bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intonational foreign accent in the speech of American speakers of German
Authors: Jilka Matthias
Published: July 2002

The F0 patterns typical of German and American English are analyzed within the framework of a category-based description of intonation events as established by the ToBI prosodic transcription system. This description is supplemented by intonation rules for the categories’ phonetic implementation. The rules are also the basis for the process of F0 generation and resynthesis, which facilitates determining which aspects in non-native speech are responsible for the perception of intonational foreign accent. An analysis of the productions of native speakers of American English who are fluent in German shows a distinct influence of L1 prosodic characteristics on L2. It consists of a transfer of native prosodic settings to L2. Several types of intonational foreign accent are identified. Tonal categories, such as pitch accents or boundary tones, are affected in two ways: either an incorrect category is selected or it is assigned to an inappropriate part of the intonation phrase. Transfer effects are particularly distinct in the American speakers’ phonetic realization of corresponding tonal categories. The Americans also maintain other prosodic language-specific features like pitch range. Overall, prosodic behavior in L2 acquisition seems quite similar to segmental behavior and in accordance with current models of segmental L2 acquisition.
Tonal alignment in Seoul Korean
Authors: Lim Byung-Jin , de Jong Kenneth
Published: July 2002

Bruce found that a local F0 peak is aligned very precisely in time with the segmental material in Swedish [Swedish word accents in sentence perspective (1977)]. Alternatively, it is possible that such F0 peaks may function as edge markers, and hence not necessarily be aligned with any particular aspect of the word-internal structure. This study investigates how an initial high tone is aligned in time with the segmental material in Standard Korean. Recordings of two speakers of Seoul Korean producing three-syllable words with various syllable structure combinations in two prosodic conditions were digitized and analyzed. One speaker shows no apparent pattern of alignment with the segmental material; peaks are simply reached at a fixed duration from the beginning of the utterance regardless of the structure of the word. Another speaker, however, shows that initial high tones fall into two distinct groups, ones aligned with initial syllables and ones aligned with second syllables. This syllable association is statistically related to syllable composition. These results suggest that Korean tone alignment is currently in a state of fluctuation between durationally fixed edge tones and tones associated with internal syllables according to a stochastic rule.
The effect of modulation rate on the detection of frequency modulation and mistuning of complex tones
Authors: Carlyon Robert P. , Moore Brian C. J. , Micheyl Christophe
Published: July 2002

Experiment 1 measured frequency modulation detection thresholds (FMTs) for harmonic complex tones as a function of modulation rate. Six complexes were used, with fundamental frequencies (F0s) of either 88 or 250 Hz, bandpass filtered into a LOW (125–625 Hz), MID (1375–1875 Hz) or HIGH (3900–5400 Hz) frequency region. The FMTs were about an order of magnitude greater for the three complexes whose harmonics were unresolved by the peripheral auditory system (F0=88 Hz in the MID region and both F0s in the HIGH region) than for the other three complexes, which contained some resolved harmonics. Thresholds increased with increases in FM rate above 2 Hz for all conditions. The increase was larger when the F0 was 88 Hz than when it was 250 Hz, and was also larger in the LOW than in the MID and HIGH regions. Experiment 2 measured thresholds for detecting mistuning produced by modulating the F0s of two simultaneously presented complexes out of phase by 180 degrees. The size of the resulting mistuning oscillates at a rate equal to the rate of FM applied to the two carriers. At low FM rates, thresholds were lowest when the harmonics were either resolved for both complexes or unresolved for both complexes, and highest when resolvability differed across complexes. For pairs of complexes with resolved harmonics, mistuning thresholds increased dramatically as the FM rate was increased above 2–5 Hz, in a way which could not be accounted for by the effect of modulation rate on the FMTs for the individual complexes. A third experiment, in which listeners detected constant (“static”) mistuning between pairs of frequency-modulated complexes, provided evidence that this deterioration was due the harmonics in one of the two “resolved” complexes becoming unresolved at high FM rates, when analyzed over some finite time window. It is concluded that the detection of time-varying mistuning between groups of harmonics is limited by factors that are not apparent in FM detection data.
Rheological Behavior of Dilatant (Shear-Thickening) Fluids. Part I. Experimental and Data
Authors: Green Richard G. , Griskey Richard G.
Published: July 2002

A study was made of the rheological behavior of dilatant fluids. It was found that such behavior is particularly sensitive to size, shape, and surface characteristics of particles used in dilatant systems. Dilatant behavior was found to take place with a number of different suspensions of corn starch in various fluids. These fluids were ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol-glycerine, ethylene glycol-glycerine-water, and ethylene glycol-water. The power law held for flow curves of these fluids from 20 to 250 sec−1. Effect of temperature on power-law parameters was determined. It was found that n, flow behavior index, was relatively insensitive to temperature while K, consistency index, was a function of temperature according to an Arrhenius relation. The power-law parameter relation to suspension concentration was also determined. It was found that n increased with increasing concentration while K decreased with increasing concentration.
Polymer Viscosity-Molecular Weight Distribution Correlations via Blending: For High Molecular Weight Poly(dimethyl Siloxanes) and for Polystyrenes
Authors: Friedman Emil M. , Porter Roger S.
Published: July 2002

The correlation between low-shear Newtonian melt viscosity and polymer molecular weight distribution in the high molecular weight region is inspected via the viscosity of homologous binary blends. It is confirmed that viscosity depends uniquely upon the weight average molecular weight and no other moment. The work of Peticolas and Menefee is extended in order to show certain previously reported theoretical predictions to be inconsistent with the data, at least for molecular weight distributions of the type produced by previously defined blends. Nine sets of viscosity vs. composition data are compared. The blends cover a wide range of polydispersity for high molecular weight poly(dimethyl siloxanes) and polystyrenes. A viscosity vs. molecular weight curve for poly(dimethyl siloxane), reduced to 25°C, is compiled from eight independent sets of literature data.
Viscoelastic flow in a periodically constricted tube: The combined effect of inertia, shear thinning, and elasticity
Authors: Pilitsis Stergios , Souvaliotis Athanassios , Beris Antony N.
Published: July 2002

The flow of a shear-thinning viscoelastic fluid (Separan AP-30) through a periodically constricted tube (PCT) is simulated using a mixed pseudospectral finite difference numerical method and a variety of constitutive equations. The results obtained with viscoelastic models show, at best, a small increase in the flow resistance beyond the value computed for a purely viscous inelastic fluid. The largest increase was observed with the modified Phan-Thien–Tanner model. This model, in addition to fitting the standard viscometric data (viscosity and first normal stress difference), predicts a nonzero second normal stress difference and allows for dynamic behavior characterized by nonaffine deformation and stress overshoot in start-up of shear flow. All the calculated values, although they show the correct tendency, are well below the experimentally measured values of Deiber and Schowalter (1981).
Some mathematical issues in the modeling of flow phenomena of polymeric liquid crystals
Authors: Calderer M. Carme , Mukherjee Bagisa
Published: July 2002

We consider shear flow of polymeric liquid crystals for large and small values of the Ericksen number ℰ. The model consists of governing equations for the velocity field v, the pressure p, the director n, and the order parameter s. The constitutive functions for the Leslie coefficients, αi, derived from the molecular theory of Doi play a crucial role in the modeling. One of the goals of the analysis is to examine the role of s in describing singularities as well as in obtaining new regimes which cannot be predicted by the previous Leslie–Ericksen model. In particular, solutions are obtained that correspond to domain structures parallel to the flow. The domains are separated by singular lines across which the director experiences jumps of ±45°. Such flows correspond to regimes with large values of ℰ. Another type of configuration analyzed in the article corresponds to periodic stripes parallel to the flow and such that the optic fields vary along the direction perpendicular to the plane of shear. Such configurations occur in the limit of small ℰ.
Redressing the Harms of Race-Based Kidney Function Estimation
Authors: Mohottige Dinushika , Purnell Tanjala S. , Boulware L. Ebony
Published: February 2023

This Viewpoint emphasizes the urgency of abolishing race-based medical practices and explains how they have unjustly contributed to racial inequities in clinical care and health outcomes.
Pseudotachycardia in a Teenager With Recurrent Syncope
Authors: Hu Jinzhu , Hong Kui , Yan Gan-Xin
Published: February 2023

This case report describes a teenager with a history of cardiomyopathy and recurrent syncope who was admitted to the pediatric unit with a urinary tract infection.
Association of the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Payment Model With Home Dialysis Use at Kidney Failure Onset From 2016 to 2022
Authors: Johansen Kirsten L. , Li Shuling , Liu Jiannong , Weinhandl Eric D. , Gilbertson David T. , Kou Iris , Knapp Christopher , Wetmore James B.
Published: February 2023

Importance

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services designed a mandatory payment model to incentivize home dialysis use: the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices (ETC). Outpatient dialysis facilities and health care professionals providing nephrology services were randomly assigned to ETC participation at the hospital referral region level.

Objective

To assess the association between ETC and home dialysis use in the incident dialysis population in its first 18 months of implementation.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study with controlled, interrupted time series analysis of the US End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Reporting System database was conducted, using generalized estimating equations. All adults initiating home-based dialysis in the US between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2022, without a prior kidney transplant were included in the analysis.

Exposures

Prior to vs after ETC onset in January 1, 2021, and random assignment to ETC participation of facilities and health care professionals involved in patient care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Percentage of patients started on incident home dialysis and yearly change in percentage initiating home dialysis.

Results

A total of 817 177 adults initiated home dialysis during the study period, of whom 750 314 were included in the study cohort. The cohort included 41.4% women; 26.2% of the patients were Black, 17.4% were Hispanic, and 49.1% were White. Approximately half (49.6%) of the patients were aged at least 65 years. A total of 31.2% received care from health care professionals assigned to ETC participation, and 33.6% had Medicare fee-for-service coverage. Overall, home dialysis use increased from 10.0% in January 2016 to 17.4% in June 2022. Home dialysis use increased more in ETC markets than in non-ETC markets after January 2021 (by 1.07%; 95% CI, 0.16%-1.97%). The rate of increase in home dialysis use in the entire cohort nearly doubled after January 2021 to 1.66% per year (95% CI, 1.14%-2.19%) compared with before 2021, when the rate was 0.86% per year (95% CI, 0.75%-0.97%), but the difference in rate of increase in home dialysis use was not significant between ETC and non-ETC markets.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study noted that, although the overall rate of dialysis use at home was greater after ETC implementation, the increase occurred more among patients in ETC markets than among those in non-ETC markets. These findings suggest that federal policy and financial incentives affected care for the entire incident dialysis population in the US.
Estimated Effectiveness of Postpartum Maternal Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccination Against Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Hospitalization in Infants Younger Than 6 Months
Authors: Jorgensen Sarah C. J. , Hernandez Alejandro , Fell Deshayne B. , Austin Peter C. , D’Souza Rohan , Guttmann Astrid , Kwong Jeffrey C.
Published: February 2023

This case-control study estimates the effectiveness of maternal postpartum messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination against Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization in infants younger than 6 months.
Addressing Online Extremism—Lessons From Current Threats to Gender-Affirming Care
Authors: Das Rishub K. , Ganor Oren , Drolet Brian C.
Published: February 2023

This Viewpoint discusses how to support patient and clinician safety regarding extreme online threats to gender-affirming care.
Drug‐Free Biomimetic Oxygen Supply Nanovehicle Promotes Ischemia‐Reperfusion Therapy in Stroke
Authors: He Wenxiu , Zhang Xiao‐Yong , Gong Xiang , Luo Kuankuan , Mao Xuening , Lu Enhao , Chen Yiting , Wang Rui , Zhang Zhiwen , Zhao Jing , Sha Xianyi
Published: February 2023

Recanalization intervention is the primary recommended therapy for ischemic stroke, but the rapid progression of brain damage results in a very narrow time window for ischemia‐reperfusion therapy, which remains the biggest obstacle for ischemic stroke treatment. Herein, a drug‐free biomimetic nanovehicle capable of improving cerebral ischemic tolerance and thus promoting ischemia‐reperfusion therapy is reported. The nanovehicle comprises an amphiphilic polyfluorocarbon, which delivers oxygen to alleviate the hostile hypoxic environment of ischemic brain, and Pluronic P123, which inhibits matrix metalloproteinase‐9 to protect the blood–brain barrier (BBB). When intravenously injected into ischemic stroke rats with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, these nanovehicles are able to preferentially access cerebral ischemic lesions in an inflammation‐directed manner, conferring robust ischemic tolerance and reperfusion resistance of brain tissues for ischemia‐reperfusion therapy. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that the nanovehicle is beneficial for mice with permanent ischemic stroke induced by photothrombosis. This work suggests a promising strategy with hypoxia relief and BBB protection for ischemic stroke therapy.
Distinct Contact Scaling Effects in MoS2 Transistors Revealed with Asymmetrical Contact Measurements
Authors: Cheng Zhihui , Backman Jonathan , Zhang Huairuo , Abuzaid Hattan , Li Guoqing , Yu Yifei , Cao Linyou , Davydov Albert V. , Luisier Mathieu , Richter Curt A. , Franklin Aaron D.
Published: February 2023

2D semiconducting materials have immense potential for future electronics due to their atomically thin nature, which enables better scalability. While the channel scalability of 2D materials has been extensively studied, the current understanding of contact scaling in 2D devices is inconsistent and oversimplified. Here physically scaled contacts and asymmetrical contact measurements (ACMs) are combined to investigate the contact scaling behavior in 2D field‐effect transistors. The ACMs directly compare electron injection at different contact lengths while using the exact same MoS2 channel, eliminating channel‐to‐channel variations. The results show that scaled source contacts can limit the drain current, whereas scaled drain contacts do not. Compared to devices with long contact lengths, devices with short contact lengths (scaled contacts) exhibit larger variations, 15% lower drain currents at high drain–source voltages, and a higher chance of early saturation and negative differential resistance. Quantum transport simulations reveal that the transfer length of Ni–MoS2 contacts can be as short as 5 nm. Furthermore, it is clearly identified that the actual transfer length depends on the quality of the metal‐2D interface. The ACMs demonstrated here will enable further understanding of contact scaling behavior at various interfaces.
Hybrid Encoding Strategy of Nanostructures for High‐Performance Security Information Encryption
Authors: Du Kaiyang , Zhu Jiliang , Du Yike , Xu Xuejing , Gao Han , Zhang Anxun , Li Shuting , Zhou Xuan
Published: February 2023

Programing nanostructure of soft photonic crystal materials to try to diversify has great potential for application in the field of information security, lasing, and display. However, complex programming nanostructures for regulating and controlling their structural color and stimuli‐response behavior remain a technical challenge. Here, a strategy is demonstrated for hybrid encoding nanostructures of soft photonic crystals using cholesteric liquid crystal films (CLCFs). The public and secure information can be easily edited through the independent tuning of Bragg center‐wavelength and thermal sensitivity of the CLCF through the alternating current electric field and Michael addition reaction. A photomask is used when ultraviolet irradiates to record the edited information on one CLCF. The encrypted information can be protected by a triple mechanism of spectral analysis, algorithm encryption, and temperature response encryption, which all can be defined as needed. High encrypted composite coding security and visual patterns are fabricated using this coordination strategy. This hybrid encoding provides a platform for a complex program of nanostructure of the photonic crystals and shows great potential in secure information writing and encryption enhancement.
Gossypol‐Crosslinked Nanoclusters of Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Ultrasound‐Enhanced Precision Tumor Theranostics
Authors: Yang Rui , Wu Rui , Zhang Bin , Guo Honghua , Qu Jiao , Xia Jindong , Zhang Guixiang , Shen Mingwu , Shi Xiangyang
Published: February 2023

Development of tumor microenvironment (TME)‐responsive nanomedicines with simple components for precision tumor theranostics still maintains a great challenge. Here, the design of an intelligent nanocluster (NC) system assembled from gossypol‐mediated crosslinking of phenylboronic acid‐modified ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (USIO NPs) is presented. The gossypol functions as both a chemotherapy (CT) drug and a crosslinker through phenylborate ester bonds that are sensitive to both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pH. The developed gossypol‐USIO NCs (for short, G‐USIO NCs), having a size of 34.2 nm, possess stability under physiological conditions, enable intracellular ROS generation and glutathione depletion to modulate TME, promote apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro, and inhibit tumor/lung metastasis in vivo through gossypol‐mediated CT and USIO‐mediated chemodynamic therapy owing to the ROS‐ and pH‐triggered dissociation of the NCs to release gossypol and Fe at the tumor site. Likewise, the dissociated USIO NPs from the NCs afford TME‐facilitated T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Furthermore, the effects of the tumor T1 MR imaging and the combination therapy can be elevated by ultrasound‐targeted microbubble destruction‐induced cavitation and sonoporation. The designed G‐USIO NCs with simple ingredients are likely developed to be a promising theranostic nanomedicine formulation for ultrasound‐facilitated precision theranostics of various tumor types.
Anti‐Coronaviral Nanocluster Restrain Infections of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Associated Mutants through Virucidal Inhibition and 3CL Protease Inactivation
Authors: Tang Hao , Qin Hongbo , He Shiting , Li Qizhen , Xu Huan , Sun Mengsi , Li Jiaan , Lu Shanshan , Luo Shengdong , Mao Panyong , Han Pengjun , Song Lihua , Tong Yigang , Fan Huahao , Jiang Xingyu
Published: February 2023

Antivirals that can combat coronaviruses, including SARS‐CoV‐2 and associated mutants, are urgently needed but lacking. Simultaneously targeting the viral physical structure and replication cycle can endow antivirals with sustainable and broad‐spectrum anti‐coronavirus efficacy, which is difficult to achieve using a single small‐molecule antiviral. Thus, a library of nanomaterials on GX_P2V, a SARS‐CoV‐2‐like coronavirus of pangolin origin, is screened and a surface‐functionalized gold nanocluster (TMA‐GNC) is identified as the top hit. TMA‐GNC inhibits transcription‐ and replication‐competent SARS‐CoV‐2 virus‐like particles and all tested pseudoviruses of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. TMA‐GNC prevents viral dissemination through destroying membrane integrity physically to enable a virucidal effect, interfering with viral replication by inactivating 3CL protease and priming the innate immune system against coronavirus infection. TMA‐GNC exhibits biocompatibility and significantly reduces viral titers, inflammation, and pathological injury in lungs and tracheas of GX_P2V‐infected hamsters. TMA‐GNC may have a role in controlling the COVID‐19 pandemic and inhibiting future emerging coronaviruses or variants.
Chung–Jansen syndrome can mimic Cornelia de Lange syndrome: Another player among chromatinopathies?
Authors: Conti Beatrice , Rinaldi Berardo , Rimoldi Martina , Villa Roberta , Iascone Maria , Gangi Silvana , Porro Matteo , Ajmone Paola Francesca , Colli Anna Maria , Mosca Fabio , Bedeschi Maria Francesca
Published: February 2023

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare multisystem congenital neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by distinctive facial anomalies, short stature, developmental delay, hirsutism, gastrointestinal abnormalities and upper limb reduction defects. CdLS syndrome is associated with causative variants in genes encoding for the cohesin complex, a cellular machinery involved in chromatid pairing, DNA repair and gene‐expression regulation. In this report, we describe a familial case of a syndromic presentation in a 4‐year‐old patient (P1) and in his mother (P2). Trio‐based Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) performed on P1 was first negative. Since his phenotypic evolution during the follow‐up was reminiscent of the CdLS spectrum, a reanalysis of WES data, focused on CdLS‐related genes, was requested. Although no alterations in those genes was detected, we identified the likely pathogenetic variant c.40G > A (p.Glu14Lys) in the PHIP gene, in the meanwhile associated with Chung‐Jansen syndrome. Reverse phenotyping carried out in both patients confirmed the molecular diagnosis. CHUJANS belongs to NDDs, featuring developmental delay, mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability, behavioral problems, obesity and facial dysmorphisms. Moreover, as here described, CHUJANS shows a significant overlap with the CdLS spectrum, with specific regard to facial gestalt. On the basis of our findings, we suggest to include PHIP among genes routinely analyzed in patients belonging to the CdLS spectrum.
Aquaporin‐4 Antibody Dynamics and Relapse Risk in Seropositive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Treated with Immunosuppressants
Authors: Yin He‐Xiang , Wang Ying‐Jie , Liu Man‐Ge , Zhang Ding‐Ding , Ren Hai‐Tao , Mao Zhi‐Feng , Zhang Yao , Peng Bin , Cui Li‐Ying , Xu Yan
Published: February 2023

Objective

To investigate aquaporin‐4 antibody (AQP4‐IgG) dynamics and relapse risk in patients with seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treated with immunosuppressants.

Methods

This observational cohort study with prospectively collected data included 400 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients seropositive for AQP4‐IgG and treated with immunosuppressants. Serum AQP4‐IgG was detected by fixed cell‐based assay every 6 months.

Results

After treatment with immunosuppressants, 128 patients became AQP4‐IgG seronegative. The median time to become seronegative for 400 patients was 76.4 months (61.4 months, NA). Among those patients with negative change of AQP4‐IgG, the mean annualized relapse rate significantly decreased after patients became seronegative (0.20 vs 0.77, p < 0.001), and a positive correlation was observed between time to become seronegative and relapse (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.001–1.035, p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for AQP4‐IgG becoming seronegative were older age at onset, initiation of immunosuppressants at onset, and shorter disease duration before maintenance therapy. Independent risk factors for relapse included younger age (≤46.4 years) at onset, poly‐system involvement in the first attack, and unchanged or increased AQP4‐IgG titer. The relapse risk was not associated with sex, combination with connective tissue disease, seropositivity for systemic autoimmune antibodies, or incomplete recovery from the first attack.

Interpretation

Patients with younger age at onset, poly‐system involvement in the first attack, and unchanged or increased titer of AQP4‐IgG are most likely to experience relapse under treatment with immunosuppressants. Time to AQP4‐IgG becoming seronegative and change of AQP4‐IgG titer may become the surrogate efficacy biomarkers in clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:1069–1081
Synthesis and structural characterization of palladium pincer complexes: Sustainable synthesis of benzothiazoles
Authors: Anandaraj Pennamuthiriyan , Saranya Sundar , Ramesh Rengan
Published: February 2023

An efficient Pd(II)N^N^S pincer type catalysts‐promoted sustainable construction of pharmaceutically important benzothiazole derivatives from primary alcohols and 2‐aminothiophenol via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) method has been described. The newly synthesized ligand L2 and the Pd(II) complexes in addition to L1 and L3 were characterized by analytical and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), UV–visible (UV–vis), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral techniques. Further, the ORTEP views of the complexes 2 and 3 were established by a single crystal XRD study, which evidenced the coordination of the thiosemicarbazone ligands and disclose the square‐planar geometry around the Pd(II) ion. The present homogeneous catalytic system involves synthesizing a range of benzothiazoles via C−S and C−N bond formation with excellent yields up to 93%. The described methodology employs a sustainable, highly abundant, and inexpensive alcohol as starting material using 1 mol% catalyst loading, and water and hydrogen gas are the only by‐products. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism involving in situ aldehyde formation via dehydrogenation of primary alcohols has been proposed. A large‐scale synthesis of 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)benzo[d]thiazole illustrates the synthetic utility of the present catalytic protocol.
Improving epoxy adhesion with steel adherends using a tannic acid‐based additive: Impact on resin properties and interfacial bonding
Authors: Babu Noel , Zhang Puxuan , Xian Guijun
Published: February 2023

Traditional adherend surface treatment techniques such as grit blasting, acid etching, phosphating and primer treatments alone are often inadequate for maintaining interfacial bond durability of adhesively bonded joints. Therefore, the existing interfacial bonds between epoxy adhesive and the adherend should be strengthened. Tannic acid (TA) is a plant‐based polyphenol that is inexpensive and easily available in nature. Its potential as an additive to improve the interfacial bond durability of epoxy adhesives has not been studied adequately. In the present study, an additive (TA‐AGE) was synthesized by grafting allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) onto phenolic hydroxyl groups of TA. With 1 wt% TA‐AGE additive in the epoxy, the single lap shear strength improved by 37%. Further, accelerated aging studies were performed to understand the impact of water uptake on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties and interfacial bond durability of the epoxy with 1 wt% TA‐AGE additive. TA‐AGE modification can increase hydrophilicity and enhance the water uptake characteristics of epoxy. This can negatively impact its mechanical properties and glass transition temperature (Tg) due to plasticization effects. Nevertheless, Boeing wedge test and single lap shear tests reveal that the strengthened interfacial bonds to steel adherends with the additive were robust and durable.
Artificial scaffolding: Augmenting social cognition by means of robot technology
Authors: Ghiglino Davide , Floris Federica , De Tommaso Davide , Kompatsiari Kyveli , Chevalier Pauline , Priolo Tiziana , Wykowska Agnieszka
Published: February 2023

The concept of scaffolding refers to the support that the environment provides in the acquisition and consolidation of new abilities. Technological advancements allow for support in the acquisition of cognitive capabilities, such as second language acquisition using simple smartphone applications There is, however, one domain of cognition that has been scarcely addressed in the context of technologically assisted scaffolding: social cognition. We explored the possibility of supporting the acquisition of social competencies of a group of children with autism spectrum disorder engaged in a rehabilitation program (age = 5.8 ± 1.14, 10 females, 33 males) by designing two robot‐assisted training protocols tailored to Theory of Mind competencies. One protocol was performed with a humanoid robot and the other (control) with a non‐anthropomorphic robot. We analyzed changes in NEPSY‐II scores before and after the training using mixed effects models. Our results showed that activities with the humanoid significantly improved NEPSY‐II scores on the ToM scale. We claim that the motor repertoire of humanoids makes them ideal platforms for artificial scaffolding of social skills in individuals with autism, as they can evoke similar social mechanisms to those elicited in human‐human interaction, without providing the same social pressure that another human might exert.
Querverschub der 985 m langen Lennetalbrücke
Authors: Lechner Thomas , Neumann Michael , Felgendreher Jan , Casper Hans‐Joachim
Published: February 2023

Die Lennetalbrücke gehört zu den großen Talbrücken der A45. Aufgrund des gestiegenen Verkehrsaufkommens und des baulichen Zustands der Bestandsbrücke war die Notwendigkeit eines Ersatzneubaus gegeben. Um den Verkehr während der Bauzeit möglichst wenig einzuschränken, wurde der neue Überbau für eine Fahrtrichtung in Seitenlage hergestellt und im Anschluss durch einen Querverschub an die endgültige Position gebracht. Mit einer Länge von fast 1000 m handelt es sich bei der Lennetalbrücke – bezogen auf die Brückenlänge – um den größten Querverschub, der bisher in Deutschland realisiert wurde. In diesem Beitrag wird auf die Besonderheiten bei Planung und Ausführung des Querverschubs eingegangen.
Bayesian estimation of two‐part joint models for a longitudinal semicontinuous biomarker and a terminal event with INLA: Interests for cancer clinical trial evaluation
Authors: Rustand Denis , van Niekerk Janet , Rue Håvard , Tournigand Christophe , Rondeau Virginie , Briollais Laurent
Published: February 2023

Two‐part joint models for a longitudinal semicontinuous biomarker and a terminal event have been recently introduced based on frequentist estimation. The biomarker distribution is decomposed into a probability of positive value and the expected value among positive values. Shared random effects can represent the association structure between the biomarker and the terminal event. The computational burden increases compared to standard joint models with a single regression model for the biomarker. In this context, the frequentist estimation implemented in the R package frailtypack can be challenging for complex models (i.e., a large number of parameters and dimension of the random effects). As an alternative, we propose a Bayesian estimation of two‐part joint models based on the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) algorithm to alleviate the computational burden and fit more complex models. Our simulation studies confirm that INLA provides accurate approximation of posterior estimates and to reduced computation time and variability of estimates compared to frailtypack in the situations considered. We contrast the Bayesian and frequentist approaches in the analysis of two randomized cancer clinical trials (GERCOR and PRIME studies), where INLA has a reduced variability for the association between the biomarker and the risk of event. Moreover, the Bayesian approach was able to characterize subgroups of patients associated with different responses to treatment in the PRIME study. Our study suggests that the Bayesian approach using the INLA algorithm enables to fit complex joint models that might be of interest in a wide range of clinical applications.
HBcAb positivity increases the risk of postoperative complications after extended hemihepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Wen‐Qiang , Xu Guang‐Yuan , Li Jian , Liang Bin‐Yong , Li Jiang , Lin Mei‐Long , Chen Xiao‐Ping , Zhang Er‐Lei , Huang Zhi‐Yong
Published: February 2023

Background

Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) positivity is considered a prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, little is known about the effect of HBcAb positivity on surgical safety for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA). The present study aims to investigate the role of HBcAb positivity on postoperative complications of hCCA.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on the status of HBcAb positivity, liver fibrosis, perioperative surgical complications, and long‐term outcomes of hCCA patients with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negativity who underwent surgical treatment in Tongji Hospital from April 2012 to September 2019.

Results

HBcAb positivity with negative HBsAg occurs in 137 hCCA patients (63.1%). A total of 99 hCCA patients with negative HBsAg underwent extended hemihepatectomy, of whom 69 (69.7%) and 30 (30.3%) were HBcAb‐positive and HBcAb‐negative, respectively. Significant fibrosis was detected in 63.8% of the patients with HBcAb‐positive, which was markedly higher than those with HBcAb‐negative (36.7%) (p = 0.016). The postoperative complications and 90‐day mortality rates were 37.4% (37/99) and 8.1% (8/99), respectively. The incidence of postoperative complications in HBcAb‐positive patients (44.9%) was significantly higher than that in HBcAb‐negative patients (20.0%) (p = 0.018). All the patients who died within 30‐day after surgery were HBcAb‐positive. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent risk factors for complications were HBcAb positivity, preoperative cholangitis, portal occlusion >15 min, and significant fibrosis. There were no significant differences in recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between HBcAb‐positive and HBcAb‐negative patients (p = 0.642 and p = 0.400, respectively).

Conclusions

HBcAb positivity is a common phenomenon in hCCA patients from China, a country with highly prevalent HBcAb positivity. The status of HBcAb‐positive markedly increases the incidence of postoperative complications after extended hemihepatectomy for hCCA patients.
CD169+ sinus macrophages in regional lymph nodes do not predict mismatch‐repair status of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Saito Yoichi , Fujiwara Yukio , Miyamoto Yuji , Ohnishi Koji , Nakashima Yuta , Tabata Yasuhiko , Baba Hideo , Komohara Yoshihiro
Published: February 2023

Aims

Mismatch‐repair deficiency and microsatellite instability‐high (dMMR/MSI‐H) colorectal cancer (CRC) is treated with programmed death (PD)‐1 antibody regardless of PD‐ligand (L)1 expression in tumor cells. We previously found that abundant CD169+ macrophages in regional lymph node (RLN) sinuses and CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) positively correlated in CRC and were associated with a favorable prognosis. However, associations between dMMR/MSI‐H CRC and CD8+ TILs or prognoses vary among studies. In this study, we attempted to compare the association between MMR status, CD169+ macrophages in RLNs, CD8+ TILs, PD‐L1 scores, and prognoses in CRC.

Methods and Results

We immunostained 83 surgically resected CRC tumors that we previously analyzed for MMR proteins, and identified 9 that were dMMR. The number of CD169+ macrophages in RLNs and CD8+ TILs significantly correlated with overall survival, whereas MMR status did not. The number of cells positive for the TIL markers CD3, CD4, CD8, and TIA‐1, and macrophage markers CD68 and CD169 in RLNs did not significantly differ between groups according to MMR status. Furthermore, combined positive scores (CPS) for PD‐L1 expression in five of nine dMMR CRCs were all <1. We found that dMMR in CRC did not correlate with numbers of CD169+ macrophages in RLNs or CD8+ TILs.

Conclusions

CRC with CD169+ macrophages in RLNs and abundant CD8+ TILs indicates a better prognosis and it should be immunologically classified as a different antitumor group from dMMR CRC.
Zinc‐Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Ynamides and Photoisomerization, a General and Selective Access to E and Z Trisubstituted α‐Enamidonitriles
Authors: Hansjacob Pierre , Leroux Frédéric R. , Donnard Morgan
Published: February 2023

The fully regio‐ and stereoselective Zn‐catalyzed hydrocyanation of ynamides is reported and represents a general access to various trisubstituted E‐α‐enamidonitriles. The catalyst‐free photoisomerization selectively yields the energetically comparable Z‐stereoisomer. Finally, the synthetic potential of these new α‐enamidonitriles was evaluated through the synthesis of original heterocycles.
Small Molecule Activation on a Base‐stabilized Phosphinidene
Authors: Baradzenka Aliona G. , Pilkington Melanie , Dmitrienko Anton , Nikonov Georgii I.
Published: February 2023

Reduction of (NP)PCl2 (NP=phosphinoamidinate [PhC(NAr)(=NPPri2)]−) with KC8 affords the phosphinoamidinato‐supported phosphinidene (NP)P (9). Reaction of 9 with a N‐heterocyclic carbene (MeC(NMe))2C: results in the NHC‐adduct NHC→P−P(Pri2)=NC(Ph)=NAr featuring an iminophosphinyl group. Reactions of 9 with HBpin and H3SiPh led to the metathesis products (NP)Bpin and (NP)SiH2Ph, respectively, whereas with HPPh2 a base‐stabilized phosphido‐phosphinidene, the product of N−P and H−P bond metathesis, was obtained. Reaction of 9 with tetrachlorobenzaquinone results in oxidation of P(I) to P(III), accompanied by oxidation of the amidophosphine ligand into P(V). Addition of benzaldehyde to 9 results in a phospha‐Wittig reaction affording a product of P=P and C=O bond metathesis. Related reaction with phenylisocyanate results in a product of N−P(=O)Pri2 addition to the C=N bond of an intermediate iminophosphaalkene to produce a phosphinidene intramolecularly stabilized by a diaminocarbene.
Comparative physiological, transcriptome, and qRT‐PCR analysis provide insights into osmotic adjustment in the licorice species Glycyrrhiza inflata under salt stress
Authors: Cai Mei‐Mei , He Zi‐Hua , Lin Zi‐Ru , Nie Gui‐Bin , Li Xiao‐Yu , Liu Hai‐Shuang , Ma Qing
Published: February 2023

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) is a versatile industrial and fodder crop with important medicinal, economic, and forage values. However, little is known about their salt tolerance mechanisms. Here, to investigate the osmotic adjustment mechanism of Glycyrrhiza inflata, a licorice species with excellent adaptation to the severe saline habitat, we compared the growth, the contributions of major osmolytes to osmotic potential, and the expression of genes associated with the accumulation of major osmolytes under salt stress between G. inflata and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, another licorice species mainly grown in mild salinized regions. The results showed that G. inflata displayed stronger salt tolerance than G. uralensis. Compared with G. uralensis, G. inflata accumulated higher contents of proline, betaine, and soluble sugars, as well as Na+ and NO3− in roots, and meanwhile, accumulated higher concentrations of K+ and Cl− in leaves for osmotic adjustment under salt stress. Analysis combining transcriptome and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction indicated that compared with that in G. uralensis, the expression of key genes responsible for the biosynthesis of above organic osmolytes, the uptake of NO3−, and the xylem unloading and vacuolar compartmentation of Na+ and NO3− were upregulated in roots of G. inflata under salt stress; meanwhile, higher expression levels of key genes function in xylem loading of K+ and Cl− in roots and vacuolar K+ and Cl− compartmentation in leaves were observed in G. inflata under salt stress. The identified key genes associated with the strong osmotic adjustment capacity of G. inflata could facilitate the genetic improvement of stress tolerance in crops.
A 256 × 256 CMOS image sensor with differential readout and data converter circuits
Authors: Karamzadeh Khadijeh , Teymouri Masood , Dousti Massoud , Torkzadeh Pooya
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a 256 × 256 CMOS image sensor is introduced in which the pixel signals are read and converted into digital data in a completely differential mode. This technique helps to obtain pixel signals with higher linearity and accuracy compared with conventional methods. Improving the linearity and accuracy of the image sensor has a direct impact on increasing the quality of the generated images. The simulation results of the proposed pixel readout circuit show that the THD, SINAD, SNR, and SFDR are 0.45%, 47 dB, 66 dB, and 46 dB, respectively. The voltage gain of the proposed readout circuit is about 1, causing it to read the photodetector signals more accurately than the conventional methods. A full differential single‐slope ADC with a working frequency of 50 Mhz has the task of converting the pixel signal to 10 bits of digital data. The total power consumption of a column of sensors is about 80 μW. All the circuits are designed and implemented using 0.18‐μm CMOS technology in Virtuoso and simulated by the SPECTRE.
LC‐MS/(MS) confirmatory doping control analysis of intact phase II metabolites of methenolone and mesterolone after Girard's Reagent T derivatization
Authors: Angelis Yiannis S. , Fragkaki Argyro G. , Kiousi Polyxeni , Sakellariou Panagiotis , Christophoridis Christophoros
Published: February 2023

In the present study, the application and evaluation of Girard's Reagent T (GRT) derivatization for the simultaneous detection and significantly important identification of different phase II methenolone and mesterolone metabolites by LC‐MS/(MS) are presented. For the LC‐MS analysis of target analytes two complementary isolation methods were developed; a derivatization and shoot method in which native urine is diluted with derivatization reagent and is injected directly to LC‐MS and a liquid–liquid extraction method, using ethyl acetate at pH 4.5, for the effective isolation of both sulfate and glucuronide metabolites of the named steroids as well as of their free counterparts. For the evaluation of the proposed protocols, urine samples from methenolone and mesterolone excretion studies were analyzed against at least one sample from a different excretion study. Retention times, along with product ion ratios, were evaluated according to the WADA TD2021IDCR requirements, in order to determine maximum detection and identification time windows for each metabolite. Established identification windows obtained after LC‐MS/(MS) analysis were further compared with those obtained after GC‐MS/(MS) analysis of the same samples from the same excretion studies, for the most common analytes monitored by GC‐MS/(MS). Full validation was performed for the developed derivatization and shoot method for the identification of methenolone metabolite, 3α‐hydroxy‐1‐methylen‐5α‐androstan‐17‐one‐3‐glucuronide (mth3). Overall, the GRT derivatization presented herein offers a tool for the simultaneous sensitive detection of free, intact glucuronide and sulfate metabolites by LC‐MS/(MS) that enhance significantly the detection and identification time windows of specific methenolone and mesterolone metabolites for doping control analysis.
Estimating number of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) individuals using environmental DNA and haplotype count in small rivers
Authors: Halvorsen Silje , Korslund Lars , Mattingsdal Morten , Slettan Audun
Published: February 2023

Knowledge about population genetic data is important for effective conservation management. Genetic research traditionally requires sampling directly from the organism, for example tissue, which can be challenging, time‐consuming, and harmful to the animal. Environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches offer a way to sample genetic material noninvasively. In attempts to estimate population size of aquatic species using eDNA, researchers have found positive correlations between biomass and eDNA concentrations, but the approach is debated because of variations in the production and degrading of DNA in water. Recently, a more accurate eDNA‐approach has emerged, focusing on the genomic differences between individuals. In this study, we used eDNA from water samples to estimate the number of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) individuals by examining haplotypes in the mitochondrial D‐loop region, both in a closed aquatic environment with 10 eels of known haplotypes and in three rivers. The results revealed that it was possible to find every eel haplotype in the eDNA sample collected from the closed environment. We also found 13 unique haplotypes in the eDNA samples from the three rivers, which probably represent 13 eel individuals. This means that it is possible to obtain genomic information from European eel eDNA in water; however, more research is needed to develop the approach into a possible future tool for population quantification.
Novel functional monomer for the electrochemical synthesis of highly affine epitope‐imprinted polymers
Authors: Bognár Zsófia , Kozma József , Kovács Norbert , Gyurcsányi Róbert E.
Published: February 2023

To address the lack of functional monomer diversity for the electrosynthesis of protein‐selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), we introduce a new concept able to lead to a new class of functional monomers. This is based on conjugating an electropolymerizable monomer unit (umbelliferone) to an amino acid for closer mimicking of protein‐based natural affinity ligands such as antibodies. As the first representative of this class of monomers an aspartate‐umbelliferone (Asp‐UMB) conjugate was synthesized and here we provide the proof for its suitability to generate highly affine MIPs for proteins by epitope imprinting. As model we used a heptapeptide (GFNCYFP) stemming from the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein to generate epitope‐imprinted polymers able to recognize the parent RBD protein. For rapid optimization and assessment of the binding kinetics we prepared MIP microarrays on surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) chips. First the peptides were microspotted on the bare gold surface of the chips followed by the electropolymerization of Asp‐UMB. This resulted in ca. 2 nm thick, highly uniform, and electrically insulating polymer film, well suited both for hierarchical epitope imprinting and SPRi read‐out. Taking advantage also of the on‐chip optimization enabled by the microarray format the increased functional diversity of the new monomer resulted in highly affine MIPs with equilibrium dissociation constants in the lower picomolar range.