bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic structure, sodium diffusion and redox potentials of low‐symmetry NaMFe(MoO4)3 (M = Mg, Ni)
Authors: Serdtsev Alexander V. , Medvedeva Nadezhda I.
Published: April 2022

Sodium polyanionic compounds with transition metals are of considerable research interest for the search of new cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries. In this work, we employed ab initio calculations to evaluate three key battery properties: phase stability, diffusion barriers and redox voltage of low‐symmetry molybdates NaMFe(MoO4)3 (M = Mg, Ni) with α‐ and β‐NaFe2(MoO4)3 structures. First, we showed that the Hubbard Ucorrection within the GGA + Uapproach is necessary to correctly refer these molybdates to semiconductors. The sodium diffusion along various pathways was thoroughly examined, which allowed us to establish the most probable pathways with the lowest migration barriers. These compounds have different directions of sodium diffusion with twice different barriers that was associated to the peculiarities of their crystal structure. The high potentials and structural stability during sodium extraction, along with low‐diffusion barriers predicted for NaMFe(MoO4)3 (M = Mg, Ni) indicate that these molybdates may be promising high‐voltage cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
Application of thromboelastography in diagnosing normal pregnancies and pregnancies with complications
Authors: Zhao Hongyan , Cheng Hui , Huang Maowen , Mei Fangchao
Published: April 2022

Background

This observational study aimed to compare the potential application of thromboelastography (TEG) in diagnosing women with normal pregnancy (NP) and women with threatened abortion (TA), missed abortion (MA), embryo arrest (EA), fetal death (FD), history of abnormal pregnancy (HAP), and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (AA).

Methods

According to the relevant clinical criteria, patients were divided into groups, and their blood samples were subjected to TEG. Next, the parameters R, K, α‐angle, MA, LY‐30, G, and coagulation index (CI) were analyzed. Partial correlation analysis was used to analyze correlation between groups of data. LSD‐t test and Dunnett's T3 test were used to analyze continuous variables. Ordinal categorical variables were compared using ordinal logistic regression analysis and estimate odds ratio of risk factors. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to detect the ability of TEG to recognize various parameters, and areas under the curve were compared using Delong's test for diagnosing pregnancy‐related diseases.

Results

MA had a negative effect on the MA parameter in TEG; EA had a negative effect on the MA and G parameters; HAP had a negative effect on the CI parameter and a positive effect on the R parameter; AA had a negative effect on the CI parameter. Compared with that of the NP group, the G of the EA (p = 0.014) group and the CI of the TA (p = 0.036) MA (p = 0.08) EA (p = 0.026) HAP (p = 0.000004) and AA (p = 0.002) groups were reduced. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis, compared with that of the NP group, the high R value of the HAP group accounted for more than that of the NP group (OR = 48.76, p = 0.001); the high K value of the AA group accounted for more than that of the NP group (OR = 17.00, p = 0.023); the angle value distributions of the TA and AA groups were different from that of the NP group (OR = 3.30, p = 0.039; OR = 0.14, p = 0.029); the low MA value of the MA, EA, and HAP groups accounted for more than that of the NP group (OR = 0.16, p = 0.03; OR = 0.26, p = 0.005; OR = 0.11, p = 0.008); and the low CI value of the HAP group accounted for more than that of the NP group (OR = 0.09, p = 0.005). In the ROC analysis, there were no significant differences in the TEG parameters of pregnant women belonging to the NP and TA, NP and MA, NP and EA, NP and FD, NP and HAP, and NP and AA groups (p > 0.05).
Revisiting the use of two choices in the matching‐to‐sample procedure
Authors: Boldrin Leandro S. , Vilela Eduardo C. , Pagoti Guilherme F. , Debert Paula , Tomanari Gerson Y.
Published: April 2022

The use of two choices in the matching‐to‐sample (MTS) procedure has been discouraged in the literature because it may lead to “reject control,” resulting in failures to establish equivalence classes. In the present study, reject control was prevented during training with the two‐choice MTS procedure by presenting the correct comparison with one of five possible incorrect comparisons across trials. This procedure was compared to a six‐choice MTS procedure, in which these same six comparison stimuli were presented simultaneously across trials. In Experiment 1, conditional discrimination training and emergent relations testing maintained the same number of comparison choices, two or six. Experiment 2 assessed whether training with two or six choices would result in successful tests under a different configuration from the one with which training occurred (i.e., six or two choices, respectively). In Experiment 3, the conditions were the same as in Experiment 2, but minimal instructions were given to the participants. The results showed the establishment of equivalence classes in all test conditions, thus demonstrating success of the different training conditions. The two‐choice MTS procedure appears to be at least as effective as the six‐choice procedure for training conditional relations and establishing equivalence classes.
Marine microbial bioprospecting: Exploitation of marine biodiversity towards biotechnological applications—a review
Authors: Hosseini Hoda , Al‐Jabri Hareb M. , Moheimani Navid R. , Siddiqui Simil A. , Saadaoui Imen
Published: April 2022

The increase in the human population causes an increase in the demand for nutritional supplies and energy resources. Thus, the novel, natural, and renewable resources became of great interest. Here comes the optimistic role of bioprospecting as a promising tool to isolate novel and interesting molecules and microorganisms from the marine environment as alternatives to the existing resources. Bioprospecting of marine metabolites and microorganisms with high biotechnological potentials has gained wide interest due to the variability and richness of the marine environment. Indeed, the existence of extreme conditions that increases the adaptability of marine organisms, especially planktons, allow the presence of interesting biological species that are able to produce novel compounds with multiple health benefits and high economical value. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of marine microbial bioprospecting as a growing field of interest. It emphasizes functional bioprospecting that facilitates the discovery of interesting metabolites. Marine bioprospecting was also discussed from a legal aspect for the first time, focusing on the shortcomings of international law. We also summarized the challenges facing bioprospecting in the marine environment including economic feasibility issues.
Breaking out of the pandemic: How can firms match internal competence with external resources to shape operational resilience?
Authors: Li Yuan , Wang Xincheng , Gong Tianyu , Wang Haifeng
Published: April 2022

This study explores how firms sought to effectively match their internal competence with external resources from the supply chain network to improve operational resilience (OR) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Drawing upon matching theory, this study provides an internal–external matching perspective based on flexibility–stability features of OR to explain the operational mechanisms underlying the different matchings between internal flexibility (i.e., product diversity)/stability (i.e., operational efficiency) and external flexibility (i.e., structural holes)/stability (i.e., network centrality). We find that more heterogeneous matchings between internal (external) flexibility and external (internal) stability have a complementary effect that enhances OR, whereas more homogeneous matchings between internal flexibility (or stability) and external flexibility (or stability) have a substitutive effect that reduces OR. This study provides valuable contributions to research focusing on the supply chain, organizational resilience, and operations management.
Cardiovascular Risk and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Simões João Filipe Carvalho Pereira Mano , Vlaminck Stephan , Seiça Raquel Maria Fino , Acke Frederic , Miguéis António Carlos Eva
Published: April 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

It was previously suggested that patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to determine if ISSNHL patients have an increased cardiovascular risk by means of a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Libraries and Web of Science. Studies with a clear definition of ISSNHL, investigating an association between traditional vascular risk factors and ISSNHL were included. Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, two reviewers extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias and performed the analysis of the collected evidence.

Results

Nineteen case–control studies and two cohort studies were included (102,292 patients). Individual studies argued for higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher blood pressure (HBP) in ISSNHL patients with a range of odds ratios (ORs) from 1.03 to 19. Pooled analysis of adjusted ORs revealed a significantly increased risk of ISSNHL for patients with hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–2.02) and high levels of total cholesterol (TC) (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.52–2.87 after sensitivity analysis), but not for HBP, DM, or high levels of low‐ and high‐density lipoproteins.

Conclusion

An association between higher vascular risk profile and ISSNHL seems apparent in high levels of triglycerides (TG) and TC, but more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis due to the high levels of data heterogeneity in the literature.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:15–24, 2023
Role of autotrophic microbes in organic matter accumulation in soils degraded by erosion
Authors: Xiao Haibing , Xu Min , Wang Zhen , Wang Ling , Wang Jian , Xiao Yinping , Shi Zhihua
Published: April 2022

Atmospheric CO2 fixation by autotrophic microbes has been investigated in various habitats, but little is known about the microbial CO2 fixation capacity in soil degraded by erosion. To fill the knowledge gap about the role of autotrophic microbes in organic matter accumulation in degraded soil, the microbial CO2 fixation rate was estimated in nondegraded, lightly degraded, and severely degraded soils using 13C stable isotope tracing technique. The influences of soil physical properties, nutrient contents, and autotrophic bacterial community on the microbial CO2 fixation capacity were investigated using a structural equation model. The results showed that soil degradation significantly reduced the autotrophic bacterial abundance. However, a higher species diversity and a more complex cooccurrence network of autotrophic bacterial taxa were observed in the lightly degraded soil than in the nondegraded and severely degraded soils. Interestingly, the microbial CO2 fixation rates in the lightly and severely degraded soils were 2.15‐ and 1.52‐times higher than those in the nondegraded soil, respectively. The annual organic carbon fixed by autotrophic microbes exceeded 2.05% of the total organic carbon in the degraded soil, suggesting that autotrophic microbes play a vital role in organic matter accumulation in degraded soil. The structural equation model showed that soil nutrients other than the autotrophic bacterial community are the key factor affecting the microbial CO2 fixation capacity. The negative effect of soil nutrients on the CO2 fixation capacity indicates that autotrophic microbes exert a more important function at the initial stage of the restoration of degraded soil.
Product approximations of solution operators for non‐autonomous perturbations of Gibbs semigroups
Authors: Zagrebnov Valentin A.
Published: April 2022

The paper is devoted to study of linear evolution equation corresponding to a small non‐autonomous Hölder continuous perturbations of Gibbs semigroups on a separable Hilbert space. It is shown that an evolution family solving the non‐autonomous Cauchy problem can be constructed for as a limit in the trace‐norm topology of the product trace‐class approximants , . We also proved that estimates of the rate of convergence of these approximants to the trace‐norm continuous solution operator are related to estimates established for their rates of convergence in the operator‐norm
topology.
Stereochemical dependence of substituent γ‐effects in the 19F NMR shielding constants
Authors: Ukhanev Stepan A. , Fedorov Sergei V. , Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: April 2022

The substituent α‐, β‐, and γ‐effects of the elements of the second and third periods on 19F NMR chemical shifts are evaluated including the establishment of stereochemical dependence of γ‐effect, the latter particularly important in stereochemical studies of fluorine‐containing compounds. Benchmark calculations performed for a series of 32 simple inorganic fluorine‐containing molecules demonstrated a markedly good correlation between calculated and experimental fluorine chemical shifts characterized by a mean absolute error of 22.5 ppm in the range of about 900 ppm, which corresponds to a 2.5% error in the percentage terms.
Stability of serial platelet and urine protein measurements in patients receiving nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Nagarajan Eric K. , Özütemiz Can , Rubin Nathan , Nascene David R.
Published: April 2022

Introduction/Aims

Patients undergoing nusinersen treatment for spinal muscular atrophy are subject to measurements of platelet count and urine protein before each injection due to concern for platelet depletion and renal dysfunction according to the prescribing information. These tests may be uncomfortable or inconvenient and may cause delays in treatment. However, it is still unclear whether these values have been significantly affected by nusinersen treatment. Our aim in this study was to determine whether these measurements ever reached critical values that necessitated withholding treatment at our center.

Methods

Records from 57 patients treated with nusinersen at our institution between 2017 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Laboratory values for platelet count, random urine protein, and total urine protein:creatinine ratio were collected from all patients before each procedure.

Results

Mean patient age was 28.9 years (range, 2‐76 years). Mean platelet count was 307 × 109/L (range, 96‐755 × 109/L; normal lab limits, 150‐450 × 109/L), mean random urine protein was 0.164 g/L (range, <0.05‐0.73 g/L), and mean total urine protein:creatinine ratio was 0.885 g per gram creatinine (range, 0.12‐9.71 g per gram creatinine). No laboratory values precluded continuing treatment for any patient.

Discussion

Although further study on a larger cohort is warranted for more definitive conclusions, it may not be necessary to measure platelet count and urine protein before each nusinersen treatment, particularly in the maintenance phase.
Subject‐specific optimization of background suppression for arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging using a feedback loop on the scanner
Authors: Koolstra Kirsten , Staring Marius , de Bruin Paul , van Osch Matthias J. P.
Published: April 2022

Background suppression (BGS) in arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging leads to a higher temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio (tSNR) of the perfusion images compared with ASL without BGS. The performance of the BGS, however, depends on the tissue relaxation times and on inhomogeneities of the scanner's magnetic fields, which differ between subjects and are unknown at the moment of scanning. Therefore, we developed a feedback loop (FBL) mechanism that optimizes the BGS for each subject in the scanner during acquisition. We implemented the FBL for 2D pseudo‐continuous ASL scans with an echo‐planar imaging readout. After each dynamic scan, the acquired ASL images were automatically sent to an external computer and processed with a Python processing tool. Inversion times were optimized on the fly using 80 iterations of the Nelder–Mead method, by minimizing the signal intensity in the label image while maximizing the signal intensity in the perfusion image. The performance of this method was first tested in a four‐component phantom. The regularization parameter was then tuned in six healthy subjects (three males, three females, age 24–62 years) and set as λ = 4 for all other experiments. The resulting ASL images, perfusion images, and tSNR maps obtained from the last 20 iterations of the FBL scan were compared with those obtained without BGS and with standard BGS in 12 healthy volunteers (five males, seven females, age 24–62 years) (including the six volunteers used for tuning of λ). The FBL resulted in perfusion images with a statistically significantly higher tSNR (2.20) compared with standard BGS (1.96) ( , two‐sided paired t‐test). Minimizing signal in the label image furthermore resulted in control images, from which approximate changes in perfusion signal can directly be appreciated. This could be relevant to ASL applications that require a high temporal resolution. Future work is needed to minimize the number of initial acquisitions during which the performance of BGS is reduced compared with standard BGS, and to extend the technique to 3D ASL.
Control of mat thickness in electrospinning with transparent conductive glass collector
Authors: Nishiuchi Hitachi , Tonami Hiroyuki
Published: April 2022

Electrospinning is a versatile technique for producing micro‐ and nanofibrous mats with great potential in many fields. However, reproducibility remains a key issue for product development. In particular, thickness is an important parameter for controlling electrospun fiber mats. In this study, we developed a method to control the polymer mat thickness during electrospinning. The mat thickness was controlled on the basis of the light transmittance and by using conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) glass connected to ground as a collector. Living cells were seeded on the fiber mat without detaching from the ITO glass, which enabled observation under a microscope and the evaluation of cell behavior. This study indicates that the thickness of the fiber mat can be consistently controlled by monitoring the light transmittance instead of the electrospinning duration and the mat can be easily observed under a microscope. This is expected to be particularly useful in the field of tissue engineering.
Linearized teixobactin is inactive and after sequence enhancement, kills methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus via a different mechanism
Authors: Wu Qianhui , Mishra Biswajit , Wang Guangshun
Published: April 2022

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a highly adaptable pathogen that can rapidly develop resistance to conventional antibiotics such as penicillin. Recently, teixobactin was discovered from uncultivated soil bacteria by using the i‐chip technology. This depsipeptide forms an ester bond between the backbone C‐terminal isoleucine carboxylic acid and the hydroxyl group of threonine at position 8. Also, it contains multiple nonstandard amino acids, making it costly to synthesize. This study reports new peptides designed by linearizing teixobactin. After linearization and conversion to normal amino acids, teixobactin lost its antibacterial activity. Using this inactive template, a series of peptides were designed via hydrophobic patching and residue replacements. Three out of the five peptides were active. YZ105, only active against Gram‐positive bacteria, however, showed the highest cell selectivity index. Different from teixobactin, which inhibits cell wall synthesis, YZ105 targeted the membranes of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) based on kinetic killing, membrane permeation, depolarization, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Moreover, YZ105 could kill nafcillin‐resistant MRSA, Staphylococcal clinical strains, and disrupted preformed biofilms. Taken together, YZ105, with a simpler sequence, is a promising lead for developing novel anti‐MRSA agents.
A nomogram for accurately predicting the pathological upgrading of prostate cancer, based on 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT
Authors: Hu Qiang , Hong Xi , Xu Luwei , Jia Ruipeng
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To develop and validate a nomogram for preoperative predicting the pathological upgrading of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

The prediction model was developed in a primary cohort that consisted of 208 PCa patients. All patients included in the study possessed both biopsy pathology specimens and radical prostatectomy pathology specimens, and completed the (68Ga‐prostate‐specific membrane antigen [PSMA]) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) detection. The R function “createDataPartition” was used in a 7:3 ratio to randomly divide the patients into training and validation cohorts. In the training cohort, the independent predictors of pathological upgrading of PCa were determined by univariate analysis, univariate regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis. Based on these independent predictors, a nomogram was developed, and its performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curve of training cohort and validation cohort.

Results

The nomogram incorporated five independent predictors including prostate volume (PV), SUVmax of the 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT examination on prostate lesions (SUVmax), body mass index (BMI); percentage of cancer positive biopsy cores (PPC) and biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade. The nomogram showed good diagnostic accuracy for the pathological upgrading of both the training cohort and the validation cohort (AUC = 0.818 and 0.806, respectively). The calibration curves for the two cohorts both showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation.

Conclusions

We developed and validated a nomogram to accurately predict the risk of pathological upgrading after radical PCa surgery, which can provide accurate basis for therapeutic schedule and prognostic data of PCa patients.
Negative binomial factor regression with application to microbiome data analysis
Authors: Mishra Aditya K. , Müller Christian L.
Published: April 2022

The human microbiome provides essential physiological functions and helps maintain host homeostasis via the formation of intricate ecological host‐microbiome relationships. While it is well established that the lifestyle of the host, dietary preferences, demographic background, and health status can influence microbial community composition and dynamics, robust generalizable associations between specific host‐associated factors and specific microbial taxa have remained largely elusive. Here, we propose factor regression models that allow the estimation of structured parsimonious associations between host‐related features and amplicon‐derived microbial taxa. To account for the overdispersed nature of the amplicon sequencing count data, we propose negative binomial reduced rank regression (NB‐RRR) and negative binomial co‐sparse factor regression (NB‐FAR). While NB‐RRR encodes the underlying dependency among the microbial abundances as outcomes and the host‐associated features as predictors through a rank‐constrained coefficient matrix, NB‐FAR uses a sparse singular value decomposition of the coefficient matrix. The latter approach avoids the notoriously difficult joint parameter estimation by extracting sparse unit‐rank components of the coefficient matrix sequentially, effectively delivering interpretable bi‐clusters of taxa and host‐associated factors. To solve the nonconvex optimization problems associated with these factor regression models, we present a novel iterative block‐wise majorization procedure. Extensive simulation studies and an application to the microbial abundance data from the American Gut Project (AGP) demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed procedure. In the AGP data, we identify several factors that strongly link dietary habits and host life style to specific microbial families.
Variable selection in semiparametric regression models for longitudinal data with informative observation times
Authors: Aghababaei Jazi Omidali , Pullenayegum Eleanor
Published: April 2022

A common issue in longitudinal studies is that subjects' visits are irregular and may depend on observed outcome values which is known as longitudinal data with informative observation times (follow‐up). Semiparametric regression modeling for this type of data has received much attention as it provides more flexibility in studying the association between regression factors and a longitudinal outcome. An important problem here is how to select relevant variables and estimate their coefficients in semiparametric regression models when the number of covariates at baseline is large. The current penalization procedures in semiparametric regression models for longitudinal data do not account for informative observation times. We propose a variable selection procedure that is suitable for the estimation methods based on pseudo‐score functions. We investigate the asymptotic properties of penalized estimators and conduct simulation studies to illustrate the theoretical results. We also use the procedure for variable selection in semiparametric regression models for the STAR*D dataset from a multistage randomized clinical trial for treating major depressive disorder.
One‐Dimensional Co‐Carbonate Hydroxide@Ni‐MOFs Composite with Super Uniform Core–Shell Heterostructure for Ultrahigh Rate Performance Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Zhang Xu , Yang Shixuan , Lu Wang , Tian Yuhan , Liu Zhiqing , Zhao Yingyuan , Liu Anmin
Published: April 2022

The insufficient contact between two phases in the heterostructure weakens the coupling interaction effect, which makes it difficult to effectively improve the electrochemical performance. Herein, a Co‐carbonate hydroxide@ Ni‐metal organic frameworks (Co‐CH@Ni‐MOFs) composite with super uniform core‐shell heterostructure is fabricated by adopting 1D Co‐CH nanowires as structuredirecting agents to induce the coating of Ni‐MOFs. Both experimental and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that the heterostructure plays a vital role in the high performance of the as‐prepared materials. On the one hand, the construction of super uniform core‐shell heterostructure can create a large number of interfacial active sites and take advantages of the electrochemical characteristics of each component. On the other hand, the heterostructure can increase the adsorption energy of OH– ions and promote the electrochemical activity for improving the reversible redox reaction kinetics. Based on the aforementioned advantages, the as‐fabricated Co‐CH@Ni‐MOFs electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 173.1 mAh g−1 (1246 F g−1) at 1 A g−1, an ultrahigh rate capability of 70.3% at 150 A g−1 and excellent cycling stability with 90.1% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. This study may offer a versatile design for fabricating a MOFs‐based heterostructure as energy storage electrodes.
Australian sonographer competency—A new framework
Authors: Edwards Christopher , Thoirs Kerry , Osborne Brooke , Slade Debbie , McDonald Sandra , Lombardo Paul , Chandler Amanda , Quinton Ann , Stoodley Paul , Taylor Lucy , Childs Jessie
Published: April 2022

Sonographers possess a unique and complex body of knowledge and skills, providing real health benefits to the community. The value of competency frameworks rests on their capacity to support and facilitate professional practice in the interests of public safety. The commitment to act in the service of others carries with it a professional and ethical obligation to practice within the boundaries of accepted competency standards. The well‐accepted Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) competency standards for entry‐level Australian sonographers were introduced a decade ago. At this time, ultrasound technology, its application and the sonographer's role as a critical interface to this technology continue to evolve. The article provides an overview of research used to develop a contemporary competency framework for sonographers. It describes each framework component and how these components have a potential role in sonographer education and clinical practice at different levels of expertise. Sonographer competencies were developed via a national collaborative research project led by a multi‐institutional research team of academic and industry professionals. A Delphi study design elicited consensus on multiple competency characteristics from an expert panel of 55 sonographers. The expert panel contained representatives from all Australian states and territories and represented all domains of practice. The resulting project outcome consisted of a competency framework containing four significant components: sonographer competency standards, sonographer knowledge, sonographer attitudes and a holistic competency matrix.
Agency in Constrained Spaces: How English Learners and their Teachers Negotiate the Power of High‐stakes Exams
Authors: Leo Aaron
Published: April 2022

The growing influence of high‐stakes exams has had drastic impacts on English learners and their teachers. The linguistic demands of these exams have harmed English learners' aspirations and attainment, while teachers are pressured to teach to the test and replace critical approaches to language learning with practices designed to encourage rapid language acquisition. Despite their constraining effects, educators, and students often find ways to assert agency and disrupt the hegemony of high‐stakes exams. This article draws on ethnographic data gathered over a year in a secondary school in New York State to illustrate the ways in which English learners and their teachers negotiate spaces of agency amid the power of high‐stakes exams. These findings illustrate the power and presence of high‐stakes exams on English learners while also highlighting the avenues of agency taken by educators and students as they rework aspects of the educational policy through classroom practice.
Fetal neurosonography and infant neurobehavior following conception by assisted reproductive technology with fresh or frozen embryo transfer
Authors: Boutet M. L. , Eixarch E. , Ahumada‐Droguett P. , Nakaki A. , Crovetto F. , Cívico M. S. , Borrás A. , Manau D. , Gratacós E. , Crispi F. , Casals G.
Published: April 2022

Objective

We aimed to explore fetal cortical brain development by neurosonography in fetuses conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART), including frozen and fresh embryo transfer (ET), compared with those conceived spontaneously (SC), and to investigate its association with infant neurobehavior at 12 months of age.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of 210 singleton pregnancies, including 70 SC pregnancies, 70 conceived by in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) following frozen ET and 70 conceived by IVF after fresh ET. Fetal neurosonography was performed at 32 ± 2 gestational weeks to assess cortical development. Sulci depths were measured offline and normalized by biparietal diameter (BPD). Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were completed postnatally, at 12 ± 1 months of corrected age. Neurosonographic findings were adjusted by regression analysis for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, fetal sex and fetal‐weight centile and gestational age at scan, and ASQ scores were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, educational level and employment status, gestational age at birth, breastfeeding, infant sex and infant age at the ASQ evaluation.

Results

Overall, in comparison to the SC fetuses, fetuses conceived by ART showed statistically significant differences in cortical development, with reduced parieto‐occipital sulci depth adjusted for BPD (mean ± SD: fresh ET, 12.5 ± 2.5 vs frozen ET, 13.4 ± 2.6 vs SC, 13.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.001), cingulate sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (interquartile range (IQR)): fresh ET, 5.8 (4.2–7.4) vs frozen ET, 5.8 (4.1–7.5) vs SC, 6.5 (4.8–7.8), P = 0.001) and calcarine sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (IQR): fresh ET, 13.5 (10.1–16.1) vs frozen ET, 14.5 (12.1–15.8) vs SC, 16.4 (14.3–17.9), P < 0.001), together with lower Sylvian fissure grading score. Changes in cortical development were more pronounced in the fresh ET than in the frozen ET group. ART infants showed lower ASQ scores as compared to SC infants, particularly in the fresh ET group (mean ± SD global ASQ Z‐score: fresh ET, –0.3 ± 0.4 vs frozen ET, –0.2 ± 0.4 vs SC, 0 ± 0.4, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Fetuses conceived by ART show a distinctive pattern of cortical development and suboptimal infant neurodevelopment, with more pronounced changes in those conceived following fresh ET. These findings support the existence of in‐utero brain reorganization associated with ART and warrant follow‐up studies to assess its long‐term persistence. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Synthesis and properties of binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds as combustion rate catalyst
Authors: Zhao Yali , Hou Yahui , Xu Zhiyuan , Chang Shuai , Gou Xiaofeng , Zhao Junlong
Published: April 2022

In order to improve the catalytic performance, oxidation resistance and thermal stability of neutral alkyl ferrocene‐based combustion rate catalysts, mononuclear ferrocene energetic compounds were designed and prepared, but four binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds were unexpectedly discovered during the synthesis compounds. The new compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction,1H and13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of compoundsa,b,canddconfirmed that we have successfully prepared binuclear ferrocene nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds. The thermogravimetric results revealed that most of the compounds exhibit high thermal stability. The electrochemical properties of the four compounds were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry; the CV experimental results indicated that these compounds showed good electrochemical performance, which contributed to their burning rate catalytic activity in composite solid propellants. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the catalytic performance of the binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds for ammonium perchlorate (AP). The results show that these compounds have a good combustion catalytic effect on AP due to the increase in the number of ferrocene groups.
Printers, Publishers, and Sellers: Actors in the Process of Consolidation of Epistemic Communities in the Early Modern Academic World
Authors: Valleriani Matteo , Ottone Andrea
Published: April 2022

This chapter proposes a global view of the set of dynamics of interplay that were generated in the early modern publishing sector around a single astronomical work, the Tractatus de sphaera by Johannes de Sacrobosco. The Sphaera, a thirteenth-century tract of geocentric cosmology, rather than remaining a static text, became over the centuries a multiauthored dynamic textual tradition. This essay argues that publishers, printers, and booksellers had a fair share of agency not only in perpetuating but also in shaping the evolution of this long-lasting textual tradition. The present essay traces the ways this agency was configured.
Paratexts, Printers, and Publishers: Book Production in Social Context
Authors: Valleriani Matteo , Sander Christoph
Published: April 2022

Paratexts, such as dedication letters or epigrams, in early modern printed books can be used by historians to situate a book’s production in its institutional and social context. We depart from the general assumption that two publishers or printers were in a relation of awareness of each other if they printed and put on the market two different editions that contain at least one identical paratext. In this paper, we analyze the circulation of the paratexts among the 359 editions of the “Sphaeracorpus.” First, we discuss the available data, the conditions to build a social network, and the latter’s characteristics. Second, we interpret the results—potential relationships among printers and publishers—from a historical point of view and, at the same time, discuss the sorts of potential relationships that this method can disclose. Third, we corroborate the historical results among different approaches, namely by using editions’ fingerprints and by investigating the book production of those printers and publishers tangentially involved in relevant relationships, but who fall outside the “Sphaeracorpus.” Finally, we identify local communities of printers and publishers and, on a transregional level, printers, and publishers who were observing and influencing each other.
Printing Sacrobosco in Leipzig, 1488–ca. 1521: Local Markets and University Publishing
Authors: Kremer Richard L.
Published: April 2022

During the first fifty years of its printing, the greatest number of Sacrobosco Sphaera editions appeared in Venice, Paris, and Leipzig. Indirect evidence suggests that the Venetian and Parisian copies circulated widely; Leipzig editions, however, primarily served the local market, i.e., university students in Leipzig, Erfurt, and Wittenberg. This paper analyzes fifteen editions of Sacrobosco’s Sphaera issued by three Leipzig printers between 1488 and ca. 1521. These Leipzig Sacroboscos share a common text, set of woodcuts, and mis-en-page that were not much copied by printers beyond Leipzig. The paper also investigates the Leipzig masters who lectured on Sacrobosco during these decades; several became known locally as mathematicians, but most moved to other faculties or left the university. Three of the masters authored commentaries that printers added to their editions. One of these borrowed heavily from a lengthy commentary by the Paduan master, Francesco Capuano, printed 1499 in Venice. Another commentary would be reprinted several times in Cologne, but generally the Leipzig commentaries also remained local in their influence. After Wittenberg printers began issuing Sacroboscos in 1531, no further editions would be printed in Leipzig. The Leipzig Sacroboscos thus illustrate the dynamics of a local university market shaping the early printing history of this introductory textbook.
Erhard Ratdolt’s Edition of Sacrobosco’s Tractatus de sphaera: A New Editorial Model in Venice?
Authors: Rideau-Kikuchi Catherine
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to investigate the construction process of Sacrobosco’sTractatusas a successful venture in the early publishing market and the seminal role of some of its editions. Venice is a good case study since Venetian printers regularly printed the early editions of theSphaeraand fashioned the way the text was laid in print. In 1478, in the context of aggressive competition with Erhard Ratdolt, Franz Renner chose a traditional conceptual approach to the text and printed it in a new formal adaptation. Ratdolt responded by emphasizing the importance of the illustrations and by printing Sacrobosco’s treatise with other texts from contemporary scholars Georg Peuerbach and Regiomontanus. His editions could be found across Europe. His choices also inserted Sacrobosco’s thirteenth-century treatise into contemporary academic debates. Finally, Ratdolt’s edition set a formal standard, completed with Santritter’s 1488 edition, and copied in Venice and across Europe. In the following years, many Venetian printers copied the publishing solution developed by Ratdolt and fully realized it in Johann Lucilius Santritter’s 1488 edition in an environment of harsh competition. However, other models were developed and coexisted in Venice, probably targeting different audiences and different reading practices.
Mathematical Books in Paris (1531–1563): The Development of Publishing Strategies in a Competitive International Market
Authors: Pantin Isabelle
Published: April 2022

In the first half of the sixteenth century, the printing of mathematical books in Paris developed rapidly. Parisian printers were able to sell their productions to a sufficient local market, and even to achieve such quality as to become attractive at a European level. They achieved this quality with printing houses that could afford to be equipped with all necessary material, but their chief asset was collaboration with skilled teachers and mathematicians who had a talent for innovation. This article first analyzes the Parisian book market in the European context and examines ways we can evaluate the circulation of Parisian mathematical books. Then it focuses on the career and practices of Guillaume Cavellat (ca. 1500–1576), who devoted the main part of his activity to the publication of mathematical books. The network of his scientific collaborators, both inside and outside the University of Paris, was a crucial factor in his prolonged success. Lastly, the essay discusses the impact of the quality of the layout and illustration on the capacity of mathematical books to circulate, and to attract attention and customers, across a wide area: Did the emergence around 1540 of a “Parisian style,” with unique features from the beauty of the books as material objects to their efficiency as learning and thinking tools, contribute to the visibility and attractiveness of Parisian mathematical books in the European market?
Energy-Efficient Internet of Things Solution for Traffic Monitoring
Authors: Hoch Thomas , Kopetzky Theodorich
Published: April 2022

Recent progress in video-based vehicle sensors allows for a detailed observation of road users on intersections in urban areas. By combining the measured real-life traffic situation with thorough traffic simulations, a cooperative system design for the dynamic management of traffic flow including vehicle platoons is possible. In this chapter, we describe our video-based traffic flow estimation system that we installed at a three-way intersection in the small city of Hallein, Austria. We show that the installed system is able to collect comprehensive information about the traffic situation in near real time, and that this information can be used to estimate traffic density and flows of cars and trucks with high precision.
Road Safety Issues Related to Truck Platooning Deployment
Authors: Kaiser Susanne , Winkelbauer Martin , Wannenmacher Erwin , Blass Philipp , Atasayar Hatun
Published: April 2022

The benefits of platooning to road safety are oftentimes inferred based on the assumption of positive effects attributed to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). However, the potential to significantly reduce car crashes is just one of many aspects to be considered. The Connecting Austria project was committed to examining road safety issues from various perspectives within Austria. The legislative situation in Austria regarding public tests of automated driving systems was reviewed and requirements discussed. Furthermore, an assessment of the readiness of 700 km road infrastructure was assessed by means of an adapted Road Safety Inspection and recent heavy goods vehicle (HGV) accident figures on motor and expressways were discussed. Eventually, the distance at which HGV should operate cooperatively is a road safety issue demanding for consideration of other road users. Car drivers’ subjective tolerance of gap sizes between trucks can serve as an important indicator to answer this question. An on-road study aiming at operationalising the individual gap acceptance is outlined.
Business Models, Economy and Innovation
Authors: Brandtner Patrick , Massimiani Andrea , Neubauer Matthias , Schauer Oliver , Schildorfer Wolfgang , Wagner Gerold
Published: April 2022

Emerging technologies may trigger rethinking existing business models, clearly highlighting economic benefits and analysing effects on innovation systems. Truck platooning as one emerging technology in the area of road freight transport promises to improve efficiency and safety and requires different stakeholders (e.g. road operators, freight forwarders, truck manufacturers, etc.) to adapt their business models. In this chapter, key aspects when developing a truck platooning business model from a road operator’s perspective will be summarised based on related work and interviews/workshops conducted in the Connecting Austria project. Furthermore, the relevance of ongoing trend monitoring to continuously adapting business models is discussed in this chapter and applied for logistics and automated driving within the Connection Austria consortium.
Discussion
Authors: Aigner Walter , Neubauer Matthias , Schildorfer Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

In 2017, the Connecting Austria project was internationally unique with respect to the special consideration of the infrastructure and traffic perspective as well as the special consideration of investigating an urban truck platooning use case with traffic-light-controlled intersections before and after motorway entrances. The three main target groups of the project were: (1) road operators/infrastructure providers, (2) logistics operators and (3) C-ITS industry. Especially for those target groups and policy maker faced one central question at that point in time —“How can safe truck platooning reduce CO$$_{2}$$

2

-emissions and how can this help to strengthen the stakeholders’ role in their market or political environment?”. Cooperative, connected and automated mobility shape the future of road transport. Thereby, truck platooning represents an important application case in the transport logistics domain. In this chapter, the research and evaluation results presented in this book are discussed along the following three fundamental pillars: (1) traffic safety and legal issues, (2) sustainability and (3) truck platooning deployment. Finally, limitations and cultural blind spots experienced within international workshops and discussions in the context of the Connecting Austria project are reflected.
Validation of Truck Platoon Slipstream Effects
Authors: Lechner Bernhard , Cajic Almir , Fischbacher Bernhard , Kospach Alexander , Mladek Alexander , Sammer Peter , Zitz Christoph , Zotz Michael , Irrenfried Christoph
Published: April 2022

Due to slipstream effects, platooning leads to a significant decrease of the fuel consumption of the heavy-duty vehicles (HDV). Measurements with a platoon consisting of three vehicles were performed at the Zalazone proving ground. The goal of these measurements was to get the static pressure at the front and the rear of the second vehicle to calibrate computational fluid dynamics simulation and to measure the fuel consumption directly. Measurements were done at a vehicle speed of 80 km/h and varying inter-vehicle distances. Platooning leads to a reduction of the pressure coefficients in the centre of the HDV front and an increase of the pressure coefficient at the top and the rear of the HDV. Furthermore, a reduction of the fuel consumption of the leading vehicle of 7.9% at an inter-vehicle distance of 6 m and 3.7% at a distance of 22 m was determined. A comparison to CFD simulation showed a similar fuel reduction for an inter-vehicle distance of 6 m and 22 m. CFD simulation showed an increase of fuel consumption at an inter-vehicle distance of 15 m. This increase was experimentally not validated. Also, results for the following vehicle are presented.