bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel complex fuzzy N-soft sets and their decision-making algorithm
Authors: Mahmood Tahir , ur Rehman Ubaid , Ali Zeeshan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractComplex fuzzy N-soft set (CFN-SS) is an important technique to manage awkward and unreliable information in realistic decision-making problems. CFN-SS is a blend of two separate theories, called N-soft sets (N-SSs) and complex fuzzy sets (CFSs), which are the modified versions of soft sets (SSs) and fuzzy sets (FSs) to depict vague and uncertain information in daily life problems. In this manuscript, the novel concept of CFN-SS is explored and their fundamental laws are discussed. CFN-SS contains the grade of truth in the form of a complex number whose real and imaginary parts are limited to the unit interval. Besides, we examine some algebraic properties for CFN-SS like union, intersections and justify these properties with the help of some numerical examples. To examine the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed approaches, the special cases of the investigated approaches are also discussed. A decision-making procedure is developed by using the investigated ideas based on CFN-SSs. Further, some numerical examples are also illustrated with the help of explored ideas to find the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed approaches. Finally, the comparative analysis of the investigated ideas with some existing ideas is also demonstrated to prove the quality of the proposed works. The graphical expressions of the obtained results are also discussed.
Challenges for off-grid electrification in rural areas. Assessment of the situation in Namibia using the examples of Gam and Tsumkwe
Authors: Hoeck Inken , Steurer Elmar , Dolunay Özge , Ileka Helvi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAccess to electricity is vital for the social and economic development of a country. Nevertheless, electrification is still a major challenge, especially for countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Growth in access to electricity in total numbers has slowed down in recent years. Namibia in particular appears to be in a predicament, since a large portion of its widespread population cannot be connected to the main grid at reasonable costs. Furthermore, Namibia relies heavily on imports of coal-based electricity, which limits the country’s ability to achieve its pledged sustainability goals. This is quite paradoxical as Namibia has one of the highest solar irradiation levels in the world, providing the possibility to generate large amounts of solar electricity at very low costs and to electrify rural areas through solar off-grid systems. These favorable conditions should be exploited, not least in view of the growing demand for energy, which potentially exacerbates the present situation. This paper therefore presents firstly general challenges for off-grid electrification and subsequently illustrates the effects in Namibia on the example of two off-grid areas in Gam and Tsumkwe. Several deficiencies within the country’s current off-grid approach are revealed, most notably the one-sided off-grid legislation and the neglect of educational outreach to the local community.
A Proposed Model of Core Competencies for Research Ethics Consultants
Authors: Matsui Kenji , Inoue Yusuke , Yanagawa Hiroaki , Takano Tadao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractResearch ethics consultation services (RECS), which function as an advisory service to facilitate the resolution of complex ethical issues in clinical research, have been proliferating over the last decade. However, the qualification of an individual who provides RECS, or “a research ethics consultant,” has not been thoroughly investigated, in contrast to healthcare ethics consultants, whose core competencies have been discussed and clarified to a great extent. In this study, we investigated core competencies necessary for research ethics consultants, referring to the core competency models of ethics consultants developed in the healthcare practice context, and propose a competency model for research ethics consultants.
Responsible innovation, anticipation and responsiveness: case studies of algorithms in decision support in justice and security, and an exploration of potential, unintended, undesirable, higher-order effects
Authors: Steen Marc , Timan Tjerk , van de Poel Ibo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe collection and use of personal data on citizens in the design and deployment of algorithms in the domain of justice and security is a sensitive topic. Values like fairness, autonomy, privacy, accuracy, transparency and property are at stake. Negative examples of algorithms that propagate or exacerbate biases, inequalities or injustices have received ample attention, both in academia and in popular media. To supplement this view, we will discuss two positive examples of Responsible Innovation (RI): the design and deployment of algorithms in decision support, with good intentions and careful approaches. We then explore potential, unintended, undesirable, higher-order effects of algorithms—effects that may occur despite good intentions and careful approaches. We do that by engaging withanticipationandresponsiveness, two key dimensions of Responsible Innovation. We close the paper with proposing a framework and a series of tentative recommendations to promote anticipation and responsiveness in the design and deployment of algorithms in decision support in the domain of justice and security.
Sexual Function Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Penile Fracture
Authors: Ouanes Yassine , Saadi Mohamed Hafedh , Haj Alouene Houssem , Bibi Mokhtar , Sellami Ahmed , Rhouma Sami Ben , Nouira Yassine 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Penile fracture is a urologic emergency and is defined as the rupture of the tunica albuginea of the cavernous body in erection.

Aim
Our study aims to evaluate patients with penile fracture and to identify the factors that may influence the sexual function after surgical repair.

Methods
A total of 138 patients who were diagnosed with penile fracture between January, 1999 and December, 2018 were reviewed. Clinical features, perioperative assessment, time from injury to surgery, tunica defect properties, and presence of urethral injury were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures
Sexual function was evaluated by three parameters six months after surgical repair: International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire, penile curvature and the presence of a painful intercourse. All factors that could potentially influence these parameters were analyzed.

Results
The mean age was 31.2 years (19-55). Presentation delay ranged from 1 to 5 days (mean = 16.8 hours) while surgery delay was 14.3 hours ().The most common cause of penile fracture in our patients was forcefully bending of the erect penis to achieve detumescence in 62 cases (44.9%). On multivariate analysis, we found that the presentation delay and the fracture site located in the proximal shaft of the penis showed significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative ED (P = 0.03 and P = 0.015 respectively). Presentation delay, elective incision and tuncial leak located in the proximal shaft (P = 0.045; P = 0.018 and P = 0.022 respectively) were associated with higher penis curvature.

Conclusion
Immediate surgical repair and circumferential degloving incision for tunical leaks located in the proximal shaft of the penis are recommended in order to decrease the incidence of ED after surgical repair of penile fractures.
Assessment of the Meteorological Impact on Improved PM2.5 Air Quality Over North China During 2016–2019 Based on a Regional Joint Atmospheric Composition Reanalysis Data‐Set
Authors: Kou Xingxia , Peng Zhen , Zhang Meigen , Zhang Ning , Lei Lili , Zhao Xiujuan , Miao Shiguang , Li Ziming , Ding Qiuji 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn the context of China's clean air policy, the meteorological impacts on improved particulate matter (PM2.5) air quality during 2016–2019 are investigated based on a four‐year high‐resolution atmospheric composition reanalysis data‐set, which has been produced by the Joint Data Assimilation System to resolve long‐term fine‐scale air quality variability over China. The reanalysis assimilates surface air quality observations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry and an ensemble‐based assimilation algorithm, and simultaneous assimilations of meteorological observations, chemical initial conditions (ICs) and emissions are applied to help reduce the uncertainty in meteorology, ICs and the emissions inventory. Further, objective weather classification method is applied to quantitatively explore synoptic circulation pattern changes and associated PM2.5 variability over North China by using this unique reanalysis data‐set. PM2.5 reanalysis data are also investigated according to different circulation types, and results indicate that temporal and spatial variations of PM2.5 are found to be closely connected with weather and circulation patterns. The northerly types correspond to the lower PM2.5 levels, while the southerly and easterly types correspond to the higher PM2.5 concentration due to favorable local meteorological conditions. According to the quantitative evaluation on circulation pattern changes, meteorological contribution have played a positive role in improving air quality in the context of China's clean air policy during 2016–2019. This study serves as a basis for future retrospective assessments of air pollutant variation and emissions regulation measures.
Calibration and Characterization of Satellite‐Borne Microwave Sounders With the Moon
Authors: Burgdorf M. J. , Buehler S. A. , Prange M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA major problem with calculating the uncertainties of measurements with weather satellites is the fact that a full characterization and calibration of their instruments can only be carried out before launch. The Moon, however, makes at least some of these activities possible in flight as well by providing a reliable flux reference at a well‐defined position. We used serendipitous observations of the Moon with AMSU‐B and MHS on eight different satellites to measure pointing accuracy, spectral channels coregistration, and beamwidth with unprecedented accuracy in flight. In addition, we compared these findings with the corresponding values obtained on ground. By analyzing more than a hundred Moon intrusions in the deep space view, we could determine the radiance of the Moon as a function of its phase angle and distance from the Sun. The difference in average brightness temperature of the lunar disk between perihelion and aphelion amounts to 4.4 ± 2.3 K at 183 GHz. We compare the measured brightness temperature of the Moon as a function of phase angle between −85° (waxing) and +76° (waning) with the predictions from two models and find that one of them reproduces the shape of this function very well.
Transpolar Arcs During a Prolonged Radial Interplanetary Magnetic Field Interval
Authors: Park Jong‐Sun , Shi Quan Qi , Nowada Motoharu , Shue Jih‐Hong , Kim Khan‐Hyuk , Lee Dong‐Hun , Zong Qiu‐Gang , Degeling Alexander W. , Tian An Min , Pitkänen Timo , Zhang Yongliang , Rae I. Jonathan , Hairston Marc R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTranspolar arcs (TPAs) are believed to predominantly occur under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions with their hemispheric asymmetry controlled by the Sun‐Earth (radial) component of the IMF. In this study, we present observations of TPAs that appear in both the northern and southern hemispheres even during a prolonged interval of radially oriented IMF. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 and the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellites observed TPAs on the dawnside polar cap in both hemispheres (one TPA structure in the southern hemisphere and two in the northern hemisphere) during an interval of nearly earthward‐oriented IMF on October 29, 2005. The southern hemisphere TPA and one of the northern hemisphere TPAs are associated with electron and ion precipitation and mostly sunward plasma flow (with shears) relative to their surroundings. Meanwhile, the other TPA in the northern hemisphere is associated with an electron‐only precipitation and antisunward flow relative to its surroundings. Our observations indicate the following: (a) the TPA formation is not limited to northward IMF conditions; (b) the TPAs can be located on both closed field lines rooted in the polar cap of both hemispheres and open field lines connected to the northward field lines draped over one hemisphere of the magnetopause. We believe that the TPAs presented here are the result of both indirect and direct processes of solar wind energy transfer to the high‐latitude ionosphere.
Sedimentary Structure Derived From Multi‐Mode Ambient Noise Tomography With Dense OBS Network at the Japan Trench
Authors: Yamaya Lina , Mochizuki Kimihiro , Akuhara Takeshi , Nishida Kiwamu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe derive the 3‐D S‐wave velocity structures of sediments and upper crust in the region off Ibaraki at Japan Trench subduction zone by applying ambient noise tomography to a dense array of short‐period ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs). The cross‐spectra were calculated using 27 or 142‐day continuous seismic data, and the phase velocities of the fundamental and the first‐higher Rayleigh wave modes are obtained in the frequency ranges of 0.1–0.25 Hz and 0.17–0.3 Hz, respectively. Our 1‐D S‐wave velocity inversion based on the trans‐dimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo method revealed multiple sedimentary layers above the acoustic basement and the upper crustal structure. The 1‐D structure was then used as a reference model to conduct ambient noise tomography and non‐linear inversion of the 3‐D S‐wave velocity structure by collecting data of the local 1‐D S‐wave velocity structure. Our 3‐D S‐wave velocity structure revealed three main points: (a) The acoustic basement is situated at a depth of ∼4 km depth; (b) the crustal structure is more complex than that of the sedimentary layers; and (c) the southern region has a complex crustal structure in which subducting seamounts were identified by previous P‐wave velocity tomographies.
Fine-tuning neural excitation/inhibition for tailored ketamine use in treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Fagerholm Erik D. , Leech Robert , Williams Steven , Zarate Carlos A. , Moran Rosalyn J. , Gilbert Jessica R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe glutamatergic modulator ketamine has been shown to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD). Although its mechanisms of action are not fully understood, changes in cortical excitation/inhibition (E/I) following ketamine administration are well documented in animal models and could represent a potential biomarker of treatment response. Here, we analyse neuromagnetic virtual electrode time series collected from the primary somatosensory cortex in 18 unmedicated patients with TRD and in an equal number of age-matched healthy controls during a somatosensory ‘airpuff’ stimulation task. These two groups were scanned as part of a clinical trial of ketamine efficacy under three conditions: (a) baseline; (b) 6–9 h following subanesthetic ketamine infusion; and (c) 6–9 h following placebo-saline infusion. We obtained estimates of E/I interaction strengths by using dynamic causal modelling (DCM) on the time series, thereby allowing us to pinpoint, under each scanning condition, where each subject’s dynamics lie within the Poincaré diagram—as defined in dynamical systems theory. We demonstrate that the Poincaré diagram offers classification capability for TRD patients, in that the further the patients’ coordinates were shifted (by virtue of ketamine) toward the stable (top-left) quadrant of the Poincaré diagram, the more their depressive symptoms improved. The same relationship was not observed by virtue of a placebo effect—thereby verifying the drug-specific nature of the results. We show that the shift in neural dynamics required for symptom improvement necessitates an increase in both excitatory and inhibitory coupling. We present accompanying MATLAB code made available in a public repository, thereby allowing for future studies to assess individually tailored treatments of TRD.
Inhibition of the mTOR pathway and reprogramming of protein synthesis by MDM4 reduce ovarian cancer metastatic properties
Authors: Lucà Rossella , Assenza Maria Rita , Maiullari Fabio , Pieroni Luisa , Maiullari Silvia , Federici Giulia , Marini Federica , Rizzi Roberto , Urbani Andrea , Soddu Silvia , Moretti Fabiola 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a highly heterogeneous disease with a high death rate mainly due to the metastatic spread. The expression of MDM4, a well-known p53-inhibitor, is positively associated with chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS) in EOC. However, the basis of this association remains elusive. We show that in vivo MDM4 reduces intraperitoneal dissemination of EOC cells, independently of p53 and an immune-competent background. By 2D and 3D assays, MDM4 impairs the early steps of the metastatic process. A 3D-bioprinting system, ad hoc developed by co-culturing EOC spheroids and endothelial cells, showed reduced dissemination and intravasation into vessel-like structures of MDM4-expressing cells. Consistent with these data, high MDM4 levels protect mice from ovarian cancer-related death and, importantly, correlate with increased 15 y OS probability in large data set analysis of 1656 patients. Proteomic analysis of EOC 3D-spheroids revealed decreased protein synthesis and mTOR signaling, upon MDM4 expression. Accordingly, MDM4 does not further inhibit cell migration when its activity towards mTOR is blocked by genetic or pharmacological approaches. Importantly, high levels of MDM4 reduced the efficacy of mTOR inhibitors in constraining cell migration. Overall, these data demonstrate that MDM4 impairs EOC metastatic process by inhibiting mTOR activity and suggest the usefulness of MDM4 assessment for the tailored application of mTOR-targeted therapy.
Simultaneously targeting SOAT1 and CPT1A ameliorates hepatocellular carcinoma by disrupting lipid homeostasis
Authors: Ren Meiling , Xu Huanji , Xia Hongwei , Tang Qiulin , Bi Feng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLipid homeostasis plays a fundamental role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms that regulate lipid homeostasis to avoid lipotoxicity in HCC remain elusive. Here, we found high-fat diet (HFD) improved the expression of sterol o-acyltransferase1 (SOAT1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) in diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC. Bioinformatic analysis showed that SOAT1-mediated fatty acid storage and CPT1A-mediated fatty acids oxidation (FAO) formed a double-negative feedback loop in HCC. We verified that SOAT1 inhibition enhanced CPT1A protein, which shuttled the released fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation in vivo and in vitro. Besides, we further confirmed that CPT1A inhibition converted excess fatty acids into lipid drops by SOAT1 in vitro. Simultaneously targeting SOAT1 and CPT1A by the small-molecule inhibitors avasimibe and etomoxir had synergistic anticancer efficacy in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides new mechanistic insights into the regulation of lipid homeostasis and suggests the combination of avasimibe and etomoxir is a novel strategy for HCC treatment.
Effect of circular RNA, mmu_circ_0000296, on neuronal apoptosis in chronic cerebral ischaemia via the miR-194-5p/Runx3/Sirt1 axis
Authors: Huang Keyu , Yang Chunqing , Zheng Jian , Liu Xiaobai , Liu Jie , Che Dongfang , Xue Yixue , An Ping , Wang Di , Ruan Xuelei , Yu Bo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractChronic cerebral ischaemia (CCI) is a common pathological disorder, which is associated with various diseases, such as cerebral arteriosclerosis and vascular dementia, resulting in neurological dysfunction. As a type of non-coding RNA, circular RNA is involved in regulating the occurrence and development of diseases, such as ischaemic brain injury. Here, we found that HT22 cells and hippocampus treated with CCI had low expression of circ_0000296, Runx3, Sirt1, but high expression of miR-194-5p. Overexpression of circ_0000296, Runx3, Sirt1, and silenced miR-194-5p significantly inhibited neuronal apoptosis induced by CCI. This study demonstrated that circ_0000296 specifically bound to miR-194-5p; miR-194-5p bound to the 3′UTR region of Runx3 mRNA; Runx3 directly bound to the promoter region of Sirt1, enhancing its transcriptional activity. Overexpression of circ_0000296 by miR-194-5p reduced the negative regulatory effect of miR-194-5p on Runx3, promoted the transcriptional effect of Runx3 on Sirt1, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis induced by CCI. mmu_circ_0000296 plays an important role in regulating neuronal apoptosis induced by CCI through miR-194-5p/Runx3/Sirt1 pathway.
Hybrid precoding codebook design in millimetre‐wave massive MIMO systems with low‐resolution phase shifters
Authors: Tan Jingbo , Suo Shiqiang , Qin Haichao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMillimetre‐wave (mmWave) massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) is one of the promising techniques for 5G wireless communications and beyond. Low‐resolution hybrid precoding using low‐resolution phase shifters (PSs) is considered to be promising for mmWave massive MIMO, since it can realize an acceptable performance with significantly reduced energy consumption. However, to realize accurate channel state information acquisition, the traditional channel feedback codebooks that quantize the channel with high resolution are not suitable for low‐resolution hybrid precoding. To solve this problem, angle‐based codebook is proposed here. In the proposed codebook, the analog codebook is designed based on the channel angle‐of‐departures (AoDs) and the digital codebook is generated by the random vector quantization. Specifically, the analog codewords are optimized by a neighbour search algorithm under the constraint of low‐resolution PSs. These analog codewords are designed to be aligned with channel AoDs. In this way, they can remain unchanged in a much larger time scale, since the angle‐coherence time is much longer than the channel‐coherence time. Therefore, the channel feedback overhead can be significantly reduced. Both theoretical analyses and simulation results illustrate that the proposed codebook can achieve the acceptable achievable rate performance with low channel feedback overhead.
Deep unfolding based hyper‐parameter optimisation for self‐interference cancellation in LTE‐A/5G‐transceivers
Authors: Motz C. , Paireder T. , Huemer M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDeep unfolding is a very promising concept that allows to combine the advantages of traditional estimation techniques, such as adaptive filters, and machine learning approaches, like artificial neural networks. Focusing on a challenging self‐interference problem occurring in frequency‐division duplex radio frequency transceivers, namely modulated spurs, it is shown that deep unfolding enables remarkable performance gains. Based on the hyper‐parameter optimisation of several least‐mean squares (LMS) variants and the recursive‐least squares algorithm, the importance of a well‐chosen loss function are highlighted. Especially the variable step‐size LMS and the transform‐domain LMS vastly benefit without increased runtime complexity.