bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspective—Hydrogen Bonded Concentrated Electrolytes for Redox Flow Batteries: Limitations and Prospects
Authors: Ghahremani Raziyeh , Savinell Robert F. , Gurkan Burcu
Published: February 2022

This perspective provides a brief overview of the recent work on electrolytes with hydrogen (H)-bonding network, specifically the deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and outlines important factors to consider when adapting these electrolytes in redox flow batteries (RFBs). The redox behavior, solubility, and stability of several redox molecules of relevance to RFBs in DESs are presented, including some of our work within the Breakthrough Electrolytes for Energy Storage (BEES)—an Energy Frontier Research Center of the United States Department of Energy. Particularly, the challenges and opportunities for further development of DESs for energy storage are discussed.
Anatomical and Biochemical Traits Related to Blue Leaf Coloration of Selaginella uncinata
Authors: Li Lin , Yang Lulu , Qin Aihua , Jiang Fangyi , Chen Limei , Deng Rongyan
Published: February 2022

Selaginella uncinata shows particularly rare blue leaves. Previous research has shown that structural interference by the cell wall of adaxial epidermal cells imparts blue coloration in leaves of S. uncinata; the objective of this study was to see whether anthocyanins might additionally contribute to this color, as changes in pH, and conjugation with metals and other flavonoids is also known to result in blue coloration in plants. We compared anatomical and biochemical traits of shade-grown (blue) S. uncinata leaves to high light (red) leaves of the same species and also to a non-blue (green) leaves of a congeneric S. kraussiana. By examining the anatomical structure, we found that the shape of adaxial epidermis of S. uncinata leaves was convex or lens-shaped on the lateral view and irregular circles with smooth embossment on the top view. These features were different from those of the abaxial and adaxial epidermis of S. kraussiana. We suspect that these structures increase the proportion of incident light entering the cell, deepening the leaf color, and therefore may be related to blue leaf color in S. uncinata. By examining biochemical traits, we found little difference in leaf pH value among the leaf types; all leaves contained several metal ions such as Mg, Fe, Mn, and copigments such as flavones. However, because there was no anthocyanin in blue S. uncinata leaves, we concluded that blue coloration in S. uncinata leaves is not caused by the three hypotheses of blue coloration: alkalization of the vacuole pH, metal chelation, or copigmentation with anthocyanins, but it may be related to the shape of the leaf adaxial epidermis.
Wearable Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition in the Smart Healthcare System
Authors: Serpush Fatemeh , Menhaj Mohammad Bagher , Masoumi Behrooz , Karasfi Babak
Published: February 2022

Human activity recognition (HAR) has been of interest in recent years due to the growing demands in many areas. Applications of HAR include healthcare systems to monitor activities of daily living (ADL) (primarily due to the rapidly growing population of the elderly), security environments for automatic recognition of abnormal activities to notify the relevant authorities, and improve human interaction with the computer. HAR research can be classified according to the data acquisition tools (sensors or cameras), methods (handcrafted methods or deep learning methods), and the complexity of the activity. In the healthcare system, HAR based on wearable sensors is a new technology that consists of three essential parts worth examining: the location of the wearable sensor, data preprocessing (feature calculation, extraction, and selection), and the recognition methods. This survey aims to examine all aspects of HAR based on wearable sensors, thus analyzing the applications, challenges, datasets, approaches, and components. It also provides coherent categorizations, purposeful comparisons, and systematic architecture. Then, this paper performs qualitative evaluations by criteria considered in this system on the approaches and makes available comprehensive reviews of the HAR system. Therefore, this survey is more extensive and coherent than recent surveys in this field.
The Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib Alone and in Combination with Other Drugs in Advanced Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Hui , Xie Yalin , Su Ning , Su Shan , Zhang Xianlan , Cen Wenchang
Published: February 2022

Objective. Lung cancer is a disease associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, with approximately 2.1 million new cases every year. Anlotinib is a new small-molecule multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor independently developed in China that can inhibit the formation of tumor blood vessels and has a therapeutic effect on various cancers. However, the application of anlotinib in lung cancer needs further investigation. Methods. We collected the progress notes of 43 patients with advanced lung cancer treated at the Oncology Department of Guangzhou Chest Hospital from March 2019 to March 2021. Additionally, we assessed the differences between drug combination therapy and single-drug therapy among patients treated with anlotinib. Results. Patients in both the anlotinib-combination and anlotinib-monotherapy groups experienced remission; however, the overall disease control rate in the anlotinib-combination group was higher than that in the anlotinib-monotherapy group. Reexamination via computed tomography showed that patients in the anlotinib-combination group had better recovery than those in the anlotinib-monotherapy group. Although the overall incidence of adverse reactions in the anlotinib-combination group was higher than that in the monotherapy group, most of the adverse reactions were I–II levels and improved after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion. Anlotinib combined with other therapies is better than anlotinib alone for the management of patients with advanced lung cancer.
Intravitreal Conbercept with Grid/Focal Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Wei Wei
Published: February 2022

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of blindness in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness and safety of macular grid/focal photocoagulation with and without conbercept in the treatment of DME. Studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Information Resource Integration Service Platform from their earliest records to June 2021. Twelve articles involving 2600 patients with DME were included. Results showed that patients receiving conbercept with macular grid/focal photocoagulation had a statistically significant reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) over macular grid/focal photocoagulation alone at 1 month and 3 months post procedure. Compared with the control group, the combination therapy group had a significantly increased level of effectiveness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with the control group. The combination therapy group significantly increased the level of effectiveness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with the control group. Conbercept with macular grid/focal photocoagulation was more effective than macular grid/focal photocoagulation alone in terms of functional outcomes for DME treatment.
Cell Surface Proteins for Enrichment and In Vitro Characterization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Myogenic Progenitors
Authors: Tey Sin-Ruow , Mueller Madison , Reilly Megan , Switalski Colton , Robertson Samantha , Sakanaka-Yokoyama Mariko , Suzuki Masatoshi
Published: February 2022

Human myogenic progenitors can be derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for use in modeling natural and pathological myogenesis, as well as treating muscle diseases. Transgene-free methods of deriving myogenic progenitors from different PSC lines often produce mixed populations that are heterogeneous in myogenic differentiation potential, yet detailed and accurate characterization of human PSC-derived myogenic progenitors remains elusive in the field. The isolation and purification of human PSC-derived myogenic progenitors is thus an important methodological consideration when we investigate the properties and behaviors of these cells in culture. We previously reported a transgene-free, serum-free floating sphere culture method for the derivation of myogenic progenitors from human PSCs. In this study, we first performed comprehensive cell surface protein profiling of the sphere culture cells through the screening of 255 antibodies. Next, we used magnetic activated cell sorting and enriched the cells according to the expression of specific surface markers. The ability of muscle differentiation in the resulting cells was characterized by immunofluorescent labeling and quantification of positively stained cells. Our results revealed that myotube-forming cells resided in the differentiated cultures of CD29+, CD56+, CD271+, and CD15– fractions, while thick and multinucleated myotubes were identified in the differentiated cultures from CD9+ and CD146+ fractions. We found that PAX7 localization to the nucleus correlates with myotube-forming ability in these sorted populations. We also demonstrated that cells in unsorted, CD271+, and CD15– fractions responded differently to cryopreservation and prolonged culture expansion. Lastly, we showed that CD271 expression is essential for terminal differentiation of human PSC-derived myogenic progenitors. Taken together, these cell surface proteins are not only useful markers to identify unique cellular populations in human PSC-derived myogenic progenitors but also functionally important molecules that can provide valuable insight into human myogenesis.
Model-Based Part Manufacturing Quality Inspection Path Planning
Authors: Zhang Zhihua , Jain Amar , Kumar Vinay
Published: February 2022

This article mainly studies the path planning of part manufacturing quality inspection based on models. Therefore, this paper optimizes the inspection path planning by combining the deep learning of the BP neural network in the neural network model, then improves the recognition efficiency of parts with various shapes through the collection of surface point information, and then combines the basic principles of model inspection and quality control principles to improve the accuracy of quality inspection. In order to better design this optimal path, this paper also designs welding basic formation parameter experiments and robustness analysis experiments to verify the influencing factors of the welding process and the specific results of image processing; this paper also designed the part outer diameter quality inspection test analysis to verify the accuracy and coverage of model-based part manufacturing quality inspection. The results obtained through the collection of experiments are finally compared with the traditional part quality inspection path; the experimental results show that compared with the traditional part quality inspection path, the new part quality inspection path can improve the accuracy rate of 5%-17%, the coverage rate of 9%-20%, and efficiency of 3%-17%.
Dynamic Analysis on a Diffusive Two‐Enterprise Interaction Model with Two Delays
Authors: Zhang Yanxia , Li Long
Published: February 2022

The oscillation and instability of systems caused by time delays have been widely studied over the past several decades. In nature, the phenomenon of diffusion is universal. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the dynamic behavior of reaction‐diffusion systems with time delays. In this study, a two‐enterprise interaction model with diffusion and delay effects is considered. By analyzing the distribution of the roots of the corresponding characteristic equation, some conditions for the stability of the unique positive equilibrium and the existence of Hopf bifurcation at the steady state are investigated. As the sum of the time delays changes, there are a series of periodic solutions at the trivial steady‐state solution of the system. In addition, the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the periodic solutions are discussed by using the normal form theory and the center manifold reduction of partial functional differential equations. Finally, numerical simulation experiments are conducted to illustrate the validity of the theoretical conclusions.
Optimal Decision and Coordination of Fresh E‐Commerce Supply Chain Considering Double Loss
Authors: Bai Shizhen , Lv Yang , Liu Zejun
Published: February 2022

Motivated by a large amount of quality loss and quantity loss of fresh products during transportation, this paper examines the effect of the double loss on decisions and profits by establishing models for a fresh e‐commerce supply chain consisting of one online retailer and one third‐party logistics provider. The online retailer sells fresh products and provides compensation for quantity loss. TPL’s fresh‐keeping effort during transportation can effectively reduce the double loss. We find that: (i) under the centralized model, the basic quantity loss rate and freshness sensitivity can improve fresh‐keeping effort. The online retailer prefers price‐raising strategies as the basic quantity loss rate increases and freshness sensitivity decreases. But, if fresh‐keeping cost is within a certain range and the basic quantity loss rate is high enough, the online retailer prefers price reduction strategies. If fresh‐keeping cost is high, as freshness sensitivity increases, the retailer first reduces prices and then raises prices. (ii) Under the decentralized model, as the basic quantity loss rate and freshness sensitivity increase, product price will increase. (iii) Centralized decision‐making mode is more profitable to the supply chain. Furthermore, we design a “two‐way cost sharing‐revenue sharing” contract to coordinate the supply chain and achieve Pareto improvement.
[Retracted] A Joint Model for Unbalanced Nested Repeated Measures with Informative Drop‐Out Applied to Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Data
Authors: Ghulam Enas M. , Khoury Jane C. , Jandarov Roman , Amin Raouf S. , Andrinopoulou Eleni-Rosalina , Szczesniak Rhonda D.
Published: February 2022

This study proposes a Bayesian joint model with extended random effects structure that incorporates nested repeated measures and provides simultaneous inference on treatment effects over time and drop‐out patterns. The proposed model includes flexible splines to characterize the circadian variation inherent in blood pressure sequences, and we assess the effectiveness of an intervention to resolve pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. We demonstrate that the proposed model and its conventional two‐stage counterpart provide similar estimates of nighttime blood pressure but estimates on the mean evolution of daytime blood pressure are discrepant. Our simulation studies tailored to the motivating data suggest reasonable estimation and coverage probabilities for both fixed and random effects. Computational challenges of model implementation are discussed.
IntOPMICM: Intelligent Medical Image Size Reduction Model
Authors: Pareek Piyush Kumar , Sridhar Chethana , Kalidoss R. , Aslam Muhammad , Maheshwari Manish , Shukla Prashant Kumar , Nuagah Stephen Jeswinde
Published: February 2022

Due to the increasing number of medical imaging images being utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, lossy or improper image compression has become more prevalent in recent years. The compression ratio and image quality, which are commonly quantified by PSNR values, are used to evaluate the performance of the lossy compression algorithm. This article introduces the IntOPMICM technique, a new image compression scheme that combines GenPSO and VQ. A combination of fragments and genetic algorithms was used to create the codebook. PSNR, MSE, SSIM, NMSE, SNR, and CR indicators were used to test the suggested technique using real-time medical imaging. The suggested IntOPMICM approach produces higher PSNR SSIM values for a given compression ratio than existing methods, according to experimental data. Furthermore, for a given compression ratio, the suggested IntOPMICM approach produces lower MSE, RMSE, and SNR values than existing methods.
Cell-Free DNA Variables including Gene Mutations in CA15-3 Normal Breast Cancer Reflect Prognosis
Authors: Xu Juan , Chen Wenxiu , Sun Ziwei , Peng Hailin , Zhou Chenglin , Pan Shiyang
Published: February 2022

Background. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has attracted considerable attention in precision medicine. However, few data are available regarding to the prognostic value of cfDNA variables in CA15-3 normal breast cancer (BC) patients. Here, we aimed at investigating the prognostic value of cfDNA variables including gene mutations in CA15-3 normal BC patients. Methods. A total of 68 BC patients with normal CA15-3 levels were enrolled. cfDNA concentration and integrity were assessed based on qPCR. cfDNA gene mutations were conducted by using next gene sequencing (NGS). The association between cfDNA variables and the prognosis of patients was analyzed. Results. cfDNA concentration was related to tumor stage (

P
=
0.002

), metastases (

P
=
0.001

), and distant metastases (

P
<
0.001

). The elevated copy number variants (CNV) were found in distant metastasis patients compared with patients without distant metastases (

P
=
0.008

). Nineteen mutant genes were validated in enrolled CA15-3 normal BC patients. Thirty-two patients (47.0%) had single nucleotide variants (SNV), and 13 (19.1%) patients had TP53 mutations (TP53mut). SNV (

P
=
0.033

) was related to tumor stage, and TP53mut was related to metastases (

P
=
0.016

) and distant metastases (

P
=
0.006

). In multivariate logistic analysis, cfDNA concentration was associated with metastases (

OR
=
3.404

, 95% CI: 1.074-10.788,

P
=
0.037

) and distant metastases (

OR
=
13.750

, 95% CI: 1.473-128.358,

P
=
0.021

). Cases with high cfDNA levels (>15.6 ng/ml), SNV, and TP53mut showed worse DFS compared with patients with low cfDNA levels (

P
<
0.001

), without SNV (

P
=
0.002

) and with TP53 wildtype (

P
<
0.001

), respectively. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, cfDNA concentration was an independent predictor of poor survival (

HR
=
5.786

, 95% CI: 1.101-30.407,

P
=
0.038

). Conclusions. Assessment of cfDNA concentration, CNV, SNV, and TP53mut could be useful in predicting prognosis for CA15-3 normal BC patients. The cfDNA concentration was an independent predictor prognostic factor in CA15-3 normal BC patients.
Biomechanical Stress Analysis of Platform Switch Implants of Varying Diameters on Different Densities of Bone
Authors: Mukherjee Sandipan , Rodrigues Shobha , M Mahesh , Shetty Thilak , Pai Umesh , Saldanha Sharon , Hedge Puneeth , Kamath Vignesh , Sales Ann , Bajantri Prashanth
Published: February 2022

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the strain developed in D2 and D3 types of bones on vertical loading by platform switch implants of different diameters. Materials and Methods. Implants of diameters 3.25 mm, 4.2 mm, and 5.0 mm and of length 11.5 mm were taken and placed each on D2 and D3 bone models. Strain gauges were attached on the buccal and the lingual sides on each of these samples, and a vertical load of 190N was placed on the samples. The strain was recorded using a data logger. The data obtained was analysed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test. Results. In D2 and D3 bone models, 3.25 mm significantly showed greater bone strain values. The buccal side strain was higher irrespective of the implant diameter and density of bone. Conclusion. Within the limitations of the study, it may be concluded that the narrow diameter implant produces greater strain than 4.2 and 5.0 mm diameter implants, respectively. The buccal side consistently produced higher bone strain values.
Effects of Systemic Rehabilitation Nursing Combined with WeChat Publicity and Education on the Early Cognitive Function and Living Quality of the Patients with Cerebral Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Jin Zheng , Guo Fang , Li Yan
Published: February 2022

Objective. To investigate the effects of systemic rehabilitation nursing combined with WeChat publicity and education on the early cognitive function and living quality of the patients with cerebral arterial thrombosis. Methods. Ninety-two patients with cerebral arterial thrombosis treated in our hospital (January 2019–January 2021) were selected as the research objects and equably divided into control group and study group according to their nursing model, with 46 patients in each group. The control group received routine nursing, while the study group received systemic rehabilitation nursing combined with WeChat publicity and education based on the routine nursing. The early cognitive functions, living quality, and other observation indexes of the two groups after nursing were compared, and the intervention effects were evaluated. Results. No statistical difference in the general data was observed between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). The NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scores, Fugl-Meyer scores, and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores of the two groups after nursing were all better than those before nursing, and the NIHSS score, Fugl-Meyer score, and MoCA score of the study group after nursing were better than those of the control group (

P
<
0.05

). Compared with the control group, the study group had a remarkably higher excellent and good rate of daily living ability after nursing (

P
<
0.05

) and prominently higher SIS (Sensory Index Score) after nursing (

P
<
0.05

). The SIS included the scores of emotion, strength, ADL (activities of daily living), memory and thinking, hand function, communication and participation as well as the total score. Conclusion. The systemic rehabilitation nursing combined with WeChat publicity and education can effectively reduce the degree of neurological deficit of the patients with cerebral arterial thrombosis, improve their early cognitive function and motor function, and increase their daily living ability and prognostic living quality.
A Semiparametric Approach for Modeling Partially Linear Autoregressive Model with Skew Normal Innovations
Authors: Sakhabakhsh Leila , Farnoosh Rahman , Fallah Afshin , Behzadi Mohammadhassan
Published: February 2022

The nonlinear autoregressive models under normal innovations are commonly used for nonlinear time series analysis in various fields. However, using this class of models for modeling skewed data leads to unreliable results due to the disability of these models for modeling skewness. In this setting, replacing the normality assumption with a more flexible distribution that can accommodate skewness will provide effective results. In this article, we propose a partially linear autoregressive model by considering the skew normal distribution for independent and dependent innovations. A semiparametric approach for estimating the nonlinear part of the regression function is proposed based on the conditional least squares approach and the nonparametric kernel method. Then, the conditional maximum-likelihood approach is used to estimate the unknown parameters through the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. Some asymptotic properties for the semiparametric method are established. Finally, the performance of the proposed model is verified through simulation studies and analysis of a real dataset.
PGM1 and ENO1 Promote the Malignant Progression of Bladder Cancer via Comprehensive Analysis of the m6A Signature and Tumor Immune Infiltration
Authors: Zhao Jinglin , Huang Shu , Tan Dingji , Yang Kaiqing , Chen Mingyue , Jia Xiongfei , Mao Xiaoqin
Published: February 2022

Background. While N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RNA and the tumor immune microenvironment both influence the progression of cancer, little attention has been paid to interactions between these two factors. Thus, we systematically explored potential biomarkers in the malignant progression of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) via combining expression of m6A methylation regulators with tumor immune infiltration. Methods. We extracted m6A regulators from published literature, downloaded BLCA RNA-seq and clinical information from the Cancer Genome Atlas database, and integrated three main bioinformatic methods and qPCR to explore the biological variations in the malignant progression of BLCA. Results. FTO, IGF2BP3, and YTHDC1 have a significant difference in bladder cancer and prognosis. Two subgroups (clusters 1 and 2) were identified according to three key m6A regulators; cluster 1 was preferentially associated with poor prognosis and immune infiltration relative to cluster 2 significantly. We further identified PGM1 and ENO1 as potential prognostic biomarkers, as they were correlated with FTO and IGF2BP3 positively but with YTHDC1, negatively. M2 macrophage and TFH cells were highly infiltrated in BLCA and were associated with BLCA prognosis. Finally, PGM1 and ENO1 were correlated with M2 macrophage and TFH cells and their surface markers CD163and CXCR5. Conclusions. PGM1 and ENO1 are highly correlated with the malignant progression of BLCA, and the expression of these genes may be new indicators for the diagnosis and prognosis of BLCA.
On the Use of Wavelet Domain and Machine Learning for the Analysis of Epileptic Seizure Detection from EEG Signals
Authors: Kavitha K.V. N. , Ashok Sharmila , Imoize Agbotiname Lucky , Ojo Stephen , Selvan K. Senthamil , Ahanger Tariq Ahamed , Alhassan Musah
Published: February 2022

Epileptic patients suffer from an epileptic brain seizure caused by the temporary and unpredicted electrical interruption. Conventionally, the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are manually studied by medical practitioners as it records the electrical activities from the brain. This technique consumes a lot of time, and the outputs are unreliable. In a bid to address this problem, a new structure for detecting an epileptic seizure is proposed in this study. The EEG signals obtained from the University of Bonn, Germany, and real-time medical records from the Senthil Multispecialty Hospital, India, were used. These signals were disintegrated into six frequency subbands that employed discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and extracted twelve statistical functions. In particular, seven best features were identified and further fed into k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Tree classifiers for two-type and three-type classifications. Six statistical parameters were employed to measure the performance of these classifications. It has been found that different combinations of features and classifiers produce different results. Overall, the study is a first attempt to find the best combination feature set and classifier for 16 different 2-class and 3-class classification challenges of the Bonn and Senthil real-time clinical dataset.
Optimal Control Model for Alcohol–Related Risk Behaviors and Beliefs in Tanzania
Authors: Mayengo Maranya M.
Published: February 2022

An optimal control theory is applied to a system of ordinary differential equations representing the dynamics of health-related risks associated with alcoholism in the community with active religious beliefs. Two nonautonomous control variables are proposed to reduce the health risks associated with alcoholism in the community. Consequently, three control strategies are presented using Pontryagin’s maximum principle (PMP), and the necessary conditions for the existence of the optimal controls are obtained. The simulation results revealed that the health risks associated with alcoholism behaviors may be effectively eradicated when both controls,

u

1

t

and

u

2

t

, are applied in a combination. On the other hand, the cost–effective analysis of the three different strategies confirmed that the desired cost–effective results may be attained when both controls,

u

1

t

and

u

2

t

, are applied together. Based on these results, this study concludes that, health risks associated with alcoholism behaviors may be efficiently and cost–effectively eradicated from the community when both controls,

u

1

t

and

u

2

t

, are applied together. Whereas application of control option

u

1

t

implies increasing the level of protection to the susceptible population by implementing public health education campaign; the control option

u

2

t

implies increasing the removal rate of the moderate risky individuals into recovered population. The control strategy in which the two options are featured in a combination is presented in this study as Strategy C exhibiting the least ICER value and more cost–effective than the rest of strategies presented.
A Tactical Conflict Detection and Resolution Method for En Route Conflicts in Trajectory-Based Operations
Authors: Sui Dong , Zhang Kai
Published: February 2022

In trajectory-based operation (TBO), the four-dimensional trajectories (4DTs) of aircraft are shared with all flight-related stakeholders, which makes flights visible and controllable and helps flights arrive at a location within a fixed time range. With the technical support from TBO, the operation of flights in a route sector will be more efficient and the air traffic volume will increase. However, more flights will also result in more flight conflicts. In this study, a deterministic conflict detection and resolution (CDR) module is established to assist air traffic controllers in detecting and resolving high-density conflicts rapidly and in advance. In the conflict detection (CD) submodule, a spatial data structure with low time complexity, the R tree algorithm, is used. R tree can effectively reduce the comparison number between the 4DTs of all aircraft. The experiment results show that the computing time of the R tree presents a logarithmic curve with the increase in the number of aircraft and the efficiency of the CD is more significantly improved. In the conflict resolution (CR) submodule, considering the aircraft performance and terrain constraints, the Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of huge search space and to quickly provide an effective resolution policy for pairwise conflict. The simulation results in dense airspace indicate that the MCTS-based CR algorithm has good performance in terms of safety and efficiency.
A Calculation Method of Bearing Capacity of Single Squeezed Branch Pile Based on Load Transfer Method
Authors: Liu Li , Ma Hong-wei , Yang Xiao-li , He Qing-rui , Yuan Song
Published: February 2022

A calculation method of the bearing capacity of single squeezed branch pile is established based on the load transfer method. In the method, the hyperbolic model is used to describe the nonlinear load-displacement relationship of pile-soil interaction at the pile tip, the pile skin, and the squeezed branch, and the theoretical expression of six load transfer coefficients of squeezed branch pile is given. The correctness of the method is proved by a small-scale model test in homogeneous soil and a large-scale model test in stratified soil. The results show that the calculation based on the load transfer method is applicable to predict the ultimate load in engineering application.
Initial Proportion and Dynamic of B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 in a Large City in the West of Germany
Authors: Herkenrath Simon D. , Boschung Kyrill , Nacov Julia A. , Heibges Annette , Schroer Britta , Treml Marcel , Randerath Winfried J.
Published: February 2022

Rationale: Several mutational variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified in the past months with increasing prevalence worldwide. Some variants, such as B.1.1.7, are of high relevance due to increased transmissibility, facilitating virus spread and calling for stricter containment measures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine proportion and dynamic of B.1.1.7 in SARS-CoV-2-positive samples in a large city in the west of Germany. Methods: Consecutive SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from a local outpatient clinic, obtained over a period of 4 weeks (mid-January to mid-February 2021), were examined for the presence of the variant B.1.1.7. The size of B.1.1.7 infection clusters was compared with non-B.1.1.7 clusters. The transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 was described based on corresponding cases of an infection cluster in a local child daycare centre. Results: Among 226 SARS-CoV-2-positive cases, B.1.1.7 was detected in 74 subjects (33%). The 7-day moving mean of the B.1.1.7 proportion started at 20% and reached 50% only 3 weeks later. B.1.1.7 clusters comprised 10.7 ± 12.1 persons per cluster, while non-B.1.1.7 clusters were considerably smaller (5.1 ± 5.8). One specific B.1.1.7 infection cluster in a 40-children daycare centre started with one teacher leading to 11 infected children and 8 infections among teachers. The infection spread to 6 families and one other daycare centre, with a total 43 SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects. Conclusions: We found a rapid increase in the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 with larger infection clusters than non-B.1.1.7. These results suggested a rapid increase in the B.1.1.7 proportion and a renewed increase in the total number of SARS-CoV-2 infections for the time following the analysed period. Considering the rapid emergence and spread of viral variants, close monitoring of mutation events is essential. Therefore, routine whole-genome sequencing appears to be useful in addition to searching for known mutations.
Cellular automata model for emergent properties of pressure flow in single nephron compliance tubule
Authors: Reddy Kesu Siva Manohar , Ramasangu Hariharan
Published: February 2022

Numerical analysis plays a vital role in the computational modeling of a nephron. The solutions from numerical methods exhibit regular, period doubling, and irregular oscillations as global behavior. A single nephron compliance tubular model with transport mechanism and autoregulatory mechanism has been developed using the cellular automata framework in this paper. Global emergent behavior of the biological system has been captured using cellular automata framework. An ultradiscretization technique is used to convert the governing partial differential equations of a single nephron compliance tubular model to cellular automata local rules. The global emergent behaviors from the local cellular automata rules have been compared with the reported experimental analysis. The cellular automata framework in biological modeling is an emerging perspective to model global functional behaviors.
Improving model predictive control's optimization for urban traffic
Authors: Khelafa Ilyas , Baghdad Abdenaceur , El Hachimi Mohamed
Published: February 2022

When it comes to decreasing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility, traffic forecasting is critical. However, due to the complicated spatio-temporal dynamics of urban transportation networks, which are difficult to describe, this task is tough. Using a model predictive controller (MPC) provides the control of a traffic network's architecture as well as errors in its operations. Based on a real-time simulation, a novel, accurate prediction controller for urban traffic was presented in this study to estimate the number of cars at junctions and their waiting duration. Different optimization approaches were employed and evaluated to improve the MPC's performance. Simulation results demonstrated that the fmincon was very robust and could effectively reduce the number of vehicles in the link, in comparison with other algorithms This study also includes an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of various prediction horizon sets in an MPC. By increasing the prediction horizon, the amplitude of fluctuation became more important, but when Np=4, the fluctuations reduced.
Performance analysis comparison of optical burst switching networks' contention resolution techniques
Authors: Abdullah Naji Laila A. Wahab , Eltahir Ibrahim Khider , Al-Shargabi Mohammed , Haider Adel Sallam
Published: February 2022

Optical burst switching (OBS) is a transporting network for the optical internet in the years ahead vision. As OBS depends on statistical multiplexing, the effect of contention resolution is the main issue to achieve a low probability losing of burst. Basically, there are different ways to resolve contentions in the OBS networks like wavelength conversion, deflection routing, burst segmentation and optical buffering using fiber delay lines. Burst segmentation and deflection routing as well as fiber delay lines technologies, are discussed among the various accessible conflict resolution techniques in this study. However, the main aim of this study is to demonstrate that, the performance of fiber delay line (FDL) is better than other techniques to resolve contention by comparing the performance of these different schemes based on burst losing probabilities and the data handling capability. To evaluate the performance, appropriate mathematical formulae were used. Under the MATLAB environment, the performance was measured based on the probability of burst loss versus incoming traffic (load). The outcomes suggest that deflection routing outperforms fiber delay lines and burst segmentation in the OBS network in terms of resolve the contention. 
An accurate target tracking method in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Ahmadi Hanen , Bouallegue Ridha
Published: February 2022

Localization is a challenging research issue in various sectors of activity, particularly in dynamic indoor environment with high perturbation. Many existing localization techniques in wireless sensor networks are not efficient because of many constraints such as the high cost, the memory and energy limitation and the environmental noise effects. Thus, the development of novel methods of localization has become a great concern for the wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we propose a tracking method that combines regression tree and Kalman smoother filtering. Previously, regression tree has been suggested for static positioning by means of received signal strength indicator measurements. In this work, we employ this strategy to solve the mapping relation between these measurements and the target position by means of an optimized propagation model. Moreover, the predicted position considered as the observed information is introduced to the Kalman smoother algorithm, to have more precise state of the moving target. The proposed algorithm has been assessed and compared to other existing methods using real measurements of the received power by the moving target in an indoor environment. The evaluation shows that our solution outperforms other methods regarding localization accuracy.
An approach towards improvement of contiguous memory allocation linux kernel: a review
Authors: Suryavanshi Anmol Suresh , Sharma Sanjeevkumar
Published: February 2022

The demand of contiguous memory allocation has been expanded in day-to-day life in all the devices. It is achieved in existing systems by using various reservation techniques. There are various other methods to achieve the goal of contiguous memory allocation in linux kernel such as, input output memory management units (IOMMU’s), scatter/gather direct memory access (DMA) and reserved static memory at boot time. But these solutions have its own drawbacks such as, IOMMU requires hardware. However, the configuration of additional hardware's increases the cost. The power consumption of the system and the reserved static memory in the system goes waste when not in used for specific purpose. It is very difficult to access contiguous memory in low-end devices that are unable to provide real contiguous memory. There is one existing method called contiguous memory allocator (CMA), which provides dynamic contiguous memory. It overcomes most of the problems but CMA itself has some drawbacks, which do not provide the guarantee of failure in future of contiguous memory. The motivation behind this study is to review existing contiguous memory allocation (CMA) method by identifying and removing its drawbacks.
Theoretical and quantitative analysis of cyanosis colouration in newborn
Authors: Azmi Nur Fatihah , Feijs Loe , Delbressine Frank
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the investigation on the occurrence of cyanosis’s blue colouration in newborn babies will be focused on a more detailed version of the oxyhaemoglobin’s (HbO2) and deoxyhaemoglobin’s (Hb) transmission and reflectance spectrum in the blood vessel. A quantitative analysis of cyanosis colour is based on the theory of an observer model of cyanotic skin. The proposed method formed a basis of work of colour changes to be implemented in the future cyanosis baby manikin for baby simulation area. A series of transfer functions were adopted and described by the relationship of the light propagation in human skin. As expected, results showed that the colouration of HbO2 is less saturated (bright red) in comparison to Hb (darker red) and the colouration depends on the HbO2’s and Hb’s reflectance spectrum in the blood. Meaning that, the correct CIEL_a_b_ colour values of cyanosis in real newborn babies will be quantified and later to be implemented in a cyanosis baby manikin. Despite of non-experimental methodology implemented, it is based on putting together existing knowledge from literature. In particular, the database of the absorbance spectra of HbO2 and Hb and the three-cone pigments with three different absorption spectra of the colour receptors in the human retina. The data from Scott Prahl’s Assorted Spectra and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology’s Colour Matching Functions were retrieved with the spectral values are depending on the light’s wavelength, (_). The results of newborn’s cyanosis colour was obtained and determined both in a two- dimensional International Commission on Illumination (CIE) 1931 xy and a three-dimensional CIE L_a_b_ colour space.
Reclaiming Neoliberal Amman: The Role of Space in Jordanian Contentious Politics
Authors: Christensen Douglas
Published: February 2022

Jordan is often discounted in comparison to its regional counterparts since the “Arab Spring.” With the Hashemite regime still in power a decade later, have Jordanians given up on calling for change? On the contrary, Jordanians have continued to mobilize since the hirak from 2011 to 2013. In all contentious mobilizations, Jordanians challenge the neoliberal economic policies pushed by the Hashemite regime through subsequent governments. This essay will look at two recent rejections of neoliberalism, the 2018 protest wave against an imf-sponsored tax bill and the historic 2019 public school teachers strike. How does space fit into these contentious actions? Why did protesters and strikers choose certain sites of contention? This essay argues contentious sites in the 2018 and 2019 waves of protest in Amman were symbolic rejections of neoliberalism.
A new genus and species of gall midges the tribe Winnertziini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Porricondylinae) from lower Eocene Fushun amber from China
Authors: FEDOTOVA ZOYA A. , PERKOVSKY EVGENY E. , ROSS ANDREW J. , ZHANG QINGQING
Published: February 2022

The new taxon, Fushuniola mai Fedotova & Perkovsky, gen. et sp. nov., is described from a single female from the lower Eocene (Ypresian) Fushun amber from China. This is the second record of Cecidomyiidae known from Fushun amber. The first record is Cecidomyia bujunensis Naora. The new species is characterized by possessing flagellomeres with short neck and hair-shaped sensoria, very long mouth parts and palpi, wide head, short wings and very long apical lobes of ovipositor. It is distinctly different from all known Winnertziini by the very recurved vein R5 and very wide cells between veins C and R5. A diversity of gall midges from lower Eocene amber is presented. The new genus is close to the extant genus Rhipidoxylomyia, known from upper Eocene Rovno amber.
Two new species of the codling fish genus Physiculus from Lakshadweep, India (Gadiformes: Moridae)
Authors: BABU K. K. IDREES , HO HSAUN-CHING , MARIYAMBI P.C. , SURESHKUMAR S.
Published: February 2022

The genus Physiculus is widespread in the Indo-Pacific with more than 32 valid species, and about 12 species were recorded only from the Indian Ocean. Two new species similar to each other are collected from the outer reef drop off of Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep, India, Arabian Sea and described. Physiculus indicus sp. nov. is characterised by its light organ situated at about the middle of pelvic-fin base and anus, a small light organ, a rather forward situated anus, no scales on the gular region, dorsal-fin rays 8‒9+56­‒60, anal-fin rays 55‒60, and 52 vertebrae. This species differs from nearest congeners in lacking gular scales, anus situated closer to the light organ and slightly fewer total vertebrae. Physiculus lakshadeepa sp. nov. is characterised by a relatively high first dorsal fin (51.7‒62.8% HL) and a light organ situated at the middle of the pelvic-fin base and anus. It has a small light organ, a rather forward situated anus, no scales on the gular region, dorsal-fin rays 8‒9+51­‒59, anal-fin rays 53‒59, and 49 vertebrae. Physiculus lakshadeepa differs from the nearest congeners in lacking gular scales, fewer anal-fin rays and fewer total vertebrae.
Development, validation, and application of an UPLC-MS/MS method for vancomycin, norvancomycin, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib analysis in human plasma
Authors: Chen Xinran , Du Liying , Liu Mingfeng
Published: February 2022

Background

Vancomycin, norvancomycin, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib are five commonly used drugs which are all recommended to therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical settings. However, the blood concentration monitoring of these drugs and the interpretations of the test results are limited to some extent due to the differences of testing instruments and testing methods.

Methods

We established an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of vancomycin, norvancomycin, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib in human plasma. The method was validated according to the guideline for bioanalytical method validation and applied in clinical therapy.

Results

The calibration ranges of vancomycin, norvancomycin, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib were 0.5–100 μg/mL, 0.5–100 μg/mL, 5–1000 ng/mL, 10–2000 ng/mL, and 5–500 ng/mL, respectively. Inaccuracy and imprecision of every drug were less than 15%. The internal standard normalized recovery rates of vancomycin and norvancomycin were about 45%, while which of methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib were almost 100%. No obvious carryover effect was observed. Samples were stable for at least 24 h in the automatic sampler, 72 h at 4°C, and 1 week in −80°C. There were no differences of concentrations between plasma and serum for the five drugs. Moreover, there were positive correlations between methotrexate and vancomycin concentrations and creatinine, as well as positive correlation between imatinib concentration and age of the patient.

Conclusions

The UPLC-MS/MS method was competent for the simultaneous monitoring of vancomycin, norvancomycin, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and imatinib because of its short analysis time, high specificity, and accuracy.