bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Validation of Synthesized MicroElectrode Dot Array Actuations for Digital Microfluidic Biochips
Authors: Roy Pushpita , Banerjee Ansuman
Published: July 2021

Digital Microfluidics is an emerging technology for automating laboratory procedures in biochemistry. With more and more complex biochemical protocols getting mapped to biochip devices and microfluidics receiving a wide adoption, it is becoming indispensable to develop automated tools and synthesis platforms that can enable a smooth transformation from complex cumbersome benchtop laboratory procedures to biochip execution. Given an informal/semi-formal assay description and a target microfluidic grid architecture on which the assay has to be implemented, a synthesis tool typically translates the high-level assay operations to low-level actuation sequences that can drive the assay realization on the grid. With more and more complex biochemical assay protocols being taken up for synthesis and biochips supporting a wider variety of operations (e.g., MicroElectrode Dot Arrays (MEDAs)), the task of assay synthesis is getting intricately complex. Errors in the synthesized assay descriptions may have undesirable consequences in assay operations, leading to unacceptable outcomes after execution on the biochips. In this work, we focus on the challenge of examining the correctness of synthesized protocol descriptions, before they are taken up for realization on a microfluidic biochip. In particular, we take up a protocol description synthesized for a MEDA biochip and adopt a formal analysis method to derive correctness proofs or a violation thereof, pointing to the exact operation in the erroneous translation. We present experimental results on a few bioassay protocols and show the utility of our framework for verifiable protocol synthesis.
A Review on Machine Learning Application in Biodiesel Production Studies
Authors: Xing Yuanzhi , Zheng Zile , Sun Yike , Agha Alikhani Masoome
Published: July 2021

The consumption of fossil fuels has exponentially increased in recent decades, despite significant air pollution, environmental deterioration challenges, health problems, and limited resources. Biofuel can be used instead of fossil fuel due to environmental benefits and availability to produce various energy sorts like electricity, power, and heating or to sustain transportation fuels. Biodiesel production is an intricate process that requires identifying unknown nonlinear relationships between the system input and output data; therefore, accurate and swift modeling instruments like machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) are necessary to design, handle, control, optimize, and monitor the system. Among the biodiesel production modeling methods, machine learning provides better predictions with the highest accuracy, inspired by the brain’s autolearning and self-improving capability to solve the study’s complicated questions; therefore, it is beneficial for modeling (trans) esterification processes, physicochemical properties, and monitoring biodiesel systems in real-time. Machine learning applications in the production phase include quality optimization and estimation, process conditions, and quantity. Emissions composition and temperature estimation and motor performance analysis investigate in the consumption phase. Fatty methyl acid ester stands as the output parameter, and the input parameters include oil and catalyst type, methanol-to-oil ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction time, domain, and frequency. This paper will present a review and discuss various ML technology advantages, disadvantages, and applications in biodiesel production, mainly focused on recently published articles from 2010 to 2021, to make decisions and optimize, model, control, monitor, and forecast biodiesel production.
Multiphase Flow Coupling Behavior of Bubbles Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics during AFP Process: The Behavior Characteristics of Bubbles during AFP Process
Authors: Guo Jinglan , Wang Siyuan
Published: July 2021

To investigate the mechanism of the effect of process parameters on bubble flow behavior during automated fiber placement (AFP) and the relationship between the bubble and voids, mechanical properties of laminates, this paper analyzes the multiphase flow coupling behavior of the bubble and fiber formation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FE) method under different AFP process parameters. The effects of AFP process parameters on bubble characteristics and fiber deformation are then discussed, respectively, including bubble displacement, maximum cross‐sectional area, the lowest internal temperature of the bubble, bubble breakup, and maximum deformation of the fiber. Furthermore, the AFP and corresponding test experiments are performed to investigate the relationships between different bubble characteristics and void content, mechanical properties, mainly interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural strength (FS). The results show that the maximum cross‐sectional area of bubbles is closely related to the AFP process parameters. The FS and ILSS are positively correlated with the maximum cross‐sectional area. With the increase of bubble displacement and fiber maximum deformation, FS and ILSS are first increased and then decreased.
Vitamin D Intoxication and Nephrocalcinosis in a Young Breastfed Infant
Authors: Al-Kandari Abdullah , Sadeq Hussain , Alfattal Rita , AlRashid Maryam , Alsaeid Mayra
Published: July 2021

Numerous studies were performed assessing the benefits and side effects of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps in regulating the calcium and phosphate metabolism leading to a healthy mineral and bone development. Vitamin D intoxication is an uncommon event that leads to hypercalcemia which can be associated with both immediate and late morbidities that can cause severe renal complications. Here, we present a case of a 4-month-old girl with a history of decreased feed and activity due hypercalcemia and high vitamin D level, which led to nephrocalcinosis. The patient received IV fluids, IV diuretics, methylprednisolone, and bisphosphonate in order to normalize the calcium level in blood. With clear verbal and written instructions for the dosage and administration of vitamin D supplements, as well as clear warnings of the potential risks of overdose, vitamin D intoxication could be an easily avoidable condition.
Analysis of Acanthopanax giraldii Harms Polysaccharide II Composition and Its Immune-Protective Role in a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mice Model
Authors: Guo Xiaoxiao , Hao Huihui , Meng Aixia , Xu Cai , Ma Yuan , Sun Fengxiang , Chen Yong
Published: July 2021

Acanthopanax giraldii Harms is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatism, improve joints, and strengthen muscles and bones. The polysaccharides present in A. giraldii Harms contain major bioactive substances, which have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral activities. In this study, the structural characterization of the homogeneous polysaccharide isolated from A. giraldii Harms, known as AHP-II, and its immunomodulatory effects in vivo will be studied. High-performance ion chromatography (HPIC) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) based analyses revealed that AHP-II was composed of various monosaccharides, which included rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid in molar ratios of 29.5 : 24.6 : 23.8 : 4.4 : 5.7 : 8.8 : 3.1, respectively, and had a collective molecular weight of 80.21 × 103 Da. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the presence of a pyranose ring and β-type glycosidic linkages in AHP-II. In addition, immunomodulatory effect analyses of AHP-II that used a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mouse model demonstrated that its treatment could significantly restore spleen and thymus indices, promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, elevate CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage and CD4+ : CD8+ ratio in the spleen, promote macrophage phagocytosis, and restore cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IgM, and IgG) levels. These results suggested that AHP-II could potentially be used as natural immunomodulator and as an alternative treatment to reduce chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.
Chitosan and Curcumin Nanoformulations against Potential Cardiac Risks Associated with Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles in Wistar Male Rats
Authors: Mosa Israa F. , Abd Haitham H. , Abuzreda Abdelsalam , Yousif Amenh B. , Assaf Nadhom
Published: July 2021

Nanoparticle-induced cardiovascular diseases have attracted much attention. Upon entering the blood circulation system, these particles have the potency to induce cardiomyocytes, leading to cardiac failure or myocardial ischemia, and the molecular mechanism remains to be completely clarified. In this study, the cardiac toxicity of rats orally exposed to hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAPNPs) has been observed through an increase in myocardial infarction serum markers including CK-MB and alterations in routine blood factors, expression of apoptosis-related protein P53, and increased levels of serum inflammatory markers represented by the tumor necrosis factor alpha and Interleukin-6, as well as a decline in heart antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione level, while an induction in lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide has been observed, as well as notable histological and histochemical alterations in the heart of these animals. mRNA and protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were elevated in the myocardium. However, the coadministration of chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) and/or curcumin nanoparticles (CurNPs) successfully modulated these alterations and induced activation in antioxidant parameters. The present data suggest that HAPNPs-induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway may play a crucial role in cardiac tissue damage and the early treatment with CsNPs and CurNPs may protect the heart from infarction induced by HAPNPs toxic effect.
Regression-Based Prediction of Power Generation at Samanalawewa Hydropower Plant in Sri Lanka Using Machine Learning
Authors: Ekanayake Piyal , Wickramasinghe Lasini , Jayasinghe J. M. Jeevani W. , Rathnayake Upaka
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the development of models for the prediction of power generation at the Samanalawewa hydropower plant, which is one of the major power stations in Sri Lanka. Four regression-based machine learning and statistical techniques were applied to develop the prediction models. Rainfall data at six locations in the catchment area of the Samanalawewa reservoir from 1993 to 2019 were used as the main input variables. The minimum and maximum temperature and evaporation at the reservoir site were also incorporated. The collinearities between the variables were investigated in terms of Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. It was found that rainfall at one location is less impactful on power generation, while that at other locations are highly correlated with each other. Prediction models based on monthly and quarterly data were developed, and their performance was evaluated in terms of the correlation coefficient (R), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), ratio of the root mean square error (RMSE) to the standard deviation of measured data (RSR), BIAS, and the Nash number. Of the Gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR), multiple linear regression (MLR), and power regression (PR), the machine learning techniques (GPR and SVR) produced the comparably accurate prediction models. Being the most accurate prediction model, the GPR produced the best correlation coefficient closer to 1 with a very less error. This model could be used in predicting the hydropower generation at the Samanalawewa power station using the rainfall forecast.
Impact of Shared Bus on Campus Travel and Space Optimization Based on Activity Travel Behavior
Authors: Chen Qiong , Zhang Hong , Wang Jianbiao , Ye Hongyu , Chu Zhaoming , Lou Bixia , Li Dawei
Published: July 2021

Based on the travel analysis of students in the Jiulonghu campus, this paper constructs a small-scale shared bus in the campus, explores the impact of shared traffic on campus travel, promotes the optimization design of campus space environment, and creates a more comfortable and convenient travel space. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional trip-based research, this paper analyzes travel behavior from the perspective of activity-based travel concept framework, considering more activities and travel information. At the same time, in order to improve the richness of information, the explicit preference survey (RP) and the declarative preference survey (SP), which are added to the bus sharing customized travel platform, are used to collect data of personal attributes and travel diary. Firstly, based on the ArcGIS platform, this paper constructs the activity travel path generation tool, dynamic activity density distribution tool, and spatiotemporal path clustering tool and comprehensively analyzes the activity travel mode from the aspects of time distribution, spatial distribution, and category characteristics. Secondly, based on the travel activities, the location selection model (S-MNL) considering the heterogeneity of SP and RP data sources and the activity duration planning model (Cox regression), considering the nonnormal distribution of activity duration are established to analyze the impact of shared bus on students’ travel distance, travel time, and travel frequency. Finally, according to the analysis of modeling results, the impact of shared traffic on campus travel is analyzed, and the optimal design scheme of campus space is given. This paper uses the survey method based on declarative preference SP and the survey method based on explicit preference (RP) to get the actual and hypothetical travel response of travelers, which improves the data richness.
Evaluation of Aloe elegans Mucilage as a Suspending Agent in Paracetamol Suspension
Authors: Woldu Gebremariam , Baymot Berhe , Tesfay Desta , Demoz Gebre Teklemariam
Published: July 2021

Background. There are various natural excipients which have been used as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspensions due to the presence of mucilage in their specialized cells and their capacity to form a colloidal gel in an aqueous medium. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suspending capacity of Aloe elegans mucilage in suspension formulations. Materials and Methods. Aloe elegans mucilage (AEM) was evaluated as a suspending agent in comparison with xanthan gum (XG) in paracetamol suspensions at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (w/v) concentrations. The resulting suspensions were evaluated for their sedimentation volume, apparent viscosity, flow rate, rate of redispersibility, pH, assay, and dissolution profile. Results. The volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility rate of the formulations were significantly increased (p < 0.05), with the concentration of the suspending agents. Meanwhile, the apparent viscosity for all formulations has significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with an increase in shear rates. Volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility degree of the formulations prepared with AEM were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than XG‐containing formulations at the same concentration. Nevertheless, the sedimentation volume of all formulations with AEM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the suspension without any suspending agent. With regard to drug content and pH values, all formulations showed an acceptable result with the standards. All formulations showed a release of greater than 85% of drug content within 45 min. Conclusion. Aloe elegans mucilage could have a potential to be utilized as an alternative suspending agent in pharmaceutical suspensions.
Boundedness and Asymptotic Behavior to a Chemotaxis System with Indirect Signal Generation and Singular Sensitivity
Authors: Wu Jie , Zhao Li , Pan Heping
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we consider the following indirect signal generation and singular sensitivity

n

t

=
Δ
n
+
χ

∇

⋅

n
/
φ

c

∇
c

,
 
x
∈
Ω
,
t
>
0
,

c

t

=
Δ
c
−
c
+
w
,
 
x
∈
Ω
,
t
>
0
,

w

t

=
Δ
w
−
w
+
n
,
 
x
∈
Ω
,
t
>
0
,

in a bounded domain

Ω
⊂

R

N

N
=
2
,
3

with smooth boundary

∂
Ω

. Under the nonflux boundary conditions for

n

,

c

, and

w

, we first eliminate the singularity of

φ

c

by using the Neumann heat semigroup and then establish the global boundedness and rates of convergence for solution.
Cognitive Impairment in Opium Use Disorder
Authors: Sanjari Moghaddam Hossein , Shadloo Behrang , Shahkhah Helen , Tafakhori Abbas , Haghshomar Maryam , Meshkat Shakila , Aghamollaii Vajiheh
Published: July 2021

This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the effects of opium use disorder (OUD) on attention, working memory, and information-processing speed. Thirty outpatients with OUD and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were assessed using a neuropsychological battery consisted of Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Revised (AVLT-R), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Digit Forward and Backward Tests (DFT and DBT), and WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The most affected cognitive functions in patients with OUD were detected by DBT and DSST. However, we found no significant difference between patients according to the route of administration. Within patients with OUD, DBT score was associated with opium use quantity (OUQ) (

r
=
−
0.385

), and DBT (

r
=
0.483

) and DSST (

r
=
0.542

) scores were correlated with duration of use. Our findings indicated that working memory and information-processing speed are the most affected domains of cognitive functioning. DBT and DSST could be used as brief assessments in clinical settings to screen for cognitive deficits in patients with OUD.
Analysis of Interwell Connectivity of Tracer Monitoring in Carbonate Fracture-Vuggy Reservoir: Taking T-Well Group of Tahe Oilfield as an Example
Authors: Sheng Shuyao , Duan Yonggang , Wei Mingqiang , Yue Tao , Wu Zijian , Tan Linjiang
Published: July 2021

Carbonate fracture-vuggy reservoirs are one of the hot spots in oil and gas exploration and development. However, it is extremely difficult to describe the internal spatial structure of the fracture-vuggy unit and understand the interwell connection relationship. As a method to measure reservoir characteristics and feedback reservoir production information directly according to the detected concentration curve, interwell tracer technology provides a direct measure for people to understand the law of oil-water movement and reservoir heterogeneity and is widely used in various domestic oil fields. Based on the flow law of tracer and the CFD flow simulation basic model, this paper establishes the physical conceptual model and studies the influence of three physical parameters (the flow velocity of the fluid passing through the connected channel, diameter of the connected channel, and length of the connected channel) on the concentration curve at the outlet. In addition, the influence of different interwell connection modes on tracer concentration was studied and classified scientifically. According to the simulation, the tracer concentration curve can be classified into three types: unimodal curve, bimodal curve, and multimodal curve. Finally, the injection-production well group in the T-well area of the Tahe Oilfield is taken as an example, the connection mode between injection and production wells in this well area is further discussed and has been verified, which can be used as a reference for the connectivity analysis of similar carbonate reservoirs.
Diagnostic Challenges of Pneumocystis Pneumonia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of a Young Patient with Ground Glass Opacities and Pulmonary Embolism on Chest CT
Authors: Lim William , Suhail Maham , Diaz Keith
Published: July 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is wreaking havoc across the globe. This pandemic has given rise to a mindset where physicians tend to neglect other causes of pneumonia, especially if the patient presents with signs and symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19. Herein, we report a case of a young man presenting to the emergency department with common clinical, radiological, and laboratory features of COVID-19 pneumonia such as shortness of breath, hypoxia, pulmonary embolism, elevated D-dimer, and bilateral ground glass opacities on computed tomography of the chest but was later diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia that was treated with appropriate antibiotics and corticosteroids. This case highlights the importance of performing a thorough clinical history and differentiating the clinical and radiological features of COVID-19 pneumonia from pneumonia of other etiologies.
Vibration Characteristics Analysis of Composite Laminated Annular/Circular Plate Using High‐Order Shear Deformation Theory
Authors: Jin Guodong , Ma Lei , Zhang Hong , Wang Qingshan
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the free vibration behaviors of composite laminated annular and circular plates under complex elastic boundary constraints are investigated. Firstly, Reddy’s high‐order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and Jacobi polynomial method are effectively combined to establish the unified vibration analysis model of composite laminated annular and circular plates. Secondly, the simulation of complex elastic boundary and coupling boundary is realized by using artificial virtual spring technology. Then, the energy equation of the composite laminated plate is established by using Rayleigh–Ritz energy technology. Finally, the free vibration solution equation of the laminated plate is obtained through the Hamilton differential principle. The fast and uniform convergence of this method and the accuracy of the calculated results are verified by numerical examples and the model experimental method. On this basis, the parameterization study is conducted, and the effects of material parameters, geometric parameters, spring stiffness values, and lamination scheme on the vibration characteristics of the annular or circular plate are fully discussed, which can provide a theoretical basis for future research.
The Importance of Clinical Data for the Diagnosis of Breast Tumours in North Afghanistan
Authors: Stauch Gerhard , Fritz Peter , Rokai Rauofi , Sediqi Atiq , Firooz Haroon , Voelker Hans Ullrich , Weinhara Michael , Mollin Joachim , Soudah Bishara , Dalquen Peter , Brinckmann Friedhelm , Dippon Jürgen
Published: July 2021

Background. This study was performed in knowledge of the increasing gap between breast disease treatment in countries with restricted resources and developed countries with increasingly sophisticated examination methods. Methods. The authors present the analysis of a breast disease register consisting of diagnostic cases from Mazar e Sharif and Herat in 2018 and 2019. The study comprises a total of 567 cases, which were presented to experts via telemedicine for final diagnosis. 62 cases (10.9%) were excluded due to inacceptable data or insufficient image quality. These data provided by daily diagnostic classification were used for the built-up of a profile for each frequent breast disease and a breast cancer register. All images and cases were seen by at least 3 independent experts. The diagnoses were made in 60% of cases by cytology of fine needle aspiration and in 40% by histological images. Results. For each entity of breast diseases (e.g., fibroadenoma), a profile of context variables was constructed allowing to assist medical decisions, as “wait and see,” elective surgery or immediate surgical intervention with R0 (complete) resection. These “profiles” could be described for fibroadenoma, mastitis, galactocele, fibrous-cystic disease, and invasive breast cancer. Conclusions. The presented preliminary data set could serve as a cost-effective basis for a North Afghan breast cancer registry, with option to extent to a national model. These preliminary data are transformed in profiles of breast diseases, which are used by the local physicians in charge of breast disease patients. Each new case can be compared by the local treating physician with the profile of all preceded cases with the same diagnosis.
Critical Hydraulic Eccentricity Estimation in Vertical Turbine Pump Impeller to Control Vibration
Authors: Birajdar Ravindra S. , Keste Appasaheb A. , Gawande Shravan H.
Published: July 2021

In many applications, pumps are tested against standard specifications to define the maximum allowable vibration amplitude limits of a pump. It is essential to identify the causes of vibration and methods to attenuate the same to ensure the safe and satisfactory operation of a pump. Causes of vibration can be classified mainly into mechanical and hydraulic nature. Respective unbalance masses are the two major factors which cause dynamic effects and excitation forces leading to undesirable vibrations. In this paper, the procedure of vibration magnitude measurement of a vertical turbine pump at site and the process of dynamic balancing to measure mechanical unbalance of an impeller are explained. After that, the impact of hydraulic eccentricity on the vibration displacement of a vertical turbine pump has been explained using numerical simulation procedure based on “One-way Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI).” The experimental results from a pump at site are used to compare the numerical results. After the solver validation, the one-way FSI approach is used to find the critical hydraulic eccentricity magnitude of a vertical turbine pump impeller to limit the vibration magnitudes on motor component to less than 100 μm. From the numerical simulations, it is deduced that the critical hydraulic eccentricity should be limited to 400 μm in

X

and

Y

direction. The process can be used as a guideline procedure for limiting the hydraulic unbalance in vertical turbine pumps by limiting the hydraulic eccentricity.
Intranasally Administered Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Stem Cells Have Immunomodulatory Effects in a Mouse Model of Asthma
Authors: Mun Sue Jean , Kang Shin Ae , Park Hye-Kyung , Yu Hak Sun , Cho Kyu-Sup , Roh Hwan-Jung
Published: July 2021

Asthma is a chronic eosinophilic airway disease characterized by type 2 helper T cell-driven inflammation. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) and the ASC culture supernatant are known to improve allergic airway inflammation; however, the immunomodulatory effects of ASC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on allergic airway diseases remain unclear. Thus, we assessed the effects of ASC-derived EVs on allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. EVs were isolated from the culture supernatant of murine ASCs and characterized. Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection and challenged intranasally with OVA. Before the OVA challenge, 10 μg/50 μl of ASC-derived EVs was administered intranasally to the experimental group. ASC-derived EVs significantly attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthmatic mice (

p
=
0.023

). ASC-derived EVs resulted in a remarkable reduction of the total number of inflammatory cells (

p
=
0.005

) and eosinophils (

p
=
0.023

) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the degree of eosinophilic lung inflammation (

p
<
0.001

), and the serum total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E (

p
=
0.048

and

p
=
0.001

) and total IgG1 (

p
<
0.001

). Interleukin- (IL-) 4 was significantly inhibited with ASC-derived EV pretreatment in the BALF and lung draining lymph nodes (LLNs) (

p
=
0.040

and

p
=
0.011

). Furthermore, ASC-derived EV administration resulted in a significant increase of the regulatory T cell (Treg) populations in LLNs. ASC-derived EVs alleviated AHR and allergic airway inflammation caused by the induction of Treg expansion in a mouse model of asthma. There seems to be a role for ASC-derived EVs as a modifier in allergic airway disease.
Effect of Using Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Quality Indicators of Screening Colonoscopies
Authors: Chirayath Subin , Bahirwani Janak , Kaur Parampreet , Martins Noel , Modi Ronak
Published: July 2021

Background. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected many facets of the practice of medicine including screening colonoscopies. Aims. Our study looks to observe if there has been an effect on the quality of colonoscopies, as indicated by quality measures such as the cecal intubation rate (CIR), cecal intubation time (CIT), scope withdrawal time (SWT), and adenoma detection rate (ADR) with the adoption of standard COVID-19 precautions. Methods. We conducted a retrospective chart review to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening colonoscopies. The study utilized data on CIR, CIT, SWT, and ADR from outpatient, nonemergent procedures conducted at 3 endoscopy suites of St. Luke’s University Health Network. All inpatient and emergent procedures were excluded. Results. Our study demonstrated that the total number of screening colonoscopies was decreased between 2019 and 2020 (318 in 2019 vs. 157 in 2020,

p
=
0.005

). CIT (

320
±
105

seconds in 2019 vs.

392
±
107

seconds in 2020,

p
=
0.001

) and SWT (

706
±
232

seconds in 2019 vs.

830
±
241

seconds in 2020,

p
=
0.001

) were increased while CIR (98.2% in 2019 vs. 96.6% in 2020,

p
=
0.04

) was decreased between 2019 and 2020 likely due to PPE introduction. ADR was similar between the two groups (38.23 (12.50-66.66) in 2019 vs. 38.18 (16.66-66.00) in 2020,

p
=
0.8

). Conclusion. Our study showed that quality indices for screening colonoscopies like CIR, CIT, and SWT were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 time period. ADR, however, was similar. Thus, the efficiency of the procedures was affected by the use of PPE but it did not affect the colonoscopy’s clinical benefit.
Terahertz Absorption Properties of Two Solid Amino Acids and Their Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ye Ping , Wang Guoyang , Yang Yizhou , Meng Qinghao , Wang Jiahui , Su Bo , Zhang Cunlin
Published: July 2021

A new type of embedded cyclic olefin copolymer microfluidic chip was designed and combined with terahertz (THz) technology to study the effects of glycine and arginine on the THz wave absorption characteristics. This study aims to understand the interactions between solid amino acid molecules and between amino acid and water molecules and to determine the changes in their microstructure. By observing the intensity of the time domain spectra in the range of 0.2–2.6 THz, we found that, as the concentration of glycine and arginine increased, the THz transmission gradually decreased. It can be inferred that the molecular structure and quantity of different amino acids have different influence on the hydrogen bond, which affects the absorption coefficient in solution. It was also found that the terahertz technique is able to identify the solid amino acid species better, and it can also perform some species identification for liquid amino acids. These results provide a reference for future studies on the terahertz absorption properties of amino acid samples. Moreover, Gaussian16 software was used to calculate the terahertz spectra using the density functional theory, B3LYP functional, and 6-31G basis set. Additionally, Gaussian View6 video software provided the frequency values, molecular vibration modes of the theoretical absorption peaks of glycine, arginine, and its aqueous solutions in the frequency range of 0.2–2.6 THz, which offers theoretical support for future studies.
Mean Estimators Using Robust Quantile Regression and L-Moments’ Characteristics for Complete and Partial Auxiliary Information
Authors: Anas Malik Muhammad , Huang Zhensheng , Alilah David Anekeya , Shafqat Ambreen , Hussain Sajjad
Published: July 2021

Ratio type regression estimator is a prevalent and readily implemented heuristic under simple random sampling (SRS) and two-stage sampling for the estimation of population. But this existing method is based on the ordinary least square (OLS) regression coefficient which is not an effective approach in the presence outliers in the data. In this article, we proposed a class of estimators firstly for complete auxiliary information and, later on, for partial auxiliary information for the presence of outliers in the data. To address this problem, initially we presented a distinct class of estimators by introducing the characteristics of L-moments in the existing estimators. Later on, quantile regression estimators are defined as more robust in the presence of outliers. These techniques empowered the proposed estimators to handle the problem of outliers. To prove the better performance of the proposed estimators, numerical studies are carried out using R language. To calculate the mean square error (MSE), hypothetical equations are expressed for adapted and proposed estimators. Percentage Relative Efficiencies (PRE) are compared to justify the proposed estimators.
Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Presenting as Hemolytic Anemia due to Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Authors: Woodford Amanda M. , Chaudhry Rabhea , Conte Gabriella A. , Gupta Varsha , Anne Madhurima
Published: July 2021

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient which plays an important role in neurological function, hematopoiesis, and DNA synthesis. Low levels usually stem from either poor intake or a malabsorptive process. Presently, the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is food-bound cobalamin malabsorption, which occurs when there is impaired release of vitamin B12 from ingested food due to an outstanding factor preventing the release of the nutrient from its transport protein. Such causes include achlorhydria, gastritis, gastrectomy, or the use of PPIs or antacids. A rarer cause is autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis, resulting in pernicious anemia. In this disease process, there is destruction of parietal cells and thus a reduction in intrinsic factor, which is essential to the absorption of vitamin B12. Deficiency will result in a variety of abnormalities including but not limited to pancytopenia, paresthesias, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A rare manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency is hemolytic anemia, which occurs due to intramedullary and extramedullary dysfunction. This case describes a 46-year-old male with no past medical history who presented with chest pain, fatigue, and progressive weakness, found to have hemolytic anemia, ultimately attributed to vitamin B12 deficiency. Antiparietal cell antibodies and intrinsic factor antibodies (IFA) were both negative. Still, the patient underwent an endoscopy with biopsies of the stomach; pathology was consistent with chronic metaplastic atrophic gastritis. The patient improved with intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation. This case highlights both a rare cause and presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency. Patients with autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis should have antiparietal cell or intrinsic factor antibodies. Still, seronegative patients have been reported, like this patient. Additionally, hemolytic anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency is uncommon. The presentation will usually mirror that of a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including hemolytic anemia with schistocytes on peripheral blood smear and thrombocytopenia, as it did in this patient. This clinical entity is described as pseudothrombotic microangiopathy and is crucial to identify in order to prevent the initiation of invasive treatment strategies such as plasmapheresis.
European Option Pricing Formula in Risk-Aversive Markets
Authors: Wu Shujin , Wang Shiyu
Published: July 2021

In this study, using the method of discounting the terminal expectation value into its initial value, the pricing formulas for European options are obtained under the assumptions that the financial market is risk-aversive, the risk measure is standard deviation, and the price process of underlying asset follows a geometric Brownian motion. In particular, assuming the option writer does not need the risk compensation in a risk-neutral market, then the obtained results are degenerated into the famous Black–Scholes model (1973); furthermore, the obtained results need much weaker conditions than those of the Black–Scholes model. As a by-product, the obtained results show that the value of European option depends on the drift coefficient

μ

of its underlying asset, which does not display in the Black–Scholes model only because

μ
=
r

in a risk-neutral market according to the no-arbitrage opportunity principle. At last, empirical analyses on Shanghai 50 ETF options and S&P 500 options show that the fitting effect of obtained pricing formulas is superior to that of the Black–Scholes model.
Asymptotic Behavior of the Solutions of the Generalized Globally Modified Navier–Stokes Equations
Authors: Duan Yonghong , Chai Xiaojuan
Published: July 2021

The paper is concerned with the existence and the asymptotic behavior of solutions to a class of generalized Navier–Stokes equations, which generalises the so-called globally modified Navier–Stokes equations. The existence and uniqueness of solutions are proved under different assumptions on the dissipation and modification factors. For the asymptotic behavior of solutions, we prove the existence of global attractors in proper spaces. The results generalize some results derived in our previous work Ann. Polon. Math. 122(2):101–128(2019).
In Silico Screening of Putative Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Antigens and Serological Diagnosis for Caseous Lymphadenitis in Sheep by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Droppa-Almeida Daniela , Ferreira Caroline de Santana , Brito Ioná , Borsuk Sibele , Rodríguez Jorge Alberto López , Lima-Verde Isabel Bezerra , Padilha Francine Ferreira
Published: July 2021

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent of Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA), a disease leading to severe damage in sheep and goats farming due to the lack of serological diagnosis, treatment, and effective prophylaxis. In this context, several strategies in an attempt to discover new antigens to compose diagnosis assays or vaccines are fundamental. Therefore, this study aimed to use bioinformatics software to evaluate the critical chemical characteristics of unknown proteins of C. pseudotuberculosis by selecting them for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. For this purpose, six protein sequences of ascorbate transporter subunit, UPF protein, MMPL family transporter, Ribonuclease, Iron ABC transporter domain-containing permease, and fimbrial subunit were obtained. In silico analyses were performed using amino acid sequences to access immunodominant epitopes and their antigenic and allergenic potential and physicochemical characterization. The expressed proteins were used as an antigen for serological diagnosis by ELISA. All proteins showed distinct immunodominant epitopes and potential antigenic characteristics. The only proteins expressed were PTS and Ribonuclease. In parallel, we expressed CP40 and all were used with ELISA antigen in 49 CLA positive sera and 26 CLA negative sera. The proteins alone showed 100% sensitivity and 96.2%, 92.3%, and 88.5% specificity for rPTS, rRibonuclease, and rCP40, respectively. When proteins were combined, they showed 100% sensitivity and 84.6%, 92.3%, 88.5%, and 92.3% specificity for rPTS/rCp40, rRibonuclease/rCP40, rPTS/rRibonuclease, and rPTS/rRibonuclease/rCP40, respectively. The results of this study show an excellent correlation of sensitivity and specificity with all proteins. None of the specificity values preclude the potential of rPTS, rRibonuclease, or rCP40 for use in ELISA diagnostic assays since the results of this work are superior to those of other studies on CLA diagnosis described in the literature.
The Relationship between Mycoplasmas and Cancer: Is It Fact or Fiction ? Narrative Review and Update on the Situation
Authors: Yacoub Elhem , Saed Abdul-Wahab Osama Mohammed , Al-Shyarba Mishari H. , Ben Abdelmoumen Mardassi Boutheina
Published: July 2021

More than one million new cancer cases occur worldwide every year. Although many clinical trials are applied and recent diagnostic tools are employed, curing cancer disease is still a great challenge for mankind. Heredity and epigenetics are the main risk factors often related to cancer. Although, the infectious etiological role in carcinogenesis was also theorized. By establishing chronic infection and inflammation in their hosts, several microorganisms were suggested to cause cell transformation. Of these suspicious microorganisms, mycoplasmas were well regarded because of their intimate parasitism with host cells, as well as their silent and insidious role during infections. This assumption has opened many questions about the real role played by mycoplasmas in oncogenesis. Herein, we presented a sum up of many studies among the hundreds which had addressed the Mycoplasma-cancer topic over the past 50 years. Research studies in this field have first started by approving the mycoplasmas malignancy potential. Indeed, using animal models and in vitro experiments in various cell lines from human and other mammalians, many mycoplasmas were proven to cause varied modifications leading to cell transformation. Moreover, many studies have looked upon the Mycoplasma-cancer subject from an epidemiological point of view. Diverse techniques were used to assess the mycoplasmas prevalence in patients with cancer from different countries. Not less than 10 Mycoplasma species were detected in the context of at least 15 cancer types affecting the brain, the breast, the lymphatic system, and different organs in the genitourinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. Based on these revelations, one should concede that detection of mycoplasmas often linked to ‘‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’’ is not a coincidence and might have a role in cancer. Thorough investigations are needed to better elucidate this role. This would have a substantial impact on the improvement of cancer diagnosis and its prevention.
Investigation of the Fracturing Effect Induced by the Disturbing Stress of Hydrofracturing Using the Bonded-Particle Model
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Yuqi , Huang Bingxiang
Published: July 2021

Hydraulic fracturing applications have shown a stress disturbance effect during hydraulic fracture propagation, which is often ignored. Using laboratory and discrete element numerical simulation tests, hydraulic fracture propagation under this stress disturbance is systematically studied. The results show that during hydraulic fracturing, the bedding plane is damaged by the stress disturbance, forming a bedding fracture zone (BFZ). The nonlinear fracture characteristics of the formation process of the disturbed fracture zone are revealed, and two indexes (the number of fractures in the disturbed fracture zone and the size of the disturbed fracture zone) are proposed to evaluate the fracturing effect of the stress disturbance. Based on these indexes, multifactor sensitivity tests are conducted under different geological conditions and operational factors. When the principal stress (

σ

1

) difference is large, the number of hydraulic fractures gradually decreases from many to one, and the direction of the hydraulic fractures gradually approaches the vertical direction of

σ

3

, but the change in the in situ stress condition has no obvious effect on the stress disturbance effect. The weaker the bonding strength of the bedding plane, the more significant the stress disturbance effect is, and the easier it is for the fractures to expand along the bedding plane. With increasing injection rate, the stress disturbance effect first increases and then decreases, and the hydraulic fracture propagates from along the bedding plane to cross the bedding plane. With increasing relative distance between the injection hole and bedding plane, the stress disturbance effect presents a linearly increasing trend, and the hydraulic fractures along the bedding planes extend. Based on the experimental results, the relationship between the fracturing effect of the stress disturbance and the extension mode of the hydraulic fracture is determined, and an optimization method for hydraulic fracturing in composite rock reservoirs is given. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for controlling the formation of complex fracture networks in composite rock reservoirs.
Taiwanese Buddhism and Environmentalism
Authors: Lee Chengpang , Han Ling
Published: July 2021

Buddhism is often said to be an environment-friendly religion, but this thesis is rarely investigated. In this paper, we employ a mixed-method approach to examine this thesis in the case of Taiwan. We use data from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (tscs) and apply qualitative content analysis to examine practices among major Taiwanese Buddhist organizations. The findings suggest: (1) Buddhists in Taiwan engage significantly more in environment-friendly behavior than other religious members, and (2) members of different Buddhist organizations display similar levels of engagement in environment-related behavior. However, (3) Buddhist organizations engage very differently in environment-related activities. (4) Buddhist organizations engage more in nonpolitical environmental activities than they do in politically sensitive ones, and (5) among the four major Buddhist organizations, female-led Buddhist organizations show a higher level of environment-related practices than male-led organizations.
Log Transport in the Limestone Alps, Austria: Where Did the Timber Go?
Authors: Grabner Michael , Wächter Elisabeth , Karanitsch-Ackerl Sandra , Jeitler Markus , Buchinger Günther
Published: July 2021

Wood is one of the most important sustainable natural resources. Throughout centuries, large cities as well as regions of very high wood demand (for example, areas of salt production and iron processing) had to be supplied with wood for building and burning. One of the largest forests in Austria can be found in the National Park covering the range of mountains called “Limestone Alps.” Within this region, a wide network of dams was set up to transport single logs (“Holztrift”). Due to the dendrochronological dating of the surviving dams, regional chronologies spanning a length of almost 600 years for Norway spruce, Silver fir and European larch were set up. These chronologies serve as the background for dendro-provenancing timber. Dendro-provenancing checks the similarities between samples and different regional chronologies. The highest statistical figures give hints of the origins of the wood. Archival analyses show that many logs were transported to Vienna as rafts. For example, in 1865, more than 1504 rafts arrived in Vienna, all from different origins. The logs were used as building material as well as for burning. Further archival analyses showed that logs from this region were also used for building the roof of the Hofburg Castle in Vienna. Several hundred samples from the roof construction were dendrochronologically dated and used for dendro-provenancing. The origin of the logs was confirmed to be the wider region of the Northern alpine foothills. This meant that rafts from the rivers Alm and Traun as well as from the rivers Steyr and Enns had floated down to Vienna.