bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The carceral logic of parental responsibility
Authors: Battle Brittany Pearl
Published: December 2022

Objective

To elucidate the institutional logic underpinning the child support system's expectations of parents.

Background

Compelling parental responsibility through punitive enforcement mechanisms is the central focus of child support system enforcement. Although much is known about noncustodial parents' experiences in the system, less is known about how this site of state intervention shapes the definition and expectations of parenthood and family.

Method

Observations in five courts and child support‐related sites were conducted over 18 months. Interviews were also conducted with child support system workgroup members.

Results

The racialized, gendered, and classed stereotypes that undergird the system's definition of parental responsibility are grounded in controlling images of parenthood and family, prioritizing financial support above any other contributions of parents. Court officials wielded this expectation of parental responsibility to punish—or threaten to punish—noncustodial parents, resulting in significant material and symbolic consequences.

Conclusion

The carceral logic of parental responsibility in this site underpins punitive state policies, procedures, and practices around nonpayment of support and other acts of noncompliance, reproducing racialized, gendered, and classed social controls of parenthood and family. As a result of this logic, the child support system plays a significant role in shaping the institutions of parenthood and family, (re)produces the expansion of the carceral state, and contributes to broader family inequality.

Implications

Addressing family inequality should attend to the pervasiveness of the carceral logic of parental responsibility in the child support system and beyond, which has significantly oppressive consequences for parents and families.
Association between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and head and neck cancer: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Batista Nancy Vanessa Rodrigues , Valdez Remberto Marcelo Argandoña , Silva Elma Mariana Verçosa de Melo , Melo Thayanara Silva , Pereira José Ricardo Dias , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Santos‐Silva Alan Roger , Duarte Angela Luzia Branco Pinto , Mariz Henrique de Ataíde , Gueiros Luiz Alcino
Published: December 2022

Background

Personal history of autoimmune rheumatic diseases has been implicated in the development of malignant neoplasms. Our aim was to assess the risk of head and neck (H&N) cancers in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Methods

The articles search included PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with no language restrictions for studies published from inception of the databases to August 20, 2022, assessing the risk of H&N cancer in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Studies were included if they reported the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was risk of H&N cancers in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases compared with the general population. Pooled summary estimates were calculated using a random‐effects model, and subgroup analyses were done to establish whether risk of H&N cancers varied according to study site.

Results

Our search identified 5378 records, of which 32 cohort studies were eligible for systematic review and 24 for meta‐analysis (including 273 613 patients). A significant association was found between H&N cancer and autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SIR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.57–3.50; p < 0.01, I2 = 94%).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases had a significantly increased risk of H&N cancer compared with the general population, including thyroid, oral, and nasopharyngeal cancers. These findings have implications for the individualized screening of these patients and the planning of oncology units. The protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020197827.
Cryptic recessive lethality of a supergene controlling social organization in ants
Authors: Blacher Pierre , De Gasperin Ornela , Grasso Guglielmo , Sarton‐Lohéac Solenn , Allemann Roxane , Chapuisat Michel
Published: December 2022

Supergenes are clusters of linked loci that control complex phenotypes, such as alternative forms of social organization in ants. Explaining the long‐term maintenance of supergenes is challenging, particularly when the derived haplotype lacks homozygous lethality and causes gene drive. In the Alpine silver ant, Formica selysi, a large and ancient social supergene with two haplotypes, M and P, controls colony social organization. Single‐queen colonies only contain MM females, while multiqueen colonies contain MP and PP females. The derived P haplotype, found only in multiqueen colonies, selfishly enhances its transmission through maternal effect killing, which could have led to its fixation. A population genetic model showed that a stable social polymorphism can only be maintained under a narrow set of conditions, which includes partial assortative mating by social form (which is known to occur in the wild), and low fitness of PP queens. With a combination of field and laboratory experiments, we show that the P haplotype has deleterious effects on female fitness. The survival rate of PP queens and workers was around half that of other genotypes. Moreover, P‐carrying queens had lower fertility and fecundity compared to other queens. We discuss how cryptic lethal effects of the P haplotype help stabilize this ancient polymorphism.
Growth slowdowns at middle income levels: Identifying mechanisms of external constraints
Authors: Bianchi Carlos , Isabella Fernando , Picasso Santiago
Published: December 2022

This paper provides evidence that external constraints determine growth slowdowns in middle‐income countries. Econometric models corroborate a positive and significant relation between export margin and the growth of GDPpc for those countries that have remained between middle‐income thresholds for at least 30 years, but not for others. While advanced economies have sustained their growth through permanent increases in productivity and the quality of products, many middle‐income countries, most of them from Latin America, remain dependent on external prices for growth. Our results shed new light on old development challenges for developing countries.
Catastrophic or sustainable scenarios might occur when the carrying capacities of a tourism‐based socioecological system vary
Authors: Villavicencio‐Pulido J. G. , Vázquez‐Hipólito V. , García‐Cruz G. J.
Published: December 2022

In this work, we propose a socioecological model to describe the effects of visiting tourists in biological attractive sites. We model conditioned interactions between the forest resources and the wildlife with the tourists. This allows us to describe the net benefits–costs rates that the species and their habitats receive from the interaction with tourists. We show that when a scenario of sustainable tourism exists, it is always at risk. This occurs because there is at least a component of the socioecological system that can go to zero when the initial conditions belong to the basin of attraction of a border equilibrium. However, a sustainable equilibrium can be reached when the initial conditions belong to the basin of attraction of a positive attractor. The analysis of the model shows that increasing the tourism carrying capacities can lead to different dynamical patterns. Sometimes, these patterns describe scenarios of unsustainable tourism. When this is the case, by decreasing the negative impact due to the nature and wildlife‐based tourism industry, a tourism sustainability can be reached. Among the scenarios of unsustainable tourism, there are scenarios without wildlife and/or tourists or without both; scenarios in which the ecological and the social variable show sustained oscillations, or scenarios with chaotic patterns for these variables. We show numerical solutions of the model to display different scenarios when the touristic carrying capacities are varied.
Diagnostic performance of the Spot vision photoscreener for the detection of exodeviation in preschool‐aged children
Authors: Yum Hae Ri , Park Yoo Yeon , Shin Sun Young , Park Shin Hae
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Welch Allyn Spot Vision photoscreener in preschool children for detecting exotropia, the most prevalent type of strabismus among Asian children.

Methods

Children aged 3–6 years were screened using the Spot Vision photoscreener and then underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination on the same day. A child with exodeviation ≥8 Δ in the primary position using the cover‐uncover test and the alternate prism cover test was confirmed to have exotropia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the photoscreener in detecting exotropia were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the angle of deviation (≥25 Δ vs. <25 Δ) and fusional control (good/fair vs. poor).

Results

Two hundred and ten children were included in this study. Among 80 exotropia‐confirmed children, 23 needed referrals for exodeviation (screening‐positive) and 57 were proven to be screening‐negatives with the photoscreener. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the photoscreener for detecting exotropia were 28.8%, 95.4%, 79.3% and 68.5%, respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 6.26 and 0.75, respectively. Compared with the 57 children with false‐negatives (71.3%), those with true‐positive results with the photoscreener had significantly larger angles of exodeviation (p = 0.02) and a higher proportion of poor fusional control (p = 0.004). The photoscreener had low sensitivity even in detecting exotropia ≥25 Δ or those with poor fusional control (35.2% and 43.6%, respectively). Approximately 65% (42 out of 64) of the children with a significant exodeviation which needed strabismus surgery were not identified by the Spot Vision Photoscreener.

Conclusions

The Spot Vision photoscreener has low sensitivity for detecting exodeviation. It should not be used alone for assessing exotropia in preschool‐aged children.
What is the frequency and nature of visual hallucinations in non‐clinical participants?
Authors: Aynsworth Charlotte , Rolinson Julie , Pervez Maryam , Collerton Daniel , Dudley Robert
Published: December 2022

Objectives

There is a paucity of psychological treatments for visual hallucinations (VH). A key aspect in the psychological treatment of hallucination‐related distress is normalisation to explain that these experiences are commonplace and can be non‐distressing. In order to normalise VH, it is vital that more is known about VH in non‐clinical populations. This study investigated the prevalence, content, context, appraisals, distress, and behavioural reactions to VH in a non‐clinical sample.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted.

Methods

466 students completed the Multi‐Modality Unusual Sensory Experiences Questionnaire‐VH subscale with additional contextual follow‐up questions.

Results

Of the 466 participants, 395 (84.8%) reported anomalous visual experiences. 176 (37.77%) participants reported VH similar to the content seen in psychosis. Of the overall sample, 17.38% felt their experience met the VH definition. Participants mainly saw figures, when alone and in the evening. Participants endorsed normalising appraisals: 112 out of 176 (78.87%) believed their mind was playing tricks on them and 83 (58.45%) believed they were tired. However, many also believed the VH was a threat to their mental (66, 46.48%) or physical well‐being (41, 28.87%). These negative appraisals were associated with distress.

Conclusion

VH are seemingly common in non‐clinical populations and are similar in a number of ways to those of people with psychosis. Awareness that VH occur on a continuum could normalise people's experiences and reduce their negative appraisals and related distress.
Annoyance due to amplitude modulated low-frequency wind farm noise: A laboratory study
Authors: Zajamsek Branko , Hansen Kristy , Lechat Bastien , Liebich Tessa , Dunbar Claire , Micic Gorica , Catcheside Peter
Published: December 2022

This study tested for differences in perceived annoyance and loudness between road traffic noise (RTN) and wind farm noise (WFN) with amplitude modulation (AM) and tonality. Twenty-two participants, who were primarily university students with no previous exposure to WFN and aged between 19 and 29 (mean, 22 years old; standard deviation, 2) years old with normal hearing, underwent a laboratory-based listening test. Each participant rated perceived annoyance and loudness of WFN and RTN samples played at sound pressure levels (SPLs) ranging from 33 to 48 dBA. Probability modeling revealed that participants were the largest source of variability in ratings of perceived annoyance and loudness while noise type and SPL were relatively minor sources. Overall, no differences were found between WFN and RTN perceived annoyance or loudness ratings. On the other hand, no substantial differences in annoyance were found between low-frequency tonal AM and mid-to-high-frequency AM or “swish” WFN.
Efficient computation of modal transfer function in mode composition beamforming for rotating broadband source localization
Authors: Zhang Ce , Ma Wei
Published: December 2022

For rotating sound source localization, there are mainly two types of frequency-domain beamforming methods, the virtual rotating array (VRA) method and mode composition beamforming (MCB). Compared with the VRA method, MCB overcomes the constraint of microphone array configuration and avoids error introduced by interpolation. In order to obtain the MCB result, modal transfer functions, which are the modal coefficients in the analytical solution of the sound field of rotating source, should be pre-calculated. However, the computation of modal transfer functions takes a long time, especially under a large number of considered frequencies. Therefore, the computational efficiency of MCB is limited by the computation of modal transfer functions. In this paper, an expression of modal transfer functions at multiple considered frequencies is derived first. According to this expression, intermediate variables independent of frequency are computed in a fast way, then modal transfer functions at each considered frequency are calculated through these intermediate variables. This expression is successfully applied to improve the computational efficiency of MCB for rotating broadband source localization.
Arterial Structure in 18-Year-Old Males Is Dependent on Physical Activity at 12 Years and Cumulative Cardiorespiratory Fitness From Puberty to Late Adolescence
Authors: Kraav Juta , Tamme Reeli , Remmel Liina , Mäestu Evelin , Zagura Maksim , Jürimäe Jaak , Tillmann Vallo
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effect of body composition, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) from puberty on arterial health in late adolescent males. Methods: The cumulative burden of physical activity (measured with accelerometer), CRF (VO2peak0.82), and body composition (body mass index, fat mass, and fat percentage) from puberty to late adolescence (sum of 4 time points from 12 to 18 y) was assessed in 102 males. Additional analysis on the first (T1) and last (T4) time points was performed. Intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index adjusted to heart rate of 75 beats per minute (bpm) as dependent variables were measured at T4 and analyzed in multivariable regression models adjusted for known risk factors including maturation, blood pressure, and smoking habits. Results: T1 and cumulative body composition measures were independently associated with IMT, while cumulative (β = −0.011, P = .036) and T4 (β = −0.0.031, P = .001) CRF revealed independent associations with IMT. Individuals with moderate to vigorous physical activity >60 minutes per day at T1 showed relationship (β = −1.091, P = .026) with IMT independently of late adolescent physical activity. No significant relationship was present for arterial function. Conclusion: Arterial structure in adolescent males is associated with physical activity at 12 years while relationship with CRF can be seen in late adolescence and cumulatively from puberty to late adolescence.
Revealing Causes for False-Positive and False-Negative Calling of Gene Essentiality in Escherichia coli Using Transposon Insertion Sequencing
Authors: Choe Donghui , Kim Uigi , Hwang Soonkyu , Seo Sang Woo , Kim Donghyuk , Cho Suhyung , Palsson Bernhard , Cho Byung-Kwan
Published: December 2022

Transposon mutagenesis is an efficient way to explore gene essentiality of a bacterial genome. However, there was a discrepancy between the essential gene set determined by transposon mutagenesis and that determined using single-gene knockout strains.
Haze Exposure Changes the Skin Fungal Community and Promotes the Growth of
Talaromyces
Strains
Authors: Yan Dong , Li Min , Si Wenhao , Ni Shijun , Liu Xin , Chang Yahan , Guo Xiaochan , Wang Jingjing , Bai Jie , Chen Yuanhang , Jia Haoyue , Zhang Tao , Wu Minna , Song Xiangfeng , Tian Zhongwei , Yu Liyan
Published: December 2022

Skin fungi play an important role in human health. Particulate matter (PM), the main haze pollutant, has been a public environmental threat.
Salmonella Subpopulations Identified from Human Specimens Express Heterogenous Phenotypes That Are Relevant to Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Gebremichael Yismashoa , Crandall John , Mukhopadhyay Rituparna , Xu Fengfeng
Published: December 2022

In animal model systems, heterogenous
Salmonella
phenotypes were found previously to regulate bacterial infections. We describe in this communication that different
Salmonella
phenotypes also exist in infected humans at a single disease time point and that their phenotypic and molecular traits are associated with different aspects of pathogenicity.
Structural and Functional Characterization of Rv0792c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Identifying Small Molecule Inhibitor against HutC Protein
Authors: Chauhan Neeraj Kumar , Anand Anjali , Sharma Arun , Dhiman Kanika , Gosain Tannu Priya , Singh Prashant , Singh Padam , Khan Eshan , Chattopadhyay Gopinath , Kumar Amit , Sharma Deepak , Ashish  , Sharma Tarun Kumar , Singh Ramandeep
Published: December 2022

Prokaryotes encode a large number of GntR family transcription factors that are involved in various fundamental biological processes, including stress adaptation and pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the structural and functional role of Rv0792c, a HutC homolog from
M. tuberculosis
.
Use and Evaluation of a pES213-Derived Plasmid for the Constitutive Expression of
gfp
Protein in Pathogenic Vibrios: a Tagging Tool for
In Vitro
Studies
Authors: Norfolk William A. , Lipp Erin K.
Published: December 2022

Prior research has suggested that the use of
Aliivibrio fischeri
-derived donor plasmids with the pES213 origin of replication may provide increased plasmid stability for the tagging of vibrios compared to
Escherichia coli
-derived p15A plasmids. Here, we present a structured protocol for conjugation-based tagging of vibrios using the pES213-derived plasmid pVSV102 and evaluate the plasmid stability of tagged strains.
Establishment of Streptococcus suis Biofilm Infection Model
In Vivo
and Comparative Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles between
In Vivo
and
In Vitro
Biofilms
Authors: Yi Li , Fan Qingying , Wang Haikun , Fan Haoran , Zuo Jing , Wang Yuxin , Wang Yang
Published: December 2022

Streptococcus suis
is considered an important zoonotic pathogen, and persistent infection caused by biofilm is currently considered to be the reason why
S. suis
is difficult to control in swine. However, to date, a model of the biofilm of
S. suis
in vivo
has not been successfully constructed.
Influence of Streptococcus pneumoniae Within-Strain Population Diversity on Virulence and Pathogenesis
Authors: Jacques Laura C. , Green Angharad E. , Barton Thomas E. , Baltazar Murielle , Aleksandrowicz Julia , Xu Rong , Trochu Erwan , Kadioglu Aras , Neill Daniel R.
Published: December 2022

Laboratory bacteriology involves the use of high-density cultures that we often assume to be clonal but that in reality are populations consisting of multiple genotypes at various abundances. We have demonstrated that the genetic structure of a single population of a widely used
Streptococcus pneumoniae
strain can be substantially altered by even short-term laboratory handling and culture and that, over time, this can lead to changes in virulence characteristics.
Complex distal femoral fracture treated with interfragmentary screws and medial buttress plating
Authors: Buruian Alexei , Carvalho André , Corte Real João , Carvalhais Pedro
Published: December 2022

A woman in her 70s suffered a motor vehicle accident, resulting in an intraarticular, distal femoral fracture with a unique fracture pattern. A 3D-printed model was obtained using the preoperative CT scan for surgical planning. Anatomic reduction was achieved using a medial parapatellar approach and the fracture was fixed with a medial buttress plate and interfragmentary screws. After 18 months, the patient presented a fair Knee Society Score of 62.
Runoff and discharge pathways of microplastics into freshwater ecosystems: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang J. , Bucci K. , Helm P.A. , Hoellein T. , Hoffman M.J. , Rooney R. , Rochman C.M.
Published: December 2022

Although many studies have focused on the importance of littering and (or) illegal dumping as a source of plastic pollution to freshwater, other relevant pathways should be considered, including wastewater, stormwater runoff, industrial effluent/runoff, and agricultural runoff. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis focused on these four pathways. We quantified the number of studies, amount and characteristics of microplastics reported, and the methods used to sample and measure microplastics from each pathway. Overall, we found 121 studies relevant to our criteria, published from 2014 to 2020. Of these, 54 (45%) quantified and characterized microplastics in discharge pathways. Although most focused on wastewater treatment plant effluent (85%), microplastic concentrations were highest in stormwater runoff (0.009 to 3862 particles/L). Morphologies of particles varied among pathways and sampling methods. For example, stormwater runoff was the only pathway with rubbery particles. When assessing methods, our analysis suggested that water filtered through a finer (<200 um) mesh and of a smaller volume (e.g., 6 L) captured more particles, and with a slightly greater morphological diversity. Overall, our meta-analysis suggested that all four pathways bring microplastics into freshwater ecosystems, and further research is necessary to inform the best methods for monitoring and to better understand hydrologic patterns that can inform local mitigation.
Integrated Metabonomic Study on the Relationship between Medicinal Properties and Efficacy ofRehmanniae Radix
Authors: Liu Tong , Zhou Ning , Liu Zhen , Shan Zengfu , Wang Yongxiang , Zheng Xiaoke , Feng Weisheng
Published: December 2022

Each Chinese medicine has its own properties and effects. However, the close connection between the medicinal properties and the effects of the medicine remains unclear. To export the scientific connection between the medicinal properties and efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix (RR), this study established a model and evaluated the therapeutic effects of RR on cold–heat syndrome to access the properties of RR, and then established a blood-heat syndrome model through the injection of rats with dry yeast combined with anhydrous ethanol. Related biochemical indicators (coagulation factors and central pyrogenic factor) were measured to assess the efficacy of RR. Finally, metabonomic technology was used to study the blood-cooling mechanism of RR from two aspects: medicinal properties and efficacy. The comprehensive results suggest that RR can significantly reduce the rectal temperature of blood-heat syndrome model rats and increase both the expression levels of coagulation factors (TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-1[Formula: see text], and IL-6) and the central pyrogenic factors (c-AMP, PGE-2). RR also cools the blood through regulating arginine, proline, phenylalanine, taurine, hypotaurine, sulfur, glycerophospholipid, primary bile acid metabolic pathways, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Therefore, RR plays the role of cooling blood by virtue of its cold property. The medicinal property of RR has a guiding effect on the clinical application. Moreover, the integrated metabolomic approach is a powerful tool for studying the properties and efficacy of Chinese medicine.
Collapse of a bubble close to a solid boundary
Authors: Liu Jin-Ze , Hong Xue-Ren , Ma Jun-Kai , Duan Wen-Shan
Published: December 2022

A bubble equation of motion close to the solid plane is obtained by using the perturbation method. This bubble equation can explain the phenomena of the reentrant microjet penetrating the bubble produced by the external disturbances if the distance between the bubble center to the solid boundary is small enough as well as the external pressure is large enough. Furthermore, two critical points are found. One critical point is the distance between the bubble center to the solid boundary. The other is external pressure. The critical boundary at which the reentrant microjet can just be produced is given. The critical boundary depends on both the distance between the bubble center to the solid boundary and the ratio of external pressure to the initial pressure of the liquid.
Higher-order localized wave solutions to a coupled fourth-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Song N. , Shang H. J. , Zhang Y. F. , Ma W. X.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, higher-order localized waves for a coupled fourth-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation are investigated via a generalized Darboux transformation. The [Formula: see text]th-order localized wave solutions of this equation are derived via Lax pair and Darboux matrix. Evolution plots are made and dynamical characteristics of the obtained higher-order localized waves are analyzed through numerical simulation. It is observed that rogue waves coexist with dark–bright solitons and breathers. The presented results also show that different values of the involved parameters have diverse effects on the higher-order localized waves.
Soliton solutions of the Boussinesq equation via an efficient analytical technique
Authors: Ozisik Muslum , Secer Aydin , Bayram Mustafa , Yusuf Abdullahi , Sulaiman Tukurf Abdulkadir
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider the Boussinesq equation which is an important equation and it is widely used in coastal engineering, harbors, shallow seas and water wave to model weakly nonlinear and long wave approximation. Exact traveling wave solutions in such equations are extremely valuable in analytical and numerical theories. To compute the soliton solutions of this model, we employ an enhanced modified extended tanh expansion method. We demonstrate that the characteristics of soliton solutions may reflect the dispersion of propagation on wave fronts and have an acceptable reliance on parameter values. Bright, dark, bright-singular, dark-singular, periodic-bright singular, periodic dark-singular solutions identified and three-dimensional (3D), contour and two-dimensional (2D) layouts are represented graphically.
Multiple Dimensional Engineering of MOF-Related Materials in Separators for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Review
Authors: Quan Kechun , Zhang Jindan , Lin Weiqi , Tong Qingsong , Yan Rongzhi , Ye Dongxu , Weng Jingzheng , Zhu Mengqi
Published: December 2022

With the explosive growth of energy storage devices, commonly used lithium-ion batteries can hardly match the increased demands of energy-density, lithium-sulfur batteries have been regarded as promising candidates due to their high energy-density (2600 Wh Kg−1) and low cost. However, lithium sulfur batteries still face many problems such as polysulfide shuttle effect originated from dissolution of lithium polysulfide, that leaded to the capacity fading of batteries and corrosion of lithium anodes, greatly limited their practical applications. To settle these problems, many remarkable developments have been made by the construction of separators with the dimension design of employing the materials related by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), shedding a light on the improvement of lithium-sulfur batteries. Herein, this article aims to summarize recent developments in MOF-related separators of lithium-sulfur batteries in terms of the structural dimensions of MOF-related materials, including their architectural compositions in separators and facilitation mechanisms of battery performances. At last, an outlook section was provided to discuss remaining challenges of separators as well as potential research directions and possible prospects, to offer new thoughts for future studies of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Polymer-Supported Aqueous Electrolytes for Lithium Ion Batteries: II. Conductivity Gain Upon Polymerization and Double Glass Transition in LiTFSI + H2O + PDA Gels
Authors: Ding Michael S. , Cresce Arthur V. , Eidson Nico , Xu Kang
Published: December 2022

Polymerization via ultraviolet irradiation of LiTFSI21mH2O + PDA liquid mixtures turned most of these liquids into gels or solids. Here, LiTFSI21mH2O denotes a 21 m aqueous solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and PDA stands for a monomer of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate of Mn 575. Systematic thermoconductometric measurement on these electrolytes, both before and after the polymerization, showed the gel electrolytes to be considerably more conductive than their precursor liquid mixtures, especially at lower temperatures. A parallel measurement of glass transition temperature, θ
g, revealed in these gel electrolytes a unique double glass transition enveloping two sub-transitions each with its own θ
g’s. These and a number of other related experimental observations can be consistently and clearly explained based on the existence of a solution and a polymer substructure in the polymerized electrolytes, and on these substructures becoming codominant in the gels. The exceptional conductivity in these gel electrolytes points to a promising direction to formulating a polymer-supported aqueous electrolyte with a set of desirable physical traits and an uncompromising conductivity.
Electrochemical Response of Alkaline Batteries Subject to Quasi-Static and Dynamic Loading
Authors: Flannagin Megan , Barnes Baxter , O’Donoghue William , Mayeur Jason , Hazeli Kavan , Nelson George J.
Published: December 2022

Electrochemical changes were successfully monitored through the coupling of external loading, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. The development of the testing methods allows for detailed observation of changes due to mechanical loading and distinguishes responses between different cell geometries. Comparison of the force vs displacement, voltage vs displacement, and distribution of relaxation times plots to the different cell geometries display failure modes specific to geometry as well as the impact of different loading profiles. Numerical modeling confirmed the movement within individual cells and predicted locations with the most deformation based on the external loading condition applied. The results gathered from combining mechanical loading, electrochemical response, and numerical modeling, yield a viable approach to establishing an improved understanding of the effects of mechanical loading on the electrochemical response of multiple battery geometries and the methods herein may be extensible to additional battery chemistries.
Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (Nt5e/CD73)-mediated adenosine signaling attenuates TGFβ-2 induced elastin and cellular contraction
Authors: Cuevas Rolando A. , Wong Ryan , Joolharzadeh Pouya , Moorhead William J. , Chu Claire C. , Callahan Jack , Crane Alex , Boufford Camille K. , Parise Angelina M. , Parwal Aneesha , Behzadi Parya , St. Hilaire Cynthia
Published: December 2022

Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC) is a rare genetic disease caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the NT5E gene encoding the ecto-5′-nucleotidase (cluster of differentiation 73, CD73) enzyme. Patients with ACDC develop vessel arteriomegaly, tortuosity, and vascular calcification in their lower extremity arteries. Histological analysis shows that patients with ACDC vessels exhibit fragmented elastin fibers similar to that seen in aneurysmal-like pathologies. It is known that alterations in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway signaling contribute to this elastin phenotype in several connective tissue diseases, as TGFβ regulates extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Our study investigates whether CD73-derived adenosine modifies TGFβ signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We show that Nt5e−/− SMCs have elevated contractile markers and elastin gene expression compared with Nt5e+/+ SMCs. Ecto-5′-nucleotidase ( Nt5e)-deficient SMCs exhibit increased TGFβ-2 and activation of small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling, elevated elastin transcript and protein, and potentiate SMC contraction. These effects were diminished when the A2b adenosine receptor was activated. Our results identify a novel link between adenosine and TGFβ signaling, where adenosine signaling via the A2b adenosine receptor attenuates TGFβ signaling to regulate SMC homeostasis. We discuss how disruption in adenosine signaling is implicated in ACDC vessel tortuosity and could potentially contribute to other aneurysmal pathogenesis.
Preparation and Electrochemical Performance Analysis of Flexible Ionic Polymers by Freeze-Drying Technology
Authors: Zhao Jintao , Shao Junpeng , Zhang Zhenjie , Liang Bo , Yuan Mingchao , Wang Hanyu
Published: December 2022

With the development of bionics and marine science, a new artificial muscle material, IPMC (ion-exchange polymer metal composite), has attracted significant attention. However, the performance issues, as well as problems associated with the preparation of IPMC, have limited its development. In this study, we use the freeze-drying technique, successfully creating a new type of enhanced carbon nanotube IPMC material. Moreover, we also use the method of cyclic voltammetry, ac impedance, and the constant current charge and discharge method to analyze and evaluate the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced IPMC produced by freeze-drying technology. Freeze-dried IPMC has a higher moisture content, which is 1.58 times higher than that of ordinary IPMC. The pore and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in the ion exchange membrane are distributed more homogeneously. The technology prepared by IPMC has superior electrical performance. Under a 2 v scanning interval and a scanning speed of 50 mV/s, its specific capacitance can reach 247.5335 mF/cm−2, which is 24 times that of normal IPMC. Under the same conditions, its conductivity can reach 0.29391 mS/cm, far higher than that of ordinary IPMC. Furthermore, the preparation process is also safer. This method provides a new strategy for the future preparation and usage of IPMC.
Identifying the Role of Oxidative Stress-Related Genes as Prognostic Biomarkers and Predicting the Response of Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Liu Qingyang , Yang Xiaocheng , Yin Yuhan , Zhang Hao , Yin Fanxing , Guo Panpan , Zhang Xiaoxu , Sun Chenxi , Li Shining , Han Yanshuo , Yang Zhuo
Published: December 2022

Background. Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most frequently seen and fatal gynecological malignancies, and oxidative stress (OS) plays a critical role in the development and chemoresistance of OC. Materials and Methods. OS-related genes (OSRGs) were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database. Besides, gene expression profiles and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were selected to identify the prognostic OSRGs. Moreover, univariate Cox regression, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted sequentially to establish a prognostic signature, which was later validated in three independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Next, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and tumor mutation burden (TMB) analysis were performed. Afterwards, immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) and the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) algorithm, together with IMvigor210 and GSE78220 cohorts, were applied to comprehensively explore the role of OSRG signature in immunotherapy. Further, the CellMiner and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) databases were also applied in investigating the significance of OSRG signature in chemotherapy. Results. Altogether, 34 prognostic OSRGs were identified, among which 14 were chosen to establish the most valuable prognostic signature. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis suggested that patients with lower OS-related risk score had better prognosis. The area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.71, 0.76, and 0.85 in 3, 5, and 7 years separately, and the stability of this prognostic signature was confirmed in three GEO datasets. As revealed by GSEA and TMB analysis results, OC patients in low-risk group might have better immunotherapeutic response, which was consistent with ICG expression and TIDE analyses. Moreover, both IMvigor210 and GSE78220 cohorts demonstrated that patients with lower OS-related risk score were more likely to benefit from anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy. In addition, the association between prognostic signature and drug sensitivity was explored. Conclusion. According to our results in this work, OSRG signature can act as a powerful prognostic predictor for OC, which contributes to generating more individualized therapeutic strategies for OC patients.
On the Quantization of Length in Noncommutative Spaces
Authors: Balasundaram Muthukumar , Rashid Aamir
Published: December 2022

We consider canonical/Weyl-Moyal type noncommutative (NC) spaces with rectilinear coordinates. Motivated by the analogy of the formalism of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator problem in quantum phase-space with that of the canonical-type NC 2-D space, and noting that the square of length in the latter case is analogous to the Hamiltonian in the former case, we arrive at the conclusion that the length and area are quantized in such an NC space, if the area is expressed entirely in terms of length. We extend our analysis to the 3-D case and formulate a ladder operator approach to the quantization of length in 3-D space. However, our method does not lend itself to the quantization of spacetime length in

1
+
1

and

2
+
1

Minkowski spacetimes if the noncommutativity between time and space is considered. If time is taken to commute with spatial coordinates and the noncommutativity is maintained only among the spatial coordinates in

2
+
1

and

3
+
1

dimensional spacetime, then the quantization of spatial length is possible in our approach.
The Role of N6-Methyladenosine in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Xu Haojun , Lin Changjie , Yang Jinghan , Chen Xi , Chen Yingyu , Chen Jianguo , Guo Aizhen , Hu Changmin
Published: December 2022

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant epigenetic RNA modification in eukaryotes, regulating RNA metabolism (export, stability, translation, and decay) in cells through changes in the activity of writers, erasers, and readers and ultimately affecting human life or disease processes. Inflammation is a response to infection and injury in various diseases and has therefore attracted significant attention. Currently, extensive evidence indicates that m6A plays an essential role in inflammation. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms of m6A in inflammatory autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorder, cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, and pathogen-induced inflammation, as well as its possible role as targets for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Cognitive Aging in Same- and Different-Sex Relationships: Comparing Age of Diagnosis and Rate of Cognitive Decline in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Hanes Douglas William , Clouston Sean A.P.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: The ongoing marginalization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people has been hypothesized to produce poorer late-in-life cognitive outcomes, according to mechanisms posited by minority stress and allostatic load theories. Yet the existence of those outcomes remains understudied, and results of existing studies have been contradictory. Using a population-based longitudinal aging study, this paper will compare age at diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or a related dementia and rates of cognitive decline between participants in same-sex relationships (SSRs) and different-sex relationships (DSRs). Methods: The study used longitudinal cognitive-health data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 1998–2018; N = 26,344) to analyze the onset of cognitive impairment and AD/dementia and the rates of cognitive change between participants in SSRs and those in DSRs. We hypothesized that SSR participants would have worse overall cognitive functioning in old age and would experience earlier onset of cognitive impairment. Using multiple regression, we compared the ages at which participants in SSRs and DSRs first reported AD or dementia diagnoses and the ages at which they first scored below cutoffs for cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND) and possible dementia as determined using the cognitive assessment. The study then compared rates of cognitive decline over time across the SSR and DSR groups, including stratified analyses by education, race/ethnicity, wealth, and sex/gender. Results: Participants in SSRs reported dementia diagnoses (β = −12.346; p = 0.001), crossed the threshold into CIND (β = −8.815; p < 0.001) and possible dementia (β = −13.388; p < 0.001) at a younger age than participants in DSRs. When adjusted for covariates, participants in SSRs also had lower cognition at baseline (β = 0.745; p = 0.003), though having slower rates of cognitive decline when SSR was interacted with time (β = 0.066; p = 0.003). In separate analyses, cognitive differences for SSR participants were only found in participants without undergraduate degrees, with below-median household incomes, and women. Conclusion: Our findings support theories suggesting that marginalization and stigma cause premature cognitive impairment. Findings also suggest that higher education might mitigate the adverse effects of sexuality-minority status on cognitive aging. Results do not support these theories’ claims of more rapid cognitive decline; the lower slopes of cognitive decline with time are compatible with the possibility of slower rates of decline for aging individuals in SSRs.
Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer Pathology
Authors: Jellinger Kurt A.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with a greater risk of late-life dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but only a few studies examined the relationship between residuals of blunt TBI and autopsy-proven AD. The objective of the present study was to examine the incidence of fully developed AD pathology after documented blunt TBI, and the frequency of residuals of blunt TBI in a series of cases with definite AD. Methods: Among a sample of 1,750 consecutive autopsy cases of elderly demented patients, those cases with residuals of blunt (closed) TBI and definite AD pathology were assessed, and among 933 individuals with autopsy-proven AD, those with residuals of blunt TBI were selected. Results: Among 190 autopsy cases with residuals of blunt TBI, 28 (14.7%; mean age 77.2 ± 10.6 years) revealed the pathological features of definite AD (Braak stage V or VI; ABC 3/3/3), while among 1,150 elderly controls (Braak stage < IV, mean age 77.3 ± 9.5 years), 160 (13.6%) showed residuals of blunt TBI. The second part of the study included 933 consecutive cases with definite AD (Braak stage V or VI; ABC 3/3/3, mean age 82.3 ± 8.4 years), in which 30 cases (3.3%; mean age 77.8 ± 10.7 years) showed morphological residuals of blunt TBI. Conclusion: The results of this retrospective study, on the one hand, did not support the idea that blunt TBI and its morphological residuals are responsible for the development of definite AD, whereas the second part of the study, showing morphological residuals of blunt TBI among 3.3% of definite AD cases were similar to the results in a clinical series who sustained moderate to severe TBI. Considering these conflicting results, further studies on the relationship between the severity and location of morphological residuals of blunt TBI and the development of AD pathology are warranted.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Neoadjuvant and Exclusive Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Piras Antonio , Sanfratello Antonella , Boldrini Luca , D’Aviero Andrea , Pernice Gianfranco , Sortino Giovanni , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Gennari Roberto , D’Angelo Ildebrando , Marazzi Fabio , Angileri Tommaso , Daidone Antonino
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common tumors; better screening policies and multidisciplinary approach allow personalized treatment. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a central role in the multimodal approach in BC, and recent evidence has shown the non-inferiority of hypofractionated treatments. The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility and validity of stereotactic RT (SBRT) in BC in a neoadjuvant and exclusive setting. Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was conducted to assess the role of radiomics in BC. The search strategy was “breast [All Fields] AND “stereotactic” [All Fields] AND “radiotherapy” [All Fields]” and only original articles referred to BC in humans in the English language were considered. Results: A total of 2,149 studies were obtained using the mentioned search strategy on PubMed and Embase. After the complete selection process, a total of 12 papers were considered eligible for the analysis of the results. SBRT in BC was described in 8 studies regarding neoadjuvant approach and 4 papers regarding exclusive approach. Conclusions: Relative low toxicity rates, the reduced treatment volumes in the neoadjuvant setting, and the possibility to replace surgery when not feasible in exclusive setting resulted to be main advantages for SBRT in BC. Current evidence shows that both the neoadjuvant and the definitive settings seem to be promising clinical scenarios for SBRT, especially for EBC.
Oxandrolona para queimados: evidências de revisões sistemáticas
Authors: Câmara Lucas Caseri , Starling Marcelo Andrade , Suzigan Erika Magalhães
Published: December 2022

Pacientes queimados apresentam aumento do estado catabólico, com aumento de taxa metabólica basal e perda de massa muscular, levando frequentemente a perda significativa de peso, massa magra e pior prognóstico clínico.
Comprometimento osteomuscular do ombro decorrente da progressão da tuberculose cutânea por escrofuloderma: relato de caso
Authors: Socolowski Mariela Diament , Angela Hyun Ji Angela Hyun Ji , Sikusawa Guilherme Yuiti
Published: December 2022

A ombralgia é um problema generalizado e é responsável por uma alta porcentagem de pacientes que procuram a clínica geral, causando absenteísmo e queixas trabalhistas.
Conhecimento de médicos e estudantes de medicina quanto à especialidade Fisiatria: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Pacheco Rodrigo José Tenório Moura , Oliveira Sofia Juelle de , Viviane Porangaba Viviane Porangaba , Lima Delane Henrique de Araújo Ramires , Chiappetta Lorella Marianne , Pinto Junior Alexandre Otilio
Published: December 2022

Fisiatria ou Medicina Física e Reabilitação, é o ramo da Medicina que lida com pequenos e grandes incapacitados, utilizando de recursos físicos (eletrotermofototerapia), da aplicação de toxina botulínica nas espasticidades e atuando juntamente à equipe multidisciplinar no processo de reabilitação.