bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher education system and doctoral programmes: a renewed multi-criteria evaluation model of European Accounting Doctoral Programmes
Authors: Vinciguerra Rosa , Cappellieri Francesca , Pizzo Michele , Lombardi Rosa
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to define a hierarchical and multi-criteria framework based on pillars of the Modernization of Higher Education to evaluate European Accounting Doctoral Programmes (EADE-Model).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied a quali-quantitative methodology based on the analytic hierarchy process and the survey approach. The authors conducted an extensive literature and regulation review to identify the dimensions affecting the quality of Doctoral Programmes, choosing accounting as the relevant and pivotal field. The authors also used the survey to select the most critical quality dimensions and derive their weight to build EADE Model. The validity of the proposed model has been tested through the application to the Italian scenario.

Findings

The findings provide a critical extension of accounting ranking studies constructing a multi-criteria, hierarchical and updated evaluation model recognizing the role of doctoral training in the knowledge-based society. The results shed new light on weak areas apt to be improved and propose potential amendments to enhance the quality standard of ADE.

Practical implications

Theoretical and practical implications of this paper are directed to academics, policymakers and PhD programmes administrators.

Originality/value

The research is original in drafting a hierarchical multi-criteria framework for evaluating ADE in the Higher Education System. This model may be extended to other fields.
Using geometric mode decomposition for the background noise suppression on microseismic data
Authors: Abbasi Salman , Jayaram Vikram , Akram Jubran , Alam Md Iftekhar , Yu Siwei
Published: May 2023

Microseismic datasets typically have relatively low signal‐to‐noise ratio waveforms. To that end, several noise suppression techniques are often applied to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the recorded waveforms. We apply a linear geometric mode decomposition approach to microseismic datasets for background noise suppression. The geometric mode decomposition method optimizes linear patterns within amplitude–frequency modulated modes and can efficiently distinguish microseismic events (signal) from the background noise. This method can also split linear and non‐linear dispersive seismic events into linear modes. The segmented events in different modes can then be added carefully to reconstruct the denoised signal. The application of geometric mode decomposition is well suited for microseismic acquisitions with smaller receiver spacing, where the signal may exhibit either (nearly) linear or non‐linear recording patterns, depending on the source location relative to the receiver array. Using synthetic and real microseismic data examples from limited‐aperture downhole recordings only, we show that geometric mode decomposition is robust in suppressing the background noise from the recorded waveforms. We also compare the filtering results from geometric mode decomposition with those obtained from FX‐Decon and one‐dimensional variational mode decomposition methods. For the examples used, geometric mode decomposition outperforms both FX‐Decon and one‐dimensional variational mode decomposition in background noise suppression.
The change in occupational participation and quality of life following occupational therapy for people supervised by probation
Authors: Yaran Mahmut , Kayihan Hülya
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The probation system is a penal and enforcement system in which the completion of sentences of individuals who are incarcerated and rehabilitation processes are carried out together. This study considered the change in occupational participation and quality of life following occupational therapy for people supervised by probation.

Methods

The research was planned as a pre‐test and post‐test study. Fifteen individuals participated in the study voluntarily. The participants completed the Socio‐Demographic Information Form, COPM for occupational participation, and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for quality of life. We implemented an intervention program consisting of, on average, 1 h once a week for 12 weeks. Post‐intervention evaluations were completed, and the results were compared.

Results

There was a significant difference between the pre‐intervention and post‐intervention measures of the total quality of life scores (p = 0.003) and the COPM scores for performance (p = 0.001) and satisfaction (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Implementing a client‐centred occupational therapy intervention involving personal behaviour, organisational environment, and activity change resulted in an increase in clients' activity performance, satisfaction with their performance, and quality of life.
The Politics of the British Environment since 1945
Authors: Kelly Matthew
Published: May 2023

This article examines, first, how environmental concerns have shaped British politics since 1945, making the environment an object of governance; and second, how political developments have an environmental history, focussing on the environmental demands of social democracy. It contends that environmentalism should be considered alongside other political ideologies, such as socialism and feminism, as helping to constitute the modern British state and the evolving relationship between government and the citizen. It considers how the management of the terrestrial environment became a hotly contested matter in the postwar decades, drawing a distinction between the politics of ‘landscape preservation’ and ‘nature conservation’. This discussion is related to access politics and questions of rural governance and regulation, particularly with respect to the agricultural sector. The article concludes with a discussion of some current environmental concerns, reflecting on the possible transition from today's ‘carbon democracy’ to tomorrow's ‘renewable democracy’.
Translation‐Induced Interrogative Relativizers and Stability in Icelandic
Authors: Brendel Christian D.
Published: May 2023

Throughout the history of Icelandic, invariant particles, which do not inflect for semantic or syntactic features of the antecedent, are the typical markers of relative clauses (Þráinsson 2007). Another, putatively foreign strategy—relativization with interrogative–relative pronouns—is archaic in Modern Icelandic, but is frequent between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, a period featuring a high degree of literary translation from languages which themselves possessed interrogative–relativization strategies. In this paper, I examine both internal processes of grammaticalization and the effects of contact on the development of this strategy from Old‐to‐Early Modern Icelandic by comparing the translation of the morphosyntatic structures of relative clauses among the languages involved in this contact scenario: Icelandic, German, and Latin. Using the Icelandic Parsed Historical Corpus (Wallenberg et al. 2011), I conduct a diachronic corpus study that quantifies the development of this relativization strategy. I argue that the proliferation of the Icelandic interrogative–relativization strategy is a contact phenomenon stimulated by pattern borrowing from (primarily) Latin, but contextualized and made possible by a state of systemic variability and instability in the relative paradigm in Early Modern Icelandic.
‘Once and For All’: The Fourth UN World Conference on Women and the Institutionalisation of Women's Human Rights in American Foreign Policy
Authors: Turkington Rebecca
Published: May 2023

Though the slogan predates the Fourth UN World Conference on Women, ‘women's rights are human rights’ has become inextricably linked to US First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's keynote address at the 1995 Conference in Beijing. The speech turned a line socialised by transnational feminist organisers into a State Department mantra with long‐lasting policy ripples still felt today. This article uses new sources from the Office of the First Lady to examine the intra‐departmental dynamics, policy architecture and domestic political considerations that shaped the content of the speech and the Clinton Administration's conception of women's rights as human rights. Early documents show that a focus on human rights was not inevitable, as other policy areas were better developed with more public support. But fear of rollback from previous international standards, external pressures from civil society, a desire to link foreign policy with domestic political aims and ultimately a strong backlash to American participation at the Conference on the basis of China's human rights record all elevated women's human rights as a US delegation priority.
Interoperability among hospitals treating populations that have been marginalized
Authors: Everson Jordan , Patel Vaishali , Bazemore Andrew W. , Phillips Robert L.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To test whether differences in hospital interoperability are related to the extent to which hospitals treat groups that have been economically and socially marginalized.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Data on 2393 non‐federal acute care hospitals in the United States from the American Hospital Association Information Technology Supplement fielded in 2021, the 2019 Medicare Cost Report, and the 2019 Social Deprivation Index.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We identified five proxy measures related to marginalization and assessed the relationship between those measures and the likelihood that hospitals engaged in all four domains of interoperable information exchange and participated in national interoperability networks in cross‐sectional analysis.

Principal Findings

In unadjusted analysis, hospitals that treated patients from zip codes with high social deprivation were 33% less likely to engage in interoperable exchange (Relative Risk = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.58–0.76) and 24% less likely to participate in a national network than all other hospitals (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66–0.87). Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) were 24 percent less likely to engage in interoperable exchange (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69–0.83) but not less likely to participate in a national network (RR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.88–1.06). No difference was detected for 2 measures (high Disproportionate Share Hospital percentage and Medicaid case mix) while 1 was associated with a greater likelihood to engage (high uncompensated care burden).

The association between social deprivation and interoperable exchange persisted in an analysis examining metropolitan and rural areas separately and in adjusted analyses accounting for hospital characteristics.

Conclusions

Hospitals that treat patients from areas with high social deprivation were less likely to engage in interoperable exchange than other hospitals, but other measures were not associated with lower interoperability. The use of area deprivation data may be important to monitor and address hospital clinical data interoperability disparities to avoid related health care disparities.
Beyond the “inverse relationship”: Area mismeasurement may affect actual productivity, not just how we understand it
Authors: Burke William J. , Morgan Stephen N. , Namonje Thelma , Muyanga Milu , Mason Nicole M.
Published: May 2023

Measurement error in agricultural field area and productivity data for developing countries is widely acknowledged, but there is a shortage of evidence on what this implies, especially for farmers. By comparing self‐reported to global positioning system measurements, we investigate area measurement errors using a nationally representative dataset of Zambian smallholder maize plots. We examine the implications for researchers’ understanding of productivity, but also how actual productivity may be affected. We find land area tends to be overstated on smaller fields and understated on larger fields. Correcting measurement error strengthens evidence of an inverse relationship between field size and productivity. Input use patterns indicate farmers believe the inaccurately reported area figures, suggesting measurement errors affect input choices and thus actual productivity. Improving farmer understanding of area measurements could improve productivity. Improving the accuracy of area data will improve researchers’ understanding of productivity.
Sex differences in cerebral blood flow among adolescents with bipolar disorder
Authors: Mitchell Rachel H. B. , Grigorian Anahit , Robertson Andrew , Toma Simina , Luciw Nicholas J. , Karthikeyan Sudhir , Mutsaerts Henri J. M. M. , Fiksenbaum Lisa , Metcalfe Arron W. S. , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Goldstein Benjamin I.
Published: May 2023

Background

Abnormalities in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are common in bipolar disorder (BD). Despite known differences in CBF between healthy adolescent males and females, sex differences in CBF among adolescents with BD have never been studied.

Objective

To examine sex differences in CBF among adolescents with BD versus healthy controls (HC).

Methods

CBF images were acquired using arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 123 adolescents (72 BD: 30M, 42F; 51 HC: 22M, 29F) matched for age (13–20 years). Whole brain voxel‐wise analysis was performed in a general linear model with sex and diagnosis as fixed factors, sex–diagnosis interaction effect, and age as a covariate. We tested for main effects of sex, diagnosis, and their interaction. Results were thresholded at cluster forming p = 0.0125, with posthoc Bonferroni correction (p = 0.05/4 groups).

Results

A main effect of diagnosis (BD > HC) was observed in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), underlying the left precentral gyrus (F =10.24 (3), p < 0.0001). A main effect of sex (F > M) on CBF was detected in the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), left frontal and occipital poles, left thalamus, left SLF, and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). No regions demonstrated a significant sex‐by‐diagnosis interaction. Exploratory pairwise testing in regions with a main effect of sex revealed greater CBF in females with BD versus HC in the precuneus/PCC (F = 7.1 (3), p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Greater CBF in female adolescents with BD versus HC in the precuneus/PCC may reflect the role of this region in the neurobiological sex differences of adolescent‐onset BD. Larger studies targeting underlying mechanisms, such as mitochondrial dysfunction or oxidative stress, are warranted.
The evolution of the COVID‐19 pandemic in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease: From Alpha to Omicron
Authors: Martin Olufunke Y. , Margulies Stefanie , Speller‐Brown Barbara , Majumdar Suvankar , Darbari Deepika S. , Campbell Andrew D.
Published: May 2023

We compare the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants on healthcare utilization and clinical presentation in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). One hundred and ninety‐one unique patients with SCD and positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reactions were identified between March 2020 and January 2022. Hospitalizations, which accounted for 42% (N = 81) of cases, were highest during the Delta dominant era (48%) and lowest during Omicron (36%) (p = 0.285). The most common SCD‐related complication was vaso‐occlusive pain (37%, N = 71), which accounted for 51% of all hospital admissions (N = 41), and acute chest was highest in the Alpha variant era (N = 15). Overall, COVID‐19 remained mild in clinical severity within most paediatric SCD patients.
Learning to Transfer In‐Hand Manipulations Using a Greedy Shape Curriculum
Authors: Zhang Yunbo , Clegg Alexander , Ha Sehoon , Turk Greg , Ye Yuting
Published: May 2023

In‐hand object manipulation is challenging to simulate due to complex contact dynamics, non‐repetitive finger gaits, and the need to indirectly control unactuated objects. Further adapting a successful manipulation skill to new objects with different shapes and physical properties is a similarly challenging problem. In this work, we show that natural and robust in‐hand manipulation of simple objects in a dynamic simulation can be learned from a high quality motion capture example via deep reinforcement learning with careful designs of the imitation learning problem. We apply our approach on both single‐handed and two‐handed dexterous manipulations of diverse object shapes and motions. We then demonstrate further adaptation of the example motion to a more complex shape through curriculum learning on intermediate shapes morphed between the source and target object. While a naive curriculum of progressive morphs often falls short, we propose a simple greedy curriculum search algorithm that can successfully apply to a range of objects such as a teapot, bunny, bottle, train, and elephant.
Parallel Transformation of Bounding Volume Hierarchies into Oriented Bounding Box Trees
Authors: Vitsas N. , Evangelou I. , Papaioannou G. , Gkaravelis A.
Published: May 2023

Oriented bounding box (OBB) hierarchies can be used instead of hierarchies based on axis‐aligned bounding boxes (AABB), providing tighter fitting to the underlying geometric structures and resulting in improved interference tests, such as ray‐geometry intersections. In this paper, we present a method for the fast, parallel transformation of an existing bounding volume hierarchy (BVH), based on AABBs, into a hierarchy based on oriented bounding boxes. To this end, we parallelise a high‐quality OBB extraction algorithm from the literature to operate as a standalone OBB estimator and further extend it to efficiently build an OBB hierarchy in a bottom up manner. This agglomerative approach allows for fast parallel execution and the formation of arbitrary, high‐quality OBBs in bounding volume hierarchies. The method is fully implemented on the GPU and extensively evaluated with ray intersections.
Interactive design of 2D car profiles with aerodynamic feedback
Authors: Rosset Nicolas , Cordonnier Guillaume , Duvigneau Regis , Bousseau Adrien
Published: May 2023

The design of car shapes requires a delicate balance between aesthetic and performance. While fluid simulation provides the means to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of a given shape, its computational cost hinders its usage during the early explorative phases of design, when aesthetic is decided upon. We present an interactive system to assist designers in creating aerodynamic car profiles. Our system relies on a neural surrogate model to predict fluid flow around car shapes, providing fluid visualization and shape optimization feedback to designers as soon as they sketch a car profile. Compared to prior work that focused on time‐averaged fluid flows, we describe how to train our model on instantaneous, synchronized observations extracted from multiple pre‐computed simulations, such that we can visualize and optimize for dynamic flow features, such as vortices. Furthermore, we architectured our model to support gradient‐based shape optimization within a learned latent space of car profiles. In addition to regularizing the optimization process, this latent space and an associated encoder‐decoder allows us to input and output car profiles in a bitmap form, without any explicit parameterization of the car boundary. Finally, we designed our model to support pointwise queries of fluid properties around car shapes, allowing us to adapt computational cost to application needs. As an illustration, we only query our model along streamlines for flow visualization, we query it in the vicinity of the car for drag optimization, and we query it behind the car for vortex attenuation.
Low‐water‐soluble reactive dyes for application in ultrafine polyamide/polyurethane synthetic leather
Authors: Li Dexiang , Ma Wei , Tang Bingtao , Zhang Shufen
Published: May 2023

Ultrafine polyamide/polyurethane synthetic leather (UP/PSL), with a highly natural leather‐like appearance and touch, is widely used in many leather commodities. Generally, acid dyes, which are mostly used for dyeing UP/PSL, exhibit poor colour fastness. While, reactive dyes are well‐known for their good colour fastness. However, reactive dyes are not used to dye UP/PSL because they are water‐soluble and cannot stain the polyurethane (PU) in UP/PSL. In this study, five low water‐soluble reactive dyes with good affinity for both polyamide (PA) and PU were synthesised and characterised using ultraviolet‐visible and infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. All low‐water‐soluble reactive dyes were monoazo dyes with only one sulfonic group and two different functional groups. The reactive dyes were used to dye UP/PSL at 98°C and fixed at 90°C with 7‐azatridecane‐1,13‐diamine as a crosslinking agent. For comparison, Eriofast Red‐2B (ER‐2B) was used to dye UP/PSL using a special dyeing procedure. ER‐2B showed severe issues related to low utilisation and uneven dyeing, whereas the five low water‐soluble reactive dyes exhibited better performance than ER‐2B. Both the exhaustion and fixation of dyes 1 and 4 exceeded 90.0% when the dosage was less than 3.0% owf (on weight of fabric). In addition, they exhibited good levelling. The washing fastness of the five reactive dyes was excellent and higher than grade 4. The dry rubbing fastness was higher than grade 3‐4. Therefore, UP/PSL can be satisfactorily dyed using the reactive dyes with a solubility of less than 1.0 g/L and meet the requirements of daily life applications.
Dynamics of cognitive predictors during reading acquisition in a sample of children overrepresented for dyslexia risk
Authors: Blockmans Lauren , Kievit Rogier , Wouters Jan , Ghesquière Pol , Vandermosten Maaike
Published: May 2023

Literacy acquisition is a complex process with genetic and environmental factors influencing cognitive and neural processes associated with reading. Previous research identified factors that predict word reading fluency (WRF), including phonological awareness (PA), rapid automatized naming (RAN), and speech‐in‐noise perception (SPIN). Recent theoretical accounts suggest dynamic interactions between these factors and reading, but direct investigations of such dynamics are lacking. Here, we investigated the dynamic effect of phonological processing and speech perception on WRF. More specifically, we evaluated the dynamic influence of PA, RAN, and SPIN measured in kindergarten (the year prior to formal reading instruction), first grade (the first year of formal reading instruction) and second grade on WRF in second and third grade. We also assessed the effect of an indirect proxy of family risk for reading difficulties using a parental questionnaire (Adult Reading History Questionnaire, ARHQ). We applied path modeling in a longitudinal sample of 162 Dutch‐speaking children of whom the majority was selected to have an increased family and/or cognitive risk for dyslexia. We showed that parental ARHQ had a significant effect on WRF, RAN and SPIN, but unexpectedly not on PA. We also found effects of RAN and PA directly on WRF that were limited to first and second grade respectively, in contrast to previous research reporting pre‐reading PA effects and prolonged RAN effects throughout reading acquisition. Our study provides important new insights into early prediction of later word reading abilities and into the optimal time window to target a specific reading‐related subskill during intervention.
Stabilization of kidney function and reduction in heart failure events with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: A meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Keidai Yamato , Yoshiji Satoshi , Hasebe Masashi , Minamino Hiroto , Murakami Takaaki , Tanaka Daisuke , Fujita Yoshihito , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: May 2023

Aims

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of heart failure (HF) events regardless of diabetes status. However, factors associated with their efficacy in HF reduction remain unknown. This study aims to identify clinically relevant markers for the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF risk reduction.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized placebo‐controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors reporting a composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death in participants with or without type 2 diabetes published until 28 February 2023. Random‐effects meta‐analysis and mixed‐effects meta‐regression were conducted to evaluate the association between the outcomes and clinical variables, including changes in glycated haemoglobin, body weight, systolic blood pressure, haematocrit and overall/chronic estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope.

Results

Thirteen trials with 90 413 participants were included. SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the hazard ratio of the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.74‐0.81; p < .0001). In meta‐regression analysis, chronic eGFR slope (eGFR change after the initial dip) was significantly associated with the composite outcome (p = .017), and each 1 ml/min/1.73 m2/year improvement in chronic eGFR slope led to a 14% reduction in the composite outcome. By contrast, changes in the other parameters showed no significant associations.

Conclusions

Improvement in chronic eGFR slope, which reflects the stabilization of kidney function, is significantly associated with the efficacy of the SGLT2 inhibitor in HF, highlighting the cardiorenal axis role in the beneficial effects on HF. The chronic eGFR slope can be a surrogate marker of the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on HF reduction.
Performance appraisal and employee commitment: The mediating role of job satisfaction
Authors: Pepple Dennis Gabriel , Ambilichu Charles Anyeng
Published: May 2023

Commitment is essential for employees to establish and maintain a long‐lasting employer–employee relationship, hence the call for more research to investigate its antecedents. The purpose of our study was to empirically investigate the relationship between performance appraisal and employee commitment. Analysis of survey data drawn from academics across the UK Higher Education Institutions found a positive relationship between performance appraisal and employee commitment, explained through the mediation of job satisfaction. The study is novel as it extends performance appraisal and employee commitment theorization by highlighting how job satisfaction mediates both constructs differently at intrinsic and extrinsic levels. Practically, our study provides insights that will support the development of performance appraisal systems that influence job satisfaction and commitment of academics.
Overexpression and potential roles of midkine via regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A in psoriasis
Authors: Li Lin , Shucheng Huidi , Fu Lixin , Pei Baoqiang , Xu Wen , Jiang Xian
Published: May 2023

Midkine plays a critical role in angiogenesis by regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathway, which is known to be associated with psoriasis pathogenesis. However, research on midkine‐psoriasis relationship remains limited. The objective of this study was to detect midkine expression in psoriasis and investigate its potential role in the disease. Midkine expression was measured using immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Effects of midkine on HaCaT cell proliferation, VEGF‐A production and signalling pathways were assessed using CCK8, RT‐PCR and WB. Scratch and in vitro tube formation tests were used to evaluate the effects of HaCaT‐cell‐activated midkine on the migration and tube formation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Murine psoriasiform models were injected with midkine recombinant protein and midkine monoclonal antibody to investigate skin lesions, tissue sections and dermal microvessel density. Levels of midkine significantly increased in both lesions and serum of patients with psoriasis. Serum expression of midkine decreased after treatment and a positive correlation was found between midkine and disease severity. Midkine promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and VEGF‐A production. The Notch2/HES1/JAK2‐STAT5A pathway expression increased after midkine treatment of HaCaT cells. The supernatant of HaCaT cells treated with midkine promoted HMEC‐1 migration and angiogenesis in vitro. Recombinant midkine protein exacerbated psoriasiform lesions with increased expressions of VEGF‐A and microvessel density, while midkine monoclonal antibody alleviated psoriasis lesions. Midkine may have a significant impact on psoriasis angiogenesis by regulating VEGF‐A expression through the Notch2/HES1/JAK2‐STAT5A pathway, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis treatment.
New insights into the function and pathophysiology of the ectodomain sheddase A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10)
Authors: Rosenbaum David , Saftig Paul
Published: May 2023

The ‘A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 10’ (ADAM10) has gained considerable attention due to its discovery as an ‘α‐secretase’ involved in the nonamyloidogenic processing of the amyloid precursor protein, thereby possibly preventing the excessive generation of the amyloid beta peptide, which is associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. ADAM10 was found to exert many additional functions, cleaving about 100 different membrane proteins. ADAM10 is involved in many pathophysiological conditions, ranging from cancer and autoimmune disorders to neurodegeneration and inflammation. ADAM10 cleaves its substrates close to the plasma membrane, a process referred to as ectodomain shedding. This is a central step in the modulation of the functions of cell adhesion proteins and cell surface receptors. ADAM10 activity is controlled by transcriptional and post‐translational events. The interaction of ADAM10 with tetraspanins and the way they functionally and structurally depend on each other is another topic of interest. In this review, we will summarize findings on how ADAM10 is regulated and what is known about the biology of the protease. We will focus on novel aspects of the molecular biology and pathophysiology of ADAM10 that were previously poorly covered, such as the role of ADAM10 on extracellular vesicles, its contribution to virus entry, and its involvement in cardiac disease, cancer, inflammation, and immune regulation. ADAM10 has emerged as a regulator controlling cell surface proteins during development and in adult life. Its involvement in disease states suggests that ADAM10 may be exploited as a therapeutic target to treat conditions associated with a dysfunctional proteolytic activity.
Functional characteristics of Moringa oleifera supplemented cookies and their ameliorative effect on the lipid profile of hyperlipidaemic patients
Authors: Ilyas Madiha , Rana Faraz Ali , Rabail Roshina , Bhatty Nighat , Aadil Rana Muhammad
Published: May 2023

Raised cholesterol levels can alleviate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke and are responsible for one‐third of all ischemic heart diseases worldwide. Moringa oleifera (MO) plant has gained nutraceutical prominence; therefore, its lipid‐lowering potential was investigated by its incorporation (leaves MOL, seeds MOS and leaves + seeds MOLS) into cookies. These cookies were then analysed for nutritional, physicochemical and clinical properties. The sensory properties received overall higher acceptability scores of 15% and 25% in MOL followed by MOS and MOLS cookies. Clinical investigations in hyperlipidaemic patients revealed significant reductions in total cholesterol (7.56% and 5.56%), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (6.59% and 5.03%) and triglycerides (6.75% and 4.76%) in MOL and MOLS. While a significant increase in the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (10.66%, 5.88% and 9.15%) in all three groups was observed, with a more pronounced raise in MOL Cookies. Furthermore, serum biochemistry (AST, ALT, ALP, urea and Creatinine) values remain within normal range revealing the safety for utilisation. The overall results indicated that MO possesses a positive effect on the lipid profile, therefore, can be a part of diet‐based therapy for the attenuation of chronic diseases.
Ulcerated skin evaluation by electrical impedance measurements
Authors: Kawałkiewicz Weronika , Majewska Anna , Janus‐Kubiak Marta , Marcinkowska‐Gapińska Anna , Urbaniak‐Olejnik Marta , Hojan‐Jezierska Dorota , Kubisz Leszek
Published: May 2023

In the presented study, the transdermal results from the areas surrounding the ulcerated skin areas were compared with those obtained from healthy skin tissue. The analysis of electrical parameters, such as the slope of the Nyquist plot, min. IM, min. RE, min. f, Imagine part index, Phase index, Real part index, and Magnitude index were conducted. Electrical parameters have been measured in the group without lower leg ulceration and in the group with lower leg ulcers. On the basis of the statistical analysis, it was determined that these parameters may be effective in the evaluation of the skin. In fact, the skin surrounding the ulceration was characterised by different values of electrical parameters as compared with healthy skin tissue. A statistically significant difference was found in the electrical parameters obtained for the healthy leg skin and the skin surrounding the ulceration. This study was to investigate the applicability of electrical parameters in the evaluation of the skin in lower leg ulcers. The electrical parameters can be used as an effective tool in assessing the condition of the skin, both healthy and surrounding the ulcerations. The most useful parameters in assessing skin condition using electrical parameters include min. IM, min. RE, min. f, Imagine part index, Phase index, and Magnitude index.
Ultra‐broadband electromagnetic wave absorption of ceramic composite coating by atmospheric plasma spraying
Authors: Huang Pai , Niu Xiaodong , Wang Ying , Zou Binglin
Published: May 2023

Dy doped ceramic material of Ba4Fe2.6Dy1.4Nb8O30 with the tetragonal black bronze structure was synthesized by solid‐state reaction at 1300°C. The composite powders of Ba4Fe2.6Dy1.4Nb8O30/FeSiAl with good flowing were prepared by spray drying using the powders slurry. The obtained composite powders were then plasma sprayed to fabricate coating. The microstructure and absorption characteristics of electromagnetic wave (EMW) of the coating materials are investigated. Results show that the composite powders significantly remain the phase stability during atmospheric plasma spraying and adsorbing heredity of EMW for the coating. The coating powders have excellent EMW absorption with the minimum reflection loss of −48.20 dB at the thickness of 3.5 mm. Also, the coating powders display the maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 6.24 GHz at the thickness of 1.5 mm, which covers the X‐band. Moreover, the coating was found to have a certain EMW absorption performance at high temperature of 700°C. The Ba4Fe2.6Dy1.4Nb8O30 ceramic material with low thermal conductivity ensured the electromagnetic absorption capacity of the coating at high temperature. The Ba4Fe2.6Dy1.4Nb8O30/FeSiAl ceramic composite materials could have the potential applications as the high temperature EMW absorber.
The delayed effect of climatic conditions on pre‐fledging nestling haematocrit in a suboscine species in Patagonia
Authors: Churchill Joseph E. , Birker Martje L. M. , Versteegh Maaike , Altamirano Tomás A. , Vásquez Rodrigo A. , Komdeur Jan
Published: May 2023

Haematocrit, the proportion of blood comprising erythrocytes, is often used as a proxy of individual condition. Nestling haematocrit is influenced by several factors but ambient temperature is generally agreed as a key driver. It is unclear which day(s) in embryonic or nestling development are most influential in determining pre‐fledgling haematocrit. This is important, because if we are able to identify what day(s) nestlings are physiologically most vulnerable to climatic conditions, this may inform future conservation management and help mitigate the effects. We investigated the effect of ambient temperature, precipitation, body size, brood size, age, food abundance and habitat on nestling haematocrit in Aphrastura spinicauda (thorn‐tailed rayaditos). We collected this data from two climatically different locations in Chile: northern Patagonia (Pucón) and Sub‐Antarctic Patagonia (Navarino Island), located ~ 1800 km further south. We aimed to identify the key drivers of nestling haematocrit and find when nestlings are physiologically most vulnerable to climatic conditions. We confirm that ambient temperature is the key driver of nestling haematocrit, with increasing ambient temperatures nestling haematocrit decreased. However, precipitation also affected haematocrit in the late incubation stage. At low and high precipitation, nestling haematocrit was low and is optimum in light rainfall. Our results show a delayed effect of ambient temperature and precipitation in late incubation and on the day of hatching which can determine pre‐fledgling haematocrit, which may cause lower post‐fledgling fitness. We found that climatic conditions on the day haematocrit was collected was not important in determining haematocrit. We found that haematocrit was higher in the sub‐Antarctic area and that higher temperatures and precipitation on the day of hatching will result in lower nestling haematocrit and poorer pre‐fledgling condition. As atmospheric temperatures rise, nestling fitness is at risk. This is a threat to many bird species, especially those in locations vulnerable to climate breakdown.
Is idiosyncratic asymmetry priced in commodity futures?
Authors: Han Yufeng , Mo Xuan , Su Zhi , Zhu Yifeng
Published: May 2023

In this article, we use a recently introduced asymmetry measure, IE, to measure the idiosyncratic asymmetry of commodity futures returns and find that idiosyncratic asymmetry negatively and significantly predicts commodity futures returns cross sectionally. Furthermore, we find that a long–short trading strategy based on idiosyncratic asymmetry generates significant abnormal returns, which cannot be explained by traditional risk factors in commodity futures and persists up to 12 months. Moreover, idiosyncratic asymmetry appears to be a priced factor in commodity futures with significant risk premium. Finally, we confirm that IE is better at capturing the pricing effect of idiosyncratic asymmetry than the traditional skewness measure.
The burden of pancreatic cancer and its attributable risk factors in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990–2019
Authors: Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Kolahi Ali‐Asghar , Noori Maryam , Sullman Mark J M , Safiri Saeid
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim

Globally, pancreatic cancer is recognized as one of the most lethal types of cancers. We report the burden of pancreatic cancer and its attributable risk factors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, from 1990 to 2019, by age, sex, and socio‐demographic index.

Methods

Publicly available data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study were used to report the incidence, deaths, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to pancreatic cancer, as counts and age‐standardized rates with 95% uncertainty intervals.

Results

In 2019, pancreatic cancer had an age‐standardized incidence rate of 5.3 and a death rate of 5.5 (per 100 000) in MENA, which have increased by 97.5% and 93.4%, respectively, since 1990. There were 563.6 thousand DALYs attributable to pancreatic cancer in 2019, with an age‐standardized DALY rate of 123.0, which has increased by 84.9% since 1990. The highest number of incident cases was found in the 60–64 and 65–69 age groups, among male and female, respectively. In addition, the MENA/global DALY ratios were higher in all age groups for both sexes in 2019, than they were in 1990. There was a positive association between socio‐demographic index and the burden of pancreatic cancer. Smoking, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body mass index were responsible for 19.2%, 9.3%, and 9.3% of the attributable DALYs in 2019, respectively.

Conclusions

There was a clear and substantial increase in the burden of pancreatic cancer in the MENA region. Prevention programs should be implemented in the region that target these three risk factors.
Baveno VII criteria identify varices needing treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma of different Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages
Authors: Wu Claudia Wing‐Kwan , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Yam Tsz‐Fai , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Wong Angus Chun‐Hei , Chan Brian Wai‐Nok , Fong Matthew Man‐Lok , Lai Jimmy Che‐To , Tse Yee‐Kit , Lee Kit‐Fai , Mok Tony Shu‐Kam , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Lui Rashid Nok‐Shun , Chan Stephen Lam , Ng Kelvin Kwok‐Chai
Published: May 2023

Background

Baveno VII criteria for predicting varices needing treatment (VNT) have not been tested in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) population. We evaluated Baveno VII consensus for VNT in HCC patients of different stages according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages undergoing curative hepatectomy.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of patients with HCC. Patients underwent transient elastography examination before HCC treatment and received at least one upper endoscopic examination afterwards. Patients were prospectively followed for clinical events including VNT.

Results

Six hundred and seventy‐three patients (83.1% male, median age 62 years) with HCC of BCLC stage 0 (10%), A (57%), B (17%) and C (15%) were recruited and followed for 47 months. The median (range) LSM was 10.5 (6.9–20.4) kPa; 74% had LSM ≤ 20 kPa and 58% had platelet count ≥150 × 10/L, respectively. VNT occurred in 51 (7.6%) patients. In patients who fulfilled Baveno VII criteria, that is, LSM ≤ 20 kPa and platelet count above 150 × 10/L, only 11 (1.6%) patients had VNT. In all BCLC stages of HCC, the proportion of patients with VNT was below 5%, which support the validity and applicability of Baveno VII criteria in all BCLC stages of HCC.

Conclusions

The Baveno VII criteria are valid and applicable in HCC patients undergoing curative hepatectomy for selecting patients to undergo screening endoscopy for VNT. The validity was consistent across different BCLC stages of HCC.
The Elites‐Mutual‐Attraction Effect: How Relative Reputation Influences Employee Flows between Organizations
Authors: Antons David , Piening Erk P. , Salge Torsten Oliver
Published: May 2023

In this study, we draw on signalling theory to examine the organization‐level relationship between reputation and employee movement in and out of organizations. Focusing on organizations’ media reputations relative to their peers, we map all employee flows between organizational dyads in a population of English hospitals. We find support for our main argument that an organization's relative reputation predicts employee mobility above and beyond what can be explained by its absolute level of reputation. In particular, our findings suggest that the number of employees moving between two organizations is highest when both organizations have a high reputation. We refer to this as the elites’ mutual attraction effect (EMA‐effect). We also find that the motives of voluntary leavers and geographical distance between two organizations influence the strength of this EMA‐effect. Overall, this study shows that developing and testing dyadic theory can extend research on organizational reputation and collective turnover in meaningful ways.
A surge in human metapneumovirus paediatric respiratory admissions in Western Australia following the reduction of SARS‐CoV‐2 non‐pharmaceutical interventions
Authors: Foley David A , Yeoh Daniel K , Minney‐Smith Cara A , Shin Christine , Hazelton Briony , Hoeppner Tobias , Moore Hannah C , Nicol Mark , Sikazwe Chisha , Borland Meredith L , Levy Avram , Blyth Chris C
Published: May 2023

Aim

Western Australian laboratory data demonstrated a decrease in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections through 2020 associated with SARS‐CoV‐2‐related non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), followed by a subsequent surge in metropolitan region in mid‐2021. We aimed to assess the impact of the surge in hMPV on paediatric hospital admissions and the contribution of changes in testing.

Methods

All respiratory‐coded admissions of children aged <16 years at a tertiary paediatric centre between 2017 and 2021 were matched with respiratory virus testing data. Patients were grouped by age at presentation and by ICD‐10 AM codes into bronchiolitis, other acute lower respiratory infection (OALRI), wheeze and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). For analysis, 2017–2019 was utilised as a baseline period.

Results

hMPV‐positive admissions in 2021 were more than 2.8 times baseline. The largest increase in incidence was observed in the 1–4 years group (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5–5.9) and in OALRI clinical phenotype (IRR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.8–4.2). The proportion of respiratory‐coded admissions tested for hMPV in 2021 doubled (32–66.2%, P < 0.001), with the greatest increase in wheeze (12–75% in 2021, P < 0.001). hMPV test percentage positivity in 2021 was higher than in the baseline period (7.6% vs. 10.1% in 2021, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

The absence and subsequent surge underline the susceptibility of hMPV to NPIs. Increased hMPV‐positive admissions in 2021 can be partially attributable to testing, but test‐positivity remained high, consistent with a genuine increase. Continued comprehensive testing will help ascertain true burden of hMPV respiratory diseases.
Controlling the Past to Control the Future: Christian Nationalism and Mandatory Patriotic Education in Public Schools
Authors: Perry Samuel L. , Davis Joshua T. , Grubbs Joshua B.
Published: May 2023

Recent debates about whether educators should teach America's racist history have sparked activism and legislation to ensure students are taught American history in such a way that promotes “patriotism,” amplifying cherished national myths, emphasizing American exceptionalism, and erasing negative historical facts. Building on insights from both social dominance theory and Christian nationalism research, we propose Christian nationalism combines legitimizing myths that whitewash America's past with authoritarian impulses and thus seeks to enforce “patriotic” content in public school classrooms. We also theorize this connection varies across racial, partisan, and ideological identities. Data from a nationally‐representative survey of Americans affirm Christian nationalism is by far the leading predictor Americans believe “We should require public school teachers to teach history in a way that promotes patriotism.” This association is consistent across race (possibly due to divergent meanings of both “Christian nationalism” and “patriotism” across groups), but varies by partisanship and ideological identity for whites. Specifically, Christian nationalism brings whites who identify with the ideological and political left into complete alignment with their conservative counterparts who are already more likely to support mandatory patriotic education. Our findings provide critical context for ongoing battles over public‐school curricula and education's role in perpetuating social privilege.