bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Exploration of a Controllable Thermosensitive Neuron Model and Its Applications
Authors: Shi Qian-Qian , Zhang Li , An Xin-Lei , Xiong Li , Yang Fei-Fei
Published: November 2022

A specific functional electric component is connected to any branch of the neural circuit, which can enhance the corresponding biological function as a smart sensor, whereas the temperature has a significant effect on the firing rhythm of neurons by regulating channel conductance and excitability. So for this paper, a controllable thermosensitive neuron model is established by paralleling two thermistors in the FitzHugh–Nagumo neural circuit. Especially, the thermistors are controlled by two switches, where three working modes can be selected, for which bifurcation diagrams, time response diagrams and spectral entropy (SE) complexity are used to analyze the dynamic behaviors in different operating modes. It is found that any modulation of thermistor can regulate the branch current and output voltage completely under the three working modes. More importantly, the neuronal activities show different mode transitions from periodic to bursts or chaos. The superior dynamic characteristics and rich firing behavior make the new model more suitable for images encryption. For this purpose, we consider switching the three thermosensitive neuron models continuously to obtain more complex chaotic sequences. Next, based on the feature of high pixel correlation among color image components, a 3D projection scrambling algorithm is designed, and then employed in combination with the universal gravitational diffusion method to propose a color image encryption scheme. In addition, the designed algorithm is executed by encrypting and decrypting some color images. The experimental results show that the algorithm cannot only encrypt the color image effectively, but also has no limitation on the size of the test image. It is worth mentioning that the designed encrypted algorithm has satisfactory security performance and considerable robustness against noise attacks and shearing attacks. The exploration of this paper about the thermosensitive neuron model and its application may provide some theoretical guidance and experimental basis in the field of secure communication.
Franklinian Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Canadian Arctic Islands
Authors: Dewing Keith , Hadlari Thomas
Published: November 2022

The Neoproterozoic–Devonian strata of the Canadian Arctic Islands record three Tectono-Sedimentary Elements (TSEs): (i) the Neoproterozoic Synrift TSE; (ii) the Neoproterozoic–Late Devonian Franklinian Margin TSE composed of Cambrian–Ordovician carbonate-dominated passive-margin strata and latest Ordovician, Silurian and Lower Devonian mixed carbonate and clastic strata deposited on an unstable margin; and (iii) Middle–Upper Devonian Foreland Basin TSE deposited in an expanding foreland basin. These three TSEs comprise the Franklinian Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CTSE). In the southern parts of the Arctic Islands, strata are flat lying but there is localized faulting and folding in the central Arctic Islands and towards the northern end of the Franklinian CTSE. These strata of the Franklinian Margin and Foreland Basin TSEs were broadly folded over deeply seated reverse faults localized along Late Silurian–Early Devonian contractional uplifts or deformed by widespread Late Devonian thin-skin folds and thrusts related to the Ellesmerian Orogeny. The parts of the CTSE overprinted by Late Silurian–Early Devonian north–south-trending structures are grouped as Boothia Structural Domains, and the area of the CTSE overprinted by Ellesmerian structures is termed the Ellesmerian Structural Domain. The major hydrocarbon source rock is Upper Ordovician–Lower Silurian shale but maximum thermal maturity over much of the area was achieved by the Late Devonian, prior to the formation of large folds. The complex geological history of the area since the Late Devonian reduces the chances of hydrocarbon preservation.
Critical metals and minerals in the Nordic countries of Europe: diversity of mineralization and green energy potential
Authors: Jonsson Erik , Törmänen Tuomo , Keiding Jakob Kløve , Bjerkgård Terje , Eilu Pasi , Pokki Jussi , Gautneb Håvard , Reginiussen Helge , Rosa Diogo , Sadeghi Martiya , Sandstad Jan Sverre , Stendal Henrik
Published: November 2022

Europe relies mainly on imports of critical raw materials (CRMs) for its industry, not least the vital ones for emerging green energy technologies. Among the main metal and mineral producers in Europe today, the Nordic countries (specifically, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland) share a diverse geology with various deposit types formed over a long geological time span. This has led to large near-future potential with regard to CRM production. Based on current knowledge and datasets, we assess the Nordic geological potential for CRMs that are specifically relevant for green technologies, namely cobalt, graphite, hafnium, lithium, niobium, platinum-group metals, rare earth elements (REEs), silicon, tantalum, titanium and vanadium, describing the most important deposits, their setting and characteristics. Several Nordic CRM resources stand out in a European and even global context, such as the giant REE(–Nb–Ta–Hf) deposits in Greenland, while the REE–Nb–(Hf) deposits at Fen (Norway) and Norra Kärr (Sweden) are very significant for Europe; Finland is the only major cobalt producer, while Norway has very significant graphite and titanium resources and production. Furthermore, Sweden, Finland and Greenland have very large vanadium resources. In addition, we conclude that the Nordic research and exploration potential for most CRMs is large.
Making the most out of historical cores for geothermal exploration
Authors: Dasgupta Kanchan , Gumpenberger Thomas , Stern Gerald , Siedl Wolfgang , Biernat Magdalena
Published: November 2022

During the current trend of the energy transition, many stratigraphic intervals that previously were thought as uneconomical from an oil and gas business perspective are being re-evaluated for low-carbon energy resource potential such as geothermal. This study presents a case study from the Vienna Basin, Austria, where the Early Badenian Rothneusiedl Formation has been targeted for a re-evaluation, utilizing existing sparse subsurface datasets of vintage quality. The historical cores were subjected to diverse analytical techniques covering sedimentological, petrophysical and thermophysical aspects. These analysis techniques provided the fundamental lithological characteristics and led to the creation of a synthetic conceptual sedimentological log, resultant selection of samples for further analyses, as well as the creation of gross depositional environment maps. The reservoir and thermal properties guided by the core-based lithofacies were required for evaluating the feasibility of the target strata. Overall, the limited and historical cores provided significant and robust data that proved crucial for assessing uncertainties and identifying sub-areas of the Vienna Basin for harnessing geothermal energy. This study demonstrates an important case example of the utilization of historical cores to their maximum potential and reiterates the value of core-derived data amongst digital technologies of the twenty-first century.
The amalgamation of Gondwana: calcite twinning and finite strains from the early–late Paleozoic Buzios, Ross, Kurgiakh and Gondwanide orogens
Authors: Craddock John , Paulsen Timothy , da Silva Schmitt Renata , Johnston Stephen T. , Myrow Paul M. , Hughes Nigel C.
Published: November 2022

Orientated carbonate (calcite twinning strains;
n
= 78 with 2414 twin measurements) and quartzites (finite strains;
n
= 15) were collected around Gondwana to study the deformational history associated with the amalgamation of the supercontinent. The Buzios orogen (545–500 Ma), within interior Gondwana, records the high-grade collisional orogen between the São Francisco Craton (Brazil) and the Congo–Angola Craton (Angola and Namibia), and twinning strains in calc-silicates record a SE–NW shortening fabric parallel to the thrust transport. Along Gondwana's southern margin, the Saldanian–Ross–Delamerian orogen (590–480 Ma) is marked by a regional unconformity that cuts into deformed Neoproterozoic–Ordovician sedimentary rocks and associated intrusions. Cambrian carbonate is preserved in the central part of the southern Gondwana margin, namely in the Kango Inlier of the Cape Fold Belt and the Ellsworth, Pensacola and Transantarctic mountains. Paleozoic carbonate is not preserved in the Ventana Mountains in Argentina, in the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas or in Tasmania. Twinning strains in these Cambrian carbonate strata and synorogenic veins record a complex, overprinted deformation history with no stable foreland strain reference. The Kurgiakh orogen (490 Ma) along Gondwana's northern margin is also defined by a regional Ordovician unconformity throughout the Himalaya; these rocks record a mix of layer-parallel and layer-normal twinning strains with a likely Himalayan (40 Ma) strain overprint and no autochthonous foreland strain site.

Conversely, the Gondwanide orogen (250 Ma) along Gondwana's southern margin has three foreland (autochthonous) sites for comparison with 59 allochthonous thrust-belt strain analyses. From west to east, these include: finite strains from Devonian quartzite preserve a layer-parallel shortening (LPS) strain rotated clockwise in the Ventana Mountains of Argentina; frontal (calcite twins) and internal (quartzite strains) samples in the Cape Fold Belt preserve a LPS fabric that is rotated clockwise from the autochthonous north–south horizontal shortening in the foreland strain site; Falkland Devonian quartzite shows the same clockwise rotation of the LPS fabric; and Permian limestone and veins in Tasmania record a thrust transport-parallel LPS fabric. Early amalgamation of Gondwana (Ordovician) is preserved by local layer-parallel and layer-normal strain without evidence of far-field deformation, whereas the Gondwanide orogen (Permian) is dominated by layer-parallel shortening, locally rotated by dextral shear along the margin, that propagated across the supercontinent.
Efficient Single-image Super-resolution Using Dual path Connections with Multiple scale Learning
Authors: Yang Bin-Cheng , Wu Gangshan
Published: November 2022

Deep convolutional neural networks have been demonstrated to be effective for single-image super-resolution in recent years. On the one hand, residual connections and dense connections have been used widely to ease forward information and backward gradient flows to boost performance. However, current methods use residual connections and dense connections separately in most network layers in a sub-optimal way. On the other hand, although various networks and methods have been designed to improve computation efficiency, save parameters, or utilize training data of multiple scale factors for each other to boost performance, they either do super-resolution in high-resolution space to have a high computation cost or cannot share parameters between models of different scale factors to save parameters and inference time. To tackle these challenges, we propose an efficient single-image super-resolution network using dual path connections with multiple scale learning (EMSRDPN). By introducing dual path connections inspired by Dual path Networks into EMSRDPN, it uses residual connections and dense connections in an integrated way in most network layers. Dual path connections have the benefits of both reusing common features of residual connections and exploring new features of dense connections to learn a good representation for single-image super-resolution. To utilize the feature correlation of multiple scale factors, EMSRDPN shares all network units in low-resolution space between different scale factors to learn shared features and only uses a separate reconstruction unit for each scale factor, which can utilize training data of multiple scale factors to help each other to boost performance, meanwhile, which can save parameters and support shared inference for multiple scale factors to improve efficiency. Experiments show EMSRDPN achieves better performance and comparable or even better parameter and inference efficiency over state-of-the-art methods. Code will be available at
https://github.com/yangbincheng/EMSRDPN
.
A DNA Based Colour Image Encryption Scheme Using A Convolutional Autoencoder
Authors: Ahmed Fawad , Rehman Muneeb Ur , Ahmad Jawad , Khan Muhammad Shahbaz , Boulila Wadii , Srivastava Gautam , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei , Buchanan William J.
Published: November 2022

With the advancement in technology, digital images can easily be transmitted and stored over the Internet. Encryption is used to avoid illegal interception of digital images. Encrypting large-sized colour images in their original dimension generally results in low encryption/decryption speed along with exerting a burden on the limited bandwidth of the transmission channel. To address the aforementioned issues, a new encryption scheme for colour images employing convolutional autoencoder, DNA and chaos is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme has two main modules, the dimensionality conversion module using the proposed convolutional autoencoder, and the encryption/decryption module using DNA and chaos. The dimension of the input colour image is first reduced from
N × M × 3
to
P × Q
gray-scale image using the encoder. Encryption and decryption are then performed in the reduced dimension space. The decrypted gray-scale image is upsampled to obtain the original colour image having dimension
N × M × 3
. The training and validation accuracy of the proposed autoencoder is 97% and 95%, respectively. Once the autoencoder is trained, it can be used to reduce and subsequently increase the dimension of any arbitrary input colour image. The efficacy of the designed autoencoder has been demonstrated by the successful reconstruction of the compressed image into the original colour image with negligible perceptual distortion. The second major contribution presented in this paper is an image encryption scheme using DNA along with multiple chaotic sequences and substitution boxes. The security of the proposed image encryption algorithm has been gauged using several evaluation parameters, such as histogram of the cipher image, entropy, NPCR, UACI, key sensitivity, contrast, and so on. The experimental results of the proposed scheme demonstrate its effectiveness to perform colour image encryption.
Attention-Augmented Memory Network for Image Multi-Label Classification
Authors: Zhou Wei , Hou Yanke , Chen Dihu , Hu Haifeng , Su Tao
Published: November 2022

The purpose of image multi-label classification is to predict all the object categories presented in an image. Some recent works exploit graph convolution network to capture the correlation between labels. Although promising results have been reported, these methods cannot learn salient object features in the images and ignore the correlation between channel feature maps. In addition, the current researches only learn the feature information within individual input image, but fail to mine the contextual information of various categories from the dataset to enhance the input feature representation. To address these issues, we propose an
A
ttention-
A
ugmented
M
emory
N
etwork (
AAMN
) model for the image multi-label classification task. Specifically, we first propose a novel categorical memory module to excavate the contextual information of various categories from the dataset to augment the current input feature. Secondly, we design a new channel-relation exploration module to capture the inter-channel relationship of features, so as to enhance the correlation between objects in the images. Thirdly, we develop a spatial-relation enhancement module to model second-order statistics of features and capture long-range dependencies between pixels in feature maps, so as to learn salient object features. Experimental results on standard benchmarks, including MS-COCO 2014, PASCAL VOC 2007, and VG-500, demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of AAMN model, which outperforms current state-of-the-art methods.
Rethinking Privacy Risks from Wireless Surveillance Camera
Authors: Huang Qianyi , Lu Youjing , Luo Zhicheng , Wang Hao , Wu Fan , Chen Guihai , Zhang Qian
Published: November 2022

Wireless home surveillance cameras are gaining popularity in elderly/baby care and burglary detection in an effort to make our life safer than ever before. However, even though the camera’s traffic is encrypted, attackers can still infer what the residents are doing at home. Although this security loophole has been reported, it does not attract much attention from the public, as it requires the attacker to be in close proximity to the camera and have some prior knowledge about the victims. Due to these requirements, the attacker has a low chance of success in the real world. In this article, we argue that the capability of attackers has been greatly underestimated. First, the attacker can leverage the characteristics of video transport protocols to recover the metadata of missing packets. Second, the attacker can build the inference model using the public datasets and adapt the model to the real traffic. Thus, the attacker can launch the attack at a distance from the camera, without prior knowledge about the victim. We also implement this attack scenario and verify that the attacker can infer the victims’ activities at a distance as large as 40 m without any knowledge about the victim, neither personal nor environmental.
Inclusion Rather Than Exclusion: An interview with Simos Retalis on accessibility
Authors: Sacak Begum
Published: November 2022

Learners with disabilities can face certain challenges that require accommodations in educational settings. High-quality educational intervention could tap into these learners' potential by immersing them in multimodal learning opportunities. In this interview, Dr. Simos Retalis discusses the approaches and characteristics of educational technology tools that can help accommodate learners with disabilities.
Lasmiditan promotes recovery from acute kidney injury through induction of mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Hurtado Kevin A. , Janda Jaroslav , Schnellmann Rick G.
Published: November 2022

AKI pathology involves a rapid decline in kidney function and occurs in 8–16% of hospitalized patients. There is currently no therapeutic for AKI. AKI results in mitochondria dysfunction, microvasculature injury, and loss of renal tubular function. In an I/R-induced AKI mouse model, treatment with the FDA-approved 5-HT1F receptor-selective agonist lasmiditan induced mitochondrial biogenesis, improved vascular integrity, reduced fibrosis, and reduced proximal tubule damage. These data support repurposing lasmiditan for the treatment of AKI.
Cerebral endothelium-dependent function and reactivity to hypercapnia: the role of α1-adrenoreceptors
Authors: Carr Jay M. J. R. , Howe Connor A. , Gibbons Travis D. , Tymko Michael M. , Steele Andrew R. , Vizcardo-Galindo Gustavo A. , Tremblay Joshua C. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: November 2022

We assessed steady-state hypercapnic cerebrovascular reactivity and cerebral endothelium-dependent function, with and without α1-adrenergic blockade (Prazosin), in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, and randomized study, to assess the contribution of α1-adrenergic receptors to cerebrovascular CO2 regulation. After administration of Prazosin, cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 was not different compared with placebo despite lower blood flow, whereas cerebral endothelium-dependent function was reduced, likely due to elevated baseline internal carotid arterial diameter. These findings suggest that α1-adrenoreceptor activity does not influence cerebral blood flow regulation to CO2 and cerebral endothelial function.
Eight weeks of inorganic nitrate/nitrite supplementation improves aerobic exercise capacity and the gas exchange threshold in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bock Joshua M. , Hanson Brady E. , Miller Kayla A. , Seaberg Nathanael T. , Ueda Kenichi , Feider Andrew J. , Hanada Satoshi , Lira Vitor A. , Casey Darren P.
Published: November 2022

We report that increasing nitric oxide bioavailability via 8 wk of inorganic nitrate/nitrite supplementation improves maximal aerobic exercise capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Similarly, we observed a rightward shift in the gas exchange threshold. Taken together, these data indicate inorganic nitrate/nitrite may serve as a means to improve fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
ZnO Nanoparticle-Assisted Synthesis of Thiazolo[3,2-α]Pyrimidine Analogs: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity, In Silico Molecular Docking, and ADMET Prediction Study
Authors: Zelelew Demis , Endale Milkyas , Melaku Yadessa , Demissie Taye B. , Ombito Japheth O. , Eswaramoorthy Rajalakshmanan
Published: November 2022

In the present study, a new series of nine Thiazolo[3,2-α] pyrimidine analogs were synthesized in good to excellent yields (87.9–96.9%) and improved reaction time using a ZnO nanoparticle-assisted protocol. All the synthesized compounds were characterized using a combination of physicochemical parameters, UV-visible, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopic methods. Among the synthesized compounds, the in vitro antibacterial activity displayed by compound 16 was higher (14.67 ± 0.58 mm at 500 μg/mL) against P. aeruginosa compared to amoxicillin (12.33 ± 0.58 mm at 500 μg/mL), whereas compounds 14 and 18 showed comparable activity (12.00 ± 0.00 mm and 12.33 ± 0.58 mm at 500 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL, respectively) against the same strain. The activities displayed by compounds 14, 16, 18, and 20 were comparable (12.33 ± 1.15 mm, 12.65 ± 0.58 mm, 12.33 ± 0.58 mm, and 12.00 ± 1.00 mm, respectively, at 500 μg/mL) to amoxicillin (13.33 ± 1.15 mm at the same concentration) against E. coli. Compound 19 showed good activity (12.00 ± 1.72 mm at 500 μg/mL) against S. aureus compared to amoxicillin (16.33 ± 0.58 mm at the same concentration). Compound 19 displayed the highest percent inhibition of DPPH with an IC50 value of 9.48 g/mL using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay compared to ascorbic acid (3.21 g/mL) and promising inhibition of peroxide formation (76.28 ± 0.12%), demonstrating its potential in preventing the formation of lipid peroxides. Thus, according to our findings, both the biological activities and in silico computational results revealed that compounds 14, 16, and 18 are good antibacterial agents against P. aeruginosa and E. coli, whereas compound 19 was found to be a promising antibacterial agent against S. aureus and an antioxidant agent. The present study revealed that the synthesized compounds appear to be lead compounds for rational drug design.
RobustH∞Control of DC Motor in the Presence of Input Delay and Disturbance by the Predictor‐Based Method
Authors: Maleki Nima , Moradi Elahe
Published: November 2022

In this study, the speed control of a DC motor with input delay and external disturbance is investigated. A delay‐dependent memory state feedback robust predictor‐basedH∞  controller that formerly has presented is utilized. Sufficient LMIs conditions provide the stabilizing gain of the predictor‐based controller. The first‐order model of a DC motor has been studied previously using PID and STA (super twisting algorithm) methods. However, in this paper, the delay‐dependent robustH∞  controller is used on both the first and second orders of the DC motor. Finally, the predictor‐basedH∞  controller is compared to the PID controller and the commonH∞  controller as well. The simulation results show that the proposed method has been more useful and efficient.
Hydroxytyrosol Ameliorates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Neuropathic Pain by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Yu Haichao , Zhang Zhen , Wei Fahong , Hou Guowei , You Yonggang , Wang Xiangyu , Cao Shiqi , Yang Xiaoqing , Liu Weibo , Zhang Shaofu , Hu Fanqi , Zhang Xuesong
Published: November 2022

Low back pain (LBP) seriously affects human quality of life. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the main pathological factor that leads to LBP, but the pathological mechanism underlying IVDD has not been fully elucidated. Neuropathic pain caused by IVDD is an important pathological factor affecting people’s daily lives. Therefore, it is very important to identify therapeutic drugs to ameliorate IVDD and secondary neuropathic pain. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a natural compound derived from olive leaves and oil and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities and other properties. In this study, TNF-α-stimulated human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) were used to simulate the local inflammatory microenvironment observed in IVDD in vitro to explore the role of HT in alleviating various pathological processes associated with IVDD. A rat needle puncture model was used to further explore the role of HT in alleviating IVDD. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate microglia in vitro to comprehensively explore the role of HT in alleviating neuropathic pain, and a rat model involving chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) was established to simulate the neuropathic pain caused by IVDD. This study suggests that HT reduces the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13); inhibits the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS); and maintains mitochondrial homeostasis. Thus, HT appears to reduce the rate of apoptosis and mitigate the loss of major intervertebral disc components by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Moreover, HT inhibited the secretion of COX-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and iNOS and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. In conclusion, HT plays a protective role against IVDD and secondary neuropathic pain by inhibiting the NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and ERK signaling pathways.
Effective Treatment of Chronic Cough with Tinidazole as the Newest Antiprotozoa against Lophomonas blattarum
Authors: Anhaee Nasseri Zahra , Mirsadraee Majid , Manafi Varkiani Mahsa , Ghaderi Younes , Berenji Fariba , Ghaffari Shadi
Published: November 2022

Background. Chronic cough is a common problem in the setting of family physicians. Recently, Lophomonas blattarum was considered a cause of respiratory symptoms in children and adults. Objective. This study is aimed at determining the effect of antiprotozoal treatment of Lophomonas in patients with a chronic cough in Mashhad during 2020-2021. Materials and Methods. This study was a randomized clinical trial. In this study, 60 patients with chronic cough and unremarkable imaging findings, who were unresponsive to three steps of standard treatment, were randomly assigned to the treatment, with 2 weeks of tinidazole and placebo. The tinidazole and placebo were prepared in a completely identical shape, and a random assignment was performed by a third party. The primary outcome was a complete resolution of cough. A follow-up of treatment was performed. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 25. Results. The basic demographic results showed no significant differences of sex and age between two groups. The results of this study showed a complete resolution of all respiratory symptoms in 40% (12), a complete improvement of cough in 40% (12), and a complete resolution of dyspnea in 50% (10) of the tinidazole group. The remaining showed significant improvement in the severity of cough and dyspnea. Postnasal drip, sputum, body temperature, and airway hyperresponsiveness were improved significantly. After tinidazole treatment, laboratory assessment of bronchial lavage and sputum revealed that 86 percent of smears were converted to negative. Conclusion. Tinidazole effectively resolved the chronic cough and most of the respiratory symptoms. Lophomonas blattarum is a potential mechanism for chronic cough.
Numerical Simulation on Optimization of Process Parameters for Free Bending of Metal Tubes
Authors: Zhang Xinju , Su Deshun , Jin Jianwei , Zhou Zhiqiang , Xue Zhanpu , Tian Zhenlu , Zhang Hao , Shi Yonglei , Yan Haipeng
Published: November 2022

Three-dimensional free bending is a new tube forming technology with continuous variable curvature. In order to improve the forming quality of tube, this paper studies the principle of three-dimensional free forming system and the numerical calculation of bending moment in detail, and it uses the finite element simulation to model the mechanism in the bending process. The simulation model is used to simulate the forming process of copper tube, and the influence of key process parameters on the forming process is analyzed,the shape of the inner cavity of the bending die and the gap between the tube and the bending die are studied, the distance between the bending die and the guide column is studied, the axial feed rate on the forming quality of tubular bending parts has also been studied. The optimum process parameters were determined by finite element simulation and analysis.
The Value of Rivaroxaban Combined with Ticagrelor in Antithrombotic Therapy after PCI in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Liu Zhengwang , Qiu Xiaotang , Yang Hua , Wu Xiaocui , Ye Wenjing , Zheng Xinbing
Published: November 2022

Objective. Based on a retrospective cohort study, to investigate the value of rivaroxaban combined with ticagrelor in antithrombotic therapy after PCI in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with acute coronary syndrome. Methods. A total of 60 patients from January 2019 to May 2021 accepted therapy with antithrombotic therapy after PCI. The patients treated with ticagrelor were set as the control group, and those given rivaroxaban combined with ticagrelor were set as the research group. The curative effect, myocardial level, TIMI blood flow grade, platelet aggregation rate, and the incidence of cardiovascular events were taken from the comparisons. Results. The research group’s therapeutic impact was superior to the control group’s therapeutic impact, and the value was higher. After treatment, the myocardial levels of the two groups decreased, and the levels of troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in the research group were greatly less than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). After operation, the TIMI blood flow classification in the experimental group was better than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The experimental group’s platelet aggregation incidence was considerably lower than the control group’s platelet aggregation incidence at 0.5 and 2 hours following surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The incidence of acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic death, and intractable angina pectoris in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion. Rivaroxaban combined with ticagrelor in the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention; the TIMI blood flow grade is better than ticagrelor, which is of great significance to reduce mortality and has high safety in clinical application.
The Cuproptosis-Related Long Noncoding RNA Signature Predicts Prognosis and Tumour Immune Analysis in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Jiang Jinxia , Chu Dejun , Lai Xingming , Liu Li , Tao Jun
Published: November 2022

Background. Cuprotopsis is a type of programmed cell death discovered in recent years. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important regulatory role in programmed cell death. The effect of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs on osteosarcoma is unknown. Our work, based on cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, proposes a gene signature to assess the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Methods. Osteosarcoma gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), clinical features of osteosarcoma and RNA sequencing data of normal adipose tissue were obtained from the UCSC Xena database. A cuproptosis-related lncRNA risk model was established to calculate the risk score. At the same time, cluster analysis, clinicopathological analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and prediction of compounds with potential therapeutic value were evaluated. We analyzed whether there was a correlation between the risk score and tumour immunity. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression level of lncRNA. Results. Nine lncRNAs (AC124798.1, AC006033.2, AL450344.2, AL512625.2, LINC01060, LINC00837, AC004943.2, AC064836.3, and AC100821.2) were identified to create a risk model and indicate the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The high-risk group had a worse prognosis than the low-risk group. Analysis of clinicopathological features, principal component analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, c-index curve, and comparative analysis of models proved that the model is reliable. Functional enrichment analysis suggests that the risk score may correlate with cell energy metabolism and tumour-related biological function. Three potentially therapeutic compounds have been predicted. These analyses may be beneficial to the treatment of osteosarcoma in the future. RT-qPCR verified the expression level of three lncRNA (LINC01060, NKILA, and SNHG8). Conclusions. Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs have a strong relationship with osteosarcoma patients. Nine lncRNA models can effectively forecast the prognosis of osteosarcoma and may play a significant role in the individualized treatment of osteosarcoma patients in the future.
Recurrent Late-Onset Sepsis in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Is Associated with Motor Deficits in Early School Age
Authors: Humberg Alexander , Fortmann Mats Ingmar , Spiegler Juliane , Rausch Tanja K. , Siller Bastian , Silwedel Christine , Marissen Janina , Herting Egbert , Göpel Wolfgang , Härtel Christoph ,   for the German Neonatal Network (GNN)
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Sepsis is regarded as a risk factor for brain injury in preterm infants. We herein hypothesize that extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI, birth weight <1,000 g) having survived recurrent blood culture-proven late-onset sepsis (LOS) episodes are more likely to have an adverse long-term neurologic outcome. Methods: In a large multicenter observational study of ELBWI ≤28 6/7 weeks, we evaluated the impact of recurrent LOS (blood culture-proven, after day 7 of life) on development at 5–6 years. Neurodevelopment, behavior, and motor qualities were tested by blinded investigators. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The cohort consisted of 1343 ELBWI including 1,080 infants without LOS, 186 infants with one LOS, and 77 with recurrent LOS, i.e., 55 infants with two and 22 infants with three LOS episodes. After Bonferroni-Holm correction, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed recurrent sepsis to be significantly associated with adverse motor development (critical MABC-2 testing: 3.3 [1.5–7.3], p = 0.003, pB = 0.012), whereas no significant impact of recurrent LOS was found on intelligence quotient and behavioral difficulties. Odds of having critical motor testing results for infants with recurrent LOS were 1.7 times (95% confidence interval 1.4–2.3) that of infants with one LOS. Conclusion: Recurrent sepsis in preterm infants is associated with adverse long-term motor development. However, infants with recurrent infections are also more likely to have preterm-related complications, and reasons for a worse neurodevelopmental outcome remain to be elucidated.
Analysis of Patients with Asthma and Mixed Granulocytic Inflammatory Pattern in Sputum
Authors: Pignatti Patrizia , Visca Dina , Zappa Martina , Zampogna Elisabetta , Saderi Laura , Sotgiu Giovanni , Spanevello Antonio
Published: November 2022

Background: Patients with asthma usually present airway inflammation classified as eosinophilic, neutrophilic, mixed granulocytic, and paucigranulocytic pattern according to sputum inflammatory cells. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze clinical and biological characteristics of patients with asthma and mixed granulocytic pattern in comparison with the other groups. Methods: Induced sputum was used to assess airway inflammation; lung function was evaluated as well as blood leukocytes and disease control. History of comorbidities was collected. Results: We retrospectively analyzed 231 subjects with asthma; patients with mixed granulocytic pattern were more frequently male compared with paucigranulocytic subjects, older than eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic patients with increased number and vitality of sputum cells compared to eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic patients and higher cumulative illness rating score, related to increased age. Smoking history, age of disease onset, and ICS treatment were not associated with higher mixed granulocytic pattern occurrence. Subjects with neutrophilic inflammation (mixed granulocytic and neutrophilic patterns considered altogether) were more frequently obese. In subjects under 67 years of age (median of the enrolled subjects), arterial hypertension was the only comorbidity more frequent in mixed granulocytic than in the other groups. 137/231 subjects were re-valuated during follow-up. Lung function of patients with mixed granulocytic, neutrophilic, and paucigranulocytic patterns improved less than that of eosinophilic patients. Conclusion: Aging and presence of comorbidities, in particular obesity and hypertension, are characteristics of patients with asthma and mixed granulocytic pattern. They could respond less well to treatment than eosinophilic patients.
An update on the status of breast cancer screening in Brazil after the covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Bessa Jordana de Faria , Novita Guilherme , Freitas-Junior Ruffo
Published: November 2022

We have previously reported the impact of covid-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, in Brazil: among women aged 50–69 years, mammography attendance decreased by 42% in public healthcare (SUS), comparing 2019 and 2020. In this short communication, we wish to present: a) an update of the number of mammograms performed, in 2021; b) an exploratory analysis of the characteristics of the screened population between 2019 and 2021. A total of 1.675.307 mammograms were performed in 2021, nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Almost a third, 29.5% of them, had intervals greater than three years. In accordance with our previous study, the number of patients with palpable lumps on physical exam increased. The consequences of postponing breast cancer screening during the pandemic are still uncertain. Unfortunately, as of December 2021, screening attendance has not resumed. On the contrary, our results show an increase in the fraction of women with mammography delayed beyond three years.
Analyzing the Effect of River Ecosystem Fragmentation by Bridges on Changes in the Wintering Population of Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus): Targeting the Nakdong River, Busan
Authors: Lee Soo-Dong , Oh Chung-Hyeon , Cho Bong-Gyo , Jin Min-Hwa , Park Gyoung-Sik
Published: November 2022

Background and objective: Fragmentation of river ecosystems is expected to affect biodiversity loss, but bridge construction is proceeding without consideration in urban areas. This study was conducted to determine the effect of internal environmental factors and river ecosystem fragmentation caused by bridge construction on the population of wintering whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) in the Nakdong River of Busan Metropolitan City, a key wintering site for whooper swans.Methods: To compare the wintering population according to the distance between bridges, we surveyed and analyzed the current status of the population by period, distance between bridges, and land cover. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc test were conducted to confirm whether the differences in the environmental factors of the wintering sites, such as the distance between bridges, land cover status, and the number of wintering individuals, were statistically significant.Results: 83.6-94.7% of the wintering population in the lower Nakdong River were observed in Sec. 2 (Nakdong River Estuary Bank-Seobusan Nakdong River Bridge, 5.3 km) and Sec.4 (Gamjeon-Iron Bridge-Nakdong River Hwaengdansugwan Bridge, 3.6 km). As for the distance between the feeding and resting places of whooper swans and the bridges, whooper swans used the waterside and wetlands at an average distance of 1,147.5 m (10.9-2,611.2 m) from the bridge.Conclusion: Considering the weight of male swans and the presence of young individuals, as well as disturbance factors such as the noise and speed of vehicles crossing the bridges, it is necessary to maintain at least a 4 km distance between bridges for stable wintering. In addition, since fragmentation of river ecosystems has been confirmed to have an adverse effect on biodiversity, it would be desirable to keep the ecosystem intact and connected.
Difference in Emotional Evaluation according to the Preference of Coleus Cultivars
Authors: Jang Hye Sook , Suh Jung Nam , Kang Yun-Im , Seo Kyung Hye , Ahn Myung Suk
Published: November 2022

Background and objective: This study investigated the preferences and repurchase intentions (loyalty) of respondents to 8 coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) cultivars potentially useful for tropical style streetscapes.Methods: A survey was conducted on 148 general respondents, and the responses from 136 respondents were analyzed excluding 12 inappropriate copies.Results: Through demographic analysis on plant gardening experience, plant preference tendency, and plant-related event, we discovered that plant preference tendency was lowest in the 20s and highest in the 60s and above, indicating that plant preference tendency significantly increased with age. Out of 6 factors on perceived importance of plants, environmental and emotional relaxation for improved quality of life were high. As a result of examining the emotional responses felt by looking at the images of 8 coleus cultivars, there was a statistically significant difference among cultivars. Major emotional words were 'calm' and 'comfortable'. There was a positive correlation between loyalty to coleus, preference, Korean version of WHOQOL-BREF, plant gardening activity level, and the importance of plants, and a negative correlation with PSS-K (Korean Perceived Stress Scale). We conducted a multiple regression analysis including dummy variables to examine the effect of plant gardening activity level, PSS-K, and Korean version of WHOQOL-BREF on loyalty of survey respondents. The results showed that the effect was greatest in the order of plant-related event, physical health domain, age (50's), covers, environment domain, male, and age (30's).Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that coleus could mitigate the psychological stress and depression. As 'Lime Delight' with simple green color showed the highest preference among cultivars, we recommend a green cultivar from the psychological point of view rather than combination planting of multi-colored cultivars.
Growth Characteristics of Hemerocallis thunbergii Baker Seedlings depending on Cell Size in Sowing using Plug Trays
Authors: Park Sun-Young , Yoon Yong-Han , Ju Jin-Hee
Published: November 2022

Background and objective: This study was conducted to determine the appropriate cell size, and days after sowing seeds by examining the growth of Hemerocallis thunbergii Baker (HTB) seedlings using plug trays.Methods: The growth of seedlings was examined after sowing seeds in four types of plug trays (143, 70, 18, 13 mL/cell). The sown trays were placed in a greenhouse for three repetitions per treatment. The seedling growth were measured at intervals of one month after sowing.Results: The leaf width and root length increased in proportion to the cell size, and at 90 days after sowing the highest leaf number was observed in the 143 mL/cell plug tray, followed in order by 18, 13, and 70 mL/cell plug tray. The longest leaf length was found in the 70 mL/cell plug trays, followed in order by the 70, 18, 143, and 13 mL/cell plug trays, but there was no significant difference except in 13 mL/cell plug trays. By analyzing the plant water content (PWC) of the shoots and roots, it was found that the PWC of the root system increased as the cell size increased, compared to that of the shoots, and there was a significant difference according to the cell size.Conclusion: Compared with the 143 mL cell plug tray, which had the largest cell size among the other treatment groups, the leaf number increased only for the 18 mL cell plug tray, there was no significant difference from 143 mL cell plug tray, and the leaf length was rather longer. Therefore, considering the actual production period and economic efficiency of raising the seedlings, it is considered that nursery period of 60 days or more is appropriate for HTB based on 18 mL/cell in sowing in plug trays.
Needs Analysis of Students’ Pro-Environmental Behavior for Climate Change Books
Authors: Sigit Diana Vivanti , Azrai Eka Putri , Suryanda Ade , Ichsan Ilmi Zajuli , Cahapay Michael B. , Rahman Md. Mehadi , Gomes Paulo Weslem Portal , Susanti Rosa
Published: November 2022

Background and objective: Climate change is a current issue that need to be solved by innovation in environmental education. However, efforts specifically to develop a teaching material based on the learning needs of the students related to climate change has not been given attention. This study aims to describe the Pro-Environmental Behavior (PEB) of students as basis for the development of an educational material to be known as Climate Change Book Series (CCBS-US).Methods: It entailed a descriptive research design and survey method, involving a sample of 642 students in Jakarta and Semarang, Indonesia. The data were treated using descriptive statistics. Data analysis using ANOVA test to see the significant of the difference between each group.Results: The results indicate that the university students’ PEB score is high while the high school students’ PEB score is moderate. The lowest average score is found in aspects related to efforts in reducing garbage and recycling. Details of average score were Junior high school students (74.49), senior high school students (66.28), Faculty of Math and Science university students (73.69), Non-Faculty Math and Science university students (72.27).Conclusion: It is along these inputs that the CCBS-US must be developed as a learning material in environmental education. It is hoped that the results of this study, the developed CCBS-US can significantly empower students' PEB scores in classroom learning.
Taxonomic notes on the genus Millettia (Fabaceae: Millettieae) in Vietnam
Authors: SONG ZHU-QIU , LI SHI-JIN , VU QUANG NAM , KHANG NGUYEN SINH
Published: November 2022

Millettia is a complex genus of the tribe Millettieae (Fabaceae). In this paper we provide a synopsis of the species of the genus from Vietnam, based on the examination of literature and specimens as well as field surveys. Millettia boniana and M. setigera are proposed as new synonyms of Derris tonkinensis and M. cubittii, respectively. Millettia densiflora, a species most recently described from Laos, is newly reported in central and southern Vietnam. Millettia acutiflora is treated under the newly reinstated genus Imbralyx as I. acutiflorus. Twelve species and one variety are excluded from the list of Vietnamese species of Millettia. As a result, fourteen species and one variety of Millettia are recognized in Vietnam. A key to the species and lectotypification for seventeen names are provided.