bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison some of kernel functions with support vector machines classifier for thalassemia dataset
Authors: Wirasati Ilsya , Rustam Zuherman , Aurelia Jane Eva , Hartini Sri , Saragih Glori Stephani
Published: May 2021

In the medical field, accurate classification of medical data is really important because of its impact on disease detection and patient’s treatment. Technology, machine learning, is needed to help medical staff to improve accuracy to classify disease. This research discussed some kernel functions, such as gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernel, Polynomial kernel, and linear kernel with support vector machine (SVM) to classify thalassemia data. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder which is also one of the major public health problems. In this paper, there is an explanation about thalassemia, SVM, and some of the kernel functions that serve as a comprehensive source for the next research about this topic. Furthermore, there is a comparison result from three kernel functions to find out which one has the best performance. The result is gaussian RBF kernel with SVM is the best method with an average of accuracy 99,63%. 
Acute sinusitis data classification using grey wolf optimization-based support vector machine
Authors: Putri Ajeng Maharani , Rustam Zuherman , Pandelaki Jacub , Wirasati Ilsya , Hartini Sri
Published: May 2021

Acute sinusitis is the most common form of sinusitis, and it causes swelling and inflammation within the nose. The main thing that can causes sinusitis is probably due to viruses, and also can be caused by other factors, namely bacteria, fungi, irritation, dust, and allergens. In this research, the CT scan data attributes will be used for classification and grey wolf optimization-support vector machine (GWO-SVM) will be the machine learning technique used, where the GWO technique will be used to tuned the parameters in SVM. The performance of methods was analyzed using the python programming language with different percentages of training data, which started from 10% to 90%. The GWO-SVM method proposed provides better accuracy than using SVM without GWO.
Network alignment and similarity reveal atlas-based topological differences in structural connectomes
Authors: Frigo Matteo , Cruciani Emilio , Coudert David , Deriche Rachid , Natale Emanuele , Deslauriers-Gauthier Samuel
Published: May 2021

The interactions between different brain regions can be modeled as a graph, called connectome, whose nodes correspond to parcels from a predefined brain atlas. The edges of the graph encode the strength of the axonal connectivity between regions of the atlas that can be estimated via diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tractography. Herein, we aim to provide a novel perspective on the problem of choosing a suitable atlas for structural connectivity studies by assessing how robustly an atlas captures the network topology across different subjects in a homogeneous cohort. We measure this robustness by assessing the alignability of the connectomes, namely the possibility to retrieve graph matchings that provide highly similar graphs. We introduce two novel concepts. First, the graph Jaccard index (GJI), a graph similarity measure based on the well-established Jaccard index between sets; the GJI exhibits natural mathematical properties that are not satisfied by previous approaches. Second, we devise WL-align, a new technique for aligning connectomes obtained by adapting the Weisfeiler-Leman (WL) graph-isomorphism test. We validated the GJI and WL-align on data from the Human Connectome Project database, inferring a strategy for choosing a suitable parcellation for structural connectivity studies. Code and data are publicly available.
The Trilingual Prayer Copied by Avraham Firkowicz: The First Hebrew, Judeo-Slavic, and Crimean Judeo-Turkic Trilingual Text
Authors: Grishchenko Alexander I. , Shapira Dan
Published: May 2021

This article presents a unique trilingual (Hebrew, Turkic, and Slavic) religious literary work from the personal archive of Avraham Firkowicz (National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg). The text, containing 129 lines (verses) in Hebrew characters, is written in Firkowicz’s own hand. Its author has not been reliably identified, but it is assumed that he could be a Karaite Jew from Łuck / Lutsk (Wolhynia, present-day Ukraine) with a good speaking-level knowledge of Slavic and Turkish (e.g., Joseph-Solomon Lutski or Mordechai Sultanski). The language of the Turkic version is a variety of Crimean Judeo-Turkic with many Turkish (Oğuz) features; the language of the Slavic version is based on standard Russian of the early 19th century with Church Slavonic, Ukrainian, and Polish elements.
Palynological observations on the genus Gundelia L. (Asteraceae) growing in Turkey

Authors: FIRAT MEHMET , SELVİ SELAMI
Published: May 2021

The pollen morphology of 17 taxa of Gundelia, of which 13 taxa are endemic to Turkey, was investigated by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study, the pollen morphology of 16 taxa except G. tournefortii was investigated for the first time. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariate statistics. The pollen grains are oblate spheroidal and prolate spheroidal in shape with the polar diameter of 37.01–61.2 μm and the equatorial diameter of 31.2–63.4 μm. The smallest pollen grains were observed in G. anatolica, G. rosea and G. tournefortii, while the largest pollen grains were observed in G. vitekii, G. komagenensis and G. colemerikensis. Pollen ornamentation is echinate in LM and echinate-microperforate in SEM. Statistically, the relationships between pollen characters of the examined taxa were identified using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Clustering Analyzis. In addition, a dendrogram was constructed by applying UPGMA based on the determined 15 pollen morphological characters, and the degree of their relationship was discussed. Polar axis, equatorial diameter and colpus length were the major explanations of the pollen morphological characters’ total variation in PCA. Pair group method was used to divide the main pollen taxa into three groups based on the pollen morphology by using arithmetic averages analysis (PCA scatterplot and cluster analysis). As a result, the pollen shape, polar axis, equatorial diameter and spine length were important characters distingushing the taxa from each other. We found some matches and mismatches between pollen and morphological characters, whose significance requires further study.
New combinations and typifications in Cryptangieae (Cyperaceae)

Authors: VITTA FABIO A. , COSTA SUZANA M. , AMARAL MARIA DO CARMO E. , SHEPHERD GEORGE J. , THOMAS W. WAYT
Published: May 2021

New combinations for Cryptangium verticillatum and for Lagenocarpus tristis are proposed here. Three neotypes and three lectotypes for names actually belonging to the genus Cryptangium, and seven lectotypes for names belonging to Lagenocarpus are designated here.
Orthoptera Tettigoniidae as indicators of biodiversity hotspots in the Guinean Forests of Central and West Tropical Africa
Authors: MASSA BRUNO
Published: May 2021

The present paper has two aims: 1) to present the results of the study of selected species of Orthoptera Tettigoniidae collected in the Guinean forests of West Africa and in the important hotspot of Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic); 2) to carry out a check-list of six subfamilies of Tettigoniidae (Pseudophyllinae, Conocephalinae, Hexacentrinae, Phaneropterinae, Mecopodinae and Hetrodinae) living in Central-West tropical Africa, in particular in two main tropical forests, in the subregion of upper Guinea, and in the subregion Nigeria-Cameroon plus the biodiversity hotspots of Central African Republic and Gabon. Many new records are reported and the following new species are described: Plangia astylata n. sp. from Central African Republic and Gabon, Plangia chopardi n. sp. from Côte d’Ivoire, and Catoptropteryx lineata n. sp. from Liberia. In addition the male of Plangia karschi Chopard, 1954 is described and some taxonomical notes on the recently described Arantia marginata Massa, 2021 are discussed. The new name Pseudorhynchus raggei is proposed for Pseudorhynchus robustus Ragge, 1969, junior primary homonym of Pseudorhynchus robustus Willemse, 1953.                Then, the author lists all the Tettigoniidae of the above listed subfamilies presently known in central-west tropical Africa (Guinean forests). This wide tropical area holds important biodiversity hotspots that the author highlights through the study of katydids. Many groups of species tend to isolate and speciate probably more than other groups of insects. Overall, the total number amounts to 332 species, of which 242 live in Cameroon-Nigeria subregion plus Central African Republic and Gabon, 216 in the Upper Guinea subregion. The occurrence of endemic taxa is 35.9 and 40.3%, respectively; this resulted a very high percentage compared to that known for plants and animals in the area. Starting from the list of Tettigoniidae three remarkable biodiversity hotspots were examined, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic), Mt. Tonkoui and Taï National Park (both in Côte d’Ivoire); overall they hold 134, 81 and 88 species, respectively. It seems that in tropical Africa there is a specific richness gradient with an East-West impoverishment, but also a possible increase of endemism occurrence. However, presently this richness suffers a high decline risk, due to deforestation and environmental degradation, in turn dependent on the inequality between human populations, wars and political instability in some tropical areas.
Notes on the genus Netelia, subgenus Parabates (Ichneumonidae, Tryphoninae), with description of a new species from Oriental Region
Authors: PHAM NHI THI , CHEN HSUAN-PU , KONISHI KAZUHIKO
Published: May 2021

The characters that define the subgenus Parabates of the genus Netelia are investigated. The shape of the basal apodeme of the aedeagus is considered to be a synapomorphy of this subgenus, suggesting the monophyly of Parabates. A new species, Netelia (Parabates) fusciapicalis n. sp. belonging to the ishiharai group is described from Taiwan, Vietnam and Laos. This is the sixth extant species of the subgenus, the first record of the genus Netelia from Vietnam and Laos, and the first record of the subgenus Parabates from Taiwan.
4. The Posthuman
Authors: Lewis Richard S.
Published: May 2021

After focusing on the technological relations in the previous chapter, the discussion moves to the human side of the human-technology relation in order to better understand what makes up the human subject. A brief overview of the humanist and transhumanist approaches is discussed along with their views on the human enhancement debate. I then make the case for a philosophical posthuman subject that is complex and emergent. Through a contemporary approach to the human, I use complexity to understand our selves not as standalone individuals but as complex and interrelational beings who are always becoming through the relations in our lives. This chapter finalizes the background and theoretical underpinnings for the framework and instrument developed in the next chapters.
Segmentation of the Haematoxylin and Eosin Stained Muscle Cell Images—A Comparative Study
Authors: Wang Zihao , Yin Liju , Mao Shuai , Wang Zhenzhou
Published: May 2021

The effective detection of muscle cells, the accurate counting of their numbers and the analysis of their morphological features have great importance in biomedical research. At present, the quantification of muscle cell and the computation of their cross-sectional areas (CSA) are still
manual or semi-automated, and with the increase of the image number, the manual or semi-automated methods might become intractable. Hence, the automatic methods are very desirable, which motivated the developments of many muscle cell segmentation methods. In this paper, three methods, SDDM,
CELLSEGM and SMASH are compared and evaluated with 100 images with over 6000 cells. The Dices computed by SDDM, CELLSEGM and SMASH are 97.38%, 89.85% and 90.08% respectively. The average differences between the calculated cross-sectional areas and the ground truths by SDDM, CELLSEGM and SMASH
are 5.14%, 10.76% and 7.97% respectively.
Sensitivity Detection of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Glaucoma Based on High Level Semantic Image Fusion Algorithm
Authors: Tang Xia , Dai Yan , Yang Xiaozhu
Published: May 2021

Glaucoma is currently recognized as a multifactorial, persistent and degenerative retinal disease. It mainly causes the loss of function and death of retinal ganglion cells in the optic nerve head area, and eventually leads to visual loss and blindness. Aiming at the segmentation and
sensitivity detection of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in glaucoma, this paper mainly studies it based on high-level semantic image fusion algorithm. Firstly, the feature extracted by high-level semantic image fusion technology is used to train random forest classifier to segment retina
to get rough position of the boundary of nerve fiber layer, then the first step of rough boundary is refined by boundary tracking algorithm to get the final result of retinal layer segmentation. In this algorithm, random forest classifier is used to find the boundary of single pixel width
between layers of retina, and 12 features are used to train random forest classifier. Among them, relative gray feature and neighborhood feature can solve the problem of large segmentation error of uneven gray. By using high-level semantic image technology, the mean value and gradient features
are extracted under multi-scale, and the relative gray difference features and neighborhood features are introduced, then the features are trained by random forest classifier. The trained classifier gives different labels to the unclassified features, and finally successfully segments the
lower boundary of the retinal nerve fiber layer, which solves the sensitive segmentation and detection problem of the retinal nerve fiber layer with uneven pixel gray.
Multi-Parameter Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fusion Technology Assists in Bone Diagnosis and Rehabilitation of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jia Yuzhu , Ying Yibo , Feng Jianju
Published: May 2021

Multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used in the diagnosis and evaluation of prostate cancer, and has important guiding significance for clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer and their treatment. This article studies the value of transrectal multiparametric ultrasound
(mpUSS) in the diagnosis of clinically meaningful prostate cancer. 102 patients with high risk factors for prostate cancer were examined by mpUSS and mpMRI. The transrectal biopsy (SB) results of the prostate system were regarded as the excellent standard, and the diagnostic value of mpUSS,
mpMRl and mpUSS combined with mpMRl examination for clinically meaningful prostate cancer was analyzed. The results showed that 58 of the 102 patients with SB were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Among them, 43 cases were detected by mpUSS, 50 cases were detected by mpMRl, 42 cases were detected
by mpUSS combined with mpMRI (series), and 56 cases were detected by mpUSS combined with mpMRl (parallel). Grouped by Gleason score, the detection rate of mpUSS for clinically significant prostate cancer was 83.74%, and the detection rate of mpMRl was 93.5%. The comparison between the two
was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), but when the two inspection methods were combined. The detection rate was 97.8%, which was significantly higher than the two inspection methods alone. Therefore, we conclude that mpUSS can be used as an imaging test for the diagnosis of prostate
cancer. In addition, mpUSS has a high application value in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The detection rate of mpUSS combined with mpMRl examination for clinically meaningful prostate cancer is significantly higher than that of mpMRl examination alone, which can be used as a diagnostic
technique for early diagnosis of meaningful prostate cancer and can be used as a guide clinicians’ early diagnosis and treatment of meaningful prostate cancer.
The Value of Prenatal Systematic Ultrasonic Examination of Fetal Structural Abnormality in Diagnosing Fetal Structural Abnormality
Authors: Shen Yeqin , Luo Ji , Wang Wensheng
Published: May 2021

In order to explore the value of prenatal systematic ultrasound examination of fetal structural abnormality in the diagnosis of fetal structural abnormality, this paper retrospectively analyzed 200 cases of fetal abnormality referrals from December 2017 to December 2019 in the prenatal systematic ultrasound examination of the designated hospital in this study of pregnant women. By sorting, summarizing and summarizing the actual conditions of the systematic ultrasound examination of each prenatal fetal abnormal section, this study calculated, recorded and analyzed the detection rate, missed diagnosis rate, sensitivity, and specificity of the systematic ultrasound examination of structural abnormality, and then discussed the value of prenatal systematic ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal structural abnormality. The results showed that, 185 cases were detected out of 200 fetal abnormality with the detection rate of 92.5%; missed diagnosis rate is 7.3%; detection sensitivity is 87.43%; and specificity is 76.58%. Among them, the detection rate of malformations of different diseases from high to low is cardiovascular system (97.54%), nervous system (93.16%), respiratory system (90.62%), facial system (87.54%), and urinary system (85.47%). Therefore, the prenatal systematic ultrasound fetal structural abnormality examination for pregnant women can achieve good diagnostic results, can provide pregnant women with fetal structural abnormality the opportunity to terminate pregnancy early, and effectively reduce the birth of structural abnormal fetuses and the burden of family and society, having important clinical significance and reducing.
Multimodality Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assisted Treatment of Primary Insomnia and Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Chen Guanfeng , Huang Risheng , Sun Bingqing , Zhu Jingfa , Zhang Hongchun , Chen Jieyun
Published: May 2021

Based on multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging technology, explore the changes of local brain function in the whole brain range of patients with primary insomnia at rest, and conduct correlation analysis to explore the relationship between this locality and function and clinical
features. Provide further imaging evidence for the exploration of the neural mechanism of primary insomnia. Using multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging, self-rating anxiety scale, self-rating depression scale to assess the status anxiety factor and trait anxiety of STAI in patients
with primary insomnia (88 cases) and normal sleepers (82 cases). Factors and total scores, depressive mental disorders and total scores were statistically significantly different from the normal sleep group. The study found that patients with primary insomnia under the multimodal functional
magnetic resonance imaging assisted treatment have abnormal local functional activities in multiple brain regions such as emotions and sensorimotor regions. We explored the brain of patients with primary insomnia from the perspective of functional differentiation. Changes in nerve activity
are conducive to further understanding the characteristics of nerve activity in primary insomnia.
Evaluation of Postoperative Repair Effect of Oral Tumors Based on Free Ultrasound Flap Transplantation
Authors: Wang Zhanwen , Xuan Ming , Leng Qianying , Zhao Qin , Li Yan , Song Ping
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the treatment of oral tumors with free flap transplantation based on ultrasound contrast is studied, and the repair effect is analyzed and evaluated in-depth, the postoperative quality of life of patients with oral malignant tumors is evaluated, and the factors affecting
their quality of life are analyzed. 120 patients with oral malignant tumors were selected. The continuity of the jaws, neck clearance method, clinical stage, tumor recurrence, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy all have varying degrees of impact on the postoperative quality of life. Multivariate
analysis suggests that tumor recurrence has the greatest impact on the quality of life of patients followed by jaw continuity, tumor stage, with or without neck clearance. First, the early detection rate of tumors should be improved, and the tumors should be removed as completely as possible
during the operation to avoid residues. If necessary, cervical lymph node dissection can be performed. Patients with discontinuous jaws should be reconstructed and repaired in time to restore the maxillofacial shape and function of the patients, to greatly reduce the impact on the quality
of life of patients after surgery.
3D Printing in Cranioplasty for Giant Cranial Deformity with Multi-Dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Simulation
Authors: Liu Xiyao , Ye Yongzao , Gao Xin , Wang Zhanxiang
Published: May 2021

This article is based on 3D printing technology, through multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic stimulation to the in-depth study of the application of plastic surgery in patients with giant cranial deformity cranial reduction, first of all, patients with CT scan of the brain, based on
CT data for 3D reconstruction, 3D geometric modeling, using 3D printing Prepare multiple skull 1:1 scale, solid models, perform surgical planning and drills, determine the surgical plan (related parameters such as surgical time, cranial cavity volume, frontal plane ratio, anterior-posterior
diameter, left-right diameter, head-to-height ratio, etc.), it can increase the patient’s speed and stride, and complete a variety of material tests. The 3D printing group had lower pain VAS scores at 1 h and 24 h after surgery than the traditional data group. The same data observed
from different dimensions may yield different results, but also enable people to understand the nature of things more comprehensively and clearly. It was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The postoperative swelling of the 3D printing group was less than that of the customary
group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Through 12 months of follow up observation, the power of 3D printing is higher than that of the habitual group, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). This technology has an important
guiding significance in future related treatment technology.
Visualization of Pterygomaxillary Fissure Structure and Shape in CT Image via Non-Linear Perspective Projection
Authors: Partheepan R. , Raja Paul Perinbam J. , Krishnamurthy M. , Shanker N. R.
Published: May 2021

The neurologist analyses the brain images to diagnose disease via structure and shape of the part in scanned Medical images such as CT, MRI, and PET. The Medical image segmentation performs less in the regions where no or little contrast, artifacts over the different boundary regions.
The manual process of segmentation shows poor boundary differentiation due to discernibility in shape and location, intra and inter observer reliability. In this paper, we propose dyadic CAT optimization (DCO) algorithm to segment the regions in the brain from CT and MRI image via Non-linear
perspective Foreground and Back Ground projection. The DCO algorithm removes the artifacts in the boundary regions and provide the exact structure and shape of the brain regions. The DCO algorithm shows the region boundary for pterygomaxillary fissure, occipital lobe, vaginal process zygomatic
arch, maxilla and piriform aperture in brain image with high visibility in the regions of inadequately visible boundary and distinguishes the deformable shape. The DCO algorithm applies on 50 images and eight images with complex bone and muscle mass structure for performance evaluation. The
DCO algorithm shows the increased Structural similarity index (SSIM) with 90% accuracy.
Subpolar Gyre – AMOC – Atmosphere Interactions on Multidecadal Timescales in a Version of the Kiel Climate Model
Authors: Sun Jing , Latif Mojib , Park Wonsun
Published: May 2021

There is a controversy about the nature of multidecadal climate variability in the North Atlantic (NA) region, concerning the roles of ocean circulation and atmosphere-ocean coupling. Here we describe NA multidecadal variability from a version of the Kiel Climate Model, in which both subpolar gyre (SPG)-Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and atmosphere-ocean coupling are essential. The oceanic barotropic and meridional overturning streamfunctions, and sea level pressure are jointly analyzed to derive the leading mode of Atlantic sector variability. This mode accounting for 23.7 % of the total combined variance is oscillatory with an irregular periodicity of 25-50 years and an e-folding time of about a decade. SPG and AMOC mutually influence each other and together provide the delayed negative feedback necessary for maintaining the oscillation. An anomalously strong SPG, for example, drives higher surface salinity and density in the NA’s sinking region. In response, oceanic deep convection and AMOC intensify, which, with a time delay of about a decade, reduces SPG strength by enhancing upper-ocean heat content. The weaker gyre leads to lower surface salinity and density in the sinking region, which reduces deep convection and eventually AMOC strength. There is a positive ocean-atmosphere feedback between the sea surface temperature and low-level atmospheric circulation over the Southern Greenland area, with related wind stress changes reinforcing SPG changes, thereby maintaining the (damped) multidecadal oscillation against dissipation. Stochastic surface heat-flux forcing associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation drives the eigenmode.
The reduction of systematic temperature biases in soil moisture-limited regimes by stochastic root depth variations
Authors: Breil M. , Schädler G.
Published: May 2021

In soil moisture-limited evapotranspiration regimes, near-surface temperatures are strongly affected by the available soil water amount for evapotranspiration. Its spurious representation in climate models consequently results in an inaccurately simulated turbulent heat flux partitioning and associated temperature biases.

Since the physical reasons for soil moisture induced temperature biases are different in every region and model, a new method is presented to reduce these biases systematically. To achieve this, a stochastic root depth variation is applied, whereby the root depths in each grid-box of the model domain are uniformly perturbed. Thus, the soil water supply for evapotranspiration is increased for 50 % of the grid-boxes in the model domain and reduced for the other 50 %. In energy-limited regimes, where soil moisture just slightly affects the near-surface temperatures, the turbulent heat flux partitioning is not affected. In moisture-limited regimes, the method has an asymmetric effect on evapotranspiration. In cases of overestimated supplies, the reduced root depths in 50 % of the model domain result in an overall evapotranspiration reduction. In cases of underestimated supplies, the opposite is the case. In cases of correctly simulated supplies, the evapotranspiration reduction in 50 % of the model domain and the evapotranspiration increase in the other 50 % balance each other on a climatological mean. In this way, the method affects the turbulent heat flux partitioning only if soil moisture is spuriously simulated in the model. The associated biases are then systematically reduced, independently of the underlying physical process, which caused the soil moisture deficiencies.
The shelf sources of estuarine inflow
Authors: Brasseale Elizabeth , MacCready Parker
Published: May 2021

The inflow to an estuary originates on the shelf. It flushes the estuary and can bring in nutrients, heat, salt, and hypoxic water, having consequences for estuarine ecosystems and fjordic glacial melt. However, the source of estuarine inflow has only been explored in simple models that do not resolve interactions between inflow and outflow outside of the estuarine channel. This study addressed the estuary inflow problem using variations on a three-dimensional primitive equation model of an idealized estuarine channel next to a sloping, unstratified shelf with mixing provided by a single frequency, 12-hour tide. Inflow was identified using particle tracking, momentum budgets, and Total Exchange Flow. Inflow sources were found in shelf water downstream of the estuary, river plume water, and shelf water upstream of the estuary. Downstream is defined here with respect to the direction of coastal trapped wave propagation, which is to the right for an observer looking seaward from the estuary mouth in the northern hemisphere. Downstream of the estuary and offshore of the plume, the dynamics were quasi-geostrophic, consistent with previous simple models. The effect of this inflowing current on the geometry of the river plume front was found to be small. Novel sources of inflow were identified which originated from within the plume and upstream of the estuary.
FOWD: A Free Ocean Wave Dataset for Data Mining and Machine Learning
Authors: Häfner Dion , Gemmrich Johannes , Jochum Markus
Published: May 2021

The occurrence of extreme (rogue) waves in the ocean is for the most part still shrouded in mystery, as the rare nature of these events makes them difficult to analyze with traditional methods. Modern data mining and machine learning methods provide a promising way out, but they typically rely on the availability of massive amounts of well-cleaned data.

To facilitate the application of such data-hungry methods to surface ocean waves, we developed FOWD, a freely available wave dataset and processing framework. FOWD describes the conversion of raw observations into a catalogue that maps characteristic sea state parameters to observed wave quantities. Specifically, we employ a running window approach that respects the non-stationary nature of the oceans, and extensive quality control to reduce bias in the resulting dataset.

We also supply a reference Python implementation of the FOWD processing toolkit, which we use to process the entire CDIP buoy data catalogue containing over 4 billion waves. In a first experiment, we find that, when the full elevation time series is available, surface elevation kurtosis and maximum wave height are the strongest univariate predictors for rogue wave activity. When just a spectrum is given, crest-trough correlation, spectral bandwidth, and mean period fill this role.
LncRNA XIST promotes liver cancer progression by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-200b-3p to regulate ZEB1/2 expression
Authors: Liu Lili , Jiang Hua , Pan Hongming , Zhu Xiuming
Published: May 2021

Objective

To evaluate the predictive value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) for survival, and determine the involvement of miRNA(miR)-200b-3p and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB) 1/2 in the pro-tumor effect of lncRNA XIST in liver cancer.

Methods

We evaluated lncRNA XIST expression in liver cancer tissues and cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and analyzed the correlation between its expression and overall survival of liver cancer patients by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Its effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were analyzed by Cell-Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays. The association between lncRNA XIST and miR-200b-3p, and the effects of lncRNA XIST on ZEB1/2 expression were explored using luciferase reporter assays, real-time PCR, and western blotting.

Results

The lncRNA XIST was significantly upregulated in liver cancer, and increased lncRNA XIST expression was associated with a poor prognosis. The lncRNA XIST promoted liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and acted as a molecular sponge for miR-200b-3p, and also regulated the expression of ZEB1/2 via miR-200b-3p.

Conclusion

The lncRNA XIST is an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes liver cancer metastasis, and its pro-metastatic phenotype can be partially attributed to the lncRNA XIST/miR-200b-3p/ZEB1/2 signaling axis.
Prophylactic intravenous gentamicin with sedation-free cystoscopic injection of BoNT-A: No demonstrable adverse extravesical neuromuscular effects in a pilot safety study of 220 idiopathic overactive bladder patients
Authors: Napier-Hemy Timothy P , Feyisetan Oladapo , Stewart Heather , Chamsin Alaa , Floyd Michael S , Samsudin Azizan , Omar Ahmad M
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

To determine whether administration of single dose prophylactic intravenous gentamicin prior to intravesical injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is associated with adverse extravesical neuromuscular effects in idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome.

Patients and methods:

A retrospective analysis of 220 consecutive idiopathic overactive bladder patients following sedation-free flexible cystoscopic injection of intravesical BoNT-A. All patients received a single dose of intravenous gentamicin (160 mg) followed by 100-200 IU of BoNT-A. They were followed up at intervals to determine whether they had experienced any adverse extravesical neuromuscular side effects.

Results:

None of our patients developed adverse extravesical neuromuscular side effects from intravesical botulinum injections with concomitant administration of intravenous gentamicin.

Conclusion:

Single dose intravenous gentamicin is safe to use as a prophylaxis for intravesical BoNT-A injections of 200 IU or below in idiopathic overactive bladder patients.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable.
Indian Agri-Commodities Markets: A Review of Transition Toward Futures
Authors: Kar Minakshi
Published: May 2021

By using indications given by the commodity markets, farmers, growers, or producers can minimize the price risk and avoid a supply gut. The consumers of the output can minimize the price risk and ensure that the demand pressure is appropriately capped. It was in this backdrop that farmers and food grain merchants initiated futures markets in agri-commodities. This article has been successful in documenting the evolution of agri-commodities futures markets in India and their regulatory framework. It also captures the transition toward agri-commodities futures by engaging in a comprehensive survey of extant literature. The market growth analysis indicates that the transition toward agri-commodities futures markets has enabled price discovery and better price risk management. While ensuring price risk mitigation and remunerative returns, these markets also contribute to scaling down the downside risks associated with agricultural lending and, thereby, facilitate the flow of credit to agriculture. Further, they also hold a key role not only in reinvigorating the spot markets but also in triggering the diversified growth of Indian agriculture in line with the consumption pattern. Thus, enabling policies need to be put in place to strengthen the agri-commodities futures markets by streamlining the supply chain.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on headache symptoms and drug withdrawal among patients with medication overuse headache: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Changling , Li Yanbo , Ma Mengmeng , Zhang Yang , Bao Jiajia , Ge Wenjing , Liu Yanqin , Peng Cheng , He Li
Published: May 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) bring about a range of psychological distress and symptom deterioration to headache patients especially to some migraineurs. Compared to migraineurs or normal control, medication overuse headache (MOH) patients are more likely to experience a worse psychological distress and poorer outcome in non-COVID-19 time. However, in COVID-19 pandemic, whether MOH patients would have greater physical and mental symptom deterioration or worse relief of headache symptoms and medications overuse remained unclear. We aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on MOH patients to guide for a better management in this study.

Methods

We enrolled MOH patients who were diagnosed and treated at headache clinic of West China Hospital. Information of the pre-pandemic 3 months period and COVID-19 pandemic period was collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent factors associated with changes in headache symptoms and drug withdrawal.

Results

Seventy-eight MOH patients were enrolled into the study ultimately. In comparison to pre-pandemic period, fewer MOH patients reported decreased headache days, intensity and days with acute medications per month during the pandemic. Available access to regular prophylactic medications was significantly associated with a reduction of at least 50% in headache days and decrease in headache intensity per month with respective odds ratios of 39.19 (95% CI 3.75–409.15, P = 0.002) and 10.13 (95% CI 2.33–44.12, P = 0.002). Following abrupt withdrawal and high educational level were both significant factors in decreasing headache intensity. Male sex was significantly associated with decrease in days with acute medication per month during the pandemic (odds ratios 4.78, 95%CI 1.44–15.87, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Our findings reflect that MOH patients experienced a worse relief of headache symptoms and drug withdrawal during the pandemic. Available access to regular prophylactic medications was the significant independent factor for improvement of headache symptoms. Male sex was significantly associated with decreased days with acute medications per month.
Functional connectivity of the visual cortex differentiates anxiety comorbidity from episodic migraineurs without aura
Authors: Wei Heng-Le , Li Jian , Guo Xi , Zhou Gang-Ping , Wang Jin-Jin , Chen Yu-Chen , Yu Yu-Sheng , Yin Xindao , Li Junrong , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2021

Background

Migraine is a common neurological disease that is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities. However, the relationship between abnormal brain function and psychiatric comorbidities in migraine patients remains largely unclear. Therefore, the present study sought to explore the correlations between the resting-state functional deficits and psychiatric comorbidities in migraine without aura (MwoA) patients.

Methods

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were obtained. In addition, the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) values were obtained. Thereafter regional abnormalities in MwoA patients with and without anxiety (MwoA-A and MwoA-OA) were chosen as seeds to conduct functional connectivity (FC) analysis.

Results

Compared to the healthy controls (HCs), the MwoA-A and MwoA-OA patients had abnormal ALFF and ReHo values in the right lingual gyrus (LG). They also had abnormal FC of the right LG with the ipsilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC). Additionally, the MwoA-A patients showed higher ReHo values in the left posterior intraparietal sulcus (pIPS) and abnormal FC of the right LG with ipsilateral pIPS and primary visual cortex, compared to the MwoA-OA patients. Moreover, the MwoA-OA patients showed an increase in the FC with the right posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCUN), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) relative to the HCs. Furthermore, the ALFF values of the right LG positively were correlated with anxiety scores in MwoA-A patients. The abnormal LG-related FCs with the PCC/PCUN, MFG and ITG were negatively associated with the frequency of headaches in MwoA-OA patients.

Conclusions

This study identified abnormal visual FC along with other core networks differentiating anxiety comorbidity from MwoA. This may therefore enhance the understanding of the neuropsychological basis of psychiatric comorbidities and provide novel insights that may help in the discovery of new marks or even treatment targets.
On the effectiveness of case management for people with disabilities
Authors: Draheim Matthias , Schanbacher Peter , Seiberlich Ruben
Published: May 2021

Case managers provide individual and comprehensive support to employees who have become incapable of working. Using data from a large insurance company we find that overall, 43.9% of the people in our sample could be reintegrated. Controlling for personal characteristics, we analyze the effectiveness of case management by modelling the probability of reintegrating people being incapable of working into the labor market. Using parametric and semiparametric decomposition methods, we control for observational differences. We analyze how much of the difference in the reintegration rate between people who participate in case management and those who do not, is due to differences in characteristics and how much is due to case management itself. We find that the estimated probability of reintegration is 18.9% higher if people participate in case management. Moreover, our results show that no more than 15% are due to differences in characteristics and at least 85% can be attributed to case management itself.
Prevalence and relationship of endosymbiotic Wolbachia in the butterfly genus Erebia
Authors: Lucek Kay , Bouaouina Selim , Jospin Amanda , Grill Andrea , de Vos Jurriaan M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Wolbachia is an endosymbiont common to most invertebrates, which can have significant evolutionary implications for its host species by acting as a barrier to gene flow. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, still little is known about its prevalence and diversification pattern among closely related host species. Wolbachia strains may phylogenetically coevolve with their hosts, unless horizontal host-switches are particularly common. We address  these issues in the genus Erebia, one of the most diverse Palearctic butterfly genera.

Results

We sequenced the Wolbachia genome from a strain infecting Erebia cassioides and showed that it belongs to the Wolbachia supergroup B, capable of infecting arthropods from different taxonomic orders. The prevalence of Wolbachia across 13 closely related Erebia host species based on extensive population-level genetic data revealed that multiple Wolbachia strains jointly infect all investigated taxa, but with varying prevalence. Finally, the phylogenetic relationships of Wolbachia strains are in some cases significantly associated to that of their hosts, especially among the most closely related Erebia species, demonstrating mixed evidence for phylogenetic coevolution.

Conclusions

Closely related host species can be infected by closely related Wolbachia strains, evidencing some phylogenetic coevolution, but the actual pattern of infection more often reflects historical or contemporary geographic proximity among host species. Multiple processes, including survival in distinct glacial refugia, recent host shifts in sympatry, and a loss of Wolbachia during postglacial range expansion seem to have jointly shaped the complex interactions between Wolbachia evolution and the diversification of its host among our studied Erebia species.
Relationship of urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein with cardiovascular risk factors in the Japanese population without chronic kidney disease: Sasayama study
Authors: Kubota Yoshimi , Higashiyama Aya , Marumo Mikio , Konishi Masami , Yamashita Yoshiko , Okamura Tomonori , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Wakabayashi Ichiro
Published: May 2021

Background

Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a well-known marker of proximal tubular impairment. We evaluated the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and levels of L-FABP in a cross-sectional community-based study. Participants with normoalbuminuria and normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), that is, non-chronic kidney disease (non-CKD), were enrolled in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on the association between CVD risk factors and a proximal tubular marker in the Japanese general population with normoalbuminuria and normal eGFR.

Methods

The present study is part of the Sasayama study. The participants included 1000 community residents (447 men and 553 women) aged 40–64 years without a history of CVD or renal dysfunction. Out of these participants 375 men and 477 women, defined as non-CKD, were included for further analysis. In each sex, the highest quintile group was considered to have high-normal L-FABP levels. A multiple logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between risk factors for CVD and high-normal L-FABP levels in the non-CKD participants. We performed a similar analysis using the high-normal urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) as a dependent variable instead of L-FABP.

Results

Among the non-CKD participants, in the highest quintile group (Q5, top 20%), L-FABP was ≥2.17 μg/gCre in men and ≥ 2.83 μg/gCre in women. In women, the multivariate odds ratio was 3.62 (1.45–9.00) for high-normal L-FABP in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with that in the group without DM. However, the relationship between DM and the UACR level was not significant. In men, DM was significantly associated with high-normal UACR. However, the relationship with L-FABP levels was not significant.

Conclusions

The presence of DM was more strongly related to high-normal L-FABP levels than to high-normal UACR in women even at the stage of normoalbuminuria and normal eGFR. Our results were also consistent with the findings of a previous study where women were more prone to nonalbuminuric renal impairment compared to men, although further studies are required to confirm the results.
Major amputation rates and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people in North Queensland Australia between 2000 and 2015
Authors: Singh Tejas P. , Moxon Joseph V. , Meehan Michael T. , Jones Rhondda , Cadet-James Yvonne , Golledge Jonathan
Published: May 2021

Background

This study estimated the incidence of major amputation for people in North Queensland, Australia, examined changes in amputation rates over time and investigated survival after major amputation.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent a major amputation above the ankle between 2000 and 2015. Major amputation rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated using census data to define the at-risk population. Associations between risk factors and calendar year with major amputation were assessed using quasipoisson regression. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox-proportional hazard analyses estimated the incidence of and risk factors for all-cause mortality.

Results

The annual incidence of major amputation was estimated to be greater in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders than non-Indigenous people (IRR 2.75, 95 % CI 1.92 to 3.84). After adjusting for population growth, the annual incidence of major amputations did not change significantly over time for either groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were at greater risk of all-cause mortality after major amputation compared to non-Indigenous people, although this association was not significant after adjusting for other risk factors (hazard ratio 1.24, 95 % CI 0.82 to 1.90).

Conclusions

The incidence of major amputation in North Queensland has not reduced over time, indicating the need for better preventative treatments, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.