bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Securing the Diagnosis of Medical Imaging: An In-depth Analysis of AI-Resistant Attacks
Authors: Biswas Angona , Nasim Abdullah Al , Gupta Kishor Datta , George Roy , Shujaee Khalil , Rashid Abdur
Published: February 2024

Machine learning (ML) is a rapidly developing area of medicine that uses significant resources to apply computer science and statistics to medical issues. ML's proponents laud its capacity to handle vast, complicated, and erratic medical data. It's common knowledge that attackers might cause misclassification by deliberately creating inputs for machine learning classifiers. Research on adversarial examples has been extensively conducted in the field of computer vision applications. Healthcare systems are thought to be highly difficult because of the security and life-or-death considerations they include, and performance accuracy is very important. Recent arguments have suggested that adversarial attacks could be made against medical image analysis (MedIA) technologies because of the accompanying technology infrastructure and powerful financial incentives. Since the diagnosis will be the basis for important decisions, it is essential to assess how strong medical DNN tasks are against adversarial attacks. Simple adversarial attacks have been taken into account in several earlier studies. However, DNNs are susceptible to more risky and realistic attacks. The present paper covers recent proposed adversarial attack strategies against DNNs for medical imaging as well as countermeasures. In this study, we review current techniques for adversarial imaging attacks, detections. It also encompasses various facets of these techniques and offers suggestions for the robustness of neural networks to be improved in the future.
Cloud Elasticity of Microservices-based Applications: A Survey
Authors: Fourati Mohamed Hedi , Marzouk Soumaya , Jmaiel Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Elasticity is an essential treatment in Cloudenvironment employed in academic and industrial contexts. The main purpose of elasticity is to reduce thedeployment cost while optimizing computing resources.Multiple studies were conducted to tackle classic applications using monolithic architecture deployed withvirtual machines (VMs). However, with the spread ofmicroservice pattern, recent studies have been investigating this new trend using containers. This paperclassifies and discusses existing approaches dealing withcloud elasticity. It provides a novel taxonomy for elasticapproaches while focusing on microservices-based solutions. We additionally specify the strength and theshortcomings of each class of works. As a conclusion,we report the challenges for microservices-based applications elasticity and provide requirements for futureinvestigations.
A novel methodology to track nitrogen transfer in a grass-legume mixture using enriched 15N2
Authors: Queiroz Luana M. Dantas , Dubeux Jose Carlos Batista , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Vendramini Joao M. Bueno , Liao Hui-Ling , Jaramillo David Mirabedini , Santos Erick Rodrigo Silva , Abreu Daciele Sousa , Lira Mario Andrade , Casagrande Daniel Rume , Mackowiak Cheryl L. , Ruiz-Moreno Martin
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims – Legumes are a potentially important N source in pasture systems, but quantifying the transfer of biologically fixed N from the legume to the grass component is difficult. A greenhouse H-pot system was developed to directly estimate biological N2 fixation (BNF) and belowground N transfer using 15N2. The system was tested with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.). Methods – Legume and grass root systems growing in either individual or H pots were exposed to 15N2. Control H pots were separated by mesh to prevent contact between roots and mycorrhizae from each side of the pot. To reduce volume demand and avoid cross-contamination in the greenhouse, the gas was supplied through underground tubes in the root zone. Results – Ryegrass and clover were enriched in 15N when the respective root system was supplied with 15N2. Ryegrass was also enriched when clover roots were supplied with the gas and there was free root and mycorrhizal contact between both sides of the H pot, but not when this contact was precluded. Plants grown singly did not enrich when the gas was not supplied to their root systems. Conclusions – The H-pot construction allows the evaluation of belowground transmission, an important mechanism of N transfer. The method of gradually supplying 15N2 directly to the root system may be a valuable labeling technique for monitoring the transfer of nitrogen. The lack of enrichment when plants were not directly supplied indicates negligible atmospheric enrichment. Ryegrass enrichment, when supplied with the gas, suggests BNF by other mechanisms.
Accurate Detection of Ellipses based on Co-clustering
Authors: Wu Zihan , Yan Hong
Published: February 2024

Ellipse detection plays a vital role in computer vision, primarily due to the absence of efficient techniques to incorporate information from arcs in a global view. In this paper, we present a novel co-clustering-based approach that captures the global compatibility of arc pairs. Specifically, we compute the probability distributions of arcs and measure their similarity using Jensen-Shannon divergence to construct a compatibility matrix. Co-clustering extracts low-rank substruc-tures, each representing an ellipse. Experiments on synthetic images show a 10% improvement in accuracy and 15% in recall compared to previous methods. We also demonstrate performance on real images containing occlusions and overlapping ellipses from the Prasad dataset, the Coins dataset, the Tableware dataset and the Iris V dataset. Compared to techniques relying solely on local information , our method achieves higher accuracy in detecting small and occluded ellipses owing to its global perspective. The proposed technique provides an efficient, robust solution to ellipse detection across diverse scenarios.
An Unmanned Tank Combat Game Driven by FPSO-MADDPG Algorithm
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Yi , Zhou Yudong , Zhou Dianle , Yan Dan
Published: February 2024

With the development of artificial intelligence and unmanned technology, unmanned vehicles have also been applied to a variety of situations which may be hazardous to human beings, even in real battle fields. An intelligent unmanned vehicle can be aware of around situations and make appropriate responding decisions. In this paper, an FPSO-MADDPG framework is proposed for unmanned tanks, where multi-agent deep reinforcement learning algorithm is used in an unmanned tank game, and an improved particle swarm optimization (FPSO) algorithm is proposed to optimize key factors, like vehicle attitude and position. Simulation results show that our method not only can obtain higher winning rate, but also higher reward and faster convergence than other algorithms.
Behavioral Problems Among Young Adolescents in the Family and Neighborhood Context: a Case Control Study
Authors: Sitnik-Warchulska Katarzyna , Izydorczyk Bernadetta , Markevych Iana , Baumbach Clemens , Mysak Yarema , Buczyłowska Dorota , Szwed Marcin , Lipowska Małgorzata
Published: February 2024

Background: This study aimed to determine whether family and neighborhood social cohesion directly or indirectly impact the reduction of behavioral problems, including internalizing and externalizing behaviors in young adolescents. From a systemic approach, adolescent behavioral problems are influenced by family cohesion and mediated by neighborhood social cohesion.
Methods: Data from 700 parents of adolescents aged 10–13 years from southern Poland were analyzed. Within the total, 207 adolescents had diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, adjusting for financial situation and ADHD was used. Gender, ADHD, single-parent household, presence of siblings, and social media use were explored as moderators via stratified SEM models. The data come from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES-IV), and the Brief Form of the Perceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion Questionnaire (PNSC-BF).
Results: Family and neighborhood social cohesion were both related to behavioral problems. Neighborhood social cohesion was a significant mediator of the relationship between family cohesion and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Presence of siblings was a significant moderator for the indirect effect on externalizing behaviors.
Conclusion: The findings of the study support the thesis, that family and neighborhood social cohesion serve as protective factors for adolescent behavioral problems.
Clinical Trial: The clinical trial identifier is NCT04574414.
Efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in older patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective observational study (the OTARU-SEMA study)
Authors: Oe Yuki , Nomoto Hiroshi , Cho Kyu Yong , Yokozeki Kei , Ono Tsubasa , Miya Aika , Kameda Hiraku , Nakamura Akinobu , Arimura Yoshiaki , Atsumi Tatsuya
Published: February 2024

Background: Oral semaglutide in older subjects with type 2 diabetes was as effective as in younger subjects, according to phase 3 clinical trials. However, its efficacy can be limited in very aged population, due to the presence of impaired cognitive function and the complex instructions for its use. Here, we investigated its efficacy and safety by further age bracket in older subjects in real-world.
Methods: We retrospectively studied subjects >65 years of age with type 2 diabetes who started oral semaglutide treatment. The primary outcome was the change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over 6 months. Adverse events and cognitive function were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale-revised (HDS-R). The achievement rate of glycemic targets was evaluated based on the age, health status of subjects and their use of anti-diabetic agents which can cause hypoglycemia, with additional analysis between two subgroups; early (65-74) versus late (≥ 75) older. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationships between their improvements in HbA1c and the baseline characteristics of the subjects, including their cognitive function and insulin secretory capacity.
Results: We studied the efficacy of the drug in 24 subjects. Their HbA1c and body weight significantly decreased (−13.1 ± 7.5 mmol/mol and −3.0±2.4 kg, respectively; P<0.01). Although cognitive function was lower in the late older group (r=−0.57, P<0.01), changes in HbA1c showed no difference between the two subgroups (P=0.66) and it correlated with the insulin secretory capacity rather than cognitive function (r=−0.49, P<0.05). Glycemic targets were more likely to be achieved (P<0.01), but HbA1c excessively decreased in late older subjects who were also using insulin or an insulin secretagogue. The frequency of adverse events was similar to that in the clinical trial, whereas discontinuation of medication were more frequent among the late older subjects (Early; n=2, Late; n=4).
Conclusions: Oral semaglutide improves the glycemic control of older subjects, but it might be a risk for potential hypoglycemia and discontinuation in subjects of ≥75 years. Attention should be paid to insulin secretory capacity and concomitant medications rather than concern about adherence.
An experimental study on aging effects of fuel cut events including sound optimized torque reduction on modern three-way catalysts
Authors: Eickenhorst René , Koch Thomas
Published: February 2024

Continuously increasing country-specific emission standards for passenger vehicles demand additional development steps in complex exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for a more effective reduction of harmful gases. The efficiency of the aftertreatment system declines over its lifecycle due to specific load profiles and other boundary conditions, resulting in increasing emissions over vehicle mileage. As a result, the durability of the exhaust system becomes more important. Fuel cut is an intended, temporary interruption of the fuel supply of modern combustion engines of passenger cars to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. During this fuel reduction event, unconsumed oxygen of rich and cool fresh air is introduced to the combustion chamber and to the exhaust system. Besides a catalyst cool down, oxidation effects are provoked by enhanced oxygen reactions processes within the catalyst’s washcoat and surface layers. In this publication, specific aging cycles with a variation of fuel cut programs were examined on their effects on a modified modern eight-cylinder turbocharged engine, especially on their oxidation effects correlating to catalyst aging. Light-off curves and conversion heat maps were used to evaluate possible damaging impacts of fuel cut events on the aging behavior of the catalyst systems. Results indicate that higher frequency of fuel cut events results in a stronger catalyst aging, whereas thermal sintering might be reduced due overall lower temperature load. Temporary oxidation processes on catalyst’s surfaces occur only in a short timespan after changing the air fuel ratio to lean, resulting in a weaker thermal sintering during longer fuel cut events. Sound optimized torque reduction functions, used in sports cars for a better drivability and powertrain response, exhibit a stronger aging influence due to additional thermal shock effects on the catalysts front face, as demonstrated via optical infrared sensor technology during catalyst aging cycles on the modified engine bench setup. A theoretical calculation of aging processes as a combination of thermal sintering by Arrhenius equation as well as oxidation process is discussed to describe an aging classification induced via oxidation processes. Additional physisorption measurements of different catalyst probes support the results indicate the direction of future experimental approaches.
Respite Care for caregivers of mentally challenged children in Pakistan: A Feasibility Study of the Family Peer Support Buddy Program
Authors: Waqar Saman , Marwat Muhammad Imran , Ali Hayaa , Roshan Rukhsana , Babar Ayesha
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The Global prevalence of childhood disability is estimated to be around 95 million, with 50 million living in South Asia. In Pakistan, the prevalence of childhood disability is reported to be 19.1 per 1000 for profound disability, and 65.3 per 1000 for mild retardation. Caring for a child with a disability can have a significant impact on the well-being of caregivers. Respite care can be provided formally, taking help from trained professionals or informal care can be offered by friends and family members. Regardless of the type of respite care, the goal is to provide caregivers with a temporary break, which can help them, manage the challenges associated with care giving.
Aim: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of delivering the adapted version of the Family Peer Support Buddy Program by voluntary family members.
Methods and analysis: Setting: This study was carried out in rehabilitation institutes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Participants, including primary caregivers having a mentally challenged child and voluntary family members, were recruited. Volunteers were trained in their listening skills to provide respite to the caregivers.
Data collection: Data was collected from the participants on recruitment, retention during the intervention period, acceptance of the intervention, satisfaction with and completion of the intervention 3 times, (0, 6, and 12 weeks). The stress levels and quality of life of the caregivers were also measured thrice with the help of validated tools.
Results: 100 (100%) completed the first phase of data collection, 92 (92%) completed 2nd phase, and 85 (85%) completed 3rd phase of data collection. The acceptance rate for the mode and venue of intervention delivery was 100% and 68 (85%) of the caregivers and 74 (92%) of the volunteers were satisfied with the intervention. Results of the ANOVA test revealed a statistically significant difference in stress levels and quality of life of the caregivers before and after the intervention. Pearson product-moment correlation showed a strong negative relationship between stress levels and the quality of life of caregivers.
Distinct Myocardial Deformation Patterns Across Various Subtypes of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Wentao , Huang Yi , Wang Shan , Ge Yinghui , Lin Qing , Wang Xianpei , Zhu Zhongyu , Gao Chuanyu
Published: February 2024

Background Previous investigation into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have uncovered diminished myocardial contractility and heterogeneous left ventricular (LV) regional deformation. Furthermore, the distribution and extent of LV hypertrophy vary across different types of HCM. Despite these observations, there remains a need to comprehensively explore potential distinctions in myocardial deformation among distinct forms of HCM.Methods A cohort comprising 45 patients with septal HCM (SeHCM), 10 with apical HCM (AHCM), and 7 with symmetric HCM (SyHCM) patients undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) were investigated. Various clinical and echocardiographic measures were systematically collected. Strain (ε), strain rate (SR), and displacement, derived through CMR-feature tracking (CMR-FT) were quantified. Comparative analyses of CMR-FT results were conducted among the three HCM groups. Multiple linear regression models were employed to identify potential factors correlating to regional ε alterations.Results While all three HCM groups exhibited a reduction in global deformation, but the differences were not statistically significant difference (Ps > 0.05). However, distinct regional patterns in ε, SR, displacement were observed, particularly at basal and apical levels. SeHCM demonstrated lower basal ε parameters, while AHCM exhibited lower apical parameters, both with statistical significance (Ps < 0.05). Intriguingly, AHCM displayed lower apical deformation parameters compared to middle and basal indices, while SeHCM exhibited consistently lower basal deformation across all regions (Ps < 0.05). Consequently, base-to-apex global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) gradients were diminished in SeHCM and reversed in AHCM (GLS gradient: 2.29 ± 7.29 vs -12.81 ± 7.47, P < 0.001, GCS gradient: 2.81 ± 4.79 vs -5.04 ± 5.58, P < 0.001). SyHCM did not exhibit such regularities. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated a direct relationship between HCM types and reduced regional ε.Conclusion Our findings illuminate specific regional deformation changes and the loss of the base-to-apex ε gradient in different types of HCM. This observations could serve as early markers of cardiac involvement in HCM, offering independent and incremental diagnostic significance and distinctive patterns across various HCM subtypes.Trial registration NCT 04830787
Mobile Handwritten Signature Verification and Identification Using PCA for RemoteAuthentication
Authors: Kumar Rishu , Awasthi Sameer
Published: February 2024

This research proposal aims to develop a system for handwritten signature verification and identification using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with user access via mobile cameras. The goal is to create a convenient and secure method for remote authentication without requiring in-person visits. We will investigate the feasibility of capturing high-quality signature samples through mobile cameras, implement PCA for feature extraction, and develop an efficient system for remote signature-based authentication.
Applying the SOUND trial for omitting axillary surgery to patients with early breast cancer in Bahrain
Authors: Abdulla Ali Hasan , Althawadi Reem , Salman Ahmed Zuhair , Altaei Tareq Hamed , Mahdi Amina Mohamed , Abdulla Hussain Adnan
Published: February 2024

Purpose
The SOUND trial reported that omission of axillary surgery was not inferior to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in those with cT1 breast cancer and negative preoperative axillary ultrasound. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of early breast cancer patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) at our institution in order to investigate the exportability of SOUND criteria to our patient population.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients with cT1N0 breast cancer undergoing BCS and adjuvant radiotherapy at our institution according to the SOUND trial criteria. Comparison was made between the eligible group of our cohort and the no axillary surgery arm of the SOUND trial using the chi-squared test.
Results
The proportion of younger patients was higher in our eligible cohort (37.7% vs 19.8%, P = 0.002). Postmenopausal patients were observed with a higher percentage in the SOUND trial (77.7% vs 56.6%, P = 0.004). On final pathology, tumours were more likely to be upgraded to T2 in our group (26.4% vs 5%, P = 0.001). Patients in our cohort were more likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (37.7% vs 17.5%, P = 0.002).
Conclusion
The clinicopathological differences between our cohort and the no axillary surgery arm in the SOUND trial could be attributed to aggressive tumours in Bahrain compared to Western countries. Although this trial is unlikely to change guidelines immediately, it should generate multidisciplinary discussion in the de-escalation of axillary surgery. Our study may influence other surgeons to incorporate the SOUND trial into clinical practice.
Patterns, circumstances and risk factors leading to non-fatal drug overdose in a cohort of homeless population
Authors: Anderson Jennifer , Kurmi Om , Lowrie Richard , Araf Adnan , Paudyal Vibhu
Published: February 2024

Background It is known that most people who die from a drug overdose will have experienced some form of non-fatal overdose (NFOD) prior to the fatal event. Understanding the circumstances and risk factors of NFOD is key to reducing drug-related deaths, particularly in homeless populations where drug deaths dominate other causes of mortality. This study aimed to identify patterns, circumstances and risk factors leading to non-fatal overdose in people experiencing homelessness (PEH).Methods All recorded cases of NFOD from a population of PEH registered at a specialist primary care centre in England, UK, were identified using electronic patient-level medical records. Details of each overdose and patient characteristics were extracted. The heterogeneity between different variables with and without non-fatal overdoses were tested using Chi-square for parametric and Wilcoxon sum rank tests for non-parametric data. Multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to identify the risk factors of NFODs.Results From 1221 persons registered, 194 (16%) were identified as ever having had a NFOD with 428 overdoses between them. Of overdoses where implicated substances were recorded (264/428, 62%), half (n = 132) were polydrug related. Male sex was associated with a reduced risk of NFOD (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.81), white ethnicity a greater risk compared to Black/African/Caribbean (0.52, 0.21–0.85) or Asian (0.42, 0.20–0.89) and age 36–45 associated with higher risks (3.86, 1.33–11.22). Use of tobacco (5.45, 1.41-21.00) and alcohol (2.19, 1.51–3.17) increased the risk, as did a record of illicit substance use (5.86, 3.58–9.58). Chronic physical and mental health conditions also increased the risk of NFOD including respiratory conditions (1.84, 1.20–2.81), blood borne viruses (2.19, 1.46–3.28), migraines (2.21, 1.06–4.62), anxiety (2.27, 1.59–3.26) and depression (1.79, 1.26–2.55). Main substances of overdose were paracetamol (25%), heroin (23%), benzodiazepines (14%), cocaine (13%), antipsychotics (11%), SSRI’s (11%) and synthetic cannabinoids (9%).Conclusions Male sex, white ethnicity, alcohol and substance misuse, and presence of chronic mental and physical comorbidities were associated with higher NFOD in PEH. Prevention programmes focusing on preventing drug related deaths can benefit by prioritising people with higher risks. Future work should explore the role of chronic physical conditions and their treatment on NFOD risk.
Genetic landscape and prognostic value of IRF4 alterations in Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients
Authors: Qin Yan , Chen Xinrui , Xie Zucheng , Yang Jianliang , Yang Sheng , Gui Lin , Liu Peng , Xie Tongji , Zhou Shengyu , Zhang Changgong , He Xiaohui , Shi Yuankai
Published: February 2024

Objective: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common B-cell NHL with high heterogeneity. Patients with IRF4 alterations in various hematologic malignancies have a different prognosis.
Methods: From January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2022, all enrolled novel DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like regimens underwent high-resolution sequencing based on probe capture, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Publicity datasets were used to validate. Differential expression gene and connectivity map (CMap) analysis were used to screen the potential drugs to improve the clinical outcome.
Results: By April 28th, 2023, 324 patients were enrolled, 164 had disease progressed or recurrence, while 160 hadn’t. The number of patients in each group who had mutations in TP53, MYD88, BCL2, IRF4, STAT3, BCOR, ID3, and CD79A varied significantly. TP53 and IRF4 mutations (mPFS of mutation vs. wildtype: 33.93 vs. 11.17 months, p=0.018, HR:0.60, 95%CI:0.35-1.01) were found to be significantly associated with poor survival, according to univariate and multivariable analysis. Subgroup analysis showed that for IRF4mut GCB/nonGCB and IRF4wt GCB/nonGCB patients had significantly different PFS (p=0.002, HR:2.92, 95%CI: 1.05-8.10). Pairwise comparisons analysis show that the IRF4mutnonGCB subtype is significantly associated with shorter PFS in both our cohort and validation cohort (p=0.001). According to CMap , IRF4mut patients may benefit from regimens containing lenalidomide, ibrutinib, or mitoxantrone as first- and subsequent-line treatment options.
Conclusions: This study comprehensively described the genetic landscape of novel DLBCL. IRF4 mutation is an independent prognostic factor in DLBCL patients, and PFS is significantly shortened in IRF4mut nonGCB DLBCL subtype.
Epidemiological trends and susceptibility patterns of bloodstream infections caused by Enterococcus spp. in six German university hospitals – a prospectively evaluated multicentre cohort study from 2016-2020 of the R-Net study group
Authors: Hornuss Daniel , Göpel Siri , Walker Sarah V. , Tobys David , Häcker Georg , Seifert Harald , Higgins Paul G. , Xanthopoulou Kyriaki , Gladstone Beryl Primrose , Cattaneo Chiara , Mischnik Alexander , Rohde Anna M. , Imirzalioglu Can , Trauth Janina , Fritzenwanker Moritz , Falgenhauer Jane , Gastmeier Petra , Behnke Michael , Kramme Evelyn , Käding Nadja , Rupp Jan , Peter Silke , Schmauder Kristina , Eisenbeis Simone , Kern Winfried V. , Tacconelli Evelina , Rieg Siegbert
Published: February 2024

Objectives
To analyse recent epidemiological trends of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by Enterococcus spp. In adult patients admitted to tertiary care centres in Germany.
Methods
Epidemiological data from the multicentre R-NET study was analysed. Patients presenting with E. faecium or E. faecalis in blood cultures in six German tertiary care university hospitals between October 2016 and June 2020 were prospectively evaluated. In vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), the presence of vanA/vanB was confirmed via molecular methods.
Results
In the 4-year study period, 3001 patients with BSI due to Enterococcus spp. were identified. E. faecium was detected in 1830 patients (61%) and E. faecalis in 1229 patients (41%). Most BSI occurred in (sub-) specialties of internal medicine. The pooled incidence density of enterococcal BSI increased significantly (4.0 to 4.5 cases per 10,000 patient days), which was primarily driven by VRE BSI (0.5 to 1.0 cases per 10,000 patient days). In 2020, the proportion of VRE BSI was > 12% in all study sites (range, 12.8–32.2%). Molecular detection of resistance in 363 VRE isolates showed a predominance of the vanB gene (77.1%).
Conclusion
This large multicentre study highlights an increase of BSI due to E. faecium, which was primarily driven by VRE. The high rates of hospital- and ICU-acquired VRE BSI point towards an important role of prior antibiotic exposure and invasive procedures as risk factors. Due to limited treatment options and high mortality rates of VRE BSI, the increasing incidence of VRE BSI is of major concern.
Investigation of colistin resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by flow cytometry method
Authors: Ucak Safak Ceren , Ongen Betigul
Published: February 2024

Rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance is crucial for early initiation of appropriate therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether resistance to colistin, the last resort antibiotic, in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates can be detected accurately and rapidly by flow cytometry (FCM) and whether this method is convenient for routine use in clinical laboratories. The VITEK 2 automated system was used to identify K. pneumoniae strains and to determine their resistance to carbapenems and other antibiotics except for colistin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for colistin in 85 CRKP strains were determined by the broth microdilution (BMD), which is the reference method. In addition, FCM was used, combined with DiBAC₄(3) “bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol” fluorescent stain, which can detect the changes in the bacterial membrane potential caused by antibiotic treatment, to determine colistin susceptibility. The MIC₅₀ value of the strains, 80% of which were resistant to colistin by the BMD method, was 16 mg/L, and the MIC₉₀ value was 32 mg/L. When FCM was compared with the reference method, it was determined that the categorical agreement between both methods was 98.8%; the specificity, sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values of FCM were 94%, 100%, 98.5%, and 100%, respectively. Colistin susceptibility results with FCM were obtained within an average of 2 hours. In conclusion, these findings suggest that FCM holds great promise as a rapid and reliable alternative method for detecting colistin resistance in CRKP strains.
Habitat Suitability in High Andean Butterflies: Complexity and Heterogeneity of Land Covers for Conservation
Authors: Zambrano María Alejandra Méndez , Medina Gonzalo Ernesto Fajardo
Published: February 2024

High Andean butterflies in northern South America are subject to landscape change processes. Our study used habitat suitability models to assess the habitat suitability of three Satyrinae species in the Upper Bogotá River Basin, Colombia. These three species include Pedaliodes polla, Pedaliodes phaea, and Pedaliodes phaeina, the last two are endemic to Colombia. We used MaxEnt software to assess the habitat quality of these species, analyze the bioclimatic requirements that most influence them and propose priority conservation areas. Our results indicate that in most cases, the contribution of cover is more significant than 60%, so this variable determines the habitat capacity to support the species under study. We identified that the areas with suitable habitats are reduced with values less than or equal to 25% and are located in areas with a medium degree of intervention, which, by still conserving some contiguous forest fragments, allows the species to occur. On the other hand, the climatic variables with the most significant contribution to the models were Temperature Seasonality and Precipitation of Driest Quarter. Conservation efforts must be focused on the most suitable areas, given the reduction in habitat for these species. Our research emphasizes the need to safeguard well-connected remnants of the high Andean forest and natural cover in agricultural matrices to counter the impact of agricultural expansion.
Co-exposure to aluminium and cadmium mediates postpartum maternal variation in brain architecture and behaviour of mice; involvement of oxido-nitrergic and cholinergic mechanisms
Authors: Ichipi-Ifukor Patrick Chukwuyenum , Asagba Samuel Ogheneovo , Achuba Fidelis Ifeakachuku
Published: February 2024

Most research has not been done on the possible relationship between pregnant women' cross-metal exposures and postpartum neuroendocrine functions. The purpose of this study was to look into how co-exposure to aluminium chloride (AlCl3) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) affected the neuroendocrine and neurometabolic changes in postpartum mice A total of 24 adult pregnant female mice were used for the study. Group 1 comprised pregnant mice (n = 6) treated with AlCl3 (10mg/kg), group 2; CdCl2 (1.5mg/kg), group 3 a combination of AlCl3 (10 mg/kg) and CdCl2 (1.5 mg/kg) and group 4 served as control. Oral treatment of animals was done daily from gestation day 7 to gestation day 20. Upon delivery and weaning on postnatal day 21 (PND 21), behavioural assessment was done on the postpartum mice and immediately followed by sacrifice for assessment of histological and neuroendocrine markers. Our findings revealed that the brain-to-body weight ratio was affected and brain oxidative stress was elevated in mice exposed to AlCl3 and CdCl2 during pregnancy. Given the strong association between postpartum hyperactivity, social interaction index, brain catalase, and acetylcholinesterase activity, and the brain/body weight ratio, it is plausible that these effects have played a role in the adverse behavioural abnormalities observed in the postpartum maternal mice. Moreover, it noted that in certain situations, co-exposures to the metals tended to have opposite effects to single metal exposures.
GenPluSSS: A Genetic Algorithm Based Plugin for Measured Subsurface Scattering Representation
Authors: Yıldırım Barış , Kurt Murat
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a plugin that adds a representation of homogeneous and heterogeneous, optically thick, translucent materials on the Blender 3D modeling tool. The working principle of this plugin is based on a combinationof Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)-based subsurface scattering method (GenSSS).The proposed plugin has been implemented using Mitsuba renderer, which is an open source rendering software. The proposed plugin has been validated on measured subsurface scattering data. It’s shown that the proposed plugin visualizes homogeneous and heterogeneous subsurface scattering effects, accurately, compactly and computationally efficiently.
Psychosomatic health complaints among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic – Results of the longitudinal German COPSY study
Authors: Habermann Karoline , Napp Ann-Kathrin , Reiß Franziska , Kaman Anne , Erhart Michael , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike
Published: February 2024

Background
The period throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented major challenges for children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing and psychosocial adjustment and had a great impact on their mental health. Psychosomatic health complaints are highly common in childhood and adolescence and present an important indicator of mental health and wellbeing.
Methods
The nationwide, longitudinal COPSY-study (COvid-19 and PSYchological Health) has monitored changes in mental health among children and adolescents in Germany since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in five survey waves (2020–2022). In total, n = 1673 children and adolescents aged 11 years and older and their parents participated in at least one survey wave. Self-reported psychosomatic health complaints were assessed in each survey wave, using a modified version of an internationally validated eight-item symptom checklist (HBSC-SCL). A mixed model panel regression analysis was conducted to examine longitudinal changes in psychosomatic health complaints and to identify psychosocial and pandemic-related risk factors as well as resources. Risk estimations were used to explore the effect of a reported previous infection with COVID-19 on psychosomatic health complaints.
Results
Psychosomatic health complaints among children and adolescents increased over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls and children of mentally ill or highly burdened parents were at particular risk. A higher subjective perceived burden of the pandemic as well as COVID-19 related worries were significantly associated with a higher level of psychosomatic health complaints. Overall, Long-COVID was diagnosed by a clinical expert in 2.9% of children with previously reported COVID-19. An infection with COVID-19 was no significant risk factor for psychosomatic health complaints in general but increased the risk of sleeping difficulties and loss of concentration in autumn 2022. Personal resources, a positive family climate, and more perceived social support were significantly associated with less psychosomatic health complaints.
Conclusions
Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents are suffering from multiple psychosomatic health complaints. Medium and long-term consequences of the pandemic and associated measures are therefore suspected. Targeted health promotion and intervention strategies are needed to protect and maintain children’s and adolescents’ health.
Reduction of eEF2 kinase alleviates the learning and memory impairment caused by acrylamide
Authors: Wang Xiao-Li , Zhang Ru-Nan , Pan Yu-Lin , Li Zhi-Ming , Li Hong-Qiu , Lei Ya-Ting , Zhao Fang-Fang , Hao Xiao-Xiao , Ma Wei-Wei , Yu Cui-Ping , Yao Hong-Wei , Wang Xin-Yu , Lv Jun-Jie , Wu Yong-Hui , Wang Sheng-Yuan
Published: February 2024

The impact of acrylamide (ACR) on learning and memory has garnered considerable attention. However, the targets and mechanisms are still unclear. We used proteomics technology to analyze the serum of the ACR occupationally exposed population and screen out target proteins related to learning and memory. Through in vivo, in vitro experiments, and transgenic mouse models, we investigated the selected target protein to elucidate. Elongation factor 2 (eEF2) was significantly upregulated in the results of serum proteomic. Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated a notable upregulation of Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K), the sole kinase responsible for eEF2 phosphorylation, following exposure to ACR (P < 0.05). Subsequent in vitro experiments using eEF2K siRNA and in vivo experiments with eEF2K-knockout mice demonstrated significant improvements in abnormal indicators related to ACR-induced learning and memory deficits (P < 0.05). Proteomic analysis of the hippocampus revealed Lpcat1 as a crucial downstream protein regulated by eEF2K. KEGG analysis indicated that eEF2K may play a role in the process of ACR-induced learning and memory impairment by affecting ether lipid metabolism. In summary, eEF2K as a pivotal target in the mechanisms underlying ACR-induced learning and memory impairment, providing robust evidence for potential clinical interventions targeting.
Enhancing Personalized Recommendations via Multimodal Cooperative Learning
Authors: Jimenez Citlali , Velasco Adriana , Campbell Winona
Published: February 2024

Personalized recommender systems represent intelligent algorithms and decision-making mechanisms that are meticulously crafted on the bedrock of extensive datasets. In the realm of online recommender systems, the process involves tailoring recommendations to individual users by harnessing their historical behavioral data, which encompasses activities such as browsing, watching, purchasing, and rating. Simultaneously, these systems delve into the content information associated with the items on offer, including introductory details, specific features, and applicable scenarios. The essence of personalized recommendations lies in the continuous refinement of the system's output based on user interaction feedback. In recommender systems, understanding the relationships between items is crucial. We introduce a sophisticated multimodal cooperative learning strategy that explicitly captures the interconnections among diverse modalities, elevating the representation quality of each modality.
Voice assessment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Association with bulbar and respiratory function
Authors: Rocha Pedro Santos , Bento Nuno , Svard Hanna , Candeias Diana Nicolau , Hespanhol Sandra , Folgado Duarte , Carreiro André Valério , de Carvalho Mamede , Miranda Bruno
Published: February 2024

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) face respiratory and bulbar dysfunction causing profound functional disability. Speech production requires integrity of bulbar muscles and good breathing capacity, being a possible way to monitor such functions in ALS. Here, we studied the relationship between bulbar and respiratory functions with voice characteristics of ALS patients, at the convenience of using a simple smartphone for voice recordings. For voice assessment we considered a speech therapists’ standardized tool – Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V); and an acoustic analysis toolbox (for both time and frequency domains). The bulbar subscore of the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) was used; and pulmonary function measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC%) and maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressures (MIP% and MEP%, respectively). Correlation coefficients and both linear and logistic regression models were applied. A total of 27 ALS patients (12 males; 61 years mean age; 28 months median disease duration) were included. Patients with significant bulbar dysfunction revealed greater CAPE-V scores in overall severity, roughness, strain, pitch, and loudness. They also presented slower speaking rates, longer pauses, and higher jitter values in acoustic analysis (all p < 0.05). The CAPE-V’s overall severity and sub-scores for pitch and loudness demonstrated significant correlations with MIP% and MEP% (all p < 0.05). By contrast, acoustic metrics (speaking rate, absolute energy, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio) were significantly correlated with FVC% (all p < 0.05).The results provide supporting evidence for using smartphone-based recordings in ALS patients for CAPE-V and acoustic analysis as good correlates of bulbar and respiratory function.
The glass transition temperature of anhydrous amorphous calcium carbonate
Authors: Bissbort Thilo , Hess Kai-Uwe , Wilding Martin , Schawe Jürgen E.K. , Purgstaller Bettina , Goetschl Katja E. , Sturm Sebastian , Müller-Caspary Knut , Sturm Elena V. , Schmahl Wolfgang , Griesshaber Erika , Weidendorfer Daniel , Dietzel Martin , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: February 2024

Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is the least stable polymorph of calcium carbonates. It has been identified to play an important role in nature (e.g., biomineralization and speleothem formation), where it acts as a precursor for the transformation to more stable polymorphs such as calcite. Furthermore, the use of ACC in technical applications requires a robust understanding of the material’s properties. We present the first study that reveals the existence of a glass transition for synthetic and anhydrous ACC. The glass transition occurs at 339 °C. Such measurements are impossible with conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) due to the high tendency of ACC to crystallize. Fast scanning DSC with heating rates of 500 °C/s and higher, however, can be used to separate the endothermic glass transition signature from the exothermic crystallization event since crystallization is shifted to higher temperatures. This allows the detection and quantification of the glass transition for ACC. These observations indicate that ACC is a structural glass and are especially significant because the synthesis of ACC, precipitation from a solution followed by lyophilization, contrasts with the more conventional and well-known route of glass formation–the rapid cooling of a melt. Moreover, we prove that a structural glass can be produced from a simple single-component carbonate system.
A REVIEW OF KOMBUCHA ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS ON ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PRECLINICAL STUDIES
Authors: Elizabeth  , Amabel Sharone , Ardo Sanjaya  , Julia Windi Gunadi  , Diana Krisanti Jasaputra
Published: February 2024

Background Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death among cardiovascular diseases in Indonesia, in which death is possible if uncontrolled. The prevalence of the disease may be prevented by consuming foods or drinks containing high levels of antioxidant such as kombucha. Exploration of kombucha properties as an antioxidant that will improve atherosclerosis could be obtained from preclinical studies.
Objective To discuss the antioxidant effect of kombucha on atherosclerosis in preclinical studies.
Method This study is a narrative review with literatures from 2013 to 2022.
Result Kombucha is an antioxidant-rich beverage made from enzymes generated by the SCOBY bacteria, which are fermented in sweet tea for 7-14 days to achieve optimal quantities of polyphenols. In addition to the antioxidants in the blood, the effect will lower the levels of LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, it can increase HDL in blood and inhibit lesion forming in the aorta.
Conclusion Polyphenol in kombucha tea has an antiatherogenic effect that may prevent atherosclerosis in preclinical studies.
Keywords: antioxidant, atherosclerosis, kombucha, polyphenol
Soliton confinement in the double sine-Gordon model
Authors: Rutkevich Sergei
Published: February 2024

The double sine-Gordon field theory in the weak confinement regime is studied. It represents the small non-integrable deformation of the standard sine-Gordon model caused by the cosine perturbation with the frequency reduced by the factor of 2. This perturbation leads to the confinement of the sine-Gordon solitons, which become coupled into the ‘meson’ bound states. We classify the meson states in the weak confinement regime, and obtain three asymptotic expansions for their masses, which can be used in different regions of the model parameters. It is shown, that the sine-Gordon breathers, slightly deformed by the perturbation term, transform into the mesons upon increase of the sine-Gordon coupling constant.
Critical Interculturality and EFL Textbooks: Examining the Tensions
Authors: Oviedo-Gomez Hans Humberto
Published: February 2024

This article aims to analyse the relationship between critical interculturality and textbooks for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). To achieve this, I analysed 94 documents, including articles, dissertations, and book chapters published in several national and international databases in the period from 2013 to 2023. The review of these studies also serves as a means to understand how different scholars have analysed textbooks in their contexts. This article is derived from a doctoral study that stems from my personal and professional interests. The research presents seven tensions that reveal traditional ways of analysing textbooks over decades, the need for deeper critical intercultural views, biased cultural and intercultural representations, uncritical literacy practices, coloniality of being, bilingual policy hegemony, and controlled evaluation, selection, and use of EFL textbooks. All this means that there is a need to consider critical interculturality as an attempt to decolonize traditional ways of teaching at different educational levels of education. The result of this analysis further suggests a research gap regarding critical interculturality and EFL textbooks.