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Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide to reduce visceral and ectopic fat in adults with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Four databases were searched up to 6 May 2022 for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of liraglutide on visceral and ectopic fat. The mean and standard deviation of the values of visceral fat, ectopic fat and body mass index were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of disease (T2DM or non‐T2DM), duration of intervention, dosage of liraglutide and whether life interventions were added to liraglutide therapy. We extracted and integrated the safety assessments reported in each article. Results: Sixteen randomized clinical trials with, in total, 845 participants were included in the meta‐analysis. Liraglutide could significantly decrease visceral fat [standard mean difference (SMD) = −0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI; −1.12, −0.33)], liver fat [SMD = −0.78, 95% CI (−1.24, −0.32)] and body mass index [weighted mean difference = −1.44, 95% CI (−1.95, −0.92)] in adult patients with or without T2DM when compared with the control group. However, reduction of epicardial fat by liraglutide [SMD = −0.74, 95% CI (−1.82, 0.34)] was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis revealed that an adequate dosage (≥1.8 mg/day) and appropriate duration of treatment (ranging from 16 to 40 weeks) were the decisive factors for liraglutide to reduce visceral fat effectively. Mild gastrointestinal reactions were the main adverse event of liraglutide. Conclusions: Liraglutide significantly and safely reduces visceral and ectopic liver fat irrespective of T2DM status, and reduces visceral fat provided adequate dosage and duration of therapy are ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the applicability of Z-type perfluoropolyether ( PFPE-Z) lubricant in high temperature and atmospheric environment, the evaporation loss test, maximum operating temperature test and corrosion test of PFPE-Z lubricant were carried out in high temperature and atmospheric environment respectively to determine the maximum operating temperature of PFPE-Z lubricant. Ultrafine depth of field digital microscopic system, energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) and fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) were used for microscopic observation and component analysis for the bearing materials and PFPE-Z lubricating oi, and the corrosion rate of PFPE-Z lubricating oil to different bearing materials and the degradation rate of PFPE-Z lubricating oil were obtained. The results show that in high temperature and atmospheric environment, the maximum operating temperature of PFPE-Z grease (PTFE thickened) is 290 T, the maximum operating temperature of PFPE-Z lubricating oil is 310 T. PFPE-Z lubricating oil is corrosive to common metal materials of bearings, but the corrosion rate of different metal materials is different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) is calculated using a standard formula with temperature, vapor pressure, solar radiation, and wind speed as input variables. ETo forecasts can be produced when forecasts of these input variables from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are available. As raw ETo forecasts are often subjective to systematic errors, calibration is necessary for improving forecast quality. The most straightforward and widely used approach is to directly calibrate raw ETo forecasts constructed with the raw forecasts of input variables. However, the potential predictability of ETo may not be fully explored by this approach, which ignores the non-linear interactions of input variables in constructing ETo forecasts. We hypothesize that reducing errors in individual inputs as a precursor to ETo forecast calibration will lead to more skillful ETo forecasts. To test this hypothesis, we evaluate two calibration strategies, including (i) calibration directly applied to raw ETo forecasts constructed with raw forecasts of input variables, and (ii) bias-correcting input variables first, and then calibrating the ETo forecasts constructed with bias-corrected input variables. We calibrate ETo forecasts based on weather forecasts of the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator G2 version (ACCESS-G2). Calibrated ETo forecasts with bias-corrected input variables (strategy ii) demonstrate lower bias, higher correlation coefficient, and higher skills than the calibration based on raw input variables (strategy i). This investigation indicates that improving raw forecasts of input variables could enhance ETo forecast calibration and produce more skillful ETo forecasts. This calibration strategy is expected to enhance future NWP-based ETo forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical and chemical interfacial reaction mechanisms between LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NMC532) and poly(propylene carbonate) solid polymer electrolyte (PPC‐SPE) are studied. Ni3+ and Co4+ species which are electrochemically oxidized from Ni2+ and Co3+ during the charging process will induce the decomposition of PPC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirm that the decomposition products of PPC contains ether, which might produce through condensation reaction of alcohol compounds. To retard this side reaction, graphene oxide is applied to coat commercial LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 particles via a facile chemical approach. Compared with pristine cathode, the coated sample displays higher initial capacity, better cycle stability and lower interfacial resistance after cycled. After 300 cycles, the capacity retention is 69.2% at 0.3 C and the resistance is only 25 Ω after 180 cycles. This is due to the graphene layer facilitates the interfacial charge‐transfer process and slows the cathode/electrolyte interfacial side reaction. Consequently, the study illuminated the interface issues of PPC based solid‐state lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial side reaction mechanism between poly(propylene carbonate) solid polymer electrolyte (PPC‐SPE) and LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode (c‐NCM) is investigated. Ni3+ and Co4+ species generated by electrochemical oxidization process can decompose poly(propylene carbonate) to aldehyde. To address this interface issue, a graphene interlayer is introduced to the LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode surface via a facile method to improve cycle stability, rate capability and interfacial resistance. After 50 cycles at 0.3 C, the capacity retention of G@c‐NCM is 97.9 % and the resistance is less than 20 Ω, the improved electrochemical properties can be attributed to the graphene interlayer slows the side reaction, facilitates interfacial charge‐transfer process and stabilizes the cathode structure. These results demonstrate that modifying LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode surface with graphene interlayer is conducive to enhance the electrochemical performance of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Importance: Cataract risk factors data will provide epidemic evidence for cataract prevention. Background: This study aimed to study the risk factors for age‐related cataract in a Chinese adult population. Design: This is a population‐based, cross‐sectional study. Participants: A total of 10 234 eligible subjects ≥45 years old (response rate: 78.1%) were included in the study. Methods: We conducted detailed eye examinations including presenting visual acuity, best‐corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination of lens opacities and fundus examination. Questionnaires about lifestyle were administered. Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index were collected. Serological metabolic indicators, including fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, lipoprotein, were also evaluated. We used stepwise multivariate logistic regression model to evaluate the association of these risk factors with any cataract and subtypes of cataract. Main Outcome Measures: Odds ratios of risk factors for cataract were calculated. Results: For any cataract, we found age, gender (female), increased outdoor activity, no outdoor eye protection, high myopia, high low‐density lipoprotein, low high‐density lipoprotein, lower education level and increased pickled food intake were independent risk factors. When further examined the risk factors of different subtypes of cataract, we found that these risk factors also existed, but there were slight differences among different subtypes. In addition, for cortical cataract, lower annual family income and high diastolic pressure were additional independent risk factors. Conclusions and Relevance: Reduced outdoor activity, outdoor eye protection, prevention of high myopia, higher education level, controlled blood pressure, improved high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein levels and reduced pickled food intake may help to reduce the risk of age‐related cataract development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]