bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Minimalist Shoes on Plantar Intrinsic Foot Muscle Size
and Strength: A Systematic Review
Authors: Xu Jennifer , Saliba Susan A , Jaffri Abbis H 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMinimalist shoes are proposed to prevent injury and enhance performance by
strengthening intrinsic foot muscles, yet there is little consensus on the
effectiveness of minimalist shoes in increasing muscle strength or size. This
systematic review assesses using minimalist shoes as an intervention on changes
in plantar intrinsic foot muscle size and strength. PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, and
SPORT Discus were systematically searched for articles from January 2000 to
March 2022. Studies were included if they had an intervention of at least 2
weeks with a control group and examined the effect of minimalist shoes on
plantar intrinsic foot strength or size (either volume, cross-sectional area, or
thickness). Nine studies were included. There were significant increases and
percent changes in foot muscle strength, volume, cross-sectional area, and
thickness. Strength increased between 9–57%, and size increased
between 7.05–10.6%. Minimalist shoes may effectively increase
intrinsic foot muscle size and strength in healthy individuals, and they may
also be more convenient than implementing time-intensive physical therapy
programs. Future research is needed to explore using minimalist shoes as an
intervention in clinical populations who would benefit from increased IFM
strength and function. It will also be vital to improve upon IFM assessment
methods.
Postoperative Quality of Life in Patients with Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Abboud Tammam , Krolikowska-Fluori Magdalena , Melich Patrick , Rohde Veit , Schatlo Bawarjan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background Pyogenic spondylodiskitis affects a fragile patient population frequently fraught with severe comorbidities. Data on long-term outcomes, especially for patients undergoing surgery, are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term quality of life after surgical instrumentation.
Methods Data of 218 patients who were treated for spondylodiskitis at our institution between January 2008 and July 2017 were reviewed. In-hospital death and mortality rates at 1 year and follow-up were assessed. A survey was conducted using the following questionnaires: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form Work Ability Index (SF-WAI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). We investigated the correlation between the assessed variables and clinical data including patient age, comorbidity score at admission, number of operated levels, corpectomy, and length of hospital stay.
Results In-hospital mortality rate was 1.8% and 1-year mortality rate was 5.5%. At the final follow-up (mean 7 ± 6 years), the mortality rate was 45.4%. Seventy-four patients were lost to follow-up or refused to participate in the study. Forty-four patients responded to the survey and had a mean age of 73 years and mean follow-up of 7 ± 2 years. In the ODI questionnaire, disability grades were classified as minimal (23%), moderate (21%), severe (19%), complete (33%), and bed bound (4%). We found a significant correlation between inability to return to work and severe disability on ODI (p < 0.001), as well as a low score on any component of the SF-36 (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Despite low in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates, patients with surgically treated pyogenic spondylodiskitis are prone to long-term limitation in all domains of quality of life, especially in physical health and work ability.
The rise of ‘smart’ solutions in Africa: a review of the socio-environmental cost of the transportation and employment benefits of ride-hailing technology in Ghana
Authors: Boateng Festival Godwin , Appau Samuelson , Baako Kingsley Tetteh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGovernments in Africa are licensing major global ride-hailing firms to launch operations in the continent. This is often presented as a refreshing development for the continent to leverage technology to address its twin problems of inefficient urban transport and rising youth unemployment. Interviews with ride-hailing adopters (drivers, riders, and car owners) and researchers in Ghana suggest, however, that whereas the technology is driving up the standards of road transport experience, the benefits are accessible to a select few (largely, the younger, highly educated and relatively high income-earning class). The lopsided power relations underlying the ride-hailing industry have also meant that the economic opportunities it avails disproportionately benefit a few powerful players (e.g. ride-hailing firms and car owners) while stimulating‘turf wars’among online and traditional taxi drivers; deepening existing gender inequalities in access to income-earning opportunities in the commercial passenger transport sector; encouraging unhealthy driving practices, shifts from shared public transport, and inundation of the roads with more private cars. While it will be imprecise to say that the private gains of ride-hailing outstrip the public costs and, therefore, the technology is detrimental to Ghana’s development, the considered evidence raises the need for sustained scrutiny of the hailing of technological interventions as though they are the magic bullets for socio-economic transformation in Africa. Overall, the paper argues that dismantling the power structures underlying Africa’s urban challenges will require more than splashing‘smart’apps and other tech wizardries around. Indeed, the lessons from Ghana’s ride-hailing industry suggest that such exclusively technical solutions could easily take root and pattern after existing strictures of unjust power structures in ways that could exacerbate the social and environmental problems they are supposed to address.
What is wellbeing for rural South African women? Textual analysis of focus group discussion transcripts and implications for programme design and evaluation
Authors: Ferrari Giulia 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPolicy makers’ ultimate goal is to deliver the highest possible level of population welfare. Economists investigate the effect of socio-economic dimensions on wellbeing using unidimensional measures of life satisfaction or happiness as proxies for welfare. However, social psychologists have shown that wellbeing is a much broader construct and that an intervention may have opposite effects on its components. Unidimensional measures may hide these patterns. Most literature focuses on high-income countries. The growing evidence from low- and middle-income countries also largely relies on standard unidimensional measures. This study tests the validity of this reliance by exploring the wellbeing construct of South African women, quantitatively analysing textual data from focus group discussions to investigate whether unidimensional measures are appropriate in this context. It provides evidence against the indiscriminate use of unidimensional wellbeing measures. Cluster and correspondence analysis of the transcripts show that relevant domains of women’s wellbeing include relations with others, autonomy, and a perception of control over their environment (environmental mastery). Results also reveal that participants have a relational view of themselves, distinct from the individuated view predominant in the US and Europe and the collectivist view found in East Asia. Such relational self-perception modifies study participants’ wellbeing construct in ways that are important for policy implementation and evaluation. For example, women’s autonomy and environmental mastery rely on shared peer-identity to redefine rules and meet challenges. Wellbeing measures for policy evaluation would benefit from incorporating these insights to meaningfully measure progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ‘good health and wellbeing’ in South Africa and other contexts that exhibit similar concepts of wellbeing.
Ammonia: The molecule for establishing 14N and 15N absolute shielding scales and a source of information on nuclear magnetic moments
Authors: Makulski Włodzimierz , Aucar Juan J. , Aucar Gustavo A. 
Published: July 2022

Multinuclear Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) studies of the gaseous mixtures 3He/14NH3 and 3He/15NH3 are reported. Precise analysis of the 3He, 14N, 15N, and 1H resonance frequencies show a linear dependence on the gas density. Extrapolation of these results to the zero-pressure limit gives ν0(1H), ν0(14N), and ν0(15N) resonance frequencies of the isolated ammonia molecule at 300 K. The analogous value for 3He atoms in gaseous mixtures ν0(3He) was measured as well. The application of a new scheme to introduce the most important electronic effects on NMR shieldings, together with highly accurate quantum chemical shielding calculations, allows the 14/15N and 1H shielding of the isolated ammonia molecule to be obtained with the greatest accuracy and precision. For the first time, these studies were carried out on ammonia within the so-called four-component relativistic framework. The NMR frequency comparison method provides an approach for determining the 14N and 15N nuclear magnetic moments. The new shielding parameters in ammonia were used for re-evaluation of the entire nitrogen absolute shielding scale. Additionally, the absolute shielding values of several gaseous compounds and secondary reference substances in liquids were presented. It was established that 14N and 15N absolute shielding constants in 14NH3 and 15NH3 are very similar and only differ by less than 0.01 ppm, which is not usually measurable in NMR experiments. Precise calculations of 14N and 15N dipole moments were also made from these accurate shielding values.
Electron attachment to fluorodeoxyglucose: Dissociation dynamics in a molecule of near-zero electron affinity
Authors: Arthur-Baidoo Eugene , Ončák Milan , Denifl Stephan 
Published: July 2022

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a glucose derivative with fluorine at the C2 position. The molecule containing the radioactive F-18 isotope is well known from its application in positron emission tomography as a radiotracer in tumor examination. In the stable form with the F-19 isotope, FDG was proposed as a potential radiosensitizer. Since reduction processes may be relevant in radiosensitization, we investigated low-energy electron attachment to FDG with a crossed electron–molecule beam experiment and with quantum chemical calculations as well as molecular dynamics at elevated temperatures to reveal statistical dissociation. We experimentally find that the susceptibility of FDG to low-energy electrons is relatively low. The calculations indicate that upon attachment of an electron with a kinetic energy of ∼0 eV, only dipole-bound states are accessible, which agrees with the weak ion yields observed in the experiment. The temporary negative ions formed upon electron attachment to FDG may decay by a large variety of dissociation reactions. The major fragmentation channels include H2O, HF, and H2 dissociation, accompanied by ring opening.
An analgesic peptide H-20 attenuates chronic pain via the PD-1 pathway with few adverse effects
Authors: Zhao Long , Luo Hao , Ma Yu , Zhu Shengze , Wu Yongjiang , Lu Muxing , Yao Xiaojun , Liu Xin , Chen Gang 
Published: July 2022

The lack of effective and safe analgesics for chronic pain management has been a health problem associated with people's livelihoods for many years. Analgesic peptides have recently shown significant therapeutic potential, as they are devoid of opioid-related adverse effects. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is widely expressed in neurons. Activation of PD-1 by PD-L1 modulates neuronal excitability and evokes significant analgesic effects, making it a promising target for pain treatment. However, the research and development of small molecule analgesic peptides targeting PD-1 have not been reported. Here, we screened the peptide H-20 using high-throughput screening. The in vitro data demonstrated that H-20 binds to PD-1 with micromolar affinity, evokes Src homology 2 domain–containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) phosphorylation, and diminishes nociceptive signals in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Preemptive treatment with H-20 effectively attenuates perceived pain in naïve WT mice. Spinal H-20 administration displayed effective and longer-lasting analgesia in multiple preclinical pain models with a reduction in or absence of tolerance, abuse liability, constipation, itch, and motor coordination impairment. In summary, our findings reveal that H-20 is a promising candidate drug that ameliorates chronic pain in the clinic.
Circulating sestrins and force velocity profiling in older adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: González‐Martos Raquel , Aparicio‐Ugarriza Raquel , Alcazar Julian , Ramirez‐Castillejo Carmen , Reihmane Dace , Menéndez‐Rey Adrian , González‐Gross Marcela , Guadalupe‐Grau Amelia 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in old age affects the musculoskeletal system causing loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Stress‐inducible proteins named sestrins are potential novel biomarkers of muscle function due to their ability to suppress oxidative stress and prevent muscle degeneration. Our aim was to determine the association between different force‐velocity (F‐V) profiles with body composition, physical performance, and glucose control in older adults with T2DM. We also intended to determine the potential utility of sestrin 1 (Sesn1) and 2 (Sesn2) as biomarkers of physical functionality. Fifty‐nine participants (69–79 years) were classified in 3 groups according to their F‐V profile based on the leg press exercise: nondeficit (NDEF = 40.7%), force deficit (FDEF = 28.8%), and velocity deficit (VDEF = 30.5%). Both VDEF and FDEF groups showed lower muscle power than NDEF (Cohen's d 0.87 and 0.75 for effect size, respectively). Serum Sesn2 levels, maximal dynamic strength, arms and legs fat‐free mass were reduced in FDEF compared to the NDEF group (p < 0.05), whereas glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting glucose levels were similar among groups. ROC analysis revealed the distinction between the NDEF and FDEF group based on Sesn2 concentrations (<0.72 ng/mL), suggesting their potential use as functional biomarkers for early intervention through exercise. Older adults with T2DM show different F‐V profiles, related to low levels of Sesn2, impaired body composition and physical performance, and may be taken into consideration to target exercise training in this specific population.
Electromagnetic asymmetry, relegation of curvature singularities of charged black holes, and cosmological equations of state in view of the Born–Infeld theory
Authors: Yang Yisong 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
It is shown that the Born–Infeld nonlinear electrodynamics with a polynomial type nonlinearity accommodates finite-energy electric point charges but rejects finite-energy magnetic point charges, or monopoles, thereby spelling out an electromagnetic asymmetry. Moreover, it is demonstrated, in a systematic way, that the curvature singularities of finite-energy charged black holes in the context of the Born–Infeld theory may effectively be relegated or in some cases removed under a critical mass–energy condition, which has been employed successfully in earlier concrete studies. Furthermore, it is illustrated through numerous examples considered here that, when adapted to describe scalar-wave matters known as k-essences, the Born–Infeld formalism provides a fertile ground for cosmological applications, including achieving accelerated dark-energy expansions and acquiring adequate field-theoretical realizations of the equations of state of various cosmic fluid models.
Enhanced thermoelectric power factor led by isovalent substitution in Sr2CrMoO6 double perovskite
Authors: Saini Sudha , Saxena Mandvi , Bhattacharya Tathagata , Saha Abhirup , Maiti Tanmoy 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The strategy of using aliovalent substitution in A2B2O6 double perovskites remained the popular choice to enhance the charge carrier concentration in order to increase their electrical conductivity. In the present investigation, we have shown that the isovalent substitution in A-site can facilitate in manipulating the oxidation states of B-site transition metal cations in double perovskites, which in turn helps in increasing the carrier concentration. Further, using the strategy of manipulating valence states of B-site cations, we could enhance the thermoelectric (TE) power factor of double perovskites. Ceramic samples of Ba
x
Sr2−x
CrMoO6 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) double perovskites have been synthesized via solid-state reaction route. The phase constitution and morphological study have been carried out via x-ray diffraction (XRD) and field scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Rietveld refinement of XRD data confirms the polycrystalline cubic structure with Pm

3
ˉ

m space group. Negative values of Seebeck coefficient have been observed for these oxides in the temperature range from room temperature to 1100 K, confirming electrons as the majority charge carriers. The electrical conductivity of Sr2CrMoO6 double perovskite is found to be increased by more than an order of magnitude due to isovalent Ba2+ doping in place of Sr2+. As a result, 5 times enhancement of TE power factor has been attained in Ba
x
Sr2−x
CrMoO6. Charge transport mechanism of these double perovskites is found to be governed by the small polaron hopping conduction model. x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra validate the presence of multivalent cations of Mo5+, Mo6+, Cr3+, and Cr6+ in these double perovskites. Furthermore, the detailed defect chemistry analysis suggests that owing to Ba substitution, Cr is oxidized from Cr3+ to Cr6+ oxidation states, which enhances the electron concentration and reduces the low mobility oxygen vacancies leading to dramatically improved electrical conductivity.
Pseudogap in underdoped cuprate seen in longitudinal magnetoresistance
Authors: Malinowski Artur , Bezusyy Valeriy L , Nowicki Piotr 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
We report the results of in-plane magnetotransport study of slightly underdoped cuprate La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 (LSCO15) with Ni impurity. Increasing Ni content y causes a sharp drop in longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) in LSCO15 to broaden and move towards higher temperatures. Temperature

T

m
L
M
R

(
y
)

of this local maximum in LMR coincides with temperature

T

d
e
v

(
y
)

, below which ideal resistivity from the parallel-resistor model deviates from its T
2-dependence. A direct comparison with the hole doping evolution of pseudogap (PG) in La

2
−
x

Sr
x
CuO4 (LSCO), possible through the mobile-carrier concentration extracted from the thermopower measurements, allows to equate both characteristic temperatures

T

m
L
M
R

≅

T

d
e
v

with PG opening temperature

T

∗

. The rate of PG closing by magnetic field parallel to the CuO2 plane, in measurements up to 9 T, is consistent with spin-paramagnetic effect in this configuration and yields PG closing field B

pc
close to the second critical field

B

c
2

predicted for superconducting gap with the help of Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg theory. The field anisotropy of B

pc
suggests that orbital degrees of freedom also play a role in PG formation.
Ferroelectric control of band alignments and magnetic properties in the two-dimensional multiferroic VSe2/In2Se3
Authors: Hu Chen , Chen Ju , Du Erwei , Ju Weiwei , An Yipeng , Gong Shi-Jing 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Our first-principles evidence shows that the two-dimensional (2D) multiferroic VSe2/In2Se3 experiences continuous change of electronic structures, i.e. with the change of the ferroelectric (FE) polarization of In2Se3, the heterostructure can possess type-I, -II, and -III band alignments. When the FE polarization points from In2Se3 to VSe2, the heterostructure has a type-III band alignment, and the charge transfer from In2Se3 into VSe2 induces half-metallicity. With reversal of the FE polarization, the heterostructure enters the type-I band alignment, and the spin-polarized current is turned off. When the In2Se3 is depolarized, the heterostructure has a type-II band alignment. In addition, influence of the FE polarization on magnetism and magnetic anisotropy energy of VSe2 was also analyzed, through which we reveal the interfacial magnetoelectric coupling effects. Our investigation about VSe2/In2Se3 predicts its wide applications in the fields of both 2D spintronics and multiferroics.
Investigation of beam delivery time for synchrotron-based proton pencil beam scanning system with novel scanning mode
Authors: Liang Xiaoying , Liu Chunbo , Furutani Keith M , Shen Jiajian , Bues Martin , Dougherty Jingjing M , Li Heng , Parisi Alessio , Shrestha Deepak K , Yaddanpudi Sridhar , Beltran Chris 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Objective. To investigate synchrotron-based proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) beam delivery time (BDT) using novel continuous scanning mode. Approach. A BDT calculation model was developed for the Hitachi particle therapy system. The model was validated against the measured BDT of 36 representative clinical proton PBS plans with discrete spot scanning (DSS) in the current Hitachi proton therapy system. BDTs were calculated with the next generation using Mayo Clinic Florida system operating parameters for conventional DSS, and novel dose driven continuous scanning (DDCS). BDTs of DDCS with and without Break Spots were investigated. Main results. For DDCS without Break Spots, the use of Stop Ratio to control the transit dose largely reduced the beam intensity and consequently, severely prolonged the BDT. DDCS with Break Spots was able to maintain a sufficiently high beam intensity while controlling transit dose. In DDCS with Break Spots, tradeoffs were made between beam intensity and number of Break Spots. Therefore, BDT decreased with increased beam intensity but reached a plateau for beam intensity larger than 10 MU s−1. Averaging over all clinical plans, BDT was reduced by 10% for DDCS with Break Spots compared to DSS. Significance. DDCS with Break Spots reduced BDT. DDCS has the potential to further reduce BDT under the ideal scenario which requests both stable beam intensity extraction and accurately modelling the transit dose. Further investigation is warranted.
Self-organized patterns at the plasma–liquid anode interface in a helium glow discharge: temporal development and mechanisms
Authors: Srivastava Tanubhav , Simeni Marien Simeni , Nayak Gaurav , Bruggeman Peter J 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Self-organization at the plasma–liquid anode interface is a commonly observed phenomenon for atmospheric pressure glow plasmas, resulting in patterns with distinctive shapes such as circular ring, star-shaped, and gear-like structures, depending primarily on the discharge current and solution conductivity. Recent studies have shown that the electrode gap distance, solute used for liquid anode solution, and gas composition can also significantly impact pattern formation. Nonetheless, an overarching model or explanation of the key underlying mechanisms consistent with all experimentally observed trends is not yet reported. We propose a key underlying mechanism enabling pattern formation motivated by a detailed parametric study of pattern formation complemented by the temporal development of patterns and consistent with all observed trends. Pattern formation was observed to be on a time scale of 100 μs, similar to the time scales of gas heating and evaporation. It was found that a minimum water evaporation rate of (3.5 ± 0.5) × 10−6 kg s−1 and reduced electric field in the positive column of 16.6 ± 0.4 Td is required for pattern formation in the investigated cases irrespective of solution conductivity and gas composition for NaCl solutions. Nonetheless, the presence of cations for which the corresponding metal atom has a low ionization energy was identified as a necessary condition for pattern formation. The reported results suggest that the presence of a small amount of metal atoms in the gas phase with low ionization energy enhances the overall ionization rate in the near anode region which triggers pattern formation.