bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation in a Bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide Based Ionic Liquid in the Presence Lithium Ion Using Different Redox Probes
Authors: Momose Shunosuke , Thomas Morgan L. , Serizawa Nobuyuki , Katayama Yasushi
Published: September 2024

The SEI formation in 0.5 M LiFSA/BMPFSA was investigated using different redox probes. The redox reaction of a metallocene and organic compound on a Pt electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in BMPFSA and 0.5 M LiFSA/BMPFSA. Cyclic voltammograms were taken after holding the electrode at different potentials for 1 h. The cyclic voltammograms were unchanged in BMPFSA, indicating that BMPFSA was stable in the measured potential range and that the redox reaction was not affected by a change in the electric double layer structure. On the other hand, peak shifts were observed in the presence of Li+ at potentials more negative than –1.1 V vs. Ag|Ag(I), attributed to a decrease in the electron transfer rates and indicating that the SEI formation promoted by the interaction between Li+ and FSA– affects the redox reactions not only of metallocene but also of organic compounds that undergo outer sphere electron transfer reactions.
Electrochemical Study of Zr from Anodic Dissolution using a Consumable Zirconium Nitride Anode
Authors: Solem Cathrine Kyung Won , Wang Zhaohui , Osen Karen Sende , Martinez Ana Maria
Published: September 2024

Zirconium nitride (ZrN) has proved to be a promising new catalyst material. Bearing in mind its recyclability at end-of-life, the objective of this work was to demonstrate recovery of Zr in an electrochemical process using a consumable ZrN anode. A mechanically stable ZrN anode was made from synthetic ZrN powder by spark plasma sintering. The anodic dissolution was carried out in an equimolar NaCl-KCl molten salt at 727 °C (1000 K) by potentiostatic polarization. Cyclic voltammetry of the molten salt was performed before and after the anodic dissolution. It was successfully demonstrated that Zr ions were dissolved into the molten salt. The electrochemical characterization of the electroactive species showed a two-step electrochemical process, related to the reduction steps Zr(IV)/Zr(II), and Zr(II)/Zr. Analysis of voltammograms showed diffusion controlled electrochemical reactions and the diffusion coefficients calculated correlated well with values reported in the literature.
The Role of Asymmetry of Perfluoro anion in Ionic Liquids: From Basic Physical Properties to the Application in Lithium Batteries
Authors: Matsumoto Hajime , Kubota Keigo , Sano Hikaru
Published: September 2024

Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have attracted significant attention as non-volatile, non-flammable electrolytes over the past three decades. While the synthesis of cationic species is relatively well-established through the quaternization reaction of tertiary amines, the synthesis of perfluoro anions is much more difficult, resulting in a more limited variety compared to cations. In this study, we explore the influence of anionic species on both fundamental properties, such as thermal properties and transport properties, and on the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly their rate capabilities. Furthermore, we highlight how novel anionic species not only improve the properties of RTILs but also lead to the development of unique electrolyte systems, such as organic ionic plastic crystals and medium-low temperature lithium molten salts. Through our research results, we would like to demonstrate the importance of developing new anionic species from fundamental studies to practical applications in RTILs.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polymerizable Boronium Ionic Liquids
Authors: Durkin David P. , Stachurski Christopher D. , Cho Whirang , Kinnaman Conner M. , Larm Nathaniel E. , Davis James H. , Trulove Paul C.
Published: September 2024

This work investigates a set of novel polymerizable boronium ionic liquids (BILs) that were synthesized and characterized as candidates for solid or pseudo-solid electrolytes in energy storage applications. The target cation structures, [(1-v-imid)N111BH2]+ and [(1-a-pyrr)N111BH2]+, were derivatized structures of high performance BILs from past studies to focus on polymerizable forms of N-heterocyclic and trimethylamine moieties. Ultimately ionic liquids with the bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (TFSI-) anion were prepared and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and cyclic voltammetry to assess purity, structure, thermal and electrochemical stability.
Evaluating the Color Matching Ability of a Smart Chromatic Technology–Based Composite Resin for Premolar Teeth Restoration
Authors: Fathpour Kamyar , Salehi Alaleh , Samimi Pouran , Fathi Amirhossein
Published: September 2024

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the color‐matching ability of OMNICHROMA composite, a single‐shade composite, using the CIE L∗a∗b∗ system and determining ΔE values.

Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 30 intact premolar teeth were collected, cleaned, and disinfected with 0.5% thymol solution. The teeth were stored in distilled water at 37°C. A putty index calibrated the color assessment sites on buccal and lingual surfaces. Two cavities were prepared, one with 1.25 mm depth (enamel) and another with 2.25 mm depth (dentin), and restored using OMNICHROMA composite resin. The putty index measured the color of the cured composite, and ΔE between the composite and original tooth color was calculated.

Statistical analysis: Data analysis included t‐tests, correlation coefficients, and Fisher’s exact test (α = 0.05).

Results: The mean ΔE was 2.39 in enamel cavities and 2.32 in dentin cavities, both within the clinically acceptable range (<3.3). In enamel cavities, the composite color was darker than the tooth, shifting toward green and blue shades. In dentin cavities, the composite color was lighter than the tooth, with shifts toward green and yellow shades. Color matching was slightly better in dentin cavities, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.719).

Conclusion: OMNICHROMA composite resin’s color matching falls within the clinically acceptable range, unaffected by cavity depth.
Clinical and Bacterial Characteristics of Bloodstream Infections Caused by Listeria monocytogenes in Western China
Authors: Wang Nan , Yang Liuqing , Yuan Yu , Wu Chongyang , He Chao
Published: September 2024

Objective. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Listeria monocytogenes are linked to high mortality of the patients. Case‐specific details related to this disease and causative strains in different districts remain to be characterized. Methods. In this study, medical data of BSIs admitted to West China Hospital from October 2017 to March 2023 were retrieved from the hospital information system. The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole‐genome sequencing were performed for L. monocytogenes strains isolated from blood specimens. The genetic relationship of these strains with those in public databases was also analyzed. Result. The in‐hospital mortality of L. monocytogenes BSIs was 25.7% (9/35). The changes in consciousness and elevated serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level were found to be the differential factors of L. monocytogenes BSIs (P < 0.05). All the 27 strains studied were susceptible to ampicillin, meropenem, and erythromycin. Only 22.2% of them were susceptible to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole. The Listeria pathogenicity islands 1 (LIPI‐1), truncated LIPI‐2, and multiple virulence‐related genes outside the LIPIs were determined from these strains. Also, 12 sequence types (STs) and 12 clonal complexes (CCs) were identified and classified into clonal lineages I (9/27, 33.3%) and lineages II (18/27, 66.7%), demonstrating genetic differences with the strains in the database. ST451/CC11 (5/27, 18.5%) and ST8/CC8 (4/27, 14.8%) were the common genotypes. Conclusions. The consciousness change and elevated serum CRP level were found to be the differential factors of L. monocytogenes BSIs. Considering the high virulence of the strains, it is needed to pay more attention to the dissemination of the predominant genotype.
Proteolysis Assays With Conserved or Aminofluorescein‐Labeled Red Blood Cells
Authors: Al-Essa Mohamed K. , Al-Qudah Tamara , Al Hadidi Akram Kamal A. , Alshubbak Nida’a H.
Published: September 2024

Backgrounds: Various physiological functions and reaction cascades, as well as disease progression in the living systems, are controlled by the activity of specific proteolytic enzymes. We conducted the study to evaluate protease activity by assessing peptide fragments from either conserved or labeled red blood cells (RBCs) with aminofluorescein (AF) in the reaction media.

Methods: RBCs were incubated in media containing trypsin. Subsequently, the concentration of peptide fragments in the reaction media, resulted by the digestion with trypsin from conserved cells, was estimated by 3‐(4‐carboxybenzoyl)quinoline‐2‐carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) as an amine‐reactive fluorogenic reagent. In a second approach, we conjugated AF to the conserved RBCs and then exposed AF‐labeled RBCs to trypsin. This was followed by directly measuring the fluorescence intensity (FI) in the reaction media to estimate the concentration of AF‐labeled peptide fragments resulting from the enzyme’s activity.

Results: Show a concentration‐ and time‐dependent increase in FIs, reflecting the activity of trypsin as a proteolytic enzyme. The FIs increased significantly by 4 to 5 folds in samples treated with different enzyme concentrations, and by over 11 folds after 2 h incubation in media containing a 50 μL trypsin, as evidenced by CBQCA assays.

Conclusion: These fast and affordable approaches could be applied with high reliability for the general estimation of protease activity in samples and customized for diagnostic purposes and prognostic evaluation in various diseases.
Endotracheal Oxygen Insufflation Associated with Life‐Threatening Barotrauma during Apnea Testing
Authors: Aljasir Saud Ali , Alshammari Fahad Abdullah , Abdul-aziz Fatani Jehan Abdullah , Al Saadon Abdalrhman , Alzeer Abdulaziz H.
Published: September 2024

Apnea testing is a standard method when diagnosing brain or more specifically brainstem death; however, it is imperative to acknowledge the potential for lung injury during this procedure and follow clinical practice guideline recommendations that may reduce the risk of complications. Two cases of barotrauma leading to pneumothorax occurred during apnea tests that used higher‐than‐recommended oxygen flow rates. Additional data are necessary to clarify the mechanism and incidence of this life‐threatening complication.
Supplementary Table 1 from Generation, Transcriptomic States, and Clinical Relevance of CX3CR1+ CD8 T Cells in Melanoma
Authors: Ishigaki Hirohito , Yamauchi Takayoshi , Long Mark D. , Hoki Toshifumi , Yamamoto Yuta , Oba Takaaki , Ito Fumito
Published: September 2024

Supplementary Table 1
Supplementary Figure 1 from Generation, Transcriptomic States, and Clinical Relevance of CX3CR1+ CD8 T Cells in Melanoma
Authors: Ishigaki Hirohito , Yamauchi Takayoshi , Long Mark D. , Hoki Toshifumi , Yamamoto Yuta , Oba Takaaki , Ito Fumito
Published: September 2024

The scheme of the generation of Pmel-1 Cd2-cre/Cx3cr1DTR/DTR mice.
Supplementary Table 2 from SREBP-Dependent Regulation of Lipid Homeostasis Is Required for Progression and Growth of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ishida Chiaki T. , Myers Stephanie L. , Kubota Casie S. , Shao Wei , McGuire Meredith R. , Liu Chune , Ewachiw Theodore E. , Mukhopadhyay Debaditya , Ke Suqi , Wang Hao , Rasheed Zeshaan A. , Anders Robert A. , Espenshade Peter J.
Published: September 2024

Table S2. Primer sequences used for mouse tissue genotyping
Supplementary Table S1 from mTORC1-Driven Protein Translation Correlates with Clinical Benefit of Capivasertib within a Genetically Preselected Cohort of PIK3CA-Altered Tumors
Authors: Sobsey Constance A. , Froehlich Bjoern C. , Mitsa Georgia , Ibrahim Sahar , Popp Robert , Zahedi Rene P. , de Bruin Elza C. , Borchers Christoph H. , Batist Gerald
Published: September 2024

Detailed results of the label-free quantitation
Supplementary Figure 5 from SREBP-Dependent Regulation of Lipid Homeostasis Is Required for Progression and Growth of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ishida Chiaki T. , Myers Stephanie L. , Kubota Casie S. , Shao Wei , McGuire Meredith R. , Liu Chune , Ewachiw Theodore E. , Mukhopadhyay Debaditya , Ke Suqi , Wang Hao , Rasheed Zeshaan A. , Anders Robert A. , Espenshade Peter J.
Published: September 2024

FIGURE S5 – SCAP is required for PDAC cell growth and survival in low serum conditions.
Figure 2 from SREBP-Dependent Regulation of Lipid Homeostasis Is Required for Progression and Growth of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ishida Chiaki T. , Myers Stephanie L. , Kubota Casie S. , Shao Wei , McGuire Meredith R. , Liu Chune , Ewachiw Theodore E. , Mukhopadhyay Debaditya , Ke Suqi , Wang Hao , Rasheed Zeshaan A. , Anders Robert A. , Espenshade Peter J.
Published: September 2024

SCAP is required for human PDAC tumor growth in mouse subcutaneous xenograft models. A, Nude mice were subcutaneously injected with 5 × 105 Pa03c cells in both flanks (two tumors per mouse). Once visible, tumors were measured, and volume calculated. Each group contained six mice. Error bar denotes SD. Statistical significance was determined using the Student t test. P values are indicated: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001; ns, not significant. B, Individual tumor volumes at day 22, n = 12 tumors per group. Statistical significance was determined using the Student t test. C, Representative hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections of formalin-fixed tumor tissue from the mice in A showing a low magnification (4×) image (top row) and a higher magnification (20×) image (bottom row) of tumor sections. D, Nude mice were subcutaneously injected with 1 × 106 Pa16c cells in both flanks (two tumors per mouse) as in A–C. Each group contained six mice. Error bar denotes SD. Statistical significance was determined using the Student t test. P values are indicated: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001; ns, not significant. E, Individual tumor volumes at day 61, n = 12 tumors per group. Statistical significance was determined using the Student t test. F, Representative hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections of formalin-fixed tumor tissue from the mice in D showing a low magnification (2–4×) image (top row) and a higher magnification (20–40×) image (bottom row) of tumor sections. WT, wild-type.
Effects of Safinamide on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Fluctuations
Authors: Kulisevsky Jaime , Ferraz Henrique B. , Suppa Antonio , Reichmann Heinz
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms that significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Safinamide modulates dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems, offering a promising treatment approach. Methods: This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of safinamide as an add-on therapy to levodopa for PD patients with motor fluctuations. Following PRISMA guidelines, literature searches were conducted in PubMed and Embase (2014–2022). Inclusion criteria were studies on adult PD patients receiving safinamide with levodopa. Outcomes included on-time without troublesome dyskinesia, off-time, UPDRS Part III motor scores, UPDRS Part II activities of daily living scores, PDQ-39 emotional well-being, and GRID-HAMD scores. Results: Among thirteen eligible studies, safinamide significantly improved on-time without troublesome dyskinesia at 100 mg/day (mean difference [MD]: −0.90; 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.67; p < 0.00001) and 50 mg/day (MD: −0.77; 95% CI: −1.21 to −0.34; p = 0.0005) compared to placebo. It also reduced off-time (100 mg/day: MD: −0.94; 95% CI: −1.19 to −0.70; p < 0.00001; 50 mg/day: MD: −0.72; 95% CI: −1.03 to −0.41; p < 0.00001) and improved UPDRS-III motor scores (100 mg/day: MD: −3.01; 95% CI: −4.15 to −1.86; p < 0.00001; 50 mg/day: MD: −2.93; 95% CI: −5.14 to −0.71; p = 0.001). Mood improvements were noted in PDQ-39 emotional well-being scores (MD: −5.22; 95% CI: −6.90 to −3.54) and GRID-HAMD scores (MD: −0.60; 95% CI: −0.95 to −0.25; p = 0.0009). Safinamide also positively affected pain (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.18). Conclusion: Compared to placebo, safinamide significantly benefits motor and non-motor symptoms in PD patients, but further research is necessary to fully explore its therapeutic potential.
Schwere rezidivierende Autoimmunenzephalitis mit GABAA-Rezeptor-, Titin- und AChR-Antikörpern bei einem Patienten mit Thymom: ein Fallbericht
Authors: Boisclair Mélissa , Robitaille Charlotte , Budhram Adrian , Kunchok Amy , Chapdelaine Hugo , Létourneau-Guillon Laurent , Macaron Gabrielle , Larochelle Catherine
Published: September 2024

Einleitung: Wir berichten über einen herausfordernden Fall von Autoimmunenzephalitis bei einem Patienten mit einem Thymom, das Titin- und Acetylcholinrezeptor-Antikörper enthielt. Trotz Thymektomie und aggressiver Erstlinien-Immuntherapie erlitt er mehrere Schübe. Letztendlich wurden GABAA-Rezeptor-Antikörper identifiziert. Falldarstellung: Dieser 40-jährige Mann wurde mit Kopfschmerzen, Schwäche, Diplopie, Hörverlust und Anfällen, die bis zum Status epilepticus reichten, vorstellig. Eine Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) des Gehirns zeigte multifokale kortikale und subkortikale, in der T2/Fluid-Attenuated-Inversion-Recovery-Bildgebung hyperintensive Läsionen ohne Verbesserung. Bei anfänglichen neuronalen Antikörpertests wurden nur Acetylcholinrezeptor- und Titin-Antikörper identifiziert. Der Patient zeigte mehrere schwere Schübe trotz vollständiger Thymomresektion, intravenöser Gabe von Methylprednisolon mit Immunglobulinen oder Plasmapherese und Mycophenolat-Mofetil. Die Zweitlinien-Immuntherapie mit Rituximab linderte die Symptome und normalisierte die Elektroenzephalografie (EEG)- und MRT-Befunde nach der Identifizierung von Anti-GABAA-Rezeptor-Antikörpern durch die umfassenderen neuronalen Antikörpertests auf Autoimmunenzephalitis.
Primäres APS: Welche Rolle spielen genetische Veränderungen in 2024?
Authors: Sewerin Philipp
Published: September 2024

Objective: Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and the occurrence of thrombotic events and pregnancy complications. Our study aimed to identify novel genetic susceptibility loci associated with PAPS. Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study comprising 5,485 individuals (482 affected individuals) of European ancestry. Significant and suggestive independent variants from a meta-analysis of approximately 7 million variants were evaluated for functional and biological process enrichment. The genetic risk variability for PAPS in different populations was also assessed. Hierarchical clustering, Mahalanobis distance, and Dirichlet Process Mixtures with uncertainty clustering methods were used to assess genetic similarities between PAPS and other immune-mediated diseases. Results: We revealed genetic associations with PAPS in a regulatory locus within the HLA class II region near HLA-DRA and in STAT1-STAT4 with a genome-wide level of significance; 34 additional suggestive genetic susceptibility loci for PAPS were also identified. The disease risk allele near HLA-DRA is associated with overexpression of HLA-DRB6, HLA-DRB9, HLA-DQA2, and HLA-DQB2 in immune cells, vascular tissue, and nervous tissue. This association is independent of the association between PAPS and HLA-DRB1*1302. Functional analyses highlighted immune-related pathways in PAPS-associated loci. The comparison with other immune-mediated diseases revealed a close genetic relatedness to neuromyelitis optica, systemic sclerosis, and Sjögren syndrome, suggesting co-localized causal variations close to STAT1-STAT4, TNPO3, and BLK.
Neuropsychiatrischer SLE: Es gibt Hinweise auf spürbare Dauerfolgen
Authors: Aringer Martin
Published: September 2024

Objectives: Substantial proportions of patients with SLE report poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our objective was to investigate the impact of neuropsychiatric involvement (NP) in SLE on patient-reported outcomes. Methods: We analysed data from four phase III trials (BLISS-52, BLISS-76, BLISS-SC, EMBRACE; N = 2968). The NPSLE group comprised individuals with NP-BILAG A/B/C/D or score in any descriptor of the NP-SLEDAI-2K at baseline (N = 350), while the non-NPSLE group consisted of patients with NP-BILAG E (N = 2618). HRQoL was assessed with the SF-36, EQ-5D-3L, and FACIT-F. Full health state (FHS) was defined as ‘no problems’ in all EQ-5D dimensions. Results: NPSLE patients reported lower scores in the SF-36 physical and mental component summary compared with the non-NPSLE population [mean (S.D.): 35.7 (9.1) vs 39.6 (9.6); P<0.001 and 37.3 (12.1) vs 41.4 (11.0); P<0.001, respectively]. NPSLE patients also exhibited impaired HRQoL in all EQ-5D dimensions compared with non-NPSLE patients (P<0.05 for all). A substantially lower proportion of NPSLE patients experienced FHS in comparison with the non-NPSLE group (3.3% vs 14.5%; P<0.001). NPSLE was associated with severe fatigue [23.8 (12.2) vs 31.5 (11.6); P<0.001]. Notably, our findings revealed no discernible distinctions between active and inactive NPSLE patients with regard to SF-36, EQ-5D, FHS or FACIT-F scores.
Contrato de cessão temporária de útero: indagações sobre a “barriga de aluguel” à luz do direito contratual
Authors: Ribeiro Camila Sampaio
Published: September 2024

Este artigo visa analisar a situação legal da cessão temporária de útero, a famigerada “Barriga de Aluguel”, sob o viés do direito contratual, abordando-a de acordo com a perspectiva dos conceitos doutrinários, das leis e resoluções do tema. O direito à descendência teve grande ajuda com o desenvolvimento das técnicas médicas, possibilitando que pessoas ditas inférteis possam gerar o próprio filho. Entre os métodos trazidos pela ciência está a Cessão Temporária de Útero, sendo caracterizada pela participação de uma pessoa alheia ao projeto parental. Essa atuação traz diversas implicações no campo jurídico, sobretudo em relação aos conflitos de maternidade. Para tanto, discute-se: seria possível no direito brasileiro a elaboração de um Contrato de Cessão Temporária de Útero sendo um dos pactuantes alheio à família do casal? Buscou-se, como objetivo geral, questionar a legalidade e as repercussões da hipótese de aplicação do contrato na cessão temporária de útero. Como objetivos específicos se propôs a conceituar a reprodução assistida, sobretudo o procedimento de “Barriga de Aluguel”, bem como expor as implicações jurídicas decorrentes deste instituto. Além disso, analisa-se a aplicação das regras da Resolução nº 2.294/2021 do Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM), apontando as principais divergências existentes à sua aplicação prática. Por fim, pretende-se verificar a relação jurídica entre a gestante e os pais desejantes, observando, para tanto, a possibilidade de sujeição às normas do direito contratual. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, pelo método exploratório. Este artigo justifica-se diante da inexistência de legislação sobre o tema, de forma a expandir o conhecimento sobre um assunto ainda pouco debatido, tanto no meio acadêmico quanto no social, existindo a necessidade de amparo legal às pessoas que optem por esse método.
Visualizing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Derived Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Lou Lanlan , Detering Lisa , Luehmann Hannah , Amrute Junedh M. , Sultan Deborah , Ma Pan , Li Alexandria , Lahad Divangana , Bredemeyer Andrea , Zhang Xiuli , Heo Gyu Seong , Lavine Kory , Liu Yongjian
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) usage has resulted in immune-related adverse events in patients with cancer, such as accelerated atherosclerosis. Of immune cells involved in atherosclerosis, the role of CCR2+ (CC motif chemokine receptor 2-positive) proinflammatory macrophages is well documented. However, there is no noninvasive approach to determine the changes of these cells in vivo following ICI treatment and explore the underlying mechanisms of immune-related adverse events. Herein, we aim to use a CCR2 (CC motif chemokine receptor 2)–targeted radiotracer and positron emission tomography (PET) to assess the aggravated inflammatory response caused by ICI treatment in mouse atherosclerosis models and explore the mechanism of immune-related adverse events.

METHODS:

Apoe

−/−

mice and
Ldlr

−/−

mice were treated with an ICI, anti-PD1 (programmed cell death protein 1) antibody, and compared with those injected with either isotype control IgG or saline. The radiotracer
64
Cu-DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid)-ECL1i (extracellular loop 1 inverso) was used for PET imaging of CCR2+ macrophages. Atherosclerotic arteries were collected for molecular characterization.

RESULTS:

CCR2 PET revealed significantly higher radiotracer uptake in both
Apoe

−/−

and
Ldlr

−/−

mice treated with anti-PD1 compared with the control groups. The increased expression of CCR2+ cells in
Apoe

−/−

and
Ldlr

−/−

mice was confirmed by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed elevated expression of CCR2 in myeloid cells. Mechanistically, IFNγ (interferon gamma) was essential for aggravated inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque progression following anti-PD1 treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Accelerated atherosclerotic plaque inflammation triggered by anti-PD1 treatment can be noninvasively detected by
64
Cu-DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid)-ECL1i (extracellular loop 1 inverso) PET. Aggravated plaque inflammation is time- and dose-dependent and predominately mediated by IFNγ signaling. This study warrants further investigation of CCR2 PET as a noninvasive approach to visualize atherosclerotic plaque inflammation and explore the underlying mechanism following ICI treatment.
Maternal Hypertension and Fecundability: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Xiong Wenxue , Han Lu , Tang Xijia , Li Rui , Chen Wen , Liu Xiaohua , Nie Hua , Qin Weibing , Ling Li
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

The association of hypertension and blood pressure control with fecundability among women is not yet elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that maternal preconception hypertension would be associated with reduced fecundability and that blood pressure control could reduce excess risk.

METHODS:

Using the National Free Preconception Checkup Projects in Guangdong Province, China, 1422 couples whose female partners had been diagnosed with hypertension and 997 703 reference couples whose female partners were without hypertension were included in this prospective cohort study. Fecundability was measured by time to pregnancy (TTP) and infertility (TTP >12 months).

RESULTS:

Compared with women without hypertension, those with controlled hypertension (time ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.24–1.73]) or uncontrolled hypertension (time ratio, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.34–1.90]) were associated with prolonged TTP and increased risk of infertility (relative risk, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.09–1.31]; relative risk, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.14–1.34]). However, using instrumental variable analyses, there was no significant association between blood pressure control and TTP (time ratio, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.34–1.36];
P
=0.270) or infertility (relative risk, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.70–1.34];
P
=0.849) among women with hypertension. These results were consistent in the propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses.

CONCLUSIONS:

Maternal hypertension, with or without controlled blood pressure, was independently associated with prolonged TTP and an increased risk of infertility. These findings may provide insights for the implementation of preconception hypertension screening and the design of future trials.
Brain morphometry and chronic inflammation in Bangladeshi children growing up in extreme poverty
Authors: Turesky Ted K. , Pirazzoli Laura , Shama Talat , Kakon Shahria Hafiz , Haque Rashidul , Islam Nazrul , Someshwar Amala , Gagoski Borjan , Petri Jr. William A. , Nelson Charles A. , Gaab Nadine
Published: September 2024

Over three hundred million children live in environments of extreme poverty, and the biological and psychosocial hazards endemic to these environments often expose these children to infection, disease, and inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation in early childhood has been associated with diminished cognitive outcomes, and despite this established relationship, the mechanisms explaining how inflammation affects brain development are not well known. Importantly, the prevalence of chronic inflammation in areas of extreme poverty raises the possibility that it may also serve as a mechanism explaining the known relationship between low socioeconomic status (SES) and altered brain development. To examine these potential pathways, seventy-nine children growing up in an extremely poor, urban area of Bangladesh underwent MRI scanning at 6 years of age. Structural brain images were submitted to Mindboggle software, a Docker-compliant and high-reproducibility tool for regional estimations of volume, surface area, cortical thickness, sulcal depth, and mean curvature. C-reactive protein was assayed at eight time points between infancy and 5 years of age, and the frequency with which children had elevated concentrations of inflammatory marker represented the measure of chronic inflammation. Childhood SES was measured with maternal education and income-to-needs (i.e., monthly household income divided by the number of household members). Chronic inflammation predicted volume in bilateral basal ganglia structures and mediated the link between maternal education and bilateral putamen volumes. These findings suggest that chronic inflammation is associated with brain morphometry in the basal ganglia, predominantly the putamen, and further offers inflammation as a potential mechanism linking SES to brain development.
Effects of fumonisin B1 on gene-specific DNA methylation related to cancer pathways of p53 signalling and PI3K/Akt signalling in human kidney cells
Authors: Omerustaoglu Bayoglu S. , Karaman E.F. , Ozden S.
Published: September 2024

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), which is emerged by contamination of corn and similar products with Fusarium species, causes a high risk for human and animal health. FB1 shows hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic and teratogenic effects. FB1 has also been linked to carcinogenesis processes that are unrelated to genotoxic pathways. Our goal was to investigate the role of gene-specific DNA methylation and expression of tumour suppressor genes in the toxicity of FB1 in human kidney (HK-2) cells. Using array panels, effects of FB1 exposure (10-100 μM) for 24 h on methylation levels of tumour suppressor genes were investigated. ToppGene Suite (Toppfun) portal was used to perform gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) and Reactome enrichment studies. The most of the genes were hypermethylated significantly at 100 μM concentrations of FB1. These results are consistent with the expression results which downregulate the selected genes of CD44, CDKN1A, CDKN2B, CTNNB1, MYC and p16. Functional enrichment analysis further elucidated the molecular mechanisms of FB1 in cancer-related pathways especially p53 signalling and PI3K/Akt signaling. It has been expected that the present study could contribute to the studies on the mechanisms that play a role in FB1 induced carcinogenesis.
Critiques to the Nation-State Model: Representing Muslim and Islamism in the Post-colonial Era
Authors: Ramadhan Jelang , Ulum Miftahul , Normuslim Normuslim
Published: September 2024

Indo-Pacific, connected by water and the strait of Malacca, is home to great civilizations encompassed Africa, Asia and the Archipelagos in between. Nevertheless, Western civilization intervened and strongly influenced the societies when the era of colonialism begun. Hence, the societies are disrupted, and nation-states are created imitating what European colonial powers conveyed, especially one of the indigenous and most prominent civilizations such as Islam. Along with the rise of the Muslim population in the Indo-Pacific, Islam, as one of the remaining civilizations and Muslim society (ummah), has to strive in its native land to keep the rights upheld. This paper will examine the problematical condition that occurred after decolonization in Indo-Pacific or Global South, which ummah faced in the nation-state model and being a minority at the same time. The qualitative design will be utilized as the methodology with critical interpretative method which will be written inductively. It intends to answer the rise of ummah that contributes to globalizing International Relations (ir) by providing an alternative international system in the post-colonial era that was previously shaped by Euro-American centrism. The paper will also emphasize the history of Asia as a significant momentum in ir discipline, and as an attempt to criticize the Euro-American centric model during the colonialism era in Global South societies by exhibiting examples in ummah condition who struggle within its nation-state in post-colonial era due to the absence of mutual understanding and the perpetuation of ethnopolitical conflict as the legacy of Western colonialism and imperialism.
Effective Benchmarks for Optical Turbulence Modeling
Authors: Jellen Christopher , Nelson Charles , Brownell Cody , Burkhardt John
Published: September 2024

Optical turbulence poses a significant challenge for communication, directed energy, and imaging systems, particularly in the atmospheric boundary layer. Effective modeling of optical turbulence is crucial for the development and deployment of these systems, yet the lack of standardized evaluation tools and benchmark datasets hinders the development and adoption of machine learning to address these challenges. We introduce the otbench Python package, a comprehensive framework for rigorous development and evaluation of optical turbulence strength prediction models. This package provides a consistent interface for testing models across diverse datasets and tasks, including a novel, long-term dataset collected over 2 years at the United States Naval Academy. The otbench Python package incorporates a range of baseline models (statistical, data-driven, and deep learning), enabling researchers to assess the relative quality of their approaches and identify areas for improvement. Our analysis reveals the applicability of various models across different environments, highlighting the importance of long-term datasets for robust model evaluation. By promoting standardized benchmarking and facilitating model comparison, otbench empowers researchers to accelerate the adoption of machine learning techniques for optical turbulence modeling.

Significance Statement

The accurate prediction and forecasting of optical turbulence are vital for the successful operation of laser-based systems in operational environments. However, the lack of standardized benchmark datasets and evaluation tools has hindered progress in this field, particularly in the application of advanced machine learning techniques. The otbench Python package addresses this critical gap by providing a comprehensive framework for developing, evaluating, and comparing optical turbulence models. By incorporating a novel, long-term dataset and a range of baseline models, otbench enables rigorous model assessment and facilitates the development of next-generation machine learning solutions that can significantly enhance the performance and reliability of laser-based systems in real-world conditions. This package not only contributes to the scientific understanding of optical turbulence but also holds significant potential to drive innovation in the design and optimization of machine learning applications in laser-based technologies across various domains, including communication, directed energy, and imaging.
The Linkage Between Low Self-Control, Perception of Control, and Tourist Victimization: Bridging the Gap Between Perceived and Actual Risks
Authors: Ngo Fawn T. , Borja Bressia M. , Newman Delaney , Kim Yuna
Published: September 2024

Drawing data from a sample of tourists, we explored whether low self-control and greater perceived control of victimization are related to actual victimization, whether low self-control predict perceived control of victimization, and whether perceived control of victimization mediates the relationship between low self-control and actual victimization. Net of tourists’ demographics, travel experiences, and travel preferences, we found individuals with low self-control and those with greater perceived control of victimization had a heightened risk of becoming victims. We also found individuals with low self-control were more likely to express a greater perceived control of victimization, but perceived control of victimization did not mediate the relationship between low self-control and actual victimization. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Fragmentation of women’s transnational social movement organizations and women’s political empowerment worldwide, 1990–2021
Authors: Lavrinenko Olga
Published: September 2024

The fragmentation of the transnational women’s movement has been accompanied by massive questions regarding its impact on women’s political empowerment. This article investigates whether fragmentation of the movement facilitates or hampers empowerment while emphasizing a difference between the Global North and South. The results from a multisource database from 1990 to 2021 tested with mixed-effects linear regression show generally positive, enhancing effects of fragmentation on political empowerment; however, the effects on the North are weaker. This study challenges the homogeneity often imputed to the women’s movement and combines multiple theoretical frameworks to interrogate the nuanced mechanisms through which fragmentation exerts its influence politically on the women’s movement. Empirically, the article thus fills a critical gap in testing conflicting hypotheses about this fragmentation and its diverse impacts worldwide on women’s political empowerment.
Impact of Anti-drug Use Advertisements in Hong Kong: A Randomized Control Experiment
Authors: Cheng Vincent Shing , Zhang Chenghui , Situ Xinyi , Ma Yiu Chung
Published: September 2024

Background: This study examined how anti-drug use advertisements, along with perceptions of their realism and threat to personal freedom, impact perceptions toward drug use among Chinese university students in Hong Kong. Despite the widespread use of such ads globally, their potential for a “boomerang effect” has been understudied outside Western contexts. Methods: 483 students (aged 18–25) were randomly assigned to view either anti-drug or unrelated advertisements. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed their perceptions. Data were analyzed using two-tailed t-tests, a two-way mixed ANOVA, and ordinary least squares regression models. Results: No boomerang effect was found; exposure to anti-drug ads had limited influence on drug use perceptions. Unrealistic ads were associated with more favorable perceptions of drug use, while perceived threat to personal freedom did not significantly impact perceptions. Conclusion: Cultural context may influence the boomerang effect. Anti-drug campaigns should use coherent, realistic narratives to effectively promote negative drug views.
Business-to-Investor Marketing: The Interplay of Costly and Costless Signals
Authors: Nyilasy Greg , Yi Shangwen , Herhausen Dennis , Ludwig Stephan , Dahl Darren W.
Published: September 2024

Marketing to investors—especially when seeking funding for startups—is unique, with investors facing extreme uncertainty. This study uses foundational work in marketing, economics, management, finance, and psychology, as well as theories-in-use development with angel and venture capital investors, to build a business-to-investor marketing theory. The theory proposes that investors rely on marketing signals from startups, whether they are costly (financial, social, human, and intellectual resource endowments) or costless (verbal passion and concreteness). Results of a large quantitative field study of 5,334 written proposals from startups show that costly and costless signals have interactive effects on investor acceptance. The natural entrepreneurial tendency to compensate for a lack of costly signals with the use of passionate language backfires, reducing investor acceptance. Only when costly signals are communicated does a greater use of passion increase investor acceptance. Further, written proposals should be moderately concrete when they lack costly signals and should be formulated abstractly when plenty of costly signals can be offered. These contingencies provide insights into costly–costless signal interdependence in business-to-investor marketing and suggest how startups can optimize their written proposals for investor acceptance.
Troubling understandings of childhood competence in research ethics governance processes: Implications for research with children and their families
Authors: Twum-Danso Imoh Afua
Published: September 2024

2024 marked the centenary of the 1924 Declaration on the Rights of the Child. The adoption of this declaration by the League of Nations provided the launching pad for the establishment of a global children’s rights movement which resulted in foregrounding children’s wellbeing at key global fora during the 20th century. While the concept of children’s rights has expanded in the 100 years since the adoption of the declaration, some of the key tenets of the conceptualisation of children’s rights within this declaration remain evident in dominant children’s rights discourses today. Specifically, there remains a clear distinction between children and adults which situates the state of adulthood as being everything that those within the childhood phase of life lack – autonomy, maturity, competence, and knowledge of the world. These systems are not only evident in educational settings and the approaches adopted by governmental and non-governmental agencies (national and international); they are also identifiable within the higher education sector, most notably in Western Europe and North America, through, for instance, ethics governance procedures or procedural ethics frameworks which are best characterised by research ethics committees/IRBs. The inclusion of such a vision of childhood in university ethics regimes which, then, informs ethical standards that need to be met by researchers seeking to undertake research with children is problematic because not all cultures, including some within Western European and North American contexts, make the same distinctions between the state of adulthood and the state of childhood and consequently, they do not automatically associate incompetence, immaturity and dependency with childhood. This raises more, not less, issues. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the linkage between dominant children’s rights discourses and procedural ethics frameworks and problematise their understanding of childhood, especially concerning the concept of competence, in contexts where other conceptualisations of childhood exist.
Evaluating the tensile properties of high-strength stainless steels using small punch testing
Authors: Li Ran , Wei Wenshu , Chen Rongming , Wu Mengyu , Lai Yuehua
Published: September 2024

Accurately measuring the mechanical properties of high-strength stainless steels is of great significance for ensuring structural safety, predicting long-term performance and optimizing design. However, the standardized tensile test specimens used to obtain strength properties must be fabricated from bulk materials from an in-service structure or component, result in the loss of structural integrity or a reduction in remaining service life. Small punch tests require only miniscule material samples and are widely used to estimate in-service component material characteristics. This study performed small punch tests on three high-strength stainless steels—X17CrNi15-2, 15-5PH, and PH13-8Mo—to obtain the correlations between the small punch tests and the uniaxial tensile test results for each material. The estimated yield stresses obtained from the small punch tests were distributed within a factor of 1.5 on both sides of the unity line when compared with those obtained from the uniaxial tensile tests; the ultimate strength values estimated from the small punch tests correlated quite well with those obtained from the uniaxial tensile tests. An iterative finite element analysis was subsequently established to simulate the small punch tests and thereby obtain the coefficients for a Ludwik power law correlation representing the true stress–strain properties. The finite element predicted force–deflection curves agreed well with the small punch test results, which were also compared with the predictions obtained from empirical equations proposed in previous studies. Finally, the fracture mechanisms of the small punch test specimens were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, indicating that the dimple fracture mechanism dominated the failure mode. The results of this study are expected to inform the application of small punch test to evaluate in-service high-strength stainless steel materials.
“This is what I like, this is why I need to be here”: Young women’s pleasure in the urban night time economy
Authors: McBride Amanda
Published: September 2024

Pleasure is at the heart of ‘nights out’, yet research on the UK’s night-time economy has consistently focussed instead on the risks and harms experienced by particular groups. Where this body of work has met research on young women, the emphasis on the problems of the night-time economy has been especially evident. This paper extends understandings of this subject by making an analysis of young women’s pleasure central. It uses qualitative data to argue that young women’s pleasure in the night-time economy is related to a deep sense of mutuality and, going further, introduces the term ‘opened-out subjectivity’ to characterise this sense of connection. Finally, it shows how this subjectivity helps constitute the appeal of nights out, a new direction in night-time economy research.
Project SUCCESS: Youth Substance use and Mental Health
Authors: Rosenthal Samantha R. , Roberts Katherine J. , Borden Samantha K.
Published: September 2024

This study aims to assess whether students at schools implementing Project SUCCESS (PS) have different substance use and mental health outcomes than those at schools not implementing PS. Surveys were administered to 18,151 middle and high school students from 29 school districts and 50 schools. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions controlling for individual- and school-level characteristics were used. Students at schools with PS had lower odds of past month cigarette use, vaping, alcohol use, marijuana use, past year suicide ideation, and had fewer depressive symptoms relative to students at schools without PS. Findings suggest students at schools with PS may be less likely to engage in substance use and less likely to experience mental health challenges than students at schools without PS.