bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Response to tepotinib in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring METex14 skipping with varying features
Authors: Meng Yan , Zhou Weiping , Li Chenping , Zhou Xiangjie , Li Xiao , Li Liang , Fu Qiye , Huang Jue , Yue Yali , Shen Xuguang , Yang Lijing , Wang Meiqing
Published: July 2024

MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping is the most reported MET mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has been confirmed to respond to MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in clinical trials. While MET TKI tepotinib was recently approved for METex14 skipping NSCLC in China, real-world evidence is limited. We report our experience treating NSCLC patients referred from oncology sites across China with tepotinib in the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone. Four patients have been prescribed the drug with a median age of 67 years (range, 61–71 years). One patient has concomitant BRAF V600E mutation, and another patient had savolitinib as first line of therapy but discontinued due to hepatotoxicity. Till the end of follow-up, four patients were all on tepotinib therapy, with a median duration of therapy of 19 months. One patient achieved partial response and three achieved stable disease. Three patients had peripheral edema, but all were mild. Our experience showed in real clinical setting, tepotinib had robust and durable clinical activity and a favorable toxicity profile in Chinese patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC. It is the first report on the effectiveness of tepotinib in a patient with both METex14 skipping and BRAF V600E mutations and successful MET inhibitor switch after MET inhibitor-induced liver injury.
Clinical presentation and imaging findings in juvenile-onset back pain: a ten-year hospital-based retrospective analysis in Douala (Cameroon)
Authors: Kemta Lekpa Fernando , Eloundou Paul , Moulion Tapouh Jean Roger , Simeni Njonnou Sylvain Raoul , Fojo Talongong Baudelaire , Same Bebey Francine , Megne Tamo Estelle , Noukeu Diomède , Enyama Dominique , Abouame Palma Haoua , Sime Tchouamo Arielle Annick , Namme Luma Henry , Ngandeu-Singwe Madeleine , Choukem Simeon Pierre
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Studies exploring the clinical and imaging characteristics of juvenile-onset back pain (JOBP) are scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and factors associated with JOBP.

Methods

A retrospective record-based study was conducted among all pediatric cases presenting to the Rheumatology unit of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon, from January 2014 to December 2023. The study did not include children whose back pain began after 16 years of age.

Results

Of the 216 records of patients under 18 examined, 67 children (31 girls) were diagnosed with JOBP. The median age was 15 [13–16] years. More than two-third of the children included in this study had chronic pain (n = 46; 68.65%). Pain was mild to moderate in intensity in 48 children (71.6%). Radiculopathy was present in 10 children (14.92%). The most common location of back pain was the lumbar region (n = 64; 95.52%). Some children experienced pain in more than one location. The location of the pain was not associated with gender, duration of the pain, radiculopathy, or practice of a competitive sport (p > 0.05). Musculoskeletal abnormalities on imaging were found in 38 children (62.29%). In multivariate analysis, peripheral joint involvement [aOR = 0.253 (0.073–0.878); p = 0.030] and mild pain intensity [aOR = 0.077 (0.014–0.422); p = 0.003], were independently associated with the presence of musculoskeletal abnormalities on imaging.

Conclusion

JOBP affects a third of children and adolescents of our clinic population. The common musculoskeletal abnormalities found on spine imaging are disc diseases and scoliosis.
Clinical adverse events to dexmedetomidine: a real-world drug safety study based on the FAERS database
Authors: Liu Feng , Zheng Jing-xuan , Wu Xiao-dan
Published: July 2024

Objective

Adverse events associated with dexmedetomidine were analyzed using data from the FDA’s FAERS database, spanning from 2004 to the third quarter of 2023. This analysis serves as a foundation for monitoring dexmedetomidine’s safety in clinical applications.

Methods

Data on adverse events associated with dexmedetomidine were standardized and analyzed to identify clinical adverse events closely linked to its use. This analysis employed various signal quantification analysis algorithms, including Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-Item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS).

Results

In the FAERS database, dexmedetomidine was identified as the primary suspect in 1,910 adverse events. Our analysis encompassed 26 organ system levels, from which we selected 346 relevant Preferred Terms (PTs) for further examination. Notably, adverse drug reactions such as diabetes insipidus, abnormal transcranial electrical motor evoked potential monitoring, acute motor axonal neuropathy, and trigeminal cardiac reflex were identified. These reactions are not explicitly mentioned in the drug’s specification, indicating the emergence of new signals for adverse drug reactions.

Conclusion

Data mining in the FAERS database has elucidated the characteristics of dexmedetomidine-related adverse drug reactions. This analysis enhances our understanding of dexmedetomidine’s drug safety, aids in the clinical management of pharmacovigilance studies, and offers valuable insights for refining drug-use protocols.
Patient preferences for generic substitution policies: a discrete choice experiment in China
Authors: Zhang Lingli , Li Dashuang , Li Xin , Yan Jianzhou
Published: July 2024

Background: Generic substitution policies have been widely implemented worldwide to enhance the accessibility of medications. Nevertheless, certain patients have voiced discontent with these policies. This study aimed to evaluate the patient preferences for generic substitution policies and explore the potential for optimization to enhance patient acceptance.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to estimate the relative importance (RI) of five attributes, including generic consistency evaluation (GCE), reimbursement rate, medication use control, information disclosure, and post-marketing surveillance. Respondents were recruited among inpatients and outpatients in three cities and surveys were conducted face-to-face. Preference coefficients, RI of attributes, and the uptake rate of various policies were computed using a mixed logit model. The interaction effects were also included to examine preference heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 302 patients completed the survey. All five attributes significantly impacted policy acceptance. GCE held the highest RI value at 56.64%, followed by reimbursement rate (RI = 12.62%), information disclosure (RI = 12.41%), post-marketing surveillance (RI = 9.54%), and medication use control (RI = 8.80%). Patient preferences varied depending on their gender and income. The patient uptake rate of China’s current policy was only 68.56%. If all generics were to pass GCE without altering the other attributes, the uptake rate of policies would rise to 82.63%. Similarly, implementing information disclosure without changing other attributes would result in a 78.67% uptake rate, which is comparable to the effect of a 10% increase in reimbursement rate for generics (78.81%). Combining these policies could mitigate the adverse effects of mandatory substitution on patient.

Conclusion: Chinese patient preferences for generic substitution policies were mainly influenced by GCE. China’s current generic substitution policy has room for further optimization to enhance patient acceptance.
Drought and salt stress mitigation in crop plants using stress-tolerant auxin-producing endophytic bacteria: a futuristic approach towards sustainable agriculture
Authors: Mal Sadananda , Panchal Shweta
Published: July 2024

Abiotic stresses, especially drought stress and salt stress in crop plants are accelerating due to climate change. The combined impact of drought and salt is anticipated to lead to the loss of up to 50% of arable land globally, resulting in diminished growth and substantial yield losses threatening food security. Addressing the challenges, agriculture through sustainable practices emerges as a potential solution to achieve Zero Hunger, one of the sustainable development goals set by the IUCN. Plants deploy a myriad of mechanisms to effectively address drought and salt stress with phytohormones playing pivotal roles as crucial signaling molecules for stress tolerance. The phytohormone auxin, particularly indole acetic acid (IAA) emerges as a paramount regulator integral to numerous aspects of plant growth and development. During both drought and salt stress conditions, auxin plays crucial roles for tolerance, but stress-induced processes lead to decreased levels of endogenous free auxin in the plant, leading to an urgent need for auxin production. With an aim to augment this auxin deficiency, several researchers have extensively investigated auxin production, particularly IAA by plant-associated microorganisms, including endophytic bacteria. These endophytic bacteria have been introduced into various crop plants subjected to drought or salt stress and potential isolates promoting plant growth have been identified. However, post-identification, essential studies on translational research to advance these potential isolates from the laboratory to the field are lacking. This review aims to offer an overview of stress tolerant auxin-producing endophytic bacterial isolates while identifying research gaps that need to be fulfilled to utilize this knowledge for the formulation of crop-specific and stress-specific endophyte bioinoculants for the plant to cope with auxin imbalance occurring during these stress conditions.
Case report: Assessing criminal responsibility and recidivism risk in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Karcher Anouk , Hamza Rayane , Jantzi Camille
Published: July 2024

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to personality changes, language impairments, and behavioral disturbances, including impulsivity and disinhibition. Assessing responsibility and recidivism risk in forensic evaluations is challenging due to the evolving nature of FTD. Despite limited literature, we present a case of a 45-year-old man with no prior legal or medical history, who committed criminal acts due to behavioral changes linked to the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Initial assessment found him irresponsible, with a non-evaluable risk of recidivism. Subsequent evaluation showed a low recidivism risk based on clinical evolution. We discuss these findings considering existing literature and Swiss jurisprudence.
Very low monomethyl fumarate exposure via human milk: a case report—a contribution from the ConcePTION project
Authors: Van Neste Martje , Nauwelaerts Nina , Ceulemans Michael , Cuppers Benedikte , Annaert Pieter , Smits Anne , Allegaert Karel
Published: July 2024

Introduction

While breastfeeding is recommended, knowledge regarding medicine transfer to human milk and its safety for nursing infants is limited. Only one paper has previously described dimethyl fumarate (DMF) transfer during breastfeeding in two patients at 5 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. The current case report describes maternal pharmacokinetic data of monomethyl fumarate (MMF), the active metabolite of DMF, and infant exposure estimations of MMF at 3 months postpartum.

Methods

A 32-year-old Caucasian woman started DMF therapy (120 mg, 2x/day) for multiple sclerosis at 3 months postpartum, after weaning her infant from breastfeeding. On day 99 after birth, the patient collected four milk samples over 24 h after 6 days of treatment at the initial dose. Additionally, a single maternal blood sample was collected to calculate the milk-to-plasma (M/P) ratio. The samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry method.

Results

A wide range of measured steady-state concentrations of MMF (5.5-83.5 ng/mL) was observed in human milk samples. Estimated daily infant dosage values for MMF, calculated with 150 and 200 mL/kg/day human milk intake, were 5.76 and 7.68 μg/kg/day, and the relative infant doses were 0.16 and 0.22%. The observed mean M/P ratio was 0.059, similar to the M/P ratio predicted using the empirical Koshimichi model (0.06).

Discussion

Combining this case report with the two previously described cases, the estimated infant exposure is low, albeit with relevant intra- and inter-patient variabilities. Research should further focus on infant exposure and safety.
From macro to micro: slow-wave sleep and its pivotal health implications
Authors: Ishii Toru , Taweesedt Pahnwat Tonya , Chick Christina F. , O'Hara Ruth , Kawai Makoto
Published: July 2024

Research on slow-wave sleep (SWS) began almost a century ago, not long after the discovery of electroencephalography. From maintaining homeostasis to memory function, the pivotal role of SWS in health has been established. The elucidation of its mechanisms and functions is directly related to the fundamental question of why people sleep. This comprehensive review first summarizes the basic science of SWS from anatomical and physiological aspects. It describes the fundamental mechanisms and functions of SWS, including hormonal regulation, developmental changes in SWS across the lifespan, and associations between SWS and optimal physical, psychological, and cognitive functions. Next, the relationship between SWS and physical and mental disorders, for which increasing knowledge has accumulated in recent years, is discussed from both research and clinical perspectives. Conditions such as memory impairment, sleep-disordered breathing, neurodevelopmental disorders, and various psychiatric disorders are of concern. The relationship between SWS and the glymphatic system, which is responsible for waste clearance in the brain, has also been explored, highlighting the potential neuroprotective role of SWS. Finally, we discuss the future direction of the field regarding whether interventions in SWS can improve health. We also address the problem of the inconsistent definitions of SWS, slow-wave activity, and slow oscillations. This review emphasizes the importance of discussing SWS from both macro- and microarchitectural perspectives and highlights its potential clinical and research impacts. By reviewing these aspects, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of SWS and the future development of this research field.
A sequential mediation model for the effect of food safety consciousness on the intention to purchase organic food
Authors: Pan JiaLiang , Wu Kun-Shan
Published: July 2024

This research aims to clarify consumer purchase intentions (PIs) for organic food (OF) in China by investigating factors, including consumers’ food safety consciousness (FSC), health consciousness (HC), and attitude (AT) toward OF. To collect data for this study, online surveys were carried out sequentially among 350 respondents, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed hypotheses regarding the direct and indirect effect of FSC on PI and the sequential mediating effect of HC and AT. The findings indicate that consumers’ FSC strongly influences their intention to purchase OF and is sequentially mediated by HC and AT. PI is also significantly impacted by HC and is mediated by AT, and AT directly significantly influences PI. Through multiple group analyses, the path from HC to AT is found to be moderated by education. Accordingly, suggestions for OF businesses and future research are provided to improve public health.
Simultaneous differential detection of H5, H7 and H9 subtypes of avian influenza viruses by a triplex fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Fan Qing , Xie Zhixun , Zhao Junke , Hua Jun , Wei You , Li Xiaofeng , Li Dan , Luo Sisi , Li Meng , Xie Liji , Zhang Yanfang , Zhang Minxiu , Wang Sheng , Ren Hongyu , Wan Lijun
Published: July 2024

H5, H7, and H9 are pivotal avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes that cause substantial economic losses and pose potential threats to public health worldwide. In this study, a novel triplex fluorescence reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TLAMP) assay was developed in which traditional LAMP techniques were combined with probes for detection. Through this innovative approach, H5, H7, and H9 subtypes of AIV can be simultaneously identified and differentiated, thereby offering crucial technical support for prevention and control efforts. Three primer sets and composite probes were designed based on conserved regions of the haemagglutinin gene for each subtype. The probes were labelled with distinct fluorophores at their 3′ ends, which were detached to release the fluorescence signal during the amplification process. The detection results were interpreted based on the colour of the TLAMP products. Then, the reaction conditions were optimized, and three primer sets and probes were combined in the same reaction system, resulting in a TLAMP detection assay for the differential diagnosis of AIV subtypes. Sensitivity testing with in vitro-transcribed RNA revealed that the detection limit of the TLAMP assay was 205 copies per reaction for H5, 360 copies for H7, and 545 copies for H9. The TLAMP assay demonstrated excellent specificity, no cross-reactivity with related avian viruses, and 100% consistency with a previously published quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Therefore, due to its simplicity, rapidity, sensitivity, and specificity, this TLAMP assay is suitable for epidemiological investigations and is a valuable tool for detecting and distinguishing H5, H7, and H9 subtypes of AIV in clinical samples.
The Identification of the Peanut Wild Relative Arachis stenosperma as a Source of Resistance to Stem Rot and Analyses of Genomic Regions Conferring Disease Resistance through QTL Mapping
Authors: Tsai Yun-Ching , Brenneman Timothy B. , Gao Dongying , Chu Ye , Lamon Samuele , Bertioli David J. , Leal-Bertioli Soraya C. M.
Published: July 2024

Peanut stem rot, also known as white mold, poses a significant threat to peanut production. It is typically managed using fungicides and moderately resistant cultivars. Cultivars with higher resistance can reduce fungicide dependency and increase sustainability. This study explores the potential of wild peanut species in stem rot resistance breeding programs by enhancing genetic diversity in cultivated peanut. Through greenhouse and field evaluations, 13 allotetraploid hybrids with Arachis stenosperma as one of the parents showed superior resistance compared to other wild genotypes. The genomic regions that confer the stem rot resistance were further identified by genotyping and phenotyping an F2 population derived from the allotetraploid ValSten1 (A. valida × A. stenosperma)4× and A. hypogaea cv. TifGP-2. A linkage map was constructed from 1926 SNP markers. QTL analysis revealed both beneficial and deleterious loci, with two resistance-associated QTLs derived from A. stenosperma and four susceptibility loci, two from A. stenosperma and two from A. valida. This is the first study that evaluated peanut-compatible wild-derived allotetraploids for stem rot resistance and that identified wild-derived QTLs for resistance to this pathogen. The allotetraploid hybrid ValSten1, that has A. stenosperma as one of the parents, offers a resource for resistance breeding. Markers associated with resistance QTLs can facilitate introgression from ValSten1 into cultivated peanut varieties in future breeding efforts, potentially reducing reliance on chemical control measures.
Effects of Luteolin in an In Vitro Model of Porcine Intestinal Infections
Authors: Kovács Dóra , Palkovicsné Pézsa Nikolett , Móritz Alma Virág , Jerzsele Ákos , Farkas Orsolya
Published: July 2024

Intestinal infections caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica pose a huge economic burden on the swine industry that is exacerbated by the development of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens, thus raising the need for alternative prevention and treatment methods. Our aim was to test the beneficial effects of the flavonoid luteolin in an in vitro model of porcine intestinal infections. We infected the porcine intestinal epithelial cell line IPEC-J2 with E. coli and S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (106 CFU/mL) with or without previous, concurrent, or subsequent treatment with luteolin (25 or 50 µg/mL), and measured the changes in the reactive oxygen species and interleukin-6 and -8 levels of cells. We also tested the ability of luteolin to inhibit the adhesion of bacteria to the cell layer, and to counteract the barrier integrity damage caused by the pathogens. Luteolin was able to alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier integrity damage, but it could not inhibit the adhesion of bacteria to IPEC-J2 cells. Luteolin is a promising candidate to be used in intestinal infections of pigs, however, further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. The use of luteolin in the future could ultimately lead to a reduced need for antibiotics in pig production.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Clostridioides difficile Infection, Second Edition
Authors: Granata Guido
Published: July 2024

Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infective diarrhoea worldwide [...]
Isolation and Characterization of Novel Bacteriophages to Target Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Choi Yoon-Jung , Kim Shukho , Shin Minsang , Kim Jungmin
Published: July 2024

The spread of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals and nursing homes poses serious healthcare challenges. Therefore, we aimed to isolate and characterize lytic bacteriophages targeting carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). Of the 21 isolated A. baumannii phages, 11 exhibited potent lytic activities against clinical isolates of CRAB. Based on host spectrum and RAPD-PCR results, 11 phages were categorized into four groups. Three phages (vB_AbaP_W8, vB_AbaSi_W9, and vB_AbaSt_W16) were further characterized owing to their antibacterial efficacy, morphology, and whole-genome sequence and were found to lyse 37.93%, 89.66%, and 37.93%, respectively, of the 29 tested CRAB isolates. The lytic spectrum of phages varied depending on the multilocus sequence type (MLST) of the CRAB isolates. The three phages contained linear double-stranded DNA genomes, with sizes of 41,326–166,741 bp and GC contents of 34.4–35.6%. Genome-wide phylogenetic analysis and single gene-based tree construction revealed no correlation among the three phages. Moreover, no genes were associated with lysogeny, antibiotic resistance, or bacterial toxins. Therefore, the three novel phages represent potential candidates for phage therapy against CRAB infections.
Efficacy and Safety of Ceftazidime–Avibactam Alone versus Ceftazidime–Avibactam Plus Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Multicentric Retrospective Study from the SUSANA Cohort
Authors: Fois Marco , De Vito Andrea , Cherchi Francesca , Ricci Elena , Pontolillo Michela , Falasca Katia , Corti Nicolò , Comelli Agnese , Bandera Alessandra , Molteni Chiara , Piconi Stefania , Colucci Francesca , Maggi Paolo , Boscia Vincenzo , Fugooah Aakash , Benedetti Sara , De Socio Giuseppe Vittorio , Bonfanti Paolo , Madeddu Giordano
Published: July 2024

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) are challenging clinical conditions due to the challenging tissue penetrability of the lung. This study aims to evaluate the potential role of fosfomycin (FOS) associated with ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) in improving the outcome in this setting. We performed a retrospective study including people with HAP or VAP treated with CZA or CZA+FOS for at least 72 h. Clinical data were collected from the SUSANA study, a multicentric cohort to monitor the efficacy and safety of the newer antimicrobial agents. A total of 75 nosocomial pneumonia episodes were included in the analysis. Of these, 34 received CZA alone and 41 in combination with FOS (CZA+FOS). People treated with CZA alone were older, more frequently male, received a prolonged infusion more frequently, and were less frequently affected by carbapenem-resistant infections (p = 0.01, p = 0.06, p < 0.001, p = 0.03, respectively). No difference was found in terms of survival at 28 days from treatment start between CZA and CZA+FOS at the multivariate analysis (HR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.07–1.39; p = 0.128), while prolonged infusion showed a lower mortality rate at 28 days (HR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.14–0.96; p = 0.04). Regarding safety, three adverse events (one acute kidney failure, one multiorgan failure, and one urticaria) were reported. Our study found no significant association between combination therapy and mortality. Further investigations, with larger and more homogeneous samples, are needed to evaluate the role of combination therapy in this setting.
Spatial Small Target Detection Method Based on Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Pyramid
Authors: Wang Xiaojuan , Liu Yuepeng , Xu Haitao , Xue Changbin
Published: July 2024

Small target detection has become an important part of space exploration missions. The existence of weak illumination and interference from the background of star charts in deep and distant space has brought great challenges to space target detection. In addition, the distance of space targets is usually far, so most of them are small targets in the image, and the detection of small targets is also very difficult. To solve the above problems, we propose a multi-scale feature fusion pyramid network. First, we propose the CST module of a CNN fused with Swin Transformer as the feature extraction module of the feature pyramid network to enhance the extraction of target features. Then, we improve the SE attention mechanism and construct the CSE module to find the attention region in the dense star map background. Finally, we introduce improved spatial pyramid pooling to fuse more features to increase the sensory field to obtain multi-scale object information and improve detection performance for small targets. We provide two versions and conducted a detailed ablation study to empirically validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the design of each component in our network architecture. The experimental results show that our network improved in performance compared to the existing feature pyramid.
The Temperature Dependence of the Parameters of LED Light Source Control Devices Powered by Pulsed Voltage
Authors: Beliakova Iryna , Kostyk Liubov , Maruschak Pavlo , Medvid Volodymyr , Piscio Vadim , Shovkun Oleksandr , Mykhailyshyn Roman
Published: July 2024

Ambient temperature has a significant effect on the electrical and luminous parameters of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which include forward and reverse current, forward voltage, and luminous flux. This paper gives insight into the influence of ambient temperature on the electrical and luminous parameters of LEDs powered by a rectangular pulsed voltage source versus those powered by a constant voltage source. The characteristics of LEDs in LED lighting devices were studied to determine their optimal operating conditions. To this end, rectangular pulse voltages with different pulse filling factors D were considered against the DC voltage source. Characteristics were obtained for the current stabilization mode and for the LED voltage stabilization mode. In both modes, the temperature dependence of the luminous flux, current, voltage, power consumption, and luminous efficiency of the LEDs was studied in the 20 °C to 60 °C range. The optimal LED operating conditions were determined, of which their luminous flux and luminous efficiency are least dependent on ambient temperature. When powered by a rectangular pulse voltage, the LED device drivers’ optimal pulse filling factor and operating frequency were determined.
A Survey on Visual Mamba
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Zhu Ying , Wang Dan , Zhang Lijun , Chen Tianxiang , Wang Ziyang , Ye Zi
Published: July 2024

State space models (SSM) with selection mechanisms and hardware-aware architectures, namely Mamba, have recently shown significant potential in long-sequence modeling. Since the complexity of transformers’ self-attention mechanism is quadratic with image size, as well as increasing computational demands, researchers are currently exploring how to adapt Mamba for computer vision tasks. This paper is the first comprehensive survey that aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Mamba models within the domain of computer vision. It begins by exploring the foundational concepts contributing to Mamba’s success, including the SSM framework, selection mechanisms, and hardware-aware design. Then, we review these vision Mamba models by categorizing them into foundational models and those enhanced with techniques including convolution, recurrence, and attention to improve their sophistication. Furthermore, we investigate the widespread applications of Mamba in vision tasks, which include their use as a backbone in various levels of vision processing. This encompasses general visual tasks, medical visual tasks (e.g., 2D/3D segmentation, classification, image registration, etc.), and remote sensing visual tasks. In particular, we introduce general visual tasks from two levels: high/mid-level vision (e.g., object detection, segmentation, video classification, etc.) and low-level vision (e.g., image super-resolution, image restoration, visual generation, etc.). We hope this endeavor will spark additional interest within the community to address current challenges and further apply Mamba models in computer vision.
Analysis of the Concentration of Selected Elements in Teeth Hard Tissues and Their Role in Biomineralization Processes
Authors: Palczewska-Komsa Mirona , Pilarczyk Renata , Havryliak Viktoriia , Nowicka Alicja , Grocholewicz Katarzyna , Sobolewska Ewa
Published: July 2024

The role of trace elements, heavy metals, and their effect on the development of hard tissue mineralization balance is poorly documented and the available results are often contradictory. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the concentration of the selected elements in the teeth of deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) with respect to their potential role in maintaining biomineralization balance in teeth hard tissues. Moreover, the aim was to determine whether trace elements accumulate in teeth with age. This study was conducted on 22 molar teeth of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 54 molar teeth of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Poland. Samples were analyzed with the use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry equipped with a concentric nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber in order to determine their Al, Ba, Cd, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn contents. There were strong positive correlations between strontium and zinc with heavy metals, particularly in dentine, which may affect the neutralization of the negative effects of heavy metals on tooth tissue and, consequently, maintaining ionic balance. The accumulation of trace elements with age in serenades has not been confirmed.
Study on the Distribution Law of External Water Pressure with Limited Discharge during Shield Construction of Soft Rock Tunnel in Western Henan Province
Authors: Liu Haining , Ma Wenjia , Kang Minglei , Fu Yunyou , Yan Tingsong , Liu Handong , Zhao Benchao
Published: July 2024

When shield tunneling is carried out in poor geological areas with high water head and low strength, there is a great construction risk, and the external water pressure is one of the key factors affecting the stability and safety of the tunnel during shield tunneling. Taking the Yinguruxin tunnel of Xin’an County as the engineering background, the geological conditions and water-bearing characteristics of the water-rich area in the tunnel excavation path are analyzed by means of drilling and high-density electrical method, and the pumping test is used to evaluate the groundwater linkage in the water-rich area. The 2022 version of Midas GTS NX is used to study the distribution characteristics of external water pressure during tunnel excavation in fault zones, and the influence of different drainage rates on the external water pressure of the tunnel is analyzed. The results show that the rock mass in the unfavorable geological section of the tunnel excavation is broken and rich in water, but the complexity of the stratum leads to uneven water richness in the axis direction of the tunnel. The drainage rate is the key to affecting the external water pressure of the lining. The drainage rate is the key to affecting the external water pressure of the tunnel. The correct drainage rate is an effective measure to reduce the external water pressure of the tunnel. The internal and external water pressure of the tunnel decreases with the increase of the drainage rate. When the drainage rate reaches 66.67% of the water inflow, the external water pressure of the tunnel can be reduced to 0.3 MPa to ensure the safety of the earth pressure balance shield machine in the tunneling process. The conclusion provides a useful reference for the high water pressure control of the tunnel shield tunneling process.
Evaluation of Noise-Reduction Techniques for Gas-Turbine Test Stands: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Cristea Laurentiu , Deaconu Marius
Published: July 2024

Emphasizing the importance of acoustic attenuation in maintaining compliance with stringent noise regulations and enhancing workplace safety, this analysis covers theoretical and practical aspects of prediction methods used for the development of sound attenuators for gas-turbine testing stands. This paper presents a preliminary analysis and evaluation of the improvement of the Embleton method for projecting a noise attenuator for industrial applications, especially for gas-turbine test stands. While primarily focusing on the static acoustic behavior of the attenuator, certain considerations were also made regarding flow conditions, Mach number-dependent attenuation, pressure drop, and self-generated noise aspects to provide a comprehensive perspective on applying a suitable evaluation method. The study investigates different calculation methods for the assessment of noise reduction for linear and staggered baffles applied on a scaled reduced model of an attenuator. Thus, the critical parameters and development requirements necessary for effective noise reduction in high-performance gas-turbine testing environments will be evaluated in a downscaled model. Key factors examined include the selection of design parameters and configurations from various topological options (single, double, and triple parallel baffles vs. double and triple staggered baffles). Advanced computational methods, like analytic and finite-element analysis (FEM), are used to predict acoustic performance and evaluate the prediction method. Experimental validation is performed to corroborate the simulation results, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the attenuator. The results indicate that an improved prediction method led to a better design for a sound-attenuator module, which can significantly reduce noise levels without compromising the operational performance of the gas turbine inside a test cell.
Evaluation of Air Pollution Levels in Agricultural Settings Using Integrated Weather Variables and Air Pollutants
Authors: Almady Saad S. , Al-Sager Saleh M. , Al-Janobi Abdulrahman A. , Marey Samy A. , Aboukarima Abdulwahed M.
Published: July 2024

Research on the quality of the air in rural areas is essential for determining base emissions of air pollutants, evaluating the effects of dust pollutants particular to rural areas, modeling the dispersion of pollutants, and developing appropriate pollution mitigation systems. The absence of a systematic review based on the assessment of air quality levels in agricultural settings based on integrated weather variables and air pollutants in the literature draws attention to the deficiencies and the necessity of further research in this area. Hence, our study aimed to develop an Arduino monitoring system with related sensors to acquire some air pollutants and weather parameters. Additionally, we proposed an innovative solution to compare air quality levels by suggesting a new criterion called an integrated indicator for air quality assessment (IAQA). It was created based on the weighted average method to combine the investigated air pollutants and weather parameters. This criterion was evaluated while conducting field measurements in 29 environmentally different agricultural regions located within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To determine the integrated indicator, all the values of the variables were normalized between 0 and 1. The agricultural setting with the lowest integrated indicator was the best environmentally. The lowest and highest values of the integrated indicator ranged from 37.03% and 66.32%, respectively, with an arithmetic average of 48.24%. The developed criterion can change its value depending on the change in the weight value of the variables involved, and it is suitable for application to any other agricultural or non-agricultural setting to evaluate the pollution level in the air. Although similar research has been published, this paper presents novelty findings based on integrated values of air pollutants and weather variables for defining a new criterion called IAQA. Additionally, this paper presents original results for air pollutants and weather aspects in different agricultural settings.
Towards Metric-Driven Difference Detection between Receptive and Nonreceptive Endometrial Samples Using Automatic Histology Image Analysis
Authors: Raudonis Vidas , Bartasiene Ruta , Minajeva Ave , Saare Merli , Drejeriene Egle , Kozlovskaja-Gumbriene Agne , Salumets Andres
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a technique that can potentially help to determine the receptivity stage of the endometrium from histology images by automatically measuring the stromal nuclear changes. The presented technique is composed of an image segmentation model and the statistical evolution of segmented areas in hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained histology images. Three different endometrium receptivity stages, namely pre-receptive, post-receptive, and receptive, were compared. An ensemble-based AI model was proposed for histology image segmentation, which is based on individual UNet++, UNet, and ResNet34-UNet segmentation models. The performance of the ensemble-based technique was assessed using the Dice score and intersection over unit (IoU) values. In comparison to alternative segmentation architectures that were applied singly, the current ensemble-based method obtained higher Dice score (0.95) and IoU (0.90) values. The statistical comparison highlighted a noticeable difference in the number of nuclei and the size of the stroma tissue. The proposed technique demonstrated the positive potential for practical implementation for automatic endometrial tissue analysis.
Implementation of an Automatic Meeting Minute Generation System Using YAMNet with Speaker Identification and Keyword Prompts
Authors: Lu Ching-Ta , Wang Liang-Yu
Published: July 2024

Producing conference/meeting minutes requires a person to simultaneously identify a speaker and the speaking content during the course of the meeting. This recording process is a heavy task. Reducing the workload for meeting minutes is an essential task for most people. In addition, providing conference/meeting highlights in real time is helpful to the meeting process. In this study, we aim to implement an automatic meeting minutes generation system (AMMGS) for recording conference/meeting minutes. A speech recognizer transforms speech signals to obtain the conference/meeting text. Accordingly, the proposed AMMGS can reduce the effort in recording the minutes. All meeting members can concentrate on the meeting; taking minutes is unnecessary. The AMMGS includes speaker identification for Mandarin Chinese speakers, keyword spotting, and speech recognition. Transferring learning on YAMNet lets the network identify specified speakers. So, the proposed AMMGS can automatically generate conference/meeting minutes with labeled speakers. Furthermore, the AMMGS applies the Jieba segmentation tool for keyword spotting. The system detects the frequency of words’ occurrence. Keywords are determined from the highly segmented words. These keywords help an attendant to stay with the agenda. The experimental results reveal that the proposed AMMGS can accurately identify speakers and recognize speech. Accordingly, the AMMGS can generate conference/meeting minutes while the keywords are spotted effectively.
HMM-Based Blockchain Visual Automatic Deployment System
Authors: Yi Junkai , Wang Jin , Tan Lingling , Yuan Taifu
Published: July 2024

The traditional blockchain deployment process is too complicated and has high technical requirements for blockchain deployers. Deploying a blockchain requires building a complex software-dependent environment, being able to use Linux commands for cumbersome parameter configurations, as well as the need to consider whether the hardware meets the requirements for running a blockchain. To address these current challenges in blockchain deployment both domestically and internationally, a web-based automatic deployment system with an interactive front-end and back-end has been developed. This system streamlines the process by automatically configuring and deploying blockchains while providing deployers with a graphical interface to monitor the entire deployment procedure. Meanwhile, in order to improve the efficiency of blockchain deployment, a Hidden Markov Model has been designed for blockchain deployment, which can predict the best deployment method for blockchain deployment under the current software environment. As one of the excellent blockchain platforms in China, Chainmaker has the outstanding features of independent control, flexible assembly, software and hardware integration, open source, and openness. The system takes Chainmaker as an experimental object and after a lot of tests, it can easily build a blockchain network on the server.
Bearing Characteristics and Ground Deformation Computation of Recyclable Steel-Pipe Piles during Pit Excavation
Authors: Lu Jian , Li Yanlin , Yao Aijun
Published: July 2024

In the context of increasing environmental awareness and the demand for sustainable construction practices, the use of recyclable materials in civil engineering projects has gained significant attention. This study focuses on the bearing characteristics and deformation behavior of recyclable steel-pipe piles during the excavation of foundation pits. Field experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to comprehensively analyze the stress characteristics and surface settlement patterns behind the piles. The results reveal critical insights into the interaction between the steel-pipe piles and the surrounding soil, providing a detailed understanding of the stress distribution and deformation mechanisms. An empirical method for calculating the surface settlement value, induced by foundation pit excavation under the support of steel-pipe slope protection piles, has been proposed. This method improves the accuracy of settlement predictions and enhances the reliability of foundation pit design.
Malware Classification Using Dynamically Extracted API Call Embeddings
Authors: Aggarwal Sahil , Di Troia Fabio
Published: July 2024

Malware classification stands as a crucial element in establishing robust computer security protocols, encompassing the segmentation of malware into discrete groupings. Recently, the emergence of machine learning has presented itself as an apt approach for addressing this challenge. Models can undergo training employing diverse malware attributes, such as opcodes and API calls, to distill valuable insights for effective classification. Within the realm of natural language processing, word embeddings assume a pivotal role by representing text in a manner that aligns closely with the proximity of similar words. These embeddings facilitate the quantification of word resemblances. This research embarks on a series of experiments that harness hybrid machine learning methodologies. We derive word vectors from dynamic API call logs associated with malware and integrate them as features in collaboration with diverse classifiers. Our methodology involves the utilization of Hidden Markov Models and Word2Vec to generate embeddings from API call logs. Additionally, we amalgamate renowned models like BERT and ELMo, noted for their capacity to yield contextualized embeddings. The resultant vectors are channeled into our classifiers, namely Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Random Forest (RF), k-Nearest Neighbors (kNNs), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Through two distinct sets of experiments, our objective revolves around the classification of both malware families and categories. The outcomes achieved illuminate the efficacy of API call embeddings as a potent instrument in the domain of malware classification, particularly in the realm of identifying malware families. The best combination was RF and word embeddings generated by Word2Vec, ELMo, and BERT, achieving an accuracy between 0.91 and 0.93. This result underscores the potential of our approach in effectively classifying malware.
Study on the Tensile Failure Characteristics and Energy Calculation Model of Coal Seam Hard Roof Considering the Mining Speed
Authors: Li Wenlong , Tu Shihao , Zhao Tongbin
Published: July 2024

To reveal the influence mechanism of mining speed on roof fracture-type rockburst, the Brazilian split technique combined with acoustic emission monitoring technology was employed to study the effects of loading rates on the tensile failure characteristics and acoustic emission parameters of coal series sandstone. The linear relationship between the tensile strength of the samples and the change rate of tensile stress was determined. The mining speed was introduced into the mechanical model of initial and cyclic fracture of the hard roof, and the quantitative relationship between the maximum rate of change of tensile stress within the hard roof and the mining speed was derived. Based on this, a computational model for the bending elastic energy of the hard roof during initial and cyclic fractures, considering the mining speed, was established. The main findings are as follows: As the loading rate increases, the distribution range of acoustic emission energy in sandstone Brazilian split samples before failure widens, with a significant rise in acoustic emission ring-down counts and energy at failure. At lower loading rates, acoustic emission events primarily occur near sample failure, whereas at higher rates, they mostly happen in the early loading stage. The higher the mining speed, the less opportunity there is for internal micro-fractures to develop and expand before the hard roof fractures, which macroscopically results in increased tensile strength and a larger amount of energy released at the moment of fracture. Bending elastic energy rises approximately linearly with mining speed, and the thicker the hard roof, the more sensitive the bending elastic energy is to changes in mining speed. This effect is even more pronounced during cyclic fractures. Optimizing mining speed is crucial for preventing roof fracture-type rockbursts, especially in mining workfaces with thick and hard roofs.