bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-occurrence of behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases and mortality risk in Spain: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Ortiz Cristina , López-Cuadrado Teresa , Ayuso-Álvarez Ana , Rodríguez-Blázquez Carmen , Galán Iñaki
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aims to estimate the impact of the co-occurrence of behavioural risk factors on mortality in the Spanish adult population.

Design

Population-based cohort study based on data from the 2011–2012 Spanish National Health Survey and the 2014 European Health Survey (n=35 053 participants ≥15 years of age) both linked to mortality data as of December 2022. Risk factors included tobacco use, high-risk alcohol consumption, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, leisure time sedentary lifestyle and body mass index outside the 18.5–24.9 kg/m2range. Deaths from any cause (n=2784), from diseases of the circulatory system (n=678) and from tumours (n=869) were identified. Standardised rate differences (SRD) and standardised rate ratios (SRR) were estimated using Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic variables.

Results

Compared with those with no unhealthy behaviours, overall mortality risk increased gradually as the co-occurrence of risk behaviours increased. Individuals with two factors had an SRD of 3.0 deaths per 1000 person-years (95% CI 1.8; 4.3) and an SRR of 1.88 (95% CI 1.35; 2.62). A coexistence of five risk factors increased SRD and SRR to 11.5 (95% CI 7.2; 15.8) and 4.34 (95% CI 2.84; 6.63), respectively. The association was stronger among individuals under 65 years of age, whereas it did not vary by sex and educational level. Those reporting five risk factors had SRRs of 6.35 (95% CI 2.91; 13.83) and 2.57 (95% CI 1.11; 5.98) for tumour-related and cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

The co-occurrence of unhealthy behaviours increases the risk of overall and cause-specific mortality. Targeting multiple risk behaviours should be incorporated into the public health strategy.
Reduction in bacterial culture positivity rates at a human milk bank facility of a tertiary care hospital: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Vadapalli Sailusha , Valvi Chhaya , Dawre Rahul M , Bhagat Vaishnavi , Chivale Sangeeta , Pawar Sameer , Kinikar Aarti A
Published: January 2025

Background

Human milk banks (HMBs) offer the best feed for neonates after mother’s own milk (MOM), especially when MOM is insufficient. Although HMBs are founded on standard protocols, contamination and wastage of milk due to positive milk cultures remain a problem. Present study was planned as a quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce culture rates at the HMB.

Aims statement

The aim is to reduce the milk-culture positivity rates at the HMB by 50% or more, over a span of 3 months.

Materials and methods

A QI initiative was undertaken at the milk bank of a tertiary-care hospital in Western Maharashtra in 2020. All human milk cultures sent since January 2018 were recorded from the data at HMB registry. The milk-culture rates had increased from 105/4376 to 125/3823 between 2018 and 2019. A fishbone analysis identified sources of contamination of donor milk during 2018–2019. PDSA (Plan Do Study Act) cycles begun from 2020, interventions aimed at reducing milk-culture positivity rates were tried, namely improved hand-hygiene, sanitisation of milk donors before collection, steam sterilisers for breast-pump accessories and recruitment of staff nurses at all stages of milk handling.

Results

Milk-culture growths had increased from 105/4376 (2.37%) in 2018 to 125/3823 (3.27%) in 2019 and then declined to 23/2103 (1.09%) in 2020, 12/2345 (0.51%) in 2021, 9/2985 (0.30%) in 2022 and 1/1322 (0.08%) in June 2023. The unit achieved reduction of over 99% in milk wastage during this period. This improvement was sustained till 2023 with consistent increment in quality of consumable donor milk.

Conclusions

The QI initiative was successful and led to significant decrease in milk-culture rates, which has been well sustained. The measures that led to the improvement in the quality of milk at the HMB were improvement in hand hygiene, use of steam sterilisers and presence of committed individuals at all stages of milk handling. These methods are simple, easily replicated and sustainable with a promise of ensuring a steady supply of high-quality human milk.
Cardiovascular disease risk in cancer survivors: a population-based cohort study from the UK Biobank, and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Shu Chi , Mei Zubing , Yu Botao , Wang Xiran , Wu Hong , Li Changtao , Shen Yang , Liu Yiqiang , Li Hong , Zhao Jichun , Zhou Yanhong , Wang Ziqiang , He Yazhou , Xu Chuan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In addition to the well-recognised cardiotoxicity of cancer treatment, possible aetiological links between cancer diagnosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have gained growing research interests. We aimed to estimate the CVD burden among cancer survivors and illustrate population-level associations between these two conditions.

Methods

We first conducted a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank and a meta-analysis of previous population-based cohorts. HRs were estimated in the cohort study to evaluate the effect of cancer diagnosis on the subsequent risk of CVD compared with that of non-cancer individuals. We then systematically searched Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library to retrieve previous cohorts. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed to pool relative risk estimates. A combination of multiple statistical metrics was employed to appraise the evidence.

Results

A total of 39 755 811 participants (5 898 597 cancer survivors vs 33 857 214 cancer-free controls) were identified in our study. In the cohort study, a 51% higher hazard of CVD risk was found among cancer survivors (95% CI 1.48 to 1.55, p<0.001). The hazard decreased to 29% after adjusting competing risk. The meta-analysis identified 104 published cohorts. We found a 1.34-fold increased CVD risk among patients with cancer (95% CI 1.22 to 1.47, p<0.001). The association remains significant among multiple cancer sites and multiple CVD subtypes. This association was consistent, irrespective of chemo or radiotherapy use. Evidence appraisal identified one convincing association between hematologic/lymphatic malignancies and ischaemic heart disease, along with 29 highly suggestive associations.

Conclusions

Our study provided comprehensive estimates of CVD incidence in cancer survivors and identified a significantly elevated CVD risk among patients with cancer, regardless of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These findings underscore the need for routine assessment of CVD risk factors at cancer diagnosis to enhance the well-being and survival of patients with cancer.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022307056
Metabolic profiles of cutaneous lupus have abnormalities in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pathway
Authors: Abbas Laila F , Barber Grant , Lu Grace , Chamseddin Bahir , Vu Hieu , Cai Ling , Srivastava Divya , Nijhawan Rajiv L , Wang Richard C , Chong Benjamin F
Published: January 2025

Objective

Metabolic reprogramming plays a critical role in modulating the innate and adaptive immune response, but its role in cutaneous autoimmune diseases, such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), is less well studied. An improved understanding of the metabolic pathways dysregulated in CLE may lead to novel treatment options, biomarkers and insights into disease pathogenesis. The objective was to compare metabolomic profiles in the skin and sera of CLE and control patients using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional pilot study comparing metabolomic sera and skin profiles of patients with CLE and normal controls. Patients were recruited from outpatient dermatology clinics at the University of Texas Southwestern and Parkland Health in Dallas, Texas, from January 2019 to October 2020. Skin and serum samples underwent LC-MS analysis. Disease sample metabolite levels were compared with controls, with significance levels adjusted for multiple hypothesis testing.

Results

17 serum samples (9 CLE, 8 control) and 11 skin samples (5 CLE, 6 control) were analysed using LC-MS, yielding 313 known unique metabolic structures from CLE samples. Patients with CLE were found to have 11 metabolites of differential abundance in the skin, but only 2 in the sera. CLE skin showed increased levels of citrulline (log2fold change (FC)=1.15, p=0.02) and uracil (log2FC=1.79, p=0.04), and downregulation of cyclic ADP ribose (cADPr) (log2FC=0.83, p=0.04), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) (log2FC=0.75, p=0.016) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) (log2FC=0.86, p=0.016) versus control skin. CLE sera had increased arabinose (log2FC=1.17, p=0.02) and cystine (log2FC=1.04, p=0.03) compared with control sera.

Conclusions

Metabolites associated with the NAD+pathway may be dysregulated in the skin of patients with CLE. Available treatments including nicotinamide supplementation and anti-CD38 biologics that can correct these abnormalities can be further investigated in patients with CLE.
Trends in work participation among patients with inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs): Data from the German National Database (2010–2022)
Authors: Veltri Carlo , Albrecht Katinka , Kiltz Uta , Meyer-Olson Dirk , Späthling Susanna , Strangfeld Anja , Thiele Katja , Callhoff Johanna
Published: January 2025

Objective

To analyse work participation among patients with inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs), namely rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 16 421 patients from the National Database of the German Collaborative Arthritis Centers, aged <65 years were analysed. For each diagnosis, yearly rates of absenteeism, employment and disability pensions were analysed from 2010 to 2022. Population data were used to calculate standardised employment ratios (SERs), adjusted for age, sex, federal state and vocational qualification. The analysis was additionally stratified by sex, adjusting for other factors.

Results

Over the observed time span, large employment increases were found across all diagnoses, namely in RA (54%–68%), PsA (58%–72%), SSc (47%–66%), AAV (43%–61%), SLE (48%–60%) and axSpA (65%–73%). SERs were for RA 0.88 (95% CI 0.86 to 0.90), axSpA (0.88 (0.84 to 0.91)), PsA (0.88 (0.85 to 0.91)), SSc (0.83 (0.75 to 0.91)), SLE (0.76 (0.72 to 0.80)) and AAV (0.73 (0.63 to 0.83)). In RA, axSpA, PsA and AAV, SERs were higher in men while in SLE and SSc men had lower SER. Median of yearly absenteeism due to the disease decreased by 5 (RA), 1 (axSpA), 6 (PsA), 11 (SLE), 4 (SSc) and 10 days (AAV) in the time span. Except for SSc, the proportion of disability pension receivers decreased for all diagnoses.

Conclusion

Since 2010, work participation has improved for patients with iRMDs, as reflected in higher employment, reduced absenteeism and less disability retirement. However, patients have not reached population employment rates.
Distinct clinical outcomes based on multiple serum cytokine and chemokine profiles rather than autoantibody profiles and ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective ultrasound cohort study
Authors: Fukui Shoichi , Michitsuji Tohru , Endo Yushiro , Nishino Ayako , Furukawa Kaori , Morimoto Shimpei , Shimizu Toshimasa , Umeda Masataka , Sumiyoshi Remi , Koga Tomohiro , Iwamoto Naoki , Tamai Mami , Origuchi Tomoki , van Schie Karin A J , Ueki Yukitaka , Eiraku Nobutaka , Yoshitama Tamami , Matsuoka Naoki , Suzuki Takahisa , Okada Akitomo , Hamada Hiroaki , Ayano Masahiro , Hidaka Toshihiko , Tsuru Tomomi , Maeda Takahiro , Huizinga Tom W J , Toes René E M , Kawakami Atsushi , Kawashiri Shin-Ya
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To evaluate the potential of clinical factors, ultrasound findings, serum autoantibodies, and serum cytokine and chemokine profiles as predictors of clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

We included 200 patients with RA treated with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in a prospective multicentre ultrasound cohort study. Their serum levels of multiple cytokines and chemokines, rheumatoid factors, and serum autoantibodies (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide-2 (anti-CCP2) and anti-carbamylated protein antibodies) were measured at baseline, 3 months and 12 months.

Results

Dimensionality reduction using 38 cytokines and chemokines demonstrated four distinct clusters that differed significantly regarding the frequencies of remission defined by clinical composite measures and ultrasound evaluations. Prominent differences in IL-1β, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10, IFNγ, GRO, IP-10, MCP-1 and MIP-1β characterised the between-cluster differences. Two distinct groups made of four clusters showed a significant difference in IgM-anti-CCP2 positivity. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression of 38 cytokines and chemokines for Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission at 12 months resulted in the selection of MIP-1β. Logistic regression using baseline levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibody, IgM-anti-CCP2 positivity, the CDAI, the total power Doppler score, the cluster by cytokines and chemokines, MIP-1β, methotrexate dose and mechanisms of action revealed that cluster by cytokines and chemokines was the sole significant factor for CDAI remission at 12 months.

Conclusions

Specific patterns of cytokines and chemokines—no other clinical factors and autoantibody profiles—were important to distinguish patients with RA achieving remission at 12 months.

Trial registration number

UMIN000012524.
Efficacy of butylphthalide in preventing cognitive decline in ischaemic stroke survivors: a 12-month prospective following-up study
Authors: Han Qingqing , Zhao Xiyu , Shao Yingzhe , Tan Fengtao , Wen Haotian , Wang Di , Li Xiao , Wang Yunfan , Tu Jun , Wang Lifeng , Ning Xianjia , Wang Jinghua , Li Yan
Published: January 2025

Background

Cognitive decline is a significant concern for stroke survivors, affecting their quality of life and increasing their burden on the healthcare system. DL-3-n-butylphthalide (butylphthalide) has shown efficacy in the short-term treatment of various cognitive impairments. This study evaluated the efficacy of butylphthalide in preventing cognitive decline over a 12-month period in patients with ischaemic stroke.

Methods

This prospective following-up study involved patients newly diagnosed with ischaemic stroke between 1 month and 6 months after stroke onset and not in the acute phase. Patients were assigned to either the butylphthalide or control group. Cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up. Statistical analyses included t-tests, χ2tests and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Butylphthalide was negatively associated with the MMSE D-value (β=−0.122; 95% CI −1.932 to −0.298; p=0.003) and the MMSE D-value percentage (β=−0.117; 95% CI −0.057 to −0.011; p=0.004). A multivariate analysis indicated that butylphthalide treatment was negatively associated with both changes in orientation and language score. Additionally, the incidence of cognitive decline was significantly lower in the butylphthalide group (OR, 0.612; p=0.020) than the control group. An age of ≥60 years and lower educational level were identified as risk factors for lower cognitive score and cognitive decline.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that butylphthalide is effective in preventing cognitive decline in patients with ischaemic stroke. These findings have significant implications for clinical practice, suggesting that butylphthalide could be incorporated into standard post-stroke care regimens to improve patient outcomes and reduce the healthcare burden. Additional multicentre double-blind trials are recommended to confirm these results in diverse populations.
Dynamical system analysis for extended f(P) gravity coupled with scalar field
Authors: Mandal Ratul , Debnath Ujjal , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: January 2025

In the present article, we have explored the physical characteristics of extended f(P) gravity through the dynamical system analysis. We choose the function f(P) in the form of a polynomial of second order, i.e.

$$f(P)=\alpha P +\beta P^2$$

f

(
P
)

=
α
P
+
β

P
2

, where

$$\alpha $$

α

and

$$\beta $$

β

are constant parameters. As an additional dark energy component, we take a canonical scalar field

$$\phi $$

ϕ

, and several types of interaction between the dark components are considered. After presenting the field equation for the corresponding cosmological setup, we introduce some dimensionless variables and formulate a nonlinear autonomous system. For the different interaction scenarios, we have investigated the phase space and their physical characteristics and the dynamics of the cosmological solution associated with each critical point. For the first interaction model, the results we obtained by the analysis of phase space reveals that the cosmological solution associated with critical points exhibits two different cosmological epochs, namely the de-sitter epoch and quintessence epoch. For the second interaction model, the solutions represent the quintessence era. We have also studied the dynamical stability properties of each critical point by linear stability theory and determined possible physical constraints to the parameters. The cosmological solutions support cosmic acceleration. Moreover, an analysis of statefinder parameter {r,s} in terms of the dynamical system variable is presented. Based on the mathematical prospects, the modified theory of gravitation based on the extension of f(P) cubic gravity has the potential to manifest an accelerated expansion during late-time evolution.
Almost Perfect c-Nonlinear Permutations with Trace Functions Over 𝔽2n
Authors: Wang Yan-Ping , Chen Yiwen , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2025

In this paper, by using the Weil sums, we derive that the [Formula: see text]-differential uniformity of permutation polynomial of the form [Formula: see text] is equal to [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], or [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. In particular, several explicit classes of APcN permutations over [Formula: see text] are presented using different choices of the pair [Formula: see text] for the monomial [Formula: see text].
Examining the soliton solutions and characteristics analysis of fractional coupled nonlinear Shrödinger equations
Authors: Ahmad Jamshad , Hameed Maham , Mustafa Zulaikha , Ali Asghar
Published: January 2025

The [Formula: see text]-dimensional fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations (FCNLSEs) are investigated in this work. This model is important as it involves applications in allowing soliton wavelength division multiplexing and pulse propagation in two-mode optical fibers. This means it is important for the study of the dynamics of solitons in dispersive, inhomogeneous, nonlinear media, and, therefore, it is a tool of prime value for the development of advanced optical communication technologies. Beta space-time fractional derivative, which is important in dielectric polarization and electromagnetic systems, is used to evaluate the FCNLSE. We capitalize a modified version of the Sardar sub-equation method for the purpose of getting different soliton solutions. Solutions take the form of optical solitons, including dark, bright, periodic, peakons, compactons, and kink soliton solutions, formulated using exponential, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions. To make our understanding of the physical meaning of these solutions richer, we apply advanced plotting techniques, examples of which are the three-dimensional (3D), two-dimensional (2D), contour, and density plots. Such plots provide a colorful overview of the dynamic behavior of the solutions obtained. The solutions do not only pinpoint the fact that the result is an effective and accurate method application, but they also set a high standard in further probing meaning in the numerous physical phenomena. These new solutions go beyond earlier studies in the literature by incorporating beta derivatives as a modeling tool for FCNLSE. The methodology applied here functions seamlessly and can be extended to address numerous advanced models in contemporary areas of science and engineering. The anticipated usefulness of the derived solutions in various scientific domains, particularly optics, is expected to make a valuable contribution to the fiber communication system in future research endeavors.
Construction and Attractor Analysis of Discrete Chaotic Systems Based on Julia Fractal Transformation
Authors: Yang Xiao , Bao Liyong , Zhou Dongming , Si Yonghui
Published: January 2025

Fractals and chaotic systems play an important role in science and engineering. However, few scholars have focused on further deep integration of multiple fractals and multi-level cascaded chaotic systems to create new discrete chaotic maps. In this paper, we propose an innovative method to construct a series of new fractal chaotic maps by borrowing the concept of Julia fractal. Unlike previous fractal discrete map designs, this method enriches the dynamical behavior of the new maps by introducing the topological complexity of multiple fractal transformations into chaotic systems in terms of system structure. More importantly, it ensures that the new system dynamical structure satisfies the necessary condition for generating chaos through an internal feedback mechanism, i.e. the initial error is continuously transmitted in each state of the system iteration. The paper applies the method to eight types of discrete chaotic maps, generating various fractal chaotic maps, revealing new chaotic attractors as a result, and discussing the dynamical characteristics of discrete fractal chaotic maps through Lyapunov exponent, information entropy, spectral entropy, C0 complexity and bifurcation diagram analysis. The dynamical analysis indicates that the proposed fractal chaotic maps have higher complexity and stronger randomness. Consequently, the method proposed in this paper for generating new discrete chaotic maps through Julia fractal offers a novel approach to the design of chaotic systems, with promising potential for engineering and scientific applications.
Driving Trajectories of Multistable Systems to Desirable Modes with Parametric Excitations
Authors: Yang Qiong , Zhou Biliu , Li Denghui , Li Yanpeng , Grebogi Celso
Published: January 2025

In this work, switching of vibrations between different modes of a class of multistable systems with parametric excitations is studied. An intermittent control method without altering the underlying dynamics of the system or its coexisting attractors is proposed. When an orbit meets a proximity constraint with the desired orbit, the control action is applied intermittently in the time domain. This control input is operated by perturbing one of the attractors with an impulsive force, thereby switching the system response to the other attractor. The stability of the method is analyzed theoretically, and its effectiveness is verified by numerical results. Additionally, the influences of neighborhood boundary on the amplitude and duration of control inputs in unconstrained and constrained intermittent control methods are also analyzed.
Texture Size Reduction Through Symmetric Overlap and Texture Carving
Authors: Knodt Julian , Gao Xifeng
Published: January 2025

Maintaining memory-efficient 3D assets is critical for game development due to size constraints for applications, as well as runtime costs such as GPU data transfers. While most prior work on 3D modeling focuses on reducing triangle count, few works focus on reducing texture sizes.

We propose an automatic approach to reduce the texture size for 3D models while maintaining the rendered appearance of the original input. The two core components of our approach are (1)
overlapping
identical UV charts and
folding
mirrored regions within charts through an optimal transport optimization, and (2)
carving
redundant and void texels in a UV-aware and texture-aware way without inverting the UV mesh. The first component creates additional void space, whereas the second removes void space, and their combination can greatly increase texels utilized by the UV mesh at lower texture resolutions.

Our method is robust and general, and can process a 3D model with arbitrary UV layout and multiple textures without modifying the 3D mesh. We evaluate our approach on 110 models from the Google Scanned Object dataset and 64 models from Sketchfab. Compared to other approaches, ours has on average 1 to 3 dB PSNR higher rendering similarity and reduces pixelation in visual comparisons.
Secured Network Architectures Based on Blockchain Technologies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Song-Kyoo , Vong Hou Cheng
Published: January 2025

Blockchain applications have emerged in recent decades, among which blockchain secured-networks serve as a prevalent application. This article discusses the potential of networks secured by blockchain technology to enhance various domains and provides a structured view of the current landscape of blockchain applications, capturing the practical applications and potential of blockchain technology. Following a background overview, a comprehensive survey analysis of the latest advancements in blockchain-secured networks is presented, comprising six application fields: Vehicular Ad-Hoc, Health Care, Smart Home, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Internet of Things (IoT), and Industrial IoT Networks. An in-depth discussion of these key research topics within blockchain-secured networks is provided, enhancing understanding of their application and influence across multiple disciplines. The study overall conveys the versatility of blockchain-secured networks, highlighting their immense potential for application in various practical fields. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the current trends in blockchain application, this articles enables readers to navigate information effectively and identify key areas of interest, facilitating further exploration and research opportunities in the field of blockchain technology.
HM-ORAM: A Lightweight Crash-consistent ORAM Framework on Hybrid Memory System
Authors: Liu Gang , Xiao Zheng , Li kenli , Wang Rujia
Published: January 2025

Byte-addressable non-volatile memory (NVM) is a promising alternative technology for main memory, allowing the processor to access persistent data in the main memory directly. Systems with emerging NVM as the main memory still suffer from information leakage, performance, and endurance challenges. Fortunately, Oblivious RAM (ORAM) provides provable secure address obfuscation and encryption and can be used to build a secure memory system. However, it is challenging to support crash consistency with the increasing use of NVM as persistent memory. Current state-of-the-art PS-ORAM systems are designed based on pure NVM memory systems, which suffer from low performance. Different from the previous PS-ORAM system, in this work, we consider a hybrid memory system (both NVM and DRAM) and aim to build a crash-consistent ORAM framework with low overhead. We propose the HM-ORAM framework, which includes a novel ORAM tree-level partition scheme, a lightweight data persistency architecture, and a secure access protocol. It makes full advantage of both hybrid memory technologies to achieve the design requirements to support crash consistency and persistence of ORAM systems with minimal write overhead. Without compromising security, HM-ORAM can outperform an NVM-based ORAM (i.e., NVM-ORAM) system by 1.23 × and 1.39 × in non-recursive and recursive implementations.
Effective Fault Effects Evaluation for Permanent Faults in GPUs executing DNNs
Authors: Guerrero Balaguera Juan David , Rodriguez Condia Josie Esteban , Sonza Reorda Matteo
Published: January 2025

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have permeated multiple applications, including cutting-edge safety-critical domains, which require relevant computational power, often provided by Graphic Processing Units (GPUs). GPUs are manufactured with advanced semiconductor technologies that can be affected by faults during the operational phase (e.g., due to wear-out, aging, or environmental harshness), whose effects possibly reach the DNN outputs, in some cases leading to catastrophic consequences. Hence, hardware-aware reliability assessments of DNNs are crucial to be considered in the context of safety-critical systems (following regulations/standards of specific application domains). Application-level fault injection (FI) techniques (i.e., DNN parameter corruption) are often adopted for the reliability evaluation of DNNs; unfortunately, these approaches hardly represent fault effects from GPU hardware. This work proposes an FI strategy based on Hardware-Injection-Through-Program-Transformation (HITPT) to mimic the effect of permanent faults (PFs) at the GPU instruction level, enabling effective assessment of PFs on DNN’s reliability. Our approach provides a good trade-off between the fault effect evaluation’s accuracy and the required computational time. Using the proposed approach, for the first time, we systematically assessed the effects of PF in GPUs executing some DNN sample cases. The results indicate that the faults injected closer to the hardware, using our evaluation strategy, can produce a higher accuracy degradation than the evaluations performed by the typical application-level FI that modify only the DNN parameters. Furthermore, the proposed FI methodology provides insightful results to identify the most suitable fault-tolerance solutions (e.g., selective hardening or design diversity) for their application at thread levels inside GPU’s kernels.
Running in the heat similarly reduces lipid oxidation and peak oxygen consumption in trained runners and inactive individuals
Authors: Mougin Loïs , Macrae Heather Z. , Henderson Alisha , Cable Thomas G. , Taylor Lee , James Lewis J. , Mears Stephen A.
Published: January 2025

This study shows that lipid oxidation and oxygen consumption are similarly affected by heat exposure in trained runners and inactive individuals. Carbohydrate oxidation and core temperature are greater in hot conditions in trained runners but not in inactive individuals. A lower metabolic heat production in inactive individuals for a similar relative intensity compared with trained runners could explain these differences in core temperature.
A case report of the female world record holder from 1,500 m to the marathon in the 75+ age category
Authors: Van Hooren Bas , Balamouti Zoi , Zanini Michele
Published: January 2025

This case study investigates the physiological determinants of exceptional performance in a 76-yr-old female world-record holder across distances from 1,500 m to the marathon. It reveals the highest V̇o2max ever recorded in females aged >75 yr and exceptional fractional utilization at metabolic thresholds and marathon speed, comparable to younger world-class distance runners. The modest running economy found can be partially explained by biomechanical and training data.
Annona muricata Aqueous Extract Ameliorates Testicular and Epididymal Sperm Toxicity in Rats Exposed to Gasoline Fumes
Authors: Ezim Ogechukwu E. , Agabus Naboth E. , Onyeike Eugene N. , Abarikwu Sunny O.
Published: January 2025

In the present study, aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata was assessed for its capacity to mitigate testicular damages and sperm toxicity induced by gasoline fumes. Thirty‐two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups of eight animals per group: the control group was given distilled water, and the PEBI group was exposed to petrol by inhalation and petrol‐exposed animals that were concomitantly treated with A. muricata at 100 and 200 mg kg−1 body weight (b.w), respectively (PEBI + AM100 and PEBI + AM200) via oral gavage. Oxidative stress markers, sperm quality variables and histological examination of the testes evaluated at the end of the 10‐week exposure period showed that coadministration of A. muricata significantly reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, elevated catalase (CAT) activity, diminished DNA fragmentation and improved sperm quality, thereby attenuating testicular and epididymal sperm toxicity in rats exposed to gasoline fumes. Interestingly, the higher dose A. muricata could also lower lipid peroxidation to below the control values, demonstrating the antilipoperoxidative and antioxidant protective effects of A. muricata in a gasoline fume model of testicular and spermatoxicity in rats.
Dietary DHA Regulated the Androgen Production in Male Chinese Tongue Sole Cynoglossus semilaevis
Authors: Liu Jiahao , Ma Qiang , Zhang Feiran , Gao Qingyan , Zhang Zhijun , Wei Yuliang , Liang Mengqing , Xu Houguo
Published: January 2025

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) play key roles in sex steroid hormone synthesis in fish. Regarding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), currently the regulating effects were mostly evaluated in female fish rather than males. This study aimed to investigate the DHA effects on the sex steroid hormone production in male Chinese tongue sole. Three experimental diets were prepared, containing different DHA levels: a control (C) group (5.16% DHA of total fatty acids [TFA]), a low DHA group (DHA‐L, 8.93%), and a high DHA group (DHA‐H, 16.47%). A 58‐day feeding experiment was conducted, and each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of fish. Additionally, an in vitro study with Leydig’s cells of this species was conducted to validate the in vivo results. The concentration of testosterone (T) and 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) in the serum increased with increasing levels of dietary DHA. Dietary DHA significantly upregulated the expression of steroid hormone biosynthetic genes p450c17, hsd17b1, hsd3b1, aromatase, hsd11b2, and p45011b in the testis. The protein expression of Hsd17b1 in the testis of the DHA‐H group was significantly higher compared to the other two groups, while the expression level of P450c17 showed an increasing trend with increasing dietary DHA levels. However, the in vitro results confirmed that the final concentration of DHA at 50 μmol/L could significantly increase the gene expression of p450c17 in Leydig’s cells. In conclusion, dietary DHA may promote the synthesis of T and 11‐KT through the regulation of protein (Hsd17b1 and P450c17) and gene (p450c17, hsd17b1, hsd3b1, aromatase, hsd11b2, and p45011b) expression of a series of key steroid hormone biosynthetic enzymes in male Chinese tongue sole.
Analysis of Structural Characteristics of the HALE Joined‐Wing Configuration UAV
Authors: Sun Junlei , Zhou Ye , Zhou Zhou , Wang Zhengping
Published: January 2025

This study focuses on a high‐altitude long‐endurance (HALE) joined‐wing configuration UAV and completes a preliminary structural design based on aircraft design indices and the fundamental principles of aircraft structure design. Based on the preliminary structural design scheme and aerodynamic shape, a structural finite element model and a vortex lattice aerodynamic analysis model of the UAV are established, and the aerodynamic loads in typical states are obtained. The aerodynamic loads of the UAV are applied to a finite element model using the multipoint row method, and the structural static characteristics are obtained. The study further explores typical structural dynamic characteristics, including natural mode, static aeroelastic, flutter, and gust response characteristics. A comparison with the structural characteristics of a conventional configuration UAV with the same structural weight reveals that the HALE joined‐wing configuration UAV exhibits significant advantages in structural stiffness, mode characteristics, flutter characteristics, and static aeroelastic characteristics, whereas the gust response characteristics are essentially equivalent to those of the conventional configuration. This superiority can be attributed to the reduced wingspan while providing the same lift and effective support effect of the rear wing on the front (Frt) wings, which enhances the structural stiffness of high‐aspect‐ratio HALE UAVs. This configuration is particularly suitable for deployment in high‐subsonic HALE configurations that require close coordination with conventional tactical aircraft. By comparing with the structural characteristics of the conventional configuration UAV with equal structural weight, the paper comprehensively analyzes the structural characteristics of the HALE joined‐wing configuration and obtains the advantages and disadvantages of applying the joined‐wing configuration in HALE aircraft and defines the design direction, which lays a solid foundation for the engineering application in the next stage.
Enhancing Soybean Yield Through Inoculation of Multifunctional Microbial Consortia
Authors: Travençoli Rossetim Murilo Francisco , Vargas Motta Antonio Carlos , Rocha Kondo Yanka , Santos Ruthes Barbara Elis , Hungria Mariangela , Falcão Salles Joana , Kaschuk Glaciela
Published: January 2025

Inoculating multifunctional microbial consortia offers potential benefits for enhancing plant growth and grain yield formation. This study verified the feasibility of inoculating soybean (Glycine max) seeds with multifunctional microbial consortia to improve soybean productivity. Seeds were inoculated with 12 combinations of inoculants [Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B. diazoefficiens for biological N2 fixation, Azospirillum brasilense for growth promotion via phytohormone release, Bacillus megaterium (=Priestia megaterium) and B. subtilis for enhancing P uptake, and Trichoderma harzianum as biopesticide] and grown in BOD chamber, greenhouse, and field experiments. In the chamber, inoculated seeds were subjected to germination tests. In the greenhouse, inoculated seeds were sown in pots with nonsterile soil, and plant growth was monitored until the flowering stage. In the field, plants were cultivated until physiological maturity. Soil and plant samples were collected at three growth stages: vegetative, reproductive, and maturation. Measurements included shoot, root, nodules, grain masses, and grain yield, alongside analyses of seed N, P, lipid, protein, and carbohydrate contents. The highest number of microbial inputs and the inclusion of T. harzianum in the microbial consortia impeded seed germination, hindered initial vegetative growth, and decreased plant densities in the plots. Likely due to the crop’s plasticity and the stimulation of microorganisms, the initial setbacks did not affect grain yield and soybean grain lipid content. Therefore, inoculating multifunctional microbial consortia holds promise as a sustainable approach in agriculture. Still, care should be taken concerning an excessive number of inoculants composing the consortia.
Global Trends in Research of Amino Acid Metabolism in T Lymphocytes in Recent 15 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Xu Jiaona , Yu Yinan , Li Shijie , Qiu Fanghui
Published: January 2025

Amino acid metabolism in T cells determines the therapeutic efficacy of T‐cell‐targeting drugs. To assess the direction of amino acid metabolism in T cells and construct related knowledge structure, we performed a bibliometric analysis aiming at amino acid metabolism in T cells utilizing studies publicized in recent 15 years. Three hundred thirty‐seven related studies were downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), and the information on countries, institutes, and authors was collected and analyzed. In addition, the present research status and future trends were explored according to the results yielded from the analysis of cited references and keywords. This study revealed that publications regarding amino acid metabolism in T cells gradually increased each year. The USA is the top producer and most influential country in this field. Recent research has focused on the correlation between the metabolism of several amino acids and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+ T cells. Overall, this research offers a comprehensive exhibition on the field of amino acid metabolism in T cells, which will help researchers to study this domain more effectively and intuitively.
Asian Options Pricing and Parameter Estimation of Uncertain Mean‐Reverting Currency Model With Exponential Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Exchange Rate
Authors: Zhou Lujun , Fu Zhigang
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces an uncertain mean‐reverting currency model that incorporates floating domestic and foreign interest rates along with an exponential Ornstein–Uhlenbeck exchange rate process, all grounded in uncertainty theory. Pricing formulas for both Asian call and put options are derived within this framework. The parameters of the model are estimated using real financial data from Canada and the United States, including the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (CORRA), the American Federal Funds Effective Rate (AFFER), and the monthly average exchange rate of the US Dollar to the Canadian Dollar (USDCAD). The method of moments is applied to estimate the unknown parameters, and goodness‐of‐fit tests are conducted to validate the parameter estimates. Numerical experiments demonstrate that Asian option prices decrease as domestic and foreign initial interest rates increase. The prices of call and put options show divergent behaviors with respect to the initial exchange rate and the fixed strike price. Additionally, the paper investigates the nonlinear relationship between option prices and expiration time. In the appendix, the uncertain currency model is transformed into a stochastic currency model, and statistical tests confirm its inapplicability to the selected data, thereby substantiating the choice of the uncertain currency model.
Modal and Wave Propagation Analysis of Vibration Tests on a Laboratory Building Model Before and After Damage
Authors: Liao Chun-Man
Published: January 2025

Weakened structural stiffness is often a consequence of building damage, particularly after severe events such as earthquakes, where compromised structural performance can pose significant risks. To prevent immediate structural failure, an early warning system is essential, which requires inspection of local components. This research aims to achieve that by exploring the wave propagation analysis method, specifically seismic interferometry. Previous studies have applied this method to building structures, treating them as homogeneous layers of grouped floors. By analyzing the wave travel time along the height of these layers, the fundamental period of the building was estimated. However, this approach did not account for local damage or the variability of structural components, similar to the limitations of vibration‐based damage detection methods, which mainly identify global changes. Thus, the goal of this paper is to improve structural health monitoring by examining the sensitivity of wave screening, bridging the gap between nondestructive testing and vibration‐based damage detection. A half‐scale, seven‐story building model, characterized by vertical stiffness irregularity and transverse plan asymmetry, was tested in a laboratory setting. Two vertical sensor arrays were placed near corner columns of different sizes, representing both strong and weak structural areas. These arrays recorded floor accelerations in three directions. The study confirmed the effectiveness of wave propagation analysis for detecting damage along the sensor arrays before and after the earthquake. A transmissibility damage indicator was used to correlate changes in wave velocity, providing a quantitative assessment of damage levels along the wave propagation path.
Os ciclos econômicos do Paraguai e a eficiência técnica da Administración Nacional de Eletricidad (ANDE) no período 1990 a 2018
Authors: López Anibal David Cuenca , Aquino Aline Lopes de , Gomes Adriano Provezano
Published: January 2025

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of Paraguay’s economic cycles on the technical efficiency of Administración Nacional de Eletricidad (ANDE) in the period from 1990 to 2018. For this purpose, a two-stage analysis was used. The first stage calculates the efficiency of the company using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In the second stage, a Tobit model with Bootstrap was estimated to evaluate the influence of external factors. The main results showed that during the analyzed period, ANDE had high average efficiency of 0.90, and the efficiency was equal to 1 in the years 1994, 1995, 2011, 2014, and 2018.
Design social e a representatividade LGBTQIAPN+ nas histórias em quadrinhos
Authors: Rocha Cláudio Aleixo , Almeida Sophia Nunes de
Published: January 2025

Social design was the theoretical basis for this research, and the main objective was to understand how minority communities, specifically LGBTQIAPN+, had their lives narrated in comic books. The final result was a catalog of comics with LGBTQIAPN+ themes and the creation of the original comic book: “Vivências”, which addresses the theme of adoption among same-sex couples and transgender representation. The comic book tells the story of a same-sex couple seeking to adopt a child. The narrative and visual composition of the comic show how graphic designers, with social objectives, can be an instrument of struggle, awareness and strengthening of representations that are invisible to society.
Pedogênese e taxonomia: retrospectiva histórica e cenários futuros
Authors: Ayer Joaquim Ernesto Bernardes , Lämmle Luca , Perez Filho Archimedes , Torres Bruno Araújo , Rubira Felipe Gomes , Lense Guilherme Henrique Expedito , Santana Derielsen Brandão , Moreira Vinícius Borges , Mincato Ronaldo Luiz
Published: January 2025

Soils can be categorized, ranked, and classified by common physical, chemical, biological, and morphological characteristics. Classification systems have evolved from grouping based on comparative diagnostic criteria to less rigid taxonomy techniques, which allow the introduction of free-form qualifiers. In general, soil taxonomy systems have evolved as methods and equipment for analyzing and collecting environmental data have improved. Such advances provided more dynamic classifications, with increasingly specific and accurate groupings, making them indispensable tools for the management of natural resources in an effective and sustainable way. Thus, in this review, the main theories of taxonomy and the fundamental processes operating in soils at the most important pedogenetic zones in the world were highlighted. Additionally, the architectures of the main soil classification systems were compared, aiming to establish relationships, differences, and correspondences. Their applications for improving sustainable practices in the use and management of pedological resources were also assessed. Thus, it was pointed out that classification systems are tools that must be applied using international standards, to raise, monitor and promote sustainable changes in land use and management, as environmental impacts are increasingly global and heterogeneous, and demand coordinated and collective efforts among different countries.