关键词： Cubature rules   Alternative shifted Jacobi polynomials   Multi-dimensional integral equations   Operational matrices   Epidemic models   Computational complexity  

摘要： The purpose of this paper is to derive cubature formulas using bivariate degree-graded alternative shifted Jacobi polynomials and present some of their applications through a method for fast and explicit construction of operational integration matrices in this polynomial basis. First, we take the non-degree-graded alternative shifted Jacobi polynomial basis over the interval [0, 1] and introduce a corresponding degree-graded polynomial basis. We then construct sparse and well-structured operational integration matrices in that basis. The main advantage of the proposed idea is the low computational complexity which is derived through vector-matrix multiplications without change of bases. As an application, a fast and accurate numerical algorithm based on the obtained cubature formula is developed for the approximate solution of nonlinear multi-dimensional integral equations which arise in the theory of nonlinear parabolic boundary value problems as well as the mathematical modeling of the spatio-temporal development of an epidemic. It is shown that such a matrix representation of cubature formula in terms of the bivariate degree-graded basis gives an approximate solution with a higher order accuracy. The experimental results also illustrate that smaller size and lower orders of the operational matrix and basis functions can obtain a favorable approximate solution. (C) 2021 International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (IMACS). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

关键词： quarry lake   temperature   geothermal heat pump   greenhouse   mining activity   environmental restoration  

摘要： In northern Italy, most greenhouses rely on gas or oil heaters which are sometimes subject to high operating costs. Several greenhouses are nearby quarry lakes, which are the legacy of the expansion of cities in the last decades, including Turin (NW Italy). About 20 quarry lakes were excavated close to the Po riverbed in the southern part of this urban area, along a belt of more than 30 km in length, with an overall volume exceeding 10 million m(3) water. The study addresses these artificial lakes as a low enthalpy thermal energy source, potentially providing heat to surrounding agri-business buildings. Detailed temperature monitoring of a large lake quarry was conducted over two years at different depths, measuring the surrounding groundwater level as well. Two different behaviors of the lake during the winter and summer seasons enabled the definition of a quite low water mixing process between the surrounding aquifers and the lake (in the range of 2-4 degrees C). An evaluation of the heat extraction potential using the lake as a heat source, depending on water temperature and its volume, and a qualitative comparison with groundwater systems are proposed. This study contributes to increasing knowledge on an overlooked resource for sustainable heating.

关键词： Capecitabine   Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase   5-fluorouracil   TAS-102   Toxicity   Clinical pharmacology  

摘要： Severe toxicity of the fluoropyrimidine drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its oral prodrug capecitabine is associated with deficiency of the primary inactivating enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). Pretreatment screening for DPD deficiency is applied followed by initial dose reduction in DPD-deficient patients in order to prevent severe toxicity Nonetheless, severe toxicity may still occur and therefore, new treatment options are highly warranted. Trifluridine/tipiracil is a new anticancer drug that is registered for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in patients who have been previously treated with, or have contraindications for 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Importantly, its metabolism is completely independent of DPD. Thereby, tr ifluridine/tipiracil may offer a new treatment paradigm for the safe treatment of DPD-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer patients. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

关键词： danio rerio   alternative methods   organ toxicity   3R   transgenic animals  

摘要： Prerequisite to any biological laboratory assay employing living animals is consideration about its necessity, feasibility, ethics and the potential harm caused during an experiment. The imperative of these thoughts has led to the formulation of the 3R-principle, which today is a pivotal scientific standard of animal experimentation worldwide. The rising amount of laboratory investigations utilizing living animals throughout the last decades, either for regulatory concerns or for basic science, demands the development of alternative methods in accordance with 3R to help reduce experiments in mammals. This demand has resulted in investigation of additional vertebrate species displaying favourable biological properties. One prominent species among these is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), as these small laboratory ray-finned fish are well established in science today and feature outstanding biological characteristics. In this review, we highlight the advantages and general prerequisites of zebrafish embryos and larvae before free-feeding stages for toxicological testing, with a particular focus on cardio-, neuro, hepato- and nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we discuss toxicokinetics, current advances in utilizing zebrafish for organ toxicity testing and highlight how advanced laboratory methods (such as automation, advanced imaging and genetic techniques) can refine future toxicological studies in this species.

关键词： Drug court   Risk-need-responsivity   RNR   Substance use treatment   Court-mandated treatment   Graduation rates  

摘要： Drug courts have been in operation for decades to provide treatment alternatives to individuals whose substance use and related behaviors have brought them into contact with the criminal justice system. As research on drug courts have evolved, it has been demonstrated that different types of offenders have different mental health and substance use treatment needs. One way of approaching treatment in court-mandated substance use treatment is by the application of the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model (Andrews, Zinger et al., 1990). The Orleans Parish Drug Court expanded assessment and treatment services to determine whether the implementation of alternative substance use programming within a traditional drug court model improved outcomes. The goals of the current study were to describe the process of implementing risk and need principles, provide a description of client characteristics, examine the factors related to successful completion of drug court, and investigate completion rates across risk and need groups. Results demonstrated that risk and need groups differed on several demographic variables, levels of substance use, mental health concerns, and legal issues, suggesting assessment and triage procedures were successful. Comparisons between individuals who successfully completed drug court and those who were terminated prematurely also showed significant differences. Specifically, baseline age, education, substance use problems and frequency, and days in jail/prison were unique predictors of successful drug court completion. Finally, as predicted, individuals in the group with the lowest risk and need had the highest graduation rate, despite receiving less intensive services. Overall, creation of specialized treatment tracks within a traditional drug court program appears to be an effective strategy to target the wide range of offenders typical of drug court participants.

关键词： hypoxia   angiotensin-converting enzyme 2   angiotensin(1-7)  

摘要： Alternative branches of the classical renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) represent an important cascade in which angiotensin 2 (AngII) undergoes cleavage via the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with subsequent production of Ang(1-7) and other related metabolites eliciting its effects via Mas receptor activation. Generally, this branch of the RAS system is described as its non-canonical alternative arm with counterbalancing actions to the classical RAS, conveying vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, anti-remodeling and anti-proliferative effects. The implication of this branch was proposed for many different diseases, ranging from acute cardiovascular conditions, through chronic respiratory diseases to cancer, nonetheless, hypoxia is one of the most prominent common factors discussed in conjugation with the changes in the activity of alternative RAS branches. The aim of this review is to bring complex insights into the mechanisms behind the various forms of hypoxic insults on the activity of alternative RAS branches based on the different duration of stimuli and causes (acute vs. intermittent vs. chronic), localization and tissue (heart vs. vessels vs. lungs) and clinical relevance of studied phenomenon (experimental vs. clinical condition). Moreover, we provide novel insights into the future strategies utilizing the alternative RAS as a diagnostic tool as well as a promising pharmacological target in serious hypoxia-associated cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases.

关键词： Asphalt   Eco-friendly   Green alternative binder   Waste oil and waste polymer  

摘要： Eco-friendly alternative binders for asphalt were studied, utilizing green bio-additives (GBA) with different compositions. These GBA were prepared using the waste of cooking oil (WCO) in different ratios ranged from 10 to 40% from the whole composite;on the other hand, the waste polymer (WP), which formed from styrene-butadiene rubber (WSBR) and waste polystyrene (WPS) in a ratio ranged from 90 to 60% from the GBA composite, was used. The optimum composition of GBA has been chosen based on the physical and curing properties, which define that the [60% WP (WSBR and WPS separately) with 40% WCO] is the optimum composite. Asphalt 60/70 (A) and 80/100 (B) were used in this study, GBA with different ratios ranged from 10 to 50% from the applied asphalt were added to prepare green alternative binder (GAB), and physical and rheological properties before and after curing were investigated. The physical properties of the GAB including penetration, softening point, penetration index and penetration temperature susceptibility before and after curing were studied. Rheological properties of pure asphalt and the prepared GAB were studied using dynamic shear rheometer. Herein, data revealed that the GAB consisting of equal proportions between WCO and WP is simulated to original asphalt in the physical and rheological properties. The results showed that in case of asphalt 60/70, when using the 40% WSBR, the softening point increased by 17.7% and penetration decreased by 15.4%, and when using the 40% WPS, the softening point increased by 24.4% and penetration decreased by 16.9%. In case of 50% GAB, when using asphalt 60/70 + 40% WPS, the softening point increased by 17.7%, while using asphalt 80/100 + 40% WPS the softening point increased by 28.9%. Additionally, these materials are a promising candidate to replacement the non-renewable asphalt binders which used in the construction of road infrastructure, with a healthy environment and reduce the cost of road construction.

关键词： Biomaterials – proteins   Engineering   Techniques and instrumentation   Chemistry/Food Science   general   Polymer Sciences   Biomaterials   Surfaces and Interfaces   Thin Films   Bioorganic Chemistry  

摘要： Silk sericin (SS) is a natural polymer widely studied in the design of biodegradable materials for cosmetic, biomedical, food, and chemical applications. This work was designed to explore the molecular and structural characteristics of SS extracted from different silk sources with different processing degrees: high-quality cocoons (NCs), defective cocoons (DCs), and raw silk yarn (Y). The last two sources have been less studied. SS solutions were obtained from each source using the high-temperature and high-pressure degumming method (HTHP). The molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition of SS extracts were determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and reversed-phase chromatography (RP HPLC), respectively. SS films were formed from each solution and then characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Water uptake and degradation of SS films were also evaluated. The molecular characteristics of SS extracts were related to the processing degree of the silk source. Moreover, the properties of SS films seemed to be dominated by the primary structure and the presence of natural impurities in each extract. The results suggest that silk sources could be selected ad hoc to design SS materials with distinctive properties for specific applications.

关键词： Buck converter controller   electronic portable devices   fast transient response   load disturbance   overshoot elimination   voltage/current ripple  

摘要： This article proposes a controller for dc-dc converters to achieve fast load-transient responses. The controller is developed for both continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) of operation. The main idea is developed for buck converters, but it is shown that the proposed controller can be applied to other topologies, such as the noninverting buck-boost converter. The controller derivation, analysis, and experimental verifications are provided in both CCM and DCM, and its performance is compared with other methods. The main advantage of the proposed controller is that it minimizes the recovery times associated with load-transient responses in dc-dc converters while maintaining component sizes and other system parameters within the acceptable range. The proposed controller can be used to minimize load transients in electronic portable devices and electric vehicle charging.

关键词： COVID-19   Shanghai stock exchange   Wavelets   DJIA   Bitcoin   Commodities   Hedging effectiveness  

摘要： Against COVID-19 risks, this paper examines the hedging performance of alternative assets including some financial assets and commodities futures for the Chinese stock market in a multi-scale setting. Dynamic conditional correlations and optimal hedge ratios of the Shanghai stock exchange with Bitcoin, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Gold, WTI, Bonds and VIX returns are estimated before and during the pandemic crisis. In the short-term, the use of wavelet decomposition shows that Bitcoin provides the best hedge to the Shanghai stock market. In the long-term, commodities dominate. Whereas WTI offers the highest hedging effectiveness, Gold ranks second by a slight margin. These results allow investors to choose the highest returns and protecting tail risk during the current sanitary crisis. Our findings suggest particularly more pronounced economic benefit of diversification including alternative financial assets while commodities futures serve as good hedge assets especially during unpredictable crisis like the current sanitary crisis relating to the covid-19.