Browse Articles

Preliminary experimental study on a novel device using biomaterial for shunting fibrotic bleb following Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery in dogs

A chaotic digital signature algorithm based on a dynamic substitution box

Abstract Given the large volumes of sensitive information transmitted over the Internet, digital signatures are essential for verifying message authenticity and integrity. A key challenge is minimizing computationally intensive operations, such as modular inverses, without compromising security. In this research, we propose the DSADH $$\pi$$ algorithm, which introduces a confusion step directly into the signature itself, rather than only applying it to the message, using a dynamic substitution box. It is generated with the number pi and changes with each signing. In addition, to enhance security, this work uses a 2048-bit prime, double the length frequently used. This proposal induces chaotic behavior in the signature, making it highly sensitive to any changes in the signer’s private key or message content, thereby enhancing authentication and integrity verification. Moreover, the proposed algorithm computes a single multiplicative modular inverse during verification and none during signing, unlike other approaches that require inverse computation in both stages. Since the required inverse is for the Diffie-Hellman session key, it always exists and can be precomputed per communication rather than per message. Consequently, DSADH $$\pi$$ is on average 45 times faster than DSA. Additionally, we introduce a method to assess signature security by constructing images from signature bytes generated by slight changes to the signer’s private key and message. Then, their chaotic behavior is evaluated with cryptographic metrics.

miR-21 promotes cervical cancer by regulating NTF3

Enhancing structural health monitoring of fiber-reinforced polymer composites using piezoresistive Ti3C2Tx MXene fibers

Abstract The anisotropic behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, coupled with their susceptibility to various failure modes, poses challenges for their structural health monitoring (SHM) during service life. To address this, non-destructive testing techniques have been employed, but they often suffer from drawbacks such as high costs and suboptimal resolutions. Moreover, routine inspections fail to disclose incidents or failures occurring between successive assessments. As a result, there is a growing emphasis on SHM methods that enable continuous monitoring without grounding the aircraft. Our research focuses on advancing aerospace SHM through the utilization of piezoresistive MXene fibers. MXene, characterized by its 2D nanofiber architecture and exceptional properties, offers unique advantages for strain sensing applications. We successfully fabricate piezoresistive MXene fibers using wet spinning and integrate them into carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates for in-situ strain sensing. Unlike previous studies focused on high strain levels, we adjust the strain levels to be comparable to those encountered in practical aerospace applications. Our results demonstrate remarkable sensitivity of MXene fibers within low strain ranges, with a maximum sensitivity of 0.9 at 0.13% strain. Additionally, MXene fibers exhibited high reliability for repetitive tensile deformations and low-velocity impact loading scenarios. This research contributes to the development of self-sensing composites, offering enhanced capabilities for early detection of damage and defects in aerospace structures, thereby improving safety and reducing maintenance expenses.

The extent of the hip bone sexual dimorphism in two Italian coeval modern skeletal samples

Abstract The rate of sexual dimorphism in the human hip bone is primarily due to the structural demands of childbirth. Genetic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors can also influence pelvic shape variations across populations. This study examines intra-population sex variation within the Italian population based on regional differences of 280 coxal bones from two documented human osteological collections (Bologna and Sassari) coming from different geographical areas, the northern continental and island regions. Nineteen metric variables were used to evaluate sexual dimorphism and population differences. Most of the variables showed sexual dimorphism, particularly the hip height and ischio-pubic measures within both populations, and accurately predicted sex for each population (Bologna: 100%; Sassari: 91.2%). Results show the Bologna sample have larger dimensions for most of the measurements than the Sassari one, especially when considering the longitudinal ones. Some female traits of the Bologna sample are larger than the correspondent ones in the Sassari males. The rate of sexual dimorphism between the populations shows significant differences, with better sex distinction for Bologna than Sassari. This study aims at interpreting these intra-population differences, considering the effect of environmental (physical and social milieu) and genetic factors, underscoring the importance of this local differences for accurate diagnostic criteria.

Experimental investigation of nanoclay performance as an assistant in water based enhanced oil recovery method

Soil fertility differences due to tillage methods modulate maize yield formation at different planting densities

A hybrid data assimilation method based on real-time Ensemble Kalman filtering and KNN for COVID-19 prediction

An android can show the facial expressions of complex emotions

Abstract Trust and rapport are essential abilities for human–robot interaction. Producing emotional expressions in the robots’ faces is an effective way for that purpose. Androids can show human-like facial expressions of basic emotions. However, whether androids can show the facial expression of complex emotions remains unknown. In this experiment, we investigated the android Nikola’s ability to produce 22 dynamic facial expressions of complex emotions. For each video, 240 international participants (120 Japanese, 120 German) rated the emotions expressed by Nikola. For 13 complex emotions (i.e., amusement, appal, awe, boredom, contentment, coyness, hatred, hesitation, moral disgust, not face, pain, sleepiness, suspicion), participants of both samples rated the target emotion above the mean of other non-target emotions. Four emotions (bitterness, confusion, pride, relief) were rated above mean by one sample. For twelve of these emotions, target emotions were among the highest ranked. The results suggest that androids can produce the facial expressions of a wide range of complex emotions, which can facilitate human–robot interactions.

EEG reveals brain network alterations in chronic aphasia during natural speech listening

Evaluation of snow-drifting influencing factors and susceptibility of transportation infrastructure lines

SMC translocation is unaffected by an excess of nucleoid associated proteins in vivo

A combined recombinase polymerase amplification CRISPR/Cas12a assay for detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4

Enhancing predictive accuracy for urinary tract infections post-pediatric pyeloplasty with explainable AI: an ensemble TabNet approach

Alterations in genes associated with cytosolic RNA sensing in whole blood are associated with coronary microvascular disease in SLE

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are 90% women and over three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than women in the general population. Chest pain with no obstructive cardiac disease is associated with coronary microvascular disease (CMD), where narrowing of the small blood vessels can lead to ischemia, and frequently reported by SLE patients. Using whole blood RNA samples, we asked whether gene signatures discriminate SLE patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) on cardiac MRI (n = 4) from those without (n = 7) and whether any signaling pathway is linked to the underlying pathobiology of SLE CMD. RNA-seq analysis revealed 143 differentially expressed (DE) genes between the SLE and healthy control (HC) groups, with virus defense and interferon (IFN) signaling being the key pathways identified as enriched in SLE as expected. We next conducted a comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed in SLE–CMD and SLE–non-CMD relative to HC samples. Our analysis highlighted differences in IFN signaling, RNA sensing and ADP-ribosylation pathways between SLE–CMD and SLE–non-CMD. This is the first study to investigate possible gene signatures associating with CMD in SLE, and our data strongly suggests that distinct molecular mechanisms underly vascular changes in CMD and non-CMD involvement in SLE.

A disproportionality analysis of FDA adverse event reporting system events for misoprostol

Abstract Misoprostol was originally used to treat gastric ulcers, and has been widely used in abortion, cervical maturation, induced labour and postpartum hemorrhage. But there are still many undetected adverse events (AEs). The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the safety of misoprostol. Adverse events related to misoprostol were collected from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2024. This study used proportional disequilibrium methods such as reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM) to detect AEs. After analyzing 17,427,762 adverse event reports, a total of 2032 adverse events reports related to misoprostol were identified, involving 23 system organ classes and 30 preferred terms. The most common AEs were foetal exposure during delivery(n = 201), uterine tachysystole(n = 95), uterine rupture (n = 95), and heart rate decreased (n = 93). Although most AEs complied with the drug instruction, new AEs signals such as congenital aqueductal stenosis and congenital brain damage were also identified. Clinicians should make appropriate evaluation when using misoprostol, closely monitor the indicators of patients, and have appropriate countermeasures for possible adverse events.

Evaluating the association between lipidome and female reproductive diseases through comprehensive Mendelian randomization analyses

Secure channel estimation model for cognitive radio network physical layer security using two-level shared key authentication

Abstract Physical Layer Security (PLS) in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) improves the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the external communication between the devices/ users. The security models for sensing and beamforming reduce the impact of adversaries such as eavesdroppers in the signal processing layer. To such an extent, this article introduces a Secure Channel Estimation Model (SCEM) using Channel State Information (CSI) and Deep Learning (DL) to improve the PLS. In this proposed model, the CSI is exploited to evaluate the channel utilization and actual capacity availability throughout the allocation intervals. The change in channel capacity and utilization augments the need for security through 2-level key shared authentication. The deep learning algorithm verifies the authentication completeness for maximum channel capacity utilization irrespective of adversary interference. This verification follows mutual authentication between the primary and secondary users sharing the maximum capacity channel with high secrecy. The learning monitors the outage secrecy rates to verify failed allocations such that the replacement for allocation is pursued. Thus, the physical layer security between different user categories is administered through maximum CSI exploitation with high beamforming abilities. The proposed model leverages the secrecy rate by 10.77% and the probability of detection by 15.01% and reduces the interference rate by 11.07% for the varying transmit powers.

Identification of a binding site for small molecule inhibitors targeting human TRPM4

Abstract Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 4 (TRPM4) protein is a calcium-activated monovalent cation channel associated with various genetic and cardiovascular disorders. The anthranilic acid derivative NBA is a potent and specific TRPM4 inhibitor, but its binding site in TRPM4 has been unknown, although this information is crucial for drug development targeting TRPM4. We determine three cryo-EM structures of full-length human TRPM4 embedded in native lipid nanodiscs without inhibitor, bound to NBA, and an anthranilic acid derivative, IBA. We found that the small molecules NBA and IBA were bound in a pocket formed between the S3, S4, and TRP helices and the S4-S5 linker of TRPM4. Our structural data and results from patch clamp experiments enable validation of a binding site for small molecule inhibitors, paving the way for further drug development targeting TRPM4.

Structural insights into human topoisomerase 3β DNA and RNA catalysis and nucleic acid gate dynamics

Abstract Type IA topoisomerases (TopoIAs) are present in all living organisms. They resolve DNA/RNA catenanes, knots and supercoils by breaking and rejoining single-stranded DNA/RNA segments and allowing the passage of another nucleic acid segment through the break. Topoisomerase III-β (TOP3B), the only RNA topoisomerase in metazoans, promotes R-loop disassembly and translation of mRNAs. Defects in TOP3B lead to severe neurological diseases. We present a series of cryo-EM structures of human TOP3B with its cofactor TDRD3 during cleavage and rejoining of DNA or RNA, thus elucidating the roles of divalent metal ions and key enzyme residues in each step of the catalytic cycle. We also obtained the structure of an open-gate configuration that addresses the long-standing question of the strand-passage mechanism. Our studies reveal how TOP3B catalyzes both DNA and RNA relaxation, while TOP3A acts only on DNA.