Comprehensive Comparison of NULL Convention Logic Threshold Gate Implementations

AbstractIn the radargram obtained by the high-frequency lunar penetrating radar onboard the Chang’E-3 mission, we notice a potential subsurface cavity that has a smaller permittivity compared to the surrounding materials. The two-way travel time between the top and bottom boundaries of the potential cavity is ~ 21 ns, and the entire zone is located within the continuous ejecta deposits of the Ziwei crater, which generally have similar physical properties to typical lunar regolith. We carried out numerical simulations for electromagnetic wave propagation to investigate the nature of this low-permittivity zone. Assuming different shapes for this zone, a comprehensive comparison between our model results and the observed radargram suggests that the roof of this zone is convex and slightly inclined to the south. Modeling subsurface materials with different relative permittivities suggests that the low-permittivity zone is most likely formed due to a subsurface cavity. The maximum vertical dimension of this potential cavity is ~ 3.1 m. While the continuous ejecta deposits of Ziwei crater are largely composed of pre-impact regolith, competent mare basalts were also excavated, which is evident by the abundant meter-scale boulders on the wall and rim of Ziwei crater. We infer that the subsurface cavity is supported by excavated large boulders, which were stacked during the energetic emplacement of the continuous ejecta deposits. However, the exact geometry of this cavity (e.g., the width) cannot be constrained using the single two-dimensional radar profile. This discovery indicates that large voids formed during the emplacement of impact ejecta should be abundant on the Moon, which contributes to the high bulk porosity of the lunar shallow crust, as discovered by the GRAIL mission. Our results further suggest that ground penetrating radar is capable of detecting and deciphering subsurface cavities such as lava tubes, which can be applied in future lunar and deep space explorations.

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Characterization of the Diagnostic Performance of a Novel COVID-19 PETIA in Comparison to Four Routine N-, S- and RBD-Antigen Based Immunoassays

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11081332 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1332

Author(s):

Alexander Spaeth ◽

Thomas Masetto ◽

Jessica Brehm ◽

Leoni Wey ◽

Christian Kochem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay ◽

Face To Face ◽

Comprehensive Comparison ◽

Broad Variety ◽

Viral Responses ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

High Consistency

In 2019, a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan in the province of Hubei, China. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) quickly spread across the globe, causing the neoteric COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is commonly transmitted by droplet infection and aerosols when coughing or sneezing, as well as high-risk exposures to infected individuals by face-to-face contact without protective gear. To date, a broad variety of techniques have emerged to assess and quantify the specific antibody response of a patient towards a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we report the first comprehensive comparison of five different assay systems: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA), and a new Particle-Enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay (PETIA) for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we also evaluated the suitability of N-, S1- and RBD-antigens for quantifying the SARS-CoV-2 specific immune response. Linearity and precision, overall sensitivity and specificity of the assays, stability of samples, and cross-reactivity of general viral responses, as well as common coronaviruses, were assessed. Moreover, the reactivity of all tests to seroconversion and different sample matrices was quantified. All five assays showed good overall agreement, with 76% and 87% similarity for negative and positive samples, respectively. In conclusion, all evaluated methods showed a high consistency of results and suitability for the robust quantification of the SARS-CoV-2-derived immune response.

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A comprehensive comparison of recent developed meta-heuristic algorithms for streamflow time series forecasting problem

Applied Soft Computing ◽

10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107282 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107282

Author(s):

Ali Najah Ahmed ◽

To Van Lam ◽

Nguyen Duy Hung ◽

Nguyen Van Thieu ◽

Ozgur Kisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Heuristic Algorithms ◽

Time Series Forecasting ◽

Comprehensive Comparison

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Automatic feathering algorithm for VMAT craniospinal irradiation: A comprehensive comparison with other VMAT planning strategies

Medical Dosimetry ◽

10.1016/j.meddos.2020.09.003 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Michele Maddalo ◽

Giovanna Benecchi ◽

Luisa Altabella ◽

Caterina Ghetti ◽

Nunziata D'Abbiero

Keyword(s):

Craniospinal Irradiation ◽

Comprehensive Comparison ◽

Planning Strategies

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Braille Block Detection via Multi-Objective Optimization from an Egocentric Viewpoint

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21082775 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 2775

Author(s):

Tsubasa Takano ◽

Takumi Nakane ◽

Takuya Akashi ◽

Chao Zhang

Keyword(s):

Optimization Problem ◽

Line Pair ◽

Objective Functions ◽

Multi Objective Optimization ◽

Multi Objective ◽

Optimization Framework ◽

Visually Impaired People ◽

Comprehensive Comparison ◽

Basic Characteristics ◽

Support Devices

In this paper, we propose a method to detect Braille blocks from an egocentric viewpoint, which is a key part of many walking support devices for visually impaired people. Our main contribution is to cast this task as a multi-objective optimization problem and exploits both the geometric and the appearance features for detection. Specifically, two objective functions were designed under an evolutionary optimization framework with a line pair modeled as an individual (i.e., solution). Both of the objectives follow the basic characteristics of the Braille blocks, which aim to clarify the boundaries and estimate the likelihood of the Braille block surface. Our proposed method was assessed by an originally collected and annotated dataset under real scenarios. Both quantitative and qualitative experimental results show that the proposed method can detect Braille blocks under various environments. We also provide a comprehensive comparison of the detection performance with respect to different multi-objective optimization algorithms.

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The Application of Fuzzy Theory in the Evaluation of Visual Images of Smartphone Rear Cameras

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083555 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3555

Author(s):

Chien-Hsiung Chen ◽

Zhongzhen Lin

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Fuzzy Numbers ◽

Fuzzy Theory ◽

Consumer Perceptions ◽

Visual Images ◽

Triangular Fuzzy Numbers ◽

Potential Consumer ◽

Comprehensive Comparison ◽

Different Shapes ◽

The Relationship

In the present era, technology is developing rapidly. Smartphones play a significant part in people’s lives. However, the research on smartphones mainly focuses on the area of technological realization. The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between the various rear cameras in smartphones and consumer perceptions, and to understand consumers’ purchasing intentions and preferences. Through the methods of multidimensional scaling (MDS), factor analysis and triangular fuzzy numbers, the visual images of the smartphone rear cameras were analyzed and discussed. The results indicate that the visual images taken by different shapes of rear camera are quite distinct in the categories of innovative and fashionable, and simple and pure, but less distinct in the categories of harmonious and ordered, premium and technical, and superior and valuable. Through a comprehensive comparison, four groups whose images were similar were created. The outcome effectively reflects the potential consumer demands for smartphone rear camera patterns, providing insights for design practices in the smartphone industry.

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Pharmacological and clinical evaluation of deferasirox formulations for treatment tailoring

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91983-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Piolatto ◽

Paola Berchialla ◽

Sarah Allegra ◽

Silvia De Francia ◽

Giovanni Battista Ferrero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Renal Impairment ◽

Observational Study ◽

Iron Overload ◽

Iron Loading ◽

Comprehensive Comparison ◽

Dispersible Tablets ◽

One Year ◽

Safety Features

AbstractDeferasirox (DFX) is the newest among three different chelators available to treat iron overload in iron-loading anaemias, firstly released as Dispersible Tablets (DT) and more recently replaced by Film-Coated Tablets (FCT). In this retrospective observational study, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety features of DFX treatment were analyzed in 74 patients that took both formulations subsequently under clinical practice conditions. Bioavailability of DFX FCT compared to DT resulted higher than expected [Cmax: 99.5 (FCT) and 69.7 (DT) μMol/L; AUC: 1278 (FCT) and 846 (DT), P < 0.0001]. DFX FCT was also superior in scalability among doses. After one year of treatment for each formulation, no differences were observed between the treatments in the overall iron overload levels; however, DFX FCT but not DT showed a significant dose–response correlation [Spearman r (dose-serum ferritin variation): − 0.54, P < 0.0001]. Despite being administered at different dosages, the long-term safety profile was not different between formulations: a significant increase in renal impairment risk was observed for both treatments and it was reversible under strict monitoring (P < 0.002). Altogether, these data constitute a comprehensive comparison of DFX formulations in thalassaemia and other iron-loading anaemias, confirming the effectiveness and safety characteristics of DFX and its applicability for treatment tailoring.

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