bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating user susceptibility to phishing attacks
Authors: Das Sanchari , Nippert-Eng Christena , Camp L. Jean
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Phishing is a well-known cybersecurity attack that has rapidly increased in recent years. It poses risks to businesses, government agencies and all users due to sensitive data breaches and subsequent financial losses. To study the user side, this paper aims to conduct a literature review and user study.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate phishing attacks, the authors provide a detailed overview of previous research on phishing techniques by conducting a systematic literature review of n = 367 peer-reviewed academic papers published in ACM Digital Library. Also, the authors report on an evaluation of a high school community. The authors engaged 57 high school students and faculty members (12 high school students, 45 staff members) as participants in research using signal detection theory (SDT).

Findings

Through the literature review which goes back to as early as 2004, the authors found that only 13.9% of papers focused on user studies. In the user study, through scenario-based analysis, participants were tasked with distinguishing phishing e-mails from authentic e-mails. The results revealed an overconfidence bias in self-detection from the participants, regardless of their technical background.

Originality/value

The authors conducted a literature review with a focus on user study which is a first in this field as far the authors know. Additionally, the authors conducted a detailed user study with high school students and faculty using SDT which is also an understudied area and population.
Assessing the interconnectedness and systemic risk contagion in the Chinese banking network
Authors: Qi Ming , Shi Danyang , Feng Shaoyi , Wang Pei , Nnenna Amuji Bridget
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In this paper, the authors use the balance sheet data to investigate the interconnectedness and risk contagion effects in China's banking sector. They firstly study the network structure and centrality of the interbank network. Then, they investigate how and to what extent the credit shock and liquidity shock can lead to the risk propagation in the banking network.

Design/methodology/approach

Referring to the theoretical framework by Haldane and May (2011), this paper uses the network topology theory to analyze the contagion mechanism of credit shock and liquidity shock. Centrality measures and log-log plot are used to evaluate the interconnectedness of China's banking network.

Findings

The network topology has shown clustering effects of large banks in China's financial network. If the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is in distress, the credit shock has little impact on the Chinese banking sector. However, the liquidity shock has shown more substantial effects than that of the credit shock. The discount rate and the rollover ratio play significant roles in determining the contagion effects. If the credit shock and liquidity shock coincide, the contagion effects will be amplified.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this paper reveal the network structure of China's interbank market and the resilience of banking system to the adverse shock. The findings are valuable for regulators to make policies and supervise the systemic important banks.

Originality/value

The balance sheet data of different types of banks are used to construct a bilateral exposure matrix. Based on the matrix, this paper investigates the knock-on effects of credit shock triggered by the debt default in the interbank market, the knock-on effects of liquidity effects, which is featured by “fire sale” of bank assets, and the contagion effects of combined shocks.
The transformative and evolutionary approach of omnichannel in retail companies: insights from multi-case studies in Portugal
Authors: Barbosa Joana , Casais Beatriz
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Omnichannel implementation in retail requires business transformation and faces several operational barriers. This research discusses how omnichannel has been implemented, in a managerial perspective, and how integration of operations has overcome the identified transformative barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors followed a multi-case study approach, with observation and interviews with managers of four big retail companies in Portugal.

Findings

The results suggest that retail companies have overcome the barriers to implement omnichannel models through the integration of information technology (IT), the accomplishment of organisational changes and the optimisation of customer feedback, achieving positive business indicators, namely increased sales.

Research limitations/implications

The conclusions of the paper provide valuable information to help companies to design the process of channel's integration in order to overcome the transformative constraints of omnichannel. However, those conclusions emerge from Portuguese case studies of retail companies, and a generalised discussion should consider the contextual diversity of consumer expectations, cultural user experiences in retail and the maturity of digital transformation and omnichannel implementation stage in each country.

Originality/value

Previous studies had characterised the items of omnichannel retail, fulfilment processes, the benefits of channels' integration in customer experience, satisfaction and loyalty and had identified barriers for its implementation. Considering the existence of different stages of omnichannel implementation, this paper explores how retail companies increment omnichannel operations, overcome transformative barriers and achieve the omnichannel benefits, through the whole involvement of the organisation system, the customer approach and the business model, besides the technology integration.
A niche of their own: variations of information practices in biodiversity citizen science
Authors: Ekström Björn
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Information practices become highly complex in biodiversity citizen science projects due to the projects’ large scale, distributed setting and vast inclusion of participants. This study aims to contribute to knowledge concerning what variations of information practices can be found in biodiversity citizen science and what these practices may mean for the overall collaborative biodiversity data production in such projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with participants engaged with the Swedish biodiversity citizen science information system Artportalen. The empirical data were analysed through a practice-theoretical lens investigating information practices in general and variations of practices in particular.

Findings

The analysis shows that the nexus of biodiversity citizen science information practices consists of observing, identifying, reporting, collecting, curating and validating species as well as decision-making. Information practices vary depending on participants’ technical know-how; knowledge production and learning; and preservation motivations. The study also found that reporting tools and field guides are significant for the formation of information practices. Competition was found to provide data quantity and knowledge growth but may inflict data bias. Finally, a discrepancy between practices of validating and decision-making have been noted, which could be mitigated by involving intermediary participants for mutual understandings of data.

Originality/value

The study places an empirically grounded information practice-theoretical perspective on citizen science participation, extending previous research seeking to model participant activities. Furthermore, the study nuances previous practice-oriented perspectives on citizen science by emphasising variations of practices.
Management beyond a critical threshold of employees: evidence-based HR solutions for SMEs
Authors: Chhinzer Nita
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This research identifies human resource (HR) management challenges and associated solutions of a medium-sized organization that reached a critical threshold of employees and required formalized HR systems. HR solutions focused on using labour efficiently, linking pay to performance and motivating or rewarding desired employee behaviour are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study involved HR data analysis and 50 semi-structured interviews (SSIs) over 4 successive phases: HR audit, problem identification and job description validation, solutions analysis and feedback on outcomes. Additionally, HR files and schedules were reviewed to determine labour usage, organizational structure and compensation.

Findings

HR problems and solutions associated with job analysis (e.g. role identity, role conflict), HR planning (e.g. scheduling, motivation), employee performance management (e.g. validity, employee empowerment) and compensation (e.g. inequity, turnover intentions) issues are clearly identified.

Research limitations/implications

Traditionally, HR theory or concepts are presented in a limited or isolated manner. However, this research provides an integrative assessment of numerous interrelated, complex, core HR concepts including role conflict, equity, employee empowerment, motivation, consensus building, accountability, change champions, communication and coaching.

Practical implications

This multi-phased, multi-stakeholder approach to small and medium enterprise (SME) management informs organizational leaders about HR problems and solutions they may encounter as they grow and require formalized HR systems. The proposed solutions can help safeguard organizational survival.

Originality/value

This research bridges HR theory with HR practices focusing specifically on SMEs. In addition, SMEs can benefit from the HR process information presented to conduct similar evidence-based HR problem and solution assessments.
How the health services research workforce supply in the United States is evolving
Authors: Frogner Bianca K.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate how the health services research (HSR) workforce supply in the United States has evolved over the last 5 years.

Data Sources

Membership data of AcademyHealth participants, professional networking websites, PubMed, grant databases, and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

Study Design

Descriptive study comparing size and characteristics of the HSR workforce and graduates identified across multiple data sources. Lists of authors and principal investigators (PIs) were merged and de‐duplicated to identify unique counts. Pearson's chi‐squared test was used to compare characteristics between members and nonmembers of AcademyHealth.

Data Collection

Downloaded files from websites and received survey data extracted by AcademyHealth between 2016 and 2020.

Principal Findings

The workforce size ranged from 9610 to 28,136, depending on data source. Common employers included universities, government settings, and health systems. Little overlap in employers existed for individuals with potentially competing skill sets. The HSR workforce appeared more diverse than the US adult population, with two to three times greater representation among Asian individuals yet lower representation among Black/African American (30%) and Hispanic (75%) individuals compared with the US population. Exactly 87,721 master's and 3105 doctoral degree graduates from core HSR fields were added over 5 years from public and not‐for‐profit institutions. Including for‐profit institution graduates increased the count by 15% for master's and 30% for doctoral graduates. Hispanic (any race), Black/African American, and multiracial individuals gained representation among core HSR graduates, with for‐profit institutions substantially contributing to the number of Black/African American graduates.

Conclusions

The HSR workforce is growing with increasing diversity among its graduates compared with previous studies. Additional work is needed to understand how employers value the contributions of those trained in HSR. Continued efforts are needed to ensure HSR workforce diversity to frame critical research questions and develop programs and policies that reflect the needs of the community.
Board busyness and corporate payout: are all busy directors the same?
Authors: Benson Bradley , Davidson Travis , James Hui , Wang Hongxia
Published: January 2022

We investigate how board busyness affects corporate payout policies. We find that board busyness increases the propensity and the level of cash distribution to shareholders. The likelihood and the level of share repurchases increase with inside director busyness, while the propensity to pay dividends and the level of dividends increase with independent director busyness. Further analysis shows that SOX and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act do not alter the positive association between busy independent directors and the likelihood of paying dividends, nor do these regulations change busy inside directors’ preference for repurchases.
The Mirror of the Dead: Thanatoptic Storytelling in an Italian Cemetery
Authors: Guano Emanuela
Published: January 2022

As the contemplation of death, thanatopsis attempts to come to terms with mortality; dark heritage and tourism have become the main conduits for this practice in the contemporary world. This paper draws on ethnographic research conducted in Genoa’s Staglieno monumental cemetery between 2016 and 2019 to examine the events—poetic readings, guided walking tours, and outdoor theater performances—that have become popular against the backdrop of the local tourist industry and its economy of cultural experiences. I explore the strategies through which the evocative power of storytelling promotes the contemplation of mortality. Drawing on Heidegger (1962), I argue that the narrations shared during these events grant the dead a temporary Dasein: a “being there” that interrupts the silence of death, even though only for a moment. The poets, volunteers, and theater troupes active in Staglieno use their storytelling practices as a narrative mirror through which they merge the spaces of life with those of death, thus providing their audiences with the opportunity to reflect upon their common humanity and shared mortality.
Transient increase in recurrent inhibition in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as a putative protection from neurodegeneration
Authors: Sangari Sina , Peyre Iseline , Lackmy‐Vallée Alexandra , Bayen Eléonore , Pradat Pierre‐François , Marchand‐Pauvert Véronique
Published: January 2022

Aim

Adaptive mechanisms in spinal circuits are likely involved in homeostatic responses to maintain motor output in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Given the role of Renshaw cells in regulating the motoneuron input/output gain, we investigated the modulation of heteronymous recurrent inhibition.

Methods

Electrical stimulations were used to activate recurrent collaterals resulting in the Hoffmann reflex depression. Inhibitions from soleus motor axons to quadriceps motoneurons, and vice versa, were tested in 38 patients and matched group of 42 controls.

Results

Compared with controls, the mean depression of quadriceps reflex was larger in patients, while that of soleus was smaller, suggesting that heteronymous recurrent inhibition was enhanced in quadriceps but reduced in soleus. The modulation of recurrent inhibition was linked to the size of maximal direct motor response and lower limb dysfunctions, suggesting a significant relationship with the integrity of the target motoneuron pool and functional abilities. No significant link was found between the integrity of motor axons activating Renshaw cells and the level of inhibition. Enhanced inhibition was particularly observed in patients within the first year after symptom onset and with slow progression of lower limb dysfunctions. Normal or reduced inhibitions were mainly observed in patients with motor weakness first in lower limbs and greater dysfunctions in lower limbs.

Conclusion

We provide the first evidence for enhanced recurrent inhibition and speculate that Renshaw cells might have transient protective role on motoneuron by counteracting hyperexcitability at early stages. Several mechanisms likely participate including cortical influence on Renshaw cell and reinnervation by slow motoneurons.
Factors mediating exercise‐induced organ crosstalk
Authors: Sabaratnam Rugivan , Wojtaszewski Jørgen F. P. , Højlund Kurt
Published: January 2022

Exercise activates a plethora of metabolic and signalling pathways in skeletal muscle and other organs causing numerous systemic beneficial metabolic effects. Thus, regular exercise may ameliorate and prevent the development of several chronic metabolic diseases. Skeletal muscle is recognized as an important endocrine organ regulating systemic adaptations to exercise. Skeletal muscle may mediate crosstalk with other organs through the release of exercise‐induced cytokines, peptides and proteins, termed myokines, into the circulation. Importantly, other tissues such as the liver and adipose tissue may also release cytokines and peptides in response to exercise. Hence, exercise‐released molecules are collectively called exerkines. Moreover, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in the form of exosomes or microvesicles, may carry some of the signals involved in tissue crosstalk. This review focuses on the role of factors potentially mediating crosstalk between muscle and other tissues in response to exercise.
Fate‐mapping of erythropoietin‐producing cells in mouse models of hypoxaemia and renal tissue remodelling reveals repeated recruitment and persistent functionality
Authors: Dahl Sophie L. , Pfundstein Svende , Hunkeler Rico , Dong Xingtong , Knöpfel Thomas , Spielmann Patrick , Scholz Carsten C. , Nolan Karen A. , Wenger Roland H.
Published: January 2022

Aim

Fibroblast‐like renal erythropoietin (Epo) producing (REP) cells of the corticomedullary border region “sense” a decrease in blood oxygen content following anaemia or hypoxaemia. Burst‐like transcription of Epo during tissue hypoxia is transient and is lost during fibrotic tissue remodelling, as observed in chronic kidney disease. The reason for this loss of Epo expression is under debate. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that REP cell migration, loss and/or differentiation may cause Epo inhibition.

Methods

Using a reporter mouse that allows permanent labelling of active REP cells at any given time point, we analysed the spatiotemporal fate of REP cells following their initial hypoxic recruitment in models of hypoxaemia and renal tissue remodelling.

Results

In long‐term tracing experiments, tagged REP reporter cells neither died, proliferated, migrated nor transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts. Approximately 60% of tagged cells re‐expressed Epo upon a second hypoxic stimulus. In an unilateral model of tissue remodelling, tagged cells proliferated and ceased to produce Epo before a detectable increase in myofibroblast markers. Treatment with a hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) stabilizing agent (FG‐4592/roxadustat) re‐induced Epo expression in the previously active REP cells of the damaged kidney to a similar extent as in the contralateral healthy kidney.

Conclusions

Rather than cell death or differentiation, these results suggest cell‐intrinsic transient inhibition of Epo transcription: following long‐term dormancy, REP cells can repeatedly be recruited by tissue hypoxia, and during myofibrotic tissue remodelling, dormant REP cells are efficiently rescued by a pharmaceutic HIF stabilizer, demonstrating persistent REP cell functionality even during phases of Epo suppression.
Clearing up the benefits of a fossil fuel sector diversified board: A climate change mitigation strategy
Authors: Crichton Rohan , Farhidi Faraz , Patel Alpna , Ellegate Nicole
Published: January 2022

The effects of climate change are far reaching and widespread. As the issue continues to batter the world, the call for mitigation initiatives is becoming louder. In responding to this call we take a multidisciplinary approach to examining board diversity as an innovative solution in tackling climate change. Utilizing data from 69 fossil fuel organizations, our findings suggest that increasing female representation and foreign culture representation on the board can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor to climate change. In part, this is achieved through responsible leadership and innovation. Our contributions reach beyond traditional board diversity literature, where the benefits of diversity are confined primarily to a discussion of corporate social responsibilities. Instead, we depict the benefits of board diversity as a direct lever in mitigating climate change. We propose that this is through the diversified board's enhanced ability to identify stakeholder needs and, subsequently, conceive of more effective and responsibly innovative solutions.
Identification of novel nematode succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors: Virtual screening based on ligand‐pocket interactions
Authors: Xu Qingbo , Zhao Zhixiang , Liang Peibo , Wang Simin , Li Fang , Jin Shuhui , Zhang Jianjun
Published: January 2022

To discover new nematicidal succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitors with novel structures, we conducted a virtual screening of the ChemBridge library with 1.7 million compounds based on ligand‐pocket interactions. The homology model of Caenorhabditis elegans SDH was established, along with a pharmacophore model based on ligand‐pocket interactions. After the pharmacophore‐based and docking‐based screening, 19 compounds were selected for the subsequent enzymatic assays. The results showed that compound 1 (ID: 7607321) exhibited inhibitory activity against SDH with a determined IC50 value of 19.6 μM. Structural modifications and nematicidal activity studies were then carried out, which provided further evidence that compound 1 exhibited excellent nematicidal activity. Molecular dynamics simulations were then conducted to investigate the underlying molecular basis for the potency of these inhibitors against SDH. This work provides a reliable strategy and useful information for the future design of nematode SDH inhibitors.
Minority language education: Reconciling the tensions of language revitalisation and the benefits of bilingualism
Authors: Peace‐Hughes Tracey
Published: January 2022

Research has highlighted the significance of the family and community in minority language revitalisation, whilst raising concern for efforts solely focused at the school level. This article draws upon research with children in Gaelic Medium Education, in Scotland, to explore their experiences and perceptions of their language use. The findings illustrate the dominance of English language across multiple aspects of children's lives and highlight the opportunities/threats of recent revitalisation efforts to push the bilingual benefits of language learning. The findings suggest the need for a more considered approach, such as translanguaging pedagogies, in order to effectively revitalise Gaelic language.
Growth of non‐English‐language literature on biodiversity conservation
Authors: Chowdhury Shawan , Gonzalez Kristofer , Aytekin M. Çisel Kemahlı , Baek Seung‐Yun , Bełcik Michał , Bertolino Sandro , Duijns Sjoerd , Han Yuqing , Jantke Kerstin , Katayose Ryosuke , Lin Mu‐Ming , Nourani Elham , Ramos Danielle Leal , Rouyer Marie‐Morgane , Sidemo‐Holm William , Vozykova Svetlana , Zamora‐Gutierrez Veronica , Amano Tatsuya
Published: January 2022

English is widely recognized as the language of science, and English‐language publications (ELPs) are rapidly increasing. It is often assumed that the number of non‐ELPs is decreasing. This assumption contributes to the underuse of non‐ELPs in conservation science, practice, and policy, especially at the international level. However, the number of conservation articles published in different languages is poorly documented. Using local and international search systems, we searched for scientific articles on biodiversity conservation published from 1980 to 2018 in English and 15 non‐English languages. We compared the growth rate in publications across languages. In 12 of the 15 non‐English languages, published conservation articles significantly increased every year over the past 39 years, at a rate similar to English‐language articles. The other three languages showed contrasting results, depending on the search system. Since the 1990s, conservation science articles in most languages increased exponentially. The variation in the number of non‐English‐language articles identified among the search systems differed markedly (e.g., for simplified Chinese, 11,148 articles returned with local search system and 803 with Scopus). Google Scholar and local literature search systems returned the most articles for 11 and 4 non‐English languages, respectively. However, the proportion of peer‐reviewed conservation articles published in non‐English languages was highest in Scopus, followed by Web of Science and local search systems, and lowest in Google Scholar. About 20% of the sampled non‐English‐language articles provided no title or abstract in English; thus, in theory, they were undiscoverable with English keywords. Possible reasons for this include language barriers and the need to disseminate research in countries where English is not widely spoken. Given the known biases in statistical methods and study characteristics between English‐ and non‐English‐language studies, non‐English‐language articles will continue to play an important role in improving the understanding of biodiversity and its conservation.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence of Biocon's biosimilar Insulin‐R with the US‐licensed Humulin® R formulation in healthy subjects: Results from the RHINE‐1 (Recombinant Human INsulin Equivalence‐1) study
Authors: Plum‐Mörschel Leona , Singh Gursharan , Murugesan Sundara Moorthi Nainar , Marwah Ashwani , Panda Jayanti , Loganathan Subramanian , Athalye Sandeep N.
Published: January 2022

Aim

To establish equivalence in the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) endpoints between proposed biosimilar Insulin‐R (Biocon's Insulin‐R) and Humulin® R using the euglycaemic clamp technique in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods

In this phase‐1 automated euglycaemic glucose clamp study, 42 healthy subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive a single dose of 0.3 IU/kg of Biocon's Insulin‐R and Humulin‐R. Plasma insulin concentrations and glucose infusion rates (GIRs) were assessed over 12 hours. Primary PK endpoints were area under the insulin concentration‐time curve from 0 to 12 hours (AUCins.0‐12h) and maximum insulin concentration (Cins.max). Primary PD endpoints were area under the GIR time curve from 0 to 12 hours (AUCGIR.0‐12h) and maximum GIR (GIRmax).

Results

Equivalence was demonstrated between Biocon's Insulin‐R and Humulin‐R for the primary PK and PD endpoints. The 90% confidence intervals were within 80.00% to 125.00% limits. The PK and PD profiles were comparable. There were no significant differences in the safety profiles of the two treatments, and no serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

PK and PD equivalence was demonstrated between Biocon's Insulin‐R and Humulin‐R in healthy subjects. Treatment with Biocon’s Insulin‐R and Humulin‐R was well tolerated.
Impact of early thoracic epidural analgesia in patients with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Qiu , Fu Bao , Su De , Fu Xiaoyun
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study was designed to assess the impact of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods

This is a single‐centre retrospective study. In this study, the outcomes of SAP patients were compared between patients received TEA (TEA group) and without TEA (NTEA group). Early TEA was defined as TEA performed within 48 hours after onset. The main outcome was the mortality at 30 days after ICU admission, and secondary outcomes included the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the acute renal injury (AKI) and sepsis, the hospital stay and hospitalization expenses.

Results

The mortality of SAP patients in TEA versus NTEA was 8.0% and 13.3% (p = .1520). Multivariate regression analysis showed significant difference in mortality between the TEA and NTEA groups (OR, 0.387; 95% CI, 0.168–0.892; p = .026). The incidence of ARDS in TEA versus NTEA was 46.0% and 62.4% (p = .0044); the proportion of patients requiring invasive ventilator assisted ventilation in TEA, and NTEA was 22.6% and 39.2% (p = .0016). The incidence of AKI in TEA versus NTEA was 27.7% and 45.3% (p = .0044); the proportion of patients needing for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in TEA and NTEA was 48.2% and 74.0% (p < .0001). The mortality of SAP patients in early TEA versus NTEA was 4.8% and 15.3% (p = .0263).

Conclusions

TEA was associated with low incidence of ARDS and AKI in patients with SAP. Early TEA may benefit mortality in SAP patients and is a possible protective factor for the mortality of SAP patients.
Waging Peace amid Raging War
Authors: Wilson Nathan Day
Published: January 2022

The unfortunate complicity of religion in conflict and war is well documented. Less well documented, however, are the times and ways religion contributes to making peace. This article adds to the latter body of literature by addressing the link between peacemaking and interreligious dialogue. To that end, it identifies key principles in Islam and Christianity that direct peacemaking efforts. It then compares these principles, identifies key lessons, and suggests directions for future exploration of the potential for interreligious dialogue specifically for peacemaking efforts. It argues that the exploration of interreligious dialogue for peacemaking is becoming more critical as the nature of conflict becomes more intrastate and value differences increasingly drive violence.
Boost‐Defence for resilient IoT networks: A head‐to‐toe approach
Authors: Abu Al‐Haija Qasem , Al Badawi Ahmad , Bojja Giridhar Reddy
Published: January 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology that is considered a key enabler for next‐generation smart cities, industries, security services and economies. IoT networks allow connected devices to communicate with each other automatically without human intervention which empowers innovative solutions for pressing challenges and limitations of current technologies required to materialize smart environments. Due to the concrete involvement of IoT networks in critical infrastructures and cyber‐physical systems, defending them against cyber‐attacks has led to extensive research efforts to propose effective countermeasures against such attacks. In this work, we present Boost‐Defence: a framework to secure IoT networks from a large vector of cyber‐attacks at different IoT layers. We employ the AdaBoost machine learning technique combined with Decision Trees and extensive data engineering techniques to construct a robust classifier for detecting and classifying several cyber‐attacks in IoT networks. We evaluate our system on the TON_IoT_2020 datasets, a collection of datasets compiled specifically for 3‐layered IoT systems comprising: physical, network and application layers. We contrast the performance of our system against existing state‐of‐the‐art solutions. Our experimental analysis demonstrates the capability of our framework in providing superior classification accuracy and lower types 1 and 2 errors for constructing more resilient IoT infrastructures.
Partitioning of benthic biodiversity in boreal streams: Contributions of spatial, inter‐annual, and seasonal variability
Authors: Huttunen Kaisa‐Leena , Väisänen Leif O. S. , Paavola Riku , Muotka Timo
Published: January 2022

Studies on biodiversity patterns should optimally relate different scales of temporal community variability to spatial variability. Although temporal biodiversity variability is often negligible compared to spatial variation, it may still constitute a substantial source of overall community variability in stream ecosystems. Boreal streams exhibit seasonally recurring environmental periodicity, which can be expected to induce synchronous dynamics of abiotic variables among sites, and consequently, to produce spatial synchrony of deterministically controlled biological communities with higher intra‐ than inter‐annual community variability.

We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates in 10 near‐pristine boreal streams on three different seasons (spring, summer, autumn) across 4 consecutive years in northern Finland. We aimed to identify the relative contributions of spatial, inter‐annual, and seasonal variability to overall benthic biodiversity; and relate variation in benthic invertebrate communities to key environmental factors, particularly in‐stream habitat diversity.

Among‐site spatial variability was clearly the most important source of variation for both species richness and community dissimilarity. Of the two temporal scales, inter‐annual variability contributed more to variation in taxonomic richness and seasonal variability slightly more to variability in community composition.

Only inter‐annual variation differed systematically from random expectation, indicating strong stability (low variability) of stream macroinvertebrate communities across years, with less variation at sites with higher substrate heterogeneity. Considering the distinct seasonality of the boreal stream environment, seasonal variability accounted for an unexpectedly low amount of total community variability.

Although differences between seasons were small, autumnal sampling is likely to be the least susceptible to climatic vagaries, thus providing the most consistent and predictable conditions for benthic sampling in boreal streams, particularly for bioassessment purposes. Exceptional climatic conditions are becoming more frequent in northern Europe, probably causing substantial and largely unpredictable changes in benthic community composition. As a result, the importance of temporal (relative to spatial) community variability may increase.
Spatial heterogeneity and temporal stability characterize future climatic refugia in Mediterranean Europe
Authors: Doxa Aggeliki , Kamarianakis Yiannis , Mazaris Antonios D.
Published: January 2022

Climate plays a major role in shaping biodiversity patterns over time and space, with ongoing changes leading to the reorganization of ecosystems, which challenges conservation initiatives. Identifying areas that could serve as possible climate change refugia for future biodiversity is, thus, critical for both conservation and management. Here, we identify potential future climatic refugia within the Euro‐Mediterranean biome, which is a global biodiversity hotspot, while accounting for multiple emission climate change projections over the next 50 years. We developed two metrics of climatic variability: temporal stability and spatial heterogeneity. We then used a systematic conservation planning approach to identify climate‐based priority areas. While we used a climate‐based, species‐neutral methodology, we deliberately implemented low climatic velocity thresholds, so that the identified climatic refugia would even be compatible with the needs of species with low dispersal capacity, such as plants. Our projections showed that future climatic refugia would be more frequently observed in mid‐altitudes, for gradients with steep elevations, and mainly in the eastern part of the Euro‐Mediterranean biome, with possible conflicts with existing land uses and future conservation implications. Climatic, land use, and topography results indicated that only a limited number of refugia would be hosted by high elevation habitats (>1500 m), raising possible concerns about the biodiversity of Mediterranean mountain regions. Our analyses show that the current network of protected areas captures future climatic refugia disproportionally, despite their importance for safeguarding present and future biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Key climatic refugia could limit the impacts of future climate change on biodiversity in mid‐altitude and mountainous regions, and should be included in management guidelines for a climate‐ready conservation design in the Mediterranean biome.
Serum endothelin 1 and interleukin 8 are elevated in patients with active wet age‐related macular degeneration without a clear serological link to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition: a Finnish cohort
Authors: Liukkonen Mikko , Paterno Jussi , Koskela Ali , Kaarniranta Kai
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To see if patients with wet age‐related macular degeneration (wAMD) have significant changes in their systemic levels of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related serum markers.

Methods

We compared 71 Finnish wAMD patients undergoing anti‐VEGF‐A (vascular endothelial growth factor A) treatments to 64 age‐adjusted controls. The serum levels of EGF (epidermal growth factor), ET‐1 (endothelin 1), IL‐8 (interleukin 8), TGF‐β1 (transforming growth factor beta 1), and VEGF‐A were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Significant differences between the groups were found in BMI (p < 0.001), as well as blood pressure and anti‐coagulation medication usage (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively), all of which were higher for the wAMD patients. The median levels of ET‐1 (p = 0.003), IL‐8 (p < 0.001), and VEGF‐A (p = 0.050) were also statistically different. Higher levels of ET‐1 and IL‐8 and lower levels of VEGF‐A were found in the wAMD patients, with anti‐VEGF‐A treatments explaining the lower levels of VEGF‐A. In a crude binomial logistic regression model, ET‐1 (p = 0.041), IL‐8 (p = 0.024), and free active TGF‐β1 (p = 0.038) were found to associate with wAMD, while falling out of significance in an adjusted model with patient characteristics included. Additionally, ET‐1 was found to be associated with the use of various cardiovascular disease (CVD) medications.

Conclusions

No conclusive evidence was found that wAMD‐related EMT would cause significant changes in the systemic serum marker levels. This could, in part, be explained by the fact that wAMD patients naturally exhibit individual types of wAMD characteristics, shown by them requiring different kinds and amounts of medications. ET‐1 and IL‐8 are more easily related to CVD and general inflammation than EMT, but it must be kept in mind that systemic level imbalances in these and other signalling molecules may predispose patients to develop wAMD and progress to its more severe forms.
5xFAD mouse model develops visual dysfunction together with protein aggregation
Authors: Ruuth Johanna , Tamminen Toni , Toropainen Elisa , Koskela Ali , Tanila Heikki , Malm Tarja , Kaarniranta Kai
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Disturbed proteostasis and protein aggregation have a key role in Alzheimer´s disease and age‐related macular degeneration pathology. In this study, we assessed the electrophysiological and protein aggregation related biomarker changes in 5xFAD mouse model.

Methods

Scotopic and photopic electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded at 3, 6, 9 and 12‐ months old animals followed by optical coherent tomography (OCT) (WT; n = 12, 5xFAD; n = 12). The eyes of 3‐ and 6‐month‐old WT (n = 5) and 5xFAD (n = 5) were used in immunohistochemistry. The paraffin sections were immunostained with the key regulators of lysosomal and proteasomal clearance.

Results

5xFAD mice showed decreased scotopic and photopic ERG signaling over time compared to WT mice. However, there were no clear changes in OCT between groups. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that proteasomal clearance was disturbed in 6‐month‐old 5xFAD mice compared to WT. Interestingly, there were no changes in autophagy biomarkers.

Conclusions

5xFAD mouse is a good model to study visual function and protein aggregation mechanism in response to degenerative retina processes.
A rapid assay of granulocytic esterase in the discharge of conjunctival sac as a tool for the recognition of bacterial ocular surface inflammation
Authors: Oseka Maciej , Maciejewicz Piotr
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Ocular surface inflammation (OSI) is one of the most common diseases in ophthalmic practice. Bacteria can be one of many reasons of OSI. Topical antibiotics are prescribed in many cases of OSI. There is an important reason of the increase the antibiotic resistance. An enzyme granulocystic esterase (GE) is a marker of neutral granulocytes activated during bacterial inflammation. The goal of our study was to check the usage of rapid assay of GE in the discharge coming from conjunctival sac in patients with OSI.

Methods

Discharge was collected from the conjunctival sac by sterile swab for microbiological cultures and the rapid assay of GE. There is a color reaction of indoxyl with diazonium salt in the assay. The positive result gives the purple color of the test area and its intensity is dependent on the amount of GE.

Results

The intensity of the of the rapid assay color was the highest in patients with purulent discharge. In most cases, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was confirmed. Very low GE activity was found in most patients without purulent discharge. There were few patients without purulent discharge but with positive results of rapid assays and microbiological cultures. There was lack of correlation between intensity of subjective and objective symptoms (except purulent discharge) and positive result of rapid assay and microbiological cultures.

Conclusions

A rapid assay of GE seems to be easy tool for the recognition of bacterial etiology of ocular surface inflammation. It can help to limit topical antibiotics usage in the treatment of ocular surface inflammations and reduce the antibiotic resistance.
Dendritic cell depletion modifies corneal nerve activity and mice nociceptive behaviour
Authors: Rincon Frutos Laura , Luna Carolina , Antonio Gómez Sánchez Jose , Carmen Acosta M. , Belmonte Carlos , Seyed‐Razavi Yashar , Hamrah Pedram , Gallar Juana
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To determine the influence of resident dendritic cells (DC) in modulating corneal sensory nerve activity and its possible implications in basal tearing and pain.

Methods

C57BL/6 CD11c‐DTR mice (both sexes, 5–6 months old) were used. Short‐term (48 hr, STD) and long‐term (8 days, LTD) DC depletion was done by bilateral subconjunctival injections of diphtheria toxin (DT) under anesthesia. Naïve mice (no DT‐injections) served as control. Background and stimulus‐evoked (cooling and heating ramps) activity of cold thermoreceptor nerve terminals was recorded ex vivo. Basal tearing rate was measured using commercial phenol red threads during 30 seconds in isoflurane‐anesthetised animals. For monitoring the presence of spontaneous eye pain, the eye closure ratio (calculated by dividing the height by the width of the palpebral fissure measured in photographs) was used.

Results

STD produced a significant decrease in heating threshold (37.7 ± 0.7°C, n = 10 versus naïve, 41.6±1.8°C, n = 4 and LTD, 42.3±1°C, n = 8; p = 0.003, ANOVA). After LTD, lower temperature values were needed to reach both cooling threshold and peak frequency during cooling ramps (30.7 ± 0.5°C, n = 17 versus naïve, 32.3 ± 0.3°C, n = 20, and STD, 32.2±0.4°C, n = 17; p = 0.005, ANOVA). Basal tearing was slightly reduced in STD (2.8 ± 0.6 mm before DT versus 1.2 ± 0.38 mm at 48 hr, n = 6; p = 0.119, paired t‐test) and signs of spontaneous pain were observed in both STD and LTD, being the eye closure ratio lower than before DT‐injections (STD: 0.92 ± 0.01 before DT versus 0.18 ± 0.02 at 48 hr, n = 23, p ≤ 0.001, paired t‐test; LTD: 0.9 ± 0.03 before DT versus 0.17 ± 0.02 at 48 hr versus 0.46 ± 0.07 at day 8, n = 3, p ≤ 0.001, RM One‐way ANOVA).

Conclusions

Differences observed in nerve impulse activity and the subsequent changes in basal tearing and signs of spontaneous pain suggest a crucial role of DC in corneal nerve activity and ocular surface homeostasis.

Supported by SAF2017‐83674‐C2‐1‐R and ‐2‐R (AEI‐ERDF), PROMETEO/2018/114 and ACIF/2017/169 (Generalitat Valenciana).
A unique pre‐endothelial layer at the posterior peripheral cornea: ultra‐structural study
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Samivel Ramachandran , Smedowski Adrian , Alkanaan Aljoharah , Masmali Ali , Kirat Omar , Khan Adnan , Almubrad Turki Almubrad
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To investigate the ultrastructure of a unique pre‐endothelial layer (PENL) of the posterior peripheral cornea and compare their fibers to those of the limbus and sclera.

Methods

Ten anonymous‐donor human sclera–corneal rings (leftover after corneal transplants) were processed for electron microscopy. Semi‐thin sections were examined using an Olympus BX53 microscope, and ultrathin sections were studied using a JOEL 1400 transmission electron microscope.

Results

A unique pre‐endothelial layer (PENL) was identified at the posterior peripheral cornea a radial distance of 70 µm – 638 µm, from the Descemet’s membrane endpoint (DME). At 272 µm distance from the DME, the posterior pre‐limbal cornea contained 5 layers; basement membrane (BM), pre‐Descemet’s layer (PDL), Descemet’s layer (DM), and a pre‐endothelial layer (PENL) between the DM and endothelium (EN). As the DM runs towards the central stroma, the PENL thins out gradually and disappears at a distance of 638 µm from DME. The layer contained an electron‐dense sheath with periodic structures (narrow‐spacing fibers), wide‐spacing fibers, and numerous microfibrils. The typical elastic fibers were composed of an elastic core surrounded by microfibrils. These were present in sclera and limbus but were not observed in the PENL.

Conclusions

The present study revealed the existence of a new acellular PENL, and it can be considered as another layer of the pre‐limbal peripheral posterior cornea. Knowledge of the PENL layer may help with understanding the pathology of endothelial dystrophies and pre‐DM dystrophies. PENL fibers were similar in structure to the fibers of trabecular meshwork described previously.
Long‐term effects of trabeculectomy on visual field progression across two centres in the United Kingdom: A 10 year follow‐up
Authors: Yang Yingjia , Shah Matthew , Bobat Hannaa , Sepetis Anastasios , Shah Peter , Kirwan James
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Trabeculectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of glaucoma in the UK. The overarching aim is to achieve good IOP control, and thereby halt or slow further visual field loss. We aim to analyse whether trabeculectomy is successful in achieving long‐term visual field stability.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients who underwent a trabeculectomy between 2001 and 2010 at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham under the care of two specialists (JK and PS). Only eyes with at least five years of follow‐up post‐operatively, as well as visual fields before surgery and at least 5 years after were included. Patient demographics and comorbidities, intraocular pressures before and after surgery, visual field information prior to surgery and at the most recent follow‐up were collated and analysed.

Results

146 eyes of 110 patients met the eligibility criteria. Median follow‐up time was 10.0 years (range 5–17.5 years) and median visual field progression per year was −0.12 dB. 69% (n = 101) achieved stable visual fields post op (MD loss/year < 0.3 dB), 14% (n = 20) showed borderline/minimal progression (0.3–0.5 dB MD loss/year), 13% (n = 19) had moderate progression (0.5–1 dB loss/year), and 4% (n = 6) showed rapid progression (MD loss >1 dB/year). Median IOP reduction at final follow‐up compared to before surgery was 47% (median final IOP was 11 mmHg). Eyes that achieved good IOP control (<12 mmHg at final review, n = 96) had a median visual field progression of −0.08 dB/year. All six cases of rapid deterioration were confounded by concurrent severe systemic diseases (two cases of metastatic cancer, one case each of infective endocarditis and severe hypotension) and non‐glaucoma ocular conditions (one case each of diabetic maculopathy and advanced age‐related macular degeneration) during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

In the majority of these cases (83%, n = 121), trabeculectomy resulted in visual field stability. Its positive effect on visual field stability is enhanced when the final IOP is less than 12 mmHg.