bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare security in cloud‐based wireless sensor networks: Botnet attack detection via autoencoder‐aided goal‐based artificial intelligent agent
Authors: Chellathurai Amirthabai Subasini , Malhotra Udita , Thapasimuthu Rajeswari Saravanan , Thachankurichy Natesan Sudhahar 
Published: June 2024

SummaryThis paper presents a new method in the field of healthcare security that specifically targets cloud‐based wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The suggested method integrates a goal‐based artificial intelligent agent (GAIA) with an autoencoder (AE) architecture, yielding an autoencoder‐based agent (AE‐A). The main goal of this integrated system is to improve the efficiency of identifying botnet assaults, with a specific emphasis on the evolving security threats related to cloud computing. Our concept is around creating a meticulously calibrated, goal‐driven AI agent tailored explicitly for healthcare applications. The agent meticulously analyses network data and proficiently integrates autoencoder‐enhanced anomaly detection techniques to uncover intricate patterns indicative of botnet activities. The adaptability of the goal‐based AI agent is improved by ongoing real‐time learning, guaranteeing that its responses are in line with the primary goal of neutralizing threats. The autoencoder serves a vital role in the system by functioning as a tool for extracting features. This approach enables the AI Agent to navigate complex information and derive significant insights efficiently. Cloud computing resources greatly enhance the functionalities of a system, enabling scalability, real‐time analysis, and improved responsiveness. Utilizing goal‐driven AI and autoencoder together proves to be a successful strategy in safeguarding healthcare‐oriented WSNs against botnet attacks. This technique takes a proactive stance in ensuring the security of sensitive medical data. The suggested model is evaluated against various models, including the bidirectional long short‐term memory (BLSTM) method, the hybrid BLSTM with recurrent neural network (BLSTM‐RNN) algorithm, and the Random Forest algorithm. The models are evaluated using metrics such as Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), prediction rate, accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 score analysis. The investigation demonstrates that the suggested model achieved the most significant values of 93% MCC, 94% prediction rate, 91% accuracy, 98% recall, 98% precision, and 98% F1 score, respectively when compared to the existing models.
Using EMBL‐EBI Services via Web Interface and Programmatically via Web Services
Authors: Madeira Fábio , Madhusoodanan Nandana , Lee Joonheung , Eusebi Alberto , Niewielska Ania , Tivey Adrian R. N. , Meacham Stuart , Lopez Rodrigo , Butcher Sarah 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL‐EBI)’s Job Dispatcher framework provides access to a wide range of core databases and analysis tools that are of key importance in bioinformatics. As well as providing web interfaces to these resources, web services are available using REST and SOAP protocols that enable programmatic access and allow their integration into other applications and analytical workflows and pipelines. This article describes the various options available to researchers and bioinformaticians who would like to use our resources via the web interface employing RESTful web services clients provided in Perl, Python, and Java or who would like to use Docker containers to integrate the resources into analysis pipelines and workflows. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Retrieving data from EMBL‐EBI using Dbfetch via the web interfaceAlternate Protocol 1: Retrieving data from EMBL‐EBI using WSDbfetch via the REST interfaceAlternate Protocol 2: Retrieving data from EMBL‐EBI using Dbfetch via RESTful web services with Python clientSupport Protocol 1: Installing Python REST web services clientsBasic Protocol 2: Sequence similarity search using FASTA search via the web interfaceAlternate Protocol 3: Sequence similarity search using FASTA via RESTful web services with Perl clientSupport Protocol 2: Installing Perl REST web services clientsBasic Protocol 3: Sequence similarity search using NCBI BLAST+ RESTful web services with Python clientBasic Protocol 4: Sequence similarity search using HMMER3 phmmer REST web services with Perl client and DockerSupport Protocol 3: Installing Docker and running the EMBL‐EBI client containerBasic Protocol 5: Protein functional analysis using InterProScan 5 RESTful web services with the Python client and DockerAlternate Protocol 4: Protein functional analysis using InterProScan 5 RESTful web services with the Java clientSupport Protocol 4: Installing Java web services clientsBasic Protocol 6: Multiple sequence alignment using Clustal Omega via web interfaceAlternate Protocol 5: Multiple sequence alignment using Clustal Omega with Perl client and DockerSupport Protocol 5: Exploring the RESTful API with OpenAPI User Inferface
Diagnostic value of aMMP‐8 and azurocidin in peri‐implant sulcular fluid as biomarkers of peri‐implant health or disease
Authors: Xanthopoulou Vithleem , Räisänen Ismo T. , Sorsa Timo , Tortopidis Dimitrios , Sakellari Dimitra 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of testing for active matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8) by a quantitative point‐of‐care (PoC), chairside lateral flow immunotest and azurocidin, in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF), as biomarkers for the presence or absence of peri‐implant diseases.BackgroundCurrent research indicates that proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes may be of value to diagnose and predict peri‐implant disease initiation and progression, but more data are needed.MethodsEighty patients with implants were recruited. PISF samples were collected and quantitatively analyzed for aMMP‐8 (chairside) and azurocidin with ELISA. Radiographic assessments and clinical indices (probing depth, probing attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque) were recorded after sampling. Kruskal‐Wallis test and pairwise post hoc Dunn‐Bonferroni test were used to relate aMMP‐8 levels and azurocidin levels to clinical parameters. The diagnostic ability of aMMP‐8 (ng/mL) and azurocidin was analyzed by receiver operator curve analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated and the Spearman's rho, and the coefficient of determination (R2) were used to calculate the correlations between aMMP‐8, azurocidin, and periodontal parameters.ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed for aMMP‐8 levels but not for azurocidin between healthy implants, implants with mucositis, and those with peri‐implantitis (13.65 ± 7.18, 32.33 ± 21.20, and 73.07 ± 43.93 ng/mL, respectively), (Kruskall–Wallis test p < .05). The aMMP‐8 test with a threshold of 20 ng/mL has a sensitivity of 71.7% and a specificity of 77.8% to identify peri‐implantitis and healthy implants, respectively. AUC was found to be 0.814, and the accuracy of the method reaches 73.8%. Above a cutoff value of 33.7 ng/mL of aMMP‐8, the accuracy of the test to detect peri‐implantitis reaches 77.5% in relation to 62.5% of BoP from the same site.ConclusionTaken collectively, present data indicate that the aMMP‐8 PoC lateral flow immunotest can be a beneficial, adjunctive diagnostic quantitative tool for real‐time screening for peri‐implant diseases.
Spot urine sodium‐to‐creatinine ratio surpasses sodium in identifying poor diuretic response in acute heart failure
Authors: Iwanek Gracjan , Guzik Mateusz , Zymliński Robert , Fudim Marat , Ponikowski Piotr , Biegus Jan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimsWe aim to identify the most accurate marker for early prediction of poor diuretic response in acute heart failure (AHF) patients with signs of congestion requiring intravenous diuretic treatment.MethodsIn this single‐centre, prospective observational study, AHF patients with signs of congestion received a standardized intravenous furosemide dose (1 mg/kg of body weight; 40 mg in bolus and remaining dose in 2 h continuous infusion). Subsequently, we assessed spot urine composition at 2 h post‐administration, comparing it with total urine output at 6 h. Various potential urine markers were analysed for predicting urine output using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression models. We investigated guideline‐recommended markers, including spot urine sodium (UNa+) and its cut‐off, and introduced the UNa+/UCr (urine creatinine concentration) ratio adjusting UNa+ for urine dilution.ResultsOut of 111 patients (85% males, 66.4 ± 13.9 years old, NTproBNP 7290 [4493–14 582] pg/ml), there were 18 (16%) with a poor diuretic response (cumulative urine output <600 ml during the first 6 h). The mean 6 h cumulative diuresis in patients with poor and good diuretic response was 406 ± 142 and 2114 ± 1164 ml, respectively, P < 0.005. After an initial evaluation of several potential biomarkers, only UNa+, UCr and UNa+/UCr were selected as candidates with the highest predictive value. The cut‐off for UNa+ adjusted for urine dilution: UNa+/UCr ratio <0.167 mmol/mg × 10−1 was determined by ROC analysis with the highest area under the curve (95% confidence interval): 0.956 (0.915–0.997), P < 0.001. When compared with the guideline‐recommended cut‐off (UNa+ <50 mmol/L as a reference, specificity—0.97; sensitivity—0.83), the odds ratio (OR) for UNa+/UCreat to identify a poor diuretic response was 2.5 times greater, regardless of kidney function (OR for estimated glomerular filtration rate in the logistic regression model was 0.978 [0.945–1.013, P = 0.222]).ConclusionsThe UNa+/UCr ratio in a spot urine sample 2 h after intravenous diuretic administration is a simple, highly predictive marker for the identification of AHF patients with poor diuretic response, surpassing guidelines‐recommended markers like UNa+.
Renal dysfunction is a time‐varying risk predictor of sudden cardiac death in heart failure
Authors: Sobue Yoshihiro , Watanabe Eiichi , Funato Yusuke , Yanase Masanobu , Izawa Hideo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimsSudden cardiac death (SCD) is a common mode of death in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation is established treatment for SCD prevention, but current eligibility criteria based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class may be due for reconsideration given the increasing effectiveness of pharmacological therapy. We sought to reconsider the risk stratification of SCD in patients with symptomatic CHF.MethodsIn total, 1,676 consecutive patients (74 ± 13 years old; 56% male) with NYHA class II or III CHF between 2008 and 2015 were enrolled for this prospective study. The endpoint was SCD.ResultsDuring a median (interquartile range) follow‐up period of 25 (4–70) months, 198 (11.8%) patients suffered SCD. Of those events, 23% occurred within 3 months of discharge. In the adjusted analyses, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.70, P = 0.01] and LVEF ≤ 35% (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.47–3.66, P < 0.01) were independent risk predictors of SCD. Addition of eGFR to LVEF significantly improved prediction of SCD in the C‐index (P = 0.04), and in two metrics, net reclassification improvement (P = 0.01) and integrated discrimination improvement (P = 0.03). The predictive power of eGFR declined time‐dependently over 2 years.ConclusionsThe addition of eGFR to current eligibility criteria may be useful for risk assessment of SCD, although its predictive power wanes over time. Roughly a quarter of the SCD occurred within 3 months after discharge in patients with CHF.
River floodplains as source or sink for fine sediment and total phosphorus export in an agricultural watershed
Authors: Moustakidis Iordanis (Danny) V. , Schilling Keith E. , Weber Larry J. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFloodplains constitute a vital and integrated component of the riverine network ensuring the connectivity and continuity of the river with the upland watershed areas. However, the sediment trapping efficiency of floodplains has not been well investigated. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the functionality of floodplains to act as either sources or sinks for fine sediments and sediment‐bound nutrients (e.g., total phosphorus) during floods of various return periods. Thus, we hypothesized that (i) soil texture, in terms of topsoil erodibility and (ii) the magnitude of the incoming flood, in terms of the applied shear stress, are the two key parameters govern river floodplains' ability to store or release fine sediments and total phosphorus, during major flood conditions. Topsoil erodibility experiments were coupled with site‐specific flood inundation maps to estimate the eroded fine sediment mass and the total phosphorus release rates per unit area per unit time of each flood condition considered. Results suggested that the floodplain soils of the upstream reaches act as net sources, the floodplains of the midstream reaches have a dual functionality; during low magnitude flood events (up to 10‐year return periods), they act as net sinks, while during higher flood events, they act as sources; and the floodplains of the downstream reaches largely act as sinks. This study results are applicable for watershed managers to identify floodplain areas vulnerable to erosion and sources of nutrient pollution.
A perspective on three trade‐offs of blockchain technology for the global strategy of the MNC
Authors: Hakkarainen Tuuli , Colicev Anatoli , Pedersen Torben 
Published: June 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryNew technology plays a key role in shaping the global strategy of the MNC. We propose a perspective on how and why a novel technological development—blockchain technology—and its relevant applications affect the global strategy of the MNC. We focus on the trade‐offs associated with cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and blockchain data, and provide several real‐world examples. While cryptocurrencies could lower financial costs and broaden consumers' payment options, they require new investments in cybersecurity and payment infrastructure. Smart contracts could increase trust in collaboration due to their automated, transparent, and inflexible rules, but their rigidity can harm collaboration. Finally, while blockchain data can enhance the MNC's analytics capabilities, it can also jeopardize consumer privacy.Managerial SummaryIs blockchain technology all hype or a useful advancement for global firms? We propose that this technology has merits and drawbacks for financial transactions, collaboration, and data analytics. Cryptocurrencies have stolen the headlines and several leading organizations have already added them as payment methods. Their merits include lower transaction fees, better security, and higher speed, but they require expensive infrastructure and carry a stigma. Smart contracts can streamline agreements between parties but lack the flexibility that global firms need when interacting with suppliers and partners. Novel blockchain data can be plugged into marketing dashboards but can also threaten consumer privacy. Overall, the jury is still out on the role of blockchain technology for global firms.
Elastomers Based on Polynorbornene with Polar Polysiloxane Brushes for Soft Transducer Applications
Authors: Adeli Yeerlan , Venkatesan Thulasinath Raman , Nüesch Frank A. , Opris Dorina M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractElastomers based on cross‐linked bottlebrush polymers combine an extreme softness at low strains with a strain‐stiffening effect, which makes them attractive as active components in dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA). Their main disadvantage concerns the small relative permittivity, which is about 3.5, requiring relatively high driving voltage in actuators. We synthesized a bottlebrush polymer elastomer with polar brushes, which exhibit an enhanced dielectric permittivity of 4.4. Anionic ring‐opening polymerization of a polar cyclosiloxane gave telechelic polar brushes, while ring‐opening polymerization of a norbornene macromonomer gave a bottlebrush polymer which was cross‐linked to elastomers by a thiol‐ene reaction. Elastomers with a small elastic modulus below 100 kPa, strain at break exceeding 100 %, attractive elasticity, and small mechanical loss factors (tanδ) were achieved. Temperature‐dependent impedance measurements revealed a transition temperature of −95 °C and an interfacial polarization. The multigram scale synthesis demonstrates the potential for scaling up, which opens the door to broader applications of these materials beyond actuators, such as capacitive sensors, batteries, and electroluminescent devices. Notably, these devices operate at extremely low voltages where the dielectric breakdown does not limit their functionality, but still, the softness and the increased dielectric permittivity are a plus.
Physical frailty, genetic predisposition, and incident arrhythmias
Authors: Zhang Yucong , Liu Man , Li Jiajun , Ruan Lei , Wu Xiaofen , Zhang Cuntai , Chen Liangkai 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundCross‐sectional evidence suggests a possible link between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF). It remains unclear whether frailty and incident arrhythmias are longitudinally associated. This study aimed to determine whether the frailty phenotype is longitudinally associated with incident arrhythmias, especially AF.MethodsIn this prospective cohort of UK Biobank, individuals with arrhythmias at baseline, those without data for frailty phenotype, and no genetic data were excluded. Five domains of physical frailty, including weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, low grip strength, and slow gait speed, were assessed. A total of 142 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms was used to calculate the polygenic risk score (PRS) for AF. Hospital inpatient records and death records were used to identify incident arrhythmias.ResultsThis study included 464 154 middle‐aged and older adults (mean age 56.4 ± 8.1 years, 54.7% female) without arrhythmia at baseline. During a median follow‐up of 13.4 years (over 5.9 million person‐years), 46 454 new‐onset arrhythmias cases were recorded. In comparison with non‐frailty, the multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of AF were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.15, P < 0.0001) and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.36, 1.51, P < 0.0001) for participants with pre‐frailty and frailty, respectively. Similar associations were observed for other arrhythmias. We found that slow gait speed presented the strongest risk factor in predicting all arrhythmias, including AF (HR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.39), bradyarrhythmias (HR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.37), conduction system diseases (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.36), supraventricular arrhythmias (HR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.47), and ventricular arrhythmias (HR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.25, 1.51), with all P values <0.0001. In addition to slow gait speed, weight loss (HR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.16, P < 0.0001) and exhaustion (HR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.14, P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with incident AF, whereas insignificant associations were observed for physical activity (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.996, 1.08, P = 0.099) and low grip strength (HR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.03, P = 0.89). We observed a significant interaction between genetic predisposition and frailty on incident AF (P for interaction <0.0001), where those with frailty and the highest tertile of PRS had the highest risk of AF (HR 3.34, 95% CI: 3.08, 3.61, P < 0.0001) compared with those with non‐frailty and the lowest tertile of PRS.ConclusionsPhysical pre‐frailty and frailty were significantly and independently associated with incident arrhythmias. Although direct causal inference still needs to be further validated, these results suggested the importance of assessing and managing frailty for arrhythmia prevention.
Quantification of urinary podocyte‐derived migrasomes for the diagnosis of kidney disease
Authors: Yang Rong , Zhang Heng , Chen Si , Lou Kaibin , Zhou Meng , Zhang Mingchao , Lu Rui , Zheng Chunxia , Li Limin , Chen Qihan , Liu Zhihong , Zen Ke , Yuan Yanggang , Liang Hongwei 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMigrasomes represent a recently uncovered category of extracellular microvesicles, spanning a diameter range of 500 to 3000 nm. They are emitted by migrating cells and harbour a diverse array of RNAs and proteins. Migrasomes can be readily identified in bodily fluids like serum and urine, rendering them a valuable non‐invasive source for disease diagnosis through liquid biopsy. In this investigation, we introduce a streamlined and effective approach for the capture and quantitative assessment of migrasomes, employing wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)‐coated magnetic beads and flow cytometry (referred to as WBFC). Subsequently, we examined the levels of migrasomes in the urine of kidney disease (KD) patients with podocyte injury and healthy volunteers using WBFC. The outcomes unveiled a substantial increase in urinary podocyte‐derived migrasome concentrations among individuals with KD with podocyte injury compared to the healthy counterparts. Notably, the urinary podocyte‐derived migrasomes were found to express an abundant quantity of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) proteins. The presence of PLA2R proteins in these migrasomes holds promise for serving as a natural antigen for the quantification of autoantibodies against PLA2R in the serum of patients afflicted by membranous nephropathy. Consequently, our study not only pioneers a novel technique for the isolation and quantification of migrasomes but also underscores the potential of urinary migrasomes as a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of KD with podocyte injury.
Molecular characterization and expression analysis of thyroid hormone receptors in protogynous rice field eel, Monopterus albus
Authors: Feng Ke , Su Jialin , Sun Lei , Guo Ying , Peng Xiwen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThyroid hormones (THs) play important roles in growth, development, morphogenesis, reproduction, and so on. They are mainly meditated by binding to thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in vertebrates. As important members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, TRs and their ligands are involved in many biological processes. To investigate the potential roles of TRs in the gonadal differentiation and sex change, we cloned and characterized the TRs genes in protogynous rice field eel (Monopterus albus). In this study, three types of TRs were obtained, which were TRαA, TRαB and TRβ, encoding preproproteins of 336‐, 409‐ and 415‐amino acids, respectively. Multiple alignments of the three putative TRs protein sequences showed they had a higher similarity. Tissue expression analysis showed that TRαA mainly expressed in the gonad, while TRαB and TRβ in the brain. During female‐to‐male sex reversal, the expression levels of all the three TRs showed a similar trend of increase followed by a decrease in the gonad. Intraperitoneal injection of triiodothyronine (T3) stimulated the expression of TRαA and TRαB, while it had no significant change on the expression of TRβ in the ovary. Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) injection also significantly upregulated the expression levels of TRαA and TRαB after 6 h, while it had no significant effect on TRβ. These results demonstrated that TRs were involved in the gonadal differentiation and sex reversal, and TRα may play more important roles than TRβ in reproduction by the regulation of GnRHa in rice field eel.