bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sufficient dimension reduction for clustered data via finite mixture modelling
Authors: Hui F.K.C. , Nghiem L.H.
Published: January 2022

Sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) is an attractive approach to regression modelling. However, despite its rich literature and growing popularity in application, surprisingly little research has been done on how to perform SDR for clustered data, for example as is commonly arises in longitudinal studies. Indeed, current popular SDR methods have been mostly based on a marginal estimating equation approach. In this article, we propose a new approach to SDR for clustered data based on a combination of finite mixture modelling and mixed effects regression. Finite mixture models offer a flexible means of estimating the fixed effects central subspace, based on slicing the space up and probabilistically clustering observations to each slice (mixture component). Dimension reduction is achieved by having the mixing proportions vary only through the sufficient fixed effect predictors. We then incorporate random effects as a natural means of accounting for correlations within clusters. We employ a Monte Carlo expectation–maximisation algorithm to estimate the model parameters and fixed effects central subspace, and discuss methods for associated uncertainty quantification and prediction. Simulation studies demonstrate that our approach performs strongly against both estimating equation methods for estimating the fixed effects central subspace, and SDR methods which do not account for within‐cluster correlation. Finally, we apply the proposed approach to a data set on air pollutant monitoring across 13 stations in the Eastern United States.
Melatonin epigenetic potential on testicular functions and fertility profile in varicocele rat model is mediated by silent information regulator 1
Authors: Abo El Gheit Rehab E. , Soliman Nema A. , Nagla Salah A. , El‐Sayed Rehab M. , Badawi Ghada A. , Emam Marwa N. , Abdel Ghafar Muhammad Tarek , Ibrahim Marwa A. A. , Elswaidy Noha R. M. , Radwan Doaa A. , Alshenawy Hanan A. , Khaled Howayda E. , Kamel Samar , El‐Saka Mervat H. , Madi Nermin M. , Younis Reham L.
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose

Varicocele is a leading cause of male infertility. Melatonin is a highly pleiotropic neurohormone. We aimed to characterize the melatonin epigenetic potential in varicocele and the involved molecular mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

Fifty‐two male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (13 rats each): control (I), melatonin (II), varicocele (III) and melatonin treated varicocele (IV) groups. Left varicocele was induced by partial left renal vein ligation. Reproductive hormones, epididymal sperm functional parameters, testicular 3/17 β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine and histopathological/Johnsen's score were evaluated. Flow cytometry and Comet were carried out to explore extent of sperm and testicular DNA damage. Testicular expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), forkhead transcription factors‐class O (type1) (FOXO1), tumour suppressor gene, P53, cation channels of sperm (CatSper) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein was evaluated by western blot technique. Testicular expression of Bcl‐2 and its associated X protein and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. Testicular miR‐34a expression was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.

Key Results

The varicocele induced testicular histological injury, enhanced oxidative stress, P53‐mediated apoptosis, DNA damage and increased testicular miR‐34a expression paralleled with down‐regulated SIRT1/FOXO axis. Melatonin treatment of varicocele rats displayed antioxidant/anti‐apoptotic efficacy and improved reproductive hormones axis, CatSper expression and fertility parameters. MiR‐34a/SIRT1/FOXO1 epigenetic axis integrates testicular melatonin mediated intracellular transduction cascades in varicocele.

Conclusion and Implications

Melatonin can be used as an adjuvant therapy to improve varicocele and its complication.
Use of a powered toothbrush to improve oral health in individuals with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Flyborg Johan , Renvert Stefan , Sanmartin Berglund Johan , Anderberg Peter
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The aim of the study is to investigate whether the use of a powered toothbrush could maintain oral health by reducing the dental plaque (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) ≥4 mm in a group of individuals with MCI and also if changes in oral health affect various aspects of quality of life.

Background

People with cognitive impairment tend to have poor oral hygiene and poorer Quality of life. In the present study, the participants were asked to use a powered toothbrush for at least 2 min morning and evening and no restrictions were given against the use of other oral care products. The participant survey conducted at each examination demonstrated that 61.2% of participants at baseline claimed to have experience of using a powered toothbrush, 95.4% at 6 months and 95% after 12 months. At the same time, the use of manual toothbrushes dropped from 73.3% to 44.7% from baseline to the 12‐month check‐up. This shows that several participants continue to use the manual toothbrush in parallel with the powered toothbrush, but that there is a shift towards increased use of the powered toothbrush. Removal of dental biofilm is essential for maintaining good oral health. We investigated whether using a powered toothbrush reduces the presence of dental plaque, bleeding on probing and periodontal pockets ≥4 mm in a group of older individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Materials and methods

Two hundred and thirteen individuals with the mean age of 75.3 years living without official home care and with a Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 20 and 28 and a history of memory problems in the previous six months were recruited from the Swedish site of a multicenter project, Support Monitoring And Reminder Technology for Mild Dementia (SMART4MD) and screened for the study. The individuals received a powered toothbrush and thorough instructions on how to use it. Clinical oral examinations and MMSE tests were conducted at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Results

One hundred seventy participants, 36.5% women and 63.5% men, completed a 12‐month follow‐up. The use of a powered toothbrush resulted, for the entire group, in a significant decrease in plaque index from 41% at baseline to 31.5% after 12 months (P < .000). Within the same time frame, the values for bleeding on probing changed from 15.1% to 9.9% (P < .000) and the percentage of probing pocket depths ≥4 mm from 11.5% to 8.2% (P < .004). The observed improvements in the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 correlate with the clinical improvements of oral health.

Conclusion

The use of a powered toothbrush was associated with a reduction of PI, BOP and PPD over 12 months even among individuals with low or declining MMSE score. An adequately used powered toothbrush maintain factors that affect oral health and oral health‐related Quality of Life in people with mild cognitive impairment.
Enhanced suppression of soil-borne phytopathogenic bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum in soil and promotion of tomato plant growth by synergetic effect of green synthesized nanoparticles and plant extract
Authors: Guo Yancui , Khan Raja Asad Ali , Xiong Yi , Fan Zhenyu
Published: January 2022

Aims

Because of severe economic losses and food security concerns caused by plant pathogenic bacteria, Ralstonia solanacearum, there is a need to develop novel control methods. This study was aimed to green synthesize the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) through Withania coagulans leaf extracts and checked their antibacterial potential alone or in combination with W. coagulans leaf extract for the management of R. solanacearum causing bacterial wilt disease in tomato.

Methods and Results

ZnO NPs were synthesized through an eco-friendly approach using leaves extract of W. coagulans and characterized through various spectroscopic approaches, that is Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, UV–visible spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The antibacterial effect of W. coagulans leaf extract and ZnO NPs alone and in combination was tested in vitro and in vivo against bacterial wilt pathogen in tomato plants. The results showed that combine application of leaf extract and ZnO NPs inhibited in vitro growth of R. solanacearum more than applying alone. Three application times (0, 6 and 12 days before transplantation) of leaf extract, ZnONPs and their combine application were tested in vivo. The combine treatment and longest application time (12 days before transplantation) were more effective in suppressing soil population of R. solanacearum, reducing disease severity and enhancing plant growth than applying alone and smaller application time.

Conclusion

It is concluded that W. coagulans leaf extract and ZnO NPs have strong antibacterial potential against R. solanacearum in vitro and in vivo.

Significance and Impact of Study

The results of this study suggest the potential application of leaf extract and ZnO nanoparticles for controlling R. solanacearum as safe, eco-friendly and less expensive integrated disease management strategy in tomato crop.
TAZ promotes vasculogenic mimicry in gastric cancer through the upregulation of TEAD4
Authors: Zhang Yanhui , Bai Jingru , Cheng Runfen , Zhang Danfang , Qiu Zhiqiang , Liu Tieju , Che Na , Dong Xueyi , Zhao Nan , Lin Xian , Liang Xiaohui , Li Fan , Li Yue , Sun Baocun , Zhao Xiulan
Published: January 2022

Background and Aim

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a unique blood supply pattern in malignant tumors that is closely associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. The Hippo signaling effector TAZ is upregulated in several cancers, promoting cancer proliferation and metastasis. This study aimed to identify the function of TAZ and its regulatory mechanism in promoting VM in gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

The expression of TAZ and TEAD4 and their correlations with overall survival and VM‐related markers were analyzed in 228 cases of GC. The regulatory mechanism of TAZ and its interaction with TEAD4 in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and VM were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Results

TAZ was highly expressed in GC samples and was associated with shorter patient survival time. TAZ expression was positively correlated with TEAD4 and VM in patients with GC. TAZ enhanced the migration and invasion capacity of GC cells through EMT in vitro and upregulated the expression of VM‐associated proteins, including VE‐cadherin, MMP2, and MMP9, thus promoting VM formation. Overexpression of TAZ accelerated the growth of subcutaneous xenograft and promoted VM formation in vivo. Co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that TAZ can directly bind to TEAD4, and in vitro experiments showed that this binding mediates the function of TAZ in regulating EMT and VM formation in GC.

Conclusions

TAZ promotes GC metastasis and VM by upregulating TEAD4 expression. Our findings expand the role of TAZ in VM and provide new theoretical support for the use of antiangiogenic therapy in the treatment of advanced GC.
Bloody Marvels: In Situ Seed Saving and Intergenerational Malleability
Authors: Dow Katharine
Published: January 2022

This article presents ethnographic research with in situ seed savers and seed activists in London. Unpicking the knotty relations between kinship, place, and generation among seed savers and their seeds, this article focuses on how the intrinsic and extrinsic get woven through generations and how thesituor environment of an entity is (and is not) recognized in its identity and multispecies kin relations. I argue that thinking about seeds and the worlds in which they grow suggests that they are not only embedded in their environments, but alsoembodytheir environments. If seeds bring with them their worlds, then they are inherently malleable, so seed savers are concerned about how commercial seed breeding and ex situ conservation denatures seeds’ embodied relationships with their environments and, with that, their inherent intergenerational malleability.[seed saving, multispecies kinship, generation, environment]
Most meal and snack patterns are stable over a 3‐year period in schoolchildren in southern Brazil
Authors: Roberto Denise Miguel Teixeira , Kupek Emil , de Assis Maria Alice Altenburg , Lobo Adriana Soares , Belchor Ana Luisa Lages , Spanholi Mariana Winck , Cezimbra Vanessa Guimarães , de Oliveira Marina Tissot , Pereira Luciana Jeremias , Vieira Francilene Gracieli Kunradi , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to identify meal and snack patterns in Brazilian schoolchildren and assess their stability over 3 years. This is a repeated cross‐sectional study carried out in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with 6353 schoolchildren aged 7–12 years from public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. Previous‐day food consumption data for six pre‐defined meals (breakfast, mid‐morning snack, lunch, mid‐afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack) were collected using the validated Web‐CAAFE (Food Consumption and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren) questionnaire. Latent class analysis was performed to derive meal and snack patterns. The stability of patterns was analysed using multinomial logistic regression, and the probability of belonging to a meal pattern was calculated for each year. Three patterns were identified for breakfast and four patterns for a mid‐morning snack, lunch, mid‐afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack. Most meal and snack patterns were stable over the 3‐year evaluation period. In the total sample, for a mid‐afternoon snack, there was an increase in the probability of the children belonging to the ‘Fruits and porridge’ pattern (14.5%, 95% CI 12%–17% in 2015 vs. 9.2%, 95% CI 6.8%–11.7% in 2013) and a reduction in the ‘Ultra‐processed’ pattern (42.5%, 95% CI 39.4%–45.6% in 2015 vs. 51.3%, 95% CI 46.5%–56.1% in 2013). These results appear to be in line with the recommendations of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines and regional policies to increase the intake of healthy foods and limit that of ultra‐processed, high fat, sugar and salt foods.
Anesthesia and neurotoxicity study design, execution, and reporting in the nonhuman primate: A systematic review
Authors: Gao Feng , Wahl Joseph A. , Floyd Thomas F.
Published: January 2022

Background

Concern for a role of anesthesia in neurotoxicity in children originated from neonatal rodent and nonhuman primate (NHP) models, yet prospective clinical studies have largely not supported this concern. The goal of this study was to conduct an objective assessment of published NHP study rigor in design, execution, and reporting.

Methods

A MEDLINE search from 2005 to December 2021 was performed. Inclusion criteria included full‐length original studies published in English under peer‐reviewed journals. We documented experimental parameters on anesthetic dosing, monitoring, vitals, and experimental outcomes.

Results

Twenty‐three manuscripts were included. Critical issues identified in study design included: lack of blinding in data acquisition (57%) and analysis (100%), supratherapeutic (4–12 fold) maintenance dosing in 22% of studies, lack of sample size justification (91%) resulting in a mean (SD) sample size of 6 (3) animals per group. Critical items identified in the conduct and reporting of studies included: documentation of anesthesia provider (0%), electrocardiogram monitoring (35%), arterial monitoring (4%), spontaneous ventilation employed (35%), failed intubations resulting in comingling ventilated and unventilated animals in data analysis, inaccurate reporting of failed intubation, and only 50% reporting on survival. Inconsistencies were noted in drug‐related induction of neuroapoptosis and region of occurrence. Further, 67%–100% of behavior outcomes were not significantly different from controls.

Conclusions

Important deficits in study design, execution, and reporting were identified in neonatal NHP studies. These results raise concern for the validity and reliability of these studies and may explain in part the divergence from results obtained in human neonates.
Effect of photobiomodulation after non‐surgical mechanical debridement on cortisol levels in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid among patients with peri‐implant mucositis
Authors: Alhumaidan Abdulkareem A. , Alali Yasser , Ahmed Saeeda , Vohra Fahim , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: January 2022

Objective

The aim of this was to compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation after non‐surgical mechanical debridement (MD) on cortisol levels (CL) in peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) among patients with peri‐implant mucositis.

Methods

Patients with peri‐implant mucositis were encompassed. All patients underwent non‐surgical MD with (test group) and without (control group) a single application of photobiomodulation. Demographic data were collected and PISF was collected. Peri‐implant modified plaque index (mPI), modified gingival index (mGI), probing depth and crestal bone loss were measured, and CL in PISF were recorded. All clinical parameters and PISF CL were re‐assessed at 4 months of follow‐up. p < .05 showed statistical significance.

Results

Seventeen (14 males and 3 females) and 17 (15 males and 2 females) patients with peri‐implant mucositis were recruited in test and control groups. The mean age of patients in the test and control groups was 46.1 ± 6.5 and 50.2 ± 2.7 years respectively. At baseline, mPI, mGI, PD and PISF volume and CL in control and test groups were similar. At follow‐up, there was a significant reduction in mPI (p < .001), mGI (p < .001), PD (p < .001) and PISF volume (p < .001) and CL (p < .001) in both groups compared with baseline. There was no difference in mPI, mGI, PD and PISF volume and CL in test and control groups at follow‐up.

Conclusion

In short term, non‐surgical MD with photobiomodulation does not offer additional benefits in terms of reducing soft‐tissue inflammatory parameters and PISF CL in patients with peri‐implant mucositis.
Epidemic oscillations: Interaction between delays and seasonality
Authors: Abramson Guillermo , da Costa Gomes Marcelo F. , Gonçalves Sebastian
Published: January 2022

Traditional epidemic models consider that individual processes occur at constant rates; an infected individual has a constant probability per unit time of recovering from infection after contagion. This assumption indeed fails for almost all infectious diseases, in which the infection time usually follows a probability distribution more or less spread around a mean value. We presented some years ago a general treatment for an SIRS model in which both the infected and the immune phases admit such a description, where the system shows transitions between endemic and oscillating situations. In the present contribution, we consider the effect of seasonality on the transmission rate. Performing numerical simulations of the delayed equations plus seasonality, we have found a rich and complex scenario of oscillations that could be relevant in real epidemics.
Effect of Aluminum Powder Content on Air Blast Performance of RDX-Based Explosive Grenade Charge
Authors: Zhang Kun , Feng Xuesong , Zhao Juan , Feng Bo , Feng Xiao jun , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: January 2022

For aluminized explosive, the charge performance of explosive grenade is very significant for promoting their application. Firstly, the detonation performance of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) based explosives with different aluminum powder (0%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, and 40%, respectively) content was investigated. Next, the air blast tests of RDX-based aluminized explosives were carried out. Then, RDX-based explosive grenade charges of L-1 and L-2 where the aluminum powder content was 20% and 25% were selected for air blast and static blasting fragments velocity tests. Finally, the energy release mechanism of the air blast was deduced via calculation. The results show that RDX-based aluminized explosives have higher detonation heat, detonation velocity, and detonation volume when the aluminum powder content is 20%, and the shock wave over pressure as well as impulse keep a high level at the same time within 4.5 m. The air blast performance of L-1 is better than L-2 within 2.2 m. As the distance increases, the air blast energy of L-1 is mainly used for shell rupture and fragment acceleration, while the contribution of L-2 is less than that of L-1. This study demonstrated that the explosion power of RDX-based explosive grenade charge is the most powerful where the content of aluminum powder is about 20%.
Water Supply and Regulation of Underground Reservoir in Coal Mine considering Coal-Water Occurrence Relationship
Authors: Chi Mingbo , Cao Zhiguo , Li Quansheng , Zhang Yong , Wu Baoyang , Zhang Bao , Yang Yi , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: January 2022

Water supply prediction and control is one of the key issues in exploitation of coal mine underground reservoirs (CMUR). In order to investigate the water supply for underground reservoirs in coal mines, the aquifers were classified into three types (types I, II, and III) according to the relative location of aquifers. The discrete element fluid structure coupling numerical simulation model is constructed according to the classification results. The numerical simulation parameters are inversed based on the surface subsidence data and the advance support pressure, and then, the disturbed characteristics and water pressure variation law of different types of aquifers are studied. The research results show that the maximum water inflow of type III, type II, and type I aquifers is 739 m3/h, 377 m3/h, and 279 m3/h, respectively. The dynamic calculation process of underground reservoir capacity under mining disturbance is refined, and the regulation and storage methods of underground reservoir are preliminarily put forward.
Ibrutinib plus Obinutuzumab as Frontline Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Is Associated with a Lower Rate of Infusion-Related Reactions and with Sustained Remissions after Ibrutinib Discontinuation: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial NCT0231576
Authors: Castro Januario E. , Lengerke-Diaz Paula A. , Velez Lujan Juliana , Choi Michael Y. , Moreno-Cortes Eider F. , Forero Jose V. , Garcia-Robledo Juan Esteban , Jacobs Chaja , McCarthy Colin , Heinen Alaina , Amaya-Chanaga Carlos I. , Kipps Thomas J.
Published: January 2022

Ibrutinib-based therapies are costly and require continuous administration. We hypothesized combining BTK inhibition with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies would yield deep remissions allowing discontinuation. We enrolled 32 therapy-naïve CLL patients to receive ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab, followed by single-agent ibrutinib. Patients could discontinue ibrutinib after 36 months with sustained complete response (CR). We evaluated treatment safety, efficacy, and outcomes after ibrutinib discontinuation. The overall response rate was 100%, 28% achieved a CR, and 12.5% achieved bone marrow undetectable minimal residual disease. At a three-year median follow-up, 91% remain in remission with 100% overall survival. Five patients in sustained CR stopped ibrutinib and have not progressed. Eight non-CR patients discontinued for other reasons, with only two progressing. The treatment was safe, with a lower IRR rate. All patients responded to treatment with longer time-to-progression after discontinuation of ibrutinib. Our data support the evaluation of ibrutinib discontinuation strategies in more extensive clinical trials (https://Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02315768).
Effect of Propionic Acid on Diabetes-Induced Impairment of Unfolded Protein Response Signaling and Astrocyte/Microglia Crosstalk in Rat Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus
Authors: Natrus Larysa V. , Osadchuk Yulia S. , Lisakovska Olha O. , Labudzinskyi Dmytro O. , Klys Yulia G. , Chaikovsky Yuri B.
Published: January 2022

Background. The aim was to investigate the influence of propionic acid (PA) on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), unfolded protein response (UPR) state, and astrocyte/microglia markers in rat ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) after type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. Male Wistar rats were divided: (1) control, (2) T2DM, and groups that received the following (14 days, orally): (3) metformin (60 mg/kg), (4) PA (60 mg/kg), and (5) PA+metformin. Western blotting, RT-PCR, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results. We found T2DM-associated enlargement of ER cisterns, while drug administration slightly improved VMH ultrastructural signs of damage. GRP78 level was 2.1-fold lower in T2DM vs. control. Metformin restored GRP78 to control, while PA increased it by 2.56-fold and metformin+PA—by 3.28-fold vs. T2DM. PERK was elevated by 3.61-fold in T2DM, after metformin—by 4.98-fold, PA—5.64-fold, and metformin+PA—3.01-fold vs. control. A 2.45-fold increase in ATF6 was observed in T2DM. Metformin decreased ATF6 content vs. T2DM. Interestingly, PA exerted a more pronounced lowering effect on ATF6, while combined treatment restored ATF6 to control. IRE1 increased in T2DM (2.4-fold), metformin (1.99-fold), and PA (1.45-fold) groups vs. control, while metformin+PA fully normalized its content. The Iba1 level was upregulated in T2DM (5.44-fold) and metformin groups (6.88-fold). Despite PA treatment leading to a further 8.9-fold Iba1 elevation, PA+metformin caused the Iba1 decline vs. metformin and PA treatment. GFAP level did not change in T2DM but rose in metformin and PA groups vs. control. PA+metformin administration diminished GFAP vs. PA. T2DM-induced changes were associated with dramatically decreased ZO-1 levels, while PA treatment increased it almost to control values. Conclusions. T2DM-induced UPR imbalance, activation of microglia, and impairments in cell integrity may trigger VMH dysfunction. Drug administration slightly improved ultrastructural changes in VMH, normalized UPR, and caused an astrocyte activation. PA and metformin exerted beneficial effects for counteracting diabetes-induced ER stress in VMH.
Vortex Trajectory of Rotating Shaft Undergoing Vibration Coupling of Parallel Multicylinders
Authors: Zhang Ben , Li Yu , Tang Zhong , Zhang Hao , Liang Yaquan , Su Zhan
Published: January 2022

Multiple threshing cylinders of combine harvester are mainly driven in parallel, whose transmission methods are complex causing the excitations coupled with each other. The mutual excitation coupling of multiple threshing cylinders causes a severe vibration state of the combine harvester with poor stability. In order to analyze the influence of transmission system coupling on the unbalanced response of the parallel multicylinder system, this paper established a mathematical model of the parallel multicylinder system and derived the general vortex trajectory expression of the unbalanced response of threshing cylinder shaft undergoing vibration coupling of parallel multicylinders. Vibration tests of the bearing seat and the rotating shaft were carried out for comparison and verification. Results showed that the existence of the transmission chain and the transmission mode cause the boundary conditions of the multicylinder system to change, which ultimately led to changes in the unbalanced response of the transmission system. The contribution rate of different transmission methods and rotation speeds to the vibration amount at the fundamental frequency of the multicylinder was 5% to 30%. The existence of the transmission system caused the vibrations of the various units to be coupled with each other, mutually transmitted, and superimposed, leading to changes in the vortex shape of the rotating shaft and the unbalanced response of the transmission system.
Incidence and Associated Factors of Failed First Peripheral Intravenous Catheters among Adult Patients at Medical Surgical Wards in Public Referral  Hospitals of West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Kassahun Chanyalew Worku , Abate Addisu Taye , Tezera Zewdu Baye , Beshah Debrewok Tesgera , Agegnehu Chilot Desta , Getnet Mehmmed Adem , Abate Hailemichael Kindie , Yazew Birhaneslasie Gebeyehu , Alemu Mahlet Temesgen
Published: January 2022

Background. Complications of peripheral intravenous catheters cause problems in clinical practice and bring high costs in terms of morbidity and mortality of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of failed first peripheral intravenous catheters among adult patients in selected Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021. Materials and Methods. An institution-based prospective observational study was conducted among 423 adult patients from January to February 2021. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The data were collected using interviewer-based, structured questionnaires and observational checklists. EPI-DATA 3.1 and SPSS version-23 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. The outcome variable was determined and graded based on phlebitis and infiltration scales. Binary and multivariable logistics regressions were computed. Results. Four hundred and seventeen first peripheral cannula sites from 418 patients were followed for 2,565 peripheral catheter hours. A failed first peripheral intravenous catheter was observed in 124 (29.7%, CI: 25.6–34) adult patients. Patients who were female (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.22–0.74) had cannula duration of 49–72 hours (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14–0.7) and 73–96 hours (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.9), and patients who had been given electrolytes (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.86) were more likely to have failed first peripheral intravenous cannula. Conclusions. Failed first peripheral intravenous cannula is much higher as compared to the acceptable rate of ≤5% by the Infusion Nurses Society. Hence, all patients with peripheral intravenous catheters are screened for catheter failure at least once a day. Providing appropriate nursing care and patient education is also required to reduce the risks.
Prognostic Impact of Tumor Budding on Moroccan Colon Cancer Patients
Authors: El Agy Fatima , Bardai Sanae el , Bouguenouch Laila , Lahmidani Nada , El Abkari Mohammed , Benjelloun El Bachir , Ousadden Abdelmalek , Mazaz Khalid , ImaneToughrai  , Ibrahimi Sidi Adil , Benbrahim Zineb , Chbani Laila
Published: January 2022

Background. Tumor budding is now emerging as one of the robust and promising histological factors that play an important role in colon cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between tumor budding and tumor clinicopathological factors, tumor molecular signature, and patient survival for the first time in a Moroccan population. Methods. We collected data of 100 patients operated from colon adenocarcinoma. Tumor budding was assessed on HES slides, according to the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference 2016 recommendations. The expression of MMR proteins was performed by immunohistochemistry. KRAS and NRAS mutations testing was performed by Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing. Results. High tumor budding grade (BUD 3) was found to be significantly associated with adverse clinicopathological features including older age (

P
=
0.03

), presence of perineural invasion (

P
=
0.02

), presence of vascular invasion (

P
=
0.05

), distant metastases (

P
<
0.001

), advanced TNM stage (

P
=
0.001

), the occurrence of relapse (

P
=
0.04

), and the high number of deceased cases (

P
=
0.02

). Interestingly, we found that tumors with high-grade tumor budding were more likely to be microsatellite stable (MSS) (

P
=
0.005

) and harbor more KRAS mutations (

P
=
0.02

). Tumors with high-grade tumor budding were strongly associated with KRAS G12D mutation (

P
=
0.007

). In all stages, high tumor budding was correlated with poorer overall survival (

P
=
0.04

) and decreased relapse-free survival with a difference close to significance ((

P
=
0.09

). We concluded that high tumor budding was strongly associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features and special molecular biomarkers and effectively affects the overall survival of CC patients. Conclusions. Based on these findings and the ITBCC group recommendations, tumor budding should be taken into account along with other clinicopathologic factors in the risk assessment of colorectal cancer.
Feature-based POS tagging and sentence relevance for news multi-document summarization in Bahasa Indonesia
Authors: Abdullah Moch Zawaruddin , Fatichah Chastine
Published: January 2022

Sentence extraction in news document summarization determines representative sentences primarily by employing the news feature known as news feature score (NeFS). NeFS can achieve meaningful sentences by analyzing the frequency and similarity of phrases while neglecting grammatical information and sentence relevance to the title. The presence of instructive content is indicated by grammatical information carried by part of speech (POS). POS tagging is the process of giving a meaningful tag to each term based on qualified data and even surrounding words. Sentence relevance to the title is intended to determine the sentence's level of connectivity to the title in terms of both word-based and meaning-based similarity, primarily for news documents in Bahasa Indonesia. In this study, we present an alternative sentence weighting method by incorporating news features, POS tagging, and sentence relevance to the title. Sentence extraction based on news features, POS tagging, and sentence relevance is introduced to extract the representative sentences. The experiment results on the 11 groups of Indonesian news documents are compared with the news features scores with the grammatical information approach method (NeFGIS). The proposed method achieved better results. The increasing f-score rate of ROUGE-1, ROUGE-2, ROUGE-L, and ROUGE-SU4 sequentially are 1.84%, 3.03%, 3.85%, 2.08%.
Performance analysis of peak signal-to-noise ratio and multipath source routing using different denoising method
Authors: Suriyan Kannadhasan , Ramaingam Nagarajan , Rajagopal Sudarmani , Sakkarai Jeevitha , Asokan Balakumar , Alagarsamy Manjunathan
Published: January 2022

The problem of denoising iris pictures for iris identification systems will be discussed, as well as a novel solution based on wavelet and median filters. Different salt and pepper extraction algorithms, as well as Gaussian and speckle noises, were used. Because diverse sounds decrease picture quality during image collection, noise reduction is even more important. To reduce sounds like salt and pepper, Gaussian, and speckle, filtering (median, wiener, bilateral, and Gaussian) and wavelet transform are utilised. Provide better results as compared to other ways. A study of several efficiency indicators such as peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and mean squared error will be used to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed technique (MSE).
An open double ring antenna with multiple reconfigurable feature for 5G/IoT below 6GHz applications
Authors: Tu Duong Thi Thanh , Cao Son , Duong Hien
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we proposed a hybrid or compound reconfigurable antenna using three PIN diode switching to achieve the different types of reconfiguration: frequency and radiation pattern. Based on an open ring structure with the varied active PIN diodes, the proposed antenna radiation pattern can scan a beam along with one of five directions with the same operating frequency. Depended on the number of active PIN diodes, the antenna operating frequency also can switch to two of six bands which are 1.9 GHz, 2.4/2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 5 GHz, and 5.6 GHz. All frequency bands are popular ones of wireless communication as well as 5G/IoT applications. In addition, the antenna gets a compact size of 30mm *30 mm*1.6 mm and wide bandwidth due to using the radiating shape of a double ring. All details of antenna design are optimized by CST software, and the simulation results agree well with the measurement results.
Robust trajectory tracking with non-singular terminal sliding mode control of a mobile manipulator
Authors: Gambhire Shankar J. , Kishore Dondapati Ravi , Londhe Pandurang S. , Pawar Sushant N.
Published: January 2022

This effort addresses and uses a robust-trajectory-tracking control system for kinematically redundant location tracking of a mobile manipulator (mobman) in its task space in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. It consists of a serial manipulator with four degrees of freedom (DOF) fixed on three DOF mobile bases. A robust tracking control is achieved using the configuration of a non-singular terminal sliding mode (NSTSM) control for the entire non-linear model of a mobman. Because of the non-linear added term in the linear sliding surface, which reflects in the non-linear sliding mode known as terminal sliding mode (TSM), this control preparation satisfies systems states finite time convergence. Similarly, conventional terminal sliding mode control (CTSMC) entail singularity trouble, which is tackled by the control scheme. (Computer based) simulations are used to demonstrate the convenience, feasibility, and robustness of given techniques.
Dynamic state power system fault monitoring and protection with phasor measurements and fuzzy based expert system
Authors: Ponnala Ravi , Chakravarthy Muktevi , Lakshmi Lalitha Suraparaju Venkata Naga
Published: January 2022

The main aim of this paper is building of a small micro grid test bed system with a few sources, and few loads with various types of lumped resistive (R), capacitive (C) and inductive (L) elements. Before the advent of electric smart grid every load is facilitated with its own electromagnetic. Slowly with an advancement of protection system numerical relays came into existence. Because in the numerical relays the communication between the relays and communication with central computer is possible, with this a coordinative protection system was evolved. For the monitoring and protection of system in dynamic state many of the numerical relays were now replaced by intelligent electronic devices. The system is to be centrally controlled with an improvement in data communications and the artificial intelligence into power system made it is possible to control the power system centrally. In this paper, it is presented that the fault is monitoring and protection against different types of faults, such as frequency variations, voltage variations and different fault conditions using fuzzy based expert system (FBES). The proposed protection scheme is adaptive for frequency variations, voltage variations and fault levels. The FBES scheme is implemented in the LabVIEW software with MAMDANI structure.
Improved discrete plant propagation algorithm for solving the traveling salesman problem
Authors: Almazini Hussein Fouad , Mortada Salah , Abbas Al-Mazini Hassan Fouad , Khraibet AL-Behadili Hayder Naser , Alkenani Jawad
Published: January 2022

The primary goal of traveling salesman problem (TSP) is for a salesman to visit many cities and return to the starting city via a sequence of potential shortest paths. Subsequently, conventional algorithms are inadequate for large-scale problems; thus, metaheuristic algorithms have been proposed. A recent metaheuristic algorithm that has been implemented to solve TSP is the plant propagation algorithm (PPA), which belongs to the rose family. In this research, this existing PPA is modified to solve TSP. Although PPA is claimed to be successful, it suffers from the slow convergence problem, which significantly impedes its applicability for getting good solution. Therefore, the proposed partial-partitioned greedy algorithm (PPGA) offers crossover and three mutation operations (flip, swap, and slide), which allow local and global search and seem to be wise methods to help PPA in solving the TSP. The PPGA performance is evaluated on 10 separate datasets available in the literature and compared with the original PPA. In terms of distance, the computational results demonstrate that the PPGA outperforms the original PPA in nine datasets which assures that it is 90% better than PPA. PPGA produces good solutions when compared with other algorithms in the literature, where the average execution time reduces by 10.73%.
Design of the use of chatbot as a virtual assistant in banking services in Indonesia
Authors: Wicaksono Bhakti Prabandyo , Zahra Amalia
Published: January 2022

A chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate an interactive communication to user (human) via text, audio, or video. Currently several banks in Indonesia have adopted chat technology in customer service. The application of artificial intelligence in customer service aims to prepare banks for the challenges of industry banking 4.0. In addition, it is also to solve problems currently faced by customer service. Implementing chatbot platform in banking in Indonesia is not just plug and play, although there are quite a lot of chatbot platforms available, including Rasa Platform, Botika Platform, and Kata.ai Platform. However, this study only evaluates two chatbot platforms, namely Rasa and Botika, where the two platforms are considered not yet able to be immediately adopted by banks. This is because the application of banking technology in Indonesia must refer to regulatory regulations, including those related to environmental needs, language, speed, and accuracy to understand the intent of users. Hence, research is needed to decide which chatbot platform can be implemented in the banking industry without violating regulatory regulations. From the results of evaluations conducted using the usability and hedonic motivation system adoption system (HMSAM) methods, it is found that users prefer Botika platform to be implemented in the banking industry.
Privacy preserving human activity recognition framework using an optimized prediction algorithm
Authors: Kumar Kambala Vijaya , Harikiran Jonnadula
Published: January 2022

Human activity recognition, in computer vision research, is the area of growing interest as it has plethora of real-world applications. Inferring actions from one or more persons captured through a live video has its immense utility in the contemporary era. Same time, protecting privacy of humans is to be given paramount importance. Many researchers contributed towards this end leading to privacy preserving action recognition systems. However, having an optimized model that can withstand any adversary models that strives to disclose privacy information. To address this problem, we proposed an algorithm known optimized prediction algorithm for privacy preserving activity recognition (OPA-PPAR) based on deep neural networks. It anonymizes video content to have adaptive privacy model that defeats attacks from adversaries. The privacy model enhances the privacy of humans while permitting highly accurate approach towards action recognition. The algorithm is implemented to realize privacy preserving human activity recognition framework (PPHARF). The visual recognition of human actions is made using an underlying adversarial learning process where the anonymization is optimized to have an adaptive privacy model. A dataset named human metabolome database (HMDB51) is used for empirical study. Our experiments with using Python data science platform reveal that the OPA-PPAR outperforms existing methods.
Wiki sense bag creation using multilingual word sense disambiguation
Authors: Patankar Shreya , Phadke Madhura , Devane Satish
Published: January 2022

Performance of word sense disambiguation (WSD) is one of the challenging tasks in the area of natural language processing (NLP). Generation of sense annotated corpus for multilingual word sense disambiguation is out of reach for most languages even if resources are available. In this paper we propose an unsupervised method using word and sense embedding or improving the performance of these systems using untagged. Corpora and create two bags namely ontological bag and wiki sense bag to generate the senses with highest similarity. Wiki sense bag provides external knowledge to the system required to boost the disambiguation accuracy. We explore Word2Vec model to generate the sense bag and observe significant performance gain for our dataset.
Linguagem, língua e escrita musical: sobre a pertinência de uma semiótica não verbal
Authors: Fernandes Cleyton Vieira
Published: January 2022

Neste artigo, à luz dos conceitos saussurianos e de pesquisadores da semiótica francesa e musical, apresentaremos reflexões sobre o estatuto do discurso musical enquanto linguagem. Compreendida como um sistema de signos dispostos em oposição ou relação, a linguagem se realiza em múltiplos suportes, verbais ou não verbais, partilhados em sua produção e recepção por comunidades linguísticas, também denominados falantes de uma determinada língua. É a partir desse princípio que procuraremos apresentar a música enquanto linguagem que se realiza em múltiplas línguas: tonais, atonais, modais, baseadas em recortes temperados, mesotônicos ou outros, geradores de estilos e gêneros que se constituem na comunicação daqueles que os compartilham enquanto sistemas significantes e fazem da performance seu ato de fala.
The evolution of harmony in the music of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Authors: Mukuna Kazadi Wa
Published: January 2022

This article reveals the concept of music encapsulated in the 18th century Enlightenment definition of music that failed to recognize the existence of expressions outside Europe. In 1964, the American anthropologist Alan Merriam (1923-1980), provided a broad-based definition of music according to the substance of Franz Boas’ theory of “Cultural Relativism”, which empowers individual communities to define music within the frame of reference of their own cultural context. In the present article, I argue that there are three types of harmony in the music of the Democratic Republic of Congo reflected in: 1) The linear harmony encapsulated in Ensemble Thematic Cycle (ETC) of traditional music interpreted by drum ensembles, 2) The homophonic harmony of Western genre implemented in chord progressions by urban bands composed of a variety of musical instruments, 3) The parallel harmony of vocal singing as linguistically imposed to maintain the communicative significance of the message in lyrics
From the Base of the Cecum to the Throne of England: King Edward VII’s Appendix
Authors: Lovasik Brendan P. , Dodson Thomas F. , Srinivasan Jahnavi K.
Published: January 2022

This historical retrospective explores the case of King Edward VII’s appendicitis at the time of his planned coronation in 1902, as well as the contributions of the king’s surgeons Frederick Treves and Joseph Lister, towards his medical care. The history of appendicitis, as well as a view of the king’s medical management in the lens of modern surgical and sociopolitical contexts, is also examined.