bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Idiopathic encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis presenting with abdominal mass
Authors: Saha Bijit , Parasar Kunal , Anand Utpal , Kant Kislay
Published: September 2024

A man in his late 30s presented with a history of recurrent colicky abdominal pain, bilious vomiting and intermittent mass formation in the lower abdomen. The mass was mobile, non-tender and fluctuant, and appeared in the right iliac fossa during episodes of pain and disappeared once the pain subsided. Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan revealed a thick membrane-like structure covering the clumped small bowel loops, suggestive of an abdominal cocoon. A midline laparotomy was carried out with extensive adhesiolysis, and a membrane incision was performed. The final histopathological diagnosis was primary encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis of idiopathic origin is rare and typically presents as an acute or subacute intestinal obstruction. A CECT scan is the diagnostic modality of choice, with a thick peritoneal membrane covering the small bowel loops being the hallmark sign. Surgical intervention is the preferred treatment for idiopathic cases, while medical management may address secondary causes.
Exploring gaps, opportunities, barriers and enablers in malnutrition policy through key informant interviews: a qualitative inquiry from the CANDReaM initiative
Authors: Ford Katherine L , Nasser Roseann , Basualdo-Hammond Carlota , Laur Celia , Quintanilha Maira , Keller Heather , Gramlich Leah
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) presents in up to half of adults and one-third of children admitted to Canadian hospitals and significantly impacts health outcomes. Strategies to screen, diagnose and treat DRM exist but policy to facilitate implementation and sustainability are lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore gaps, opportunities, barriers and enablers for DRM policy in Canada.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted with multi-national key informants in DRM and/or health policy. Purposive sampling identified participants for a semi-structured interview. The health policy triangle framework informs policy outcomes by considering actors, content, context and processes, and was used to guide this work. Inductive thematic analysis was completed, followed by deductive analysis based on the framework.

Results

DRM policy actors were seen as champions in healthcare, senior leaders in healthcare administration and individuals with lived experience. Policy content focused on screening, diagnosis and treatment of DRM. Key areas related to policy context included system specifics related to setting, cost and capacity, and social determinants of health. DRM policy processes were viewed as cross-sectoral and multi-level governance, mandating and other reinforcement strategies, windows of opportunity, and evaluation and research.

Conclusions

DRM care has advanced substantially, yet policy-level changes are sparse, and gaps exist. DRM policy is facilitated by similar content around the globe and needs to be tailored to address setting-specific needs. Actors, content, context and processes inform policy and can be a dominant lever to accelerate nutrition care best practices.
Multinational trends in sepsis mortality between 1985 and 2019: a temporal analysis of the WHO Mortality Database
Authors: Komorowski Matthieu , Salciccioli Justin D , Shalhoub Joseph , Gordon Anthony C , Marshall Dominic C
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Understanding the burden of disease of sepsis is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of international strategies to improve sepsis care. Our objective was to describe the multinational trend of sepsis-related mortality for the period 1985–2019 from the WHO Mortality Database.

Design

Retrospective analysis of the WHO Mortality Database.

Setting

We included data from all countries defined by the WHO as having ‘high usability data’ and at least 10 years of total available data.

Participants

From the WHO list of 50 countries with high usability data, 14 (28%) were excluded due to excessive missingness. We included and analysed data separately for male and female.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We analysed age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) (weighted average of the age-specific mortality rates per 100 000 people, where the weights are the proportions of people in the corresponding age groups of the WHO standard population).

Results

We included 1104 country-years worth of data from 36 countries with high usability data, accounting for around 15% of the world’s population. The median ASMR for men decreased from 37.8 deaths/100 000 (IQR 28.4–46.7) in 1985–1987 to 25.8 deaths/100 000 (IQR 19.2–37) in 2017–2019, an approximately 12% absolute (31.8% relative) decrease. For women, the overall ASMR decreased from 22.9 deaths/100 000 (IQR 17.7–32.2) to 16.2 deaths/100 000 (IQR 12.6–21.6), an approximately 6.7% absolute decrease (29.3% relative decrease). The analysis of country-level data revealed wide variations in estimates and trends.

Conclusions

We observed a decrease in reported sepsis-related mortality across the majority of analysed nations between 1985 and 2019. However, significant variability remains between gender and health systems. System-level and population-level factors may contribute to these differences, and additional investigations are necessary to further explain these trends.
Long-term hepatitis B surface antigen response after finite treatment of ARC-520 or JNJ-3989
Authors: Mak Lung Yi , Wooddell Christine I , Lenz Oliver , Schluep Thomas , Hamilton James , Davis Heather L , Mao Xianhua , Seto Wai-Kay , Biermer Michael , Yuen Man-Fung
Published: September 2024

Background and aims

RNA interference has been extensively explored in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. We aimed to characterise the long-term efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) suppression.

Methods

We prospectively followed up participants with CHB who received siRNA, either ARC-520 or JNJ-73763989 (JNJ-3989), in combination with nucleoside analogue (NUC) in our centre. Participants enrolled included 15 receiving 4 monthly injections of ARC-520, 38 receiving 3 injections of JNJ-3989 at 1, 2 or 4 weekly intervals and 5 receiving placebo in previous clinical trials. Serial blood sampling was performed according to the original protocols and on completion every 24 weeks until last follow-up (LFU) with mean duration of 52.5 months.

Results

Among the 53 NUC+siRNA-treated participants (mean age 46.8, baseline HBsAg 3.08 log, 83% previously on NUC, 34% hepatitis B e antigen+), the proportion of patients achieving HBsAg seroclearance or <100 IU/mL at LFU was 1.9% and 32.1%, respectively, compared with 0% and 0% for placebo. Among siRNA-recipients, 48.5% and 5.0% of those with HBsAg <100 IU/mL and >100 IU/mL at nadir or ≤24 weeks from last dose could maintain or achieve HBsAg <100 IU/mL at LFU, respectively. Compared with placebo recipients, siRNA-recipients demonstrated faster overall annual decline of HBsAg (0.08 vs 0.21 log IU/mL/year) contributed predominantly by changes in the first year. Age was negatively correlated with HBsAg reduction at LFU (r=−0.427, p=0.001).

Conclusion

Short-duration siRNA treatment suppressed HBsAg expression with a prolonged effect for up to 6 years in some participants.
Core outcome set for intervention research on snakebite envenomation in South Asia
Authors: Bhaumik Soumyadeep , Beri Deepti , Santra Vishal , Gopalakrishnan Maya , Faiz Mohammad Abul , Williamson Paula R , Clarke Mike , Sharma Sanjib Kumar , Jagnoor Jagnoor
Published: September 2024

Background

The 2019 WHO strategy to reduce snakebite burden emphasises the need for fostering research on snakebite treatments. A core outcome set (COS) is a consensus minimal list of outcomes that should be measured in research on a particular condition. We aimed to develop a COS for snakebite research in South Asia, the region with the highest burden.

Methods

We used data from a systematic review of outcomes to develop a long list of outcomes which were rated in two rounds of online Delphi survey with healthcare providers, patients and the public, and potential COS users to develop a COS for intervention research on snakebite treatments in South Asia for five intervention groups. Subsequently, meetings, consultations and workshops were organised to reach further consensus. We defined the consensus criteria a priori.

Results

Overall, 72 and 61 people, including patients and the public, participated in round I and round II of the Delphi, respectively. Consensus COSs (including definition and time points) were developed for interventions that prevent adverse reaction to snake antivenom (three outcomes), specifically manage neurotoxic manifestations (five outcomes), specifically manage haematological manifestations (five outcomes) and those that act against snake venom (seven) outcomes. A priori criteria for inclusion in COS were not met for COS on interventions for management of the bitten part.

Conclusion

The COS contributes to improving research efficiency by standardising outcome measurement in South Asia. It also provides methodological insights for future development of COS, beyond snakebite.
Education-related inequalities in disability during the last years of life: a full population register-based study
Authors: Stolz Erwin , Oberndorfer Moritz , Freidl Wolfgang
Published: September 2024

Background

Little is known about education-related inequalities in late-life disability. Here, we use individual-level register data on the receipt of the Austrian long-term care allowance (ALTCA) to assess education-related inequalities in the duration of late-life disability.

Methods

In this retrospective mortality follow-back study, we analyse receipt of ALTCA, a universal cash benefit based on physician-assessed disability in activities of daily living, during the last 5 years of life among all decedents aged 65 years and over from 2020 in Austria (n=76 772).

Results

The higher the level of education, the shorter the period for which ALTCA was received. Over the last 5 years of life, those with the primary/lower secondary education received ALTCA for 47% or 10 months (men), respectively, 38% or 12 months (women) longer than those with tertiary education. Education-related inequalities decreased with time to death and age at death.

Conclusion

We found education-related inequalities in the duration of late-life disability, that is, higher education was associated with a prolonged ability to live independently during the last years of life. Inequalities in disability decreased with time to death and age at death, pointing to a gradual levelling due to mortality-related declines as well as selective mortality.
Can large language models help solve the cost problem for the right to explanation?
Authors: Munch Lauritz , Bjerring Jens Christian
Published: September 2024

By now a consensus has emerged that people, when subjected to high-stakes decisions through automated decision systems, have a moral right to have these decisions explained to them. However, furnishing such explanations can be costly. So the right to an explanation creates what we call the cost problem: providing subjects of automated decisions with appropriate explanations of the grounds of these decisions can be costly for the companies and organisations that use these automated decision systems. In this paper, we explore whether large language models could prove significant in overcoming the cost problem. We provide an initial case for believing that they can but only with serious ethical costs.
Investigating colour vision and its structural correlates 15 years following a first demyelinating event
Authors: Yam Charmaine , Brownlee Wallace J , Prados Carrasco Ferran , Toosy Ahmed , Ciccarelli Olga
Published: September 2024

Background

We investigated the long-term colour and contrast vision outcomes, 15 years after a first demyelinating event, with their structural correlates using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and brain MRI.

Methods

Patients recruited with their first demyelinating event, were invited~15 years later to undergo clinical assessments, OCT and brain MRI and were clinically classified according to multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotypes. Linear mixed models evaluated associations between visual outcomes, MS phenotypes and OCT measures.

Results

94 patients were evaluated after a median of 14.3 years. 111 eyes affected by optic neuritis and 77 unaffected eyes were studied. Optic neuritis eyes displayed worse colour vision than unaffected eyes. Unaffected eyes showed worse colour vision in relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) than clinically isolated syndrome, while no similar discriminatory ability was seen for OCT measures. However, ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) was superior to peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) in predicting all visual outcomes. Worse colour vision was associated with lower retinal thicknesses and higher brain T2 lesion load; adding MRI volumetrics to macular GCIPL predictors did not improve model prediction of visual outcomes.

Conclusions

Colour vision was impaired in unaffected eyes, especially in SPMS. GCIPL thinning underpinned this impairment more than pRNFL, suggesting neuroaxonal loss as the pathobiological substrate. The correlation between worse colour vision and increasing T2 lesion load suggests that colour dysfunction reflects overall greater disease burden. Quantitative evaluation of colour vision in addition to OCT may be useful to assess disease severity in patients after a first demyelinating event.
miR-19-3p
/GRSF1/COX1 axis attenuates early brain injury via maintaining mitochondrial function after subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Gao Ge , Sun Xiaoyu , Xu Jiajia , Yu Jian , Wang Yang
Published: September 2024

Background

Guanine-rich RNA sequence binding factor 1 (GRSF1) is an RNA-binding protein, which is eventually localised to mitochondria and promotes the translation of cytochrome C oxidase 1 (COX1) mRNA. However, the role of the
miR-19-3
p/GRSF1/COX1 axis has not been investigated in an experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) model. Thus, we investigated the role of the
miR-19-3
p/GRSF1/COX1 axis in a SAH-induced early brain injury (EBI) course.

Methods

Primary neurons were treated with oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb) to simulate in vitro SAH. The rat SAH model was established by injecting autologous arterial blood into the optic chiasma cisterna. The GRSF1 level was downregulated or upregulated by treating the rats and neurons with lentivirus-
GRSF1
shRNA (Lenti-
GRSF1
shRNA) or lentivirus-
GRSF1
(Lenti-
GRSF1
).

Results

The
miR-19-3
p level was upregulated and the protein levels of GRSF1 and COX1 were both downregulated in SAH brain tissue.
GRSF1
silence decreased and
GRSF1
overexpression increased the protein levels of
GRSF1
and COX1 in primary neurons and brain tissue, respectively. Lenti-
GRSF1
shRNA aggravated, but Lenti-
GRSF1
alleviated, the indicators of neuronal injury and neurological impairment in both in vitro and in vivo SAH conditions. In addition,
miR-19-3
p mimic reduced the protein levels of GRSF1 and COX1 in cultured neurons while
miR-19-3
p inhibitor increased them. More importantly, Lenti-
GRSF1
significantly relieved mitochondrial damage of neurons exposed to OxyHb or induced by SAH and was beneficial to maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Lenti-
GRSF1
shRNA treatment, conversely, aggravated mitochondrial damage in neurons.

Conclusion

The
miR-19-3
p/GRSF1/COX1 axis may serve as an underlying target for inhibiting SAH-induced EBI by maintaining mitochondrial integrity.
A note on subspace entropy
Authors: Xu Feng
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we discuss various notions of subspace entropies motivated by the work of R. Longo and E. Witten and study their basic properties.
Preparation, Characterization and Thermal Cycling Analyses of Nanocomposite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Muzhanje Allan T. , Hassan Hamdy
Published: September 2024

Experimental work is carried out to study the performance of nanoparticle enhanced phase change materials (NEPCMs) when applied to the Egyptian weather for indoor thermal comfort. Nanoparticle alumina and copper-oxide are used as the additive material into the PCMs 7, 11, 24, 26 and 29. The enhanced PCMs are characterized and tested for thermal performance during solidification and melting cycles. Observations are then made to conclude that, compared to the base fluid, PCM11 has the optimum performance for the Egyptian winter weather and PCM26 is the best for the summer conditions. PCM11 with a favorable phase change range [Formula: see text]–13[Formula: see text]C for Egyptian winter conditions, shows a reduction of melting time by over 10% when 5[Formula: see text]wt.% CuO nanoparticles (NPs) are added. Similarly, further to thermal stability and reduced corrosive action, PCM26 enhanced with 5[Formula: see text]wt.% CuO NPs has over 14% faster melting compared to the base fluid and does not undergo supercooling when tested for summer application.
High efficient electrocatalytic performance of nitrogen-doped carbon nanosphere-loaded platinum composite in DMFCs
Authors: Bai Xueli , Guo Xiaomiao , Wang Feng , Jing Jing , Wang Haozhe , Wang Huifang , Li Baoyi , Zhang Xiaoping , Yang Sen
Published: September 2024

Carbon materials, characterized by their high conductivity, large specific surface area, and stable chemical properties, have been employed as anode catalysts in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). However, during the electrocatalysis process, intermediate species like CO may adsorb onto the surface of the carbon support, thereby diminishing the catalyst’s activity. In this study, nitrogen doping technology was leveraged to alter the growth mechanism of carbon spheres, achieving an average particle size of approximately 1 [Formula: see text]m with uniform shape and good dispersion. Nitrogen doping facilitates the homogeneous nucleation of carbon pellets and influences the polymerization and carbonization of carbon precursors, effectively controlling the growth rate and size of the carbon pellets. The resultant nitrogen-doped carbon ball supported platinum (NCB@Pt) composite demonstrated markedly enhanced electrocatalytic performance and stability in the methanol oxidation reaction. For instance, NCB@Pt exhibited a current density of 120 mA ⋅ cm[Formula: see text], a notable increase from the 8.5 mA ⋅ cm[Formula: see text] shown by the undoped carbon nanospheres supported metal-platinum composite (CB@Pt). Furthermore, NCB@Pt displayed an initial potential of −0.7 V, which is superior to CB@Pt’s −0.57 V. Potentiostatic electrochemical testing revealed that NCB@Pt maintains excellent stability during methanol oxidation at room temperature, with a current density reduction of merely 6% after a 3 h reaction. In contrast, CB@Pt experienced a current density decrease of about 53% under similar conditions. These advancements can be ascribed to the fact that nitrogen doping not only boosts the conductivity of the carbon carrier, facilitating charge transport, but also strengthens the interaction between the carbon carrier and platinum, minimizing the aggregation of platinum nanoparticles, exposing more active sites, and curtailing the degradation of catalyst performance. Such findings underscore that refining the carbon support through nitrogen doping constitutes an effective approach to significantly improve the efficacy of DMFC anode catalysts.
Experimental study on adsorption of Congo red wastewater by EDTA-modified chitosan/graphene oxide
Authors: Li Yafeng , Tang Jin , Hou Ruibo , Wu Jianbo
Published: September 2024

To improve the adsorption performance of CS/GO, the EDTA-CS/GO composite adsorbent was prepared by the solution mixing method and used to treat Congo red wastewater. The optimal reaction conditions were determined by single-factor testing and response surface methodology. The results of SEM, XRD, and FTIR characterization showed that EDTA was successfully grafted onto CS/GO, the surface of EDTA-CS/GO was rougher, and the specific surface area of the composite increased, thereby improving its adsorption capacity. The results of the single factor test and response surface optimization showed that at an adsorbent dose of 0.12 g, stirring speed of 302 rpm, and pH of 7.4, the chromaticity and COD removal rates were 92.64% and 71.34%. Under optimal conditions, the adsorption capacity of EDTA-CS/GO composites only decreased by 4.91% after five reuse times, indicating that the composites had good stability and recycling performance. This study provides an effective strategy for producing efficient adsorbents and their application in dye wastewater treatment.
Ruthenium-doped Ni5P4 for hydrogen production via water electrolysis
Authors: Wang Yaoting , Chou Zhiling , Zhang Huimin , Zou Yiming , Wang Junfu , Ding Haochen , Zhao Hong , Wang Song , Xiao Xin
Published: September 2024

The electrochemical decomposition of water to produce hydrogen using clean energy sources has become a sustainable pathway for hydrogen utilization, with efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts crucial for high energy conversion efficiency. Nickel phosphide is widely utilized in the electrocatalytic HER owing to its unique electronic properties, efficient electrocatalytic performance, and excellent corrosion resistance. However, the HER activity of nickel–phosphide electrocatalysts remains low, necessitating further research for practical applications. This paper introduces a method for preparing Ru-doped Ni5P4, including the mechanism of the HER, the preparation of Ru@Ni5P4, and its performance in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The preparation methods for the Ru@Ni5P4 electrocatalyst were classified, with a focus on the preparation techniques and research progress regarding its HER activity. The HER activities of the pure Ni5P4, Ru@Ni5P4, and 10 wt.% Pt/C electrodes were compared based on experimental indicators such as the overpotential and Tafel slope at a specific current density.
Spatial correction and Deblurring fusion algorithm for vehicle license plate images based on deep learning
Authors: Ding Fang , Zhang Daisheng
Published: September 2024

Image correction and deblurring have always posed significant challenges in the field of image processing, and the results of license plate image recognition with low structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) will significantly affect the use of vehicles. To address these problems, we propose a real-time algorithm based on deep learning, which can simultaneously perform image spatial correction and deblurring in the same network, known as [Formula: see text]. First, a 15-layer depthwise separable convolutional neural network is designed as the basic network for high-speed image deblurring, and four spatial transformer network (STN) modules are integrated into the basic network to achieve image spatial correction capability. Second, the network is divided into three dense blocks, in which dense residual connections are used to improve the PSNR. Finally, a bottleneck structure is created to improve the real-time performance of image reconstruction that can simultaneously perform image space correction and deblurring. The test results on the CCPD dataset demonstrate that the [Formula: see text] algorithm is advanced, with PSNR reaching 30.14[Formula: see text]dB, SSIM reaching 0.911, and image reconstruction only 0.12[Formula: see text]s. The correction and deblurring modules can promote each other, jointly improving the image reconstruction ability of the network, that is, the network achieves more advanced image reconstruction performance while maintaining high real-time performance.
Navigating the Potential of Natural Products through Nano-enabled Drug Deliveries in Mitigation of Cancer: A Review
Authors: Guleria Mridul , Malhan Arprita , Singh Sudarshan , Chidrawar Vijay R. , Nagime Pooja V.
Published: September 2024

Approximately 20 million new instances of cancer and 10 million cancer-related deaths were reported in 2023, making cancer one of the leading causes of mortality globally. The number of deaths due to cancer worldwide is expected to double by 2050 to an estimated 18.5 million, compared to 9.7 million in 2022. Though there are heaps of new advanced techniques and therapies present for the treatment or control of cancer exist; however, complete treatment is not yet available. Chemotherapy and radiation-based therapy are examples of cancer treatments that function by eradicating or damaging cancer cells, which may sometimes negatively affect as well as harm normal cells throughout the process. Phyto-pharmaceuticals have shown promising results in the management of cancer due to potential anticancer efficacy. There is a large variety of medicinal herbs that exhibit anticancer properties; however, few are known and not yet evaluated in humans. Recently these bioactive compounds were combined with modified medications driven by nanotechnology (NT), and drug delivery systems are being fabricated and commercialized to improve the management of cancer with positive results. Drug delivery to cancer cells can be made more effective using nano-carriers with prolong medication half-lives, improve solubility and stability, and lessen side effects in organs other than the target. The review focuses on a new nano-enabled approach to delivering the medication that leverages bioactive compounds in either entrapped or tagged to carriers. Additionally, the review provides a sense of the obstacles and constraints associated with conventional cancer therapy, as well as the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.
Epidemiological and Health Insurance Models for a Communicable Disease
Authors: Nkeki C. I. , Iroh E. H.
Published: September 2024

This paper considers an epidemiological model, referred to as SEIDRS disease model design for a communicable disease insurance policy. Epidemiologically, the individual population has five demographic groups, which includes: susceptibles (S), exposed (E), infectives undergoing treatments (I), infectives but dead (D) and (R) infectives but recovered from the communicable disease as stipulated in the insurance policy. The latter rejoined the susceptible group and then, continues with the insurance company by paying premium until such insured becomes infected again. The class of infectives comprises a union of those groups that are under treatment and the dead policy holders (PHs). The susceptible and exposed individuals constantly face the risks of being infected by the disease, while the infective class faces the risks of death resulting from the disease. Again, the probability function of a PH to remain susceptible under the SEIDRS disease model is considered, in this paper. Consequently, we obtain, for the insurance policy, the probability density function and cumulative distribution function under the SEIDRS disease model. Using the actuarial principles and techniques, we determine the parties’ insurance financial obligations as well as the insurance quantities. Some empirical results arising from the model analyses, in this paper are considered.
Exploring the Molecular Impact of Cancer-associated Histone Mutations on Nucleosome Stability, Interactions and Higher-Order Structures
Authors: Zhang Houfang , Peng Yunhui
Published: September 2024

Nucleosomes, as key players in epigenetic regulation, interact with various chromatin factors and enzymes. Recently, a variety of studies have highlighted the significant roles that histone mutations play in the progression of various cancers. Cancer-associated mutations can disrupt nucleosome stability, dynamics and interactions, leading to profound effects on higher-order chromatin structure and epigenetic processes. In this review, we summarize the latest research that provides a comprehensive analysis of how histone mutations in cancers influence nucleosome dynamics, stability and interactions by altering their physicochemical properties. Moreover, we briefly explore the molecular mechanisms by which these mutations disrupt higher-order chromatin organization and epigenetic landscape.
Seismic reflection data driven tectono-sedimentary analysis and hydrocarbon field characterization of the Slovak part of the Transcarpathian Basin
Authors: Subová Viktoria , Rybár Samuel , Sliva Ľubomír , Šály Branislav
Published: September 2024

This review describes the tectono-sedimentary framework of the Slovak part of the Transcarpathian Basin within the Pannonian Basin System, with an outlook on the existing hydrocarbon fields. The East Slovak Basin formed owing to complex interaction between the Alpine–Carpathian orogeny and the subsequent Neogene back-arc extension in a pull-apart basin setting. The structural fabric of the pull-apart basin is dominated by a large boundary fault and an associated horsetail structure. The coincidence of the trace of the main boundary fault with large Miocene rhyolite volcanic domes highlights the importance of volcano-tectonic interaction. The basin fill includes a remnant of a pre-rift Paleogene to Eggenburgian sequence as part of the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin and the dominant synrift Lower–Middle Miocene (Karpatian to Sarmatian/Pannonian) strata belonging to the Transcarpathian Basin. The synrift depositional environments ranged from marine to deltaic (Karpatian–Badenian–Sarmatian), interrupted by occasional evaporitic sedimentation, to lacustrine to alluvial (Pannonian). The existing hydrocarbon finds show significant gas and minor condensate field segments, mainly reservoired in upper Badenian and Sarmatian sandstones. The data presented in this study suggest untapped hydrocarbon potential in the proximal and distal regions of the Northern Horsetail structure, where no hydrocarbon fields have been found to date.
Assessing IT Project Success: Perception vs. Reality
Authors: Varajão João , Trigo António
Published: September 2024

This study has significant implications for practice, research, and education by providing new insights into IT project success. It expands the body of knowledge on project management by reporting project success (and not exclusively project management success), grounded in several objective criteria such as deliverables usage by the client in the post-project stage, hiring of project-related support/maintenance services by the client, contracting of new projects by the client, and vendor recommendation by the client to potential clients. Researchers can find a set of criteria they can use when studying and reporting the success of IT projects, thus expanding the current perspective on evaluation and contributing to more accurate conclusions. For practitioners, this study provides a rich set of criteria that can be used for evaluating their projects, as well as strong evidence of the importance of considering not only project execution, but also post-project outcomes and impacts in the evaluation.
HDRLPIM: A Simulator for Hyper-Dimensional Reinforcement Learning Based on Processing In-Memory
Authors: Rakka Mariam , Amer Walaa , Chen Hanning , Imani Mohsen , Kurdahi Fadi
Published: September 2024

Processing In-Memory (PIM) is a data-centric computation paradigm that performs computations inside the memory, hence eliminating the memory wall problem in traditional computational paradigms used in Von-Neumann architectures. The associative processor, a type of PIM architecture, allows performing parallel and energy-efficient operations on vectors. This architecture is found useful in vector-based applications such as Hyper-Dimensional (HDC) Reinforcement Learning (RL). HDC is rising as a new powerful and lightweight alternative to costly traditional RL models such as Deep Q-Learning. The HDC implementation of Q-Learning relies on encoding the states in a high-dimensional representation where calculating Q-values and finding the maximum one can be done entirely in parallel. In this article, we propose to implement the main operations of a HDC RL framework on the associative processor. This acceleration achieves up to

\(152.3\times\)

and

\(6.4\times\)

energy and time savings compared to an FPGA implementation. Moreover, HDRLPIM shows that an SRAM-based AP implementation promises up to

\(968.2\times\)

energy-delay product gains compared to the FPGA implementation.
Toward Enhancing Privacy Preservation of a Federated Learning CNN Intrusion Detection System in IoT: Method and Empirical Study
Authors: Torre Damiano , Chennamaneni Anitha , Jo JaeYun , Vyas Gitika , Sabrsula Brandon
Published: September 2024

Enormous risks and hidden dangers of information security exist in the applications of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. To secure IoT software systems, software engineers have to deploy advanced security software such as Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) that are able to keep track of how the IoT devices behave within the network and detect any malicious activity that may be occurring. Considering that IoT devices generate large amounts of data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often regarded as the best method for implementing IDS, thanks to AI’s high capability in processing large amounts of IoT data. To tackle these security concerns, specifically the ones tied to the privacy of data used in IoT systems, the software implementation of a Federated Learning (FL) method is often used to improve both privacy preservation (PP) and scalability in IoT networks. In this article, we present an FL IDS that leverages a 1-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for efficient and accurate intrusion detection in IoT networks. To address the critical issue of PP in FL, we incorporate three techniques: Differential Privacy, Diffie–Hellman Key Exchange, and Homomorphic Encryption. To evaluate the effectiveness of our solution, we conduct experiments on seven publicly available IoT datasets: TON-IoT, IoT-23, BoT-IoT, CIC IoT 2023, CIC IoMT 2024, RT-IoT 2022, and EdgeIIoT. Our CNN-based approach achieves outstanding performance with an average accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of 97.31%, 95.59%, 92.43%, and 92.69%, respectively, across these datasets. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in accurately identifying and detecting intrusions in IoT networks. Furthermore, our experiments reveal that implementing all three PP techniques only incurs a minimal increase in computation time, with a 10% overhead compared to our solution without any PP mechanisms. This finding highlights the feasibility and efficiency of our solution in maintaining privacy while achieving high performance. Finally, we show the effectiveness of our solution through a comparison study with other recent IDS trained and tested on the same datasets we use.
A Novel Refactoring and Semantic Aware Abstract Syntax Tree Differencing Tool and a Benchmark for Evaluating the Accuracy of Diff Tools
Authors: Alikhanifard Pouria , Tsantalis Nikolaos
Published: September 2024

Software undergoes constant changes to support new requirements, address bugs, enhance performance, and ensure maintainability. Thus, developers spend a great portion of their workday trying to understand and review the code changes of their teammates. Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) diff tools were developed to overcome the limitations of line-based diff tools, which are used by the majority of developers. Despite the notable improvements brought by AST diff tools in understanding complex changes, they still suffer from serious limitations, such as (1) lacking multi-mapping support, (2) matching semantically incompatible AST nodes, (3) ignoring language clues to guide the matching process, (4) lacking refactoring awareness, and (5) lacking commit-level diff support. We propose a novel AST diff tool based on RefactoringMiner that resolves all aforementioned limitations. First, we improved RefactoringMiner to increase its statement mapping accuracy, and then we developed an algorithm that generates AST diff for a given commit or pull request based on the refactoring instances and pairs of matched program element declarations provided by RefactoringMiner. To evaluate the accuracy of our tool and compare it with the state-of-the-art tools, we created the first benchmark of AST node mappings, including 800 bug-fixing commits and 188 refactoring commits. Our evaluation showed that our tool achieved a considerably higher precision and recall, especially for refactoring commits, with an execution time that is comparable with that of the faster tools.
All the Way There and Back: Inertial-Based, Phone-in-Pocket Indoor Wayfinding and Backtracking Apps for Blind Travelers
Authors: Tsai Chia Hsuan , Elyasi Fatemeh , Ren Peng , Manduchi Roberto
Published: September 2024

We describe two iOS apps designed to support blind travelers navigating in indoor building environments. The Wayfinding app provides guidance to a blind user while following a certain route. The Backtracking app records the route taken by the walker towards a certain destination and then provides guidance while re-tracing the same trajectory in the opposite direction. Our apps only use the inertial and magnetic sensors of the smartphone, and thus require no infrastructure modification (e.g., installation and support of BLE beacons). Unlike systems that use the phone’s camera, users of our apps can conveniently keep their phone tucked inside their pocket while interacting with the apps using a smartwatch. Routing directions are given via speech. Both apps were tested in a user study with seven blind participants who used them while navigating a campus building. Participants were able to successfully use the Wayfinding app to complete the prescribed paths (three paths each), although the app had to be restarted for the first three participants in one path due to incorrect step length measurements (the app was later modified to track the users’ step length). The Backtracking app worked well in most cases, although in 6 trials (out of 21), the app lost track of the participant’s location.
Unawareness of Attitudes, Their Environmental Causes, and Their Behavioral Effects
Authors: Gawronski Bertram , Corneille Olivier
Published: September 2024

Claims about unawareness are abundant in attitude research. This article provides an analysis of evidence regarding three aspects of an attitude of which people may lack awareness: (a) the attitude itself, (b) its environmental causes, and (c) its behavioral effects. Our analysis reveals that, despite widespread claims of unawareness of the three aspects, strong empirical evidence for these claims is surprisingly scarce. The article concludes with a discussion of the most likely aspects of attitudes that people may be unaware of; their relation to contextual factors that might influence evaluative responses outside of awareness; open questions about the (un)awareness of attitudes, their environmental causes, and their behavioral effects; and methodological recommendations for future research that aims to provide more compelling evidence for aspects of attitudes that may evade awareness.
Glucagon receptor activation contributes to the development of kidney injury
Authors: Bomholt Anna Billeschou , Johansen Christian Dall , Galsgaard Katrine Douglas , Elmelund Emilie , Winther-Sørensen Marie , Holst Jens Juul , Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai J. , Sørensen Charlotte Mehlin
Published: September 2024

This study suggests that the glucagon receptor is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. We show, in mice, that long-term treatment with a glucagon analog showed not only pathophysiological changes and changes in renal function but also transcriptional changes in the kidneys, whereas opposite effects were demonstrated in mice with glucagon receptor inactivation. Therefore, the use of glucagon in a treatment regimen requires investigation of possible metabolic and renal abnormalities.
Application of computational fluid dynamics to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms in exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction
Authors: Reid Luke , Thougaard Jens , Price Oliver J. , Hayatdavoodi Masoud , Pedersen Lars , Walsted Emil
Published: September 2024

The current study is the first to use a hybrid combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and exercise physiology approach to investigate pathophysiology in exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO). The hybrid methodology is a promising approach to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the condition. Notable differences occur in the distribution of airflow and wall forces between the EILO and control participants, which align with symptoms and visual observations.
Do changes in cerebral blood flow modulate the amplitudes of P300 during cognitive task?
Authors: Ogoh Shigehiko , Nakata Hiroki , Kubo Hiroko , Shibasaki Manabu
Published: September 2024

A single session of aerobic or resistance training transiently enhances cognitive function, but the precise mechanism behind this exercise-induced cognitive improvement remains unknown. We investigated the effect of altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) on brain neural activity originating from motor executive and inhibitory processing using electroencephalographic event-related potentials. Exercise-induced improvement in cognitive function could not be explained by an increase in CBF, whereas a decrease in CBF did not affect cognitive function.
Oral sodium lactate ingestion does not increase blood lactate concentrations and is accompanied by moderate-to-severe gastrointestinal side effects
Authors: McCarthy Seth F. , Bornath Derek P. D. , Tucker Jessica A. L. , Hazell Tom J.
Published: September 2024

Lactate has diverse roles in physiology, and a variety of methods have been used to explore its effects on metabolism. Here, we explored whether oral sodium lactate (Na-Lactate) ingestion could increase blood lactate concentrations. Oral Na-Lactate ingestion using a variety of dosing protocols did not increase blood lactate concentrations and was coupled with gastrointestinal issues. These results demonstrate that oral ingestion of Na-Lactate is not an effective method for studying lactate’s role in metabolism.
Unusual Cases of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance
Authors: Chen Anjellica , Turcotte Anna-Ève , Higgins Sarah , Pavic Michel , Ethier Vincent , Lévesque Dion Vincent
Published: September 2024

Introduction. Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a rare entity describing patients with renal impairment related to the secretion of immunoglobulins without hematological criteria for treatment of a specific disease. We present 3 cases of MGRS identified at our center that were either rare or difficult to diagnose. Case Presentations. The first patient presented with monoclonal membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in the context of known chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), diagnosed about 10 years prior. She presented with nephritic syndrome with serum protein electrophoresis revealing an IgG/lambda peak of less than 1 g/L, stable from the last few years. A renal biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of monoclonal membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with granular IgG and C3 deposits of various sizes. The second patient presented with renal TMA in the context of IgM MGUS. The patient was admitted for acute nephritic syndrome and thrombotic microangiopathy. Serum protein electrophoresis demonstrated IgM/kappa paraprotein at 1.8 g/L, with a kappa/lambda ratio of 5.48. Renal biopsy demonstrated endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with the presence of numerous monotypic IgM/kappa intracapillary pseudothrombi. Characteristic changes of thrombotic microangiopathy were also described. The third patient presented with immunotactoid glomerulonephritis likely from small B‐cell lymphoma that later transformed to DLBCL. The patient presented with acute renal failure with IgM/kappa paraprotein of less than 1 g/L on electrophoresis and with a kappa/lambda ratio of 7.09. A diagnosis of immunotactoid glomerulonephritis was made on renal biopsy. Bone marrow with limited specimen revealed a B‐cell infiltrate. Biopsy of a breast lesion was compatible with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Lymphomatous cells expressed IgM/kappa, thus confirming paraprotein‐associated renal lesion. Conclusion. We described 3 different cases of MGRS, highlighting the diversity of renal pathohistological presentations and different associated lymphoproliferative disorders. Biopsy should rapidly be considered, as early diagnosis of MGRS is essential to initiate clone‐directed therapy promptly to prevent progression to ESRD or hematologic progression to malignancy.
Elucidating Template‐To‐Precursor Interactions for Synthesizing Highly Active Single Atomic Fe─N─C Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Kim Dong-Gun , Park Subin , Choi Yuna , Lee Eun-Hee , Cho Yoonbin , Jung Jae Young , Kim Nam Dong , Kim Pil , Yoo Sung Jong
Published: September 2024

Iron‐ and nitrogen‐doped carbon (Fe─N─C) catalysts have garnered attention owing to their high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, which is comparable to that of Pt/C catalysts. Among the various methods for designing Fe─N─C catalysts, the use of templates has been emphasized as a means to create hierarchical porous structures. This strategy has enabled the achievement of high ORR activity. In this study, we propose a method for manufacturing a catalyst with high ORR activity by maximizing the interactions between commercial silica templates and catalyst precursors. By manipulating the charge on the commercial silica surface and adjusting the pH of the dispersion, the catalyst fabricated through these methods exhibited superior ORR activity compared to Pt/C and recently reported nonprecious metal catalysts. Through diverse physicochemical and electrochemical analyses, we confirmed that this activity stems from the effectively generated hierarchical porous structure and the resulting high density of Fe─N active sites. This catalyst exhibited a kinetic current density of over 2.73 mA cm−2, which is more than double that of platinum and displayed a high ORR mass activity of 4.49 mA mg−1. This strategy holds significant potential for application in various carbon‐based materials, paving the way for the development of highly efficient electrochemical energy devices.