Effect of pulse-current-based protocols on the lithium dendrite formation and evolution in all-solid-state batteries.

Understanding the cause of lithium dendrites formation and propagation is essential for developing practical all-solid-state batteries. Li dendrites are associated with mechanical stress accumulation and can cause cell failure at current densities below the threshold suggested by industry research (i.e., >5 mA/cm2). Here, we apply a MHz-pulse-current protocol to circumvent low-current cell failure for developing all-solid-state Li metal cells operating up to a current density of 6.5 mA/cm2. Additionally, we propose a mechanistic analysis of the experimental results to prove that lithium activity near solid-state electrolyte defect tips is critical for reliable cell cycling. It is demonstrated that when lithium is geometrically constrained and local current plating rates exceed the exchange current density, the electrolyte region close to the defect releases the accumulated elastic energy favouring fracturing. As the build-up of this critical activity requires a certain period, applying current pulses of shorter duration can thus improve the cycling performance of all-solid-solid-state lithium batteries.

Participation effects of workplace promoting activities on healthy eating behavior.

Objective: The study intends to examine the effect of participating healthy eating related games or activities in workplace on changes of employee's self-reported behavioral stage for adopting healthy eating. Study design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: A multi-strategic intervention for 8-month was designed and implemented in a main staff canteen area within a non-profit academic organization. The initial event included exhibition of custom-made dining plates filled with correct portions of food models for three caloric levels and provision of user-friendly online resources, which were followed by three promotion activities (long-term exhibition of my balanced plates, matching games for six food groups, and do-it-yourself healthy plate) in the 8 months. Results: A total of 86 adult participants (males = 37, female = 49) who had completed pre- and post-surveys were included in the analysis. Participants who participated all three promotion activities presented greater advancement in stage of healthy eating behaviors (HEB) than those who did not participate any activity (ß= 1.118, 95% CI = 0.428-1.808, P = 0.001 among male participants; ß = 0.740, 95% CI = 0.145-1.336, P = 0.015 among all participants). Adjustment has been made for significantly-associated covariates including types of promotion activities, initial-HEB and gender. Conclusions: A multi-strategic intervention providing balanced food plates and online resources followed by consecutive promotion activities are effective in advancing HEB for the workplace adults. Differential impacts of promotion activities and gender should also be considered for designing workplace interventions.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia: survey of severity assessment methods in routine clinical practice and validation of the International Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Cooperative Group measurement guidance.

BACKGROUND: The lack of validated and responsive outcome measures in the management of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) significantly limits assessment of disease progression and treatment response over time. AIM: To understand how FFA extent and progression is currently assessed in UK specialist centres, to validate components of the International FFA Cooperative Group (IFFACG) statement on FFA assessment, and to identify pragmatic advice to improve FFA management in clinic. METHODS: Consultant dermatologists with a specialist interest in hair loss (n = 17) were invited to take part. Preferred FFA assessment methods were explored using questionnaires and clinical scenarios. Participants were asked to identify and mark the current hairline in 10 frontal and 10 temporal hairline images (Questionnaire 1), with assessment repeated 3 months later to assess intraindividual variability (Questionnaire 2) and 12 months later to test whether interindividual accuracy could be improved with simple instruction (Questionnaire 3). RESULTS: All 17 clinicians (100%) completed the questionnaire at each time interval. We identified a wide variation in assessment techniques used by our experts. Measurements were perceived as the most accurate method of assessing frontal recession whereas photography was preferred for temporal recession. Inter-rater reliability between clinicians measuring the frontal hairline scenarios indicated a moderate strength of agreement [intraclass coefficient (ICC) = 0.61; 95% CI 0.40-0.85], yet intrarater reliability was found to be poor with wide limits of agreement (-8.71 mm to 9.92 mm) on follow-up. Importantly, when clear guidance was provided on how the hairline should be identified (Questionnaire 3), inter-rater reliability improved significantly, with ICC = 0.70, suggesting moderate agreement (95% CI 0.51-0.89; P < 0.001). A similar pattern was seen with temporal hairline measurements, which again improved in accuracy with instruction. CONCLUSION: We found that accuracy of measurements in FFA can be improved with simple instruction and we have validated components of the IFFACG measurement recommendations.

Social factors tend to decline age-standardized all-cause mortality rates in China during 2005-2015: evidence from an ecological study.

OBJECTIVES: It is important to understand the factors that can substantially decrease mortality rates, as multiple strategies have been implemented to improve economic development and national health in China. We aimed to describe the geographic variations and changes in the all-cause mortality rates in 2005-2015 and to investigate the social factors that tend to decline age-standardized all-cause mortality rates. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study. METHODS: The data used came from China's National Census Survey in 2005, 2010 and 2015 and China National Statistical Yearbooks. We conducted provincial-level thematic mapping of age-standardized all-cause mortality rate trajectory groups in 2005-2015 by using ArcGIS. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to clarify the social factors that may have long-term relevance to declining age-standardized all-cause mortality rates. We compared the characteristics of the three provinces with the lowest mortality rates and the three provinces with the highest mortality rates to further understand the health disparities. RESULTS: The age-standardized mortality rates declined from 2000 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2019. Provinces in the low-trajectory tended to be located in the Northeast and Southeast China. The GEE results revealed that the greater the proportion of the population with senior high school education or above, the more families with flushing or pumping toilets that are not shared with other households, the more nurses per 1000 people and a stable economic growth rate were inclined to low age-standardized all-cause mortality rates (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Health disparities between different regions were still in existence even in 2015. Thus, it is critical to improve equality in economic and educational development, the distribution of healthcare professionals, and sanitation facilities, to ensure the equality of opportunities in terms of healthy lives and well-being for all. Furthermore, for developing countries, the improvement of national health urgently needs to prevent the health risks relevant to rapid industrialization and urbanization.

Endodontic considerations of survival rate for autotransplanted third molars: a nationwide population-based study.

AIM: To investigate whether the timing of root canal treatment (primary aim) or other endodontic parameters (secondary aim) is associated with the survival probability of autotransplanted third molars, using a nationwide population-based database. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1811 third molars autotransplanted between 2000 and 2013 met the inclusion criteria and were followed until the end of 2016. The teeth were classified into three groups on the basis of timing between root canal treatment and the autotransplantation: preoperative, extraoral and postoperative treatment groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between the timing of root canal treatment and the risk of tooth extraction after autotransplantation. RESULTS: Of the 1811 autotransplanted third molars, 462 were extracted, yielding a 17-year survival probability of 0.578. The survival probability of autotransplanted teeth that received postoperative root fillings after 17 years was 0.583, which was significantly higher than the 0.434 and 0.566 for teeth that received preoperative and extraoral root fillings, respectively (P = 0.0013). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, teeth that received postoperative root fillings were associated with a significantly lower tooth extraction hazard ratio (HR) compared with those that received extraoral root fillings (adjusted HR, 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.78) and those that received preoperative root fillings (adjusted HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.19-3.82). Furthermore, the use of a rubber dam during postoperative root filling was associated with a significantly lower extraction rate after autotransplantation (adjusted HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.43-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative root canal treatment resulted in a significantly lower extraction rate than did preoperative or extraoral root canal treatment amongst autotransplanted third molars during a mean follow-up period of 8.33 years. Rubber dam use is recommended during postoperative root canal treatment to improve the outcomes of autotransplantation.

Need for public health policies in the elderly population: indicators of aging in a Social Security Institute in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: An integral diagnosis of population contemplates within its components the population demographic analysis that is indispensable in the formulation of public policies. Population policy has a clearly transversal nature, since all actions in the economic, social, political, cultural, geographical, and obviously, demographic fields, have direct or indirect repercussions on it. OBJECTIVES: To determine the population dynamics and the global growth of the older adult population (OAP) of 60 years and more. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. The information was obtained from the statistical yearbooks of the institute of security and social services of state workers, Mexico (1999-2015). Several demographic ageing indicators were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a constant increase in percentage points in the proportion of OAP, index of ageing, demographic dependency ratio of old age, global index of dependence, index of dependence of old people, and index of the active population structure (6, 19.2, 15.5, 8.5, 8.2 and 31.2%, respectively). The indicator global index of dependence and masculinity showed a decrease (0.6 and 3.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that suggests modifying and generating public policies according to OAP.

DNA Damage Activates TGF-ß Signaling via ATM-c-Cbl-Mediated Stabilization of the Type II Receptor TßRII.

Activation of both the DNA damage response (DDR) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signaling induces growth arrest of most cell types. However, it is unclear whether the DDR activates TGF-ß signaling that in turn contributes to cell growth arrest. Here, we show that in response to DNA damage, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) stabilizes the TGF-ß type II receptor (TßRII) and thus enhancement of TGF-ß signaling. Mechanistically, ATM phosphorylates and stabilizes c-Cbl, which promotes TßRII neddylation and prevents its ubiquitination-dependent degradation. Consistently, DNA damage enhances the interaction among ATM, c-Cbl, and TßRII. The ATM-c-Cbl-TßRII axis plays a pivotal role in intestinal regeneration after X-ray-induced DNA damage in mouse models. Therefore, ATM not only mediates the canonical DDR pathway but also activates TGF-ß signaling by stabilizing TßRII. The double brake system ensures full cell-cycle arrest, allowing efficient DNA damage repair and avoiding passage of the damaged genome to the daughter cells.

[Necesidad de políticas de salud pública en población adulta mayor: indicadores de envejecimiento en un Instituto de Seguridad Social en México].

INTRODUCTION: An integral diagnosis of population contemplates within its components the population demographic analysis that is indispensable in the formulation of public policies. Population policy has a clearly transversal nature, since all actions in the economic, social, political, cultural, geographical, and obviously, demographic fields, have direct or indirect repercussions on it. OBJECTIVES: To determine the population dynamics and the global growth of the older adult population (OAP) of 60 years and more. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. The information was obtained from the statistical yearbooks of the institute of security and social services of state workers, Mexico (1999-2015). Several demographic ageing indicators were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a constant increase in percentage points in the proportion of OAP, index of ageing, demographic dependency ratio of old age, global index of dependence, index of dependence of old people, and index of the active population structure (6, 19.2, 15.5, 8.5, 8.2 and 31.2%, respectively). The indicator global index of dependence and masculinity showed a decrease (0.6 and 3.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that suggests modifying and generating public policies according to OAP.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Un diagnóstico integral de población contempla dentro de sus componentes el análisis demográfico poblacional, que es indispensable en la formulación de las políticas públicas. La política de población tiene una naturaleza claramente transversal, pues todas las acciones en los ámbitos económico, social, político, cultural, geográfico, y obviamente, el demográfico, repercuten de una manera directa o indirecta en ella. OBJETIVOS: Determinar la dinámica poblacional y el crecimiento global de la población adulta mayor (PAM) de 60 años y más. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo. La información se obtuvo de los anuarios estadísticos institucionales del Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México (de 1999-2015). Se analizaron varios indicadores demográficos de envejecimientoDE). RESULTADOS: Se observó un incremento constante en puntos porcentuales en la proporción de PAM, el índice de envejecimiento, la razón de dependencia demográfica de la vejez, índice global de dependencia, índice dependencia de viejos e índice de estructura de la población activa (6, 19.2, 15.5, 8.5, 8.2 y 31.2%, respectivamente). El indicador global de ancianidad y el índice de masculinidad mostraron una disminución (0.6 y 3.1%, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros datos aportan evidencia que sugiere modificar y generar políticas públicas acordes a la PAM.

Necesidad de políticas de salud pública en población adulta mayor: indicadores de envejecimiento en un Instituto de Seguridad Social en México / Need for public health policies in the elderly population: indicators of aging in a Social Security Institute in Mexico

Resumen Introducción: Un diagnóstico integral de población contempla dentro de sus componentes el análisis demográfico poblacional, que es indispensable en la formulación de las políticas públicas. La política de población tiene una naturaleza claramente transversal, pues todas las acciones en los ámbitos económico, social, político, cultural, geográfico, y obviamente, el demográfico, repercuten de una manera directa o indirecta en ella. Objetivos: Determinar la dinámica poblacional y el crecimiento global de la población adulta mayor (PAM) de 60 años y más. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo. La información se obtuvo de los anuarios estadísticos institucionales del Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México (de 1999-2015). Se analizaron varios indicadores demográficos de envejecimientoDE). Resultados: Se observó un incremento constante en puntos porcentuales en la proporción de PAM, el índice de envejecimiento, la razón de dependencia demográfica de la vejez, índice global de dependencia, índice dependencia de viejos e índice de estructura de la población activa (6, 19.2, 15.5, 8.5, 8.2 y 31.2%, respectivamente). El indicador global de ancianidad y el índice de masculinidad mostraron una disminución (0.6 y 3.1%, respectivamente). Conclusiones: Nuestros datos aportan evidencia que sugiere modificar y generar políticas públicas acordes a la PAM.

Abstract Introduction: An integral diagnosis of population contemplates within its components the population demographic analysis that is indispensable in the formulation of public policies. Population policy has a clearly transversal nature, since all actions in the economic, social, political, cultural, geographical, and obviously, demographic fields, have direct or indirect repercussions on it. Objectives: To determine the population dynamics and the global growth of the older adult population (OAP) of 60 years and more. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. The information was obtained from the statistical yearbooks of the institute of security and social services of state workers, Mexico (1999-2015). Several demographic ageing indicators were analyzed. Results: There was a constant increase in percentage points in the proportion of OAP, index of ageing, demographic dependency ratio of old age, global index of dependence, index of dependence of old people, and index of the active population structure (6, 19.2, 15.5, 8.5, 8.2 and 31.2%, respectively). The indicator global index of dependence and masculinity showed a decrease (0.6 and 3.1%, respectively). Conclusions: Our data provide evidence that suggests modifying and generating public policies according to OAP.

Effective Decision-Making and Decisional Regret in Living Kidney Donors of Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: While most living kidney donors are satisfied with their decision and do not regret donating, few studies have been conducted on the determinants related to the effectiveness and regret of the decision. This study aims to explore the relationship between basic attributes, quality of life, positive affect, negative affect, effectiveness of decision-making, and regret in living kidney donors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, living kidney donors were recruited from urology and kidney transplant outpatient services. The structured questionnaire used to collect the data included the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Decision Conflict Scale, and Decision Regret Scale. RESULTS: The findings indicate that living donors with better health status, 24-hour creatinine clearance, physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and positive affect experienced greater feelings of effective decision-making. Moreover, women and donors with better physical HRQOL, positive affect, and decision effectiveness were less regretful about the decision of kidney donation. CONCLUSION: Health status, physical HRQOL, and positive affect are related to decision validity and regret of living donors. Therefore, clinical care providers should regularly assess the mood and health of living kidney donors. Furthermore, activities promoting their health should be encouraged, especially for men.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, a Simplified Nutritional Screening Index, Is a Strong Predictor of Handgrip Strength in Renal Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a useful predictor of prognosis in older patients and those receiving hemodialysis. However, the predictive value of the GNRI in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) is unclear. In this study we investigated the correlation between the GNRI and muscle function, as indicated by handgrip strength (HGS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 42 RTRs (50% women), with a mean age of 49.0 ± 10.8 years. The GNRI was derived from patients' body weight and serum albumin level by using the following equation: GNRI = [14.89 × albumin (g/dL)] + [41.7 × (body weight/ideal body weight)]. HGS was evaluated in dominant arms; HGS measurement was repeated 3 times, and the highest value was used. Multivariable stepwise regression analyses were performed to obtain adjusted correlates, and the significance levels for entry and remaining were set at 0.1. RESULTS: The mean values of the GNRI and HGS were 105.0 ± 5.4 and 29.0 ± 9.4, respectively. The GNRI was positively correlated with HGS (r = 0.36, P = .02). Linear and stepwise multivariable adjustment analyses revealed that the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and GNRI were independent determinants of HGS (ßHOMA-IR = 0.53 and ßGNRI = 0.43, adjusted R2 = 0.45) after adjustment for age, sex, total muscle mass, and C-reactive protein level as covariates. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the GNRI is a favorable predictor of muscle function in RTRs.

Tankyrases maintain homeostasis of intestinal epithelium by preventing cell death.

Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells are crucial for fast homeostatic renewal of intestinal epithelium and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling plays an essential role in this process by sustaining stem cell self-renewal. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases tankyrases (TNKSs) mediate protein poly-ADP-ribosylation and are involved in multiple cellular processes such as Wnt signaling regulation, mitotic progression and telomere maintenance. However, little is known about the physiological function of TNKSs in epithelium homeostasis regulation. Here, using Villin-creERT2;Tnks1-/-;Tnks2fl/fl (DKO) mice, we observed that loss of TNKSs causes a rapid decrease of Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells and magnified apoptosis in small intestinal crypts, leading to intestine degeneration and increased mouse mortality. Consistently, deletion of Tnks or blockage of TNKS activity with the inhibitor XAV939 significantly inhibits the growth of intestinal organoids. We further showed that the Wnt signaling agonist CHIR99021 sustains the growth of DKO organoids, and XAV939 does not cause growth retardation of Apc-/- organoids. Consistent with the promoting function of TNKSs in Wnt signaling, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is significantly decreased with stabilized Axin in DKO crypts. Together, our findings unravel the essential role of TNKSs-mediated protein parsylation in small intestinal homeostasis by modulating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Inchworm bipedal nanowalker.

Nanowalkers take either inchworm (IW) or hand-over-hand (HOH) gait. The IW nanowalkers are advantageous over HOH ones in force generation, processivity and high-density integration, though both gaits occur in intracellular nanowalkers from biology. Artificial IW nanowalkers have been realized or proposed, but all rely on different 'head' and 'tail' to gain an adventitious direction. Here we report an inherently unidirectional IW nanowalker that is a biped with two identical legs (i.e., indistinguishable 'head' and 'tail'). This walker is made of DNA, and driven by a light-powered G-quadruplex engine. The directional inchworm motion is confirmed by operating the walker on a DNA duplex track that is designed to show a distinctive fluorescence pattern for IW walkers as compared to HOH ones. Interestingly, this walker exhibits stride-controlled IW-to-HOH gait switch and direction reversal when the track's periodic binding sites have wider and wider separation. The results altogether present an integrated mechanism for implementing nanowalkers of different gaits and directions on molecular tracks, optical potentials or even solid-state surfaces.

Acoustic behaviors of the microperforated panel absorber array in nonlinear regime under moderate acoustic pressure excitation.

The acoustic performance of a microperforated panel (MPP) absorber array in the nonlinear regime is investigated both numerically and experimentally. The MPP absorber array is constructed by three parallel-arranged MPP absorbers with different cavity depths. A finite element model is used to simulate the acoustic response of the MPP absorber array by adopting the nonlinear impedance model. The results show that the absorption of the MPP absorber array is affected by the incident sound pressure when it is beyond around 100 dB. With appropriate structural and perforation property of MPP, the MPP absorber array in non-linear regime outperforms that in linear regime due to the improvement of equivalent acoustic impedance matching with ambient air over wide frequency range. However, when the sound pressure excitation is too high, the local resonance effect of the resonating component MPP absorber is diminished and the sound absorption is decreased. With the carefully chosen properties of MPP, the performance degradation induced by panel vibration can be avoided. An optimal set of MPP properties to avoid the performance degradation induced by panel vibration is determined. The measured normal absorption coefficients of a prototype MPP absorber array compare well with the numerical prediction in both linear and nonlinear regimes.

Positive and Negative Affects in Living Kidney Donors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the positive and negative affects and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of living kidney donors. METHODS: With the use of a cross-sectional study design and a structured questionnaire, information on the basic characteristics, positive affect, negative affect, and HRQOL of 41 living kidney donors were compared. RESULTS: The negative affect in living kidney donors was similar to that of the general population, but the positive affect was slightly lower. The physical HRQOL of living kidney donors was slightly higher than that of the general population, and the mental HRQOL was similar. Female donors showed a greater positive affect than male donors. The donors who were siblings of the recipients showed a more negative affect. Donors without chronic disease and with good perceived physical health showed improved positive affect, negative affect, and mental HRQOL. Furthermore, living kidney donors with better positive and negative affects showed improved physical and mental HRQOLs. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical health providers should evaluate and determine the positive affect, negative affect, and quality of life of living kidney donors, especially in men, siblings of the recipients, those with chronic disease, and those with poorer perceived physical health. Moreover, psychosocial interventions should be provided to improve these factors.

Co-stimulatory function in primary germinal center responses: CD40 and B7 are required on distinct antigen-presenting cells.

T cell-dependent germinal center (GC) responses require coordinated interactions of T cells with two antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations, B cells and dendritic cells (DCs), in the presence of B7- and CD40-dependent co-stimulatory pathways. Contrary to the prevailing paradigm, we found unique cellular requirements for B7 and CD40 expression in primary GC responses to vaccine immunization with protein antigen and adjuvant: B7 was required on DCs but was not required on B cells, whereas CD40 was required on B cells but not on DCs in the generation of antigen-specific follicular helper T cells, antigen-specific GC B cells, and high-affinity class-switched antibody production. There was, in fact, no requirement for coexpression of B7 and CD40 on the same cell in these responses. Our findings support a substantially revised model for co-stimulatory function in the primary GC response, with crucial and distinct contributions of B7- and CD40-dependent pathways expressed by different APC populations and with important implications for understanding how to optimize vaccine responses or limit autoimmunity.

A DNA bipedal nanowalker with a piston-like expulsion stroke.

Artificial molecular walkers beyond burn-bridge designs are important for nanotechnology, but their systematic development remains difficult. Herein, we have reported a new rationally designed DNA walker-track system and experimentally verified a previously proposed general expulsion regime for implementing non-burn-bridge nanowalkers. The DNA walker has an optically powered engine motif that reversibly extends and contracts the walker via a quadruplex-duplex conformational change. The walker's extension is an energy-absorbing and force-generating process, which drives the walker's leg dissociation off-track in a piston-like expulsion stroke. The unzipping-shearing asymmetry provides the expulsion stroke a bias, which decides the direction of the walker. Moreover, three candidate walkers of different sizes were fabricated. Fluorescence motility experiments indicated two of them as successful walkers and revealed a distinctive size dependence that was expected for these expulsive walkers, but was not observed in previously reported walkers. This study identifies unique technical requirements for expulsive nanowalkers. The present DNA design is readily adapted for making similar walkers from other molecules since the unzipping-shearing asymmetry is common.