bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infrared Small Target Tracking Based on Target Spatial Distribution With Improved Kernelized Correlation Filtering
Authors: Kou ZhiQiang , Hamdulla Askar 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The application of correlation filtering in infrared small target tracking has been a mature research field. Traditionalcorrelation filtering is to describe the target features by using a single feature, which can not solve the problem of target occlusion. Because of the fast moving speed and lack of re-detection mechanism, the target tracking will produce offset, which leads to the performance of the tracker to decline. In view of the above problems, a new multi feature re detection framework is proposed for long-term tracking of small targets. The feature selects multi feature weighting function, considers the importance of intensity feature to infrared target and different regions, calculates the gray distribution weighting function of the target, and combines the weighting function into the correlation filter. Before updating the template, to verify the reliability of target detection, the average peak correlation energy is used as the confidence of candidate region. When the target is completely occluded, the prediction result of Kalman filter is used as the optimal estimation of target position in the next frame. A large number of experimental results on different video sequences show that the tracking accuracy of this method is greatly improved compared with the baseline method.
Changes over time in HIV testing and counselling uptake and associated factors among youth in Zambia: A cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys from 2007 to 2018
Authors: Heri Aimé , Cavallaro Francesca , Ahmed Nurilign , Musheke Maurice , Matsui Mitsuaki 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
IntroductionZambia is among the countries with the highest HIV burden and where youth remain disproportionally affected. Access to HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a crucial step to ensure the reduction of HIV transmission. This study examines the changes that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in access to HTC, inequities in testing uptake, and determinants of HTC uptake among youth.MethodsWe carried out repeated cross-sectional analyses using three Zambian Demographic and Health Surveys (2007, 2013-14, and 2018). We calculated the percentage of women and men ages 15-24 years old who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months. We analysed inequity in HTC coverage using indicators of absolute inequality. We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of HTC uptake in the last 12 months.ResultsHIV testing uptake increased between 2007 and 2018, from 45% to 92% among pregnant women, 10% to 58% among non-pregnant women, and from 10% to 49% among men. By 2018 roughly 60% of youth tested in the past 12 months used a government health centre. Mobile clinics were the second most common source reaching up to 32% among adolescent boys by 2018. Multivariate analysis conducted among men and non-pregnant women showed higher odds of testing among 20-24 year-olds than adolescents (aOR=1.55, [95%CI:1.30-1.84], among men; and aOR=1.74, [1.40-2.15] among women). Among men, being circumcised (aOR=1.57, [1.32-1.88]) and in a union (aOR=2.44, [1.83-3.25]) were associated with increased odds of testing. For women greater odds of testing were associated with higher levels of education (aOR=6.97, [2.82-17.19]) and not reporting HIV-related stigma. Education-based inequity was considerably widened among women than men by 2018.ConclusionHTC uptake among Zambian youth improved considerably by 2018 and reached 65% and 49% tested in the last 12 months for women and men, respectively. However, achieving the goal of 90% envisioned by 2020 will require sustaining the success gained through government health centres, and scaling up community-led approaches proven acceptable and effective in reaching young men and adolescent girls who are less easy to reach through the government facilities.
Safety and Efficacy of Secondary Mandibular Reconstruction Using a Free Osteo-cutaneous Fibula Flap after Segmental Mandibular Resection: A Retrospective Case Control Study
Authors: Yamakawa Sho , Hayashida Kenji 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Free osteocutaneous fibula flap (FFF) is currently considered the best option for segmental mandibular reconstruction; however, there are no reports comparing secondary with primary reconstructions using FFF. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of secondary mandibular reconstruction using FFF when compared with primary mandibular reconstruction. Methods: From October 2018 to February 2020, patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using FFF after segmental mandibulectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The size and location of the mandibular defect, the segment length and number of osteotomies in the fibula, types of the mandibular plating system, and laterality of the recipient vessels were recorded from the surgical notes. Flap survival, duration of nasogastric tube use, and implant installation after reconstruction were recorded as indices of postoperative evaluation. Results: Twelve patients underwent mandibular reconstruction using FFF during the study period. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics other than body mass index between the primary (n=8) and secondary (n=4) reconstruction groups. No significant differences were observed in the size and location of defects, the segment length and number of osteotomies in the fibula, and the types of mandibular plating system. The laterality of recipient vessels was ipsilateral in all cases of primary reconstructions and contralateral in all cases of secondary reconstructions. Three out of eight patients with primary FFF reconstruction developed partial flap necrosis. Four patients in the secondary FFF reconstruction group achieved complete flap survival. The duration of use of the nasogastric tube and implant installation after reconstruction was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: This clinical case study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of secondary mandibular reconstructions using FFF.
Hydrologic soil group based curve number matrix modeling for Enset-Based land use system in Meki River Watershed, Western Lake Ziway Sub-Basin, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Authors: Woldesenbet Alemu Beyene , Wudmatas Sebsebe Demisew , Denboba Mekuria Argaw , Gebremariam Azage Gebreyohannes 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Enset-Based land use system (EBLUS) exhibits good carbon stock and infiltration rate equivalent to forest covered areas, which enhances infiltration and water holding capacity and it can reduce the curve number (CN) of the watersheds but it was not considered in former studies. Therefore, this study is planned to model the hydrologic soil group (HSG) based CN matrix of EBLUS relative to other LUSs with established hydrological characteristics in the Meki river watershed. The soil data is used to determine the HSG of the watershed collected from Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MOWIE) and verified by Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD). A Model is developed for CN of EBLUS relative to other LUSs (Alemu’s formula). The model considers both infiltration rate measured using Amozi-meter and carbon stoke of soil weighed as 85% and 15% respectively. HEC-GEO-HMS model is used to consider the CN of EBLUS as a separate LUS to verify the developed CN matrix model to generate CN of the sub-watersheds. Result The field measurement results show that an infiltration rate of 12.9675,11.1875,10.375,7.065 and 12.8125mm hr -1 for Natural Forest, Grassland and plantation, cultivated, built-up and EBLUS respectively. The model is: and the resulting CN matrix of EBLUS is 39,51.5,58.3 and 61.6 for HSG of A,B,C and D respectively. Conclusion Significant reduction in mean CN of the watershed that shows the role of EBLUS in managing the water resources and flood is high. Therefore, escalating EBLUS will reduce the CN of the watershed which reduces runoff volume in the watershed and it ensures the sustainability of Lake Ziway by reducing sedimentation.
Effects of Co-exposure to Lead and Manganese on Learning and Memory Deficits
Authors: Guan Rui-Li , Wang Tao , Dong Xiao-Ru , Du Ke-Jun , Li Juan , Zhao Fang , Xu Jie , Li Bin , Zheng Gang , Shen Xue-Feng , Cao Bao-Hua , Wang Jing , Aschner Michael , Liu Ming Chao , Chen Rui 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Lead and manganese are common neurotoxins. However, individuals are subject to co-exposures in real life, and it is therefore important to study these metals in combination. Methods: Weaning Sprague-Dawley rats were given ad libitum access to drinking water solutions containing lead (100 ppm), manganese (2.5 mg/mL) or a mixture, and each treatment has its own minocycline (50 mg/Kg.d) supplement group. Results: The results showed a significant difference in spatial memory and the induction levels of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in all exposure groups when compared with controls. The combined exposure group exhibited the most pronounced effect when compared with each of the single metal exposure groups. Microglia displayed activation at day 3 after exposure alone or in combination, while astrocytes showed activation at day 5, accompanied by decreased expression levels of glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST), glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), and glutamine synthetase (GS). Furthermore, the levels of the glutamate in the synaptic cleft increased significantly. When microglial activation was inhibited by minocycline, the activation of astrocytes, and the expression of GLAST, GLT-1, and GS were both reversed. In addition, upon minocycline treatment, the hippocampal LTP impairment and the cognitive injury were significantly alleviated in each of the exposure groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that combined exposure to lead and manganese can cause greater effects on cognition and synaptic plasticity when compared to single metal exposure groups. And the reason may involve in microglia abnormal activation leading to an excessive regulation of astrocytes, resulting in glutamate reuptake dysfunction in astrocytes and lead to perturbed cognition and synaptic plasticity.
A Multicentre Observational Psoriatic Arthritis Cohort Study Addressing Real-life Outcomes of a Treat to Target Approach in Routine Clinical Practice.
Authors: Coates Laura , Tillett William , Jadon Deepak , Rombach Ines , Tucker Laura , Watson Marion , Francis Anne , Sinomati Yvonne , Eldridge Lucy , Dritsaki Melina , Dutton Susan , Al-Mossawi Hussein , Gullick Nicola , Thompson Ben 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe Tight Control of psoriatic arthritis (TICOPA) trial confirmed improved clinical outcomes with a treat to target (T2T) strategy in PsA. This consisted of 4-weekly review and escalation of ‘step up’ therapy (single disease modifying therapy (DMARD), combination DMARDs and then biologics) based on remission criteria. Based on this, a T2T approach is supported by European PsA treatment recommendations. However, it is not commonly implemented in routine care primarily due to feasibility and cost concerns. In the TICOPA trial, the same treatment regime was used for all participants regardless of their disease profile. Despite the recognition of PsA as a highly heterogenous condition no studies have tailored which drugs are used depending on disease severity. The cohort will establish real world outcomes for the T2T approach in PsA and also form the basis of a trials within cohorts (TWiCs) design to test alternative therapeutic approaches within embedded clinical trials providing an evidence base for treatment strategy in PsA.MethodsThe Multicentre Observational Initiative in Treat to target Outcomes in Psoriatic Arthritis (MONITOR-PsA) cohort will apply a T2T approach within routine care. It will recruit newly diagnosed adult patients with PsA starting systemic therapies. The cohort is observational allowing routine therapeutic care within NHS clinics but a T2T approach will be supported when monitoring treatment within the cohort. Eligible participants will be adults (≥18 years) with active PsA with ≥1 tender or swollen joints or enthesis who have not previously had treatment with DMARDs for articular disease.DiscussionThis study is the first TWiC designed to support a fully powered randomized drug trial. The results from the observational cohort will be compared with those observed in the TICOPA trial investigating the clinical effectiveness and health care costs of the pragmatic T2T approach. Nested trials will provide definitive RCT evidence establishing the optimal management of PsA within the T2T approach. The TWiCs design allows robust generalizability to routine healthcare, avoids disappointment bias, aids recruitment and in future will allow assessment of longer term outcomes.Trial registrationNCT03531073, retrospectively registered 21 May 2018
A Randomized, Controlled Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Maraviroc and/or Favipiravir Vs Currently Used Therapy in Severe COVID-19 Adults. (COMVIVIR, clinicaltrials.gov NCT04475991)
Authors: Perez-Garcia Adolfo , Villalobos-Osnaya Alma , Hernández-Medel María Luisa , Pérez-Navarro Lucía Monserrat , Medina-Hernández Elba O. , Cabrera-Orejuela Diana Sofía , Espinosa-García Ana María , Solleiro-Villavicencio Elena , León-Hernández Mireya , Mayor Arianna Rodríguez-Cal y , Servín-Murillo Manli M. , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Sierra-Madero Juan , Oca Gonzalo Salgado-Montes de , Ávila-Ríos Santiango , López-Alvarenga Juan Carlos , Serrano-Loyola Raúl , Guerrero-Avendaño Guadalupe Mercedes Lucía , Hernández-Ruiz Joselín 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Multiple studies have now established that hyperinflammatory response induced by SARS CoV-2 is a main cause of complications and death in infected subjects. Such dysfunctional immune response has been described as a dysregulated and exacerbated production of cytokines and chemokines that attracts and activates inflammatory cells, which start and sustain pulmonary and systemic damage, thus causing complications that lead to multi organ failure and death. Therefore, we suggest that blocking key inflammation receptors could help to reduce migration and activation of Th17, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, thus mitigating the cytokine storm and averting severe complications and death. Importantly, the optimum treatment for COVID-19 severe patients could combine a modulator of the immune response with a direct antiviral drug against SARS-CoV-2, in order to address both the viral load and the hyperinflammatory effects of the immune dysregulation.Methods: Maraviroc (MVC), a CCR5 antagonist, and Favipiravir (FPV), an antiviral, will be evaluated single and combined, added to the treatment currently used at the Hospital General de México for severe non-critical COVID-19 patients. One hundred patients will be allocated in four arms [Current treatment only (CT), CT+MVC, CT+FPV, CT+MVC+FPV]. Percentage of patients free of mechanical ventilation or death at day 28, immunophenotyping and viral load will be compared between groupsDiscussion: New immune focused therapies are targeting strong inflammation mediators such as IL-6 and IL1-B; nevertheless, to our best knowledge, controlling chemotaxis has not been explored. The use of a drug therapy that addresses both the regulation of the immune response and the inhibition of viral replication could at the same time, help to alleviate the hyperinflammatory condition and reduce the time of the viral clearance process, therefore improving treatment outcomesTrial registration: Clinical Trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) NCT: 04475991.
Disorders of Sex Development in Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome:&nbsp;A Genotype-phenotype Correlation and MSX1 as Candidate Gene
Authors: Rjiba Khouloud , Ayech Hedia , Slimani Wafa , KRAIEM Olfa , Jelloul Afef , Hmida Imen Ben Hadj , Mahdhaoui Nabiha , Saad Ali , Mougou-Zerelli Soumaya 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Wolf-Hirschhorn (WHS) is a set of congenital physical anomalies and mental retardation associated with a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4.To establish a genotype-phenotype correlation; we carried out a molecular cytogenetic analysis on two Tunisian WHS patients. Patient 1was a boy of one-year-old presented typical WHS phenotype while patient 2, is a boy of two days presented an hypospadias, a micropenis and cryptorchidie in addition to the typical WHS phenotype. Both the comparative genomic hybridization (CGH array) and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) techniques were used.Results: Results of the analysis showed that patient 2 had a greater deletion size (4,8Mb) of chromosome 4 than patient 1 (3, 4 Mb). Here, we notice that the larger the deletion, the more genes are likely to be involved, and the more severe the phenotype is likely to be. If we analyze the uncommon deleted region between patient1 and patient 2 we found that the Muscle Segment Homeobox (MSX1) gene is included in this region. MSX1 is a critical transcriptional repressor factor, expressed in the ventral side of the developing anterior pituitary and implicated in gonadotrope differentiation. Msx acts as a negative regulatory pituitary development by repressing the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) genes during embryogenesis. We hypothesized that the deletion of MSX1 in our patient may deregulate the androgen synthesis. Conclusion: Based on the MSX1 gene function, its absence might be indirectly responsible for the hypospadias phenotype by contributing to the spatiotemporal regulation of GnRH transcription during development.
Whole-exome Sequencing Identified a Novel Heterozygous Mutation of SALL1 and a New Homozygous Mutation of PTPRQ in a Chinese Family With Townes-brocks Syndrome and Hearing Loss
Authors: Guangxian Yang , Yi Yin , Zhiping Tan , Jian Liu , Xicheng Deng , Yifeng Yang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have revealed that mutations of Spalt Like Transcription Factor 1 (SALL1) are responsible for Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS), a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by an imperforate anus, dysplastic ears, thumb malformations and other abnormalities, such as hearing loss, foot malformations, renal impairment with or without renal malformations, genitourinary malformations, and congenital heart disease (CHD). In addition, the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Q (PTPRQ) gene has been identified in nonsyndromic hearing loss patients with autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant inherited patterns.Methods: A Chinese family with TBS and hearing loss was enrolled in this study. The proband was a two-month-old girl who suffered from congenital anal atresia with rectal perineal fistula, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and finger deformities. The proband’s father also had external ear deformity with deafness, toe deformities and PH, although his anus was normal. Further investigation found that the proband’s mother presented nonsyndromic hearing loss, and the proband’s mother’s parents were consanguine married. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were applied to detect the genetic lesions of TBS and nonsyndromic hearing loss.Results: Via whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing of the proband and her mother, we identified a novel heterozygous mutation (ENST00000251020: c.1428_1429insT, p. K478QfsX38) of SALL1 in the proband and her father who presented TBS phenotypes, and we also detected a new homozygous mutation (ENST00000266688: c.1057_1057delC, p. L353SfsX8)) of PTPRQ in the proband’s mother and uncle, who suffered from nonsyndromic hearing loss. Both mutations were located in the conserved sites of the respective protein and were predicted to be deleterious by informatics analysis.Conclusions: This study confirmed the diagnosis of TBS at the molecular level and expanded the spectrum of SALL1 mutations and PTPRQ mutations. Our study may contribute to the clinical management and genetic counselling of TBS and hearing loss.
Applications of Bayesian Shrinkage Prior Models in Clinical Research with Categorical Responses
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arinjita , Pal Subhadip , Mitra Riten , Rai Shesh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Prediction and classiﬁcation algorithms are commonly used in clinical research for identifying patients susceptible to clinical conditions like diabetes, colon cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Developing accurate prediction and classiﬁcation methods have implications for personalized medicine. Building an excellent predictive model involves selecting features that are most signiﬁcantly associated with the response at hand. These features can include several biological and demographic characteristics, such as genomic biomarkers and health history. Such variable selection becomes challenging when the number of potential predictors is large. Bayesian shrinkage models have emerged as popular and ﬂexible methods of variable selection in regression settings. The article discusses variable selection with three shrinkage priors and illustrates its application to clinical data sets such as Pima Indians Diabetes, Colon cancer, ADNI, and OASIS Alzheimer’s data sets. Methods: We present a uniﬁed Bayesian hierarchical framework that implements and compares shrinkage priors in binary and multinomial logistic regression models. The key feature is the representation of the likelihood by a Polya-Gamma data augmentation, which admits a natural integration with a family of shrinkage priors. We speciﬁcally focus on the Horseshoe, Dirichlet Laplace, and Double Pareto priors. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to assess the performances under diﬀerent data dimensions and parameter settings. Measures of accuracy, AUC, brier score, L1 error, cross-entropy, ROC surface plots are used as evaluation criteria comparing the priors to frequentist methods like Lasso, Elastic-Net, and Ridge regression. Results: All three priors can be used for robust prediction with signiﬁcant metrics, irrespective of their categorical response model choices. Simulation study could achieve the mean prediction accuracy of 91% (95% CI: 90.7, 91.2) and 74% (95% CI: 73.8,74.1) for logistic regression and multinomial logistic models, respectively. The model can identify signiﬁcant variables for disease risk prediction and is computationally eﬃcient. Conclusions: The models are robust enough to conduct both variable selection and future prediction because of their high shrinkage property and applicability to a broad range of classiﬁcation problems.