bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transferência de Tecnologia e seus Aspectos Negociais e Jurídicos: estudo de caso do Capacete ELMO no contexto da pandemia da Covid-19
Authors: Matos Ana Carolina Ferreia , Medeiros Juliana  Corrêa Crepalde , Carvalho Tecia Vieira
Published: March 2023

Este trabalho pretende contribuir com a gestão da transferência de tecnologia entre Instituições Científicas e Tecnológicas e de Inovação (ICTs), governo e empresas, cooperando com o alinhamento entre a segurança jurídica e a negociação no processo. Para embasar a pesquisa, foi realizado um estudo de caso do licenciamento do capacete ELMO, uma tecnologia desenvolvida pela Universidade Federal do Ceará e outras cinco instituições de natureza jurídica distintas do ecossistema cearense de inovação. Foi adotado como fundamentação teórica o modelo da tríplice hélice e o conceito de Universidade Empreendedora. Como metodologia principal, utilizou-se a observação participante. Os resultados mostraram que os principais obstáculos, na gestão da transferência da tecnologia foram as diferenças culturais e de missões dos parceiros, a ausência ou a desatualização de suas políticas de inovação e o desconhecimento sobre o Marco Legal de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação. Por outro lado, as boas práticas identificadas apontaram que a divisão temática de grupos de trabalho para nivelamentos e alinhamentos favoreceu a comunicação e a confiança durante as etapas negociais e jurídicas da tecnologia.
It’s Like a Death
Authors: Stern Joseph D.
Published: March 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, a neurosurgeon works through his grief over ending his surgical career due to intractable pain from an elbow injury by appreciating what he can do instead of focusing on what he lost.
Cross‐Cultural Pragmatics
Authors: House Juliane , Kádár Dániel Z.
Published: March 2023

In this entry, we provide an overview of the field of cross‐cultural pragmatics. We first summarize the historical development of the field. We then provide six Principles through which themodus operandiof cross‐cultural pragmatics can be best described. Finally, we provide examples of current research in the field.
Study Abroad as a Pedagogical Framework
Authors: Vidal Carmen Pérez
Published: March 2023

International mobility or study abroad (SA) consists of a formative stay in a country other than one's own in between periods of instruction at home. Pedagogical approaches to foster the potential benefits of SA periods are based on the assumption that the unique experience of living, studying, and integrating into a new community will result in linguistic, cultural, and personal development. When linguistic benefits are obtained, learners improve their listening abilities, become more fluent, and have greater and more diverse syntactic and lexical resources; particularly, if they also attend language courses abroad, are at an intermediate level, and have signed a language pledge. Culturally, it is also assumed that sojourners may develop as more autonomous learners and adopt a new outlook toward the target language culture and the world at large, with potentially positive effects on their future careers. However, research measuring the SA effects shows wide variability in results. Not all SA programs and settings offer the same opportunities, and not all individuals have the functional linguistic level and communication strategies to take advantage of the opportunities, features closely related to personality. For this reason, educational initiatives have been undertaken that seek to embed SA more firmly in the curriculum through pedagogic predeparture preparation, support during the stay, and debriefing upon return. SA these days takes place in multilingual settings where the new trend is toward the internationalization of education, with English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) being used as the medium of instruction on many courses (EMI).
Clinicoserological insights into patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced myasthenia gravis
Authors: Masi Gianvito , Pham Minh C. , Karatz Tabitha , Oh Sangwook , Payne Aimee S. , Nowak Richard J. , Howard James F. , Guptill Jeffrey T. , Juel Vern C. , O'Connor Kevin C.
Published: March 2023

To compare the immunopathology of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced myasthenia gravis (ICI‐MG) and idiopathic MG, we profiled the respective AChR autoantibody pathogenic properties. Of three ICI‐MG patients with AChR autoantibodies, only one showed complement activation and modulation/blocking potency, resembling idiopathic MG. In contrast, AChR autoantibody‐mediated effector functions were not detected in the other two patients, questioning the role of their AChR autoantibodies as key mediators of pathology. The contrasting properties of AChR autoantibodies in these cases challenge the accuracy of serological testing in establishing definite ICI‐MG diagnoses and underscore the importance of a thorough clinical assessment when evaluating ICI‐related adverse events.
Preparation of Multiscale Slippery Liquid‐Infused Porous Surface Based on Ti6Al4V Alloy with Self‐Cleaning, Stability, and Self‐Healing Properties
Authors: Chen Donghui , Wang Bo , Yang Xiao , Zhong Menghua
Published: March 2023

Ti6Al4V alloy with excellent mechanical, physical, and chemical properties is now widely used in marine, aerospace, and biomedicine industry. Endowing Ti6Al4V alloy with better surface performances is of great significance and value. Herein, a convenient and commercial nanosecond laser etching method is utilized to fabricate a novel multiscale micro/nano porous structure based on Ti6Al4V alloy. Following the modification of the fluoroalkylsilane and the infusion of silicon oil, the slippery liquid‐infused porous surface (SLIPS) is successfully obtained. The wettability is studied in detail and indicates the SLIPS possesses excellent sliding property and hydrophobicity. The volume of the droplet and sample temperature are confirmed to have some significant impact on the sliding angles. Accordingly, a variety of liquids are able to slide down the tilted SLIPS (15.9°), indicating that the as‐prepared SLIPS demonstrates extraordinary liquid‐repellent ability. In addition, the multiscale micro‐/nanoporous structures can lock the silicon oil firmly and form a stable oil film on the surface, so the SLIPS also shows desirable self‐cleaning, self‐healing, and stability properties. Based on the study, it is promising that the SLIPS as‐prepared may expand the practical application of conventional Ti6Al4V alloy materials.
Impact of AC and DC Electric Fields on the Microstructure Evolution in Strontium Titanate
Authors: Preusker Jan-Helmut , Hoffmann Michael Johannes , Rheinheimer Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

Herein, the impact of AC and DC electric fields on microstructure evolution in strontium titanate is investigated. The focus is on nonthermal effects by using current‐blocking electrodes. The seeded polycrystal technique allows investigating the impact of a DC electric field on grain growth for different grain‐boundary orientations and the impact of the surrounding atmosphere. As in previous studies, faster grain growth is observed at the negative electrode. This effect is stronger for the (100) orientation and in reducing atmosphere. In AC electric field at 1450 °C, a low‐enough frequency results in faster grain growth at both electrodes. These findings agree well with previous studies, where an electromigration of oxygen vacancies is found to cause a local reduction at the negative electrode, resulting in less space charge, less cationic segregation, and a higher grain‐boundary mobility. At 1500 °C, AC electric fields are found to cause a complete grain growth stagnation at very small grain sizes. This behavior is unexpected; the physical reasons are not clear. Herein, a brief study of sintering in DC electric field reveals slightly faster sintering if a field is applied.
Kinetics‐Controlled Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Single Crystals from Liquefied Wood
Authors: Wu Zhenwei , Zhang Kun , Sun Jiaming , Ma Chunhui , Luo Sha , Li Wei , Liu Shouxin
Published: March 2023

The architectures of carbon materials prepared via soft‐templating method greatly depend on the assembly pattern of micelles. Herein, a kinetics‐controlled strategy is developed to fabricate ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) single crystals from liquefied wood by using melamine to regulate the polymerization rate of carbon precursors, which further affects the assembly process. Due to the slow hydroxymethylation reaction of melamine with formaldehyde in acid, the addition of melamine can decelerate the reaction kinetics to produce no seed nuclei at the initial stage, which favors the composite micelles to orderly aggregate and further grow in a layer‐by‐layer pattern to form OMC single crystals after carbonization. The OMC single crystals with high specific surface areas (733 m2 g−1), uniform mesopore size (3.2 nm), and ordered Im3m mesostructure are ideal supports to couple with Ag nanoparticles to act as efficient catalysts, which exhibits remarkable catalytic performance for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol.
Single‐Source Vapor‐Deposition of MA1–xFAxPbI3 Perovskite Absorbers for Solar Cells
Authors: Soto‐Montero Tatiana , Kralj Suzana , Soltanpoor Wiria , Solomon Junia S. , Gómez Jennifer S. , Zanoni Kassio P. S. , Paliwal Abhyuday , Bolink Henk J. , Baeumer Christoph , Kentgens Arno P. M. , Morales‐Masis Monica
Published: March 2023

Vapor deposition of halide perovskites presents high potential for scalability and industrial processing of perovskite solar cells. It prevents the use of toxic solvents, allows thickness control, and yields conformal and uniform coating over large areas. However, the distinct volatility of the perovskite organic and inorganic components currently requires the use of multiple thermal sources or two‐step deposition to achieve the perovskite phase. In this work, single‐source, single‐step MA1–xFAxPbI3 thin film deposition with tunable stoichiometry by pulsed laser deposition is demostrated. By controlling the laser ablation of a solid target containing adjustable MAI:FAI:PbI2 ratios, the room temperature formation of cubic α‐phase MA1–xFAxPbI3 thin films is demonstrated. The target‐to‐film transfer of the ablated species, including the integrity of the organic molecules and the desired MA+:FA+ ratio, is confirmed by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and solid‐state NMR. Photoluminescence analysis further confirms the shift of the bandgap with varying the MA+:FA+ ratio. Finally, proof‐of‐concept n‐i‐p solar cells with 14% efficiency are demonstrated with as‐deposited non‐passivated pulsed laser deposition (PLD)‐MA1–xFAxPbI3. This study opens the path for future developments in industry‐compatible vapor‐deposition methods for perovskite solar cells.
Enhancing Oral Performance of Paclitaxel Lipid‐Mimic Prodrug via Modulating Type of Fatty Acids
Authors: Miao Yi‐fan , Ye Qing , Zhang Ming‐yang , Gao Lin , Wang Xi‐yan , Zhong Wen‐xin , Wang Zi‐xuan , He Zhong‐gui , Tian Chu‐tong , Sun Jin
Published: March 2023

Owing to the serious clinical side effects of intravenous Taxol, an oral chemotherapeutic strategy is expected to be promising for paclitaxel (PTX) delivery. However, its poor solubility and permeability, high first‐pass metabolism, and gastrointestinal toxicity need to be overcome. A triglyceride (TG)‐like prodrug strategy facilitates oral drug delivery by bypassing liver metabolism. However, the effect of fatty acids (FAs) in sn‐1,3 on the oral absorption of prodrugs remains unclear. Herein, a series of TG‐mimetic prodrugs of PTX is explored with different carbon chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation of FAs at the sn‐1,3 position in an attempt to enhance oral antitumor effect and to guide the design of TG‐like prodrugs. Interestingly, the different FA lengths exhibit great influence on in vitro intestinal digestion behavior, lymph transport efficiency, and up to fourfold differences in plasma pharmacokinetics. The prodrug with long‐chain FAs shows a more effective antitumor effect, whereas the degree of unsaturation has a negligible impact. The findings illustrate how FAs structures affect the oral delivery efficiency of TG‐like PTX prodrugs and thus provide a theoretical basis for their rational design.
Amorphous Copper‐Based Nanoparticles with Clusterization‐Triggered Phosphorescence for Ultrasensing 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene
Authors: Dai Zhuohua , Wang Guangfa , Xiao Fangfang , Lei Da , Dou Xincun
Published: March 2023

Amorphous metal‐based nanostructures have attracted great attention recently due to their facilitative electron transfer and abundant reactive sites, whereas it remains enigmatic as to whether amorphous copper‐based nanoparticles (CuNPs) can be achieved. Here, for synthesizing amorphous CuNPs, glutathione is adopted as a ligand to inhibit the nucleation and crystallization process via its electrostatic repulsion. By subtly tailoring the solvent polarity, not only can amorphous glutathione‐functionalized CuNPs (GSH‐CuNPs) with phosphorescent performance be achieved after transferring the non‐conjugation of GSH ligand to through‐space conjugation, namely clusterization‐triggered emission, but also the phosphorescence‐off of GSH‐CuNPs toward 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) can be realized by the photoinduced electron‐transfer process through the hydrogen bond channel, which is established between carboxyl and amino groups of GSH‐CuNPs with the nitryl group of TNT. Benefitting from the intrinsic superiorities of the amorphous CuNPs, desired phosphorescence and detection performances of GSH‐CuNPs toward airborne TNT microparticulates are undoubtedly realized, including high quantum yield (13.22%), excellent specificity in 33 potential interferents, instantaneous response, and ultralow detection limit (1.56 pg). The present GSH‐CuNPs are expected to stretch amorphous metal‐based nanostructures and deepen the insights into amorphous materials for optical detection.
Photocatalytic Regio‐ and Site‐Selective Alkylamination of Coumarins: Access to 3‐Amino‐ and 4‐Amino Dihydrocoumarins
Authors: Jiang Yu‐Shi , Liang Feng , Chen Ai‐Min , Li Shan‐Shan , Luo Xue‐Ling , Xia Peng‐Ju
Published: March 2023

Functionalized dihydrocoumarins, including 3‐amino‐ and 4‐amino dihydrocoumarins serving as α‐ and β‐amino acid derivatives, have been synthesized using one‐step site‐ and regioselective alkylamination from coumarins. This conversion offers 35 examples in 24% to 81% yields.

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Three‐Component Synthesis of 3‐(Arylsulfonyl)benzothiophenes Using Acetic Acid as a Quencher for Methyl Radical‐Mediated Side Reactions
Authors: Shridhar Bhat Vighneshwar , Lee Anna
Published: March 2023

A one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of 3‐(arylsulfonyl)benzothiophenes was developed. The reaction did not require any catalysts or additives. The desired products were obtained via an intramolecular radical cyclization. Acetic acid was employed as the solvent and a quencher for side reactions involving methyl radicals. Moreover, inexpensive potassium metabisulfite was used as a sulfur dioxide surrogate. This process provides more opportunities for synthesizing benzothiophene derivatives, which are found in many bioactive compounds.

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High‐Performance and Degradable All‐Paper‐Based Pressure Sensor from Conductive Polymer
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Xie Peng , Song Yilin , Huang Shenming , Zhou Kui , Ding Guanglong , Chen Xue , Han Su‐Ting , Zhou Ye
Published: March 2023

Cellulose paper has emerged as an ideal sensing element for wearable pressure sensors owing to its inherent flexibility, high porosity, and light weight. However, traditional paper‐based pressure sensors use metal‐based materials as electrodes, which significantly limits the unique advantages of paper, particularly in terms of degradability. In this study, a degradable pressure sensor is designed by combining the highly conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) Xuan paper electrode with a low‐conductivity PEDOT:PSS tissue paper sensitive layer. Notably, Xuan paper, also called rice paper, has been a prominent substrate owing to its softness and good durability. By introducing a perforated structure in the sensitive layer, a novel sensing mechanism, conductivity conversion under pressure, is realized to improve the sensitivity. The obtained sensor exhibits a high sensitivity (13.9 kPa−1 at < 8.3 kPa, 151 kPa−1 at 8.3–20.8 kPa), ensuring that it can precisely monitor the full‐range human activities. Additionally, as the sensor does not rely on metal materials, it can degrade in water or fire without causing any negative environmental impacts. These findings establish a new approach to producing highly sensitive degradable sensors, which hold significant potential for application in green electronics, paper‐based sensing matrices, new prosthetics, and other fields.
Concurrent Characterization of Surface Diffusion and Intermixing of Ge on Si: A Classical Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Martín‐Encinar Luis , Marqués Luis Alberto , Santos Iván , López Pedro , Pelaz Lourdes
Published: March 2023

The surface diffusion and intermixing of Ge ad‐atoms over Si (001) 2 ×  1 substrates using classical molecular dynamics (CMD) simulations are characterized here. Several interatomic potentials, parametrizations, and parameter mixing rules are contemplated. A novel simulation scheme is devised to characterize the effective frequency of surface diffusion and intermixing events overcoming the inherent difficulties related to their interdependency in heteroepitaxial systems. The effective energy barriers of these events encompass different atomistic mechanisms weighted by their occurrence probabilities. The overall description of surface diffusion and intermixing based on Stillinger–Weber (SW) potential is in agreement with ab initio calculations and experimental observations, though some atomistic details differ. This study is extended to Si(001) substrates with stressed Ge monolayers grown on top. It is found that Ge ad‐atom dynamics is accelerated with respect to the case of the pure Si substrate and that diffusion across dimer rows is mainly mediated by the atomic exchange of the Ge ad‐atom with a Ge atom on the surface.
Evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of test weight instruments for soybean (Glycine max L.) research
Authors: Fett Robert , Gillen Anne M. , Read Quentin D. , Patel Sejal , Koebernick Jenny
Published: March 2023

The United States official soybean (Glycine max L.) test weight (TW) is 75.7 kg hL−1 (60 lb bu−1). This standard is used to convert the weight of a load of soybean into bushels. Typically, when TW falls below 68.4 kg hL−1, (54 lb bu−1), growers may receive discounted payments. In recent years, the average TW of soybean appears to have declined in certain regions. There is currently no literature on the relative merits of common instruments used to measure TW. Therefore, we compared three instruments: a Mini GAC Plus, a Perten Aquamatic 5200, and a volumetric instrument, for accuracy and speed of sample processing in a lab setting. The TW of 517 plots generated from 11 soybean field trials grown in Tallassee, Alabama, over 2 years was measured to compare the performance of these instruments. The median value per instrument was used to determine variation and bias among the machines, and the speed of processing 100 samples was used as a measure of efficiency. For accuracy, the Perten had better agreement with the volumetric than the GAC and contained less bias compared to the GAC. All three TW instruments differed significantly from each other in processing speed. The volumetric instrument had the fastest processing speed, but its utility was limited due to a lack of moisture measurement. Otherwise, the Perten Aquamatic 5200 is more efficient. Future experiments should examine seed quality parameters and how they may influence the measurements of samples.
Usefulness of the cachexia index as a prognostic indicator for patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Nakashima Keigo , Haruki Koichiro , Kamada Teppei , Takahashi Junji , Nakaseko Yuichi , Ohdaira Hironori , Furukawa Kenei , Suzuki Yutaka , Ikegami Toru
Published: March 2023

Aim

Cachexia is associated with the morbidity and mortality of cancer patients. The cachexia index (CXI) is a novel biomarker of cachexia associated with the prognosis for certain cancers. This study analyzed the relationship between CXI with long‐term outcomes of gastric cancer patients.

Methods

We included 175 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy at our hospital between January 2011 and October 2019. The CXI was calculated using skeletal muscle index, serum albumin level, and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio. The prognostic value of CXI was investigated by univariate and multivariate Cox hazard regression models adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

In the multivariate analyses, tumor location (hazard ratio [HR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11–0.49; p < 0.01), disease stage (HR, 15.4; 95% CI, 4.18–56.1; p < 0.01), and low CXI (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.01–8.15; p = 0.03) were independent and significant predictors of disease‐free survival. Disease stage (HR, 9.88; 95% CI, 3.53–29.1; p < 0.01) and low CXI (HR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.35–12.3; p < 0.01) were independent and significant predictors of overall survival. The low CXI group had a lower body mass index (p = 0.02), advanced disease stage (p = 0.034), and a lower prognostic nutritional index (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Cachexia index is associated with a poor prognosis for gastric cancer, suggesting the utility of comprehensive assessment using nutritional, physical, and inflammatory status.
Restructuring and Activation of Cu(111) under Electrocatalytic Reduction Conditions
Authors: Cheng Dongfang , Wei Ziyang , Zhang Zisheng , Broekmann Peter , Alexandrova Anastassia N. , Sautet Philippe
Published: March 2023

The dynamic restructuring of Cu surfaces in electroreduction conditions is of fundamental interest in electrocatalysis. We decode the structural dynamics of a Cu(111) electrode under reduction conditions by joint first‐principles calculations and operando electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM) experiments. Combining global optimization and grand canonical density functional theory, we unravel the potential‐ and pH‐dependent restructuring of Cu(111) in acidic electrolyte. At reductive potential, Cu(111) is covered by a high density of H atoms and, below a threshold potential, Cu adatoms are formed on the surface in a (4×4) superstructure, a restructuring unfavorable in vacuum. The strong H adsorption is the driving force for the restructuring, itself induced by the electrode potential. On the restructured surface, barriers for hydrogen evolution reaction steps are low. Restructuring in electroreduction conditions creates highly active Cu adatom sites not present on Cu(111).
Reversibly Modulating Plasmon‐mediated Chemical Reaction via Electrode Potential on Reliable Copper Nanoelectrode
Authors: Ghimire Govinda , Guo Jing , Halmagian Robert , He Jin
Published: March 2023

Plasmonic metal nanostructures are essential for plasmon‐mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The nanostructures are commonly made from the coinage metals gold and silver. Copper (Cu) is less used mainly due to the difficulties in fabricating stable nanostructures. However, Cu is an attractive option with its strong plasmonic properties, high catalytic activities, and relatively cheap price. Herein, we fabricated tunable, reliable, and efficient Cu nanoelectrodes (CuNEs). Using time‐resolved electrochemical SERS, we have comprehensively studied the reversible chemical transformations between aromatic amine and nitro groups modified on the CuNE surface. Their PMCRs are well‐controlled by changing the surface roughness, the oxidation states of Cu, and the applied electrode potential. We thus demonstrate that the Cu nanostructures enable better investigations in the interplays between PMCR, electrochemistry, and Cu catalysis.
High‐frequency pingers do not increase catch loss owing to seals in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Carlén Ida , Cosentino Mel
Published: March 2023

The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, and only a few hundred animals remain. One of the most serious threats to this population is bycatch in static net fisheries. To minimize bycatch, ICES has proposed that acoustic deterrent devices, pingers, should be used on static nets within the population’s range.

However, there have previously been indications that grey seals learn to associate the pinger sounds with the presence of nets with easily accessible prey, and that pinger use therefore can increase the risk of seal depredation in static net fisheries.

In recent years, pingers operating at higher frequencies have been made commercially available, the idea being that harbour porpoises will still be able to hear the sound at 50–120 kHz while this will be above or at the limit of seal hearing. This would mean that such high‐frequency pingers would not induce this so‐called dinner‐bell effect.

In this study, data were collected from active commercial static net fisheries in the Baltic Proper, using two types of high‐frequency pingers operating at 50–120 and 70 kHz, respectively. Pingers were attached to nets in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines, and fishers were asked to estimate the catch loss owing to seals in nets with and without pingers.

Data were received from 646 deployments made between May 2019 and September 2020. Four generalized mixed effect models were developed with relevant variables.

The results suggest using high‐frequency pingers does not increase seal depredation on static nets. It is concluded that pingers could be used as an interim measure to minimize bycatch of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population.
Dose‐related cardiac outcomes in response to postnatal dexamethasone treatment in premature lambs
Authors: Vrselja Amanda , Pillow Jennifer Jane , Bensley Jonathan G. , Ahmadi‐Noorbakhsh Siavash , Noble Peter B. , Black Mary Jane
Published: March 2023

Background

Postnatal corticosteroids are used in the critical care of preterm infants for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We aimed to investigate the effects of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy and dose on cardiac maturation and morphology in preterm lambs.

Methods

Lambs were delivered prematurely at ~128 days of gestational age and managed postnatally according to best clinical practice. Preterm lambs were administered dexamethasone daily at either a low‐dose (n = 9) or a high‐dose (n = 7), or were naïve to steroid treatment and administered saline (n = 9), over a 7‐day time‐course. Hearts were studied at postnatal Day 7 for gene expression and assessment of myocardial structure.

Results

High‐dose dexamethasone treatment in the early postnatal period led to marked differences in cardiac gene expression, altered cardiomyocyte maturation and reduced cardiomyocyte endowment in the right ventricle, as well as increased inflammatory infiltrates into the left ventricle. Low‐dose exposure had minimal effects on the preterm heart.

Conclusion

Neonatal dexamethasone treatment led to adverse effects in the preterm heart in a dose‐dependent manner within the first week of life. The observed cardiac changes associated with high‐dose postnatal dexamethasone treatment may influence postnatal growth and remodeling of the preterm heart and subsequent long‐term cardiac function.
Map of 20 reactions that take place during vapor–solid phase photocatalytic dehydrogenation of ethanol on metal‐loaded TiO2
Authors: Koirala Agni Raj , Thanh Nguyen Huu , Shaariikhuu Erdenechimeg , Nguyen Thi Xuyen , Hossain Muhammad Sarwar , Yoon Kyung Byung
Published: March 2023

We report the map of 20 reactions that take place during vapor‐phase photochemical dehydrogenation of ethanol on four metal‐doped TiO2 (Mn/TiO2, Mn = nanoparticles of Pd, Pt, Au, and Cu) under solar simulated light. The reactions are sensitively affected by the moisture amount and the nature of the carrier gas. To construct the above map, we also used CH3CHO, CH3CO2H, (C2H5O)2CHCH3, and CH3CO2C2H5, respectively, as an independent starting reagent. Amazingly, Mn/TiO2 not only serves as photocatalysts but also as thermocatalysts for various reactions that appear in the above map. The reaction is proposed to proceed by a radical mechanism in which photoinduced electron transfer from the valence band to the conduction band of TiO2 is the initial step and the subsequent electron injection from organic reactants to the hole in the TiO2 valence band. This report also features highly valuable unprecedented reactions, which bear great potential to be commercialized.
Probing emergence of biomolecular coronas around drug‐loaded liposomal nanoparticles in the solution by using nanoparticle tracking analysis
Authors: Jeong Ji Yeon , Joung Heeju , Jang Gwi Ju , Han Sang Yun
Published: March 2023

Various state‐of‐art analytical methods have played a critical role in understanding the nature of protein coronas. In most cases, the analyses require the biomolecule‐coated engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to be isolated from the biological environment by energetic processes. This only allows investigation of so‐called “hard” coronas, which are biomolecules tightly bound to the surfaces of ENMs. We examined fluorescence‐nanoparticle tracking analysis (F‐NTA) as a suitable method to study the formation of natural biomolecular coronas in solution, that is, without separation. The formation of coronas of high‐density lipoprotein, immunoglobulin G, and human serum albumin, and also that of the blood serum around fluorescently labeled PEGylated doxorubicin‐loaded liposomes were investigated in terms of the changes in hydrodynamic size as a function of concentration, incubation time, and PEGylation density of liposomes. From the results, this study successfully demonstrates that NTA in the fluorescence mode is indeed suitable to probing intact biomolecular coronas in the native environment.
SPOC online video learning clustering analysis: Identifying learners' group behavior characteristics
Authors: Li Fei , Lu Yang , Ma Qiang , Gao Juntao , Wang Zhibao , Bai Lu
Published: March 2023

With the widespread ofSmall Private Online Courses(SPOC) in colleges and universities, course organizers who provide high‐quality personalized course activities need to understand learners' learning status and characteristics, and then optimize the course teaching. However, little research has been done on different learners' group behavior characteristics, such as which indicators can reflect learner groups' behavior, and what are the typical behavior characteristics of different learner groups. In this work, we established aPython Language Foundationself‐built SPOC course, and 109 undergraduates' learning behavior data were collected and analyzed. From 74‐dimensional behavior log data consisting of 72 video‐viewing, course video score, and comprehensive score, Principal Component Analysis was performed to reduce dimensionality. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering was used to divide learners into different categories, and the results showed that 15 groups are clustered. According to the analysis of the four indicators for group characteristics, which are the completion and viewing‐stability of task‐point videos, unit test excellence, and comprehensive score, it is identified into five primary types, including positive type, regular type, negative type, semi‐negative type, and a fluctuation type. Experiments conducted on a real data set across different academic years and courses show that the proposed approach has better clustering accuracy and practicability. It is expected that this work may be used to strengthen the personalized learning support services system in educational institutions and develop a tool that integrates exploration and analysis work onto the web platform.
Protein Ligation‐Assisted Reconstitution of Split HRP Fragments for Facile Production of HRP Fusion Proteins in E. coli
Authors: Heo Seungnyeong , Baek Jonghwi , Bae Juhyun , Seo Bo Am , Kim Seongjun , Jeong Subin , Kim Suhyun , Ryu Yiseul , Lee Joong‐jae
Published: March 2023

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a pivotal biocatalyst for biosensor development and fine chemical synthesis. HRP proteins are mostly extracted and purified from the roots of horseradish because the solubility and productivity of recombinant HRP in bacteria are significantly low. In this study, we investigate the reconstitution system of split HRP fragments to improve its soluble expression levels in E. coli allowing the cost‐effective production of bioactive HRPs. To promote the effective association between two HRP fragments (HRPn and HRPc), we exploit SpyTag‐SpyCatcher chemistry, a versatile protein coupling method with high affinity and selectivity. Each HRP fragment was genetically fused with SpyTag and SpyCatcher, respectively, exhibiting soluble expression in the E. coli cytoplasm. The engineered split HRPs were effectively and irreversibly reconstituted into a biologically active and stable assembly that can catalyze intrinsic enzymatic reactions. Compared to the chaperone co‐expression system, our approach shows that the production yield of soluble HRP is comparable, but the purity of the final product is relatively high. Therefore, our results can be applied to the high‐yield production of recombinant HRP variants and other difficult‐to‐express proteins in bacteria without complex downstream processes.
Association between sex and long‐term outcomes of endovascular treatment for peripheral artery disease
Authors: Ramkumar Niveditta , Suckow Bjoern D. , Behrendt Christian‐Alexander , Mackenzie Todd A. , Sedrakyan Art , Brown Jeremiah R. , Goodney Philip P.
Published: March 2023

Background

Endovascular peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) has become the primary revascularization technique used for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Yet, there is limited understanding of long‐term outcomes of PVI among women versus men. In this study, our objective was to investigate sex differences in the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing PVI.

Methods

We performed a cohort study of patients undergoing PVI for PAD from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2015 using data in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry. Patients were linked to fee‐for‐service Medicare claims to identify late outcomes including major amputation, reintervention, major adverse limb event (major amputation or reintervention [MALE]), and mortality. Sex differences in outcomes were evaluated using cumulative incidence curves, Gray's test, and mixed effects Cox proportional hazards regression accounting for patient and lesion characteristics using inverse probability weighted estimates.

Results

In this cohort of 15,437 patients, 44% (n = 6731) were women. Women were less likely to present with claudication than men (45% vs. 49%, p < 0.001, absolute standardized difference, d = 0.08) or be able to ambulate independently (ambulatory: 70% vs. 76%, p < 0.001, d = 0.14). There were no major sex differences in lesion characteristics, except for an increased frequency of tibial artery treatment in men (23% vs. 18% in women, p < 0.001, d = 0.12). Among patients with claudication, women had a higher risk‐adjusted rate of major amputation (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–2.49), but a lower risk of mortality (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75–0.99). There were no sex differences in reintervention or MALE for patients with claudication. However, among patients with chronic limb‐threatening ischemia, women had a lower risk‐adjusted hazard of major amputation (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.93), MALE (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78–0.96), and mortality (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79–0.94).

Conclusion

There is significant heterogeneity in PVI outcomes among men and women, especially after stratifying by symptom severity. A lower overall mortality in women with claudication was accompanied by a higher risk of major amputation. Men with chronic limb‐threatening ischemia had a higher risk of major amputation, MALE, and mortality. Developing sex‐specific approaches to PVI that prioritizes limb outcomes in women can improve the quality of vascular care for men and women.
What is the role of drug‐coated balloons in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention?
Authors: Allana Salman S. , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: March 2023

Key Points

Placement of drug eluting stents after successful lesion crossing is the current standard of care in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

A drug‐coated balloon only strategy may be feasible in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention, especially with intraplaque crossing.

More studies are needed on when and how to use drug‐coated balloons in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.
Effectiveness of the vacuum assisted aspiration AngioVac system in the removal of intravascular masses
Authors: Nickell Austin , Sergev Orlin , Alberto Neville , Bande Dinesh , Guerrero Dubert M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Invasive procedures used to manage intravascular masses such as vegetation from endocarditis, deep vein thrombosis, and septic emboli are associated with high rates of complications and mortality, especially in patients with several pre‐existing comorbidities. A minimally invasive technique that has become more popular in recent years is the AngioVac procedure. This single‐centered, retrospective study focuses on patient presenting comorbidities and indications for the procedure as well as postprocedural outcomes.

Methods

A total of 33 patients who underwent an AngioVac procedure at Sanford Health between March 2014 and October 2019 was reviewed. Data were collected on pre‐existing comorbidities, indication of procedure, length of stay, and postoperative outcomes.

Results

We evaluated a total of 33 patients who underwent an AngioVac procedure for removal of intravascular mass. The most common indications for the procedure were endocarditis (24/33, 73%); intracardiac mass (5/33, 15%); and deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (2/33, 6%). Post‐procedural blood transfusion was required in nearly half (15/33, 45%). Almost all patients (31/33, 94%) required intraoperative vasopressor use. Nearly all patients (32/33, 97%) were directed to the intensive care unit following the procedure with an average length of stay of 8 days (interquartile range: 3−13). Most common complications seen after the procedure were shock requiring vasopressors, (13/33, 39%), pleural effusion (9/33, 27%), and sepsis (4/33, 12%). Procedural success in this single‐centered experience was 85% (28/33), which was defined as size reduction of the initial vegetation by >50% in the absence of severe intraoperative complications and absence of need for further valvular surgical intervention.

Conclusion

For surgically high‐risk patients, the AngioVac procedure may offer a less invasive option in the management of right sided endocarditis requiring vegetation debulking, intravascular thrombi or cardiac masses.
Pre‐stenting angiography‐FFR based physiological map provides virtual intervention and predicts physiological and clinical outcomes
Authors: Dai Neng , Tang Xianglin , Chen Zhangwei , Huang Dong , Duan Shaofeng , Qian Juying , Ge Junbo
Published: March 2023

Background

Angiography‐derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) (angio‐FFR) has been validated against FFR and could provide virtual pullback. However, whether a physiological map can be generated by angio‐FFR and its clinical value remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of physiological map created from angio‐FFR pullback and its value in predicting physiological and clinical outcomes after stenting.

Methods

An angio‐FFR physiological map was generated by overlaying the virtual pullback onto coronary angiogram, to calculate physiological stenosis severity, length, and intensity (Δangio‐FFR/mm). This map in combination with virtual stenting was used to predict the best‐case post‐percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) angio‐FFR (angio‐FFRpredicted) according to the stented segments, and this was compared with the actual achieved post‐PCI angio‐FFR (angio‐FFRachieved). Additionally, prognostic value of predicted angio‐FFR was investigated.

Results

Three hundred twenty‐nine vessels with paired analyzable pre‐ and post‐PCI angio‐FFR were included. Physiological map was created successfully in all vessels. After successful PCI, angio‐FFRpredicted and angio‐FFRachieved were significantly correlated (r = 0.82, p < 0.001) with small difference (mean difference: −0.010 ± 0.035). In the virtual PCI only covering the segment with high angio‐FFR intensity, the same physiological outcome can be achieved with shorter stent length (14.1 ± 8.9 vs. 34.5 ± 15.8 mm, p < 0.001). Suboptimal angio‐FFRpredicted was associated with increased risk of 2‐year vessel‐oriented composite endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.71; 95% confidence interval: 1.50−9.17).

Conclusions

Angio‐FFR pullback could provide a physiological map of the interrogated coronary vessels by integrating angio‐FFR pullback and angiography. Before a PCI, the physiological map can predict the physiological and clinical outcomes after stenting.
The Solute Polarization and Structural Effects on the Nonlinear Optical Response of Based Chromone Molecules
Authors: Fonseca Sávio , dos Santos Neidy S. S. , da Cunha Antonio R. , Canuto Sylvio , Provasi Patricio F. , Andrade‐Filho Tarciso , Gester Rodrigo
Published: March 2023

The solute polarization due to solvent is a an electrostatic quantum effect that impacts diverse molecular properties, including the nonlinear optical response of a material. An iterative procedure that allows updating the solute charge distribution in the presence of the solvent is combined with a sequential Monte Carlo/Quantum Mechanics methodology and Density Functional Theory methods to evaluate the nonlinear optical (NLO) response using the hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS) of a series of chromones recently identified in Chamaecrista diphylla, an herbaceous plant abundant throughout the Americas and used in folk medicine. From this study, it is determined that from gas to solvent environment, the systems acquire low refractive index (n) and an improvement of the first hyperpolarizability (βHRS), signaling potential NLO uses. It is shown that the octupolar contributions (βJ=3) superate the dipolar ones (βJ=1) and dominate the second‐order optical response in both gas and liquid phases, which indicate nontrivial optical materials. Moreover, the solvent environment and structural changes in the periphery can tune significantly the dipolar/octupolar balance, showing a key to control the decoupling between these contributions.
Consolidating 23 years of historical data from an irrigated subtropical rice breeding program in Uruguay
Authors: Rebollo Inés , Scheffel Sheila , Blanco Pedro , Molina Federico , Martínez Sebastián , Carracelas Gonzalo , Aguilar Ignacio , Pérez de Vida Fernando , Rosas Juan Eduardo
Published: March 2023

Breeding programs generate vast amount of data which are often scattered in separate files. This hinders the application of modern breeding tools such as multi‐environment analyses and genomic selection. This research work describes the process of consolidating 23 years of phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic records from the Uruguayan national rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding program, and the features and structure of the resulting database. Using a custom‐made R code, we gathered all the available data from 1997 to 2020 corresponding to field trials, blast disease evaluation nurseries, laboratory analyses of milling and cooking quality, pedigree information, and genomic information for selected advanced breeding lines, and organized it into a relational database. Records of 996 trials in 12 locations over a span of 23 years, 91,636 field plots with information on 14 phenotypic variables, pedigree for 19,447 genotypes, and genomic information regarding 61,260 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for 965 genotypes were recovered. The dataset is structured in trials, phenotypes, lines, genomic information, and SNP tables in an easy‐to‐access relational database, which will be a valuable resource for rice breeding.
Mapping mathematical competences across subjects for advanced level qualifications in England
Authors: Norris Jennifer , Noyes Andrew
Published: March 2023

Efforts to increase the number of young people in England studying mathematics post‐16 have historically focused on participation in standalone mathematics qualifications. However, following the recent A‐level reforms, many advanced level students are engaging with some form of mathematics through the mathematical content now formally embedded within other subjects. To offer a more comprehensive view of the mathematics being learned post‐16 we present a framework analysis of the subject content documents of the 19 A‐level subjects with a required quantitative component, using a recently developed framework of General Mathematical Competences (GMCs). Results are visualised as maps showing the presence of GMC sub‐competences for individual A‐level subjects and combinations of subjects. The application of the GMC framework in this new context provides a much‐needed common language for cross‐curricular discussion of the types of mathematics present in different subjects, with implications for interdisciplinary mathematics learning and curriculum alignment between post‐16 and higher education across the disciplines. In addition, the framework highlights the non‐binary nature of mathematics participation, calling into question what counts as participating in mathematics in the post‐16 phase.
The morphological and ecological variation of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae) fruit: A link between plant ecology and animal foraging behavior
Authors: Crowe Rebecca E. , Parker V. Thomas
Published: March 2023

Persistent soil seed banks are characteristic of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae) species in the Mediterranean‐climate California Floristic Province. While most species are obligate seeders, regeneration of stands of all Arctostaphylos species ultimately depends on post‐fire seedling recruitment. Arctostaphylos seed banks are created, in large part, by scatter‐hoarding rodents. Variation in fruit morphology, therefore, is expected to impact the Arctostaphylos–rodent interaction. Seeds produce sufficient rewards (nutritious mature embryo) to entice rodents to disperse and ultimately bury seeds in the soil. Hard seed coats increase the time required to extract the embryo, encouraging rodents to choose storage over immediate predation, and nutlets are frequently empty. We assessed the variation of fruit nutlet fusion and seed viability among 38 Arctostaphylos taxa. Factors such as latitude, elevation, life history, ploidy, and phylogenetic position were also analyzed. Generalized mixed‐effects models were used to determine the factors contributing to variation in fruit nutlet fusion and seed viability. Our results indicate that fruit volume and shape are the most important variables affecting nutlet fusion and seed viability. Additionally, other potential influences only show a weak correlation and are not predicted to significantly impact nutlet fusion or seed viability. These findings provide insights into evolved strategies used by plants to increase reproductive success via scatter‐hoarding rodents. Our study benefits the conservation and restoration of Arctostaphylos stands by emphasizing the importance of animal‐mediated dispersal and providing estimates of seed viability for different species. With the anticipated effects of climate change, such as departures from historic fire regimes, the preservation of the relationship between plants and animal foragers is crucial for the continued survival of Arctostaphylos and California's evergreen chaparral.