bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning-Based Stock Market Trending Analysis by Incorporating Social Media Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhaoxia , HU Zhenda , LI Fang , HO Seng-Beng
Published: April 2021

Stock market trending analysis is one of the key research topics in financial analysis. Various theories once highlighted the non-viability of stock market prediction. With the advent of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI), more and more efforts have been devoted to this research area, and predicting the stock market has been demonstrated to be possible. Learning-based methods have been popularly studied for stock price prediction. However, due to the dynamic nature of the stock market and its non-linearity, stock market prediction is still one of the most dificult tasks. With the rise of social networks, huge amount of data is being generated every day and there is a gaining in popularity of incorporating these data into prediction model in the effort to enhance the prediction performance. Therefore, this paper explores the possibilities of the viability of learning-based stock market trending prediction by incorporating social media sentiment analysis. Six machine learning methods including Multi-Layer Perception, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, Logistic Regression and Extreme Gradient Boosting are selected as the baseline model. The result indicates the possibilities of successful stock market trending prediction and the performance of different learning-based methods is discussed. It is discovered that the distribution of the value of stocks may affect the prediction performance of the methods involved. This research not only demonstrates the merits and weaknesses of different learning-based methods, but also points out that incorporating social opinion is a right direction for improving the performance of stock market trending prediction.
Region of Interest based Predictive Algorithm for Subretinal Hemorrhage Detection using Faster R-CNN
Authors: N Sai Ganesh , M Suchetha , Raman Rajiv , D Edwin Dhas
Published: April 2021

Macular Edema (ME) is an essential sort of macular issues caused due to the storing of fluid underneath the macula. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) are the two customary visual contaminations that can lead to fragmentary or complete vision loss. This paper proposes a deep learning-based predictive algorithm that can be used to detect the presence of a Subretinal hemorrhage. This method initially detects the presence of Subretinal hemorrhage, and it then segments the Region of Interest (ROI) by a semantic segmentation process. The segmented ROI is applied to a predictive algorithm which is derived from the Fast Region Convolutional Neural Network (Fast R-CNN) algorithm, that can categorize the Subretinal hemorrhage as responsive or non-responsive. The dataset, provided by a medical institution, comprised of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images of both pre and post-treatment images, was used for training the proposed Faster Region Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN). We also used the Kaggle dataset for performance comparison with the traditional methods that are derived from the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm. The evaluation results using the Kaggle dataset and the hospital images provide an average sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy of 85.3%, 89.64%, and 93.48% respectively. Further, the proposed method provides a time complexity in testing as 2.64s, which is less than the traditional schemes like CNN, R-CNN, and Fast R-CNN.
A Simulation Study of Loess Slope Instability and Damage Under Intensive Seismic Vibration
Authors: chang chaoyu , Bo Jingshan , Qi WenHao , qiao feng , peng da
Published: April 2021

The instability and damage of the loess slope under intensive seismic vibration can be a complicated process, involving in sliding, horizontal displacement and rotation, which makes the particle flow code a suitable theory to simulate the instability and damage of the loess slope. In this study, based on both field investigation and indoor experiments, PFC2D program was adopted to simulate the instability and damage process of the loess slope landslide under intensive seismic vibration through the detailed identification of relevant parameters, model building and dynamic input. The analysis has revealed three main findings. Firstly, the volley surface structure dominated in the slope tends to magnify the vibration, resulting in intensive vibration of the soil body on the slide surface and an increased high frequency components of Fourier spectrum. Secondly, under the dynamic forces, the slope first accumulates and damages in the lower part, forming a shear outlet. Under the pulling of the lower particles, the difference between the first principal stress and the third principal stress gradually increases, destroying the inherent cohesive contact between the particles, leading to the instability damage. Thirdly, the upper soil body experiences tensile damage, forming a through slide face which causes the instability damage of the whole slope. The sliding face demonstrates in a oval shape, with a deeper arch as the vibration lasts longer.
Protecting Clinical Trials in Cystic Fibrosis; COVID-19 Mitigation Measures Crowd Sourced from the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Clinical Trials Network
Authors: Koningsbruggen-Rietschel Silke van , Dunlevy Fiona , Bulteel Veerle , Hayes Kate , Verbrugge Anne , Janssens Hettie M. , Dufeu Nadine , Simmonds Nicolas J. , Dupont Lieven J. , Downey Damien G.
Published: April 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has disrupted clinical trials worldwide. The European Cystic Fibrosis Society-Clinical Trials Network (ECFS-CTN) has tracked clinical trial disruption by surveying its 58 trial sites across 17 European countries and collated information on measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and ensure trial continuity. Here we present recommendations on how to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure to patients and trial staff by implementing remote trial visits where possible, using home assessments, video and phone calls, electronic consent and home delivery of study drug. We discuss the practicalities of remote source data verification, protocol amendments, changing trial site location, and staff absences and home working. We outline how to protect trial outcomes, including home assessments, safety reporting, protocol deviations and recruitment challenges. Finally, we discuss the importance of continued access to study drug via extension trials for some patients. This guidance was co-created from the shared knowledge and experience of sites in our network and was re-distributed directly to all ECFS-CTN sites to help mitigate the impact of further waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We will also use this guidance to assist companies, academia and consortia with future protocol design and risk mitigation plans.
Impact of lower extremity muscle strength on the clinical outcome of patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kondo Shin , Kagawa Kumiko , Saito Takashi , Oura Masahiro , Sogabe Kimiko , Harada Takeshi , Fujii Shiro , Nakamura Shingen , Miki Hirokazu , Sato Nori , Ono Rei , Abe Masahiro , Katoh Shinsuke
Published: April 2021

Purpose Muscle strength decline is reported to predict mortality in many cancers. However, there is little knowledge of the relation between muscle strength decline and clinical outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study aimed to determine the impact of pre-transplant lower extremity muscle strength (LEMS) on post-transplant overall survival (OS) and non-relapse mortality (NRM). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 86 adult patients underwent allo-HSCT during 2012-2020. LEMS was defined as knee extension force divided by patient’s body weight. The patients were divided into low, middle, and high LEMS groups based on pre-transplant LEMS. OS was measured using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Cumulative incidence of NRM was evaluated using the Fine and Gray method, with relapse considered as a competing risk event.Results Probability of OS was significantly lower in the low and middle LEMS groups (hazard ratio [HR] 2.98, p=0.020 and HR 2.68, p=0.034, respectively) than in the high LEMS group on multivariate analysis. OS at 5 years was 26.0%, 36.5%, and 72.5% in the low, middle, and high LEMS group, respectively. Risk of NRM was significantly lower in the low LEMS group (HR 5.62, p=0.038) than in the high LEMS group. Conclusions Pre-transplant LEMS was a significant factor in predicting OS and NRM.
Dose Calculation And Reporting With A Linear Boltzman Transport Equation Solver In Vertebral SABR
Authors: Hardcastle Nicholas , Hughes Jeremy , Siva Shankar , Kron Tomas
Published: April 2021

Introduction Vertebral Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) involves substantial tumour density heterogeneities. We evaluated the impact of a linear Boltzmann transport equation (LBTE) solver dose calculation on vertebral SABR dose distributions. MethodsA sequential cohort of 20 patients with vertebral metastases treated with SABR were selected. Treatment plans were initially planned with a convolution style dose calculation algorithm. The plan was copied and recalculated with a LBTE algorithm reporting both dose to water (Dw) or dose to medium (Dm). Target dose as a function of CT number, and spinal cord dose was compared between algorithms. ResultsCompared with a convolution algorithm, there was minimal change in PTV D90% with LBTE. LBTE reporting Dm resulted in reduced GTV D50% by (mean, 95% CI) 2.2% (1.9-2.6%) and reduced Spinal Cord PRV near-maximum dose by 3.0% (2.0-4.1%). LBTE reporting Dw resulted in increased GTV D50% by 2.4% (1.8-3.0%). GTV D50% decreased or increased with increasing CT number with Dm or Dw respectively. LBTE, reporting either Dm or Dw resulted in decreased central spinal cord dose by 8.7% (7.1-10.2%) and 7.2% (5.7-8.8%) respectively. Conclusion Reported vertebral SABR tumour dose when calculating with an LBTE algorithm depends on tumour density. Spinal cord near-maximum dose was lower when using LBTE algorithm reporting Dm, which may result in higher spinal cord doses being delivered than with a convolution style algorithm. Spinal cord central dose was significantly lower with LBTE, potentially reflecting LBTE transport approximations.
A Genomic Perspective on the Conservation Status of the Endangered Nashville Crayfish (Faxonius shoupi)
Authors: Hurt Carla , Hildreth Parker , Williams Carl
Published: April 2021

The Nashville crayfish (Faxonius shoupi) was federally listed as an endangered species in 1986 due to its limited distribution in the Mill Creek watershed; this waterway lies in the rapidly developing Nashville basin and has experienced habitat degradation due to agricultural run-off, contamination, and urban development. Recovery efforts, including dam removal and restoration of riparian zones, have improved conditions in Mill Creek and F. shoupi has increased in numbers and recolonized extirpated stream segments. However, a history of demographic bottlenecks and restricted gene flow may have negatively impacted the long-term recovery of this species. A recently discovered population of F. shoupi in a disjunct segment of the Lower Tennessee River at the Pickwick Tailwater may provide an additional source of genetic variation. Uncertainty surrounding the origins of the Pickwick population and its taxonomic relationship to F. shoupi in Mill Creek raises questions about the conservation and management implications of this population. We used mitochondrial sequencing and SNP genotyping to assess genetic variation and connectivity of F. shoupi in the Mill Creek drainage and to investigate the taxonomy and demographic history of the newly discovered population at Pickwick. We found substantial genetic variation and evidence of connectivity for samples throughout Mill Creek for both mitochondrial and genome-wide SNPs. Our results also suggest a recently severed connection between crayfish in Pickwick and Mill Creek. Unique mitochondrial haplotypes and SNP variation in the Pickwick population highlight the need for prioritizing this population in future conservation and management plans for this species.
Application of serum SNCA gene in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Quan Yi , Wang Jia , Wang Shuo , Zhao Jizong
Published: April 2021

Background: SNCA plays an important role in the development of Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanism in PD is still unclear. We integrate multi-omics data for systematic analysis to explore the potential mechanism and therapeutic target of SNCA in PD.Materials and methods: We download the gene expression, miRNA expression, and methylation data sets from GEO. After integration and standardization, analyze the diagnostic value and potential function of SNCA. Furthermore, according to the expression of SNCA, the important role of the genetic and epigenetic mechanism of SNCA co-expression in PD was analyzed by RNA-Seq, miRNA-Seq, and methylation data.Results: Six expression profiling data sets showed that SNCA is lowly expressed in PD and could be used as a potential PD marker. SNCA co-expressed genes in serum and substantia nigra samples have significant differences. The lncRNAs which most relevant to SNCA expression are related to a variety of tumors and nerve-related diseases meanwhile the miRNA which most relevant to SNCA expression is related to multiple neurodegenerative disease pathways. There are multiple CpG methylation sites in the SNCA promoter region, of which cg15133208 is significantly hypomethylated in PD.Conclusion: This study proposes low expression of SNCA as a diagnostic biomarker for PD, explores the unique genome and apparent landscape associated with expression of SNCA, provides ideas for a better understanding of the molecular basis of PD, and serves as a diagnostic biomarker for expression of SNCA or as a potential therapeutic target for PD patients which provides more direct evidence.
A systematic review of endpoint definitions in late phase tuberculosis therapeutic trials
Authors: Hills Nancy Kathryn , Lyimo Johnson , Nahid Payam , Savic Rada , Phillips Patrick P.J.
Published: April 2021

Background. Safe, more efficacious treatments are needed to address the considerable morbidity and mortality associated with tuberculosis (TB). However, the current practice in TB therapeutics trials is to use composite binary outcomes, which in the absence of standardization may inflate false positive and negative errors in evaluating regimens. The lack of standardization of outcomes is a barrier to the identification of highly efficacious regimens and the introduction of innovative methodologiesMethods. We conducted a systematic review of trials designed to advance new TB drugs or regimens for regulatory approval and inform practice guidelines. Trials were primarily identified from the WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP). Only trials that collected post-treatment follow-up data and enrolled at least 100 patients were included. Protocols and Statistical Analysis Plans (SAP) for eligible trials from 1995 to the present were obtained from trial investigators. Details of outcome data, both explicit and implied, were abstracted and organized into three broad categories: Favorable, Unfavorable, and Not Assessable. Within these categories, individual trial definitions were recorded and collated, and areas of broad consensus and disagreement were identified and described. Results. From 2205 TB-related trials, 51 were selected for protocol and SAP review, from which 31 were both eligible and had accessible documentation. Within the three designated categories, we found broad consensus in the definitions of Favorable and Unfavorable outcomes, although specific details were not always provided, and when explicitly addressed, were heterogeneous. Favorable outcomes were handled the most consistently but were widely variable with respect to specification. In some cases, the same events were defined differently by different protocols, particularly in distinguishing Unfavorable from Not Assessable events. Death was often interpreted conditional on cause. Patients who did not complete the study because of withdrawal or loss to follow-up presented a particular challenge to consistent interpretation and analytic treatment of outcomes.Conclusions. In a review of 31 clinical trials, we found that outcome definitions were heterogeneous, highlighting the need to establish clearer specification and a move towards universal standardization of outcomes across TB trials. The ICH E9 (R1) addendum provides guidelines for undertaking and achieving this goal.Registration PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020197993
HSPA5 regulates the expression and alternative splicing of inflammatory and immune response genes.
Authors: Fan Heng , Xue Linping , Liu Yujin , Zuo Dongmei , Gao Fei , Li Huarong , Zhang Lijuan , Shou Zhexing
Published: April 2021

HSPA5 encodes a chaperone protein, BIP/GRP78, which is also an RNA-binding protein with potential transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory functions. To explore the functions of HSPA5 on target genes, we over-expressed HSPA5 (HSPA5-OE) in HeLa cells. Then RNA-seq analysis found 928 genes were significantly differently expressed, among which 460 genes were up-regulated and 468 genes were down-regulated in the HSPA5-OE cells. GO analysis showed that the differently expressed genes were mainly enriched in inflammation and innate Immunity responses. In addition, the up-regulated genes were enriched in the process of cell proliferation and differentiation. Immune-related pathways were also found in the DEGs with KEGG analysis. Furthermore, a total of 659 different alternative splicing events were identified based on the splicing junction reads. And the related genes were enriched in apoptosis, TNF signaling, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. RT-qPCR experiment proved that the expression of inflammatory/immune-related genes was significantly changed with HSPA5-OE and showed significant difference in alternative splicing of genes involved in the above pathways. Our results suggest that HSPA5 regulates the expression and alternative splicing of inflammatory and immune response genes, which makes a foundation for further exploring the function of HSPA5 as RBP.
Introduction of a Portable and Non-invasive Technology for Hand and Foot Cooling: A Preclinical Feasibility Study
Authors: Jazi Shirin Davarpanah , Ralf Johan , FazelBakhsheshi Mohammad
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is caused by damage to neural structures in distal limbs. CIPN can lead to reduced dose or cessation of chemotherapy. Cooling the hands/feet has shown to be effective in reducing or preventing CIPN. However, when using ice bath or ice gloves/socks is no way to maintain the targeted temperature and prevent ice from melting. Also, patients have difficulty tolerating the freezing temperatures over long periods of chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to test the cooling performance of a recently developed non-invasive system that can ultimately replace current cooling methods.Methods: COOLPREVENT circulates cold water at tolerable temperatures into malleable gloves/socks. As well, COOLPREVENT does not require replacing of melted ice. We administered a cooling protocol via COOLPREVENT on three healthy subjects for 60 minutes. Immediately before and after cooling, skin temperature in the hands and feet were measured. Level of discomfort was also recorded during the cooling process.Results: Results showed that COOLPREVENT reduce skin temperature by 14.5±3.8°C and 10.7±1.7°C in the hands and feet, respectively within 60 minutes without significant discomfort.Conclusion: Although our study is limited by the small number of subjects and participation of healthy individuals, but we can conclude that COOLPREVENT can be a safe and appropriate method for hand and foot cooling. We hope that these preliminary findings can pave the way to designing clinical trials we plan to conduct in the near future.
The Utility of 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in The Imaging of Parathyroid Adenomas
Authors: Andrzej Mazurek , Miroslaw Dziuk , Ewa Witkowska-Patena , Witold Chudzinski , Agnieszka Gizewska , Stanislaw Piszczek , Marek Saracyn
Published: April 2021

Aim: to estimate sensitivity of 18F-FCH PET/CT in preoperative localisation of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Methods: 65 consecutive patients with PHPT who underwent neck ultrasound (US) and 99mTc/99mTc-MIBI dual-phase parathyroid scintigraphy were prospectively enrolled. Twenty-two patients had unsuccessful parathyroid surgery prior to the study. PET/CT scans were performed 65.0 ± 13.3 min after injection of 218.5 ± 31.9 MBq of 18F-fluorocholine (FCH). Three experienced nuclear medicine physicians assessed the detection rate of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. Response to parathyroidectomy and clinical follow-up served as a reference test. Per-patient sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated for patients who underwent surgery.Results: 18F-FCH PET/CT was positive in 61 patients, and negative in four. US and parathyroid scintigraphy showed positive and negative results in 20 , 45 and 17, 48, respectively. US showed nodular goiter in 31 patients and chronic thyroiditis in 9 patients. Parathyroid surgery was performed in 43 (66%) patients. 18F-FCH PET/CT yielded sensitivity of 100% (95% CI [87.99-100]) and PPV of 85.7% (95% CI [70.77-94.06]). Similar values were observed in patients with chronic thyroiditis, nodular goiter, and patients after an unsuccessful parathyroid surgery. PET/CT identified hyperparathyroidism complications (kidney stones, osteoporotic bone fractures and brown tumours) in 11 patients.Conclusions: 18F-FCH PET/CT effectively detected hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue and its complications. The method showed excellent sensitivity and positive predictive value, including patients with nodular goiter, chronic thyroiditis and prior unsuccessful parathyroidectomy. PET/CT performance was superior to neck ultrasound and parathyroid scintigraphy.
Preparation of long single-strand DNA concatemers for high-level fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Cao Dongjian , Wu Sa , Xi Caili , Li Dong , Zhu Kaiheng , Zhang Zhihong , Gong Hui , Luo Qingming , Yang Jie
Published: April 2021

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful tool to visualize transcripts in fixed cells and tissues. Despite the recent advances in FISH detection methods, it remains challenging to achieve high-level FISH imaging with a simple workflow. Here, we introduce a method to prepare long single-strand DNA concatemers (lssDNAc) through a controllable rolling-circle amplification (CRCA). Prepared lssDNAcs were used to develop novel AmpFISH workflows. In addition, we present its applications in different scenarios. AmpFISH shows the following advantages: 1) enhanced FISH signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) up to 160-fold compared with single-molecule FISH; 2) simultaneous detection of FISH signals and fluorescent proteins or immunofluorescence (IF) in tissues; 3) simple workflows; and 4) cost-efficiency. In brief, AmpFISH provides convenient and versatile tools for sensitive RNA/DNA detection and to gain useful information on cellular molecules using simple workflows.
Recombinant subunits of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as vaccine candidates to elicit neutralizing antibodies
Authors: ghahroodi Faezeh Noorabad , Khalili Saeed , Rasaee Mohammad Javad
Published: April 2021

The spike protein has been reported as one of the most critical targets for vaccine design strategies against the SARS-COV-2 infection. Hence, we have designed, produced, and evaluated the potential use of recombinant proteins derived from spike protein as vaccine candidates capable of neutralizing SARS-COV-2 virus. In silico tools were used to design spike-based subunit recombinant proteins (P1, P2, and P3). These proteins were checked for their ability to be identified by the anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies by exposing them to Covid-19 serum samples. The proteins were then injected into mice and rabbits and the antibody titers were measured for 170 days. The virus neutralization test (VNT) was performed to analyze the obtained antibodies for their neutralization efficiency. The antibodies that existed in the serum of COVID-19 patients have identified the designed proteins. The anti-spike antibody titer was increased in the animals injected with recombinant proteins. The VNT results revealed that the produced antibodies could neutralize the cultured live virus. The long-lasting antibody titers (130 and 170 days for rabbit and mouse groups) indicated the elicitation of a strong immune response by the recombinant proteins. Subunit vaccines could also be considered as robust tools for effective vaccination against COVID-19. Using a combination of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, it was shown that the injection of spike-based recombinant proteins could stimulate long-lasting and neutralizing antibody responses. Further evaluation of the recombinant proteins examined in our studies in higher primates and human would elucidate their true potentials.
Potential Value of Periostin as a Clinically Applicable Biomarker for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tan Qizhao , Yang Zhongwei , Xin Xing , Yang Bin , Xing Zhili , Li Feng , Zhang Ke , Tian Yun , Zhu Tengjiao
Published: April 2021

Background: Emerging knowledge has highlighted the role of periostin (POSTN) in osteoarthritis (OA) process; however, whether POSTN is suitable as a biomarker of OA remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the potential value of POSTN as a biomarker of OA. Methods: We detected the expression of POSTN in the cartilage of ovariectomy (OVX)-OA rats and different compartments of the knee joint in patients with OA using immunohistochemistry and examined serum POSTN levels in patients with or without OA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The associations among serum POSTN levels, clinical symptoms, and radiological severity were assessed according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading, respectively. Finally, multivariable cumulative link models were established to evaluate the validity of serum POSTN as a predictor of knee OA.Results: The significantly higher POSTN expression was found in OVX-OA rats than Sham rats, while, the expression of POSTN was significantly higher in the torn cartilage of patients with OA. However, the serum POSTN level did not differ significantly between patients with and without OA. Additionally, we found no remarkable associations between serum POSTN level and WOMAC scores and KL grading. Subsequent analysis revealed that serum POSTN was not a significant predictor of OA.Conclusion: Thus, although POSTN may be involved in the initiation and progression of OA and local POSTN is valuable in disease diagnosis and distinguishing of the severity of disease, its serum level is not sufficient to serve as a candidate biomarker of OA given the current analysis technology.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Mitovirus From the Phytopathogenic Fungus Fusarium Oxysporum
Authors: wang Jing , Qiu Rui , Li Chengjun , Li Shujun , Li Xiaojie , Zhao Jun , Bai jingke , Chen Yuguo
Published: April 2021

Fusarium oxysporum is a cosmopolitan plant pathogen causing Fusarium wilt and Fusarium root rot in many economically important crops. There is still limited information about mycoviruses that infect F. oxysporum. Here, a novel mitovirus tentatively named Fusarium oxysporum mitovirus 1 (FoMV1) was identified from F. oxysporum strain B2-10. The genome of FoMV1 is 2,453 nt in length with a predicted AU content of 71.6%, and contains one large open reading frame (ORF) using the fungal mitochondrial genetic code. The ORF encodes RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) of 723 amino acids with a molecular mass of 84.98 kDa. The RdRp domain of FoMV1 shares 29.01–68.43% sequence similarity to the members of the family Mitoviridae. Phylogenetic analysis further suggested that FoMV1 is a new member of a distinct species in the genus Mitovirus.
The relationship between the level of exercise and hemoglobin A1c in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Igarashi Yutaka , Akazawa Nobuhiko , Maeda Seiji
Published: April 2021

Background: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported that exercise improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the improvement reported was heterogeneous. A difference in the level of exercise might be the reason for that heterogeneity. Objective: The aim of study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in HbA1c and exercise levels when performing various types of exercise.Methods: The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials involving adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a mean age of ≥18 years, intervention involving exercise alone, the overall duration of intervention ≥12 weeks, and reporting HbA1c. The mean difference (defined as difference [intervention group value minus control group value] in change [final value minus baseline value] in the mean value) was calculated. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was defined as the mean difference weighted by the inverse of the squared standard error for each study, and all WMDs were pooled as overall effects. A meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the exercise level and the WMD in HbA1c. All analyses were performed using restricted maximum likelihood. Results: Forty-eight studies (2395 subjects) were analyzed. The pooled WMD in HbA1c decreased significantly (−0.5% [95% confidence intervals: −0.6 to −0.4)]) but contained significant heterogeneity (Q=103.8, P<0.01; I2=36.6%). The pooled WMD in body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly (−0.55 kg/m2 [95% confidence intervals: −0.58 to −0.51]) and did not contain heterogeneity (Q=25.8, P=0.99; I2=0.0%). A meta-regression analysis showed that the intensity (metabolic equivalents [METs]), time (min/session), or frequency (sessions/week) of exercise was not associated with the HbA1c. However, the overall duration of exercise (weeks) was significantly associated with the WMD in HbA1c (meta-regression coefficient: 0.01 [95% confidence intervals: 0.002 to 0.016]; R2=70.0%), and that result did not contain significant heterogeneity (P>0.05; I2=14.7%). Even when studies were limited to those involving mean age ≥40 years, mean baseline HbA1c ≥6.5%, mean duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus ≥5.0 years, mean baseline BMI ≥30 kg/m2, calculation of the WMD in BMI, performance of aerobic exercise alone, or no inclusion of a high risk of bias, there was no change in these results. Conclusions: The exercise intervention decreased HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, but that change likely depended on the overall duration of exercise. HbA1c may increase if exercise is continued, but at least continuing exercise is not necessarily beneficial for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This may be the result of intervention in the form of exercise alone.
Individual Differences in Habitat Selection Mediate Landscape Level Predictions of a Functional Response
Authors: Newediuk Levi , Prokopenko Christina M. , Wal Eric Vander
Published: April 2021

Context
Conserving and managing habitat for animals requires robust models to predict their space use. The functional response in habitat selection posits that animals adjust their habitat selection according to availability.
Objectives
Habitat availability can change over short time periods and small spatial distances, and thus failing to account for changes in habitat availability while modelling may not produce reliable predictions in the near–term or future. However, because individuals may respond to habitat availability differently, the functional response is also limited for predicting habitat selection by individuals.
Methods
Using a functional response in elk (Cervus canadensis) selection for mixed forest in response to road proximity, we compared habitat selection predictions made by population-level resource selection functions (RSFs) with random effects to incorporate individual differences in selection, to generalized functional response (GFR) RSFs.
Results
We found that since not all individuals followed the road-dependent functional response, the random effects model both predicted the distributions of individuals more accurately (R2 = 0.62 vs. R2 = 0.51) and produced coefficient estimates that matched their selection for mixed forest and distance from roads better than the GFR model (RMSE = 0.25 vs. RMSE = 0.29 and 0.37 vs. 0.46).
Conclusions
Individual habitat selection often varies within populations, and revealing those differences shows how individuals help populations respond to environmental change. We suggest that evaluating individual differences using multiple predictive approaches is necessary to forecast long–term habitat selection.
Effect of Local Metakaolin Developed from Natural Material Soorh and Coal Bottom Ash on Fresh, Hardened Properties and Embodied Carbon of Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Keerio Manthar Ali , Saand Abdullah , Kumar Aneel , Bheel Naraindas , Ali Karm
Published: April 2021

The carbon dioxide emissions from Portland cement production have increased significantly and Portland cement is the main binder used in self-compacting concrete, so there is an urgent need to find environmental friendly materials as alternative resources. In most developing countries, the availability of huge amounts of agricultural waste has paved the way for studying how these materials can be processed into self-compacting concrete as binder and aggregates compositions. Therefore, this experimental program was carried out to study the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made with local metakaolin, coal bottom ash separately and combined. Total 25 mixes were prepared with four mixes as 5,10, 15 and 20% replacement of cement with metakaolin, four mixes as 10, 20, 30 and 40% of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of fine aggregates separately and 16 mixes prepared combined with metakaolin and coal bottom ash. The fresh properties were explored by slump flow, T50 flow, V-funnel, L-box, J-Ring sieve segregation test. Moreover, the hardened properties of concrete were performed for compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strength and permeability of SCC mixtures. Fresh concrete test results show that even if no viscosity modifier is required, satisfactory fresh concrete properties of SCC can be obtained by replacing the fine aggregate with coal bottom ash content. At 15% replacement of cement with local metakaolin is optimum and gave better results as compared to control SCC. At 30% replacement of fine aggregate is optimum and gave better results as compared to control SCC. In the combined mix 10% replacement of cement with metakaolin combined with 30% replacement of fine aggregate with coal bottom ash is optimum and gave better results as compared to control SCC.
Efficacy and Safety of Trabectedin in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Bicentric Retrospective Analysis.
Authors: Loïc Chaigneau , Marine Jary , Virginie Nerich , Alice Hervieu , Sébastien Aubry , Céline Charon Barra , Guillaume Meynard , Florent Neumann , Elsa Kalbacher , Nicolas Isambert
Published: April 2021

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and heterogenous group of tumors, with poor prognostic, judging from their frequency to relapse. Few drugs are available. Since 2007, trabectedin got approval after failure of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, for advanced or metastatic STS.Patients and Methods: This retrospective study describes effects of trabectedin on survival, response, and toxicity, in STS patients. One hundred twenty-nine patients treated between 2002 and 2019 were analysed, from two French centers. All patients were tested for toxicities, and efficacy was assessed in patients exposed to at least 2 cycles of trabectedin.Results: Three median cycles were administered per patient (1-79). Among the 115 patients analysed for efficacy, the median progression free survival was 3.0 months [CI95%: 2.3 – 4.7], with an overall survival of 11.9 months [CI95%: 10.2 – 16.6]. The rate of disease control was 45.2% at the end of treatment. Myxoid liposarcoma (n = 11) was the histology subtype that benefited most from this chemotherapy with median progression free survival and an overall survival of 13.3 months [CI95%: 2.3 – 18.7] and 27.8 months [CI95%: 3.2 – 64.7], respectively. Adverse events were manageable. Conclusion: Efficacy of trabectedin is confirmed in terms of clinical benefit and low toxicity, especially for myxoid liposarcoma.
Needs Assessment for Physical Activity Information During COVID-19 among a Nationally Representative Sample of Parents and Children ages 6-17 in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Johnson Ashleigh , Kroshus Emily , Tandon Pooja
Published: April 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic presented novel barriers to youth physical activity engagement. Identifying what resources parents and children are interested in receiving can support efforts to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on youth physical activity behavior. This study aimed to identify physical activity-related information needs during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nationally representative sample of parents of children ages 6–10 and parent-child dyads of children ages 11–17.
Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted by a market research company in October-November 2020. Parents and children were asked about their interest in information about helping their family and themselves, respectively, be active. Weighted percentages were calculated for reported information needs.
Results

Final analytic sample was 1000 parents (55.4% female; 74.7% White; 74.0% non-Hispanic); 500 children ages 11–17 (52.1% male; 77.6% White; 77.4% non-Hispanic). Over 40% of respondents were interested in information about being active during COVID-19. Parents were more likely to be interested in information if they worked from home compared to outside the home [53.3% (95% CI:43.3%-63.0%) versus 22.0% (95% CI:14.9%-31.3%), respectively]; had children attending school remotely compared to in-person [47.3% (95% CI:40.2%-54.5%) versus 27.5% (95% CI:19.6%-37.1%), respectively]; and lived in a big city (66.5%; 95% CI: 54.5%-76.7%) compared to a suburban area (42.5%; 95% CI: 34.2%-51.2%), small town (34.6%; 95% CI: 22.8%-48.8%), or rural area (34.1%; 95% CI: 22.8%-47.6%). Children most interested were those who did not have resources for online activity engagement, and those worried about their safety or getting infected with COVID-19. Children were also more likely to be interested in information if their parents worked full-time compared to not working [48.6% (95% CI:41.7%-55.6%) versus 31.5% (95% CI:24.1%-39.9%), respectively], and lived in big city compared to a rural area [57.2% (95% CI:45.3%-68.3%) versus 27.8% (95% CI:17.8%-40.7%)].
Conclusions

Families most interested in physical activity-related resources were those whose organized activity opportunities may have been disrupted by the pandemic. Identifying felt needs is an important step in developing interventions that effectively support families in promoting activity. Behavioral interventions oriented around increasing youth physical activity should provide guidance that resonates with families and accounts for setting-specific constraints and stressors.
Coalitional Graph Game of Multi-Hop Clustering in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks
Authors: Charoenchai Siwapon , Siripongwutikorn Peerapon
Published: April 2021

Road traffic information can be collected over a vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) and utilized in many intelligent traffic system applications. A clustering mechanism is used to create a cluster of vehicles to facilitate the data collection from vehicles to road side units (RSUs) acting as sink nodes. Unlike previous works that focus on cluster lifetime or throughput, we propose a coalitional graph game (CGG) technique to form a multi-hop cluster with a largest possible coverage area for a given transmission delay time constraint to economize on the number of RSUs. Vehicles decide to join or leave the coalition based on their individual utility that is a weighted function of number of members in the coalition, relative velocities, distance to sink nodes, and transmission delay toward the sink nodes. The stability of cluster formation is proved by using a discrete-time Markov chain. Our results show that the proposed game model always yields a stable coalition structure that satisfies the objective, and the solutions vary with the weights given to individual components in the utility function.
Supplementation of Micronutrients Against COVID-19.
Authors: Unnithan Ajaya Kumar Ayyappan
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives: There is no pharmacological treatment with proven efficacy against coronavirus disease-19. Certain micronutrients have roles in the maintenance of an effective immune system. From the point of view of public health, it will be good to adopt a nutrional strategy to enhance the immunity of the general population against viral diseases. Method and Study design: A review was done to now the evidence for the antiviral and immunomodulatory properties of micronutrients. A search was done in Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for the nutrients with proven effect against viral infection. Experimental studies, clinical studies, reviews, and meta-analyses were studied descripitively.Results: There are experimental studies about the effects of micronutrients against viral infection. Vitamins such as A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate, and trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, and copper boost the immune response. The antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E can help in controlling the ‘cytokine storm’, produced by excessive inflammation. Vitamin D can increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. Selenium and zinc can protect the lungs in acute respiratory distress syndrome. There are many meta-analyses on the randomized controlled trials (RCT) about the effect of micronutrients on viral infection. The analyses of the trials supplementing vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and selenium have shown significance. Conclusions: There is level 2A evidence for the beneficial effects of vitamins and micronutrients in modulating the immunity against viral infections. So a programme for nutritional supplementation of these can help in fighting the pandemic.
Three-Step One-Way Model in Terahertz Biomedical Detection
Authors: Peng Yan , Huang Jieli , Luo Jie , Yang Zhangfan , Wang Liping , Wu Xu , Yu Chen , Zang Xiaofei , Hu Qing , Gu Min , Zhang Xicheng , Zhu Yiming , Zhuang Songlin
Published: April 2021

Terahertz technology has broad application prospects in biomedical detection. However, the mixed characteristics of actual samples make the terahertz spectrum complex and difficult to distinguish, and there is no practical terahertz detection method for medical clinics. Here, we propose a three-step one-way terahertz model, presenting a detailed flow analysis of terahertz technology in the biomedical detection of renal fibrosis as an example: 1) biomarker determination: screening disease biomarkers and establishing the terahertz spectrum and concentration gradient; 2) mixture interference removal: clearing the interfering signals in the mixture for the biomarker in the animal model and evaluating and retaining the effective characteristic peaks; and 3) individual difference removal: excluding individual interference differences and confirming the final effective terahertz parameters in the human sample. The root mean square error of our model is three orders of magnitude lower than that of the gold standard, with profound implications for the rapid, accurate and early detection of diseases.
The correct derivation of the buckling equations of the shear-deformable FGM plates for the extended Kantorovich method
Authors: Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed , Kurgan Naci , Can Nihat
Published: April 2021

This article presents the derivation of the elastic buckling equations and boundary conditions of shear-deformable plates in the frame of the extended Kantorovich method (EKM). Surveying the literature shows that those stability equations are often obtained using a wrong derivation by confusing them with the linear equilibrium condition. This work aims at providing the correct derivation that is built on the stability of the equilibrium condition. Buckling equations are derived for three different plate theories, namely, the first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT), the refined-FSDT, and the refined plate theory (RPT). This article is the first to implement the EKM based on a refined theory. Also, it is the first time to implement the refined-FSDT in buckling analysis. For the generic FGM plates, buckling equations derived based on the FSDT and refined-FSDT are both found to be simple and contain only the lateral displacements/rotations variations. On the other hand, those of the RPT, have coupled lateral and in-plane displacement variations, even if the physical neutral plate is taken as the reference plane. The considered plate is rectangular and under general in-plane loads. The properties are of the plate continuously varying through its thickness which is assumed to change smoothly with a separable function in the two in-plane dimensions. The von Kármán nonlinearity is considered. The stability equations are derived according to the Trefftz criterion, using the variational calculus. The solution methods of the obtained equations are out of the scope of this article.
Construction of diagnostic markers for hub lncRNAs in Parkinson’s disease based on chip re-annotation
Authors: Quan Yi , Wang Shuo , Wang Jia , Zhao Jizong
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is also the most common motor disorder and is accompanied by the loss of DA neurons in the brain. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been identified as new genetic entities that regulate cellular processes. One of the main functions of lncRNAs is the regulation of the expression of specific genes in multiple steps, including the regulation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms and epigenetics.
MATERIAL AND METHODS

Here we downloaded three sets of expression-spectrum data for PD from the GEO database. The data were re-annotated with R package, which were integrated into a set of expression profiles for the analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs. Subsequently, lncRNA/mRNA co-expression modules were identified through a weighted co-expression analysis and lncRNAs were expressed based on binding differences. The diagnostic tags of PD were filtered with key modules and were finally used to build the PD diagnostic prediction model.
RESULTS

Based on lncRNA re-annotation, a total of 1931 lncRNA expression values in the three sets of data were obtained and significant differences in expression (P < 0.05) for a total of 162 lncRNAs. A total of 21 modules were identified through WGCNA and five modules were selected. We screened 12 lncRNAs (AUC > 0.6) as PD diagnostic markers and as features to construct a SVM classification model. The model had good predictive ability in the training set and verification set (AUC of 0.9928 and 0.464, respectively), which illustrated their potential as diagnostic markers of PD.
CONCLUSIONS

This study provided new molecular entities for the diagnosis of PD, which may promote the early detection of this disease and the development of personalized therapies.