bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DCT Coefficients Weighting (DCTCW)-Based Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) for Brightness Preserving Image Contrast Enhancement
Authors: Mondal Saorabh Kumar , Chatterjee Arpitam , Tudu Bipan
Published: December 2021

Image contrast enhancement (CE) is a frequent image enhancement requirement in diverse applications. Histogram equalization (HE), in its conventional and different further improved ways, is a popular technique to enhance the image contrast. The conventional as well as many of the later versions of HE algorithms often cause loss of original image characteristics particularly brightness distribution of original image that results artificial appearance and feature loss in the enhanced image. Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficient mapping is one of the recent methods to minimize such problems while enhancing the image contrast. Tuning of DCT parameters plays a crucial role towards avoiding the saturations of pixel values. Optimization can be a possible solution to address this problem and generate contrast enhanced image preserving the desired original image characteristics. Biological behavior-inspired optimization techniques have shown remarkable betterment over conventional optimization techniques in different complex engineering problems. Gray wolf optimization (GWO) is a comparatively new algorithm in this domain that has shown promising potential. The objective function has been formulated using different parameters to retain original image characteristics. The objective evaluation against CEF, PCQI, FSIM, BRISQUE and NIQE with test images from three standard databases, namely, SIPI, TID and CSIQ shows that the presented method can result in values up to 1.4, 1.4, 0.94, 19 and 4.18, respectively, for the stated metrics which are competitive to the reported conventional and improved techniques. This paper can be considered a first-time application of GWO towards DCT-based image CE.
Partition of Unity Finite Element Method for 2D Vibro-Acoustic Modeling
Authors: Langlois Christophe , Chazot Jean-Daniel , Cheng Li , Perrey-Debain Emmanuel
Published: December 2021

The Partition of Unity Finite Element Method (PUFEM) shows promise for modeling wave-like problems in the mid-to-high frequency range, allowing to capture several wavelengths in a single element. Despite the increasing attention it received in acoustics and in structural dynamics, its efficacy to deal with coupled problems has not been addressed. The main challenge in this case is to be able to represent different types of physical waves accurately, knowing that the wavelengths can be very different and vary differently, exemplified by the dispersion of flexural waves in a solid. Without a proper handling of the coupling between the coupled media, at best the number of degrees of freedom (DoF) will not be optimal, at worst the coupled model will not converge. Techniques like mesh refinement, wave enrichment and compatible or incompatible meshes might offer a potential solution to the problem, but the model usually needs to be adjusted through a time consuming trial-and-error procedure. To tackle the problem, this paper considers a 2D coupled vibro-acoustic problem, in which the structural and acoustic domains, modeled with PUFEM, are coupled using compatible and incompatible meshes based on different coupling strategies. Numerical analyses show that the proposed method outperforms the classical finite element method by several orders of magnitude in terms of number of DoF. Recommendations are proposed on the technique to choose depending on the frequency range of interest in relation to the critical frequency of the structure to ensure the best convergence rate. Finally, an application example is presented to highlight the performance of the proposed method.
STAP: An Architecture and Design Tool for Automata Processing on Memristor TCAMs
Authors: de Lima João Paulo Cardoso , Brandalero Marcelo , Hübner Michael , Carro Luigi
Published: December 2021

Accelerating finite-state automata benefits several emerging application domains that are built on pattern matching. In-memory architectures, such as the Automata Processor (AP), are efficient to speed them up, at least for outperforming traditional von-Neumann architectures. In spite of the AP’s massive parallelism, current APs suffer from poor memory density, inefficient routing architectures, and limited capabilities. Although these limitations can be lessened by emerging memory technologies, its architecture is still the major source of huge communication demands and lack of scalability. To address these issues, we present
STAP
, a
Scalable TCAM-based architecture for Automata Processing
. STAP adopts a reconfigurable array of processing elements, which are based on memristive Ternary CAMs (TCAMs), to efficiently implement Non-deterministic finite automata (NFAs) through proper encoding and mapping methods. The CAD tool for STAP integrates the design flow of automata applications, a specific mapping algorithm, and place and route tools for connecting processing elements by RRAM-based programmable interconnects. Results showed 1.47× higher throughput when processing 16-bit input symbols, and improvements of 3.9× and 25× on state and routing densities over the state-of-the-art AP, while preserving 10
4
programming cycles.
ANT-UNet: Accurate and Noise-Tolerant Segmentation for Pathology Image Processing
Authors: Chen Yufei , Li Tingtao , Zhang Qinming , Mao Wei , Guan Nan , Tian Mei , Yu Hao , Zhuo Cheng
Published: December 2021

Pathology image segmentation is an essential step in early detection and diagnosis for various diseases. Due to its complex nature, precise segmentation is not a trivial task. Recently, deep learning has been proved as an effective option for pathology image processing. However, its efficiency is highly restricted by inconsistent annotation quality. In this article, we propose an accurate and noise-tolerant segmentation approach to overcome the aforementioned issues. This approach consists of two main parts: a preprocessing module for data augmentation and a new neural network architecture, ANT-UNet. Experimental results demonstrate that, even on a noisy dataset, the proposed approach can achieve more accurate segmentation with 6% to 35% accuracy improvement versus other commonly used segmentation methods. In addition, the proposed architecture is hardware friendly, which can reduce the amount of parameters to one-tenth of the original and achieve 1.7× speed-up.
A Spiking Neuromorphic Architecture Using Gated-RRAM for Associative Memory
Authors: Jones Alexander , Ruen Aaron , Jha Rashmi
Published: December 2021

This work reports a spiking neuromorphic architecture for associative memory simulated in a SPICE environment using recently reported gated-RRAM (resistive random-access memory) devices as synapses alongside neurons based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOSs). The network utilizes a Verilog A model to capture the behavior of the gated-RRAM devices within the architecture. The model uses parameters obtained from experimental gated-RRAM devices that were fabricated and tested in this work. Using these devices in tandem with CMOS neuron circuitry, our results indicate that the proposed architecture can learn an association in real time and retrieve the learned association when incomplete information is provided. These results show the promise for gated-RRAM devices for associative memory tasks within a spiking neuromorphic architecture framework.
Validation and Development of a Moroccan School Quality Evaluation System
Authors: Berbar Hicham , Lotfi Said , Talbi Mohammed
Published: December 2021

Evaluation is currently at the heart of the priorities of education systems. It is not limited to learning but affects several aspects: teachers, schools, training, management, education policies, and the system as a whole. There is a need in this area where research is extremely scarce in Morocco and especially in the teaching and education sector. The notion of transposing quality evaluation to the pedagogical side is very difficult and ambiguous. The evaluation of a school is a complex process, with varied practices and multiple actors. The first objective of this work is to present, within a rigorous methodological framework, the validation of pedagogical and administrative quality indicators in schools. This tool is a dashboard with precise indicators for the pedagogical audit of schools and educational institutions adapted to the Moroccan context. To select the best indicators, we used several techniques (structured interviews, focus groups, factor analysis, etc.) with the actors who carry out their activities. We identified three (03) fields and ten (10) criteria with indicators that form the basis of a quality assessment. The fields are management and strategic planning, administrative and sector management, and pedagogical organization.
Efficacy of Colchicine and Budesonide in Improvement Outcomes of Patients with Coronavirus Infection 2019 in Damascus, Syria: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Alsultan Mohammad , Obeid Ameer , Alsamarrai Omar , Anan Mohamed Taher , Bakr Aliaa , Soliman Nawwar , Kurdy Mamdoh , Mosa Muhannad Hag , Saleh Zain , Hujij Fatima , Barhoum Jafar
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 was reported in China in 2019 and has spread worldwide. Transmission occurs through respiratory secretions and, less commonly, through contaminated surfaces. The severity of the disease can range from asymptomatic to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of two agents (oral colchicine and budesonide inhaler) in COVID-19 infection management, compared with supportive care alone. 77 patients were admitted to the isolation section of Al Assad University Hospital, between the 1st of August and the 30th of August. A total of 49 patients were included in this randomized control trial, after excluding ineligible patients. The random sample was divided into three groups; the first group was supportive care plus colchicine, the second group was supportive care plus budesonide inhaler, and the control group was supportive care alone. PaO2/FiO2 was improved in the budesonide group, higher than the supportive and colchicine groups. The median hospitalization days were shorter when using colchicine or budesonide, opposed to supportive care alone (8 vs 10 days, respectively). 34 patients (69.3%) were discharged, and 27 patients (55.1%) were followed up until they were weaned from oxygen and made a complete recovery. There was a significant decrease in mortality with colchicine (3 patients; 21.4%) compared with supportive care (7 patients; 33.3%) and the budesonide group (5 patients; 35.7%).
Strain Rate Effect on Mechanical Properties of Cemented Backfill under Dynamic and Static Combined Loading
Authors: Li Xianglong , Tao Zihao , Wang Jianguo , Zuo Ting , Ma Jun , Li Qiang
Published: December 2021

In order to study the influence of pillar stopping blasting on the stability of cemented backfill, the dynamic impact test under low strain rate (61.1∼86.8 s−1) was conducted on cemented backfill with two kinds of strength using three‐dimensional coupled static‐dynamic SHPB equipment. At the same time, the strain rate effect of failure mode, dynamic strength factor, and energy transfer of backfill were analyzed. The results show that when the cemented backfill was loaded under different strain rates in the initial three‐dimensional static pressure environment, the pore compaction process was no longer obvious but directly entered the elastic deformation stage. Within the range of strain rates, the extreme value of dynamic intensity factor (DIF) of CTB230 was 6.8, while the extreme value of dynamic intensity factor of CTB310 specimen did not appear within the range of strain rates due to the improvement of the internal cementation force between particles. The fracture surfaces of specimens were perpendicular to the direction of load, and the failure mode was mainly the axial tensile failure, and the fracture surfaces were mostly close to the loading end. According to energy calculation, reflected energy accounts for 80.4%∼86.6% of incident energy; dissipated energy, 5.5%∼14.3%; transmitted energy, 5.3%∼7.9%.
A Scalable Security Protocol for Intravehicular Controller Area Network
Authors: Zhao Zi-An , Sun Yu , Li Dawei , Cui Jian , Guan Zhenyu , Liu Jianwei
Published: December 2021

Intravehicular communication relies on controller area network (CAN) protocol to deliver messages and instructions among different electronic control units (ECU). Unfortunately, inherent defects in CAN include the absence of confidentiality and integrity mechanism, enabling adversaries to launch attacks from wired or wireless interfaces. Although various CAN cryptographic protocols have been proposed for entity authentication and secure communication, the redundancy in the key establishment phase weakens their availability in large-scale CAN. In this paper, we propose a scalable security protocol suite for intravehicular networks and reduce the communication costs significantly. A new type of attack, suspension attack, is identified for the existing protocols and mitigated in our protocol by leveraging a global counter scheme. We formally verify the security properties of the proposed protocol suite through the AVISPA tool. The simulation results indicate that the communication and computation efficiency are improved in our protocol.
A Case of Carbamazepine-Induced Aggravation of Self-Limited Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes Epilepsy and Valproate-Induced Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in a Child with Heterozygous Gene Variant of Carbomoyl Phosphatase Synthetase Deficiency
Authors: Kankananarachchi Imalke , Jasinge Eresha , Hewawitharana Gemunu
Published: December 2021

Antiepileptics drugs are the mainstay of the management of epilepsy in children. Sodium valproate (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are widely used medications in childhood epilepsy. Hyperammonemia has been described as a known side effect of valproate therapy. It is known that VPA-associated HA is common among patients who hold genetic mutations of the carbomoyl phosphatase synthase 1 gene (CPS1). Aggravation of self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SLECTS) is a rare side effect of CBZ. Here, we present a child who had CBZ-induced aggravation of rolandic epilepsy and VPA-induced HA encephalopathy in the background of an unrecognised heterozygous gene variant of CPS1. An 8-year-old boy with SLECTS presented with a history of abnormal behaviours and drowsiness. He was apparently well until six years when he developed seizures in favour of rolandic epilepsy. His electroencephalogram (EEG) showed bilateral predominantly on the right-sided central-temporal spikes and waves. The diagnosis of SLECTS was made, and he was commenced on CBZ. Though he showed some improvement at the beginning, his seizure frequency increased when the dose of CBZ was increased. His repeat EEG showed electrical status in slow-wave sleep, and CBZ was stopped. Subsequently, he was started on VPA, and with that, he developed features of encephalopathy. He had elevated serum ammonia with normal liver functions. VPA was stopped with the suspicion of VPA-induced hyperammonemia. Tandem mass spectrometry did not show significant abnormality in the amino acid profile. Specific genetic analysis revealed a c.2756 C > T.p (Ser919Leu) heterozygote genetic mutation of the CSP 1 gene. This is a classic example where side effects of treatment determine the choice of antiepileptics drugs (AEDs) in childhood epilepsy. It is essential to keep in mind that SLECTS can be aggravated with certain AEDs, and VPA-induced HA in the absence of live failure could be due to underlying inherited metabolic disorders.
A Novel NIR Fluorescent Nanoprobe Targeting HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Tra-TTR-A
Authors: Chen Meijuan , Lin Zhousheng , Yao Guangyu , Hong Xi , Xue Xiaolei , Chen Lujia
Published: December 2021

TTRE, a photosensitizer molecule, has excellent biofluorescence imaging performance and effective antitumor properties for breast cancer. However, its application in breast cancer treatment is limited due to poor tumor selectivity and lack of targeting ability. In this study, TTRE and trastuzumab were combined to synthesize Tra-TTR-A, a novel near-infrared fluorescent nanoprobe for HER2 positive breast cancer. The targeting and antitumor abilities of Tra-TTR-A in breast cancer were also investigated. Like TTRE, Tra-TTR-A has a stable structure with remarkable optical properties and in vivo imaging capacity. However, Tra-TTR-A not only inhibits tumor growth by generating reactive oxygen species but also kills tumor cells by trastuzumab. In this study, Tra-TTR-A, a new type of near-infrared fluorescent nanoprobe that targets HER2-positive breast cancer, was successfully synthesized. Tra-TTR-A could be used in in vivo imaging, targeted photodynamic therapy, and diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.
TLC-Based Metabolite Profiling and Bioactivity-Based Scientific Validation for Use of Water Extracts in AYUSH Formulations
Authors: Zahiruddin Sultan , Parveen Abida , Khan Washim , Parveen Rabea , Ahmad Sayeed
Published: December 2021

We aimed to develop a chromatographic method for scientific validation of water extract of some important Indian traditional plants used in AYUSH-based formulation as immunomodulator and to evaluate their bioactive potential. Fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L. and Piper nigrum L., stem of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, rhizome of Curcuma longa L., leaves of Ocimum sanctum L. and Achillea millefolium L., roots of Withania somnifera L., and stem bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. were coarsely powdered and extracted in three different solvents (water, ethanol, and hydroethanol). The antioxidant potential was determined through 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing capacity methods. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out for the comparative metabolite profiling of the extracts using toluene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid (5 : 4 : 1, v/v/v) as a solvent system. In vitro immunomodulatory activity of the extracts has been tested on splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic assay. Hydroethanolic extract (HEE) of most of the plant materials has the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents, followed by water extract (WE) and ethanolic extract (EE), whereas the water extracts of most of the plant material showed better antioxidant activity. Almost all extract exhibited splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic activity in a dose-dependent manner. But water extract showed significantly higher splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic activity as compared to the other two extracts. TLC analysis resulted in detection of totally 63 and 56 metabolites at 254 nm and 366 nm, respectively. Through principal component analysis (PCA), it was observed that metabolite pattern of different extracts from same plant materials may be different or similar. This preliminary result can be used for quality evaluation and to develop a synergy-based polyherbal combination of water extracts of selected plant materials.
Influence of Terpenic Oil on Flotation Behavior of Sphalerite and Implication for the Selective Separation
Authors: Yang Bo , Xie Xian , Tong Xiong , Huang Lingyun
Published: December 2021

Terpenic oil (TO) is commonly used as a flotation frother for the selective separation of sulfide minerals. As a frother, most reports have mainly focused on its effect on froth stability and froth entrainment, whereas its influence on the floatability of sulfide minerals has received little attention. In this work, the influence of TO on the flotation behavior of sphalerite was investigated by using microflotation tests, contact angle and zeta potential measurements, and FT-IR and SEM-EDS analyses. Microflotation tests conducted in a modified Hallimond tube indicated that compared with the collector potassium butyl xanthate (KBX), the flotation recovery of sphalerite was significantly increased when TO was added to the pulp, but the recovery of Cu-activated sphalerite with the addition of TO was lower than that with the addition of KBX. Contact angle measurements demonstrated that the contact angle of sphalerite was distinctly increased by the addition of TO, but the contact angle of sphalerite treated with TO was lower than that treated with KBX after Cu activation. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the zeta potential of sphalerite particles was slightly decreased when treated with TO, and the isoelectric point (IEP) was decreased from 3.3 to 3.1 due to the interaction of TO with sphalerite particles. FT-IR and SEM-EDS confirmed that TO could be adsorbed on the sphalerite surface on the formation of the oil film due to its low solubility, thereby increasing the surface hydrophobicity of the sphalerite. In addition, the TO absorbed on the surface acts as a bridging role and promotes the hydrophobic agglomeration of sphalerite particles. These results suggest that except for froth entrainment, the influence of TO on the flotation behavior of sphalerite may be another reason for the misreporting of sphalerite in concentrates.
Coherence Properties and Intensity Distribution of a Partially Coherent Lorentz–Gauss Beam Emerging from the Axicon
Authors: Alkelly Abdu A. , Hassan Labiba F.
Published: December 2021

The propagation of a partially Lorentz–Gauss beam in a uniform-intensity diffractive axicon is studied according to the Huygens–Fresnel principle, the Hermite–Gaussian expansion of a Lorentz function, and using the stationary phase method. We have derived the intensity equation of a partially coherent Lorentz-Gauss beams propagating through uniform-intensity diffractive axicon, and we proved mathematically that it is the superposition of Bessel beams of various orders after emerging from axicon, using Hermite’s function series and the Bessel function integral formulas. The results show that the intensity distribution of the diffracted beam is the intensity pattern evolved from a Lorentz–Gauss shaped spot into a Gaussian-shaped spot at any position on the focal length of the axicon, and the intensity distribution of a partially Lorentz–Gauss beam generated by an axicon becomes uniform by increasing the beam width and more uniform and constant with the larger coherence width.
Improved Joint Optimization Design for Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks with Time Delay
Authors: Liu Lihan , Guo Yuehui , Sun Yang , Wang Zhuwei , Sun Enchang , Sun Yanhua
Published: December 2021

With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the newest development of wireless sensor and actuator networks (WSANs) provides significant potential applications for various real‐time scenarios. Currently, extensive research activities have been carried out in the field of efficient resource management and control design. However, the stability of the controlled plant and the efficiency of network resources are rarely considered collaboratively in existing works. In this paper, in order to enhance the control stability and improve the power consumption efficiency for the WSAN, a novel three‐step optimization algorithm jointly designing the control strategy and transmission path routing is proposed when the time delay is considered. First, the minimum hop routing algorithm is used to obtain the set of candidate transmission paths. Then, the optimal control signals for each candidate transmission path can be iteratively derived with a backward recursion method. Finally, the best transmission path is determined under the optimal control strategy to achieve the joint optimization design. The effectiveness of the proposed joint optimization algorithm is verified by the simulations of the application in the power grid system.
Basic Research on Ancient Bai Character Recognition Based on Mobile APP
Authors: Zhang Zeqing , Lee Cuihua , Gao Zuodong , Li Xiaofan
Published: December 2021

Bai nationality has a long history and has its own language. Limited by the fact that there are fewer and fewer people who know the Bai language, the literature and culture of the Bai nationality begin to lose rapidly. In order to make the people who do not understand Bai characters can also read the ancient books of Bai nationality, this paper is based on the research of high‐precision single character recognition model of Bai characters. First, with the help of Bai culture lovers and related scholars, we have constructed a data set of Bai characters, but limited by the need of expert knowledge, so the data set is limited in size. As a result, deep learning models with the nature of data hunger cannot get an ideal accuracy. In order to solve this issue, we propose to use the Chinese data set which also belongs to Sino‐Tibetan language family to improve the recognition accuracy of Bai characters through transfer learning. In addition, we propose four transfer learning approaches: Direct Knowledge Transfer (DKT), Indirect Knowledge Transfer (IKT), Self‐coding Knowledge Transfer (SCKT), and Self‐supervised Knowledge Transfer (SSKT). Experiments show that our approaches greatly improve the recognition accuracy of Bai characters.
Modeling the Smart Factory Manufacturing Products Characteristics: The Perspective of Energy Consumption
Authors: Salman Rahman A.B.M. , Lee Myeongbae , Lim Jonghyun , Cho Yongyun , Shin Changsun
Published: December 2021

Economic progress is built on the foundation of energy. In the industrial sector, smart factory energy consumption analysis and forecasts are crucial for improving energy consumption rates and also for creating profits. The importance of energy analysis and forecasting in an industrial environment is increasing speedily. It is a great chance to provide a technical boost to smart factories looking to reduce energy usage and produce more profit through the control and optimization modeling. It is tough to analyze energy usage and make accurate estimations of industrial energy consumption. Consequently, this study examines monthly energy consumption to identify the discrepancy between energy usages and energy needs. It depicts the link between energy consumption, demand, and various industrial goods by pattern recognition. The correlation technique is utilized in this study to figure out the link between energy usage and the weight of various materials used in product manufacturing. Next, we use the moving average approach to calculate the monthly and weekly moving averages of energy usages. The use of data-mining techniques to estimate energy consumption rates based on production is increasingly prevalent. This study uses the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) to compare the actual data with forecasting data curves to enhance energy utilization. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) performance evaluation result for ARIMA and SARIMA is 8.70 and 10.90, respectively. Eventually, the Variable Important technique determines the smart factory’s most essential product to enhance the energy utilization rate and obtain profitable items for the smart factory.
Safety Assessment and a Parametric Study of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Based on Real-World Crash Simulations
Authors: Seyedi MohammadReza , Koloushani MohammadReza , Jung Sungmoon , Vanli Arda
Published: December 2021

In this study, we selected four real-world rear-end crash scenarios with different crash characteristics. The vehicles involved in those crashes were not equipped with any crash avoidance systems. We then used the accident reconstruction method to build those crash scenarios in PC-Crash software. Then, different FCW/AEB safety algorithms have been defined for a subject vehicle model in each crash scenario and each scenario was simulated for a set of input parameters such as vehicle speed, brake intensity, and driver reaction time. The range and distribution of input parameters were extracted from the related field crash data and available literature. A total number of 16000 simulations have been conducted which produced input-output datasets for further investigations. Finally, the effects of input parameters on simulation outcomes including crash occurrence, AEB activation, injury risk, and vehicle damage have been quantified using the Boruta algorithm. The results indicated that the overall effectiveness of the AEB system was a 57% reduction of rear-end crashes, a 52% reduction of injury severity (striking vehicle’s passengers), and a 47% reduction of damages for striking vehicles. The results also showed that the available AEB algorithms were more effective for the average speed equal to or less than 80 kmph. The speed of the subject vehicle, type of AEB algorithm, sensor detection range, and driver reaction time were the most important parameters on crash outcomes. In addition, the results indicated that the performance of FCW had a direct impact on the effectiveness of the AEB system for the integrated FCW + AEB system.
Therapeutic Role of miR‐30a in Lipoteichoic Acid‐Induced Endometritis via Targeting the MyD88/Nox2/ROS Signaling
Authors: Jiang Kangfeng , Ye Weiqi , Bai Qian , Cai Jinyin , Wu Haichong , Li Xiaobing
Published: December 2021

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a notorious pathogenic bacterium prevalent in the environment, causes a wide range of inflammatory diseases such as endometritis. Endometritis is an inflammatory disease in humans and mammals, which prolongs uterine involution and causes great economic losses. MiR‐30a plays an importan trole in the process of inflammation; however, the regulatory role of miR‐30a in endometritis is still unknown. Here, we first noticed that there was an increased level of miR‐30a in uterine samples of cows with endometritis. And then, bovine endometrial epithelial (BEND) cells stimulated with the virulence factor lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from S. aureus were used as an in vitro endometritis model to explore the potential role of miR‐30a in the pathogenesis of endometritis. Our data showed that the induction of the miR‐30a expression is dependent on NF‐κB activation, and its overexpression significantly decreased the levels of IL‐1β and IL‐6. Furthermore, we observed that the overexpression of miR‐30a inhibited its translation by binding to 3 ′−UTR of MyD88 mRNA, thus preventing the activation of Nox2 and NF‐κB and ROS accumulation. Meanwhile, in vivo studies further revealed that upregulation of miR‐30a using chemically synthesized agomirs alleviates the inflammatory conditions in an experimental mouse model of endometritis, as indicated by inhibition of ROS and NF‐κB. Taken together, these findings highlight that miR‐30a can attenuate LTA‐elicited oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through the MyD88/Nox2/ROS/NF‐κB pathway and may aid the future development of novel therapies for inflammatory diseases caused by S. aureus, including endometritis.
In Silico Inhibitability of Copper Carbenes and Silylenes against Rhizoctonia solani and Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Thi Thanh Hai Nguyen , Bui Thanh Q. , Thi Ai My Tran , Thi Phuong Loan Huynh , Thai Hoa Tran , Tu Quy Phan , Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen , Thanh Nhan Dang , Thi Ai Nhung Nguyen
Published: December 2021

Copper lighter tetrylenes are promising for inhibition towards Rhizoctonia solani-based protein PDB-4G9M and Magnaporthe oryzae-based PDB-6JBR in rice. Quantum properties of four hypothetic copper complexes of carbenes and silylenes (Cu-NHC1, Cu-NHC2, Cu-NHSi1, and Cu-NHSi2) were examined using the density functional theory. Their inhibitability towards the targeted proteins was evaluated using molecular docking simulation. Quantum analysis predicts the stability of the investigated complexes and thus their practical existability and practicable synthesisability. Their electronic configurations are justified as highly conducive to intermolecular interaction. Regarding ligand-protein as carbenes/silylenes-4G9M inhibitory structures, the stability is estimated in the order [Cu-NHC2]-4G9M (DS −12.9 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHSi1]-4G9M (DS −11.8 kcal⋅mol−1) = [Cu-NHSi2]-4G9M (DS −11.7 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC1]-4G9M (DS –11.4 kcal⋅mol−1). In contrast, the corresponding order for the carbenes/silylenes-6JBR systems is [Cu-NHSi2]-6JBR (DS –13.4 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC2]-6JBR (DS −13.0 kcal⋅mol−1) = [Cu-NHSi1]-6JBR (DS −12.6 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC1]-6JBR (DS −12.3 kcal⋅mol−1). In theory, this study suggests a potentiality of copper lighter tetrylenes and their derivatives against the infection of fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Magnaporthe oryzae, thus encouraging attempts for experimental developments.
Quercetin Relieves the Excised Great Saphenous Vein Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Reaction
Authors: Bai Yunpeng , Chen Qingliang , Zhu Xiaolong , Jiang Nan , Li Ximing , Guo Zhigang
Published: December 2021

Objective. The patency and quality of transplanted great saphenous vein (GSV) can seriously influence the physical state and life quality of patients who accepted the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Quercetin is known for antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. In this study, we examined the protection of quercetin to the great saphenous vein from oxidative and inflammatory damage. Methods. The GSVs were collected from 15 patients undergoing CABG and cultured. Treated the veins by H2O2 and detected the NO, SOD, and MDA content by the relevant kits to explore the quercetin protection against oxidative damage. Then, for another group of GSVs, sheared them and detected the inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNFα, CCL20, PCNA, and VEGF. Collect the veins for H&E staining and PCNA and VEGF immunofluorescent staining. Results. Pretreatment by quercetin reduced the production of NO and MDA induced by H2O2, and increased SOD activity. Quercetin also supressed the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNFα after mechanical damage and had no influence on CCL20 and VEGF. Consistent with the lower expression of PCNA treated by quercetin, the vein intima was thinner. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that quercetin protects GSVs by reducing the oxidative damage and inflammatory response and also suppresses the abnormal thickening of venous endothelium by inhibiting cell proliferation. It reminded that, to some extent, quercetin has the potential to release the great saphenous vein graft damage.
Applications of OHAM and MOHAM for Fractional Seventh-Order SKI Equations
Authors: Biazar Jafar , Safaei Saghi
Published: December 2021

In this article, a comparative study between optimal homotopy asymptotic method and multistage optimal homotopy asymptotic method is presented. These methods will be applied to obtain an approximate solution to the seventh-order Sawada-Kotera Ito equation. The results of optimal homotopy asymptotic method are compared with those of multistage optimal homotopy asymptotic method as well as with the exact solutions. The multistage optimal homotopy asymptotic method relies on optimal homotopy asymptotic method to obtain an analytic approximate solution. It actually applies optimal homotopy asymptotic method in each subinterval, and we show that it achieves better results than optimal homotopy asymptotic method over a large interval; this is one of the advantages of this method that can be used for long intervals and leads to more accurate results. As far as the authors are aware that multistage optimal homotopy asymptotic method has not been yet used to solve fractional partial differential equations of high order, we have shown that this method can be used to solve these problems. The convergence of the method is also addressed. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense.
Prevalence and Determinants of Occupational Injuries among Solid Waste Collectors of Zoomlion Ghana Limited
Authors: Ephraim Patrick , Stephens Judith Koryo , Myers-Hansen Gustavus A. , Otwey Richard Y. , Amon Samuel , Kporxah Maxwell Kwasi , Abaka-Yawson Albert
Published: December 2021

Background. Globally, occupational injuries account for 15% of the mortalities associated with occupational accidents. The work of the solid waste collectors exposes them to numerous occupational hazards, which results in injuries. Increasing rates of occupational injuries from 43.7% to 63.9% among solid waste collectors in sub-Saharan Africa opens room for more research to be done. The study assessed the magnitude of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors of Zoomlion Ghana Limited in the Accra Metropolis. Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out among the solid waste collectors. The occupational injuries and their associated factors among the solid waste collectors were assessed using questionnaires. Multistage sampling approach was used to select study respondents. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results. In this study, 21.79% (78/358) with 95% CI (0.1749, 0.2608) among the solid waste collectors reported having at least one work-related injury in the last 6 months. The factors that were significantly associated with at least one occupational injury among the solid waste collectors in the Accra Metropolis were work duty (collection and transportation), the zone of assignment for respondents, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Conclusion. This study showed that the prevalence of occupational injuries among municipal solid waste collectors in the Accra Metropolis was lower as compared to similar research conducted in Ethiopia, Egypt, and India. Working in the collection and transportation category and lack of PPE for use at work were significantly and positively associated with occupational injury among the solid waste collectors. Again, working in the La Dade Kotopon zone had reduced odds of sustaining injuries as compared to those in the Ablekuma South zone. The result of the study demonstrated that cuts/puncture was the injury that was mostly sustained by the municipal solid waste workers, while the leg was the body part that was mostly injured followed by the hands. Public health education in the municipality should target solid waste collectors with the aim of improving their health-seeking behaviour.
Predicting the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Supply Chains and Their Sustainability: A Simulation Study
Authors: Huang Yakun , Li Jack , Qi Yuan , Shi Victor
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to result in severe disruptions to food supply chains. In this research, we present a simulation study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply chains and their sustainability using the lobster industry in Nova Scotia, Canada, as an example. The main contributions of this paper are twofold. First, it analyzes how the pandemic has negatively disrupted lobster supply chains and their sustainability. Second, it demonstrates how a simulation-based methodology based on the software AnyLogistix can be applied to examine the effects of a pandemic on food supply chains. We show the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic from four perspectives: production-inventory dynamics, customer performance, financial performance, and lead-time performance. Our findings include the following. First, the pandemic has created a backlog problem for the live lobster industry. Second, it has significantly increased the lead time of the lobster supply chain. Overall, this research can help the government and trade organizations to devise appropriate policies to reduce the negative impacts of the pandemic on food supply chains and their sustainability.
Initial Clinical Experience of Repeat Thrombectomy with a Retrieval Stent (RTRS) with Continuous Proximal Flow Arrest by Balloon Guide Catheter for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion
Authors: Chen Wen-huo , Yi Tingyu , Wu Yan-Min , Pan Zhi-nan , Zheng Xiu-fen , Lin Xiao-hui , Lin Ding-lai , Chen Rong-cheng
Published: December 2021

Background. Balloon guide catheters (BGCs) have good performance in terms of radiological outcomes in acute ischemic thrombectomy. It is not uncommon for BGCs to be blocked by thrombi, especially in cases with acute intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Our initial experience using repeat thrombectomy with a retrieval stent (RTRS) with continuous proximal flow arrest by BGC for acute intracranial ICA occlusion is presented. Methods. In patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion treated with RTRS, clinical data, including the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, and procedural data, including the Extended treatment in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score, procedural time, and complications, were analyzed. Results. Thirty-two consecutive patients (12 men (37.5%); mean age: 73 years) were treated with RTRS using a BGC. The median NIHSS score was 19. The median puncture-to-reperfusion time was 46 minutes (range: 22-142 minutes). All patients were successfully revascularized; eTICI 2c or better recanalization was achieved in 30 (93.8%) patients. No procedure-related complications or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred. Two cases (6.3%) had distal emboli, but none had emboli to the anterior cerebral artery. Fourteen patients (43.8%) achieved a good outcome with an mRS score of 0–2 at 90 days, and 8 patients (25.0%) died. Conclusions. In patients with intracranial ICA occlusion, RTRS with proximal flow arrest by BGC is effective and safe, achieving good clinical and angiographic outcomes. This method may reduce the incidence of distal emboli in thrombectomy with stent retrievers.
A Double-Boost Converter Based on Coupled Inductance and Magnetic Integration
Authors: Li Hongzhu , Zhu Ling , Wang Le
Published: December 2021

High-voltage gain converter has a high-frequency use in some industrial fields, for instance, the fuel cell system, the photovoltaic system, electric vehicles, and the high-intensity discharge lamp. In order to solve the problem of the low-voltage gain of traditional boost converter, the double-boost converter with coupled inductance and doubled voltage is proposed, which connects the traditional boost converter in parallel. The voltage gain of the converter is further improved by introducing the voltage-doubled unit of the coupled inductance. Moreover, the clamp capacitor can absorb the leakage inductance in the circuit and reduce the voltage stress of the switch. In addition, two coupled inductors are magnetically collected; then, the loss of the core is analyzed under the same gain. The detailed analysis of the proposed converter and a comparison considering other topologies previously published in the literature are also presented in this article. In order to verify the proposed converter performance, a prototype has been built for a power of 200 W, input and output voltages of 12 and 84 V, respectively, and a switching frequency of 50 kHz. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis proving the satisfactory converter performance, whose peak efficiency is 95.5%.
Active Management of Third Stage of Labor: Practice and Associated Factors among Obstetric Care Providers in North Wollo, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Molla Wondwosen , Demissie Asresash , Tessema Marta
Published: December 2021

Background. World Health Organization strongly recommends that every obstetrical provider at birth needs to have knowledge and skills on active management of the third stage of labor and use it routinely for all women. However, implementation of this lifesaver intervention by skilled birth attendants is questionable because 3% to 16.5% of women still experience postpartum hemorrhage. Even though coverage of giving births at health facilities in Ethiopia increases, postpartum hemorrhage accounts for 12.2% of all maternal deaths occurring in the country. Lack of the necessary skills of birth attendants is a major contributor to these adverse birth outcomes. Objectives. This study aimed to assess the active management of the third stage of labor practice and associated factors among obstetric care providers. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was applied from March 15 to April 15, 2020. Multistage sampling techniques were used to get 254 participants, and data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires and an observation checklist. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 for analyses. The multivariable logistic regression model was used at 95% confidence interval with

P

value <0.05. Among the 232 providers participating in the study, only 75 (32.3%) of respondents had a good practice. The practice of the provider was significantly associated with work experience (adjusted odd ratio 0.206 (95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.63)), knowledge (adjusted odd ratio (2.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.45–6.14)), the presence of assistance (adjusted odd ratio 2.04 (95% confidence interval, 1.06–3.93)), and time of uterotonic drug preparation (adjusted odd ratio 4.69 (95% confidence interval, 2.31–9.53)). Conclusion. Only one-third of obstetric care providers had good practice during active management of third stage of labor. Practice was significantly associated with work experience, knowledge, the presence of assistance during third-stage management, and time of uterotonic drug preparation. Consistent and sustainable on job training and clinical audit should be applied in all facilities with regular supportive supervision and monitoring. Furthermore, team work and adequate preparation should be done to facilitate the management of active third stage of labor.
New S-Type Bounds of M-Eigenvalues for Elasticity Tensors with Applications
Authors: Zhang Zhuanzhou , He Jun , Liu Yanmin , Ren Zerong
Published: December 2021

In this paper, based on the extreme eigenvalues of the matrices arisen from the given elasticity tensor, S-type upper bounds for the M-eigenvalues of elasticity tensors are established. Finally, S-type sufficient conditions are introduced for the strong ellipticity of elasticity tensors based on the S-type M-eigenvalue inclusion sets.
Evolución y desafíos en la formación médica de posgrado en Brasil
Authors: Fernandes Lages Antonio , Marcial Tania Maria
Published: December 2021

La especialización médica es un gran desafío porque necesita preparar un profesional recién egresado en el especialista que la población quiere y necesita para asegurar mejores condiciones de atención a la salud. La construcción de un sistema para la capacitación de estos profesionales es un gran desafío dada la característica de la formación en servicio, es decir, los profesionales en formación trabajan directamente en la asistencia, dependiendo de instalaciones adecuadas, aparatos, tutores médicos y un programa teórico que garantice el desarrollo del aprendizaje según los parámetros técnicos más actuales. Un desafío adicional es la cantidad y diversidad de instituciones involucradas, desde hospitales universitarios con tradición docente hasta hospitales privados donde el desempeño se limita a la prestación de servicios. En este artículo, buscamos mostrar la trayectoria de la construcción de este sistema en Brasil, que desde hace cerca de 40 años se ha mejorado y ampliado ante la creciente demanda de atención de calidad por parte de la población.
Educación médica y de ciencias de la salud basada en evidencia: perspectivas y desafíos
Authors: Guerra Ferrada Carolina , Carrasco Paola
Published: December 2021

La educación médica basada en evidencia ha proporcionado los estándares para fundamentar la práctica docente. En la medida que los profesores tomen decisiones educativas basadas en evidencia, se lograrán mejores resultados de aprendizaje en los estudiantes y esto se traducirá en que los nuevos profesionales, brinden una atención de salud de calidad a las personas. También es importante incorporar en este proceso de toma de decisiones basados en evidencia, a las ciencias de la salud, ya que este hecho favorecerá el trabajo colaborativo e interdisciplinar, por consiguiente, se favorecerá la salud de la comunidad. El propósito de este artículo es analizar las perspectivas de la educación médica y de las ciencias de la salud y plantear los desafíos actuales y futuros de esta.