bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcitonin gene-related peptide and disease activity in cluster headache
Authors: Snoer Agneta , Vollesen Anne Luise H , Beske Rasmus P , Guo Song , Hoffmann Jan , Fahrenkrug Jan , Jørgensen Niklas Rye , Martinussen Torben , Jensen Rigmor H , Ashina Messoud
Published: March 2019

Objective

To investigate the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP38) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in cluster headache, we measured these vasoactive peptides interictally and during experimentally induced cluster headache attacks.

Methods

We included patients with episodic cluster headache in an active phase (n = 9), episodic cluster headache patients in remission (n = 9) and patients with chronic cluster headache (n = 13). Cluster headache attacks were induced by infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (1.5 µg/min) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, two-way cross-over study. At baseline, we collected interictal blood samples from all patients and during 11 calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced cluster headache attacks.

Results

At baseline, episodic cluster headache patients in remission had higher plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide, 100.6 ± 36.3 pmol/l, compared to chronic cluster headache patients, 65.9 ± 30.5 pmol/l, ( p = 0.011). Episodic cluster headache patients in active phase had higher PACAP38 levels, 4.0 ± 0.8 pmol/l, compared to chronic cluster headache patients, 3.3 ± 0.7 pmol/l, ( p = 0.033). Baseline levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide did not differ between cluster headache groups. We found no attack-related increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide, PACAP38 or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels during calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced cluster headache attacks.

Conclusions

This study suggests that cluster headache disease activity is associated with alterations of calcitonin gene-related peptide expression. Future studies should investigate the potential of using calcitonin gene-related peptide measurements in monitoring of disease state and predicting response to preventive treatments, including response to anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies.
Degradable magnesium-based alloys for biomedical applications: The role of critical alloying elements
Authors: Chen Yang , Dou Jinhe , Yu Huijun , Chen Chuanzhong
Published: March 2019

Magnesium-based alloys exhibit biodegradable, biocompatible and excellent mechanical properties which enable them to serve as ideal candidate biomedical materials. In particular, their biodegradable ability helps patients to avoid a second surgery. The corrosion rate, however, is too rapid to sustain the healing process. Alloying is an effective method to slow down the corrosion rate. However, currently magnesium alloys used as biomaterials are mostly commercial alloys without considering cytotoxicity from the perspective of biosafety. This article comprehensively reviews the status of various existing and newly developed degradable magnesium-based alloys specially designed for biomedical application. The effects of critical alloying elements, compositions, heat treatment and processing technology on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys are discussed in detail. This article covers Mg–Ca based, Mg–Zn based, Mg–Sr based, Mg–RE based and Mg–Cu-based alloy systems. The novel methods of fabricating Mg-based biomaterials and surface treatment on Mg based alloys for potential biomedical applications are summarized.
Potential of near infrared spectroscopy as a rapid method to detect aflatoxins in brown rice
Authors: Dachoupakan Sirisomboon C , Wongthip P , Sirisomboon P
Published: March 2019

Brown rice is a main popular health food with high nutritional value and health benefits. As a result of poor post-harvest drying and inappropriate storage conditions, rice grains are often damaged through fungal spoilage as well as mycotoxin production. The objective of this research was to evaluate the possibility of using the near infrared spectroscopy, with a wavenumber range between 12500 and 4000 cm−1 (800–2500 nm), as a rapid method for detection of aflatoxins in brown rice. Firstly, storage trials were carried out to generate representative of samples contaminated and non-contaminated with aflatoxins. These data were used to create a partial least squares regression model using 120 brown rice samples with the required near infrared spectral data and aflatoxin concentration levels that were determined using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays method. The accuracy of developed models was externally validated using the test set. The statistical model developed from the treated spectra (vector normalization; SNV) provided the best accuracy in prediction with a coefficient of determination of prediction ( r2) of 0.95, a root mean square error of prediction of 415.00 µg kg−1 and a bias −54.00 µg kg−1. The model developed showed good predictive performance which suggests that it could have practical applications as a rapid method to detect aflatoxins in brown rice.
Acute myeloid leukemia with complex cytogenetic abnormalities associated with long-term use of oral colloidal silver as nutritional supplement – Case report and review of literature
Authors: Keung Yi-Kong , Wang Tina , Hong-Lung Hu Eddie
Published: March 2019

We report a case of acute myeloid leukemia with complex cytogenetic abnormalities suggestive of preexisting myelodysplastic syndrome in a patient with habitual ingestion of colloidal silver as nutritional supplement for over 10 years and the medical literature is reviewed.
The impact of initiating posaconazole on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Collins Jennifer , Shea Katherine , Parsad Sandeep , Plach Kelly , Lee Pauline
Published: March 2019

Background

Posaconazole reduces the risk of invasive Aspergillus in transplant patients, but significantly inhibits tacrolimus metabolism. One study demonstrated that a three-fold dose reduction of tacrolimus was required to obtain therapeutic concentrations when used with posaconazole. However, with empiric dose reduction, there is a risk of subtherapeutic tacrolimus levels and subsequent graft failure or graft-versus-host disease. Overall, the existing data on the impact of posaconazole on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics is limited.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine whether tacrolimus doses should be decreased upon initiation of posaconazole in patients receiving an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review at an academic medical center. All allogeneic stem cell transplant adults who received concomitant posaconazole and tacrolimus from February 2016 through December 2017 were included.

Results

Seventy-nine patients identified using an internal electronic database were analyzed. The median time to therapeutic tacrolimus concentration was significantly longer in patients who did not receive an empiric dose reduction (0% DR, 10d; 1–30% DR, 4d; 31–65% DR, 5d; >65% DR, 4d; p = 0.0395). The rate of supratherapeutic levels was highest amongst patients who did not receive an empiric DR, and was noted to be significant compared to the group that had 31–65% DR ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study validates our current practice of instituting an empiric 50% dose reduction of oral tacrolimus to 0.03 mg/kg/day when used concomitantly with posaconazole to achieve therapeutic levels in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients.
Tbo-filgrastim versus filgrastim for stem cell mobilization and engraftment in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: A retrospective review
Authors: Potter Ashley , Beck Bradley , Ngorsuraches Surachat
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Filgrastim, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, is commonly used in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) to assist with peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection and to support stem cell engraftment. In the United States, tbo-filgrastim is approved under its own Biologic License Application and is limited to a single indication excluding the HSCT population.

Methods

Approximately one year after a system-wide formulary change to tbo-filgrastim for all on- and off-label indications, our institution conducted an IRB-approved retrospective comparison of tbo-filgrastim to filgrastim in the autologous HSCT setting. The study included 71 patients who received an autologous HSCT from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016 with a documented administration of tbo-filgrastim or filgrastim.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences noted on CD34 + counts during stem cell mobilization, neutrophil engraftment, infection rates during the engraftment phase, nor duration of hospitalization during the engraftment phase. More patients in the tbo-filgrastim group received plerixafor per protocol resulting in more patients meeting their PBPC collection goal in one day with fewer collection days overall, a result potentially confounded by institutional protocol changes. Utilizing tbo-filgrastim offered an average cost savings per patient of $2664.26 ($1907.33 for PBPC mobilization and $756.93 for stem cell engraftment) when comparing dollars spent on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor products only.

Conclusion

Tbo-filgrastim demonstrates comparable efficacy with a cost savings benefit compared to filgrastim for autologous PBPC mobilization and stem cell engraftment.
How Social Relationships Influence Substance Use Disorder Recovery: A Collaborative Narrative Study
Authors: Pettersen Henning , Landheim Anne , Skeie Ivar , Biong Stian , Brodahl Morten , Oute Jeppe , Davidson Larry
Published: March 2019

Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) often have fewer social support network resources than those without SUDs. This qualitative study examined the role of social relationships in achieving and maintaining stable recovery after many years of SUD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, each of whom had been diagnosed with a SUD and each of whom had been abstinent for at least 5 years. A resource group of peer consultants in long-term recovery from SUDs contributed to the study planning, preparation, and initial analyses. The relationship that most participants described as helpful for initiating abstinence was recognition by a peer or a caring relationship with a service provider or sibling. These findings suggest that, to reach and maintain abstinence, it is important to maintain positive relationships and to engage self-agency to protect oneself from the influences of negative relationships. Substance use disorder service providers should increase the extent to which they involve the social networks of clients when designing new treatment approaches. Service providers should also focus more on individualizing services to meet their clients on a personal level, without neglecting professionalism or treatment strategies.
Frictional behaviors in piston ring-cylinder liner system of diesel engine with solid particles considered
Authors: Li Tongyang , Lu Xiqun , Zou Dequan , Ma Renlian
Published: March 2019

The abnormal wear of diesel engine cylinder often occurs due to the solid particles introduced along with the gas intake, as well as the product of fuel combustion. The main purpose of this research is to develop an unsteady-state liquid–solid model to predict the dynamic and lubrication behaviors of the piston ring-cylinder liner with the consideration of the surface roughness, operating load, material properties, and solid particles. Based on the Reynolds boundary condition, the unsteady-state liquid–solid lubrication model is solved with finite difference method. The accuracy of such model is verified upon the comparison with experimental results from a reciprocating friction test workbench at different working frequencies. The test uses actual piston ring specimens sliding on segments of cylinder liner to simplify the engine operation. Finally, the model is applied for a four-stroke diesel engine to reveal the effects of particle properties. It has found that particle diameter, concentration and yield strength have some significant influences on piston ring-cylinder liner system tribological property.
“Reflective of my best work”: Promoting inquiry-based learning in a hybrid graduate history course
Authors: Sleeter Nate , Schrum Kelly , Swan Amy , Broubalow Justin
Published: March 2019

This article discusses authentic inquiry-based learning in a hybrid graduate course, Teaching Hidden History, taught in 2015 and 2016. Students in this course created online history learning modules based on their own scholarly research. They defined their intended audience and crafted modules tailored specifically for those learners. The authors draw on course assignments, student modules, interviews, and focus group data to present a model of how inquiry-based learning can be scaffolded to promote the benefits of student-centered inquiry – namely the intrinsic motivation associated with the creation of authentic projects and practical skill acquisition.
Correlating transcranial arterial Doppler velocities with haematologic parameters and haemolytic indices of Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Ismail Anas , Yusuf Aminu Abba , Kuliya-Gwarzo Aisha , Ahmed Sagir Gumel , Tabari Abdulkadir Musa , Abubakar Shehi Ali
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Cerebral vasculopathy, elevated transcranial Doppler velocities and stroke are linked to excessive intravascular haemolysis in sickle cell anaemia. This study determined the prevalence and pattern of abnormal blood flow velocities in children with sickle cell anaemia from Northern Nigeria using transcranial Doppler and to correlate transcranial Doppler velocities with haematological and biochemical markers of haemolysis.

Methods

Full blood count, reticulocyte count, fetal haemoglobin and some selected biochemical markers of haemolysis of 100 children with sickle cell anaemia were determined at steady state. The time-averaged mean of maximal velocities in four major intracranial blood vessels was measured using non-imaging transcranial Doppler, which were then classified according to the stroke prevention in sickle cell disease trial protocol. A simple linear correlation between time-averaged mean of maximal velocities in the four major intracranial vessels as the dependent variable and haematological and biochemical markers of haemolysis as independent variables was also determined at the significance level of 0.05.

Results

Abnormal transcranial Doppler velocities, classified as high risk, were found in 3% of the studied patients; 11% had intermediate risk while 84% had standard risk. Most high velocities were detected in the middle cerebral artery. The time-averaged mean of maximal velocities of middle cerebral artery positively correlated with total white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, reticulocyte count, serum lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin, while it was negatively correlated with haematocrit and fetal haemoglobin levels.

Conclusion

Our study showed low prevalence of abnormal transcranial Doppler velocities and low prevalence is unrelated to low markers of haemolysis in our study population.
Everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffolds for treatment of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus: the midterm follow-up of the prospective ABSORB DM Benelux study
Authors: Hommels T. M. , Hermanides R. S. , Rasoul S. , Berta B. , IJsselmuiden A. J. J. , Jessurun G. A. J. , Benit E. , Pereira B. , De Luca G. , Kedhi E.
Published: March 2019

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains challenging even with modern drug-eluting stents (DES) due to high rates of repeat revascularization. Everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffolds (EE-BRS) might allow for repeat intervention prolonging the time interval of percutaneous treatment options.

Methods

The ABSORB DM Benelux Study is a dedicated prospective, international study to evaluate the midterm safety and efficacy of EE-BRS in DM patients. All DM patients that received ≥ 1 EE-BRS for any indication were enrolled and prospectively followed. Study endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE): a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR); target lesion failure (TLF): a composite of cardiac death (CD), target vessel MI, and ischemic-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR), as well as definite or probable scaffold thrombosis (ScT).

Results

Between April 2015 till March 2017, 150 DM patients and 188 lesions were treated and followed up to 3 years. Device implantation success was 100%. MACE occurred in 15.2% (event rate of 8.8 per 100 PY). TLF was reported in 11.7% (7.0 events per 100 PY). CD, target vessel MI, ischemic-driven TLR occurred in 3.4%, 3.6% and 5.5% respectively, while ScT was observed in 1.4%. There were no occurrences of late or very late ScT.

Conclusion

EE-BRS treatment in DM patients shows comparable midterm safety and efficacy outcomes when historically compared with modern DES. New-generation EE-BRS might offer an attractive alternative to metallic DES in treatment of fast progressing atherosclerosis population as in DM patients.

Trial registration NTR5447. Registered 05 October 2015, retrospectively registered
Physiological and Technical Considerations of Extracorporeal CO2 Removal
Authors: Karagiannidis Christian , Hesselmann Felix , Fan Eddy
Published: March 2019

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2019. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.
Resuscitation Fluid Choices to Preserve the Endothelial Glycocalyx
Authors: Milford Elissa M. , Reade Michael C.
Published: March 2019

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2019. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.
Multidrug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Cillóniz Catia , Dominedò Cristina , Torres Antoni
Published: March 2019

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2019. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.
Iron Metabolism: An Emerging Therapeutic Target in Critical Illness
Authors: Litton Edward , Lim Jolene
Published: March 2019

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2019. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.
Analysis of crystal defects by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in a modern scanning electron microscope
Authors: Sun Cheng , Müller Erich , Meffert Matthias , Gerthsen Dagmar
Published: March 2019

Dislocations and stacking faults are important crystal defects, because they strongly influence material properties. As of now, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the most frequently used technique to study the properties of single dislocations and stacking faults. Specifically, the Burgers vector b of dislocations or displacement vector R of stacking faults can be determined on the basis of the g·b = n (g·R = n) criterion by setting up different two-beam diffraction conditions with an imaging vector g. Based on the reciprocity theorem, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) can also be applied for defect characterization, but has been less frequently used up to now. In this work, we demonstrate g·b = n (g·R = n) analyses of dislocations and stacking faults in GaN by STEM imaging in a scanning electron microscope. The instrument is equipped with a STEM detector, double-tilt TEM specimen holder, and a charge-coupled-device camera for the acquisition of on-axis diffraction patterns. The latter two accessories are mandatory to control the specimen orientation, which has not been possible before in a scanning electron microscope.
Quantitative seismic interpretation of rock brittleness based on statistical rock physics
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhang Feng , Li Xiang-Yang , Di Bang-Rang , Zeng Lian-Bo
Published: March 2019

Rock brittleness is one of the important properties for fracability evaluation, and it can be represented by different physical properties. The mineralogy-based brittleness index (BIM) builds a simple relationship between mineralogy and brittleness, but it may be ambiguous for rocks with a complex microstructure; whereas the elastic moduli-based brittleness index (BIE) is applicable in the field, but BIE interpretation needs to be constrained by lithofacies information. We have developed a new workflow for quantitative seismic interpretation of rock brittleness: Lithofacies are defined by a criterion combining BIM and BIE for comprehensive brittleness evaluation; statistical rock-physics methods are applied for quantitative interpretation by using inverted elastic parameters; acoustic impedance and elastic impedance are selected as the optimized pair of attributes for lithofacies classification. To improve the continuity and accuracy of the interpreted results, a Markov random field is applied in the Bayesian rule as the spatial constraint. A 2D synthetic test demonstrates the feasibility of the Bayesian classification with a Markov random field. This new interpretation framework is also applied to a shale reservoir formation from China. Comparison analysis indicates that brittle shale sections can be efficiently discriminated from ductile shale sections and tight sand sections by using the inverted elastic parameters.
Application of supervised descent method to transient electromagnetic data inversion
Authors: Guo Rui , Li Maokun , Fang Guangyou , Yang Fan , Xu Shenheng , Abubakar Aria
Published: March 2019

Inversion plays an important role in transient electromagnetic (TEM) data interpretation. This problem is highly nonlinear and severely ill posed. Gradient-descent methods have been widely used to invert TEM data, and regularization schemes containing prior information are applied to reduce the nonuniqueness and stabilize the inversion. During the inversion, the partial derivatives are repeatedly computed, which is time and memory consuming. Furthermore, regularization schemes can only provide limited prior information. Much prior information from knowledge and experience cannot be directly used in inversion. In this work, we applied the supervised descent method (SDM) to TEM data inversion. This method contains an offline training stage and an online prediction stage. In the training stage, a training data set is generated according to prior information. Then, the average descent direction between a fixed initial model and the training models can be learned by iterative schemes. In the online stage of prediction, the learned descent directions are applied directly into the inversion to update the models. In this manner, one can select models satisfying the data and model misfit. In this study, SDM is applied to model- and pixel-based inversion schemes. Synthetic examples indicate that SDM inversion can not only enhance the accuracy of inversion due to the incorporation of prior information but also largely accelerate the inversion procedure because it avoids the online computation of derivatives.
Endogenous Oxytocin Levels in Relation to Food Intake, Menstrual Phase, and Age in Females
Authors: Aulinas Anna , Pulumo Reitumetse L , Asanza Elisa , Mancuso Christopher J , Slattery Meghan , Tolley Christiane , Plessow Franziska , Thomas Jennifer J , Eddy Kamryn T , Miller Karen K , Klibanski Anne , Misra Madhusmita , Lawson Elizabeth A
Published: March 2019

Context

Oxytocin regulates a range of physiological processes including eating behavior and oxytocin administration reduces caloric intake in males. There are few data on oxytocin and eating behavior in healthy females or on the response of endogenous oxytocin to food intake and its relationship to appetite in humans.

Objectives

To determine the postprandial pattern of oxytocin levels, the relationship between oxytocin and appetite, and the impact of menstrual cycle phase and age on oxytocin levels in females.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Clinical research center.

Participants

Fifty-five healthy females (age 10 to 45 years).

Interventions

A standardized mixed meal was administered.

Main Outcome Measurements

Blood sampling for oxytocin occurred at fasting and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes postmeal. Appetite was assessed using Visual Analogue Scales pre- and postmeal.

Results

Mean fasting oxytocin levels were 1011.2 ± 52.3 pg/mL (SEM) and decreased at 30 and 60 minutes postmeal (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Mean oxytocin levels decreased19.6% ± 3.0% from baseline to nadir. Oxytocin area under the curve was lower in the early to midfollicular menstrual cycle phase (P = 0.0003) and higher in younger females (P = 0.002). The percent change in oxytocin (baseline to nadir) was associated with postprandial hunger (rs = -0.291, P = 0.03) and fullness (rs = 0.345, P = 0.009). These relations remained significant after controlling for calories consumed, menstrual cycle status, and age (P = 0.023 and P = 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Peripheral oxytocin levels in females decrease after a mixed meal and are associated with appetite independent of menstrual phase, age, and caloric intake, suggesting that endogenous oxytocin levels may play a role in perceived hunger and satiety.
On the Security of Authenticated Group Key Agreement Protocols
Authors: Bala Suman , Sharma Gaurav , Bansal Hmani , Bhatia Tarunpreet
Published: March 2019

The group key agreement protocol enables to derive a shared session key for the remote members to communicate securely. Recently, several attempts are made to utilize group key agreement protocols for secure multicasting in Internet of Things. This paper contributes to identify the security vulnerabilities in the existing protocols, to avoid them in future constructions. The protocols presented by Gupta and Biswas have been found insecure to ephemeral secret key leakage (ESL) attack and also, malicious insiders can impersonate an honest participant. Additionally, the protocol presented by Tan is also ESL-insecure. We also present a fix to the Tan's protocol to make it secure.
Enhanced Clustering Algorithm based on Fuzzy Logic (E-CAFL) for WSN
Authors: Mehra Pawan Singh , Doja Mohammad Najmud , Alam Bashir
Published: March 2019

Since longer lifetime of the network is utmost requirement of WSN, cluster formation can serve this purpose efficiently. In clustering, a node takes charge of the cluster to coordinate and receive information from the member nodes and transfer it to sink. With imbalance of energy dissipation by the sensor node, it may lead to premature failure of the network. Therefore, a robust balanced clustering algorithm can solve this issue in which a worthy candidate will play the cluster head role. In this paper, an enhanced clustering algorithm based on fuzzy logic E-CAFL is propound which is an improvement over CAFL protocol. E-CAFL takes account of the residual energy, node density in its locality and distance from sink and feed into fuzzy inference system. A rank of each node is computed for candidature of cluster coordinator. Experiments are performed for the designed protocol to validate its performance in adverse scenarios along with LEACH and CAFL protocol. The results illustrate better performance in stability period and protracted lifetime.
A Pattern-Based Multi-Factor Authentication System
Authors: . Pankhuri , Sinha Akash , Shrivastava Gulshan , Kumar Prabhat
Published: March 2019

User authentication is an indispensable part of a secure system. The traditional authentication methods have been proved to be vulnerable to different types of security attacks. Artificial intelligence is being applied to crack textual passwords and even CAPTCHAs are being dismantled within few attempts. The use of graphical password as an alternate to the textual passwords for user authentication can be an efficient strategy. However, they have been proved to be susceptible to shoulder surfing like attacks. Advanced authentication systems such as biometrics are secure but require additional infrastructure for efficient implementation. This paper proposes a novel pattern-based multi-factor authentication scheme that uses a combination of text and images resulting for identifying the legitimate users. The proposed system has been mathematically analyzed and has been found to provide much larger password space as compared to simple text based passwords. This renders the proposed system secure against brute force and other dictionary based attacks. Moreover, the use of text along with the images also mitigates the risk of shoulder surfing.
A Particle Swarm Optimization Based Load Scheduling Algorithm in Cloud Platform for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kushwaha Arvinda , Amjad Mohd
Published: March 2019

Integration of wireless sensor network into cloud computing is a growing paradigm that supports a massive amount of applications in cloud computing, optimization of resources required in the machines. This integration requires the optimization of resources to efficiently complete the different tasks in the devices at cloud platform. This optimization can be done using load scheduling algorithms. These algorithms reduce overload and achieve higher throughput by maximizing the machine utilization concerning cost stabilization. There are lots of methods like First Come First Serve, Min-Min, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for optimizing the load but we use Particle Swarm Optimization as it obtains the motivation from the social behavior of the flock of birds and analyses various approaches for load scheduling. In this paper, we propose the load scheduling algorithm based on PSO in wireless sensor networks for cloud computing to minimize total transfer time and cost stabilization. The proposed method is compared with the existing approaches used for load scheduling in Cloudlets. It is clear from the simulation results that the proposed method is more efficient because it minimizes the transfer time and cost than the conventional algorithms thereby making a system for cost stable.
Bonding Based Technique for message forwarding in Social Opportunistic Network
Authors: Nigam Ritu , Sharma Deepak Kumar , Jain Satbir , Gupta Sarthak , Ghosh Shilpa
Published: March 2019

Integrating social networks properties such as centrality, tie strength, etc into message forwarding protocols in opportunistic networks has grown into a vital major benchmark. The opportunistic network is a demanding network with no set route to travel a message from the source to be able to the destination. During these networks, nodes use possibilities gained based on store-carry-forward patterns to forward communications. Every node that obtains a message when it activities another node makes selection concerning the forwarding or not necessarily delivering the node came across. Most of these message forwarding protocols use the benefit of social properties information like contact information and social relationship enclosed by the nodes in the social opportunistic network. In this paper, a Bonding based forwarding technique is proposed which is finding direct and indirect bonding among nodes by exploiting contact information and social pattern. In the proposed protocol, we also focus on indirect bonding by finding weakest direct bonded nodes and then replace it with strong indirect bonded nodes of the network. In this work, the balance between transmission delay and network traffic is considered by using shortest path map based mobility model. ONE simulator is used for simulation and performance of the proposed protocol is compared contrary popular approaches for instance Epidemic, PRoPHET, and BubbleRap, and Interaction based when using the shortest path map based mobility model. The Bonding based forwarding technique performs adequately well concerning the number of messages delivered, overhead ratio, message dropping and average latency.
An Efficient Zero-Knowledge Proof Based Identification Scheme for Securing Software Defined Network
Authors: Alshameri Hamza Mutaher , Kumar Pradeep
Published: March 2019

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is being extensively adopted by researchers and enterprise networks due to its feature of decoupling data and control planes from network device which enables them to implement new networking ideas. Communication between data and control planes faces various security issues where many users in data plane approach controller device in control plane to gain networking policies. In this paper, we proposed an efficient Zero-knowledge proof based identification scheme for securing SDN controller during data and control plane communication. This scheme ensures that only users who prove their knowledge about secrecy without revealing actual secret or any other information about it can communicate with controller. The computation cost was calculated to validate efficiency of the proposed work and compared with scheme that works in the basis of Kerberos authentication protocol.
Establishing Reliability for Efficient Routing in Opportunistic Networks
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Kukreja Deepika
Published: March 2019

Opportunistic network (Oppnet) is a class of networks where connections between the nodes are not permanent. The nodes are continuously moving and some nodes even switch off their batteries to conserve energy. Reliable delivery of messages in Opportunistic network is one major inherent issue. It is unreliable in the sense that once the source node has forwarded its message, then it will never get to know about its status in the network like whether the message has got discarded at an intermediate node or at the destination node (due to buffer overflow) or the successful delivery of the message has taken place. This work tries to make Oppnet as much reliable as possible. It proposes a reliability protocol named as “Reliability in Oppnet” (RIO). RIO improves the routing in Oppnet and works in parallel with the existing routing protocols. It makes the source node aware about the status of message so that if an error occurs then the source node can take suitable action to resend the message. It considers the redirection error, buffer overflow error, Time Limit Exceeded (TLE), parameter problem and destination unreachable errors that may occur inside the network. RIO has been tested using ONE simulator and implemented with Spray and Wait routing protocol. Results show that the RIO with Spray and Wait protocol outperforms normal Spray and Wait protocol in terms of average message delivery probability.
Node Authentication Using NTRU Algorithm in Opportunistic Network
Authors: Abouaroek Musaeed , Ahmad Khaleel
Published: March 2019

The demand for using wireless paradigms for performing various information and communication operations has been exploded. The opportunistic networks is a special type of delay tolerant networks proposed to operate in an emergency manner to facilitate mobile connectivity between the nodes when there is no connectivity. These emergencies are caused either by human-made or natural disasters. Opportunistic Networks depend on mobile phones and other mobile devices that carry wireless technology. This paper is an attempt to expand the opportunistic network through the authentication nodes. We propose an NTRU algorithm for node authentication in opportunistic networks .NTRU algorithm is an asymmetric post-quantum cryptosystem. This algorithm is unbreakable and robust compared to RSA and ECC cryptosystem.
A Secure Structure for Hiding Information in a Cryptosystem based on Machine-learning Techniques and Content-based Optimization using Portfolio Selection Data
Authors: Kumar Chanchal , Doja Mohammad Najmud
Published: March 2019

Many systems including networks environment have higher complexity and ubiquitous connections than a normal system, hence design of a security system for hiding pertinent data a challenging task. This paper presents a secure structure that extends a protocol which is available for fast Diffe-Hellman protocol using Kummer surface. We show the extended version of the scheme by inclusion of an additional point, such that a more secure system can be constructed. The scheme has been build by employing machine-learning technique to select an appropriate class from multiple set of surfaces. A brief discussion on inclusion of multiple surfaces and making a selection of a specific surface using NSGA II algorithm is also provided. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of AES-128 (AES also known as Rijndael). In the starting, a short overview of the AES is given. This paper also has a description for altering the key generation module in AES based upon a newly designed content-based matrix which is built from portfolio selection data. The matrix is constructed using some predefined factors  modifies the existing index which is computed based upon the context of the message. An optimization algorithm is employed for selecting specified entries from content matrix. These selected entries are used for altering the key generation algorithm in AES. The modified output obtained after altering the key generation scheme is provided in the paper. Lastly, a brief overview of LIM index, which is used as an index in cryptanalysis, is given. This paper has a description of the scheme to construct a more secure system that is capable of hiding the information with above-mentioned techniques.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Opportunistic Network and its Security Challenges
Authors: Hassan Rosilah , Bin Ahmad Khairol Amali , Ahmad Khaleel
Published: March 2019

It is our great privilege to present before you Volume 20, Issue 1 of the “Scalable Computing: Practice and Experience”. We had received 41 paper submissions from Belgium, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Yemen and India, and selected 12 papers for publication. The acceptance rate of this issue is 29 percent. The aim of this special issue is to give the solutions of opportunistic networks and security challenges as well as to collect other research problems in opportunistic networks for further research. This special issue gives the new dimensions for opportunistic networks in the perspective of research.
ECHOSTRUCTURE AND PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SPACE OF THE BRAIN IN NEWBORNS WITH CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION
Authors: Гориков Игорь , Gorikov Igor , Сомова Лариса , Somova Larisa , Андриевская Ирина , Andrievskaya Irina , Заболотских Татьяна , Zabolotskikh Tat'yana , Ишутина Наталия , Ishutina Nataliya , Довжикова Инна , Dovzhikova Inna , Баталова Татьяна , Batalova Tatiana
Published: March 2019

In 36 full-term newborns who died at an early neonatal age under various conditions of intrauterine development, ultrasound examination and morphological study of the brain liquor space was conducted at the 1st-2nd days of life. The first group included 20 newborns aged 38-40 weeks, whose cause of death on the 4th -5th day of life was intranatal and postnatal hypoxia. The second group included 16 dead children of the same age with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. It was found out that immaturity (n=7, p<0.05), pseudocysts of the vascular plexus of the lateral ventricles (n=9, p<0.5), as well as intraventricular hemorrhages of I degree (n=8, p<0.05) were more often diagnosed in the second group compared with the first one in neurosonographic study. Only in the second group there was a pronounced ventriculomegaly. A morphological study in the brain often detected a pronounced pericellular and perivascular edema, alterative changes of neurons, vasculitis (n=7), subependyma (n=3), choriocephalitis (n=3) and encephalitis (n=1) with small calcifications, ependymocyte desquamation and lymphocytic infiltration, with a pronounced hyperemia and hemorrhages. In all cases, specific cells of the "owl's eye" were not detected. The detected ultrasound and pathomorphological changes in the liquor space in intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection indicate the possibility of direct cytodestructive effect of the pathogen in the absence of markers of viral metamorphosis, as well as the indirect effect of antenatal hypoxia, endotoxemia and cytokineemia on the brain in newborns
The Influence of Mistake-Handling Activities on Mathematics Education: An Example of Definitions
Authors: Gedik-Altun Solmaz Damla , Konyalioglu Alper Cihan
Published: March 2019

The study aims to find out the influence of Mistake-Handling Activities to determine mathematical definitions knowledge, which can be regarded as a component of mathematics content knowledge, of teachers on the development of teachers in providing mathematical definitions. Within this framework, Mistake-Handling Activities were carried out with five volunteer mathematics teachers. Written opinions and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used as data collection tools. During the application, focus group interviews were carried out, and the application was enhanced with discussions. The data were analyzed using the document review method, and codes, categories, and themes were also determined. The results revealed that Mistake-Handling Activities yielded certain emotional advantages such as increasing teachers’ interest and curiosity, critical thinking, self-confidence, awareness, and offering different viewpoints as well as yielding cognitive advantages such as recognizing their shortcomings, acknowledging the importance of knowing the definition of a concept, and using the definition.
A Feasibility Study of A Home-Based Program to Promote Perceived Adequate Milk
Authors: Wood Natsuko K , Lewis Frances M
Published: March 2019

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a home-based educational skill building program to support exclusive breastfeeding for mothers in the early postpartum period. Specific aims were to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the study’s recruitment strategy, comparing the use of an intermediary with a direct approach, (2) examine intervention fidelity, (3) examine program adherence, and (4) assess the acceptability of the intervention to participants.

Design and Sample
A mixed methods within-group, three-occasion descriptive design, delivered to 14 dyads of breastfeeding mothers and their full-term singleton infants.

Intervention
The program was implemented during three, 60-90 minute educational training sessions in the home, delivered at 6, 13, and 27 days postpartum.

Results
Mothers who adhered to the intervention protocol correctly attributed their infant’s crying behavior to factors other than the adequacy of the mother’s milk supply. All participants were recruited through direct approach. The program was delivered as planned with high fidelity, a high retention rate, and with a high rate of acceptability.

Conclusions
A fully scripted, at-home, nurse-delivered educational skill building program can be delivered with efficiency to breastfeeding mothers with full-term singleton infants; intervention fidelity, retention, and acceptability were high.
Motorcycle-Related Head and Limbs Injuries from Road Traffic Accident at a Second Level Hospital in Cameroon
Authors: ErickTandi Tinyami , ErickTandi Tinyami , ErickTandi Tinyami , Kim KyungHee , Gilbert Tambetakaw Njang , Choi JaeWook , Choi JaeWook
Published: March 2019

Motorcycles have been increasing used widely in various urban, suburban and villages in Cameroon with an increased in accidents resulting to injuries among the population. Head and limbs injuries are responsible for most of the cases encountered from related crashes. A prospective study on head and limbs injuries resulting from motorcycle crash were assessed among the different cases brought to the casualty and emergency department of the Kumba district hospital. Most of the injured cases were of motorcycle and other vehicle collisions 203 (47.65) and the least among motorcycle lone crash 51 (11.97). Motorcycle to motorcycle collisions accounted for 107 (25.12 %) of the cases. 65 (15.26%) were motorcycle with pedestrians related collision. Stepping up and facilitating the regulations on licenses and the use of personal protective equipment for riders, improvement of roads infrastructures with pedestrian path, expanding health facilities and equipment, and human resources for health as well as empowering the population on road safety measures will be very important for RTAs control measures of the nation.
Rice Yield Advances Under Precision Agriculture: a Farm Lesson
Authors: Sarasso Giuseppe , Sarasso Roberto , Finassi Antonio , Masoero Giorgio
Published: March 2019

In precision agriculture (PA) fertilizing, based on soil testing, production maps and crop nitrogen (N) demand, is the key to maximizing yields and tempering fertilizer costs. A trend study has considered the output / input relationships performed on a farm that has progressively adapted to PA procedures over two decades. The evolutions of the variability parameters of yield, comprising the repeatability coefficient of repeated plots, the vegetative vigour (NDRE) at the panicle initiation (pi) stage, and the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) were monitored and compared by means of mixed linear models over a six-year period, after the variable nitrogen (N) fertilization rate (VNFR) had been enlarged to the whole 230 ha of one farm. At pi key fertilization stage, a corrective dose was applied by tacking the correlation between Npi and the measured NDRE in strong negative mode. The evolution of the yield, for the 2012-2017 interval, based on 1165 ha-1 parcel-data, showed a significant yearly increase of 2.3% more than the regional trend (+0.5%). The variability parameters of the yield, that is, the standard deviation (+7.3%), range (+7.1%), coefficient of variation (+5.4%) and maximum (+2.1%) were enhanced over the years, but the minimum remained stable. The repeatability of the parcel yield generally appeared low (r = +0.31), but it tended to increase by 8.3% year-1 (P = 0.018). At the same time, the vegetational vigour also showed significant increases of the NDRE means (+3.0%) as well as of the maximum (+0.8%), but also large oscillations in the standard deviation and in the coefficient of variation. No significant regression of the NDRE on the coefficient of variation of the yield was established. The favorable increase in yield was found to be independent of the distributed N-total. A strong negative correlation (imposed) between N-pi and NDRE (-0.90) and a negative correlation with production were observed for a sample field (but in the area of maximum production). It is recommended that a partial correlation between Yield and N-tot should be considered in the I /O features for a parity of NDRE, which apparently decreases the negativity of the relationship. In short: with the same total input of N, the PA increased the yield, but also its variability – and it did not reduce the variability as predicted by the theory - by strengthening the repeatability. This is an evidence that in many of the parcels with minimum yield the limiting factors cannot be referred to the N availability.