bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing data pipelines for forecasting student performance: integrating feature selection with cross-validation
Authors: Bertolini Roberto , Finch Stephen J. , Nehm Ross H. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEducators seek to harness knowledge from educational corpora to improve student performance outcomes. Although prior studies have compared the efficacy of data mining methods (DMMs) in pipelines for forecasting student success, less work has focused on identifying a set of relevant features prior to model development and quantifying the stability of feature selection techniques. Pinpointing a subset of pertinent features can (1) reduce the number of variables that need to be managed by stakeholders, (2) make “black-box” algorithms more interpretable, and (3) provide greater guidance for faculty to implement targeted interventions. To that end, we introduce a methodology integrating feature selection with cross-validation and rank each feature on subsets of the training corpus. This modified pipeline was applied to forecast the performance of 3225 students in a baccalaureate science course using a set of 57 features, four DMMs, and four filter feature selection techniques. Correlation Attribute Evaluation (CAE) and Fisher’s Scoring Algorithm (FSA) achieved significantly higher Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for logistic regression (LR) and elastic net regression (GLMNET), compared to when this pipeline step was omitted. Relief Attribute Evaluation (RAE) was highly unstable and produced models with the poorest prediction performance. Borda’s method identified grade point average, number of credits taken, and performance on concept inventory assessments as the primary factors impacting predictions of student performance. We discuss the benefits of this approach when developing data pipelines for predictive modeling in undergraduate settings that are more interpretable and actionable for faculty and stakeholders.
Imaging of urinary tract in children in different clinical scenarios: a guide for general radiologists
Authors: Mohammad Shaimaa Abdelsattar , Rawash Leila M. , AbouZeid Amr Abdelhamid 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildren are frequently referred to the pediatric radiology department due to complaints related to the urinary tract.Main bodyWe aimed to describe common clinical scenarios in paediatric urology practice and their recommended imaging diagnostic algorithms. Practical imaging approach to following common clinical scenarios and the common radiological findings are discussed: (A) perinatal urinary tract dilatation and other congenital anomalies; (B) recurrent urinary tract infection; (C) enuresis and daytime urinary incontinence; (D) abdominal masses; (E) flank pain; (F) hematuria; (G) trauma; (H) nonpalpable testis, ambiguous genitalia and common urogenital sinus anomalies; and I) renovascular hypertensionConclusionsImaging investigations should be tailored according to the clinical presentation in a stepwise approach aiming for optimum patients’ care.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted pyrazoles endowed with brominated 4-methyl 7-hydroxy coumarin as new scaffolds against Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Narayanan Siju Ellickal , Narayanan Hariraj , Mukundan Minil , Balan Saranya , Vishnupriya C. P. , Gopinathan Adarsh , Rajamma Rajalekshmi Ganesan , Marathakam Akash 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe study aimed to design, synthesize and evaluate various brominated derivatives of 7-hydroxy coumarin as a new scaffold against Alzheimer’s disease by in vivo and in vitro models. A group of three novel pyrazoles endowed with brominated 7-hydroxy 4-methyl coumarin derivatives were designed. Among the designed compounds, a single entity (D1) was selected based on the docking score, which could be considered mainly for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Three novel pyrazoles endowed with brominated 7-hydroxy 4-methyl coumarin derivatives were designed and docking studies of these compounds were carried out using Argus lab4.0.1 version. According to the docking score, a single entity of compound (D1) was selected for further study. The structure of the compound (D1) was explored by spectral analysis. The anti-Alzheimer’s activity was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro methods. All results were compared statistically by one-way ANOVA using GraphPad Prism.ResultsMolecular docking studies revealed that the compound D1 was able to bind simultaneously to the amino acid and in the active sites of the acetylcholine esterase enzyme. In acetylcholine esterase inhibition assay, the compound shows a significant increase in acetylcholine esterase level. The MAO inhibitory activities were in the nanomole range (human MAO-A IC50= 3.9, human MAO-B IC50= 4.4). DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) assay showed that the compound shows a promising antioxidant property. In the evaluation of learning and memory of compound D1 using elevated plus maze, the compound D1-pretreated group showed a significant increase in memory and learning when compared with donepezil.ConclusionsAmong the designed series of pyrazole endowed with brominated 7-hydroxyl 4-methyl coumarin derivatives, compound D1 showed good antioxidant property and acetylcholine esterase and MAO inhibitory activity; based on this property, the synthesized compound D1 can be considered a new scaffold on Alzheimer’s disease.
Prescription patterns in psychiatric compulsory care: polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotics
Authors: Kaikoushi Katerina , Karanikola Maria , Middleton Nicos , Bella Evanthia , Chatzittofis Andreas 
Published: August 2021

Background
Antipsychotic polypharmacy and prescription of high-dose antipsychotics are often used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms, especially in compulsory psychiatric care although there is lack of evidence to support this practice and related risks for patients.

Aims
We aimed to investigate prescription patterns in patients with psychosis under compulsory psychiatric treatment in Cyprus and to identify predictors for pharmaceutic treatment patterns.

Method
This was a nationwide, descriptive correlational study with cross-sectional comparisons, including 482 patients with compulsory admission to hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Psychotic symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Prescribed medication patterns, including use of medication pro re nata (PRN, when required), were recorded.

Results
Antipsychotic polypharmacy with a PRN schema was reported in 33.2% (n = 160) of the participants. Polypharmacy without a PRN schema was reported in 5.6% (n = 27) of the participants. We found that 27.2% (n = 131) of the participants were prescribed high-dose antipsychotics without PRN included; and 39.2% (n = 189) prescribed high-dose antipsychotics with PRN included. In the logistic regression analyses, predictors for prescription of high-dose antipsychotics were male gender, positive psychiatric history, receiving state benefits and a negative history of substance use. Male gender was the only predictor for polypharmacy without a PRN schema whereas male gender, negative family psychiatric history, receiving state benefits and the total score on the positive symptoms PANSS subscale were predictors for polypharmacy with a PRN schema included.

Conclusions
A high frequency of polypharmacy and use of medication PRN beyond clinical guidelines has been reported for the first time in psychiatric compulsory care in Cyprus; revision in antipsychotic prescription is needed.
Electron scattering in silicene quantum dot with a time-periodic potential
Authors: Sattari Farhad , Aslanzadeh Mehdi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
We investigate the scattering problem for electrons in a circular silicene quantum dot with a time-periodic potential and intrinsic spin-orbit coupling. Our results demonstrate that the scattering coefficient depends on the radius of the quantum dot (R), the amplitude

, and the frequency

of the time-periodic potential as well as the order of the sideband. For the zero bias, unlike the finite bias, the scattering coefficient is independent of the sign of n for the n-th sideband. We also find that the scattering increases with R. Also, for smaller values of R, there is not any scattering in the silicene quantum dot for both the zero bias and the finite bias. For n > 1, the scattering is significant only for the small frequency values. Interestingly, a circular silicene quantum dot can temporarily trap electrons.
Low Adrenomedullary Function Predicts Acute Illness in Infants With Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Weber Jonathan , Tanawattanacharoen Veeraya K , Seagroves Amy , Liang Mark C , Koppin Christina M , Ross Heather M , Bachega Tania A S S , Geffner Mitchell E , Serrano-Gonzalez Monica , Bhullar Gagandeep , Kim Mimi S 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Context
Youth with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) exhibit abnormal adrenomedullary function with decreased epinephrine levels noted in newborns and young infants. Little is known about how this relates to morbidity during the first year of life.

Objective
This work aimed to study plasma epinephrine levels in infants with classical CAH and examine the clinical significance of epinephrine deficiency in the first year of life.

Methods
This prospective cohort study comprised participants recruited from a pediatric tertiary care center: 36 infants with classical CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 27 age-matched unaffected controls with congenital hypothyroidism. Main outcome measures included plasma epinephrine levels (N = 27), CYP21A2 genotype (N = 15), and incidence of acute illnesses from birth to age 1 year (N = 28).

Results
Epinephrine levels in CAH infants independently predicted illness incidence in the first year of life (β = –0.018, R = –0.45, P = .02) and were negatively correlated with 17-hydroxyprogesterone at diagnosis (R = –0.51, P = .007). Infants with salt-wasting CAH exhibited lower epinephrine levels as newborns than simple-virilizing infants (P = .02). CAH patients had lower epinephrine as newborns than did controls (P = .007) and showed decreases in epinephrine from birth to age 1 year (P = .04). Null genotype was associated with lower newborn epinephrine and more illness in the first year of life, compared to less severe mutation categories.

Conclusion
Lower epinephrine levels are associated with increased risk of illness among CAH infants. While not currently part of clinical standard of care, measuring epinephrine levels and assessing genotype may help predict acute illness in the first year of life.
ADAR1 limits stress granule formation through both translation-dependent and translation-independent mechanisms
Authors: Corbet Giulia A. , Burke James M. , Parker Roy 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic assemblies of RNA and protein that form when translation is repressed during the integrated stress response. SGs assemble from the combination of RNA–RNA, RNA–protein and protein–protein interactions between messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs). The protein adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1, also known as ADAR) recognizes and modifies double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) within cells to prevent an aberrant innate immune response. ADAR1 localizes to SGs, and since RNA–RNA interactions contribute to SG assembly and dsRNA induces SGs, we examined how ADAR1 affects SG formation. First, we demonstrate that ADAR1 depletion triggers SGs by allowing endogenous dsRNA to activate the integrated stress response through activation of PKR (also known as EIF2AK2) and translation repression. However, we also show that ADAR1 limits SG formation independently of translation inhibition. ADAR1 repression of SGs is independent of deaminase activity but is dependent on dsRNA-binding activity, suggesting a model where ADAR1 binding limits RNA–RNA and/or RNA–protein interactions necessary for recruitment to SGs. Given that ADAR1 expression is induced during viral infection, these findings have implications for the role of ADAR1 in the antiviral response.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Prevalence of malaria and quantification of cytokine levels during infection in East Nile locality, Khartoum State: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Barkat Hwida , Abd Alla Ahmed Bakheet , Galander Ahmed , Salah Tagwa , Elfaki Tayseer , Nasir Ali 
Published: August 2021

Background: The cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) play an important role in malaria infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and to evaluate cytokine responses to malaria infection in patients from the East Nile locality of Khartoum State. Methods: This study was carried out from May to July 2018 in the East Nile Locality, Khartoum State. Blood samples were collected from 384 randomly selected patients for blood film analysis. Of these, 39 were selected for cytokine level analysis (10 control and 29 patient samples), determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The malaria prevalence rate among 384 patients was 18.5%. Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent (13%), while the prevalence of Plasmodium vivax was 4.6%. The rate of mixed infection was 0.8%. There was a higher prevalence rate (22.7%) in males than females (15.6%). However, we found no significant correlation between cytokine levels and parasitemia in the study group. Nevertheless, our study demonstrated a significant correlation between cytokine levels and recurrent infections. Conclusions: Together, our data show that malaria remains a public health problem in East Nile locality with a high prevalence. Additionally, serum levels of IFN- γ and TNF- α were significantly higher in malaria-infected individuals compared to non-infecting individuals and cytokine levels were found to be correlated with recurrent malaria infection.
Early detection of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Amelia Rina , Harahap Juliandi , Yunanda Yuki , Wijaya Hendri , Fujiati Isti Ilmiati , Yamamoto Zulham 
Published: August 2021

Background: Macrovascular complications occur very frequently in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with a high mortality rate, due to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as stroke, atherosclerosis acceleration, and atrial fibrillation. T2DM is a significant risk factor for CVD and has become the leading cause of death. The purpose of this study was to detect the early risk of macrovascular complications by using the ankle brachial index (ABI) as a marker. Methods: This study was an analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The study population was patients with T2DM from several primary health care centers in Medan. In total, 89 subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited with consecutive sampling. ABI was determined as the ratio of systolic blood pressure in the brachial artery to the posterior tibial artery after the subjects had been relaxed and felt comfortable in a supine position. Examination of vitamin D and lipid profile was derived from examination of venous blood. Data were processed using SPSS and analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results: The study found that there was a relationship between LDL-C, triglyceride, and vitamin D (25OH-D) based on the ABI (p > 0.05). Conclusions: ABI can be used for an early detection of macrovascular complications. Apart from being easy to perform, ABI was non-invasive. Some other risk factors that can also be used to assess complications and have relationships with ABI were LDL-C, triglyceride, and vitamin D (25OH-D). Complications in T2DM patients can be prevented with reasonable blood sugar control and lifestyle changes. Education and motivation need to be given to patients so that they become more independent in controlling their disease and improving their quality of life.
The impact of vitamin D supplementation on peripheral neuropathy in a sample of Egyptian prediabetic individuals
Authors: Reda Halawa Mohamed , Zaky Ahmed Iman , Fawzy Abouelezz Nahla , Roushdy Mohamed Nagwa , Hany Abdelaziz Khalil Naira , Mahmoud Ali Hendawy Laila 
Published: August 2021

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is seen more frequently in diabetic patients with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of data concerning prediabetic individuals with peripheral neuropathy (PN). Therefore, we aimed to study the association of vitamin D deficiency with PN severity and to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on PN in prediabetics. Methods: A case-control study was conducted consisting of 178 prediabetic individuals recruited from the outpatient department of the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt. All patients were screened for PN using clinical examination and Douleur Neuropathique 4 diagnostic questionnaire (DN4). They were divided into 89 patients with and 89 patients without PN (group A and B). Group A was assessed for neuropathic severity using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). In addition, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ionized calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour post 75g glucose (2h-75g glucose) and lipid profile were measured. Prediabetic patients with PN were given vitamin D3 200.000 IU IM monthly for three months. After three months, clinical assessment, DN4, SF-MPQ and all laboratory measures were repeated. Results: Vitamin D level was negatively correlated with neuropathy score and severity (r = -0.65, -0.47, p <0.001) among group A. Moreover, vitamin D level was an independent predictor of neuropathic severity (odds ratio -0.18, 95% CI -0.33 -0.03, P ≤ 0.05). Supplementation of vitamin D resulted in a highly significant improvement in glycemic parameters and lipid profile, p ≤ 0.001. Interestingly, neuropathy score and severity before vitamin D supplementation were (6.4 ± 1.6 and 28.3 ± 7.2) and after became (2.5 ± 0.9 and 17 ± 6.3, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for PN. Correction of vitamin D deficiency improves glycemic parameters, PN score and severity.
H3K36me3 and PSIP1/LEDGF associate with several DNA repair proteins, suggesting their role in efficient DNA repair at actively transcribing loci
Authors: Sundarraj Jayakumar , Taylor Gillian C.A. , von Kriegsheim Alex , Pradeepa Madapura M 
Published: August 2021

Background: Trimethylation at histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me3) is associated with expressed gene bodies and recruit proteins implicated in transcription, splicing and DNA repair. PC4 and SF2 interacting protein (PSIP1/LEDGF) is a transcriptional coactivator, possesses an H3K36me3 reader PWWP domain. Alternatively spliced isoforms of PSIP1 binds to H3K36me3 and suggested to function as adaptor proteins to recruit transcriptional modulators, splicing factors and proteins that promote homology-directed repair (HDR), to H3K36me3 chromatin. Methods: We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation of H3K36me3 followed by quantitative mass spectrometry (qMS) to identify proteins associated with H3K36 trimethylated chromatin in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We also performed stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) followed by qMS for a longer isoform of PSIP1 (PSIP/p75) and MOF/KAT8 in mESCs and mouse embryonic fibroblasts ( MEFs). Furthermore, immunoprecipitation followed by western blotting was performed to validate the qMS data. DNA damage in PSIP1 knockout MEFs was assayed by a comet assay. Results: Proteomic analysis shows the association of proteins involved in transcriptional elongation, RNA processing and DNA repair with H3K36me3 chromatin. Furthermore, we show DNA repair proteins like PARP1, gamma H2A.X, XRCC1, DNA ligase 3, SPT16, Topoisomerases and BAZ1B are predominant interacting partners of PSIP /p75. We further validated the association of PSIP/p75 with PARP1, hnRNPU and gamma H2A.X and also demonstrated accumulation of damaged DNA in PSIP1 knockout MEFs. Conclusions: In contrast to the previously demonstrated role of H3K36me3 and PSIP/p75 in promoting homology-directed repair (HDR), our data support a wider role of H3K36me3 and PSIP1 in maintaining the genome integrity by recruiting proteins involved in DNA damage response pathways to the actively transcribed loci.
COVID-19 pandemic and hip fractures: impact and lessons learned
Authors: Arafa Mohamed , Nesar Samia , Abu-Jabeh Hamza , Jayme Ma Odette Remelou , Kalairajah Yegappan 
Published: August 2021

Aims The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented period of challenge to the NHS in the UK where hip fractures in the elderly population are a major public health concern. There are approximately 76,000 hip fractures in the UK each year which make up a substantial proportion of the trauma workload of an average orthopaedic unit. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hip fracture care service and the emerging lessons to withstand any future outbreaks. Methods Data were collected retrospectively on 157 hip fractures admitted from March to May 2019 and 2020. The 2020 group was further subdivided into COVID-positive and COVID-negative. Data including the four-hour target, timing to imaging, hours to operation, anaesthetic and operative details, intraoperative complications, postoperative reviews, COVID status, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), length of stay, postoperative complications, and the 30-day mortality were compiled from computer records and our local National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) export data. Results Hip fractures and inpatient falls significantly increased by 61.7% and 7.2% respectively in the 2020 group. A significant difference was found among the three groups regarding anaesthetic preparation time, anaesthetic time, and recovery time. The mortality rate in the 2020 COVID-positive group (36.8%) was significantly higher than both the 2020 COVID-negative and 2019 groups (11.5% and 11.7% respectively). The hospital stay was significantly higher in the COVID-positive group (mean of 24.21 days (SD 19.29)). Conclusion COVID-19 has had notable effects on the hip fracture care service: hip fracture rates increased significantly. There were inefficiencies in theatre processes for which we have recommended the use of alternate theatres. COVID-19 infection increased the 30-day mortality and hospital stay in hip fractures. More research needs to be done to reduce this risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-9:530–540.
Real-time channel conditional distribution tracking for intelligent decoding of optical IMDD signals
Authors: Sun Lin , Xu Bingxin , Fan Xinyu , Du Jiangbing , He Zuyuan , Lu Chao 
Published: August 2021

In this Letter, we propose a real-time machine learning scheme of a tracking optical intensity-modulation and direct-detection (IMDD) system’s conditional distribution using linear optical sampling and inline Gaussian mixer modeling (GMM) programming. End-to-end conditional distribution tracking enables an adaptive decoding of optical IMDD signals, with robustness to the bias point shift of the optical intensity modulator. Experimental demonstration is conducted over a 20-Gbits/s optical pulse amplitude modulation-4 (PAM-4) modulation system. Optical PAM-4 signals are optically down-sampled by short pulses to 250 Msa/s. Then, statistical characters of signal distribution can be estimated using inline GMM processing. Due to the real-time learned distribution, intelligent decoding of received signals exhibits a perfect adaptation to the changing bias point of a Mach–Zendner intensity modulator, enhancing the communication reliability with bit error rate (BER) below

3.8
⋅

10

−
3

. In addition, the proposed scheme also provides the possibility of practical implementation to other machine learning signal decoding methods.