bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weight loss with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists in Bardet‐Biedl syndrome
Authors: Ganawa Shawg , Santhosh Smrithi Hema , Parry Lucy , Syed Akheel A.
Published: August 2022

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare genetic condition, characterized by ciliary protein dysfunction, leading to multi‐organ damage. People with BBS can develop early‐onset severe obesity and associated problems including the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Weight management can be challenging with the lack of effective medical therapies so far. We report a patient with BBS who underwent successful weight reduction through the use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists.
Combination of chemically modified SDF‐1α mRNA and small skin improves wound healing in diabetic rats with full‐thickness skin defects
Authors: Luo Zucheng , Bian Yujie , Zheng Rui , Song Yonghuan , Shi Li , Xu Haiting , Wang Huijing , Li Xiaoyan , Tao Zhenyu , Wang Anyuan , Liu Ke , Fu Wei , Xue Jixin
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Diabetes mellitus is associated with refractory wound healing, yet current therapies are insufficient to accelerate the process of healing. Recent studies have indicated chemically modified mRNA (modRNA) as a promising therapeutic intervention. The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of small skin engineered to express modified mRNAs encoding the stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) facilitating wound healing in a full‐thickness skin defect rat model. This study, devised therapeutic strategies for diabetic wounds by pre‐treating small skin with SDF‐1α modRNA.

Materials and Methods

The in vitro transfection efficiency was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and the content of SDF‐1α in the medium was determined using ELISA after the transfection of SDF‐1α into the small skin. To evaluate the effect of SDF‐1α modRNA and transplantation of the small skin cells on wound healing, an in vivo full‐thickness skin defect rat model was assessed.

Results

The results revealed that a modRNA carrying SDF‐1α provided potent wound healing in the small skin lesions reducing reduced scar thickness and greater angiogenesis (CD31) in the subcutaneous layer. The SDF‐1α cytokines were significantly secreted by the small skin after transfection in vitro.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the benefits of employing small skin combined with SDF‐1α modRNA in enhancing wound healing in diabetic rats having full‐thickness skin defects.
Recent declines in genetic diversity with limited dispersal among coastal cactus wren populations in San Diego County, California
Authors: Vandergast Amy G. , Kus Barbara E. , Smith Julia G. , Mitelberg Anna
Published: August 2022

Habitat loss and fragmentation can lead to smaller and more isolated populations and reduce genetic diversity and evolutionary potential. Conservation programs can benefit from including monitoring of genetic factors in fragmented populations to help inform restoration and management. We assessed genetic diversity and structure among four major populations of the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County in 2011–2012 and again in 2017–2019, using 22 microsatellite loci. We found a significant decline in heterozygosity in one population (San Pasqual) and a decline in allelic richness and effective population size in another (Sweetwater). Genetic diversity in the remaining two populations was not significantly different over time. Local diversity declined despite evidence of dispersal among some populations. Approximately 12% of genetically determined family groups (parents, offspring, siblings) included one or more members sampled in different territories with distances ranging from 0.2 to 10 km. All but one inferred dispersal events occurred within the same genetic population. Population structure remained relatively stable, although genetic differentiation tended to increase in the later sampling period. Simulations suggest that at currently estimated effective sizes, populations of Cactus Wrens will continue to lose genetic diversity for many generations, even if gene flow among them is enhanced. However, the rate of loss of heterozygosity could be reduced with increased gene flow. Habitat restoration may help bolster local population sizes and allelic richness over the long term, whereas translocation efforts from source populations outside of San Diego may be needed to restore genetic diversity in the short term.
Democracy, state capacity and public finance
Authors: Easaw Joshy Z. , Leppälä Samuli
Published: August 2022

The paper addresses how democracy can affect public finance and state capacity investment. We show that the effect of democracy on public policy can take two forms: direct and indirect. The direct effect transpires when increasing democracy leads to an increase in public expenditure which results in increased public goods provision and reduced political rent. The indirect effect emerges when increased democracy leads to a reduction in state capacity investment and, subsequently, to a reduction in public goods provision. Paradoxically, lower political rents deteriorate the incumbent's incentive to invest in state capacity, at the expense of public goods provision.
Exploring service user perspectives of behavioural family therapy in early intervention in psychosis
Authors: Grant Ashley , Dargan Peter , Mather Stacey
Published: August 2022

Aims

Family intervention (FI) is recommended in national guidance to be offered to all service users accessing an early intervention in psychosis (EIP) team, due to the consistent evidence base in reducing relapse and rehospitalisation rates. However, FI implementation is poor nationally. Although barriers have been identified at the level of staff member and the organisation, there is a paucity of research identifying service user perspectives.

Methods

A qualitative questionnaire design was used to explore service user perspectives of behavioural family therapy (BFT) within a specialist EIP service in northwest England.

Results

Most participants contacted reported they lacked knowledge and understanding of BFT, with 54% reporting that this intervention had not been offered to them. This finding was unexpected and is inconsistent with the offer of BFT documentation in their clinical notes. Reasons for accepting BFT included to increase understanding of family members and for them to also be supported. Reasons for declining BFT included a preference for one‐to‐one interventions and not wanting family involved in their care.

Conclusions

National guidance on FI for psychosis is not reliably being translated to clinical practice, with many participants reporting that they were not offered this intervention. A key factor in accepting or declining an offer of BFT appeared to be whether participants wanted family members to be involved in their care. A lack of understanding of the BFT approach was evident, it is recommended that the offer of FI in psychosis is improved for service users to make an informed decision.
Posture, gait and self‐disorders: An empirical study in individuals with schizophrenia
Authors: Tonna Matteo , Lucarini Valeria , Lucchese Jacopo , Presta Valentina , Paraboschi Francesca , Marsella Filippo , Daniel Benyamin Daniel , Vitale Marco , Marchesi Carlo , Gobbi Giuliana
Published: August 2022

Aim

In schizophrenia, subjectively perceived disruptions of the sense of the Self (also referred to as “self‐disorders”) seem to be intimately associated with a perturbation of the implicit awareness of one's own body. Indeed, an early impairment of the motor system, including posture and gait, is now considered a marker of schizophrenia neurodevelopmental substrate and appears more pronounced in early‐onset schizophrenia. Therefore, the present study was aimed at: (1) investigating a possible relationship between self‐disorders, symptom dimensions and postural and gait profile in schizophrenia; (2) identifying a specific motor profile in early‐onset conditions.

Methods

A total of 43 schizophrenia outpatients and 38 healthy controls underwent an exhaustive investigation of posture and gait pattern. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), the examination of anomalous self experience scale (EASE) and the abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS) were administered to the schizophrenia group. Subsequently, schizophrenia patients were divided into early and adult‐onset subgroups and compared with respect to their motor profile.

Results

We found an association between specific postural patterns (impaired sway area), a general disruption of the gait cycle and subjective bodily experiences (concerning the loss of bodily integrity, cohesion and demarcation). Only motor parameters (increased sway area and gait cadence reduction) differentiated between early and adult‐onset patients.

Conclusion

The results of the present study hint at a link between motor impairment and self‐disturbances in schizophrenia and candidate a specific motor profile as a possible marker of early‐onset forms.
Handgrip strength weakness and asymmetry together are associated with cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Siyang , Wang Fang , Huang Yanjie , Yuan Yin , Huang Feng , Zhu Pengli
Published: August 2022

Aim

The evaluations of handgrip strength (HGS) weakness and asymmetry have implications for the comprehensive geriatric assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of HGS weakness and asymmetry on cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study of 364 Geriatrics outpatients aged ≥60 years, in which all participants carried out HGS tests at baseline. Patients with HGS <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women were diagnosed as HGS weakness, and HGS ratio <0.90 or >1.10 were diagnosed as HGS asymmetry. Primary outcomes defined as the major adverse cardiovascular event and composite end‐points were assessed during a 21‐month median follow‐up.

Results

Among 364 participants, 155 (42.6%) showed HGS weakness, and 160 (44.0%) showed HGS asymmetry. HGS weakness was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 2.76, 95% CI 1.22–6.27) and composite end‐points (HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.40–5.77). However, no significant correlation between HGS asymmetry and cardiovascular outcomes was observed. Compared with the normal and symmetric HGS group, older adults with HGS weakness and asymmetry together had a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 5.23, 95% CI 1.56–17.54) and composite end‐points (HR 4.00, 95% CI 1.56–10.28).

Conclusions

HGS weakness and asymmetry together might increase the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients. HGS asymmetry offers complementary information to HGS weakness when making a comprehensive assessment of HGS. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 759–765.
Effects of nitridation temperature on properties of sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride
Authors: Nakashima Yuki , Zhou You , Tanabe Keisuke , Arima Souhei , Hirao Kiyoshi , Ohji Tatsuki , Fukushima Manabu
Published: August 2022

We prepared sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride ceramics by using yttria and magnesia as sintering additives and evaluated effects of the nitridation temperature on their microstructure, bending strength, fracture toughness, and thermal conductivity. The effects of the nitridation temperature were large, but different depending on the property. The ratio of β‐phase in the nitrided compacts significantly increased with increasing the nitridation temperature, whereas their microstructures had no clear difference. Although the bending strength varied, it maintains a high value of 800 MPa. Fracture toughness was almost constant regardless the temperature. The thermal conductivity improved as the β‐phase in the nitrided compact increases. This resulted in a decrease of the lattice oxygen content and increase of the thermal conductivity. Therefore, elevating the nitridation temperature and consequently the β‐phase ratio should be a promising strategy for achieving compatibly high strength and high thermal conductivity, which are generally known to be in a trade‐off relationship.
Age differences in orienting to faces in dynamic scenes depend on face centering, not visual saliency
Authors: Franchak John M. , Kadooka Kellan
Published: August 2022

The current study investigated how infants (6–24 months), children (2–12 years), and adults differ in how visual cues—visual saliency and centering—guide their attention to faces in videos. We report a secondary analysis of Kadooka and Franchak (2020), in which observers’ eye movements were recorded during viewing of television clips containing a variety of faces. For every face on every video frame, we calculated its visual saliency (based on both static and dynamic image features) and calculated how close the face was to the center of the image. Results revealed that participants of every age looked more often at each face when it was more salient compared to less salient. In contrast, centering did not increase the likelihood that infants looked at a given face, but in later childhood and adulthood, centering became a stronger cue for face looking. A control analysis determined that the age‐related change in centering was specific to face looking; participants of all ages were more likely to look at the center of the image, and this center bias did not change with age. The implications for using videos in educational and diagnostic contexts are discussed.
Recycled ZnO‐fused macroporous 3D graphene oxide aerogel composites for high‐performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Hassan Kamrul , Hossain Rumana , Sahajwalla Veena
Published: August 2022

In the arena of energy storage device, asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are considered a key category due to its high‐power density and energy densities. In this study, a novel macroporous microrecycled ZnO nanoparticles (mi‐ZnO NPs) recovered from spent Zn–C battery‐decorated three‐dimensional graphene aerogel (GA) composite has been synthesized via simple eco‐friendly synthetic method, which is used as a proficient anode material to fabricate ASC. The interconnected macroporous networks and ∼40‐nm microrecycled ZnO NPs incorporated GA (mi‐ZnO–GA) enhanced the surface area of anode materials, which lead to achieve a formation of high‐performance ASC. Here, we composed ASCs from a microrecycled ZnO thin film (cathode) and mi‐ZnO–GA composite (anode), which reveals fast charging/discharging characteristics, stable widen cell voltage, superior power, and energy densities (13.7 W h/kg, 13.2 kW/kg), and finally stable cyclability (76.8% retention after 5000 cycles). These outcomes open up the window for microrecycled ZnO NPs incorporated GA (mi‐ZnO–GA) as a prominent anode material for high‐performance energy storage devices.
A meta‐analysis on the heritability of vertebrate telomere length
Authors: Chik Heung Ying Janet , Sparks Alexandra M. , Schroeder Julia , Dugdale Hannah L.
Published: August 2022

Telomere dynamics are linked with both cellular and organismal senescence, and life history, individual quality and health. Telomere dynamics, particularly telomere length, have therefore garnered much research interest in evolutionary biology. To examine the evolution of telomere length, it is important to quantify its heritability, the proportion of total variation explained by additive genetic effects. Many studies have quantified telomere length heritability, but estimates are varied, and no general conclusion has been drawn. Additionally, it is unclear whether biological and methodological factors influence telomere length heritability estimates. We present the first meta‐analysis of telomere length heritability, using 104 estimates from 43 studies over 18 vertebrate species. We calculated an overall mean heritability and examined how estimates varied by study, phylogeny, species‐specific ecology, environmental setting, age at sampling, laboratory methods, statistical methods, sex and repeated measurements. Overall heritability was moderate (44.9%, 95% CI: 25.2–64.7%), and there was considerable heterogeneity in heritability estimates, in particular among studies and estimates. Laboratory method influenced heritability estimates, with in‐gel hybridization TRF yielding higher heritabilities than qPCR and Southern blot TRF. There was also an effect from statistical method, with twin‐based and SNP‐based estimates lower than correlation‐based or pedigree‐based estimates. Our results highlight an overall heritable basis of telomere length, and we recommend future research on a wider range of taxa, and the use of variance‐partitioning methods with relatedness or SNP data over correlation methods to minimize heritability estimation bias.
Food web ecology of Gulf Stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons): a continental shelf perspective
Authors: Rowe Stacy , Smith Brian E.
Published: August 2022

Gulf Stream flounder, Citharichthys arctifrons, are regularly observed in fish diets of the northeast U.S. continental shelf, yet lack commercial value and are often ignored. Similarly, Gulf Stream flounder diets of the Northwest Atlantic have remained largely unexamined, except for a brief period from 1976 to 1980. To better understand their role in the ecosystem, juvenile through adult Gulf Stream flounder were examined both as a predator and prey, and the magnitude of their feeding footprint (removal of prey biomass) was quantified for the northeast U.S. continental shelf. Their stomachs were sampled from 2005 to 2010, with the majority examined in the field macroscopically. Due to large proportions of unidentifiable prey, the effort was expanded in 2011–2012, and all stomachs were processed in the laboratory microscopically. Gulf Stream flounder were consumed by 15 fish, and what they eat (percentage mass and percentage frequency of occurrence) was documented by season, spatial region and year. Highly benthivorous, Gammaridea and Polychaeta dominated the diet in all years, seasons and regions, but Ophiuroidea (brittle stars) were also prominent in Southern New England during the spring. Gulf Stream flounder diets remained consistent across regions and time, with only a few feeding differences between seasons and one region. Relative to the productivity of benthos for this shelf ecosystem, the feeding footprint of Gulf Stream flounder was minor for their predominant benthic prey with a maximum percentage of benthos production eaten of 0.01% m−2 in Southern New England. With an ecosystem perspective, this feeding information offers a foundation for improving fisheries management among shared living marine resources considering benthic habitat and prey availability.
Modelling the behaviour of corporations during the flood damage recovery process using multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Yang Shaofeng , Ogawa Yoshiki , Ikeuchi Koji , Shibasaki Ryosuke , Okuma Yuuki
Published: August 2022

In the event of a flood, affected firms will experience production stoppages, resulting in supply chain (SC) disruptions and indirect economic damage to firms even outside the affected area. To mitigate the economic damage, it is essential for each firm in the entire SC to acquire a behavioural strategy in line with its recovery status. To achieve optimal behavioural strategies for individual firms in the recovery process, we present a learning framework using multi‐agent simulation and deep reinforcement learning, which considers dynamically changing factors such as the flooding depth of buildings and roads, SC, labour and capital. The agents use reinforcement learning to make decisions about the dynamically changing environment and establish optimal action strategies during the recovery process. The model is trained using inundation simulation data from the Arakawa River located in Tokyo and inter‐firm transaction data in Japan. The results show that the learned model can acquire behavioural strategies in the recovery process on a firm‐by‐firm basis, and to identify industries and regions with high economic damage. The results of this study can contribute to the development of recovery plans that consider the early recovery of SCs during floods.
Differential race effects of the tailored activity program (TAP) on dementia‐related behaviors: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gitlin Laura N. , Marx Katherine , Piersol Catherine V. , Hodgson Nancy A. , Parker Lauren J. , Cidav Tom , Roth David L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Although nonpharmacological approaches are considered first‐line treatments for dementia‐related behaviors, it is unclear as to their effectiveness for different racial groups. We evaluated the effects of the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) on agitated and aggressive behaviors in Black and White families.

Methods

We conducted a single‐blind, two‐arm randomized controlled trial involving Black (N = 90) and White (N = 145) families. TAP involved eight home sessions by occupational therapists who provided activities tailored to abilities and interests and instructed caregivers in their use over 3 months. An attention control group received eight sessions by research assistants who provided disease education and home safety tips. Measures included caregiver ratings of frequency by severity for the agitation and aggression subscales of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory‐Clinician (NPI‐C) at 3 months (main trial primary outcome), number of completed sessions and time spent, changes in behavioral subcomponents of the subscales (frequency, severity, caregiver distress), and percent improving/worsening.

Results

Black and White families completed similar numbers of treatment sessions, but White dyads averaged nearly two contact hours more than Black dyads (p = 0.008). At 3 months, an interaction effect (treatment by race) indicated significantly greater reductions in frequency by severity scores for the agitation and aggression subscales for Black TAP dyads versus White TAP dyads and White and Black attention control dyads. Also, significant interaction effects favoring TAP Black dyads were observed for select behavioral components. For TAP dyads with elevated baseline agitation/aggression levels (N = 71), 34.5% of Black versus 11.9% of White dyads improved; whereas 2.6% of Black versus 16.7% of White dyads had worsened agitation/aggression scores.

Conclusion

Black families compared to White families derived greater behavioral benefits from TAP for PLWD at 3 months despite having less treatment exposure. Examining differential race effects may enhance precision in using nonpharmacological approaches and promote equity in dementia care for underserved populations.
A Fourth Shift: Women Factory Workers Working the Articulations of Caribbean Capitalism
Authors: Yelvington Kevin A.
Published: August 2022

This article seeks to contribute to theoretical debates—resurgent in the 2000s, returning to Marxist‐Feminist critiques of the 1970s—on the role of the social reproduction of labor power in capitalist production. Women factory workers are depicted in the literature as working three “shifts” of formal wage labor, informal labor market activity, and participation in household economies. Based on ethnographic research among women factory workers in the Caribbean, it is proposed here that these workers also work a “fourth shift,” that of establishing and maintaining support networks. The fourth shift enables strategies of formal and informal labor and household social reproduction, providing significant affective and tangible support. The confluence of these nonmarket labor processes, along with the ways ethnicity and gender are used in class recruitment strategies by capital, have the effect of subsidizing capital while, paradoxically, providing the basis of workers’ subsistence strategies in the context of scarcity. Yet, the fourth shift does not define women as a monolithic group: support networks vary with age, gender, ethnicity, class, and a range of statuses. It is shown in this article how Caribbean ethnography can contribute to debates in Marxism, feminism, and beyond, and contribute to critiques of capitalism.
The role of p53‐MDM2 signaling in missed abortion and possible pathogenesis
Authors: Liu Ting , Yan Min , Liu Fen , Ma Yuyan , Fang Yan
Published: August 2022

Background

Missed abortion is one of the common obstetrical and gynecological complications, angiogenesis is the most important factor in fetal and placental development. However, the definite etiology and pathogenesis are not fully understood.

Methods

The mRNA levels of p53, MDM2, VEGF, and HIF‐lα were detected in 60 villous samples of missed abortion patients and 64 healthy controls by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Immunohistochemistry was used to explore the expression and correlation of p53, MDM2, VEGF, and HIF‐lα in villous tissues. Furthermore, we upregulated MDM2 expression in JEG‐3 and BeWo cells under hypoxia, combined with Nutlin3, the cell cycle was determined using flow cytometry and the expressions of p53, MDM2, VEGF, and HIF‐1α were determined by qRT‐PCR and western blot.

Results

qRT‐PCR demonstrated that the expressions of p53, MDM2, and HIF‐1α were significantly increased and VEGF was decreased in missed abortion group compared with normal pregnancies. Correlation analysis found that p53 was positively correlated with MDM2 and HIF‐1α, and negatively correlated with VEGF in missed abortion group. After administration of Nutlin3, overexpression of MDM2 could arrest cell cycle in G1 phase and reduce the proportion of S phase. The expression of p53 and MDM2 of JEG‐3 cells and BeWo cells which transfected with pcDNA3.1‐MDM2 plasmid were markedly increased after Nutlin3 addition under hypoxic conditions, while the expression of VEGF and HIF‐1α decreased.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that during the development of villi in early pregnancy, p53‐MDM2 signaling regulate cell cycle and angiogenesis through interaction with HIF‐1α and VEGF, which may be a crucial factor affecting pregnancy outcomes.
Not on Skid Row: Stigma Management in Addiction Treatment Organizations
Authors: Goodrick Elizabeth , Bagdasarian Jennifer Ling , Jarvis Lee C.
Published: August 2022

We respond to a paucity of organizational scholarship considering how organizations manage their clientele's stigma as opposed to their own through studying the discursive stigma management efforts of addiction treatment organizations (ATOs). In studying the discursive stigma management of ATOs on behalf of their potential clientele, we offer some initial tactics organizations might use to reconstruct the stigma associated with fulfilling their mission. As a function of pursuing their missions, ATOs must elicit those with substance use disorder (SUD), who have largely concealable stigmas, to seek treatment from the organization. While not sharing the same stigma, reputable ATOs thus find themselves in the position of managing stigma on the behalf of their potential clientele. Analysing texts and images of three prominent US ATOs, we found the organizations managed stigma through discursive tactics directed at encouraging potential clientele's engagement. We contribute to the literature on organizational stigma management through (1) exploring the discursive tactics and strategies used by organizations to manage stigma attributed to their clientele, (2) exploring the role of constructing provisional selves in managing stigma, and (3) considering how neutralizing negative provisional selves is an important part of managing the stigma of potential clientele.
Selection to attract pollinators and to confuse antagonists specializes fig–pollinator chemical communications
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Yuan‐Ye , Zhang Yu , Chen Shan , Li Qian‐Ya , Wang Rong , Chen Xiao‐Yong
Published: August 2022

Chemical communication is critical in establishing angiosperm–pollinator mutualisms. However, our understanding of how chemical communication shapes coevolution remains limited. Here, we integrated information theory to model three coevolutionary scenarios (I‒III), where the pollinator fitness is always optimized by the highest certainty of chemical information provided by plants, but plant fitness is determined by (I) the certainty of chemical information attracting pollinators, (II) the uncertainty of chemical information confusing antagonists, or (III) both aspects. We found that the statistical properties of empirical plant volatiles from 45 pairs of fig–pollinator mutualisms were best explained by the selection from both pollinators and antagonists (scenario III). Under this scenario, plant–pollinator mutualisms evolve to be specialized and as few as two volatile chemicals could supply sufficient information for pollinators’ host identification. Our study provides new insights into plant–pollinator coevolution and will facilitate further studies on the evolution and diversification in specialized plant–pollinator–herbivore systems.
Evidence‐based review of chlorhexidine gluconate and iodine in the preoperative skin preparation of young infants
Authors: Gilmore Molly , Cole Alexandra , DeGrazia Michele
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The preoperative preparation of young infants' skin requires special considerations. Commonly used solutions for preparing the skin preoperatively include chlorhexidine (CHG) and iodine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations for preparing skin for surgery and other invasive procedures for adults, but they do not have recommendations for young infants' skin. The purpose of this evidence‐based literature review is to synthesize the literature, compare, and inform healthcare providers about the safety and efficacy of CHG and iodine as preoperative preparation solutions for young infants' skin. For this project young infants is defined as infants less than 48 weeks' postmenstrual age and those born prematurely and less than 28 days old.

Conclusions

We analyze 19 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Three discussion themes emerge: systemic absorption, dermatologic burns, and CHG and iodine efficacy.

Practice Implications

We need more research regarding the safety and efficacy of CHG and iodine solutions for preoperative preparation of young infants' skin. Findings suggest the cautious use of CHG and iodine solutions on patients born at or before 28 weeks' postmenstrual age, especially those less than 28 days postnatal age.
Malignant transformation rate of oral submucous fibrosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nayanar Gayatri , Reddy Mamatha G. S. , Kakodkar Pradnya , Dony Elizabeth C.
Published: August 2022

Aim

To review and summarize all the available data from the literature regarding the malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis and derive a mean malignant transformation rate (MTR).

Materials and Methods

The electronic search was conducted using PubMed and google scholar. Only full‐text English language articles published from the earliest possible date to 30 April 2019 were included in the study. Abstracts, reviews, letters to editors and editorials were excluded. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42019124563). Data were extracted by 2 reviewers. The random effects model was used to perform the meta‐analysis.

Result

A total of 10 articles were included in the review after screening 1177 records. The majority of studies available were from India and Taiwan. Out of 5428 oral submucous fibrosis cases, 298 cases transformed to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Males showed a greater predilection for transformation. The MTR rates varied from 1.9% to 12%. The overall mean MTR obtained based on the available data was 5.5%, and the MTR of India and Taiwan obtained were 5.0% and 5.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The systematic review and meta‐analysis based on the available literature have concluded that patients with OSF have a mean risk of 5.5% for malignant transformation into OSCC.
Wrongs and Sanctions in the Pure Theory of Law
Authors: D’almeida Luís Duarte
Published: August 2022

This short paper addresses a well‐known difficulty in the Pure Theory of Law: the definition of a legal wrong. Kelsen was unable to offer a suitable one, critics say. I agree. But the critics misdiagnosed the problem, and prescribed for it a fruitless solution. The reason for Kelsen’s failure, the critics say, was that he thought the law consists only of sanction‐stipulating norms addressed to officials, and does not comprise duty‐imposing norms addressed to citizens. But the critics are wrong, exegetically as well as substantively. Kelsen did not—and indeed could not—deny that there are such duty‐imposing norms; and it is not the case, in any event, that the admission that there are such norms would enable us to explain the notion of a legal wrong. Kelsen failed to provide an adequate characterization of the notion of a legal wrong, yes, but for a different reason.
Social Entitlements in Habermas’s Discourse Theory of Law: Welfare State Regulations as Legitimizing Institutions
Authors: Späth Stefan
Published: August 2022

In Habermas’s discourse theory of law, the guarantee of citizens’ private and public autonomy is a prerequisite of legitimate law. This includes social entitlements. They provide the living conditions necessary for equal opportunities in the use of private and public freedoms. A proceduralist paradigm of the welfare state ensures private and public autonomy in shaping social rights. This makes welfare state regulations a legitimizing institution. This legal theoretical approach is outlined and defended against objections. The focus falls on examining the critique of the justification and quality of social entitlements. Also considered are possible measures to strengthen the basis of legitimation in shaping social rights.
Productivity effects of corporate income tax: Evidence from China
Authors: Fang Hongsheng , Zhang Xufei , Guo Lin
Published: August 2022

With a persistent global economic slump, governments encourage economic growth by expansionary fiscal policies through tax cuts. Total factor productivity (TFP) is an important determinant of corporate development and economic growth. Taking China's 2008 Corporate Income Tax Reform as a quasi‐natural experiment, this paper uses data from China's A‐share listed companies from 2003 to 2018 and difference‐in‐differences analyses to identify the impact of corporate income tax (CIT) rate changes on TFP. The findings indicate that reducing the CIT rate positively impacts corporate TFP through two available channels: corporate investment and human capital investment. Additionally, the effects of reducing the CIT rate on TFP are primarily significant in non‐state‐owned, smaller and more financing‐constrained enterprises.
Light-Emitting Diode-Based Optical Localization of a Robot in Continuous Motion Using Dynamic Prediction
Authors: Greenberg Jason N. , Tan Xiaobo
Published: August 2022

For mobile robots, localization is essential for navigation and spatial correlation of its collected data. However, localization in Global Positioning System-denied environments such as underwater has been challenging. Light-emitting diode (LED)-based optical localization has been proposed in the literature, where the bearing angles extracted from the line-of-sight of the robot viewed from a pair of base nodes (also known as beacon nodes) are used to triangulate the position of the robot. The state-of-the-art in this approach uses a stop-and-go motion for the robot in order to ensure an accurate position measurement, which severely limits the mobility of the robot. This work presents an LED-based optical localization scheme for a mobile robot undergoing continuous motion, despite the two angles in each measurement cycle being captured at different locations of the robot. In particular, the bearing angle measurements are captured by the robot one at a time and are properly correlated with respect to the base nodes by utilizing the velocity prediction from Kalman filtering. The proposed system is evaluated in simulation and experiments, with its performance compared to the traditional state-of-the-art approach where the two angle measurements in each cycle are used directly to compute the position of the robot. In particular, the experimental results show that the average position and velocity estimation errors are reduced by 55% and 38%, respectively, when comparing the proposed method to the state-of-the-art.
Numerical Investigation of Droplet Generation Within a Microfluidic T-Junction With Semicylindrical Obstacle
Authors: Nath Ashim Jyoti , Deka Dhrijit Kumar , Pati Sukumar
Published: August 2022

We outline a comprehensive computational physics-based investigation of droplet generation characteristics within a double inlet microfluidic T-junction with a semicylindrical obstacle. The interaction of continuous and dispersed fluids triggered by obstacle radius, obstacle position, and the capillary number on the droplet generation is explored in detail. Finite element-based level-set formalism is adopted to track the interface of the two phases in a transient 3D framework. Emphasis has been put to identify the suitable geometrical orientation of the microfluidic confinement for yielding fine spherical droplets with a faster generation rate. The interactions between the pressure forces developed across the obstacle and the amount of continuous fluid striking the dispersed fluid govern the pinch-off phenomenon to yield droplets. The study reveals that the confinement with a larger obstacle radius is susceptible to form fine spherical droplets with a faster generation rate and the production is significantly influenced by the obstacle position. For higher capillary numbers, the dispersed phase goes through extensive elongation before the rupture.
Machine-Learning-Based Reconstruction of Turbulent Vortices From Sparse Pressure Sensors in a Pump Sump
Authors: Fukami Kai , An Byungjin , Nohmi Motohiko , Obuchi Masashi , Taira Kunihiko
Published: August 2022

Getting access to the state of turbulent flow from limited sensor measurements in engineering systems is a major challenge. Development of technologies to accurately estimate the state of the flow is now possible with the use of machine learning. We present a supervised machine learning technique to reconstruct turbulent vortical structures in a pump sump from sparse surface pressure measurements. For the current flow reconstruction technique, a combination of multilayer perceptron and three-dimensional convolutional neural network is utilized. This technique provides accurate flow estimation from only a few sensor measurements, identifying the presence of adverse vortices. The dependence of the model performance on the amount of training data, the number of input sensors, and the noise levels are investigated. The present machine learning-based flow estimator supports safe operations of pumps and can be extended to a broad range of applications for industrial fluid-based systems.
Effect of damped oscillations in the inflationary potential
Authors: Antony Akhil , Jain Shweta
Published: August 2022

We investigate the effect of damped oscillations on a nearly flat inflationary potential and the features they produce in the power-spectrum and bi-spectrum. We compare the model with the Planck data using Plik unbinned and CamSpec clean likelihood and we are able to obtain noticeable improvement in fit compared to the power-law$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model. We are able to identify three plausible candidates each for the two likelihoods used. We find that the best-fit to Plik and CamSpec likelihoods match closely to each other. The improvement comes from various possible outliers at the intermediate to small scales. We also compute the bi-spectrum for the best-fits. At all limits, the amplitude of bi-spectrum,$$f_{NL}\,$$fNLis oscillatory in nature and its peak value is determined by the amplitude and frequency of the oscillations in the potential, as expected. We find that the bi-spectrum consistency relation strictly holds at all scales in all the best-fit candidates.
Dexmedetomidine Mitigates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Mitochondrial Apoptosis through Targeting lncRNA HCP5
Authors: Deng Xu , Ye Fei , Zeng Lixiong , Luo Wenzhi , Tu Shan , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhihui
Published: August 2022

Our study aimed to explore the function and mechanism of Dexmedetomidine (Dex) in regulating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced mitochondrial apoptosis through lncRNA HCP5. We demonstrated Dex suppressed I/R-induced myocardial infarction and mitochondrial apoptosis in vivo. Dex induced the expression of lncRNA HCP5 and MCL1, inhibited miR-29a expression and activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Dex attenuated hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced mitochondrial apoptosis by upregulating lncRNA HCP5 in cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of lncRNA HCP5 sponged miR-29a to suppress H/R-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. Knockdown of miR-29a also alleviated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by upregulating MCL1. Overexpression of lncRNA HCP5 activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling through sponging miR-29a and enhancing MCL1 expression in cardiomyocytes. Dex mitigated myocardial I/R-induced mitochondrial apoptosis through the lncRNA HCP5/miR-29a/MCL1 axis and activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling.
CHEAP TALK WITH OUTSIDE OPTIONS: A LAB EXPERIMENT
Authors: LEONG KAIWEN , LI DAN , LI HUAILU , XU HAIBO
Published: August 2022

This paper provides experimental evidence for the theory of Che et al. (2013, Pandering to persuade, American Economic Review, 103(1), 47–79). Basic communication games with outside options developed by Che et al. (2013, Pandering to persuade, American Economic Review, 103(1), 47–79) are tested in the experiments, and experimental variations with additional conflicts over projects and with private information about outside options are also investigated. Moreover, in these games, strategies concerning delegation have been discussed as well. In general, the experimental results are aligned with the theoretical predictions. As the value of the outside options increases, communication becomes less informative and the experts may pander toward the conditionally better-looking project, the decision makers take their outside options more often and retain their decision rights with higher frequencies.
Exact solutions to the null-geodesics in Ellis–Bronnikov wormhole spacetime via (G′/G)-expansion method
Authors: Shchigolev V. K.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the [Formula: see text]-expansion method is used to obtain two certain classes of one-parameter exact solutions to the null-geodesics in Ellis–Bronnikov wormhole spacetime. This method has been developed as an effective technique to construct exact analytical solutions for some kind of nonlinear evolution equations and nonlinear partial derivative equations (PDE). At the first stage of this method, a nonlinear PDE is transformed into nonlinear ordinary derivative equation (ODE) of a polynomial form. Therefore, if we initially have a nonlinear ODE of a polynomial form, say, the geodesic equation, then sometimes its solutions can be obtained following to the procedure of [Formula: see text]-expansion method. Here, this method made it possible to obtain some classes of exact analytical solutions of null-geodesic equations in the metric of Ellis–Bronnikov wormholes.
Unifying turnaround-bounce cosmology in a cyclic universe considering a running vacuum model
Authors: Khodam-Mohammadi A.
Published: August 2022

Among many models which can describe the bouncing cosmology, a matter bounce scenario that is deformed by a running vacuum model of dark energy (RVM-DE) has been interested. In this research, I show that a class of RVM-CDM (cold dark matter) model can also describe a cyclical cosmology in which the universe undergoes cycles of expansion to the contraction phase and vice versa. To this end, following our previous work, I consider one of the most successful classes of RVM-CDM model in bouncing cosmology, [Formula: see text], in which the power spectral index gets a red tilt and the running of the spectral index may give a negative value by choosing the appropriate value of parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which is consistent with the cosmological observations. It is worthwhile to mention that most matter bounce models do not produce this negative value. However, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate the RVM-CDM model in the turnaround phase. Far from the bounce in a phantom expanding universe, the turnaround conditions are investigated before the occurrence of a sudden big rip. By analyzing the Hubble parameter, equation of state (EoS) parameter, and deceleration parameter around the turnaround, we show that a successful turnaround may occur after an expansion in an interacting case of RVM-CDM by choosing the appropriate value of parameters. A minimum value for the interaction parameter is obtained and also find any relation between other model parameters. Finally, the effect of each parameter on a turnaround is studied, and we see that the transition time from accelerating to decelerating expansion can occur earlier for larger values of interaction parameter. Also, in several graphs, the effect of the second term in DE density, including [Formula: see text], is studied, and we see that by increasing its coefficient, [Formula: see text], the transition point leads to lower values.
Fabrication and analysis of barium-based metal organic framework characteristic properties
Authors: Sajid Fatima , Rani Malika , Shah Aqeel Ahmed , Neffati R. , Mahmood Arshad
Published: August 2022

Metal Organic framework (MOFs) a diverse class of complex organic metal assemblages has been attracting a great interest due to its easy tunability and modified characteristics during the past few years. These nanoscale-to-microscale-sized structures have been employed in different applicative fields due to their striking functional chemistry. Barium MOF synthesis is based on barium metal ions tri-linked organically to form a cubic structure and features photolumincity. Ba-MOF was synthesized by hydrothermal method and structural and optical analysis was performed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Raman Spectroscopy and Zeta Potential. The presence of cubic structure and organic carbon and oxygen linkages was indicated by XRD peaks. EDS directs the presence of barium as well as carbon and oxygen (organic linkers). Raman analysis paid for witnessing the evidence of the synthesis of MOF structure by validating the peak location. The photoluminescence spectrum was applied to measure the bandwidth to study the photoluminescence characteristics. The PL spectrum presented a wide bandwidth of 107.4 nm indicating Ba-MOF to be an efficient photoluminescent nanocomposite for photoluminescence-based applications. Zeta potential value of [Formula: see text] mV characterized anionic behavior and high stability of fabricated Ba-MOF.
Optimal Broadcasting in Fully Connected Trees
Authors: Gholami Saber , Harutyunyan Hovhannes A. , Maraachlian Edward
Published: August 2022

Broadcasting is disseminating information in a network where a specific message must spread to all network vertices as quickly as possible. Finding the minimum broadcast time of a vertex in an arbitrary network is proven to be NP-complete. However, this problem is solvable for a few families of networks. In this paper, we present an optimal algorithm for finding the broadcast time of any vertex in a fully connected tree ([Formula: see text]) in [Formula: see text] time. An [Formula: see text] is formed by attaching arbitrary trees to vertices of a complete graph of size [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the total number of vertices in the graph.