bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sawtooth scanning strategy for additive manufacturing
Authors: Patil Yogesh , Patel Ashik Kumar , Gote Gopal Dnyanba , Mittal Yash G. , Mehta Avinash Kumar , Singh Sahil Devendra , Karunakaran K.P. , Akarte Milind
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to improve the acceleration in the additive manufacturing (AM) process. AM tools, such as extrusion heads, jets, electric arcs, lasers and electron beams (EB), experience negligible forces. However, their speeds are limited by the positioning systems. In addition, a thin tool must travel several kilometers in tiny motions with several turns while realizing the AM part. Hence, acceleration is a more significant limiting factor than the velocity or precision for all except EB.

Design/methodology/approach

The sawtooth (ST) scanning strategy presented in this paper minimizes the time by combining three motion features: zigzag scan, 45º or 135º rotation for successive layers in G00 to avoid the CNC interpolation, and modifying these movements along 45º or 135º into sawtooth to halve the turns.

Findings

Sawtooth effectiveness is tested using an in-house developed Sand AM (SaAM) apparatus based on the laser–powder bed fusion AM technique. For a simple rectangle layer, the sawtooth achieved a path length reduction of 0.19%–1.49% and reduced the overall time by 3.508–4.889 times, proving that sawtooth uses increased acceleration more effectively than the other three scans. The complex layer study reduced calculated time by 69.80%–139.96% and manufacturing time by 47.35%–86.85%. Sawtooth samples also exhibited less dimensional variation (0.88%) than zigzag 45° (12.94%) along the build direction.

Research limitations/implications

Sawtooth is limited to flying optics AM process.

Originality/value

Development of scanning strategy for flying optics AM process to reduce the warpage by improving the acceleration.
Down‐regulation of CYTL1 attenuates bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization via the TGF‐β/CCN2 axis
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Chenxi , Xie Yi , Li Xiaomei
Published: August 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation, lung tissue fibrotic changes and impaired lung function. Pulmonary fibrosis 's pathological process is thought to be influenced by macrophage‐associated phenotypes. IPF treatment requires specific targets that target macrophage polarization. Cytokine‐like 1(CYTL1) is a secreted protein with multiple biological functions first discovered in CD34+ haematopoietic cells. However, its possible effects on IPF progression remain unclear. This study investigated the role of CYTL1 in IPF progression in a bleomycin‐induced lung injury and fibrosis model. In bleomycin‐induced mice, CYTL1 is highly expressed. Moreover, CYTL1 ablation alleviates lung injury and fibrosis in vivo. Further, downregulating CYTL1 reduces macrophage M2 polarization. Mechanically, CYTL1 regulates transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β)/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) axis and inhibition of TGF‐β pathway alleviates bleomycin‐induced lung injury and fibrosis. In conclusion, highly expressed CYTL1 inhibits macrophage M2 polarization by regulating TGF‐β/CCN2 expression, alleviating bleomycin‐induced lung injury and fibrosis. CYTL1 could, therefore, serve as a promising IPF target.
Recent advances in the study of serpentine plants and ecosystems: Perspectives from the 10th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology, France
Authors: van der Ent Antony , Sakaguchi Shota , Boyd Robert S. , Rajakaruna Nishanta , Pollard A. Joseph , Mizuno Takafumi , Isnard Sandrine , Gonnelli Cristina , Echevarria Guillaume
Published: August 2024

The 10th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology was held in Nancy, France on 12–16 June, 2023. As a major international scientific forum in the field of serpentine (ultramafic) ecology, this conference brings together botanists, zoologists, microbiologists, physiologists, geneticists, geologists, soil scientists, and other applied specialists studying the ecology of ultramafic rocks and soil. A notable aspect of these meetings is the multidisciplinary nature of research on ultramafic biota, including diversity, ecology, evolution, physiology, and applied research in phytotechnologies and conservation. The main goals of the conference were to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences and to promote scientific dialogue among scientists from numerous fields who share expertise in the study of ultramafic habitats worldwide. In this Special Issue we present the major topics and provide some highlights of the contributions to the 10th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology.
Linking HRM with Sustainability Performance Through Sustainability Practices: Unlocking the Black Box
Authors: Kutaula Smirti , Chowdhury Soumyadeb , Gillani Alvina , Budhwar Pawan S. , Dey Prasanta Kumar
Published: August 2024

In response to the triple‐bottom‐line sustainability challenges facing today's world, organizations are increasingly incorporating sustainability principles into their strategies; however, this is challenging for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources. While sustainable human resource management (HRM) has recently gained scholarly prominence, the impact of sustainable HRM practices on an organization's sustainability performance remains under‐explored. Anchored on signalling theory, we address this gap by examining the impact of sustainable HRM on an organization's sustainability performance. Drawing upon survey data collected from 254 employees across SMEs in Vietnam, we found that sustainable HRM practices and managerial competency positively impact sustainability practices, which in turn predict sustainability performance, while sustainability practices mediate these relationships. Employee sustainability participation and long‐term orientation strengthen the relationship between sustainability practices and sustainability performance. Further, co‐worker sustainability support moderates the relationship between sustainable HRM practices and managerial competency and sustainability practices. We discuss the contributions to theory and practice and provide future research directions.
Tracking the metabolite footprint of four lactic acid bacteria in semiskimmed milk: A chemometric analysis
Authors: Sigala‐Robles Rodrigo , Estrada‐Montoya María del Carmen , Torres‐Llanez MarÍa J. , Santiago‐López Lourdes , Hernández‐Mendoza Adrián , Vallejo‐Cordoba Belinda , Mata‐Haro Verónica , Wall‐Medrano Abraham , González‐Córdova Aarón F.
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the strain‐specific fermentative behaviour and metabolite footprint of four Lactobacillus spp., in 48‐h fermented milks. Technological properties (net cell growth, pH and lactic acid production), exopolysaccharides (EPS), short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), α‐amino acids and peptides <3 kDa were determined and evaluated by chemometrics. Inter‐strain differences were attributed to technological properties, SCFAs and D‐mannose/galactose/arabinose production. Three clusters (technological properties, EPS and SCFA production) were confirmed by Pearson's correlation and hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis explained 61% of LAB's differential fermentative behaviour. Post hoc chemometric analysis is useful to select LAB with better post‐ and paraprobiotic potential.
Nationalism at Bay: The Chinese Nationalist Policy towards Hong Kong, 1946–1949
Authors: Wang Zhaodong
Published: August 2024

The Chinese Nationalist government's Hong Kong policy appeared to be successful from 1946 to 1949. While its official principle was to shelve the matter until civil conflicts ceased, the government adopted tough rhetoric and actions in dealing with any troubles deriving from the colony, which underlined the uncertain political future of Hong Kong that the British could not ignore. However, this tactic was a result of the Nationalists' failure to strike a balance between the public's and local authorities' clamour for the colony's immediate retrocession and the central government's postponement policy. As a result, not only did the matter of Hong Kong remain unresolved but the public discontent against the government escalated and the Sino‐British relationship reached its nadir. Yet the “unintended claim” that the failure in balancing caused posed a serious threat to British rule in Hong Kong and encouraged the latter to rethink the colony's future and how to administrate the colony peacefully in the post‐war era.
The Russia‐Ukraine War and the Peruvian Agrarian Crisis
Authors: Nacimento Miryam
Published: August 2024

This article analyses the effects of the Russia‐Ukraine war on Perú's agricultural sector. Studies have shown that the war has created a sudden ‘shock’ in Peruvian agriculture because of disruptions to the import of Russian fertilisers. These findings highlight that fertiliser scarcity has provoked a disastrous decline in Perú's agricultural production, primarily affecting small farmers. While these approaches might lead to considering the war‐led agricultural ‘shock’ in Perú as an anomalous and externally generated catastrophe, this article argues that the ripple effects of the war should have been expected thanks to domestic historical inequalities and structural dynamics that are intrinsic to the global food system.
The practices of artist‐entrepreneurs located outside Canada's creative hubs viewed through the lens of the pragmatic sociology of critique
Authors: Bérubé Julie , Gauthier Jacques‐Bernard
Published: August 2024

Artists‐entrepreneurs struggle with the tension between their artistic and entrepreneurial values. Previous research on this tension focuses on urban creative hubs and shows the presence of politicians to create, with the artists, a structure constituted of investment formulas to ease this tension. Based on Boltanski and Thévenot's On Justification theory, our research focuses on the case of artist‐entrepreneurs located outside Canada's creative hubs. The tension between artistic and entrepreneurial values is expressed as a tension between the inspired and market worlds, which is managed through the civic world in Canadian creative hubs. The results of 50 semi‐structured interviews with non‐urban Canadian artist‐entrepreneurs reveal that politicians are less implicated in these regional cultural industries. In order to manage the tension between artistic and entrepreneurial values, artists themselves are developing individual and collective investment formulas to create structure in the cultural industries that compensates for the low‐level of involvement by politicians. Thus, we identify that the tension between the inspired and market worlds is managed through the presence of the projective world in the case of Canada's non‐urban artist‐entrepreneurs.
N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase GALNT6 is a potential therapeutic target of clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression
Authors: Sun Luhaoran , Li Zeyu , Shu Peng , Lu Min
Published: August 2024

High expression of truncated O‐glycans Tn antigen predicts adverse clinical outcome in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). To understand the biosynthetic underpinnings of Tn antigen changes in ccRCC, we focused on N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GALNTs, also known as GalNAcTs) known to be involved in Tn antigen synthesis. Data from GSE15641 profile and local cohort showed that GALNT6 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues. The current study aimed to determine the role of GALNT6 in ccRCC, and whether GALNT6‐mediated O‐glycosylation aggravates malignant behaviors. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments showed that overexpression of GALNT6 accelerated ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted ccRCC‐derived xenograft tumor growth and lung metastasis. In line with this, silencing of GALNT6 yielded the opposite results. Mechanically, high expression of GALNT6 led to the accumulation of Tn antigen in ccRCC cells. By undertaking immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, vicia villosa agglutinin blot, and site‐directed mutagenesis assays, we found that O‐glycosylation of prohibitin 2 (PHB2) at Ser161 was required for the GALNT6‐induced ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, we identified lens epithelium‐derived growth factor (LEDGF) as a key regulator of GALNT6 transcriptional induction in ccRCC growth and an upstream contributor to ccRCC aggressive behavior. Collectively, our findings indicate that GALNT6‐mediated abnormal O‐glycosylation promotes ccRCC progression, which provides a potential therapeutic target in ccRCC development.
Mogamulizumab‐assoziierter Rash – Fallserie und aktuelle Literatur
Authors: Hansen Inga , Abeck Finn , Menz Anne , Schneider Stefan W. , Booken Nina
Published: August 2024

Der CC‐Chemokinrezeptor‐4‐Antikörper Mogamulizumab ist zur Zweitlinientherapie der Mycosis fungoides und des Sézary‐Syndroms zugelassen. Zu den häufigsten Nebenwirkungen gehört der Mogamulizumab‐assoziierte Rash (MAR), der sich klinisch sowie histologisch vielgestaltig präsentieren kann. Rein klinisch ist der MAR häufig nicht von einem Progress der Grunderkrankung zu unterscheiden, weshalb der histologischen Untersuchung eine wegweisende Rolle, im Rahmen der klinisch‐pathologischen Korrelation, zukommt. In bisherigen Datenanalysen finden sich Hinweise, dass der MAR häufiger bei Patienten mit Sézary‐Syndrom auftritt und mit einem signifikant besseren Therapieansprechen einhergeht, weshalb die Abgrenzung von einem Krankheitsprogress besonders relevant ist. Die Behandlung des MAR erfolgt in Abhängigkeit vom Schweregrad, eine Pausierung der Therapie mit Mogamulizumab kann notwendig sein.

Wir präsentieren drei Fälle aus unserer Klinik sowie den aktuellen Wissensstand der Literatur und möchten damit die hohe Relevanz der Kenntnis über den MAR im Management von Patienten mit kutanen Lymphomen aufzeigen.
Höhere intraoperative Detektionsraten malignitätsverdächtiger nichtpalpabler Läsionen durch Drahtmarkierung bei Patienten mit Hautkrebs
Authors: Tietze Julia K. , Emmert Steffen , Troitzsch Paulina , Rode Susen
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Kontrollierte Nachsorge bei Patienten nach vollständiger Resektion von Hochrisikotumoren der Haut führt zur Entdeckung von Metastasen in sehr frühen Stadien, allerdings ist die operative Entfernung nicht tastbarer Läsionen häufig problematisch.

Patienten und Methodik

In dieser monozentrischen retrospektiven Studie wurden 39 Patienten mit malignen Hauttumoren mit verdächtigen nicht tastbaren Läsionen in Lymphknoten (90%) oder subkutan/intramuskulär (10%) eingeschlossen. Bei 21 Patienten wurden die Läsionen unter Ultraschallkontrolle exzidiert, 18 Patienten erhielten vor der Operation eine Drahtmarkierung. Die beiden Patientengruppen wurden hinsichtlich des erfolgreichen intraoperativen Auffindens der Läsion, der Dauer des Eingriffs und der Komplikationsrate verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Drahtmarkierung führte zu einer signifikant höheren intraoperativen Detektionsrate von 100% gegenüber 76% (p < 0,05). Die durchschnittlich benötigte Zeit für den gesamten Eingriff (p = 0,91) und die Komplikationsrate (p = 0,70) unterschieden sich nicht signifikant zwischen beiden Gruppen. Die mit Hilfe der Drahtmarkierung erfolgreich entfernten bösartigen Läsionen waren signifikant kleiner (p < 0,05). Von allen 34 operativ entfernten auffälligen Läsionen wurden nur 20 (59%) histologisch als bösartig bestätigt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Drahtmarkierung erhöhte die Detektionsrate nicht tastbarer verdächtiger subkutaner, intramuskulärer oder lymphatischer Läsionen. Sie führte zu früherer Diagnose der Metastasierung und auch zur Vermeidung unnötiger vollständiger Lymphknotendissektion.
Clinical and neuroimaging precursors in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: impact of the Boston criteria version 2.0
Authors: Weidauer Stefan , Tafreshi Mona , Förch Christian , Hattingen Elke , Arendt Christophe T. , Friedauer Lucie
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

Although the Boston criteria version 2.0 facilitates the sensitivity of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) diagnosis, there are only limited data about precursor symptoms. This study aimed to determine the impact of neurological and imaging features in relation to the time of CAA diagnosis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with probable CAA according to the Boston criteria version 1.5, treated between 2010 and 2020 in our neurocentre, were identified through a keyword search in our medical database. Neuroimaging was assessed using Boston criteria versions 1.5 and 2.0. Medical records with primary focus on the clinical course and the occurrence of transient focal neurological episodes were prospectively evaluated.

Results

Thirty‐eight out of 81 patients (46.9%) exhibited transient focal neurological episodes, most often sensory (13.2%) or aphasic disorders (13.2%), or permanent deficits at a mean time interval of 31.1 months (SD ±26.3; range 1–108 months) before diagnosis of probable CAA (Boston criteria version 1.5). If using Boston criteria version 2.0, all patients receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) met the criteria for probable CAA, and diagnosis could have been made on average 44 months earlier. Four patients were younger than 50 years, three of them with supporting pathology. Cognitive deficits were most common (34.6%) at the time of diagnosis.

Conclusions

Non‐haemorrhagic MRI markers enhance the sensitivity of diagnosing probable CAA; however, further prospective studies are proposed to establish a minimum age for inclusion. As the neurological overture of CAA may occur several years before clinical diagnosis, early clarification by MRI including haemosensitive sequences are suggested.
Association of serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio with 1‐year stroke outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A multicenter observational cohort study
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Liu Zhongzhong , Guo Weiyan , Lu Qingli , Lei Zhen , Liu Pei , Liu Tong , Peng Linna , Chang Qiaoqiao , Zhang Mi , Lin Xuemei , Wang Fang , Wu Songdi
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

Considering the reliance of serum uric acid (SUA) levels on renal clearance function, its role in stroke outcomes remains controversial. This study investigated the association of renal function–normalized SUA (SUA to serum creatinine ratio, SUA/SCr), a novel renal function index, with the 1‐year outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

This is a prospective, multicenter observational study. Renal function–normalized SUA levels were determined by calculating the ratio of SUA to SCr. One‐year outcomes included stroke recurrence, all‐cause mortality, and poor prognosis. Multivariable Cox regression analyses and restriction cubic splines for curve fitting were used to evaluate SUA/SCr's association with 1‐year stroke outcomes.

Results

Among 2294 enrolled patients, after adjustment for potential confounders, multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that each one‐unit increase in SUA/SCr corresponded to a 19% decrease in 1‐year stroke recurrence in patients with AIS. SUA/SCr was analyzed as a continuous variable and categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4). Compared with the Q1 reference group, Q2, Q3, and Q4 showed significantly lower 1‐year stroke recurrence risks. The trend test indicated significant differences in the 1‐year stroke recurrence trend from Q1 to Q4. In these patients, SUA/SCr did not show a significant association with poor prognosis or all‐cause mortality. Curve fitting revealed SUA/SCr had a negative but nonlinear association with 1‐year stroke recurrence.

Conclusions

In patients with AIS, low SUA/SCr may be an independent risk factor for 1‐year stroke recurrence. Changes in SUA/SCr had no significant impact on 1‐year poor prognosis and all‐cause mortality.
Annual record on the number of general urological surgeries registered in the National Clinical Database system between April 2018 and December 2021 in Japan
Authors: Yasui Takahiro , Kikuchi Eiji , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Ishii Daisuke , Mizuno Ryuichi , Hatakeyama Shingo , Kobayashi Takashi , Uchida Junji , Takahashi Masayuki , Sakamoto Shinichi , Morizane Shuichi , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Eto Masatoshi
Published: August 2024

Background

The Japanese National Clinical Database (NCD) is a large‐scale, nationwide, web‐based data entry system that covers the majority of surgical cases performed in Japan. An NCD specializing in urological surgery was launched based on the NCD system in 2018.

Methods

All urological surgeries performed at more than 1000 institutions were registered from 2018. We herein report the number of surgeries conducted as stipulated in the “Certified Urology Surgeon Training Curriculum” between April 2018 and December 2021.

Results

A total of 1 377 677 cases were registered from 1185 facilities nationwide under the initiative of the Japanese Urological Association. We examined the number of procedures performed every year for each of the 10 categories.

Conclusions

The NCD system sustainably provides important information relating to the preoperative status, operational outcome, and best practice for urological surgery in Japan.
An Interview With Peter Rousseeuw
Authors: Hubert Mia
Published: August 2024

Peter J. Rousseeuw is a statistician known mainly for his work on robust statistics and cluster analysis. Among his creations are least trimmed squares regression, the minimum covariance determinant estimator, the partitioning around medoids clustering method and the silhouettes graphical display. Peter obtained his PhD in 1981 following research carried out at the ETH in Zürich, Switzerland, which led to a book on influence functions. Later, he was a professor at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, and at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Next, he was a researcher at Renaissance Technologies in New York for over a decade. He then returned to Belgium as a full professor at KU Leuven, until becoming emeritus in 2022. He is an elected member of the International Statistical Institute and a fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and the American Statistical Association. In the course of his career, Peter published three books and over 200 papers, together receiving over 100 000 citations. He was awarded the George Box Medal for Business and Industrial Statistics, the Research Medal of the International Federation of Classification Societies, the Frank Wilcoxon Prize, and twice the Jack Youden Prize. Recently, Peter received the 2024 ASA Noether Distinguished Scholar Award for nonparametric statistics. His former PhD students include Annick Leroy, Rik Lopuhaä, Geert Molenberghs, Christophe Croux, Mia Hubert, Stefan Van Aelst, Tim Verdonck and Jakob Raymaekers. He is the creator and sole sponsor of the Rousseeuw Prize for Statistics, which was first handed out by the King of Belgium in 2022.
Combustion synthesis of tunable‐aspect‐ratio β‐Si3N4/BN composite ceramic materials
Authors: Meng Qing , He Gang , Yang Zengchao , Li Jiangtao
Published: August 2024

High thermally conductive β‐Si3N4 is a new type of filler for thermally conductive materials. Tailoring its aspect ratio is crucial to optimize the preparation process and performance of polymer‐based thermal conductive materials. In this work, β‐Si3N4/BN thermally conductive hybrid fillers were prepared by combustion synthesis in a nitrogen atmosphere using low‐cost Si, B2O3 powders as raw materials, and the aspect ratio of β‐Si3N4 crystals were regulated according to the inhibiting growth strategy of second phase BN generated by in situ reaction. With the increase of B2O3, the content of BN increased slightly, while that of β‐Si3N4 decreased slightly. The aspect ratio of β‐Si3N4 decreased from 6.3 ± 1.9 to 1.9 ± 0.6, which might be ascribed to the inhibiting effect of BN sheets on the axial growth of rod‐like β‐Si3N4. Low‐aspect‐ratio β‐Si3N4/BN/epoxy composite exhibited high thermal conductivity of 1.04  W·m‐1·K‐1at the solid content of 50 wt%, which was 372.7% and 30.0% higher than that of neat epoxy and 40 wt% high‐aspect‐ratio β‐Si3N4/epoxy composite, respectively. In addition, β‐Si3N4/BN/epoxy composite also had good mechanical properties.
Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphor ceramic: A promising color converter for full‐color laser lighting
Authors: Wu Huajun , Xiao Han , Pan Guo‐Hui , Hao Zhendong , Zhang Liangliang , Wu Hao , Zhang Jiahua
Published: August 2024

Phosphor ceramics are considered to be promising color converters for high‐brightness laser lighting. However, current laser lighting usually suffers from a poor color rendering index (Ra ∼70) when using a single‐structured phosphor ceramic, due to the deficiencies in the cyan‐green and red components of the luminescence spectra. In this study, a series of Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+, Mn2+ (CSS:Ce3+, Mn2+) phosphor ceramics were prepared for the first time using a solid‐state reaction method. Based on the efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+ (with an energy transfer efficiency of ∼33.3%), these ceramics exhibit three distinct emission peaks appearing at 505, 580, and 680 nm, covering the cyan‐green, yellow, and deep red‐light regions, respectively. Additionally, the ceramics display excellent thermal stability, with a thermal quenching temperature (T0.5) exceeding 160°C. Finally, a laser lighting source was constructed by combining the CSS:Ce3+, Mn2+ ceramic with a blue laser diode. By optimizing the Mn2+ concentration, a tunable color from cyan‐green to white was achieved, and the resulting Ra and luminous efficacy of the white light were 86 and 65 lm/W, respectively. These results demonstrate that the CSS:Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphor ceramic is an excellent color converter for full‐color laser lighting.
Stress–strain behavior of Cu on the AMB‐Si3N4 substrate undergoing thermal cycles via in situ strain measurement
Authors: Ngo Minh Chu , Miyazaki Hiroyuki , Hirao Kiyoshi , Ohji Tatsuki , Fukushima Manabu
Published: August 2024

The active metal brazing of a Si3N4 substrate with Cu has been evaluated for excellent reliability, demonstrating durability up to 1000 cycles in a cycling test ranging from −40°C to 250°C. While the finite element method (FEM) is commonly used for predicting thermal stress–strain in cyclic tests, experimental data on the measurement of thermal stress–strain on metallized substrates have remained limited. In this study, a digital image correlation (DIC) method was employed for the in situ measurement of thermal strain on a fully Cu‐coated Si3N4 substrate (AMB‐SN substrate) in various consecutive thermal cycles, ranging from 1–2 to 199–200. The thermal strains exhibited hysteresis curves that expanded slightly with cycles. By incorporating the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of plain Cu and Si3N4, both the thermal stress and strain of Si3N4 and Cu on the AMB‐SN substrate were computed. The stress–strain curves of Cu revealed that the yield stress of Cu increased with the number of cycles, attributed to the cyclic hardening of the Cu layer. The Cu stress–strain curve calculated in this work showed a good agreement with the previous results obtained from compression/tension test of Cu at room temperature, which indicates the stress–strain curve of Cu on the composite was not sensitive to the temperature during the thermal cycle.
Machine‐learning interatomic potentials for pyrolysis of polysiloxanes and properties of SiCO ceramics
Authors: Falgoust Mitchell , Kroll Peter
Published: August 2024

We present machine‐learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) for simulations of Si–C–O–H compounds. The MLIPs are constructed from moment tensor potentials (MTPs) and were trained to a library of configurations that included polysiloxane structures, hypothetical crystalline and amorphous SiCOH structures, and trajectories of Si–C–O–H systems obtained via ab initio molecular dynamic (aiMD) simulations at elevated temperatures. Passive, active, and hybrid learning strategies were implemented to develop the MLIPs. The MLIPs reproduce vibrational properties of polymers and SiCOH structures obtained from aiMD simulations, thus providing a tool to identify chemical units and distinct structural characteristics through their vibrational properties. Simulations of the polymer‐to‐ceramic transformation show the development of mixed tetrahedra in SiCO ceramics and align with experimental observations. Million‐atom simulations for several nanoseconds highlight the precipitation of graphitic nanosheets from a carbon‐rich SiCO precursor. Atomistic simulations with the MLIPs deliver details of chemical reaction mechanisms during the pyrolysis of polysiloxanes, including methane abstraction and Kumada‐like rearrangements that transform the siloxane backbone. While the MLIPs still leave room for systematic improvement, they deliver simulations with “density functional theory (DFT)‐like” quality at low and high temperatures.
Evaluation of community pharmacists' knowledge, practice and barriers towards diabetes management in Asir region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Salem Heba H. , Bazan Naglaa S. , Addal Waad Al , Alkhmash Mona , Bana Mashael Abu , Al Awad Sumayah M. , Asiri Hind S. , Alwadei Samar D. , Khaled Arwa
Published: August 2024

Rationale, Aims and Objectives

Diabetes mellitus is a global serious health problem that has a clear negative impact on economy. The high prevalence of diabetes worldwide urges for prevention and educational programs. Engagement of community pharmacists in offering various diabetes care services enables delivery of quality of care for patients and could play key role in diabetes management. The current study was designed to assess the knowledge towards diabetes among community pharmacists and to investigate their role in diabetes management through identifying different diabetes care services they provide in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. In addition, possible barriers for providing these services were evaluated.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was performed using an online self‐administered anonymous survey that consisted of 4 domains: demographics, knowledge, practice and barriers related to diabetes management.

Results

A total of 258 pharmacists completed the survey, and one‐third of respondents (34.5%) demonstrated good knowledge while 42.2% showed moderate knowledge towards diabetes. Respondents of the age group (30–39) years, males, those with bachelor's degree and those with 5 years or less of experience had higher mean knowledge. Nearly half of the participants had positive practice. The most prominent (75%) services offered by the community pharmacists were counselling on the appropriate administration, handling and storage of insulin and the appropriate time to administer oral antidiabetic drugs. Pharmacists who received training had higher mean practice scores. Lack of time, lack of diabetic patients visiting the pharmacy and low patient expectations regarding pharmacists' role in diabetes care were identified as the most important barriers they encountered.

Conclusion

Community pharmacists of Asir region exhibited moderate knowledge and practices regarding diabetes management. Our results support the need for national advanced diabetes training programs targeting community pharmacists for providing quality of care services for diabetic patients Moreover, strategies to overcome the reported barriers are indispensable.
Characterising repetitive behaviours in children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Fucà E. , Costanzo F. , Vicari S.
Published: August 2024

Background

Individuals with intellectual disability, including people with Down syndrome (DS), often exhibit restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). However, RRBs have not been deeply characterised in children and adolescents with DS.

Method

The study encompassed a cohort of 151 participants aged 4 to 18 years with DS. RRBs were assessed utilising the Repetitive Behaviour Scale‐Revised. Additionally, data pertaining to cognitive and adaptive functioning, linguistic abilities, sleep patterns and emotional/behavioural issues were gathered.

Results

Self‐injurious behaviours were reported less frequently whereas parents most commonly endorsed items related to behaviours associated with the need for sameness and ritualistic behaviours. We observed very few gender differences, whereas some age‐related differences emerged, with adolescents exhibiting higher scores in items related with higher‐level RRBs. The analysis of the association between RRBs and clinical features revealed that RRBs were associated with parent‐reported sleep difficulties, as well as with internalising and externalising problems. We also observed a negative correlation with IQ whereas associations with adaptive skills emerged mainly for lower‐level RRBs, such as motor stereotypies. Finally, RRBs were negatively associated with linguistic abilities, both expressive and receptive.

Conclusions

RRBs in children and adolescents with DS are of significant clinical interest due to their associations with various clinical dimensions. Therefore, psychological and neuropsychiatric assessment should include an accurate evaluation of RRBs for young people with DS.
Extractivism's limits: A conversation
Authors: Jobson Ryan Cecil , Gómez‐Barris Macarena , Howe Cymene , Winchell Mareike
Published: August 2024

In this multiauthored conversation on the limits of extractivism, Ryan Cecil Jobson, Macarena Gómez Barris, Cymene Howe, and Mareike Winchell collectively reflect on the erasures and displacements of extractivism, and how it works to produce affective and material outcomes. They take time to imagine the possible, or the aspirational, futures in a postextractive world or worlds, while recognizing that “extractivism” itself has become a way of marking multiplied effects (and affects) that unfold differently in time and place, for humans and for nonhumans.
Canadian Midwives’ Experiences with Nutrition in Their Training and Practice: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Butler Jordyn , Sawaya Yvana , Seabrook Jamie A. , Madill Janet , Twynstra Jasna
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Midwives are primary prenatal care providers well‐positioned to offer nutrition advice to pregnant individuals; however, no Canadian study has assessed midwives’ experience with nutrition education. The objective of this study was to investigate Canadian midwives’ experiences with nutrition in their practice, their level of nutrition education, and their recommendations on select nutrition topics.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study used an anonymous online survey consisting of 4 sections: demographics, opinions on the importance of nutrition, nutrition recommendations for pregnancy, and nutrition topics that midwives would like more information on. Responses were recorded using Likert‐type scales, multiple choice, or open‐ended questions. Eligible participants, registered Canadian midwives, were recruited through advertisements in e‐newsletters via national and provincial midwifery associations, social media posts, and emails to midwifery clinics. An independent samples t test compared differences in means for continuous outcomes, the χ2 test compared categorical variables, and the Mann‐Whitney U test compared ordinal variables. A P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

In total, 161 midwives completed the online survey. Most midwives (92.5%) indicated that nutrition for pregnancy was important, and 83.2% believed their role in providing nutrition information to pregnant women was important. Almost two‐thirds (63.8%) of midwives received nutrition education. Comfort levels were highest (median = 4) when providing nutrition advice on healthy eating, weight gain, Listeria, anemia, heartburn, safe food handling, nutrition for breastfeeding, and weight gain for women with obesity. Almost all the midwives (99.4%) had provided nutrition information to pregnant women, and 85.2% of their recommendations aligned with Canadian guidelines and literature.

Discussion

Canadian midwives valued the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and their role in providing nutrition information to pregnant women. The level of comfort in advising on nutrition ranged from uncomfortable to very comfortable depending on the topic, and most (85.2%) of their advice aligned with Canadian guidelines and relevant literature.
The social construction of time and its influence on medical education
Authors: Wyatt Tasha R. , de Oliveira Vidal Edison Iglesias
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Few sociocultural constructs exist that are so deeply embedded in our daily lives and able to influence our thoughts, behaviours and interactions than time itself. Time spans all cultures, and yet many of us have not critically engaged with how time effects what we do, how we perceive and the ways in which we interact. As such, our relationship to time remains almost invisible running in the background nearly unnoticed until it is somehow brought into conscious awareness.

Context

In this paper, we draw on Levine's concepts of clock time and event time as different perspectives on time, demonstrating how they play out in medical education and clinical practice within the United States and Brazil. Clock time treats time as something external to our lives, fixed by the natural world and measured by clocks. Event time is conceptualised more flexibly, where the duration of activities depends on internal cues related to the flow and progression of events rather than strict schedules.

Discussion

By contrasting these differences, we hope to make visible the way that time influences our choices for educating physicians and provide a foundation for medical education to begin questioning how time is positioned, experienced and understood as a powerful force in the shaping of our profession. Additionally, we consider these perspectives within the concepts of Taylorism and Slow Medicine to better understand their links to medicine's formal and hidden curriculum in hopes of raising awareness and create new visions for medical education.
Reflecting on the Spectrum of Involvement: How do we involve patients as partners in education?
Authors: Bennett‐Weston Amber , Gay Simon , Anderson Elizabeth S.
Published: August 2024

Background

The Spectrum of Involvement describes six levels of active patient involvement in healthcare education. Only at the highest levels are patients described as ‘equal partners’. Although this framework was never intended to be hierarchical, healthcare educators continue to strive towards aspirations for involving patients as ‘equal partners’ in education. However, we do not know what these partnerships mean for all stakeholders and how they can be achieved in practice. This study explores key stakeholders' understandings and experiences of patient partnerships in healthcare education.

Methods

A qualitative case study design was adopted, underpinned by a social constructivist philosophical stance. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with patients (n = 10) and educators (n = 10) from across a Medical School and a Healthcare School. Five focus groups were held with penultimate year students (n = 20) from across the two Schools. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were generated: (i) equal partnerships are neither feasible nor desirable; (ii) partnership is about being and feeling valued; and (iii) valuing patients as partners. Patients did not always desire the highest levels of involvement, as ‘equal partners’ in education. All stakeholders agreed that partnership need not be synonymous with equality. Instead, they contended that true partnerships were about valuing patients for their contributions at any level of involvement. Remuneration, student feedback, training and providing institutional access were viewed as important methods of valuing patients as partners.

Conclusion

Patients, educators and students questioned the notion that patient partnerships are only achievable at the highest levels of involvement. Critical application of the Spectrum of Involvement in future research and education is encouraged. This study addresses a gap in the literature, providing tangible approaches to valuing patients as partners that are endorsed by all stakeholders. We propose a model for achieving valued patient partnerships in educational practice.
Sex‐based factors influencing perceived relocation stress and glycemic control among older adults with diabetes
Authors: Chen Shu‐Ming , Wu Chiung‐Jung (Jo)
Published: August 2024

This study investigated sex differences perceived relocation stress and glycemic control among older adults with type 2 diabetes in long‐term care facilities. A cross‐sectional correlation design was used to recruit 120 residents during their first year after moving into the facilities in southern Taiwan. The results showed that almost two‐thirds of the participants (64.2%) were women. The mean age was 79.62 (SD = 1.71). Older women with diabetes were reported to have significantly lower levels of education and poor glycemic control but higher levels of perceived relocation stress than men; however, functional independence was significantly higher in men. Although perceived relocation stress significantly predicted HbA1c levels in both women and men, length of stay was also significant in predicting HbA1c levels in women. These findings indicate the need for effective physical and psychological measures to improve glycemic control during the first year of stay in long‐term care facilities.
Two new qPCR assays for detecting and quantifying the Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus clades in maize kernels
Authors: Leharanger Alexandre , Paumier Delphine , Orlando Beatrice , Bailly Sylviane , Valade Romain
Published: August 2024

The fungi of Aspergillus section Flavi can produce carcinogenic mycotoxins—aflatoxins (AFs)—of two types: types B and G (AFBs and AFGs). AFs are highly hazardous for human and animal health. Their levels in food and feed are therefore highly regulated, with a low acceptable limit for AF content. In France, climate change has led to the detection of AFs in maize harvests since 2015. Mycoflora analyses have identified two species, A. flavus (producing AFBs) and A. parasiticus (producing both AFBs and AFGs), as responsible for this AF contamination. However, mycoflora analysis is a time‐consuming method that cannot readily be applied to large numbers of samples. We propose here an alternative clade‐specific functional TaqMan quantitative PCR method based on the calmodulin gene for distinguishing between the A. flavus clade (AfC) and the A. parasiticus clade (ApC). We applied this method to 553 maize samples collected in three different harvest years (2018–2020). Both clades were detected in about 40% of the samples tested. As expected, we observed significant positive correlations between AFBs and AfC DNA (R2 = 0.708), and between AFGs and ApC DNA (R2 = 0.885). This method will be useful for the rapid, simple and cheap characterization of maize grain contamination with Aspergillus section Flavi. This method will make it possible to study the relationship between agroclimatic conditions, AF content and species prevalence, to facilitate the anticipation of AF risks due to global warming in France.
Artemisia annua ZFP8L regulates glandular trichome development
Authors: Zhang Shiyang , Chen Haixia , Guo Sheng , Wang Chen , Jiang Kerui , Cui Jiangyuan , Wang Bo
Published: August 2024

Trichomes are known to be important biofactories that contribute to the production of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids. C2H2‐zinc finger proteins (C2H2‐ZFPs) are vital transcription factors of plants' trichome development. However, little is known about the function of Artemisia annua C2H2‐ZFPs in trichome development. To explore the roles of this gene family in trichome development, two C2H2‐ZFP transcription factors, named AaZFP8L and AaGIS3, were identified; both are hormonally regulated in A. annua. Overexpression of AaZFP8L in tobacco led to a significant increase in the density and length of glandular trichomes, and improved terpenoid content. In contrast, AaGIS3 was found to positively regulate non‐glandular trichome initiation and elongation, which reduces terpenoid accumulation. In addition, ABA contents significantly increased in AaZFP8L‐overexpressing tobacco lines and AaZFP8L also can directly bind the promoter of the ABA biosynthesis genes. This study lays the foundation for further investigating A. annua C2H2‐ZFPs in trichome development and terpenoid accumulation.
Transformation in the forest: the role for restoration in the transition away from native forestry in Australia
Authors: McCormack Phillipa C. , Akhtar‐Khavari Afshin , Richardson Benjamin J.
Published: August 2024

The native forestry industry is being reconsidered, or actively phased out, across most parts of Australia. This kind of transition has happened elsewhere in the world but, in Australia, there is no clarity from governments about what those forestry areas will become, from an ecological or legal perspective. In this research, we investigate the ecological, climatic, and governance contexts for this transition away from native forestry, placing our results in the context of the Global Biodiversity Framework's push to restore 30% of the Earth's land, coasts and oceans. We demonstrate important gaps in government planning for the future of former native forestry coupes, arguing that “after forestry” many of these places will need active intervention to recover these ecosystems and address historic land degradation. This case study combines legal analysis with a review of the restoration literature to illustrate the importance of the governance framework within which restoration science is evolving. We demonstrate the complexity of governing restoration at large scales as the climate changes, as well as potential opportunities to reconcile fragmented governance arrangements, to ensure that this transition results in resilient forest ecosystems in currently degraded areas.