bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient oral insulin delivery enabled by transferrin-coated acid-resistant metal-organic framework nanoparticles
Authors: Zou Jun-Jie , Wei Gaohui , Xiong Chuxiao , Yu Yunhao , Li Sihui , Hu Liefeng , Ma Shengqian , Tian Jian
Published: February 2022

Oral protein delivery is considered a cutting-edge technology to improve patients’ quality of life, offering superior patient compliance and convenience compared with injections. However, oral protein formulation has stagnated because of the instability and inefficient penetration of protein in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we used acid-resistant metal-organic framework nanoparticles (UiO-68-NH
2
) to encapsulate sufficient insulin and decorated the exterior with targeting proteins (transferrin) to realize highly efficient oral insulin delivery. The UiO-68-NH
2
nanocarrier with proper pore size achieved high insulin loading while protecting insulin from acid and enzymatic degradation. Through receptor-mediated transcellular pathway, the transferrin-coated nanoparticles realized efficient transport across the intestinal epithelium and controlled insulin release under physiological conditions, leading to a notable hypoglycemic effect and a high oral bioavailability of 29.6%. Our work demonstrates that functional metal-organic framework nanoparticles can protect proteins from the gastric environment and overcome the intestinal barrier, thus providing the possibility for oral biomacromolecule delivery.
Axion dark matter: How to see it?
Authors: Semertzidis Yannis K. , Youn SungWoo
Published: February 2022

The axion is a highly motivated elementary particle that could address two fundamental questions in physics—the strong charge-parity (CP) problem and the dark matter mystery. Experimental searches for this hypothetical particle started reaching theoretically interesting sensitivity levels, particularly in the micro–electron volt (gigahertz) region. They rely on microwave resonators in strong magnetic fields with signals read out by quantum noise limited amplifiers. Concurrently, there have been intensive experimental efforts to widen the search range by devising various techniques and to enhance sensitivities by implementing advanced technologies. These orthogonal approaches will enable us to explore most of the parameter space for axions and axion-like particles within the next decades, with the 1- to 25-gigahertz frequency range to be conquered well within the first decade. We review the experimental aspects of axion physics and discuss the past, present, and future of the direct search programs.
Tactile sensors need a greater sense of purpose
Authors: Lee Michael M.
Published: February 2022

A move toward active tactile sensing is required to enable robots to better figure out the world on their own.
Operational tolerance after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is characterized by distinct transcriptional, phenotypic, and metabolic signatures
Authors: Dubouchet Laetitia , Todorov Helena , Seurinck Ruth , Vallet Nicolas , Van Gassen Sofie , Corneau Aurélien , Blanc Catherine , Zouali Habib , Boland Anne , Deleuze Jean-François , Ingram Brian , de Latour Regis Peffault , Saeys Yvan , Socié Gérard , Michonneau David
Published: February 2022

The mechanisms underlying operational tolerance after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in humans are poorly understood. We studied two independent cohorts of patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from human leukocyte antigen–identical siblings. Primary tolerance was associated with long-lasting reshaping of the recipients’ immune system compared to their healthy donors with an increased proportion of regulatory T cell subsets and decreased T cell activation, proliferation, and migration. Transcriptomics profiles also identified a role for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis in the regulation of immune cell functions. We then compared individuals with operational tolerance and nontolerant recipients at the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic level. We observed alterations centered on CD38
+
-activated T and B cells in nontolerant patients. In tolerant patients, cell subsets with regulatory functions were prominent. RNA sequencing analyses highlighted modifications in the tolerant patients’ transcriptomic profiles, particularly with overexpression of the ectoenzyme
NT5E
(encoding CD73), which could counterbalance CD38 enzymatic functions by producing adenosine. Further, metabolomic analyses suggested a central role of androgens in establishing operational tolerance. These data were confirmed using an integrative approach to evaluating the immune landscape associated with operational tolerance. Thus, balance between a CD38-activated immune state and CD73-related production of adenosine may be a key regulator of operational tolerance.
The Indoor Mycobiomes of Daycare Centers Are Affected by Occupancy and Climate
Authors: Estensmo Eva Lena F. , Smebye Botnen Synnøve , Maurice Sundy , Martin-Sanchez Pedro M. , Morgado Luis , Bjorvand Engh Ingeborg , Høiland Klaus , Skrede Inger , Kauserud Håvard
Published: February 2022

With an alarming increase in chronic diseases like childhood asthma and allergies, there is an increased focus on the exposure of young children to indoor biological and chemical air pollutants. Our study of 125 daycares throughout Norway demonstrates that the indoor mycobiome not only reflects cooccurring outdoor fungi but also includes a high abundance of yeast and mold fungi with an affinity for indoor environments.
Mating-Type Switching in Budding Yeasts, from Flip/Flop Inversion to Cassette Mechanisms
Authors: Wolfe Kenneth H. , Butler Geraldine
Published: February 2022

Mating-type switching is a natural but unusual genetic control process that regulates cell identity in ascomycete yeasts. It involves physically replacing one small piece of genomic DNA by another, resulting in replacement of the master regulatory genes in the mating pathway and hence a switch of cell type and mating behavior. In this review, we concentrate on recent progress that has been made on understanding the origins and evolution of mating-type switching systems in budding yeasts (subphylum Saccharomycotina).
Temporal and Spatial Variation of the Skin-Associated Bacteria from Healthy Participants and Atopic Dermatitis Patients
Authors: Barnes Christopher J. , Clausen Maja-Lisa , Asplund Maria , Rasmussen Linett , Olesen Caroline Meyer , Yüsel Yasemin Topal , Andersen Paal Skytt , Litman Thomas , Hansen Anders Johannes , Agner Tove
Published: February 2022

The bacteria associated with human skin may influence skin barrier function and the immune response. Previous studies have attempted to understand the factors that regulate the skin bacteria, characterizing the spatial-temporal variation of the skin bacteria within unaffected skin.
Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Standardized Hemagglutination Inhibition Assays
Authors: Bibby David C. , Savanovic Michael , Zhang Jinrong , Torelli Alessandro , Jeeninga Rienk E. , Gagnon Luc , Harris Shannon L.
Published: February 2022

Licensure of influenza vaccines relies on the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay as the primary method to determine quantitative functional antibody titers. The HI assay is also widely used for influenza virus surveillance, characterization, and epidemiology studies.
Coordinated Regulation of Membrane Homeostasis and Drug Accumulation by Novel Kinase STK-17 in Response to Antifungal Azole Treatment
Authors: Hu Chengcheng , Zhou Mi , Cao Xianhe , Xue Wei , Zhang Zhenying , Li Shaojie , Sun Xianyun
Published: February 2022

Antifungal resistance is increasing worldwide, especially to the most widely used azole class of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, making control of fungal infections more challenging. A lot of effort has been expended in elucidating the mechanism of azole resistance and revealing potential antifungal targets.
Evaluation of the Levels of Peripheral CD3
+
, CD4
+
, and CD8
+
T Cells and IgG and IgM Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients at Different Stages of Infection
Authors: Aljabr Waleed , Al-Amari Ahod , Abbas Basma , Karkashan Alaa , Alamri Saad , Alnamnakani Mohammed , Al-Qahtani Athba
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019 in China. This virus is a serious threat to people not only in China but also worldwide, where it has been detected in over 222 countries.
The Comparability of Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Tests is Time-Dependent: a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Perkmann Thomas , Mucher Patrick , Perkmann-Nagele Nicole , Radakovics Astrid , Repl Manuela , Koller Thomas , Schmetterer Klaus G. , Bigenzahn Johannes W. , Leitner Florentina , Jordakieva Galateja , Wagner Oswald F. , Binder Christoph J. , Haslacher Helmuth
Published: February 2022

This work showed that the comparability of apparently standardized SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays (Roche, Abbott; both given in BAU/mL) after vaccination depends on the time of blood withdrawal. Initially (3 weeks after the first dose AZD1222), there were 3 times higher values in the Abbott assay, but this relationship inversed before boosting (11 weeks after the first dose) with Roche 2 times greater than Abbott.
Evaluation of the Performance of a Multiplexed Serological Assay in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Predominantly Vaccinated Population
Authors: Asamoah-Boaheng Michael , Goldfarb David M. , Barakauskas Vilte , Kirkham Tracy L. , Demers Paul A. , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , Lavoie Pascal M. , Marquez Ana Citlali , Jassem Agatha N. , Jenneson Sandra , MacDonald Christopher , Grunau Brian
Published: February 2022

Among a cohort of adult paramedics in Canada, we investigated the performance of nucleocapsid (N) antibody detection (measured with a V-PLEX assay) to identify previous COVID-19 infections and compared differences among vaccinated and unvaccinated. Our data indicate that vaccinated and unvaccinated groups require different thresholds to achieve optimal test performance, especially for detecting COVID-19 within the preceding 9 months.
Targeted Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy of Biofilm-Embedded and Intracellular Staphylococci with a Phage Endolysin’s Cell Binding Domain
Authors: Bispo Mafalda , Santos Sílvio B. , Melo Luís D. R. , Azeredo Joana , van Dijl Jan Maarten
Published: February 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is among the biggest threats to mankind today. There are two alternative antimicrobial therapies that may help to control multidrug-resistant bacteria.
High Prevalence and Diversity of Caliciviruses in a Community Setting Determined by a Metagenomic Approach
Authors: Rivera-Gutiérrez Xaira , Morán Patricia , Taboada Blanca , Serrano-Vázquez Angélica , Iša Pavel , Rojas-Velázquez Liliana , Pérez-Juárez Horacio , López Susana , Torres Javier , Ximénez Cecilia , Arias Carlos F.
Published: February 2022

Human caliciviruses are important etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age. Several studies have characterized their association with childhood diarrhea and their presence in nondiarrheal stool samples.
The Molecular Mechanism of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 UL31 in Antagonizing the Activity of IFN-β
Authors: Gong Lan , Ou Xiaowen , Hu Li , Zhong Jiayi , Li Jingjing , Deng Shenyu , Li Bolin , Pan Lingxia , Wang Liding , Hong Xuejun , Luo Wenqi , Zeng Qiyuan , Zan Jie , Peng Tao , Cai Mingsheng , Li Meili
Published: February 2022

The innate immune system is the first line of host defense against the invasion of pathogens. Among its mechanisms, IFN-I is an essential cytokine in the antiviral response, which can help the host eliminate a virus.
Sexual Crossing, Chromosome-Level Genome Sequences, and Comparative Genomic Analyses for the Medicinal Mushroom
Taiwanofungus Camphoratus
(Syn.
Antrodia Cinnamomea
,
Antrodia Camphorata)
Authors: Chen Chia-Ling , Li Wan-Chen , Chuang Yu-Chien , Liu Hou-Cheng , Huang Chien-Hao , Lo Ko-Yun , Chen Chung-Yu , Chang Fang-Mo , Chang Guo-An , Lin Yu-Ling , Yang Wen-Der , Su Ching-Hua , Yeh Tsung-Ming , Wang Ting-Fang
Published: February 2022

Taiwanofungus camphoratus
(Tc) is a basidiomycete fungus that causes brown heart rot of the aromatic tree Cinnamomum kanehirae. The Tc fruiting bodies have been used to treat hangovers, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypertension, and other diseases first by aboriginal Taiwanese and later by people in many countries.
High-Throughput Screening of a Promoter Library Reveals New Persister Mechanisms in Escherichia Coli
Authors: Mohiuddin Sayed Golam , Massahi Aslan , Orman Mehmet A.
Published: February 2022

Persistence is a nonheritable trait by which normal growing cells switch phenotypically to antibiotic tolerant persister cells. This transient state enables persister cells to recover and grow into an antibiotic-sensitive population.
Host Cell Oxidative Stress Induces Dormant Staphylococcus aureus Persisters
Authors: Peyrusson Frédéric , Nguyen Tiep Khac , Najdovski Tome , Van Bambeke Françoise
Published: February 2022

By their capacity to survive to antibiotic pressure and to regrow and give rise to a susceptible population once this pressure is relieved, intracellular persisters of
S. aureus
may contribute to explain therapeutic failures and recurrent infections. Here, we show that the level of dormancy and the subsequent capacity to resuscitate from this resting state are dependent on the level of oxidative stress in the host cells where bacteria survive.
Spread of Gamma (P.1) Sub-Lineages Carrying Spike Mutations Close to the Furin Cleavage Site and Deletions in the N-Terminal Domain Drives Ongoing Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Naveca Felipe Gomes , Nascimento Valdinete , Souza Victor , Corado André de Lima , Nascimento Fernanda , Silva George , Mejía Matilde Contreras , Brandão Maria Júlia , Costa Ágatha , Duarte Débora , Pessoa Karina , Jesus Michele , Gonçalves Luciana , Fernandes Cristiano , Mattos Tirza , Abdalla Ligia , Santos João Hugo , Martins Alex , Chui Fabiola Mendonça , Val Fernando Fonseca , de Melo Gisely Cardoso , Xavier Mariana Simão , Sampaio Vanderson de Souza , Mourão Maria Paula , Lacerda Marcus Vinícius , Batista Érika Lopes Rocha , Magalhães Alessandro Leonardo Álvares , Dábilla Nathânia , Pereira Lucas Carlos Gomes , Vinhal Fernando , Miyajima Fabio , Dias Fernando Braga Stehling , dos Santos Eduardo Ruback , Coêlho Danilo , Ferraz Matheus , Lins Roberto , Wallau Gabriel Luz , Delatorre Edson , Gräf Tiago , Siqueira Marilda Mendonça , Resende Paola Cristina , Bello Gonzalo
Published: February 2022

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is an expected phenomenon that will continue to happen due to the high number of cases worldwide. The present study analyzed how a Variant of Concern (VOC) could still circulate in a population hardly affected by two COVID-19 waves and with vaccination in progress.
Multiobjective optimization of electric discharge machining of an Al–SiCp composite using the Taguchi–PCA method as well as the firefly and cuckoo search algorithms
Authors: Ramesh UdhayaKumar A. , Satish Kumar S.
Published: February 2022

Electric discharge machining (EDM) processes are extensively used in industries to machine materials and geometries that are complex and are not machinable by conventional methods. In our study, we focused on identifying the optimal process parameters for EDM during the machining of an aluminum alloy 6061 (matrix) –10% silicon carbide (particle) composite. The novel aspect of this work is the use of a copper electrode with different geometries (circular, triangular, square) for machining, together with input variables such as discharge current density (A) as well as pulse on- and off-timing (Ton and Toff). We used the L27 (313) Taguchi orthogonal array for our experimental layout and the responses we measured were recast layer thickness (RCT), electrode tool wear rate (TWR), and material removal rate (MRR). Taguchi’s approach of signal-to-noise (S:N) ratio was integrated with principal component analysis (PCA) for multicriterion optimization. Also, the nature inspired cuckoo search (CS) and firefly (FA) algorithms were used to identify the optimal conditions and to predict the outputs for maximum MRR and minimum TWR and RCT. From S:N + PC analyses, the optimal conditions we identified were: circle (12 A, 65 μs, 2 μs); triangle (12 A, 95 μs, 6 μs); and square (12 A, 65 μs, 8 μs). Under all of the conditions, the influence of discharge current was the most significant. Metallurgical examination conducted through micrographs of the machined surface clearly supported the predicted results. The optimized conditions we identified are appropriate for use in the automobile and aerospace industries to obtain holes of specific geometries with good surface integrity and reduced wear of tools.
Study of the process $$e^+e^- \rightarrow \eta \eta \gamma $$ in the energy range $$\sqrt{s} = \text{1.17--2.00 }$$ GeV with the SND detector
Authors: Achasov M. N. , Barnyakov A. Yu. , Beloborodov K. I. , Berdyugin A. V. , Berkaev D. E. , Bogdanchikov A. G. , Botov A. A. , Dimova T. V. , Druzhinin V. P. , Kirpotin A. N. , Kardapoltsev L. V. , Kasaev A. S. , Kharlamov A. G. , Koop I. A. , Korol A. A. , Kovrizhin D. P. , Kupich A. S. , Martin K. A. , Melnikova N. A. , Muchnoy N. Yu. , Obrazovsky A. E. , Pakhtusova E. V. , Pugachev K. V. , Rabusov D. V. , Rogovsky Yu. A. , Senchenko A. I. , Serednyakov S. I. , Shatilov D. N. , Shatunov Yu. M. , Shtol D. A. , Shwartz D. B. , Silagadze Z. K. , Surin I. K. , Timoshenko M. V. , Usov Yu. V. , Zhabin V. N. , Zhulanov V. V. ,   SND Collaboration
Published: February 2022

The process $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \eta \gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η
η
γ

is studied in the center-of-mass energy range 1.17–2.00 GeV using data with an integrated luminosity of 201 pb$$^{-1}$$

-
1

collected by the SND detector at the VEPP-2000 $$e^+e^-$$

e
+

e
-

collider. The $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \eta \gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η
η
γ

cross section is measured for the first time. It is shown that the dominant mechanism of this reaction is the transition through the $$\phi \eta $$

ϕ
η

intermediate state. Our result on the $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \eta \gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η
η
γ

cross section is consistent with the $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \phi \eta $$

e
+

e
-

→
ϕ
η

measurement in the $$\phi \rightarrow K^+ K^-$$

ϕ
→

K
+

K
-

mode. The search for radiative processes contributing to the $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \eta \gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η
η
γ

cross section is performed, and no significant signal is observed.
Rapid detection of ciprofloxacin in seawater based on CdTe quantum dots coated with molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Liu Yu-Hua , Tan Li-Ju , Wang Kun-Peng , Wang Jiang-Tao
Published: February 2022

In this work, a sensitive fluorescent sensor for the detection of ciprofloxacin (CIP) was developed by wrapping the surface of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The MIP@QDs were synthesized via a simple sol–gel method using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the functional monomer and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the crosslinker. The fluorescence emission of the probe was at 643 nm. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0.5–24 [Formula: see text]M for CIP with the detection limit of 0.23 [Formula: see text]M (S/N[Formula: see text]3). The fluorescent probe was successfully applied to the determination of CIP in seawater samples with the spiked recoveries ranging from 98.2% to 110.6% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10.7%. It is the first time that QDs with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP@QDs) were introduced for separation and detection of CIP in seawater and obtained good specific identification ability and potential practical value.
Nonlinear Forced Vibrations of Plates with Oscillating Inclusions
Authors: Gawlik A. , Vladimirov V. , Skurativskyi S. , Klepka A.
Published: February 2022

These studies focus on the forced vibrations of rectangular plates incorporating oscillating inclusions uniformly distributed in the carrier elastic medium. Plate’s equations of motion consist of the Lamé equation for a carrier material and the equation for oscillators representing the inclusions. The oscillators are acted upon by the nonlinear friction force, described by Coulomb’s modified law, and a cubically nonlinear elastic force. The simply supported forced plate is considered. Using the Galerkin approximation, the problem of plate vibrations is reduced to the study of a system of ODEs. According to numerical and qualitative analyses, the application of harmonic forcing causes the appearance of periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic regimes in the system. In particular, the analytical expression is derived for the periodic regimes of the forcing frequency. The scenarios of vibration’s development is identified at the variation of forcing amplitude. The quasiperiodic and chaotic modes are studied by means of Poincaré section technique, and Fourier and Lyapunov spectra analyses. The statistical properties of the sequences of temporal intervals between maxima of system’s solutions are considered in more detail. The sequence extracted from the chaotic trajectory is shown to possess long-term correlations and approximately obeys the Weibull distribution.
Explosive Transition in Coupled Oscillators Through Mixed Attractive-Repulsive Interactions
Authors: Liu Shutong , Sun Zhongkui , Zhao Nannan , Xu Wei
Published: February 2022

The emergence of many fascinating dynamic behaviors is affected by more than one interaction among the elements or cells in a network. In fact, the concurrence and competition of different types of effects among subsystems show a strong connection to the dynamic transition process between oscillation patterns. Here, a network of generic oscillators with mixed attractive-repulsive couplings is introduced to demonstrate the transition from oscillatory states to stationary equilibria, specifically for van der Pol oscillators and Lorenz oscillators. Through the observation of the normalized amplitude changing with the coupling strength, the sudden and irreversible transition appears in both systems, which has a close relation to the mutual repulsion on coupled oscillators. Whereas, for coupled van der Pol oscillators, three typical transition scenarios are found by varying the weight ratio of these two couplings, while the Lorenz system shows only one transition mode no matter how the weight ratio changes. Besides, in the cases of explosive transitions, the coexistence areas of oscillatory and death states also reveal a distinct manifestation for periodic and chaotic systems. The details of theoretical critical transition points on the first-order phase transition are also obtained. Our results pave a new way to control the explosive phenomenon, which is crucial to explain the sudden oscillation quenching and the coexistence of oscillatory and stationary states in biological as well as chemical systems.
Controlling Chaos for Multistep Iteration Process and Its Special Iterations in Discrete Dynamical Systems
Authors: Sekman Derya , Karakaya Vatan
Published: February 2022

The close relationship between chaos and dynamical systems leads to naturally consider the iteration processes that are related to dynamical systems of fixed point theory. From this natural relationship, the control of chaos that occurs in fixed point iteration dynamics will be the main focus of the article. To achieve this goal, analytical solutions are obtained and used to control chaos that occurs at unstable fixed points of multistep iteration process. Later, we show an effective regime for the parameters of multistep iteration. To illustrate this claim, well-known special cases of multistep iteration process by Noor, Ishikawa, Mann, Krasnoselskij, Picard iteration processes are introduced. In particular, among these iterations, the Noor iteration process is studied in detail in terms of controlled chaos. The Lyapunov exponent is used to estimate the stability and unstability of fixed points and periods that generate chaos in iteration processes. Finally, with the help of MATLAB program, all these results are shown on logistic and cubic equations with chaotic properties.
A characterization of strong semilattices of periodic groups and rectangular bands by disjunctions of identities
Authors: Jende Alexander , Koppitz Jörg
Published: February 2022

Each completely regular semigroup is a semilattice of completely simple semigroups. The more specific concept of a strong semilattice provides the concrete product between two arbitrary elements. We characterize strong semilattices of rectangular groups by so-called disjunctions of identities. Disjunctions of identities generalize the classical concept of an identity and of a variety, respectively. The rectangular groups will be on the one hand left zero semigroups and right zero semigroups and on the other hand groups of exponent [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is any set of pairwise coprime natural numbers.
Partially balanced incomplete block (PBIB)-designs associated with geodetic sets in graphs
Authors: Huilgol Medha Itagi , Vidya M. D.
Published: February 2022

A [Formula: see text]-design over regular graph [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text] is an ordered pair [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the set of geodetic sets in [Formula: see text] called blocks such that two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which are [Formula: see text] associates occur together in [Formula: see text] blocks, the numbers [Formula: see text] being independent of the choice of the pair [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we obtain Partially Balanced Incomplete Block (PBIB)-designs arising from geodetic sets in some classes of graphs. Also, we give a complete list of PBIB-designs with respect to the geodetic sets for cubic graphs of order at most [Formula: see text]. The discussion of non-existence of some designs corresponding to geodetic sets from certain graphs concludes the paper.
Industry 4.0 and Enabling Technologies: Integration Framework and Challenges
Authors: Gorkhali Anjee
Published: February 2022

Industry 4.0 has revolutionized the traditional production line toward smart factories in a sustainable environment. It represents an intelligent manufacturing network, where machines and products interact without human control. Recently, there have been studies on Industry 4.0 and integrating enabling technologies, and this article aims to summarize a few of the pathbreaking studies and guide future research in this field. This paper reviews 112 journal publications related to Blockchain from 2017 to 2021 in the Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) database. The selected papers are grouped into ten categories. This overview indicates that research of integrating Industry 4.0 enabling technologies needs to focus on developing better privacy and security mechanisms and a design framework for integrating the 5G network system into the platform.
Strength and permeability properties of sodium silicate–glyoxal-stabilized silt and fine sand
Authors: Mollamahmutoğlu Murat , Avcı Eyubhan , Deveci Emre
Published: February 2022

In this research, the suitability of sodium silicate–glyoxal (SG) grout to stabilize silt and fine sand was investigated. In addition, the permeability and strength properties of grouted silt–fine sand samples were determined under two particular curing circumstances and at different time intervals. Initially, the gelation time, viscosity and syneresis of SG solutions prepared at different contents were investigated to determine the suitable mixtures. In this regard, the solutions of SG2 and SG6 were determined to be the most suitable for the grouting purpose of silt and fine sand samples. Thereafter, silt and fine sand, as well as silty fine sand samples, were successfully grouted with the selected solutions of SG2 (glyoxal/sodium silicate ratio 0.23) and SG6 (glyoxal/sodium silicate ratio 0.25). Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted on the successfully grouted air-dried and wet-cured samples on days 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 of curing. While the UCS values of air-dried samples ranged from 1.36 to 2.17 MPa, the UCS values of wet-cured samples varied from 0.43 to 1.01 MPa. Whilst the lowest UCS of grouted samples was obtained under wet-cured conditions, the highest UCS of grouted samples was recorded under air-dried conditions. Moreover, the permeabilities of injected silt and fine sand samples ranged from 1.02 × 10
−5
to 3.77 × 10
−6
 cm s
−1
. The permeabilities of silt and fine sand samples were decreased through SG grouting by two–four orders of magnitude. In general, SG grouting, organic in nature and environment friendly, was successful in stabilizing the silt and fine sand where the cementitious grouting failed to penetrate.
A tale of three datasets
Authors: Mangla Tarun , Showalter Esther , Adarsh Vivek , Jones Kipp , Vigil-Hayes Morgan , Belding Elizabeth , Zegura Ellen
Published: February 2022

Needed improvements to mobile broadband deployment require more accurate mapping of mobile coverage, especially in rural and tribal areas.
Tools for Quantum Computing Based on Decision Diagrams
Authors: Wille Robert , Hillmich Stefan , Burgholzer Lukas
Published: February 2022

With quantum computers promising advantages even in the near-term NISQ era, there is a lively community that develops software and toolkits for the design of corresponding quantum circuits. Although the underlying problems are different, expertise from the design automation community, which developed sophisticated design solutions for the conventional realm in the past decades, can help here. In this respect, decision diagrams provide a promising foundation for tackling many design tasks such as simulation, synthesis, and verification of quantum circuits. However, users of the corresponding tools often do not have a proper background or an intuition about how these methods based on decision diagrams work and what their strengths and limits are. In this work, we first review the concepts of how decision diagrams can be employed, e.g., for the simulation and verification of quantum circuits. Afterwards, in an effort to make decision diagrams for quantum computing more accessible, we then present a visualization tool for quantum decision diagrams, which allows users to explore the behavior of decision diagrams in the design tasks mentioned above. Finally, we present decision diagram-based tools for simulation and verification of quantum circuits using the methods discussed above as part of the open-source Munich Quantum Toolkit (MQT)—a set of tools for quantum computing developed at the Technical University of Munich and the Johannes Kepler University Linz and released under the MIT license. More information about the corresponding tools is available at
https://github.com/cda-tum/ddsim
. By this, we provide an introduction of the concepts and tools for potential users who would like to work with them as well as potential developers aiming to extend them.
Sleeping Cell Detection for Resiliency Enhancements in 5G/B5G Mobile Edge-Cloud Computing Networks
Authors: Ming Zhao , Li Xiuhua , Sun Chuan , Fan Qilin , Wang Xiaofei , Leung Victor C. M.
Published: February 2022

The rapid increase of data traffic has brought great challenges to the maintenance and optimization of 5G and beyond, and some smart critical infrastructures, e.g., small base stations (SBSs) in cellular cells, are facing serious security and failure threats, causing resiliency degradation concerns. Among special smart critical infrastructure failures, the sleeping cell failure is hard to address since no alarm is generally triggered. Sleeping cells can remain undetected for a long time and can severely affect the quality of service/quality of experience to users. To enhance the resiliency of the SBSs in sleeping cells, we design a mobile edge-cloud computing system and propose a semi-supervised learning-based framework to dynamically detect the sleeping cells. Particularly, we consider two indicators, recovery proportion and recovery speed, to measure the resiliency of the SBSs. Moreover, in the proposed scheme, experts’ optimization experience and each period’s detection results can be utilized to iteratively improve the performance. Then we adopt a dataset from real-world networks for performance evaluation. Trace-driven evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms existing sleeping cell detection schemes, and can also reduce the communication and runtime costs and enhance the resiliency of the SBSs.
Conjunctive Regular Path Queries with Capture Groups
Authors: Schmid Markus L.
Published: February 2022

In practice, regular expressions are usually extended by so-called capture groups or capture variables, which allow to capture a subexpression by a variable that can be referenced in the regular expression in order to describe repetitions of subwords. We investigate how this concept could be used for pattern-based graph querying; i.e., we investigate conjunctive regular path queries (CRPQs) that are extended by capture variables.

If capture variables are added to CRPQs in a completely unrestricted way, then Boolean evaluation becomes PSPACE-hard in data complexity, even for single-edge graph patterns. On the other hand, if capture variables do not occur under a Kleene star, then the data complexity drops to NL-completeness. Combined complexity is in EXPSPACE but drops to PSPACE-completeness if the depth (i.e., the nesting depth of capture variables) is bounded, and it drops to NP-completeness if the size of the images of capture variables is bounded by a constant (regardless of the depth or of whether capture variables occur under a Kleene star).

In the application of regular expressions as string searching tools, references to capture variables only describe exact repetitions of subwords (i.e., they implement the equality relation on strings). Following recent developments in graph database research, we also study CRPQs with capture variables that describe arbitrary regular relations. We show that if the expressions have depth 0, or if the size of the images of capture variables is bounded by a constant, then we can allow arbitrary regular relations while staying in the same complexity bounds. We also investigate the problems of checking whether a given tuple is in the solution set and computing the whole solution set.

On the conceptual side, we add capture variables to CRPQs in such a way that they can be defined in an expression on one arc of the graph pattern but also referenced in expressions on other arcs. Hence, they add to CRPQs the possibility to define inter-dependencies between different paths, which is a relevant feature of pattern-based graph querying.
Neural Topic Model Training with the REBAR Gradient Estimator
Authors: Kumar Amit , Esmaili Nazanin , Piccardi Massimo
Published: February 2022

Topic modelling is an important approach of unsupervised machine learning that allows automatically extracting the main “topics” from large collections of documents. In addition, topic modelling is able to identify the topic proportions of each individual document, which can be helpful for organizing the collections. Many topic modelling algorithms have been proposed to date, including several that leverage advanced techniques such as variational inference and deep autoencoders. However, to date topic modelling has made limited use of reinforcement learning, a framework that has obtained vast success in many other unsupervised learning tasks. For this reason, in this article we propose training a neural topic model using a reinforcement learning objective and minimizing the objective with the recently-proposed REBAR gradient estimator. Experiments performed over two probing datasets have shown that the proposed model has achieved improvements over all the compared models in terms of both model perplexity and topic coherence, and produced topics that appear qualitatively informative and consistent.
An Application of Homotopy Perturbation Method to Fractional-Order Thin Film Flow of the Johnson–Segalman Fluid Model
Authors: Qayyum Mubashir , Ismail Farnaz , Ali Shah Syed Inayat , Sohail Muhammad , El-Zahar Essam R. , Gokul K. C
Published: February 2022

Thin film flow is an important theme in fluid mechanics and has many industrial applications. These flows can be observed in oil refinement process, laser cutting, and nuclear reactors. In this theoretical study, we explore thin film flow of non-Newtonian Johnson–Segalman fluid on a vertical belt in fractional space in lifting and drainage scenarios. Modelled fractional-order boundary value problems are solved numerically using the homotopy perturbation method along with Caputo definition of fractional derivative. In this study, instantaneous and average velocities and volumetric flux are computed in lifting and drainage cases. Validity and convergence of homotopy-based solutions are confirmed by finding residual errors in each case. Moreover, the consequences of different fractional and fluid parameters are graphically studied on the velocity profile. Analysis shows that fractional parameters have opposite effects of the fluid velocity.
Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Reliability Estimation of Stress-Strength Model for Power-Modified Lindley Distribution
Authors: Al-Babtain Abdulhakim A. , Elbatal I. , Almetwally Ehab M.
Published: February 2022

A two-parameter continuous distribution, namely, power-modified Lindley (PML), is proposed. Various structural properties of the new distribution, including moments, moment-generating function, conditional moments, mean deviations, mean residual lifetime, and mean past lifetime, are provided. The reliability of a system is discussed when the strength of the system and the stress imposed on it are independent. Maximum-likelihood estimation of the parameters and their estimated asymptotic standard errors are derived. Bayesian estimation methods of the parameters with independent gamma prior are discussed based on symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. We proposed using the MCMC technique with the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm to approximate the posteriors of the stress-strength parameters for Bayesian calculations. The confidence interval for likelihood and the Bayesian estimation method is obtained for the parameter of the model and stress-strength reliability. We prove empirically the importance and flexibility of the new distribution in modeling with real data applications.
Effect of EPOC on Serum MicroRNA Expression in Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Li Hao
Published: February 2022

In order to analyze the effect of EPOC on serum microRNA expression in patients with hypertension, we have carried out an experimental evaluation and presented a dedicated method to improve its effectiveness. For this purpose, 60 patients with hypertension treated in our hospital from January to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into the EPOC group (30 cases) and the control group (30 cases). Patients in both groups received conventional hypertension medication according to the treatment guidelines, and education and guidance were strengthened to ensure patients’ drug compliance. The EPOC group received EPOC training in addition to conventional medication. After the intervention, 6MWD, LVEF, and LVEDD in the control group and the EPOC group were significantly improved compared with that before treatment (

P

 < 0.05). The improvement of cardiac function in the EPOC group was significantly better than that in the control group (

P

 < 0.05). Physiological function, physiological characteristics, body pain, and general health of the control group and the EPOC group were significantly improved compared with that before treatment (

P

 < 0.05). The improvement of quality of life in the EPOC group was significantly better than that in the control group (

P

 < 0.05). The indexes of heart rate, oxygen pulse, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake in kg, and anaerobic threshold in the EPOC group were significantly better than those in the control group before and after treatment (

P

 < 0.05). Full-sample real-time PCR verification of the 8 miRNAs with the highest expression differentiation showed that, compared with the control group, the expression levels of miR-20a-5p, miR-93-5p, and miR-1287-5p in the serum of the EPOC group were significantly increased, while the expression levels of miR-7706, miR-28-5p, and miR-125b-5p were significantly decreased. The expression of miR-20a-5p was the highest, while the expression of miR-125b-5p was the lowest, suggesting that miR-20a-5p and miR-125b-5p might be involved in the process of HIIT to improve hypertension. After EPOC rehabilitation treatment, patients’ heart function indexes, lung function indexes, and quality of life have been significantly improved. EPOC rehabilitation can improve exercise tolerance, enhance cardiopulmonary function, and improve the prognosis of patients.
Design and Optimization of Indoor Space Layout Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Sun Yingfei
Published: February 2022

In order to explore the technical path of using artificial intelligence deep learning algorithm in realizing the interior space layout, this study introduces neural network modules such as 3D spatial convolutional (3DSC) neural networks and fuzzy neural networks (FNN), and a deep learning algorithm of indoor spatial layout design (ISLD) based on the adversarial neural network (ANN) is formed. In the algorithm design, a controllable data-interference adverse variation algorithm based on a random number generator is introduced, to obtain the data variant optimization process of genetic algorithm in neural network deep learning. As shown in the simulation analysis, the algorithm yielded significantly better subjective audience evaluation than other algorithms mentioned in references, and because it can be run offline on a single PC workstation, the demand for network resources and computing power resources is relatively small, so under the premise of the same hardware facility investment, higher production capacity can be obtained to get a higher input-output ratio, and it has a certain industry-university-research transformation and market promotion value.
The Influence of Radiological “Disappearing Lesions” on the Efficacy and Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases Undergoing Conversion Therapy
Authors: Song Zhi-yang , Yang Dong , Liu Yang , Cheng Yong
Published: February 2022

Purpose. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the influence of radiological “disappearing liver metastasis” (DLM) on the efficacy and prognosis of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) undergoing conversion therapy. Methods. Patients with CRLM by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively enrolled from January 2014 to January 2021. The relationship between the occurrence and recurrence of DLM and different clinical factors was analyzed. Results. Thirty-five of the 113 patients (31.0%) with initially unresectable CRLM developed DLM, and of the 361 lesions, 177 disappeared (49.0%). Within 6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-24 months groups, the recurrence rate was 3.4%, 16.8%, and 34.8%, but there is no recurrence in after 24 months group. There was a statistical difference between chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy combined with the targeted therapy group on the occurrence of DLM (58.3% vs. 37.1%,

P
<
0.001

). There were significant differences between <5 mm group and >10 mm group on occurrence of DLM（76.7% vs. 30.4%,

P
<
0.001

) and between 5-10 mm group and >10 mm group also (70.0% vs. 30.4%,

P
<
0.001

). Through univariate and multivariate analyses, it was concluded that age (

P
=
0.026

,

95
%
CI
=
3.690

) and treatment regimens (

P
=
0.033

,

95
%
CI
=
2.703

) had a significant influence on the progression-free survival (PFS) time of DLM. Conclusion. Younger patients, who use chemotherapy alone to achieve a therapeutic effect, might have better survival benefits when the lesions do not progress within 2 years after the appearance of DLMs.
Three‐Dimensional Quantification of Facial Morphology and Movements Using a Wearable Helmet
Authors: Guihard Marina , Gracies Jean-Michel , Baude Marjolaine
Published: February 2022

This work proposes a 3D normative database of facial ranges of motion in adults free from facial disorders. Ten facial movements were analyzed, each targeting the activity of specific muscle groups innervated by the facial nerve. The experimental protocol included a test‐retest reliability positioning procedure of 25 skin markers based on clinical expertise in facial morphology. Three maximal voluntary contractions were recorded for each facial movement studied, using a 3D facial motion capture helmet. We included 53 adults free from facial disorders (26 men; age 43 ± 14), evaluated twice one week apart. The reliability of marker positioning was expressed as absolute measurement errors. The range of motion vectors of all markers from the best rest to the maximal voluntary contraction was calculated for each muscle group. Primary, secondary, and tertiary markers were extracted for each facial movement. 3D Procruste and asymmetry indices were developed. This allowed the identification of common thresholds of 10% for the asymmetry index and of 6 mm for the Procruste index, beyond which facial motions would be considered abnormally asymmetric. The normative database quantifies facial motions and allows assessment of the degree of clinical disorders by comparison. This protocol is currently being investigated in patients with chronic unilateral peripheral facial paresis.
Analysis and Characterization of the Spread of COVID‐19 in Mexico through Complex Networks and Optimization Approaches
Authors: Montes-Orozco Edwin , Mora-Gutiérrez Roman-Anselmo , de-los-Cobos-Silva Sergio-Gerardo , Rincón-García Eric A. , Gutiérrez-Andrade Miguel A. , Lara-Velázquez Pedro
Published: February 2022

This work analyzes and characterizes the spread of the COVID‐19 disease in Mexico, using complex networks and optimization approaches. Specifically, we present two methodologies based on the principle of the rupture for the GC and Newton's law of motion to quantify the robustness and identify the Mexican municipalities whose population causes a fast spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. Specifically, the first methodology is based on several characteristics of the original version of the Vertex Separator Problem (VSP), and the second is based on a new mathematical model (NLM). By solving VSP, we can find nodes that cause the rupture of the giant component (GC). On the other hand, solving the NLM can find more influential nodes for the entire system’s development. Specifically, we present an analysis using a coupled social network model with information about the main characteristics of the contagion and deaths caused by COVID‐19 in Mexico for 19 months (January 2020–July 2021). This work aims to show through the approach of complex networks how the spread of the disease behaves, and, thus, researchers from other areas can delve into the characteristics that cause this behavior.