bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pseudo‐embryology and personhood: How embryological pseudoscience helps structure the American abortion debate
Authors: Gilbert Scott F. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThere is a pseudo‐embryology flourishing today, well nourished by popular science, religious ideologies, and the public media. Just as eugenics was a pseudoscience that influenced (and still influences) American popular culture and which was responsible for racist anti‐immigration laws (such as the Immigration Restriction Act of 1924), pseudo‐embryology is also influencing popular culture and legislation. This new pseudoscience promotes the belief that science supports current zygotic and fetal personhood movements as well as anti‐abortion legislation. However, what often passes for science are actually ideological myths, often grounded in and supporting male superiority. Indeed, the first myth of pseudo‐embryology is that fertilization is a masculine act that can be viewed as a classical hero narrative. The second myth is that fertilization is ensoulment, allowing it to displace the feminine act of birth as to when life begins. Here, DNA is seen to play the secular analogue of soul. The third myth is that the fetus in the womb is an independent autonomous entity and that birth merely moves the fetus from the womb to the outside world. This expresses the "seed‐in‐the‐soil" myth that was also prevalent in ancient cultures. In this manner, masculine stories of fertilization are valorized while feminine narratives of birth are suppressed. So when public narratives discuss what "science" says about when human life begins, we are not really discussing science. Rather, we are allowing our discussions to fall back into tenacious ancient misogynist myths that have nothing to do with the conclusions of modern developmental biology.Key points
There is no consensus among biologists as to when personhood begins.
Different biologists have proposed that personhood begins at such events as fertilization, gastrulation, the acquisition of an EEG pattern, and birth. Other scientists claim that the acquisition of personhood is gradual or that the question of personhood is not a biological one.
The “science” debated in public discussions is not the set of conclusions based on biological research. Political discussions of reproduction are often based on false culturally‐based stories.
Fertilization is falsely perceived as a race of sperm through a passive female, emphasizing male performance rather than interactions and mutual gamete maturation.
The genome is falsely depicted as one's soul, promoting the idea that fertilization is ensoulment. Genetic determinism is often assumed, and plasticity ignored.
The fetus is falsely depicted as a seed in nutritive soil, autonomous from the mother. The joint nature of maternal and fetal physiologies and anatomies are marginalized.
The false narratives combine to form a “pseudo‐embryology” that influences our thoughts and laws.
Weight changes during the COVID‐19 shutdown in older individuals with type 2 diabetes: the Look AHEAD Study
Authors: Wing Rena R. , Howard Marjorie J. , Olson KayLoni L. , Unick Jessica L. , Chao Ariana M. , Wadden Thomas A. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of this study were as follows: 1) examine weight changes in older adults (mean age = 76 years) with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity during the COVID‐19 shutdown; and 2) compare the behavioral and psychosocial effects of the shutdown in those who had large weight losses (>5%), those who had small weight losses (2%‐5%), those who remained weight stable (±2%), or those who gained weight (>2%).MethodsLook AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) participants (N = 2544) were surveyed during the COVID‐19 shutdown (2020), and they self‐reported their current weight, reasons for weight change, weight‐related behaviors, psychosocial measures, and negative and positive effects of the pandemic on their lives.ResultsComparing self‐reported weight during the COVID‐19 shutdown with earlier measured weight, Look AHEAD participants lost, on average, 2.2 kg during the COVID‐19 shutdown: 47% lost >2%, and only 18% gained >2% (p < 0.0001). Decreases in physical activity and increases in screen time were reported frequently in all weight‐change categories. Similarly, there were few differences among the categories on standardized psychosocial measures or self‐reported effects of the shutdown on participants' lives. However, when differences were seen, the most negative impact was in those who gained weight.ConclusionsAlthough weight loss appeared more common than weight gain during the shutdown, the weight‐change groups did not differ on most psychosocial and behavioral variables.
Additive manufacturing of polypropylene micro and nano composites through fused filament fabrication for automotive repair applications
Authors: Jahromi Fareed Tamaddoni , Nikzad Mostafa , Prasad Krishnamurthy , Norén Johan , Isaksson Mats , Arian Alaleh , Sbarski Igor 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe emerging Additive manufacturing technologies are being adopted by different industries, which require developing new materials and procedures. Here we report the development of polypropylene (PP) based composite materials for fused filament fabrication (FFF) process with the aim of enabling fully automatic robotic repair application of plastic components in automotive industry. A key challenge in repair and joining of polyolefins, which are widely used in such applications, is understanding the interplay of microstructural features and the joining mechanisms employed to achieve a uniform and fully functional repaired components. Specifically, for components manufactured from polypropylene based material, we show that the addition of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyisobutylene (PIB) and carbon black (CB) successfully modifies its matrix and produces a composite material ideal for additively repairing of complex geometries found in the automotive applications. This was brought about by effective reduction of the crystallinity of the composite PP matrix from 46.2% to 34.4% and resulting in a net reduction in warpage of the FFF 3D printed samples. Further, the thermal stability of the developed composite was improved with the addition of a moderate amount of carbon filler, enabling an FFF process with higher hot‐end temperatures, which subsequently allowed for tuning of the raw material's viscosity, and hence ensuring consistent deposition of molten filaments for building successive layers. Mechanical properties' analysis revealed that the addition of 10 wt.% CB increased the true stiffness (storage modulus) by 20%, the impact strength by 62%, with the drop in ultimate tensile strength of 11%. The optimal elongation at break and toughness were achieved for the samples containing 2 wt.% CB increasing these key properties by 62% and 58%, respectively. In terms of the melt flow index (MFI), as a key rheological indicator, the measured value ranged between 12.5 and 19.0 for all compositions suitable for the FFF process. Morphological analysis of the extruded filaments and fracture surface of impact test samples showed a mesoscale interspersion of polymer phases and a proper filler dispersion in the matrix material with sizes ranging from hundreds of nanometers to hundreds of microns. The developed 3D‐printable PP composite filament was successfully used in a robotic cell to repair broken plastic lugs of a car headlight assembly.
Exploring and validating the metastasis mechanism of pathenolide interfering with cutaneous melanoma through ER stress‐dependent apoptosis based on the network pharmacology
Authors: Liu Li‐ping , Liu Ning , Zhang Han‐ni , Li Ding 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the mechanism of parthenolide in inhibiting melanoma metastasis through network pharmacology and cell experiment.Materials and MethodsThis research obtained the targets of the drug from the HERB database and PubChem database, the differential expression gene of metastatic cutaneous melanoma was obtained by differentially expression gene analysis of four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The intersection of drug targets and differentially expression genes were considered to be related to drugs that inhibit metastasis of cutaneous melanoma. The STRING database was used to construct the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and cytohubba package in Cytoscape software was used to rank the PPI network targets. The enrichment analysis was used to screen out the relevance Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and gene ontology to explain the underlying mechanism of drug inhibiting the cutaneous melanoma metastatic; cell viability, apoptosis, cell migration and protein levels were assessed using cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay, Annexin V‐FITC/PI assay, wound healing assay, respectively. Finally, combining pathway maps and literature, we detected ATF4 and proteins upstream and downstream of ATF4 through Western blot.ResultsA total of 87 targets were screened out from the drug databases, and a total of 1635 differentially expression genes was obtained from the differentially expression genes analysis of GEO datasets, a total of nine targets (VEGFA, ANXA5, ICAM1, SELE, NFKBIA, ATF4, CTNNB1, SELP and HPGDS) were considered to be related to drugs that inhibit metastasis of cutaneous melanoma. The result of enrichment analysis showed that the drug inhibits the metastatic of cutaneous melanoma through multiple pathways such as TNF signalling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis and fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, relevance multiple biological processes, cellular components and molecular function; cell experiments showed that parthenolide could inhibit tumour cell migration and induce a decrease of cell viability. Flow cytometry results showed that parthenolide induced tumour cell apoptosis. Western blot results suggested that parthenolide exerted therapeutic effects by regulating ATF4 protein and its upstream and downstream proteins, namely endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signalling pathway.ConclusionParthenolide induces ER stress‐dependent apoptosis in melanoma cells.
In‐depth analysis of the Sirtuin 5‐regulated mouse brain malonylome and succinylome using library‐free data‐independent acquisitions
Authors: Bons Joanna , Rose Jacob , Zhang Ran , Burton Jordan B , Carrico Christopher , Verdin Eric , Schilling Birgit 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPost‐translational modifications (PTMs) dynamically regulate proteins and biological pathways, typically through the combined effects of multiple PTMs. Lysine residues are targeted for various PTMs, including malonylation and succinylation. However, PTMs offer specific challenges to mass spectrometry‐based proteomics during data acquisition and processing. Thus, novel and innovative workflows using data‐independent acquisition (DIA) ensure confident PTM identification, precise site localization, and accurate and robust label‐free quantification. In this study, we present a powerful approach that combines antibody‐based enrichment with comprehensive DIA acquisitions and spectral library‐free data processing using directDIA (Spectronaut). Identical DIA data can be used to generate spectral libraries and comprehensively identify and quantify PTMs, reducing the amount of enriched sample and acquisition time needed, while offering a fully automated workflow. We analyzed brains from wild‐type and Sirtuin 5 (SIRT5)‐knock‐out mice, and discovered and quantified 466 malonylated and 2211 succinylated peptides. SIRT5 regulation remodeled the acylomes by targeting 164 malonylated and 578 succinylated sites. Affected pathways included carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, synaptic vesicle cycle, and neurodegenerative diseases. We found 48 common SIRT5‐regulated malonylation and succinylation sites, suggesting potential PTM crosstalk. This innovative and efficient workflow offers deeper insights into the mouse brain lysine malonylome and succinylome.
Impact of molecular weight on the solubility parameters of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)
Authors: Spann Rashawn , Boucher David 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe solubilities of three P3HT samples of similar regioregularity (rr ≈ 96%) but varying molecular weight (Mn = 14 kDa, 32 kDa, and 49 kDa) are measured in 23 organic solvents. The solubility data is used to calculate the partial solubility parameters (δD, δP, δH) using the functional solubility parameter (FSP) method. The results reveal a monotonic decrease in the polar and hydrogen‐bonding parameters, δP and δH, respectively, with increasing molecular weight of the polymer. The observed trends are consistent with recent experimental and computational results and are rationalized in terms of increasing torsional and conformational disorder of higher molecular weight P3HT following dissolution in solvents of decreasing P3HT solubility. The results indicate that the structural attributes of the P3HT chains in the solutions impact the nature and strength of the polymer‐solvent interactions, and that these structural effects are registered by the observed solubility parameters.
TEMAS: A Flexible Non‐AI Algorithm for Metrology of Single‐Core and Core‐Shell Nanoparticles from TEM Images
Authors: Noval Jorge J. Sáenz , Gómez‐Merchán Rubén , Leñero‐Bardallo Juan A. , Gontard Lionel C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAn essential application of electron microscopy is to provide feedback to tune the fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs). Real samples tend to follow a size distribution commonly linked to the synthesis process used and in turn to their functional properties. This study presents an algorithm for measuring particle size distributions in electron microscopy images. State‐of‐the‐art methods based on Artificial Intelligence (e.g., Deep Learning) require extensive datasets of labeled images similar to those expected to be analyzed, and extensive supervised re‐training is often required for cross‐domain application. In contrast, the non‐AI algorithm described in this study is accurate and can be quickly set up for measuring new experimental images in different domains. The accuracy of the method is validated quantitatively and comparing graphical and descriptive statistics. Different size distributions are measured on images of platinum and gold nanocatalysts supported on carbon black, amorphous carbon, and titanium dioxide crystals. Also, images of platinum‐iron core‐shell NPs supported on thin amorphous carbon film are successfully analyzed. The limitation of evaluating different algorithms for NPs metrology is the lack of standards that different researchers can use as ground truth. In order to overcome this limitation, the images and the ground truth measurements presented here are shared as an open dataset.
Evaluation of AlphaFold2 structures as docking targets
Authors: Holcomb Matthew , Chang Ya‐Ting , Goodsell David S. , Forli Stefano 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAlphaFold2 is a promising new tool for researchers to predict protein structures and generate high‐quality models, with low backbone and global root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) when compared with experimental structures. However, it is unclear if the structures predicted by AlphaFold2 will be valuable targets of docking. To address this question, we redocked ligands in the PDBbind datasets against the experimental co‐crystallized receptor structures and against the AlphaFold2 structures using AutoDock‐GPU. We find that the quality measure provided during structure prediction is not a good predictor of docking performance, despite accurately reflecting the quality of the alpha carbon alignment with experimental structures. Removing low‐confidence regions of the predicted structure and making side chains flexible improves the docking outcomes. Overall, despite high‐quality prediction of backbone conformation, fine structural details limit the naive application of AlphaFold2 models as docking targets.
New technologies and machines for stereotactic radiation therapy
Authors: Wang Brian , Yang Jun 
Published: December 2022

AbstractStereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy have been increasingly utilized in radiation oncology to treat early stage tumors, metastatic targets, and retreatment of relapsed diseases due to their efficiency, treatment effect, and cost effectiveness over the past two decades. Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy both demand high specifications for their delivery machines, as they deliver radiation doses with fewer treatment fractions and higher doses per fraction. Manufacturers have either invented specialized technologies solely or customized their existing machines for this purpose. In this paper, we review the major technologies and treatment machines for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy, describe their main features, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Effect of bridged spacers and auxiliary acceptors on Dye Sensitized Solar Cell sensitizers: A density functional theory‐based investigation
Authors: Shukla Vandana Kumari , Sharma Suryapratap J. , Sekar Nagaiyan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFour donor‐pi‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) type sensitizers containing coumarin as the donor unit and cyanoacrylic acid as the acceptor unit are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent‐DFT methods. The effect of introducing auxiliary acceptor like benzothiadiazole and spacer bridge like 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is analyzed. The EDOT bridge leads to increase in band gap whereas the introduction of benzothiadiazole lessens the band gap. The frontier molecular orbital diagram also shows an efficient intramolecular charge transfer for non‐EDOT based sensitizers. For benzothiadiazole‐based sensitizers, the electrophilicity index was higher and hyperhardness was lower in the estimated reactivity descriptors. The experimentally determined light harvesting efficiency (LHE) of the sensitizers is correlated with the calculated global descriptors. A direct relation of LHE is obtained with electrophilicity index and an inverse relation for hyperhardness. A reverse trend is seen on comparing these descriptors with the band gap of the sensitizers. The computed non‐linear optical (NLO) characteristics show that the benzothiadiazole acceptor increases NLO response, while EDOT‐based sensitizers show a reduced NLO response. The NLO properties also give a direct relation with the LHE and electrophilicity index. The hyperpolarizability exhibits an inverse relation with the transition energy which is in accordance with the Ouder's model.
Adapting an elemental analyser to perform high‐temperature catalytic oxidation for dissolved organic carbon measurements in water
Authors: Carvalho Matheus C. 
Published: December 2022

RationaleMany laboratories employ elemental analyzers (EAs) coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMSs) to measure carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13C) in solid samples. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in most natural water samples cannot be analyzed using this approach unless time‐consuming preconcentration is employed.MethodsAn EA‐IRMS can be used to measure DOC δ13C in natural waters without the need for sample preconcentration by employing high‐temperature catalytic oxidation. An autosampler injects water into the EA reactor at 680°C filled with platinum catalyst beads, where all carbon is converted to CO2. Remaining water and halides are removed, while CO2 is trapped in a cryotrap and later released to the IRMS.ResultsMeasurements were accurate (deviation <0.3‰ compared to solid sample measurements) and precise (error of 0.3‰ for concentrations ≥46 μM). Blanks were present and accounted for. Salinity up to seawater level did not affect accuracy or precision, but limited the number of samples that could be run before cleaning of the reactor was needed. DOC δ13C in a river/estuary varied between −25.7 and −23.2‰, with higher values for waters with higher salinity, as expected. Deep‐sea water reference material had a value of −22.9 ± 0.5‰, very similar to those found in recent reports employing similar techniques.ConclusionAdapting an EA is a feasible approach for the measurement of DOC δ13C in natural waters. The low cost and simplicity of the system allow its use in any laboratory already equipped with EA‐IRMS.
Interface Engineering in 2D/2D Heterogeneous Photocatalysts
Authors: Yu Huijun , Dai Meng , Zhang Jing , Chen Wenhan , Jin Qiu , Wang Shuguang , He Zuoli 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAssembling different 2D nanomaterials into heterostructures with strong interfacial interactions presents a promising approach for novel artificial photocatalytic materials. Chemically implementing the 2D nanomaterials’ construction/stacking modes to regulate different interfaces can extend their functionalities and achieve good performance. Herein, based on different fundamental principles and photochemical processes, multiple construction modes (e.g., face‐to‐face, edge‐to‐face, interface‐to‐face, edge‐to‐edge) are overviewed systematically with emphasis on the relationships between their interfacial characteristics (e.g., point, linear, planar), synthetic strategies (e.g., in situ growth, ex situ assembly), and enhanced applications to achieve precise regulation. Meanwhile, recent efforts for enhancing photocatalytic performances of 2D/2D heterostructures are summarized from the critical factors of enhancing visible light absorption, accelerating charge transfer/separation, and introducing novel active sites. Notably, the crucial roles of surface defects, cocatalysts, and surface modification for photocatalytic performance optimization of 2D/2D heterostructures are also discussed based on the synergistic effect of optimization engineering and heterogeneous interfaces. Finally, perspectives and challenges are proposed to emphasize future opportunities for expanding 2D/2D heterostructures for photocatalysis.
Impacts of publicly funded health insurance for adults on children's academic achievement
Authors: Bullinger Lindsey Rose , Gopalan Maithreyi , Lombardi Caitlin McPherran 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPublicly funded adult health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had positive effects on low‐income adults. We examine whether the ACA's Medicaid expansions influenced child development and family functioning in low‐income households. We use a difference‐in‐differences framework that exploits cross‐state policy variation and focus on children in low‐income families from a nationally representative, longitudinal sample followed from kindergarten to fifth grade. The ACA Medicaid expansions improved children's reading test scores by ~2% (0.04 SD). Potential mechanisms for these effects within families are more time spent reading at home, less parental help with homework, and eating dinner together. We find no effects for children's math test scores or socioemotional skill development.