bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ReFID: Reciprocal Frequency-aware Generalizable Person Re-identification via Decomposition and Filtering
Authors: Peng Jinjia , Pengpeng Song , Li Hui , Wang Huibing
Published: February 2024

Domain generalization of person re-identification aims to conduct testing across domains that have not been previously encountered, without utilizing target domain data during the training stage. As the number of source domains increases, the relationships between training samples become more complex. This can lead to domain-invariant features that include certain instance-level spurious correlations, which can impact the model’s ability to generalize further. To overcome this limitation, the Reciprocal Frequency-aware Generalizable Person Re-identification method is proposed in this article, which aims to utilize spectral feature correlation learning to transmit frequency component information and generate more discriminative hybrid features. A module called Bilateral Frequency Component-guided Attention is developed to help the network understand high-level semantic and texture information from various frequency features. Furthermore, to reduce the impact of noise from the frequency domain, this article proposes an innovative module called Fourier Noise Masquerade Filtering. This module enhances the portability of frequency domain components while simultaneously suppressing elements that do not contribute to generalization. Extensive experimental results on various datasets demonstrate that our method is effective and superior to the state-of-the-art methods.
From Automation to User Empowerment: Investigating the Role of a Semi-automatic Tool in Social Media Accessibility
Authors: Seixas Pereira Letícia , Guerreiro João , Rodrigues André , Guerreiro Tiago , Duarte Carlos
Published: February 2024

This article focuses on evaluating SONAAR (Social Networks Accessible Authoring), a tool that combines automation and end-user empowerment to enhance the accessibility of social media content. SONAAR aims to increase user engagement in creating accessible content and expanding the availability of accessible media online. Additionally, SONAAR provides supplementary information to support the authoring of accessible media content. To assess SONAAR's effectiveness, we conducted three distinct studies. First, we analyzed user patterns and behaviors through log analysis. Next, we evaluated the clarity, helpfulness, and efficiency of the additional documentation and its potential to improve engagement in accessible practices. Finally, we explored user perceptions and challenges when interacting with SONAAR. The obtained findings indicate positive user feedback and provide valuable insights for improvement. These results underscore the importance of raising awareness and offering support for accessible practices, as well as the necessity for enhanced platform backing. Our study contributes to advancing accessible content authoring, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in online social media. We suggest future research directions to facilitate broader adoption of accessible practices and address user engagement challenges, ultimately enhancing the accessibility of social media content.
Scalable Spatio-temporal Top-k Interaction Queries on Dynamic Communities
Authors: Almaslukh Abdulaziz , Liu Yongyi , Magdy Amr
Published: February 2024

Social media platforms generate massive amounts of data that reveal valuable insights about users and communities at large. Existing techniques have not fully exploited such data to help practitioners perform a deep analysis of large online communities. Lack of scalability hinders analyzing communities of large sizes and requires tremendous system resources and unacceptable runtime. This article proposes a new analytical query that identifies the top-
k
posts that a given user community has interacted with during a specific time interval and within a spatial range. We propose a novel indexing framework that captures the interactions of users and communities to provide a low query latency. Moreover, we propose exact and approximate algorithms to process the query efficiently and utilize the index content to prune the search space. The extensive experimental evaluation on real data has shown the superiority of our techniques and their scalability to support large online communities.
Mapping Opium Poppy Cultivation: Socioeconomic Insights from Satellite Imagery
Authors: Koirala Arogya , R nair Suraj , Tai Xiao Hui
Published: February 2024

Over 30 million people globally consume illicit opiates. In recent decades, Afghanistan has accounted for 70–90% of the world’s illicit supply of opium. This production provides livelihoods to millions of Afghans, while also funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to insurgent groups every year, exacerbating corruption and insecurity, and impeding development. Remote sensing and field surveys are currently used in official estimates of total poppy cultivation area. These aggregate estimates are not suited to study the local socioeconomic conditions surrounding cultivation. Few avenues exist to generate comprehensive, fine-grained data under poor security conditions, without the use of costly surveys or data collection efforts. Here, we develop and test a new unsupervised approach to mapping cultivation using only freely available satellite imagery. For districts accounting for over 90% of total cultivation, our aggregate estimates track official statistics closely (correlation coefficient of 0.76 to 0.81). We combine these predictions with other grid-level data sources, finding that areas with poppy cultivation have poorer outcomes such as infant mortality and education, compared to areas with exclusively other agriculture. Surprisingly, poppy-growing areas have better healthcare accessibility. We discuss these findings, the limitations of mapping opium poppy cultivation, and associated ethical concerns.
Locally Abstract, Globally Concrete Semantics of Concurrent Programming Languages
Authors: Din Crystal Chang , Hähnle Reiner , Henrio Ludovic , Johnsen Einar Broch , Pun Violet Ka I , Tarifa S. Lizeth Tapia
Published: February 2024

Formal, mathematically rigorous programming language semantics are the essential prerequisite for the design of logics and calculi that permit automated reasoning about concurrent programs. We propose a novel modular semantics designed to align smoothly with program logics used in deductive verification and formal specification of concurrent programs. Our semantics separates local evaluation of expressions and statements performed in an abstract, symbolic environment from their composition into global computations, at which point they are concretised. This makes incremental addition of new language concepts possible, without the need to revise the framework. The basis is a generalisation of the notion of a program trace as a sequence of evolving states that we enrich with event descriptors and trailing continuation markers. This allows to postpone scheduling constraints from the level of local evaluation to the global composition stage, where well-formedness predicates over the event structure declaratively characterise a wide range of concurrency models. We also illustrate how a sound program logic and calculus can be defined for this semantics.
Prototyping and Evaluation of Emotionally Resonant Vibrotactile Comfort Objects as a Calming Social Anxiety Intervention
Authors: MacDonald Shaun , Freeman Euan , Pollick Frank , Brewster Stephen
Published: February 2024

Social anxiety is a prevalent mental health concern that impacts quality of life and makes social spaces less accessible. We conducted two studies with socially anxious participants, investigating using affective haptic comfort objects to provide calming support during social exposure. Participatory prototyping informed the design and use of the intervention, which was then evaluated between-groups with a social exposure task. Treatment participants held their preferred vibration-augmented prototype during this task; control participants did not. We observed no change in physiological measures, but treatment participants exhibited a significantly broader distribution of psychological anxiety scores. Participants in both studies found their objects pleasant and calming, made positive emotional associations with resonant stimuli, and used their objects to afford self-soothing tactile experiences. We discuss how future designers can facilitate calming affective haptic interfaces for socially anxious settings.
Nonlinear Electrokinetic Methods of Particles and Cells
Authors: Lapizco-Encinas Blanca H.
Published: February 2024

Nonlinear electrokinetic phenomena offer label-free, portable, and robust approaches for particle and cell assessment, including selective enrichment, separation, sorting, and characterization. The field of electrokinetics has evolved substantially since the first separation reports by Arne Tiselius in the 1930s. The last century witnessed major advances in the understanding of the weak-field theory, which supported developments in the use of linear electrophoresis and its adoption as a routine analytical technique. More recently, an improved understanding of the strong-field theory enabled the development of nonlinear electrokinetic techniques such as electrorotation, dielectrophoresis, and nonlinear electrophoresis. This review discusses the operating principles and recent applications of these three nonlinear electrokinetic phenomena for the analysis and manipulation of particles and cells and provides an overview of some of the latest developments in the field of nonlinear electrokinetics.
Origin of Phobos and Deimos Awaiting Direct Exploration
Authors: Kuramoto Kiyoshi
Published: February 2024

Two major hypotheses have been proposed for the origin of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos: the in situ formation theory, supported by the fact that they have circular orbits nearly parallel to the Martian equator, and the asteroid capture theory, supported by the similarity of their reflectance spectra to those of carbonaceous asteroids. Regarding the in situ formation theory, recent theoretical studies have focused on the huge impact scenario, which proposes that debris ejected into orbits during the formation of a giant impact basin on Mars accumulated to form the Martian moons. On the other hand, gas drag from a Martian gas envelope composed of gravitationally attracted solar nebula gas has been proposed as a mechanism for trapping the approaching asteroidal objects in areocentric orbits. In particular, an object entering a temporarily captured orbit in the Martian gravitational sphere would easily evolve into a fully captured moon with a near-equatorial orbit under realistic gas densities. The upcoming Phobos sample return mission is expected to elucidate the origin of both moons, with implications for material transport in the early Solar System and the early evolution of Mars.
▪The origin of Mars' small moons, Phobos and Deimos, has long been an open question.▪The leading hypotheses are asteroid capture, inferred from their appearance like primitive asteroids, and giant impact, implied by the regularity of their orbits.▪The origin of Phobos will be precisely determined by a sample return mission to be conducted in the late 2020s to early 2030s.▪Determining the origin of the Martian moons will provide clues to clarifying how the parent planet Mars formed and came to have a habitable surface environment.
Aire in Autoimmunity
Authors: Miller Corey N. , Waterfield Michael R. , Gardner James M. , Anderson Mark S.
Published: February 2024

The role of the autoimmune regulator (Aire) in central immune tolerance and thymic self-representation was first described more than 20 years ago, but fascinating new insights into its biology continue to emerge, particularly in the era of advanced single-cell genomics. We briefly describe the role of human genetics in the discovery of Aire, as well as insights into its function gained from genotype–phenotype correlations and the spectrum of Aire-associated autoimmunity—including insights from patients with Aire mutations with broad and diverse implications for human health. We then highlight emerging trends in Aire biology, focusing on three topic areas. First, we discuss medullary thymic epithelial diversity and the role of Aire in thymic epithelial development. Second, we highlight recent developments regarding the molecular mechanisms of Aire and its binding partners. Finally, we describe the rapidly evolving biology of the identity and function of extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs), and a novel eTAC subset called Janus cells, as well as their potential roles in immune homeostasis.
Self-Immolative Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications
Authors: Gong Jue , Tavsanli Burak , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: February 2024

Polymers undergoing controlled degradation are of significant current interest. Among the classes of degradable polymers, self-immolative polymers (SIPs) are attracting increasing attention due to their ability to completely depolymerize from end to end following the cleavage of their endcap or backbone. Their amplified responses to stimuli, along with their ability to readily tune the stimulus to which they respond by changing only their endcap, are useful features for a variety of applications. This review covers the major classes of SIPs, including poly(benzyl carbamate)s, poly(benzyl ether)s, polyphthalaldehydes, polyglyoxylates, polydisulfides, polythioesters, and their related derivatives along with their endcaps. Distinctive features of their syntheses and depolymerizations are discussed. Applications of SIPs including imaging and sensing, therapeutics, gels, micro- and nanopatterning, transient or recyclable materials, and adhesives are described. We conclude with some challenges and future perspectives for the field.
Harmony in the Molecular Orchestra of Hearing: Developmental Mechanisms from the Ear to the Brain
Authors: Pyott Sonja J. , Pavlinkova Gabriela , Yamoah Ebenezer N. , Fritzsch Bernd
Published: February 2024

Auditory processing in mammals begins in the peripheral inner ear and extends to the auditory cortex. Sound is transduced from mechanical stimuli into electrochemical signals of hair cells, which relay auditory information via the primary auditory neurons to cochlear nuclei. Information is subsequently processed in the superior olivary complex, lateral lemniscus, and inferior colliculus and projects to the auditory cortex via the medial geniculate body in the thalamus. Recent advances have provided valuable insights into the development and functioning of auditory structures, complementing our understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying auditory processing. This comprehensive review explores the genetic mechanisms required for auditory system development from the peripheral cochlea to the auditory cortex. We highlight transcription factors and other genes with key recurring and interacting roles in guiding auditory system development and organization. Understanding these gene regulatory networks holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies for hearing disorders, benefiting millions globally.
A Whole-Brain Topographic Ontology
Authors: Arcaro Michael , Livingstone Margaret
Published: February 2024

It is a common view that the intricate array of specialized domains in the ventral visual pathway is innately prespecified. What this review postulates is that it is not. We explore the origins of domain specificity, hypothesizing that the adult brain emerges from an interplay between a domain-general map-based architecture, shaped by intrinsic mechanisms, and experience. We argue that the most fundamental innate organization of cortex in general, and not just the visual pathway, is a map-based topography that governs how the environment maps onto the brain, how brain areas interconnect, and ultimately, how the brain processes information.
Molecular Insights into Chemical Reactions at Aqueous Aerosol Interfaces
Authors: Limmer David T. , Götz Andreas W. , Bertram Timothy H. , Nathanson Gilbert M.
Published: February 2024

Atmospheric aerosols facilitate reactions between ambient gases and dissolved species. Here, we review our efforts to interrogate the uptake of these gases and the mechanisms of their reactions both theoretically and experimentally. We highlight the fascinating behavior of N2O5 in solutions ranging from pure water to complex mixtures, chosen because its aerosol-mediated reactions significantly impact global ozone, hydroxyl, and methane concentrations. As a hydrophobic, weakly soluble, and highly reactive species, N2O5 is a sensitive probe of the chemical and physical properties of aerosol interfaces. We employ contemporary theory to disentangle the fate of N2O5 as it approaches pure and salty water, starting with adsorption and ending with hydrolysis to HNO3, chlorination to ClNO2, or evaporation. Flow reactor and gas-liquid scattering experiments probe even greater complexity as added ions, organic molecules, and surfactants alter the interfacial composition and reaction rates. Together, we reveal a new perspective on multiphase chemistry in the atmosphere.
Still Victimized in a Thousand Ways: Segregation as a Tool for Exploitation in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Faber Jacob William , Drummond Jocelyn Pak
Published: February 2024

In the thirty years since Massey and Denton's American Apartheid, sociological scholarship on segregation has proliferated, calling attention to the ways in which the social geography of the United States both drives and is shaped by racial and economic inequality. More recent work has focused on the role that institutional actors play in the reproduction of residential segregation and its disparate impacts on communities of color. In this article, we describe different conceptualizations of segregation and how it has been used as a tool for exclusion and exploitation. We review literature on housing and institutional marginalization, highlighting the historical and contemporary mechanisms that perpetuate inequality and necessitate continued research on this topic. We conclude with a discussion of additional considerations and opportunities for future research.
Cardiac reverse remodeling in a mouse model with many phenotypical features of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: effects of modifying lifestyle
Authors: Aidara Mohamed Lamine , Walsh-Wilkinson Élisabeth , Thibodeau Sara-Ève , Labbé Emylie-Ann , Morin-Grandmont Audrey , Gagnon Geneviève , Boudreau Dominique K. , Arsenault Marie , Bossé Yohan , Couët Jacques
Published: February 2024

Using a two-hit murine model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HfpEF), combining elevated blood pressure, obesity, and exercise intolerance in male and female animals, we showed that correction of hypertension, normalization of the diet, and introduction of voluntary exercise could help reverse the remodeling of the left ventricle and double exercise capacity. We also identify genes that escape normalization after myocardial recovery and differences between males’ and females’ responses to stress and recovery.
The gut microbiome as a modulator of arterial function and age-related arterial dysfunction
Authors: Longtine Abigail G. , Greenberg Nathan T. , Bernaldo de Quirós Yara , Brunt Vienna E.
Published: February 2024

The arterial system is integral to the proper function of all other organs and tissues. Arterial function is impaired with aging, and arterial dysfunction contributes to the development of numerous age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The gut microbiome has emerged as an important regulator of both normal host physiological function and impairments in function with aging. The purpose of this review is to summarize more recently published literature demonstrating the role of the gut microbiome in supporting normal arterial development and function and in modulating arterial dysfunction with aging in the absence of overt disease. The gut microbiome can be altered due to a variety of exposures, including physiological aging processes. We explore mechanisms by which the gut microbiome may contribute to age-related arterial dysfunction, with a focus on changes in various gut microbiome-related compounds in circulation. In addition, we discuss how modulating circulating levels of these compounds may be a viable therapeutic approach for improving artery function with aging. Finally, we identify and discuss various experimental considerations and research gaps/areas of future research.
Real-time visualization of dextran extravasation in intermittent hypoxia mice using noninvasive SWIR imaging
Authors: Le Guével Xavier , Josserand Véronique , Harki Olfa , Baulin Vladimir A. , Henry Maxime , Briançon-Marjollet Anne
Published: February 2024

We demonstrate that SWIR imaging technique is a useful tool to monitor real-time dextran extravasation from vessels in vivo, with a high resolution. We report for the first time an increased real-time dextran (70 kD) extravasation in mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia for 14 days compared with normoxic controls.
Salvianolic Acid B Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Inflammation by Upregulating the miR-486a-5p Expression
Authors: Zhang Man-Li , Zhang Man-Na , Chen Hui , Wang Xia , Zhao Kun , Li Xuan , Song Xuan , Tong Fei
Published: February 2024

The macrovascular complications of diabetes cause high mortality and disability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The inflammatory response of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) runs through its pathophysiological process. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exhibits beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However, its role and mechanism in diabetic vascular inflammatory response remain unclear. In this study, we found that Sal B reduced vascular inflammation in diabetic mice and high glucose- (HG-) induced VSMC inflammation. Subsequently, we found that Sal B reduced HG-induced VSMC inflammation by downregulating FOXO1. Furthermore, miR-486a-5p expression was obviously reduced in HG-treated VSMC. Sal B attenuated HG-induced VSMC inflammation by upregulating miR-486a-5p. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments had proven that the transfection of the miR-486a-5p mimic inhibited HG-induced VSMC inflammation whereas that of the miR-486a-5p inhibitor promoted HG-induced VSMC inflammation, thereby leading to the amelioration of vascular inflammation in the diabetic mice. Furthermore, studies had shown that miR-486a-5p inhibited FOXO1 expression by directly targeting its 3′-UTR. In conclusion, Sal B alleviates the inflammatory response of VSMC by upregulating miR-486a-5p and aggravating its inhibition of FOXO1 expression. Sal B exerts a significant anti-inflammatory effect in HG-induced VSMC inflammation by modulating the miR-486a-5p/FOXO1 axis.
Road Traffic Accident Traumatic Vehicle Seat Belt Abdominal Wall Hernia
Authors: Manasra Mahmoud R. , Farah Roua E. , Abufara Arein A. , AbuIrayyeh Bara M. , Farah Rahaf E. , Maraqa Mohammed A.
Published: February 2024

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare type of hernia with an incidence of about <1.5%, resulting from blunt abdominal trauma, which leads to an increase in the intra‐abdominal pressure and rupture in the abdominal musculature and fascia with herniation of the abdominal organs into the defect. Most TAWH contained either a small bowel (69%) or a large bowel (36%), with 16% containing both. This condition is often not present as an isolated case, as 30% to 60% of the cases are accompanied by other intra‐abdominal injuries. The typical manner of presentation is a tender subcutaneous swelling across the abdomen wall with overlaying bruising and ecchymosis. The radiological investigative modality of CT scan has the highest index of diagnosing accompanied intra‐abdominal visceral injuries. We present a rare case of a 23‐year‐old male patient diagnosed with TAWH containing both small bowel and sigmoid colon associated with psoas hematoma caused by a seat belt postroad traffic accident (RTA).
A Novel Procedure for the AHP Method for the Site Selection of Solar PV Farms
Authors: Demir Abdullah , Dinçer A. Ersin , Yılmaz Kutay
Published: February 2024

This study proposes a novel approach to enhance the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for the selection of suitable sites for solar photovoltaic (PV) farms. This approach is particularly beneficial when it is possible to establish a predefined objective relation in the final weights of the AHP method. The methodology focuses on achieving this predefined relation introducing a systematic revision of the constants of related constraints. In this study, the costs of constructing a unit transmission line and road in the Kayseri Province are objectively related, and the initial constant matrix of the AHP method is iteratively revised until the relation of the final weights converges to the predefined one. The suitability of solar PV farm locations is classified into five classes, revealing approximately 28% (40‐100% of suitability) of the province as favorably suitable and designating about 67% as restricted zones. The findings reveal notable distinctions between the revised weights and those derived from the conventional AHP method. The disparity in weights for various constraints varies from 13.5% to 7.2%. Consequently, the alterations in the area of suitability regions range from 3.4% to 50%. The revision of AHP weights results in a reduction in higher‐suitability areas, coupled with a significant expansion in the region exhibiting lower suitability. Notably, the extent of change in the suitability map increases when the difference in ratios between two criteria obtained from the AHP and the predefined objective relation is high. The proposed method demonstrates its applicability in regions like Kayseri where an objective relation between criteria can be established. Given the inherent subjectivity of the AHP method, the proposed procedure becomes essential to attain more objective weights. Since the methodology objectively adjusts weights based on known ratios, it increases the accuracy and reliability of site selection studies.
Echo State Property upon Noisy Driving Input
Authors: Woo Junhyuk , Kim Hyeongmo , Kim Soon Ho , Han Kyungreem
Published: February 2024

The echo state property (ESP) is a key concept for understanding the working principle of the most widely used reservoir computing model, the echo state network (ESN). The ESP is achieved most of the operation time under general conditions, yet the property is lost when a combination of driving input signals and intrinsic reservoir dynamics causes unfavorable conditions for forgetting the initial transient state. A widely used treatment, setting the spectral radius of the weight matrix below the unity, is not sufficient as it may not properly account for the nature of driving inputs. Here, we characterize how noisy driving inputs affect the dynamical properties of an ESN and the empirical evaluation of the ESP. The standard ESN with a hyperbolic tangent activation function is tested using the MNIST handwritten digit datasets at different additive white Gaussian noise levels. The correlations among the neurons, input mapping, and memory capacity of the reservoir nonlinearly decrease with the noise level. These trends agree with the deterioration of the MNIST classification accuracy against noise. In addition, the ESP index for noisy driving input is developed as a tool to help easily assess ESPs in practical applications. Bifurcation analysis explicates how the noise destroys an asymptotical convergence in an ESN and confirms that the proposed index successfully captures the ESP against noise. These results pave the way for developing noise-robust reservoir computing systems, which may promote the validity and utility of reservoir computing for real-world machine learning applications.
Mechanical Strength and Microstructure of Soft Soil Stabilized with Cement, Lime, and Metakaolin‐Based Geopolymer Stabilizers
Authors: Wassie Tadesse Abebe , Demir Gökhan
Published: February 2024

Soft soils require particular consideration when designing civil engineering structures due to their high compressibility, low shear strength, and permeability. Using chemical additives and geopolymers to stabilize soft soils is a practical approach to improve their engineering properties. The objective of the study was to explore the use of conventional stabilizers alongside metakaolin‐based geopolymers. This study also aimed to investigate the compaction characteristics, mechanical strength, shear behavior, and microstructure of stabilized soft soil. The compaction test was carried out using various amounts of cement (6%, 8%, and 10%) and metakaolin (3%, 5%, and 7%) based on the dry weight of the soil. Cement, lime, and geopolymer were added to the soft soil at 15% of the dry weight of the soil for triaxial shear tests. The compaction test results indicated that the stabilized soil exhibited the highest maximum dry density at 8% cement content. Adding metakaolin (MK) to the cement‐modified soil decreased the maximum dry density, smoothed the compaction curve, and increased the optimum moisture content. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test revealed that cement‐stabilized soil had the highest yield stress, while adding MK to the cement‐modified soil reduced the yield stress after 7 days of curing. Compared to untreated soft soil, there was a significant increase in shear strength parameters for cement‐, metakaolin‐, and lime‐stabilized soil. This study demonstrates that adding chemical additives and geopolymers can improve the soft soil’s compaction characteristics, mechanical strength, and shear strength parameters.
Supplementary Data 1 from Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production by Gut Microbiota Predicts Treatment Response in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Rodríguez-García Alba , Arroyo Andrés , García-Vicente Roberto , Morales María Luz , Gómez-Gordo Rubén , Justo Pablo , Cuéllar Clara , Sánchez-Pina José , López Nieves , Alonso Rafael , Puig Noemí , Mateos María-Victoria , Ayala Rosa , Gómez-Garre Dulcenombre , Martínez-López Joaquín , Linares María
Published: February 2024

Supplementary Material
Supplementary Table S3 from TROP2 Is Associated with Primary Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Patients with Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bessede Alban , Peyraud Florent , Besse Benjamin , Cousin Sophie , Cabart Mathilde , Chomy François , Rey Christophe , Lara Oren , Odin Ophélie , Nafia Imane , Vanhersecke Lucile , Barlesi Fabrice , Guégan Jean-Philippe , Italiano Antoine
Published: February 2024

Supplementary Table 3.
Characteristics of patients from the BIP study analyzed by mIHF
Supplementary Data 1 from Integrative Multi-omics Analysis Reveals Different Metabolic Phenotypes Based on Molecular Characteristics in Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kim Yoo Hyung , Yoon Sang Jun , Kim Mina , Kim Hwan Hee , Song Young Shin , Jung Jin Woo , Han Dohyun , Cho Sun Wook , Kwon Sung Won , Park Young Joo
Published: February 2024

Figure S1-S10, Table S1-S10, Supplementary Methods
Clinical Practice of Photodynamic Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Different Scenarios: Who Is the Better Candidate?
Authors: Sun Wen , Zhang Qi , Wang Xi , Jin Zhou , Cheng Yuan , Wang Guangfa
Published: February 2024

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively safe and highly selectivity antitumor treatment, which might be increasingly used as a supplement to conventional therapies. A clinical overview and detailed comparison of how to select patients and lesions for PDT in different scenarios are urgently needed to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Summary: This review demonstrates the highlights and obstacles of applying PDT for lung cancer and underlines points worth considering when planning to initiate PDT. The aim was to make out the appropriate selection and help PDT develop efficacy and precision through a better understanding of its clinical use. Key Messages: Increasing evidence supports the feasibility and safety of PDT in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. It is important to recognize the factors that influence the efficacy of PDT to develop individualized management strategies and implement well-designed procedures. These important issues should be worth considering in the present and further research.
Efficiency and Toxicity of Imatinib Mesylate Combined with Atorvastatin Calcium in the Treatment of Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Single-Center, Prospective, Single-Arm, Open-Label Study
Authors: Chen Ting , Li JiaLi , Wei Xiao , Yao Han , Zhu LiDan , Liu Jia , Liu YuQing , Wang Ping , Feng YiMei , Gao ShiChun , Liu HuanFeng , Wang Lu , Zhao Lu , Gao Li , Zhang Cheng , Gao Lei , Zhang Xi , Kong PeiYan
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Steroid-refractory cGVHD (SR-cGVHD) presents new great challenges for treatment. We have reported that imatinib monotherapy was effective to SR-cGVHD, but the CR rate was not satisfactory and the benefit was not showed specific to some target organs, previously. Imatinib and statin drugs have been recognized to regulate T-cell function, statins also have been demonstrated endothelia protection, but whether this combination therapy was able to improve the efficacy remains unknown. Therefore, we designed this prospective, single-arm, open-label trial to investigate the efficacy of imatinib-based combination therapy in the treatment of SR-cGVHD for the first time. Methods: Sixty SR-cGVHD patients were entered into this trial to investigate the combination of imatinib mesylate and atorvastatin calcium for the treatment of SR-cGVHD. The primary endpoint included the overall response rate (ORR) after 6 months of combined treatment. The secondary endpoints included an evaluation of survival, changes in T-cell subsets, and adverse events. Results: At baseline, 45% (27/60) of patients had moderate cGVHD, and 55.0% (33/60) of patients had severe cGVHD. At the 6-month follow-up, a clinical response was achieved in 70.0% of patients, and a complete response (CR) was achieved in 26.7%. A total of 11.7% (7/60) of patients stopped immunosuppressive therapy at this point. After 6 months of treatment, the ORR rates of the liver, skin, eyes, and oral cavity were 80.6%, 78.1%, 61.5%, and 60.9%, respectively, with the liver also having the highest CR of 58.1%. The patients with moderate cGVHD had a better CR rate than those with severe cGVHD (55.6% vs. 3.0%, p < 0.0001). The overall survival in patients with ORR was improved (p = 0.0106). Lung involvement is an independent risk factor to affected ORR achievement (p = 0.021, HR = 0.335, 95% CI: 0.133–0.847), and the dosage of steroids was reduced in ORR patients. In clinical response patients, the ratio of CD8+ T cells (p = 0.0117) and Th17 cells (p = 0.0171) decreased, while the number of Treg cells (p = 0.0147) increased after 3 months. The most common adverse events were edema, nausea, and neutropenia, which were 13.3%, 11.7%, and 11.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Combination treatment with imatinib mesylate and atorvastatin calcium was effective in treating SR-cGVHD and significantly decreased target organ injury, especially liver damage, indicating that T-cell regulatory function may play an important role in this process.
This “mite” Surprise You: Scabies Masquerading as Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis – A Case Report
Authors: Al Janahi Sara , Al Maashari Raghda , Saleem Tausif
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Scabies is a common parasitic infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Scabies can mimic other entities clinically, resulting in misdiagnosis. The presence of a mite in the stratum corneum on biopsy specimens is diagnostic of scabies. However, there are instances when mites are not visible, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining may be misleading. An example is when IHC demonstrates Cluster of Differentiation 1a and S100 positivity. The main differential diagnosis for this finding is Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a group of idiopathic disorders of bone marrow-derived Langerhans cells, with manifestations ranging from isolated to life-threatening multisystem disease. Case Presentation: We present a case of a patient who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis based on histological findings, further review with a repeat reading and deeper sectioning of her biopsy revealed a mite in the stratum corneum, altering the diagnosis, course, and management. She subsequently developed persistent post-scabietic nodules, an underreported entity that may occur following infestation and persist for up to a year. These lesions are self-limiting and do not require repeated courses of treatment. Conclusion: Langerhans cell hyperplasia may be seen in a multitude of entities, including scabies. Familiarity with this phenomenon is crucial to avoid unnecessary invasive investigations, aggressive management and alleviate patients’ concerns.
Horrifying Basal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Progressive Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Case Report
Authors: Hoellwarth Jason S. , Reif Taylor J. , Mori Shoko , Kang Rachel , Magro Cynthia M.
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Skin ulcers can be challenging to diagnose and manage, particularly with comorbid autoimmune and gastrointestinal diseases. Occam’s razor encourages the simplest explanation to guide care, but reconsideration must occur when intervention proves futile. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 70-year-old male, with a 17-year history of expanding pretibial skin ulcer, presumed by prior care providers to be pyoderma gangrenosum related to Crohn’s disease. A surgical biopsy performed upon presentation to our institution revealed basal cell carcinoma of the skin, invasive to the proximal tibia with associated deep infection, prompting transfemoral amputation. Conclusion: This report is written as a reminder to reconsider a diagnosis and consider seeking additional expertise when a patient’s condition progressively worsens despite intervention. Earlier diagnosis likely would have facilitated therapeutic limb salvage care.
Review of battery models and experimental parameter identification for lithium-ion battery equivalent circuit models
Authors: Belmajdoub Nouhaila , Lajouad Rachid , El Magri Abdelmounime , Boudoudouh Soukaina , Zaggaf Mohamed Hicham
Published: February 2024

The growing use of electric vehicles has led to an ever-increasing demand for efficient and reliable management systems to control the behavior of lithium-ion batteries, especially with respect to heat generation and state-of-charge. Understanding these patterns constitutes a major new challenge for these batteries, as remaining ignorant of their behavior can result in decreased performance, shorter service life and even safety dangers. This review provides an overview of the different modeling techniques applied to simulate battery behavior. Different methods using equivalent electrical circuit models are discussed, covering both simple battery models and more complex equivalent electrical circuit models, with a focus on the 2RC-Thévenin circuit model. In this context, parameter approach methods for these systems are reviewed. In addition, laboratory tests are run to identify the various model parameters for a lithium-ion battery. This comprehensive study is designed to guide scientists and engineers in the selection and use of suitable tools for state-of-charge and battery health studies.
Non-linear control for enhanced solar power under partial shading and AC load variations
Authors: Khadija Sabri , Ouadia El Maguiri , Abdelmajid Farchi
Published: February 2024

This paper solves the control problem to track the maximum power in grid-connected PV systems to catch up with the changes and meet the energy demand, given the irregular and arbitrary nature of the solar source. Our work addresses the following objectives: i) extracting the maximum available power under partial shading, ii) and having a unit power factor. To achieve the above objectives, we have integrated two control components. The first one is dedicated to the extraction of the maximum power point (MPPT) particle swarming algorithm (PSO) with a backstepping controller, by shaking on the DC/DC converter duty cycle to increase the robustness and stability of the system. The backstepping control of the three-phase voltage source inverter is the second part. To verify the effectiveness of the introduced system, modelling and simulation are verified in MATLAB/Simulink.
Design a self-controlled high-performance evaluation of content addressable memories using 45 nm technology
Authors: Inamanamelluri Saidulu , Dhanasekaran Devaraj , Baskar Radhika
Published: February 2024

A special type of random access memory (RAM) array called as content addressable memory (CAM), in which stored data is compared with the search data which can be returning the address. In the applications of highspeed searching, the CAMs are used. NOR type matchline CAMs are helpful for applications requiring faster search speeds. Because the NOR type match line (ML) CAM consumes a lot of power, therefore many published designs have attempted to reduce power consumption. The design self-controlled high-performance content addressable memories (SC-CAM) using 45-nm technology is presented in this paper. The 6T 4×4 CAM arrays in this paper uses SC logic and Tanner tools 45-nm technology. When compared to the conventional CAM, described SC-CAM architecture reduces the number of voltages sources. Described 6T 4×4 SC-CAM design needs less number of MOSFETs than existed 8T 4×4 CAM array and thus reduces the area with high speed.
Enhanced ARIA-based counter mode deterministic random bit generator random number generator implemented in verilog
Authors: Rhee Eugene , Lee Jihoon
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a study aimed at effectively implementing a deterministic random bit generator (DRBG) IP in verilog language, based on the standard encryption algorithm. By controlling the existing round generation and key generation blocks, the internal modules of the counter mode deterministic random bit generator (CTR-DRBG) were successfully implemented and operated, ensuring the secure and efficient generation of random bit sequences. The research focused on parallel operation of modules and optimized module placement to achieve improved clock frequencies. By concurrently operating two modules in the derivation and internal update modules of CTR-DRBG, the processing speed was enhanced compared to the conventional algorithm. Additionally, integrating the reseeding and initialization modules of CTR-DRBG into a single module successfully reduced size. Furthermore, this IP supports the special function register (SFR) interface. The safety of the CTR-DRBG was validated through known answer test (KAT) verification utilizing test vectors from certification. Future research should explore additional studies on CTR-DRBG operating on real FPGA or ASIC, not only using normal algorithm but also employing other block cipher algorithms.
A novel approach for detecting sensor-based semiconductor fault yield classification using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Altaf , Alnatheer Suleman
Published: February 2024

In the proposed research, data from the semiconductor industry is considered for analysis. In this research, there is a requirement for significantly more space for storage, processing will take significantly more time, and there will be a significant amount of duplicate data. So, the utilization of dimensionality reduction strategies is required so as to lessen the number of spectral bands while maintaining the maximum amount of relevant information. Our contribution can be broken down into two parts: To begin, we suggest a filter-based technique that we call interband redundancy analysis (IBRA). This method is based on a collinearity analysis that is performed among a band and its neighbors. By performing the given research, redundant bands can be omitted, which in turn significantly brings down the search space. Next, we take the findings of the IBRA and use a wrapper-based technique known as greedy spectral selection (GSS) to choose bands on the basis of the information entropy values of those bands. We are later training a convolutional neural network to evaluate how well the present selection is working. We also propose an optimization algorithm for performance enhancement known as bacterial foraging optimization.
Smart airbag vest with integrated light turn signaling and location tracking
Authors: G. Cerda Alecsandra Marjorie , B. Enojas Mark Joseph , Abengaña Gil Jr. , Laid Mylene B. , T. Revedizo Mark Joshua , Torrenueva Rimmel James
Published: February 2024

Research on road safety is continuously developing with the applications of sensors and technologies. Another area that draws the attention of the developers for road safety are in the road accident response. As the number of riders and cyclists increase, so do the accidents particularly at night where visibility is limited. This study presents a method of integration of inflatable safety vests for riders with light emitting diode LED signaling strips embedded in its front and back, and sensors to send the location of the rider when an accident happens. The LED strips are controlled using a wireless remote switch to make the rider more visible other than that embedded in the motorcycle or bicycle. The airbag will activate once an accident occurs and or the rider is detached from the motorcycle. A force-sensitive resistor (FSR) is used as a triggering device attached to the vest when an accident happens where a global positioning system (GPS) module will send the location and a map to a specific mobile number for response. Three trials were conducted to test the functionality of the LED lights for signaling. The device functioned well, that both the left, right, and standby mode were activated. The functionality of the location tracker is also tested in three different locations. The FSR was triggered and it gave the exact location by sending the coordinates and a link to view it on google maps with an average transmit and receive time of 3 seconds. It is recommended that the prototype be developed using light-weight materials and batteries.
Development of a wearable monitor to identify stress levels using internet of things
Authors: Zholdas Nurassyl , Postolache Octavian , Mansurova Madina , Belgibaev Baurzhan , Kunelbayev Murat , Sarsembayeva Talshyn
Published: February 2024

Modern life's ubiquitous component of stress has a significant impact on many facets of human existence. This article presents the development of a wearable device integrated with internet of things (IoT) technology, aiming to identify and quantify stress levels in real-time. This technology provides a possible means of improving stress assessment, enabling prompt treatments and individualized stress management techniques. ESP32-PICO computation platform was used as part of wearable stress monitor. The developed wearable monitor also includes a high-sensitivity pulse oximeter and heart-rate sensor (MAX30102) and galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors to acquire physiological signals associated with stress status. The wearable monitor device delivers data to the firebase platform via Wi-Fi. The benefits and prospective uses of the IoT-enabled wearable device are also covered in the article. It demonstrates the mobile wearable monitor adaptability in a variety of scenarios, such as offices, classrooms, and healthcare facilities, where stress management is vita and required for activity optimization. Continuous monitoring capabilities allow users to learn about their stress levels and take proactive self-care measures. During the validation experiments, the accuracy of measurement capabilities of the developed wearable monitor were evaluated reduced errors of heart rate and respiratory rate being observed.