bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Hybrid Protocol and Code Related Information Reconciliation Scheme for Physical Layer Secret Key Generation
Authors: Sujata Kadam Et al. 
Published: February 2024

Wireless networks are vulnerable to various attacks due to their open nature, making them susceptible to eavesdropping and other security threats. Eavesdropping attack takes place at the physical layer. Traditional wireless network security relies on cryptographic techniques to secure data transmissions. However, these techniques may not be suitable for all scenarios, especially in resource-constrained environments such as wireless sensor networks and adhoc networks. In these networks having limited power resources, generating cryptographic keys between mobile entities can be challenging. Also, the cryptographic keys are computationally complex and require key management infrastructure. Physical Layer Key Generation (PLKG) is an emerging solution to address these challenges. It establishes secure communication between two users by taking advantage of the wireless channel's inherent features. PLKG process involves channel probing, quantization, information reconciliation (IR) and privacy amplification to generate symmetric secret key. The researchers have used various PLKG techniques to get the secret key, sTop of Form
till they face problems in the IR scheme to obtain symmetric keys between the users who share the same channel for communication. Both the code based and protocol based methods proposed in the literature have advantages and limitations related to their performance parameters such as information leakage, interaction delay and computation complexity. This research work proposes a novel IR mechanism that combines the protocol and code-based error correction methods to obtain reduced Bit Mismatch Rate (BMR), reduced information leakage, reduced interaction delay, and reduced computational time to enhance physical layer secret key's quality. In the proposed research work, the channel samples are generated using the Received Signal Strength (RSS) and Channel Impulse Response (CIR) parameters. These samples are quantized using Vector Quantization with Affinity Propagation Clustering (VQAPC) method to generate the preliminary key. The samples collected by the two users who wish to communicate, (for example Alice and Bob) will be different due to noise in the channel and hardware limitations. Hence their preliminary keys will be different. Removing this discrepancy between Bob's and Alice's initial keys, using novel Hybrid Protocol and Code related Information Reconciliation (HPC-IR) scheme to generate error corrected key, is the most important contribution of this research work. This key is further encoded by the MD5 hash function to generate a final secret key for exchanging information between two users over the wireless channel. It is observed that the proposed HPC-IR scheme achieves BMR of 19.4%, information leakage is 0.002, interaction delay is 0.001 seconds and computation time is 0.02 seconds.
Pre- and post- treatment changes in lip position: A retrospective cephalometric study on bimaxillary protrusion cases
Authors: Mohapatra Masum , Tandon Ragni , Singh Kamlesh , Chandra Pratik , Mishra Shreya V. 
Published: February 2024

Pre and Post treatment changes in lip position To determine the changes in lip position in pre and post treatment lateral Cephalogram in bimaxillary protrusion cases. Retrospective Cephalometric study on bimaxillary protrusion cases. The study comprised of 45 subjects (6 Male and 39 Females) aged between 18 to 26 years having Bimaxillary protrusion malocclusion and treated with all four first premolar extraction. The pre-treatment and post treatment lateral cephalograms were traced and landmarks were identified Statistical analysis used: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23; Chicago Inc., IL, USA), Kolmogorov –Smirnov and Shapiro Wilk tests, One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's post hoc analysis. A positive correlation was found in changes in pre- and post-treatment changes in upper lip curvature, H-Line Angle, Upper sulcus depth, Upper lip strain, changes in the upper lip and the soft tissue from the nose tip, length of upper and lower lip, Nasolabial angle, Upper lip protrusion, Lower lip protrusion. However changes in Facial angle, Steiner’s S line, Upper and lower lip thickness were not statistically significant. Treatment of Bimaxillary protrusion cases with extraction of all four first premolars resulted in a significant improvement in facial profile, esthetics and enhanced the soft tissue harmony.
Evaluation of orthodontic treatment need in school children of shimla using index of orthodontic treatment need
Authors: Chauhan Sonia , Negi K. S. , Negi Nishant 
Published: February 2024

: The objective of this survey was to assess the orthodontic treatment need in school children of Shimla aged 12-16 years using Index of orthodontic treatment need.The study included 576 children studying in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India who were assessed for orthodontic treatment need using IOTN and results were expressed in percentages. The difference in orthodontic treatment need for males and female and the orthodontist and subjects perception of orthodontic treatment need was calculated by χ² test. Pearson’s correlation assessed the correlation between the Dental Health Component and Aesthetic Component of IOTN. 10.7% (62) of the children had definite need for orthodontic treatment (AC) while 31.9% (184) had definite need for orthodontic treatment (DHC) with statistically insignificant difference between male and female. The difference between orthodontist perception of treatment need and that of subject was statistically significant. A strong and positive correlation between DHC and AC of IOTN was found which was statistically significant.31.9% (184) and 10.8% (62) of the schoolchildren had definite need for orthodontic treatment according to the dental health component and aesthetic component of index of orthodontic treatment need respectively. 49.7% (286) of the subjects had knowledge about orthodontic treatment. 45.8% (264) of the subjects expressed desire to undergo orthodontic treatment. Orthodontist was more critical in aesthetic evaluation as compared to the schoolchildren.
Rising Bribes: Accessing Public Health Services in Northern Cyprus during COVID-19
Authors: GOKCEKUS Omer 
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal payments (bribes) in accessing public health services. It assesses whether the pandemic increased informal payments and whether vulnerable populations, namely women, migrants, and low-income individuals, were more susceptible to bribery.

Methods: Data from pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2021) Global Corruption Barometer surveys in Northern Cyprus were statistically analyzed to examine changes in informal payments and their associations with gender, income, and immigrant status.

Results: The study revealed a significant surge in informal payments for accessing public health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, 4.70% of respondents reported paying bribes, but in 2021, this figure spiked to 17.85%, with an odds ratio of 4.391 underscoring the magnitude of the increase. Notably, gender and socioeconomic disparities were evident. Women reported higher bribe rates (20.3%) compared to men (13.7%), migrants had substantially higher bribe rates (25.7%) than natives (15.7%), and individuals with lower incomes (25.6%) were more inclined to engage in bribery. Logistic regression estimation results showed that migrants had a 9.48% higher likelihood of bribery, low-income individuals had a 14.27% higher probability, and being female was associated with a 9.28% higher chance of engaging in bribery.

Conclusion: This study highlights a troubling surge in bribery within the public health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vulnerable populations, especially women, migrants, and low-income individuals, face increased risks. Urgent action is needed to combat corruption in healthcare during pandemics and ensure equitable access to healthcare services.

Key Words
COVID-19, bribes, public health, vulnerable groups, Cyprus
Forest and non-forest demonstrate comparable biophysical temperature effects but distinct asymmetry patterns during cropland conversion
Authors: Li Zhao-Liang , Si Menglin , Liu Xiangyang , Li Yitao , Leng Pei , Tang Ronglin , Duan Si-Bo , Liu Meng , Zhou Chenghu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Cropland changes impact surface properties and influence land surface temperature (LST), yet uncertainties persist due to their fragmented pattern. This study examines the actual biophysical LST effect resulting from cropland conversions with well-studied forests and less-explored non-forests. Analyzing data from 2003 to 2019 for global croplands undergoing fractional changes (+1.3%/4y), we find that the biophysical LST effects (-0.01℃/4y in summer; +0.002℃/4y in winter) account for an average of -55.6% and +1.4%, respectively, of the satellite-observed total LST trends in summer (+0.018℃/4y) and winter (+0.138℃/4y). Cropland conversions with forest vegetation (FV) and barren land (BAR) exhibit comparable summer cooling (-0.005℃/4y and -0.004℃/4y), while those with FV and non-forest vegetation (NFV) result in winter warming (+0.002℃/4y and +0.001℃/4y). Notably, cropland conversion with BAR shows the most pronounced LST sensitivity, followed by FV, NFV and wetland (WET). The sensitivity magnitude of cropland degradation to FV surpasses that of cropland expansion, revealing reversed asymmetry patterns for conversions with NFV, BAR, and WET. The findings caution against incorporating all types of natural landcovers in cropland conversions for land-based mitigation.
Outcomes after ED visit for acute Chest Pain, with respect to negative but measurable troponin levels and CRP levels
Authors: Greenberg Sharon A. , Cohen Neta , Shopen Noa , Mordechai Reut Aviv , Zeltser David , Werthein Julieta 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

While chest pain is one of the most common chief complaints in the ED, the majority are discharged for ambulatory care. We explored outcomes of patients who presented to the ED with chest pain as chief compliant, and assessed whether an association exists with negative (but measurable) troponin levels or elevated CRP levels. The primary outcome was a percutaneous intervention (PCI) within 90 days from ED visit, and the secondary outcomes were 7-day revisit, 14-day ward admission, and 30-day mortality. Of 32,170 patients who presented with chest pain to the ED during the 5-year study period, 23,442 (73%) were discharged from the ED and 8,720 were admitted. Among the discharged 14,477 (61.8%) had very-low troponin, of whom only 70 (0.5%) had PCI withing 90 days, compared with 1.9% in patients with negative but measurable troponin levels (n = 169, p < 0.0001). All the secondary outcomes were higher among patients with negative but measurable troponin compared to very-low troponin: 7-days ED revisit rates were 5.3% compared with 3.3% respectively (p < 0.0001), 14-days admission rates were 3.2% and 0.9% respectively (p < 0.0001) and mortality rates were 0.3% compared to 0.01% (p < 0.0001). Troponin levels ≥ 3.5 ng/L were associated with 90-day PCI (aOR 2.0, [95% CI: 1.5–2.7], p < 0.001). An elevated CRP level was an independent protective factor against 90-day PCI (aOR 0.98, p = 0.03), but was associated with all the other outcomes. While nearly 3/4 of ED chest pain visits can be discharge safely, measurable troponin levels may suggest the need for imminent coronary intervention.
Characterization and utilization of apple peel and grape branches extract constituents as green restraints for aluminum dissolution
Authors: Abouzeid Fatma. M. , Alshammery Sultanah 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Different flavone extracts from apple peel and aldehydes from grape branches were investigated as restraints of the anodic aluminum dissolution procedure in 60% H3PO4:40% H2SO4. The potential -limiting current correlation for Al anode was assessed and associated for regularly improving apple peel and grape stems extract concentration (100 to 1000 ppm range). The limiting current reduces whereas retardation effectiveness (%) increases as the concentrations of apple peel and grape stems extract rise. Apple peel/grape stems mixture extract is pondered to have the most retardation impact. Apple peel and grape stems extract retardation mechanism depends on the adsorption manner at the aluminum metal, that was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which reflect that elevated extract concentration (1000 ppm) have hopeful and positive impact on the Al surface quality. The activation energy and activation constraints (changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy) were established and conveyed suggestions for powerful interaction among the additives and the aluminum surface. The extract items were inspected via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Gc-mass. The apple peel and grape stems extract establish prospective as a natural electro-polishing green restraint. The synergistic influence between apple peel/grape stems (S = 1.64–1.83 ) is noticeable. The lowest Ra and PV estimates are recorded via apple peel /grape stems mixture, that achieves the greatest Reflectance estimate and retardation effectiveness. This is recognized high active sites number for apple peel /grape stems mixture extract.
A2-astrocyte activation by short term hypoxia rescue α-synuclein preformed fibril induced neuronal cell death
Authors: Choi Ha Nyeong , Kim Seon-Hee , Lee Bina , Yoo Han Sol , Lee Jeong Hyun , Jo Min Gi , Seong Hye Min , Song Chieun , Kim Seong Jae , Park Sang Won , Kim Hye Jung , Kang Heeyoung , Lee Chan Hyun , Lee Min Young , Yun Seung Pil , Kim Minkyeong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neuro-degenerative disease for which a radical cure is not available, only symptomatic control. Studies have shown that hypoxia may have disease-modifying effects on PD. Herein, we investigated if short-term hypoxia activates astrocytes and if it has a protective effect on pre-formed fibril (PFF)-treated primary cortical neurones. Long-term hypoxia suppresses astrocyte activation and induces cell death, whereas short-term hypoxia activates astrocytes without affecting cellular apoptosis or viability. Short-term hypoxia restored cellular apoptosis and viability of PFF-treated neurones and reduced toxic phospho-α-synuclein (p-α-syn) aggregation. Similarly, short-term hypoxia-exposed astrocyte-conditioned medium rescued cellular apoptosis and viability of PFF-treated neurones and p-α-syn expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that short-term hypoxia promotes protective A2 astrocytes and suppresses toxic A1 astrocytes. Our findings suggest that short-term hypoxia has a neuro-protective effect against PD by activating protective A2 astrocytes, which rescue PFF-induced neuronal cell death. This provides insights into short-term hypoxia's clinical implications as a disease-modifying PD strategy.
Reasoning with the Inverse of 3D Cardinal Direction Relations Based on Direction Matrices
Authors: Wang Miao , Dong Xingxing , Gao Jixun , Fang Zhenxi , Tang Hao , Li Song 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In order to improve the ability of intelligent reasoning and prediction of 3DR27 model which presented in our previous work, enhance the usability of 3DR27 model, and better fulfill the demands of real applications for complex 3D spatial database, we focused on the problem of inversing 3D cardinal direction relations between spatial objects. In order to realize automated reasoning, an algorithm for computing the inverse of 3D cardinal direction relations based on matrices is proposed on the basis of the mapping between the 3D rectangular cardinal direction relations and 3D interval relation matrix. This algorithm improves the power of reasoning for this model by means of the excellent properties of matrix operations. Theorems are provided to prove formally that our algorithm is correct and complete. This study realized the automatic inference and calculation of the inverse of the 3D cardinal direction relations based on 3DR27 model and further improved the ability of spatial reasoning and spatial analysis of spatial database.
Mining High Utility Itemsets with Elephant Herding Optimization
Authors: Han Meng , He Feifei , Zhang Ruihua , Li Chunpeng , Meng Fanxing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

High utility itemset mining is an active research problem in data mining. Because traditional high utility itemset mining algorithms cannot cope with the exponential growth of search space, the heuristic high utility itemset mining algorithms have been widely studied. To solve the problem of itemset loss caused by the early convergence of heuristic high utility itemset mining algorithms, a new algorithm is designed to discovering more high utility itemsets within fewer iterations. In this paper, the proposed strategy of positional evolution based on the female elephant factor is proposed to reduce effectively the search space and improve the execution efficiency of the algorithm. Moreover, in order to prevent the algorithm from converging too quickly and falling into local optimum, the proposed strategy of two-phase population diversity maintenance which keeps a balance between population diversity and convergence. Extensive experiments on real datasets show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the advanced heuristic high utility mining algorithms.
MicroRNA-mediated network redundancy is constrained by purifying selection and contributes to expression robustness
Authors: Liufu Zhongqi , Dai Aimei , Lan Wenqi , Lyu Yang , Zhou Xuanyi , Mi Xin , Tang Tian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as trans-acting elements and form composite feedforward circuits (cFFCs) in conjunction with transcription factors (TFs), leading to redundancy in network motifs and influencing gene expression regulation. However, the maintenance of miRNA-mediated regulatory redundancy and its impact on gene expression evolution remain elusive. Using public ChIP-seq/ChIP-chip and ATAC-seq data, we constructed miRNA-mediated cFFCs in Drosophila melanogaster embryos and found that most of predicted miRNA targets are involved in redundant cFFCs. Population genetics analysis revealed that highly redundant cFFCs are subjected to stronger purifying selection than low-redundant or non-redundant cFFCs. This redundancy negatively correlates with expression divergence between D. melanogaster and D. simulans, and is associate with expression stability in D. melanogaster embryos under heat shock. Moreover, highly redundant cFFCs mainly target older genes or young genes with broader expression. Our findings emphasize the biological significance of miRNA-mediated cFFC redundancy in mediating the robustness of gene expression during evolution.
Determining capacity of people living with dementia to take part in research: an electronic survey study of researcher confidence, competence and training needs
Authors: Griffiths Sarah , Shepherd Victoria , Volkmer Anna 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background Researchers are required to determine whether a person has capacity to consent to a research study before they are able to participate. The Mental Capacity Act and accompanying Code of Practice for England and Wales provide some guidance on this process, but researchers have identified that it can be difficult to determine capacity to consent when a person has complex cognitive or communication needs. This study aimed to understand the experiences and opinions of researchers who recruit people with dementia to research projects, to inform the future development of training resources.Methods A mixed method, cross-sectional, electronic survey was circulated via social media and research networks in England and Wales. The survey remained open for ten weeks and included open and closed questions exploring respondents confidence in determining capacity in the context of recruiting people with dementia to consent, their views on training and support they have experienced and their perceptions of future training and support needs.Results 60 respondents completed the survey from across England and Wales. Although 75% of respondents had experience of determining capacity to consent people with dementia to research, only 13% rated themselves as feeling ‘very confident’ in this. Qualitative content analysis of open responses led to the generation of six themes, explaining researchers’ confidence, competence and future training needs in this area: 1. Researcher uncertainties 2. Lack of time, 3. Balancing information complexity with accessibility, 4. Gatekeepers, 5. Existing enablers and 6. Envisioning future training.Conclusions Researchers working with people with dementia would benefit from specific training in undertaking conversations around consent with people with dementia. People with dementia have may have fluctuating capacity, and despite support from caregivers, researchers have little practical guidance on methods of determining a person’s ability to understand or appreciate the information they have provided during the consent process. Given the development of large complex trials within dementia research, there is an urgency to develop specific and practical guidance and training for researchers working with people with dementia and their families.
Effects of a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small-molecule peptide mimetic in an in vitro and in vivo model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Mottolese Nicola , Loi Manuela , Trazzi Stefania , Tassinari Marianna , Uguagliati Beatrice , Candini Giulia , Iqbal Khalid , Medici Giorgio , Ciani Elisabetta 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene underlie a severe epileptic encephalopathy, CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), characterized by gross motor impairment, autistic features and intellectual disability. Absence of Cdkl5 negatively impacts neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation in in vitro and in vivo models, resulting in behavioral deficits in the Cdkl5 KO mouse. While there is no targeted therapy for CDD, several studies showed that treatments enabling an increase in brain BDNF levels give rise to structural and behavioral improvements in Cdkl5 KO mice. P021, a tetra-peptide derived from the biologically active region of the human ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), was found to enhance neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity by promoting an increase in BDNF expression in preclinical models of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome, resulting in a beneficial therapeutic effect. Considering the positive actions of P021 on brain development and cognition associated with increased BDNF expressions, the present study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of treatment with P021 in an in vitro and in vivo model of CDD.
Methods
We used SH-CDKL5-KO cells as an in vitro model of CDD to test the efficacy of P021 on neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation. In addition, both young and adult Cdkl5 KO mice were used to evaluate the in vivo effects of P021, on neuroanatomical and behavioral defects.
Results
We found that P021 treatment was effective in restoring neuronal proliferation, survival, and maturation deficits, as well as alterations in the GSK3β signaling pathway, features that characterize a human neuronal model of CDKL5 deficiency. Unexpectedly, chronic in vivo P021 treatment failed to increase BDNF levels and did not improve neuroanatomical defects in Cdkl5 KO mice, resulting in limited behavioral benefit.
Conclusions
At present, it remains to be understood whether initiating the treatment prenatally, or prolonging the duration of treatment will be necessary in order to achieve similar results in vivo in CDD mice to those obtained in vitro.