bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerodynamic characteristics of a square cylinder with corner fins
Authors: Wang Qiulei , Jiang Qi , Hu Gang , Chen Xiao , Li Chao , Xiao Yiqing 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of fitting fins at the corners of a square cylinder on aerodynamic characteristics of the cylinder via wind tunnel tests and large eddy simulations (LES). Although it has been recognized that the corner fins have a remarkable effect on aerodynamic characteristics of a square cylinder, no study has been carried out to systematically evaluate this effect and reveal the underlying mechanism. Three types of corner fin configurations, i.e. fins fitted only to the leading corners, fins fitted only to the trailing corners, and fins fitted to both leading and trailing corners were studied. It was found that the corner fins significantly influence aerodynamic characteristics, such as mean drag coefficient, fluctuating lift coefficient, and vortex shedding of the cylinder. The influences of these corner fin configurations are very different. In general, the leading and trailing fins have an opposite effect on these characteristics. The mechanisms underlying these effects were clarified based on the flow regime visualized via LES. The interesting findings have practical significances not only for reducing aerodynamic forces and wind-induced vibration of infrastructures, but also for enhancing wind-induced vibration-based energy harvesting.
G-protein coupled receptor, PI3K and Rho signaling pathways regulate the cascades of Tau and amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Desale Smita Eknath , Chidambaram Hariharakrishnan , Chinnathambi Subashchandrabose 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of amyloid-β plaques in the extracellular environment and aggregates of Tau protein that forms neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in neuronal cells. Along with these pathological proteins, the disease shows neuroinflammation, neuronal death, impairment in the immune function of microglia and synaptic loss, which are mediated by several important signaling pathways. The PI3K/Akt-mediated survival-signaling pathway is activated by many receptors such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor. The signaling pathway not only increases the survival of neurons but also regulates inflammation, phagocytosis, cellular protection, Tau phosphorylation and Aβ secretion as well. In this review, we focused on receptors, which activate PI3K/Akt pathway and its potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Among several membrane receptors, GPCRs are the major drug targets for therapy, and GPCR signaling pathways are altered during Alzheimer’s disease. Several GPCRs are involved in the pathogenic progression, phosphorylation of Tau protein by activation of various cellular kinases and are involved in the amyloidogenic pathway of amyloid-β synthesis. Apart from various GPCR signaling pathways, GPCR regulating/ interacting proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. These include several small GTPases, Ras homolog enriched in brain, GPCR associated sorting proteins, β-arrestins, etc., that play a critical role in disease progression and has been elaborated in this review.
Where Is North?
Authors: Kim Sora 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
We take the cardinal directions for granted, but they are social constructs. Directionality is relative to how we locate central points, and these choices reflect a sense of direction in a society. This article illustrates how the notion of “center” changed in Korean society by comparing land registers of the Korean Empire (1897–1910) and the Japanese colonial period (1910–45). The colonial government prioritized mapping with scale, contours, and cardinal directions. As a result, the entire country was mapped to conform to a procrustean order. By contrast, there had been no cadastral map for centuries prior. Instead, the location of each parcel was described in textual information with four cardinal points. The author argues that fundamental difference between the two notions of “center” lay in the consciousness of the relationship between the human and the natural. The difference was expressed through the contrast in their respective conformity and flexibility, standardization and diversity.
Cerebral and tumoral blood flow in adult gliomas: a systematic review of results from magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Waqar Mueez , Lewis Daniel , Agushi Erjon , Gittins Matthew , Jackson Alan , Coope David 
Published: June 2021

Objective:
Blood flow is the rate of blood movement and relevant to numerous processes, though understudied in gliomas. The aim of this review was to pool blood flow metrics obtained from MRI modalities in adult supratentorial gliomas.

Methods:
MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane database were queried 01/01/2000–31/12/2019. Studies measuring blood flow in adult Grade II–IV supratentorial gliomas using dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) or arterial spin labelling (ASL) were included. Absolute and relative cerebral blood flow (CBF), peritumoral blood flow and tumoral blood flow (TBF) were reported.

Results:
34 studies were included with 1415 patients and 1460 scans. The mean age was 52.4 ± 7.3 years. Most patients had glioblastoma (n = 880, 64.6%). The most common imaging modality was ASL (n = 765, 52.4%) followed by DSC (n = 538, 36.8%). Most studies were performed pre-operatively (n = 1268, 86.8%). With increasing glioma grade (II vs IV), TBF increased (70.8 vs 145.5 ml/100 g/min, p &lt; 0.001) and CBF decreased (85.3 vs 49.6 ml/100 g/min, p &lt; 0.001). In Grade IV gliomas, following treatment, CBF increased in ipsilateral (24.9 ± 1.2 vs 26.1 ± 0.0 ml/100 g/min, p &lt; 0.001) and contralateral white matter (25.6 ± 0.2 vs 26.0± 0.0 ml/100 g/min, p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate that increased mass effect from high-grade gliomas impairs blood flow within the surrounding brain that can improve with surgery.

Advances in knowledge:
This systematic review demonstrates how mass effect from brain tumours impairs blood flow in the surrounding brain parenchyma that can improve with treatment.
Pharmacological management of seizures in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review
Authors: Mante Priscilla Kolibea , Adomako Nana Ofori , Omuojine John-Paul , Antwi Paulina 
Published: June 2021

Background: Some patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported to exhibit neurological symptoms such as seizures and impaired consciousness. Our study reviews reported cases to assess the pharmacological approach to managing seizures in SARS-CoV-2 patients and associated outcomes. Methods: A systematic review of case reports on the incidence of seizures following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients that reported use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in management was performed by using the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. Databases used included EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. Data was presented as qualitative and descriptive data. Results: In total, 67 articles were selected for full-text assessment, of which 19 were included in the final review. Patients had a median age of 54 years, most of whom were male. Remdisivir, dexamethasone, Laminavir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and Lopinavir-ritonavir were common agents used in the management of COVID-19. Most patients presented with either generalized tonic-clonic seizures or status epilepticus. Most patients received levetiracetam as drug choice or as part of their regimen. Other AEDs commonly prescribed included midazolam and sodium valproate. Some patients received no antiepileptic drug therapy. Most of the patients who died had more than one comorbidity. Also, most of the patients who died received COVID-19 treatment drugs. None of the patients who received midazolam as drug choice or as part of their regimen developed recurrent seizures in contrast to patients who received levetiracetam and sodium valproate as drug choice or as part of their regimen. Interestingly, none of the patients who received no AEDs suffered recurrent seizures or died. Conclusions: Standard guidelines for managing seizures in COVID-19 patients may be required. A limitation of this review is that it involved the use of case reports with no controls and a small number of patients.
Pan-cancer chromatin analysis of the human vtRNA genes uncovers their association with cancer biology
Authors: Fort Rafael Sebastián , Duhagon María Ana 
Published: June 2021

Background: The vault RNAs (vtRNAs) are a class of 84-141-nt eukaryotic non-coding RNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase III, associated to the ribonucleoprotein complex known as vault particle. Of the four human vtRNA genes, vtRNA1-1, vtRNA1-2 and vtRNA1-3, clustered at locus 1, are integral components of the vault particle, while vtRNA2-1 is a more divergent homologue located in a second locus. Gene expression studies of vtRNAs in large cohorts have been hindered by their unsuccessful sequencing using conventional transcriptomic approaches. Methods: VtRNA expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pan-Cancer cohort was estimated using the genome-wide DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility data (ATAC-seq) of their genes as surrogate variables. The association between vtRNA expression and patient clinical outcome, immune subtypes and transcriptionally co-regulated gene programs was analyzed in the dataset. Results: VtRNAs promoters are enriched in transcription factors related to viral infection. VtRNA2-1 is likely the most independently regulated homologue. VtRNA1-1 has the most accessible chromatin, followed by vtRNA1-2, vtRNA2-1 and vtRNA1-3. VtRNA1-1 and vtRNA1-3 chromatin status does not significantly change in cancer tissues. Meanwhile, vtRNA2-1 and vtRNA1-2 expression is widely deregulated in neoplastic tissues and its alteration is compatible with a broad oncogenic role for vtRNA1-2, and both tumor suppressor and oncogenic functions for vtRNA2-1. Yet, vtRNA1-1, vtRNA1-2 and vtRNA2-1 promoter DNA methylation predicts a shorter patient overall survival cancer-wide. In addition, gene ontology analyses of vtRNAs co-regulated genes identify a chromosome regulatory domain, epithelial differentiation, immune and thyroid cancer gene sets for specific vtRNAs. Furthermore, vtRNA expression patterns are associated with cancer immune subtypes and vtRNA1-2 expression is positively associated with cell proliferation and wound healing. Conclusions: Our study presents the landscape of vtRNA chromatin status cancer-wide, identifying co-regulated gene networks and ontological pathways associated with the different vtRNA genes that may account for their diverse roles in cancer.
The impact of condom use on the HIV epidemic
Authors: Stover John , Teng Yu 
Published: June 2021

Background: Condom promotion and supply was one the earliest interventions to be mobilized to address the HIV pandemic. Condoms are inexpensive and provide protection against transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) as well as against unintended pregnancy. As many as 16 billion condoms may be used annually in all low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In recent years the focus of HIV programs as been on testing and treatment and new technologies such as PrEP. Rates of condom use have stopped increasing short of UNAIDS targets and funding from donors is declining. Methods: We applied a mathematical HIV transmission model to 77 high HIV burden countries to estimate the number of HIV infections that would have occurred from 1990 to 2019 if condom use had remained at 1990 levels. Results: The results suggest that current levels of HIV would be five times higher without condom use and that the scale-up in condoms use averted about 117 million HIV infections. Conclusions: HIV programs should ensure that affordable condoms are consistently available and that the benefits of condom use are widely understood.
Making a business case in healthcare: the value of careful consideration
Authors: Henriksson Anna Maria , Walker Matthew , Thakrar Sonali V 
Published: June 2021

A well thought-out business case offers an opportunity for clinicians to bring about evidenced-based change in clinical practice. It is a powerful tool that can have a significant impact on healthcare services and patient outcomes, while also offering desirable solutions to the NHS, which is facing growing healthcare demands on increasingly limited resources. The role of a business case is to justify the need for change, argue its value, gain support from leadership and illustrate how it can be sustainably implemented. This article guides clinicians through the process of producing a successful business case using the five-case model, which can be applied to the majority of improvement projects or services in healthcare settings. Clinicians might use this guide to support the development of a case to make a change in their own workplace or to help them take a full part in wider system changes.
Performing horizontal to vertical ratio testing in stiff soils in and around Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Griffiths Shawn , Ansariaval Abbas 
Published: June 2021

Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) testing was completed at two cross sections in and around GTNP. The HVSR testing produced reliable estimates of the fundamental frequencies for many of the sites tested. The goal of the testing was to determine a depth of soil above competent bedrock. However the fundamental frequencies recorded yielded predicted depths that are much shallower than expected. Also the predicted depths did not increase at greater distance from the Teton Range, which would be expected at these sites. Based on these predictions the authors do not believe the frequencies recorded are a good indication of the depth of the soil above bedrock but instead it is believed that the depths correspond with a layer of softer topsoil/overburden above a stiffer gravel layer. Although the goal of measuring the depth of soil above bedrock was not met, HVSR produced results that may be useful to others for determination of a fundamental frequency of resonance at our testing locations.

Featured photo by Anna Cressman, taken from the AMK Ranch photo collection. https://flic.kr/p/2jjWZGT
A novel Filobacterium sp can cause chronic bronchitis in cats
Authors: Načeradská Martina , Pekova Sona , Danesi Patrizia , Furlanello Tommaso , Calleo Roberta , Martin Patricia , Ike Fumio , Malik Richard 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCilia-associated respiratory bacillus (CARB; now known asFilobacterium rodentiumgen. nov., sp. nov.) is a primary pathogen of rodents. A CARB-like organism was reported in post-mortem lung samples of cats using light and electron microscopy. Here we explore by molecular procedures if aFilobacteriumsp. is a part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome and whether it could in some cats contribute to the development of chronic bronchial disease.MethodologyAFilobacteriumsp. was identified in three Czech cats clinically diagnosed as having chronic neutrophilic bronchitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens obtained from these cats were subjected to panbacterial 16S rDNA PCR followed by Sanger sequencing of the V5 to V8 region. After these cats were treated with specific antimicrobials, their clinical signs resolved promptly, without recurrence. Next, BALF specimens from 13 Australian and 11 Italian cats with lower respiratory disease and an additional 16 lung samples of Italian cats who died of various causes were examined using next generation sequencing (NGS). Subsequently, aFilobacterium-specific qPCR assay was developed and used to re-test BALF specimens from the 11 Italian cats and lung tissue homogenates from the additional 16 deceased cats.Principal findingsAn amplicon of 548 bp with 91.24% sequence agreement withFilobacterium rodentiumwas obtained from all three patients, suggesting the novelFilobacteriumsp. was the cause of their lower respiratory disease. The novelFilobacteriumsp., which we propose to callF.felis, was detected in 3/3 Czech cats with chronic neutrophilic bronchitis, 13/13 Australian cats and 6/11 Italian cats with chronic lower respiratory disease, and 14/16 necropsy lung specimens from Italian cats. NGS and qPCR results all showed identical sequences. TheFilobacteriumsp. was sometimes the preponderant bacterial species in BALF specimens from cats with lower airway disease. There was an association between the presence of large numbers (greater than 105organisms/mL) ofFilobacteriumand the presence of neutrophilic and/or histiocytic inflammation, although only a subset of inflammatory BALF specimens hadF.felisas the preponderant organism.ConclusionThe novelFilobacteriumsp. comprises a finite part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome. Under certain circumstances it can increase in absolute and relative abundance and give rise to neutrophilic and/or histiocytic bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia. These findings strongly suggest thatF.feliscould be an underdiagnosed cause of feline bronchial disease.
The microeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the economic consequences for abortion care-seekers
Authors: Coast Ernestina , Lattof Samantha R. , Meulen Rodgers Yana van der , Moore Brittany , Poss Cheri 
Published: June 2021

Background
The economic consequences of abortion care and abortion policies for individuals occur directly and indirectly. We lack synthesis of the economic costs, impacts, benefit or value of abortion care at the micro-level (i.e., individuals and households). This scoping review examines the microeconomic costs, benefits and consequences of abortion care and policies.

Methods and findings
Searches were conducted in eight electronic databases and applied inclusion/exclusion criteria using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. For inclusion, studies must have examined at least one of the following outcomes: costs, impacts, benefits, and value of abortion care or abortion policies. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted for descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Of the 230 included microeconomic studies, costs are the most frequently reported microeconomic outcome (n = 180), followed by impacts (n = 84), benefits (n = 39), and values (n = 26). Individual-level costs of abortion-related care have implications for the timing and type of care sought, globally. In contexts requiring multiple referrals or follow-up visits, these costs are multiplied. The ways in which people pay for abortion-related costs are diverse. The intersection between micro-level costs and delay(s) to abortion-related care is substantial. Individuals forego other costs and expenditures, or are pushed further into debt and/or poverty, in order to fund abortion-related care. The evidence base on the economic impacts of policy or law change is from high-income countries, dominated by studies from the United States.

Conclusions
Delays underpinned by economic factors can thwart care-seeking, affect the type of care sought, and impact the gestational age at which care is sought or reached. The evidence base includes little evidence on the micro-level costs for adolescents. Specific sub-groups of abortion care-seekers (transgendered and/or disabled people) are absent from the evidence and it is likely that they may experience higher direct and indirect costs because they may experience greater barriers to abortion care.
Social, economic, and environmental factors influencing the basic reproduction number of COVID-19 across countries
Authors: Kong Jude Dzevela , Tekwa Edward W. , Gignoux-Wolfsohn Sarah A. 
Published: June 2021

Objective
To assess whether the basic reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 is different across countries and what national-level demographic, social, and environmental factors other than interventions characterize initial vulnerability to the virus.

Methods
We fit logistic growth curves to reported daily case numbers, up to the first epidemic peak, for 58 countries for which 16 explanatory covariates are available. This fitting has been shown to robustly estimate R0 from the specified period. We then use a generalized additive model (GAM) to discern both linear and nonlinear effects, and include 5 random effect covariates to account for potential differences in testing and reporting that can bias the estimated R0.

Findings
We found that the mean R0 is 1.70 (S.D. 0.57), with a range between 1.10 (Ghana) and 3.52 (South Korea). We identified four factors—population between 20–34 years old (youth), population residing in urban agglomerates over 1 million (city), social media use to organize offline action (social media), and GINI income inequality—as having strong relationships with R0, across countries. An intermediate level of youth and GINI inequality are associated with high R0, (n-shape relationships), while high city population and high social media use are associated with high R0. Pollution, temperature, and humidity did not have strong relationships with R0 but were positive.

Conclusion
Countries have different characteristics that predispose them to greater intrinsic vulnerability to COVID-19. Studies that aim to measure the effectiveness of interventions across locations should account for these baseline differences in social and demographic characteristics.
Health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers compared with non-migrant workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pega Frank , Govindaraj Srinivasan , Tran Nguyen Toan 
Published: June 2021

Objectives
The review aimed to synthesise recent evidence on health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers, compared with non-migrant workers.

Methods
A search was carried out in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL for studies published between Jan 1, 2010, and Feb 29, 2020. Included outcomes were: occupational health service use, fatal occupational injury, HIV, and depression. Two authors independently screened records, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and judged quality of evidence. We meta-analysed estimates and conducted subgroup analyses by sex, geographical origin, geographical destination, and regularity of migration.

Results
Twenty-one studies were included comprising >17 million participants in 16 countries. Most studies investigated regular migrant workers in high-income destination countries. Compared with non-migrant workers, migrant workers were less likely to use health services (relative risk 0·55, 95% confidence interval 0·41 to 0·73, 4 studies, 3,804,131 participants, I2 100%, low quality of evidence). They more commonly had occupational injuries (1·27, 95% confidence interval 1·11 to 1·45, 7 studies, 17,100,626 participants, I2 96%, low quality of evidence). Relative risks differed by geographical origin and/or destination. There is uncertainty (very low quality of evidence) about occupational health service use (0 studies), fatal occupational injuries (5 studies, N = 14,210,820), HIV (3 studies, N = 13,775), and depression (2 studies, N = 7,512).

Conclusions
Migrant workers may be less likely than non-migrant workers to use health services and more likely to have occupational injuries. More research is required on migrant workers from and in low- and middle-income countries, across migration stages, migrating irregularly, and in the informal economy.