bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of ZnFe2O4@MoS2 core-shell nanocomposites with enhanced lubrication performance as lubricant additives
Authors: Li Ting , Chen Xianggang , Wang Junhai , Zhang Lixiu , Li Xinran , Wei Xiaoyi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare ZnFe2O4 nanospheres, sheet MoS2 and three ZnFe2O4@MoS2 core-shell composites with various shell thicknesses, and add them to the base oil for friction and wear tests to simulate the wear conditions of hybrid bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the characterization and analysis of the morphology of wear scars and the elemental composition of friction films, the tribological behavior and wear mechanism of sample materials as lubricant additives were investigated and the effects of shell thickness and sample concentration on the tribological properties of core–shell composite lubricant additives were discussed.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that each of the five sample materials can, to varying degrees, enhance the lubricating qualities of the base oil and that the core–shell nanocomposite sample lubricant additive has superior lubricating properties to those of ZnFe2O4 and MoS2 alone, among them ZnFe2O4@MoS2-2 core–shell composites with moderate shell thickness performed most ideally. In addition, the optimal concentration of the ZnFe2O4@MoS2 lubricant additive was 0.5 Wt.%, and a concentration that was too high led to particle deposition and affected the friction effect.

Originality/value

In this work, ZnFe2O4@MoS2 core–shell composites were synthesized for the first time using ZnFe2O4 as the carrier and the lubrication mechanism of core–shell composites and single materials were compared and studied, which illustrated the advantages of core–shell composite lubricant additives. At the same time, the influence of different shell thicknesses on the lubricant additives of core–shell composites was studied.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2022-0367/
Trajectory of brain-drain and quality of work-life amongst Nigeria’s university lecturers: academic staff union of universities (ASUU) incessant strike in retrospect
Authors: Akinwale Olusegun Emmanuel , Kuye Owolabi Lateef , Akinwale Olayombo Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Brain-drain insurgency has become pervasive amongst professionals and the last option for everyone in the country to realise a sustainable quality of work-life (QWL). All youths now in the country have perceived migrating to the international workspace as a noble idea. This study investigates the incidence of brain-drain and QWL amongst academics in Nigerian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

To sparkle a clearer understanding concerning factors preventing the QWL amongst Nigeria's lecturers, this study utilised a cross-sectional research design to survey the participants across all departments in federal institutions through an explanatory research approach. This study applied an array of adapted scales to evaluate members of academic staff track of what provoked the incidence of brain-drain amongst Nigerian lecturers and possible influence on their QWL. The study surveyed 431 members of academic staff in Nigerian universities to collect useful data and employed a structural equation model (SEM) to analyse the obtained data.

Findings

The outcome of this study highlights that there is a horrible condition of service amongst Nigerian lecturers, a poor compensation system, poor academic research funding and lack of autonomy are bane to the QWL experienced in Nigerian tertiary institutions today. This study indicates that poor staff development and inadequate university funding are part of the justification that provoked brain-drain insurgence, and allowed the government to lose their skilled and competent egg-heads in the university to other foreign nations of the world.

Originality/value

This study demonstrated that brain-drain has become part of Nigeria's national life given that all professionals are seeking better life where their skills, competence and energy would be valued. Brain-drain was not common until these days amongst academics and fewer studies were noted but this study showed a novel paradigm regarding the QWL and brain-drain trajectory.
A hierarchical cluster approach toward understanding the regional variable in country conflict modeling
Authors: Leiby Benjamin , Ahner Darryl
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the regional variable in country conflict modeling affects forecast accuracy and identifies a methodology to further improve the predictions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses statistical learning methods to both evaluate the quantity of data for clustering countries along with quantifying accuracy according to the number of clusters used.

Findings

This study demonstrates that increasing the number of clusters for modeling improves the ability to predict conflict as long as the models are robust.

Originality/value

This study investigates the quantity of clusters used in conflict modeling, while previous research assumes a specific quantity before modeling.
Intellectual capital, social capital components and internal control weaknesses: evidence from Iran’s business environment
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Rajaeei Raha , Khansalar Ehsan , Edalati Shakib Samane
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to determine whether there is a relationship between intellectual capital and social capital and internal control weaknesses and assess the relationship between the variables of intellectual capital and social capital and internal control weaknesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population consists of 1,309 firm-year observations from 2014 to 2020. The research hypothesis is tested using statistical methods, including multivariate, least-squares and fixed-effects regression.

Findings

The results demonstrate a negative and significant relationship between intellectual capital, social capital and internal control weaknesses. The study also finds that increased intellectual and social capital quality improves human resource utilization, control mechanism, creativity and firm performance. The results also show that intellectual capital and social capital enhancement will reduce internal control weaknesses in the upcoming years.

Originality/value

This paper is the pioneer study on the relationship between intellectual capital and social capital and internal control weaknesses in Iran, carried out separately and in exploratory factor analysis. This paper considers intellectual capital components for theoretical factor analysis, including human capital, structural capital and customer capital. Internal control weakness is assessed based on financial, non-financial and information technology (IT) weaknesses.
Effects of the degree of supply chain resilience capability in supply chain performance in the UAE energy industry
Authors: Luqman Nuha Adel , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Hussain Matloub
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain capabilities (SCC) on supply chain performance (SCP) through the direct and moderating influence of the degree of SCR (DSCR), as demonstrated in UAE energy industry supply chain management (SCM) processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), a questionnaire-survey collected 168 valid responses from UAE-based companies that operate within the energy industry. This study investigates the moderated mediation research model of the SCR, SCC and SCP with DSCR being considered as the variable having the moderation role.

Findings

SCR and SCC were found to have a significant positive affect on SCP playing a mediating role in improving performance during or after a SC disruption. However, the objective was to confirm the exitance of the moderator role in DSCR to substantiate its moderated mediating effect in the research model. There was a negative moderating effect of SCR on SCP through SCC.

Originality/value

This is among the pioneer study that suggests and empirically tests the moderated mediating impacts of the SCR degree on the relationships between SCR, capability within a supply chain and its performance. An additional element of originality of this study is its relevance to the UAE energy industry and recent SC disruptions.
A novel hand-eye calibration method for industrial robot and line laser vision sensor
Authors: Jingbo Xu , Qiaowei Li , Bai White
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is solving the hand–eye calibration issue for line structured light vision sensor. Only after hand–eye calibration the sensor measurement data can be applied to robot system.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the hand–eye calibration methods are studied, respectively, for eye-in-hand and eye-to-hand. Firstly, the coordinates of the target point in robot system are obtained by tool centre point (TCP), then the robot is controlled to make the sensor measure the target point in multiple poses and the measurement data and pose data are obtained; finally, the sum of squared calibration errors is minimized by the least square method. Furthermore, the missing vector in the process of solving the transformation matrix is obtained by vector operation, and the complete matrix is obtained.

Findings

On this basis, the sensor measurement data can be easily and accurately converted to the robot coordinate system by matrix operation.

Originality/value

This method has no special requirement for robot pose control, and its calibration process is fast and efficient, with high precision and has practical popularized value.
Exploring moderational and mediational relations among word reading, vocabulary, sentence processing and comprehension for struggling adult readers
Authors: Feller Daniel P. , Talwar Amani , Greenberg Daphne , Kopatich Ryan D. , Magliano Joseph P.
Published: May 2023

Background

A significant portion of adults struggle to read at a basic level. Word reading (defined here as decoding and word recognition) appears to play a pivotal role for this population of readers; however, less is known about how word reading relates to other important semantic processes (e.g., vocabulary, sentence processing) known to account for a large portion of variance in reading comprehension. This study used the Reading Systems Framework to explore the extent that moderational and mediational relations existed between word reading and semantic processing abilities in predicting reading comprehension.

Methods

Participants (N = 169) completed the Reading Inventory and Scholastic Evaluation, which consists of a series of subtests intended to measure decoding/word recognition, vocabulary, sentence processing and reading comprehension.

Results

A moderated mediation model was constructed to assess the extent to which moderational and mediational relations between word reading and semantic processing were predictive of comprehension. Results suggested that word reading moderated the effect of vocabulary knowledge on comprehension among struggling adult readers. Additionally, semantic processing at the word (i.e., vocabulary) and sentence level both significantly mediated the relation between word reading and comprehension.

Conclusions

Word reading moderated the relation between vocabulary and comprehension for struggling adult readers. Readers with greater word reading ability benefited most from having a higher degree of vocabulary knowledge. Vocabulary and sentence processing mediated the relation between word reading and comprehension. Thus, word reading appears to serve as an important gateway for struggling readers, and, as such, interventions targeting component skills of reading may have a limited impact on reading literacy tasks until word reading skills are developed.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of advanced portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage
Authors: Rao Chen Yi , Xue Chun Yan , Fang Qing Qing , Wu Ling , Huang Xiao Quan , Chen Ying , Chen Shi Yao , Li Feng
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Portal venous thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of advanced PVT in cirrhotic patients with a recent episode of gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage (GVH).

Methods

Cirrhotic patients with recent GVH at one month before their admission for further treatment to prevent rebleeding were retrospectively recruited. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements, contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the portal vein system, and endoscopy were performed. PVT was diagnosed by CT examination and classified as none, mild and advanced.

Results

Of the 356 patients enrolled, 80 (22.5%) had advanced PVT. Elevated levels of white blood cells (WBC) and serum D‐dimer were observed in advanced PVT patients compared with those with no or mild PVT. Moreover, HVPG was lower in patients with advanced PVT, with fewer patients having HVPG exceeding 12 mmHg, while grade III esophageal varices and varices with red signs were more prevalent. Multivariate analysis showed that WBC count (odds ratio [OR] 1.401, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.171–1.676, P < 0.001), D‐dimer level (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.117–1.361, P < 0.001), HVPG (OR 0.942, 95% CI 0.900–0.987, P = 0.011), and grade III esophageal varices (OR 4.243, 95% CI 1.420–12.684, P = 0.010) were associated with advanced PVT.

Conclusions

Advanced PVT, which is associated with a more severe hypercoagulable and inflammatory status, causes severe prehepatic portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients with GVH.
Self‐warming blanket versus forced‐air warming blanket during total knee arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia: A randomised non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Lauronen Sirkka‐Liisa , Kalliovalkama Jarkko , Aho Antti , Mäkinen Marja‐Tellervo , Huhtala Heini , Yli‐Hankala Arvi M. , Kalliomäki Maija‐Liisa
Published: May 2023

Background

Arthroplasty patients are at high risk of hypothermia. Pre‐warming with forced air has been shown to reduce the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia. There is, however, a lack of evidence that pre‐warming with a self‐warming (SW) blanket can reduce the incidence of perioperative hypothermia. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an SW blanket and a forced‐air warming (FAW) blanket peri‐operatively. We hypothesised that the SW blanket is inferior to the FAW blanket.

Methods

In total, 150 patients scheduled for primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia were randomised to this prospective study. Patients were pre‐warmed with SW blanket (SW group) or upper‐body FAW blanket (FAW group) set to 38°C for 30 min before spinal anaesthesia induction. Active warming was continued with the allocated blanket in the operating room. If core temperature fell below 36°C, all patients were warmed using the FAW blanket set to 43°C. Core and skin temperatures were measured continuously. The primary outcome was core temperature on admission to the recovery room.

Results

Both methods increased mean body temperature during pre‐warming. However, intraoperative hypothermia occurred in 61% of patients in the SW group and in 49% in the FAW group. The FAW method set to 43°C could rewarm hypothermic patients. Core temperature did not differ between groups on admission to the recovery room, p = .366 (CI: −0.18–0.06).

Conclusions

Statistically, the SW blanket was non‐inferior to the FAW method. Yet, hypothermia was more frequent in the SW group, requiring rescue warming as we strictly held to the NICE guideline.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03408197.
Closed‐loop parameter optimization for patient‐specific phrenic nerve stimulation
Authors: Keogh Conor , Saavedra Francisco , Dubo Sebastian , Aqueveque Pablo , Ortega Paulina , Gomez Britam , Germany Enrique , Pinto Daniela , Osorio Rodrigo , Pastene Francisco , Poulton Adrian , Jarvis Jonathan , Andrews Brian , FitzGerald James J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Ventilator‐induced diaphragm dysfunction occurs rapidly following the onset of mechanical ventilation and has significant clinical consequences. Phrenic nerve stimulation has shown promise in maintaining diaphragm function by inducing diaphragm contractions. Non‐invasive stimulation is an attractive option as it minimizes the procedural risks associated with invasive approaches. However, this method is limited by sensitivity to electrode position and inter‐individual variability in stimulation thresholds. This makes clinical application challenging due to potentially time‐consuming calibration processes to achieve reliable stimulation.

Methods

We applied non‐invasive electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve in the neck in healthy volunteers. A closed‐loop system recorded the respiratory flow produced by stimulation and automatically adjusted the electrode position and stimulation amplitude based on the respiratory response. By iterating over electrodes, the optimal electrode was selected. A binary search method over stimulation amplitudes was then employed to determine an individualized stimulation threshold. Pulse trains above this threshold were delivered to produce diaphragm contraction.

Results

Nine healthy volunteers were recruited. Mean threshold stimulation amplitude was 36.17 ± 14.34 mA (range 19.38–59.06 mA). The threshold amplitude for reliable nerve capture was moderately correlated with BMI (Pearson's r = 0.66, p = 0.049). Repeating threshold measurements within subjects demonstrated low intra‐subject variability of 2.15 ± 1.61 mA between maximum and minimum thresholds on repeated trials. Bilateral stimulation with individually optimized parameters generated reliable diaphragm contraction, resulting in significant inhaled volumes following stimulation.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the feasibility of a system for automatic optimization of electrode position and stimulation parameters using a closed‐loop system. This opens the possibility of easily deployable individualized stimulation in the intensive care setting to reduce ventilator‐induced diaphragm dysfunction.
‘It's scary starting a new school’: Children and young people's perspectives on wellbeing support during educational transitions
Authors: Demkowicz Ola , Bagnall Charlotte , Hennessey Alexandra , Pert Kirsty , Bray Lucy , Ashworth Emma , Mason Carla
Published: May 2023

Background

Children and young people experience various transitions throughout their education. Theory and evidence highlight that these can be complex, and poor experiences of transitions can be associated with worsened outcomes, necessitating a need to develop and implement wellbeing support. However, children and young people's views are lacking in the literature, and studies tend to focus on specific transitions rather than on what matters for wellbeing during transitions generally.

Aims

We explore children and young people's own perceptions of what would support wellbeing during educational transitions.

Sample

We engaged with 49 children and young people aged 6–17 years, using purposeful maximum variation sampling to facilitate engagement of a diverse sample across a variety of education setting types.

Methods

We undertook focus groups, using creative methods centred around a storybook, asking participants to make decisions as headteachers about wellbeing provision in a fictional setting. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Analysis

We constructed four themes: (1) helping children and young people understand what to expect; (2) developing and sustaining relationships and support; (3) being responsive to individual needs and vulnerabilities; and (4) managing loss and providing a sense of closure.

Conclusions

Our analysis highlights a desire among children and young people for a considered, supportive approach that recognizes their individual needs and their connection to educational communities. The study makes a methodological and conceptual contribution, demonstrating the value of adopting a multifocussed lens to researching and supporting transitions.
Elevated erythroferrone distinguishes erythrocytosis with inherited defects in oxygen‐sensing pathway from primary familial and congenital polycythaemia
Authors: Sochorcova Lucie , Hlusickova Kapralova Katarina , Fialova Kucerova Jana , Pospisilova Dagmar , Prochazkova Daniela , Jahoda Ondrej , Kurekova Simona , Kralova Barbora , Divoka Martina , Navratilova Jana , Manakova Jirina , Kriegova Eva , Indrak Karel , Faber Edgar , Divoky Vladimir , Horvathova Monika
Published: May 2023

Congenital erythrocytoses represent a heterogenous group of rare defects of erythropoiesis characterized by elevated erythrocyte mass. We performed molecular‐genetic analysis of 21 Czech patients with congenital erythrocytosis and assessed the mutual link between chronic erythrocyte overproduction and iron homoeostasis. Causative mutations in erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), hypoxia‐inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF2A) or Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) genes were detected in nine patients, including a novel p.A421Cfs*4EPORand a homozygous intronic c.340+770T>CVHLmutation. The association and possible cooperation of five identified missense germlineEPORor Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) variants with other genetic/non‐genetic factors in erythrocytosis manifestation may involve variants of Piezo‐type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (PIEZO1) or Ten‐eleven translocation 2 (TET2), but this requires further research. In two families, hepcidin levels appeared to prevent or promote phenotypic expression of the disease. No major contribution of heterozygous haemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations to the erythrocytic phenotype or hepcidin levels was observed in our cohort.VHL‐ andHIF2A‐mutant erythrocytosis showed increased erythroferrone and suppressed hepcidin, whereas no overproduction of erythroferrone was detected in other patients regardless of molecular defect, age or therapy. Understanding the interplay between iron metabolism and erythropoiesis in different subgroups of congenital erythrocytosis may improve current treatment options.
Increase in physiological inhibitory control results in better suppression of unwanted memories
Authors: Gunduz Turan , Gunduz Hasan , Cetinkaya Hakan
Published: May 2023

Forgetting or suppressing a memory with unwanted content is just as important as remembering a desirable one. In addition to emphasizing the role of inhibitory control in memory suppression processes, neuropsychological studies have indicated that an intentional inhibition targeting a brain area may exert its inhibitory effects in seemingly unrelated areas through a common inhibitory network. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the suppression of unwanted memories can be strengthened by recruiting an inhibitory task that can be simultaneously performed with a memory suppression task. Therefore, we manipulated the level of urinary urgency‐induced inhibition of participants (N = 180) and test its effect on the suppression of unwanted memories using a Think/No‐Think (T/NT) task. The results of our study indicated that individuals with high levels of urinary urgency demonstrated greater memory suppression compared to those with low urinary urgency. Findings and their implications are discussed within the context of cognitive and clinical perspectives, and recommendations are made for future research.
Staging fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Richters Anke , van Ginkel Noor , Meijer Richard P. , Wondergem Maurits , Schoots Ivo , Vis André N. , Kiemeney Lambertus A.L.M. , van Rhijn Bas W.G. , Witjes J. Alfred , Aben Katja K.H. , Mertens Laura S.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To provide insight into the use and staging information on lymph‐node involvement added by fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) in patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), based on a nationwide population‐based cohort study.

Patients and methods

We analysed a nationwide cohort of patients with MIBC without signs of distant metastases, newly diagnosed in the Netherlands between November 2017 and October 2019. From this cohort, we selected patients who underwent pre‐treatment staging with CT only or CT and FDG‐PET/CT. The distribution of patients, disease characteristics, imaging findings, nodal status (clinical nodal stage cN0 vs cN+) and treatment were described for each imaging modality group (CT only vs CT and FDG‐PET/CT).

Results

We identified 2731 patients with MIBC: 1888 (69.1%) underwent CT only; 606 (22.2%) underwent CT and FDG‐PET/CT, 237 (8.6%) underwent no CT. Of the patients who underwent CT only, 200/1888 (10.6%) were staged as cN+, vs 217/606 (35.8%) who underwent CT and FDG‐PET/CT. Stratified analysis showed that this difference was found in patients with clinical tumour stage (cT)2 as well as cT3/4 MIBC. Of patients who underwent both imaging modalities and were staged with CT as cN0, 109/498 (21.9%) were upstaged to cN+ based on FDG‐PET/CT. Radical cystectomy (RC) was the most common treatment within both imaging groups. Preoperative chemotherapy was more frequently applied in cN+ disease and in FDG‐PET/CT‐staged patients. Concordance of pathological N stage after upfront RC was higher among patients staged as cN+ with CT and FDG‐PET/CT (50.0% pN+) than those staged as cN+ with only CT (39.3%).

Conclusion

Patients with MIBC who underwent pre‐treatment staging with FDG‐PET/CT were more often staged as lymph node positive, regardless of cT stage. In patients with MIBC who underwent CT and FDG‐PET/CT, FDG‐PET/CT led to clinical nodal upstaging in approximately one‐fifth. Additional imaging findings may influence subsequent treatment strategies.
Influence of metal artefact reduction on the diagnosis of contact between implant and mandibular canal in cone beam computed tomography: An ex‐vivo study
Authors: de Freitas Bruna Neves , da Motta Raphael Jurca Gonçalves , Pauwels Ruben , Oliveira‐Santos Christiano , Tirapelli Camila
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate the influence of metal artefact reduction (MAR) in the diagnosis of dental implant contact with the mandibular canal (MC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Dental implants were installed with surgical guides in the posterior hemiarches of 10 dry human mandibles: 0.5 mm above to the MC cortex (G1/n = 8) and 0.5 mm inside the MC (G2/n = 10). The experimental set‐up was scanned with two CBCT equipment using 85 kV and 90 kV, MAR ON or OFF, and different tube currents (4 mA, 8 mA and 10 mA). Two dentomaxillofacial radiologists (DMFRs) and two dentists (DDS) scored the relation between the dental implant and MC. Descriptive statistics were used to observe the absolute frequency of scores. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated considering the known relation between the dental implant and the MC interior. McNemar's test (α = .05) was applied to compare the diagnostic efficacy of MAR ON versus MAR OFF.

Results

Overall specificity was higher than sensitivity for both DDS and DMFR (97% vs. 50% and 92.0% vs. 78.0% respectively). There was a significant effect of MAR (p = .031) for DMFR in the case of contact between the dental implant with the MC interior, in which sensitivity decreased with MAR activation from 90% to 40%. DMFR observers showed a better diagnostic performance compared with the DDS observers (accuracy of 84.0% and 71.0%, respectively).

Conclusions

Due to the limited efficacy of MAR, it should not be used when conducting CBCT scans for the evaluation of contact between the implant and the mandibular canal.
Differential expression of genes controlling lymphocyte differentiation and migration in two distinct endotypes of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Torabi Forough , Vadakekolathu Jayakumar , Wyatt Rebecca , Leete Pia , Tombs Melissa A. , Richardson Carolyn C. , Boocock David J. , Turner Mark D. , Morgan Noel G. , Richardson Sarah J. , Christie Michael R.
Published: May 2023

Aims

Morphological studies of pancreas samples obtained from young people with recent‐onset type 1 diabetes have revealed distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration of the pancreatic islets suggestive of two age‐associated type 1 diabetes endotypes that differ by inflammatory responses and rates of disease progression. The objective of this study was to investigate whether these proposed disease endotypes are associated with pathological differences in immune cell activation and cytokine secretion by applying multiplexed gene expression analysis to pancreatic tissue from recent‐onset type 1 diabetes cases.

Methods

RNA was extracted from samples of fixed, paraffin‐embedded pancreas tissue from type 1 diabetes cases characterised by endotype and from controls without diabetes. Expression levels of 750 genes associated with autoimmune inflammation were determined by hybridisation to a panel of capture and reporter probes and these were counted as a measure of gene expression. Normalised counts were analysed for differences in expression between 29 type 1 diabetes cases and 7 controls without diabetes, and between the two type 1 diabetes endotypes.

Results

Ten inflammation‐associated genes, includingINS,were significantly under‐expressed in both endotypes and 48 genes were more highly expressed. A different set of 13 genes associated with the development, activation and migration of lymphocytes was uniquely overexpressed in the pancreas of people developing diabetes at younger age.

Conclusions

The results provide evidence that histologically defined type 1 diabetes endotypes differ in their immunopathology and identify inflammatory pathways specifically involved in disease developing at a young age, essential for a better understanding of disease heterogeneity.
Relationship between body weight change and glycaemic control with tirzepatide treatment in people with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc assessment of the SURPASS clinical trial programme
Authors: Pedersen Sue D. , Giorgino Francesco , Umpierrez Guillermo , Thieu Vivian T. , Rodríguez Angel , Nicolay Claudia , Fernández Landó Laura , Karanikas Chrisanthi A. , Kiljanski Jacek
Published: May 2023

Aim

To assess the relationship between HbA1c and body weight reductions with tirzepatide treatment (5, 10 or 15 mg).

Materials and Methods

HbA1c and body weight data at 40 weeks (SURPASS‐1, ‐2 and ‐5) and 52 weeks (SURPASS‐3 and ‐4) were analysed by trial.

Results

Across the SURPASS clinical trials, HbA1c reductions from baseline were observed in 96%‐99%, 98%‐99% and 94%‐99% of participants treated with tirzepatide 5, 10 and 15 mg, respectively. Moreover, 87%‐94%, 88%‐95% and 88%‐97% of participants, respectively, experienced weight loss associated with HbA1c reductions. Statistically significant associations (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.1438 to 0.3130 across studies; P ≤ .038) between HbA1c and body weight changes were observed with tirzepatide in SURPASS‐2, ‐3, ‐4 (all doses) and ‐5 (tirzepatide 5 mg only).

Conclusions

In this post hoc analysis, consistent reductions in both HbA1c and body weight were observed in most participants treated with tirzepatide at doses of 5, 10 or 15 mg. A statistically significant but modest association between HbA1c and body weight change was observed in SURPASS‐2, SURPASS‐3 and SURPASS‐4, suggesting that both weight‐independent and weight‐dependent mechanisms are responsible for the tirzepatide‐induced improvement in glycaemic control.
Mobile health technology integrated care in atrial fibrillation patients with diabetes mellitus in China: A subgroup analysis of the mAFA‐II cluster randomized clinical trial
Authors: Guo Yutao , Corica Bernadette , Romiti Giulio Francesco , Proietti Marco , Zhang Hui , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   the mAF‐App II Trial Investigators
Published: May 2023

Background

The Mobile Health Technology for Improved Screening and Optimized Integrated Care in AF (mAFA‐II) prospective randomized trial showed the efficacy of a mobile health (mHealth) implemented ‘Atrial fibrillation Better Care’ (ABC) pathway for the integrated care management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this ancillary analysis, we evaluated the effect of mAFA intervention according to the history of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

The mAFA‐II trial enrolled 3324 AF patients across 40 centres in China, between June 2018 and August 2019. In this analysis, we assessed the interaction between history of DM and the effect of mAFA intervention on the risk of the primary composite outcome of stroke, thromboembolism, all‐cause death and rehospitalizations. Results were expressed as adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The effect of mAFA intervention on exploratory secondary outcomes was also assessed.

Results

Overall, 747 (22.5%) patients had DM (mean age: 72.7 ± 12.3, 39.6% females; 381 allocated to mAFA intervention). mAFA intervention was associated with a significant risk reduction for the primary composite outcome both in patients with and without DM (aHR [95%CI]: .36 [.18–.73] and .37 [.23–.61], respectively, p for interaction = .941). A significant interaction was found only for the composite of recurrent AF, heart failure and acute coronary syndromes (pint =.025), with lower effect of mAFA intervention in patients with DM.

Conclusions

A mHealth‐technology implemented ABC pathway showed a consistent effect in reducing the risk of the primary composite outcome in AF patients with and without DM.

Trial Registration

WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Registration number: ChiCTR‐OOC‐17014138.
Novel equid papillomavirus from domestic donkey
Authors: Ikechukwu Chukwudozie Kingsley , Qin Kailin , Zhang Han , Pan Jiamin , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2023

Background

Papillomaviruses can be of great medical importance as they infect humans and animals such as Equus species, other livestock and pets. They are responsible for several papillomas and benign tumours in their host.

Objectives

To describe a novel equid papillomavirus detected in oral swab samples collected from donkeys (Equus asinus) found on the Northwest plateau of China.

Study design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

Swab samples collected from the oral mucosa of 32 donkeys in the Gansu Province of China, were subjected to viral metagenomic analysis to detect the presence of Papillomavirus. After de novo assembly, a novel papillomavirus genome designated as Equus asinus papillomavirus 3 (EaPV3) was identified in the studied samples. Additional bioinformatic analysis of the assembled genome was done using the Geneious prime software (version 2022.0.2).

Results

The complete circular genome of EaPV3 is 7430 bp in length with a GC content of 50.8%. The genome was predicted to contain five ORFs coding for three early proteins (E7, E1, and E2) and two late proteins (L1 and L2). Phylogenic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the concatenated amino acid sequences of the E1E2L1L2 genes revealed that EaPV3 is most closely related to Equus asinus papillomavirus 1 (EaPV1). The genome analysis of EaPV3 revealed similar genome organisation with other equine papillomavirus and the presence of E7 papillomavirus oncoprotein.

Main limitations

Since there were no warts in the oral cavity of the donkeys in this study, and no biopsy samples taken, we are unable to conclusively link the novel virus to any clinical condition in the donkeys.

Conclusions

The Comparative characterisation of EaPV3 and its closest relatives, as well as phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that it is a novel virus specie that clusters within the Dyochipapilloma PV genus.
Identification of a diketopiperazine‐based O‐GlcNAc transferase inhibitor sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma to CDK9 inhibition
Authors: Shan Xiaoqun , Jiang Rong , Gou Dongmei , Xiang Jin , Zhou Peng , Xia Jie , Wang Kai , Huang Ailong , Tang Ni , Huang Luyi
Published: May 2023

O‐GlcNAcylation (O‐linked β‐N‐acetylglucosaminylation) is an important post‐translational and metabolic process in cells that is implicated in a wide range of physiological processes. O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is ubiquitously present in cells and is the only enzyme that catalyses the transfer of O‐GlcNAc to nucleocytoplasmic proteins. Aberrant glycosylation by OGT has been linked to a variety of diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes. Previously, we and others demonstrated that O‐GlcNAcylation is notably elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The overexpression of O‐GlcNAcylation promotes cancer progression and metastasis. Here, we report the identification of HLY838, a novel diketopiperazine‐based OGT inhibitor with the ability to induce a global decrease in cellular O‐GlcNAc. HLY838 enhances the in vitro and in vivo anti‐HCC activity of CDK9 inhibitor by downregulating c‐Myc and downstream E2F1 expression. Mechanistically, c‐Myc is regulated by the CDK9 at the transcript level, and stabilized by OGT at the protein level. This work therefore demonstrates that HLY838 potentiates the antitumor responses of CDK9 inhibitor, providing an experimental rationale for developing OGT inhibitor as a sensitizing agent in cancer therapeutics.
Interstate migration‐based social networks and M&A decisions
Authors: Lee Suin , Pantzalis Christos , Park Jung Chul
Published: May 2023

Acquisition decisions and outcomes are found to be associated with the availability of interstate migration‐based social networks. The likelihood of bidders pursuing targets headquartered in migration sending states increases with these social networks’ size, in particular when (a) targets are in the same industry, (b) migration networks span distant states, and (c) targets are small. We also find smaller takeover premia and higher acquirer announcement returns in interstate transactions involving large migration networks. Our collective evidence is consistent with the notion that both enhanced expected synergies and information advantages may drive acquirers’ propensity to choose targets from migration sending states.
Synchronous and asynchronous online collaborative writing: A study on Chinese language learners
Authors: Zhang Meixiu , Liu Qi
Published: May 2023

Despite the solid evidence that online collaborative writing (CW) tasks benefit language learning, little is known about whether the computer‐mediated communication (CMC) modality may impact the potential of online CW tasks in foreign language classrooms. This study examined the effect of task modality on the utility of CW tasks in language classrooms. Fourteen Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) learners completed Google Docs‐based CW tasks in two modalities: A synchronous CMC modality entailing video‐chatting in Zoom and an asynchronous CMC modality where learners interacted in Google Docs with delayed time. Through analyzing multiple data sources (i.e., peer interaction, written products, editing logs, interviews), we found that, while CMC modality did not impact writing performance, CFL learners had more language learning opportunities and more positive learning experiences in the synchronous mode than in the asynchronous one. The findings revealed multiple challenges that require attention when implementing asynchronous CW tasks in teaching.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular basis of anti‐predation defence in Daphnia pulex simultaneously responding to Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Huang Yuan , Lu Na , Yang Tingting , Yang Jiajun , Gu Lei , Yang Zhou
Published: May 2023

1. The influence of cyanobacteria on interspecies interactions has received growing attention as a predictor of aquatic ecosystem function. It is well‐known that cyanobacteria greatly affect predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity in planktonic animals. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

2. Here, we used Daphnia pulex as a model organism for inducible defence, examining its morphological and life‐history responses to fish kairomone while feeding on 100% Chlorella pyrenoides, or while feeding on 70% Chlorella and either microcystin‐producing or ‐free Microcystis aeruginosa, separately. Transcriptome profiles of kairomone‐exposed D. pulex fed different types of food were detected using RNA‐seq. How the differentially expressed genes and pathways identified are responsible for the altered adaptive traits under Microcystis stress was discussed.

3. Daphnia pulex fed 100% Chlorella matured at a smaller body size, elongated tail spine length, and produced smaller offspring as adaptive morphological and reproductive responses to fish kairomone. These anti‐predation defences entailed a cost in decreased somatic growth rate. Microcystis stress caused defence trade‐offs in both morphology and reproduction: reduction of body size at maturity was stronger whereas tail spine elongation was unchanged or inhibited. Given that reproductive investment was reduced overall in Daphnia exposed to fish kairomones, there was a trade‐off for unchanged offspring size by reducing offspring number in Daphnia fed Microcystis. Defence‐induced costs to growth were increased by Microcystis exposure.

4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that neuronal signals including acetylcholine and glutamate signalling implicated in kairomone reception and/or transmission exhibited stronger responses under Microcystis stress. Cuticle development associated with the biosynthesis of wax esters and chitin, modification of lipo‐chitin saccharides, and the stability of collagen triple helix apparently participated in the morphological changes. The arachidonic acid pathway and biosynthesis of cholesterol and steroid hormones mediated altered reproductive performance. In addition, metabolic processes such as detoxification, food assimilation, lysosome dysfunction and apoptosis activation were involved in the survival and growth of Daphnia, which may contribute to the increased defence‐induced cost in growth when fed Microcystis.

5. Taken together, these findings advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying anti‐predation defensive responses by Daphnia to cyanobacterial stress. This work also provides a reference for further exploring the functional genes that mediate zooplankton–fish coevolution dynamics under eutrophic conditions.
Deepened snow cover increases grassland soil carbon stocks by incorporating carbon inputs into deep soil layers
Authors: Deng Meifeng , Li Ping , Liu Weixing , Chang Pengfei , Yang Lu , Wang Zhenhua , Wang Jing , Liu Lingli
Published: May 2023

Climate‐induced changes in snow cover can greatly impact winter soil microclimate and spring water supply. These effects, in turn, can influence plant and microbial activity and the strength of leaching processes, potentially altering the distribution and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) across different soil depths. However, few studies have examined how changes in snow cover will affect SOC stocks, and even less is known about the impact of snow cover on SOC dynamics along soil profiles. By selecting 11 snow fences along a 570 km climate gradient in Inner Mongolia, covering arid, temperate, and meadow steppes, we measured plant and microbial biomass, community composition, SOC content, and other soil parameters from topsoil to a depth of 60 cm. We found that deepened snow increased aboveground and belowground plant biomass, as well as microbial biomass. Plant and microbial carbon input were positively correlated with grassland SOC stocks. More importantly, we found that deepened snow altered SOC distribution along vertical soil profiles. The increase in SOC caused by deepened snow was much greater in the subsoil (+74.7%; 40–60 cm) than that in the topsoil (+19.0%; 0–5 cm). Additionally, the controls on SOC content under deepened snow differed between the topsoil and subsoil layers. The increase in microbial and root biomass jointly enhanced topsoil C accumulation, while the increase in leaching processes became critical in promoting subsoil C accumulation. We conclude that under deepened snow, the subsoil had a high capacity to sink C by incorporating C leached from the topsoil, suggesting that the subsoil, originally thought to be climate insensitive, could have a higher response to precipitation changes due to vertical C transport. Our study highlights the importance of considering soil depth when assessing the impacts of snow cover changes on SOC dynamics.
FloPy Workflows for Creating Structured and Unstructured MODFLOW Models
Authors: Hughes Joseph D. , Langevin Christian D. , Paulinski Scott R. , Larsen Joshua D. , Brakenhoff David
Published: May 2023

FloPy is a Python package for creating, running, and post‐processing MODFLOW‐based groundwater flow and transport models. FloPy functionality has expanded to support the latest version of MODFLOW (MODFLOW 6) including support for unstructured grids. FloPy can simplify the process required to download MODFLOW‐based and other executables for Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems. Expanded FloPy capabilities include (1) full support for structured and unstructured spatial discretizations; (2) geoprocessing of spatial features and raster data to develop model input for supported discretization types; (3) the addition of functionality to provide direct access to simulated output data; (4) extension of plotting capabilities to unstructured MODFLOW 6 discretization types; and (5) the ability to export model data to shapefiles, NetCDF, and VTK formats for processing, analysis, and visualization by other software products. Examples of using expanded FloPy capabilities are presented for a hypothetical watershed. An unstructured groundwater flow and transport model, with several advanced stress packages, is presented to demonstrate how FloPy can be used to develop complicated unstructured model datasets from original source data (shapefiles and rasters), post‐process model results, and plot simulated results.
An increasing trend of gastric cancer deaths and inadequate preventive measures in elderly adults
Authors: Matsushima Rumiko , Matsushima Shouji , Kobayashi Masanobu , Fujimori Kenji , Sakamoto Naoya , Asaka Masahiro
Published: May 2023

Background

Japan became the world's first country to cover Helicobacter pylori eradication for chronic gastritis under its National Health Insurance (NHI) system in February 2013. Thereafter, H. pylori eradication dramatically increased and gastric cancer deaths began to decrease in Japan. However, the details of gastric cancer deaths and its prevention in the very elderly have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

We analyzed the temporal trend of gastric cancer deaths referencing data from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reports and “Cancer Statistics in Japan–2021” and assessed the numbers of H. pylori test and gastric cancer screening using a national database and a report of cancer screening in Shimane Prefecture, respectively.

Results

Although gastric cancer deaths in total population have clearly decreased since 2013, those in people aged 80 years and older are still increasing. People aged 80 years and older represent 9% of the total population and accounted for half of all gastric cancer deaths in 2020. The numbers of H. pylori eradication and gastric cancer screening in people aged 80 years and older were 25% and 25% of those in other generations, respectively.

Conclusion

In spite of a dramatic increase in H. pylori eradication and a clear decrease in gastric cancer deaths in Japan, gastric cancer deaths in people aged 80 years and older are increasing. This might be due to fewer H. pylori eradication in the elderly than in other generations, indicating the difficulty of gastric cancer prevention in the very elderly.