bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperative Control of Manipulator and Human Operator for Direct Teaching
Authors: An Jongwoo , Zhao Youdong , Lee Jangmyung
Published: June 2021

A cooperative control of a manipulator and a human operator has been proposed for an efficient direct teaching operation in this research. The main goal is making the operator be convenient and relaxed when he is operating the manipulator for a direct teaching. The proposed control strategy has two layers: In the first layer, human motion estimator (HME) has been designed to estimate a human intention. The recursive least square method has been utilized for the HME to simultaneously estimate the interaction force and the human arm admittance model. In the second layer, human motion reactor has been designed to keep the human motion intention precisely by a proportional derivative and gravity compensation in real time. Real experiments with a 3-degree of freedom robotic manipulator guided by the human operator have been conducted to draw a diamond shape on a panel. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed cooperative control strategy.
Critical edge behavior in the singularly perturbed Pollaczek–Jacobi type unitary ensemble
Authors: Wang Zhaoyu , Fan Engui
Published: June 2021

We investigate the orthogonal polynomials associated with a singularly perturbed Pollaczek–Jacobi type weight [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Based on our observation, we find that this weight includes the symmetric constraint [Formula: see text]. Our main results obtained here include two aspects: (1) Strong asymptotics: we deduce strong asymptotics of monic orthogonal polynomials with respect to the above weight function in different regions in the complex plane when the polynomial degree [Formula: see text] goes to infinity. Because of the effect of [Formula: see text] for varying [Formula: see text], the asymptotic behavior in a neighborhood of point [Formula: see text] is described in terms of the Airy function as [Formula: see text], but the Bessel function as [Formula: see text]. Due to symmetry, the similar local asymptotic behavior near the singular point [Formula: see text] can be derived. (2) Limiting eigenvalue correlation kernels: We calculate the limit of the eigenvalue correlation kernel of the corresponding unitary random matrix ensemble in the bulk of the spectrum described by the sine kernel, and at both sides of hard edge, expressed as a Painlevé III kernel. Our analysis is based on the Deift–Zhou nonlinear steepest descent method for Riemann–Hilbert problems.
Purification of Anthocyanins Derived from Black Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by a Simulated Moving Bed
Authors: Li Liangyu , Luo Cheng , Zheng Xiqun
Published: June 2021

Purification of anthocyanins derived from black kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by column chromatography and simulated moving bed (SMB) methods was investigated, and the anthocyanins of black kidney bean were identified. The SMB had advantages over column chromatography in processing efficiency, operation cost, and automation degree in contrast testing. The best SMB conditions resulted in purity and yield of black kidney bean anthocyanins of 24.61 ± 0.21% and 87.85 ± 0.32%, respectively. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and 2,2ʹ-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) radical (ABTS+∙) scavenging activity was 0.95 and 2.14 of refined anthocyanins, respectively, indicating strong antioxidant capacity. Three anthocyanins were detected and identified by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS from black kidney bean skins: delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-glucoside, and malvidin-3-O-glucoside. The experimental results suggested that SMB may help promote industrialization and purification of anthocyanins from colored kidney beans as well as from other plant materials.
Statistical Calculation Method and Analysis of Athletes’ Biorhythm State and Sports Injury
Authors: Su Shaohui
Published: June 2021

In recent years, attention has been focused on the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. However, no athlete injury prevention system has been established. Athletes’ injury prevention has become an important research field, but it is still used in current sports injury statistics. Traditional calculation methods are difficult to meet the requirements of modern halo. In order to understand the relationship between the athlete’s biorhythm state and the statistical calculation method of sports injury and to reduce the damage caused by sports injury to athletes, we have carried out statistics on various physical parameters of athletes in a certain university in this city through example analysis and creatively introduced the statistical calculation method of the fault tree, and the corresponding results provide a certain research foundation for the subsequent research. The research results in this article prove that formulating a suitable sport mode for athletes can improve their athletic ability by more than 10%, reduce damage to athletes, and extend their professional life. Generally speaking, athletes’ injuries can be reduced by more than 15%. This shows that appropriate injury statistics calculation methods and research on sports injury prevention in advance are extremely important for athletes.
Computing the Narumi–Katayama Index and Modified Narumi–Katayama Index of Some Families of Dendrimers and Tetrathiafulvalene
Authors: Goli Farkoush Islam , Alaeiyan Mehdi , Farahani Mohammad Reza , Maghasedi Mohammad
Published: June 2021

A dendrimer is an artificially manufactured or synthesized molecule built up from branched units called monomers. In mathematical chemistry, a particular attention is given to degree-based graph invariant. The Narumi–Katayama index and its modified Narumi–Katayama index of a graph G denoted by NK (G) and NK

∗

(G) are equal to the product of the degrees of the vertices of G. In this paper, we calculate the Narumi–Katayama Index and modified Narumi–Katayama index for some families of dendrimers.
Mechanical Mechanism of Hydraulic Fracturing Effect Caused by Water Inrush in Tunnel Excavation by Blasting
Authors: Zhang Quan , Wang Jiong , Feng Longfei
Published: June 2021

When the deep tunnel is excavated, the pressure of the confined water is relatively high, causing the water inrush to have a hydraulic fracturing effect. The method of theoretical analysis was adopted to study this effect. A mechanical model for fracturing water inrush under blasting excavation conditions was established. The water inrush under this condition is the result of the combined action of static load (water pressure and in situ stress) and dynamic load (explosive stress wave). According to whether the normal stress on the hydraulic crack surface was tensile stress or compressive stress, two types of water inrush were proposed: water inrush caused by tensile-shear damage and water inrush caused by compression-shear damage. These two types of critical water pressures were calculated separately. The relationship between critical water pressure, in situ stress, and blasting disturbance load was given, and a pore water pressure splitting factor was introduced in the calculation process. The theoretically obtained critical water pressure had been verified in the case of water inrush in a deep-buried tunnel. The established theory can guide field practice well.
cpDNA-Gene-Sequence-Based Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Gene Flow Analysis of Ethiopian Lowland Bamboo (Bambusinea: Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro)
Authors: Oumer Oumer Abdie , Tesfaye Kassahun , Feyissa Tileye , Yibeyen Dagnew , Durai Jayaraman , Hyder Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: June 2021

Background. As a member of Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) is one of the most important nontimber forest resources or a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopia contributes 86% of the total area of bamboo on the continent, Africa, and 7% of the world. O. abyssinica in Ethiopia accounts for 85% of the total national coverage of bamboo. Several studies have been performed on the genetic diversity and population structure analysis of various bamboo species throughout the world but almost nothing in Ethiopia and O. abyssinica. Methods. Young fresh leaves of O. abyssinica from thirteen natural lowland bamboo growing areas across the country were collected. DNA was isolated using a modified CTAB DNA isolation method. Three cpDNA gene sequences (matK, ndhF3, and rps16) were used for the study. PCR products were analyzed, purified, and pair-end sequenced to calculate AC/GC content, average number of nucleotide differences (k), nucleotide diversity (π) and population mutation rates per 100 sites (

θ
w

), InDel (Insertion-Deletion), DNA divergence, gene flow, and genetic differentiation. Results. Metekel Zone was found to have extremely higher k, π, and

θ
w

. Higher frequency of genetic differentiation was found between Metekel Zone vs. the distant populations. Higher frequency of gene flow was found between Assosa Zone vs. Oromia populations. Kurmuk haplotype from gaps or missing data considered and Bambasi haplotype from not considered has descendants around them. Conclusion. Using sequences of cpDNA genes, populations of O. abyssinica collected in Ethiopia show clear diversity based on their geographic location. Metekel Zone was found to have the most diverse population, Assosa Zone has been found to be the source of evolution of O. abyssinica, and Gambella population shows a difference from other O. abyssinica populations.
Reversible Severe Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
Authors: Sathirapanya Praewchompoo , Suwanno Komsai , Sathirapanya Pornchai
Published: June 2021

We report a case of reversible symptomatic rhabdomyolysis associated with thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. The patient had neither past medical nor family history of either disorder. The presenting neurological symptoms and signs, serum potassium, and creatine kinase levels returned to normal without specific treatment. Based on previous case reports, we attributed the combination of the disorders to a mutation of the calcium-gated channel (CACN) gene and its related encoded proteins.
Exploring the Ways of “The Great Imitator”: A Case Report of Syphilitic Hepatitis
Authors: Cunha Neves João A. , Roseira Joana , Tavares de Sousa Helena , Machado Rui
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Syphilis is a chronic infection caused by Treponema pallidum. Manifestations of this disease are vast, and syphilitic hepatitis is a rarely depicted form of secondary syphilis. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 63-year-old man with worsening jaundice, maculopapular rash and perianal discomfort. Proctological examination with anoscopy revealed a perianal gray/white area with millimetric pale granules along the anal canal. Liver function tests showed a mixed pattern. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, T. pallidum hemagglutination assay and IgM fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbance were positive. The patient was successfully treated with a single dose of penicillin G. Discussion/Conclusion: Syphilitic hepatitis is scarcely reported in the literature. Secondary syphilis with mild hepatitis rarely leads to hepatic cytolysis and jaundice. Many signs of secondary syphilis including syphilitic hepatitis may be linked to immune responses initiated during early infection. Over the past decades, evidence has emerged on the importance of innate and adaptive cellular immune responses in the immunopathogenesis of syphilis. This report raises awareness to a clinical entity that should be considered in patients at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, who present with intestinal discomfort or liver dysfunction, as it is a treatable and fully reversible condition.
One new species of Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 from China with comments on the characters of mitochondrial genome (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae; Gryllacridini)
Authors: LIU JING , LU XIANGYI , BIAN XUN
Published: June 2021

This paper reported on new species from China which differs from other species of Homogryllacris in being without styli of male subgenital plate. The nearly complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), except control region, of the new species Homogryllacris parcibrevipenna was sequenced and analyzed. This partial mitogenome was 15509 bp in length and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA unit genes. The gene arrangement and contents were consistent with other members of the Gryllacrididae. All the PCGs were started with the standard ATN codons except ND1 with TTG; and most of PCGs were terminated with a complete stop codon (TAA/TAG). Most tRNAs could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structures, while tRNASer1 lacked a DHU stem. This data could enrich the genome information available for Gryllacrididae and facilitate phylogenetic studies of related insects. All the material were deposited in the Museum of Guangxi Normal University.
Illustrated key to the species included in the genus Petalops Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Coreinae: Acanthocephalini), with description of four new species and new distributional notes
Authors: BRAILOVSKY HARRY
Published: June 2021

Four new species of Petalops Amyot & Serville, 1843 are described: P. graziae from Brazil, P. jactatus from Ecuador, P. lautus from Colombia, and P. necopinus from Peru. A revised key to all known species (16) is included. New distributional data are given for P. ambiguous Brailovsky, 1991, P. bellator Brailovsky, 1991, P. luteomaculosus Brailovsky, 1991, P. occulta Brailovsky, 1991, and P. thoracicus (Thunberg), 1783. Dorsal view photos are added of all the known species.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Recall and Categorization of Written Material
Authors: Gonzales Mary Ann , Harris Mary B.
Published: June 2021

Habitual smokers participated in an experiment assessing the effects of smoking or abstinence upon immediate and delayed memory of new and old (previously presented) words, as well as category clustering. 10 smokers showed significantly poorer immediate and delayed recall of old words and less clustering of words into categories on the delayed recall test.
MMPI Differences among Three Diagnostic Groups of Mexican-American State Hospital Patients
Authors: Velasquez Roberto J. , Gimenez Luis
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were significant MMPI differences among three diagnostic groups of Mexican-American psychiatric inpatients and whether a profile pattern was associated with each one, schizophrenia ( n = 32), antisocial personality disorder ( n = 15), and affective disorder with unipolar depression ( n = 18). Comparisons on the basic validity and clinical scales yielded only three significant differences, on the Frequency, Depression, and Schizophrenia scales. No unique profile patterns were found; groups showed a similar mean profile configuration, with elevations on the Psychopathic Deviate and Schizophrenia scales. Overall, antisocial men appeared on the MMPI less disturbed than either the depressive or schizophrenic men. The results are consistent with previous findings which suggest that the MMPI scores may correspond poorly with DSM-III diagnostic groups. The results also suggested that Mexican-Americans in psychiatric facilities, irrespective of diagnosis, may respond similarly on the MMPI.
Effect of Diazepam upon Verbal Recall Associated with SimplÉ Picture Recognition
Authors: Black Iryna Lawriw , Barbee James G.
Published: June 2021

30 normal, young adults of superior intellectual ability were administered either 0.2 mg/kg diazepam (p.o.) or a lactose placebo to assess the effects of diazepam upon short- and long-term verbal recall of pictorially depicted common objects. A recognition task was used to determine the presence of differences between groups and between visual recognition and verbal recall. The memory tasks employed were a combination of three of Randt's Memory Test Picture Recognition subtests in which black line-drawings are used to depict common objects. Diazepam did not reduce verbal recall significantly immediately following stimulus presentation. It did adversely affect long-term verbal recall. Diazepam also resulted in a small but significant reduction in immediate picture-recognition performance, which remained unchanged 24 hr. later. The results, consistent with previous research, suggest that the amnestic effect frequently observed with benzodiazepines reflects a disruption in the acquisition and/or consolidation phase of memory formation. The absence of a recency effect in delayed free verbal recall together with no significant change in delayed recognition by the diazepam group suggests that diazepam may also disrupt retrieval mechanisms 24 hr. following drug administration.
Cognitive Correlates of Obesity in a Nonclinical Population
Authors: Davis John M. , Wheeler R. Wade , Willy Eve
Published: June 2021

From a large class who had been pretested on the I-E Locus of Control Scale and a self-esteem measure, 30 overweight and 20 normal-weight students were selected and measured to determine their percentage of overweight. They were then asked to complete questionnaires measuring knowledge of health-related information and of specific obesity-related information. Results confirmed (a) a negative correlation between self-esteem and percentage overweight and (b) less knowledge of broad, health-related information among obese students. No relation was found between percentage of overweight and I-E scale scores.
Paruresis: Overview and Implications for Treatment
Authors: Zgourides George Dean
Published: June 2021

Paruresis or psychogenic urinary retention is a functional disorder of micturition characterized by psychosomatic symptomatology that includes an inability to void urine in public facilities. Through largely non-experimental studies and case reports, clinical investigators have identified characteristics, behaviors, and etiological factors associated with the disorder. Although few reports about paruresis appear in the literature, a review is presented to describe the disorder and compare treatments used. As adjuncts to a multifaceted approach to treatment, the 1948 Kegel exercises and the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs are specific methods for alleviating the maladaptive symptomatology.
Comparison of Two Depression Inventories: An Examination of Construct Validity1
Authors: Frazier Scott E.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between two measures of depression and to compare scores of highly physically fit distance runners. 100 subjects, including 25 women, were administered the Profile of Mood States to measure states and the Zung Depression Scale to measure depression. Subjects were below the norms for the Profile but not for the Zung. A correlation of .92 ( r2 = 85.5) between scores was noted for the 25 women, while less variance was explained for the men ( r = .645, r2 = 41.6). Despite participation in regular exercise, depression scores greater than 40 were obtained by 7 men and 5 women, indicating that regular exercisers are not immune to depression.
Alcohol and Aggression: A Test of an Indirect Measure of Aggression
Authors: Gustafson Roland
Published: June 2021

28 male undergraduates were randomly divided into an Alcohol group (0.8 ml/kg) or a Control group. After drinking they were exposed to a violent movie and then they wrote TAT-stories and completed semantic differential scales. Only the indirect semantic scales differentiated the groups: intoxicated subjects accepted violence more and with less negative feeling.
Pilot Study of the Physiological Subscale of the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale
Authors: Lee Steven W. , Piersel Wayne C.
Published: June 2021

The physiological subscale of the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale was examined using a matched single-subject research design. As predicted, a high scorer on the physiological subscale had a significantly higher resting EMG and did not significantly recover as did the low scorer on the physiological subscale on EMG. Contradictory findings were observed on skin temperature measures. Findings are discussed relative to the scope and shortcomings of the investigation, and directions for research are suggested.
A novel hybrid aircraft propulsion based on the DEA compressor—Part A: Design
Authors: Aryana Babak
Published: June 2021

This two-part article introduces a novel hybrid propulsion system based on the DEA compressor. The system encompasses a Pulse Detonation TurboDEA as the master engine that supplies several full-electric ancillary thrusters called DEAThruster. The system, called the propulsion set, can be categorized as a distributed propulsion system based on the design mission and number of ancillary thrusters. Part A of this article explains the design process comprising intake, compressor, detonation process, diffuser, axial turbine, and the exit nozzle. The main target is to design a high-performance low emission propulsion system capable of serving in a wide range of altitudes and flight Mach numbers that covers altitudes up to 20,000 m and flight Mach number up to the hypersonic edge. Designing the propulsion set, the design point is considered at the static condition in the sea level. Design results show the propulsion set can satisfy all requirements necessary for its mission.
Posterior choroidal fluid loculation in central serous chorioretinopathy presenting as a choroidal elevation: A rare Pachychoroid phenotype
Authors: Manayath George J , Balan Reshma , Ranjan Ratnesh , Saravanan Veerappan R , Narendran Venkatapathy
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

To describe an unusual variant of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) presenting as a choroidal elevation with subretinal fluid and its response to accepted treatment modalities of CSC.

Design:

A retrospective case series.

Subjects:

Six eyes of three patients, two males and one female, with a mean age of 55.3 years, were included in the study. All of them had Pachychoroid features, solitary choroidal elevation and subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT); none of the patients had a previous episode of CSC.

Methods:

Patients were studied with biomicroscopy, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. Systemic evaluation to rule out inflammatory and infective pathologies, and an oncologist referral also was done. Patients were managed in the line of central serous chorioretinopathy, using conservative treatment, focal laser and oral eplerenone.

Main outcome measures:

Resolution of subretinal fluid and choroidal elevation.

Results:

Complete resolution of choroidal elevation and subretinal fluid was noted in all the three patients. There was no recurrence till the end of follow-up.

Conclusion:

Pachychoroid disease may present as solitary choroidal elevation with subretinal fluid due to exaggerated posterior choroidal fluid loculation and has a favourable outcome. However, it should be considered after exclusion of other differential diagnoses.
Migrant workers and LGBT activism: A comparative study of Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Francisca Yuenki
Published: June 2021

Situating LGBT activism in a gendered, Asian migratory context, this study asks why and how LGBT migrant workers are able to organize themselves and come out publicly as lesbians, bisexual women, or transgender people in Hong Kong. Which factors are enablers for this phenomenon? A comparison of two migrant groups, namely, the Filipinos and Indonesians, who reside in the same city, will shed light on both the commonalities and diversities of their understanding of LGBT rights as well as their approaches for engaging in the LGBT movement. The study examines the different immersed contexts of the two migrant groups rather than homogenizing “migrant domestic worker” as a universal description of these women. The study adopts an intersectional approach to examine how multiple subject positions, including gender, race, class, and non-citizen status, affect migrant domestic workers who have a same-sex relationship in the host city as well as their practices and activism. Besides, it also adopts an inter-Asia approach to shed light on the flows of knowledge as well as inequalities among Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Indonesia and provide insights into how LGBT activism in Asia is culturally hybrid and diasporic. Qualitative research methods, including participant observation and in-depth interviews, were conducted from 2016 to 2018. I attended LGBT parades and events and conducted in-depth interviews with three Filipinos, two Indonesians, and two Hong Kong people. I also used data from my earlier field work in 2010 to 2012.
Effectively optimizing esports performance through movement science principles
Authors: Iwatsuki Takehiro , Hagiwara Goichi , Dugan McKenna Elyse
Published: June 2021

Esports has been the fastest-growing industry around the globe, as the number of games and prize earnings are dramatically increasing. Esports is defined as competitive sport video gaming; more individuals are beginning to pursue this as a profession. Just like the University of California, Irvine, which offers a program to enhance esports skills and performance, the number of such institutions are expected to increase in this century; yet, research on how individuals effectively optimize esports performance is lacking. Specifically, how teachers or instructors lead players to enhance their esports performance has not been extensively discussed. The review article aimed to introduce two motivational factors that, from the existing movement science and psychological literature, have consistently been demonstrated to enhance motor skills (physical tasks): enhanced expectancies for success and autonomy support. Practical implications for enhancing esports performance and future direction were also discussed.
Contribution of serum anti-Müllerian hormone in the management of azoospermia and the prediction of testicular sperm retrieval outcomes: a study of 155 adult men
Authors: Benderradji Hamza , Prasivoravong Julie , Marcelli François , Barbotin Anne-Laure , Catteau-Jonard Sophie , Marchetti Carole , Guittard Catherine , Puech Philippe , Mitchell Valérie , Rigot Jean-Marc , Villers Arnauld , Pigny Pascal , Leroy Clara
Published: June 2021

Background

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is the method of choice for recovering spermatozoa in patients with azoospermia. However, the lack of reliable biomarkers makes it impossible to predict sperm retrieval outcomes at TESE. To date, little attention has been given to anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum levels in adult men with altered spermatogenesis. In this study we aimed to investigate whether serum concentrations of AMH and the AMH to total testosterone ratio (AMH/T) might be predictive factors for sperm retrieval outcomes during TESE in a cohort of 155 adult Caucasian men with azoospermia.

Results

AMH serum levels were significantly lower in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) that was unexplained, cryptorchidism-related, cytotoxic and genetic (medians [pmol/l] = 30.1; 21.8; 26.7; 7.3; and p = 0.02; 0.001; 0.04; <0.0001, respectively]) compared with obstructive azoospermia (OA) (median = 44.8 pmol/l). Lowest values were observed in cases of genetic NOA (p < 0.0001, compared with unexplained NOA) and especially in individuals with non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome (median = 2.3 pmol/l, p <0.0001). Medians of AMH/T values were significantly lower in genetic NOA compared to unexplained, cryptorchidism-related NOA as well as OA. Only serum concentrations of AMH differed significantly between positive and negative groups in men with non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome. The optimal cut-off of serum AMH was set at 2.5 pmol/l. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of this cut-off to predict negative outcomes of SR were 100 %, 76.9 %, 66.6 %, 100 and 84.2 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Serum AMH levels, but not AMH/T values, are a good marker for Sertoli and germ cell population dysfunction in adult Caucasian men with non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome and could help us to predict negative outcomes of SR at TESE with 100 % sensitivity when serum levels of AMH are below 2.5 pmol/l.
A machine learning framework that integrates multi-omics data predicts cancer-related LncRNAs
Authors: Yuan Lin , Zhao Jing , Sun Tao , Shen Zhen
Published: June 2021

Background

LncRNAs (Long non-coding RNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA molecule with transcript length longer than 200 nucleotides. LncRNA has been novel candidate biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, it is difficult to discover the true association mechanism between lncRNAs and complex diseases. The unprecedented enrichment of multi-omics data and the rapid development of machine learning technology provide us with the opportunity to design a machine learning framework to study the relationship between lncRNAs and complex diseases.

Results

In this article, we proposed a new machine learning approach, namely LGDLDA (LncRNA-Gene-Disease association networks based LncRNA-Disease Association prediction), for disease-related lncRNAs association prediction based multi-omics data, machine learning methods and neural network neighborhood information aggregation. Firstly, LGDLDA calculates the similarity matrix of lncRNA, gene and disease respectively, and it calculates the similarity between lncRNAs through the lncRNA expression profile matrix, lncRNA-miRNA interaction matrix and lncRNA-protein interaction matrix. We obtain gene similarity matrix by calculating the lncRNA-gene association matrix and the gene-disease association matrix, and we obtain disease similarity matrix by calculating the disease ontology, the disease-miRNA association matrix, and Gaussian interaction profile kernel similarity. Secondly, LGDLDA integrates the neighborhood information in similarity matrices by using nonlinear feature learning of neural network. Thirdly, LGDLDA uses embedded node representations to approximate the observed matrices. Finally, LGDLDA ranks candidate lncRNA-disease pairs and then selects potential disease-related lncRNAs.

Conclusions

Compared with lncRNA-disease prediction methods, our proposed method takes into account more critical information and obtains the performance improvement cancer-related lncRNA predictions. Randomly split data experiment results show that the stability of LGDLDA is better than IDHI-MIRW, NCPLDA, LncDisAP and NCPHLDA. The results on different simulation data sets show that LGDLDA can accurately and effectively predict the disease-related lncRNAs. Furthermore, we applied the method to three real cancer data including gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer to predict potential cancer-related lncRNAs.
Plankton classification with high-throughput submersible holographic microscopy and transfer learning
Authors: MacNeil Liam , Missan Sergey , Luo Junliang , Trappenberg Thomas , LaRoche Julie
Published: June 2021

Background

Plankton are foundational to marine food webs and an important feature for characterizing ocean health. Recent developments in quantitative imaging devices provide in-flow high-throughput sampling from bulk volumes—opening new ecological challenges exploring microbial eukaryotic variation and diversity, alongside technical hurdles to automate classification from large datasets. However, a limited number of deployable imaging instruments have been coupled with the most prominent classification algorithms—effectively limiting the extraction of curated observations from field deployments. Holography offers relatively simple coherent microscopy designs with non-intrusive 3-D image information, and rapid frame rates that support data-driven plankton imaging tasks. Classification benchmarks across different domains have been set with transfer learning approaches, focused on repurposing pre-trained, state-of-the-art deep learning models as classifiers to learn new image features without protracted model training times. Combining the data production of holography, digital image processing, and computer vision could improve in-situ monitoring of plankton communities and contribute to sampling the diversity of microbial eukaryotes.

Results

Here we use a light and portable digital in-line holographic microscope (The HoloSea) with maximum optical resolution of 1.5 μm, intensity-based object detection through a volume, and four different pre-trained convolutional neural networks to classify > 3800 micro-mesoplankton (> 20 μm) images across 19 classes. The maximum classifier performance was quickly achieved for each convolutional neural network during training and reached F1-scores > 89%. Taking classification further, we show that off-the-shelf classifiers perform strongly across every decision threshold for ranking a majority of the plankton classes.

Conclusion

These results show compelling baselines for classifying holographic plankton images, both rare and plentiful, including several dinoflagellate and diatom groups. These results also support a broader potential for deployable holographic microscopes to sample diverse microbial eukaryotic communities, and its use for high-throughput plankton monitoring.
Positive selection on the MHC class II DLA-DQA1 gene in golden jackals (Canis aureus) from their recent expansion range in Europe and its effect on their body mass index
Authors: Stefanović Milomir , Ćirović Duško , Bogdanović Neda , Knauer Felix , Heltai Miklós , Szabó László , Lanszki József , Zhelev Chavdar Dinev , Schaschl Helmut , Suchentrunk Franz
Published: June 2021

Background

In Europe, golden jackals (Canis aureus) have been expanding their range out of the southern and southeastern Balkans towards central Europe continually since the 1960s. Here, we investigated the level of functional diversity at the MHC class IIDLA-DQA1exon 2 in golden jackal populations from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. Specifically, we tested for positive selection on and geographic variation at that locus due to adaptation to supposedly regionally varying pathogenic landscapes. To test for potential fitness effects of different protein variants on individual body condition, we used linear modeling of individual body mass indexes (bmi) and accounted for possible age, sex, geographical, and climatic effects. The latter approach was performed, however, only on Serbian individuals with appropriate data.

Results

Only three differentDLA-DQA1alleles were detected, all coding for different amino-acid sequences. The neutrality tests revealed no significant but positive values; there was no signal of spatial structuring and no deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium across the studied range of expansion. However, we found a signal of trans-species polymorphism and significant test results for positive selection on three codons. Our information-theory based linear modeling results indicated an effect of ambient temperature on the occurrence of individualDLA-DQA1genotypes in individuals from across the studied expansion range, independent from geographical position. Our linear modeling results of individual bmi values indicated that yearlings homozygous forDLA-DQA1*03001reached values typical for adults contrary to yearlings carrying other genotypes (protein combinations). This suggested better growth rates and thus a possible fitness advantage of yearlings homozygous forDLA-DQA1*03001.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a demographic (stochastic) signal of reducedDLA-DQA1exon 2 variation, in line with the documented historical demographic bottleneck. At the same time, however, allelic variation was also affected by positive selection and adaptation to varying ambient temperature, supposedly reflecting geographic variation in the pathogenic landscape. Moreover, an allele effect on body mass index values of yearlings suggested differential fitness associated with growth rates. Overall, a combination of a stochastic effect and positive selection has shaped and is still shaping the variation at the studied MHC locus.
Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts postoperative infectious complications and oncological outcomes after hepatectomy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Matsuda Tatsuo , Umeda Yuzo , Matsuda Tadakazu , Endo Yoshikatsu , Sato Daisuke , Kojima Toru , Sui Kenta , Inagaki Masaru , Ota Tetsuya , Hioki Masayoshi , Oishi Masahiro , Kimura Masashi , Murata Toshihiro , Ishido Nobuhiro , Yagi Takahito , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: June 2021

Background

In the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), postoperative complications may be predictive of long-term survival. This study aimed to identify an immune-nutritional index (INI) that can be used for preoperative prediction of complications.

Patients and methods

Multi-institutional data from 316 patients with ICC who had undergone surgical resection were retrospectively analysed, with a focus on various preoperative INIs.

Results

Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III–V) were identified in 66 patients (20.8%), including Grade V complications in 7 patients (2.2%). Comparison of areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) among various INIs identified the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as offering the highest predictive value for severe complications (AUC = 0.609, cut-off = 50, P = 0.008). Multivariate analysis revealed PNI <  50 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, P = 0.013), hilar lesion (OR = 2.46, P = 0.026), and long operation time (OR = 1.003, P = 0.029) as independent risk factors for severe complications. In comparing a high-PNI group (PNI ≥ 50, n = 142) and a low-PNI group (PNI <  50, n = 174), the low-PNI group showed higher rates of both major complications (27% vs. 13.4%; P = 0.003) and infectious complications (14.9% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0021). Furthermore, median survival time and 1- and 5-year overall survival rates were 34.2 months and 77.4 and 33.8% in the low-PNI group, respectively, and 52.4 months and 89.3 and 47.5% in the high-PNI group, respectively (P = 0.0017).

Conclusion

Preoperative PNI appears useful as an INI correlating with postoperative severe complications and as a prognostic indicator for ICC.
Intracardic migration of Kirschner wire from the right sternoclavicular joint: a case report
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Cong , Liu Bo , Wang Xiaokang , Jiang Wei , Chu Xiangquan
Published: June 2021

Background

Migration of wires and pins within the heart is an uncommon complication. Intracardic migration of Kirschner wire can cause several complications.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency service with dyspnea, stabbing chest pain. The patient’s medical history showed that he had undergone a fixation operation using Kirschner wire and plate for treatment of the right sternoclavicular joint dislocation about 5 months prior. Chest computerized tomography revealed a metallic foreign body locating in the pericardium between the aorta and the right ventricle. There were not any serious complications occurred before operation due to the timely detection of potential risks. Removal of the wire was performed via median sternotomy under general anesthesia without cardiopulmonary bypass. The symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain were relieved after surgery, and the patient recovered without any complications.

Conclusion

The Kirschner wire should be used judiciously in amphiarthrosis in orthopedic surgery for the risk of breakage and migration. The possibility of intracardiac migration of wire should be considered when chest symptoms presenting after surgery with the Kirschner wire. Migrated wires must be removed immediately to prevent serious complications. Regular follow-up and early removal of fixation wires are recommended to prevent migration of wires.
Mothers’ daily perceived stress influences their children’s mental health during SARS-CoV-2-pandemic—an online survey
Authors: Köhler-Dauner Franziska , Clemens Vera , Lange Stephanie , Ziegenhain Ute , Fegert Jörg M.
Published: June 2021

Background

The current situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic is associated with serious losses for everyone and has been affecting social life, politics, the economy and the media worldwide. Preventive isolation and social distancing strategies have confronted families with a large number of different challenges. The current epidemic and quarantine restrictions have a verifiable influence on the emotional and social development of children and adolescents. During this ongoing situation children of parents, who already were mentally stressed, seem particularly at risk.

Objective

We aimed to assess the role of maternal daily perceived stress on children’s mental health during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic.

Methods

An online “SARS-CoV-2-pandemic survey” was developed to assess children’s mental health since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. To describe maternal perceived everyday stress, data from a longitudinal survey was utilized. Our survey includes elements and versions of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale. We furthermore collected socio-demographic data. Due to our limited dependent variables we applied Tobit models for estimation.

Results

We found a positive and significant effect of the maternal perceived everyday stress on children’s emotional problems during the pandemic. Furthermore, results provide empirical evidence for an increase of the children's hyperactivity level dependent on the mother’s perceived stress before the SARS-COV-2 crisis. We could not find significant effects for the relationship between mother’s perceived everyday stress and the children's behavioral problems.

Conclusions

Analyses illustrate the effects on children's mental distress during everyday life in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Future research needs to identify influencing factors with regard to political, economic and social restrictions, in order to prevent children’s mental health problems.
Geographical information system and spatial–temporal statistics for monitoring infectious agents in hospital: a model using Klebsiella pneumoniae complex
Authors: da Silva Priscila Pinho , da Silva Fabiola A. , Rodrigues Caio Augusto Santos , Souza Leonardo Passos , de Lima Elisangela Martins , Pereira Maria Helena B. , Candella Claudio Neder , de Oliveira Alves Marcio Zenaide , Lourenço Newton D. , Tassinari Wagner S. , Barcellos Christovam , Gomes Marisa Zenaide Ribeiro ,   on behalf of Nucleus of Hospital Research Study Collaborators, Dutra Vitoria Pinson Ruggi , da Silva Maxuel Cassiano , Tonhá João Pedro Silva , de Mello Luciana Sênos , Castro Murillo Marçal , Mathuiy Yann Rodrigues , da Silva Machado Amanda Aparecida
Published: June 2021

Background

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and infectious agents have challenged hospitals in recent decades. Our aim was to investigate the circulation of target infectious agents using Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial–temporal statistics to improve surveillance and control of healthcare-associated infection and of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), using Klebsiella pneumoniae complex as a model.

Methods

A retrospective study carried out in a 450-bed federal, tertiary hospital, located in Rio de Janeiro. All isolates of K. pneumoniae complex from clinical and surveillance cultures of hospitalized patients between 2014 and 2016, identified by the use of Vitek-2 system (BioMérieux), were extracted from the hospital's microbiology laboratory database. A basic scaled map of the hospital’s physical structure was created in AutoCAD and converted to QGis software (version 2.18). Thereafter, bacteria according to resistance profiles and patients with carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp) complex were georeferenced by intensive and nonintensive care wards. Space–time permutation probability scan tests were used for cluster signals detection.

Results

Of the total 759 studied isolates, a significant increase in the resistance profile of K. pneumoniae complex was detected during the studied years. We also identified two space–time clusters affecting adult and paediatric patients harbouring CRKp complex on different floors, unnoticed by regular antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

Conclusions

In-hospital GIS with space–time statistical analysis can be applied in hospitals. This spatial methodology has the potential to expand and facilitate early detection of hospital outbreaks and may become a new tool in combating AMR or hospital-acquired infection.
In-silico evaluation of Malawi essential medicines and reactive metabolites for potential drug-induced toxicities
Authors: Chikowe Ibrahim , Phiri Alfred Chipanda , Mbewe Kirios Patrick , Matekenya Dunstan
Published: June 2021

Background

Drug-induced toxicity is one of the problems that have negatively impacted on the well-being of populations throughout the world, including Malawi. It results in unnecessary hospitalizations, retarding the development of the country. This study assessed the Malawi Essential Medicines List (MEML) for structural alerts and reactive metabolites with the potential for drug-induced toxicities.

Methods

This in-silico screening study used StopTox, ToxAlerts and LD-50 values toxicity models to assess the MEML drugs. A total of 296 drugs qualified for the analysis (those that had defined chemical structures) and were screened in each software programme. Each model had its own toxicity endpoints and the models were compared for consensus of their results.

Results

In the StopTox model, 86% of the drugs had potential to cause at least one toxicity including 55% that had the potential of causing eye irritation and corrosion. In ToxAlerts, 90% of the drugs had the potential of causing at least one toxicity and 72% were found to be potentially reactive, unstable and toxic. In LD-50, 70% of the drugs were potentially toxic.

Model consensus evaluation results showed that the highest consensus was observed between ToxAlerts and StopTox (80%). The overall consensus amongst the three models was 57% and statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

A large number of drugs had the potential to cause various systemic toxicities. But the results need to be interpreted cautiously since the clinical translation of QSAR-based predictions depends on many factors. In addition, inconsistencies have been reported between screening results amongst different models.
Successful endovascular stenting of a bleeding external iliac vein mycotic aneurysm in an oncologic patient: a case report
Authors: Parikh Rupal S. , Li Shiyi , Shackles Christopher , Khaddash Tamim
Published: June 2021

Background

Mycotic aneurysms are rare vascular lesions, occurring in 0.6–2% of arterial aneurysms but with no reported venous cases. Venous aneurysms unrelated to an underlying infectious process have been previously described and are typically surgically repaired due to risk of thromboembolic events.

Case presentation

This case reports a bleeding external iliac vein mycotic aneurysm secondary to erosion of a chronic pelvic abscess, successfully treated with endovascular stenting, in an oncologic patient without alternative therapeutic options.

Conclusion

Venous aneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions which have historically been treated with open surgical repair. Given the lower degree of procedural morbidity, endovascular management of these lesions may be an effective option in the appropriate setting, particularly as a last resort in patients without surgical treatment options.