bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
U-Pb age of the oldest achondrite points to 26Al heterogeneity in the early Solar System
Authors: Krestianinov Evgenii , Amelin Yuri , Yin Qing-Zhu , Cary Paige , Huyskens Magdalena , Miller Audrey , Dey Supratim , Hibiya Yuki , Tang Haolan , Young Edward , Pack Andreas , Rocco Tommaso Di
Published: October 2022

The homogeneity of distribution of radioisotope 26Al in the early solar nebula, a major heat source for early planetary differentiation and foundational assumption to high resolution cosmochronology, remains debatable. Here we report a precise Pb-isotopic age of 4565.56±0.12 million years (Ma) for the recently discovered andesitic achondrite Erg Chech 002. Combining this age with published high-precision 26Al-26Mg data, we demonstrate that the initial 26Al/27Al in the source material of this achondrite was distinctly higher than in several well preserved and precisely dated achondrites. We argue that the current data clearly indicate spatial heterogeneity of 26Al in the precursor molecular cloud or the protoplanetary disk of the Solar System, likely associated with the late infall of stellar materials with freshly synthesized radionuclides.
Denervation Aggravates Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury via BMAL1-mediated Nrf2/ARE pathway
Authors: sun qian , WANG YIFEI , TANG QIAO , ZENG CHENG , DU LI , DONG CHONG
Published: October 2022

Background Denervation is an inevitable pathological situation of renal graft. This study was to explore the change of clock gene rhythm under renal denervation (RDN) and its effect on renal function and oxidative stress during renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.
Method C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups at daytime 7AM (zeitgeber time [ZT] 0) or at nighttime 7PM (ZT12) in respectively: Sham (S) group, RDN group, IR group and RDN+ IR (DIR) group. Renal pathological and functional changes were assessed by H&E staining, and serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels. Renal oxidative stress was detected by SOD and MDA levels, and renal inflammation was measured by IL-6, IL-17AF and TNF-ɑ levels. BMAL1, CLOCK, Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were tested by qPCR and Western Blot.
Result Compared with S groups, the rhythm of BMAL1 and CLOCK genes in the kidney was disordered in RDN groups, while renal pathological and functional indexes did not change significantly. Compared with IR groups, renal pathological and functional indexes were significantly higher in the DIR groups, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation in renal tissues. The protein expressions of BMAL1 and Nrf2 were upregulated by RDN at ZT12 timepoint. In DIR groups, renal injury was aggravated after the Brusatol treatment, but there was no significant improvement after the t-BHQ treatment, which might be consistent with the changes of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expressions. Knockdown BMAL1 gene alone didn’t reverse the aggravation of renal IR injury at nighttime caused by RDN, but it could recover the protective effect of activating Nrf2/ARE pathway by t-BHQ.
Conclusion RDN lead to the disruption of BMAL1-mediatedNrf2 rhythm accumulation in the kidney, which reduced the renal ability to resist oxidative stress and inflammation, due to the impaired effect of activating Nrf2/ARE pathway in renal IR injury at nighttime.
Fucosylation of HLA-DRB1 regulates CD4+T cell-mediated anti-melanoma immunity and enhances immunotherapy efficacy
Authors: Lau Eric , Lester Daniel , Burton Chase , Gardner Alycia , Innamarato Patrick , Kodumudi Krithika , Liu Qian , Adhikari Emma , Ming Qianqian , Williamson Daniel , Frederick Dennie , Sharova Tatyana , White Michael , Markowitz Joseph , Cao Biwei , Nguyen Jonathan , Johnson Joseph , Beatty Matthew , Mockabee-Macias Andrea , Mercurio Matthew , Watson Gregory , Chen Pei-Ling , McCarthy Susan , Moran Carlos , Messina Jane , Thomas Kerry , Darville Lancia , Izuma Victoria , Koomen John , Pilon-Thomas Shari , Ruffell Brian , Luca Vince , Haltiwanger Robert S , Wang Xuefeng , Wargo Jennifer , Boland Genevieve
Published: October 2022

Despite reports of striking outcomes, immunotherapy efficacy in melanoma is limited to subsets of patients 1, 2. Combining immunotherapies with other modalities has yielded limited improvements but also adverse events requiring cessation of treatment 1. In addition to ineffective patient stratification, efficacy can be impaired by paucity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Thus, effective strategies to safely increase TILs are urgently needed to improve immunotherapies 3. Here, we report that dietary administration of the sugar L-fucose triggers CD4+T cell-mediated increases in TILs, anti-tumor immunity, and enhanced immune checkpoint blockade responses. This is induced by the fucosylation and cell surface enrichment of the MHC-II protein HLA-DRB1 in melanoma. Single-cell immunofluorescent staining analysis of patient melanoma specimens demonstrates that fucosylation and fucosylated HLA-DRB1 is associated with intratumoral T cell abundance and anti-PD1 responder status. Our findings demonstrate that fucosylation is a key mediator of anti-tumor immunity, via regulation of melanoma cell surface HLA-DRB1 and induction of anti-tumor immunity, suggesting use of melanoma fucosylation as a novel strategy to stratify patients for immunotherapies. Importantly, our study suggests that L-fucose represents a powerful, non-toxic agent for safely increasing anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy efficacy in melanoma.
Blunt Liver Trauma: Spectrum of injuries and outcomes, managed At Level – I Trauma Center
Authors: Javed Sidra , Shahid Muhammad Hasaan , Naqvi Syed Waqas Aslam , Khan Anwar Zeb , Javed Amna , Kaiser Adeel , Aslam Samana , Javed Amna
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The liver and spleen sustain the greatest intra-abdominal injuries, followed by the intestine and mesentery in blunt abdominal trauma. Overlooked intra-abdominal injuries and surgical management delays are linked to a significant risk of morbidity. Accurate diagnostic investigations, including eFAST and MSCT, are of the highest significance. Patients who are hemodynamically stable (HDS) can often be managed without surgery due to advances in imaging technology, the expansion of minimally invasive techniques, and improved monitoring adjuncts. This study aims to look into the incidence, clinical manifestations, treatment, and consequences of traumatic blunt liver injuries in level – I trauma center in Pakistan.
Materials & Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included all blunt abdominal trauma patients with liver injuries who were admitted and treated at the Lahore general hospital, Lahore, between January 2020 and January 2022. Data collected included demographic characteristics, mode of injury, vital signs, CT findings when accessible, the intensity of the liver trauma, management approach, and outcomes such as duration of hospital admission & mortality. Patients who remained hemodynamically stable were managed conservatively.
Results: A total of 124 patients presented with blunt abdominal trauma in the emergency department, out of which 39 reported liver injury. Among them, 33 were male, and the mean age was 31.56 ± 11.04 years. The most frequent mode of injury was motor vehicle collision in 34 patients. Conservative management was done in 16 patients and failed in 3 patients who eventually required operative management. Operative management was done on 23 patients. Most frequently performed procedure was peri-hepatic packing 20 (76.9%). The mortality rate was 3 (7.7%), and all were grade V liver injury patients.
Discussion: Liver trauma is among the most common injury after blunt abdominal trauma, constituting a life threat and a reason for emergency department admission. The treatment of liver injuries is multidisciplinary. Patients with severe hepatic trauma whose successful recovery is complicated by hemodynamic instability must undergo surgery.
Conclusion: To prevent and minimize the significant consequences, emergency physicians must rapidly assess the severity of the injury and select the most suitable treatment option (surgical or non-surgical).
Long-term follow-up results of nonemergent EC-IC bypass surgery for symptomatic, hemodynamically compromised chronic large- vessel occlusion or stenosis: quantitative radiologic analysis and clinical outcomes
Authors: Jo Hyunjun , Lee Si Un , Jeong Han-Gil , Kim Young-Deok , Kim Tackeun , Sunwoo Leonard , Ban Seung Pil , Bang Jae Seung , Kwon Oki , Oh Chang Wan
Published: October 2022

Objective:This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of nonemergent extracranial-to-intracranial bypass (EIB) in symptomatic chronic large artery atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusive disease (LAA) through quantitative analysis of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) parameters using RAPID software.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 86 patients who underwent nonemergent EIB due to symptomatic chronic LAA. CTP data obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (PostOp0), and 6 months postoperatively (PostOp6M) after EIB were quantitatively analyzed through RAPID software, and their association with intraoperative bypass flow was assessed. The clinical outcomes, including neurologic state, incidence of recurrent infarction and complications, were also analyzed.
Results: The time-to-maximum (Tmax) >8 s, >6 s and >4 s volumes decreased significantly at PostOp0 and up through PostOp6M (preoperative, 5, 51, and 223 ml (median), respectively; PostOp0, 0, 20.25, and 143 ml, respectively; PostOp6M, 0, 7.5, and 148.5 ml, respectively; p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative improvement in the Tmax >6 s and >4 s volumes was significantly correlated with the bypass flow at PostOp0 and PostOp6M (PostOp0, r=0.367 (p=0.001) and r=0.275 (p=0.015), respectively; PostOp6M r=0.511 (p<0.001) and r=0.391 (p=0.001), respectively). The incidence of recurrent cerebral infarction was 4.7%, and there were no major complications that produced permanent neurological impairment.
Conclusion: Nonemergent EIB under strict operation indications can be a feasible treatment for symptomatic, hemodynamically compromised LAA patients.
Significant Acceleration of Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to HCOOH at Gas-Liquid Interface
Authors: Qiuyue Ge , Liu Yangyang , Li kejian , Wang Longqian , Xie Lifang , Xuejun Ruan , Gong Kedong , Tao Wang , Zhang Liwu
Published: October 2022

Solar‐driven CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is largely constrained by the sluggish mass transfer and fast combination of photogenerated charge carriers. Herein, we find that the photocatalysis CO2RR efficiency at the abundant gas-liquid interface provided by microdroplets is two orders of magnitude higher than that of the corresponding bulk phase reaction. Even in the absence of sacrificial agents, the production rate of HCOOH over WO3·0.33H2O mediated by microdroplets reaches 2536.23 μmol h-1g-1 (vs. 13.32 μmol h-1g-1 in bulk phase), which is significantly superior to the previously reported photocatalysis CO2RR in bulk phase water. Beyond the efficient delivery of CO2 to photocatalyst surfaces within microdroplets, we reveal that the strong electric field at the gas-liquid interface of microdroplets essentially promotes the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. A scalable HCOOH photocatalysis production is further demonstrated by using an electric nebulizer to generate a large number of microdroplets. This study provides a deep understanding of ultrafast reaction kinetics mediated by the gas-liquid interface of microdroplets and a novel way of addressing the low efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Application of Passive Sampling Technique for Organic Pollutant and its Comparison with Convention Sampling Technique
Authors: INDURKAR SHREYA D.
Published: October 2022

Pesticides are present at minute concentration are the cause for poor water parameter. The concentration can vary dynamically, due to the probably distribution of pesticide pollution. Thus the characterization of pesticide residue present in water carries important monitoring analytic challenges quantitation of limited type of pesticide present in water sample. As there are no. of pesticides present we have selectively represent some pesticide coefficient of the pesticide sample with the passive sample. In this study we have use the polymer- Low Density Polyethylene (LPDE) which is mostly used to target hydrophobic organic contaminants & can monitor water pollution. Here we have selected 6 pesticide compound to show the adsorption of selected pesticides. The equilibrium reach is found on 4 pesticide compound i.e. Adrin, Chloropyrifos, Quinalfos, λ-cyhalothrin and where it was found that the Fluchorin and Profenofos doesn’t reach the equilibrium. These is been done by water- polymer partioning. Thus passive sampler has potential for effective use in water sample and can help quality managers to rationalize the fate of pesticide in future. The aim of research study was provide a proof of concept for the use of simple passive samplers for the detection in water sample. This study will help of passive samplers against conventional sampling monitoring.
Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment disparities among urban and rural elderly population in China
Authors: Sun Yongsheng , Liu Chengjiang , Gao Yuhong , Yu Jingwen , Yan Yuqing , Zhang Nianping , Ma Cungen , Gajendra Kumar , Zhang Xi
Published: October 2022

Background
Early detection and intervention using hospital database were followed to provide accurate data support and effective intervention programs for elderly population with cognitive dysfunction.
Materials and Methods
A total of 3352 rural-urban residents aged ≥ 60 years in urban area, Guangling and Tianzhen counties were selected by random sampling method from the hospital database for demographic information, MoCA scale assessment and prevalence were assessed. We analyzed the influencing factors related with MCI prevalence by logistic regression test.
Results
The total prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in urban and rural residents in Datong was 13.98%. There were no significant difference in the prevalence of MCI between urban and rural residents in gender and among same gender. The prevalence of MCI in rural were significantly higher as compared with urban residents in the age groups of 70–79 and 80–89, however 60–69 and above 90 years age group did not showed significant change. Elderly with the same residence and different educational levels, the prevalence of MCI gradually decreased with the increase of educational level. Also, elderly with chronic diseases in urban and rural residents was showed higher MCI prevalence as compared to elderly without chronic diseases.
Conclusion
MCI disparities among 70–90 age groups with different genders, ages, living conditions, educational levels and diseases condition. Old age, female, low education, living in rural areas and chronic disease condition were major risk factors for MCI. Seventy years old could be the vulnerable age for MCI prevalence in urban and rural residents. Our study suggests that attention should be paid to the rural elderly aged 60–69 with chronic diseases. Early screening strategy and targeted intervention of MCI could be best possible approarch to mitigate the disparity.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression among Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Northern of West Bank: A cross-sectional study, 2022
Authors: Wildali Dina , Nazzal Saja , Hamshari Suha , blkebir Souad
Published: October 2022

Background
Postpartum depression (PPD) has a huge negative impact on the health of the mother and the family, both physically and mentally. Few postpartum depression studies have been done in Palestine. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of PPD and the most probable risks among Palestinian women in the northern West Bank.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study of 380 mothers, ages of 18 and 44, visiting vaccination clinics with their infants after 7–12 weeks of delivery between 1 May 2022 and 30 June 2022. Postpartum women seeking care at the seven largest primary health care centers of the Ministry of Health in four cities in the Northern West Bank were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and demographic and birth details. A score of 13 or higher was used to indicate PPD risk. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. The level of significance was set at 5%.
Results
The median age of the participants was 27 with a range of 26. A total of 129 women had an EPDS score of 13 or more, giving a prevalence rate of post-partum depression of 33.9%. The predictors of postpartum depression were stressful life events during pregnancy (p value 0.003, OR: 2.1, 95% CI [1.27–3.4]), vacuum use during delivery (p value 0.002, OR: 4, 95% CI: [1.64–9.91]), low social support (p value less than 0.001, OR: 2.5, 95%CI: [1.7–4.2]) and husband’s low level of education (p value less than 0.001, OR: 5.2, 95%CI: [2.7–10]).
Conclusion
The study showed a high prevalence of PPD among Palestinian mothers in the northern of West Bank. This will emphasize the importance of PPD screening and early intervention, especially among vulnerable women.
The effects of ad junctive treatment with L-carnitine on monitoring laboratory variables in ICU patients: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yahyapoor Farveh , Keshani Mahdi , Sedaghat Alireza , Feizi Awat , Clark Cain C. T. , Bagherniya Mohammad , Safarian Mohammad , Badpeyma Mohaddeseh , Norouzy Abdolreza
Published: October 2022

Background
Critically ill patients must be monitored constantly in intensive care units (ICU). Among many laboratory variables, nutritional status indicators are a key role in the prognosis of diseases. We investigated the effects of L-carnitine adjunctive therapy on monitoring variables in critical illness.
Method
A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was implemented in a medical ICU. Participants were 54 patients, aged > 18 years, with multiple conditions, randomly assigned to receive 3 gr L-carnitine per day or placebo, along with enteral feeding, for 1 week. Primary outcomes included monitoring variables related to nutritional status.
Result
Of 54 patients randomly assigned, 51 completed the trial. Serum albumin (Alb) (P value: 0.001), total protein (P value: 0.003), and calcium (Ca) (0.044) significantly increased in the intervention vs. control group. Alanine transaminase (ALT) (0.022), lactate (< 0.001), creatinine (Cr) (0.005), and international normalized ratio (INR) (0.049) decreased meaningfully in the intervention vs. control group.
Conclusion
L-carnitine supplementation in critically ill patients can improve several parameters including INR, Cr, ALT, Lactate, Ca, Alb, and total protein.
Trial Registration:
This trial was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (registration code: IR.MUMS.fm.REC.1396.671) and was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT 20151108024938N2) (Available in https://en.irct.ir/trial/30748).
Eucalyptol ameliorates amyloid-β-induced retinal microvascular permeability and ER stress-mediated apoptosis via inhibition of PERK-elF2α-ATF4-Cas12 pathway in diabetic eyes
Authors: Kim Dong Yeon , Kang Young-Hee , Kang Min-Kyung
Published: October 2022

Retinal microvascular endothelial cells are monolayer epithelium form the smooth internal vascular lining for normal blood flow and manage the nutritional requirements and protection of a tissue critical to vision. Prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress impairs the protein folding capacity, and the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER eventually triggers apoptosis. Here, we investigated whether eucalyptol attenuated amyloid-β-deposited diabetic retinal microvascular permeability and ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVEC) were cultured in media containing 33 mM glucose and 5 µM amyloid-β for 3 days in the presence of 1-20 μM eucalyptol. Eucalyptol at 1-20 μM reversed the reduction of cellular level of phospho-PERK, phospho-elF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax and cleaved caspase-12 in 5 µM amyloid-β-loaded retinal endothelial cells. Eucalyptol increased cellular junctional proteins of VE-cadherin and Occludin-1 in Aβ-exposed HRMVEC and diabetic retinas. Furthermore, this compound diminished the enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In addition, eucalyptol reduced the up-regulation of Ang-2 and elevated the down-regulated Ang-1 and Tie-2 induction which is essential to retinal capillary occlusion and inner BRB permeability. Consistently, oral administration of 10 mg/kg eucalyptol reversed the induction of these proteins in db/db mouse eye tissues. We identified that eucalyptol antagonizes amyloid-β-mediated malfunction of inner blood retinal barrier through blocking ER stress-induced apoptosis in diabetic eyes.
Increasing Potassium Intake Up to 2300mg is Associated with Decreased Depressive Symptoms in United States Adults: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020
Authors: Huang Alexander , Huang Samuel Y.
Published: October 2022

Depression affects over 4% of the global population and new nutritional recommendations are needed to combat this increasing public health concern. The objective of this study was to examine the association between diet and depressive symptoms. We used data from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES 2017-2020). A total of 8,091 adults (≥18 years old) who answered the PHQ-9 and daily nutritional values questionnaires were selected for this study. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the validated 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Per literature, patients with PHQ-9 scores ≥10 were considered as having clinically relevant depression. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of Potassium on clinical depression as ascertained by PHQ-9. After controlling for potential confounders (age, race, education, sex, and income), we observed that increased potassium (up until 2,300 mg per day) was associated with decreased rates of depression (with each extra gram of potassium associated with 3% decreased odds of depression (OR: 0.97, CI: 0.96-0.98, p<0.01). Additional intake above 2,300 mg per day did not change the odds of depression (OR:1.01, CI: 0.999-1.012, p=0.06) To conclude, increased potassium intake (up to 2,300 mg per day) is associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Further prospective studies are required to ascertain whether increased potassium can protect against depressive symptoms.
Finding the Best Match – A Case Study on the (Text-)Feature and Model Choice in Digital Mental Health Interventions
Authors: Zantvoort Kirsten , Scharfenberger Jonas , Boß Leif , Lehr Dirk , Funk Burkhardt
Published: October 2022

Purpose: With the need for psychological help long exceeding the supply, finding ways of scaling and better allocating mental health support is a necessity. This paper contributes by investigating how to best predict intervention dropout and failure to allow for a need-based adaptation of treatment.
Methods: We systematically compare the predictive power of different text representation methods (metadata, TF-IDF, sentiment and topic analysis, and word embeddings) in combination with supplementary numerical inputs (socio-demographic, evaluation, and closed-question data). Additionally, we address the research gap of which ML model types – ranging from linear to state-of-the-art deep learning models – are best suited for different features and outcome variables. To this end, we analyze nearly 16.000 open-text answers from 849 German-speaking users in a Digital Mental Health Intervention (DMHI) for stress.
Results: Our research proves that – contrary to previous findings - there is great promise in using neural network approaches on DMHI text data. We propose a task-specific LSTM-based model architecture to tackle the challenge of long input sequences and thereby demonstrate the potential of word embeddings (AUC scores of up to 0.7) for predictions in DMHIs. Despite the relatively small data set, pre-trained BERT models, on average, outperform simpler features such as metadata and bag-of-words approaches when predicting dropout.
Conclusion: User-generated text of the first two sessions carries predictive power regarding patients’ dropout and intervention failure risk. The match between the sophistication of features and models needs to be closely considered to optimize results, and additional non-text features increase prediction results.
Indications and Outcomes of Intraocular Lens Exchange among Pseudophakic Eyes in a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Jafarinasab Mohammadreza , Kalantarion Masomeh , Hooshmandi Sadid , Hassanpour Kiana , Najdi Danial , Kheiri Bahareh , Sabbaghi Hamideh
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To determine the indications and surgical outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in pseudophakic patients at Labbafinejad Tertiary Referral Center between 2014 and 2019.
Methods: In this retrospective interventional case series, the medical records of 193 patients with a history of IOL exchange were reviewed. Preoperative data, including clinical characteristics, indications of the first and second IOL implantation, intra- and postoperative complications due to IOL exchange, and the pre-and postoperative refractive error and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were considered the outcome measures in this study. All postoperative data were analyzed at least six months after follow-up.
Results: The mean age of our participants was 59.13 ± 20.97 years old at the time of the IOL exchange, with a male percent of 62.7 %. Mean follow-up after IOL exchange was 15.72 ± 16.28 months. The main indications of IOL exchange were IOL decentration (50.3 %), corneal decompensation (30.6 %), and residual refractive errors (8.3 %). 57.10% of patients with the postoperative spherical equivalent at -2.00 diopter (D) to +2.00D. The mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.82 ± 0.76 LogMAR before IOL exchange and was improved to 0.73 ± 0.79 LogMAR after the surgery. Corneal decompensation (36.80%), glaucoma (26.30%), retinal detachment (21.10%), cystoid macular edema (10.50%), and uveitis (5.30%) were found as the postoperative complications. There was only one case having the suprachoroidal hemorrhage during IOL exchange.
Conclusions: IOL decentration followed by corneal decompensation were the most common indications of IOL exchange. After IOL exchange, the most complications during follow-up were corneal decompensation, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cystoid macular edema.
A study on the removal of polyacrylamide by titanium dioxide nanoparticles/polyacrylonitrile composite in aqueous solutions
Authors: Mahdavian Leila
Published: October 2022

Due to its high solubility in water, polyacrylamide is one of the most widely used materials for removing environmental pollutants by coagulation and flocculation. It is worth noting that the excess amount of this polymer in the wastewater is considered as a secondary pollutant, which causes clogging of the membranes and filters used in the treatment plant. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is one of the practical polymers used to remove this pollutant, and its performance can be increased by using physical modification and hydrolysis of this polymer. In this study, is evaluated and investigated structural and thermodynamic parameters of hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile polymer containing rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles, conversion of polyacrylamide to other products by computational methods. The obtained data show that titanium dioxide nanoparticles reduce the energy gap (Eg = 8.88eV) and as a result increase the polarity and conductivity of the nanocomposite (rTiO2@PAC). Gibbs free energy in polyacrylamide conversion stage is equal to -278.63 kJ.mol− 1. This decrease indicates the tendency of nanocomposite to transform the pollutant and reduce its clogging in the wastewater environment, and the obtained results show a good agreement with the experimental data.
Anorexia nervosa in adolescence: a comprehensive study of multidimensional factors associated with symptom severity one year following the diagnosis
Authors: Thibault Isabelle , Pascuzzo Katherine , Pesant Caroline , Bégin Catherine , Bédard Alexandra , Meglio Giuseppina Di , Meilleur Dominique , Taddeo Danielle , Gingras Nathalie
Published: October 2022

Objective: The overarching goal of this study was to examine the unique contribution of psychological, familial, and friendship factors in explaining anorexia nervosa (AN) symptom severity one year following diagnosis among a sample of adolescent girls. A second objective was to determine whether friendship factors mediated the association between psychological and/or familial factors and AN symptom severity.
Method: This study included 143 adolescent girls under the age of 18 diagnosed with AN (M = 14.84, SD = 1.31). Participants were recruited from specialized eating disorder treatment programs. At admission (T1), participants completed a set of self-report questionnaires measuring psychological, familial, and friendship factors. AN symptom severity was assessed one year later (T2).
Results: Results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that greater general psychological maladjustment at T1 (b = .26; se = .03; p = .00) was associated with greater AN symptom severity at T2. Greater alienation from friends at T1 (b = 1.20, se = .53, p = .03) also predicted greater AN symptom severity at T2, above and beyond the influence of adolescent girls’ general psychological maladjustment. Finally, the mediating role of alienation from friends in the association between general psychological maladjustment at T1 and AN symptom severity at T2 was also identified.
Discussion: AN is a multidimensional disorder with a prognosis that involves both psychological and social factors. The results stemming from the present study shed light on the role of peer as a mechanism through which general psychological maladjustment is linked to AN symptom severity one year following diagnosis.
Dignity at stake – Relatives' experiences of influencing dignified care in nursing homes
Authors: Hartviksen Trude Anita , Aspfors Jessica , Uhrenfeldt Lisbeth
Published: October 2022

Background

Dignity, in the care of older nursing home residents, has been an increasingly part of the public discourse the recent years. Despite a growing body of knowledge about dignity and indignity in nursing homes, we have less knowledge of how relatives experience their role in this context. This study is a follow-up of a previous study in nursing homes, which gave rise to a concern about the relatives’ descriptions of residents’ dignity. The aim of this current study is to critically discuss relatives’ experiences of influencing dignified care among residents in nursing homes.

Methods

Methodologically, the study is informed by a critical hermeneutic stance, where the analysis is guided by a qualitative interpretive approach and a humanizing framework. This is a secondary analysis that includes data from five semi-structured focus groups. The participants are 18 relatives of 16 residents living in two nursing homes in rural northern Norway.

Results

The main theme in this study, Temporarily preventing missed care when dignity is at stake, is identified when relatives in nursing homes experience they influence dignified care by (a) Pinpointing to prevent missed care and (b) Compensating when dignity is threatened.

Conclusions

Despite their stated good intentions to safeguard dignity, relatives in nursing homes experience being alienated in their attempts to change what they describe as an undignified and unacceptable practice into dignified care. The relatives’ observations of dignity and indignity are, contrary to what national and international regulations require, not mapped and/or used in any form of systematic quality improvement work. This indicates that knowledge-based practice in nursing homes, including the active application of user and relative knowledge, has untapped potential to contribute to quality improvement towards dignified care.
The relationship between the sources of confidence in overcoming major public health events and the improvement of medical students' professional identity: mediation by medical students' attention to major public health events.
Authors: Zhu Na , Zhang Zhiyuan , Xie Jun , Ou Yangli , Tan Jia , Gao Hong
Published: October 2022

Background
The prevalence of COVID-19 highlights the shortage of medical human resources, and improving medical students' professional identity is a key condition to improve this situation. The sources of confidence in overcoming major public health events and medical students' attention to major public health events were key factors affecting their professional identity, but no study has yet investigated the mediating role of medical students' attention to major public health events in the relationship between them. This study aims to investigate the relationship among these three in medical university students in Hunan Province.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey of 2,960 medical students’ questionnaires collected from three universities in Hunan Province. An intermediary model was established to evaluate the role of medical students' attention to major public health events in the sources of confidence in overcoming major public health events and the improvement of medical students' professional identity.
Results
The sources of confidence in overcoming major public health events, medical students' attention to national crisis events, the improvement of medical students' professional identity were positively associated with each other (β = 0.328 ~ 0.464, P < 0.001). The mediating effect accounted for 23.3% of the total effect and 30.4% of the direct effect. Medical students' attention to major public health events plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between the sources of confidence to overcome major public health events and the improvement of medical students' professional identity.
Conclusions
This study found that the sources of confidence in overcoming major public health events, medical students' attention to national crisis events have a signifcant predictive effect on the improvement of medical students' professional identity. Medical students' attention to major public health events mediated the relationship between the sources of confidence to overcome major public health events and the improvement of medical students' professional identity. The findings have emphasize the theoretical and practical significance of professional identity education for medical students.
Changes in key genes associated with bone remodelling during fracture healing
Authors: Wang Bin , Pan Lei
Published: October 2022

Objective: The classical osteoporotic signaling pathways include the four key genes (LRP5, Runx2, Osterix, and RANKL) influencing the regulation of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. This study investigates the expression of these four genes associated with bone remodelling during fracture healing.
Methods: Ovariectomisedrats as an osteoporotic group were randomly divided into three groups-group A, group B, and group C. Non-osteoporotic rats as control group were likewise divided into three groups-A0, B0 and C0, using the same method. The rats were killed on the third day of fractures in groups A and A0, on the seventh day of fractures in groups B and B0, and on the fourteenth day of fractures in groups C and C0. The bone specimens were taken from the femoral fracture site, and expression level of each gene in the bone specimens was detected using RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
Results: LRP5, Runx2, and Osterix expressions were decreased in osteoporotic rat fractures and then increased over time. The expression of RANKL was elevated in osteoporotic rat bone specimens, which decreased after that.
Conclusion: The expressions of the four genes varied with time after fracture, which could be associated with the various stages of bone repair. The four genes can inform practice in ideal interventions in the prevention and management of osteoporosis.
Sourcing the Accompanying Celadons from the Burial Complex of Ancient Xunyang City Site using EDXRF and LA-ICP-MS
Authors: Yuan Feng , Li Zihan , Hu Sheng , Wang Yulu , Chen Hongmei , Jia Lala , Liu Long , Gao Jian , Yu Yongbin , Li Jinwei , Wu Qiang , Li Qijiang
Published: October 2022

This paper uses a combination of EDXRF and LA-ICP-MS to analyse the chemical components including major elements and REE composition of the accompanying celadon from four different periods of tomb at the Yutu Hill burial complex on the Xunyang city site for sourcing their provenance. A comparison with the chemical composition of the products from several kiln sites producing celadon revealed that burials from the Eastern Han period and the Tang dynasty included celadon from the Hongzhou kiln, indicating a 400-year-long trade relationship between the Xunyang city site and the Hongzhou kiln. In addition, the REE composition of the accompanying celadon in tombs from the Six Dynasties and the Sui dynasty is very similar to that of Yue kiln celadon, despite their strikingly different appearance and shape. This paper concludes, based on the previous distribution of Yue kiln products in the Jiangxi region, that only the upper classes collected Yue kiln products during the initial period of their entry into Jiangxi during the Jin dynasty, but that during the Sixth Dynasty, the commoner classes also began to collect Yue kiln products.
SnP2Se6: A Chiral 2D Semiconductor for High-Performance Electronics and Optoelectronics
Authors: Chica Daniel , Sangwan Vinod , Chu Ting-Ching , Cheng Matthew , Quintero Michael , Hao Shiqiang , Choi Hyeonseon , Liu Yukun , Qian Eric , He Jingyang , Laing Craig , Gopalan Venkatraman , Wolverton Chris , Dravid Vinayak , Lauhon Lincoln , Hersam Mark , Kanatzidis Mercouri
Published: October 2022

The growth of novel van der Waals 2D compounds is a key ingredient in discovering new phenomena in quantum materials, optoelectronics, and energy conversion. Here, we report SnP2Se6, which is a van der Waals chiral (R3 space group) semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of 1.36–1.41 eV. Mechanically exfoliated SnP2Se6 flakes are integrated into high-performance field-effect transistors with electron mobility >100 cm2/Vs and an on/off ratio >106 at room temperature. The combination of high carrier mobility and polar symmetry of SnP2Se6 results in a high short-circuit photocurrent density exceeding 300 A/cm2 upon 532 nm wavelength irradiation at an intensity of 40 W/cm2. The biased SnP2Se6 phototransistors show high gain (>4 × 10^4) and fast photoresponse (< 4 μs). These superlative properties of SnP2Se6 present diverse opportunities for emerging optoelectronic and quantum technologies.
New Constructions of Mutually Orthogonal Complementary Sets and Z-Complementary Sequence Sets Based on Extended Boolean Functions
Authors: Xiao Hongyang , Cao Xiwang
Published: October 2022

Mutually orthogonal complementary sets (MOCSs) have many applications in practical scenarios such as synthetic aperture imaging systems, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing code division multiple access (OFDM-CDMA) systems and multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems. Z-complementary code sets
(ZCCSs) will be useful if the practical situation focuses more on the set size. Most ofthe known constructions of MOCSs and ZCCSs based on generalized Boolean functions (GBFs) have lengths with the form of 2m or 2m+2t. Some constructions of MOCSs and ZCCSs based on other methods mostly have restrictive lengths. In this paper, we not only present constructions of an optimal ZCCS, but also construct MOCSs with flexible lengths. Both these constructions are based on extended Boolean functions. Though our proposed constructions generalize several previously known methods, we show that the parameters of these constructions are new and include previous parameters as special cases. In addition, a wide range of q-ary MOCSs and ZCCSs can be obtained by assigning different values to q.
Establishing a scenario of exposure to environmental toxins associated with nephropathies in agricultural areas of Costa Rica based on Geological Medicine
Authors: Montero-Campos Virginia , Ulloa Oscar , Siebecker Matthew , Zimmerman Amanda Jo , Weindorf David C. , Quirós Marcela , Estrada Javier , Ulate Sharon
Published: October 2022

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) of unknown origin has caused serious public health problems in specific countries in the word, such as, Sri Lanka, India and Mesoamerica. Particularly in Costa Rica the pathology and linked mortality are concentrated in the north pacific region from the country. Affected people are found predominantly in rural agricultural areas with warm climate and low altitude and to a much lesser extent in hilly elevated areas; however, the full geographic extent of the disease is still unclear. The objective of this research is to determine a scenario of exposure to toxicants in populations with high numbers of cases of CKD. Explanatory variables for the high rate of CKD were determined by means of a Poisson multivariate regression analysis at a national level. The environmental variables included hectares of cultivated and burned sugarcane, atmospheric temperatures, relative humidity, arsenic in water for human consumption, speed and direction of winds, annual average precipitation, and geographical location with respect to alti- tude. Heavy metals, including transition metals and metalloids such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, vanadium, and silicon, which even at low concentrations have the potential to cause nephrotoxicity via chronic exposure, were quantified in the soils in areas with the highest prevalence of the disease in the country. According to this quantifica- tion and analysis, these metal(loid)s may have causal relevance in the pathology of CKD. The statistical, geographical and laboratory analy- ses determined that population exposure to environmental toxicants is seasonal, occurring under the convergence of annual climatic phenomena.
A 4pL Item Response Theory examination of perceived stigma in the screening of eating disorders with the SCOFF
Authors: Barnard-Brak Lucy , Yang Zhanxia
Published: October 2022

We examined the psychometric properties of the SCOFF, a screening instrument for eating disorders, with consideration of the perceived stigma of items that can produce socially desirable responding. The results of the current study suggest evidence of the sufficient psychometric properties of the SCOFF in terms of confirmatory factor and item response theory analyses. However, two items of the SCOFF revealed that individuals who otherwise endorsed other items of the SCOFF were less likely to endorse the items of Fat and Food. It is hypothesized that this is the result of perceived stigma regarding those two items that prompts individuals to respond in a socially desirable way. A weighted scoring procedure was developed to counteract the performance of these two items, but the psychometric performance was only slightly better and there would be a clear tradeoff of specificity over sensitivity if utilized. Future research should consider other ways to counteract such perceived stigma.
Impairment in Sleep Health in Young Adults with Chronic Pain: a modifiable risk factor
Authors: Eissa Mohamed , Bhatia Anuj , Bansal Shikha , Renna Tania Di , McLoone Mary , Stinson Jennifer , Campbell Fiona , Brown Stephen , Sheffe Sarah , Law Yen Shuang , Kawalpreet Singh , Bosma Rachael , Singh Mandeep
Published: October 2022

Background: Impairments in sleep health are associated with the development or worsening of chronic pain. Further, chronic pain can cause sleep health disruption by impacting sleep onset, sleep maintenance, sleep quality, and causing daytime somnolence. However, the association between chronic pain and sleep disturbances in the young adult population is unclear.
Aim: We describe our initial experience in establishing and running a clinic for managing sleep health and chronic pain in young adults. We also describe the prevalence and the pattern of sleep disruption as well as its relationship with self-efficacy in pain management, depression, and quality of life in this cohort.
Methods: After approval from the Institutional Review Ethics board, chart review and data extraction were conducted for patients who presented at the Young Adult Clinic (YAC) at Women’s College Hospital from March 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019.
Results: Medical charts of 55 patients were reviewed with the majority being females (71%). Chronic widespread pain was the most common pain syndrome diagnosed in our patients. Insomnia was the most common sleep-health related diagnosis in our patients. Patients with disorders of sleep were more likely to report lower self-efficacy for managing pain as compared to those with no sleep disorders (p=0.023) but there was no significant difference between these two groups as regards risk for pain-related catastrophizing.
Conclusion: Impairments in sleep health may be an important modifiable risk factor for alleviating pain in young adults with chronic pain. Sleep disorders should be evaluated and addressed in this population.
Sex differences in sexual satisfaction and psychological symptoms in young adult pornography users
Authors: Czajeczny Dominik , Aurast Zuzanna , Godlewska Karolina , Mojs Ewa
Published: October 2022

Research indicates that men and women have different preferences and patterns of sexual behavior and the use of pornographic content. It is commonly found that men use porn more frequently. A recent study found sex differences in motivations behind porn use. Authors speculated that different motivations might lead to different outcomes. The presented study aimed to compare sex differences in the associations between pornography use, sexual satisfaction, and occurrence of psychological symptoms between high and low pornography users sampled from the general population. A sample of 179 participants between the ages of 18 to 37 completed the questionnaire containing questions about demographic data, manner, and frequency of porn use and two psychometric scales: the General Functioning Scale GFQ-58 (assessing broad psychological symptoms) and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale SSC. In general, females in the study obtained higher scores on the General Functioning Scale, presenting more psychological symptoms. Still, when considering the frequency and manner of porn use, it is men in which increased porn use was found to be associated with psychological symptoms. Presented data provide evidence that men and women might have different motivations, leading to varying outcomes of porn use. This further supports the hypothesis that it is not porn that is inherently harmful, but rather why and how you use it.
MicroRNA analysis of the lens capsule in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation cataract in the Indian population
Authors: Khera Alka , Ram Jagat , Khullar Madhu , Thattaruthody Faisal , Gupta Parul Chawla , Kumar Gaurav , Singh Nirbhai , Pandav Surinder Singh
Published: October 2022

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) effects the intraocular pressure (IOP) and vision of eye by causing pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). miRNAs have previously been linked to the aetiology of XFS and XFG. Present study focuses on the differential expression pattern of microRNAs (miRNAs) in anterior lens capsule (ALC) of XFS and XFG. For this, RNA from ALC of XFS, XFG and control patients was subjected to miRNA array followed by validation of clinically important significantly expressed miRNAs and their targets by real-time PCR. Out of 44 differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-638 showed significant increase in expression in XFG samples as compared to XFS and control (p < 0.0001). SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (SOX2), potential gene target of miR-638, showed significant downregulation in XFG compared to control samples. Oxidative stress levels were also estimated by lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay, which showed significant increased oxidative stress in XFS and XFG samples. From this investigation we can conclude that miR-638 regulation of SOX2 along with disturbed oxidative-antioxidative balance might be involved in XFG pathophysiology.