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Cefazolin is one of curative treatments for infections due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Both growth and critical illness may impact the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. We aimed to build a population PK model for cefazolin in critically ill children in order to optimize individual dosing regimens. We included all children (age < 18 years, body weight (BW) > 2.5 kg) receiving cefazolin for MSSA infection. Cefazolin total plasma concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. A data modelling process was performed with the software MONOLIX. Monte Carlo simulations were used in order to attain the PK target of 100% fT > 4 × MIC. Thirty-nine patients with a median (range) age of 7 (0.1–17) years and a BW of 21 (2.8–79) kg were included. The PK was ascribed to a one-compartment model, where typical clearance and volume of distribution estimations were 1.4 L/h and 3.3 L respectively. BW, according to the allometric rules, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on clearance were the two influential covariates. Continuous infusion with a dosing of 100 mg/kg/day to increase to 150 mg/kg/day for children with a BW < 10 kg or eGFR >200 mL/min/1.73m2 were the best schemes to reach the PK target of 100% fT > 4 × MIC. In critically ill children infected with MSSA, continuous infusion seems to be the most appropriate scheme to reach the PK target of 100 % fT > 4 × MIC in children with normal and augmented renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this letter, a method for dealing with the time-dependent dielectric breakdown of an oxide layer in a MOS or MIM structure in the framework of SPICE simulations is reported. • In particular, we focus the attention on the clustering model (Burr's XII distribution) for dielectric breakdown which can be considered as an extension of the well known Weibull model. In this letter, a method for dealing with the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of oxide layers in MOS and MIM structures in the framework of SPICE simulations is reported. In particular, we focus the attention on the clustering model (Burr's XII distribution) for dielectric breakdown which can be considered an extension of the well known Weibull model. The oxide time-to-breakdown for both models is calculated using the inversion method for the cumulative distribution function. For the sake of completeness, the proposed approach includes uncorrelated variability both in the initial and final resistance states. For illustrative purposes, it is also shown how voltage acceleration, progressive breakdown or any other correlation factor can be introduced in the simulation parameters. As an application example, the proposed method is used to simulate the simplest case of a gate-to-drain dielectric breakdown of a NMOS-based inverter circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Soil carbon density in these systems is higher than other arid and semi-arid regions. • Above and belowground biomass values are in the lower range of global estimates. • Monetary valuation of the ESs should consider distribution and species-dominance. Abstract Mangroves provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs), including fish and wildlife habitat, protection from coastal erosion and flooding impacts, food resources, water quality, carbon sequestration and storage. However, most of the mangrove wetlands structural and functional information useful to evaluate the quality, quantity and monetary value of its ESs has been obtained from studies at tropical latitudes usually dominated by large deltas and extensive coastal lagoon and estuaries. Thus, there is a major data gap for mangrove wetlands located in arid and semi-arid regions due to their limited land cover and location at the boundary of transitional climate gradients. Here we analyze the spatial distribution of mangrove wetlands carbon stocks and net primary productivity (i.e., litterfall and root productivity) in La Paz Bay, an arid coastal region in the Gulf of California, Mexico, where mangrove wetlands are spatially distributed in conspicuously extensive patches. We used this information to qualitatively rank ESs. Three peri-urban mangrove wetland sites (Balandra, Enfermeria, and Zacatecas) were characterized by different degrees of anthropogenic impact. Aboveground biomass (interval: 13.6 to 31.6 Mg C ha−1) was in the lower range when compared globally. The average C storage in mangrove soils (at 45 cm depth) in La Paz Bay is 175 Mg C ha−1, which is higher than the values reported for other arid zones (≥1 m soil depth: 43–156 Mg C ha−1). Belowground root biomass and productivity values (roots range: 0.22–0.31 Mg C ha−1; fine roots NPP: 0.06–0.09 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) were in the lower range. We found distinct differences in aboveground C storage values among sites where mangrove species formed monospecific stands across the landscape within each site. Areas dominated by the species Rhizophora mangle reflected the highest soil C density values (208.9 ± 144.6 Mg C ha−1), followed by Laguncularia racemosa (181.4 ± 118.2 Mg C ha−1) and Avicennia germinans (155.5 ± 72.1 Mg C ha−1). We identified ESs provided by each of the sites, including both cultural (i.e., ecotourism; especially in Balandra), and provisioning (fisheries) services. Our study is a first step in the quantitative assessment of functional and structural properties as ESs of arid mangrove wetlands in La Paz Bay that could be readily translated into robust economic estimates for this arid coastal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Small pelagic fish species have been a central research topic for more than 60 years because of their ecological role, their economic importance, and the apparent multidecadal large fluctuations in catches, synchronic fluctuations from remote regions, and the alternation between the abundance of sardine and anchovies within each system. Strong evidence supports the observation that low-frequency fluctuations of small pelagics occur naturally. However, the synchrony and the alternation have been questioned. In this study, the Regime Problem hypothesis is revisited by updating the fish catch time series to 2015, and by incorporating into the analyses stocks not originally considered due to the time series lengths. The specific questions addressed here are: 1) whether the synchronic fluctuations of small pelagics catches from remote regions and the species alternation between species within each system, observed for the last century in the Regime Problem literature, remains after updating the time series, and 2) If a multidecadal signal can also be detected in regions that were not considered in the original Regime hypothesis framework. Results indicate that the multidecadal synchrony between systems and alternation between species remains clear for the Kuroshio and Humboldt systems. The California small pelagics cannot be considered to be in phase with the other systems, that in Benguela alternation is not evident during at least the last two decades, and that there is not a single worldwide mode of variability teleconnecting all small pelagics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The inclusion of uncorrelated cycle to cycle variability in the quasistatic memdiode model for RRAM devices is studied in this work. • The experimental parameter distributions suiting better are determined by means of the tools in the fitdistrplus package for the R language. • Model results reproduce the main features exhibited by the experimental curves. • Statistical distributions from experimental and simulated parameters are compared including the study of the parameter fluctuations. • The model was studied with a one-way sensitivity analysis, where the impact of variations in the model parameters have in the model outputs was assessed. Variability of the conduction characteristics of filamentary-type resistive switching devices or resistive RAMs (RRAMs) is a hot research topic both in academia and industry because it is currently considered one of the major showstoppers for the successful development and application of this technology. In this work, we thoroughly investigate the statistics of the cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variability observed in the experimental current–voltage (I-V) curves of HfO 2 -based memristive structures using the fitdistrplus package for the R language. This exploratory analysis allows us to identify which parametric probability distributions are the most suitable candidates for describing our data. This study involves graphical tools such as the density, skewness-kurtosis (S-K), and quantile–quantile (Q-Q) plots. The analysis is completed with the aid of goodness-of-fit statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Cramer-von Mises, Anderson-Darling) and criteria (Akaike's and Bayesian). The selected distributions are incorporated into the SPICE script of the quasi-static memdiode model for resistive switching devices and used for simulating uncorrelated C2C variability. Finally, a one-way sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to test the impact of the model parameters variation in the output characteristics of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased demand for macroalgae as human food may jeopardise the balance of macroalgae in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquaculture is a sustainable alternative source of macroalgae, which can be sea- or land-based. Much data on macroalgae composition can be found in the literature; however, no comparison between aquaculture types has yet been made. This paper compares the contents of two samples cultivated on land (Ulva sp. and Ulva ohnoi) and three on the sea, an Ulva sp. and two red macroalgae (Gracilaria gracilis , and Geliduim sp.). The fatty acid profile, iodine, and some heavy metals significantly differed in the samples grown in the tanks on land compared to those produced in the sea. In addition, a higher content of some essential amino acids was found in U. ohnoi. By cultivating macroalgae under controlled conditions, land-based aquaculture can help improve some macroalgae's nutritional value and reduce toxic components such as heavy metals. [Display omitted] • Land-based Ulva sp. showed lower iodine content. • Land-based Ulva sp. Al, Cr, Co, As, Pb and Hg content was lower than sea-based. • Ulva spp. presented higher PUFA % than G. gracilis and Gelidium sp. • Ulva ohnoi was the seaweed with a higher antioxidant and amino acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is intended to produce cryptographic secret keys between two remote parties, usually called Alice and Bob. Even though QKD has been proven to be unconditionally secure against the eavesdropper, commonly called Eve, practical implementations of QKD may contain vulnerabilities that may lead to the generated secret keys being compromised. In order to detect the presence of the eavesdropper in the channel, in our proposal Alice introduces an interleaved sequence of decoy states which produce a characteristic distribution at Bob''s station. Thus, in analyzing such distribution in presence and absence of the eavesdropper Eve, her activity in the channel is detected. This protocol doesn’t require changes at the quantum physical level, but it can be incorporated at the high software level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We conducted a four year interdisciplinary collaborative project focused in the Gulf of California, the most important fishing region for Mexico. We reviewed published reports, collected and analyzed physical, chemical and ecological data sets, and developed models for the physical (atmosphere and ocean) and ecological components of this large marine ecosystem, to examine prevalent scientific questions regarding climate variability and change in the region, covering three time scales (ENSO, decadal-to-interdecadal, and long-term trend). We were able to describe how the Gulf of California influences the northward propagation of coastal trapped Kelvin waves associated with El Niño (ENSO) events, and how this signal, together with changes in the atmospheric forcing, results in a ENSO signature inside the Gulf. For the decadal-to-multidecadal scales, we found coherent trends among series, and with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The long-term temperature signal for the Gulf of California shows a warming that occurred in the mid 20th century, approximately a decade before that in the California Current. This signal is coherent with fluctuations in the industrial fisheries catch records (sardine and shrimps). For the recent decades we found no significant sustained long-term trend in any of the time series of physical and ecological variables that we considered. Instead, variability seems to be fully dominated by the interaction of PDO and ENSO. We stress the urgent need for more modeling efforts and the establishment of interdisciplinary (physical and biological) observation platforms for the marine environment in the Gulf of California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the methodology and the results obtained in the framework of the NEEDS (New Energy Externalities Developments for Sustainability) European project, while evaluating externalities due to accidental situations. In particular it focuses on the results obtained from a risk assessment of hydrogen transportation technologies. The quantification of risk as an additional source of externality to the cost of transporting hydrogen was obtained with the support of a commercial numerical simulation software that was specifically designed to deal with hazards in process industry environment. A number of scenarios and site dependencies have been taken into account in order to assess the risk associated with different transportation means, under several accidental conditions (e.g., kind of rupture and weather conditions). Results were compared with social acceptability limits of risk set by some countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Gulf of California is unique because of its geographical location and conformation. It hosts diverse ecosystems and important fisheries that support industry and provide livelihood to coastal settlements. It is also the site of interests and problems, and an intense interaction among managers, producers, and conservationists. In this report, we scrutinize the abiotic (hydrography, climate, ocean circulation, and chemistry) and biotic (phyto- and zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, and turtles) components of the marine ecosystem, and some particular aspects of climate variability, endemisms, harmful algal blooms, oxygen minimum layer, and pollution. We also review the current conditions and conflicts around the main fisheries (shrimp, small and large pelagic fishes, squid, artisanal and sportfishing), the most important human activity in the Gulf of California. We cover some aspects of management and conservation of fisheries, especially the claimed overexploitation of fish resources and the ecosystems, and review proposals for creating networks of marine protected areas. We conclude by identifying main needs for information and research, particularly the integration of data bases, the implementation of models and paleoreconstructions, establishment of monitoring programs, and the evaluation of fishing impacts and management actions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The prevalence and associated factors of chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis were estimated among 200 consecutive elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) admitted to a general hospital in northern Italy. One-hundred patients had a peripheral eosinophil concentration ≥ 500 cells/µL (group A), and 100 were age- and gender-matched controls (group B). Measurements included serum IgG anti- Strongyloides antibody titre by an indirect immunofluorescence assay, combined with faecal culture for Strongyloides stercoralis. Anti- Strongyloides antibodies were detected in 28 patients (at high titre in 11 patients). Seropositivity was significantly more common among group A than among group B patients (OR 4.85). Strong seropositivity for anti- Strongyloides antibodies was associated with farm work (p < 0.001), but not with other patient characteristics or with signs and symptoms of strongyloidiasis. In conclusion, strongyloidiasis was relatively common among elderly in-patients; eosinophilia and a history of farm work were the most useful indications for this diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A stirred tank was used for the first time to elucidate the mechanism responsible for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) matrix effects caused by inorganic, acids and easily ionized elements (EIEs), as well as organic, ethanol and acetic acid, compounds. In order to gradually increase the matrix concentration, a matrix solution was introduced inside a stirred container (tank) initially filled with an aqueous multielement standard. PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) tubing was used to deliver the resulting solution to the liquid sample introduction system. Matrix concentration ranged from 0 to 2 mol l−1 in the case of inorganic acids (i.e., nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric and a mixture of them), from 0 to about 2500 mg l−1 for EIEs (i.e., sodium, calcium and mixtures of both) and from 0% to 15%, w/w for organic compounds. Up to 40–50 different solutions were prepared and measured in a period of time shorter than 6–7 min. This investigation was carried out in terms of emission intensity and tertiary aerosols characteristics. The experimental setup used in the present work allowed to thoroughly study the effect of matrix concentration on analytical signal. Generally speaking, the experiments concerning tertiary aerosol characterization revealed that, in the case of inorganic acids and EIEs, the mechanism responsible for changes in aerosol characteristics was the droplet fission. In contrast, for organic matrices it was found that the interference was caused by a change in both aerosol transport and plasma thermal characteristics. The extent of the interferences caused by organic as well as inorganic compounds was compared for a set of 14 emission lines through a wide range of matrix concentrations. With a stirred tank, it is possible to choose an efficient internal standard for any given matrix composition. The time required to complete this procedure was shorter than 7 min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Uncorrelated cycle to cycle variability is included in the quasistatic memdiode model for RRAM devices. • The best parameter distributions from experimental curves are extracted using fitdistrplus package from the R language. • Model results reproduce the main features exhibited by the experimental curves. • Statistical distributions from experimental and simulated parameters are compared. In this work, we investigated how to include uncorrelated cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variability in the LTSpice quasi-static memdiode model for RRAM devices. Variability in the I-V curves is first addressed through an in-depth study of the experimental data using the fitdistrplus package for the R language. This provides a first approximation to the identification of the most suitable model parameter distributions. Next, the selected candidate distributions are incorporated into the model script and used for carrying out Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, the experimental and simulated observables (set and reset currents, transition voltages, etc.) are statistically compared and the model estimands recalculated if it is necessary. Here, we put special emphasis on describing the main difficulties behind this seemingly simple procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bay of La Paz (BLPZ), located in the southwestern Gulf of California, is a region of significant biological productivity and strong environmental variability that remains to be understood. In particular, the spatial signature of different El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions and their impact on the ecology of the bay remains puzzling because of contrasting field observations. In this context, the available satellite-derived data on surface chlorophyll (ChlSAT), sea surface temperature (SST) derived from the MODIS-Aqua sensor, together with surface wind intensity (WI) derived from reanalysis datasets from the period 2003–2018 were analyzed to identify the influence of local and remote forcing over the interannual variability of chlorophyll pigment concentration in BLPZ using WI, SST, and the Oceanic El Niño Index (ONI) as environmental factors. Significant relationships between environmental factors and ChlSAT were found using exponential models, with the higher slopes and correlations during La Niña events. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was used to extract the principal mode of the ChlSAT and SST interannual variability. The first mode (EOF1) accounted for 64% and 89% of the ChlSAT and the SST interannual variance, respectively, showing a strong gradient along the coast of the bay. The corresponding amplitude of the ChlSAT mode was significantly correlated with the independent variables PC1SST, ONI, and WI anomalies (R SST = − 0.60, R ONI = − 0.57, and R WI = 0.44, P < 0.001). Monthly time series of ChlSAT anomalies along the coast where examined as a function of each independent variable using a multiple linear regression analysis (LRA), which revealed that during the 2005 to 2013 period, high peaks of positive ChlSAT anomalies in the central and southern coast were related to cold ENSO events and favorable wind forcing, which smoothed the effect of weak and moderate El Niño episodes. This period of high biological productivity was only interrupted by the strong and long 2015–2016 El Niño event. Since late 2013, the ChlSAT and the WI anomalies showed a sharp drop to negative anomaly values, which may be the result of complex interactions of physical and biological processes observed during strong warm ENSO events, showing one peak of persistent warm SST anomalies via a weakening of the wind intensity (i.e., from atmospheric teleconnection) and a second one due to the oceanic connection. It is confirmed that BLPZ maintains high pigment concentration levels, comparable to those reported on the mainland coast of GC, where only strong warm ENSO episodes cause changes in chlorophyll concentration. • Biological productivity in the Bay of La Paz is impacted by large scale variability linked to El Niño Southern Oscillation. • During 2005–2013, the bay showed positive chlorophyll anomalies related to ENSO cold phase and favorable wind forcing. • During 2014–2018, the high productivity was interrupted as revealed by a sharp decrease in the ChlSAT and wind intensity. • Bay of La Paz shows productivity comparable to the Gulf of California mainland and the western coast of Baja California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the outcome of a specific vaginal cuff closure technique at endoscopic hysterectomy to reduce dehiscence. Retrospective cohort study. Academic center, Mayo Clinic Phoenix, Arizona. 434 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic hysterectomy (363 robotic, 71 laparoscopic) with a revised cuff closure technique. Continuous vaginal cuff closure using delayed absorbable suture (PDS or V loc) with full thickness bites 5 mm away from the vaginal edge and 5 mm apart. The mean age of the cohort was 51.4 years (SD 12.5) with a mean BMI of 30 kg/m2 (SD 8.1). Most hysterectomies (73%) were for benign conditions- 94.2% were simple hysterectomies and the remainder, 5.8%, were radical or modified radical. Mean estimated blood loss was 93.4 ml (SD 137.7). At a median follow up of 518.2 days (SD 673.7) vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) was observed in 0.7% of patients, as compared to our previous VCD rate of 4.1% (p= 0.00732) [1] with a previous cuff closure technique using polyglactin absorbable suture. There was a trend of a higher VCD among patients with a lower BMI (22.8 vs. 30.1 kg/m2, P= 0.066), and of patients receiving chemotherapy (33.3% vs 3.5%, P= 0.024). The use of delayed absorbable suture and mass closure technique (5 mm away from the vaginal edge and 5 mm in between sutures) of the vaginal cuff reduced vaginal cuff dehiscence from 4.1% to 0.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the rate of vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) after endoscopic hysterectomy using absorbable vs delayed absorbable suture. Retrospective cohort study. Academic center, Mayo Clinic Phoenix, Arizona. 586 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic hysterectomy (499 robotic, 87 laparoscopic) with a specific cuff closure technique. Specific vaginal cuff closure technique with delayed absorbable (PDS and V-loc) or absorbable (Vicryl) suture. The mean age was 50.8 years (SD 12.6) with a mean BMI of 30 kg/m2 (SD 8.4). Most patients were premenopausal (59%) and 4.6% were on or had previously received chemotherapy. Of the hysterectomies performed, 75% were for benign indications, 94.5% were simple hysterectomies and 5.5% were radical or modified radical hysterectomies. Mean estimated blood loss was 93.4 ml (SD 137.7ml). Vicryl was used in 152 patients, PDS in 161 patients and V loc in 273 patients. The 3 groups were similar in demographics except for uterine pathology (benign in 80.9% vs. 72.7% vs 73.2% respectively, p= 0.038), median blood loss (115.7 (SD 134.7) vs 87.9 (SD= 90.5) vs 96.9 (SD 161.2) ml respectively, p= 0.034). After a mean follow up period of 586.6 days (SD 725.7), vaginal cuff dehiscence occurred in 1.2% of patients (2.6% Vicryl, 0.6% PDS and 0.7% V loc, p= 0.165). VCD rate with delayed absorbable suture (PDS or V loc) vs absorbable suture (Vicryl), was 0.7% vs. 2.6%, p= 0.058. respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed younger age and lower BMI are risk factors for VCD (OR: 0.91 95% CI 0.83-0.99 vs OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.94 respectively). Delayed absorbable suture is preferable for vaginal cuff closure at endoscopic hysterectomy as compared to absorbable suture. Risk factors for vaginal cuff dehiscence are younger age and lower BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Litopenaeus vannamei is a widely studied species, the information on how the organisms respond to natural daily variations of environmental conditions such as temperature and dissolved oxygen, and how such conditions alter the physiological responses, is scarce. In the present work, the strategies used by shrimps to cope with temperature and dissolved oxygen fluctuations during 24 days were investigated through the evaluation of oxygen consumption and heat shock proteins (HSP) gene expression. During daily fluctuations, no change in oxygen consumption in the short-term, but a significant increase in the long-term during hyperthermia conditions was registered, whereas a significant decrease during hypoxia was observed during all the bioassay. On the other hand, HSP70 and HSP90 gene expression increased in gills under thermal stress but was down-regulated under hypoxia, in both the short- and the long-term. This study highlights that to counteract environmental variations of temperature and dissolved oxygen, the shrimps use molecular compensatory mechanisms (HSP gene expression) that are different to those used under constant hypoxic conditions, suggesting that hypoxia can compromise physiological cytoprotection. • Shrimp's oxygen consumption responses to cyclic hyperthermia and hypoxia are different between short and long-term exposure. • Under oscillating conditions, HSP gene expression in gills is compromised during hypoxia. • Oxygen consumption and HSP gene expression responses during cyclic conditions are different from those at constant hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous temporal and spatial patterns of natural climate variability have been characterized. By analyzing standardized and detrended sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) along the coast from 1950 to 2023, this study identifies two dominant modes of ocean variability in the Northeast Pacific Boundary Current (NEPBC) which includes the California and Alaska currents. The first mode is the prevalent pattern of interannual variability associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. A second mode arises as an independent dipole between the coasts of North and Central America, with the strongest intensities on a portion of the NEPBC (38°-53°N) and the Eastern Pacific warm pool (EPWP, 2°S-15°N). The difference in SSTA between the two regions appears to be caused by variations in the intensity and distribution of atmospheric pressure fields and it is related with the Pacific Meridional Mode and North Pacific Oscillation. Such coastal mode will provide the opportunity to describe the interactions of coastal processes with climate indices capturing larger-scale phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two contributions for secure data hiding have been made in this paper. • Non-linear properties of quantum walks is utilized to construct S-boxes. • An efficient steganography technique is proposed. • It is able to resist the probable attacks of the quantum computer. • Results show that it has favorable performance and high security. Substitution boxes play an essential role in designing secure cryptosystems. With the evolution of quantum technologies, current data security mechanisms may be broken due to their construction based on mathematical computation. Quantum walks, a universal quantum computational model, play an essential role in designing quantum algorithms. We utilize the benefits of quantum walks to present a novel technique for constructing substitution boxes (S-boxes) based on quantum walks (QWs). The performance of the presented QWs S-box technique is evaluated by S-box evaluation criteria, and our results prove that the constructed S-box has vital qualities for viable applications in security purposes. Furthermore, a new technique for image steganography is constructed. The proposed technique is an integrated mechanism between classical data hiding and quantum walks to achieve better security for the embedded data. The embedding and extraction procedures are controlled by QWs S-box. The inclusion of cryptographic QWs S-box ensures the security of both embedding and extraction phases. At the extraction phase, only the stego image and the secret values are needed for constructing the secret data. Experimental results demonstrate that the presented technique has a high-security, high embedding capacity and good visual quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of constant electrical stress to a metal–insulator-semiconductor (MOS) or metal–insulator-metal (MIM) structure can generate multiple breakdown events in the dielectric film. Very often, these events are detected as small jumps in the current–time characteristic of the device under test and can be treated from the stochastic viewpoint as a counting process. In this letter, a wide variety of standard reliability growth models for this process are assessed in order to determine which option provides the best simulation results compatible with the experimental observations. For the generation of the breakdown event arrivals, two alternative stochastic methods for the power-law Poisson process are investigated: first, the inversion algorithm for the cumulative distribution function and second, an on-the-fly method based on the so-called rejection algorithm. Though both methods are equivalent, the first one is more appropriate for data analysis using spreadsheet calculations while the second one is highly suitable for circuit simulation environments like LTSpice. The connection of the selected nonhomogeneous Poisson process with the Weibull model for dielectric breakdown is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) are a key component in the design of modern cryptographic mechanisms and are regarded as a backbone element of many modern cryptographic applications. However and in spite of their robustness, quantum computers could crack down PNGR-based systems. Quantum walks, a universal model of quantum computation, have nonlinear properties that make them a robust candidate to produce PRNG. In this paper, we utilize controlled alternate quantum walk (CAQW) to create PRNG. Moreover, we use the presented PRNG mechanism as a component of a new quantum color image encryption protocol. The quantum color image is encrypted via quantum C-Not (controlled-Not) gate which ruled by the key sequence generated from the PRNG mechanism. Simulation results and numerical analyses demonstrate that the suggested PRNG mechanism and its application to quantum color image encryption have high efficiency with high security. • Quantum random walks is utilized to design new cryptosystem approaches. • Efficient pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) based on quantum walks is proposed. • Quantum color image encryption based on PRNG and quantum walks is proposed. • The presented quantum encryption mechanism has high efficiency and secure against. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe severe forms of novel coronavirus disease 2019 in children, including patient characteristics, clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, as well as the disease management and outcomes. This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study conducted in a pediatric intensive and high-dependency care unit (PICU, HDU) in an urban hospital in Paris. All patients, aged from 1 month to 18 years, admitted for confirmed or highly suspected SARS-CoV-2 were included. We analyzed the data of 27 children. Comorbidities (n = 19, 70%) were mainly neurological (n = 7), respiratory, (n = 4), or sickle cell disease (n = 4). SARS-CoV-2 PCR results were positive in 24 children (nasopharyngeal swabs). The three remaining children had a chest CT scan consistent with COVID-19. Respiratory involvement was observed in 24 patients (89%). Supportive treatments were invasive mechanical ventilation (n = 9), catecholamine (n = 4), erythropheresis (n = 4), renal replacement therapy (n = 1), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 1). Five children died, of whom three were without past medical history. This study highlighted the large spectrum of clinical presentation and time course of disease progression as well as the non-negligible occurrence of pediatric life-threatening and fatal cases of COVID-19 mostly in patients with comorbidities. Additional laboratory investigations are needed to further analyze the mechanism underlying the variability of SARS-Cov-2 pathogenicity in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]