bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociocultural peculiarities of gender aspect in Russian education and science
Authors: Omarova Leyla Buniyaminovna , Muzashvili Diana Zurabovna , Prokhorova Irina Gennadievna , Savchenko Natalia Valerievna , Suchilina Anna Alexandrovna
Published: November 2021

Urgency of the problem is conditioned by the fact that under the effect of globalization processes, digital revolution, and transformation of values the present-day society is changing its attitude towards gender division of labor. Gender problem in traditional communities where, on the one hand, new views on the roles of men and women are being formed, and, on the other hand, traditional attitude towards those roles, is being preserved, is of special interest. The objective of the research is to analyze present-day society for revealing the gender asymmetry in different spheres of science and education in Russia. The Russian society that tends to traditional attitude but is unavoidably a part of innovation society, becomes an interesting object for studying the gender aspect in different professional spheres of education and science. A sociocultural approach forms the methodological base of the research that allows us to analyze the current stage of development of the educational and scientific spheres taking into account social and cultural peculiarities of the society, as well as its gender perspective. The study is based on the works that reveal gender issues in modern society in the sphere of education and science, psychology, culture and philosophy. It also presents the analysis of present-day scientific and educational spheres and gender asymmetry occurred under the effect of some or other social or cultural peculiarities.
Pandemic inequality: new realities and prospects
Authors: Dubovik Mayya Valerianovna
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the emergence of factors contributing to pandemic inequality. The pandemic itself is a completely novel factor, and it is associated with high uncertainty. Methodologically, this study builds upon sociological, economic, and psychological theories of inequality; these theories are elaborated by a combination of dialectical and causal analysis. The paper presents short overview of prior research into factors of pandemic and post-pandemic inequality in the context of the changing labor market; it further analyzes major trends and patterns of such inequality in order to identify the key causes and challenges of the situation today. It focuses on the need to help workers and businesses adapt to the irreversible processes of the post-pandemic world, to change the macroeconomic policy on many levels of the administrative hierarchy. The results of this study could lay the foundations for studying the behavior of workers in the labor market; they should also be accounted for by public agencies responsible for welfare programs intended to curb the pandemic inequality. The theoretical and practical contributions hereof lies in substantiation of the need to optimize the priorities of macroeconomic policies, to implement them competently in the fight against poverty, to balance the costs and benefits of labor market transformation, and to devise novel social policy mechanisms.
Socio-economic and socio-legal aspects of labor market regulation in modern Russia
Authors: Epkhiev Oleg Muratovich , Kislyakov Anatolii Sergeevich
Published: November 2021

The object of this study is the problem of market regulation in modern Russia. The author has set a goal based on a comprehensive system analysis of the Russian Federation’s scientific works and normative legal documents to uncover and characterize the socio-economic and socio-legal aspects of the problems of regulating the labor market at the federal and regional levels. In his work, the author relied not only on solidarizing but also on alternative theoretical approaches and conclusions. The scientific results obtained in the course of the study allowed us to understand and substantiate that at the federal and regional levels, the Russian Federation requires a very serious adjustment of institutional mechanisms for regulating the labor market, on which the development of its economy depends. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the conclusion that in current conditions, Russia should provide more in-depth fundamental research of the labor market, which would contribute to the formation of more effective public policy in the regulation of the labor market, employment of the population. This will entail the need to develop the implementation of social, economic, industrial policy, considering its impact on the labor market.
Digital storytelling in the world economy classroom
Authors: Mincicova Valerija Sergeevna , Ogloblina Elizaveta Valentinovna , Naushabaeva Asem Hekimoglu
Published: November 2021

This study aims to share the digital storytelling experience of higher education teachers including those using English as a Medium of Instruction. The methodology consists of giving a task to 130 students of bachelor course divided into 29 creative groups. Students created video stories on prearranged topics concerning the world economy agenda. We focused on analyzing the stages of project creation and the role of a teacher in the process, drivers of successful implementation of the digital storytelling, and compared the effectiveness of different types of classwork with digital storytelling. Thus, we conclude that such factors as the cohesion of the creative groups, ability to use video editing instruments and distribution of the tasks between members in the initial stages play the least important role in the successful implementation of the task, but at the same time can be most easily influenced and course-corrected by a teacher. The research also demonstrated that the potential to connect the topic with the own interests of the creative group, ability to present the result of work publicly and interest in the topic were the main drivers for success and involvement. Those are the characteristics of the generation Z, and we strongly believe that the teachers of higher education should consider the findings we present in the results section. It is also revealed that digital storytelling, despite being time-consuming, has a more emotional influence on students and gives them more satisfaction after a presentation.
Trends in the settlement of migrant workers in the context of social and economic processes in contemporary Russia
Authors: Zelenkov Mikhail Yuryevich , Nikolaev Aleksander Aleksandrovich , Razov Pavel Viktorovich , Pak Tatiana Innokentyevna , Sulyagina Julia Olegovna
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the article is to identify the basic trends in the settlement of migrant workers in the Russian Federation. The methodology of the research was based on the humanistic approach, which allowed focusing on the problems of labor migrants’ life activity and their search for value-based orientations. The systemic and comprehensive approach allowed identifying and substantiating the directions of the trends in the settlement of labor migrants by regions and districts of Russia. The comparative analysis of scientific works helped to identify the causes of settlement of labor migrants by place of their labor activity. Two identified opposing trends are the main results of the study. The first is dispersed settlement, which objectively promotes the integration process of representatives of immigrant ethnic groups into the urban environment of the area of residence, at the expense of a simultaneous weakening of intra-ethnic social ties and an increase in the depth and density of contacts with the local population. The second is the opposite trend – the self-isolation of immigrant groups within the framework of compact settlements, leading to the emergence of large ethnic diasporas of migrants in certain areas of the hosting country. The novelty of the study comes from an original approach to the identification and justification of migrants’ settlement trends in the socio-economic conditions of modern Russia.
Embolization of Type 2 Endoleaks in the Abdominal Aorta Using Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer
Authors: Nolte-Ernsting Claus , Mecklenbeck Frank-Peter , Stehr Alexander
Published: November 2021

Background Type 2 endoleaks (T2EL) are the most frequent complication following endovascular aortic repair. Multiple studies primarily deal with the technical and clinical success of the embolization of persisting T2EL, thereby revealing controversial outcomes. Current reports rarely focus on the detailed execution of such a complex interventional procedure with respect to the difficult anatomic setting.

Methods The present review provides an in-depth depiction and evaluation of the interventional methodology of the embolization of T2EL in the abdominal aorta with use of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Complicating anatomic conditions are taken into account as well as technical and clinical success rates.

Results Using the transarterial approach, there are at least 4 different pathways to access the nidus of a T2EL. CT-guided direct puncture of the aneurysm sac provides an alternative method of high technical success. EVOH with its slow solidification characteristics enables good control to achieve complete filling of the T2EL. During the intervention, however, it remains difficult to meet exactly the embolization endpoint, especially in large T2ELs.

Conclusion T2EL embolization using EVOH is an effective treatment with low major complication rates when conducted by skilled interventionists with detailed knowledge of diverse complex access routes.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Special Considerations of Anastomotic Leak in Patients with Rectal Cancer
Authors: Cauley Christy E. , Kalady Matthew F.
Published: November 2021

Anastomotic leak in patients with rectal cancer has the potential to cause worse oncologic outcomes in addition to major morbidity and mortality risk of this dreaded complication. Anatomic location of the rectal cancer determines the ability to perform a restorative operation and the height of the anastomosis in relation to the anal canal. Clinical staging dictates the need for neoadjuvant treatment (such as chemotherapy and radiation) which may also contribute to anastomotic leak risk. In addition to oncologic outcomes, anastomotic leak can impact bowel function, the need for permanent stoma, and long-term quality of life. This study will discuss special considerations for anastomotic leak prevention and clinical implications of this complication in patients with rectal cancer.
A Novel Nonsurgical Technique for Correcting Congenital Auricular Anomalies
Authors: Duvdevani Shay I. , Knoller Hadas , Rozendorn Noa , Alon Eran E. , Madgar Ory
Published: November 2021

Congenital ear anomalies are associated with psychological morbidity. Ear deformities can usually be corrected by nonsurgical techniques such as splinting or molding in the neonatal period, initiated before 6 weeks. Without early corrections, many will require otoplasty during childhood. We introduce a novel silicone-based custom mold technique for congenital ear anomalies. The highly malleable silicone was pushed into every part of the auricle, enabling the auricle to remain in the desired shape, with new molds made weekly. Of 31 newborns (18 males, 13 females), 54 ears were treated. Average age at treatment initiation was 26.8 days. The mean treatment duration was 43.2 days, with a median of 28 days. Normal appearance and parent's satisfaction were achieved in 30 patients with 49 deformed ears and also in four newborns older than 6 weeks. Three concha type microtia in two patients achieved great improvements and parents' satisfaction. No complications were reported. Marked aesthetic improvements and normal appearance were achieved for all deformed auricles treated, and improvements in the concha type microtia will partially alleviate future surgical corrections. The results are not inferior to other techniques. The advantages are as follows: cost-effective, time-saving, simple to master, no need for hair shaving, and easy use for parents. Patients older than 6 weeks of age achieved normal auricle appearance, enabling the correction in older newborns. Custom made silicone auricle molding offers a simple nonsurgical technique for correcting congenital ear anomalies, alleviating the need for future surgical corrections.
Multi-objective optimization for retinal photoisomerization models with respect to experimental observables
Authors: Vargas-Hernández Rodrigo A. , Chuang Chern , Brumer Paul
Published: November 2021

The fitting of physical models is often done only using a single target observable. However, when multiple targets are considered, the fitting procedure becomes cumbersome, there being no easy way to quantify the robustness of the model for all different observables. Here, we illustrate that one can jointly search for the best model for each desired observable through multi-objective optimization. To do so, we construct the Pareto front to study if there exists a set of parameters of the model that can jointly describe multiple, or all, observables. To alleviate the computational cost, the predicted error for each targeted objective is approximated with a Gaussian process model as it is commonly done in the Bayesian optimization framework. We applied this methodology to improve three different models used in the simulation of stationary state cis–trans photoisomerization of retinal in rhodopsin, a significant biophysical process. Optimization was done with respect to different experimental measurements, including emission spectra, peak absorption frequencies for the cis and trans conformers, and energy storage. Advantages and disadvantages of previously proposed models are exposed.
Laser-induced fluorescence of filament-produced plasmas
Authors: Kautz Elizabeth J. , Phillips Mark C. , Harilal Sivanandan S.
Published: November 2021

Self-guided ultrafast laser filaments are a promising method for laser beam delivery and plasma generation for standoff and remote detection of elements and isotopes via filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS). Yet, there are several challenges associated with the practical application of FIBS, including delivery of sufficient laser energy at the target for generating plasma with a copious amount of emission signals for obtaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we use laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to boost the emission signal and reduce self-reversal in the spectral profiles. Ultrafast laser filaments were used to produce plasmas from an Al 6061 alloy target at various standoff distances from 1 to 10 m. For LIF emission enhancement, a narrow linewidth continuous-wave laser was used in resonance with a 394.40 nm Al I resonant transition, and the emission signal was monitored from the directly coupled transition at 396.15 nm. Emission signal features of Al I are significantly enhanced by resonant excitation. In addition, LIF of filament ablation plumes reduces the self-reversal features seen in the thermally excited spectral profiles. Time-resolved two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy was performed for evaluating the optical saturation effects, which are found to be non-negligible due to high Al atomic densities in the filament-produced plasmas.
Nanophotonics for current and future white light-emitting devices
Authors: Galisteo-López Juan F. , Lozano Gabriel
Published: November 2021

Photonic nanostructures have proven useful to enhance the performance of a wide variety of materials and devices for sensing, catalysis, light harvesting, or light conversion. Herein, we discuss the role of nanophotonics in current and next-generation designs of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We discuss recent developments on luminescent materials designed as alternatives to rare earth-doped inorganic microcrystals, i.e., phosphors, for color conversion in LEDs, which has opened the door to the integration of resonant photonic architectures. Nanophotonics enables the devised light–matter interaction with luminescent materials in the nanoscale, which allows providing emitting devices with both enhanced performance and novel functionalities to tackle technological challenges ahead.
A micro-electromagnetic vibration energy harvester with higher power density and wider bandwidth utilizing 3D MEMS coils
Authors: Wu Hanxiao , Tao Zhi , Li Haiwang , Xu Tiantong , Wang Wenbin , Sun Jiamian , Xiao Wensong , Li Hanqing
Published: November 2021

In this study, the performance of an electromagnetic vibration energy harvester (EM-VEH) based on micro-electro-mechanical systems 3D coils was presented theoretically and experimentally. The VEH employs two 3D coils and E-shape iron cores inserted into the coils to reduce the magnetic leakage and to improve the output power. In this structure, the planar spring stiffness and the attraction between the iron core and magnet are nonlinear, which can broad the bandwidth. In the theoretical work, a magnetic dipole model with the integral form was derived to describe the nonlinear interaction and estimate the dynamic response, which agreed well with the finite element method results. The influence of load resistance, excitation acceleration, and initial magnet offset (IMO) was measured and analyzed experimentally. The results showed that the IMO had a significant influence on the output performance. The maximum output power of one coil can reach 57.65 μW for 250 μm IMO based on 1 g excitation with the normalized power density (NPD) of 5.08 μW/cm3 g2, along with a half power bandwidth of 4 Hz. For a smaller IMO of 174 μm, the output power reduced at 22.23 μW with the same excitation condition, while the half power bandwidth was broadened to 13 Hz. With the increase in excitation, the output power and bandwidth can be improved while the NPD reduces. The tested results proved that the structure proposed in this study can significantly enhance the output performance compared with published data.
Thermal percolation and electrical insulation in composite materials with partially metallic coated fillers
Authors: Zhong Jinxin , Xi Qing , He Jixiong , Liu Jun , Zhou Jun
Published: November 2021

We propose a type of thermal interface materials incorporating insulating nanowires with partially metallic coating in insulating polymer matrix. Large thermal conductivity can be obtained due to thermal percolation while the electrical insulation is maintained by controlling CMφ<φce and φ>φcth, where φ is the volume fraction of fillers, CM is the metallic coating fraction, and φce and φcth are the electrical and thermal percolation thresholds, respectively. The electrical conductivity of such composite materials can further be regulated by coating configuration. In this regard, we propose the concept of “thermal-percolation electrical-insulation,” providing a guide to design efficient hybrid thermal interface materials.
Investigating anisotropic blast wave parameters near the explosive-air boundary using computer simulation and experimental techniques with varying charge geometry
Authors: Williams Kelly , Johnson Catherine E.
Published: November 2021

The prediction of blast wave overpressure using scaled distance calculations use the charge mass and radial distance variables and assumes that the blast wave is isotropic. Simulations and empirical studies demonstrate that altering the charge geometry results in a significant deviation in overpressure vs orientation. While this effect has been measured for cylinders, truncated cones, and cubes, the mechanisms driving geometric blast wave product anisotropy have not been well defined. Velocity vectors plotted from computer simulations in this study show an isotropic radial flow from the cylindrical charges, while the prismatic charges with rectangle, triangle, and five-point star cross sections had significant anisotropy and are overdriven normal to the sides of the charge and underdriven at the corners. The radial expansion of the rim of the dent is measured at the corners and normal to the sides of the charges as an indicator of radial energy distribution and particle flow during breakout. The depth of the dents shows a linear relationship with the breakout radii of the charges with an R2 value of 0.99. The radial displacement of the dent rim from the perimeter of the explosive charge is uniformly 5.5 mm around the cylindrical charge but is up to 1.5 times than normal to the sides of the prismatic charges and zero at the outside corners indicating an energy flow from the detonation wave toward the initial breakout locations.
Huge mobility enhancement of InSnZnO thin-film transistors via Al-induced microstructure regularization
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Liang Lingyan , Zhang Hengbo , Wu Haijuan , Li Wanfa , Ning Ce , Yuan Guangcai , Cao Hongtao
Published: November 2021

High-field-effect-mobility InSnZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) are prepared through Al-induced microstructure regularization (AIMR) at an annealing temperature lower to 400 °C. Spherical crystalline particles are distributed throughout the back channel near the Al layer, while an amorphous phase still represents the front channel but with enhanced microstructure ordering. Especially, the packing density is distinctly increased, and oxygen vacancies are largely reduced. The optimized TFT exhibits excellent performance with a steep sub-threshold swing of 0.18 V/dec, a high on/off current ratio of 2.5 × 108, a threshold voltage of −0.21 V, and a small threshold voltage shift of −0.24 V under negative bias stress (−20 V, 3600 s), especially a remarkable field-effect mobility boosted to 53.2 cm2/V s compared to 19.1 cm2/V s for the TFT without the Al layer. After Al removal, the TFT performance shows no obvious degradation, implying good compatibility of the AIMR technique to the current device process.
Spin excitation spectrum of a magnetic hopfion
Authors: Bo Lan , Ji Lianze , Hu Chenglong , Zhao Rongzhi , Li Yixing , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: November 2021

Magnetic hopfions are three-dimensional topological solitons with a nontrivial Hopf index. Here, we theoretically investigated the spin excitation spectrum and revealed corresponding spin-wave modes of a magnetic hopfion. Compared with skyrmion tubes, the hopfions have distinctly less resonance peaks due to the suppression of vertical spin-wave modes by the internal topological defect. We also found that breathing and rotating modes could hybridize in hopfions under z-direction excitations and, thus, characterized the five individual resonance modes by a set of number pair (b, r). The results provide a fundamental understanding of the spin-wave modes of magnetic hopfions and open a route to detect and manipulate 3D topological solitons using microwave magnetic fields.
End-exclusion zones in strongly stretched, molten polymer brushes of arbitrary shape
Authors: Dimitriyev Michael S. , Grason Gregory M.
Published: November 2021

Theories of strongly stretched polymer brushes, particularly the parabolic brush theory, are valuable for providing analytically tractable predictions for the thermodynamic behavior of surface-grafted polymers in a wide range of settings. However, the parabolic brush limit fails to describe polymers grafted to convex curved substrates, such as the surfaces of spherical nanoparticles or the interfaces of strongly segregated block copolymers. It has previously been shown that strongly stretched curved brushes require a boundary layer devoid of free chain ends, requiring modifications of the theoretical analysis. While this “end-exclusion zone” has been successfully incorporated into the descriptions of brushes grafted onto the outer surfaces of cylinders and spheres, the behavior of brushes on surfaces of arbitrary curvature has not yet been studied. We present a formulation of the strong-stretching theory for molten brushes on the surfaces of arbitrary curvature and identify four distinct regimes of interest for which brushes are predicted to possess end-exclusion zones, notably including regimes of positive mean curvature but negative Gaussian curvature. Through numerical solutions of the strong-stretching brush equations, we report predicted scaling of the size of the end-exclusion zone, the chain end distribution, the chain polarization, and the free energy of stretching with mean and Gaussian surface curvatures. Through these results, we present a comprehensive picture of how the brush geometry influences the end-exclusion zones and exact strong-stretching free energies, which can be applied, for example, to model the full spectrum of brush geometries encountered in block copolymer melt assembly.
East Tusom
Authors: Mortensen David R. , Picone Jordan
Published: November 2021

East Tusom is a Tibeto-Burman language of Manipur, India, belonging to the Tangkhulic group. While it shares some innovations with the other Tangkhulic languages, it differs markedly from “Standard Tangkhul” (which is based on the speech of Ukhrul town). Past documentation is limited to a small set of hastily transcribed forms in a comparative reconstruction of Tangkhulic rhymes (Mortensen & Miller 2013; Mortensen 2012). This paper presents the first substantial sketch of an aspect of the language: its (descriptive) phonetics and phonology. The data are based on recordings of an extensive wordlist (730 items) and one short text, all from one fluent native speaker in her mid-twenties. We present the phonetic inventory of East Tusom and a phonemicization, with exhaustive examples. We also present an overview of the major phonological patterns and generalizations in the language. Of special interest are a “placeless nasal” that is realized as nasalization on the preceding vowel unless it is followed by a consonant, and numerous plosive-fricative clusters (where the fricative is roughly homorganic with the following vowel) that have developed from historical aspirated plosives. A complete wordlist, organized by gloss and semantic field, is provided as appendices.
From One to Many: Identifying Issues in CJEU Jurisprudence
Authors: Schroeder Philipp , Lindholm Johan
Published: November 2021

Research of judges and courts traditionally centers on judgments, treating each judgment as a unit of observation. However, judgments often address multiple distinct and more or less unrelated issues. Studying judicial behavior on a judgment level therefore loses potentially important details and risks drawing false conclusions from the data. We present a method to assist researchers with splitting judgments by issues using a supervised machine learning classifier. Applying our approach to splitting judgments by the Court of Justice of the European Union into issues, we show that this approach is practically feasible and provides benefits for text-based analysis of judicial behavior.
Narrowband-to-broadband switchable and polarization-insensitive terahertz metasurface absorber enabled by phase-change material
Authors: Badri S Hadi , Gilarlue M M , SaeidNahaei Sanam , Kim Jong Su
Published: November 2021

A terahertz absorber with controllable and switchable bandwidth that is insensitive to polarization is of great interest. Here, we propose and demonstrate a metasurface absorber with switchable bandwidth based on a phase-change material of vanadium dioxide (VO2) and verify its performance by finite element method simulations. The metasurface absorber is composed of a hybrid cross fractal as a resonator separated from a gold ground plane by a polyimide spacer. Switching from narrowband to broadband absorber is achieved via connecting VO2 patches to the gold first-order cross fractal converting the resonator to a third-order cross fractal. In the insulator phase of VO2, the main narrowband absorption occurs at the frequency of 6.05 THz with a 0.99 absorption and a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of 0.35 THz. Upon insulator-to-metal transition of VO2, the metasurface achieves a broadband absorption with FWHM of 6.17 THz. The simulations indicate that by controlling the partial phase transition of VO2, we can tune the bandwidth and absorption level of the absorber. Moreover, the designed absorber is insensitive to polarization due to symmetry and works well for a very wide range of incident angles. In the metallic state of VO2, the absorber has an absorption exceeding 0.5 in the 3.57–8.45 THz frequency range with incident angles up to 65°.
Developing echolocation: distinctive patterns in the ontogeny of the tympanoperiotic complex in baleen and toothed whales (Cetacea)
Authors: Lanzetti Agnese , Crouch Natasha , Portela Miguez Roberto , Fernandez Vincent , Goswami Anjali
Published: November 2021

Cetaceans (baleen and toothed whales) present a unique set of adaptations for life in water. Among other abilities, the two living groups can hear and produce different sound frequencies: baleen whales use low frequencies primarily for communication, whereas toothed whales acquired the ability to echolocate using high-frequency sounds. Both groups exhibit modifications to the morphology of the ear bones (tympanic bulla and periotic) that closely track their behaviour and ecology. The evolution of sound reception in whales is being investigated thoroughly, whereas the changes in prenatal development (ontogeny) that generate these disparate ear bone morphologies remain mostly unknown. In this study, we characterize the ontogeny of the ear bones in Cetacea by looking at the progression of ossification and associated changes in morphology using a combination of traditional measurements and an innovative landmark-free method to quantify shape on a newly assembled three-dimensional dataset spanning the ontogeny and phylogeny of extant Cetacea. We have found that the two groups of Cetacea share some aspects of ear ontogeny, such as a common growth trajectory of the periotic. However, differences in ossification, allometry and growth trajectory, particularly in the periotic bone, reflect their divergent inner ear morphology and hearing abilities.
On the extraction of purely motor EEG neural correlates during an upper limb visuomotor task
Authors: Bibián Carlos , Irastorza-Landa Nerea , Schönauer Monika , Birbaumer Niels , López-Larraz Eduardo , Ramos-Murguialday Ander
Published: November 2021

Deciphering and analyzing the neural correlates of different movements from the same limb using electroencephalography (EEG) would represent a notable breakthrough in the field of sensorimotor neurophysiology. Functional movements involve concurrent posture co-ordination and head and eye movements, which create electrical activity that affects EEG recordings. In this paper, we revisit the identification of brain signatures of different reaching movements using EEG and present, test, and validate a protocol to separate the effect of head and eye movements from a reaching task-related visuomotor brain activity. Ten healthy participants performed reaching movements under two different conditions: avoiding head and eye movements and moving with no constrains. Reaching movements can be identified from EEG with unconstrained eye and head movement, whereas the discriminability of the signals drops to chance level otherwise. These results show that neural patterns associated with different arm movements could only be extracted from EEG if the eye and head movements occurred concurrently with the task, polluting the recordings. Although these findings do not imply that brain correlates of reaching directions cannot be identified from EEG, they show the consequences that ignoring these events can have in any EEG study that includes a visuomotor task.
Risk of sports-related sudden cardiac death in women
Authors: Rajan Deepthi , Garcia Rodrigue , Svane Jesper , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob
Published: November 2021

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a tragic incident accountable for up to 50% of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Sports-related SCD (SrSCD) is a phenomenon which has previously been associated with both competitive and recreational sport activities. SrSCD has been found to occur 5–33-fold less frequently in women than in men, and the sex difference persists despite a rapid increase in female participation in sports. Establishing the reasons behind this difference could pinpoint targets for improved prevention of SrSCD. Therefore, this review summarizes existing knowledge on epidemiology, characteristics, and causes of SrSCD in females, and elaborates on proposed mechanisms behind the sex differences. Although literature concerning the aetiology of SrSCD in females is limited, proposed mechanisms include sex-specific variations in hormones, blood pressure, autonomic tone, and the presentation of acute coronary syndromes. Consequently, these biological differences impact the degree of cardiac hypertrophy, dilation, right ventricular remodelling, myocardial fibrosis, and coronary atherosclerosis, and thereby the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in male and female athletes associated with short- and long-term exercise. Finally, cardiac examinations such as electrocardiograms and echocardiography are useful tools allowing easy differentiation between physiological and pathological cardiac adaptations following exercise in women. However, as a significant proportion of SrSCD causes in women are non-structural or unexplained after autopsy, channelopathies may play an important role, encouraging attention to prodromal symptoms and family history. These findings will aid in the identification of females at high risk of SrSCD and development of targeted prevention for female sport participants.
Prevalence of skin diseases in school-age children
Authors: Tempark Therdpong , Whaidee Khwaunrat , Bongsebandhu-phubhakdi Chansuda , Suteerojntrakool Orapa
Published: November 2021

Background

The prevalence of community-based skin diseases, especially among school-age children, depends on topography, climate, and age of population.

Objective

We determined the prevalence of skin diseases among community-based primary school-age children and identified demographic characteristics in relation to particular skin conditions.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey study of a subproject school cohort in children aged 5–14 years of 2 community-based primary schools. Demographic data and whole-body skin examination were collected. The association of individual skin conditions was analysed by using bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression.

Results

A total of 556 children were enrolled in this study. Of these, 90.2% had at least 1 skin disease. The most common skin disease was postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) (58.3%), followed by nevus/mole (40.1%), insect bite reaction (28.0%), acanthosis nigricans (20.0%), acne (13.7%), and pityriasis alba (12.9%). There was an increase of body mass index (BMI) in PIH and acanthosis nigricans with the adjusted odds ratios of 2.01 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–2.87, P < 0.001) and 1.93 (95% CI 1.49–2.49, P < 0.001), respectively. Insect bite reaction was related to PIH with the adjusted odds ratio of 5.66 (95% CI 3.15–10.17, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The most common skin disease in community-based primary school-age children is PIH which related to acanthosis nigricans and insect bite reaction. A decrease of BMI may lower the risk for PIH and acanthosis nigricans. Education on common skin diseases is recommended for both community-based schools and school-age children.
Disulfiram attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury by suppressing oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice
Authors: Huang Jie , Wei Shanshan , Peng Zhenyu , Xiao Zijun , Yang Yuanying , Liu Jiaqin , Zhang Bikui , Li Wenqun
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Disulfiram (DSF), an old drug for treating chronic alcohol addiction, has been reported to exhibit widely pharmacological actions. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of DSF on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were treated with 15 mg/kg LPS (i.p.) with or without DSF pre-treatment (i.p.). The histopathological analysis was conducted by H&E staining and TUNEL kit assay. An automatic biochemical analyser was used to determine the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Expressions of 8-OHdG, NLRP3 and IL-1β in the kidney tissues were observed by IHC staining. The protein expressions of β-actin, Bax, Bcl-2, NLRP3, caspase-1 (p20), pro-IL-1β and IL-1β were analysed by western blot.

Key findings

DSF attenuated the histopathologic deterioration of the kidney and inhibited the elevation of creatinine and BUN levels in mice. DSF inhibited LPS-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, DSF treatment reversed the LPS-induced excessive oxidative stress. The NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by the LPS, as indicated by up-regulation of NLRP3 expression, cleaved caspase-1 (p20) and IL-1β, was also suppressed by DSF.

Conclusions

The study here shows that DSF protects against the AKI induced by LPS at least partially via inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Dynamical friction modelling of massive black holes in cosmological simulations and effects on merger rate predictions
Authors: Chen Nianyi , Ni Yueying , Tremmel Michael , Di Matteo Tiziana , Bird Simeon , DeGraf Colin , Feng Yu
Published: November 2021

In this work, we establish and test methods for implementing dynamical friction (DF) for massive black hole pairs that form in large volume cosmological hydrodynamical simulations that include galaxy formation and black hole growth. We verify our models and parameters both for individual black hole dynamics and for the black hole population in cosmological volumes. Using our model of DF from collisionless particles, black holes can effectively sink close to the galaxy centre, provided that the black hole’s dynamical mass is at least twice that of the lowest mass resolution particles in the simulation. Gas drag also plays a role in assisting the black holes’ orbital decay, but it is typically less effective than that from collisionless particles, especially after the first billion years of the black hole’s evolution. DF from gas becomes less than $1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of DF from collisionless particles for BH masses >107 M⊙. Using our best DF model, we calculate the merger rate down to z = 1.1 using an Lbox = 35 Mpc h−1 simulation box. We predict ∼2 mergers per year for z > 1.1 peaking at z ∼ 2. These merger rates are within the range obtained in previous work using similar resolution hydrodynamical simulations. We show that the rate is enhanced by factor of ∼2 when DF is taken into account in the simulations compared to the no-DF run. This is due to ${\gt}40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ more black holes reaching the centre of their host halo when DF is added.
Estimating urine volume from the urine creatinine concentration
Authors: Dong Yishan , Silver Stephen M , Sterns Richard H
Published: November 2021

Spot determinations of the urine creatinine concentration are widely used as a substitute for 24-h urine collections. Expressed as the amount excreted per gram of creatinine, urine concentrations in a single-voided sample are often used to estimate 24-h excretion rates of protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, urea and uric acid. These estimates are predicated on the assumption that daily creatinine excretion equals 1 g (and that a urine creatinine concentration of 100 mg/dL reflects a 1 L 24-h urine volume). Such estimates are invalid if the serum creatinine concentration is rising or falling. In addition, because creatinine excretion is determined by muscle mass, the assumption that 24-h urine creatinine excretion equals 1 g yields a misleading estimate at the extremes of age and body size. In this review, we evaluate seven equations for the accuracy of their estimates of urine volume based on urine creatinine concentrations in actual and idealized patients. None of the equations works well in patients who are morbidly obese or in patients with markedly decreased muscle mass. In other patients, estimates based on a reformulation of the Cockroft–Gault equation are reasonably accurate. A recent study based on this relationship found a high strength of correlation between estimated and measured urine output with chronic kidney disease (CKD) studied in the African American Study of Kidney Disease (AASK) trial and for the patients studied in the CKD Optimal Management with Binders and NictomidE (COMBINE) trial. However, the equation systematically underestimated urine output in the AASK trial. Hence, an intercept was added to account for the bias in the estimated output. A more rigorous equation derived from an ambulatory Swiss population, which includes body mass index and models the non-linear accelerated decline in creatinine excretion with age, could potentially be more accurate in overweight and elderly patients. In addition to extremes of body weight and muscle mass, decreased dietary intake or reduced hepatic synthesis of creatine, a precursor of creatinine or ingestion of creatine supplements will also result in inaccurate estimates. These limitations must be appreciated to rationally use predictive equations to estimate urine volume. If the baseline urine creatinine concentration is determined in a sample of known volume, subsequent urine creatinine concentrations will reveal actual urine output as well as the change in urine output. Given the constraints of the various estimating equations, a single baseline timed collection may be a more useful strategy for monitoring urine volume than entering anthropomorphic data into a calculator.
Psychometric Properties of a Healthcare Provider Burden Scale: Preliminary Results
Authors: Chibnall John T , Tait Raymond C
Published: November 2021

Measures are lacking that assess the clinical burden that healthcare providers perceive in treating chronic conditions. This study presents a preliminary psychometric evaluation of a novel self-report measure of provider burden in the treatment of chronic pain. Data for eight burden items were available from vignette studies examining the effects of patient pain severity and medical evidence on clinical burden and judgments for chronic pain. Participants (N = 922) were 109 physicians and 813 non-physicians, all acting in the role of physician (232 community members without chronic pain, 105 community members with chronic pain, and 476 American Chronic Pain Association members with chronic pain). Factor analyses of burden items yielded one-factor solutions in all samples, with high factor loadings and adequate explained variance. Internal consistency reliability was uniformly high (≥ 0.87). Burden scores were significantly higher among physicians compared to nonphysicians; nonphysician groups did not differ on any burden score. Significant correlations of burden score with indicators of psychosocial complications in patient care supported scale validity. Burden score was not associated with gender, age, or education. Results provide initial support for the psychometric properties of a Healthcare Provider Burden Scale (HPBS). Research utilizing larger and representative healthcare provider groups is needed.
Tributyltin and the Female Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Disruption
Authors: Barbosa Kayke L , Dettogni Raquel S , da Costa Charles S , Gastal Eduardo L , Raetzman Lori T , Flaws Jodi A , Graceli Jones B
Published: November 2021

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is the principal modulator of reproductive function. Proper control of this system relies on several hormonal pathways, which make the female reproductive components susceptible to disruption by endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as tributyltin (TBT). Here, we review the relevant research on the associations between TBT exposure and dysfunction of the female HPG axis components. Specifically, TBT reduced hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression and gonadotropin release, and impaired ovarian folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and ovulation, at least in part, by causing abnormal sensitivity to steroid feedback mechanisms and deleterious ovarian effects. This review covers studies using environmentally relevant doses of TBT in vitro (1 ng—20 ng/ml) and in vivo (10 ng—20 mg/kg) in mammals. The review also includes discussion of important gaps in the literature and suggests new avenue of research to evaluate the possible mechanisms underlying TBT-induced toxicity in the HPG axis. Overall, the evidence indicates that TBT exposure is associated with toxicity to the components of the female reproductive axis. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the mechanisms through which TBT impairs the ability of the HPG axis to control reproduction.
Preparation of Methodological Systematic Reviews in Nutrition Science
Authors: Guimarães Nathalia Sernizon , Fausto Maria Arlene , de Menezes Mariana Carvalho , Meireles Adriana Lúcia , Drummond Silva Fernanda Guimarães , de Figueiredo Sônia Maria
Published: November 2021

Systematically gathering scientific evidence is necessary to build and support safe concepts, treatments, and effective actions for health practice, policies, and recommendations in the field of nutrition. This didactic guide aimed to compile the steps necessary for a methodological systematic review in nutrition through real examples including the mandatory stages of conduct such as preparation of the central question, search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data collection, extraction of information, and methodological quality analysis of the studies. The article demonstrates that methodological systematic reviews are valuable to track the progress of concepts and practices. In this way, knowledge of the review process is important for the advancement of the field, and reviews are important resources for scientific information due to their synthesis of current evidence.
SWI/SNF Complex-deficient Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Chang Bin , Sheng Weiqi , Wang Lei , Zhu Xiaoli , Tan Cong , Ni Shujuan , Weng Weiwei , Huang Dan , Wang Jian
Published: November 2021

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract has variable rhabdoid features. Expression of switch/sucrose nonfermenting (SWI/SNF) complex subunits is reportedly lost in a portion of cases; however, the prognostic significance of this loss remains unknown. Herein, 30 undifferentiated carcinoma cases were assessed for the expression of 4 SWI/SNF complex subunits (SMARCB1, SMARCA2, SMARCA4, and ARID1A). Tumor origin sites comprised stomach (40.0%), large intestine (20.0%), small intestine (16.7%), lower esophagus and stomach fundus (13.3%), ileocecal junction (3.3%), rectum (3.3%), and pancreas (3.3%). The tumors were composed of epithelioid neoplastic cells arranged in diffuse solid or discohesive sheets, nests, cords, poor cohesive pseudoglandular, and trabecular patterns. Rhabdoid tumor cells were identified in 66.7% (20/30) of cases. In total, 29/30 (96.7%) showed complete loss of at least 1 SWI/SNF subunit: SMARCA4−/SMARCA2− (11), isolated SMARCA4− (2), SMARCA4−/SMARCA2 unknown (6), isolated SMARCA2− (7), SMARCA2−/ARID1A− (1), and isolated ARID1A− (2). Negative or decreased expression (≤10% positive) of pan-cytokeratin was observed in 58.6% (17/29) of cases. In addition, 66.7% (20/30) of patients were late-stage (III or IV), and 65.2% (15/23) of stage IIB to IV patients succumbed to the disease at a mean clinical follow-up of 12.7 months. Specifically, patients with loss of SMARCA4 expression had the worst overall survival (P=0.028) and disease-free survival (P=0.006) rates, compared with those with SMARCA4 expression. The loss or decreased expression of epithelial markers is thus common in SWI/SNF complex-deficient undifferentiated carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and loss of SMARCA4 correlates with poor prognosis.