bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinação de posições de asteróides observados no Observatório Europeu Austral em setembro de 1987, La Silla, andes Chilenos, por meio de campo duplo em uma única placa fotográfica
Authors: Debehogne H. , Machado L.E. , Netto E.R.
Published: August 2021

In September 1987 we have observed minor planets at La Silla, ESO, with the GPO astrometric refractor (D = 40 cm; F=400 cm). Measures and reductions were performed at the Observatório do Valongo (UFRJ) with the Ascorecord measuring machine (0,1Âµ) and by means of five reference stars (SAO Star Catalogue - 1950,0). By the first time, double star field were used for saving time and photographic material.
Elliptical Orbit of Asteroid 1986 QE1
Authors: Debehogne H. , Machado L.E. , Vaz S. , Netto E.R.
Published: August 2021

We present the orbital elements of asteroid QE1 (pro visional designation) identified in august 26, 1986, on a photographic plate obtained at the GPO telescope of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla, Chile, as well as the positions (AR and Dec) referred to 1950.0. Residues (0 - C) of the position in AR and Dec of the asteroid are given, both before and after applying variation in the geocentric distance.
Estudo de um perfil podzólico e de brunizem da zona oeste do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Polivanov Helena , Castro Antonio Carlos Jacome de , Antunes Franklin Dos Santos , Camara Luiz Cláudio de Araújo
Published: August 2021

This work describes the study of two types of soil profiles , podzolic and brunizem . The profiles are localized at Avenida Brasil near the Cabritos viaduct in the city of Rio de Janeiro . Chemical analyses, pH values, sulfuric digestion (SiO2, Al2O3,Fe2O3, TiO2, K2O, Na2O), X-ray diffraction of the clay and silt fractions, mineralogical analyses of sand under the microscope , physical measurements of the Atterberg limits, grain size analyses and specific gravity of solids, were undertaken. The analysed soils have values of the Atterberg limits coherent with the grain size and mineralogy, and the geochemical behavior of the elements analysed is compatible with the pedogenetic processes of formation of these profiles.
Problemas e estratégias de desenvolvimento no Espírito Santo
Authors: Struck Ernst
Published: August 2021

In Brazil the accelerated process of urbanization and metropolization represents a serious problem. In the case of the State of Espírito Santo the control of the expansion of the metropolitan area, and of its dominance over the entire State, should be fostered by means of promoting policies for homogeneous development of the municipalities. This could reduce the enormous inequality between the main city and the periphery thus allowing a better economic equilibrium and social welfare.
Determinação de posições precisas de asteróides: ESO, La Silla, fevereiro 1986
Authors: Debhogne H. , Machado L.E. , Vaz Sílio , Netto E.R.
Published: August 2021

This paper refers to the observation of asteroids at the European Southern Observatory - ESO, La Silla. Chile, made by H. Debehogne (Observatoire Royal de Belgique), during february/march, 1986. The G.P.O. refractor (D= 40 cm; F= 4 m), was used. The plates were reduced at the Observatório do Valongo, UFRJ, using the Ascorecord coordinatograph and the Burroughs 6700 computer of the Núcleo de Computação Eletrônica, of the same University.
Retrograde Gas Condensate Reservoirs: Reliable Estimation of Dew Point Pressure by the Hybrid Neuro-Fuzzy Connectionist Paradigm
Authors: Seyed Alizadeh Seyed Mehdi , Bagherzadeh Ali , Bahmani Soufia , Nikzad Amir , Aminzadehsarikhanbeglou Elnaz , Tatyana Yu Subbotina
Published: August 2021

The dew point pressure (DPP) is a crucial thermodynamic property for gas reservoir performance evaluation, gas/condensate characterization, reservoir development and management, and downstream facility design. However, dew point pressure measurement is an expensive and time-consuming task; its estimation using the thermodynamic approaches has convergency problems, and available empirical correlations often provide high uncertainty levels. In this paper, the hybrid neuro-fuzzy connectionist paradigm is developed using 390 literature measurements. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) topology, including the training algorithm and cluster radius (radii), was determined by combining trial-and-error and statistical analyses. The hybrid optimization algorithm and radii = 0.675 are distinguished as the best characteristics for the ANFIS model. A high value of observed R2 = 0.97948 confirms the excellent performance of the designed approach for calculating the DPP of retrograde gas condensate reservoirs. Furthermore, visual inspections and statistical indices are employed to compare the ANFIS reliability and available empirical correlations. The results showed that the ANFIS model is more accurate than the well-known empirical correlations and previous intelligent paradigms in the literature. The designed ANFIS model, the best empirical correlation, and the most accurate intelligent paradigm in the literature present the absolute average relative deviation (AARD) of 1.60%, 11.25%, and 2.10%, respectively.
Pharmacokinetics and Disposition of Contezolid in Humans: Resolution of a Disproportionate Human Metabolite for Clinical Development
Authors: Wu Xiaojie , Meng Jian , Yuan Hong , Zhong Dafang , Yu Jicheng , Cao Guoying , Liu Xingdang , Guo Beining , Chen Yuancheng , Li Yi , Shi Yaoguo , Gordeev Mikhail F. , Wu Jufang , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2021

Contezolid (MRX-I), a novel oxazolidinone antibiotic, was recently approved for the treatment of serious Gram-positive infections. The pharmacokinetics and disposition of [
14
C]contezolid were investigated in a single-dose human mass balance study.
Twenty-one days of spirulina supplementation lowers heart rate during submaximal cycling and augments power output during repeated sprints in trained cyclists
Authors: Gurney Tom , Brouner James , Spendiff Owen
Published: August 2021

Spirulina supplementation has been reported to improve time to exhaustion and maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max). However, there is limited information on its influence over the multiple intensities experienced by cyclists during training and competition. Fifteen trained males (age 40 ± 8 years, V̇O2max 51.14 ± 6.43 mL/min/kg) ingested 6 g/day of spirulina or placebo for 21 days in a double-blinded randomised crossover design, with a 14-day washout period between trials. Participants completed a 1-hour submaximal endurance test at 55% external power output max and a 16.1-km time trial (day 1), followed by a lactate threshold test and repeated sprint performance tests (RSPTs) (day 2). Heart rate (bpm), respiratory exchange ratio, oxygen consumption (mL/min/kg), lactate and glucose (mmol/L), time (seconds), power output (W), and hemoglobin (g/L) were compared across conditions. Following spirulina supplementation, lactate and heart rate were significantly lower (P < 0.05) during submaximal endurance tests (2.05 ± 0.80 mmol/L vs 2.39 ± 0.89 mmol/L and 139 ± 11 bpm vs 144 ± 12 bpm), hemoglobin was significantly higher (152.6 ± 9.0 g/L) than placebo (143.2 ± 8.5 g/L), and peak and average power were significantly higher during RSPTs (968 ± 177 W vs 929 ± 149 W and 770 ± 117 W vs 738 ± 86 W). No differences existed between conditions for all oxygen consumption values, 16.1-km time trial measures, and lactate threshold tests (P > 0.05). Spirulina supplementation reduces homeostatic disturbances during submaximal exercise and augments power output during RSPTs.

Novelty: Spirulina supplementation lowers heart rate and blood lactate during ∼1-hour submaximal cycling. Spirulina supplementation elicits significant augmentations in hemoglobin and power outputs during RSPTs.
Infrared renormalons in collider processes
Authors: Ferrario Ravasio Silvia
Published: August 2021

Precise theoretical predictions are a key ingredient for an accurate determination of the structure of the Lagrangian of particle physics, including its free parameters, which summarizes our understanding of the fundamental interactions among particles. Furthermore, due to the absence of clear new-physics signals, precise theoretical calculations are required to pin down possible subtle deviations from the Standard Model predictions. The error associated with such calculations must be scrutinized, as non-perturbative power corrections, dubbed infrared renormalons, can limit the ultimate precision of truncated perturbative expansions in quantum chromodynamics. In this review, we focus on linear power corrections that can arise in certain kinematic distributions relevant for collider phenomenology where an operator product expansion is missing, e.g. those obtained from the top-quark decay products, shape observables and the transverse momentum of massive gauge bosons. Only the last one is found to be free from such corrections, while the mass of the system comprising the top decay products has a larger power correction if the perturbative expansion is expressed in terms of a short-distance mass instead of the pole mass. A proper modelization of non-perturbative corrections is crucial in the context of shape observables to obtain reliable strong coupling constant extractions.
SOME PROPERTIES FOR THE RIEMANN–LIOUVILLE FRACTAL CALCULUS OF CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
Authors: TIAN LONG
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we will prove two properties for the Riemann–Liouville fractal derivatives and integrals, respectively. One is that if [Formula: see text] is a Lipschitz function, then [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]th-order differentiable almost everywhere in the Riemann–Liouville sense for any [Formula: see text]. The other is that if the Box dimension for a continuous function [Formula: see text] is one, then for any [Formula: see text], the Box dimension of [Formula: see text] is also one. We also give an example to show that there exists a rectifiable function [Formula: see text], but for any [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], the Riemann–Liouville fractal integral of [Formula: see text], is rectifiable.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MICRO-EDM OPERATION IN INCONEL 718
Authors: CHOUBEY MAYANK , MAITY K. P.
Published: August 2021

The increasing trends towards miniaturized and lightweight components for various engineering and aerospace applications by unconventional machining the demand for micro-electrical discharge machining (EDM) have become increasingly wide. Micro-EDM is one of the most promising unconventional machining processes as compared to other unconventional machining due to its lower cost, ease of operation, and accuracy. This research explores the experimental investigation of micro-EDM operation on hard and difficult to machine material Inconel 718. The micro-holes were fabricated on an Inconel 718 workpiece with a copper electrode. The influence of input process parameters on material removal rate (MRR), machining time, and quality of the fabricated micro-holes were studied. Overcut and taperness of the fabricated micro-sized through holes were measured to address the accuracy of the fabricated micro-holes in micro-EDM operation. Experimental results reveal that the increase in current and voltage increases the MRR, and reduced machining time but at the cost of dimensional accuracy of the fabricated holes. The high value of current and voltage resulted in poor surface quality. The optimum machining condition that gives higher MRR with higher machining precision was obtained by experimenting while machining Inconel 718.
Neighborhood Conditions for Super-λ′ Digraphs
Authors: Lin Shangwei , Shi Ruixin , Wu Shuyu
Published: August 2021

Restricted arc-connectivity is a more refined network reliability index than arc-connectivity. An arc subset [Formula: see text] of a strong digraph [Formula: see text] is a restricted arc-cut of [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] has a non-trivial strong component [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] contains an arc. The restricted arc-connectivity is the minimum cardinality over all restricted arc-cuts of [Formula: see text]. A strong digraph is super-[Formula: see text] if its restricted arc-connectivity is maximal and the number of its minimum restricted arc-cuts is minimal. In this paper, we present some neighborhood conditions for a digraph to be super-[Formula: see text].
Note on Path-Connectivity of Complete Bipartite Graphs
Authors: Gao Xiaoxue , Li Shasha , Zhao Yan
Published: August 2021

For a graph [Formula: see text] and a set [Formula: see text] of size at least [Formula: see text], a path in [Formula: see text] is said to be an [Formula: see text]-path if it connects all vertices of [Formula: see text]. Two [Formula: see text]-paths [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are said to be internally disjoint if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] denote the maximum number of internally disjoint [Formula: see text]-paths in [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text]-path-connectivity [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is then defined as the minimum [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] ranges over all [Formula: see text]-subsets of [Formula: see text]. In [M. Hager, Path-connectivity in graphs, Discrete Math. 59 (1986) 53–59], the [Formula: see text]-path-connectivity of the complete bipartite graph [Formula: see text] was calculated, where [Formula: see text]. But, from his proof, only the case that [Formula: see text] was considered. In this paper, we calculate the situation that [Formula: see text] and complete the result.
A Method of Environmental Sound Classification Based on Residual Networks and Data Augmentation
Authors: Zeng Jinfang , Li Youming , Zhang Yu , Chen Da
Published: August 2021

Environmental sound classification (ESC) is a challenging problem due to the complexity of sounds. To date, a variety of signal processing and machine learning techniques have been applied to ESC task, including matrix factorization, dictionary learning, wavelet filterbanks and deep neural networks. It is observed that features extracted from deeper networks tend to achieve higher performance than those extracted from shallow networks. However, in ESC task, only the deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) which contain several layers are used and the residual networks are ignored, which lead to degradation in the performance. Meanwhile, a possible explanation for the limited exploration of CNNs and the difficulty to improve on simpler models is the relative scarcity of labeled data for ESC. In this paper, a residual network called EnvResNet for the ESC task is proposed. In addition, we propose to use audio data augmentation to overcome the problem of data scarcity. The experiments will be performed on the ESC-50 database. Combined with data augmentation, the proposed model outperforms baseline implementations relying on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients and achieves results comparable to other state-of-the-art approaches in terms of classification accuracy.
Experimental Study and Effect on Recycled Fibers Blended with Rotor/OE Yarns for the Production of Handloom Fabrics and Their Properties
Authors: Awgichew Dessalegn , Sakthivel S. , Solomon Eshetu , Bayu Addisalem , Legese Robel , Asfaw Daniel , Bogale Meseret , Aduna Alemu , Senthil Kumar S.
Published: August 2021

The uses of recycled materials have gained massive importance in the textile sector and other application areas as the effects of reducing natural resources are felt worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the effects of recycled fiber usage on the properties of OE‐rotor spun yarns and hand‐woven fabrics produced from these yarns. For this purpose, OE‐rotor yarns are produced at different proportion levels from virgin cotton and recycled fibers derived from knitted garment wastes at 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. For a better assessment, properties of OE‐rotor yarns that contain recycled fibers and 100% virgin cotton OE‐rotor yarns are compared. Physical, structural, and mechanical properties such as unevenness, imperfections, hairiness, breaking force, and elongation are analyzed by Uster Tester 5 SX, Uster Zweigle Hairiness Tester 5, and Uster Tensorapid 3. Plain and twill hand‐woven fabrics are produced from OE‐rotor spun yarns. Effects of recycled fiber proportion on hand‐woven fabric properties such as pilling, abrasion resistance, and air permeability were also evaluated. Results showed that the use of up to 75% of recycled fiber cotton blended yarns shows no statistically significant differences in yarn and fabric properties.
Privacy-Preserving Incentive Mechanism for Mobile Crowdsensing
Authors: Wan Tao , Yue Shixin , Liao Weichuan
Published: August 2021

Incentive mechanisms are crucial for motivating adequate users to provide reliable data in mobile crowdsensing (MCS) systems. However, the privacy leakage of most existing incentive mechanisms leads to users unwilling to participate in sensing tasks. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving incentive mechanism based on truth discovery. Specifically, we use the secure truth discovery scheme to calculate ground truth and the weight of users’ data while protecting their privacy. Besides, to ensure the accuracy of the MCS results, a data eligibility assessment protocol is proposed to remove the sensing data of unreliable users before performing the truth discovery scheme. Finally, we distribute rewards to users based on their data quality. The analysis shows that our model can protect users’ privacy and prevent the malicious behavior of users and task publishers. In addition, the experimental results demonstrate that our model has high performance, reasonable reward distribution, and robustness to users dropping out.
SWOT Analysis of China’s Ceramic Industry and the Use of Computers for Scientific and Technological Innovation Research
Authors: Tian Ye , Hu Xiaobing
Published: August 2021

Chinese ceramics have a long history and have been deeply recognized by the world after centuries of changes. The current world ceramic industry is diversified. Under this background, there is a huge challenge to the development of Chinese ceramics. The update of materials, the participation of computers in ceramic design, and the demonstration of ingredients all constitute technological factors that cannot be ignored in the development of the ceramic industry. Therefore, this study uses the SWOT analysis method to analyze the development of Chinese ceramics, puts forward its advantages and disadvantages, opportunities, and threats, and under the background of advanced technology, and how to use computer software to demonstrate raw materials and color matching to make Chinese ceramics. The development achieves the goal of self-improvement and then completes the upgrade of its production process and production. Through the research of this study, it is found that the current development of China’s ceramic industry should be good at using SWOT analysis, face up to its shortcomings and pressure from other ceramic production areas in the world, give full play to its advantages, maximize strengths and avoid weaknesses, and use technological innovation, combined with technical factors from other disciplines, to promote ceramic industry design and production capabilities and provide a reference for the current ceramic industry development.
Influence of Different Surface Texture Parameters on the Contact Performance of Piston Ring‐Sleeve Friction Pair of Hydraulic Cylinders
Authors: Wang Wen’an , Liu Zhiqi , Chen Dongliang , Xie Zhiming , Song Jianli
Published: August 2021

The surface texture, a major way to decrease friction and wear of the cylinder‐piston ring friction pair, was conducted on cylinder‐piston ring friction pair specimen using the orthogonal experimental design method to investigate the effect of different texture parameters (size, depth, shape, and surface density) of the friction and wear characteristics. Through simulation analysis, the texture parameters that affect the friction and wear characteristics are obtained. Using the evaluation method of friction coefficient and mass wear rate, the influence sequence and optimal values of texture parameters that affect friction and wear characteristics are obtained through range analysis. The results show that, after surface texture treatment under mixed lubrication conditions, the friction characteristics of the friction pair have changed and the friction coefficient and friction and wear rate have been significantly reduced. The results show that the triangular texture has a good antifriction effect, the texture depth is deepened, and the surface density and the size increases have a positive effect on the improvement of friction and wear. An ultra‐depth microscope was used to observe the wear morphology of the friction and wear tests. The results show that the weakening of the third body wear by the texturing treatment and the maintenance of oil lubrication are the main reasons for reducing friction and wear.
Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase to Platelet Ratio: A New Inflammatory Marker Associated with Outcomes after Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Zhao Yipin , Lin Zebin , Ji Yingying , Wang Huawei , Xiao Li , Chen Qingwei , Wu Zhiqin
Published: August 2021

Introduction. In recent years, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) has been proposed as a new inflammatory marker. We aimed to evaluate the association between GPR and outcomes after cardiac arrest (CA). Methods. A total of 354 consecutive patients with CA were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles of GPR (low,

n
=
119

; middle,

n
=
117

; and high,

n
=
118

). To determine the relationship between GPR and prognosis, a logistic regression analysis was performed. The ability of GPR to predict the outcomes was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Two prediction models were established, and the likelihood ratio test (LRT) and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) were utilized for model comparison. Results. Among the 354 patients (age 62 [52, 74], 254/354 male) who were finally included in the analysis, those in the high GPR group had poor outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that GPR was independently associated with the three outcomes, for ICU mortality (

odds
 
ratios
 

OR

=
1.738

, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.221-2.474,

P
=
0.002

), hospital mortality (

OR
=
1.676

1.164
−
2.413

,

P
=
0.005

), and unfavorable neurologic outcomes (

OR
=
1.623

1.121
−
2.351

,

P
=
0.010

). The area under the ROC curve was 0.611 (95% Cl: 0.558-0.662) for ICU mortality, 0.600 (95% CI: 0.547-0.651) for hospital mortality, and 0.602 (95% CI: 0.549-0.653) for unfavorable neurologic outcomes. Further, the LRT analysis showed that compared with the model without GPR, the GPR-combined model had a higher likelihood ratio

χ

2

score and smaller AIC. Conclusion. GPR, as an inflammatory indicator, was independently associated with outcomes after CA. GPR is helpful in estimating the clinical outcomes of patients with CA.
Economic Valuation for Cultural and Passive Ecosystem Services Using a Stated Preference (Contingent Valuation Method (CVM)) Case of the Elgeyo Watershed Ecosystem, Kenya
Authors: Eregae Justus E. , Njogu Paul , Karanja Rebecca , Gichua Moses
Published: August 2021

Valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) can be typical as use values and passive use values. However, the prevailing conventional markets provide economic instruments such as price tags to ecosystem use values, but rarely on passive use values. This is limited since it does not provide comprehensive ecological values that will adequately support rational decision-making processes regarding ecological conservation. The study adopted the contingency valuation method (CVM) where three hundred and eighty households of communities living within the Elgeyo watershed were sampled. The findings recorded 97% of the population was willing to pay for the ESs quoted. Individual maximum WTP ranged between 1 USD and 57.1 USD (cultural), 1 USD and 95.2 USD (bequest), and 1 USD and 76.2 USD (biodiversity conservation). The overall mean maximum WTP was 7.4 ± 0.34 USD, 9.1 ± 0.49 USD, and 11.1 ± 0.68 USD for the cultural, bequest, and biodiversity, respectively. The multivariate regression (maximum WTP as a function of administrative location, education, income, sex, age, and livestock number) exhibited a significant difference regardless of multivariate criteria used, where Wilks’ lambda has F (75,203) = 4.03,p<0.001. The findings provide an economic value for nonuse values that can be incorporated in total economic valuation (TEV) studies locally as well as provide an impetus on payment of ecosystem services (PES) in Kenya.
An Adaptive IP Hopping Approach for Moving Target Defense Using a Light-Weight CNN Detector
Authors: Xu Xiaoyu , Hu Hao , Liu Yuling , Zhang Hongqi , Chang Dexian
Published: August 2021

Scanning attack is normally the first step of many other network attacks such as DDoS and propagation worm. Because of easy implementation and high returns, scanning attack especially cooperative scanning attack is widely used by hackers, which has become a serious threat to network security. In order to defend against scanning attack, this paper proposes an adaptive IP hopping in software defined network for moving target defense (MTD). In order to accurately respond to attacker’s behavior in real time, a light-weight convolutional neural network (CNN) detector composed of three convolutional modules and a judgment module is proposed to sense scanning attack. Input data of the detector is generated via designed packets sampling and data preprocess. The detection result of the detector is used to trigger IP hopping. In order to provide some fault tolerance for the CNN detector, IP hopping can also be triggered by a preset timer. The CNN driving adaptability is applied to a three-level hopping strategy to make the MTD system optimize its behavior according to real time attack. Experiments show that compared with existing technologies, our proposed method can significantly improve the defense effect to mitigate scanning attack and its subsequent attacks which are based on hit list. Hopping frequency of the proposed method is also lower than that of other methods, so the proposed method shows lower system overhead.
Electroacupuncture Regulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Ameliorates Neuronal Injury in Rats with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhang Ya-min , Xu Hong , Chen Su-hui , Sun Hua
Published: August 2021

Ischemic stroke is a common cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability worldwide. Electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective method for alleviating brain damage after ischemic stroke. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine whether endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) could contribute to the protective effects of EA in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) to provide a rationale for the widespread clinical use of EA. Rats were divided into the sham-operated (sham) group, the CIRI (model) group, and the EA group. Rats in the model group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Rats with CIRI were treated daily with EA at GV20 and ST36 for a total of 3 days. The Longa scoring system and adhesive removal somatosensory test were applied to evaluate neurological deficits. Then, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to measure the infarct volume. Immunofluorescence staining for NeuN and GFAP and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- (TdT-) mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed to detect apoptotic cells in brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and western blotting were used to measure the levels of ERS indicators (GRP78, CHOP/GADD153, p-eIF2α, and caspase 12). The results showed that EA significantly reduced the cerebral infarct volume, improved neurological function, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis. In the EA group compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of GRP78 were significantly increased, and the expression levels of proapoptotic proteins (CHOP/GADD153, p-eIF2α, and caspase 12) were significantly decreased. These results suggest that the possible mechanism by which EA protects cells against neuronal injury in CIRI may involve inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Overexpressed Neuropilin-1 in Endothelial Cells Promotes Endothelial Permeability through Interaction with ANGPTL4 and VEGF in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Huang Junhua , Zhang Shuwan
Published: August 2021

Disrupted endothelial permeability plays a crucial role in the vasculitis pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD), which leads to pathological vascular leak and facilitates inflammatory cell infiltration in vascular lesions; however, the mechanisms involved in the development of endothelial barrier dysfunction during KD vasculitis are still largely unclear. Here, we found that sera from patients with KD can induce endothelial cell (EC) hyperpermeability compared to sera from healthy controls. We observed that serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were increased in KD patients and sera from KD patients upregulated the expression of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1) in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Intriguingly, compared with silence of VEGFR2 in HCAECs, NRP1 silence resulted in a marked decrease in EC permeability. Furthermore, soluble NRP1 (sNRP1) remarkably reduced the stimulation of EC permeability by sera from KD patients compared with bevacizumab treatment. Importantly, we showed that besides VEGF, angiopoietin-like-4 (ANGPTL4), a NRP1-binding vasoactive factor, was also increased in KD and contributed to the EC permeability in KD conditions. In addition, levels of both ANGPTL4 and VEGF were inversely correlated with albumin levels in the serum of KD patients. Collectively, the data demonstrated that overexpressed NRP1, along with upregulated VEGFR2, in HCAECs treated with KD sera promotes endothelial permeability via interaction with the increased ANGPTL4 and VEGF in KD. Neutralization of hyperpermeability factors by sNRP1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for KD vasculitis.
Thermotherapy Effects on Healthy and Type 2 Diabetes Human Skeletal Muscle Myoblast Cell Lines
Authors: Lindstrom Janette A. , Omoruyi Felix , Sparks Jean
Published: August 2021

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels with associated disordered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) specifically has been shown to cause a decrease in skeletal muscle mass due to oxidative stress. This study investigated a treatment option for T2D through thermotherapy on healthy (HSMM) and T2D (D-HSMM) human skeletal muscle cells. The goals were to determine the effects of thermotherapy, long-term (chronic) and short-term (acute), on HSMM and D-HSMM cell viabilities and oxidative stress. HSMM and D-HSMM cells were grown to confluency, harvested, and counted to determine density. Acute and chronic heat treatments were applied to both cell lines. The chronic treatment consisted of a 30-minute exposure to 40°C, three times a week for three weeks; the acute treatment was a one-time exposure. Oxidative stress assays and cell viabilities were tested 24 hours after heat treatments. Results indicated no significant effect on the cell viability of HSMM and D-HSMM cells. The acute treatment had a significant increase (

p
≤
0.05

) of MDA concentration compared to the chronic treatment. The chronic treatment had a significant increase (

p
≤
0.05

) in catalase activity compared to the acute treatment. The SOD activity had no significant change (

p
>
0.05

) between the chronic and acute treatments. In conclusion, acute thermotherapy may not be beneficial for skeletal muscle cells due to the observed increase in oxidative stress, especially in the D-HSMM cells.
Fixed Points and Continuity for a Pair of Contractive Maps with Application to Nonlinear Volterra Integral Equations
Authors: Kumar Santosh
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we have established and proved fixed point theorems for the Boyd-Wong-type contraction in metric spaces. In particular, we have generalized the existing results for a pair of mappings that possess a fixed point but not continuous at the fixed point. We can apply this result for both continuous and discontinuous mappings. We have concluded our results by providing an illustrative example for each case and an application to the existence and uniqueness of a solution of nonlinear Volterra integral equations.
Slit2 Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis by Activating M1-Like Phagocytic and Antifibrotic Macrophages
Authors: Ahirwar Dinesh K. , Charan Manish , Mishra Sanjay , Verma Ajeet K. , Shilo Konstantin , Ramaswamy Bhuvaneswari , Ganju Ramesh K.
Published: August 2021

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are heterogeneous in nature and comprise antitumor M1-like (M1-TAM) or pro-tumor M2-like (M2-TAM) TAMs. M2-TAMs are a major component of stroma in breast tumors and enhance metastasis by reducing their phagocytic ability and increasing tumor fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate phenotypic plasticity of TAMs are not well known. Here we report a novel tumor suppressor Slit2 in breast cancer by regulating TAMs in the tumor microenvironment. Slit2 reduced the in vivo growth and metastasis of spontaneous and syngeneic mammary tumor and xenograft breast tumor models. Slit2 increased recruitment of M1-TAMs to the tumor and enhanced the ability of M1-TAMs to phagocytose tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. This Slit2-mediated increase in M1-TAM phagocytosis occurred via suppression of IL6. Slit2 was also shown to diminish fibrosis in breast cancer mouse models by increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 in M1-TAMs. Analysis of patient samples showed high Slit2 expression strongly associated with better patient survival and inversely correlated with the abundance of CD163+ TAMs. Overall, these studies define the role of Slit2 in inhibiting metastasis by activating M1-TAMs and depleting tumor fibrosis. Furthermore, these findings suggest that Slit2 can be a promising immunotherapeutic agent to redirect TAMs to serve as tumor killers for aggressive and metastatic breast cancers. In addition, Slit2 expression along with CD163+ TAMs could be used as an improved prognostic biomarker in patients with breast cancer.

Significance:

This study provides evidence that the antitumor effect of Slit2 in breast cancer occurs by activating the phagocytic activity of M1-like tumor-associated macrophages against tumor cells and diminishing fibrosis.
Circulating Protein Disulfide Isomerase Is Associated with Increased Risk of Thrombosis in JAK2-Mutated Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Sharda Anish V. , Bogue Thomas , Barr Alexandra , Mendez Lourdes M. , Flaumenhaft Robert , Zwicker Jeffrey I.
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

Thromboembolic events (TE) are the most common complications of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Clinical parameters, including patient age and mutation status, are used to risk-stratify patients with MPN, but a true biomarker of TE risk is lacking. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), an endoplasmic reticulum protein vital for protein folding, also possesses essential extracellular functions, including regulation of thrombus formation. Pharmacologic PDI inhibition prevents thrombus formation, but whether pathologic increases in PDI increase TE risk remains unknown.

Experimental Design:

We evaluated the association of plasma PDI levels and risk of TE in a cohort of patients with MPN with established diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET), compared with healthy controls. Plasma PDI was measured at enrollment and subjects followed prospectively for development of TE.

Results:

A subset of patients, primarily those with JAK2-mutated MPN, had significantly elevated plasma PDI levels as compared with controls. Plasma PDI was functionally active. There was no association between PDI levels and clinical parameters typically used to risk-stratify patients with MPN. The risk of TE was 8-fold greater in those with PDI levels above 2.5 ng/mL. Circulating endothelial cells from JAK2-mutated MPN patients, but not platelets, demonstrated augmented PDI release, suggesting endothelial activation as a source of increased plasma PDI in MPN.

Conclusions:

The observed association between plasma PDI levels and increased risk of TE in patients with JAK2-mutated MPN has both prognostic and therapeutic implications.
The students attitudes' toward the flipped classroom strategy and relationship to self-learning skills
Authors: Aburayash Hussain
Published: August 2021

The study aimed to identify the attitudes of students of open education towards the flipped class strategy of the opposite grade and its relation to self-learning skills. To achieve the goals of the study, the measure of the direction towards education was constructed in the opposite grade and the self-learning skills scale. The sample of the study consisted of 60 male and female students of higher diploma in education studying the decisions of the educational administration and Educational Psychology in the Arab Open University/Jordan. The results of the study showed a positive trend for university students towards education in the opposite grade, with the percentage of the trends as a whole 90%. The results also showed a positive correlation between each of the students' attitudes toward education in the opposite grade and each of the variables (academic motivation, self-monitoring, self-learning skills, self-learning writing skills), and no correlation between students' and skills in dealing with information technology.
The use of e-learning in motivating students to excel towards learning outcomes
Authors: Lao Hendrik A.E. , Tari Ezra , Nahas Ishak , Wijaya Hengki , Darmawan I Putu Ayub
Published: August 2021

Researchers focus on the efforts of teachers to improve learning outcomes. Researchers examined the use of e-learning in motivating student achievement on learning outcomes. The influence of student activity on learning outcomes. Student achievement motivation on learning outcomes. The reason for the low quality of student learning makes the author interested in studying this problem. This paper contributes to using e-learning methods, student activeness, and student achievement motivation and can improve learning outcomes. Researchers find a digital-based learning process, the use of e-learning teaching methods in students' achievement motivation towards learning outcomes. The authors see student learning outcomes after using e-learning. Respondents of the study were 35 students who took Christian religious education subjects. The results of the study revealed that independent use of the material received very high scores. Student activeness is carried out correctly and effectively, the highest perceived to be at a mean value of 4.35. Students who take advantage of e-learning have high learning outcomes. The use of e-learning methods, student activeness, and student achievement motivation is implemented correctly and effectively. It was believed to be able to improve the learning outcomes of Christian Religious Education.
Comparison of the physical education & sports teachers’ educational research attitudes with other teachers
Authors: Özgül Fatih , Kangalgil Murat , Yıldız Rahmi
Published: August 2021

The aim of this research was to compare the attitudes of physical education and sports teachers and other branch teachers towards educational research. The sample group of the study was determined by convenient sampling method. The data of the study were collected from 304 teachers in different fields (152 Female, 152 Male; 102 of them are in 23-29 age group, 131 of them are in 30-36 age group and 71 of them are above 37 years). In the research, "Attitude Scale for Educational Researches" was used. The Cronbach Alpha value of the scale was calculated as .87. In the analysis of the data, SPSS (ver.22.0) program was used. Since the data were normally distributed (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), t test, ANOVA and Tukey test were applied and level of significance taken as .05. The total scores of the teachers were compared according to some variables in the study. As a result that the teachers’ attitudes towards educational researches found to be a high level in the study. The female teachers’ attitudes were found to be higher than the male teachers’ towards educational research. The attitudes of the teachers were compared in terms of the branches towards educational researches and there was not found any significant difference between them.
Reviewing students’ evaluation standards for “practical education” in Arab Open University/Jordan
Authors: Abood Harith , Altakhayneh Bahjat Hamid
Published: August 2021

This study was an assessment of the evaluation standards of “Practical Education” module of the Elementary Education Undergraduate Program in Arab Open University/Jordan. Its main focus was to investigate problems and views raised by the students in order to develop more accurate standards to evaluate their performance. The curriculum characteristics of the module as well as the students’ portfolios and field reports had been reviewed. A questionnaire and a detailed face-to-face interactive meeting had been conducted with 55 male and female students in the academic year 2018/2019. The results show that the students stress the need to adopt practical applications standards to evaluate the skill goals sought by the curriculum instead of focusing on their knowledge. The students express their need to develop their skills in planning, implementation of teaching tasks and evaluation, while the evaluation standards measure their ability to recall theoretical information. They stress their need to extend their training period in field in order to acquire enough practical experience to be more efficient to carry out their tasks properly. The findings of the study can be applicable for other countries, especially the developing countries, in the sense of developing modern evaluation standards for practical field training of their student teachers, as well as improving curricula that respond to the schools’ requirements in a changing world.
Investigating entrepreneurship levels of pre-service music teachers
Authors: Demirbatır Rasim Erol
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the entrepreneurship levels of Pre-Service Music Teachers (Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Education Music Teaching Undergraduate Program students) in terms of gender, grade level and career goals. For this purpose, data were collected from all 1st and 4th year students studying at Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Education, Department of Music Education. The Individual Entrepreneurship Perception Scale (IEPS) and a Personal Information Form were used to collect the data. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze the data. In line with the findings obtained, it was found that there was no significant difference in terms of IEPS total and subscale scores by gender. However, there were significant differences in favor of 4th year students in terms of locus of control, self-confidence and self-discipline sub-scores, as well as the total IEPS scores by grade level. It was concluded that those aiming for a non-teaching profession got significantly higher locus of control scores than those aiming to become a teacher. Regarding these results, suggestions have been developed to increase the entrepreneurship level of pre-service music teachers.
Review of protection aspects of microgrid devices
Authors: Basu Ashoke Kumar
Published: August 2021

A microgrid is required to provide reliable, quality and efficient supply of both electricity and heat demands to its customers when operates either in autonomous or in grid-connected modes. In this context, it is most important to address a comprehensive protection scheme of the microgrid suiting both the modes of operations. This paper concentrates on the impacts of various devices, like distributed energy resources (DERs), transformers, switches, microgrid topology, communication type, grounding type, to name a few, on the microgrid protection systems. The paper reviewes previous works for the various aspects, like characteristics, construction, of these devices in the light of protection. This review-work is useful for future research in the field of microgrid protection as well as in the selection of its devices.
Laboratory investigation of the impact of air pollution on partial discharge inception voltage of insulators in a specific region
Authors: Shafiei Y. , Faghihi F. , Heydari H. , Salemi A. H.
Published: August 2021

Studying the discharge characteristics of transmission line insulators in the presence of pollution, particularly when the contaminated layer is wet by rain, fog or condensation, is necessary for selecting the proper insulation. Therefore, identifying the major air pollutants as well as the most effective ones on the discharge performance of outdoor insulators is mandatory. A systematic approach has been proposed to evaluate the impact of dominant air pollutants of an area on partial discharge (P.D) inception voltage of specimen insulators. Based on the suggested method, determining the pollution constituents, defining the dominant pollutant of the area, finding the most commonly used insulators for medium and above distribution voltages within the geographical boundaries of the Central Province of Iran, as well as examining the effect of dominant air pollutant of the region on partial discharge inception voltage of designated insulators by laboratory measurements, are the necessary steps toward a comprehensive study of the subject.
Single core configurations of saturated core fault current limiter performance of laboratory test models
Authors: Naphade Vittesh , Ghate Vilas , Dhole Gajanan
Published: August 2021

Economic growth with industrialization and urbanization lead to an extensive increase in power demand. It forced the utilities to add power generating facilities to cause the necessary demand-generation balance. The bulk power generating stations, mostly interconnected, with the penetration of distributed generation result in an enormous rise in the fault level of power networks. It necessitates for electrical utilities to control the fault current so that the existing switchgear can continue its services without up-gradation or replacement for reliable supply. The deployment of fault current limiter (FCL) at the distribution and transmission networks has been under investigation as a potential solution to the problem. A saturated core fault current limiter (SCFCL) technology is a smart, scalable, efficient, reliable, and commercially viable option to manage fault levels in existing and future MV/HV supply systems. This paper presents the comparative performance analysis of two single-core SCFCL topologies impressed with different core saturations. It has demonstrated that the single AC winding configuration needs more bias power for affecting the same current limiting performance with an acceptable steady-state voltage drop contribution. The fault state impedance has a transient nature, and the optimum bias selection is a critical design parameter in realizing the SCFCL applications.