bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of geometric parameters at open turbine combined structure on flow field distribution of dry granulation for Si3N4 powder
Authors: Yu Dongling , Zhang Huiling , Zhou Jiangen , Deng Lijun , Liao Dahai , Wu Nanxing
Published: February 2021

To improve the uniformity of the flow field and the poor axial velocity in the chamber of Si3N4 dry granulation, the influence of geometric parameters at open turbine combined structure on the flow field distribution is studied. The Euler–Euler gas-solid two-phase flow model is established and the physical model of dry granulation chamber under the combined structure is simplified. Under the same radial structure, the volume distribution and velocity field of Si3N4 particles in the granulation chamber with a different number and angle of the axial structure at the open turbine are analyzed by the CFD method. The influence of the axial structure at the open turbine on the flow field distribution of Si3N4 particles under different geometric parameters is compared. The results show that the axial structure of the open turbine in the granulation chamber is the most uniform when the number of blades is 6 and the inclination angle is [Formula: see text], and the circulating flow of the upper and lower parts of Si3N4 powder is strong.
Robotic Needle Positioning Based on CT-Scan Images: Constrained Admittance Realization
Authors: Sadeghian Hamid , Barkhordari Maryam , Kamranian Zahra , Jafarpisheh M. Saleh
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the application of a robotic arm for needle-based medical interventions under a preoperative CT-scan is investigated. The proposed setup consists of a robot manipulator with a customized needle guide mounted on its end-effector. A workflow that considers all the issues related to the registration and needle positioning algorithms is proposed. The so-called constrained admittance control approach is proposed to provide semi-autonomous positioning of the needle guide on the target path based on CT-scan images. The proposed algorithms are verified experimentally through phantom studies.
Contractional salt tectonics and role of pre-existing diapiric structures in the Southern Pyrenean foreland fold–thrust belt (Montsec and Serres Marginals)
Authors: Burrel Laura , Teixell Antonio
Published: February 2021

Triassic Keuper evaporites have long been recognized as the main detachment level for thrusting in the Pyrenean fold–thrust belts. The deformed Late Cretaceous–Eocene foreland basin of the Southern Pyrenees has structures and stratal geometries that can be interpreted as related to salt tectonics (e.g. unconformities, rapid thickness variations, long-lived growth fans and overturned flaps), although they have been overprinted by shortening and thrusting. Based on field observations and published maps, we build new structural cross-sections reinterpreting two classic transects of the Southern Pyrenees (Noguera Ribagorçana and Noguera Pallaresa river transects). The sequential restoration of the sections explores the variations in structural style, addressing the role of halokinesis in the tectonic and sedimentary development. In the Serres Marginals area, we propose that salt pillows and diapirs started developing locally during the Mesozoic pre-orogenic episode, evolving into a system of salt ridges and intervening synclines filled with early synorogenic sediments. Rapid amplification of folds recorded by widespread latest Cretaceous–Paleocene growth strata is taken as marking the onset of contractional folding in the area. During Pyrenean compression, folding mechanisms transitioned from dominantly halokinetic to a combination of buckling and differential sedimentary loading. Squeezing of salt diapirs and thrust welding occurred as salt ridges were unroofed. We provide new field observations that lead to a reinterpretation of the regional structural development and contribute to the debate about the role of salt tectonics in the Pyrenees.

Supplementary material:
Table S1, giving the thickness of the main stratigraphic units, is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5287737
Chapter 4.1a Antarctic Peninsula: volcanology
Authors: Smellie John L. , Hole Malcolm J.
Published: February 2021

The Antarctic Peninsula is distinguished by late Neogene volcanic activity related to a series of northerly younging ridge crest–trench collisions and the progressive opening of ‘slab windows’ in the subjacent mantle. The outcrops were amongst the last to be discovered in the region, with many occurrences not visited until the 1970s and 1980s. The volcanism consists of several monogenetic volcanic fields and small isolated centres. It is sodic alkaline to tholeiitic in composition, and ranges in age between 7.7 Ma and present. No eruptions have been observed (with the possible, but dubious, exception of Seal Nunataks in 1893) but very young isotopic ages for some outcrops suggest that future eruptions are a possibility. The eruptions were overwhelmingly glaciovolcanic and the outcrops have been a major source of information on glaciovolcano construction. They have also been highly influential in advancing our understanding of the configuration of the Plio-Pleistocene Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet. However, our knowledge is hindered by a paucity of modern, precise isotopic ages. In particular, there is no obvious relationship between the age of ridge crest–trench collisions and the timing of slab-window volcanism, a puzzle that may only be resolved by new dating.
Petrogenesis and dynamic implications of the Cenozoic alkali basalts from the Jingpohu Volcanic Field, NE China
Authors: Bai Xiang , Wei Wei , Yu Hongmei , Chen Zhengquan
Published: February 2021

The Cenozoic alkali basalts are widely exposed in the Jingpohu Volcanic Field, NE China. Previous volcanology and geochronology research has revealed that they were formed in three periods in the Miocene (
c.
29.23–13.59 Ma), Pleistocene (
c.
83.7 ka) and Holocene (
c.
5.5–5.2 ka BP). The Miocene and Pleistocene basalts consist of alkali olivine basalts, while the Holocene basalts are composed of alkali olivine basalts and leucite tephrites. Petrogenetic studies reveal that the primary magmas of the Miocene and Pleistocene alkali olivine basalts originated from partial melting of EM2-like garnet peridotites, and those of the Holocene alkali olivine basalts were derived from melting of EM1- and EM2-like garnet peridotites with higher garnet proportions. In contrast, the primary magmas of the Holocene leucite tephrites were derived from the melting of eclogites and peridotites. Combined with previous research, we suggest that melting of the mantle source region to generate Jingpohu alkali basalts was triggered by decarbonization and dehydration of the slabs stagnated in the mantle transition zone.
Predicting Attributes of Nodes Using Network Structure
Authors: Ali Sarwan , Shakeel Muhammad Haroon , Khan Imdadullah , Faizullah Safiullah , Khan Muhammad Asad
Published: February 2021

In many graphs such as social networks, nodes have associated attributes representing their behavior. Predicting node attributes in such graphs is an important task with applications in many domains like recommendation systems, privacy preservation, and targeted advertisement. Attribute values can be predicted by treating each node as a data point described by attributes and employing classification/regression algorithms. However, in social networks, there is complex interdependence between node attributes and pairwise interaction. For instance, attributes of nodes are influenced by their neighbors (social influence), and neighborhoods (friendships) between nodes are established based on pairwise (dis)similarity between their attributes (social selection). In this article, we establish that information in network topology is extremely useful in determining node attributes. In particular, we use self- and cross-proclivity measures (quantitative measures of how much a node attribute depends on the same and other attributes of its neighbors) to predict node attributes. We propose a feature map to represent a node with respect to a specific attribute
a
, using all attributes of its
h
-hop neighbors. Different classifiers are then learned on these feature vectors to predict the value of attribute
a
. We perform extensive experimentation on 10 real-world datasets and show that the proposed method significantly outperforms known approaches in terms of prediction accuracy.
Improving the Characteristics of Niobium-Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanofilm with Moderate Hydrogen Incorporation
Authors: Meng Lei
Published: February 2021

20 nm thick anatase niobium-doped titanium dioxide (TNO) nanofilm with resistivity of 2.9 × 10−3 Ω·cm, visible-light transmittance of over 92% and work function of 4.43 eV was obtained by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering method and a diluted H2 atmosphere annealing. A rapid annealing in a forming gas atmosphere of 3%H2 and 97%N2 at 500 °C reduced the resistivity by 3 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the utilization of a “glass cover” (GC) in the annealing process decreased the resistivity by approximately 3 times and increased the refractive index by approximately 3.6% for the anatase TNO nanofilm. The secondary ion mass spectrometry measurement confirmed that the GC restrained the hydrogen diffusion from the surface into TNO occurred during the annealing. Employed as the antireflection layer in hydrogenated amorphous Si solar cells, the TNO nanofilm annealed with GC enabled an open-circuit voltage of 0.91 V, a gain of 6.5% in short-circuit current density and a reduction of 30.3% in series resistance, resulting in a gain of approximately 12.8% in photoelectric conversion efficiency. These results suggest that moderate H incorporation is beneficial for improving the electrical and optical characteristics of TNO thin films.
MOVPE Growth and EQE Artifact Analysis of Upright Metamorphic Quadruple Junction Solar Cell
Authors: Zhang Qiming , Zhang Baoguo , Guo Hongliang , Tang Yue , Wu Yanmei , Liu Rubin , Zhang Heng , Yao Liyong , Sun Qiang
Published: February 2021

The performance of metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) grown upright metamorphic (UMM) AlGaInP/AlGaInAs/GaInAs/Ge quadruple junction (QJ) solar cells have been investigated. Metamorphic (MM) epitaxy is achieved through compositionally graded buffer (CGB) layer varying in lattice constants between Ge and Ga0.8In0.2As. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was used to study the relaxation of strain which is about 98%. Threading dislocation density (TDD) at about 3 × 105 cm−2 was estimated from cathodoluminescence (CL) images. Incorporation of oxygen is effectively suppressed by elevated growth temperature and phosphine flow, which can decrease the nonradiative recombination rate in active layers. Systematic spectra response measurements were used to analyze the comprehensive effect of reverse breakdown (RBD) and luminescence coupling (LC) in multijunction solar cells, including bias light- and voltage-modulated analysis and corresponding analytical models.
Dopant Redistribution and Activation in Ga Ion-Implanted High Ge Content SiGe by Explosive Crystallization during UV Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Annealing
Authors: Tabata Toshiyuki , Karim Huet , Rozé Fabien , Mazzamuto Fulvio , Sermage Bernard , Kopalidis Petros , Roh Dwight
Published: February 2021

Explosive crystallization (EC) is often observed when using nanosecond-pulsed melt laser annealing (MLA) in amorphous silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). The solidification velocity in EC is so fast that a diffusion-less crystallization can be expected. In the contacts of advanced transistors, the active level at the metal/semiconductor Schottky interface must be very high to achieve a sub-10−9 ohm·cm2 contact resistivity, which has been already demonstrated by using the dopant surface segregation induced by MLA. However, the beneficial layer of a few nanometers at the surface may be easily consumed during subsequent contact cleaning and metallization. EC helps to address such kind of process integration issues, enabling the optimal positioning of the peak of the dopant chemical profile. However, there is a lack of experimental studies of EC in heavily-doped semiconductor materials. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, dopant activation by EC has never been experimentally reported. In this paper, we present dopant redistribution and activation by an EC process induced by UV nanosecond-pulsed MLA in heavily gallium (Ga) ion-implanted high Ge content SiGe. Based on the obtained results, we also highlight potential issues of integrating EC into real device fabrication processes and discuss how to manage them.
Hydraulic force is a novel mechanism of diastolic function that may contribute to decreased diastolic filling in HFpEF and facilitate filling in HFrEF
Authors: Steding-Ehrenborg Katarina , Hedström Erik , Carlsson Marcus , Maksuti Elira , Broomé Michael , Ugander Martin , Magnusson Martin , Smith J. Gustav , Arheden Håkan
Published: February 2021

It is a previously unrecognized physiological mechanism of the heart that diastolic filling occurs with the help of hydraulics. In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial dilatation may cause the net hydraulic force to work against cardiac filling, thus further augmenting diastolic dysfunction. In contrast, it may work favorably in patients with dilated ventricles, as in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Study on Mechanical Properties and Failure Mechanism of Axial Braided C/C Composite
Authors: Wang Chunguang , Tian Weiping , Tang Min
Published: February 2021

In order to study the mechanical properties and failure mechanism of the axial braided C/C composites, the microscopic and macroscopic mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. In view of the size effect of the samples, the properties of the samples with different thickness were tested. The strain during loading was measured by optical method, and the failure morphology was observed by SEM. The changing characteristics of stress-strain curve were analyzed, and the failure characteristics of materials and failure mechanism under various loads were obtained. It was found that brittle fracture was observed during the tensile process of axial braided C/C composites, and the main failure forms were fiber rod pulling and partial fiber rod breaking in the axial direction. Radial failure was mainly in the form of fiber bundle fracture and crack stratification propagation. When compressed, the material exhibited pseudoplastic characteristics. The radial compression sample was cut along a 45-degree bevel. The axial compression curve was in the form of double fold, the axial fiber rod was unstable, and the transverse fiber bundle was cut. During in-plane shearing, the axial fracture was brittle and the fiber rod was cut. The radial direction showed the fracture and pulling of the fiber bundle, and the material had the characteristics of pseudoplasticity. The research methods and results in this paper could provide important references for the optimization and rational application of C/C composite materials.
Direct DNA Sequencing‐Based Analysis of Microbiota Associated with Hematological Malignancies in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzahrani Faisal M. , Al-Amri Ali , Shaikh Saeed Sattar , Muzaheed  , Alomar Amer Ibrahim , Acharya Sadananda , Aldossary Maryam Ahmed , Hassan Fathelrahman Mahdi
Published: February 2021

Introduction. Bloodstream infections (BSI) among patients with hematological malignancies (HM) could predispose them to higher morbidity and mortality for various underlying conditions. Several microorganisms, either pathogenic or opportunistic normal human flora, could cause severe bacteremia and septicemia. While conventional methods have their own limitations, molecular methods such as next‐generation sequencing (NGS) can detect these blood infections with more reliability, specificity, and sensitivity, in addition to information on microbial population landscape. Methodology. Blood samples from HM patients (n = 50) and volunteer blood donor control individuals with no HM (n = 50) were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplification using standard PCR protocols. A metagenomic library was prepared, and NGS was run on a MiSeq (Illumina) sequencer. Sequence reads were analyzed using MiSeq Reporter, and microbial taxa were aligned using the Green Genes library. Results. 82% of the patients showed BSI with Gram‐negative bacteria as the most predominant group. E. coli comprised a major chunk of the bacterial population (19.51%), followed by K. pneumoniae (17.07%). The CoNS and Viridans Streptococci groups are 17.07% and 14.63%, respectively. Other major species were S. aureus (9.75%), P. aeruginosa (7.31%), A. baumannii (4.87%), E. cloacae (4.87%), and P. mirabilis (4.87%). 34.14% of the cases among patients showed a Gram‐positive infection, while 14.63% showed polymicrobial infections. Conclusion. Most of the BSI in patients were characterized by polymicrobial infections, unlike the control samples. Molecular methods like NGS showed robust, fast, and specific identification of infectious agents in BSI in HM, indicating the possibility of its application in routine follow‐up of such patients for infections.
Antimalarial Activity of Nigella sativa L. Seed Extracts and Selection of Resistance in Plasmodium berghei ANKA in a Mouse Model
Authors: Udu Rahma , Oyweri Job , Gathirwa Jeremiah
Published: February 2021

Background. Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in malaria control. However, the main obstacle to treatment has been the rise of parasite resistance to most antimalarial drugs. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the most effective antimalarial medicines available today. However, malaria parasite tolerance to ACTs is now increasingly prevalent especially in Southeast Asia presenting the danger of the spread of ACTs resistance to other parts of the world. Consequently, this creates the need for alternative effective antimalarials. Therefore, this study sought out to determine antimalarial potential, safety, and resistance development of the extracts in a mouse model. Method. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were obtained by solvent extraction. The extracts were assayed for acute toxicity in vivo. Additionally, the two extracts were evaluated for antimalarial activity in vivo against Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain by the 4-day suppressive test at 500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day. Packed cell volume was evaluated to determine anemia manifestation. Finally, continuous drug pressure experiment at 500 mg/kg and DNA amplification via PCR were conducted. The amplicons underwent through Sanger sequencing. Results. There was no toxicity realized in the animals at 2000 mg/kg. Importantly, high parasitemia suppression of 75.52% and 75.30% using a dose of 500 mg/kg of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively, was noted. The extracts were able to reverse packed cell volume reduction. Nigella sativa-resistant phenotype was selected as delayed parasite clearance. However, there was no change in the nucleotide sequences of PbMDR1 and PbCRT genes. Conclusion. The results provide room for future exploitation of the plant as an antimalarial.
Estimates for Commutators of Bilinear Fractionalp-Adic Hardy Operator on Herz-Type Spaces
Authors: Hussain Amjad , Sarfraz Naqash , Khan Ilyas , Alqahtani Aisha M.
Published: February 2021

In the current article, we investigate the boundedness of commutators of the bilinear fractionalp-adic Hardy operator onp-adic Herz spaces andp-adic Morrey-Herz spaces by considering the symbol function from central bounded mean oscillations and Lipschitz spaces.
Assessment and Management of Cardiotoxicity in Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Bojan Anca , Torok-Vistai Tunde , Parvu Andrada
Published: February 2021

With the increasing overall survival of cancer patients due to recent discoveries in oncology, the incidence of side effects is also rising, and along with secondary malignancies, cardiotoxicity is one of the most concerning side effects, affecting the quality of life of cancer survivors. There are two types of cardiotoxicity associated with chemotherapy; the first one is acute, life-threatening but, fortunately, in most of the cases, reversible; and the second one is with late onset and mostly irreversible. The most studied drugs associated with cardiotoxicity are anthracyclines, but many new agents have demonstrated unexpected cardiotoxic effect, including those currently used in multiple myeloma treatment (proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents), tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and some forms of acute leukemia, and immune checkpoint inhibitors recently introduced in treatment of refractory lymphoma patients. To prevent irreversible myocardial damage, early recognition of cardiac toxicity is mandatory. Traditional methods like echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging are capable of detecting structural and functional changings, but unable to detect early myocardial damage; therefore, more sensible biomarkers like troponins and natriuretic peptides have to be introduced into the current practice. Baseline assessment of patients allows the identification of those with high risk for cardiotoxicity, while monitoring during and after treatment is important for early detection of cardiotoxicity and prompt intervention.
Combined Finite‐Discrete Element Modelling of Dynamic Rock Fracture and Fragmentation during Mining Production Process by Blast
Authors: An Huaming , Song Yushan , Liu Hongyuan , Han Haoyu
Published: February 2021

A combined finite‐discrete element method (FDEM) is proposed to model the dynamic fracture, fragmentation, and resultant muck‐piling process during mining production by blast in underground mine. The key component of the proposed method, that is, transition from continuum to discontinuum through fracture and fragmentation, is introduced in detail, which makes the proposed method superior to the continuum‐based finite element method and discontinuum‐based discrete element method. The FDEM is calibrated by modelling the crater formation process by blast. The FDEM has well modelled the stress and fracture propagation and resultant fragmentation process. In addition, the proposed method has well captured the crushed zone, cracked zone, and the radial long crack zone. After that, the FDEM is employed to model the dynamic fracture and resultant fragmentation process by blast during sublevel caving process in an underground mine. Then the FDEM has well modelled the stress propagation process, as well as the fracture initiation and fragmenting process. Finally, the effects of borehole spacing and initial gas pressure are discussed. It is concluded that the FDEM is a value numerical approach to study the dynamic rock fracture process by blast.
Open Globe Injuries Related to Traffic Accidents: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Upaphong Phit , Supreeyathitikul Pongsant , Choovuthayakorn Janejit
Published: February 2021

Purpose. To evaluate epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients sustained traffic-related open globe injury (OGI). Methods. The medical records of all OGI patients who were admitted in a tertiary referral center from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Then, the records of injuries related to traffic accidents were identified and reviewed in detail. Results. Among the overall causes of OGI, traffic-related accidents comprised 92/978 (9%) of cases. Nearly half of the injuries (51%) occurred in the 20–39-year-old group and 59% involved automobile transportation. Globe rupture occurred in 48 (47%) eyes. Following treatments, LogMAR visual acuity (VA) significantly improved from a median (interquartile range) of 2.3 (1.9–2.3) to 1.7 (0.3–3.0), at the final appointment. Presence of relative afferent pupillary defect and presence of retinal detachment were predictors for poor final visual outcomes. Conclusions. Traffic-related OGI had a high prevalence in the young. The risky transportation modes were motorcycles in teenagers and automobiles in young adults. Despite treatment, there was a considerable proportion of impaired final VA. This information could help establish effective safety education and encourage regular adherence to road safety behaviors in the high-risk groups.
A Retrospective Review of Lead Migration Rate in Patients Permanently Implanted with Percutaneous Leads and a 10 kHz SCS Device
Authors: Gupta Mayank , Abd-Elsayed Alaa , Hughes Meghan , Rotte Anand
Published: February 2021

Background. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used over decades for pain management, but migration of percutaneous leads has been the most common complication. Better surgical techniques and newer SCS technologies likely reduced the incidence of lead migration requiring surgical revision, although data are sparse. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of clinically significant percutaneous lead migration in patients permanently implanted with a 10 kHz SCS system. Methods. Consecutive patients with chronic trunk and/or limb pain, permanently implanted between January 2016 and June 2019, were included in the analysis. Data were collected from the hospital’s electronic medical records and the manufacturer’s database. Clinically significant lead migration, defined as diminished pain relief followed by surgery to correct lead location, was assessed at the 6-month follow-up. Results. At the 6-month follow-up, there were no cases of clinically significant lead migration, average pain relief was 65.2%, 82% of patients had response (≥50% pain relief), improvement of function was noted in 72% of patients, and decrease of medication was observed in 42% of patients. Therapy efficacy was sustained in patients with >12 months follow-up; the average pain relief was 58.5%, and the response rate was 82%. Conclusions. The surgical techniques in use today are designed to minimise the risk of percutaneous lead migration and may have reduced its incidence. In addition, new SCS systems may give greater opportunity to mitigate cases of minor lead movement using alternative stimulation programs.
IBEM Simulation of Seismic Wave Scattering by a 3D Tunnel Mountain
Authors: Jiang Ping-Lin , Jiang Hua , Jiang Yu-Sheng , Wang Dai , Li Nan , Shi Zhong-He
Published: February 2021

The seismic wave scattering by a 3D tunnel mountain is investigated by the indirect boundary element method (IBEM). Without loss of generality, the 3D physical model of hemispherical tunnel mountain in an elastic half‐space is established, and the influence of the incidence frequency and angle of P or SV wave on the mountain surface displacements is mainly examined. It is shown that there exists quite a difference between the spatial distribution of displacement amplitude under the incident P wave and the one under SV wave and that the incidence frequency and angle of wave, especially the existence of tunnel excavated in the mountain, have a great effect on the surface displacements of mountain; the presence of the tunnel in the mountain may cause the greater amplification of surface displacement, which is unfavorable to the mountain projects. In addition, it should be noted that the tunnel may suffer the more severe damage under the incident SV wave.
The Chloroplastic Small Heat Shock Protein Gene KvHSP26 Is Induced by Various Abiotic Stresses in Kosteletzkya virginica
Authors: Liu Xiaohua , Zhao Lizi , Li Jianzhao , Duan Lijun , Zhang Kai , Qiao Xuqiang , Li Weihuan , Zheng Chengchao , Tang Xiaoli , Zhang Hongxia
Published: February 2021

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are a group of chaperone proteins existed in all organisms. The functions of sHSPs in heat and abiotic stress responses in many glycophyte plants have been studied. However, their possible roles in halophyte plants are still largely known. In this work, a putative sHSP gene KvHSP26 was cloned from K. virginica. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that KvHSP26 encoded a chloroplastic protein with the typical features of sHSPs. Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that KvHSP26 shared 30%-77% homology with other sHSPs from Arabidopsis, cotton, durian, salvia, and soybean. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays exhibited that KvHSP26 was constitutively expressed in different tissues such as leaves, stems, and roots, with a relatively higher expression in leaves. Furthermore, expression of KvHSP26 was strongly induced by salt, heat, osmotic stress, and ABA in K. virginica. All these results suggest that KvHSP26 encodes a new sHSP, which is involved in multiple abiotic stress responses in K. virginica, and it has a great potential to be used as a candidate gene for the breeding of plants with improved tolerances to various abiotic stresses.
Modeling of Merging Decision during Execution Period Based on Random Forest
Authors: Li Gen , Ma Jianxiao , Shen Qiangru
Published: February 2021

This study aims to investigate the key feature variables and build an accurate decision model for merging behavior during the execution period by using a data-driven method called random forest (RF). To comprehensively explore the feature variables during merging execution period, nineteen candidate variables including speeds, relative speeds, gaps, time-to-collisions (TTCs), and locations are extracted from a dataset including 375 noise-filtered vehicle trajectories. After the variable selection process, an RF model with 9 key feature variables is finally built. Results show that the gap between the merging vehicle and its putative following vehicle and the ration of this gap to the total accepted gap are the two most important feature variables. It is because merging vehicle drivers can easily observe the putative leading vehicles and control the relative speeds and positions to the putative leading vehicles and they tend to leave more space for their putative following vehicles. Relative speed between the merging vehicle and its following vehicle in the auxiliary lane is the only variable related to the vehicles in the auxiliary lane, which means merging vehicles mainly focus on the traffic condition in the adjacent main lane. Evaluation of the performance in comparison with the state-of-the-art method reveals that the proposed method can obtain much more accurate results in both training and testing datasets, which means RF is practical for predicting the merging decision behavior during execution period and has better transferability.
A Giant Solitary Adrenal Plasmacytoma in a Patient with HIV: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chennoufi Mehdi , Boukhannous Ibrahim , Mokhtari Mohamed , El Moudane Anouar , Irzi Mohamed , Ouraghi Abdelghani , Jandou Issam , Miry Achraf , Barki Ali
Published: February 2021

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) involving the adrenal gland is an extremely rare malignancy. We report a case of a solitary adrenal plasmacytoma in an HIV-positive 50-year-old woman on antiretroviral therapy who presented with a rapidly progressing lumbar left masse. A CT scan objectified a locally advanced left adrenal mass measuring 135mm long axis. A biopsy was taken, and the histopathology with the immunohistochemical study objectified an adrenal gland plasmacytoma. The skeletal survey and the sternal suction biopsy did not show any abnormalities. The diagnosis of a solitary EMP of the adrenal gland was made. There are only 10 cases of solitary adrenal plasmacytoma with only one case associated with an HIV-positive patient reported in the literature. Therefore, this paper is aimed at presenting the second case of an HIV-positive patient diagnosed with solitary adrenal plasmacytoma.
Preclinical Modeling of Surgery and Steroid Therapy for Glioblastoma Reveals Changes in Immunophenotype that are Associated with Tumor Growth and Outcome
Authors: Otvos Balint , Alban Tyler J. , Grabowski Matthew M. , Bayik Defne , Mulkearns-Hubert Erin E. , Radivoyevitch Tomas , Rabljenovic Anja , Johnson Sarah , Androjna Charlie , Mohammadi Alireza M. , Barnett Gene H. , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Fecci Peter E. , Lathia Justin D.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

Glioblastoma (GBM) immunotherapy clinical trials are generally initiated after standard-of-care treatment—including surgical resection, perioperative high-dose steroid therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment—has either begun or failed. However, the impact of these interventions on the antitumoral immune response is not well studied. While discoveries regarding the impact of chemotherapy and radiation on immune response have been made and translated into clinical trial design, the impact of surgical resection and steroids on the antitumor immune response has yet to be determined.

Experimental Design:

We developed a murine model integrating tumor resection and steroid treatment and used flow cytometry to analyze systemic and local immune changes. These mouse model findings were validated in a cohort of 95 patients with primary GBM.

Results:

Using our murine resection model, we observed a systemic reduction in lymphocytes corresponding to increased tumor volume and decreased circulating lymphocytes that was masked by dexamethasone treatment. The reduction in circulating T cells was due to reduced CCR7 expression, resulting in T-cell sequestration in lymphoid organs and the bone marrow. We confirmed these findings in a cohort of patients with primary GBM and found that prior to steroid treatment, circulating lymphocytes inversely correlated with tumor volume. Finally, we demonstrated that peripheral lymphocyte content varies with progression-free survival and overall survival, independent of tumor volume, steroid use, or molecular profiles.

Conclusions:

These data reveal that prior to intervention, increased tumor volume corresponds with reduced systemic immune function and that peripheral lymphocyte counts are prognostic when steroid treatment is taken into account.
Rapid Response of Breast Cancer Cutaneous Metastasis to Single-Agent Palbociclib: A Case Report
Authors: Droubi Sami , Aqsa Anum , Rehan Maryam , Dhar Meekoo
Published: February 2021

Palbociclib is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor. Palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy has shown promising results in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-negative (HER-2−) breast cancer progression. We present a case of a woman with a history of infiltrating lobular cancer of the left breast, status post modified radical mastectomy 6 years prior, presenting with nodular erythematous lesions on the left arm and back. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of recurrent metastatic breast adenocarcinoma. She had complete resolution of cutaneous metastasis with 1 cycle of Palbociclib. We believe our case is unique as the resolution of cutaneous metastasis with 1 cycle of single-agent Palbociclib is rare. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of considering cutaneous metastasis as a possibility in patients with prior history of primary internal malignancy.
Automatic and Objective Assessment of Motor Skills Performance in Flexible Bronchoscopy
Authors: Cold Kristoffer Mazanti , Svendsen Morten Bo Søndergaard , Bodtger Uffe , Nayahangan Leizl Joy , Clementsen Paul Frost , Konge Lars
Published: February 2021

Background: Motor skills have been identified as a useful measure to evaluate competency in bronchoscopy. However, no automatic assessment system of motor skills with a clear pass/fail criterion in flexible bronchoscopy exists. Objectives: The objective of the study was to develop an objective and automatic measure of motor skills in bronchoscopy and set a pass/fail criterion. Methods: Participants conducted 3 bronchoscopies each in a simulated setting. They were equipped with a Myo Armband that measured lower arm movements through an inertial measurement unit, and hand and finger motions through electromyography sensors. These measures were composed into an objective and automatic composite score of motor skills, the motor bronchoscopy skills score (MoBSS). Results: Twelve novices, eleven intermediates, and ten expert bronchoscopy operators participated, resulting in 99 procedures available for assessment. MoBSS was correlated with a higher diagnostic completeness (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and a lower procedure time (Pearson’s correlation, r = −0.90, p < 0.001). MoBSS was able to differentiate operator performance based on the experience level (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Using the contrasting groups’ method, a passing score of −0.08 MoBSS was defined that failed 30/36 (83%) novice, 5/33 (15%) intermediate, and 1/30 (3%) expert procedures. Conclusions: MoBSS can be used as an automatic and unbiased assessment tool for motor skills performance in flexible bronchoscopy. MoBSS has the potential to generate automatic feedback to help guide trainees toward expert performance.
Long-Term Auscultation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Renaissance of an Ideograph of Medical Care
Authors: Schwarz Sarah Bettina , Windisch Wolfram , Majorski Daniel Sebastian , Callegari Jens , Pläcking Marilena , Magnet Friederike Sophie
Published: February 2021

Background: Electronic auscultation technology has advanced dramatically in the last few years. Therefore, long-term pulmonary auscultation could provide additional information about respiratory system by monitoring acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) exacerbations or by identifying wheezing phenotypes amongst stable COPD patients. Objectives: Comparison of respiratory sounds in stable versus AECOPD patients recorded with a portable respiratory sound monitor over a period of 24 h. Methods: This prospective trial evaluated cough and wheezing events using an auscultation monitor specially developed for this purpose with 4 integrated highly sensitive microphones, in stable and severely AECOPD patients for a period of 24 h in an inpatient setting. Results: Twenty stable COPD patients (12 male, 60%) and 20 severely exacerbated COPD patients (14 male, 70%) were analyzed. In AECOPD patients, long-term auscultation revealed a significantly higher number of wheezing epochs than stable COPD patients (591 [IQR: 145–1,645] vs. 152 [IQR: 90–400]; p = 0.021). Conversely, cough epochs did not differ between AECOPD and stable COPD patients (213 [IQR: 140–327] vs. 162 [IQR: 123–243]; p = 0.256). The Borg-dyspnea scale, CAT score, and total CCQ score each showed no correlation with wheezing frequency, while CAT and CCQ scores did correlate with coughing frequency. Conclusion: Wheezing, but not coughing, occurs more frequently in AECOPD patients than in stable COPD patients, indicating that severe wheezing is an important clinical sign of exacerbation, while coughing is not. Therefore, the patterns of wheezing and coughing, as assessed by long-term auscultation, differ in stable versus exacerbated COPD patients.
Strongyloides stercoralis with Gastroduodenal Involvement and Complicated with SIADH: An Unusual Diagnosis to Consider in Immunosuppressed Patients with Hyperemesis and Eosinophilia
Authors: Díaz Alcázar María del Mar , García Robles Adelina , López Hidalgo Javier Luis , Quintero Fuentes Dolores , Martín-Lagos Maldonado Alicia
Published: February 2021

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that colonizes and reproduces in the upper small intestinal mucosa. Infection in immunocompetent hosts is self-limited but in immunocompromised patients it can be complicated and cause hyperinfection. We present a 60-year-old female who was admitted due to an exacerbation of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura requiring high doses of corticosteroids. The patient began to experience persistent pyrosis, nausea, vomiting, and oral intolerance. She was di­agnosed with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Upper endoscopy was performed and showed esophageal, gastric, and duodenal mucosa with edema and erythema. Moreover, there were superficial erosions and thickened folds in duodenum. Gastric and duodenal biopsies were taken. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic enteroresonance displayed duodenal dilation and inflammatory changes. The histological study of biopsies showed colonization by S. stercolaris in the antrum and duodenum. S. stercolaris is a human parasite that is endemic in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Its lifecycle is complex because it completes its entire cycle within the human host; it penetrates the skin, migrates to the lungs, and reach the gastrointestinal tract. The most affected site is the duodenum and upper jejunum. The lifecycle includes autoinfection through the intestinal mucosa or perianal skin, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Immunossuppression can lead to hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated disease. However, involvement of the stomach has relatively rarely been reported. SIADH has been related to systemic hyperinfection, although the mechanism is not clear. The relatively nonspecific clinical and imaging features and the low sensitivity of routine parasite tests make the diagnosis challenging and delayed.
Cache coherency controller for MESI protocol based on FPGA
Authors: Faeq Mays K. , Omran Safaa S.
Published: February 2021

In modern techniques of building processors, manufactures using more than one processor in the integrated circuit (chip) and each processor called a core. The new chips of processors called a multi-core processor. This new design makes the processors to work simultanously for more than one job or all the cores working in parallel for the same job. All cores are similar in their design, and each core has its own cache memory, while all cores shares the same main memory. So if one core requestes a block of data from main memory to its cache, there should be a protocol to declare the situation of this block in the main memory and other cores.This is called the cache coherency or cache consistency of multi-core. In this paper a special circuit is designed using very high speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL) coding and implemented using ISE Xilinx software. The protocol used in this design is the modified, exclusive, shared and invalid (MESI) protocol. Test results were taken by using test bench, and showed all the states of the protocol are working correctly.
The cascade equivalent A-H-circuit of the salient-pole generator on the base of the anisotropic model
Authors: Blanc Alexey
Published: February 2021

In the scientific studies of the electric machines, cylindrical and Cartesian laminated models have long proved their operability when it is necessary to transform the general solutions of the partial differential equations into four-terminal network equations and to create the cascade equivalent circuits of the electric machines. In the case of the salient-pole machines, piecewise continuous Sturm-Liouville eigenfunctions are usually used as the general solution. Unfortunately, we cannot create the cascade equivalent circuit of the salient-pole electric machine when (to ensure both the uniqueness and the accuracy of the solution) the field is modeled with many piecewise continuous Sturm-Liouville eigenfunctions (in the zone of poles) and many sinusoidal functions (in the air gap). Nevertheless, the author developed the approximate method for modeling the magnetic field of the salient-pole electric machines when only one piecewise continuous Sturm-Liouville eigenfunction is used and many sinusoidal functions. In this case, it becomes possible to transform the general solution of the partial differential equation into four-terminal network equations and to create the cascade equivalent circuit of the salient-pole electric machine. In this paper, the cascade equivalent A-H-circuit of the synchronous salient-pole machine is considered (without using piecewise continuous Sturm-Liouville eigenfunctions but also without properties averaging).
A fault-tolerant photovoltaic integrated shunt active power filter with a 27-level inverter
Authors: Saleh Kamel , Madi Ameen
Published: February 2021

This paper introduces a fault-tolerant shunt active power filter (SAPF). The novility in of this work is that it poposes a solutions to increase the reliability of shunt active power filter to maintain its operation under a single-phase open-circuit fault in the SAPF. This will increase the reliability of the whole power system. The SAPF is composed of a 4-leg 27-level inverter based on asymmetric cascaded H-bridge topology. If an open-circuit fault is introduced to the operation of the SAPF, a special control technique will be implemented and the redundant leg of the SAPF will be activated. The fault-tolerant SAPF can do many tasks under healthy operating conditions and post and open circuit fault depending on the state of charge (SOC) of the batteries. It can mitigate harmonics in the power system, improve power factor in the system by injecting reactive power, and inject real power to the system. The proposed SAPF is tested and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink and the results have shown a significant improvement in total harmonics distortion (THD) of the source current from 13.9% to 3.9% under the normal operating condition and from 42% to 8.4% post and open circuit fault.
Adaptive gender-based thermal control system
Authors: Al-Nabulsi Jamal I. , Badr Bashar E. A.
Published: February 2021

A closed loop adaptive gender-based thermal control system (AG-TCS) is designed, modelled, analysed and tested. The system has the unique feature of adapting to the surrounding environment as a function of the number of humans present and the gender ratio. The operation of the system depends on a unique interface between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and an imaging device, both of which are correlated and interfaced to a controller. Testing of the system resulted in smooth transition and shape conversion of the response curve, which proved its adaptability. Three mathematical equations describing the internal mechanisms of the AG-TCS are presented and have been proven to optimally reflect the original statistical data covering both genders.
Improving saddle stitching line using affordable embedded system
Authors: Al-augby Salam , Mjhool Ahmed Y. , Alboaldeen Mohammed W. , Al-Sabbagh Ali
Published: February 2021

In most printing factories, the stitching machine is considered as a significant tool in accomplishing the printing process cycle, such as in the Printing House of the University of Kufa (PHUK), complete their jobs using a cheap manual machine, and thus this leads to an increase in the number of employees and work hours. That is because the automated stitching machine of production is very costly. A decent printing house design maximizes production with a minimum investment in new equipment parts. However, a decent PHUK layout alone cannot reach the intended aims unless firmly linked with a developed production line of an automated stitching machine for the purpose of reducing cost, time, and efforts. This article focused on designing and developing automatic saddle stitching machines for folded paper sheet products such as newspapers, magazines, catalogs, exam sheets, etc. using accommodate devices such as Arduino and infrared sensors. Furthermore, the proposed design is applied in PHUK successfully and it showed that the cost of the stitching machine and the manpower is reduced by 60 percent, also the time is reduced by 70 percent. Finally, one of the significant implications of this work is using IT in management of resources.
Image encryption based on elliptic curve cryptosystem
Authors: Obaid Zahraa Kadhim , Al Saffar Najlae Falah Hameed
Published: February 2021

Image encryption based on elliptic curve cryptosystem and reducing its complexity is still being actively researched. Generating matrix for encryption algorithm secret key together with Hilbert matrix will be involved in this study. For a first case we will need not to compute the inverse matrix for the decryption processing cause the matrix that be generated in encryption step was self invertible matrix. While for the second case, computing the inverse matrix will be required. Peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), and unified average changing intensity (UACI) will be used to assess which case is more efficiency to encryption the grayscale image.