bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verification and Validation of Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations of a FOWT Semi-Submersible Under Bichromatic and Random Waves
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Hamn-Ching
Published: December 2022

In the present work, an extensive verification and validation study is performed to evaluate the accuracy and credibility for computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations of the hydrodynamic responses of a semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform under bichromatic waves and random waves. A dynamic mooring model is coupled with the CFD code to accurately simulate the mooring system. For the bichromatic wave cases, the surge, heave, and pitch response amplitude operators (RAOs) at wave frequencies, mean surge offset and mean surge force of the semi-submersible platform are investigated. The numerical uncertainties of the above metrics are quantified, which are primarily sourced from the discretization uncertainty. For the random wave cases, the surge, heave, and pitch power spectral density (PSD) sums in wave frequency range and low frequency range are validated against the experimental results. The numerical uncertainty derived from the bichromatic wave cases is applied in the validation of the random wave cases. The PSD sums in wave frequency range have achieved the validation within the validation uncertainty. Though the PSD sums in low-frequency range are under-predicted, the results with the utilization of the CFD code agree more with the experimental value than the results from mid-fidelity tools.
Auditory orientation and distance estimation of sighted humans using virtual echolocation with artificial and self-generated sounds
Authors: Steffens Henning , Schutte Michael , Ewert Stephan D.
Published: December 2022

Active echolocation of sighted humans using predefined synthetic and self-emitted sounds, as habitually used by blind individuals, was investigated. Using virtual acoustics, distance estimation and directional localization of a wall in different rooms were assessed. A virtual source was attached to either the head or hand with realistic or increased source directivity. A control condition was tested with a virtual sound source located at the wall. Untrained echolocation performance comparable to performance in the control condition was achieved on an individual level. On average, the echolocation performance was considerably lower than in the control condition, however, it benefitted from increased directivity.
Adapted Physical Educators Navigating Relationships With School Administrators
Authors: Richards Kevin Andrew , McNamara Scott , Trad Alyssa M. , Hill Lauren , Abdallah Sarena
Published: December 2022

School administrators represent key agents of socialization for teachers within their schools, including adapted physical educators who design and implement instruction for youth with disabilities, often across multiple school sites. The purpose of this study was to understand how adapted physical educators navigate and build relationships with administrators in the schools where they teach. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 24 adapted physical educators from the U.S. state of California and analyzed using a multiphase approach. Analysis suggested both the importance of and challenges with building effective relationships with administrators. Themes included the following: (a) Administrators do not understand adapted physical education, which impacts programs and students; (b) the importance of relationship building in cultivating principal support; and (c) relationship development requires intentionality, but results in trust and motivation. Results are discussed using role socialization theory, and recommendations for the preparation of both adapted physical educators and school principals are discussed.
Conjugative IncC Plasmid Entry Triggers the SOS Response and Promotes Effective Transfer of the Integrative Antibiotic Resistance Element SGI1
Authors: Pons Marine C. , Praud Karine , Da Re Sandra , Cloeckaert Axel , Doublet Benoît
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial resistance has become a major public health issue, particularly with the increase of multidrug resistance (MDR) in both animal and human pathogenic bacteria and with the emergence of resistance to medically important antibiotics. The spread between bacteria of successful mobile genetic elements, such as conjugative plasmids and integrative elements conferring multidrug resistance, is the main driving force in the dissemination of acquired antibiotic resistances among Gram-negative bacteria.
A major Miocene deepwater mud canopy system: The North Sabah–Pagasa Wedge, northwestern Borneo
Authors: Morley C.K. , Promrak W. , Apuanram W. , Chaiyo P. , Chantraprasert S. , Ong D. , Suphawajruksakul A. , Thaemsiri N. , Tingay M.
Published: December 2022

Three-dimensional seismic reflection data, well data, and analogues from areas with extensive shale tectonics indicate that the enigmatic deepwater “shale nappe or thrust sheet” region of northern offshore Sabah, Malaysia, now referred to as the North Sabah–Pagasa Wedge (NSPW), is actually a region of major mobile shale activity characterized by mini-basins and mud pipes, chambers, and volcanoes. A short burst of extensive mud volcano activity produced a submarine mud canopy complex composed of ~50 mud volcano centers (each probably composed of multiple mud volcanoes) that cover individual areas of between 4 and 80 km2. The total area of dense mud canopy development is ~1900 km2. During the middle Miocene, the post-collisional NSPW was composed predominantly of overpressured shales that were loaded by as much as 4 km thickness of clastics in a series of mini-basins. Following mini-basin development, there was a very important phase of mud volcanism, which built extensive mud canopies (coalesced mud flows) and vent complexes. The mud canopies affected deposition of the overlying and interfingering deposits, including late middle to early late Miocene deepwater turbidite sandstones, which are reservoirs in some fields (e.g., Rotan field). The presence of the extensive mud volcanoes indicates very large volumes of gas had to be generated within the NSPW to drive the mud volcanism. The Sabah example is only the second mud canopy system to be described in the literature and is the largest and most complex.
Tectonic setting of metamorphism and exhumation of eclogite-facies rocks in the South Beishan orogen, northwestern China
Authors: Li Jie , Wu Chen , Chen Xuanhua , Yin An , Zuza Andrew V. , Haproff Peter J. , Chen Yanfei , Wang Luojuan , Shao Zhaogang
Published: December 2022

High-pressure metamorphic rocks occur as distinct belts along subduction zones and collisional orogens or as isolated blocks within orogens or mélanges and represent continental materials that were subducted to deep depths and subsequently exhumed to the shallow crust. Understanding the burial and exhumation processes and the sizes and shapes of the high-pressure blocks is important for providing insight into global geodynamics and plate tectonic processes. The South Beishan orogen of northwestern China is notable for the exposure of early Paleozoic high-pressure (HP), eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks, yet the tectonism associated with the HP metamorphism and mechanism of exhumation are poorly understood despite being key to understanding the tectonic evolution of the larger Central Asian Orogenic System. To address this issue, we examined the geometries, kinematics, and overprinting relationships of structures and determined the temperatures and timings of deformation and metamorphism of the HP rocks of the South Beishan orogen. Geochronological results show that the South Beishan orogen contains ca. 1.55–1.35 Ga basement metamorphic rocks and ca. 970–866 Ma granitoids generated during a regional tectono-magmatic event. Ca. 500–450 Ma crustal thickening and HP metamorphism may have been related to regional contraction in the South Beishan orogen. Ca. 900–800 Ma protoliths experienced eclogite-facies metamorphism (~1.2–2.1 GPa and ~700–800 °C) in thickened lower crust. These HP rocks were subsequently exhumed after ca. 450 Ma to mid-crustal depths in the footwall of a regional detachment fault during southeast-northwest–oriented crustal extension, possibly as the result of rollback of a subducted oceanic slab. Prior to ca. 438 Ma, north-south–oriented contraction resulted in isoclinal folding of the detachment fault and HP rocks. Following this contractional phase in the middle Mesozoic, the South Beishan orogen experienced thrusting interpreted to be the response to the closure of the Tethyan and Paleo-Asian Ocean domains. This contractional phase was followed by late Mesozoic extension and subsequent surface erosion that controlled exhumation of the HP rocks.
Flexible treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus adjusted according to intrauterine fetal growth versus treatment according to strict maternal glycemic parameters: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Fernández-López Manuela , Blanco-Carnero José Eliseo , Guardia-Baena Juan Manuel , de Paco-Matallana Catalina , Aragón-Alonso Aurora , Hernández-Martínez Antonio Miguel
Published: December 2022

Introduction

To compare the conventional treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with flexible treatment according to the measurement of fetal abdominal circumference (AC) in daily clinical practice.

Research design and methods

Two hundred and sixty pregnant women diagnosed with GDM before week 34 were randomly placed in two groups: a control group, treated according to maternal capillary glycemia, and an experimental group, treated according to ultrasound parameters of fetal growth. The glycemic targets in the control group were blood glucose levels when fasting and 1 hour postprandial (<95/140 mg/dL). In the experimental group, glycemic targets depended on the percentile (p) of fetal AC: if AC p <75th, then blood glucose targets when fasting and at 1 hour postprandial were <120/180 mg/dL; and if AC p ≥75th, then the glycemic targets were <80/120 mg/dL. The follow-up of both groups was scheduled according to the GDM protocol of our diabetes and gestation unit.

Results

The study was completed by 246 pregnant women, 125 in the control group and 121 in the experimental group. In the experimental group, insulin treatment and neonatal hypoglycemia were significantly lower (p=0.018 and p 0.035, respectively). No differences were observed in large and small infants according to gestational age. However, macrosomic infants were less frequent in the experimental group, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. In terms of gestation complications, the type of delivery and its complications and the rest of the neonatal complications analyzed, no significant differences were observed.

Conclusions

The treatment of flexible GDM according to the measurement of fetal AC is safe for the mother and the fetus and almost halves the number of pregnant women who require insulin treatment, without increasing the number of ultrasound checks or medical visits.
Doctors’ experiences of providing care in rural hospitals in Southern New Zealand: a qualitative study
Authors: Hedman Mante , Doolan-Noble Fiona , Stokes Tim , Brännström Margareta
Published: December 2022

Objective

To explore rural hospital doctors’ experiences of providing care in New Zealand rural hospitals.

Design

The study had a qualitative design, using qualitative content analysis.

Setting

The study was conducted in South Island, New Zealand, and included nine different rural hospitals.

Respondents

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 rural hospital doctors.

Results

Three themes were identified: ‘Applying a holistic perspective in the care’, ‘striving to maintain patient safety in sparsely populated areas’ and ‘cooperating in different teams around the patient’. Rural hospital care more than general hospital care was seen as offering a holistic perspective on patient care based on closeness to their home and family, the generalist perspective of care and personal continuity. The presentation of acute life-threatening low-frequency conditions at rural hospitals were associated with feelings of concern due to limited access to ambulance transportation and lack of experience.

Overall, however, patient safety in rural hospitals was considered equal or better than in general hospitals. Doctors emphasised the central role of rural hospitals in the healthcare pathways of rural patients, and the advantages and disadvantages with small non-hierarchical multidisciplinary teams caring for patients. Collaboration with hospital specialists was generally perceived as good, although there was a sense that urban colleagues do not understand the additional medical and practical assessments needed in rural compared with the urban context.

Conclusions

This study provides an understanding of how rural hospital doctors value the holistic generalist perspective of rural hospital care, and of how they perceive the quality and safety of that care. The long distances to general hospital care for acute cases were considered concerning.
Prospective observational study of the challenges in diagnosing common neonatal conditions in Nigeria and Kenya
Authors: Staunton Aimee P , Nabwera Helen M , Allen Stephen J , Tongo Olukemi O , Akindolire Abimbola E , Abdulkadir Isa , Ezeaka Chinyere V , Ezenwa Beatrice N , Fajolu Iretiola B , Imam Zainab O , Umoru Dominic D , Otieno Walter , Nalwa Grace M , Olwala Macrine , Talbert Alison W , Andang'o Pauline E A , Mwangome Martha K , Abubakar Ismaela , Embleton Nicholas D
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Accurate and timely diagnosis of common neonatal conditions is crucial for reducing neonatal deaths. In low/middle-income countries with limited resources, there is sparse information on how neonatal diagnoses are made. The aim of this study was to describe the diagnostic criteria used for common conditions in neonatal units (NNUs) in Nigeria and Kenya.

Design

Prospective observational study. Standard case report forms for suspected sepsis, respiratory disorders, birth asphyxia and abdominal conditions were co-developed by the Neonatal Nutrition Network (https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/nnu) collaborators. Clinicians completed forms for all admissions to their NNUs. Key data were displayed using heatmaps.

Setting

Five NNUs in Nigeria and two in Kenya comprising the Neonatal Nutrition Network.

Participants

2851 neonates, which included all neonates admitted to the seven NNUs over a 6-month period.

Results

1230 (43.1%) neonates had suspected sepsis, 874 (30.6%) respiratory conditions, 587 (20.6%) birth asphyxia and 71 (2.5%) abdominal conditions. For all conditions and across all NNUs, clinical criteria were used consistently with sparse use of laboratory and radiological criteria.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the reliance on clinical criteria and extremely limited use of diagnostic technologies for common conditions in NNUs in sub-Saharan Africa. This has implications for the management of neonatal conditions which often have overlapping clinical features. Strategies for implementation of diagnostic pathways and investment in affordable and sustainable diagnostics are needed to improve care for these vulnerable infants.
Individual-level social capital is associated with depressive symptoms among middle-aged community dwellers in rural Vietnam: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Do An Dang , Pham Thuy Thi Phuong , Nguyen Chau Que , Hoang Dong Van , Fukunaga Ami , Stickley Andrew , Yazawa Aki , Phan Danh Cong , Hachiya Masahiko , Jimba Masamine , Huynh Dong Van , Le Huy Xuan , Do Hung Thai , Mizoue Tetsuya , Inoue Yosuke
Published: December 2022

Objectives

There has been comparatively little research on the association between social capital and depressive symptoms in low- and middle-income countries. To address this deficit this study examined the association among middle-aged adults in rural Vietnam.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data came from the baseline survey of the Khánh Hòa Cardiovascular Study, which is an ongoing prospective cohort study aiming to elucidate the determinants of cardiovascular diseases.

Participants

A total of 3000 people aged 40–60 years old residing in rural communes in Khánh Hòa province, Vietnam.

Exposure of interest

Cognitive social capital (ie, low, middle and high) and structural social capital (in terms of social participation; yes or no) were assessed via a questionnaire.

Primary outcome measure

Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

Results

A robust Poisson regression model revealed that adults in the highest versus lowest cognitive social capital tertile had a 61% lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (prevalence ratio (PR)=0.39, 95% CI=0.31 to 0.49). Individuals with higher structural social capital were also significantly less likely to experience depressive symptoms (PR=0.74, 95% CI=0.61 to 0.90).

Conclusion

In a cohort of 3000 middle-aged rural residents in Vietnam, both cognitive and structural social capital assessed at the individual level were inversely associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms.
Effects of different surgical treatments on children with ankyloglossia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Chongqing , Li Qi-Qi , Zhang Ruo-Zhen , Chen Sheng-Lan , Xia Fei-Fei , Zhou Zheng
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Ankyloglossia is a situation where the tongue tip cannot go beyond the mandibular incisor because the frenulum linguae is short. It could affect children’s health by interfering with their ability to talk, breast feeding and dental development. The most effective measure to control ankyloglossia is the surgical method. However, which surgical procedure is the best one is still controversial. Thus, this protocol aims to assess the effectiveness of different surgical interventions in children with ankyloglossia.

Methods and analysis

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and OVID will be searched for relevant information from inception to 31 May 2022. Observational studies in English that investigate the association between surgical methods and ankyloglossia will be included in this protocol. This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. The Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for longitudinal studies will be used to assess the included studies. The improvement of breast feeding and nipple pain will be the primary outcome. STATA V.15.1 will do the statistical analysis in the meta-analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression will be carried out based on the characteristics of included studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review and meta-analysis will summarise relevant information on the effects of different surgical treatments on patients with ankyloglossia. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. The data included in this study will be extracted from the published original studies. Thus, ethical approval and informed consent will not be required.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022323350.
Medication administration errors and associated factors among nurses in Addis Ababa federal hospitals, Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohammed Tihitena , Mahmud Sindew , Gintamo Binyam , Mekuria Zelalem Negash , Gizaw Zemichael
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study was conducted to assess the magnitude and contributing factors of medication administration errors among nurses in federal hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Design

A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Data on medication administration and associated factors were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with medication administration errors on the basis of adjusted OR with 95% CI and a p value less than 0.05.

Setting

This study was conducted in federal hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Participants

Four hundred and twenty-three randomly selected nurses participated.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome variable is medication administration error, which was ascertained using the following errors: wrong medication, wrong dose, wrong time, wrong route, wrong patient, wrong drug preparation, wrong advice, wrong assessment and wrong documentations.

Results

A total of 59.9% (95% CI: 55.0% to 64.8%) of the nurses in the federal hospitals in Addis Ababa committed one or more medication administration errors in the last 12 months prior to the survey. The most commonly reported medication errors were wrong time (56.8%), wrong documentation (33.3%), wrong advice (27.8%) and wrong dose (20.1%). Medication administration errors among nurses were significantly associated with short work experience (adjusted OR (AOR): 6.48, 95% CI: 1.32 to 31.78), night shift work (AOR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.82 to 13.78), absence of on-the-job training (AOR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.67 to 6.00), unavailability of medication administration guidelines in wards (AOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.06) and interruptions during medication administration (AOR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.30 to 4.49).

Conclusion

It was found that a high proportion of nurses in federal hospitals committed medication administration errors. Short work experience, night shift work, absence of on-the-job training, unavailability of medication administration guidelines and interruptions during medication administration explained the high magnitude of medication administration errors.
TGFβ-derived immune modulatory vaccine: targeting the immunosuppressive and fibrotic tumor microenvironment in a murine model of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Perez-Penco Maria , Weis-Banke Stine Emilie , Schina Aimilia , Siersbæk Majken , Hübbe Mie Linder , Jørgensen Mia Aaboe , Lecoq Inés , Lara de la Torre Lucia , Bendtsen Simone Kloch , Martinenaite Evelina , Holmström Morten Orebo , Madsen Daniel Hargbøl , Donia Marco , Ødum Niels , Grøntved Lars , Andersen Mads Hald
Published: December 2022

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with very poor survival, making it the third and fourth leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the USA and European Union, respectively. The tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC is highly immunosuppressive and desmoplastic, which could explain the limited therapeutic effect of immunotherapy in PDAC. One of the key molecules that contributes to immunosuppression and fibrosis is transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). The aim of this study was to target the immunosuppressive and fibrotic TME in PDAC using a novel immune modulatory vaccine with TGFβ-derived peptides in a murine model of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Pan02 PDAC cells. Mice were treated with TGFβ1-derived peptides (major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II-restricted) adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 51VG. The presence of treatment-induced TGFβ-specific T cells was assessed by ELISpot (enzyme-linked immunospot). Changes in the immune infiltration and gene expression profile in tumor samples were characterized by flow cytometry, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and bulk RNA sequencing.

Results

Treatment with immunogenic TGFβ-derived peptides was safe and controlled tumor growth in Pan02 tumor-bearing mice. Enlargement of tumor-draining lymph nodes in vaccinated mice positively correlated to the control of tumor growth. Analysis of immune infiltration and gene expression in Pan02 tumors revealed that TGFβ-derived peptide vaccine increased the infiltration of CD8+T cells and the intratumoral M1/M2 macrophage ratio, it increased the expression of genes involved in immune activation and immune response to tumors, and it reduced the expression of myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-related genes and genes encoding fibroblast-derived collagens. Finally, we confirmed that TGFβ-derived peptide vaccine actively modulated the TME, as the ability of T cells to proliferate was restored when exposed to tumor-conditioned media from vaccinated mice compared with media from untreated mice.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the antitumor activity of TGFβ-derived multipeptide vaccination in a murine tumor model of PDAC. The data suggest that the vaccine targets immunosuppression and fibrosis in the TME by polarizing the cellular composition towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype. Our findings support the feasibility and potential of TGFβ-derived peptide vaccination as a novel immunotherapeutic approach to target immunosuppression in the TME.
Prognostic value of tumor-associated N1/N2 neutrophil plasticity in patients following radical resection of pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Qiangda , Yin Hanlin , Liu Siyao , Shoucair Sami , Ding Ni , Ji Yuan , Zhang Jicheng , Wang Dansong , Kuang Tiantao , Xu Xuefeng , Yu Jun , Wu Wenchuan , Pu Ning , Lou Wenhui
Published: December 2022

Background

As an integral part of the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor-associated neutrophils play a crucial role in tumor development. The objective of this study was to investigate the plasticity of tumor-associated N1 and N2 neutrophils in the TME of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), along with its impact on survival and association with immune infiltrations.

Methods

The primary and validation cohorts including 90 radical resection patients from September 2012 to May 2016 and 29 radical resection patients from September 2018 to October 2019, respectively, with complete survival data, were enrolled. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify tumor-associated N1 and N2 neutrophils, and the N1/N2 ratio was used to evaluate N1 and N2 plasticity. Thereafter, the association between tumor-associated N1/N2 neutrophil plasticity, clinical features, and immune infiltrations was investigated.

Results

There was a significant increase in tumor-associated N2 neutrophils compared with tumor-associated N1 neutrophils. Low N1/N2 ratios were associated with the poorer differentiation of tumors, easier lymph node metastases, and a higher TNM stage. The median overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the high tumor-associated N1 neutrophil group were significantly longer than those of the low group, while the tumor-associated N2 neutrophils played an opposite role. The multivariable analysis revealed that a high N1/N2 ratio was a significant prognostic indicator for OS and RFS. In addition, tumor-associated N1/N2 neutrophils showed an opposite correlation with tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and Tregs.

Conclusion

The plasticity of tumor-associated N1/N2 neutrophils was identified as a crucial prognostic indicator that might reflect the TME and immune escape in patients with PDAC. On further investigation and validation, our findings may be used to further stratify patients with varying prognoses to optimize treatment.
Percutaneous cervical sympathetic block to treat cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia: a review of the evidence
Authors: Bombardieri Anna Maria , Albers Gregory W , Rodriguez Samuel , Pileggi Marco , Steinberg Gary K , Heit Jeremy J
Published: December 2022

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) affects 30% of patients following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and is a major driver of morbidity, mortality, and intensive care unit length of stay for these patients. DCI is strongly associated with cerebral arterial vasospasm, reduced cerebral blood flow and cerebral infarction. The current standard treatment with intravenous or intra-arterial calcium channel antagonist and balloon angioplasty or stent has limited efficacy. A simple treatment such as a cervical sympathetic block (CSB) may be an effective therapy but is not routinely performed to treat vasospasm/DCI. CSB consists of injecting local anesthetic at the level of the cervical sympathetic trunk, which temporarily blocks the innervation of the cerebral arteries to cause arterial vasodilatation. CSB is a local, minimally invasive, low cost and safe technique that can be performed at the bedside and may offer significant advantages as complementary treatment in combination with more conventional neurointerventional surgery interventions. We reviewed the literature that describes CSB for vasospasm/DCI prevention or treatment in humans after aSAH. The studies outlined in this review show promising results for a CSB as a treatment for vasospasm/DCI. Further research is required to standardize the technique, to explore how to integrate a CSB with conventional neurointerventional surgery treatments of vasospasm and DCI, and to study its long-term effect on neurological outcomes.
Fluorescence-optical imaging as a promising easy-to-use imaging biomarker to increase early psoriatic arthritis detection in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional cohort study with follow-up
Authors: Koehm Michaela , Ohrndorf Sarah , Foldenauer Ann C , Rossmanith Tanja , Backhaus Marina , Werner Stephanie G , Burmester Gerd R , Wassenberg Siegfried , Koehler Benjamin , Burkhardt Harald , Behrens Frank
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of fluorescence-optical imaging (FOI) to detect preclinical musculoskeletal inflammatory signs in patients with skin psoriasis at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

This investigator-initiated prospective exploratory study evaluated adult patients with psoriasis with musculoskeletal complaints and/or nail psoriasis within the last 6 months. Patients underwent a comprehensive rheumatological clinical examination (CE) along with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) and FOI of both hands at a single visit. Patients with CE–/MSUS–/FOI+ findings had MRI performed on the symptomatic or dominant hand within 7 days. If MRI was negative, the patients were followed over 2 years for the onset of clinically manifest PsA.

Results

A total of 389 patients were referred from dermatology centres and evaluated at 14 rheumatology sites in Germany. Seventy-seven (20%) patients with CE−/US−/FOI− were considered to have psoriasis only. PsA was diagnosed in 140/389 patients (36%) based on CE alone and in another 55 patients (14%) by additional MSUS; overall, 50% of the patient cohort was diagnosed with PsA. One hundred sixteen patients (30%) were FOI+ (CE−) of which 40 (37%) were FOI+/MRI+. In the 2-year follow-up of the FOI+/CE− patients, clinical PsA was confirmed in another 12%.

Conclusion

FOI is a promising method for the detection of signs of musculoskeletal inflammation in hands that may serve as an early imaging biomarker for transitions from psoriasis to PsA. This imaging technique has the potential to detect PsA in at-risk patients with psoriasis, reduce time to PsA diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.
Application of transfer learning to neutrino interaction classification
Authors: Chappell Andrew , Whitehead Leigh H.
Published: December 2022

Training deep neural networks using simulations typically requires very large numbers of simulated events. This can be a large computational burden and a limitation in the performance of the deep learning algorithm when insufficient numbers of events can be produced. We investigate the use of transfer learning, where a set of simulated images are used to fine tune a model trained on generic image recognition tasks, to the specific use case of neutrino interaction classification in a liquid argon time projection chamber. A ResNet18, pre-trained on photographic images, was fine-tuned using simulated neutrino images and when trained with one hundred thousand training events reached an F1 score of 0.896$$\,\pm \,$$

±

0.002 compared to 0.836$$\,\pm \,$$

±

0.004 from a randomly-initialised network trained with the same training sample. The transfer-learned networks also demonstrate lower bias as a function of energy and more balanced performance across different interaction types.
Where neutrino decoherence lies
Authors: Ciuffoli Emilio , Evslin Jarah
Published: December 2022

Recently, several studies of neutrino oscillations in the vacuum have not found the decoherence long expected from the separation of wave packets of neutrinos in different mass eigenstates. We show that such decoherence will, on the other hand, be present in a treatment including any mechanism which leads to a dependence of the final state on both the neutrino’s emission and absorption time. Using a simplified model in $$1+1$$

1
+
1

d, we show that if the positions of the final state particles are measured, or equivalently entangled with the environment, then decoherence will damp neutrino oscillations. We also show that wave packet spreading can cause the decoherence to eventually saturate, without completely suppressing the oscillations. These results are not an artifact of the approximation used: we show that, considering the $$V-A$$

V
-
A

model in $$3+1$$

3
+
1

d, the difference would be simply a total multiplicative factor that would not affect the oscillation probability nor the decoherence.
Supersymmetric quantum mechanics of continuous topological insulators
Authors: Gamboa J. , Méndez F.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we construct a class of quantum systems in a space continuum inspired by results from topological insulator physics. Instead of adding spin–orbit coupling terms suggested by time-reversal invariance as in conventional topological insulators, the terms [Formula: see text] are determined using supersymmetry as a starting point. This procedure not only restricts the number of possible continuous topological insulators models, but also provides a systematic way to find new continuous topological insulators models. Some explicit quantum mechanical examples are discussed and applications to dark matter physics are also outlined.
From Non-punctuality to Non-adjacency: A Quest for Decidability of Timed Temporal Logics with Quantifiers
Authors: Krishna Shankara Narayanan , Madnani Khushraj , Mazo Jr. Manuel , Pandya Paritosh
Published: December 2022

Metric Temporal Logic (MTL) and Timed Propositional Temporal Logic (TPTL) are prominent real-time extensions of Linear Temporal Logic (LTL). In general, the satisfiability checking problem for these extensions is undecidable when both the future (Until, U) and the past (Since, S) modalities are used (denoted by MTL[U,S] and TPTL[U,S]). In a classical result, the satisfiability checking for Metric Interval Temporal Logic (MITL[U,S]), a non-punctual fragment of MTL[U,S], is shown to be decidable with EXPSPACE complete complexity. A straightforward adoption of non-punctuality does not recover decidability in the case of TPTL[U,S]. Hence, we propose a more refined notion called
non-adjacency
for TPTL[U,S] and focus on its 1-variable fragment, 1-TPTL[U,S]. We show that non-adjacent 1-TPTL[U,S] is strictly more expressive than MITL. As one of our main results, we show that the satisfiability checking problem for non-adjacent 1-TPTL[U,S] is decidable with EXPSPACE complete complexity. Our decidability proof relies on a novel technique of anchored interval word abstraction and its reduction to a non-adjacent version of the newly proposed logic called PnEMTL. We further propose an extension of MSO [<] (Monadic Second Order Logic of Orders) with Guarded Metric Quantifiers (GQMSO) and show that it characterizes the expressiveness of PnEMTL. That apart, we introduce the notion of non-adjacency in the context of GQMSO (NA-GQMSO), which is a syntactic generalization of logic Q2MLO due to Hirshfeld and Rabinovich and show the decidability of satisfiability checking for NA-GQMSO.
Perceptual Hashing of Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Model Copy Detection
Authors: Chen Haozhe , Zhou Hang , Zhang Jie , Chen Dongdong , Zhang Weiming , Chen Kejiang , Hua Gang , Yu Nenghai
Published: December 2022

In recent years, many model intellectual property (IP) proof methods for IP protection have been proposed, such as model watermarking and model fingerprinting. However, with the increasing number of models transmitted and deployed on the Internet, quickly finding the suspect model among thousands of models on model-sharing platforms such as GitHub is in great demand, which concurrently triggers the new security problem of model copy detection for IP protection. As an important part of the model IP protection system, the model copy detection task has not received enough attention. Due to the high computational complexity, both model watermarking and model fingerprinting lack the capability to efficiently find suspected infringing models among tens of millions of models. In this article, inspired by the hash-based image retrieval methods, we introduce a novel model copy detection mechanism: perceptual hashing for convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The proposed perceptual hashing algorithm can convert the weights of CNNs to fixed-length binary hash codes so that the lightly modified version has the similar hash code as the original model. By comparing the similarity of a pair of hash codes between a query model and a test model in the model library, similar versions of a query model can be retrieved efficiently. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first perceptual hashing algorithm for deep neural network models. Specifically, we first select the important model weights based on the model compression theory, then calculate the normal test statistics (NTS) on the segments of important weights, and finally encode the NTS features into hash codes. The experiment performed on a model library containing 3,565 models indicates that our perceptual hashing scheme has a superior copy detection performance.
Competency Models for Information Security and Cybersecurity Professionals: Analysis of Existing Work and a New Model
Authors: Bendler Daniel , Felderer Michael
Published: December 2022

Competency models are widely adopted frameworks that are used to improve human resource functions and education. However, the characteristics of competency models related to the information security and cybersecurity domains are not well understood. To bridge this gap, this study investigates the current state of competency models related to the security domain through qualitative content analysis. Additionally, based on the competency model analysis, an evidence-based competency model is proposed. Examining the content of 27 models, we found that the models can benefit target groups in many different ways, ranging from policymaking to performance management. Owing to their many uses, competency models can arguably help to narrow the skills gap from which the profession is suffering. Nonetheless, the models have their shortcomings. First, the models do not cover all of the topics specified by the Cybersecurity Body of Knowledge (i.e., no model is complete). Second, by omitting social, personal, and methodological competencies, many models reduce the competency profile of a security expert to professional competencies. Addressing the limitations of previous work, the proposed competency model provides a holistic view of the competencies required by security professionals for job achievement and can potentially benefit both the education system and the labor market. To conclude, the implications of the competency model analysis and use cases of the proposed model are discussed.
Systematic Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Explore the Mechanism of Bufei Huoxue Capsule in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Shi Liangtian , Yan Jun , Meng Yufeng , Wang Guishu , Du Jianchao , Feng Cuiling
Published: December 2022

Objective. To explore the effects and mechanisms of Bufei Huoxue Capsule (BHC) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on network pharmacology. Methods. The effective components and related targets of BHC were collected by searching TCMSP, HERB, and ETCM databases, after which the related targets of COPD were obtained on GeneCards and OMIM databases. The common targets were imported into the STRING database and Cytoscape database to construct a target interaction network and screen core targets. Next, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the Metascape platform. According to the prediction results of network pharmacology, the action mechanism was further examined in an animal model of COPD. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining; goblet cells and mucus secretion in lung tissue were observed by AB-PAS staining, airway collagen deposition was observed by Masson staining, and the expression of NE, TGF-β1, P-EGFR/EGFR, P-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, P-JNK/JNK, and P-P38/P38MAPK protein was detected by Western blot analysis. Results. A total of 379 targets related to BHC and 7391 targets related to COPD were obtained, including 313 potential targets of BHC in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with JUN, AKT1, TNF, IL6, EGFR, MAPK1, and MAPK14 as the core targets. Through enrichment analysis, BHC may interfere with COPD by regulating the MAPK signal pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, NF-κB signal pathway, cAMP signal pathway, cGMP-PKG signal pathway, and so on. Animal experiments showed that the BHC could reduce airway inflammatory cell infiltration, inhibit airway epithelial goblet cell proliferation, reduce mucus secretion, and improve small airway collagen fiber deposition in COPD model rats. Besides, BHC could downregulate the protein expression of NE, TGF-β1, P-EGFR, P-ERK1/2, and P-P38MAPK. Conclusion. BHC can reduce airway inflammation, inhibit mucus hypersecretion, and improve airway remodeling by regulating the MAPK signal transduction pathway.
Preparation and Characterization of Biochars Obtained from Biomasses for Combustible Briquette Applications
Authors: Hadey Chaimaa , Allouch M. , Alami M. , Boukhlifi F. , Loulidi I.
Published: December 2022

Renewable energies have been considered as alternative, clean, available, and ecological sources of energy. The production of biochar from biomass by thermochemical means is considered an efficient method of converting biomass for energy production. In this study, the biochars were produced from the biomasses of peanut shells and sugar cane bagasse at different pyrolysis temperatures (400°C, 450°C, and 500°C). The biomass samples and their produced biochars were characterized using calorific value, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM and EDX), compressibility index, and combustion behavior in order to analyze their potential. Experimental results showed that biochar has better fuel qualities compared to raw biomass. We also found that increasing the pyrolysis temperature clearly improved the calorific value, the morphology, the porosity of the biochars as well as the compressibility index of the biochars. The interest of this study was to produce renewable biochar from peanut shell waste and sugar cane bagasse for use as solid fuel.
Neurosteroid Activation of GABA-A Receptors: A Potential Treatment Target for Symptoms in Primary Biliary Cholangitis?
Authors: Wetten Aaron , Ogle Laura , Mells George , Hegade Vinod S. , Jopson Laura , Corrigan Margaret , Palmer Jeremy , Johansson Maja , Bäckström Torbjörn , Doverskog Magnus , Jones David E. J. , Dyson Jessica K.
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims. A third of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) experience poorly understood cognitive symptoms, with a significant impact on quality of life (QOL), and no effective medical treatment. Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid, is a positive allosteric modulator of gamma-aminobutyricacid-A (GABA-A) receptors, associated with disordered mood, cognition, and memory. This study explored associations between allopregnanolone and a disease-specific QOL scoring system (PBC-40) in PBC patients. Method. Serum allopregnanolone levels were measured in 120 phenotyped PBC patients and 40 age and gender-matched healthy controls. PBC subjects completed the PBC-40 at recruitment. Serum allopregnanolone levels were compared across PBC-40 domains for those with none/mild symptoms versus severe symptoms. Results. There were no overall differences in allopregnanolone levels between healthy controls (median = 0.03 ng/ml (IQR = 0.025)) and PBC patients (0.031 (0.42),

p
=
0.42

). Within the PBC cohort, higher allopregnanolone levels were observed in younger patients (r (120) = −0.53,

p
<
0.001

) but not healthy controls (r (39) = −0.21,

p
=
0.21

). Allopregnanolone levels were elevated in the PBC-40 domains, cognition (u = 1034,

p
=
0.02

), emotional (u = 1374,

p
=
0.004

), and itch (u = 795,

p
=
0.03

). Severe cognitive symptoms associated with a younger age: severe (50 (12)) vs. none (60 (13); u = 423

p
=
0.001

). Conclusion. Elevated serum allopregnanolone is associated with severe cognitive, emotional, and itch symptoms in PBC, in keeping with its known action on GABA-A receptors. Existing novel compounds targeting allopregnanolone could offer new therapies in severely symptomatic PBC, satisfying a significant unmet need.
Joint Secure Communication and Radar Beamforming: A Secrecy-Estimation Rate-Based Design
Authors: Wen Rong , Zhang Ying , Li Qiang , Tang Youxi
Published: December 2022

This paper considers transmit beamforming in dual-function radar-communication (DFRC) system, where a DFRC transmitter simultaneously communicates with a communication user and detects a malicious target with the same waveform. Since the waveform is embedded with information, the information is risked to be intercepted by the target. To address this problem, physical-layer security technique is exploited. By using secrecy rate and estimation rate as performance measure for communication and radar, respectively, three secrecy rate maximization (SRM) problems are formulated, including the SRM with and without artificial noise (AN) and robust SRM. For the SRM beamforming, we prove that the optimal beamformer can be computed in closed form. For the AN-aided SRM, by leveraging alternating optimization, similar closed-form solution is obtained for the beamformer and the AN covariance matrix. Finally, the imperfect CSI of the target is also considered under the premise of a moment-based random phase-error model on the direction of arrival at the target. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy and robustness of the proposed designs.