bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estratégias de finalizações frasais e a análise automática da entoação: um estudo piloto
Authors: Ferreira Netto Waldemar , Martins Marcus Vinicius Moreira
Published: January 2021

O propósito deste artigo é estabelecer critérios e procedimentos para a segmentação e classificação frasais automáticas da língua portuguesa no âmbito do projeto de pesquisa ExProsodia. Baseados em levantamento bibliográfico, desenvolvemos um conjunto de nove parâmetros objetivos e específicos, que se referem a aspectos da marcação de fronteiras de frases entoacionais — direção, alvo, movimento, shift, alongamento e pausa — e aspectos do intervalo que se estabelece entre frases entoacionais e a entoação global do discurso — correlação, distância e variação de foco e ênfase. Aplicamos esses parâmetros a uma gravação para análise automática e foi possível verificar que a impossibilidade de se fazer comparações diretas e completamente inequívocas entre intuição humana e análise instrumental automática não permite qualquer tipo de construção subjetiva. Assim, os resultados obtidos por esse tipo de análise, para que sejam interpretados linguisticamente, têm de receber um tratamento adequado às necessidades humanas compartilhadas, por sua vez, por um grupo de falantes da mesma língua.
A diencephalic circuit for opioid analgesia but not positive reinforcement
Authors: Waung Maggie , Maanum Kayla , Driscoll Joseph , O'Brien Chris , Bryant Svetlana , Mansourian Kasra , Morales Marisela , Barker David , Margolis Elyssa
Published: January 2021

Mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are the most effective analgesics, but their use risks respiratory depression and addiction. The epithalamic lateral habenula (LHb) is a critical site that signals aversive states, often via indirect inhibition of reward circuitry, and MORs are highly expressed in the LHb. We found that the LHb is a potent site for both MOR-agonist analgesia. Strikingly, LHb MOR activation generates negative reinforcement but is not rewarding in the absence of noxious input. While the LHb receives inputs from multiple sites, we found that inputs from the lateral preoptic area of the hypothalamus (LPO) are excited by noxious stimulation, express MOR mRNA, and are preferentially targeted by MOR selective agonists. Critically, optogenetic stimulation of LHb-projecting LPO neurons produces an aversive state relieved by LHb MOR activation. Therefore targeting this MOR sensitive forebrain circuit can relieve pain yet lower the risk of misuse by pain free individuals.
The influencing factors of the smoking behavior of online ride-hailing drivers in China: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Chen Xinlin , Gu Xuefei , Li Tingting , Xu Lirong , Liu Qiaoyan , Wu Nina
Published: January 2021

Background：Online ride-hailing is a fast-developing new travel mode, and tobacco control policies on it have not yet been improved. This study aims to reveal the smoking status and influencing factors of ride-hailing drivers, so as to provide a basis for the formulation of tobacco control policies.Methods：The cross-sectional data used in this study were derived from an online survey of full-time ride-hailing drivers in China. Questionnaires were employed to collect variables including sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, health status, health behavior, health literacy, and smoking status. Chi-Square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of current smoking.Results：A total of 8990 ride-hailing drivers were investigated, in which 5024 were current smokers, accounted to 55.9%. Current smokers (53.7% (2696/5024) v 44.2% (1752/3966); P<0.001) and drivers who smoked on the car (85.8% (1389/1618) v 38.4 (1307/3406); P<0.001) were more likely to allow passengers to smoke. Logistic regression analysis showed that men (OR=0.519, 95%CI (0.416, 0.647)), central regions (OR=1.172, 95%CI (1.049, 1.309)), eastern regions (OR=1.330, 95%CI (1.194, 1.480)), working at both daytime and night (OR=1.287, 95%CI (1.164, 1.424)), and working at non-fixed time (OR=0.847, 95%CI (0.718, 0.999)), 35-54 years old (OR=0.585, 95%CI (0.408, 0.829)), current drinker (OR=1.663, 95%CI (1.526, 1.813)), eating very irregularly (OR=1.370, 95%CI (1.233, 1.523)), the number of days a week of engaging in at least 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise ≥ 3 (OR=0.752, 95%CI (0.646, 0.875)), taking the initiative to acquire health knowledge occasionally (OR=0.882, 95%CI (0.783, 0.992)) or frequently (OR=0.675, 95%CI (0.591, 0.770)) , underweight (OR=1.249, 95%CI (1.001, 1.559)) and overweight (OR=0.846, 95%CI (0.775, 0.924)) were associated with the prevalence of current smoking among online ride-hailing drivers (P<0.05). Conclusions：The smoking rate of ride-hailing drivers was high, and the social demographic and work-related characteristics, and health-related factors all affected their smoking behavior. Tobacco control measures targeted at online-hailing drivers should correct their cultural beliefs about smoking, increase their health literacy, guide them to exercise more and keep a regular schedule, as well as combine with drinking intervention and weight intervention.
Risk Transfer Policies Facilitate Smallholder Farmer Climate Adaptation
Authors: Choquette-Levy Nicolas , Wildemeersch Matthias , Oppenheimer Michael , Levin Simon
Published: January 2021

Increasing climate stress is likely to significantly impact smallholder farmer livelihoods, and can lead to divergent adaptation pathways. However, empirical evidence is inconclusive regarding how climate affects smallholder farmers’ deployment of various livelihood strategies, including rural-urban migration, especially as these impacts become more severe. Here we use an agent-based model to show that in a South Asian-type agricultural community experiencing a 1.5oC temperature increase by 2050, climate impacts are likely to decrease household income in 2050 by an average of 28 percent relative to the same income under a stationary climate, with fewer households engaging in economic migration and investing in cash crops. Pairing a small cash transfer with risk transfer mechanisms significantly increases the adoption of alternative livelihood strategies, improves community incomes, and reduces community inequality. While specific results depend on contextual factors such as risk preferences and climate risk exposure, these interventions are robust in improving adaptation outcomes by addressing the intersection of risk aversion, financial restrictions, and climate impacts.
Copy Number Variation in the CES1 Gene and the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Chen Bing bing , Yan Jian hui , Zheng Jing , Peng He wei , Cai Xiao ling , Pan Xin ting , Li Hui quan , Hong Qi zhu , Peng Xian-E
Published: January 2021

BackgroundA recent genome-wide copy number variations (CNVs) scan identified a 16q12.2 deletion that included the carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) gene, which is important in the metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol. We aimed to investigate whether CES1 CNVs was associated with susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese Han population.MethodsA case-control study was conducted among 303 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 303 age (± 5) and sex-matched controls from the Affiliated Nanping First Hospital of Fujian Medical University in China. The copy numbers of CES1 were measured using TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and serum CES1 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The Chi-squared test and a logistic regression model were used to evaluate the association between CES1 CNVs and NAFLD susceptibility.ResultsThe distribution of CES1 CNVs showed a higher frequency of CNVs loss (< 2) among patients; however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.05). After controlling for other known or suspected risk factors for NAFLD, CES1 CNVs loss was significantly associated with greater risk of NAFLD (adjusted OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.30–5.85, P = 0.01); while CES1 CNVs gain (>2) was not. There was a suggestion of an association between increased CES1 serum protein levels and CNVs losses among cases, although this was not statistically significant (P=0.07).ConclusionsCopy number losses (< 2) of CES1 contribute to susceptibility to NAFLD in the Chinese Han population.
Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy Can Improve the Diagnosis Rate and Range Assessment of Patients With Conflicting Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Results of White Light Endoscopic and Pathological Diagnosis
Authors: Pang Suya , Shi Huiying , Yao Hailing , Jiang Chen , Zhang Qin , Lin Rong
Published: January 2021

Background: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) are closely related to the development of gastric cancer. However, the diagnostic accuracy of white light endoscopy (WLE) biopsy for CAG is poor. The diagnostic role and efficacy of confocal laser microscopy (CLE) in CAG missed under WLE biopsy remains unclear.Methods: This study is a single-center prospective study that included 21 patients who were diagnosed with CAG under WLE, and whose pathological results were chronic inflammation. Then, all these patients received a CLE examination and endoscopic features were evaluated. All patients underwent targeted biopsies and five-point standard biopsies under CLE. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CLE diagnosis and targeted biopsy were analyzed by using the five-point standard biopsy pathological results.Results: The pathological results of five-point standard biopsies in 21 patients were CAG, and 17 patients (81.0%) were intestinal metaplasia (IM). According to the image diagnosis under CLE, 19 of these 21 patients (90.5%) were diagnosed with CAG, and 14 of them (66.7%) were diagnosed with IM. According to the targeted biopsy under CLE, 17 (81.0%) patients were diagnosed with CAG, and 14 of them (66.7%) were diagnosed with IM. There was no significant difference between CLE image diagnosis and five-point standard biopsies in terms of atrophy severity score (p=0.927), IM severity score (p=0.250), atrophy scope score (p=0.781) and IM scope score (p=0.195). For CAG, the sensitivity and accuracy of CLE image diagnosis were higher than those of CLE targeted biopsies (90.5% vs. 81.0%, p=0.331). For IM, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CLE image diagnosis were the same as those of CLE targeted biopsies.Conclusions: CLE can improve the diagnosis rate of CAG, and can increase the comprehensive assessment of the scope and severity of CAG.
Transcriptomic Analysis of The Poultry Red Mite, Dermanyssus Gallinae, Across All Stages of The Lifecycle.
Authors: Bartley Kathryn , Chen Wan , Mills Richard Lloyd , Nunn Francesca , Price Daniel , Rombauts Stephane , de Peer Yves Van , Roy Lise , Nisbet Alasdair , Burgess Stewart
Published: January 2021

Background: The blood feeding poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, causes substantial economic damage to the egg laying industry worldwide, and is serious welfare concern for laying hens and poultry house workers. In this study we have investigated the temporal gene expression across the 6 stages/sexes (egg, larvae, protonymph and deutonymph, adult male and adult female) of this neglected parasite in order to understand the temporal expression associated with development, parasitic lifestyle, reproduction and allergen expression. Results: RNA-seq transcript data for the 6 stages was mapped to the PRM genome creating a publicly available gene expression atlas (on the OrcAE platform in conjunction with the PRM genome). Network analysis and clustering of stage-enriched gene expression in PRM resulted in 17 superclusters with stage-specific or multi-stage expression profiles. The 6 stage specific superclusters were clearly demarked from each other and the adult female supercluster contained the most stage specific transcripts (2,725), whilst the protonymph supercluster the fewest (165). Fifteen pairwise comparisons performed between the different stages resulting in a total of 6025 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) (P>0.99). These data were evaluated alongside a Venn/Euler analysis of the top 100 most abundant genes in each stage. An expanded set of cuticle proteins and enzymes (chitinase and metallacarboxypeptidases) were identified in larvae and underpin cuticle formation and ecdysis to the protonymph stage. Two mucin/peritrophic-A salivary proteins (DEGAL6771g00070, DEGAL6824g00220) were highly expressed in the blood-feeding stages, indicating peritrophic membrane formation during feeding. Reproduction-associated vitellogenins were the most abundant transcripts in adult females, whilst in adult males, an expanded set of serine and cysteine proteinases and an epididymal protein (DEGAL6668g00010) were highly abundant. Assessment of the expression patterns of putative homologues of 32 allergen groups described for the house dust mites indicated a bias in expression towards the non-feeding larval stage.Conclusions: This study is the first evaluation of temporal gene expression across all stages of PRM and has provided insight into developmental, feeding, reproduction and survival strategies employed by this mite. The publicly available PRM resource on OrcAE offers an invaluable tool for researchers investigating the biology and novel interventions of this parasite.
Time to Detection of Anemia and Its Predictors Among Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at Debre Tabor Referral Hospital and University of Gonder Compressive Specialized Hospital, 2020: A Multicenter Retrospective Follow-Up Study
Authors: Chanie Ermias , feleke Dejen , Alemayehu Sintayehu ehu , GebreEyesus Fisha , Tesfaw Aragaw , Bayih Wubet , Tigabu Agimasie , Ayinalem Yared , Amare Aberham , Mesfine Demeke , Dagnaw Fentaw , Abate Bruk
Published: January 2021

Background: Although antiretroviral therapy access for HIV infected children increased dramatically, anemia have been continued as a challenge regardless of cluster of differentiation (CD4) count and viral load. Hence, this study aimed to assess the time to detection of anemia and its predictors among children receiving antiretroviral therapy at Debre Tabor referral hospital and University of Gonder Compressive Specialized hospital, 2020.Methods: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2018. A total of 372 children under the age of 15 who had received ART were included in the study. Data were collected from children’s medical charts and ART registration logbook using a standard checklist. Besides, the data were entered into EPi data 4.2.2 and then exported to Stata 14.0 for further analysis. The Cox regression model, the variables having P-value ≤.05 with 95% CIs in multivariable analysis were declared as a statistically significant for anemia Result: The mean (±SD) of follow-up periods were 56.6 ±1.7 SD months. The overall median survival time free from anemia was 137 months, and the incidence rate of anemia was 6.9 per 100 PYO (95% CI: 5.3, 7.8). Moreover, WHO clinical staging of III/IV [AHR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.80, 11.1], low CD4 count below threshold [AHR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.37], cotrimoxazole preventive therapy non-users, and poor level of adherence [(AHR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.85] were the main predictors of anemia. Conclusion: The incidence rate of anemia was found to be high. Monitor hemoglobin levels routinely with concurrently CD4 cell count levels, WHO clinical stage, and level of adherence. Hence, preventing and correcting of those predictors in a systematic manner in ongoing basis is crucial. Moreover, strategies need to be strengthened cotrimoxazole preventive therapy supplementation
Automated Measurement of Iris Surface Smoothness Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography  
Authors: Zarei Mohammad , Mahmudi Tahereh , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid , Mousavi Behnam , Ebrahimiadib Nazanin , Yaseri Mehdi , Pour Elias Khalili , Arabalibeik Hossein
Published: January 2021

Fuchs uveitis (FU) is a chronic and often unilateral ocular inflammation and characteristic iris atrophic changes, other than heterochromia, are common in FU and are key to the correct diagnosis in many cases. With the advent of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), some investigators attempted to quantitatively study these atrophic changes; mostly by introducing various methods to measure iris thickness in AS-OCT images. We aimed to present an automated method in a observational case series to measure the smoothness index (SI) of iris surface in AS-OCT images. The ratio of the length of the straight line connecting the most peripheral and central points of the anterior iris border (in nasal and temporal sides) to the actual length of this border on AS-OCT images, was defined as SI. In a uveitis referral center twenty-two eyes of 11 patients with unilateral Fuchs uveitis (FU) (7 female) and 22 eyes of 11 healthy control subjects underwent AS-OCT imaging. Image J and a newly developed MATLAB algorithm were used for manual and automated SI measurements, respectively. Agreement between manual and automated measurements was evaluated with Bland-Altman analysis and interclass correlation coefficient. The inter-eye difference of SI was compared between FU group and control group. Automated mean overall SI was 0.868 ± 0.037 and 0.840 ± 0.039 in FU and healthy fellow eyes, respectively (estimated mean difference = -0.028, 95% CI [-0.038, -0.018], p<0.001). Bland- Altman plots showed good agreement between two methods in both healthy and FU eyes. Interclass correlation coefficient between the manual and automated measurements in the FU and healthy fellow eyes was 0.958 and 0.964, respectively. Inter-eye difference of overall SI was 0.029 ± 0.015 and 0.012 ± 0.008 in FU group and control group, respectively (p=0.01). We concluded that he automated algorithm can rapidly and conveniently measure SI with results comparable to manual method.
Irrigation Schedules and Crop Water Requirements for Some Main Crops in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Waseem , Y. Mogtaba , Rahman Jamshaid , Elbashir Murtada , AlHussain Ziyad , Farooq Umer
Published: January 2021

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) CROPWAT 8.0 standard software and the CLIMWAT 2.0 tool affixed to it have been utilized in this study for Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia to find CWRs and irrigation plans for numerous extremely valuable crops of KSA. We were used CROPWAT P. M. method for find out the ETo and (USAD) S. C. method utilized to determine roughly effective rainfall. The analysis demonstrated that ETo change over from 2.84 mm/day in January to reach maximum 9.61 mm/day in July due to high temperature in summer with annual mean was 6.33 mm/day, effective rainfall changes from 0 mm to 53.4 mm. The total IWRs were 308.3 mm/dec, 335.9 mm/dec, 343.6 mm/dec, 853 mm/dec and 1479.6 mm/dec for Barley, Wheat, Maize, Rice and Citrus, respectively. Due to low demand in winter and high demand in summer, the total net irrigation and total gross irrigations are 210.6 mm and 147.4 mm, 176.6 mm and 123.6 mm, 204.5 mm and 143.2 mm, 163.9 mm and 114.7mm for Wheat, Barley, Citrus, and Maize respectively except rice crop. These results showed that Wheat, Barley, Citrus, Maize and Rice crops have 4, 4, 12, 4 and 12 irrigation schedules respectively in a year.
Gender Differences in Refraction Prediction Error of Five Formulas for Cataract Surgery
Authors: Zhang Yibing , Li Tingyang , Reddy Aparna , Nallasamy Nambi
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To evaluate gender differences in optical biometry measurements and lens power calculations. Methods: 8431 eyes of 5519 patients who underwent cataract surgery at University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center were included in this retrospective study. Data including age, gender, optical biometry, postoperative refraction, implanted intraocular lens (IOL) power, and IOL formula refraction predictions were gathered and/or calculated utilizing the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative (SOURCE) database and analyzed.Results: There was a statistical difference between every optical biometry measure between genders. Despite lens constant optimization, mean signed prediction errors (SPEs) of modern IOL formulas differed significantly between genders, with predictions skewed more hyperopic for males and myopic for females for all 5 of the modern IOL formulas tested. Optimization of lens constants by gender significantly decreased prediction error for 2 of the 5 modern IOL formulas tested.Conclusions: Gender was found to be an independent predictor of refraction prediction error for all 5 formulas studied. Optimization of lens constants by gender can decrease refraction prediction error for certain modern IOL formulas.
Increased Serum Ferritin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chaudhari Rajendra , Niraula Apeksha , Gelal Basanta , Baranwal Jouslin , Sarraf Deependra , Maskey Robin , Lamsal Madhab
Published: January 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with a derangement in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion and action. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein complex that reflects the iron stores of the body. Studies have shown that the increased body iron stores are associated with the development of glucose intolerance often leading to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The objective of the study was to find out association of serum ferritin level with T2DM and assess the correlation between serum ferritin and HbA1c. Methods: A hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 43 diabetic patients and 42 age and sex matched healthy controls. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum ferritin were estimated in cobas c311 autoanalyser using standard protocol. Results: Mean age of healthy control and T2DM were found 54.83 ± 6.48 and 55.95±10.92 years respectively. Mean FPG (mg/dl) (170.41 ± 71.7 v/s 98.38 ± 9.7), PBG (mg/dl) (266.16 ± 110.09 v/s 123.20 ± 17.0), HbA1c (%) (8.17 ± 1.83 v/s 4.9 ± 0.29 and median ferritin (μg/L) 207.90 (138, 306.0) v/s 127.95 (85.75, 210.25) were significantly higher in T2DM compared to the healthy controls. Spearman’s correlation depicted that ferritin level was positively correlated with HbA1c level but the correlation was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Serum ferritin level was found significantly increased in T2DM compared to healthy age and sex matched controls in our study.
Implementation of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy in a Tertiary Referral Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases – A Cohort Study on Diagnostic Yield, Complications, and Learning Curves
Authors: Davidsen Jesper , Skov Inge , Louw Ida , Laursen Christian
Published: January 2021

BackgroundTransbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) has been introduced as an alternative to surgical lung biopsy (SLB) in the diagnostics of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Despite controversy on safety, TBLC is increasingly implemented in ILD centers with an apparent diagnostic yield comparable to SLB. The aim of this study was to assess TBLC implementation experiences from a tertiary Danish ILD center regarding diagnosis, complications, and learning curves for TBLC performance.MethodsTBLC was prospectively performed in a cohort of patients with unclassifiable ILD based on a preceding multidisciplinary clinical and radiological revision. TBLC was performed as an outpatient procedure with the patients in general anesthesia using a flexible bronchoscope with 1.9 or 2.4 mm cryoprobes. Learning curves for TBLC performance were calculated using cumulated sum (CUSUM) scores for diagnostic yield, pneumothorax, and bleeding.Results From February 2017 to March 2020 141 patients (86 (61%) men, median age 69 years [IQR, 60 years to 74 years]) had TBLC performed. A histological and confirmative diagnosis was made in 101 patients (75.2%) and 124 patients (87.9%, i.e. clinical diagnostic yield), respectively, in whom idiopathic interstitial pneumonias constituted the majority (67.3%) of the clinical diagnoses. We observed 2 deaths (1.4%) within 30 days of TBLC, but no procedure-related mortality or severe bleeding. Moderate bleeding occurred in 23 patients (16.3%), pneumothorax in 21 patients (14.9%) with only 14 patients (9.9%) requiring a pleural drain. Based on the CUSUM score analysis, the diagnostic yield obtained was satisfactory throughout the period.ConclusionThis study reports experiences of outpatient TBLC implementation in a tertiary referral ILD center from the largest investigated TBLC cohort in Scandinavia The diagnostic yield and prevalence of complications obtained by TBLC from this single center study on unclassifiable ILD support outpatient TBLC as a valuable and safe alternative to SLB to diagnose ILD in well-selected patients. The learning curves for TBLC were acceptable in the hands of experienced bronchoscopists.Of note, the majority of the abstract details have been presented as a poster at the European Respiratory Society’s Congress in Madrid, Spain in 2019 (European Respiratory Journal 2019 54: PA3107; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA3107).
Estimation of Moisture Ratio and Specific Energy Consumption for Apple Slices Drying by Convective and Microwave Methods using Neural Network Modeling
Authors: Sharabiani Vali Rasooli , Roozbeh Abdi , Kaveh Mohammad , Szymanek Mariusz , Tanaś Wojciech
Published: January 2021

Two different drying methods were applied for dehydration of apple, i.e., convection drying (CD) and microwave drying (MD). The process of convection drying through divergent temperatures; 50, 60 and 70°C at 1.0 m/s air velocity and three different levels of microwave power (90, 180, and 360 W) were studied. In the analysis of the performance of our approach on moisture ratio of apple slices, artificial neural networks (ANNs) was used to provide with a background for further discussion and evaluation. In order to evaluate the models mentioned in the literature, the Midilli et al. model was proper for dehydrating of apple slices in both MD and CD. The microwave drying technology enhanced the drying rate when compared with convective drying significantly. Effective diffusivity of moisture in CD drying (1.95×10−7 - 4.09×10−7 m2/s) was found to be lower than that observed in MD (2.94×10−7–8.21×10−7 m2/s). The Ea values of convective drying and microwave drying were 122.28- 125 kJ/mol and 14.01- 15.03 W/g respectively. The MD had the lowest SEC as compared to CD drying methods. According to ANN results, the best values for predication of MR in CD and MD were 0.9993 and 0.9990, respectively.
Altruism in the time of COVID-19: We are all in this together, but who is we?
Authors: Grimalda Gianluca , Buchan Nancy , Ozturk Orgul , Pinate Adriana , Urso Giulia , Brewer Marilynn
Published: January 2021

Theory posits that in situations of existential threat, selfish motivations will be outweighed by altruistic ones, and cooperation will be parochial. Yet, the global character of the COVID-19 pandemic makes unclear which level of group inclusiveness individuals will privilege. In an online experiment, participants from the U.S. and Italy chose to allocate a monetary bonus to a charity active in COVID-19 relief efforts at the local, national, or international level, or to keep the bonus for themselves. We found that personal exposure to COVID-19 increased donations relative to those not exposed, even as levels of environmental exposure (numbers of cases locally) had no effect. Only one-third of individuals acted entirely selfishly. Donors predominantly benefitted the local level (state in the U.S., region in Italy); donations toward country and world levels were half as large. Social identity was a moderating factor in both countries. These results confirm and qualify existing theories.
Robust Denoising of Cryo-EM Images via β-GAN
Authors: Gu Hanlin , Unarta Ilona , Huang Xuhui , Yao Yuan
Published: January 2021

The cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) becomes popular for macromolecular structure determination. However, the 2D images which Cryo-EM detects are of high noise and often mixed with multiple heterogeneous conformations and contamination, imposing a challenge for denoising. Traditional image denoising methods and simple Denoising Autoencoder can not remove Cryo-EM image noise well when the signal-noise-ratio (SNR) of images is meager and contamination distribution is complex. Thus it is desired to develop new effective denoising techniques to facilitate further research such as 3D reconstruction, 2D conformation classification, and so on. In this paper, we approach the robust denoising problem for Cryo-EM images by introducing a family of Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), called β-GAN, which is able to achieve robust estimate of certain distributional parameters under Huber contamination model with statistical optimality. To address the challenge of robust denoising where the traditional image generative model might be contaminated by a small portion of unknown outliers, β-GANs are exploited to enhance the robustness of denoising Autoencoder. The method is evaluated by both a simulated dataset on the Thermus aquaticus RNA Polymerase (RNAP) and a real dataset on the Plasmodium falciparum 80S ribosome dataset (EMPIRE-10028), in terms of Mean Square Error (MSE), Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) and 3D Reconstruction as well. The results show that equipped with some designs of β-GANs and the robust ℓ1-Autoencoder, one can stabilize the training of GANs and achieve the state-of-the-art performance of robust denoising with low SNR data and against possible information contamination. Our proposed methodology thus provides an effective tool for robust denoising of Cryo-EM 2D images, which is helpful for 3D structure reconstruction.
Long-Term Analysis of Day-To-Day Equatorial IHFACs Variations During Solar Cycle 23-24
Authors: Ranasinghe Manjula , Fujimoto Akiko , Yoshikawa Akimasa , Jayaratne Chandana
Published: January 2021

The east-west ward variation of MAGDAS/CPMN magnetometer 1-hour time resolution data at Davao (Philippines) station operated by International Center for Space Weather Science and Education, Kyushu University from August 1998 to July 2020 are used to investigate the characteristics of the long-term Inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents (IHFACs). The recent in-situ satellite and ground-based observations have reported the dusk-side current polarity of IHFACs are often inconsistent with the Fukushima’s IHFACs model. We investigated whether the dusk-side IHFACs polarity is consistent or not with the current direction predicted by Fukushima’s IHFACs model, by analyzing the time-series data of the day-to-day IHFACs variations. We confirmed that the solstices dusk IHFACs flow the same direction of noon IHFACs and the equinoxes dusk IHFACs disagree with Fukushima’s model. Seasonal IHFACs variations exhibited remarkable asymmetry in both dawn and noon sectors. By contrast, the profile of dusk-side IHFACs intensity was symmetry. We presented that solar cycle dependence can be seen in the peak-to-peak amplitude, monthly average and yearly integral intensity of IHFACs. However, while the dawn and noon IHFACs intensity decreased with year by year, the dusk intensity tended to increase year-to-year. In contrast to annual variations of IHFACs polarity in the dawn/noon sectors, there were multiple periodicities in the dusk sector: annual variation during the declining phase of solar cycle and semiannual or terannual variations during the increasing and maximum phase. The dusk-side day-to-day IHFACs variations were more coherent with F10.7 variability compared with the dawn and noon sectors. It suggests that the dusk IHFACs is affected by the solar cycle activities.
Effects of Fermented Mushroom Residue Feed on Growth Performance and Rumen Microorganisms of Goats
Authors: Zhang Yao , Dou Mengying , Chen Xinzhu , Huang Xiaoyun , Huang Qinlou , Huang Xiusheng
Published: January 2021

Background: The high content of fiber and macromolecular substances in mushroom residue limits its utilization potential. After we fermented seafood mushroom residue with microorganisms, we found that its palatability and utilization have been greatly improved.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of feed containing fermented seafood mushroom residue on the growth performance and rumen microorganisms of goats. Methods: Forty-eight Jianyang big-ear goats with similar weight and good health were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 12 goats in each group. The control group (C) was fed a basic diet, and the experimental group 1 (L), 2 (M), and 3 (H) were fed diets supplemented with 20%, 30% and 40% fermented seafood mushroom residue.Results: Incorporating 20% fermented mushroom residue significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and reduced feed to gain ratio (F/G). Incorporating 30% in the diet significantly increased both ADFI and F/G. Growth performance was reduced when greater than 30% fermented mushroom residue was added. The beta diversity of the rumen flora was significantly increased with the 20% fermented mushroom residue diet. The relative abundance of Veillonellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Prevotellaceae increased, and the KEGG pathways related to metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, lipid metabolism, and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism were enhanced. Forty-nine KEGG pathways significantly associated with ADG were identified. Twenty-six pathways, including protein kinases, mineral absorption, propanoate metabolism, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, were positively correlated with ADG. The remaining pathways, including pathogenic Escherichia coli infection, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, shigellosis, and cyanoamino acid metabolism, were negatively correlated with ADG.Conclusions: These results show that adding 20% fermented seafood mushroom residue can improve the growth performance of goats and have a positive effect on goat rumen microorganisms.
Displacement-mediated bound states in the continuum in all-dielectric superlattice metasurfaces
Authors: Shi Tan , Deng Zilan , Tu Qing-An , Cao Yaoyu , Li Xiangping
Published: January 2021

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are localized states coexisting with extended waves inside the continuous spectrum range, which have infinite lifetimes without any radiation. To extract high-Q quasi-BIC resonances from the symmetry-protected BIC for practical applications, symmetry-breaking approaches are usually exploited, either by slightly breaking the excitation field symmetry or structure symmetry. Here, we introduce an all-dielectric superlattice metasurface that can symmetry-compatibly convert BIC states into high-Q quasi-BIC modes based on the guided-mode resonance coupling by relative displacement tuning. The metasurface is composed of a superlattice of multiple nanobeams, supporting both magnetic mode and toroidal mode with large tunability. Both modes can interact with the incident continuum by mediating the displacement between nanobeams, which empowers dual asymmetric Fano resonances with high Q-factors. The bandwidth of the toroidal mode under TE-polarized incidences and that of the magnetic mode under TM-polarized incidences can be readily tuned by the local displacement between nanobeams in each unit cell. Such displacement-mediated BIC resonance is promising for various applications such as bio-molecule sensing and low threshold lasing.
Undergraduate Medical Education in Bangladesh during Coronavirus Disease 2019: Scope and Limitations
Authors: Parveen Mosammat Kohinoor , Hannan Md Jafrul , Hasan Md Samiul , Nandy Alak
Published: January 2021

Background: COVID-19 has highly impacted the education system and has created trends in online classes. To fill in the gap created by lockdown and to continue the uninterrupted learning process, educational institutions worldwide started organizing online classes. Although medical education is mostly practical, it is not safe to conduct on campus classes. This study aimed to measure the scope and limitations of online education and the overall impact of COVID-19 on the medical education system.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the South Point Hospital. Informed consent was obtained. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to participants.Results: E-Learning opportunities were made available in 98.69% of cases; some student forums also participated. Among survey respondents, females predominated (57.39%), and 42% of respondents belonged to rural areas and small towns. Access and quality of internet during online classes was average to poor in 54%, and only 10% said it was good. Zoom was the platform for classes in 98% of situations, followed by Facebook live (41.05%), prerecorded video upload, YouTube link, etc. Sixty percent graded the quality of online classes as good, 10% excellent, and 5% bad. Approximately 43% of the participants evaluated online assessments as good. Of the respondents, 17% faced substantial stress, and 18% did not. Twenty-eight percent of the students faced huge mental stress during COVID-19.Conclusions: E-learning is a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the opportunity, medical students benefited greatly, but there was a technological divide. There were also financial and mental stresses to a certain extent.
DeepGRN: Prediction of transcription factor binding site across cell-types using attention-based deep neural networks 
Authors: Chen Chen , Hou Jie , Shi Xiaowen , Yang Hua , Birchler James A. , Cheng Jianlin
Published: January 2021

BackgroundDue to the complexity of the biological systems, the prediction of the potential DNA binding sites for transcription factors remains a difficult problem in computational biology. Genomic DNA sequences and experimental results from parallel sequencing provide available information about the affinity and accessibility of genome and are commonly used features in binding sites prediction. The attention mechanism in deep learning has shown its capability to learn long-range dependencies from sequential data, such as sentences and voices. Until now, no study has applied this approach in binding site inference from massively parallel sequencing data. The successful applications of attention mechanism in similar input contexts motivate us to build and test new methods that can accurately determine the binding sites of transcription factors.ResultsIn this study, we propose a novel tool (named DeepGRN) for transcription factors binding site prediction based on the combination of two components: single attention module and pairwise attention module. The performance of our methods is evaluated on the ENCODE-DREAM in vivo Transcription Factor Binding Site Prediction Challenge datasets. The results show that DeepGRN achieves higher unified scores in 6 of 13 targets than any of the top four methods in the DREAM challenge. We also demonstrate that the attention weights learned by the model are correlated with potential informative inputs, such as DNase-Seq coverage and motifs, which provide possible explanations for the predictive improvements in DeepGRN.ConclusionsDeepGRN can automatically and effectively predict transcription factor binding sites from DNA sequences and DNase-Seq coverage. Furthermore, the visualization techniques we developed for the attention modules help to interpret how critical patterns from different types of input features are recognized by our model.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presenting as splenic hemorrhage following cardiac surgery: a case report
Authors: Ferry Joseph F. , Youssef Samuel , Wu Pierce , Hegerova Livia
Published: January 2021

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is a paradoxical prothrombotic complication of anticoagulant therapy. As many as 3% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery develop clinical HIT presenting as thrombocytopenia with or without thrombosis within 5-10 days of heparin exposure. Thrombotic complications associated with HIT carry a mortality rate of 5-10%. Case presentation: We report a case of atraumatic splenic hemorrhage due to splenic vein thrombosis as the main indicator of HIT following cardiac surgery in a 62-year-old woman. She presented to the emergency department on day nine following coronary artery bypass graft surgery with acute weakness, dizziness, and malaise. Her evaluation in the emergency department found anemia and thrombocytopenia. A coagulation profile revealed a markedly elevated d-dimer. She underwent a computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis for suspected bleed and was found to have splenic vein thrombosis, right atrial filling defects consistent with atrial thrombus and mild to moderate hemoperitoneum. Surgical consultation was obtained due to splenic hemorrhage. Hematology was consulted on post-operative day 10, however, she unfortunately developed left sided weakness concerning for stroke. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain demonstrated infarct involving distribution of the right anterior cerebral artery. A transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a large immobile thrombus within the right atrium with a second, mobile thrombus arising from the left tricuspid valve annulus. Due to a 4Ts score of 7 and markedly positive platelet factor 4 (PF4) IgG antibody a serotonin release assay was not performed given the high probability of HIT. She was cautiously treated with bivalirudin and was transitioned to warfarin anticoagulation. In the following days her platelet count recovered and 3 months later a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed solution of the intracardiac thrombi. Conclusions: Atraumatic splenic hemorrhage is an unusual presentation of HIT that is reminiscent of the rare bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to adrenal necrosis that also occurs in HIT. Alternative anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for HIT despite hemorrhage, given the underlying acquired hypercoagulability. Despite similarities of the presentation between splenic hemorrhage and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, splenic hemorrhage is rarely described in the literature. HIT should be considered in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia following cardiac surgery.
Improved dynamics of sharing research findings in the COVID-19 epidemic compared with the SARS and Ebola epidemics
Authors: Khanali Javad , Malekpour Mohammad-Reza , Kolahi Ali-Asghar
Published: January 2021

Background: When a new or re-emergent pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, causes a major outbreak, rapid access to pertinent research findings is crucial for planning strategies and decision making. We researched whether the speed of sharing research results in the COVID-19 epidemic was higher than the SARS and Ebola epidemics. We also researched whether there is any difference in the most frequent topics investigated before and after the COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola epidemics started. Methods: We used PubMed database search tools to determine the time-period it took for the number of articles to rise after the epidemics started and the most frequent topics assigned to the articles.Results: The main results were, first, the rise in the number of articles occurred six weeks after the COVID-19 epidemic started whereas, this rise occurred five months after the SARS and seven months after the Ebola epidemics started. Second, etiology, statistics & numerical data, and epidemiology were the three most frequent topics investigated in the COVID-19 epidemic. However, etiology, microbiology, and genetics in the SARS epidemic, and statistics & numerical data, epidemiology, and prevention & control in the Ebola epidemic were more frequently studied compared with other topics. Third, some topics were studied more frequently after the epidemics started.Conclusions: The speed of sharing results in the COVID-19 epidemic was much higher than the SARS and Ebola epidemics, and that there is a difference in the most frequent articles’ topics investigated in these three epidemics. Due to the value of time in controlling epidemics spread, the study highlights the necessity of defining more solutions for rapidly providing pertinent research findings in fighting against the next public health emergency.
Population migration, spread of COVID-19, and epidemic prevention and control: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Hu Zhen , Wu Yuanyang , Su Mohan , Xie Lin , Zhang Anqi , Lin Xueyu , Nie Yafeng
Published: January 2021

Background: This study applied the SEIR model to analyze and simulate the transmission mechanisms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. Methods: The population migration was embedded in the SEIR model to simulate and analyze the effects of the amount of population inflow on the number of confirmed cases. Based on numerical simulations, this study used statistical data for the empirical validation of its theoretical deductions and discussed how to improve the effectiveness of epidemic prevention and control considering population migration variables. Statistics regarding the numbers of infected people in various provinces were obtained from the epidemic-related data reported by China’s National Health Commission. Results: This study explored how the epidemic should be prevented and controlled from the perspective of population migration variables. It found that a combination of a susceptible population, an infected population, and transmission media was an important route affecting the number of infections and that the migration of a Hubei-related infected population played a key role in promoting epidemic spread. Epidemic prevention and control should focus on regions with better economic conditions than the epidemic region. Prevention and control efforts should focus on the more populated neighboring provinces having convenient transportation links with the epidemic region. To prevent and control epidemic spread, priority should be given to elucidating the destinations and directions of population migration from the domestic origin of infections, and then stemming population migration or human-to-human contact after such migration. Conclusions: This study enriched and expanded on simulations of the effects of population migration on the COVID-19 epidemic and China-based empirical studies while offering an epidemic evaluation and warning mechanism to prevent and control similar public health emergencies in the future.
Developing a Comprehensive School-Based Physical Activity Program with Flexible Design – From Pilot to National Program
Authors: Mooses Kerli , Vihalemm Triin , Uibu Marko , Mägi Katrin , Korp Leene , Kalma Maarja , Mäestu Evelin , Kull Merike
Published: January 2021

This article focuses on the process of designing the vital, participatory school-based intervention program aiming to increase the physical activity in schools. The program analyzed is Estonian nationwide comprehensive physical activity program Schools in Motion (SiM) that recently received European Commission’s #BeActive Education Award. The program has a good performance in terms of willingness of schools to participate in co-creation of program development, the high interest to join the program and zero dropouts, and strong partnership with ministries which enables to actively participate in policy making. Authors analyze the key elements of the planning, piloting, implementation, and scaling phases of the SiM program and share their lessons learnt in co-working with schools. The difficulties faced during the development process, the strengths and challenges associated with an interdisciplinary approach, and involvement of schools as experts have been addressed.