bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[Retracted] Detection and Prediction of Peripheral Arterial Plaque Using Vessel Wall MR in Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Wang Li , Deng Wei , Liang Jianke , Zhuang Weizhao , Feng Huigang , Zhuang Gaoming , Liu Dexiang , Chen Hanwei
Published: April 2021

Objectives. To evaluate the predictive performance of a newly developed delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation (DANTE) pulse sequence for detecting lower extremity artery wall morphology and distribution in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) with diabetes. Methods. Seventy‐four PAD patients diagnosed according to 2011 WHO criteria were enrolled, who has diabetic diagnosis by 1999 WHO diabetes criteria. All patients received sequential DANTE, T2WI, DANTE‐enhance, and CE‐MRA scans. The images consisted of three parts: the iliac artery (segment 1), femoral artery (segment 2), and popliteal artery (segment 3). Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on vessels, muscle, and background, and multiple imaging metrics compared between modalities, including image quality score, image noise, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR). In the images with a score greater than 2, the lumen area (LA), total vessel area (TVA), and vessel thickness (VT) can be identified using semiautomatic image analysis vessel morphology parameters. Results. All 222 arterial segments were successfully analyzed from 71 patients, after exclusion of three subjects with poor image quality (IQ < 2) in segment 3. There were 54 diabetic and 17 nondiabetic patients. Quantitative analysis shows that the CNR difference between diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients was statistically significant for the same segment, while there was no significant difference among the three segments of SNR and CNR. There were a total of 54 diabetics with plaque distribution data, which showed that LA of segments 1 and 2 was higher than that of segment 3. The VWI of segments 1 and 2 was lower than segment 3. Diabetic was associated with vascular WT 3 and WA3, which increased by 0.23 and 0.83 units on average compared without diabetic foot, respectively. Diabetic foot was associated with vascular WT 3, which increased by 0.37 units on average compared without diabetic foot. The incidence of segment 3 plaques was higher than that of segment 1. The incidence of the left and right plaques was different. Conclusions. MR imaging using the DANTE and multicontrast sequence could evaluate plaque morphology, and distribution of lower extremities and the occurrence of diabetic foot development are closely related; it may predict occurrence of PAD with diabetic foot.
Design and Performance of Concrete Pile Strengthened with Lengthened Steel-Tube Core: Model Tests and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Han Shangyu , Yun Lei
Published: April 2021

In order to solve the problem of insufficient bearing capacity of existing concrete piles, a type of concrete pile with an additional lengthened strengthening core is designed, by inserting the steel tube through guiding hole and pouring core concrete. To reveal the mechanical performance of the reinforced piles, scale model tests and finite element simulations were performed. The results showed that both the vertical and horizontal bearing capacity increase with the length of the stiffening core. The axial force of the enhanced core is also smaller than conventional concrete piles, and the extended core can share the axial force of the foundation pile to improve the stress distribution of the pile body. These findings point toward a useful and general method for increasing the load capacity of existing concrete piles.
The Effects of Ondansetron on the Analgesic Action of Intravenous Acetaminophen after Tonsillectomy in Children: A Triple‐Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nikooseresht Mahshid , Nasrolahi Maryam , Hajian Pouran , Moradi Abbas
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Severe pain, nausea, and vomiting after tonsillectomy surgery are among the issues that not only affect patient satisfaction but also may result in complications and delay patient discharge. This study was conducted to assess the effect of intravenous administration of ondansetron on the analgesic action of intravenous acetaminophen after tonsillectomy in children. Materials and methods. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 53 children between the age of 3 and 12 years old who were referred to Besat Hospital Hamadan, Iran, for tonsillectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group (I) received intravenous acetaminophen plus 0.1 mg/kg ondansetron intravenously while the control group (C) received intravenous acetaminophen plus 2 ml of normal saline intravenously. Postoperative pain severity was assessed using the Children’s Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS). Frequency of nausea, vomiting, and need for analgesic was assessed and recorded four times, at recovery unit, after 6, 12, and 24 hours postsurgery. Data analysis was performed at 95% confidence level using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 21. Results. The number of patients in groups I and C was 27 and 26 patients, respectively. Mean pain score in I and C groups was 4.48 and 2.88 at recovery unit, 2.74 and 2.04 after 6 hours, 1.67 and 0.81 after 12 hours, and 0.67 and 0.20 after 24 hours postsurgery, respectively. Frequency of nausea at recovery unit was 23.1% in I group and 0.0% in group C (p = 0.010) while the mean number of analgesic requirements in I and C groups was 1.07 and 0.56 times, respectively (p = 0.027). Conclusions. Intravenous administration of 0.1 mg/kg ondansetron reduces the analgesic action of intravenous acetaminophen after tonsillectomy in 3 to 12‐year‐old children.
Delirium and Associated Length of Stay and Costs in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Dziegielewski Claudia , Skead Charlenn , Canturk Toros , Webber Colleen , Fernando Shannon M. , Thompson Laura H. , Foster Madison , Ristovic Vanja , Lawlor Peter G. , Chaudhuri Dipayan , Dave Chintan , Herritt Brent , Bush Shirley H. , Kanji Salmaan , Tanuseputro Peter , Thavorn Kednapa , Rosenberg Erin , Kyeremanteng Kwadwo
Published: April 2021

Purpose. Delirium frequently affects critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of delirium on ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) and perform a cost analysis. Materials and Methods. Prospective studies and randomized controlled trials of patients in the ICU with delirium published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, were evaluated. Outcome variables including ICU and hospital LOS were obtained, and ICU and hospital costs were derived from the respective LOS. Results. Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria. The mean difference of ICU LOS between patients with and without delirium was significant at 4.77 days (

p
<
0.001

); for hospital LOS, this was significant at 6.67 days (

p
<
0.001

). Cost data were extractable for 27 studies in which both ICU and hospital LOS were available. The mean difference of ICU costs between patients with and without delirium was significant at $3,921 (

p
<
0.001

); for hospital costs, the mean difference was $5,936 (

p
<
0.001

). Conclusion. ICU and hospital LOS and associated costs were significantly higher for patients with delirium, compared to those without delirium. Further research is necessary to elucidate other determinants of increased costs and cost-reducing strategies for critically ill patients with delirium. This can provide insight into the required resources for the prevention of delirium, which may contribute to decreasing healthcare expenditure while optimizing the quality of care.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as Therapy for Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Li Yan , Wu Kaichun , Shi Yongquan , Chen Min
Published: April 2021

Aim. Increasing evidence supports the role of the gut microbiota in the etiology of ulcerative colitis (UC). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective treatment against recurrent Clostridium difficile infection; however, its efficacy in UC is still controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FMT for treatment of active UC. Methods. We searched Cochrane, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to February 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting adults with active UC, which compared FMT with controls, were eligible. The primary outcome was combined clinical remission with endoscopic remission/response. Secondary outcomes included clinical remission, endoscopic remission, and serious adverse events. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) is reported. Results. Five RCTs with 292 participants were eligible for inclusion. When data were pooled for all patients, FMT was associated with a higher combined clinical remission with endoscopic remission/response; the RR of combined outcome not achieving after FMT vs. control was 0.79 (95% CI 0.70-0.88). FMT delivered via lower gastrointestinal route was superior to upper gastrointestinal route with regard to combined clinical remission with endoscopic remission/response (

RR
=
0.79

, 95% CI 0.70-0.89). FMT with pooled donor stool (

RR
=
0.69

, 95% CI 0.56-0.85) and higher frequency of administration (

RR
=
0.76

, 95% CI 0.62-0.93) may be more effective with regard to clinical remission. There was no statistically significant difference in serious adverse events with FMT compared with controls (

RR
=
0.98

, 95% CI 0.93-1.03). Conclusion. FMT shows a promising perspective with comparable safety and favorable clinical efficacy for the treatment of active UC in the short term. However, further larger, more rigorously conducted RCTs of FMT in UC are still needed in order to resolve the controversial questions.
Determinants of Overweight or Obesity among Men Aged 20–59 Years: A Case-Control Study Based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Tekalegn Yohannes
Published: April 2021

Background. Evidence shows that overweight or obesity has become a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. However, there are limited studies conducted to identify the risk factors of overweight or obesity in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of overweight or obesity among men aged 20–59 years in Ethiopia. Methods. This study used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A case-control study was conducted based on the EDHS data; cases were men who were overweight or obese, depending on their body mass index, and controls were men with normal body mass index. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to assess the determinants of overweight or obesity among the study participants. Results. A total of 610 cases and 2440 controls were included in this study. Men aged 30–39 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.6–3.0) and ≥40 years (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.5–4.7) had higher odds of being overweight or obese compared to men aged 20–29 years old. The likelihood of overweight or obesity was significantly higher among married men (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.0), living in urban areas (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1–4.4), those in the rich wealth quintile (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–2.9), and those with primary (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3), secondary (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.7–3.9), and higher education (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.4–5.6). Additionally, men watching television at least once a week had higher odds (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.1) of being overweight or obese. Conclusion. Men in the higher wealth quintile, older age, married, higher educational status, watching television at least once a week, urban dwellers, residents of big cities such as Addis Ababa and Harari, and residents of low land like Afar were more likely to be overweight or obese. Therefore, it is essential to design strategies and programs to reduce or prevent overweight or obesity with a special focus on the identified risk factors.
Effect of Temperature on the Viscoelastic Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Huang Jun , Rodrigue Denis , Dong Ling
Published: April 2021

Finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. Firstly, polypropylene is assumed as a viscoelastic material, while carbon nanotubes are assumed as linear elastic materials to study the effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of neat PP and CNT/PP nanocomposites. Secondly, to compare the viscoelastic properties of neat PP and CNT/PP nanocomposites, the relaxation time at a specific temperature is used to investigate the relaxation of the nanocomposites for fixed tensile displacements. Thirdly, the effect of CNT volume fraction on the viscoelastic properties of nanocomposites is studied at different temperatures. Finally, to better understand the stress distribution along the CNT axial direction, a single carbon nanotube is isolated in the matrix to compare the stress distribution with nonisolated CNTs.
Balancing Shareability and Positive Interdependence to Support Collaborative Problem-Solving on Interactive Tabletops
Authors: Maquil Valérie , Afkari Hoorieh , Arend Béatrice , Heuser Svenja , Sunnen Patrick
Published: April 2021

To support collaboration, researchers from different fields have proposed the design principles of shareability (engaging users in shared interactions around the same content) and positive interdependence (distributing roles and information to make users dependent on each other). While, on its own, each principle was shown to successfully support collaboration in different contexts, these principles are also partially conflicting, and their combination creates several design challenges. This paper describes how shareability and positive interdependency were jointly implemented in an interactive tabletop-mediated environment called Orbitia, with the aim of inducing collaboration between three adult participants. We present the design details and rationale behind the proposed application. Furthermore, we describe the results of an empirical evaluation focusing on joint problem-solving efficiency, collaboration styles, participation equity, and perceived collaboration effectiveness.
Monitoring Mortality Caused by COVID-19 Using Gamma-Distributed Variables Based on Generalized Multiple Dependent State Sampling
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Rao G. Srinivasa , Saleem Muhammad , Sherwani Rehan Ahmad Khan , Jun Chi-Hyuck
Published: April 2021

More recently in statistical quality control studies, researchers are paying more attention to quality characteristics having nonnormal distributions. In the present article, a generalized multiple dependent state (GMDS) sampling control chart is proposed based on the transformation of gamma quality characteristics into a normal distribution. The parameters for the proposed control charts are obtained using in-control average run length (ARL) at specified shape parametric values for different specified average run lengths. The out-of-control ARL of the proposed gamma control chart using GMDS sampling is explored using simulation for various shift size changes in scale parameters to study the performance of the control chart. The proposed gamma control chart performs better than the existing multiple dependent state sampling (MDS) based on gamma distribution and traditional Shewhart control charts in terms of average run lengths. A case study with real-life data from ICU intake to death caused by COVID-19 has been incorporated for the realistic handling of the proposed control chart design.
Ketamine Induces Lasting Antidepressant Effects by Modulating the NMDAR/CaMKII-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Depressive Stroke Model
Authors: Abdoulaye Idriss Ali , Wu Shan-shan , Chibaatar Enkhmurun , Yu Da-fan , Le Kai , Cao Xue-jin , Guo Yi-jing
Published: April 2021

Background. Ketamine has been shown to possess lasting antidepressant properties. However, studies of the mechanisms involved in its effects on poststroke depression are nonexistent. Methods. To investigate these mechanisms, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single local dose of ketamine after middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredicted mild stress. The effects on the hippocampal dentate gyrus were analyzed through assessment of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (NMDAR/CaMKII) pathway, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral tests. Results. Ketamine administration rapidly exerted significant and lasting improvements of depressive symptoms. The biochemical analysis showed rapid, selective upregulation and downregulation of the NMDAR2-β and NMDAR2-α subtypes as well as their downstream signaling proteins β-CaMKII and α-phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus, respectively. Furthermore, the colocalization analysis indicated a significant and selectively increased conjunction of β-CaMKII and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) coupled with a notable decrease in NMDAR2-β association with PSD95 after ketamine treatment. These changes translated into significant and extended synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus. Conclusions. These findings not only suggest that ketamine represents a viable candidate for the treatment of poststroke depression but also that ketamine’s lasting antidepressant effects might be achieved through modulation of NMDAR/CaMKII-induced synaptic plasticity in key brain regions.
Application of an Ensemble Statistical Approach in Spatial Predictions of Bushfire Probability and Risk Mapping
Authors: Tehrany Mahyat Shafapour , Özener Haluk , Kalantar Bahareh , Ueda Naonori , Habibi Mohammad Reza , Shabani Fariborz , Saeidi Vahideh , Shabani Farzin
Published: April 2021

The survival of humanity is dependent on the survival of forests and the ecosystems they support, yet annually wildfires destroy millions of hectares of global forestry. Wildfires take place under specific conditions and in certain regions, which can be studied through appropriate techniques. A variety of statistical modeling methods have been assessed by researchers; however, ensemble modeling of wildfire susceptibility has not been undertaken. We hypothesize that ensemble modeling of wildfire susceptibility is better than a single modeling technique. This study models the occurrence of wildfire in the Brisbane Catchment of Australia, which is an annual event, using the index of entropy (IoE), evidential belief function (EBF), and logistic regression (LR) ensemble techniques. As a secondary goal of this research, the spatial distribution of the wildfire risk from different aspects such as urbanization and ecosystem was evaluated. The highest accuracy (88.51%) was achieved using the ensemble EBF and LR model. The outcomes of this study may be helpful to particular groups such as planners to avoid susceptible and risky regions in their planning; model builders to replace the traditional individual methods with ensemble algorithms; and geospatial users to enhance their knowledge of geographic information system (GIS) applications.
Tiaoshen Tongluo Attenuates Fibrosis by Modulating the TGF-β1/Smad Pathway in Endometrial Stromal Cells and a Rat Model of Intrauterine Adhesion
Authors: Niu Hongping , Miao Xiaoling , Zhan Xingxiu , Zhou Xiaona , Li Xingyan , Jiang Lijuan
Published: April 2021

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a serious complication caused by excessive fibrosis resulting from endometrial repair after trauma. The traditional Chinese medicine Tiaoshen Tongluo recipe (TTR) contains ingredients associated with the alleviation of fibrosis. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway is thought to mediate fibrosis in IUA. In this study, we evaluated the influence of TTR on endometrial fibrosis in a rat model of IUA and in TGF-β1-stimulated endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). TTR was found to alleviate the level of endometrial fibrosis in a rat model of IUA. A higher number of collagen fibers and greater damage were observed in the endometrial tissue of untreated rats compared to those treated with TTR. The expression of TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 was upregulated following IUA, whereas Smad7 expression was downregulated. TTR lowers the expression of TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 but increases the expression of Smad7 in vivo, indicating that TTR can modulate the expression of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway to mediate fibrosis. In ESCs, the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 and upregulation of Smad4 were induced by TGF-β1 whereas the expression of Smad7 was inhibited. Administration of TTR reduces the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3, increases Smad4 expression induced by TGF-β1, and promotes the expression of Smad7. TTR modulates the TGF-β1/Smad pathway to alleviate the generation of fibrotic tissue in response to IUA.
The Evolution of the Cephalometric Superimposition Techniques from the Beginning to the Digital Era: A Brief Descriptive Review
Authors: Lo Giudice A. , Ronsivalle V. , Zappalà G. , Leonardi R. , Campagna P. , Isola G. , Palazzo G.
Published: April 2021

Superimposition of craniofacial structures from radiographic examination has been always used for assessing changes in the maxilla-mandibular complexes, especially for the evaluation of potential changes occurring during growth as well as after orthodontic treatment and/or maxillofacial surgery. However, the availability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the recent advancement in 3D imaging have allowed the development of specific techniques for the registration and superimposition of virtual three-dimensional anatomical structures, improving the diagnosis and treatment plan strategies. In the present paper, it will be discussed the evolution of superimposition techniques from the beginning (2D) to the newest 3D approach, describing the most used methods and their main advantages and disadvantages, focusing primarily on accuracy and reproducibility of each technique.
Analytical Study of the Confining Medium Diameter Impact on Load-Carrying Capacity of Rock Bolts
Authors: Chen Jianhang , Dai Xin , Zhang Junwen
Published: April 2021

The force transfer of fully grouted rock bolts is playing a significant effect in determining the rock reinforcement quality. To evaluate the performance of rock bolts, laboratory pulling tests were commonly used. Experimental tests proved that the confining medium diameter had an effect on the rock bolting performance. However, little analytical work has been performed to investigate the impact of the confining medium diameter on rock bolt load-carrying capacity. Therefore, this paper analytically studied the confining medium diameter effect on the load-carrying capacity of rock bolts. It was found that the load-carrying capacity of rock bolts was obviously affected by the confining medium diameter. Moreover, the larger the confining medium diameter, the higher the load-carrying capacity of rock bolts. However, the ascending rate of the load-carrying capacity gradually declined. This load-carrying capacity variation trend consistently agreed with experimental results. Moreover, with the confining medium diameter ascending, the load-carrying capacity variation trend was consistent when the confining medium modulus was under different levels. Last, it was found that, with the confining medium modulus ascending, the critical influence diameter gradually dropped.
Real Optimisation of a PV System Based on Hysteresis Controllers over Sun: Design, Implementation, and Comparative Study
Authors: Brahmi Houda , Gammoudi Rabiaa , Dhifaoui Rachid
Published: April 2021

This paper presents two strategies for controlling photovoltaic power based on hysteresis controllers. These regulators adjust the photovoltaic current and voltage in order to supply the load with maximum power. The regulators are designed, produced, and tested within the ERCO-INSAT research unit. The proposed structures are experienced, and the results prove the robustness of the controls and confirm their abilities to maintain op timal power in real time. We also presented the mathematical model of the photovoltaic system, a dynamic model taking into account the variation of the climatic parameters as well as the internal parameters of the models such as the series and shunt resistances. Simulation results are validated by an experimental test that confirms the effectiveness of the current and voltage controllers carried out. This simulation is already based on the use of real solar radiation and temperature scenarios recorded by a digital oscilloscope via the intermediary of the sensors. The two techniques are ensured by the use of the Dspace card to control the DC/DC converter and to implement the chosen controls.
Circular RNA circPVT1 Contributes to Doxorubicin (DXR) Resistance of Osteosarcoma Cells by Regulating TRIAP1 via miR‐137
Authors: Li Dan , Huang Yan , Wang Gang
Published: April 2021

Background. Chemoresistance is a major obstacle to the treatment of osteosarcoma patients. Circular RNA (circRNA) circPVT1 has been reported to be related to the doxorubicin (DXR) resistance in osteosarcoma. This study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of circPVT1 in the DXR resistance of osteosarcoma. Methods. circPVT1, microRNA‐137 (miR‐137), and TP53‐regulated inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1) levels were detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). The protein levels of ATP‐binding cassette, subfamily C, member 1 (ABCC1), multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (MRP‐1), cleaved‐ (c‐) caspase‐3, B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2), and TRIAP1 were examined by a western blot assay. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, and flow cytometry assays, severally. The binding relationship between miR‐137 and circPVT1 or TRIAP1 was predicted by starbase 3.0 and then verified by dual‐luciferase reporter and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The biological role of circPVT1 in osteosarcoma tumor growth and drug resistance was examined by the xenograft tumor model in vivo. Results. circPVT1 and TRIAP1 were highly expressed, and miR‐137 was decreased in DXR‐resistant osteosarcoma tissues and cells. Moreover, circPVT1 knockdown could boost DXR sensitivity by inhibiting DXR‐caused proliferation and DXR‐induced apoptosis in DXR‐resistant osteosarcoma cells in vitro. The mechanical analysis discovered that circPVT1 acted as a sponge of miR‐137 to regulate TRIAP1 expression. circPVT1 silencing increased the drug sensitivity of osteosarcoma in vivo. Conclusion. circPVT1 boosted DXR resistance of osteosarcoma cells partly by regulating the miR‐137/TRIAP1 axis, hinting a promising therapeutic target for the osteosarcoma treatment.
Cancel‐Decode‐Encode Processing on Two‐Way Cooperative NOMA Schemes in Realistic Conditions
Authors: Dao Thu-Thuy Thi , Son Pham Ngoc
Published: April 2021

This paper considers the effects of perfect/imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) and perfect/imperfect ` information (CSI) in a multiple‐relay two‐way cooperative network using nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and digital network coding (DNC). In this model, a relay is selected by maximizing estimated channel gains to enhance the decoding capacity of the nearer source and minimize the collection time of imperfect CSI. Spectrum utilization efficiency is enhanced two times by a mixture of the SIC and DNC techniques at the selected relay (called as the SIC‐2TS protocol). The system performance is considered through analysis of the exact and asymptotic expressions of the system outage probabilities and throughput. The major thing is exposed as the proposed SIC‐2TS protocol can reach the best performance at optimal positions of the selected relay. Besides, the system throughput of the proposed protocol outperforms a SIC‐utilized two‐way relaying scheme without the DNC (called as the SIC‐3TS protocol) and a conventional two‐way scheme (called as the CONV‐4TS protocol) for all signal‐to‐noise ratio regions. Lastly, the validity of the analytical expressions is verified by the Monte Carlo simulation results.
Changes in Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Intrinsic Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity in Upper-Limb Amputees: An fMRI Study
Authors: Bao Bingbo , Duan Lei , Wei Haifeng , Luo Pengbo , Zhu Hongyi , Gao Tao , Wei Xiaoer , Li Jing , Li Yuehua , Chai Yimin , Zhang Changqing , Zheng Xianyou
Published: April 2021

Background. Amputation in adults is a serious procedure or traumatic outcome, one that leads to a possible “remapping” of limb representations (somatotopy) in the motor and sensory cortex. The temporal and spatial extent underlying reorganization of somatotopy is unclear. The aim of this study was to better understand how local and global structural plasticity in sensory-motor cortical networks changes temporally and spatially after upper-limb amputation. Methods. We studied 8 healthy nonamputee control subjects and 16 complete upper-limb amputees. Resting-state MRI (rs-fMRI) was used to measure local and large-scale relative differences (compared to controls) in both the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and degree of centrality (DC) at 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months after traumatic amputation. Results. In amputees, rs-fMRI scans revealed differences in spatial patterns of ALFF and DC among brain regions over time. Significant relative increases in ALFF and DC were detected not only in the sensory and motor cortex but also in related cortical regions believed to be involved in cognition and motor planning. We observed changes in the magnitude of ALFFs in the pre- and postcentral gyrus and primary sensory cortex, as well as in the anterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and hippocampus, 2 months after the amputation. The regional distribution of increases/decreases in ALFFs and DC documented at 2-month postamputation was very different from those at 6 and 12-month postamputation. Conclusion. Local and wide-spread changes in ALFFs in the sensorimotor cortex and cognitive-related brain regions after upper-limb amputation may imply dysfunction not only in sensory and motor function but also in areas responsible for sensorimotor integration and motor planning. These results suggest that cortical reorganization after upper extremity deafferentation is temporally and spatially more complicated than previously appreciated, affecting DC in widespread regions.
Rasch Analysis of the Norwegian Version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire in a Sample of Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Bonsaksen Tore , Lindstad Marte Ørud , Håkansson Carita , Wagman Petra , Cordier Reinie
Published: April 2021

Background. Recently, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire developed in Sweden was translated into Norwegian. No studies to date have examined the measurement properties of the Norwegian version of this questionnaire. Aim. The study is aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire, the OBQ11-N. Methods. Along with sociodemographic data, 180 occupational therapy students enrolled at two Norwegian universities completed the OBQ11-N as well as one question each related to health and quality of life and some sociodemographic variables. Rasch analysis was employed for examining rating scale functioning, item and person validity, dimensionality, and differential item functioning. Results. Item categories were ordered, but there were potential gaps in the measurement of the construct. Person reliability was fair, whereas item reliability was low. Point biserial correlations were positive, indicating that all items contributed to the construct. Factor loadings were low for two items, and there were indices of a second underlying dimension and item redundancy. Many people were not aligned with the items, and some items functioned differently across various demographic variables. Conclusion and Significance. The OBQ11-N did not function as an adequate measure of occupational balance in a sample of students. Potentially, the detected measurement problems may be solved by adding more relevant items to a larger item pool, from which the best fitting items should be selected.
Diagnostic Value of High-Sensitivity Troponin T for Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Hai Pham Dang , Binh Nguyen Thanh , Tot Nguyen Hong , Hung Ha Manh , Hoa Le Thi Viet , Hien Nguyen Viet Quang , Son Pham Nguyen
Published: April 2021

Background. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is common in sepsis. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a useful emerging tool for evaluating the intrinsic left ventricular systolic function. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is the most sensitive biomarker of myocardial injury. However, there are limited data regarding the association between hs-cTnT level and left ventricular systolic dysfunction based on STE in septic patients. We performed this prospective study to evaluate the diagnostic value of hs-cTnT level for subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction measured by STE in septic patients according to the sepsis-3 definition. Methods. Patients with sepsis based on sepsis-3 definition admitted to the intensive care unit were prospectively performed STE and hs-cTnT level within 24 hours after the onset of sepsis. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was defined as a global longitudinal strain of   ≥−15%. Results. During a 19-month period, 116 patients were enrolled in the study. The elevated hs-cTnT level was seen in 86.2% of septic patients, and 43.1% of patients had LVSD on STE. The median hs-cTnT level and the proportion of elevated hs-cTnT level (>14 ng/L) were significantly higher in patients with LVSD than in patients without LVSD. The area under the ROC curves of hs-cTnT to detect LVSD was 0.73 (

P

 < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, hs-cTnT (HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000 to 1.004;

P

 = 0.025) and septic shock (HR, 7.6; 95% CI, 2.25 to 25.76;

P

 = 0.001) were independent predictors of LVSD. Conclusion. Our study indicated that the serum hs-cTnT level might be a useful biomarker for detecting LVSD in septic patients.
Design of a Cultural Tourism Passenger Flow Prediction Model in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Regression Analysis
Authors: Xu Jian
Published: April 2021

Cultural tourism has gained much attention in the last decade and has promoted the preservation of a variety of tangible and intangible assets of culture. In order to accurately predict the cultural tourism passenger flow in the Yangtze River Delta and improve its economic benefits, this paper designs the prediction model of cultural tourism passenger flow in the Yangtze River Delta based on regression analysis. Taking the competitiveness of passenger flow as the core, this paper selects 28 indexes from four aspects of cultural tourism brand resources, cultural tourism support and protection, and urban tourism market income to build the evaluation index system of influencing factors of passenger flow. The principal component analysis method is used to simplify many related factors into a few uncorrelated factors to eliminate the multicollinearity caused by too many dependent variables; on this basis, the principal component regression model is constructed, and the determination coefficient is used to test the model fitting. Taking 15 cultural tourism cities in the Yangtze River Delta as the research object, the results show that the designed model has a good fitting degree, and the average error is only 0.41%, which can meet the needs of the prediction of cultural tourism passenger flow in the Yangtze River Delta. After the application of the prediction model, the foreign exchange earning amount of each cultural tourism city can be increased by more than 12%. The study has revealed good results.
A Novel Transfer Enhanced
α
-Expansion Move Learning Model for EEG Signals
Authors: Cai Jiangwei , Zhao Lu , Bi Anqi
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we focus on recognizing epileptic seizure from scant EEG signals and propose a novel transfer enhanced

α

-expansion move (TrEEM) learning model. This framework implants transfer learning into the exemplar-based clustering model to improve the utilization rate of EEG signals. Starting from Bayesian probability theory, by leveraging Kullback-Leibler distance, we measure the similarity relationship between source and target data. Furthermore, we embed this relationship into the calculation of similarity matrix involved in the exemplar-based clustering model. Then we sum up a new objective function and study this new TrEEM scheme earnestly. We optimize the proposed TrEEM model by borrowing the mechanism utilized in EEM. In contrast to other machine learning models, experiments based on synthetic and real-world EEG datasets show that the performance of the proposed TrEEM is very promising.
Nanoparticles for Oral Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Zheng Weiping , Zhou Qihui , Yuan Changqing
Published: April 2021

Oral cancer is the sixth most common malignant cancer, affecting the health of people with an unacceptably high mortality rate. Despite numerous clinical methods in the diagnosis and therapy of oral cancer (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, surgery, and chemoradiotherapy), they still remain far from optimal. Therefore, an urgent need exists for effective and practical techniques of early diagnosis and effective therapy of oral cancer. Currently, various types of nanoparticles have aroused wide public concern, representing a promising tool for diagnostic probes and therapeutic devices. Their inherent physicochemical features, including ultrasmall size, high reactivity, and tunable surface modification, enable them to overcome some of the limitations and achieve the expected diagnostic and therapeutic effect. In this review, we introduce different types of nanoparticles that emerged for the diagnosis and therapy of oral cancers. Then, the challenges and future perspectives for nanoparticles applied in oral cancer diagnosis and therapy are presented. The objective of this review is to help researchers better understand the effect of nanoparticles on oral cancer diagnosis and therapy and may accelerate breakthroughs in this field.
[Retracted] Fuzzy Neural Network‐Based Evaluation Algorithm for Ice and Snow Tourism Competitiveness
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhu Qinghua , Bai Jiujun
Published: April 2021

This paper researches and analyzes the evaluation of the competitiveness of ice and snow tourism, uses the improved fuzzy neural network algorithm to process the system flow diagram of ice and snow tourism development through the function and characteristics of the power system of ice and snow tourism, and finally selects more than 40 indicators of the three subsystems of resources, economy, and culture. Based on the construction of cloud fuzzy neural network model, the above method is used for experimental comparison analysis, and experiments are conducted through University of California Irvine (UCI) dataset and engineering examples to compare with the traditional cloud model, fuzzy neural network, and BP neural network to analyze the operation efficiency, accuracy rate, and several rules of the algorithm. Through the experimental comparative analysis, the cloud fuzzy neural network can fully take into account the randomness and fuzziness of the data, optimize the generation of cloud rules, avoid multidimensional rule disasters, and ensure the operational efficiency of the algorithm; the accuracy rate of the algorithm is improved relative to that of the traditional technology, and it applies to a variety of datasets. And the software is used to test the ice and snow tourism industry system dynamics model to realize the correctness and robustness testing of the model. After the constructed model can reflect the real situation within the error range, the final policy simulation of the model is carried out.
The Evolving Epidemiology of Elderly with Degenerative Valvular Heart Disease: The Guangzhou (China) Heart Study
Authors: He Shangfei , Deng Hai , Jiang Junrong , Liu Fangzhou , Liao Hongtao , Xue Yumei , Zheng Murui , Li Huoxing , Wu Shulin
Published: April 2021

Aim. The present study was aimed at investigating the prevalence, incidence, progression, and prognosis of degenerative valvular heart disease (DVHD) in permanent residents aged ≥65 years from Guangzhou, China. Methods. This was a prospective study based on community population. Over a 3‐year span, we conducted repeated questionnaires, blood tests, and echocardiographic and electrocardiogram examinations (2018) of a random sample of initially 3538 subjects. Results. The prevalence of DVHD increased with age, average values being 30.6%, 49.2%, and 62.9% in 65‐74, 75‐84, and ≥85 years of age, respectively. The incidence rate was 1.7%/year. Aortic stenosis was the result of DVHD, and the mean transvalvular pressure gradient increased by 5.6 mmHg/year. The increase of mild aortic stenosis was lower than that of more severe disease, showing a nonlinear development of gradient, but with great individual variations. Mortality was significantly increased in the DVHD group (HR = 2.49). Risk factors for higher mortality included age (χ2 = 1.9, P < 0.05), renal insufficiency (χ2 = 12.5, P < 0.01), atrial fibrillation (χ2 = 12.2, P < 0.01), mitral regurgitation (χ2 = 1.8, P < 0.05), and tricuspid regurgitation (χ2 = 6.7, P < 0.05) in a DVHD population. Conclusions. DVHD was highly prevalent among residents in southern China. With the progression of the disease, the mean transvalvular pressure gradient accelerated. DVHD was an independent predictor of death, and the mortality was higher in those with older age, renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and tricuspid regurgitation.
Identification of Critical Links in Urban Road Network considering Cascading Failures
Authors: Tian Yulin , Liu Xiaoming , Li Zhen , Tang Shaohu , Shang Chunlin , Wei Lu
Published: April 2021

The identification of critical road links is greatly important to the management and control of the transportation system. Existing works fail to fully consider the influence of the distribution of traffic flow and its dynamic characteristics on critical road link identification. In this paper, we propose a criticality calculation method for urban road networks considering the effect of cascading failures which models the distribution change of traffic flow after a specific road link failed. Firstly, a sequence diagram calculation method is proposed to model how the traffic failure on one road link propagates to related links. Secondly, the diagram of the cascade failure sequence is divided into different stages according to the consistency of the objective function. The influence value of each stage is computed for the target road link. Finally, the failure probability model and the importance indicator are proposed to calculate the criticality for each road link. We evaluate our critical road link identification method on both simulated and read scenes. In our simulation, we achieve 90.6% and 91.7% for the accuracy on two key metrics, respectively, i.e., the length of failure road link and the total parking delay, which proves the feasibility of our method. Our method also achieves reasonable conclusions on real data and helps to find the critical road links.
A Pinning Actor‐Critic Structure‐Based Algorithm for Sizing Complex‐Shaped Depth Profiles in MFL Inspection with High Degree of Freedom
Authors: Wu Zhenning , Deng Yiming , Wang Lixing
Published: April 2021

One of the most efficient nondestructive methods for pipeline in‐line inspection is magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection. Estimating the size of the defect from MFL signal is one of the key problems of MFL inspection. As the inspection signal is usually contaminated by noise, sizing the defect is an ill‐posed inverse problem, especially when sizing the depth as a complex shape. An actor‐critic structure‐based algorithm is proposed in this paper for sizing complex depth profiles. By learning with more information from the depth profile without knowing the corresponding MFL signal, the algorithm proposed saves computational costs and is robust. A pinning strategy is embedded in the reconstruction process, which highly reduces the dimension of action space. The pinning actor‐critic structure (PACS) helps to make the reward for critic network more efficient when reconstructing the depth profiles with high degrees of freedom. A nonlinear FEM model is used to test the effectiveness of algorithm proposed under 20 dB noise. The results show that the algorithm reconstructs the depth profile of defects with good accuracy and is robust against noise.
A review of intelligent methods for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of stator and rotor faults of induction machines
Authors: Alshorman Omar , Alshorman Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, induction motor (IM) is extensively used in industry, including mechanical and electrical applications. However, three main types of IM faults have been discussed in the literature, bearing, stator, and rotor. Importantly, stator and rotor faults represent approximately 50%. Traditional condition monitoring (CM) and fault diagnosis (FD) methods require a high processing cost and much experience knowledge. To tackle this challenge, artificial intelligent (AI) based CM and FD techniques are extensively developed. However, there have been many review research papers for intelligent CM and FD machine learning methods of rolling elements bearings of IM in the literature. Whereas there is a lack in the literature, and there are not many review papers for both stator and rotor intelligent CM and FD. Thus, the proposed study's main contribution is in reviewing the CM and FD of IM, especially for the stator and the rotor, based on AI methods. The paper also provides discussions on the main challenges and possible future works.
The future of software engineering: Visions of 2025 and beyond
Authors: Khan Firoz , Kumar R. Lakshmana , Kadry Seifedine , Nam Yunyoung
Published: April 2021

In the current technological scenario of the industry and businesses, there has been increasing need of software within systems and also an increasing demand being put onto software-intensive systems. This in effect will lead to a significant evolution of software engineering processes over the next twenty years. This is due to the fact of emerging technological advancements like Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things in the IT field, among other new developments. This paper addresses and tries to analyses the key research challenges being faced by the software engineering field and articulates information that is derived from the key research specializations within software engineering. The paper analyses the past and current trends in software engineering. The future of software engineering is also looked with respect to Industry 4.0 which including emerging technological platforms like Internet of Things. The societal impact aspect of future trends in software engineering is also addressed in this paper.