bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of New Media on English Language Learning Motivation at Tertiary Level
Authors: Hasan Md. Mahadhi , Al Younus Md. Abdullah , Ibrahim Faridah , Islam Mainul , Islam Md. Moinul
Published: January 2021

Different new media tools like Facebook, blogs, wikis, Google docs and YouTube are perceived to have effects on English language (L2) learner motivation at the tertiary level in Bangladesh. However, the effects of new media usage on L2 learner motivation are not defined yet in the context. This study investigates the effects of new media usage on L2 learner motivation at the tertiary level. A qualitative research design is used throughout the study to collect and analyze the data. Data were collected through six Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 30 tertiary level English language learners from eight universities located in Bangladesh. The findings of the study show that new media usage in English language learning motivates learners immensely, transforms dependent and passive learners into active and autonomous learners, makes them participatory, engaging and enthusiastic in learning, and works as a supplement to the classroom teachings. However, culturally inappropriate and wrong interpretation of some language contents in new media tools demotivates learners. Therefore, the usage of new media tools in enhancing learner motivation needs to be keenly monitored to reduce adverse effects. The study recommends future research to be conducted to assess the negative washback of new media usage affecting L2 learners.
Commodification and Objectification of Women in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening and The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing: New French Feminism’s Critique
Authors: Ijeoma O. Ezeala Mercy , Rudaityte Regina
Published: January 2021

New French feminism asserts that the structured deprivation of women has its core in language. A society governed by the Symbolic order views women through patriarchal lenses and considers them as verbal constructs. Such representations reflect the cultural views of society. This paper uses the psychoanalytic and language theories of new French feminism to explore the depictions of women in The awakening and The golden notebook to identify the representations that subjugate, exclude, and repress them from selfhood. The analysis is more of a textual interaction than sociological, with emphasis on the use of patriarchal language in creating the woman. While The awakening and The golden notebook seem to confirm the representations of the woman as an object, a deficient binary opposite of the male and nothing more than a caregiver and sex provider, this study foregrounds the underlying voices of the texts sceptical of the representations. Both texts question these representations implying that the arbitrariness of language highlights the dichotomy of ascribing fixed and negative identities to the female; hence, patriarchal language is defective.
The Significance of Epiphany in D.H. Lawrence’s Short Story “The Odor of Chrysanthemums”
Authors: Gökçek Aycan
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study is to point out to the significance of epiphany experienced by the character Elizabeth in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” with an eye on the social realities of the time in which the story was written. With the analysis of the story, this study challenges the claims that D. H Lawrence is a sexist by feminist critics such as Kate Millet. In the line with these, after a brief information on D. H. Lawrence and his stories that are similar to “Odour of Chrysanthemums” and social, cultural and financial realities of British Industrial society, the story has been handled. In the end, it has been observed that by portraying the main character Elizabeth as a woman who seems to have a sadistic pleasure of her husband’s death in the story, Lawrence criticizes not femininity but 20th century British society which imposes unbearable responsibilities on women. In addition to these, the study also criticises industrial society and helps the reader to have an idea concerning its social facts especially on the role of a woman in the working-class family.
Quality as Determinant for Long Shelf Life and Consumer Loyalty in Nollywood Productions
Authors: Bakare Rasaki Ojo , Isijola Oluwatayo B. , Bakare Lillian Eguriase
Published: January 2021

Nollywood, is the Nigerian film industries that had evolved without state support, and was ranked as as the world’s second largest producers of movies by UNESCO Institute of Statistics. However, the industry has continued to incur the negative consequences of poor quality production on consumers’ patronage and shelf life of produce, in spite of abiding growth propensity. It is against this backdrop that this research was conducted to examine production quality as determinant for long shelf life and consumers’ loyalty in Nollywood movies. The study, which focuses on grassroots, employs the mixed methods research, combining interview, survey, and content analysis as methods for data collection. It argues that the abiding problem of quality in the industry, which is grounded on colonial cinematic legacies, was perpetuated by the failure of Government to align the industry as a viable sub-sector for economic growth. Thus, the study establishes that there is a direct correlation between the poor production quality, diminishing consumer loyalty and a trifling shelf life of Nigerian movies amidst the increasingly high volume of movie produce. The study concludes that piracy is the fundamental problem that militates against quality investment, which engenders compromise in production quality, and grounds poor consumer patronage and low shelf life. Therefore, the study recommends the need for Government to harness the viability of the industry by engaging needful interventions for the structuring and the development of a bankable movie industry, through legislation and implementation of policies that can stimulate, protect and sustain quality productions of the Nigerian video films.
Beyond Semantic Opposition: Contextual Opposites in Osundare’s The Eye Of The Earth
Authors: Alowonle Fasasi Khabyr
Published: January 2021

Lexical semanticists have categorized linguistic items based on their perceived relationships and have come up with the category termed semantic oppositions to describe words that share certain contrastive features. Consequently, certain categories of semantic oppositions have been documented in the literature. The current research argues that a certain type of opposition termed contextual opposition has not been accounted for. Resting on Teun van Dijk’s (2006) socio-cognitive theory of context, this paper probes into the types of opposites found in Niyi Osundare’s poetry, The Eye of the Earth with a view to accounting for the nature of relationships existing between certain pairs of opposites. In addition to the various types of semantic opposites in the text, analysis reveals the presence of a new type of opposites termed ‘contextual opposites’ (opposition conferred on the linguistic items by context). Findings reveal that contextual oppositions (or pragmatic oppositions) designate a relationship in which words, phrases and larger expressions which ordinarily do not share any linguistic relationship of contrast or incompatibility are forced to appear as opposites as a result of their contextual contradictory semantics and syntactic ordering. The paper concludes that current categorisation of opposition in English should incorporate contextual oppositions rather than limiting such to the traditional lens of lexical semantics.
National and Global Identity Perspectives of Textbooks: Towards a Sense of Global Identity
Authors: Çetin Köroğlu Zeynep , Elban Mehmet
Published: January 2021

Textbooks can change, shape, and affect the formation of identity of those who learn the target language rather than teaching the language. In this study, the textbooks determined by the Ministry of National Education and used for English lessons in public high schools were analyzed with the content analysis method in terms of national identity and global identity elements. The study included textbooks and workbooks used in state high schools’ all grades. The data show that the books used as a textbook in public high schools, except 10th grade contain global identity elements more than national identity elements. Another important finding is that the 10th grade English textbook includes elements of national identity more than global identity elements. The results of the current study show that the textbooks prepare language learners for a global identity but also help them create a national identity in state high school, Turkey.
EFL Learners’ Language Learning Strategies: A Case Study at Qassim University
Authors: Mahib UR Rahman Mohammed
Published: January 2021

Language learning strategies (LLS) play a significant part in learning a second or foreign language. These strategies support and simplify the process of language learning for students. Hence, this study endeavors to investigate LLS applied by students at the Department of English Language and Translation, Qassim University in learning English language as a foreign language. The present study applied “Strategy Inventory for Language Learning” (SILL), which was established by Oxford (1990) to collect data. 30 students from level four took part voluntarily, and later data was analyzed to provide means, distribution of frequencies, standard deviation, percentages, and total scores of data set. The study discloses that EFL students were accustomed to the whole six LLS groups. Moreover, the study also reveals that some students used more LLS than other students, although the difference was significant across all students. These LLS groups are; “compensation, social strategies, affective, cognitive, metacognitive, and memory with a medium level of frequency use for over-all strategies (M = 3.49)”. The most repeatedly applied strategies by students of level four from these six strategies are as follows from the top “metacognitive, compensation, social, memory, cognitive, and affective strategies”. The findings would help teachers and students to be aware of LLS while in teaching and learning English as a foreign language.
Dysregulation of the Sirt5/IDH2 axis contributes to sunitinib resistance in human renal cancer cells
Authors: Meng Liang , Chen Deqiang , Meng Gaopei , Lu Li , Han Chenggang
Published: January 2021

Sunitinib (Sun), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, is the standard first‐line treatment against advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but resistance to therapy is inevitable. Reactive oxygen species production is associated with sensitivity to chemotherapy, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms contributing to Sun resistance using the RCC cell lines ACHN and 786‐O. We report that Sun‐resistant cells exhibited reduced apoptosis, increased cell viability, increased reactive oxygen species production and disrupted mitochondrial function. Furthermore, chronic Sun treatment resulted in an up‐regulation of Sirt5/isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) expression levels. Knockdown of Sirt5/IDH2 impaired mitochondrial function and partially attenuated Sun resistance. Finally, up‐regulation of Sirt5 enhanced the expression of IDH2 via modulation of succinylation at K413 and promoted protein stability. In conclusion, dysregulation of Sirt5/IDH2 partially contributes to Sun resistance in RCC cells by affecting antioxidant capacity.
HEXACO personality correlates of adolescents' involvement in bullying situations
Authors: Pronk Jeroen , Olthof Tjeert , de Vries Reinout E. , Goossens Frits A.
Published: January 2021

Adolescents' involvement in bullying situations is—at least partially—personality trait‐activated. Although some studies investigated personality correlates of bullying and being victimized, little is known about personality correlates of bystander responses (i.e., reinforcing, outsider behavior, indirect defending, and direct defending). The present study investigated whether Dutch adolescents' self‐reported HEXACO personality traits could explain their peer‐reported involvement in bullying (N = 552; Mage = 13.4 years, SD = 0.8 years). The results show that bullying was negatively related to honesty‐humility, emotionality, agreeableness (for boys specifically), and openness, whereas reinforcing was only negatively related to honesty‐humility and openness. Conversely, direct defending and outsider behavior were positively related to honesty‐humility, emotionality, and openness, whereas indirect defending was only positively related to emotionality and openness. Furthermore, reinforcing was positively related to extraversion (for boys only), whereas outsider behavior was negatively related extraversion and positively to conscientiousness. Finally, being victimized was positively related to emotionality and negatively to extraversion. These findings contribute to our understanding of the heterogeneity in adolescents' involvement in bullying and fit the view of bullying and defending as strategic and goal‐directed behavior. Implications for bullying prevention programs are discussed.
Injectable Self‐Healing Natural Biopolymer‐Based Hydrogel Adhesive with Thermoresponsive Reversible Adhesion for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Zhou Lei , Dai Cong , Fan Lei , Jiang Yuhe , Liu Can , Zhou Zhengnan , Guan Pengfei , Tian Yu , Xing Jun , Li Xiaojun , Luo Yian , Yu Peng , Ning Chengyun , Tan Guoxin
Published: January 2021

Biocompatible hydrogel adhesives with multifunctional properties, including injectability, fast self‐healing, and suitable on‐demand detachment, are highly desired for minimally invasive procedures, but such materials are still lacking. Herein, an injectable self‐healing biocompatible hydrogel adhesive with thermoresponsive reversible adhesion based on two extracellular matrix‐derived biopolymers, gelatin and chondroitin sulfate, is developed to be used as a surgical adhesive for sealing or reconnecting ruptured tissues. The resulting hydrogels present good self‐healing and can be conveniently injected through needles. The strong tissue adhesion at physiological temperatures originates from the Schiff base and hydrogen bonding interactions between the hydrogel and tissue that can be weakened at low temperatures, thereby easily detaching the hydrogel from the tissue in the gelation state. In vivo and ex vivo rat model show that the adhesives can effectively seal bleeding wounds and fluid leakages in the absence of sutures or staples. Specifically, a proof of concept experiment in a damaged rat liver model demonstrates the ability of the adhesives to act as a suitable laparoscopic sealant for laparoscopic surgery. Overall, the adhesive has several advantages, including low cost and ease of production and application that make it an exceptional multifunctional tissue adhesive/sealant, effective in minimally invasive surgical applications.
Recent Trends and Prospects in Homogeneous Manganese‐Catalysed Epoxidation
Authors: Philip Rose Mary , Radhika Sankaran , Abdulla C. M. Afsina , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: January 2021

Epoxidation of alkenes is a significant reaction in organic chemistry due to its opportunities in producing compounds of biochemical interest. Catalytic epoxidation with first‐row transition elements has gained attention in the latest years wherein manganese based catalysts stand superior by satisfying numerous principles of green chemistry. In this review, we have summarized the recent developments in olefin epoxidation using homogeneous manganese catalysts. Manganese complexes with porphyrin, Schiff base, salen, and other non‐heme ligands made efficient catalytic systems during the last five years. Notably, we witnessed greener approaches in recent reports wherein photo‐catalysis is a promising strategy. We anticipate that the review will benefit the researchers to get a better understanding of the reaction and to choose the best catalysts for their reactions.

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Engineering Vaccines for Tissue‐Resident Memory T Cells
Authors: Knight Frances C. , Wilson John T.
Published: January 2021

In recent years, tissue‐resident memory T cells (TRM) have attracted significant attention in the field of vaccine development. Distinct from central and effector memory T cells, TRM cells take up residence in home tissues such as the lung or urogenital tract and are ideally positioned to respond quickly to pathogen encounter. TRM are found to play a role in the immune response against many globally important infectious diseases for which new or improved vaccines are needed, including influenza and tuberculosis. It is also increasingly clear that TRM play a pivotal role in cancer immunity. Thus, vaccines that can generate this memory T cell population are highly desirable. The field of immunoengineering—that is, the application of engineering principles to study the immune system and design new and improved therapies that harness or modulate immune responses—is ideally poised to provide solutions to this need for next‐generation TRM vaccines. This review covers recent developments in vaccine technologies for generating TRM and protecting against infection and cancer, including viral vectors, virus‐like particles, and synthetic and natural biomaterials. In addition, it offers critical insights on the future of engineering vaccines for tissue‐resident memory T cells.
Engineering of Electron Confinement through Defect‐Based Localized Polarization on SrTiO3 Surface
Authors: Chen Junyan , Liu Wei , Eul Tobias , Chen Mingjing , Hu Xiaoyong , Wang Shufang , Jiang Anquan , Yang Hong , Aeschlimann Martin , Gong Qihuang
Published: January 2021

Electron behaviors are expected to differ in circumstances with polarization. Changes in electron dynamics further result in changes in the physical properties, especially at reduced dimensions. In this paper, threshold photoemission is used to image a 2D electron gas induced on a SrTiO3 surface with regions polarized by defect‐based localized dipolar moments. It is found that the induction of surface polarization results in decrease of the surface itinerant electron density and the magnetic moments at room temperature. Such effects are attributed to the polarization‐based trapping of the surface itinerant electrons. It is also demonstrated that those changes induced by surface polarization can be manipulated by varying temperature. These findings address the importance of polarization in low‐dimensional electron dynamics, which offers an alternative way to engineer the properties of the SrTiO3‐based 2D electron gas.
Flower‐Shaped Optical Vortex Array
Authors: Fan Haihao , Zhang Hao , Cai Chenyuan , Tang Miaomiao , Li Hehe , Tang Jie , Li Xinzhong
Published: January 2021

Herein, the generation of an optical vortex array dubbed the flower‐shaped optical vortex array (FOVA) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated using a single optical path interference method. FOVA is generated by the superposition of even and odd Ince–Gaussian (IG) beams, which have the same degree m and different order p. The number of optical vortices (OVs) in the FOVA is determined based on the values of order p and degree m of the even and odd IG beams. Furthermore, the positive sign of the OVs in the array can be transformed to negative by adding a specific initial phase difference. The OVs vanish and then recover as the initial phase difference increases from 0 to 2π. Moreover, the gradient force and energy flow distribution of the FOVA are studied. The OVA with flower‐shaped structure generated herein has potential significance in applications, such as microparticle manipulation and optical measurements.
Chiral Spiro‐Axis Induced Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Material for Efficient Circularly Polarized OLEDs with Low Efficiency Roll‐Off
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Pin , Liang Xiao , Luo Xu‐Feng , Song Shi‐Quan , Li Si , Wang Yi , Mao Zhi‐Ping , Xu Wen‐Ye , Zheng You‐Xuan , Zuo Jing‐Lin , Pan Yi
Published: January 2021

A spiro‐axis skeleton not only introduces circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) into thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules but also enhances the intramolecular through space charge transfer (TSCT) process. Spiral distributed phenoxazine and 2‐(trifluoromethyl)‐9H‐thioxanthen‐9‐one‐10,10‐dioxide act as donor and acceptor units, respectively. The resulting TADF enantiomers, (rac)‐OSFSO, display emission maxima at 470 nm, small singlet‐triplet energy gap (ΔEST) of 0.022 eV and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 81.2 % in co‐doped film. The circularly polarized OLEDs (CP‐OLEDs) based on (R)‐OSFSO and (S)‐OSFSO display obvious circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) signals with dissymmetry factor up to 3.0×10−3 and maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 20.0 %. Moreover, the devices show remarkably low efficiency roll‐off with an EQE of 19.3 % at 1000 cd m−2 (roll‐off ca. 3.5 %), which are among the top results of CP‐OLEDs.
Efficient Infrared‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction Over Ultrathin Metallic Ni‐doped CoS2 Nanosheets
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Ju Zhengyu , Zhang Wei , Pan Yang , Zhu Junfa , Mao Jiawei , Zheng Xueli , Fu Haiyan , Yuan Maolin , Chen Hua , Li Ruixiang
Published: January 2021

Converting CO2 and H2O into carbon‐based fuel by IR light is a tough task. Herein, compared with other single‐component photocatalysts, the most efficient IR‐light‐driven CO2 reduction is achieved by an element‐doped ultrathin metallic photocatalyst‐Ni‐doped CoS2 nanosheets (Ni‐CoS2). The evolution rate of CH4 over Ni‐CoS2 is up to 101.8 μmol g−1 h−1. The metallic and ultrathin nature endow Ni‐CoS2 with excellent IR light absorption ability. The PL spectra and Arrhenius plots indicate that Ni atoms could facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers and the decrease of the activation energy. Moreover, in situ FTIR, DFT calculations, and CH4‐TPD reveal that the doped Ni atoms in CoS2 could effectively depress the formation energy of the *COOH, *CHO and desorption energy of CH4. This work manifests that element doping in atomic level is a powerful way to control the reaction intermediates, providing possibilities to realize high‐efficiency IR‐light‐driven CO2 reduction.
Molecular Simulations suggest Vitamins, Retinoids and Steroids as Ligands of the Free Fatty Acid Pocket of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Protein**
Authors: Shoemark Deborah K. , Colenso Charlotte K. , Toelzer Christine , Gupta Kapil , Sessions Richard B. , Davidson Andrew D. , Berger Imre , Schaffitzel Christiane , Spencer James , Mulholland Adrian J.
Published: January 2021

We investigate binding of linoleate and other potential ligands to the recently discovered fatty acid binding site in the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, using docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Simulations suggest that linoleate and dexamethasone stabilize the locked spike conformation, thus reducing the opportunity for ACE2 interaction. In contrast, cholesterol may expose the receptor‐binding domain by destabilizing the closed structure, preferentially binding to a different site in the hinge region of the open structure. We docked a library of FDA‐approved drugs to the fatty acid site using an approach that reproduces the structure of the linoleate complex. Docking identifies steroids (including dexamethasone and vitamin D); retinoids (some known to be active in vitro, and vitamin A); and vitamin K as potential ligands that may stabilize the closed conformation. The SARS‐CoV‐2 spike fatty acid site may bind a diverse array of ligands, including dietary components, and therefore provides a promising target for therapeutics or prophylaxis.
Polyurethane/polyethersulfone dual‐layer anisotropic membranes for CO2 removal from flue gas
Authors: García Jiménez Christian David , Habert Alberto Cláudio , Borges Cristiano Piacsek
Published: January 2021

Removing CO2 from flue gas streams has been a permanent challenge regarding environmental issues. Membrane technology is a solution for this problem but more efficient membranes are required. The fabrication of dual‐layer polyurethane/polyethersulfone membrane by the co‐casting technique is undertaken and the effects of previous evaporation time and coagulation water bath temperature on membrane morphology are explored. Uniform layers with excellent adhesion are obtained. The effect of feed pressure and temperature on membrane permeability and selectivity for CO2, N2, and O2 are studied. Increasing the pressure from 1 to 8 bar results in a reduction of CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 ideal selectivity from 19.6 to 13.0 barrer, and from 66 to 60, respectively. Temperature in the range of 25–45°C enhances CO2 permeability from 19.6 to 28.9 barrer, although CO2/N2 selectivity decreases from 66 to 43, yet showing good potential for applications.
Effect of shell phase composition on the dielectric property and energy density of core‐shell structured BaTiO3 particles modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites
Authors: Xie Junhao , Zhao Xuanchen , Sun Shulin , Song Shixin
Published: January 2021

Dielectric nanocomposites have attracted much attention due to their wide applications in electronics and electrical industry. Recently, incorporating core‐shell nanoparticles into polymer matrix to improve the dielectric properties of nanocomposites has been widely reported. Tailoring the interfacial region between the polymer and the nanoparticles plays a crucial role in achieving the desired dielectric and energy storage properties of nanocomposites. However, the effect of shell structure in the interface region on the dielectric and energy storage properties is rarely studied. Based on this, core‐shell BaTiO3 nanoparticles with two different shell polymers, a “hard‐soft” copolymer of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate (P[MMA‐BA]) and a “hard” homopolymer of methyl methacrylate (PMMA), were prepared in this paper. The effect of core‐shell BaTiO3 nanoparticles with different shell structures on the dielectric and energy storage properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was investigated in depth. Due to the formation of a tight interfacial region between P(MMA‐BA)@BT and PVDF matrix, P(MMA‐BA)@BT/PVDF nanocomposites not only have low dielectric loss but also higher energy efficiency than PMMA@BT/PVDF nanocomposites. This study suggests a potential strategy that fabricating a “hard‐soft” copolymer shell on BaTiO3 surface can obtain desirable energy storage efficiency than the single “hard” shell structure in dielectric nanocomposites.
Contribution of a European‐Prevalent Variant near CD83 and an East Asian–Prevalent Variant near IL17RB to Herpes Zoster Risk in Tofacitinib Treatment: Results of Genome‐Wide Association Study Meta‐Analyses
Authors: Bing Nan , Zhou Huanyu , Chen Xing , Hirose Tomohiro , Kochi Yuta , Tsuchida Yumi , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Sumitomo Shuji , Fujio Keishi , Zhang Baohong , Valdez Hernan , Vincent Michael S. , Martin David , Clark James D.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, and has been previously investigated for psoriasis (PsO). This meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) was performed to identify genetic factors associated with increased risk/faster onset of herpes zoster (HZ) in subjects with RA or PsO receiving tofacitinib treatment, and to determine potential mechanisms that could be attributed to the varying rates of HZ across ethnicities.

Methods

In an ethnicity/indication‐specific, trans‐ethnic, trans‐population meta‐analysis of GWAS in subjects with RA or PsO from phase II, phase III, and long‐term extension studies of tofacitinib, 8 million genetic variants were evaluated for their potential association with time to an HZ event and incidence of an HZ event (case versus control) with tofacitinib treatment, using Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression analyses, respectively.

Results

In total, 5,246 subjects were included (3,168 with RA and 2,078 with PsO). After adjustment for age, baseline absolute lymphocyte count, genetically defined ethnicity, and concomitant methotrexate use (in RA subjects only), 4 loci were significantly associated with faster onset of HZ in European subjects (P < 5 × 10−8), including a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) near CD83 (frequency of risk allele ~2% in European subjects versus ~0.1% in East Asian subjects). In the trans‐ethnic, trans‐population meta‐analysis, the CD83 SNP remained significant. Four additional significant loci were identified in the meta‐analysis, among which a SNP near IL17RB was associated with faster onset of HZ (meta‐analysis hazard ratio 3.6 [95% confidence interval 2.40–5.44], P = 7.6 × 10−10; frequency of risk allele ~12% in East Asian subjects versus <0.2% in European subjects).

Conclusion

Genetic analysis of tofacitinib‐treated subjects with RA or PsO identified multiple loci associated with increased HZ risk. Prevalent variants near the immune‐relevant genes CD83 and IL17RB in European and East Asian populations, respectively, may contribute to risk of HZ in tofacitinib‐treated subjects.
Risk Factors for COVID‐19 and Rheumatic Disease Flare in a US Cohort of Latino Patients
Authors: Fike Alice , Hartman Julia , Redmond Christopher , Williams Sandra G. , Ruiz‐Perdomo Yanira , Chu Jun , Hasni Sarfaraz , Ward Michael M. , Katz James D. , Gourh Pravitt
Published: January 2021

Objective

Latino patients are overrepresented among cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and are at an increased risk of severe disease. Prevalence of COVID‐19 in Latinos with rheumatic diseases is poorly reported. This study was undertaken to characterize COVID‐19 clinical features and outcomes in Latino patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of Latino patients with rheumatic diseases from an existing observational cohort in the Washington, DC area. Patients seen between April 1, 2020 and October 15, 2020 were analyzed in this study. We reviewed demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and use of immunomodulatory therapies. An exploratory classification and regression tree (CART) analysis along with logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for COVID‐19 and rheumatic disease flare.

Results

Of 178 Latino patients with rheumatic diseases, 32 (18%) were identified as having COVID‐19, and the incidence rate of infection was found to be 3‐fold higher than in the general Latino population. No patients required intensive care unit–level care. A CART analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified a BMI of >30.35 as a risk factor for COVID‐19 (odds ratio [OR] 3.37 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5–7.7]; P = 0.004). COVID‐19 positivity was a risk factor for rheumatic disease flare (OR 4.57 [95% CI 1.2–17.4]; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that Latino patients with rheumatic diseases have a higher rate of COVID‐19 compared with the general Latino population. Obesity is a risk factor for COVID‐19, and COVID‐19 is a risk factor for rheumatic disease flare. Latino patients with risk factors should be closely followed up, especially post–COVID‐19 in anticipation of disease flare.
Synthesis of Terminally Fluorinated [7]Helicenes and Their Application to Photochemical Domino Reactions
Authors: Matsuda Chikako , Suzuki Yuto , Katagiri Hiroshi , Murase Takashi
Published: January 2021

The intramolecular Diels−Alder reactions of helicenes deform their π‐conjugated screw‐shaped skeletons. In particular, terminally tetrafluorinated [7]helicene (F4‐[7]helicene) undergoes a photoinduced Diels−Alder reaction followed by a photoinduced double fluorine atom transfer. Herein, we thoroughly investigated this photochemical domino process by decreasing the level of fluorine substitution. F3‐[7]Helicenes bearing two fluorine atoms at the dienophile terminal underwent photoinduced Diels−Alder reactions, but the whole domino process became slow. F2‐[7]Helicene, which is difluorinated only at the dienophile terminal, was also photolabile. As a result, two fluorine atoms were sufficient for the photochemical domino reaction to occur. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that F2‐[7]helicene was less compressed than F4‐[7]helicene, indicating that terminal polyfluorination enhanced the intramolecular arene−fluoroarene stacking interactions and thus promoted the transformations.
A search for runaway stars in 12 Galactic supernova remnants
Authors: Lux Oliver , Neuhäuser Ralph , Mugrauer Markus , Bischoff Richard
Published: January 2021

Runaway stars can result from core‐collapse supernovae in multiple stellar systems. If the supernova disrupts the system, the companion is ejected with its former orbital velocity. A clear identification of a runaway star can yield the time and place of the explosion, as well as orbital parameters of the pre‐supernova binary system. Previous searches have mostly considered O‐ and B‐type stars as runaway stars because they are always young in absolute terms (not much older than the lifetime of the progenitor) and can be detected up to larger distances. Here, we present a search for runaway stars of all spectral types. For late‐type stars, a young age can be inferred from the lithium test. We used Gaia data to identify and characterize runaway star candidates in nearby supernova remnants, obtained spectra of 39 stars with UVES at the VLT and HDS at the Subaru telescope, and found a significant amount of lithium in the spectra of six dwarf stars. We present the spectral analysis, including measurements of radial velocities, atmospheric parameters, and lithium abundances. Then, we estimate the ages of our targets from the Hertzsprung‐Russell diagram and, using the lithium test, present a selection of promising runaway star candidates and draw constraints on the number of ejected runaway stars compared to model expectations.
Pregestational screening of hereditary deafness genes carriers in 10,684 normal pregnant women in Zhuzhou, China
Authors: Qi Mingming , Lai Huimin , Xu Lili , Zeng Fanhua , Zhang Jing , Xie Kaili
Published: January 2021

Background

Mutations in genes associated with deafness differ between ethnic groups and regions in China. In this study, we investigated the genes associated with deafness in pregnant women to analyze the distribution of mutations leading to deafness in Zhuzhou, China.

Methods

A total of 10,684 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. DNA samples were collected to detect the 14 common mutations in deafness genes (at 108 sites).

Results

Prevalence of mutations in deafness genes in pregnant women with normal hearing in Zhuzhou was 4.92% (526/10,684). Among these 526 pregnant women with deafness gene mutations, the frequencies of mutated GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4, and mtDNA 12S rRNA were 40.11, 7.22, 40.68, and 11.98%, respectively. The hotspots for mutations in the deafness genes were: c.235delC in GJB2 (31.18%), c.919‐2A > G in SLC26A4 (18.44%), c.299_300delAT in GJB2 (5.70%), m.7444G > A in mtDNA 12S rRNA (5.70%), c.1229C > T in SLC26A4 (5.51%), m.1555A > G in mtDNA 12S rRNA (5.32%), accounting for 71.85%. Moreover, husbands of the 526 pregnant women who carried the deafness gene mutations were also included in the analysis to detect deafness gene mutations. Among the 526 husbands, 23 husbands carried mutations in deafness genes, accounting for 4.37%. The deafness gene mutations of the husbands and pregnant wives were not the same. In addition, the results of the neonatal follow‐up hearing tests were all normal.

Conclusion

Our study identified the prevalence of mutations in GJB2, SLC26A4, mtDNA 12S rRNA, and GJB3 genes in pregnant women from Zhuzhou, China.
Protein kinase G phosphorylates the Alzheimer's disease‐associated tau protein at distinct Ser/Thr sites
Authors: Montalto Giulia , Caudano Francesca , Sturla Laura , Bruzzone Santina , Salis Annalisa , Damonte Gianluca , Prickaerts Jos , Fedele Ernesto , Ricciarelli Roberta
Published: January 2021

Intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Phosphorylation plays a crucial role in modulating the tau‐microtubule interaction and the ability of the protein to aggregate, but despite efforts during the past decades, the real identity of the kynases involved in vivo remains uncertain. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that the cGMP‐dependent protein kinase G (PKG) phosphorylates tau in both in vitro and in vivo models. More intriguingly, we provide evidence that PKG phosphorylates tau at Ser214 but not at Ser202, a condition that could reduce the pathological aggregation of the protein shifting tau from a pro‐aggregant to a neuroprotective anti‐aggregant conformation.
CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies a kinetochore‐microtubule dependent mechanism for Aurora‐A inhibitor resistance in breast cancer
Authors: Chen Ailin , Wen Shijun , Liu Fang , Zhang Zijian , Liu Meiling , Wu Yuanzhong , He Bin , Yan Min , Kang Tiebang , Lam Eric W‐F , Wang Zifeng , Liu Quentin
Published: January 2021

Background

Overexpression of Aurora‐A (AURKA) is a feature of breast cancer and associates with adverse prognosis. The selective Aurora‐A inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) has recently demonstrated promising antitumor responses as a single agent in various cancer types but its phase III clinical trial was reported as a failure since MLN8237 did not show an apparent effect in prolonging the survival of patients. Thus, identification of potential targets that could enhance the activity of MLN8237 would provide a rationale for drug combination to achieve better therapeutic outcome.

Methods

Here, we conducted a systematic synthetic lethality CRISPR/Cas9 screening of 507 kinases using MLN8237 in breast cancer cells and identified a number of targetable kinases that displayed synthetic lethality interactions with MLN8237. Then, we performed competitive growth assays, colony formation assays, cell viability assays, apoptosis assays, and xenograft murine model to evaluate the synergistic therapeutic effects of Haspin (GSG2) depletion or inhibition with MLN8237. For mechanistic studies, immunofluorescence was used to detect the state of microtubules and the localization of Aurora‐B and mitotic centromere‐associated kinesin (MCAK).

Results

Among the hits, we observed that Haspin depletion or inhibition marginally inhibited breast cancer cell growth but could substantially enhance the killing effects of MLN8237. Mechanistic studies showed that co‐treatment with Aurora‐A and Haspin inhibitors abolished the recruitment of Aurora‐B and mitotic centromere‐associated kinesin (MCAK) to centromeres which were associated with excessive microtubule depolymerization, kinetochore‐microtubule (KT‐MT) attachment failure, and severe mitotic catastrophe. We further showed that the combination of MLN8237 and the Haspin inhibitor CHR‐6494 synergistically reduced breast cancer cell viability and significantly inhibited both in vitro and in vivo tumor growth.

Conclusions

These findings establish Haspin as a synthetic lethal target and demonstrate CHR‐6494 as a potential combinational drug for promoting the therapeutic effects of MLN8237 on breast cancer.
Surgeon and medical oncologist peer network effects on the uptake of the 21‐gene breast cancer recurrence score assay
Authors: Zipkin Ronnie , Schaefer Andrew , Chamberlin Mary , Onega Tracy , O'Malley Alistair J. , Moen Erika L.
Published: January 2021

Background

Drivers behind the adoption of gene expression profiling in breast cancer oncology have been shown to include exposure to physician colleagues’ use of a given genomic test. We examined adoption of the Oncotype DX 21‐gene breast cancer recurrence score assay (ODX) in the United States after its incorporation into clinical guidelines. The influence of patient‐sharing ties and co‐location with prior adopters and the role of these potential exposures across medical specialties on peers’ adoption of the test were examined.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with incident breast cancer using a 100% sample of fee‐for‐service Medicare enrollee claims over 2008–2011. Peer networks connecting medical oncologists and surgeons treating these patients were constructed using patient‐sharing and geographic co‐location. The impact of peer connections on the adoption of ODX by physicians and testing of patients was modeled with multivariable hierarchical regression.

Results

Altogether, 156,229 women identified with incident breast cancer met criteria for cohort inclusion. A total of 7689 ODX prescribing physicians were identified. Co‐location with medical oncologists who adopted the test in the early period (2008–2009) was associated with a 1.38‐fold increase in the odds of a medical oncologist adopting ODX in 2010–2011 (95% CI = 1.04–1.83), as was co‐location with early‐adopting surgeons (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.00–1.58). Patients whose primary medical oncologist was linked to an early‐adopting surgeon through co‐location (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.04–1.32) or both patient‐sharing and co‐location (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03–1.34) were more likely to receive ODX.

Conclusions

Exposure to surgeon early adopters through peer networks and co‐location was predictive of ODX uptake by medical oncologists and testing of patients. Interventions focused on the role of surgeons in molecular testing may improve the implementation of best practices in breast cancer care.
N‐glycan signature of serum immunoglobulins as a diagnostic biomarker of urothelial carcinomas
Authors: Kodama Hirotake , Yoneyama Tohru , Tanaka Toshikazu , Noro Daisuke , Tobisawa Yuki , Yamamoto Hayato , Suto Shinichiro , Hatakeyama Shingo , Mori Kazuyuki , Yoneyama Takahiro , Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Kakizaki Ikuko , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Ohyama Chikara
Published: January 2021

Discriminating between urothelial carcinoma (UC), including bladder cancer (BCa) and upper urinary tract UC (UTUC), is often challenging. Thus, the current study evaluated the diagnostic performance of N‐glycosylation signatures of immunoglobulins (Igs) for detecting UC, including BCa and UTUC. N‐glycosylation signatures of Igs from serum samples of the training cohort, including 104 BCa, 68 UTUC, 10 urinary tract infection, and 5 cystitis cases, as well as 62 healthy volunteers, were measured retrospectively using automated capillary‐electrophoresis‐based N‐glycomics. UTUC or BCa scores were then established through discriminant analysis using N‐glycan signatures of Igs. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using the area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and decision curve analyses (DCA). Our result showed that BCa and UTUC scores for discriminating BCa (AUC: 0.977) and UTUC (AUC: 0.867), respectively, provided significantly better clinical performance compared to urine cytology, gross hematuria, or clinical T1 cases. DCA revealed that adding BCa and UTUC scores to gross hematuria status was the best combination for detecting UC and avoiding the need for more intervention without overlooking UC (risk threshold: 13%–93%). The UC nomogram based on the combination of gross hematuria, UTUC score, and BCa score could detect UC with an AUC of 0.891, indicating significantly better performance compared to gross hematuria status in the validation cohort (251 patients). The limitations of this study include its small sample size and retrospective nature. The UC nomogram based on gross hematuria and N‐glycosylation signatures of Igs can be a promising approach for the diagnosis of UC.
Restoration of gingival recession with periodontal preformed composite veneers
Authors: Novelli Claudio
Published: January 2021

Recovery from periodontal disease is not completed until the esthetic sequelae of the disease have been restored. This paper introduces a new technique to restore the natural appearance of the smile in a periodontal patient in a single appointment.
Rational Development of Guanidinate and Amidinate Based Cerium and Ytterbium Complexes as Atomic Layer Deposition Precursors: Synthesis, Modeling, and Application
Authors: Kaur Parmish , Mai Lukas , Muriqi Arbresha , Zanders David , Ghiyasi Ramin , Safdar Muhammad , Boysen Nils , Winter Manuela , Nolan Michael , Karppinen Maarit , Devi Anjana
Published: January 2021

Owing to the limited availability of suitable precursors for vapor phase deposition of rare‐earth containing thin‐film materials, new or improved precursors are sought after. In this study, we explored new precursors for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of cerium (Ce) and ytterbium (Yb) containing thin films. A series of homoleptic tris‐guanidinate and tris‐amidinate complexes of cerium (Ce) and ytterbium (Yb) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The C‐substituents on the N‐C‐N backbone (Me, NMe2, NEt2, where Me=methyl, Et=ethyl) and the N‐substituents from symmetrical iso‐propyl (iPr) to asymmetrical tertiary‐butyl (tBu) and Et were systematically varied to study the influence of the substituents on the physicochemical properties of the resulting compounds. Single crystal structures of [Ce(dpdmg)3] 1 and [Yb(dpdmg)3] 6 (dpdmg=N,N'‐diisopropyl‐2‐dimethylamido‐guanidinate) highlight a monomeric nature in the solid‐state with a distorted trigonal prismatic geometry. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the complexes are volatile and emphasize that increasing asymmetry in the complexes lowers their melting points while reducing their thermal stability. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the reactivity of amidinates and guanidinates of Ce and Yb complexes towards oxygen (O2) and water (H2O). Signified by the DFT calculations, the guanidinates show an increased reactivity toward water compared to the amidinate complexes. Furthermore, the Ce complexes are more reactive compared to the Yb complexes, indicating even a reactivity towards oxygen potentially exploitable for ALD purposes. As a representative precursor, the highly reactive [Ce(dpdmg)3] 1 was used for proof‐of‐principle ALD depositions of CeO2 thin films using water as co‐reactant. The self‐limited ALD growth process could be confirmed at 160 °C with polycrystalline cubic CeO2 films formed on Si(100) substrates. This study confirms that moving towards nitrogen‐coordinated rare‐earth complexes bearing the guanidinate and amidinate ligands can indeed be very appealing in terms of new precursors for ALD of rare earth based materials.
Experimental and Computational Studies on Quadruply Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes with Terminal and Bridging Hydride Ligands
Authors: Pérez‐Jiménez Marina , Curado Natalia , Maya Celia , Campos Jesús , Ruiz Eliseo , Álvarez Santiago , Carmona Ernesto
Published: January 2021

This contribution focuses on complex [Mo2(H)2(μ‐AdDipp2)2] (1) and tetrahydrofuran and pyridine adducts [Mo2(H)2(μ‐AdDipp2)2(L)2] (1⋅thf and 1⋅py), which contain a trans‐(H)Mo≣Mo(H) core (AdDipp2=HC(NDipp2)2; Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3). Computational studies provide insights into the coordination and electronic characteristics of the central trans‐Mo2H2 unit of 1, with four‐coordinate, fourteen‐electron Mo atoms and ϵ‐agostic interactions with Dipp methyl groups. Small size C‐ and N‐donors give rise to related complexes 1⋅L but only one molecule of P‐donors, for example, PMe3, can bind to 1, causing one of the hydrides to form a three‐centered, two‐electron (3c‐2e) Mo‐H→Mo bond (2⋅PMe3). A DFT analysis of the terminal and bridging hydride coordination to the Mo≣Mo bond is also reported, along with reactivity studies of the Mo−H bonds of these complexes. Reactions investigated include oxidation of 1⋅thf by silver triflimidate, AgNTf2, to afford a monohydride [Mo2(μ‐H)(μ‐NTf2)(μ‐AdDipp2)2] (4), with an O,O’‐bridging triflimidate ligand.