bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of current models of second language speech perception: The case of Japanese adults’ perception of English consonants
Authors: Guion Susan G. , Flege James E. , Akahane-Yamada Reiko , Pruitt Jesica C.
Published: July 2002

This study reports the results of two experiments with native speakers of Japanese. In experiment 1, near-monolingual Japanese listeners participated in a cross-language mapping experiment in which they identified English and Japanese consonants in terms of a Japanese category, then rated the identifications for goodness-of-fit to that Japanese category. Experiment 2 used the same set of stimuli in a categorial discrimination test. Three groups of Japanese speakers varying in English-language experience, and one group of native English speakers participated. Contrast pairs composed of two English consonants, two Japanese consonants, and one English and one Japanese consonant were tested. The results indicated that the perceived phonetic distance of second language (L2) consonants from the closest first language (L1) consonant predicted the discrimination of L2 sounds. In addition, this study investigated the role of experience in learning sounds in a second language. Some of the consonant contrasts tested showed evidence of learning (i.e., significantly higher scores for the experienced than the relatively inexperienced Japanese groups). The perceived phonetic distance of L1 and L2 sounds was found to predict learning effects in discrimination of L1 and L2 sounds in some cases. The results are discussed in terms of models of cross-language speech perception and L2 phonetic learning.
Calibration and comparison of the acoustic location methods used during the spring migration of the bowhead whale,Balaena mysticetus, off Pt. Barrow, Alaska, 1984–1993
Authors: Clark Christopher W. , Ellison William T.
Published: July 2002

Between 1984 and 1993, visual and acoustic methods were combined to census the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, population. Passive acoustic location was based on arrival-time differences of transient bowhead sounds detected on sparse arrays of three to five hydrophones distributed over distances of 1.5–4.5 km along the ice edge. Arrival-time differences were calculated from either digital cross correlation of spectrograms (old method), or digital cross correlation of time waveforms (new method). Acoustic calibration was conducted in situ in 1985 at five sites with visual site position determined by triangulation using two theodolites. The discrepancy between visual and acoustic locations was <1%–5% of visual range and less than 0.7° of visual bearing for either method. Comparison of calibration results indicates that the new method yielded slightly more precise and accurate positions than the old method. Comparison of 217 bowhead whale call locations from both acoustic methods showed that the new method was more precise, with location errors 3–4 times smaller than the old method. Overall, low-frequency bowhead transients were reliably located out to ranges of 3–4 times array size. At these ranges in shallow water, signal propagation appears to be dominated by the fundamental mode and is not corrupted by multipath.
Moderately Concentrated Polymer Solutions: Correlation of Flow Data by Simple Models
Authors: Rodriguez F.
Published: July 2002

A mathematical model was proposed recently which appears to correlate the flow curves for several polymers in aqueous solution over a wide range of shear rates and concentrations. New data for several nonaqueous systems as well as data from literature sources support the idea that the same equation can be applied to nonaqueous solutions. The equation relates relative viscosity ηr at shear rate γ̇ and shear stress τ to two parameters, the zero-shear viscosity ηro and the power input at the inflection point B as follows: log ηr/log γro=0.68−0.32 erf[log(rγ̇/B)/2.272] where erf(q) is the error function of q. The parameter B appears to be a function of intrinsic viscosity but is not sensitive to polymer type or concentration. A comparison is made which indicates that the proposed model has advantages over other two-parameter flow equations for real polymer systems where concentration is varied.
A Study of the Phenomenon of Rheological Dilatancy in an Aqueous Pigment Suspension
Authors: Morgan Robert J.
Published: July 2002

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for rheological dilatancy in an aqueous pigment suspension. Of particular interest was the relationship between the extent of dilatancy and colloidal stability. This relationship was studied using iron oxide suspensions which were dispersed by addition of sodium polymethacrylate having a molecular weight of 4000. The level of colloidal stability was varied by changing the degree of dissociation of the carboxyl groups on the polymer. Measurements of the extent of adsorption of the dispersant were made and the adsorbed charge was found to correlate very well with low-shear viscosity measurements. Additional experiments were made to determine the effect of pigment volume concentration on dilatancy over the range of 40–47%. A cup-and-bob viscometer was used to measure the shear stress over a shear rate range of 100–4000 sec−1. The extent of rheological dilatancy was found to increase with (a) decreasing colloidal stability, and (b) increasing pigment concentration. Based on these findings, it was postulated that rheological dilatancy results from a progressive increase in flocculation due to shear. The fact that a suspension can exhibit both pseudoplasticity and dilatancy was explained by considering floc formation and floc disruption as competitive rate processes.
Viscosity of Dispersed and Aggregated Suspensions of Spheres
Authors: Lewis T. B. , Nielsen L. E.
Published: July 2002

Viscosities of suspensions of dispersed spheres and permanent aggregates ranging from doublets and triplets to clusters composed of a very large average number of spheres are reported. In all cases, glass spheres of a very narrow distribution of particle diameter were used and the suspending fluid was a chlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor). Results were obtained using a Couette type viscometer as a function of volume fraction of the dispersed phase. In addition, measurements on the aggregated systems were made as a function of the number of spheres per aggregate with the average aggregate size controlled over a relatively narrow range. Aggregates were obtained by a sintering and sieving technique. For the larger aggregates the shape was generally elliptical. This is the first time rheological data has been reported for suspensions with a dispersed phase composed entirely of permanent aggregates of controlled size, size distribution, and shape. The results for the dispersed and aggregated systems, with concentrations as high as Φ=0.5 volume fraction solids, are shown to fit the Mooney equation over the entire concentration range, if the Einstein coefficient is increased for the aggregated systems to a limiting maximum values as suggested by Gillespie and if experimental values of the maximum volumetric packing fraction of solids are used. The value of the Einstein coefficient is shown to be a function of the hydrodynamic volume of the aggregates and reach a maximum value for the larger aggregates.
Hydrodynamic Interaction Effects in Rigid Dumbbell Suspensions. II. Computations for Steady Shear Flow
Authors: Stewart Warren E. , Sorensen Jan P.
Published: July 2002

The angular distribution of solute molecules, and the space-averaged stresses in the fluid, are computed for steady shear flows of solutions of rigid dumbbells. The computation is done by Galerkin's method, with spherical harmonics as the trial functions. The stresses are tabulated for the full range of shear rates, 0⩽λhκ⩽∞, and dumbbell width/length ratios, 0⩽h⩽38. The stress components become power functions of shear rate when the latter is large. The analogy of Cox and Merz bolds better for small width/length ratios (h≐0) than for large ones.
Orthotropic closure approximations for flow-induced fiber orientation
Authors: Cintra Joaquim S. , Tucker Charles L.
Published: July 2002

A new family of closure approximations, called orthotropic closures, is developed for modeling of flow-induced fiber orientation. These closures approximate the fourth-order moment tensor for fiber orientation in terms of the second-order moment tensor. Key theoretical concepts are that any approximate fourth-order tensor must be orthotropic, that its principal axes must match those of the second-order tensor, and that each principal fourth-order component is a function of just two principal values of the second-order tensor. Examples of orthotropic closures are presented, including a simple form based on linear interpolation and a formula that is fitted to numerical solutions for the probability density function. These closures are tested against distribution function solutions in a variety of flow fields, both steady and unsteady, by integrating the orientation evolution equation. A scalar measure of the difference between the exact and approximate second-order tensors quantifies the errors of various closures. The orthotropic fitted closure is shown to be far more accurate than any earlier closure approximation, and slightly more accurate than Verleye and Dupret’s natural closure. Approaches for further increasing the accuracy of orthotropic closures and ultimate limits to the accuracy of any closure approximation are discussed.
Ferromagnetic Flexible Electronics for Brain‐Wide Selective Neural Recording
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Chen Xi , Liang Ye , Song Hao , Yu Peng , Guan Shunmin , Liu Zijian , Yang Anqi , Tang Minghui , Zhou Yajing , Zheng Ying , Yang Zhilun , Jiang Lelun , He Jufang , Tan Ning , Xu Bingzhe , Lin Xudong
Published: December 2022

Flexible microelectronics capable of straightforward implantation, remotely controlled navigation, and stable long‐term recording hold great promise in diverse medical applications, particularly in deciphering complex functions of neural circuits in the brain. Existing flexible electronics, however, are often limited in bending and buckling during implantation, and unable to access a large brain region. Here, an injectable class of electronics with stable recording, omnidirectional steering, and precise navigating capabilities based on magnetic actuation is presented. After simple transcriptional injection, the rigid coatings are biodegraded quickly and the bundles of magnetic‐nanoparticles‐coated microelectrodes become separated, ultra‐flexible, and magnetic actuated for further minimally invasive three‐dimensional interpenetration in the brain. As proof of concept, this paradigm‐shifting approach is demonstrated for selective and multiplexed neural activities recording across distant regions in the deep rodent brains. Coupling with optogenetic neural stimulation, the unique capabilities of this platform in electrophysiological readouts of projection dynamics in vivo are also demonstrated. The ability of these miniaturized, remotely controllable, and biocompatible ferromagnetic flexible electronics to afford minimally invasive manipulations in the soft tissues of the mammalian brain foreshadows applications in other organ systems, with great potential for broad utility in biomedical science and engineering.
Highly Efficient Decoupled Triple‐Channel OAM Generation with a Single‐Layer Shared Aperture Reflective Metasurface
Authors: Jiang Yuying , Liu Liangliang , Li Shuying , Tang Chunzi , Luo Zhengzhi , Zhu Zhengtao , Cao Yuxiang , Gu Changqing , Li Zhuo
Published: December 2022

Metasurface is extensively studied for generating multicharacteristic orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams. However, designing a highly integrated and independent polarization‐frequency multiplexing metasurface for efficient multiscenario OAM‐related applications is still a challenge. Here, a triple‐band single‐layer shared aperture reflective metasurface for triple‐polarization channels independent OAM modulations is proposed. The specific frequency quantitative customization resonance phase and quasi‐static geometric phase are utilized to manipulate the dual‐band (Ku‐ and K‐band) orthogonal linearly polarized (LP) channel and C&X‐band right‐handed circularly polarized (RHCP) channel. An isolation ring is introduced for eliminating the strong coupling between the structurally compatible RHCP and orthogonal‐LP subunits in a shared aperture meta‐atom. It is revealed that the isolation ring not only helps realize efficient multipolarization, multiband, and multimode OAM generation, but also expands the operation bandwidth of the RHCP channel OAM. A proof‐of‐concept prototype of the designed metasurface is constructed to verify the methodology and the experimental results are in excellent agreement with simulations. The proposed independent OAM modulation scheme for extending the functionality of metasurface offers a novel route to realize multipolarization and multiband OAM beams with high isolation, which may have potential applications in OAM‐based multichannel multiplexing communications.
Organocatalytic oxa‐Michael/Michael Addition/Deformylation Cascade Reaction of 3‐Formylchromone with p‐Quinol: Synthesis of the Furanochromanone Skeleton
Authors: Zheng Xiurong , Chen Jiajia , Li Zhuowen , Zhong Lin , Zhan Ruoting , Huang Huicai
Published: December 2022

An approach for the construction of furanochromanone skeletons has been developed through a DABCO‐catalyzed cascade reaction with good yields (up to 83%) and high diastereoselectivity (>20:1 dr). Notably, the asymmetric catalytic version of this reaction was further studied, obtaining furanochromanones bearing four contiguous stereogenic centers with excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity (up to 98% ee, >20:1 dr). This protocol causes the formation of a variety of substituted furanochromanones via an oxa‐Michael/Michael addition/deformylation cascade reaction.

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Tumor Cell‐Intrinsic SETD2 Deficiency Reprograms Neutrophils to Foster Immune Escape in Pancreatic Tumorigenesis
Authors: Niu Ningning , Shen Xuqing , Zhang Li , Chen Yueyue , Lu Ping , Yang Wenjuan , Liu Mingzhu , Shi Juanjuan , Xu Dapeng , Tang Yingying , Yang Xiaotong , Weng Yawen , Zhao Xinxin , Wu Lian‐Ming , Sun Yongwei , Xue Jing
Published: December 2022

Genetic and epigenetic alterations play central roles in shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to evade immune surveillance. The previous study shows that SETD2‐H3K36me3 loss promotes KRAS‐induced pancreatic tumorigenesis. However, little is known about its role in remodeling the TME and immune evasion. Here, it is shown that SETD2 deficiency can reprogram neutrophils to an immunosuppressive phenotype, thereby promoting immune escape during pancreatic tumor progression. By comprehensive profiling of the intratumoral immune cells, neutrophils are identified as the subset with the most significant changes upon Setd2 loss. Setd2‐deficient pancreatic tumor cells directly enhance neutrophil recruitment and reprogramming, thereby inhibiting the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells to foster tumor progression. Mechanistically, it is revealed that Setd2‐H3K36me3 loss leads to ectopic gain of H3K27me3 to downregulate Cxadr expression, which boosts the PI3K‐AKT pathway and excessive expression of CXCL1 and GM‐CSF, thereby promoting neutrophil recruitment and reprogramming toward an immunosuppressive phenotype. The study provides mechanistic insights into how tumor cell‐intrinsic Setd2 deficiency strengthens the immune escape during pancreatic tumorigenesis, which may offer potential therapeutic implications for pancreatic cancer patients with SETD2 deficiency.
3D Gelatin Microsphere Scaffolds Promote Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats
Authors: Ke Hongfei , Yang Hongru , Zhao Yijing , Li Tingting , Xin Danqing , Gai Chengcheng , Jiang Zige , Wang Zhen
Published: December 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages signal connections and conductions, with the result that neuronal circuits are disrupted leading to neural dysfunctions. Such injuries represent a serious and relatively common central nervous system condition and current treatments have limited success in the reconstruction of nerve connections in injured areas, especially where sizeable gaps are present. Biomaterial scaffolds have become an effective alternative to nerve transplantation in filling these gaps and provide the foundation for simulating the 3D structure of solid organs. However, there remain some limitations with the application of 3D bioprinting for preparation of biomaterial scaffolds. Here, the approach in constructing and testing mini‐tissue building blocks and self‐assembly, solid 3D gelatin microsphere (GM) scaffolds with multiple voids as based on the convenient preparation of gelatin microspheres by microfluidic devices is described. These 3D GM scaffolds demonstrate suitable biocompatibility, biodegradation, porosity, low preparation costs, and relative ease of production. Moreover, 3D GM scaffolds can effectively bridge injury gaps, establish nerve connections and signal transductions, mitigate inflammatory microenvironments, and reduce glial scar formation. Accordingly, these 3D GM scaffolds can serve as a novel and effective bridging method to promote nerve regeneration and reconstruction and thus recovery of nerve function after SCI.
Glasswing‐Butterfly‐Inspired Multifunctional Scleral Lens and Smartphone Raman Spectrometer for Point‐of‐Care Tear Biomarker Analysis
Authors: Narasimhan Vinayak , Siddique Radwanul Hasan , Kim Un Jeong , Lee Suyeon , Kim Hyochul , Roh YoungGeun , Wang Yibing Michelle , Choo Hyuck
Published: December 2022

Augmenting contact lenses with sensing capabilities requires incorporating multiple functionalities within a diminutive device. Inspired by multifunctional biophotonic nanostructures of glasswing butterflies, a nanostructured scleral lens with enhanced optical, bactericidal, and sensing capabilities is reported. When used in conjunction with a smartphone‐integrated Raman spectrometer, the feasibility of point‐of‐care applications is demonstrated. The bioinspired nanostructures made on parylene films are mounted on the anterior and posterior side of a scleral lens to create a nanostructured lens. Compared to unstructured parylene, nanostructured parylene minimizes glare by 4.3‐fold at large viewing angles up to 80o. When mounted on a scleral lens, the nanostructures block 2.8‐fold more ultraviolet (UVA) light while offering 1.1‐fold improved transmission in the visible regime. Furthermore, the nanostructures exhibit potent bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, killing 89% of tested bacteria within 4 h. The same nanostructures, when gold‐coated, are used to perform rapid label‐free multiplex detection of lysozyme and lactoferrin, the protein biomarkers of the chronic dry eye disease, in whole human tears using drop‐coating deposition Raman spectroscopy. The detection of both proteins in whole human tear samples from different subjects using the nanostructured lens produced excellent correlation with commercial enzyme‐based assays while simultaneously displaying a 1.5‐fold lower standard deviation.
Deciphering the Morphology Change and Performance Enhancement for Perovskite Solar Cells Induced by Surface Modification
Authors: Guan Nianci , Zhang Yuezhou , Chen Wei , Jiang Zhengyan , Gu Lei , Zhu Ruixue , Yadav Deependra , Li Deli , Xu Baomin , Cao Leifeng , Gao Xingyu , Chen Yonghua , Song Lin
Published: December 2022

Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved great attention due to their expressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 25.7%. To improve the photovoltaic performance of PSCs, interface engineering between the perovskite and hole transport layer (HTL) is a widely used strategy. Following this concept, benzyl trimethyl ammonium chlorides (BTACls) are used to modify the wet chemical processed perovskite film in this work. The BTACl‐induced low dimensional perovskite is found to have a bilayer structure, which efficiently decreases the trap density and improves the energy level alignment at the perovskite/HTL interface. As a result, the BTACl‐modified PSCs show an improved PCE compared to the control devices. From device modeling, the reduced charge carrier recombination and promoted charge carrier transfer at the perovskite/HTL interface are the cause of the open‐circuit (Voc) and fill factor (FF) improvement, respectively. This study gives a deep understanding for surface modification of perovskite films from a perspective of the morphology and the function of enhancing photovoltaic performance.
Runoff and drainage trade‐offs from cover crops exposed to freeze–thaw events
Authors: Muñoz‐Ventura Ariana , Christianson Reid D. , Bhattarai Rabin , Christianson Laura E.
Published: December 2022

Winter cover crops are widely promoted for multiple ecosystem services although nutrient leaching from the plant biomass and subsequent transport of those nutrients is possible after freeze–thaw events. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of freeze–thaw conditions on both runoff and drainage or leachate water quality from two common cover crops. Rainfall simulations were performed on packed columns (20 cm diam.; 56 cm length) that included triplicate combinations of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus), and bare soil and a heavy, light, and no freezing treatment. The two cover crops reduced runoff total suspended solids concentrations and nitrate leaching compared with a bare soil control, confirming many cover cropping benefits. The heavy freezing conditions (including two nights of <–15 °C) resulted in significantly higher total phosphorus and nitrate concentrations in both runoff and leachate from the cereal rye, which had been killed, compared with unfrozen cereal rye. Some of the conditions tested in this lab‐scale study could be considered extreme (e.g., 10.1 cm h−1 rainfall × 2 h, −15.7 °C) but these results nonetheless help demonstrate the importance of effective conservation practices for both surface and subsurface flows as well as for multiple water quality parameters in the face of increasing weather variability.
Application of three methods in water‐saving wheat breeding
Authors: Li Qiang , Li Ding , Zhao Minghui , Sun Shuluan , Meng Xianghai , Qiao Wenchen
Published: December 2022

At present, water shortage seriously affects wheat production in many parts of the world, and to solve this problem, water‐saving wheat breeding is an important research domain. The objective of this study was to evaluate water‐saving index (WSI), yield factors, and KASP (kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction) markers in water‐saving wheat breeding carried out in Hengshui region, China. The result showed as follows: (1) The new index WSI could better indicate the water‐saving performance, including the yield potential and the stability of different wheat cultivars under water limited condition (WL). (2) Referring to the degree of heat stress (D) in that year, selecting one of the three yield factors as the focus will improve the breeding efficiency of water‐saving wheat cultivars. With the increase of the D within a certain range, high water‐saving wheat cultivars showed a high grain weight (GW) under WL. Meanwhile with the decreasing of D value, high water‐saving wheat cultivars showed high spike number under WL. (3) KASP aggregation breeding will significantly improve the efficiency of water‐saving breeding. The combination with the highest effective rate of selecting water‐saving varieties carried GS5‐2334‐SNP and Dreb_SNP favorable alleles, and GW2‐6B‐1709SNP, TaMoc‐2433, and 1fehw with adverse alleles, whereas GS5‐2334‐SNP and GW2‐6B‐1709SNP that related to GW were useful markers for water‐saving breeding. These results improved our knowledge on the usage of WSI, yield factors, and KASP markers on water‐saving wheat breeding.
Cognition, function, and prevalent dementia in centenarians and near‐centenarians: An individual participant data (IPD) meta‐analysis of 18 studies
Authors: Leung Yvonne , Barzilai Nir , Batko‐Szwaczka Agnieszka , Beker Nina , Boerner Kathrin , Brayne Carol , Brodaty Henry , Cheung Karen Siu‐Lan , Corrada María M. , Crawford John D. , Galbussera Alessia A. , Gondo Yasuyuki , Holstege Henne , Hulsman Marc , Ishioka Yoshiko Lily , Jopp Daniela , Kawas Claudia H. , Kaye Jeff , Kochan Nicole A. , Lau Bobo Hi‐Po , Lipnicki Darren M. , Lo Jessica W. , Lucca Ugo , Makkar Steve R. , Marcon Gabriella , Martin Peter , Meguro Kenichi , Milman Sofiya , Poon Leonard W. , Recchia Angela , Ribeiro Oscar , Riva Emma , Rott Christoph , Sikkes Sietske AM , Skoog Ingmar , Stephan Blossom , Szewieczek Jan , Teixeira Laetitia , Tettamanti Mauro , Wilczyński Krzysztof , Sachdev Perminder
Published: December 2022

Introduction

There are limited data on prevalence of dementia in centenarians and near‐centenarians (C/NC), its determinants, and whether the risk of dementia continues to rise beyond 100.

Methods

Participant‐level data were obtained from 18 community‐based studies (N = 4427) in 11 countries that included individuals ≥95 years. A harmonization protocol was applied to cognitive and functional impairments, and a meta‐analysis was performed.

Results

The mean age was 98.3 years (SD = 2.67); 79% were women. After adjusting for age, sex, and education, dementia prevalence was 53.2% in women and 45.5% in men, with risk continuing to increase with age. Education (OR 0.95;0.92–0.98) was protective, as was hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 0.51;0.35–0.74) in five studies. Dementia was not associated with diabetes, vision and hearing impairments, smoking, and body mass index (BMI).

Discussion

Among the exceptional old, dementia prevalence remains higher in the older participants. Education was protective against dementia, but other factors for dementia‐free survival in C/NC remain to be understood.
Tunable Latency of Hydrosilylation Catalyst by Ligand Density on Nanoparticle Supports
Authors: Miller Susannah A. , Guironnet Damien
Published: December 2022

Functionalizing inorganic particles with organic ligands is a common technique for heterogenizing organometallic catalysts. We describe how coordinating molecular platinum to silica nanoparticles functionalized with a high density of norbornene ligands causes unexpected latency of the catalytic activity in hydrosilylation reactions when compared to an identical reaction in which the norbornene is not tethered (2 % vs 97 % conversion in 1 h). Performing the hydrosilylation at elevated temperature (70 °C) suppresses this activity delay, suggesting the usefulness of this technique towards temperature‐triggered catalysis. We demonstrate that this latency is related to ligand density on the particle surface, chemical structure of the norbornene, and silica nanoparticle topology. We also establish the benefit of this latency for triggered curing of silicone elastomers. Overall, our work establishes the non‐innocent role of inorganic supports when functionalized with organometallic complexes.
Efficient selective methylene blue adsorption by polyurethane/montmorillonite‐based antifouling electrospun composite membranes
Authors: Kandiyil Juraij , Vasudevan Suni , Athiyanathil Sujith
Published: December 2022

A robust antifouling membrane with pollutant‐removing capacity is in high demand for industrial wastewater treatment. Here, we report a new multifunctional polyurethane/montmorillonite‐oxidized multi‐walled carbon nanotube (PU/MMT) nanofibrous composite membrane, beneficial for both water filtration and selective methylene blue adsorption. It was observed that oxidized multi‐walled carbon nanotube (o‐MWCNT) imparted high flexibility with a high percentage elongation (318%–405%) to the composites, whereas montmorillonite (Mt) improved the hydrophilicity, antifouling property, and dye adsorption capacity of the fibrous PU membrane. The sample with 20 wt% Mt (PU/20‐MMT) showed a minimum water contact angle of 57°. It showed a high water flux, oil rejection, and flux recovery ratio compared to the pristine electrospun PU membrane. The Hermia fouling mechanism suggested that electrospun PU obeyed an intermediate blocking model, whereas PU/20‐MMT was best fitted with a cake formation model. During adsorption, the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) was selectively adsorbed on the sample from a methyl orange/methylene blue (MO/MB) mixture. It showed a maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 112.35 mg/g. The anionic dye methyl orange, on the other hand, remained unadsorbed. The adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherm were pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, respectively. The developed, robust electrospun composite membrane opens a new avenue for the selective adsorption of MB from dye mixtures and contaminated water.
Self‐healing and reprocess of crosslinked polyurethane based on dynamic oxime‐carbamate bond
Authors: Zhang Aiqin , Long Jian , Jia Liang , Gao Qiang , Fan Haojun , Xiang Jun
Published: December 2022

Polymer materials containing oxime‐carbamate bonds show superior self‐healing ability under certain conditions. In this study, a series of dynamic oxime‐carbamate based PU‐D‐x (Polyurethane‐Dimethylglyoxime‐x) with different crosslinking degrees (x indicates the content of crosslinker based on the weight of solid content) were prepared, and the self‐healing together with the reprocessing characteristic was investigated. In situ variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy shows that the dissociation of oxime‐carbamate bonds occurred at 80°C and can be accelerated by the increasing temperature. With relatively lower cross‐linking degrees, these types of PU can be healed at low temperature and in a short time, for example, PU‐D‐0.3 can be completely healed at 80°C in 6 h, and PU‐D‐0.45 can be almost completely healed at 80°C in 9 h. With the increase of cross‐linking degree, the self‐repair of this kind of PU needs to be carried out at higher temperature and needs an extension of time. However, when the temperature increased to 100°C, the self‐healing time is greatly reduced to 3–5 h. Most interestingly, these types of crosslinked PUs showed expected reusing and reprocessing characteristics, even the PU‐D‐1.2 sample with the highest crosslinking degree can be completely reshaped and reprocessed under 120°C and 10 MPa pressure.
A method for the treatment of black tea waste: Converting it into liquid mulching film and solid mulching film
Authors: Sun Wei , Liu Xin , Li Xiang , Wang Shujie , Li Qing , Sun Zhonghua
Published: December 2022

This work was aim to prepare biodegradable mulching film from biomass materials to reduce the environmental pollution caused by plastics. Black tea waste was divided into two parts and combined with degradable materials such as polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose to prepare two degradable mulching films: liquid mulching film (LMF) and solid mulching film (SMF). The optimum formula was developed after studying the effects of various components of degradable mulching film on mechanical properties in both dry and wet circumstances. The properties of LMF and SMF were characterized and tested by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), light transmittance test, contact angle test, water resistance test, artificial accelerated aging test, and degradation performance test. The results demonstrated that LMF and SMF had good mechanical properties, resistance to ultraviolet light, water resistance, aging resistance, and biodegradation. Using tea waste to prepare mulching film material has the advantages of no pollution, easy biodegradation, and good biocompatibility.
The effect of alcoholic solutions on the thermomechanical properties of immersed poly(lactic acid) films
Authors: Xu Dian , Auras Rafael A. , Sonchaeng Uruchaya , Rubino Maria , Lim Loong‐Tak
Published: December 2022

The effects of aqueous and deuterium oxide (D2O) solutions of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, 2‐propanol, and 1‐butanol) on the thermomechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)—PLA—films were assessed by dynamic mechanical analysis. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA films immersed in 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (v/v) alcoholic solutions were compared with the Tg of films immersed in 100% water and D2O. The Tg of PLA films immersed in methanol and ethanol aqueous solutions decreased as the concentration of the alcohol solutions increased. For methanol and ethanol, the Tg decreased by 8.6 and 7.6°C per 25% (v/v) increase in alcohol, respectively. When the PLA films were immersed in propanol aqueous solutions and butanol, the Tg reached the lowest value at 75% (v/v) and 100% (v/v), respectively. Tg of PLA films immersed in 1‐propanol and 2‐propanol decreased by 8.6 and 8.9°C for every 25% increase in propanol before reaching the minimum value, respectively. Aqueous and D2O solutions had similar effects on Tg. Selective studies of crystallinity evolution, ethanol sorption, degree of swelling, and Hansen solubility parameters of PLA were conducted. This work assists in developing PLA films intended for contact with aqueous‐alcoholic solutions.
Characterizing restricted and unusual interests in autistic youth
Authors: Spackman Emily , Smillie Luke D. , Frazier Thomas W. , Hardan Antonio Y. , Alvares Gail A. , Whitehouse Andrew , Uljarević Mirko
Published: December 2022

A broad range of interests characterized by unusual content and/or intensity, labeled as circumscribed interests (CI), are a core diagnostic feature of autism. Recent evidence suggests that a distinction can be drawn between interests that, although characterized by unusually high intensity and/or inflexibility, are otherwise common in terms of their content (e.g., an interest in movies or animals), labeled as restricted interests (RI), and interests that are generally not salient outside of autism (e.g., an interest in traffic lights or categorization), labeled as unusual interests (UI). The current study aimed to further characterize RI and UI by exploring their association with age, sex, IQ, and social motivation, as well as to examine differences in the adaptive benefits and negative impacts of these two subdomains. Parents of 1892 autistic children and adolescents (Mage = 10.82, SDage = 4.14; 420 females) completed an online survey including the Dimensional Assessment of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and the Social Communication Questionnaire. Both RI and UI were found to be highly frequent. Sex‐based differences were observed in the content, but not intensity, of CI such that females were more likely to show interests with a social component. Finally, RI and UI showed distinct patterns of association with age, sex, IQ, and social motivation, as well as metrics of adaptive benefits and negative impacts. Findings afford a more nuanced understanding of sex‐based differences in CI and, crucially, provide preliminary evidence that RI and UI represent distinct constructs that should be studied independently in future research.
Hsa‐circ‐0052001 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion via the MAPK pathway
Authors: Xu Qixuan , Yao Yizhou , Ni Haishun , Gu Jinrong , Wang Xuchao , Jiang Linhua , Wang Bin , Zhu Xinguo
Published: December 2022

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fourth among the causes of death from malignant tumors in the world. Studies have implicated the dysregulation of circRNAs with GC. However, the relationship between hsa‐circ‐0052001 and GC is unclear.

Methods

In our current study, we assessed the expression levels of hsa‐circ‐0052001 in GC cells and tissues using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The role of hsa‐circ‐0052001 expression on the proliferation and invasion of GC cells was assessed using in vitro experiments. The role of hsa‐circ‐0052001 on the proliferation of GC cells was also analyzed using in vivo models. The pathways downstream of hsa‐circ‐0052001 were identified using bioinformatics analyses, western blot (WB) assays, and qRT‐PCR.

Results

We found that compared with normal gastric mucosa epithelial cells and adjacent paracancer tissues, hsa‐circ‐0052001 was overexpressed in GC cells and tissues. Also, the hsa‐circ‐0052001 level was linked to patient clinicopathological characteristics of GC. Cell proliferation and metastatic ability were inhibited in gastric cancer cells when hsa‐circ‐0052001 was knocked down in vitro and cancer growth in vivo. Mechanistically, hsa‐circ‐0052001 promoted the carcinogenesis of GC cells via the MAPK signal pathway.

Conclusion

Hsa‐circ‐0052001 functions as a tumor gene in promoting the progression of GC through MAPK pathway, which has provided a promising target for patients with GC.
Transcriptional upregulation of CXCL13 is correlated with a favorable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Park Sehhoon , Cha Hongui , Kim Hong Sook , Lee Boram , Kim Soyeon , Kim Tae Min , Jung Hyu Ae , Sun Jong‐Mu , Ahn Jin Seok , Ahn Myung‐Ju , Park Keunchil , Park Woong‐Yang , Lee Se‐Hoon
Published: December 2022

Background

The chemokine CXCL13 is known to influence local anti‐tumor immunity by recruiting immune cells and forming tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). It has been hypothesized that TLS, led by the expression of CXCL13, could be a predictive or prognostic biomarker for immunotherapy. We investigated the predictive value of CXCL13 to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We constructed an exploratory dataset (n = 63) and a validation dataset (n = 57) in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with ICI. Based on the clinical response, the difference in gene expression profile, including CXCL13, was evaluated.

Results

From the exploratory dataset, CXCL13 expression was significantly upregulated in the ICI responders (p = 0.002). Survival analysis using a cut‐off value of the median expression value of CXCL13 showed prolonged progression‐free survival (PFS) (p = 0.004) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.007). CXCL13 expression was correlated with other immune response genes, such as GZMA, CD8A, IFNG, PRF1, TLS‐related gene sets and its receptor, CXCR5. Notably, subgroup analyses based on CXCL13 expression and CD8A showed that CXCL13‐upregulated patients demonstrated comparably prolonged survival regardless of CD8A expression. In the validation dataset, CXCL13 upregulation also demonstrated a significant prolongation of both PFS (p = 0.050) and OS (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

We observed that CXCL13 upregulation is correlated to better ICI response in lung adenocarcinoma. Our results support that CXCL13 could be an important chemokine in shaping the immunoactive tumor microenvironment which affects the anti‐tumor effect of ICI.
An integrative review of the person‐centred and experiential therapy literature on delivering individual video counselling and psychotherapy
Authors: Rodgers Brian , Tudor Keith , Sutherland Andrew
Published: December 2022

Based on an integrative review of the relevant literature in and on person‐centred and experiential (PCE) therapy, this study identifies and discusses the findings of 13 articles on the delivery of individual video counselling and psychotherapy. Six overarching themes were identified: the discrepancy of the experiences of clients and practitioners; the possibility of good‐quality PCE therapy (psychotherapy and/or counselling); “doing” PCE therapy online; “being” online; the role of technology; and implications for training and practice. It is suggested that all these have implications for ongoing practice and education/training, and need to be considered by practitioners, educators/trainers, and professional bodies.
Photoclick and Release: Co‐activation of Carbon Monoxide and a Fluorescent Self‐reporter, COS or Sulfonamide with Fast Kinetics
Authors: Liu Miao , Wang Yuhan , Yan Zhicheng , Yang Jiabin , Wu Yongyou , Ding Dawei , Ji Xingyue
Published: December 2022

Bioorthogonal prodrugs with both fast reaction kinetics and multiple outputs are highly desirable but are only found sporadically. Herein, we report a novel photoclick‐and‐release strategy for the co‐activation of carbon monoxide and a self‐reporter, carbonyl sulfide, or sulfonamide with fast reaction kinetics (k: 1.4–22.6 M−1 s−1). Such a photoclick‐and‐release strategy was successfully applied in live cells to deliver carbon monoxide and a fluorescent self‐reporter, both of which exhibited pronounced antiproliferative activity against 4T1 cancer cells. It is conceivable that this photoclick‐and‐release strategy could find applications in other fields, in which a controlled bond cleavage is preferred.
In situ X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Homogeneous Conditions Reveals Interactions Between CO2 and a Doubly and Triply Reduced Iron(III) Porphyrin, then Leading to Catalysis
Authors: Mendoza Daniela , Dong Si‐Thanh , Kostopoulos Nikolaos , Pinty Victor , Rivada‐Wheelaghan Orestes , Anxolabéhère‐Mallart Elodie , Robert Marc , Lassalle‐Kaiser Benedikt
Published: December 2022

Iron porphyrins are attractive catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), owing to their high activity and selectivity while being tunable through ligand functionalization. Iron tetraphenyl porphyrin (FeTPP) is the simplest of them, and its catalytic behavior toward CO2 has been studied for decades. Although kinetic information is available, spectroscopic signatures are lacking to describe intermediate species along the catalytic cycle. In situ UV‐Visible and X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) were used to monitor the local and electronic structure of FeTPP homogeneously dissolved in dimethyl formamide (DMF) under reductive potentials. The Fe(III) starting species was identified, together with its one, two and three electron‐reduced counterparts under both argon and CO2 atmospheres. Under argon, the second and third reductions lead to species with electronic density shared between the metal and the porphyrin backbone. In the presence of CO2 and with a low amount of protons, the doubly and triply reduced species interact with CO2 at the metallic site. In light of these results, an electronic structure for a key intermediate along the catalytic cycle of the CO2‐to‐CO reduction reaction is proposed.
Chemoselective Methionine Labelling of Recombinant Trastuzumab Shows High In Vitro and In Vivo Tumour Targeting
Authors: Hashad Rania A. , Jap Edwina , Casey Joanne L. , Candace Ho Y. T. , Wright Alexander , Thalmann Claudia , Sleeman Mark , Lupton David W. , Hagemeyer Christoph E. , Cryle Max J. , Robert Remy , Alt Karen
Published: December 2022

A highly effective 2‐step system for site‐specific antibody modification and conjugation of the monoclonal antibody Herceptin (commercially available under Trastuzumab) in a cysteine‐independent manner was used to generate labelled antibodies for in vivo imaging. The first step contains redox‐activated chemical tagging (ReACT) of thioethers via engineered methionine residues to introduce specific alkyne moieties, thereby offering a novel easy way to fundamentally change the process of antibody bioconjugation. The second step involves modification of the introduced alkyne via azide‐alkyne cycloaddition ′click′ conjugation. The versatility of this 2‐step approach is demonstrated here by the selective incorporation of a fluorescent dye but can also be applied to a wide variety of different conjugation partners depending on the desired application in a facile manner. Methionine‐modified antibodies were characterised in vitro, and the diagnostic potential of the most promising variant was further analysed in an in vivo xenograft animal model using a fluorescence imaging modality. This study demonstrates how methionine‐mediated antibody conjugation offers an orthogonal and versatile route to the generation of tailored antibody conjugates with in vivo applicability.
Yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C Nanocomposites as a Heterogeneous Fenton‐like Catalyst for Organic Dye Removal
Authors: Yang Ruixia , Peng Qiaohong , Ahmed Adeel , Gao Fengyuan , Yu Bing , Shen Youqing , Cong Hailin
Published: December 2022

The yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites with Co3O4 as the core, Fe3O4/C as the shell, and a cavity structure were synthesized by the hard template method. The physical and chemical properties of the composites were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, XPS, BET, and VSM. The specific surface area of yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites is 175.9 m2 g−1, showing superparamagnetic properties. The yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites were used as heterogeneous Fenton catalysts to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade MB, which showed high catalytic degradation performance. The degradation rate of MB reached 100 % within 30 min under the circumstances of the yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites dosage of 0.1 g L−1, the PMS dosage of 1.0 g L−1, the initial MB concentration of 100 mg L−1, an initial pH of 5.5, and a temperature of 30±2 °C. The enhanced catalytic performance of the yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the two catalytically active materials and the middle cavity. The effects of different operating parameters and co‐existing anion species on MB degradation were also investigated. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and quenching experiments confirmed that the formation of SO4⋅− in the yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C/PMS system contributes to MB degradation. In addition, yolk‐shell Co3O4@Fe3O4/C nanocomposites can be easily separated from the pollutant solution under the action of an external magnetic field, and the degradation rate of MB can still reach 98 % after five cycles, indicating that it has good stability and reusability and has broad application prospects in the field of water purification.
RGD Peptidomimetic MMAE‐Conjugate Addressing Integrin αVβ3‐Expressing Cells with High Targeting Index**
Authors: Paulus Jannik , Nachtigall Beate , Meyer Peter , Sewald Norbert
Published: December 2022

Small molecule‐drug conjugates (SMDCs) mimicking the RGD sequence (‐Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐) with a non‐peptide moiety require a pharmacophore‐independent attachment site. A library of 36 sulfonamide‐modified RGD mimetics with nM to pM affinity for integrin αVβ3 was synthesized and analysed via DAD mapping. The best structure of the conjugable RGD mimetic was used and a linker was attached to an aromatic ring by Negishi cross‐coupling. The product retained high affinity and selectivity for integrin αVβ3. The conjugable RGD mimetic was then attached to an enzymatically cleavable GKGEVA linker equipped with a self‐immolative PABC and the antimitotic drug monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). The resulting SMDC preferred binding to integrin αVβ3 over α5β1 in a ratio of 1 : 4519 (ELISA) and showed selectivity for αVβ3‐positive WM115 cells over αVβ3‐negative M21‐L cells in the in vitro cell adhesion assay as well as in cell viability assays with a targeting index of 134 (M21‐L/WM115).
Green‐Emissive Copper Nanocluster with Aggregation‐Enhanced Emission for Selective Detection of Al3+
Authors: Zhang Yi , Lu Zhangdi , Feng Anrui , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Wang Zhenguang , Shi Yu‐e , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: December 2022

Selective detection of Al3+ is of great significance both for the benefit of human health and environmental safety considerations. In this work, a sensitive and selective fluorescence assay for Al3+ was proposed based on the green‐emissive Cu nanoclusters (Cu NCs). Different from the commonly reported works, the green emissive Cu NCs showed dual emission bands at 450 and 510 nm, attributed to the reaction product between polyvinyl pyrrolidone and ascorbic acid and the Cu core, respectively. Al3+ could induce the aggregation of Cu NCs by forming covalent bonds, which results in the enhancement of photoluminescence intensity. This enhancement phenomenon is rather selective to Al3+, which endows the detection in real samples. These results provide new insights for the fluorescence mechanisms of metal NCs, which also provided a functional luminescent material for various applications, such as chemical sensing, bioimaging and photoelectric devices.