bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English version of the food disgust scale: Optimization and other considerations
Authors: Thibodeau Margaret , Yang Qian , Ford Rebecca , Pickering Gary
Published: January 2021

The disgust elicited by food plays an important role in food choice and consumption. Recently, Hartmann and Siegrist (Food Quality and Preference, 2018, 63, 38–50) developed and validated in German the food disgust scale (FDS), a 32‐item instrument designed to measure visceral disgust elicited by food. In Study 1, we tested the English language translation of the FDS and its shortened version (FDS‐SHORT) in England (n = 85) and Canada (n = 70). The internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha and mean interitem correlation [MCI]) was acceptable for both the FDS (α = .90, MIC = .22) and the FDS‐SHORT (α = .73, MIC = .25). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the English and German versions of the FDS had similar underlying structure and good discriminant validity. In Study 2, female participants (n = 159) who completed the FDS where the anchor term disgusted was used had higher FDS‐SHORT scores than either their male counterparts or females for whom the anchor term grossed out was used (F[2, 266] = 11.1, p < .001). As grossed out captures only visceral rather than moral disgust, we recommend its adoption in English versions of these scales. These studies confirm that, as modified, the English FDS and FDS‐SHORT are reliable and can be used with confidence in future research.

Practical application

This study has further assessed and optimized an English translation of the food disgust scale, which will allow for its use by food researchers and practitioners in English‐speaking countries. The finding that food disgust scores vary with sex and culture provides guidance to producers and marketers of novel food products and flavors.
Limitation of the simplified scoring system for the diagnosis of autoimmune Hepatitis with acute onset
Authors: Muratori Paolo , Granito Alessandro , Lenzi Marco , Muratori Luigi
Published: January 2021

Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease of unknown aetiology characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinaemia with specific IgG increase and interface hepatitis on liver histology. The clinical course of AIH is classically characterized by fluctuating periods of decreased or increased disease activity and therefore its clinical spectrum is variable ranging from no symptoms to severe acute hepatitis and even fulminant hepatic failure. Acute presentation may not differ from acute hepatitis of other causes and diagnosis can be difficult. We describe our experience on diagnostic performance of the two AIH scoring systems in acute onset of AIH and found that revised version of the original criteria (1999) achieves the diagnosis in about 30% of patients who presented with normal IgG serum levels and lower frequency of autoantibody positivity in whom the simplified score did not allow the diagnosis.
Progress towards hepatitis C virus elimination in high‐income countries: An updated analysis
Authors: Gamkrelidze Ivane , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Feld Jordan J. , Zeuzem Stefan , Bao Yanjun , Gabriela Pires dos Santos Ana , Sanchez Gonzalez Yuri , Razavi Homie
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Elimination of HCV by 2030, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is attainable with the availability of highly efficacious therapies. This study reports progress made in the timing of HCV elimination in 45 high‐income countries between 2017 and 2019.

METHODS

Disease progression models of HCV infection for each country were updated with latest data on chronic HCV prevalence, and annual diagnosis and treatment levels, assumed to remain constant in the future. Modelled outcomes were analysed to determine the year in which each country would meet the WHO 2030 elimination targets.

RESULTS

Of the 45 countries studied, 11 (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom) are on track to meet WHO's elimination targets by 2030; five (Austria, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Korea) by 2040; and two (Saudi Arabia and Taiwan) by 2050. The remaining 27 countries are not expected to achieve elimination before 2050. Compared to progress in 2017, South Korea is no longer on track to eliminate HCV by 2030, three (Canada, Germany, and Sweden) are now on track, and most countries (30) saw no change.

CONCLUSIONS

Assuming high‐income countries will maintain current levels of diagnosis and treatment, only 24% are on track to eliminate HCV by 2030, and 60% are off track by at least 20 years. If current levels of diagnosis and treatment continue falling, achieving WHO's 2030 targets will be more challenging. With less than ten years remaining, screening and treatment expansion is crucial to meet WHO's HCV elimination targets.
The effect of tension‐free vaginal tape on coital incontinence concomitant with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Atılgan Adeviye E. , Eren Elif Ç.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) on coital incontinence concomitant with stress urinary incontinence.

Methods

TVT was performed on sexually active women diagnosed with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) who also experienced coital incontinence with penetration and/or orgasm. The patient‐reported success rate was assessed by the Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) scale. The sexual function of the women was evaluated by the fulfilled Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before and after the operations.

Results

Eighty‐two women underwent the TVT procedure with epidural anesthesia and 80 of them (97%) answered pre‐operative and post‐operative FSFI questionnaires. In the pre‐operative clinical assessment, 48 women (58%) stated they experienced urinary incontinence during penetration, 13 (15%) during orgasm, and 21 (25%) identified it for both. The patient‐reported success rate was 86% (71 of 82 patients) according to the PGI‐I results: 44 of 48 women (91%) during penetration, nine of 13 (69%) during orgasm, and 18 of 21 (85%) for both. The FSFI scores for sexual desire, lubrication, and sexual arousal domains increased in 57 (71%), 49 (61%), and 44 (55%) patients, respectively, whereas they remained unchanged in 23 (28%), 31 (38%), and 36 (45%) patients. For the orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains, the results were similar. The mean total FSFI score before the operations was 23.63 ± 6.84 and it significantly increased after surgery to 29.47 ± 4.28 (P < .05).

Conclusions

The TVT procedure may offer treatment for coital incontinence accompanying USI. It also provides significant improvement in the sexual lives of women.
Identification of RipAZ1 as an avirulence determinant of Ralstonia solanacearum in Solanum americanum
Authors: Moon Hayoung , Pandey Ankita , Yoon Hayeon , Choi Sera , Jeon Hyelim , Prokchorchik Maxim , Jung Gayoung , Witek Kamil , Valls Marc , McCann Honour C. , Kim Min‐Sung , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Segonzac Cécile , Sohn Kee Hoon
Published: January 2021

Ralstonia solanacearum causes bacterial wilt disease in many plant species. Type III‐secreted effectors (T3Es) play crucial roles in bacterial pathogenesis. However, some T3Es are recognized by corresponding disease resistance proteins and activate plant immunity. In this study, we identified the R. solanacearum T3E protein RipAZ1 (Ralstonia injected protein AZ1) as an avirulence determinant in the black nightshade species Solanum americanum. Based on the S. americanum accession‐specific avirulence phenotype of R. solanacearum strain Pe_26, 12 candidate avirulence T3Es were selected for further analysis. Among these candidates, only RipAZ1 induced a cell death response when transiently expressed in a bacterial wilt‐resistant S. americanum accession. Furthermore, loss of ripAZ1 in the avirulent R. solanacearum strain Pe_26 resulted in acquired virulence. Our analysis of the natural sequence and functional variation of RipAZ1 demonstrated that the naturally occurring C‐terminal truncation results in loss of RipAZ1‐triggered cell death. We also show that the 213 amino acid central region of RipAZ1 is sufficient to induce cell death in S. americanum. Finally, we show that RipAZ1 may activate defence in host cell cytoplasm. Taken together, our data indicate that the nucleocytoplasmic T3E RipAZ1 confers R. solanacearum avirulence in S. americanum. Few avirulence genes are known in vascular bacterial phytopathogens and ripAZ1 is the first one in R. solanacearum that is recognized in black nightshades. This work thus opens the way for the identification of disease resistance genes responsible for the specific recognition of RipAZ1, which can be a source of resistance against the devastating bacterial wilt disease.
Social Media Influence on Diplomatic Negotiation: Shifting the Shape of the Table
Authors: Ashbrook Cathryn Clüver , Zalba Alvaro Renedo
Published: January 2021

Social media is changing not only the atmosphere in which international negotiations take place; it is also changing the very substance of the deals. Because of the pace and proliferation of social media, negotiators must read “weak signals” early on—and anticipate a quickly organized, highly motivated opposition. However, diplomatic negotiators still lack the tools to engage in this sort of anticipatory strategy design. This article examines two recent cases, one involving the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the other involving a German Constitutional Court’s ruling on the European Central Bank’s Public Debt Purchasing Program, in which social media had a highly disruptive, unanticipated impact on international negotiations—to the point of forcing negotiators’ hands—and suggests institutional remedies to better anticipate the catalytic impact of advancing technology on diplomatic interactions.
Moral courage in nursing – An integrative literature review
Authors: Pajakoski Elina , Rannikko Sunna , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Numminen Olivia
Published: January 2021

Moral courage and understanding of its meaning are essential when nurses face ethical conflicts in their practice. This integrative review aimed to explore moral courage in nursing and possible associated individual and organizational factors. A database search in January 2020 identified 1308 scientific articles of which 25 were selected for the review. Inductive analysis with clear steps for defining and synthesizing themes in research reviews revealed three categories concerning moral courage in nursing: definition and descriptions of moral courage, characteristics of the morally courageous nurse, and skills and acts of the morally courageous nurse. Individual and organizational factors, such as positive personal experiences, commitment to ethical principles, supportive work environment and teamwork, were associated with moral courage in nursing, contributing to a more comprehensive description of nurses' moral courage. Findings indicate that in nursing practice, there is a need for promoting multi‐professional collaboration and discussion of ethical dilemmas to provide opportunities to enhance moral courage. Developing care environments in which hierarchy does not inhibit nurses' moral courage seems justified. Further research on moral courage with varying methodologies and multi‐disciplinary and international approaches is needed.
Family support for physical activity post‐myocardial infarction: A qualitative study exploring the perceptions of cardiac rehabilitation practitioners
Authors: Birtwistle Sarah B. , Jones Ian , Murphy Rebecca , Gee Ivan , Watson Paula M.
Published: January 2021

Physical activity post‐myocardial infarction has numerous health benefits, yet uptake through cardiac rehabilitation is poor. Whilst family support can facilitate patients' recovery, little is known about the role family may play in supporting physical activity for post‐myocardial infarction patients. This qualitative study used semistructured interviews with 14 cardiac rehabilitation practitioners to explore their perceptions about the role of the family in supporting post‐myocardial infarction patients' physical activity. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Three familial roles were identified: “family as a second pair of ears,” “family as physical activity regulators,” and “family as social support.” A fourth theme, “factors that influence family support,” described how family health beliefs and perceptions could influence the physical activity support provided. Practitioner perceptions suggest families play an important role in post‐myocardial infarction patients' physical activity, which is enhanced when families personally value physical activity. Integrating the family into cardiac rehabilitation may help facilitate physical activity‐related interactions and promote positive engagement for patients.
Ecthyma gangrenosum: The critical role of biofilms and other mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and implications for management
Authors: Russomanno Kristen , Cardis Michael , Kirkorian Anna Yasmine
Published: January 2021

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a rare cutaneous infection that occurs classically in immunocompromised patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia and is associated with a high mortality rate. Causative pathogens may exhibit various antibiotic evasion mechanisms, and thus, treatment may be challenging. We present a case of ecthyma gangrenosum in association with an implantable port in which cultures confirmed ten unique strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting the ability of this pathogen to form biofilms, rapidly mutate and ultimately evade antibiotic therapy. Dermatologists play a key role in the prompt diagnosis of this life‐threatening condition, and a thorough understanding of pathogenic mechanisms is critical in selecting an efficacious treatment regimen.
Reference study of IFC software support: The GeoBIM benchmark 2019—Part I
Authors: Noardo Francesca , Krijnen Thomas , Arroyo Ohori Ken , Biljecki Filip , Ellul Claire , Harrie Lars , Eriksson Helen , Polia Lorenzo , Salheb Nebras , Tauscher Helga , van Liempt Jordi , Goerne Hendrik , Hintz Dean , Kaiser Tim , Leoni Cristina , Warchol Artur , Stoter Jantien
Published: January 2021

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), the buildingSMART open standard for BIM, is underused with respect to its promising potential, since, according to the experience of practitioners and researchers working with BIM, issues in the standard’s implementation and use prevent its effective use. Nevertheless, a systematic investigation of these issues has never been carried out, and there is thus insufficient evidence for tackling the problems. The GeoBIM benchmark project is aimed at finding such evidence by involving external volunteers, reporting on various aspects of the behavior of tools (geometry, semantics, georeferencing, functionalities), analyzed and described in this article. Interestingly, different IFC software programs with the same standardized data sets yield inconsistent results, with few detectable common patterns, and significant issues are found in their support of the standard, probably due to the very high complexity of the standard data model. A companion article (Part II) describes the results of the benchmark related to CityGML, the counterpart of IFC within geoinformation.
Improving trajectory estimation using 3D city models and kinematic point clouds
Authors: Lucks Lukas , Klingbeil Lasse , Plümer Lutz , Dehbi Youness
Published: January 2021

Accurate and robust positioning of vehicles in urban environments is of high importance for autonomous driving or mobile mapping. In mobile mapping systems, a simultaneous mapping of the environment using laser scanning and an accurate positioning using global navigation satellite systems are targeted. This requirement is often not guaranteed in shadowed cities where global navigation satellite system signals are usually disturbed, weak or even unavailable. We propose a novel approach which incorporates prior knowledge (i.e., a 3D city model of the environment) and improves the trajectory. The recorded point cloud is matched with the semantic city model using a point‐to‐plane iterative closest point method. A pre‐classification step enables an informed sampling of appropriate matching points. Random forest is used as classifier to discriminate between facade and remaining points. Local inconsistencies are tackled by a segmentwise partitioning of the point cloud where an interpolation guarantees a seamless transition between the segments. The general applicability of the method implemented is demonstrated on an inner‐city data set recorded with a mobile mapping system.
LABORATORY AND STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF CEMENT AND LIME ON THE PROPERTIES OF TROPICAL BLACK CLAY – IRON ORE TAILINGS MIXTURES
Authors: P. Yohanna, , J. M. Buki, , T. S. Ijimdiya, , A. O. Eberemu, , K. J. Osinubi,
Published: January 2021

The need for cheaper and more economical soil improvement methods is of great significance in order to reduce the construction cost of flexible pavements. Also, major problems caused by industrial waste in Nigeria can be minimised by recycling or re-using of such wastes for soil improvement. The application of cement and lime along for such purpose has proven to increase the construction cost. Thus the use of industrial waste such as iron ore tailings (IOT) could aid in reducing the construction cost. Series of laboratory and statistical investigations were performed to compare the effect of cement and lime on the properties of tropical black clay (i.e. black cotton soil, BCS). Soil samples were admixed with up to 10 % IOT content and modified with up to 4 % each of cement and lime by dry weight of soil to evaluate their plasticity and compaction characteristics. Compaction was done with British Standard light (BSL) energy. Statistical tests for regression and correlation was achieved using Mini-tab R15 and Microsoft Excel software correspondingly. Results disclosed decreased in liquid limit and plastic limit. Liquid limit values of 56, 54.8, 54.5, 52.5, 52 and 51% were noted for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% IOT content. Similar trend was noted for 1, 2, 3 and 4% lime and cement concentrations. A rise in maximum dry density (MDD) and drop in optimum moisture content (OMC) with greater concentration of IOT for all the lime and cement contents under study was noted. Statistical analysis revealed that soil-lime-IOT mixtures gave higher predicted values than soil-cement-IOT mixture for determining plasticity and compaction characteristics of BCS – IOT mixtures. Thus, 4 % lime – 6 % IOT mixture met the criteria for flexible pavement purpose as proposed by Nigerian General Specifications and is recommended for used as pavement material for roads that are lightly trafficked. While the soil – cement - IOT mixes fell to meet the criteria for used as pavement material.
Dark and trigonometric soliton solutions in asymmetrical Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov equation with (2+1)-dimensional
Authors: Baskonus Haci Mehmet
Published: January 2021

In this manuscript, new dark and trigonometric function traveling wave soliton solutions to the (2+1)-dimensional asymmetrical Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov equation by using the modified exponential function method are successfully obtained. Along with novel dark structures, trigonometric solutions are also extracted. For deeper investigating of waves propagation on the surface, 2D and 3D graphs along with contour simulations via computational programs such as Wolfram Mathematica, Matlap softwares and so on are presented.
Simultaneous state and fault estimation for Takagi-Sugeno implicit models with Lipschitz constraints
Authors: Ouzaz Manal , El Assoudi Abdellatif , Soulami Jalal , El Yaagoubi El Hassane
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a state and fault observer design for a class of Takagi-Sugeno implicit models (TSIMs) with unmeasurable premise variables satisfying the Lipschitz constraints. The fault variable is constituted by the actuator and sensor faults. The actuator fault affects the state and the sensor fault affects the output of the system. The approach is based on the separation between dynamic and static relations in the TSIM. Firstly, the method begins by decomposing the dynamic equations of the algebraic equations. Secondly, the fuzzy observer design that satisfies the Lipschitz conditions and permits to estimate simultaneously the unknown states, actuator and sensor faults is developed. The aim of this approach for the observer design is to construct an augmented model where the fault variable is added to the state vector. The exponential convergence of the state estimation error is studied by using the Lyapunov theory and the stability condition is given in term of only one linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, numerical simulation results are given to highlight the performances of the proposed method by using a TSIM of a single-link flexible joint robot.
Optimal control problem for a tuberculosis model with multiple infectious compartments and time delays
Authors: Elhia Mohamed , Balatif Omar , Boujallal Lahoucine , Rachik Mostafa
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we formulate an optimal control problem based on a tuberculosis model with multiple infectious compartments and time delays. In order to have a more realistic model that allows highlighting the role of detection, loss to follow-up and treatment in TB transmission, we propose an extension of the classical SEIR model by dividing infectious patients in the compartment (I) into three categories: undiagnosed infected (I), diagnosed patients who are under treatment (T) and diagnosed patients who are lost to follow-up (L). We incorporate in our model delays representing the incubation period and the time needed for treatment. We also introduce three control variables in our delayed system which represent prevention, detection and the efforts that prevent the failure of treatment. The purpose of our control strategies is to minimize the number of infected individuals and the cost of intervention. The existence of the optimal controls is investigated, and a characterization of the three controls is given using the Pontryagin's maximum principle with delays. To solve numerically the optimality system with delays, we present an adapted iterative method based on the iterative Forward-Backward Sweep Method (FBSM). Numerical simulations performed using Matlab are also provided. They indicate that the prevention control is the most effective one. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first work to apply optimal control theory to a TB model which considers infectious patients diagnosis, loss to follow-up phenomenon and multiple time delays.
U.S. law sets stage for boost to artificial intelligence research
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

Congress authorizes ramp up in AI spending and backs planning for a national cloud computing resource.
Timed Bounded Verification of Inclusion Based on Timed Bounded Discretized Language
Authors: Ammar Ikhlass , El Touati Yamen , Mullins John , Yeddes Moez
Published: January 2021

The inclusion problem is one of the common problems in real-time systems. The general form of this problem is undecidable; however, the time-bounded verification of inclusion problem is decidable for timed automata. In this study, we propose a new discretization technique to verify the inclusion problem. The proposed technique is applied to a non-Zeno timed automaton with an upper bound that does not contain a non-reachable space for each transition. The new approach is based on the generation of timed bounded discretized language that represents an abstraction of timed words in the form of a set of a countable number of discrete timed words. A discrete timed word aggregates all timed words that share the same actions and their execution times that create the time continuous intervals. The lower and the upper bounds of an interval in a discrete timed word is defined by the minimum and maximum execution times associated to a given transition-run. In addition, we propose the verification schema of the inclusion between two timed bounded discretized languages generated by two non-Zeno timed automata.
Novel multi-party quantum key agreement protocols under collective noise
Authors: Tang Jie , Shi Lei , Wei Jiahua , Xue Yang , Yu Huicun
Published: January 2021

Based on the logic Bell states, we present two novel multi-party quantum key agreement (QKA) protocols under collective noise. The proposed protocols make full use of four-qubit logic Bell states as quantum resources and perform the novel encoding operation to generate the shared key. The security analysis shows that these two protocols can resist against both participant and outsider attacks. Furthermore, compared with the other existing multi-party QKA protocols over collective noise, our protocols have higher qubit efficiency. Finally, we perform the simulation of the relationship between efficiency and security, which is completely consistent with the conclusion of the security analysis of the protocols.
Boundary rounding effect in the hexagonal and oval two-dimensional optical microcavity
Authors: Zhang Canran , Dai Jun
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the boundary rounding effects of two types of non-circular GaN microcavity system are numerically simulated by the finite element method. When the rounding parameter [Formula: see text] of the hexagonal microcavity decreases, the six corners of the regular hexagon are gradually rounded, the results show that the optical mode gradually changes from the hexagonal whispering-gallery mode (WGM) to the perfect circular WGM, and the quality factor of the modes increases correspondingly. For the oval microcavity, the structure parameter [Formula: see text] increases from 0 to 1 when the oval microcavity gradually changes from a stadium cavity to a circular cavity. The simulation results show that the quality factor increases with [Formula: see text], and the optical mode changes from high-leak mode to WGM. Our results demonstrate the effect of the boundary rounding on the mode pattern and quality factor in hexagonal and oval microcavities.
Micromixer: An Effective Tool for the Production of Sub-Nanosized Noble Metal Particles
Authors: Hossain M. Jakir , Rahman Md Saidur , Sharif Md Jafar
Published: January 2021

This paper demonstrates the functionality of a simple and convenient microfluidic method in synthesizing a series of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilized nanoparticles (NPs) of various novel metals (Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ag, and Au) with an average diameter of [Formula: see text]2 nm. In this method, the use of microfluidic mixture provided a homogenous mixing of the metal precursors and reducing agent nearly at the molecular level, that yield monodispersed sub-nanosize NPs. Core diameters of the produced NPs determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm for Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ag and Au NPs, respectively. Of them, Pt NPs were detailed characterized. The obtained Pt NPs were found to have fcc crystal structure with 1.2 nm crystalline size which is very similar to the corresponding TEM result. The efficiency of the synthesis of NPs by micromixer was compared with batch/NaBH4 reduction method for the Pt NPs. It was found that in batch method the as-prepared NPs decreased the reducing ability of NaBH4 by catalytic degradation. In contrast, the micromixer could separate the produced metal NPs from the reaction system soon after the formation of NPs and enables feeding the fresh NaBH4 solution throughout the synthesis. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry measurements of adsorbed [Formula: see text]CO molecules on Pt NPs showed that the NPs surface were negatively charged with a high population of edge and vertices atoms.
Test Selection for Deep Learning Systems
Authors: Ma Wei , Papadakis Mike , Tsakmalis Anestis , Cordy Maxime , Traon Yves Le
Published: January 2021

Testing of deep learning models is challenging due to the excessive number and complexity of the computations involved. As a result, test data selection is performed manually and in an ad hoc way. This raises the question of how we can automatically select candidate data to test deep learning models. Recent research has focused on defining metrics to measure the thoroughness of a test suite and to rely on such metrics to guide the generation of new tests. However, the problem of selecting/prioritising test inputs (e.g., to be labelled manually by humans) remains open. In this article, we perform an in-depth empirical comparison of a set of test selection metrics based on the notion of model uncertainty (model confidence on specific inputs). Intuitively, the more uncertain we are about a candidate sample, the more likely it is that this sample triggers a misclassification. Similarly, we hypothesise that the samples for which we are the most uncertain are the most informative and should be used in priority to improve the model by retraining. We evaluate these metrics on five models and three widely used image classification problems involving real and artificial (adversarial) data produced by five generation algorithms. We show that uncertainty-based metrics have a strong ability to identify misclassified inputs, being three times stronger than surprise adequacy and outperforming coverage-related metrics. We also show that these metrics lead to faster improvement in classification accuracy during retraining: up to two times faster than random selection and other state-of-the-art metrics on all models we considered.
Pairwise Preferences in the Stable Marriage Problem
Authors: Cseh Ágnes , Juhos Attila
Published: January 2021

We study the classical, two-sided stable marriage problem under pairwise preferences. In the most general setting, agents are allowed to express their preferences as comparisons of any two of their edges, and they also have the right to declare a draw or even withdraw from such a comparison. This freedom is then gradually restricted as we specify six stages of orderedness in the preferences, ending with the classical case of strictly ordered lists. We study all cases occurring when combining the three known notions of stability—weak, strong, and super-stability—under the assumption that each side of the bipartite market obtains one of the six degrees of orderedness. By designing three polynomial algorithms and two NP-completeness proofs, we determine the complexity of all cases not yet known and thus give an exact boundary in terms of preference structure between tractable and intractable cases.
Comparing the Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Medial Branch Block and Facet Joint Injection in Axial Low Back Pain
Authors: Seo Jeong-Hwan , Baik Sung-Woon , Ko Myoung-Hwan , Won Yu-Hui , Park Sung-Hee , Oh Sang Wook , Kim Gi-Wook
Published: January 2021

Introduction. Medial branch nerve block (MBB) and facet joint injections (FJIs) can be used to manage axial low back pain. Although there have been studies comparing the MBB and FJI effects, a few studies have compared the therapeutic effects of both interventions combined with each separate intervention. This study aimed to compare the pain relief effect of MBB, FJI, and combined treatment with MBB and FJI in patients with axial low back pain. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with axial low back pain who had chart records of the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores measured before treatment and within 6 weeks after treatment. The proportion of patients with successful responses (>30%) was calculated and is presented with Wald confidence intervals. Results. We included 66 patients (33, 17, and 16 patients in the MBB, FJI, and combined treatment with MBB and FJI groups). All the patient groups showed significant posttreatment improvements in the NRS [(proportion >30% decrease: MBB 24.2% (9.6–38.9), FJI 29.4% (7.8–51.1), and MBB + FJI 25.0% (3.8–46.2)] scores and the ODI [proportion >30% decrease: MBB 39.4% (22.7–56.1), FJI 23.5% (3.4–43.7), and MBB + FJI 37.5% (13.8–61.2)] scores. Furthermore, there was no significant among-group difference in the ODI and NRS scores. Conclusion. MBB, FJI, and combined treatment with MBB and FJI can reduce axial low back pain and improve secondary functional degradation. Although combined treatment with MBB and FJI required a longer intervention time, it did not have a pain relief effect superior to that of MBB or FJI alone.
Uniqueness of Complete Hypersurfaces in Weighted Riemannian Warped Products
Authors: Zhang Ning
Published: January 2021

In this paper, applying the weak maximum principle, we obtain the uniqueness results for the hypersurfaces under suitable geometric restrictions on the weighted mean curvature immersed in a weighted Riemannian warped product

I

×

ρ

M

f

n

whose fiber

M

has

f

-parabolic universal covering. Furthermore, applications to the weighted hyperbolic space are given. In particular, we also study the special case when the ambient space is weighted product space and provide some results by Bochner’s formula. As a consequence of this parametric study, we also establish Bernstein-type properties of the entire graphs in weighted Riemannian warped products.
Experimental Study on Seepage Properties of Postpeak Fractured Rocks under Cyclic Loading-Unloading Confining Stress and Axial Stress
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Xia Zuhao , Yao Chi , Yang Jianhua , Yang Mingdong
Published: January 2021

Excavation in rock masses always encounters safety problems from rock fracture seepage in water-rich areas, which needs to be paid much attention, especially for fractured rocks under complicated stress state. For this reason, the permeability of fractured sandstone and granite is experimentally investigated under cyclic loading-unloading confining stress and axial stress. The variation of permeability coefficient and seepage flow with increasing and decreasing the confining stress and axial stress are comprehensively analyzed. Results show that the changing patterns of permeability with loading-unloading cycles of confining stress for both fractured sandstone and granite are similar. The permeability is most sensitive to the initial loading-unloading stages. After several loading-unloading cycles, the confining stress has little effect on permeability. The seepage flow decreases as the confining stress is unloaded to the same level in the loading process, indicating a hysteresis effect on the recovery of seepage capacity. The seepage properties under cyclic loading-unloading the axial stress are quite different from those under the confining stress. The permeability of fractured sandstone is most sensitive to the first cycle of loading-unloading of axial stress. The irrecoverable shear slide between fractures under the axial stress causes dilatancy or contraction, which makes the permeability coefficient to consecutively decrease at the subsequent cycles. The permeability of granite first decreases during the first loading of axial stress, while this trend is disordered at the subsequent stages no matter loading or unloading the axial stress. This is because of the accumulation of breakage fragments between fractures, which further disturbs the seepage flow. These findings may be useful for further understanding the seepage properties of fractured granite and sandstone under complex loading-unloading history.
A Novel Scheduling Algorithm for Common Rail Dual Automatic Guided Vehicles Particle Filtering Algorithm for Industrial Process Control
Authors: Gao Yanghua , Lou Weidong , Lu Hailiang
Published: January 2021

This paper explores deep into the collaborative scheduling of common rail dual automatic guided vehicles (AGVs). Firstly, a dual AGV scheduling model was constructed to minimize the overall time of material distribution. Then, a novel scheduling algorithm was developed to dynamically plan the orders based on time windows. To effectively minimize the distribution time, heuristic algorithms were adopted to initialize the distribution order of materials. On this basis, the collaboration between the two AGVs was innovatively designed based on dynamic planning and time windows, making up for the defects of traditional methods in AGV cooperation. This greatly shortens the running time of the entire system in material distribution. The computing results fully demonstrate the efficiency and rationality of our algorithm. Finally, our algorithm was proved to be superior to the benchmark method through experiments on actual industrial instances.
Dynamic Stiffness Formulation for Free Vibration of Truncated Conical Shell and Its Combinations with Uniform Boundary Restraints
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Jin Guoyong , Wang Zhihao , Qian Xuqin , Tian Linghua
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a dynamic stiffness formulation for the free vibration analysis of truncated conical shell and its combinations with uniform boundary restraints. The displacement fields are expressed as power series, and the coefficients of the series are obtained as recursion formula by substituting the power series into the governing equations. Then, the general solutions can be replaced by an algebraic sum which contains eight base functions, which can diminish the number of degrees of freedom directly. The dynamic stiffness matrix is formulated based on the relationship between the force and displacement along the boundary lines. In the formulation, arbitrary elastic boundary restraints can be realized by introducing four sets of boundary springs along the displacement directions at the boundary lines. The modeling methodology can be easily extended to the combinations of conical shells with different thickness and semivertex angles. The convergence and accuracy of the present formulation are demonstrated by comparing with the finite element method using several numerical examples. Effects of the elastic boundary condition and geometric dimension on the free vibration characteristics are investigated, and several representative mode shapes are depicted for illustrative purposes.
Transformation of Two Cases of Lung Adenocarcinoma into Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma following Treatment
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Shen Yinfang , Jiang Junhong , Liu Ziyi , Mu Chuanyong
Published: January 2021

Accumulating evidence shows that histologic transformation is involved in the drug resistance of lung cancer. Moreover, it is common for lung adenocarcinoma to transform into small-cell lung cancer or squamous cell carcinoma; however, clinical cases with sarcomatoid transformation have been rarely reported. Thus, both the diagnosis and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma with sarcomatoid transformation remain difficult. Here, we discuss two patients with lung adenocarcinoma with sarcomatoid transformation—analyzing the diagnosis, clinical features, immunohistochemical characteristics, therapy, and prognosis—with the hope that this report will be used as a reference for future treatment of these patients.
Design and Analysis of a Laminar Diffusion-Based Micromixer with Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Ulkir Osman , Girit Oguz , Ertugrul Ishak
Published: January 2021

This study aims to perform optimizatione to achieve the best diffusion control between the channels by designing and analysing a microfluidic-based micromixer. The design and analysis of the micromixer were made with the COMSOL Multiphysics program. Some input and output parameters must be defined for diffusion control of the micromixer. Among these parameters, inputs are the diffusion coefficient and inlet flow rate, while outputs are velocity, pressure, and concentration. Each input parameter in the microfluidic chip affects the output of the system. To make the diffusion control in the most optimum way, the data were obtained by making much analysis. The data obtained from this program was also provided with the Fuzzy Logic method to optimize the microfluidic chip. The diffusion coefficient value (5E-11 m2/s) should be given to the channels to achieve the optimum diffusion between the micromixer channels, if the inlet flow rate value (15E-15 m3/s) is the output value of the system, the velocity is 0.09 mm/s. The pressure is 2 Pa, and the concentration is 0.45 mol/m3. These values are the optimum values obtained from the analysis without damaging the liquid’s microfluidic channels supplied to the micromixer’s inlet.
Existence and Uniqueness of Weak Solutions to Variable-Order Fractional Laplacian Equations with Variable Exponents
Authors: Guo Yating , Ye Guoju
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the variable-order fractional Laplacian equations with variable exponents and the Kirchhoff-type problem driven by

p

·

-fractional Laplace with variable exponents were studied. By using variational method, the authors obtain the existence and uniqueness results.
Comparative Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Harvested Stems and In Vitro-Raised Protocorms of Dendrobium chryseum Rolfe in Human Cervical Carcinoma and Glioblastoma Cell Lines
Authors: Pant Bijaya , Joshi Pusp Raj , Maharjan Sabitri , Thakuri Laxmi Sen , Pradhan Shreeti , Shah Sujit , Wagner Sven H. , Pant Basant
Published: January 2021

From the medicinal orchid Dendrobium chryseum Rolfe, which is used in traditional and folk Chinese medicine, the protocorms were raised in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media in three strengths, full strength (FMS), half strength (1/2 MS), and quarter strength (1/4 MS), with or without the phytohormones 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and coconut water (CW). The comparative cytotoxic activities of the wild and in vitro-raised protocorms were evaluated in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and human glioblastoma (U251) cell lines by MTT assay. In in vivo and in vitro, the methanol extracts of D. chryseum showed significant cytotoxic activities. Significant growth inhibition (%) and potent IC50 values were demonstrated in HeLa cell lines (49.79% (210.5 μg/mL) for in vitro-raised Dendrobium chryseum (DCT) versus 46.97% (226.5 μg/mL) for wild Dendrobium chryseum (DCW)). Similarly, activities against U251 cell lines exhibited also significant inhibition (28.76% (612.54 μg/mL) for DCW and 17.15% (1059.92 μg/mL) for DCT). The cytotoxic activities of both, wild and tissue-cultured samples, were superior in HeLa cells. In U251 cells, the wild sample was more active than the tissue-cultured one with a moderate cytotoxic effect. Hence, protocorm culture may therefore be a promising future tool for producing pharmacologically bioactive compounds in medicinal orchids. Such sustainable technology approach will minimize the pressure on the natural population of threatened but commercially important medicinal orchids.
Development Favorable Area and Productivity Potential Evaluation Method of a Tight Oil Reservoir
Authors: Wang Shuping , Lai Fengpeng , Wang Kongjie , Li Zhiping , Wang Hong
Published: January 2021

Tight oil resources have become the focus of unconventional oil and gas exploration and development. Well placement is an essential factor determining the development of a field. Oil wells should be located in the area with favorable criteria for development. These areas should be screened based upon oil and gas enrichment of the reservoir. The influencing factors and analysis theory of an enrichment area are summarized in this paper. Two types of methods evaluating areas favorable for tight oil and gas production are explained here as well, including model prediction and the combination of geological modeling and reservoir simulation. The area with favorable geological, engineering, and economic attributes has the best development potential. The productivity potential can be used as one basis for selecting areas favorable for production. Based on the previous concept of productivity potential, combined with the characteristics of a tight oil reservoir, this study modified the evaluation of productivity potential, and the calculated potential area was the priority for well placement. The modified equation of productivity potential comprehensively considers effective pore pressure, mobile oil saturation, porosity, permeability, effective thickness, distance from the boundary, and threshold pressure gradient. A tight reservoir was taken as an example for calculation, and the results of the modified method, original productivity potential method, and reserve abundance calculation method are discussed. Two new wells were arranged in the favorable areas obtained by different productivity potential evaluation methods, and the production was calculated under the same parameters for each method. The recovery of this area was 51.65%, which is 1.73% and 2.84% higher than that of the other two methods.
The Cytokine Profiles and Immune Response Are Increased in COVID-19 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zheng Mao , Wang Xiaobing , Guo Hui , Fan Yinguang , Song Zichen , Lu Zhaohui , Wang Jinquan , Zheng Changcheng , Dong Lin , Ma Yan , Zhu Yuyou , Fang Haoshu , Ye Shandong
Published: January 2021

The induction of inflammation and cytokine storm was proposed to play a critical role in COVID-19. This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between glucose metabolism and the inflammatory state of inpatients with COVID-19. 71 inpatients with COVID-19 were classified into nondiabetes mellitus (NDM) group, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group, and diabetes mellitus (DM) group. The average hospitalization days were significantly shorter in DM patients when compared with patients in the IFG group and NDM group. CD4+ T cell percentage was higher while CD8+ T cells percentage was lower in the DM group than those in the NDM group. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and INF-γ in the DM group were upregulated when compared with those in the NDM group. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-2, IL-10, and INF-γ were significantly higher in the DM group than those in the IFG group. A significant difference was observed in CD4+ T cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio percentage, IL-6, and IL-10 between the NDM group and DM group with adjusted BMI. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients with elevated glucose levels have promoted cytokine profiles and immune response.