bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MIL-68 (Ga) for the extraction of derivatized and non-derivatized parabens from healthcare products
Authors: Pezhhanfar Sakha , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Kheirkhah Ghaleh Mahdi , Hosseini-Yazdi Seyed Abolfazl , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2023

This study was the first-ever attempt to apply MIL-68 (Ga) in developing an analytical method. The method extracts and preconcentrates some parabens from mouthwash and hydrating gel samples. The variable extraction parameters were optimized, and the figures of merit were documented. Avogadro software was used besides discussing intermolecular interactions to clarify the absorption process. ComplexGAPI software was also exploited to assess the greenness of the method. After the derivatization of the parabens using acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium carbonate, sodium chloride was added to the solution and vortexed to dissolve. A few milligrams of MIL-68 (Ga) were added into the solution and vortexed. Centrifugation separated the analyte-loaded absorbent, which was treated with mL volume of methanol through vortexing for desorption aim. A few microliters of 1,2-dibromoethane were merged with the methanolic phase and injected into a sodium chloride solution. One microliter of the extracted phase was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. High enrichment factors (200–330), reasonable extraction recoveries (40–66%), wide linear ranges (265–30,000 µg L−1), and appreciable coefficients of determination (0.996–0.999) were documented. The applicability of dispersive solid phase extraction for extracting polar analytes, imposing no additional step for performing derivatization, the capability of MIL-68 (Ga) for the absorption of both derivatized and non-derivatized parabens, the use of only 10 mg absorbent, and one-pot synthesis besides no high temperature or long reaction time in the sorbent provision are the highlights of the method.
A sensitive monoclonal antibody-based ELISA integrated with immunoaffinity column extraction for the detection of zearalenone in food and feed samples
Authors: Wang Ting , Zhou Ting , Wu Kang , Cao Junlin , Feng Yuze , Li Jianguo , Deng Anping
Published: December 2023

Zearalenone (ZEN) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins widely found in agricultural products.
(C2H5NH3)2BiCl5−xBrx perovskites containing 1D chains: effect of Br substitution on their structural and optical properties
Authors: Pradhan Abinash , Sahoo Sanand , Samal Saroj L.
Published: December 2023

The observed high dielectric constant of pristine chlorine in (C2H5NH3)2BiCl5−xBrx is attributed to the high polarization of the [BiCl5]2− unit as a result of its high tilting angle.
Difunctionalization of alkenes proceeding with radical 1,2-alkynyl migration in batch and continuous-flow modes
Authors: Mao Ziren , Zhou Yiliang , Zhang Jingming , Liu Chengkou , Wang Chang-Sheng , Yang Xiaobing , Qin Hong , Fang Zheng , Guo Kai
Published: December 2023

A straightforward method for electrochemical difunctionalization of alkenes to construct the corresponding α-alkynyl ketone product under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions in batch and continuous-flow modes was developed.
Counterion chemistry of 5-halo (X: Cl, Br, I)-uracil derived carbon nitride: unlocking enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Bhoyar Toshali , Abraham B. Moses , Gupta Akanksha , Kim Dong Jin , Manwar Nilesh R. , Pasupuleti Kedhareswara Sairam , Vidyasagar Devthade , Umare Suresh S.
Published: December 2023

This study presents the design of a halouracil doped polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst with tunable optoelectronic properties and photoactivity.
Recent advances of bifunctional electrocatalysts and electrolyzers for overall seawater splitting
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Geng Meiqi , Sun Shengjun , Xiang Qian , Dong Shiyuan , Dong Kai , Yao Yongchao , Wang Yan , Yang Yingchun , Luo Yongsong , Zheng Dongdong , Liu Qian , Hu Jianming , Wu Qian , Sun Xuping , Tang Bo
Published: December 2023

This review summarizes advances in bifunctional electrocatalysts and electrolyzers for seawater splitting, including various catalysts (e.g., phosphides, chalcogenides, borides, nitrides, and (oxy)hydroxides) and membrane-based/membrane-less systems.
Die kindergynäkologische Untersuchung bei Verdacht auf sexuellen Missbrauch im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Bernhard Matthias K. , Handzel Romy , Nickel Petra
Published: December 2023

Kindergynäkologische Untersuchungen bei Verdacht auf sexuellen Missbrauch sollen sorgfältig vorbereitet und in Ruhe gegebenenfalls in Kombination mit rechtsmedizinischer Untersuchung durchgeführt werden. Eine zeitnahe oder gar notfallmäßige Untersuchung ist nur bei offensichtlichen Verletzungen und Blutungen notwendig sowie zur forensischen Spurensicherung idealerweise innerhalb von 24, maximal 72 Stunden nach dem Übergriff. Der Ablauf der kindergynäkologischen Untersuchung wird beschrieben und die wichtigsten somatischen Ursachen und Differenzialdiagnosen für genitale Blutungen im Kindesalter werden erläutert.
Die Therapie von Angststörungen um 1900. Hermann Oppenheim
(1858–1919) und seine frühen Innovationen
Authors: Moenikes Nina C. , Steinberg Holger
Published: December 2023

Als nervenärztlicher Lehrer und Lehrbuchautor erfuhr Oppenheim
zunächst große Anerkennung. Mit seiner Monografie zur
traumatischen Neurose (1892), die er als Folge organischer bzw. molekularer
Veränderungen ansah, geriet er immer mehr in Kritik und Ablehnung
vorwiegend seitens deutscher Kollegen. Seine jüdische Herkunft spielte
hierbei eine Rolle. Kaum historische Beachtung hingegen findet bislang
Oppenheims Auseinandersetzung mit dem Phänomen der Angst, welches sich
zu seiner Zeit noch als ein wenig definiertes pathologisches
Störungsbild darstellt. Oppenheim betrachtet in seinen Arbeiten
v. a. der Jahre nach 1900 Angststörungen als ätiologisch
multifaktoriell bedingte Krankheitserscheinung und gesteht ihnen einen
syndromalen Charakter zu. Therapeutisch orientiert er sich nicht nur an
gängigen Behandlungsmethoden wie der Diätetik oder der
Psychoanalyse, sondern sieht den Patienten als zu respektierendes,
wertzuschätzendes Individuum. Daraus leitet er selbstentwickelte
psychotherapeutische Behandlungsmethoden ab, die Ähnlichkeit mit
heutigen Verfahren der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie aufweisen, wie die
Ablenkung von angstauslösenden Gedanken, die Orientierung auf
persönliche Ressourcen des Patienten oder die Konfrontation mit der
Angstsituation. Oppenheims Beiträge zu den Angststörungen
erweisen sich als für ihre Zeit innovativ.
Renal Function Evolution and Hypoaldosteronism Risk After Unilateral
Adrenalectomy for Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Queiroz Nara L. , Stumpf Matheo A. M. , Souza Victor C. M. , Maciel Ana Alice W. , Fagundes Gustavo F. C. , Okubo Jessica , Srougi Victor , Tanno Fabio Y. , Chambo Jose L. , Pereira Maria Adelaide A. , Pio-Abreu Andrea , Bortolotto Luiz A. , Latronico Ana Claudia , Barisson Villares Fragoso Maria Candida , Drager Luciano F. , Mendonça Berenice B. , Almeida Madson Q.
Published: December 2023

Few studies demonstrated a percentage decrease in the estimated glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR) at a single time and the rate of hypoaldosteronism after
adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA). Our aim was to investigate the
evolution of renal function and the hypoaldosteronism risk after adrenalectomy
for PA. Aldosterone, renin, eGFR, and electrolyte levels were determined before
and at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after unilateral adrenalectomy in 94 PA
patients (40 men and 54 women). The main outcome was the postoperative eGFR
decline using analysis of covariance with the preoperative eGFR as a covariate.
eGFR decreased during first postoperative week compared to 3 months before
surgery. During the first 6 months, eGFR remained stable at similar levels to
the first week after surgery. Age (p=0.001), aldosterone levels
(p=0.021) and eGFR 3 months before surgery
(p+<+0.0001) had a significant correlation with eGFR
during first postoperative week. High aldosterone levels at diagnosis were
correlated with decline in renal function in the univariate model
(p=0.033). In the multivariate analysis, aldosterone levels at diagnosis
had a tendency to be an independent predictor of renal function after surgery
(p=0.059). Postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism was diagnosed in
48% of the cases after adrenalectomy, but prolonged hyperkalemia
occurred in only 4 cases (4.5%). Our findings showed a decrease of eGFR
after unilateral adrenalectomy for PA. Additionally, aldosterone levels at
diagnosis correlated with postoperative renal function. Postoperative
biochemical hypoaldosteronism occurred in almost half of the patients, but
prolonged hyperkalemia with fludrocortisone replacement was less frequent.
Effect of Arm Ability Training on Functional Mobility and Dexterity in Hemiparetic Subjects
Authors: Elizabath Ansana , Varathan Kalidasan
Published: December 2023

Objective Hemiparesis occurs when a stroke causes paresis on the body, contralateral to the lesioned brain. In poststroke patients, upper limb impairments induce functional restrictions. Arm ability training is a unilateral treatment for mild arm paresis. We evaluated the effectiveness of arm ability training on functional mobility and dexterity in hemiparetic subjects

Materials and Methods Forty-two hemiparetic subjects were selected by convenient sampling technique. The subjects were given 40 minutes of arm ability training and 20 minutes of conventional physiotherapy daily, five sessions a week extending for 4 weeks. Functional mobility was assessed through wolf motor function test (WMFT) and dexterity by box and block test (BBT).

Results The pre- and post-test scores were evaluated by paired t-test using SPSS software after 4 weeks of training period subjects showed much improvement for the BBT (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 20.31 ± 4.075 vs. 23.79 ± 4.291), functional ability of WMFT (mean ± SD: 45.38 ± 3.615 vs. 54.07 ± 3.790), time of WMFT (mean ± SD: 479.29 ± 117.79 vs. 434.4 ± 116.455), the strength of WMFT was (mean ± SD: 2.95 ± 0.731 vs. 3.9 ± 0.759), and grip strength of WMFT (mean ± SD: 2.9 ± 1.559 vs. 4.21 ± 1.539), all variables indicating statistical significance (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Arm ability training proved effective in improving functional mobility and dexterity in hemiparetic subjects.
Retroperitoneal Colon Perforation with Review of Retroperitoneal Anatomic Relationships: Case Series with Review of Literature
Authors: Satoh Shina , Hwang Albert , Berliner Leonard
Published: December 2023

We present two cases of iatrogenic retroperitoneal perforation involving the ascending and descending colon. The unique imaging findings in these two cases demonstrate potential routes of communication for air originating in the retroperitoneum. In context of these cases, we review the clinical presentation, management, and anatomic features of retroperitoneal perforation. Along with clinical history, an understanding of retroperitoneal anatomic relationships can aid radiologists in identifying the origin of perforation.
Collateral damage: epiphytic orchids at risk from myrtle rust
Authors: Zimmer Heidi , Clements Mark , Cooper Endymion , Jones David , Makinson Robert , Nargar Katharina , Stevenson Kristy
Published: December 2023

Epiphytic orchids rely on the habitat provided by their plant hosts to survive. The naturalisation of Austropuccinia psidii (G. Winter) Beenken (the causal agent for myrtle rust) in Australia means that some of these plant hosts, from the family Myrtaceae, are at risk of serious decline. We aimed to identify orchid species that associate with myrtaceous host plants and determine which, if any, might be susceptible to loss of habitat as a result of myrtle rust. We reviewed species descriptions and herbarium records and identified 73 epiphytic orchid species that are commonly found growing on myrtaceous hosts. At least seven orchid species are predominantly reliant on myrtaceous hosts, are distributed predominantly in the myrtle rust zone, and have host species that are highly or extremely susceptible to myrtle rust. Four of these orchid species are already listed as threatened. The impact of myrtle rust is broader than causing decline of Myrtaceae species, with knock-on effects on other biota, including epiphytic orchids. Moreover, there is the potential for further impact on these orchids through fragmentation (e.g. affecting pollination) and interactive effects with fire. Increased effort is required to identify the relative frequency of myrtaceous and non-myrtaceous hosts for these epiphytic orchid species, especially in relation to the compound effects of myrtle rust and other perturbations, such as fire and climate change. Where this is not possible, ex situ conservation may be required.
HybridDenseU-Net: learning a multi-scale convolution and dense connectivity CNN for inverse imaging problems
Authors: Zhang Baojie , Wang Zichen , Chen Xiaoyan , Wang Qian , Xie Na , Liu Lili
Published: December 2023

Inverse imaging problems (IIPs) is a cutting-edge technology which is part of the nonlinear inverse problem, the solution approaches to which have placedattention on deep learning recently. This paper proposes a unique learning-based framework for IIPs, referred to as HybridDenseU-Net, which takes U-Net as the backbone and optimizes the encoder as a two-branch feature extraction module. Compared to the direct skip-connection in conventional U-Net, dense connections are introduced to merge features between feature maps with the same dimension and construct multi-scale content in the decoder. The validation of HybridDenseU-Net is carried out by a case study of electrical impedance tomography, which is of typical nonlinear IIP. The results illustrate that HybridDenseU-Net has root mean square error of 3.0867 and structural similarity of 0.9846, which are significantly better than some state-of-the-art deep learning-based frameworks. It has been proven that this work could provide a promising idea for future research on learning-based image reconstruction methods.
Image quality improvement of a one-step spectral CT reconstruction on a prototype photon-counting scanner
Authors: Rodesch Pierre-Antoine , Si-Mohamed Salim A , Lesaint Jérôme , Douek Philippe C , Rit Simon
Published: December 2023

Objective. X-ray spectral computed tomography (CT) allows for material decomposition (MD). This study compared a one-step material decomposition MD algorithm with a two-step reconstruction MD algorithm using acquisitions of a prototype CT scanner with a photon-counting detector (PCD). Approach. MD and CT reconstruction may be done in two successive steps, i.e. decompose the data in material sinograms which are then reconstructed in material CT images, or jointly in a one-step algorithm. The one-step algorithm reconstructed material CT images by maximizing their Poisson log-likelihood in the projection domain with a spatial regularization in the image domain. The two-step algorithm maximized first the Poisson log-likelihood without regularization to decompose the data in material sinograms. These sinograms were then reconstructed into material CT images by least squares minimization, with the same spatial regularization as the one step algorithm. A phantom simulating the CT angiography clinical task was scanned and the data used to measure noise and spatial resolution properties. Low dose carotid CT angiographies of 4 patients were also reconstructed with both algorithms and analyzed by a radiologist. The image quality and diagnostic clinical task were evaluated with a clinical score. Main results. The phantom data processing demonstrated that the one-step algorithm had a better spatial resolution at the same noise level or a decreased noise value at matching spatial resolution. Regularization parameters leading to a fair comparison were selected for the patient data reconstruction. On the patient images, the one-step images received higher scores compared to the two-step algorithm for image quality and diagnostic. Significance. Both phantom and patient data demonstrated how a one-step algorithm improves spectral CT image quality over the implemented two-step algorithm but requires a longer computation time. At a low radiation dose, the one-step algorithm presented good to excellent clinical scores for all the spectral CT images.
Research perspectives on the structure-property relationship of polyaromatic pyrene-based chalcone derivatives as dye-sensitizers in DSSC applications
Authors: Mohd Nizar Siti Nabilla Aliya , Rosli Mohd Mustaqim , Samsuri Siti Azrah Mohamad , Razak Ibrahim Abdul , Arshad Suhana
Published: December 2023

Photovoltaic studies in DSSC have continued to be fascinated by chalcone derivatives because of their straightforward synthesis, green synthetic process and low toxicity properties using Claisen-Schmidt condensation method. In this report, the implementation of the newly synthesized pyrenyl chalcone derivatives, Py1 and Py2 as dye-sensitizers and the characterization studies are further discussed. The grown crystals are characterized via several spectroscopic analyses such as ATR, 1H and 13C NMR and UV–vis analyses. The UV–vis analysis shows a lower energy gap in Py1 (2.79 eV) in comparison to Py2 (2.90 eV) which further indicates better flow of charge transfer. The analysis of crystal packing reveals the arrangement of head-to-head by intermolecular π—π contacts and head-to-tail via intermolecular C–H···O interactions in Py1 and Py2, respectively. The intermolecular interactions act to stabilize the crystal structure and further improve the charge transfer within the dyes and enhancement of DSSC efficiency. In electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry (CV), Py1 and Py2 are found in the suitable HOMO and LUMO energy levels which confirms their applicability as photosensitizer materials. After the fabrication process, DSSC layers are continued for FESEM and EDX analyses before proceeding for the performance study. The Py1 with D-π-A architecture has significantly revealed a higher efficiency than D-π-D structure of Py2.
The digitalisation, dematerialisation and decarbonisation of the global economy in historical perspective: the relationship between energy and information since 1850
Authors: Fouquet Roger
Published: December 2023

To better understand the processes of digitalisation, dematerialisation and decarbonisation, this paper examines the relationship between energy and information for the global economy since 1850. It presents the long run trends in energy intensity and communication intensity, as a proxy for total information intensity. The evidence suggests that, relative to GDP, global economic production has been reducing energy and increasing information use since 1913. The analysis indicates that it initially required little information to replace energy in production and that the ability to substitute away from energy and towards information has been declining. The result implies that the global economy is now reducing energy and increasing information at a substitution rate of 0.2 kB per kWh of conserved energy or 0.8 GB per tonne of carbon dioxide mitigated. As the price ratio of energy to information is currently higher than this marginal rate of substitution, there are incentives to further substitute information for energy. However, one conclusion is that (without the long run escalation of carbon prices) substitution away from energy and towards information is likely to cease within the next few decades and, beyond that, digitalisation will play a declining role in the decarbonisation process.
Transition to chaos in extended systems and their quantum impurity models
Authors: Prasad Mahaveer , Yadalam Hari Kumar , Kulkarni Manas , Aron Camille
Published: December 2023

Chaos sets a fundamental limit to quantum-information processing schemes. We study the onset of chaos in spatially extended quantum many-body systems that are relevant to quantum optical devices. We consider an extended version of the Tavis–Cummings model on a finite chain. By studying level-spacing statistics, adjacent gap ratios, and spectral form factors, we observe the transition from integrability to chaos as the hopping between the Tavis–Cummings sites is increased above a finite value. The results are obtained by means of exact numerical diagonalization which becomes notoriously hard for extended lattice geometries. In an attempt to circumvent these difficulties, we identify a minimal single-site quantum impurity model that successfully captures the spectral properties of the lattice model. This approach is intended to be adaptable to other lattice models with large local Hilbert spaces.
The Influence of Game-Enhanced Communication on EFL Learners’ Pragmatic Competence in Compliment Responses
Authors: Zhang Ying
Published: December 2023

A small number of studies have explored the effects of digital gaming on second/foreign language (L2) pragmatic competence. However, the effectiveness of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) germane to L2 pragmatic development remains unclear because most game-mediated pragmatics studies have focused on educational games. Adopting the interactionist approach, this pretest-immediate-posttest-delayed-posttest study investigated the influence of an MMORPG on L2 learners’ pragmatic competence in compliment responses. Specifically, 105 English-as-a-foreign-language learners from a university in China interacted with L1-English-speaking players in World of Warcraft for four weeks. Unlike most studies that have conducted discourse completion tasks for data collection, compliment responses were gathered through computer-mediated communication with L1-English-speaking interlocutors on WeChat. Results showed that the learners tended to deny compliments on the pretest, whereas they preferred to accept praise on the immediate and delayed posttests. Implications for language policy-making and teaching are discussed regarding the usefulness of MMORPGs for learners who are not immersed in the environment of the target language or have few opportunities to go abroad to experience various social contexts in an L2.
A Hitchhiker's guide to RNA–RNA structure and interaction prediction tools
Authors: Tieng Francis Yew Fu , Abdullah-Zawawi Muhammad-Redha , Md Shahri Nur Alyaa Afifah , Mohamed-Hussein Zeti-Azura , Lee Learn-Han , Mutalib Nurul-Syakima Ab
Published: December 2023

RNA biology has risen to prominence after a remarkable discovery of diverse functions of noncoding RNA (ncRNA). Most untranslated transcripts often exert their regulatory functions into RNA–RNA complexes via base pairing with complementary sequences in other RNAs. An interplay between RNAs is essential, as it possesses various functional roles in human cells, including genetic translation, RNA splicing, editing, ribosomal RNA maturation, RNA degradation and the regulation of metabolic pathways/riboswitches. Moreover, the pervasive transcription of the human genome allows for the discovery of novel genomic functions via RNA interactome investigation. The advancement of experimental procedures has resulted in an explosion of documented data, necessitating the development of efficient and precise computational tools and algorithms. This review provides an extensive update on RNA–RNA interaction (RRI) analysis via thermodynamic- and comparative-based RNA secondary structure prediction (RSP) and RNA–RNA interaction prediction (RIP) tools and their general functions. We also highlighted the current knowledge of RRIs and the limitations of RNA interactome mapping via experimental data. Then, the gap between RSP and RIP, the importance of RNA homologues, the relationship between pseudoknots, and RNA folding thermodynamics are discussed. It is hoped that these emerging prediction tools will deepen the understanding of RNA-associated interactions in human diseases and hasten treatment processes.
Accurate TCR-pMHC interaction prediction using a BERT-based transfer learning method
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Ma Wang , Yao Hui
Published: December 2023

Accurate prediction of TCR-pMHC binding is important for the development of cancer immunotherapies, especially TCR-based agents. Existing algorithms often experience diminished performance when dealing with unseen epitopes, primarily due to the complexity in TCR-pMHC recognition patterns and the scarcity of available data for training. We have developed a novel deep learning model, ‘TCR Antigen Binding Recognition’ based on BERT, named as TABR-BERT. Leveraging BERT's potent representation learning capabilities, TABR-BERT effectively captures essential information regarding TCR-pMHC interactions from TCR sequences, antigen epitope sequences and epitope-MHC binding. By transferring this knowledge to predict TCR-pMHC recognition, TABR-BERT demonstrated better results in benchmark tests than existing methods, particularly for unseen epitopes.
Online Optimization Method of Learning Process for Meta-Learning
Authors: Xu Zhixiong , Zhang Wei , Li Ailin , Zhao Feifei , Jing Yuanyuan , Wan Zheng , Cao Lei , Chen Xiliang
Published: December 2023

Meta-learning is a pivotal and potentially influential machine learning approach to solve challenging problems in reinforcement learning. However, the costly hyper-parameter tuning for training stability of meta-learning is a known shortcoming and currently a hotspot of research. This paper addresses this shortcoming by introducing an online and easily trainable hyper-parameter optimization approach, called Meta Parameters Learning via Meta-Learning (MPML), to combine online hyper-parameter adjustment scheme into meta-learning algorithm, which reduces the need to tune hyper-parameters. Specifically, a basic learning rate for each training task is put forward. Besides, the proposed algorithm dynamically adapts multiple basic learning rate and a shared meta-learning rate through conducting gradient descent alongside the initial optimization steps. In addition, the sensitivity with respect to hyper-parameter choices in the proposed approach are also discussed compared with model-agnostic meta-learning method. The experimental results on reinforcement learning problems demonstrate MPML algorithm is easy to implement and delivers more highly competitive performance than existing meta-learning methods on a diverse set of challenging control tasks.
KVFL: Key-Value-Based Persistent Fuzzing for IoT Web Servers
Authors: Wang Chiheng , Zhao Shibin , Peng Jianshan , Zhu Junhu
Published: December 2023

As the number of Internet of Thing (IoT) devices increases, attacks against their vulnerabilities have become a serious threat. The web servers (WSs) in IoT devices provide management services for end-users, which are currently the major attack surface. Several fuzzing solutions for identifying vulnerabilities in IoT devices have been proposed, but there is currently no grey-box fuzzer specifically designed for the unique features of WSs in IoT to effectively detect memory corruption vulnerabilities. We design and implement KVFL, an efficient grey-box fuzzer, to address the issues of low throughput and slow exploration of deep code when fuzzing for IoT WSs. Firstly, KVFL employs a delicate hooking technology that heuristically hijacks and emulates hardware-dependent functions, ensuring WSs can be accurately and efficiently emulated in user-mode. On this basis, KVFL fully utilizes the loop parsing HTTP requests feature of WSs through a redesigned fork-server, to minimize nonessential rebooting losses of the target, thereby significantly improving fuzzing throughput. Secondly, KVFL leverages code coverage feedback to automatically infer a set of valid Keys and derive a Key-Value mutation. This enables the generation of high-quality test cases that can facilitate deeper code exploration of WSs. The evaluation results show that compared to the state-of-the-art IoT grey-box fuzzer FIRM-AFL, KVFL improves the throughput by over 2× and explores 4.5× more edges. Additionally, it identifies all 1-day vulnerabilities with over 7× faster speed than the baseline and detects three previously unknown 0-day vulnerabilities. These all indicate that KVFL is effective and efficient at fuzzing IoT WSs.
Mortality among people who inject drugs – the interwoven roles of fentanyl and HIV: a community-based cohort study
Authors: Salekešin Maris , Vorobjov Sigrid , Des Jarlais Don , Uusküla Anneli
Published: December 2023

Background

Excess all-cause mortality is a key indicator for assessing direct and indirect consequences of injection drug use and data are warranted to delineate sub-populations within people who inject drugs at higher risk of death. Our aim was to examine mortality and factors associated with mortality among people who inject drugs in Estonia.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using data from people who inject drugs recruited in the community with linkage to death records. Standardized mortality ratios were used to compare the cohort mortality to the general population and potential predictors of death were examined through survival analysis (Cox regression). The cohort include a total of 1399 people who inject drugs recruited for cross-sectional surveys using respondent driven sampling between 2013 and 2018 in Estonia. A cohort with follow-up through 2019 was formed with linkage to national causes of death registry.

Results

Among 1399 participants with 4684 person-years of follow-up, 10% were deceased by 2019. The all-cause mortality rate in the cohort was 28.9 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 25.3–35.3). Being HIV positive, injecting mainly opioids (fentanyl), living in the capital region and the main source of income other than work were associated with greater mortality risk.

Conclusions

While low-threshold services have been available for a long time for people who inject drugs, there is still a need to widen the availability and integration of services, particularly the integration of HIV and opioid treatment.
How does lowering psychosocial risks influence sickness absence? A prospective cohort study analyzed as a quasi-experiment
Authors: Shiri Rahman , Mattila-Holappa Pauliina , Kauppi Maarit , Aalto Ville , Oksanen Tuula , Ervasti Jenni
Published: December 2023

Background

We examined how reducing work-related psychosocial stressors affected long-term sickness absence of younger and older employees.

Methods

We used data from 43 843 public sector employees in Finland who participated in surveys in 2018 and 2020. We assessed psychosocial factors, such as job demands, job control, work effort, job rewards and worktime control. We obtained sickness absence data from registers for spells longer than 10 consecutive working days. We applied age-specific propensity score weighting and generalized linear models to estimate the effects of changes in psychosocial factors between 2018 and 2020 on sickness absence in 2020.

Results

Among employees under 50 years, increasing job rewards by 1 SD reduced the risk of sickness absence by 17% [risk ratio (RR) 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.96]. Among employees aged 50 years or older, decreasing job demands by 1 SD reduced the risk of sickness absence by 13% (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78–0.98), and increasing job control by 1 SD reduced the risk by 12% (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.76–1.01). Changes in efforts and worktime control had no significant associations with sickness absence.

Conclusions

Reducing psychosocial stressors can lower the occurrence of long-term sickness absence, but the associations differ by age group. Younger workers benefit more from enhancing job rewards, while older workers benefit more from lowering job demands and increasing job control. To establish the causal impact of psychosocial risk reduction on sickness absence across age groups, future research should employ randomized controlled trials as the methodological approach.
Consider the time dimension: theorizing and formalizing sequential media selection
Authors: Gong Xuanjun , Huskey Richard
Published: December 2023

Existing media-selection theories predominantly consider media selection at a static moment-in-time. However, such theorizing is out-of-step with today’s media landscape, which is dominated by sequential media consumption where future media selection is dependent on previously selected media. Ignoring the dependencies among sequential media selection leads to a failure to theorize and model the time-evolving nature of media selection. To bridge this gap, we review computational modeling methods and offer an integrative theoretical framework for studying sequential media selection. In doing so, we lay the theoretical and methodological foundation necessary for state-of-the-art research focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of, and sequential dependencies among, media selection. Our sequential media-selection framework helps media researchers by theorizing and formalizing processes related to learning, exploration vs. exploitation, and foraging. The outcome is a manuscript that builds on existing theory and research to offer a roadmap for next-generation media-selection inquiry.
The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Receipt of Needed Medical Care and At-Home Support among U.S. Households Receiving Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance on the Basis of Disability
Authors: McLean Kiley J , Muentner Luke , Bishop Lauren
Published: December 2023

More than 8.1 million Americans with disabilities qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Individuals with disabilities were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, which may have altered individual and household behavior. Research on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with disabilities and their families remains limited. Authors analyzed 2020 National Health Interview Survey data. Logistic regression models were applied, controlling for the effects of age, race, sex, income, education, employment, and health status. Households with SSI/SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities were associated with significantly greater odds of delaying or forgoing medical care and receiving needed personal and household care at home due to COVID-19 compared with households without beneficiaries. The health and well-being of households with individuals with disabilities may require more robust and inclusive social work initiatives that aim to reduce adverse pandemic impacts.
Forensic analysis of mosquito blood meal digestion process and the impact of heroin opiate: determination of the post-feeding interval as a PMI estimation
Authors: Alharbi Hend M , Elnakady Yasser A , Aldahmash Badr A , Alajmi Reem , ALOthman Zeid A , Badjah-Hadj-Ahmed Ahmed-Yacine , Aqel Ahmad , Ahmed Ashraf M
Published: December 2023

Females of some mosquito species are anthropophilic, as they feed on human blood to support egg production and, hence, are forensically valuable if found at a crime scene. The present study investigated the blood meal digestion process in Culex pipiens L. both with and without heroin and proposed a method for estimating the post-feeding interval (PFI). Mosquitoes were fed on a control mouse, a heroin-injected mouse, or in vitro heroin-treated mouse blood. The blood meal digestion was then investigated at different hours post-feeding. Data showed that the blood meal size ingested by control mosquitoes was 0.681 ± 0.04 mg/mosquito and was completely digested within 45 h post-feeding. An estimation of the PFI was proposed in terms of the rate of hemoglobin (Hb) digestion. The blood meal size of the mosquitoes fed on the in vitro heroin-treated blood and the heroin-injected mouse was 0.96 ± 0.06 and 0.79 ± 0.01 mg/mosquito and was completely digested within 50 and 55 h post-feeding, respectively. The digestion of Hb started similarly in all experimental mosquitoes until 10 h post-feeding, after which it significantly decreased in heroin-treated blood meals compared with the control ones. This may suggest that heroin impacted the digestion process, as it took an extra 5–10 h to complete. These findings could be valuable in the forensic context since an estimation of PFI is proposed as a potential estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). However, care should be taken as heroin in the host blood has significantly impacted the overall digestion process and, hence, may bias the PFI/PMI estimation.
Black frontline workers navigating everyday workplace tensions through professionalism
Authors: Nyawaga Christine , Mitra Rahul
Published: December 2023

Professionalism has been widely criticized for its biased standards modeled around dominant identities while excluding minoritized groups. Nevertheless, it remains a powerful social discourse, adopted widely by workers and organizations, and frontline workers—who became particularly salient during the COVID-19 pandemic—are no different, even as they are mainly Black and Brown. Our exploratory study, based on in-depth interviews with 15 Black frontline workers, examines how they use discourses of professionalism to navigate everyday tensions stemming from both their minoritized racial identity and the precarious nature of frontline work. Participants described three intersecting communicative practices—bottling their emotions, striving for (elusive) excellence, and navigating (in)visibility. Our research thus addresses the communicative practice of professionalism among an important yet undeserved category of workers, showing how it is both hegemonic and exclusionary, but may nevertheless be subverted strategically by precarious workers.
Black hole growths in gamma-ray bursts driven by the Blandford–Znajek mechanism
Authors: Li Xiao-Yan , Liu Tong
Published: December 2023

The Blandford–Znajek (BZ) mechanism in stellar-mass black hole (BH) hyperaccretion systems is generally considered to power gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Based on observational GRB data, we use the BZ mechanism driven by the BH hyperaccretion disc to investigate the evolution of the BH mass and spin after the jets break out from the progenitors. We find that the BH growths are almost independent of initial BH masses. Meanwhile, the BH growths will be more efficient with smaller initial spin parameters. We conclude that (i) the BZ mechanism is efficient for triggering BH growths for only 1 of 206 typical long-duration GRBs; (ii) the mean BH mass growths of ultra-long GRBs are marginal for all 7 samples collected; (iii) for the short-duration GRBs, the results that BHs show minimal growths is consistent with the mass supply limitation in the scenario of compact object mergers.
Model-independent confirmation of a constant speed of light over cosmological distances
Authors: Melia Fulvio
Published: December 2023

Recent attempts at measuring the variation of c using an assortment of standard candles and the redshift-dependent Hubble expansion rate inferred from the currently available catalogue of cosmic chronometers have tended to show that the speed of light appears to be constant, at least up to z ∼ 2. A notable exception is the use of high-redshift ultraviolet + X-ray quasars, whose Hubble diagram seems to indicate an ∼2.7σ deviation of c from its value c0 (≡ 2.99792458 × 1010 cm s−1) on Earth. We show in this paper, however, that this anomaly is due to an error in the derived relation between the luminosity distance, DL, and H(z) when c is allowed to vary with redshift, and an imprecise calibration of the quasar catalogue. When these deficiencies are addressed correctly, one finds that c/c0 = 0.95 ± 0.14 in the redshift range 0 ≲ z ≲ 2, fully consistent with zero variation within the measurement errors.
Cell–cell communication in kidney fibrosis
Authors: He Meizhi , Liu Zhao , Li Li , Liu Youhua
Published: December 2023

Kidney fibrosis is a common outcome of a wide variety of chronic kidney diseases, in which virtually all kinds of renal resident and infiltrating cells are involved. As such, well-orchestrated intercellular communication is of vital importance in coordinating complex actions during renal fibrogenesis. Cell–cell communication in multicellular organisms is traditionally assumed to be mediated by direct cell contact or soluble factors, including growth factors, cytokines and chemokines, through autocrine, paracrine, endocrine and juxtacrine signaling mechanisms. Growing evidence also demonstrates that extracellular vesicles, lipid bilayer–encircled particles naturally released from almost all types of cells, can act as a vehicle to transfer a diverse array of biomolecules including proteins, mRNA, miRNA and lipids to mediate cell–cell communication. We recently described a new mode of intercellular communication via building a special extracellular niche by insoluble matricellular proteins. Kidney cells, upon injury, produce and secrete different matricellular proteins, which incorporate into the local extracellular matrix network, and regulate the behavior, trajectory and fate of neighboring cells in a spatially confined fashion. This extracellular niche–mediated cell–cell communication is unique in that it restrains the crosstalk between cells within a particular locality. Detailed delineation of this unique manner of intercellular communication will help to elucidate the mechanism of kidney fibrosis and could offer novel insights in developing therapeutic intervention.
Occupational asthma, rhinitis and contact urticaria from greenhouse work
Authors: Lindström I , Hölttä P , Airaksinen L , Suuronen K , Suomela S , Suojalehto H
Published: December 2023

Background

The current knowledge about occupational allergic diseases among greenhouse workers is scant.

Aims

To describe greenhouse workers’ occupational allergic diseases.

Methods

We identified 28 greenhouse workers with occupational allergic diseases in 2002–2020 by conducting a systematic search in the patient register of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. All the patients worked in tomato- or cucumber-growing greenhouses and showed immunoglobulin-E-mediated sensitization to occupational agents. Specific inhalation challenges or workplace peak expiratory flow monitoring confirmed occupational asthma (OA), nasal allergen challenges confirmed occupational rhinitis (OR) and open skin tests confirmed occupational contact urticaria (OCU).

Results

Most patients had more than one occupational disease and were sensitized to several workplace agents. Tomato plants were the most common cause of occupational diseases and induced 22 allergic diseases in 14 patients. Cucumber plants caused occupational diseases in 10 patients (3 OA, 7 OR and 6 OCU). The pest control mite Amblyseius swirskii and a mixture of parasitic wasps Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus both induced two OA cases. Three patients had an occupational disease caused by storage mites and three others had a work-related systemic reaction to a bumblebee sting.

Conclusions

The greenhouse workers typically suffered from several occupational allergic diseases and were sensitized to cultivated plants, various pest control organisms and storage mites. All these can cause OA and OR, but in this study, OCU was only induced by cultivation plants. Cucumber plant is a novel cause of OA and OR, and A. swirskii is a novel cause of OA.
Effectiveness of Sotrovimab in Preventing COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations or Deaths Among US Veterans During Omicron BA.1
Authors: Young-Xu Yinong , Korves Caroline , Zwain Gabrielle , Satram Sacha , Drysdale Myriam , Reyes Carolina , Cheng Mindy M , Bonomo Robert A , Epstein Lauren , Marconi Vincent C , Ginde Adit A
Published: December 2023

Background

The real-world clinical effectiveness of sotrovimab in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related hospitalization or mortality among high-risk patients diagnosed with COVID-19, particularly after the emergence of the Omicron variant, needs further research.

Method

Using data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, we adopted a target trial emulation design in our study. Veterans aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 between December 1, 2021, and April 4, 2022, were included. Patients treated with sotrovimab (n = 2816) as part of routine clinical care were compared with all eligible but untreated patients (n = 11,250). Cox proportional hazards modeling estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the association between receipt of sotrovimab and outcomes.

Results

Most (90%) sotrovimab recipients were ≥50 years old, and 64% had ≥2 mRNA vaccine doses or ≥1 dose of Ad26.COV2. During the period that BA.1 was dominant, compared with patients not treated, sotrovimab-treated patients had a 70% lower risk of hospitalization or mortality within 30 days (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.23–0.40). During BA.2 dominance, sotrovimab-treated patients had a 71% (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.08–0.98) lower risk of 30-day COVID-19-related hospitalization, emergency room visits, or urgent care visits (defined as severe COVID-19) compared with patients not treated.

Conclusions

Using national real-world data from high-risk and predominantly vaccinated veterans, administration of sotrovimab, compared with contemporary standard treatment regimens, was associated with reduced risk of 30-day COVID-19-related hospitalization or all-cause mortality during the Omicron BA.1 period.
Serious Adverse Events and Laboratory Monitoring Regimens for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy With Cefazolin and Ceftriaxone
Authors: Sunagawa Shawnalyn W , Arduser Sarah , Miller Molly M , Lyden Elizabeth , LeMaster Melissa , Cortes-Penfield Nicolas , Hankins Richard J , Bergman Scott J , Alexander Bryan T
Published: December 2023

The optimal laboratory monitoring frequency for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy–related adverse events (OPAT-AEs) during cefazolin and ceftriaxone therapy is not well defined. We identified 2.7 OPAT-AEs per 1000 sets of weekly laboratory tests in this population, suggesting that less intensive laboratory monitoring may be safe and reasonable.
Innate and Adaptive Cell-Mediated Immune Responses to a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Young Children
Authors: Weinberg Adriana , Johnson Michael J , Garth Krystle , Hsieh Elena W Y , Kedl Ross , Weiskopf Daniela , Cassaday Mattie , Rester Cody , Cabrera-Martinez Berenice , Baxter Ryan M , Levin Myron J
Published: December 2023

Background

There is little information on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in children. We studied adaptive and innate CMI in vaccinated children aged 6 to 60 months.

Methods

Blood obtained from participants in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of an mRNA vaccine before and 1 month after the first dose was used for antibody measurements and CMI (flow cytometry).

Results

We enrolled 29 children with a mean age of 28.5 months (SD, 15.7). Antibody studies revealed that 10 participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 prevaccination. Ex vivo stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides showed significant increases pre- to postimmunization of activated conventional CD4+ and γδ T cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, and conventional dendritic cells but not mucosa-associated innate T cells. Conventional T-cell, monocyte, and conventional dendritic cell responses in children were higher immediately after vaccination than after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The fold increase in CMI pre- to postvaccination did not differ between children previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those uninfected.

Conclusions

Children aged 6 to 60 months who were vaccinated with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine developed robust CMI responses, including adaptive and innate immunity.