bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Native collagen sheet mask improves skin health and appearance: A comprehensive clinical evaluation
Authors: Janssens‐Böcker Ciska , Wiesweg Karin , Doberenz Claudia
Published: January 2024

Background

Collagen, a critical structural protein found abundantly in animal skin and bones, has become increasingly recognized for its potential therapeutic role in skincare. Despite growing interest, the scientific evidence for the efficacy of collagen sheet masks remains limited. The principal objective of our study was to provide insights into the multifaceted role of collagen in skin health, with a specific focus on its application in collagen sheet masks.

Methods

The effects of a collagen sheet mask consisting of >92% native bovine collagen were investigated. The soluble protein components of the collagen matrix were analyzed and the influence of soluble collagen components on fibroblast regulation was examined. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was performed for structural analysis and effect on irritated skin. Five different clinical studies were conducted, including a comparison of the diversity of the skin microbiome, the tolerance and local irritating reactions in atopic dermatitis, an evaluation of skin redness after UV radiation, wrinkle reduction, and hydration and skin roughness of the collagen mask in comparison to a pre‐soaked cellulose sheet mask.

Results

The collagen mask contains soluble protein components, including small collagen peptides. The mask showed potential for promoting fibroblast activity. SEM analysis showed a native collagen structure similar to human dermis. The mask maintained the skin microbiome diversity and decreased skin pH levels. It demonstrated good tolerability on both intact and lesional skin and had a significant effect in reducing erythema caused by UV radiation compared to other skincare products. It showed significant improvements in skin hydration and the volume of eye wrinkles and was more effective than pre‐soaked cellulose sheet masks.

Conclusion

Collagen sheet masks have the potential to positively impact skin health and appearance by increasing hydration, reducing erythema, minimizing wrinkles, and maintaining a healthy skin microbiome and skin barrier.
Multiple Bowen's disease due to long‐term narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Dong , Fan Huiping , Liu Xuankai , Wang Shuai , Lang Xiaoqiao , Ma Weiyuan , Pang Yunyan
Published: January 2024

Objective

By presenting a case study on multiple instances of Bowen's disease and the consistent use of narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy over a three‐year period, our aim is to enhance the comprehension of domestic clinicians regarding the disease. Additionally, we seek to review existing literature, encouraging dermatologists to consider clinical secondary primary lesion diagnoses.

Method

Our approach involves analyzing a diagnosed case of multiple Bowen's disease, examining clinical manifestations, histopathology, imaging results, and treatment methods related to NB‐UVB phototherapy. We aim to facilitate discussion and understanding through a comprehensive literature analysis.

Results

An elderly male with a 30‐year history of psoriasis vulgaris initiated continuous NB‐UVB therapy three years ago. A year later, he developed red patches and plaques with distinct borders and scaly surfaces on his face, trunk, lower extremities, and scrotum. Histopathological examination confirmed Bowen's disease. Treatment involved liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, with no recurrence observed during the one‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

This case highlights that Bowen's disease, typically solitary, can manifest as multiple instances, especially in individuals with a history of psoriasis vulgaris. While NB‐UVB stands as the primary treatment for psoriasis vulgaris, caution is warranted due to the potential risk of skin tumor induction with prolonged high‐dose usage. Clinicians should be vigilant in monitoring and assessing the long‐term implications of such therapies.
Rethinking maternal gatekeeping from a life‐course perspective: A study of post‐separation families
Authors: Moles‐Kalt Benjamin , Sánchez‐Mira Núria , Bernardi Laura
Published: January 2024

Objective

The article examines how maternal gatekeeping practices evolve in the post‐separation trajectory and identifies the main relational and contextual factors shaping these processes over time.

Background

Studies of maternal gatekeeping have only recently begun to include post‐separation families based on cross‐sectional research designs. This article is theoretically grounded in a life‐course and human agency framework, and it both offers a novel understanding of maternal gatekeeping as a dynamic process and examines its relational embeddedness.

Methods

The data stem from the prospective qualitative study “The multiple paths of lone parenthood,” which has been ongoing in Switzerland for over a decade and includes four waves of semistructured interviews with mothers who have experienced lone parenthood (N = 88 interviews).

Results

Most mothers reported active facilitation practices at the beginning of their trajectory, encouraging the father–child relationship. Subsequently, shifts toward hands‐off or active gate‐closing practices took place over time along with the evolution of relational circumstances, such as the father's involvement or children's autonomy, or by an accumulation of negative experiences.

Conclusion

The relationship with the nonresident father creates ongoing moral dilemmas for mothers over the post‐separation trajectory. Indeed, these mothers must navigate social norms that emphasize the importance of ensuring father–child contact while safeguarding the child's well‐being and ensuring that the father complies with visitation arrangements and alimony.

Implications

Professional support and legal regulations should consider the moral dilemmas experienced by mothers by establishing measures to relieve separated mothers of the need to take the initiative to obtain the father's compliance with their obligations.
A sample preparation guide for clay‐rich carbonaceous chondrites
Authors: Wilson Bennett J. K. , Di Cecco Veronica E. , Garvie Laurence A. J. , Tait Kimberly T. , Daly Michael G.
Published: January 2024

The matrix of the C2‐ungrouped Tarda meteorite contains abundant smectite minerals that swell and crumble when exposed to polar liquids, causing the sample to rapidly slake. This phenomenon presents a serious challenge when polishing the meteorite, as common polishing liquids used on carbonaceous chondrites, such as water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropyl alcohol, are polar and will cause the sample to swell, making it unsuitable for some analyses. Hexane and mineral oil are nonpolar liquids that were found to not induce swelling on highly expansive montmorillonite‐clay analog material and were effectively integrated into a polishing procedure for Tarda. Here, we detail a procedure for mounting, cutting, and polishing the Tarda meteorite to prepare a surface that is suitable for a variety of sensitive techniques, such as electron microprobe analysis. This work offers a practical methodology for the preparation of other clay‐rich samples, which may include the recently returned Ryugu and Bennu materials.
Topographic barriers drive the pronounced genetic subdivision of a range‐limited fossorial rodent
Authors: Reuber Victoria M. , Westbury Michael V. , Rey‐Iglesia Alba , Asefa Addisu , Farwig Nina , Miehe Georg , Opgenoorth Lars , Šumbera Radim , Wraase Luise , Wube Tilaye , Lorenzen Eline D. , Schabo Dana G.
Published: January 2024

Due to their limited dispersal ability, fossorial species with predominantly belowground activity usually show increased levels of population subdivision across relatively small spatial scales. This may be exacerbated in harsh mountain ecosystems, where landscape geomorphology limits species' dispersal ability and leads to small effective population sizes, making species relatively vulnerable to environmental change. To better understand the environmental drivers of species' population subdivision in remote mountain ecosystems, particularly in understudied high‐elevation systems in Africa, we studied the giant root‐rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), a fossorial rodent confined to the afro‐alpine ecosystem of the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. Using mitochondrial and low‐coverage nuclear genomes, we investigated 77 giant root‐rat individuals sampled from nine localities across its entire ~1000 km2 range. Our data revealed a distinct division into a northern and southern group, with no signs of gene flow, and higher nuclear genetic diversity in the south. Landscape genetic analyses of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes indicated that population subdivision was driven by slope and elevation differences of up to 500 m across escarpments separating the north and south, potentially reinforced by glaciation of the south during the Late Pleistocene (~42,000–16,000 years ago). Despite this landscape‐scale subdivision between the north and south, weak geographic structuring of sampling localities within regions indicated gene flow across distances of at least 16 km at the local scale, suggesting high, aboveground mobility for relatively long distances. Our study highlights that despite the potential for local‐scale gene flow in fossorial species, topographic barriers can result in pronounced genetic subdivision. These factors can reduce genetic variability, which should be considered when developing conservation strategies.
Experimentally informed modeling of the early‐age stress evolution in cementitious materials using exponential conversion from creep to relaxation
Authors: Liang Minfei , Luzio Giovanni Di , Schlangen Erik , Šavija Branko
Published: January 2024

This study presents comprehensive numerical modeling methods for simulating early‐age stress (EAS) relaxation in cementitious materials, based on the autogenous deformation (AD), elastic modulus, creep, and stress continuously tested by a mini temperature stress testing machine (Mini‐TSTM) and a mini AD testing machine from a very early age (i.e., from a few hours to a week). Four methods for converting creep compliance to relaxation modulus were discussed in detail and used for the one‐dimensional (1D) and three‐dimensional (3D) simulation of stress evolution in the Mini‐TSTM test. Furthermore, virtual creep and relaxation tests were conducted using an exponential algorithm with either the Kelvin or Maxwell chains to show their applicability in simulating the viscoelastic behavior of early‐age cementitious materials. The results showed that the exponential algorithm with the Maxwell chain using an exponential conversion function from creep to relaxation obtains good prediction accuracy of EAS in 3D analysis. The numerical solutions of the Volterra integral of creep compliance can lead to a negative relaxation modulus, thus introducing stress calculation errors in both 1D and 3D analysis.
Damage index based on the strain‐to‐displacement relation for health monitoring of railway bridges
Authors: Quqa Said , Palermo Antonio , Marzani Alessandro
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a novel damage index for railway bridges based on synchronous strain and displacement data collected at the passage of trains. The approach identifies a transformation operator that converts strains into displacements in a data‐driven fashion without prior structural knowledge and with no parameter selection. The displacement prediction error is proposed as a robust damage index, insensitive to the vehicle loads and temperature effects. Numerical simulations and data generated through the calibrated finite element model of a steel truss bridge showcase the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase inhibitor AIP induces rice defence against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola
Authors: Liu Jing , Lefevere Hannes , Coussement Louis , Delaere Ilse , De Meyer Tim , Demeestere Kristof , Höfte Monica , Gershenzon Jonathan , Ullah Chhana , Gheysen Godelieve
Published: January 2024

The phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) enzyme catalyses the conversion of l‐phenylalanine to trans‐cinnamic acid. This conversion is the first step in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in plants. The phenylpropanoid pathway produces diverse plant metabolites that play essential roles in various processes, including structural support and defence. Previous studies have shown that mutation of the PAL genes enhances disease susceptibility. Here, we investigated the functions of the rice PAL genes using 2‐aminoindan‐2‐phosphonic acid (AIP), a strong competitive inhibitor of PAL enzymes. We show that the application of AIP can significantly reduce the PAL activity of rice crude protein extracts in vitro. However, when AIP was applied to intact rice plants, it reduced infection of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola. RNA‐seq showed that AIP treatment resulted in a rapid but transient upregulation of defence‐related genes in roots. Moreover, targeted metabolomics demonstrated higher levels of jasmonates and antimicrobial flavonoids and diterpenoids accumulating after AIP treatment. Furthermore, chemical inhibition of the jasmonate pathway abolished the effect of AIP on nematode infection. Our results show that disturbance of the phenylpropanoid pathway by the PAL inhibitor AIP induces defence in rice against M. graminicola by activating jasmonate‐mediated defence.
Gastrointestinal complications in pediatric lung transplant recipients: Incidence, risk factors, and effects on patient outcomes
Authors: Klouda Timothy , Ryan E Morgan , Leonard Jessica Brie , Freiberger Dawn , Midyat Levent , Dahlberg Suzanne , Rosen Rachel , Visner Gary
Published: January 2024

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications in lung transplant recipients can occur any time during the post‐operative period, leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality. Despite the negative association between GI complications and patient outcomes, little is known about their incidence and risk factors for their development in pediatric lung transplant recipients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review at one pediatric tertiary center to describe the frequency of GI complications in lung transplant recipients. We identified potential risk factors for the diagnosis of gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aspiration in the post‐transplant period. Lastly, we investigated the association of these complications with mortality and graft survival.

Results

84.3% of lung transplant recipients experienced at least one GI complication in the post‐transplant period. Gastroparesis (52.9%), GERD (41.2%), and oropharyngeal dysphagia/laryngeal penetration (33.3%) were the most common complications diagnosed. Post‐operative opioid exposure was a risk factor for gastroparesis, with the odds increasing 3.0% each day a patient was prescribed opioids (p = .021). The risk of death or retransplant in individuals who experienced gastroparesis was 2.7 times higher than those not diagnosed with gastroparesis (p = .027).

Conclusion

Exposure to opioids in the post‐operative period is a risk factor for gastroparesis and a prolonged hospitalization placed patients at risk for aspiration. Gastroparesis was associated with increased patient mortality and graft failure, while aspiration and GERD had no effect on long term outcomes. Future prospective studies investigating the relationship between opioid use and the development of a gastroparesis are necessary to improve patient outcomes.
Photoprotective effects of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Pueraria lobata extracts on UVB‐induced photoaging: A study on skin barrier protection
Authors: Lee Sungjin , Oh Sarang , Zheng Qiwen , Zheng Shengdao , Kim Myeongju , Park Sejig , Choi Wonmi , Yin Chang Shik , Yi Tae‐Hoo
Published: January 2024

Aim

Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Pueraria lobata exhibit promising potential as cosmetic additives for mitigating skin barrier impairment induced by photoaging. Despite their potential, the precise mechanisms underlying their protective and ameliorative effects remain elusive. This study sought to assess the reparative properties of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Pueraria lobata extracts (LP) on UVB‐irradiated human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and explore the therapeutic potential of LP as a skin barrier protection agent.

Materials and Methods

Antioxidant activities were gauged through 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. The expression levels of skin barrier‐related markers, encompassing metalloproteinases (MMPs) and hyaluronidase (HYAL) were scrutinized using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase (RT)‐PCR, and Western blotting, with a particular focus on the involvement of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β/Smad and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathways.

Results

The study revealed that LP effectively scavenges free radicals, diminishes ROS production in a dose‐dependent manner, and significantly attenuates UVB‐induced expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 through modulation of the hyaluronan synthase (HAS)2/HYAL1 signaling axis in UVB‐irradiated HaCaT cells. Additionally, LP demonstrated enhanced TGF‐β signaling activation, fostering procollagen type I synthesis, and concurrently exhibited mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK)/NF‐κB signaling inactivation, thereby mitigating pro‐inflammatory cytokine release and alleviating UVB‐induced cellular damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the observed protective effects of LP on skin cellular constituents highlight its substantial biological potential for shielding against UVB‐induced skin photoaging, positioning it as a promising candidate for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
To vote or not to vote? Fake news, voter fraud, and support for postponing the 2020 U.S. presidential election
Authors: Craig Stephen C. , Gainous Jason
Published: January 2024

Prior to the 2020 election President Trump suggested the election should be postponed “until the country can make sure that only eligible American citizens can vote.” With the COVID‐19 pandemic leading many states to take steps that made it easier for citizens to vote safely, the president and his allies made numerous false claims about voter fraud; others argued that voter fraud is not common and is unlikely to appreciably increase with greater reliance on mail balloting. We rely on a national Internet‐based survey experiment conducted prior to the 2020 election to assess the effectiveness of both messages on citizens' support for a hypothetical proposal to postpone the presidential election. The results suggest that respondents were more likely to support postponement if they received a fake news message that fraud is common. The results also suggest that these effects are conditional; both political party and knowledge moderate the relationship.

Related Articles

Aguado, N. Alexander. 2022. “When Charismatic Leadership Trumps Social Networking: Searching for the Effects of Social Media on Beliefs of Electoral Legitimacy.” Politics & Policy 50(5): 942–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12494.

Fisher, Patrick. 2020. “Generational Replacement and the Impending Transformation of the American Electorate.” Politics & Policy 48(1): 38–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12340.

Stockemer, Daniel. 2013. “Corruption and Turnout in Presidential Elections: A Macro‐Level Quantitative Analysis.” Politics & Policy 41(2): 189–212. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12012.
Mapping the routes of perception: Hemispheric asymmetries in signal propagation dynamics
Authors: Bonfanti Davide , Mazzi Chiara , Savazzi Silvia
Published: January 2024

The visual system has long been considered equivalent across hemispheres. However, an increasing amount of data shows that functional differences may exist in this regard. We therefore tried to characterize the emergence of visual perception and the spatiotemporal dynamics resulting from the stimulation of visual cortices in order to detect possible interhemispheric asymmetries. Eighteen participants were tested. Each of them received 360 transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses at phosphene threshold intensity over left and right early visual areas while electroencephalography was being recorded. After each single pulse, participants had to report the presence or absence of a phosphene. Local mean field power analysis of TMS‐evoked potentials showed an effect of both site (left vs. right TMS) of stimulation and hemisphere (ipsilateral vs. contralateral to the TMS): while right TMS determined early stronger activations, left TMS determined later stronger activity in contralateral electrodes. The interhemispheric signal propagation index revealed differences in how TMS‐evoked activity spreads: left TMS‐induced activity diffused contralaterally more than right stimulation. With regard to phosphenes perception, distinct electrophysiological patterns were found to reflect similar perceptual experiences: left TMS‐evoked phosphenes are associated with early occipito‐parietal and frontal activity followed by late central activity; right TMS‐evoked phosphenes determine only late, fronto‐central, and parietal activations. Our results show that left and right occipital TMS elicits differential electrophysiological patterns in the brain, both per se and as a function of phosphene perception. These distinct activation patterns may suggest a different role of the two hemispheres in processing visual information and giving rise to perception.
Nowhere Else to Go: Housing Insecurity in a Hispanic‐Majority Rural County During the COVID‐19 Pandemic☆
Authors: Montañez Morgan
Published: January 2024

Northern New Mexico was uniquely vulnerable to the COVID‐19 pandemic and its fallout. Its Hispanic majority, aging population, and decreased access to healthcare put many of the communities in this area of the United States at risk. Taos County was particularly at increased risk of impact from COVID‐19. The county was also more vulnerable to the economic consequences of a pandemic due to reliance on tourism; this meant major impacts for individual households. As unemployment and poverty increased—and pandemic relief program rollouts floundered—the consequences meant precarity for many families. One of the most visible impacts of the pandemic was the inability to access affordable housing. This paper, based on 58 in‐depth interviews and 5 months of participant observation, explores experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity among an already vulnerable population during the pandemic, illustrating the ways in which many people struggled. Importantly, this paper explores differences in patterns of housing insecurity among rural White and rural Hispanic participants during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, this paper advocates the importance of looking at nuanced patterns of dealing with housing precarity in the rural setting as the ways in which different populations cope impact the forms of help that are needed when housing becomes a problem.
Climate change‐related shocks, assets and welfare outcomes in South Africa
Authors: Díaz Pabón Fabio Andrés , Shifa Muna , Ranchhod Vimal , Machemedze Takwanisa
Published: January 2024

Climate change and its consequences pose significant economic and social challenges around the world. Droughts have frequently afflicted South Africa, with the most recent severe drought occurring in 2015/2016. However, there has been little empirical research estimating the impact of climate‐related shocks on individual well‐being in South Africa. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the 2015/2016 drought on individual welfare. We also examine whether access to assets helps to mitigate the negative effects of climate change‐related shocks on individual welfare. For estimating the impact of droughts on individual welfare outcomes, weather data are combined with individual panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study dataset. We use weather data from meteorological satellites to measure the extent of droughts across the country, and we measure individual welfare using real per capita consumption expenditure. Our estimation results show that the 2015/2016 drought had no significant effect on real per capita consumption expenditure in South Africa. We hypothesise that this is due in part to the structure of the labour market, with few people relying on subsistence farming, combined with social grants and remittances being the primary source of income for people at the bottom of the consumption distribution. Using anthropometric measurements as an alternative welfare indicator, we find that children living in drought‐affected areas had lower weight‐for‐height measurements than those living in areas not affected by the drought. The findings imply that when food prices increased as a result of the drought, households may have chosen welfare‐costly coping techniques such as reducing the quantity and quality of food consumed while keeping overall expenditure the same.
Application of cantharidin, retinoic acid cream and salicylic acidy in multiple palmoplantar warts
Authors: Zhang Liyin , Cheng Shasha , Chen Cheng , Fang Ling , Cui Chengjun
Published: January 2024

Objective

Multiple palmoplantar warts, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, were investigated for clinical efficacy using cantharidin, retinoic acid cream, and salicylic acid cream.

Methods

A total of 110 patients with multiple palmoplantar warts were enrolled. The experimental group (54 cases) received a 1:1:1 combination (CRS) of 0.25% cantharidin, 0.1% retinoic acid cream, and 5% salicylic acid, applied with pressurized encapsulation for 8 h every night, three times per week. The control group (56 cases) underwent conventional liquid nitrogen freezing. Monthly follow‐ups assessed cure rate, effective rate, dermatological life quality index (DLQI), visual analog scale (VAS), and cost, with evaluations conducted after 3 months.

Results

The treatment group exhibited a cure rate of 85.19% and a total effective rate of 96.30%, surpassing the control group with rates of 39.29% and 51.79%, respectively (p < 0.05). The treatment group's DLQI score (1.84 ± 1.06) was significantly lower than the control group's score (6.04 ± 1.78) (p = 0.0005). Additionally, the treatment group's VAS score (1.84 ± 1.06) was notably lower than the control group's score (8.56 ± 1.07) (p < 0.0001). The treatment group's total cost (43.20 ± 2.85) was markedly lower than the control group's cost (206.38 ± 90.81), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The combination of cantharidin, retinoic acid cream, and salicylic acid with local encapsulation is a safe, effective, economical, and convenient treatment method for multiple palmoplantar warts, exhibiting few side effects and showing promise.
Non‐surgical rhinoplasty through minimal invasive nose thread procedures: Adverse effects and prevention methods
Authors: Park Soo Yeon , Kim Soo‐Bin , Suwanchinda Atchima , Yi Kyu‐Ho
Published: January 2024

Background

This review addresses the intricacies of non‐surgical rhinoplasty, particularly focusing on the utilization of absorbable sutures known as “Volumizing threads” in combination with fillers. The aim is to explore the enhanced precision of nasal contouring offered by these combined procedures compared to sole filler injections.

Methods

Through comprehensive clinical cases, this article scrutinizes the landscape of adverse effects and their prevention strategies associated with minimal invasive nose thread procedures. The discussion emphasizes various complications, including thread protrusion, migration, infections, skin dimpling, and granuloma formation, along with their respective management approaches.

Results

This article delineates cases of complications arising from thread placement, ranging from visibility issues to skin infections and granuloma formation. It highlights instances of thread visibility, oral mucosa protrusion, skin infections, dimpling, and granuloma formation. Additionally, it outlines the corresponding management strategies, accentuating the criticality of early intervention to preclude severe complications in non‐surgical rhinoplasty involving nose threads.

Conclusion

Non‐surgical rhinoplasty, leveraging nose thread procedures, offers heightened precision compared to conventional filler injections. However, the review underscores the importance of recognizing potential risks and promptly addressing complications like thread extrusion, migration, and infections. Understanding these complexities in non‐surgical rhinoplasty aids in informed decision‐making and efficient patient care.
Global research trends in cutaneous neurofibromas: A bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2022
Authors: Wang Jiani , Fu Jie , Zhou Yu , Gao Dongmei , Qing Jihong , Yang Guoke
Published: January 2024

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common inherited disorder characterized by cutaneous neurofibromas and other features. It is still a challenge in managing inoperable patients and the complex nature of the disease. Bibliometric analyses for cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF) could offer insights into impactful research and collaborations, guiding future efforts to improve patient care and outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of the Web of Science Core Collection database for the period 2003‐2022. Data processing and analysis were performed using bibliometric tools including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and “Bibliometrix” package. Our analysis assessed the publication or collaboration of countries, institutions, authors, and journals, as well as the co‐citation and burst of references and keywords.

Results

The analysis included 927 articles from 465 journals and 1402 institutions in 67 countries. Research on cNF has been increasing in recent years. The United States leads the field. Pierre Wolkenstein was the top author, while The University of Hamburg was the most productive institution. The American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A published the most articles in cNF. Co‐citation analysis revealed major research topics and trends over time, showing growing interest in evaluating quality of life and genotype‐phenotype correlation for cNF patients. Emerging topical MEK inhibitors show potential as a promising therapy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our bibliometric analysis of cNF research over the past two decades highlights the growing interest in this complex genetic disorder. Leading countries, authors, institutions, and journals have played significant roles in shaping the field. Notably, recent trends emphasize the importance of evaluating quality of life and genotype‐phenotype correlations in cNF patients. Furthermore, the emergence of promising topical therapy marks an exciting development in the quest to improve patient care and outcomes for those affected by cNF, paving the way for future research and collaboration.
Skin rejuvenation and photoaging protection using adipose‐derived stem cell extracellular vesicles loaded with exogenous cargos
Authors: Nguyen Diem D. N. , Vu Diem My , Vo Nhan , Tran Nam H. B. , Ho Duyen T. K. , Nguyen Thieu , Nguyen Tien Anh , Nguyen Hoai‐Nghia , Tu Lan N.
Published: January 2024

Background

Small extracellular vesicles from adipose‐derived stem cells (ASC‐sEVs) have gained remarkable attention for their regenerative and protective properties against skin aging. However, the use of ASC‐sEVs to further encapsulate certain natural anti‐aging compounds for synergistic effects has not been actively explored. For large‐scale production in skincare industry, it is also crucial to standardize cost‐effective methods to produce highly pure ASC‐sEVs.

Methods

Human ASCs were expanded in serum‐free media with different compositions to first optimize the sEV production. ASC‐sEVs from different batches were then purified using tangential flow filtration and sucrose cushion ultracentrifugation, followed by extensive characterization for identity and content profiling including proteomics, lipidomics and miRNA sequencing. ASC‐sEVs were further loaded with nicotinamide riboside (NR) and resveratrol by sonication‐incubation method. The therapeutic effect of ASC‐sEVs and loaded ASC‐sEVs was tested on human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT exposed to UVB by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS). The loaded ASC‐sEVs were later applied on the hand skin of three volunteers once a day for 8 weeks and skin analysis was performed every 2 weeks.

Results

Our standardized workflow produced ASC‐sEVs with high yield, high purity and with stable characteristics and consistent biocargo among different batches. The most abundant subpopulations in ASC‐sEVs were CD63+ (∼30%) and CD81+‐CD63+ (∼35%). Purified ASC‐sEVs could be loaded with NR and resveratrol at the optimized loading efficiency of ∼20%. In UVB‐exposed HaCaT cells, loaded ASC‐sEVs could reduce ROS by 38.3%, higher than the sEVs (13.3%) or compounds (18.5%) individually. In human trial, application of loaded ASC‐sEVs after 8 weeks substantially improved skin texture, increased skin hydration and elasticity by 104% and reduced mean pore volume by 51%.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a robust protocol to produce ASC‐sEVs and exogenously load them with natural compounds. The loaded ASC‐sEVs exhibited synergistic effects of both sEVs and anti‐aging compounds in photoaging protection and skin rejuvenation.
Stability in care and risk of loss to follow‐up among clients receiving community health worker‐led differentiated HIV care: Results from a prospective cohort study in northern Tanzania
Authors: Abdul Ramadhani , Rinke de Wit Tobias F. , Martelli Giulia , Costigan Kathleen , Katambi Patrobas , Pozniak Anton , Maokola Werner , Mfinanga Sayoki , Hermans Sabine
Published: January 2024

Background

HIV services in Tanzania are facility‐based but facilities are often overcrowded. Differentiated care models (DCM) have been introduced into the National Guidelines. We piloted a Community Health Worker (CHW)‐led HIV treatment club model (CHW‐DCM) in an urban region, and assessed its effectiveness in comparison to the standard of care (SoC, facility‐based model), in terms of stability in care, loss to follow‐up (LTFU) and treatment adherence.

Methods

In two clinics in the Shinyanga region, clients established on ART (defined as stable clients by national guidelines as on first‐line ART >6 months, undetectable viral load, no opportunistic infections or pregnancy, and good adherence) were offered CHW‐DCM. This prospective cohort study included all stable clients who enrolled in CHW‐DCM between July 2018 and March 2020 (CHW‐DCM) and compared them to stable clients who remained in SoC during that period. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to analyse factors associated with continued stability in care and the risk of LTFU during 18 months of follow‐up; treatment adherence was assessed by pill count and compared using Chi‐square tests.

Results

Of 2472 stable clients, 24.5% received CHW‐DCM and 75.5% SoC. CHW‐DCM clients were slightly older (mean 42.8 vs. 37.9 years) and more likely to be female (36.2% vs. 32.2%). Treatment adherence was better among CHW‐DCM than SoC: 96.6% versus 91.9% and 98.5% versus 92.2%, respectively (both p = 0.001). SoC clients were more likely to not remain stable over time than CHW‐DCM (adjusted Hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.86–3.90). There was no difference in LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.54; 95%CI: 0.82–2.93).

Conclusion

Clients attending CHW‐DCM demonstrated better stability in care and treatment adherence than SoC, and the risk of LTFU was not increased. These findings demonstrate the potential of CHW in delivering community‐based HIV services in the local Tanzanian context. These results could be used to extend this CHW‐DCM model to similar settings.
A Numerical Comparison of Different Methods for Evaluating Pipe Flanges Under External Loads
Authors: Schneider Ronald A.
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a numerical comparison of seven different methods for evaluating external loads on flanged joints in a piping system. The comparison will demonstrate in tabular form the factor of safety of some widely used traditional methods. An explanation of the history and basis of each method will be made. Differences in the results will be discussed, and an attempt will be made to explain the discrepancies between the more rigorous methods.
Analytical Formulation to Predict Residual Stresses in Thick-Walled Cylinders Subjected to Hoop Winding, Shrink-Fit, and Conventional and Reverse Autofrettages
Authors: Elfar Mohamed , Sedaghati Ramin , Abdelsalam Ossama R.
Published: January 2024

Shrink-fit, wire-winding, and autofrettage processes and their combinations can be effectively used to increase the strength and fatigue life of metallic thick-walled cylinders for a given volume. While several numerical solutions have been developed for determining the residual stress profile through the thickness of thick-walled cylinders for different combinations of the shrink-fit and autofrettage processes, there are no analytical solutions available to predict the residual stress profile induced by the combination of the shrink-fit and inner and outer autofrettage processes with the hoop winding. In this study, the analytical formulations to predict the residual stress distribution for various combinations of the three processes (hoop-winding, shrink-fit, and autofrettage) have been formulated considering the same manufacturing sequences. The results demonstrate that combinations that include the wire-winding process significantly improve the residual stress profile through the wall thickness of single- or two-layer thick-walled cylinders. Specifically, when the wire-winding process is included, the residual stress at the inner surface increases by 25% in single-layer configurations and by 12% in two-layer thick-walled cylinders, respectively, compared to configurations without the wire-winding process.
Discretization Error Estimation Using the Unsteady Error Transport Equations
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Xue Weicheng , Jordan William , Roy Christopher J.
Published: January 2024

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has gained significant utility in the analysis of diverse fluid flow scenarios, thanks to advances in computational power. Accurate error estimation techniques are crucial to ensure the reliability of CFD simulations, as errors can lead to misleading conclusions. This study focuses on the estimation of discretization errors in time-dependent simulations, building upon prior work addressing steady-state problems Wang et al. (2020, “Error Transport Equation Implementation in the Sensei CFD Code,” AIAA Paper No. 2020-1047). In this research, we employ unsteady error transport equations (ETE) to generate localized discretization error estimates within the framework of the finite volume CFD code SENSEI. For steady-state problems, the ETE only need to be solved once after the solution has converged, whereas the unsteady ETE need to be co-advanced with the primal solve. To enhance efficiency, we adopt a one-sided temporal stencil and develop a modified iterative correction process tailored to the unsteady ETE. The time-marching schemes utilized encompass second-order accurate singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta (SDIRK) and second-order backward differentiation formula (BDF2), both being implicit. To rigorously assess the accuracy of our error estimates, all test cases feature known analytical solutions, facilitating order-of-accuracy evaluations. Two test cases are considered: the 2D convected vortex for inviscid flow and a cross-term sinusoidal (CTS) manufactured solution for viscous flow. Results indicate higher-order convergence rates for the 2D convected vortex test case even when iterative correction is not applied, with similar observations in the CTS case, albeit not at the finest grid levels. Although the current implementation of iterative correction exhibits lower stability compared to the primal solve, it generally enhances the discretization error estimate. Notably, after iterative correction, the discretization error estimate for the unsteady ETE achieves higher-order accuracy across all grid levels in the 2D CTS manufactured solution.
Kinetic Model of Vacuum Plasma Expansion in a Cylindrical Gap
Authors: Kozhevnikov V. Yu. , Kozyrev A. V. , Kokovin A. O. , Semenyuk N. S.
Published: January 2024

Results of a theoretical description of collisionless kinetics of radial expansion of two-component (electron–ion) plasma in the one-dimensional cylindrical formulation of the problem are presented. The electric-field mechanism of supersonic expansion of the plasma flame due to the motion of the electron–ion ensemble and self-consistent electric field in the diode with the potential difference applied to it is demonstrated. The spatiotemporal evolution of the ion energy distribution function, electric potential, and rate of expansion of the emission boundary of the plasma flame is shown. The calculated rates of flame expansion at the copper cathode (~1.5 × 106 cm/s) well agree with the experimental data.
Quantizing graphs, one way or two?
Authors: Harrison Jon
Published: January 2024

Quantum graphs were introduced to model free electrons in organic molecules using a self-adjoint Hamiltonian on a network of intervals. A second graph quantization describes wave propagation on a graph by specifying scattering matrices at the vertices. A question that is frequently raised is the extent to which these models are the same or complementary. In particular, are all energy-independent unitary vertex scattering matrices associated with a self-adjoint Hamiltonian? Here we review results related to this issue. In addition, we observe that a self-adjoint Dirac operator with four component spinors produces a secular equation for the graph spectrum that matches the secular equation associated with wave propagation on the graph when the Dirac operator describes particles with zero mass and the vertex conditions do not allow spin rotation at the vertices.
Homotopical foundations of parametrized quantum spin systems
Authors: Beaudry Agnès , Hermele Michael , Moreno Juan , Pflaum Markus J. , Qi Marvin , Spiegel Daniel D.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we present a homotopical framework for studying invertible gapped phases of matter from the point of view of infinite spin lattice systems, using the framework of algebraic quantum mechanics. We define the notion of quantum state types. These are certain lax-monoidal functors from the category of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces to the category of topological spaces. The universal example takes a finite-dimensional Hilbert space [Formula: see text] to the pure state space of the quasi-local algebra of the quantum spin system with Hilbert space [Formula: see text] at each site of a specified lattice. The lax-monoidal structure encodes the tensor product of states, which corresponds to stacking for quantum systems. We then explain how to formally extract parametrized phases of matter from quantum state types, and how they naturally give rise to [Formula: see text]-spaces for an operad we call the “multiplicative” linear isometry operad. We define the notion of invertible quantum state types and explain how the passage to phases for these is related to group completion. We also explain how invertible quantum state types give rise to loop-spectra. Our motivation is to provide a framework for constructing Kitaev’s loop-spectrum of bosonic invertible gapped phases of matter. Finally, as a first step toward understanding the homotopy types of the loop-spectra associated to invertible quantum state types, we prove that the pure state space of any UHF algebra is simply connected.
TIME-VARYING FREQUENCY CONNECTEDNESS ANALYSIS ACROSS CRUDE OIL, GEOPOLITICAL RISK, ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY AND STOCK MARKETS
Authors: SHANG JIN , HAMORI SHIGEYUKI
Published: January 2024

As the world is currently in turmoil, geopolitical crises and economic policy uncertainties are increasing significantly. This study aims to provide insight into the dynamics of time–frequency spillovers in the domains of crude oil, geopolitical risk, economic policy uncertainty and stock markets. It represents the first investigation analyzing the time-varying frequency connectedness across the aforementioned domains by adopting the time-varying parameter vector autoregression connectedness combined with the time-varying frequency connectedness measurement [Chatziantoniou et al., 2023]. The study covers the period from January 2004 to February 2023, including the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the turmoil caused by the 2022 Russian–Ukrainian conflict. The analysis finds that short-term frequencies dominate return connectedness, indicating a rapid information processing mechanism responsive to short-run shocks. The stock market indices of oil-exporting countries, the US and the UK act as the primary transmitters of return spillovers. Volatility connectedness is driven by long-term frequencies, with Russia, Canada and the UK serving as the primary volatility spillover transmitters. Economic policy uncertainty is primarily influenced by oil-importing countries. Geopolitical risk mostly serves as the spillover receiver from crude oil, while it primarily transmits spillovers to economic policy uncertainty during major events such as terror attacks, conflicts and wars. The 2022 Russian–Ukrainian conflict amplifies spillovers to economic policy uncertainty. Intriguingly, conflicts deepen economic policy uncertainty, and prior to the conflict, stock market volatility had assimilated the influence of geopolitical risk shocks. The study also employs network topology to visualize spillover transmission mechanisms during the 2022 Russian–Ukrainian conflict.
Superconductivity and color superconductivity at high Tc due to breaking of supersymmetry
Authors: Dahiya Preeti , Singh Bharat , Mahajan Neelu
Published: January 2024

The study of supersymmetric quantum theory of superconductivity has been undertaken in a broader sense. The main features of supersymmetric quantum mechanics have been derived in a straightforward manner and the consequences of supersymmetric breaking have been analyzed in terms of the possibility of occurrence of superconductivity, dual superconductivity and color superconductivity.
The phase transition of nonminimal Yang–Mills AdS black brane
Authors: Sadeghi Mehdi , Rahmani Faramaz
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we shall study the phase transition of nonminimal coupling of Einstein–Hilbert gravity and electric field of Yang–Mills type in AdS space–time. We couple the Ricci scalar to the Yang–Mills invariant to obtain a modified theory of gravity. A black brane solution is introduced up to the first order of the term [Formula: see text] in this model. Then, the phase transition of this solution will be investigated in canonical ensemble. Our investigation shows that only the second-order phase transition behavior is seen in this model. Also, due to the coupling of the Yang–Mills field and Ricci scalar, there are differences with the phase transitions of the usual minimal models. We shall show that in the absence of nonminimal coupling there is not any phase transition.