bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on Seismic Performance of Prefabricated Columns Connected Using a Novel Dry Sleeve
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Zhao Baojun , Wu Hao , Djerrad Abderrahim , Zhang Dekai
Published: January 2024

Prefabricated structures are widely used because of their advantages of energy savings, environmental protection, standardization, and universality. However, due to the complex structure of the joints, it is easy to make the joint installation difficult and the prefabricated column connection unreliable, and further lead to the poor seismic performance of the structure. Therefore, a new type of dry sleeve joint with double screw sleeve without support is proposed, and the seismic performance and influencing factors of the new dry-sleeve-joint prefabricated column are studied. This study encompasses seven reinforced concrete columns characterized by cross-sectional dimensions of 600 mm × 600 mm. Among these, five specimens feature a novel dry sleeve connection, while the remaining two specimens were entirely cast-in-place. Low-cycle reversed loading experiments were conducted on all specimens to analyze and compare the damage patterns, hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, displacement ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and ultimate bearing capacity between precast and cast-in-place columns. Several parameters, including fabrication method, axial compression ratio, longitudinal reinforcement diameter, and hoop spacing, were examined. The findings demonstrated that the calculated-to-tested ratio of the ultimate bearing capacity for the prefabricated specimens was determined to be 0.62, indicating a high level of safety. The displacement ductility coefficient for each specimen ranged from 2.43 to 3.31, while the ultimate drift ratio was within the range of 1/41 to 1/33, satisfying the specified requirements for seismic performance. However, the hysteresis curve of the prefabricated specimens exhibited a pinching effect, which may be related to the existence of a weak layer on the joint surface of the post-cast section. In general, the shape of the new dry sleeve is maintained in the test, the connection form can effectively transfer the force, and the longitudinal bars can be strained and yield when the prefabricated column reaches the peak load. The new type of dry sleeve connection can be used for longitudinal reinforcement connection of reinforced concrete columns with seismic design.
Utilizing Design Objectives and Key Performance Indicators as a Means for Multi-Species Building Envelopes
Authors: Saroglou Soultana Tanya , Selvan Surayyn Uthaya , Windorfer Laura , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Joschinski Jens , Hauck Thomas E. , Perini Katia , Mosca Francesca , Grobman Yasha J. , Barath Shany
Published: January 2024

Population growth, urbanization, and climate change have significantly contributed to environmental degradation, posing severe consequences for humans and other species. By integrating ecological objectives with human-centric goals, a path towards a sustainable, multi-species future is possible. Current sustainable design principles have shown positive environmental impacts by addressing human-centric objectives such as enhancing green infrastructure, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and more. However, the incorporation of multi-species design criteria remains unresolved. This paper proposes a conceptual framework in which human-centric and ecological design objectives are defined and associated through the selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) represented by numerical thresholds. But, while the objective-KPI relationship is an established path in architectural design, the same does not apply for preserving and promoting biodiversity. The proposed conceptual framework identifies, defines, and associates the relevant objective-KPI relationships for all stakeholders and becomes the basis for evaluating the project computationally. Such an approach is currently lacking.
Reconstructing Missing Data Using a Bi-LSTM Model Based on VMD and SSA for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Zhu Songlin , Miao Jijun , Chen Wei , Liu Caiwei , Weng Chengliang , Luo Yichun
Published: January 2024

For structural health monitoring (SHM), a complete dataset is crucial for further modal identification analysis and risk warning. Unfortunately, data loss can occur due to sensor failure, transmission system interruption, or hardware failure, which can lead to missing data. Therefore, this study proposes a bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (Bi-LSTM) response recovery method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and sparrow search algorithm (SSA) optimization that utilizes the structural response data between multiple sensors and can simultaneously consider temporal and spatial correlations. A dataset containing approximately half a month of monitoring data was collected from a certain project for training, validation, and testing. A publicly available dataset was also referenced to validate the proposed method in this paper. Using the public dataset, under 13 different data loss rates, the VMD + SSA + Bi-LSTM model reduced the RMSE of data reconstruction by an average of 65.01% and 45.35% compared to the Bi-LSTM model and the VMD + Bi-LSTM models, respectively, while the coefficient of determination increased by 62.21% and 11.19%. The data reconstruction method proposed in this paper can accurately reconstruct the variation trends of missing data without the manual optimization of hyperparameters, and the reconstruction results are close to the real data.
Elasticity Values as a Predictive Modality for Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Min Ji , Eun Na Lae , Ahn Sung Gwe , Kim Jee Hung , Youk Ji Hyun , Son Eun Ju , Jeong Joon , Cha Yoon Jin , Bae Soong June
Published: January 2024

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is an effective tool in discriminating malignant lesions of breast and axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer. However, the association between the baseline elasticity value of breast cancer and the treatment response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is yet to be elucidated. Baseline SWE measured mean stiffness (E-mean) and maximum stiffness (E-max) in 830 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery from January 2012 to December 2022. Association of elasticity values with breast pCR (defined as ypTis/T0), pCR (defined as ypTis/T0, N0), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was analyzed. Of 830 patients, 356 (42.9%) achieved breast pCR, and 324 (39.0%) achieved pCR. The patients with low elasticity values had higher breast pCR and pCR rates than those with high elasticity values. A low E-mean (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.620; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.437 to 0.878; p = 0.007) and low E-max (adjusted OR: 0.701; 95% CI: 0.494 to 0.996; p = 0.047) were independent predictive factors for breast pCR. Low elasticity values were significantly correlated with high TILs. Pretreatment elasticity values measured using SWE were significantly associated with treatment response and inversely correlated with TILs, particularly in HR+HER2- breast cancer and TNBC.
Transarterial Bleomycin–Lipiodol Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Giant Hepatic Hemangiomas: An Assessment of Effectiveness
Authors: Kacała Arkadiusz , Dorochowicz Mateusz , Korbecki Adrian , Sobański Michał , Puła Michał , Patrzałek Dariusz , Janczak Dariusz , Guziński Maciej
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates the effectiveness of superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using a bleomycin–lipiodol emulsion in treating giant hepatic hemangiomas. A retrospective review included 31 patients with a mean age of 53 ± 10.42 years who underwent TACE from December 2014 to October 2022, with follow-up imaging examinations to assess outcomes. Technical success was defined as successful embolization of all feeding arteries, and clinical success was defined as a reduction in hemangioma volume by 50% or more on follow-up imaging. This study observed a 100% technical success rate. Post-embolization syndrome was common, and two cases of asymptomatic hepatic artery dissection were noted. Clinical success was achieved in 80.6% of patients, with significant volume reduction observed in the majority. Conclusively, superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with bleomycin–lipiodol emulsions is presented as a viable and effective treatment option for giant hepatic hemangiomas. With no procedure-related mortality and significant volume reduction in most cases, this method offers a promising alternative to surgical intervention. This study’s findings suggest a need for further exploration and validation in larger-scale prospective studies.
Embracing Personalized Strategies in Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Beyond the Conventional Bounds of Fields and Borders
Authors: Yip Pui Lam , You Rui , Chen Ming-Yuan , Chua Melvin L. K.
Published: January 2024

Radiotherapy is the primary treatment modality for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) across all TN-stages. Locoregional control rates have been impressive even from the 2D radiotherapy (RT) era, except when the ability to deliver optimal dose coverage to the tumor is compromised. However, short- and long-term complications following head and neck RT are potentially debilitating, and thus, there has been much research investigating technological advances in RT delivery over the past decades, with the primary goal of limiting normal tissue damage. On this note, with a plateau in gains of therapeutic ratio by modern RT techniques, future advances have to be focused on individualization of RT, both in terms of dose prescription and the delineation of target volumes. In this review, we analyzed the guidelines and evidence related to contouring methods, and dose prescription for early and locoregionally advanced (LA-) NPC. Next, with the preference for induction chemotherapy (IC) in patients with LA-NPC, we assessed the evidence concerning radiotherapy adaptations guided by IC response, as well as functional imaging and contour changes during treatment. Finally, we discussed on RT individualization that is guided by EBV DNA assessment, and its importance in the era of combinatorial immune checkpoint blockade therapy with RT.
Adapting the Fitness Criteria for Non-Intensive Treatments in Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia to the Use of Venetoclax-Hypomethylating Agents Combination—Practical Considerations from the Real-Life Experience of the Hematologists of the Rete Ematologica Lombarda
Authors: Rossi Giuseppe , Borlenghi Erika , Zappasodi Patrizia , Lussana Federico , Bernardi Massimo , Basilico Claudia , Molteni Alfredo , Lotesoriere Ivana , Turrini Mauro , Frigeni Marco , Fumagalli Monica , Cozzi Paola , Gigli Federica , Cattaneo Chiara , Fracchiolla Nicola Stefano , Riva Marta , Martini Gianluca , Mancini Valentina , Cairoli Roberto , Todisco Elisabetta
Published: January 2024

A retrospective survey was conducted in hematologic centres of the Rete Ematologica Lombarda (REL) on 529 older AML patients seen between 2020–2022. Compared to 2008–2016, the use of intensive chemotherapy (ICT) decreased from 40% to 18.1% and of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) from 19.5% to 13%, whereas the combination of Venetoclax/HMA, initially not available, increased from 0% to 36.7%. Objective treatment-specific fitness criteria proposed by SIE/SIES/GITMO in 2013 allow an appropriate choice between ICT and HMAs by balancing their efficacy and toxicity. Venetoclax/HMA, registered for patients unfit to ICT, has a unique toxicity profile because of prolonged granulocytopenia and increased infectious risk. Aiming at defining specific fitness criteria for the safe use of Venetoclax/HMA, a preliminary investigation was conducted among expert REL hematologists, asking for modifications of SIE/SIES/GITMO criteria they used to select candidates for Venetoclax/HMA. While opinions among experts varied, a general consensus emerged on restricting SIE/SIES/GITMO criteria for ICT-unfit patients to an age limit of 80–85, cardiac function > 40%, and absence of recurrent lung infections, bronchiectasis, or exacerbating COPD. Also, the presence of an adequate caregiver was considered mandatory. Such expert opinions may be clinically useful and may be considered when treatment-specific fitness criteria are updated to include Venetoclax/HMA.
In Vivo and In Vitro Pro-Fibrotic Response of Lung-Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Escarrer-Garau Gabriel , Martín-Medina Aina , Truyols-Vives Joan , Gómez-Bellvert Cristina , Elowsson Linda , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla , Molina-Molina Maria , Mercader-Barceló Josep , Sala-Llinàs Ernest
Published: January 2024

Lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSC) are thought to participate in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by differentiating into myofibroblasts. On the other hand, LR-MSC in IPF patients present senescence-related features. It is unclear how they respond to a profibrotic environment. Here, we investigated the profibrotic response of LR-MSC isolated from IPF and control (CON) patients. LR-MSC were inoculated in mice 48 h after bleomycin (BLM) instillation to analyze their contribution to lung damage. In vitro, LR-MSC were exposed to TGFβ. Mice inoculated with IPF LR-MSC exhibited worse maintenance of their body weight. The instillation of either IPF or CON LR-MSC sustained BLM-induced histological lung damage, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell count, and the expression of the myofibroblast marker, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. In vitro, IPF LR-MSC displayed higher basal protein levels of aSMA and fibronectin than CON LR-MSC. However, the TGFβ response in the expression of TGFβ, aSMA, and ECM genes was attenuated in IPF LR-MSC. In conclusion, IPF LR-MSC have acquired myofibroblastic features, but their capacity to further respond to profibrotic stimuli seems to be attenuated. In an advanced stage of the disease, LR-MSC may participate in disease progression owing to their limited ability to repair epithelial damage.
Stable Sulforaphane Targets the Early Stages of Osteoclast Formation to Engender a Lasting Functional Blockade of Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Louka Polymnia , Orriss Isabel R. , Pitsillides Andrew A.
Published: January 2024

Sulforaphane, the native but unstable form of SFX-01, is an antioxidant that activates the NRF2 and inhibits the NF-KB pathways to achieve its actions. Resolving the mechanism(s) by which SFX-01 serves to control the various osteoclastogenic stages may expose pathways that could be explored for therapeutic use. Here we seek to identify the stage of osteoclastogenesis targeted by SFX-01 and explore whether, like SFN, it exerts its actions via the NRF2 and NF-KB pathways. Osteoclasts generated from the bone marrow (BM) of mice were cultured with SFX-01 at different timepoints to examine each phase of osteoclastogenesis separately. This showed that SFX-01 exerted actions throughout the process of osteoclastogenesis, but had its largest effects in the early osteoclast precursor differentiation stage. Thus, treatment with SFX-01 for the duration of culture, for the initial 3 days differentiation or for as little as the first 24 h was sufficient for effective inhibition. This aligned with data suggesting that SFX-01 reduced DC-STAMP levels, osteoclast nuclear number and modified cytoskeletal architecture. Pharmacological regulation of the NRF2 pathways, via selective inhibitors/activators, supported the anti-osteoclastogenic roles of an SFX-01-mediated by NRF2 activation, as well as the need for tight NF-KB pathway regulation in osteoclast formation/function.
Azithromycin Augments Bacterial Uptake and Anti-Inflammatory Macrophage Polarization in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Tarique Abdullah A. , Tuladhar Neeraj , Kelk Dean , Begum Nelufa , Lucas Richard M. , Luo Lin , Stow Jennifer L. , Wainwright Claire E. , Bell Scott C. , Sly Peter D. , Fantino Emmanuelle
Published: January 2024

Background: Azithromycin (AZM) is widely being used for treating patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) following clinical trials demonstrating improved lung function and fewer incidents of pulmonary exacerba-tions. While the precise mechanisms remain elusive, immunomodulatory actions are thought to be involved. We previously reported impaired phagocytosis and defective anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization in CF. This study systematically analyzed the effect of AZM on the functions of unpolarized and M1/M2 polarized macrophages in CF. Methods: Monocytes, isolated from the venous blood of patients with CF (pwCF) and healthy controls (HCs), were differentiated into monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and subsequently infected with P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa uptake and killing by MDMs in the presence or absence of AZM was studied. M1 and M2 macrophage polarizations were induced and their functions and cytokine release were analyzed. Results: Following AZM treatment, both HC and CF MDMs exhibited a significant increase in P. aeruginosa uptake and killing, however, lysosomal acidification remained unchanged. AZM treatment led to higher activation of ERK1/2 in both HC and CF MDMs. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 using U0126 significantly reduced P. aeruginosa uptake in HC MDMs. M1 macrophage polarization remained unaffected; however, AZM treatment led to increased IL-6 and IL-10 release in both HC and CF M1 macrophages. AZM also significantly increased the phagocytic index for both pHrodo E. coli and S. aureus in CF M1 macrophages. In CF, AZM treatment promoted anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization, with an increased percentage of CD209+ M2 macrophages, induction of the M2 gene CCL18, along with its secretion in the culture supernatant. However, AZM d’d not restore endocytosis in CF, another essential feature of M2 macrophages. Conclusions: This study highlights the cellular functions and molecular targets of AZM which may involve an improved uptake of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, restored anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization in CF. This may in turn shape the reduced lung inflammation observed in clinical trials. In addition, we confirmed the role of ERK1/2 activation for bacterial uptake.
Housekeeping Gene Stability in Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Cultivated in Serum/Xeno-Free Media for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ragni Enrico , Piccolo Simona , De Luca Paola , Taiana Michela , Grieco Giulio , de Girolamo Laura
Published: January 2024

Among the available therapeutics for the conservative treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-based products appear to be the most promising. Alongside minimally manipulated cell-based orthobiologics, where MSCs are the engine of the bioactive properties, cell expansion under good manufacturing practice (GMP) settings is actively studied to obtain clinical-grade pure populations able to concentrate the biological activity. One of the main characteristics of GMP protocols is the use of clinical-grade reagents, including the recently released serum-free/xeno-free (SFM/XFM) synthetic media, which differ significantly from the traditional reagents like those based on fetal bovine serum (FBS). As SFM/XFM are still poorly characterized, a main lack is the notion of reliable housekeeping genes (HKGs) for molecular studies, either standalone or in combination with standard conditions. Indeed, the aim of this work was to test the stability of five commonly used HKGs (ACTB, EF1A, GAPDH, RPLP0, and TBP) in adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) cultivated in two commercially available SFM/XFM and to compare outcomes with those obtained in FBS. Four different applets widely recognized by the scientific community (NormFinder, geNorm, comparative ΔCt method, and BestKeeper) were used and data were merged to obtain a final stability order. The analysis showed that cells cultured in both synthetic media had a similar ranking for HKGs stability (GAPDH being best), albeit divergent from FBS expanded products (EF1A at top). Moreover, it was possible to identify specific HKGs for side by side studies, with EF1A/TBP being the most reliable normalizers for single SFM/XFM vs. FBS cultured cells and TBP the best one for a comprehensive analysis of all samples. In addition, stability of HKGs was donor-dependent. The normalization effect on selected genes coding for factors known to be involved in OA pathology, and whose amount should be carefully considered for the selection of the most appropriate MSC-based treatment, showed how HKGs choice might affect the perceived amount for the different media or donor. Overall, this work confirms the impact of SFM/XFM conditions on HKGs stability performance, which resulted similarly for both synthetic media analyzed in the study.
Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells and Their Interplay with Th-17 Cell Response Pathway
Authors: Najar Mehdi , Rahmani Saida , Faour Wissam H. , Alsabri Sami G. , Lombard Catherine A. , Fayyad-Kazan Hussein , Sokal Etienne M. , Merimi Makram , Fahmi Hassan
Published: January 2024

As a form of immunomodulatory therapeutics, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord (UC) tissue were assessed for their dynamic interplay with the Th-17 immune response pathway. UC-MSCs were able to modulate lymphocyte response by promoting a Th-17-like profile. Such modulation depended on the cell ratio of the cocultures as well as the presence of an inflammatory setting underlying their plasticity. UC-MSCs significantly increased the expression of IL-17A and RORγt but differentially modulated T cell expression of IL-23R. In parallel, the secretion profile of the fifteen factors (IL1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-21, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, INF-γ, sCD40, and TNF-α) involved in the Th-17 immune response pathway was substantially altered during these cocultures. The modulation of these factors demonstrates the capacity of UC-MSCs to sense and actively respond to tissue challenges. Protein network and functional enrichment analysis indicated that several biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components linked to distinct Th-17 signaling interactions are involved in several trophic, inflammatory, and immune network responses. These immunological changes and interactions with the Th-17 pathway are likely critical to tissue healing and may help to identify molecular targets that will improve therapeutic strategies involving UC-MSCs.
The Roles of Cystatin B in the Brain and Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy Type 1
Authors: Singh Shekhar , Hämäläinen Riikka H.
Published: January 2024

Progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1) is an autosomal recessive disorder, also known as Unverricht–Lundborg disease (ULD). EPM1 patients suffer from photo-sensitive seizures, stimulus-sensitive myoclonus, nocturnal myoclonic seizures, ataxia and dysarthria. In addition, cerebral ataxia and impaired GABAergic inhibition are typically present. EPM1 is caused by mutations in the Cystatin B gene (CSTB). The CSTB protein functions as an intracellular thiol protease inhibitor and inhibits Cathepsin function. It also plays a crucial role in brain development and regulates various functions in neurons beyond maintaining cellular proteostasis. These include controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, synaptic functions and protection against oxidative stress, likely through regulation of mitochondrial function. Depending on the differentiation stage and status of neurons, the protein localizes either to the cytoplasm, nucleus, lysosomes or mitochondria. Further, CSTB can also be secreted to the extracellular matrix for interneuron rearrangement and migration. In this review, we will review the various functions of CSTB in the brain and discuss the putative pathophysiological mechanism underlying EPM1.
Simulation of Electrical Biofilm Impedance to Determine the Sensitivity of Electrode Geometries
Authors: Gansauge Chris , Echtermeyer Danny , Frense Dieter
Published: January 2024

Biofilms are ubiquitous at interfaces of natural and technical origin. Depending on type and application, biofilm formation is desired or has to be prevented. Therefore, reliable detection of initial biofilm growth is essential in many areas. One method of biofilm monitoring is the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Among other factors, this method is heavily dependent on the electrode geometry. In order to achieve a high measurement sensitivity, the electrode size must be chosen according to the biofilm that is to be measured. This paper presents an approach for simulating and modeling the optimal electrode geometry for a specific biofilm. First, a geometric model of a biofilm with up to 6000 individual bacteria is generated. The simulated impedances are used to calculate which electrode geometry maximizes sensitivity depending on the biofilm height. In the chosen example of an E. coli biofilm in a nutrient solution, the optimum size of an interdigital electrode (bar gap equals width) was 2.5 µm for a biofilm height of up to 2 µm. The used algorithms and models can be simply adapted for other biofilms. In this way, the most sensitive electrode geometry for a specific biofilm measurement can be determined with minimal effort.
Knowledge Gaps and Bridges: The Relationship between the Awareness of General Patient Rights and the Awareness of Minors’ Patient Rights in the Netherlands
Authors: Adu-Gallant Charelity , Toelen Jaan , Sluiter-Post Judith , De Coninck David , de Winter Peter
Published: January 2024

The major focus of this research is the level of awareness among Dutch parents of general patient rights in relation to minors’ patient rights. Moreover, this study is intended to highlight the most effective strategies to increase the awareness of general and minor patient rights in the Netherlands. A survey was conducted among 1010 Dutch parents aged between 35 and 55 years who had at least one child. In this study, we described the relationship between the knowledge among parents of general patient rights and their understanding of the patient rights of minors. A significant connection was found between the knowledge levels of general patient rights and the knowledge levels of the patient rights of minors (p < 0.05 [95% CI: 0.019–0.183]). While age and sex (male/female) did not appear to be significant confounders in this association, the educational background of the participants may have played a role. This study provides comprehensive insights into the association between the knowledge of general patient rights and the patient rights of minors among Dutch parents. Furthermore, this study points out that there is a need for focused educational interventions to address specific areas of misunderstanding or uncertainty.
A Technical Comparative Heart Disease Prediction Framework Using Boosting Ensemble Techniques
Authors: Nissa Najmu , Jamwal Sanjay , Neshat Mehdi
Published: January 2024

This paper addresses the global surge in heart disease prevalence and its impact on public health, stressing the need for accurate predictive models. The timely identification of individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular ailments is paramount for implementing preventive measures and timely interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases, responsible for an alarming 17.9 million annual fatalities, constitute a significant 31% of the global mortality rate. The intricate clinical landscape, characterized by inherent variability and a complex interplay of factors, poses challenges for accurately diagnosing the severity of cardiac conditions and predicting their progression. Consequently, early identification emerges as a pivotal factor in the successful treatment of heart-related ailments. This research presents a comprehensive framework for the prediction of cardiovascular diseases, leveraging advanced boosting techniques and machine learning methodologies, including Cat boost, Random Forest, Gradient boosting, Light GBM, and Ada boost. Focusing on “Early Heart Disease Prediction using Boosting Techniques”, this paper aims to contribute to the development of robust models capable of reliably forecasting cardiovascular health risks. Model performance is rigorously assessed using a substantial dataset on heart illnesses from the UCI machine learning library. With 26 feature-based numerical and categorical variables, this dataset encompasses 8763 samples collected globally. The empirical findings highlight AdaBoost as the preeminent performer, achieving a notable accuracy of 95% and excelling in metrics such as negative predicted value (0.83), false positive rate (0.04), false negative rate (0.04), and false development rate (0.01). These results underscore AdaBoost’s superiority in predictive accuracy and overall performance compared to alternative algorithms, contributing valuable insights to the field of cardiovascular health prediction.
Securing Mobile Edge Computing Using Hybrid Deep Learning Method
Authors: Adeniyi Olusola , Sadiq Ali Safaa , Pillai Prashant , Aljaidi Mohammad , Kaiwartya Omprakash
Published: January 2024

In recent years, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) has revolutionized the landscape of the telecommunication industry by offering low-latency, high-bandwidth, and real-time processing. With this advancement comes a broad range of security challenges, the most prominent of which is Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which threaten the availability and performance of MEC’s services. In most cases, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), a security tool that monitors networks and systems for suspicious activity and notify administrators in real time of potential cyber threats, have relied on shallow Machine Learning (ML) models that are limited in their abilities to identify and mitigate DDoS attacks. This article highlights the drawbacks of current IDS solutions, primarily their reliance on shallow ML techniques, and proposes a novel hybrid Autoencoder–Multi-Layer Perceptron (AE–MLP) model for intrusion detection as a solution against DDoS attacks in the MEC environment. The proposed hybrid AE–MLP model leverages autoencoders’ feature extraction capabilities to capture intricate patterns and anomalies within network traffic data. This extracted knowledge is then fed into a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) network, enabling deep learning techniques to further analyze and classify potential threats. By integrating both AE and MLP, the hybrid model achieves higher accuracy and robustness in identifying DDoS attacks while minimizing false positives. As a result of extensive experiments using the recently released NF-UQ-NIDS-V2 dataset, which contains a wide range of DDoS attacks, our results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid AE–MLP model achieves a high accuracy of 99.98%. Based on the results, the hybrid approach performs better than several similar techniques.
Development of a New Post-Quantum Digital Signature Algorithm: Syrga-1
Authors: Algazy Kunbolat , Sakan Kairat , Khompysh Ardabek , Dyusenbayev Dilmukhanbet
Published: January 2024

The distinguishing feature of hash-based algorithms is their high confidence in security. When designing electronic signature schemes, proofs of security reduction to certain properties of cryptographic hash functions are used. This means that if the scheme is compromised, then one of these properties will be violated. It is important to note that the properties of cryptographic hash functions have been studied for many years, but if a specific hash function used in a protocol turns out to be insecure, it can simply be replaced with another one while keeping the overall construction unchanged. This article describes a new post-quantum signature algorithm, Syrga-1, based on a hash function. This algorithm is designed to sign r messages with a single secret key. One of the key primitives of the signature algorithm is a cryptographic hash function. The proposed algorithm uses the HAS01 hashing algorithm developed by researchers from the Information Security Laboratory of the Institute of Information and Computational Technologies. The security and efficiency of the specified hash algorithm have been demonstrated in other articles by its authors. Hash-based signature schemes are attractive as post-quantum signature schemes because their security can be quantified, and their security has been proven.
Refining Protein Envelopes with a Transition Region for Enhanced Direct Phasing in Protein Crystallography
Authors: Fu Ruijiang , Su Wu-Pei , He Hongxing
Published: January 2024

In protein crystallography, the determination of an accurate protein envelope is of paramount importance for ab initio phasing of diffraction data. In our previous work, we introduced an approach to ascertain the protein envelope by seeking an optimal cutoff value on a weighted-average density map. In this paper, we present a significant advancement in our approach by focusing on identifying a transition region that demarcates the boundary between the protein and solvent regions, rather than relying solely on a single cutoff value. Within this transition region, we conducted a meticulous search for the protein envelope using a finer map and our proposed transition hybrid input–output (THIO) algorithm. Through this improvement, we achieved a refined protein envelope even when starting from random phases, enabling us to determine protein structures with irregular envelopes and successfully phase crystals with reduced solvent contents. To validate the efficacy of our method, we conducted tests using real diffraction data from five protein crystals, each containing solvent contents ranging from 60% to 65%. Solving these structures through conventional direct methods proved difficult due to the limited solvent content. The mean phase error obtained through our proposed method was about 30°. The reconstructed model matched with the structure in the protein data bank with a root mean square deviation (r.m.s.d.) of about 1 Å. These results serve as compelling evidence that the utilization of the proposed transition region in conjunction with the THIO algorithm contributes significantly to the construction of a reliable protein envelope. This, in turn, becomes indispensable for the direct phasing of protein crystals with lower solvent contents.
Phase Transition and Switchable Dielectric Properties of a Three-Dimensional Hydrogen-Bonding Framework Based on Cobalt (Ⅲ), o-Bromoaniline, and 18-Crown-6
Authors: Hu Hong-Zhi , Yan Yi-Bo , Wang Na , Adila Abuduheni , Liu Yang , Liu Zun-Qi
Published: January 2024

The organic–inorganic hybrid compound, (o-BrAH)[H2Co(CN)6]0.5·(18-crown-6)0.5·H2O, was synthesized and characterized by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, single-crystal diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dielectric measurements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a three-dimensional cage-like structure formed through the hydrogen bonds of cobalt hexacyanide, supermolecular cations, and water molecules. Temperature variation triggered an abrupt change in the cage structure and simultaneously caused dynamic oscillation of the supramolecules within the framework of [Co(CN)6]3−, inducing a phase transition accompanied by a step-like change in the dielectric physical properties.
Diversity of Epiphytic Subaerial Algal Communities in Bangkok, Thailand, and Their Potential Bioindicator with Air Pollution
Authors: Saraphol Santi , Rindi Fabio , Sanevas Nuttha
Published: January 2024

Epiphytic subaerial algae represent an assemblage of micro-organisms widely distributed in terrestrial environments, including urban environments. Urban habitats present many challenges for the survival of photosynthetic micro-organisms, yet many species of subaerial microalgae have been reported from these environments, demonstrating a high tolerance to the harsh conditions of urban environments. In this study, the epiphytic subaerial communities of five parks in the urban area of Bangkok were studied using a metabarcoding approach (sequencing of the 23S rDNA marker), with the goal of unraveling their diversity and assessing potential bioindicators with levels of air pollution. Diversity indexes were determined for the algal taxa detected, which were separated into groups corresponding to different collection sites by cluster analysis. Relationships between taxa and air pollutants were analyzed by PCA and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). The results showed a high diversity of epiphytic subaerial algae. We recorded 101 taxa belonging to the Cyanophyta (70 taxa), Chlorophyta (21 taxa), Charophyta (5 taxa), Bacillariophyta (3 taxa), and Eustigmatophyta (2 taxa). The most abundant taxon was Chroococcidiopsis sp. 1, for which up to 13,254 sequences/cm2 were recorded. The Shannon–Weaver index ranged between 1.37 and 2.51, the Margalef index between 3.84 and 4.75, and the Pielou index between 0.30 and 0.54. The similarity index was between 8.00% and 64.82%, according to the cluster analysis results for the three groups. The PCA indicated that all air pollutants affected the diversity and abundance of epiphytic subaerial algae. Cyanothece sp. 2 was negatively related to O3 and positively related to NO2 and CO and is suggested as a potential bioindicator of air pollution.
Genetic Variation among Aeluropus lagopoides Populations Growing in Different Saline Regions
Authors: Dar Basharat A. , Al-Doss Abdullah A. , Assaeed Abdulaziz M. , Javed Muhammad M. , Ghazy Abdelhalim I. , Al-Rowaily Saud L. , Abd-ElGawad Ahmed M.
Published: January 2024

Aeluropus lagopoides is a halophytic grass growing in different sabkhas of Saudi Arabia. In this study, 14 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and 15 sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers were selected to investigate the genetic diversity within and among five natural populations of A. Lagopiodes. The genetic diversity varied within and among populations. ISSR markers were slightly more efficient than SRAP markers in evaluating genetic diversity. Average polymorphism information content, effective number of alleles, Nei’s genetic diversity, and Shannon’s information index values of ISSR markers were higher than SRAP. Analysis of molecular variance revealed about 40% genetic variation among the population and 60% within the population. Overall, the genetic diversity was lowest in Jouf (40%), while the Qaseem populations were the highest (60%). Jizan populations were highly dissimilar to other regions. A Mantel test indicated a positive correlation between geographic and genetic distance. The cluster analysis showed three groups; the first group comprises Jouf and Salwa populations, the second group comprises Qareenah and Qaseem, and the third group comprises the Jizan population. This observation matched the geographic distribution of the species. These findings can help in the conservation of a diverse population of A. lagopoides in saline regions as well as rehabilitation of these degraded unique habitats.
The Impact of IL1B rs1143634 and DEFB1 rs11362 Variants on Periodontitis Risk in Phenylketonuria and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Latvian Population
Authors: Emulina Darta Elizabete , Abola Iveta , Brinkmane Anda , Isakovs Aleksejs , Skadins Ingus , Moisejevs Georgijs , Gailite Linda , Auzenbaha Madara
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease that affects approximately 11% of the global population. The objective of this study was to examine whether, among individuals with phenylketonuria and type 1 diabetes mellitus, those with the IL1B rs1143634 and/or DEFB1 rs11362 genetic variants exhibit a higher periodontitis risk compared to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: In all, 43 phenylketonuria patients (aged 12–53), 28 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (aged 11–40), and 63 healthy controls (aged 12–53) were included. The evaluation of periodontitis risk was conducted using the Silness–Löe plaque index, the Greene–Vermillion index, and an assessment for the necessity of calculus removal. Genetic variants rs1143634 and rs11362 were genotyped from salivary samples using restriction length polymorphism analysis. Results: The DEFB1 rs11362 variant was associated with higher Silness–Löe and Greene–Vermillion index scores in phenylketonuria patients (p = 0.011 and p = 0.043, respectively). The IL1B rs1143634 variant was associated with lower calculus removal necessity in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (p = 0.030). Clinical examination showed the worst oral hygiene index scores for PKU patients. PKU patients also reported the least consistent tooth brushing and flossing habits. Conclusions: Genetic associations between DEFB1 rs11362 and IL1B rs1143634 variants and oral hygiene indices were observed in the PKU and T1DM groups, suggesting that genetic factors may contribute to periodontal health differences in these populations. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings and develop targeted oral health interventions.
Weightbearing Imaging Assessment of Midfoot Instability in Patients with Confirmed Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Talaski Grayson M. , Baumann Anthony N. , Sleem Bshara , Anastasio Albert T. , Walley Kempland C. , O’Neill Conor N. , Adams Samuel B.
Published: January 2024

Hallux valgus deformity (HVD) involves subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. While HVD is primarily considered a forefoot condition, midfoot instability may play a significant role in its development and severity. However, very few studies have placed a heavy emphasis on studying this phenomenon. Therefore, this review had a particular focus on understanding midfoot instability based on weightbearing imaging assessments of the TMT joint. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched five databases for studies on midfoot instability in HVD patients. The severity of HVD was defined by hallux valgus angle (HVA) and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). Data was extracted, and articles were graded using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Of 547 initially retrieved articles, 23 met the inclusion criteria. Patients with HVD showed higher HVA and DMAA on weightbearing radiographs (WBRG) and weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) compared to healthy individuals. Midfoot instability was assessed through intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and tarsometatarsal angle (TMT angle). Patients with HVD exhibited greater IMA and TMT angles on both WBRG and WBCT. This review highlights the importance of weightbearing imaging assessments for midfoot instability in HVD. IMA and TMT angles can differentiate between healthy individuals and HVD patients, emphasizing the significance of midfoot assessment in understanding HVD pathology. These findings validate the limited evidence thus far in the literature pertaining to consistent midfoot instability in HVD patients and are able to provide ample reasoning for physicians to place a larger emphasis on midfoot imaging when assessing HVD in its entirety.
Aircraft Behavior Recognition on Trajectory Data with a Multimodal Approach
Authors: Zhang Meng , Zhang Lingxi , Liu Tao
Published: January 2024

Moving traces are essential data for target detection and associated behavior recognition. Previous studies have used time–location sequences, route maps, or tracking videos to establish mathematical recognition models for behavior recognition. The multimodal approach has seldom been considered because of the limited modality of sensing data. With the rapid development of natural language processing and computer vision, the multimodal model has become a possible choice to process multisource data. In this study, we have proposed a mathematical model for aircraft behavior recognition with joint data manners. The feature abstraction, cross-modal fusion, and classification layers are included in the proposed model for obtaining multiscale features and analyzing multimanner information. Attention has been placed on providing self- and cross-relation assessments on the spatiotemporal and geographic data related to a moving object. We have adopted both a feedforward network and a softmax function to form the classifier. Moreover, we have enabled a modality-increasing phase, combining longitude and latitude sequences with related geographic maps to avoid monotonous data. We have collected an aircraft trajectory dataset of longitude and latitude sequences for experimental validation. We have demonstrated the excellent behavior recognition performance of the proposed model joint with the modality-increasing phase. As a result, our proposed methodology reached the highest accuracy of 95.8% among all the adopted methods, demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of trajectory-based behavior recognition.
W-Band FMCW MIMO System for 3-D Imaging Based on Sparse Array
Authors: Shao Wenyuan , Hu Jianmin , Ji Yicai , Zhang Wenrui , Fang Guangyou
Published: January 2024

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is widely used in the field of security imaging. However, existing imaging systems have shortcomings such as numerous array units, high hardware costs, and low imaging resolutions. In this paper, a sparse array-based frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) millimeter wave imaging system, operating in the W-band, is presented. In order to reduce the number of transceiver units of the system and lower the hardware cost, a linear sparse array with a periodic structure was designed using the MIMO technique. The system operates at 70~80 GHz, and the high operating frequency band and 10 GHz bandwidth provide good imaging resolution. The system consists of a one-dimensional linear array, a motion control system, and hardware for signal generation and image reconstruction. The channel calibration technique was used to eliminate inherent errors. The system combines mechanical and electrical scanning, and uses FMCW signals to extract distance information. The three-dimensional (3-D) fast imaging algorithm in the wave number domain was utilized to quickly process the detection data. The 3-D imaging of the target in the near-field was obtained, with an imaging resolution of 2 mm. The imaging ability of the system was verified through simulations and experiments.
Research on a Multi-Channel High-Speed Interferometric Signal Acquisition System
Authors: Huang Jingyu , Chen Ren , Xu Zhijing , Wang Zhanhu , Gu Mingjian , Chen Yaxuan , Sun Jun , Lin Yinghui
Published: January 2024

In order to capture the large-scale interferometric signal generated by the space-borne interferometric infrared Fourier spectrometer (IRIFS) in real time, and overcome the limitations of insufficient sampling rate, transmission rate, and significant signal noise in current equipment, a multi-channel high-speed acquisition system for large-scale interferometric signals is designed. A high-performance analog-to-digital converter (ADC) oversampling scheme is designed, which can realize up to 8 synchronous acquisition channels and has a maximum sampling rate of 125 Msps/Ch to ensure the acquisition of interferometric signals. The scheme of jesd204b inter-board transmission and optical fiber terminal transmission is designed. The inter-board transmission rate is 12.5 Gbps, and the terminal transmission rate is 10 GB/s to ensure high-speed data transmission. A hardware filter is designed to realize spatial noise processing of interference signals and ensure the accuracy of acquisition results. The dynamic performance of the data acquisition (DAQ) card is analyzed using discrete Fourier transform in the frequency domain. The spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) is 84 dB, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is 72.7 dB, and the cross-talk is −81.6 dB, which verifies the dynamic stability of the DAQ card. Finally, the infrared radiation in real space is measured. The average ΔNESR of long wave reaches 48 mW∗m−2∗sr−1, and the average ΔNESR of medium wave reaches 12.3 mW∗m−2∗sr−1, which verifies the reliability of the system performance. The system is of great significance for large-scale infrared interferometric signal acquisition, and has strong practical application value in multi-channel synchronization, real-time high-speed acquisition, and high-speed data transmission.