bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leitura em foco: estratégias de produção e consumo de produtos editoriais no Brasil
Authors: Antonacci Andréa
Published: March 2021

Dos produtos comunicacionais, o livro e a leitura são os que historicamente acabam por merecer menor atenção de investigadores da área. Esse cenário tem mudado com o já consolidado grupo de pesquisa da Intercom (Sociedade Brasileira de Estudos Interdisciplinares da Comunicação), que desde 1994 é destinado aos estudos das produções editoriais e sua recepção. A obra aqui resenhada, Edição: agentes e objetos, organizada por Ana Cláudia Gruszynski, Bruno Guimarães Martins e Márcio Souza Gonçalves, é resultado de investigações capitaneadas por profissionais desse time de pesquisadores, propondo investigações acuradas e reflexões profícuas sobre o universo da leitura e do leitor no Brasil.
princípio da insignificância e a improbidade administrativa
Authors: De Almeida Pedro Luiz Ferreira
Published: March 2021

O artigo trata da possibilidade de aplicação do princípio da insignificância, originalmente previsto no Direito penal, no âmbito da responsabilização por ato de improbidade administrativa. Para tanto, é feita uma análise abordando o conceito do termo princípio jurídico e sua acepção sob a perspectiva dos penalistas e como o princípio da insignificância foi construído e aplicado no Direito penal. Posteriormente, é feita uma análise sobre o regime jurídico da improbidade, abordando a sua finalidade, princípios aplicáveis e características. Ao final, verificaremos se as características que permitem a existência do princípio da insignificância no Direito penal também existem na improbidade administrativa.
Abstract P243: Identifying Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Through Administrative Data: Icd-10 Case Ascertainment Depends on Clinical Context
Authors: Zhou Lily W , Yu Amy Ying Xin , Hall William , Hill Michael D , Field Thalia S
Published: March 2021

Background:
Recent reported population-based rates of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) are higher than in older studies, though the context of these diagnoses is not well-defined. To better understand these trends, we examined the accuracy of
administrative codes
(
ICD-10
) for CVT in different clinical scenarios.

Methods:
Cases of CVT presenting to a tertiary center between 2008-2018 were identified in two ways: free text search through all hospital electronic radiology reports regardless of modality and body part and any ICD-10 discharge codes (see Table 1). Electronic medical records were reviewed to verify diagnoses of CVT and their clinical context (Figure 1) to calculated Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of ICD-10 codes. Additionally, sensitivities of ICD-10 codes were calculated against all CVTs identified using either searches that were verified on chart review as the gold standard.

Results:
There were 289 confirmed cases: 239 new diagnoses, 204 of which were acute events. Only 75 cases (37%) were new, symptomatic CVTs not provoked by trauma or structural processes. Sensitivity and PPV for ICD-10 codes depending on clinical context is reported in Table 1.

Conclusion:
The majority of CVT identified at our institution were incidentally diagnosed in context of intracranial processes such as trauma, surgery, infection, or masses; 37% were symptomatic, non-structural incident diagnoses. Our findings have implications in interpreting CVT rates identified through administrative data, as the management and prognosis of CVT may differ based on clinical context.
Abstract P521: Effect of Endovascular Thrombectomy on Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion in the Escape Trial
Authors: Joundi Raed A , GOYAL MAYANK , Demchuk Andrew M , Dowlatshahi Dar , Poppe Alexandre Y , Williams David , Mandzia Jennifer L , Buck Brian H , Jadhav Ashutosh , Pikula Aleksandra , MENON Bijoy K , Field Thalia S , Smith Eric E , Hill Michael D
Published: March 2021

Background:
Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) improves 90-day disability in patients following acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. However, the effect of EVT on health-related quality of life and specific functional domains, and whether this effect differs by age or sex is less studied.

Methods:
We used data from the ESCAPE randomized controlled trial to obtain EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D) at 90 days after acute stroke in patients randomized to EVT or standard care. Death was assigned an index value of 0 for EQ-5D. We used quantile regression to evaluate the association between EVT and EQ-5D index scores, and logistic regression for the association between EVT and symptom-free status among 90-day survivors for each EQ-5D dimension (self-care, usual activities, mobility, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), assessing for modification by age or sex and adjusting for baseline factors including stroke severity, affected hemisphere, and receipt of alteplase.

Results:
There were 165 patients randomized to EVT and 150 patients randomized to control. Median EQ-5D was significantly higher for those who received EVT (0.80 versus 0.60; p<0.001). There was evidence of modification by age with older age associated with greater improvements in EQ-5D with EVT (Figure). Those receiving EVT had higher odds of symptom-free status in self-care, usual activities, mobility for those aged 60-79, and pain/discomfort for women, with no association with anxiety/depression (Table).

Conclusions:
EVT substantially improves health-related quality of life, with relatively greater impact in older individuals and observed benefit across multiple dimensions.
The Legal Innovations of the Pentateuchal Tithe Laws
Authors: Fuad Chelcent
Published: March 2021

This article analyzes the relationship between the pentateuchal tithe laws in Lev 27:30–33; Num 18:21–32, and Deut 14:22–29 from a literary perspective and finds that (1) Lev 27:30–33 is the oldest tithe law in the Pentateuch that may have been the common source of the other pentateuchal tithe laws, (2) the tithe law in Num 18:21–32 may have been literarily dependent upon the tithe law in Deut 14:22–29, (3) the purpose of the legal revision of the pentateuchal tithe laws was to replace rather than to supplement the older legislation, and (4) the tithe law in Lev 27:30–33 may have been a product of the Priestly School, whereas the tithe law in Num 18:21–32 may have stemmed from the Holiness School albeit from a later stratum than H proper (Lev 17–26).
Ich und mein König: Ps 45 als Ausdruck israelitischer Herrschaftsideologie und schreiberlichen Selbstbewusstseins
Authors: Ueberschaer Frank
Published: March 2021

This article investigates the different stages in the formation of Ps 45 and will point out their purposes by analyzing the acting characters, their positions, and their relationships. The study will suggest a new understanding of שגל and emphasize the importance of the frame with the opening verses and closing remarks, thus gaining a new approach to understanding Ps 45 as both an expression of royal ideology and of scribal self-confidence.
The Evolution of the Israeli Third Sector: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis
Authors: Calipha Rachel , Gidron Benjamin
Published: March 2021

The expansion and development of the nonprofit sector worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s did not bypass Israel, and, as in other countries, sparked an interest for study to uncover its characteristics and major features.

The Israeli population—both Jewish and Arab—has a rich tradition of voluntaristic activity on the individual as well as on the collective (organizational) levels, mostly in the communal context. The modern welfare state created new opportunities and new challenges for such activity within the broad framework of the nonprofit sector.

This article aims to review the development of the nonprofit sector in Israel and analyze it within existing nonprofit theories. It takes a historical perspective in looking at its evolution, in light of political, social, ideological, and economic changes in the world and in the country. It discusses the development of policy and government involvement on the one hand and the unique features of Israeli philanthropy, both Jewish and Arab, on the other. It analyzes Israel’s civil society and social movements, as well as social entrepreneurship and their expression in the Third Sector. The article also covers the development of research and education on the Third Sector; it includes a review of research centers, databases, journals, and specific programs that were developed by Israeli universities. Finally, this article summarizes the characteristics of the nonprofit sector in Israel.
Novelties in Persicaria (Polygonaceae): description of a narrowly endemic new species from southern Brazil, and typification of the name Polygonum minus

Authors: FUNEZ LUÍS A. , HASSEMER GUSTAVO
Published: March 2021

A new species of Persicaria, P. humboldtiana, endemic to a narrow area of waterfalls in Corupá, southern Brazil, is described in the present paper. The locus classicus of the new species is well-known for plant endemisms. A complete morphological description, original pictures, a distribution map, and a morphological comparison with the similar Eurasian species P. minor (≡ Polygonum minus) are given. The name Polygonum minus is lecto- and epitypified on, respectively, a Morison’s illustration and a specimen preserved at BM.
Vanilla ribeiroi Hoehne (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae): notes on taxonomy and geographical distribution

Authors: ENGELS MATHIAS ERICH , KOCH ANA KELLY
Published: March 2021

Vanilla materials collected during botanical explorations in the Northern region of the Mato Grosso State and the South of Pará State, Brazil were identified as V. ribeiroi. An elusive species that was originally described at the beginning of the 20th century, as part of the Rondon Commission. Vanilla ribeiroi is recircumbscribed on the basis of the original and fresh materials, an epitype is designed, and the distribution of the species is extended.
Synthesis and Physical Properties of New Blue Color Filter Dye Using on Triarylmethine Moiety for Image Sensors
Authors: Park Sunwoo , Jeong Yeonkyu , Kang Seokwoo , Park Sangshin , Kwon Hyukmin , Lee Seungeun , Park Jongwook
Published: March 2021

In this study, a triarylmethine derivative of DMCEBA-BTSA with the high thermal and chemical stability was newly synthesized in order to develop a high-performance image sensor. It showed a high transmittance of more than 80% at 450 nm and △Eab showed a very
low color difference of 2.32 after thermal treatment. In solvent resistance, transmittance of 90% was not changed and △Eab showed a low color difference of 0.67 before and after solvent dipping. As a results of the migration test, there was no change at all after dipping
in the PGMEA transmittance spectrum. It was confirmed that the newly synthesized blue colorant exhibited excellent thermal and chemical stability and it could be applied to image sensor color filter application as the blue color.
Synthesis and Electro-Optical Property of Green Fluorescent Emitter Based on Anthracene Core and Optimized Side Groups
Authors: Kim Seunghyun , Kang Seokwoo , Park Jongwook
Published: March 2021

New green emitter is designed and synthesized by selecting anthracene having high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and diphenylamine side group substituted methyl and t-butyl group: N9,N10-bis(5-(tert-butyl)-2-methylphenyl)-N9,N10-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)anthracene-9,10-diamine
(3Me-1Bu-TPADA). Photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent (EL) properties of 3Me-1Bu-TPADA were investigated. The maximum photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelengths of 3Me-1Bu-TPADA in solution and in a film were 528 nm and 531 nm, respectively. 3Me-1Bu-TPADA has excellent thermal
properties with glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 110 °C, melting temperatures (Tm) of 217 °C of, and degradation temperature (Td) of 330 °C. 3Me-1Bu-TPADA was used as an emitting layer in non-doped devices: ITO/2-TNATA (60 nm)/NPB (15 nm)/3Me-1Bu-TPADA
(30 nm)/Alq3 (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm). The 3Me-1Bu-TPADA device showed luminance efficiency of 6.05 cd/A, EQE of 2.68% at 10 mA/cm2.
Synthesis of Ni3Bi2S2 Coupled with N-Doped Carbon Sheets as Electrocatalyst for Triiodide and Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wei Yongan , Tian Liangyu , Sun Panpan , Huang Niu , Lv Xiaowei , Fang Liang , Sun Xiaohua
Published: March 2021

Herein, we report a novel composite structure consisting of Ni3Bi2S2 particles coupled with N-doped carbon (NC) sheets. Different from the generally used high vacuum or microwave-assisted technologies, metal-rich Ni3Bi2S2
can be successfully synthesized via a simple pyrolysis procedure, with NC employed as a reducing agent. In addition, the phase purity, size, and dispersity of the Ni3Bi2S2 particles, which were encapsulated by the NC shell, were modulated by the content of
NC. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated the metallic state of the Ni and Bi elements, which ensured good Ni3Bi2S2 electrical conductivity. As a result, the resultant Ni3Bi2S2/NC (0.55 II) catalyzed
triiodide reduction with a lower charge transfer resistance than commercial Pt/C (1.4 II). Moreover, Ni3Bi2S2/NC catalyzed the oxygen reduction reaction with a positive ORR half-wave potential (0.81 V vs. RHE) and a low Tafel slope (47 mV dec-1).
Our study thus provides the novel exploration of the electrochemical performance of Ni3Bi2S2 and indicates its promising application in electrocatalytic reactions.
Effects of Microwave-Assisted Heat Treatments on the Nanostructural Evolution of Amorphous Silicon Oxycarbide Thin Films
Authors: Lee Sang-Hyuk , Yun Han-Sol , Yun Byeong-Gyu , Cho Nam-Hee
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the effects of heat treatment on changes in the nanostructure of amorphous silicon oxycarbide thin films. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxycarbide (a-Si0.6C0.3O0.1:H) thin films were prepared via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor
deposition. The films were subjected to post-deposition heat treatments via microwave-assisted heating, which resulted in the formation of nanocrystals of SiC and Si in the a-Si0.6C0.3O0.1:H matrix at temperatures as low as ~800 °C. The crystallization
activation energies of SiC and Si were determined to be 1.32 and 1.04 eV, respectively lower than those obtained when the sample was heat-treated via conventional heating (CH). Microwaves can be used to fabricate nanocrystals at a temperature approximately ~300 °C lower than that required
for CH. The optical and nanostructural evolutions after post-deposition heat treatments were examined using photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray diffraction. The position of the PL peaks of the nanocrystals varied from ~425 to ~510 nm as the annealing temperature was increased from 800 to 1000
°C. In this study the optical band gap of SiC and Si varied from ~2.92 to ~2.40 eV and from ~2.00 to ~1.79 eV, as the size of the SiC and Si nanocrystals varied with respect to the heating temperature and isothermal holding time, respectively.
Extended Range Arctic Sea Ice Forecast with Convolutional Long-Short Term Memory Networks
Authors: Liu Yang , Bogaardt Laurens , Attema Jisk , Hazeleger Wilco
Published: March 2021

Operational Arctic sea ice forecasts are of crucial importance to science and to society in the Arctic region. Currently, statistical and numerical climate models are widely used to generate the Arctic sea ice forecasts at weather time-scales. Numerical models require near real-time input of relevant environmental conditions consistent with the model equations and they are computationally expensive. In this study, we propose a deep learning approach, namely Convolutional Long Short Term Memory Networks (ConvLSTM), to forecast sea ice in the Barents Sea at weather to sub-seasonal time scales. This is an unsupervised learning approach. It makes use of historical records and it exploits the covariances between different variables, including spatial and temporal relations. With input fields from reanalysis data, we demonstrate that ConvLSTM is able to learn the variability of the Arctic sea ice and can forecast regional sea ice concentration skillfully at weekly to monthly time scales. It preserves the physical consistency between predictors and predictands, and generally outperforms forecasts with climatology, persistence and a statistical model. Based on the known sources of predictability, sensitivity tests with different climate fields as input for learning were performed. The impact of different predictors on the quality of the forecasts are evaluated and we demonstrate that the surface energy budget components have a large impact on the predictability of sea ice at weather time scales. This method is promising to enhance operational Arctic sea ice forecasting in the near future.
Does mental health treatment reduce recidivism among offenders with a psychotic illness?
Authors: Weatherburn Don , Albalawi Olayan , Chowdhury Nabila , Wand Handan , Adily Armita , Allnutt Steven , Butler Tony
Published: March 2021

Prison inmate health surveys consistently show high proportions of prisoners have mental health problems; however, scholarly opinion is divided on the contribution of mental illness to offending. Some contend that mental illness is not a cause of offending and that mental health treatment will not reduce offending. Others maintain mental health treatment can reduce the risk of offending among persons with a significant mental illness. In this article we report the results of a rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of mental health treatment in reducing offending amongst a cohort of defendants with a diagnosis of psychosis. We find evidence that the provision of mental health treatment to defendants with a psychotic illness does significantly reduce the risk of further offending.
Plasma checkpoint protein levels and galectin-9 in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yuksel Kubra , Sag Erdal , Demir Selcan , Özdel Semanur , Kaya Ummusen Akca , Atalay Erdal , Cuceoglu Muserref Kasap , Topaloglu Rezan , Bilginer Yelda , Ozen Seza
Published: March 2021

SLE is a disease of the adaptive immune system where T lymphocyte dysfunction has an important role as well. We assessed the plasma levels of checkpoint receptors expressed on T cells, along with Galectin-9 to reflect type-1 IFN activity and IL-2Rα in childhood SLE patients. Forty-nine children with SLE and15 healthy controls were included. SLEDAI scores were evaluated at the time of sampling. CD25 (IL-2Rα), 4-1BB, B7.2 (CD86), TGF-β1, CTLA-4, PD-L1, PD-1, Tim-3, LAG- 3, Galectin-9 levels were studied by cytometric bead-based multiplex assay panel. Galectin-9 and PD-L1 were significantly higher in SLE patients. Other checkpoint proteins and IL-2Rα were also higher but did not reach statistical significance. There were significant correlations between SLEDAI and IL-2Rα, Galectin-9 and PDL1. There were three clinical clusters: Cluster 1 included patients with no major organ involvement, cluster 2 had predominantly haematological involvement(n=16) and cluster 3 (n=11) had predominantly renal involvement. Checkpoint proteins were not different among these three clusters. Our data supports that Galectin 9 and IL-2Rα are good markers for disease activity in childhood SLE. We need larger series to evaluate differences between disease clusters in SLE. We failed to show a significant correlation with checkpoint proteins and SLEDAI except for PDL1.
Adamantinoma-like Variant of Ewing Sarcoma in the Metatarsal Bone After Chemotherapy: Report of a Case Successfully Treated with Pedicled Osteocutaneous Fibular Transfer
Authors: Marais Yolandi A. , Saini Aaron K. , Ferreira Nando , Reddy Kershinee , Zühlke Alexander , Rossouw Nelmarie , Zaharie Stefan D. , Schubert Pawel T.
Published: March 2021

Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma is a rare variant of Ewing sarcoma with histologic and immunohistochemical evidence of squamous differentiation. This variant most commonly occurs in the head and neck region with a few cases reported in the long bones of the limbs. It may be associated with poorer clinical outcome and could pose a diagnostic challenge, particularly if it occurs in older patients or as a metastatic lesion. We present a case of Ewing sarcoma in the metatarsal of an 11-year-old boy that manifested adamantinoma-like morphology after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been reported to induce neuronal maturation and rhabdoid morphology in cases of Ewing sarcoma, but no reports of treatment-induced squamous differentiation with P40/P63 expression have been demonstrated. This is also the first documented case treated with a pedicled osteocutaneous fibular transfer in a metatarsal malignancy, which is usually treated by either ray or below-knee amputation.
Uncertainty analysis of motion error for mechanisms and Kriging-based solutions
Authors: Changcong Zhou , Mengyao Ji , Haodong Zhao , Fei Cao
Published: March 2021

In this work, the issue of uncertainty analysis of motion errors for mechanisms is studied. First, two definitions of motion errors, that is, maximum error and accumulative error, are introduced to measure the motion accuracy in a comprehensive way. Then, the method for performing an uncertainty analysis of the two errors is discussed. For the maximum error, an analysis of the failure probability and the corresponding sensitivity analysis are carried out. For the accumulative error, the variance-based sensitivity is studied to quantify the contributions of input variables to the mechanism performance. A Kriging-based method is proposed to reduce the computational cost of the uncertainty analysis of motion errors. Finally, four examples including the classical four-bar mechanism and the landing gear mechanism for aeronautical purposes are studied with the proposed method. Discussions on the results show that the uncertainty analysis of motion errors can provide helpful information for mechanisms.
Women’s Liberation and the Agrarian Question: Insights from Peasant Movements in India
Authors: Prasad Archana
Published: March 2021

This article explores some questions arising from recent debates on patriarchy and capitalism. The focus is on the role of women in communist-led peasant movements in India and the implications of such struggles on the project of women’s emancipation. The first section lays out a framework for discussing the interface between class consciousness and the anti-patriarchal project, whereby patriarchy is located within the structural contradictions arising out of the contestations within the process of accumulation. The second section documents the historical context, focusing on the relationship between land reforms and social transformation in semi-feudal and early capitalist contexts, and analyzes the extent to which communist-led struggles are anti-patriarchal in character. The third section turns to the participation of women in the contemporary struggles of both agricultural workers and peasant movements and underlines the new emerging dialectics between women’s and peasant organizations under a neoliberal state and with deepening agrarian distress.
Characterising As–Bi–Co–Cu-bearing minerals at Scar Crags and Dale Head North, Lake District, UK
Authors: Solferino Giulio F.D. , Westwood Nathan T. , Eskdale Adam , Johnson Sean C.
Published: March 2021

Scar Crags and Dale Head North in the English Lake District host mineralised veins enriched in ‘Energy Critical Elements’ (ECEs) specifically, bismuth, cobalt and copper. A limited number of studies in the 1970s investigated the mineralogy and inferred the genesis of these veins as being related to the intrusion of the Lake District batholith.

This study investigates the geology, mineralogy, composition and paragenesis of these two mineralised areas. The results highlight the ubiquitous presence of Co–Fe–Ni-sulfarsenides in both deposits and the presence of some mineral species, hitherto unreported. Scar Crags samples contained high concentrations of cobalt, commonly present within arsenopyrite, whereas cobalt is of minor importance at Dale Head North, where copper and arsenic are the primary metals. A sequence of events, with As–Co–Ni-bearing fluids infilling the veins after an initial stage of quartz and chlorite precipitation is the most striking resemblance between the two mineralised systems, potentially indicating a common process for Co-rich vein-type deposits in the area. If so, understanding such processes could prove vital in aiding exploration in other terranes.
The Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis questionnaire in progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease
Authors: Swigris Jeffrey , Cutts Katelyn , Male Natalia , Baldwin Michael , Rohr Klaus B. , Bushnell Donald M.
Published: March 2021

The Living with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (L-IPF) questionnaire was developed with substantial input from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to assess symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Because IPF is the prototypical chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with a progressive phenotype, we expanded applicability of the L-IPF by deleting the word “idiopathic”, creating the L-PF (Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis) questionnaire, and then assessed its relevance among patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs in one-to-one interviews.

Patients in the USA and Germany with any progressive fibrosing ILD other than IPF were asked about their disease and symptoms, completed the 44-item L-PF questionnaire (comprising two modules that assess symptoms and impacts of disease) and then answered a series of debriefing questions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded for qualitative content analysis.

20 patients were interviewed, but time constraints meant not all were asked about all items. The most frequent diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD (25%) and mixed connective tissue disease-associated ILD (20%). Almost all patients endorsed the symptoms assessed by the L-PF: shortness of breath (19 out of 20 patients), cough (19 out of 20) and fatigue (18 out of 20). Most patients endorsed impacts of progressive fibrosing ILD on activities of daily living, physical well-being, sleep, emotional well-being, and social aspects of their lives. Most patients had an overall positive impression of the Symptoms module and understood items as intended. All seven patients asked understood the items of the Impacts module.

The L-PF contains concepts relevant and important to patients with progressive fibrosing ILD, and items are understood as intended.
Study design of a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of nintedanib in children and adolescents with fibrosing interstitial lung disease
Authors: Deterding Robin , Griese Matthias , Deutsch Gail , Warburton David , DeBoer Emily M. , Cunningham Steven , Clement Annick , Schwerk Nicolaus , Flaherty Kevin R. , Brown Kevin K. , Voss Florian , Schmid Ulrike , Schlenker-Herceg Rozsa , Verri Daniela , Dumistracel Mihaela , Schiwek Marilisa , Stowasser Susanne , Tetzlaff Kay , Clerisme-Beaty Emmanuelle , Young Lisa R.
Published: March 2021

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) comprises >200 rare respiratory disorders, with no currently approved therapies and variable prognosis. Nintedanib reduces the rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline in adults with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We present the design of a multicentre, prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial of nintedanib in patients with fibrosing chILD (1199-0337 or InPedILD;ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT04093024).

Male or female children and adolescents aged 6–17 years (≥30; including ≥20 adolescents aged 12–17 years) with clinically significant fibrosing ILD will be randomised 2:1 to receive oral nintedanib or placebo on top of standard of care for 24 weeks (double-blind), followed by variable-duration nintedanib (open-label). Nintedanib dosing will be based on body weight-dependent allometric scaling, with single-step dose reductions permitted to manage adverse events. Eligible patients will have evidence of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (within 12 months of their first screening visit), FVC ≥25% predicted, and clinically significant disease (Fan score of ≥3 or evidence of clinical progression over time). Patients with underlying chronic liver disease, significant pulmonary arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or increased bleeding risk are ineligible. The primary endpoints are pharmacokinetics and the proportion of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events at week 24. Secondary endpoints include change in FVC% predicted from baseline, Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire, oxygen saturation, and 6-min walk distance at weeks 24 and 52. Additional efficacy and safety endpoints will be collected to explore long-term effects.
Antibiotic use in children and youths with asthma: a population-based case-control study
Authors: Fong Ivy , Zhu Jingqin , Finkelstein Yaron , To Teresa
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Antibiotics are among the most common medications dispensed to children and youths. The objective of this study was to characterise and compare antibiotic use patterns between children and youths with and without asthma.

Methods

We conducted a population-based nested case–control study using health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, in 2018. All Ontario residents aged 5–24 years with asthma were included as cases. Cases were matched to controls with a 1:1 ratio based on age (within 0.5 year), sex and location of residence. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to obtain an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for having filled at least one antibiotic prescription, adjusted for socioeconomic status, rurality, and presence of common infections, allergic conditions and complex chronic conditions.

Results

The study population included 1 174 424 Ontario children and youths aged 5–24 years. 31% of individuals with asthma and 23% of individuals without asthma filled at least one antibiotic prescription. The odds of having filled at least one antibiotic prescription were 34% higher among individuals with asthma compared to those without asthma (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.32–1.35). In the stratified analysis, the odds ratios were highest in the youngest group of children studied, aged 5–9 years (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.41–1.48), and in females (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.34–1.38).

Conclusion

Asthma is significantly associated with increased antibiotic use in children and youths. This association is the strongest in younger children and in females.
Ground-State Depletion Nanoscopy of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centres in Nanodiamonds
Authors: Storterboom Jelle , Barbiero Martina , Castelletto Stefania , Gu Min
Published: March 2021

The negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy ($${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

) centre in nanodiamonds (NDs) has been recently studied for applications in cellular imaging due to its better photo-stability and biocompatibility if compared to other fluorophores. Super-resolution imaging achieving 20-nm resolution of $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

in NDs has been proved over the years using sub-diffraction limited imaging approaches such as single molecule stochastic localisation microscopy and stimulated emission depletion microscopy. Here we show the first demonstration of ground-state depletion (GSD) nanoscopy of these centres in NDs using three beams, a probe beam, a depletion beam and a reset beam. The depletion beam at 638 nm forces the $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

centres to the metastable dark state everywhere but in the local minimum, while a Gaussian beam at 594 nm probes the $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

centres and a 488-nm reset beam is used to repopulate the excited state. Super-resolution imaging of a single $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

centre with a full width at half maximum of 36 nm is demonstrated, and two adjacent $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

centres separated by 72 nm are resolved. GSD microscopy is here applied to $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

in NDs with a much lower optical power compared to bulk diamond. This work demonstrates the need to control the NDs nitrogen concentration to tailor their application in super-resolution imaging methods and paves the way for studies of $${\text{NV}}^{ - }$$

NV

-

in NDs’ nanoscale interactions.
Gut microbiota in two recently diverged passerine species: evaluating the effects of species identity, habitat use and geographic distance
Authors: Sottas Camille , Schmiedová Lucie , Kreisinger Jakub , Albrecht Tomáš , Reif Jiří , Osiejuk Tomasz S. , Reifová Radka
Published: March 2021

Background

It has been proposed that divergence in the gut microbiota composition between incipient species could contribute to their reproductive isolation. Nevertheless, empirical evidence for the role of gut microbiota in speciation is scarce. Moreover, it is still largely unknown to what extent closely related species in the early stages of speciation differ in their gut microbiota composition, especially in non-mammalian taxa, and which factors drive the divergence. Here we analysed the gut microbiota in two closely related passerine species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia). The ranges of these two species overlap in a secondary contact zone, where both species occasionally hybridize and where interspecific competition has resulted in habitat use differentiation.

Results

We analysed the gut microbiota from the proximal, middle and distal part of the small intestine in both sympatric and allopatric populations of the two nightingale species using sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA. We found small but significant differences in the microbiota composition among the three gut sections. However, the gut microbiota composition in the two nightingale species did not differ significantly between either sympatric or allopatric populations. Most of the observed variation in the gut microbiota composition was explained by inter-individual differences.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to assess the potential role of the gut microbiota in bird speciation. Our results suggest that neither habitat use, nor geographical distance, nor species identity have strong influence on the nightingale gut microbiota composition. This suggests that changes in the gut microbiota composition are unlikely to contribute to reproductive isolation in these passerine birds.
Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission program in Iran
Authors: Kazeroni Parvin Afsar , Gouya Mohammad Mehdi , Tira Mandana , Sargolzaiie Maryam , Eybpoosh Sana , Majdfar Zahra , Zareie Bushra , Rasouli Mohammad Aziz , Ghaderi Ebrahim
Published: March 2021

Background

The reproductive health and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs in Iran were integrated as a pilot project in September 2014. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the PMTCT of HIV program in Iran.

Methods

The pilot phase of PMTCT of HIV was launched in early September 2014 in selected centers including 170 health centers and 40 hospitals affiliated to medical universities of 16 provinces of Iran. In each medical university, a researcher-made checklist was administered to all newly-diagnosed HIV-positive pregnant women by an AIDS expert. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19.

Results

Overall, 69.4% of eligible pregnant women were enrolled in the pilot phase. From 134 reactive cases, 76 (56.7%) were confirmed as HIV positive. ARV consumption was irregular in 10 (13.2%) of HIV positive pregnant women. Also, 82.5% had CD4 count more than 350 after treatment, with an average of 55.5% increase in the number of CD4 in comparison to the baseline, and 84.8% had viral load suppression (< 200 copies/ml). Counseling and testing was done for the husbands of 75% of the women that resulted in the identification of 15 (39.5%) new HIV cases among husbands. Among the tested individuals, 23 (60.5%) males already knew their HIV status and were registered as HIV patients. HIV was diagnosed in one (1.5%) newborn.

Conclusion

Implementation of rapid HIV testing and PMTCT in Iran is one of the strengths of the national HIV control program. To eliminate MTCT, it is necessary to understand and overcome the barriers and challenges to the program in the pilot phase.
High level expression and biochemical characterization of an alkaline serine protease from Geobacillus stearothermophilus to prepare antihypertensive whey protein hydrolysate
Authors: Chang Chang , Gong Siyi , Liu Zhiping , Yan Qiaojuan , Jiang Zhengqiang
Published: March 2021

Background

Proteases are important for hydrolysis of proteins to generate peptides with many bioactivities. Thus, the development of novel proteases with high activities is meaningful to discover bioactive peptides. Because natural isolation from animal, plant and microbial sources is impractical to produce large quantities of proteases, gene cloning and expression of target protease are preferred.

Results

In this study, an alkaline serine protease gene (GsProS8) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus was successfully cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. The recombinant GsProS8 was produced with high protease activity of 3807 U/mL after high cell density fermentation. GsProS8 was then purified through ammonium sulfate precipitation and a two-step chromatographic method to obtain the homogeneous protease. The molecular mass of GsProS8 was estimated to be 27.2 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 28.3 kDa by gel filtration. The optimal activity of GsProS8 was found to be pH 8.5 and 50 °C, respectively. The protease exhibited a broad substrate specificity and different kinetic parameters to casein and whey protein. Furthermore, the hydrolysis of whey protein using GsProS8 resulted in a large amount of peptides with high angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity (IC50 of 0.129 mg/mL).

Conclusions

GsProS8 could be a potential candidate for industrial applications, especially the preparation of antihypertensive peptides.
The role of serum β-trophin and endostatin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: Are they correlated?
Authors: Gong Wei , Bilixzi Aikmu , Wang Xinmei , Lu Yanli , Wan Li , Han Lu
Published: March 2021

Background

It’s necessary to investigate the serum β-trophin and endostatin (ES) level and its influencing factors in patients with newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

Newly diagnosed PCOS patients treated in our hospital were selected, and healthy women who took physical examination during the same period as healthy controls. We detected and compared the related serum indicators between two groups, Pearson correlation were conducted to identify the factors associated with β-trophin and ES, and the influencing factors of β-trophin and ES were analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

A total of 62 PCOS patients and 65 healthy controls were included. The BMI, WHI, LH, FSH, TT, FAI, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL, ES in PCOS patients were significantly higher than that of healthy controls, while the SHBG and HDL in PCOS patients were significantly lower than that of healthy controls (all p < 0.05). β-trophin was closely associated with BMI (r = 0.427), WHR (r = 0.504), FBG (r = 0.385), TG (r = 0.405) and LDL (r = 0.302, all p < 0.05), and ES was closely associated with BMI (r = 0.358), WHR (r = 0.421), FBG (r = 0.343), TC (r = 0.319), TG (r = 0.404, all p < 0.05). TG, BMI, WHR and FBG were the main factors affecting the serum β-trophin levels (all p < 0.05). FBG, TC and BMI were the main factors affecting the serum ES levels (all p < 0.05). The TG, β-trophin, ES level in PCOS patients with insulin resistance (IR) were significantly higher than that of those without IR (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased β-trophin is closely associated with increased ES in patients with PCOS, which may be the useful indicators for the management of PCOS.
hiPSC-derived NSCs effectively promote the functional recovery of acute spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Kong Desheng , Feng Baofeng , Amponsah Asiamah Ernest , He Jingjing , Guo Ruiyun , Liu Boxin , Du Xiaofeng , Liu Xin , Zhang Shuhan , Lv Fei , Ma Jun , Cui Huixian
Published: March 2021

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common disease that results in motor and sensory disorders and even lifelong paralysis. The transplantation of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), or subsequently generated stem/progenitor cells, is predicted to be a promising treatment for SCI. In this study, we aimed to investigate effect of human iPSC-derived neural stem cells (hiPSC-NSCs) and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (huMSCs) in a mouse model of acute SCI.

Methods

Acute SCI mice model were established and were randomly treated as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control group), repaired with 1 × 105 hiPSC-NSCs (NSC group), and 1 × 105 huMSCs (MSC group), respectively, in a total of 54 mice (n = 18 each). Hind limb motor function was evaluated in open-field tests using the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) at days post-operation (dpo) 1, 3, 5, and 7 after spinal cord injury, and weekly thereafter. Spinal cord and serum samples were harvested at dpo 7, 14, and 21. Haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and Masson staining were used to evaluate the morphological changes and fibrosis area. The differentiation of the transplanted cells in vivo was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The hiPSC-NSC-treated group presented a significantly smaller glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive area than MSC-treated mice at all time points. Additionally, MSC-transplanted mice had a similar GFAP+ area to mice receiving PBS. At dpo 14, the immunostained hiPSC-NSCs were positive for SRY-related high-mobility-group (HMG)-box protein-2 (SOX2). Furthermore, the transplanted hiPSC-NSCs differentiated into GFAP-positive astrocytes and beta-III tubulin-positive neurons, whereas the transplanted huMSCs differentiated into GFAP-positive astrocytes. In addition, hiPSC-NSC transplantation reduced fibrosis formation and the inflammation level. Compared with the control or huMSC transplanted group, the group with transplantation of hiPSC-NSCs exhibited significantly improved behaviours, particularly limb coordination.

Conclusions

HiPSC-NSCs promote functional recovery in mice with acute SCI by replacing missing neurons and attenuating fibrosis, glial scar formation, and inflammation.

Graphical abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol examining the clinical characteristics and epidemiological features of olfactory dysfunction (OD) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Tan Rosemond Qian-Xiu , Li Wai Tak Victor , Shum Wing-Zi , Chu Sheung Chit , Li Hang-Long , Shea Yat-Fung , Chung Tom Wai-Hin
Published: March 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused recurring and major outbreaks in multiple human populations around the world. The plethora of clinical presentations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been described extensively, of which olfactory dysfunction (OD) was established as an important and common extrapulmonary manifestation of COVID-19 infection. The aim of this protocol is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on peer-reviewed articles which described clinical data of OD in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

This research protocol has been prospectively registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020196202). CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PubMed, as well as Chinese medical databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and WANFANG, will be searched using keywords including ‘COVID-19’, ‘coronavirus disease’, ‘2019-nCoV’, ‘SARS-CoV-2’, ‘novel coronavirus’, ‘anosmia’, ‘hyposmia’, ‘loss of smell’, and ‘olfactory dysfunction’. Systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Articles will be screened according to pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria to extract studies that include new clinical data investigating the effect of COVID-19 on olfactory dysfunction. Included articles will be reviewed in full; data including patient demographics, clinical characteristics of COVID-19-related OD, methods of olfactory assessment and relevant clinical outcomes will be extracted. Statistical analyses will be performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.

Discussion

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will aim to collate and synthesise all available clinical evidence regarding COVID-19-related OD as an important neurosensory dysfunction of COVID-19 infection. A comprehensive search strategy and screening process will be conducted to incorporate broad clinical data for robust statistical analyses and representation. The outcome of the systematic review and meta-analysis will aim to improve our understanding of the symptomatology and clinical characteristics of COVID-19-related OD and identify knowledge gaps in its disease process, which will guide future research in this specific neurosensory defect.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020196202.
Examination of eating disorder risk among university marching band artists
Authors: Uriegas Nancy A. , Emerson Dawn M. , Smith Allison B. , Kelly Melani R. , Torres-McGehee Toni M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Marching band artists are a physically active population, composed of approximately 27,000 people in the United States. University marching band artists face many of the same physically active demands and mental stressors as student athletes, potentially predisposing them to injury, illness, and risk for eating disorders (EDs). The purpose of this study was to examine ED risk across sex in university marching band artists, and to determine the type of risk based on the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Symptom Check List (EDI-3 SC). A secondary aim examined marching band artists and pathogenic weight control behavior use across sex.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 150 marching band artists (female: n = 84, male: n = 66, age = 19.9 ± 1.1 years) from three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university marching bands participated in the study. We screened for ED risk using the EDI-3, and the EDI-3 SC.

Results

Overall, marching band artists were at risk for EDs, using only the EDI-3, 45.3% (n = 68) were at risk, with females at significant higher risk than males [χ2 = 5.228, p = .022]; using only the EDI-3 SC, 54% (n = 81) were at risk and no significant differences were found across sex. Overall, 48% of all participants reported dieting and 20.7% engaged in excessive exercise to control weight. Significant differences were found between sex and purging to control weight [χ2 = 3.94, p = .047] and laxative use [χ2 = 4.064, p = .044], with females engaging in behavior more than males.

Conclusions

Eating disorder risk was prevalent for both female and male marching band artists, with females displaying higher risk for EDs than males. Furthermore, marching band artists are engaging in pathogenic behaviors to control their weight. Healthcare providers (e.g., physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapist, dietitians, etc.) working in this setting should be aware of the risk factors displayed in marching band artists, and be able to provide education, prevention, and clinical interventions to this population. Additionally, marching band administrators should be aware of all medical risk factors and the benefit of having a healthcare provider (e.g., athletic trainer) to oversee the healthcare and wellness of marching band artists.