bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the outcome of screening for glaucoma using colour fundus photography-based referral criteria in a teleophthalmology screening programme for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Tan Rose , Teo Kelvin Yi Chong , Husain Rahat , Tan Ngiap Chuan , Lee Qian Xin , Hamzah Haslina , Wong Tina , Aung Tin , Cheng Ching Yu , Lamoureux Ecosse Luc , Tan Colin S , Wong Hon-Tym , Wong Tien Y , Tan Gavin Siew Wei
Published: October 2023

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of glaucoma screening using glaucoma suspect (GS) referral criteria assessed on colour fundus photographs in Singapore’s Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme (SiDRP).

Methods

A case–control study. This study included diabetic subjects who were referred from SiDRP with and without GS between January 2017 and December 2018 and reviewed at Singapore National Eye Centre. The GS referral criteria were based on the presence of a vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) of ≥0.65 and other GS features. The final glaucoma diagnosis confirmed from electronic medical records was retrospectively matched with GS status. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the test were evaluated.

Results

Of 5023 patients (2625 with GS and 2398 without GS) reviewed for glaucoma, 451 (9.0%, 95% CI 8.2% to 9.8%) were confirmed as glaucoma. The average follow-up time was 21.5±10.2 months. Using our current GS referral criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and PPV were 81.6% (95% CI 77.7% to 85.1%), 50.6% (95% CI 49.2% to 52.1%) and 14.0% (95% CI 13.4% to 14.7%), respectively, resulting in 2257 false positive cases. Increasing the VCDR cut-off for referral to ≥0.80, the specificity increased to 93.9% (95% CI 93.1% to 94.5%) but the sensitivity decreased to 11.3% (95% CI 8.5% to 14.6%), with a PPV of 15.4% (95% CI 12.0% to 19.4%).

Conclusions

Opportunistic screening for glaucoma in a lower VCDR group could result in a high number of unnecessary referrals. If healthcare infrastructures are limited, targeting case findings on a larger VCDR group with high specificity will still be beneficial.
Performance of polygenic risk scores in screening, prediction, and risk stratification: secondary analysis of data in the Polygenic Score Catalog
Authors: Hingorani Aroon D , Gratton Jasmine , Finan Chris , Schmidt A Floriaan , Patel Riyaz , Sofat Reecha , Kuan Valerie , Langenberg Claudia , Hemingway Harry , Morris Joan K , Wald Nicholas J
Published: October 2023

Objective

To clarify the performance of polygenic risk scores in population screening, individual risk prediction, and population risk stratification.

Design

Secondary analysis of data in the Polygenic Score Catalog.

Setting

Polygenic Score Catalog, April 2022. Secondary analysis of 3915 performance metric estimates for 926 polygenic risk scores for 310 diseases to generate estimates of performance in population screening, individual risk, and population risk stratification.

Participants

Individuals contributing to the published studies in the Polygenic Score Catalog.

Main outcome measures

Detection rate for a 5% false positive rate (DR5) and the population odds of becoming affected given a positive result; individual odds of becoming affected for a person with a particular polygenic score; and odds of becoming affected for groups of individuals in different portions of a polygenic risk score distribution. Coronary artery disease and breast cancer were used as illustrative examples.

Results

For performance in population screening, median DR5for all polygenic risk scores and all diseases studied was 11% (interquartile range 8-18%). Median DR5was 12% (9-19%) for polygenic risk scores for coronary artery disease and 10% (9-12%) for breast cancer. The population odds of becoming affected given a positive results were 1:8 for coronary artery disease and 1:21 for breast cancer, with background 10 year odds of 1:19 and 1:41, respectively, which are typical for these diseases at age 50. For individual risk prediction, the corresponding 10 year odds of becoming affected for individuals aged 50 with a polygenic risk score at the 2.5th, 25th, 75th, and 97.5th centiles were 1:54, 1:29, 1:15, and 1:8 for coronary artery disease and 1:91, 1:56, 1:34, and 1:21 for breast cancer. In terms of population risk stratification, at age 50, the risk of coronary artery disease was divided into five groups, with 10 year odds of 1:41 and 1:11 for the lowest and highest quintile groups, respectively. The 10 year odds was 1:7 for the upper 2.5% of the polygenic risk score distribution for coronary artery disease, a group that contributed 7% of cases. The corresponding estimates for breast cancer were 1:72 and 1:26 for the lowest and highest quintile groups, and 1:19 for the upper 2.5% of the distribution, which contributed 6% of cases.

Conclusion

Polygenic risk scores performed poorly in population screening, individual risk prediction, and population risk stratification. Strong claims about the effect of polygenic risk scores on healthcare seem to be disproportionate to their performance.
Subthreshold micropulse laser versus standard laser for the treatment of central-involving diabetic macular oedema with central retinal thickness of <400µ: a cost-effectiveness analysis from the DIAMONDS trial
Authors: Mistry Hema , Maredza Mandy , Campbell Christina , Lois Noemi
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To estimate the economic costs, health-related quality-of-life outcomes and cost-effectiveness of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) versus standard laser (SL) for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) with central retinal thickness (CRT) of <400µ.

Design

An economic evaluation was conducted within a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised clinical trial, DIAbetic Macular Oedema aNd Diode Subthreshold.

Setting

18 UK Hospital Eye Services.

Participants

Adults with diabetes and centre involving DMO with CRT<400µ.

Interventions

Participants (n=266) were randomised 1:1 to receive SML or SL.

Methods

The base-case used an intention-to-treat approach conducted from a UK National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services (PSS) perspective. Costs (2019–2020 prices) were collected prospectively over the 2-year follow-up period. A bivariate regression of costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), with multiple imputation of missing data, was conducted to estimate the incremental cost per QALY gained and the incremental net monetary benefit of SML in comparison to SL. Sensitivity analyses explored uncertainty and heterogeneity in cost-effectiveness estimates.

Results

One participant in the SL arm withdrew consent for data to be used; data from the remaining 265 participants were included in analyses. Mean (SE) NHS and PSS costs over 24 months were £735.09 (£111.85) in the SML arm vs £1099.70 (£195.40) in the SL arm (p=0.107). Mean (SE) QALY estimates were 1.493 (0.024) vs 1.485 (0.020), respectively (p=0.780), giving an insignificant difference of 0.008 QALYs. The probability SML is cost-effective at a threshold of £20 000 per QALY was 76%.

Conclusions

There were no statistically significant differences in EQ-5D-5L scores or costs between SML and SL. Given these findings and the fact that SML does not burn the retina, unlike SL and has equivalent efficacy to SL, it may be preferred for the treatment of people with DMO with CRT<400µ.

Trial registration numbers

ISRCTN17742985;NCT03690050.
Diagnostic utility of haematological parameters in predicting the severity of HIV infection in southwestern Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Haile Kassahun , Timerga Abebe , Alemayehu Mihret , Mose Ayenew
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of haematological parameters as a predictive marker of the severity of HIV infection in southwestern Ethiopia.

Design

Comparative cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study was conducted in southwestern Ethiopia.

Participants

Venous blood samples were collected from 344 participants (172 HIV, 172 healthy controls (HC)) and haematological parameters were determined using the automated haematology analyser. The diagnostic utility of haematological parameters was determined by a receiver operating curve analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS V.21 and the p value was set at less than 0.05 for the statistical significance.

Results

In this study, red cell count (RCC) distinguishes HIV-infected patients from HC at a threshold value of 4.05×109/L with sensitivity, specificity and an area under the curves (AUC) of 73.8%, 78.5% and 0.87, respectively. At a cut-off value of 4.25×109/L, RCC significantly distinguishes non-severe HIV-infected patients from HC with a sensitivity of 72.7%, specificity of 81.7% and an AUC of 0.86. Haemoglobin (Hgb) significantly differentiates severe HIV-infected patients from HC with sensitivity, specificity and an AUC of 95.9%, 86.7% and 0.96, respectively. Platelet count (PLT) significantly discriminates HC from non-severe and severe HIV-infected patients with an AUC of 0.74 and 0.963, respectively.

Conclusion

RCC, PLT and Hgb demonstrated better diagnostic performance in predicting the severity of HIV infection and have been identified as the best haematological markers in predicting the presence and severity of HIV infection. Thus, the haematological profiles (RCC, PLT and Hgb) should be used as an alternative marker to predict the severity of HIV infection and may provide supportive information for evidence-based interventions and early diagnosis of infections.
Evaluation of the quality and reliability of anal cancer and its precancerous lesions-related content on YouTube: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Zeyang , Pan Shaorong , Zhou Meng , Wang Xin
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This research aims at evaluating the quality of anal cancer and its precancerous lesions-related videos on YouTube.

Design

Cross-sectional survey design.

Setting

USA.

Participants

The top 150 videos on YouTube were selected for analysis based on three search terms. The duplicate, irrelevant, commercial, operation-related and audio-free videos were excluded. Finally, 105 relevant videos were included.

Methods

We assessed the completeness of video content from six dimensions and marked the men having sex with men (MSM)-related videos. To measure the video quality, DISCERN,Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA) Benchmark Criteria, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and Global Quality Scale (GQS) were used. The correlation between DISCERN classification and duration,JAMA, PEMAT and GQS scores were recorded.

Results

The video content was mainly about the management of the disease (mean score 1.086). Overall, the quality of videos uploaded by the non-profit organisation was relatively high. A correlation existed between each other of theJAMA, DISCERN and GQS scores (p<0.001). Moreover, they were positively correlated with video duration and PEMAT scores (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Although the overall quality of information about anal cancer and its precancerous lesions videos on YouTube is acceptable, it might not fully meet the health information needs of patients. Therefore, they should exercise caution when using YouTube as a source of anal cancer-related information, especially the MSM population.
UK robotic arthroplasty clinical and cost effectiveness randomised controlled trial for hips (RACER-Hip): a study protocol
Authors: Griffin James , Davis Edward T , Parsons Helen , Stevens Siobhan , Bradley Helen , Bruce Julie , Ellard David R , Haddad Fares , Hutchinson Charles E , Mason James , Nwankwo Henry , Metcalfe Andrew , Smith Toby , Smith Jennifer , Warwick Jane , Skinner John A , Rees Sophie , Underwood Martin , Khatri Chetan , Wall Peter David Henry
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The number of robotic-assisted hip replacement procedures has expanded globally with the intended aim of improving outcomes. Intraoperative robotic-arm systems add additional costs to total hip replacement (THR) surgery but may improve surgical precision and could contribute to diminished pain and improved function. Additionally, these systems may reduce the need for expensive revision surgery. Surgery with conventional instruments may be just as successful, quick and affordable. There is timely demand for a robust evaluation of this technology.

Methods and analysis

The Robotic Arthroplasty Clinical and cost Effectiveness Randomised controlled trial for Hips (RACER-Hip) is a multicentre (minimum of six UK sites), participant–assessor blinded, randomised controlled trial. 378 participants with hip osteoarthritis requiring THR will be randomised (1:1) to receive robotic-assisted THR, or THR using conventional surgical instruments. The primary outcome is the Forgotten Joint Score at 12 months post-randomisation; a patient-reported outcome measure assessing participants’ awareness of their joint when undertaking daily activities. Secondary outcomes will be collected post-operatively (pain, blood loss and opioid usage) and at 3, 6, 12, 24 months, then 5 and 10 years postrandomisation (including function, pain, health-related quality of life, reoperations and satisfaction). Allocation concealment will be accomplished using a computer-based randomisation procedure on the day of surgery. Blinding methods include the use of sham incisions for marker clusters and blinded operation notes. The primary analysis will adhere to the intention-to-treat principle. Results will adhere to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statements.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial was approved by an ethics committee (Solihull Research Ethics Committee, 30 June 2021, IRAS: 295831). Participants will provide informed consent before agreeing to participate. Results will be disseminated using peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at international conferences and through the use of social media. We will develop plans to disseminate to patients and public with our patient partners.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN13374625.
Acceptability and feasibility of the BEMPU TempWatch for hypothermia monitoring in neonatal care in Ghana: a qualitative study of clinicians’ perspectives
Authors: Sheehama Justice E K , Dey Nutifafa Eugene Yaw , Adade Abigail Esinam , Owusu Prince Gyebi , Basher Irfanul , Dail Robin B , Sacks Emma , Kanyangarara Mufaro , Sakyi Kwame Sarfo
Published: October 2023

Objective

To identify factors influencing the acceptability and feasibility of using the BEMPU TempWatch bracelet in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods and analysis

We conducted in-depth interviews with 21 clinicians at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, after the bracelet had been introduced in a pilot programme. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants for in-depth interviews. SPSS Statistical Software was used for the descriptive analysis of the participants’ demographic information. Dedoose V.9.0.54 was used to analyse interview data using a thematic analysis approach. We used the domains and constructs of the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Research framework to inform themes for the key implementation outcomes (acceptability and feasibility).

Results

Most participants found the bracelet’s use in neonatal care acceptable in theory. However, most participants found the bracelet not feasible in the NICU in its current state and suggested modifications to the bracelet’s alarm system, fit, cost and additional features to improve its utility. Participants’ acceptance hinged on attitudes towards the bracelet’s utility in the NICU and its relative advantages to the current standards of practice. The identified determinants of feasibility centred primarily around the complexities or challenges of incorporating the bracelet into routine care, affordability and its compatibility with the workload in the NICU.

Conclusion

Modifications to the bracelet are required, and further research is needed to explore implementation strategies to effectively integrate an updated BEMPU TempWatch into routine care in the NICU and other settings.
Comparing migration experiences of Venezuelan women and girls: a mixed-method, cross-sectional analysis of refugees/migrants in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil
Authors: Bartels Susan A , Vahedi Luissa , Friesen Sofia , Noriega Monica , Rodriquez Belen , Marisol Garcia Maria , Deutscher Julianna M , Luna-Siachoque M Sofia , Johnson Sydney , Mcconnell Maegan , Stoner Bradley P , Purkey Eva
Published: October 2023

Objective

Over the past decade, geopolitical turmoil in Venezuela has resulted in the displacement of 7.1 million people, resulting in a migration and refugee crisis.

Methods and analysis

This current cross-sectional, mixed-method research, which is focused on women and girls, examines differences in Venezuelan refugee/migrant demographics, migration characteristics, experiences and perceptions across nine locations in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.

Results

A total of 9116 Venezuelan refugees/migrants shared 9339 migration experiences. Respondents in Brazil had been displaced for less time, reported more extreme poverty, perceived that they had received more support from the host community, and had more positive migration experiences. In contrast, respondents in Peru had been displaced for longer, were more likely to share experiences of insecurity/violence, perceived that they had not received adequate support and were more likely to report that the migration experience was negative. Respondents in Ecuador tended to provide more moderate responses somewhere between those from Brazil and Peru with one exception being around the impact of COVID-19, which they perceived more negatively.

Conclusion

It is critical to recognise that Venezuelan refugee/migrant populations are not homogenous and that their experiences, needs and priorities vary by location of settlement and migration route. From these findings, we recommend more open regularisation policies for Venezuelan nationals in Ecuador and Peru in addition to improved socioeconomic integration in accordance with the Quito Process. Sharing of successful models from other contexts may prove helpful.
Cost of acute respiratory illness episode and its determinants among community-dwelling older adults: a four-site cohort study from India
Authors: Krishnan Anand , Shekhawat Kusum , Ortega-Sanchez Ismael R , Kanungo Suman , Rajkumar Prabu , Bhardwaj Sumit Dutt , Kumar Rakesh , Prabhakaran Aslesh Ottapura , Gopal Giridara , Chakrabarti Alok Kumar , Kumar Chethrapilly Purushothaman Girish , Potdar Varsha , Manna Byomkesh , Gharpure Radhika , Amarchand Ritvik , Choudekar Avinash , Lafond Kathryn E , Dar Lalit , Bhattacharjee Uttaran , Azziz-Baumgartner Eduardo , Saha Siddhartha
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Advocacy for the provision of public health resources, including vaccine for the prevention of acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) among older adults in India, needs evidence on costs and benefits. Using a cohort of community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older in India, we estimated the cost of ARI episode and its determinants.

Methods

We enrolled 6016 participants in Ballabgarh, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune from July 2018 to March 2020. They were followed up weekly to identify ARI and classified them as acute upper respiratory illness (AURI) or pneumonia based on clinical features based on British Thoracic Society guidelines. All pneumonia and 20% of AURI cases were asked about the cost incurred on medical consultation, investigation, medications, transportation, food and lodging. The cost of services at public facilities was supplemented by WHO-Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective(CHOICE) estimates for 2019. Indirect costs incurred by the affected participant and their caregivers were estimated using human capital approach. We used generalised linear model with log link and gamma family to identify the average marginal effect of key determinants of the total cost of ARI.

Results

We included 2648 AURI and 1081 pneumonia episodes. Only 47% (range 36%–60%) of the participants with pneumonia sought care. The mean cost of AURI episode was US$13.9, while that of pneumonia episode was US$25.6, with indirect costs comprising three-fourths of the total. The cost was higher among older men by US$3.4 (95% CI: 1.4 to 5.3), those with comorbidities by US$4.3 (95% CI: 2.8 to 5.7) and those who sought care by US$17.2 (95% CI: 15.1 to 19.2) but not by influenza status. The mean per capita annual cost of respiratory illness was US$29.5.

Conclusion

Given the high community disease and cost burden of ARI, intensifying public health interventions to prevent and mitigate ARI among this fast-growing older adult population in India is warranted.
Contraception prescribing in England during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Begum Tanha , Cullen Emer , Moffat Malcolm , Rankin Judith
Published: October 2023

Background

National lockdowns in England due to COVID-19 resulted in rapid shifts in healthcare provision, including in primary care where most contraceptive prescriptions are issued. This study aimed to investigate contraception prescribing trends in primary care during the pandemic and the impact of socioeconomic deprivation.

Methods

Prescribing data were accessed from the English Prescribing Dataset for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2020–28 February 2021) and the year prior (1 March 2019–29 February 2020). Data were analysed by geographical region (London, Midlands and East of England, North of England, South of England) and contraceptive type (progestogen-only pill (POP), combined oral contraception (COC), emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and contraceptive injections). Differences in prescribing rates were calculated using Poisson regression. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores for each Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC).

Results

Contraception prescribing rates decreased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic in England (Poisson regression coefficient (β)=−0.035), with a statistically significant (p<0.01) decrease in all four regions. Prescriptions decreased for COC (β=−0.978), contraceptive injections (β=−0.161) and EHC (β=−0.2005), while POP (β=0.050) prescribing rates increased. There was a weak positive correlation between IMD and prescribing rates in NENC (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Contraception provision was impacted by COVID-19 with an overall decrease in prescribing rates. The deprivation results suggest that this may not be a significant contributing factor to this decrease. Further research is recommended to better understand these changes, and to ensure that services respond appropriately to population needs.
Risk perception and surveillance uptake in individuals at increased risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nguyen Denis , Gilad Ophir , Drogan Christine M , Eilers Zoe , Liao Chuanhong , Kupfer Sonia S
Published: October 2023

Background

Surveillance for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recommended for high-risk individuals with genetic variants in PDAC-associated genes and/or family history. Surveillance uptake and adherence may depend on the perception of PDAC risk and cancer worry. We aimed to determine PDAC risk perception in at-risk individuals and assess factors associated with PDAC surveillance uptake.

Methods

At-risk individuals identified from a prospective academic registry were sent a survey electronically. PDAC risk perception, cancer worry and surveillance uptake were surveyed. Factors associated with increased risk perception and surveillance were assessed. Five-year PDAC risk was calculated using the PancPRO risk assessment model, and correlation with subjective risk assessment was assessed.

Results

The overall survey response rate was 34% (279/816). The median perceived PDAC risk was twofold (IQR 1–4) above respondents’ estimates of general population risk. Factors significantly associated with higher perceived PDAC risk included non-Hispanic white race, post-graduate education level, PDAC-affected first-degree relative, genetic variants and lack of personal cancer history. Cancer worry had a very weak correlation across PDAC risk estimates (r=0.16). No correlation between perceived PDAC risk and 5-year calculated PDAC risk was found. Older age, having a first-degree relative with PDAC, meeting with a medical provider about PDAC cancer risk and awareness of surveillance modalities were significant predictors of undergoing PDAC surveillance.

Conclusions

Individuals at risk for PDAC do not report risk perception that correlates with calculated risk. This presents an opportunity for counselling of at-risk patients to individualise management and improve surveillance uptake for eligible individuals.
Intraoperative angiography in neurosurgery: temporal trend, access site, and operative indication considerations from a 6-year institutional experience
Authors: Tudor Thilan , Sussman Jonathan , Sioutas Georgios S , Salem Mohamed M , Muhammad Najib , Romeo Dominic , Corral Tarbay Antonio , Kim Yohan , Ng Jinggang , Rhodes Isaiah J , Gajjar Avi , Hurst Robert W , Pukenas Bryan , Bagley Linda , Choudhri Omar A , Zager Eric L , Srinivasan Visish M , Jankowitz Brian T , Burkhardt Jan-Karl
Published: October 2023

Background

Historically, the transfemoral approach (TFA) has been the most common access site for cerebral intraoperative angiography (IOA). However, in line with trends in cardiac interventional vascular access preferences, the transradial approach (TRA) and transulnar approach (TUA) have been gaining popularity owing to favorable safety and patient satisfaction outcomes.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of TRA/TUA and TFA for cerebral and spinal IOA at an institutional level over a 6-year period.

Methods

Between July 2016 and December 2022, 317 angiograms were included in our analysis, comprising 60 TRA, 10 TUA, 243 TFA, and 4 transpopliteal approach cases. Fluoroscopy time, contrast dose, reference air kerma, and dose–area products per target vessel catheterized were primary endpoints. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate predictors of elevated contrast dose and radiation exposure and to assess time trends in access site selection.

Results

Contrast dose and radiation exposure metrics per vessel catheterized were not significantly different between access site groups when controlling for patient position, operative region, 3D rotational angiography use, and different operators. Access site was not a significant independent predictor of elevated radiation exposure or contrast dose. There was a significant relationship between case number and operative indication over the study period (P<0.001), with a decrease in the proportion of cases for aneurysm treatment offset by increases in total cases for the management of arteriovenous malformation, AVF, and moyamoya disease.

Conclusions

TRA and TUA are safe and effective access site options for neurointerventional procedures that are increasingly used for IOA.
Geometric phase in Taub-NUT spacetime
Authors: Chakraborty Chandrachur , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata
Published: October 2023

Constructing the Hamiltonian in the $$\eta $$
η
-representation, we explore the geometric phase in the Taub-NUT spacetime, which is spherically symmetric and stationary. The geometric phase around a non-rotating Taub-NUT spacetime reveals both the gravitational analog of Aharonov–Bohm effect and Pancharatnam–Berry phase, similar to the rotating Kerr background. On the other hand, only the latter emerges in the spherically symmetric Schwarzschild geometry as well as in the axisymmetric magnetized Schwarzschild geometry. With this result, we argue that the Aharonov–Bohm effect and Pancharatnam–Berry phase both can emerge in the stationary spacetime, whereas only the latter emerges in the static spacetime. We outline plausible measurements of these effects/phases, mostly for primordial black holes.
P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement near threshold: a simplified approach
Authors: de Lima Carlos H. , Tonero Alberto , Vasquez Andres , Rosenfeld Rogerio
Published: October 2023

The calculation of P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement in processes with unstable particles in the final state is known to be divergent. In a complete description, where resonant (on-shell unstable particles) and non-resonant contributions are included, it has been shown that results are finite. For most beyond the Standard Model applications, these complete calculations are not readily available. In this work, we are interested in the near-threshold region and we consider only the resonant contribution. In this case, we provide a simplified prescription to compute the P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement in the narrow-width approximation of the unstable particle that directly eliminates divergences. We show that we can define a finite resonant contribution without the inclusion of the non-resonant processes in a way similar to the usual S-wave Sommerfeld enhancement.
Generation-based Differential Fuzzing for Deep Learning Libraries
Authors: Liu Jiawei , Huang Yuheng , Wang Zhijie , Ma Lei , Fang Chunrong , Gu Mingzheng , Zhang Xufan , Chen Zhenyu
Published: October 2023

Deep learning (DL) libraries have become the key component in developing and deploying DL-based software nowadays. With the growing popularity of applying DL models in both academia and industry across various domains, any bugs inherent in the DL libraries can potentially cause unexpected server outcomes. As such, there is an urgent demand for improving the software quality of DL libraries. Although there are some existing approaches specifically designed for testing DL libraries, their focus is usually limited to one specific domain, such as computer vision (CV). It is still not very clear how the existing approaches perform in detecting bugs of different DL libraries regarding different task domains and to what extent. To bridge this gap, we first conduct an empirical study on four representative and state-of-the-art DL library testing approaches. Our empirical study results reveal that it is hard for existing approaches to generalize to other task domains. We also find that the test inputs generated by these approaches usually lack diversity, with only a few types of bugs. What is worse, the false-positive rate of existing approaches is also high (
up to 58%
). To address these issues, we propose a
guided differential fuzzing approach based on generation
, namely,
Gandalf
. To generate testing inputs across diverse task domains effectively,
Gandalf
adopts the context-free grammar to ensure validity and utilizes a
Deep Q-Network
to maximize the diversity.
Gandalf
also includes 15 metamorphic relations to make it possible for the generated test cases to generalize across different DL libraries. Such a design can decrease the false positives because of the semantic difference for different APIs. We evaluate the effectiveness of
Gandalf
on nine versions of three representative DL libraries, covering 309 operators from computer vision, natural language processing, and automated speech recognition. The evaluation results demonstrate that
Gandalf
can effectively and efficiently generate diverse test inputs. Meanwhile,
Gandalf
successfully detects five categories of bugs with
only 3.1%
false-positive rates. We report all 49 new unique bugs found during the evaluation to the DL libraries’ developers, and most of these bugs have been confirmed. Details about our empirical study and evaluation results are available on our project website.

1
Towards Practical Secure Neural Network Inference: The Journey So Far and the Road Ahead
Authors: Mann Zoltán Ádám , Weinert Christian , Chabal Daphnee , Bos Joppe W.
Published: October 2023

Neural networks (NNs) have become one of the most important tools for artificial intelligence. Well-designed and trained NNs can perform inference (e.g., make decisions or predictions) on unseen inputs with high accuracy. Using NNs often involves sensitive data: Depending on the specific use case, the input to the NN and/or the internals of the NN  (e.g., the weights and biases) may be sensitive. Thus, there is a need for techniques for performing NN inference securely, ensuring that sensitive data remain secret.

In the past few years, several approaches have been proposed for secure neural network inference. These approaches achieve better and better results in terms of efficiency, security, accuracy, and applicability, thus making big progress toward practical secure neural network inference. The proposed approaches make use of many different techniques, such as homomorphic encryption and secure multi-party computation. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the main approaches proposed so far, their different properties, and the techniques used. In addition, remaining challenges toward large-scale deployments are identified.
Ternary Nanocomposite of Activated Charcoal/Reduced Graphene Oxide-Silver Nanoparticles [ACH/Ag@rGO] as a Novel Platform for the First Sensitive Prucalopride Drug Detection in Generic and Innovator Tablets and Human Plasma
Authors: Momtaz Mohamed A. , El-Desoky Hanaa S. , Abdel-Galeil Mohamed M.
Published: October 2023

Ag@rGO nanocomposite was prepared using an in situ reduction approach of silver ions and the as-synthesized graphite oxide (GO). TEM analysis reveals the crumpled and folded layered structure of rGO with homogeneous dispersed spherical Ag NPs on these rGO nanosheets. The intensity ratio of the D to G bands (ID/IG) in Raman spectra for Ag@rGO indicates a large defect due to Ag NPs intercalation and deposition on rGO surface. XRD pattern indicates the face centered cubic crystal structure of Ag with average crystalline size of 19.63 nm. An electrochemical sensor based on Ag@rGO is first designed for Prucalopride drug oxidation and characterized applying EIS and cyclic voltammetry. Its electrocatalytic effect was enhanced upon utilizing a characterized activated charcoal (ACH) as an electro-modified carbon nanomaterial for CPE. The ternary nanocomposite [ACH/Ag@rGO] as a platform of CPE supposed three times higher response to Prucalopride compared to CPE. Prucalopride was quantified over wide linear ranges of (5.0 × 10−9– 1 × 10−6 M) and (2.0 × 10−8– 1.4 × 10−6 M), with LOD values of 7.95 × 10−10 M and 8.51 × 10−9 M in bulk form and spiked human plasma, respectively. This sensor can thus be adopted easily for the quality control analysis of Prucalopride in formulation and human plasma and for pharmacokinetic study.
Multi-Reference Electrode Lithium-Ion Pouch Cell Design for Spatially Resolved Half-Cell Potential and Impedance Measurements
Authors: Oehler F. F. , Graule A. , Kücher S. , Roth T. , Adam A. , Li J. , Ronge E. , Mörtel R. , Jossen A.
Published: October 2023

Reliable experimental methods for measuring local potentials in lithium-ion battery cells are challenging but vital for a deep understanding of internal processes at the individual electrode level, and to parameterize and validate electrochemical models. Different three-electrode setups and reference electrodes (REs) have been developed in recent years. Some are based on custom laboratory setups or are small, e.g. coin cell sized. This work addresses internal potentials and half-cell impedances in the widely used single-layer pouch (SLP) cell format and proposes a novel multi-reference electrode cell design, enabling spatially resolved measurements. For the first time, it is shown how multiple 25 μm and 50 μm thin gold wire REs, together with a larger LTO-RE, can be used to study occurring inhomogeneities, considering the geometrical anode overhang. Special attention is given to the subtleties of the measurements and their interpretation. Multiple REs allow plausibility checks and confirm stability for both types during a continuous measurement period of more than 7,500 h (>10 months), demonstrating suitability, e.g. for long-term cycling measurements. Results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and half-cell potential measurements at low currents of C/100 and during fast charging at up to 3C highlight the versatility of the easily reproducible cell design.
A Unique Formation Process on Rapidly Activating Oxygen Redox in Co-Free Li-Rich Layered Cathodes for Long-Cycle Batteries
Authors: Xiong Jiahui , Qiu Bao , Huang Zhi-Min , Zhong Shengwen
Published: October 2023

The utilization of oxygen redox in a Co-free Li-rich layered cathode usually needs to enhance the upper voltage to over 4.6 V, which results in structural changes and electrolyte requests. It is necessary to find a suitable formation method in full batteries that can quickly activate oxygen redox to balance the available capacity and optimal voltage. Here, a series of formation methods with two charge-discharge cycles under cut-off voltage 4.5–4.7 V are explored in practical pouch cells. A tiny voltage plateau appeared at 4.58 V was observed after the formation methods, which did not damage the material’s structure intensity in the first cycle. The surface of the cathode was found to form a thin film of spinel structure during the first charge-discharge process which would support the structure to endure a voltage higher than 4.58 V in the second charge-discharge and completely activate the capacity of Li-rich cathode. According to this guidance, a new formation method was adopted by controlling the cut-off voltage during the cycle process. The new strategy achieves a discharge-specific capacity of 214 mAh.g−1 and capacity retention of 99.0% after 500 cycles under 0.5C. This method shows great advantages in time cost, capacity retention, and Coulomb efficiency.
Initial Current Discrepancy in Simulating Lithium-Ion Battery Packs - Resolution from Dr. Ralph White’s Analytical Approach
Authors: Telmasre Tushar K. , Mishra Lubhani , Thiagarajan Raghav Sai , Subramaniam Akshay , Ramadesigan Venkatasailanathan , Garrick Taylor R. , Subramanian Venkat R.
Published: October 2023

In this perspective, pitfalls during upscaling approximate and detailed physics-based models developed for single-cell to pack-level simulations are highlighted using motivating examples. Depending on the numerical simulation approach used, a discrepancy at initial times (t = 0) during the pack-level simulations was observed and subsequently resolved using an analytical solution via Laplace transform approach for the simplest model. A few thoughts on numerical challenges and the index of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) are also provided in the paper.
Association between Butter, Margarine, and Olive Oil Intake and Asthma Symptoms among School Children: Result from a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Emrani Arezoo Sadat , Sasanfar Bahareh , Nafei Zahra , Behniafard Nasrin , Salehi-Abargouei Amin
Published: October 2023

Background. There are conflicting results about the association between dietary fat intake and asthma symptoms. Since few studies in the Middle East have been explored the relation between dietary fat consumption and risk of asthma, the present study was conducted to investigate the association between the consumption of butter, margarine, and olive oil and asthma risk in school children living in central Iran. Method. In this cross-sectional study, out of 10,240 participants, asthma and its symptoms and dietary intake of butter, margarine, and olive oil of 7,667 children and adolescents were assessed using a validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. The relationship between fat subtypes and asthma was assessed using logistic regression. Results. The prevalence of asthma confirmed by a doctor in the study population was 4.22%. An inverse association was found between butter and margarine consumption once or twice a week and odds of current asthma and wheezing in the past 12 months (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28–0.96; OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.55–0.88, respectively); however, those with higher consumption did not have a higher chance for developing wheezing or asthma. Conclusion. We found that margarine and butter intake one or two times a week might have an inverse association with asthma and its symptoms among children. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to confirm these findings.
Pricing for Refund Service Fee of High-Speed Railway: An Optimization Approach with Uncertain Demand
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhu Jiafa , Wang Hongye , Lv Xiaoyan
Published: October 2023

Compared to single ticket purchase behavior, the impact of ticket cancellation behavior on revenue is full of complexity. Due to the cancelled tickets will be resold with uncertain demand, ticket cancellation behaviors and ticket purchase behaviors are intertwined and influenced, composed of a dynamic and complex system in the presale period. How to charge for ticket cancellation behavior in the name of refund service fee to reduce losses as much as possible is an urgent problem for high-speed railway enterprises. However, there has been little research on this issue. Therefore, a pricing optimization approach for refund service fee based on negative binomial distribution was proposed in this article. Firstly, we proved that the probability of passengers arriving based on the accumulated ticket sales obeyed the negative binomial distribution, which was used to fit the uncertainty demand of passengers. Then, we categorized the passengers to build an optimization model with the objective of maximizing compensation for losses caused by ticket cancellation. A case study was implemented to show that the proportion of refund service fee to ticket price is generally higher than 50%. The refund service fee remains monotonously nondecreasing as the departure date approaches. It also indicated that the current charging standard for refund service fees was too low to offset the losses. In addition, passenger preferences and passenger flow have significant impacts on the dynamic pricing strategy for refund service fees.
State Feedback H∞ Control for Trajectory Tracking of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Authors: Zhuo Shufang , He Yonghui , Huang Yanwei
Published: October 2023

Aiming at the sway velocity and uncertainties such as wind, wave, and current, a state feedback H∞ control method is proposed to improve the dynamic and steady-state performance with line of sight (LOS) law for trajectory tracking of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). First, a novel LOS is proposed for trajectory tracking with the position error to obtain the references of surge velocity and heading angle. Second, the LPV model is established with varying parameters of the sway velocity for the USV. Third, the closed-loop system for the LPV model is established by the state feedback H∞ control method to design the controller. Since the coupling term of system coefficients in the Lyapunov stability condition is difficult to solve directly, a novel variable is introduced to decouple the stability condition, which can be solved with MATLAB LMI tools for the controller parameters. Finally, the simulation result shows that the proposed method has super performance on the dynamic and steady-state indices.
A Fusion‐Based Dense Crowd Counting Method for Multi‐Imaging Systems
Authors: Zhang Jin , Ye Luqin , Wu Jiajia , Sun Dan , Wu Cheng
Published: October 2023

Dense crowd counting has become an essential technology for urban security management. The traditional crowd counting methods mainly apply to the scene with a single view and obvious features but cannot solve the problem with a large area and fuzzy crowd features. Therefore, this paper proposes a crowd counting method based on high and low view information fusion (HLIF) for large and complex scenes. First, a neural network based on an attention mechanism (AMNet) is established to obtain a global density map from a high view and crowd counts from a low view. Then, the temporal correlation and spatial complementarity between cameras are used to calibrate the overlap areas of the two images. Finally, the total number of people is calculated by combining the low‐view crowd counts and the high‐view density map. Compared to single‐view crowd counting methods, HLIF is experimentally more accurate and has been successfully applied in practice.
Epiretinal Amniotic Membrane Influences the Cellular Behavior of Profibrotic Dedifferentiated Cells of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy In Vitro
Authors: Hillenmayer Anna , Strehle Laura D. , Hilterhaus Christina , Ohlmann Andreas , Wertheimer Christian M. , Wolf Armin
Published: October 2023

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) as a rare fibrotic ocular disease is the main reason for failure of retinal detachment surgery and a reduced prognosis following surgery. Amniotic membrane (AM) is a versatile surgical tool for tissue stabilization, antifibrotic properties, and regeneration. Initial clinical case studies now demonstrated intravitreal tolerance as well as good anatomical and functional results for degenerative retinal diseases. Due to its diverse wound healing properties, AM could have promoting, suppressive, or no effects on PVR. To illuminate the potential of epiretinal AM transplantation in complex retinal detachment cases, we investigated its influence on human primary PVR (hPVR) cells in vitro. In our cell culture study, hPVR cells were isolated from surgically removed PVR membranes. Following incubation with AM for 48 h, AM-incubated hPVR showed significantly reduced proliferation (BrdU-ELISA;

p
<
0.001

), migration (Boyden chamber, scratch assay;

p

 = 0.003 and

p
<
0.001

), and cell adhesion (

p

 = 0.005). Collagen contraction was nearly unaffected (

p

 = 0.04), and toxicity (histone-complexed DNA ELISA, WST-1 assay, and life/dead staining) was excluded. Next, immunofluorescence showed a myofibroblastic phenotype with reduced expression of fibrosis markers in AM-incubated cells, which was confirmed by Western blot analysis. In the proteomics assay, AM significantly regulated proteins by a more than 2-fold increase in expression which were related to the cytoskeleton, lipid metabolism, cell-matrix contraction, and protein folding. In conclusion, this in vitro work suggests no induction of fibrosis and other key steps in the pathogenesis of PVR through AM but rather inhibiting properties of profibrotic cell behavior, making it a possible candidate for suppression of PVR. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic relevance.