bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Error modeling of Doppler velocity logs using a point-based scattering model
Authors: Purviance Joshua , Blanford Thomas E. , Brown Daniel C.
Published: May 2022

As Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) systems become smaller, cheaper, and increasingly capable, they are becoming standard options on even low-end undersea vehicles. DVLs are the principal sensor that provide ground-referenced velocity measurements to compensate for the bias and drift errors found in inertial navigation systems. Therefore, DVLs fill an essential role in achieving an accurate navigation solution for unmanned undersea vehicles. Although there are many modeling and simulation techniques for comparing a fused-sensor inertial navigation solution to earth-reference, there is a sparsity in the literature for models and simulation environments that are suited for estimating the performance of a standalone DVL system. A practical model must incorporate sufficient environmental fidelity so as to match with empirical results, while still remaining computationally efficient. The point-based scattering model described by Brown et al. [JASA Elect. Lett. i(2017)] may be a useful tool for modeling DVL performance. The implemented model incorporates seafloor roughness, scatterer density, textures, and is well-suited for integration into Monte Carlo simulations. This presentation will compare the DVL performance predicted by this point-based scattering model to several other error models and discuss the utility for predicting performance in natural marine environments.
Analysis of split-beam spatial coherence statistics for discerning compact from non-compact littoral sonar clutter
Authors: Smith Chad M. , Brown Daniel C. , Lyons Anthony P. , Gabrielson Thomas
Published: May 2022

Active sonar systems operating in the littoral environment are often reverberation-limited, which impacts detection performance by reducing the effective signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, irregularities in the environment lead to excessive false alarms commonly referred to as sonar clutter. Clutter is found in all environments, but shallow-water littoral regions have been observed to be especially challenging. The irregularities that cause sonar clutter can have spatial scales ranging from much smaller to much greater than the dimensions of the sonar resolution cell. This talk will discuss physical interpretation and experimental assessment of signal statistics related to the transverse horizontal spatial coherence of reverberation estimated via split-beam processed data obtained from a line array. Multiple boundary interaction in shallow water depths and spatial variability randomize reverberation and may allow the use of Gaussian noise models. While match-filtered signal intensity is an optimal detection statistic in a Gaussian noise environment, spatial reverberation coherence statistics may provide complimentary information of the spatial scale of clutter features relative to the width of the beampattern. It is found these statistics may be used to help discern clutter types that are spatially compact from those that are non-compact when compared to the width of the sonar resolution cell.
Using the coherence of the frequency-difference autoproduct to facilitate rough surface information identification
Authors: Joslyn Nicholas J. , Dahl Peter H. , Dowling David R.
Published: May 2022

Acoustic waves, with wavenumber k and incidence angle θ, forward scattered from a randomly rough surface, with root-mean-square roughness height h, lose coherence with the incident field as khcosθ increases. Recovering reflected field-coherence is possible via the frequency-difference autoproduct, a quadratic product of complex field amplitudes at nearby frequencies within the signal bandwidth. By downshifting recorded frequencies, the apparent roughness of a surface is reduced and coherence can be regained. An additional consideration exists, however, as the nonlinearity of the frequency-difference autoproduct introduces a significant dependence on the surface autocorrelation function, and consequently, the surface power spectrum by Fourier transform. The relationship between coherence recovery, surface autocorrelation function, and surface power spectrum is discussed and results are shown. Furthermore, this presentation investigates the potential utility afforded by these relationships for environmental characterization in rough surface scattering. By employing coherence-based frequency-difference autoproduct methods, remote identification of the spectral content, lateral statistics, and vertical statistics of a rough surface are explored. The work uses acoustic data collected at sea during SW06 (off New Jersey, depth 80 m), where the geometry, signal bandwidth, and anisotropic ocean surface conditions put khcosθ > 2.5. [Work supported by ONR and by the US DoD through an NDSEG Fellowship.]
The frame synchronization robust to low signal power in underwater acoustic communications
Authors: Yang Kyeong pil , KIM SEUNGHWAN , Kim Wan-Jin , Ko Seokjun
Published: May 2022

In underwater acoustic communications, it is difficult to find the starting time of received signals because of noise, multipath, transmission time delay, and Doppler frequency. In this paper, we solve the problem by using 2-STEP frame synchronization in the receiver. The transmitted signal is modulated by using burst PSK. The frame is composed of preamble of PN code and random data. The 2-STEP frame synchronization consist of non-coherent correlation, sliding FFT, and coherent correlation. First, in the STEP 1, the non-coherent correlation and sliding FFT are simultaneously performed to obtain an approximate start time of a frame in time domain and a Doppler frequency in frequency domain. However, through the results of the marine experiments, we can see that it is difficult to guarantee the starting time point in STEP 1 when the received signal power is weak and there is high Doppler frequency. Therefore, in the STEP 2, we use the coherent correlation to get more accurate start time stably after compensating the Doppler frequency of FFT in STEP 1. Finally, we can assure that the performance of the proposed 2-STEP frame synchronization is robust to low power of received signal and high Doppler frequency through marine experiments.
Long-range underwater acoustic communication of M-eyry spread spectrum with cyclic prefix
Authors: Ra Hyung-In , Youn Chang-Hyun , Kim Ki-Man , Kim In-Soo
Published: May 2022

The Spread Spectrum is an effective transmission method for complex channels in underwater acoustic (UWA) communication because of the high correlation of pseudo-random noise (PN) sequence. In particular, the spread spectrum method is effective in an environment with a low signal-to-noise ratio. The bandwidth of UWA communication channel is limited due to the fact that sound wave attenuation in water is positively associated with frequency. The limited bandwidth directly leads to the low data rate of conventional direct-sequence spread spectrum UWA communication. M-ary spread spectrum (MSS) schemes using multiple orthogonal PN sequences were proposed as a solution to this problem. However, even in the MSS method, the performance may be limited by the delay spread characteristics in the multipath propagation channels. We propose a more robust communication method in the UWA channel by including Cyclic Prefix (CP) to achieve a more robust performance in the multipath channel. In the proposed method, a CP is inserted for every symbol. In the 160 km long-range UWA communication experiment conducted in the East Sea, the proposed method showed more reliable results than the conventional MSS method. [Work supported by the Agency for Defense Development, South Korea, Grant No. UD200010DD.]
Comparison of activPAL and Actiwatch for Estimations of Time in Bed in Free-Living Adults
Authors: Hidde Mary C. , Lyden Kate , Broussard Josiane L. , Henry Kim L. , Sharp Julia L. , Thomas Elizabeth A. , Rynders Corey A. , Leach Heather J.
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Patterns of physical activity (PA) and time in bed (TIB) across the 24-hr cycle have important implications for many health outcomes; therefore, wearable accelerometers are often implemented in behavioral research to measure free-living PA and TIB. Two accelerometers, the activPAL and Actiwatch, are common accelerometers for measuring PA (activPAL) and TIB (Actiwatch), respectively. Both accelerometers have the capacity to measure TIB, but the degree to which these accelerometers agree is not clear. Therefore, this study compared estimates of TIB between activPAL and the Actiwatch accelerometers. Methods: Participants (mean ± SDage = 39.8 ± 7.6 years) with overweight or obesity (N = 83) wore an activPAL and Actiwatch continuously for 7 days, 24 hr per day. TIB was assessed using manufacturer-specific algorithms. Repeated-measures mixed-effect models and Bland–Altman plots were used to compare the activPAL and Actiwatch TIB estimates. Results: Statistical differences between TIB assessed by activPAL versus Actiwatch (p < .001) were observed. There was not a significant interaction between accelerometer and day of wear (p = .87). The difference in TIB between accelerometers ranged from −72.9 ± 15.7 min (Day 7) to −98.6 ± 14.5 min (Day 3), with the Actiwatch consistently estimating longer TIB compared with the activPAL. Conclusion: Data generated by the activPAL and Actiwatch accelerometers resulted in divergent estimates of TIB. Future studies should continue to explore the validity of activity monitoring accelerometers for estimating TIB.
Energy Costs of Household and Eldercare Activities in Young to Middle-Aged Chinese Adults
Authors: Li Yiyan , Liu Jiajia , Quan Minghui , Zhuang Jie , Cao Zhen-Bo , Zhu Zheng , Li Yongming , Herrmann Stephen D. , Ainsworth Barbara E.
Published: May 2022

Background: The 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities provides metabolic equivalent (MET) values for household and eldercare activities (physical activities [PAs]). METs are from published studies, estimated if values are not published, or combined with other PAs with different METs in a single entry. Some PAs are missing from the Compendium. This study measures the energy costs for 15 household and eldercare PAs with estimated METs, PAs in combined entries, and new PAs. Methods: Participants were 30 adults (14 males and 16 females), ages 22–58 years (33.7 [11.2] y). PAs were measured in a laboratory for 8 minutes with a 4-minute rest between PAs. A portable indirect calorimeter measured oxygen uptake (in milliliters per kilogram per minute). Standard METs were computed as activity VO2/3.5 mL·kg−1·min−1. Results: Cooking, meal tasks, laundry, light cleaning, and watering plants ranged from 1.8 to 2.3 METs. Sweeping, walking, and carrying groceries and boxes on the ground and stairs ranged from 3.0 to 5.5 METs. Eldercare ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 METs. Measured METs differed from estimated values by ±0.3 to 2.2 METs. Most measured METs were lower than estimated METs. Conclusion: Updating estimated METs with measured values and separating PAs from combined entries increases the accuracy of household and eldercare PAs presented in the Compendium.
Biliverdin reductase bridges focal adhesion kinase to Src to modulate synaptic signaling
Authors: Vasavda Chirag , Semenza Evan R. , Liew Jason , Kothari Ruchita , Dhindsa Ryan S. , Shanmukha Shruthi , Lin Anthony , Tokhunts Robert , Ricco Cristina , Snowman Adele M. , Albacarys Lauren , Pastore Francesco , Ripoli Cristian , Grassi Claudio , Barone Eugenio , Kornberg Michael D. , Dong Xinzhong , Paul Bindu D. , Snyder Solomon H.
Published: May 2022

Synapses connect discrete neurons into vast networks that send, receive, and encode diverse forms of information. Synaptic function and plasticity, the neuronal process of adapting to diverse and variable inputs, depend on the dynamic nature of synaptic molecular components, which is mediated in part by cell adhesion signaling pathways. Here, we found that the enzyme biliverdin reductase (BVR) physically links together key focal adhesion signaling molecules at the synapse.
BVR
-null (

BVR
−/−

) mice exhibited substantial deficits in learning and memory on neurocognitive tests, and hippocampal slices in which BVR was postsynaptically depleted showed deficits in electrophysiological responses to stimuli. RNA sequencing, biochemistry, and pathway analyses suggested that these deficits were mediated through the loss of focal adhesion signaling at both the transcriptional and biochemical level in the hippocampus. Independently of its catalytic function, BVR acted as a bridge between the primary focal adhesion signaling kinases FAK and Pyk2 and the effector kinase Src. Without BVR, FAK and Pyk2 did not bind to and stimulate Src, which then did not phosphorylate the
N
-methyl-
d
-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a critical posttranslational modification for synaptic plasticity. Src itself is a molecular hub on which many signaling pathways converge to stimulate NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission, thus positioning BVR at a prominent intersection of synaptic signaling.
Circulation of
Streptococcus agalactiae
ST103 in a Free Stall Italian Dairy Farm
Authors: Barsi Filippo , Carra Elena , Ricchi Matteo , Gnali Gisella , Pisoni Giuliano , Russo Simone , Filippi Anita , Arrigoni Norma , Zadoks Ruth N. , Garbarino Chiara
Published: May 2022

Streptococcus agalactiae
is an important pathogen in humans and cattle. Bovine mastitis caused by this bacterium and its control are generally associated with contagious transmission between animals.
Substitutions in Nef That Uncouple Tetherin and SERINC5 Antagonism Impair Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in Primary Rhesus Macaque Lymphocytes
Authors: Janaka Sanath Kumar , Snow Brian J. , Behrens Ryan T. , Evans David T.
Published: May 2022

Tetherin is an interferon-inducible transmembrane protein that prevents the detachment of enveloped viruses from infected cells by physically tethering nascent virions to cellular membranes. SIV Nef downmodulates simian tetherin to overcome this restriction in nonhuman primate hosts.
Vertical HIV-1 Transmission in the Setting of Maternal Broad and Potent Antibody Responses
Authors: Tu Joshua J. , Kumar Amit , Giorgi Elena E. , Eudailey Joshua , LaBranche Celia C. , Martinez David R. , Fouda Genevieve G. , Moreau Yvetane , Thomas Allison , Montefiori David , Gao Feng , Sagar Manish , Permar Sallie R.
Published: May 2022

As mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV plays a major part in the persistence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and bnAb-based passive and active vaccines are a primary strategy for HIV prevention, research in this field is of great importance. While previous MTCT research has investigated the neutralizing antibody activity of HIV-infected women, this is, to our knowledge, the largest study identifying differences in bnAb specificity of maternal plasma between transmitting and nontransmitting women.
Activities and Structure-Function Analysis of Fission Yeast Inositol Pyrophosphate (IPP) Kinase-Pyrophosphatase Asp1 and Its Impact on Regulation of
pho1
Gene Expression
Authors: Benjamin Bradley , Garg Angad , Jork Nikolaus , Jessen Henning J. , Schwer Beate , Shuman Stewart
Published: May 2022

Expression of the fission yeast phosphate regulon is sensitive to the intracellular level of the inositol pyrophosphate (IPP) signaling molecule 1,5-IP
8
. IP
8
dynamics are determined by Asp1, a bifunctional enzyme comprising N-terminal IPP 1-kinase and C-terminal IPP 1-pyrophosphatase domains that catalyze IP
8
synthesis and catabolism, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequence of Enterobacter Phage vB_EcRAM-01, a New
Pseudotevenvirus
against the Enterobacter cloacae Complex
Authors: Victoria-Blanco Ednner E. , González-Gómez Jean Pierre , Quiroz Evelia , Martínez Alexander A. , González Claudia , Castro del Campo Nohelia , Chaidez-Quiroz Cristóbal , Querol-Audi Jordi , Martínez-Torres Alex Omar
Published: May 2022

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of
Enterobacter
phage vB_EcRAM-01, isolated from waters of the Río Abajo river, in Panama City, Panama. This phage has deployed lytic activity against the
Enterobacter cloacae
complex, a pathogen of clinical importance in intensive care units. It belongs to the
Myoviridae
family and has a double-stranded DNA genome that is 178,477 bp long and contains 293 open reading frames (ORFs).
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Closely Related Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans Strains
Authors: El-Sabeh Amada , Honceriu Iasmina , Kallabi Fakhri , Boiangiu Razvan-Stefan , Mihasan Marius
Published: May 2022

Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans
is a soil bacterium that uses the pyridine pathway to degrade nicotine. The genome of strain ATCC 49919 is composed of a ~4.3-Mbp chromosome and a ~165-kbp plasmid. The second strain, termed here
nic-
, is a cured derivative lacking the plasmid and not able to degrade nicotine.
Development of Low-Molecular-Weight Allosteric Agonist of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor with Thyroidogenic Activity
Authors: Bakhtyukov A. A. , Derkach K. V. , Fokina E. A. , Sorokoumov V. N. , Zakharova I. O. , Bayunova L. V. , Shpakov A. O.
Published: May 2022

To normalize the thyroid status in hypothyroidism caused by resistance to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), low-molecular-weight allosteric agonists of TSH receptor can be used. A new compound ethyl-2-(4-(4-(5-amino-6-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-2-(methylthio)thieno[2,3-d]-pyrimidine-4-yl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) acetate (TPY3m), which stimulated the production of thyroxine when administered to rats (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and also increased the expression of thyroidogenic genes in the cultured FRTL-5 thyrocytes (30 μM) and the rat thyroid gland. The in vitro and in vivo treatment with TPY3m did not lead to a decrease in the expression of the TSH receptor gene in thyrocytes, restoring it under the conditions of receptor hyperactivation by the hormone. This determines the retaining and, in some cases, potentiation of the thyroidogenic effects of TSH (FRTL-5) or thyroliberin (rats) when they are coadministered with TPY3m. TPY3m is a prototype drug for correcting thyroid system functions in subclinical hypothyroidism.
OPTIMUM study protocol: an adaptive randomised controlled trial of a mixed whole-cell/acellular pertussis vaccine schedule
Authors: Perez Chacon Gladymar , Estcourt Marie J , Totterdell James , Campbell Dianne E , Perrett Kirsten P , Marsh Julie A , Richmond Peter C , Wood Nicholas , Gold Michael S , Holt Patrick G , Waddington Claire S , Snelling Thomas L
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Combination vaccines containing whole-cell pertussis antigens were phased out from the Australian national immunisation programme between 1997 and 1999 and replaced by the less reactogenic acellular pertussis (aP) antigens. In a large case–control study of Australian children born during the transition period, those with allergist diagnosed IgE-mediated food allergy were less likely to have received whole-cell vaccine in early infancy than matched population controls (OR: 0.77 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.95)). We hypothesise that a single dose of whole-cell vaccine in early infancy is protective against IgE-mediated food allergy.

Methods and analysis

This adaptive double-blind randomised controlled trial is investigating whether a mixed whole-cell/aP vaccine schedule prevents allergic disease in the first year of life. The primary outcome is IgE-mediated food allergy by 12 months of age. Secondary outcomes include new onset of atopic dermatitis by 6 or 12 months of age; sensitisation to at least one allergen by 12 months of age; seroconversion in anti-pertussis toxin IgG titres after vaccination with aP booster at 18 months of age; and solicited systemic and local adverse events following immunisation with pertussis-containing vaccines. Analyses will be performed using a Bayesian group sequential design.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Child and Adolescent Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee, Perth, Western Australia (RGS 00019). The investigators will ensure that this trial is conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and with the International Conference on Harmonisation Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Individual consent will be requested. Parents will be reimbursed reasonable travel and parking costs to attend the study visits. The dissemination of these research findings will follow the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Open Access Policy.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12617000065392p.
Cannabis, cannabinoids, and cannabis-based medicines: future research directions for analgesia
Authors: Badiola Ignacio , Doshi Amit , Narouze Samer
Published: May 2022

The use of cannabis spans thousands of years and encompasses almost all dimensions of the human experience, including consumption for recreational, religious, social, and medicinal purposes. Its use in the management of pain has been anecdotally described for millennia. However, an evidence base has only developed over the last 100 years, with an explosion in research occurring in the last 20–30 years, as more states in the USA as well as countries worldwide have legalized and encouraged its use in pain management. Pain remains one of the most common reasons for individuals deciding to use cannabis medicinally. However, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level in the USA and in most countries of the world, making it difficult to advance quality research on its efficacy for pain treatment. Nonetheless, new products derived both from the cannabis plant and the chemistry laboratory are being developed for use as analgesics. This review examines the current landscape of cannabinoids research and future research directions in the management of pain.
Autoantibodies against specific post-translationally modified proteins are present in patients with lupus and associate with major neuropsychiatric manifestations
Authors: Monahan Rory C , van den Beukel Michelle D , Borggreven Nicole V , Fronczek Rolf , Huizinga Tom W J , Kloppenburg Margreet , Steup-Beekman Gerda M , Trouw Leendert A
Published: May 2022

Background

Although autoantibodies are an important hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), most are not specific for SLE or any of its clinical manifestations. Autoantibodies against post-translationally modified (PTM) proteins have been studied extensively in rheumatoid arthritis and associate with disease progression. While PTMs have also been detected in patients with SLE, studies on anti-PTM antibodies remain scarce. We studied the presence of anti-PTM antibodies in SLE and neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), a manifestation that lacks serological markers.

Methods

IgG antibody responses against six PTMs (malondialdehyde–acetaldehyde adducts (MAA), advanced glycation end-products (AGE), carbamylation (CarP), citrullination, acetylation and nitration) were tested using ELISA in sera of 349 patients with SLE (mean age 44±13 years; 87% female) and compared with 108 healthy controls. Levels and positivity were correlated with clinical features and SLE manifestations.

Results

Anti-MAA, anti-AGE and anti-CarP antibodies were more prevalent in SLE compared with controls (MAA: 29% vs 3%, AGE: 18% vs 4%, CarP: 14% vs 5%, all p≤0.0001). Anti-MAA and anti-AGE antibodies correlated with clinical manifestations and serological inflammatory markers. Patients with major NPSLE showed higher positivity of anti-MAA (39% vs 24%, p=0.01) and anti-CarP antibodies (20% vs 11%, p=0.04) than patients without major NPSLE. In addition, anti-PTM antibody levels correlated with brain volumes, an objective measure of nervous system involvement.

Conclusions

In our NPSLE cohort, a subset of patients with SLE have anti-PTM antibodies against MAA, AGE and CarP modified proteins. Interestingly, anti-MAA and anti-CarP were more prevalent in NPSLE, a manifestation for which no biomarkers exist.
Photoelectric properties of TlGaxIn1−xSe2 (x = 0 − 1) single crystals
Authors: Gojayev E. M. , Mammadova G. N. , Rehimov R. S. , Aliyeva P. F.
Published: May 2022

This work presents the results of a study of the photoelectric properties of single crystals of the TlGa[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]Se2 system of solid solutions based on TlInSe2 with high photo and tensile sensitivity and switching properties with memory and TlGaSe2 with high photosensitivity in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. Single crystals of the above alloys were grown by the Bridgman–Stockbarger methods. Investigated alloys correspond in [Formula: see text], 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 compounds. It was revealed that these alloys are photosensitive materials, and with a decrease in [Formula: see text] from 1 to 0, a shift of the spectral characteristic maxima from 0.57[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m to 1.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m is observed. The specific resistance at 77–300 K and the bandgap of the investigated phases have been determined. It was found that with an increase in the content of Ga in the composition of solid solutions, the bandgap increases from 1.23 eV to 2.15 eV.
Reconstruction of bionic models and nanomechanical behavior of dragonfly membranous wings
Authors: Zhao Yanru , Yang Huimeng , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Geng
Published: May 2022

Dragonflies fly in flapping wing flight, bearing a variety of variable forces during flight. To comprehend and study from the biological system and then carry out technological innovation, the characteristic point cloud data of dragonfly wings were obtained and the 3D geometric models were reconstructed. The biomechanical characteristics of Costa, Radius and Postal veins of the wings were examined by a nanoindenter. It was shown that the reduced modulus and nanohardness of Radius of dragonfly forewings and hindwings are large. The maximum reduced modulus and nanohardness of Costa, Radius and Postal veins of hindwings appear at the place 0.7L of dragonfly wings. The biomechanical characteristics of dragonfly wings were researched and then the deformations and stresses of the bionic models under the uniform load were investigated. It was shown that the dragonfly wings are less deformed under the uniform load and the chief veins have stronger stability and bearing capacity. The combinations of the main veins and branch veins can improve the overall strength and load-bearing capacity of dragonfly wings. It tries to explore the structural models of imitating dragonfly wings with good load-bearing capacity and, then, were used to guide the plan and manufacturing of thin film and offer novel ideas and methods for the study of thin film.
Indecomposability of top local cohomology modules and connectedness of the prime divisors graphs
Authors: Doustimehr Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2022

Let [Formula: see text] be an ideal of a Noetherian local ring [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be a positive integer. In this paper, it is shown that the top local cohomology module [Formula: see text] (equivalently, its Matlis dual [Formula: see text]) can be written as a direct sum of [Formula: see text] indecomposable summands if and only if the endomorphism ring [Formula: see text] can be written as a direct product of [Formula: see text] local endomorphism rings if and only if the set of minimal primes [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] can be written as disjoint union of [Formula: see text] non-empty subsets [Formula: see text] such that for all distinct [Formula: see text] and all [Formula: see text] and all [Formula: see text], we have [Formula: see text]. This generalizes Theorem 3.6 of Hochster and Huneke [Contemp. Math. 159 (1994) 197–208].
Modeling Consumer’s Switching Intentions Regarding 5G Technology in China
Authors: Tang Zhongjun , Shah Sayed Kifayat , Ahmad Mohammad , Mustafa Sohaib
Published: May 2022

Switching from current technology to disruptive technology entails advantages, sacrifices, and a variety of other considerations that are not encountered in the case of 5G technology. Therefore, this paper investigates consumers’ intention to shift to 5G in the light of disruptive technology innovation. An extended value-based adoption model (VAM) was used to examine the user’s switching intentions (SIs) from 4G (Existing) technology to 5G (Disruptive) technology. The proposed model was examined on data set from 361 Chinese users using the partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The outcomes illustrate the significant correlation between perceived switching benefits (PSBs) and perceived switching sacrifices (PSSs) on perceived sustainability values (SVs), which further impacts users’ SIs. Furthermore, the findings show that users perceived agility (PA) and absorptive capability (AC) moderates and encourages SIs. These findings have important implications for theory and practice. The outcomes of this research will be helpful to telecoms firms in developing consumer retention strategies. Some limitations and future research directions are also explored for scholars.
The Digital Platform Experience of a Leading Country in Wine Tourism: From COVID-19 to the New Era
Authors: Marino Alfonso , Pariso Paolo
Published: May 2022

The paper’s goals are to comprehend strategies for tourism destinations after the coronavirus. The research question (RQ) is if the digital platform experience of a leading country in wine tourism can help to overcome COVID-19 and to turn the sector. The general topics related to destinations, specifically Italian wine tourism destinations, have been elaborated on in the introduction. Starting with a literature review relating to the destination tourism crisis in the tourism sector, the paper highlights the potential and basic lessons for coping with the current crisis. The method, which is connected to a wine tourism destination in Italy, emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results demonstrate the best practices as well as the bottlenecks. The discussions would result in the creation of strategic alternatives specific to the sector and its destinations. The study limits, considering bottlenecks that might arise in the future. The findings emphasize that the sector requires substantial funding from information and communication technology (ICT) to build smart destinations.
Can China’s Pilot Free Trade Zone Improve Trade Efficiency?
Authors: Wang Lianghu , Shao Jun
Published: May 2022

In recent years, there were many researches on China Free Trade Pilot Zone (FTZ), however, there was still a lack of research on the effect of the FTZ on trade efficiency. To make up for gaps in research, this paper calculated the trade efficiency of 30 provinces in China with stochastic frontier gravity model, and then empirically tested the policy effect of the FTZ by using the propensity score matching and difference in difference (PSM-DID) method, and further analyzed the inherent mechanism. The results showed that China’s general level of trade efficiency was relatively low, while the average trade efficiency in FTZs was significantly higher. The establishment of the FTZ had a significant positive impact on trade efficiency advances. Before and after the establishment of the pilot free trade zone, the difference between the changes in the trade efficiency measurement results of the treated group provinces and the trade efficiency measurement results of the control group provinces showed the characteristics of first increasing and then decreasing, and the policy effect has a certain lag. The establishment of the FTZ significantly reduced the trade cost. The model estimated that the trade efficiency increased by 3.576% for every 1% growth of trade cost, and the policy effect of the FTZ was significantly positive, which verified the existence of the intermediary effect of trade cost.
ASYMMETRIC DEPENDENCE BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND COMMODITY PRICES IN GHANA
Authors: ARCHER CHRISTINA , JUNIOR PETERSON OWUSU , ADAM ANOKYE M. , ASAFO-ADJEI EMMANUEL , BAFFOE STEPHEN
Published: May 2022

An increase in globalization and financial integration has induced countries to depend on each other to survive. This has facilitated trade and investments among economies across the globe. It is expected that countries’ international economic activities would contribute to the rate of exchange between the countries. However, uncertainties may alter the dynamics of exchange rate movements, thereby minimizing the contribution of its economic activities at various market conditions. In this regard, we examine the influence of variations in prices of commodities on nominal exchange rate in Ghana. Hence, we employ quantile regression with monthly data spanning from September 2007 to December 2020 for the variables — nominal exchange rate, cocoa, gold and Brent crude oil prices. We find a significant connection among the variables for most quantiles. Also, the study reveals that an upsurge in the price of crude oil corresponds to an appreciation of the Ghana Cedi during turbulent conditions. Conversely, cocoa price tends to appreciate the Ghana Cedi for both normal and extreme market conditions. We recommend that for the country to enjoy favorable exchange rate at all market conditions, there is a need for the producers of these exported commodities to be incentivized by the government in the form of subsidies, new technological equipment and education in order for the producers to increase their efficiency and add value to these commodities while effective inflation targeting policies are deployed. Implications for the study are further provided.
A Mini-Review on the Insight into the Effect of Natural and Synthetic α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl-Containing Compounds on PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways to Treat Breast Cancer
Authors: Voon Kelvin Wong Khai , Gazali Ahmad Mahfuz , Zamri Normaiza , Rullah Kamal , Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd
Published: May 2022

Breast cancer, which has been one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide for decades, continues to defy treatment. While researching a remedy to this problem, it was discovered that mTOR has a strong association with breast cancer. Uncontrolled activation of mTOR is shown in a variety of different cancer, making it a critical target for cancer treatment. Inhibition of the mTOR protein kinase can cause autophagic cell death. It is known that covalent inhibitors have become a prominent issue in drug discovery, with covalent inhibitors focusing on [Formula: see text]-unsaturated carbonyl molecules. Structural modifications to [Formula: see text]-unsaturated carbonyl may be one of the finest avenues for developing the best breast cancer medication. This review article discusses recent research on natural and synthetic [Formula: see text]-unsaturated carbonyls and their anti-cancer properties targeting on mTOR, with SAR to showcase the efficacy of synthetic natural products compared to parental compounds using both biological assays and in silico studies.
A BNN Accelerator Based on Edge-skip-calculation Strategy and Consolidation Compressed Tree
Authors: Du Gaoming , Chen Bangyi , Li Zhenmin , Tu Zhenxing , Zhou Junjie , Wang Shenya , Zhao Qinghao , Yin Yongsheng , Wang Xiaolei
Published: May 2022

Binarized neural networks (BNNs) and batch normalization (BN) have already become typical techniques in artificial intelligence today. Unfortunately, the massive accumulation and multiplication in BNN models bring challenges to field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementations, because complex arithmetics in BN consume too much computing resources. To relax FPGA resource limitations and speed up the computing process, we propose a BNN accelerator architecture based on consolidation compressed tree scheme by combining both XNOR and accumulation operation of the low bit into a systematic one. During the compression process, we adopt 0-padding (not ±1) to achieve no-accuracy-loss from software modeling to hardware implementation. Moreover, we introduce shift-addition-BN free binarization technique to shorten the delay path and optimize on-chip storage. To sum up, we drastically cut down the hardware consumption while maintaining great speed performance with the same model complexity as the previous design. We evaluate our accelerator on MNIST and CIFAR-10 dataset and implement the whole system on the ARTIX-7 100T FPGA with speed performance of 2052.65 GOP/s and area efficiency of 70.15 GOPS/KLUT.
From Centuries to Hours: The Journey of Research into Practice
Authors: Bragge Peter
Published: May 2022

COVID-19 has made the research-policy nexus visible as never before. Public health officials, doctors and scientists are standing alongside political and other leaders all around the world to promote research-informed health behaviors to ‘flatten the curve’ of this global pandemic. Proper hand hygiene, physical distancing and use of masks are now either recommended or mandated everyday public health behaviors across the world. Obviously, application of research to public problem solving is not new. However, the pace of the journey from research to policy and practice has shortened at a similar exponential rate as the spread of the virus.

This paper provides a historical overview of research-informed policy and practice. In doing so, it aims to build an understanding of how research is able to address COVID-related policy questions in almost real-time; how the demand-side consequences of this global pandemic have advanced research-informed policy and practice; and how policymakers can harness research to solve public policy problems in the future.
Unsupervised Graph-Based Entity Resolution for Complex Entities
Authors: Kirielle Nishadi , Christen Peter , Ranbaduge Thilina
Published: May 2022

Entity resolution (ER) is the process of linking records that refer to the same entity. Traditionally, this process compares attribute values of records to calculate similarities and then classifies pairs of records as referring to the same entity or not based on these similarities. Recently developed graph-based ER approaches combine relationships between records with attribute similarities to improve linkage quality. Most of these approaches only consider databases containing
basic entities
that have static attribute values and static relationships, such as publications in bibliographic databases. In contrast, temporal record linkage addresses the problem where attribute values of entities can change over time. However, neither existing graph-based ER nor temporal record linkage can achieve high linkage quality on databases with
complex entities
, where an entity (such as a person) can change its attribute values over time while having different relationships with other entities at different points in time. In this article, we propose an unsupervised graph-based ER framework that is aimed at linking records of complex entities. Our framework provides five key contributions. First, we propagate positive evidence encountered when linking records to use in subsequent links by propagating attribute values that have changed. Second, we employ negative evidence by applying temporal and link constraints to restrict which candidate record pairs to consider for linking. Third, we leverage the ambiguity of attribute values to disambiguate similar records that, however, belong to different entities. Fourth, we adaptively exploit the structure of relationships to link records that have different relationships. Fifth, using graph measures, we refine matched clusters of records by removing likely wrong links between records. We conduct extensive experiments on seven real-world datasets from different domains showing that on average our unsupervised graph-based ER framework can improve precision by up to 25% and recall by up to 29% compared to several state-of-the-art ER techniques.
Cache Abstraction for Data Race Detection in Heterogeneous Systems with Non-coherent Accelerators
Authors: Young May , Hu Alan J. , Lemieux Guy G. F.
Published: May 2022

Embedded systems are becoming increasingly complex and heterogeneous, featuring multiple processor cores (which might themselves be heterogeneous) as well as specialized hardware accelerators, all accessing shared memory. Many accelerators are non-coherent (i.e., do not support hardware cache coherence) because it reduces hardware complexity, cost, and power consumption, while potentially offering superior performance. However, the disadvantage of non-coherence is that the software must explicitly synchronize between accelerators and processors, and this synchronization is notoriously error-prone.

We propose an analysis technique to find data races in software for heterogeneous systems that include non-coherent accelerators. Our approach builds on classical results for data race detection, but the challenge turns out to be analyzing cache behavior rather than the behavior of the non-coherent accelerators. Accordingly, our central contribution is a novel, sound (data-race-preserving) abstraction of cache behavior. We prove our abstraction sound, and then to demonstrate the precision of our abstraction, we implement it in a simple dynamic race detector for a system with a processor and a massively parallel accelerator provided by a commercial FPGA-based accelerator vendor. On eleven software examples provided by the vendor, the tool had zero false positives and was able to detect previously unknown data races in two of the 11 examples.
Salience
Authors: Bordalo Pedro , Gennaioli Nicola , Shleifer Andrei
Published: May 2022

We review the fast-growing work on salience and economic behavior. Psychological research shows that salient stimuli attract human attention bottom up due to their high contrast with surroundings, their surprising nature relative to recalled experiences, or their prominence. The Bordalo, Gennaioli & Shleifer (2012 , 2013b , 2020 ) models of salience show how bottom-up attention can distort economic choice by distracting decision makers from their immediate goals or from relevant choice attributes. This approach unifies probability weighting, menu effects, reference points, and framing as distinct manifestations of bottom-up attention. We highlight new predictions and discuss open conceptual questions, as well as potential applications in finance, industrial organization, advertising, and politics.
Genetic Disorders of the Extracellular Matrix: From Cell and Gene Therapy to Future Applications in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Chakravarti Shukti , Enzo Elena , Rocha Monteiro de Barros Maithê , Maffezzoni Maria Benedetta Rizzarda , Pellegrini Graziella
Published: May 2022

Metazoans have evolved to produce various types of extracellular matrix (ECM) that provide structural support, cell adhesion, cell–cell communication, and regulated exposure to external cues. Epithelial cells produce and adhere to a specialized sheet-like ECM, the basement membrane, that is critical for cellular homeostasis and tissue integrity. Mesenchymal cells, such as chondrocytes in cartilaginous tissues and keratocytes in the corneal stroma, produce a pericellular matrix that presents optimal levels of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and nutrients to the cell and regulates mechanosensory signals through specific cytoskeletal and cell surface receptor interactions. Here, we discuss laminins, collagen types IV and VII, and perlecan, which are major components of these two types of ECM. We examinegenetic defects in these components that cause basement membrane pathologies such as epidermolysis bullosa, Alport syndrome, rare pericellular matrix–related chondrodysplasias, and corneal keratoconus and discuss recent advances in cell and gene therapies being developed for some of these disorders.
Gender Issues in the Scientific Milieu–Approaches and Solutions
Authors: Rajith Leena , Rajith Thondiyannur Pisharath
Published: May 2022

From time immemorial, gender discrimination is prevalent all over the world. This discrimination based on sex had sprouted from the male autocracy and dominancy and is engulfed in almost all sectors, whether it be domestic or official and this is well rooted in scientific research field too. Eventhough, this is a global problem, this is more pronounced in developing and underdeveloped countries. Considered in a global perspective, women account for a minority of the world’s researchers when compared to their male counterparts. This article discusses about the problems faced by women researchers, societal conditions that aggrevate these problems and plausible solutions to the problems by which more women can be brought to the limelight of research field.
Gut Microbiome and Plasma Metabolomic Analysis in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Jiang Huijuan , Zhao Xiaoyu , Zang Mengtong , Fu Rong , Shao Zonghong , Liu Chunyan
Published: May 2022

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders. Studies have shown the involvement of an abnormal immune system in MDS pathogenesis. The gut microbiota are known to influence host immunity and metabolism, thereby contributing to the development of hematopoietic diseases. In this study, we performed gut microbiome and plasma metabolomic analyses in patients with MDS and healthy controls. We found that patients with MDS had a different gut microbial composition compared to controls. The gut microbiota in MDS patients showed a continuous evolutionary relationship from the phylum to the species level. At the species level, the abundance of Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus luteciae, Clostridium citroniae, and Gemmiger formicilis increased, while that of Prevotella copri decreased in MDS patients compared to controls. Moreover, abundance of bacterial genera correlated with the percentage of lymphocyte subsets in patients with MDS. Metabolomic analysis showed that the concentrations of hypoxanthine and pyroglutamic acid were increased, while that of 3a,7a-dihydroxy-5b-cholestan was decreased in MDS patients compared to controls. In conclusion, gut microbiome and plasma metabolomics are altered in patients with MDS, which may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of the disease.