bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of forming velocity on micro deep drawing performance with different blank thickness
Authors: Pan Di , Zhang Guangqing , Xie Haibo , Jia Fanghui , Kamali Hamidreza , Jiang Zhengyi
Published: August 2021

Micro deep drawing is a promising manufacturing method to produce the hollow, thin walled, cup or box like products at micro scale. Forming velocity can affect the products’ quality significantly due to the size effect, and this effect can be various with different thickness material. In this study, 30, 40, and 50 µm thickness stainless steels were annealed at 950 °C for 2 min under protection of argon gas ambient respectively. These different thickness steels were utilized in the micro deep drawing with different forming velocities. The experimental results show that, the profile accuracy and surface quality of the micro product are affected by changing the forming velocity with different thickness blanks. The micro cup has a less indentation area at the bottom and becomes rounder and more symmetrical with a thicker blank. Besides, the wrinkling phenomenon turns distinct with a thinner blank, and the earing becomes more significantly when increasing the drawing velocity or decreasing the blank thickness. When the drawing velocity or blank thickness increases, the surface of the micro cup becomes smooth and even. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation results, which confirms the developed finite element simulation model is applicable.
Barriers and Facilitators to the Introduction of Import Duties Designed to Prevent Noncommunicable Disease in Tonga: a Case Study
Authors: Bell Colin , Latu Catherine , Na'ati Elisiva , Snowdon Wendy , Moodie Marj , Waqa Gade
Published: August 2021

Background In Tonga, import duties were lowered on tinned fish and seafood in 2013 and raised on soft drinks, dripping and other animal fats. Additional import duties were applied to soft drinks and dripping and other fats in 2016 and duties were also applied to high fat meats, mutton flaps and turkey tails. The objective of this study was to describe barriers to and facilitators of these import duties from a policy-maker perspective.Methods A case study was conducted to analyse implementation of policies originally modelled by the Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities project to reduce mortality in the Kingdom of Tonga. Policymakers (n=15) from the Ministries of Revenue, Health, Finance and Labour and Commerce involved in the development and implementation of Tonga’s food-related policies participated in key-informant interviews. Results The main facilitator of import duties were strong leadership and management, cross-sector collaboration, awareness raising and advocacy, nature of the policy, and the effective use of data to model policy impacts and inform the general public. The absence of clear lines of responsibility and a decline in collaboration over time were identified as barriers to implementation of the import duties. Conclusion Implementing import duties to prevent non-communicable disease can be straight forward providing policymakers and the community have a shared understanding of the health and economic costs of NCDs.
Neural Correlations Between Executive Function and Social Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mediation Analysis of fMRI
Authors: Zhang Anyi , Shi Le , Lin Xiao , Chang Suhua , Li Peng , Bao Yanping , Yan Wei , Yang Li , Shi Jie , Deng Jiahui , Lu Lin , Liu Jiajia
Published: August 2021

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders with high heterogeneity. The co-occurrence of social deficits and executive dysfunction is frequently reported in individuals with ASD. The present study evaluated the association between social deficit and executive dysfunction in ASD subjects and explored the underlying neural mechanisms that may mediate this association.Methods: A total of 186 patients with ASD, 5-18 years old (10.25 ± 2.72 years old), from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II database were enrolled in the final sample. Social function was evaluated by the parent-reported Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and executive function (EF) was measured by the parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). We selected bilateral amygdala, caudate and putamen as regions of interests, and used the region of interest-based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) analysis to explore the shared and specific brain mechanisms underlying EF and social function. The association analysis of EF, social deficits and FC was conducted using linear regression by controlling covariates, including age, gender, full IQ, handedness, and current medication. Results: The result showed that social functions in ASD children and adolescents were positively associated with EF (r = 0.612, p <0.01). Additionally, 14 and 21 FC links were associated with social deficits and executive dysfunction separately, in which five FC links (right amygdala and right inferior frontal gyrus opercular part, left caudate and right supramarginal gyrus, left putamen and right superior frontal gyrus medial orbital, right putamen and left gyrus rectus, and right putamen and left paracentral lobule) were simultaneously correlated with social function and EF in ASD subjects. We also found that connectivity between the right amygdala and right inferior frontal gyrus mediated the effects of EF on social deficit. Limitations: All the included participants in the present study were ASD patients and male participants, which might limit the generalization of our findings.Conclusion: We found a significant association between social deficits and executive dysfunction in ASD subjects. This association might be mediated by FC between the right amygdala and the right inferior frontal gyrus, which may further illustrate the underlying mechanism of ASD and co-occurrence of social deficits and executive dysfunction in this population.
It’s a Matter of Taste: Avian Predators Taste Reject Mimetic Prey in Relation to Signal Reliability
Authors: He Ruchuan , Barnett Craig , Pagani-Núñez Emilio , Goodale Eben
Published: August 2021

Aposematic organisms defend themselves through various means to increase their unprofitability to predators which they advertise with conspicuous warning signals. Predators learn to avoid aposematic prey through associative learning that leads to lower predation. However, when these visual signals become unreliable (e.g., through automimicry or Batesian mimicry), predators may switch from using visual signals to taste sampling prey to choose among them (‘go-slow’ behaviour). In this experiment, we tested this possibility in a field experiment where we released a total of 9600 mealworm prey of two types: (i) undefended prey (injected with water) and (ii) model-mimics (injected with either quinine sulphate [models] or water [mimics]). Prey were deployed at 12 sites, each with a mimic frequency ratio between 0 to 1, at 0.2 intervals. We found that taste rejection peaked at moderate mimic frequencies (0.4 and 0.6), supporting the idea that taste sampling and rejection of prey is related to signal reliability and predator uncertainty. This is the first time that taste-rejection has been shown to be related to the reliability of prey signals in a mimetic prey system.
Formulating the MCIDs Of the Quality of Life Scale for Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on ROC Curve
Authors: Xue Honghong , Yang Zheng , Wan Chonghua , Wong Wendy , Chen Mingyang , Xie Tong
Published: August 2021

Purpose: This study uses the ROC curve to formulate the MCID value of the Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases of Systemic lupus erythematosus (QLICD-SLE V2.0) scale. Methods: Using the representative item “In general, would you say your health is” of the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) as an anchor, the questionnaire of QLICD-SLE V2.0 and the anchor item were used to investigate the patients on the first day of hospitalization, and the day before the patient was discharged. 428 patients with lupus erythematosus (32 males, 395females; aged 13-76 years) from Zhanjiang Hospital and Kunming Medical University Hospital in China were participated in this one year longitudinal follow-up study. The ROC curve was constructed by using the classification based on the anchor item as the gold standard and the difference score of the scale as the test variable. The cut-off point corresponding to the maximum value of the Youden index in the ROC curve is taken as the minimum clinical importance difference (MCID) value of the QLICD-SLE (V2.0) scale. Results: According to the ROC curve, the MCID of physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, QLICD-GM, specific domain and QLICD-SLE (V2.0) total scale are 8.3,2.3,0,2.7,9.2 and 3.2. Area under the ROC curve of QLICD-SLE (V2.0) is 0.898, P (Area=0.5)<0.001, the sensitivity is 100%, the specificity is 66.9%. Conclusion: This study recommended 3.2 as the MCID of QLICD-SLE (V2.0) scale. Compared with before treatments, if the scale score after treatments changes at least 3.2 points positively, then the treatment intervention can be considered as clinically significant. The ROC curve method is used to visualize the sensitivity and specificity. It is more convincing to use the corresponding cut-off point as the MCID.
Mongolian Medicinal Formula Anshen-Buxin-Liuwei Pill Alleviate Cardiomyocyte Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury via Mitochondrion Pathway
Authors: Huang Yu-jia , Tong Hai-ying , Huang Xian-ju , Xiao Xin-Cai , Dong Yue , Iqbal Muhammad Sarfaraz
Published: August 2021

Anshen Buxin Liuwei pill (ABLP), a Mongolian medicinal formula, composed of the six medicinal materials of Mongolian medicine Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin, Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb. ) Burtt et Hill, Myristica fragrans Houtt., Eugenia caryophµllata Thunb., Aucklandia lappa Decne., Liqui dambar formosana Hance, is considered to have a therapeutic effect on the symptoms such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, depression and irritability, palpitation, and shortness of breath. Therefore, the present study was employed a network pharmacology approach to identify the potentially active ingredients and to evaluate the protective effect of ABLP on hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes, and its influence on cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used to construct a HR injury model. CCK-8 assay and AnnexinV-FITC cell apoptosis assays were used for cell viability and cell apoptosis determination. The levels of LDH, SOD, MDA, CAT, CK, GSH-Px, Na+-K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase in the cells were determined to assess the effect of ABLP. the mRNA levels of Sirtuin3 (Sirt3) and Cytochrome C (Cytc) in H9c2 cells were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The finding of this study indicates that HR treatment cells began to shrink from the spindle in an irregular shape with some floated in the medium, well by increasing the therapeutic dose of ABLP (5 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL), the cells gradually reconverted in a concentration-dependent manner. The release of CK in HR-treated cells was significantly increased, indicating that ABLP exerts a protective effect in H9c2 cells against HR injury and can improve the mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitochondrial function integrity. The present study scrutinized the cardio-protective effect of ABLP against the HR-induced H9c2 cells injury through antioxidant and mitochondrion pathways. ABLP could be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of myocardial ischemic cardiovascular disease. The results will provide reasonable information for clinical use of the ABLP.
Negative 18F-FET PET/CT in Brain Metastasis Recurrence: a Teaching Case Report.
Authors: Alshehri Samirah , Prior John , Moshebah Mohammed , Schiappacasse Luis , Dunet Vincent
Published: August 2021

Positron emission tomography (PET) using O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be a useful tool for differentiating radiation therapy outcomes either brain metastasis recurrence or radiation necrosis. We present the case of a female with known metastatic brain lesion with suspicion of tumor recurrence on follow-up MRI 16 months after radiosurgery. 18F-FET PET was indicative of radiation necrosis. Due to the patient's medical history, the discrepancy between brain MRI and the PET/CT results, surgical biopsies were decided, which were positive for brain metastasis recurrence. Diagnosis of metastasis recurrence may be challenging also on 18F-FET PET/CT. In case of discrepancies between MRI and PET/CT results, false-negative 18F-FET PET/CT is still possible and should lead to careful follow-up or biopsy.
Distributed brain networks for anticipatory modulation of human response times
Authors: Ramayya Ashwin , Buch Vivek , Richardson Andrew , Lucas Timothy , Gold Joshua
Published: August 2021

Simple sensory-motor behaviors that engage the central nervous system can provide a window onto key building blocks of cognition, such as via response times (RTs) that are sensitive to learned, task-dependent expectations. However, our understanding of the mechanisms that support these cognitive effects on behavior, particularly in the human brain, remains limited, in part because of a major disconnect between the simple algorithmic models often used to describe behavioral patterns and the complex neural dynamics associated with sensory-motor and cognitive information processing in the brain. Here we used quantitative behavioral analyses and intracranial recordings from patients with medically refractory epilepsy to identify specific, computationally defined components of expectation-dependent RT variability in the brain. Behaviorally derived models based on abstracted motor-preparatory processes provided useful, low-dimensional descriptions of the underlying neural computations. These descriptions did not have clear local neural representations, including in motor-preparatory regions, but instead were evident in certain emergent network-wide neural response properties that reflected task-relevant neural activity patterns with diverse timing, form, and anatomical locations. Our results illustrate the complex mapping between algorithmic and implementation-level descriptions of flexible neural information processing and identify specific, distributed networks the brain uses to combine expectations with sensory input to guide behavior.
Deep sequencing of the HIV-1 polymerase gene for characterisation of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes during early and chronic disease stages
Authors: Nkone Paballo , Loubser Shayne , Quinn Thomas C. , Redd Andrew D. , Ismail Arshad , Tiemessen Caroline T. , Mayaphi Simnikiwe Horatious
Published: August 2021

Background

Despite multiple attempts, there is still no effective HIV-1 vaccine available. The HIV-1 polymerase (pol) gene is highly conserved and encodes cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. In this study, deep sequencing was employed for characterisation of HIV-1 Pol CTL epitopes in mostly paired samples obtained during early and chronic stages of infection. Deep sequencing data was then compared to Sanger sequencing data only in samples obtained at baseline.
Results

Fifty-two participants were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 28 years (interquartile range: 24–32 years) and the majority of participants (92.3%) were female. Illumina minority variant analysis identified a significantly higher number of CTL epitopes (n = 65) compared to epitopes (n = 8) identified through Sanger sequencing. Most of the identified epitopes mapped to reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN) regardless of the method of sequencing. There was a significantly higher proportion of minority variant epitopes in RT (n = 39, 60.0%) compared to IN (n = 17, 26.2%) and PR (n = 9, 13.8%), p = 0.002 and < 0.0001, respectively. However, no significant difference was observed between the proportion of minority variant epitopes in IN versus PR, p = 0.06. Some epitopes were detected in either early or chronic HIV-1 infection whereas others were detected in both stages. Different distribution patterns of minority variant epitopes were observed in sample pairs; with some increasing or decreasing over time, while others remained constant. Some of the identified epitopes have not been previously reported for HIV-1 subtype C. There were also variants that could not be mapped to reported CTL epitopes in the Los Alamos HIV database.
Conclusion

Deep sequencing revealed many Pol CTL epitopes, including some not previously reported for HIV-1 subtype C. The findings of this study support the inclusion of RT and IN epitopes in HIV-1 vaccine candidates as these proteins harbour many CTL epitopes. Variants that were not mapped within CTL epitopes could represent new epitopes.
Comparison of Statistical and Quantum Numerical Methodology for Solving Energy and Momentum Equation
Authors: Almalowi Saeed
Published: August 2021

Statistical and Quantum numerical method are implemented in this study to solve various cases in partial differential equations (PDEs). One -dimensional with two lattices arrangements as well as two-dimensional with nine lattices arrangements are employed. The stability and the accuracy have been investigated either using statistical technique or using Euler’s method. The numerical limitations of using LBM method have been obtained and compared with those obtained by Euler’s method finite difference method. The main goal of this study is to investigate the ability of a statistical method in solving various ODEs or PDEs in energy and momentum equations and comparing them with those obtained by a classical numerical technique... The results show the ability of the statistical method for solving ODEs and PDE’s with more stable and accurate results. Consequently, statistical technique is a powerful and promising numerical technique for scientists who are struggling for solving ODEs or PDEs. The next study will be extended to cover upwind scheme technique.
The Experimental Study on Interaction of Vibration and Dynamic Force in Precision Milling Process
Authors: Guo Weicheng , Guo Miaoxian , Ye Yi , Jiang Xiaohui , Wu Chongjun
Published: August 2021

A good understanding of the dynamic characteristic in milling of aerospace aluminum, especially the coupling vibration caused by the interaction of the manufacturing process and the machine tool, helps promote the machining precision and surface quality of aerospace structural components. This paper is devoted to proposing the interaction theory of the vibration and dynamic force, which is verified in the milling of Al 7075-T651 by consideration both the machine tool load and machining process dynamic load. First, through detailed analysis of the interaction effect of vibration and the dynamic force, the dynamic milling process is simplified to theoretically model the dynamic interaction in the precision manufacturing process under non-chatter condition. Then, the dynamic process force, which is the key source of the interaction, is modeled and obtained based on wavelet packet transform preprocess; the Frequency Response Function (FRF) of machine tool is regarded as the interaction link between the dynamic force load and the vibration response; the machine tool non-cutting vibration is transformed as a special dynamic load superposed on the response. Finally, the interaction vibration is calculated applying interaction effect model, the predicated results obtained in interaction effect approach match well with the vibration signal directly obtained in the test.
A Innovative Prognostic Symbol Based on Autophagy-Related Long Noncoding RNAs Signature Predicts in Low-Grade Glioma
Authors: Maimaiti Aierpati , Tuerhong Mirezhati , Wang Yongxin , Aisha Maimaitili , Jiang Lei , Wang Xixian , Mahemuti Yusufu , Aili Yirizhati , Feng Zhaohai , Kasimu Maimaitijiang
Published: August 2021

Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process essential in tumorigenesis. However, the involvement of autophagy-related lncRNA in low-grade gliomas (LGG) remains a pending question. Efforts were made to establish an autophagy-related lncRNA signature prognostic in LGG patients, and to explore the behind potential function. We used Univariate Cox, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso), and Multivariate Cox regression models were designed to establish an autophagy-related lncRNA prognostic signature. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, nomogram, C-index, calibration curve and clinical decision-making curve were adopted to assess the predictive capability of the identified signature.A signature comprising 9 autophagy-related lncRNAs (AL136964.1, ARHGEF26-AS1, PCED1B-AS1, AS104072.1, PRKCQ-AS1, LINC00957, AS125616.1, PSMB8-AS1, and AC087741.1) was identified as a prognostic model. LGG patients were allocated into high- and low-risk cohorts depending on the median model-based Riskscore. The survival analysis showed a 10-year survival rate of 9.3% (95% CI: 1.91-45.3%) in high-risk LGG patients and 48.4% (95% CI: 24.7-95.0%) in low-risk individuals in the training set. While those of patients in the validation set were 13.48% (95% CI: 4.52-40.2%) for high-risk LGG patients and 48.4% (95% CI: 28.04-83.4%) for low-risk LGG patients, respectively. This suggested a relatively low survival in high-risk cases compared to low-risk individuals. In addition, LncRNA signature was independently prognostic and potentially associated with the progression of LGG. Taken together, our constructed 9 autophagy-related lncRNA signature may play a crucial part in the diagnosis and treatment for LGG, which may guide to open up a new avenues for tumor targeted therapy.
Triatoma Williami Galvão, Souza e Lima, 1965 (Hemiptera, Triatominae) in Intradomiciliary Environments of Urban Area in Mato Grosso State, Brazil Domiciliation Process of a Wild Species?
Authors: Martins Mirian Francisca , de Moraes Sinara Cristina , Oliveira Jader , Santos Janaina Cipriana dos , Santos-Silva Ludier Kesser , Galvão Cleber
Published: August 2021

Background: Triatomines found throughout Latin America are natural Chagas disease vectors (ChD). The domiciliation of triatomines is one of the main factors increasing the occurrence risk of human cases of this disease. There are 66 species of triatomine in Brazil, with three genera of significant epidemiological importance: Panstrongylus, Rhodnius, and Triatoma. Among the Triatoma species, Triatoma williami, a wild species, has been reported in the Brazilian states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, and Mato Grosso do Sul. In the city of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, the invasion by triatomines has been reported, with T. williami being the most common species. Methods: Triatomine specimens were collected by passive surveillance or by active search by agents combating endemic diseases. After taxonomic identification, a parasitological feces diagnosis was performed to detect the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi. Concerning T. cruzi identification, molecular diagnosis and genetic sequencing were performed to identify the strain, also called discrete typing units (DTUs). Results: In 2019, several triatomine specimens were collected in the urban area of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso. Among them, 155 specimens were T. williami, P. geniculatus, and R. neglectus. In 2020, the sampled triatomine specimens were 56 T. williami, Panstrongylus diasi, and R. neglectus. For these years, T. williami has been the most frequent species. Between 2019 and 2020, 137 T. williami were collected (61% of them inside houses). In two triatomine colonies were found and morphological analyses, indicated were T. williami. These insects were collected inside houses in an urban area, on a neighborhood from Jardim Pitaluga (15°51’57.7” N, 052°16’04.5E). The records were sampled in September/2019 and January/2021. The rate of natural infection was 30.3% and 73.5% for 2019 to 2020. Two T. williami specimens belonging to one of colonies were positive for T. cruzi strain DTU IV, Conclusions: This is the first time that the occurrence of domiciliation of T. williami has been confirmed in an urban area of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Further studies are needed for a clearer understanding of the ecology of this species for prevention and control mechanisms, since its sampled specimens had a high rate of natural infection by T. cruzi.
An Improved Thermal Performance Modeling for High-speed Spindle of Machine Tool Based on Thermal Contact Resistance Analysis
Authors: Fang Bing , Cheng Mengna , Gu Tianqi , Ye Dapeng
Published: August 2021

The distribution of the temperature field has a great influence on structural performance, thermal deformation, thermal error compensation. To improve the prediction accuracy of the temperature distribution of the spindle system, a comprehensive model considering the contact thermal resistance (TCR) of the interfaces was established to analyze the thermal performance of high-speed spindle system in the present work. An elastoplastic contact model was used to calculate the contacting areas and loads of interfaces, which were employed to establish the contact thermal resistance model of the main interfaces of spindle, such as bearing rings and tool holders. Basing on the TCR parameters, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model was proposed to analyze the temperature distribution of the spindle system. And a temperature test experiment was set up to verify the accuracy of the FEA model. The results show that the relative error of representative test points was all less than 5%, which means the established model can appropriately reflect the temperature field distribution of the spindle.
Changes in Ocular Surface Disease Evaluated after Nonpenetrating Deep Sclerectomy
Authors: Fuente-García Carlota , Muñoz-Negrete Francisco José , de Dompablo-Ventura Elisabet , Moreno-Montañés Javier , Rebolleda Gema
Published: August 2021

Objective: To analyse the ocular surface changes in eyes after the withdraw of anti-glaucomatous drugs when non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) is performed.Methods: 31 patients (33 eyes) diagnosed of glaucoma that underwent NPDS, were included in this prospective study. Control group included 33 eyes of 33 age and sex-matched volunteers. Five variables were studied with Keratograph 5M (K5M): ocular hyperaemia (OH), non-invasive tear film break-up time (NI-BUT), lower tear meniscus height (LTMH) and meibography. LTMH was also measured using the anterior segment module of Spectralis Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FD-OCT). Also, an evaluation of corneal and conjunctival staining was performed.In addition, patients were asked to answer two questionnaires: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) before and 6-months after surgery.Results: Before NPDS, treated eyes, showed worse objective data than healthy controls (p ≤0.049). In this group, a significant improvement was observed in the questionnaires (p< 0.001), LTMH FD-OCT (p=0.037) and LTMH K5M (p=0.025), K5M OH (p=0.003), NI-BUT (=0.022) and conjunctival and corneal staining (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed between groups in FD-OCT and K5M LTMH, NI-BUT, corneal-conjunctival staining and in the most OH sector values at 6 months(p ≥0.62).Conclusion: A significant improvement in the ocular surface was observed 6 months after NPDS, suggesting that the withdrawn of the topical anti-glaucomatous treatment has a beneficial effect.
A Robotic System with Robust Remote Center Motion Constraint for Endometrial Regeneration Surgery
Authors: Li Jianhua , Wang Chongyang , Wang Zhenxing , Zheng Xiong , Wang Zhidong , Tan Jichun , Liu Hao
Published: August 2021

Surgical robots have been widely used in various surgeries in order to improve and facilitate the surgeries. However, there is no robot intended for endometrial regeneration surgery which is a new therapy to restore women’s fertility by using stem cells. Endometrial regeneration surgery requires processing endometrium and transplanting stem cells with the minimal trauma to uterus. In this paper, we introduce a surgical robotic system which consists of a dexterous hysteroscope, a supporting arm and additional novel instruments to facilitate the operations and decrease trauma to the uterus. To protect the cervix of the uterus, remote center of motion (RCM) constraint is required. First, the supporting arm and the hysteroscope are controlled separately in kinematics in order to ensure that the RCM constraint and the hysteroscope’s shape and posture are predictable. Then, a task decoupled method is used to improve the robustness of the RCM constraint. The experiments show that our method is more robust and achieves higher accuracy of RCM. Besides, the master slave control of robot with RCM constraint is also verified.
Prevalence and Predictors of Traditional, Complementary/Alternative Medicine use, and types of herbal remedies used for COVID-19 in the South West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Ayima Charlotte Wenzi , Njamen Nana Theophile , Nguedia Assob Jules Clement , Nsagha Dickson Shey
Published: August 2021

Background

Up to the 21st century, traditional, complementary and alternative medicine(TCAM) is still used despite the wide spread of orthodox medicine. The magnitude, predictors and types of herbal remedies used for COVID-19 are assessed to tailor evidence based policy and drug formulation against COVID-19.
Methods

A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 1100 respondents from nine (9) communities selected in three health districts from May to July 2020. Pretested structured questionnaire were used to collect data from selected households on the use of TCAM, predictors as well as on the herbal preparations used for COVID-19. Nineteen (19) traditional healers were also interviewed on the types of herbal preparations use on patients tested or suspected for COVID-19 and the signs and symptoms identified. P-value < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Atlas ti V 7.5 was used for types of herbal species reported.
Results

Of the 1100 participants sampled, 754 (68.5%) had used TCAM in the last 12 months, 95%CI: 66.3–71.5. A total of 24.4% [95%CI: 20.6–29.1] of the participants used herbal remedies for COVID-19. Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Zingiber officinale, Artemisia annua were most commonly used herb for COVID-19. Cough, catarrh and fever were the main symptoms of COVID-19. Herbalists 79.7% [95% CI: 77.3–82.1] and bone setters 14.9% [95% CI: 12.8–17.0] were mostly visited. Logistic regression analysis showed age > 41 years (95% CI: 1.09–4.91), being a farmer (95% CI: 1.99–5.34), income levels between 185–370 USD (95% CI: 1.33–4.55), participants who resided in a rural setting (95% CI: 1.04–3.98), being knowledgeable on TCAM (95% CI: 1.54–6.45) and having a positive attitude towards TCAM (95% CI: 1.94–6.45) were predictors for TCAM use.
Conclusion

TCAM is widely used even in the era of orthodox medicine, and many factors contribute to its use in the Southwest region of Cameroon which should be taken into consideration in healthcare interventions that are sensitive to TCAM. Herbal preparations used during the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as baseline for drug development through efficacy and toxicity tests.
Switched PI Control Based MRAS for Sensorless Control of PMSM Drives Using Fuzzy-Logic-Controller
Authors: Liu Zhao-hua , Nie Jie , Wei Hua-Liang , Wu Fa-Ming , Chen Lei , Zhang Zhu
Published: August 2021

With the use of sensorless control mechanical position sensors can be removed from the gearbox, so as to decrease the maintenance costs and enhance the system robustness. In this paper, switched PI control based model reference adaptive system (MRAS) observer using Fuzzy-Logic-Controller (FLC) is introduced for sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. The main work and innovation of this paper include: 1) An FLC is designed for speed and current control. The response performance of speed regulation and the accuracy of the command voltage are improved and the difficulty of manual adjustment of control parameters is avoided. In addition, the disturbance observer is established to compensate the nonlinear effect caused by voltage source inverter (VSI). Therefore, the robustness of PMSM vector control system is improved and the sensorless control precision is guaranteed. 2) A sensorless control strategy of a switched PI control based MRAS observer is proposed for stator resistance tracking, which can improve the accuracy of resistance estimation and improve the dynamic performance of sensorless control. 3) The experimental results are given to verify the availability of the proposed scheme.
A retrospective study evaluating the impact of scattering radiation from imaging procedures on oocyte quality during ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients
Authors: Condorelli Margherita , Sens Maëlle , Goldrat Ornit , Delbaere Anne , Racapé Judith , Lambertini Matteo , Demeestere Isabelle
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Ovarian stimulation for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation is the standard of care for fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients before gonadotoxic chemotherapy. The procedure should be started as soon as possible to avoid delay of treatment; thus, it is often performed concomitantly with tumor staging assessments. However, questions remain regarding the potential negative impact on oocyte quality that may occur due to exposure to scattered ionizing radiation from imaging techniques when staging assessment is conducted at the same time as ovarian stimulation.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study on all breast cancer patients who received ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation at our center between November, 2012 and May, 2020.
Results
Gynecologic and oncologic characteristics were similar between patients exposed (n = 14) or not (n = 60) to ionizing radiation. Exposed patients started the ovarian stimulation sooner after diagnosis than non-exposed patients (11.5 vs 28 days, respectively, P < 0.01). Cycle parameters, including the median number of oocytes collected (10.5 vs 7, P = 0.16), maturation rates (92.5% vs 85.7%, P = 0.54), and fertilization rates (62.2% vs 65.4%, P = 0.70) were similar between groups.
Conclusions
This study shows that scattered ionizing radiation due to staging assessment appears to be safe without compromising follicular growth and maturation. Larger studies on fertility and obstetrical outcomes are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
Investigation on the Storage Stability of Packaged Water Commonly Produced in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Okeola Fatai , Abu Taofiqat , MOHAMMED AMINAT ADERONKE , Orosun Michael , Obinaike Modupe , Mariam Adeboje
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the effects of storage conditions on the physicochemical parameter, microbial loads and health risks assessment of randomly 30 selected sachet and bottle water brands (A, B and C) in Ilorin Metropolis. Random sampling procedures were used to collect samples from three different brands and subjected to three different storage conditions; immediately (initial), mild sunlight and intense sunlight condition. The heavy metals (Cr, Pb and Fe) investigated in this study were above the permissible limits (WHO, SON). The presence of TBC, TCC, FCC and TFC in all the water samples analyzed showed no effective quality control system. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessment revealed a carcinogenic health risk to the populace drinking this water. It can be deduced from this study that water stored under sunlight for a long period of time is not good for human consumption and therefore adequate monitoring by the appropriate agencies are emphasized.
Feature-based sequencing optimization method for minimizing non-cutting energy consumption for CNC machine tools
Authors: Feng Chunhua , Huang Yugui , Wu Yilong , Zhang Jingyang
Published: August 2021

There is variety scheme when a part with multiple features is processed in CNC machines, and hence, different feature sequencing during processing affects not only productivity but also energy consumption. This paper concentrates on the energy-saving strategy by optimizing the feature processing sequence in the part processing stage through reducing the energy consumption of the non-cutting process. The detailed energy model is established considering rapid feed and general feed path in the X, Y, Z+, Z- directions for analyzing the impact of processing feature sorting on reducing the energy consumption of parts processing. The feature sequencing optimization is carried out under the condition of fixed cutting parameters for specific machining features to better reveal the sequence influence on energy consumption and non-cutting time. Meanwhile, the energy consumption of the non-cutting of parts specifically includes the empty pass and an automatic tool change model, while the normal feed and the rapid feed are established in different moving axis, respectively. Based on the developed model, the genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimal processing sequence and the lowest processing energy consumption. Finally, a cutting orthogonal experiment is executed to collect energy consumption data, analyze the data and fit the data to establish a specific energy consumption model for each processing stage. A case study of a part with nine features is used to optimize sequencing, which shows the effectiveness and validity of the proposed method.
Quercetin relieves coronary atherosclerosis via regulating fibroblast growth factor 2
Authors: Shi Rui , Liu Zhaozheng , Yin Jinzhu , Deng Yue
Published: August 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of quercetin on coronary atherosclerosis and further explore its possible mechanisms.
Methods

Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Immunohistochemical (IHC) and Aniline blue staining are to analyze the pathological changes of aorta cross section. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), Swiss Target Prediction and PubChem are used to predict and screen the bioactive ingredients of Traditional Chinese medicine (Haunglian, Yuxingcao and Jinyinhua) for coronary atherosclerosis. Inflammatory factors and vascular protection parameters were quantitatively detected via ELISA and western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing are conducted to detect the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). DisGeNET, Matascape, SWISSMODEL, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and fluorescence titrimetric are used to predict the targets of quercetin.
Results

We found that quercetin is the effective active component of Huanglian, Yuxingcao and Jinyinhua acting on AS. Further in vivo and in vitro data revealed that quercetin improved the pathological changes of model mice and inhibited VSMC cells proliferation, migration and inflammatory response. Mechanically, we demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a direct target of quercetin, and overexpression of FGF2 attenuated the anti-AS function of quercetin.
Conclusion

In our study, we confirmed the functional role of the quercetin-FGF2 axis in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, which provides a latent target for coronary atherosclerosis treatment.
Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccination in Herat, Afghanistan
Authors: III Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno , Neyazi Ahmad , Ahmadi Attaullah , Tabesh Omid , Afzali Habibah , Dzhusupov Kenesh , Islam Md Shariful , Nugraha Rayan Rachmad , Ntacyabukura Blaise , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Xu Lin
Published: August 2021

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is one of the major concerns in the roll out of vaccines in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among the population in Herat, Afghanistan, the third largest city in the country.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 April 2021 and 20 April 2021 among the general population of Herat City to examine the acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccine. Sample size was calculated at 555. Different variables were collected using a questionnaire developed. Data were evaluated in IBM SPSS program.Results: Only 10.63% of the participants were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine without having any concern and reservation. 45% were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 66.5% were concerned about the vaccine and its side effects and 29% were afraid of being infected by transmission of COVID-19 through the administration of vaccine on them.Conclusion: This research demonstrates that, concerns about the vaccine, myths and misinformation are widespread which will undermine the vaccination process. This study recommends the initiation of more health-related campaigns and awareness programs by the government for general population to enhance and expedite the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine.
PIPxResNet: Penalty Induced Prototype-Based eXplainable Residual Neural Network for Heartbeat Classification
Authors: Nankani Deepankar , Baruah Rashmi Dutta
Published: August 2021

Early stage heartbeat classification using the electrocardiogram signals can prevent cardiovascular diseases that causes millions of deaths annually around the world. In the past, researchers have used deep neural networks to achieve significant performance for heartbeat classification but their black-box nature and prediction rationale limits real-world deployment. We propose a Penalty Induced Prototype based eXplainable Residual Neural Network (PIPxResNet) that addresses the black-box nature of deep neural networks. PIPxResNet encodes the temporal variations of heartbeats by employing pretrained residual neural network following the concept of task transfer learning. The algorithm further extracts prototypes that are most representative of the training dataset that explain model predictions to general physicians, making them clinically relevant. The prototypes of a particular class having close resemblance to other class prototypes are penalised and their contribution towards corresponding class is reduced. In addition, the classification performance is improved by synthesising regular and irregular heartbeats using a deep convolution conditional generative adversarial network. The proposed method can easily be adopted to other domains that requires explanations for the classification tasks. The PIPxResNet performs at par with existing state-of-the-art algorithms without compromising individual class performance when tested on four publicly available annotated datasets. The proposed model is capable to perform automated screening and provide medical attention by simulating a clinical decision support system for general physicians.
Jenny 5 - the robot
Authors: Oltean Mihai
Published: August 2021

Jenny 5 is a fully open-source robot intended to be used mainly for research but it can act as a human assistant too. It has a mobile platform with rubber tracks, a flexible leg, two arms with 7 degrees of freedom each, and head with 2 degrees of freedom. The robot is actuated by 20 motors (DC, steppers and servos) and its state is read with the help of many sensors. The robot also has 3 webcams for computer vision tasks. In this paper the current state of the robot is described.
Genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and the common golden nucleotides to human gene
Authors: Babaee Hamed
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease pandemic began in 2019 in Wuhan, China, and continues into 2021, as new mutant viruses appear and require new solutions and treatments. Methods and ResultsIn this study, by genetic analysis of data from 24 SARS-CoV-2 samples from different countries and their alignment with each other and the Wuhan reference virus as well as the human genome, the disease factor is looked at from another angle. The result is the identification of genetic differences in viruses, and the finding of a unique 17-nucleotide sequence between human genes, viruses, and enzymes that can contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. ConclusionsThe role of this sequence in DNA replication and the production of new proteins and its alignment with the EPPK1 gene that may cause disease and its various symptoms are likely.
High performance photonic microwave filters based on a 50GHz FSR optical soliton crystal Kerr micro-comb
Authors: Moss David
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate a photonic radio frequency (RF) transversal filter based on an integrated optical micro-comb source featuring a record low free spectral range of 49 GHz yielding 80 micro-comb lines across the C-band. This record-high number of taps, or wavelengths for the transversal filter results in significantly increased performance including a QRF factor more than four times higher than previous results. Further, by employing both positive and negative taps, an improved out-of-band rejection of up to 48.9 dB is demonstrated using Gaussian apodization, together with a tunable centre frequency covering the RF spectra range, with a widely tunable 3-dB bandwidth and versatile dynamically adjustable filter shapes. Our experimental results match well with theory, showing that our transversal filter is a competitive solution to implement advanced adaptive RF filters with broad operational bandwidths, high frequency selectivity, high reconfigurability, and potentially reduced cost and footprint. This approach is promising for applications in modern radar and communications systems.
Posthospital Cardiovascular Complications in Patients after Non-Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Sokolov D. A. , Lyuboshevsky P. A. , Staroverov I. N. , Kozlov I. A.
Published: August 2021

The objective: to analyze the incidence and spectrum of cardiovascular complications within 12 months after noncardiac surgery, as well as to assess the association of preoperative values of various cardiac risk indices (CRI) and other potential risk factors with the actual development of complications.Subjects and Methods. We analyzed data of medical records and telephone interviews of 141 patients aged 65 [60-71] years who had undergone non-cardiac surgery a year before the interview The operations were low risk in 13.5% of observations, medium risk in 64.5%, and high risk in 22%. A retrospective calculation of the Revised CRI (RCRI), Individual CRI (Khoronenko CRI), and the American College of Surgeons Perioperative Risk for Myocardial Infarction or Cardiac Arrest (MICA) was performed.Results. Cardiac events (myocardial infarction, decompensation of chronic heart failure, new arrhythmias, stroke, and/or the need to prescribe or escalate the dose of cardiovascular drugs and/or hospitalization for cardiac indications, and/or death from cardiovascular diseases) within 12 months after elective noncardiac surgeries were detected in 27.7% of cases, and in 2.1% of patient's death occurred due to cardiac disorders. Predictors of cardiac events were concomitant ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.777; 95% CI 1.286-5.966; p = 0.0093) and chronic heart failure (OR = 2.900; 95% CI 1.224-6.869; p = 0, 0155), RCRI (OR = 1.886; 95% CI 1.2-8-2.944; p = 0.005), Khoronenko CRI (OR = 3254.3; 95% CI 64.33-164,638; p = 0.0001), MICA (OR = 1.628; 95% CI 1.156-2.292; p = 0.005), creatininemia on the first postoperative day (OR = 1.023; 95% CI 1.010-1.061; p = 0.005), and propensity for bradycardia during surgery (OR = 0.945; 95% CI 0.908-0.983; p = 0.005). Combined analysis of Khoronenko's CRI and postoperative creatininemia provided a very good model: area under the ROC-curve - 0.823 (95% CI 0.728-0.641; p = 0.0002).Conclusion. All studied CRIs can be used to predict posthospital cardiac events; however, the most promising is a joint assessment of Khoronenko's CRI and postoperative creatinemia.