bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing on health‐service use and mortality: a secondary outcome analysis of the MOTIVATE‐HF trial
Authors: Iovino Paolo , Rebora Paola , Occhino Giuseppe , Zeffiro Valentina , Caggianelli Gabriele , Ausili Davide , Alvaro Rosaria , Riegel Barbara , Vellone Ercole
Published: June 2021

Aims

Intense health‐care service use and high mortality are common in heart failure (HF) patients. This secondary analysis of the MOTIVATE‐HF trial investigates the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in reducing health‐care service use (e.g. emergency service use and hospitalizations) and all‐cause mortality.

Methods and results

This study used a randomized controlled trial. Patients and caregivers were randomized to Arm 1 (MI for patients), Arm 2 (MI for patients and caregivers), or Arm 3 (control group). Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Face‐to‐face MI plus three telephone calls were performed in Arms 1 and 2. The sample consisted of 510 patient (median age 74 years, 58% male patients) and caregiver dyads (median age 55 years, 75% female patients). At 12 months, 16.1%, 17%, and 11.2% of patients used health‐care services at least once in Arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively, without significant difference. At 3 months, 1.9%, 0.6%, and 5.1% of patients died in Arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mortality was lower in Arm 2 vs. Arm 3 at 3 months [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.112, 95% CI: 0.014–0.882, P = 0.04]; no difference was found at subsequent follow‐ups. Mortality was lower in Arm 1 vs. Arm 3 at 3 months but did not reach statistical significance (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.104–1.414, P = 0.15).

Conclusion

This study suggests that MI reduces mortality in patients with HF if caregivers are included in the intervention. Further studies with a stronger intervention and longer follow‐up are needed to clarify the benefits of MI on health‐care service use and mortality.
Enzyme‐Inspired Design of CoII‐Based H2 Generation Catalysts: A Toolbox with Guiding Principles Revealed by a Systematic DFT Study
Authors: Rani Neha , Mazumder Shivnath
Published: June 2021

Inspired by the proton relay pathway, as found in the hydrogenase enzymes, herein we report a series of highly promising pentadentate CoII‐[N2Nring3]‐based H2 generation molecular catalysts using experimentally easily accessible, redox‐innocent oxamide and pyridine‐/N‐methyl imidazole‐rich motifs. These newly designed catalysts can display proton relay using the donor nitrogen atom of the pendant arm in the catalytically active CoI state. The ligand framework contains three tether chains connecting the oxamide to pyridine/N‐methyl imidazole rings. The length of the tethers and position of attachment of the third tether are found to have a significant impact on the stability of the CoII catalyst. The electronic property of the pendant ligand can be modulated by judicious choice of the functional group such that the proton relay mechanism can be triggered at acidic, basic, and neutral pH of the medium. Moreover, it has been found that electron donating functional groups can avoid formation of an unproductive ligand‐reduced intermediate which can contribute to catalyst deactivation. Detailed DFT analysis revealed a set of much‐needed guiding principles that can be used by an experimental chemist as a toolbox for synthesis of novel H2 generation catalysts that can successfully demonstrate the biomimetic proton relay pathway while minimizing the decomposition of the metal catalysts.
Analysis of the DANAERO wind turbine field database to assess the importance of different state‐of‐the‐art blade element momentum (BEM) correction models
Authors: Potentier Thomas , Braud Caroline , Guilmineau Emmanuel , Finez Arthur , Le Bourdat Colin
Published: June 2021

Aerodynamic loads of wind turbine blades are often predicted by manufacturers using the blade element momentum (BEM) theory, for which many corrections have been proposed in the literature. The physical impacts of such corrections on field measurements have seldom been assessed because of the relative unavailability of dedicated measurements. Based on the unique full‐scale database of the DANAERO project, available through the IEA (International Energy Agency) Task 29, this work incrementally applies on aerodynamic field measurement improvements of the BEM theory: atmospheric boundary layer vertical velocity gradient, neighboring wake, yaw misalignment, wind inflow location, tower shadow effect, cone angles modeling, blade aeroelastic deformation, and dynamic wake. This is performed using the iBEM method (inverse Blade Element Momentum), which back‐calculates the aerodynamic coefficients (lift—CL and drag—CD) using aerodynamic loads from field tests.
Interactions between calcium carbonate and ammonium polyphosphate in low‐borate concentration hydrocarbon intumescent coatings
Authors: Zeng Ying , Gricius Zygimantas , Weinell Claus Erik , Dam‐Johansen Kim , Ring Louise , Kiil Søren
Published: June 2021

For high performance of hydrocarbon intumescent coatings, interactions between the acid source ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and inorganic fillers can be critical. In the present work, low‐borate concentration (ie, 1 wt% zinc borate) intumescent coatings with different concentration ratios of CaCO3 to APP were studied in an attempt to map the reaction mechanisms. The analysis of the coating performance was conducted using thermal insulation assessment according to the UL1709 fire curve (disregarding substrate load, geometrical diversity, and other full‐scale implications of the complete standard), rheological measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR‐FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction. Results show that a coating with a CaCO3/APP mass ratio of 0.3 gives the best performance (ie, the longest critical time of steel substrates to reach both 400 and 550°C in the thermal insulation assessment). The dependency on the CaCO3/APP ratio of the dynamic viscosity minimum points to significant interactions between CaCO3 and APP during the softening state (ie, the intumescence process) of the coating. Due to an enhanced anti‐oxidation property, the degradation zone of the intumescent char and the residual weight of the coating after exposure were both improved when increasing the CaCO3/APP ratio. The compositional development of the intumescent char showed that CaCO3 and APP react to form a new polymeric phase, calcium catena‐polyphosphate (CaP2O6). This polyphosphate may contribute to the formation of a compact phase in the intumescent char and benefit the thermal insulation performance of low‐borate concentration hydrocarbon intumescent coatings.
Iteratively forecasting biological invasions with PoPS and a little help from our friends
Authors: Jones Chris M , Jones Shannon , Petrasova Anna , Petras Vaclav , Gaydos Devon , Skrip Megan M , Takeuchi Yu , Bigsby Kevin , Meentemeyer Ross K
Published: June 2021

Ecological forecasting has vast potential to support environmental decision making with repeated, testable predictions across management‐relevant timescales and locations. Yet resource managers rarely use co‐designed forecasting systems or embed them in decision making. Although prediction of planned management outcomes is particularly important for biological invasions to optimize when and where resources should be allocated, spatial–temporal models of spread typically have not been openly shared, iteratively updated, or interactive to facilitate exploration of management actions. We describe a species‐agnostic, open‐source framework – called the Pest or Pathogen Spread (PoPS) Forecasting Platform – for co‐designing near‐term iterative forecasts of biological invasions. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate that iterative calibration yields higher forecast skill than using only the earliest‐available data to predict future spread. The PoPS framework is a primary example of an ecological forecasting system that has been both scientifically improved and optimized for real‐world decision making through sustained participation and use by management stakeholders.
Toward a roadmap for diadromous fish conservation: the Big Five considerations
Authors: Verhelst Pieterjan , Reubens Jan , Buysse David , Goethals Peter , Van Wichelen Jeroen , Moens Tom
Published: June 2021

Increasing habitat fragmentation is a major contributing factor to dramatic reductions in populations of migratory species worldwide. Diadromous fish species in particular are affected by this anthropogenic disturbance, resulting in historically low population abundances. Despite a plethora of management measures and considerable investment, desired results are often lacking. Here, we highlight five important considerations – the “Big Five” – for diadromous species management: removal of barriers to migration, installation of fish passages, habitat restoration, restocking, and fisheries management. We review current management measures and their effectiveness, and propose a way forward. Current management of diadromous fish populations largely focuses on mitigation of migration barriers, but management will likely fail if other fundamental aspects of diadromous species’ life cycles are overlooked or disregarded. We therefore propose an integrated management strategy that takes into account the five major factors influencing diadromous fish species, with the ultimate goal of restoring their populations.
Histamine triggers microglial responses indirectly via astrocytes and purinergic signaling
Authors: Xia Pengfei , Logiacco Francesca , Huang Yimin , Kettenmann Helmut , Semtner Marcus
Published: June 2021

Histamine is a monoaminergic neurotransmitter which is released within the entire brain from ascending axons originating in the tuberomammillary nucleus in a sleep state‐dependent fashion. Besides the modulation of neuronal firing patterns, brain histamine levels are also thought to modulate functions of glial cells. Microglia are the innate immune cells and professional phagocytes of the central nervous system, and histamine was previously shown to have multiple effects on microglial functions in health and disease. Isolated microglia respond only to agonists of the Hrh2 subtype of histamine receptors (Hrh), and the expression of that isoform is confirmed by a metadata analysis of microglia transcriptomes. When we studied the effect of the histamine receptor isoforms in cortical and thalamic microglia by in situ live cell Ca2+ imaging using a novel, microglia‐specific indicator mouse line, microglial cells respond to external histamine application mainly in a Hrh1‐, and to a lower extent also in a Hrh2‐dependent manner. The Hrh1 response was sensitive to blockers of purinergic P2ry12 receptors, and since Hrh1 expression was predominantly found in astrocytes, we suggest that the Hrh1 response in microglia is mediated by astrocyte ATP release and activation of P2ry12 receptors in microglia. Histamine also stimulates microglial phagocytic activity via Hrh1‐ and P2ry12‐mediated signaling. Taken together, we provide evidence that histamine acts indirectly on microglial Ca2+ levels and phagocytic activity via astrocyte histamine receptor‐controlled purinergic signaling.
Motor and higher‐order functions topography of the human dentate nuclei identified with tractography and clustering methods
Authors: Palesi Fulvia , Ferrante Matteo , Gaviraghi Marta , Misiti Anastasia , Savini Giovanni , Lascialfari Alessandro , D'Angelo Egidio , Gandini Wheeler‐Kingshott Claudia A. M.
Published: June 2021

Deep gray matter nuclei are the synaptic relays, responsible to route signals between specific brain areas. Dentate nuclei (DNs) represent the main output channel of the cerebellum and yet are often unexplored especially in humans. We developed a multimodal MRI approach to identify DNs topography on the basis of their connectivity as well as their microstructural features. Based on results, we defined DN parcellations deputed to motor and to higher‐order functions in humans in vivo. Whole‐brain probabilistic tractography was performed on 25 healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Project to infer DN parcellations based on their connectivity with either the cerebral or the cerebellar cortex, in turn. A third DN atlas was created inputting microstructural diffusion‐derived metrics in an unsupervised fuzzy c‐means classification algorithm. All analyses were performed in native space, with probability atlas maps generated in standard space. Cerebellar lobule‐specific connectivity identified one motor parcellation, accounting for about 30% of the DN volume, and two non‐motor parcellations, one cognitive and one sensory, which occupied the remaining volume. The other two approaches provided overlapping results in terms of geometrical distribution with those identified with cerebellar lobule‐specific connectivity, although with some differences in volumes. A gender effect was observed with respect to motor areas and higher‐order function representations. This is the first study that indicates that more than half of the DN volumes is involved in non‐motor functions and that connectivity‐based and microstructure‐based atlases provide complementary information. These results represent a step‐ahead for the interpretation of pathological conditions involving cerebro‐cerebellar circuits.
Constructal heat transfer and fluid flow enhancement optimization for cylindrical microcooling channels with variable cross‐section
Authors: Olakoyejo Olabode T. , Adelaja Adekunle O. , Adewumi Olayinka O. , Oluwo Adeyinka A. , Bello Solomon K. , Adio Saheed A.
Published: June 2021

This study applies constructal theory to conduct a numerical optimization of three‐dimensional cylindrical microcooling channels with the solid structure subjected to internal heat generation. The cylindrical channels are designed as variable cross‐section configurations that experience conjugate heat transfer and fluid flow, where water is used as the coolant. The research aims to optimize the channel configurations subject to a fixed global solid material volume constraint. The key objectives are to minimize the global thermal resistance and friction factor. The coolant is pushed through the channels by pressure drop represented as Bejan number. The main design parameters are the inlet and outlet diameters at a given porosity. The channel configuration and the structure elemental volume are permitted to change to find the best design parameters that minimized thermal resistance and friction factor, so that the cooling effect is enhanced. An ANSYS FLUENT code is used to obtain the best optimal parameter of the configuration that enhances thermal performance. The influence of Bejan number on optimized inlet and outlet diameters led to minimization of thermal resistance and friction factor and maximization of Nusselt number. The results show distinctive optimal inlet and outlet diameters that enhance the overall performance of the system in the range of and , respectively.
New snow metrics for a warming world
Authors: Nolin Anne W. , Sproles Eric A. , Rupp David E. , Crumley Ryan L. , Webb Mariana J. , Palomaki Ross T. , Mar Eugene
Published: June 2021

Snow is Earth's most climatically sensitive land cover type. Traditional snow metrics may not be able to adequately capture the changing nature of snow cover. For example, April 1 snow water equivalent (SWE) has been an effective index for streamflow forecasting, but it cannot express the effects of midwinter melt events, now expected in warming snow climates, nor can we assume that station‐based measurements will be representative of snow conditions in future decades. Remote sensing and climate model data provide capacity for a suite of multi‐use snow metrics from local to global scales. Such indicators need to be simple enough to “tell the story” of snowpack changes over space and time, but not overly simplistic or overly complicated in their interpretation. We describe a suite of spatially explicit, multi‐temporal snow metrics based on global satellite data from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and downscaled climate model output for the U.S. We describe and provide examples for Snow Cover Frequency (SCF), Snow Disappearance Date (SDD), At‐Risk Snow (ARS), and Frequency of a Warm Winter (FWW). Using these retrospective and prospective snow metrics, we assess the current and future snow‐related conditions in three hydroclimatically different U.S. watersheds: the Truckee, Colorado Headwaters, and Upper Connecticut. In the two western U.S. watersheds, SCF and SDD show greater sensitivity to annual differences in snow cover compared with data from the ground‐based Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) network. The eastern U.S. watershed does not have a ground‐based network of data, so these MODIS‐derived metrics provide uniquely valuable snow information. The ARS and FWW metrics show that the Truckee Watershed is highly vulnerable to conversion from snowfall to rainfall (ARS) and midwinter melt events (FWW) throughout the seasonal snow zone. In comparison, the Colorado Headwaters and Upper Connecticut Watersheds are colder and much less vulnerable through mid‐ and late‐century.
Cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 shows to be a potential genetic target for chemical cystitis
Authors: Wang Kun , Du Huaping , Zhuang Qianfeng , Lu Hao , Xu Renfang , Xue Dong
Published: June 2021

Background

In the present study, we aimed to explore whether common genetic targets or signaling pathways existed in chemical cystitis.

Methods

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to search the related gene expression profiles. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by using GEO2R. The DAVID 6.8 Beta and R software were used to perform Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis and Gene Ontology function analysis of DEGs. The protein‐protein interaction network was constructed by STRING 11.0 to reveal the potential gene interactions. The expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) at the messnger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels was examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis analysis, respectively.

Results

The GEO database was searched, and the gene expression profiles of GSE55986 and GSE68539 were downloaded. A total of 262 DEGs and 356 DEGs were identified from GSE55986 and GSE68539, respectively. We found that the p53 signaling pathway might play a key role in the development of chemical cystitis, and Cdk1 acted as a crucial gene in the p53 signaling pathway. Moreover, the experimental results of real‐time PCR and Western blot analysis analysis demonstrated that the expression of Cdk1 at the mRNA and protein levels in cystitis tissues was significantly increased in different animal models of chemical cystitis compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Cdk1 might be a potential pathogenic genetic target for chemical cystitis.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 antibody aggrandizes antitumor immune response of oncolytic virus M1 via targeting regulatory T cells
Authors: Liu Wenfeng , Liu Yang , Hu Cheng , Xu Cuiying , Chen Jiehong , Chen Yinting , Cai Jing , Yan Guangmei , Zhu Wenbo
Published: June 2021

Oncolytic virotherapies are perceived as remarkable immunotherapies coming into view and represent highly promising cancer treatments, yet to figure out its specific immune responses and underlying barriers remains critical. Albeit recent studies have demonstrated that oncolytic viruses (OVs) could fine tune tumor microenvironment (TME) to elicit tumor suppression mainly due to effective T‐cell responses, the interaction between suppressive T cells and OVs is barely undetermined. Herein, we found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) were increased in the TME following systemic administration of oncolytic virus M1 along with the higher expression of relative cytokines and chemokines in both mouse RM‐1 prostatic carcinoma model and mouse B16F10 melanoma model. Besides, Treg cells expressed high levels of CD25 post‐M1 treatment, and its suppressive effect on CD8+ T cells was also elevated. Depletion of Treg cells in M1‐treated groups significantly reinforced antitumor effect of M1. Specific targeting of Treg cells using cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4) antibody (Ab) in combination with M1 treatment elicited a more profound tumor suppression and longer overall survival time than M1 alone in both tumor models. Moreover, CTLA‐4 Ab further aggrandized antitumor immune response elicited by M1, including increased infiltration of CD45+ immune cells and CD8+ or CD4+ T lymphocytes, decreased ratio of Treg cells to CD4+ T lymphocytes, the intensified lymphocytotoxicity and elevated secretion of cytotoxic cytokines like interferon‐γ, granzyme B and perforin. Therefore, our findings constituted a suggestive evidence that targeting Treg cells in M1‐based oncolytic virotherapy may achieve a highly response in clinical cancer research.
Robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction due to aberrant blood vessel with ipsilateral retrocaval ureter
Authors: Inoue Yuta , Naitoh Yasuyuki , Ajiki Jun , Fukui Ayako , Yamada Takeshi , Fujihara Atsuko , Yamada Kaori , Hongo Fumiya , Ukimura Osamu
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a common congenital anomaly that causes hydronephrosis but rarely accompanies ipsilateral retrocaval ureter.

Case presentation

A 39‐year‐old woman, who visited to our hospital complaining of worsened right low back pain and fever, was diagnosed with right hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction by contrast‐enhanced computed tomography. Intraoperatively before the planned robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty, retrograde pyelography was performed to reveal concomitant ipsilateral retrocaval ureter. Laparoscopically, ureteropelvic junction obstruction due to aberrant blood vessel and coexisting retrocaval ureter was confirmed. Transposition of the ureter from posterior to anterior of the inferior vena cava and following dismembered pyeloplasty was performed. Two years after surgery, her right hydronephrosis improved and she had no complain of any symptom.

Conclusion

Retrocaval ureter is a rare abnormality; however, combination of preoperative retrograde pyelography and laparoscopic evaluation was important for management of this concomitant abnormality.
Retinal vessel segmentation based on an improved deep forest
Authors: Yang Xin , Li Zhiqiang , Guo Yingqing , Zhou Dake
Published: June 2021

To improve the diagnosis efficiency of diseases related to retinal blood vessels, this article proposes a novel retinal blood vessels segmentation algorithm by combining the advantages of convolutional neural network (CNN) and cascade forest (CF). Firstly, we use the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) algorithm to enhance the color fundus retinal image. Secondly, we randomly select some image patches to train the CNN feature extraction module and the CF classification module. Finally, the image patches from the test image are sent to the trained model to complete the retinal blood vessel segmentation. The algorithm is verified on the DRIVE, STARE, and CHASE_DB1 datasets. The sensitivity reaches 0.8206, 0.8762, and 0.7705, the accuracy reaches 0.9531, 0.9611, and 0.9559, and the area under the ROC curve reaches 0.9770, 0.9899, and 0.9767, respectively. The comprehensive performance of our method is better than that of some state‐of‐the‐art methods.
COVSeg‐NET: A deep convolution neural network for COVID‐19 lung CT image segmentation
Authors: Zhang XiaoQing , Wang GuangYu , Zhao Shu‐Guang
Published: June 2021

COVID‐19 is a new type of respiratory infectious disease that poses a serious threat to the survival of human beings all over the world. Using artificial intelligence technology to analyze lung images of COVID‐19 patients can achieve rapid and effective detection. This study proposes a COVSeg‐NET model that can accurately segment ground glass opaque lesions in COVID‐19 lung CT images. The COVSeg‐NET model is based on the fully convolutional neural network model structure, which mainly includes convolutional layer, nonlinear unit activation function, maximum pooling layer, batch normalization layer, merge layer, flattening layer, sigmoid layer, and so forth. Through experiments and evaluation results, it can be seen that the dice coefficient, sensitivity, and specificity of the COVSeg‐NET model are 0.561, 0.447, and 0.996 respectively, which are more advanced than other deep learning methods. The COVSeg‐NET model can use a smaller training set and shorter test time to obtain better segmentation results.
Performing minimally invasive soft tissue surgery in dogs and cats
Authors: Moore Alasdair Hotston
Published: June 2021

Background: Minimally invasive surgical techniques have grown in prominence in people and this trend is also being seen in veterinary surgery; however, the uptake of many procedures has been slow, and the overall number of animals treated in this way remains relatively small. The limiting factors have been a lack of training (both before and after qualification), a lack of surgeon experience with this technique, and the cost and availability of the equipment required. However, the benefits include reduced tissue trauma, faster patient recovery and better visualisation, due to magnification and closer access of the target tissues. Arthroscopy (notably of the elbow) led the way with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in dogs, and laparoscopy has become much more common in the past decade.

Aim of the article: This article outlines the equipment needed for minimally invasive soft tissue surgery and provides an update on the current applications of these techniques. A more general definition of MIS in the context of soft tissue would include any technique that reduces tissue trauma compared to open surgery (such as interventional radiography), but this article is limited to the techniques that use rigid endoscopy.
What has Covid‐19 meant for the tax landscape?
Authors: Harwood Mark
Published: June 2021

Although the past year has been a tricky one for many, let's start with a big positive – there remains plenty of great tax‐saving opportunities for the veterinary profession as we move through the Covid‐19 pandemic. In this article, I give a flavour of some of the tax changes that have been announced so far in 2021, and what they mean for the profession going forward.
Digitally Mediated Art in the War Zone: The Aesthetics of Resilience in Yemen
Authors: Oruc Nurgul
Published: June 2021

The current civil war in Yemen has been largely ignored by mainstream media, with the majority of coverage spotlighting the military aspect of the conflict. Yemeni artists challenge this absence of narratives reflecting the suffering of thousands of Yemeni men, women, and children by exposing the actual situation to the outside world through various artifacts shared on digital media platforms. Despite the significance of contemplating creative endeavors in conflict zones and the burgeoning interest in cultural production both during and after the Arab Spring in the Middle East, contemporary Yemeni creative expressions have been largely neglected by scholars working on the Middle East. This article traces how Yemeni artists have intervened in the representation of the conflict and war in Yemen since 2011. It analyzes the heterogonous artistic forms, contents, and representational strategies that Yemeni artists and filmmakers have employed to express their collective concerns over war and destruction. The constraints and limitations imposed by the conflict have also shaped the creative expressions of Yemeni wartime artists, especially in terms of sharing their work both with their own communities and with the wider world. While their creative work manifests the suffering of a nation, it also constitutes a refusal to live under weakness and lack of hope for the future. The concepts of tactical and participatory media and socially engaged art are used to refer to the production and dissemination of a variety of creative responses to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, as illustrated through selected art media forms.
“The Script Does Not Respond” ‐ Arabic Script's Difficulties in the Digital Realm. A Visual Approach
Authors: Kokoschka Alina
Published: June 2021

This article examines different layers of the problematic visual representation of Arabic as a writing system in the digital realm. It starts with the often false, sometimes severely distorted representations of Arabic script. Although most obvious in daily office work and strolls through Latin‐Arabic Linguistic Landscapes, this phenomenon has not yet been systematically looked into. The many unintended and often unnoticed misrepresentations that lead to illegible texts and reader‐unfriendly websites are only the tip of the iceberg. They give visibility to a fundamental lack of script‐specific visual organization of knowledge in digital surroundings and the virtual absence of Arabic‐based digital infrastructure. These phenomena may be examined as a case in point of Latin dominance.

This article is a visual account. It investigates the common faults from a typographic and aesthetic perspective against the background of different layers of Arabic scribal tradition. It, therefore, moves from single letters and Arabic script's specificities over to bi‐scriptual encounters and then to more complex text arrangements in websites, programming, and manuscripts. While research in this very field necessarily focuses on deficiencies and problems, possible solutions will also be presented and discussed.
Methods for Studying Video Games and Religion
Authors: Ackfeldt Anders
Published: June 2021

The edited volume Methods for Studying Video Games and Religion (2017) by Vít Šisler, Kerstin Radde‐Antweiler, and Xenia Zeiler takes the study of religion and video games seriously and recognizes the widespread usage of religious themes in the world of games. The book can be read as an exposé of the state of research in the field of Game Studies with the specific focus on methods for researching how religion is represented in games and how religious traditions change and serves as inspiration for religious practices and beliefs.
Enhanced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells on P(VDF‐TrFE) layer coated microelectrodes
Authors: Shen Shuxian , He Xuzhao , Chen Xiaoyi , Dong Lingqing , Cheng Kui , Weng Wenjian
Published: June 2021

Electrical stimulation has been proved to be critical to regulate cell behavior. But, cell behavior is also susceptible to multiple parameters of the adverse interferences such as surface current, electrochemical reaction products, and non‐uniform compositions, which often occur during direct electric stimulation. To effectively prevent the adverse interferences, a novel piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trfluoroethylene)(P(VDF‐TrFE)) layer was designed to coat onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) planar microelectrode. We found the electrical stimulation was able to regulate the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through calcium‐mediated PKC signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the surface charge of the designed P(VDF‐TrFE) coating layer could be easily controlled by the pre‐polarization process, which was demonstrated to trigger integrin‐mediated FAK signaling pathway, finally up‐regulating the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Strikingly, the crosstalk in the downstream of the two signaling cascades further strengthened the ERK pathway activation for osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This P(VDF‐TrFE) layer coated electrical stimulation microelectrodes therefore provide a distinct strategy to manipulate multiple‐elements of biomaterial surface to regulate stem cell fate commitment.
Comparison of the clinical characteristics of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia between China and overseas
Authors: Wang Xinhang , Chen Lulu , Huang Jinbao , Pan Jianguang , Huang Mingxiang , Chen Lizhou
Published: June 2021

Background

To explore the clinical manifestation, imaging examination, and serology of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID‐19) between China and overseas.

Methods

Ninety patients with COVID‐19 who admitted to Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital from January 23, 2020, to May 1, 2020, were included in this retrospective study. They were divided into domestic group and overseas group according to the origin regions. The clinical manifestations, imaging examination, serology, treatment, and prognosis between the two groups were compared and analyzed.

Results

The clinical manifestations of patients in the two groups mainly included fever (83.1% and 47.4%), cough (62% and 31.6%), expectoration (47.9% and 31.6%), anorexia (28.2% and 47.4%), fatigue (21.1% and 10.5%), and dyspnea (22.5% and 0%). The main laboratory characteristics in the two groups were decreased lymphocyte count, increased lactate dehydrogenase, decreased oxygenation index, decreased white blood cell count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and increased C‐reactive protein. The computed tomography (CT) examinations of chest showed bilateral and peripheral involvement, with multiple patch shadows and ground glass shadows. However, pleural effusions were rare.

Conclusion

Fever, cough, and dyspnea are more common in domestic cases than overseas cases. However, patients with COVID‐19 from overseas may have the symptoms of loss of taste and smell that domestic cases do not have.
Taxonomy and spore morphology of genus Adiantum (Vittarioideae; Pteridaceae) from Pakistan
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Jan Gul , Jan Farzana Gul , Murad Waheed
Published: June 2021

Taxonomy and spore morphology of genus Adiantum (Vittarioideae; Pteridaceae) from Pakistan is illustrated with scanning electron microscopy images based upon the specimens examined in herbaria of Pakistan, United Kingdom, and United States. A total of five species viz. Adiantum capillus‐veneris, A. incisum subsp. incisum, A. pedatum subsp. pedatum, A. tibeticum, and A. venustum were reported with the habitat ecology of the species from Pakistan. Spore morphology of the taxa was trilete, triangular in proximal and distal view, ellipsoidal and hemicircular in equatorial view, polar proximal and distal surface was with tuberculate and granulose ornamentation.
Early prediction of COVID‐19 severity using extracellular vesicle COPB2
Authors: Fujita Yu , Hoshina Tokio , Matsuzaki Juntaro , Yoshioka Yusuke , Kadota Tsukasa , Hosaka Yusuke , Fujimoto Shota , Kawamoto Hironori , Watanabe Naoaki , Sawaki Kenji , Sakamoto Yohei , Miyajima Makiko , Lee Kwangyole , Nakaharai Kazuhiko , Horino Tetsuya , Nakagawa Ryo , Araya Jun , Miyato Mitsuru , Yoshida Masaki , Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: June 2021

The clinical manifestations of COVID‐19 vary broadly, ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory failure and death. But the predictive biomarkers for characterizing the variability are still lacking. Since emerging evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are functionally involved in a number of pathological processes, we hypothesize that these extracellular components may be key determinants and/or predictors of COVID‐19 severity. To test our hypothesis, we collected serum samples from 31 patients with mild COVID‐19 symptoms at the time of their admission for discovery cohort. After symptomatic treatment without corticosteroids, 9 of the 31 patients developed severe/critical COVID‐19 symptoms. We analyzed EV protein and exRNA profiles to look for correlations between these profiles and COVID‐19 severity. Strikingly, we identified three distinct groups of markers (antiviral response‐related EV proteins, coagulation‐related markers, and liver damage‐related exRNAs) with the potential to serve as early predictive biomarkers for COVID‐19 severity. As the best predictive marker, EV COPB2 protein, a subunit of the Golgi coatomer complex, exhibited significantly higher abundance in patients remained mild than developed severe/critical COVID‐19 and healthy controls in discovery cohort (AUC 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00‐1.00)). The validation set included 40 COVID‐19 patients and 39 healthy controls, and showed exactly the same trend between the three groups with excellent predictive value (AUC 0.85 (95% CI: 0.73‐0.97)). These findings highlight the potential of EV COPB2 expression for patient stratification and for making early clinical decisions about strategies for COVID‐19 therapy.
Systemic quinolones and risk of acute liver failure I: Analysis of data from the US FDA adverse event reporting system
Authors: Taher Mohamed Kadry , Alami Abdallah , Gravel Christopher A. , Tsui Derek , Bjerre Lise M. , Momoli Franco , Mattison Donald R. , Krewski Daniel
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

Quinolones are a potent and globally popular group of antibiotics that are used to treat a wide range of infections. Some case reports have raised concern about their possible association with acute hepatic failure (AHF). Data from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System were evaluated for signals of AHF in association with systemically administered quinolone antibiotics.

Methods

AHF reports between 1969 and 2019q2, with a focus on 2010–2019q2, were analyzed. Specifically, AHF reports linked to non‐quinolone antibiotics of known hepatotoxicity were compared to reports with non‐quinolone, non‐hepatotoxic (reference) antibiotics; and AHF reports with quinolones were also compared to reports with the same group of reference antibiotics. Two disproportionality signal detection techniques (proportional reporting ratio, PRR, and empirical Bayes geometric mean, EBGM) were used to assess the AHF signal for both analyses.

Results

Only ciprofloxacin showed a marginal and significant AHF signal (PRR: 1.85 [1.21, 2.81]; EBGM: 1.54 [1.06, 1.81]); moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin showed weak and nonsignificant signals.

Conclusion

Further pharmacovigilance studies are required to confirm the association between ciprofloxacin and AHF seen in the present analysis.
Adjuvant S‐1 vs gemcitabine for node‐positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity score‐adjusted analysis
Authors: Takahashi Daigoro , Mizuno Takashi , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Igami Tsuyoshi , Yamaguchi Junpei , Onoe Shunsuke , Watanabe Nobuyuki , Maeda Osamu , Ando Masahiko , Ebata Tomoki
Published: June 2021

Background

The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for biliary cancers remains controversial because of conflicting results from previous phase 3 studies that used different key drugs and enrolled patients with heterogeneous tumor sites and disease stages. Fluoropyrimidine seems more beneficial than gemcitabine (GEM) combination regimens in the adjuvant setting; however, data comparing the survival benefit between GEM‐ and fluoropyrimidine‐based regimens are lacking.

Methods

Patients who underwent resection for node‐positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were included. The patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy were divided into the S‐1 and GEM groups according to the regimen. The recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and the overall survival (OS) were compared between the groups and adjusted with propensity scores generated from 14 potentially confounding clinicopathological factors.

Results

In total, 186 patients (Surgery alone, n = 71; S‐1, n = 60; GEM, n = 55) were included. The S‐1 and GEM completion rates were 75% and 65%, respectively. Among the patients who underwent adjuvant therapy, the RFS was longer in the S‐1 group patients than the GEM group patients (median, 24.4 months vs 14.9 months; P = .044) whereas the OS was not significantly different between the groups (median, 48.5 months vs 35.0 months; P = .324). After propensity score adjustment, the differences in RFS and OS between the groups were more evident (HR: 2.696, 95% CI: 1.739‐4.180 P < .001; HR: 1.988, 95% CI: 1.221‐3.238, P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions

Compared with adjuvant GEM monotherapy, adjuvant S‐1 monotherapy may improve survival in node‐positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients.
Contextualising mass school shootings in the United States
Authors: Paez Gabriel R. , Capellan Joel A. , Johnson Madison G.
Published: June 2021

The data from the K‐12 School Shooting Database (K‐12 SSDB) of 1,544 school shootings were used to explore patterns of mass school shootings in the United States, with particular focus on the interplay between relevant predictors of these tragic events. Through a conjunctive analysis of case configurations (CACC), results from the current study show that (1) mass school shootings are rare and cluster significantly among dominant situational profiles, defined by the unique combination of variables attributes; (2) mass school shootings are never pre‐planned and in no case involve hostages. Current findings are discussed in light of existing school shooting scholarship and recommendations for policy and future areas of research are offered.
Cerebral folate deficiency in two siblings caused by biallelic variants including a novel mutation of FOLR1 gene: Intrafamilial heterogeneity following early treatment and the role of ketogenic diet
Authors: Papadopoulou Maria T. , Dalpa Efterpi , Portokalas Michalis , Katsanika Irene , Tirothoulaki Katerina , Spilioti Martha , Gerou Spyros , Plecko Barbara , Evangeliou Athanasios E.
Published: June 2021

Mutations in the FOLR1 gene, encoding for the folate alpha receptor (FRa), represent a rare recessive genetic cause of cerebral folate deficiency (CFD), a potentially reversible neurometabolic condition. Patients typically present with developmental delay, seizures, abnormal movements, and delayed myelination. We hereby expand the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of the disease with the report of the first two Greek siblings that were found compound heterozygous for one known FOLR1 gene mutation (p.Cys65Trp) and a mutation (p.Trp143Arg) that has not yet been reported in the literature (class 3 variant according to ASHG classification). A distinguishing feature of the older sibling is the manifestation of drug‐resistant epileptic spasms beyond infancy. These had a relatively good response to a ketogenic diet, as an additional treatment to topiramate and valproate. A further clinical improvement was observed when folinic acid was combined with the above treatment. While a response to folinic acid is well established in the disorder, the efficacy of its combination with the ketogenic diet needs further evaluation, but we suggest considering it early in the course of drug resistant epilepsy in the setting of CFD. The younger sibling was diagnosed and treated with folinic acid at an early‐symptomatic stage. Both patients had moderately low age‐related CSF 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate levels at diagnosis with the older sibling (that was already treated at base line collection) averaging 19 nmol/L (normal range: 44‐122 nmol/L) and the younger one 49 nmol/L (normal range 63‐122 nmol/L). These levels were restored to normal limits after folinic supplementation.
Investigation of Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applied in the Evaluation of the Tumor Grade of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Cai Qian , Wen Zhihua , Huang Yiping , Li Meiqin , Ouyang Longyuan , Ling Jian , Qian Long , Guo Yan , Wang Huanjun
Published: June 2021

Background

The histological grade of bladder cancer (BCa) is an important factor associated with the treatment and prognosis. However, accurate determination of the preoperative histological grade of BCa remains a challenge.

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic potential of synthetic MRI (SyMRI) in evaluating the histological grade of BCa.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Sixty patients (48 men and 12 women; mean age, 65 ± 11 years) with pathologically confirmed BCa (33 with high‐grade BCa and 27 with low‐grade BCa) were enrolled.

Field Strength/Sequence

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) acquired by a single‐shot echo‐planar sequence and SyMRI acquired by a multidynamic multiecho (MDME) sequence at 3.0 T.

Assessment

Preoperative quantitative longitudinal relaxation time (T1), transverse relaxation time (T2), proton density (PD), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of BCa were independently measured by two radiologists.

Statistical Tests

Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), independent sample t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, Delong test, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were used.

Results

Significant differences were found in the mean of all the T1, T2, PD, and ADC values between high‐ and low‐grade BCa. The best diagnostic performance was found for the mean ADC value with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.869, while the AUC values of the mean PD, T1, and T2 values were 0.755, 0.740, and 0.723, respectively.

Data Conclusion

SyMRI may be a potential noninvasive technique for evaluating the histological grade of BCa. However, the overall diagnostic performance of SyMRI‐derived parameters was inferior to the ADC value.

Levels of Evidence

2.

Technical Efficacy Stage

2.
Evaluation of Quantile Delta Mapping as a bias‐correction method in maximum rainfall dataset from downscaled models in São Paulo state (Brazil)
Authors: Xavier Ana Carolina Freitas , Martins Letícia Lopes , Rudke Anderson Paulo , de Morais Marcos Vinicius Bueno , Martins Jorge Alberto , Blain Gabriel Constantino
Published: June 2021

An essential step for improving climate change models' performance is to evaluate their ability to represent the current climate conditions, especially extreme events. On such background, this study aims at evaluating the performance of the Quantile Delta Mapping (QDM) as a bias correction method for annual maximum daily precipitation series (bmax) generated from downscaled climate change models under tropical–subtropical conditions of Brazil. We selected the QDM due to its ability to correct bias in extreme quantile of wet days. Climate projections obtained from 20 NASA Earth Exchange Daily Downscaled Projections models (NEX‐GDDP) from 1950 to 2005 were subjected to validation processes based on the QDM method. Two climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 W m−2) have also been considered. Several goodness‐of‐fit measures, such as root‐mean‐square‐error (RMSE),SD, percentual bias (pbias), mean absolute error (MAE), Pearson correlation test, modified Willmott test (dm), have been calculated from the outcomes of the models and their corresponding observed data (obtained from rain gauges). These goodness‐of‐fit measures were calculated before and after applying the QDM method. The QDM was able to correct virtually all biases. More specifically, the QDM successfully adjusted the empirical cumulative distribution of climate change projections, removing the systematic error of raw data. The QDM also presented a suitable performance when applied to future projections (2020–2095). This statement holds for all NEX‐GDDP models, except for the ACCESS1‐0 model in RCP 8.5. In such a scenario, this latter model presented unrealistic rainfall values. Finally, with the improvement resulting from applying the bias correction method QDM, there was an increase in the number of climate projections suitable for end‐users in the study region.