bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A lossless compression method for multi-component medical images based on big data mining
Authors: Xin Gangtao , Fan Pingyi
Published: June 2021

In disease diagnosis, medical image plays an important part. Its lossless compression is pretty critical, which directly determines the requirement of local storage space and communication bandwidth of remote medical systems, so as to help the diagnosis and treatment of patients. There are two extraordinary properties related to medical images: lossless and similarity. How to take advantage of these two properties to reduce the information needed to represent an image is the key point of compression. In this paper, we employ the big data mining to set up the image codebook. That is, to find the basic components of images. We propose a soft compression algorithm for multi-component medical images, which can exactly reflect the fundamental structure of images. A general representation framework for image compression is also put forward and the results indicate that our developed soft compression algorithm can outperform the popular benchmarks PNG and JPEG2000 in terms of compression ratio.
Optimization and validation of a two-step method for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Croatian house dust samples
Authors: Jagić Karla , Dvoršćak Marija , Jurič Andreja , Safner Toni , Klinčić Darija
Published: June 2021

Microwave-assisted extraction was applied as a method for extraction of seven polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) from house dust samples.
A fluorimetric and colorimetric dual-signal sensor for hydrogen peroxide and glucose based on the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of cobalt and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots and inner filter effect
Authors: Zhang Guo-Qi , Li Yong-sheng , Liu Wei-Ping , Gao Xiu-Feng
Published: June 2021

A fluorescence and colorimetric dual-signal method for assaying H2O2 and glucose was established based on Co–N-CDs with fluorescence performance and peroxidase-like activity.
Bioreducible, arginine-rich polydisulfide-based siRNA nanocomplexes with excellent tumor penetration for efficient gene silencing
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Hong Kai , Sun Qingmei , Zhu Yunqing , Du Jianzhong
Published: June 2021

siRNA-loaded nanocomplexes for deep tumor penetration.
A phthalocyanine-grafted MA–VA framework polymer as a high performance anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Jianjun , Xu Yong , Chen Jun , Tao Lihong , Ou Caixia , Lv Weixia , Zhong Shengwen
Published: June 2021

A nickel phthalocyanine-grafted MA–VA polymer as a high-performance anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries.
Z-Selective phosphine promoted 1,4-reduction of ynoates and propynoic amides in the presence of water
Authors: Seifert Fabian , Drikermann Denis , Steinmetzer Johannes , Zi You , Kupfer Stephan , Vilotijevic Ivan
Published: June 2021

Nucleophilic phosphines and water reduce electron deficient alkynes to Z-alkenes via a vinyl anion intermediate. The subsequent Z to E isomerization can be prevented by using a minimal amount of water and close reaction monitoring.
Copper-catalyzed P–H insertion reactions of sulfoxonium ylides
Authors: Zhang Xinzhi , Zhang Yangyang , Liang Cuijian , Jiang Jun
Published: June 2021

A copper-catalyzed P–H insertion reaction between sulfoxonium ylides and H-phosphorus oxides has been developed to synthesize α-phosphonyl carboxylate derivatives.
B(C6F5)3-catalyzed O–H insertion reactions of diazoalkanes with phosphinic acids
Authors: Zhang Yangyang , Zhang Xinzhi , Zhao Jincheng , Jiang Jun
Published: June 2021

A highly efficient B(C6F5)3-catalyzed O–H insertion of diazoalkanes and phosphinic acids has been developed. The protocol features advantages of operationally simplicity, high atomic economy, easy scalability and environmental friendliness.
Stabilization of the Pd–NHC framework with 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene ligands toward decomposition in alkaline media
Authors: Chernenko Andrey Yu. , Astakhov Alexander V. , Kutyrev Vadim V. , Gordeev Evgeniy G. , Burykina Julia V. , Minyaev Mikhail E. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Chernyshev Victor M. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: June 2021

New NHC ligands containing a base-ionizable RNH substituent at the C3 atom of the 1,2,4-triazole ring provide superior stability of the Pd–NHC bond against cleavage in strong alkaline media.
Atomistic understanding of the LiNiO2–NiO2 phase diagram from experimentally guided lattice models
Authors: Mock Markus , Bianchini Matteo , Fauth François , Albe Karsten , Sicolo Sabrina
Published: June 2021

A modified lattice model allows for the first time to simulate realistic voltage curves accounting for off-stoichiometry and substitution strategies in cathode materials.
Metal–organic framework derived NiS2 hollow spheres as multifunctional reactors for synergistic regulation of polysulfide confinement and redox conversion
Authors: Hu Shunyou , Yi Mingjie , Siyal Sajid Hussain , Wu Dong , Wang Hao , Zhu Zhenye , Zhang Jiaheng
Published: June 2021

Distinctive NiS2 nanocages with hollow sphere structures can effectively suppress the “shuttle effect” and accelerate the redox kinetics of polysulfides.
Interaction between damping characteristics and the initial‐stage short‐circuit current of MMC‐HVDC transmission systems
Authors: Qin Boyu , Liu Wansong , Zhou Xingyue , Ding Tao , Li Wei , Zomaya Albert Y.
Published: June 2021

This paper studies the interaction between the damping characteristics and the initial‐stage short‐circuit current of modular multilevel converter based high voltage direct current (MMC‐HVDC) transmission system. First, the MMCs' input–output characteristics are obtained through the operator approach, and the influences of both linear part and nonlinear part are analysed. Second, an input–output characteristics based short‐circuit current calculation method is proposed. Third, an eigenvalue‐based comprehensive index is proposed to evaluate the damping characteristics of the MMC‐HVDC transmission system. Finally, the interaction between the damping characteristics and the initial‐stage DC short‐circuit current is analysed under different system parameters and DC system structures. The analysis results show that there is a negative correlation between the system damping characteristics and the average rising rate of the short‐circuit current. The proposed index G can effectively evaluate the short‐circuit current of MMC‐HVDC and can provide guidance for the planning of DC system structure, the selection of operation mode and system parameters.
A transformerless active voltage quality regulator with the novel three‐leg circuit
Authors: Wang Sen , Pei Yunqing , Rong Weiqing , Xiao Guochun , Huang Jingjing , Zhang Jialei
Published: June 2021

Voltage sags and momentary interruptions of power are the most severe voltage disturbances. Here, a tansformerless active voltage quality regulator with the novel three‐leg circuit is proposed to mitigate long duration and deep voltage sags. The shunt rectifier and series inverter of this novel three‐leg circuit are all full‐bridge structures, so it has lower DC bus voltage and smaller filter parameters than the conventional half‐bridge topologies. The totem‐pole bridgeless boost circuit is formed among the three bridge arms and the DC bus voltage will be charged to exceed the peak value of the supply voltage. It can compensate for deep voltage sags (that may be more than 50% of the nominal voltage). Compared to the conventional transformerless series‐connected topology, the proposed topology has the merits of higher efficiency, smaller volume and lower cost. The validity and feasibility of the proposed topology are verified by theoretical analysis, simulation and experiment.
Array shape calibration with phase unwrapping techniques for highly deformed arrays
Authors: Yu Mengling , Yang Yixin , Yang Long
Published: June 2021

Flexible sensor arrays, such as towed and bottom‐mounted arrays, typically suffer from large shape deformations, which seriously affect the results of array processing. In this article, an innovative array shape calibration method with phase unwrapping techniques for highly deformed arrays is proposed. The deformed array is divided into several subarrays, and the first subarray is assumed to suffer from slight shape deformations which can be pre‐calibrated. With the consideration of highly deformed arrays, uncalibrated sensors in other subarrays would have serious position mismatches. The phase differences between uncalibrated and pre‐calibrated sensors are probably larger than , which lead to phase ambiguity problems. A phase unwrapping technique is proposed to efficiently solve the phase ambiguity problem by considering the physical structure constraints of the deformed array, such as intersensor distance and bending angle. Then, sensor positions in highly deformed arrays are calibrated with multiple target directions. Simulation results evaluate the performance of the proposed calibration method, and the SwellEx‐96 shallow water experiment data set is utilised to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A mobility‐aware cluster‐based MAC protocol for radio‐ frequency energy harvesting cognitive wireless sensor networks
Authors: Obaid Arif , Fernando Xavier , Jaseemuddin Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Cognitive wireless sensor networks (CWSN) are severely energy constrained and radio frequency (RF) wireless energy harvesting (RFWEH) has been shown to improve the network lifetime. In many CWSN applications, node mobility imposes challenges owing to changing network topology. Therefore, the design of a new medium access control (MAC) protocol that can handle node mobility as well as energy harvesting is required. A cluster‐based multihop MAC protocol (RMAC‐M) is proposed that incorporates RF energy harvesting in a mobility‐aware CWSN. Our protocol selects cluster heads using an algorithm based on an R‐factor parameter consisting of residual node energy, residual node data and node speed, with appropriate weights. It then transmits data packages using a multitier super cluster head routing mechanism without the need for neighbour discovery. The multitier clustering and RFWEH mechanisms boost the energy performance of the network, increasing its lifetime. On the other hand, time slots allocated for RFWEH increase delay, thereby affecting system latency. Owing to its unique nature, the proposed algorithm has no comparable protocols in the literature. For the sake of completeness, RMAC‐M is compared with well‐known MAC protocols such as LEACH‐M and KoNMAC that do not have energy harvesting or mobility features. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol increases the lifetime of the CWSN nodes substantially, promising a self‐sustainable network in terms of energy. Furthermore, despite the allocation of time slots for energy harvesting, critical network parameters such as throughput, packet loss and average delay remain within target levels.
Testing the magnetic flux paradigm for AGN radio loudness with a radio-intermediate quasar
Authors: Chamani Wara , Savolainen Tuomas , Hada Kazuhiro , Xu Ming H.
Published: June 2021

For understanding the diversity of jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN) and especially the puzzling wide range in their radio loudness, it is important to understand what role the magnetic fields play in setting the power of relativistic jets in AGN. We have performed VLBA phase-referencing observations of the radio-intermediate quasar IIIZw 2 to estimate jet magnetic flux by measuring the core-shift effect. Multi-frequency observations at 4 GHz, 8 GHz, 15 GHz, and 24 GHz were made using three nearby calibrators as reference sources. By combining the self-referencing core shift of each calibrator with the phase-referencing core shifts, we obtained an upper limit of 0.16 mas for the core shift between 4 and 24 GHz in IIIZw 2. By assuming equipartition between magnetic and particle energy densities and adopting the flux-freezing approximation, we further estimated the upper limit for both the magnetic field strength and poloidal magnetic flux threading the black hole. We find that the upper limit to the measured magnetic flux is smaller by at least a factor of five compared to the value predicted by the magnetically arrested disk (MAD) model. An alternative way to derive the jet magnetic field strength from the turnover of the synchrotron spectrum leads to an even smaller upper limit. Hence, the central engine of IIIZw 2 has not reached the MAD state, which could explain why it has failed to develop a powerful jet even though the source harbours a fast-spinning black hole. However, it generates an intermittent jet, which is possibly triggered by small-scale magnetic field fluctuations, as predicted by the magnetic flux paradigm. We propose here that combining black hole spin measurements with magnetic field measurements from the very-long-baseline-interferometry core-shift observations of AGN over a range of jet powers could provide a strong test for the dominant factor that sets the jet power relative to the available accretion power.
Study on volatilization characteristic of vanadium and tungsten of vanadium-based selective catalytic reduction
Authors: Liu Yue , Ni Hong , Li Jun , Xie Shuxia
Published: June 2021

Vanadium-based selective catalyst reduction (V-SCR) has made significant contributions to De-NOx of diesel vehicles. However, the two main catalyst components, V2O5 and WO3, are volatile and toxic. Therefore, there are some restrictions for its application on heavy duty diesel vehicles (HDDV) in the CHINA VI stage. In view of this problem, the volatilization rates of two kinds of volatiles under different inlet temperature and test duration were measured on three V-SCR samples from different catalyst manufacturers. The effects of V-SCR inlet temperature and test duration on the volatilization characteristics of the two volatiles on different samples were systematically studied and compared. The emission concentrations of V2O5 and WO3 at different temperatures were compared with the occupational exposure limits of chemical harmful factors in the workplace which is specified in the GBZ 2.1-2019. The results show that the initial temperature of volatilization of V-SCR is directly related to the technical level of the catalyst itself; whether the volatilization characteristics of V-SCR will change with the prolongation of test duration depends on its inlet temperature; V2O5 emission concentration of V-SCR at 550 C° can reach a quite high exposure level, and the exposure level of WO3 volatiles at 650 C° may be equivalent to that of V2O5 volatiles at 550 C°.
Remote supervision strategy based on in-use vehicle OBD data flow
Authors: Wang Tiantian , Liu Junjie , Wan Chuan , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2021

Test results from many researchers show that NOx emissions from parts of on-road heavy-duty diesels are higher than which been registered. Therefore, CN_VI emission regulations clearly proposes that the heavy-duty diesels should be supervised by a T-BOX which can transmit CAN message from vehicle OBD interface to the remote monitoring platform. Recognition of cheating behaver and calculation method of NOx emission were developed and verified by platform data from on-line vehicle. The modules in the platform can effectively monitor urea consumption rationality, injection system working state, exhaust temperature sensor signal reasonability, NOx sensor signal reasonability and NOx emission level, which can reduce the cost of supervision and governance, improve the effectiveness of regulation and provide basic data for policy making.
Study on fuel consumption and emission characteristics of China VI heavy duty vehicle based on vehicle specific power
Authors: Xu Dandan , Gao Zhongming , Guo Yong , Yan Yan , Wang Fengbin , Shi Fulu
Published: June 2021

This study selects a China VI heavy duty vehicle for PEMS test, and Based on the measurement results of vehicle specific power (VSP) parameters, the VSP calculation formula applicable to this study is proposed , And analyzes the distribution characteristics of VSP, and at the same time according to the fuel consumption and emission data of the actual road driving process collected by the vehicle, The effect of VSP on vehicle fuel consumption and emission characteristics and the correlation between the two are studied. Results show that VSP of the vehicle are mainly concentrated in the interval -10 ≤ VSP ≤ 10kw / t, in which the vehicle driving time accounts for about 99.3% of the total time; the correlation coefficient between VSP and average fuel consumption is about 0.93, there is a strong correlation; The changes of CO, CO2, NOX and PN with VSP all show as that under the same absolute value of VSP, the pollutants emission rate in the VSP> 0 interval is higher than the VSP <0 interval, in which the correlation between VSP and CO, CO2, PN emissions is more strong, but poorly correlated with NOX emissions.
Tailoring the scattering properties of coding metamaterials based on machine learning
Authors: Yang Shuai , Zhang Kuang , Ding Xumin , Yang Guohui , Wu Qun
Published: June 2021

Diverse electromagnetic (EM) responses of coding metamaterials have been investigated, and the general research method is to use full-wave simulation. But if we only care its scattering properties, it is not necessary to perform full-wave simulation, which is usually time-consuming. Machine learning has significantly impelled the development of automatic design and optimize coding matrix. Based on metamaterial particle that has multiple response and genetic algorithm which is coupled with the scattering pattern analysis, we can optimize the coding matrix quickly to tailor the scattering properties without conducting full-wave simulation a lot of times for optimization. Since the coding matrix control of each particle allow modulation of EM wave, various EM phenomena can be achieved easier. In this paper, we proposed two reflective unitcells with different reflection phase, and then a semi-analytical model is built up for unitcells. To tailor the scattering properties, genetic algorithm normally based on binary coding, is coupled with the scattering pattern analysis in order to optimize the coding matrix. Finally, simulation results are compared with the semi-analytical calculation results and it is found that the simulation results agree very well with the theoretical values.
Prospects for Improving the Marketing Policy of Huawei in the Context of the Trade War between the United States and China
Authors: Staryh Svetlana , Derkach Natalya , Lavoshnikova Svetlana , Chesnokova Anastasia
Published: June 2021

The article examines the consequences of the trade war between the United States and China using the example of Apple and Huawei. Based on the calculation of the integral indicator, technical and economic parameters of the competitiveness of the products of these organizations were obtained. It was concluded that large-scale forms of competitive struggle are acquiring the character of a trade war, increasingly restraining the opponent with the help of the non-price factor of competition. In these conditions, the question of the prospects for further improving the marketing policy of Huawei is relevant.
Analysis of Newest Possibilities of Functioning of Islamic Finance in Europe
Authors: Kurochkina Iryna G.
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of newest possibilities of functioning and specifics of Islamic finance in Europe. It was considered main tools of the Islamic economic system, historical aspects of the emergence of Islamic finance in Europe. Also it was investigated the prospects of implementing and development of Islamic finance in Europe and in the Republic of Crimea.
The role of the eco-financial sector in realizing the sustainable development goals
Authors: Glubokova Lyudmila , Kokhanenko Dmitry , Pislegina Natalya , Neverov Pavel , Amonov Kholnazar
Published: June 2021

The article examines the role of the eco -financial sector in the implementation of sustainable development goals through the creation of a new ecological system of global financial resources -a system of responsible and green financing. Favorable economic conditions and significant socio-economic benefits are at the heart of banks’ transition to responsible and green finance. Provided that these principles are implemented on an ongoing basis, in the near future, one can expect an increase in investments in environmental and social projects, and, as a result, an improvement in the environmental situation and an increase in the standard of living of the population different countries of the world. In this paper, the authors analyzed the main directions of development of a new ecological system of global financial resources - a system of responsible and green financing in Russia and abroad and the role of the eco - financial sector in the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals in terms of combating climate change, industrialization, innovation and infrastructure, affordable and clean energy, clean water and sanitation. The analysis showed that foreign and domestic banks and other financial institutions are actively involved in organizing and conducting the issuance of “green” bonds.
Accounting and control procedures in risk assessment of information environment distortion
Authors: Alekseeva Viktoriya V. , Milgunova Irina V.
Published: June 2021

Accounting and control is the foundation of prosperous business. It is impossible to create an effective internal control system without taking into account the organizational and methodological aspects of the accounting process. Therefore, there appears a need for an integrated assessment of accounting and control procedures as a single unified system. The application and introduction of state-of-the art digital technologies is of great importance during the development of high-technology business. In this regard, there is a need to find a system or technology that could make it possible to generalize accounting and control procedures to reduce the risk of the information environment distortion. One of such technologies that implements the formation of a continuous sequential chain of blocks is the blockchain technology. The present article specifies the structure and content of accounting and control procedures blocks using the blockchain technology. The selected blocks include accounting and control procedures based on the sequence of the accounting process. As a rule, control procedures applied by an economic entity do not cover all the risks of accounting information distortion. For that reason, one needs to assess them in order to determine the risks and minimize them. To assess the risks of the information environment distortion, a methodology based on the evaluation of their coverage completeness by accounting and control procedures has been developed. Through a well-rounded assessment of the information environment distortion risk, the proposed methodology will allow one to form accounting information systematically as well as in a quality manner and manage control procedures in order to make effective management decisions.
Problems of the development of the banking sector after the pandemy
Authors: Buraev Fedor , Danilina Marina , Kostromina Elena , Silaeva Anna
Published: June 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy. The banking sector is no exception. The authors analyze the impact of the coronavirus on the functioning and subsequent development of the banking sector in Russia. If we consider this pandemic as a one-time event, then the banking system will recover quickly enough, and there will be no tragic long-term consequences. However, if we talk about the coronavirus pandemic as a recurring event that will occur at intervals of two or even three times a year, then the real consequences are still difficult to assess.
Life quality and human capital within reproduction system: regional aspect
Authors: Makarova Lyudmila , Tkach Elena , Kudryavtseva Irina , Seliverstova Anna , Vinogradova Natalya
Published: June 2021

Human capital as a national economy defining basic factor is considered in the article. The research is focused on human capital study based on regional level. The correlation between human capital and quality of life is also revealed in the study. The quality of life correlates with the model of the society and the dominating model of a human. The major importance of the qualify of life is considered within the concept of sustainable development. The observation of a trend of a human life quality improvement and, therefore, human capital enrichment is presented on a scheme below. Analysis and evaluation of a human capital of a region is provided within historical and modern aspects.
A Digital Approach to Distance E-Learning Foreign Languages Using a Variety of Learning Resources and Learning Competencies
Authors: Kononenko Anna , Nedospasova Larisa
Published: June 2021

The research describes the process of a digital approach in teaching a foreign language using various programs, teaching materials and teaching competencies. Recently, at the development of the distance technologies, the aim is to organize the educational process so that it is given the new educational forms, in terms of quality, a result that is at least the same as traditional ones. In addition, there are many questions related to methods of measuring online learning effectiveness, as it provides an opportunity for continuous learning and improvement of the professional activities. Modern changes in modern social life and culture require a restructuring of the training specialists` system, the development of new technologies in education that implement the training of a person with the necessary social and professional competencies. With the development of new information technologies, the range of up-to-date information platforms is expanding; the conditions are created for the formation of a single global information and educational space on their basis. In this regard, the education system is changing and developing. The application of the most suitable MS Teams platform for implementing the educational process and mastering the necessary competencies is considered. The stages and areas for the implementation of the training material are listed in detail. The authors focus on the relevance of achieving the maximum use of various interactive forms of education using innovative technologies and achieving competencies. The paper examines the use of such technologies, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using such technologies. Methods and approaches in distance or online learning for the assimilation of educational material and mastering the necessary competencies are determined. The authors suggest a possible application of distance learning as an additional educational resource.
Conceptual approach to the management of current assets of an agricultural enterprise
Authors: Vinnichek Lyubov , Badmaeva Dina , Akhmadov Rakhimjon R.
Published: June 2021

The most important direction in the development and implementation of the financial policy of the enterprise is the management of current assets. In the scientific article the conceptual approach based on the theoretical and methodological essence of current assets, which allowed to identify three main directions of management impacts, is proposed and substantiated. Application of conceptual provisions of current assets management is tested on practical data of agricultural enterprises of the agroindustrial complex of the Leningrad region. The use of the proposed approach will allow for quality monitoring of the state and use of the most important components of current assets, to control the provision of the enterprise with inventories, biological and financial assets, to monitor changes in the composition of liquid assets to ensure the market stability of the enterprise.
Machine learning methods in finance
Authors: Karachun Irina , Vinnichek Lyubov , Tuskov Andrey
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on supervised learning and reinforcement learning. These areas overlap most with econometrics, predictive modelling, and optimal control in finance. We choose to focus on how to cast machine learning into various financial modelling and decision frameworks. This work introduces the industry context for machine learning in finance, discussing the critical events that have shaped the finance industry’s need for machine learning and the unique barriers to adoption. The finance industry has adopted machine learning to varying degrees of sophistication. Some key examples demonstrate the nature of machine learning and how it is used in practice. In particular, we begin to address many finance practitioner’s concerns that neural networks are a “black-box” by showing how they are related to existing well-established techniques such as linear regression, logistic regression, and autoregressive time series models. Neural networks can be shown to reduce to other well-known statistical techniques and are adaptable to time series data.
Resulting effects in the evaluation of innovative technology implementation by hotel organisations
Authors: Levchenko Tatiana , Arutyunyan Svetlana , Drozd Olga
Published: June 2021

The article describes the problem of the reflection of resulting effects in the innovative activity of hotel organisations. Despite the special attention and interest in the issue under discussion, a unified approach to the category of “resulting effects” of innovative technology application regarding hotel organisations has not been developed in the research community so far that would take into account the specific characteristics of their activities. A number of existing definitions limit innovative activity to a set of actions for the development and implementation of technologically new services without considering the effects of carrying out innovative processes, the ability to maintain a certain level of innovative activity and availability of a resource complex. The content of resulting effects is described based on the group of indicators. The authors build the stochastic graph of indicators of resulting effects in the innovative processes of hotel organisations. The proposed technique was tested in ten hotel organisations of the resort city of Sochi.
Support for Regulatory Assessment of Percutaneous Absorption of Retronecine-type Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids through Human Skin
Authors: Plaza Alberto , Toner Frank , Harris James , Ottersbach Peter , Roper Clive , Mahony Catherine
Published: June 2021

1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are found naturally in Symphytum officinale, well known as comfrey, which has a longstanding use for the topical treatment of painful muscle and joint complaints. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are a relevant concern for the safety assessment due to their liver genotoxicity profile, and close attention is paid during manufacturing to minimizing their levels. Current regulatory risk assessment approaches include setting limits that derive from toxicity data coming from the oral route of exposure. This study investigated to what extent pyrrolizidine alkaloids are bioavailable following topical exposure, assessing penetration of retronecine-type PAs in an in vitro human skin model. A single comfrey root formulation was spiked with 3 different congeners (a 7R-monoester, an open-chained 7R-diester, and a cyclic diester) and percutaneous absorption measured per OECD guidelines and good laboratory practices. The measured
penetration for all 3 PAs was low and compared favourably with existing in vitro data. Although consideration of different regulatory guidance influences the determination of dermally absorbed dose, these data facilitate the understanding of absorption differences following topical exposure, which in turn can be taken into account in the risk assessment.
The Interaction Effect between Comorbidity Burden and Venous Thromboembolism on Mortality: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Bonnesen Kasper , Schmidt Morten , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Sørensen Henrik T.
Published: June 2021

Background Comorbidity influences venous thromboembolism (VTE) mortality, but it is unknown whether this is due to comorbidity alone or whether biological interaction exists.

Objectives We examined whether comorbidity and VTE interact to increase VTE mortality beyond their individual effects.

Methods This nationwide population-based cohort study included all VTE patients ≥18 years during 2000 to 2016, and an age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched comparison cohort of individuals without VTE. We computed age-standardized mortality rates and examined interaction on the additive scale using interaction contrasts (difference in rate differences).

Results After 30-day follow-up, the mortality rate per 1,000 person-years among individuals with no comorbidity was 419 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 391–447) in the VTE and 16 (95% CI: 13–18) in the comparison cohort (rate difference: 403). The corresponding mortality rate increased to 591 (95% CI: 539–643) in the VTE cohort and 38 (95% CI: 33–44) in the comparison cohort among individuals with low comorbidity (rate difference: 553). The interaction contrast (150) showed that 25% (150/591) of mortality was explained by the interaction in individuals with low comorbidity. This percentage increased to 56% for moderate and 63% for severe comorbidity. Interaction effects were largest within 30-day follow-up, for provoked VTE, in young individuals, and in individuals noncompliant to anticoagulant therapy. Dose–response patterns for interaction effects were also observed after 31–365-day and >1–5-year follow-up (p < 0.0001). Interaction effects varied between individual comorbidities.

Conclusion Biological interaction between comorbidity and VTE explained a substantial proportion of VTE mortality. The interaction effect increased with comorbidity burden.
Scaphotrapezoid Assessment during Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Fram Brianna R. , Hozack Bryan , Ilyas Asif M. , Jones Christopher , Rivlin Michael
Published: June 2021

Background Due to limited sensitivity of radiographs for scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) arthritis and the high rate of concurrence between thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) and STT arthritis, intraoperative visualization of the STT joint is recommended during CMC arthroplasty.

Purpose We quantified the percentage of trapezoid facet of the scaphotrapezoid (ST) joint that could be visualized during this approach, and compared it to the degree of preoperative radiographic STT arthritis.

Methods We performed dorsal surgical approach to the thumb CMC joint after obtaining fluoroscopic anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique wrist radiographs of 11 cadaver wrists. After trapeziectomy, the ST joint was inspected and the visualized portion of the trapezoid articulation marked with an electrocautery. The trapezoid was removed, photographed, and the marked articular surface area and total surface area were independently measured by two authors using an image analysis software. The radiographs were analyzed for the presence of STT arthritis.

Results The mean visualized trapezoid surface area during standard approach for CMC arthroplasty was 60.3% (standard deviation: 24.6%). The visualized percentage ranged widely from 16.7 to 96.5%. There was no significant correlation between degree of radiographic arthritis and visualized percentage of the joint (p = 0.77).

Conclusions: On average, 60% of the trapezoid joint surface was visualized during routine approach to the thumb CMC joint, but with very large variability. Direct visualization of the joint did not correlate with the degree of radiographic STT arthritis.

Clinical Relevance A combination of clinical examination, pre- and intraoperative radiographs, and intraoperative visualization should be utilized to assess for STT osteoarthritis and determine the need for surgical treatment.

Level of Evidence This is a Cadaveric Research Article.
Irrational risk-taking of professionals? The relationship between risk exposures and previous profits
Authors: Berlinger Edina , Dömötör Barbara , Szűcs Balázs Árpád
Published: June 2021

The risk attitude of investors is a key factor determining financial asset prices and market trends. Changes in risk attitude may be due to the interference of macro-level (business cycle) and micro-level (individual experience) effects. We investigate the impact of individual experience on the subsequent risk-taking attitude of professionals via the analysis of the trading activity of 351 non-financial firms and (non-bank) financial institutions (insurance companies, financial intermediaries, etc.) covering 57,039 FX forward transactions in a highly volatile period between January 2008 and November 2012. Panel regressions for all firms and institutions do not show significant behavioral patterns. When investigating each client separately, however, we find that 39.7% of the clients having enough transactions to analyze statistically tend to increase their risk exposure irrationally after large gains or losses which can be the manifestation of the break-even and house-money effects well-documented in the literature for non-professionals. This irrational behavior may destroy value, so both market players and regulators should pay attention to monitor and control it.
Transcriptional responses of
Authors: Hou Weina , Singh Rupesh K. , Martins Viviana , Tenllado Francisco , Franklin Gregory , Dias Alberto C. P.
Published: June 2021

Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort) is a well-known medicinal plant that possesses secondary metabolites with beneficial pharmacological properties. However, improvement in the production of secondary metabolites via genetic manipulation is a challenging task as H. perforatum remains recalcitrant to Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Here, the transcripts of key genes involved in several plant defence responses (secondary metabolites, RNA silencing, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and specific defence genes) were investigated in H. perforatum suspension cells inoculated with A. tumefaciens by quantitative real-time PCR. Results indicated that key genes from the xanthone, hypericin and melatonin biosynthesis pathways, the ROS-detoxification enzyme HpAOX, as well as the defence genes Hyp-1 and HpPGIP, were all upregulated to rapidly respond to A. tumefaciens elicitation in H. perforatum. By contrast, expression levels of genes involved in hyperforin and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were markedly downregulated upon A. tumefaciens elicitation. In addition, we compared the expression patterns of key genes in H. perforatum leaf tissues with and without dark glands, a major site of secondary metabolite production. Overall, we provide evidence for the upregulation of several phenylpropanoid pathway genes in response to elicitation by Agrobacterium, suggesting that production of secondary metabolites could modulate H. perforatum recalcitrance to A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation.
Factuality lens
Authors: Su Danjie
Published: June 2021

Why do speakers choose the Mandarin Chinese unmarked passive construction (UP) in conversation when they have other grammatical alternatives with roughly the same semantics? From the perspective of subjectivity, this study identifies the Factuality lens, a lens through which a situation is presented as a “fact” or a “truth” regardless of reality. My analysis of a video corpus of spontaneous talk show conversations using the discourse adjacent alternation method reveals that speakers tend to choose UP over other constructions to present a transitive event through the Factuality lens by emphasizing the factuality of a fact or making a non-fact appear as a fact – either deceivingly or openly in a fictitious narrative or a joke. The findings reveal that grammatical constructions can linguistically recreate a situation different from reality. The conclusion that Factuality lens is a factor that could influence speakers’ grammatical choice casts light on pragmatic consequence of grammatical choice and subjectivity in language use.
Tachyonic preheating in Palatini R
2 inflation
Authors: Karam Alexandros , Tomberg Eemeli , Veermäe Hardi
Published: June 2021

We study preheating in the Palatini formalism with a quadratic inflaton potential and an added αR
2 term. In such models, the oscillating inflaton field repeatedly returns to the plateau of the Einstein frame potential, on which the tachyonic instability fragments the inflaton condensate within less than an e-fold. We find that tachyonic preheating takes place when α ≳ 1013 and that the energy density of the fragmented field grows with the rate Γ/H ≈ 0.011 × α0.31. The model extends the family of plateau models with similar preheating behaviour. Although it contains non-canonical quartic kinetic terms in the Einstein frame, we show that, in the first approximation, these can be neglected during both preheating and inflation.
Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics of crystals
Authors: Mabillard Joël , Gaspard Pierre
Published: June 2021

The local equilibrium approach previously developed by the authors (J Mabillard and P Gaspard 2020 J. Stat. Mech. 103203) for matter with broken symmetries is applied to crystalline solids. The macroscopic hydrodynamics of crystals and their local thermodynamic and transport properties are deduced from the microscopic Hamiltonian dynamics. In particular, the Green–Kubo formulas are obtained for all the transport coefficients. The eight hydrodynamic modes and their dispersion relation are studied for general and cubic crystals. In the same twenty crystallographic classes as those compatible with piezoelectricity, cross effects coupling transport between linear momentum and heat or crystalline order are shown to split the degeneracy of damping rates for modes propagating in opposite generic directions.
The Awareness of Lean Manufacturing Implemented Practices in SME in Sabah State: TQM And TPM Practices Approach
Authors: Adzrie M , Armi M A S M
Published: June 2021

This study aims to evaluate the awareness of implemented practices that already applied and the implementation of lean manufacturing practice of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) on Small Medium Enterprise (SME) companies in Sabah. Regarding the implementation of TQM and TPM practices of lean manufacturing, this study evaluates the awareness implementation of lean manufacturing practices TQM and TPM among manufacturing company located in Sabah before analyzing the respondent survey data. As to know better the awareness of TQM and TPM practices, a study of the awareness of lean manufacturing implemented practices was conducted which to identify the practices that already been implement and the pillars practices that highly and lowest implemented to the SME’s companies in term of TQM and TPM practices. The scope of this study has covered the manufacturing company of drinking manufacturing industry that is actively operating in Sabah, specifically on Small Medium Enterprise (SME) companies. The methodology used for the study was by survey questionnaire which contains open and closed ended questions, sent out to desired respondents. The outcomes of the analysed data were created using descriptive statistics by explaining the trends in dataset and Cronbach’s Alpha to test the internal reliability of the item. This study finds significant evident of the implementation of lean manufacturing and its practices among SME’s drinking manufacturing companies in Sabah, as well as the awareness implementation of lean manufacturing practices with a statistical value.
Optimal control on the attitude rotation of a flexible satellite model base on tetrahedral configured reaction wheels
Authors: Vil Cherd T. , Hazadura N.
Published: June 2021

The increase in demand for performance for satellite capabilities has pushed the design of the system to be more power consuming. Currently, most of the satellite design are equipped with large solar panel in order to produce sufficient power. Thus, this translates to a higher flexibility in the satellite which makes the satellite prone to vibratory motion. The primary cause of vibratory motion in satellite is the attitude rotation. Reaction wheel is a widely used attitude rotation actuator for a satellite Commonly, the reaction wheels are configured in the tetrahedral form. This causes uneven maximum torque at any direction. Hence, an iterative optimal control method is applied using GPOPS toolbox to achieve minimum time of rotation with low level of induced vibratory motion. The optimized control is compared with the Eigen-axis Quaternion Feedback control to observe the performance of the optimal control. Depending on the direction of attitude manoeuvre, the optimal control has shown an improvement between 3.49% to 25.11% in manoeuvre time. Overall, the optimal control outperformed the traditional the Eigen-axis Quaternion Feedback control.
Line of sight visibility analysis for foreign object debris detection system
Authors: Fizza G , Idrus S M , Iqbal F , Hassan W H W , Shibagaki N , Kashima K , Hamzah A , Ambran S , Kawanishi T
Published: June 2021

It is challenging to monitor busy airports’ runway through visual inspection to precisely detect foreign object debris. Currently, many technologies for the detection of foreign object debris are available. It has been investigated that millimeter-wave radar technology’s detection capability can be one of the most effective techniques for detecting foreign object debris as it is weather-resilient. However, the positioning and height of a millimeter-wave radar pole covering the runway area, considering the existing runway infrastructure, are challenging. The task involves finding the appropriate placement and optimum height. This paper presents a novel method of line of sight visibility for placement and height of radar pole using human factor research to ensure that each point on the runway is visible from various heights of the millimeter-wave radar pole to the runway locations. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia runway 32L/14R, has used a case study to test the visibility analysis. The visual analytic test’s successful results for different millimeter-wave radar pole locations and viewing heights under a visible and invisible line of sight conditions on the runway have been verified in the field experiment.
Prediction of Transformer Health Index Using Condition Situation Monitoring (CSM) Diagnostic Techniques
Authors: Abdullah AM , Ali R , Yaacob SB , Mansur TMNT , Baharudin NH
Published: June 2021

This paper presents newly developed condition situation monitoring (CSM) diagnostic techniques for predicting the health index and health condition of practical cases in any working transformer. Investigation on measurement and testing can produce results on the insulation resistance between phase and ground test, polarization index with different time duration test, winding resistance of transformer while winding tap changer rating transformer can be determined by the performance health index of the transformer. Real data was collected from 8 units of transformers from Company Transformer Manufacturing and Servicing (CTMS) in Malaysia. The data was applied to calculate the healthy index to provide the transformer performance indicator condition. The main purpose for the use of transformer health index is to indicate the condition of the transformer and attend to failures that can be prevented, with consequences on safety and cost.