bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LSD1 Inhibition Enhances the Immunogenicity of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by Eliciting a dsRNA Stress Response
Authors: Mardani Fatemeh , Saad Wael , El-Hachem Nehme , Bikorimana Jean-Pierre , Kurdi Mazen , Shammaa Riam , Talbot Sebastien , Rafei Moutih
Published: June 2022

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are commonly known for their immune-suppressive abilities. However, our group provided evidence that it is possible to convert MSCs into potent antigen presenting cells (APCs) using either genetic engineering or pharmacological means. Given the capacity of UM171a to trigger APC-like function in MSCs, and the recent finding that this drug may modulate the epigenome by inhibiting the lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), we explored whether the direct pharmacological inhibition of LSD1 could instill APC-like functions in MSCs akin to UM171a. The treatment of MSCs with the LSD1 inhibitor tranylcypromine (TC) elicits a double-stranded (ds)RNA stress response along with its associated responsive elements, including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), Type-I interferon (IFN), and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). The net outcome culminates in the enhanced expression of H2-Kb, and an increased stability of the cell surface peptide: MHCI complexes. As a result, TC-treated MSCs stimulate CD8 T-cell activation efficiently, and elicit potent anti-tumoral responses against the EG.7 T-cell lymphoma in the context of prophylactic vaccination. Altogether, our findings reveal a new pharmacological protocol whereby targeting LSD1 in MSCs elicits APC-like capabilities that could be easily exploited in the design of future MSC-based anti-cancer vaccines.
Assessment of Knowledge towards Radiation Protection Measures among Newly Graduated Dentists from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Basha Soha Mohamed Ali , BinShabaib Munerah Saleh , ALHarthi Shatha Subhi
Published: June 2022

Background: It is hypothesized that knowledge towards ionizing radiation (IR) protection measures is lacking among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to compare the IR protection knowledge among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: The present investigation was a questionnaire-based study and had a cross-sectional observational analytical design. Newly graduated dentists were defined as individuals who had graduated from a credentialed dental institution within the past 36-months. The questionnaire was related to knowledge about radiation safety, awareness and practices. The questionnaire comprised of 17 multiple choice questions. Questionnaires in which all the 17 questions were not answered or had missing pages were excluded. Odds ratios were computed for the number of correct and incorrect responses and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Individuals that provided up to 40%, 41% to 70% and >70% correct answers were categorized as having “low competence”; “moderate competence” and “high competence” in IR knowledge. p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean percentage of correct answers provided by dentists from Egypt and KSA were 56.9% and 67.4%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentages of correct responses for the 17 questions submitted by respondents from Egypt and KSA. The overall percentage of correct responses ranged between 40.2–71.2% and 45.4–81.4% for respondents from Egypt and KSA, respectively. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals showed no statistically significant correlation in the responses from respondents from Egypt and KSA for each of the 17 questions addressed. Conclusion: Newly graduated dentists from Egypt and KSA are moderately competent regarding IR doses and related safety measures. It is recommended that modifications in the undergraduate dental education curriculum with emphasis on IR safety and practice would help enhance the knowledge and competence of students and newly graduated dentists. Moreover, routine continuing dental education seminars/programs may help enhance the IR knowledge of dental students and dentists.
Research on Micro-Fault Detection and Multiple-Fault Isolation for Gas Sensor Arrays Based on Serial Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Xu Yonghui , Meng Ruotong , Yang Zixuan
Published: June 2022

Machine learning algorithms play an important role in fault detection and fault diagnosis of gas sensor arrays. Because the gas sensor array will see stability degradation and a shift in output signal amplitude under long-term operation, it is very important to detect the abnormal output signal of the gas sensor array in time and achieve accurate fault location. In order to solve the problem of low detection accuracy of micro-faults in gas sensor arrays, this paper adopts the serial principal component analysis (SPCA) method, which combines the advantages of principal component analysis (PCA) in the linear part and the advantages of kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) in the nonlinear part. The experimental results show that this method is more sensitive to micro-faults and has better fault detection accuracy than the fault detection methods of PCA and KPCA. In addition, in order to solve the current problem of low accuracy of multiple-fault isolation, a SPCA-based reconstruction contribution fault isolation method is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that this method has higher fault isolation accuracy than the method based on contribution graph.
Preliminary Characterization of a Spray-Dried Hydrocolloid from a High Andean Algae (Nostoc sphaericum)
Authors: Choque-Quispe David , Mojo-Quisani Antonieta , Ligarda-Samanez Carlos A. , Calla-Florez Miriam , Ramos-Pacheco Betsy S. , Zamalloa-Puma Lourdes Magaly , Peralta-Guevara Diego E. , Solano-Reynoso Aydeé M. , Choque-Quispe Yudith , Zamalloa-Puma Alan , Palomino-Malpartida Ybar G. , Medina-Quiquin Leidy D. , Kari-Ferro Aydeé
Published: June 2022

The search for new natural sources of hydrocolloids with stabilizing, thickening, and good binding capacity, from raw materials that are environmentally friendly and that contribute to the circular economy is a challenge for the food industry. The aim of the study was the preliminary characterization of a spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae Nostoc sphaericum. Four ecotypes of algae from Peruvian high Andean lagoons located above 4000 m were considered. The samples were collected in the period March–April 2021 and were subjected to a spray drying process in an aqueous medium. The characterization showed that the dehydrated nostoc ecotypes presented high protein and carbohydrate content, making it a potential material for direct use as a functional food for humans. The spray-dried product presented good stability for its use as a hydrocolloid, with zeta potential values (ζ), around 30 mV, evidencing the presence of -CO-, -OH, -COO-, and -CH groups, characteristic of polysaccharides, representing 40% of total organic carbon on average, giving it low water activity values and particle size at the nanometric level. Major minerals such as Ca (>277 mg/100 g), Mg (>19.7 mg/100 g), and Fe (>7.7 mg/100 g) were reported. Spray-dried nostoc is a hydrocolloid material with high potential for the food industry, with good nutritional content and techno-functional behavior.
On the Solvability of Some Boundary Value Problems for the Nonlocal Poisson Equation with Boundary Operators of Fractional Order
Authors: Usmanov Kairat , Turmetov Batirkhan , Nazarova Kulzina
Published: June 2022

In this paper, in the class of smooth functions, integration and differentiation operators connected with fractional conformable derivatives are introduced. The mutual reversibility of these operators is proved, and the properties of these operators in the class of smooth functions are studied. Using transformations generalizing involutive transformations, a nonlocal analogue of the Laplace operator is introduced. For the corresponding nonlocal analogue of the Poisson equation, the solvability of some boundary value problems with fractional conformable derivatives is studied. For the problems under consideration, theorems on the existence and uniqueness of solutions are proved. Necessary and sufficient conditions for solvability of the studied problems are obtained, and integral representations of solutions are given.
Asymptotic Autonomy of Attractors for Stochastic Fractional Nonclassical Diffusion Equations Driven by a Wong–Zakai Approximation Process on ℝn
Authors: Li Hong , Li Fuzhi
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we consider the backward asymptotically autonomous dynamical behavior for fractional non-autonomous nonclassical diffusion equations driven by a Wong–Zakai approximations process in Hs(Rn) with s∈(0,1). We first prove the existence and backward time-dependent uniform compactness of tempered pullback random attractors when the growth rate of nonlinearities have a subcritical range. We then show that, under the Wong–Zakai approximations process, the components of the random attractors of a non-autonomous dynamical system in time can converge to those of the random attractor of the limiting autonomous dynamical system in Hs(Rn).
Attitude-Based Segmentation of Residential Self-Selection and Travel Behavior Changes Affected by COVID-19
Authors: Puppateravanit Chonnipa , Sano Kazushi , Hatoyama Kiichiro
Published: June 2022

This study evaluated the effects of COVID-19 on attitudes toward residential associated with travel behavior on decisions regarding future relocation. Chi-square automatic interaction detection was used to generate tree and classification segments to investigate the various segmentations of travelers and residents around mass transit stations. The decision tree revealed that the most influential variables were the number of transport card ownerships, walking distance to the nearest mass station, number of households, type of resident, property ownership, travel cost, and trip frequency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have concentrated on reducing travel time, reducing the number of transfers, and decreasing unnecessary trips. Consequently, people who live near mass transit stations less than 400 and 400–1000 m away prefer to live in residential and rural areas in the future. Structural Equation Modeling was used to confirm the relationship between attitudes in normal and pandemic situations. According to the findings, attitudes toward residential accessibility of travel modes were a significant determinant of attitudes toward residential location areas. This research demonstrates travelers’ and residents’ uncertain decision-making regarding relocation, allowing policymakers and transport authorities to better understand their behavior to improve transportation services.
Decision Conflicts in Clinical Care during COVID-19: A Patient Perspective
Authors: Haier Jörg , Beller Johannes , Adorjan Kristina , Bleich Stefan , De Greck Moritz , Griesinger Frank , Hein Alexander , Hurlemann René , Mees Sören Torge , Philipsen Alexandra , Rohde Gernot , Schilling Georgia , Trautmann Karolin , Combs Stephanie E. , Geyer Siegfried , Schäfers Jürgen
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: Uncertainty is typical for a pandemic or similar healthcare crisis. This affects patients with resulting decisional conflicts and disturbed shared decision making during their treatment occurring to a very different extent. Sociodemographic factors and the individual perception of pandemic-related problems likely determine this decisional dilemma for patients and can characterize vulnerable groups with special susceptibility for decisional problems and related consequences. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional data from the OnCoVID questionnaire study were used involving 540 patients from 11 participating institutions covering all major regions in Germany. Participants were actively involved in clinical treatment in oncology or psychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Questionnaires covered five decision dimensions (conflicts and uncertainty, resources, risk perception, perception of consequences for clinical processes, perception of consequences for patients) and very basic demographic data (age, gender, stage of treatment and educational background). Decision uncertainties and distress were operationalized using equidistant five-point scales. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and various multivariate approaches. (3) Results: A total of 11.5% of all patients described intensive uncertainty in their clinical decisions that was significantly correlated with anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress. Younger and female patients and those of higher educational status and treatment stage had the highest values for these stressors (p < 0.001). Only 15.3% of the patients (14.9% oncology, 16.2% psychiatry; p = 0.021) considered the additional risk of COVID-19 infections as very important for their disease-related decisions. Regression analysis identified determinants for patients at risk of a decisional dilemma, including information availability, educational level, age group and requirement of treatment decision making. (4) Conclusions: In patients, the COVID-19 pandemic induced specific decisional uncertainty and distress accompanied by intensified stress and psychological disturbances. Determinants of specific vulnerability were related to female sex, younger age, education level, disease stages and perception of pandemic-related treatment modifications, whereas availability of sufficient pandemic-related information prevented these problems. The most important decisional criteria for patients under these conditions were expected side effects/complications and treatment responses.
The Effect of Low Frequency Sound on Heart Rate Variability and Subjective Perception: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Vilímek Zdeněk , Kantor Jiří , Krejčí Jakub , Janečka Zbyněk , Jedličková Zuzana , Nekardová Anna , Botek Michal , Bucharová Monika , Campbell Elsa A.
Published: June 2022

Background: Vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) uses low-frequency sound, often combined with listening to music, for therapeutic purposes. However, the impact of low-frequency vibration (LFV) on physiological functions and subjective perception is relatively unknown. Methods: We conducted a randomized cross-over study with the aim of comparing the effect of constant LFV of 40 Hz, its amplitude modulation, and the placebo condition on heart rate variability (HRV), stress perception (measured by visual analogue scales for stress) and mood (measured by UWIST Mood Adjective Check List). Results: Research experiments with various interventions (constant LFV with sound of nature (river in forest), amplitude modulation of the same LFV with sounds of nature and sounds of nature without LFV) were realised involving 24 participants. It was found there was an effect on HRV, stress perception and mood after the interventions. However, there were only seldomly experienced, and mostly nonsignificant, differences between the intervention conditions, so the effects may be attributed to factors other than LFV. Conclusions: Large scale experimental studies are needed to verify the preliminary findings and to explore various coinciding factors that may have influenced the results of this study, e.g., type of autonomic nervous system. We propose that the effect of LFV exposure may differ when combined with listening to music, and this hypothesis should be investigated in future studies.
Telemonitoring Potential of Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillators during the Follow-Up of Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Blockhaus Christian , Guelker Jan-Erik , Feyen Ludger , Bufe Alexander , Seyfarth Melchior , Shin Dong-In
Published: June 2022

Background: Wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) are a well-established tool to bridge the recovery time of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) until the implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), as recommended by the current guidelines. Besides their function to detect and treat malignant arrhythmias, WCDs may be used as a telemonitoring system. In this study, we sought to illustrate and discuss the telemonitoring potential of WCDs and to analyze physical activity in specific patient cohorts. Methods and Results: We retrospectively included 140 patients with reduced LVEF who were prescribed WCDs in our clinic. We analyzed the patients’ physical activity (n = 105 with a WCD compliance above 21 h/day), body position and resting position. We found a reduced physical activity in women and in patients over the age of 65 compared to younger patients. Furthermore, the patients who were overweight or obese showed significantly reduced physical activity compared to the patients with a normal weight (6365 ± 3572 vs. 4972 ± 2476 vs. 7045 ± 3521, p = 0.02). Conclusion: WCDs may be used as a telemonitoring and intervention tool in patients with reduced LVEF. Specific patient groups may benefit from guidance from their treating physician regarding physical activity.
Surface Modification of Polytetrafluoroethylene and Polycaprolactone Promoting Cell-Selective Adhesion and Growth of Valvular Interstitial Cells
Authors: Gabriel Matthias , Bollensdorff Christian , Raynaud Christophe
Published: June 2022

Tissue engineering concepts, which are concerned with the attachment and growth of specific cell types, frequently employ immobilized ligands that interact preferentially with cell types of interest. Creating multicellular grafts such as heart valves calls for scaffolds with spatial control over the different cells involved. Cardiac heart valves are mainly constituted out of two cell types, endothelial cells and valvular interstitial cells. To have control over where which cell type can be attracted would enable targeted cell settlement and growth contributing to the first step of an engineered construct. For endothelial cells, constituting the outer lining of the valve tissue, several specific peptide ligands have been described. Valvular interstitial cells, representing the bulk of the leaflet, have not been investigated in this regard. Two receptors, the integrin α9β1 and CD44, are known to be highly expressed on valvular interstitial cells. Here, we demonstrate that by covalently grafting the corresponding peptide and polysaccharide ligand onto an erodible, polycaprolactone (PCL), and a non-degradable, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polymer, surfaces were generated that strongly support valvular interstitial cell colonization with minimal endothelial cell and reduced platelet adhesion. The technology for covalent binding of corresponding ligands is a key element towards tissue engineered cardiac valves for in vitro applications, but also towards future in vivo application, especially in combination with degradable scaffold material.
Research on Optimization Design of Fully Parameterized Pump-Jet Propulsion
Authors: Wu Chunxiao , Lu Yu , Liu Shewen , Li Zhiyuan , Gu Zhuhao , Shao Wu , Li Chuang
Published: June 2022

A pump-jet propulsion system is composed of rotor, stator, and duct. The stator has the front stator type and the rear stator type; the conduit also has the acceleration conduit and the deceleration conduit two forms. It is difficult to design and evaluate the performance of a pump-jet propulsion system because of its complex structure and many changes in component parameters. Due to the limitation of time and cost in the design process of the pump-jet propulsion system, it is difficult to find the optimal scheme in the design space. However, under the guidance of an optimization algorithm, the automatic optimization method can fill the design space with a large number of design schemes. In this paper, the geometry reconstruction technique, hydraulic performance evaluation technique and optimization technique of the pump-jet propulsion system are combined to realize the automation of the whole design process. Firstly, the geometric modeling of the pump-jet propulsion system is completed by a full parametric modeling method, and then the hydrodynamic performance of the pump-jet propulsion system is calculated based on the numerical simulation technique. The radial parameters in the fully parametric configuration of the pump-jet propulsion system were selected as the optimization design variables, and the hydro-dynamic performance was optimized as the objective function. Finally, the pump-jet propulsion system optimization design system was constructed by using the global intelligent optimization algorithm. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for numerical calculation and configuration optimization design of pump-jet propulsion system.
Numerical Investigation of the Vibration of a Circular Cylinder in Oscillatory Flow in Oblique Directions
Authors: Taheri Erfan , Zhao Ming , Wu Helen
Published: June 2022

The response of an elastically mounted circular cylinder vibrating in an oscillatory flow oblique to the flow direction is investigated. Simulations are conducted for vibration angles ranging from 0° to 90°, with 0° and 90° corresponding to the cases where the vibration is inline and perpendicular to the flow direction, respectively. One mass ratio of 2, one Reynolds number of 150, and two Keulegan–Carpenter (KC) numbers of 5 and 10 and a wide range of frequency ratios that cover the lock-in regime are considered. The frequency ratio is the ratio of the oscillatory flow frequency to the natural frequency. The maximum vibration amplitude is highest when the cylinder vibrates in the flow direction (vibration angle = 0°) and gradually decreases with the increase of the vibration direction. All the identified flow regimes are mapped on the frequency ratio versus vibration angle space. In addition to the flow regimes that exist for a stationary cylinder, two variants of Regime F (F1 and F2), a new flow regime R and an unstable regime D/F are found. The vortex street directions of Regime F1 and F2 are the opposite to and the same as the direction of the vibration, respectively, Regime R is a regime where a dominant vortex circles around the cylinder and Regime D/F is an unstable regime where the flow changes between Regime D and F frequently. The contribution of the higher harmonics in the vibration increases with the increase of the vibration direction angle. As a result of the strong contribution of higher harmonics at large vibration angles and small frequency ratios, local peak values of the vibration amplitude are found at frequency ratios of 0.4 and 0.25 for KC = 5 and 10, respectively.
The Use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Building Yield Curve Scenarios and Identifying Relative-Value Trading Opportunities on the Romanian Government Bond Market
Authors: Oprea Andreea
Published: June 2022

Based on previous research addressing the use of principal component analysis (PCA) in modeling the dynamics of sovereign yield curves, in this paper, we investigate certain characteristics of the Romanian government bond market. We perform PCA on data between March 2019 and March 2022, with emphasis on periods marked by extreme market stress, such as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 or the Russian military invasion in Ukraine in February 2022. We find that on 25 March 2022, the first principal component explained 80.83% of the yield curve changes, the first two 91.92%, and the first three 96.87%, consistent with previous results from the literature, which state that the first three PCs generally explain around 95% of the variability in the term structure. In addition, we observe that principal components’ coefficients (factor loadings) at 2 years were lower than those at 10 years, suggesting that in case of market sell-offs, yields at 10 years increase more than those at 2 years, leading to yield curve steepenings. Interestingly, we observe that the explanatory power of the first PC increases significantly following extreme market events, when interest rates’ movements tend to become more synchronized, leading to higher correlations between tenors. We also employ PCA to check for relative-value (RV) trading signals and to assess the historical plausibility of yield curve shocks. We found that while both explanatory power and shape plausibility were characteristics of the yield curve dynamics during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the magnitude of the market movement registered in mid-March 2020 was unlikely from a historical perspective. Finally, we use a forecasting model to derive the entire structure of the Romanian yield curve while also incorporating the trader’s view on a few benchmark yields.
Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19: Lessons from the K-SEIR Model Calibrated to the Observable Data
Authors: Lipton Alexander , de Prado Marcos Lopez
Published: June 2022

This article develops a detailed epidemiological multi-factor model, the K-susceptible–exposed–infected–removed (K-SEIR) model, and several simpler sub-models as its building blocks. The general model enables us to account for all the relevant COVID-19 features, its disparate impact on different population groups, and interactions within and between the groups. It also includes the availability (or lack thereof) of spare hospital beds and intensive care units (ICU) to accommodate the pent-up demand due to the pandemic. We use the most recent hospitalization and mortality data to calibrate the model. Since our model is multi-factor, we can use it to simulate and analyze the consequences of the sheltering-in-place for each specific group and compare the lives saved and lost due to this measure. We show that in countries with well-developed healthcare systems and a population willing to abide by suitable containment and mitigation procedures, the sheltering in place of the entire community is excessive and harmful when considered holistically. At the same time, sealing nursing homes as thoroughly as possible to avoid high infection and mortality rates is an absolute necessity.
Effect of the Belt and Road Initiatives on Trade and Its Related LUCC and Ecosystem Services of Central Asian Nations
Authors: Zhang Jian , Ren Meixia , Lu Xin , Li Yu , Cao Jianjun
Published: June 2022

Economic development and trade activities are some of the main driving forces leading to land use and land cover changes (LUCC) with impacts on ecosystem services (ESs) functions. As the origin of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) initiated by China, Central Asia nations (CANs) provide a prism to examine the impact of LUCC and ESs changes brought by the BRI. The impacts of LUCC and ecological influences were evaluated. The land use transfer matrix and dynamic index, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST), the Carnegie Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model, and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) model were used to evaluate the impact of export trade from the CANs to China (ETCC) on LUCC and ESs in the CANs before and after the BRI. Results showed that before and after BRI (2001–2020), agricultural land and construction land increased by 59,120 km2 and 7617 km2, respectively, while ecological land decreased by 66,737 km2. The annual growth rate of agricultural land and the annual reduction rate of ecological land after the BRI were higher than that before the BRI, while the annual growth rate of construction slowed down. Among the ecological land, the forestland increased by 5828 km2 continuously, while the grassland increased by 12,719 km2 and then decreased of 13,132 km2. The trends for LUCC spatial variation were similar. The development of ETCC positively affected the changes in agricultural and construction land in the CANs and negatively affected the changes in ecological land. The average contribution rates of the ETCC to changes in agriculture, construction, and ecological lands after the BRI were higher than those before the BRI. They increased by 5.01%, 3.33% and 5.01%, respectively. The ESs after the BRI improved compared with those before the BRI, indicating that, during short-term implementation of the BRI, ETCC growth also ensures the ecological protection of CANs. This study provides a reference for dealing with trade, land management and environmental protection relations between member countries of international economic alliances worldwide.
Morphosyntactic Features Versus Morphophonological Features in L2 Gender Acquisition: A Cross-Language Perspective
Authors: Rojas Jennifer Markovits
Published: June 2022

This paper aims to demonstrate the reliability of morphosyntactic versus morphophonological features in the acquisition of L2 gender of inanimate nouns across languages. Based on Anna Kibort study “Towards a typology of grammatical features”(2010), the current research proposes that the presence of a gendered determiner is more reliable than gendered noun-final morphemes in the process of adjective agreement within the Determiner Phrase (DP) across two gender transparency system languages. To test this hypothesis, the current research compares English second-language (L2) learners of Hebrew and Spanish. Both languages have a binary gender system for nouns; however, Hebrew lacks a determiner with gender value, but provides a plural ending morpheme that encodes both number and gender. In contrast, Spanish has a gendered article that facilitates gender acquisition, but lacks a plural ending morpheme that indicates gender. Thirty-two L1 English–L2 Spanish learners and thirty-two L1 English–L2 Hebrew learners with different proficiency levels completed an adjective-agreement forced-choice task and an adjective-agreement elicited-production task—in their respective target languages. The tasks contained Spanish opaque plural nouns and Hebrew plural transparent nouns, highlighting the role of the determiner in Spanish and the role of transparency plural-ending morphemes in Hebrew. The results revealed that Spanish L2 learners performed better on the tasks than L2 Hebrew learners, offering evidence for the relevance of syntactic agreement knowledge over phonological cues in gender acquisition.
Electromechanical Characteristics Analysis under DSISC Fault in Synchronous Generators
Authors: He Yu-Ling , Qiu Ming-Hao , Yuan Xing-Hua , He Xian-Long , Wang Hai-Peng , Jiang Meng-Ya , Gerada Chris , Wan Shu-Ting
Published: June 2022

This paper studies the electromechanical characteristics of synchronous generators under dynamic stator interturn short circuit (DSISC). First, the air gap magnetic flux density (MFD) of the generator under normal and DSISC fault was obtained. Then, the expression for the phase current and the electromagnetic torque (EMT) were obtained. After this, the phase current and EMT were analyzed by finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, the measured electromechanical characteristics of the CS-5 generator under different conditions were analyzed in accordance with theory and simulation. It was shown that with the occurrence, and deterioration, of DSISC, the amplitude of the first harmonic, third harmonic and fifth harmonic of the phase current became more affected by the pulse. Meanwhile, the even-numbered harmonics components of EMT increased.
Kinematic Calibration of Parallel Robots Based on L-Infinity Parameter Estimation
Authors: Yu Dayong
Published: June 2022

Pose accuracy is one of the most important problems in the application of parallel robots. In order to adhere to strict pose error bounds, a new kinematic calibration method is proposed, which includes a new pose error model with 60 error parameters and a different kinematic parameter error identification algorithm based on L-infinity parameter estimation. Parameter errors are identified by using linear programming to minimize the maximum difference between predictions and workspace measurements. Simulation results show that the proposed kinematic calibration has better kinematic parameter error estimation and fewer pose errors when measurement noise is less than kinematic parameter errors. Experimental results show that maximum position and orientation errors, respectively, based on the proposed method are decreased by 86.48% and 87.85% of the original values and by 14.32% and 18.23% of those based on the conventional least squares method. The feasibility and validity of the proposed kinematic calibration are verified by improved pose accuracy of the parallel robot.
A Unified Constitutive Model of Stress Relaxation of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy with Different Temperatures from Elastic to Plastic Loading
Authors: Zhang Ying , Li Dongsheng , Li Yong , Li Xiaoqiang
Published: June 2022

The effects of temperature and pre-strain levels on the stress relaxation behavior and corresponding microstructural evolutions of Ti-6Al-4V alloys have been investigated experimentally and numerically in this study. A series of tests (stress relaxation (SR) and repeated stress relaxation (RSR)) and microstructural observations (scanning electron microscope) have been performed, based on which the deformation-related variables, i.e., stress component and activation energy, as a function of the testing time are calculated according to the classical thermal activation theories. The experimental SR behavior and the obtained thermal related variables show that at lower temperatures (700 °C and 750 °C), a large number of dislocations introduced by plastic loading enhance dislocation slip/climb creep, giving rise to rapid relaxation compared with those with elastic loading conditions at the same temperature. At higher temperatures (800 °C and 850 °C), a similar SR phenomenon has been observed at both elastic and plastic loading conditions, which is due to the severe interaction between diffusion creep and dislocation creep after the loading stage. Based on these results, a unified constitutive equation has been proposed to successfully predict the behavior of the whole stress relaxation process composed of the loading stage and subsequent SR stage. The model considering the continuous evolution of internal variables, e.g., dislocation density and lamellar width, in two stages can predict the stress response and microstructure variation with different temperatures from elastic to plastic loading and provide a foundation to effectively optimize the hot forming process combining pre-deformation and stress relaxation.
Dynamic Modeling and Stability Analysis for a Spur Gear System Considering Gear Backlash and Bearing Clearance
Authors: Tian Gang , Gao Zhihui , Liu Peng , Bian Yushu
Published: June 2022

In practice, gear backlash and bearing clearance usually exist together in a gear system. They may induce complicated dynamic responses and degrade transmission performance. Up to now, although each of them has been researched, little attention has been paid to the coupling dynamic characteristics of gear backlash and bearing clearance. In a limited number of relevant studies, since the linear collision models they adopted are difficult to realistically depict actual collision behaviors caused by bearing clearance, these studies cannot accurately reveal the coupling dynamic characteristics of gear backlash and bearing clearance. Furthermore, system stability of the gear system considering gear backlash and bearing clearance has not been thoroughly investigated. In view of this, this paper contributes to the research on dynamic modeling and stability analysis for the spur gear system considering gear backlash and bearing clearance. A nonlinear collision model with time-varying contact stiffness/damping is suggested for describing the bearing collision behaviors. Based on the geometrical relationship of dynamic center distance, dynamic working pressure angle, and dynamic backlash, the coupling motion model of gear backlash and bearing clearance is developed. On this basis, the dynamic model of the spur gear system considering gear backlash and bearing clearance is established and verified by numerical simulations, virtual prototyping simulations and experiments. Afterwards, to thoroughly explore the complicated dynamic characteristics of the gear system considering gear backlash and bearing clearance, several important parameters, i.e., rotational speed, gear backlash and bearing clearance, are chosen as bifurcation parameters to study their influences on system stability via bifurcation diagrams, time-domain waveforms, FFT spectra, Poincaré maps, and phase diagrams. Various complicated nonlinear behaviors, such as hopping, multiple periodic motion, quasi-periodic motion, and chaotic motion, are revealed. This study can provide useful reference for the multi-clearance coupling research of the gear system in complicated working environments.
A Generalized Family of Exponentiated Composite Distributions
Authors: Liu Bowen , Ananda Malwane M. A.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we propose a new family of distributions, by exponentiating the random variables associated with the probability density functions of composite distributions. We also derive some mathematical properties of this new family of distributions, including the moments and the limited moments. Specifically, two special models in this family are discussed. Three real datasets were chosen, to assess the performance of these two special exponentiated-composite models. When fitting to these three datasets, these three special exponentiated-composite distributions demonstrate significantly better performance, compared to the original composite distributions.
A Novel Integrating Data Envelopment Analysis and Spherical Fuzzy MCDM Approach for Sustainable Supplier Selection in Steel Industry
Authors: Nguyen Thi-Ly , Nguyen Phi-Hung , Pham Hong-Anh , Nguyen Thi-Giang , Nguyen Duc-Thinh , Tran Thi-Hoai , Le Hong-Cham , Phung Huong-Thuy
Published: June 2022

Supply chain sustainability, which takes environmental, economic, and social factors into account, was recently recognized as a critical component of the supply chain (SC) management evaluation process and known as a multi-criteria decision-making problem (MCDM) that is heavily influenced by the decision-makers. While some criteria can be analyzed numerically, a large number of qualitative criteria require expert review in linguistic terms. This study proposes an integration of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP), and spherical fuzzy weighted aggregated sum product assessment (SF-WASPAS) to identify a sustainable supplier for the steel manufacturing industry in Vietnam. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative factors are considered through a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews. The first step employs DEA to validate high-efficiency suppliers based on a variety of quantifiable criteria. The second step evaluates these suppliers further on qualitative criteria, such as economic, environmental, and social factors. The SF-AHP was applied to obtain the criteria’s significance, whereas the SF-WASPAS was adopted to identify sustainable suppliers. The sensitivity analysis and comparative results demonstrate that the decision framework is feasible and robust. The findings of this study can assist steel industry executives in resolving the macrolevel supplier selection problem. Moreover, the proposed method can assist managers in selecting and evaluating suppliers more successfully in other industries.
Scalable Cell-Free Massive MIMO with Multiple CPUs
Authors: Li Feiyang , Sun Qiang , Ji Xiaodi , Chen Xiaomin
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we consider the uplink of a scalable cell-free massive MIMO (CF-M-MIMO) system where user equipments (UEs) are served only by a subset of access points (APs). All APs are physically divided into predetermined “real clusters”, which are linked to different cooperative central processing units (CPUs). Based on the cooperative nature of the considered communications framework, we assume that each UE is affiliated with a “virtual cluster”, which is associated with some APs coming from different real clusters. Thanks to the degrees of cooperation among multiple CPUs, the uplink spectral efficiencies (SEs) of four different levels are analyzed. To achieve system scalability, the CF-M-MIMO system with multiple CPUs is introduced, which leads to lower SE. To this end, we design a joint combining method based on statistical channel state informations (CSIs), which not only has low complexity but also improves the SE of the system. Simulation results indicate that the average rate of our proposed method can be improved by about 30%.
An Integrated Two-Level Integer Linear Program (ILP) Model for Elective Surgery Scheduling: A Case Study in an Italian Hospital
Authors: Patrão Rafael L. , Garcia Reinaldo C. , da Silva João M.
Published: June 2022

The urban population is increasing worldwide. This demographic shift generates great pressure over public services, especially those related to health-care. One of the most expensive health-care services is surgery, and in order to contain this growing cost of providing better services, the efficiency of surgical centers must be improved. This work proposes an integer linear programming model (ILP) considering the case-mix planning (CMP) and the master surgical scheduling (MSS) problems. The case-mix planning problem deals with the planning of the number of operating rooms to be assigned to surgical specialties. The master surgical scheduling is related to when to assign the rooms to the different specialties. The developed model uses a data set from a hospital of the city of Turin, Italy. The results are very promising, showing a reduction from 240 weeks to 144 weeks to empty the surgical waiting list (WL). Moreover, if changes to the hospital situation are implemented, including the introduction of two new surgical teams into one of the hospital’s specialties, the time to empty the surgical WL could decrease to 79 weeks.
Solution-Processed Silicon Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films and Thin-Film Transistors Based on Tetraethyl Orthosilicate
Authors: He Ziyan , Zhang Xu , Wei Xiaoqin , Luo Dongxiang , Ning Honglong , Ye Qiannan , Wu Renxu , Guo Yao , Yao Rihui , Peng Junbiao
Published: June 2022

Recently, tin oxide (SnO2) has been the preferred thin film material for semiconductor devices such as thin-film transistors (TFTs) due to its low cost, non-toxicity, and superior electrical performance. However, the high oxygen vacancy (VO) concentration leads to poor performance of SnO2 thin films and devices. In this paper, with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the Si source, which can decompose to release heat and supply energy when annealing, Si doped SnO2 (STO) films and inverted staggered STO TFTs were successfully fabricated by a solution method. An XPS analysis showed that Si doping can effectively inhibit the formation of VO, thus reducing the carrier concentration and improving the quality of SnO2 films. In addition, the heat released from TEOS can modestly lower the preparation temperature of STO films. By optimizing the annealing temperature and Si doping content, 350 °C annealed STO TFTs with 5 at.% Si exhibited the best device performance: Ioff was as low as 10−10 A, Ion/Ioff reached a magnitude of 104, and Von was 1.51 V. Utilizing TEOS as an Si source has a certain reference significance for solution-processed metal oxide thin films in the future.
Experience of application of emotion-image therapy in the treatment of muscular tonic back pain
Authors:   City Clinical Hospital No. 39, Nizhny Novgorod, Shpagina Anna Viktorovna
Published: June 2022

he article is devoted to the issues of clinical algology. A study of the effectiveness of N.D. Linde’s psychotherapy method (emotion-image therapy) in patients with muscular tonic syndrome in the lumbar region is carried out.
Relationship between quality of life and alexithymia in patients with somatoform disorders working in the nuclear industry
Authors:   Center for the Study of Eating Disorders, Moscow, Sineutskaya Ekaterina Olegovna , Petrov Dmitry Sergeevich ,   Ryazan State Medical University I. P. Pavlova, Volodin Boris Yurievich ,   Ryazan state medical University I. P. Pavlova, Filimonov Alexander Pavlovich ,   Ryazan state medical University I. P. Pavlova
Published: June 2022

The article examines the relationship between quality of life and alexithymia in patients with somatoform disorders working in the nuclear industry. The study of the mental health of nuclear industry workers is necessary to prevent the loss of their ability to work and preserve the safe operation of enterprises. Disorder of the ability of employees of this category to verbalize their experiences and recognize the state of anxiety can have a significant negative impact on their emotional state and create obstacles to therapeutic work. The purpose of the presented study was to identify the relationship between the quality of life of patients with somatoform disorders working in the nuclear industry and the level of alexithymia. The results of the study showed that in female nuclear industry workers with somatoform disorders, a relatively large "vital activity" is associated with somatization of symptoms due to pronounced alexithymia.
PENERAPAN PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN DENGAN METODE ICARE BERBASIS FLIPCHART TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP REMAJA TENTANG IMS DAN HIV-AIDS DI KOTA BOGOR
Authors: Wahyuni Sri
Published: June 2022

Remaja merupakan aset dan generasi penerus bangsa yang harus sehat secara jasmani, mental dan spiritual.            Penduduk        remaja             perlu mendapat  perhatian serius karena remaja termasuk dalam usia sekolah dan usia kerja, mereka sangat berisiko terhadap masalah-masalah kesehatan reproduksi yaitu perilaku seksual pranikah, penyalahgunaan NAPZA dan HIV/AIDS. Salah satu model pembelajaran  yang dapat diterapkan adalah model pembelajaran ICARE. Kelebihan metode ICARE ini adalah Sistem ICARE mancakup lima elemen kunci suatu pengalaman belajar yang baik, yang dapat diterapkan terhadap peserta didik. Sistem ICARE sangat baik  untuk diterapkan dalam proses belajar di sekolah. Tujuan penelitian adalah diketahuinya  pegaruh pendidikan kesehatan metode ICARE berbasis flipchart terhadap peningkatan pengetahuan dan sikap remaja tentang IMS dan HIV-AIDS  di wilayah Kota Bogor
Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan Posttest Only Control Group Design. Penelitian dilakukan di wilayah Kota Bogor. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara puorposive random sampling yang dilakukan terhadap 30 responden. Variabel diukur menggunakan instrumen pre-test post-test sebelum dan setelah diberikan perlakuan intervensi berupa pendidikan kesehatan dengan metode ICARE berbasis flipchart. Uji statistik menggunakan uji Wilxoson an Mann Whitney.
Hasil penelitian ini terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan  dan sikap remaja tentang IMS dan HIV-AIDS setelah intervensi pendidikan memakai  metode ICARE berbasis flipchart.  Hasil uji Man Whitney menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan pengetahuan dan sikap sebelum dan setelah pendidikan tentang IMS dan HIV-AIDS dengan metode ICARE berbasis flipchart menunjukkan hasil bahwa pengetahuan sebelum dan setelah dilakukan intervensi didapatkan nilai p value sebesar 0.030Peningkatan pengetahuan remaja tentang IMS dan HIV-AIDS secara bermakna disebabkan karena intervensi berupa  pendidikan kesehatan metode ICARE berbasis flipchart , sedangkan peningkatan positif sikap remaja tentang HIV-AIDS tidak disebabkan oleh intervensi berupa  pendidikan kesehatan metode ICARE berbasis flipchart.