bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of electrical stimulation with a cochlear implant on tinnitus impact: protocol of an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Assouly Kelly , Smit Adriana L , Stegeman Inge
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external stimulus, often experienced as a ringing, buzzing sound. While several studies have shown a reduction in tinnitus distress following cochlear implantation, others showed an increase or no change after implantation. At this stage, clinicians have little certainty when counselling their patients prior to implantation regarding tinnitus post-implantation. To help clinicians to counsel cochlear implant (CI) candidates on the risk of developing or improving tinnitus after implantation, we aim to assess the effect of electrical stimulation with a CI on tinnitus impact for individual adult patients with tinnitus. We will also apply prediction models to individual patient data (IPD) of clinical trials to find predictive factors of the effect of electrical stimulation on tinnitus impact.

Method and analysis

The IPD meta-analysis is a follow-up project of the systematic review on cochlear implantation in patients with tinnitus as a primary complaint. First, the systematic searches will be updated to date. Methodological quality of eligible studies will be assessed using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Intervention tool (ROBINS-I). Based on a data-sharing agreement, authors of the eligible studies will be invited to share their deidentified and complete IPD. The primary outcome is the effect of electrical stimulation with a CI on tinnitus impact 1 month or more post-implantation. IPD meta-analysis will be used to assess the primary outcome, while differentiating the tinnitus impact questionnaires. Second, linear regression analyses will be used to model the effect of electrical stimulation on tinnitus impact based on relevant predictors.

Ethics and dissemination

The Medical Research Involving Human Subject Act does not apply, and ethical approval is not required. The study results will be made accessible to the public in a peer-review open access journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022319367, review ongoing.
Managing gastric varices
Authors: Sallout Deema , Tatro Eric , Adler Douglas G
Published: June 2022

Gastric varices (GV) are a type of ectopic varix, which is a natural portosystemic shunt occurring in response to an increase in intrahepatic vascular resistance, mostly commonly from portal hypertension. GV are present in up to 20% of patients with portal hypertension. Although oesophageal varices are more common than GV, and oesophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) happens more often than gastric variceal bleeding (GVB), GVB tends to be more severe, to have higher associated hospital costs, length of stay, higher rebleeding rates and have higher mortality. Mortality rates associated with variceal bleeding range from 6% in EVB to 20%–55% in GVB. Risk factors for GV haemorrhage include location, size, severity of liver failure, presence of variceal red spots, and presence of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma).This manuscript will review endoscopic and non-endoscopic treatment of GV.
Emerging ENDS products and challenges in tobacco control toxicity research
Authors: Strongin Robert M , Sharma Eva , Erythropel Hanno C , El-Hellani Ahmad , Kassem Nada O F , Mikheev Vladimir B , Noël Alexandra , Peyton David H , Springer Matthew L
Published: June 2022

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) continue to rapidly evolve. Current products pose unique challenges and opportunities for researchers and regulators. This commentary aims to highlight research gaps, particularly in toxicity research, and provide guidance on priority research questions for the tobacco regulatory community. Disposable flavoured ENDS have become the most popular device class among youth and may contain higher nicotine levels than JUUL devices. They also exhibit enhanced harmful and potentially harmful constituents production, contain elevated levels of synthetic coolants and pose environmental concerns. Synthetic nicotine and flavour capsules are innovations that have recently enabled the circumvention of Food and Drug Administration oversight. Coil-less ENDS offer the promise of delivering fewer toxicants due to the absence of heating coils, but initial studies show that these products exhibit similar toxicological profiles compared with JUULs. Each of these topic areas requires further research to understand and mitigate their impact on human health, especially their risks to young users.
Measuring strength and consolidation properties in lacustrine clay using piezocone and self-boring pressuremeter tests
Authors: Schneider M.A. , Whittle R.W. , Springman S.M.
Published: June 2022

As a result of the growing population in Switzerland, new infrastructure is increasingly founded in areas of extremely soft clays, which are challenging to build on. Reliable characterization of such sediments is, therefore, essential to facilitate efficient and economical designs. For various reasons, it is often beneficial to measure soil properties in situ, using probes like the piezocone or self-boring pressuremeter. The main objective of this study was to explore the key differences of these two site investigation techniques in terms of measuring undrained strength and consolidation characteristics in varved lacustrine clay. Experimental data from a field-testing campaign carried out in Switzerland demonstrate that both probes yield comparable results. The quality of the predictions was further assessed by comparing the field measurements to results from laboratory tests and existing empirical relationships. Additionally, a new method based on Monte Carlo simulations was presented, to provide context to the disparity between the consolidation coefficients estimated in the field ( ch) and laboratory ( cv), and to aid prediction of field values of chfrom laboratory measurements.
Nonstationary patterns in demographic traits covary with Chinook salmon marine distributions
Authors: Freshwater Cameron , Parken Charles K. , Tucker Strahan , Velez-Espino Antonio , King Jackie
Published: June 2022

The abundance of many Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) stocks has declined despite reductions in harvest. We used state-space models parameterized with data from 57 Chinook salmon indicator stocks, ranging from coastal Oregon to southeast Alaska, to quantify long-term (since 1972 release year) changes in juvenile marine survival rate and mean age-at-maturity, as well as identify stock groupings with coherent dynamics. We found that juvenile marine distribution—rather than freshwater life history, run timing, or adult marine distribution—was the best predictor of trends in both survival and age. Only subyearling stocks that enter the Strait of Georgia showed evidence of transitioning to a low juvenile survival period, other groupings exhibited low and stable or cyclical patterns in survival. Conversely, declines in mean age-at-maturity were widespread and do not appear to have stabilized, suggesting that future declines in Chinook salmon population productivity may be influenced by earlier maturation or increased adult mortality, rather than further reductions in juvenile marine survival.
Triple Higgs couplings in the 2HDM: the complete picture
Authors: Arco F. , Heinemeyer S. , Herrero M. J.
Published: June 2022

The measurement of the triple Higgs coupling is one of the main tasks of the (HL-)LHC and future lepton colliders. Similarly, triple Higgs couplings involving BSM Higgs bosons are of high interest. Within the framework of Two Higgs Doublet Models (2HDM) we investigate the allowed ranges for all triple Higgs couplings involving at least one light, SM-like Higgs boson. We present newly the allowed ranges for 2HDM type III and IV and update the results within the type I and II. We take into account theoretical constraints from unitarity and stability, experimental constraints from direct BSM Higgs-boson searches, measurements of the rates of the SM-like Higgs-boson at the LHC, as well as flavor observables and electroweak precision data. For the SM-type triple Higgs coupling w.r.t. its SM value,$$\lambda _{hhh}/\lambda _{\mathrm{SM}}$$λhhh/λSM, we find allowed intervals of$$\sim [{-0.5}, {1.3}]$$∼[-0.5,1.3]in type I and$$\sim [{0.5}, {1.0}]$$∼[0.5,1.0]in the other Yukawa types. These allowed ranges have important implications for the experimental determination of this coupling at future collider experiments. We find the coupling$$\lambda _{hhH}$$λhhHbetween$$\sim -1.5$$∼-1.5and$$\sim +1.5$$∼+1.5in the four Yukawa types. For the triple Higgs couplings involving two heavy neutral Higgs bosons,$$\lambda _{hHH}$$λhHHand$$\lambda _{hAA}$$λhAAwe find values between$$\sim -0.5$$∼-0.5and$$\sim 16$$∼16, and between$$\sim -1$$∼-1and$$\sim 32$$∼32for$$\lambda _{hH^+H^-}$$λhH+H-. These potentially large values could lead to strongly enhanced production of two Higgs-bosons at the HL-LHC or high-energy lepton colliders.
Effect of individual and enterprise behaviors on the interplay between product-attributes information propagation and word-of-mouth communication in multiplex networks
Authors: Huo Liang’an , Yuan Wei
Published: June 2022

In the course of individual consumption decision-making, the interaction between online product-attributes information propagation and face-to-face word-of-mouth (WOM) communication is an important influencing factor, and due to the heterogeneity of individuals and the involvement of enterprise, the interaction becomes more complicated. In this paper, we establish a multi-layer network model to explore the effect of individual and enterprise behaviors on the interaction between product-attributes information propagation and WOM communication, and derive mean-field equations to describe the dynamics process on complex social networks. We use analytical and numerical solutions of these equations to examine the threshold for the product-attributes information propagation and the WOM communication (both positive WOM and negative WOM). It also finds that individual behavior promotes both product-attributes information propagation and WOM communication, but the marginal utility of such promotion is diminishing; enterprise behavior promotes the communication of positive WOM and suppresses the communication of negative WOM.
Research on the cooperative car-following behavior based on traffic information iteration
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Geng
Published: June 2022

Under the condition of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, different information transmission mechanisms may have different effects on the cooperative performance of road traffic. In this paper, a new car-following model with consideration of the iterative traffic information transmission mechanism of vehicle-to-vehicle communication is proposed. The influence of the iterative traffic information transmission mechanism on the cooperative car-following behavior has been revealed. It is proved that based on the iterative traffic information transmission of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the information of the two nearest preceding vehicles ahead of the ego vehicle has the most obvious role in stabilizing traffic flow. Also, the information of the third or fourth vehicles in front of the ego vehicle has a certain stabilizing effect, but the traffic information of the fifth or further preceding vehicles in front of the ego vehicle has little effect in enhancing traffic stability. This result provides a reference vehicle number for the cooperative car-following performance under the iterative traffic information transmission mechanism of vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Simulation of Destructive Test for Arch Reinforcement Area of Tunnel Lining by MSIM
Authors: Yang Dangfeng , Yao Lixiao
Published: June 2022

Meshless Shepard interpolation method (MSIM) is used to simulate the destruction process within the arch reinforcement area of tunnel lining. In this method, the shape functions are formed by the partition of unity and the finite cover technology, which is not affected by discontinuous domains, with delta property at any desired node, and applies boundary conditions in an easy and correct way. The MSIM method combines the advantages of both the conventional meshless method and the numerical manifold method. The finite cover technology enables the shape functions to not be affected by the discontinuities in the solution domain, which overcomes the difficulty resulting from the conventional meshless method. The finite covers and the partition of unity functions are formed using the influence domains of a series of nodes, which removes the obstacle from conventional numerical manifold method and has simpler formation of finite covers than numerical manifold method. Virtual crack closure technique is used to calculate the intensity factor of crack-tip stress. The results of progressive destruction process simulation on the cracking patterns within the arch reinforcement area indicate that the method is suitable for tracking the crack propagation in complex stress conditions.
Simulation and Structure Optimization of Grounding Circuit Model for Power Transmission Line Tower
Authors: Hu Yuanchao , Cheng Yan , Jiang Zhipeng , An Yunzhu , Jeon Seunggil , Zhou Wen
Published: June 2022

The lightning current dispersion process through the steel bar inside the concrete pile foundation of the transmission line tower is impeded by the high concrete resistivity. In order to improve the current dispersion performance of the pile foundation, this paper proposes a method to place flexible graphite grounding electrode along the shaft wall of the tower foundation and verified its feasibility. Both single-pile and four-pile foundations are applied to build vertical grounding models of transmission line tower with three different grounding structures, respectively, including flexible graphite grounding line, flexible graphite grounding fabric and combined graphite electrode. The effect of three grounding structures on the current dispersion and resistance reduction is studied by finite-element method. Simulation results indicate that by applying the above three grounding structures on the vertical pile foundation can significantly improve the current density distribution of the excavated pile foundation and reduce the grounding resistance. When the grounding resistance is [Formula: see text], the resistance reduction efficiencies of the above three methods can reach 48.56%, 53.86% and 54.53%, respectively. Considering the limited construction area, this paper compares the foundation that is placed combined graphite grounding electrode with square-ray grounding grid, and it can be seen that by placing vertical grounding electrode can save the land area of 295.99[Formula: see text]m2. This paper can provide reference for the design of excavation pile foundation grounding structure under limited construction area.
Image Super-Resolution Method Based on Dual Learning
Authors: Qiu Zhao , Zhuang Chunyu , Liu Lihao , Lin Jiale , Yuan Sheng
Published: June 2022

Existing super-resolution methods convert high-resolution images into low-resolution images, and use the synthesized images as input to train the model. However, it is difficult for synthetic low-resolution images to reflect the characteristics of real low-resolution images, resulting in poor model performance in practical applications. To address this problem, we propose a recurrent super-resolution framework, which consists of a degradation model and a reconstruction model. The degradation model degenerates the real high-resolution image into a more real low-resolution image, which is used as the input of the super-resolution reconstruction network, and then uses the reconstruction model to reconstruct the low-resolution image, and calculates the error with the original image. The generated high-resolution image is input into the degradation model again for degradation processing, forming a symmetrical and cyclic network structure, so that the super-resolution model has a better effect when reconstructing the real low-scoring image. In addition, the spatial attention mechanism is introduced into the generator network, which expands the receptive field of the convolution kernel, better extracts long-distance image features and improves the texture details of super-resolution images, which is consistent with the global.
Probabilistic Buckshot-Driven Cluster Head Identification and Accumulative Data Encryption in WSN
Authors: Naga Srinivasu Parvathaneni , Panigrahi Ranjit , Singh Ashish , Bhoi Akash Kumar
Published: June 2022

Several nonterminal nodes in the ad-hoc sensor network architecture are involved in effectively communicating data. There are not enough nodes other than the terminals to process sensor data and send it between nodes. Because of this, the exchange of sensor data relies on devices capable of predicting events and responding quickly. Identifying the cluster head is essential to the network’s long-term viability and operational efficiency. This paper proposes a robust probabilistic buckshot approach to identify the appropriate nodes, and the smooth handover mechanism in the corresponding cycles is mechanized. The proposed model also employs a heuristic algorithm named HARIS to identify the best cluster head by analyzing the residual energy associated with each sensor node over multiple iterations. The data exchanged among the nodes is encrypted using a lightweight accumulative data encryption model to ensure the confidentiality of the data. The proposed model is evaluated using various statistical analysis metrics like node availability, computational delay, throughput, and network lifetime. The proposed model outperforms the existing energy-sensitive sensor network models by 20–23%.
Simulated Annealing Algorithm-Aided SC Decoder for Polar Codes
Authors: Li Guiping , Tang Ye , He Liu
Published: June 2022

A new decoding scheme aided by simulated annealing algorithm is proposed to further improve the decoding performance of successive cancellation (SC) for polar codes at the short block. We use simulated annealing to revise the decoding result of SC which cannot pass the CRC check. To generate the new neighbors, the decoder flips one bit from the set of the least unreliable information bits each time in the estimated source vector of SC decoding. Euclidean distance is used to measure the gap between the new neighbor solution and the received word so that the decoder can obtain a global optimal solution. Simulation shows that the proposed decoder has a performance gain about 0.5 dB in terms of frame error rate (FER) under short blocks in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel compared to other basic decoders, while keeping a low time cost through a parameter tuning process.
GRAFTING AMINATED CARBON NANOTUBES ON MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS: SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTY
Authors: LI BAOHE , JIANG LIAN , LI CHENRAN , WANG YURONG , HAN XIAOQIAN , WANG NONG
Published: June 2022

The carbon nanotubes grafted methylene blue molecularly imprinted polymers (CNT-MB-MIPs) were prepared by grafting aminated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and copolymerized in the presence of template molecules methylene blue (MB), functional monomers, crosslinkers, and initiators. The results from structural analyses indicate that CNTs were successfully grafted onto the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption capacity can be affected by grafting CNTs. The adsorption capacity of CNT-MB-MIPs on MB can reach 2793[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] while the initial concentration of MB was 12[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]L[Formula: see text], which was higher than that of MB molecularly imprinted polymers (MB-MIPs). Meanwhile, compared with MB-MIPs, CNT-MB-MIPs had a lower adsorption capacity for iron ions, indicating that CNT-MB-MIPs could inhibit the adsorption of iron ions. Adsorption kinetics study showed that the adsorption mechanism of the polymer for MB was in good agreement with the quasi-second-order kinetics model ([Formula: see text]) and the adsorption mechanism for iron ions was also in good agreement with the Bangham kinetics model ([Formula: see text]). The adsorption isotherm showed that the adsorption process of the two adsorbents was mainly monolayer chemisorption. The remarkable adsorption capacity of CNT-MB-MIPs may be due to the enlargement of adsorption sites on MIPs surface by CNT-NH2 grafting. At the same time, it can inhibit the adsorption of iron ions, because part of the carboxyl groups in CNT-MB-MIPs are bonded by CNTs, led to few carboxyl groups sites left for adsorbing iron ions, thereby the complex between carboxyl groups and iron ions were inhibited.
On the antichain tree property
Authors: Ahn JinHoo , Kim Joonhee , Lee Junguk
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we investigate a new model theoretical tree property (TP), called the antichain tree property (ATP). We develop combinatorial techniques for ATP. First, we show that ATP is always witnessed by a formula in a single free variable, and for formulas, not having ATP is closed under disjunction. Second, we show the equivalence of ATP and [Formula: see text]-ATP, and provide a criterion for theories to have not ATP (being NATP). Using these combinatorial observations, we find algebraic examples of ATP and NATP, including pure groups, pure fields and valued fields. More precisely, we prove Mekler’s construction for groups, Chatzidakis’ style criterion for pseudo-algebraically closed (PAC) fields, and the AKE-style principle for valued fields preserving NATP. We give a construction of an antichain tree in the Skolem arithmetic and atomless Boolean algebras.
Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activity of PVA/Fe2O3/TiO2 Hybrid Nanocomposite
Authors: Al-Tememe E. H. , Algalal Hasan Mohammed Ali Abdullah , Abodood Anwar Ahmed Fadhl , Mohammed Kahtan A. , Khamees Entidhar Jasim , Zabibah Rahman S. , Abed Ahmed S.
Published: June 2022

A new nano-hybrid material prepared by physical mixing of the components was used in biomedical applications where three samples of the prepared materials were used to determine the best composition as an antibacterial and anticancer agent in addition to its use as an antifungal agent. In the case of antimicrobials, two types of bacteria were used: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and one type of fungus was used: Candida albicans. The area of inhibition was calculated after using the hybrid material of 2.5% titanium oxide with iron oxide, which gave better results than pure iron oxide and that mixed with 5% titanium dioxide.
A New Approach to Correspondence Analysis Based on Interval-Valued Hesitant Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Yanmaz Ozgur , Kadaifci Cigdem , Bozdag Erhan
Published: June 2022

Correspondence Analysis (CA), a multivariate statistical technique, allows a visual representation of the association between categorical variables through a contingency table consisting of frequencies representing the existence of relationships. Despite being a widely used statistical technique, the classical CA is not able to demonstrate the uncertainty in real-life problems. To address this issue, a new Interval-valued Hesitant Fuzzy CA approach is proposed to represent the uncertainty caused by human doubt. Due to the nature of operations defined on Hesitant Fuzzy Sets, it is hard to integrate the fuzzy calculations directly into the classical CA. Thus, a new hesitant expected value method is proposed to reveal the independence between two categorical variables. As the output of the proposed approach, an interval-valued hesitant fuzzy correspondence map consisting of rectangles of different sizes representing the amount of the hesitancy is constructed. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated by a simple but effective illustrative example.
Hyperspectral imagery classification with minimum noise fraction, 2D spatial filtering and SVM
Authors: Chen Guang Yi , Krzyzak Adam , Qian Shen-En
Published: June 2022

Hyperspectral image (HSI) classification is an important topic in remote sensing. In this paper, we propose a new method for HSI classification by using minimum noise fraction (MNF), spatial filtering (SF) and support vector machine (SVM). We use MNF to reduce the dimensionality of a hyperspectral data cube before performing classification. We apply 2D SF to the DR output band images and then use SVM to classify the pixels of the data cube. In this way, both spatial information and spectral information are taken into consideration in the classification. Experimental results show that our MNF+SF method is extremely competitive when compared to several existing classification methods.
A general theory for subspace-sparse recovery
Authors: Li Ningning , Chen Wengu , Ge Huanmin
Published: June 2022

High-dimensional data that often lie in low-dimensional subspaces are ubiquitous in many fields of signal and image processing, pattern recognition, machine learning, etc. Finding sparse representations of data points in a dictionary built by using the collection of data helps to study low-dimensional subspaces. In this paper, we consider the problem of subspace-sparse representation for data composed of two distinct features. Applying different measures to the coefficients of the two distinct features under different dictionaries makes the model used in this paper more general. We present theoretical guarantee for subspace-sparse representation under conditions on the subspaces and data. The program used in this paper can handle data with structured corruption, missing entries, sparse outliers and random bounded noise well.
A Fitted Numerical Method for Interior-Layer Parabolic Convection–Diffusion Problems
Authors: Mbayi Charles K. , Munyakazi Justin B. , Patidar Kailash C.
Published: June 2022

The aim of this paper is to construct and analyze a fitted mesh finite difference method (FMFDM) for a class of time-dependent singularly perturbed convection–diffusion–reaction problems with a turning point. While such problems have been widely studied in the case of boundary layers, little has been achieved for interior layer problems. In addition, most of works have considered the coefficient functions as the functions of space only. In this work, we study problems where the coefficient functions are dependent on both space and time variables, and their solutions exhibit an interior layer. We derive the solution bounds and their derivatives. Then we use the classical implicit Euler method to discretize the time variable with a constant step-size. This method consists of two upwind finite difference schemes defined on an appropriate non-uniform mesh of Shishkin type. This mesh is fine near the turning point and coarse elsewhere. We prove that the method is almost first-order uniformly convergent with respect to the perturbation parameter. To improve the accuracy of the proposed method, we apply Richardson extrapolation technique. Numerical simulations are provided to confirm the theoretical findings.
Identifying Moving Vibrational Sources in a Truncated, Damped, Heterogeneous Solid
Authors: Lloyd Stephen , Jeong Chanseok
Published: June 2022

This paper discusses a novel, robust, computational framework for reconstructing spatial and temporal profiles of moving vibrational sources in a heterogeneous, elastic, damped, truncated one-dimensional solid using sparsely measured wave responses. We use the finite element method to obtain wave solutions because of its flexibility and robustness for heterogeneous media. To reconstruct wave source profiles without a priori knowledge of the sources, we employ high-resolution discretization of source functions in space and time. Because of such dense discretization, the order of magnitude of the number of inversion parameters could range up to hundreds of thousands. To identify such a large number of control parameters, an adjoint-gradient-based source inversion approach is used within a context of discretization-then-optimization (DTO). Numerical experiments prove the robustness of this method by reconstructing spatial and temporal profiles of multiple dynamic moving body forces in a heterogeneous, damped solid bar. The numerical experiments show that using the conjugate gradient method gives improved results over the steepest descent method. The inversion performance is not affected by the acceleration, frequency, or amplitude of targeted moving dynamic distributed loads. While inversion performance is not affected by the damping or wave speed in the domain when the model is homogeneous, a mismatch in acoustic impedance for materials in a heterogeneous solid bar leads the inversion to converge more slowly. The inversion is sensitive to noise, but filtering the noise from the measured data help reduce the inversion error.
HOW DOES SERVANT LEADERSHIP INCREASE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF STARTUP TEAMS? THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEES’ SELF-EFFICACY
Authors: ALIKHANI ZAHRA , SHAHRIARI MOHSEN
Published: June 2022

Purpose—The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of servant leadership on competitiveness of startups. Also, the role of self-efficacy as a mediator between servant leadership and competitiveness has been explored.

Design/methodology/approach—Servant leadership, competitiveness and self-efficacy were evaluated in an empirical study based on a sample of 220 employees of Iranian start-up companies.

The data analysis was performed through a two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. In the first stage, the measurement models were examined in terms of construct validity and reliability, while in the second stage, the structural model and research hypotheses were tested.

Findings—The results demonstrated that servant leadership positively affects competitiveness. Also, as expected, self-efficacy act as a mediating variable between servant leadership and competitiveness.

Practical implications—Start-ups nowadays constitute a large portion of countries’ financial turnover and economy. Considering the sharp increase in competitiveness and instability in the market, start-ups with transformational leadership are more likely to succeed. However, other styles, such as servant leadership, could play an essential role in guiding these startup companies on the way of competitiveness by strengthening employees’ empowerment and self-efficacy.

Originality/value—It is believed that the important contribution of this study is demonstrating the effects of servant leadership on competitiveness of startups. Also, the mediating role of self-efficacy in this relationship has been strongly confirmed.
Analytic and Finite Element Studies on Deformation of Bilayers with a Functionally Graded PH-Responsive Hydrogel Layer
Authors: Khodabandehloo Amin , Mazaheri Hashem
Published: June 2022

Due to their wide application, responsive hydrogel bilayers have recently persuaded researchers to develop efficient tools to design these attractive structures. In this work, the deformation of a bilayer comprising a neutral elastomeric layer and a functionally graded (FG) pH-responsive one is investigated. The material properties of the FG hydrogel layer vary in the thickness direction. An analytical technique is developed to predict the behavior of the bilayer. To predict the pH-responsive layer behavior, a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) is formulated and solved such that the relevant boundary conditions are satisfied, resulting in solving the governing equations related to this layer. Also, for the under-study bilayer, numerical simulation of the considered problem is performed using the finite element method (FEM) — implementing a user-defined subroutine of UHYPER — through ABAQUS. The bending semi-angle, radial, and tangential stresses of the bilayer are studied in some cases via the proposed analytical technique and FEM. The results of both methods indicated excellent conformity. Furthermore, the effect of changes in thickness ratios of the layers was examined. Lastly, the cross-linking density of the hydrogel layer and some other parameters were studied to investigate their influence on the bilayer deformation and specify the optimal values of some of those parameters for the considered bilayers.
Single-cell volumetric imaging with light field microscopy: Advances in systems and algorithms
Authors: Gao Beibei , Gao Lu , Wang Fu
Published: June 2022

Single-cell volumetric imaging is essential for researching individual characteristics of cells. As a nonscanning imaging technique, light field microscopy (LFM) is a critical tool to achieve real-time three-dimensional imaging with the advantage of single-shot. To address the inherent limits including nonuniform resolution and block-wise artifacts, various modified LFM strategies have been developed to provide new insights into the structural and functional information of cells. This review will introduce the principle and development of LFM, discuss the improved approaches based on hardware designs and 3D reconstruction algorithms, and present the applications in single-cell imaging.
Fourth-order moment bounding the eigenvalues of a matrix
Authors: Gupta Madhu , Sharma S. R.
Published: June 2022

We derive some known and new bounds for fourth-order moment of a discrete data over the interval [Formula: see text]. These results are extended to lower bounds of the spread of a matrix and bounds for the largest and smallest eigenvalues of a square matrix with non-negative spectrum.
Quotient NBCK-algebras
Authors: Öztürk Mehmet Ali̇ , Jun Young Bae , Muhiuddin G.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the notions of ideals in NBCK-algebras are presented and some properties of such ideals are analyzed. Essentially, our approach is to define NBCK-algebras of all cosets by considering an operation on the set of all cosets defined via ideals. Afterwards, our aim is to study ideal theorems on NBCK-algebras.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence to the semicircle distribution
Authors: Chin Calvin Wooyoung
Published: June 2022

We consider random Hermitian matrices with independent upper triangular entries. Wigner’s semicircle law says that under certain additional assumptions, the empirical spectral distribution converges to the semicircle distribution. We characterize convergence to semicircle in terms of the variances of the entries, under natural assumptions such as the Lindeberg condition. The result extends to certain matrices with entries having infinite second moments. As a corollary, another characterization of semicircle convergence is given in terms of convergence in distribution of the row sums to the standard normal distribution.
Artificial Intelligence as a Process Optimization Driver under Industry 4.0 Framework and the Role of IIoT, a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Mateo Federico Walas , Redchuk Andrés
Published: June 2022

Connected products generate data that are being seen as a key source of competitive advantage, and the management and processing of that data are generating new challenges in the industrial environment. This paper proposes a conceptual framework and preliminary findings to go deeper into a bibliometric analysis around the idea of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) as a tool for the optimization of processes within the Industry 4.0 model. Methodologically, a technological mapping was carried out through an exercise on Scopus indexed database, the results of which were analyzed using bibliometric indicators. The bibliometric study is completed with a screening of relevant papers searching for linking among the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Internet of Things (IoT), IA/ML and process optimization. Finally, this paper gives information about the state-of-the-art AI/ML applied to the optimization of industrial processes and presents a novel Canadian startup that has a business model that aims to make AI/ML easy to use in the industrial world towards a lean processes strategy.
Derivatives of 2-Methyl Tetrahydrofuran-n-Carboxylic Acids Inhibiting Novel HA3 Subtype of Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin
Authors: Sinha Prashasti , Yadav Anil Kumar
Published: June 2022

The HA3 influenza (H3N2) influenza was originally found in 2011 and later appeared in January 2021. As per WHO report, H3N2 has the potential of causing a pandemic; therefore, an inhibitor for H3N2 should be designed. The hemagglutinin variants have typical 18 subtypes present in humans. Therefore, in the study, we generated the phylogenetic tree for understanding the similarity sequence between 18 subtypes and also the sequence of similarity was compared to H3N2. Thereafter, scaffold structures of FDA-approved Peramivir were generated, among which, four compounds were selected based on their drug-likeness and synthetic feasibility for performing docking and MD simulations. Theoretical evaluations, such as electronic, spectroscopic, binding energy, Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET), were performed to validate the derived chemical structures and identify their potential of acting as drug compounds. In the present work, derivatives of 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran-[Formula: see text]-carboxylic acids show the inhibitory activity with H3N2 (PDB ID: 4WEA) with stable conformations.
FortClash: Predicting and Mediating Unintended Behavior in Home Automation
Authors: Coppers Sven , Vanacken Davy , Luyten Kris
Published: June 2022

Smart home inhabitants can specify trigger-condition-action rules to control the home's behavior. As the number of rules and their complexity grow, however, so does the probability of issues such as inconsistencies and redundancies. These can lead to unintended behavior, including security vulnerabilities and wasted resources, which harms the inhabitants' trust in the system. Existing approaches to handle unintended behavior typically require inhabitants to define all-encompassing, permanent solutions by modifying the rules. Although this is fitting in certain situations, some unforeseen situations might occur. We argue that the user always must have the last word to avoid unwanted behaviors, without altering the overall behavior. With FortClash, we present an approach to predict many different types of unintended behavior, and contribute four novel mechanisms to mediate them that rely on making one-time exceptions. With FortClash, inhabitants gain a new tool to deal with unintended behavior in the short-term that is compatible with existing long-term approaches such as editing rules.
Formal Verification of Graphical Properties of Interactive Systems
Authors: Prun Daniel , Béger Pascal
Published: June 2022

Critical systems, particularly aeronautical systems, contain newly highly interactive devices: for example, the new generation cockpits use sophisticated electronics. They are driven by complex reactive software applications able to react to various kinds of inputs and to provide a representation of their internal state. In this context, the certification processes described in DO-178C and in DO-333 give an important place to formal verification of the requirements of these systems. Many formal methods have been proposed for this verification. However properties related to the graphical elements of these systems like position, overlapping, color, etc. have not received the same attention as others like safety, liveness, reachability or boundary ones. In this paper, we propose an original approach based on deductive verification to check graphically oriented requirements. On the basis of a semantic of reactive applications based on the weakest precondition calculus, we propose an algorithm for the verification of graphical requirements. This algorithm is developed in the context of Smala/Djnn: an environment for developing interactive systems. We illustrate our approach on the Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), an aeronautical case study, and some of its graphical requirements.
Improved Corrosion Protection of Stainless Steel by Two Dimensional BN Nanomaterial Coating
Authors: Duran Berrin , Pat Suat
Published: June 2022

Boron nitride (BN) nano coating was deposited on 304 type stainless steel sheets by standard thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) as a physical vapour deposition method. Deposited BN nano coating was characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses tools. Corrosion performances of un-coated and BN nano material coated steel samples were investigated in 1 M H2SO4 solution using Eocp-time curves, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. BN nano coating was found to provide anodic protection to the steel and reduced significantly corrosion rate of 304 steel in acidic medium. Long term corrosion tests results demonstrated that the BN nano coating has ability to protect the 304 stainless steel in sulfuric acid corrosive media during 10 d and the protective behavior of the BN nano coating results from passivation effect of the coating against the attack of corrosive environment. Finally, BN nano coating is a promising two dimensional coating material for corrosion protection of stainless steel.
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. Fruit Accelerates Healing in Gastric Injury via the Regulation of the NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xin , Mai Jian-Hua , Gao Zhan-Wang , Wang Ling-Li
Published: June 2022

Context. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. (BG), as a major species of mangroves, is also a traditional Chinese medicine, which has received attention for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. However, the protective effect of BG on gastric injury is rarely studied. Objective. The present study aimed at the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the extract of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. fruit (BGF) on the gastric injury. Materials and Methods. The chemical components in the extract of BGF were used in UPLC/Q-Orbitrap analysis. 60 SD rats were randomized into six groups: normal group (MC), ethanol-injured control group (EC), omeprazole group, and three groups with different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) of BGF. After continuous administration for seven days, the stomachs of rats were taken out to observe the pathological gastric tissue changes; inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers in the stomach tissues were measured. Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to explore the mechanism of BGF on gastric tissue and RAW 246.7 cells with excessive inflammation. Results. BGF enhanced gastric mucosal protection by improving the mucosal blood flow of the stomach and significantly decreased inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers. Moreover, BGF significantly reduced the expression of p-NF-κB p65. Consistently, BGF demonstrated similar effects on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells as it did in vivo. Conclusion. BGF could accelerate the healing of gastric injury by exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and maintaining mucosal integrity.
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Their Association with Mortality among Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico
Authors: Avila-Nava Azalia , Pech-Aguilar Alfredo Geovanny , Lugo Roberto , Medina-Vera Isabel , Guevara-Cruz Martha , Gutiérrez-Solis Ana Ligia
Published: June 2022

Background. Activation of the immune system response is associated with the generation of oxidative stress (OS). Several alterations are involved in OS, such as excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased antioxidant activity, which together lead to an imbalance in redox status. The role of OS during SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine OS biomarkers and assess their usefulness as a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods. Baseline characteristics and serum samples were collected from hospitalized COVID-19 patients and compared with healthy controls. The serum OS biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were assessed by spectrophotometric and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods, respectively. Results. A total of 152 individuals were analyzed (COVID-19 patients vs. healthy controls). Compared with healthy controls (

n
=
76

), patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (

n
=
76

) presented higher levels of MDA (

p
<
0.001

) and decreased TAC (

p
<
0.001

). A total of 37 (49%) patients with COVID-19 died. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) estimated that the combination of the OS biomarkers (MDA+TAC) (

AUC
=
0.6394

,

p
=
0.037

) was a significant predictor of mortality. A higher level of MDA was associated with mortality (HR, 1.05, 95% CI, 1.00–1.10,

p
=
0.045

). Conclusion. This study concludes that OS is increased in patients with COVID-19 and is associated with mortality. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of the expression of OS biomarkers and their association with mortality among the Mexican population.
Design of Interactive Vocal Guidance and Artistic Psychological Intervention System Based on Emotion Recognition
Authors: Mo Wenwen , Yuan Yuan
Published: June 2022

The research on artistic psychological intervention to judge emotional fluctuations by extracting emotional features from interactive vocal signals has become a research topic with great potential for development. Based on the interactive vocal music instruction theory of emotion recognition, this paper studies the design of artistic psychological intervention system. This paper uses the vocal music emotion recognition algorithm to first train the interactive recognition network, in which the input is a row vector composed of different vocal music characteristics, and finally recognizes the vocal music of different emotional categories, which solves the problem of low data coupling in the artistic psychological intervention system. Among them, the vocal music emotion recognition experiment based on the interactive recognition network is mainly carried out from six aspects: the number of iterative training, the vocal music instruction rate, the number of emotion recognition signal nodes in the artistic psychological intervention layer, the number of sample sets, different feature combinations, and the number of emotion types. The input data of the system is a training class learning video, and actions and expressions need to be recognized before scoring. In the simulation process, before the completion of the sample indicators is unbalanced, the R language statistical analysis tool is used to balance the existing unbalanced data based on the artificial data synthesis method, and 279 uniformly classified samples are obtained. The 279

∗

7 dataset was used for statistical identification of the participants. The experimental results show that under the guidance of four different interactive vocal music, the vocal emotion recognition rate is between 65.85%-91.00%, which promotes the intervention of music therapy on artistic psychological intervention.