bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Range of Motion Following Extensor Tendon Splitting vs. Tendon Sparing Approaches for Plate Osteosynthesis of Proximal Phalangeal Fractures – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sivakumar Brahman S. , An Vincent VG. , Phan Kevin , Graham David J. , Ledgard James , Lawson Richard , Furniss Dominic
Published: October 2020

Background: Several approaches to plate fixation of the proximal phalanx have been proposed, such as the dorsal extensor splitting approach and the lateral or dorso-lateral extensor sparing approach, which aims to minimise invasiveness to promote native extensor tendon glide. This study aimed to meta-analyse the outcomes of these two approaches.

Methods: A systematic review of electronic databases was undertaken, and the outcomes of comparative studies meta-analysed.

Results: Three studies were included for meta-analysis. Total active motion (TAM) was significantly greater in the extensor sparing group compared to the extensor splitting (Mean difference 8.52 degrees, 95%CI 0.8–16.36, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there is preliminary evidence favouring the use of extensor sparing approaches when fixing proximal phalanxes – however, this result requires validation with randomised controlled trials.
Considerations When Diagnosing and Treating an Extra-Articular Fracture of Distal Radius Based on Plain Radiographs
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Moon Ji Won , Ryu Byung Young
Published: October 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate what should be considered when diagnosing and treating displaced extra-articular fractures based on plain radiographs.

Methods: We included 181 extra-articular distal radius fractures with marked displacement requiring surgery, which were diagnosed with posteroanterior (PA) + lateral (Lat) + oblique views (obl). We compared the plain radiographs with CT scans to determine whether the diagnosis was properly made. We described the types of articular involvement incidentally found on CT scans and how the articular involvement was treated. We tested the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability with three orthopedic surgeons.

Results: Forty-two (32%) out of 181 displaced extra-articular fractures diagnosed by plain radiographs had intra-articular involvement on CT scans. Dorso-ulnar intra-articular fragment was most commonly found. Thirty-three (78.6%) out of 42 intra-articular involvements required additional reduction and a dorsal approach was used in eight patients. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability ranged from “substantial” to “almost perfect”.

Conclusions: When treating displaced extra-articular fractures requiring surgery, CT scans might be necessary to find intra-articular involvement and at least, an oblique view showing the dorso-ulnar corner of the articular surface should be added. Surgeons should consider that extra-articular fractures with marked displacement, which are diagnosed by plain radiographs alone, might have intra-articular involvement requiring additional reduction or fixation via a different incision.
Minimal Access Tendon Harvesting without a Harvester: A Cheap and Effective Alternative Technique Using a Plastic Yankauer Suction Tip
Authors: Asmar Omar , Jeevan Ranjeet , Iqbal Azhar
Published: October 2020

Tendon grafting is a key component of hand reconstructive procedures. Commercially produced tendon harvesters facilitate this grafting process but are not always available. We present an innovative technique that allows tendon harvest to be undertaken using equipment readily available in all hospitals. Only a scalpel blade and a plastic Yankauer suction tip are required. Two simple and rapid modifications are made to the suction tip using the blade prior to its use. The described tool has been conceived, refined and used successfully by the authors, without complications, and allows tendon harvest via the standard minimally invasive approach associated with a conventional harvester. Creating this improvised harvester is neither challenging nor time-consuming, and this cheap and effective substitute allows tendon grafts to be harvested using a minimal access approach in environments where a traditional harvester is not available, or not sterile.
Painful Snapping of Thumb Caused by a Displaced Non-Union Fragment from the Trapezium: A Case Report
Authors: Ishii Takayuki , Ikeda Masayoshi , Saito Ikuo , Nakajima Daisuke , Kobayashi Yuka , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: October 2020

There are only a few reports regarding snapping thumb caused by the pathology of the extensor tendon. We report a rare case of snapping thumb caused by a displaced non-union fragment from the trapezium in a 54-year-old man treated with the surgical resection. The intraoperative findings and the outcome are described.
Semantic Optimization of Conjunctive Queries
Authors: Barceló Pablo , Figueira Diego , Gottlob Georg , Pieris Andreas
Published: October 2020

This work deals with the problem of semantic optimization of the central class of conjunctive queries (CQs). Since CQ evaluation is NP-complete, a long line of research has focussed on identifying fragments of CQs that can be efficiently evaluated. One of the most general restrictions corresponds to generalized hypetreewidth bounded by a fixed constant
k
≥ 1; the associated fragment is denoted GHW

k

. A CQ is semantically in GHW

k

if it is equivalent to a CQ in GHW

k

. The problem of checking whether a CQ is semantically in GHW

k

has been studied in the constraint-free case, and it has been shown to be NP-complete. However, in case the database is subject to constraints such as tuple-generating dependencies (TGDs) that can express, e.g., inclusion dependencies, or equality-generating dependencies (EGDs) that capture, e.g., key dependencies, a CQ may turn out to be semantically in GHW

k

under the constraints, while not being semantically in GHW

k

without the constraints. This opens avenues to new query optimization techniques. In this article, we initiate and develop the theory of semantic optimization of CQs under constraints. More precisely, we study the following natural problem: Given a CQ and a set of constraints, is the query semantically in GHW

k

, for a fixed
k
≥ 1, under the constraints, or, in other words, is the query equivalent to one that belongs to GHW

k

over all those databases that satisfy the constraints? We show that, contrary to what one might expect, decidability of CQ containment is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the decidability of the problem in question. In particular, we show that checking whether a CQ is semantically in GHW
1
is undecidable in the presence of full TGDs (i.e., Datalog rules) or EGDs. In view of the above negative results, we focus on the main classes of TGDs for which CQ containment is decidable and that do not capture the class of full TGDs, i.e., guarded, non-recursive, and sticky sets of TGDs, and show that the problem in question is decidable, while its complexity coincides with the complexity of CQ containment. We also consider key dependencies over unary and binary relations, and we show that the problem in question is decidable in elementary time. Furthermore, we investigate whether being semantically in GHW

k

alleviates the cost of query evaluation. Finally, in case a CQ is not semantically in GHW

k

, we discuss how it can be approximated via a CQ that falls in GHW

k

in an optimal way. Such approximations might help finding “quick” answers to the input query when exact evaluation is intractable.
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of Mg(II) in LiCl-KCl Melt and the Formation of Zn-Mg Alloy on Liquid Zn Electrode
Authors: Li Shaolong , Che Yusi , Song Jianxun , Shu Yongchun , He Jilin , Xu Baoqiang , Yang Bin
Published: October 2020

Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of Mg(II) in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt were investigated by electrochemical techniques. The diffusion coefficients of Mg(II) in the melt at various temperatures were studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the activation energy of Mg(II)/Mg was calculated to be (48.5 ± 3.7) kJ mol−1. The exchange current densities and reaction rate constants of Mg(II)/Mg at different temperatures from 773 K to 873 K were calculated by testing polarization curves on Mo electrode, and results showed that the exchange current densities became larger as the temperature increased. Equilibrium potentials of Mg(II)/Mg on Mo electrode and liquid Zn electrode were also tested by open circuit potential method. Subsequently, the apparent standard potential of Mg(II)/Mg, apparent standard Gibbs energy for the formation of MgCl2 and activity coefficients of Mg in the liquid Zn were calculated. Finally, metallic Mg was extracted in the form of Zn-Mg alloys by galvanostatic electrolysis on liquid Zn electrode. The deposit was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Mg2Zn11 was detected in the deposit.
Complementing sparse vascular imaging data by physiological adaptation rules
Authors: Heusinkveld Maarten H. G. , Holtackers Robert J. , Adriaans Bouke P. , Op’t Roodt Jos , Arts Theo , Delhaas Tammo , Reesink Koen D. , Huberts Wouter
Published: October 2020

To benefit personalized pulse wave propagation (PWP) modeling, we propose a novel method that, instead of relying on extensive data sets on vascular geometries, incorporates physiological adaptation rules. The developed vascular adaptation model adequately predicted arterial radius and wall thickness compared with ultrasound and MRI estimates, obtained in humans. Our approach could be used as a tool to facilitate personalized modeling, notably in case of missing data, as routinely found in clinical settings.
Altered airway mechanics in the context of obesity and asthma
Authors: Bates Jason H. T. , Peters Ubong , Daphtary Nirav , MacLean Erick S. , Hodgdon Kevin , Kaminsky David A. , Bhatawadekar Swati , Dixon Anne E.
Published: October 2020

Why only a subset of severely obese subjects develop late-onset nonallergic (LONA) asthma remains unknown, although it is widely assumed that compression of the lungs by the chest wall is somehow involved. We show that lung compression is common to obese individuals both without asthma and with LONA asthma but that those with LONA asthma may have increased airway wall compliance and possibly also a reduced ability to recruit collapsed lung.
Cardiac transmembrane ion channels and action potentials: cellular physiology and arrhythmogenic behavior
Authors: Varró András , Tomek Jakub , Nagy Norbert , Virág László , Passini Elisa , Rodriguez Blanca , Baczkó István
Published: October 2020

Cardiac arrhythmias are among the leading causes of mortality. They often arise from alterations in the electrophysiological properties of cardiac cells and their underlying ionic mechanisms. It is therefore critical to further unravel the pathophysiology of the ionic basis of human cardiac electrophysiology in health and disease. In the first part of this review, current knowledge on the differences in ion channel expression and properties of the ionic processes that determine the morphology and properties of cardiac action potentials and calcium dynamics from cardiomyocytes in different regions of the heart are described. Then the cellular mechanisms promoting arrhythmias in congenital or acquired conditions of ion channel function (electrical remodeling) are discussed. The focus is on human-relevant findings obtained with clinical, experimental, and computational studies, given that interspecies differences make the extrapolation from animal experiments to human clinical settings difficult. Deepening the understanding of the diverse pathophysiology of human cellular electrophysiology will help in developing novel and effective antiarrhythmic strategies for specific subpopulations and disease conditions.
A GIS Based Unsteady Network Model and System Applications for Intelligent Mine Ventilation
Authors: Liu Hui. , Mao Shanjun , Li Mei. , Lyu Pingyang
Published: October 2020

With the development of state-of-the-art technology, such as the artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, the construction of “intelligent mine” is being vigorously promoted, where the intelligent mine ventilation is one of the primary concerns that provides the efficient guarantee for safety production in the underground coal mine system. This study aims to integrate the geographical information system (GIS) and the unsteady ventilation network model together, to provide location based information and online real-time support for the decision-making system. Firstly, a GIS based unsteady network model is proposed, and its algorithm steps are brought out. Secondly, a prototype web system, named 3D VentCloud, is designed and developed based on the front and end technique, which effectively integrates the proposed algorithms. Thirdly, the model is validated, and the system is applied to a real coal mine for ventilation solution, which demonstrates that the model is reasonable and practical. The online simulation system is efficient in providing real-time support. The study is potential and is expected to guide the real-time coal mine safety production.
Unsplit Youngs Method for Tracking the Moving Interface of Expansible Grout
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Zhang Tiantian , Hao Meimei , Zhang Bei , Yao Wenyi , Shen Zhenzhou
Published: October 2020

Accurately tracking the moving interface is one of the most critical challenges in numerically modeling grout diffusion in fractures. The traditional Youngs method does not consider fluid transport to the oblique adjacent cell, which leads to repeated calculation and error accumulation. Based on the interface reconstruction technology, this paper introduced the idea of the unsplit algorithm to capture the grout-air interface. The unsplit interface advancement formulas were derived considering the fluid fluxes from the central cell to the oblique adjacent cells in the structured cell system. The numerical method based on the unsplit algorithm was validated by examples of predicting the propagation of expansible grout in a fracture. Results show that the diffusion pattern and grout front position calculated by the proposed method are in better agreement with the analytical solution compared with the traditional split algorithm. The new method can effectively improve the grout-air interface tracking accuracy.
Performance Indicators for Spare Parts and Maintenance Management: An Analytical Study
Authors: Bounou Oumaima , El Barkany Abdellah , El Biyaali Ahmed
Published: October 2020

A properly implemented maintenance management system has an impact at different levels. Maintenance is defined as the set of actions to maintain a property in a specified state. The unavailability of the spare parts required, to carry out the maintenance intervention, causes an extension of the inactivity time of the installation. On the contrary, an excessive stock of spare parts confines enormous capital and entails an enormous cost of ownership. According to the literature already made, we have directed in our work to propose a model of joint management of maintenance and spare parts based on stochastic-deterministic batch Petri networks. We studied this model by simulation using a graphical interface dedicated to the graphical tool used. So, we present, in this paper, the analytical study of the model by defining the performance indicators and viewing the influence of system parameters on these indicators. The main stages of the analytical study are developing the μ-marking graph, the associated Markov process which gives the associated transition matrix, and the definition of performance indicators using the probability distribution of the states. We deal with an application of the analytical evaluation of the proposed model. We end this article with an analysis and synthesis.
Joint Virtual Energy Storage Modeling with Electric Vehicle Participation in Energy Local Area Smart Grid
Authors: Dai Rui-Cheng , Zhao Bi , Zhang Xiao-Di , Yu Jun-Wei , Fan Bo , Liu Biao
Published: October 2020

In this research, the joint virtual energy storage modeling with electric vehicle participation in energy local area Smart Grid is considered. This article first constructs a virtual energy storage model and a joint virtual energy storage model for air conditioning and electric vehicles. Therefore, for the optimization problem of virtual energy storage power, a continuous rolling optimization algorithm to determine the feasible solution of the high-dimensional complex constraint optimization problem is proposed to solve the optimization problem. Finally, the analysis, for example, illustrates the economics of joint virtual energy storage in the Smart Grid. The results prove that air conditioning and electric vehicles have the ability to jointly participate in virtual energy storage, and the comparison proves that joint virtual energy storage can effectively improve the economics of electricity consumption.
Bupleuri Radix Prevents the Recurrences of Resected Colonic Polyps by Affecting Angiogenin-2-Induced Protein Kinase B/Akt Signaling
Authors: Gao Qiang , Yu Guihong , Yu Minghui , Wang Xinping
Published: October 2020

Aim. We aimed to explore the effects of Bupleuri Radix (BR) on the recurrence of resected colonic polyp (CP) by measuring angiogenin-2-induced protein kinase B (Ang PKB)/Akt signaling. Method. The main ingredients of BR were extracted by using ethanol and measured by HPLC. One hundred twenty patients with CP >10 mm who underwent resected surgery were randomly allocated to an aspirin (AG) or a BR medicine (BG) group. The allocation ratio was 1 : 1 and the intervention duration was one year. The recurrence rate of resected CP was investigated and the plasma levels of Ang PKB/Akt and inflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA kits. After one-year surgery, side effects were recorded. The relationship between the serum levels of the main compounds of BR and plasma levels of Ang PKB/Akt was analyzed. Results. The main ingredients of CP are paeoniflorin, baicalin, saikosaponin A, and bupleurum saponin B2. Recurrence of resected CP was found in 17 patients from the AG group and eight patients from the BG group after one-year follow-up

p
<
0.05

. The levels of angiogenin-2 II and PKB/Akt in the AG group were higher than those in the BG group

p
<
0.05

. Meanwhile, BR treatment reduced the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and increased the level of IL-10

p
<
0.05

. Inflammatory cytokines are important factors that affect the recurrence of resected CP. Serum paeoniflorin, baicalin, saikosaponin A, and bupleurum saponin B2 in BR had a strong negative relationship with the plasma levels of Ang PKB/Akt. Conclusion. BR significantly reduces the recurrence risk of resected CP by affecting Ang PKB/Akt signaling.
Rich Dynamics of a Predator-Prey System with Different Kinds of Functional Responses
Authors: Sarkar Kankan , Khajanchi Subhas , Chandra Mali Prakash , Nieto Juan J.
Published: October 2020

In this study, we investigate a mathematical model that describes the interactive dynamics of a predator-prey system with different kinds of response function. The positivity, boundedness, and uniform persistence of the system are established. We investigate the biologically feasible singular points and their stability analysis. We perform a comparative study by considering different kinds of functional responses, which suggest that the dynamical behavior of the system remains unaltered, but the position of the bifurcation points altered. Our model system undergoes Hopf bifurcation with respect to the growth rate of the prey population, which indicates that a periodic solution occurs around a fixed point. Also, we observed that our predator-prey system experiences transcritical bifurcation for the prey population growth rate. By using normal form theory and center manifold theorem, we investigate the direction and stability of Hopf bifurcation. The biological implications of the analytical and numerical findings are also discussed in this study.
Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome and 5-Year Cardiovascular Risk Estimates among HIV-Positive Individuals from an Indian Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Mallya Sneha Deepak , Reddy T Sravan Kumar , Kamath Asha , Pandey Akhilesh Kumar , Saravu Kavitha
Published: October 2020

Longer survival due to use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has made human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) infected individuals prone to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolic syndrome (MS), a constellation of risk factors which increase chances of the cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can increase the morbidity and mortality among this population. Hence, the present study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the prevalence and determinants of MS among ART naïve and ART-treated patients and assess their 5-year CVD risk using the reduced version of Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D : A : D) risk prediction model (D : A : D(R)). This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 182 adults aged ≥ 18 years. MS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel-3 (NCEP ATP-3) criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify the factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 40.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 33.0%–47.2%). About 24.7% of the participants had at least a single criterion for MS. Age >45 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1–4.9,

p
<
0.018

) and body mass index (BMI) > 23 kg/m2 (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI = 3.1–13.1,

p
<
0.001

) were positively associated with MS, whereas daily consumption of high sugar items was inversely associated (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1–0.5,

p
<
0.001

). More than 50% of the participants were found to have moderate or high 5-year CVD risk. Observed prevalence of MS among HIV patients was higher than other studies done in India. Considering a sizeable number of participants to be having moderate to high CVD risk, culturally appropriate lifestyle interventions need to be planned.
Pathogenic Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Staphylococcus aureus in Milk and Beef from the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon
Authors: Bissong Marie Ebob Agbortabot , Tahnteng Brandon Fonyuy , Ateba Collins Njie , Akoachere Jane-Francis Tatah Kihla
Published: October 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is a major foodborne pathogen and commensal of the skin and mucous membranes of animals and humans. Its virulence relies on the production of a variety of toxins resistant to denaturing conditions. Increasing reports of S. aureus food poisoning and contamination of foods of animal origin elsewhere necessitates the investigation of these foods in Cameroon, to implement safety measures. This cross‐sectional study evaluated S. aureus contamination in milk and beef in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, where cow milk is usually not pasteurized before consumption, and beef is the main source of protein. The distribution of antibiotic‐resistant isolates and those with enterotoxin‐producing potential was also investigated to provide data of public health and food safety benefit. S. aureus was isolated from 39 raw milk and 250 beef samples by standard methods. Confirmation of isolates was by PCR to detect the nuc gene. S. aureus was investigated for classical staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes (sea, seb, sec, sed, and see) by PCR. Their susceptibility to 9 antibiotics was tested by the disk diffusion method. The chi‐square test was used to compare the contamination of samples, antibiotic resistance, and the distribution of SE genes. S. aureus was isolated from 11.1% of samples. Contamination was higher in milk (48%) than in beef (5.2%) (P < 0.001). The sea was the most frequently (90%) harboured gene. A large proportion of isolates (88%) harboured more than one virulence gene. Isolates were generally resistant to erythromycin (82%), vancomycin (80%), tetracycline (76%), and oxacillin (74%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was common (92%). Milk and beef samples in study area were contaminated with MDR enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains and may constitute a potential hazard to consumers. Thus, the need for implementation of proper hygienic measures when handling these products and pasteurization of milk cannot be overemphasized.
Downregulation of miRNA‐205 Expression and Biological Mechanism in Prostate Cancer Tumorigenesis and Bone Metastasis
Authors: Sun Yu , Li Sheng-Hua , Cheng Ji-Wen , Chen Gang , Huang Zhi-Guang , Gu Yong-Yao , Yan Hai-Biao , He Mao-Lin
Published: October 2020

Background. The expression and mechanism of microRNA‐205 (miRNA‐205) in prostate cancer (PCa) and its bone metastasis remain controversial. Materials and Methods. The expression and discriminating capability of miRNA‐205 were assessed by drawing a forest plot and a summarized receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, using data available from 27 miRNA‐array and miRNA‐sequencing datasets. The miRNA‐205 target genes were acquired from online prediction tools, differentially upregulated genes in PCa, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after miRNA‐205 transfection into PCa cell lines. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the biological mechanism of miRNA‐205 targets. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to verify the protein level of the hub gene. Results. The expression of miRNA‐205 in the PCa group (1,461 samples) was significantly lower than that in the noncancer group (510 samples), and the downregulation of miRNA‐205 showed excellent sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between the two groups. In bone metastatic PCa, the miRNA‐205 level was further reduced than in nonbone metastatic PCa, and it showed a good capability in distinguishing between the two groups. In total, 153 miRNA‐205 targets were screened through the three aforementioned methods. Based on the results of functional enrichment analysis, the targets of miRNA‐205 were mainly enriched during chromosome segregation and phospholipid‐translocating ATPase activity and in the spindle microtubule and the p53 signaling pathway. CDK1 had the highest connectivity in the PPI network analysis and was screened as one of the hub genes. A statistically significant negative correlation between miRNA‐205 and CDK1 was observed. The expression of CDK1 in PCa samples was pronouncedly upregulated in terms of both the mRNA level and the protein level when compared with noncancer samples. Conclusion. miRNA‐205 may play a vital role in PCa tumorigenesis and bone metastasis by targeting CDK1.
Text to Realistic Image Generation with Attentional Concatenation Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Li Linyan , Sun Yu , Hu Fuyuan , Zhou Tao , Xi Xuefeng , Ren Jinchang
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we propose an Attentional Concatenation Generative Adversarial Network (ACGAN) aiming at generating 1024 × 1024 high-resolution images. First, we propose a multilevel cascade structure, for text-to-image synthesis. During training progress, we gradually add new layers and, at the same time, use the results and word vectors from the previous layer as inputs to the next layer to generate high-resolution images with photo-realistic details. Second, the deep attentional multimodal similarity model is introduced into the network, and we match word vectors with images in a common semantic space to compute a fine-grained matching loss for training the generator. In this way, we can pay attention to the fine-grained information of the word level in the semantics. Finally, the measure of diversity is added to the discriminator, which enables the generator to obtain more diverse gradient directions and improve the diversity of generated samples. The experimental results show that the inception scores of the proposed model on the CUB and Oxford-102 datasets have reached 4.48 and 4.16, improved by 2.75% and 6.42% compared to Attentional Generative Adversarial Networks (AttenGAN). The ACGAN model has a better effect on text-generated images, and the resulting image is closer to the real image.
A Methodology for Calculating Greenhouse Effect of Aircraft Cruise Using Genetic Algorithm-Optimized Wavelet Neural Network
Authors: Tian Yong , Ma Lina , Yang Songtao , Wang Qian
Published: October 2020

Reliable assessment on the environmental impact of aircraft operation is vital for the performance evaluation and sustainable development of civil aviation. A new methodology for calculating the greenhouse effect of aircraft cruise is proposed in this paper. With respect to both cruise strategies and wind factors, a genetic algorithm-optimized wavelet neural network topology is designed to model the fuel flow-rate and developed using the real flight records data. Validation tests demonstrate that the proposed model with preferred network architecture can outperform others investigated in this paper in terms of accuracy and stability. Numerical examples are illustrated using 9 flights from Beijing Capital International Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport operated by Boeing 737–800 aircraft on October 2, 2019, and the generated fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions as well as temperature change for different time horizons can be effectively given through the proposed methodology, which helps in the environmental performance evaluation and future trajectory planning for aircraft cruise.
Research on Image-Based Movement Accuracy Monitoring of Aerobics
Authors: Feng Ting
Published: October 2020

The movement accuracy monitoring of aerobics is mostly performed through three-dimensional reconstruction of aerobic movements. The feature extraction of aerobics is based on the optimal classification decision function, which extracts all the features of aerobics and thus reduces the accuracy of aerobics monitoring. In order to extract the aerobic motion in the background with higher accuracy, a new image-based monitoring method is proposed. First, the Kinect depth image acquisition method is used to preprocess the image, and then Hog3D is used to extract aerobic movement features and analyze the extraction results. This new method solves the problem of video content classification in aerobics precision monitoring. The Adaboost method in probability statistics is used to identify the accuracy of aerobic motions. This paper uses probability function to link the postures of aerobics and forms an action sequence and its ergodic function to take the maximum value of an aerobic exercise. The accuracy of aerobics is monitored by using the method of level by level proportional example. The experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the accuracy of aerobic track monitoring, reduce the energy consumption of aerobic movement accuracy monitoring, and has good use value.
Effectiveness Evaluation of Missile Electromagnetic Launch System Based on ADC Model Improved by EWM-FAHP-ICWGT
Authors: Li Qiaoyang , Chen Guiming
Published: October 2020

To solve the key problems of strong infrared radiation, poor continuous combat capability of the system, serious ablation of the launching device, and environmental pollution during missile launch, the electromagnetic launch system (EMLS) has been studied for missile launching tasks. However, most of the current research studies are aimed at specific technical points and lack the overall design and evaluation of the system. Therefore, the designed system may have problems such as excessive cost, lack of economy, or low overall efficiency. In order to complete the overall evaluation of the missile electromagnetic launch system (MEMLS), this article established an ADC model improved by entropy weight method-fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-improved combination weighting model of game theory (EWM-FAHP-ICWGT). The established model integrates subjective and objective weights, eliminating the problem of negative combination coefficients that traditional CWGT may bring, and the average difference in combination weights is the smallest. Difference analysis and differential analysis are also used here to discuss the requirements for the reliability indicator which is mean time between failure (MTBF) and maintainability indicator which is mean time to repair (MTTR) to further improve the effectiveness of the system. Finally, the indicators that have a significant impact on the performance of MEMLS are analyzed, which provides a direction for further research on the system.
Study of Simulation Platform for BDS/INS/CNS Deep Integration Navigation
Authors: Zuo Zhaoyang , Yang Bo , Yue Chunguo , Meng Dongrong
Published: October 2020

In this paper, INS/CNS (CINS) is integrated into a module, and then CINS and BDS are further combined to form a deep integrated BDS/INS/CNS navigation system, which can significantly improve the navigation, positioning, and attitude measurement accuracy under high dynamic and strong interference conditions. It has broad application prospects for specific users such as high-altitude long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and high-maneuvering glider. In order to verify and analyze the algorithm and performance of the deep integrated navigation system, the design and implementation of BDS/INS/CNS deep integrated navigation simulation platform are presented and the overall architecture, information flow, and the composition of each subsystem of the simulation platform are introduced. The simulation results show that, under high dynamic conditions, the position accuracy of the BDS/INS/CNS deep integrated navigation system is better than 1 m, the speed accuracy is better than 0.1 m/s, and the overall performance is better than the BDS/INS deep integrated navigation system. It also verifies the availability of the simulation platform, which has guiding significance for the next design of BDS/INS/CNS deep integrated navigation prototype.
The 3-Good-Neighbor Connectivity of Modified Bubble-Sort Graphs
Authors: Wang Yanling , Wang Shiying
Published: October 2020

Let

G
=

V

G

,
E

G

be a connected graph. A subset

F
⊆
V

G

is called a

g

-good-neighbor cut if

G
−
F

is disconnected and each vertex of

G
−
F

has at least

g

neighbors. The

g

-good-neighbor connectivity of

G

is the minimum cardinality of

g

-good-neighbor cuts. The

n

-dimensional modified bubble-sort graph

MB

n

is a special Cayley graph. It has many good properties. In this paper, we prove that the 3-good-neighbor connectivity of

MB

n

is

8
n
−
24

for

n
≥
6

.
The Influence of Advertising Appeals on Consumers’ Willingness to Participate in Sustainable Tourism Consumption
Authors: Zhang Hui , Mou Yupeng , Wang Tao , Hu Jia
Published: October 2020

Sustainable consumption has attracted much attention from the tourism industry. However, from the perspective of academic research, the psychological mechanism of collaborative consumption has not been thoroughly understood as the main form of sustainable consumption. This study explores the impact of advertising appeals on consumers’ willingness to participate in collaborative consumption. Through two psychological experiments, it is believed that, relative to the rational appeal, the emotional appeal will positively affect consumers’ participation willingness to collaborative consumption, and psychological ownership mediates this relationship. Furthermore, the form of information presentation moderates the influence of advertising appeals on psychological ownership.
Forecasting Carbon Emissions with Dynamic Model Averaging Approach: Time-Varying Evidence from China
Authors: Xu Siqi , Zhang Yifeng , Chen Xiaodan
Published: October 2020

Although energy-related factors, such as energy intensity and energy consumption, are well recognized as major drivers of carbon dioxide emission in China, little is known about the time-varying impacts of other macrolevel nonenergy factors on carbon emission, especially those from macroeconomic, financial, household, and technology progress indicators in China. This paper contributes to the literature by investigating the time-varying predictive ability of 15 macrolevel indicators for China’s carbon dioxide emission from 1982 to 2017 with a dynamic model averaging (DMA) method. The empirical results show that, firstly, the explanatory power of each nonenergy predictor changes significantly with time and no predictor has a stable positive/negative impact on China’s carbon emissions throughout the whole sample period. Secondly, all these predictors present a distinct predictive ability for carbon emission in China. The proportion of industry production in GDP (IP) shows the greatest predictive power, while the proportion of FDI in GDP has the smallest forecasting ability. Interestingly, those Chinese household features, such as Engel’s coefficient and household savings rate, play very important roles in the prediction of China’s carbon emission. In addition, we find that IP are losing its predictive power in recent years, while the proportion of value-added of the service sector in GDP presents not only a leading forecasting weight, but a continuous increasing prediction power in recent years. Finally, the dynamic model averaging (DMA) method can produce the most accurate forecasts of carbon emission in China compared to other commonly used forecasting methods.
Deep Interest-Shifting Network with Meta-Embeddings for Fresh Item Recommendation
Authors: Li Zhao , Wang Haobo , Ding Donghui , Hu Shichang , Zhang Zhen , Liu Weiwei , Gao Jianliang , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhang Ji
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, people have an increasing interest in fresh products such as new shoes and cosmetics. To this end, an E-commerce platform Taobao launched a fresh-item hub page on the recommender system, with which customers can freely and exclusively explore and purchase fresh items, namely, the New Tendency page. In this work, we make a first attempt to tackle the fresh-item recommendation task with two major challenges. First, a fresh-item recommendation scenario usually faces the challenge that the training data are highly deficient due to low page views. In this paper, we propose a deep interest-shifting network (DisNet), which transfers knowledge from a huge number of auxiliary data and then shifts user interests with contextual information. Furthermore, three interpretable interest-shifting operators are introduced. Second, since the items are fresh, many of them have never been exposed to users, leading to a severe cold-start problem. Though this problem can be alleviated by knowledge transfer, we further babysit these fully cold-start items by a relational meta-Id-embedding generator (RM-IdEG). Specifically, it trains the item id embeddings in a learning-to-learn manner and integrates relational information for better embedding performance. We conducted comprehensive experiments on both synthetic datasets as well as a real-world dataset. Both DisNet and RM-IdEG significantly outperform state-of-the-art approaches, respectively. Empirical results clearly verify the effectiveness of the proposed techniques, which are arguably promising and scalable in real-world applications.
RLS Impedance Intelligence Control Algorithm for Wire Peeler of Robot in Complex Power Networks
Authors: Xu Xianjin , Hu Shichao , Yan Yu , Yang Yuhang , Yang Zhiyong , Chen Haoda
Published: October 2020

Considering the wire core which is easily damaged because of the instability of the power distribution robot during the process of peeling the insulation layer, we have proposed a cutting force tracking control algorithm based on impedance control that is suitable for the end peeling instrument. At present, the task requirement of sudden changes about environment stiffness cannot be accomplished by many impedance control approaches due to the complexity of working environment stiffness about power distribution robot; then, the Recursive Least Square (RLS) method was introduced into the impedance control algorithm to identify the cable insulation layer and cable core stiffness online to achieve accurate and stable tracking of the cutting force. Furthermore, the impedance control of peeling cable insulation layer and the proposed RLS method were simulated and tested contrastively, and the high-voltage cable peeling experiment was performed. The results of simulation and experiment showed that the force control algorithm based on RLS parameter identification still has good force tracking performance during the environment stiffness changes suddenly, and the steady-state error approaches zero, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the RLS impedance control algorithm, which has important practical significance for improving power distribution efficiency.
Local Similarity-Based Fuzzy Multiple Kernel One-Class Support Vector Machine
Authors: He Qiang , Zhang Qingshuo , Wang Hengyou , Zhang Changlun
Published: October 2020

One-class support vector machine (OCSVM) is one of the most popular algorithms in the one-class classification problem, but it has one obvious disadvantage: it is sensitive to noise. In order to solve this problem, the fuzzy membership degree is introduced into OCSVM, which makes the samples with different importance have different influences on the determination of classification hyperplane and enhances the robustness. In this paper, a new calculation method of membership degree is proposed and introduced into the fuzzy multiple kernel OCSVM (FMKOCSVM). The combined kernel is used to measure the local similarity between samples, and then, the importance of samples is determined based on the local similarity between training samples, so as to determine the membership degree and reduce the impact of noise. The proposed membership requires only positive data in the calculation process, which is consistent with the training set of OCSVM. In this method, the noise has a smaller membership value, which can reduce the negative impact of noise on the classification boundary. Simultaneously, this method of calculating membership has a higher efficiency. The experimental results show that FMKOCSVM based on proposed local similarity membership is efficient and more robust to outliers than the ordinary multiple kernel OCSVMs.
Evaluating Construction Risks of Modified Shield Machine Applicable to Soft Soils Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method
Authors: Luo Qingfei , Li Wei , Su Honglin , Chen Xinru
Published: October 2020

Metro tunnel sections in China can generally be divided into two types, those in granite formations (D = 6.0 m) and those in soft soils (D = 6.2 m), to which the same shield tunnel machine cannot be applied. The consequent low rate of machine utilization needs to be addressed. One solution is to modify shield machines which tend to tunnel granite strata with varying degrees of weathering (D = 6.0 m) into those applicable in soft soils (D = 6.2 m). Shield tunneling is a complex operation accompanied by potential risks, and accordingly it is demanded in risk evaluation and management. Hence, according to the construction features of modified shield machines in soft soil areas, this paper identifies relevant risks before establishing a specific model of risk evaluation by virtue of a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. This model weighs risk factors by triangular fuzzy numbers, and the membership function included is of L-R type that is frequently used in engineering. This risk evaluation model is applied to one section tunnel (Binhai New Town-Lianhua) of Metro Line 6 in Fuzhou City. Tunneling tests in the field uncover problems of the modified shield machine, including inappropriate tunneling parameters, segment dislocation, segment damage, and inadequate grouting. The result conforms to that produced by the risk evaluation model, which in turn proves the reliability of this model. Field data are also analyzed to address existing problems and to determine the appropriate tunneling parameters. The validity of these tunneling parameters is verified when surface settlement is measured.
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry
Authors: Chen Zhen , Cao Yu
Published: October 2020

Purpose. COVID-19 has prompted more countries to consider moving key production activities back home. 3D printing (3DP) is a key technology to realize this migration. This study aims to explore the extent to which 3DP can change the current global production network. Design/Methodology/Approach. This study takes the toy industry as the empirical object and studies the trend of labor-intensive industries migrating from China to the United States from the micro- and macroperspectives. At the microlevel, this study uses scenario analysis to compare the utility experience of different toy acquisition channels for consumers. At the macrolevel, this study determines the applicable product objects of 3DP through the classification and analysis of toy trade data. Findings. It is found that, with the development of 3DP, toy manufacturing activities may gradually flow from China to the United States in stages. If 3DP is implemented in electronic materials and power systems, this migration activity will be more obvious. Originality/Value. This study identified which kind of 3DP technology development will significantly promote the global production network reconstruction. This viewpoint is helpful for decision-makers to consider technology investment comprehensively.
Feasibility of a Telemedicine Urgent Care Program to Address Patient Complaints on First Contact
Authors: Lu Amy D. , Junge Myla , Garber Jonathan , Abramson Anna K. , Whooley Mary A. , Smith Janeen E.
Published: October 2020

Many health systems employ nurse telephone advice services to facilitate remote triage of patients to appropriate level of care. However, the effectiveness of these programs to reduce ED and subsequent health care utilization remains to be demonstrated. We describe a novel virtual urgent care program implemented within a Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system that interfaces with a nurse telephone advice line and leverages telemedicine tools to rapidly address and resolve nonemergent conditions. During a 4-month pilot period, 104 unique patients received care through the program, and over 85% of patients achieved timely resolution for their urgent complaints on first contact with the health care system. Demonstrating feasibility for such a program has potential implications for the optimization of remote triage and urgent care services to improve health care utilization and outcomes.
An Unusual Cause of Cranial Dural Thickening
Authors: Yeo Jing Ming , MacArthur Donald , Davis Jillian , Scott Ian , Gran Bruno
Published: October 2020

We describe an unusual cause of cranial dural thickening in an elderly female with a chronic meningeal inflammatory process. A 70-year-old ethnically Chinese, Singaporean female presented with a history of chronic daily headache with no other meningeal signs. Serial MRI brains showed progressive pachymeningeal and leptomeningeal enhancement in the left frontal region with underlying vasogenic oedema, similar appearances in the right frontal region to a lesser extent, and persistent inflammatory changes in her bilateral paranasal sinuses. Investigative work-up showed a chronically raised ESR with a normal CRP, negative ANCA, and a chronically raised serum IgA kappa paraprotein. Bone marrow trephine biopsy was suggestive of a low level plasma cell disorder. Olfactory cleft biopsy showed no evidence of IgG4-related disease or vasculitis and no significant plasma cell infiltrate. Histopathological examination from a meningeal biopsy revealed a diagnosis of an en-plaque meningioma (the WHO, 2016; Grade I) causing an unusual granulomatous reaction. We discuss the radiological and histological relations of this rare form of meningioma. Clinicians can consider en-plaque meningioma in the differential diagnosis of linear dural thickening and enhancement.