bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sports Sequence Images Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chen Yonghao
Published: June 2021

Convolution neural network has become a hot research topic in the field of computer vision because of its superior performance in image classification. Based on the above background, the purpose of this paper is to analyze sports sequence images based on convolutional neural network. In view of the low detection rate of single-frame and the complexity of multiframe detection algorithms, this paper proposes a new algorithm combining single-frame detection and multiframe detection, so as to improve the detection rate of small targets and reduce the detection time. Based on the traditional residual network, an improved, multiscale, residual network is proposed in this paper. The network structure enables the convolution layer to “observe” data from different scales and obtain more abundant input features. Moreover, the depth of the network is reduced, the gradient vanishing problem is effectively suppressed, and the training difficulty is reduced. Finally, the ensemble learning method of relative majority voting is used to reduce the classification error rate of the network to 3.99% on CIFAR-10, and the error rate is reduced by 3% compared with the original residual neural network.
An IoT-Based Motion Tracking System for Next-Generation Foot-Related Sports Training and Talent Selection
Authors: Lu Shanshan , Zhang Xiao , Wang Jiangqing , Wang Yufan , Fan Mengjiao , Zhou Yu
Published: June 2021

Motion tracking in different fields (medical, military, film, etc.) based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensing technology has been attracted by world's leading researchers and engineers in recent years; however, there is still a lack of research covering the sports field. In this study, we propose a new AIoT (AI + IoT) paradigm for next-generation foot-driven sports (soccer, football, takraw, etc.) training and talent selection. The system built is cost-effective and easy-to-use and requires much fewer computational resources than traditional video-based analysis on monitoring motions of players during training. The system built includes a customized wireless wearable sensing device (WWSDs), a mobile application, and a data processing interface-based cloud with an ankle attitude angle analysis model. Eleven right-foot male participators wore the WWSD on their ankle while each performed 20 instances of different actions in a formal soccer field. The experimental outcome demonstrates the proposed motion tracking system based on AIoT and MEMS sensing technologies capable of recognizing different motions and assessing the players’ skills. The talent selection function can partition the elite and amateur players at an accuracy of 93%. This intelligent system can be an emerging technology based on wearable sensors and attain the experience-driven to data-driven transition in the field of sports training and talent selection and can be easily extended to analyze other foot-related sports motions (e.g., taekwondo, tumble, and gymnastics) and skill levels.
Numerical Approximation of One- and Two-Dimensional Coupled Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation by Implementing Barycentric Lagrange Interpolation Polynomial DQM
Authors: Joshi Varun , Kapoor Mamta , Bhardwaj Nitin , Masud Mehedi , Al-Amri Jehad F.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a new numerical method named Barycentric Lagrange interpolation-based differential quadrature method is implemented to get numerical solution of 1D and 2D coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. In the present study, spatial discretization is done with the aid of Barycentric Lagrange interpolation basis function. After that, a reduced system of ordinary differential equations is solved using strong stability, preserving the Runge-Kutta 43 method. In order to check the accuracy of the proposed scheme, we have used the formula ofL∞error norm. The matrix stability analysis method is implemented to test the proposed method’s stability, which confirms that the proposed scheme is unconditionally stable. The present scheme produces better results, and it is easy to implement to obtain numerical solutions of a class of partial differential equations.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Associated with Tacrolimus in Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Rivillas Julián Alejandro , Galindo-Coral Stephania , Arias-Mora Francisco , Lopez-Ponce de Leon Juan David , Florez-Alarcón Noel Alberto , Olaya-Rojas Pastor , Gomez-Mesa Juan Esteban
Published: June 2021

Background. Neurological complications occur between 50 and 70% of patients with heart transplantation, including cerebrovascular events, infections, seizures, encephalopathy, and neurotoxicity due to pharmacological immunosuppression. Mortality associated with cerebrovascular complications is 7.5% in the first 30 days and up to 5.3% after the first month and up to the first year after transplantation. Case Reports. Three heart-transplanted patients (2 men and 1 woman) treated with tacrolimus were identified. They presented with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome on days 5, 6, and 58 posttransplantation, respectively. In these reported cases, no sequelae were observed at 6 months follow-up. Conclusions. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as a neurological complication in patients with HT occurred early after the procedure. Early diagnosis and treatment might reduce the risk of serious complications and mortality.
Improved 3D U-Net for COVID-19 Chest CT Image Segmentation
Authors: Zheng Ruiyong , Zheng Yongguo , Dong-Ye Changlei
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide. The rapid and accurate automatic segmentation of COVID-19 infected areas using chest computed tomography (CT) scans is critical for assessing disease progression. However, infected areas have irregular sizes and shapes. Furthermore, there are large differences between image features. We propose a convolutional neural network, named 3D CU-Net, to automatically identify COVID-19 infected areas from 3D chest CT images by extracting rich features and fusing multiscale global information. 3D CU-Net is based on the architecture of 3D U-Net. We propose an attention mechanism for 3D CU-Net to achieve local cross-channel information interaction in an encoder to enhance different levels of the feature representation. At the end of the encoder, we design a pyramid fusion module with expanded convolutions to fuse multiscale context information from high-level features. The Tversky loss is used to resolve the problems of the irregular size and uneven distribution of lesions. Experimental results show that 3D CU-Net achieves excellent segmentation performance, with Dice similarity coefficients of 96.3% and 77.8% in the lung and COVID-19 infected areas, respectively. 3D CU-Net has high potential to be used for diagnosing COVID-19.
Strategies in Overcoming Homologous Recombination Proficiency and PARP Inhibitor Resistance
Authors: Goel Nidhi , Foxall McKenzie E. , Scalise Carly Bess , Wall Jaclyn A. , Arend Rebecca C.
Published: June 2021

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States and the most common cause of gynecologic cancer–related death. The majority of ovarian cancers ultimately recur despite excellent response rates to upfront platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Maintenance therapy after frontline treatment has emerged in recent years as an effective tool for extending the platinum-free interval of these patients. Maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors (PARPis), in particular, has become part of standard of care in the upfront setting and in patients with platinum-sensitive disease. Homologous recombination deficient (HRD) tumors have a nonfunctioning homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway and respond well to PARPis, which takes advantage of synthetic lethality by concomitantly impairing DNA repair mechanisms. Conversely, patients with a functioning HRR pathway, that is, HR-proficient tumors, can still elicit benefit from PARPi, but the efficacy is not as remarkable as what is seen in HRD tumors. PARPis are ineffective in some patients due to HR proficiency, which is either inherent to the tumor or potentially acquired as a method of therapeutic resistance. This review seeks to outline current strategies employed by clinicians and scientists to overcome PARPi resistance—either acquired or inherent to the tumor.
Current Development of Glioblastoma Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Wang Zilai , Peet Norton P. , Zhang Pin , Jiang Yuwei , Rong Lijun
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans. Over the past several decades, despite improvements in neurosurgical techniques, development of powerful chemotherapeutic agents, advances in radiotherapy, and comprehensive genomic profiling and molecular characterization, treatment of GBM has achieved very limited success in increasing overall survival. Thus, identifying and understanding the key molecules and barriers responsible for the malignant phenotypes and treatment resistance of GBM will yield new potential therapeutic targets. We review the most recent development of receptor tyrosine kinase targeted therapy for GBM and discuss the current status of several novel strategies with the emphasis on blood–brain barrier penetration as a major obstacle for small-molecule drugs to achieve their therapeutic goals. Likewise, a major opportunity for the treatment of GBM lies in the use of biomarkers for the discovery and development of new receptor tyrosine kinase targeted therapy.
Application of Mobile Stroke Unit in Prehospital Thrombolysis of Acute Stroke: Experience from China
Authors: Zhou Tengfei , Zhu Liangfu , Wang Meiyun , Li Tianxiao , Li Yucheng , Pei Quansun , Chen Weifeng , Zhao Juntao , Wu Hongkun , Liu Huan , Li Zhaoshuo , He Yingkun
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose: Most patients cannot receive intravenous thrombolytic therapy in the early stage of stroke onset, and the application of mobile stroke unit (MSU) in prehospital intravenous thrombolytic therapy of acute stroke may change this situation. The first MSU in China was put into use in 2017. Herein, we aimed to explore the preliminary experience of MSU in prehospital thrombolysis of acute stroke. Methods: Patients who received prehospital intravenous thrombolytic therapy using MSU were classified to the MSU thrombolysis group, and the control group consisted of stroke patients admitted by regular ambulances, who were transferred to hospital for intravenous thrombolytic therapy. The feasibility, safety, and duration of procedures were compared. Results: There were 14 patients received prehospital intravenous thrombolysis on the MSU, and 24 patients underwent intravenous thrombolysis in the emergency center, who were transferred by the ordinary ambulance during the same period. The median call-to-needle time was 59.5 min in the MSU thrombolysis group, while it was 89 min in the control group; the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The median time from onset to thrombolysis was 70 and 102.5 min, respectively, in the 2 groups (p = 0.002). The percentages of good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2) at 90-day follow-up were 79 and 67%, respectively (p = 0.488). The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality during the perioperative period did not differ significantly between 2 groups. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, our preliminary experience of the application of MSU in the prehospital thrombosis therapy seems to indicate a significant reduction in time from call to needle, the efficacy of MSU in the treatment of acute stroke needs further experiment and larger sample size to confirm.
Therapeutic Alliance in Interpreter-Mediated Psychotherapy from the Perspective of Refugee Patients: Results of Qualitative Interviews
Authors: Hanft-Robert Saskia , Pohontsch Nadine Janis , Uhr Cornelia , Redlich Alexander , Metzner Franka
Published: June 2021

Background: The therapeutic alliance is considered to be one of the most important factors of psychotherapy and is a necessary requirement for a successful treatment in interpreter-mediated psychotherapy. Patients and Methods: Using interpreter-mediated guided interviews, 10 refugee patients who experienced interpreter-mediated psychotherapy were asked about factors influencing the development of a trusting therapeutic alliance in the triad. The analysis of the interviews followed the rules of content-structuring qualitative content analysis. Results: A total of 11 factors were identified which could be assigned to the interpreter, therapist, or patient. In the analysis, the central role of the interpreter in establishing a therapeutic alliance in the triad became particularly clear. Conclusions: Consideration of the factors that, from the patients’ perspective, influence the establishment and maintenance of a trusting alliance within the triad, as well as the recommendations for action derived from this for psychotherapists and interpreters can lead to an improvement in the therapeutic treatment of refugees.
Detailed Simulink implementation for induction motor control based on space vector pulse width modulation SVPWM
Authors: Hussein Taha A. , Mohammed Laith A.
Published: June 2021

Space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) generates less harmonic distortion in the output voltage or currents, provides more efficient use of supply voltage and better voltage utilization compared with sine pulse width modulation (PWM). In this work, a detailed Simulink implementation for SVPWM for the open loop control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is presented. Results show the output of the blocks that assembles SVPWM besides the PMSM voltages and currents when exposing the motor to different load torques. The technique of SVPWM enables the load to respond to the change in external load torque. This technique also results in lower total harmonic distortion and better utilization of the direct current (DC) supply compared with traditional sinusoidal pulse width modulation sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM).
Novel ripple reduction method using three-level inverters with unipolar PWM
Authors: Kiatsookkanatorn Paiboon , Watjanatepin Napat
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes a novel method to reduce voltage and current ripple for the inverters by using three-level inverters with unipolar pulse width modulation (PWM) (3LFB-2U). A simple technique of switching signal generation by using carrier-based dipolar modulation of three-phase three-level inverters is extended to single-phase inverters that can be done by generating all possible switching patterns of the single-phase three-level inverters. Moreover, the concept of carrier-based dipolar modulation and the construction of reference voltages from desired output voltage and added zero voltage to control unipolar switching is also shown. The research results reveal that the proposed method can reduce the voltage and current ripple. Furthermore, the voltage and current harmonics can reduce by 27.80% and 1.79%, respectively less than two-level inverters without a loss of a simple modulation to generate the switching signals.
Fire-fighting UAV with shooting mechanism of fire extinguishing ball for smart city
Authors: Zadeh Nastaran Reza Nazar , Abdulwakil Ameralden H. , Amar Mike Joshua R. , Durante Bernadette , Santos Christian Vincent Nico Reblando
Published: June 2021

With the growth of technology and massive city development, firefighting services have become more challenging to cope with a smart-city concept. One of the challenges that firefighters are facing is reaching the top floors of high-raised buildings. Firefighters need heavy and oversized pieces of equipment to reach top floors, which they sometimes fail to deliver on time due to big cities' traffic. The proposed solution to this global problem is using firefighting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to reach the top floors fast and efficiently; It can also provide a better vision for the firefighting team and slow down the spread of fire using fire extinguishing ball. In this paper, a noble design for a Firefighting UAV with shooting and dropping mechanism of fire extinguishing ball has been developed and successfully tested. A Camera with night vision has been integrated into the UAV to provide a helpful aid for firefighters. The UAV has a controller with a 2.4 GHz radio frequency (RF) signal and video surveillance to regulate the UAV's movement. The controller is also for activating the shooting and dropping mechanism. The researchers examined the behavior of the drone in terms of its stability and functionality.
Temperature and humidity control system for broiler chicken coops
Authors: Ramadiani Ramadiani , Setio Budianto Eko Wiji , Widada Dharma , Widiastuti Masayu , Labib Jundillah Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Stress in chickens due to rising cage temperatures is a problem that is often faced by breeders, especially broiler breeders. Research with the title "temperature and humidity control system for broiler chicken coops", has formulated the research problem as follows; how to make an automatic control system to maintain the temperature and humidity of the ras broiler chicken coop to keep it stable using Arduino Uno ATMega328. In this tool it has been set, if the temperature is ≥ 30º C then the water pump will turn on, and the water pump will turn off when the temperature is ≤ 29º C. Based on the results in this study, the temperature and humidity control system succeeded in helping farmers keep the temperature of the ras broiler chicken coop remained stable, so that farmers' production can be increased. In addition, this system also helps efficiency in terms of time and labor, because this system works automatically.
Intelligent machine for sorting semi-precious minerals
Authors: Polishchuk Mikhail , Tkach Mikhail , Parkhomey Igor , Boiko Juliy , Batrak Yevhenii , Eromenko Oleksander
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes is devoted to solving the problem of sorting workpieces from minerals and semi-precious stones that are used in jewelry production. Intensive development of production leads to a reduction of natural resources, including semi-precious minerals. Therefore, the task of saving the use of minerals is relevant. The solution is based on the idea a new method for sorting semi-precious minerals is proposed, as well as the design of an intelligent installation for implementing this method. An increase in the accuracy of sorting semiprecious minerals has been achieved through the use of charge-coupled device (CCD) matrices, which automatically determine the volume of each mineral in 3D space. From the simulation work, it was found in comparison with manual sorting, the proposed method has reduced the amount of waste in the manufacture of jewelry by 15% ... 20%. Experimental studies were carried out using the example of such a semiprecious mineral as amber. The cost of raw amber in the amount of one kilogram on the modern market is in the range of 1200…2200 US dollars. The result confirms that the method is superior to the alternative method, with the achieved average waste saving of 20%, the proposed sorting technology makes it possible to obtain a profit of 240...440 US dollars per kilogram of amber. Ultimately, these solutions can improve the efficiency of jewelry production.
The development of healthcare mobile robot for helping medical personnel in dealing with COVID-19 patients
Authors: Budiyanta Nova Eka , Wijayanti Linda , Widjaja Basuki Widodo , Tanudjaja Harlianto , Kartadinata V. Budi
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has succeeded in shaking the whole world. This situation requires medical personnel to work extraordinarily to treat COVID-19 patients with very high risk of transmission. For this reason, this study aimed to helping medical personnel handle COVID-19 patients through robotic technology. The development method in this study is proposed as a way to develop robots to serve patients in isolation rooms controlled at a distance away from other rooms. From technical testing, the movement of the robot with a load of 12.59 kg only experienced a speed slowdown which was not too significant, namely at 0.43s with an average percentage of slowdown of 8.96%. The accuracy of the proximity sensor testing is close to perfect with an accuracy percentage of 99.62%. The robot control distance was monitored and running well. Also, the increase in motor temperature is not too large, supported by measurement results of 32.13%. From non-technical testing, based on the test results of the feasibility test of all respondents with 25 indicators reached a feasibility level of 91.46%. In other words, healthcare mobile robots developed for helping medical personnel in dealing with COVID-19 patients are very feasible to be applied in hospitals.
Integrating k-means clustering into automatic programming assessment tool for student performance analysis
Authors: Harimurti Rina , Ekohariadi Ekohariadi , Munoto Munoto , Asto Buditjahjanto I. G. P.
Published: June 2021

Computer programming is a subject involving a large number of logic programming activities. A programmer is compulsory to master skills of algorithms, logic, and programming language to conduct programming. An automatic programming assessment tool is an automated tool used to assist instructors in assessing programming tasks. The technology used in this application is open-source based with an evaluation module that will evaluate the sent program code, assessment, and classification. The evaluation results were then processed in the assessment module, where a comparison process with the test case was performed along with the point calculation. The classification module was used to divide students into five groups based on the point of each practicum. This study used k-means clustering classification method. The entities included were lecturers, assistants, students, and compilers. This application had 2 levels of users namely admin and students. Scoring results were then used in the process of determining the classification of student’s performance based on the k-means clustering method. In connection with the classification test results with three iterations, three practicum scores resulted that the classification process was successfully carried out with student’s performance divided into five groups covering very good, good, sufficient, less, and very less. The data used in the clustering process consisted of 41 students with 10 attributes which were then grouped into 3 groups (clusters).
Telemedicine for silent hypoxia: Improving the reliability and accuracy of Max30100-based system
Authors: Sari Nila Novita , Gani Mina Naidah , Yusuf Regina Aprilia Maharani , Firmando Riko
Published: June 2021

This study aims to design, assess, and improve the reliability of the telemedicine-based system for examination and monitoring of the symptoms of silent hypoxia–an extraordinary symptom of COVID-19. We design a telemedicine system for heart rate and oxygen saturation measurement which consists of a photoplethysmograph Max30100 sensor, NodeMCU microcontroller, real-time clock module, firebase realtime database, and Android-based mobile application. The designed system is tested through a comparative test with a commercially available oximeter. A total of 85 experiments from 40 participants in two different positions were conducted. Our analysis shows the accuracy rate of the Max30100 measurement is 97.11% and 98.84%, for heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2), respectively. Bland Altman was used to appraising and visualizing the agreement between the two measurement devices. We further apply calibration to improve the accuracy of the collected data through linear regression, which reveals 97.14% and 99% accuracy data for heart rate and SpO2, respectively. Finally, a series of end-to-end remote testing is successfully conducted representing the real-life scenario of the telemedicine system. Overall, the designed system attains a reliable option for a telemedicine-based system for examination of the symptoms of silent hypoxia.
Pedestrian age estimation based on deep learning
Authors: Younis Abdullah Nawal , Talal Ghazal Mohammed , Waisi Najwan
Published: June 2021

The large-scale distribution of camera networks in the traffic area resulted in the increasing popularity of video surveillance systems. As pedestrian detection and tracking are the critical monitoring targets in traffic surveillance, many studies focus on pedestrian detection algorithms across cameras. This paper addressed the effect of using the age estimation based on deep convolution neural network (CNN) as a convenience for pedestrian monitoring who is crossing at intersections. Two popular deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) pre-trained models have been used in this work, which have recently achieved the best performance in facial features extraction tasks: VGG-Face and ResNet-50. We combined these two models to increase the efficiency of the proposed system. We ran our experiments to evaluate the system based on the VGGFace2 dataset consisting of 3.31 million face images. From the experimental results, we observed a gap in the detection performances between those age groups: children from (00-10) years and elderly with 55 years and more. Moreover, it noted that the proposed pedestrian age estimation model performance is high, also a good result can be obtained by using the model for new purpose.
Improved grey wolf algorithm for optimization problems
Authors: Asgher Hafiz Maaz , Mohmad Hassim Yana Mazwin , Ghazali Rozaida , Aamir Muhammad
Published: June 2021

The grey wolf optimization (GWO) is a nature inspired and meta-heuristic algorithm, it has successfully solved many optimization problems and give better solution as compare to other algorithms. However, due to its poor exploration capability, it has imbalance relation between exploration and exploitation. Therefore, in this research work, the poor exploration part of GWO was improved through hybrid with whale optimization algorithm (WOA) exploration. The proposed grey wolf whale optimization algorithm (GWWOA) was evaluated on five unimodal and five multimodal benchmark functions. The results shows that GWWOA offered better exploration ability and able to solve the optimization problem and give better solution in search space. Additionally, GWWOA results were well balanced and gave the most optimal in search space as compare to the standard GWO and WOA algorithms.
Protecting Android based applications from malware affected through SMS messages
Authors: Bhanu J. Sasi , R. Sastry J. K. , Reddy T. Chandrasekhara
Published: June 2021

Users use Android-based applications for communicating through emailing, text messaging, and transmission of audio and video objects. The attackers manipulate the email, text, videos, or audio so that users' receipt of the messages causes malware through their handheld devices. A runtime routine is invoked, which causes damage to the local resources of the mobile phone. The manipulation of the messages is done using different signatures, making it difficult to recognize the same using a single approach. Multiple approaches are sometimes required to detect different signature-based incoming messages. Choosing a method that suits the signature of the incoming message is the key. Malware can also enter at the time of installing third-party apps, clicking on the links provided in the messages, installing and invoking the malware in the background. Many issues are involved in dealing with malware detecting, prevention, and curing. A comprehensive architecture is required to deal with every aspect of dealing malware. In this paper, a comprehensive architecture is presented that considers malware's issue, especially concerning malware affected through short message service (SMS) messages operated under the Android operating system. The disection of the SMS messages have been implemented and 99% accuracy has been achieved.
Characters recognition using keys points and convolutional neural network
Authors: Boutounte M. , Ouadid Y.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the convolutional neural network (CNN) is used in order to design an efficient optical character recognition (OCR) system for the Tifinagh characters. indeed, this approach has proved a greater efficiency by giving an accuracy of 99%, this approach based in keys points detection using Harris corner method, the detected points are automatically added to the original image to create a new database compared to the basic method that use directly the database after a preprocessing step consisting on normalization and thinning the characters. Using this method, we can benefit from the power of the convolutional neural network as classifier in image that has already the feature. The test was performed on the Moroccan Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) database composed of 33000 characters of different size and style what present the difficulty, the keys points are the same in the printed and handwritten characters so this method can be apply in both type with some modifications.
Methods for secure cloud processing of big data
Authors: Seitkulov Yerzhan N. , Boranbayev Seilkhan N. , Ulyukova Gulden B. , Yergaliyeva Banu B. , Satybaldina Dina
Published: June 2021

We study new methods of secure cloud processing of big data when solving applied computationally-complex problems with secret parameters. This is one of the topical issues of secure client-server communication. As part of our research work, we model the client-server interactions: we give specific definitions of such concepts as “solvable by the protocol”, “secure protocol”, “correct protocol”, as well as actualize the well-known concepts-“active attacks” and “passive attacks”. First, we will outline the theory and methods of secure outsourcing for various abstract equations with secret parameters, and then present the results of using these methods in solving applied problems with secret parameters, arising from the modeling of economic processes. Many economic tasks involve processing a large set of economic indicators. Therefore, we are considering a typical economic problem that can only be solved on very powerful computers.
Outliers detection in state-space model using indicator saturation approach
Authors: Che Rose Farid Zamani , Ismail Mohd Tahir , Tumin Mohd Hanafi
Published: June 2021

Structural changes that occur due to outliers may reduce the accuracy of an estimated time series model, shifting the mean distribution and causing forecast failure. This study used general-to-specific approach to detect outliers via indicator saturation approach in the local level model framework. Focusing on impulse indicator saturation, performance recorded by the suggested approach was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations. To tackle the issue of higher number of regressors compared to the number of observations, this research utilized the split-half approach algorithm. We found that the impulse indicator saturation performance relies heavily on the size of outlier, location of outlier and number of splits in the series examined. Detection of outliers using sequential and non-sequential algorithms is the most crucial issue in this study. The sequential searching algorithm was able to outperform the non-sequential searching algorithm in eliminating the non-significant indicators based on potency and gauge. The outliers captured using impulse indicator saturation in financial times stock exchange (FTSE) United States of America (USA) shariah index correspond to the financial crisis in 2008-2009.
Hybrid swarm intelligence-based software testing techniques for improving quality of component based software
Authors: Palak Palak , Gulia Preeti , Gill Nasib Singh
Published: June 2021

Being a time-consuming and costly activity, software testing always demands optimization and automation. Software testing is an important activity to achieve quality and customer satisfaction. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of different hybrid automated software testing techniques using the concepts of soft computing for overall quality enhancement. A comparison between three hybrid automation techniques is carried out i.e., hybrid ant colony optimization-genetic algorithms (ACO-GA), hybrid artificial bee colony (ABC)-Naïve Bayes, hybrid ABC-GA along with three parent approaches. The comparison is made by applying these hybrid techniques for the selection of minimized test suites thus reducing overall testing effort and eliminating useless or redundant test cases. The experimental results prove the efficiency of these hybrid approaches in different scenarios. The impact of automated testing techniques for quality enhancement is assessed in terms of defect density and defect detection percentage.
Sound to electric energy generating device
Authors: Dayaday Maricel G. , Olivo Jordan-James S.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents the potential of an electromagnetic transducer device in a form of audio speaker that is used to capture sound waves to be converted into electricity. It is an interesting concept but less explored by researchers. The objective of the study is to measure the potential of electromagnetic transducer as a way to generate electricity. It deals with the creation of electricity through movement and magnetism. Sound waves can induce movement on the surface which in turn moves the transducer thus creating electricity. The source of sound was coming from an 8-inch subwoofer speaker with a frequency of 80 Hz that was held constant throughout the experiment. Furthermore, using simple linear regression analysis, the study showed that for every linear increase of sound intensity level and distance of the source, there is an exponential increase and an exponential decrease in the voltage root mean square (RMS) respectively. The functionality assessment of the device was statistically analyzed using completely randomized design. It was found that the energy level significantly increased as the sound intensity level increases given a fixed distance of 15 mm from the source. The device could generate enough energy to power small electronics such as light emitting diodes (LED), transistor and resistor.
Android interactive word game in mother tongue for early childhood learners
Authors: P. Siosan Rosie Jane , Lavilla Josephine R. , Dequilla Ma. Asuncion Christine V. , De Castro Joel T.
Published: June 2021

As ownership of mobile devices increases, the trend in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in education also advances. In line with the mandate of the department of education to develop interactive strategies, this study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an android interactive word game in Mother Tongue on the level of acceptability of the system based on content, instructional quality, technical quality, presentation and organization, and accuracy and up-to-dateness to address the gap for interactive mobile learning. This study used developmental and quasi-experimental research. The first phase of the study used developmental research to design, develop, and evaluate the acceptability of the android word game. The second phase of the study used quasi-experimental to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed android word game on the pupils' academic performance in mother tongue. The evaluation of the information technology (IT) experts resulted to a very acceptable rating for the android interactive word game, which was observed to be effective based on the higher post-test mean score or higher mean score of the pupils in the spelling skills after their exposure to the android interactive word game.
Flowering plants of Agumbe region, central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India
Authors: Rao G.S. Adithya , Krishnamurthy Y.L.
Published: June 2021

Agumbe, the Cherrapunji of southern India, is a bastion of rich endemic flora.  In the present study of random sampling, a total of 570 species of flowering plants were collected belonging to 370 genera and 105 families, including a few endemic and Red Listed medicinal plants such as Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Roxb., Dipterocarpus indicus Bedd., Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. ex C.DC., Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb., Hopea canarensis Hole, Calophyllum apetalum Willd., Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W.J.de Wilde, and Myristica dactyloides Gaertn.  Family Leguminosae contributes the maximum number of species (47 species) followed by Rubiaceae (32 species) and Asteraceae (27 species) and Genera Ficus (9 species), Diospyros (8 species) and Syzygium (7 species) are the dominant genera. Trees (185 species) are the dominant species followed by herbs (162 species), climbers (117 species), shrubs (62 species), grasses and sedges (19 species), epiphytes (15 species) and parasites (10 species).
Natural history notes on the highly threatened Pinto’s Chachalaca Ortalis remota (Aves: Cracidae)
Authors: Gussoni Carlos Otávio Araujo , Da Silva Marco Aurélio Galvão
Published: June 2021

Pinto’s Chachalaca (Ortalis remota Pinto, 1960; Aves: Cracidae) is one of the most threatened cracid species on the planet, and information regarding the species’ natural history is virtually inexistent.  In this study, we report the results of field observations of the species conducted between January and December 2018.  The observations show that they live preferably in pairs and feed on fruits such as Cecropia pachystachya and Psidium guajava.  Perches used by the species are, preferably, green branches at about 5.5m above the ground with 48° inclination.  Juveniles were found in January, and subadults in May.
First photographic evidence and distribution of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Singh Hemant , Bhardwaj Gobind Sagar , Gokulakannan N. , Agasti Saket , Aditya K.
Published: June 2021

The Indian Pangolin, although considered to be widely distributed due to its elusive nature and low detection probability its status and distribution records are very limited. Rampant hunting for local consumption, and illegal wildlife trade for medicinal and ornamental purposes has pushed the species towards serious decline. Herein, we report the first photographic records of the Indian Pangolin in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), Rajasthan, India. During our camera trapping study from June 2018 to April 2019, out of 29,220 camera trapping nights the species was recorded on four occasions, at two different locations in STR. The species was recorded in the open forest areas near natural water bodies situated in the middle of dense Anogeissus pendula forests.
Occurrence of gilled fungi in Puducherry, India
Authors: Kumaresan Vadivelu , Sariha Chakravarthy , Murali Thokur Sreepathy , Senthilarasu Gunasekaran
Published: June 2021

Thirty-three species of gilled fungi belonging to 23 genera and 14 families were recorded from Puducherry, southern India. Agaricaceae were represented by eight species, followed by Psathyrellaceae (5), Lyophyllaceae & Marasmiaceae (3 each), Hymenogastraceae, Pleurotaceae, Pluteaceae, & Polyporaceae (2 each), and Biannulariaceae, Bolbitiaceae, Omphalotaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Strophariaceae, & Tricholomataceae (1 each). Fourteen species of agarics are new reports from Puducherry. Chlorophyllum rhacodes, Lactocollybia epia, Leucoagaricus meleagris, and Schizophyllum commune were widely distributed. Phylogenetic relationships of the abundant species C. rhacodes, L. epia, and L. meleagris were inferred by maximum likelihood method.
Avian species richness in traditional rice ecosystems: a case study from upper Myanmar
Authors: Platt Steven G. , Win Myo Min , Lin Naing , Aung Swann Htet Naing , John Ashish , Rainwater Thomas
Published: June 2021

Rice Oryza sativa ecosystems provide foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of birds. Myanmar is a major rice-producing nation and yet bird use of rice ecosystems remains largely unstudied. We present the results of a case study of avian species richness in a traditional rice ecosystem at Limpha Village in upper Myanmar. The rice field at Limpha occupies 17.5 ha where a single crop is produced each year without chemical inputs (fertilizer and pesticides). Village lands are contiguous with the buffer zone of Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. We conducted bird surveys of the rice field during dry and wet seasons (2013–20) and documented the occurrence of 85 species (exclusive of Buttonquail these included 58 resident species, 20 migratory species, six species with both resident and migratory populations in upper Myanmar), including 10 species of conservation concern. Species richness was greatest during the dry season when an influx of Palearctic migrants was present. We ranked 52 species as Common, 23 as Uncommon, and 10 as Rare. Most birds used the rice field as foraging rather than breeding habitat. Insectivore was the most common feeding guild (43 species), followed by Omnivore (22 species), Carnivore (12 species), Granivore (6 species), Frugivore (1 species), and Nectarivore (1 species) guilds. We observed eight species associated with domestic Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis and 15 species foraging at active fires or in burned areas in the rice field. Piles of rice straw are important foraging sites for several species. Low intensity agricultural practices, habitat heterogeneity, and proximity to the nearby swamp, forest, & Chindwin River are probably responsible for the relatively high avian species richness at Limpha. Future agricultural intensification could negatively impact avian species richness in the Limpha rice field. Our findings suggest that traditional rice agriculture is compatible with conservation objectives in the buffer zone of Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. Our study, however, requires replication before generalizations can be made concerning the value of traditional rice ecosystems to avian conservation in Myanmar.
Black-bellied Coral Snake Sinomicrurus nigriventer (Wall, 1908) (Elapidae): an extended distribution in the western Himalaya, India
Authors: Kumar Sipu , Dolia Jignasu , Chaudhary Vartika , Kumar Amit , Das Abhijit
Published: June 2021

The Black-bellied Coral Snake Sinomicrurus nigriventer (Wall, 1908) was recently elevated to specific status from Himachal Pradesh where it was also known historically. We present here two individual observations of S. nigriventer from Uttarakhand State of India that constitute the first state record of the species increasing the distribution range ~105 km towards east in the western Himalaya.
Do predatory adult odonates estimate their adult prey odonates’ body size and dispersal ability to proceed with a successful attack?
Authors: Priyadarshana Tharaka Sudesh
Published: June 2021

Predator-prey encounters are one of the most challenging behaviors that animals engage in and play a key role in structuring trophic linkages within food webs. Empirical studies suggest that predators (except pathogens, parasites, and parasitoids) tend to be larger in body size and have better dispersal ability than their prey items; however, when predators prey upon members of the same taxonomic group, it is unclear whether such relationships exist between predators and their prey items since both groups may have similar body sizes and dispersal abilities. Adult odonates can be used to test this as they prey upon other odonates within the same suborder, family, genus or species, although such records are uncommon. Using a dataset collected from Sri Lanka and India from 2012 to 2020, this study identified three types of predation behaviors between two suborders of Odonata, i.e., (i) Anisoptera (dragonflies) prey upon Anisoptera, (ii) Anisoptera prey upon Zygoptera (damselflies), and (iii) Zygoptera prey upon Zygoptera. There was no evidence of Anisoptera predation by Zygoptera. Study results showed strong evidence that there is a significant difference in body size (i.e., body length) and dispersal ability (i.e., hind-wing length) between adult predatory odonates and adult prey odonates for all three types of predations. This may indicate that predatory odonates estimate other odonate prey precisely to proceed with a successful attack.
Population assessment of the endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock Harlan, 1834 at Sheikh Jamal Inani National Park, Bangladesh, and conservation significance of this site for threatened wildlife species
Authors: Kabir M. Tarik , Ahsan M. Farid , Cheyne Susan M. , Sah Shahrul Anuar Mohd , Lappan Susan , Bartlett Thad Q. , Ruppert Nadine
Published: June 2021

Sheikh Jamal Inani National Park (Inani) is a wildlife habitat in Bangladesh located under the Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division, Cox’s Bazar. It constitutes significant habitat for the charismatic and globally ‘Endangered’ Western Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock in Bangladesh. Here, we show that Inani is a poorly-known gibbon habitat with a population of seven groups, comprising a total of 18 individuals. Among them, 77.8% were adults (males and females), and 11.1%, 5.6%, and 5.6% were sub-adults, juveniles, and infants, respectively, indicating low reproductive output. Five of seven groups had no offspring present in the group, and the mean group size of 2.57 individuals/group is low compared to other habitats in Bangladesh. Beside Western Hoolock Gibbon, Inani is home to many threatened wildlife species. The first record of the Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula erithacus in Bangladesh occurred in Inani, adding this new species to the national bird checklist of Bangladesh. The presence of the globally ‘Endangered’ Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Phayre’s Langur Trachypithecus phayrei, & Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata and the globally ‘Vulnerable’ Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina, Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus, Indian Leopard Panthera pardus, & Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartilaginea highlight the importance of Inani as a conservation area in Bangladesh. The Western Hoolock Gibbon and other threatened wildlife of Inani are now on the verge of local extinction due to a sharp increase in forest resource extraction resulting from the recent influx of large numbers of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, many of whom have settled around Inani. Through stakeholder interviews in the area, we have identified feasible and measurable conservation actions at Inani that are urgently needed to prevent further loss of wildlife and to protect this important gibbon habitat.
Erythropoietin Use and the Risk of Stroke in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Hung Peir‐Haur , Yeh Chih‐Ching , Hsiao Chih‐Yen , Muo Chih‐Hsin , Hung Kuan‐Yu , Tsai Kuen‐Jer
Published: June 2021

Background

Targeting higher hemoglobin levels with erythropoietin to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including that of stroke. The risks of the subtypes of stroke, ischemic, hemorrhagic, and unspecified, following the administration of erythropoietin in patients with end‐stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis remain unclear.

Methods and results

Overall, 12 948 adult patients with end‐stage renal disease treated during 1999 to 2010 who had undergone hemodialysis were included. The study end points were the incidences of stroke and its subtypes. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of stroke and its subtypes in erythropoietin recipients compared with nonrecipients. Patients in the erythropoietin cohort did not have an increased risk of stroke compared with those in the nonerythropoietin cohort (adjusted HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.92–1.15). Compared with patients in the nonerythropoietin cohort, the risks of ischemic, hemorrhagic, or unspecified stroke were not higher in patients in the erythropoietin cohort (adjusted HRs, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.93–1.26], 0.96 [95% CI, 0.78–1.18], and 1.03 [95% CI, 0.80–1.32], respectively). Increased risks of stroke and its subtypes were not observed with even large annual defined daily doses of erythropoietin (>201).

Conclusions

Erythropoietin in patients receiving hemodialysis is not associated with increased risk of stroke or any of its subtypes.