bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting quality assurance and qualification recognition of cross-border higher education during pandemic – does physical mobility matter from an Asian perspective
Authors: Hou Angela Yung Chi , Lin Arianna Fang Yu , Su Edward Hung Cheng , Chen Ying , Hill Christopher
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The 2020 pandemic disrupted traditional student mobility and forced a larger majority of transnational programmes to switch to a virtual or hybrid mode, including joint and double degree programmes. Therefore, this study aims to perceive the linkage between quality assurance (QA) and delivery modes of cross-border higher education (CBHE) in Asia before and during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an online survey and semi-structured interviews, the process by which top 200 ranked universities in the 2022 QS global ranking responded to QA and qualification issues of joint/dual degree programs in conjunction with delivery modes was explored.

Findings

The study has discovered that most respondents from universities, to some extent, tended to be positive about the effectiveness of hybrid delivery of the joint/dual degree programs, even if they still preferred the physical mode to alternatives. Either “divergence” or “responsiveness” QA modes were not applied appropriately in most joint/dual degree programs of the selected universities during the pandemic. Moreover, a fair, transparent and convergent quality and qualification system should be established to facilitate agility and responsiveness of CBHE.

Originality/value

The findings are of value for policymakers, QA agencies and universities to advocate the new QA model for CBHE as a systematic approach in response to changing higher education landscape in the post-pandemic era.
Students’ psychological variables connection with secondary school students’ academic performance in mathematics
Authors: Onoshakpokaiye Odiri E.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The study’s objective was to ascertain the connection between secondary school students' test anxiety, academic self-concept, motivation and academic performance in mathematics. The difference between the academic performances of male and female secondary school students who exhibit high and low test anxiety, academic self-concept and motivation levels in mathematics.

Design/methodology/approach

Four hypotheses and four research questions were adopted. The design is a correlation. 42,299 mathematics students in senior school year two (SS2) made up the research population. A sample of 1,650 students was selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The main instruments used were the Mathematics Test Anxiety Questionnaire (MTAQ), Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASQ) and Academic Motivation Questionnaire (AMQ) and students’ math scores. These instruments were validated by three experts and the reliability coefficients of 0.69, 0.68 and 0.68 were obtained for MTAQ, ASQ and AMQ, respectively, using Cronbach alpha. Pearson product moment correlation was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The study’s results showed a correlation between secondary school students' academic performance in mathematics and test anxiety, academic self-concept and motivation. There was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' test anxiety; there was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' self-concept and academic performance in mathematics, and there was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' motivation and academic performance in mathematics.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this study is to investigate the connection between test anxiety, academic self-concept motivation and students’ mathematics performance. There is a difference between psychological variables, gender and mathematics performance.
Innovation capability, strategic flexibility and SME performance: the roles of competitive advantage and competitive intensity
Authors: Otache Innocent
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mediating role of competitive advantage and the moderating role of competitive intensity in the relationship between innovation capability (IC) and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance and between strategic flexibility (SF) and SME performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a survey research design. The data were collected from a conveniently selected sample of 159 SMEs in Nigeria using a self-reported questionnaire. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using Hayes' PROCESS macro v3.

Findings

Results showed that IC and SF positively affect SME performance. Also, competitive advantage significantly mediates the relationship between IC and SME performance and between SF and SME performance. Additionally, competitive intensity positively and significantly moderates the relationship between IC and SME performance but fails to significantly moderate the relationship between SF and SME performance.

Practical implications

The findings have managerial implications for SME owners and managers. The findings suggest the need for SMEs to develop more IC and increase their SF. Thus, SME owners and managers should invest more in developing IC and SF. More specifically, they should invest more in research and development, the development of intellectual capital (consisting of human capital, structural capital and relational capital) and new technologies, products, services and processes. Also, they should nurture an innovation culture, encourage creative and innovative acts and allow employees to experiment with new ideas without hindrances.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence of the mediating role of competitive advantage and the moderating role of competitive intensity in the relationship between IC and SME performance and between SF and SME performance in the context of emerging economies such as Nigeria. The study validates dynamic capabilities theory by demonstrating that IC and SF are dynamic capabilities that give SMEs a competitive advantage and enhance their performance.
Adaptive pneumatic soft gripper with embedded flexible bending sensor
Authors: Chen Chang , Liang Yuandong , Sun Jiten , Lin Chen , Wen Yehao
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a variable distance pneumatic gripper with embedded flexible sensors, which can effectively grasp fragile and flexible objects.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the motion principle of the three-jaw chuck and the pneumatic “fast pneumatic network” (FPN), a variable distance pneumatic holder embedded with a flexible sensor is designed. A structural design plan and preparation process of a soft driver is proposed, using carbon nanotubes as filler in a polyurethane (PU) sponge. A flexible bending sensor based on carbon nanotube materials was produced. A static model of the soft driver cavity was established, and a bending simulation was performed. Based on the designed variable distance soft pneumatic gripper, a real-time monitoring and control system was developed. Combined with the developed pneumatic control system, gripping experiments on objects of different shapes and easily deformable and fragile objects were conducted.

Findings

In this paper, a variable-distance pneumatic gripper embedded with a flexible sensor was designed, and a control system for real-time monitoring and multi-terminal input was developed. Combined with the developed pneumatic control system, a measure was carried out to measure the relationship between the bending angle, output force and air pressure of the soft driver. Flexible bending sensor performance test. The gripper diameter and gripping weight were tested, and the maximum gripping diameter was determined to be 182 mm, the maximum gripping weight was approximately 900 g and the average measurement error of the bending sensor was 5.91%. Objects of different shapes and easily deformable and fragile objects were tested.

Originality/value

Based on the motion principle of the three-jaw chuck and the pneumatic FPN, a variable distance pneumatic gripper with embedded flexible sensors is proposed by using the method of layered and step-by-step preparation. The authors studied the gripper structure design, simulation analysis, prototype preparation, control system construction and experimental testing. The results show that the designed flexible pneumatic gripper with variable distance can grasp common objects.
Revamping established project procurement approaches to support BIM implementation
Authors: Alhusban Mohammad , Elghaish Faris , Hosseini M. Reza , Mayouf Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Previous studies have established to a great extent that regulatory frameworks and, in particular, procurement approaches – that are common in a particular context – have a major impact on the success of building information modelling (BIM) implementation in construction projects. Despite the close links between these two concepts, research on the effect of procurement approaches on BIM implementation is scarce. To address this gap, this paper aims to investigate the barriers that affect BIM implementation through the lens of procurement approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was adopted using a questionnaire survey (n = 116) and interviews with key stakeholders (n = 12) in Jordan. The outcomes of the quantitative parts were augmented with findings from interviews.

Findings

It was revealed that the deployment of unfavourable construction procurement approaches represents a major hurdle towards BIM implementation. Though essential for enhancing BIM implementation, it is revealed that a fundamental change from the common design-bid-build (DBB) to more collaborative procurement approaches remains infeasible in view of the realities that govern the construction industry.

Research limitations/implications

It was revealed the deployment of unfavourable construction procurement approaches represents a major hurdle towards BIM implementation. Though essential for enhancing BIM implementation, it is revealed that a fundamental change from the common DBB to more collaborative procurement approaches remains infeasible given the realities that govern the construction industry.

Originality/value

As the first of its kind, a set of recommendations for establishing supportive, workable procurement that does not deviate significantly from common procedures and practices is presented. Rather than advocating a shift to procurement approaches that are aligned with BIM, the findings offer novel insight into the necessity of developing a framework within the boundaries of the current and widely adopted procurement approaches to address the identified construction procurement issues and facilitate BIM implementation.
Perinatal depression in transgender and gender expansive individuals
Authors: Pingeton Blaire C. , Goodman Sherryl H. , Lavner Justin A. , LaFever Kat , Marchuck Noah
Published: January 2024

This article includes Author Insights, a video abstract available at: Perinatal depression in transgender and gender expansive individuals (youtube.com).
Epigenetic age prediction using costal cartilage for the investigation of disaster victims and missing persons
Authors: Jung Ju Yeon , So Moon Hyun , Jeong Kyu‐Sik , Kim Sang‐In , Kim Eun Jin , Park Ji Hwan , Kim Eungsoo , Lee Hwan Young
Published: January 2024

The DNA intelligence tool, DNA methylation‐based age prediction, can help identify disaster victims and suspects in criminal investigations. In this study, we developed a costal cartilage‐based age prediction tool that uses massive parallel sequencing (MPS) of age‐associated DNA methylation markers. Costal cartilage samples were obtained from 85 deceased Koreans, aged between 26 and 89 years. An MPS library was prepared using two rounds of multiplex polymerase chain reaction of nine genes (TMEM51, MIR29B2CHG, EDARADD, FHL2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, KLF14, ASPA, and PDE4C). The DNA methylation status of 45 CpG sites was determined and used to train an age prediction model via stepwise regression analysis. Nine CpGs in MIR29B2CHG, FHL2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, KLF14, and ASPA were selected for regression model construction. A leave‐one‐out cross‐validation analysis revealed the high performance of the age prediction model, with a mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error of 4.97 and 6.43 years, respectively. Additionally, our model showed good performance with a MAE of 6.06 years in the analysis of data of 181 costal cartilage samples collected from Europeans. Our model effectively estimates the age of deceased individuals using costal cartilage samples; therefore, it can be a valuable forensic tool for disaster victim and missing person investigation.
Proposed novel grading system for stage I invasive lung adenocarcinoma and a comparison with the 2020 IASLC grading system
Authors: Wang Shuaibo , Li Ye , Sun Xujie , Dong Jiyan , Liu Li , Liu Jingbo , Chen Ruanqi , Li Feng , Chen Tiange , Li Xiang , Xie Guotong , Ying Jianming , Guo Qiang , Mao Yousheng , Yang Lin
Published: January 2024

Background

Several studies have proposed grading systems for risk stratification of early‐stage lung adenocarcinoma based on histological patterns. However, the reproducibility of these systems is poor in clinical practice, indicating the need to develop a new grading system which is easy to apply and has high accuracy in prognostic stratification of patients.

Methods

Patients with stage I invasive nonmucinous lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively collected from pathology archives between 2009 and 2016. The patients were divided into a training and validation set at a 6:4 ratio. Histological features associated with patient outcomes (overall survival [OS] and progression‐free survival [PFS]) identified in the training set were used to construct a new grading system. The newly proposed system was validated using the validation set. Survival differences between subgroups were assessed using the log‐rank test. The prognostic performance of the novel grading system was compared with two previously proposed systems using the concordance index.

Results

A total of 539 patients were included in this study. Using a multioutcome decision tree model, four pathological factors, including the presence of tumor spread through air space (STAS) and the percentage of lepidic, micropapillary and solid subtype components, were selected for the proposed grading system. Patients were accordingly classified into three groups: low, medium, and high risk. The high‐risk group showed a 5‐year OS of 52.4% compared to 89.9% and 97.5% in the medium and low‐risk groups, respectively. The 5‐year PFS of patients in the high‐risk group was 38.1% compared to 61.7% and 90.9% in the medium and low‐risk groups, respectively. Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis. Additionally, our proposed grading system provided superior prognostic stratification compared to the other two systems with a higher concordance index.

Conclusion

The newly proposed grading system based on four pathological factors (presence of STAS, and percentage of lepidic, micropapillary, and solid subtypes) exhibits high accuracy and good reproducibility in the prognostic stratification of stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients.
Biological aging markers in blood and brain tissue indicate age acceleration in alcohol use disorder
Authors: Zillich Lea , Cetin Metin , Hummel Elisabeth M. , Poisel Eric , Fries Gabriel R. , Frank Josef , Streit Fabian , Foo Jerome C. , Sirignano Lea , Friske Marion M. , Lenz Bernd , Hoffmann Sabine , Adorjan Kristina , Kiefer Falk , Bakalkin Georgy , Hansson Anita C. , Lohoff Falk W. , Kärkkäinen Olli , Kok Eloise , Karhunen Pekka J. , Sutherland Greg T. , Walss‐Bass Consuelo , Spanagel Rainer , Rietschel Marcella , Moser Dirk A. , Witt Stephanie H.
Published: January 2024

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risk. A reason for this could be accelerated biological aging, which is strongly influenced by disease processes such as inflammation. As recent studies of AUD show changes in DNA methylation and gene expression in neuroinflammation‐related pathways in the brain, biological aging represents a potentially important construct for understanding the adverse effects of substance use disorders. Epigenetic clocks have shown accelerated aging in blood samples from individuals with AUD. However, no systematic evaluation of biological age measures in AUD across different tissues and brain regions has been undertaken.

Methods

As markers of biological aging (BioAge markers), we assessed Levine's and Horvath's epigenetic clocks, DNA methylation telomere length (DNAmTL), telomere length (TL), and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in postmortem brain samples from Brodmann Area 9 (BA9), caudate nucleus, and ventral striatum (N = 63–94), and in whole blood samples (N = 179) of individuals with and without AUD. To evaluate the association between AUD status and BioAge markers, we performed linear regression analyses while adjusting for covariates.

Results

The majority of BioAge markers were significantly associated with chronological age in all samples. Levine's epigenetic clock and DNAmTL were indicative of accelerated biological aging in AUD in BA9 and whole blood samples, while Horvath's showed the opposite effect in BA9. No significant association of AUD with TL and mtDNAcn was detected. Measured TL and DNAmTL showed only small correlations in blood and none in brain.

Conclusions

The present study is the first to simultaneously investigate epigenetic clocks, telomere length, and mtDNAcn in postmortem brain and whole blood samples in individuals with AUD. We found evidence for accelerated biological aging in AUD in blood and brain, as measured by Levine's epigenetic clock, and DNAmTL. Additional studies of different tissues from the same individuals are needed to draw valid conclusions about the congruence of biological aging in blood and brain.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation or direct current stimulation with pharmacotherapy for treatment of substance use disorders
Authors: Bormann Nicholas L. , Oesterle Tyler S. , Arndt Stephan , Karpyak Victor M. , Croarkin Paul E.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have evidence for their potential in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). Medication for addiction treatment (MAT) is underutilized and not always effective. We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case studies that evaluated the effectiveness of TMS or tDCS used concurrently with MAT in SUD treatment.

Methods

A systematic review of published literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted on 6/1/2023 by a medical librarian. Craving‐related scales were extracted for an effect size calculation. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale assessed study quality.

Results

Eight studies (7 RCT, 1 case) including 253 individuals were published from 2015 to 2022, 5 of which had available data for meta‐analysis. TMS or tDCS combined with MAT significantly reduced craving‐related measures relative to sham stimulation (Hedges' g = −0.42, confidence interval: −0.73 to −0.11, p < .01). Opioid use disorder, methadone, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were the most commonly studied SUD, MAT, and target region.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our results show a significant effect; however, is limited by a small number of studies with heterogeneous methodology across intervention methods and SUDs. Additional trials are needed to fully assess the clinical impact and mechanisms of combined brain stimulation and pharmacotherapy. We discuss a possible mechanism for synergism from these treatment combinations.

Scientific Significance

Adds the first systematic review of combination treatment with TMS or tDCS and MAT in SUD patients to the literature and estimates its overall effect size.
Analysis of nonfatal suicide attempts and demographic characteristics of US military veterans with opioid use disorder: A descriptive VA medical center study
Authors: Celik Muhammet , Cosentino Danielle , Fuehrlein Brian
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Suicide and opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently co‐occur, and veterans are at a high risk for both conditions. This study aims to determine the characteristics of a cohort of veterans with co‐occurring OUD and suicide attempts.

Method

Three hundred fifty‐three (n = 353) veterans registered at a VA medical center with OUD and at least one suicide attempt between January 2010 and December 2021 were analyzed.

Results

9.4% of OUD veterans had lifetime suicide attempts, with 7.1% attempting postdiagnosis. High rates of unemployment (88.1%) and housing instability (73.1%) were observed, along with a 98% prevalence of comorbid psychiatric conditions.

Discussion and Conclusions

Gaining a deeper understanding of this patient population can help improve strategies for preventing suicide and treating OUD more effectively.

Scientific Signifiance

This study is unique in the current literature for investigating and comparing nonfatal lifetime suicide attempt rates in veterans before and after an OUD diagnosis.
Maternal and neonatal complications of shoulder dystocia with a focus on obstetric maneuvers: A case–control study of 1103 deliveries
Authors: Heinonen Karin , Saisto Terhi , Gissler Mika , Sarvilinna Nanna
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Shoulder dystocia is a severe obstetric emergency that can cause substantial neonatal and maternal complications. This study aims to assess the performed obstetric maneuvers and their frequency, success, and association with maternal and neonatal complication rates.

Material and methods

The study population was collected among all deliveries in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa between 2006 and 2015 (n = 181 352) by searching for ICD‐10 codes for shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injury and clavicle fracture. Shoulder dystocia cases (n = 537) were identified by reviewing the medical records. Shoulder dystocia cases treated with one or two maneuvers were compared with those treated with at least three. Medical records of a matched control group constituting of 566 parturients without any of the forementioned ICD‐10 codes were also scrutinized.

Results

Using the four most common obstetric maneuvers (McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, rotational maneuvers, the delivery of the posterior arm) significantly increased during the study period with individual success rates of 61.0%, 71.9%, 68.1% and 84.8%, respectively. Concurrently, the rate of brachial plexus injury and combined neonatal morbidity significantly declined from 50% to 24.2% (p = 0.02) and from 91.4% to 48.5% (p < 0.001). Approximately 75% of shoulder dystocia cases treated with maneuvers were resolved by the McRoberts maneuver and/or suprapubic pressure, but each of the four most performed maneuvers significantly increased the cumulative success rate individually and statistically (p < 0.001). The rates of brachial plexus injury and combined neonatal morbidity were at their highest (52.9% and 97.8%) when none of the maneuvers were performed and at their lowest when two maneuvers were performed (43.0% and 65.4%). The increasing number (≥3) of maneuvers did not affect the combined maternal or neonatal morbidity or brachial plexus injury but increased the risk for third‐ or fourth‐degree lacerations (odds ratio 2.91, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 7.24).

Conclusions

The increased use of obstetric maneuvers during the study period was associated with decreasing rates of neonatal complications; conversely, the lack of obstetric maneuvers was associated with the highest rate of neonatal complications. These emphasize the importance of education, maneuver training and urgently performing shoulder dystocia maneuvers according to the international protocol guidelines.
Remembrance and ritual in English schools
Authors: Alexander Patrick , Wright Susannah , Aldridge David , Haight Annie
Published: January 2024

This article explores war remembrance and ritual in English schools. The Remembrance in Schools project (2013–2020) investigated remembrance practices in schools in England through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Schools are unique as sites of remembrance because children constitute the majority of participants in rituals. School‐based rituals of remembrance might potentially reproduce dominant discourses of war‐normalisation that conflate military values and nationalism with morally ‘good’ values and an imagined community of the nation. They also provide a contested, ambivalent space in which ambiguities of practice and thinking may encourage the emergence, in small ways, of counter‐narratives about war and its remembrance.
Echocardiographic parameters associated with less reverse left ventricular remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implant in subjects with prosthesis patient mismatch
Authors: Peters Andrew C. , Gong Fei Fei , Ramesh Ashvita , Andrei Adin , Jankowski Madeline , Cantey Eric , Chen Vincent , Thomas James D. , Flaherty James D. , Malaisrie S. Christopher , Maganti Kameswari
Published: January 2024

Background

Transaortic valve implant (TAVI) is the treatment of choice for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Some patients develop prosthesis patient mismatch (PPM) after TAVI. It is challenging to determine which patients are at risk for clinical deterioration.

Methods

We retrospectively measured echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) morphology and function, prosthetic aortic valve effective orifice area (iEOA) and hemodynamics in 313 patients before and 1 year after TAVI. Our objective was to compare the change in echocardiographic parameters associated with left ventricular reverse modeling in subjects with and without PPM. Our secondary objective was to evaluate echo parameters associated with PPM and the relationship to patient functional status and survival post‐TAVI.

Results

We found that 82 (26.2%) of subjects had moderate and 37 (11.8%) had severe PPM post‐TAVI. There was less relative improvement in LVEF with PPM (1.9 ± 21.3% vs. 8.2 + 30.1%, p = .045). LV GLS also exhibited less relative improvement in those with PPM (13.4 + 34.1% vs. 30.9 + 73.3%, p = .012). NYHA functional class improved in 84.3% of subjects by one grade or more. Echocardiographic markers of PPM were worse in those without improvement in NYHA class (mean AT/ET was .29 vs. .27, p = .05; DVI was .46 vs. .51, p = .021; and iEOA was .8 cm/m2 vs. .9 cm/m2, p = .025). There was no association with PPM and survival.

Conclusions

There was no improvement in LVEF and less improvement in LV GLS in those with PPM post‐TAVI. Echocardiographic markers of PPM were present in those with lack of improvement in NYHA functional class.
Predicting and coding sound into action translation in spinal cord injured people
Authors: Grisoni Luigi , Piperno Giulio , Moreau Quentin , Molinari Marco , Scivoletto Giorgio , Aglioti Salvatore Maria
Published: January 2024

Motor activation in response to perception of action‐related stimuli may depend on a resonance mechanism subserving action understanding. The extent to which this mechanism is innate or learned from sensorimotor experience is still unclear. Here, we recorded EEG while people with paraplegia or tetraplegia consequent to spinal cord injury (SCI) and healthy control participants were presented with action sounds produced by body parts (mouth, hands or feet) that were or were not affected by SCI. Non‐action sounds were used as further control. We observed reduced brain activation in subjects affected by SCI at both pre‐ and post‐stimulus latencies specifically for those actions whose effector was disconnected by the spinal lesion (i.e., hand sound for tetraplegia and leg sound for both paraplegia and tetraplegia). Correlation analyses showed that these modulations were functionally linked with the chronicity of the lesion, indicating that the longer the time the lesion‐ EEG data acquisition interval and/or the more the lesion occurred at a young age, the weaker was the cortical activity in response to these action sounds. Tellingly, source estimations confirmed that these modulations originated from a deficit in the motor resonance mechanism, by showing diminished activity in premotor (during prediction and perception) and near the primary motor (during perception) areas. Such dissociation along the cortical hierarchy is consistent with both previous reports in healthy subjects and with hierarchical predictive coding accounts. Overall, these data expand on the notion that sensorimotor experience maintains the cortical representations relevant to anticipate and perceive action‐related stimuli.
The role of peening processes as a pre‐treatment to anodizing on fatigue behavior of aircraft aluminum alloy
Authors: Renna G. , Attolico M. A. , Moramarco V. , Casavola C.
Published: January 2024

In this work, the possibility of employing shot peening and laser peening as pre‐treatments to a tartaric–sulfuric anodizing process on the fatigue behavior of 7050‐T7451 aluminum alloy components was investigated. The surface modifications and stress fields induced by the combination of the peening and anodizing processes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and residual stress assessment methodologies based on diffraction techniques, respectively. It was found that the anodizing process alone results in a significant reduction in fatigue life compared to the as‐machined condition especially in the high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) region of the S–N diagrams due to the presence of defects within the anodic layer that act as stress concentrators facilitating the initiation of fatigue cracks. The application of both shot and laser peening treatments is demonstrated to offset the negative effects induced by anodizing, offering greater safety margins useful for the design of critical aeronautical structures.
Kikuchi disease in acute leukaemia: a distinct clinical syndrome with HLA association
Authors: Yu Shan‐Chi , Lin Ming‐En
Published: January 2024

Aims

To report the clinicopathological features of Kikuchi disease in patients with acute leukaemia, emphasising similarities among cases.

Methods and results

In a cohort of 454 Kikuchi disease patients, we identified three cases of concurrent acute leukaemia. These patients shared similar clinical traits, with Kikuchi disease emerging approximately a month after induction chemotherapy onset, featuring neck‐region lymphadenopathy. Notably, two patients were middle‐aged, deviating from the typical age distribution of Kikuchi disease. Histologically, these cases aligned with typical Kikuchi disease. Negative immunohistochemical stains (CD34, CD117, ERG, TdT) indicated the absence of extramedullary leukaemic infiltration. Herpes simplex virus immunohistochemical staining was also negative. Significantly, a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) association was observed in these three cases. HLA‐B*15:01, C*04:01, and DRB1*04:06 were more prevalent in these patients compared to the general population (compared with three independent control cohorts: Taiwanese Han Chinese (n = 504), Tzu Chi Taiwanese bone marrow donors (n = 364) and Hong Kong Chinese (n = 5266)).

Conclusions

Our study underscores the unique link between Kikuchi disease and acute leukaemia, characterised by specific features and HLA associations. This underlines Kikuchi disease as a possible differential diagnosis in pertinent clinical scenarios. Furthermore, this syndrome offers insights into postchemotherapy immunology in acute leukaemia, enhancing comprehension.
Ultrafine WC–Co cemented carbide end mills prepared by spark plasma sintering and wear mechanism in milling of AISI H13
Authors: Wang Boxiang , Wang Zhenhua , Yin Zengbin , Xu Weiwei , Jiang Liyi , Yuan Juntang
Published: January 2024

Ultrafine tungsten carbide (WC)–cobalt (Co) and WC–(Ti,W)C–Co end mills were produced via spark plasma sintering. The wear mechanism of these end mills during machining of AISI H13 steel was investigated. WC–Co exhibits good mechanical properties (HV30: 2110 kg/mm2, KIC: 10.4 MPa/m1/2, TRS: 1990 MPa). Although the high hardness of WC–Co makes it show excellent resistance to abrasive wear, it suffers from a significant adhesion problem. As the cutting temperature increases, the oxidation of the WC–Co causes damage to the microstructure of tool materials, which deteriorates the grain boundary strength and promotes adhesive wear. This phenomenon causes large areas of tool materials to chip off and eventually results in cutting‐edge breakage. The high brittleness of (Ti,W)C causes cracks to propagate at low‐stress levels, reducing the mechanical properties of WC–(Ti,W)C–Co (KIC: 8.8 MPa/m1/2, TRS: 1090 MPa). However, (Ti,W)C addition enhances the resistance to oxidation and workpiece adhesion, which reduces the tool material loss caused by adhesive wear. The tool life of WC–(Ti,W)C–Co is three times longer than that of WC–Co in milling of AISI H13 at the same cutting speed. The key to maximizing the mechanical properties of ultrafine cemented carbide tools when machining AISI H13 is the modification of anti‐adhesive wear of surface.
Fermentation of olive pulp by Limosilactobacillus fermentumNCU001464: physicochemical properties, biological activity and bioactive phenols
Authors: Lin Jia‐Xin , Peng Fei , Guan Qianqian , Xie Mingyong , Xiong Tao
Published: January 2024

Olives, which are rich in bioactive compounds, are processed into beverages in China. We investigated the effect of fermentation by Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCU001464 on the physicochemical characteristics, biological activities and phenolic compounds of olive pulp. After fermentation for 48 h, pH and individual sugar content of olive pulp decreased. Lm. fermentum NCU001464 fermentation enhanced the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and the inhibitory effect against xanthine oxidase (XO) of olive pulp. Total phenol content was not significantly different between olive pulp fermented for 0 and 48 h. However, the fermented olive phenol extract had a lower IC50 value than the unfermented phenol extract. Fluorescence spectroscopy results revealed that the olive phenol extract had a stronger XO inhibitory effect after fermentation. The dominant binding forces between olive phenols and XO were hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. There were 31 different phenolic compounds between the unfermented and fermented extracts.
Extraction and characterisation of cuticular waxes from Physalis peruviana calyx
Authors: Castellanos Isabel Cristina , Rojas‐Pérez Lilia C.
Published: January 2024

Waxes play an important role in maintaining fruit quality and shelf‐life extension because they are naturally effective in blocking the migration of moisture. In this work, cuticular waxes from Physalis peruviana calyx (PPC) were extracted and characterised as potentially hydrophobic materials. Extraction was carried out using the Soxhlet technique with two non‐polar solvents, hexane and petroleum ether, and one polar solvent, ethanol. The extraction yield, lipid characterisation, and hydrophobic potential of cuticular waxes from PPC were analysed and compared using thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), attenuated total reflectance‐infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), GC–MS chromatogram (FAMES), and wetting contact angle. Extraction using hexane was the most efficient method (yield of 9.61 ± 0.37%) for obtaining cuticular waxes with better hydrophobic properties, characterised by a contact angle of  = 107.37 ± 1.0° and a hysteresis contact angle of 11° due mainly to the presence of functional groups desirable and characteristic of vegetable waxes. Greater texture homogeneity visualised using optical microscopy and the presence of capric acid (70.97%) as a major component of low‐molecular‐weight fatty acids were observed in this extract. Due to their biodegradable, potentially antifungal, and hydrophobic properties, cuticular waxes from PPC have the potential to replace synthetic waxes in industrial applications.
The influence of Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study
Authors: Luo Xiuwen , Pan Jie , Jiang Cailing , Li Xiaoxiao , Li Peiling
Published: January 2024

Objective

The study aimed to explore the influence of Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

This descriptive qualitative study conducted semi‐structured interviews with 15 Chinese women between November 2022 and January 2023. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three major themes are found: (1) beliefs in health, (2) beliefs in illness and GDM and (3) beliefs in health‐related behaviours. They worried about the negative effects of GDM on the infant and family, so they actively sought medical advice to maintain health. However, it is challenging for them to balance adhering to healthcare professionals' advice and avoiding practical difficulties in the impact of the Chinese sociocultural context.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the influence of Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of women with GDM. Healthcare providers should recognize the influence of Chinese culture, customs and beliefs on women with GDM and their families, in order to provide individualized education to help them maintain health‐related behaviours.
Synthesis of Cu2−xS electrocatalysts with different stoichiometric numbers by electrodeposition and heat posttreatment
Authors: Xiao Xujie , Yin Haoran , Chen Jingkang , Zhu Chengfei
Published: January 2024

The work presented an electrochemical anode method with different electrolyte concentrations and heat posttreatment to control the stoichiometry and structure of Cu2−xS electrocatalysts. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the composition and morphology, whereas the electrocatalytic activity was evaluated by linear scanning voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the electrochemical method successfully synthesized thin flake‐shaped Cu7S4, which exhibited optimal performance at the electrolyte concentration of 0.45 mol L1 with maximum turnover frequency of 0.786 s−1, maximum mass activity of 0.539 A g−1, minimum charge transfer resistance of 0.156 Ω cm−2, and minimum overpotential of 154 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. In the Cu7S4 structure, Cu2+ and S2− were coordinated in a CuS4 tetrahedral structure, whereas Cu+ and S2− were coordinated in a CuS3 triangular structure. Heat posttreatment could change the stoichiometry from 1.75 to 1.8 and improve the electrochemical performance. In the Cu9S5 structure, the CuS3 triangular structure had disappeared. Under the same conditions, the overvoltage was only 128 mV.
Nanoparticles‐doped polymer‐derived SiCN ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties and electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Zhu Runqiu , Jin Shuo , Xing Ruizhe , Song Yan , Yu Zhen , Liu Ziyu , Kong Jie
Published: January 2024

Polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) have become promising candidates for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption due to their high thermal stability, design flexibility, and versatile functionality. However, the inevitable porous structure formed during pyrolysis greatly limits its mechanical performance. In this work, Ni–Fe–C/HfO2/SiCN ceramic was prepared by simultaneously doping nickel and iron‐containing metal‐organic framework (Ni–Fe–MOF) nanoparticles and hafnium dioxide (HfO2) nanoparticles into the ceramic precursor, thereby improving its intrinsic brittle structure while granting it extraordinary EMW absorption performance. The flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Vickers hardness of Ni–Fe–C/HfO2/SiCN ceramic were 101.06 MPa, 40.19 GPa, and 13.31 GPa, respectively. These values were 1 132%, 749%, and 191% higher than those of the initial SiCN ceramics. In addition, by optimizing the content of Ni–Fe–MOF, the Ni–Fe–C/HfO2/SiCN ceramic demonstrated satisfying EMW absorption performance from 25°C to 500°C. At 25°C, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) and effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) were −54.07 dB and 3.95 GHz, covering 94% of the X‐band at a thickness of 2.27 mm. At 500°C, the RLmin and EAB were −33.72 dB and 1.82 GHz, still covering 43% of the X‐band at a thickness of only 1.65 mm. This work provides valuable insight into the integration of mechanical and EMW absorbing functions of PDC materials.
Embracing non‐Western Contexts in Management Scholarship
Authors: Wickert Christopher , Potočnik Kristina , Prashantham Shameen , Shi Weilei (Stone) , Snihur Yuliya
Published: January 2024

Management is a global phenomenon. Yet, the vast majority of empirical investigations and theoretical explanations of management, managers and those being managed that are published in leading management journals are based on research that predominantly originates from Western contexts, particularly the USA and the larger European countries. Non‐Western contexts, in turn, reside at the periphery of mainstream management scholarship. This is problematic for multiple reasons. It provides an inherently limited view on the contextual factors that may explain variation in management practices across the globe, and it leads to a reductionist view of non‐Western contexts to offer little more than a means for teasing out the boundary conditions of mainstream ‘Western’ theories. This exclusion of non‐Western contexts has resulted in a marginalization of non‐Western scholarly voices, who are often hesitant to submit their research to leading scholarly journals. To address these interrelated problems, we use this introduction to the Thematic Collection on ‘Embracing non‐Western contexts’ in the Journal of Management Studies to call on scholars to more fully embrace non‐Western contexts in their research, and in doing so, to unleash the explanatory potential of these contexts for our understanding of management.
Root‐associated fungi and acquisitive root traits facilitate permafrost nitrogen uptake from long‐term experimentally warmed tundra
Authors: Hewitt Rebecca E. , DeVan M. Rae , Taylor D. Lee , Mack Michelle C.
Published: January 2024

Root‐associated fungi (RAF) and root traits regulate plant acquisition of nitrogen (N), which is limiting to growth in Arctic ecosystems. With anthropogenic warming, a new N source from thawing permafrost has the potential to change vegetation composition and increase productivity, influencing climate feedbacks. Yet, the impact of warming on tundra plant root traits, RAF, and access to permafrost N is uncertain.

We investigated the relationships between RAF, species‐specific root traits, and uptake of N from the permafrost boundary by tundra plants experimentally warmed for nearly three decades at Toolik Lake, Alaska.

Warming increased acquisitive root traits of nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants. RAF community composition of ericoid (ERM) but not ectomycorrhizal (ECM) shrubs was impacted by warming and correlated with root traits. RAF taxa in the dark septate endophyte, ERM, and ECM guilds strongly correlated with permafrost N uptake for ECM and ERM shrubs. Overall, a greater proportion of variation in permafrost N uptake was related to root traits than RAF.

Our findings suggest that warming Arctic ecosystems will result in interactions between roots, RAF, and newly thawed permafrost that may strongly impact feedbacks to the climate system through mechanisms of carbon and N cycling.
Topical trametinib for epidermal and sebaceous nevi in a child with Schimmelpenning‐Feuerstein‐Mims syndrome
Authors: Haller Courtney N. , Leszczynska Maria A. , Brichta Lars , Maier Esther , Riddington Ian M. , Choate Keith A. , Levy Moise L.
Published: January 2024

We present the case of a 20‐month‐old girl with Schimmelpenning‐Feuerstein‐Mims (SFM) syndrome with extensive head, neck, and torso skin involvement successfully managed with topical trametinib. Trametinib interferes downstream of KRAS and HRAS in the MAPK signaling pathway, of which KRAS was implicated in our child's pathogenic variant. Although other dermatologic conditions have shown benefit from oral trametinib, its topical use has not been well reported. Our patient showed benefit from the use of twice‐daily topical trametinib, applied to the epidermal and sebaceous nevi over a 16‐month period, leading to decreased pruritus and thinning of the plaques.
Placental Abruption and Cardiovascular Event Risk (PACER): Design, data linkage, and preliminary findings
Authors: Ananth Cande V. , Lee Rachel , Valeri Linda , Ross Zev , Graham Hillary L. , Khan Shama P. , Cabrera Javier , Rosen Todd , Kostis William J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Obstetrical complications impact the health of mothers and offspring along the life course, resulting in an increased burden of chronic diseases. One specific complication is abruption, a life‐threatening condition with consequences for cardiovascular health that remains poorly studied.

Objectives

To describe the design and data linkage algorithms for the Placental Abruption and Cardiovascular Event Risk (PACER) cohort.

Population

All subjects who delivered in New Jersey, USA, between 1993 and 2020.

Design

Retrospective, population‐based, birth cohort study.

Methods

We linked the vital records data of foetal deaths and live births to delivery and all subsequent hospitalisations along the life course for birthing persons and newborns. The linkage was based on a probabilistic record‐matching algorithm.

Preliminary Results

Over the 28 years of follow‐up, we identified 1,877,824 birthing persons with 3,093,241 deliveries (1.1%, n = 33,058 abruption prevalence). The linkage rates for live births‐hospitalisations and foetal deaths‐hospitalisations were 92.4% (n = 2,842,012) and 70.7% (n = 13,796), respectively, for the maternal cohort. The corresponding linkage rate for the live births‐hospitalisations for the offspring cohort was 70.3% (n = 2,160,736). The median (interquartile range) follow‐up for the maternal and offspring cohorts was 15.4 (8.1, 22.4) and 14.4 (7.4, 21.0) years, respectively. We will undertake multiple imputations for missing data and develop inverse probability weights to account for selection bias owing to unlinked records.

Conclusions

Pregnancy offers a unique window to study chronic diseases along the life course and efforts to identify the aetiology of abruption may provide important insights into the causes of future CVD. This project presents an unprecedented opportunity to understand how abruption may predispose women and their offspring to develop CVD complications and chronic conditions later in life.