bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No health without access: using a retrospective cohort to model a care continuum for people released from prison at an urban, safety net health system
Authors: Frank Michael , Loh Ryan , Everhart Rachel , Hurley Hermione , Hanratty Rebecca
Published: November 2023

Background

Release from prison is characterized by discontinuity of healthcare services and results in poor health outcomes, including an increase in mortality. Institutions capable of addressing this gap in care seldom collaborate in comprehensive, data-driven transition of care planning. This study harnesses information from a data exchange between correctional facilities and community-based healthcare agencies in Colorado to model a care continuum after release from prison.

Methods

We merged records from Denver Health (DH), an urban safety-net healthcare system, and the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), for people released from January 1 to June 30, 2021. The study population was either (a) released to the Denver metro area (Denver and its five neighboring counties), or (b) assigned to the DH Regional Accountable Entity, or (c) assigned to the DH medical home based on Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing attribution methods. Outcomes explored were outpatient, acute care, and inpatient utilization in the first 180 days after release. We used Pearson’s chi-squared tests or Fisher exact for univariate comparisons and logistic regression for multivariable analysis.

Results

The care continuum describes the healthcare utilization at DH by people released from CDOC. From January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021, 3242 people were released from CDOC and 2848 were included in the data exchange. 905 individuals of the 2848 were released to the Denver metro area or attributed to DH. In the study population of 905, 78.1% had a chronic medical or psychological condition. Within 180 days of release, 31.1% utilized any health service, 24.5% utilized at least one outpatient service, and 17.1% utilized outpatient services two or more times. 10.1% utilized outpatient services within the first 30 days of release.

Conclusions

This care continuum highlights drop offs in accessing healthcare. It can be used by governmental, correctional, community-based, and healthcare agencies to design and evaluate interventions aimed at improving the health of a population at considerable risk for poor health outcomes and death.
Effectiveness of take ACTION online naloxone training for law enforcement officers
Authors: Dahlem Chin Hwa , Patil Rohan , Khadr Lara , Ploutz-Snyder Robert J. , Boyd Carol J. , Shuman Clayton J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Training law enforcement officers (LEOs) to administer naloxone is a recommended strategy to reduce overdose deaths in the United States. To achieve this, an evidence-based and scalable naloxone training curriculum that is easy to use and readily scalable is needed. Convenient web-based training is a flexible method for delivering educational interventions particularly for LEOs who have irregular or shifting schedules. This study examined the effectiveness of a comprehensive web-based naloxone training that was created in partnership with LEOs on their knowledge, confidence, and attitudes regarding naloxone.

Methods

From May 2019 to September 2020, five law enforcement departments from Michigan participated in web-based naloxone training. A total of 182 LEOs (77% male) were in the final sample based on matching pre-and post-test surveys. LEOs were assessed on knowledge, confidence, and attitudes towards naloxone. Negative binomial and Poisson regression was conducted to assess associations between knowledge, confidence, and attitudes towards naloxone before and after training.

Results

Significant improvements in overdose knowledge and confidence were revealed across all departments with median (IQR) total composite scores for knowledge increasing from 35 (32, 37) to 40 (39, 42) (p < 0.01) and confidence increasing from 18.5 (15, 20) to 20 (20, 25) (p < 0.01). Median (IQR) attitude scores did not change.

Conclusion

Our web-based naloxone training was effective in improving knowledge and confidence for LEOs but did not significantly improve LEOs attitudes towards naloxone across most departments. The web-based format is readily scalable and quickly disseminated and meets the immediate need for LEO overdose training. Additional intervention is needed to address the negative attitudes of LEOs regarding naloxone.
The effect of counseling with cognitive behavior approach on self-esteem and body image in lactating mothers: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zamiri-Miandoab Nasrin , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Nemati Fatemeh , Kamalifard Mahin
Published: November 2023

Background

Some of the women experience low self-esteem and negative body image in pregnancy and postpartum. These two factors along with other factors can reduce the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the psychological approaches that is effective on the betterment of many of the psychological and personality disorders such as body image disorders as well as improvement of self-esteem. The aim of this randomized control trial is to recognize the effects of CBT during pregnancy period on self-esteem, body image (primary outcome) and exclusive breastfeeding (secondary outcome).

Method

In this randomized controlled trial, 70 eligible pregnant women referring to health centers of Tabriz- Iran were assigned to two groups of 35 as intervention and control groups using randomized blocking method. For intervention group, 8 sessions of CBT based on Cash and Strachan’s body image protocol and Michael Freeʼs for self-esteem were performed. Control group was received routine pregnancy care by their health provider. Rosenberg self-esteem scale and multidimensional body self-relation questionnaire (MBSRQ) were completed before intervention, immediately after intervention and 4 weeks after delivery. Likewise, exclusive breastfeeding questionnaire was completed 4 weeks after childbirth. Independent t-test, chi square and repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data.

Results

According to repeated measures ANOVA test and with controlling baseline score, the mean scores on self-esteem (AMD): 7.18; 95%confidence interval (CI): 4.43 to 9.94; p < 0.001)) and body image (AMD: 49.74; 95%CI = 28.57 to 70.91; p < 0.001) in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. Also, after intervention, the mean score of body image subscales including appearance evaluation (p = 0.010), appearance orientation (p = 0.001), fitness evaluation (p = 0.004), fitness orientation (p = 0.001), health evaluation (p = 0.001), health orientation (p = 0.018), and illness orientation (p = 0.002) was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group.

Conclusions

CBT was effective on the improvement of self-esteem and body image and through which might lead to the increase of exclusive breastfeeding among women.

Trial registration number

IRCT20110524006582N33. First Date of registration: 17/10/2022. Submission ID 4ca86cd4-8459-4b86-9fe5-63f6a8184956.
Investigating alternatives to privatization of public housing: an analysis based on the Quattro Corti project in Italy
Authors: Peverini Marco , Bricocoli Massimo , Tagliaferri Anna
Published: November 2023

After the long-lasting divestment in the Italian public housing system and the privatization of over 20% of the stock, many public dwellings are vacant or in substantial need of maintenance. The article aims at contributing to the literature that addresses the crisis of public housing, by investigating alternatives to its privatization in Italy, a context of heavy divestment and devolution. It draws on original material from the case study of the Quattro Corti project, an unprecedented form of hybrid collaboration between public housing providers and housing cooperatives for the regeneration and management a small portion of the public housing stock in Milan. We investigate the context at different scales (state, neighbourhood, building) and analyze the partnership through extended field work and interviews to stakeholders, tenants and managers. Finally we address opportunities and challenges for a wider implementation of such partnerships in Italy, as part of a strategy to prevent privatization.
Plasma dicing before grinding process for highly reliable singulation of low-profile and large die sizes in advanced packages
Authors: Kim Keunhoi , Park Jongcheol , Kim Kyoungmin , Kim TaeHyun , Kwon SooHyun , Na Yeeun
Published: November 2023

The demand for advanced packaging is driven by the need for low-profile, densely-integrated, large-die Si devices in substrate-based or wafer-level packaging. Die strength is a critical parameter for ultrathin dies, making die singulation a vital aspect of advanced packaging technology. In this work, we present a dicing before grinding (DBG) process to compare and analyze die strengths using a mechanical blade, stealth laser, and plasma dicing. The three DBG processes were applied to a 200 mm silicon (Si) wafer process with a die size of 10 × 10 mm2 and thicknesses of 100, 200, and 300 μm, respectively. Optical and electron microscopes were employed to investigate chipping quality, sidewall damage, and surface contamination. The bare Si die’s strength was assessed using a three-point bending test. Plasma dicing before grinding (PDBG) resulted in less contamination, chipping, and cracking compared to other DBG processes. Furthermore, PDBG exhibited the highest die strength of 1052 Pa.
Who are those random responders on your survey? The case of the TIMSS 2015 student questionnaire
Authors: Chen Jianan , van Laar Saskia , Braeken Johan
Published: November 2023

A general validity and survey quality concern with student questionnaires under low-stakes assessment conditions is that some responders will not genuinely engage with the questionnaire, often with more random response patterns as a result. Using a mixture IRT approach and a meta-analytic lens across 22 educational systems participating in TIMSS 2015, we investigated whether the prevalence of random responders on six scales regarding students’ engagement and attitudes toward mathematics and sciences was a function of grade, gender, socio-economic status, spoken language at home, or migration background. Among these common policy-relevant covariates in educational research, we found support for small group differences in prevalence of random responders ($${\text {OR}}\ge 1.22$$

OR
≥
1.22

) (average prevalence of 7%). In general, being a student in grade 8 (vs. grade 4), being male, reporting to have fewer books, or speaking a language different from the test language at home were all risk factors characterizing random responders. The expected generalization and implications of these findings are discussed based on the observed heterogeneity across educational systems and consistency across questionnaire scales.
Microbial-derived salt-tolerant proteases and their applications in high-salt traditional soybean fermented foods: a review
Authors: Yao Hongli , Liu Shuangping , Liu Tiantian , Ren Dongliang , Zhou Zhilei , Yang Qilin , Mao Jian
Published: November 2023

Different microorganisms can produce different proteases, which can adapt to different industrial requirements such as pH, temperature, and pressure. Salt-tolerant proteases (STPs) from microorganisms exhibit higher salt tolerance, wider adaptability, and more efficient catalytic ability under extreme conditions compared to conventional proteases. These unique enzymes hold great promise for applications in various industries including food, medicine, environmental protection, agriculture, detergents, dyes, and others. Scientific studies on microbial-derived STPs have been widely reported, but there has been little systematic review of microbial-derived STPs and their application in high-salt conventional soybean fermentable foods. This review presents the STP-producing microbial species and their selection methods, and summarizes and analyzes the salt tolerance mechanisms of the microorganisms. It also outlines various techniques for the isolation and purification of STPs from microorganisms and discusses the salt tolerance mechanisms of STPs. Furthermore, this review demonstrates the contribution of modern biotechnology in the screening of novel microbial-derived STPs and their improvement in salt tolerance. It highlights the potential applications and commercial value of salt-tolerant microorganisms and STPs in high-salt traditional soy fermented foods. The review ends with concluding remarks on the challenges and future directions for microbial-derived STPs. This review provides valuable insights into the separation, purification, performance enhancement, and application of microbial-derived STPs in traditional fermented foods.

Graphical Abstract
Explainability of random survival forests in predicting conversion risk from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sarica Alessia , Aracri Federica , Bianco Maria Giovanna , Arcuri Fulvia , Quattrone Andrea , Quattrone Aldo ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2023

Random Survival Forests (RSF) has recently showed better performance than statistical survival methods as Cox proportional hazard (CPH) in predicting conversion risk from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, RSF application in real-world clinical setting is still limited due to its black-box nature.

For this reason, we aimed at providing a comprehensive study of RSF explainability with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) on biomarkers of stable and progressive patients (sMCI and pMCI) from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We evaluated three global explanations—RSF feature importance, permutation importance and SHAP importance—and we quantitatively compared them with Rank-Biased Overlap (RBO). Moreover, we assessed whether multicollinearity among variables may perturb SHAP outcome. Lastly, we stratified pMCI test patients in high, medium and low risk grade, to investigate individual SHAP explanation of one pMCI patient per risk group.

We confirmed that RSF had higher accuracy (0.890) than CPH (0.819), and its stability and robustness was demonstrated by high overlap (RBO > 90%) between feature rankings within first eight features. SHAP local explanations with and without correlated variables had no substantial difference, showing that multicollinearity did not alter the model. FDG, ABETA42 and HCI were the first important features in global explanations, with the highest contribution also in local explanation. FAQ, mPACCdigit, mPACCtrailsB and RAVLT immediate had the highest influence among all clinical and neuropsychological assessments in increasing progression risk, as particularly evident in pMCI patients’ individual explanation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RSF represents a useful tool to support clinicians in estimating conversion-to-AD risk and that SHAP explainer boosts its clinical utility with intelligible and interpretable individual outcomes that highlights key features associated with AD prognosis.

Graphical Abstract
Characterizing Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE): A Comparative Study of Military and Recreational Divers
Authors: Wolff Dorian , Castagna Olivier , Morin Jean , Lehot Henri , Roffi Romain , Druelle Arnaud , Blatteau Jean-Éric
Published: November 2023

Background

Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) is a common and potentially serious diving accident that can have significant respiratory and cardiac consequences and, in some cases, be fatal. Our objective was to characterize cases of IPE among military trainees and recreational divers and to associate their occurrence with exposure and individual background factors such as age and comorbidity. We conducted a retrospective analysis on the medical records and diving parameters of all patients who were treated for IPE at the Hyperbaric Medicine Department of Sainte-Anne Military Hospital in Toulon, France, between January 2017 and August 2019. In total, 57 subjects were included in this study, with ages ranging from 20 to 62 years. These subjects were divided into two distinct groups based on exposure categories: (1) underwater/surface military training and (2) recreational scuba diving. The first group consisted of 14 individuals (25%) with a mean age of 26.5 ± 2.6 years; while, the second group comprised 43 individuals (75%) with a mean age of 51.2 ± 7.5 years. All divers under the age of 40 were military divers.

Results

In 40% of cases, IPE occurred following intense physical exercise. However, this association was observed in only 26% of recreational divers, compared to 86% of military divers. Among civilian recreational divers, no cases of IPE were observed in subjects under the age of 40. The intensity of symptoms was similar between the two groups, but the duration of hospitalization was significantly longer for the recreational subjects.

Conclusion

It seems that the occurrence of IPE in young and healthy individuals requires their engagement in vigorous physical activity. Additionally, exposure to significant ventilatory constraints is a contributing factor, with the intensity of these conditions seemingly exclusive to military diving environments. In contrast, among civilian recreational divers, IPE tends to occur in subjects with an average age twice that of military divers. Moreover, these individuals exhibit more prominent comorbidity factors, and the average level of environmental stressors is comparatively lower.
Application and accuracy of artificial intelligence-derived large language models in patients with age related macular degeneration
Authors: Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Roth Janice , Zinkernagel Martin , Anguita Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions of people globally, leading to a surge in online research of putative diagnoses, causing potential misinformation and anxiety in patients and their parents. This study explores the efficacy of artificial intelligence-derived large language models (LLMs) like in addressing AMD patients' questions.

Methods

ChatGPT 3.5 (2023), Bing AI (2023), and Google Bard (2023) were adopted as LLMs. Patients’ questions were subdivided in two question categories, (a) general medical advice and (b) pre- and post-intravitreal injection advice and classified as (1) accurate and sufficient (2) partially accurate but sufficient and (3) inaccurate and not sufficient. Non-parametric test has been done to compare the means between the 3 LLMs scores and also an analysis of variance and reliability tests were performed among the 3 groups.

Results

In category a) of questions, the average score was 1.20 (± 0.41) with ChatGPT 3.5, 1.60 (± 0.63) with Bing AI and 1.60 (± 0.73) with Google Bard, showing no significant differences among the 3 groups (p = 0.129). The average score in category b was 1.07 (± 0.27) with ChatGPT 3.5, 1.69 (± 0.63) with Bing AI and 1.38 (± 0.63) with Google Bard, showing a significant difference among the 3 groups (p = 0.0042). Reliability statistics showed Chronbach’s α of 0.237 (range 0.448, 0.096–0.544).

Conclusion

ChatGPT 3.5 consistently offered the most accurate and satisfactory responses, particularly with technical queries. While LLMs displayed promise in providing precise information about AMD; however, further improvements are needed especially in more technical questions.
A novel mutation of CTC1 leads to telomere shortening in a chinese family with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Liu Lv , Luo Hua , Sheng Yue , Kang Xi , Peng Hong , Luo Hong , Fan Liang-Liang
Published: November 2023

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), or diffuse pulmonary lung disease, are a subset of lung diseases that primarily affect lung alveoli and the space around interstitial tissue and bronchioles. It clinically manifests as progressive dyspnea, and patients often exhibit a varied decrease in pulmonary diffusion function. Recently, variants in telomere biology-related genes have been identified as genetic lesions of ILDs. Here, we enrolled 82 patients with interstitial pneumonia from 2017 to 2021 in our hospital to explore the candidate gene mutations of these patients via whole-exome sequencing. After data filtering, a novel heterozygous mutation (NM_025099: p.Gly131Arg) of CTC1 was identified in two affected family members. As a component of CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) complex, CTC1 is responsible for maintaining telomeric structure integrity and has also been identified as a candidate gene for IPF, a special kind of chronic ILD with insidious onset. Simultaneously, real-time PCR revealed that two affected family members presented with short telomere lengths, which further confirmed the effect of the mutation in the CTC1 gene. Our study not only expanded the mutation spectrum of CTC1 and provided epidemiological data on ILDs caused by CTC1 mutations but also further confirmed the relationship between heterozygous mutations in CTC1 and ILDs, which may further contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying ILDs.
Can probiotics play a role in Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) eradication?
Authors: Fakhry Sameh Mohamed , Kandyl Mohamed Abdel-Hameed , Hashish Adel Ferig , Kandeel Wafaa , El-Shenawy Ahmed Mostafa , El-Sayed Hoda Samir , Dewidar Mohamed Kamal , Badr Sameh Mohamed , Mehanna Nayra Shaker
Published: November 2023

Background

H. Pylori is one of the commonest infectious diseases worldwide. In recent years, PPI-based triple therapy has been described to be losing its efficacy against H. pylori due to high rates of antibiotic resistance, antibiotics-associated side effects, and low compliance. Probiotics are suggested to improve the H. pylori eradication rate when added to H pylori therapy. Probiotics have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms that may improve bowel microecology and interact with the microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract to produce a beneficial effect in H Pylori eradication. Probiotics may be also responsible for the reduction of the adverse effects related to H. pylori therapy that may result in treatment failure.

Aim of the work

In our study, we assessed the role of probiotics in improving the H. Pylori eradication rate and reducing side effects after antibiotic-based therapy.

Patients and method

One hundred fifty-nine patients positive for H. pylori stool antigen and had never received previously H. pylori eradication therapy, were included in the study, 59 patients received triple therapy alone (Standard group) and 100 patients received triple therapy and probiotics (study group). One hundred fifty patients completed the treatment. Quantification of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria concentration in stool was done by PCR before and after therapy. Eradication of H. pylori was assessed in each group by H. pylori stool antigen after 4 weeks of finishing therapy.

Results

H Pylori eradication rate was higher in patients who received probiotics with standard therapy compared to those who received standard therapy alone. The improvement in the eradication rate was statistically significant when probiotics were received after standard therapy (81.04% versus 71.19%, P-Value 0.021). Short-term diarrhea after antibiotics therapy was significantly lower in patients who received probiotics especially when given before antibiotic therapy (7.50% versus 25.50%, P-value 0.0001). Probiotics may play a role to restore gut dysbiosis as evidenced by stool PCR for Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria before and after therapy.

Conclusion

Probiotics have a beneficial role to improve the eradication rate of H. pylori, particularly when given after standard therapy. Adding probiotics was associated as well with less diarrhea as a side effect of antibiotic therapy.

Trial registration

The trial has been registered on the Pan African Clinical Trial Register website, No of registration, PACTR202304859303467. Registered 24 April 2023 - Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=25434.
The impact of size on income diversification: an empirical study on commercial banks in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Hang Phan Thu , Tran Ngoc Minh , Pham Vuong Minh
Published: November 2023

Banks are the engine of the economy. Therefore, bank performance has a direct impact on the development and security of the entire economy. The main source of income for commercial banks comes from lending and capital mobilization activity. Competition in the banking industry is increasingly fierce, not only among domestic banks but also with foreign banks. Thus, banks are trying to diversify their income sources, especially from non-interest activity. Most previous studies study the relationship between the bank's income diversification and the increase in the proportion of income from non-interest products and services. However, the relationship between income diversification and bank scale has not been studied as much. This paper examines the relationship between income diversification and commercial bank size in Vietnam. The study applies a panel data regression model with a sample of 23 commercial banks in Vietnam in the period 2012–2020, using the generalized least squares method to overcome variable variance and autocorrelation in the research model. Our results show that bank size has a positive impact on the degree of income diversification. At the same time, size has a larger impact on income diversification at large banks than small banks. Therefore, smaller banks need to concentrate on developing modern technology systems as well as improving the quality of personnel and operating experience rather than investing in new products and services. Further research may expand to include commercial banks of countries or regions in order to get a deeper look at the impact of size and some economic factors on income diversification.
Association of Lifestyle Intervention With Risk for Cardiovascular Events Differs by Level of Glycated Hemoglobin
Authors: Bancks Michael P , Pilla Scott J , Balasubramanyam Ashok , Yeh Hsin-Chieh , Johnson Karen C , Rigdon Joseph , Wagenknecht Lynne E , Espeland Mark A
Published: November 2023

Purpose

We reevaluated the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) to assess whether the effect of ILI on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention differed by baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Methods

Look AHEAD randomized 5145 adults, aged 45 to 76 years with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity to ILI or a diabetes support and education (DSE) control group for a median of 9.6 years. ILI focused on achieving weight loss through decreased caloric intake and increased physical activity. We assessed the parent trial's primary composite CVD outcome. We evaluated additive and multiplicative heterogeneity of the intervention on CVD risk by baseline HbA1c.

Results

Mean baseline HbA1c was 7.3% (SD 1.2) and ranged from 4.4% (quintile 1) to 14.5% (quintile 5). We observed additive and multiplicative heterogeneity of the association between ILI and CVD (all P < .001) by baseline HbA1c. Randomization to ILI was associated with lower CVD risk for HbA1c quintiles 1 [hazard ratio (HR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53, 0.88] and 2 (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.96) and associated with higher CVD risk for HbA1c quintile 5 (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.58), compared to DSE.

Conclusion

Among adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity, randomization to a lifestyle intervention was differentially associated with CVD risk by baseline HbA1c such that it was associated with lower risk at lower HbA1c levels and higher risk at higher HbA1c levels. There is a critical need to develop and tailor lifestyle interventions to be successful for individuals with type 2 diabetes and high HbA1c.
Pubertal Girls With Overweight/Obesity Have Higher Androgen Levels—Can Metabolomics Tell us Why?
Authors: Calvert Madison E , Molsberry Samantha A , Overdahl Kirsten E , Jarmusch Alan K , Shaw Natalie D
Published: November 2023

Context

Pubertal girls with higher total body fat (TBF) demonstrate higher androgen levels. The cause of this association is unknown but is hypothesized to relate to insulin resistance.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the association between higher TBF and higher androgens in pubertal girls using untargeted metabolomics.

Methods

Serum androgens were determined using a quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)–based assay. Metabolomic samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography high-resolution MS. Associations between TBF or body mass index (BMI) z score (exposure) and metabolomic features (outcome) and between metabolomic features (exposure) and serum hormones (outcome) were examined using gaussian generalized estimating equation models with the outcome lagged by one study visit. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted P values were calculated to account for multiple testing. RaMP-DB (relational database of metabolomic pathways) was used to conduct enriched pathway analyses among features nominally associated with body composition or hormones.

Results

Sixty-six pubertal, premenarchal girls (aged 10.9 ± 1.39 SD years; 60% White, 24% Black, 16% other; 63% normal weight, 37% overweight/obese) contributed an average of 2.29 blood samples. BMI and TBF were negatively associated with most features including raffinose (a plant trisaccharide) and several bile acids. For BMI, RaMP-DB identified many enriched pathways related to bile acids. Androstenedione also showed strong positive associations with raffinose and bile acids.

Conclusion

Metabolomic analyses of samples from pubertal girls did not identify an insulin resistance signature to explain the association between higher TBF and androgens. Instead, we identified potential novel signaling pathways that may involve raffinose or bile acid action at the adrenal gland.
Research on Location Privacy Protection Technology in Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Big Data
Authors: Zhang Hong , Li Pei
Published: November 2023

The digital footprint in wireless sensor networks can bring great academic and commercial value, but it will also bring the risk of privacy disclosure to users. This study discusses the location privacy protection methods in location based service under multiple scenarios. In the experiment, a false location filtering algorithm for real-time location request scenarios and a false path generation model for offline location release scenarios are proposed. The false position filtering algorithm is implemented based on the idea of a large top heap selection query. The algorithm can construct false position candidate sets and filter false positions. The false track generation model combines the false position technology and the generative adversarial networks model, which mainly protects the user’s track data by synthesizing tracks. In the attacker’s recognition experiment of a real location. The minimum distance between the false locations generated by the algorithm proposed in the study is above 400 m and the generation time does not exceed 5 ms, generating a better set of false locations in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. Compared with several commonly used privacy-preserving algorithms, the proposed algorithm has the lowest probability of being identified with real locations, with no more than 21% overall, and is almost independent of the k value. the recognition accuracy of the trajectory user link task decreases from over 90% to about 34%, indicating that the proposed fake trajectory generation model can effectively protect users’ data privacy. The experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm and model proposed in the study can quickly generate physically dispersed and semantically diverse sets of fake locations and effectively protect users’ trajectory privacy, which is important for users’ digital footprint privacy protection.
A Priori Algorithm Based Network Security Situational Awareness Multi-Source Data Correlation Analysis Method
Authors: Li Wei , Li Jianjun , Zhang Chengting , Yao Guang , Xu Xue
Published: November 2023

In the context of the information age, the Internet has developed rapidly, but the accompanying network security threats have also become an issue that cannot be ignored. In order to effectively respond to these threats and improve the data processing capabilities of network security situational awareness, the study focuses on the challenges of multi-source data processing and proposes a multi-source data association analysis method based on the A priori algorithm. This method aims to deeply explore the implicit relationships between data and provide stronger support for network attack detection. In addition, the study also designed a multi-level evaluation method based on coefficient of variation indicators, aiming to provide a more objective and comprehensive evaluation of the detection results. After a series of experimental verification, the proposed correlation analysis method has achieved significant results in detecting phishing attacks and DOS attacks, with detection rates of 90.3% and 93.8%, respectively. At the same time, the multi-level evaluation method has also been experimentally proven to provide more reasonable and accurate results for data evaluation. The methods and technologies proposed in the study can not only improve the multi-source data processing ability of network security situational awareness, but also provide valuable references for future network security research and practice.
Countering Cybercrime Under Martial Law
Authors: Orlovskyi Ruslan , Kharytonov Sergiy , Samoshchenko Igor , Us Olha , Iemelianenko Volodymyr
Published: November 2023

To date, it is impossible to imagine your life without all kinds of gadgets, the Internet and social networks. The active using of social networks has long been carried out by all state bodies in order to cause confidence of the population to their actions, to see feedback in the format of comments, as well as to show people all topical processes. It is also important to note that Ukraine is an advanced state in the field of electronic document circulation, and therefore almost all processes, starting from the activities of banking institutions and ending with the activity of air and railway transport are carried out by automated electronic systems. Accordingly, the coordinated and uninterrupted functioning of all of the above is due to the stability of cyberspace. In connection with Russia’s attack the information space became the second battlefield. Cyberattacks and official state sites hacking was immediately started, there were active attempts to abduct electronic data of banking institutions and private enterprises. The relevance of this article is determined by it, because a detailed analysis of the characteristic features of cybercrime, the search for methods and mechanisms of countering cybercrime in the conditions of war are the primary tasks and contribution to victory. The purpose of the article is to analyze the current state of countering cybercrime and varieties of cybercrime, to identify features and characteristics of cybercrime, as well as to make proposals for improving the current legislation in this area. The study used the following methods: analysis and synthesis, legal, static, systemic and formal-legal methods, method of interpretation of law. The conclusions, which we will make, can be a basis for further improvement of legislation, research and discussions between theorists and practitioners.
Implementation of Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem with Bitcoin Curves on SECP256k1, NIST256p, NIST521p, and LLL
Authors: Ulla Mohammed Mujeer , Preethi  , Khan Md. Sameeruddin , Sakkari Deepak S.
Published: November 2023

Very recent attacks like ladder leaks demonstrated the feasibility of recovering private keys with side-channel attacks using just one bit of secret nonce. ECDSA nonce bias can be exploited in many ways. Some attacks on ECDSA involve complicated Fourier analysis and lattice mathematics. This paper will enable cryptographers to identify efficient ways in which ECDSA can be cracked on curves NIST256p, SECP256k1, NIST521p, and weak nonce, kind of attacks that can crack ECDSA and how to protect yourself. Initially, we begin with an ECDSA signature to sign a message using the private key and validate the generated signature using the shared public key. Then we use a nonce or a random value to randomize the generated signature. Every time we sign, a new verifiable random nonce value is created, and a way in which the intruder can discover the private key if the signer leaks any one of the nonce values. Then we use Lenstra–Lenstra–Lovasz (LLL) method as a black box, we will try to attack signatures generated from bad nonce or bad random number generator (RAG) on NIST256p, SECP256k1 curves. The combination of nonce generation, post-message signing, and validation in ECDSA helps achieve Uniqueness, Authentication, Integrity, and Non-Repudiation. The analysis is performed by considering all three curves for the implementation of the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). The comparative analysis for each of the selected curves in terms of computational time is done with the leak of nonce and with the Lenstra–Lenstra–Lovasz method to crack ECDSA. The average computational costs to break ECDSA with curves NIST256p, NIST521p, and SECP256k1 are 0.016, 0.34,0.46 respectively which is almost zero depicting the strength of the algorithm. The average computational costs to break ECDSA with curves SECP256K1 and NIST256p using LLL are 2.9 and 3.4 respectively
A Study on an Intelligent Algorithm for Automatic Test Paper Generation and Scoring in University English Exams
Authors: Yang Han
Published: November 2023

This paper mainly studied the automatic test paper generation and scoring problems in university English exams. Firstly, an automatic test paper generation model was established. Then, an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) was designed for intelligent test paper generation, and it was also used to automatically score answers to Chinese-to-English translation questions in terms of syntax and semantics. It was found that compared with the traditional GA and particle swarm optimization algorithm, the IGA method was faster in generating test papers, with an average generation time of 25 s, and had a higher success rate (94%), suggesting higher validity, and the difficulty and differentiation degrees of the test papers were closer to the preset values. The results of automatic scoring also had a correlation of more than 0.8 with the manual scoring results. The results prove the effectiveness of the automatic test paper generation and scoring method. It can be promoted and applied in practice to enhance the security and fairness of large-scale English exams, as well as achieve objectivity and consistency in scoring.
Analyzing the Standardization Landscape for Identity Management in Public Services – A Standards Review for the IMPULSE Project
Authors: Lindner René , Schmudde Madlen , González Alicia Jiménez , Acuña Jaime Loureiro , Blind Knut
Published: November 2023

The digitalization of public services is one of the major challenges that public administrations are currently facing. Electronic identifications play a major role for a variety of these related services. Due to the impact these services will have on the daily life of citizens, organizations, and the public at large, the social dimensions must be considered equally to the technical ones. To ensure the applicability, trust, and compliance of electronic identity for access to public services, it is necessary to take into account relevant standards collected through an analysis of the state-of-the-art. In general, the literature on integrating standardization in research projects is very rare and potential impacts of standards related to electronic identification have not been assessed yet. The European project IMPULSE has integrated standardization as an essential element and assessed the relevant standardization landscape as one activity. The analysis of the standardization landscape resulted in the identification of nine formal and six de-facto standards that have high relevance for IMPULSE. The process for this analysis and the resulting dashboard will support future projects to effectively consider, analyze and use standards for their projects.
Gauging Geography's Vitality through National and Regional Organizations
Authors: Kaplan David
Published: November 2023

abstract: The establishment of formal disciplinary-based associations is vital to the growth of the discipline and in facilitating the activities of people who work within the discipline. This geographical note examines the development and role of geography associations in the United States. It begins by looking at the four major geography societies which originated between 1851 and 1915 and how they specialized in their outreach and functions. This is followed by examining the role of the American Association of Geographers' regional divisions, which have created more localized geography associations for AAG members. The attributes of the AAG's nine regional divisions are considered, and then members' perspectives of these regions, based on a wide-ranging survey, are discussed. The special place of the Southeastern Division of the AAG (SEDAAG) emerges in comparing attributes and perceptions of each of the nine AAG regions.
Dramaturging Script Analysis
Authors: Dawson Amanda , Knowles Scott C.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Theatre students need an expansive view of art and storytelling in order to fully engage the diversity of the field of theatre and performance. We argue this can be accomplished by moving past a focus on the "play from the inside" of most script analysis courses toward a dramaturgical analysis. Dramaturgy offers a broader approach that fosters more complex critical and creative thinking skills, thus providing a stronger foundation for analytical ability. How can dramaturgy broaden the artistic discipline's approach to script analysis? What do we gain from applying a dramaturgical sensibility to script analysis? We suggest the employment of five themes to utilize in dramaturgical analysis: context, audience, creation, shape, and conceptual frameworks.
"They Noticed Everything": Integrating Student Experience of Theatrical Performance into Coursework
Authors: Kaufmann Michael W.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Integrating students' experiences of a theatrical performance into coursework often presents a pedagogical challenge, especially if the performance serves only as an occasion for critique or as an illustration of course themes. This essay describes some classroom strategies that help students pay attention to the distinctive elements of the experience of attending a theatrical performance while at the same time preparing them to connect these experiences to the themes and issues of the course. The process begins with an assignment that asks students to identify just one thing they noticed during the performance, then to describe how that element contributed to their comprehension of the moment-to-moment storytelling. With an understanding of the performance firmly grounded in observation, students are better prepared to explore connections between their experiences at the theatre and their investigations in the classroom. The essay describes these assignments in action in an intermediate-level lecture/discussion course on dramatic literature where students attended a production of Angels in America . Approaches described herein have successfully worked in courses on different subjects, themes, formats, and curricular levels, and with both theatre majors and students from many disciplines.
Evolving Service Innovation for The Late-mover Industry
Authors: Pertiwi Ruspita Rani
Published: November 2023

Research Aims: This paper examines how Islamic banking in Indonesia, as a late-mover industry, evolves service innovation to attract customers and compete with already established conventional banking. 
Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative research examines Indonesian Islamic Banking as a case study. This study involves two stages: investigating the case in-depth, detail, and context analysis using secondary data from various sources and in-depth interviews with stakeholders. Triangulation was employed to validate the entire result using various methods and data source triangulation.
Research Findings: This research reveals that the development of service innovation in late movers is influenced by the sort of industry, the goals and values of the new industry's establishment, the resources owned, and market characteristics. While the dimensions of service innovation developed by late movers typically focus on new value systems, they emphasise value; meanwhile, in terms of technical or working models of the innovation, they tend to replicate or modify from first movers.
A PRIORI ESTIMATES FOR DERIVATIVE SOLUTIONS OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL INHOMOGENEOUS HEAT CONDUCTION EQUATIONS WITH AN INTEGRAL LOAD IN THE MAIN PART
Authors:   Institute of Computer Science and Problems of Regional Management of KBSC of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nal'chik, Russian Federation, Boziev O.L. ,   Kabardino-Balkar State University, Nal'chik, Russian Federation
Published: November 2023

This article considers the second initial-boundary value problem with homogeneous boundary conditions for a one-dimensional modified heat equation. The modification consists in replacing the temperature-conductivity coefficient with an integral load. In our case, it has the form of a power function of the integral of the square of the modulus of the derivative of the solution of the equation with respect to the spatial variable. Equations with such a load are associated with some practically important parabolic equations with a power nonlinearity in the main part. This makes it possible to use previously found solutions of loaded problems to start the successive approximation to solutions of the nonlinear problems reduced to them. In this case, with respect to the original nonlinear equation, the loaded equation contains a weakened nonlinearity. Linearization of the loaded equation makes it possible to find its approximate solution. The article considers three cases of integral load: the square of the norm of the derivative of the solution with respect to x in the space L2 in natural, inverse to natural, and integer negative powers. The corresponding a priori inequalities are established. Their right sides are used to pass to linearized equations. Examples of linearization of heat conduction equations with an integral load in the main part are given.
THE ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF INFORMATION FOR ONE STOCHASTIC SYSTEM OF THE SOBOLEV TYPE
Authors:   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation, Perevozchikova K.V.
Published: November 2023

This article is devoted to the analysis and processing of information for a stochastic model based on the equation of potential distribution in a crystalline semiconductor with the Nelson–Glicklich derivative and the Showalter–Sidorov initial condition. By semiconductors, we mean substances that have a finite electrical conductivity that rapidly increases with increasing temperature. It is assumed that the initial experimental data may be affected by random noise, which leads to the study of the stochastic model. An analysis of the stochastic model of the potential distribution in a crystalline semiconductor is given. Conditions under which there are step-by-step solutions of the model under study with the Showalter–Sidorov initial condition are found. Further, on the basis of the theoretical results, an algorithm for the numerical analysis of the system is given. Its implementation is presented in the form of a computational experiment, which is necessary for the further processing of information.