Computer Search Research Articles

Predicting CRISPR-Cas12a guide efficiency for targeting using machine learning.

Genome editing through the development of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat)-Cas technology has revolutionized many fields in biology. Beyond Cas9 nucleases, Cas12a (formerly Cpf1) has emerged as a promising alternative to Cas9 for editing AT-rich genomes. Despite the promises, guide RNA efficiency prediction through computational tools search still lacks accuracy. Through a computational meta-analysis, here we report that Cas12a target and off-target cleavage behavior are a factor of nucleotide bias combined with nucleotide mismatches relative to the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) site. These features helped to train a Random Forest machine learning model to improve the accuracy by at least 15% over existing algorithms to predict guide RNA efficiency for the Cas12a enzyme. Despite the progresses, our report underscores the need for more representative datasets and further benchmarking to reliably and accurately predict guide RNA efficiency and off-target effects for Cas12a enzymes.

Hybrid approach for virtual machine allocation in cloud computing

In this manuscript, a Combined Approach of Generalized Backtracking Regularized Adaptive Matching Pursuit Algorithm and Adaptive β-Hill Climbing Algorithm for Virtual Machine Allocation in Cloud Computing (BA-VMA-CC) is proposed. Generalized Backtracking Regularized Adaptive Matching Pursuit Algorithm (GBRAMP) is used for Virtual Machine (VM) Migration process and Adaptive β-Hill Climbing Algorithm is used to Virtual Machine Placement. These two tasks are essential elements of VM allocation. GBRAMP is used to minimize cost and energy for both cloud service providers and users with help of migration process and to save time and energy. Adaptive β-Hill Climbing Algorithm (AβHCA) is employed for maximizing efficiency, minimizing power consumption and resource wastage. By Combining both GBRAMPA-AβHCA VM is optimally allocated in PM with high efficiency by minimizing cost and energy consumptions. The proposed BA-VMA-CC is implemented in MATLAB platform. The performance of proposed method attains 23.84 %, 28.94 %, 33.94 % lower energy consumption, 28.94 %, 34.95 %, 25.36 % lower CPU utilization is analyzed with existing methods, such as sine cosine with ant lion optimization for VM allocation in Cloud Computing (SCA-ALO-VMA-CC), hybrid distinct multiple object whale optimization and multi-verse optimization for VM allocation in Cloud Computing (DMOWOA-MVO-VMA-CC) and Cuckoo search optimization algorithm and particle swarm optimization algorithm (CSO-PSO-VMA-CC) respectively.

A variable neighborhood search heuristic for real-time barge scheduling in a river-to-sea channel with tidal restrictions

The scheduling of barge transportation in narrow channels is critical to transportation efficiency, especially when the tide exists and affects the channel navigation of barges. Barge movements in channels are frequently correlated with other activities (e.g., berth allocation) and must thus be considered concurrently. To enhance transportation efficiency, effective scheduling algorithms are required. In this study, we examine the barge scheduling problem arising from a river-to-sea channel with tidal restrictions in the real world, where barges’ loading and unloading operations are placed at both ends of the navigation channel and must be planned and coordinated with their channel movements. To reduce the overall completion time for all barges, we develop a mixed integer linear programming model with several valid inequalities. To satisfy the second-level computational efficiency requirement, a straightforward yet efficient variable neighborhood search algorithm is proposed. Real-world case studies based on a barge transportation project in Boffa, Guinea are conducted. It is demonstrated that the proposed approach is applicable for efficient decision-making and effective in assisting barges to avoid missing feasible tide windows by slightly altering the first-come-first-serve schedule of the barges. With the proposed approach, the size and speed of the barge fleet can be optimized, and the tidal influence is also evaluated quantitatively.

Improved bound for the Gerver-Ramsey collinearity problem

Let S be a finite subset of Zn. A vector sequence (zi) is an S-walk if and only if zi+1−zi is an element of S for all i. Gerver and Ramsey showed in 1979 that for S⊂Z3 there exists an infinite S-walk in which no 511+1=48,828,126 points are collinear. Here, we use the same general approach, but with the aid of a computer search, to improve the bound to 189.

Effect of different interventions on the efficacy of postpartum urinary incontinence in China: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Currently, numerous treatment measures exist for postpartum stress urinary incontinence (PSUI); however, the study results are inconsistent. Computer searches of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CKNI, and Wanfang databases were conducted to search the literature on 13 different intervention modalities for PSUI from the date of establishment to January 2023 for analysis. The literature was independently screened, and the information was extracted by 2 researchers. A reticulated meta-analysis was conducted using Stata software. The findings of the reticulated meta-analysis revealed that, in terms of the effectiveness of the 13 interventions for treating PSUI from highest to lowest, the most effective was acupressure + pelvic floor muscle training (94.6%). Following this, the interventions ranked from best to worst were electroacupuncture + trans moxibustion (79.1%), pelvic floor muscle training + acupuncture (64.3%), pelvic floor muscle training + pelvic floor electrical stimulation (60.3%), biofeedback electrical stimulation + acupuncture (60.0%), pelvic floor muscle training + biofeedback electrical stimulation (59.8%), biofeedback electrical stimulation + acupuncture + herbal hot compresses (56.6%), moxibustion + pelvic floor muscle training (56.6%), pelvic floor muscle training + pelvic floor electrical stimulation + acupuncture (53.1%), biofeedback electrical stimulation + moxibustion (52.1%), pelvic floor muscle training (17.6%), biofeedback electrical stimulation (16.1%), and health coaching (0.2%). The evidence indicates that acupressure + pelvic floor muscle training may be the most effective intervention for treating PSUI occurrence. Improvement in 13 clinical indicators was observed in patients with PSUI, and significant enhancement was achieved through acupressure + pelvic floor muscle training.

Role of albumin-induced volume expansion therapy for cerebral vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic review.

This study reviews the effect of albumin-induced volume expansion therapy on symptomatic vasospasm and clinical outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Computer searches carried out from the Scopus, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Internet documents; hand searching of medical journals; and review of reference lists. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies (OSs) comparing albumin therapy in combination or alone with crystalloid therapy for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm in aSAH were included in the study. Risk-of-bias assessment was conducted using ROB2.0 and ROBINS-I tools for RCTs and Oss, respectively. Out of a total of 1078 searches, one RCT (published in two articles) and one observational (retrospective) study were included for final analysis. In RCT, albumin was used for volume expansion therapy with a baseline crystalloid regime and comparison made between hypervolemic and normovolemic groups and it showed no beneficial effects on symptomatic vasospasm and clinical outcomes based on the Glasgow outcome scale. Furthermore, the use of albumin showed a tendency for sodium retention with lowering of glomerular filtration rate, limiting the amount of total fluid required for targeted central venous pressure values, and thereby avoiding fluid overload manifestations. The retrospective study results between albumin versus non-albumin groups (crystalloids only) supported improved outcomes in the former group with lower in-hospital mortality. Cardiorespiratory complications were equivocal in RCT and increased in non-albumin group in the retrospective study. Risk-of-bias assessment analyses revealed "some concerns" in RCT and "serious" limitation in OS due to its retrospective design. Albumin-induced volume expansion therapy for cerebral vasospasm does not have substantiative evidence to improve cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcomes in aSAH. Studies with well-designed RCTs are required to compare the use of albumin for volume expansion therapy versus standard fluid management using crystalloids to mitigate the scarcity of published data.

Percussion teaching on students’ anxiety disorders under the cultivation of a healthy personality

Background Anxiety disorder, also known as anxiety neurosis, is a common neurological disorder in clinical practice, characterized by anxiety, and can be divided into two forms: generalized anxiety and panic attacks. With the continuous development of society, college students are facing pressure from various aspects such as family, school, and society, and the phenomenon of suffering from anxiety disorder is becoming increasingly common.Subjects and MethodsThe study used computer searches on databases such as Pub Med, EMBase, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to obtain treatment data on anxiety disorders among college students. Thirty college students with anxiety disorder were selected and divided into a percussion teaching group, a placebo resistance group, and a control group for a two-month experiment, using Rev Man 5 20 software to perform a meta-analysis on various indicators.Results According to the results of the meta-analysis, the effectiveness of percussion teaching in treating anxiety disorder in students is equivalent to that of a placebo, with no statistically significant difference (RR=0 97,95% CI=0. 90-1 05, P=0.5). Significantly higher than the lack of mathematical teaching model reform, with a statistically significant difference (RR=1 26,95% CI=1.07-1 49, P=0.006).ConclusionsCollege students’ anxiety disorder is an important factor affecting their mental health, and effective measures and timely intervention and treatment are urgently needed. Based on the perspective of healthy personality cultivation, the study of the impact of percussion teaching on college students’ anxiety disorder is of great significance for the comprehensive development of college students’ physical and mental health.AcknowledgementThe arrangement and research of Tianjin folk percussion music, Ministry of Education, Humanities and Social Science research project of Tianjin (No.2020SK043).

Orthogonal designs for computer experiments constructed from sequences with zero autocorrelation

Designs for computer experiments constitute an important class of experimental designs. Computer experiments are used when the physical experiments are expensive or time-consuming and attracted a lot of attention in recent years. In this paper, we proposed a method for generating computer experiments with many factors and symmetric runs. These designs are suitable for computer experiments and are constructed using known sequences with zero autocorrelation function, such as T-sequences, Bases sequences, Normal sequences, and other. The results appear to be encouraging as the methodologies can transform the known sequences into designs for computer experiments without the need for a computer search. The generated designs have some favorable properties, including the symmetry in their runs which results in all the even orders effects being orthogonal to the main effects.

Effect of timing of administration on lipid-lowering efficacy of statins-meta-analysis.

To investigate the effect of timing of statin administration on lipid-lowering efficacy. Computer searches of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from 1986 to 2023. The impact of administration time on the lipid-lowering efficacy of statin drugs was investigated. Following a series of screenings, a funnel plot was constructed to assess its symmetry, and Egger and Beggar tests were conducted using StataMP-64 to evaluate publication bias. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 to combine MD values. Fifteen papers (1352 participants) met and included the criteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the effect of morning and evening administration time on plasma triglycerides (TG) (P > 0.05) and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P > 0.05) was not statistically significant. There were significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) (MD: 0.15mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.06-0.23, P < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD: 0.10mmol/L, 95% CI: - 0.00-0.20, P < 0.01) in the night group. According to the analysis results of the half-life of statins, only short half-life statins showed that nocturnal administration reduced LDL-C (MD: 0.21mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.09-0.33, P < 0.01) and TC (MD: 0.32mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.18-0.46, P < 0.01) levels and was better than morning administration. Long half-life statins did not show significant differences. In addition, the administration time of short half-life statins also showed that night administration tended to reduce TG (MD: 0.16mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.02-0.30, P < 0.05) levels. In subgroup analysis according to clinical factors in patients aged < 55years, there was no significant difference in the timing of administration between the two groups; the efficacy of statins in lowering lipids in patients aged ≥ 55years was significantly different in the TC group (P < 0.01) and LDL-C group (P < 0.01). The administration time of the TC group (P < 0.05) and LDL-C group (P < 0.05) in the Americas, Europe, and Asian groups was significantly different for statins. In addition, the American group also showed that the administration time of the two groups was significantly different from the TG group (P < 0.05). The efficacy of administering short half-life statin drugs at night in reducing plasma levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG surpasses that of morning administration. However, this study did not determine the impact of timing of statin administration in patients taking long half-life statins on the efficacy of the medication. Therefore, it is recommended to consider patient adherence when. The study was registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) as CRD42022372105 (available at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ ).

Feature Selection Based on Unsupervised Clustering Mechanism on Multiple-Sequence MRIs for Predicting Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Accurate response prediction allows for personalized cancer management. We developed an unsupervised clustering mechanism to improve effectiveness and efficiency in feature selection operation for accurate patient stratification. Forty-three locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation were included, pre-treatment T2 and ADC MRIs were acquired for each patient. An initial feature space consisting of 200 radiomic features extracted from manually delineated GTVs from two sequences of MR images. Additional 960 high-order radiomic features extracted from a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN). To remove redundant and irrelevant features, we developed an unsupervised clustering-based feature selection operation to determine the combination of features with potential best performance. The normal process of feature selection involves searching new feature combinations and training new classifiers for evaluating their performance via an iterative process based on selected feature set, the overall time cost is tremendous. To balance the computational cost and search efficiency, firstly, we proposed an unsupervised clustering analysis metric- Comprehensive Cluster Analysis Index (CCAI) through the K-means algorithm, where the average distances between the sample points and the cluster centroids and so on, to construct a multiple linear regression model. Secondly, we extracted sample points by varying the number of features and feature ratios between radiomic features and 3D-CNN features in the output of feature selection. Thirdly, we optimized the model using the sampling points to calculate the CCAI. Two typical feature combination search algorithms, the random forest recursive feature elimination (RF-RFE) and the differential evolution (DE), were used to perform feature selection with CCAI. The accuracy, area-under-curve (AUC) and specificity, based on combined 3D-CNN and radiomic features extracted from combined T2 and ADC images, were 0.852, 0.871, and 0.735, respectively. Our experiments illustrated higher predictive power (AUC = 0.846) based on high-order abstract features extracted from the CNN on ADC and T2 images, compared to the traditional radiomic model (AUC = 0.714). Additionally, the predictive models constructed based on radiomics and CNN features extracted from ADC images were more predictable in terms of treatment responses than the radiomic and CNN imaging features extracted from T2 images. The average computational time of DE and RF-RFE were 50.5s and 128.6s in one single computation, the average computational time were 24.2s and 91.3s with CCAI, respectively. We proposed an unsupervised clustering analysis mechanism to improve the effectiveness of feature selection while decreasing its time cost markedly, which highlight the correlation and complementarity between low- and high-level imaging features, achieving better predictive accuracy.

Effectiveness of virtual reality in nursing education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR) has shown significant potential in transforming nursing education by providing immersive and interactive learning experiences. Our objective is to systematically evaluate and conduct a meta-analysizes on the impact effect of virtual reality technology in teaching nursing students.MethodsTo achieve this, we conducted comprehensive computer searches on platforms including of PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Zhiwang database, Wanfang database, and China Biomedical Literature Service (SinoMed), were conducted to collect randomized controlled trial studies on the use of virtual reality’s technology for teaching nursing students built up to until March 2023., and the Cochrane Furthermore, the quality of the included literature was assessed evaluated using the quality evaluation criteria specified for randomized controlled trial studies within the Cochrane provided in the evaluation handbook manual. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.ResultsThe aggregate outcomes from a total of 12 randomized controlled trials, encompassing including 1167 students, indicate were included. Meta-analysis results showed that virtual reality technology significantly enhances could better improve nursing students’’ theoretical knowledge [(SMD = 0.97, 95% CI [0.48, 1.46], p < 0.001)], practical skills (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 1.46], p < 0.001), skill retention, (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 0.71], p < 0.001), and satisfaction levels (SMD = 1.14, 95% CI [0.85, 1.43], p < 0.001), in comparison with traditional or alternative teaching methodologies. However, no statistically significant impact was observed on the enhancement of critical thinking skills (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI [-0.05, 1.64], p = 0.07) among nursing students.ConclusionOur findings underscore that compared to conventional teaching methods, virtual reality offers superior potential in advancing nursing students’ theoretical knowledge, practice proficiencies, and overall satisfaction, while not yielding a significant advantage in enhancing critical thinking skills. The incorporated literature consisted exclusively of randomized controlled trials, albeit a subset of these studies omitted descriptions of the allocation concealment strategy.

Quantum chemical exploration of the binding motifs and binding energies of neutral molecules, radicals and ions with small water clusters: characterisation and astrochemical implications

ABSTRACT Accurate binding energies of molecules to water clusters are relevant for understanding intermolecular interactions and various chemical applications. They enter models of interstellar chemical processes, as binding to icy grains influences surface reactions and thus affects calculated gas-phase abundances. Unfortunately, many astrochemical molecules (especially radicals and ions) are incompletely characterised in these models. To address this, we report computational searches for optimal structures and benchmark binding and condensation energies for sets of neutral, radical, cationic, and anionic molecules of astrochemical relevance with clusters of N = 1 − 4 water molecules. These calculations utilised reliable density functionals for geometry optimisation, and coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) single point calculations with large basis sets. Four energetic binding motifs (weak, intermediate, strong or covalently bonded) were observed depending on the chemical nature of the guest molecule. Neutral closed and open-shell molecules with strong dipoles and a greater potential for hydrogen bonding are more tightly bound to water clusters compared to non-polar ones. For closed-shell cationic and anionic species, barrier-less reactions with water clusters occur, which reveals radical-free routes to molecular processing in the gas phase and on amorphous ice surfaces.

Optimal placement of sensors to enhance degrees of freedom in monostatic collocated MIMO radar

Compared to the traditional monostatic MIMO radar which uses uniform linear arrays (ULAs) for transmitting and receiving signals, sparse linear arrays (SLAs) monostatic MIMO radars can achieve greater Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) and a higher resolution. The optimal placement of sensors in both transmit and receive arrays to attain the maximum DOF is, however, a basic problem in the collocated monostatic MIMO radar. Optimum solution of such a problem is restricted to an exhaustive computer search. Some popular arrays such as nested and coprime arrays have been previously proposed as alternative solutions that can achieve a good DOF, but they do not necessarily lead to the maximum one. In this paper at first, we formulate the optimal placement of sensors in the collocated monostatic MIMO radar to improve the sum coarray as well as the difference coarray of the sum coarray. After that, we present a mathematical framework to achieve the optimal solution for both problems. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed method yields the optimal MR-MIMO array while demanding much less computational complexity as compared with the computer search.

Toward Optimized and Cost-Efficient Protocols for Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling in the Diagnosis of Cushing Disease.

Conventional protocols for inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) during the workup of hypercortisolemia require adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) measurement at multiple time points with corticotropic-releasing hormone (CRH) used as a stimulator. Modernized evidence-based protocols must also reflect the increased utilization of desmopressin (DDAVP) for ACTH stimulation as the manufacturing shortage of traditionally used CRH continues. We model the diagnostic accuracy and potential economic savings of DDAVP utilization and reduced time point sampling. A single-institution, retrospective review of patients undergoing IPSS between 2007 and 2021 was performed. A computational search for the minimal set of time points which preserves conventional diagnostic accuracy was performed by testing all 1 through 5-point combinations generated using a binomial expansion. Economic savings were modeled using a publicly available hospital chargemaster. A total of 50 patients qualified for inclusion, 47 of whom were diagnosed with Cushing disease and 3 with ectopic Cushing syndrome. Single-point diagnostic accuracy for DDAVP-stimulated tests was 71.4%-92.9%, and seven 2-point combinations (5-25 procedural minutes) were found, which preserved conventional diagnostic accuracy. Single-point accuracy for CRH-stimulated tests was 67.9%-89.3%, and two 2-point combinations ( t = -15, t = +2 and t = -15, t = +10) preserved accuracy. For every time point removed, the cost of ACTH laboratory tests was reduced by $507 from $3042 for 6-point IPSS). The shortest and most economical stimulator and time point combination that preserved conventional accuracy was DDAVP sampling at t = 0 and t = +5 or t = +2 and t = +5 minutes, which cost $2028 total compared with the most expensive 6-point IPSS option with CRH ($6392). DDAVP is a cost-efficient and effective alternative to CRH during IPSS. Our results encourage prospective evaluation of potentially fewer sampling time points in the interest of time and cost efficiency balanced with preserved accuracy.

Evolutionary conservation of an ancient retroviral gagpol gene in Artiodactyla.

The genomes of mammals contain fingerprints of past infections by ancient retroviruses that invaded the germline of their ancestors. Most of these endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) contain only remnants of the original retrovirus; however, on rare occasions, ERV genes can be co-opted for a beneficial host function. While most studies of co-opted ERVs have focused on envelope genes, including the syncytins that function in placentation, there are examples of co-opted gag genes including one we recently discovered in simian primates. Here, we searched for other intact gag genes in non-primate mammalian lineages. We began by examining the genomes of extant camel species, which represent a basal lineage in the order Artiodactyla. This identified a gagpol gene with a large open reading frame (ORF) (>3,500 bp) in the same orthologous location in Artiodactyla species but that is absent in other mammals. Thus, this ERV was fixed in the common ancestor of all Artiodactyla at least 64 million years ago. The amino acid sequence of this gene, termed ARTgagpol, contains recognizable matrix, capsid, nucleocapsid, and reverse transcriptase domains in ruminants, with an RNase H domain in camels and pigs. Phylogenetic analysis and structural prediction of its reverse transcriptase and RNase H domains groups ARTgagpol with gammaretroviruses. Transcriptomic analysis shows ARTgagpol expression in multiple tissues suggestive of a co-opted host function. These findings identify the oldest and largest ERV-derived gagpol gene with an intact ORF in mammals, an intriguing milestone in the co-evolution of mammals and retroviruses. IMPORTANCE Retroviruses are unique among viruses that infect animals as they integrate their reverse-transcribed double-stranded DNA into host chromosomes. When this happens in a germline cell, such as sperm, egg, or their precursors, the integrated retroviral copies can be passed on to the next generation as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). On rare occasions, the genes of these ERVs can be domesticated by the host. In this study we used computational similarity searches to identify an ancient ERV with an intact viral gagpol gene in the genomes of camels that is also found in the same genomic location in other even-toed ungulates suggesting that it is at least 64 million years old. Broad tissue expression and predicted preservation of the reverse transcriptase fold of this protein suggest that it may be domesticated for a host function. This is the oldest known intact gagpol gene of an ancient retrovirus in mammals.

ChecMatE: A workflow package to automatically generate machine learning potentials and phase diagrams for semiconductor alloys.

Semiconductor alloy materials are highly versatile due to their adjustable properties; however, exploring their structural space is a challenging task that affects the control of their properties. Traditional methods rely on adhoc design based on the understanding of known chemistry and crystallography, which have limitations in computational efficiency and search space. In this work, we present ChecMatE (Chemical Material Explorer), a software package that automatically generates machine learning potentials (MLPs) and uses global search algorithms to screen semiconductor alloy materials. Taking advantage of MLPs, ChecMatE enables a more efficient and cost-effective exploration of the structural space of materials and predicts their energy and relative stability with abinitio accuracy. We demonstrate the efficacy of ChecMatE through a case study of the InxGa1-xN system, where it accelerates structural exploration at reduced costs. Our automatic framework offers a promising solution to the challenging task of exploring the structural space of semiconductor alloy materials.

Computational search for efficient single-photon emitters among the substitutional doping defects in two-dimensional GaSe

Single photon emitters (SPE) in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum range are critical elements in quantum communication technology. We apply here computational methods to reveal local defects in the GaSe monolayer with properties favorable for such SPEs. Based on an educated guess, we selected twelve defects YX in GaSe, where the Y dopant substitutes the X host atom, X = Ga or Se, and Y = C, Si, Ge, N, P, or As. Our calculations show that two defects, NGa, and PGa, are dynamically unstable. For the remaining defects, we apply the linear response GW method and Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) to calculate the electronic structure and optical excitation spectra. Some defects are found to have two sharp peaks (occupied and unoccupied) of the density of the electronic states within the band gap. The NSe-, PSe-, and AsSe-defects have intense sharp an optical excitation peak at energies around 0.8 eV (λ = 1550 nm). Analysis of the formation of the BSE eigenstates associated with these peaks suggests that these excitations can cause a narrow zero-phonon line emission. We thus propose the NSe-, PSe-, and AsSe-defects in the GaSe monolayer as promising SPE in NIR region.

Postoperative Oral Iodine-131 Combined with Nutritional Management for the Management of Thyroid Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Iodine nutrition plays a central role in the normal physiological function of the thyroid gland, and it is a major factor in thyroid hormone synthesis. A meta-analysis was used to measure the efficacy of oral iodine-131 combined with nutritional management in thyroid cancer patients after surgery. Computer searches were conducted on various databases, with the search time limited to January 2011 to December 2021, and the literature retrieved was limited to randomized controlled trials. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed for the included literature, and meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 9 literatures were obtained, all in English, with a sample size of 10,219 cases, containing 6,845 cases in the study group (oral iodine-131 + nutritional management) together with 3,374 cases in the control group (oral iodine-131 alone). The study group received oral administration of iodine-131 and nutritional management (low-iodine diet). The outcomes of the meta-analysis revealed that the clinical symptoms of thyroid cancer patients were improved after oral administration of iodine-131 after surgery. No statistical differences could be observed in the incidence of adverse reactions, recurrence rate, or metastasis rate of outcome indicators. To sum up, oral administration of iodine-131 combined with nutritional management has certain clinical effects in patients with thyroid cancer after surgery, but due to the limited literature included and low data quality, the conclusions of this study still need to be further verified.

Effects of mind-body exercise on cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis study.

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of physical and mental exercise on cognitive performance in middle-aged people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Computer searches of PubMed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biomedical Literature Service, Wanfang database, China Knowledge Network, and VIP full-text database of Veep journals were conducted to obtain clinical randomized controlled trials on physical and mental exercise interventions in middle-aged and elderly people with MCI. The literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the final included literature was subjected to data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software, and publication bias test was performed using stata17.0 software. A total of 27 publications with a total of 2565 cases of elderly people with MCI were included. The control group was conventional care, health education, or blank control, and the physical and mental exercise group was exercises including Tai Chi, dance, orthopraxia, and qigong for 30 to 90 minutes each time, 3 to 6 times per week, for a total duration of 8 to 36 weeks. Meta-analysis results showed that Montreal cognitive assessment scores (mean difference [MD] = 2.33, 95% CI [1.55, 3.10], P < .00001), the mini-mental state examination score (MD = 1.73, 95% CI [0.60, 2.86], P = .003), trail making test-A score (MD = -4.00, 95% CI [-6.75, -1.25], P = .004), trail making test-B score (MD = -18.46, 95% CI [-23.87, -13.06], P < .00001), global deterioration scale score (MD = -0.72, 95% CI [-1.09, -0.34], P = .0002), Wechsler Logical Memory Scale score (MD = 2.07, 95% CI [0.03, 4.10], P = .05), berg score (MD = -0.70, 95% CI [0.32, 1.07], P < .0003), cerebrospinal fluid Tau protein level (MD = -166.69, 95% CI [-196.93, -136.45], P < .00001), and cerebrospinal fluid levels of αβ1-42 protein (MD = 180.39, 95% CI [134.24, 226.55], P < .00001). Mind-body exercise can improve cognitive performance, depressive status, and balance as well as increase αβ1-42 protein levels and decrease Tau protein levels in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Mechanism Exploration of Environmental Pollutants on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

As a public health problem, premature ovarian insufficiency leads to infertility or sub-fertility. In addition to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) increases the lifetime risk of bone fragility, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment. To investigate the effects of environmental pollutants on the occurrence of POI and explore its mechanism, we conducted a computer search for articles published in electronic databases by December 13, 2022. Three reviewers independently examined all included studies and scored the qualities of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria. In this meta-analysis, eight clinical studies as well as ten preclinical findings showed a pooled OR of 2.331 and 95% CI of 1.968-2.760. This confirms that environmental pollutants, including POPs, heavy metals, PAEs, PAHs, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, and cigarette smoke, are indeed significant risk factors for POI. In addition, it is demonstrated from the results of this study that signaling pathway of calcium and PI3K Akt and Xpnpep2, Col1, Col3, Col4, Cx43, Egr3, Tff1, and Ptgs2 genes may all be involved in the process. Environmental pollutants, including POPs, heavy metals, PAEs, PAHs, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, and cigarette smoke, are indeed significant risk factors for POI.