bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compositional Variability and Mutation Spectra of Monophyletic SARS-CoV-2 Clades
Authors: Teng Xufei , Li Qianpeng , Li Zhao , Zhang Yuansheng , Niu Guangyi , Xiao Jingfa , Yu Jun , Zhang Zhang , Song Shuhui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
COVID-19 and its causative pathogen SARS-CoV-2 have rushed the world into a staggering pandemic in a few months, and a global fight against both has been intensifying. Here, we describe an analysis procedure where genome composition and its variables are related, through the genetic code to molecular mechanisms, based on understanding of RNA replication and its feedback loop from mutation to viral proteome sequence fraternity including effective sites on the replicase-transcriptase complex. Our analysis starts with primary sequence information, identity-based phylogeny based on 22,051 SARS-CoV-2 sequences, and evaluation of sequence variation patterns as mutation spectra and its 12 permutations among organized clades. All are tailored to two key mechanisms: strand-biased and function-associated mutations. Our findings are listed as follows: 1) The most dominant mutation is C-to-U permutation, whose abundant second-codon-position counts alter amino acid composition toward higher molecular weight and lower hydrophobicity, albeit assumed most slightly deleterious. 2) The second abundance group includes three negative-strand mutations (U-to-C, A-to-G, and G-to-A) and a positive-strand mutation (G-to-U) due to DNA repair mechanisms after cellular abasic events. 3) A clade-associated biased mutation trend is found attributable to elevated level of negative-sense strand synthesis. 4) Within-clade permutation variation is very informative for associating non-synonymous mutations and viral proteome changes. These findings demand a platform where emerging mutations are mapped onto mostly subtle but fast-adjusting viral proteomes and transcriptomes, to provide biological and clinical information after logical convergence for effective pharmaceutical and diagnostic applications. Such actions are in desperate need, especially in the middle of the War against COVID-19.
Outcomes of Patients with Thrombocytopenia Evaluated at Hematology Subspecialty Clinics
Authors: Rahman Zaid H. Abdel , Miller Kevin C. , Jabbour Hiba , Alkhatib Yaser , Donthireddy Vijaya 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Thrombocytopenia is a frequently encountered laboratory abnormality and a common reason for hematology referrals. Workup for thrombocytopenia is not standardized and frequently does not follow an evidence-based algorithm. We conducted a systematic analysis to evaluate the laboratory testing and outcomes of patients evaluated for thrombocytopenia at hematology clinics in a tertiary referral center between 2013 and 2016.

Patient and methods:
We performed a comprehensive chart review for patients evaluated for thrombocytopenia during the study period. Patients were followed for 1 year from the initial hematology evaluation and assessed for the development of a hematologic malignancy, rheumatologic, or infectious diseases among other clinical outcomes.

Results:
We evaluated 472 patients with a median (range) age of 61 (17–94) years. The majority (63.8%) had mild thrombocytopenia. Within 1 year of follow-up, 14 patients (3.0%) were diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy. A higher likelihood of developing a hematologic malignancy was noted in patients with concurrent leukopenia (hazard ratio [HR] 9.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.28–30.32, p < .01) and increasing age (HR per 10-year deciles 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.25, p = .03). In patients with asymptomatic isolated mild thrombocytopenia, laboratory testing did not reveal any significant positive findings and patients did not receive any new major diagnosis during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:
Our findings provide basis and call for development of an evidence-based algorithmic approach for evaluation of patients with thrombocytopenia, testing, and referrals. It also supports a conservative approach mainly driven by physical exam signs, symptoms, and other laboratory findings for patients with isolated mild thrombocytopenia.
Does Race Play a Role in Complications and Outcomes of Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms?
Authors: Peseski Andrew M. , Saliba Antoine N. , Althouse Sandra K. , Sayar Hamid 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of hematologic malignancies with known vascular complications. The role race and ethnicity play in these complications is less defined. We aimed to further evaluate the role of race in patients without a history of previous thrombotic or hemorrhagic events.

Methods:
In this retrospective study, 300 adult patients with MPN were included; 270 (90.0%) were White and 30 (10.0%) were non-White. The non-White group primarily consisted of African American or Black (26 patients), followed by others. Median age at diagnosis was 58 years for White patients and 61.5 years for non-White patients. The interaction between outcomes and vascular events with race was evaluated using multivariate logistical regression models.

Results:
The incidence of thrombotic events was inversely correlated with age at diagnosis, with younger patients demonstrating a higher rate of thrombotic events over time (p < .001). The incidence of thrombotic or hemorrhagic events did not differ between White and non-White patients. A statistically significant difference in median survival was observed between White and non-White patients: 29 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.8–not reached) versus 13 years (95% CI: 5.7–22.7), respectively (p = .016).

Conclusion:
This study did not find a significant difference in the rate of thrombotic or hemorrhagic events between White and non-White patients with MPN but suggested that non-White patients had significantly shorter median survival than White patients. Such observations may inform future studies to further characterize racial disparities in outcomes.
Parameter optimisation of a carrier-based UAV drawbar based on strain fatigue analysis
Authors: Chen H. , Fang X. , Zhang Z. , Xie X. , Nie H. , Wei X. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTCarrier-based unmanned aerial aircraft (UAV) structure is subjected to severe tensile load during takeoff, especially the drawbar, which affects its fatigue performance and structural safety. However, the complex structural features pose great challenges for the engineering design. Considering this situation, a structural design, fatigue analysis, and parameters optimisation joint working platform are urgently needed to solve this problem. In this study, numerical analysis of strain fatigue is carried out based on the laboratory fatigue failure of the carrier-based aircraft drawbar. Taking the sensitivity of drawbar parameters to stress and life into account and optimum design of drawbar with fatigue life as a target using the parametric method, this study also includes cutting-edge parameters of milling cutters, structural details of the drawbar and so on. Then an experimental design is applied using the Latin hypercube sampling method, and a surrogate model based on RBF neural network is established. Lastly, a multi-island genetic algorithm is introduced for optimisation. The results show that the error between the obtained optimal solution and simulation is 0.26%, while the optimised stress level is reduced by 15.7%, and the life of the drawbar is increased by 122%.
Pediatric Hyperacute Arterial Ischemic Stroke Pathways at Canadian Tertiary Care Hospitals
Authors: Gladkikh Maria , McMillan Hugh J. , Andrade Andrea , Boelman Cyrus , Bhathal Ishvinder , Mailo Janette , Mineyko Aleksandra , Moharir Mahendranath , Perreault Sébastien , Smith Jonathan , Pohl Daniela 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT:

Background:
Childhood acute arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is diagnosed at a median of 23 hours post-symptom onset, delaying treatment. Pediatric stroke pathways can expedite diagnosis. Our goal was to understand the similarities and differences between Canadian pediatric stroke protocols with the aim of optimizing AIS management.

Methods:
We contacted neurologists at all 16 Canadian pediatric hospitals regarding AIS management. Established protocols were analyzed for similarities and differences in eight domains.

Results:
Response rate was 100%. Seven (44%) centers have an established AIS protocol and two (13%) have a protocol under development. Seven centers do not have a protocol; two redirect patients to adult neurology, five rely on a case-by-case approach for management. Analysis of the seven protocols revealed differences in: 1) IV-tPA dosage: age-dependent 0.75–0.9 mg/kg (N = 1) versus age-independent 0.9 mg/kg (N = 6), with maximum doses of 75 mg (N = 1) or 90 mg (N = 6); 2) IV-tPA lower age cut-off: 2 years (N = 5) versus 3 or 10 years (each N = 1); 3) IV-tPA exclusion criteria: PedNIHSS score <4 (N = 3), <5 (N = 1), <6 (N = 3); 4) first choice of pre-treatment neuroimaging: computed tomography (CT) (N = 3), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (N = 2) or either (N = 2); 5) intra-arterial tPA use (N = 3) and; 6) mechanical thrombectomy timeframe: <6 hour (N = 3), <24 hour (N = 2), unspecified (N = 2).

Conclusions:
Although 44% of Canadian pediatric hospitals have established AIS management pathways, several differences remain among centers. Some criteria (dosage, imaging) reflect adult AIS literature. Canadian expert consensus regarding IV-tPA and endovascular treatment should be established to standardize and implement AIS protocols across Canada.
Effect of usinggreen fluorescent proteindouble-stranded RNA as non-target negative control inNasonia vitripennisRNA interference assays
Authors: Rougeot Julien , Wang Yidong , Verhulst Eveline C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is a technique used in many insects to study gene function. However, prior research suggests possible off-target effects when usingGreen Fluorescent Protein(GFP) sequence as a non-target control. We used a transcriptomic approach to study the effect ofGFPRNAi (GFP-i) inNasonia vitripennis, a widely used parasitoid wasp model system. Our study identified 3.4% of total genes being differentially expressed in response toGFP-i. A subset of these genes appears involved in microtubule and sperm functions.In silicoanalysis identified 17 potential off-targets, of which only one was differentially expressed afterGFP-i. We suggest the primary cause for differential expression afterGFP-i is the non-specific activation of the RNAi machinery at the injection site, and a potentially disturbed spermatogenesis. Still, we advise that any RNAi study involving the genes deregulated in this study, exercises caution in drawing conclusions and uses a different non-target control.
Emission mechanism for the silicon He-α lines in a photoionization experiment
Authors: Han Bo , Wang Feilu , Salzmann David , Zhong Jiayong , Zhao Gang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we present a reanalysis of the silicon He-$\mathrm{\alpha}$X-ray spectrum emission in Fujiokaet al.’s 2009 photoionization experiment. The computations were performed with our radiative-collisional code, RCF. The central ingredients of our computations are accurate atomic data, inclusion of satellite lines from doubly excited states and accounting for the reabsorption of the emitted photons on their way to the spectrometer. With all these elements included, the simulated spectrum turns out to be in good agreement with the experimental spectrum.
Social enterprise in a remote Indigenous community – Barunga Festival in Australia's Northern Territory
Authors: Ensign Prescott C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn 2020, the Barunga Festival would have celebrated its 35th anniversary. In mid-June of 2021, as many as 4,000 individuals were expected to descend on an aboriginal community of 300 residents located 400 km south of Darwin. This case describes the challenge to the Festival's promoters as they seek to sustain peak socio-economic impact in their role as community development change agents in a diverse and dynamic environment. The reader is tasked with clarifying goals, deciding what is at stake, and setting a course of action to realize those objectives.
Assessment of the helminth fauna in northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) occurring within South Texas
Authors: Shea S.A. , Fedynich A.M. , Wester D.B. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Populations of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) have been declining across their geographic range in North America, prompting consideration of the role parasites may play. We conducted this study to learn about the helminth fauna in South Texas, a region that supports a sustainable bobwhite population. Helminths were examined from 356 bobwhites collected during the 2014–2015 (n = 124) and 2015–2016 (n = 232) hunting seasons, when increasing trends in precipitation were observed in comparison with the previous two years. Ten helminth species were found, consisting of 14,127 individuals. Of these, all are heteroxenous parasites and three are pathogenic (Dispharynx nasuta, Tetrameres pattersoni and Oxyspirura petrowi). Aulonocephalus pennula numerically dominated the component community (81% prevalence, 99% of the total helminths found), whereas each of the remaining species occurred rarely (≤9% prevalence) and contributed few individuals (≤0.4%) to the helminth community. Prevalence and abundance of A. pennula were not influenced by host age, sex or body mass, but abundance was higher during the 2014–2015 than the 2015–2016 hunting season. Our findings indicate that the helminth community in bobwhites from South Texas can vary during long-term, highly variable precipitation conditions and these communities are more similar to those found in the Rolling Plains of Texas than those found in the eastern part of the bobwhite's geographic range in the US.
The predictive power of expressed emotion and its components in relapse of schizophrenia: a meta-analysis and meta-regression
Authors: Ma Chak Fai , Chan Sherry Kit Wa , Chung Yik Ling , Ng Siu Man , Hui Christy Lai Ming , Suen Yi Nam , Chen Eric Yu Hai 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSchizophrenia is a longstanding condition and most patients experience multiple relapse in the course of the condition. High expressed emotion (HEE) has been found to be a predictor of relapse. This meta-analysis and meta-regression examined the association of global EE and relapse specifically focusing on timing of relapse and EE domains.MethodsRandom-effects model was used to pool the effect estimates. Multiple random-effects meta-regression was used to compute the moderator analysis. Putative effect moderators including culture, EE measurements, age, length of condition and study quality were included.ResultsThirty-three prospective cohort studies comprising 2284 patients were included in the descriptive review and 30 studies were included for meta-analysis and meta-regression. Findings revealed that global HEE significantly predicted more on early relapse (⩽12 months) [OR 4.87 (95% CI 3.22–7.36)] than that on late relapse (>12 months) [OR 2.13 (95% CI 1.36–3.35)]. Higher level of critical comments (CC) significantly predicted relapse [OR 2.22 (95% CI 1.16–4.26)], whereas higher level of warmth significantly protected patients from relapse [OR 0.35 (95% CI 0.15–0.85)]. None of the moderators included significantly change the results.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that there is a dynamic interaction between EE-relapse association with time, and CC and warmth are the two important EE domains to influence relapse among patients with schizophrenia. Results also confirmed the foci of family interventions on reducing CC and improving warmth in relationship.
Spatial agency bias and word order flexibility: A comparison of 14 European languages
Authors: Suitner Caterina , Maass Anne , Navarrete Eduardo , Formanowicz Magdalena , Bratanova Boyka , Cervone Carmen , Hakoköngäs Juho Eemeli , Kuppens Toon , Lipourli Eleni , Rakić Tamara , Scatolon Andrea , Teixeira Catia P. , Wang Zhenlan , Sobral Maria Pedro , Carrier Antonin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe spatial agency bias predicts that people whose native language is rightward written will predominantly envisage action along the same direction. Two mechanisms contribute jointly to this asymmetry: (a) an embodied process related to writing/reading; (b) a linguistic regularity according to which sentence subjects (typically the agent) tend to precede objects (typically the recipient). Here we test a novel hypothesis in relation to the second mechanism, namely, that this asymmetry will be most pronounced in languages with rigid word order. A preregistered study on 14 European languages (n= 420) varying in word order flexibility confirmed a rightward bias in drawings of interactions between two people (agent and recipient). This bias was weaker in more flexible languages, confirming that embodied and linguistic features of language interact in producing it.
Post-dispersion humidity condition alters the surface of the testa and the proportion of seeds with physical dormancy in Erythrina speciosa
Authors: Magalhães Camila R. , Garcia Queila S. , Oliveira Denise M.T. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSeeds of Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) species lose water after dispersal, increasing the proportion of water-impermeable seeds (physical dormancy, PY). However, changes in testa structure during this process remain unknown. The present study investigated how variation in relative humidity (RH) during the post-dispersion period affects the proportion of seeds of Erythrina speciosa with PY. Seeds from two populations were stored in drier (40% RH) and wetter (80% RH) environments and periodically subjected to physiological analysis (seed water content, imbibition and germination) and structural analysis of the testa (light and scanning electron microscopy). Drier storage resulted in seed dehydration, increasing the proportion of water-impermeable seeds and closure of cracks in the mucilaginous stratum. In contrast, wetter storage led to an increase in seed water content, a decrease in the proportion of seeds with PY, and the formation of cracks. As a result of variation in environmental humidity, we conclude that changes occur in the mucilaginous stratum of seeds, altering water loss and, consequently, the proportion of seeds with PY. Environments with low humidity cause a decrease in seed water content, the closing of cracks in the mucilaginous stratum, and, consequently, an increase in the proportion of water-impermeable seeds. On the other hand, a high RH environment increases the seed water content and the formation of superficial cracks, through which water enters during imbibition, causing a decrease in the proportion of seeds with PY.
Marked skeletal muscle deficits are associated with 6-minute walk distance in paediatric pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Avitabile Catherine M. , Saavedra Sofia , Sivakumar Nithya , Goldmuntz Elizabeth , Paridon Stephen M. , Zemel Babette S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground:Poor growth is common in children with pulmonary hypertension; however, skeletal muscle deficits have not been described and the association between muscle deficits and functional status is unknown.Methods:Patients aged 8–18 years with pulmonary hypertension (diagnostic Groups 1, 2, or 3) and World Health Organization functional class I or II underwent dual-energy absorptiometry to measure leg lean mass Z-score (a surrogate for skeletal muscle). Muscle strength was assessed using dynamometry. Physical activity questionnaires were administered. Clinical data, including 6-minute walk distance, were reviewed. Relationships between skeletal muscle, physical activity score, and 6-minute walk distance were assessed by correlations and linear regression.Results:Sixteen patients (12.1 ± 3.2 years, 50% female, 56% Group 1, 56% functional class II) were enrolled. Leg lean mass Z-score was significantly less than reference data (−1.40 ± 1.12 versus 0.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) and worse in those with functional class II versus I (−2.10 ± 0.83 versus −0.50 ± 0.73, p < 0.01). Leg lean mass Z-score was positively associated with right ventricular systolic function by tricuspid annular plane systolic Z-score (r = 0.54, p = 0.03) and negatively associated with indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (r = −0.78, p < 0.001). Leg lean mass Z-score and forearm strength were positively associated with physical activity score. When physical activity score was held constant, leg lean mass Z-score independently predicted 6-minute walk distance (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.03).Conclusions:Youth with pulmonary hypertension demonstrate marked skeletal muscle deficits in association with exercise intolerance. Future studies should investigate whether low leg lean mass is a marker of disease severity or an independent target that can be improved.
The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS): Validation in Arabic and Lebanese Normative Values
Authors: Darwish Hala , Zeinoun Pia , Farran Natali , Ghusn Husam , Yamout Bassem , Khoury Samia J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjective:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often associated with cognitive deficits. Accurate evaluation of the MS patients’ cognitive performance is essential for diagnosis and treatment recommendation. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS), widely used cognitive testing battery, examines processing speed, verbal and visuospatial learning, and memory. Our study aims to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the BICAMS and to provide normative values in a Lebanese sample.Method:The BICAMS, comprised of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), and a newly developed verbal learning/memory test, the Verbal Memory Arabic Test (VMAT), were administered on healthy subjects and MS patients. The sample consisted of 180 healthy individuals, of whom 63 were retested after 2–3 weeks. Forty-three MS patients matched with 43 healthy subjects based on age, sex, and years of education were assessed. A sample of 10 MS patients was also examined on two occasions. Test–retest reliability and criterion-related validity were examined, and regression-based norms were derived.Results:The test–retest correlations showed good evidence of reliability with coefficients ranging between 0.64 and 0.73 in the healthy sample, and between 0.43 and 0.92 in the MS sample. The BICAMS was able to discriminate between MS patients and matched healthy participants on the SDMT and BVMT-R. Normative data were comparable to other studies.Conclusions:This new Arabic version of the BICAMS shows initial good psychometric properties. While good evidence of VMAT’s reliability was shown in the healthy participants, less test–retest reliability in this tool was seen in the MS group, and partial criterion-related validity was evident. This renders further examination of the VMAT. We provide regression-based norms for a Lebanese sample and encourage the use of this battery in both research and clinical settings.