bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land use and land cover change detection and spatial distribution on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Hao Shuang , Zhu Fengshun , Cui Yuhuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRegarded as the third pole of the Earth, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a region with complex terrain. Vegetation is widely distributed in the southeastern part of the plateau. However, the land use and land cover changes (LULCC) on the TP have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, we propose a method of studying the dynamic changes in the land cover on the TP. Landsat OLI images (2013 and 2015) were selected to extract the LULCC information of Nyingchi County, the DEM was used to extract objects’ land curved surface area and analyze their three-dimensional dynamic change information, which realized a four-dimensional monitoring of the forestry information on time and spatial level. The results showed that the forest area in 2015 decreased by 7.25%, of which the coniferous forest areas decreased by 25.14%, broad-leaved forest areas increased by 12.65%, and shrubbery areas increased by 14.62%. Compared with traditional LULCC detection methods, the change detection is no longer focused on the two-dimensional space, which helps determine the three-dimensional land use and land cover changes and their distribution. Thus, dynamic spatial changes can be observed. This study provides scientific support for the vegetation restoration and natural resource management on the TP.
Global short-term forecasting of COVID-19 cases
Authors: Oliveira Thiago de Paula , Moral Rafael de Andrade 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe continuously growing number of COVID-19 cases pressures healthcare services worldwide. Accurate short-term forecasting is thus vital to support country-level policy making. The strategies adopted by countries to combat the pandemic vary, generating different uncertainty levels about the actual number of cases. Accounting for the hierarchical structure of the data and accommodating extra-variability is therefore fundamental. We introduce a new modelling framework to describe the pandemic’s course with great accuracy and provide short-term daily forecasts for every country in the world. We show that our model generates highly accurate forecasts up to seven days ahead and use estimated model components to cluster countries based on recent events. We introduce statistical novelty in terms of modelling the autoregressive parameter as a function of time, increasing predictive power and flexibility to adapt to each country. Our model can also be used to forecast the number of deaths, study the effects of covariates (such as lockdown policies), and generate forecasts for smaller regions within countries. Consequently, it has substantial implications for global planning and decision making. We present forecasts and make all results freely available to any country in the world through an online Shiny dashboard.
Genome survey and high-resolution genetic map provide valuable genetic resources for Fenneropenaeus chinensis
Authors: Meng Xianhong , Fu Qiang , Luan Sheng , Luo Kun , Sui Juan , Kong Jie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFenneropenaeus chinensis is one of the most important aquaculture species in China. Research on its genomic and genetic structure not only helps us comprehend the genetic basis of complex economic traits, but also offers theoretical guidance in selective breeding. In the present study, a genome survey sequencing was performed to generate a rough reference genome utilized for groping preliminary genome characteristics and facilitate linkage and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Linkage mapping was conducted using a reduced-representation sequencing method 2b-RAD. In total, 36,762 SNPs were genotyped from 273 progenies in a mapping family, and a high-resolution linkage map was constructed. The consensus map contained 12,884 markers and spanned 5257.81 cM with an average marker interval of 0.41 cM, which was the first high-resolution genetic map in F. chinensis to our knowledge. QTL mapping and association analysis were carried out in 29 characters including body size, sex and disease resistance. 87 significant QTLs were detected in several traits and they were also evaluated by association analysis. Results of this study provide us valuable suggestions in genetic improvement and breeding of new varieties and also lay a basic foundation for further application of cloning of economic genes in selective breeding program and marker-assisted selection.
Characterization of activity behavior using a digital medicine system and comparison to medication ingestion in patients with serious mental illness
Authors: Cochran Jeffrey M. , Heidary Zahra , Knights Jonathan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractActivity patterns can be important indicators in patients with serious mental illness. Here, we utilized an accelerometer and electrocardiogram incorporated within a digital medicine system, which also provides objective medication ingestion records, to explore markers of patient activity and investigate whether these markers of behavioral change are related to medication adherence. We developed an activity rhythm score to measure the consistency of step count patterns across the treatment regimen and explored the intensity of activity during active intervals. We then compared these activity features to ingestion behavior, both on a daily basis, using daily features and single-day ingestion behavior, and at the patient-level, using aggregate features and overall ingestion rates. Higher values of the single-day features for both the activity rhythm and activity intensity scores were associated with higher rates of ingestion on the following day. Patients with a mean activity rhythm score greater than the patient-level median were also shown to have higher overall ingestion rates than patients with lower activity rhythm scores (p = 0.004). These initial insights demonstrate the ability of digital medicine to enable the development of digital behavioral markers that can be compared to previously unavailable objective ingestion information to improve medication adherence.
Epitope-directed monoclonal antibody production using a mixed antigen cocktail facilitates antibody characterization and validation
Authors: Liew Oi Wah , Ling Samantha S. M. , Lilyanna Shera , Zhou Yue , Wang Peipei , Chong Jenny P. C. , Ng Yan Xia , Lim Angeline E. S. , Leong Eliot R. Y. , Lin Qifeng , Lim Teck Kwang , Lin Qingsong , Ng Enoch M. W. , Ng Tuck Wah , Richards A. Mark 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHigh quality, well-validated antibodies are needed to mitigate irreproducibility and clarify conflicting data in science. We describe an epitope-directed monoclonal antibody (mAb) production method that addresses issues of antibody quality, validation and utility. The workflow is illustrated by generating mAbs against multiple in silico-predicted epitopes on human ankyrin repeat domain 1 (hANKRD1) in a single hybridoma production cycle. Antigenic peptides (13–24 residues long) presented as three-copy inserts on the surface exposed loop of a thioredoxin carrier produced high affinity mAbs that are reactive to native and denatured hANKRD1. ELISA assay miniaturization afforded by novel DEXT microplates allowed rapid hybridoma screening with concomitant epitope identification. Antibodies against spatially distant sites on hANKRD1 facilitated validation schemes applicable to two-site ELISA, western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The use of short antigenic peptides of known sequence facilitated direct epitope mapping crucial for antibody characterization. This robust method motivates its ready adoption for other protein targets.
hReg-CNCC reconstructs a regulatory network in human cranial neural crest cells and annotates variants in a developmental context
Authors: Feng Zhanying , Duren Zhana , Xiong Ziyi , Wang Sijia , Liu Fan , Wong Wing Hung , Wang Yong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCranial Neural Crest Cells (CNCC) originate at the cephalic region from forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain, migrate into the developing craniofacial region, and subsequently differentiate into multiple cell types. The entire specification, delamination, migration, and differentiation process is highly regulated and abnormalities during this craniofacial development cause birth defects. To better understand the molecular networks underlying CNCC, we integrate paired gene expression & chromatin accessibility data and reconstruct the genome-wide human Regulatory network of CNCC (hReg-CNCC). Consensus optimization predicts high-quality regulations and reveals the architecture of upstream, core, and downstream transcription factors that are associated with functions of neural plate border, specification, and migration. hReg-CNCC allows us to annotate genetic variants of human facial GWAS and disease traits with associated cis-regulatory modules, transcription factors, and target genes. For example, we reveal the distal and combinatorial regulation of multiple SNPs to core TF ALX1 and associations to facial distances and cranial rare disease. In addition, hReg-CNCC connects the DNA sequence differences in evolution, such as ultra-conserved elements and human accelerated regions, with gene expression and phenotype. hReg-CNCC provides a valuable resource to interpret genetic variants as early as gastrulation during embryonic development. The network resources are available at https://github.com/AMSSwanglab/hReg-CNCC.
Biexcitons fine structure and non-equilibrium effects in transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers from first principles
Authors: Torche Abderrezak , Bester Gabriel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTransition metal dichalcogenides monolayers host strongly bounded Coulomb complexes such as exciton and trion due to charge confinement and screening reduction in two dimensions. Biexciton, a bound state of two electrons and two holes, has also been observed in these materials with a binding energy which is one order of magnitude larger than its counterpart in conventional semiconductors. Here, using first principles methods, we address the biexciton in WSe2 monolayer and unravel the important role of the electron-hole exchange interaction in dictating the valley character of biexciton states and their fine structure. In particular, the fundamental biexciton transition which is located between the exciton and trion peaks is shown to have a fine structure of 2.8 meV mainly due to the splitting of the dark exciton state under the intervalley electron-hole exchange interaction. Non equilibrium effects are also addressed and optical fingerprints of non-thermalized biexciton population are discussed.
Low NLRP3 expression predicts a better prognosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Feng , Wei Bo , Lan Tian , Xiao Yang , Quan Xin , Chen Jun , Zhao Chong , Gao Jinhang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation is a double-edged sword in tumorigenesis. Whether NLRP3 is involved in the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains elucidated and is the focus of the present study.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied on tissue microarray (TMA) to determine the expression of NLRP3 in CRC patients. All 100 patients were divided into the low NLRP3 group and the high NLRP3 group according to their NLRP3 IHC scoring. Additionally, CRC xenografts were established by injecting HCT116 or RKO cells subcutaneously into nude mice. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined in HCT116 cells after treatment with NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950.
Results: NLRP3 expression was up-regulated in colon adenocarcinoma tissues compared with that in paracancerous tissues in CRC patients, HCT116 xenograft, and RKO xenograft. High NLRP3 level correlated with the advanced TNM classification of malignant tumors, the occurrence of distant metastasis, vascular invasion, and positive lymph nodes. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that a high NLRP3 level was associated with a low 5-year survival rate and even a low 10-year survival rate. Moreover, the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model implied that NLRP3 expression level was an independent risk factor for CRC prognosis. Inhibition of NLRP3 by MCC950 suppressed cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and decreased mRNA levels of interleukin 1β (IL1β) and interleukin 18 (IL18) in HCT116 cells.
Conclusions: High level of NLRP3 predicts poor survival in CRC patients. NLRP3 is a putative prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in CRC treatments.
Finding a Voice for Individuals With ASD Who Are Minimally Verbal Through Comprehensive Communication Assessment
Authors: Lund Shelley K. , Weissling Kristy , Quach Wendy , McKelvey Miechelle 
Published: April 2021

Purpose
Many, but not all, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a difficult time communicating in conventional ways to express their decisions, preferences, and ideas. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can fulfill many purposes of communication and support a child to achieve maximal self-determination and agency. The goal of assessment is not to fit the child to a particular device or communication strategy—but rather to identify the strategies that enhance the child's strengths to maximize their independent communication and ultimately their ability to exert control over their world.

Method
Our method was to combine results from our scoping review of the research literature, observations of videos of AAC assessments being conducted by specialists, and interviews with AAC experts (Lund, Quach, Weissling, McKelvey, & Dietz, 2017) and use these combined sources to extract overlapping themes. Finally, we completed an expert review of the results to verify their validity.

Results
There are 11 areas, which we found through our research, that should be included when assessing the communication and language skills of children with ASD who are minimally verbal. They are communication needs, current communication skills, language, cognition, symbol representation, sensory perceptual skills, motor skills, literacy, behavior, preferences, and system features.

Conclusions
It is important to embrace agency and choice throughout the assessment process. Having access to communication through AAC can give children with ASD a voice not only to express their choices but also to increase their self-determination.
Observer‐based fuzzy adaptive control for MIMO nonlinear systems with non‐constant control gain and input delay
Authors: Zhao Jipeng , Tong Shaocheng , Li Yongming 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this work the fuzzy adaptive control issue is investigated for multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) uncertain nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form. The controlled systems under consideration of this work contain the immeasurable states, unknown control gain functions and input time delays. The immeasurable states are estimated by constructing a fuzzy state observer, and the uncertain nonlinear functions are approximated by utilizing the fuzzy logic systems (FLSs). In addition, the Pade approximation method is employed to handle the input time delays problem. An observer‐based fuzzy adaptive centralized control algorithm is presented by employing the adaptive backstepping control design technique and constructing the Logarithm Lyapunov functions. The designed fuzzy adaptive robust control algorithm can make sure that all signals in the closed‐loop system are semi‐globally uniformly ultimately boundedness (SGUUB). Finally, a numerical simulation example and a practical system example are considered to testify the availability of the designed centralized controllers.
Fault detection and classification of an HVDC transmission line using a heterogenous multi‐machine learning algorithm
Authors: Ghashghaei Saber , Akhbari Mahdi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a novel integrated multi‐Machine Learning (ML) system architecture for the protection of bipolar HVDC transmission line in which different ML models of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and K‐Nearest Neighbours (KNN) are used for fault detection and classification. The KNN fault type classifier is designed as a dual‐purpose module, which not only detects the fault type but also acts as a redundant module for unsure fault declaration from the startup unit. Gradients and standard deviations of DC current, voltage, harmonic current, and a correlation coefficient between the aerial and zero modes of DC current are appropriate feature vector extracted from single‐end signal measurement. Overall, 154 training cases and 53 main test cases are obtained by simulating various fault and non‐fault states on a 650 kV‐1000 km Current Source Converter (CSC)–HVDC using an EMTDC/PSCAD platform. The ML modules are trained in MATLAB and tested under different severe conditions with a total of 2220 test cases. Thanks to the appropriate feature vector and the proposed system architecture, the obtained results show that the proposed algorithm is effective enough to detect and distinguish a variety of internal faults and pseudo‐faults/external faults. Also, it needs low training data requirements.
A blind contour‐aware quality model for sonar images
Authors: Chen Weiling , Lin Rongfu , Zhang Rongxin , Zhu Yi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSince the penetration depth of visible light is limited in muddy and dark deep marine environment, sonar imaging, which is independent of natural light, has been attracting much attention in underwater detections. However, the visual quality of sonar image is inevitably damaged during the acquisition and the transmission in the sophisticated and dynamic underwater environment. The quality decrease can further bring negative impacts on oceanic information analysis. To measure the quality decrease of sonar images, this paper proposes a contour‐aware model for sonar image quality assessment (CaMSIQA). The CaMSIQA metric is established upon the conclusion that the quality of sonar images can be defined as a measure of their utilities in real application scenarios. We exploit a contour information statistic (CIS) model that is critical to object recognition of sonar images here. Quantifying the changes of the CIS model between the unimpaired and test sonar images makes it possible to perceive the quality decrease of sonar images. Extensive experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method compared with current mainstream image quality assessment (IQA) methods without full reference information.
Ultra‐low power TIA with variable bandwidth in 0.13 μm CMOS for short‐range optical interconnects
Authors: Nguyen Nga T. H. , Ukaegbu Ikechi A. , Sangirov Jamshid , Hashmi Mohammad 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn ultra‐low power and variable bandwidth transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for short‐range optical interconnects is presented here. The TIA is implemented in a 0.13m complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. To reduce the power consumption, the TIA is designed using a regulated cascade topology with capacitor degeneration for frequency enhancement and also operates in the weak inversion mode. With a supply voltage of the range 0.7–0.92 V, a reduced power consumption of 2.9–4.6 mW and a variable bandwidth of the range 3–4.9 GHz are achieved. Clear eye diagrams are obtained at 2.5–6.135 Gbps and a BER of less than 10−12 with input power of −4.3 to −3 dBm at 2.5–6.135 Gbps, respectively. Also, the TIA achieved a transimpedance gain of 51.2–52.4 dBΩ. The small‐sized chip occupied an area of 0.28 × 0.42 mm2 with pads and 0.1 × 0.1 mm2 without pads.
Resilienz in klinischen Populationen
Authors: Berndt Christina , Pfennig Andrea 
Published: April 2021

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGResilienz beschreibt den Prozess der Aufrechterhaltung und/oder kurzfristigen Wiederherstellung von Gesundheit nach Exposition mit einem Stressor. Resilienzforschende sind mit einer Vielzahl von Definitionen, Operationalisierungen und Messverfahren in Resilienzstudien konfrontiert. Die Untersuchung von Resilienzfaktoren und -mechanismen in klinischen Populationen birgt methodische Herausforderungen, verspricht jedoch, das Verständnis für die Entwicklung, Manifestation und den Verlauf psychischer Störungen zu vertiefen.Die Autorinnen diskutieren konzeptuelle Überlegungen und deren Implikationen für die Resilienzforschung in klinischen Populationen. Hier liegt der Fokus auf der Erfassung von Gesundheitsmarkern bereits vor Auftreten (spezifischer) Stressoren, um konzeptuelle Verlaufshypothesen in klinischen Populationen zu prüfen. In Zukunft sind prospektive, longitudinale Studien notwendig, welche die dynamischen und prozessualen Veränderungen psychischer Gesundheit in Reaktionen auf evidente Risikofaktoren und Stressoren abbilden und mittels innovativer Analysemethoden untersuchen. Empirisch gewonnene Ansätze für Prävention und Intervention werden die Erhaltung von Lebensqualität, Wohlbefinden, psychosozialem und beruflichem Funktionsvermögen angesichts psychischer Stressoren fokussieren.
Magnesium verbessert Vitamin-D-Konzentration bei älteren Hypertonikern
Authors: Kisters Klaus , Kisters Lukas , Werner Tanja Verena , Gröber Uwe 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungMagnesiummangel verursacht neben zahlreichen weiteren Symptomen über die Steigerung von Gefäßtonus und Gefäßreaktivität einen Blutdruckanstieg. Eine optimale Magnesiumversorgung kann zur Prävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen beitragen. In einer Untersuchung an älteren Hypertonikern bewirkte eine Therapie mit täglich 400 mg Magnesiumcitrat neben der Blutdrucksenkung eine signifikante Verbesserung des Vitamin-D-Status.
COVID-19: Mit ω-3 die physiologische Resilienz steigern
Authors: Gröber Uwe 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungEin Mangel an den ω-3-Fettsäuren Eicosapentaensäure und Docosahexaensäure betrifft weltweit über 1 Mrd. Menschen. EPA und DHA besitzen endothel-, epithel-, kardio- sowie neuroprotektive Eigenschaften und entfalten auf mehreren Ebenen positive Wirkungen im Infektionsgeschehen. Neben der Steigerung der Immunität u. a. durch erhöhte Bildung von Neutrophilen greifen sie in die Inflammation ein. Die Hemmung des NLRP3-Inflammosoms verhindert einen Zytokinsturm, der zu schwersten systemischen Entzündungen mit tödlichem Ausgang führen kann. Besonders aus DHA werden entzündungsauflösende Lipidmediatoren gebildet, die für die Beendigung von Entzündungen wichtig sind. Eine aktuelle Pilotstudie zeigt ein erhöhtes COVID-19-Sterberisiko bei niedrigem ω-3-Index.