bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma contact factors as novel biomarkers for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Park Jung Eun , Lim Do Sung , Cho Yeong Hee , Choi Kyu Yeong , Lee Jang Jae , Kim Byeong C. , Lee Kun Ho , Lee Jung Sup 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and most of AD patients suffer from vascular abnormalities and neuroinflammation. There is an urgent need to develop novel blood biomarkers capable of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at very early stage. This study was performed to find out new accurate plasma diagnostic biomarkers for AD by investigating a direct relationship between plasma contact system and AD.

Methods
A total 101 of human CSF and plasma samples from normal and AD patients were analyzed. The contact factor activities in plasma were measured with the corresponding specific peptide substrates.

Results
The activities of contact factors (FXIIa, FXIa, plasma kallikrein) and FXa clearly increased and statistically correlated as AD progresses. We present here, for the first time, the FXIIa cut-off scores to as: > 26.3 U/ml for prodromal AD [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.783, p < 0.001] and > 27.2 U/ml for AD dementia (AUC = 0.906, p < 0.001). We also describe the cut-off scores from the ratios of CSF Aβ1–42 versus the contact factors. Of these, the representative ratio cut-off scores of Aβ1–42/FXIIa were to be: < 33.8 for prodromal AD (AUC = 0.965, p < 0.001) and < 27.44 for AD dementia (AUC = 1.0, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The activation of plasma contact system is closely associated with clinical stage of AD, and FXIIa activity as well as the cut-off scores of CSF Aβ1–42/FXIIa can be used as novel accurate diagnostic AD biomarkers.
A novel multi-source information-fusion predictive framework based on deep neural networks for accuracy enhancement in stock market prediction
Authors: Nti Isaac Kofi , Adekoya Adebayo Felix , Weyori Benjamin Asubam 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe stock market is very unstable and volatile due to several factors such as public sentiments, economic factors and more. Several Petabytes volumes of data are generated every second from different sources, which affect the stock market. A fair and efficient fusion of these data sources (factors) into intelligence is expected to offer better prediction accuracy on the stock market. However, integrating these factors from different data sources as one dataset for market analysis is seen as challenging because they come in a different format (numerical or text). In this study, we propose a novel multi-source information-fusion stock price prediction framework based on a hybrid deep neural network architecture (Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)) named IKN-ConvLSTM. Precisely, we design a predictive framework to integrate stock-related information from six (6) heterogeneous sources. Secondly, we construct a base model using CNN, and random search algorithm as a feature selector to optimise our initial training parameters. Finally, a stacked LSTM network is fine-tuned by using the tuned parameter (features) from the base-model to enhance prediction accuracy. Our approach's emperical evaluation was carried out with stock data (January 3, 2017, to January 31, 2020) from the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). The results show a good prediction accuracy of 98.31%, specificity (0.9975), sensitivity (0.8939%) and F-score (0.9672) of the amalgamated dataset compared with the distinct dataset. Based on the study outcome, it can be concluded that efficient information fusion of different stock price indicators as a single data source for market prediction offer high prediction accuracy than individual data sources.
Psychological effects of remote-only communication among reference persons of ICU patients during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cattelan Jessy , Castellano Sara , Merdji Hamid , Audusseau Jean , Claude Baptiste , Feuillassier Léa , Cunat Sibylle , Astrié Marc , Aquin Camille , Buis Guillaume , Gehant Edgar , Granier Amandine , Kercha Hassiba , Le Guillou Camille , Martin Guillaume , Roulot Kevin , Meziani Ferhat , Putois Olivier , Helms Julie 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
During COVID-19 pandemic, visits have been prohibited in most French ICUs. Psychological effects, for reference persons (RPs), of remote-only communication have been assessed.

Methods
All RPs of patients referred to ICU for COVID-19 were included. HADS, IES-R, and satisfaction were evaluated at admission, discharge/death, and 3 months. At 3 months, a psychologist provided a qualitative description of RPs’ psychological distress.

Results
Eighty-eight RPs were included. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 83% and 73% respectively. At 3 months, lower HADS decrease was associated with patient death/continued hospitalization, and/or sleeping disorders in RPs (p < 0.01). Ninety-nine percent RPs felt the patient was safe (9 [7; 10]/10 points, Likert-type scale), confident with caregivers (10 [9; 10]/10 points), and satisfied with information provided (10 [9; 10]/10 points). All RPs stressed the specific-type of “responsibility” associated with being an RP in a remote-only context, leading RPs to develop narrow diffusion strategies (67%) and restrict the array of contacted relatives to a very few and/or only contacting them rarely. 10 RPs (30%) related the situation to a prior traumatic experience.

Conclusion
RPs experienced psychological distress and reported that being an RP in a remote-only communication context was a specific responsibility and qualified it as an overall negative experience.

Trial registration
NCT04385121. Registered 12 May 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
Machine learning-based prediction models for accidental hypothermia patients
Authors: Okada Yohei , Matsuyama Tasuku , Morita Sachiko , Ehara Naoki , Miyamae Nobuhiro , Jo Takaaki , Sumida Yasuyuki , Okada Nobunaga , Watanabe Makoto , Nozawa Masahiro , Tsuruoka Ayumu , Fujimoto Yoshihiro , Okumura Yoshiki , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Iiduka Ryoji , Ohtsuru Shigeru 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundAccidental hypothermia is a critical condition with high risks of fatal arrhythmia, multiple organ failure, and mortality; however, there is no established model to predict the mortality. The present study aimed to develop and validate machine learning-based models for predicting in-hospital mortality using easily available data at hospital admission among the patients with accidental hypothermia.MethodThis study was secondary analysis of multi-center retrospective cohort study (J-point registry) including patients with accidental hypothermia. Adult patients with body temperature 35.0 °C or less at emergency department were included. Prediction models for in-hospital mortality using machine learning (lasso, random forest, and gradient boosting tree) were made in development cohort from six hospitals, and the predictive performance were assessed in validation cohort from other six hospitals. As a reference, we compared the SOFA score and 5A score.ResultsWe included total 532 patients in the development cohort [N= 288, six hospitals, in-hospital mortality: 22.0% (64/288)], and the validation cohort [N= 244, six hospitals, in-hospital mortality 27.0% (66/244)]. The C-statistics [95% CI] of the models in validation cohorts were as follows: lasso 0.784 [0.717–0.851] , random forest 0.794[0.735–0.853], gradient boosting tree 0.780 [0.714–0.847], SOFA 0.787 [0.722–0.851], and 5A score 0.750[0.681–0.820]. The calibration plot showed that these models were well calibrated to observed in-hospital mortality. Decision curve analysis indicated that these models obtained clinical net-benefit.ConclusionThis multi-center retrospective cohort study indicated that machine learning-based prediction models could accurately predict in-hospital mortality in validation cohort among the accidental hypothermia patients. These models might be able to support physicians and patient’s decision-making. However, the applicability to clinical settings, and the actual clinical utility is still unclear; thus, further prospective study is warranted to evaluate the clinical usefulness.
A narrative review of the last decade’s literature on the diagnostic accuracy of septic arthritis of the native joint
Authors: Turner Elizabeth H. G. , Lang Mc Daniel H. , Spiker Andrea M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile septic arthritis can be a straightforward diagnosis, there are many cases when the diagnosis is difficult to make. The aim of this study was to review the last decade’s literature on the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the native joint in adults and summarize that data in an easy to follow algorithm to clarify how the last decade’s data may be applied to the diagnosis of septic arthritis. A search of PubMed and CINAHL databases was performed to identify studies that compared results diagnostic tests for septic arthritis. We cross referenced this search with searches of additional databases (including Cochrane Library and Scopus) to confirm similar search results. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool was used by two independent reviewers to determine study quality and risk of bias. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to the initial search, 15 papers total were included for analysis. All 15 papers were of high quality methodology as determined by the QUADAS tool. There were 26 different diagnostics tests used across the 15 papers included for review. Three of those diagnostic tests had specificity and sensitivity greater than 80%. Eight tests had a positive likelihood ratio of ≥10. Three tests had a negative likelihood ratio < 0.1, indicating that they may help to rule out septic arthritis. A flowchart was created to summarize the findings of our review, so that physicians may reference this visual in making the appropriate diagnosis when the commonly held standards of cell count, gram stain, and culture aren’t enough to make the diagnosis.
Value of 18F-FDG-PET to predict PD-L1 expression and outcomes of PD-1 inhibition therapy in human cancers
Authors: Kaira Kyoichi , Kuji Ichiei , Kagamu Hiroshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAnti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibodies are administered in varied human cancer types. The expression of PD-L1 within tumor cells has been identified as a predictive marker, although assessing its expression has benefitted only patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or head and neck cancer. Whereas, more than 75% of the patients with NSCLC showing partial response to PD-1 blockade therapy experienced long-term survival for more than 5-years Thus, identifying the responders to PD-1 blockade at early phase after its initiation is of clinical importance. The 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET) can evaluate any tumor shrinkage by assessing the metabolic tumor volume at an earlier phase than conventional modalities such as computed tomography (CT). While several reports describe the correlation of PD-L1 expression with 18F-FDG uptake rate in the tumor cells, it remains to be delineated whether this rate determined by the glucose metabolism and hypoxia is associated with the status of immune microenvironment, including the expression of PD-L1. Moreover, details of the relationship between expression of PD-L1 and 18F-FDG uptake is still unclear. Therefore, we reviewed the clinical significance of 18F-FDG uptake on PET as a predictor of the efficacy of PD-1 blockade therapy, by correlating with the expression of PD-L1, in patients with several neoplasms.
Numerical analysis of static behavior of caisson-type quay wall deepened by grouting rubble-mound
Authors: Nguyen Anh-Dan , Kim Young-Sang , Kang Gyeong-O , Kim Hui-Jin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCaisson type gravity quay wall is a common structure used in the coastal regions. However, many of the existing quay walls constructed in the past are becoming obsolete. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to enhance the performance of these quay walls by increasing the front water depth. To deepen the water depth, a special grout type is ejected to solidify the rubble mound under the caisson toe, then excavating a part of the rubble placed in front of the caisson to the designed level. Various cases with different shapes and dimensions are proposed to optimize the grouted area. Based on the examination of stability and construction feasibility, the reasonable geometry and area of grouted rubble can be selected. In addition, the numerical analysis is performed by the Finite Element Method (FEM) program (PLAXIS 2D) to expect the behavior of the quay wall and grouted rubble. The results demonstrate that after upgrading, the maximum contact stress between caisson and rubble mound increases sharply, but the stress at the bottom of grouted rubble does not change in comparison prior to innovation. The analysis also indicates that when the Hardening Soil (HS) model is applied, the displacement of the quay wall is higher than that of the Mohr–Coulomb soil (MC) model.
Neutralization effect of slag on the acid rock drainage
Authors: Baek Inwoo , Kim Jaegon , Song Youngsuk , Kim Taehyung 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Pohang Tertiary mudstone presents the issue of acid rock drainage. This study analyzed the capacity of a mixed slag (70% steel slag + 30% blast furnace slag) to neutralize Pohang Tertiary mudstone’s acid rock drainage.

Methods
Element analysis, acid neutralization capacity (ANC) test, and net acid generation (NAG) test were conducted on Pohang Tertiary mudstone samples and the mixed slag. The XRF analysis and the XRD analysis on the mixed slag were conducted to measure the CaO content, which indicates the potential of the mixed slag as an acid-neutralizing agent.

Results
According to the analysis results on the Pohang Tertiary mudstone samples, the total sulfur content was high, which indicates a high risk of acid rock drainage generation. Although there were slight deviations between the samples, overall, the mudstone exhibited a high acid rock drainage generation capacity. The XRF analysis of mixed slag results showed high amounts of CaO content. From the XRD analysis graph, it was clear that a high proportion of minerals with Ca- compounds consisting of basic substances were present. The neutralization capacity of the mixed slag on Pohang Tertiary mudstone was determined by the relationship between maximum potential acidity (MPA) and acid neutralization capacity (ANC). For instance, the mixed slag of 4.5% effectively neutralizes a sulfur content of 1%.
Test Re-test Reliability of Single and Multijoint Strength Properties in Female Australian Footballers
Authors: Kadlec Daniel , Jordan Matthew J. , Snyder Leanne , Alderson Jacqueline , Nimphius Sophia 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To examine the test re-test reliability of isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of hip adduction (ADDISO), hip abduction (ABDISO), and multijoint leg extension (SQUATISO) in sub-elite female Australian footballers.

Methods
Data were collected from 24 sub-elite female Australian footballers (age 22.6 ± 4.5 years; height 169.4 ± 5.5 cm; body mass 66.6 ± 8.0 kg; 4.5 ± 4.4 years sport-specific training; 2.5 ± 2.0 years unstructured resistance training) from the same club on two non-consecutive days. Participants performed three isometric MVCs of ADDISO, ABDISO, and SQUATISO. The SQUATISO was performed at 140° knee flexion with a vertical trunk position and ADDISO and ABDISO measures were performed in a supine position at 60° of knee flexion and 60° hip flexion. Reliability was assessed using paired t tests and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), typical error (TE), and coefficient of variation (CV%) with 95% CI.

Results
SQUATISO peak force (ICC .95; CV% 4.1), ABDISO for left, right, and sum (ICC .90–.92; CV% 5.0–5.7), and ADDISO for left, right, and sum (ICC .86–.91; CV% 6.2–6.9) were deemed acceptably reliable based on predetermined criteria (ICC ≥ .8 and CV% ≤ 10).

Conclusion
SQUATISO, ABDISO, and ADDISO tests demonstrated acceptable reliability for the assessment of peak force in sub-elite female Australian footballers, suggesting these assessments are suitable for muscle strength testing and monitoring adaptations to training.
Clinical utility of procalcitonin in severe odontogenic maxillofacial infection
Authors: Kim Ji-Kwan , Lee Jae-Hoon 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundMost of the maxillofacial infections are bacterial infections, and there is a possibility that systemic infections occur by maxillofacial infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin in patients with odontogenic bacterial infections of the maxillofacial region.MethodsWe enrolled sixty patients, who were admitted with odontogenic maxillofacial infection from September 2018 to March 2020. White blood cell counts, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin concentrations were evaluated. Sixty patients were classified into two groups, sepsis and non-sepsis groups, based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome. A Studentttest was performed to statistically analyze the difference in inflammatory markers between sepsis and non-sepsis groups.ResultsThe mean procalcitonin values on admission were 7.24 ng/mL (range, 0.09–37.15 ng/mL) and 0.40 ng/mL (range, 0.02–4.94 ng/mL) in the sepsis group and non-sepsis group, respectively. The procalcitonin values between the two groups showed a significant difference (P< 0.05). The area under the curve of procalcitonin was 0.927 (P< 0.001), and the cutoff value of procalcitonin that maximizes the area under the curve was calculated to be 0.87 ng/mL.ConclusionsAccording to our study, routine laboratory tests have insufficient accuracy in diagnosing sepsis syndrome. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to perform the procalcitonin test in patients with maxillofacial infection in addition to the conventional laboratory tests to diagnose the systemic inflammatory condition of the patients.
Real-life outcomes of subthreshold laser therapy for diabetic macular edema
Authors: Passos Renato M. , Malerbi Fernando K. , Rocha Marindia , Maia Maurício , Farah Michel E. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a major cause of visual impairment and its treatment is a public health challenge. Even though anti-angiogenic drugs are the gold-standard treatment, they are not ideal and subthreshold laser (SL) remains a viable and promising therapy in selected cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate its efficacy in a real-life setting.

Methods
Retrospective case series of 56 eyes of 36 patients with center-involving DME treated with SL monotherapy. Treatment was performed in a single session with the EasyRet® photocoagulator with the following parameters: 5% duty cycle, 200-ms pulse duration, 160-µm spot size and 50% power of the barely visible threshold. A high-density pattern was then applied to the whole edematous area, using multispot mode. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were obtained at baseline and around 3 months after treatment.

Results
Fifty-six eyes of 36 patients were included (39% women, mean age 64.8 years old); mean time between treatment day and follow-up visit was 14 ± 6 weeks. BCVA (Snellen converted to logMAR) was 0.59 ± 0.32 and 0.43 ± 0.25 at baseline and follow-up, respectively (p = 0.002). Thirty-two percent had prior panretinal photocoagulation (p = 0.011). Mean laser power was 555 ± 150 mW and number of spots was 1,109 ± 580. Intraretinal and subretinal fluid (SRF) was seen in 96 and 41% of eyes at baseline and improved in 35 and 74% of those after treatment, respectively. Quantitative analysis of central macular thickness (CMT) change was performed in a subset of 23 eyes, 43% of which exhibited > 10% CMT reduction post-treatment.

Conclusions
Subthreshold laser therapy is known to have RPE function as its main target, modulating the activation of heat-shock proteins and normalizing cytokine expression. In the present study, the DME cases associated with SRF had the best anatomical response, while intraretinal edema responded poorly to laser monotherapy. BCVA and macular thickness exhibited a mild response, suggesting the need for combined treatment in most patients. Given the effect on SRF reabsorption, subthreshold laser therapy could be a viable treatment option in selected cases.
Application of Taguchi design in the removal of heavy metals from Simulated metal solutions using groundnut shell and tea bag as a natural absorbent
Authors: Arthur David Ebuka , Oyibo Augustina Aroh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
A series of metal solutions such as chromium sulphate, lead sulphate and nickel sulphate were prepared, and varying concentrations were used to model the optimum conditions that would favour the removal of these metals in polluted situations. Taguchi design was used to set the experiment in motion by using three factors such as pH, concentration and time, although the experiment was done at a fixed temperature of 30 °C as detailed in the study.

Result
The percentage of heavy metals removal from the solutions at varying conditions was used to model the effectiveness of the adsorbent. All models and their statistical parameters were reported in the study. The model identified as the best was the one involving the removal of chromium concentration using the tea bag adsorbent. The ability of the model to predict other concentrations which were not used in developing the model was high and was reported as preR2 of 0.94.

Conclusion
The model predicts that the experiment which was conducted at varying pH values ranging from 1.00–8.00 can lead to the effective removal of chromium by decreasing the pH of the system to pH value = 1, and increasing the contact time of the adsorbent tea bag residue. The model confirms the transformation of chromium from hexavalent to trivalent at acidic pH which decreases its ionic solubility in an aqueous system leads to its ultimate removal by the adsorbent
Development of imidacloprid and indoxacarb formulations to nanoformulations and their efficacy against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd)
Authors: Sabry Al-kazafy Hassan , Salem Hamdy Abdel-Naby , Metwally Hala Mohamed 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The conventional pesticide formulations have many side effects on environmental. These effects were due to the huge quantity of pesticides used. Using of nanopesticide formulations can be reduced the quantity of pesticides used and subsequently decreased the cost of pest control and environment contamination.

Results
Indoxacarb and imidacloprid nanoparticles were developed. The size of nanoparticles ranged between 200 and 400 nm. The obtained results showed that the percentage of mortalities in second instar larvae of Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis were 95 and 75% in indoxacarb and imidacloprid nanoparticles, respectively. On the other hand, these percentages were 76.7 and 91.7%, respectively, with conventional formulations. In spite of one fifth of pesticide concentrations were used in nanoformulations, the LC50, s in nanoformulations were 2.9 and 15.9 ppm for indoxacarb and imidacloprid, respectively, compared to 34.3 and 66.5 in conventional formulation. The loading capacity in both indoxacarb nanoparticle and imidacloprid nanoparticle were 60.7 and 52.0%, respectively.

Conclusion
These results found that indoxacarb and imidacloprid nanoparticles were 12 and 4 times, respectively, more effective than indoxacarb and imidacloprid conventional formulations against the second instar larvae of S. littoralis. These results also showed that indoxacarb and imidacloprid nanoparticles can be used as effective formulations against the cotton leafworm larvae instead of the conventional formulation to reduce the environment contamination, control cost and pest population.