bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level of education is associated with coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a population-based study
Authors: Slåtsve Kristina B , Claudi Tor , Lappegård Knut Tore , Jenum Anne Karen , Larsen Marthe , Nøkleby Kjersti , Tibballs Katrina , Cooper John G , Sandberg Sverre , Buhl Esben Selmer , Løvaas Karianne Fjeld , Berg Tore Julsrud
Published: September 2022

Introduction

To study the relationship between education level and vascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes in Norway.

Research design and methods

Multiregional population-based cross-sectional study of individuals with type 2 diabetes in primary care. Data were extracted from electronic medical records in the period 2012–2014. Information on education level was obtained from Statistics Norway. Using multivariable multilevel regression analyses on imputed data we analyzed the association between education level and vascular complications. We adjusted for age, sex, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes duration. Results are presented as ORs and 95% CIs.

Results

Of 8192 individuals with type 2 diabetes included, 34.0% had completed compulsory education, 49.0% upper secondary education and 16.9% higher education. The prevalence of vascular complications in the three education groups was: coronary heart disease 25.9%, 23.0% and 16.9%; stroke 9.6%, 7.4% and 6.6%; chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) 23.9%, 16.8% and 12.6%; and retinopathy 13.9%, 11.5% and 11.7%, respectively. Higher education was associated with lower odds for coronary heart disease (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.71) and chronic kidney disease (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.93) compared with compulsory education when adjusting for age, sex, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes duration.

Conclusions

In a country with equal access to healthcare, high education level was associated with lower odds for coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with lower extremity tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Naterstad Ingvill Fjell , Joensen Jon , Bjordal Jan Magnus , Couppé Christian , Lopes-Martins Rodrigo Alvaro Brandão , Stausholm Martin Bjørn
Published: September 2022

Objectives

We investigated the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in lower extremity tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis on patient-reported pain and disability.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Eligible articles in any language were identified through PubMed, Embase and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) on the 20 August 2020, references, citations and experts.

Eligibility criteria for selection of studies

Only randomised controlled trials involving participants with lower extremity tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis treated with LLLT were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Random effects meta-analyses with dose subgroups based on the World Association for Laser Therapy treatment recommendations were conducted. Risk of bias was assessed with the PEDro scale.

Results

LLLT was compared with placebo (10 trials), other interventions (5 trials) and as an add-on intervention (3 trials). The study quality was moderate to high.

Overall, pain was significantly reduced by LLLT at completed therapy (13.15 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 95% CI 7.82 to 18.48)) and 4–12 weeks later (12.56 mm VAS (95% CI 5.69 to 19.42)). Overall, disability was significantly reduced by LLLT at completed therapy (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD)=0.39 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.7) and 4–9 weeks later (SMD=0.32 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.59)). Compared with placebo control, the recommended doses significantly reduced pain at completed therapy (14.98 mm VAS (95% CI 3.74 to 26.22)) and 4–8 weeks later (14.00 mm VAS (95% CI 2.81 to 25.19)). The recommended doses significantly reduced pain as an add-on to exercise therapy versus exercise therapy alone at completed therapy (18.15 mm VAS (95% CI 10.55 to 25.76)) and 4–9 weeks later (15.90 mm VAS (95% CI 2.3 to 29.51)). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

LLLT significantly reduces pain and disability in lower extremity tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis in the short and medium term. Long-term data were not available. Some uncertainty about the effect size remains due to wide CIs and lack of large trials.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017077511.
Profile and treatment outcomes among young patients with tuberculosis aged 15–24 years in Faridabad district of Haryana, India
Authors: Kamble Bhushan Dattatray , Malhotra Sumit
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study examined profile and treatment outcomes of young patients with tuberculosis (TB) registered at a district TB centre under the National TB Elimination Programme in Faridabad district of Haryana state in India.

Methods

In this secondary data analysis, we studied the records of young TB patients aged 15–24 years registered under a TB programme during October 2013–December 2017 in Faridabad district of Haryana state.

Results

We analysed records of 5257 young patients with TB. Majority (58.7%) were patients with pulmonary TB and most of them (83.6%) were registered as new patients. Majority of the young patients with TB (93.2%) had a successful treatment outcome, and patients having sputum result 2+ or less and patients who did not have a previous history of TB were found to be significantly associated with a successful treatment outcome on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

There was a high treatment success rate noted in young patients with TB. More focus is needed to patients having a history of TB and sputum result >2+. Targeted interventions can be designed for these groups in future programmatic strategies to reduce disease burden in this section of young population.
What is the feasibility and patient acceptability of a digital system for arm and hand rehabilitation after stroke? A mixed-methods, single-arm feasibility study of the ‘OnTrack’ intervention for hospital and home use
Authors: Fusari Gianpaolo , Gibbs Ella , Hoskin Lily , Lawrence-Jones Anna , Dickens Daniel , Fernandez Crespo Roberto , Leis Melanie , Crow Jennifer , Taylor Elizabeth , Jones Fiona , Darzi Ara
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Arm weakness is common after stroke; repetitive activity is critical for recovery but people struggle with knowing what to do, volume, and monitoring progress. We studied the feasibility and acceptability of OnTrack, a digital intervention supporting arm and hand rehabilitation in acute and home settings.

Design

A mixed-method, single-arm study evaluating the feasibility of OnTrack for hospital and home use. An independent process evaluation assessed the intervention’s fidelity, dose and reach. Amendments to the protocol were necessary after COVID-19.

Setting

Acute stroke services and home settings in North West London.

Participants

12 adults with a stroke diagnosis <6 months previously (first or recurrent) requiring arm rehabilitation in hospital and/or home.

Intervention

12 weeks using the OnTrack system comprising arm tracking and coaching support for self-management.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Recruitment, retention and completion rates; compliance and adherence to the intervention; reasons for study decline/withdrawal.

Intervention fidelity and acceptability, evaluated through an independent process evaluation.

Patient measures including activity baseline, healthcare activation, arm function and impairment collected at baseline, week 7 and week 14 of participation to assess suitability for a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Results

181 individuals screened, 37 met eligibility criteria, 24 recruited (65%); of these, 15 (63%) were recruited before COVID-19, and 9 (37%) during. 12 completed the intervention (50%). Despite COVID-19 disruptions, recruitment, retention and completion were in line with prestudy expectations and acceptable for a definitive trial. Participants felt the study requirements were acceptable and the intervention usable. Fidelity of delivery was acceptable according to predetermined fidelity markers. Outcome measures collected helped determine sample size estimates and primary outcomes for an RCT.

Conclusions

The intervention was found to be usable and acceptable by participants; study feasibility objectives were met and demonstrated that a definitive RCT would be viable and acceptable.

Trial registration number

NCT03944486.
Panel of serum biomarkers (GastroPanel) in diagnosis of atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection: a protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Dan , Shi Anya , Wang Haiping , Yu Xiuzhong
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The aetiology of gastric cancer is still unclear but Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and chronic atrophic gastritis (AG) are recognised as two major risk factors for gastric cancer. GastroPanel (GP) test is the first non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect AG and HP infection.

The aim of the study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to review published literature about the GP test for diagnosing AG and HP infection, with the objective of estimating the diagnostic performance indices of GP for AG and HP infection.

Methods and analysis

This protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols statement guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases will be systematically searched from inception to March 2022 for eligible studies. No language limitations were imposed. The studies will be downloaded into the EndNote V.X9 software and duplicates will be removed. Two review authors independently screened the full text against the inclusion criteria, extracted the data from each included study by using a piloted data extraction form and conducted risk of bias assessment, resolving disagreement by discussion. Results will be synthesised narratively in summary tables, using a random-effect bivariate model, and we fit a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review will include data extracted form published studies, therefore, does not require ethics approval. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021282616.
Process of pain assessment in people with dementia living in nursing homes: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Overen Caroline Kreppen , Larsson Maria , Hillestad Adelheid Hummelvoll , Eriksen Siren
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Pain is a common symptom in people with dementia; untreated, it reduces quality of life and causes suffering. People with dementia living in nursing homes most often have dementia in moderate to severe stages. The cognitive impairment, including language and communication difficulties, challenges pain assessment. Since pain is a subjective experience, self-reporting is the gold standard of assessment methods. Healthcare professionals are advised to help people with dementia communicate about their pain. The proposed scoping review is the first step in the development of a systematic pain assessment model for people with dementia living in nursing homes. The scoping review aims to identify, categorise and summarise knowledge on how pain assessment processes in this population are described in the literature, with a special focus on self-reporting.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review will be conducted following the six-stage framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, in addition to recent methodological developments. Systematic searches in CINAHL, Embase, Medline and PsycInfo will be conducted. The protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklists, and the scoping review will adhere to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The review will include research that concerns assessment of pain in people with dementia living in nursing homes. Studies will be evaluated for quality and ethical standards. The analysis process will follow Bradbury-Jones et al’s PAGER framework. Patterns will be formed using thematic analysis. An overview of advances, gaps, evidence for practice and research recommendations associated with each pattern will be prepared. The research questions and results will be presented to and discussed in a reference group comprising nursing home residents, relatives, healthcare professionals and nursing home managers.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping review aims to collect and summarise data from available publications and does not require ethical approval. The final manuscript will be submitted to a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.

Registration in open science framework

https://osf.io/8kaf5/
Investigating households’ out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures based on number of chronic conditions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study using quantile regression approach
Authors: Almalki Ziyad S , Alahmari Abdullah K , Alshehri Ahmed M , Altowaijri Abdulaziz , Alluhidan Mohammed , Ahmed Nehad , AlAbdulsalam Abdulhakim S , Alsaiari Khalid H , Alrashidi Meshari A , Alghusn Abdulrahman G , Alqahtani Ali S , Alzarea Abdulaziz I , Alanazi Mona A , Alqahtani Abdulhadi M
Published: September 2022

Objectives

This study investigated the level and associated factors, focusing on the number of individuals with chronic conditions, of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures (OOPHE).

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to June 2021.

Setting

Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.

Participants

A total of 1176 households that used any healthcare services at least once in the past 3 months.

Outcome measures

The OOPHE incurred in the previous 3-month period when a household member is receiving health services. The effects of predisposing, enabling and need factors on the level of OOPHE. The association between the number of individuals with chronic conditions in a household and OOPHE along with the OOPHE distribution.

Results

The average household OOPHE among all the surveyed households (n=1176) was SAR1775.30. For households affected by one chronic condition, OOPHE was SAR1806, and for households affected by more than one chronic condition, OOPHE was SAR2704. If the head of the household was older, better educated and employed, they were more vulnerable to a higher OOPHE (p<0.0001). At the household level, the increased number of family members with chronic conditions, the presence of a member less than 14 years old, higher socioeconomic status, coverage from health insurance plans, residence in an urban area and the presence of a member with a disability in the household were correlated with a considerably greater level of OOPHE (p<0.0001). The result of quantile regression analysis indicates that an increase in the number of members with chronic conditions in a household was significantly associated with greater overall OOPHE at higher health expenditure quantiles.

Conclusions

The burden of OOPHE on households with chronic conditions remains heavy, and some disparities still exist. The number of individuals with chronic conditions in a household plays a substantial and prominent role in increasing the risk of incurring OOPHE.
Single-cell transcriptomics identifies pathogenic T-helper 17.1 cells and pro-inflammatory monocytes in immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis
Authors: Franken Amelie , Van Mol Pierre , Vanmassenhove Sam , Donders Elena , Schepers Rogier , Van Brussel Thomas , Dooms Christophe , Yserbyt Jonas , De Crem Nico , Testelmans Dries , De Wever Walter , Nackaerts Kristiaan , Vansteenkiste Johan , Vos Robin , Humblet-Baron Stéphanie , Lambrechts Diether , Wauters Els
Published: September 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related pneumonitis is the most frequent fatal immune-related adverse event associated with programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death ligand-1 blockade. The pathophysiology however remains largely unknown, owing to limited and contradictory findings in existing literature pointing at either T-helper 1 or T-helper 17-mediated autoimmunity. In this study, we aimed to gain novel insights into the mechanisms of ICI-related pneumonitis, thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, single-cell RNA and T-cell receptor sequencing was performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 11 patients with ICI-related pneumonitis and 6 demographically-matched patients with cancer without ICI-related pneumonitis. Single-cell transcriptomic immunophenotyping and cell fate mapping coupled to T-cell receptor repertoire analyses were performed.

Results

We observed enrichment of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in ICI-pneumonitis bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The CD4+ T-cell compartment showed an increase of pathogenic T-helper 17.1 cells, characterized by high co-expression ofTBX21(encoding T-bet) and RORC (ROR-γ),IFN-G(IFN-γ),IL-17A,CSF2(GM-CSF), and cytotoxicity genes. Type 1 regulatory T cells and naïve-like CD4+ T cells were also enriched. Within the CD8+ T-cell compartment, mainly effector memory T cells were increased. Correspondingly, myeloid cells in ICI-pneumonitis bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were relatively depleted of anti-inflammatory resident alveolar macrophages while pro-inflammatory ‘M1-like’ monocytes (expressingTNF,IL-1B,IL-6,IL-23A,and GM-CSF receptorCSF2RA, CSF2RB) were enriched compared with control samples. Importantly, a feedforward loop, in which GM-CSF production by pathogenic T-helper 17.1 cells promotes tissue inflammation and IL-23 production by pro-inflammatory monocytes and vice versa, has been well characterized in multiple autoimmune disorders but has never been identified in ICI-related pneumonitis.

Conclusions

Using single-cell transcriptomics, we identified accumulation of pathogenic T-helper 17.1 cells in ICI-pneumonitis bronchoalveolar lavage fluid—a phenotype explaining previous divergent findings on T-helper 1 versus T-helper 17 involvement in ICI-pneumonitis—,putatively engaging in detrimental crosstalk with pro-inflammatory ‘M1-like’ monocytes. This finding yields several novel potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ICI-pneumonitis. Most notably repurposing anti-IL-23 merits further research as a potential efficacious and safe treatment for ICI-pneumonitis.
Prediction of atrial fibrillation using a home blood pressure monitor with a high-resolution system
Authors: Hiyoshi Yasunaga , Hashimoto Hidenobu , Kabuki Takayuki , Toda Mikihito , Sakurada Harumizu
Published: September 2022

Objective

The usefulness of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using several home blood pressure (BP) monitors has been reported. We evaluated the accuracy of a high-resolution system (HiRS) for AF prediction and its usefulness when installed in home BP monitors.

Methods

In patients with paroxysmal, persistent or permanent AF, ECG recording and BP measurements were performed simultaneously. The relationship between ECG rhythm diagnosis and pulse irregularity recognition, using a home BP monitor with HiRS, was investigated. The severity of a pulse disturbance during BP measurement was displayed as an irregular pulse rhythm symbol (IPRS) in three instances. The IPRS was not displayed if the pulse was regular, turned on if there was a weak variation in the pulse, and blinked if there was a strong variation in the pulse.

Results

One hundred and seven patients (44 paroxysmal AF, 63 persistent or permanent AF) were enrolled, and a total of 333 recordings were analysed. The rhythms recorded by each ECG were 73 sinus regular rhythms, 35 extrasystoles, 222 AFs and 3 atrial flutters. Sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of any arrhythmia by the IPRS display of the BP monitor were 95.8% (95% CI 92.6% to 97.6%) and 96.8% (95% CI 92.6% to 100%), respectively. In addition, sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of AF were 100% (95% CI 97.5% to 100%) and 74.8% (95% CI 65.6% to 82.5%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of AF by the IPRS blinking display were 88.3% (95% CI 83.3% to 92.2%) and 94.6% (95% CI 88.6% to 98.0%%), respectively. IPRS exhibited lighting or blinking during AF occurrence; however, during sinus rhythm, IPRS was not displayed in 72 out of 73 recordings.

Conclusion

The IPRS device predicted AF with precision and may be particularly useful for predicting an arrhythmia attack in patients with paroxysmal AF.
Is the association of QTc with atrial fibrillation and stroke in cohort studies a matter of time?
Authors: Radnahad Navid , Ehrlinder Hanne , Leander Karin , Engdahl Johan , Wallén Håkan , Gigante Bruna
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To investigate the association of the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke.

Methods

We estimated the risk of AF and ischaemic stroke associated with QTc duration (ms) by Cox regression in study participants from the cohort of 60-year-old men and women from Stockholm (60YO) (n=4232). Univariate and multivariate adjusted risk estimates were expressed as HR and 95% CI. Main results were validated in elderly patients with AF, included in the Carebbean-e study, where an ECG in sinus rhythm (SR) (ECG-SR) recorded before the ECG diagnostic for (ECG-AF) was available (n=803). We estimated the correlation between the time interval (years) between the ECG-SR and ECG-AF with the QTc duration, by the Spearman correlation coefficient (rho).

Results

In the 60YO, the highest QTc duration quartile (>427 ms) associated with the AF risk (n=435) with a multivariable adjusted HR of 1.68 and 95% CI (1.26 to 2.24). No association was observed with ischaemic stroke. In the Carebbean-e study, no significant association was observed between the QTc duration measured on the ECG-SR and risk of ischaemic stroke during follow-up. QTc duration showed an inverse correlation (rho: −0.26, p<0.0001) with the time interval intercurred between ECG-SR and ECG-AF.

Conclusions

The association of QTc duration with AF risk might depend on the time interval between the QTc measurement and the clinical diagnosis of AF. No association was observed between QTc duration and ischaemic stroke.
Gray Luvisols are polygenetic
Authors: Dyck Miles F. , Sorenson Preston T. , Lejoly Justine D.M. , Quideau Sylvie A.
Published: September 2022

With respect to the pedosphere, human activities in the last 100 years have been the major driver of soil change. Despite human activities being one of the main soil forming factors recognized by soil scientists (in addition to climate, organisms, parent material, relief, groundwater, and time), the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) emphasizes soil as a natural body. We argue human agricultural activities are direct and indirect drivers of significant changes to the carbon balance and cycling in A horizons of Gray Luvisolic soils in western Canada, resulting in changes to A horizon carbon stocks, structure, and micromorphology. Evidence from scientific literature, in-field soil profile observations, and the National Pedon Database are presented in support of our argument. We propose a polygenetic, two-stage model of Gray Luvisol soil formation. The first stage is dominated by the climate forcing of the Holocene, resulting in a relatively stable boreal forest ecosystem including perturbations from natural and human-induced wildfire and other disturbances. The second stage is dominated by direct, human-driven disturbances such as cultivation, release of exotic fauna (earthworms), and indirect human-driven disturbances associated with anthropogenic climate change. Further, we propose modest amendments to the CSSC to reflect a polygenetic model of soil genesis in Gray Luvisolic soils that preserve the balance between observation and interpretation inherent in the system.
Habitat suitability or female availability? What influences males’ home-range size in a neotropical montane lizard?
Authors: Ventura Stefânia , Vaclav Amadeus , Pinheiro Luan , Passos Daniel , de Paulo Gustavo , Batista Jorge , Pinto Jorge Luis , Galdino Conrado
Published: September 2022

In many species, the shape, size, and location of home ranges depend on the spatial positioning of resources. Therefore, evaluating the resources and conditions related to the space use of individuals can provide crucial information on the species’ ecology and sociobiology. In this study, we evaluated factors shaping the use of space by the lizard Tropidurus montanus M.T. Rodrigues, 1987 and assessed how the distribution of resources can affect the size of the home range and how the quality of the male's home range can influence the number of associated females. We hypothesized that ( i) males with a larger body size would have a higher-quality home range, and ( ii) there would be a positive relationship between the home-range size and home-range quality of males and the number of associated females. Our results suggest that males, females, and juveniles adopt different strategies. While females and juveniles have relatively small home ranges located in more suitable locations, males invest in larger home ranges, including in lower-quality habitat patches. Our results suggest that males increase their home ranges to incorporate resources females prefer, enlarging the number of females in their harems.
Discovery prospects for long-lived multiply charged particles at the LHC
Authors: Altakach Mohammad Mahdi , Lamba Priyanka , Masełek Rafał , Mitsou Vasiliki A. , Sakurai Kazuki
Published: September 2022

In this work, we aim to provide a comprehensive and largely model independent investigation on prospects to detect long-lived multiply charged particles at the LHC. We consider particles with spin 0 and $$\frac{1}{2}$$

1
2

, with electric charges in range $$1 \le |Q/e| \le 8$$

1
≤
|
Q
/
e
|
≤
8

, which are singlet or triplet under $$SU(3)_C$$

S
U

(
3
)

C

. Such particles might be produced as particle-antiparticle pairs and propagate through detectors, or form a positronium (quarkonium)-like bound state. We consider both possibilities and estimate lower mass bounds on new particles, that can be provided by ATLAS, CMS and MoEDAL experiments at the end of Run 3 and HL-LHC data taking periods. We find out that the sensitivities of ATLAS and CMS are generally stronger than those of MoEDAL at Run 3, while they may be competitive at HL-LHC for $$3 \lesssim |Q/e| \lesssim 7$$

3
≲
|
Q
/
e
|
≲
7

for all types of long-lived particles we consider.
Scaled affine quantization of $$\varphi ^4_4$$ in the low temperature limit
Authors: Fantoni Riccardo , Klauder John R.
Published: September 2022

We prove through Monte Carlo analysis that the covariant Euclidean scalar field theory, $$\varphi ^r_n$$

φ
n
r

, where r denotes the power of the interaction term and $$n = s + 1$$

n
=
s
+
1

where s is the spatial dimension and 1 adds imaginary time, such that $$r = n = 4$$

r
=
n
=
4

can be acceptably quantized using scaled affine quantization and the resulting theory is nontrivial and renormalizable even at low temperatures in the highly quantum regime.
Workshop Summary
Authors: Xie Xiaoyuan , Kanewala Upulee , Donaldson Alastair F.
Published: September 2022

This report summarises the organisation and execution of MET 2022, the 7th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, which took place as a virtual event in conjunction with the ICSE 2022 conference.
EVScout2.0
: Electric Vehicle Profiling through Charging Profile
Authors: Brighente Alessandro , Conti Mauro , Donadel Denis , Turrin Federico
Published: September 2022

Electric Vehicles (EVs)
represent a green alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles. To enforce their widespread use, both the technical development and the security of users shall be guaranteed. Users’ privacy represents a possible threat that impairs the adoption of EVs. In particular, recent works showed the feasibility of identifying EVs based on the current exchanged during the charging phase. In fact, while the resource negotiation phase runs over secure communication protocols, the signal exchanged during the actual charging contains features peculiar to each EV. In what is commonly known as profiling, a suitable feature extractor can associate such features to each EV.

In this article, we propose
EVScout2.0
, an extended and improved version of our previously proposed framework to profile EVs based on their charging behavior. By exploiting the current and pilot signals exchanged during the charging phase, our scheme can extract features peculiar for each EV, hence allowing their profiling. We implemented and tested
EVScout2.0
over a set of real-world measurements considering over 7,500 charging sessions from a total of 137 EVs. In particular, numerical results show the superiority of
EVScout2.0
with respect to the previous version.
EVScout2.0
can profile EVs, attaining a maximum of 0.88 for both recall and precision scores in the case of a balanced dataset. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these results set a new benchmark for upcoming privacy research for large datasets of EVs.
FGFR2 Inhibition in Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Vogel Arndt , Segatto Oreste , Stenzinger Albrecht , Saborowski Anna
Published: September 2022

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma and accounts for 2% of cancer-related deaths. BTCs are classified according to their anatomical origin into intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar, or distal cholangiocarcinoma, as well as gall bladder carcinoma. While the mutational profiles in these anatomical BTC subtypes overlap to a large extent, iCCA is notable for the high frequency of IDH1/2 mutations (10–22%) and the nearly exclusive occurrence of FGFR2 fusions in 10–15% of patients. In recent years, FGFR2 fusions have become one of the most promising targets for precision oncology targeting BTC, with FGFR inhibitors already approved in Europe and the United States for patients with advanced, pretreated iCCA. While the therapeutic potential of nonfusion alterations is still under debate, it is expected that the field of FGFR2-directed therapies will be subject to rapid further evolution and optimization. The scope of this review is to provide an overview of oncogenic FGFR signaling in iCCA cells and highlight the pathophysiology, diagnostic testing strategies, and therapeutic promises and challenges associated with FGFR2-altered iCCA.
Exploration of Novel Hafnium Oxide (HfO2) Based Plasma-Assisted Gate All Around Carbon Nanotube FET (GAA-CNTFET) for High Sensing Applications
Authors: Kansal Mansha , Sharma Suresh C.
Published: September 2022

The present research aims to implement a Hafnium Oxide (HfO2) based Plasma-Assisted Gate All Around Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (GAA-CNTFET) and use it for a better understanding of plasma parameters and their effect on the device. With a more streamlined focus on plasma synthesized (PECVD technique) CNT for channel material, the intention is to understand how the incorporation of high-k dielectrics leads to enhanced device performance. HfO2 is used as a high-k dielectric to overcome the limitations of conventional Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) gate dielectric. A comparative analysis has been performed, based on which it can be concluded that using HfO2 leads to improvement in all observed performance metrics—higher drain current, transconductance, output conductance, early voltage, and gate capacitance. Furthermore, by implementing a cavity in the oxide layer and utilizing the concept of dielectric modulation, it can be observed that tailoring the dielectric permittivity of the cavity affects and alters the device’s performance characteristics. Better performance and high sensitivity are tilted towards a higher dielectric constant value. This analysis’s results help quantify the practical usage of the device for sensing applications in biology, environment and other prominent industries.
Sports Injury Risk Prevention and MRI Image Performance of Athletes in Physical Education
Authors: Yang Jun
Published: September 2022

In order to effectively prevent athletes’ injury during sports training in physical education, a method of risk prevention of sports injury based on MRI technology was proposed. This method solves the problem of injury prevention in sports training by studying the association analysis algorithm in data mining technology and the research of MRI technology. The experimental results show that the average prediction error of CT and US is about 5%, so it can be considered that the model can predict accurately. Conclusion. The method of risk prevention of sports injury based on MRI technology can effectively prevent the injury of athletes in the process of sports training and reduce the injury rate of athletes.
Update of Indicator PCB Levels in Food in Southern Italy: Assessment of the Dietary Exposure for Adult and Elderly Population
Authors: Barone Grazia , Storelli Arianna , Garofalo Rita , Storelli Maria Maddalena
Published: September 2022

The levels of non-dioxin-like PCB indicators (iPCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were determined in food samples (seafood, meat and processed meat, milk and dairy products, hen eggs, olive oil, and other fats) to evaluate the exposure of adult and elderly population. iPCB levels in samples were in the following order: fishery products > meat and processed meat > milk and dairy products > olive oil and other fats. None of the samples had concentrations above the maximum permissible limits for human consumption established by the European Union legislation, except for salami samples. The dietary intake for the total population was 12.33 ng·kg−1 bw·d−1, while depending on the sex/age groups, exposure was estimated between 9.60 and 12.11 ng·kg−1 bw·d−1, with seafood being the major contributor. The exposure scenario indicates that further efforts must still be carried out to protect the consumer from these harmful chemicals.
The Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Authors: Huang Boyuan , Zhenxin Yan , Chen Sisi , Tan Zhenhua , Zong Zhitao , Zhang Hongbo , Xiong Xiaoxing
Published: September 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Increasing evidence supports the view that dysfunction of innate immune cells initiated by accumulated and misfolded proteins plays essential roles in the pathogenesis and progression of these diseases. The TLR family was found to be involved in the regulation of microglial function in the pathogenesis and progression of AD or PD, making it as double-edged sword in these diseases. Altered function of peripheral innate immune cells was found in AD and PD and thus contributed to the development and progression of AD and PD. Alteration of different subsets of T cells was found in the peripheral blood and CNS in AD and PD. The CNS-infiltrating T cells can exert both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects in the pathogenesis and progression. Here, we review recent evidences for the roles of innate and adaptive immune cells in the pathogenesis and progression of AD and PD.
Transformer-Based Data-Driven Video Coding Acceleration for Industrial Applications
Authors: Li Yixiao , Li Lixiang , Zhuang Zirui , Fang Yuan , Peng Haipeng , Ling Nam
Published: September 2022

With the exploding development of edge intelligence and smart industry, deep learning-based intelligent industrial solutions are promptly applied in the manufacturing process. Many intelligent industrial solutions such as automatic manufacturing inspection are computer vision based and require fast and efficient video encoding techniques so that video streams can be processed as quickly as possible either at the edge cluster or over the cloud. As one of the most popular video coding standards, the high efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard has been applied to various industrial scenes. However, HEVC brings not only a higher compression rate but also a significant increase in encoding complexity, which hinders its practical application in industrial scenarios. Fortunately, a large amount of video coding data makes it possible to accelerate the encoding process in the industry. To speed up the video coding process in some industrial scenes, this paper proposes a data-driven fast approach for coding tree unit (CTU) partitioning in HEVC intracoding. First, we propose a method to represent the partition result of a CTU as a column vector of length 21. Then, we employ lots of encoding data produced in normal industry scenes to train transformer models used to predict the partitioning vector of the CTU. Finally, the final partitioning structure of the CTU is generated from the partitioning vector after a postprocessing operation and used by an industrial encoder. Compared with the original HEVC encoder used by some industrial applications, experiment results show that our approach achieves 58.77% encoding time reduction with 3.9% bit rate loss, which indicates that our data-driven approach for video coding has great capacity working in industrial applications.
[Retracted] Quality Control in the Clinical Medical Laboratory Based on Mobile Medical Edge Computing
Authors: Wang Guorong , Xue Yukun , Lv Jie
Published: September 2022

Today, the IT departments of many healthcare organizations are suffering from data storage and network speed. Doctors diagnose patients to help them out, and this treatment process needs to be well managed. Clinical trial data are the main basis for judging the patient’s condition in the medical process. With the rapid development of clinical laboratory technology in China, important achievements have been made in medicine. Clinical hospitals use a large number of different types of testing reagents and equipment, and the accuracy of testing data has become a key issue for testing results. The accuracy of testing data comes from the zero error of clinical testing, derived from the rigor and operational rigor of the testers in clinical testing. This article is dedicated to the quality control analysis and research based on mobile medical edge computing in clinical trials. This article introduces the relevant theories of mobile medical edge computing technology and quality control methods, with reference to the study on the general medical students’ clinical competency in problem‐solving, communication skills, procedure, history, and physical examination and critical and non‐critical indicators in objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). In addition, a routine testing group and a quality control group for strengthening important aspects of medical testing were designed to conduct comparative experiments. Experiments have proved that the quality control group for strengthening the important links of medical testing has a higher index than the routine testing group in all aspects. Among them, the detection accuracy rate can reach up to 99.48%, which is of great significance for the improvement of the detection link of the patient’s condition and the follow‐up diagnosis and treatment link.
Do Local and World COVID‐19 Media Coverage Drive Stock Markets? Time‐Frequency Analysis of BRICS
Authors: Bossman Ahmed , Teplova Tamara , Umar Zaghum
Published: September 2022

The role of media coverage as a proxy for investor sentiments has led to the assessments of the impact of COVID‐19 media coverage on financial markets. To determine how both local and global media coverage affect financial markets differently, we investigate this issue from the perspective of top emerging markets, BRICS (i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). With datasets covering January 2020 to March 2022, we employ the wavelet coherence technique on two major subsamples, viz. initial outbreak year sample and the “new normal” era sample. Our findings demonstrate the leading role of BRICS equities in the initial outbreak period, particularly across medium and low frequencies. In the “new normal” era, we find a significant effect of world media coverage on BRICS equities. We discuss the implications of our findings, which are of importance to investors, policymakers, and practitioners.
Simultaneous Planning of the Medium and Low Voltage Distribution Networks under Uncertainty: A Bi-Level Optimization Approach
Authors: Rastgou Abdollah , Hosseini-Hemati Saman
Published: September 2022

Distribution network expansion planning (DNEP) is one of the important matters in the field of planning and operation of electrical power systems. Since many costs and losses have occurred in the distribution networks, it has increased attention towards this network. The electrical energy distribution network is divided into two parts: the medium voltage (MV) network and the low voltage (LV) network. The main problem in this field is that planning is done either only on the MV network or only on the LV network. While planning in each of these networks has a significant effect on the other networks, this important case has not been considered in most research studies. Therefore, this study has tried to do integrated planning in the form of a bi-level model in the presence of different types of distributed generations (DGs) and consider the uncertainties of renewable sources and load demand in both MV and LV networks so that the planning and operation costs are minimized. In the proposed bi-level model, the upper-level section aims to minimize the investment and the operation cost of the MV network, and the lower-level problem minimizes the investment and the operation cost of the LV network considering the DGs and pollution emission. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed model.
T Lymphocyte-Derived Exosomes Transport MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 and Induce NOX4-Dependent Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Rolski Filip , Czepiel Marcin , Tkacz Karolina , Fryt Katarzyna , Siedlar Maciej , Kania Gabriela , Błyszczuk Przemysław
Published: September 2022

Background. Activation of endothelial cells by inflammatory mediators secreted by CD4+ T lymphocytes plays a key role in the inflammatory response. Exosomes represent a specific class of signaling cues transporting a mixture of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. So far, the impact of exosomes shed by T lymphocytes on cardiac endothelial cells remained unknown. Methods and Results. Supernatants of CD4+ T cells activated with anti-CD3/CD28 beads were used to isolate exosomes by differential centrifugation. Activation of CD4+ T cells enhanced exosome production, and these exosomes (CD4-exosomes) induced oxidative stress in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (cMVECs) without affecting their adhesive properties. Furthermore, CD4-exosome treatment aggravated the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels, and enhanced the proliferation of cMVECs. These effects were reversed by adding the antioxidant apocynin. On the molecular level, CD4-exosomes increased NOX2, NOX4, ERK1/2, and MEK1/2 in cMVECs, and ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 proteins were found in CD4-exosomes. Inhibition of either MEK/ERK with U0126 or ERK with FR180204 successfully protected cMVECs from increased ROS levels and reduced NO bioavailability. Treatment with NOX1/4 inhibitor GKT136901 effectively blocked excessive ROS and superoxide production, reversed impaired NO levels, and reversed enhanced cMVEC proliferation triggered by CD4-exosomes. The siRNA-mediated silencing of Nox4 in cMVECs confirmed the key role of NOX4 in CD4-exosome-induced oxidative stress. To address the properties of exosomes under inflammatory conditions, we used the mouse model of CD4+ T cell-dependent experimental autoimmune myocarditis. In contrast to exosomes obtained from control hearts, exosomes obtained from inflamed hearts upregulated NOX2, NOX4, ERK1/2, MEK1/2, increased ROS and superoxide levels, and reduced NO bioavailability in treated cMVECs, and these changes were reversed by apocynin. Conclusion. Our results point to exosomes as a novel class of bioactive factors secreted by CD4+ T cells in immune response and represent potential important triggers of NOX4-dependent endothelial dysfunction. Neutralization of the prooxidative aspect of CD4-exosomes could open perspectives for the development of new therapeutic strategies in inflammatory cardiovascular diseases.
[Retracted] Research on the Influence of International Communication of Chinese Literature on Teenagers’ Physical and Mental Health in the Digital Humanistic Environment
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Xie Ziwei , Zhu Yuan
Published: September 2022

Research Background. With the enhancement of China’s international influence, China has stepped into the international ecological environment in the fields of economy, politics, culture, art, and so on, accompanied by the spread of China’s culture and literature. China’s 5000‐year‐old cultural history and artistic characteristics are integrated into the ecological field of the international environment. Research Purpose. The international spread of Chinese literature also has a certain impact on the physical and mental health of teenagers. This paper studies and discusses the impact of international communication of Chinese literature on teenagers’ physical and mental health in the digital humanistic environment. Under the development environment of Digital Humanities in China, the impact of Chinese literature on the healthy psychology of teenagers, the impact content, and the characteristics of each were evaluated. Through the comparison of physical and mental health growth of adolescents in different ages, the characteristics of physical and mental health of adolescents are explored. The coupling degree of physical and mental health of adolescents in different development environments is compared and analyzed. Research Results. Through the research, it is found that with the development of Digital Humanities, the spread of Chinese literature with internationalization has a positive impact on the physical and mental health and psychological quality construction of teenagers and plays a promoting role in promoting mental health, increasing personal quality, and improving teenagers’ correct values. The various ideological and moral qualities of Chinese literature can play a greater role in helping and growing up the physical and mental health education of young people in the new era and are also the literary value of promoting the quality education of the next generation of young people in the world.
A Machine Learning-Based Novel Energy Optimization Algorithm in a Photovoltaic Solar Power System
Authors: Prasad Kalapala , Samson Isaac J. , Ponsudha P. , Nithya N. , Shinde Santaji Krishna , Gopal S. Raja , Sarojwal Atul , Karthikumar K. , Hadish Kibrom Menasbo
Published: September 2022

Performance, cost, and aesthetics are all difficult to beat in today’s expanding distributed rooftop solar sector, and flat-plate PV is no exception. Photovoltaics will be able to take advantage of some of their most significant advantages as a result of this marketplace, including the elimination of transmission losses and the generation of power at the point of sale. Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology, on the other hand, represents a viable alternative in the quest for ever-lower normalised energy costs and ever-shorter energy payback times. Material, components, and manufacturing techniques from allied sectors, particularly the power electronics industry, have been adapted to lower system costs and time-to-market for the system under development. The LFR is less than 30 mm wide to maximise thermal efficiency, and a densely packed cell array has been used to maximise electrical output. The Matlab simulations show that the proposed machine learning-based LFR technique has a greater concentration rate than the present LFR method, as demonstrated by the results.