bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cheating at Craps
Authors: Marin Andrea , Williamson Carey
Published: May 2021

Craps is a simple dice game that is popular in casinos around the world. While the rules for Craps, and its mathematical analysis, are reasonably straightforward, this paper instead focuses on the best ways to cheat at Craps, by using loaded (biased) dice. We use both analytical modeling and simulation modeling to study this intriguing dice game. Our modeling results show that biasing a die away from the value 1 or towards the value 5 lead to the best (and least detectable) cheating strategies, and that modest bias on two loaded dice can increase the winning probability above 50%. Our Monte Carlo simulation results provide validation for our analytical model, and also facilitate the quantitative evaluation of other scenarios, such as heterogeneous or correlated dice.
Effects of Radiation-Induced Defects on Corrosion
Authors: Schmidt Franziska , Hosemann Peter , Scarlat Raluca O. , Schreiber Daniel K. , Scully John R. , Uberuaga Blas P.
Published: May 2021

The next generation of nuclear reactors will expose materials to conditions that, in some cases, are even more extreme than those in current fission reactors, inevitably leading to new materials science challenges. Radiation-induced damage and corrosion are two key phenomena that must be understood both independently and synergistically, but their interactions are often convoluted. In the light water reactor community, a tremendous amount of work has been done to illuminate irradiation-corrosion effects, and similar efforts are under way for heavy liquid metal and molten salt environments. While certain effects, such as radiolysis and irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking, are reasonably well established, the basic science of how irradiation-induced defects in the base material and the corrosion layer influence the corrosion process still presents many unanswered questions. In this review, we summarize the work that has been done to understand these coupled extremes, highlight the complex nature of this problem, and identify key knowledge gaps.
Communication—Mg2+/0 as a Reliable Reference Electrode for Molten Chloride Salts
Authors: Lhermitte Charles R. , Parker S. Scott , Jackson J. Matt , Monreal Marisa J.
Published: May 2021

In this report, we describe the use of the Mg2+/0 couple as a reference in molten MgCl2-NaCl. We demonstrate that this redox couple provides a robust and reliable reference potential over a range of melt temperatures (500 °C–675 °C). Finally, we demonstrate the construction of a simple molten magnesium reference electrode, for operation at temperatures greater than the melting point of magnesium (650 °C).
Critical appraisal of the mechanisms of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary infection by COVID-19
Authors: Levy Emile , Stintzi Alain , Cohen Albert , Desjardins Yves , Marette André , Spahis Schohraya
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 represents a novel infectious disease induced by SARS-CoV-2. It has to date affected 24,240,000 individuals and killed 2,735,805 people worldwide. The highly infectious virus attacks mainly the lung, causing fever, cough, and fatigue in symptomatic patients, but also pneumonia in severe cases. However, growing evidence highlights SARS-CoV-2-mediated extrarespiratory manifestations, namely, gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic complications. The detection of 1) the virus in the GI system (duodenum, colon, rectum, anal region, and feces); 2) the high expression of additional candidate coreceptors/auxiliary proteins to facilitate the virus entry; 3) the abundant viral angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor; 4) the substantial expression of host transmembrane serine protease 2, necessary to induce virus-cell fusion; 5) the viral replication in the intestinal epithelial cells; and 6) the primarily GI disorders in the absence of respiratory symptoms lead to increased awareness of the risk of disease transmission via the fecal-oral route. The objectives of this review are to provide a brief update of COVID-19 pathogenesis and prevalence, present a critical overview of its GI and liver complications that affect clinical COVID-19 outcomes, clarify associated mechanisms (notably microbiota-related), define whether gut/liver disorders occur more frequently among critically ill patients with COVID-19, determine the impact of COVID-19 on preexisting gut/liver complications and vice versa, and discuss the available strategies for prevention and treatment to improve prognosis of the patients. The novel SARS-CoV-2 can cause gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary manifestations. Metagenomics studies of virobiota in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection are necessary to highlight the contribution of bacterial microflora to COVID-19 phenotype, which is crucial for developing biomarkers and therapeutics.
Biomarkers for assessment of intestinal permeability in clinical practice
Authors: Seethaler Benjamin , Basrai Maryam , Neyrinck Audrey M. , Nazare Julie-Anne , Walter Jens , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Bischoff Stephan C.
Published: May 2021

This study shows that biomarkers from blood and fecal samples are associated with the cumbersome established tests of intestinal permeability throughout different cohorts. Therefore, such biomarkers could be used to assess gut barrier function in prospective cohort studies and large-scale clinical trials for which tracer-based tests may not be feasible.
Toxic effects of cell-free hemoglobin on the microvascular endothelium: implications for pulmonary and nonpulmonary organ dysfunction
Authors: Meegan Jamie E. , Bastarache Julie A. , Ware Lorraine B.
Published: May 2021

Levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin are elevated during hemolytic and inflammatory diseases and contribute to organ dysfunction and severity of illness. Though several studies have investigated the contribution of hemoglobin to tissue injury, the precise signaling mechanisms of hemoglobin-mediated endothelial dysfunction in the lung and other organs are not yet completely understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the knowledge gained thus far and the need for further investigation regarding hemoglobin-mediated endothelial inflammation and injury to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting the damaging effects of cell-free hemoglobin.
Understanding potential mechanisms of harm: the drivers of electronic cigarette-induced changes in alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and lung epithelial cells
Authors: Jasper Alice E. , Sapey Elizabeth , Thickett David R. , Scott Aaron
Published: May 2021

Electronic (e-) cigarettes are growing in popularity despite uncertainties regarding their long-term health implications. The link between cigarette smoking and initiation of chronic lung disease took decades to unpick so in vitro studies mimicking e-cigarette exposure aim to detect early indicators of harm. In response to e-cigarette exposure, alveolar macrophages adopt a proinflammatory phenotype of increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, reduction in phagocytosis, and efferocytosis and reactive oxygen species generation. These effects are largely driven by free radical exposure, changes in PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, nicotine-induced reduction in phagocytosis receptors, and impaired lipid homeostasis leading to a foam-like lipid-laden phenotype. Neutrophils exhibit disrupted chemotaxis and transmigration to chemokines, reduced phagocytosis and bacterial killing, and an increase in protease secretion without corresponding antiproteases in response to e-cigarette exposure. This is driven by an altered ability to respond and to polarize toward chemoattractants, an activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and inability to assemble NADPH oxidase. E-cigarettes induce lung epithelial cells to display decreased ciliary beat frequency and ion channel conductance as well as changes in chemokine secretion and surface protein expression. Changes in gene expression, mitochondrial function, and signaling pathways have been demonstrated in lung epithelial cells to explain these changes. Many functional outputs of alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and lung epithelial cells have not been fully explored in the context of e-cigarette exposure and the underlying driving mechanisms are poorly understood. This review discusses current evidence surrounding the effects of e-cigarettes on alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and lung epithelial cells with particular focus on the cellular mechanisms of change.
A pilot study to assess the circulating renin-angiotensin system in COVID-19 acute respiratory failure
Authors: Files D. Clark , Gibbs Kevin W. , Schaich Christopher L. , Collins Sean P. , Gwathmey TanYa M. , Casey Jonathan D. , Self Wesley H. , Chappell Mark C.
Published: May 2021

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is fundamental to COVID-19 pathobiology, due to the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) coreceptor for cellular entry. The prevailing hypothesis is that SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 interactions lead to an imbalance of the RAS, favoring proinflammatory angiotensin II (ANG II)-related signaling at the expense of the anti-inflammatory ANG-(1–7)-mediated alternative pathway. Indeed, multiple clinical trials targeting this pathway in COVID-19 are underway. Therefore, precise measurement of circulating RAS components is critical to understand the interplay of the RAS on COVID-19 outcomes. Multiple challenges exist in measuring the RAS in COVID-19, including improper patient controls, ex vivo degradation and low concentrations of angiotensins, and unvalidated laboratory assays. Here, we conducted a prospective pilot study to enroll 33 patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 and physiologically matched COVID-19-negative controls to quantify the circulating RAS. Our enrollment strategy led to physiological matching of COVID-19-negative and COVID-19-positive moderate hypoxic respiratory failure cohorts, in contrast to the severe COVID-19 cohort, which had increased severity of illness, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and increased mortality. Circulating ANG II and ANG-(1–7) levels were measured in the low picomolar (pM) range. We found no significant differences in circulating RAS peptides or peptidases between these three cohorts. The combined moderate and severe COVID-19-positive cohorts demonstrated a mild reduction in ACE activity compared with COVID-19-negative controls (2.2 ± 0.9 × 105 vs. 2.9 ± 0.8 × 105 RFU/mL, P = 0.03). These methods may be useful in designing larger studies to physiologically match patients and quantify the RAS in COVID-19 RAS augmenting clinical trials.
A toolbox for studying respiratory viral infections using air-liquid interface cultures of human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Michi Aubrey N. , Proud David
Published: May 2021

Submerged cultures of primary human airway epithelial cells or human airway epithelial cell lines have been a mainstay of airway epithelial biology research for decades due to their robust in vitro proliferative capacity, relatively low maintenance culture conditions, and clinically translatable results to nasal or bronchial brushings. With the development and improvement of air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of human airway epithelial cells, such cultures have been considered superior to immortalized cell lines and primary cell monolayers, as such cultures effectively recapitulate in vivo epithelial architecture and cell types. Although ALI culture growth protocols are well-established and widely available, many researchers have avoided their use, as ALI cultures not only take longer to grow but also present technical challenges and limitations that make in vitro intracellular and structural assays taxing. Challenges arise relating to their complex structure, requirements for air exposure, the constraints of transwell growth apparatus, and interference in assays caused by mucus secretion. Although few publications briefly describe technical adaptations for some assays, there is still considerable trial and error required for researchers to establish consistent and reliable assay adaptations, often becoming a deterrent for pursuing mechanistic investigation. We have created a user-friendly toolbox detailing comprehensive protocols for numerous techniques and assay adaptations, particularly focusing on respiratory virus infections. By expanding the repertoire of ALI culture-adapted in vitro assays, we hope to facilitate the widespread adoption of this valuable culture system for mechanistic investigations of respiratory viral infections or other epithelial-pathogen models.
Pioglitazone prevents obesity-related airway hyperreactivity and neuronal M2 receptor dysfunction
Authors: Proskocil Becky J. , Fryer Allison D. , Jacoby David B. , Nie Zhenying
Published: May 2021

Obesity-related asthma often presents with more severe symptoms than non-obesity-related asthma and responds poorly to current treatments. Both insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are common in obesity. We have shown that increased insulin mediates airway hyperreactivity in diet-induced obese rats by causing neuronal M2 muscarinic receptor dysfunction, which normally inhibits acetylcholine release from parasympathetic nerves. Decreasing insulin with streptozotocin prevented airway hyperreactivity and M2 receptor dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether pioglitazone, a hypoglycemic drug, prevents airway hyperreactivity and M2 receptor dysfunction in obese rats. Male rats fed a low- or high-fat diet were treated with pioglitazone or PBS by daily gavage. Body weight, body fat, fasting insulin, and bronchoconstriction and bradycardia in response to electrical stimulation of vagus nerves and to aerosolized methacholine were recorded. Pilocarpine, a muscarinic receptor agonist, was used to measure M2 receptor function. Rats on a high-fat diet had potentiated airway responsiveness to vagal stimulation and dysfunctional neuronal M2 receptors, whereas airway responsiveness to methacholine was unaffected. Pioglitazone reduced fasting insulin and prevented airway hyperresponsiveness and M2 receptor dysfunction but did not change inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in alveolar macrophages. High-fat diet, with and without pioglitazone, had tissue-specific effects on insulin receptor mRNA expression. In conclusion, pioglitazone prevents vagally mediated airway hyperreactivity and protects neuronal M2 muscarinic receptor function in obese rats.
CFTR function and clinical response to modulators parallel nasal epithelial organoid swelling
Authors: Anderson Justin D. , Liu Zhongyu , Odom L. Victoria , Kersh Latona , Guimbellot Jennifer S.
Published: May 2021

In vitro biomarkers to assess cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activity are desirable for precision modulator selection and as a tool for clinical trials. Here, we describe an organoid swelling assay derived from human nasal epithelia using commercially available reagents and equipment and an automated imaging process. Cells were collected in nasal brush biopsies, expanded in vitro, and cultured as spherical organoids or as monolayers. Organoids were used in a functional swelling assay with automated measurements and analysis, whereas monolayers were used for short-circuit current measurements to assess ion channel activity. Clinical data were collected from patients on modulators. Relationships between swelling data and short-circuit current, as well as between swelling data and clinical outcome measures, were assessed. The organoid assay measurements correlated with short-circuit current measurements for ion channel activity. The functional organoid assay distinguished individual responses as well as differences between groups. The organoid assay distinguished incremental drug responses to modulator monotherapy with ivacaftor and combination therapy with ivacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor. The swelling activity paralleled the clinical response. In conclusion, an in vitro biomarker derived from patients’ cells can be used to predict responses to drugs and is likely to be useful as a preclinical tool to aid in the development of novel treatments and as a clinical trial outcome measure for a variety of applications, including gene therapy or editing.
From inhibition of trophoblast cell invasion to proapoptosis: what are the potential roles of kisspeptins in preeclampsia?
Authors: Gomes Viviane C. L. , Sones Jenny L.
Published: May 2021

Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening human gestational syndrome with incompletely understood etiopathogenesis. The disorder has a spectrum of clinical features, likely due to a complex interaction between maternal predisposing factors and abnormalities at the maternal-fetal interface. Poor trophoblast cell invasion, inadequate uterine vascular remodeling, and placental hypoperfusion are considered as key placental events leading to PE. Kisspeptins, a family of small peptides derived from the KISS1 gene, have been implicated in the development of this syndrome. Most studies of kisspeptin expression in PE have reported an upregulation of kisspeptins and/or their cognate receptor in preeclamptic placentas. Conversely, maternal peripheral blood concentration of kisspeptins is reportedly lower in PE than in uncomplicated pregnancies. This apparent paradox remains to be further elucidated. Although kisspeptins were initially known for inhibiting cellular migration and invasion, other biological activities attributed to these peptides include neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction, metabolism regulation, inhibition of angiogenesis, and induction of apoptosis. This review summarizes the current knowledge on expression and biological activity of kisspeptins at the maternal-fetal interface in the context of PE.
Evaluation of Urban Environmental and Economic Coordination Based on Discrete Mathematical Model
Authors: Dou Chenbin , Zheng Lan , Wang Wenjuan , Shabaz Mohammad
Published: May 2021

The urban ecological environment is the material basis and condition for human beings to engage in social and economic activities and the supporting system for the formation and sustainable development of cities. With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, urban living environments and economic development have become the focus of people’s attention. This leads to the necessity of studying how to improve the quality of the urban living environment and promote the harmonious coexistence of population, natural environment, and social economy. Traditional methods focus on multiple regression models to evaluate the urban environmental and economic harmony, but this method does not consider the weight of each index, resulting in poor accuracy of the evaluation results. This paper proposes a discrete mathematical model to design the evaluation index and evaluation system of urban environmental and economic coordination. It calculates the weight of each index; carrying capacity of the urban environment, the value of each environmental factor, and the comprehensive value of the environment is determined. The static evaluation and dynamic evaluation are used to evaluate the coordination of the urban environmental economy. The experimental results show that the designed evaluation method of urban environmental economic coordination has high accuracy and effectively improves the reliability and evaluation time.
[Retracted] Simulation of Tennis Match Scene Classification Algorithm Based on Adaptive Gaussian Mixture Model Parameter Estimation
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Wen Mofei
Published: May 2021

This paper presents an in‐depth analysis of tennis match scene classification using an adaptive Gaussian mixture model parameter estimation simulation algorithm. We divided the main components of semantic analysis into type of motion, distance of motion, speed of motion, and landing area of the tennis ball. Firstly, for the problem that both people and tennis balls in the video frames of tennis matches from the surveillance viewpoint are very small, we propose an adaptive Gaussian mixture model parameter estimation algorithm, which has good accuracy and speed on small targets. Secondly, in this paper, we design a sports player tracking algorithm based on role division and continuously lock the target player to be tracked and output the player region. At the same time, based on the displacement information of the key points of the player’s body and the system running time, the distance and speed of the player’s movement are obtained. Then, for the problem that tennis balls are small and difficult to capture in high‐speed motion, this paper designs a prior knowledge‐based algorithm for predicting tennis ball motion and landing area to derive the landing area of tennis balls. Finally, this paper implements a prototype system for semantic analysis of real‐time video of tennis matches and tests and analyzes the performance indexes of the system, and the results show that the system has good performance in real‐time, accuracy, and stability.
[Retracted] Optimization of Flipped Classroom Teaching Model Based on Social Cognitive Network
Authors: Wang Xinyue
Published: May 2021

This article evaluates learners’ thinking in the complex environment of teaching level and cognitive construct process and examines learners within the framework of cognitive factors, as well as the degree of consistency in the training process, in the social practice as the teaching of teachers and students to provide timely and dynamic feedback, first of all to “evidence centered” education evaluation of design patterns and cognitive framework theory as the theoretical basis. An evaluation model based on learners’ cognitive network analysis is designed and constructed by integrating cognitive visualization analysis techniques such as network analysis. Secondly, at the beginning of action research, the teaching framework structure sequence is established under the guidance of the implementation model of flipped classroom, and the investigation results of the current situation are designed under the guidance of operational steps and organizational strategies, and categories and autonomous learning theories are divided, so as to preliminarily construct strategies to improve the ability of autonomous learning. Then through three rounds of iterative action research to improve the flip classroom teaching middle school students’ autonomous learning ability of teaching strategy, the interview method is used; the questionnaire and autonomous learning process to improve the students’ autonomous learning ability training effect evaluation questionnaire is analyzed, and finally a complete set of reverse ascending of classroom teaching is formed to improve students’ autonomous learning ability of effective classroom strategies.
[Retracted] Audit Analysis of Abnormal Behavior of Social Security Fund Based on Adaptive Spectral Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Wu Yan , Chen Yonghong , Ling Wenhao
Published: May 2021

Abnormal behavior detection of social security funds is a method to analyze large‐scale data and find abnormal behavior. Although many methods based on spectral clustering have achieved many good results in the practical application of clustering, the research on the spectral clustering algorithm is still in the early stage of development. Many existing algorithms are very sensitive to clustering parameters, especially scale parameters, and need to manually input the number of clustering. Therefore, a density‐sensitive similarity measure is introduced in this paper, which is obtained by introducing new parameters to transform the Gaussian function. Under this metric, the distance between data points belonging to different classes will be effectively amplified, while the distance between data points belonging to the same class will be reduced, and finally, the distribution of data will be effectively clustered. At the same time, the idea of Eigen gap is introduced into the spectral clustering algorithm, and the verified gap sequence is constructed on the basis of Laplace matrix, so as to solve the problem of the number of initial clustering. The strong global search ability of artificial bee colony algorithm is used to make up for the shortcoming of spectral clustering algorithm that is easy to fall into local optimal. The experimental results show that the adaptive spectral clustering algorithm can better identify the initial clustering center, perform more effective clustering, and detect abnormal behavior more accurately.
China’s New Environmental Protection Law and Green Innovation: Evidence from Prefecture‐Level Cities
Authors: Chen Wen , Wu Ying
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the impact of China’s new environmental protection law on green innovation. Using a large sample of Chinese prefecture‐level cities for the 2010–2016 period and the difference‐in‐differences (DID) methodology, we provide strong evidence that the new environmental protection law promotes green innovation. This finding is robust to a battery of sensitivity tests. The micromechanism analysis shows that the new environmental protection law can promote green innovation by imposing stricter financial constraints on enterprises in high‐pollution industries and increasing their incentives for green innovation to meet green credit requirements. Further, we find that the impact of the new environmental protection law on green innovation is more prominent in prefecture‐level cities with a lower level of banking competition and for prefecture‐level cities with stronger intellectual property protection. Overall, these findings suggest that the new environmental protection law has played an important role in promoting green innovation in China. To improve the effect of the new environmental protection law on green innovation, the government can consider lowering banking competition and strengthening intellectual property protection.
The E-Bayesian Estimation for Lomax Distribution Based on Generalized Type-I Hybrid Censoring Scheme
Authors: Liu Kaiwei , Zhang Yuxuan
Published: May 2021

This article studies the E-Bayesian estimation of the unknown parameter of Lomax distribution based on generalized Type-I hybrid censoring. Under square error loss and LINEX loss functions, we get the E-Bayesian estimation and compare its effectiveness with Bayesian estimation. To measure the error of E-Bayesian estimation, the expectation of mean square error (E-MSE) is introduced. With Markov chain Monte Carlo technology, E-Bayesian estimations are computed. Metropolis–Hastings algorithm is applied within the process. Similarly, the credible interval for the parameter is calculated. Then, we can compare the MSE and E-MSE to evaluate whose result is more effective. For the purpose of illustration in real datasets, cases of generalized Type-I hybrid censored samples are presented. In order to judge whether the sample data can be directly fitted by the Lomax distribution, we adopt the Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests for evaluation. Finally, we can get the conclusion after comparing the results of E-Bayesian and Bayesian estimation.
A Conservative Management Approach for Unusual Presentation of Oral Actinomycosis
Authors: Hashem Qamar
Published: May 2021

Actinomycosis is gram-positive saprophytic infection that is characterized by chronic suppurative and granulomatous lesion. It could be found in the oral cavity, lungs, colon, and genital area. In the oral cavity, it is commonly associated with infected root canals presented as persistent infections. This case reports demonstrate an atypical presentation of actinomycosis in the lower left mandibular canine/premolar area showing painless soft tissue lesion associated with bone sequestration. Nonsurgical curettage of the lesion followed by nonsurgical root canal treatment and retreatment to the offended teeth was determined as the treatment modality for this case.
New Contributions in Generalization S‐Metric Spaces to S∗p‐Partial Metric Spaces with Some Results in Common Fixed Point Theorems
Authors: Al Rwaily Asma , Zidan A. M.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we introduce the notion of S∗p‐partial metric spaces which is a generalization of S‐metric spaces and partial‐metric spaces. Also, we give some of the topological properties that are important in knowing the convergence of the sequences and Cauchy sequence. Finally, we study a new common fixed point theorems in this spaces.
The Impact of Urban Sprawl and Smart City Construction on Regional Coordination
Authors: Hao Liangfeng , Chen Xue , Min Chengpeng
Published: May 2021

The construction of smart cities has promoted the process of urbanization and sustainable urban sprawl, which may accelerate regional coordination by enhancing the spatial correlation among the cities. Firstly, this paper built the mechanism for the impact of urban sprawl and smart city construction on regional coordination and adopted the corrected night light data as the index of economic measurement, using the dynamic fixed effect spatial Dubin model to test theoretical mechanism. It is found that urban sprawl has strongly promoted the regional coordination, which is especially obvious among the neighboring cities. However, the construction of smart cities is not conducive to regional coordination, only when interacting with urban sprawl. The results of robustness check and endogenous treatment are consistent with the baseline regression. Further research shows that urban sprawl restricts the positive effect of industrial agglomeration but could promote economic growth and regional coordination through smart city construction. The policy enlightenment lies in that smart city construction should be promoted, so as to improve economic growth, and smart city network and urban sprawl should be synchronously promoted to accelerate regional coordination.
Effect of Using a Plastic Stent with Apically Repositioned Flap in Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Augmentation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Hamdy Ahmed , Abd El Gaber Hala K. , Ghalwash Dalia M. , Abbas Waleed M.
Published: May 2021

Objectives. This study aimed to clinically assess and compare the width of peri-implant keratinized mucosa following the use of a readymade plastic stent with apically repositioned flap versus conventional apically repositioned flap with papillary sparing incisions during single-stage implant placement protocol. Materials and Methods. A total of 20 patients were enrolled in this study. In the test group, a prefabricated implant-retained stent was clipped on the healing abutment after implant surgery to reposition the keratinized tissue buccoapically. In the control group, simple interrupted sutures were applied instead of using a stent. After the surgical procedure, the width of the buccal keratinized mucosa was measured at the mesial, middle, and distal aspects of the healing abutment. The change in the width of the buccal keratinized mucosa was assessed at 3 months and 6 months. Results. No statistically significant difference was found between the stent group and control group in 6 months’ interval where

p
=
0.840

, where both groups showed the same mean value of 4.70 ± 0.35 and 4.70 ± 0.63, respectively. The percent of change in the width of KM was found to be higher in the stent group than in the control group with no statistical significance. Conclusion. The use of a readymade plastic stent in combined full/partial-thickness apically repositioned flap shows to be effective in increasing the width of KM compared to the conventional technique. This trial is registered with NCT03754894.
Distributed Adaptive Coordinated Control of Multiple Euler–Lagrange Systems considering Output Constraints and Time Delays
Authors: Qin Hongde , Li Xiaojia , Sun Yanchao
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we mainly investigate the coordinated tracking control issues of multiple Euler–Lagrange systems considering constant communication delays and output constraints. Firstly, we devise a distributed observer to ensure that every agent can get the information of the virtual leader. In order to handle uncertain problems, the neural network technique is adopted to estimate the unknown dynamics. Then, we utilize an asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function in the control design to guarantee the output errors satisfy the time‐varying output constraints. Two distributed adaptive coordinated control schemes are proposed to guarantee that the followers can track the leader accurately. The first scheme makes the tracking errors between followers and leader be uniformly ultimately bounded, and the second scheme further improves the tracking accuracy. Finally, we utilize a group of manipulator networks simulation experiments to verify the validity of the proposed distributed control laws.
[Retracted] Research on the Revolution of Multidimensional Learning Space in the Big Data Environment
Authors: Huang Weihua
Published: May 2021

Multiuser fair sharing of clusters is a classic problem in cluster construction. However, the cluster computing system for hybrid big data applications has the characteristics of heterogeneous requirements, which makes more and more cluster resource managers support fine‐grained multidimensional learning resource management. In this context, it is oriented to multiusers of multidimensional learning resources. Shared clusters have become a new topic. A single consideration of a fair‐shared cluster will result in a huge waste of resources in the context of discrete and dynamic resource allocation. Fairness and efficiency of cluster resource sharing for multidimensional learning resources are equally important. This paper studies big data processing technology and representative systems and analyzes multidimensional analysis and performance optimization technology. This article discusses the importance of discrete multidimensional learning resource allocation optimization in dynamic scenarios. At the same time, in view of the fact that most of the resources of the big data application cluster system are supplied to large jobs that account for a small proportion of job submissions, while the small jobs that account for a large proportion only use the characteristics of a small part of the system’s resources, the expected residual multidimensionality of large‐scale work is proposed. The server with the least learning resources is allocated first, and only fair strategies are considered for small assignments. The topic index is distributed and stored on the system to realize the parallel processing of search to improve the efficiency of search processing. The effectiveness of RDIBT is verified through experimental simulation. The results show that RDIBT has higher performance than LSII index technology in index creation speed and search response speed. In addition, RDIBT can also ensure the scalability of the index system.
Chemical Constituents of Eupatorium japonicum and Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic, and Apoptotic Activities of Eupatoriopicrin on Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Phan Minh Giang , Do Thi Thao , Nguyen Thi Nga , Do Thi Viet Huong , Dong Ngoc Phuc , Vu Minh Trang
Published: May 2021

Eupatorium japonicum Thunb. of the plant family Asteraceae is a popular traditional herb in Vietnam. However, its chemical constituents as well as bioactive principles have not been investigated yet. We investigated the phytochemistry of E. japonicum in Vietnam and isolated seventeen compounds (1–17) including phytosterols, terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty alcohols, and fatty acids. They were structurally determined by MS and NMR analysis. Except for compounds 6 and 12, all the other compounds were identified for the first time from E. japonicum. Since many sesquiterpene lactones with α-methylene γ-lactone ring are reported as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, eupatoriopicrin (10), 1-hydroxy-8-(4,5-dihydroxytigloyloxy)eudesma-4(15),11(13)-dien-6,12-olide (11) were selected among the isolates for biological assays. Compound 10 was identified as the main bioactive sesquiterpene lactone of E. japonicum showing its potent anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity through inhibiting NO production and the growth of HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines. For the first time, eupatoriopicrin (10) was demonstrated to strongly inhibit NTERA-2 human cancer stem cell (CSC) line in vitro. It is noticeable that the cytotoxicity of eupatoriopicrin against NTERA-2 cells is mediated by its apoptosis-inducing capability of 10 as demonstrated by the results of Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometry apoptosis analysis, and caspase-3 activity assays. The biological activities of the main bioactive constituents 1–7, 10, 12, and 15 supported the reported anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of extracts from E. japonicum.
Effects of Irrigation and Planting Geometry on Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seed Nutrition in Humid Climates
Authors: Pinnamaneni Srinivasa R. , Anapalli Saseendran S. , Bellaloui Nacer , Reddy Krishna N.
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the effect of irrigation (FI, all rows-irrigation; HI, alternate row irrigation; RF, rainfed) and planting geometry (PG) (SR, single-row; TR, twin-row) on soybean seed constituents. Results showed that most of these seed components were significantly affected by crop season due to contrasting precipitation and solar radiation patterns, particularly during July-August, coinciding with early reproductive and seed development stages. Both seed protein and oil levels responded positively to irrigation, while most of the amino acids were nonresponsive. The protein content ranged between 36.3 and 37.6% in 2018, while it was between 36.4 and 38.3% in 2019. Total seed oil content varied between 24.2 and 26.1% in 2018 and between 25.3 and 26.5% in 2019. Among amino acids, glycine, alanine, valine, and methionine levels were significantly higher in both FI and HI treatments. Among sugars, only sucrose was higher in response to the RF treatment, and irrigation did not affect both stachyose and raffinose. Oleic acid was higher in RF, while no significant differences were observed for linolenic and linoleic acids. Similarly, seasonal variation was significant for stearic acid content, but the 2019 season had relatively higher accumulation (stearic acid: between 4.1 and 4.5% in 2018 and from 4.6 to 4.9% in 2019). These results indicate that both irrigation and climate during seed development can alter some seed composition constituents and play critical roles in determining seed nutritional qualities.
Family‐Centered Social Cognitive Factors Preventing Primary Tooth Caries in Children Based on Intervention Mapping Approach
Authors: Kabiri Bahareh , Hidarnia Ali Reza , Alavijeh Mehdi Mirzaei , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeel , Montazeri Ali
Published: May 2021

Background. Given the increasing prevalence of primary tooth caries in Iran and the importance of providing evidence‐ and theory‐based family‐centered prevention programs, the present study is aimed at determining the family‐centered social cognitive factors preventing deciduous tooth caries among children using the intervention mapping protocol. Methods. This cross‐sectional study was performed on 240 Iranian mothers in Ilam who were randomly selected to participate in the study. The data were collected using a self‐designed questionnaire including items on demographic information and social cognitive constructs (knowledge, attitude, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, practice guidance, perceived self‐efficacy, behavior intention, subjective norms, and social norms). The questionnaire was completed by mothers, and the data were analyzed by performing one‐way analysis of variance and linear regression. Results. The results obtained from linear regression analysis showed that perceived self‐efficacy (B = 0.295, p < 0.001), perceived barriers (B = 0.084, p < 0.028), practice guidance (B = 0.774, p < 0.001), and social norms (B = 0.137, p < 0.020) accounted for 71% of the behavioral intention variance and were the most important predictors for preventing primary tooth caries among children. Conclusion. The findings suggest that perceived self‐efficacy, perceived barriers, practice guidance, and social norms are essential for developing family‐centered programs to prevent primary tooth caries in children.
Single-Atom Ni Heterogeneous Catalysts Supported UiO-66 Structure: Synthesis and Catalytic Activities
Authors: Hoa Le Thi , Nhi Le Thi Thanh , Sơn Le Van Thanh , Linh Nguyen Le My , Hai Ho Van Minh , Khieu Dinh Quang
Published: May 2021

Herein, the single-atom Ni site heterogeneous catalysts supported by the UiO-66 structure (University of Oslo-66 metal organic framework) were successfully synthesized by a postsynthetic metalation method, where Ni ions are covalently attached to the missing-linker defect sites at zirconium oxide clusters (Zr6O4(OH)4) in as-prepared UiO-66 structure, [Zr6O4(OH)4(BDC)(DMF)10(OH)10] (BDC (benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), DMF (dimethylformamide)). The structure properties of the catalysts were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). It was found that single-atom Ni heterogeneous catalysts supported by the UiO-66 structure, UiO-66/Ni1.0 [Zr6O4(OH)4(C8H4O4)(DMF)10(OH)8Ni2(OH)2(Cl)2], showed a sphere-like morphology with a high specific surface area as well as good thermal stability. Specifically, the as-prepared UiO-66/Ni1.0 exhibited the excellent catalytic activity and stability for 4-nitrophenol reduction in terms of low activation energy (

E

a

=
23.15
 
kJ
 
mo

l

−
1

), high turnover frequency (76.19 molecules g-1 min-1), and high apparent rate constant (

k

app

=
0.956
mi

n

−
1

). In addition, methylene blue (MB) was also chosen as the organic dye model for catalytic reduction reaction. The

k

app

and TOF for the reduction of MB using UiO-66/Ni1.0 were 0.787 min−1 and

33.89
×

10

20

molecules g−1 min−1, respectively.
Primary Needle-Knife Sphincterotomy for Biliary Access in Patients at High Risk of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis
Authors: Park Jin-Seok , Jeong Seok , Lee Don Haeng
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim. Needle-knife sphincterotomy (NKS) is currently recommended as the second option in cases of difficult cannulation due to its potential higher adverse event rate. However, the clinical outcomes of NKS have not been evaluated as thoroughly as those of the primary cannulation technique. The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of NKS when used for primary access in patients at high risk of developing postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). Methods. Forty patients with one or more risk factors for PEP were prospectively enrolled between June 2018 and November 2019. The cannulation was conducted in all patients using NKS as the primary cannulation technique. Success rate of biliary cannulation, biliary cannulation time, and adverse event rate were assessed. Results. Of the 40 patients enrolled, 34 patients underwent primary NKS after the screening. Nine patients had 1 risk factor for PEP, 7 had 2, 8 had 3, 7 had 4, and 3 had 5. The success rate of biliary access by NKS was 94.1% (32/34). The median procedure time for NKS and the total procedure time for stone removal or biliary drainage were 4.1 minutes (range, 0.5-25.2) and 11.3 minutes (range, 3.8–40.4), respectively. Adverse events occurred in two patients (minor bleeding,

n
=
1

; hyperamylasemia,

n
=
1

). No patient experienced PEP or perforation. Conclusion. NKS might be feasible as a primary cannulation procedure in patients at high risk of PEP. This trial is registered with KCT0004886 (03/06/2018).
An Environmentally Friendly Flow Injection-Gas Diffusion System Using Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Extract as Natural Reagent for the Photometric Determination of Sulfite in Wines
Authors: Reanpang Preeyaporn , Pun-uam Teerarat , Jakmunee Jaroon , Khonyoung Supada
Published: May 2021

In this work, a green and simpler method for photometric determination of sulfite based on a flow injection-gas diffusion (FI-GD) system using a natural reagent extracted from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was proposed. Despite the fact that the employed reaction is not selective to sulfite, its sensitivity is high, and the selectivity can be improved by coupling a GD unit to the FI system. The method involves monitoring a decrease in absorbance of the reagent solution that is used as an acceptor solution. When a standard solution or sample solution was injected into an acidic donor stream, the liberated sulfur dioxide diffuses through a gas-permeable membrane of the GD unit into the acceptor solution, causing color fading of the reagent. A linear analytical curve in the range of 5–100 mg L−1 was obtained with a detection limit of 2 mg·L−1. Relative standard deviations of 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.6% were obtained for the determination of 30, 70, and 100 mg·L−1 SO32- (n = 11). The developed method was applied to wine samples, giving results that agreed with those obtained with the Ripper titrimetric method. The proposed method offers advantages of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and being environmentally friendly such as reduced chemical consumption and less waste generation.
Deep Transfer Learning Method Based on 1D‐CNN for Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: He Jun , Li Xiang , Chen Yong , Chen Danfeng , Guo Jing , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2021

In mechanical fault diagnosis, it is impossible to collect massive labeled samples with the same distribution in real industry. Transfer learning, a promising method, is usually used to address the critical problem. However, as the number of samples increases, the interdomain distribution discrepancy measurement of the existing method has a higher computational complexity, which may make the generalization ability of the method worse. To solve the problem, we propose a deep transfer learning method based on 1D‐CNN for rolling bearing fault diagnosis. First, 1‐dimension convolutional neural network (1D‐CNN), as the basic framework, is used to extract features from vibration signal. The CORrelation ALignment (CORAL) is employed to minimize marginal distribution discrepancy between the source domain and target domain. Then, the cross‐entropy loss function and Adam optimizer are used to minimize the classification errors and the second‐order statistics of feature distance between the source domain and target domain, respectively. Finally, based on the bearing datasets of Case Western Reserve University and Jiangnan University, seven transfer fault diagnosis comparison experiments are carried out. The results show that our method has better performance.