bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Sybil Attack Detection Scheme in MobileIoT Based on Collaborate Edge Computing
Authors: Yan Junwei , Jiang Tao , Lin Liwei , Wu Zhengyu , Ye Xiucai
Published: September 2022

Background: The Internet of things (IoT) connects all items to the Internet through information-sensing devices to exchange information for intelligent identification and management. Sybil attack is a famous and crippling attack in IoT. Most of the previous methods of detecting Sybil attacks in IoT mainly focus on static IoT while there are very rare methods applicable to mobile IoT. Results: In this paper, a novel, lightweight, and distributive detection scheme based on edge computing is proposed for detecting Sybil attacks in mobile IoT. In the proposed scheme, detection consists of two rounds. In each round, member nodes are required to send packets to edge nodes. Edge nodes calculate a possible interval of the received signal strength indication (RSSI) from the first round and check whether the RSSI from the second round is in the interval to detect Sybil attacks. Extensive experimental studies are included to show that the presented approach outperforms many existing approaches in terms of true detection and false detection rates.
Enhanced Structural, Dielectric, and Magnetic Properties of Mn-Yb-doped Y-type Hexaferrites
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Khan Hasan Mehmood , Buzdar saeed ahmad , Ahmad Javed , Asari Muammad A , mran Muhammad , Aleem Ambreen , nisa mehrun , Raza Muhammad Ehsan
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to determine the effect of Mn2+ and Yb3+ ions substitution on the structural, dielectric, morphological, and magnetic properties of CaBaCo2 − xMnxYbyFe12−yO22 where x = 0.00-0.1 and y = 0.00-0.01 Y-type hexagonal ferrites prepared by sol-gel auto combustion. For 6 hours, samples were calcined at 1050 degrees Celsius. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to study the formation phase of Y-type hexaferrites. The calculated structural auxiliary parameters, such as lattice constants (a and c), cell volume (Vcell), X-ray density (dx), bulk density (db), and porosity (P), were found to be within the following ranges: a = 5.891 to 5.9Å, c = .43.466 to 43.543Å, Vcell 1310.53 to 1312.26Å3, dx = 5.01 to 5.05(g/cm− 1) db = 2.622 to 3.032 (g/cm− 1)and P = 39.969 to 47.665%. The location of the ions, including their respective bonds, inside the structure of the lattice matrix, was revealed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM pictures confirmed the plate-like shape of the particles, confirming the XRD findings. In the dielectric analysis, the typical dielectric response of ferrites was observed. Grain contribution is low when compared to grain boundaries contribution The generated Y-type hexaferrites samples' multidomain magnetic nature resulted in domain wall displacement, which affects the coercivity values. A vibrating sample magnetometer was used to investigate magnetic characteristics (VSM). The saturation magnetization (Ms), Retentivity (Mr), and coercivity (Hc) of the material were found to be 4.11 to 2.21 emu/g, 2.33 to 1.22emu/g, and 1776.78 to 2283,51Oe, respectively. These powders can be used as pre-eminent contender materials for perpendicular recording media (PMR) applications. Corresponding Author’s E-mail: hmkhan@iub.edu.pk
Leu-Life: A Smart Application for Leukemia Cancer Patients Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Elhishi Sara , Alzeky Salma , El-Metwally Aya , Burham Basmala , Ragab Somaya , Elgayar Samah , Mansour Samar , El-Sayed Nada , El-Azab Zeinab , Mohamed Zeinab , El-Dein Mai
Published: September 2022

Leukemia cancer poses a risk to life as acute or chronic leukemia can manifest themselves more severe symptoms. The most frequent type of leukemia cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ALL affects about 20% of adult leukemias and presents in 80% of childhood leukemias. ALL diagnosing is very complex that requires labor-intensive, sophisticated procedures. One of the most important criteria of a healthcare system is to give the patient the best possible care based on an examination of their medical history, lifestyle choices, and any molecular trait variability. Several intelligent technologies that are based on machine learning and data-driven methods have been developed to address these problems. this paper examines statistical and machine learning methods. We also provide a trustworthy cloud-based data storage paradigm and a safe Android-based architecture for gathering patient data. The paper introduces the Leu-Life, a m-health android application that uses machine learning methods to detect leukemia cancer along with providing a set of features that helps in managing and facilitating life of leukemia cancer patients. The discussion will conclude with a predictive algorithm that may categorize leukemia cancer based an input of a blood file.
Genetic determinants of macrolide and tetracycline resistance in penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, from Tanzania
Authors: Manyahi Joel , Moyo Sabrina J , Langeland Nina , Blomberg Bjørn
Published: September 2022

Background: Over million yearly deaths are attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the emergence of penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) challenges therapy of pneumococcal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance among PNSP isolates by next generation sequencing.
Methods: We assessed 26 PNSP isolates obtained from the nasopharynx from 537 healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, participating in the randomized clinical trial CoTrimResist (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03087890, registered on 23rd March, 2017). Next generation whole genome sequencing on the Illumina platform was used to identify mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics among PNSP.
Results: Fifty percent (13/26) of PNSP were resistant to erythromycin, of these 54% (7/13) and 46% (6/13) had MLSBphenotype and M phenotype respectively. All erythromycin resistant PNSP carried macrolide resistance genes; six isolates had mef(A)-msr(D), five isolates had both erm(B) and mef(A)-msr(D) while two isolates carried erm(B) alone. Isolates harboring the erm(B) gene had increased MIC (>256µg/mL) towards macrolides, compared to isolates without erm(B) gene (MIC 4-12µg/mL) p<0.001. Using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines, the prevalence of azithromycin resistance was overestimated compared to genetic correlates. Tetracycline resistance was detected in 13/26 (50%) of PNSP and all the 13 isolates harbored the tet(M) gene. All isolates carrying the tet(M) gene and 11/13 isolates with macrolide resistance genes were associated with the mobile genetic element Tn6009 transposon family. Of 26 PNSP isolates, serogroup 19 (serotype 19A, 19F) was the most common (9/26), and sequence type ST271 accounted for 15% (4/26). Serogroup 19 displayed high-level macrolide resistance and carried both macrolide and tetracycline resistance genes.
Conclusion: The erm(B) and mef(A)-msr(D) were common genes conferring resistance to MLSB in PNSP. Resistance to tetracycline was conferred by the tet(M) gene. Resistance genes were associated with the Tn6009transposon.
Efficacy of risk-stratified screening for gastric cancer: a retrospective repeated cross-sectional study in Yokosuka, Japan
Authors: Matsuoka Mikio , Taguri Masataka , Mizuno Yasuhiro , Kimura Masayuki , Endo Chihiro , Tsuburaya Akira
Published: September 2022

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is mostly related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and risk-stratified screening (RS) for GC has been adopted in some cities. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of RS as compared with barium X-ray screening (XR) recommended by Japan for GC.
Methods
Repeated cross-sectional study from the data of Yokosuka Public Health Center. The GC screening participants were ≥ 40 years old from 2002 to 2018. RS was classified by pepsinogen test screening (PG) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) tests into low and high-risk groups. The primary endpoints were detection rates of all GC and early GC (TNM T1). Secondary endpoints were participation rate and GC detection cost. For GC detection, the odds ratios were calculated by logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and first visit or revisit.
Results
A total of 448,244 participants’ data were included. In multivariable analyses, the odds ratios of PG and RS vs XR were 2.26 and 3.73 for GC detection, and 4.64 and 10.63 for early GC detection, respectively (p < .00001). The citizens’ participation rate increased significantly from 3.9% in XR to 22.2% in RS, and 23.1% in RS. Hp eradication was successful in 83.9% of the high-risk groups. GC detection cost by RS was 29.99 and 1.60 times lower as compared with XR and PG, respectively (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
RS was more effective than XR for detecting GC and the detection cost was lower. RS might contribute to citizens’ future survival by the improved early GC detection, participation, and Hp eradication system.
Risk factors for early occurrence of malnutrition in infants with severe congenital heart disease
Authors: Mignot Margot , Huguet Helena , Cambonie Gilles , Guillaumont Sophie , Vincenti Marie , Blanc Julie , Ovaert Caroline , Picot Marie-Christine , Karsenty Clement , Amedro Pascal , Kollen Laura , Gavotto Arthur
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To identify the risk factors of early occurrence of malnutrition in infants with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) during their first year of life.
Methods and Results: Retrospective longitudinal multicentre study carried out from January 2014 to December 2020 in two tertiary care CHD centres. Four CHD hemodynamic groups were identified. Malnutrition was defined by a Waterlow score under 80% and/or the need for calorie-enriched formula. A total of 216 infants with a severe CHD, e.g., requiring cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization, or hospitalization for heart failure during their first year of life were included in the study. Malnutrition was observed among 43% of the cohort, with the highest prevalence in infants with increased pulmonary blood flow (71%) compared to the others hemodynamic groups (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, low birthweight (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.89, p=0.009), CHD with increased pulmonary blood flow (OR 4.80, 95% CI 1.42-16.20, p=0.08), heart failure (OR 9.26, 95% CI 4.04-21.25, p<0.001), and the number of hospitalizations (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08l-1.69, p=0.009) during the first year of life were associated with malnutrition (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.79-0.90).
Conclusion: In infants with a severe CHD, early occurrence of malnutrition during the first year of life affected a high proportion of subjects. CHD with increased pulmonary blood flow, low birthweight, heart failure, and repeated hospitalizations were risk factors for malnutrition. Further studies are required to identify optimal nutritional support in this population.
The effect of magnesium on vitamin D, bone mineral density, chronic diseases and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: YILMAZ Ebru , ÜNVER Sena
Published: September 2022

Objective: Magnesium (Mg) is mandatory for sustaining numerous physiological cellular functions. The study’s goal was to define whether the Mg level could affect the level of vitamin D, bone mineral densitometry (BMD), chronic diseases and radiological stage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods: 98 patients (62 female, 36 male) with a diagnosis of at least grade 1 knee OA were included in the study. Data including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, menopausal status, duration of menopause, family history of osteoporosis, the presence of chronic diseases (hypertension=HT, diabetes mellitus=DM, hyperlipidemia=HPL, coronary artery disease=CAD, hypothyroidism=HPT) and radiological stage of knee OA were collected. The serum Ca, Mg, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), PTH and 25(OH)-vitamin D levels were recorded. In addition, whole patients performed anteroposterior radiography of the knee by using X-Ray, and BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4) by using dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The presence of osteoporosis was accepted as T scores ≤ -2.5.
Results: The mean age was 59.15±10.58 years in the study. A statistically significant relationship was found between the level of Mg and age, smoking, presence of chronic disease, duration of menopause, vitamin D level, PTH level, and femoral neck T score (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Mg appears to be a useful effect on the organizing of vitamin D and PTH metabolism, osteoporosis and various chronic diseases. Future trials are needed to explore the link between Mg and knee OA.
Influence of Water Saturation on Curtain Formation of Frozen wall
Authors: Li Hewan , Liu Jian , Wang Laigui , Ren Tianjiao
Published: September 2022

In the process of in-situ mining of underground oil shale, underground Frozen wall are often used for water seal and wall retaining, And the water saturation of the frozen soil affects the formation of the freezing circle. Using the methods of theoretical analysis, Indoor similar simulation test and numerical simulation to be obtained the temperature drop process and freezing time around the Frozen wall under different water saturation conditions, and use finite element software for simulation verification. The experimental and simulation results show that:1) With the increase of water saturation, the longer the freezing time at the center of the connection line of the Frozen wall, the more difficult is to form the Frozen wall closure, and the worse the freezing effect is; 2) The temperature change trend of the center point is different under different water saturation, the higher the water saturation, the slower the initial temperature decline rate, when the water saturation is 100%, the initial temperature drop hysteresis phenomenon occurs, and the Frozen wall closure begins to form gradually until 192.4 min in the experiment; With the increase of water saturation, the influence range of the two Frozen walls in the model gradually decreases at the same time. Therefore, the groundwater content (quantitative result) has a great influence on the formation time of the Frozen wall, the research results can provide reference for the design of underground Frozen wall in high-temperature mining of oil shale.
WITHDRAWN: Aperiodically intermittent H∞ synchronization control of Markov jumping reaction-diffusion neural networks with time-varying delays *
Authors: Wang Xuelian , Du Xin
Published: September 2022

This paper is concerned with the exponential synchronization of reaction-diffusion neural networks subject to Markov jumping parameters and time-varying delays, in which the aperiodically intermittent control is adopted to save network bandwidth resources to a certain extent. Different from some previous literature, the diffusion effects are considered in this paper, and thus the system model is expressed by partial differential equations, where the states depend not only on time but also on space. Then, based on the Lyapunov-krasovskii functional technique, some sufficient criteria are obtained to ensure that synchronization error systems are the exponential stability and satisfy a predetermined H∞ performance index. Finally, two examples are provided to verify the validity of obtained results.
Refractive Status and Amblyopia Risk Factors in Premature Infants with Different Gestational Age and Birth Weight
Authors: Cao Yiwen , Yang Liu
Published: September 2022

Objective: To explore amblyopia risk factors in premature infants vs. full term infants, low birth weight(LBW) vs. very low birth weight(VLBW) infants, and moderately/late preterm(PT) vs. very preterm(VPT) infants.
Methods: A total of 143 premature infants without retinopathy of prematurity were collected and then grouped according to body weight and gestational age. There were 130 full term infants in the control group. Infants about 1 year of age at risk for amblyopia were selected using Spot Vision Screener. Differences in amblyopia risk factors between full term infants and premature infants, between the LBW group and VLBW group, and between the PT group and VPT group were then analyzed.
Results: In terms of refractive status, diopter cylinder(DC) was higher in the premature infants than in full term infants; diopter sphere(DS) and spherical equivalent(SE) was higher in the VPT group than in the PT group. The prevalence of esotropia was higher in premature infants than in full term infants, and in the VPT group than in the PT group. As shown by the analysis, amblyopia risk factors were found in 10.5% premature infants vs. 3.9% full term infants, 4.7% LBW infants vs. 19.0% VLBW infants, and 5.1% PT infants vs. 16.9% VPT infants. All observed differences were statistically significant.
Conclusion: Based on the screening results, the incidence rate of amblyopia risk factors was higher in premature infants than in full term infants, and it was highest in both VPT infants and VLBW infants. The major risk factors were astigmatism and esotropia.
Knowledge, perception and attitude about climate change : A cross sectional study among general people in Bangladesh
Authors: Mosaddek Nafisa , Aman Md.Saklain
Published: September 2022

Bangladesh's topography makes it particularly susceptible to climate change. To tackle the impending tragedy of climate change, infrastructural, institutional, and financial capacity of the country must be increased. People's perception of climate change varies greatly based on their social backgrounds. Thus, understanding public perceptions of climate change may help improve government policies, adaption, and community activities. To understand Bangladeshi people's knowledge, perception, and attitude about climate change, an online survey among the general population was conducted using a structured questionnaire methodology. The study participants are mostly from Dhaka (70.25%) and have a moderate level of education (79.75% undergraduate). Most of them have heard of climate change and acknowledge the negative effects of climate change. Over half of participants are willing to give up personal gains to help solve current climatic and environmental issues. The majority of them, however, don't consider environmental factors while purchasing things and have never participated in climate change-related environmental protection initiatives. In Bangladesh, the general public's knowledge, attitude, and perception of climate change varies considerably. While knowledge and perceptions are high, attitude towards climate change is quite different. Along with promoting awareness, people should be encouraged to participate in climate change-related activities.
High Cell Density Cultivation (HCDC) of E. coli with Intensive Multiple Sequential Batches Together with
Fed-Batch at Cell Level (FBC) Superior to the Fed-Batch Technique
Authors: Chamsart Saethawat
Published: September 2022

High cell density cultivation (HCDC) is a technique that was developed and used in the cultivation of various microorganisms. Escherichia coli is the most prominent in the bacterial group and popular at the industrial scale for the production of bio-products. The HCDC conducted with the Fed-Batch modes is complicated. In this study, we developed a batch production medium (BPM), a minimal defined medium for industrial utilization with the potential use of dextrin at high concentrations as the major carbon source. Dextrin prevents cell cultivation system from the Crabtree effect due to its gradual hydrolysis to release glucose and gradual assimilation into E. coli cells like Fed-Batch at Cell Level (FBC). Yeast extract was added into the BPM to enhance cell growth. It was operated using 5-L bioreactors with the aerobic batch cultivation at high concentrations of dextrin, i.e., 90 g/L to achieve high-cell-density concentration at a high production rate superior to the Fed-Batch technique. Further, the Intensive Multiple Sequential Batch (IMFB) technique was developed to achieve a high yield at a high productivity. The maximum values of cell biomass, x; specific growth rate\(, \mu\); yield coefficient, Yx/s; productivity, rx; and efficiency (Ef) were 46.31 g/L, 0.54 h− 1, 0.55 g/g, 3.86 g/L/h and 98%, respectively. The results showed that cell cultivations and growth kinetics, biochemical engineering mass balances, and design of impeller speeds using fluid dynamics in the 5-L bioreactor of aerobic batch cell cultivation for the production of E. coli cell biomass a high-density concentration using dextrin to control the FBC at a high titer can be used for the scale-up of industrial bioreactors.
Vaccination Status and Long COVID Symptoms in Patients Discharged from Hospital
Authors: Nascimento Teresa Cristina D. C. , Costa Livia Valle , Ruiz Amanda Danieleto , Ledo Carla B. , Fernandes Valeria Paes Lima , Cardoso Luiz Francisco , Vieira José Mauro , Saretta Roberta , Kalil-Filho Roberto , Drager Luciano F.
Published: September 2022

Effective vaccination against coronavirus (COVID) mitigates the risk of hospitalizations and mortality but it is unclear whether the vaccination status may influence the post-COVID symptoms in patients who required hospitalization. The available evidence is limited to outpatients with mild cases. Here, we evaluated 412 patients (age: 60 ± 16 years, 65% males) consecutively admitted at two Hospitals in Brazil due to a confirmed case of COVID-19. As compared to patients with complete vaccination (n = 185) before infection/hospitalization, those with no/incomplete vaccination (n = 227) were younger and had a lower frequency of several comorbidities. Data during hospitalization revealed that the no/incomplete vaccination group required more admissions in the intensive care unit, used more corticosteroids and had higher rates of pulmonary embolism/deep venous thrombosis than the complete vaccination group. At 90 days after hospital discharge, patients with no/incomplete vaccination presented a higher frequency of ≥ 1 symptom than patients with complete vaccination: 40 vs. 27%; p = 0.013. After adjustments for confounders, no/incomplete vaccination (OR = 1.819; 95% CI:1.175–2.815), females (OR = 2.435; 95% CI:1.575–3.764) and intensive care unit admission during hospitalization (OR = 1.697; 95% CI:1.062–2.712) were independently associated with ≥ 1 symptom 90-days after hospital discharge. In conclusion, even in patients with more severe COVID-19 infection, vaccination mitigate the probability of long-COVID symptoms.
Contextual-Aware and Expert Resources for Brazilian Portuguese Hate Speech Detection
Authors: Vargas Francielle , Carvalho Isabelle , de Góes Fabiana Rodrigues , Pardo Thiago A. S. , Benevenuto Fabrício
Published: September 2022

This paper provides the first large-scale expert annotated corpus of Brazilian Instagram comments, a multilayer annotation schema for hate speech and offensive language detection on social media, and a contextual-aware offensive lexicon annotated with contextual information. The HateBR corpus was collected from the comment section of Brazilian politicians' accounts on Instagram and manually annotated by specialists. It is composed of 7,000 documents annotated according to three different layers: a binary classification (offensive versus non-offensive comments), offensiveness-level classification (highly, moderately, and slightly), and nine hate speech groups (xenophobia, racism, homophobia, sexism, religious intolerance, partyism, apology for the dictatorship, antisemitism, and fatphobia). The proposed specialized lexicon was manually identified by a linguist from the proposed corpus, which holds 1,000 explicit and implicit pejorative terms and expressions annotated with contextual information. Both the corpus and the contextual-aware offensive lexicon were annotated by three different experts and achieved high inter-annotator agreement. Lastly, we implemented baseline experiments on our corpus and lexicon. The obtained results outperform the current state-of-the-art for the Portuguese language, and the models which embody our specialized lexicon also present relevant performance in different languages. Accordingly, we hope that the proposed resources foster research on hate speech and offensive language detection in the Natural Language Processing area.
Development of A Novel Hybrid Framework for Accounting Information Systems and Mediating Role of Technostress on Organizational Performance
Authors: Sultana Reajmin
Published: September 2022

This study plans to investigate the effect of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) on organizational performance mediated by technostress and the moderating effect of organizational size & environmental uncertainty in the relationship between AIS effectiveness and organizational performance. AIS effectiveness will be assessed through the context of the technology-organization-environment (TOE) and the information-systems-service quality of IS success model. Data will be collected with a questionnaire survey from 384 respondents in listed companies. The collected data will be analyzed with the PLS-SEM technique. This study will try to profile sources of effective AIS services and will illustrate the possible effectiveness of AIS for successful implementation of AIS in the least developed country context.
Centering and Collaborating with Community Knowledge Systems: Piloting a Novel Participatory Modeling Approach
Authors: Shaikh Yahya , Jeelani Muzamillah , Gibbons Michael , Livingston Denisa , Williams David , Wijesinghe Sanith , Patterson Jenine , Russell Sybil
Published: September 2022

Background: Systems science approaches like simulation modeling can offer an opportunity for community voice to shape policies. In the episteme of many communities there are elders, leaders, and researchers who are seen as bearers of historic knowledge and can contextualize and interpret contemporary research using knowledge systems of the community. There is a need for a systematic methodology to collaborate with community knowledge bearers and knowledge interpreters. In this paper we report the results of piloting a systematic methodology for collaborating with a community Knowledge-Bearer and Knowledge-Interpreter to develop a conceptual model revealing the local-level influences and architecture of systems shaping community realities. The use case for this pilot is ‘persistent poverty’ in the United States, specifically within the inner-city African American community in Baltimore City.
Methods: This pilot of a participatory modeling approach was conducted over a span of 7 sessions and included the following steps, each with an associated script:
• Step 1: Knowledge-Bearer and Knowledge-Interpreter recruitment
• Step 2: Relationship building
• Step 3: Session introduction, Vignette development & enrichment
• Step 4: Vignette analysis & constructing architecture of systems map
• Step 5: Augmenting architecture of systems map
Results: Each step of the participatory modeling approach resulted in artifacts that were valuable for both the communities and the research effort.
Vignette construction resulted in narratives representing a spectrum of lived experiences, trajectories, and outcomes within a community. The collaborative analysis of vignettes yielded the Architecture of Systemic Factors map, that revealed how factors inter-relate to form a system in which lived experience of poverty occurs. A literature search provided an opportunity for the community to contextualize existing research about them using realities of lived experience.
Conclusion: This methodology showed that a community Knowledge Bearer can function as a communicator and interpreter of their community’s knowledge base, can develop coherent narratives of lived experiences within which research and knowledge is contextualized, and can collaboratively construct conceptual mappings necessary for simulation modeling. This participatory modeling approach showed that even if there already exists a vast body of research about a community, collaborating with community gives context to that research and brings together disparate findings within narratives of lived experience.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characterization of subjects with novel CYP2D6 genotypes using probe drug metoprolol
Authors: Qian Jianchang , Xu Tao , Pan Peipei , Sun Wei , Cai Jianping , Hu Guoxin
Published: September 2022

Purpose
To investigate the pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacodynamics characterization of volunteers who carries newly discovered CYP2D6 genotypes.
Methods
Totally, 22 volunteers were recruited in the study. The peripheral blood and urine were collected at the indicated time after orally administration of metoprolol. After sample preparation, a validated HPLC method was employed to determine metoprolol and α-hydroxymetoprolol. Meanwhile, the blood pressure and electrocardiogram of the subjects were monitored.
Results
The results demonstrated that the main pharmacokinetic parameters of analytes in CYP2D6*1/*34 were comparable to CYP2D6*1/*1. The AUC and t1/2 in CYP2D6*10/*87, CYP2D6*10/*95 and CYP2D6*97/*97 carriers increased by 2–3 times comparing to wild-type. The urine metabolic rate of metoprolol in these genotypes carriers were in consistence to the tendencies obtained from plasma samples. Therefore, CYP2D6*1/*34 can be assigned as normal metabolizer, while CYP2D6*10/*87, CYP2D6*10/*95 and CYP2D6*97/*97 were intermediate metabolizers. Although the blood concentration of metoprolol is correlated with genotype of CYP2D6, its blood pressure lowering effect is saturated at the maximum efficacy at 25 mmHg. In addition, the P-Q interval prolongation and heart rate lowing were not positively correlated with metoprolol blood exposure.
Conclusion
Based on the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics model, this study clarified the characteristics of metoprolol with novel CYP2D6 genotypes, and provided a solid basic data for translational medicine of substrate drug.
Robotic surgery in Hirschsprung disease: a unicentric experience on 31 procedures
Authors: Mottadelli Giulia , Erculiani Marta , Casella Sara , Dusio Maria Pia , Felici Enrico , Milanese Tiziana , Barbetta Vincenza , James Bakeine , Tentori Augusta , Prato Alessio Pini
Published: September 2022

Background – Robotic surgery has been increasingly applied to Hirschsprung patients with encouraging results. We report the results of a 5-year unicentric experience.
Materials and methods - All consecutive HSCR patients older than 12 months who underwent a surgical procedure with robotic approach between September 2017 and August 2022 were prospectively included. We collected data regarding demographics, extent of aganglionosis, associated anomalies, indications to surgery, and a number of perioperative data such as surgical details, intraoperative and perioperative complications, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, and functional outcome.
Results - A total of 28 patients underwent 31 robotic procedures during the study period. Median age at surgery was 82 months. Eleven primary Totally Robotic Soave Pull-Through, 12 redoes, 5 innervative mapping, 2 redundant rectal pouch excision and 1 Miles’ procedures have been performed. Median console time was 145 minutes. No conversion to either laparoscopy nor to laparotomy was required. Median length of hospital stay was 6 days. Two patients experienced complications requiring reiterative surgery. One patient experienced mild postoperative enterocolitis. Normal continence was achieved by 70% of patients after a median of 16 months postoperatively (80% for primary pull-throughs, 55% for redoes).
Conclusions - To conclude, robotic surgery for older HSCR patients proved to be feasible, safe, and effective. Patients with complex surgical requirements seem to benefit most from this promising approach. Provided the economic burden is addressed and solved, robotic surgery will represent an excellent alternative for the surgical treatment of HSCR to serve the best for our patients.
Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of miR-335 and miR-145 is involved in breast cancer PD-L1 overexpression
Authors: Hajibabaei Sara , Sotoodehnejadnematalahi Fattah , Nafissi Nahid , Zeinali Sirous , Azizi Masoumeh
Published: September 2022

PD-L1 is one of the most important immune checkpoint molecules in breast cancer that plays an important role in suppressing the immune system when confronted with tumor cells and is regulated by various microRNAs. Among them, microRNA-335-3p and microRNA-145-5p, regulated by DNA methylation, have tumor suppressor activities. We studied the role of miR-335 and − 145 on PD-L1 suppression in breast cancer. The expression of miR-355 and miR-145 was significantly downregulated in BC tissues and cell lines compared to their controls, and their downregulation was negatively correlated with PD-L1 overexpression. In-silico and luciferase reporter systems confirmed that miR-335 and-145 target PD-L1. In BC tissues and cell lines, cancer-specific methylation was found in CpG-rich areas upstream of miR-335 and-145, and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression was connected with hypermethylation (r = 0.4089, p = 0.0147, and r = 0.3373, p = 0.0475, respectively). The higher levels of miR-355 and − 145 in BC cells induced apoptosis, arrested the cell cycle, and reduced proliferation significantly. In summary, we found that miR-335 and − 145 are novel tumor suppressors inactivated in BC, and these miRs may serve as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment.
PRKRA-related Dystonia: A Summary of Previously Reported Cases
Authors: Chin Hok Leong , Cheong Ka Kin
Published: September 2022

DYT-PRKRA is a rare autosomal recessive degenerative movement disorder caused by PRKRA mutations. The classical clinical presentation is childhood-onset generalized dystonia with or without parkinsonism symptoms. Limbs and oromandibular muscles are most frequently involved. A review of literature on reports of PRKRA-related dystonia from 2008 to present was conducted through PubMed to provide a synoptic overview of patients’ characteristics regarding this rare condition. Studies were extracted according to the PRISMA protocol, and a total of 15 articles were included in this review summary. The majority of cases were reported in Brazil and Europe, and 84.8% of patients’ symptoms onset before 20 years old. Among the patients, homozygous c.665C > T mutation was the most common PRKRA mutation. Dystonia was generalized in 81.8% of cases, and parkinsonism presentation was observed in 45.5% of patients. Three patients developed dystonia after fever and showed bilateral structure loss of basal ganglia. Four patients’ dystonia improved significantly with vitamin therapy, and four patients demonstrated remarkable dystonia regression in response to deep brain stimulation of globus pallidus interna. Phenotypic heterogeneity in patients’ characteristics was observed in this review, suggesting the possibility of PRKRA-related dystonia being a spectrum disorder. More research is needed to study the underlying etiology and the actual prevalence of PRKRA-related dystonia.
Retinitis pigmentosa and HLA-B27 associated uveitis
Authors: Zborovska Oleksandra , Dorokhova Oleksandra
Published: September 2022

Background.
The topic of an inflammatory process (of various types and localization) occurring in Retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-affected eyes can be found in literature. Recent studies suggest the importance of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and retinal degenerative diseases. Uveitis can develop independently of RP, and it`s important to distinguish true uveitis from inflammatory manifestations of RP.
Purpose.
In present study we report of RP associated with uveitis and suggest our consolidated thoughts and experience on this topic.
Materials and methods.
This study was a prospective non-controlled case series. 7 RP patients (14 eyes) with coexisted uveitis signs were enrolled the study.
Results.
Among 173 RP patients 7 patients (4 males, 3 females) had signs of intermediate uveitis and 3 of them also have signs of slight anterior uveitis. We found no sexual predilection. Mean age at the time of diagnosing uveitis was 26,9 years (19 to 37 years). Diagnosis of RP was preexisted our study more than 10 years in 4 patients, 3 years in 1patient, and 2 years in one patient. Only one patient was diagnosed RP and uveitis simultaneously in current study. In addition to classic picture of RP, patients had vitreous cells 1 + or 2+, and for vitreous haze 0,5 + or 1+. 5 patients had cystoids macular edema (CME). All patients had no acute onset of a floaters, blurred vision and deterioration in central vision. They had no systemic complaints. Additional examination revealed HLA-B27 positivity in 5 patients (2 males, 3 females). After appointment to rheumatologist 2 patients were made diagnosis ankylosing spondylitis of low activity, other cases were considered as HLA-B27 positive uveitis. Remaining two cases we considered as either idiopathic uveitis or pronounced inflammatory component of RP. Patients with uveitis were prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment (either local or systemic).
Conclusions
Possibility of HLA-B27 association should be considered in RP patients with anterior and intermediate uveitis signs in spite of sex, absence of acute onset of uveitic complaints and systemic complaints. Anti-inflammatory treatment (either local or systemic) is required in RP patients with inflammation signs.
Shoulder stretching versus shoulder muscle strength training for the prevention of shoulder and elbow injuries among high school baseball pitchers
Authors: Shitara Hitoshi , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Kuboi Takuro , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Hamano Noritaka , Kamiyama Masataka , Yamamoto Atsushi , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Takagishi Kenji , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: September 2022

Shoulder and elbow injuries seriously affect baseball players. We investigated the non-inferiority (NI) hypothesis that external rotation strength training presents no inferior effect when compared with sleeper stretching for shoulder and elbow injury prevention among high school baseball pitchers. In this randomized, active-controlled, open-label, NI study, 79 pitchers were randomly allocated to the stretching and muscle-training groups and performed a specific exercise every night. We applied sleeper stretching as an active control. Elbow and shoulder injury tracking was performed for 150 days. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated and the hazard ratios (HR) for injury occurrence using multivariate Cox regression were calculated. The log-rank test was used for between-group comparisons of survival distributions. A one-sided NI test using a fixed 10% NI margin was performed (significance level, P = 0.025). Sixty-two and 51 pitchers were included in the analysis of the stretching and training groups, respectively, with 22.6% (n = 14) and 9.8% (n = 5) injury rates, respectively. The NI test revealed lower incidence in the muscle-training group with pre-specified NI margin (P < 0.001). The HR was 0.489 in the muscle-training group based on the stretching group. In high school baseball pitchers, external rotation muscle strength training for baseball-related arm injury prevention was non-inferior to stretching.
Financial Derivative Features based Integrated Potential Fishing Zone (IPFZ) Future Forecast
Authors: Raja R. Vinston , Kumar K. Ashok , Doss Srinath
Published: September 2022

In India, around 7 million people depend on fishing for their livelihoods. They are assisted with a reliable and fast brief forecast for the areas of fish aggregations. Habitat mapping is critical in supporting strategic choices on fish usage and protection. In conjunction with techniques for machine learning, remote control has made comprehensive fish mapping on relevant scales possible. In machine learning, supervised algorithms are utilized to make forecasts from datasets, when data is accessible without relating output factors. In this research work, Ocean Surface Temperature (OST) and Satellite derived Chlorophyl material are the basic inputs to generating the information of PFZ. The 16 features and additional financial derivative features are used for accurate future prediction of PFZ. The unwanted and missing data are removed using effective pre-processing techniques. Among the various methods available for forecasting nonlinear phenomena, the Neural Network is the best and the efficient method to get a forecast. Therefore, the Function Fitting Neural Network (FFNN) technique is mainly used to predicting the IPFZ. The practical analysis is performed by analysing the 80%-20%, 60%-40% and future data in terms of various parameters. From the results, it is proved that the suggested FFNN achieved 90% of accuracy, where the existing neural network achieved 86% of accuracy by implementing with financial derivative features for the 80%-20% of available dataset.
3D facial reconstruction using micro and macro level features
Authors: Sundararajan Rajeshkannan , Radhakrishnan Prakash Veeraswamy , Govindarajan Saravanan , Ezhilarasi P.
Published: September 2022

A fundamental problem in computer visions and graphics, which has various applications such as animation and face recognition, is the reconstruction of 3D face models using 2D images. The main reason due to which this poses a challenge is the loss of information during camera projection. The initial step of this process is to compute a coarse estimation of the 3D face of the target by fitting a parametric face model to the input image based on an example. Afterwards, a smooth deformation that captures the medium scale facial features is applied to the coarse face model in order to enhance it. The lighting and reflectance parameters from the enhanced model is also estimated following which, an analysis-by-synthesis framework for face recognition with variant PIE (pose, illumination and expression) is proposed. In order to reconstruct a personalized 3D face model from a single frontal image with normal illumination and neutral expression, an integrated micro and macro level feature matching technique is introduced a robust probabilistic method for the estimation of macro features in Bayesian estimation theory, with a prior Markov random field model for the assigned disparities. This process, with the appropriate boundary conditions, is also used to estimate disparity in problematic regions of stereo pairs, such as occluded areas and non-textured (homogeneous) regions.Subsequently, to characterize the face subspace, realistic virtual faces are synthesized based on the personalized 3D face. Ultimately, the process of face recognition is conducted based on these virtual faces.
Small Scale Mr Damper : Design,fabrication and Evaluation
Authors: Sharma S. Vivekananda , Hemalatha G.
Published: September 2022

This article presents the results of an experimental investigation on a developed small scale MR damper for seismic response reduction in buildings. The damper is designed for a target capacity of 2kN.The damper was design and fabricated based on the principle of shear mode. Testing was done using MTS servo hydraulic UTM and the results were obtained as Force-velocity and Force displacement plot based on the real time data collected through MTS suite. The force corresponding to all the excitation frequency is obtained and has been plotted as force-velocity so as to compare the percentage increase in damping force. Maximum force was obtained as 252.4N at 1hz and minimum force as 175.9N at 0.1hz with corresponding velocity of 31.2mm/s for 1hz and 3.5mm/s for 0.2hz respectively. The experiment proves that with displacement control and variable excitation frequency, the velocity of the MR damper varies, and as a result, the damping force increases as frequency increases which is the main finding of this paper.
Long Term Survivors of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases: Do Distant Brain Failures Reach a Plateau and What Factors Are Associated with a Brain Metastasis Velocity of Zero?
Authors: Lanier Claire M. , Pearce Jane , Isom Scott , Xing Fei , Lo Hui-Wen , Whitlow Christopher T. , Ruiz Jimmy , White Jaclyn J. , Laxton Adrian W. , Tatter Stephen B. , Cramer Christina K. , Chan Michael D.
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Life expectancy continues to increase for patients with brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The present study sought to retrospectively analyze brain metastasis patients who have survived two years or more, and assess for what factors may predict for a final brain metastasis velocity (BMV) of zero.
Methods
This was a single-institution retrospective study of 300 patients treated with SRS from 2001 to 2019 for brain metastases who survived greater than two years after first SRS. Final BMV is calculated by summing all metastases through the observed time divided by the total time in years. A BMV of zero is defined as at least two years of imaging follow-up without distant brain failure (DBF).
Results
Median age at first SRS is 61 (IQR: 53, 70). Kaplan-Meier estimated median overall survival is 4.9 years and time to DBF is 1.5 years (95% CI: 1.2, 2.0). Twenty-eight (9.3%) patients underwent subsequent WBRT. One hundred and one (33.7%) patients never had any further brain metastases (BMV = 0) at a median follow-up time of 3.3 years. Median BMV is 0.4 (IQR: 0, 1.4). Distant brain failures reach a plateau at four years where the cumulative incidence of DBF is 82%. Seventy percent of first time DBFs have occurred by two years. Factors significantly associated with a BMV of zero include fewer brain metastases at first SRS (HR 1.1; p = 0.0004) and Caucasian race (HR 1.5; p = 0.03).
Conclusion
Approximately one third of brain metastasis patients who live beyond two years after initial SRS have a BMV of zero. DBFs appear to reach a plateau at four years. Factors significantly associated with a BMV of zero include Caucasian race and having had a single brain metastasis at first SRS.
Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning Models with Ensemble Learning Approach in Classification of Water Quality Indices Based on Different Subset of Features
Authors: Garabaghi Farid Hassanbaki , Benzer Semra , Benzer Recep
Published: September 2022

Since fresh water resources in form of groundwaters which are the most available water resources for human consumption are extremely limited and due to uncontrolled human activities are prone to contamination, it’s of a great importance to constantly monitor the quality of the ground fresh water resources to provide a sustainable drinking water for people as well as protecting the ecosystem. One tool for modeling the water quality of a basin is Water Quality Index (WQI). However, calculating WQI is complicated and time- consuming, therefore, today, scientists are being inclined to propose simpler ways for modeling the quality of the water resources such as machine learning algorithms. In this study the performance of four machine learning algorithms with ensemble learning approach were evaluated to propose a classification model (classifier) with highest performance. Moreover, to identify the most important water quality parameters in the classification process, three feature selection methods with machine learning approach were applied. As a result, among four classifiers, XGBoost showed outstanding performance, with the accuracy of 96.9696% when all the parameters of interest were involved in the classification process. However, in order to make the model cost-effective it is suggested to conduct the classification with optimum parameters which in this case, for the dataset which was used in this study XGBoost classifier is suggested as the best classifier with the maximum accuracy of 95.606% with 10-Fold Cross Validation when seven parameters which were identified by Backward Feature Elimination Feature selector were involved in the classification process.