bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinematic cervical rotation performance in patients with acute non-specific neck pain during the DidRen test improves after manual mobilizations regardless of the painful spinal level
Authors: Hage Renaud , Detrembleur Christine , Dierick Frédéric , Brismée Jean-Michel , Roussel Nathalie , Pitance Laurent 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Evaluation of kinematic axial cervical rotation performance is of major importance in the context of studying sensorimotor control of the neck. However, studies are missing on acute neck pain, on the influence of the level of provocation of spinal pain, and on the potential benefits of manual therapy mobilizations. Methods: A non-randomized prospective trial with intervention assessed the influence of acute non-specific neck pain on kinematic parameters during a fast axial head rotation task standardized with the DidRen laser test device. First, we compared kinematic parameters between patients and healthy controls. Second, we assessed whether upper or lower spinal pain location influenced these kinematic parameters. Finally, we examined the short-term effect of passive cervical mobilizations in patients on these kinematic variables. Results: We observed that patients were significantly slower (total time) to perform the DidRen laser test (4.5 s; p<0.006) and to reach the end of rotation from peak acceleration (0.02 s; p<0.016). The time between peaks acceleration and deceleration (-0.03 s; p<0.003), the time to peak deceleration (0.004 s; p<0.003), to peak acceleration (0.04 s; p<0.001) and to peak speed (0.01 s; p<0.001), the average speed (7.2 °s-1; p<0.001), peak speed (21.7 °s-1; p<0.010), acceleration (143.5 °s-2; p<0.013) and deceleration (-193.1 °s-2; p<0.006) were significantly slower for patients compared to controls. No significant effect of spinal pain location was observed on kinematic variables. After the intervention, patients were faster for average speed (2.9 °s-1; p<0.02), peak speed (8.7 °s-1; p<0.011), peak deceleration (69.7 °s-2; p<0.007). Patients took less time to reach peak speed (0.01 s; p<0.033) and peak acceleration (0.01 s; p<0.028). They took also less time (-0.01 s; p<0.003) between peak acceleration and deceleration and to stabilize the laser into the target (0.12 s; p<0.026) and to perform the DidRen laser test (4 s; p<0.001). Conclusion: The DidRen laser test allowed to demonstrate significant differences in kinematic axial cervical rotation in patients suffering from acute non-specific neck pain compared to pain-free controls. No significant effect of spinal pain location was observed on kinematic variables. Pain reduction significantly improved the patients’ kinematic parameters.
Clinical, functional and inflammatory evaluation in asthmatic patients after a simple short-term educational program: a randomized trial
Authors: Felix Soraia Nogueira , Agondi Rosana Camara , Aun Marcelo Vivolo , Olivo Clarice Rosa , de Almeida Francine Maria , Amorim Thais Santos , Cezario Julia Caroline , Junior Pedro Giavina-Bianchi , Tiberio Iolanda de Fátima Lopes Calvo , Martins Milton de Arruda , Romanholo Beatriz Mangueira Saraiva 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical evolution, functional parameters and inflammatory activity of asthma in patients who submitted to an educational intervention. 58 adult patients over 18 years of age with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (N = 32) and a control group (CG) (N = 26) and evaluated for 12 weeks. The Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Asthma Quality Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were applied. Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and induced sputum (IS), measurement of the peak flow and symptoms were performed. The IG patients received an educational activity for 30 minutes applied by a nurse. Statistical analysis: analysis of variance with repeated intragroup measures. IG presented a decreased number of eosinophils in IS and IL-17A in EBC, an increase in the percentage of FEV1 after bronchodilatation and an improvement in quality of life compared to the CG. There was an improvement in depression levels and a decrease in IL-4 and IL-5 in the IS and in the EBC in the IG compared to the CG. Our results suggest that an educational intervention can bring benefits concerning the control of inflammation, lung function alterations, quality of life and levels of depression in asthmatic patients. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03655392.
Drivers of Wetland Utilisation Patterns and The Current Status of Provisioning and Cultural Services In Driefontein and Intunjambili Wetlands, Zimbabwe
Authors: Musasa Tatenda , Marambanyika Thomas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The study assesses drivers of wetland utilisation patterns and the current status of provisioning and cultural services in Driefontein and Intunjambili wetlands, Zimbabwe. A total of 280 questionnaires were administered together with semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants in the two wetlands. Qualitative data obtained through the questionnaire survey and key informant interviews were analyzed using the content analysis method. The majority of the households in Driefontein (86%) and Intunjambili (75%) indicated that there is no change in wetland utilisation patterns over the past decade as horticultural activities remain the predominant activity. Most households (90%) in Intunjambili indicated that the availability of water is the major factor influencing wetland use. This was different from Driefontein where market availability for horticultural products (66%) was the main reason for wetland use. Land use land cover (LULC) changes established through analysis of remotely sensed imagery for the years 1999, 2009 and 2019 indicate an increase in the spatial extent of the cultivated area, bare land and a decrease in the area covered by water. Results also show that the two wetlands are providing water for drinking and crop cultivation, pasture for livestock grazing and opportunities for academic incursions. Overall, the two wetlands provide essential provisioning and cultural services hence the need for wise use and proper management to prevent their degradation and possibly loss of human benefits.
Evaluating a New Verbal Working Memory-balance Program: a Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Study on Iranian Children With Dyslexia
Authors: Ramezani Mehdi , Behzadipour Saeed , Pourghayoomi Ehsan , Joghataei Mohammad Taghi , Shirazi Elham , Fawcett Angela 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: It is important to improve verbal Working Memory (WM) in reading disability, as it is a key factor in learning. There are commercial verbal WM training programs, which have some short-term effects only on the verbal WM capacity, not reading. However, because of some weaknesses in current verbal WM training programs, researchers suggested designing and developing newly structured programs that particularly target educational functions such as reading skills. In the current double-blind randomized clinical trial study, we have designed a new Verbal Working Memory-Balance (VWM-B) program, and a portable robotic device was adopted and developed to perform the program. The short-term effects of the VWM-B program on verbal WM capacity, reading skills, and postural control were investigated in Iranian children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD).Results: In the present study, 29 children with DD, 7 to 10 years old, were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Both groups received five weeks of training by the VWM- program (as a traditional verbal WM training) and VWM-B program, respectively. A separate 2×2 mixed ANOVA, with a between-subjects factor 'group' and within-subjects factor 'time', was used to verify the main effects of the training programs on the measured functions. The time×group interaction was significant for outcomes of the verbal WM, reading skills, and postural control.Conclusions: The VWM-B program was found to be more effective than the VWM-program in the improvement of functions. We proposed that the automatized postural control resulting from VWM-B training probably had a positive impact on improving measured cognitive functions. Based on the critical role of the cerebellum in automatizing skills, our findings support the cerebellar deficit theory in dyslexia.Trial registration: This trial was (retrospectively) registered on 8 February 2018 with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20171219037953N1).
Engineering Laboratory/Factory-Specific Phage-Resistant Strains Of Escherichia Coli By Mutagenesis And Selection
Authors: Xue Ya-Ping , Shen Qi , Zhou Xiao-Ting , Guo Qian , Zheng Yu-Guo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: The phage contamination is always a serious problem during operation of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The present study aims to engineer laboratory/factory phage-resistant strains of E. coli based on mutagenesis and selection.Results: The laboratory or factory derived phage was added into a tube containing mutagenized E. coli, resulted in achieving respective phage-resistant E. coli strain. Interestingly, the resistance spectrum of generated phage-resistant strains was not limited to the phage they encountered, which may make these E. coli mutants more resistant to phage contamination. When operation of a resistant strain at the position where the corresponding phage derived from, the phage contamination was completely prevented. There was no significant difference in heterogeneous protein production between the parental strain and the phage-resistant strains. Importantly, the whole process of mutagenesis and selection only required one day.Conclusions: This practical method for engineering laboratory/factory-specific phage-resistant strains may have great potential in resuming E. coli operation in laboratory and factory when the phage contamination outbreaks.
UK Children’s Sleep and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Knowland Victoria CP , Rijn Elaine , Gaskell M. Gareth , Henderson Lisa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Sleep and mental wellbeing are intimately linked. This relationship is particularly important to understand as it emerges over childhood. Here we take the opportunity that the COVID-19 pandemic, and resulting lockdown in the UK, presented to study sleep-related behaviour and anxiety in school-aged children.Method: Parents and children were asked to complete questionnaires towards the start of the UK lockdown in April-to-May of 2020, then again in August of that year (when many of the restrictions had been lifted). We explored children’s emotional responses to the pandemic, daytime behaviours and sleep patterns at both time points, with responses from both parents and children themselves.Results: Children’s bedtime anxiety increased at the start of the lockdown as compared to a typical week; however, by August, bedtime anxiety had decreased along with children’s COVID-19 related anxiety. Bedtime anxiety predicted how long it took children to fall asleep at night at both time points. Bedtime and wake-up time shifted at the onset of lockdown, but interestingly total sleep time was resilient (likely owing to an absence of early school start times) and was not predicted by child anxiety.Conclusions: These findings further support calls for sleep quality (e.g., time taken to fall asleep) to be taken as a key indicator of mental health in children, particularly under normal circumstances when schools are open and sleep duration may be less resilient.
Increasing Intrinsic Hyaluronic Acid and Down-regulation of Inflammation Markers in Synovial Fluid from Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis may be Associated with Symptom Relief after Intra-articular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Yeh Jih-Hsi , Ko Po-Yen , Shao Chung-Jung , Wu Kuo-Chen , Chern Tai-Chang , Yen Cheng-Yo , Jou I-Ming 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the most common intra-articular therapy used to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA). However, the mechanism involved in this treatment is still not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect and the possible mechanism of intra-articular HA (IAHA) injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: Twenty-eight patients with Kellgren–Lawrence scale II to III were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided injection using three consecutive weekly IAHA. Functional ability and pain were determined by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS). Further, the levels of HA, metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in synovial fluid were determined weekly before HA injection. Results: Functional improvement and pain relief were observed 4 weeks after treatment. At week 4, a significant increase of HA concentration was found, and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as matrix MMP-3 and MMP-13 significantly decreased. However, no significant difference was observed in MMP-1 level. Conclusion: These results suggest that increasing HA accumulation in synovial fluid may be associated with disease relief after weekly IAHA injection in patients with knee OA.
GNRH1 and LTB4R Might Be Novel Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarkers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC)
Authors: Wu Hua-Hui , Yan Xin , Chen Zhao , Du Guo-Wei , Bai Xiao-Jie , Tuoheti Kurerban , Liu TongZu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) occupied most of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to screen novel and prognostic biomarkers for patients with ccRCC. Methods and Results: Firstly, Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to collect microarray data for weighted gene co-expression network construction. Gene modules related to prognosis which interest us most were picked out. 90 hub genes were further chosen in the key modules, two of which including GNRH1 and LTB4R were screened and validated as immune-related prognostic biomarkers. Several methods including survival analysis, spearman correlation analysis, HPA, One-way ANOVA and ROC analysis were used for the validation of immune-related prognostic biomarkers. We further explored the relationship between immune-related prognostic biomarker expressions and immunocytes. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that the two immune-related prognostic biomarkers were significantly correlated with cell cycle. Conclusions: Generally speaking, the present study has identified two novel prognostic biomarkers for patients with ccRCC, which showed strong correlation with prognosis of patients with ccRCC, could further be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in ccRCC.
A Novel Lane Line Detection Based on Multi-feature Fusion and Windows Searching
Authors: Cai Chuangxin , Gao Shangbing , Pan Zhigeng , Zheng Hao , Huang Zihe 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Lane detection embedded in intelligent vehicles can greatly improve the security of automatic driving. This work offers a new approach towards lane detection in the video in real-time combining multi-feature fusion and window searching. As the pre-procession, polygon filling is adopted to locate ROI (Region of Interest) in the video frames, which contain the lane-lines to be detected. To remove the backgrounds in the ROIs, we extract and fuse the features of color, histogram, and gradient of line lanes. Based on the density distribution of the pixels in the line lanes, the initial location is found by homography transformation. Then all candidate pixel points in the whole lane-line are extracted in the way of window searching. Finally, On the basis of the obtained lane-mark coordinates, a curve model is defined, and the model parameters are obtained by Least Square Estimation (LSE). Experimental results show the robustness and instantaneity of the proposed algorithm with the accuracy of 96% and the detecting time of only 20.7ms. In addition, lane-lines with misleading backdrops can also be detected such as yellow lane lines on the ground, shadow, bright light, lane-line defects and traffic light
Design and Performance Analysis of Low Pull – in Voltage RF MEMS Shunt Switch for Millimeterwave Therapy, IoT and 5G Applications
Authors: k Srinivasa rao , Kumar P. Ashok , Srav Girija , Guha Koushik 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Recent Advancements in the wireless communication systems utilizes miniaturized devices based on Micro – Electro – Mechanical System technology for present and future 5G wireless applications. Now a days, RF devices are utilizing the frequencies upto 30 GHz and a huge traffic in signal propagation occurs which leads to the slow data rate. In other hand, there is a huge spectrum available in the millimetre wave frequency range of 30 – 300 GHz. The millimetre wave spectrum is attractive for development of smart systems based on 5G technology. In this paper, A low pull – in voltage capacitive type RF MEMS switch is proposed to operate at the frequencies above 30 GHz. The switch is proposed with new iterative meandering technique where span length of each section in meanders differs and dependable with first section. A low pull – in voltage of 1.8V is achieved with large capacitance ratio of 63. The switch exhibits low insertion loss of -0.24 dB at 41 GHz and possess high isolation of -46.7 dB at 38 GHz. The design is validated by comparing the theoretical and simulated results and the switch can be efficiently utilized for millimeterwave applications.
Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Differences in Nitrate Content Between Lamina and Midrib of Flue-Cured Tobacco
Authors: Feng Yuqing , Zhao Yuanyuan , Li Yafei , Zhou Jun , Li Yujing , Shi Hongzhi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Nitrate is an important precursor of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and remarkable difference in nitrate accumulation between lamina and midrib of flue-cured tobacco has long been observed. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning this difference remain poorly understood. In this study, physiological and genetic factors impacting nitrate accumulation were identified in pot experiments using flue-cured tobacco K326 with contrasting nitrate content between lamina and midrib. The results showed that three times higher of NO3-N content was observed in midrib than that in lamina, along with lower pigment, NH4-N content, NRA, SSA and GSA in midrib. Transcriptome analysis revealed that expression of genes involved in porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, photosynthesis, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, starch and sucrose metabolism, nitrogen metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids were significantly lower in midrib than in lamina. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of nitrate transporter genes LOC107782967, LOC107806749, LOC107775674, LOC107829632, LOC107799198, LOC107768465 decreased by 2.74, 1.81, 49.5, 3.5, 2.64 and 2.96 folds while LOC107789301 increased by 8.23 folds in midrib but not in lamina. Reduced chlorophyll content might result in low carbohydrate formation which is the source of energy and carbon skeleton supply, then the low capacity of nitrogen reduction, assimilation and transportation, and the poor ability of nitrate reallocation but high capacity of accumulation might lead to nitrate accumulation in midrib. The results laid the foundation for reducing nitrate content and TSNA formation in tobacco midribs and their products.
Acute Percheron Infarction: A Precision Learning
Authors: Zhang Bei , Wang Xiaoxun , Chen Gang , Wang Jiping 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: So far, the diagnosis of acute AOP infarction is uncommon. The purpose of our study was to characterize the relationship between the imaging spectrum of acute AOP infarction and its clinical manifestations and prognosis on the basis of 23 cases.Methods: A total of 23 patients with acute AOP infarction in our institution from 2014 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were evaluated with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed clinical and evaluated prognosis used a modified Rankin scale (mRs), blood studies, electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography. All standard risk factors were recorded in these patients. mRs scores 90 days after discharge. Results: We identified 4 various patterns of acute AOP infarction: (1) bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction (BPTI, 52%), (2) bilateral paramedian thalamic with rostral midbrain infarction (BPTRMI, 30%), (3) bilateral paramedian and anterior thalamic infarction (BPATI, 13%), and (4) bilateral paramedian thalamic with red nuclei infarction (BPTRNI, 4%). These patients had consciousness disorder, memory dysfunctions, vertical gaze paresis, mesencephalothalamic syndrome and so on. The 65% patients with BPTI and BPATI who experienced a good functional recovery and could carry out daily life activities (mRS score ≤ 2). However, patients with BPTRMI who have an unfavorable outcome.Conclusion: Although the clinical feature of patients with AOP infarction is variable, DWI or ADC map can improve the diagnosis of acute AOP infarction patterns. Acute AOP occlusion requires immediate diagnosis and treatment initiation for a more favorable outcome and additional unnecessary procedures.
SLAM – DATMO Method for an Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: D Prem Raja , V Vasudevan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Automated automobiles navigate US highways and many different countries round the world. Current question is about AVs revolve round whether or not such applied sciences have to or need to be implemented; they are already with us. Rather, such questions are more and more established on how such utilized sciences will have an impact on evolving transportation systems. More importantly, how will mobility itself exchange as these impartial operational automobiles first share and then dominate our roadways? How will the public be saved apprised of their evolving capacities? We seem right here to tackle these problems and to furnish some recommendations for the issues that are presently emerging.