bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the primary care clinical testing process in southwest Scotland: a systems-based approach
Authors: Howson Alex , Ishmael Richard
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Across all healthcare environments, inadequately specified patient test requests are commonly encountered and can lead to wasted clinician time and healthcare resources, in addition to either missed or unnecessary testing taking place.

Before this work, in a general practice in Southwest Scotland, a mean value of 42% of test requests were already uploaded to ordercomms (a widely used system in general practice for designating clinical testing instructions) at patient presentation, leaving an opportunity for error and wasted clinician time/resources.

Methods

Patient appointment records were retrospectively reviewed in a general practice in Southwest Scotland to monitor the proportion of test requests already uploaded to ordercomms at the time of patient presentation.

The use of quality improvement tools and plan-do-study-act cycling allowed the testing of four change ideas attributable to different ‘pathways’ of origin for test requests.

Change ideas included increasing clinician and secondary care/docman origin test requests already on ordercomms prior to patient presentation, reducing patient origin test requests and improving the test requesting system.

Results

The percentage of test requests already on ordercomms at patient presentation increased from a mean of 42% to 89% over a 30 week test period. The use of test pre-set templates was a welcome intervention that was agreed to be made accessible to 30+ regional general practices.

Conclusion

The use of pre-set templates for clinical testing encouraged a 47% rise in test requests already uploaded to ordercomms prior to patient presentation. This saved up to 90 min of clinician time weekly and ensured patients received the correct tests at the appropriate time.

Our findings supported the use of pre-set testing templates, in combination with effective information communication, and were recommended for use in any clinical environment requiring patient testing.
Pleural effusion in acute pulmonary embolism: characteristics and relevance
Authors: Rodríguez-Núñez Nuria , Gude Francisco , Ferreiro Lucía , Landín-Rey Elisa , Carreiras-Cuiña María , Otero Borja , Carbajales María Cruz , Martínez-Martínez Honorio J , Díaz-Louzao Carla , Soto-Feijoo Roi , Suárez Antelo Juan , Toubes Maria E , Valdés-Cuadrado Luis
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The characteristics and clinical relevance of pleural effusion (PLEF) in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) are not fully understood.

Methods

A single-centre, retrospective study was performed of patients admitted with APE classified according to the subsequent development or not of PLEF. A model was built to predict PLEF and its impact on 30-day all-cause mortality was investigated.

Results

A total of 1602 patients with APE were included (median age, 74 (61, 82) years; 674 men (42.1%); 382 (23.8%) with PLEF). PLEF was associated with a higher number of comorbidities (p=0.015); more peripheral APE (0.001); a higher frequency of pulmonary infarctions (p<0.001) and higher 30-day all-cause mortality (p=0.004) compared with those without PLEF. Bilateral PLEFs, as compared with unilateral, were associated with a higher number of comorbidities (p=0.009); more severe (simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index ≥1; p<0.001) and higher 30-day all-cause mortality (p<0.001).

On multivariate analysis, the presence of PLEF was associated with atrial fibrillation (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.32 to 3.02), congestive heart failure (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.81 to 5.00), pulmonary infarction (OR 3.19; 95% CI 2.38 to 4.29) and a Charlson index ≥3 (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.45). The predictive model for PLEF had a moderate power of discrimination (area under the curve, AUC 0.76; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.79), whereas the predictive model for mortality showed a good predictive power (AUC 0.89; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.93). The presence of PLEF doubles the probability of death (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.68). When PLEF is bilateral, the probability of death is four times higher, as compared with unilateral PLEF (OR 4.07; 95% CI 1.53 to 10.85; AUC 0.90; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95).

Conclusions

A significant number of APE patients develop PLEF. The model showed a good power of discrimination for the prediction of mortality. The probability of death from APE doubles in the presence of PLEF. Patients with APE and concomitant bilateral PLEF have a fourfold higher risk of mortality, as compared with patients with concomitant unilateral PLEF.
Are there differences in low-acuity emergency department visits between culturally and linguistically diverse migrants and people with English-speaking background: a population-based linkage study of adults over 45
Authors: Ayala-Diaz Flavio , Harris-Roxas Ben , Harris Mark , Barr Margo , Kabir A Y M Alamgir , Conway Damian P , Sharma Anurag
Published: November 2024

Background

Growing numbers of avoidable low-acuity visits to emergency departments (ED) are a major health policy concern globally and are thought to contribute to ED crowding. This study explores the differences in the utilisation of low-acuity ED visits between culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) migrants and English-speaking background (ESB) population.

Methods

A study based on a cross-sectional survey of individuals aged 45 or over linked to routinely collected ED visit records in New South Wales. We employed a negative binomial regression model to compare the number of yearly low-acuity ED visits between individuals from ESB and CaLD backgrounds after adjusting for relevant health-related and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

We analysed 227 681 individuals with a mean age of 61, two-thirds of whom came from an ESB. Among individuals with a CaLD background, only those born in Australia had comparable rates of low-acuity ED visits as those with an ESB. In contrast, individuals with CaLD backgrounds who were born overseas were significantly less likely to make low-acuity visits to the ED compared with those from an ESB irrespective of year of arrival—for those who had migrated less than 20 years ago (relative risk (RR) 0.72, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.83) and those who migrated more than 20 years ago (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.95).

Conclusion

Foreign-born migrants aged 45 and over from CaLD backgrounds tend to have the lowest rates of low-acuity ED visits, particularly those who migrated more recently indicating low-acuity visits by CaLD patients are unlikely to contribute to ED crowding.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of coronary heart disease in Bavaria, Germany: an analysis of health claims data
Authors: Schederecker Florian , Lehner Carolin T , Eberl Marian , Schauberger Gunther , Hansmann Katharina , Donnachie Ewan , Tauscher Martin , König Adriana , Sundmacher Leonie , Klug Stefanie J
Published: November 2024

Background

Inconsistent findings about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease diagnosis and consultations have been reported internationally. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of the pandemic period (2020–2021) on the incidence rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with the pre-pandemic period (2012–2019) in Bavaria, Germany.

Methods

We used health claims data of around 9 million statutorily insured residents (≥20 years) of Bavaria, Germany. We calculated quarterly age-standardised incidence rates for men and women diagnosed with CHD using the European Standard Population 2013. Interrupted time series regression models were used to analyse possible pandemic effects on the CHD incidence rates.

Results

Overall, 797 074 new CHD cases (47% women) were diagnosed from 2012 to 2021. Both pre-pandemic and pandemic incidence rates for women were lower than for men. Regression models showed decreasing incidence rates in the pre-pandemic period in men (−5.2% per year (p.a.), 95% CI: −5.7% to −4.7%) and in women (−6.6% p.a., 95% CI: −7.3% to −6.0%) and seasonal effects (higher in quarter 4 compared with Q1–Q3). During the pandemic period, there was no clear evidence of a level change in the incidence rates both in women and men. However, there are indications of a smaller decline in the incidence during the pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic period, in particular in women (−0.7% p.a., 95% CI: −6.0% to 4.8%) and less prominent in men (−1.7% p.a., 95% CI: −6.0% to 2.8%).

Conclusions

An overall decreasing CHD incidence rate was observed in men and women in the past decade but no clear impact of the pandemic was seen. These results show the importance of incidence monitoring beyond the pandemics to maintain chronic disease care.
Systematic review of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic adverse events
Authors: Shatila Malek , Zhang Hao Chi , Shirwaikar Thomas Anusha , Machado Antonio Pizuorno , Naz Sidra , Mittal Nitish , Catinis Christine , Varatharajalu Krishnavathana , Colli Cruz Carolina , Lu Eric , Wu Deanna , Brahmer Julie R , Carbonnel Franck , Hanauer Stephen B , Lashner Bret , Schneider Bryan , Thompson John A , Obeid Michel , Farris David P , Wang Yinghong
Published: November 2024

Gastrointestinal immune-related adverse events (GI irAEs) are common manifestations of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity. We present a comprehensive systematic review of the incidence, management, and clinical course of irAEs across the entire GI system, including the luminal GI tract, liver, and pancreas. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library were used to conduct this review. All studies pertaining to GI irAEs were included. Both abstracts and full manuscripts were eligible if they included human subjects and were written in the English language. Articles not available in English, animal studies, or research not specific to GI toxicity of immunotherapy were excluded. We excluded certain article types depending on whether stronger evidence was available in the literature for a specific toxicity, for example, if prospective studies were available on a topic, retrospective studies and case reports were excluded. We extracted a final 166 articles for our review and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for data reporting. Risk of bias tools were not used to evaluate the extracted studies given the narrative nature of this manuscript, but each study was critically appraised by the manuscript writer. We detail the incidence, presentation, evaluation, management, and outcomes of the various GI toxicities that may arise with ICI therapy. Specifically, we discuss the characteristics of upper GI toxicity (esophagitis and gastroenteritis), lower GI toxicity (colitis), hepatobiliary inflammation, pancreatitis, and rarer forms of GI toxicity. We hope this review serves as a useful and accessible clinical tool that helps physicians familiarize themselves with the nuances of gastrointestinal/hepatic/pancreatic ICI toxicity diagnosis and management.
Strengthening harm-theoretic pro-life views
Authors: Kanu Julian I
Published: November 2024

A pro-life view can be called harm-theoretic if it claims abortion is impermissible because of the harm caused to the fetus. These positions are important in the abortion discussion because they allow pro-lifers to argue abortion is impermissible without claiming the fetus is a moral person. A major problem with harm-theoretic abortion views is that they fall victim to the contraception reductio. The contraception reductio was originally posed towards the Future like Ours argument for the impermissibility of abortion, but I show it is a problem for harm-theoretic positions in general. I argue that the currently proposed solutions aimed at solving the contraception reductio are unsatisfactory because they commit you to unnecessary controversial metaphysical positions, such as animalism and denying mereological universalism. Then, I give a new solution to the contraception reductio that avoids those metaphysical commitments. The main conclusion is that harm-theoretic views can avoid the contraception reductio by accepting a biological account of the harm of death.
Likelihood of fitness improvements during a standardised physical fitness programme in US Army trainees of different fitness levels
Authors: Pierce Joseph R , Cohen BS , Hauret KG , Sharp MA , Redmond JE , Foulis SA , Jones BH
Published: November 2024

Introduction

US Army Initial Entry Training (IET) aims to develop general fitness and conditioning among large groups of trainees. Despite group mean improvement in physical fitness during IET, some trainees experience substantial gains and others experience no improvement or even declines in fitness. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between trainee baseline fitness (Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the primary fitness assessment at the time of data collection) or estimated baseline body fat (%BF) and the change in fitness by the end of IET.

Methods

Trainee (n=774 men, 195 women) APFT performance data were obtained, and baseline anthropometrics were used to estimate %BF. APFT performance change (final−baseline) was analysed directly (t-tests) or by quartiles of baseline APFT performance or %BF (analysis of variance). Cochran-Armitage χ2for linear trend test and risk ratios allowed for comparison against the lowest initial performance referent quartile (Q1), providing the likelihood of fitness improvements. Significance was set at p≤0.05.

Results

Performance improved (p<0.01) on all final APFT events for men and women, respectively (push-ups: +38.4% and +91.8% repetitions; sit-ups: +26.8% and +33.5% repetitions; 2-mile run: −9.6% and −10.4% time). Significant trends in both sexes indicated that moving from low-to-high initial APFT fitness quartiles, trainees were increasingly less likely to improve their fitness. Specifically, men and women in the highest initial fitness quartiles (Q4) were 22%–32% and 25%–34% less likely (p<0.01) to improve, respectively, versus the within-sex lowest initial fitness quartiles (Q1). Only the male trainee’s 2-mile run time change was related to the initial %BF.

Conclusions

Although most trainees’ fitness improved by the end of IET, the likelihood and magnitude of improvement were clearly associated with initial fitness levels. Attention to individualised conditioning and training intensity in the physical readiness training programme of instruction may optimise training strategies across all trainee conditioning levels.
Incidence of cervical spine injury in victims of dismounted blast: a systematic review
Authors: Sargent Will , Henson R , Millar R , Ramasamy A , Gibb I , Bull A
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Dismounted blast has the potential to cause life-threatening injuries to multiple simultaneous casualties, including injury to the cervical spine (c-spine). Spinal immobilisation can be costly in terms of time and personnel required to apply and sustain it. C-spine ‘clearing’ tools frequently do not apply to the blast-injured casualty, so clinical judgement must be used to determine those requiring c-spine immobilisation. This will be strongly influenced by the likelihood of such an injury, but currently, the incidence of c-spine injury in dismounted blasts is not known.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health for original research reporting the number of patients suffering c-spine injury as a result of the dismounted blast, as well as indices of injury severity such as incidence of limb amputation. Rates were combined to give an overall incidence. The systematic review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42024527592).

Results

2775 unique studies were identified, 13 of which were analysed. Reported incidences of c-spine injuries ranged from 0% to 5.85% across all 13 studies, and unstable injuries ranged from 0% to 1.23% in the nine studies in which this could be calculated. After excluding one study due to an overlapping population, in 7889 patients the rate of c-spine injury was 0.89%. In the 4618 patients for which the incidence of unstable c-spine injury could be calculated, the rate was 0.30%. There was no correlation between the rate of amputation and the rate of c-spine injury (Spearman’s ρ=0.226, p=0.667).

Conclusion

Dismounted blasts result in a very low rate of c-spine injury. The populations sampled included a number of seriously injured casualties with potentially life-threatening wounds, such as limb amputation. We recommend deprioritising c-spine control in dismounted victims of the blast in favour of focusing the limited time and resources on addressing potentially life-threatening injuries.
The role of the polybromo-associated BAF complex in development
Authors: Park JinYoung , Kirkland Jacob G.
Published: November 2024

Chromatin is dynamically regulated during development, where structural changes affect the transcription of genes required to promote different cell types. One of the chromatin regulatory factors responsible for transcriptional regulation during development is the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factor conserved throughout eukaryotes. The catalytic subunit of this complex, BRG1, is shared in all three SWI/SNF complexes subfamilies and is essential for developing most cell lineages. Interestingly, many human developmental diseases have correlative or causative mutations in different SWI/SNF subunits. Many polybromo-associated BAF (pBAF) complex-specific subunit genetic alterations result in developmental failures in tissue-specific ways. This observation suggests that the pBAF complex plays a vital role in development and differentiation, and studying the pBAF complex may provide an opportunity to better understand gene regulation during development. In this mini-view, we will focus on the functions of pBAF-specific subunits and their influence on the development of various cell and tissue types by regulating developmental gene expression.
Generalized effective stress of dual-porosity geomaterials considering thermochemical effects
Authors: Tian Gailei , Zhang Zhihong , Song Zhaoyang
Published: November 2024

The accurate calculating effective stress is crucial to predicting soil deformation and ensuring structural safety under complex mechanical, thermal, and chemical loads. In this study, the thermodynamic pressures of the solid phase, and liquid phases in macropores and micropores of dual-porosity geomaterials are determined on the basis of thermodynamics and conservation equations with considering for the impact of temperature and solute concentration on soil–water interactions. In particular, thermal pressurization related to temperature and generalized osmotic pressure related to solute concentration were incorporated into the liquid-phase thermodynamic pressure equations. Thereafter, an equation for the generalized effective stress that could be applied specifically to dual-porosity geotechnical materials with consideration for environmental loads was derived from the definition of the stress tensor. The deformation behavior of clay under mechanical, thermal, and chemical coupling loading conditions was predicted using the newly proposed generalized effective stress. Predicted results revealed a stronger correlation between the generalized effective stress and void ratio, thereby confirming the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach. The derived equation establishes a solid theoretical foundation for designing impermeable buffer barriers in geotechnical engineering and geo-environmental engineering safety assessments.
Pavement performance over deep trenches backfilled with recycled aggregates under different compaction efforts
Authors: Al-Taie Asmaa , Yaghoubi Ehsan , Tahmoorian Farzaneh , Li Jie , Ahmed Balqees A.
Published: November 2024

Insufficient understanding of the stress–strain behavior of pavements built over backfilled trenches, particularly with recycled aggregates, often leads to overdesign or overcompaction, raising costs and project delays. This research investigates how compaction levels during backfilling impact the pavement performance over these trenches. Various recycled material mixtures, both unbound and cement-treated, are compared with conventional crushed rock. Investigations included repeated load triaxial (RLT) tests, microstructural analysis with scanning electron microscopy, environmental assessments, and modeling with FlexPAVE™, a pavement response and performance analysis software. RLT test results were incorporated into the FlexPAVE™ models by utilizing established constitutive resilient modulus models. Stress–strain responses of pavements over recycled aggregate backfill, compacted with standard and modified Proctor efforts, were compared with those over crushed rock and natural clay subgrades. Outcomes revealed that the standard compaction energy was sufficient for the desired performance. Fatigue and rutting strains with recycled mixtures closely resembled those with crushed rock, making them viable green alternatives. Pavements over backfilled trenches exhibited 1.5 and 1.8 times longer fatigue and rutting lives, respectively, than those over natural clay subgrades.
Effect of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide on properties of porous semi-IPN hydrogels from acrylamide, maleic acid, and its use for urea absorption
Authors: Tuan Huynh Nguyen Anh , Phan Bui Thi Cam , Duy Nguyen Khanh , Chau Le Ngoc , Hoa Huynh , Vinh Luong Chi , Phuc Le Nguyen Minh
Published: November 2024

Hydrogel is a three-dimensional polymer that can absorb large amounts of reagents while maintaining structural integrity. This material has been applied in many fields especially in smart agriculture. To improve the economic viability, the reusability of hydrogels in agricultural engineering over multiple cycles of adsorption and desorption is an urgent requirement. This can be solved if the crosslinker is used properly. Therefore, in this work, a series of porous semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on linear polyacrylamide, acrylamide, maleic acid, and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) were synthesized. The hydrogels were evaluated for the impact of MBA content on the characteristics and applicability as a urea fertilizer carrier. The chemical composition, morphology, mechanical, and rheological properties, swelling behavior, urea absorption, and desorption of hydrogels with crosslinker content in the range of 0.5%–2.0% were investigated. The porous structure was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. Changing the MBA content significantly affected all characteristics of the hydrogels. In particular, increasing the MBA content decreased the equilibrium swelling ratios in all investigated environments. The maximum amount of urea loaded into the hydrogel was also reduced from 435.88 to 188.50 mg/g. This increase also changed the swelling mechanism from non-Fickian to Fickian, whereas the urea release mechanism changed from Fickian to non-Fickian. Finally, the hydrogels demonstrated stability in soil over multiple cycles of water absorption and release. This study provides valuable insights into designing a semi-IPN hydrogel with desired properties that meet the application requirements of modern farming techniques.
Morphological and Functional Characteristics Analysis of Adolescent Motor Ability Based on Cloud Computing Motion Capture Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Yunpeng , Cui Zaichi , Xie Yanan
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the shape and physical function characteristics of adolescent athletic ability. The movement data of teenagers in the exercise process is collected processed and analyzed in real time by a cloud computing platform. Then, through comparative analysis, the physical function characteristics and morphological characteristics of teenagers in different sports are obtained. This paper investigates and analyzes the physical and functional characteristics of young athletes. According to the analysis results, the training methods and suggestions to improve the youth’s sports ability are put forward. The results show that the young athletes are small in stature, flexible in body, sensitive in response, good in respiratory function and high in body fat form and function. This study provides a scientific basis for the cultivation and promotion of youth sports ability and is of great significance to physical education and sports training.
Traffic Awareness-Based Target Wake Time Scheduling in 802.11ax WLANs
Authors: Dang Zhongkui , Yan Shuyi , Gu Xingmin , Chang Yuhao
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the rapid growth of mobile communication has led to the continuous expansion of network scale, and the energy consumption of wireless communication has also increased rapidly. Under the high-density networking conditions, frequent communication activities greatly increase the energy consumption. In order to reduce channel competition, optimize resource scheduling and reduce equipment power consumption, the target wake-up time (TWT) mechanism in IEEE 802.11ax system plays an important role through timely scheduling and transmission. To improve channel efficiency for multi-user (MU) transmission and tackle with complicated traffic conditions, this paper presents a traffic awareness-based TWT scheduling scheme (TAT). The traffic is predicted and classified using a spatio-temporal series model for traffic-based TWT parameter generation. Subsequently, the time–frequency scheduling table is developed to adaptively assign Resource Units (RUs) and time slices to active STAs. Simulation results show that TAT can guarantee the Quality of Service (QoS) under dynamic changes in power service and delay requirements while reducing power consumption, effectively meeting the energy-saving demands in the intelligent access scenarios for power terminals.
Killing vectors and magnetic curves in Lorentzian α-Sasakian 3-manifolds
Authors: Zhang Han , Liu Haiming , Chen Xiawei
Published: November 2024

The aim of this paper is to obtain magnetic trajectories corresponding to contact magnetic fields in Lorentzian [Formula: see text]-Sasakian 3-manifolds. First, we provide the definitions of the magnetic field and the Lorentzian equation used in this paper and derive the expression for the Bott connection by using the Levi-Civita connection. Then we derive the expression of Killing vector fields by using the Killing equation. At the same time, we obtain the explicit formulas for the Killing magnetic curves related to Bott connection. In addition, we provide an example for each type of Killing magnetic curve.
The phase transition of 4D Yang–Mills charged GB AdS black hole with cloud of strings
Authors: Rahmani Faramarz , Sadeghi Mehdi
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we present an exact spherically symmetric and Yang–Mills charged AdS black hole solution in the context of [Formula: see text] Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet (EGB) gravity in the presence of a cloud of strings. The regularity of the solution is checked. Thermodynamics of this solution is studied. The critical behavior, the types of phase transitions in canonical ensemble, the Joule–Thomson expansion, the Clapeyron equation and the critical exponents shall be investigated.
Exploring the Bianchi-IX universe within Brans–Dicke theory and a deceleration parameter
Authors: Mishra R. K. , Sharma Rahul
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we have presented the cosmological model in Brans–Dicke theory (BDT) of gravity for a Bianchi type-IX spacetime. We obtained the exact solutions of the field equations by applying the new form of deceleration parameter, i.e. fractional linear varying deceleration parameter (FLVDP) as proposed by R. K. Mishra and A. Chand [Astrophys. Space Sci. 361, 1 (2016)]. In this paper, we have also presented the physical and geometric properties and mathematical analysis of the proposed model. Then we have provided the energy conditions and statefinder diagnostic.
More results on the outer-independent triple Roman domination number
Authors: Babaei S. , Amjadi J. , Chellali M. , Sheikholeslami S. M.
Published: November 2024

An outer-independent triple Roman dominating function (OI[3]RDF) on a graph [Formula: see text] is function [Formula: see text] having the property that (i) if [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] must have either a neighbor assigned 4 or two neighbors one of which is assigned 3 and the other at least 2 or [Formula: see text] has three neighbors all assigned 2; (ii) no two vertices assigned 0 are adjacent; (iii) if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] must have either a neighbor assigned at least 3 or two neighbors assigned 2; (iv) if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] must have one neighbor assigned at least 2. The weight of an OI[3]RDF is the sum of its function value over the whole set of vertices, and the outer-independent triple Roman domination number of [Formula: see text] is the minimum weight of an OI[3]RDF on [Formula: see text] In this paper, we continue the study of outer-independent triple Roman domination number of graphs by first presenting two sharp lower bounds for the outer-independent triple Roman domination number of trees. Then we strengthen the NP-complete result of the outer-independent triple Roman domination problem for bipartite graphs by showing that the problem remains NP-complete for a subclass of bipartite graphs, namely tree convex bipartite graphs, where two special trees are considered.
Coupling of Discontinuous Galerkin and Pseudo-Spectral Methods for Time-Dependent Acoustic Problems
Authors: Meyer Rose-Cloé , Bériot Hadrien , Gabard Gwénaël , Modave Axel
Published: November 2024

Many realistic problems in computational acoustics involve complex geometries and sound propagation over large domains, which requires accurate and efficient numerical schemes. It is difficult to meet these requirements with a single numerical method. Pseudo-spectral (PS) methods are very efficient, but are limited to rectangular shaped domains. In contrast, the nodal discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method can be easily applied to complex geometries, but can become expensive for large problems.

In this paper, we study a coupling strategy between the PS and DG methods to efficiently solve time-domain acoustic wave problems. The idea is to combine the strengths of these two methods: the PS method is used on the part of the domain without geometric constraints, while the DG method is used around the PS region to accurately represent the geometry. This combination allows for the rapid and accurate simulations of large-scale acoustic problems with complex geometries, but the coupling and the parameter selection require great care.

The coupling is achieved by introducing an overlap between the PS and DG regions. The solutions are interpolated on the overlaps, which allows the use of unstructured finite element meshes. A standard explicit Runge–Kutta time-stepping scheme is used with the DG scheme, while implicit schemes can be used with the PS scheme due to the peculiar structure of this scheme. We present one- and two-dimensional results to validate the coupling technique. To guide future implementations of this method, we extensively study the influence of different numerical parameters on the accuracy of the schemes and the coupling strategy.
Belt and Braces: When Federated Learning Meets Differential Privacy
Authors: Ren Xuebin , Yang Shusen , Zhao Cong , McCann Julie , Xu Zongben
Published: November 2024

Federated learning (FL) has great potential for large-scale machine learning (ML) without exposing raw data. Differential privacy (DP) is the
de facto
standard of privacy protection with provable guarantees. Advances in ML suggest that DP would be a perfect fit for FL with comprehensive privacy preservation. Hence, extensive efforts have been devoted to achieving practically usable FL with DP, which however is still challenging. Practitioners often not only are not fully aware of its development and categorization, but also face a hard choice between privacy and utility. Therefore, it calls for a holistic review of current advances and an investigation into the challenges and opportunities for highly usable FL systems with a DP guarantee. In this article, we first introduce the primary concepts of FL and DP, and highlight the benefits of integration. We then review the current developments by categorizing different paradigms and notions. Aiming at usable FL with DP, we present the optimization principles to seek a better tradeoff between model utility and privacy loss. Finally, we discuss future challenges in the emergent areas and relevant research topics.
Acceleration for Deep Reinforcement Learning using Parallel and Distributed Computing: A Survey
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Xu Xin , Qiao Peng , Li Dongsheng
Published: November 2024

Deep reinforcement learning has led to dramatic breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence for the past few years. As the amount of rollout experience data and the size of neural networks for deep reinforcement learning have grown continuously, handling the training process and reducing the time consumption using parallel and distributed computing is becoming an urgent and essential desire. In this article, we perform a broad and thorough investigation on training acceleration methodologies for deep reinforcement learning based on parallel and distributed computing, providing a comprehensive survey in this field with state-of-the-art methods and pointers to core references. In particular, a taxonomy of literature is provided, along with a discussion of emerging topics and open issues. This incorporates learning system architectures, simulation parallelism, computing parallelism, distributed synchronization mechanisms, and deep evolutionary reinforcement learning. Furthermore, we compare 16 current open-source libraries and platforms with criteria of facilitating rapid development. Finally, we extrapolate future directions that deserve further research.
BlockAdemiC: A Digital Distributed Verification System for Educational Activities in Higher Education
Authors: Tepelidis Avraam , Mitsopoulou Eirini E. , Patenidis Athanasios T. , Livitckaia Kristina , Votis Konstantinos , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: November 2024

Blockchain technology advancements have made it feasible to build secure, decentralized networks with numerous use cases in various industries, including banking, education, government, and health. In higher education, there is a significant need for certification and credential verification through digital means, as fake certificates are common in the labor market. The BlockAdemiC system presented in this paper falls into solutions for such issues. BlockAdemiC is a blockchain-based educational platform that makes use of cutting-edge features in blockchain technology to ensure the required degree of trust both at the individual user and institutional level. Specifically, BlockAdemiC represents a digital distributed security system for the certification and verification of educational activities, degrees, and skills in higher education and lifelong learning, producing an immutable educational passport. Information distributed using blockchain enhances trust in the exchange of information between institutions, agencies, companies, and alumni and introduces a trustworthy mechanism for content verification and authentication. For self-sovereign identity and identification management, the system utilizes distributed ledger technology via Hyperledger frameworks and offers users authority over their identities and credentials, removing the need for the involvement of central authorities to validate and verify user identities. Smart contracts are additionally supported, which provide the connection for storing student activities that take place on educational platforms on the EOSIO blockchain. The BlockAdemiC was evaluated via a technological feasibility study focusing on the system's performance. The initial findings show that the system can efficiently process a high load of queries in parallel similar to the real-world situation and can be further considered for large-scale deployment and use.
Systematic Review of Generative Modelling Tools and Utility Metrics for Fully Synthetic Tabular Data
Authors: Lautrup Anton Danholt , Hyrup Tobias , Zimek Arthur , Schneider-Kamp Peter
Published: November 2024

Sharing data with third parties is essential for advancing science, but it is becoming more and more difficult with the rise of data protection regulations, ethical restrictions, and growing fear of misuse. Fully synthetic data, which transcends anonymisation, may be the key to unlocking valuable untapped insights stored away in secured data vaults. This review examines current synthetic data generation methods and their utility measurement. We found that more traditional generative models such as Classification and Regression Tree models alongside Bayesian Networks remain highly relevant and are still capable of surpassing deep learning alternatives like Generative Adversarial Networks. However, our findings also display the same lack of agreement on metrics for evaluation, uncovered in earlier reviews, posing a persistent obstacle to advancing the field. We propose a tool for evaluating the utility of synthetic data and illustrate how it can be applied to three synthetic data generation models. By streamlining evaluation and promoting agreement on metrics, researchers can explore novel methods and generate compelling results that will convince data curators and lawmakers to embrace synthetic data. Our review emphasises the potential of synthetic data and highlights the need for greater collaboration and standardisation to unlock its full potential.
Rumen-Targeted Mining of Enzymes for Bioenergy Production
Authors: Cann Isaac , Cheng Yanfen , Alhawsawi Manal A.B. , Moran Mallory , Li Yuqi , Gong Tian , Zhu Weiyun , Mackie Roderick I.
Published: November 2024

Second-generation biofuel production, which aims to convert lignocellulose to liquid transportation fuels, could be transformative in worldwide energy portfolios. A bottleneck impeding its large-scale deployment is conversion of the target polysaccharides in lignocellulose to their unit sugars for microbial fermentation to the desired fuels. Cellulose and hemicellulose, the two major polysaccharides in lignocellulose, are complex in nature, and their interactions with pectin and lignin further increase their recalcitrance to depolymerization. This review focuses on the intricate linkages present in the feedstocks of interest and examines the potential of the enzymes evolved by microbes, in the microbe/ruminant symbiotic relationship, to depolymerize the target polysaccharides. We further provide insights to how a rational and more efficient assembly of rumen microbial enzymes can be reconstituted for lignocellulose degradation. We conclude by expounding on how gains in this area can impact the sustainability of both animal agriculture and the energy sector.
Chromosome Engineering: Technologies, Applications, and Challenges
Authors: Mao Yihuan , Zhao Yulong , Zhou Qi , Li Wei
Published: November 2024

Chromosome engineering is a transformative field at the cutting edge of biological science, offering unprecedented precision in manipulating large-scale genomic DNA within cells. This discipline is central to deciphering how the multifaceted roles of chromosomes—guarding genetic information, encoding sequence positional information, and influencing organismal traits—shape the genetic blueprint of life. This review comprehensively examines the technological advancements in chromosome engineering, which center on engineering chromosomal rearrangements, generating artificial chromosomes, de novo synthesizing chromosomes, and transferring chromosomes. Additionally, we introduce the application progress of chromosome engineering in basic and applied research fields, showcasing its capacity to deepen our knowledge of genetics and catalyze breakthroughs in therapeutic strategies. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the challenges the field faces and highlight the profound implications that chromosome engineering holds for the future of modern biology and medical applications.
Spatial Transcriptomics Brings New Challenges and Opportunities for Trajectory Inference
Authors: Heitz Matthieu , Ma Yujia , Kubal Sharvaj , Schiebinger Geoffrey
Published: November 2024

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) brings new dimensions to the analysis of single-cell data. While some methods for data analysis can be ported over without major modifications, they are the exception rather than the rule. Trajectory inference (TI) methods in particular can suffer from significant challenges due to spatial batch effects in ST data. These can add independent sources of noise to each time point. Pioneering methods for TI on ST data have focused primarily on addressing the batch effects in physical arrangement, i.e., where tissues are deformed in different ways at different time points. However, other challenges arise due to the measurement granularity of ST technologies, as well as a bias from slicing. In this review, we examine the sources of these challenges, and we explore how they are addressed with current state-of-the-art STTI methods. We conclude by highlighting some opportunities for future method development.
Macromolecular Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in Cancer Treatment and Beyond
Authors: Throat Siddhi , Bhattacharya Sankha
Published: November 2024

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a versatile polymer known for its phase transition properties, exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of approximately 32°C. Below this temperature, PNIPAM is hydrophilic, while above it, the polymer becomes hydrophobic, making it ideal for thermosensitive drug delivery systems (DDSs). In tissue engineering, PNIPAM provides a biocompatible, nontoxic and stimuli‐responsive surface for cell culture. Its nontoxic nature ensures safety in medical applications. PNIPAM enhances biosensing diagnostics through its affinity for biomolecules, improving accuracy. Widely used in hydrogels, smart textiles, soft robotics and various medical applications, PNIPAM adapts to environmental changes. Its straightforward synthesis allows for the creation of diverse copolymers and composites, applicable in selective reactions and conjugations with fluorescent tags or chemical modifications. PNIPAM’s versatility extends to pH‐responsive alternatives, broadening its application spectrum. Practical examples include phase separation in water treatment and cleaning processes. This discussion explores PNIPAM’s biomedical and drug delivery applications, particularly in cancer treatment, photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), gene delivery and medical imaging. Additionally, it highlights PNIPAM’s noncancerous applications, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting of oncogenes and detailed imaging of deep and tumour tissues.
A Novel Efficient Approach for Solving Nonlinear Caputo Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Liaqat Muhammad Imran , Khan Adnan , Anjum Hafiz Muhammad , Abe-I-Kpeng Gregory , Mahmoud Emad E.
Published: November 2024

Several scientific areas utilize fractional nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) to model various phenomena, yet most of these equations lack exact solutions (Ex‐Ss). Consequently, techniques for obtaining approximate solutions (App‐S), which sometimes yield Ex‐Ss, are essential for solving these equations. This study employs a novel technique by combining the residual function and modified fractional power series (FPS) with the Aboodh transform (A‐T) to solve various nonlinear problems within the framework of the Caputo derivative. Studies on absolute error (Abs‐E), relative error (Rel‐E), residual error (Res‐E), and recurrence error (Rec‐E) validate the accuracy and effectiveness of our approach. We apply the limit principle at infinity to determine the coefficients of the series solution terms. In contrast, other methods, such as variational iteration, homotopy perturbation, and Elzaki Adomian decomposition, rely on integration, while the residual power series method (RPSM) employs differentiation, both of which face challenges in fractional scenarios. Moreover, the efficiency of our approach in solving nonlinear problems without depending on Adomian and He polynomials makes it more effective than various approximate series solution techniques. Our method yields results that are very similar to those obtained from the differential transform, the homotopy perturbation, the analytical computational, and Adomian decomposition methods (ADMs). This demonstrates that our technique is a suitable alternative tool for solving nonlinear models.
A Market‐Oriented Trading Method for Integrated Community Energy System Based on Hierarchical Stackelberg Game Method
Authors: Wang Guofeng , Jiang Bei , Dong Shuai , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Youbing
Published: November 2024

In response to escalating environmental concerns and the shortage of traditional energy resources, it is essential to enhance energy management within multienergy markets to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources with end‐users. To this end, our research focuses on the optimization of community‐level integrated energy systems (CIESs) equipped with combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP), utilizing a multiagent system (MAS) and a hierarchical Stackelberg game approach. The research begins with the development of an MAS‐based optimization framework for game participants, followed by the establishment of a Stackelberg game model where the multienergy seller acts as the leader and the consumer as the follower. The model is thoroughly validated through the formulation and solution of a mixed‐integer linear program (MILP)–based multiobjective optimization, which not only demonstrates effective strategies for optimizing power dispatch but also enhances economic returns and ensures fast game convergence. The results significantly validate the approach of maximizing the utilization of clean energy in energy transactions, clarifying the dynamic relationship between price fluctuations and load in the pricing mechanism. These insights are vital for promoting environmental sustainability and conserving resources, proving essential for future energy management practices.
Identification of the Plausible Drug Target via Network/Genome Analysis and Its Molecular Interaction Studies Against Multidrug Resistance Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Abbas Sidra , Yasmin Azra , Mujawar Shama , Bibi Monaza , Kazmi Abeer , Rehman Saif Ur
Published: November 2024

Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae have become a global health threat. Drug repositioning or repurposing has become a viable solution to combat the threat posed by MDR pathogens. A strategic approach to identifying potential new candidates as future molecular drug targets is presented in this study. Fifty proteins critical for virulence during systemic infection were selected from the entire genomes of MDR E. coli MB641 and Enterobacter cloacae MB649, which were isolated from infected orthopaedic implants. Interaction networks were built using the STRING database to visualise the positioning of the selected virulence proteins in the network space and support their suitability for therapeutic targeting. The two significant virulence proteins FliG and FlhA, which were discovered by network analysis, were suggested as prospective treatment targets. To test the stability of the protein–drug complexes, the preidentified proteins were docked with 10 marketed antibacterial drugs and six phytochemicals. Amikacin, rifampicin, streptomycin, and tetracycline had the best binding interaction and stability for both strains, according to our findings. Molecular dynamic simulation studies were performed for amikacin and catechin at 100 ns. Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic stable contacts were seen in the active sites of amikacin and catechin with new chemical structures. Structural and conformational analysis of the docked protein‐ligand complex was done by RMSD which showed stability of the amikacin and catechin complexes, whereas RMSF showed conformational changes. Based on the results, we propose the phytochemical catechin as the best theoretical lead, which may be further experimentally studied for selective inhibition.