bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telephone lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus attending the national health system: the LINDA-Brasil clinical trial
Authors: Schmidt Maria Inês , Bracco Paula A , Nunes Maria A , Cherubini Kadhija A , Castilhos Cristina D , Spagiari Jainara Z , Galliano Leony M , Ladwig Ruben , Del Vecchio Fabricio B , Del Vecchio Anelita H M , Drehmer Michele , Forti Adriana Costa , Façanha Cristina , Zajdenverg Lenita , de Almeida-Pititto Bianca , Réa Rosângela Roginski , Dualib Patrícia Medici , Duncan Bruce B
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To evaluate a postpartum telephone-based lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes in high-risk women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Design

Multicentre parallel randomised clinical trial.

Setting

Specialised antenatal clinics in the Brazilian National System.

Methods

Lifestyle Intervention for Diabetes Prevention After Pregnancy compared (1:1) postpartum telephone support for lifestyle changes with conventional care in women with recent GDM at substantial risk for diabetes. Randomisation started on 28 March 2015 and ended on 13 March 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Cox regression to estimate HRs for diabetes and analysis of covariance adjusted for follow-up time to assess weight change.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was incident diabetes ascertained with blinded measurements of oral glucose tolerance tests. The secondary outcome was a change in measured weight.

Results

We enrolled 5323 women with GDM, 2735 (51%) being at high risk. After invitations, baseline assessment and exclusions, we assigned 466 women to intervention (231) or control (235) groups. Attendance was satisfactory (≥7/20 phone sessions) in 75%. Over an average follow-up of 29.7 (15.6) months, 142 (30.5%) women progressed to diabetes, 75 (32%) in the control and 67 (29%) in the intervention group. There was no reduction in the incidence of diabetes (HR=0.84; 0.60–1.19) and only a non-significant 0.97 kg less weight gain (p=0.09). Among the 305 women randomised more than 1 year before the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention did not reduce the incidence of diabetes (HR=0.71; 0.48–1.04) despite a 2.09 kg (p=0.002) lesser weight gain.

Conclusion

The strategy to identify women with GDM at high risk proved valid, as women often gained weight and frequently developed diabetes. Over a 30-month follow-up, telephone support for lifestyle changes at postpartum did not reduce weight gain or diabetes incidence, although only 75% attended the minimum number of telephone sessions. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted trial conduction.

Trial registration number

NCT02327286
.
Single-blinded, randomised, parallel-group, controlled trial comparing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of therapist- and self-guided internet-delivered behavioural activation versus treatment as usual for adolescents with mild to moderate depression: study protocol
Authors: Andersson Rebecca , Vigerland Sarah , Lenhard Fabian , Ahlen Johan , Bottai Matteo , Mataix-Cols David , Serlachius Eva
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The number of adolescents seeking professional help for depression is increasing and, despite advances in treatment, large unmet treatment needs remain. In the current protocol, we describe the design and methodology of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the clinical efficacy of two forms of internet-delivered behavioural activation (I-BA), with and without therapist support, in reducing depressive symptoms, compared with treatment as usual (TAU). Secondary objectives include examining the 12-month maintenance of the treatment effects and conducting a health economic evaluation of the interventions.

Methods and analysis

In this single-blinded RCT, we aim to include 215 participants aged 13–17 years with mild to moderate depression who will be randomised (1:1:1 ratio) to 10 weeks of either therapist-guided or self-guided I-BA, or TAU provided by regular mental health clinics. Data will be collected at baseline, weekly for the initial 10 weeks, post-treatment and at 3 and 12-month follow-ups. The primary endpoint is the 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is blinded clinician-rated severity of depressive symptoms, measured by the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Treatment response is defined as a score of ‘Much improved’ or ‘Very much improved’ on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale, administered at the primary endpoint. Outcome assessors will be blinded to treatment conditions at all assessment points. A health economic evaluation of I-BA will be performed, both in the short term (primary endpoint) and the long term (12-month follow-up).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority in June 2021. The final participant was enrolled on 3 May 2024 and expected to reach the primary endpoint by November 2024. The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and communicated to healthcare providers and the public.

Trial registration number

NCT04977856.

Rebecca Andersson1, Sarah Vigerland1, Fabian Lenhard1, Johan Ahlen2, 3, Matteo Bottai4, David Mataix-Cols1,6, Eva Serlachius5, 6
Risk of infections among persons treated with opioids for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Kudrina Irina , Page M Gaberielle , Choinière Manon , Shir Yoram , Eisenberg Mark J , Ben-Sasson Maayan , Lebouché Bertrand , Puzhko Svetlana
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Millions of persons with chronic pain across North America and Europe use opioids. While the immunosuppressive properties of opioids are associated with risks of infections, these outcomes could be mitigated through careful patient selection and monitoring practices when appropriate. It is important to recognise that some patients do benefit from a carefully tailored opioid therapy. Enough primary studies have been published to date regarding the role of opioids in potential immunosuppression presenting as an increased rate of infection acquisition, infectious complications and mortality. There is thus a critical need for a consensus in this area.

Methods and analysis

The methodology is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, the MOOSE Guidelines for Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We plan to systematically search Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMB Review, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar databases from their inception date to December 2023. Full-text primary studies that report measurable outcomes in adults with chronic pain, all routes of opioid use, all types of infections and all settings will be included. We will identify a scope of reported infections and the evidence on the association of opioid use (including specific opioid, dosage, formulation and duration of use) with the risk of negative infectious outcomes. Opioid use-associated outcomes, comparing opioid use with another opioid or a non-opioid medication, will be reported. The meta-analysis will incorporate individual risk factors. If data are insufficient, the results will be synthesised narratively. Publication bias and confounding evaluation will be performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework will be used.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval for the use of published data is not required. The results will be published, presented at conferences and discussed in deliberative dialogue groups.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023402812.
Post-rehabilitation programme to support upper limb recovery in community-dwelling stroke survivors: a mixed methods cluster-feasibility controlled trial
Authors: Pedlow Katy , Kennedy Niamh C , Klempel Natalie , Eng Janice J , Adamson Gary , Hylands Jenny , Hughes Noelene , Campbell Zoe , McDonough Suzanne
Published: October 2024

Background

Less than 50% of stroke survivors regain their pre-stroke level of upper limb function, compounded with a lack of long-term rehabilitation options available. The Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Programme (GRASP) is an evidence-based upper limb programme delivered as a standalone programme to stroke survivors. To improve access to such a programme, there is the potential to combine it with a high-utility community-based exercise programme, such as the post-rehabilitation enablement programme (PREP). We aimed to establish if this was feasible to deliver alongside the experience of stroke survivors and therapists, identify any refinements the intervention and the acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures.

Methods

A cluster feasibility-controlled trial was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures with stroke survivors who were discharged from NHS care. Participants completed PREP for 6 weeks (control), with the intervention group also completing GRASP. The GRASP intervention was refined in between five iterative testing cycles. Focus groups with participants explored the acceptability and feasibility. Individual interviews with intervention therapists explored how feasible it was to embed the intervention into practice, and determine the feasibility of a future larger, mixed methods, randomised controlled trial. Clinical endpoints for upper limb and overall function were explored through the Rating of Everyday Arm use in the Community and Home, 10-metre walk test (10MWT) and quality of life via the Shortened Edinburgh Warwick questionnaire. No further suggestions for intervention design were noted after cycle 4.

Results

Recruitment (n=72) and retention levels (84.7%) were high with 61 participants (mean age of 66 years and 49 weeks post-stroke) completing the study. Participants and therapists reported positive acceptability of the intervention with goal setting and family support noted as beneficial. The home exercise programme was noted as challenging. Participants within both groups demonstrated improvements in clinical measures, with the intervention group demonstrating a greater improvement within the Rating of Everyday Arm-use in the Community and Home and the 10MWT.

Conclusion

This study successfully recruited and retained stroke survivors into an upper limb community-based programme. It poses a feasible delivery mechanism to combine evidence-based upper limb approaches with established physical activity programmes in a future large scale and fully powered study.

Trial registration number

NCT05090163.
Effect of Holmich protocol exercise therapy on long-standing adductor-related groin pain in athletes: an objective evaluation
Authors: Yousefzadeh Abbas , Shadmehr Azadeh , Olyaei Gholam Reza , Naseri Nasrin , Khazaeipour Zahra
Published: October 2024

Aim

To objectively evaluate the effect of Holmich protocol-based exercise therapy on long-standing adductor-related groin pain (LSAGP).

Methods

We reproduced the Holmich protocol of exercise therapy and objectively evaluated its effect on 17 male athletes (mean age, 25.07±4.96 years) suffering from LSAGP, of whom 14 participants completed the 10 weeks treatment period. The study was designed as a single-blinded, before-and-after clinical trial. Main outcome measures included pain, functional ability, hip range of motion (ROM), hip abductor and adductor muscle strength, and successful return to sports activity.

Results

Eleven athletes (78.57%) returned to their sports activities in a mean time of 14.2 weeks (range, 10-20 weeks). Visual analogue scale pain score, hip abductor and adductor muscles strength, and function scores improved significantly. Although hip abduction ROM did not show any significant changes (p = 0.609), the extent of progress in the hip internal rotation ROM was significant (p = 0.001). The ratio of hip adduction to abduction strength did not change significantly (p = 0.309 for the isometric and p = 0.957 for the eccentric ratio).

Conclusions

Exercise therapy according to the Holmich programme may be an effective treatment for LSAGP. However, more emphasis should be paid to the hip adductor muscles’ eccentric strength.

Trial registration number

NCT2016080829269N1
.
Taking action to achieve health equity and eliminate healthcare disparities within acute care surgery
Authors: McCrum Marta L , Zakrison Tanya L , Knowlton Lisa Marie , Bruns Brandon , Kao Lillian S , Joseph Kathie-Ann , Berry Cherisse
Published: October 2024

Addressing disparities is crucial for enhancing population health, ensuring health security, and fostering resilient health systems. Disparities in acute care surgery (trauma, emergency general surgery, and surgical critical care) have been well documented and the magnitude of inequities demand an intentional, organized, and effective response. As part of its commitment to achieve high-quality, equitable care in all aspects of acute care surgery, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma convened an expert panel at its eigty-second annual meeting in September 2023 to discuss how to take action to work towards health equity in acute care surgery practice. The panel discussion framed contemporary disparities in the context of historic and political injustices, then identified targets for interventions and potential action items in health system structure, health policy, the surgical workforce, institutional operations and quality efforts. We offer a four-pronged approach to address health inequities: identify, reduce, eliminate, and heal disparities, with the goal of building a healthcare system that achieves equity and justice for all.
Shear-wave-velocity profiling of a test embankment for a high-speed rail project using the spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) method
Authors: Kim Gunwoong , Stokoe Kenneth H. , Hwang Sungmoon
Published: October 2024

Nondestructive seismic testing was conducted at 24 locations on and around the embankment to evaluate the compaction effort and lateral variabilities at the site. This embankment was being constructed as a test embankment for a high-speed railroad section in the USA. Different compaction techniques were used in different embankment areas, and nuclear-gauge density measurements were performed to evaluate the compaction quality in all areas. Additionally, Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) testing was performed to determine the Vs profiles at numerous locations on and around the embankment. The Vs values determined from the SASW testing were used to compare and evaluate areas where different compaction methods were used, as well as to help understand the overall site. The embankment was divided into three zones. In each zone, five shorter and one longer SASW arrays on top of the embankment were used to determine the Vs profiles. Also, in each zone, Vs profiles in the natural soil were determined using two additional long SASW arrays on the natural ground, one array on each longitudinal side of the embankment. These 24 Vs profiles on and around the embankment were used to evaluate lateral variability in the shear stiffnesses of the geotechnical materials at the site.
Water retention characteristics and mechanical properties of vegetated biopolymer and biochar-reinforced sandy loam
Authors: Ding Haotian , Geng Xueyu
Published: October 2024

Vegetation is a sustainable strategy for erosion control and slope stabilization, though its initial cultivation can be lengthy and potentially weaken soil structures. This study compared two bio-mediated ground improvement techniques, biopolymer and biochar, known for their supportive effects on vegetation growth. Additionally, a novel treatment combining biopolymer and biochar was examined for its potential in vegetated-engineering practices. Engineering performance was assessed through soil water characteristic curve, vegetation growth, direct shear testing, and rainfall simulation. The results revealed that biopolymer and biochar treatments enhanced soil water capacity but negatively impacted vegetation germination rates and shear strength of the reinforced soil, attributed to hydrogel formation, and increased soil water content from irrigation. In comparison, soil reinforced with the combined method showed a promotion in the vegetation while maintaining the soil’s mechanical performance throughout the cultivation period and exhibited only minor reductions in the shear strength compared to other reinforced soils. Moreover, the new treatment showed improved soil erodibility under a majority of rainfall occasions, regardless of the vegetation coverage. This enhanced engineering performance by the new treatment is believed to be the polymerisation between the biopolymer hydrogel, biochar, and soil particles.
Association mapping identifies stable loci containing novel genes for developmental and reproductive traits in sorghum
Authors: Upadhyaya Hari D. , Wang Lihua , Paterson Andrew H. , Gowda C.L.L. , Kumar Rajendra , Li Jieqin , Wang Yi-Hong
Published: October 2024

Landraces are ideal for identifying genes related to adaptation. The purpose of this study was to map and identify genes related to adaptation. We evaluated a mini core collection that broadly samples the global sorghum landrace gene pool for 11 traits in 4–12 environments. Association mapping with 6094 317 SNPs identified 70 loci for the 11 traits. The key findings include two panicle weight (PWt) and two grain yield (GY) loci overlapped, and two panicle length (PL) and two panicle width (PW) loci overlapped. Some loci for tiller number (TL), PL/PW, PWt, GY, and seed weight (SW) colocalized with previously mapped quantitative trait loci. We identified 33 candidate genes for TL, PL, PW, PWt, GY, SW, and MRC. The overlapping PWt and GY locus on chromosome 9 contained gibberellin receptor GID1 gene that regulates seed development. A TL locus on chromosome 1 that was consistently detected contained Sobic.001G152700 encoding a DUF1618 protein that was the sole horizontally transferred gene from sorghum to the parasitic Striga hermonthica, which was potentially related to environmental adaptation. These results are relevant for sorghum molecular breeding. Future studies are needed to functionally characterize the rich collection of novel candidate genes identified in this study.

Key message We mapped 11 sorghum traits, identified 33 candidate genes, and found a grain yield gene ( GID1) that regulates seed development and a grass-specific tillering gene (DUF1618) transferred to Striga hermonthica.
Heat shock responsive genes in Brassicaceae: genome-wide identification, phylogeny, and evolutionary associations within and between genera
Authors: Cantila Aldrin Y. , Chen Sheng , Siddique Kadambot H.M. , Cowling Wallace A.
Published: October 2024

Heat stress affects the growth and development of Brassicaceae crops. Plant breeders aim to mitigate the effects of heat stress by selecting for heat stress tolerance, but the genes responsible for heat stress in Brassicaceae remain largely unknown. During heat stress, heat shock proteins (HSPs) function as molecular chaperones to aid in protein folding, and heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) serve as transcriptional regulators of HSP expression. We identified 5002 heat shock related genes, including HSPs and HSFs, across 32 genomes in Brassicaceae. Among these, 3347 genes were duplicated, with segmented duplication primarily contributing to their expansion. We identified 466 physical gene clusters, including 240 homogenous clusters and 226 heterogeneous clusters, shedding light on the organization of heat shock related genes. Notably, 37 genes were co-located with published thermotolerance quantitative trait loci, which supports their functional role in conferring heat stress tolerance. This study provides a comprehensive resource for the identification of functional Brassicaceae heat shock related genes, elucidates their clustering and duplication patterns and establishes the genomic foundation for future heat tolerance research. We hypothesise that genetic variants in HSP and HSF genes in certain species have potential for improving heat stress tolerance in Brassicaceae crops.
Maximum entropy method for valence quark distributions in exotic hadrons: a study of the $$Z_c(3900)$$ case
Authors: Han Chengdong , Kou Wei , Wang Xiaopeng , Chen Xurong
Published: October 2024

In this study we demonstrate the application of the maximum entropy method (MEM) to determine the valence quark distribution of exotic hadrons. Our investigation yields three key findings. Firstly, we observe a significant shift towards smaller Bjorken scale x in the peak position of the valence quark distribution for hadrons with an increasing number of valence quarks, consistent with previous results by Kawamura and Kumano. Secondly, assuming that the $$Z_c(3900)$$

Z
c

(
3900
)

initially consists of four valence quarks, we employ MEM to determine its initial valence quark distribution, estimating a radius of $$r_c=1.276$$

r
c

=
1.276

fm at an extremely low resolution scale $$Q^2$$

Q
2

. Furthermore, we identify a notable discrepancy between our computed charge form factor $$G_c(q)$$

G
c

(
q
)

at leading order and the outcomes of hadron molecular state calculations. We propose that this form factor can be extracted from the QCD counting rule cross-section, which is grounded in generalized distribution amplitudes (GDA) linked to the multi-quark states.
An Allen–Cahn-based lattice Boltzmann model for two-phase flows with surfactants
Authors: Fan Chengcheng , Wu Suchen , Zhang Chengbin
Published: October 2024

Accurately modeling two-phase flows involving the surfactant is of great significance for understanding the interface evolution dynamics due to the variation of surface tension. In this study, we proposed an Allen–Cahn-based lattice Boltzmann model for two-phase flows with soluble surfactants, in which a new force scheme from the view of continuous surface tension force scheme and the consistent wetting boundary condition are derived. Several numerical tests are conducted, and the results are compared with the model based on the previous potential form (PF) interfacial force scheme. The results indicate that our proposed model can model two-phase flows involving the soluble surfactants, even for high-density ratio situations. The distribution across the interface is accurately predicted. Our model also shows superior performance on two-phase dynamics involving surfactants, i.e. smaller spurious currents and larger range of contact angle. This model can be a favorable alternative for high-density-ratio two-phase flows involving soluble surfactants.
Music Generation Using Dual Interactive Wasserstein Fourier Acquisitive Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Shaikh Tarannum , Jadhav Ashish
Published: October 2024

Music composition, an intricate blend of human creativity and emotion, presents substantial challenges when generating melodies from lyrics which hinders effective learning in neural networks and the inadequate depiction of harmonic structure that fails to encapsulate the complex relationships between lyrics and melodies. The existing methods often struggle to balance emotional depth and structural coherence, leading to compositions that lack both the intended emotional resonance and musical consistency. To overcome these issues, this research introduces a novel approach named Dual Interactive Wasserstein Fourier Acquisitive Generative Adversarial Network (DIWFA-GAN), which integrates innovative techniques like swish activation functions and the Giant Trevally Optimizer (GTO) for parameter optimization. Meanwhile, the GTO, inspired by the movement patterns of the Giant Trevally fish, provides efficient and effective parameter optimization, improving the model’s convergence speed and accuracy. Comparative analysis against recent existing models reveals superior performance for both the LMD-full MIDI and Reddit MIDI datasets, with impressive metrics including inception scores of 9.36 and 2.98, Fréchet inception distances of 35.29 and 135.54 and accuracies of 99.98% and 99.95%, respectively. The DIWFA-GAN significantly outperforms existing models in generating high-fidelity melodies, as evidenced by superior inception scores, Fréchet inception distances, and accuracies on both datasets.
Hydrogeological insights from groundwater ice formation on the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton, Canada
Authors: Shepley Martin G. , Worthington Stephen R. H.
Published: October 2024

Groundwater discharges from Silurian bedrock exposures at the Niagara Escarpment have been documented using photography. It is demonstrated that patterns of groundwater discharges are best discernible from ice formation during sub-zero winter conditions. The photographs indicate that discharges at natural exposures tend to follow hydrostratigraphic boundaries, with point seeps indicating channelized preferential flow. At anthropogenic exposures, the groundwater discharges appear more closely related to the actual exposure morphology with vertical fracturing causing vertical flow and bypass of aquitards, as well as aquifers with groundwater discharge occurring at local topographical lows. The associated seeps at anthropogenic exposures may approximate planar preferential horizontal flow horizons if competent beds are encountered.
A Comprehensive Survey on Deep Clustering: Taxonomy, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Xu Hongjia , Zheng Zhuonan , Chen Jiawei , Li Zhao , Bu Jiajun , Wu Jia , Wang Xin , Zhu Wenwu , Ester Martin
Published: October 2024

Clustering is a fundamental machine learning task, which aim at assigning instances into groups so that similar samples belong to the same cluster while dissimilar samples belong to different clusters. Shallow clustering methods usually assume that data are collected and expressed as feature vectors within which clustering is performed. However, clustering high-dimensional data, such as images, texts, videos, and graphs, poses significant challenges for clustering tasks, such as indiscriminate representation and intricate relationships among instances. Over the past decades, deep learning has achieved remarkable success in effective representation learning and modeling complex relationships. Motivated by these advancements,
Deep Clustering
seeks to improve clustering outcomes through deep learning techniques, garnering considerable interest from both academia and industry. Despite many contributions to this vibrant area of research, the lack of systematic analysis and a comprehensive taxonomy has hindered progress in this field. In this survey, we first explore how deep learning can be integrated into deep clustering and identify two fundamental components: the representation learning module and the clustering module. Then, we summarize and analyze the representative design of these two modules. Furthermore, we introduce a novel taxonomy of deep clustering based on how these two modules interact, specifically through multistage, generative, iterative, and simultaneous approaches. In addition, we present well-known benchmark datasets, evaluation metrics, and open-source tools to clearly demonstrate different experimental approaches. Finally, we examine the practical applications of deep clustering and propose challenging areas for future research.
Towards Scalable and Secure Blockchain in Internet of Things: A Preference-Driven Committee Member Auction Consensus Approach
Authors: Mathur Akshaya , Barati Masoud , Aujla Gagangeet Singh , Rana Omer
Published: October 2024

Blockchain technology is acclaimed for eliminating the need for a central authority while ensuring stability, security, and immutability. However, its integration into Internet of Things (IoT) environments is hampered by the limited computational resources of IoT devices. Consensus algorithms, vital for blockchain safety and efficiency, often require substantial computational power and face challenges related to security, scalability, and resource demands. To address these critical issues, we propose a novel model that significantly enhances the security and performance of blockchain in IoT environments. Our model introduces three key innovations: (1) a bidirectional-linked blockchain system that strengthens security against long-range attacks by exploiting dual reference points for block validation; (2) the integration of user preferences into the Committee Member Auction (CMA) consensus algorithm, optimizing miner selection to balance resource efficiency with security; and (3) a comprehensive performance and frequency analysis that demonstrates the system’s resilience against double-spend, long-range, and eclipse attacks. The proposed model not only reduces block validation delays but also enhances overall system performance, as evidenced by simulations comparing its effectiveness with existing CMA algorithms. These advancements have the potential to significantly impact the deployment of blockchain in resource-constrained IoT environments, offering a more secure and efficient solution.
EM-Rhythm: An Authentication Method for Heterogeneous IoT Devices
Authors: Xu Zejun , Jin Wenqiang , Yao Changwei , Liu Xinyi , Ma Shuang , Liu Yu , Qin Zheng , Vakilinia Iman , Liu Daibo
Published: October 2024

The popularity of IoT devices has penetrated our daily life while posing new challenges in user authentication. Today’s solutions, e.g., passwords, fingerprints, and FaceIDs, primarily rely on specialized sensors or user interfaces to collect user’s identification information, which may not universally exist on heterogeneous IoT devices. In this paper, we propose a novel user authentication method that exploits the Electromagnetic (EM) emanations radiated from IoT devices. Our design is motivated by the observation that human touches on the IoT device can lead to time-varying coupling between these two. Consequently, it impacts the device’s EM emanations that can be picked up by its inertial ADC (analog-to-digital converter) interfaces. We ask the user to tap on the device rhythmically following a self-determined melody, such that the human-coupled EM emanations vary accordingly. We thus extract the rhythm pattern as the user’s secure password named
EM-Rhythm
. To examine its effectiveness, EM-Rhythm is implemented on a wide range of IoT devices. We show that our scheme achieves authentication accuracy as high as 98.67% with less than three login attempts. Besides, it is robust against various types of attacks and maintains stable performances under various settings. EM-Rhythm also exhibits satisfactory usability in terms of memorability and time consumption.
A Survey on Advanced Persistent Threat Detection: A Unified Framework, Challenges, and Countermeasures
Authors: Zhang Bo , Gao Yansong , Kuang Boyu , Yu Changlong , Fu Anmin , Susilo Willy
Published: October 2024

In recent years, frequent Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks have caused disastrous damage to critical facilities, leading to severe information leakages, economic losses, and even social disruptions. Via sophisticated, long-term, and stealthy network intrusions, APT attacks are often beyond the capabilities of traditional intrusion detection methods. Existing methods employ various techniques to enhance APT detection at different stages, but this makes it difficult to fairly and objectively evaluate the capability, value, and orthogonality of available techniques. Overly focusing on hardening specific APT detection stages cannot address some essential challenges from a global perspective, which would result in severe consequences. To holistically tackle this problem and explore effective solutions, we abstract a unified framework that covers the complete process of APT attack detection, with standardized summaries of state-of-the-art solutions and analysis of feasible techniques. Further, we provide an in-depth discussion of the challenges and countermeasures faced by each component of the detection framework. In addition, we comparatively analyze public datasets and outline the capability criteria to provide a reference for standardized evaluations. Finally, we discuss insights into potential areas for future research.
A Survey on Intent-aware Recommender Systems
Authors: Jannach Dietmar , Zanker Markus
Published: October 2024

Many modern online services feature personalized recommendations. A central challenge when providing such recommendations is that the reason
why
an individual user accesses the service may change from visit to visit or even during an ongoing usage session. To be effective, a recommender system should therefore aim to take the users’ probable
intent
of using the service at a certain point in time into account. In recent years, researchers have thus started to address this challenge by incorporating
intent-awareness
into recommender systems. Correspondingly, a number of technical approaches were put forward, including diversification techniques, intent prediction models, or latent intent modeling approaches. In this article, we survey and categorize existing approaches to building the next generation of
Intent-Aware Recommender Systems
(IARS). Based on an analysis of current evaluation practices, we outline open gaps and possible future directions in this area, which in particular include the consideration of additional interaction signals and contextual information to further improve the effectiveness of such systems.
An Overview of Systems-Theoretic Guarantees in Data-Driven Model Predictive Control
Authors: Berberich Julian , Allgöwer Frank
Published: October 2024

The development of control methods based on data has seen a surge of interest in recent years. When applying data-driven controllers in real-world applications, providing theoretical guarantees for the closed-loop system is of crucial importance to ensure reliable operation. In this review, we provide an overview of data-driven model predictive control (MPC) methods for controlling unknown systems with guarantees on systems-theoretic properties such as stability, robustness, and constraint satisfaction. The considered approaches rely on the fundamental lemma from behavioral theory in order to predict input–output trajectories directly from data. We cover various setups, ranging from linear systems and noise-free data to more realistic formulations with noise and nonlinearities, and we provide an overview of different techniques to ensure guarantees for the closed-loop system. Moreover, we discuss avenues for future research that may further improve the theoretical understanding and practical applicability of data-driven MPC.
Examining motor evidence for the pause-then-cancel model of action-stopping: insights from motor system physiology
Authors: Tatz Joshua R. , Carlson Madeline O. , Lovig Carson , Wessel Jan R.
Published: October 2024

Current debate surrounds whether single- or dual-process models better account for human action-stopping ability. We show that motor suppression of a successfully stopped muscle follows a distinct time course compared with when that same muscle is unrelated to the stopping task. Our results further suggest that distinct local inhibitory neuron populations contribute to these unique sources of suppression. Our study provides evidence from motor system physiology that multiple inhibitory processes influence action-stopping.
When an Overwhelming Number of Supernumerary Teeth Provides an Alternative to the Diagnosis of Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome
Authors: Shaker Nariman , Abdelrady Aya , Haridy Sara F. A. , El-Beialy Waleed
Published: October 2024

Background: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth is increasing in modern dental practice. However, the presence of multiple supernumerary teeth should be further investigated. Proper diagnosis of an underlying syndrome might save the patient from future health hazards through early diagnosis and optimal follow‐up screening.

Case Presentation: A 13‐year‐old female patient presented with multiple retained deciduous teeth and delayed eruption of permanent teeth. Although the medical and family history of the patient did not raise any concerns, the clinical and radiographic examinations yielded intriguing findings. The patient presented with a total of 11 supernumerary teeth, which impeded the normal eruption of permanent dentition in addition to the presence of retained deciduous teeth. Additional clinical and laboratory investigations were conducted in response to the case’s complexity, resulting in the diagnosis of Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome (TRPS) Type I. The patient underwent a precise treatment plan and then was followed up for 6 months postoperatively to monitor the eruptive movement of the permanent teeth.

Conclusion: When a syndrome is the underlying cause, monitoring unusual cases, such as those with multiple supernumerary teeth, can be lifesaving or aid in the early diagnosis of more serious complications.
Development, Validation, and Diagnostic Accuracy of the Fetal Lack of Responsiveness Scale for Diagnosis of Severe Perinatal Hypoxia
Authors: Franco Luis Carlos , Buitrago Sandra M. , Arbelaez Isabel , Pinto Laura F. , Blanco Daniela , Pizarro María C. , Santamaria Laura , Trillos Catalina
Published: October 2024

Background: There are limitations to predicting perinatal asphyxia, as current tools rely almost entirely on fetal cardiotocography (CTG). The fetal lack of responsiveness scale (FLORS) is a new diagnostic alternative based on the physiological phenomena associated with fetal hypoxia.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop, validate, and assess the diagnostic accuracy of the FLORS for predicting severe perinatal hypoxia (SPH).

Study Design: A two‐phase retrospective observational cross‐sectional analytical study was conducted. Phase 1 involved the formulation and retrospective validation of the FLORS. A total of 366 fetal CTG records were evaluated twice by seven readers. Phase 2 was a collaborative, retrospective, multicenter diagnostic test study that included 37 SPH and 366 non‐SPH cases.

Results: Phase 1: A numeric, physiology‐based scale was developed and refined based on expert opinions. The median time to apply the scale per reading was 38 s. Cronbach’s alpha, which is a reliability measure, was significant (p = 0.784). The kappa index for test–retest agreement was moderate to reasonable, with a median value of 0.642. For interobserver agreement, the kappa index per variable was as follows: baseline, 0.669; accelerations, 0.658; variability, 0.467; late/variable decelerations, 0.638; slow response decelerations, 0.617; and trend to change, 0.423. Phase 2, including 37 SPH and 366 non‐SPH cases, showed a sensitivity of 62.2% and specificity of 75.4% for the 2‐point score, whereas the 3‐point score had a sensitivity of 35.1% and specificity of 89.9%. The area under the curve (AUC) was significant at 0.73 (CI 0.645–0.818).

Conclusions: FLORS demonstrated significant internal consistency and observer agreement, with a promising sensitivity–specificity balance and significant AUC. Further research is needed to assess its impact on perinatal hypoxia and cesarean delivery.
Ephrin A1 Stimulates CCL2 Secretion to Facilitate Premetastatic Niche Formation and Promote Gastric Cancer Liver Metastasis
Authors: Cui Yun , Chang Yongxia , Ma Xixi , Sun Meng , Huang Yuliang , Yang Feng , Li Shuang , Zhuo Wei , Liu Wei , Yang Bo , Lin Aifu , Ou Guangshuo , Yang Yuehong , Xie Shanshan , Zhou Tianhua
Published: October 2024

The liver is a primary target for distal metastasis of gastric cancer. The hepatic premetastatic niche (PMN) facilitates crucial communications between primary tumor and liver, thereby playing an essential role in hepatic metastasis. Identification of the molecular mechanisms driving PMN formation in gastric cancer could facilitate development of strategies to prevent and treat liver metastasis. Here, we uncovered a role for ephrin A1 (EFNA1) signaling in development of the PMN. EFNA1 overexpression in gastric cancer cells significantly increased C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) secretion through the Hippo–YAP pathway. Secreted CCL2 activated hepatic stellate cells (HStC) within the hepatic PMN via the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Inhibition of CCL2 significantly suppressed HStC activation and reduced liver metastasis triggered by EFNA1 signaling in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, high CCL2 expression correlated with poor survival in patients with cancer. Overall, these findings reveal that EFNA1 signaling in gastric cancer cells upregulates CCL2, which activates HStCs to engender establishment of a hepatic PMN that supports liver metastasis.

Significance: Cross-talk between gastric cancer cells and hepatic stellate cells mediated by the EFNA1/CCL2 axis induces premetastatic niche development to facilitate metastatic spread, nominating CCL2 as a therapeutic target to suppress liver metastasis.
Tumor Hypoxia: Long Ignored but Now Detectable and Potentially Actionable
Authors: Mason Ralph P.
Published: October 2024

Oxygen-enhanced MRI was successfully applied to 24 patients with human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal cancer. This prospective trial rigorously evaluated reproducibility and changes with respect to tumor radiation. Analyses compared hypoxic volumes and hypoxic fractions. It represents important progress in developing a practical approach to assessing tumor hypoxia in patients noninvasively.

See related article by Dubec et al., p. 5620
Confronting Complexity: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Localized Lung Cancer with a Pacemaker
Authors: Chahid Malak , El Gouach Hanae , Cherkaoui Jaouad Mohamed Reda , Damou Meriem , Sqalli Houssaini Mohammed , Kouhen Fadila
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Lung cancer management in patients with pacemakers presents unique challenges. This report examines the utilization of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in such a patient population. Case Presentation: A 75-year-old former smoker with a dual-chamber pacemaker presented with inoperable lung adenocarcinoma. SBRT (48 Gy in 4 fractions) was chosen following multidisciplinary consultation and thorough pretreatment evaluation by a rhythmologist to assess pacemaker integrity. Continuous cardiac monitoring during SBRT detected no arrhythmias. Adjuvant therapy consisted of radiotherapy alone due to the patient’s health status and limited evidence supporting chemotherapy in this context. At the 18-month follow-up, no cancer recurrence was observed, and regular device checks confirmed pacemaker integrity. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the successful management of inoperable lung adenocarcinoma with SBRT in a patient with a pacemaker. It underscores the significance of interdisciplinary cooperation and careful patient assessment to optimize treatment outcomes in this challenging clinical scenario.
Systemic Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adolescents: A US Expert Consensus
Authors: Eichenfield Lawrence F. , Boguniewicz Mark , Lauren Christine T. , Leung Donald Y.M. , Levy Moise L. , Schneider Lynda C. , Siegfried Elaine C. , Tom Wynnis L. , Paller Amy S.
Published: October 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, type-2 mediated, inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus, disruption of skin barrier function, and immune dysregulation. Management strategies for AD are routinely determined based on disease severity. First-line treatment begins with basic skin care and topical anti-inflammatory medication, which is typically sufficient for the management of mild-to-moderate disease. For those patients with moderate-to-severe disease, systemic therapy is often required. This can involve off-label treatment with conventional immunosuppressant medications. However, this approach is limited by a lack of robust clinical trial data and safety concerns that necessitate close monitoring. The emergence of novel targeted biologics and small molecules to treat AD presents an opportunity to optimize AD management and patient outcomes by offering greater efficacy than traditional immunosuppressants and a favorable safety profile. As the treatment landscape shifts, clinicians can benefit from a standardized process of patient assessment and treatment, along with resources to help maintain contemporary knowledge of available therapeutic options. This US-based, expert-led consensus used a modified Delphi process to develop core recommendations for the use of systemic medications for the management of pediatric patients <18 years of age with moderate-to-severe AD.
Anatomical Variants of the Jejunal Veins and Their Technical Implications in Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cirocchi Roberto , Matteucci Matteo , Randolph Justus , Boselli Carlo , Davies Justin , Scarselletti Gabriele , Gemini Alessandro , Rizzuto Antonia , Tebala Giovanni Domenico
Published: October 2024

Introduction: One of the most common causes of bleeding during pancreaticoduodenectomy is a dissection of the pancreatic head from the superior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric artery. Knowledge of the anatomical variants of the veins draining the proximal jejunum may allow better control of bleeding during detachment of the uncinate process and pancreatic head from the mesenteric pedicle and division of the mesopancreas. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the anatomical variations of the first jejunal vein (FJV) and jejunal trunk (FJT). Methods: Fourteen studies (1,888 patients) were included. We performed a systematic review of the available literature according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: The analysis has shown that the posterior course of the FJT and FJV represents the most frequent topographical location (pooled prevalence estimate [PPE] 79.6%) with the anterior jejunal trunk having a lower rate (PPE 20.4%). Few articles reported the variations with separate trunks for the first and second jejunal veins. Conclusions: A thorough preoperative radiological assessment of the anatomical variation of FJT and FJV may confer some advantage to establish the best therapeutic strategy and the best surgical approach in case of pancreatic head carcinoma as it can allow a better estimate of the extent of the neoplasm and improve the accuracy of surgical dissection with potential for reduced bleeding.