bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world gait speed estimation, frailty and handgrip strength: a cohort-based study
Authors: Soltani Abolfazl , Abolhassani Nazanin , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Aminian Kamiar , Vollenweider Peter , Paraschiv-Ionescu Anisoara
Published: September 2021

Gait speed is a reliable outcome measure across multiple diagnoses, recognized as the 6th vital sign. The focus of the present study was on assessment of gait speed in long-term real-life settings with the aim to: (1) demonstrate feasibility in large cohort studies, using data recorded with a wrist-worn accelerometer device; (2) investigate whether the walking speed assessed in the real-world is consistent with expected trends, and associated with clinical scores such as frailty/handgrip strength. This cross-sectional study included n = 2809 participants (1508 women, 1301 men, [45–75] years old), monitored with a wrist-worn device for 13 consecutive days. Validated algorithms were used to detect the gait bouts and estimate speed. A set of metrics were derived from the statistical distribution of speed of gait bouts categorized by duration (short, medium, long). The estimated usual gait speed (1–1.6 m/s) appears consistent with normative values and expected trends with age, gender, BMI and physical activity levels. Speed metrics significantly improved detection of frailty: AUC increase from 0.763 (no speed metrics) to 0.798, 0.800 and 0.793 for the 95th percentile of individual’s gait speed for bout durations < 30, 30–120 and > 120 s, respectively (all p < 0.001). Similarly, speed metrics also improved the prediction of handgrip strength: AUC increase from 0.669 (no speed metrics) to 0.696, 0.696 and 0.691 for the 95th percentile of individual’s gait speed for bout durations < 30, 30–120 and > 120 s, respectively (all p < 0.001). Forward stepwise regression showed that the 95th percentile speed of gait bouts with medium duration (30–120 s) to be the best predictor for both conditions. The study provides evidence that real-world gait speed can be estimated using a wrist-worn wearable system, and can be used as reliable indicator of age-related functional decline.
Factors associated with the difference between the incidence and case-fatality ratio of coronavirus disease 2019 by country
Authors: Kim Jeehyun , Hong Kwan , Yum Sujin , Gómez Gómez Raquel Elizabeth , Jang Jieun , Park Sun Hee , Choe Young June , Ryu Sukhyun , Park Dae Won , Lee Young Seok , Lee Heeyoung , Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Dong-Hyun , Chun Byung Chul
Published: September 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been spreading all over the world; however, its incidence and case-fatality ratio differ greatly between countries and between continents. We investigated factors associated with international variation in COVID-19 incidence and case-fatality ratio (CFR) across 107 northern hemisphere countries, using publicly available COVID-19 outcome data as of 14 September 2020. We included country-specific geographic, demographic, socio-economic features, global health security index (GHSI), healthcare capacity, and major health behavior indexes in multivariate models to explain this variation. Multiple linear regression highlighted that incidence was associated with ethnic region (p < 0.05), global health security index 4 (GHSI4) (beta coefficient [β] 0.50, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.14–0.87), population density (β 0.35, 95% CI 0.10–0.60), and water safety level (β 0.51, 95% CI 0.19–0.84). The CFR was associated with ethnic region (p < 0.05), GHSI4 (β 0.53, 95% CI 0.14–0.92), proportion of population over 65 (β 0.71, 95% CI 0.19–1.24), international tourism receipt level (β − 0.23, 95% CI − 0.43 to − 0.03), and the number of physicians (β − 0.37, 95% CI − 0.69 to − 0.06). Ethnic region was the most influential factor for both COVID-19 incidence (partial $${R}^{2}$$

R

2

 = 0.545) and CFR (partial $${R}^{2}$$

R

2

 = 0.372), even after adjusting for various confounding factors.
Predicting medication adherence using ensemble learning and deep learning models with large scale healthcare data
Authors: Gu Yingqi , Zalkikar Akshay , Liu Mingming , Kelly Lara , Hall Amy , Daly Kieran , Ward Tomas
Published: September 2021

Clinical studies from WHO have demonstrated that only 50–70% of patients adhere properly to prescribed drug therapy. Such adherence failure can impact therapeutic efficacy for the patients in question and compromises data quality around the population-level efficacy of the drug for the indications targeted. In this study, we applied various ensemble learning and deep learning models to predict medication adherence among patients. Our contribution to this endeavour involves targeting the problem of adherence prediction for a particularly challenging class of patients who self-administer injectable medication at home. Our prediction pipeline, based on event history, comprises a connected sharps bin which aims to help patients better manage their condition and improve outcomes. In other words, the efficiency of interventions can be significantly improved by prioritizing the patients who are most likely to be non-adherent. The collected data comprising a rich event feature set may be exploited for the purposes of predicting the status of the next adherence state for individual patients. This paper reports on how this concept can be realized through an investigation using a wide range of ensemble learning and deep learning models on a real-world dataset collected from such a system. The dataset investigated comprises 342,174 historic injection disposal records collected over the course of more than 5 years. A comprehensive comparison of different models is given in this paper. Moreover, we demonstrate that the selected best performer, long short-term memory (LSTM), generalizes well by deploying it in a true future testing dataset. The proposed end-to-end pipeline is capable of predicting patient failure in adhering to their therapeutic regimen with 77.35 % accuracy (Specificity: 78.28 %, Sensitivity: 76.42%, Precision: 77.87%,F1 score: 0.7714, ROC AUC: 0.8390).
Proteomic characterization of primary and metastatic prostate cancer reveals reduced proteinase activity in aggressive tumors
Authors: Li Qing Kay , Chen Jing , Hu Yingwei , Höti Naseruddin , Lih Tung-Shing Mamie , Thomas Stefani N. , Chen Li , Roy Sujayita , Meeker Alan , Shah Punit , Chen Lijun , Bova G. Steven , Zhang Bai , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2021

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous group of tumors with variable clinical courses. In order to improve patient outcomes, it is critical to clinically separate aggressive PCa (AG) from non-aggressive PCa (NAG). Although recent genomic studies have identified a spectrum of molecular abnormalities associated with aggressive PCa, it is still challenging to separate AG from NAG. To better understand the functional consequences of PCa progression and the unique features of the AG subtype, we studied the proteomic signatures of primary AG, NAG and metastatic PCa. 39 PCa and 10 benign prostate controls in a discovery cohort and 57 PCa in a validation cohort were analyzed using a data-independent acquisition (DIA) SWATH–MS platform. Proteins with the highest variances (top 500 proteins) were annotated for the pathway enrichment analysis. Functional analysis of differentially expressed proteins in NAG and AG was performed. Data was further validated using a validation cohort; and was also compared with a TCGA mRNA expression dataset and confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using PCa tissue microarray (TMA). 4,415 proteins were identified in the tumor and benign control tissues, including 158 up-regulated and 116 down-regulated proteins in AG tumors. A functional analysis of tumor-associated proteins revealed reduced expressions of several proteinases, including dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and prostate specific antigen (KLK3) in AG and metastatic PCa. A targeted analysis further identified that the reduced expression of DPP4 was associated with the accumulation of DPP4 substrates and the reduced ratio of DPP4 cleaved peptide to intact substrate peptide. Findings were further validated using an independently-collected tumor cohort, correlated with a TCGA mRNA dataset, and confirmed by immunohistochemical stains of PCa tumor microarray (TMA). Our study is the first large-scale proteomics analysis of PCa tissue using a DIA SWATH-MS platform. It provides not only an interrogative proteomic signature of PCa subtypes, but also indicates the critical roles played by certain proteinases during tumor progression. The spectrum map and protein profile generated in the study can be used to investigate potential biological mechanisms involved in PCa and for the development of a clinical assay to distinguish aggressive from indolent PCa.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of response to an emergent yellow-flower disease in green Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum schinifolium)
Authors: Xu Fan , Meng Qian , Suo Xiaodong , Xie Yonghong , Cheng Yueqing , Luo Ming
Published: September 2021

Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum) is extensively used as spice and traditional medicine in eastern Asian countries. Recently, an emergent yellow-flower disease (YFD) break out in green Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum schinifolium, Qinghuajiao in Chinese) at Chongqing municipality, and then leads to a sharp reduction in the yield of Qinghuajiao, and thus results in great economic losses for farmers. To address the molecular response for the emergent YFD of Qinghuajiao, we analyzed the transcriptome of 12 samples including the leaves and inflorescences of asymptomatic and symptomatic plants from three different towns at Chongqing by high-throughput RNA-Seq technique. A total of 126,550 genes and 229,643 transcripts were obtained, and 21,054 unigenes were expressed in all 12 samples. There were 56 and 164 different expressed genes (DEGs) for the AL_vs_SL (asymptomatic leaf vs symptomatic leaf) and AF_vs_SF (asymptomatic flower vs symptomatic flower) groups, respectively. The results of KEGG analysis showed that the “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” pathway that related to plant–pathogen interaction were found in AL_vs_SL and AF_vs_SF groups, and the “Plant–pathogen interaction” found in AF_vs_SF group, implying that this Qinghuajiao YFD might cause by plant pathogen. Interestingly, we detected 33 common unigenes for the 2 groups, and almost these unigenes were up-regulated in the symptomatic plants. Moreover, most of which were homologs to virus RNA, the components of viruses, implying that this YFD was related to virus. Our results provided a primary molecular basis for the prevention and treatment of YFD of Qinghuajiao trees.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship program in a long-term care facility by assessment of appropriateness
Authors: Cantudo-Cuenca María Rosa , Jimenez-Morales Alberto , Martínez-de la Plata Juan Enrique
Published: September 2021

Antimicrobials are the most frequently prescribed drugs in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are coordinated interventions promoting the responsible use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes and reduce antibiotic resistant bacterias. The objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF, to characterise antibiotic therapy and assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a LTCF. Antibiotic prescriptions for suspected infections initiated in any setting for LTCF residents were included. We assessed appropriateness and prospective audits and feedback of each inappropriate antimicrobial prescription were carried out. Associations of variables with appropriate antibiotic prescribing were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 416 antibiotic prescriptions were included. The mean consumption of antibiotics was reduced from 63.2 defined daily doses per 1000 residents-days (DRD) in the preintervention period to 22.8 in the intervention period (− 63.8%), with a signifcant drop in fluoroquinolones (81.4%). Overall, 46.6% of antibiotic prescriptions were judged inappropriate, mainly because of a use not recommended in treatment guidelines (63.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that empirical therapy, some classes of antibiotics (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin calcium, macrolides) and prescription initiation in the emergency department were independent predictors of antimicrobial inappropriateness. Pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics by improving appropriateness of treatment decisions. However, ASP should include interventions in the emergency department because of the high inappropriate use in this setting.
Visibility matters during wayfinding in the vertical
Authors: Gath-Morad Michal , Thrash Tyler , Schicker Julia , Hölscher Christoph , Helbing Dirk , Aguilar Melgar Leonel Enrique
Published: September 2021

Visibility is the degree to which different parts of the environment can be observed from a given vantage point. In the absence of previous familiarity or signage, the visibility of key elements in a multilevel environment (e.g., the entrance, exit, or the destination itself) becomes a primary input to make wayfinding decisions and avoid getting lost. Previous research has focused on memory-based wayfinding and mental representation of 3D space, but few studies have investigated the direct effects of visibility on wayfinding. Moreover, to our knowledge, there are no studies that have explicitly observed the interaction between visibility and wayfinding under uncertainty in a multilevel environment. To bridge this gap, we studied how the visibility of destinations, as well as the continuity of sight-lines along the vertical dimension, affects unaided and goal-directed wayfinding behavior in a multilevel desktop Virtual Reality (VR) study. We obtained results from a total of 69 participants. Each participant performed a total of 24 wayfinding trials in a multilevel environment. Results showcase a significant and nonlinear correlation between the visibility of destinations and wayfinding behavioral characteristics. Specifically, once the destination was in sight, regardless of whether it was highly or barely visible, participants made an instantaneous decision to switch floors and move up towards the destination. In contrast, if the destination was out-of-sight, participants performed ‘visual exploration’, indicated by an increase in vertical head movements and greater time taken to switch floors. To demonstrate the direct applicability of this fundamental wayfinding behavioral pattern, we formalize these results by modeling a visibility-based cognitive agent. Our results show that by modeling the transition between exploration and exploitation as a function of visibility, cognitive agents were able to replicate human wayfinding patterns observed in the desktop VR study. This simple demonstration shows the potential of extending our main findings concerning the nonlinear relationship between visibility and wayfinding to inform the modeling of human cognition.
Identification of the phase composition of solid microparticles in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis using Raman microspectroscopy
Authors: Čabanová Kristina , Motyka Oldřich , Bielniková Hana , Čábalová Lenka , Handlos Petr , Zabiegaj Dominika , Zeleník Karol , Dvořáčková Jana , Komínek Pavel , Heviánková Silvie , Havlíček Miroslav , Kukutschová Jana
Published: September 2021

Solid particles, predominantly in micron and submicron sizes, have repeatedly been observed as a threat to a human health unique compared to the other textures of the same materials. In this work, the hypothesis the solid metal-based particles play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was investigated in patients who had not responded positively to medication. In the group of 40 randomly selected patients indicated for surgical mucotomy, the presence of solid micro- and submicron particles present in their nasal mucosa was assessed. For comparison, a set of 13 reference samples from patients without diagnosed chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was evaluated. The analysis was performed using Raman microspectroscopy. The advantage of this method is the direct identification of compounds. The main detected compounds in the mucosa samples of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis were TiO2, carbon-based compounds, CaCO3, Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2 MgCO3, Fe2O3, BaSO4, FeCO3 and compounds of Al and Si, all of which may pose a health risk to a living organism. In the reference samples, only TiO2 and amorphous carbon were found. In the control group mucosa, a significantly lower presence of most of the assessed compounds was found despite the longer time they had to accumulate them due to their higher mean age. Identification and characterisation of such chemicals compounds in a living organism could contribute to the overall picture of the health of the individual and lead to a better understanding of the possible causes not only in the chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, but also in other mucosal and idiopathic diseases.
Dizziness in Parkinson’s disease patients is associated with vestibular function
Authors: Park Jeong-Ho , Kang Suk Yun
Published: September 2021

Dizziness is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. It is known that orthostatic hypotension (OH) is the main cause of such dizziness, but even without OH, quite a few PD patients complain of dizziness in the clinic. It can be regarded as non-specific because most of these patients have no neurological abnormalities. We hypothesized that this type of dizziness would be associated with vestibular function, although included patients did not have clinically confirmed vestibulopathy. We studied 84 patients without OH among 121 PD patients. Their clinical features and function were compared between patients with and without dizziness. Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y stage), the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), education years, disease duration, total levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), the presence of dizziness, the dizziness severity, and orthostatic hypotension were tested. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) were used to characterize vestibular function. Ocular (oVEMPs) and cervical (cVEMPs) were recorded. oVEMPs in the right side showed significantly reduced potentials (p = 0.016) in PD patients with dizziness, but cVEMPs did not (all ps > 0.2). Bilateral absent oVEMP responses were more common in PD patients with dizziness (p = 0.022), but the frequencies of bilateral absent cVEMP responses were not different between the dizzy and non-dizzy groups (p = 0.898). Dizziness in PD patients without orthostatic hypotension may be associated with vestibular hypofunction. Our results provide evidence that can aid clinicians when making a treatment plan for patients with dizziness. i.e., strategies to enhance reduced vestibular function may be helpful, but this suggestion remains to be evaluated.
Effect of 2.5D haptic feedback on virtual object perception via a stylus
Authors: Kim Gyuwon , Hwang Donghyun , Park Jaeyoung
Published: September 2021

As touch screen technologies advanced, a digital stylus has become one of the essential accessories for a smart device. However, most of the digital styluses so far provide limited tactile feedback to a user. Therefore we focused on the limitation and noted the potential that a digital stylus may offer the sensation of realistic interaction with virtual environments on a touch screen using a 2.5D haptic system. Thus, we developed a haptic stylus with SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) and a 2.5D haptic rendering algorithm to provide lateral skin-stretch feedback to mimic the interaction force between fingertip and a stylus probing over a bumpy surface. We conducted two psychophysical experiments to evaluate the effect of 2.5D haptic feedback on the perception of virtual object geometry. Experiment 1 investigated the human perception of virtual bump size felt via the proposed lateral skin-stretch stylus and a vibrotactile stylus as reference. Experiment 2 tested the participants’ ability to count the number of virtual bumps rendered via the two types of haptic styluses. The results of Experiment 1 indicate that the participants felt the size of virtual bumps rendered with lateral skin-stretch stylus significantly sensitively than the vibrotactile stylus. Similarly, the participants counted the number of virtual bumps rendered with the lateral skin-stretch stylus significantly better than with the vibrotactile stylus. A common result of the two experiments is a significantly longer mean trial time for the skin-stretch stylus than the vibrotactile stylus.
Specialization directs habitat selection responses to a top predator in semiaquatic but not aquatic taxa
Authors: Šigutová Hana , Harabiš Filip , Šigut Martin , Vojar Jiří , Choleva Lukáš , Dolný Aleš
Published: September 2021

Habitat selectivity has become an increasingly acknowledged mechanism shaping the structure of freshwater communities; however, most studies have focused on the effect of predators and competitors, neglecting habitat complexity and specialization. In this study, we examined the habitat selection of semiaquatic (amphibians: Bufonidae; odonates: Libellulidae) and aquatic organisms (true bugs: Notonectidae; diving beetles: Dytiscidae). From each family, we selected one habitat generalist species able to coexist with fish (Bufo bufo,Sympetrum sanguineum,Notonecta glauca,Dytiscus marginalis) and one species specialized in fishless habitats (Bufotes viridis,Sympetrum danae,Notonecta obliqua,Acilius sulcatus). In a mesocosm experiment, we quantified habitat selection decisions in response to the non-consumptive presence of fish (Carassius auratus) and vegetation structure mimicking different successional stages of aquatic habitats (no macrophytes; submerged and floating macrophytes; submerged, floating, and littoral-emergent macrophytes). No congruence between habitat specialists and generalists was observed, but a similar response to fish and vegetation structure defined both semiaquatic and aquatic organisms. While semiaquatic generalists did not distinguish between fish and fishless pools, specialists avoided fish-occupied pools and had a preferred vegetation structure. In aquatic taxa, predator presence affected habitat selection only in combination with vegetation structure, and all species preferred fishless pools with floating and submerged macrophytes. Fish presence triggered avoidance only in the generalist bugN. glauca. Our results highlight the significance of habitat selectivity for structuring freshwater ecosystems and illustrate how habitat selection responses to a top predator are dictated by specialization and life history.
On-target IgG hexamerisation driven by a C-terminal IgM tail-piece fusion variant confers augmented complement activation
Authors: Sopp Joshua M. , Peters Shirley J. , Rowley Tania F. , Oldham Robert J. , James Sonya , Mockridge Ian , French Ruth R. , Turner Alison , Beers Stephen A. , Humphreys David P. , Cragg Mark S.
Published: September 2021

The majority of depleting monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs elicit responses via Fc-FcγR and Fc-C1q interactions. Optimal C1q interaction is achieved through hexameric Fc:Fc interactions at the target cell surface. Herein is described an approach to exploit the tailpiece of the naturally multimeric IgM to augment hexamerisation of IgG. Fusion of the C-terminal tailpiece of IgM promoted spontaneous hIgG hexamer formation, resulting in enhanced C1q recruitment and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) but with off-target complement activation and reduced in-vivo efficacy. Mutation of the penultimate tailpiece cysteine to serine (C575S) ablated spontaneous hexamer formation, but facilitated reversible hexamer formation after concentration in solution. C575S mutant tailpiece antibodies displayed increased complement activity only after target binding, in-line with the concept of ‘on-target hexamerisation’, whilst retaining efficient in-vivo efficacy and augmented target cell killing in the lymph node. Hence, C575S-tailpiece technology represents an alternative format for promoting on-target hexamerisation and enhanced CDC.
Through-container quantitative analysis of hand sanitizers using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Gupta Nirzari , Rodriguez Jason D. , Yilmaz Huzeyfe
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic created an increased demand for hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizers. In response, a large number of new domestic or imported hand sanitizer products entered the US market. Some of these products were later found to be out of specification. Here, to quickly assess the quality of the hand sanitizer products, a quantitative, through-container screening method was developed for rapid and non-destructive screening. Using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) and support vector regression (SVR), active ingredients (e.g., type of alcohol) of 173 commercial and in-house products were identified and quantified regardless of the container material or opacity. Alcohol content in hand sanitizer formulations were predicted with high accuracy $$(R^2\, > \,0.98)$$

(

R

2

>

0.98

)

using SVR and $$94\%$$
94
%
of the substandard test samples were identified. In sum, a SORS-SVR method was developed and used for testing medical countermeasures used against COVID-19, demonstrating a potential for high-volume testing during public health threats.
Moisture tolerant solar cells by encapsulating 3D perovskite with long-chain alkylammonium cation-based 2D perovskite
Authors: Kore Bhushan P. , Zhang Wei , Hoogendoorn Billy W. , Safdari Majid , Gardner James M.
Published: September 2021

Long-term stability is an essential requirement for perovskite solar cells to be commercially viable. Encapsulating 3D perovskites with 2D perovskite structures is an effective strategy for improving resistance to moisture. However, long-chain alkylammonium cation-based 2D perovskites have been rarely studied in solar cells. Here, we study three different alkyl chain length organic cation-based 2D perovskite coatings for 3D perovskites. The 2D perovskite incorporated solar cells show significant improvement in solar cell stability with limited compromise in solar cell efficiency, with the longest alkyl chain length sample showing only a 20% drop in power conversion efficiency after 6 months at a relative humidity of 25-80%, and could be completely immersed in water for a few minutes before degradation started. The 2D perovskite coating also mitigated non-radiative recombination in the light-absorbing 3D perovskite, leading to an enhancement in the open circuit voltage. These findings suggest that long-chain alkylammonium cation based 2D perovskites can improve the environmental stability of 3D based perovskites without significant losses to device performance.
Lanthanide–tetrapyrrole complexes: synthesis, redox chemistry, photophysical properties, and photonic applications
Authors: Chan Wai-Lun , Xie Chen , Lo Wai-Sum , Bünzli Jean-Claude G. , Wong Wai-Kwok , Wong Ka-Leung
Published: September 2021

Tetrapyrrole derivatives such as porphyrins, phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, and porpholactones, are highly stable macrocyclic compounds playing crucial roles in biophotonics and biomedicine and are presently at the centre of stunning new applications.
Decellularised extracellular matrix decorated PCL PolyHIPE scaffolds for enhanced cellular activity, integration and angiogenesis
Authors: Dikici Serkan , Aldemir Dikici Betül , MacNeil Sheila , Claeyssens Frederik
Published: September 2021

Decellularisation ofin vitrogenerated extracellular matrix (ECM) provides an effective way to stimulate angiogenesis and wound healing.
Effects of X-ray, electron beam and gamma irradiation on PE/EVOH/PE multilayer film properties
Authors: Girard-Perier Nina , Claeys-Bruno Magalie , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Dupuy Nathalie , Gaston Fanny , Dorey Samuel
Published: September 2021

X-ray, e-beam and gamma irradiation (<50 kGy) do not alter thermal properties while oxidation is twice less for e-beam.
Counting molecules in nano test tubes: a method for determining the activation parameters of thermally driven reactions through direct imaging
Authors: Fung Kayleigh L. Y. , Skowron Stephen T. , Allen Christopher S. , Khlobystov Andrei N.
Published: September 2021

A methodology for measuring activation parameters of a thermally driven chemical reaction by direct imaging and counting reactant molecules has been developed.
A soluble iron(ii)-phthalocyanine-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)–H amination with alkyl azides
Authors: You Tingjie , Zeng Si-Hao , Fan Jianqiang , Wu Liangliang , Kang Fangyuan , Liu Yungen , Che Chi-Ming
Published: September 2021

A soluble iron(ii)-phthalocyanine, [FeII(tBu4Pc)(py)2], is an effective catalyst in intramolecular C(sp3)–H bond amination of alkyl azides to give the amination products in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope.
Improving the surface hydrophobicity by the solvent effect to reduce the water erosion of the CL-20/TNT cocrystal explosive
Authors: Sha Yu , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: September 2021

The mechanism of water erosion on the CL-20/TNT cocrystal faces was investigated based on the modified attachment model, which could provide guidance for the crystallization process to reduce the negative performance impact.
Interdigitated Pt–Br chains with π-stacking: an approach toward Robin–Day class I mixed valency in MX-chain complexes
Authors: Afrin Unjila , Fuku Kentaro , Cui Mengxing , Iguchi Hiroaki , Mian Mohammad Rasel , Nakanishi Ryo , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: September 2021

The first interdigitated MX-type chain complex with infinite π-stacked arrays was synthesized.
Protective action of pomegranate peel polyphenols in type 2 diabetic ratsviathe translocation of Nrf2 and FoxO1 regulated by the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Zhang Weimin , Hou Chen , Du Lin , Zhang Xitong , Yang Mi , Chen Li , Li Jianke
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPPs) inin vivoandin vitrorat models of T2DM.
Effect of ascorbic acid and citric acid on bioavailability of iron from Tegillarca granosa via an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture system
Authors: Sun Bolun , Tan Beibei , Sun Nan , Huang Ping , Hong Jingxia , Li Chao , Yang Wenge
Published: September 2021

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has been receiving worldwide attention.
Solvent effect on xylose-to-furfural reaction in biphasic systems: combined experiments with theoretical calculations
Authors: Lin Qixuan , Zhan Qiwen , Li Rui , Liao Shouwei , Ren Junli , Peng Feng , Li Libo
Published: September 2021

The promotion efficiency of organic solvents in biphasic systems for furfural production is influenced by four factors, and the most important factor is the solvation free energy of furfural (ΔGsol-ff) in organic solvents.
Halogen bonding regulated functional nanomaterials
Authors: Zheng Jie , Suwardi Ady , Wong Claris Jie Ee , Loh Xian Jun , Li Zibiao
Published: September 2021

Herein, the latest development of XB as a flexible linkage to fabricate functional nanomaterials in liquid and solution phases will be discussed, taking readers through the concept and features of XB to explore its functionalities and applications.
Design of supramolecular systems capable of recognizing anions uniquely by aliphatic C–H⋯anion hydrogen bonds: theoretical insights
Authors: Orenha Renato Pereira , Cintra Claudia Haber , Natal Maria Laura Lucas , Colaço Matheus Cachoeira , Caramori Giovanni Finoto , Piotrowski Maurício Jeomar , Parreira Renato Luis Tame
Published: September 2021

Anions play important roles in the environment. The anionic recognition through –CH polarized groups has been elucidated from DFT calculations.
The role of nickel–iron based layered double hydroxide on the crystallinity, electrochemical performance, and thermal and mechanical properties of the poly(ethylene-oxide) solid electrolyte
Authors: Yang Kuo , Su Hao , Ding Mingtao , Li Ye , Xue Bing , Gu Xiaopeng
Published: September 2021

The electrochemical performance and physical properties of PEO-based composite electrolytes were improved with the addition of a NILDH filler.
Quantitatively mapping the interaction of HER2 and EGFR on cell membranes with peptide probes
Authors: Yan Qiuyan , Cai Mingjun , Jing Yingying , Li Hongru , Xu Haijiao , Sun Jiayin , Gao Jing , Wang Hongda
Published: September 2021

High-quality fluorescence imaging stems from highly accurate labeling. With small size peptide probes, we revealed the detailed distribution information of HER2 and the interaction between HER2 and EGFR on cell membranes.
Effective SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity of hyperbranched polylysine nanopolymers
Authors: Stagi Luigi , De Forni Davide , Malfatti Luca , Caboi Francesca , Salis Andrea , Poddesu Barbara , Cugia Giulia , Lori Franco , Galleri Grazia , Innocenzi Plinio
Published: September 2021

Hyperbranched polylysine nanopolymers effectively inhibit the viral activity of SARS-CoV-2.
Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks based on renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange
Authors: Pronoitis Charalampos , Hakkarainen Minna , Odelius Karin
Published: September 2021

Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks with high strength and short relaxation times were prepared based on a renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange.
Fabrication of an antibacterial hydrogel nanocomposite with self-healing properties using ZnO/β-cyclodextrin dimer/modified alginate
Authors: Mohamadhoseini Masoumeh , Mohamadnia Zahra
Published: September 2021

The development of self-healing materials with the ability to repair damage has received considerable attention.
Design, synthesis, and characterization of vinyl-addition polynorbornenes with tunable thermal properties
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Jeong Yewon L. , Love Christopher , Stretz Holly A. , Stein Gila E. , Long Brian K.
Published: September 2021

Substituents were introduced onto addition polynorbornenes to modify their thermal properties. The resultant materials displayed depressed glass-transition temperatures, high decomposition temperatures, and could be melt-processed.
Multisegmented polymers via step-growth and RAFT miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Guimarães Thiago R. , Delafresnaye Laura , Zhou Dewen , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Zetterlund Per B.
Published: September 2021

We report a method to efficiently prepare multisegmented polymers via a combination of step-growth (SG) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
Graphene-wrapped pine needle-like cobalt nanocrystals constructed by cobalt nanorods for efficient microwave absorption performance
Authors: Lv Shu-Qing , Han Peng-Zhao , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Wang Guang-Sheng
Published: September 2021

Magnetic metal nanocrystals tend to be advanced microwave absorption substances as they possess simultaneous dielectric and magnetic losses.
Virus removal from drinking water using modified activated carbon fibers
Authors: Domagała Kamila , Bell Jon , Yüzbasi Nur Sena , Sinnet Brian , Kata Dariusz , Graule Thomas
Published: September 2021

Activated carbon fibers revealed better performance in filtration studies towards MS2 bacteriophage removal in comparison to activated carbon powder or granules.
Controlling dispersity in aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization: rapid and quantitative synthesis of one-pot block copolymers
Authors: Wang Hyun Suk , Parkatzidis Kostas , Harrisson Simon , Truong Nghia P. , Anastasaki Athina
Published: September 2021

The dispersity of polymers is efficiently controlled in aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization by modulating the reversible dissociation of the bromide ion from the copper deactivator.
Copper-catalyzed borofunctionalization of styrenes with B2pin2 and CO
Authors: Yuan Yang , Wu Fu-Peng , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2021

A new copper-catalyzed borofunctionalization of styrenes with B2pin2 and carbon monoxide has been developed.
Investigations of the stability of GaAs for photoelectrochemical H2 evolution in acidic or alkaline aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Yu Weilai , Richter Matthias H. , Simonoff Ethan , Brunschwig Bruce S. , Lewis Nathan S.
Published: September 2021

Etched p-GaAs electrodes retained stoichiometric surfaces and photoactivity after long-term operation of the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) at pH = 0/14, while p-GaAs with Pt catalyst formed As0-rich surfaces and lost photoactivity.
Coupling porous Ni doped LaFeO3 nanoparticles with amorphous FeOOH nanosheets yields an interfacial electrocatalyst for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Li Yanxin , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wu Zhijing , Sheng Hongbin , Li Can , Li Haiyan , Cao Lixin , Dong Bohua
Published: September 2021

The doping of Ni on the LaFeO3 surface effectively modulates the electronic structure of LaFeO3, which enhances the electron transfer between LaFeO3 and FeOOH, resulting in an enhancement of OER performance.
Homointerface covalent organic framework membranes for efficient desalination
Authors: Shen Jianliang , Yuan Jinqiu , Shi Benbing , You Xinda , Ding Rui , Zhang Tianyi , Zhang Yujing , Deng Yuanzhi , Guan Jingyuan , Long Mengying , Zheng Yu , Zhang Runnan , Wu Hong , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: September 2021

Homointerface COF membrane with size and charge tunable channels exhibits superior salt rejection and high water flux performance.
A penetrated 2D/3D hybrid heterojunction for high-performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Sun Jianguo , Zhang Xuliang , Ling Xufeng , Yang Yingguo , Wang Yao , Guo Junjun , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) , Yuan Jianyu , Ma Wanli
Published: September 2021

Organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) attracted tremendous interest due to their excellent photovoltaic performance, but they still suffer from poor long-term stability.
High toughness multifunctional organic hydrogels for flexible strain and temperature sensor
Authors: Chen Hongjie , Huang Jianren , Liu Jiantao , Gu Jianfeng , Zhu Jundong , Huang Bing , Bai Jin , Guo Jinquan , Yang Xiaoxiang , Guan Lunhui
Published: September 2021

A wearable multifunctional sensor was proposed, consisting of strain and temperature sensors, both of which were fabricated by a rationally designed toughness and conductive organohydrogel.
Getting control of hydrogel networks with cross-linkable monomers
Authors: Cohn Pamela G. , Qavi Sahar , Cubuk Jasmine , Jani Mihir , Megdad Mohamed Lamine , Shah Dhvani , Cattafi Cara , Baul Panchatapa , Rajaraman Shanthi , Foudazi Reza
Published: September 2021

The work describes the synthesis of hydrogels with a one-pot strategy for co-polymerization and cross-linking with thiol–ene chemistry between monomers.
The effects of the interstitial pores of buckypaper in trapping cobalt phthalocyanine and their use in sugarcane-extract fuel cells
Authors: Ji Jungyeon , Noh Chanho , Chung Yongjin , Kwon Yongchai
Published: September 2021

We introduce an alkaline SCEFC that employs BP/CoPc as the anodic catalyst. A large amount of CoPc is well entrapped in the interstitial pores of BP and its catalytic activity is improved. The MPD of the SCEFC is 3.95 ± 0.023 W m−2.
Long-lived highly emissive MOFs as potential candidates for multiphotonic applications
Authors: Gutiérrez Mario , Martín Cristina , Hofkens Johan , Tan Jin-Chong
Published: September 2021

A new family of room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) MOFs with promising photophysical properties for engineering optical sensors and electroluminescent devices.
Design of biodegradable and biocompatible conjugated polymers for bioelectronics
Authors: Tropp Joshua , Rivnay Jonathan
Published: September 2021

Blueprints for the chemical design of biodegradability and biocompatibility for organic semiconductors. Recent trends and future areas of interest are discussed.
Facile synthesis, precise species control and chemical transformation of highly conducting organic metal chalcogenides CuxBHT (BHT = benzenehexathiol; x = 3, 4, and 5.5)
Authors: Jin Yigang , Li Yang , Sun Yong , Zhu Mengsu , Li Ze , Liu Liyao , Zou Ye , Liu CaiMing , Sun Yimeng , Xu Wei
Published: September 2021

A series of highly conducting organic metal chalcogenides CuxBHT (x = 3, 4, and 5.5) were precisely constructed via variation of the molar ratio of Cu2O and BHT, and a chemical transformation can be realized within the CuxBHT family by oxidation regulation.
The fabrication of a self-powered CuInS2/TiO2 heterojunction photodetector and its application in visible light communication with ultraviolet light encryption
Authors: Li Menghan , Xu Jianping , Zhu Kuifeng , Shi Shaobo , Zhang Qiuyang , Bu Yichen , Chen Jing , Xu Jianghua , Zheng Qin , Su Yanjie , Zhang Xiaosong , Li Lan
Published: September 2021

Self-powered UV-visible dual-band PDs achieve visible light communication with UV light encryption.
Achieving visible-light-excited organic room-temperature phosphorescence by manipulating p–π conjugation
Authors: Xu Qingyang , Ma Liangwei , Sun Siyu , Ma Xiang
Published: September 2021

Achieving visible-light-excited room-temperature phosphorescence by changing the sizes of the heterocyclic ring to manipulate p–π conjugation in the molecular structure.
A Systematic Review of Interventions for Multilingual Preschoolers With Speech and Language Difficulties
Authors: Crowe Kathryn , Cuervo Sisan , Guiberson Mark , Washington Karla N.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

There is a shortage of information on evidence-based interventions for supporting young multilingual children. The purpose of this review was to identify interventions that have been evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who are at risk of poor speech, language, literacy, and/or educational outcomes.

Method

This review considered speech, language, and early literacy interventions evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties (PROSPERO ID: 165892). The following electronic databases were searched: EBSCO (CINAHL Plus, ERIC, PsycINFO, Medline, Education) and Linguistics, Language, and Behavior Abstracts. Data were extracted describing article, participant, methodological, and intervention variables, and effect sizes. The Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) standards for evidence-based practice were used to examine the quality of studies.

Results

Fifty-six relevant studies were identified in 52 articles and these studies described 4,551 participants who had speech sound disorder (six articles), developmental language disorder (11 articles), or were considered to be at risk (36 articles). The interventions targeted speech production (seven studies), language (45 studies), and early literacy (11 studies) skills. Most studies reported positive effects. Only 15 studies met all quality indicators specified by the CEC (2014) and these described 18 interventions targeting language and literacy skills. The only intervention with sufficient evidence to be considered an evidence-based practice was Nuestros Niños [Our Children] for children's early literacy and phonological awareness skills.

Conclusions

A number of high-quality studies exist that describe speech, language and/or literacy interventions for preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder, or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties. However, there remains limited evidence for specific interventions as to their ability to inform evidence-based practices.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16632649
Emergency reserve constrained optimal allocation of energy storage in a novel honeycomb‐like microgrid cluster with volatile renewable energy resources
Authors: Zhu Naixuan , Hu Pengfei , Liu Siqi , Jiang Daozhuo , Liang Yiqiao , Li Zhiyi
Published: September 2021

With the increasing penetration of large‐scale distributed renewable energies, the electricity distribution network is growing more complex with challenges brought by the intermittency and uncertainty of renewable energies. Microgrid (MG), one of feasible solutions to integrating renewable energies, has shortages because of limited capacity. Therefore, MG cluster (MGC) was proposed as an improved solution. To efficiently and friendly integrate renewable energies, a novel honeycomb‐like MG cluster (H‐MGC) is proposed in this paper. Considering the uncertainty of renewable energies, a robust optimisation method of the siting and sizing of energy storage system (ESS) constrained by emergency reserve is proposed. Combining the column‐and‐constraint generation algorithm and big‐M method, the proposed optimisation model is decomposed into mixed integer second‐order cone programming master problem and sub‐problems, which are alternately solved. Based on the optimal results of study case, the siting and sizing results of ESS are analysed, as well as the operating characteristics of H‐MGC. Compared to existing MGC system, the proposed H‐MGC has a more flexible operation mode. The related costs of ESS are reduced, and the operational life is relatively extended, under the condition that the emergency reserve of system is satisfied.
Pressure control for pneumatic electric braking system of commercial vehicle based on model predictive control
Authors: Zhao Yongtao , Yang Yiyong
Published: September 2021

Precise braking pressure control of a pneumatic electric braking system (PEBS) poses challenging non‐linear control problems, since it can operate in several distinct discrete processes (the pressure increasing, holding and decreasing) by switching the on‐off solenoid valves and the piston of relay valve moves irregularly. This article describes the development and experimental validation of a viable controller for an electronically controlled braking pressure based on the theory of model predictive control (MPC). The controller design consists of two parts. The non‐linear characteristic is first studied to ensure the pressure response of PEBS when the opening time is 4–10 ms in a fixed period, followed by calculation and prediction of the optimal on‐off time of inlet valve and release valve based on the current braking pressure to realize steady state. A logic rule is designed to ensure that the MPC controller and feedback control work coordinate to guarantee engineering reliability. A comprehensive system model is derived to help characterize system non‐linearities and design the MPC predictive model. Simulations and experimental results are presented finally to show how the MPC and feedback control strategy can be successfully applied to solve the braking pressure control of a PEBS in a systematic way.