bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latent Heat Flux (Evapotranspiration) in Summer Season on Rooftop Greening Soil with Bamboo Charcoal Sublayer at a Building in West Japan
Authors: Pi Ling , Nakane Kaneyuki
Published: July 2021

The effect of a thin and light greening system with bamboo charcoal layer for water retention on heat fluxes, in particular latent heat flux (evapotranspiration rate), under no irrigation condition, on the rooftop of a building in Higashi-Hiroshima, West Japan, was investigated. In April 2019, lawn seeds (Zoysia tenuifolia) were sown which were germinated, reached a height of 70 mm by May when 100% of the vegetation area was covered. The air temperature and humidity at two different heights (0.3 m and 1.8 m) above greening soil surface, latent, and sensible heat fluxes were estimated. Bowen ratio was employed to collect the data on surface heat balance and soil water content during the summer season (June to September) in 2019 on the rooftop of a building in Higashi-Hiroshima, West Japan. The latent heat during daytime for a week without rainfall in each month was compared with the evapotranspiration rate. Owning to the vegetation development, the ground heat flux on greening soil surface decreased from -400 W/m2 to -200 W/m2 (flux from air to soil) during sunny daytime in July, and it was less than -100 W/m2 in August, although net radiation was maintained around 800 W/m2 over the season except in September. The monthly net radiation flux for an entire day (daytime and nighttime) ranged between 55 and 125 W/m2 (average: 95 W/m2) for the summer season of which 32-66% (average: 48%) was occupied by latent heat. Evapotranspiration from greening soil ranged between 1.24 and 1.82 mm/day, averaged at 1.51 mm/day throughout the season, which corresponded to about 26% of total rainfall over the season (

r

2

=
0.88

,

p
<
0.01

;

S
.
E
=
0.06

) between the estimated and measured values. These observations suggested that the thin and bamboo coal light soil layer greening system, even without constant irrigation, could maintain the development of lawn grass and transformed more than half of net radiation to latent heat, i.e., evapotranspiration, insulating most ground heat in midsummer, which may be mostly due to bamboo charcoal sublayer.
Service Innovation of Insurance Data Based on Cloud Computing in the Era of Big Data
Authors: Yang Wei , Zhou Junkai
Published: July 2021

With the advent of the era of big data, great changes have taken place in the insurance industry, gradually entering the field of Internet insurance, and a large amount of insurance data has been accumulated. How to realize the innovation of insurance services through insurance data is crucial to the development of the insurance industry. Therefore, this paper proposes a ciphertext retrieval technology based on attribute encryption (HP‐CPABKS) to realize the rapid retrieval and update of insurance data on the premise of ensuring the privacy of insurance information and puts forward an innovative insurance service based on cloud computing. The results show that 97.35% of users are successfully identified in test set A and 98.77% of users are successfully identified in test set B, and the recognition success rate of the four test sets is higher than 97.00%; when the number of challenges is 720, the modified data block is less than 9%; the total number of complaints is reduced from 1300 to 249; 99.19% of users are satisfied with the innovative insurance service; the number of the insured is increased significantly. To sum up, the insurance innovation service based on cloud computing insurance data can improve customer satisfaction, increase the number of policyholders, reduce the number of complaints, and achieve a more successful insurance service innovation. This study provides a reference for the precision marketing of insurance services.
A Strong Convergence to a Common Fixed Point of a Subfamily of a Nonexpansive Evolution Family of Bounded Linear Operators on a Hilbert Space
Authors: Rahmat Gul , Khan Masaud , Sarwar Muhammad , Aydi Hassen , Ameer Eskandar
Published: July 2021

In this article, we establish some results for convergence in a strong sense to a common fixed point of a subfamily of a nonexpansive evolution family of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space. The obtained results generalize some existing ones in the literature for semigroups of operators. An example and an open problem are also given at the end.
The Effects of Mung Bean Peptide and Its’ Complexes on the Treatment of Lead Poisoning
Authors: Wei Wei , Wang Shue , Zhang Xue-Jun , Zhang Jiu-Xun , Chen Zheng-Wang , Huang Jia-Ying , Zhang Ye-Wang
Published: July 2021

Objective. To investigate the effects of mung bean peptide and its’ complexes on promoting lead excretion and neuroprotection of zebrafish. Methods. The lead poisoning models of zebrafish were established by lead acetate solution; the models were treated with high and low concentrations (58.3 and 175 μg/mL) of mung bean peptides, with high, medium, and low concentrations (27.8, 83.3, and 250 μg/mL) of mung bean peptide complexes, separately. The effects of the mung bean peptide complexes on the lead content, axonal fluorescence intensity, and peripheral motor nerve length changes were identified in the zebrafish model, and the effects of mung bean peptide and its’ complexes on zebrafish's lead excretion, axonal protection rate, and peripheral movement promotion rate of nerve regeneration were calculated. Results. The effects of high concentration of mung bean peptide (175 μg/mL) in promoting lead excretion was 29% (

p
<
0.05

), and the effect of high concentration of mung bean peptide complexes (250 μg/mL) in promoting lead excretion was 30% (

p
<
0.05

). The other concentrations of mung bean peptide and its’ complex groups did not show a noticeable lead excretion effect. The protective effects of mung bean peptide at concentrations of 58.3 and 175 μg/mL against zebrafish axonal injury were 98% and 101% (

p
<
0.01

), and the peripheral nerve regeneration promotion effects were 29% (

p
>
0.05

) and 42% (

p
<
0.05

), respectively. The protective effects of mung bean peptide complexes at concentrations of 27.8, 83.3, and 250 μg/mL against zebrafish axonal injury were 85%, 78%, and 93% (

p
<
0.01

); peripheral nerve regeneration promotion rates were 46%, 50%, and 50% (

p
<
0.05

). Conclusion. The mung bean peptide and its’ complexes can effectively promote the discharge of lead in the zebrafish lead poisoning and have protective and regeneration effects on zebrafish nerves.
miR-130-3p Promotes MTX-Induced Immune Killing of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Targeting EPHB4
Authors: Shao Liangtian , Ye Qing , Jia Moyang
Published: July 2021

The vast majority of primary hepatocellular cancer is hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Currently, HCC is one of the more common cancers in humans, and it has a high mortality and disability rate. Mitoxantrone (MTX) is an antitumor drug that can block type II topoisomerase. It has been reported that immunogenic cell death evoked by MTX can induce the discharge of damage associated with molecular patterns (DAMPs) and subsequently influence immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. High mobilities aggregation box 1 (HMGB1) is the prototypical extracellular DAMP. Many cellular processes have been reported to involve EPHB4 receptor tyrosine kinases, but the relation of DAMP and EPHB4 is uncertain. In this research, we assessed the impact of miR-130-3p by Edu incorporation test on cell proliferation, and we have proven its impact on HCC cell migration through Transwell and wound healing tests. Flow cytometry was applied to study its influence on apoptosis. Luciferase report test was integrated in detecting the miR-130-3p target gene. The influence of miR-130-3p on the manifestation of classical DAMPs was studied, such as HMGB1, ATP, and Calreticulin. A coculture experiment was carried out to further confirm its effects on immune cell infiltration. The result displayed that miR-130-3p overexpression considerably facilitates apoptosis and suppresses the migration or proliferation of HCC cells. EPHB4 was confirmed as the target gene of miR-130-3p. Overexpression of this target gene promotes emission of Calreticulin, ATP, and HMGB1 and subsequently promotes DCs maturation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells. In summary, our results demonstrated that miR-130-3p inhibits HCC cell proliferation and migration by targeting EPHB4 and promotes drug-induced immunogenic cell death.
Study on Soil Water and Suction Stress Characteristics for Unsaturated Clay Soil of Airport Engineering Based on Laboratory Tests
Authors: Feng Jun , Zhang Guangze
Published: July 2021

For the unsaturated soil in Feidong China, this study examined the suction stress characteristics based on the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), which was different from traditional research ideas. At the same time, the unsaturated consolidation device was adopted for SWCC tests, with consideration of the influence of yielding stress of soil, which was different from the traditional test approach of the soil-water characteristic curve. The results were estimated using the van Genuchten model, which was revealed that this is well-fit for the studied unsaturated soil, and the triaxial shear-strength tests were conducted with suction control. Then, the suction stress characteristic curve (SSCC) was analyzed, and SWCC-predicted data were compared with triaxial test-derived suction stress data. For the studied unsaturated soil, the deviatoric stress increased with the net inner stress

p
−

u

a

at the same matric suction. At the same net inner pressure, the deviatoric stress increased with the matric suction, which verified the hardening activity of matric suction on the tested unsaturated soil strength. Besides, triaxial test-derived suction stress data greatly conformed to SWCC data-derived SSCC that was determined using identical parameters used in the SWCC model.
Adjustable Fuzzy Rough Reduction: A Nested Strategy
Authors: Shi Ying , Qi Hui , Mu Xiaofang , Hou Mingxing
Published: July 2021

As a crucial extension of Pawlak′s rough set, a fuzzy rough set has been successfully applied in real‐valued attribute reduction. Nevertheless, the traditional fuzzy rough set is not provided with adjustable ability due to the maximal and minimal operators. It follows that the associated measure for attribute evaluation is not always appropriate. To alleviate such problems, a novel adjustable fuzzy rough set model is presented and further introduced into the parameterized attribute reduction. Additionally, the inner relationship between the appointed parameter and the reduct result is discovered, and thereby a nested mechanism is adopted to accelerate the searching procedure of reduct. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed heuristic algorithm can offer us more stable reducts with higher computational efficiency as compared with the traditional approaches.
Malignant Degeneration of a Mature Ovarian Teratoma
Authors: Mahtate Mariam , Talib Sarah , Slaoui Aziz , Zeraidi Najia , Lakhdar Amina , Rhrab Brahim , Baydada Aziz
Published: July 2021

Mature cystic teratoma is the most common type of ovarian germ cell neoplasm, but occasionally, it can undergo malignant transformations, especially in postmenopausal women. These secondary malignant neoplasms are most commonly squamous cell carcinomas. The absence of clinical and radiological specificity of this transformation means that the diagnosis remains purely histological. Data is insufficient regarding the appropriate management given their rarity. However, the treatment is multidisciplinary and is based on surgery and a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. We report the case of a 53-year-old postmenopausal female patient with malignant transformation of the ovarian teratoma who was treated surgically and whose outcome was favorable. The diagnosis of the teratoma was evoked on imaging, while the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was revealed on histology. Malignant transformation is an uncommon complication of mature ovarian teratomas. No clinical, radiological, or biological sign is specific; therefore, resection of any ovarian mass, even asymptomatic, is required.
Novel Generalized Divergence Measure on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Its Application
Authors: Arora Priya , Tomar V. P.
Published: July 2021

In the present paper, we introduce a new parametric fuzzy divergence measure on intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Some properties of the proposed measure are also being studied. In addition, the application of the intuitionistic fuzzy divergence measure in decision making and consequently choosing the best medicines and treatment for the patients has also been discussed. There are some diseases for which vaccine is not available. In that case, we have devised a method to choose the best treatment for the patients based on the results of clinical trials.
Numerical Research and Parametric Study on the Thermal Performance of a Vertical Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger System
Authors: Zhang Zhening , Sun Jindong , Zhang Zhenxing , Jia Xinxin , Liu Yang
Published: July 2021

The earth-to-air heat exchanger (EAHE) system, as a clean and efficient shallow geothermal energy application technology, has obvious effects in reducing the energy consumption of passive low-energy buildings. The traditional horizontal EAHE system is difficult to apply and popularize due to its large occupation, unfavorable shallow soil temperature, and difficulty in timely centralized discharge of condensed water. This paper proposes a new type of vertical earth-to-air heat exchanger (VEAHE) system. The VEAHE system has a number of advantages such as smaller occupation, efficient geothermal energy utilization, and centralized discharge of condensed water. In order to evaluate the influence of different parameters on the thermal performance of the VEAHE system, a mathematical model of the VEAHE system was developed. And, the data calculated by the model highly tallied with the experimental data. The results showed that laying thermal insulation layers at the outlet of risers will effectively restrain the interference of downcomers to risers. It is advisable to set thickness and length of the insulation layer at 30 mm and 3 m. Considering the compromise between thermal performance and construction costs of the VEAHE system, the length of the ducts at 30–50 m and the diameter at 150–250 mm are recommended. The air supply volume of a single shaft can reach 500–1200 m3/h as the air velocity reaches 3–7 m/s.
Supervariable and BRST Approaches to a Reparameterization Invariant Nonrelativistic System
Authors: Rao A. K. , Tripathi A. , Malik R. P.
Published: July 2021

We exploit the theoretical strength of the supervariable and Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalisms to derive the proper (i.e., off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting) (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for the reparameterization invariant model of a nonrelativistic (NR) free particle whose spacexand timetvariables are a function of an evolution parameterτ. The infinitesimal reparameterization (i.e., 1D diffeomorphism) symmetry transformation of our theory is defined w.r.t. this evolution parameterτ. We apply the modified Bonora-Tonin (BT) supervariable approach (MBTSA) as well as the (anti)chiral supervariable approach (ACSA) to BRST formalism to discuss various aspects of our present system. For this purpose, our 1D ordinary theory (parameterized byτ) is generalized onto a1,2-dimensional supermanifold which is characterized by the superspace coordinatesZM=τ,θ,θ¯where a pair of the Grassmannian variables satisfy the fermionic relationships:θ2=θ¯2=0,θ θ¯+θ¯ θ=0, andτis the bosonic evolution parameter. In the context of ACSA, we take into account only the1,1-dimensional (anti)chiral super submanifolds of the general1,2-dimensional supermanifold. The derivation of the universal Curci-Ferrari- (CF-) type restriction, from various underlying theoretical methods, is a novel observation in our present endeavor. Furthermore, we note that the form of the gauge-fixing and Faddeev-Popov ghost terms for our NR and non-SUSY system is exactly the same as that of the reparameterization invariant SUSY (i.e., spinning) and non-SUSY (i.e., scalar) relativistic particles. This is a novel observation, too.
Wood Species Recognition Based on Visible and Near-Infrared Spectral Analysis Using Fuzzy Reasoning and Decision-Level Fusion
Authors: Zhao Peng , Li Zhen-Yu , Wang Cheng-Kun
Published: July 2021

A novel wood species spectral classification scheme is proposed based on a fuzzy rule classifier. The visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectral reflectance curve of a wood sample’s cross section was captured using a USB 2000-VIS-NIR spectrometer and a FLAME-NIR spectrometer. First, the wood spectral curve—with spectral bands of 376.64–779.84 nm and 950–1650 nm—was processed using the principal component analysis (PCA) dimension reduction algorithm. The wood spectral data were divided into two datasets, namely, training and testing sets. The training set was used to generate the membership functions and the initial fuzzy rule set, with the fuzzy rule being adjusted to supplement and refine the classification rules to form a perfect fuzzy rule set. Second, a fuzzy classifier was applied to the VIS and NIR bands. An improved decision-level fusion scheme based on the Dempster–Shafer (D-S) evidential theory was proposed to further improve the accuracy of wood species recognition. The test results using the testing set indicated that the overall recognition accuracy (ORA) of our scheme reached 94.76% for 50 wood species, which is superior to that of conventional classification algorithms and recent state-of-the-art wood species classification schemes. This method can rapidly achieve good recognition results, especially using small datasets, owing to its low computational time and space complexity.
Hearing Screening Combined with Target Gene Panel Testing Increased Etiological Diagnostic Yield in Deaf Children
Authors: Xie Le , Qiu Yue , Jin Yuan , Xu Kai , Bai Xue , Liu Xiao-Zhou , Wang Xiao-Hui , Chen Sen , Sun Yu
Published: July 2021

Genetic testing is the gold standard for exploring the etiology of congenital hearing loss. Here, we enrolled 137 Chinese patients with congenital hearing loss to describe the molecular epidemiology by using 127 gene panel testing or 159 variant testing. Sixty-three deaf children received 127 gene panel testing, while seventy-four patients received 159 variant testing. By use of 127 gene panel testing, more mutant genes and variants were identified. The most frequent mutant genes were GJB2, SLC26A4, MYO15A, CDH23, and OTOF. By analyzing the patients who received 127 gene panel testing, we found that 51 deaf children carried variants which were not included in 159 variant testing. Therefore, a large number of patients would be misdiagnosed if only 159 variant testing is used. This study highlights the advantage of 127 gene panel testing, and it suggests that broader genetic testing should be done to identify the genetic etiology of congenital hearing loss.
Uplift Bearing Capacity of Transmission Tower Foundation in Reinforced Aeolian Sand Using Simplified Model Tests
Authors: Ding Shijun , Cheng Yongfeng , Zheng Hong , Xue Feng , Nie Zhibao , Man Yin
Published: July 2021

In order to analyze the uplift bearing capacity of transmission tower foundation in the geosythetic‐reinforced aeolian sand, a series of simplified indoor modeling tests are carried out. A simplified reduced‐scale foundation made according to the prototype and the uplift bearing capacity of transmission tower foundation in geosynthetic‐reinforced aeolian sand is studied. Three kinds of reinforcement materials are embedded in the sand according to five ways of layout spacing. A total of 15 reinforcement schemes are tested. The results show that ultimate uplift bearing capacity of transmission tower foundation can be significantly improved by the reinforcement treatment of geotechnical materials in the aeolian sand. The type and spacing of reinforced materials also have a significant influence on the uplift bearing capacity of the foundation model in reinforced aeolian sand, and the effect of reinforcement works until the end of the loading process. The comprehensive effect is evaluated by the ratio of bearing capacity improvement and the total layer of reinforced materials. Based on the above results, the bearing mechanism of transmission tower foundation in geosynthetic‐reinforced aeolian sand is elaborated and analyzed in detail.
Formulation, In Vitro Evaluation, and Toxicity Studies of A. vulgaris-co-AAm Carrier for Vildagliptin
Authors: Kausar Samia , Erum Alia , Tulain Ume Ruqia , Hussain Muhammad Ajaz , Farid-ul-Haq Muhammad , Malik Nadia Shamshad , Rashid Ayesha
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the use of Artemisia vulgaris L. seed mucilage as a new excipient for sustained delivery of Vildagliptin. Copolymeric carrier of A. vulgaris seed mucilage-co-AAm was devised by using acrylamide (AAm) as a monomer, methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker, and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator through free radical polymerization. Different formulations of A. vulgaris-co-AAm were devised by varying contents of polymer, monomer, crosslinking agent, initiator, and reaction temperature. Copolymeric structures were characterized through XRD analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TGA and DSC analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Porosity, gel fraction, and Vildagliptin loading capacity of copolymers were also established. Swelling and in vitro drug release studies were conducted. XRD evaluation showed the alteration of the crystalline structure of Vildagliptin into an amorphous form. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful grafting of AAm to A. vulgaris seed mucilage backbone. Porosity was increased with increasing polymer concentration and reaction temperature while it was decreased with an increasing amount of AAm, MBA, and KPS. Gel content was decreased with increasing polymer concentration and reaction temperature while it was increased with an increasing amount of AAm, MBA, and KPS. Acute oral toxicity of copolymeric network was done in animal models to evaluate the safety. Copolymers showed the same swelling behavior at all pH 1.2, 4.5, 6.8, and 7.4. Vildagliptin release from copolymer showed a cumulative trend by increasing polymer content and reaction temperature, while a declining trend was observed with increasing contents of monomer, crosslinking agent, and initiator. Sustained release of Vildagliptin was observed from copolymers and release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. From the acute oral toxicity studies, it is evident that newly synthesized copolymeric carriers are potentially safe for eyes, skin, and vital organs.
Mass Loss and Penetration Depth of Hypervelocity Projectiles
Authors: Xu Tianhan , Qiu Yanyu , Li Jie , Cheng Yihao , Chen Wei
Published: July 2021

Numerous investigations recorded a dramatic decrease in penetration depth at hypervelocity. The decrease is due to the severe mass loss of the projectile. The mechanics of mass loss are complicated, so the entirely theoretical model is still absent. In this paper, we derive a semitheoretical formula for mass loss by solving the equation of motion of the projectile during penetration. The result shows that the decrease in projectile mass at hypervelocity accords with the power law. Furthermore, we obtain a continuous formula for depth of penetration in the entire velocity domain. The theoretical results agree well with experimental data. The formula for the critical velocity of depth decreasing is also obtained as a by‐product of the solving procedure.
Bifidobacterium Longum: Protection against Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yao Shunyu , Zhao Zixi , Wang Weijun , Liu Xiaolu
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), increases gradually worldwide in the past decades. IBD is generally associated with the change of the immune system and gut microbiota, and the conventional treatments usually result in some side effects. Bifidobacterium longum, as colonizing bacteria in the intestine, has been demonstrated to be capable of relieving colitis in mice and can be employed as an alternative or auxiliary way for treating IBD. Here, the mechanisms of the Bifidobacterium longum in the treatment of IBD were summarized based on previous cell and animal studies and clinical trials testing bacterial therapies. This review will be served as a basis for future research on IBD treatment.
Association of Stillbirths with Maternal and Fetal Risk Factors in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Authors: Mali Rajshekher V. , Dalal Anita , Khursheed Romana , Gan Aditya
Published: July 2021

Background. Birth of a fetus with no signs of life after a predefined age of viability is a nightmare for the obstetrician. Stillbirth is a sensitive indicator of maternal care during the antepartum and intrapartum period. Though there has been a renewed global focus on stillbirth as a public health concern, the decline in stillbirth rate (SBR) has not been satisfactory across the nations, with a large number of stillbirths occurring in the low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Hence, the study was carried out to analyze maternal and fetal risk factors and their association with stillbirths in a tertiary care center in South India. Methods. This observational prospective study included pregnant women with stillbirth beyond 20 weeks of gestation or fetal weight more than 500 grams. Stillbirths were classified according to the simplified causes of death and associated conditions (CODAC) classification. Association between the risk factor and stillbirths was calculated with chi-square test and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results. There were 171 stillbirths (2.97%) among total 5755 births. The SBR was 29.71/1000 births. Risk factors such as preterm delivery (OR: 22.33, 95% CI: 15.35–32.50), anemia (OR: 21.87, 95% CI: 15.69–30.48), congenital malformation (OR: 11.24, 95% CI: 6.99–18.06), abruption (OR: 10.14, 95% CI: 6.43–15.97), oligohydramnios (OR: 4.88, 95% CI: 3.23–7.39), and hypertensive disorder (OR: 3.01, 95% CI: 2.03–4.46) were significantly associated with stillbirths. The proportion of intrapartum stillbirths was found to be 5 (3%) among the study population. Conclusion. Highest prevalent risk factors associated with stillbirth are anemia and prematurity. Intrapartum stillbirths can be reduced significantly through evidence-based clinical interventions and practices in resource-poor settings. There is a need to provide and assure access to specialized quality antenatal care to pregnant women to control the risk factors associated with stillbirths.
Investigating the Effect of Temperature Changes on the Physical Field of Surrounding Rock in a Deep Gold Mine
Authors: Wu Xinghui , Guo Qifeng , Li Peng , Ren Fenhua , Zhang Jie , Cai Meifeng
Published: July 2021

To explore the fracture mechanism of surrounding rock for thermal‐mechanical coupling in deep mining, the theoretical solution of the internal temperature and stress evolution of the underground chamber cold boundary subjected to cold impact was obtained by thermoelastic theory. The conduction law of temperature and the evolution characteristics of stress were studied by theoretical formulas, and the influence of the convective heat transfer coefficient on the rate of tensile stress reduction was analyzed. The results show that the theoretical solution is in good agreement with the field measured value, which proves that the theoretical calculation method adopted in this paper is reliable and accurate. When the surface of the underground chamber is impacted by the change of temperature, the cold boundary temperature drops sharply at first, then gradually slows down, and finally reaches the same temperature as the air; the tensile stress decreases sharply from the initial high‐stress value, then gradually decreases, and finally tends to be stable. The effects of different convective heat transfer coefficients on the change of temperature resistance of rocks were considered by numerical simulation. The numerical simulation results show that increasing the convective heat transfer coefficient not only increases the tensile stress of the heat transfer boundary but also increases the possibility of cracks, which makes the rock easier to crack. Based on the research results, we introduced the thermal‐mechanical coupling disturbance range coefficient β = L/2D (β = 6–8) and proposed that the convective heat transfer coefficient is the reference index of the deep mining support structure, which can provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the selection of support materials.
Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Antihypertensive Medication Reduction in Older Patients with Hypertension: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhao Ran , Yang Shengjie , Li Dan , Liu Longtao , Xing Yanwei , Wu Min
Published: July 2021

Background. Hypertension is a serious global public health problem, and its incidence increases with age. Research has suggested that multiple antihypertensive prescriptions may be harmful to older individuals with hypertension. Baduanjin, a widely practiced physical activity in China, has been used as an adjuvant therapy to antihypertensive treatment in older individuals with hypertension. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to investigate whether Baduanjin exercise could reduce the need for antihypertensive medications in older patients. Methods. This single-center, open, randomized controlled trial will be conducted in China. Seventy eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the 12-week Baduanjin exercise group or the 12-week aerobic exercise group (5 times a week), at a ratio of 1 : 1. The primary outcome will include the proportion of participants who reduce their antihypertensive medications. The secondary outcomes will include the changes in mean office systolic and diastolic pressure, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure, health-related quality of life (based on SF-36), and gut microbiota composition. Discussion. The results of this study will provide powerful evidence for the use of Baduanjin as an adjuvant therapy for antihypertensive medication reduction in older people with hypertension and therefore find the best treatment for hypertension. This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR1900024429).
Diversified Crop Rotation: An Approach for Sustainable Agriculture Production
Authors: Shah Kabita Kumari , Modi Bindu , Pandey Hari Prasad , Subedi Arjun , Aryal Geeta , Pandey Meena , Shrestha Jiban
Published: July 2021

Diversified crop rotation (DCR) improves the efficiency of farming systems all over the world. It has the potentiality to improve soil condition and boost system productivity. Improved soil attributes such as increased soil water uptake and storage, and a greater number of beneficial soil organisms, may improve yield tolerance to drought and other hard growing conditions in a variety of crop rotations. Crop rotations with a variety of crops benefit the farmers,reduce production risk and uncertainty, and enhance soil and ecological sustainability. Farmers may be able to diversify their sources of income by adopting diversified crop rotations. Furthermore, because of the distinct structure, function, and relationship of plant community with soil in DCR, it contributes to the long-term development of soil health by decreasing insect, weed, and disease incidence and increasing the physical and chemical structure of the soil. DCR is becoming more popular approach for maintaining sustainable crop production. This review provides the evidence of the significance of DCR, challenges to adapt it, and possible way out to overcome the challenges.
Association of Antibiotics and Other Drugs with Clinical Outcomes in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immunotherapy
Authors: Angrish Manish D. , Agha Arun , Pezo Rossanna C.
Published: July 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have improved survival in many advanced cancers including advanced melanoma, renal cell, urothelial, and non-small-cell lung cancers. However, not all patients respond, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are common. Commensal gut bacteria may serve as an immunoregulatory link-mediating ICI response and toxicity. Recent studies have shown that a lack of bacterial diversity, known as gut dysbiosis, can have an adverse impact on patients’ response to ICIs and predispose to the development of irAEs. Data were collected from 167 patients with metastatic melanoma who received antibiotics within 30 days prior to and/or after initiation of ICI and patients who received NSAIDs, statins, steroids, or proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) within 30 days prior to ICI initiation. The primary outcome was time-to-discontinuation (TTD) of ICI therapy, measured from the date of ICI initiation to the last treatment date. The secondary outcome of interest was toxicity, with incidence of irAEs graded as per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5.0. Here, we demonstrate that individuals who received antibiotics had a significantly shorter time-to-discontinuation (TTD) of the ICI therapy as opposed those who were not administered antibiotics. Consistent with results from previous research, we propose that antibiotics have a negative effect on a patient’s response to ICI therapy, most likely due to the result of gut dysbiosis, and should be critically assessed in terms of their use in patients undergoing ICI treatment.
Mineral Content, Chemical Analysis, In Vitro Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activities, and Antibacterial Power of Aqueous and Organic Extracts of Moroccan Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl. Bulbs
Authors: Boulfia Mohamed , Lamchouri Fatima , Senhaji Souad , Lachkar Nacima , Bouabid Khadija , Toufik Hamid
Published: July 2021

Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals or bionutrients. Studies carried out during the past few decades have shown that these phytochemicals play an important role in preventing metabolic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The present study was dedicated to the analysis of mineral and chemical composition and evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of aqueous and organic extracts of Leopoldia comosa, a plant with a long history of therapeutic and food use. Mineral content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Chemical composition was carried out by extraction of essential oils, preparation of aqueous and organic extracts, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. The biological study consisted of the evaluation of antidiabetic activity by inhibition of three enzymes, antioxidant activity by five tests, and antibacterial activity by the disc diffusion method. The correlation between chemical composition and antidiabetic and antioxidant properties was explored by PCA. The results showed that L. comosa contains high levels of Fe, K, P, Na, Cu, Mg, and Ca with values, respectively, in the order of 33552, 1843.14, 756.36, 439.65, 303.9, 272.37, and 20.55 mg/kg. Quantitative analysis showed that the diethyl ether extract had the highest content of polyphenols (129.75 ± 0.29 µg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (988.26 ± 0.18 µg QE/mg E), and tannins (30.22 ± 0.15 µg CE/mg E). All extracts of L. comosa possess inhibitory activity of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-galactosidase enzymes, mainly the decocted and the acetone extract. The antioxidant results showed that organic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts especially diethyl ether extract which was similarly found to have an antibacterial effect on Listeria innocua and Proteus mirabilis. PCA allowed us to deduce that phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins are strongly correlated with antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. L. comosa may have potential remedy in the prevention of metabolic disease.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Single Machine Learning Models: A Case Study from Pithoragarh District, India
Authors: Ngo Trinh Quoc , Dam Nguyen Duc , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Amiri Mahdis , Phong Tran Van , Prakash Indra , Le Hiep Van , Nguyen Hanh Bich Thi , Pham Binh Thai
Published: July 2021

Landslides are one of the most devastating natural hazards causing huge loss of life and damage to properties and infrastructures and adversely affecting the socioeconomy of the country. Landslides occur in hilly and mountainous areas all over the world. Single, ensemble, and hybrid machine learning (ML) models have been used in landslide studies for better landslide susceptibility mapping and risk management. In the present study, we have used three single ML models, namely, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), logistic regression (LR), and radial basis function network (RBFN), for landslide susceptibility mapping at Pithoragarh district, as these models are easy to apply and so far they have not been used for landslide study in this area. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of these single models for correctly identifying landslide susceptible zones for their further application in other areas. For this, ten important landslide affecting factors, namely, slope, aspect, curvature, elevation, land cover, lithology, geomorphology, distance to rivers, distance to roads, and overburden depth based on the local geoenvironmental conditions, were considered for the modeling. Landslide inventory of past 398 landslide events was used in the development of models. The data of past landslide events (locations) was randomly divided into a 70/30 ratio for training (70%) and validation (30%) of the models. Standard statistical measures, namely, accuracy (ACC), specificity (SPF), sensitivity (SST), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Kappa, root mean square error (RMSE), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), were used to evaluate the performance of the models. Results indicated that the performance of all the models is very good (AUC > 0.90) and that of the LR model is the best (AUC = 0.926). Therefore, these single ML models can be used for the development of accurate landslide susceptibility maps. Our study demonstrated that the single models which are easy to use and can compete with the complex ensemble/hybrid models can be applied for landslide susceptibility mapping in landslide‐prone areas.
Synthesis, Identification, and Biological Study for Some Complexes of Azo Dye Having Theophylline
Authors: Mohammed Hasan
Published: July 2021

This article includes the synthesis of heterocyclic azo dye of theophylline by coupling diazonium salt of 4-chloroaniline with theophylline which is, namely, 8-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)azo)theophylline (CPAT). The complexes of cobalt and nickel were prepared by reacting their ions with CPAT ligand in ethanol under 1 : 2 ratio metal-ligand. The CPAT ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, molar conductivity, and magnetic moment. The cobalt and nickel complexes show octahedral geometry having general formula [M(CPAT)2Cl2]. This article addresses the properties of CPAT dye such as photochromic properties. The CPAT dye exhibited obvious and desired changes under irradiation with visible light (405 nm), high sensitive for pH changes which refer to its ability to be analysis indicator. CPAT dye exhibited solvatochromic properties presenting red shift with polar solvent. The CPAT and its complexes show interesting antibiological activities towards Staph. aureus and E. coli bacteria and Aspergillus fungi.
Dielectric Properties of ZnO-Based Nanocomposites and Their Potential Applications
Authors: Kaur Daljeet , Bharti Amardeep , Sharma Tripti , Madhu Charu
Published: July 2021

Energy storage devices constitute one of the research areas in recent years. Capacitors are commonly used for the storage of electrical energy. The current research is focusing on not only the improvement in energy density but also the materials which are environment friendly. Polymer composites are known to be technically essential materials owing to their wide range of applications. Enormous research has been devoted to zinc oxide- (ZnO-) based polymer nanocomposites, due to their extraordinary dielectric properties. This review article presents a detailed study of the dielectric properties of ZnO-based nanocomposites. The dielectric constant study includes the effect of transition metals and rare earth metals as a dopant in ZnO. This review gives an insight into the mechanism responsible for the variation of dielectric constant in ZnO nanocomposites due to various factors like size of nanoparticles, thickness of the thin film, operating frequency, doping concentration, and atomic number. The observations have been summarized to convey the mechanism and structural changes involved in the ZnO nanocomposites to the researchers. The deployment of biodegradable nanocomposite materials is expected to open an innovative way for their outstanding electronic applications as storage materials.
Prediction of Drought Severity Using Model-Based Clustering
Authors: Niaz Rizwan , Hussain Ijaz , Zhang Xiang , Ali Zulfiqar , Elashkar Elsayed Elsherbini , Khader Jameel Ahmad , Soudagar Sadaf Shamshoddin , Shoukry Alaa Mohamd
Published: July 2021

Drought is a common climatic extreme that frequently spreads across large spatial and time scales. It affects living standard of people throughout the globe more than any other climate extreme. Therefore, the present study proposed a new technique, known as model-based clustering of categorical drought states sequences (MBCCDSS), for monthly prediction of drought severity to timely inform decision-makers to anticipate reliable actions and plans to minimize the negative impacts of drought. The potential of the proposed technique is based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for finite mixtures with first-order Markov model components. Moreover, the proposed approach is validated on six meteorological stations in the northern area of Pakistan. The study outcomes provide the basis to explore and frame more essential assessments to mitigate drought impacts for the selected stations.
Gradient Descent Optimization in Deep Learning Model Training Based on Multistage and Method Combination Strategy
Authors: Zhang Chuanlei , Yao Minda , Chen Wei , Zhang Shanwen , Chen Dufeng , Wu Yuliang
Published: July 2021

Gradient descent is the core and foundation of neural networks, and gradient descent optimization heuristics have greatly accelerated progress in deep learning. Although these methods are simple and effective, how they work remains unknown. Gradient descent optimization in deep learning has become a hot research topic. Some research efforts have tried to combine multiple methods to assist network training, but these methods seem to be more empirical, without theoretical guides. In this paper, a framework is proposed to illustrate the principle of combining different gradient descent optimization methods by analyzing several adaptive methods and other learning rate methods. Furthermore, inspired by the principle of warmup, CLR, and SGDR, the concept of multistage is introduced into the field of gradient descent optimization, and a gradient descent optimization strategy in deep learning model training based on multistage and method combination strategy is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is verified on the massive deep learning network training experiments.
Patterns of Perioperative Treatment and Survival of Localized, Resected, Intermediate- or High-Grade Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A 2000–2017 Netherlands Cancer Registry Database Analysis
Authors: Van Meekeren Milan , Fiocco Marta , Ho Vincent K. Y. , Bovée Judith V. M. G. , Gelderblom Hans , Haas Rick L.
Published: July 2021

Background. Standard therapy for localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is wide, limb-sparing resection. For intermediate- or high-grade tumors, (neo)adjuvant therapies are frequently added to the treatment plan. In this study, data from a Dutch nationwide database are used to (1) assess whether perioperative management of STS follows ESMO guidelines, (2) characterize prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), and (3) assess the association between perioperative treatment and survival. Methods. All intermediate- or high-grade, localized STS cases, who have undergone surgery and diagnosed between 2000 and 2017, were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) database. Variables with demographic, treatment, and survival data were obtained. Survival curves were estimated by Kaplan–Meier’s method, and the effect of prognostic factors on OS was assessed in a multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results. A total of 4957 patients were identified. There were slightly more males (54.7%). Median age at diagnosis was 64 years, and 53.6% of the tumors were located in the extremities. Radiotherapy (RT) was administered to 2481 (50.1%) patients, and 252 (5.1%) patients were treated with perioperative systemic chemotherapy. The total use of perioperative RT did not significantly change in the last 20 years, but the timing followed clinical guidelines: preoperative RT increased significantly (2000–2008: 3.7%, 2009–2017: 22.3%;

p
<
0.001

), whereas the use of postoperative RT diminished (2000–2008: 45.9%, 2009–2017: 26.1%;

p
<
0.001

). The use of perioperative chemotherapy slightly decreased (2000–2008: 5.9%, 2009–2017: 4.4%; p = 0.015). 5-year OS was 59.6% (95% CI: 58.2–61.0). Sex, age, year of diagnosis, tumor location, tumor size, histological grade, depth, histological subtype, surgical margins, and the use of perioperative RT were identified as independent predictors for OS. Conclusion. Preoperative RT is gradually replacing postoperative RT for localized STS in the Netherlands. The use of perioperative chemotherapy is rare and has slightly decreased in recent years. Identified baseline characteristics and treatment factors predicting OS may aid in future treatment decisions.
Localization Tools in General Purpose Game Engines: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Toftedahl Marcus
Published: July 2021

This paper addresses localization from a game development perspective by studying the state of tool support for a localization work in general purpose game engines. Using a systematic mapping study, the most commonly used game engines and their official tool libraries are studied. The results indicate that even though localization tools exists for the game engines included in the study, the visibility, availability, and functionality differ. Localization tools that are user facing, i.e., used to create localization, are scarce while many are tool facing, i.e., used to import localization kits made outside the production pipeline.