bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation protocol on functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition in individuals with post‐COVID‐19 syndrome: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gomes dos Santos Ewerton Graziane , Vieira da Costa Karina , Cordeiro de Souza Iara Tainá , Victor dos Santos Felix João , Furtado Brandão Celso Brendo , Michelle de Souza Fernandes Vanessa , Lugon Favero Andressa Bomfim , Lucrécia de Aquino Gouveia Maria , Tavares de Lima Dyego , Heriston de Morais Lima José , Pedrosa Rafaela , Alves de Oliveira Valéria Mayaly , da Cruz Santos Amilton , Gama Tatiana Onofre , Guedes de Brito Geraldo Eduardo , Tenório de França Eduardo Eriko
Published: April 2024

Background and Objective

Reduced functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and changes in body composition are common in patients with post‐COVID‐19 syndrome (PCS), and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation may improve these parameters. Thus, the present study verified the effects of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (respiratory, aerobic, and resistance muscle training) on submaximal exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition.

Methods

This controlled and randomized clinical trial applied a six‐week outpatient intervention protocol in individuals over 18 years old (n = 33) with a diagnosis of COVID‐19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. These individuals were allocated to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (n = 17) or control groups (i.e., educational lectures; n = 16). The cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group performed respiratory, aerobic, and resistance muscle training. Submaximal exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition were assessed before and after the protocol.

Results

After 6 weeks, the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group increased the tolerance to submaximal exercise, with a difference of 100.46 m (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.40–193 m) in the distance walked on the six‐minute walk test, reduced dyspnea (−1.45, 95% CI: −1.98–−0.92) in the modified Medical Research Council, and increased 0.63 kg (95% CI: 0.09–1.18 kg) of muscle mass in the upper limbs compared with the control group.

Conclusion

The six‐week cardiopulmonary rehabilitation protocol improved functional capacity, reduced dyspnea, and increased muscle mass in the upper limbs in individuals with PCS. Thus, these results supported the protocol use in this population and encourage further studies to assess its effectiveness in a large sample.
The bright side of chemistry: Exploring synthetic peptide‐based anticancer vaccines
Authors: D'Aniello Antonia , Del Bene Alessandra , Mottola Salvatore , Mazzarella Vincenzo , Cutolo Roberto , Campagna Erica , Di Maro Salvatore , Messere Anna
Published: April 2024

The present review focuses on synthetic peptide‐based vaccine strategies in the context of anticancer intervention, paying attention to critical aspects such as peptide epitope selection, adjuvant integration, and nuanced classification of synthetic peptide cancer vaccines. Within this discussion, we delve into the diverse array of synthetic peptide‐based anticancer vaccines, each derived from tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs), including melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (Melan‐A or MART‐1), mucin 1 (MUC1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2), tumor protein 53 (p53), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), survivin, folate receptor (FR), cancer‐testis antigen 1 (NY‐ESO‐1), and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). We also describe the synthetic peptide‐based vaccines developed for cancers triggered by oncovirus, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Additionally, the potential synergy of peptide‐based vaccines with common therapeutics in cancer was considered. The last part of our discussion deals with the realm of the peptide‐based vaccines delivery, highlighting its role in translating the most promising candidates into effective clinical strategies. Although this discussion does not cover all the ongoing peptide vaccine investigations, it aims at offering valuable insights into the chemical modifications and the structural complexities of anticancer peptide‐based vaccines.
The utility of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS‐TBMC) for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphoma
Authors: Huan Nai‐Chien , Lee Wei Lun , Ramarmuty Hema Yamini , Nyanti Larry Ellee , Tsen Melody Shu Ling , Yunus Dahziela
Published: April 2024

Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is a revolutionary tool for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal disorders. Nevertheless, its diagnostic capability is reduced in certain disorders such as lymphoproliferative diseases. EBUS‐guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS‐TBMC) is a novel technique that can provide larger samples with preserved tissue architecture, with an acceptable safety profile. In this case report, we present a middle‐aged gentleman with a huge anterior mediastinal mass and bilateral mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. He underwent EBUS‐TBNA with rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) followed by EBUS‐TBMC, all under general anaesthesia. Histopathological analysis showed discordance between EBUS‐TBNA and EBUS‐TBMC in which only TBMC samples provided adequate tissue to attain a diagnosis of primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma. This case report reinforced the diagnostic role of EBUS‐TBMC in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases.
Sharing three‐dimensional occupancy grid maps to support multi‐UAVs cooperative navigation systems
Authors: Basso Maik , da Silva Antonio S. , Stocchero Diego Alvim , de Freitas Edison P.
Published: April 2024

Due to recent advances in mobile robotics, applications involving multiple robots have become the focus of research in this area. Communication and data exchange among robots are essential features of these systems. In this context, this work presents the conception and the implementation of an application used to share local three‐dimensional occupancy grid maps in a network composed of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This system is based on compression, serialization, packaging, and data transmission whenever the maps receive updates. The simulations demonstrate that the application can significantly reduce the map data size and efficiently share it among all members of the cooperative system. Moreover, a scalability test demonstrates that the system is scalable with a growing number of UAVs.
A Novel Transparent Memristor‐Type Infrared Emissivity Modulator for Multispectral Compatible Display
Authors: Li Zitong , Xiao Yingjun , Zhang Xiang , Sun Bai , Zhang Hulin , Fang Yingying , Sun Wenhai , Chen Mingjun , Deng Jianbo , Yan Dukang , Li Yao
Published: April 2024

The regulation of infrared (IR) thermal radiation has received widespread attention; the proposals have been made for various devices that use electrochromic materials. However, the visible appearance of the mentioned devices also changes when the IR states are altered. Herein, the memristive mechanism is utilized to regulate IR emissivity and design a novel transparent memristor‐type modulator featuring an Indium tin oxide (ITO)/HfO2/ITO structure. The modulator exhibits a dynamic emissivity variation of 0.38 in the IR region of 2.5–25 μm, without compromising transparency in the visible region under the application of an electric voltage. The migration of oxygen vacancies results in the modification of interface barriers and the formation of oxygen vacancy‐enriched regions, thereby enabling the modulator to exhibit resistive switching behavior and regulate IR emissivity. An array of modulators is also assembled, demonstrating the ability to independently display visible and IR information. In this work, new possibilities are presented for various applications such as multispectral displays, energy‐efficient thermoregulation, encrypted information displays, and camouflage.
How renal toxins respond to renal function deterioration and oral toxic adsorbent in pH‐controlled releasing capsule
Authors: Liu Wen‐Sheng , Liang Shih‐Shin , Cheng Mei‐Mei , Wu Ming‐Tsan , Li Szu‐Yuan , Cheng Tien‐Tien , Liu Tsung‐Yun , Tsai Ching‐Yao , Lai Yen‐Ting , Lin Chien‐Hung , Wang Hsiang‐Tsui , Tsou Han‐Hsing
Published: April 2024

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing. Oral toxin adsorbents may provide some value. Several uremic toxins, including indoxyl sulfate (IS), p‐cresol (PCS), acrolein, per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and inflammation markers (interleukin 6 [IL‐6] and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]‐alpha) have been shown to be related to CKD progression. A total of 81 patients taking oral activated charcoal toxin adsorbents (AC‐134), which were embedded in capsules that dissolved in the terminal ileum, three times a day for 1 month, were recruited. The renal function, hemoglobulin (Hb), inflammation markers, three PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA), and acrolein were quantified. Compared with the baseline, an improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and significantly lower acrolein were noted. Furthermore, the CKD stage 4 and 5 group had significantly higher concentrations of IS, PCS, IL‐6, and TNF but lower levels of Hb and PFAS compared with the CKD Stage 3 group at baseline and after the intervention. Hb was increased only in the CKD Stage 3 group after the trial (p = .032). Acrolein did not differ between the different CKD stage groups. Patients with improved GFR (responders) (about 77%) and nonresponders had similar baseline GFR. Responders had higher acrolein and PFOA levels throughout the study and a more significant reduction in acrolein, indicating a better digestion function. Both the higher PFOA and lower acrolein may be related to improved eGFR (and possibly to improvements in proteinuria, which we did not measure. Proteinuria is associated with PFAS loss in the urine), AC‐134 showed the potential to improve the GFR and decrease acrolein, which might better indicate renal function change. Future studies are needed with longer follow‐ups.
The role of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index in predicting the necessity for surgery and therapeutic surgery in patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds
Authors: Demirpolat Muhammed Taha , İslam Mehmet Muzaffer
Published: April 2024

Background

In this diagnostic accuracy study, we examined the effectiveness of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in predicting the need for surgical intervention in patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASW) who exhibit unclear findings on physical examination yet remain hemodynamically stable.

Methods

Over a 7‐year period, patients with AASW were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups as surgical (SG) and nonsurgical group (nSG). The SG were also divided into two groups as therapeutic surgery (TS) group and the non‐therapeutic surgery (nTS) group. The groups were compared in terms of NLR, PLR values and SII scores.

Results

In a retrospective analysis of 199 patients with AASW, NLR, PLR and SII obtained during clinical follow‐up of patients with AASW in whom the necessity for immediate surgery was unclear significantly predicted therapeutic surgery (p < 0.001 for all). These parameters did not show a significant difference in predicting the need for surgery at the admission. NLR showed an AUC of 0.971 and performed significantly better than PLR and SII (AUC = 0.874 and 0.902, respectively) in predicting TS. The optimal cut‐off value for NLR was 3.33, with a sensitivity of 98.2%, a specificity of 90%, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.02. Time from admission to surgery was significantly shorter in the TS group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

NLR, PLR and SII values may be useful in predicting therapeutic surgery during clinical follow‐up in AASW patients with unclear physical examination findings and in whom immediate surgical decisions cannot be made.
Tighter Construction of Tight Büchi Automata
Authors: Jankola Marek , Strejček Jan
Published: April 2024

Tight automata are useful in providing the shortest counterexample in LTL model checking and also in constructing a maximally satisfying strategy in LTL strategy synthesis. There exists a translation of LTL formulas to tight Büchi automata and several translations of Büchi automata to equivalent tight Büchi automata. This paper presents another translation of Büchi automata to equivalent tight Büchi automata. The translation is designed to produce smaller tight automata and it asymptotically improves the best-known upper bound on the size of a tight Büchi automaton equivalent to a given Büchi automaton. We also provide a lower bound, which is more precise than the previously known one. Further, we show that automata reduction methods based on quotienting preserve tightness. Our translation was implemented in a tool called Tightener. Experimental evaluation shows that Tightener usually produces smaller tight automata than the translation from LTL to tight automata known as CGH.
Synthesis with Privacy Against an Observer
Authors: Kupferman Orna , Leshkowitz Ofer , Shamash Halevy Naama
Published: April 2024

We study automaticsynthesisof systems that interact with their environment and maintainprivacyagainst an observer to the interaction. The system and the environment interact via setsIandOof input and output signals. The input to the synthesis problem contains, in addition to a specification, also a list ofsecrets, a function$$\textsf{cost}: I \cup O \rightarrow {\mathbb N}$$cost:I∪O→N, which maps each signal to the cost of hiding it, and a bound$$b \in {\mathbb N}$$b∈Non the budget that the system may use for hiding of signals. The desired output is an (I/O)-transducer$$\mathcal {T}$$Tand a set$$\mathcal {H} \subseteq I \cup O$$H⊆I∪Oof signals that respects the bound on the budget, thus$$\sum _{s \in \mathcal {H}} \textsf{cost}(s) \le b$$∑s∈Hcost(s)≤b, such that for every possible interaction of$$\mathcal {T}$$T, the generated computation satisfies the specification, yet an observer from which the signals in$$\mathcal {H}$$Hare hidden, cannot evaluate the secrets.

We first show that the complexity of the problem is 2EXPTIME-complete for specifications and secrets in LTL, thus it is not harder than synthesis with no privacy requirements. We then analyze the complexity of the problem more carefully, isolating the two aspects that do not exist in traditional synthesis, namely the need to hide the value of the secrets and the need to choose the set$$\mathcal {H}$$H. We do this by studying settings in which traditional synthesis can be solved in polynomial time – when the specification formalism is deterministic automata and when the system is closed, and show that each of the two aspects involves an exponential blow-up in the complexity. We continue and studybounded synthesis with privacy, where the input also includes a bound on the size of the synthesized transducer, as well as a variant of the problem in which the observer hasknowledge about the specification, which can be helpful in evaluating the secrets. We study the effect of both variants on the different aspects of the problem and provide algorithms with a tight complexity.
Symbolic Solution of Emerson-Lei Games for Reactive Synthesis
Authors: Hausmann Daniel , Lehaut Mathieu , Piterman Nir
Published: April 2024

Emerson-Lei conditions have recently attracted attention due to both their succinctness and their favorable closure properties. In the current work, we show how infinite-duration games with Emerson-Lei objectives can be analyzed in two different ways. First, we show that the Zielonka tree of the Emerson-Lei condition naturally gives rise to a new reduction to parity games. This reduction, however, does not result in optimal analysis. Second, we show based on the first reduction (and the Zielonka tree) how to provide a direct fixpoint-based characterization of the winning region. The fixpoint-based characterization allows for symbolic analysis. It generalizes the solutions of games with known winning conditions such as Büchi, GR[1], parity, Streett, Rabin and Muller objectives, and in the case of these conditions reproduces previously known symbolic algorithms and complexity results.

We also show how the capabilities of the proposed algorithm can be exploited in reactive synthesis, suggesting a new expressive fragment of LTL that can be handled symbolically. Our fragment combines a safety specification and a liveness part. The safety part is unrestricted and the liveness part allows to define Emerson-Lei conditions on occurrences of letters. The symbolic treatment is enabled due to the simplicity of determinization in the case of safety languages and by using our new algorithm for game solving. This approach maximizes the number of steps solved symbolically in order to maximize the potential for efficient symbolic implementations.
Drawing from an Urn is Isometric
Authors: Jacobs Bart
Published: April 2024

Drawing (a multiset of) coloured balls from an urn is one of the most basic models in discrete probability theory. Three modes of drawing are commonly distinguished: multinomial (draw-replace), hypergeometric (draw-delete), and Pólya (draw-add). These drawing operations are represented as maps from urns to distributions over multisets of draws. The set of urns is a metric space via the Wasserstein distance. The set of distributions over draws is also a metric space, using Wasserstein-over-Wasserstein. The main result of this paper is that the three draw operations are all isometries, that is, they preserve the Wasserstein distances.
Enriching Diagrams with Algebraic Operations
Authors: Villoria Alejandro , Basold Henning , Laarman Alfons
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we extend diagrammatic reasoning in monoidal categories with algebraic operations and equations. We achieve this by considering monoidal categories that are enriched in the category of Eilenberg-Moore algebras for a monad. Under the condition that this monad is monoidal and there is an adjunction between the free algebra functor and the underlying category functor, we construct an adjunction between symmetric monoidal categories and symmetric monoidal categories enriched over algebras for the monad. This allows us to devise an extension, and its semantics, of the ZX-calculus with probabilistic choices by freely enriching over convex algebras, which are the algebras of the finite distribution monad. We show how this construction can be used for diagrammatic reasoning of noise in quantum systems.
JPF: From 2003 to 2023
Authors: Artho Cyrille , Parízek Pavel , Qu Daohan , Galgali Varadraj , Yi Pu
Published: April 2024

We give an account of JPF’s current architecture as it has evolved over the last 20 years. Key changes include a modular, extensible design, and Java 11 support.

Java 11 brought with it fundamental changes in the language and its runtime, in particular, a new modular library system, different compilation of string expressions to bootstrap methods, and changes in many internal interfaces that allow access to the loaded code and the virtual machine state. These changes required numerous adaptations in JPF to ensure a successful compilation and correct behavior under Java 11.
Automated Software Verification of Hyperliveness
Authors: Beutner Raven
Published: April 2024

Hyperproperties relate multiple executions of a program and are commonly used to specify security and information-flow policies. Most existing work has focused on the verification ofk-safety properties, i.e., properties that state that allk-tuples of execution traces satisfy a given property. In this paper, we study the automated verification of richer properties that combine universal and existential quantification over executions. Concretely, we consider$$\forall ^k\exists ^l$$∀k∃lproperties, which state that for allkexecutions, there existlexecutions that, together, satisfy a property. This captures important non-k-safety requirements, including hyperliveness properties such as generalized non-interference, opacity, refinement, and robustness. We design an automated constraint-based algorithm for the verification of$$\forall ^k\exists ^l$$∀k∃lproperties. Our algorithm leverages a sound-and-complete program logic and a (parameterized) strongest postcondition computation. We implement our algorithm in a tool called and report on encouraging experimental results.
Hitching a Ride to a Lasso: Massively Parallel On-The-Fly LTL Model Checking
Authors: Osama Muhammad , Wijs Anton
Published: April 2024

The need for massively parallel algorithms, suitable to exploit the computational power of hardware such as graphics processing units, is ever increasing. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for the on-the-fly verification of Linear-Time Temporal Logic (LTL) formulae [45] that is aimed at running on such devices. We prove its correctness and termination guarantee, and experimentally compare a GPU implementation with state-of-the-art LTL model checkers. Our new GPU LTL-checking algorithm is up to 150$$\times $$
×
faster on proving the correctness of a system than LTSmin running on a 32-core high-end CPU, and is more economic in using the available memory.
Weakest Precondition Inference for Non-Deterministic Linear Array Programs
Authors: Sumanth Prabhu S. , D’Souza Deepak , Chakraborty Supratik , Venkatesh R , Fedyukovich Grigory
Published: April 2024

Precondition inferenceis an important problem with many applications. Existing precondition inference techniques for programs with arrays have limited ability to find and prove the weakest preconditions, especially when programs have non-determinism. In this paper, we propose an approach to overcome the limitation. As the problem is uncomputable in general, our approach targets a special class of programs called linear array programs that are commonly encountered in practical applications and have been studied before. We also focus on a class of quantified formulas for pre- and postconditions that suffice to specify program properties in many applications. Our approach uses two novel techniques calledStructural Array Abduction(SAA) andSpecialized Maximality Checking(SMC). SAA is an abduction-based technique used to infer quantified preconditions and necessary inductive invariants. SMC proves that an inferred precondition is the weakest by finding an under-approximated program and solving the complement verification problem on it using SAA. When inconclusive, it attempts to weaken the precondition. Our approach can infer (and also prove) the weakest preconditions for a range of benchmarks relatively quickly, and outperforms competing techniques.
Training for Verification: Increasing Neuron Stability to Scale DNN Verification
Authors: Xu Dong , Mozumder Nusrat Jahan , Duong Hai , Dwyer Matthew B.
Published: April 2024

With the growing use of deep neural networks(DNN) in mission and safety-critical applications, there is an increasing interest in DNN verification. Unfortunately, increasingly complex network structures, non-linear behavior, and high-dimensional input spaces combine to make DNN verification computationally challenging. Despite tremendous advances, DNN verifiers are still challenged to scale to large verification problems. In this work, we explore how the number of stable neurons under the precondition of a specification gives rise to verification complexity. We examine prior work on the problem, adapt it, and develop several novel approaches to increase stability. We demonstrate that neuron stability can be increased substantially without compromising model accuracy and this yields a multi-fold improvement in DNN verifier performance.
SWAT: Modular Dynamic Symbolic Execution for Java Applications using Dynamic Instrumentation (Competition Contribution)
Authors: Loose Nils , Mächtle Felix , Sieck Florian , Eisenbarth Thomas
Published: April 2024

SWAT is a novel dynamic symbolic execution engine for Java applications utilizing dynamic instrumentation. SWAT’s unique modular design facilitates flexible communication between its symbolic explorer and executor using HTTP endpoints, thus enhancing adaptability to diverse application scenarios. The symbolic executor’s ability to attach to Java applications enables efficient constraint generation and path exploration. SWAT employs JavaSMT for constraint generation and ASM for bytecode instrumentation, ensuring robust performance. SWAT’s efficacy is evaluated in the Java Track of SV-COMP 2024, achieving fourth place.
Theta: Abstraction Based Techniques for Verifying Concurrency (Competition Contribution)
Authors: Bajczi Levente , Telbisz Csanád , Somorjai Márk , Ádám Zsófia , Dobos-Kovács Mihály , Szekeres Dániel , Mondok Milán , Molnár Vince
Published: April 2024

Thetais a model checking framework, with a strong emphasis on effectively handling concurrency in software using abstraction refinement algorithms. In SV-COMP 2024, we use 1) an abstraction-aware partial order reduction; 2) a dynamic statement reduction technique; and 3) enhanced support for call stacks to handle recursive programs. We integrate these techniques in an improved architecture with inherent support for portfolio-based verification using dynamic algorithm selection, with a diverse selection of supported SMT solvers as well. In this paper we detail the advances ofThetaregarding concurrent and recursive software support.
Trocq: Proof Transfer for Free, With or Without Univalence
Authors: Cohen Cyril , Crance Enzo , Mahboubi Assia
Published: April 2024

This article presents Trocq, a new proof transfer framework for dependent type theory. Trocq is based on a novel formulation of type equivalence, used to generalize the univalent parametricity translation. This framework takes care of avoiding dependency on the axiom of univalence when possible, and may be used with more relations than just equivalences. We have implemented a corresponding plugin for the interactive theorem prover, in the meta-language.
Monadic Intersection Types, Relationally
Authors: Gavazzo Francesco , Treglia Riccardo , Vanoni Gabriele
Published: April 2024

We extend intersection types to a computational $$\lambda $$
λ
-calculus with algebraic operations à la Plotkin and Power. We achieve this by considering monadic intersections—whereby computational effects appear not only in the operational semantics, but also in the type system. Since in the effectful setting termination is not anymore the only property of interest, we want to analyze the interactive behavior of typed programs with the environment. Indeed, our type system is able to characterize the natural notion of observation, both in the finite and in the infinitary setting, and for a wide class of effects, such as output, cost, pure and probabilistic nondeterminism, and combinations thereof. The main technical tool is a novel combination of syntactic techniques with abstract relational reasoning, which allows us to lift all the required notions, e.g. of typability and logical relation, to the monadic setting.
Circuit Width Estimation via Effect Typing and Linear Dependency
Authors: Colledan Andrea , Dal Lago Ugo
Published: April 2024

Circuit description languages are a class of quantum programming languages in which programs are classical and produce a description of a quantum computation, in the form of a quantum circuit. Since these programs can leverage all the expressive power of high-level classical languages, circuit description languages have been successfully used to describe complex and practical quantum algorithms, whose circuits, however, may involve many more qubits and gate applications than current quantum architectures can actually muster. In this paper, we present , a circuit description language endowed with a linear dependent type-and-effect system capable of deriving parametric upper bounds on the width of the circuits produced by a program. We prove both the standard type safety results and that the resulting resource analysis is correct with respect to a big-step operational semantics. We also show that our approach is expressive enough to verify realistic quantum algorithms.
Verified Inlining and Specialisation for PureCake
Authors: Kanabar Hrutvik , Korban Kacper , Myreen Magnus O.
Published: April 2024

Inlining is a crucial optimisation when compiling functional programming languages. This paper describes how we have implemented and verified function inlining and loop specialisation for PureCake, a verified compiler for a Haskell-like (purely functional, lazy) programming language. A novel aspect of our formalisation is that we justify inlining by pushing and pulling "Image missing"-bindings. All of our work has been mechanised in the HOL4 interactive theorem prover.
Artifact Report: Intel PMDK Transactions: Specification, Validation and Concurrency
Authors: Raad Azalea , Lahav Ori , Wickerson John , Balcer Piotr , Dongol Brijesh
Published: April 2024

This report extends §6 of the main paper by providing further details of the mechanisation effort.
“If You Really Want to Change the World, the Smartest Way to do so is Through Education”
Authors: Ehlers Ulf-Daniel , Eigbrecht Laura
Published: April 2024

Angela Duckworth (Fig. 10.1) is the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and the founder of Character Lab, a nonprofit that advances scientific insights to help kids thrive. Before her research career, Angela Duckworth was a math and science teacher at public schools, founding her passion for education. With one of the most-viewed TED talks of all time and the bestselling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance as well as as a podcast host, Angela Duckworth shares her research to a broader audience. In this conversation, we discuss the concepts of Future Skills and character strengths and what they can contribute to shape the future of education.
Towards a Future Skills Framework for Higher Education
Authors: Ehlers Ulf-Daniel
Published: April 2024

Skills are the ability and capacity to act and be able to use one’s knowledge in a responsible way to achieve a goal. Future Skills are an emerging concept based on the theory of competence and action, which form a holistic concept, involving the mobilization of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to meet complex demands. The NextSkills study distinguishes between three different types of skills: learning and growth skills which refer to an individual’s development process, design and innovation skills which refer to an individual’s capacity to deal with a certain object, task, or assignment in a new, creative way, and co-creation skills which refer to an individual’s way to productively shape their social environment and relation to the world.
Formative Assessment of 21st Century Skills
Authors: Seidl Tobias
Published: April 2024

Since 2016, the Faculty of Information and Communication at Stuttgart Media University has integrated comprehensive key competence modules in all its BA study programs. The aim is to prepare students for a demanding study program as well as an uncertain and therefore challenging future. Part of the modules is a sophisticated formative assessment approach, which supports the individual learning journey of the students. This chapter describes the design of the modules, as well as the assessment setting, in detail. The good practice example encourages reflection on one’s own approaches and perspective to teaching and assessing 21st Century Skills.
Future Higher Education in New Zealand: Creating a Universal Learning Community for Future Skills
Authors: Marshall Stephen
Published: April 2024

Skills challenges for the future embody major challenges for a national system of education. One is the ability of skills-development mechanisms to scale well beyond the limits of the existing models while also reducing dramatically the associated costs of development and operation for providers, and the costs of participation and achievement demonstration for learners. A second is that of being responsive to a rapidly changing environment, evolving existing structures to meet new needs. This chapter explores the New Zealand context for these challenges. A future-facing model, responding to these challenges and using inspiration from the New Zealand Māori concept of ‘Ako’, is presented. Described as ‘microlearning’, this model is proposed as an alternative for Future Skills development that avoids the pitfalls of credentialised approaches. The potential for microlearning for Future Skills development in regulated professionals is suggested as a starting point for initial exploration of this new model.
iRhom2 regulates ectodomain shedding and surface expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I
Authors: Calligaris Matteo , Spanò Donatella P. , Bonelli Simone , Müller Stephan A. , Carcione Claudia , D’apolito Danilo , Amico Giandomenico , Miele Monica , Di Bella Mariangela , Zito Giovanni , Nuti Elisa , Rossello Armando , Blobel Carl P. , Lichtenthaler Stefan F. , Scilabra Simone D.
Published: April 2024

Proteolytic release of transmembrane proteins from the cell surface, the so called ectodomain shedding, is a key process in inflammation. Inactive rhomboid 2 (iRhom2) plays a crucial role in this context, in that it guides maturation and function of the sheddase ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17) in immune cells, and, ultimately, its ability to release inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Yet, the macrophage sheddome of iRhom2/ADAM17, which is the collection of substrates that are released by the proteolytic complex, is only partly known. In this study, we applied high-resolution proteomics to murine and human iRhom2-deficient macrophages for a systematic identification of substrates, and therefore functions, of the iRhom2/ADAM17 proteolytic complex. We found that iRhom2 loss suppressed the release of a group of transmembrane proteins, including known (e.g. CSF1R) and putative novel ADAM17 substrates. In the latter group, shedding of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules (MHC-I) was consistently reduced in both murine and human macrophages when iRhom2 was ablated. Intriguingly, it emerged that in addition to its shedding, iRhom2 could also control surface expression of MHC-I by an undefined mechanism. We have demonstrated the biological significance of this process by using an in vitro model of CD8+ T-cell (CTL) activation. In this model, iRhom2 loss and consequent reduction of MHC-I expression on the cell surface of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line dampened activation of autologous CTLs and their cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Taken together, this study uncovers a new role for iRhom2 in controlling cell surface levels of MHC-I by a dual mechanism that involves regulation of their surface expression and ectodomain shedding.
Bitcoin as a Transaction Ledger: A Composable Treatment
Authors: Badertscher Christian , Maurer Ueli , Tschudi Daniel , Zikas Vassilis
Published: April 2024

Bitcoin is one of the most prominent examples of a distributed cryptographic protocol that is extensively used in reality. Nonetheless, existing security proofs are property-based, and as such they do not support composition. In this work, we put forth a universally composable treatment of the Bitcoin protocol. We specify the goal that Bitcoin aims to achieve as an instance of a parameterizable ledger functionality and present a UC abstraction of the Bitcoin blockchain protocol. Our ideal functionality is weaker than the first proposed candidate by Kiayias, Zhou, and Zikas [EUROCRYPT’16], but unlike the latter suggestion, which is arguably not implementable by the UC Bitcoin protocol, we prove that the one proposed here is securely UC-realized by the protocol assuming access to a global clock, to model time-based executions, a random oracle, to model hash functions, and an idealized network, to model message dissemination. We further show how known property-based approaches can be cast as special instances of our treatment and how their underlying assumptions can be cast in UC as part of the setup functionalities and without restricting the environment or the adversary.
IMPATIENT-qPCR: monitoring SELEX success during in vitro aptamer evolution
Authors: Kissmann Ann-Kathrin , Bolotnikov Grigory , Li Runliu , Müller Franziska , Xing Hu , Krämer Markus , Gottschalk Kay-E. , Andersson Jakob , Weil Tanja , Rosenau Frank
Published: April 2024

SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment) processes aim on the evolution of high-affinity aptamers as binding entities in diagnostics and biosensing. Aptamers can represent game-changers as constituents of diagnostic assays for the management of instantly occurring infectious diseases or other health threats. Without in-process quality control measures SELEX suffers from low overall success rates. We present a quantitative PCR method for fast and easy quantification of aptamers bound to their targets. Simultaneous determination of melting temperatures (Tm) of each SELEX round delivers information on the evolutionary success via the correlation of increasing GC content and Tm alone with a round-wise increase of aptamer affinity to the respective target. Based on nine successful and published previous SELEX processes, in which the evolution/selection of aptamer affinity/specificity was demonstrated, we here show the functionality of the IMPATIENT-qPCR for polyclonal aptamer libraries and resulting individual aptamers. Based on the ease of this new evolution quality control, we hope to introduce it as a valuable tool to accelerate SELEX processes in general.

IMPATIENT-qPCR SELEX success monitoring. Selection and evolution of high-affinity aptamers using SELEX technology with direct aptamer evolution monitoring using melting curve shifting analyses to higher Tm by quantitative PCR with fluorescence dye SYBR Green I.

Key points

• Fast and easy analysis.

• Universal applicability shown for a series of real successful projects.

Graphical Abstract
Temporal resolution and pitch discrimination in music education: novel data in children
Authors: Psarris Georgios , Eleftheriadis Nikos , Sidiras Christos , Sereti Afroditi , Iliadou Vasiliki Maria
Published: April 2024

Background

Rehabilitation of hearing and listening difficulties through neuroplasticity of the auditory nervous system is a promising technique. Evidence of enhanced auditory processing in adult musicians is often not based on clinical auditory processing tests and is lacking in children with musical education.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the temporal resolution and frequency discrimination elements of auditory processing both in adults and children with musical education and to compare them with those without any musical education.

Methods

Participants consisted of ten children without musical training and ten children with musical training with mean age 11.3 years and range 8–15 years as well as ten adults without musical education and ten adults with musical education with mean age 38.1 years and range 30–45 years. All participants were tested with two temporal resolution tests (GIN:Gaps-In-Noise and RGDT:Random Gap Detection Test), a temporal ordering frequency test (FPT:Frequency Pattern Test), and a frequency discrimination test (DLF: Different Limen for Frequency).

Results

All test results revealed better performance in both children and adults with musical training for both ears.

Conclusion

A positive effect of formal music education for specific auditory processing elements in both children and adults is documented. Larger samples, longitudinal studies, as well as groups with impaired hearing and/or auditory processing are needed to further substantiate the effect shown.
Large language models as assistance for glaucoma surgical cases: a ChatGPT vs. Google Gemini comparison
Authors: Carlà Matteo Mario , Gambini Gloria , Baldascino Antonio , Boselli Francesco , Giannuzzi Federico , Margollicci Fabio , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to define the capability of ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini in analyzing detailed glaucoma case descriptions and suggesting an accurate surgical plan.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 60 medical records of surgical glaucoma was divided into “ordinary” (n = 40) and “challenging” (n = 20) scenarios. Case descriptions were entered into ChatGPT and Bard’s interfaces with the question “What kind of surgery would you perform?” and repeated three times to analyze the answers’ consistency. After collecting the answers, we assessed the level of agreement with the unified opinion of three glaucoma surgeons. Moreover, we graded the quality of the responses with scores from 1 (poor quality) to 5 (excellent quality), according to the Global Quality Score (GQS) and compared the results.

Results

ChatGPT surgical choice was consistent with those of glaucoma specialists in 35/60 cases (58%), compared to 19/60 (32%) of Gemini (p = 0.0001). Gemini was not able to complete the task in 16 cases (27%). Trabeculectomy was the most frequent choice for both chatbots (53% and 50% for ChatGPT and Gemini, respectively). In “challenging” cases, ChatGPT agreed with specialists in 9/20 choices (45%), outperforming Google Gemini performances (4/20, 20%). Overall, GQS scores were 3.5 ± 1.2 and 2.1 ± 1.5 for ChatGPT and Gemini (p = 0.002). This difference was even more marked if focusing only on “challenging” cases (1.5 ± 1.4 vs. 3.0 ± 1.5, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

ChatGPT-4 showed a good analysis performance for glaucoma surgical cases, either ordinary or challenging. On the other side, Google Gemini showed strong limitations in this setting, presenting high rates of unprecise or missed answers.
Recent trends in core/shell nanoparticles: their enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor applications
Authors: Bilge Selva , Dogan-Topal Burcu , Gürbüz Manolya Müjgan , Ozkan Sibel A. , Sınağ Ali
Published: April 2024

Improving novel and efficient biosensors for determining organic/inorganic compounds is a challenge in analytical chemistry for clinical diagnosis and research in biomedical sciences. Electrochemical enzyme-based biosensors are one of the commercially successful groups of biosensors that make them highly appealing because of their low cost, high selectivity, and sensitivity. Core/shell nanoparticles have emerged as versatile platforms for developing enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors due to their unique physicochemical properties and tunable surface characteristics. This study provides a comprehensive review of recent trends and advancements in the utilization of core/shell nanoparticles for the development of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. Moreover, a statistical evaluation of the studies carried out in this field between 2007 and 2023 is made according to the preferred electrochemical techniques. The recent applications of core/shell nanoparticles in enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors were summarized to quantify environmental pollutants, food contaminants, and clinical biomarkers. Additionally, the review highlights recent innovations and strategies to improve the performance of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors using core/shell nanoparticles. These include the integration of nanomaterials with specific functions such as hydrophilic character, chemical and thermal stability, conductivity, biocompatibility, and catalytic activity, as well as the development of new hybrid nanostructures and multifunctional nanocomposites.

Graphical Abstract
Emotional and relational problems of adolescents with and without a migrant background in Europe: a systematic review
Authors: Rodríguez-Ventosa Herrera Elena , Muñoz-San Roque Isabel , Roldán Franco María Angustias
Published: April 2024

Mental health of migrant adolescents is a topic that has been widely studied in the past decades. Emotional and behavioural problems are amongst the most explored areas; however, little attention has been paid to the relational sphere, which represents another key aspect of mental health and is paramount during adolescence. This systematic review analysed the available evidence on emotional and relational problems comparing adolescents with and without a migrant background in Europe between 2010 and 2021. The search was conducted in four databases using a common search strategy composed of terms addressing adolescence, migrant population, and emotional and relational problems. Three rounds of screening produced 36 eligible studies. Factors affecting both types of problems were identified and categorised using thematic synthesis, dividing them into factors affecting both types of problems jointly or separately and analysing them according to three systemic levels affecting the adolescents’ lives (intrapersonal, interpersonal and external). Critical analysis of the results pointed to mixed findings, with a mild tendency in migrant-background adolescents to portray more emotional problems than their native peers and a stronger tendency for relational problems in the same direction. Several limitations were identified and, along with the conclusions, point to suggestions for future research focusing on studying relational problems as a key component of mental health and its link to emotional problems. Further suggestions entail designing studies that target adolescents with different migrant-background profiles and cultural origins to establish differences between them and identify additional factors affecting emotional and relational problems during the pre-migration and transit phases of the migratory journey to help prevent the onset of these problems.
Untersuchung verschiedener Vergleichsspannungshypothesen im Kontext der Dauerfestigkeit einsatzgehärteter Wellen
Authors: Pogert Jakob , Suchý Lukáš , Ulrich Carsten , Schlecht Berthold , Hasse Alexander
Published: April 2024

Im Allgemeinen wird bei einsatzgehärteten Bauteilen von einem spröden Randbereich und einem duktilen Kern ausgegangen. Dabei charakterisiert ein Wechselfestigkeitsverhältnis von $$\tau _{W}/\sigma _{W}=1$$

τ
W

/

σ
W

=
1
einen ideal spröden Werkstoff, während duktiles Verhalten durch $$\tau _{W}/\sigma _{W}=1/\sqrt{3}$$

τ
W

/

σ
W

=

1
/

3

charakterisiert wird. Bei der Auslegung von Wellen ist die Kenntnis des anzusetzenden Wechselfestigkeitsverhältnisses Voraussetzung zur korrekten Auswahl und Anwendung einer Vergleichsspannungshypothese. Diese dient der Berechnung eines skalaren Spannungskennwerts für mehrachsige Beanspruchungszustände oder nichtproportionale Beanspruchungs-Zeit-Verläufe. In der Praxis liegen die benötigten zyklischen Werkstoffkennwerte jedoch oft nicht vor, weshalb die Frage offenbleibt, welches Materialverhalten – insbesondere bei einsatzgehärteten Wellen – anzunehmen ist. Die Veröffentlichung gibt zunächst einen Überblick über in der Praxis angewendete Vergleichsspannungshypothesen. Um das Potenzial der verschiedenen Hypothesen im Kontext einsatzgehärteter Randschichten zu untersuchen, wird auf Dauerfestigkeitsversuche aus der Literatur zurückgegriffen. Es erfolgt eine Nachrechnung der Versuchsdaten und ein Vergleich der berechneten mit den experimentellen Dauerfestigkeiten. Eine Gegenüberstellung der Vergleichsspannungshypothesen unter Variation des Wechselfestigkeitsverhältnisses zeigt, dass mit der Gestaltänderungsenergiehypothese eine konservative Abschätzung der Sicherheit bei geringerer Streuung als mit der Normalspannungshypothese möglich ist. Somit erscheint die Annahme eines duktilen Verhaltens und folglich die Verwendung eines Wechselfestigkeitsverhältnisses von $$\tau _{W}/\sigma _{W}\approx 1/\sqrt{3}$$

τ
W

/

σ
W

≈

1
/

3

auch für einsatzgehärtete Randschichten möglich.