bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perturbational and Variational Energy Decomposition Analysis on Hydrogen Bonds of Coordinated Glycine and Water Molecule
Authors: Zrilić Sonja S. , Ninković Dragan B. , Etinski Mihajlo , Zarić Snežana D.
Published: November 2024

Three types of hydrogen bonds of coordinated glycine and water had been investigated: NH/O of α‐amino group, O1/HO involving oxygen coordinated to the metal ion (O1), and O2/HO involving α‐carbonyl oxygen (O2). Various glycine complexes were investigated: octahedral cobalt(III) and nickel(II), square pyramidal copper(II), and square planar copper(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes. Nature of these three hydrogen bond types was analyzed using symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) and variational energy decomposition analysis (EDA) method (TPSS−D3/def2‐TZVPP). The results of the EDA decomposition are in good agreement with the reliable SAPT2+3/def2‐TZVPP and its total interaction values with CCSD(T)/CBS energies. Electrostatic interaction is generally the dominant attractive energy term in most of the interactions, followed by orbital relaxation, and lastly dispersion as the weakest. We compared EDA results of various complexes to determine the effects of complex charge, metal oxidation, coordination, and atomic number on the energy decomposition terms. The complex charge influences the values of decomposition terms the most, followed by metal oxidation and coordination number, while atomic number effects them the least. All complex and metal changes have a more significant effect on the results of NH/O and O1/HO than O2/HO interactions, due to its location further away from the metal ion.
Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on the pursuit of SDGs: Evidence from European state‐owned enterprises
Authors: Spagnuolo Flavio , Casciello Raffaela , Martino Ilaria , Meucci Fiorenza
Published: November 2024

In the context of European state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), this study examines whether the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) facilitates the pursuit of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and how this relationship varies across the 17 individual SDGs. Results from panel and logistic regression models reveal a statistically significant positive association between AI adoption and SDGs pursuit. Additionally, the findings suggest that AI primarily supports environmental SDGs, with a more limited impact on societal and economic SDGs. The study offers practical implications for managers, investors, and policymakers. For managers, investing in AI may enhance corporate sustainability strategies. Investors with ethical concerns are encouraged to prioritize enterprises increasingly adopting AI. Finally, the study urges policymakers to explore new pathways that more effectively promote the pursuit of SDGs through AI.
Is Integrated Reporting still relevant for the capital markets? Evidence from a voluntary setting—The case of environmental and social sensitive European companies
Authors: Hurghiș Rareș , Tiron‐Tudor Adriana , Topor Dan Ioan
Published: November 2024

Over the past two decades, Integrated Reporting (IR) has evolved into a consolidated global corporate reporting practice, used by financial analyst in evaluating companies. Considering the existing strong regulations on nonfinancial reporting for European companies, current study analyses the impact of voluntary IR adoption and implementation on the European capital markets, exploring also the presentation of which dimensions from the IR Framework have the highest impact on analyst forecasts. The study uses a balanced panel sample formed of 420 integrated reports for the 2013–2022 period issued by publicly listed environmental and social sensitive European companies from the IR Examples Database. IR adoption and implementation is measured through a previously validated Alignment Index Score. The results highlight that IR partially reduces the analyst forecast errors, the disclosed information on company governance, strategy and resource allocation being the most relevant elements for the analysts. Thus, IR remains partially relevant for European capital markets. Current research enriches existing knowledge by analysing the market‐level effects of IR adoption and implementation in a voluntary setting, focussing on sensitive industries. To the author's knowledge, this study examines the effects of IR over the longest duration, spanning from 2013 to 2022.
Self‐Organization of Relaxed Structures in the Lunar Atmosphere
Authors: Yaqoob Laiba , Gondal S. M. , Tahir Maha , Batool Asma , Nazir Amna
Published: November 2024

The study investigates the relaxation of a three‐component dusty plasma in the lunar atmosphere. By employing Ampère's law with momentum balance equation of the plasma species, which includes an electron, a positive ion, and a negatively charged dust particle, a Triple Beltrami (TB) state is obtained. This TB state is characterized by three scale parameters, which may be real or complex. The Cartesian coordinate geometry is employed to analyze the magnetic field profiles. The Beltrami parameters, mass of negative charged dust particulates and density variations at different height and angle have a significant impact on the magnetic properties of the self‐organized structures in lunar atmosphere. The study reveals that all scale parameters associated with diamagnetic structures are real and complex, while all scale parameters for paramagnetic structures are real. It has been shown that the magnetic field, along with its complex conjugate and real part, increases with height and angle, and only diamagnetic structures are formed in the lunar atmosphere. The findings of this study should help to explain relaxed structures found in other astronomical objects and in lab settings including negatively charged dust particles, ions, and electrons.
Optimal mud pressure design using nonlinear failure criteria for wellbores in shaley sedimentary reservoir
Authors: Burnwal Ravindra K. , Singh Aditya
Published: November 2024

Wellbore drilling disturbs the equilibrium stress state in the rock mass, resulting in stress redistribution around the opening. Wellbore stability in the altered stress state is vital for engineering applications, as the wellbore instability results in cost overrun. Accurate estimation of rock mechanical properties, in‐situ stresses, and required mud pressure is crucial for safe drilling. If the mud pressure is lower than required, the shear failure of the rock takes place, and conversely, if the mud pressure is higher than the upper limit, tensile failure occurs. A strength criterion that can accurately predict the mud pressure may help significantly reduce non‐productive time and cost in well drilling. The commonly used Mogi‐Coulomb (MGC) failure criterion for estimating critical mud pressure neglects the few fundamental aspects of rock failure characteristics observed in the laboratory, such as nonlinear strength response in major‐minor principal stress space and prediction of multiple failure stress values near the triaxial axial extension boundary. The present study uses the Modified Mohr‐Coulomb true‐triaxial failure criterion (MMC_TT), which predicts the strength of rock better than the MGC in laboratory true‐triaxial tests to overcome the limitations. Moreover, based on the data from previously published five vertical wells in the Krishna‐Godavari basin (K‐G basin), an empirical relationship is proposed to obtain the strength parameters for the MMC_TT criterion for shaley sedimentary rocks as the existing correlations do not cater for the parameters required for MMC_TT criterion. The comparative study of the MMC_TT with MGC, Modified Mohr‐Coulomb triaxial, and Mohr‐Coulomb failure criteria, showed that for most of the K‐G basin wells, the MMC_TT criterion predicted close to the MGC. However, for well‐13, the MMC_TT criterion results are closer to the mud pressure used in actual drilling than the MGC.
Genetic Diversity of Native Provenance and Plantation Populations of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Based on SSR Markers and Morphological Traits
Authors: Yin Mingyu , Wu Bo , Pang Yingjun , Wuyun Tana
Published: November 2024

Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plays a crucial role in the ecological restoration and industrial raw material production of arid and semiarid regions in northern China. The widespread degradation of its near‐mature plantation (over 30 years) is a significant concern, having been a topic of interest in recent decades. In this study, the genetic diversity and population genetic structure were assessed using 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers within 11 native provenance populations and eight plantation populations. Additionally, variations in eight morphological traits of their offspring were evaluated at three sites in northern China. The results revealed high genetic diversity and weak genetic differentiation among the native provenance populations. The mean number of alleles (Na), allelic richness (Ar), expected heterozygosity (He), and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (I) were 5.492, 4.679, 0.550, and 1.120, respectively, and the genetic differentiation coefficient (FST) was 0.022. Significant population effects of tree height and height to live crown base (HCB), as well as interactions of population with site and block within site, were observed in tree height, HCB, stem diameter at breast height (DBH), stem volume (VOL), crown shape (CS), and disease grade (DG). The genetic diversity parameters based on SSR markers and breeding values of tree height, DBH, HCB, VOL, and stem form (SF) of plantation populations were found to be lower than those of native provenance populations. Significant positive correlations were identified between the mean effective number of alleles per locus (Ne) and VOL as well as He and crown width (CW). Furthermore, the maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO5) and the silt content (T_SILT) were identified as significant factors influencing genetic diversity parameters and morphological variation, respectively. The findings provide scientific support for the reduction of plantation degradation, the effective restoration, and the sustainable management of forests for this species.
Advancements in CdTe Thin‐Film Solar Cells: Is Doping an Effective Strategy for Performance Enhancement?
Authors: Jena Ipsita , Singh Udai Pratap
Published: November 2024

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin‐film solar cells that are introduced in 1970s have emerged as one of the forefront materials of the second generation‐based solar cells. They are preferred as an ideal candidate for the fabrication of reliable and economical photovoltaic systems owing to high optical absorption coefficient, nearly optimum bandgap for ensuring maximum conversion efficiency and chemical stability. The major challenges associated with these solar cells are low concentration of carriers, which limits the photovoltaic parameters notably the open‐circuit voltage and fill factor as well as short life time of absorber minority carriers. This article explores the pivotal role of doping in enhancing the electrical properties and life time of minority carriers of CdTe solar cells through extensive literature study of the complexity of mechanisms and output parameters achieved in various reported works. Doping has been systematically reviewed with emphasis on types of doping, classification of dopants into group I and group V dopants along with a concise summary of different dopants. This comprehensive review not only evaluates the recent advancements of CdTe solar cells but also addresses these issues and provides future perspectives and paves way for development of improved stable and highly efficient cells.
Taming Data‐Driven Probability Distributions
Authors: Baruník Jozef , Hanus Luboš
Published: November 2024

We propose a deep learning approach to probabilistic forecasting of macroeconomic and financial time series. By allowing complex time series patterns to be learned from a data‐rich environment, our approach is useful for decision making that depends on the uncertainty of a large number of economic outcomes. In particular, it is informative for agents facing asymmetric dependence of their loss on the outcomes of possibly non‐Gaussian and nonlinear variables. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach on two different datasets where a machine learns patterns from the data. First, we illustrate the gains in predicting stock return distributions that are heavy tailed and asymmetric. Second, we construct macroeconomic fan charts that reflect information from a high‐dimensional dataset.
I'm Not Feeling It: The Role of Affective Diversity in Risk Management and Team Performance
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca L. , Awasty Nikhil , Hahn Rachel S. , Griffin Daniel J. , Hollenbeck John R.
Published: November 2024

Team performance is contingent on nuanced approaches to risk management—demanding both risky and cautious strategic orientations. However, research surrounding how teams navigate this balance is limited. We argue that both positive and negative affective diversity can aid team performance, through affective diversity's impact on the team's risky and cautious behaviors. Furthermore, we argue that team trait regulatory focus strengthens these relationships. Using a controlled laboratory setting with 58 teams in a complex, uncertain team task that requires both risky and cautious strategies for successful performance, results indicate that positive affective diversity relates to team performance through promoting risky behavior, while negative affective diversity relates to team performance through promoting cautious behavior. Teams high in trait prevention‐focus are more attuned to the information signals in teams with negative affective diversity, but we did not find that promotion focus impacted outcomes of positive affective diversity.
High prevalence of undiagnosed iron deficiency in endometriosis patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Goldberg Hanna R. , McCaffrey Carmen , Solnik Jonathon , Lemos Nucelio , Sobel Mara , Kives Sari , Malinowski A. Kinga , Shehata Nadine , Matelski John , Szczech Klaudia , Murji Ally
Published: November 2024

Objective

The primary objective was to evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed iron deficiency in patients with endometriosis.

Methods

We performed a multi‐center, cross‐sectional study at two tertiary care hospitals. We included 251 non‐pregnant women (18–50 years old) presenting with a clinical or surgical diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis. Patients who consented to the study underwent screening bloodwork (including complete blood count, ferritin, and transferrin saturation) and completed the study survey assessing demographics, medical and surgical history, and validated questionnaires to assess iron deficiency and endometriosis symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of iron deficiency in our endometriosis cohort was 53.4% (134/251), and the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 13.5% (34/251). Patients with iron deficiency were more likely to have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) compared with patients without iron deficiency (66/133, 49.6% vs. 40/115, 34.8%, p = 0.022). Nonetheless, 58% (142/251) of our study population did not endorse HMB. Despite absence of HMB, 47% (67/142) of these patients were iron‐deficient. Transferrin saturation was diagnostic for iron deficiency in 63 of 176 patients (35.7%) who had a normal ferritin (≥30 ng/mL). Patients with iron deficiency had a significantly lower adjusted median Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Subscale score compared with those without iron deficiency (26.3. vs. 29.8, p = 0.025).

Conclusion

This study highlights the high prevalence of iron deficiency, which remains undiagnosed in over half of patients with endometriosis presenting to a gynecologist. Future research should focus on assessing the effectiveness of iron therapy in improving symptoms and overall well‐being in this population.
Periodontitis associated with brain function impairment in middle‐aged and elderly individuals with normal cognition
Authors: Ye Wei , Tao Yufei , Wang Wenrui , Yu Yongqiang , Li Xiaoshu
Published: November 2024

Background

The present study aimed to investigate changes in intranetwork functional connectivity (FC) and internetwork FC in middle‐aged and elderly individuals with normal cognition (NC) and varying degrees of periodontitis to determine the effects of periodontitis on brain function.

Methods

Periodontal findings and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 51 subjects with NC. Independent component analysis and correlation analysis were used for the statistical analysis of the data.

Results

Differences in intranetwork FC were observed among groups in the anterior default‐mode network (aDMN), dorsal attention network and dorsal sensorimotor network (dSMN). Compared with the nonperiodontitis (NP) group or the mild‐periodontitis group, the analysis of internetwork FC showed increased FC between the auditory network and the ventral attention network (VAN), between the aDMN and the salience network (SN), and between the SN and the VAN and decreased FC between the posterior default‐mode network and the right frontoparietal network in the moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis group. Additionally, internetwork FC between the dSMN and the VAN was also increased in the moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis group compared to the NP group. The altered intra‐ and internetwork FC were significantly correlated with the periodontal clinical index.

Conclusion

Our results confirmed that periodontitis was associated with both intra‐ and internetwork FC changes even in NC. The present study indicates that periodontitis might be a potential risk factor for brain damage and provides a theoretical clue and a new treatment target for the early prevention of Alzheimer disease.

Plain Language Summary

Recent research has proposed that periodontitis is a potential risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the relationship between periodontitis and the brain function of middle‐aged and elderly individuals with normal cognition (NC) remains unclear. Analyzing the effect of periodontitis on brain function in the NC stage can provide clues to AD development and help achieve early prevention of dementia. The present study aimed to investigate changes in brain functional connectivity (FC) in NC with different severity of periodontitis to determine the effects of periodontitis on brain function. Both changed intranetwork FC and internetwork FC were found in the moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis group, and periodontitis was associated with brain network function impairment in NC. The present study indicates that periodontitis might be a potential risk factor for brain damage even in NC stage, and provides a theoretical clue and a new treatment target for the early prevention of AD.
The effects of extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes polymorphisms on intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Zhao Di , Dou Yao‐xing , Zeng Ling‐feng , Han Yan‐hong , Lin Fang‐zheng , Xu Nan‐jun , Liu Jun , Zeng Yu‐ping
Published: November 2024

Objective

The objective of the current study was to investigate the correlation between polymorphisms in extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) diseases.

Methods

The databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database were systematically queried from the inception until March 2023 to ascertain studies that meet the eligibility criteria. Utilizing a standardized data collection form to extract data from individual studies. The data were quantified using odds ratio (OR) along with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI), following an allelic model of inheritance.

Results

The study included a total of nine studies and indicated that the presence of rs17576 in the MMP9 gene was significantly associated with an increased risk of IDD diseases (GG: 1.30, 95% CI [1.09–1.55], p = 0.004). The presence of other polymorphisms in extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes did not exhibit a significant association with the susceptibility to IDD.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrated a noteworthy correlation between the GG genotype of MMP‐9 rs17576 and susceptibility to IDD. The available evidence is insufficient to substantiate the correlation between other extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes and susceptibility to IDD. The constraints of this analysis necessitate further research involving larger sample sizes across diverse ethnicities to provide a comprehensive understanding of the true impact of these polymorphisms on susceptibility to IDD.
Lung Ultrasound Findings in Children With Asthma Exacerbations
Authors: Hoffmann Robert M. , Neuman Mark I. , Du Michelle , Monuteaux Michael C. , Miller Andrew F. , Neal Jeffrey T. , Nelson Kyle A. , Gravel Cynthia A.
Published: November 2024

Objective

We sought to assess whether the presence and extent of lung ultrasound (LUS) findings were associated with asthma exacerbation severity in children.

Methods

We enrolled a convenience sample of patients aged 5–18 years presenting with acute asthma exacerbation to a tertiary care pediatric emergency department. Severity of an asthma exacerbation (mild, moderate, severe) was assessed within 1 hour of the LUS using the Hospital Asthma Severity Score, a validated asthma assessment tool. LUS was performed by trained pediatric emergency providers. The presence of LUS findings (B‐lines, consolidations, pleural effusion, and pleural line abnormalities) was assessed using a standardized criterion based on consensus guidelines.

Results

A total of 111 patients with a median age of 8 years (interquartile range 6–12) were enrolled. LUS was positive in 57% of patients. Pleural line abnormalities were observed in 34%, B‐lines in 29%, consolidations <1 cm in 24%, and consolidations ≥1 cm in 7%. Patients with moderate and severe asthma exacerbations were more likely to have any B‐lines (31% and 43%, respectively) than patients with mild exacerbations (12%; P = .021); however, the presence of ≥3 B‐lines or confluent B‐lines did not differ across severity groups. The presence of other findings did not differ based on asthma severity.

Conclusions

LUS findings are observed in a substantial portion of children presenting with asthma exacerbations. B‐lines were the only LUS finding significantly associated with asthma severity, while lung consolidations <1 cm and >1 cm were not correlated with severity. These findings provide valuable information for the diagnostic use of LUS in pediatric patients with asthma exacerbation.
Ultrasound Characteristics of Keratoacanthoma
Authors: Chen Yan‐xuan , Liang Jian‐feng , Xiao Ling‐li , Zhan De‐rui , Wang Jing
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aims to describe the ultrasound characteristics of keratoacanthoma (KA), providing valuable insights for non‐invasive diagnosis and differentiation from well‐differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (wcSCC).

Methods

Ultrasound characteristics of 16 KA and 13 wcSCC conformed by surgical pathology were retrospective analyzed.

Results

KA patients were younger (mean age 63.13 years) compared with wcSCC patients (mean age 76.23 years). Ultrasound characteristics revealed that KA lesions were generally smaller, more frequently domed‐shaped (87.50 vs 38.46%), exophytic (93.75 vs 30.77%), and well‐defined (93.75 vs 53.85%) compared with wcSCC. Both lesion types predominantly showed hypoechoic internal echoes and inhomogeneous echotexture. The prevalence of hyperechoic superficial area was notably high in both groups (93.75 vs 84.62%), precluding the reliable use of this feature as a discriminatory marker between these two distinct neoplastic entities. KA lesions were mostly confined to the epidermis and superficial dermis (87.50%), while wcSCC cases frequently infiltrated into the subcutaneous fat layer (84.62%). Color Doppler imaging demonstrated higher vascularity in wcSCC lesions, with 61.5% showing Grade 3 flow, compared with KA lesions, where 62.5% exhibited Grade 2 flow.

Conclusions

High‐frequency ultrasound reveals distinct ultrasound characteristics differentiating KA from wcSCC, offering a promising non‐invasive tool for preliminary diagnosis and treatment planning.
Higher isokinetic quadriceps peak force is associated with a patient‐acceptable symptom‐state 1 and 3 years after ACL reconstruction
Authors: Ashnai Farshad , Thomeé Roland , Hamrin Senorski Eric , Beischer Susanne
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The main purpose was to determine cut‐off values for absolute (QNm/kg) and relative (QLSI) isokinetic knee extensor (KE) strength for achieving a patient‐acceptable symptom state (PASS) in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales and for different age groups to determine the association between QNm/kg and QLSI and PASS, at 1 and 3 years after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods

PASS was defined as reaching cut‐off values for all KOOS subscales. Data from follow‐ups were extracted from a rehabilitation registry. Male and female patients were divided into two age groups based on their age at primary ACLR: 16–24 years and 25–65 years. Odds Ratios between the QNm/kg and QLSI cut‐off values and achieving PASS were calculated. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were constructed to determine the individual predictive capacity for achieving PASS of QNm/kg and of QLSI using the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Results from 755 and 145 patients (females = 51% and 52%; preinjury Tegner Activity level ≥6 = 82% and 74%) were used in the 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐up analyses. Reaching the cut‐off values for the QNm/kg, ranging between ≥2.1 and ≥2.7, entailed between 2.09 and 5.12 times the odds of achieving PASS, across all groups at the 1‐year follow‐up. At the 3‐year follow‐up, the cut‐off values of ≥3.4 and ≥2.6QNm/kg were associated with patients achieving PASS with acceptable accuracy (AUC = 0.700–0.780) in 16–41 year‐old males and females.

Conclusion

At 1 year after ACLR, patients of both sexes and age groups reaching cut‐off values for absolute KE strength had two to five times the odds, that were clinically relevant, to achieve PASS. Acceptable discriminative capacity was found for the absolute KE strength among male and female patients 16–24 years old, at 3 years after ACLR.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma‐A Review
Authors: Patel Ajay
Published: November 2024

Radiotherapy has been proven to act synergistically with immunotherapy to prime the immune response against the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) produces a greater variety of tumour‐associated antigens. This can elicit an even stronger anti‐tumour immune response, especially when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors to prevent T cell exhaustion. This response is particularly useful in hepatocellular carcinoma patients due to a naturally immunosuppressive environment. SBRT has provided excellent local control rates in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Retrospective and prospective clinical trials involving advanced‐stage HCC patients support combining SBRT with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Actively recruiting phase III randomised controlled trials are currently testing this promising combination in HCC patients. This mini‐review outlines the rationale for combining the two modalities in HCC patients. Current guidelines for HCC and successes in the field using the combination treatment will also be discussed.
Deep drawing of coated aluminium sheets: Experimental and numerical study
Authors: Abdennadher M. , Sellami A. , Stockburger E. , Mohnfeld N. , Wester H. , Behrens B.‐A. , Bouguecha A. , Elleuch R.
Published: November 2024

For years, coated metal sheets have been used in cookware manufacturing. This paper focuses on employing experimental and numerical analyses to determine the quality and formability of commercially available polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐coated aluminium sheets. For this purpose, examinations of the coating‘s microstructure, hardness, and friction coefficient through nano‐indentation and scratch tests, were investigated. Tensile test was performed to obtain some mechanical characteristics of the coated aluminium sheets. Moreover, the forming limit curve for the studied material was established by conducting Nakazima test, covering both negative and positive domains of minor strain. The influence of sheet thickness on formability was investigated since using 2 mm and 1 mm thick sheets in this work. Finally, the limits of deep drawing process using the finite element method with Abaqus software was studied.
Are Pilates Exercises Effective in Improving Postural Misalignment? Systematic Review and Metanalysis
Authors: Roque Graziella Cristina , de Oliveira Raphael Gonçalves , Sorzi Maria Vitória , de Oliveira Laís Campos
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Pilates is commonly used to treat postural misalignments; however, there is a lack of systematic reviews on this topic.

Objective

To verify the effects of Pilates on postural misalignment.

Methods

A search (25 February 2024) was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS, SportDiscus, and PEDro. The methodological quality was assessed via the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence via the GRADE system. The meta‐analysis was conducted using the standardised mean difference (SMD).

Results

Eighteen studies were included in the systematic review. Eight studies had a low risk of bias. In children and adolescents, there was moderate certainty of evidence that Pilates improves postural alignment of the thoracic angle (SMD = −0.45 [0.67, −0.23]) and lumbar angle (SMD = −0.29 [–0.50, −0.07]) compared with inactive controls, whereas there was very low certainty of evidence that the Schroth technique is superior to Pilates for scoliosis (SMD = 0.98 [0.32, 1.65]). In adults, very low‐ to low‐certainty evidence has indicated that Pilates improves postural alignment of the shoulder angle (SMD = −0.78 [–1.23, −0.33]), scoliosis (SMD = −0.52 [–1.01, −0.04]) and lumbar lordosis (SMD = −0.40 [0.72, −0.08]) compared with inactive controls and improve the craniovertebral angle (SMD = −1.24 [–2.85, −0.38]) compared with stretching and strengthening exercises.

Conclusion

Pilates has some potential for improving postural misalignment of the thoracic and lumbar angles in children and adolescents. However, for other body segments, due to the low certainty of the evidence, further studies are needed.
Patient Reported Outcomes Due to Bladder Neck Obstruction in Women Treated With Botulinum Toxin A Injection
Authors: Bibicheff Darrel , Roberts Brittany Lee , Pettijohn Dyer , Rodriguez Priscilla , Walia Jessmehar , De Elise J. B.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Primary bladder neck obstruction (BNO) occurs when the bladder neck fails to open during voiding, causing urinary symptoms despite no anatomic obstruction. The cause of BNO is unclear but may involve neurogenic dysregulation related to the sympathic nervous system such as upper motor neuron lesion or peripheral autonomic neuropathy (small fiber neuropathy (SFN)). Another etiology can incuded increased sympathetic tone secondary to anxiety or stress conditons. Botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) to the bladder neck has been used in our practice to treat women with BNO who failed conventional therapies (alpha blockers, relaxation strategies). This is the first report of patient‐reported outcomes after BoNT‐A treatment in women with pelvic pain and BNO.

Materials and Methods

We included female patients with pelvic pain and BNO who received BoNT‐A to the bladder neck between January 2022 and March 2023, and mailed self‐reported outcome questionnaires. The primary outcome was the Global Response Assessment (GRA); secondary outcomes included pain scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and symptom checklists. BNO was diagnosed using Nitti Criteria (high bladder pressure, low flow in bladder neck on video urodynamics), supplemented by additional criteria (e.g., high voiding pressure, prolonged attempts, Valsalva effort, and cystoscopic evidence or symptoms related to BNO). Urodynamic studies followed International Continence Society standards. Additionally, due to BNO's association with SFN, patient history of biopsy‐confirmed SFN was recorded.

Results

Our inclusion criteria was satisfied among 18 patietns, with 17 completing the questionnaire. Out of those, 14 patients (77%) reported improvement on the GRA, with an average VAS of 8.3 (“Very Helpful”). The most commonly improved symptoms were feeling of incomplete emptying, difficulty starting stream, urethral burning, pain with urination, and pelvic pain. Postoperative symptom flares were reported in six patients for an average of 16 days. All six patients with biopsy‐confirmed SFN showed significant improvement (VAS 8.7). Total of 14 patients (77%) indicated they would repeat the procedure.

Conclusions

BoNT‐A to the bladder neck significantly improved pelvic pain and refractory hesitancy in women with bladder neck obstruction, especially in those with small fiber neuropathy. Symptom flares are common, but did not reduce interest in repeated treatments, and scheduling injections before symptom recurrence may mitigate these flares.
Xanthan Gum Production and Its Modifications to Obtain Novel Applications: A Review
Authors: Onofre‐Rentería Karen , Cabrera‐Munguía Denis Aidée , Cobos‐Puc Luis Enrique , Claudio‐Rizo Jesús Alejandro , Morales‐Oyervides Lourdes , Oyervides‐Muñoz Ernesto
Published: November 2024

Biopolymers are molecules widely used in many industries because they are biodegradable and have a natural origin. Therefore, they can be obtained from renewable resources and organisms such as animals, plants, or microorganisms. Among the best‐known biopolymers, xanthan gum is an anionic biopolymer composed of glucose, mannose, glucuronic acid, pyruvic acid, and acetyl groups. It can be obtained by fermentation with bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas, has good physicochemical properties, and it is biocompatible with human cells. However, it has disadvantages as it is very susceptible to microbial contamination. Therefore, various physical, chemical, or enzymatic modification methods have been developed to improve its physicochemical and biological properties. Modifications in the backbone of the xanthan gum chains have made it possible to create xanthan gum derivatives with new uses, such as drug delivery systems and improving absorption methods in the pharmaceutical industry to enhance the efficacy of several treatments or therapeutic processes, to promote cell proliferation for tissue engineering as biomedical applications when used in systems such as hydrogels or films. They are also used in food products, in cosmetics, to recover oil from water or ground, to treat wastewater, or granting soil with good conditions to promote plant and vegetables growth. Hence, it is important to know and develop new modification methods to improve and impart new properties to obtain novel applications of xanthan gum.
Experimental analysis on the microstructural, mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of graphene nanoplatelets and molybdenum disulfide filled polyamide‐6,6 novel hybrid composite
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Mishra Sujeet Kumar , Jayapalan Sudeepan
Published: November 2024

Novel hybrid composite based on polyamide‐6,6 (PA‐6,6) was developed with graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as hybrid fillers reinforcement using melt‐mixing and injection molding techniques. The structural, thermal, mechanical and tribological characteristics of the hybrid composite were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential calorimetry analysis (DSC), tensile test as well as the friction and wear test, respectively. Compared to pure PA‐6,6, the PA‐6,6/GnPs/MoS2 hybrid composites exhibited enhanced thermal stability. Notably, the composites demonstrated significant improvements in tensile modulus and strength, particularly at a 5 wt.% of hybrid filler loading, showing an increase of ~59% and ~21%, respectively. However, the impact strength exhibited an opposite effect on hybrid filler reinforcements. Furthermore, the fractured surface morphology was analyzed using FESEM images. Moreover, the tribological performance was assessed with a linear reciprocating tribological (LRT) test using ball‐on‐plate tribo‐pair at different abrading frequencies (5 and 25 Hz) and normal loads (10, 30 and 50 N), revealing significant improvements in friction coefficient (CoF) and specific wear rate (WSR) characteristics for the hybrid composite up to 5 wt.% of hybrid fillers addition, attributed to the abrasive and adhesive wear mechanism. The worn surface morphology was further investigated using the FESEM micrographs to better comprehend the wear mechanisms. Therefore, the optimal performance of the developed hybrid composite was observed at 5 wt.% of hybrid filler loadings. Therefore, the developed hybrid composites' excellent thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties could be suggested for their potential utilization in lightweight automotive applications.
Polytetrafluoroethylene composites with a novel combination of reinforcing filler and solid lubricant and study of their tribological and thermo‐mechanical properties for dynamic applications
Authors: Tiwari Shilpi , Bag Dibyendu S. , Mishra Shashank , Bajpai Nitin , Dwivedi Mayank
Published: November 2024

In the present work, the tribological as well as thermo‐mechanical properties of glass‐filled and carbon‐filled PTFE composites are investigated. Solid lubricants like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphite are also incorporated in such composites in order to achieve better friction and wear properties. When compared to virgin PTFE, both carbon‐filled PTFE and glass‐filled PTFE composites showed the lowest wear rate. Again, the specific wear rate of glass‐filled PTFE composite was lower as compared to carbon‐filled PTFE composite sample under all test speed. A novel combination of a reinforcing filler (glass fibers) and a solid lubricant (MoS2) incorporated PTFE composite sample [PTFE (90 wt%) + glass fibers (5 wt%) + MoS2(5 wt%)] exhibited the lowest wear rate of the order of 10−9 mm3/Nm which was reduced to around 100‐fold as compared to virgin PTFE under sliding speed of 6.28 m/s. The wear rate was reduced due to the reinforcement of fibers but fibers support the load preferentially, whereas MoS2 and graphite offers a good lubricating effect. The morphological, thermo‐physical and thermo‐mechanical characterization of such composite materials were also carried out using various techniques such as SEM, TGA, DSC, TMA, and DMTA. Such PTFE composites having very good thermo‐mechanical as well as tribological properties have potential to be used as seals, gears, bearings etc. in dynamic aerospace applications.

Highlights

This investigation relates to the PTFE composites to obtain good thermo‐mechanical as well as tribological properties

Incorporation of a novel combination of glass fibers and MoS2 exhibited lowest wear rate of the order of 10−9 mm3/Nm

The wear property was around 100‐fold lower as compared to virgin PTFE.

Such PTFE composites could be used as seals, gears, bearings etc. in dynamic aerospace applications.
Titanate coupling agent modified lead sulphide for the manufacture of highly filled flexible neoprene based radiation protection materials
Authors: Lu Yingchun , Li Yingjun , Li Yunpeng , Zeng Jun , Duan Hanwen , Zhu Chaoyi , Liu Hui pin , Zhou Yuanlin
Published: November 2024

Based on the principles of photon and matter attenuation, lead sulphide (PbS) has the potential for applications in radiation protection owed to its elevated atomic number and density. Achieving good dispersion stability of PbS powder in highly filled composites remains a challenge due to the inherent nature. Here, we proposed a solution to these issues for highly filled rubber‐based flexible wearable composites. PbS particles were firstly synthesized and subsequently surface‐modified with a titanate coupling agent (NDZ‐201) enhanced the interfacial compatibility with the rubber‐based. Then, highly filled PbS@NDZ‐201/chloroprene rubber (CR) composites were obtained by physical blending. Test results showed that these highly filled composites exhibited even distribution of PbS granule and favorable interface compatibility. All the prepared PbS@NDZ‐201/CR composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties. In comparison to pure CR, the mechanical properties of the 70 wt% filler‐modified powder composites remained at a high level, with a tensile strength of 7.51 MPa and an elongation at break of 670.11%, represented improvements of 155% and 105%, respectively. The mass attenuation coefficient and the γ‐rays shielding coefficients of 70 wt% PbS@NDZ‐201/CR composites reached 34.15% and 36.87%, respectively. In conclusion, this method is feasible for the preparation of highly filled radiation protective rubber‐based flexible wearable materials.

Highlights

Introduction of PbS in the field of radiation protection.

NDZ‐201 improved the interfacial compatibility of PbS with CR.

The mechanical properties of the composites were improved after modification by NDZ‐201.

Highly filled flexible wearable composites for radiation protection was successfully prepared.
Calcium hydroxyapatite powders functionalized with xanthan gum and pectin biopolymers: synthesis, characterization and adsorption efficiency toward methylene blue
Authors: Mabrouki Nabil , Agougui Hassen , Brahim Mariem , Jabli Mahjoub , Sonsudin Faridah , Boughzala Khaled
Published: November 2024

The precipitation technique was used to prepare calcium hydroxyapatite pectin (CaHAp‐Pec) and calcium hydroxyapatite xanthan (CaHAp‐Xan) hybrid materials. Chemical analysis, XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, specific surface area, TGA and SEM were used to analyze the materials and the organic–inorganic interfaces. XRD and SEM investigations demonstrated that the presence of the biopolymer had an impact on both the structural and morphological properties as well as the crystallinity. The PO43− vibration modes are visible in the IR spectra, and new vibration modes mostly associated with Xan and Pec are observed at 1594, 2878 and 3246 cm−1. The specific surface area values were reduced after the chemical functionalization of CaHAp with pectin and xanthan gum. The ability of the three materials CaHAp, CaHAp‐Pec and CaHAp‐Xan to sorb methylene blue from aqueous solutions was assessed. The adsorption kinetics results best fitted the pseudo‐second‐order model. The isotherm data agreed well with the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacity values of porous composites CaHAp‐Xan 5%, CaHAp‐Pec 10% and CaHAp reached 277, 243 and 144 mg g−1, respectively. The non‐spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption was demonstrated by the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0, ΔH0 and ΔS0). Adsorption results confirmed that CaHAp‐Xan could be used as an effective adsorbent of cationic dyes from water. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) in Early Childhood (0–2 Years) on Lung Growth and Development and Lifelong Trajectories of Pulmonary Health: A National Institutes of Health (NIH) Workshop Summary
Authors: Deshmukh Hitesh , Whitsett Jeffrey , Zacharias William , Way Sing Sing , Martinez Fernando D. , Mizgerd Joseph , Pryhuber Gloria , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Bacharier Leonard , Natarajan Aruna , Tamburro Robert , Lin Sara , Randolph Adrienne , Nino Gustavo , Mejias Asuncion , Ramilo Octavio ,   The NIH Workshop Participants of the ‘Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Infancy and Early Childhood‐Immunological and Developmental Aspects’
Published: November 2024

Viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are ubiquitous in early life. They are disproportionately severe in infants and toddlers (0–2 years), leading to more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the United States per year. The recent relative resilience to severe Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) observed in young children is surprising. These observations, taken together, underscore current knowledge gaps in the pathogenesis of viral lower respiratory tract diseases in young children and respiratory developmental immunology. Further, early‐life respiratory viral infections could have a lasting impact on lung development with potential life‐long pulmonary sequelae. Modern molecular methods, including high‐resolution spatial and single‐cell technologies, in concert with longitudinal observational studies beginning in the prenatal period and continuing into early childhood, promise to elucidate developmental pulmonary and immunophenotypes following early‐life viral infections and their impact on trajectories of future respiratory health. In November 2019, under the auspices of a multi‐disciplinary Workshop convened by the National Heart Lung Blood Institute and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, experts came together to highlight the challenges of respiratory viral infections, particularly in early childhood, and emphasize the knowledge gaps in immune, virological, developmental, and clinical factors that contribute to disease severity and long‐term pulmonary morbidity from viral LRTI in children. We hope that the scientific community will view these challenges in clinical care on pulmonary health trajectories and disease burden not as a window of susceptibility but as a window of opportunity.
Exposure–response modeling of liver fat imaging endpoints in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease populations administered ervogastat alone and co‐administered with clesacostat
Authors: Hughes Jim H. , Amin Neeta B. , Wojciechowski Jessica , Vourvahis Manoli
Published: November 2024

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis describe a collection of liver conditions characterized by the accumulation of liver fat. Despite biopsy being the reference standard for determining the severity of disease, non‐invasive measures such as magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) and FibroScan® controlled attenuation parameter (CAP™) can be used to understand longitudinal changes in steatosis. The aim of this work was to describe the exposure–response relationship of ervogastat with or without clesacostat on steatosis, through population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling of both liver fat measurements simultaneously. Population pharmacokinetic and exposure–response models using individual predictions of average concentrations were used to describe ervogastat/clesacostat PKPD. Due to both liver fat endpoints being continuous‐bounded outcomes on different scales, a dynamic transform‐both‐sides approach was used to link a common latent factor representing liver fat to each endpoint. Simultaneous modeling of both MRI‐PDFF and CAP™ was successful with both measurements being adequately described by the model. The clinical trial simulation was able to adequately predict the results of a recent Phase 2 study, where subjects given ervogastat/clesacostat 300/10 mg BID for 6 weeks had a LS means and model‐predicted median (95% confidence intervals) percent change from baseline MRI‐PDFF of −45.8% and −45.6% (−61.6% to −31.8%), respectively. Simultaneous modeling of both MRI‐PDFF and CAP™ was successful with both measurements being adequately described. By describing the underlying changes of steatosis with a latent variable, this model may be extended to describe biopsy results from future studies.