic model‐the “sharing economy”, combined with Internet big data, it has effectively realized the perfect connection between supply and demand, and it has quickly swept through all walks of life. However, while promoting economic development, the lack of regulatory measures and the imperfect credit system have severely restricted the further development of the sharing economy. Blockchain technology (BT), as a new distributed infrastructure and computing method, has always been the core technology of Bitcoin. Based on the development of generalized economic model and BT, this paper analyzes the shortcomings of generalized economic model and blockchain technology through information fusion big data and proposes a kind of information based on information fusion big data+public BT. The security management system adapts to the status quo of the sharing economy and uses the functions of information fusion big data+blockchain technology to solve the current information security risks faced by the sharing economy. The experimental results of this article show that the sharing economy information security management system based on information fusion big data+blockchain technology has good protection capabilities. The interception rate of external information reached 95%, and the interception rate of system information reached 93%. Better protection of privacy leaks is needed.
Autonomic Status Epilepticus in a Patient with Parasellar Meningioma: A Case Report
Authors: Evangelista Giacomo , Dono Fedele , Consoli Stefano , Calisi Dario , Onofrj Marco , Anzellotti Francesca , Frazzini Valerio , Bonanni Laura
Published: December 2021

Autonomic status epilepticus (Aut SE) is a condition characterized by ongoing focal autonomic seizure lasting for >30 min. Aut SE can show a variety of clinical manifestations including vomiting, nausea, changes in heart rate, piloerection, pupillary abnormalities, and visual abnormalities. Although Aut SE is a common finding in childhood in the context of Panayiotopoulos syndrome, few reports have described this condition during adulthood. In the present report, we describe a case of Aut SE in an adult patient with parasellar meningioma and bilateral frontotemporal epileptiform activity on EEG record.
Acral Necrosis in a COVID-19-Infected Man Treated with Botulinum Toxin Type A
Authors: Schjødt Mette Soelberg , Bech Rikke , Braae Olesen Anne
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 has been associated with acral ischemia and digital necrosis. Standard treatment of acral ischemia and digital or acral necrosis includes ongoing therapy with vasodilators and anticoagulants. However, these treatments are not always efficient to avoid the progression of necroses, which in the worst case can lead to amputation. Here, we report a case in which interdigital Botox® (botulinum toxin type A) nerve cord injection stopped the progression of acral necroses arising from an underlying vasculopathy due to COVID-19. Moreover, Botox® injection eliminated inflammation in the affected acral area within 2 weeks. This is the first case report to suggest Botox® injection as a new and improving treatment for acral necroses due to COVID-19.
Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa Suffer from Low Health-Related Quality of Life as Measured by the Generic 15D Instrument
Authors: Hirvonen Mirkka J. , Pasternack Rafael , Lipitsä Tiina , Vihervaara Armi , Harvima Rauno , Ranta Martta , Sintonen Harri , Huilaja Laura
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with various comorbidities and diminished quality of life (QoL). Among dermatological conditions, HS is reported to most severely diminish QoL. This study aimed to analyse the health-related QoL (HRQoL) of patients with HS in more detail by using generic to disease-specific HRQoL questionnaires. Correlations between the HRQoL measures and HS disease severity measures were assessed. Methods: We analysed the HRQoL and clinical severity of patients with HS (N = 92) treated in 5 Finnish hospitals using HRQoL measurement tools most often used in dermatological clinics, as well as the generic 15D instrument (standardized and self-administered 15-dimensional measure of HRQoL). The disease severity was assessed using the Hurley stage, International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System, and disease severity evaluation by the investigator. Results: The mean 15D score of HS patients was low and comparable with that of patients with cancers. No correlation was found between HS severity measures and 15D score, indicating that even mild HS has a high impact on HRQoL. Conclusions: Our findings strengthen the understanding about HS as a debilitating disease and even compared with non-dermatological conditions and highlight the need of comprehensive care of patients with HS.