bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of metabolic genetic variants on long-term disease comorbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Abedian Shifteh , Abbasi Ali , de Boer Anthonius , Stricker Bruno H. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , van der Harst Pim , Sedaghat Sanaz , Darvishian Maryam , Ikram M. Arfan , Navis Gerjan , Dehghan Abbas , Pen Ido , Stolk Ronald P. , Snieder Harold , Klungel Olaf H. , Souverein Patrick , Alizadeh Behrooz Z.
Published: February 2021

Underlying genetic determinants contribute to developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) future diseases. The present study aimed to identify which genetic variants are associated with the incident of the major T2D co-morbid disease. First, we conducted a discovery study by investigating the genetic associations of comorbid diseases within the framework of the Utrecht Cardiovascular Pharmacogenetic studies by turning information of > 25 years follow-up data of 1237 subjects whom were genotyped and included in the discovery study. We performed Cox proportional-hazards regression to examine associations between genetic variants and comorbid diseases including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic eye disease, cancer, neurologic diseases and chronic kidney disease. Secondly, we replicated our findings in two independent cohorts consisting of 1041 subjects. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis by combining the discovery and two replication cohorts. We ascertained 390 (39.7%) incident cases of CVD, 182 (16.2%) of chronic eye disease, 155 (13.8%) of cancer, 31 (2.7%) of neurologic disease and 13 (1.1%) of chronic kidney disease during a median follow-up of 10.2 years. In the discovery study, we identified a total of 39 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with comorbid diseases. The replication study, confirmed that rs1870849 and rs8051326 may play a role in the incidence of chronic eye disease in T2D patients. Half of patients developed at least one comorbid disease, with CVD occurring most often and earliest followed by chronic eye disease. Further research is needed to confirm the associations of two associated SNPs with chronic eye disease in T2D.
Atmospheric wave energy of the 2020 August 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, from ionospheric disturbances
Authors: Kundu Bhaskar , Senapati Batakrushna , Matsushita Ai , Heki Kosuke
Published: February 2021

Atmospheric waves excited by strong surface explosions, both natural and anthropogenic, often disturb upper atmosphere. In this letter, we report an N-shaped pulse with period ~ 1.3 min propagating southward at ~ 0.8 km/s, observed as changes in ionospheric total electron content using continuous GNSS stations in Israel and Palestine, ~ 10 min after the August 4, 2020 chemical explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the disturbance reached ~ 2% of the background electrons, comparable to recently recorded volcanic explosions in the Japanese Islands. We also succeeded in reproducing the observed disturbances assuming acoustic waves propagating upward and their interaction with geomagnetic fields.
Effects of very low volume high intensity versus moderate intensity interval training in obese metabolic syndrome patients: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Reljic Dejan , Frenk Fabienne , Herrmann Hans J. , Neurath Markus F. , Zopf Yurdagül
Published: February 2021

Physical activity is a cornerstone in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Given the leading physical activity barrier of time commitment and safety concerns about vigorous exercise in high-risk groups, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two extremely time-efficient training protocols (< 30 min time effort per week), either performed as high- (HIIT) or moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) over 12 weeks, in obese MetS patients. In total, 117 patients (49.8 ± 13.6 years, BMI: 38.2 ± 6.2 kg/m2) were randomized to HIIT (n = 40), MIIT (n = 37) or an inactive control group (n = 40). All groups received nutritional counseling to support weight loss. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), MetS severity (MetS z-score), body composition and quality of life (QoL) were assessed pre-and post-intervention. All groups significantly reduced body weight (~ 3%) but only the exercise groups improved VO2max, MetS z-score and QoL. VO2max (HIIT: + 3.1 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001; MIIT: + 1.2 mL/kg/min, p < 0.05) and MetS z-score (HIIT: − 1.8 units, p < 0.001; MIIT: − 1.2 units, p < 0.01) improved in an exercise intensity-dependent manner. In conclusion, extremely low-volume interval training, even when done at moderate intensity, is sufficiently effective to improve cardiometabolic health in obese MetS patients. These findings underpin the crucial role of exercise in the treatment of obesity and MetS.
Predictive impact of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving nivolumab
Authors: Tanoue Kenro , Tamura Shingo , Kusaba Hitoshi , Shinohara Yudai , Ito Mamoru , Tsuchihashi Kenji , Shirakawa Tsuyoshi , Otsuka Taiga , Ohmura Hirofumi , Isobe Taichi , Ariyama Hiroshi , Koreishi Sakuya , Matsushita Yuzo , Shimokawa Hozumi , Tanaka Risa , Mitsugi Kenji , Akashi Koichi , Baba Eishi
Published: February 2021

Although the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was reported to be a predictive biomarker for clinical outcomes in various types of cancer, including recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNSCC) treated with nivolumab, the usefulness of the pretreatment C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) as a prognostic marker remains to be clarified. This study aimed to analyze the clinical usability of the CAR in comparison with that of the NLR. 46 R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoff value for the CAR was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The optimal cutoff value for the CAR was set to 0.30. On multivariate analyses, a high CAR was significantly associated with poor overall survival (adjusted HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.42–3.47; p < 0.01) and progression-free survival (adjusted HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.38–2.80; p < 0.01). The overall response rate and disease control rate for the high CAR patients were lower than for the low CAR patients. The CAR had significantly higher area under the curve values than the NLR at 2 and 4 months. The pretreatment CAR might be an independent marker for prognosis and efficacy in R/M HNSCC patients treated with nivolumab.
Bacterial associations in the healthy human gut microbiome across populations
Authors: Loftus Mark , Hassouneh Sayf Al-Deen , Yooseph Shibu
Published: February 2021

In a microbial community, associations between constituent members play an important role in determining the overall structure and function of the community. The human gut microbiome is believed to play an integral role in host health and disease. To understand the nature of bacterial associations at the species level in healthy human gut microbiomes, we analyzed previously published collections of whole-genome shotgun sequence data, totaling over 1.6 Tbp, generated from 606 fecal samples obtained from four different healthy human populations. Using a Random Forest Classifier, we identified 202 signature bacterial species that were prevalent in these populations and whose relative abundances could be used to accurately distinguish between the populations. Bacterial association networks were constructed with these signature species using an approach based on the graphical lasso. Network analysis revealed conserved bacterial associations across populations and a dominance of positive associations over negative associations, with this dominance being driven by associations between species that are closely related either taxonomically or functionally. Bacterial species that form network modules, and species that constitute hubs and bottlenecks, were also identified. Functional analysis using protein families suggests that much of the taxonomic variation across human populations does not foment substantial functional or structural differences.
A new health prediction model for a sensor network based on belief rule base with attribute reliability
Authors: Li Shaohua , Feng Jingying , He Wei , Qi Ruihua , Guo He
Published: February 2021

Health prediction plays an essential role in improving the reliability of a sensor network by guiding the network maintenance. However, affected by interference factors in the real operational environment, the reliability of the monitoring information about the sensor network tends to decline, which affects the health prediction accuracy. Furthermore, the lack of monitoring information and high complexity of the network increase the difficulty of health prediction. To solve these three problems, this paper proposes a new sensor network health prediction model based on the belief rule base model with attribute reliability (BRB-r). The BRB-r model is an expert system that fully considers the qualitative knowledge and quantitative data of the sensor network. In addition, it can address the fuzziness and nondeterminacy of this qualitative knowledge. In the new model, the unreliable monitoring information of the sensor network is handled by the attribute reliability mechanism. The reliability of the sensor is calculated by the average distance method. Due to the effect of the fuzziness and nondeterminacy of expert knowledge, the health status of the sensor network cannot be accurately estimated by the initial health prediction model. Consequently, the optimization model for the health prediction model is established. Finally, a case study regarding a sensor network for oil storage tanks is conducted, and the validity of this method is demonstrated.
The Angelina Jolie effect: Contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy trends in patients at increased risk of breast cancer
Authors: Basu Narendra Nath , Hodson James , Chatterjee Shaunak , Gandhi Ashu , Wisely Julie , Harvey James , Highton Lyndsey , Murphy John , Barnes Nicola , Johnson Richard , Barr Lester , Kirwan Cliona C. , Howell Sacha , Baildam Andrew D. , Howell Anthony , Evans D. Gareth
Published: February 2021

Contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (CRRM) rates have tripled over the last 2 decades. Reasons for this are multi-factorial, with those harbouring a pathogenic variant in theBRCA1/2gene having the greatest survival benefit. On May 14th, 2013, Angelina Jolie shared the news of her bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM), on the basis of herBRCA1pathogenic variant status. We evaluated the impact of this news on rates of CRRM in women with increased risk for developing breast cancer after being diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer. The prospective cohort study included all women with at least a moderate lifetime risk of developing breast cancer who attended our family history clinic (1987–2019) and were subsequently diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer. Rates of CRRM were then compared between patients diagnosed with breast cancer before and after Angelina Jolie’s announcement (pre- vs. post-AJ). Of 386 breast cancer patients, with a mean age at diagnosis of 48 ± 8 years, 268 (69.4%) were diagnosed in the pre-AJ period, and 118 (30.6%) in the post-AJ period. Of these, 123 (31.9%) underwent CRRM, a median 42 (interquartile range: 11–54) days after the index cancer surgery. Rates of CRRM doubled following AJ’s news, from 23.9% pre-AJ to 50.0% post AJ (p < 0.001). Rates of CRRM were found to decrease with increasing age at breast cancer (p < 0.001) and tumour TNM stage (p = 0.040), and to increase with the estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer (p < 0.001) and tumour grade (p = 0.015) on univariable analysis. After adjusting for these factors, the step-change increase in CRRM rates post-AJ remained significant (odds ratio: 9.61,p < 0.001). The AJ effect appears to have been associated with higher rates of CRRM amongst breast cancer patients with increased cancer risk. CRRM rates were highest amongst younger women and those with the highest lifetime risk profile. Clinicians need to be aware of how media news can impact on the delivery of cancer related services. Communicating objective assessment of risk is important when counselling women on the merits of risk-reducing surgery.
Kinetics of viscoelasticity in the electric double layer following steps in the electrode potential studied by a fast electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM)
Authors: Leppin Christian , Peschel Astrid , Meyer Frederick Sebastian , Langhoff Arne , Johannsmann Diethelm
Published: February 2021

A fast EQCM measures the kinetics of the viscosity changes inside the double layer following voltage jumps.
Using constant-wavelength synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy in nanoparticle-based sensors: a minireview
Authors: Jouyban Abolghasem , Rahimpour Elaheh
Published: February 2021

A review of the different analyte detection mechanisms of constant wavelength SFS-based nanosensors for analysis purposes.
Bromonium salts: diaryl-λ3-bromanes as halogen-bonding organocatalysts
Authors: Yoshida Yasushi , Ishikawa Seitaro , Mino Takashi , Sakamoto Masami
Published: February 2021

Bromonium salts have been typically but infrequently used as good leaving groups owing to their high nucleofugality. Herein, we report the synthesis of stable bromonium salts and their first catalytic application, with excellent product yield.
Light emitting probes – approaches for interdisciplinary applications
Authors: Chanda Kaushik , MM Balamurali
Published: February 2021

Luminescent probes are key components of sensors to detect numerous bio- and chemical-analytes with high sensitivity and specificity. Sensing is the response of events like self-immolation, FRET, electron/charge transfer, etc. upon interaction.
An effective polymeric nanocarrier that allows for active targeting and selective drug delivery in cell coculture systems
Authors: Cano-Cortes Maria Victoria , Altea-Manzano Patricia , Laz-Ruiz Jose Antonio , Unciti-Broceta Juan Diego , Lopez-Delgado Francisco Javier , Espejo-Roman Jose Manuel , Diaz-Mochon Juan Jose , Sanchez-Martin Rosario M.
Published: February 2021

A versatile and robust approach for active targeted delivery based on the use of antibody-decorated nanoparticles offering remarkable discrimination efficiency between cocultured cells with different expression levels of a specific marker has been developed.
Four orders-of-magnitude enhancement in the two-photon excited photoluminescence of homoleptic gold thiolate nanoclusters following zinc ion-induced aggregation
Authors: Basu Srestha , Fakhouri Hussein , Moulin Christophe , Dolai Santanu , Russier-Antoine Isabelle , Brevet Pierre-François , Antoine Rodolphe , Paul Anumita
Published: February 2021

Four orders-of-magnitude enhancement in two-photon excited photoluminescence of gold nanoclusters has been observed following complexation with zinc ions.
Electropolymerization of poly(methylene blue) on flower-like nickel-based MOFs used for ratiometric electrochemical sensing of total polyphenolic content in chrysanthemum tea
Authors: Yin Chang , Zhuang Qianfen , Xiao Qin , Wang Yong , Xie Jianhua
Published: February 2021

A ratiometric electrochemical sensor was constructed to assess the total polyphenolic content as caffeic acid (CAE) equivalent in chrysanthemum tea using a GCE modified with poly(methylene blue) and flower-like nickel-based MOFs (PMB@Ni–TPA/GCE).
Correction: Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and applications thereof
Authors: Kaur Amrita , Kaur Pardeep , Ahuja Sahil
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and applications thereof’ by Amrita Kaur et al., Anal. Methods, 2020, 12, 5532–5550, DOI: 10.1039/D0AY01961E.
Correction: The evolution of spiropyran: fundamentals and progress of an extraordinarily versatile photochrome
Authors: Kortekaas Luuk , Browne Wesley R.
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘The evolution of spiropyran: fundamentals and progress of an extraordinarily versatile photochrome’ by Luuk Kortekaas et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2019, 48, 3406–3424, DOI: 10.1039/C9CS00203K.
Correction: Modular off-chip emulsion generator enabled by a revolving needle
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Zhao Qianbin , Yuan Dan , Liu Hangrui , Yun Guolin , Lu Hongda , Li Ming , Guo Jinhong , Li Weihua , Tang Shi-Yang
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Modular off-chip emulsion generator enabled by a revolving needle’ by Yuxin Zhang et al., Lab Chip, 2020, 20, 4592–4599, DOI: 10.1039/D0LC00939C.
A novel electrochemical lung cancer biomarker cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 immunosensor based on Si3N4/MoS2 incorporated MWCNTs and core–shell type magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Yola Mehmet Lütfi , Atar Necip , Özcan Nermin
Published: February 2021

Lung cancer is one of deadliest and most life threatening cancer types.
Correction: Enhancing the plasmonic component of photonic–plasmonic resonances in self-assembled dielectric spheres on Ag
Authors: Moon Cheon Woo , Kim Geonyoung , Hyun Jerome Kartham
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Enhancing the plasmonic component of photonic–plasmonic resonances in self-assembled dielectric spheres on Ag’ by Cheon Woo Moon et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d0tc05742h.
Photodissociation branching ratios of12C16O from 110 500 to 113 045 cm−1: first observation of the C(1S) channel
Authors: Guan Lichang , Jiang Pan , Zhang Guodong , Yin Tonghui , Cheng Min , Gao Hong
Published: February 2021

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most abundant molecular species in comets. Its photodissociation by the solar radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region produces excited atomic fragments C(1D), C(1S), and O(1D), which radiate at characteristic wavelengths when they decay to lower states. The fractional rate constants for generating these fragments from CO photodissociation under the entire range of the solar radiation field are key input values in modelling the observed atomic emission intensities from comets. In this study, the branching ratios of the four lowest dissociation channels C(3P)+O(3P), C(1D)+O(3P), C(3P)+O(1D), and C(1S)+O(3P) of the12C16O photodissociation are measured in the VUV energy range between the threshold of producing the C(1S)+O(3P) channel (~110 500 cm−1) and the ionisation energy (IE) of12C16O (~113 045 cm−1). We measured these ratios using the VUV time-slice velocity-map ion imaging apparatus. We observe a number of high Rydberg states in the aforementioned energy range, with most of them mainly producing ground C(3P) and O(3P) atomic fragments, and only a few of them producing a significant amount of excited C(1D) or O(1D) fragments. We also observe the excited C(1S) fragment from CO photodissociation and measured its branching ratio for the first time. Based on the photodissociation branching ratios measured in the current and previous studies, we are able to estimate the relative percentages of the excited atomic fragments C(1D), C(1S), and O(1D) from the solar photolysis of12C16O below its IE. We discuss the implications for the photochemical modelling of the CO-dominated comet C/2016 R2 (Pan-STARRS).
Theoretical studies of carbon isotopic fractionation in reactions of C with C2: dynamics, kinetics, and isotopologue equilibria
Authors: Rocha C. M. R. , Linnartz H.
Published: February 2021

Context. Our current understanding of interstellar carbon fractionation hinges on the interpretation of astrochemical kinetic models. Yet, the various reactions included carry large uncertainties in their (estimated) rate coefficients, notably those involving C with C2.

Aims. We aim to supply theoretical thermal rate coefficients as a function of the temperature for the gas-phase isotope-exchange reactions 13C+12C2(X1Σg+,a3Πu)⇌13C12C(X1Σg+,a3Πu)+12C and 13C+13C12C(X1Σg+,a3Πu)⇌13C2(X1Σg+,a3Πu)+12C.

Methods. By relying on the large masses of the atoms involved, we employ a variation of the quasi-classical trajectory method, with the previously obtained (mass-independent) potential energy surfaces of C3 dictating the forces between the colliding partners.

Results. The calculated rate coefficients within the range of 25 ≤ T∕K ≤ 500 show a positive temperature dependence and are markedly different from previous theoretical estimates. While the forward reactions are fast and inherently exothermic owing to the lower zero-point energy content of the products, the reverse processes have temperature thresholds. For each reaction considered, analytic three-parameter Arrhenius-Kooij formulas are provided that readily interpolate and extrapolate the associated forward and backward rates. These forms can further be introduced in astrochemical networks. Apart from the proper kinetic attributes, we also provide equilibrium constants for these processes, confirming their prominence in the overall C fractionation chemistry. In this respect, the 13C+12C2(X1Σg+) and 13C+12C2(a3Πu) reactions are found to be particularly conspicuous, notably at the typical temperatures of dense molecular clouds. For these reactions and considering both equilibrium and time-dependent chemistry, theoretical 12C/13C ratios as a function of the gas kinetic temperature are also derived and shown to be consistent with available model chemistry and observational data on C2.
Evidence for line-of-sight frequency decorrelation of polarized dust emission in Planck data
Authors: Pelgrims V. , Clark S. E. , Hensley B. S. , Panopoulou G. V. , Pavlidou V. , Tassis K. , Eriksen H. K. , Wehus I. K.
Published: February 2021

If a single line of sight (LOS) intercepts multiple dust clouds with different spectral energy distributions and magnetic field orientations, then the frequency scaling of each of the Stokes Q and U parameters of the thermal dust emission may be different, a phenomenon we refer to as LOS frequency decorrelation. We present first evidence for LOS frequency decorrelation in Planck data using independent measurements of neutral-hydrogen (HI) emission to probe the 3D structure of the magnetized interstellar medium (ISM). We use HI-based measurements of the number of clouds per LOS and the magnetic field orientation in each cloud to select two sets of sightlines: (i) a target sample of pixels that are likely to exhibit LOS frequency decorrelation and (ii) a control sample of pixels that lack complex LOS structure. We test the null hypothesis that LOS frequency decorrelation is not detectable in Planck 353 and 217 GHz polarization data at high Galactic latitudes. We reject the null hypothesis at high significance based on data that show that the combined effect of polarization angle variation with frequency and depolarization are detected in the target sample. This detection is robust against the choice of cosmic microwave background (CMB) map and map-making pipeline. The observed change in polarization angle due to LOS frequency decorrelation is detectable above the Planck noise level. The probability that the detected effect is due to noise alone ranges from 5 × 10−2 to 4 × 10−7, depending on the CMB subtraction algorithm and treatment of residual systematic errors; correcting for residual systematic errors consistently increases the significance of the effect. Within the target sample, the LOS decorrelation effect is stronger for sightlines with more misaligned magnetic fields, as expected. With our sample, we estimate that an intrinsic variation of ~15% in the ratio of 353 to 217 GHz polarized emission between clouds is sufficient to reproduce the measured effect. Our finding underlines the importance of ongoing studies to map the three-dimensional structure of the magnetized and dusty ISM that could ultimately help component separation methods to account for frequency decorrelation effects in CMB polarization studies.
Green tourism as innovative direction of households’ activities in rural areas
Authors: Shcherbachenko Viktoriia , Zakharkinа Liudmyla , Zakharkin Oleksii , Basantsov Ihor
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the challenges and opportunities of the world tourism industry. We consider green (rural) tourism as an innovative direction of households’ activities in rural areas. Furthermore, the development of rural tourism can be a factor of the creation of a positive rural area image and it may attract more investment. Rural areas have a rich cultural and natural heritage worldwide. Thus, its diversity may become a huge asset for those who want to develop in rural tourism. We have analyzed the tourist potential of the Sumy region and defined directions for its development. The touristic map was created. Received results can be used to develop municipal and governmental programs that related to touristic services` infrastructure in rural areas.
Environmental, energy and economic security: Assessment and interaction
Authors: Samusevych Yaryna , Vysochyna Alina , Vasylieva Tetiana , Lyeonov Serhiy , Pokhylko Svitlana
Published: February 2021

The paper is devoted to the investigation of environmental, energy and economic security by multivariate analysis methods. A set of indicators selected for research conducting includes 9 parameters for each security type. Study sample is formed by data for 6 Eastern European countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovak Republic) for the period 2000–2019. Empirical study was conducted by factor analysis, which allowed identifying the main components of environmental, energy and economic security. Comparison of the results obtained for the studied countries showed differentiation of individual profiles of such types of security. Investigation of integral vectors of environmental, energy and economic security showed the highest level of interaction between energy and environmental security and the lowest one between energy and economic security.
The impact of Covid-19 on the port environment: The case of Tanger Med container port, Morocco
Authors: Abous Hajar , Hamiche Mhamed , El Merouani Mohamed
Published: February 2021

The appearance of the COVID-19 virus has a huge impact on the economy, where many factories and logistics flows are affected. With global supply chains severely disrupted, production and consumption centers around the world are beginning to be affected by the situation. our study tried to measure the impact of this pandemic on the containers transport in Morocco, our work targeted the Tanger Med port due to its geographic position as the most important link between Africa and Europe, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration technique was applied, this model integrates the term of lag and difference in the modeling of linear series. To verify the existence of long-term relationships, F-bond test was applied. The model was estimated on short and long term. the results were significant and has shown that the activity within Tanger Med port, experienced a shock during the pandemic period.
A diachronic study of the Mediterranean coastline: A geometric approach
Authors: Salim Fatima Zahra , El Habti Mohamed Yassine , Ben Hamman Lech-Hab Khadija , El Arrim Abdelkrim
Published: February 2021

Coastal areas represent one of the country's most important environmental and economic resources. They are naturally dynamic, with changes that can occur on a human time scale and that need to be quantified for the proper management of shorelines and, in particular, the beaches on which the local economy is largely based. This work focuses on the diachronic study of the coastline of the Mediterranean coast, particularly the coastal fringe at the mouth of the Wadi Aliane. In order to assess and remedy the risks of erosion and accretion of the coastline, the methodology followed consists of the application of automatic analytical techniques using multi-temporal photo-interpretation, a Geographic Information System (GIS) and a Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). The rate of change will be calculated from the multi-date maps, (1981- 1997 and 2016) using the End Point Rate (EPR) index. Comparison of the results of the interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images of the Oued Aliane coastline used (1981, 1997, and 2016) provided information that allowed us to understand the evolutionary behaviour of the wet sand/dry sand line over 36 years. This numerical analysis of the 1981 -1997 and 2016 coastlines in the coastal sector of Oued Aliane, shows us that zones A, C and D are mainly affected by erosion, while the mouth part is affected by accretion because it is considered a delta and therefore a sedimentation area.
Sectoral water footprint dynamics: An input-output structural decomposition analysis for Morocco
Authors: Achraf Abdelhak , Boudhar Said , Lechheb Houda , Ouakil Hicham
Published: February 2021

Over the last decades, Morocco has been facing increasingly severe water scarcity. To quantify water use in Morocco, we refer to the water footprint (WF) concept, including both direct and indirect water use. WF considered covers internal WF and exported virtual water (VW). We used the input-output structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to quantitatively analyze the drivers of changes in Morocco’s sectoral WF from 1995 to 2015. The considered mechanisms governing WF changes are the technological, economic system efficiency, and structural effects. The WF growth experienced in Morocco primarily resulted from final demand changes. The technological effect acted as an additional increase factor. Nevertheless, the economic system efficiency effect contributed to the water conservation process. Unfortunately, it was not sufficient to reverse the expansion of Morocco’s WF resulted from other driving factors. Agriculture is the dominant economic sector in WF changes, regardless of any driving factor and any period considered. The study provides insight into Morocco’s water policy limits and helps develop policies towards sustainable water resources planning and management. That is by suggesting that final demand structure adjustment and technological innovation in the agricultural sector should be at the center of Morocco’s strategies in addressing water scarcity.
A gamma radiation exposure risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation and an adult anthropomorphic phantom
Authors: El-Ouardi Youssef , Aknouch Adil , Dadouch Ahmed , Mouhib Mohammed , Benmessaoud Mounir
Published: February 2021

The human body is vulnerable to exposure to ionizing radiation permanently. These radiations can be of natural origin such as soil and space, or of artificial and medical origins etc. Despite the great benefits that come from the applications of ionizing radiation in human life can turn at any time into threats to the life of the population once there is serious exposure to ionizing radiation. The aim of this work is to assess the risks of exposure by gamma radiation using the Monte Carlo simulation and an anthropomorphic phantom. This study is carried out on gamma rays received from the cobalt-60 irradiator of the National Institute of Agronomic Research (NIAR) Tangier / Morocco. With the code Geant4 we calculate the absorbed dose by the whole phantom body placed in front of the gamma irradiator inside the NIAR ionization cell. Dose calculations are made as a function of three parameters: phantom-irradiator distance, exposure time and as a function of gamma irradiator activity. The results clearly show that the dose absorbed and thus the danger of irradiation decreases by increasing the phantom-source distance, and by reducing the exposure time and the activity of the cobalt-60 source.
Improving the transfer learning performances in the classification of the automotive traffic roads signs
Authors: Barodi Anass , Bajit Abderrahim , Benbrahim Mohammed , Tamtaoui Ahmed
Published: February 2021

This paper represents a study for the realization of a system based on Artificial Intelligence, which allows the recognition of traffic road signs in an intelligent way, and also demonstrates the performance of Transfer Learning for object classification in general. When systems are trained on the aspects of human visualization (HVS), which helps or generates the same decisions, the construct robust and efficient systems. This allows us to avoid many environmental risks, both for weather conditions, such as cloudy or rainy weather that causes obscured vision of signs, but the main objective is to avoid all road risks that are dangerous to achieve road safety, such as accidents due to non-compliance with traffic rules, both for vehicles and passengers. However, simply collecting road signs in different places does not solve the problem, an intelligent system for classifying road signs is needed to improve the safety of people in its environment. This study proposed a traffic road sign classification system that extracts visual characteristics from a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) classification model. This model aims to assign a class to the image of the road sign through the classifier with the most efficient optimized. Then the evaluation of its effectiveness according to several criteria, using the Confusion Matrix and the classification report, with an in-depth analysis of the results obtained by the images that are taken from the urban world. The results obtained by the system are encouraging in comparison with the systems developed in the scientific literature, for example, the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) of the sector automobile.
The choice of optimal sites for controlled landfill using the Analytical Hierarchy Process and the Geographic Information System: A case of Oum Azza in Morocco
Authors: Ait Errouhi Ahmed , Gharib Jihane , Bouroumine Yassir , Bahi Anas
Published: February 2021

Depending on the technical, institutional, economic and social limits of developing countries, as well as the population density in cities, nowadays, the volume of urban waste has increased considerably, and the management of this waste contributes to climate change, and air pollution, it directly affects many ecosystems and many species. Waste management faces serious problems such as irregular collection, informal sweeping activities, uncontrolled dumping and proliferation of illegal dumping. The latter constitute a real and permanent threat to the quality of life, this exponential increase in the urban population and the resulting accelerated phenomenon of urbanization have highlighted the need to develop sustainable and efficient waste management systems. Stakeholders are therefore required to consider alternative and available means of disposal, in particular by minimizing the damage caused to the ecosystem and to the human population, among these means of disposal, controlled landfills, considered as the last option in the waste hierarchy. In this study, attempts were made to locate a new landfill in Oum Azza using the AHP multi-criteria decision-making method to assess the different criteria considered during the prospecting and combining them with the geographic information system to acquire the results in the form of maps displayed on the optimal sites to house a new controlled landfill and minimize its terrible impact on the environment.
Health effects of the consumed water from the traditional reservoirs on the population of Tiznit in Morocco
Authors: Gougueni Hicham , Ez-Zaher Latifa , Bouchriti Youssef , Ait Haddou Mohamed , Ezaidi Abdelkrim
Published: February 2021

The consumption of water that does not meet the bacteriological and physico-chemical quality standards defined by national and international regulations could be the cause of various diseases and health problems The objective of this study is to study the blood balance of people consuming water stored in traditional reservoirs "matfia». The study was carried out on 30 patients hospitalized in the medical unit at Tiznit hospital coming from rural areas and who confirmed the consumption of water from "Matfia". According to the results, the patients were hospitalized for gastrology,diabetes, cardiorespiratory and dermatological problems. The study of blood tests performed for patients during their stay in the medical unit shows hemoglobin is lower than normal in 30% of women and 60% of men. For the renal check-up, uremia is above normal in 45% of cases and creatinemia in 30% of women and 50% of men. For kalemia (potassium) and natraemia (sodium) they are normal. As for the hepatic check, In 30% of cases the values of the transaminases ALAT & ASAT are higher than the norm. Through these results, the people who consume the water of the "matfia" show the same affections and disturbances found in case of consumption of polluted water (biological and/or chemical pollution).
Measuring land losses caused by water erosion using the SWAT model in the Ourika watershed in the High Atlas of Morocco
Authors: Elmalki Meysara , Mounir Fouad , Ichen Abdellah , Qaini Taoufiq , Khai Thami , Aarab Mohammed
Published: February 2021

In Morocco, the phenomena of water erosion cause significant economic losses mainly linked to the silting up of dams, the degradation of equipment and socio-economic infrastructures, the loss of soil productivity and the insecurity of the population. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model was used to estimate the quantities of sediments generated by the various erosive processes at the level of the Ourika watershed. The SWAT modeling, which is done with daily time steps, used as basic data; a Digital Elevation Model GDEM-ASTER (Global Digital Elevation-Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) with 30 m of resolution, a land cover map developed from the Landsat 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) satellite image of 2017 with 30 m of resolution and a soil map published by FAO (Harmonized World Soil Database). Also, daily meteorological data from the Tensift Water Basin Agency over a period from 1992 to 2001 were used. The results obtained showed that soil losses due to water erosion in the Ourika watershed reached an average of 9.18 t.ha-1.year-1. The model was calibrated and validated using the SWAT-CUP (SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Procedures) software SUFI-2 (Sequential Uncertainty Fitting) and after several simulations and iterations a determination coefficient R2 of 0.76 was obtained.
What contributions of Artificial Intelligence in Innovation?
Authors: Barakat Yassine , Bourekkadi Salmane , Khoulji Samira , Kerkeb Mohamed Larbi
Published: February 2021

Artificial intelligence has proven its effectiveness through many applications in society: medical diagnostics, e-commerce, robot control and remote sensing. It has been able to advance many fields and industries including finance, education, transportation and others. In this review article, the method adopted consists first of all in collecting and analyzing all the data making it possible to certify the existence of a varying impact of artificial intelligence on the environment and the sustainable development, through the description of the contributions of AI at the level of several approaches carried out and projects carried out recently. Secondly, we drew from the different levels of differential paradigms cited in the first part, a synthesis, a critical point of view, as well as the perspectives that the feedbacks to the various points raised in the critical vision create, in particular those related to the limits of artificial intelligence and its implications for sustainable development.
Evolution Behavior Analysis of Normal Contact Stiffness of Fractal Surface under Loading and Unloading
Authors: Liu Kaian , Xu Yingqiang , Wu Zhenghai , Xiao Li
Published: February 2021

In order to analyze the evolution of normal contact stiffness under loading and unloading, an accurate elastic-plastic contact finite element model between rigid plane and fractal surface is established by introducing the equivalent metal matrix deformation in terms of the modified Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function. The effects of the fractal dimension, scale parameter, material properties on the normal contact stiffness were discussed. A method for evaluating the normal contact stiffness was proposed to analyze the evolution of the normal contact stiffness. Numerical simulation shows that there is a positive power function relationship between the normal contact stiffness and the load of fractal surface. Under the same load, at the fractal dimensions (D) of 2.4-2.7 and scale parameters (G) of 1.36×10-13-1.36×10-10 m, the loading normal contact stiffness increases with the increasing of fractal dimension and tangent modulus, but decreases with the increasing of scale parameter. The unloading normal contact stiffness increases with the material strengthening, and the variation amplitude is positively correlated with the fractal dimension, and negatively correlated with the scale parameters and tangent modulus.
Research on Low-Resolution Pattern Coding Recognition Method Based on Hu-DBN
Authors: Zhang Tianfan , Li Zhe , Jing Xiao , Hu Bin , Zhu Yahui
Published: February 2021

The feature image code represented by the two-dimensional code is the key reference for global positioning in the visual navigation of mobile robots. Although reducing the acquired low-resolution image helps to reduce the real-time performance of the algorithm, the acquired feature image is more susceptible to motion blur-based interference and affects the accuracy of recognition, which causes the positioning failure of the whole multi-intelligence, in which the body control system is invalid. In this paper, an optimized low-resolution feature image code recognition method is proposed. In the preprocessing part, the characteristic image is converted into the characteristic signal matrix of Hu invariant moments, and then the characteristic image is added to the characteristic signal matrix as a characteristic component, and then the Hu-DBN neural network signal classifier is used to construct the signal matrix so as to achieve accurate recognition of low-resolution custom image signature images under high motion tolerance conditions. It not only avoids the problem of classical pattern recognition relying on model experience and poor adaptability of the scene, but also avoids the problem of high computational complexity and recognition efficiency of directly deep learning methods such as YOLO. The deployment of the mobile robot instance deployment test shows that the average recognition rate is of 96.3% at a resolution of 640×480@Pixs and motion speed of 0.5 m/s, which proves the effectiveness of the present method.
A Paged Prefetching Model for Join Operations of Cross-Databases
Authors: Li Changqing , Gu Jianhua
Published: February 2021

As the applications of big data are increasing, the NoSQL (Not only Structured Query Language) database management systems have been developed rapidly. How to integrate NoSQL database and relational database effectively has become one of the research hotspots. In the existing research results, the paged query method used for join operations of these heterogeneous multi-databases can produce a large delay. In view of this deficiency, this paper presents a paged prefetching model, and focuses on its basic composition, prefetching mode and operation mechanism. A prototype system is designed and developed. The effect of this model is verified, and the expected targets are achieved. Compared with the non-prefetched paging query method, the outstanding contribution of this research result is that it can reduce the delay of paging query and thus improve the efficiency of the join operations of cross-databases.
An Optical Fiber Sensor for Oriented Bending Based on Eccentric UV Exposure
Authors: Yu Dakuan , Qiao Xueguang , Wang Xiangyu , Zhang Lisong
Published: February 2021

The optical fiber sensor for oriented bending based on eccentric UV exposure is fabricated. With the eccentric UV exposure on the ready-made Michelson interference fiber structure, the optical sensor gives the oriented bending characteristics by changing the radial circular symmetry of fiber cladding refractive indexes. The principle of the asymmetric process of the eccentric exposure to cladding mode are analyzed. The bending loss of the excited cladding mode in different radial directions is detected. The experimental results show that the Michelson interference has some oriented bending characteristics in the eccentric UV exposure process. There are different bending sensitivity in different radial directions. Furthermore, the bending sensitivity is higher on the exposed side and the curvature sensitivity is 5.5 dB·m. On the opposite side, the bending sensitivity is lower and the curvature sensitivity is -1.31 dB·m. With these oriented bending characteristics, the optical sensor can be applied to oil and gas exploration and development and to oriented seismic wave vector detection.
Cooperative Intercepting Guidance Law for Large Maneuvering Target with Impact Angle Constraint
Authors: Guo Zhengyu , Wang Chaolei , Qian Hang , Han Zhiguo , Zhang Jingxian
Published: February 2021

A distributed multi-missile cooperative guidance law based on the finite time theory is proposed to solve the terminal guidance problem of three-dimensional multi-missiles cooperative interception of large maneuvering target. According to the finite time consistency theory, an adaptive guidance law based on the integral sliding mode is designed to ensure that all missiles can reach the target at the same time in the terminal guidance process. The longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the line of sight are based on the guidance law of the fast terminal sliding mode surface. The terminal attack angle is constrained, so that the terminal attack Angle can reach the expected value in finite time. The simulation results show that the designed guidance law can achieve the cooperative attack on the maneuvering targets.
Reliability Guarantee Strategy for Complex System Based on Cost-Benefit Importance
Authors: Wang Cheng , Xu Jianxin , Zhang Zhenming , Wang Hongjun
Published: February 2021

In order to ensure the long-term stable and economic operation of complex system, the system operation process is described and the problems is solved, and a system reliability model and an optimization model for component replacement are constructed. Based on the theory of marginal utility and importance measures, a reliability guarantee strategy for complex system based on cost-benefit importance is presented, which aims to find a component preventive replacement sequence with minimum maintenance cost on the constraints of system reliability lower threshold and running time. When the system reliability drops to a preset threshold, the cost-benefit importance of each component is calculated, the component with the greatest cost-benefit importance to replace is selected, and then iterate until the operation task is completed to form an optimal component replacement sequence. The feasibility of the present strategy is verified by taking a complex system which can be equivalent to a series-parallel system as an example. The present strategy has certain reference significance of ensuring the reliable operation of some high-end equipment safety-critical systems.
Estimation Method of SAR Doppler Frequency Rate Based on FrFT
Authors: Chen Ying , Chen Tao , Li Kewei , Xiao Julan , Liu Hongli
Published: February 2021

Due to the problem that the existing Doppler frequency rate estimation method is limited by the estimation accuracy, a novel estimation method of Doppler frequency rate is proposed. The present method searches the frequency rate according to the characteristic of the chirp signal in the FrFT domain. Firstly, dechirp is performed on several strong scattering points extracted from the data domain after pulse compression, and a frequency domain focused image is obtained after FFT. Then the maximum point of each distance unit is extracted. The energy of the maximum point is selected by using the window processing. After that, IFFT is performed and the dechirp conjugate reference function is multiplied by using the selected points. FrFT is performed according to the preset orders. The entropy is used to evaluate whether the order of FRFT is optimal or not. The Doppler frequency rate is calculated by using the optimal order. The simulation and real data are processed and analyzed. The present method can estimate the Doppler frequency rate accurately. A well-focused SAR image is obtained after azimuth matching filtering.