bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Payment for Results: Funding Non‐Profit Operations
Authors: Sharma Neha , Devalkar Sripad K. , Sohoni Milind G.
Published: December 2020

Payment for results (PfR) funding approach, where donors reimburse the non‐profit organization (NPO) based on outcomes, is being increasingly adopted in the non‐profit sector. However, there is also concern expressed by many voluntary organizations that such a funding approach puts an undue financial burden on small NPOs and could actually be detrimental to social welfare. In this study, we build a theoretical framework to analyze PfR funding mechanisms. We use a sequential game to model the interaction between the donor and the NPO, with the donor as the first mover. This model captures how PfR funding is typically implemented in practice using social impact bonds (SIB), wherein social investors provide the upfront funding needed by the NPO to implement the project. The donor provides funding, based on the actual benefit delivered, at the end of the project and the investors are paid back using these funds. We find that higher targets set by the donor do not necessarily translate to higher expected utility or expected benefit delivered under PfR. When comparing the performance of PfR and traditional funding (TF) mechanisms, we find that the donor typically has a higher expected utility under the PfR mechanism when the probability of a negative outcome shock is either high or low, and is better off using the TF approach otherwise. When the donor’s opportunity cost of funding the project is high, the donor is better off using a PfR mechanism when her belief about the NPO having low efficiency is sufficiently high. Interestingly, we find that for a large range of parameter values there is a mismatch between the approach that gives a higher expected utility to the donor and the approach that maximizes the expected social benefit delivered. Our model and analysis suggest that the optimal funding approach, and the optimal target set under PfR, depend on the NPO’s financing cost from social investors and project outcome uncertainty.
Wheat/faba bean intercropping improves physiological and structural resistance of faba bean to fusaric acid stress
Authors: Li Yu , Lv Jiaxing , Zhao Qian , Chen Ling , Dong Yan , Dong Kun
Published: December 2020

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae is the causal agent of fusarium wilt. Fusaric acid (FA), produced by F. oxysporum, plays an important role in the occurrence of disease, and intercropping is an effective measure for control of disease and for improving host resistance in plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological and biochemical responses, and mechanisms of tissue structure resistance, of intercropped faba beans following exposure to different concentrations of FA. Results demonstrated that intercropping reduced the occurrence of fusarium wilt, and improved faba bean growth and yield. In addition, wheat intercropping significantly reduced red ink absorption of faba bean (33.2%), increased water content (3.1%), and increased activity of the root antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) (26.3% and 2.2.%, respectively). Furthermore, increased lignin content and callose deposition in plant vessels were observed (12.5% and 42.7%, respectively) when subjected to the highest concentration of FA stress (200 mg/L). Intercropping resulted in more intact root cell morphology, increased occurrence of intracellular vacuoles, increased cell wall thickness, and an increase in the number of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Intercropping alleviated the wilting effect of FA on faba bean via enhanced physiological, biochemical, and tissue structure resistance of faba bean root.
Transcriptional variation analysis of Arabidopsis ecotypes in response to drought and salt stresses dissects commonly regulated networks
Authors: Wang Yanping , Fang Zhengfu , Yang Li , Chan Zhulong
Published: December 2020

Salinity and drought conditions commonly result in osmotic and oxidative stresses, while salinity additionally causes ionic stress. In this study, we identified specific genes regulated by osmotic and ionic stresses in five Arabidopsis ecotypes. Shahdara (SHA) and C24 ecotypes were more tolerant to salt and drought stresses at the seedling growth stage, as evidenced by lower water loss rate, lower electrolyte leakage, and higher survival rate when compared to the other three ecotypes under drought and salinity conditions. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 3700 and 2242 genes were differentially regulated by salt and osmotic stresses, respectively. Totally 78.1% of upregulated and 62.0% of downregulated genes by osmotic stress were also commonly regulated by salt stress. Gene ontology term enrichment analysis showed that auxin indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid, cytokinin, and gibberellic acid pathways were regulated by the osmotic stress, while IAA, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways were changed by the ionic stress. The nutrient and water uptake pathways were regulated by both the osmotic and ionic stresses, whereas ion transportation and kinase pathways were modulated by the ionic stress. Additionally, we characterized bHLH61 as a negative regulator in response to salt and drought stresses. This study provided new clues of plant responses to salt and drought stresses.
Role of ATP‐binding cassette transporters in maintaining plant homeostasis under abiotic and biotic stresses
Authors: Dahuja Anil , Kumar Ranjeet R. , Sakhare Akshay , Watts Archana , Singh Bhupinder , Goswami Suneha , Sachdev Archana , Praveen Shelly
Published: December 2020

The ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters belong to a large protein family predominantly present in diverse species. ABC transporters are driven by ATP hydrolysis and can act as exporters as well as importers. These proteins are localized in the membranes of chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes and vacuoles. ABC proteins are involved in regulating diverse biological processes in plants, such as growth, development, uptake of nutrients, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, tolerance to metal toxicity, stomatal closure, shape and size of grains, protection of pollens, transport of phytohormones, etc. In mitochondria and chloroplast, the iron metabolism and its transport across the membrane are mediated by ABC transporters. Tonoplast‐localized ABC transporters are involved in internal detoxification of metal ion; thus protecting against the DNA impairment and maintaining cell growth. ABC transporters are involved in the transport of secondary metabolites inside the cells. Microorganisms also engage a large number of ABC transporters to import and expel substrates decisive for their pathogenesis. ABC transporters also suppress the seed embryonic growth until favorable conditions come. This review aims at giving insights on ABC transporters, their evolution, structure, functions and roles in different biological processes for helping the terrestrial plants to survive under adverse environmental conditions. These specialized plant membrane transporters ensure a sustainable economic yield and high‐quality products, especially under unfavorable conditions of growth. These transporters can be suitably manipulated to develop ‘Plants for the Future’.
The function of high‐affinity urea transporters in nitrogen‐deficient conditions
Authors: Beier Marcel P. , Kojima Soichi
Published: December 2020

Urea is the most used nitrogenous fertilizer worldwide and an important nitrogen‐containing plant metabolite. Despite its major use as fertilizer, its direct uptake is limited due to the ubiquitous presence of bacterial urease, which leads to the formation of ammonium. In this review, we will focus mainly on the more recent research about the high‐affinity urea transporter function in nitrogen‐deficient conditions. The effective use of nitrogenous compounds is essential for plants to be able to deal with nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Leaf senescence, either induced by development and/or by nitrogen deficiency, plays an important role in the efficient use of already assimilated nitrogen. Proteinaceous nitrogen is set free through catabolic reactions: the released amino acids from protein catabilization are in turn catabolized leading to an accumulation of ammonium and urea. The concentration and conversion to transportable forms of nitrogen, e.g. amino acids like glutamine and asparagine, are coordinated around the vascular tissue. Urea itself can be translocated directly over the phloem by a mechanism that involves DUR3, or it is converted by urease to ammonium and assimilated again into amino acids. The details of the high‐affinity transporter function in this physiological context and the implications for crop yield are explained.
The Law Incongruous Ideas of Impeachment: “Impeachable Offenses” and the Constitutional Order
Authors: Sumrall Allen C.
Published: December 2020

Despite a wealth of historical evidence and constitutional, political, and legal theory, impeachment in the United States remains hotly contested and poorly understood. This article argues there is a historical explanation for the confusion. In particular, the confusion stems from two competing ideas about impeachment, one layered atop the other. Constitutionally, impeachment is an important aspect of the separation‐of‐powers system, and a tool Congress can use to remove officials who are shirking their constitutional duties or damaging the polity itself. Soon after the founding, however, a new, competing idea of impeachment began to develop—that of impeachment as a legal device to remove officials who had committed an indictable offense. This idea had roots in civic republican traditions about political opposition being illegitimate. The interplay and tension between these competing ideas can help explain why impeachment politics today is both so fraught with tension and poorly understood.
Physical ability and comorbidity and oral health among home‐dwelling older people in the Finnish population
Authors: Tiisanoja Antti , Kuukasjärvi Matti , Syrjälä Anna‐Maija , Komulainen Kaija , Knuuttila Matti , Hartikainen Sirpa , Ylöstalo Pekka
Published: December 2020

Aim

To examine how physical ability and comorbidity associate with oral health.

Methods and results

The study population comprised 161 individuals belonging to the Oral Health GeMS study. Outcome variables were the number of teeth with dental caries and deepened periodontal pockets and self‐perceived oral health (pain/discomfort in mouth). Physical ability was determined by measuring limitations in daily activities (activities of daily living [ADL] and instrumental activities of daily life [IADL]) and the number of comorbidities with Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI). Poisson's multivariate regression model was used to estimate prevalence rate ratio (PRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). The physical ability or number of comorbidities did not associate consistently with oral diseases, but ADL, IADL and FCI associated all with self‐perceived oral discomfort (PRR: 1.74, CI: 1.01‐3.03; PRR: 1.20, CI: 1.06‐1.35; PRR: 1.20, CI: 1.05‐1.36, respectively). Furthermore, IADL associated also with poor self‐perceived oral health (PRR: 1.27, CI: 1.03‐1.57).

Conclusion

Older people with impaired physical ability and comorbidities are more likely to have oral discomfort and have poorer self‐perceived oral health.
Circulating endothelial cells as predictor of long‐term mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Mohandas Rajesh , Diao Yanpeng , Chamarthi Gajapathiraju , Krishnan Suraj , Agrawal Nikhil , Wen Xuerong , Dass Bhagwan , Shukla Ashutosh M. , Gopal Saraswathi , Koç Mehmet , Segal Mark S.
Published: December 2020

Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are thought to be markers of endothelial injury. We hypothesized that the numbers of CEC may provide a novel means for predicting long‐term survival and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients. 54 hemodialysis patients underwent enumeration of their CEC number. We retrospectively analyzed their survival and incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. 22 deaths (41%) were noted over the median follow up period of 3.56 years (IQR 1.43–12) and 6 were attributed to cardiovascular deaths (11%) of which 1 (4%) was in the low CEC (CEC<20 cells/ml) and 5 (19%) in the high CEC (CEC≥20 cells/ml) group. High CEC was associated with worse cardiovascular survival (p = 0.05) and adverse cardiac events (p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, CEC >20 cells/ml was associated with a 4‐fold increased risk of adverse cardiac events (OR, 4.16 [95% CI,1.38–12.54],p = 0.01) while all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were not statistically different. In this hemodialysis population, a single measurement of CEC was a strong predictor of long term future adverse cardiovascular events. We propose that CEC may be a novel biomarker for assessing cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients.
Material hardship and suicidal behavior: Associations among parents and non‐parents
Authors: Austin Anna E. , Shanahan Meghan E.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Material hardship is unique facet of economic distress and may be a risk factor for suicidal behavior. Parents are more likely to experience both material hardship and suicidal behavior than non‐parents. The aims of this study were to (a) examine the association of material hardship with suicidal behavior and (b) assess whether associations differed for parents and non‐parents.

Methods

We used data from Waves IV and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 10,685). We conducted logistic regression to examine the association of one and two or more material hardships at Wave IV with suicidal behavior at Wave V.

Results

Overall, 38.8% of participants reported material hardship at Wave IV and 7.5% reported suicidal ideation or attempts at Wave V. In the total sample, one material hardship (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.20, 2.06) and two or more material hardships (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.04, 2.21) were associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behavior. Among parents, two or more material hardships (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.17, 2.94) were associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behavior. Among non‐parents, one material hardship (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.26, 2.59) was associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behavior.

Conclusions

Programs and policies aimed at addressing material hardship, particularly accumulating material hardships among parents, may be an effective suicide prevention strategy.
The incidence and mechanism of heading in European professional football players over three seasons
Authors: Tierney Gregory J. , Higgins Barry
Published: December 2020

There are concerns surrounding the risk of neurodegenerative diseases associated with football (soccer) heading. The aim of this study was to conduct analysis on the incidence and mechanism of heading in the “Big 5” professional European football leagues (Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Premier League, La Liga and Serie A) and one lower tier professional league (English Championship) from 2016/17 to 2018/19. Match event data from 7147 matches were obtained from Opta Sports data feed. The data were parsed to extract header event details including player position, coordinates on the field, header type and preceding match event (including distance football travelled). Incidence data were reported as headers per match or match headers per player. Medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) were reported and either the Mann‐Whitney U test or Kruskal‐Wallis test were conducted for comparisons between positions and leagues. In the “Big 5” leagues, the most headers per match occurred during the Premier League (111.2 headers per match). However, the lower tier English Championship had the highest number of headers per match overall (139.0 headers per match). In all leagues, defenders had the greatest median number of match headers per player (P < .001). The highest median distance travelled by the football during a preceding match event was for goal kicks (57.5 m; IQR 53.7‐61.1). The findings add necessary information for current longitudinal studies aiming to understand the potential link between football heading and neurodegenerative diseases. These studies should account for league, playing position, and level of play.
Fluctuations in cardiac stroke volume during rowing
Authors: Sejersen Casper , Fischer Mads , Mattos João D. , Volianitis Stefanos , Secher Niels H.
Published: December 2020

Preload to the heart may be limited during rowing because both blood pressure and central venous pressure increase when force is applied to the oar. Considering that only the recovery phase of the rowing stroke allows for unhindered venous return, rowing may induce large fluctuations in stroke volume (SV). Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate SV continuously during the rowing stroke. Eight nationally competitive oarsmen (mean ± standard deviation: age 21 ± 2 years, height 190 ± 9 cm, and weight 90 ± 10 kg) rowed on an ergometer at a targeted heart rate of 130 and 160 beats per minute. SV was derived from arterial pressure waveform by pulse contour analysis, while ventilation and force on the handle were measured. Mean arterial pressure was elevated during the stroke at both work rates (to 133 ± 10 [P < .001] and 145 ± 11 mm Hg [P = .024], respectively). Also, SV fluctuated markedly during the stroke with deviations being largest at the higher work rate. Thus, SV decreased by 27 ± 10% (31 ± 11 mL) at the beginning of the stroke and increased by 25 ± 9% (28 ± 10 mL) in the recovery (P = .013), while breathing was entrained with one breath during the drive of the stroke and one prior to the next stroke. These observations indicate that during rowing cardiac output depends critically on SV surges during the recovery phase of the stroke.
Effect of eHealth to increase physical activity in healthy adults over 55 years: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Núñez de Arenas‐Arroyo Sergio , Cavero‐Redondo Ivan , Alvarez‐Bueno Celia , Sequí‐Domínguez Irene , Reina‐Gutiérrez Sara , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: December 2020

To estimate the effect of eHealth interventions on increasing physical activity (PA) in healthy adults over 55 years, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases were searched, from inception to February 2020, for experimental studies reporting the effect of eHealth interventions on steps/day, daily moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA min/day), PA min/week, and MVPA min/week among adults over 55 years. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute a pooled effect size (ES) estimate and the respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Eighteen studies were included in this meta‐analysis with adults whose age ranged from 58 to 74.2 years. The interventions lasted between four and 52 weeks. The ES estimates of eHealth interventions on increasing PA were 0.59 (95% CI: 0.15‐1.02) for steps/day, 0.49 (95% CI: 0.17‐0.80) for daily MVPA, 0.13 (95% CI: 0.01‐0.24) for total weekly PA and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.13‐0.48) for weekly MVPA. Considering clinical improvements, the mean change difference estimates were an increase of 1616.28 steps/day (95% CI: 386.25‐2846.31), 7.41 minutes of daily MVPA (95% CI: 3.24‐11.57), 40.54 minutes of total weekly PA (95% CI: −8.71 to 89.79) and 56.35 minutes of weekly MVPA (95% CI: 17.43‐95.27). In conclusion, eHealth interventions are effective in increasing PA levels among adults over 55 years, resulting in increased steps/day, MVPA min/day, PA min/week and MVPA min/week.
Medical student‐led simulation in COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Ekert Justyna O. , Luchesa Smith Aphra , Ramsey Charlotte L. , Robinson Nathan , Love Jack , Gothard Philip , Armitage Alice Jane
Published: December 2020

Background

Simulation training is an effective tool for improving confidence in healthcare workers. During the recent COVID‐19 pandemic, large numbers of staff required re‐training to manage unfamiliar situations. We present a set of medical student‐led clinical simulation sessions and evaluate their effects on (i) confidence among redeployed healthcare workers managing COVID‐19 patients and (ii) medical students’ confidence as educators.

Methods

Half‐day simulation training sessions consisting of three COVID‐related clinical scenarios were devised by senior medical students and delivered to a group of approximately 150 healthcare workers over six repeated sessions prior to redeployment to COVID‐19 wards. We distributed an anonymous pre‐ and post‐simulation questionnaire to 36 participants in the final group exploring their experiences. The confidence scores were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Following the delivery of teaching, medical students completed a questionnaire assessing their personal experiences of designing and delivering the exercises.

Results

Data are available for 35/36 participants approached. Respondents reported being significantly more confident after the training in all aspects of managing COVID‐19 patients, including triage, complex discharge, recognising deterioration, initiating basic life support, managing symptoms and advising on visiting policies (p < 0.001); 97% of respondents rated the training as useful. Thematic analysis of medical students’ responses demonstrated mutual benefit.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the strengths of simulation training in helping to build staff confidence in a rapidly evolving situation and highlights the value of medical students in supporting a hospital’s response to an outbreak. We recommend further studies of student‐led simulation exercises, including longer‐term follow‐up.
An evaluation of PJP prophylaxis and anemia among renal transplant recipients
Authors: Hedvat Jessica , Poladi Neha , Salerno David M. , Dube Geoffrey K. , Lange Nicholas W.
Published: December 2020

Background

Dapone and atovaquone are therapeutic options for PJP prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of anemia in renal transplant recipients receiving these agents.

Methods

This is an IRB‐approved, retrospective analysis of adult renal transplant recipients who received either dapsone or atovaquone. The primary endpoint was the change in hemoglobin within 90 days of drug initiation. Other endpoints of interest included incidence and management of anemia at multiple time points post‐transplant. Categorical variables were compared with Pearson's chi‐squared or Fischer's exact test and continuous data were compared utilizing Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 14.2.

Results

A total of 478 patients were screened for inclusion; 50 patients were evaluated in both the dapsone and atovaquone groups. In the dapsone and atovaquone groups, the median age was 52 and 50.5 years, 44% and 42% were Caucasian, and median time to treatment initiation was 27 and 39 days post‐transplant, respectively. All patients receiving dapsone had normal G6PD function. There was no difference in baseline hemoglobin between groups (9.7 g/dL vs 9.8 g/dL, P = .83). The median nadir hemoglobin values were 8.6 g/dL and 9.6 g/dL in the dapsone and atovaquone groups, respectively (P = .047). The median decrease in hemoglobin from baseline to nadir was 1.3 g/dL in dapsone patients and 0.2 g/dL in atovaquone patients (P = .001). Dapsone was discontinued in 46% of patients, whereas atovaquone was discontinued in 18% (P = .001).

Conclusion

Among renal transplant recipients with normal G6PD activity, dapsone is associated with greater hemoglobin reductions and rates of drug discontinuation as compared to atovaquone.
Reconstitution of oxaloacetate metabolism in the tricarboxylic acid cycle in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803: discovery of important factors that directly affect the conversion of oxaloacetate
Authors: Ito Shoki , Hakamada Takumi , Ogino Tatsumi , Osanai Takashi
Published: December 2020

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is one of the most important metabolic pathways in nature. Oxygenic photoautotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, have an unusual TCA cycle. The TCA cycle in cyanobacteria contains two unique enzymes that are not part of the TCA cycle in other organisms. In recent years, sustainable metabolite production from carbon dioxide using cyanobacteria has been looked at as a means to reduce the environmental burden of this gas. Among cyanobacteria, the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Synechocystis 6803) is an optimal host for sustainable metabolite production. Recently, metabolite production using the TCA cycle in Synechocystis 6803 has been carried out. Previous studies revealed that the branch point of the oxidative and reductive TCA cycles, oxaloacetate metabolism, plays a key role in metabolite production. However, the biochemical mechanisms regulating oxaloacetate metabolism in Synechocystis 6803 are poorly understood. Concentrations of oxaloacetate in Synechocystis 6803 are extremely low, such that in vivo analysis of oxaloacetate metabolism does not seem realistic. Therefore, using purified enzymes, we reconstituted oxaloacetate metabolism in Synechocystis 6803 in vitro to reveal the regulatory mechanisms involved. Reconstitution of oxaloacetate metabolism revealed that pH, Mg2+ and phosphoenolpyruvate are important factors affecting the conversion of oxaloacetate in the TCA cycle. Biochemical analyses of the enzymes involved in oxaloacetate metabolism in this and previous studies revealed the biochemical mechanisms underlying the effects of these factors on oxaloacetate conversion. In addition, we clarified the function of two l‐malate dehydrogenase isozymes in oxaloacetate metabolism. These findings serve as a basis for various applications of the cyanobacterial TCA cycle.
Two atypical ANGUSTIFOLIA without a plant‐specific C‐terminus regulate gametophore and sporophyte shapes in the moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens
Authors: Takechi Katsuaki , Nagase Hiroaki , Furuya Tomoyuki , Hattori Koro , Sato Yoshikatsu , Miyajima Kensuke , Higuchi Tomofumi , Matsuda Ryuya , Takio Susumu , Tsukaya Hirokazu , Takano Hiroyoshi
Published: December 2020

ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) is a plant‐specific subfamily of the CtBP/BARS/AN family, characterized by a plant‐specific C‐terminal domain of approximately 200 amino acids. Previously, we revealed that double knockout (DKO) lines of Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens ANGUSTIFOLIA genes (PpAN1‐1 and PpAN1‐2) show defects in gametophore height and the lengths of the seta and foot region of sporophytes, by reduced cell elongation. In addition to two canonical ANs, the genome of P. patens has two atypical ANs without a coding region for a plant‐specific C‐terminus (PpAN2‐1 and PpAN2‐2); these were investigated in this study. Similar to PpAN1s, both promoters of the PpAN2 genes were highly active in the stems of haploid gametophores and in the middle‐to‐basal region of young diploid sporophytes that develop into the seta and foot. Analyses of PpAN2‐1/2‐2 DKO and PpAN quadruple knockout (QKO) lines implied that these four AN genes have partially redundant functions to regulate cell elongation in their expression regions. Transgenic strains harboring P. patens α‐tubulin fused to green fluorescent protein, which were generated from a QKO line, showed that the orientation of the microtubules in the gametophore tips in the PpAN QKO lines was unchanged from the wild‐type and PpAN1‐1/1‐2 DKO plants. In addition to both PpAN2‐1 and PpAN2‐2, short Arabidopsis AN without the C‐terminus of 200 amino acids could rescue the Arabidopsis thaliana an‐1 phenotypes, implying AN activity is dependent on the N‐terminal regions.
A Survey on Heart Biometrics
Authors: Rathore Aditya Singh , Li Zhengxiong , Zhu Weijin , Jin Zhanpeng , Xu Wenyao
Published: December 2020

In recent years, biometrics (e.g., fingerprint or face recognition) has replaced traditional passwords and PINs as a widely used method for user authentication, particularly in personal or mobile devices. Differing from state-of-the-art biometrics, heart biometrics offer the advantages of liveness detection, which provides strong tolerance to spoofing attacks. To date, several authentication methods primarily focusing on electrocardiogram (ECG) have demonstrated remarkable success; however, the degree of exploration with other cardiac signals is still limited. To this end, we discuss the challenges in various cardiac domains and propose future prospectives for developing effective heart biometrics systems in real-world applications.
Synchronous Transmissions in Low-Power Wireless
Authors: Zimmerling Marco , Mottola Luca , Santini Silvia
Published: December 2020

Low-power wireless communication is a central building block of cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things. Conventional low-power wireless protocols make avoiding packet collisions a cornerstone design choice. The concept of synchronous transmissions challenges this view. As collisions are not necessarily destructive, under specific circumstances, commodity low-power wireless radios are often able to receive useful information even in the presence of superimposed signals from different transmitters. We survey the growing number of protocols that exploit synchronous transmissions for higher robustness and efficiency as well as unprecedented functionality and versatility compared to conventional designs. The illustration of protocols based on synchronous transmissions is cast in a conceptional framework we establish, with the goal of highlighting differences and similarities among the proposed solutions. We conclude this article with a discussion on open questions and challenges in this research field.
A Survey of Cybersecurity Certification for the Internet of Things
Authors: Matheu Sara N. , Hernández-Ramos José L. , Skarmeta Antonio F. , Baldini Gianmarco
Published: December 2020

In recent years, cybersecurity certification is gaining momentum as the baseline to build a structured approach to mitigate cybersecurity risks in the Internet of Things (IoT). This initiative is driven by industry, governmental institutions, and research communities, which have the goal to make IoT more secure for the end-users. In this survey, we analyze the current cybersecurity certification schemes, as well as the potential challenges to make them applicable for the IoT ecosystem. We also examine current efforts related to risk assessment and testing processes, which are widely recognized as the processes to build a cybersecurity certification framework. Our work provides a multidisciplinary perspective of a possible IoT cybersecurity certification framework by integrating research and technical tools and processes with policies and governance structures, which are analyzed against a set of identified challenges. This survey is intended to give a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity certification to facilitate the definition of a framework that fits in emerging scenarios, such as the IoT paradigm.
Techniques for Inverted Index Compression
Authors: Pibiri Giulio Ermanno , Venturini Rossano
Published: December 2020

The data structure at the core of large-scale search engines is the
inverted index
, which is essentially a collection of sorted integer sequences called
inverted lists
. Because of the many documents indexed by such engines and stringent performance requirements imposed by the heavy load of queries, the inverted index stores billions of integers that must be searched efficiently. In this scenario,
index compression
is essential because it leads to a better exploitation of the computer memory hierarchy for faster query processing and, at the same time, allows reducing the number of storage machines.

The aim of this article is twofold: first, surveying the encoding algorithms suitable for inverted index compression and, second, characterizing the performance of the inverted index through experimentation.
The Node Vector Distance Problem in Complex Networks
Authors: Coscia Michele , Gomez-Lievano Andres , Mcnerney James , Neffke Frank
Published: December 2020

We describe a problem in complex networks we call the Node Vector Distance (NVD) problem, and we survey algorithms currently able to address it. Complex networks are a useful tool to map a non-trivial set of relationships among connected entities, or nodes. An agent—e.g., a disease—can occupy multiple nodes at the same time and can spread through the edges. The node vector distance problem is to estimate the distance traveled by the agent between two moments in time. This is closely related to the Optimal Transportation Problem (OTP), which has received attention in fields such as computer vision. OTP solutions can be used to solve the node vector distance problem, but they are not the only valid approaches. Here, we examine four classes of solutions, showing their differences and similarities both on synthetic networks and real world network data. The NVD problem has a much wider applicability than computer vision, being related to problems in economics, epidemiology, viral marketing, and sociology, to cite a few. We show how solutions to the NVD problem have a wide range of applications, and we provide a roadmap to general and computationally tractable solutions. We have implemented all methods presented in this article in a publicly available open source library, which can be used for result replication.
Energy Diagnosis of Android Applications
Authors: C. Marimuthu , Chandrasekaran K. , Chimalakonda Sridhar
Published: December 2020

The abnormal energy consumption of Android applications is a significant problem faced by developers and users. In recent years, researchers have invested their efforts to develop energy diagnosis tools that pinpoint and fix the energy bugs from source code automatically. These tools use traditional software engineering methods such as program analysis, refactoring, software repair, and bug localization to diagnose energy inefficiencies. Existing surveys focus only on energy measurement techniques and profiling tools and do not consider automated energy diagnosis tools. Therefore, this article organizes state of the art by surveying 25 relevant studies on Android applications’ automatic energy diagnosis. Further, this survey presents a systematic thematic taxonomy of existing approaches from a software engineering perspective. The taxonomy presented in this article would serve as a body of knowledge and help researchers and developers to understand the state of the field better. The future research directions discussed in this article might help prospective researchers to identify suitable topics to improve the current research work in this field.
Security and Privacy in IoT Using Machine Learning and Blockchain
Authors: Waheed Nazar , He Xiangjian , Ikram Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Hashmi Saad Sajid , Usman Muhammad
Published: December 2020

Security and privacy of users have become significant concerns due to the involvement of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices in numerous applications. Cyber threats are growing at an explosive pace making the existing security and privacy measures inadequate. Hence, everyone on the Internet is a product for hackers. Consequently, Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are used to produce accurate outputs from large complex databases, where the generated outputs can be used to predict and detect vulnerabilities in IoT-based systems. Furthermore, Blockchain (BC) techniques are becoming popular in modern IoT applications to solve security and privacy issues. Several studies have been conducted on either ML algorithms or BC techniques. However, these studies target either security or privacy issues using ML algorithms or BC techniques, thus posing a need for a combined survey on efforts made in recent years addressing both security and privacy issues using ML algorithms and BC techniques. In this article, we provide a summary of research efforts made in the past few years, from 2008 to 2019, addressing security and privacy issues using ML algorithms and BC techniques in the IoT domain. First, we discuss and categorize various security and privacy threats reported in the past 12 years in the IoT domain. We then classify the literature on security and privacy efforts based on ML algorithms and BC techniques in the IoT domain. Finally, we identify and illuminate several challenges and future research directions using ML algorithms and BC techniques to address security and privacy issues in the IoT domain.
Patterns and Interactions in Network Security
Authors: Zave Pamela , Rexford Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Networks play a central role in cyber-security: networks deliver security attacks, suffer from them, defend against them, and sometimes even cause them. This article is a concise tutorial on the large subject of networks and security, written for all those interested in networking, whether their specialty is security or not. To achieve this goal, we derive our focus and organization from two perspectives. The first perspective is that, although mechanisms for network security are extremely diverse, they are all instances of a few patterns. Consequently, after a pragmatic classification of security attacks, the main sections of the tutorial cover the four patterns for providing network security, of which the familiar three are cryptographic protocols, packet filtering, and dynamic resource allocation. Although cryptographic protocols hide the data contents of packets, they cannot hide packet headers. When users need to hide packet headers from adversaries, which may include the network from which they are receiving service, they must resort to the pattern of compound sessions and overlays. The second perspective comes from the observation that security mechanisms interact in important ways, with each other and with other aspects of networking, so each pattern includes a discussion of its interactions.
Trust in FPGA-accelerated Cloud Computing
Authors: Turan Furkan , Verbauwhede Ingrid
Published: December 2020

Platforms combining Central Processing Systems (CPUs) with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have become popular, as they promise high performance with energy efficiency. This is the result of the combination of FPGA accelerators tuned to the application, with the CPU providing the programming flexibility. Unfortunately, the security of these new platforms has received little attention: The classic software security assumption that hardware is immutable no longer holds. It is expected that attack surfaces will expand and threats will evolve, hence the trust models, and security solutions should be prepared. The attacker model should be enhanced and consider the following three basic entities as the source of threats: applications run by users, accelerators designed by third-party developers, and the cloud service providers enabling the computation on their platforms. In our work, we review current trust models and existing security assumptions and point out their shortcomings. We survey existing research that target secure remote FPGA configuration, the protection of intellectual property, and secure shared use of FPGAs. When combined, these are the foundations to build a solution for secure use of FPGAs in the cloud. In addition to analysing the existing research, we provide discussions on how to improve it and disclose various concerns that have not been addressed yet.
Design of Algorithms and Protocols for Underwater Acoustic Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Boukerche Azzedine , Sun Peng
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, with the recent advances of wireless underwater communication and acoustic sensor devices technology, we are witnessing a surge in the exploration and exploitation of the ocean’s abundant natural resources. Accordingly, to fulfill the requirements of the exploration of the ocean, researchers have focused their work toward the design of methods and algorithms for the underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs). Although considerable research effort has been devoted to the development of a variety of UASN-based applications, very limited work has addressed the algorithmic design and analysis for UASN. To this end, we propose to provide a comprehensive design, development, and analysis of algorithms and protocols for UASNs. We discuss each of the fundamental UASN building blocks, such as (i) underwater acoustic communication channel modeling, (ii) sustainable coverage and target detection, (iii) Medium Access Control (MAC-layer design and time synchronization, (iv) localization algorithms design, and (v) underwater routing protocol. Then, we illustrate the different protocols from each category and compare their benefits and drawbacks. Finally, we discuss a few potential directions for future research related to the design of future generations of UASNs.
Surgical Treatment of Epiblepharon Effectively Alleviates Keratopathy but Not Astigmatism: A Case-Control Study Utilizing Vector Analysis in East Asian Children
Authors: Ma Shang-Te , Liu Yao-Lin , Hsieh Ching-Ju , Chen Yo-Shen , Tsai Tzu-Hsun
Published: December 2020

Purpose. To identify an appropriate surgical indication of epiblepharon by comparing keratopathy and astigmatism outcomes after surgical and medical treatments for epiblepharon in Asian children. Methods. Children diagnosed with epiblepharon (n = 82, age 5.93 ± 2.76 years) with >6 months of follow-up were enrolled. The clinical presentations and cycloplegic refractive status at the baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment were compared between surgical (91 eyes from 47 children) and nonsurgical (67 eyes from 35 children) groups. The refractive and keratometric astigmatism at each time point were evaluated with vector analysis methods. For Thibos and Horner’s method, the astigmatic power vector was decomposed into horizontal and oblique meridians (J0 and J45). However, the treatment-induced astigmatism (TIA) vectors were calculated by Alpins’ method and depicted by the AstigMATIC software. Results. In the surgical and nonsurgical groups, the baseline astigmatism magnitude was similar (2.22 ± 1.39 and 2.26 ± 1.46 D,

p

 = 0.87). The rate of complete resolution of keratopathy at 6 months was 71.4% and 11.5%. The astigmatism magnitude in the surgical group differed among baseline and 3 months (2.25 ± 1.23 D) and 6 months postoperatively (1.97 ± 1.28 D) (

p

 = 0.001). Power vector analyses confirmed a nuanced against-the-rule shift in the surgical group. This trend was especially observed in the subgroup of baseline astigmatism >2.0 D. However, the difference in the astigmatism magnitude between surgical and nonsurgical groups, even in highly astigmatic children, was not significant at 6 months. Conclusions. The improvement of keratopathy in the surgical group was greater than that in the nonsurgical group in consideration of the more advanced severity in the surgery group at baseline. Decreased with-the-rule astigmatism can be observed at 6 months postoperatively, particularly among those with greater baseline astigmatism. However, the amount of change is small, and the outcome does not differ significantly from the nonsurgical treatment. Therefore, surgical indications should majorly base on the severity of symptoms and keratopathy.
Surgical Approach in Management of Posttraumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia: Thoracotomy versus Laparotomy
Authors: Shabhay Ahmed , Horumpende Pius , Shabhay Zarina , Van Baal Sjef G. , Lazaro Ester , Chilonga Kondo
Published: December 2020

Breach in diaphragmatic musculature permits abdominal viscera to herniate into the thoracic cavity. Time of presentation and associated injuries determines the surgical approach in management. This case report sets to highlight the challenges in clinical diagnosis, radiological interpretation, and surgical management approaches of posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia. We report a case of a 43 years old male who was diagnosed with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia 6 months post blunt thoracoabdominal trauma due to motor traffic accident. He was initially diagnosed with haemothorax, drained with an underwater thoracostomy tube, and discharged. He continued to experience on and off chest pain worsening postfeeding, difficulty in breathing and abdominal pain for the next six months until his eventual diaphragmatic hernia diagnosis. He was scheduled for an elective thoracotomy. A left posterolateral thoracic over the 7th intercostal space incision was used. Intraoperatively, the stomach, left lobe of liver, part of transverse colon, small bowel, and omentum had herniated into the thoracic cavity adhering into thoracic viscera and wall. Adhesiolysis was done, and abdominal organs reduced into abdominal cavity. Rent was closed by interrupted Prolene sutures reinforced with a mesh. In patients with delayed presentation of diaphragmatic hernia post blunt thoracoabdominal injury without associated intra-abdominal visceral injury, we recommend the thoracic diaphragmatic repair approach as long-standing herniated bowels might adhere with thoracic cavity walls or viscera. In such cases, adhesiolysis and rent repair is easier through thoracotomy.
Assessment of Minerals, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Ten Moroccan Pomegranate Cultivars
Authors: Loukhmas Sarah , Kerak Ebrahim , Outaki Meriem , Belaqziz Majdouline , Harrak Hasnaâ
Published: December 2020

The attractiveness of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is increasing worldwide among producers and consumers. Depending on its characteristics, the pomegranate may be intended for fresh consumption, for industrial processing, or for medical purposes. This study aims to assess the variability in terms of mineral content and biochemical properties of ten selected pomegranate cultivars grown in the center of Morocco to better know their fruit potential. Mineral composition, organic acids, total polyphenols, anthocyanins content, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were determined in pomegranate juices. Results showed significant differences between cultivars. The sour cultivar “Lhamdha” is rich in organic acids, gallagyl esters, and ellagitannins and showed high antioxidant activity. It could therefore be used as a source for nutraceutical substances. The cultivar “Sefri” of Lalla Takerkoust showed important content of mineral elements, especially iodine (I), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and silver (Ag). The cultivars “Sefri” of Ouled Abdellah, “Sefri” of Beni Meskine, “Lahmer,” and “Marrakchia” are suitable for production of fresh pomegranate juice with high potential of health benefits. In fact, they are rich in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and oxalic and ascorbic acids and they presented high antioxidant activity. While the cultivars “Sefri” of Sour Laaz, “Sefri” of Tmassine, “Sefri” of Sidi Abdellah, and “Bzeq Tir” could be intended for fresh fruit consumption. Cluster analysis has revealed the divergence of cultivars with the same appellation “Sefri” confirming the problem of homonymy or synonymy in the pomegranate cultivars appellation. This study clearly demonstrates the nutritional and functional potential of the studied cultivars and the importance of their valorisation, especially for food and pharmaceutical industries.