bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Requirements for the Initiation of a Cardiac Arrhythmia in Rat Ventricle: How Many Myocytes?
Authors: Ullah Aman , Hoang-Trong Minh Tuan , Lederer William Jonathan , Winslow Raimond L. , Jafri Mohsin Saleet
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide due in a large part to arrhythmia. In order to understand how calcium dynamics play a role in arrhythmogenesis, normal and dysfunctional Ca2+ signaling in a subcellular, cellular, and tissued level is examined using cardiac ventricular myocytes at a high temporal and spatial resolution using multiscale computational modeling. Ca2+ sparks underlie normal excitation–contraction coupling. However, under pathological conditions, Ca2+ sparks can combine to form Ca2+ waves. These propagating elevations of (Ca2+)i can activate an inward Na+–Ca2+ exchanger current (INCX) that contributes to early after-depolarization (EADs) and delayed after-depolarizations (DADs). However, how cellular currents lead to full depolarization of the myocardium and how they initiate extra systoles is still not fully understood. This study explores how many myocytes must be entrained to initiate arrhythmogenic depolarizations in biophysically detailed computational models. The model presented here suggests that only a small number of myocytes must activate in order to trigger an arrhythmogenic propagating action potential. These conditions were examined in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D considering heart geometry. The depolarization of only a few hundred ventricular myocytes is required to trigger an ectopic depolarization. The number decreases under disease conditions such as heart failure. Furthermore, in geometrically restricted parts of the heart such as the thin muscle strands found in the trabeculae and papillary muscle, the number of cells needed to trigger a propagating depolarization falls even further to less than ten myocytes.
Hedgehog Morphogens Act as Growth Factors Critical to Pre- and Postnatal Cardiac Development and Maturation: How Primary Cilia Mediate Their Signal Transduction
Authors: Fitzsimons Lindsey A. , Brewer Victoria L. , Tucker Kerry L.
Published: June 2022

Primary cilia are crucial for normal cardiac organogenesis via the formation of cyto-architectural, anatomical, and physiological boundaries in the developing heart and outflow tract. These tiny, plasma membrane-bound organelles function in a sensory-integrative capacity, interpreting both the intra- and extra-cellular environments and directing changes in gene expression responses to promote, prevent, and modify cellular proliferation and differentiation. One distinct feature of this organelle is its involvement in the propagation of a variety of signaling cascades, most notably, the Hedgehog cascade. Three ligands, Sonic, Indian, and Desert hedgehog, function as growth factors that are most commonly dependent on the presence of intact primary cilia, where the Hedgehog receptors Patched-1 and Smoothened localize directly within or at the base of the ciliary axoneme. Hedgehog signaling functions to mediate many cell behaviors that are critical for normal embryonic tissue/organ development. However, inappropriate activation and/or upregulation of Hedgehog signaling in postnatal and adult tissue is known to initiate oncogenesis, as well as the pathogenesis of other diseases. The focus of this review is to provide an overview describing the role of Hedgehog signaling and its dependence upon the primary cilium in the cell types that are most essential for mammalian heart development. We outline the breadth of developmental defects and the consequential pathologies resulting from inappropriate changes to Hedgehog signaling, as it pertains to congenital heart disease and general cardiac pathophysiology.
Medicinal Herbs in the Relief of Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory Symptoms after COVID-19 Infection A Literature Review
Authors: Nawrot Joanna , Gornowicz-Porowska Justyna , Budzianowski Jaromir , Nowak Gerard , Schroeder Grzegorz , Kurczewska Joanna
Published: June 2022

COVID-19 infection causes complications, even in people who have had a mild course of the disease. The most dangerous seem to be neurological ailments: anxiety, depression, mixed anxiety–depressive (MAD) syndromes, and irreversible dementia. These conditions can negatively affect the respiratory system, circulatory system, and heart functioning. We believe that phytotherapy can be helpful in all of these conditions. Clinical trials confirm this possibility. The work presents plant materials (Valeriana officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Piper methysticum, Humulus lupulus, Ballota nigra, Hypericum perforatum, Rhodiola rosea, Lavandula officinalis, Paullinia cupana, Ginkgo biloba, Murraya koenigii, Crataegus monogyna and oxyacantha, Hedera helix, Polygala senega, Pelargonium sidoides, Lichen islandicus, Plantago lanceolata) and their dominant compounds (valeranon, valtrate, apigenin, citronellal, isovitexin, isoorientin, methysticin, humulone, farnesene, acteoside, hypericin, hyperforin, biapigenin, rosavidin, salidroside, linalool acetate, linalool, caffeine, ginkgolide, bilobalide, mihanimbine, epicatechin, hederacoside C,α-hederine, presegenin, umckalin, 6,7,8-trixydroxybenzopyranone disulfate, fumaroprotocetric acid, protolichesteric acid, aucubin, acteoside) responsible for their activity. It also shows the possibility of reducing post-COVID-19 neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular complications, which can affect the functioning of the nervous system.
Atopic Dermatitis is More than Skin Deep: A Commentary on Atopic Dermatitis and Review of Pertinent Publications from Children 2019–2021
Authors: Hopp Russell J.
Published: June 2022

The journal Children has a significant publication record on the topic of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) the past four years [...]
Recent Advances in Energy Storage and Photoelectric Conversion Films
Authors: Li Jinkai
Published: June 2022

Photoelectric conversion is one of the important ways for humans to obtain and utilize energy [...]
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Photocatalytic Active Ce and Cu Co-Doped Novel Spray Pyrolysis Developed MoO3 Films for Photocatalytic Degradation of Eosin-Y Dye
Authors: Kamoun Olfa , Gassoumi Abdelaziz , Shkir Mohd. , Gorji Nima E. , Turki-Kamoun Najoua
Published: June 2022

The current work deals with the fabrication of novel MoO3 nanostructured films with Ce and Cu co-doping through the spray pyrolysis route on a glass substrate maintained at 460 °C for the first time. The phase of developed films was approved by an X-ray diffraction study, and the crystallite size was determined between 82 and 92 nm. The optical transmission of the developed films was noticed to be reduced with doping and found between 45 and 90% for all films, and the absorption edge shifted to a higher wavelength with doping. The optical energy gap of the fabricated films was found to be reduced from 3.85 to 3.28 eV with doping. The developed films were used to degrade the harmful Eosin-Y dye under UV light. The system with 2% Ce and 1% Cu-doped MoO3 turned out to be the most effective catalyst for photodegradation of the dye in a period of 3H and almost degrade it. Hence, the MoO3 films prepared with 2% Ce and 1% Cu will be highly applicable as photocatalysts for the removal of hazardous dye from wastewater.
Determinants Affecting the Rationing of Nursing Care and Professional Burnout among Oncology Nurses
Authors: Piotrowska Aneta , Lisowska Aleksandra , Twardak Iwona , Włostowska Karolina , Uchmanowicz Izabella , Mess Eleonora
Published: June 2022

Rationing of nursing care (RNC) is characterized by the omission of any aspect of the required patient care, resulting in incomplete or delayed nursing activities. Oncology nurses are exposed to a very high psychological burden, which can lead to the development of professional burnout syndrome (PBS). The level of PBS might be related to life and job satisfaction. This study aimed to identify determinants affecting RNC and reveal the relationship between RNC, life and job satisfaction, and the PBS levels among oncology nurses. The sample was a hundred oncology nurses from four hospitals in Poland with a mean age of 43.26 ± 10.69 years. The study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020. The self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and validated scales determining missed nursing care, job and life satisfaction, and life orientation were used: Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care-Revised (BERNCA-R), Satisfaction with Job Scale (SWJS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The mean BERNCA score was 1.55 ± 0.15, which indicates the frequency of RNC was between “never” and “rarely”. The mean SWJS score was 11.71 ± 5.97, which showed that nurses were “dissatisfied” and “rather dissatisfied” with their job. A low SWLS score was reported by 59% of nurses, which means that more than half of the respondents described their life satisfaction as low. In LOT-R, 66% of nurses reported pessimistic and 31% neutral life orientation. The mean overall MBI score was 49.27 ± 19.76 points (EE = 63.56 ± 25.37, DEP = 37.2 ± 24.95, and lack of PA = 47.05 ± 22.04), which means that half of the nurses perceived burnout and half did not. Additionally, the higher the job satisfaction (SWJS), the more frequent the RNC (BERNCA) (p < 0.05). The greater the EE, the stronger the sense of lack of PA, and the higher the PBS (MBI) level, the less frequent the RNC (BERNCA). In conclusion, there is a phenomenon of omission of some aspects of care among oncology nurses, but it is not frequent and concerns areas not directly related to therapeutic tasks, but requiring effort and not resulting in quick noticeable effects. It depends only little on life satisfaction and more on job satisfaction and PBS level. The results may indicate the professionalism of Polish nurses, their responsibility towards their patients’ life and health, and the sense of mission that enables them to perform their duties regardless of the external and internal difficulties. The presence of the PBS phenomenon in oncology nurses highlights the need for continued research in this area.
Riverine Health Assessment Using Coordinated Development Degree Model Based on Natural and Social Functions in the Lhasa River, China
Authors: Chen Junhong , Kong Yanjun , Mei Yadong
Published: June 2022

Rivers provide a variety of ecosystem services to humans. However, human interference significantly impairs the rivers’ functions and poses a threat to river health. To increase the understanding of riverine health in Tibet, China from 2011 to 2014, this study used the Lhasa River as a case study and established a multiple indicator system incorporating both natural and social functions of the river. Weights of riverine health indicators were calculated using the entropy method. Moreover, to evaluate the coordination and development of natural and social functions, a coordinated development degree model was developed. The results showed that the entropy weights of natural and social functions in the target layer were 0.67 and 0.33, respectively. Natural functions, social functions, and riverine state index all decreased from upstream to downstream, and marked as “good” during the entire study period. In 2012, the coordinated development degree improved from previously “moderately coordinated” to “highly coordinated”. Furthermore, the development of natural and social functions was synchronized throughout the study period. Further analysis revealed that the construction of hydraulic projects had a significant effect on the hydrological regime, resulting in an increase in social functions of the river. Therefore, the coordinated development degree model is shown to provide new insight into assessing riverine health in terms of both natural and social functions.
Clinical (BMI and MRI) and Biochemical (Adiponectin, Leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6) Effects of High-Intensity Aerobic Training with High-Protein Diet in Children with Obesity Following COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Nambi Gopal , Alghadier Mshari , Elnegamy Tamer E. , Basuodan Reem M. , Alwhaibi Reem M. , Vellaiyan Arul , Nwihadh Naif A. , Aldhafian Osama R. , Verma Anju , Pakkir Mohamed Shahul Hameed , Chevidikunnan Mohamed Faisal , Khan Fayaz
Published: June 2022

Objective: To find the clinical and biochemical effects of high-intensity aerobic training with a high-protein diet in children with obesity following COVID-19 infection. Methods: By using the block randomization method, the eligible participants were randomized into two groups. The first group received high-intensity aerobic training with a high-protein diet (Group A; n = 38) and the second group were allowed to do regular physical activities and eat a regular diet (Group B; n = 38) for 8 weeks. Clinical (basal metabolic index (BMI) and muscle-mass-cross-sectional area (CSA)) and biochemical (Adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6) measures were measured at baseline, on the 8th week, and at 6-months follow-up. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical attributes show homogenous presentation among the study groups (p > 0.05). After eight weeks of intervention, and at the end of 6-months follow-up, the basal metabolic index (BMI) (6.3) (CI 95% 4.71 to 7.88), mid-arm CSA (17) (CI 95% 14.70 to 19.29), mid-thigh CSA (13.10) (CI 95% 10.60 to 15.59), mid-calf CSA (11.3) (CI 95% 9.30 to 13.29), adiponectin (−1.9) (CI 95% −2.13 to −1.66), leptin (5.64) (CI 95% 5.50 to 5.77), TNF-α (0.5) (CI 95% 0.42 to 0.57), and IL-6 (0.21) (CI 95% 0.18 to 0.23) showed more improvement (p < 0.001) in Group A than Group B (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, this trial found that high-intensity aerobic training with a high-protein diet decreased the BMI percentile and muscle mass (arm, thigh, and calf), and positively altered the biochemical variables in children with obesity.
Evaluation of Infant Injury Prevention Education Provided during Antenatal Classes after Two Years: A Pilot Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Honda Chikako , Yoshioka-Maeda Kyoko , Fujii Hitoshi , Iwasaki-Motegi Riho , Yamamoto-Mitani Noriko
Published: June 2022

This study examined the long-term effects of an infant injury prevention program implemented during an antenatal class of 131 mothers. Questionnaires were completed 2 years postpartum to assess the incidence of injury (medically attended or home-care), mothers’ perception of injury prevention, implementation of safety practices, and active attitudes toward injury prevention. Responses were obtained from 68 (51.9%) mothers (intervention group, 40; control group, 28), including 24 who reported medically attended injuries and 55 who reported home-care injuries. The incidence of medically attended injuries did not differ between groups. The incidence of home-care injuries was also not significantly different, but was lower in the intervention group (72.5% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.050). Significantly fewer children in the intervention group experienced “injury due to being caught between objects” (12.5% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.014). Mothers in the intervention group were significantly more aware of injury prevention than those in the control group (p = 0.033). The risk of home-care injuries was inversely related to mothers’ injury-prevention perception (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, p = 0.035). This study suggests that group education during pregnancy regarding injury prevention increases mothers’ perception of injury prevention. These findings support implementing injury prevention education during antenatal classes.
Accumulation Evaluation of Potential Microplastic Particles in Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Goro Sacca (Adriatic Sea, Italy)
Authors: Pizzurro Federica , Recchi Sara , Nerone Eliana , Salini Romolo , Barile Nadia Beatrice
Published: June 2022

Microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) are present throughout the marine environment and are recognized as an emerging threat to aquatic ecosystems. Filter feeding organisms, such as mussels, are considered as bioindicators of MP pollution and are useful to evaluate the potential risks of MPs to human health. The work presented shows data on potential MPs found in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples collected from the Adriatic Sea during two sampling sections (1st sampling: December 2019 and 2nd sampling: May 2020). The mussels were subjected to digestion with H2O2 individually and filtered and the MP elements found were observed using a stereomicroscope and ultimately categorized by shape, size class and color, with the aid of a digital camera and data acquisition software. The highest MP concentrations were observed in the mussels collected in December 2019 (1.11 microplastic items per gram wet weight of mussels’ tissue), highlighting the possible influence of the following two main factors: greater river discharges following adverse weather events and higher river water pollution due to industrial activities. Indeed, the second sampling was performed after the Italian lockdown, due to the COVID-19 emergency. MP fibers (50–80%) were the most abundant type of MPs identified, followed by fragments (10–40%), granules (1.5–2.5%), non-categorized shape (1–2%) and foam (<1%). The color black (50–70%) and sizes smaller than 500 µm were the most dominant characteristics recorded both in the 1st sampling (50–70%) and the 2nd survey (30–50%). These data could be overestimated, due to the lack of polymer identification. The results of this study provide further data on the importance of bivalves as environmental bioindicators with regard to the pollution of MPs in the Adriatic Sea, supporting their instrumental role as environmental bioindicators for MP pollution.
An Efficient Parallel Version of Dynamic Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Grid Maroua , Belaiche Leila , Kahloul Laid , Benharzallah Saber
Published: June 2022

Multi-objective optimization evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) belong to heuristic methods proposed for solving multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs). In fact, MOEAs search for a uniformly distributed, near-optimal, and near-complete Pareto front for a given MOP. However, several MOEAs fail to achieve their aim completely due to their fixed population size. To overcome this shortcoming, Dynamic Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (DMOEA) [20] was proposed. Although DMOEA has the distinction of dynamic population size, it still suffers from a long execution time. To deal with the last disadvantage, we have proposed previously a Parallel Dynamic Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (PDMOEA) [10] to obtain efficient results in less execution time than the sequential counterparts, in order to tackle more complex problems. This paper is an extended version of [10] and it aims to demonstrate the efficiency of PDMOEA through more experimentations and comparisons. We firstly compare DMOEA with other multi-objective evolutionary algorithms Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm ( SPEA-II), then we present an exhaustive comparison of PDMOEA versus DMOEA and discuss how the number of used processors influences the efficiency of PDMOEA. As experimental results, PDMOEA enhances DMOEA in terms of three criteria: improving the objective space, minimizing the computational time, and converging to the desired population size. Finally, the paper establishes a new formula relating the suitable number of processes, required in PDMOEA, and the number of necessary generations to converge to the optimal solutions.
THE FREQUENCY OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF TONGUE, PULSE AND SYNDROMES ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN ASTHMA PATIENTS
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang , Nguyen Thi Tan , Nguyen Van Hung , Le Thi Thu Thao
Published: June 2022

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, which is usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It is a global disease that is not only life - threatening to patients but financial burden to family as well as the society. According to Traditional Medicine, Asthma is related to the scope of wheezing and dyspnea. There is a variety of symptoms and syndromes in this disease. However, the classification of symptoms and clinical forms of traditional medicine from different literature sources is not really the same. Objectives: To survey the frequency of occurrence of the tongue and pulse symptoms, syndromes clinical according to traditional medicine and Determine some factors related to the occurrence of clinical presentation in patients with Asthma. Materials and method: A cross sectional study 102 patients has been
diagnosed with asthma and treatment at the Department of General Internal Medicine - Endocrinology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and at the Department of Endocrinology - Neurology - Respiratory, Hue Central Hospital from 7/2020 đến 3/2021. Results: The symptoms of the tongue: About the tongue color: 27.5% pale tongue. About the tongue shape: 27.9% enlarged tongue. About the tongue fur: 56.7% white fur; 18.3% dry fur; 41% thick fur. The symptoms of the pulse: 72.1% sunken pulse, About frequency pulse: 25% rapid and a little rapid. The syndromes: lung qi deficiency is dominant in Asthma which accounts for 41.2%, kidney yang deficiency 25.5%, spleen deficiency 3.9%. Conclusion: Symptoms have high rate such as pale red tongue, white fur, moist fur thick fur, moderate pulse, sunken pulse. Symptoms have low rate such as wet fur, exfoliated fur. Lung qi deficiency and kidney yang deficiency have high rate and spleen
deficiency have low rate. There were significant relationships between syndromes and tongue color, tongue fur color, and pulse frequency (p < 0.05).

Key words: frequency, symptoms of tongue, symptoms of pulse, syndrome, asthma, traditional medicine.
EVALUATION OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY CHARACTERISTICS OF COLON CANCERS
Authors: Nguyen Huu Tri , Duong Hieu
Published: June 2022

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world as well as in Vietnam. The clinical symptoms are usually nonspecific and prominent late in colon cancer depending on the tumor location, tumor size and presence of metastasis. It has now become possible to early detection of colon cancer. The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical, laboratory characteristics and the differences between right side and left side of colon cancer. Methods: A prospective study consisted of 30 colon cancers, who had undergone laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer at Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from October 2017 to January 2021. Results: Mean age of 30 patients was 58.8 ± 14.8 years. Mean age of left colon cancer patients was significantly higher than in right colon cancer (64.7 vs 52.1 years, p = 0.015) The majority of colorectal cancers occur in people aged 50 to 79. Male/female ratio was 2.0. The mean BMI was 21.3 ± 2.1, 10.0% of patients were underweight and 22.3% of patients were overweight or obese. The most common clinical symptoms were abdominal pain (86.7%) and bloody mucus in stool (43.4%). The mean hemoglobin was 117.4 ± 29.1 g/l. The mean hemoglobin of right colon cancer patients was lower than in the left side (109.7 vs 124.1 g/l). However, this difference was no statistically significant (p = 0.183). Elevated CEA levels was found in 38.1% patients. The concentration of CEA increased with the degree of invasion of the tumor (5.3 ng/ml in Tis-1 and 9.9 ng / ml in T3, 4). The most common site of the tumor was sigmoid colon (46.7%). The mean size of tumors on CT Scan was 49.0 mm. Conclusion: Colon cancer was more common in male than in female with the mean age of 58.8 years. The most common clinical symptom was abdominal pain. The mean hemoglobin of right colon cancer patients was lower than in the left side. The CEA level increased with the degree of invasion of the tumor
Key words: Colon cancer, left-sided colon cancer, right-sided colon cancer, CEA, Hemoglobin.
DEPRESSION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY-BASED DEPRESSION INTERVENTION PROGRAMME FOR ELDERLY IN QUANG NGAI CITY
Authors: Do Van Dieu , Doan Vuong Diem Khanh , Tran Nhu Minh Hang , Nguyen Thi Tram Anh
Published: June 2022

Introduction: With the growing elderly population in Vietnam and the increasing impact of mental health problems, the prevention of these disorders should be emphasized and support programs in the community are needed. Objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of depression using the GDS-30 scale; 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of community intervention in preventing depression. Methods: A quasi-experimental survey with pretest/posttest design was adopted. A cross-sectional survey of 1572 elderly people to determine the prevalence and factors related to depression. The next step was to implement a community intervention program on 402 people (intervention group) and 384 people (control group). Results: The prevalence of depression in the elderly population was 18.8% (mild: 12.1%, moderate: 6.5%; and severe: 0.2%). Finding from posttest of intervention, the prevalence of depression in intervention group and control group was 12.4% (mild 7.7%, moderate 4.7%), 19.5% (mild 13.8%; moderate 5.5%), respectively. The effectiveness of the intervention program was reported to reduce the prevalence of depression compared to baseline by 34.0% and to control group by 31.3%. Conclusion: the finding indicates that depression among elderly people is prevalent in the community, accounting for 18.8%. The community intervention program to reduce the risk of depression has proven to be effective and it is necessary to recommend the health department to disseminate this model locally.
"

Key words: Effective; community intervention; Depression of the elderly; Quang Ngai city
APPLICATION OF GLACIAL ACETIC ACID, ETHANOL, WATER AND FORMALIN (GEWF) SOLUTION FOR LYMPH NODE RETRIEVAL FOLLOWING LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRECTOMY AND LAPAROSCOPIC COLECTOMY
FOR CANCER
Authors: Nguyen Minh Thao , Pham Anh Vu , Nguyen Doan Van Phu , Dang Nhu Thanh , Ho Quoc Khanh , Nguyen Tran Bao Song , Dang Cong Thuan
Published: June 2022

The number of lymph node retrieval is an important factor in the staging of gastrointestinal cancers, especially gastric and colorectal neoplasm. The concept that at least 12 lymph nodes for colorectal cancer and 15 lymph nodes for gastric cancer should be evaluated as a quality measure. To increase the number of lymph node harvesting, besides the correct implementation of surgical principles and systematic lymphadenectomy, the retrieval of lymph nodes from the patient’s specimen is also a significant issue. There are many methods to support lymph node revealing more convenient than harvesting on fresh specimens. Here we report the application of Formol-Alcohol-Acetic Acid solution in evaluating the possibility of lymph node harvesting after laparoscopic gastrectomy and colectomy for cancer. The number of lymph nodes found was a significant
increase, with 88 in the colon and 40 in the gastric specimen.

Key words: Lymph node retrieval, GEWF, Formol-Alcohol-Acetic Acid, gastric cancer, colon cancer
THE VALUE OF THE INDEX FINGER VEIN METHOD OF THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TO DIAGNOSE THE LEVEL OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN
Authors: Nguyen Thien Phuoc , Nguyen Ngoc Le , Le Thi Minh Thao , Nguyen Viet Phuong Nguyen , Nguyen Thi Tan
Published: June 2022

Background: The practice of studying the index finger vein has been common in the oriental traditional medicine for children under three years of age. Based on the form, length, color, depth, caliber of the Venae digitales Palmares the traditional physician for the diagnosis and prognosis of Pediatric diseases. Objectives: To determine the value of this method to diagnose the level of acute malnutrion in the children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by the finger pulse method in 127 children from 2 months to 5 years old, including: 35 healthy children and 92 acute malnutrition children. Results: The diagnositic method utilizing the location of index finger vein passing through Qi Gate as a prognostic factor of severe acute malnutrion in children would be accurate (A): 74%, speccificity (Sp): 81%, sensitivity (Se): 60%, Positive predictive value (Vp): 60%. Conclusions: The level of acute severe malnutrition in community can be diagnosed by this method.

Key words: Acute malnutrion, finger pulse method, children, traditional medicine.
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS DENGUE FEVER PREVENTION - AEDES LARVAE INDICES OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HUE CITY - A CASE CONTROL STUDY
Authors: Pham Duy Phuong Nhi , Nguyen Van Hoa
Published: June 2022

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is a life-threatening infectious disease, which was transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the best preventive strategy is focusing on killing mosquitoes, larvae and preventing mosquito bites, based on the awareness of DF and correctly practicing of DF prevention in the community. A study in Malaysia (2011-2012) showed that lack of knowledge and ineffectiveness in practicing preventive measures could be a risk of DF. This study was commenced to assess the level of knowledge and practice
towards DF prevention, besides identifying the Aedes larval indices of households in Hue city and investigate risk factors for the development of DF. Materials and method: We conducted a case-control study with a defined group of 61 DF cases from May 1 to October 31, 2019, the selection of cases and controls in the ratio of 1:2 with the same basic characteristics (age, gender, location); interview and observe based on the structured questionnaire to collect data, data was analysed using SPSS through a few statistical analyses. Results: We found that 39.3% participants in cases and 41.8% participants in controls having good knowledge regarding DF and only 26.2% participants in cases and 33.6% participants in controls having good practices of DF prevention. Aedes larvae indices of cases is higher than that of controls, there were no statistically significant differences in the house index from cases and controls (p>0.05). The risk factor analysis indicated that the job that spend less time at home more at risk of DF than the others (OR=2.79, 95%OR: 1.32-5.87), no use mosquitoes’ essential oil/repellent (OR=2.21, 95%OR: 1.04-4.68), the stable near house (OR=4.86, 95%OR: 1.21-19.51) were independent risk factors for the development of DF. Conclusion: A large number of participants didn’t demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and the right practice towards DF prevention, there were no statistically significant differences in the house index from cases and controls, there was a significant correlation between job, environment, use safeguard measures and a risk of DF.
Key words: knowledge, practice, larval indices, dengue fever.
Forensic Trails Obfuscation and Preservation via Hard Drive Firmware
Authors: Underhill Paul , Oyinloye Toyosi , Speakman Lee , Eze Thaddeus
Published: June 2022

The hard disk drive stores data the user is creating, modifying, and deleting while a firmware facilitates communication between the drive and the operating system. The firmware tells the device and machine how to communicate with each other and will share useful information such as, disk size and information on any bad sectors. Current research shows that exploits exist that can manipulate these outputs. As an attacker, you can change the size of the disk displayed to the operating system to hide data in, likewise by marking an area of the disk as bad. Users may not be aware of these changes as the operating system will accept the readings from the firmware. However, although the data is not reachable via the operating system this paper looks at the traceability of manipulated data using data recovery software FTK Imager, Recuva, EaseUS and FEX Imager.

This report examines the use of malicious techniques to thwart digital forensic procedures by manipulating the firmware. It is shown how this is possible and current forensic techniques or software does not easily detect a change within the firmware. However, with the use of various forensic tools, obfuscated trails are detectable. This report follows a black box testing methodology to show the validation of forensic tools or software against anti-forensic techniques. The analysis of the results showed that most tools can find the firmware changes, however, it requires an analyst to spot the subtle differences between standard and manipulated devices. The use of multiple software tools can help an analyst spot the inconsistencies.
Automatic Construction of Hardware Traffic Validators
Authors: Taylor Stephen , Dahlstrom Jason , Baker Ellie , Guzman Brandon
Published: June 2022

This paper describes a fully automated process that creates a custom hardware traffic validator directly from a formal grammar and deploys it within a specialized network security appliance. The appliance appears as a hidden, all-hardware “bump-in-the-wire” that can be inserted within any network segment; it stores and validates messages on-the-fly, and either forwards or drops individual packets in real-time. Consequently, it serves to disrupt and mitigate stealthy remote attacks that leverage zero-day exploits and persistent implants. Allowed traffic, files, and mission payload formats are specified formally using a standard Look-Ahead, Left-to-Right (LALR) grammar that operates on ASCII and/or binary data. The grammars can be expressed either in Backus-Naur Form (BNF), used by industry standard tools such as Bison, or through state-of-the-art combinators, such as Hammer, under development within the DARPA SafeDocs program. Bison and Hammer compiler tools are used to generate standard shift/reduce parsing tables. These tables are post-processed to improve their compactness and practical viability. The optimized tables are then combined with a generic push-down automaton to form a complete parser. The parser is then automatically transformed into a hardware circuit using High-Level Synthesis (HLS). The result is a composable block of circuitry that can be directly inserted into a generic communications harness embedded within a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the network appliance.
Model for State Cyber Power: Case Study of Russian Behaviour
Authors: MATTILA JUHA KAI
Published: June 2022

The emerging cyber environment with new information channels provides a novel avenue for states to project their powers to govern their residents and fulfil their international ambitions. The recent manipulation of elections, coercing companies, blackmailing citizens, and suppressing essential infrastructure services reflects an increased activity and development both by state and non-state entities in the cyber environment. Several models for inter-state power projection are created in studies of international relationships, military strategy, and, recently, hybrid warfare. Do these models recognise the foundational transformation in international power projection? Do they explain the current national cyber strategies? Can they help foresee the possible developments of power projection in international confrontations?
The paper seeks a bigger picture from other power strategies in fulfilling the state’s political ambitions. Furthermore, the paper explores the evolution of the cyber environment and its possible emerging features for international power projection. A constructive research method builds a multiple domain power projection model by combining systems thinking with various models from international relationships, military strategies, business strategies to classical decision making. Finally, the feasibility of the model is tested in a case study of Russian cyber strategies and actions between 2007-2020 from a positivistic approach. As a result, the model seems to help explain the past cyber power-wielding and provide insights into current national cyber policies. Further testing is required to evaluate the model’s feasibility in creating a foresight. Nevertheless, the proposed state-level cyber power projection model extends the existing models with a system dynamics viewpoint. Additionally, it adds the dimension of evolution to consider the future changes of international power projections in the information realm. Hence, the model improves the ability of national defence planners to study cyber strategies and estimate the lines of operation and impact of cyber operations.
Including Human Behaviors into IA Training Assessment: A Better Way Forward!
Authors: Collier Henry
Published: June 2022

Few can argue against the reality that humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, and Social Engineers work very hard to take advantage of this human weakness.  Many cybersecurity practitioners believe the only way to solve this problem is through a technical solution; however, this solution is elusive because humans are still in control and can circumvent these technical measures.  In cybersecurity, the human is the critical component of the human firewall, and it is going to take a multi-disciplinary approach to solve the human problem.  The human firewall is the first line of defense for cybersecurity.  Historically, the primary solution to the human problem has been the Information Awareness training program, designed to teach the end-user about the risks and assess their risk.  The biggest problem with the information awareness training program is that it does not modify behavior.  Cybersecurity practitioners need to understand better the human firewall and how it can be strengthened.  It is necessary to understand how the human makes security-minded decisions, how these decisions affect the cybersecurity decision-making process, and if there is a way to assess a person's susceptibility level more precisely when working to strengthen the human firewall.  Humans are multifaceted, complex beings influenced by both internal and external factors.  The most significant internal factor that affects a person's decision-making process is behavior, while Social Media is one of the most significant external factors that impact a person's decision-making capacity.  This study presents a new method of assessing a person's susceptibility to cybercrime by including behavioral and social media usage factors into a Dynamic/Adaptable information awareness training assessment tool.  This study shows that including human behaviors and social media usage behaviors into an Information Awareness (IA) training assessment tool produces a more precise measure of a person's accurate susceptibility level.
Effective Cyber Threat Hunting: Where and how does it fit?
Authors: Ntingi Nombeko , Duvenage Petrus , Du Toit Jaco , Von Solms Sebastian
Published: June 2022

Traditionally threat detection in organisations is reactive through pre-defined and preconfigured rules that are embedded in automated tools such as firewalls, anti-virus software, security information and event management (SIEMs) and intrusion detection systems/intrusion prevention systems (IDS/IPS). As the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) brings with it an exponential increase in technological advances and global interconnectivity, the cyberspace presents security risks and threats the scale of which is unprecedented. These security risks and threats have the potential of exposing confidential information, damaging the reputation of credible organisations and/or inflicting harm. The regular occurrence and complexity of cyber intrusions makes the guarding enterprise and government networks a daunting task. Nation states and businesses need to be ingenious and consider innovative and proactive means of safeguarding their valuable assets. The growth of technological, physical and biological worlds necessitates the adoption of a proactive approach towards safeguarding cyber space.

This paper centers on cyber threat hunting (CTH) as one such proactive and important measure that can be adopted. The paper has a central contention that effective CTH cannot be an autonomous ‘plug in’ or a standalone intervention. To be effective CTH has to be synergistically integrated with relevant existing fields and practices. Academic work on such conceptual integration of where CTH fits is scarce. Within the confines of the paper we do not attempt to integrate CTH with many of the various relevant fields and practices. Instead, we limit the scope to postulations on CTH’s interface with two fields of central importance in cyber security, namely Cyber Counterintelligence (CCI) and Cyber Threat Monitoring and Analysis (CTMA). The paper’s corresponding two primary objectives are to position CTH within the broader field of CCI and further contextualise CTH within the CTMA domain. The postulations we advanced are qualified as tentative, exploratory work to be expanded on. The paper concludes with observations on further research.
Planning the building a SOC - A Conceptual Process Model
Authors: Jacobs Pierre , Von Solms Sebastiaan
Published: June 2022

There are few frameworks available to consult when building Security Operation Centers (SOCs). (P. Jacobs, 2015). Jacobs proposed such a framework, and this paper builds on the “Planning” part of that framework. The authors could not find any existing conceptual process models where it comes to the planning phase when building SOCs. We propose a conceptual process model to follow during the planning phase of the SOC. Conceptual models are used to represent systems typically made up of the composition of concepts (Robinson; Arbez; Birta; Tolk; Wagner, 2015). The aim of our conceptual process model is to help SOC builders understand the proposed process to be followed during the SOC planning phase and is meant to guide the SOC builder's thinking during the planning phase.

 

The conceptual process model will start by determining the services that the SOC in development will be offering, followed by deciding on a SOC model. After the determination of the SOC services and model we will identify the technologies and tools to facilitate the services, keeping in consideration the influence the SOC model has on the service. For each of the steps in our conceptual model we have identified existing, public frameworks, standards or best practices. Our conceptual process model will be mapped to these frameworks, standards or best practices with the intention to be used to augment our model.
The Emergence of IIoT and its Cyber Security Issues in Critical Information Infrastructure
Authors: Bhaiyat Humairaa , Sithungu Siphesihle
Published: June 2022

The emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can transform and improve industrial domain processes. This is achieved by IIoT’s ability to collect and process vast amounts of data using technology such as sensors. IIoT capabilities can improve the manufacturing processes of these sectors and contribute to the improved functioning of critical information infrastructure. In addition, current trends - such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) - use IIoT to realise specific goals. While the emergence of IIoT systems does introduce many benefits, such as improved efficiency and sustainability, it can also introduce security concerns. These security concerns pose a significant threat to the industrial domain, including critical information infrastructures. The resulting threats emphasise the need to implement solutions to secure IIoT systems. The paper aims to discuss the emergence of IIoT and its cyber security issues within the context of critical information infrastructure. The research paper follows a theoretical research methodology to provide an improved understanding of the emergence of IIoT and its cyber security issues in critical information infrastructure. The paper contains an exhaustive discussion of what is IIoT. A discussion on where IIoT fits within the context of critical information infrastructure and its impact on 4IR is also highlighted in the paper. Due to the many vulnerabilities that IIoT systems can contain, the paper also discusses security concerns surrounding the emergence of IIoT. The security concerns make IIoT systems attractive targets for cyberattacks. Therefore, different approaches that can be applied to secure IIoT systems is also provided. Since IIoT capabilities can impact the critical information infrastructure of businesses and nations, the authors’ stance on how IIoT systems could transform the current understanding of critical information infrastructure is also discussed.
Layer 8 Tarpits:
Authors: Virtanen Toni , Simola Petteri
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a concept for utilising falsified documents and disinformation as a security measure by diminishing the utility of the stolen information for the attacker. Classical definition of tarpitting honeypots is to create virtual servers attractive to worms and other malware that answer their connection attempts in such a way that the machine on the other end becomes stuck. A common extension to the OSI model is to refer the user as the layer 8 on top of the application layer. By generating attractive looking but falsified documents and datasets within our secured network along with the real information, we could be able to force the malicious user on the other end similarly to be 'stuck' as they need to dig through and verify all the information they have managed to steal. This in effect slows down the opponents' decision making speed, can make their activity in the network more visible and possibly even mislead them. The concept has similarities to the Canary trap or Barium Meal type of tests, and using Honey tokens to help identify who might be the leaker or from which database the data was stolen. However, the amount of falsified data or fake entries in databases in our concept is significantly larger and the main purpose is to diminish the utility of the stolen data or otherwise leaked information. The requirement to verify the information and scan through piles of documents trying to found the real information among them can give more time to the defender to react if the attack was noticed. It will also reduce the value of the information if it is just dumped in the open, as its contents and authenticity can be more easily questioned. AI powered methods such as the GPT-3 that can generate massive amounts very realistic looking text which is hard to differentiate from human generated texts could make this type of concept more feasible to the defender to utilise. The shortcoming of this concept is the risk that legitimate end-users could also confuse the real and falsified information together if that is not prevented somehow.