bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety analysis of Sormeh underground mine to improve sublevel stoping stability
Authors: Hosseini Mostafa , Azhari Amin , Lotfi Rahman , Baghbanan Alireza
Published: May 2023

In underground mines, sublevel stoping is used among a variety of different methods for mining an orebody, which creates large underground openings. In this case, the stability of these openings is affected by a number of factors, including the geometrical characteristics of the rock and mining‐induced stresses. In this study, a sensitivity analysis was conducted with the numerical, squat pillar, and Mathews stability methods using the Taguchi technique to properly understand the influence of geometric parameters and stress on stope stability according to Sormeh underground mine data. The results show a full factorial analysis is more reliable since stope stability is a complex process. Furthermore, the numerical results indicate that overburden stress has the most impact on stope stability, followed by stope height. However, the results obtained with Mathews and squat pillar methods show that stope height has the greatest impact, followed by overburden stress and span. It appears that these methods overestimate the impact of stope height. Therefore, it is highly recommended that Mathews and squat pillar methods should not be used in high stope that is divided with several sill pillars. Nonetheless, Mathews method cannot accurately predict how the sill pillar impacts the stope stability. In addition, numerical analysis shows that all geometric parameters affect the roof safety factor, whereas the sill pillar has no significant influence on the safety factor of the hanging wall, which is primarily determined by the stope height–span ratio.
Recovery patterns in community composition of fruit‐feeding butterflies following 26 years of active forest restoration
Authors: Korkiatupa Eveliina , Malinga Geoffrey M. , Nakadai Ryosuke , Nyafwono Margaret , Akite Perpetra , Holm Sille , van Goor Wouter , Kigenyi Richard , Valtonen Anu
Published: May 2023

Restoration of forests is now considered an essential tool to combat climate change and the global biodiversity decline. However, our understanding of how animal communities recover after restoration interventions in tropical forests is limited. Here, we aim to reveal the recovery patterns of fruit‐feeding butterfly communities across a large‐scale rainforest restoration area in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Our study represents a chronosequence resampling of fruit‐feeding butterfly communities across actively restored Afrotropical forest planted between 1995 and 2011 and primary forest reference sites. Sampling of 40 study sites was done first in the period 2011–2012 and again in the period 2020–2021 (including 5 new study sites), allowing a direct comparison of how communities have changed in nine years and to follow the progress of 26 years of active restoration. Fruit‐feeding butterfly community composition showed a directional pattern from the younger restored to older restored and primary forests. However, over the nine years, the similarity of community composition to primary forest increased only in younger restored forests. Furthermore, different characteristics of community structure and different diversity facets recovered at different paces. For example, the count of individuals, the count of species, and phylogenetic diversity increased in the restored forests; however, Simpson's diversity increased only in the older restored forest. Our study shows that active restoration can help fruit‐feeding butterfly communities become increasingly similar to communities found in primary forests, and such changes can be relatively fast in the early‐successional phases of tropical forests but slow down at later phases.
Assessing the importance of species and their assemblages for the biodiversity‐ecosystem multifunctionality relationship
Authors: Mori Akira S. , Isbell Forest , Cadotte Marc W.
Published: May 2023

Biodiversity changes, such as decline in species richness and biotic homogenization, can have grave consequences for ecosystem functionality. Careful investigation of biodiversity–ecosystem multifunctionality linkages with due consideration of conceptual and technical challenges is required to make the knowledge practically useful in managing social–ecological systems. In this paper, we introduced different methods to assess perspectives regarding the issue of diversity‐multifunctionality, including a possible multifunctional redundancy/uniqueness, and the influences of the number and identity of functions on multifunctionality. In particular, we aimed to align methods with detecting the mechanisms underpinning diversity‐multifunctional relationships that are free from statistical biases. Based on a set of novel methods that excluded analytical biases resulting from differences in the number and identities of multiple functions considered, we found that a substantial portion of species disproportionately supported ecosystem functions and that the diversity effects on multifunctionality were more markedly observed when more functions were considered. These results jointly emphasize that individual species are, to some extent, both functionally unique as well as redundant, highlighting the complexity and necessity for managed assemblages to retain high levels of diversity. We also observed that the relative magnitude of uniqueness or redundancy can differ between species and functions and therefore should be defined in a multifunctional context. We further found that only a small subset of species was identified as significantly less important, especially at low levels of multifunctionality. Taken together, given the low level of multifunctional redundancy we identified, we stress that unraveling the hierarchical roles of biodiversity at different levels, such as individual species and their assemblages, should be a high research priority, in both theory and practice.
Facile Fabrication of Bi24O31Br10 Nanosheets with Phosphorus Sulfide Quantum Dots for Highly Photocatalytic Treating Organic Dyes
Authors: Cao Congli , Xu Hu , Wang Dongsheng , Fang Zhen , Yu Jun , Wang Yuhong
Published: May 2023

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel narrow band gap phosphorus sulfide quantum dots (PSQDs)‐modified bismuth oxybromide (Bi24O31Br10) heterojunction (noted as BOB/PS) for the highly efficient photo‐degradation of hazardous organic pollutants including rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and malachite green (MG). Such a high photocatalytic activity of BOB/PSQDs heterojunction derives from the improved visible‐light response capacity, high surface area/pore volume, and suitable band structure for efficient electron transfer to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS trapping experiments demonstrate that hydroxy (⋅OH) and superoxide radicals (⋅O2−) play important roles in the photo‐degradation. A possible S‐scheme mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of BOB/PS is proposed.
Fluorinated Analogues to the Pentuloses of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway
Authors: Scheibelberger Lukas , Stankovic Toda , Liepert Kaja , Kienzle Andreas , Patronas Eva‐Maria , Balber Theresa , Mitterhauser Markus , Haschemi Arvand , Pallitsch Katharina
Published: May 2023

Fluorinated carbohydrates are valuable tools for enzymological studies due to their increased metabolic stability compared to their non‐fluorinated analogues. Replacing different hydroxyl groups within the same monosaccharide by fluorine allows to influence a wide range of sugar–receptor interactions and enzymatic transformations. In the past, this principle was frequently used to study the metabolism of highly abundant carbohydrates, while the metabolic fate of rare sugars is still poorly studied. Rare sugars, however, are key intermediates of many metabolic routes, such as the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Here we present the design and purely chemical synthesis of a set of three deoxyfluorinated analogues of the rare sugars d‐xylulose and d‐ribulose: 1‐deoxy‐1‐fluoro‐d‐ribulose (1DFRu), 3‐deoxy‐3‐fluoro‐d‐ribulose (3DFRu) and 3‐deoxy‐3‐fluoro‐d‐xylulose (3DFXu). Together with a designed set of potential late‐stage radio‐fluorination precursors, they have the potential to become useful tools for studies on the complex equilibria of the non‐oxidative PPP.
Y‐box binding protein 1 influences zygotic genome activation by regulating N6‐methyladenosine in porcine embryos
Authors: Jiang Wen‐Jie , Sun Ming‐Hong , Li Xiao‐Han , Lee Song‐Hee , Heo Geun , Zhou Dongjie , Cui Xiang‐Shun
Published: May 2023

Y‐box binding protein 1 (YBX1) is a member of the family of DNA‐ and RNA‐binding proteins that play crucial roles in multiple aspects, including RNA stabilization, translational repression, and transcriptional regulation; however, its roles in embryo development remain less known. In this study, to investigate the function of YBX1 and its mechanism of action in porcine embryo development, YBX1 was knocked down by microinjecting YBX1 siRNA at the one‐cell stage. YBX1 is located in the cytoplasm during embryonic development. The mRNA level of YBX1 was increased from the four‐cell stage to the blastocyst stage but was significantly decreased in YBX1 knockdown embryos compared with the control. Moreover, the percentage of blastocysts was decreased following YBX1 knockdown compared with the control. Defecting YBX1 expression increased maternal gene mRNA expression and decreased zygotic genome activation (ZGA) gene mRNA expression and histone modification owing to decreased levels of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) writer N6‐adenosine‐methyltransferase 70 kDa subunit (METTL3) and reader insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein (IGF2BP1). In addition, IGF2BP1 knockdown showed that YBX1 regulated the ZGA process through m6A modification. In conclusion, YBX1 is essential for early embryo development because it regulates the ZGA process.
Working hard for money decreases risk tolerance
Authors: Bechler Christopher J. , Lutfeali Samina , Huang Szu‐chi , Morris Joshua I.
Published: May 2023

This research examines how the effort that consumers exert to earn money affects their risk tolerance. We theorize and find that working harder—that is, more effortful earning—increases perceived ownership and valuation of earnings, and thus aversion to losing them, resulting in lower risk tolerance, even when risk is associated with better expected outcomes. Documenting this causal negative effort–risk relationship is important because it (1) runs contrary to consumers' lay beliefs and population‐level analysis which conversely suggest a positive effort–risk correlation (i.e., a Simpson's paradox, Experiment 2), (2) expands understanding of how the way in which people acquire money affects risk tolerance beyond classic research on windfall gains (i.e., unanticipated rewards) and house money (i.e., unrealized gains), and hence (3) reveals a unique mechanism of perceived ownership that drives this negative causal relationship. Leveraging this unique mechanism, we further show that this negative effort–risk relationship can be attenuated by changing the currency of the money that consumers earn to be one that consumers have low ownership over (e.g., Bitcoin for non‐crypto users).
2023 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS Expert Consensus Statement on Practical Management of the Remote Device Clinic
Authors: Ferrick Aileen M. , Raj Satish R. , Deneke Thomas , Kojodjojo Pipin , Lopez‐Cabanillas Nestor , Abe Haruhiko , Boveda Serge , Chew Derek S. , Choi Jong‐Il , Dagres Nikolaos , Dalal Aarti S. , Dechert Brynn E. , Frazier‐Mills Camille G. , Gilbert Olivia , Han Janet K. , Hewit Sherri , Kneeland Christine , Mirza Starr DeEllen , Mittal Suneet , Ricci Renato Pietro , Runte Mary , Sinclair Susan , Alkmim‐Teixeira Ricardo , Vandenberk Bert , Varma Niraj ,   Document Reviewers, Davenport Elizabeth , Freedenberg Vicki , Glotzer Taya V. , Huang Jin‐Long , Ikeda Takanori , Kramer Daniel B. , Lin David , Rojel‐Martínez Ulises , Stühlinger Markus , Varosy Paul D.
Published: May 2023

Remote monitoring is beneficial for the management of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices by impacting morbidity and mortality. With increasing numbers of patients using remote monitoring, keeping up with higher volume of remote monitoring transmissions creates challenges for device clinic staff. This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide cardiac electrophysiologists, allied professionals, and hospital administrators in managing remote monitoring clinics. This includes guidance for remote monitoring clinic staffing, appropriate clinic workflows, patient education, and alert management. This expert consensus statement also addresses other topics such as communication of transmission results, use of third‐party resources, manufacturer responsibilities, and programming concerns. The goal is to provide evidence‐based recommendations impacting all aspects of remote monitoring services. Gaps in current knowledge and guidance for future research directions are also identified.
Discovery of novel serum biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting postmenopausal osteoporosis patients by 4D‐label free protein omics
Authors: Li Chunyan , Pan Haizhou , Liu Wei , Jin Guohong , Liu Wuzheng , Liang Cuiying , Jiang Xieyuan
Published: May 2023

We aimed to identify protein biomarkers that could rapidly and accurately diagnose osteoporosis patients (OPs) using a highly sensitive proteomic immunoassay. Four‐dimensional (4D) label‐free proteomics analysis was performed to determine the differentially expressed proteins in serum collected from 10 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and 6 non‐osteoporosis patients. The ELISA method was used to select the predicted proteins for verification. Serum was taken from 36 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and 36 healthy individuals from normal postmenopausal women. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the diagnostic potential of this method. We validated the expression of these six proteins using ELISA. The CDH1, IGFBP2, and VWF of osteoporosis patients were significantly higher than those of the normal group. PNP was significantly lower than that in the normal group. And using ROC curve calculation, serum CDH1 had a cut‐off of 3.78 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 84.4%, and PNP had a cut‐off of 944.32 ng/mL with 88.9% sensitivity. These outcomes suggest that serum‐level CHD1 and PNP have the potential power as effective indicators for the diagnosis of PMOP. Our results suggest that CHD1 and PNP might be associated with the pathogenesis of OP and would be helpful in diagnosing OP. Therefore, CHD1 and PNP may act as potential key markers in OP.
Assessment of cyanide intake through consumption of cassava‐based diets in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Miderho Christus C. , Njue Lucy G. , Abong' George O.
Published: May 2023

Background

Konzo is attributed to inadequate cassava processing and consumption of cassava meals with little protein, which is characterized by a neurological disorder that causes paralysis of the lower limbs. However, the exposure to cyanide in the Mwana health zone is still unknown while the prevalence of konzo is assumed to be high compared with other areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Results

The results showed that women are the most affected (56.7%), followed by young people under the age of 10 (27%), and people from low socioeconomic class at 93.4%. The prevalence of konzo in Burhinyi is 0.06%. Cyanide intake by the population of Burhinyi ranged from 26 to 271 mg/kg bw/day at the 95th percentile through consumption of cassava‐based ugali. Margin of exposure was around 0.271 and 0.393 g/person/day.

Conclusion

Poor people, women, and children are more at risk for konzo disease due to a diet dominated by under processed food made from cassava. However, since 2011, the study area's konzo prevalence has remained constant.
Service dogs an underutilized source of support for those with MI diagnoses
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2023

(Editor's note: In each issue of MHW during Mental Health Awareness Month, we will feature an innovative initiative in mental health advocacy/promotion.)
FAA combats stigma around pilots seeking help
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues trying to communicate to airline pilots that seeking needed help for mental health issues will not ground their careers.
Music helps soothe persons with mental health challenges
Authors: Greaney Thomas M.
Published: May 2023

There is a growing body of evidence that shows music can help persons with mental health diagnoses better cope with the vicissitudes of life. I can attest to this. When I spoke with my dual‐diagnosis clients about the skills they use when feeling vulnerable to unhealthy choices while in the midst of an episode ranging from mild to significant, a clear majority of my clients indicated that they use music to soothe their worries.
Synchrony in psychotherapy: High physiological positive concordance predicts symptom reduction and negative concordance predicts symptom aggravation
Authors: Gernert Clara C. , Nelson Afton , Falkai Peter , Falter‐Wagner Christine M.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Therapeutic alliance is often considered as a predictor for therapeutic success. This study explored dyadic synchrony of skin conductance response (SCR) during naturalistic therapeutic interactions and investigated its potential as an objective biomarker for predicting therapy effectiveness.

Methods

In this proof‐of‐concept study, skin conductance from both dyad members was continuously measured via wristbands during psychotherapy. Patients and therapists completed post‐session reports capturing their subjective appraisal of therapeutic alliance. Additionally, patients completed symptom questionnaires. Each therapeutic dyad was recorded twice in a follow‐up design. The first session of the follow‐up group was assessed for physiological synchrony (Single Session Index (SSI)). Therapy outcome was captured by the difference between symptom severity scores over time.

Results

SCR synchrony significantly predicted the outcome variable of change in patients' global severity index (GSI). High positive SCR concordance was linked to a reduction in patients' GSI, while negative or small positive SSI values were linked to an increase in patients' GSI.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the presence of SCR synchrony in clinical interactions. Skin conductance response synchrony was a significant predictor for change in patients' symptom severity index, emphasizing its potential as an objective biomarker in the context of evidence‐based psychotherapy.
What affects self‐regulated learning ability in undergraduate nursing students: A structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Zhang Hongchen , Xiong Huajun , Chung Loretta Yuet Foon , Wang Yanhong , Wang Peiling , Fang Lei , Han Lin , Yang Yanwei
Published: May 2023

Aim

To examine how the effects of hardiness, self‐efficacy and positive academic emotion related to the SRL ability of undergraduate nursing students.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey was designed.

Methods

A total of 395 Chinese undergraduate nursing students from two undergraduate colleges filled out the questionnaires from May to June 2019. The relationships between hardiness, self‐efficacy, positive academic emotion and SRL ability were analysed by structural equation modelling.

Results

The response rate was 94.05%. SRL ability was significantly positive correlated with hardiness, self‐efficacy and positive academic emotion in undergraduate nursing students. Self‐efficacy (β = 0.417, p < 0.001) and positive academic emotion (β = 0.232, p < 0.001) showed a direct effect on the SRL ability. Although hardiness showed no direct effect on the SRL ability, it affected SRL ability through three indirect ways: self‐efficacy (77.778%), positive academic emotion (14.184%) and the chain mediating effect from self‐efficacy to positive academic emotion (8.038%).

Conclusions

Nursing students with a higher level of hardiness would have higher self‐efficacy, and more positive and stable academic emotions to obtain the better SRL ability. The produced model provides insights into several factors associated with SRL ability of nursing students. Hardiness, self‐efficacy and positive academic emotion should be emphasized in the education of nursing students because these factors could improve their SRL ability and promote their life‐long learning.
Association of two variable number of tandem repeats in the monoamine oxidase A gene promoter with suicide completion: The present study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hasegawa Masashi , Tanifuji Takaki , Okazaki Satoshi , Otsuka Ikuo , Shirai Toshiyuki , Shindo Ryota , Horai Tadasu , Mouri Kentaro , Takahashi Motonori , Kondo Takeshi , Ueno Yasuhiro , Hishimoto Akitoyo
Published: May 2023

Background

One potential cause of suicide is serotonergic dysfunction. Sex differences have been reported to modulate the effects of serotonergic polymorphisms. Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is an enzyme that degrades serotonin and is located on the X chromosome. A previous study indicated that the upstream (u) variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) in the MAOA gene promoter may be associated with suicide. However, a meta‐analysis showed that this polymorphism may not be related to suicide. According to a recent study, compared with the uVNTR, the distal (d)VNTR and the haplotypes of the two VNTRs modulate MAOA expression.

Methods

We examined the two VNTRs in the MAOA gene promoter in 1007 subjects who committed suicide and 844 healthy controls. We analyzed the two VNTRs using fluorescence‐based polymerase chain reaction assays. We conducted a meta‐analysis for the two VNTRs to update it.

Results

Our results demonstrated that neither the genotype‐based associations nor allele/haplotype frequencies of the two VNTRs were significantly associated with suicide. In the meta‐analysis, we did not indicate relationships between uVNTR and suicide nor did we identify articles analyzing dVNTR in suicide.

Conclusion

Overall, we did not find a relationship between the two VNTRs in the MAOA promoter and suicide completion; thus, warranting further studies are required.
An open AI roundup: What marketers are saying about ChatGPT
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: May 2023

ChatGPT is a hot topic in the academy, mostly related to cheating and plagiarism. But this AI tool is also sparking conversations in college and university marketing and communications offices.
Targeting peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ proteasomal degradation by magnolol is a potential avenue for adipogenesis‐mediated metabolic homeostasis
Authors: Li Peng‐Long , Li Mei , Wang Zhenya , Wang Xiao‐Ming , Liu Shuai‐Yang , Tian Song , Wang Zhou‐Xiang , Cheng Xu , Hu Yufeng , Zhang Peng , She Zhi‐Gang , Yang Hailong , Li Hongliang , Zhang Xiao‐Jing
Published: May 2023

Objective

Adipogenesis has been recognized as an attractive avenue for maintaining systemic homeostasis, with peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) showing predominant roles in this process. This study aims to identify promising drug candidates by targeting PPARγ for adipogenesis‐based metabolic homeostasis and to clarify the detailed mechanisms.

Methods

Molecular events contributing to adipogenesis were screened, which identified PPARγ as having the predominant role. Promising agents of adipogenesis agonism were screened using a PPARγ‐based luciferase reporter assay. The functional capacity and molecular mechanisms of magnolol were intensively examined using 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and dietary models.

Results

This study found that F‐box only protein 9 (FBXO9)‐mediated lysine 11 (K11)‐linked ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of PPARγ are critically required during adipogenesis and systemic homeostasis. Notably, magnolol was identified as a potent adipogenesis activator by stabilizing PPARγ. The pharmacological mechanisms investigations clarified that magnolol directly binds to PPARγ and markedly interrupts its interaction with FBXO9, leading to a decline in K11‐linked ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of PPARγ. Clinically important, magnolol treatment significantly facilitates adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

The downregulation of K11‐linked ubiquitination of PPARγ caused by FBOX9 is essentially required for adipogenesis, while targeting PPARγ‐FBXO9 interaction provides a new avenue for the therapy of adipogenesis‐related metabolic disorder.
Betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase promotes adipocyte commitment and insulin resistance via p38 MAPK/Smad signaling
Authors: Liu Chuchu , Zhang Yao , Wang Yanping , Wang Ning , Xu Junting , Liang Xingxing , Xiong Jie , Lu Sijia , Zhou Peihui , Liu Junli , Chen Suzhen
Published: May 2023

Objective

Betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase (Bhmt) belongs to the family of methyltransferases and is involved in the one‐carbon metabolic cycle, which is associated with the risk of diabetes and adiposity. This study aimed to explore whether Bhmt participated in the development of obesity or its associated diabetes, as well as the mechanism involved.

Methods

The expression levels of Bhmt were examined in stromal vascular fraction cells and mature adipocytes in obesity and nonobesity. Knockdown and overexpression of Bhmt in C3H10T1/2 cells were used to investigate Bhmt's function in adipogenesis. Bhmt's role in vivo was analyzed using an adenovirus‐expressing system and a high‐fat diet–induced obesity mouse model.

Results

Bhmt was highly expressed in stromal vascular fraction cells rather than mature adipocytes of adipose tissue and was upregulated in adipose tissue in obesity and C3H10T1/2‐commited preadipocytes. Overexpression of Bhmt promoted adipocyte commitment and differentiation in vitro and exacerbated adipose tissue expansion in vivo, with a concomitant increase in insulin resistance, whereas Bhmt silencing exhibited opposite effects. Mechanistically, Bhmt‐induced adipose expansion was mediated by stimulating the p38 MAPK/Smad pathway.

Conclusions

The findings of this study highlight the obesogenic and diabetogenic role of adipocytic Bhmt and propose Bhmt as a promising therapeutic target for obesity and obesity‐related diabetes.
Liraglutide versus semaglutide for weight reduction—a cost needed to treat analysis
Authors: Azuri Joseph , Hammerman Ariel , Aboalhasan Enis , Sluckis Ben , Arbel Ronen
Published: May 2023

Objective

Higher doses of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists liraglutide and, more recently, semaglutide have demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight. However, their comparative value for money for this indication is unclear.

Methods

The cost needed to treat to achieve a 1% reduction in body weight using semaglutide or liraglutide was calculated. The body weight reductions were extracted from the published STEP 1 trial and the SCALE trial results, respectively. A scenario analysis was performed to mitigate the primary differences between the two studies' populations. Drug costs were based on US GoodRx prices as of October 2022.

Results

Liraglutide in STEP 1 resulted in a weight loss of 5.4% (95% CI: 5%‐5.8%). Semaglutide in SCALE resulted in a weight loss of 12.4% (95% CI: 11.5%‐13.4%). The total cost of therapy with liraglutide during the trial was estimated at $17,585 compared with $22,878 with semaglutide. Accordingly, the cost needed to treat per 1% of body weight reduction with liraglutide is estimated at $3256 (95% CI: $3032‐$3517) compared with $1845 (95% CI: $1707‐$1989) with semaglutide.

Conclusions

Semaglutide provides significantly better value for money than liraglutide for weight reduction.
A South Asian Mediterranean‐style diet is associated with favorable adiposity measures and lower diabetes risk: The MASALA cohort
Authors: Rai Sharan K. , Gortmaker Steven L. , Hu Frank B. , Kanaya Alka M. , Kandula Namratha R. , Sun Qi , Bhupathiraju Shilpa N.
Published: May 2023

Objective

The Mediterranean diet is associated with lower risks for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease in certain populations, although data among diverse groups are limited. This study evaluated cross‐sectional and prospective associations between a novel South Asian Mediterranean‐style (SAM) diet and cardiometabolic risk among US South Asian individuals.

Methods

The study included 891 participants at baseline in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study. Culturally relevant foods were grouped into nine categories to construct the SAM score. The study examined associations of this score with cardiometabolic risk factors and incident T2D.

Results

At baseline, higher adherence to the SAM diet was associated with lower glycated hemoglobin (−0.43% ± 0.15% per 1‐unit increase in SAM score; p = 0.004) and lower pericardial fat volume (−1.22 ± 0.55 cm3; p = 0.03), as well as a lower likelihood of obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79–0.98) and fatty liver (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–0.98). Over the follow‐up (~5 years), 45 participants developed T2D; each 1‐unit increase in SAM score was associated with a 25% lower odds of incident T2D (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59–0.95).

Conclusions

A greater intake of a SAM diet is associated with favorable adiposity measures and a lower likelihood of incident T2D.
Insulin resistance, cognition, and Alzheimer disease
Authors: Kim Anne B. , Arvanitakis Zoe
Published: May 2023

Chronic diseases of aging are increasingly common. Dementia, often due to multiple etiologies including Alzheimer disease (AD), is at the forefront. Previous studies have reported higher rates of dementia among persons with diabetes, yet less is known about how insulin resistance relates to cognition. This article reviews recently published data on the relationship of insulin resistance to cognition and AD, and remaining knowledge gaps in the field are discussed. A structured review of studies was conducted over a 5‐year period, investigating insulin and cognitive function in adults with a baseline mean age of ≥65 years. This search yielded 146 articles, of which 26 met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among the nine studies that specifically examined insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction and/or decline, eight studies suggest an association, but some only in subanalyses. Results are mixed in studies relating insulin to structural and functional changes on brain imaging, and data on intranasal insulin for cognition remain unclear. Future avenues are proposed to elucidate the impact of insulin resistance on brain structure and function, including cognition, in persons with and without AD.
TiO2 nanowire formation and GO reduction through a hydrothermal reaction to improve the thermal conductivity of epoxy composites
Authors: Lee Jooyoung , Yang Wonyoung , Kim Jooheon
Published: May 2023

The thermal path must be properly configured to improve the thermal properties of polymer composites. Three‐dimensional (3D) thermally conductive networks can be used as an excellent means for building high‐speed conductive pathways in polymer composites. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowire (NW)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/epoxy (EP) composite material has a 3D foam structure and focuses on TiO2 NW formation and rGO gelation through a hydrothermal process. The thermal conductivity of the synthetic composite material through filler loading at 50 wt.% and heat transfer path formation was 805% higher than that of pure EP, and the thermal conductivity was superior to that of the composite material with randomly dispersed fillers. Therefore, this work describes an advanced process to improve the thermal conductivity of polymer composites significantly.
Interpersonal sensitivity mediates the effects of perceived parenting styles on state anxiety and negative assessment of life events in adult volunteers from the community
Authors: Seki Tomoteru , Morishita Chihiro , Ishii Yoshitaka , Deguchi Ayaka , Higashiyama Motoki , Iwata Yoshio , Ono Miki , Honyashiki Mina , Masuya Jiro , Kusumi Ichiro , Inoue Takeshi
Published: May 2023

Aim

The association of parenting experiences in childhood with anxiety symptoms in adulthood has yet to be clarified. We hypothesized that interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) mediates the impacts of parenting experiences in childhood on anxiety symptoms and negative assessment of life events in adulthood.

Methods

An observational cross‐sectional study was carried out from January 2014 to August 2014 on 853 adults. Participants provided their demographic information and answered the following four self‐administered questionnaires: Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), Life Experiences Survey (LES), and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI‐Y). The data of a total of 404 participants who agreed to take part in this study were analyzed.

Results

Multiple regression analysis with the State Anxiety subscale of STAI‐Y as the dependent variable identified the following five out of the 15 independent variables as being statistically significant: IPSM total, LES positive and negative, PBI paternal overprotection, and employment status. This model explains 17.8% of the State Anxiety subscale score. In the structural equation models, the Care subscale showed significant indirect negative effects on State Anxiety subscale and LES negative score through a decrease in IPSM total score (β = –0.061 and –0.042, respectively). The former indirect effect accounted for 31.6%, and the latter accounted for 56.8% of the total effects. In contrast, Overprotection subscale had opposite effects to Care subscale.

Conclusion

These results suggest that parenting experiences in childhood are related to adult anxiety symptoms and the negative assessment of life events indirectly through IPS.
Linear viscoelasticity, nonlinear rheology and applications of polyethylene terephthalate vitrimers
Authors: Zhang Wei , Cui Xiang , Zhang Hongdong , Yang Yuliang , Tang Ping
Published: May 2023

To enhance mechanical properties and processing performance of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), it was upcycled to processable PET vitrimers with different crosslinking degrees by introducing dynamic network. The thermodynamics and linear viscoelasticity of PET vitrimers were explored by non‐isothermal crystallization, isothermal sweep, frequency sweep and stress relaxation after incorporation of network. In particular, rheology experiments are sensitive to network structure and bond exchange mechanism in vitrimers. The pseudo‐master curves show that relaxation processes are composed of three characteristic regions: Rouse‐type relaxation of network strands, rubbery plateau and terminal relaxation of network, which is consistent with reversible gelation (RG) model. Two distinct (flow and chemical reaction) activation energies, are obtained by time–temperature superposition principle due to different temperature dependences of two relaxation behaviors. In addition, nonlinear rheology of PET vitrimers was investigated by extensional flow and start‐up shear at the same Weissenberg number, and obvious strain hardening behavior were observed in all vitrimers. However, vitrimers with different crosslinking density exhibited distinct strain hardening trends as increase of extensional rate, corresponding to the ductility of material. On the basis of kinetics study, self‐repairing and welding properties are further quantitatively explored for industrial applications.
Dornase alfa in mechanically ventilated children with bronchiolitis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Vettleson Kassandra , Heiberger Amy , Olgun Gokhan
Published: May 2023

The utility of the mucolytic dornase alfa in bronchiolitis has not been established, yet it is commonly used. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of dornase alfa to standard of care treatments for bronchiolitis in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. This was a retrospective, cohort study conducted at a single‐center children's hospital evaluating pediatric patients with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis that required hospitalization and mechanical ventilation from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. The primary outcome evaluated was length of time on mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay and length of hospitalization. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the association of age, oxygen saturation index (OSI), positive end‐expiratory pressure values, blood pH levels, respiratory syncytial virus status, and the use of other mucolytics, bronchodilator therapy, or chest physiotherapy treatment. Seventy‐two patients were included in the study with 41 patients who were treated with dornase alfa. The patients who received dornase alfa had an average of 33.04 h longer on mechanical ventilation than those who did not (p = 0.0487). On average, they also had longer PICU and hospital stays by 2.05 days (p = 0.053) and 2.74 days (p = 0.02), respectively. In this study, pediatric patients who received dornase alfa had higher baseline OSI measurements than those who received standard of care, which impacted the primary outcome of time on mechanical ventilation and secondary outcome of time in the PICU. However, OSI, or any other variable, did not significantly affect results for the other secondary outcome of length of hospitalization. This study supports existing evidence that dornase alfa is not beneficial for bronchiolitis in pediatric patients, even in severe cases. Further prospective, randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate these outcomes.
Contemporary and emerging technologies for research in children's rare and interstitial lung disease
Authors: Li Rongbo , Sone Naoyuki , Gotoh Shimpei , Sun Xin , Hagood James S.
Published: May 2023

Although recent decades have seen the identification, classification and discovery of the genetic basis of many children's interstitial and rare lung disease (chILD) disorders, detailed understanding of pathogenesis and specific therapies are still lacking for most of them. Fortunately, a revolution of technological advancements has created new opportunities to address these critical knowledge gaps. High‐throughput sequencing has facilitated analysis of transcription of thousands of genes in thousands of single cells, creating tremendous breakthroughs in understanding normal and diseased cellular biology. Spatial techniques allow analysis of transcriptomes and proteomes at the subcellular level in the context of tissue architecture, in many cases even in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens. Gene editing techniques allow creation of “humanized” animal models in a shorter time frame, for improved knowledge and preclinical therapeutic testing. Regenerative medicine approaches and bioengineering advancements facilitate the creation of patient‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into tissue‐specific cell types which can be studied in multicellular “organoids” or “organ‐on‐a‐chip” approaches. These technologies, singly and in combination, are already being applied to gain new biological insights into chILD disorders. The time is ripe to systematically apply these technologies to chILD, together with sophisticated data science approaches, to improve both biological understanding and disease‐specific therapy.
Physiotherapists' experiences on assisting physiotherapy users during the COVID‐19 pandemic with lockdown measures in Spain
Authors: Fernández‐Lago Helena , Climent‐Sanz Carolina , Bravo Cristina , Bosch‐Barceló Pere , Masbernat‐Almenara María , Sanjuan‐Sánchez Daniel , Briones‐Vozmediano Erica
Published: May 2023

Background

Physiotherapists had faced a new healthcare scenario characterised by the restrictions caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Purpose

To explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the physiotherapy profession from the perspective of physiotherapists working in the public and private sectors.

Methods

Qualitative study based on semi‐structured personal interviews with 16 physiotherapists working in public, private, or public‐private partnership sectors in Spain. The data were collected between March and June 2020. Inductive qualitative content analysis was performed.

Results

The participants (13 women, 3 men; aged 24–44 years) had professional experience in diverse healthcare settings (primary, hospital, home, consultations, insurance companies, associations). Five categories were identified: (1) the impact of lockdown on the health of physiotherapy users; (2) managing the demand for physiotherapy services during lockdown; (3) introducing protocols and protective measures in physiotherapy consultations; (4) changes in therapeutic approaches; and (5) future expectations in the physiotherapy care model. Physiotherapists perceived that lockdown caused a decline in the functionality of people with chronic conditions, together with a reduction in the physiotherapy services. Difficulties in prioritising users considered urgent became evident, and the inclusion of prophylactic measures affected treatment duration differently depending on the care setting and the pandemic prompted the use of telerehabilitation.

Discussion

The pandemic affected the functional status of chronic physiotherapy users and made treatment time, quality of care and triage protocols visible. In physiotherapy, technological barriers need to be solved, such as digital literacy, families without resources, situations of dependency and cultural barriers.
Current status of diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension in Chinese tertiary hospitals: A nationwide survey
Authors: Zhang Meng , Xie Wanmu , Xiao Yao , Guo Wei , Wang Yan , Zhang Wenmei , Duan Shengchen , Gao Qian , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Yunxia , Guo Xueran , Yin Ao , Peng Jiafei , Wan Jun , Zhai Zhenguo ,   Group of Pulmonary Embolism and Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Chinese Thoracic Society; Working Committee of Pulmonary Embolism and Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Chinese Association of Chest Physicians; Expert Committee, National Project of Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension
Published: May 2023

We intended to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment status of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in China and provide the basis for the design of the Chinese PH centers system. A questionnaire survey was conducted by sampling from Chinese Class A tertiary hospitals that have carried out the clinical work of PH, including the composition of PH clinical team, the current application of examinations related to PH diagnosis, the availability of PAH‐specific medicine and the implementation of PH‐related intervention and surgery. A total of 44 valid questionnaires from 20 provinces were collected in this survey. In the vast majority of centers (83.33%, n = 35), pulmonary artery catheterization was routinely performed under X‐ray guidance. In 19.05% (n = 8) of centers, pressure measurements were determined at the right time (the end of normal expiration). Only 73.81% (n = 31) centers have carried out acute vasoreactivity testing. Prostacyclin analogues and prostaglandin receptor agonists were just prescribed in 45.45% (n = 20) of the centers. 19 centers (43.18%) were capable of performing balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), while 25% (n = 11) were able to perform BPA, PEA, and lung transplantation. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis and treatment of PH between economic regions. The majority of Chinese tertiary hospitals were well equipped with the corresponding personnel, examinations and medicines related to PH, but the standardization and specialization of the management of PH need to be strengthened.
Global regulation of large‐scale nonlinear systems via decentralized output‐feedback switching control
Authors: Fan Debao , Zhang Xianfu , Pan Weihao
Published: May 2023

This article concentrates on the global regulation problem for a class of large‐scale nonlinear systems with unknown growth rate and unknown external disturbances. In contrast to closely related works, the highlight of this article is that a novel decentralized output‐feedback switching control method is proposed for the first time to offset the serious uncertainties. By integrating logic‐based switching technique and gain scaling technique, this method can instantly adjust the controller parameters (that is, the scaling gain can be tuned online in a piecewise constant manner), and thus has strong adaptive capability as well as disturbance tolerance. Moreover, the decentralized output‐feedback switching controller designed by such the method has a concise linear‐like form and low complexity. It is shown that the objective of global regulation is finally achieved after a finite number of switching moments. Finally, two examples, including an engineering feedback control system design example, are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Highly robust zinc metal anode directed by organic–inorganic synergistic interfaces for wearable aqueous zinc battery
Authors: Zhang Xixi , Li Chuanlin , Qu Guangmeng , Wang Chenggang , Zhao Shunshun , Wang Tongkai , Li Na , Li Xiaojuan , Xu Xijin
Published: May 2023

Flexible aqueous zinc batteries (FAZBs) with high safety and environmental friendliness are promising smart power sources for smart wearable electronics. However, the bare zinc anode usually suffers from damnable dendrite growth and rampant side reaction on the surface, greatly impeding practical applications in FAZBs. Herein, a composite polymer interface layer is artificially self‐assembled on the surface of the zinc anode by graft‐modified fluorinated monomer (polyacrylic acid‐2‐(Trifluoromethyl)propenoic acid, PAA‐TFPA), on which an organic–inorganic hybrid (PAA‐Zn/ZnF2) solid electrolyte interface (SEI) with excellent ionic conductivity is formed by interacting with Zn2+. Both the pouch cell and fiber zinc anode exhibit excellent plating/stripping reversibility after protecting by this organic–inorganic SEI, which can be stably cycled more than 3000 h in symmetric Zn||Zn cells or 550 h in fiber Zn||Zn cells. Additionally, this interface layer preserves zinc anode with excellent mechanical durability under various mechanical deformation (stably working for another 1200 h after bending 100 h). The corresponding PAA‐Zn/ZnF2@Zn||MnO2 full cell displays an ultra‐long life span (79% capacity retention after 3000 cycles) and mechanical robustness (85% of the initial capacity for another 3000 cycles after bending 100 times). More importantly, the as‐assembled cells can easily power smart wearable devices to monitor the user's health condition.
Constructing Ionic Self‐Concentrated Electrolyte via Introducing Montmorillonite Toward High‐Performance Aqueous Zn−MnO2 Batteries
Authors: Yang Lu , Zhang Tengsheng , Liu Sainan , Wang Ziqing , Liu Zhexuan , Cao Xinxin , Fang Guozhao , Liang Shuquan
Published: May 2023

Aqueous zinc metal batteries are regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to lithium–ion batteries for large‐scale energy storage due to the abundant zinc resources, high safety, and low cost. Herein, an ionic self‐concentrated electrolyte (ISCE) is proposed to enable uniform Zn deposition and reversible reaction of MnO2 cathode. Benefitting from the compatibility of ISCE with electrodes and its adsorption on the electrode surface for guidance, the Zn/Zn symmetrical batteries exhibit the long‐life cycle stability with more than 5000 and 1500 h at 0.2 and 5 mA cm−2, respectively. The Zn/MnO2 battery also exhibits a high capacity of 351 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and can enable a stability over 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work provides a new insight into electrolyte design for stable aqueous Zn–MnO2 battery.