bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical Analysis Based Feature Selection Enhanced RF-PUF With >99.8% Accuracy on Unmodified Commodity Transmitters for IoT Physical Security
Authors: Bari Md Faizul , Agrawal Parv , Chatterjee Baibhab , Sen Shreyas 
Published: April 2022

Due to the diverse and mobile nature of the deployment environment, smart commodity devices are vulnerable to various spoofing attacks which can allow a rogue device to get access to a large network. The vulnerability of the traditional digital signature-based authentication system lies in the fact that it uses only a key/pin, ignoring the device fingerprint. To circumvent the inherent weakness of the traditional system, various physical signature-based RF fingerprinting methods have been proposed in literature and RF-PUF is a promising choice among them. RF-PUF utilizes the inherent nonidealities of the traditional RF communication system as features at the receiver to uniquely identify a transmitter. It is resilient to key-hacking methods due to the absence of secret key requirements and does not require any additional circuitry on the transmitter end (no additional power, area, and computational burden). However, the concept of RF-PUF was proposed using MATLAB-generated data, which cannot ensure the presence of device entropy mapped to the system-level nonidealities. Hence, an experimental validation using commercial devices is necessary to prove its efficacy. In this work, for the first time, we analyze the effectiveness of RF-PUF on commodity devices, purchased off-the-shelf, without any modifications whatsoever. We have collected data from 30 Xbee S2C modules used as transmitters and released as a public dataset. A new feature has been engineered through PCA and statistical property analysis. With a new and robust feature set, it has been shown that 95% accuracy can be achieved using only ∼1.8 ms of test data fed into a neural network of 10 neurons in 1 layer, reaching >99.8% accuracy with a network of higher model capacity, for the first time in literature without any assisting digital preamble. The design space has been explored in detail and the effect of the wireless channel has been investigated. The performance of some popular machine learning algorithms has been tested and compared with the neural network approach. A thorough investigation of various PUF properties has been done. With extensive testing of 41238000 cases, the detection probability for RF-PUF for our data is found to be 0.9987, which, for the first time, experimentally establishes RF-PUF as a strong authentication method. Finally, the potential attack models and the robustness of RF-PUF against them have been discussed.
Effect of Sewage Treatment Plant Effluent on Water Quality of Zhangze Reservoir Based on EFDC Model
Authors: Yang Long , Wei Jia , Qi Jun , Zhang Min 
Published: April 2022

Understanding how external water affects the water quality of target water bodies is an important prerequisite for predicting water quality changes and formulating pollutant reduction plans. Using the EFDC modeling system platform, this study constructed the hydrodynamic and pollutant dispersion and diffusion models of Zhangze Reservoir, and by using the hydrology and water quality data from 2013 to 2018, this study examines the different water quality responses of Zhangze Reservoir under different inflow water control scenarios. The results show that the simulated value of the hydrological station is basically consistent with the measured value of the hydrological station. Under the current Class III water quality requirements for Zhangze Reservoir, direct inflow of effluent from the wastewater treatment plant of the main urban area into the reservoir will have a significant impact on the water quality. When the effluent is purified through constructed wetlands, it significantly improves the water quality of the reservoir, but the concentration of TN and TP still cannot reach the Class III standard in the short term,. When all rivers entering the reservoir meet the standard and the effluent from the wastewater treatment plant in the main urban area does not enter the reservoir, the content of COD, ammonia nitrogen and TP in water will reach the Class III standard, but reducing the TN content to meet the standard requirement will be difficult within 3 years.
The Effectiveness of a Group Kickboxing Training Program on Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis Parameters in Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 50–85 Years
Authors: Lin Yen-An , Chen Lee-Hwa , Chen Fang-Ping , Wong Alice May-Kuen , Hsu Chih-Chan , Chen Jau-Yuan 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundSarcopenia and osteoporosis are important health issues faced by older people. These are often associated with each other and share common risk factors and pathologic mechanisms. In the recently revised consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, low muscle strength has been defined as the first characteristic of sarcopenia rather than a loss in muscle mass, and walking speed has been stated as an indicator of the severity of sarcopenia. It is believed that these markers of muscle function can be potentially reversed via exercise-based interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of kickboxing exercise training on the parameters of sarcopenia and osteoporosis in community-dwelling adults.MethodsIn total, one hundred eligible subjects were randomized into an intervention group (n = 50) with 76% women and control group (n = 50) with 86% women. Both the intervention and control groups were provided with classroom lectures and personal consultations pertaining to sarcopenia and osteoporosis, whereas a 12-week kickboxing exercise training was arranged only for the intervention group. All anthropometric, physical performance, body composition, and bone mineral density measurements along with participant completed questionnaires were conducted before and after the training period.ResultsAfter 12 weeks, 41 participants in the intervention group and 34 participants in the control group completed the final assessments. There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of basic demographic data. The BMI (+1.14%) of the control group increased significantly during the study period. The waist circumference (−6.54%), waist-to-height ratio (−6.57%), waist–to–hip ratio (−4.36%), total body fat (−1.09%), and visceral fat area (−4.6%) decreased significantly in the intervention group. Handgrip strength (+5.46%) and gait speed (+5.71%) improved significantly in the intervention group. The lean body mass increased by 0.35% in the intervention group and by 0.9% in the control group. The femoral neck bone mineral density (−1.45%) and T score (−3.72%) of the control group decreased significantly. The intervention group had more improvement in the status of sarcopenia (OR 1.91) and osteoporosis over the control group. Finally, the intervention group had less deterioration in the status of sarcopenia (OR 0.2) and osteoporosis (OR 0.86) compared with the control group.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that a 12-week kickboxing exercise training program is effective for improving sarcopenic parameters of muscle strength and function, but not muscle mass in adults, aged 50–85 years. Furthermore, markers of osteoporosis also showed improvement. These findings suggest that a 12-week kickboxing program is effective for muscle and bone health among community-dwelling older individuals.
Interaction Between CD34+ Fibrocytes and Airway Smooth Muscle Promotes IL-8 Production and Akt/PRAS40/mTOR Signaling in Asthma
Authors: Lin Ting-Yu , Chang Po-Jui , Lo Chun-Yu , Lo Yu-Lun , Yu Chih-Teng , Lin Shu-Min , Kuo Chih-His Scott , Lin Horng-Chyuan 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe circulating progenitor cells of fibroblasts (fibrocytes) have been shown to infiltrate the airway smooth muscle compartment of asthma patients; however, the pathological significance of this discovery has yet to be elucidated. This study established a co-culture model of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and fibrocytes from asthmatic or normal subjects to evaluate innate cytokine production, corticosteroid responses, and signaling in ASMCs.MethodsCD34+ fibrocytes were purified from peripheral blood of asthmatic (Global Initiative for Asthma treatment step 4–5) and normal subjects and cultured for 5∼7 days. In a transwell plate, ASMCs were co-cultured with fibrocytes at a ratio of 2:1, ASMCs were cultured alone (control condition), and fibrocytes were cultured alone for 48 h. Measurements were obtained of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, IL-17, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and IL-33 levels in the supernatant and IL-33 levels in the cell lysate of the co-culture. Screening for intracellular signaling in the ASMCs after stimulation was performed using condition medium from the patients’ co-culture (PtCM) or IL-8. mRNA and western blot analysis were used to analyze AKT/mTOR signaling in ASMCs stimulated via treatment with PtCM or IL-8.ResultsCompared with ASMCs cultured alone, IL-8 levels in the supernatant and IL-33 levels in the ASMCs lysate were significantly higher in samples co-cultured from asthmatics, but not in those co-cultured from normal subjects. Corticosteroid-induced suppression of IL-8 production was less pronounced in ASMCs co-cultured with fibrocytes from asthma patients than in ASMCs co-cultured from normal subjects. ASMCs stimulated using PtCM and IL-8 presented elevating activated AKT substrate PRAS40. Treatment with IL-8 and PtCM increased mRNA expression of mTOR and P70S6 kinases in ASMCs. Treatment with IL-8 and PtCM also significantly increased phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR subtract S6 ribosomal protein in ASMCs.ConclusionThe interaction between ASMCs and fibrocytes from asthmatic patients was shown to increase IL-8 and IL-33 production and promote AKT/mTOR signaling in ASMCs. IL-8 production in the co-culture from asthmatic patients was less affected by corticosteroid than was that in the co-culture from normal subjects. Our results elucidate the novel role of fibrocytes and ASMCs in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Pharmaceutical Industry Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the ZaZiBoNa Collaborative Medicines Registration Initiative: The Way Forward
Authors: Sithole Tariro , Mahlangu Gugu , Walker Stuart , Salek Sam 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionThe common technical document (CTD) format harmonised the requirements for the registration of medicines, which had traditionally differed from country to country, making it possible for countries to collaborate and conduct joint reviews of applications. One such collaborative medicines registration initiative is the Southern African Development Community ZaZiBoNa, established in 2013. A recent study was carried out with the nine active member regulatory authorities of the ZaZiBoNa to determine their views on its operational effectiveness and efficiency. Having obtained the authorities’ views, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the current operating model of the ZaZiBoNa initiative including the challenges it faces as well as identifying opportunities for improvement from the applicants’ perspective.MethodsApplicants who had submitted registration/marketing authorisation applications for assessment under the ZaZiBoNa initiative during 2017–2021 were recruited into the study. Data was collected in 2021 using the Process, Effectiveness and Efficiency rating questionnaire (PEER-IND) developed by the authors. The questionnaire was completed by a representative responsible for ZaZiBoNa submissions in each company.ResultsThe pharmaceutical industry was of the view that the ZaZiBoNa initiative has achieved shorter timelines for approval of medicines, resulting in increased availability of quality-assured medicines for patients in the SADC region. Harmonisation of registration requirements and joint reviews have reduced the workload for both the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory authorities. Some of the challenges identified were the lack of a centralised submission and tracking system, and the lack of information for applicants on the process for submission of ZaZiBoNa dossiers/applications in the individual countries, including contact details of the focal person. The establishment of a regional unit hosted in one of the member countries to centrally receive and track ZaZiBoNa dossiers/applications was identified as the best strategy for moving forward in the interim with the long-term goal being the establishment of a regional medicines authority.ConclusionThere was consensus between the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory authorities as to the way forward to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the ZaZiBoNa initiative. Implementation of the recommendations identified in this study will lead to enhanced regulatory performance.
The Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Qiao , Yan Wenxin , Liu Runqing , Bo Ershu , Liu Jue , Liu Min 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe estimated global latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) burden indicates a large reservoir of population at risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB). Previous studies suggested diabetes mellitus (DM) might associate with LTBI, though still controversial. We aimed to systematically assess the association between DM and LTBI.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Observational studies reporting the number of LTBI and non-LTBI individuals with and without DM were included. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were used to estimate the pooled effect by risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), using the original number of participants involved.Results20 studies involving 4,055,082 participants were included. The pooled effect showed a significant association between DM and LTBI (for cohort studies,RR= 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02–2.56; for cross-sectional studies,OR= 1.55, 95% CI: 1.30–1.84). The pooled OR was high in studies with healthcare workers (5.27, 95% CI: 1.52–8.20), refugees (2.88, 95% CI: 1.93–4.29), sample size of 1,000–5,000 (1.99, 95% CI: 1.49–2.66), and male participants accounted for less than 40% (2.28, 95% CI: 1.28–4.06). Prediabetes also associated with LTBI (OR= 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01–1.84).ConclusionThe risk of LTBI was found to be a 60% increase in DM patients, compared with non-DM patients. LTBI screening among DM patients could be of vital importance. More studies are needed to explore appropriate strategies for targeted LTBI screening among DM patients.
Additive Manufacturing of a Removable Partial Prosthesis in Titanium Using Binder Jetting Technology: A Brief Research Report
Authors: Hagman Cecilia , Svanborg Per 
Published: April 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the surface roughness and compare the fit of a cobalt-chromium selective laser-melted removable partial denture framework and a titanium binder jetting removable partial denture framework.Materials and methods: A design for a removable partial prosthesis framework was made using 3Shape software, and thereafter, one framework was additively manufactured in cobalt-chromium with selective laser melting and one in titanium using binder jetting technology. The weight of the frameworks was measured, and the surface parameters Sa, Sds, and Sdr were measured by white light interferometry. The fit of the frameworks was analyzed using visual inspection and the pressing test.Results: The weight of the frameworks in their post-printed state was 15.66 g and 7.43 g for cobalt-chromium and titanium, respectively. After finishing and polishing, the cobalt-chromium framework’s outer surface showed a high shine and smooth surface, with lower values in the Sa and Sdr parameters. The visual inspection showed gaps in the titanium framework, and the pressing test detected movement greater than 0.5 mm for the same material.Conclusion: The Ti framework showed higher surface roughness and was left with a lackluster finish after polishing. Also, the fit of the Ti framework was not clinically acceptable. The additive manufacturing binder jetting technology for titanium needs improvement or an adjustment of the settings to be used for clinically removable partial dentures. The cobalt-chromium framework manufactured by selective laser melting showed an acceptable clinical fit and surface roughness.
Fast Alpha Activity in EEG of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease Is Paralleled by Changes in Cognition and Cholinergic Markers During Encapsulated Cell Biodelivery of Nerve Growth Factor
Authors: Eyjolfsdottir Helga , Koenig Thomas , Karami Azadeh , Almqvist Per , Lind Göran , Linderoth Bengt , Wahlberg Lars , Seiger Åke , Darreh-Shori Taher , Eriksdotter Maria , Jelic Vesna 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundBasal forebrain cholinergic neurons are dependent on nerve growth factor (NGF) for growth and survival and these cells are among the first to degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Targeted delivery of NGF has been suggested as a potential therapy for AD. This hypothesis was tested in a clinical trial with encapsulated cell biodelivery of NGF (NGF-ECB) in AD patients. Three of six patients showed improved biomarkers for cognition by the end of the study. Here, we report on the effects of targeted delivery of NGF on human resting EEG.Materials and methodsNGF-ECB implants were implanted bilaterally in the basal forebrain of six AD patients for 12 months. EEG recordings and quantitative analysis were performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months of NGF delivery, and analyzed for correlation with changes in Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and levels of the cholinergic marker choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).ResultsWe found significant correlations between the topographic variance of EEG spectral power at the three study points (baseline, 3 and 12 months) and changes in MMSE and CSF ChAT. This possible effect of NGF was identified in a narrow window of alpha frequency 10–11.5 Hz, where a stabilization in MMSE score during treatment was related to an increase in EEG alpha power. A similar relation was observed between the alpha power and ChAT. More theta power at 6.5 Hz was on the contrary associated with a decrease in CSF ChAT during the trial period.ConclusionIn this exploratory study, there was a positive correlative pattern between physiological high-frequency alpha activity and stabilization in MMSE and increase in CSF ChAT in AD patients receiving targeted delivery of NGF to the cholinergic basal forebrain.
Association Between Tea Drinking and Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Shi Mengyuan , Cao Limin , Liu Huiyuan , Zhou Yuhan , Zhao Yuhong , Xia Yang 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionPrevious research has shown that tea drinking has a bearing on Cognitive Disorders, but the conclusions are inconsistent. The purpose of this research was to systematically assess the published evidence pertaining to tea drinking and the risk of cognitive disorders in older adults using a meta-analysis, and to concurrently evaluate the dose-response association.DesignA meta-analysis.Setting and ParticipantsWe used the PubMed and Web of Science databases for a literature search until 30 May 2021. We initially retrieved 20,908 studies (14,884 from PubMed and 6,024 from the Web of Science), Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (7 case-control, 16 cohort, and 13 cross-sectional studies), involved 224,980 participants.MethodsPooled odd ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association under a fixed- or random-effect model according to heterogeneity test results.ResultsThe results showed that drinking tea was negatively associated with cognitive disorders (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.70–0.82). Moreover, dose-response associations were found between tea drinking and cognitive disorders (1 time/day: OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70–0.95; 1 cup/day: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.94). In addition, subgroup analyses were performed according to study designs, study population, types of tea drinking, outcomes and methods used to assess outcomes. Most of the results in the subgroup analyses were consistent with the main results.ConclusionThe results of the present study provided abundant evidence that tea drinking is inversely proportional with the occurrence of cognitive disorders in older adults. A linear dose-response association between tea drinking and decreased prevalence of cognitive disorders was found.
Somatotopic Organization of Hyperdirect Pathway Projections From the Primary Motor Cortex in the Human Brain
Authors: Pujol Sonia , Cabeen Ryan P. , Yelnik Jérôme , François Chantal , Fernandez Vidal Sara , Karachi Carine , Bardinet Eric , Cosgrove G. Rees , Kikinis Ron 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective neurosurgical target to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) subthalamotomy is being explored as a therapeutic alternative to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the STN. The hyperdirect pathway provides a direct connection between the cortex and the STN and is likely to play a key role in the therapeutic effects of MRgFUS intervention in PD patients.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the topography and somatotopy of hyperdirect pathway projections from the primary motor cortex (M1).MethodsWe used advanced multi-fiber tractography and high-resolution diffusion MRI data acquired on five subjects of the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to reconstruct hyperdirect pathway projections from M1. Two neuroanatomy experts reviewed the anatomical accuracy of the tracts. We extracted the fascicles arising from the trunk, arm, hand, face and tongue area from the reconstructed pathways. We assessed the variability among subjects based on the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the fibers. We evaluated the spatial arrangement of the different fascicles using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of spatial overlap and the centroids of the bundles.ResultsWe successfully reconstructed hyperdirect pathway projections from M1 in all five subjects. The tracts were in agreement with the expected anatomy. We identified hyperdirect pathway fascicles projecting from the trunk, arm, hand, face and tongue area in all subjects. Tract-derived measurements showed low variability among subjects, and similar distributions of FA and MD values among the fascicles projecting from different M1 areas. We found an anterolateral somatotopic arrangement of the fascicles in the corona radiata, and an average overlap of 0.63 in the internal capsule and 0.65 in the zona incerta.ConclusionMulti-fiber tractography combined with high-resolution diffusion MRI data enables the identification of the somatotopic organization of the hyperdirect pathway. Our preliminary results suggest that the subdivisions of the hyperdirect pathway projecting from the trunk, arm, hand, face, and tongue motor area are intermixed at the level of the zona incerta and posterior limb of the internal capsule, with a predominantly overlapping topographical organization in both regions. Subject-specific knowledge of the hyperdirect pathway somatotopy could help optimize target definition in MRgFUS intervention.