bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global study of screening intensity and economic status on epidemic control performance during various epidemic periods of COVID‐19 mutant strains
Authors: Chang Chao‐Chin , Chang Chia‐Lin
Published: December 2023

This study analyzed global data on epidemic control measures and economic conditions in different countries during different mutant strain epidemic periods, including the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron strains. The study estimated the elasticity coefficient through a log‐log model, which represents the percent change of the confirmed case number with respect to a percent change in the total number of screening tests in a country for epidemic control. The 7‐day rolling data of screening tests and confirmed cases from the Our World in Data database for the pandemic periods of Alpha strain in 2020, Delta strain in 2021, and Omicron strain in 2022, suggest that the magnitude of the elasticity was associated with the economic condition of a country. Compared with the results during either Alpha or Delta pandemic period, the Omicron pandemic has a much higher estimated elasticity coefficient of 1.317 (Alpha: 0.827 and Delta: 0.885). Further examining economic conditions categorized by quartile ranges, the results indicate that the elasticity is statistically significantly lower in countries with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita between $11,354 and $26,651, and in countries with GDP per capita above $26,651 than in countries with GDP per capita below $3,335. These results suggest that countries should consider not only epidemiological measures but also economic conditions when formulating epidemic control strategies. This study highlights the importance of assessing the appropriateness of epidemic control strategies within a country and provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of such strategies, particularly in the context of community screening.
Resurfacing heat stress phenomena in Indian cities during the post‐COVID‐19 lockdown period
Authors: Neog Rituraj
Published: December 2023

This study investigates heat stress in 17 Indian cities during the post‐COVID‐19 lockdown period. The study compares thermal comfort experienced during the COVID‐19 lockdown against that experienced during post‐lockdown, which has not been previously studied. The analysis utilizes daily and monthly climate data from 1991 to 2022 obtained from the Langley Research Centre's official website. The net effective temperature (NET) and thermo‐hygrometric index (THI) were employed to assess heat stress in cities. The findings indicate a sudden increase in heat stress levels during the post‐lockdown period, particularly in cities like Lucknow, Chandigarh, Patna, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Jodhpur, Guwahati, and Delhi. Moreover, there is a noticeable decline in the number of comfortable days for both THI and NET in certain cities, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Ahmadabad, and Jodhpur, in 2021 and 2022. This analysis also reveals an overall rise in the number of torrid and very hot days, with significant increases recorded in 2022 compared to 2020. With a few exceptions, most cities show rising trends in THI and NET, causing Indian cities to experience more torrid and very hot months. This study clarifies the effect of the COVID‐19 lockdown on bioclimatic comfort and offers important guidance for future studies in this field.
The novel HLA‐A*30:01:25 allele found in a Korean hematopoietic stem cell recipient
Authors: Kim Jongmin , Shin Kyung‐Hwa , Kim Hyung‐Hoi
Published: December 2023

The novel HLA‐A*30:01:25 allele differs from HLA‐A*30:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution located within exon 2, codon 1.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*57:168 allele by next generation sequencing
Authors: Du Zeying , Williams Charles , Santiago Rodrigo , Ussery Totiana , Elrefaei Mohamed
Published: December 2023

HLA‐B*57:168 differs from HLA‐B*57:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at codon 325 (TGC > TCC) in exon 7.
Open trial of recombinant Der f 2 pullulan‐conjugated immunotherapy in cats
Authors: Martini Franco , Rostaher Ana , Favrot Claude , Fischer Nina M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Allermmune HDM (Zenoaq) is a recombinant Dermatophagoides farinae 2 (Der f 2) pullulan‐based immunotherapy vaccine whose efficacy on house dust mite allergic dogs has been demonstrated. There is no published information on its use in cats.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and short‐term effects of Allermmune HDM in Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)‐sensitised cats.

Materials and Methods

Eleven cats diagnosed with atopic skin syndrome received Allermmune weekly for six weeks then monthly for three months (total duration 18 weeks). On Weeks 0, 6 and 18 clinical lesions were assessed by the Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (FEDESI); owners assessed pruritus with a 10‐cm Visual Analog Scale (pVAS). Concurrent medication use was recorded. The allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E were measured before study inclusion with a commercial serological assay.

Results

There were no evident adverse effects. FEDESI and pVAS improved significantly after six weeks (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The pretreatment Df‐specific IgE levels were significantly higher in the cats with improved clinical scores than in the cats with no clinical score change (p = 0.009).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Allermmune HDM may be safe in cats and has the potential to alleviate signs of atopic skin syndrome. Allergen‐specific IgE levels may represent an efficacy marker. Controlled studies of longer duration and larger sample size are worth pursuing.
Advancement in magnetic hyperthermia-based targeted therapy for cancer treatment
Authors: Srivastava Neha , Chudasama Bhupendra , Baranwal Manoj
Published: December 2023

Magnetic hyperthermia utilizing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and an alternating magnetic field (AMF) represents a promising approach in the field of cancer treatment. Active targeting has emerged as a valuable strategy to enhance the effectiveness and specificity of drug delivery. Active targeting utilizes specific biomarkers that are predominantly found in abundance on cancer cells while being minimally expressed on healthy cells. Current comprehensive review provides an overview of several cancer-specific biomarkers, including human epidermal growth factor, transferrin, folate, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, integrin, cluster of differentiation (CD) receptors such as CD90, CD95, CD133, CD20, and CD44 also CXCR4 and vascular endothelial growth factor, these biomarkers bind to ligands present on the surface of MNPs, enabling precise targeting. Additionally, this review touches various combination therapies employed to combat cancer. Magnetic hyperthermia synergistically enhances the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments such as targeted chemotherapy, radiation therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy.
In vivo
dose response and efficacy of the β-lactamase inhibitor, durlobactam, in combination with sulbactam against the
Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus
complex
Authors: O'Donnell John , Tanudra Angela , Chen April , Newman Joseph , McLeod Sarah M. , Tommasi Rubén
Published: December 2023

Multi-drug resistant (MDR)
Acinetobacter baumannii
is emerging as a pathogen of increasing prevalence and concern. Infections associated with this Gram-negative pathogen are often associated with increased morbidity and mortality and few therapeutic options. The β-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam used commonly in combination with ampicillin demonstrates intrinsic antibacterial activity against
A. baumannii
acting as an inhibitor of PBP1 and PBP3, which participate in cell wall biosynthesis. The production of β-lactamases, particularly class D oxacillinases, however, has limited the utility of sulbactam resorting to increased doses and the need for alternate therapies. Durlobactam is a non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor that demonstrates broad β-lactamase inhibition including class D enzymes produced by
A. baumannii
and has shown potent
in vitro
activity against MDR
A. baumannii
, particularly carbapenem-resistant isolates in susceptibility and pharmacodynamic model systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the exposure-response relationship of sulbactam and durlobactam in combination using
in vivo
neutropenic thigh and lung models to establish PK/PD exposure magnitudes to project clinically effective doses. Utilizing established PK/PD determinants of %T>MIC and AUC/MIC for sulbactam and durlobactam, respectively, non-linear regressional analysis of drug exposure was evaluated relative to the 24-hour change in bacterial burden (log
10
CFU/g). Co-modeling of the data across multiple strains exhibiting a broad range of MIC susceptibility suggested net 1-log
10
CFU/g0 reduction can be achieved when sulbactam T>MIC exceeds 50% of the dosing interval and durlobactam AUC/MIC is 10. These data were ultimately used to support sulbactam-durlobactam dose selection for Phase 3 clinical trials.
Liposomal formulation of a new antifungal hybrid compound provides protection against
Candida auris
in the
ex vivo
skin colonization model
Authors: Jaromin Anna , Zarnowski Robert , Markowski Adam , Zagórska Agnieszka , Johnson Chad J. , Etezadi Haniyeh , Kihara Shinji , Mota-Santiago Pablo , Nett Jeniel E. , Boyd Ben J. , Andes David R.
Published: December 2023

The newly emerged pathogen,
Candida auris
, presents a serious threat to public health worldwide. This multidrug-resistant yeast often colonizes and persists on the skin of patients, can easily spread from person to person, and can cause life-threatening systemic infections. New antifungal therapies are therefore urgently needed to limit and control both superficial and systemic
C. auris
infections. In this study, we designed a novel antifungal agent, PQA-Az-13, that contains a combination of indazole, pyrrolidine, and arylpiperazine scaffolds substituted with a trifluoromethyl moiety. PQA-Az-13 demonstrated antifungal activity against biofilms of a set of 10 different
C. auris
clinical isolates, representing all four geographical clades distinguished within this species. This compound showed strong activity, with MIC values between 0.67 and 1.25 µg/mL. Cellular proteomics indicated that PQA-Az-13 partially or completely inhibited numerous enzymatic proteins in
C. auris
biofilms, particularly those involved in both amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism processes, as well as in general energy-producing processes. Due to its hydrophobic nature and limited aqueous solubility, PQA-Az-13 was encapsulated in cationic liposomes composed of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride (DOTAP), and
N
-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000)-1,2-distearoyl-
sn
-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, sodium salt (DSPE-PEG 2000), and characterized by biophysical and spectral techniques. These PQA-Az-13-loaded liposomes displayed a mean size of 76.4 nm, a positive charge of +45.0 mV, a high encapsulation efficiency of 97.2%, excellent stability, and no toxicity to normal human dermal fibroblasts. PQA-Az-13 liposomes demonstrated enhanced antifungal activity levels against both
C. auris
in
in vitro
biofilms and
ex vivo
skin colonization models. These initial results suggest that molecules like PQA-Az-13 warrant further study and development.
Comparative evolution of influenza A virus H1 and H3 head and stalk domains across host species
Authors: Trovão Nidia S. , Khan Sairah M. , Lemey Philippe , Nelson Martha I. , Cherry Joshua L.
Published: December 2023

The influenza A virus hemagglutinin protein (HA) has been studied extensively in humans but less so in other host species. Here, we compared the rates of nucleotide substitution, protein evolution, and glycosylation in the H1 and H3 head and stalk domains among five host classes (avian, canine, equine, human, and swine). For further resolution, we separately analyzed 49 lineages differentiated by host and geography. HA evolution in non-human hosts was more dynamic than expected. For example, the classical swine H1 head domain accumulated glycosylation sites in the antigenically important head domain at a rate as high as in humans. However, whereas the stalk domain was highly conserved in humans, with a low ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous changes, this ratio was approximately 2.5-fold higher in canines. Together, these findings highlight the need for further study of HA evolution in non-human hosts.

IMPORTANCE

For decades, researchers have studied the rapid evolution of influenza A viruses for vaccine design and as a useful model system for the study of host/parasite evolution. By performing an exhaustive analysis of hemagglutinin protein (HA) sequences from 49 lineages independently evolving in birds, swine, canines, equines, and humans over the last century, our work uncovers surprising features of HA evolution. In particular, the canine H3 stalk, unlike human H3 and H1 stalk domains, is not evolving slowly, suggesting that evolution in the stalk domain is not universally constrained across all host species. Therefore, a broader multi-host perspective on HA evolution may be useful during the evaluation and design of stalk-targeted vaccine candidates.
Dimeric immunoglobulin A as a novel diagnostic marker of measles infection
Authors: Mohd Hanafiah Khayriyyah , Hiebert Joanne , Zubach Vanessa , Severini Alberto , Anderson David A. , Drummer Heidi E.
Published: December 2023

Despite tremendous measles incidence reduction through universal vaccination, elimination efforts rely on improved surveillance. The detection of anti-measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is the standard laboratory diagnostic method. However, true infection is rare, and seroconversion following measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination also generates IgM, which results in low positive predictive values of assays in elimination settings, thus necessitating confirmatory testing. Improved diagnostic tests for measles infection are a World Health Organization research priority. We investigated whether dimeric immunoglobulin A (dIgA), the predominant antibody produced in mucosal immunity, may be a marker of recent or acute measles infection. We examined a serological panel of confirmed measles infection (anti-measles IgM positives,
n
= 50) and non-measles infection with rubella (
n
= 36), roseola (
n
= 40), chikungunya/dengue/zika (
n
= 41), parvovirus (
n
= 35), and other fever-rash illnesses of unknown cause (
n
= 37). Sera were examined on microimmune anti-measles IgM, Euroimmun anti-measles virus lysate (VL), and nucleoprotein (NP) IgM kits. Assays were then modified to detect dIgA using an in-house protocol based on a recombinant chimeric secretory component protein and an anti-secretory component monoclonal antibody. We observed significantly higher levels of anti-measles VL dIgA in measles samples than in non-measles controls (
P
< 0.001), and there was a low correlation with IgM (R
2
: 0.01,
P
value: 0.487). Unlike IgM, dIgA reactive to measles NP was not detected in most samples. The comparable diagnostic potential of anti-measles dIgA (area under the curve, AUC: 0.920–0.945) to anti-measles IgM (AUC: 0.986–0.995) suggests that dIgA may be a new blood-based marker of acute measles, independent of IgM, which merits further investigation and optimization.

IMPORTANCE

The world is facing a measles resurgence, and improved diagnostic tests for measles infection are an urgent World Health Organization research priority. Detection of measles-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) as a standard diagnostic test has low positive predictive value in elimination settings, and there is a need for new biomarkers of measles infection to enable enhanced surveillance and response to outbreaks. We demonstrate the detection of measles-specific dimeric immunoglobulin A (dIgA) in patients with confirmed measles infections using a new indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay protocol that selects for the dIgA fraction from total IgA in the blood. The magnitude of measles-specific dIgA responses showed a low correlation with IgM responses, and our results highlight the potential of dIgA for further development as an alternative and/or complementary biomarker to IgM for serological diagnosis of measles infection.
Cross-sectional study of the associations between circulating vitamin D concentrations and insulin resistance in children aged 9–10 years of South Asian, black African Caribbean and white European origins
Authors: Donin Angela , Nightingale Claire M , Sattar Naveed , Fraser William D , Owen Chris G , Cook Derek G , Whincup Peter H
Published: December 2023

Background

Lower circulating vitamin D 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations are associated with higher type 2 diabetes risk in adults, although causality remains uncertain. However, associations between 25(OH)D and type 2 diabetes risk markers in children have been little studied, particularly in ethnic minority populations. We examined whether 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with insulin resistance in children and whether lower 25(OH)D concentrations in South Asians and black African Caribbeans could contribute to their higher insulin resistance.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of 4650 UK primary school children aged 9–10 years of predominantly South Asian, black African Caribbean and white European ethnicity. Children had fasting blood measurements of circulating 25(OH)D metabolite concentrations, insulin and glucose.

Results

Lower 25(OH)D concentrations were observed in girls, South Asians and black African Caribbeans. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, month, ethnic group and school, circulating 25(OH)D was inversely associated with fasting insulin (−0.38%, 95% CI −0.49% to −0.27%), homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance (−0.39%, 95% CI −0.50% to −0.28%) and fasting glucose (−0.03%, 95% CI −0.05% to –0.02%) per nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D; associations did not differ between ethnic groups. Ethnic differences in fasting insulin and HOMA insulin resistance (higher among South Asian and black African Caribbeans) were reduced by >40% after adjustment for circulating 25(OH)D concentrations.

Conclusion

Circulating vitamin D was inversely associated with insulin resistance in all ethnic groups; higher insulin resistance in South Asian and black African children were partly explained by their lower vitamin D levels. Whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce emerging type 2 diabetes risk needs further evaluation.
Cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute stroke with a large ischemic region in Japan: impact of the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score on cost-effectiveness
Authors: Egashira Shuhei , Shin Jung-ho , Yoshimura Sohei , Koga Masatoshi , Ihara Masafumi , Kimura Naoto , Toda Tatsushi , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: December 2023

Background

Although randomized clinical trials (RCTs) demonstrated short-term benefits of endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with a large ischemic region, little is known about the long-term cost-effectiveness or its difference by the extent of the ischemic areas. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of EVT for AIS involving a large ischemic region from the perspective of Japanese health insurance payers, and analyze it using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).

Methods

The Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-acute Embolism-Japan Large Ischemic Core Trial (RESCUE-Japan LIMIT) was a RCT enrolling AIS patients with ASPECTS of 3–5 initially determined by the treating neurologist primarily using MRI. The hypothetical cohort and treatment efficacy were derived from the RESCUE-Japan LIMIT. Costs were calculated using the national health insurance tariff. We stratified the cohort into two subgroups based on ASPECTS of ≤3 and 4–5 as determined by the imaging committee, because heterogeneity was observed in treatment efficacy. EVT was considered cost-effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was below the willingness-to-pay of 5 000 000 Japanese yen (JPY)/quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

Results

EVT was cost-effective among the RESCUE-Japan LIMIT population (ICER 4 826 911 JPY/QALY). The ICER among those with ASPECTS of ≤3 and 4–5 was 19 396 253 and 561 582 JPY/QALY, respectively.

Conclusion

EVT was cost-effective for patients with AIS involving a large ischemic region with ASPECTS of 3–5 initially determined by the treating neurologist in Japan. However, the ICER was over 5 000 000 JPY/QALY among those with an ASPECTS of ≤3 as determined by the imaging committee.
A holistic biopsychosocial management approach for cis-gender males with chronic pelvic pain syndrome attending sexual health services: a retrospective case review
Authors: Horner Paddy J , Connor Emma , Williams Sara , Butterly Jessica , Crofts Megan
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) in men is a condition associated with significant morbidity which is typically managed in sexual health services. We introduced a modified biopsychosocial approach for managing CPPS in men, reducing use of antibiotics and evaluated its application in a retrospective case review.

Methods

Patients attended for a full consultation covering symptomology, onset and social history. Examination included urethral smear and assessment of pelvic floor tension and pain. A focus on pelvic floor relaxation was the mainstay of management with pelvic floor physiotherapy if required. Prescribing of antibiotics being discontinued if no evidence of urethritis at first consultation. The main outcome was change in the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score (which patients completed at each attendance); significant clinical improvement was defined as a NIH-CPSI score reduction of >25% and/or ≥6 points.

Results

Among 77 consecutive patients diagnosed with CPPS between April 2017 and December 2018, the mean NIH-CPSI score at the initial visit was 24.1 (11–42). Antibiotics were prescribed to 38/77 (49.4%) and alpha-blockers to 58/77 (75.3%). Overall, 50 (64.9%) patients with a mean initial NIH-CPSI score of 25.4 (11–42) re-attended a CPPS clinic. Among these, the average NIH-CPSI score at the final CPPS clinic appointment declined to 15.9 (0–39) (p<0.001); 34/50 (68%) men experienced significant clinical improvement. Men who attended only one CPPS clinic compared with those who reattended had a shorter duration of symptoms (18 (1–60) vs 36 (1–240) months; p=0.038), a lower initial NIH-CPSI score (21.7 (11–34) vs 25.4 (11–44); p=0.021), but had attended a similar number of clinics prior to referral (2.9 (0–6) vs 3.2 (0–8); p=0.62).

Conclusions

The biopsychosocial approach significantly reduced the NIH-CPSI score in those who re-attended, with 68% of patients having a significant clinical improvement. The first follow-up consultation at 6 weeks is now undertaken by telephone for many patients, if clinically appropriate.
Dietary Bacillus subtilis- and Clostridium butyricum-based probiotics supplement improves growth and meat quality, and alters microbiota in the excreta of broiler chickens
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Cho Sungbo , Kibria Sumya , Kim In Ho
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the effects of the multi-probiotics consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum with varying doses (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and cecal microbes of male broiler chickens. Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308, 1-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed into four dietary groups. Over 35 days of feeding, the average daily gain (ADG) was linearly elevated ( P < 0.05) during days 1–21 and 1–35 as probiotic doses increased. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) tended to be linearly ( P = 0.059) increased from day 22 to 35, and was improved from day 1 to 35 ( P = 0.031). Ascending doses of multi-probiotics tended to ( P = 0.060) reduce Clostridium perfringens counts on day 35 and prompted ( P = 0.001) the proliferation of Lactobacillus. Moreover, broilers fed a 0.1% dose of multi-probiotics had a higher pH and water-holding capacity ( P < 0.05) in the breast meat. In conclusion, the 0.2% multi-probiotics could boost ADG by improving ADFI and modulating the cecal microbe. The dietary 0.1% multi-probiotics contributed to better meat quality.
Study of anomalous $$W^-W^+\gamma /Z$$ couplings using polarizations and spin correlations in $$e^-e^+\rightarrow W^-W^+$$ with polarized beams
Authors: Subba Amir , Singh Ritesh K.
Published: December 2023

We investigate the anomalous $$W^-W^+\gamma /Z$$

W
-

W
+

γ
/
Z

couplings in $$e^-e^+\rightarrow W^-W^+$$

e
-

e
+

→

W
-

W
+

followed by semileptonic decay using a complete set of polarization and spin correlation observables of W boson with the longitudinally polarized beam. We consider a complete set of dimension-six operators affecting $$W^-W^+\gamma /Z$$

W
-

W
+

γ
/
Z

vertex, which are $$SU(2)\times U(1)$$

S
U
(
2
)
×
U
(
1
)

gauge invariant. Some of the polarization and spin correlation asymmetries average out if the daughter of $$W^+$$

W
+

is not tagged and to overcome this we developed an artificial neural network and boosted decision trees to distinguish down-type jets from up-type jets. We obtain bounds on the anomalous couplings using MCMC analysis at $$\sqrt{s} = 250$$

s

=
250

GeV with integrated luminosities of $$\mathcal {L}\in \{100~\text {fb}^{-1}, 250~\text {fb}^{-1}, 1000~\text {fb}^{-1}, 3000~\text {fb}^{-1}\}$$

L
∈
{
100

fb

-
1

,
250

fb

-
1

,
1000

fb

-
1

,
3000

fb

-
1

}

and different sets of systematic errors. We find that using spin-related observables along with cross section in the presence of initial beam polarization significantly improves the bounds on anomalous couplings compared to previous studies.
Analytical quasibound states of black holes emerging from modified theories of gravity
Authors: Senjaya David
Published: December 2023

The Rayleigh–Schrodinger method or more commonly called time independent perturbation theory is a powerful method to solve a Hamiltonian system with a relatively small perturbation [W. Nolting, Theoretical Physics 7: Quantum Mechanics–Methods and Applications (Springer International, 2017); F. Schwabl, Quantum Mechanics, 4th edn. (Springer, 2007)]. In this work, we make use of the Rayleigh–Schrodinger method to formulate a general method to calculate quasibound states of static spherically symmetric black hole solutions arising from modified theories of gravity. We discover that the Schwarzschild-like term corresponds to the main Hamiltonian while the modified theory of gravity’s contribution of the spacetime metric corresponds to the perturbation terms. At the end, formula to calculate main Hamiltonian and perturbed Hamiltonian are discovered and presented.
Scaled affine quantization of φ312 is nontrivial
Authors: Fantoni Riccardo
Published: December 2023

We prove through path integral Monte Carlo that the covariant Euclidean scalar field theory, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the power of the interaction term and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] as the spatial dimension and 1 adds imaginary time, such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] can be acceptably quantized using scaled affine quantization (AQ) and the resulting theory is nontrivial, unlike what happens using canonical quantization which finds it trivial.
Thermodynamic geometry of dyonic black holes in AdS in extended phase space
Authors: Singh Aditya
Published: December 2023

Ruppeiner scalar curvature can be considered as an empirical tool to explore the nature of interaction among the microstructures of black holes. In the extended phase space, the phase transitions and criticality are investigated for the dyonic black holes in an ensemble, where the electric potential [Formula: see text] is fixed. At first, we described the thermodynamic properties of dyonic black holes to investigate the [Formula: see text] criticality. Further, the Ruppeiner scalar curvature is calculated in an ensemble with fixed [Formula: see text] utilizing the fluctuation coordinates [Formula: see text]. The behavior of interactions among the microstructures of the dyonic black holes in AdS is studied where the dominance of attractive or repulsive interaction is found to be dependent on the values of electric potential [Formula: see text].
An Eavesdropping System Based on Magnetic Side-Channel Signals Leaked by Speakers
Authors: Liao Qianru , Huang Yongzhi , Huang Yandao , Wu Kaishun
Published: December 2023

The use of speakers in electronic devices has become widespread, but the security risks associated with micro-speakers, such as earphones, are often overlooked. Many assume that soundproof barriers can prevent sound leakage and protect privacy. This article presents the prototype MagEar, an eavesdropping system that exploits magnetic side-channel signals leaked by a micro-speaker to restore intelligible human speech. MagEar outperforms some high-precision magnetometers in detecting magnetic fields at the nanotesla level. Even at a distance of 60 cm, it can recover high-quality audio with a 90% similarity to the original audio. Moreover, the MagEar prototype is portable and can be concealed within a headset housing. We have implemented MagEar as a proof-of-concept system and conducted multiple case studies on the eavesdropping of various speaker-embedded devices, including earphones. The recovered speech can be transcribed using automatic speech recognition techniques, even when obstructed by soundproof walls. It is our aspiration that our work can prompt manufacturers to reconsider the security vulnerabilities of speakers.
Synthetic Data for Object Detection with Neural Networks: State-of-the-Art Survey of Domain Randomisation Techniques
Authors: Westerski Adam , Fong Wee Teck
Published: December 2023

Machine learning relies heavily on access to large and well-maintained datasets. In this article, we focus on Computer Vision and object detection applications to survey past research on automatic generation of annotated datasets that does not require costly and time-consuming human labelling. In specific, we analyse research done in the area of Domain Randomisation applied to Neural Networks predominant in object detection since the last decade. We propose a set of criteria for comparison of previously published works, and utilise these criteria to make conclusions about various trends in the area, similarities/differences and key discoveries made since conception. The purpose of this work is to advise practitioner on leading solutions and help researchers gain better understanding of the landscape. The key takeaways from our analysis show the current state-of-the-art solutions within the mid-quartile range allow object detection with typically about 1%–25% performance decrease in comparison to manually annotated datasets; while the top performant approaches above the upper quartile gain about 2%–32% lead over real data training in their specific application areas. Our survey shows the future outlook is more research into 3D generation techniques, with most innovative yet complex techniques related to end-to-end modifications of entire network architectures to suit synthetic data training.
Estimating Uncertainty in Labeled Changes by SZZ Tools on Just-In-Time Defect Prediction
Authors: Guo Shikai , Li Dongmin , Huang Lin , Lv Sijia , Chen Rong , Li Hui , Li Xiaochen , Jiang He
Published: December 2023

The aim of Just-In-Time (JIT) defect prediction is to predict software changes that are prone to defects in a project in a timely manner, thereby improving the efficiency of software development and ensuring software quality. Identifying changes that introduce bugs is a critical task in just-in-time defect prediction, and researchers have introduced the SZZ approach and its variants to label these changes. However, it has been shown that different SZZ algorithms introduce noise to the dataset to a certain extent, which may reduce the predictive performance of the model. To address this limitation, we propose the Confident Learning Imbalance (CLI) model. The model identifies and excludes samples whose labels may be corrupted by estimating the joint distribution of noisy labels and true labels, and mitigates the impact of noisy data on the performance of the prediction model. The CLI consists of two components: identifying noisy data (Confident Learning Component) and generating a predicted probability matrix for imbalanced data (Imbalanced Data Probabilistic Prediction Component). The IDPP component generates precise predicted probabilities for each instance in the training set, while the CL component uses the generated predicted probability matrix and noise labels to clean up the noise and build a classification model. We evaluate the performance of our model through extensive experiments on a total of 126,526 changes from ten Apache open source projects, and the results show that our model outperforms the baseline methods.
Smart Contract Code Repair Recommendation based on Reinforcement Learning and Multi-metric Optimization
Authors: Guo Hanyang , Chen Yingye , Chen Xiangping , Huang Yuan , Zheng Zibin
Published: December 2023

A smart contract is a kind of code deployed on the blockchain that executes automatically once an event triggers a clause in the contract. Since smart contracts involve businesses such as asset transfer, they are more vulnerable to attacks, so it is crucial to ensure the security of smart contracts. Because a smart contract cannot be tampered with once deployed on the blockchain, for smart contract developers, it is necessary to fix vulnerabilities before deployment. Compared with many vulnerability detection tools for smart contracts, the amount of automatic fix approaches for smart contracts is relatively limited. These approaches mainly use defined pattern-based methods or heuristic search algorithms for vulnerability repairs. In this article, we propose
RLRep
, a reinforcement learning-based approach to provide smart contract repair recommendations for smart contract developers automatically. This approach adopts an agent to provide repair action suggestions based on the vulnerable smart contract without any supervision, which can solve the problem of missing labeled data in machine learning-based repair methods. We evaluate our approach on a dataset containing 853 smart contract programs (programming language: Solidity) with different kinds of vulnerabilities. We split them into training and test sets. The result shows that our approach can provide 54.97% correct repair recommendations for smart contracts.
Comparing Experimentally-Measured Sand’s Times with Concentrated Solution Theory Predictions in a Polymer Electrolyte
Authors: Hoffman Zach J. , Mistry Aashutosh , Srinivasan Venkat , Balsara Nitash P.
Published: December 2023

We compare the electrochemically measured Sand’s time, the time required for the cell potential to diverge when the applied current density exceeds the limiting current, with theoretical predictions for a 0.47 M poly(ethylene oxide) (5 kg mol−1)/LiTFSI electrolyte. The theoretical predictions are made using concentrated solution theory which accounts for both concentration polarization and polymer motion, using independently measured parameters that depend on concentration, c: conductivity (κ), salt diffusion coefficient (D), cationic transference number with respect to the solvent velocity (

t

+

0

), thermodynamic factor

1
+

dln

f
±

dln
c

,

and partial molar volume of the salt (

V

̅

);

f

±

is the mean molar activity coefficient of the salt. We find quantitative agreement between experimental data and theoretical predictions. We derive a generalized analytical expression for Sand’s time for electrolytes based on dilute solution theory. This expression correctly predicts the divergence of the Sand’s time at the limiting current, in agreement with experimental data and concentrated solution theory predictions. When the applied current is large compared to the limiting current, the analytical expression approaches the standard expression for Sand’s time used in the literature.
E-waste Derived Enhanced Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: S. Sathish , P. Swaathi , Brindha Devi S. , Nirmala R. , Parthipan P. , Navamathavan R.
Published: December 2023

Increase in the usage of electronic appliance and gadgets leads to more e-waste for example printed circuit boards which have a huge impact in the environment that makes toxic. This study gives an idea about how to make an e-waste as a raw material and it is converted into activated carbon using the activation process which reduces the wastage. It is used as an electrode for supercapacitors which suits for energy storage application and it is a cost-effective method. Using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy techniques and Raman spectroscopy, the electrochemical behaviours were studied. By cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, the capacitance behaviour of activated carbon which is obtained by e-waste were calculated. Different scan rate values were performed and the corresponding specific capacitance values were obtained. In that, at the scan rate of 10 mV s−1, the obtained specific capacitance value was found to be 308 Fg−1. Good specific capacitance values were obtained for activated carbon which indicates that activated carbon is a suitable material for the supercapacitor fabrication.
Parkin-mediated mitophagy is a potential treatment for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Zhao Guoqing , Zhang Te , Li Jiannan , Li Longyun , Chen Peng , Zhang Chunlu , Li Kai , Cui Cancan
Published: December 2023

This article discusses the effects and mechanisms of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral nerve pain (OIPNP) from both in vivo and in vitro. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because OIPNP has always been the focus of clinical medicine, and mitochondrial quality regulation mechanisms especially Parkin-mediated mitophagy, have been deeply studied in recent years. We use a variety of molecular biological techniques and animal experiments to support our argument.
Stackelberg Security Game for Optimizing Cybersecurity Decisions in Cloud Computing
Authors: Ait Temghart Abdelkarim , Marwan Mbarek , Baslam Mohamed
Published: December 2023

As it is difficult to cover all cybersecurity threats, an optimal defense strategy is one of the focal issues in cloud computing due to its dynamic abstraction and scalability. On this basis, Stackelberg security games (SSG) have received significant attention for their better deployment of limited security. To deal with uncertainty and incomplete information, we introduce a modified quantal response (Mod-QR) approach that incorporates bounded rationality and preference into the decision-making process. Formally, this can be done by using the quantal response equilibrium (QRE) framework to find a trade-off between the effectiveness and operating costs of cloud computing. In this case, the most effective countermeasures to defend the cloud can be viewed as a mixed strategy in which all the actions of the defender are played with a nonzero probability. This framework has been evaluated using an experimental study on MATLAB optimization toolbox to understand the behavioral aspects of cybersecurity actors and then to proactively protect cloud computing.
Length-Weight Relationships for 44 Central Appalachian Fish Species
Authors: Driehaus Erin R. , Landreth Jarrett , Adase Katherine , Smith Dustin , Wellman David , Arantes Caroline C. , Murry Brent A.
Published: December 2023

Species-specific length-weight relationships can inform researchers and managers about the growth patterns and health of fish populations. Few length-weight relationships exist for Appalachian stream fish species despite the high amount of biodiversity within the region. The main purpose of our study was to determine the length-weight relationships for stream fish species found in Central Appalachia. We sampled 16 streams and captured over 14,000 individual fish among 44 species. We identified each fish to species and recorded total length (mm) and weight (g) for each individual. These data were log10 transformed and analyzed using linear regression to calculate the length-weight parameters for each species. Relationships were calculated for 44 different stream fish species. Searches in FishBase.org revealed that of the 44 species in our data, 9 species have no current data in FishBase.org (Froese and Pauly, 2016), while 20 others have no previous representation from Central Appalachia. The relationships obtained in this study are some of the first published for these species in this region. Availability of species- and region-specific data on length-weight relationships could help inform future research and management of these species.
Phylogenetic Determination of Chenopodium quinoaBased on the Chloroplast Genes rbcL and matK
Authors: Manjarres-Hernández Elsa Helena , Morillo-Coronado Ana Cruz
Published: December 2023

Chenopodium quinoa is an Andean species of great interest because of its excellent nutritional quality and great adaptability to different environmental conditions. In addition, the high phenotypic diversity has caused difficulties in the correct taxonomic identification, and there are few studies on the phylogenetic relationships of quinoa in Colombia. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the phylogenetic relationships of quinoa with the matK and rcbL chloroplastid genes to characterize the genetic diversity in Colombian quinoa. Evolutionary analyses were performed using nucleotide substitution rates, pattern, base composition, and phylogeny construction. The rbcL gene presented approximately 1344 bp, and matK had 646 bp, which were translated into 434 and 215 amino acids, respectively. The nucleotide composition of the genes showed high percentages of similarity and identity with the Chenopodium quinoa sequences registered in GenBank and BOLD. Similar phylogenetic trees were obtained with the rbcL and matK genes, and both concatenated sequences grouped the accessions into clades. The results showed that Colombian quinoa has low rates of genetic differentiation that may be due to the domestication processes of the species, the lack of certified seeds, and the constant exchange of seeds between farmers in the principal producing areas of the Andean region.
Left Ventricular Mass Index in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients during Hemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Nguyen Nghia Nhu , Van Duong Phieu , Ngoc Mai Tan Huynh , Vo Nghia Hoang , Luong Dinh Kim , Ngo Toan Hoang
Published: December 2023

Background. One of the primary reasons for high mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is cardiovascular disease in patients with renal replacement therapy (RRT). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) significantly predicts mortality and cardiovascular events. Objectives. We assess the left ventricular mass index change in two dialysis methods: hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The factors associated with increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Materials and Methods. We recruit more than 50 HD patients and 45 CAPD patients with LVH of similar age, gender, dialysis duration, and LVMI for one-year follow-up. Results. The LVMI in the group of HD patients after one year increased from 180.28 ± 45.32 g/m2 to 212.58 ± 66.22 g/m2 (p = 0.001), while the LVMI in the group of patients with CAPD increased from 190.16 ± 66.01 g/m2 to 197.42 ± 78 g/m2 (p = 0.32). Multivariable logistic regression analysis, we demonstrated that dialysis by HD (β = −1,167, 95% CI: 0.104–0.938, p = 0.036) and anemia treatment lower the goals (β = 1.9566, 95% CI: 1.466–34.094, p = 0.015) were two factors associated with the progression of the LVMI. Conclusion. The LVH of end-stage renal disease patients with HD treatment is worse than CAPD treatment after a follow-up in one year. Dialysis by periodic hemodialysis and anemia treatment that fails to achieve the goal are risk factors associated with increased progression of LVMI in patients with ESRD.
Extremely Early Appearance of Islet Autoantibodies in Genetically Susceptible Children
Authors: Kyrönniemi Anni , Valtanen Toni , Koskenniemi Jaakko , Vähäsalo Paula , Härkönen Taina , Ilonen Jorma , Toppari Jorma , Knip Mikael , Veijola Riitta
Published: December 2023

Objective. We studied the characteristics of children who developed islet autoantibodies by the age of 0.50 years and hypothesized that the appearance of extremely early islet autoimmunity differs between four birth cohorts within 1994–2019 according to the change in the incidence of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Finland. Methods. Data from Finnish children participating in the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) study, or the Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study were analyzed. These studies follow children with increased HLA-conferred risk for T1D with regular measurements of islet autoantibodies. Maternally transferred antibodies were excluded by comparing islet autoantibodies in cord serum, child’s first follow-up serum and the maternal serum. Results. Among 20,979 Finnish children at increased risk to T1D, 53 (0.25%) developed at least one islet autoantibody at the age of ≤0.50 years. During a mean follow-up of 8.1 years, 15.1% progressed to T1D (median age at diagnosis 2.0 years), 43.4% developed confirmed islet autoimmunity but no T1D, and 41.5% had only transient islet autoantibodies. IAA was the most common first-appearing autoantibody. Among progressors, age at diagnosis was 1.0–2.4 years in children with IAA-initiated autoimmunity and 4.5–16.1 years in ZnT8A-initiated autoimmunity. When comparing children developing autoantibodies either at the age of ≤0.50 years or 0.51–0.75 years, confirmed positivity during follow-up was more common in the older group (81.7% vs. 58.5%;

p
=
0.002

). In four birth cohorts within 1994–2019 appearance of islet autoantibodies at the age of ≤0.50 years decreased towards the most recent birth cohorts (

p
=
0.016

). Conclusion. Islet autoimmunity by the age of 0.50 years was rare in genetically susceptible children and was typically initiated with IAA. Confirmed positivity was less common in children with autoantibodies at age ≤0.50 than at slightly older age. The secular decrease of islet autoimmunity before age 0.50 years was observed. This trial is registered with NCT03269084 and NCT00279318.
A Low-Cost, High-Fidelity Simulator for Transabdominal Chorionic Villus Sampling
Authors: Lord Megan G. , Esposito Matthew A. , Gimovsky Alexis C. , Carr Stephen R. , Russo Melissa L.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) remains essential for first-trimester genetic diagnosis, yet clinical volume may be insufficient to train new clinicians in the technique. Available simulation models are expensive, require animal parts or specialized resins, and cannot be stored for repeated use. Methods: We present a model for trans-abdominal CVS (TA-CVS) which is constructed from readily available materials costing less than $10 and can be refrigerated and re-used to train maternal-fetal medicine fellows in CVS. Results: All three attending physicians performing TA-CVS at our institution described the model as an accurate visual and tactile simulation, prompting its integration into our fellowship curriculum. To date, two senior fellows have achieved competency on the simulator and begun to perform clinical CVS under supervision, one of whom is an author on this paper. Both fellows and attendings indicated that the simulator provided a valuable tool for repeated practice prior to clinical CVS. Simulators are now maintained on the unit and have been re-used for 3 months and dozens of simulated procedures each without any apparent qualitative degradation in performance. Discussion/Conclusion: We describe a low-cost easily constructed, durable, high-fidelity simulator for TA-CVS.