bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Offline Consumer Behavior Tracking
Authors: Kao Yang-Ta , Lin Hsiau-Wen , Qiu Dai-Yi
Published: April 2021

Due to declining trading volume growth in e-commerce platforms, physical channels have attracted considerable investments from various large international companies (e.g. Alibaba, JD, Walmart, Wanda, and Wuzhou International). However, e-commerce platforms can track consumers’ behaviors (attraction to landing page design, clicks on certain products, consumer behavior trajectory tracking, clicks on advertisements, and internal link optimization of product pages), a feat unachievable in current physical channels. Consequently, this study attempted to apply the characteristics of online channels in a physical channel by using image object tracking and image detection techniques. Through this inclusion, physical channels are capable of providing consumers with more favorable experience and interaction, and brick-and-mortar store owners can obtain a more accurate understanding of consumer behaviors of store consumers. Information acquired through this system can be provided to store owners to serve as reference for merchandise placement, arrangement of display shelves, and consumer circulation path planning. This study used the technique of image processing to locate the Region of Interest and applied object tracking to get the consumer’s trajectory which successfully implemented the consumer-tracking characteristics of online platforms in a physical channel while retaining the unique experience of the physical channel. This results in a win–win scenario for businesses and consumers.
Log-Polar Facial Recognition Using Minimum Feature Band
Authors: Sato Yoshihiro , Bao Yue
Published: April 2021

There is an increasing demand for biometric security systems in several fields. This study presents a highly accurate facial recognition method that uses high-speed transformation and facial morphing using region-limited log-polar transformation based on a center point calculated from the coordinates of both eyes and corners of the mouth. Log-polar transformation is limited to the region, so that the region including the feature can be suppressed to the minimum range, thereby facilitating high-speed transformation. Additionally, after facial morphing, the shapes of the eyes and mouth are altered based on the outline of the face, enabling high-precision facial recognition. The efficacy of the proposed method is verified experimentally. Therefore, we can confirm that 91.72% of images using the color FERET database and 96% of images using the FEI face database can be recognized using our method.
The fibers of the ramified Prym map
Authors: Frediani Paola , Naranjo Juan Carlos , Spelta Irene
Published: April 2021

We study the ramified Prym map [Formula: see text] which assigns to a ramified double cover of a smooth irreducible curve of genus [Formula: see text] ramified in [Formula: see text] points the Prym variety of the covering. We focus on the six cases where the dimension of the source is strictly greater than the dimension of the target giving a geometric description of the generic fiber. We also give an explicit example of a totally geodesic curve which is an irreducible component of a fiber of the Prym map [Formula: see text].
Relaxed highest-weight modules II: Classifications for affine vertex algebras
Authors: Kawasetsu Kazuya , Ridout David
Published: April 2021

This is the second of a series of papers devoted to the study of relaxed highest-weight modules over affine vertex algebras and W-algebras. The first [K. Kawasetsu and D. Ridout, Relaxed highest-weight modules I: Rank [Formula: see text] cases, Commun. Math. Phys. 368 (2019) 627–663, arXiv:1803.01989 [math.RT]] studied the simple “rank-[Formula: see text]” affine vertex superalgebras [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], with the main results including the first complete proofs of certain conjectured character formulae (as well as some entirely new ones). Here, we turn to the question of classifying relaxed highest-weight modules for simple affine vertex algebras of arbitrary rank. The key point is that this can be reduced to the classification of highest-weight modules by generalizing Olivier Mathieu’s coherent families [O. Mathieu, Classification of irreducible weight modules, Ann. Inst. Fourier [Formula: see text]Grenoble[Formula: see text] 50 (2000) 537–592]. We formulate this algorithmically and illustrate its practical implementation with several detailed examples. We also show how to use coherent family technology to establish the non-semisimplicity of category [Formula: see text] in one of these examples.
Non-existence of dead cores in fully nonlinear elliptic models
Authors: da Silva João Vitor , dos Prazeres Disson , Ramos Quoirin Humberto
Published: April 2021

We investigate non-existence of non-negative dead core solutions for the problem [Formula: see text] Here, [Formula: see text] is a bounded smooth domain, [Formula: see text] is a fully nonlinear elliptic operator, [Formula: see text] is a sign-changing weight, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. We show that this problem has no nontrivial dead core solutions if either [Formula: see text] is close enough to [Formula: see text] or the negative part of [Formula: see text] is sufficiently small. In addition, we obtain the existence and uniqueness of a positive solution under these conditions on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Our results extend previous ones established in the semilinear case, and are new even for the simple model [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a uniformly elliptic and non-negative matrix.
Thermodynamic formalism for invariant measures in iterated function systems with overlaps
Authors: Mihailescu Eugen
Published: April 2021

We study images of equilibrium (Gibbs) states for a class of non-invertible transformations associated to conformal iterated function systems (IFSs) with overlaps [Formula: see text]. We prove exact dimensionality for these image measures, and find a dimension formula using their overlap numbers. In particular, we obtain a geometric formula for the dimension of self-conformal measures for IFSs with overlaps, in terms of the overlap numbers. This implies a necessary and sufficient condition for dimension drop. If [Formula: see text] is a self-conformal measure, then [Formula: see text] if and only if the overlap number [Formula: see text]. Examples are also discussed.
Multiplicity of negative-energy solutions for singular-superlinear Schrödinger equations with indefinite-sign potential
Authors: Alves Ricardo Lima , Santos Carlos Alberto , Silva Kaye
Published: April 2021

We are concerned with the multiplicity of positive solutions for the singular superlinear and subcritical Schrödinger equation [Formula: see text] beyond the Nehari extremal value, as defined in [Y. Il’yasov, On extreme values of Nehari manifold via nonlinear Rayleigh’s quotient, Topol. Methods Nonlinear Anal. 49 (2017) 683–714], when the potential [Formula: see text] may change its sign, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a positive continuous function, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a real parameter. The main difficulties come from the non-differentiability of the energy functional and the fact that the intersection of the boundaries of the connected components of the Nehari set is non-empty. We overcome these difficulties by exploring topological structures of that boundary to build non-empty sets whose boundaries have empty intersection and minimizing over them by controlling the energy level.
NONLOCAL CONTINUUM ADAPTIVE ELASTIC BONE-COLUMN BUCKLING MODEL
Authors: BENNACEUR H. , RAMTANI S. , OUTTAS T. , BOUKHAROUBA T.
Published: April 2021

It is well argued that stability-initiated failure dominates, especially in older bone, because of the instability of single trabeculae which is prone to inelastic buckling at stresses far less than expected for strength-based failure. It is also well known that when several horizontal struts have disappeared, trabecula fails due to compression-buckling load. In this contribution, our main goal is to improve, from theoretical point of view, the mechanistic understanding of bone buckling failure which is known to be at the core of important clinical problems. For that and with respect to previous works, an attempt is made in order to establish a simplified adaptive-beam buckling model, formulated within the context of the nonlocal adaptive continuum mechanics, from which numerical computations were performed in order to get a better knowledge about bone-column buckling mechanism affected by both bone density and bone density gradient distributions restricted to Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. An attempt is made to compare the experimental data with the response of our simplified model. For that, controlled buckling tests of single trabeculae were carried out from three medial tibia end sections (knee joint).
Spherical magnetic flux flows with fractional Heisenberg spherical ferromagnetic spin of optical spherical flux density with fractional applications
Authors: Korpinar Talat , Korpinar Zeliha
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we construct a new approach of spherical magnetic Lorentz flux of spherical [Formula: see text]-magnetic flows of particles by the spherical frame in [Formula: see text] spherical space. Eventually, we obtain some optical conditions of spherical [Formula: see text]-magnetic Lorentz flux by using directional spherical fields. Moreover, we determine spherical magnetic Lorentz flux for spherical vector fields. Also, we give new construction for spherical curvatures of spherical [Formula: see text]-magnetic flows by considering Heisenberg spherical ferromagnetic spin. The approximate solution is expressed by a table and some graphics. Finally, the magnetic flux surface is demonstrated in a static and uniform magnetic surface by using the analytical and numerical results.
An Uncertain Single-Server Queueing Model
Authors: Yao Kai
Published: April 2021

In the queueing theory, the interarrival times between customers and the service times for customers are usually regarded as random variables. This paper considers human uncertainty in a queueing system, and proposes an uncertain queueing model in which the interarrival times and the service times are regarded as uncertain variables. The busyness index is derived analytically which indicates the service efficiency of a queueing system. Besides, the uncertainty distribution of the busy period is obtained.
Two-Stage Distributionally Robust Optimization for a Two-Allocation p-Hub Median Problem
Authors: Wang Congke , Liu Yankui , Zhang Peiyu , Yang Guoqing
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a novel two-stage distributionally robust optimization model of the two-allocation p-hub median problem with different hub link scales. With the objective of minimizing overall costs of building and operating the hub network, the choices of hub locations and hub link scales are decided in the first stage, while the optimal flows are determined in the second stage once the uncertain demands have been realized. Before establishing the hub network, we just have partial distribution information about the uncertain flow demands, which can be described by a given perturbation set based on the historical information. Due to the ambiguous distributions leading to a computationally intractable model, we reformulate the proposed model into the tractable robust counterpart forms under two types of uncertainty sets (Box[Formula: see text]ellipsoidal perturbation set and Generalized ellipsoidal perturbation set). Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability for our model, we conduct a case study for the express network system in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.
On the Categories of L-Valued and Q-Valued Deterministic Fuzzy Automata
Authors: Dubey M. K. , Tiwari S. P. , Kavikumar J.
Published: April 2021

Automata and languages have been studied in the context of different lattice structures by several authors. This paper is toward the categorical study of deterministic lattice-valued ([Formula: see text]-valued) fuzzy automata and deterministic quantale-valued ([Formula: see text]-valued) fuzzy automata. The existence of initial and final objects in the subcategory of category of deterministic lattice-valued fuzzy automata is shown. We also show that there is an adjunction between the category of deterministic lattice-valued and quantale-valued fuzzy automata.
Chilled Coil Performance Control and Application to Turbine Inlet Air Cooling
Authors: Anand Gopalakrishnan , Makar Ellen
Published: April 2021

The Absorption Refrigeration Cycle Turbine Inlet Conditioning (ARCTIC) system can chill the inlet air of the turbine to maintain optimum turbine performance at all ambient temperatures. However, turbine characteristics and bell-mouth icing concerns impose a minimum temperature limitation on the chilled air. Performance guarantees may also require maintaining the inlet air temperature within a narrow range throughout the year. These considerations require accurate prediction of the chilling coil performance over a wide range of operating conditions and the development of a robust controls strategy. A modified wet-surface model is used to model the chilling coil performance. The application of the model to a 2110[Formula: see text]kW (600 RT) ARCTIC providing inlet air chilling for a MARS 100 turbine is considered. A control strategy is developed to maintain the inlet air temperature at the desired set point with varying ambient temperatures and chilling loads. The TIAC controls help maintain the inlet air temperature at 7.22∘C to maximize turbine capacity and efficiency during most of the hot/warm days and accommodates 100% turndown. Additional safety measures are incorporated to prevent bell-mouth icing.
A Comparison of Thermal and Magnetic Behaviors in Triangular, Square and Pentagonal Husimi-Like Structures: Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Fadil Z. , Mhirech A. , Kabouchi B. , Bahmad L. , Benomar W. Ousi
Published: April 2021

In this work, Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to investigate the magnetic properties and thermal behavior of different Husimi-like structures: triangular, square and pentagonal. In fact, the Blume-Capel model has been adopted to study such Husimi lattices in the framework of the Ising model spin-1. Furthermore, we have examined the computed blocking temperatures. Also, the behavior of each Husimi geometry has been studied and discussed. Besides, the effects of the magnetization versus the crystal field, the exchange coupling interaction and the external magnetic field have been investigated. Such comparison of triangular, square and pentagonal Husimi-like structures allowed us to deduce interesting properties related to the geometry of each structure.
Optimization of Ni/Ag-Based Reflectors to Improve the Performance of 273 nm Deep Ultraviolet AlGaN-Based Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Sim Kee-Baek , Kim Su-Kyung , Lee Hwa-Seub , Lee Sang-Youl , Seong Tae-Yeon , Amano Hiroshi
Published: April 2021

We optimized Ni/Ag-based p-type reflectors for the improvement of efficiency of 273 nm deep ultraviolet (DUV) AlGaN-based flip-chip light emitting diodes (FCLEDs). The Ni(3 nm)/Ag(5–15 nm)/Al/Ni and Ni(25–50 nm)/Ag/Ni contacts exhibited higher reflectance (36.4–39.5%) at 273 nm than reference Ni(5 nm)/Au(5 nm)/Al/Ni contact (26.1%). The Ni(3 nm)/Ag/Al(200 nm)/Ni(20 nm) and Ni/Ag(200 nm)/Ni(20 nm)-based FCLEDs gave forward voltages in the rage of 6.93–7.11 V and 5.5–6.28 V at 20 mA, respectively, whereas the Ni/Au-based sample showed 6.35 V. Further, the Ni(3 nm)/Ag(10 nm)/Al/Ni-based and Ni(50 nm)/Ag(200 nm)/Ni-based samples exhibited 4.85% and 13.4% larger output power at 1.2 W than the reference sample. The Ni(3 nm)/Ag(10 nm)-based and Ni(50 nm)/Ag(200 nm)/Ni-based samples produced 5.6% and 8.5% higher peak external quantum efficiency than the reference sample. It was further shown that the Ni(3 nm)/Ag(10 nm)/Al/Ni-based and Ni(50 nm)/Ag(200 nm)/Ni-based samples experienced less efficiency droop (namely, 27.9 and 26.4%, respectively) than the reference sample (31.4%). Based on the scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy results, the ohmic formation mechanism is described and discussed.
Application of Wireless Dynamic Sleep Monitor in Acupuncture Treatment of Insomnia after Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Song Yujuan , Wang Xuebing , Schubert Friedrich
Published: April 2021

Purpose. Retrospective analysis of the clinical effect of acupuncture on insomnia after ischemic stroke by using a wireless sleep monitor as an innovative evaluation method. Methods. From March 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019, 105 cases of insomnia after ischemic stroke were extracted from the inpatient medical record system of Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital. According to differences in the treatment plan, the cases were divided into an acupuncture group (57 cases) and a drug group (48 cases). The acupuncture group was given acupuncture treatment on the basis of usual care, while the drug group was given estazolam oral treatment on the basis of usual care. Under the ICF framework, the related items of sleep function and emotion function were selected for evaluation. As outcome parameters, the alterations of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and the self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used before the treatment, after treatment, and in a follow-up; meanwhile, the ActiSleep-BT wireless sleep monitor was used to measure total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and sleep arousal (SA) of the two groups before and after treatment and at follow-up. Results. Within-group comparison showed significant differences in the acupuncture group before treatment and after treatment on the ActiSleep-BT wireless dynamic sleep monitor data as well as in PSQI and ICF. Comparing the acupuncture group with the control group also showed significant differences in the ActiSleep-BT wireless dynamic sleep monitor data, PSQI, and ICF. Conclusion. By evaluation using ActiSleep-BT wireless sleep monitor, acupuncture treated insomnia after ischemic stroke; the effect is better than usual care.
The Influence of Confining Stresses on Rock Fragmentation, Thrust Force, and Penetration Energy in Sandstone Indentation Tests Using Disc Cutters
Authors: Wang Gaofeng , Ren Ting , Zhu Gaolei
Published: April 2021

Hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) engaging disc cutters as cutting tools have been employed in considerable underground coal mines to accommodate the requirement of more stone drivage as operations are going deeper. This study conducted a set of disc cutter indentation tests to explore the influence of confining stresses on rock fragmentation, thrust force, and penetration energy on sandstone, which is commonly encountered in underground coal mines. The test results show that there exists a critical confining stress, under which the maximum thrust force and penetration energy keep increasing with confining stress mounting while the maximum thrust force and penetration energy will decrease or flatten if it is surpassed. By combining with previous studies and comparing the critical confining stress values to the rock mechanical properties’ values, the critical value is most likely to be of cohesion. For subsurface rock fragmentation, the Constant Cross Section (CCS) disc cutter indentation has denser cracks and their orientations are more lateral than those under the V shape one; the V shape disc cutter indentation is less sensitive to confining stresses, with no notable increase of crack number and crack reorientation with increasing confinement. Thus, the CCS disc cutter is more favorable than the V shape one from the perspective of rock fragmentation under confining stresses.
Classification and Design of HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Zhou Junlin , Hao Juan , Peng Lianxin , Duan Huaichuan , Luo Qing , Yan Hailian , Wan Hua , Hu Yichen , Liang Li , Xie Zhenjian , Liu Wei , Zhao Gang , Hu Jianping
Published: April 2021

A key enzyme in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle, integrase (IN) aids the integration of viral DNA into the host DNA, which has become an ideal target for the development of anti-HIV drugs. A total of 1785 potential HIV-1 IN inhibitors were collected from the databases of ChEMBL, Binding Database, DrugBank, and PubMed, as well as from 40 references. The database was divided into the training set and test set by random sampling. By exploring the correlation between molecular descriptors and inhibitory activity, it is found that the classification and specific activity data of inhibitors can be more accurately predicted by the combination of molecular descriptors and molecular fingerprints. The calculation of molecular fingerprint descriptor provides the additional substructure information to improve the prediction ability. Based on the training set, two machine learning methods, the recursive partition (RP) and naive Bayes (NB) models, were used to build the classifiers of HIV-1 IN inhibitors. Through the test set verification, the RP technique accurately predicted 82.5% inhibitors and 86.3% noninhibitors. The NB model predicted 88.3% inhibitors and 87.2% noninhibitors with correlation coefficient of 85.2%. The results show that the prediction performance of NB model is slightly better than that of RP, and the key molecular segments are also obtained. Additionally, CoMFA and CoMSIA models with good activity prediction ability both were constructed by exploring the structure-activity relationship, which is helpful for the design and optimization of HIV-1 IN inhibitors.
Optimizing DODAG Build with RPL Protocol
Authors: Niu Xin
Published: April 2021

In the lossy wireless network routing system based on RPL technology, an improved DODAG construction optimization scheme is proposed for sensor nodes with low-power dissipation in the interference environment. If a node discovers that all paths between it and its neighbors have failed, the node reset action begins. Once the node reset is complete, the DODAG system build process is resumed. This prevents the DODAG root from initiating a global fix by incrementing the DODAG VersionNumer to produce a new version of the DODAG in a disruptive environment. The power loss caused by this global repair operation is avoided. The performance of DODAG in interference environment is enhanced, and the data retransmission rate is reduced.
MDR1 Genotypes and Haplotypes Are Closely Associated with Postoperative Fentanyl Consumption in Patients Undergoing Radical Gastrectomy
Authors: Zhang Fan , Tong Jianbin , Qing Wenxiang , Hu Zhonghua , Hu Jie , Liao Qin
Published: April 2021

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid analgesic, and its analgesic effect is greatly different among individuals. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of multidrug resistance gene-1 (MDR1) genetic variation on postoperative fentanyl consumption. A total of 135 patients, who planned to undergo radical gastrectomy with general anesthesia, were studied. The subjects received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) by intravenous fentanyl within 48 hours after operation and maintained a numerical rating scale (NRS)

score
≤
3

. The consumption and side effects of fentanyl were recorded within 24 hours and 48 hours after the operation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of all patients with MDR1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, and 3435C>T were screened by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) or DNA sequence analysis after PCR. There was no difference in postoperative fentanyl consumption among patients having 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T polymorphisms (all

P
>
0.05

). MDR1 1236C>T polymorphisms and haplotypes combined by three SNPs, however, significantly affected postoperative fentanyl consumption (all

P
<
0.05

). Moreover, 1236TT genotype carriers consumed more fentanyl during 24 hours (

P
=
0.038

) and 48 hours (

P
=
0.003

) postoperatively. The MDR1 TTT haplotype carriers needed more fentanyl compared with the CGC haplotype carriers during the first 48 hours after surgery (

P
=
0.017

). Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness were not found to have significant differences among the above three SNPs and their haplotypes (

P
>
0.05

). MDR1 1236C>T polymorphism and haplotypes were factors contributing to the individual variability in postoperative fentanyl consumption.
On Strongly Convex Functions via Caputo–Fabrizio-Type Fractional Integral and Some Applications
Authors: Li Qi , Saleem Muhammad Shoaib , Yan Peiyu , Zahoor Muhammad Sajid , Imran Muhammad
Published: April 2021

The theory of convex functions plays an important role in the study of optimization problems. The fractional calculus has been found the best to model physical and engineering processes. The aim of this paper is to study some properties of strongly convex functions via the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional integral operator. In this paper, we present Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities for strongly convex functions via the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional integral operator. Some new inequalities of strongly convex functions involving the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional integral operator are also presented. Moreover, we present some applications of the proposed inequalities to special means.
Visual Sequelae of Computer Vision Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
Authors: Iqbal Mohammed , Said Omar , Ibrahim Ola , Soliman Ashraf
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To assess the visual, ocular, extraocular, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) outcomes of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students. Methods. This study was designed as a cross-sectional case-control study that included 733 medical students. All students completed a specially designed and validated CVS questionnaire survey (CVS-F3). Students from the control (No-CVS) and CVS groups underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations including the mfERG examinations. Our main outcome measures included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA, resp.) measurements, subjective and cycloplegic refractions, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement, pupillary reflexes tests, ocular movements’ tests, dry eye disease tests, and fundus and mfERG examinations. Results. The CVS-F3 identified that 87.9% of students had complaints that might be related to CVS. We documented a 76% prevalence rate in students undergoing an ophthalmologic exam. The most common ocular and extraocular complaints included visual blur and headache (40.9% and 46.8%, resp.). Statistical logistic and linear regression analyses showed that refractive errors, prolonged screen-hours, close eye-screen distance, improper gaze angle, poor screen-resolution, and screen-glare were risk factors for developing CVS and influencing its severity. In the mfERG subgroup, 42.5% demonstrated reduced amplitudes of mfERG rings and quadrants, indicating reduced foveal responses. Conclusion. Surveys cannot yield an accurate CVS prevalence. However, they help to identify subjects at risk who should be comprehensively assessed to confirm or exclude CVS diagnosis. Smartphone misuse primarily caused CVS among users. Our mfERG findings might be a sign of potential CVS visual sequelae; however, future studies are warranted. Clinicians need to understand these sequelae to appropriately identify and treat CVS.
Whole-Transcriptome RNA Sequencing Reveals Significant Differentially Expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs and Related Regulating Biological Pathways in the Peripheral Blood of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Li Cai-xia , Chen Jian , Lv Shu-kai , Li Jin-hui , Li Lei-lei , Hu Xiao
Published: April 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initially identified in China and currently worldwide dispersed, resulting in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Notably, COVID-19 is characterized by systemic inflammation. However, the potential mechanisms of the “cytokine storm” of COVID-19 are still limited. In this study, fourteen peripheral blood samples from COVID-19 patients (

n
=
10

) and healthy donors (

n
=
4

) were collected to perform the whole-transcriptome sequencing. Lung tissues of COVID-19 patients (70%) presenting with ground-glass opacity. Also, the leukocytes and lymphocytes were significantly decreased in COVID-19 compared with the control group (

p
<
0.05

). In total, 25,482 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DE mRNA), 23 differentially expressed microRNAs (DE miRNA), and 410 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (DE lncRNAs) were identified in the COVID-19 samples compared to the healthy controls. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the upregulated DE mRNAs were mainly involved in antigen processing and presentation of endogenous antigen, positive regulation of T cell mediated cytotoxicity, and positive regulation of gamma-delta T cell activation. The downregulated DE mRNAs were mainly concentrated in the glycogen biosynthetic process. We also established the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of up/downregulated DE mRNAs and identified 4 modules. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that these module targets were associated with positive regulation of cytokine production, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, leukocyte differentiation, and migration. A total of 6 hub genes were selected in the PPI module networks including AKT1, TNFRSF1B, FCGR2A, CXCL8, STAT3, and TLR2. Moreover, a competing endogenous RNA network showed the interactions between lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs. Our results highlight the potential pathogenesis of excessive cytokine production such as MSTRG.119845.30/hsa-miR-20a-5p/TNFRSF1B, MSTRG.119845.30/hsa-miR-29b-2-5p/FCGR2A, and MSTRG.106112.2/hsa-miR-6501-5p/STAT3 axis, which may also play an important role in the development of ground-glass opacity in COVID-19 patients. This study gives new insights into inflammation regulatory mechanisms of coding and noncoding RNAs in COVID-19, which may provide novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic avenues for COVID-19 patients.
Energy Efficient and Real-Time Remote Sensing in AI-Powered Drone
Authors: Kim Bongjae , Jung Jinman , Min Hong , Heo Junyoung
Published: April 2021

Remote sensing using drones has the advantage of being able to quickly monitor large areas such as rivers, oceans, mountains, and urban areas. In the case of applications dealing with large sensing data, it is not possible to send data from a drone to the server online, so it must be copied to the server offline after the end of the flight. However, online transmission is essential for applications that require real-time data analysis. The existing computation offloading scheme enables online transmission by processing large amounts of data in a drone and transferring it to the server, but without consideration for real-time constraints. We propose a novel computation offloading scheme which considers real-time constraints while minimizing the energy consumption of drones. Experimental results showed that the proposed scheme satisfied real-time constraints compared to the existing computation offloading scheme. Furthermore, the proposed technique showed that real-time constraints were satisfied even in situations where delays occurred on the server due to the processing of requests from multiple drones.
Maternal Prepregnancy Weight and Pregnancy Outcomes in Saudi Women: Subgroup Analysis from Riyadh Mother and Baby Cohort Study (RAHMA)
Authors: Wahabi Hayfaa , Esmaeil Samia , Fayed Amel
Published: April 2021

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of prepregnancy overweight/obesity and underweight among Saudi mothers and to determine the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with them. Methods. This is a subgroup analysis from a Riyadh mother and baby cohort study. Participants were divided into four groups according to prepregnancy BMI. Participants with normal BMI were the reference group. Groups were compared in relation to pregnancy‐related obstetric, as well as fetal and neonatal complications. A regression model was used to control for covariates, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results. A total of 7,029 women were included, 29.7% had normal BMI, 33.3% were overweight, 34.8% were obese, and 2.2% were underweight. Obesity was associated with increased odds of gestational diabetes (AOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.73‐2.47), hypertensive events in pregnancy (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.19‐3.91), induction of labour (IOL) (AOR 1.40, 95% CI, 1.19‐1.65), failed IOL (AOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.40‐3.25), and delivery by emergency caesarean section (CS) (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.39‐2.01). Infants of obese women had increased odds of macrosomia (AOR 3.73, 95% CI 2.33‐5.98). Overweight women had increased odds of CS delivery (AOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03‐1.5) and failed IOL (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09‐2.60). Underweight women had increased odds of delivering a low birth weight (LBW) infant (AOR 2.49, 95% CI, 1.58‐3.92). Conclusion. The prevalence of prepregnancy overweight and obesity is very high in Saudi Arabia. Prepregnancy obesity is associated with GDM and hypertensive events inpregnancy, IOL, failed IOL, and CS delivery. Infants of obese mothers were at higher risk of macrosomia, while underweight women were at increased risk of delivering LBW infants.
Wood Loss Assessment in Forest of Sal (Shorea robusta) by Heart Rot of Central Terai of Nepal
Authors: Tripathi Shankar , Adhikari Yojana
Published: April 2021

A significant volume of wood was lost due to wood defects; however, few studies were done to quantify wood loss by wood defects. This study was focused on quantifying wood loss by heart rot, especially hollowness in Shorea robusta. The study was conducted in Tileswornath community forest of Rautahat district. The data were collected from the felling site of the regeneration felling block of Tileswornath community forest. 44 trees were selected randomly, and tree diameter, total height, and volume were measured. The destructive method was followed as heart rot cannot be visible from the surface. Felled trees were sanctioned into 285 logs and separated based on the hollowness. Hollow diameters at both thin end and mid and thick end, as well as length, were measured on the hollow log, and Smalian’s formula was used to calculate the volume of hollowed portion, and volume calculation formula for the cylinder was used to calculate total volume. For the solid logs, mid diameter and length of the log were measured and volume calculation formula for the cylinder was used to calculate total volume. Logistic regression was performed to identify the relation of total height and diameter with the probability of hollowness presence. The study showed that 59% of sampled trees and 34.39% of logs were found to be hollowed due to heart rot. 41.79% volume was occupied by hollow on the hollowed log. Logistic regression discards the relation of height to the hollowness but signified the relation of diameter to the probability of hollowness presence. Before implementation of scientific forest management modality, the timber retained in stump per tree was found as 0.18 cubic feet.
Effect of Modified Deformed Steel Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Artificial Granite
Authors: Qiao Xuetao , Wang Peng , Yan Cunfu , Li Fang , Wu Long
Published: April 2021

In order to explore the influence of the shape and surface treatment of steel fiber on the mechanical properties of artificial granite matrix, the drawing models of W‐type, L‐type, V‐type, and I‐type steel fiber are established, the pull‐out force of different shapes of steel fiber is calculated theoretically, and a large number of experimental specimens are made for the pull‐out test of steel fiber and material strength test. Both theory and experiment show that W‐type steel fiber has the greatest influence in artificial granite. The steel fibers with different shapes were treated with KH‐550 silane coupling agent. Then the steel fibers with different shapes before and after treatment were put into the artificial granite matrix for pull‐out test and material strength test. The results showed that, compared with L‐type, V‐type, and I‐type steel fibers before and after KH‐550 silane coupling agent treatment, W‐type steel fibers after KH‐550 silane coupling agent treatment have the best strength enhancement effect in artificial granite matrix.
Influence of the Multifunctional Biological Product Phytop 26.82 on the Growth and Development of Seed Potatoes
Authors: Maslennikova Vladislava , Tsvetkova Vera , Petrov Andrey , Galeev Rinat , Shulga Maxim , Gavrilets Natalia , Ryumkin Sergey , Shulga Anastasia , Ryadskiy Evgeniy , Koloshina Kristina , Ryumkina Inga
Published: April 2021

The study aimed to test a multifunctional technology for potatoes’ biological protection using Phytop 26.82 against black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) and Colorado potato beetle in Western Siberia. The experiment was conducted with the medium-maturing variety “Kemerovchanin.” The product tested was Phytop 26.82. The research methodology was carried out both in laboratory conditions and in the field. In the laboratory, the biological product was used on potato leaves and Colorado potato beetle larvae. The authors revealed the degree of influence of the natural effect Phytop 26.82 on the Colorado potato beetle’s larvae of different ages. The larvae were counted on the 5th, 7th, and 10th days of the experiment. In the field, the authors also revealed the level of the immunogenic effect of the bioagent Phytop 26.82 on the Rhizoctonia stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn). The morphological parameters of the Kemerovchanin potato variety were observed during the course of this study. The results of the study showed that the microbial mixture Phytop 26.82 made it possible to increase the biomass of plants by 1.5–1.8 times due to an increase in the length of the aerial part (by 10%), the number of stems (1.2–1.7 times), and the number of stolons (1.5–1.6 times) compared to control. Under the bioagent, Phytop 26.82, Rhizoctonia stem canker on the stems decreased by 45% overall counting weeks. The effectiveness of the bioagent Phytop 26.82 reached 100% in two aspects. One of them was the effectiveness of a biological product in the Colorado potato beetle’s obliteration (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). The second direction of significance was the fight against the black scurf. The use of a mixture of bioagents of the Phytop 26.82 preparation can simultaneously have an insecticidal, fungicidal, and growth-stimulating effect on potatoes.
A Single-Label Model to Ensure Data Consistency in Information Security
Authors: Bakir Cigdem
Published: April 2021

Information security is defined as preventing actions such as unauthorized access and use, modification, and removal of information. It consists of certain basic elements of confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility. There are numerous studies in published literature which have been conducted to ensure information security. However, there is no previous study that covers these three basic elements together. In the present study, a model that includes these three key elements of information security together for big data was proposed and implemented. With this proposed “single-label model,” a more practical and flexible structure was established for all operations (read, write, update, and delete) performed on a database on real data. In previous studies conducted with a label model, separate labels were used for read-only or write-only operations, and there was no structure that could ensure both confidentiality and integrity at the same time. The present study, however, shows what type of authorization and access control could be established between which processes and which users by looking at a single label for all the operations performed on the data. Thus, in contrast to the previous studies seen in published literature, data confidentiality, data integrity, and data consistency were all guaranteed for all transactions. The results of the proposed single-label model were also shown comparatively by conducting an experimental study of its application. The results obtained are promising for further studies.
Drug-Wide Association Study (DWAS): Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Wang Youjin , Gadalla Shahinaz M.
Published: April 2021

Cancer risk associations with commonly prescribed medications have been mainly evaluated in hypothesis-driven studies that focus on one drug at a time. Agnostic drug-wide association studies (DWAS) offer an alternative approach to simultaneously evaluate associations between a large number of drugs with one or more cancers using large-scale electronic health records. Although cancer DWAS approaches are promising, a number of challenges limit their applicability. This includes the high likelihood of false positivity; lack of biological considerations; and methodological shortcomings, such as inability to tightly control for confounders. As such, the value of DWAS is currently restricted to hypothesis generation with detected signals needing further evaluation. In this commentary, we discuss those challenges in more detail and summarize the approaches to overcome them by using published cancer DWAS studies, including the accompanied article by Støer and colleagues. Despite current concerns, DWAS future is filled with opportunities for developing innovative analytic methods and techniques that incorporate pharmacology, epidemiology, cancer biology, and genetics.

See related article by Støer et al., p. 682
Breast Tissue Composition—Why It Matters and How Can We Measure It More Accurately in Epidemiology Studies
Authors: Oskar Sabine , Kehm Rebecca , Terry Mary Beth
Published: April 2021

Early-life body size has been consistently associated with breast cancer risk. The direction of the association changes over time, with high birth weight, smaller adolescent body size, and adult weight gain all increasing breast cancer risk. There is also a clear positive association between larger body size and increased breast adipose tissue measured by mammograms, but less is known about how body size changes across life stages affect stromal and epithelial breast tissue. Using breast tissue slides from women with benign breast disease, Oh and colleagues applied machine learning methods to evaluate body size across the life course and adipose, epithelial, and stromal tissue concentrations in adulthood. They found consistent patterns for higher adipose and lower stromal tissue concentrations with larger childhood and adult body size at age 18 years. They reported lower levels of epithelial tissue with larger body size at 18 years, but not at other time periods. Additional studies examining how body size at different life stages may affect breast tissue composition will be important. Noninvasive methods that can provide measures of breast tissue composition may offer potential ways forward to ensure generalizability, and repeated measurements by life stage.

See related article by Oh et al., p. 608
Improving the Process of Screening for Medical Financial Hardship in Oncology Practice
Authors: Yabroff K. Robin , Bradley Cathy J. , Shih Ya-Chen Tina
Published: April 2021

Medical financial hardship, including problems paying medical bills, distress, and forgoing care because of cost, is increasingly common among patients receiving cancer treatment and cancer survivors across the economic spectrum. Little is known, however, about provider practices for identifying patients who experience financial hardship and the strategies for mitigating hardship and addressing patient needs. In this editorial, we discuss a study of practices within the NCI Community Oncology Research Program. McLouth and colleagues found disparities in the use of screening and financial navigation and reliance on inadequate screening methods. To address these disparities, we emphasize the importance of comprehensive and ongoing financial hardship screening throughout the course of cancer treatment and survivorship care, as well as the necessity of accompanying counseling, navigation, and referrals. We also recommend key attributes of screening tools and a process for systematic implementation within clinical practice. With adverse health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting people who are racial or ethnic minorities, uninsured or underinsured, or living in poverty, the need to address medical financial hardship is more urgent than ever, to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity for high quality cancer treatment and survival.

See related article by McLouth et al., p. 669
Breast Cancer Surgery Experiences and Outcomes in Sex and Gender Minority Individuals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Arthur EK , Ridgway E , Lee CN
Published: April 2021

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to summarize and critique contemporary research describing the experiences and outcomes of sex and gender minority (SGM) individuals with breast cancer surgery through systematic literature review. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search using keywords and subject headings to elicit studies that addressed experiences and outcomes of SGM breast cancer survivors in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and LGBT Life. Studies were included if (1) participants were breast cancer survivors who identified as sexual and gender minority (SGM) women or transgender men; (2) one or more of the following were reported: experiences, preferences, or needs related to breast cancer care or surgical treatment decision-making, as well as interactions with healthcare providers and support persons; (3) they were published in English; and (4) they were published in the last 20 years. Covidence® was used to document the inclusion/exclusion process. Included studies were assessed using The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. The authors performed thematic content analysis to identify emergent themes. Results: The search yielded 115 records, and seven studies were included in the final critical appraisal. All studies were qualitative with sample sizes ranging n=10–81, and quality scores ranged 6–8 out of 10. Studies were performed in the U.S. and Canada, and included sexual and gender diverse individuals. Major themes were identified: 1) surgical decision-making, 2) experiences of the post-surgical body, 3) information and support seeking, and 4) interactions with healthcare providers. Subthemes are explored, including body image vs. function, gender policing and politicizing of the body, and intersectionality. Conclusions: SGM breast cancer survivors have unique experiences of healthcare access, decision-making, and quality of life in survivorship. Researchers and clinicians must consider SGM breast cancer survivors' personal values and preferences for treatment, as well as their support network. Culturally sensitive healthcare provider interactions are critical for reducing health disparities in cancer care access and quality of life outcomes.