bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a Tigecycline-Resistant and
bla
CTX-M
-Bearing Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain from a Peacock in a Chinese Zoo
Authors: Li Yinshu , Li Dezhong , Liang Yulei , Cui Junling , He Kun , He Dandan , Liu Jianhua , Hu Gongzheng , Yuan Li
Published: February 2023

A multidrug-resistant ST859-K19
K. pneumoniae
strain, LYS105A, was obtained from a diseased peacock in a Chinese zoo. In addition, multiple resistance genes such as
bla
CTX-M-3
,
aac(6′)-Ib-cr5
, and
qnrB91
were located in a novel composite transposon, Tn
7131
, of a mobile plasmid, implying that most of the resistance genes in strain LYS105A can be moved easily via horizontal gene transfer.
Ribavirin Treatment Failure-Associated Mutation, Y1320H, in the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of Genotype 3 Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Enhances Virus Replication in a Rabbit HEV Infection Model
Authors: Wang Bo , Mahsoub Hassan M. , Li Wen , Heffron C. Lynn , Tian Debin , Hassebroek Anna M. , LeRoith Tanya , Meng Xiang-Jin
Published: February 2023

HEV-3 causes chronic hepatitis E that requires antiviral therapy in immunosuppressed individuals. RBV is the main therapeutic option for chronic hepatitis E as an off-label use.
Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strain So3.2b, Isolated from a Soil Sample from Robert Island (Antarctic Specially Protected Area 112), Antarctic
Authors: Núñez-Montero Kattia , Rojas-Villalta Dorian , Hernández-Moncada Ricardo , Esquivel Andrés , Barrientos Leticia
Published: February 2023

Strain So3.2b of the genus
Pseudomonas
was isolated from a soil sample from Robert Island (Antarctic Specially Protected Area 112), Antarctic. We report the complete genome sequence of this isolate, with a length of 6.17 Mbp and a GC content of 60.5%.
Construction and Modeling of a Coculture Microplate for Real-Time Measurement of Microbial Interactions
Authors: Jo Charles , Bernstein David B. , Vaisman Natalie , Frydman Horacio M. , Segrè Daniel
Published: February 2023

Microbial communities participate in many essential processes from biogeochemical cycles to the maintenance of human health. The structure and functions of these communities are dynamic properties that depend on poorly understood interactions among different species.
Profiling of Antimicrobial Metabolites Synthesized by the Endophytic and Genetically Amenable Biocontrol Strain Bacillus velezensis DMW1
Authors: Yu Chenjie , Chen Han , zhu Linli , Song Yan , Jiang Qifan , Zhang Yaming , Ali Qurban , Gu Qin , Gao Xuewen , Borriss Rainer , Dong Suomeng , Wu Huijun
Published: February 2023

Phytopathogens are responsible for the wide spread of plant diseases as well as for great losses of crop yields. At present, the strategies used to control plant disease, including the development of resistant cultivars and chemical control, may become ineffective due to the adaptive evolution of pathogens.
Characterization of an H7N9 Influenza Virus Isolated from Camels in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Yin Yuncong , Liu Yuan , Fen Juan , Liu Kaituo , Qin Tao , Chen Sujuan , Peng Daxin , Liu Xiufan
Published: February 2023

H5 subtype avian influenza viruses can cause serious diseases in poultry and wild birds. On rare occasions, viruses can cause cross-species transmission to mammalian species, including humans, pigs, horses, canines, seals, and minks.
Identification of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Salmonella FraB Deglycase Using a Live-Cell Assay
Authors: Sabag-Daigle Anice , Boulanger Erin F. , Thirugnanasambantham Pankajavalli , Law Jamison D. , Bogard Alex J. , Behrman Edward J. , Gopalan Venkat , Ahmer Brian M. M.
Published: February 2023

Nontyphoidal salmonellosis is a serious threat in the United States and globally. We have recently identified an enzyme, FraB, that when mutated renders
Salmonella
growth defective
in vitro
and unfit in mouse models of gastroenteritis.
Pharmacokinetics of Bictegravir in Older Japanese People Living with HIV-1
Authors: Kawashima Akira , Trung Hieu Tran , Watanabe Koji , Takano Misao , Deguchi Yoshimi , Kinoshita Mai , Uemura Haruka , Yanagawa Yasuaki , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Kikuchi Yoshimi , Oka Shinichi , Tsuchiya Kiyoto
Published: February 2023

BIC is a potent integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), widely used for the treatment of HIV-1 as part of a once-daily single-tablet regimen that includes emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC+FTC+TAF). Although the safety and efficacy of BIC+FTC+TAF have been confirmed in older patients with HIV-1, PK data in this patient population remain limited.
Nocardia keratitis presenting as an anterior chamber ball of exudates and its management
Authors: Bellala Maneesha Mohan , Tandra Poornima Sharma , Bagga Bhupesh , Madduri Bhagyashree
Published: February 2023

A man in late 40s presented with corneal ulcer of the right eye of 1 month duration. He had a central corneal epithelial defect measuring 4.6×4.2 mm with an underlying 3.6×3.5 mm anterior to mid stromal patchy infiltrate and 1.4 mm hypopyon. Gram stain of the colonies on chocolate agar showed presence of confluent thin branching, gram-positive beaded filaments, which were positive after 1% acid fast stain. This confirmed our organism to be Nocardia sp. Topical amikacin was started but continued worsening of the infiltrate and presence of a ball of exudates in the anterior chamber, prompted the use of systemic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. There was a dramatic improvement in the signs and symptoms, with complete resolution of infection over a period of 1 month.
Isolated thyroid abscess in early childhood
Authors: Venkataraman Lekhya , Saravanam Prasanna Kumar , Jayagandhi Sathish Kumar , Dhanapal Pradeep
Published: February 2023

Isolated thyroid abscess is a rare entity in early childhood. Among thyroid disorders, thyroid abscess or acute suppurative thyroiditis constitutes about 0.7%–1% of all cases. The thyroid gland is normally resistant to infections due to its well-enveloped capsule, rich blood supply, and high iodine content.

A child presented with tender neck swelling accompanied by fever for 3 days. Ultrasound of the neck showed features suggestive of left parapharyngeal abscess. Laboratory parameters including thyroid function test were within normal limits. Contrast-enhanced CT of the neck was done and showed an isolated thyroid abscess with no other abnormalities. The patient was started on intravenous antibiotics followed by incision and drainage of the abscess. The child improved symptomatically. This report discusses the differential diagnosis and management of this rare entity.
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus with no evidence of lupus nephritis
Authors: Whelband Matthew Carl , Willingham Tom , Thirunavukkarasu Sathiamalar , Patrick Jean
Published: February 2023

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare proliferative form of glomerular disease characterised by randomly oriented fibrillary deposits with a mean diameter of 20 nm. It has a rare association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report the case of a female in her mid-50's with a 20 year history of SLE, who developed proteinuria due to FGN and had no histological evidence of lupus nephritis. She was maintained on azathioprine and prednisolone. A renal biopsy revealed randomly arranged fibrillary deposits that positively stained for DNAJB9, consistent with a diagnosis of FGN. Azathioprine was switched to mycophenolate mofetil, and the patient showed significant improvement in proteinuria. This case-based review describes the diagnosis, management and clinical outcome of FGN in association with SLE in the absence of lupus nephritis.
Acute pancreatitis presenting as acute scrotum
Authors: Naresh Divya , de Kock Servaise
Published: February 2023

Acute pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic and peripancreatic collections that can spread in the retroperitoneum to varying extents based on the severity of the pancreatitis. We present here an unusual case of pancreatitis where the patient presented with an acute scrotum as a result of extension of peripancreatic inflammation to the scrotum.
Long COVID symptoms in Israeli children with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Adler Limor , Israel Moran , Yehoshua Ilan , Azuri Joseph , Hoffman Robert , Shahar Arnon , Mizrahi Reuveni Miri , Grossman Zachi
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate factors associated with long COVID.

Design

A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

3240 parents of children aged 5–18 with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection completed an online questionnaire (11.9% response rate); 1148 and 2092 with/without a history of infection, respectively.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome was the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with/without a history of infection. Secondary outcomes were the factors associated with the presence of long COVID symptoms and with failure to return to baseline health status in children with a history of infection including gender, age, time from illness, symptomatic illness and vaccine status.

Results

Most long COVID symptoms were more prevalent in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection: headaches (211 (18.4%) vs 114 (5.4%), p<0.001), weakness (173 (15.1%) vs 70 (3.3%), p<0.001), fatigue (141 (12.3%) vs 133 (6.4%), p<0.001) and abdominal pain (109 (9.5%) vs 79 (3.8%), p<0.001). Most long COVID symptoms in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more prevalent in the older age group (12–18) compared with the younger age group (5–11). Some symptoms were more prevalent in children without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including attention problems with school malfunctioning (225 (10.8%) vs 98 (8.5%), p=0.05), stress (190 (9.1%) vs 65 (5.7%), p<0.001), social problems (164 (7.8%) vs 32 (2.8%)) and weight changes (143 (6.8%) vs 43 (3.7%), p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection might be higher and more prevalent in adolescents than in young children. Some of the symptoms, mainly somatic symptoms, were more prevalent in children without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting the impact of the pandemic itself rather than the infection.
Prevalence and clinical implications of subretinal fluid in retinal diseases: a real-world cohort study
Authors: Park Jeff , Felfeli Tina , Kherani Imaan Z , Altomare Filiberto , Chow David R , Wong David T
Published: February 2023

Background/aims

To characterise the baseline prevalence of subretinal fluid (SRF) and its effects on anatomical and visual acuity (VA) outcomes in diabetic macular oedema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of 122 DME and 54 RVO patients who were initiated on anti-VEGF therapy with real-world variable dosing. The DME and RVO cohorts were subclassified based on the presence of SRF at presentation. Snellen VA was measured and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR). Changes in VA and central subfield thickness (CST) were assessed up to 24 months.

Results

SRF was present in 22% and 41% in DME and RVO patients, respectively. In the DME subcohort, eyes with SRF showed an improvement of 0.166 logMAR (1.7 Snellen chart lines) at 12 months and 0.251 logMAR (2.6 Snellen chart lines) at 24 months, which were significantly greater compared with those of the non-SRF group. A significantly greater reduction in CST was noted in the SRF eyes compared with the non-SRF eyes at 3 months and 1 month in the DME and RVO subcohorts, respectively.

Conclusion

Baseline SRF is a good marker for a greater reduction in CST in both DME and RVO, but an improvement in VA associated with SRF may be only noted in DME.
Simulation-based team training improves door-to-needle time for intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Svobodová Veronika , Maršálková Hana , Volevach Ekaterina , Mikulík Robert
Published: February 2023

Purpose

There is a clinical need for shortened door-to-needle time (DNT) for intravenous thrombolysis, but effective training methods are missing. Simulation training improves teamwork and logistics in numerous fields. Still, it is not clear if simulation improves logistics in stroke.

Methods

To evaluate the efficiency of a simulation training programme, the DNT of participating centres was compared with the rest of stroke centres in the Czech Republic. Patients’ data were prospectively collected from the nationally used Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke Registry. The outcome was an improvement in DNT in 2018 as compared with 2015 (after and before the simulation training). Scenarios were based on real clinical cases, and simulation courses were conducted in a standardly equipped simulation centre.

Findings

Between 2016 and 2017, 10 courses were conducted for stroke teams from 9 of all 45 stroke centres. DNT data were available both in 2015 and 2018 from 41 (91%) stroke centres. The simulation training improved the DNT in 2018 as compared with 2015 by 30 min (95% CI 25.7 to 34.7) and as compared with 20 min (95% CI 15.8 to 24.3) in stroke centres without the simulation training (p=0.01). Any parenchymal haemorrhage occurred in 5.4% and 3.5% of patients treated in centres without and with simulation training (p=0.054), respectively.

Conclusions

DNT was considerably shortened nationally. It was feasible to implement simulation as a nationwide training programme. The simulation was associated with improved DNT; however, other studies should confirm that such an association is causal.
Seven leadership and followership lessons from kidney transplantation during lockdown
Authors: Joffe Megan , O'Neill Stephen , Ahmed Zachery , Courtney Aisling , Brown Tim
Published: February 2023

Background

The renal transplant team in Northern Ireland performed 70 transplants in 61 days during the first wave of COVID-19, an 8-fold increase in their typical activity. Mobilising diverse professional skills to achieve this number, especially under COVID-19 conditions, required extraordinary effort on the part of everyone involved along the transplant patient pathway, management and staff from other patient groups.

Methods

Fifteen transplant team members were interviewed to explore their experiences during this time.

Results

Seven key leadership and followership lessons, contextualised within The Healthcare Leadership model, were learnt from these experiences.

Conclusions

While circumstances were untypical, the achievement and motivation of staff were no less commendable. We contend that this was not only because of the unusual circumstances but as a result of extraordinary leadership and followership, teamworking and individual agility.

Recommendations for those leading services which require a quick response and collaborative effort are made.
Adhesion and biofilm formation by the opportunistic pathogen Candida tropicalis: what do we know?
Authors: de Souza Cássia M. , dos Santos Murilo M. , Furlaneto-Maia Luciana , Furlaneto Marcia C.
Published: February 2023

Candida tropicalis is among the most important  Candida species in terms of epidemiology, virulence and resistance. Considering the increase in C. tropicalis incidence and high rates of mortality associated with this species, knowledge of its adhesion and biofilm formation abilities is needed. These traits determine the persistence and survival of yeast on different indwelling medical devices and host sites. C. tropicalis is among the most adherent Candida species, and it has been described as a strong biofilm producer. Environmental factors, phenotypic switching and quorum sensing molecules can affect adhesion and biofilm growth. C. tropicalis can form sexual biofilms, which are promoted by mating pheromones. C. tropicalis biofilms are regulated by a wide and complex network of genes and signaling pathways that are currently poorly understood. Morphological studies showed improved biofilm architecture, which was related to the expression of several hypha-specific genes. Based on recent updates, research is still needed to increase our knowledge on the genetic network of adhesion and biofilm formation by C. tropicalis, as well as the protein diversity that mediates interactions with inert materials and biological surfaces. Here, we have reviewed the main aspects related to adhesion and biofilm formation in C. tropicalis and summarized current knowledge on the significance of these virulence factors in this opportunistic species.
Standardised Tendon Fenestration with ITEC-Technique for Lateral Epicondylosis with Injection of Betamethasone versus Autologous Blood
Authors: DIERICKX Carl , GOORENS Chul Ki , BELLEMANS Laura , GOOSSENS Elise , MENTENS Xante , PAULUSSEN Jolien
Published: February 2023

Background: Infiltration is one of the treatment options for lateral epicondylosis, a degenerative process in the tendon of the musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a standardised fenestration technique, the Instant Tennis Elbow Cure (ITEC) technique, with injection of betamethasone versus autologous blood.

Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed. Twenty-eight patients received an infiltration with 1 mL betamethasone, in combination with 1 mL 2% lidocaine. Twenty-eight patients received an infiltration with 2 mL autologous blood. Both infiltrations were administered using the ITEC-technique. The patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and Nirschl staging.

Results: At the 6-week follow-up, the corticosteroid group showed significantly better results for VAS. At the 3-month follow-up, no significant differences were observed for all three scores. At the 6-monthfollow-up, the autologous blood group showed significantly better results for all three scores.

Conclusions: Standardised fenestration using the ITEC-technique with corticosteroid infiltration is more effective in reducing pain at the 6-week follow-up. At the 6-month follow-up, the use of autologous blood is more effective in pain reduction and functional recovery.

Level of Evidence: Level II
Does the Surgical Assistant Influence Perioperative Outcomes Surrounding Cubital Tunnel Surgery?
Authors: LIU Christina , GRISDELA Phillip , LIU David , MODEL Zina , STEELE Amy , BLAZAR Philip , EARP Brandon E. , ZHANG Dafang
Published: February 2023

Background: Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most common upper extremity compressive neuropathy and surgical treatment often involves surgical trainee involvement. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of trainees and surgical assistants on outcomes surrounding cubital tunnel surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study included 274 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who underwent primary cubital tunnel surgery at two academic medical centres between 1 June 2015 and 1 March 2020. The patients were divided into four main cohorts based on primary surgical assistant: physician associates (PA, n = 38), orthopaedic or plastic surgery residents (n = 91), hand surgery fellows (n = 132), or both residents and fellows (n = 13). Exclusion criteria included patient age <18 years, revision surgery as the index procedure, prior traumatic ulnar nerve injury and concurrent procedures not related to cubital tunnel surgery. Demographics, clinical variables and perioperative findings were collected through chart reviews. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Patients in all cohorts had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. There was a significantly higher rate of subcutaneous transposition in the PA cohort (39.5% PA vs. 13.2% Resident vs. 19.7% Fellow vs. 15.4% Resident + Fellow). Presence of surgical assistants and trainees had no association with length of surgery, complications and reoperation rates. Although male sex and ulnar nerve transposition were associated with longer operative times, no explanatory variables were associated with complications or reoperation rates.

Conclusions: Surgical trainee involvement in cubital tunnel surgery is safe and has no effect on operative time, complications or reoperation rates. Understanding the role of trainees and measuring the effect of graduated responsibility in surgery is important for medical training and safe patient care.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
To Link or Synthesize? An Approach to Data Quality Comparison
Authors: Smith Duncan , Elliot Mark , Sakshaug Joseph W.
Published: February 2023

Linking administrative data to produce more informative data for subsequent analysis has become an increasingly common practice. However, there might be concomitant risks of disclosing sensitive information about individuals. One practice that reduces these risks is data synthesis. In data synthesis the data are used to fit a model from which synthetic data are then generated. The synthetic data are then released to end users. There are some scenarios where an end user might have the option of using linked data or accepting synthesized data. However, linkage and synthesis are susceptible to errors that could limit their usefulness. Here, we investigate the problem of comparing the quality of linked data to synthesized data and demonstrate through simulations how the problem might be approached. These comparisons are important when considering how an end user can be supplied with the highest-quality data and in situations where one must consider risk/utility tradeoffs.
What To Say When You Don't Know What to Say
Authors: Yaffe Philip
Published: February 2023

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.

Formal public speaking is when people are invited to come to hear what you have to say and for which you usually have plenty of time to prepare. Impromptu public speaking is when you are asked to say something of consequence at a moment's notice. For example, as a student during a class, as an employee during a company meeting, as a participant in a public forum, etc.

On the internet, you can find loads of tips and tactics for successfully handling impromptu speaking. Here we present a tactic you won't find on the internet because it was invented (or rather discovered) by Philip Yaffe,
Ubiquity's
very own communication consultant, and has never before been published.
Gotta Catch ’em All: A Multistage Framework for Honeypot Fingerprinting
Authors: Srinivasa Shreyas , Pedersen Jens Myrup , Vasilomanolakis Emmanouil
Published: February 2023

Honeypots are decoy systems that lure attackers by presenting them with a seemingly vulnerable system. They provide an early detection mechanism as well as a method for learning how adversaries work and think. However, over the past years, several researchers have shown methods for fingerprinting honeypots. This significantly decreases the value of a honeypot; if an attacker is able to recognize the existence of such a system, they can evade it. In this article, we revisit the honeypot identification field, by providing a holistic framework that includes state-of-the-art and novel fingerprinting components. We decrease the probability of false positives by proposing a rigid multi-step approach for labeling a system as a honeypot. We perform extensive scans covering 2.9 billion addresses of the IPv4 space and identify a total of 21,855 honeypot instances. Moreover, we present several interesting side findings such as the identification of around 355,000 non-honeypot systems that represent potentially misconfigured or unpatched vulnerable servers (e.g., SSH servers with default password configurations and vulnerable versions). We ethically disclose our findings to network administrators about the default configuration and the honeypot developers about the gaps in implementation that lead to possible honeypot fingerprinting. Last, we discuss countermeasures against honeypot fingerprinting techniques.
Microstructure and Wear Analysis of Copper-Graphite-Titanium Carbide Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy (P/M) Technique
Authors: Kumar Vimal , Yadav Gaurav , Gupta Pallav
Published: February 2023

In the present paper, powder metallurgy (P/M) technique was employed to create copper matrix composites reinforced with Graphite (Gr.)-Titanium Carbide (TiC) [at 5, 10, and 15 wt.%]. Both Gr. and TiC was used in equal concentration as reinforcements. For this experiment, cylindrical specimens with approximate dimension of 30 mm in length and 10 mm in dia. were created by compacting milled powders under pressure of 540 MPa for 2 min. Green shaped cylindrical specimens were held at 900, 950, and 1000 degrees Celsius for 2 h at the maximum temperature. Composite samples were tested for hardness and compressive strength. Specimens’ microscopic structures were studied with the help of a variety of analytical tools, including an Optical Microscope, SEM and EDS. In composites having copper matrix, reinforcement phase was found to be uniformly dispersed throughout the material. Compressive strength in composites was increased by about 108% at 5 wt.% of Gr.-TiC reinforcement and by about 34% at 10 wt.% of reinforcements (Gr.-TiC). When Gr.-TiC reinforcement was added to a copper matrix at a weight percentage of 15 wt.%, the compressive strength significantly decreased. The wear property of the produced composites was enhanced by including Gr.-TiC reinforcement into the copper matrix.
Mucociliary clearance augmenting drugs block SARS-CoV-2 replication in human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Campos-Gómez Javier , Fernandez Petty Courtney , Mazur Marina , Tang Liping , Solomon George M. , Joseph Reny , Li Qian , Peabody Lever Jacelyn E. , Hussain Shah Saddad , Harrod Kevin S. , Onuoha Ezinwanne E. , Kim Harrison , Rowe Steven M.
Published: February 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, is devastatingly impacting human health. A prominent component of COVID-19 is the infection and destruction of the ciliated respiratory cells, which perpetuates dissemination and disrupts protective mucociliary transport (MCT) function, an innate defense of the respiratory tract. Thus, drugs that augment MCT could improve the barrier function of the airway epithelium and reduce viral replication and, ultimately, COVID-19 outcomes. We tested five agents known to increase MCT through distinct mechanisms for activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a model of human respiratory epithelial cells terminally differentiated in an air/liquid interphase. Three of the five mucoactive compounds tested showed significant inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 replication. An archetype mucoactive agent, ARINA-1, blocked viral replication and therefore epithelial cell injury; thus, it was further studied using biochemical, genetic, and biophysical methods to ascertain the mechanism of action via the improvement of MCT. ARINA-1 antiviral activity was dependent on enhancing the MCT cellular response, since terminal differentiation, intact ciliary expression, and motion were required for ARINA-1-mediated anti-SARS-CoV2 protection. Ultimately, we showed that the improvement of cilia movement was caused by ARINA-1-mediated regulation of the redox state of the intracellular environment, which benefited MCT. Our study indicates that intact MCT reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection, and its pharmacologic activation may be effective as an anti-COVID-19 treatment.
Performance Evaluation and Identification of Key Influencing Factors for Student Achievement Based on the Entropy‐Weighted TOPSIS Model
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2023

To address the shortcomings of the existing comprehensive evaluation methods, the entropy TOPSIS (Technique for Oder Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method was introduced into the comprehensive evaluation of classes students’ grades in college, and the results of year 2019∼2020 of 30 classes student’s major courses of 2 colleges within 2 semesters were used as an example for analysis. The study shows that the entropy TOPSIS method can not only effectively reflect the course differences but also avoid the subjectivity of weight setting and improve the rationality and objectivity of the comprehensive evaluation and ranking of students’ performance in classes, and it can be used as an objective evaluation tool for the external factors affecting students’ performance. At the same time, the internal factors affecting students’ performance are analyzed. It can be found that reasonable sleep time and the cultivation of good study motivation can help improve students’ academic performance. The results of this paper are of great theoretical value and technical reference value for scientific evaluation of student performance in universities.
The Components of the Spiritual Intelligence Predicting the Mental Toughness and Emotional Creativity for the University Students
Authors: Hassan Amany Abdultawab Saleh
Published: February 2023

The present study aims to investigate the components of spiritual intelligence that predict mental toughness and emotional creativity. It also reveals the statistically significant differences in spiritual intelligence, mental toughness, and emotional creativity in terms of the gender and academic specialization variables. The measurements of spiritual intelligence, mental toughness, and the measurement of emotional creativity have been applied to a sample study consisting of 192 male and female students from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. The results of the study have proven that it is possible to predict mental toughness through the components of spiritual intelligence. In addition, the positive diagnosis of difficulties was considered to be the most significant component in predicting emotional creativity, followed by awareness and transcendence. The results also showed that there are no statistically significant differences between spiritual intelligence and mental toughness concerning the gender variable or the academic specialization and the same case applies to emotional creativity in terms of specialization. However, there are statistically significant differences in emotional creativity which can be accounted for by the gender variable for males.
Optimization Enabled Deep Learning‐Based DDoS Attack Detection in Cloud Computing
Authors: Balasubramaniam S. , Vijesh Joe C. , Sivakumar T. A. , Prasanth A. , Satheesh Kumar K. , Kavitha V. , Dhanaraj Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2023

Cloud computing is a vast revolution in information technology (IT) that inhibits scalable and virtualized sources to end users with low infrastructure cost and maintenance. They also have much flexibility and these resources are supervised by various management organizations and provided over the Internet by known standards, formats, and networking protocols. Legacy protocols and underlying technologies consist of vulnerabilities and bugs which open doors for intrusion by network attackers. Attacks as distributed denial of service (DDoS) are one of most frequent attacks, which impose heavy damage and affect performance of the cloud. In this research work, DDoS attack detection is easily identified in an optimized way through a novel algorithm, namely, the proposed gradient hybrid leader optimization (GHLBO) algorithm. This optimized algorithm is responsible to train a deep stacked autoencoder (DSA) that detects the attack in an efficient manner. Here, fusion of features is carried out by deep maxout network (DMN) with an overlap coefficient, and augmentation of data is carried out by the oversampling process. Furthermore, the proposed GHLBO is generated by integrating the gradient descent and hybrid leader‐based optimization (HLBO) algorithm. Also, this proposed method is assessed by various performance metrics, such as the true positive rate (TPR), true negative rate (TNR), and testing accuracy with values attained as 0.909, 0.909, and 0.917, accordingly.
Synthesis of Spherical Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by Chemical Precipitation Method and Investigation of Their Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Nahar Bodrun , Chaity Shakira Billah , Gafur Md. Abdul , Hossain Muhammad Zamir
Published: February 2023

Methylene blue (MB) dye and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria in wastewater are the two significant problems currently. Researchers have been looking for materials that can combat these two problems at the same time. In the present study, we describe the synthesis of spherical copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) by the chemical precipitation method and evaluate their photocatalytic performance against MB dye and antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus. CuO NPs were produced using copper acetate monohydrate (Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O) as the precursor and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the reducing agent. Synthesized CuO NPs were characterized using a combination of techniques, including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction analysis. All the analyses indicated that monoclinic CuO NPs were formed with a spherical shape and an average particle size of 6.2 nm. Photocatalytic experiments indicated that 55.5% of a 10 ppm MB dye solution was degraded by the prepared nano-CuO photocatalyst only after 60 min. Additionally, synthesized CuO NPs demonstrated, to some extent, the zone of inhibition on the S. aureus bacterium’s cell wall. It is inspiring that CuO NPs can be used to solve two problems of MB dye contamination and S. aureus bacterial infection simultaneously.
Energy Dispatching Based on an Improved PSO‐ACO Algorithm
Authors: Song Qisong , Yu Liya , Li Shaobo , Hanajima Naohiko , Zhang Xingxing , Pu Ruiqiang
Published: February 2023

In order to improve the comprehensive performance of energy dispatching between different sites, the optimization research of particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is carried out. We proposed a new improved PSO‐ACO algorithm based on the idea of hybrid algorithm to solve the problem of poor energy dispatching efficiency between sites. First, the multiobjective performance indicators were introduced to transform the sites’ energy dispatching problem into a multiobjective optimization problem. Second, the vitality factor was introduced into the PSO strategy to solve the local optimal problem, and in the PSO‐ACO fusion strategy, the PSO routes were transformed into the ant colony enhancement pheromone to accelerate the accumulation speed of the ACO initial pheromone. Then, the angle guidance function was introduced into the state transition probability of the ACO strategy to improve the global search capability, and a high‐quality pheromone update rule was proposed to improve the convergence speed of the algorithm. Finally, simulation experiments were carried out on the improved PSO‐ACO algorithm, Min–Max Ant System (MMAS) algorithm, ACO algorithm, PSO algorithm, and PSO update algorithm in a variety of complex site scenarios. The simulation results show that the improved PSO‐ACO algorithm can plan a site energy dispatching route with shorter route, less time‐consuming, and higher security and realize the comprehensive and global optimization of energy dispatching.
Oral Administration Evaluation of the Hydro‐Ethanolic Extract of Ginger (Rhizome of Zingiber officinale) against Postoperative‐Induced Peritoneal Adhesion: Investigating the Role of Anti‐Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects
Authors: Yahyazadeh Roghayeh , Baradaran Rahimi Vafa , Mohajeri Seyed Ahmad , Iranshahy Milad , Yahyazadeh Ahmad , Hasanpour Maede , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Askari Vahid Reza
Published: February 2023

Peritoneal adhesions (PAs) occur and develop after abdominal surgery. Abdominal adhesions are common and often develop after abdominal surgery. Currently, there are no effective targeted pharmacotherapies for treating adhesive disease. In this regard, ginger is wildly used in traditional medicine because of its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects and has been investigated for peritoneal adhesion treatment. This study analyzed ginger ethanolic extraction via HPLC to have a 6‐gingerol concentration. Four groups induced peritoneal adhesion to evaluate ginger’s effects on peritoneal adhesion. Then, ginger extract (50, 150, and 450 mg/kg) was administered by gavage in various groups of male Wistar rats (220 ± 20 g, 6–8 weeks). After scarifying the animals for biological assessment, macroscopic and microscopic parameters were determined via scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Next, the adhesion scores and interleukin IL‐6, IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor‐(TNF‐) α, transforming growth factor‐(TGF‐) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were elevated in the control group. The results showed that ginger extract (450 mg/kg) notably decreased inflammatory (IL‐6 and TNF‐α), fibrosis (TGF‐β1), anti‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐10), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group. These findings suggest that a hydro‐alcoholic extract of ginger is a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for inhibiting adhesion formation. Also, it might be considered a beneficial anti‐inflammatory or antifibrosis herbal medicine in clinical trials. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of ginger.
A Unified Interpretable Intelligent Learning Diagnosis Framework for Learning Performance Prediction in Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Authors: Wang Zhifeng , Yan Wenxing , Zeng Chunyan , Tian Yuan , Dong Shi
Published: February 2023

Intelligent learning diagnosis is a critical engine of intelligent tutoring systems, which aims to estimate learners’ current knowledge mastery status and predict their future learning performance. The significant challenge with traditional learning diagnosis methods is the inability to balance diagnostic accuracy and interpretability. Although the existing psychometric‐based learning diagnosis methods provide some domain interpretation through cognitive parameters, they have insufficient modeling capability with a shallow structure for large‐scale learning data. While the deep learning‐based learning diagnosis methods have improved the accuracy of learning performance prediction, their inherent black‐box properties lead to a lack of interpretability, making their results untrustworthy for educational applications. To settle the abovementioned problem, the proposed unified interpretable intelligent learning diagnosis framework, which benefits from the powerful representation learning ability of deep learning and the interpretability of psychometrics, achieves a better performance of learning prediction and provides interpretability from three aspects: cognitive parameters, learner‐resource response network, and weights of self‐attention mechanism. Within the proposed framework, this paper presents a two‐channel learning diagnosis mechanism LDM‐ID as well as a three‐channel learning diagnosis mechanism LDM‐HMI. Experiments on two real‐world datasets and a simulation dataset show that our method has higher accuracy in predicting learners’ performances compared with the state‐of‐the‐art models and can provide valuable educational interpretability for applications such as precise learning resource recommendation and personalized learning tutoring in intelligent tutoring systems.
The Activity of Metalloproteases and Serine Proteases in Various Organs after Leiurus macroctenus Envenomation
Authors: Gunas Valery , Maievskyi Oleksandr , Raksha Nataliia , Vovk Tetiana , Savchuk Oleksiy , Shchypanskyi Serhii , Gunas Igor
Published: February 2023

Background. Scorpion stings may be life-threatening since their venoms are comprised of a wide range of toxins and other bioactive molecules, such as enzymes. At the same time, scorpion envenomation may increase matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) levels, which enhance proteolytic tissue destruction by venom. However, investigations on the impact of many scorpions’ venoms, such as those of Leiurus macroctenus, on tissue proteolytic activity and MMP levels have not yet been conducted. Methods and Results. The present study aimed to examine the total proteolysis levels in various organs after Leiurus macroctenus envenomation and evaluate the metalloproteases and serine proteases’ contributions to the total proteolytic activity. Changes in MMPs and TIMP-1 levels were tested as well. Envenomation led to a significant increase in proteolytic activity levels in all assessed organs, mostly in the heart (by 3.34 times) and lungs (by 2.25 times). Conclusions. Since EDTA presence showed a noticeable decrease in total proteolytic activity level, metalloproteases appeared to play a prominent role in total proteolytic activity. At the same time, MMPs and TIMP-1 levels were increased in all assessed organs, suggesting that Leiurus macroctenus envenomation causes systemic envenomation, which may induce multiple organ abnormalities, mostly because of the uncontrolled metalloprotease activity.
High Prevalence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hungarian Pig Farms and Genomic Evidence for the Spillover of the Pathogen to Humans
Authors: Albert Ervin , Sipos Rita , Perreten Vincent , Tóth Ákos , Ungvári Erika , Papp Márton , Dán Ádám , Biksi Imre
Published: February 2023

Livestock-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) strains of clonal complex (CC) 398 are widely disseminated in pigs and are considered emerging pathogens in human medicine. To investigate the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of the pathogen in pig production settings, dust samples were collected from 40 pig operations in Hungary, along with nasal swabs of attending veterinarians and other swine professionals (n = 27) in 2019. MRSA isolates were further characterized by performing whole-genome sequencing and susceptibility testing. The whole-genome sequences of 14 human-derived LA-MRSA clinical isolates from the same year were also included in the study. The proportion of positive farms was 83% (33/40), and 70% (19/27) of the swine professionals carried the pathogen. All but one MRSA strain belonged to CC398, including the human clinical isolates. The core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed clusters of closely-related isolates of both environmental and human origin with a pairwise allelic distance of ≤24, and both cgMLST and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses suggest recent transmission events between the farm environment and humans. Four human clinical isolates harboured the immune-evasion gene cluster, of which one was considered to be closely related to farm isolates. Half of the swine-related strains showed decreased susceptibility to eight or more antimicrobials, and along with human isolates, they carried eight different types of multidrug-resistance genes, including cfr. The results showed a dramatic increase in the occurrence of LA-MRSA in the swine industry in Hungary, compared with the 2% prevalence reported by the European Food Safety Authority baseline study in 2008. The wide range of antimicrobial resistance of the strains, accompanied by the emergence of the pathogen in humans — both asymptomatic carriers and diseased — call for revision of the risk posed by LA-MRSA to the public health.
Load‐Balancing Strategy: Employing a Capsule Algorithm for Cutting Down Energy Consumption in Cloud Data Centers for Next Generation Wireless Systems
Authors: Singh Jyoti , Chen Jingchao , Singh Santar Pal , Singh Mukund Pratap , Hassan Montaser M. , Hassan Mohamed M. , Awal Halifa
Published: February 2023

Per‐user pricing is possible with cloud computing, a relatively new technology. It provides remote testing and commissioning services through the web, and it utilizes virtualization to make available computing resources. In order to host and store firm data, cloud computing relies on data centers. Data centers are made up of networked computers, cables, power supplies, and other components. Cloud data centers have always had to prioritise high performance over energy efficiency. The biggest obstacle is finding a happy medium between system performance and energy consumption, namely, lowering energy use without compromising system performance or service quality. These results were obtained using the PlanetLab dataset. In order to implement the strategy we recommend, it is crucial to get a complete picture of how energy is being consumed in the cloud. Using proper optimization criteria and guided by energy consumption models, this article offers the Capsule Significance Level of Energy Consumption (CSLEC) pattern, which demonstrates how to conserve more energy in cloud data centers. Capsule optimization’s prediction phase F1‐score of 96.7 percent and 97 percent data accuracy allow for more precise projections of future value.
Control over Vortex Shedding and Drag Force on a Circular Obstacle Using a Pair of Downstream Splitter Plates in a Transient Flow
Authors: Ain Qurrat Ul , Mahmood Rashid , Abbasi Waqas Sarwar
Published: February 2023

The current work is an analysis of the laminar, two‐dimensional, and transient flow over a circular cylinder with a two‐branched splitter plate. For complex nonlinear governing equations, the finite element method is used as a computational approach. The objective of the current study is to determine the best conditions using geometrical characteristics along with the impact of Reynolds number Re.The geometric parameters, α which is the angle of separation between the pair of splitter plates of length L and G/D which is the gap from diameter ratio of the splitter plate to cylinder diameter, are the controlling tools for the present study. Due to its little impact on flow characteristics, it was discovered that using a two‐branched splitter plate in Reynolds numbers under 100 is not desirable. A complete vortex shedding has been achieved with α = 0° and G/D = 2 at Re = 100 and also the periodic behavior of velocity has been controlled. The least drag force is observed at an angle of 30° between the two plates compared to another angle of 0°. It is not advised to use two splitter plates at angles more than 30° because this will not further contribute in the drag reduction. Since the gap to diameter ratio between the splitter plates and the cylinder increased up to a significant value, the overall control on hydrodynamic effects is achieved. It is concluded that the maximum drag reduction of 48% over the cylinder has taken place when the Re is 200, α is 30°, and G/D is 2.