Browse Articles

A traceable authentication system based on blockchain for decentralized physical infrastructure networks

Abstract With the rapid development of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), resource sharing among devices has become more convenient, but it also introduces new risks of malicious behavior. Attackers may evade accountability by frequently switching accounts, making authentication and traceability essential. However, existing approaches face limitations in scalability, cost, and privacy, rendering them unsuitable for large-scale DePIN environments. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a traceable authentication system that integrates government public key infrastructure with blockchain technology. The system leverages government-issued electronic identity cards to generate digital signatures and employs smart contracts to automate the authentication process. Physical infrastructure (PI) devices can directly retrieve authentication results from smart contracts, enabling efficient and secure authentication. Moreover, the immutable logs recorded on the blockchain provide reliable evidence for tracing a user’s unique real-world identity. Performance evaluation results demonstrate that the system reduces authentication costs by up to 40% and achieves high throughput under both RSA and ECDSA algorithms. The contributions lie in enhancing the scalability of DePIN authentication, preserving user privacy, and enabling real-world traceability.

Evaluation of synthetic data impact on fire segmentation models performance

Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene LDPE by marine bacterial strains Gordonia alkanivorans PBM1 and PSW1 isolated from Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract Plastic has become an essential part of daily human activity. Nonetheless, its over-utilization has resulted in environmental accumulation, leading to marine contamination. Biodegradation is the most effective approach for managing synthetic plastic waste. It encompasses various biological processes that depolymerize polymeric compounds into oligomers or monomers that can enter the biogeochemical cycle. Although research on microplastic biodegradation is abundant and increasing, studies on the biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by marine microorganisms remain scarce and underexplored. In the present study, a total of 17 bacterial isolates were isolated from plastic-contaminated sites in Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria, Egypt. Two bacterial strains demonstrated the highest LDPE biodegradation potential and were identified using 16 S rRNA sequencing, exhibiting 100% and 99.87% sequence identity to Gordonia alkanivorans. Biodegradation of LDPE was confirmed through dry weight loss, with G. alkanivorans strains PSW1 and PBM1 achieving reductions of 0.88 ± 0.658% and 0.66 ± 0.508%, respectively. Biodegradation was further confirmed through the formation of cracks and cavities observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Infrared analysis indicated significant changes in LDPE functional groups and a decrease in the carbonyl index. Biodegradation of LDPE films was also demonstrated through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) via the release of metabolites, correlating with LDPE utilization. The findings highlight the ability of marine bacteria G. alkanivorans strains PSW1 and PBM1 to biodegrade LDPE.

The visitors

Calibrating the microparameters of DEM models using the ant colony optimization algorithm and the optimal hyperparameters

Immune control of metastatic cancer at the edge of the central nervous system

How to transport antimatter — stick it on the back of a van

Dear editors, your publication delays are damaging our careers

Flat out Fabulous: How Barbie’s foot posture and occupations have changed over the decades, and the lessons we can learn

Objectives To explore the correlations/relationships between foot posture, equity and diversity, employment, and time in Barbie Land. Design A retrospective audit of the Barbie population (or their data from online catalogues) using a customised FEET system. That is Foot posture (flat or equinus); Equity (diversity and inclusion (EDI)); Employment (fashion vs employed); and Time period (decade of manufacture). Setting Barbie Land (Online Barbie catalogues of doll types). Participants 2750 Barbies and friends who lived in Barbie Land between 1959 to June 2024. Main outcome measures Over time there was a decreased prevalence in equinus foot posture from 100% in the first time period to 40% in the last. Barbie’s flat foot posture had a very strong positive correlation with employment (r = 0.89, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) = 0.50 to 1.29), and time point (r = 0.85, 95%CI =  0.40 to 1.31), while equinus foot posture had a very strong positive correlation with fashion (r = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.87 to 1.11). Similarly, equity (diversity) had a very strong positive correlation with fashion (r = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.82 to 1.15), and strong positive correlation with employment (r = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.26 to 1.33). Conclusion Barbie’s equinus foot posture is directly related to her high heel wearing. Barbie models her footwear choice based on task demands, being flat footed and wearing flat shoes when she needs to work on her feet, be physically active or more stable. Given Barbie is known to reflect societal norms, we contend this is most likely true for most high-heel wearers. While Barbie has moved with the times, it appears footwear health messaging about high heel wearing needs to catch up. Health professionals castigating high heels through public messaging, should remember that emphasising health benefits consistently drives positive behaviour change, over highlighting negative consequences. Barbie clearly makes sensible determinations regarding her body autonomy; high heel wearers should have that same ability.

The differential burden of acute rhinovirus infections in children with underlying conditions

Introduction Rhinoviruses (RVs) are a well-known trigger of wheezing episodes in children with asthma. Their role in other pediatric chronic medical conditions is not fully known. Methods Patients ≤21 years hospitalized or evaluated as outpatients with symptomatic RV infection were identified from 2011–2013. Patients were categorized based on the type of underlying disease and differences in clinical parameters, RV loads (C T values), viral, bacterial and fungal co-infections and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify the comorbidities associated with oxygen requirement, PICU admission, and prolonged hospitalization. Results Of 1,899 children identified, 77.7% (n = 1477) had an underlying comorbidity including asthma/atopy (36.8%), prematurity (7.7%), chronic respiratory diseases (6.4%), congenital heart disease (CHD, 3.2%), immunocompromised hosts (ICH; 1.4%) and others (22.2%). Prevalence of comorbidities increased with age (70%, infants vs 84%-87%, children >1 year; p < 0.0001). Median RV loads were intermediate-high (24–26 C T values), irrespective of the underlying disease. RV/viral co-detections were identified in 11% of ICH vs 20%- 30% in all other children whereas bacterial co-infections were identified in 2.9% of children. Multivariable models identified asthma/atopy, prematurity, CHD and bacterial co-infections consistently associated with all three clinical outcomes (p < 0.0001). Older age and higher RV loads were also associated with increased odds of PICU admission. Conclusions The prevalence of comorbidities was high in children with RV infections. Of those, asthma/atopy, prematurity and CHD were consistently associated with severe disease. Higher RV loads and bacterial co-infections, although infrequent, were also associated with worse clinical outcomes, suggesting the importance of defining clinical phenotypes for future targeted interventions.

Daily briefing: These award-winning photos show scientists at work

Targeting long non-coding RNA RP11-502I4.3 inhibits the trend of angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. We hypothesised that the long non-coding RNA RP11-502I4.3 may be involved in angiogenesis associated with DR. We investigated the role of RP11-502I4.3 in DR by examining its regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We assessed differences in RP11-502I4.3 expression between the control group and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats or high glucose (HG)-stimulated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). VEGF expression was measured with and without lentiviral vectors overexpressing RP11-502I4.3. We analysed the structural alterations related to DR after overexpressing RP11-502I4.3. Our analysis revealed that RP11-502I4.3 expression was lower in the retinas of diabetic rats and HG-stimulated HRMECs compared with normal glucose conditions. Overexpressing of RP11-502I4.3 resulted in decreased VEGF levels. Diabetic rats exhibited retinopathy characterised by thinning of the retinal layer thickness, structural changes in the inner and outer nuclear layers, a reduced count of retinal ganglion cells, and the presence of acellular capillaries. The proliferative activity, migration count, and tube formation ability of HG-treated HRMECs were significantly higher than those of the control group. However, these changes were inhibited by RP11-502I4.3 overexpression. Overexpression RP11-502I4.3 might inhibit retinopathy of diabetic rats and HG-induced angiogenesis by downregulating VEGF expression.

Video map: A realtime orthographic geo-image considering DEM and semantic information

Aiming at the problem that it is difficult to accurately calibrate massive Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera (PTZ) cameras on telecommunication tower and the visualization effect of orthographic geo-image is poor, this paper proposes a new method of realtime orthographic geo-image generating, which is considering Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and semantic information (ROGI-DS). First, through integrating tower cameras with 3D GIS, a camera calibration method based on view fitting (3D GIS-GeoC) is designed. Then, using the trained semantic segmentation model (TCSM), the sky area can automatically be identified and removed. Finally, based on the results of camera calibration and viewshed analysis, and the orthographic geo-image are generated. The results show that: (1) 3D GIS-GeoC method outperforms the traditional Perspective-n-Point (PnP) algorithm;(2) The tower camera semantic segmentation model (TCSM) achieves an accuracy of 96.7%; (3) ROGI-DS method improves the accuracy and visualization of orthographic geo-image under different terrain constraints, and can be used real-time monitoring of natural resources and emergency reliefs.

BPChAr—a Benzene Polycarboxylic Acid database to describe the molecular characteristics of laboratory-produced charcoal: Implications for soil science and archaeology

The benzene polycarboxylic acid (BPCA) method is a technique to characterise the aromaticity and aromatic condensation of pyrogenic carbon (PyC) in charred residues. As a molecular marker for polycondensed aromatic moieties, the analysis of BPCAs in archaeological contexts has great potential as a means of detecting and characterising charred residues where past fire traces are not evident. Despite the increased frequency of applications and significant developments since the method’s inception, no central database of BPCA results for modern charcoal pyrolysed under controlled laboratory conditions exists. Limited sample sizes in previous research have restricted the ability to precisely quantify the effects of combustion temperature, precursor feedstocks, pyrolysis parameters (e.g., oxygen availability), and methodological aspects (e.g., chromatography) on resultant BPCA profiles. To remedy this, we present the BPChAr database, which contains a total of 236 BPCA results on modern lab-produced charcoal. Through statistical analyses of the gathered data, we quantify the relationship between combustion temperature and resultant BPCA profiles, and construct random forest models to predict combustion temperature in unknown samples. Our findings show that additional variables hypothesised to play a role in shaping BPCA results — such as precursor feedstock type, oxygen availability during pyrolysis, and chromatographic separation method — have statistically significant implications for resultant BPCA profiles. Our analysis nuances these observations, highlighting at what charring temperatures and for what variables these concomitant parameters should be factored into the interpretation of BPCA results. Random forest models are also developed to predict precursor feedstock (hardwoods, softwoods, and grasses) in unknown samples, though further work is required to refine the accuracy of this model. The BPChAr database constitutes a fundamental tool for modern PyC research, and provides a baseline for future work aimed at employing the BPCA method in palaeoenvironmental and archaeological research.

The multi-level influence mechanism of family background on children’s education level: The moderating effect of socioeconomic status

Background A superior family background often provides children with more educational resources and a better learning environment, while poor or educationally deficient families may put children at a disadvantage on the starting line of education. This difference is not only related to the fate of individuals, but also to the fairness and justice of the whole society. Therefore, this study explores the influence mechanism of family background on children’s education level and the moderating effect of socioeconomic status. Methods Based on the data of China General Social Survey in 2021, a total of 4592 samples were selected. Principal component analysis model, hierarchical regression model and hierarchical linear model were used to verify the relationship between family background, socioeconomic status and children’s education level. Results (1) Family background has a significant positive impact on children’s education level (β=1.266; p < 0.001). (2) Socioeconomic status positively regulates the influence of family background on children’s education level (β=0.274; p < 0.001). Specifically, even if the parents’ education level is low, families with high socioeconomic status can make up for their disadvantages through economic investment, or obtain scarce educational resources through social relations. On the contrary, even if parents are highly educated, they are limited by economic constraints or lack of social capital, and it is difficult to translate family cultural advantages into actual educational investment (such as inability to bear the cost of extracurricular training or inability to obtain admission to prestigious schools), which limits the improvement of children ‘s education level. (3) Regional and urban-rural differences significantly affect the allocation of educational resources. Conclusion Family background affects children’s education level and is regulated by socioeconomic status. At the same time, regional and urban-rural differences affect the distribution of educational resources. We call for attention to the construction of family background and encourage families to create a good educational environment for their children. Increase investment in education for families and regions with lower socioeconomic status, and promote the balanced distribution of educational resources in different regions and between urban and rural areas to promote educational equity.

The effect of conservative non-pharmacological interventions on the management of urinary incontinence in older adults living with frailty: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent among older adults with frailty, impacting function, quality of life and risk of long-term care admission. Objective To systematically review and synthesise the results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of conservative non-pharmacological interventions on the management of UI in older adults aged ≥ 65 years living with frailty. Methods Five databases (Cochrane Library, Medline (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (EBSCO)) were searched from inception to April 2024 for RCTs that evaluated conservative non-pharmacological interventions for UI in older adults living with frailty. Two independent reviewers screened records, assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) Tool and Level of Evidence was summarised using GRADE guidelines. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model or narrative synthesis were performed as appropriate. Results Twelve RCTs, including 1,580 participants, with medium to high risk of bias were included. Conservative non-pharmacological interventions (categorised as single component or multicomponent interventions) resulted in a non-statistically significant reduction of objective measures of UI (6 RCTs, g = -0.39, p = 0.090; pooled effect size, with CI = -0.39 [-0.832, 0.060], I2 = 85.26%, with very low certainty of evidence). Improvements in functional ability were not found to be statistically significant (5 RCTs, g = 0.20, p = 0.39, pooled effect size, with CI = 0.20 [- 0.251, 0.642], I2 = 85.87%, and very low certainty of evidence). The interventions did not result in adverse events. Studies did not evaluate caregiver quality of life. Conclusions Very low-quality evidence found that conservative non-pharmacological interventions had beneficial but not statistically significant effects on objective UI and functional ability. Due to the high incidence of intervening illnesses and mortality in older adults living with frailty, it is recommended that future studies assess the effect of implementing tailored interventions addressing modifiable risk factors using more appropriate study design and outcome measures. Registration This review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO (CRD42022316287; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).

Study on kinetics and thermsodynamics of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in air and N2 atmospheres

This study attempted to investigate the thermal behavior and reaction mechanisms of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash under air and N2. Mass loss patterns at temperatures from 30ºC to 1100ºC were obtained through thermogravimetric analysis. Based on mass loss patterns, the behavior of fly ash under high temperature was divided into three stages. Mass loss in Stage I (30ºC-500ºC) amounted to 3.0%-6.2%. The majority of mass loss concentrated in Stage II (500ºC-800ºC) and Stage III (800ºC-1100ºC). Kinetic parameters of fly ash in Stage II and Stage III were evaluated using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), and Friedman methods. By comparison, the iso-conversional FWO method exhibited the highest correlation coefficient with R2 > 0.99. Activation energy (E) values in Stage II calculated via the FWO method indicate that reaction in air showed considerably higher hurdle (E = 171.11 kJ/mol) than reaction in N2 (E = 124.52 kJ/mol). This difference was partly attributed to the presence of carbonation process in air. In contrast, E values in Stage III were similar with E of 373.38 kJ/mol in air and 382.25 kJ/mol in N2. Mechanistic analysis via the Coats-Redfern (CR) model, employing 15 kinetic functions, identified dominant mechanisms of one-dimensional diffusion and contracting sphere for Stage II in air and N2 respectively. At the same time, three-dimensional diffusion could best explain the reaction mechanism in Stage III in both air and N2. Moreover, calculations of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) revealed that major reactions of fly ash during thermal treatment were endothermic and non-spontaneous, with Stage III exhibiting heightened complexity. This multi-stage characterization elucidates the degradation mechanisms of fly ash under varying thermal conditions and provides useful insight into the fly ash thermal treatment processes.

A remarkable new blue Ranitomeya species (Anura: Dendrobatidae) with copper metallic legs from open forests of Juruá River Basin, Amazonia

Poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) are known for their aposematic coloration and toxic skin, making them a frequent subject of interest and research. However, descriptions of new species of Ranitomeya were interrupted for more than a decade. The implementation of a RAPELD (Rapid Assessment surveys of Long-Term Ecological Research) module in the Juruá River basin, a highly biodiverse and underexplored region, led to the record of a Ranitomeya species with blue dorsal stripes and coppery limbs. Herein we use morphological, morphometric, advertisement call, natural history, tadpole data and genetic data to describe the new species. Our phylogenetic analysis places the species within the Ranitomeya vanzolinii clade, and all delimitation methods confirmed its status as a new species. The species is characterized by its (i) small size (snout-vent length: males 15.2–17.0 mm, females 14.4–16.9 mm), (ii) dorsum with light sky-blue stripes on a reddish-brown ground, and metallic copper limbs with reddish-brown spots, (iii) ring-shaped granular region on the belly, (iv) toes with poorly developed lateral fringes, (v) later tadpole stages with tooth rows P1 = P2 > P3, P3 of 83–87% of P1, and conspicuous light sky-blue dorsal stripes, and (vi) cricket-like advertisement call consisting of 16–35 notes, call duration of 490–1,005 ms, note duration of 8.2–16.9 ms and dominant frequency of 5,168–6,029 Hz. The discovery of the new species emphasizes the significance of researching under-sampled regions like the Juruá River basin, and the usefulness of using a multidisciplinary approach to reveal new dendrobatid species.

Suppression of mechanical hypersensitivity and change in the expression of the dopamine D2 receptor by administration of anti-CGRP antibody into the trigeminal ganglion in trigeminal neuropathic pain model rats

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2 receptor) are associated with neuropathic pain. However, their relationship is not well understood. To better establish their relationship in trigeminal neuropathic pain, we examined male rats with infraorbital nerve (ION) ligation. Rats with ION ligation were administered CGRP or anti-CGRP antibody into the trigeminal ganglion (TG). The change in the head-withdrawal threshold was measured using von Frey filament. Immunohistochemical staining for phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was also performed in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc). CGRP was detected in the TG and Vc by immunohistochemical staining, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the TG and dopamine D2 receptor in the Vc were detected in the same way. Antibody administration restored the head-withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli, which had decreased after ION ligation. Furthermore, the number of pERK-immunoreactive (-IR) neurons in the Vc, which increased following ION ligation, declined. The ratio of CGRP-IR TG neurons, large-sized CGRP-IR TG neurons, and TG neurons encircled with the GFAP-IR cells increased after ION ligation and decreased after antibody administration. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of CGRP and D2 receptor in the Vc increased after ION ligation and decreased after antibody administration. There were no significant differences in the head-withdrawal threshold, pERK-IR cell count, ratio of CGRP-IR TG neurons, ratio of size of CGRP-IR TG neurons, ratio of TG neurons encircled with GFAP-IR cells, and immunoreactivity of CGRP and D2 receptor in the Vc between the ION-ligated rats with and without CGRP. These findings suggest that the administration of an anti-CGRP antibody into the TG is involved in the suppression of trigeminal neuropathic pain and the D2 receptor expression in the Vc.

Experimental investigation of flexible eight-port asymmetric fed MIMO antenna with narrow-super-widebandn-s characteristics for future applications including internet of things

In this work, an eight-port MIMOn-s antenna with dual-band operation is presented. The proposed work involves several wireless applications with FR1 and FR2 millimeter-wave bands. Also, a need for conformal antenna with capability of reduced SAR can cater the need for applications in flexible electronics. The antenna includes an oval-shaped radiating patch with a circular slot printed on Rogers RT Duroid TM5880 substrate on one plane and rectangular defected-ground-structure on the other side with a dimension of 70.71 × 70.71 mm2. The radiating patch and ground are asymmetric-fed producing measured bandwidth of Band 1 = 3.59–3.85GHz useful for WiMAX application and Band 2 = 8.40–70.0GHz for application in Industry-Scientific-Medical (ISM)-24.0 GHz, Ultra-wideband (UWB)-24.0GHz and millimeter-wave 5G-FR2 bands (n257-n263). The property of the substrate thickness = 0.254mm is utilized for bending angles of 15°, 30°, and 45° ensuring no change in -10.0dB impedance bandwidth making it suitable for flexible-electronics applications. The SARn-s is evaluated with antenna placed on tissue (skin, fat, muscle) model at SAR/frequency and found to be ≤ 1.60 W/Kg at key frequency values in the operating bandwidth of interest corresponding to 0.0331 W/Kg at 3.50GHz, 0.0435 W/Kg at 10.0GHz, 0.0131 W/Kg at 15.0GHz, 0.0209 W/Kg at 24.0GHZ, 0.0171 W/Kg at 26.0GHz, 0.0116 W/Kg at 28.0GHz, 0.00334 W/Kg at 38.0GHz, 0.00336 W/Kg at 39.0GHz, 0.00296 W/Kg at 41.0GHz, 0.00149 W/Kg at 47.0GHz and 0.0851 W/Kg at 60.0GHz. The diversity performance is also evaluated with measured ECCn-s < 0.02, DGn-s > 9.9998dB, TARCn-s < -8.0dB, and CCLn-s < 0.10b/s/Hz. The measured peak-gain varied between 2.965dBi-16.258dBi with maximum peak-gain of 16.13dBi at 60.0GHz including 2-D radiation patterns at WiMAX and other bands. The multi-band flexible-ability and acceptable SARn-s suggest the proposed well suited for WiMAX and future 5G applications in FR2 bands.