bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Psychological Consultation System Based on Weighted Fuzzy Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Li Yaling
Published: December 2021

In order to overcome the problems of low security and high message delay in traditional counseling systems, this article designs and proposes a new counseling system based on the weighted hybrid algorithm. According to the principle of system design, the system architecture diagram and system role are designed. In the hardware part of the system, the user management module, online consultation module, and knowledge base module are designed to realize the psychological consultation function of the system. In the software part, the weighted hybrid algorithm is used to divide the psychological information state of the consultants effectively. Combined with the hardware and software of the system, the overall design of the system is completed. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional consulting system, the designed system can effectively ensure the information security of consultants and reduce the message delay of the system, which has higher practical application value.
Mechanical Properties of Full‐Scale Prestressed Concrete Beams with Thin Slab after Exposure to Actual Fire
Authors: Hao Chaowei , Chen Yanjiang , Tang Yu , Wang Laiyong
Published: December 2021

To provide an effective basis and reference for applications of prestressed concrete thin‐slab beams after a bridge fire, methods and principles of fire‐resistant design, repair, and reinforcement of such beams were discussed. Taking a simple supported and continuous girder bridge of an expressway in service as a sample, appearance testing and nondestructive testing of the internal structure were carried out. Four representative full‐scale prestressed concrete beams were selected. Through the comparative test of the ultimate bearing capacity of such beams, the laws of the deflection deformation, strain distribution, crack formation, and crack development were obtained. By combining with the finite element simulation and theoretical analysis, the ultimate bearing capacity, complex mechanical characteristics, and breakage feature and failure mechanism of such beams were studied. It was indicated by the results the following: (1) Prestress loss will cause height reduction of the concrete shear zone, which is one of the main reasons why the bending‐shearing failure of such beams happened before the pure bending failure. (2) Under certain operating loads, brittle fracture is more likely to occur on the bottom surface of such beams when directly exposed to fire. (3) The bursting and spalling depth of concrete after being exposed to fire can be used as the characteristic parameters for the rapid identification of the bottom surface of such after‐fire beams.
Research on High Robust Multimedia Image Encryption Based on Gyrator Transform Domain Model
Authors: Cheng Xiaojing
Published: December 2021

The encryption and privacy protection of multimedia image resources are of great value in the information age. The utilization of the gyrator transform domain model in multimedia image encryption can select parameters more accurately, so it has a wider scope of utilization and further ameliorates the stability of the whole system. On account of this, this paper first analyzes the concept and connotation of gyrator transform, then studies the image encryption algorithm on account of gyrator transform, and verifies the robustness of the gyrator transform algorithm under the influence of noise interference, shear attack, and other factors through the high robust multimedia image encryption and result analysis of gyrator transform.
Delayed Diagnosis of McCune–Albright Syndrome
Authors: Fantahun Bereket , Desta Seblewongel
Published: December 2021

Background. McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare heterogeneous genetic disorder that is characterized by a triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD), café au lait spots (CAL), and multiple hyperfunctional endocrinopathies. In general, it is diagnosed clinically. From the triads, two of the findings are enough to make the diagnosis, but genetic testing can be done if it is available. Case Presentation. We report a female child who was symptomatic since the neonatal period with skin hyperpigmentation, breast enlargement, and vaginal bleeding. She was diagnosed with MAS at the age of five years. She had pathological fractures at multiple sites and had raised thyroid hormones since the age of 3½ years. The child developed severe morbidity as the result of delayed diagnosis and currently became wheelchair dependent. Conclusion. Thorough patient evaluation and appropriate interpretation of findings are crucial steps for timely diagnosis of MAS and better patient care outcomes.
The Role of 5G Network Image Information Based on Deep Learning in UAV Prediction Target Trajectory Tracking
Authors: Tang Cundong , Chen Li , Wang Yi , Yang Wusi , Chen Rui , Wang Zhiping
Published: December 2021

With the development of information technology in the network era and the popularization of the 5G era, UAV‐related applications are becoming more and more widely used, which is one of the essential basic technologies. Therefore, the technology has great research value and practical significance, a multiobjective detector based on support vector machine (SVM) is designed based on directional gradient histogram (HOG), and the startup method used with cross‐validation methods can improve detector performance. It makes the detector accuracy above 98% and has good resistance to the target scale. A real‐time target tracker is designed with its rotation variation and with an improved average displacement algorithm. The algorithm must manually select the target model and suggest the target model to achieve automatic acquisition of the target model. Due to the ambiguity of the target tracking state, several judgment conditions are set to determine whether the tracking has failed and whether the tracker state is correctly verified, with several similar target tracking algorithms. When the system is started, the system detects targets frame by frame. And it will locate a possible target by color segmentation and specify the target to be tracked to recommend the relevant model during the tracking process and open the tracker to determine the target tracking state frame by frame and perform target detection at each frame. Then it will find possible goals and will follow them to achieve a balance of stable and real‐time system performance, using the results of the TPD‐KCF method. The percentage of correctly tracking images can reach 98%, and the efficiency is significantly improved.
Facile Production of Graphene/Polypropylene Composites with Enhanced Electrical and Thermal Properties through In Situ Artificial Latex Preparation
Authors: Han Lijing , Wang Hairui , Zong Yingxia , Zong Chengzhong
Published: December 2021

In order to obtain the unique properties of graphene-based composites, to realize homogeneous dispersion of graphene throughout the polymer matrix remains the key challenge. In this work, edge-oxidized graphene/polypropylene (EOGr/PP) composites with well-dispersed EOGr in PP matrix, synchronously exhibiting high electrical conductivity and thermal property, were simply fabricated for the first time using a novel strategy by in situ artificial PP latex preparation in the presence of EOGr based on solution-emulsification technique. The good dispersion state of EOGr in the PP matrix was demonstrated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A blue shift in Raman G peak of the EOGr nanosheets was observed in the EOGr/PP composites, indicating the strong interactions between the EOGr nanosheets and the PP matrix. The onset crystallization and crystallization peak temperatures increased as the EOGr loading increases due to its good nucleating ability. An improved thermal stability of EOGr/PP composites was observed as evaluated by TGA. The EOGr/PP composites showed an insulator-to-conductor percolation transition in between that of 1 and 2 wt% EOGr content. Such strategy provides a very effective pathway to fabricate high-performance nonpolar polymer/graphene composites with excellent dispersion state of graphene.
The Arctan‐X Family of Distributions: Properties, Simulation, and Applications to Actuarial Sciences
Authors: Alkhairy Ibrahim , Nagy M. , Muse Abdisalam Hassan , Hussam Eslam
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new family of distributions based on an inverse trigonometric function known as the arctangent function. In the context of actuarial science, heavy‐tailed probability distributions are immensely beneficial and play an important role in modelling data sets. Actuaries are committed to finding for such distributions in order to get an excellent fit to complex economic and actuarial data sets. The current research takes a look at a popular method for generating new distributions which are excellent candidates for dealing with heavy‐tailed data. The proposed family of distributions is known as the Arctan‐X family of distributions and is introduced using an inverse trigonometric function. For the specific purpose of the show of strength, we studied the Arctan‐Weibull distribution as a special case of the developed family. To estimate the parameters of the Arctan‐Weibull distribution, the frequentist approach, i.e., maximum likelihood estimation, is used. A rigorous Monte Carlo simulation analysis is used to determine the efficiency of the obtained estimators. The Arctan‐Weibull model is demonstrated using a real‐world insurance data set. The Arctan‐Weibull is compared to well‐known two‐, three‐, and four‐parameter competitors. Among the competing distributions are Weibull, Kappa, Burr‐XII, and beta‐Weibull. For model comparison, we used the most precise tests used to know whether the Arctan‐Weibull distribution is more useful than competing models.
Study on Parameter Optimization and Mechanism of Rigid‐Flexible Coupling Underground Engineering Structure of Steel Panel and Polymer
Authors: Hu Dengping , Wang Chunyan , Luo Zhe , Chu Xuanxuan
Published: December 2021

Polymer grouting is carried out between the steel panel and surrounding soil in underground engineering, and the polymer material consists of isocyanates and polyols. The isocyanate/polyol composite slurry expands rapidly due to chemical reaction and solidifies immediately. Then, a dense impermeable polymer layer is formed after rapid expansion of isocyanate and polyol, which is widely used for ground reinforcement and foundation remediation. Thus, a steel panel‐polymer composite structure is developed. Mechanical properties of the steel panel‐polymer structure are studied. The results show that the steel panel‐polymer structure exhibited excellent mechanical properties. The steel panel and polymer layer should be designed above 3 mm and 10 mm in thickness, respectively. The steel panel showed superior mechanical properties to those of polymer layers. Considering good rigidity of the steel panel and good flexibility of the polymer layer, the steel panel and polymer layer presented perfect interfacial contact. It is concluded that the mechanical properties of the whole structure were increasingly enhanced with the increase of the steel panel thickness and the structural flexibility increased with the thickness of the polymer layer. Besides, the combination of the steel panel and polymer layer could also improve the mechanical properties of this coupling structure. This study provided an initial attempt for investigating the feasibility of applying polyurethane foam to steel panels in underground engineering. The stress analysis along the grouting direction inside the prefabricated wall was conducted. It may lay the foundation for further application of polymer grouting in underground engineering.
Big Data Analysis of e-Commerce Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors of Agricultural Products in China
Authors: Wen Yi , Kong Lingxi , Liu Gaoxiu
Published: December 2021

At present, the e-commerce industry of agricultural products plays a pivotal role in promoting income growth and helping rural revitalization. This paper collected relevant data in the recent 8 years (2012 to 2019) and used the DEA model and Tobit model to analyze the correlation degree between the efficiency and various influencing factors in China. DEA analysis results show that, in recent years, three efficiencies are quite different: the comprehensive efficiency and scale efficiency show an upward trend, while the pure technical efficiency remains at a high level. Tobit model results show that the number of urban Internet users, rural Internet users, logistics practitioners, the development of national economy are negatively correlated with e-commerce efficiency; the length of traffic construction has no significant correlation; the level of agricultural mechanization has a significant positive correlation. Hence, the paper puts forward four suggestions.
Comparative Analysis of Skin Cancer (Benign vs. Malignant) Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Hasan Mohammed Rakeibul , Fatemi Mohammed Ishraaf , Monirujjaman Khan Mohammad , Kaur Manjit , Zaguia Atef
Published: December 2021

We live in a world where people are suffering from many diseases. Cancer is the most threatening of them all. Among all the variants of cancer, skin cancer is spreading rapidly. It happens because of the abnormal growth of skin cells. The increase in ultraviolet radiation on the Earth’s surface is also helping skin cancer spread in every corner of the world. Benign and malignant types are the most common skin cancers people suffer from. People go through expensive and time-consuming treatments to cure skin cancer but yet fail to lower the mortality rate. To reduce the mortality rate, early detection of skin cancer in its incipient phase is helpful. In today’s world, deep learning is being used to detect diseases. The convolutional neural network (CNN) helps to find skin cancer through image classification more accurately. This research contains information about many CNN models and a comparison of their working processes for finding the best results. Pretrained models like VGG16, Support Vector Machine (SVM), ResNet50, and self-built models (sequential) are used to analyze the process of CNN models. These models work differently as there are variations in their layer numbers. Depending on their layers and work processes, some models work better than others. An image dataset of benign and malignant data has been taken from Kaggle. In this dataset, there are 6594 images of benign and malignant skin cancer. Using different approaches, we have gained accurate results for VGG16 (93.18%), SVM (83.48%), ResNet50 (84.39%), Sequential_Model_1 (74.24%), Sequential_Model_2 (77.00%), and Sequential_Model_3 (84.09%). This research compares these outcomes based on the model’s work process. Our comparison includes model layer numbers, working process, and precision. The VGG16 model has given us the highest accuracy of 93.18%.
Optimal Connected Cruise Control Design with Time‐Varying Leader Velocity and Delays
Authors: Liu Lihan , Xue Yi , Chen Huamin , Wang Zhuwei , Fang Chao , Sun Yang , Sun Yanhua
Published: December 2021

With the development of intelligent transportation system (ITS), owing to its flexible connectivity structures and communication network topologies, connected cruise control (CCC), increasing the situation awareness of the autonomous vehicle without redesigning the other vehicles, is an advanced cruise control technology attracted extensive attention. However, due to the uncertain traffic environment and the movement of the connected vehicles, the leader speed is typically highly dynamic. In this paper, taking the uncertain time‐varying leading vehicle velocity and communication delays into consideration, an optimal CCC algorithm is proposed for both near‐static case and general dynamic control cases. First, the analysis for discrete‐time error dynamics model of the longitudinal vehicle platoon is performed. Then, in order to minimize the error between the desired and actual states, a linear quadratic optimization problem is formulated. Subsequently, in near‐static control case, an efficient algorithm is proposed to derive the solution of the optimization problem by two steps. Specifically, the online step calculates the optimal control scheme according to the current states and previous control signals, and the off‐line step calculates the corresponding control gain through backward recursion. Then, the results are further extended to the general dynamic control case where the leader vehicle moves at an uncertain time‐varying velocity. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed CCC algorithm.
Sickle Cell Trait Presenting as Unilateral Proliferative Retinopathy and Macular Thinning in a Pregnant Woman
Authors: Ghods Sepideh , Pour Elias Khalili , Faghihi Hooshang , Gharehbaghi Golnaz , Mirshahi Ahmad , Ghassemi Fariba , Inanloo Bahman , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid
Published: December 2021

Background. To report a case of a pregnant woman with sickle cell trait (SCT) who presented with unilateral proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. Case Presentation. A 26-year-old otherwise healthy pregnant woman presented with the complaint of visual loss in her left eye. The funduscopic examination showed vitreous hemorrhage, sea fan neovascularization, and pale optic disc. Optical coherence tomography revealed macular inner retinal layer thinning and foveal splaying (saucerization of the foveal pit). The investigations, including hemoglobin electrophoresis, verified the diagnosis of sickle cell trait. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose tests, and tuberculin skin tests were normal. We treated the patient by peripheral retinal photocoagulation over the area of nonperfusion. Conclusion. Even though the sickle cell trait is generally considered as a milder form of sickle cell disease without severe retinal manifestations, pregnancy should be considered as a trigger that can induce proliferative changes and foveal splaying in this group of patients.
Prevention Effects of Chain Management on Pressure Ulcers of Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Yao Jiao , Zhao Jie , Chen Tao , Zeng Xuehui
Published: December 2021

The study focused on the preventive effects of the chain management model on pressure ulcers in the operating room. Sqoop big data collection module is used to collect patient information from various hospital information systems in a distributed manner. The data were from the clinical data center of the Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University General Hospital, and 268 patients were selected as the research subjects. A chain management model is constructed, concerning the preventive measures, the management of each link, the perioperative pressure ulcer management, and the reporting of pressure ulcers. Then, the two groups were compared for the SAS and SDS scores before and after nursing, the pressure ulcer sites, pressure ulcer reporting rate, pressure ulcer staging, and nursing satisfaction. The results show that it is not that more collection modules will lead to better cluster performance and that the execution delay is caused by MapReduce requiring the JAVA virtual machine, and after reaching a certain point, the increase in the number of tasks will slow down the process, and as data size increases, DataNote has an expanded capability to analyze data. After nursing treatment, the SAS and SDS scores of the two groups of patients were significantly lower than before treatment (

P
<
0.05

). The pressure ulcers were mainly distributed in the forehead, mandible, cheeks, front chest, and knees in the two groups, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The total satisfaction of the observation group was 93.28%, and the total satisfaction of the control group was 92.54%. The patients’ satisfaction with the chain management model was higher than that of conventional nursing.
Intrinsic Rewards for Creativity and Employee Creativity to the Mediation Role of Knowledge Sharing and Intrinsic Motivation
Authors: Muzafary Sayed Sami , Wahdat Mohammad Naim , Hussain Mudassir , Mdletshe Bonga , Tilwani Shouket Ahmad , Khattak Robi
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this research is to examine the mediating role of knowledge sharing and intrinsic motivation on the relationship between intrinsic rewards for creativity and employee creativity and furthermore explore the mediating role of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between intrinsic rewards for creativity and knowledge sharing. A total of 400 matched data were collected from employees and their immediate supervisors of four public universities in Afghanistan. The results revealed that knowledge sharing and intrinsic motivation mediated the linkage between intrinsic rewards for creativity and employee creativity, which comprises idea generation. The results have shown that the relationship between intrinsic rewards for creativity and knowledge sharing is mediated by intrinsic task motivation. The current research contributes to the employee creativity literature by empirically examining the mediating role of knowledge sharing and intrinsic motivation in the relationship between intrinsic rewards for creativity and employee creativity in the one hand and the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationship between intrinsic rewards for creativity and employee creativity in other.
The Effects of Moxibustion on PD-1/PD-L1-Related Molecular Expression and Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in RA Rats
Authors: Zhong Yumei , Lai Deli , Zhang Linlin , Lu Wenting , Shang Yanan , Zhou Haiyan
Published: December 2021

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that starts with inflammation of the synovium. The pain and joint dysfunction caused by RA urgently need an effective treatment to alleviate the inflammatory reaction and delay the progression of the disease. The pathological damage of RA is proposed to associate with the dysfunction of the programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway. Moxibustion, as a main complementary therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been proved effective to reduce chronic inflammatory reaction on RA, but whether the anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is still unclear. Therefore, moxibustion was conducted in the rats with RA to investigate its effect on PD-1/PD-L1. Methods. The rats' right hind paws were injected with Freundʼs complete adjuvant (FCA) to establish the model of RA. Seven days after the injection of FCA, moxibustion therapy was performed on the acupoints of Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36) once a day for three weeks. Then, ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were used to analyze the influence of moxibustion on the expression of PD-1/PD-L1. If the moxibustion had an effect on the expression of PD-1/PD-L1-related molecules, we would knock down PD-1 with adenovirus vector. After moxibustion therapy, ELISA and histological analysis were performed to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion. Results. The results demonstrated that moxibustion had an effect on the expression of PD-1-related molecules. The results of ELISA manifested that moxibustion decreased the level of IFN-γ and increased the level of IL-4 and IL-10. HE staining revealed that moxibustion alleviated the proliferation of synovial tissue. However, the anti-inflammatory effect and pathological improvement were weakened when PD-1 was blocked. Conclusions. The results indicate that moxibustion affected the expression of PD-1/PD-L1-related molecules and can effectively treat RA damage. The anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion was weakened when PD-1 was knocked down.
Transmission Jeopardy of Adenomatosis Polyposis Coli and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Mohd Younis , Kumar Parvinder , Kuchi Bhotla Haripriya , Meyyazhagan Arun , Balasubramanian Balamuralikrishnan , Ramesh Kumar Mithun Kumar , Pappusamy Manikantan , Alagamuthu Karthick Kumar , Orlacchio Antonio , Keshavarao Sasikala , Sampathkumar Palanisamy , Arumugam Vijaya Anand
Published: December 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the globally prevalent and virulent types of cancer with a distinct alteration in chromosomes. Often, any alterations in the adenomatosis polyposis coli (APC), a tumor suppressor gene, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are related to surmise colorectal cancer significantly. In this study, we have investigated chromosomal and gene variants to discern a new-fangled gene and its expression in the southern populations of India by primarily spotting the screened APC and MTHFR variants in CRC patients. An equal number of CRC patients and healthy control subjects ([Formula: see text]) were evaluated to observe a chromosomal alteration in the concerted and singular manner for APC and MTHFR genotypes using standard protocols. The increasing prognosis was observed in persons with higher alcoholism and smoking ([Formula: see text]) with frequent alterations in chromosomes 1, 5, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, and 22. The APC Asp 1822Val and MTHFR C677T genotypes provided significant results, while the variant alleles of this polymorphism were linked with an elevated risk of CRC. Chromosomal alterations can be the major cause in inducing carcinogenic outcomes in CRCs and can drive to extreme pathological states.
Helicid Reverses the Effect of Overexpressing NCALD, Which Blocks the sGC/cGMP/PKG Signaling Pathway in the CUMS-Induced Rat Model
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Tong , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Yuan-Xiang , Jiang Zhen-Yi , Yang Hui , Jiang Lan , Yang Bin , Tong Jiu-Cui
Published: December 2021

Background. Increasing evidence has shown that apoptosis in the hippocampus is closely related to depressive-like behavior. We previously reported that helicid had good antidepressant activities, which manifested as the alleviation of depression-like behaviors and the reversal of the high expression of neurocalcin delta (NCALD) in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. The aim of this study was, therefore, to characterize the antidepressant-like effects and underlying mechanism of helicid on CUMS rats by silencing NCALD and using rescue experiments. Methods. We developed the CUMS rat model using CUMS stimulation from week 0 to week 6. The rats were treated with helicid, or NCALD silenced, then we overexpressed NCALD using adeno-associated virus. We also measured the protein levels of sGCα1, sGCβ1, PKG1/2, and cleaved caspase-3 in hippocampal tissues using western blotting and measured cGMP using an ELISA. Results. Treating CUMS rats by silencing NCALD or by the administration of helicid improved the depressive-like behavior. The levels of proteins, including sGC, PKG, cleaved caspase-3, and cGMP, in hippocampus all decreased. NCALD overexpression reversed these decreases and reversed the alleviation of depression-like behaviors in CUMS rats. Limitation. We only detected the antidepressant effects of helicid in the hippocampus; therefore, other parts of brain should also be studied. Conclusions. Inhibition of NCALD, as well as helicid administration, alleviated antidepressant-like behavior by regulating the expressions of apoptotic cytokines and the sGC/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway. Overexpressing NCALD reversed the amelioration effects of silenced NCALD and helicid administration.
The Science Teachers’ Optimism Response to the Use of Marker-Based Augmented Reality in the Global Warming Issue
Authors: Sulisworo Dwi , Drusmin Ratnawati , Kusumaningtyas Dian Artha , Handayani Trikinasih , Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih , Jufriansah Adi , Khusnani Azmi , Prasetyo Erwin
Published: December 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all regions of Indonesia, including Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, and Indonesia, have implemented e-learning. However, this method has not been conducted in all schools due to the problem of uneven Internet access. Disconnection from the Internet makes it difficult to conduct this process effectively even though students have smartphones. Furthermore, the expectation of education quality improvement in sciences also gets higher with the development of today’s world technology, and this cannot be avoided. Augmented reality (AR) gives a variety of opportunities to be utilized as science learning media embedded on smartphones even without an Internet connection. Therefore, this study aims at conducting an intervention towards the teachers through the training and workshops on the use of augmented reality for science learning on the topic of Global Warming. This research was an action research approach. While considering this problem, the intervention of teachers’ behavior and perception was conducted through training and workshops on the use of augmented reality for science learning using a one-shot case study research design. This program had four stages: need identification, strengthening the understanding of using AR, training and workshop implementation, and evaluation. The participants of this program were 24 science teachers from 10 schools at junior high schools in Sikka Regency, Indonesia (17 females, 7 males). The marker-based AR was developed based on learning media need assessment provided by teachers. Teacher optimism was measured using a questionnaire with a Likert scale. The program’s implementation led teachers to understand the use of AR in learning, significantly to develop HOTs (higher-order thinking skills) in science learning. After experiencing training and workshops, the teachers showed high optimism to use AR in science learning. The results of this study imply for the development of school policies to establish digital learning media used without the Internet on various learning issues in rural areas.
Evaluation of the Surface Hardness and Roughness of a Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Bacterial Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Saadat Maryam , Moradian Marzieh , Mirshekari Babak
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) to which bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNs) were added. BCNs were incorporated into the RMGIC powder in ratios of 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% (w/w). One control and three experimental groups were enrolled in the study: unmodified RMGIC (control), 0.3% (w/w) BCN-modified RMGIC, 0.5% (w/w) BCN-modified RMGIC, and 1% (w/w) BCN-modified RMGIC. The surface hardness and surface roughness were the parameters assessed. The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests for surface hardness and roughness, respectively. The addition of BCN resulted in the improvement of surface roughness in all the specimens compared with the control material. The RMGIC modified by 1% (w/w) BCN showed the lowest surface roughness (decreased by 52%) among all tested groups. However, BCN had a negative effect on the surface hardness of RMGIC. The group with 0.3% (w/w) BCN had the least decrease in microhardness (13%). According to the results, the RMGIC group modified by 1% (w/w) BCN had a smoother surface than the other groups. The surface microhardness of the RMGIC decreased after BCNs were added to it.
Intelligent Malaysian Sign Language Translation System Using Convolutional‐Based Attention Module with Residual Network
Authors: Khan Rehman Ullah , Khattak Hizbullah , Wong Woei Sheng , AlSalman Hussain , Mosleh Mogeeb A. A. , Mizanur Rahman Sk. Md.
Published: December 2021

The deaf‐mutes population always feels helpless when they are not understood by others and vice versa. This is a big humanitarian problem and needs localised solution. To solve this problem, this study implements a convolutional neural network (CNN), convolutional‐based attention module (CBAM) to recognise Malaysian Sign Language (MSL) from images. Two different experiments were conducted for MSL signs, using CBAM‐2DResNet (2‐Dimensional Residual Network) implementing “Within Blocks” and “Before Classifier” methods. Various metrics such as the accuracy, loss, precision, recall,F1‐score, confusion matrix, and training time are recorded to evaluate the models’ efficiency. The experimental results showed that CBAM‐ResNet models achieved a good performance in MSL signs recognition tasks, with accuracy rates of over 90% through a little of variations. The CBAM‐ResNet “Before Classifier” models are more efficient than “Within Blocks” CBAM‐ResNet models. Thus, the best trained model of CBAM‐2DResNet is chosen to develop a real‐time sign recognition system for translating from sign language to text and from text to sign language in an easy way of communication between deaf‐mutes and other people. All experiment results indicated that the “Before Classifier” of CBAMResNet models is more efficient in recognising MSL and it is worth for future research.
Differentially Private Kernel Support Vector Machines Based on the Exponential and Laplace Hybrid Mechanism
Authors: Sun Zhenlong , Yang Jing , Li Xiaoye , Zhang Jianpei
Published: December 2021

Support vector machines (SVMs) are among the most robust and accurate methods in all well-known machine learning algorithms, especially for classification. The SVMs train a classification model by solving an optimization problem to decide which instances in the training datasets are the support vectors (SVs). However, SVs are intact instances taken from the training datasets and directly releasing the classification model of the SVMs will carry significant risk to the privacy of individuals, when the training datasets contain sensitive information. In this paper, we study the problem of how to release the classification model of kernel SVMs while preventing privacy leakage of the SVs and satisfying the requirement of privacy protection. We propose a new differentially private algorithm for the kernel SVMs based on the exponential and Laplace hybrid mechanism named DPKSVMEL. The DPKSVMEL algorithm has two major advantages compared with existing private SVM algorithms. One is that it protects the privacy of the SVs by postprocessing and the training process of the non-private kernel SVMs does not change. Another is that the scoring function values are directly derived from the symmetric kernel matrix generated during the training process and does not require additional storage space and complex sensitivity analysis. In the DPKSVMEL algorithm, we define a similarity parameter to denote the correlation or distance between the non-SVs and every SV. And then, every non-SV is divided into a group with one of the SVs according to the maximal value of the similarity. Under some certain similarity parameter value, we replace every SV with a mean value of the top-k randomly selected most similar non-SVs within the group by the exponential mechanism if the number of non-SVs is greater than k. Otherwise, we add random noise to the SVs by the Laplace mechanism. We theoretically prove that the DPKSVMEL algorithm satisfies differential privacy. The extensive experiments show the effectiveness of the DPKSVMEL algorithm for kernel SVMs on real datasets; meanwhile, it achieves higher classification accuracy than existing private SVM algorithms.
Qiu’s Neiyi Recipe Regulates the Inflammatory Action of Adenomyosis in Mice via the MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ying Pian , Li Hui , Jiang Yan , Yao Zhitao , Lu Shenyi , Yang Huadi , Zhu Yingping
Published: December 2021

Background. The management of adenomyosis is challenging and limiting. Qiu’s Neiyi recipe (Qiu) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription clinically used for endometriosis treatment in China, but the effect and mechanism of Qiu on adenomyosis are undefined. Methods. An experimental adenomyosis model was induced in female neonatal ICR mice administrated with tamoxifen. The adenomyosis mice were divided into five groups: high-, middle-, and low-Qiu’s group, danazol group, and model group. The mice just administrated with the solvent only (no tamoxifen or drugs) were served as the control group. After 28 days of administration, the body, uterine, spleen, and thymus weights of all mice were examined. Then, the myometrial infiltration and the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by histology examination, ELISA, and qRT-PCR in the uterus. In addition, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway-related protein expression in adenomyosis mice was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Results. In experimental adenomyosis mice, Qiu treatment improved the symptoms of adenomyosis by reducing the myometrial infiltration and increasing the index of spleen and thymus. The elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum and uterus tissues of adenomyosis model mice were also decreased after Qiu treatment. The improvement of Qiu on the adenomyosis was achieved by inhibiting the activated MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, including reducing the mRNA and protein expressions of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 in the uterus tissues. Conclusion. Qiu alleviated the inflammatory reaction and uterus histological changes in mice with adenomyosis, and the potential mechanism is through the inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Qiu may be a promising treatment for adenomyosis.
Enhancing Toughness and Impact Strength of Epoxy Resins by Using Hyperbranched Polymers
Authors: Park Hangyu , Choe Youngson
Published: December 2021

Toughened epoxy has been widely used in industrial areas such as automotive and electronics. In this study, nanosized hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) as a flexibilizer are synthesized and embedded into epoxy resin to enhance the toughness and flexibility. Two different HBPs, hyperbranched poly(methylacrylate-diethanolamine) (poly(MA-DEA)) and poly(methylacrylate- ethanolamine) (poly(MA-EA)), were prepared and blended with both epoxy and polyetheramine, a curing agent. The molecular size of HBPs was estimated to be 6 ~ 14 nm in diameter. The molecular weight of HBPs ranges from 1500(1.5 K) to 7000(7.0 K) g/mol. In cured epoxy/HBP blends, no phase separations are occurred, indicating that HBPs possess sufficient miscibility with epoxy. The tensile toughness of the blends increased with changing the molecular weight of HBPs without sacrificing tensile strengths. The impact strength of the blends increases stiffly until the loading % of HBPs in the blends reaches 10 wt%. In addition, the experimental studies showed that impact resistance also increased with an increase in molecular weight of HBPs. The obtained impact resistance of the epoxy/HBP blends with 10 wt% was 270% more effective compared to that of cured neat epoxy.
La figure divine de Wei Huacun 魏華存 dans le taoïsme Shangqing au VIIIe siècle : la place du culte et la question du genre dans la pratique spirituelle
Authors: Boutonnet Olivier
Published: December 2021

Selon la tradition, Wei Huacun (251-334), ou plutôt sa figure déifiée, la Dame Wei du pic du Sud, est la matriarche fondatrice du courant taoïste de la Pureté supérieure, ou Shangqing, apparu au cours de la seconde moitié du IVe siècle de notre ère. Si l’ historicité de ce mouvement à la fin des Six Dynasties (220-589) a été abondamment étudiée, son évolution postérieure, en particulier sous les Tang (618-907), laisse encore apparaître des zones d’ ombre. L’ étude de la figure divine de la Dame Wei, à la fois sur le plan de son culte et sur celui des exercices spirituels auxquels elle était associée, contribue à mieux cerner les contours de cette tradition vivante. Elle permet également d’ affiner notre vision de sa praxis telle que les taoïstes, hommes et femmes, pouvaient se l’ approprier dans leur propre religiosité vis-à-vis de la religion instituée.
International Cooperation under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Authors: Schloenhardt Andreas
Published: December 2021

This article examines the international cooperation provisions under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and their practical application in reported cases. It explores the circumstances in which States Parties have used or attempted to use the Convention as a legal basis for extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of sentenced persons, transfer of criminal proceedings, joint investigations, or other forms of international cooperation. The article seeks to provide a better understanding of the opportunities offered by the international cooperation provisions, and the challenges and obstacles faced by States Parties requesting cooperation or being requested to provide cooperation under the Convention.
The Smuggling Protocol and the Criminalization of Humanitarian Activities at Sea
Authors: Salvadego Laura
Published: December 2021

This paper focuses on some recent events of criminalization of humanitarian activities at sea in Italy, and precisely the Open Arms and the Sea Watch 3 cases. It is stated that criminalization of humanitarian activities at sea is largely due to a substantial ‘implementation gap’ between the Smuggling Protocol and the current EU legal framework on people smuggling, that is the so-called ‘Facilitators’ Package’ of 2002. It is further contended that legal certainty requirements make legislative reform necessary in Italy to prevent the criminalization of humanitarian activities at sea.
Enhancing Sustainable Consumption in China: A Seafood Example
Authors: He Juan
Published: December 2021

In recent years, market surveys on sustainable seafood consumption have analysed Chinese people’s willingness to purchase ecolabelled seafood produced and imported into China. Endogenous and exogenous determinants are thereby unveiled to explore Chinese consumers’ sustainability consciousness, purchasing decisions, and the means of bridging the divide. This article builds upon and adds to these empirical findings with a market-based and information lens. It draws inspiration from analysing the growing interest of younger and middle-class consumers in acquiring seafood information; integrative sourcing and marketing strategies of intermediary businesses to deliver such information; and awakening of public regulators to the imperative of realizing the right to information of less-informed parties. Instead of segregating these stakeholders along a linear supply chain, the study emphasizes the deepening of a consumer-centric information network underpinned by supply chain transparency and traceability. It thus aims to inform a steady shift from a production-oriented to a consumer-oriented seafood management paradigm through systematic reforms of China’s consumer law. To encourage and empower sustainable consumption, the ‘consumer’ notion needs proper broadening and consumers’ right to know should be recognized as a judicial and self-contained legal entitlement with enforcement safeguards.
Agency, Responsibility, and Actor Positioning In Courtroom Narratives
Authors: Chaemsaithong Krisda
Published: December 2021

Viewing language as a system consisting of grammatical resources for meaning making, this study explores how agency and responsibility are attributed in legal narratives through the lens of transitivity. Drawing upon the opening address of three American trials, the quantitative and qualitative findings indicate that agency and blameworthiness of the individuals on trial are discursively negotiated through starkly different grammatical choices, so that polarized positionings of the same social actors and events are accomplished for the audience. It is argued that such manipulation of grammatical resources exhibits subjective intervention on the part of the presenter and constitutes a prime mechanism of inference and attitudinal evocation for the jurors. In effect, the opening statement, which is in principle intended to be merely informative, becomes not only argumentative but also evaluative.
Thai elf Users’ Characteristics of Relative Clauses
Authors: Timyam Napasri
Published: December 2021

To build up the empirical description of elf’s morphosyntactic system, this study examines Thai elf users’ characteristics of relative clauses and analyses the causes underlying their use of the construction. Data were taken from the writing of 116 advanced and upper-intermediate English majors at a university in Bangkok. The results indicated that Thai elf users’ relative clauses exhibit preferences for unmarked and explicit structures. Both linguistic and functional causes are responsible for their production of the construction: they form relative clauses full of basic and transparent structures in order to ensure simple and successful communication. The overall results reveal the nature of elf communication. Although Thai elf users’ relative clauses are associated with some specific patterns, their use of this grammatical construction is governed by general linguistic processes which have been found to operate in the interactions of many groups of elf speakers, especially at the phonological and pragmatic levels.
Community participation as a predictor of depressive symptoms among individuals with serious mental illnesses
Authors: Nagata Shinichi , McCormick Bryan , Brusilovskiy Eugene , Salzer Mark S
Published: December 2021

Background:

People with serious mental illnesses have elevated levels of depressive symptoms. Limited engagement in meaningful activities, such as work, social interactions, volunteering, and participation in faith, are one plausible explanation for this. Increased community participation over time may be associated with decreased depressive symptoms.

Aim:

Examine whether an increase in participation over time predicts a decrease in depression after controlling for depression at the baseline.

Methods:

Participants were 183 adults with schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder who completed the Hopkins Symptom Index – Depression subscale and the Temple University Community Participation Measure. Participants completed these measures at baseline and either a 12- or 24-month follow-up timepoint. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with the depression score as a dependent variable and changes in community participation as a predictor variable. Demographics, baseline depression score, and time interval between baseline and last observation were entered as control variables.

Results:

Endorsing more activities as important, participating in more important areas that are important, and participating ‘enough’ in more important areas over time were each significant predictors of decreases in depression.

Conclusion:

These findings enhance the connection between community participation and depression and suggest that a focus on participation may be important in terms of boosting both community functioning and treatment goals.
Attitudes of Polish Priests and Laymen Towards Death During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Zdziarski Krzysztof , Landowska Anna , Szczodry Marcin , Zabielska Paulina , Karakiewicz Beata
Published: December 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has generated a situation where death is the most commonly used term by humans. The attitudes adopted towards the phenomenon of death are the result of existential life and the presented axiology. Looking at the death of a secular and spiritual person makes it possible to notice the existential and spiritual attitudes of two different social groups, interpenetrating one another and fulfilling different roles. The study used a diagnostic survey method using a standardized research tool in the form of the Attitude Profile Questionnaire for Death (DAP-R-PL) and an author’s questionnaire. In the light of the conducted research, it can be observed that priests experience the phenomenon of death more existentially and religiously. Laymen consider the problem of death in an existential way and are more afraid than priests. Both attitudes are part of everyday life because each of the groups participating in the research maintains its identity.