bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance prediction of bended radio-frequency capacitors and inductors on plastic substrates using artificial neural network
Authors: Lan Kuibo , Wang Fei , Zhang Qijun , Ma Zhenqiang , Qin Guoxuan
Published: April 2021

Flexible radio-frequency (RF) capacitors and inductors on the plastic substrates have been fabricated and characterized under mechanical bending conditions. A novel method to predict the RF performance for them on different bending states is demonstrated. Artificial neural network (ANN) shows good modeling accuracy for the flexible RF passive components with bending strains from dc to resonant frequency ([Formula: see text] GHz for the capacitor/inductor). More importantly, the automatically generated ANN model, with no need of repeatedly tuning the model parameters, has demonstrated the ability to predict the RF responses for the flexible capacitors and inductors under arbitrary bending conditions with only a few sets of experimental data. Once established, this model can automatically learn the structure of the input date and predict the actual results on specific bending state which can provide an original method to measure the performance for flexible electronics on even extreme bent radius. The ANN model indicates good potential for accurate design, characterization and optimization of the high-performance flexible electronics.
Mathematical modeling determination coefficient of magneto-optical absorption in semiconductors in presence of external pressure and temperature
Authors: Erkaboev U. I. , Rakhimov R. G. , Sayidov N. A.
Published: April 2021

The calculation of the coefficients of magneto-optical absorption in semiconductors at different temperatures and pressures is carried out. A formula for the temperature dependence of the oscillations of the combined density of states by the Kane dispersion law is obtained. Mathematical modeling has been carried out that determines the magneto-optical absorption coefficient in semiconductors in the presence of external influences. A new method for determining the magneto-optical absorption coefficient in semiconductors in the presence of pressure and temperature is proposed. The correspondence of simulation results with experimental data is shown.
Enhancing entanglement of two-qubit states from amplitude damping channel using single-qubit unitary operation and local filtering operation
Authors: Zong Xiao-Lan , Song Wei , Yang Ming , Cao Zhuo-Liang
Published: April 2021

We propose a scheme to enhance entanglement from amplitude damping or correlated amplitude damping decoherence. We show that entanglement sudden death time can be prolonged by the initial single-qubit operation combined with local filtering operation. For the amplitude damping channel case, we give the optimal single-qubit operation for arbitrary pure state [Formula: see text]. For the correlated amplitude damping channel case, we find that single-qubit operation on the initial state can not only enhance the final entanglement but also avoid entanglement sudden death. Compared to the previous schemes, the optimal operations and local filtering operations used in our scheme are independent with the decay parameters of the environment.
Graph Computing for Financial Crime and Fraud Detection: Trends, Challenges and Outlook
Authors: Kurshan Eren , Shen Hongda
Published: April 2021

The rise of digital payments has caused consequential changes in the financial crime landscape. As a result, traditional fraud detection approaches such as rule-based systems have largely become ineffective. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions using graph computing principles have gained significant interest in recent years. Graph-based techniques provide unique solution opportunities for financial crime detection. However, implementing such solutions at industrial-scale in real-time financial transaction processing systems has brought numerous application challenges to light. In this paper, we discuss the implementation difficulties current and next-generation graph solutions face. Furthermore, financial crime and digital payments trends indicate emerging challenges in the continued effectiveness of the detection techniques. We analyze the threat landscape and argue that it provides key insights for developing graph-based solutions.
An Audit of Management of Ectopic Pregnancy in a Major Tertiary Healthcare Service
Authors: Chong Krystle Y. , Mak Yee K. , Vollenhoven Beverley , Mol Ben W.
Published: April 2021

Background: Ectopic pregnancy remains the most common cause of early pregnancy mortality, with management options differing according to clinical presentation and investigations. This audit aims to investigate the indications for medical and surgical management of ectopic pregnancy at a tertiary hospital network, in order to assess variances in practice and adherence to local hospital protocols.

Methods: A retrospective audit of the management of women with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was performed over 12 months from July 2018 to June 2019, at three hospitals in the largest healthcare network in Victoria, Australia. Information collected included patient demographics, risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, pathology and radiology results, documented indication for surgery, and any complications of treatment. A subgroup analysis of data was done to investigate changes and deficiency in management of ectopic pregnancy compared to local hospital protocol.

Results: Over a 12-month period, 138 women were diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, of which 99 (72%) received surgical management and 39 (28%) received medical management. Four women within the medical group were excluded from analysis, one due to loss of follow-up and three patients who were diagnosed with nontubal ectopic pregnancies. About 94% (33/35) of women who received methotrexate were within hospital guidelines for medical management and 91% (32/35) were successfully managed without surgery. All women who received surgical management underwent a salpingectomy and 97% (96/99) had clear indications documented for surgery within local protocol.

Conclusion: Overall, the majority of women with ectopic pregnancy were treated according to local guidelines. Expectant management and the option of salpingostomy as a surgical alternative could be considered in the local guidelines. The dissemination of this clinical audit data is aimed at continuing clinical governance and improvements in outcomes.
Fast post-mortem encrustation of razor shells: examples from the Irish Sea and palaeontological implications
Authors: Donovan S. K.
Published: April 2021

Instructive taphonomic principles are demonstrated by the skeletons of dead invertebrates. Bivalves have resistant skeletons and are common fossils. The thin-valved razor shells,
Ensis
spp., have a good fossil record despite being fragile. This may be due, in part, to rapid post-mortem encrustation of valves by mineralized invertebrates. Two Recent specimens of
Ensis siliqua
(Linnaeus), encrusted post-mortem, are described from the Irish Sea coast of Southport, Merseyside. An articulated shell with an intact ligament is encrusted posteriorly on all surfaces by the balanid
Balanus crenatus
Brugiére. Barnacles inside the shell are smaller than those externally, yet may represent the same spatfall; those inside were constrained by growing in an enclosed space. To a palaeontologist, a mollusc valve encrusted inside and out by cementing organisms would be interpreted as having had a long residence time on the seafloor. This specimen demonstrates the disjunction between loss of soft tissues (days?) and loss of the ligament (weeks, perhaps months), between which encrusters may settle inside the shell, early in its post-mortem history. Similar patterns of encrustation by balanids are now known two species of
Ensis
and the cockle
Cerastoderma edule
(Linnaeus).

A fragment of a single valve is encrusted only on the internal surface by serpulids and bryozoans. This is balanulith-like, but is only encrusted on the inner surface and not by balanids.
Ensis
valves can be reinforced by a range of calcareous encrusting organisms; an
Ensis
fragment encrusted both inside and out by serpulids would be worthy of being named a serpulith.
Electrodeposition of Tantalum Coatings on Nitinol Stent and Composition of Intermetallic Compounds Forming During Electrolysis
Authors: Dubrovskii A. R. , Makarova O. V. , Kuznetsov S. A.
Published: April 2021

The electroreduction of tantalum complexes in a chloride-fluoride melt was studied on tungsten, and nitinol electrodes. It was found that on a nitinol electrode in addition to the peak associated with the discharge of fluoride tantalum complexes, several peaks on the voltammogram related to the formation of intermetallic compounds of nickel and tantalum were observed. The electrodeposition of tantalum coatings from the NaCl-KCl-NaF(10 wt.%)-K2TaF7(10 wt.%) melt onto nitinol stent was investigated. The formation during electrolysis of several intermediate layers between the deposited layer and substrate was found and their microstructure and chemical composition were determined. It was determined that the surface layers of the nitinol are depleted in titanium due to corrosion in the melt. During electrodeposition a barrier intermetallic layer TiNi2.4Ta0.6 is formed, which prevents the penetration of tantalum into the substrate, but does not prevent the diffusion of nickel and titanium from the substrate into the deposited layer of tantalum.
Electrical Conductivity of Ceria-Based Oxides/Alkali Carbonate Eutectic Nanocomposites
Authors: Mizuhata Minoru , Kubo Hiroshi , Ichikawa Yudai , Maki Hideshi , Matsui Masaki
Published: April 2021

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and electrical conductivity calculated from AC impedance measurements are discussed for binary and ternary eutectics: (Li0.52Na0.48)2CO3 (LN) and (Li0.435Na0.315K0.25)2 CO3 (LNK), coexisting with nanosized CeO2 and ceria-based oxides such as CeO2:Sm3+(samarium doped ceria: SDC) particles prepared by the Pechini method. The influence of the surface properties of oxides with smooth surfaces, narrow particle size distributions, and large specific surface areas near the eutectic point is presented. The obtained DTA spectra indicate that the melting enthalpy disappeared in systems with a melt containing less than 30 vol% and 45 vol% LN and LNK eutectics, respectively. Sm3+ doping contributes to an increase in the electrical conductivity of the composites below the eutectic points of molten carbonate. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity for both binary and ternary eutectic carbonates coexisting with CeO2 and SDC at melt contents less than ca. 15 vol% does not indicate a remarkable change in conductivity in the temperature range near each eutectic point of molten carbonate. The low-temperature characteristics are significantly improved using nanosized ceria-based oxides because of non-frozen eutectics with a low molar enthalpy of fusion and limited solid-phase influence on ionic conduction.
Cardiac glycosaminoglycans and structural alterations during chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice
Authors: Luong Hien , Singh Sarojini , Patil Mallikarjun , Krishnamurthy Prasanna
Published: April 2021

Comorbidity between depression and CVD is well established, whereas its etiology, especially the role of nonfibrous components (proteoglycans/GAGs) of the extracellular matrix, is unexplored. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize cardiac proteoglycan/glycosaminoglycan profile in response to depression-like behavioral changes in mice. We observed that chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression-like behavior and alterations in glycosaminoglycan profile were associated with structural changes in the heart.
Intestinal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- (ESBL-) Possessing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Species among Nepalese Health Science and Non-Health Science Students
Authors: Sapkota Bhawana , Yadav Santosh K. , Dhungana Gunaraj , Ansari Shamshul , Mishra Shyam K.
Published: April 2021

Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Gram-negative bacteria have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden worldwide. These bacteria can colonize the healthy intestine of human beings and can disseminate in communities and hospital. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species among health science (HS) and non-health science (NHS) students. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 HS and 104 NHS students in which one stool sample from each student was collected and processed for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing according to standard bacteriological procedures. Each morphotype was identified and characterized phenotypically. The antimicrobial sensitivity profile of bacterial isolates was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. ESBL production was tested by combination disk method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Out of 208 stool samples, E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were recovered from 203 (86.8%) and 31 (13.2%) stool samples, respectively. Among those 234 isolates, 69 were positive for ESBL which included E. coli (n = 66, 95.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 3, 4.3%). Fifty (42.4%) out of 118 isolates from HS students and 19 (16.4%) out of 116 from NHS students were colonized by ESBL-producers. Compared to non-ESBL producers, a higher number of ESBL-producing isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (14.5% vs. 1.8%,

p
<
0.001

), cotrimoxazole (59.4% vs. 16.4%,

p
<
0.001

), and amikacin (10.1% vs 4.2%,

p
<
0.001

). All E. coli and Klebsiella species isolates were susceptible to meropenem. The prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria was higher in HS students; however, there was a considerable number of these strains colonizing NHS students as well. This “iceberg phenomenon” of asymptomatic carriage of ESBL-producing pathogens might act as a source of infection in both the community and hospitals. Therefore, surveillance of carriage of drug-resistant bacteria should be performed regularly.
[Retracted] Antiangiogenic Effect of Platelet P2Y12 Inhibitor in Ischemia‐Induced Angiogenesis in Mice Hindlimb
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Zhao Huan , Yang Naiquan , Jin Yue , Chen Jianguo
Published: April 2021

Purpose. Postischemic inflammation induces angiogenesis, while platelet P2Y12 inhibitors can alleviate this inflammation. Therefore, we studied the potential effects of P2Y12 inhibitor, ticagrelor, on angiogenesis in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia. Methods. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging and capillary density measurement were used for angiogenesis quantified. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the level of CD31. The mice muscle was harvested for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay of interleukin‐ (IL) 10 activity and Western blot determination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. Results. Ischemic hindlimb angiogenesis was sharply decreased in IL‐10+/+ mice than IL‐10-/- mice. Ticagrelor inhibited angiogenesis and blood reperfusion recovery significantly elevated the levels of IL‐10 and decreased the expression of VEGF in the IL‐10+/+ mouse ischemic hindlimb, which were abolished in IL‐10‐deficient (IL‐10–/–) C57BL/6J mice. Conclusion. The study underscores that the effect of ticagrelor antiangiogenic function is related with the higher IL‐10 expression.
Exploring Route Choice Behaviours Accommodating Stochastic Choice Set Generations
Authors: Cho Shin-Hyung , Kho Seung-Young
Published: April 2021

Modelling route choice behaviours are essential in traffic operation and transportation planning. Many studies have focused on route choice behaviour using the stochastic model, and they have tried to construct the heterogeneous route choice model with various types of data. This study aims to develop the route choice model incorporating travellers’ heterogeneity according to the stochastic route choice set. The model is evaluated from the empirical travel data based on a radio frequency identification device (RFID) called dedicated short-range communication (DSRC). The reliability level is defined to explore the travellers’ heterogeneity in the choice set generation model. The heterogeneous K-reliable shortest path- (HKαRSP-) based route choice model is established to incorporate travellers’ heterogeneity in route choice behaviour. The model parameters are estimated for the mixed path-size correction logit (MPSCL) model, considering the overlapping paths and the heterogeneous behaviour in the route choice model. The different behaviours concerning the chosen routes are analysed to interpret the route choice behaviour from revealed preference data by comparing the different coefficients’ magnitude. There are model validation processes to confirm the prediction accuracy according to travel distance. This study discusses the policy implication to introduce the traveller specified route travel guidance system.
Prediction Approaches for Smart Cultivation: A Comparative Study
Authors: Chakrabarty Amitabha , Mansoor Nafees , Uddin Muhammad Irfan , Al-adaileh Mosleh Hmoud , Alsharif Nizar , Alsaade Fawaz Waselallah
Published: April 2021

Crop cultivation is one of the oldest activities of civilization. For a long time, crop production was carried out based on knowledge passed from generation to generation. However, due to the rapid growth in the human population of the world, human knowledge‐based cultivation is not enough to meet the demanding need. To address this issue, the usage of machine learning‐based tools has been studied in this paper. An experiment has been carried out over 0.3 million data. This dataset identifies 46 prominent parameters for cultivation, which is collected from the Department of Agriculture Extension, Bangladesh. Comparison between neural networks and numbers of machine learning algorithms has been carried out in this research. It is observed that the neural network outperforms the other methods by maintaining an average prediction accuracy of 96.06% for six different crops. Other contemporary machine learning algorithms, namely, support vector machine, random forest, and logistic regression, have average prediction accuracy of around 68.9%, 91.2%, and 62.39%, respectively.
Developing a Subway Fire Risk Assessment Model Based on Analysis Theory
Authors: Yan Zhenguo , Wang Yanping
Published: April 2021

In order to effectively reduce the risk of subway fires and to improve the safety of passengers, a review of the background to subway fires employing literature and comparative analyses, computer simulation, expert consultation, and other research methods has been employed to conduct an in-depth study of subway fire risk assessment and control measures. A subway fire risk assessment model based on analysis theory was established. Firstly, a subway fire risk evaluation index system was developed, and the weight values of each level were determined using the interval analytic hierarchy process (IAHP), then the evaluation was derived using the fuzzy evaluation method, and the passenger distribution simulation was introduced to improve the objectivity of the evaluation. The results show that the fire evaluation of this subway system is safe. The results show that a subway fire risk assessment model may provide a scientific basis for establishing prevention and control measures, extinguishing methods, passenger safety evacuation schemes, and carrying out fire safety management activities during subway operations.
Drone Assisted Robust Emergency Service Management for Elderly Chronic Disease
Authors: Jiang Shengqiang , Jin Yong , Xia Kaijian
Published: April 2021

It is important to monitor the early screening of chronic diseases, predict the risk, and provide the comprehensive management of chronic diseases for the elderly. However, it is difficult to provide the robust and real-time emergency service for elderly chronic disease because of the complex social network and diversity of elderly chronic disease service. To address these issues, we design a new drone assisted robust emergency service system. We formulate the Drone assisted Management (DM) problem to minimize the total time cost of drone subject to all elderly chronic disease services which can be guaranteed exactly once by the drone under its energy constraint. Then, we propose the DRS algorithm to solve the DM problem. To provide the robust and real-time service, we further formulate the Charging driven Drone assisted Management (CDM) problem and present the CDRS algorithm to solve the CDM problem. Through the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation experiments, we demonstrate that DRS and CDRS can decrease the total time cost by 37.61% and increase the QoE by 112.80% through the designed system, respectively.
Molecular Mechanisms of Nigella sativa- and Nigella sativa Exercise-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats
Authors: Al Asoom Lubna Ibrahim
Published: April 2021

Background. In our lab, we demonstrated cardiac hypertrophy induced by long-term administration of Nigella sativa (Ns) with enhanced function. Therefore, we aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Ns-induced cardiac hypertrophy, compare it with that induced by exercise training, and explore any possible synergistic effect of these two interventions. Method. Twenty adult Wistar male rats were divided into control (C), Ns-fed (N.s.), exercise-trained (Ex.), Ns-fed exercise-trained (N.s.Ex.) groups. 800 mg/kg of Ns was administered orally to N.s. rats. Ex. rats were trained on a treadmill with speed 18 m/min and grade 32° for two hours daily, and the N.s.Ex. group underwent both interventions. After 8 weeks, Immunohistochemical slides of the left ventricles were prepared using rat growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), angiotensin-II receptors 1 (AT-I), endothelin-I (ET-1), Akt-1, and Erk-1. Cell diameter and number of nuclei were measured. Results. Cardiomyocyte diameter, number of nuclei, GH, and Akt were significantly higher in N.s, Ex., and N.s.Ex groups compared with the controls. IGF-I, AT-1, and ET-1 were significantly higher in Ex. rats only compared with the controls. Erk-1 was lower in N.s., Ex., and N.s.Ex. compared with the controls. Conclusion. We can conclude that Ns-induced cardiac hypertrophy is mediated by the GH-IGF I-PI3P-Akt pathway. Supplementation of Ns to exercise training protocol can block the upregulation of AT-I and ET-1. The combined N.s. exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy might be a superior model of physiological cardiac hypertrophy and be used as a prophylactic therapy for athletes who are engaged in vigorous exercise activity.
A Novel Optimized Graph-Based Transform Watermarking Technique to Address Security Issues in Real-Time Application
Authors: Sharma Chirag , Bagga Amandeep , Singh Bhupesh Kumar , Shabaz Mohammad
Published: April 2021

The multimedia technologies are gaining a lot of popularity these days. Many unauthorized persons are gaining the access of multimedia such as videos, audios, and images. The transmission of multimedia across the Internet by unauthorized person has led to the problem of illegal distribution. The problem arises when copyrighted data is getting accessed without the knowledge of copyright owner. The videos are the most attacked data during COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, the frame selection video watermarking technique is proposed to tackle the issue. The proposed work enlightens frame selection followed by watermarking embedding and testing of the technique against various attacks. The embedding of the watermark is done on selected frames of the video. The additional security feature Hyperchaotic Encryption is applied on watermark before embedding. Watermark embedding is done using graph-based transform and singular-valued decomposition and the performance of the technique is further optimized using hybrid combination of grey wolf optimization and genetic algorithm. Many researchers face the challenge of quality loss after embedding of watermark. Proposed technique will aim to overcome those challenges. A total of 6 videos (Akiyo, Coastguard, Foreman, News, Bowing, and Pure Storage) are used for carrying out research work. The performance evaluation of the proposed technique has been carried out after processing it against practical video processing attacks Gaussian noise, sharpening, rotation, blurring, and JPEG compression.
Radar Working State Recognition Based on Improved HPSO-BP
Authors: Li Huiqin , Li Yanling , Wang Xuemei , Xu Zhe , Yin Xinli
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a recognition model based on the improved hybrid particle swarm optimisation (HPSO) optimised backpropagation network (BP) is proposed to improve the efficiency of radar working state recognition. First, the model improves the HPSO algorithm through the nonlinear decreasing inertia weight by adding the deceleration factor and asynchronous learning factor. Then, the BP neural network’s initial weights and thresholds are optimised to overcome the shortcomings of slow convergence rate and falling into local optima. In the simulation experiment, improved HPSO-BP recognition models were established based on the datasets for three radar types, and these models were subsequently compared to other recognition models. The results reveal that the improved HPSO-BP recognition model has better prediction accuracy and convergence rate. The recognition accuracy of different radar types exceeded 97%, which demonstrates the feasibility and generalisation of the model applied to radar working state recognition.
Studies on the Mechanism of Alloimperatorin on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of HeLa Cells
Authors: Bai Yingying , Yang Lijuan , Zhang Chaihong , Yang Yongxiu
Published: April 2021

Alloimperatorin is a compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine (Angelica dahurica), which has exhibited anticancer activity. However, its precise molecular mechanism of anticancer remains unclear. Alloimperatorin-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells and its molecular mechanism were investigated in the present study. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was employed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of alloimperatorin on HeLa, SiHa, and MS-751 cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis induced by alloimperatorin. The mechanism of apoptosis was verified by mitochondrial membrane potential, Western blotting, and fluorescent PCR. The results of the study showed that alloimperatorin reduced the activity of HeLa cells. The calculated IC50 at 48 hours was 116.9 μM. Compared with the control group, alloimperatorin increased the apoptotic rate of HeLa cells and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of HeLa cells. The Western blot results showed that alloimperatorin promotes the expression of caspase3, 8, 9 and that Bax apoptotic proteins reduce PARP expression, procaspase3, 8, 9, and BCL-2 proteins and reduces the cyt-c in the mitochondria expression. The results demonstrated that alloimperatorin can induce HeLa cell apoptosis through mitochondria and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Application of r-GO-MMT Hybrid Nanofillers for Improving Strength and Flame Retardancy of Epoxy/Glass Fibre Composites
Authors: Kavimani Vijayananth , Stalin Balasubramaniam , Gopal Pudhupalayam Muthukutti , Ravichandran Manickam , Karthick Alagar , Bharani Murugesan
Published: April 2021

The application of nanomaterials as a strengthening agent in the fabrication of polymer nanocomposites has gained significant attention due to distinctive properties which can be utilised in structural applications. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay were used as filler materials to fabricate hybrid epoxy-based nanocomposites. The synergistic effect of nanomaterials on flammability and mechanical behaviour of nanocomposites were studied. Results revealed that the addition of nanofiller showcases 97% and 44.5% improvement in tensile and flexural strength. However, an increment in the percentage of filler material over 0.3% exhibits a decremental mechanical property trend. Likewise, the addition of nanofiller increases the nonignition timing of the glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy composites. Fracture surface morphology displays the occurrence of the ductile fracture mechanism owing to the presence of hybrid fillers.
Application and Evaluation of Regional Control Technology of Limestone Water Hazard: A Case Study of the Gubei Coal Mine, North China
Authors: Zhu Jingzhong , Liu Yu , Liu Qimeng , Yang Sen , Fan Jiajun , Cui Yu , Li Ling
Published: April 2021

The coal-forming period is mainly Permian and Carboniferous in the North China coalfield, which is one of the main coal accumulating areas in China. It is characterized by high coal rank, abundant reserves, and varieties. However, water outburst accidents originating from karst aquifers under the coal seam floor have become a terrible disaster in accompany with the deep coal exploited progressively. Water inrush events of the deep limestone have often occurred during excavation in mines. To decrease the risk of high confined water from the coal seam floor and ensure the mining under the safe water pressure of limestone aquifers, the comprehensive exploration and regional treatment are all implemented, such as drainage depressurization, curtain grouting, and grouting transformation of aquifers. Through the comprehensive treatment of the ground and underground, the water channel will be effectively filled with slurry to prevent limestone water bursting into the roadway, and the value of water-inrush coefficient is decreased below the critical value. In the study, utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics based on the finite element method to verify and determine the real layout of grouting parameters, the result shows the design plans satisfy the engineering requirements. 13321 working face located in South No.1 mining area has analyzed the effect of water hazard prevention and control. On the basis of the analysis of geophysical prospecting and validation boreholes, it is concluded that the fracture is filled with grouting slurry to block water-conducting channel effectively. In turn, the rational design parameters of grouting are confirmed as well. Finally, the water-inrush coefficient of Taiyuan formation limestone and Ordovician limestone water is calculated, respectively. The result shows that water-inrush coefficient is less than the critical value after treatment, the safety of excavating coal seam can be further assured.
[Retracted] Protective Effect of Triphala against Oxidative Stress‐Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Ning Wanchen , Li Simin , Tsering Jokyab , Ma Yihong , Li Honghong , Ma Yuezhu , Ogbuehi Anthony Chukwunonso , Pan Hongying , Li Hanluo , Hu Shaonan , Liu Xiangqiong , Deng Yupei , Zhang Jianlin , Hu Xianda
Published: April 2021

Background. Oxidative stress is implicated in the progression of many neurological diseases, which could be induced by various chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acrylamide. Triphala is a well‐recognized Ayurvedic medicine that possesses different therapeutic properties (e.g., antihistamine, antioxidant, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticariogenic effects). However, little information is available regarding the neuroprotective effect of Triphala on oxidative stress. Materials and Methods. An in vitro H2O2‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell model and an in vivo acrylamide‐induced zebrafish model were established. Cell viability, apoptosis, and proliferation were examined by MTT assay, ELISA, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. The molecular mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of Triphala against H2O2 was investigated dose dependently by Western blotting. The in vivo neuroprotective effect of Triphala on acrylamide‐induced oxidative injury in Danio rerio was determined using immunofluorescence staining. Results. The results indicated that Triphala plays a neuroprotective role against H2O2 toxicity in inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation. Furthermore, Triphala pretreatment suppressed the phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MARK) signal pathway (p‐Erk1/2, p‐JNK1/2, and p‐p38), whereas it restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase) in the H2O2‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells. Consistently, similar protective effects of Triphala were observed in declining neuroapoptosis and scavenging free radicals in the zebrafish central neural system, possessing a critical neuroprotective property against acrylamide‐induced oxidative stress. Conclusion. In summary, Triphala is a promising neuroprotective agent against oxidative stress in SH‐SY5Y cells and zebrafishes with significant antiapoptosis and antioxidant activities.
Simulation Analysis of Gas Bubble Formation and Escape in Non-Newtonian Drilling Fluids
Authors: Zhao Xinxin , Yan Xiangzhen , Jiang Hongwei , Yang Guang , Wang Jintang , Sun Xiaohui , Gao Yonghai , Yin Faling
Published: April 2021

In this study, the formation and escape movements of a bubble injected in non-Newtonian drilling fluid through a pore were numerically simulated using a volume of fluid method. The pattern of a single bubble and the pressure and velocity fields of the surrounding liquid phase during the bubble formation were analyzed and compared with experimental results; based on the comparison, the formation and escape properties of the bubble were further studied. In particular, the effects of static shear force, consistency coefficient, and flow behavior index on the growth and escape time of the bubble were analyzed. The results show that, owing to the effect of velocity on the viscosity of a non-Newtonian drilling fluid, the escape time and volume of the bubble increase with an increase in static shear force, consistency coefficient, and flow behavior index. Among the three parameters, the flow behavior index has the greatest effect. This is because the shear disturbance of a bubble to its surrounding fluid during its growth and escape, caused by the shear thinning of a yield-power-law fluid, reduces the fluid viscosity. The shear thinning decreases, and the resistance to the bubble increases as the flow behavior index approaches 1, leading to larger bubble formation times and separation volumes. An empirical formula for predicting the equivalent radius of bubbles considering the liquid yield stress, inertial force, viscous force, and surface tension is established. The average error of predicting the equivalent radius of detached bubble is 0.80%, which can provide a reference for the better study of bubble migration and flow pattern in non-Newtonian fluid.
One-Piece Titanium Implants: Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Wagner Gunar , Hartung Dieter
Published: April 2021

Purpose. One-piece titanium implants are not routinely used for reconstruction after tooth loss. Several limitations seemed to be apparent although the concept provides a straightforward approach for different clinical situations. A clinical documentation of five prosthetic restorations with one-piece titanium implants serving as a relevant treatment option in dental surgery is pursued. We demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of one-piece titanium implants for fixed dental prosthesis. Detailed descriptions of the technical features and the surgical approach by means of clinical cases are given. The prosthetic workflow when working with one-piece titanium implants is depicted in detail as well as examples for implant-supported tooth replacement in the posterior region and the esthetic zone. Conditions of applications regarding different timing of implant placement using the system and its limitations are discussed. Results. Clinical cases with a follow-up period of up to 10 years are presented to prove the long-term success of one-piece titanium implants in terms of bone and soft-tissue stability respecting the biological criteria for periodontal health. Conclusions. One-piece titanium implants represent a reliable treatment method for single-tooth replacements. Clinical success with long-time bone stability around the implantation site can be achieved. Taken into account the requirements for periodontal tissue stability, uneventful healing without extensive tissue loss is demonstrated by means of clinical cases presenting patients with periodontitis.
Automated Atrial Fibrillation Detection Based on Feature Fusion Using Discriminant Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Shi Jingjing , Chen Chao , Liu Hui , Wang Yinglong , Shu Minglei , Zhu Qing
Published: April 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, with a high disability rate and mortality rate. The early detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation have great clinical significance. In this paper, a multiple feature fusion is proposed to screen out AF recordings from single lead short electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. The proposed method uses discriminant canonical correlation analysis (DCCA) feature fusion. It fully takes intraclass correlation and interclass correlation into consideration and solves the problem of computation and information redundancy with simple series or parallel feature fusion. The DCCA integrates traditional features extracted by expert knowledge and deep learning features extracted by the residual network and gated recurrent unit network to improve the low accuracy of a single feature. Based on the Cardiology Challenge 2017 dataset, the experiments are designed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. In the experiments, the F1 index can reach 88%. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are 91.7%, 90.4%, and 93.2%, respectively.
Research on Optimization of Customized Bus Routes Based on Uncertainty Theory
Authors: Sang Zi , Zhang Bing , Xue Yunqiang , Guan Hongzhi
Published: April 2021

In the optimization process of the routes of customized buses, there are numerous uncertainties in the route planning and setting. In this study, the uncertainty theory is introduced into the optimization problem of a customized bus route, and an uncertain customized bus route optimization model is established, which aims at the minimizing the total mileage of vehicle operation. An improved genetic algorithm is used to solve the model, whose feasibility is verified by a case study. The results show that the optimization model based on the uncertainty theory can yield a reasonable customized bus route optimization scheme, and the total mileage reduced from 35.6 kilometers to 32.2 kilometers. This research provides the theoretical support for the optimization of customized bus routes.
A Hybrid Algorithm for Gas Source Locating Based on Unmanned Vehicles in Dynamic Gas Environment
Authors: Huang Yu , Li Lei , Ji Renxing
Published: April 2021

A new method for locating hazardous gas source based on unmanned vehicles is presented in this paper. Based on the gas sensors and unmanned vehicles, the research on the gas source location algorithm, using the gas concentration of several detection sites as heuristic information, is carried out. When the available information is less, such that the gas diffusion model is unknown, the algorithm can locate the gas leakage source quickly. The proposed algorithm combines particle swarm optimization (PSO) and Nelder–Mead simplex method. Compared with the standard PSO, the proposed algorithm has fewer iterations and faster convergence speed. Finally, the feasibility of the algorithm is verified by digital simulation experiments.
Critical Success Factors for Competitive Advantage in Iranian Pharmaceutical Companies: A Comprehensive MCDM Approach
Authors: Karbassi Yazdi Amir , Muneeb Farhan Muhammad , Wanke Peter Fernandes , Figueiredo Otavio , Mushtaq Irum
Published: April 2021

The unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak strengthened the critical manifestation of the rapid development vs. survival for pharmaceutical companies, deploying strategic conduct worldwide. This study therefore explores the endogenous relationship among pharmaceutical companies’ manufacturing strategy and their performance indicators within the ambit of creating a long-lasting competitive advantage in turbulent times. Very often, it is not possible to launch a cause-effect relationship between performance and their drivers. To achieve this end, multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are employed in a hybrid fashion in this study. The notion has simultaneously ranked critical success factors (CSFs) in the manufacturing strategy and performance indicators in the limelight of managerial perceptions, while controlling the inherent bias concerning the causality direction in the ambit of these two entrenched concepts. A case study on the Iranian pharmaceutical companies is piloted to demonstrate this hybrid-fashion multifarious approach. Overall, the results revealed the most pertinent CSFs that reached superior-performance echelons in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Students’ Perspectives on Learning Practical Nursing Skills: A Focus Group Study in Norway
Authors: Gregersen A. G. , Hansen M. T. , Brynhildsen S. E. A. , Grøndahl V. A. , Leonardsen A. C.
Published: April 2021

Practical nursing skills are complex and involve technical, theoretical, and practical aspects, caring perspectives adjusted to both patient and circumstances, as well as ethical and moral considerations. Patients’ length of stay in hospitals is decreasing, and more advanced patient treatment is conducted in primary healthcare settings. Hence, education and nursing skills need adjustment in line with the rapidly evolving field of practice. Studies emphasize a need to uncover whether the technical aspect of nursing skills, in general, is challenging in students’ learning. The aim of this study was to explore students’ perspectives on practical nursing skills and how they can best learn these. Three focus group interviews were conducted with registered nurse students and intellectual disability nurse students in their last semester (n = 11). Conventional, inductive content analysis in line with recommendations from Hsieh and Shannon was used to analyze the data. Two main categories with subcategories were identified: (1) the content of practical skills, with subcategories (a) human-to-human relations, (b) organizational competence, and (c) technical mastering and (2) building competence, with subcategories (a) need for supervision, (b) planning the learning situations, and (c) relevance for practice. Students experienced that practical skills did not only include technical aspects but also the ability to establish a relationship to the patient and to organize their working day. Supervising was assumed as essential both when training in the simulation center and in clinical placement, as well as planning of the training, respectively. Students experienced that some skills learned in the university college were less relevant in clinical practice and that certain skills were difficult to perform in practice due to the type of clinical placement. Hence, there is a need to review the approach to and content of practical nursing skills’ learning in healthcare undergraduate programs, to prepare students for clinical practice, and to ensure that they build the competence needed in healthcare services.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Viral Infection in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Deress Teshiwal , Million Yihenew , Belachew Teshome , Jemal Mohabaw , Girma Mekonnen
Published: April 2021

Background. Hepatitis C virus is a highly genetically heterogenous bloodborne pathogen that is responsible for acute and chronic hepatitis. Globally, an estimated 71 million population is chronically infected with this virus from which 399,000 people die every year. Its prevalence is high in Ethiopia and varies from region to region, even among different studies within a region. Methods. Electronic databases, including Science Direct, Medline, HINARI, African Journals Online, TRIP database, African Index Medicus, and Directory of Open Access Journals, searched from 2010 to 2020 and published articles were included. Due to evidence of considerable heterogeneity, the pooled prevalence of anti-HCV was analyzed using the random-effects model. The possible sources of heterogeneity were analyzed through subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression. Funnel plots and Egger’s test statistics were used to determine the presence of publication bias. Results. The analysis of 56 articles showed that the prevalence of anti-HCV in Ethiopia ranged from 0% to 22%. The pooled prevalence estimated was 2% (95% CI 2.0–3.0), and the meta-regression statistics indicated that the diagnostic method

p
=
0.037

, study group

p
=
0.005

, and level of bias

p
=
0.035

showed statistically significant association with the outcome variable. The sensitivity analysis claims no influence on the overall effect estimate while removing a single study from the analysis at a time. Egger’s test statistics

p
≤
0.001

declare the presence of publication bias that is handled using time and fill analysis. Conclusions. The pooled prevalence of anti-HCV in Ethiopia was high. Predictor variables, including the diagnostic method, study group, and level of bias, showed a statistically significant relationship with the outcome variable. Strengthening the scope of existing prevention and control programs and implementing novel approaches, including screen-and-treat, could significantly help to tackle this critical public health issue. The study provides a current estimate which is valuable for policymakers and other responsible bodies.
Iterative Learning Consensus Control for Nonlinear Partial Difference Multiagent Systems with Time Delay
Authors: Wang Cun , Dai Xisheng , Li Kene , Zhou Zupeng
Published: April 2021

This paper considers the consensus control problem of nonlinear spatial‐temporal hyperbolic partial difference multiagent systems and parabolic partial difference multiagent systems with time delay. Based on the system’s own fixed topology and the method of generating the desired trajectory by introducing virtual leader, using the consensus tracking error between the agent and the virtual leader agent and neighbor agents in the last iteration, an iterative learning algorithm is proposed. The sufficient condition for the system consensus error to converge along the iterative axis is given. When the iterative learning number k approaches infinity, the consensus error in the sense of the L2 norm between all agents in the system will converge to zero. Furthermore, simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Neuroimaging Findings in Patients with EBF3 Mutations: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Jiménez de la Peña Mar , Jiménez de Domingo Ana , Tirado Pilar , Calleja-Pérez Beatriz , Alcaraz Luis A. , Álvarez Sara , Williams Jonathan , Hagman James R. , Németh Andrea H. , Fernández-Jaén Alberto
Published: April 2021

Early B cell factor 3 (EBF3) is a transcription factor involved in brain development. Heterozygous, loss-of-function mutations in EBF3 have been reported in an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by hypotonia, ataxia, and developmental delay (sometimes described as “HADD”s). We report 2 unrelated cases with novel de novo EBF3 mutations: c.455G>T (p.Arg152Leu) and c.962dup (p.Tyr321*) to expand the genotype/phenotype correlations of this disorder; clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI studies were used to define the phenotype. IQ was in the normal range and diffusion tensor imaging revealed asymmetric alterations of the longitudinal fasciculus in both cases. Our results demonstrate that EBF3 mutations can underlie neurodevelopmental disorders without intellectual disability. Long tract abnormalities have not been previously recognized and suggest that they may be an unrecognized and characteristic feature in this syndrome.