bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Global Survey of Hypervirulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) Identified vAh Strains in the Lower Mekong River Basin and Diverse Opportunistic Pathogens from Farmed Fish and Other Environmental Sources
Authors: Xu Tingbi , Rasmussen-Ivey Cody R. , Moen Francesco S. , Fernández-Bravo Ana , Lamy Brigitte , Beaz-Hidalgo Roxana , Khan Chan Dara , Castro Escarpulli Graciela , Yasin Ina Salwany M. , Figueras Maria J. , Azzam-Sayuti Mohamad , Karim Muhammad Manjurul , Alam K. M. Mazharul , Le Thao Thu Thi , Thao Ngo Huynh Phuong , Addo Samuel , Duodu Samuel , Ali Shahzad , Latif Tooba , Mey Sothea , Somony Thay , Liles Mark R.
Published: February 2023

This global survey of vAh brought together scientists that study fish disease to evaluate the evolution, geographical distribution, phylogeny, and hosts of vAh and other
Aeromonas
sp. isolates. In addition to vAh isolates from China and the United States, four new vAh isolates were isolated from the lower Mekong River basin in Cambodia and Vietnam, indicating the significant threat of vAh to modern aquaculture and the need for improved biosecurity to prevent vAh spread.
Sea-level fluctuations control the distribution of highly liquefaction-prone layers on volcanic-carbonate slopes
Authors: Sultan N. , Jouet G. , Riboulot V. , Terzariol M. , Garziglia S. , Cattaneo A. , Giraudeau J. , Jorry S.J.
Published: February 2023

Understanding and quantifying the hazards related to earthquake-induced submarine liquefaction and landslides are particularly significant offshore of tropical volcanic-carbonate islands, where carbonate production competes with volcanism to create highly contrasted lithological successions. To improve the detection of liquefaction-prone layers, we analyzed physical properties and mineralogy and performed 70 dynamic triaxial tests on 25 sediment cores offshore of the eastern side of Mayotte (Comoros archipelago in the western Indian Ocean) in an area that has experienced significant seismicity since 2018. We found that the main parameter controlling the liquefaction potential offshore of Mayotte is the presence of low-density layers with high calcite content accumulating along the slope during lowstands. This phasing with sea-level fluctuations implies a significant recurrent geohazard for tropical volcanic-carbonate islands worldwide. Furthermore, the relationship we found between the cyclic resistance of sediment and its density and magnetic susceptibility represents a time-effective approach for identifying the hazards related to earthquake-induced liquefaction.
Formation and reorganization time scales of aeolian landscapes
Authors: Gunn Andrew
Published: February 2023

Landscapes created through sediment transport are shaped by the interaction of flow and form. In landscapes where wind is the agent of geomorphic work, this is clear at the small scale; equilibrium dune morphology is linked to the wind climate and the supply of sediment. At larger scales, this linkage becomes ambiguous because the form of giant dunes and dune fields integrates long histories of varied wind and sand supply. Without a framework to assess aeolian landscape evolution at this scale, the time taken to form and reorganize dune fields has been largely unexplored quantitatively. We show that these time scales can be understood by linking modern wind and topographic data sets for one of the most expansive and morphologically diverse unvegetated dune fields, the Rub’ al Khali (southern Arabian Peninsula). By linking sediment flux to the surface area and slope of dunes, and growth to the divergence in that flux, we fully couple form and flow at the dune field scale. Our results show quantitatively how dune field formation and reorganization are outpaced by climate change and the implications for stratigraphic interpretation.
Evaluating the definition of severely injured patients: a Japanese nationwide 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Toida Chiaki , Muguruma Takashi , Gakumazawa Masayasu , Shinohara Mafumi , Abe Takeru , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The definition of severely injured patients lacks universal consensus based on quantitative measures. The most widely used definition of severe injury is based on the Injury Severity Score (ISS), which is calculated using the Abbreviated Injury Scale in Japan. This study aimed to compare the prevalence, in-hospital mortality and OR for mortality in patients with ISS ≥16, ISS ≥18 and ISS ≥26 by age groups.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Japan Trauma Data Bank, which is a nationwide trauma registry with data from 280 hospitals.

Participants

We used data of 117 199 injured patients from a national database. We included injured patients who were transferred from the scene of injury by ambulance and/or physician.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Prevalence, in-hospital mortality and OR for mortality with respect to age and injury level (ISS group).

Results

In all age categories, the in-hospital mortality of patient groups with an ISS ≥16, ISS ≥18 and ISS ≥26 was 13.3%, 17.4% and 23.5%, respectively. The in-hospital mortality for patients aged >75 years was the highest (20% greater than that of the other age groups). Moreover, in-hospital mortality for age group 5–14 years was the lowest (4.0–10.9%). In all the age groups, the OR for mortality for patients with ISS ≥16, ISS ≥18 and ISS ≥26 was 12.8, 11.0 and 8.4, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results revealed the lack of an acceptable definition, with a high in-hospital mortality and high OR for mortality for all age groups.
Innovative models of healthcare delivery: an umbrella review of reviews
Authors: Roberts Natalie , Carrigan Ann , Clay-Williams Robyn , Hibbert Peter D , Mahmoud Zeyad , Pomare Chiara , Fajardo Pulido Diana , Meulenbroeks Isabelle , Knaggs Gilbert Thomas , Austin Elizabeth E , Churruca Kate , Ellis Louise A , Long Janet C , Hutchinson Karen , Best Stephanie , Nic Giolla Easpaig Brona , Sarkies Mitchell N , Francis Auton Emilie , Hatem Sarah , Dammery Genevieve , Nguyen Mai-Tran , Nguyen Hoa Mi , Arnolda Gaston , Rapport Frances , Zurynski Yvonne , Maka Katherine , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

Objective

To undertake a synthesis of evidence-based research for seven innovative models of care to inform the development of new hospitals.

Design

Umbrella review.

Setting

Interventions delivered inside and outside of acute care settings.

Participants

Children and adults with one or more identified acute or chronic health conditions.

Data sources

PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE and CINAHL.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Clinical indicators and mortality, healthcare utilisation, quality of life, self-management and self-care and patient knowledge.

Results

A total of 66 reviews were included, synthesising evidence from 1272 primary studies across the 7 models of care. Virtual care was the most common model studied, addressed by 47 (73%) of the reviews. Common outcomes evaluated across reviews were clinical indicators and mortality, healthcare utilisation, self-care and self-management, patient knowledge, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. The findings indicate that the innovative models of healthcare we identified in this review may be effective in managing patients with a range of acute and chronic conditions. Most of the included reviews reported evidence of comparable or improved care.

Conclusions

A consideration of local infrastructure and individual patient characteristics, such as health literacy, may be critical in determining the suitability of models of care for patients and their implementation in local health systems.

Trial registration number

10.17605/OSF.IO/PS6ZU.
Does increasing physician volume in primary healthcare facilities under the hierarchical medical system help reduce hospital service utilisation in China? A fixed-effects analysis using province-level panel data
Authors: Li Xiaotong , Xu Huiwen , Du Fang , Zhu Bin , Xie Pei , Wang Hankun , Han Xinxin
Published: February 2023

Objective

To examine whether increases in physician volume in primary healthcare facilities are associated with reduced utilisation of hospital outpatient and inpatient services after China facilitated the establishment of the hierarchical medical system.

Design

We used a two-way fixed-effects regression to examine the association between the annual number of physicians in primary healthcare facilities and that of patient visits per physician, inpatient admissions and total expenses per outpatient visit in public hospitals during 2010–2014 and 2015–2019. Variables were log transformed to ensure the normal distribution of the data.

Setting

Province-level data of all 31 provinces in mainland China from 2010 to 2019 were collected from the China Health Statistics Yearbook published by the China Health Commission.

Participants

All 31 provinces in mainland China.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The annual number of outpatient visits per physician, hospital admission and total expenses per outpatient visit in public hospitals.

Results

During 2015–2019, we found that, on average, a 1% increase in the number of primary healthcare physicians was accompanied by a 0.19% (95% CI −0.33% to −0.05%) reduction in the annual number of visits per physician in public hospitals, and a 0.31% (95% CI −0.52% to −0.10%) reduction in patient visits in city-administered hospitals. No significant associations were found between 2010 and 2014. We also did not observe any significant associations between primary healthcare physician volume and hospital admissions or outpatient expenses during neither 2010–2014 and 2015–2019.

Conclusions

In the context of the hierarchical medical system, enhancing physician volume in primary healthcare facilities helps reduce outpatient visits in public hospitals, especially city-administered hospitals. However, more efforts are required to be continuously made to improve primary healthcare capacity to avoid preventable hospital admissions and outpatient expenses.
Scoping review protocol examining charge nurse skills: requirement for the development of training
Authors: Jubinville Maripier , Tchouaket Eric Nguemeleu , Longpré Caroline
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The charge nurse (CN) holds a position in clinical-administrative management and is essential for improving the quality and safety of care in healthcare institutions. The position requires five essential skills: leadership; interpersonal communication; clinical-administrative caring; problem solving; and knowledge and understanding of the work environment. The scientific literature has not widely examined the importance of providing these skills as part of initial training, nor when CNs begin their duties. This study aims to fill this gap through an exhaustive review of the literature with the aim of developing standardised training for the CN when they start in their position.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework will be conducted. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, Science Direct and Cairn, databases as well as grey literature from ProQuest dissertations and thesis global database, Google Scholar and the website of the Order of Nurses of Quebec will be queried using keywords. Relevant literature in French and English, published between 2000 and 2022 will be retained. The CN is the target population. Outcomes address at least one of the five CN skills, describe how they are operationalised and what their impact is on the organisation of work and quality of care. This analysis will identify essential and relevant elements for the development of standardised, up-to-date and appropriate training for the position of CN.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required, as data does not include individual patient data. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and presented to nursing managers and directors.

Scoping review registration

Research Registry ID: researchregistry7030.
Multicentre open label randomised controlled trial of immediate enhanced ambulatory ECG monitoring versus standard monitoring in acute unexplained syncope patients: the ASPIRED study
Authors: Reed Matthew J , Grubb Neil , Lang Chris , Goodacre Steve , O’Brien Rachel , Weir Christopher J , Thokala Praveen , Freeman Nicola , Blackstock Caroline , Dinsmore Lynn , Boyd Julia , Adamestam Imad , Macrae Pam , Hannigan Robert , Lobban Trudie
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Diagnosing underlying arrhythmia in emergency department (ED) syncope patients is difficult. There is a evidence that diagnostic yield for detecting underlying arrhythmia is highest when cardiac monitoring devices are applied early, ideally at the index visit. This strategy has the potential to change current syncope management from low diagnostic yield Holter to higher yield ambulatory monitoring, reduce episodes of syncope, reduce risk of recurrence and its potential serious consequences, reduce hospital admissions, reduce overall health costs and increase quality of life by allowing earlier diagnosis, treatment and exclusion of clinically important arrhythmias.

Methods and analyses

This is a UK open prospective parallel group multicentre randomised controlled trial of an immediate 14-day ambulatory patch heart monitor vs standard care in 2234 patients presenting acutely with unexplained syncope. Our patient focused primary endpoint will be number of episodes of syncope at 1 year. Health economic evaluation will estimate the incremental cost per syncope episode avoided and quality-adjusted life year gained.

Ethics and dissemination

Informed consent for participation will be sought. The ASPIRED trial received a favourable ethical opinion from South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee 01 (21/SS/0073). Results will be disseminated via scientific publication, lay summary and visual abstract.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN 10278811.
Non-specialist-delivered psychosocial intervention for prenatal anxiety in a tertiary care setting in Pakistan: a qualitative process evaluation
Authors: Atif Najia , Rauf Nida , Nazir Huma , Maryam Hadia , Mumtaz Sidra , Zulfiqar Shaffaq , Shouket Rabail , Rowther Armaan A , Malik Abid , Rahman Atif , Surkan Pamela J.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

A manualised cognitive–behavioural therapy-based psychosocial intervention for prenatal anxiety called Happy Mother Healthy Baby is being tested for its effectiveness through a randomised control trial in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intervention delivery process and the research process.

Design

Qualitative methods were used to explore in depth the intervention delivery and research process.

Setting

This process evaluation was embedded within a randomised control trial conducted in a tertiary care facility in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Participants

Data were collected through in-depth interviews (n=35) with the trial participants and focus group discussions (n=3) with the research staff. Transcripts were analysed using a Framework Analysis.

Results

The evaluation of the intervention delivery process indicated that it can be effectively delivered by non-specialist providers trained and supervised by a specialist. The intervention was perceived to be culturally acceptable and appropriately addressing problems related to prenatal anxiety. Lack of awareness of ‘talking’ therapies and poor family support were potential barriers to participant engagement. The evaluation of the research process highlighted that culturally appropriate consent procedures facilitated recruitment of participants, while incentivisation and family involvement facilitated sustained engagement and retention. Lack of women’s empowerment and mental health stigma were potential barriers to implementation of the programme.

Conclusion

We conclude that non-specialists can feasibly deliver an evidence-based intervention integrated into routine antenatal care in a tertiary hospital. Non-specialist providers are likely to be more cost effective and less stigmatising. Inclusion of family is key for participant recruitment, retention and engagement with the intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT03880032.
MidCog study: a prospective, observational cohort study investigating health literacy, self-management skills and cognitive function in middle-aged adults
Authors: Kim Minjee , Kwasny Mary J , Bailey Stacy C , Benavente Julia Y , Zheng Pauline , Bonham Morgan , Luu Han Q , Cecil Patrick , Agyare Prophecy , O'Conor Rachel , Curtis Laura M , Hur Scott , Yeh Fangyu , Lovett Rebecca M , Russell Andrea , Luo Yuan , Zee Phyllis C , Wolf Michael S
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The lack of definitive means to prevent or treat cognitive impairment or dementia is driving intense efforts to identify causal mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests clinically meaningful declines in cognition might present as early as middle age. Studying cognitive changes in middle adulthood could elucidate modifiable factors affecting later cognitive and health outcomes, yet few cognitive ageing studies include this age group. The purpose of the MidCog study is to begin investigations of less-studied and potentially modifiable midlife determinants of later life cognitive outcomes.

Methods and analysis

MidCog is a prospective cohort study of adults ages 35–64, with two in-person interviews 2.5 years apart. Data will be collected from interviews, electronic health records and pharmacy fill data. Measurements will include health literacy, self-management skills, cognitive function, lifestyle and health behaviours, healthcare use, health status and chronic disease outcomes. Associations of health literacy and self-management skills with health behaviours and cognitive/health outcomes will be examined in a series of regression models, and moderating effects of modifiable psychosocial factors.

Finally, MidCog data will be linked to an ongoing, parallel cohort study of older adults recruited at ages 55–74 in 2008 (‘LitCog’; ages 70–90 in 2023), to explore associations between age, health literacy, self-management skills, chronic diseases, health status and cognitive function among adults ages 35–90.

Ethics and dissemination

The Institutional Review Board at Northwestern University has approved the MidCog study protocol (STU00214736). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and summaries will be provided to the funders of the study as well as patients.
Accuracy of injection pressure measurement at peripheral nerves using high-resolution 40 MHz ultrasound in an anesthetized porcine model
Authors: McLeod Graeme A , Cowie Alistair , Sadler Amy , Watson Fiona , Wasik Paul , Reina Miguel Angel
Published: February 2023

Background

Fluid injection pressure measurement is promoted as a marker of needle tip position that discriminates between tissue layers. However, clinical ultrasound has insufficient resolution to identify the exact position of the needle tip. Our primary objective was to use 40 MHz ultrasound in anesthetized pigs in order to precisely locate the tip of the needle and measure opening injection pressure in muscle, at epineurium and in subepineurium.

Methods

We surgically exposed the axillae of four anesthetized pigs. Two operators placed a 40 MHz ultrasound transducer over the pectoral muscle and imaged axillary, median and radial nerves. Injections (0.5 mL) were randomized to in-plane and out-of-plane needle trajectories and flow rates of 1, 6 and 12 mL/min.

Results

We identified 541 fascicles in 23 nerves. The ratio of fascicle area to nerve area remained constant at ~0.30 for all nerves. Axillary nerves were smaller than median and radial nerves, difference in diameter (95% CI) 1.61 (0.87 to 2.36) mm, p<0.001 and 1.59 (0.82 to 2.36) mm, p=0.001, respectively. Axillary nerves had less fascicles per nerve than median nerves, difference 7.63 (2.43 to 12.83) and radial nerves, difference 9.02 (3.64 to 14.40). We visualized the circumneurium and injection within the subcircumneural compartment. Intraneural injection increased nerve area (SD) from 5.7 (2.2) mm2to 13.7 (5.5) mm2, difference 8.0 (5.4–10.6) mm2, p<0.001. Mean injection pressure was greater in subepineurium compared with muscle, geometric ratio 2.29 (1.30 to 4.10), p<0.001; and greater on epineurium compared with muscle, geometric ratio 1.73 (1.03 to 3.00), p=0.01. Twenty-two out of 23 injections in muscle, 14 out of 23 injections at epineurium and 11 out of 22 injections in subepineurium were <138 kPa (20 psi).

Conclusion

Needle tip position was not discernible using pressure monitoring. The circumneurium and subcircumneural injection compartment were observed but not intrafascicular injection.
Implementation of palliative care day hospital for outpatients with advanced cancer
Authors: Thery Laura , de Stampa Matthieu , Burnod Alexis , Seban Romain , Laouisset Céline , Marchal Timothée , Bouleuc Carole
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To describe the population of a palliative care day hospital (PCDH) in oncology and analyse the end-of-life trajectory.

Methods

Monocentric retrospective cohort study of all referred patients for the first time to PCDH over an 8-month period with the data collected in all PCDH in their pathway care.

Results

116 patients were included for 319 stays in PCDH. At first referral PCDH, 62 (53.4%) patients had ongoing anticancer therapy. Twenty-four (20.7%) and 63 (54.3%) patients were in an unstable and deteriorating phase, respectively. Mean (SD) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score was 2.8 (0.7). Mean (SD) stay per patient was 2.8 (2.2). For all stays, mean (SD) of joint intervention of palliative care team and oncologist was 1.2 (1.2) per patient. Mean (SD) of technical acts performed was 0.2 (0.6) per patient. Among the 109 deceased patients, 16 patients (14.7%) and 7 patients (6.4%) had received chemotherapy in the last month and 15 days before death, respectively.

Conclusion

Our PCDH is a suitable place for a complex population still living at home. The reported patients’ demographics and PCDH’s organisation lead to a hybrid outpatient intervention between outpatient clinics and hospice care services. A randomised multicentric trial is ongoing to explore the impact of PCDH on patients’ trajectory and the use of resources.
An evidence-based approach for selecting a limit reference point for Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) stocks in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Forrest Robyn E. , Kronlund Allen R. , Cleary Jaclyn S. , Grinnell Matthew H.
Published: February 2023

A limit reference point (LRP) is defined as a level of biomass to be avoided with high probability, which should be selected to protect fish stocks from “serious harm”. We present an evidence-based approach for diagnosing serious harm and apply it to the selection of LRPs for five Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii) stocks in British Columbia (BC). Natural mortality ( M) is estimated to be time varying and has increased more than it declined over the past three decades, which presents a challenge for estimation of equilibrium reference points based on maximum sustainable yield. We present a semi-empirical approach for developing LRPs, which examines surplus production in relation to spawning biomass to determine whether there is evidence for low productivity, low biomass (LP-LB) states consistent with serious harm. Three stocks showed evidence of persistent LP-LB states that resulted in periods of fishery closures. Based on these results, an LRP of 30% of unfished spawning biomass (0.3 B0) was recommended and adopted for management of all five major stocks of BC Pacific herring.
Comparing biomass yields of various willow cultivars in short-rotation coppice over six growing seasons across a broad climatic gradient in Eastern Canada
Authors: Labrecque Michel , Daigle Stéphane , Olishevska Snizhana
Published: February 2023

The current context of ecological transition and the fight against climate change have revived interest in short-rotation coppice (SRC) of woody crops for bioenergy or bioproduct purposes. To determine the growth and yield potential of different willow cultivars, plantations were established in five regions of Quebec (Canada) across a wide climatic gradient. The present study compares results obtained after six years of cultivation at two coppicing frequencies (two and three years). Although annual yields approaching 20 tons ha−1 have been recorded at several of the study sites, little difference in the productivity of the tested cultivars was found, except for Salix viminalis “5027”, which was generally less productive. Overall productivity was weakest at La Morandière, the northernmost site. Neither frequency of coppicing lead to a difference in yields. At La Pocatière, one of the coldest regions in this study, yields of cultivars were comparable to those recorded at the southernmost sites. Moreover, the highest cumulative yield after six years was recorded at that site with the cultivar “SV1”. The fact that yields at most sites remain high after several years is indicative of the production potential of willow crops in SRC for Eastern Canada.
Grinding characteristics of optical glass in glass molding process
Authors: Kim Jeong Wan , Kim Tae Gyu
Published: February 2023

A machined surface study was performed according to the surface roughness post-process polishing operation on the aspheric mold core using a diamond turning machine. Machined surface features in the bokeh image must be removed with a subsequent surface polishing process after the aspheric glass molding pressing, as surface defects are caused by the mechanical resolution of ultraprecision diamond turning machines. Therefore, in this paper, we analyze the interrelationship between surface roughness, interference frequencies, and error-approximation aspherical error values to propose a baseline measure for machined surface removal. From the results of profilometer measurements, the form error accuracy before polishing is 1.3 [Formula: see text]m, and after polishing is 0.2 [Formula: see text]m. As a result of the LUPHOS, the root mean square (RMS) average of interference frequencies before polishing is 20 nm, and after polishing is 3 nm. The machining marks are removed from the bokeh image only when the RMS roughness is maintained at 5 nm or less.
Cryptographic Engineering a Fast and Efficient SIKE in FPGA
Authors: Elkhatib Rami , Koziel Brian , Azarderakhsh Reza , Mozaffari Kermani Mehran
Published: February 2023

Recent attacks have shown that SIKE is not secure and should not be used in its current state. However, this work was completed before these attacks were discovered and might be beneficial to other cryptosystems such as SQISign. The primary downside of SIKE is its performance. However, this work achieves new SIKE speed records even using less resources than the state-of-the-art. Our approach entails designing and optimizing a new field multiplier, SIKE-optimized Keccak unit, and high-level controller. On a Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA, this architecture performs the NIST Level 1 SIKE scheme key encapsulation and key decapsulation functions in 2.23 and 2.39 ms, respectively. The combined key encapsulation and decapsulation time is 4.62 ms, which outperforms the next best Virtex-7 implementation by nearly 2 ms. Our implementation achieves speed records for the NIST Level 1, 2, and 3 parameter sets. Only our NIST Level 5 parameter set was beat by an all-out performance implementation. Our implementations also efficiently utilize the FPGA resources, achieving new records in area-time product metrics for all parameter sets. Overall, this work continues to push the bar for accelerating SIKE computations to make a stronger case for SIKE standardization.
Breaking Captcha System with Minimal Exertion through Deep Learning: Real-time Risk Assessment on Indian Government Websites
Authors: Bhowmick Rajat Subhra , Indra Rahul , Ganguli Isha , Paul Jayanta , Sil Jaya
Published: February 2023

Captchas are used to prevent computer bots from launching spam attacks and automatically extracting data available in the websites. The government websites mostly contain sensitive data related to citizens and assets of the country, and the vulnerability to its captcha systems raises a major security challenge. The proposed work focuses on the real-time captcha systems used by the government websites of India and identifies the risks level. To effectively analyze its captcha security, we concentrate on the problem from an attacker’s perspective. From the viewpoint of an attacker, building an effective solver to breach the captcha security system from scratch with limited feature engineering knowledge of text and image processing is a challenge. Neural network models are useful in automated feature extraction, and a simple model can be trained with a minimum number of manually annotated real captchas. Along with popular
text captchas
, government websites of India use
text instructions
–based captchas. We analyze an effective neural network pipeline for solving text captchas. The
text instructions captchas
are relatively new, and the work provides novel end-to-end neural network architectures to break different types of
text instructions captchas
. The proposed models achieve more than 80% accuracy and on a desktop GPU has a maximum inference speed of
1.063 seconds
. The study comes up with an ecosystem and procedure to rate the overall risk of a captcha system used on a website. We observe that concerning the importance of available information on these government websites, the effort required to solve the captcha systems by an attacker is alarming.
Fast Real-Time Video Object Segmentation with a Tangled Memory Network
Authors: Mei Jianbiao , Wang Mengmeng , Yang Yu , Li Yanjun , Liu Yong
Published: February 2023

In this article, we present a fast real-time tangled memory network that segments the objects effectively and efficiently for semi-supervised video object segmentation (VOS). We propose a tangled reference encoder and a memory bank organization mechanism based on a state estimator to fully utilize the mask features and alleviate memory overhead and computational burden brought by the unlimited memory bank used in many memory-based methods. First, the tangled memory network exploits the mask features that uncover abundant object information like edges and contours but are not fully explored in existing methods. Specifically, a tangled two-stream reference encoder is designed to extract and fuse the features from both RGB frames and the predicted masks. Second, to indicate the quality of the predicted mask and feedback the online prediction state for organizing the memory bank, we devise a target state estimator to learn the
IoU
score between the predicted mask and ground truth. Moreover, to accelerate the forward process and avoid memory overflow, we use a memory bank of fixed size to store historical features by designing a new efficient memory bank organization mechanism based on the mask state score provided by the state estimator. We conduct comprehensive experiments on the public benchmarks DAVIS and YouTube-VOS, demonstrating that our method obtains competitive results while running at high speed (66 FPS on the DAVIS16-val set).
PVA Capped Mn-Doped ZnS Encapsulated Nontoxic MoS2 Nano-Sheet Probe for the Sensitive Estimation of Cardiovascular β-Blocking Agent Acebutolol in Biomedical and Environmental Samples
Authors: Patil Yuvarajgouda N. , Megalamani Manjunath B. , Nandibewoor Sharanappa T.
Published: February 2023

In the present study, a novel sensor PVA capped Mn doped ZnS incorporated MoS2 nanosheet composite modified gold electrode (PVA-Mn:ZnS/MoS2@GE) has been developed for the determination of acebutolol (ACB). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were used to measure the electrochemical performance of ACB. When nanocomposite PVA-Mn:ZnS/MoS2 was used as a modifier in electrode-based sensors, results in well-resolved peaks and improved electrochemical current sensitivity compared to bare gold electrode. Using the SWV technique in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer, the examination of samples of biological, environmental and tablet spiked with ACB was monitored, the limit of detection and quantification is found to be 0.38 × 10−9 M and 1.28 × 10−9 M respectively. CV, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy were performed to characterize the electrode material. A suitable mechanism was proposed for the number of protons and electrons involved in the redox reaction of ACB.
Krüppel‐Like Factor 2 Is a Gastric Cancer Suppressor and Prognostic Biomarker
Authors: Li Xi-mei , Hu Sheng-juan , Liu Jian-fang , Ma Mei-juan , Du Li-meng , Bai Fei-hu
Published: February 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common digestive tract tumor. Due to its complex pathogenesis, current diagnostic and therapeutic effects remain unsatisfactory. Studies have shown that KLF2, as a tumor suppressor, is downregulated in many human cancers, but its relationship and role with GC remain unclear. In the present study, KLF2 mRNA levels were significantly lower in GC compared to adjacent normal tissues, as analyzed by bioinformatics and RT‐qPCR, and correlated with gene mutations. Tissue microarrays combined with immunohistochemical techniques showed downregulation of KLF2 protein expression in GC tissue, which was negatively correlated with patient age, T stage, and overall survival. Further functional experiments showed that knockdown of KLF2 significantly promoted the growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion of HGC‐27 and AGS GC cells. In conclusion, low KLF2 expression in GC is associated with poor patient prognosis and contributes to the malignant biological behavior of GC cells. Therefore, KLF2 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in GC.
Research on the Control Performance of Depth-Fixed Motion of Underwater Vehicle Based on Fuzzy-PID
Authors: Xie Ya , Zhu Afei , Huang Zhonghua
Published: February 2023

The control performance of the fixed-depth motion is related to the performance of the underwater vehicle. Due to the complex and changing environment underwater and various potential risks, the variety of underwater operations, and the variability of the structural parameters and environmental parameters of the underwater vehicle, the control performance is compromised when performing constant depth motion. It is of much significance to study the control method of the fixed-depth motion to improve the performance of the underwater vehicle. The transfer function of underwater vehicle’s depth-setting motion was established, and the fuzzy-PID controller was established for simulating the control of depth-setting movements of underwater vehicles. The interaction law between PID initial parameters and controller performance was studied, and the interaction law between the change of underwater vehicle mass and the hydrodynamic coefficient and controller performance was also studied. The results show that the fuzzy-PID controller can realize the control of the underwater vehicle’s depth-setting motion, and the control effect was independent of the initial PID parameters, thus avoiding the dependence of the formulation of PID parameters on manual control experience. When the mass and hydrodynamic coefficient of the underwater vehicle change, the fuzzy-PID controller can still maintain good control performance and has strong adaptive ability.
Development and Evaluation of a Novel Radiotracer 125I-rIL-27 to Monitor Allotransplant Rejection by Specifically Targeting IL-27Rα
Authors: Zhao Shanshan , Liu Qian , Gao Feng , Hou Guihua
Published: February 2023

Noninvasive monitoring of allograft rejection is beneficial for the prognosis of patients with organ transplantation. Recently, IL-27/IL-27R α was proved in close relation with inflammatory diseases, and 125I-anti-IL-27R α mAb our group developed demonstrated high accumulation in the rejection of the allograft. However, antibody imaging has limitations in the imaging background due to its large molecular weight. Therefore, we developed a novel radiotracer (iodine-125-labeled recombinant IL-27) to evaluate the advantage in the targeting and imaging of allograft rejection. In vitro specific binding of 125I-rIL-27 was determined by saturation and competitive assay. Blood clearance, biodistribution, phosphor autoradioimaging, and IL-27R α expression were studied on day 10 after transplantation (top period of allorejection). Our results indicated that 125I-rIL-27 could bind with IL-27R α specifically and selectively in vitro. The blood clearance assay demonstrated fast blood clearance with 13.20  μl/h of 125I-rIL-27 staying in the blood after 24 h. The whole-body phosphor autoradiography and biodistribution assay indicated a higher specific uptake of 125I-rIL-27 and a clear radioimage in allograft than in syngraft at 24 h, while a similar result was obtained at 48 h in the group of 125I-anti-IL-27R α mAb injection. Meanwhile, a higher expression of IL-27R α was found in the allograft by Western blot. The accumulation of radioactivity of 125I-rIL-27 was highly correlated with the expression of IL-27R α in the allograft. In conclusion, 125I-rIL-27 could be a promising probe for acutely monitoring allograft rejection with high specific binding towards IL-27R α on allograft and low imaging background.
Analysis of 5G Smart Communication Base Station Doppler-Smoothed Pseudorange Single-Point Geodesic Positioning Accuracy
Authors: Wang Jianmin , Wang Yan
Published: February 2023

With the continuous development of mobile communication and satellite navigation technologies, the positioning requirements of 5G smart communication base stations are becoming higher and higher. With the opening of GNSS raw observation data, research on the positioning of a 5G smart communication base station has become a research hotspot in the surveying and mapping disciplines. In this paper, based on the GNSS observation data of the 5G smart communication base station, the quality of the original GNSS observation data of the 5G smart communication base station is studied and analyzed. A method based on Doppler smoothing pseudorange solves the problem that the original pseudorange observation values of the 5G smart communication base station are noisy and prone to multipath errors due to the limitations of the base station chips and processes, which makes the traditional data processing methods unable to meet the demand for higher accuracy positioning. This method uses Doppler observations to smooth the pseudorange and determines the Doppler smoothing strategy and closure values to improve the data quality. The experimental data show that Doppler smoothing pseudorange can improve data quality and positioning accuracy by 67.9% in the E direction, 64.8% in the N direction, and 65.5% in the U direction. The future world will develop in the direction of intelligence, and the wireless network 5G technology used to support the construction of this intelligent system will become the core driver for the development of a leading intelligent society. 5G network signals have higher reliability and lower latency and can meet the specific needs of smart manufacturing, autonomous driving, and other industrial applications. This new base station product can meet the construction needs of future 5G base stations, adapt to the future intensive, miniaturized, intelligent station construction mode, and realize safe and fast station construction, providing the necessary hardware support for 5G network coverage.
METTL14 Regulates PLAGL2/β-Catenin Signaling Axis to Promote the Development of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhou Qianhui , Lai Xihua , Gao Yan , Chen Quefei , Xu Yuzhu , Liu Yi
Published: February 2023

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant eukaryotic mRNA modification involved in regulating the formation and metastasis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We collected clinical NSCLC tissue and paracarcinoma tissue. Then methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2 (PLAGL2), and β-catenin expressions were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. PLAGL2, and β-catenin (nuclear) expressions were increased in NSCLC tissues. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and death were examined. PLAGL2 could activate β-catenin signaling to affect cell proliferation and migration abilities. RNA immunoprecipitation assay was operated to identify m6A modification levels of PLAGL2 after knockdown and overexpression of METTL14. PLAGL2 was regulated by METTL14-mediated m6A modification. Knockdown of METTL14 repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell death. Interestingly, these effects were reversed when PLAGL2 was overexpressed. Finally, tumor formation in nude mice was performed to verify the role of the METTL14/PLAGL2/β-catenin signaling axis. Tumor formation in nude mice demonstrated METTL14/PLAGL2/β-catenin axis promoted NSCLC development in vivo. In brief, METTL14 promoted NSCLC development by increasing m6A methylation of PLAGL2 to activate β-catenin signaling. Our research provided essential clues for in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of NSCLC occurrence and development and also provided the basis for NSCLC treatment.
The Impact of Social Preferences on Supply Chain Performance: An Application of the Game Theory Model
Authors: Majeed Abdul , Wang Yao , Muniba  , Islam Mollah Aminul
Published: February 2023

Traditional supply chain literature on contracting only considers agents’ economic motivation. Nowadays, with the development of behavioral economics, social preference theory has been widely used in supply chain research. These social preferences are distinct from economic motivation and will influence agents’ behaviors in the supply chain. Agents will make decisions based on not only self-interests but also the interests of others, reciprocity, and fairness. This paper introduces the relationship and status preferences in the utility function. We aim to analyze the impact of social preference on individual competition intensity in the supply chain. A Stackelberg game model (tacit collusion) is used as the theoretical framework of the choice behavior between competition and cooperation. The theoretical results and numerical simulation analysis show that under some conditions, suppliers and retailers who take the social preference factors into account can realize multiple-stage channel coordination through revenue sharing. Moreover, social preference factors will influence the choice behavior of agents in competition and cooperation. Specifically, the relationship preference promotes close cooperation among enterprises and significantly improves the supply chain and individual performance. Status preference causes fierce competition among enterprises and adversely affects supply chain performance and individual performance, making it more unstable. These findings can provide useful insights for supply chain coordination.
The Essence of Bengal’s Ethnic Sweetmeats: An Exploratory Journey through History, Tradition, and Culture
Authors: Sarkar Tanmay , Salauddin Molla , Paul Arindam , Choudhury Tanupriya , Chakraborty Runu , Imran Faisal
Published: February 2023

The enthralling sweet taste that mesmerizes the eastern part of India, or more specifically the undivided Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh) is unveiled. The ethnic sweetmeats that originated in Bengal varied over their primary ingredients, size, shape, and process of production due to variation in the context of geographical, cultural, and religious beliefs. In total, thirty-eight numbers of sweet products that are originated in Bengal are reconnoitered along with their nutritional composition and shelf life. Based on the key ingredients, the sweetmeats can be divided into nine classes, namely, chhana-based, pulse-based, fried, milk-skin-based, extruded rice-based, fermented, khoa-based, fruit-based, and sugar-based. Nutritional heritage comes along with health-related benefits to mankind; the racial sweetmeats produced in undivided Bengal have crucial medicinal and gastronomical importance. The sweetmeats are basically the assimilation of ancestral Bengali tradition, rituals, and convictions through the cascade of time. The classical and folk processing methods practiced from antediluvian times have had a prominent impression on the taste and nutritional comportment of the sweets produced. To the best of our knowledge, this article is the first attempt to scientifically document the integrity of the processing methods, nutritional content, and health benefits of traditional sweetmeats.
Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
Authors: Wu Guopeng , Cui Kai , Wang Pei , Chen Wenwu
Published: February 2023

A remarkable risk in the field of rock engineering is the natural exposure of low-grade metamorphic rock to the freeze-thaw process. Examples of such materials are slate and phyllite, which are employed approximately mountainous permafrost zones. In order to study the weathering processes and mechanisms in low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes, the freeze-thaw cycles were applied. Accordingly to this process, low-grade metamorphic rock partially or completely deteriorates, and mechanical properties, microstructure, and mineral content changes are commonly associated with freeze-thaw processes. This study shows that, following numerous freeze-thaw cycles processes, the quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength of rock reduce; calcite, mica, feldspar, and pyrite contents decrease; and clay minerals and gypsum content increase. Furthermore, the study also demonstrated that the changes in quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength caused by weathering of the rock followed the sequence slate > phyllite. However, the mineral contents of slate and phyllite alter in the same way. Because of this increase in volume and subsequent F-T cycles, new cracks form on the surfaces of pores due to outward pressure, and a lot of water is absorbed by clay minerals. The amount of water increases once again due to freezing as the temperature falls below zero degrees Celsius. This course duplicates with cyclic temperature changes and causes deterioration of low-grade metamorphic rock materials. By analysis of an examination of the damage variables based on wave velocity, it is possible to conclude that mineral changes during the freeze-thaw effect may make for the formation of voids and the deterioration of metamorphic rock. This research contributes to a better understanding of weathering processes and mechanisms of low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes.