bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Authenticity in the Language Teaching Curriculum
Authors: Zyzik Eve
Published: December 2020

Authenticity in language teaching is a broad concept since it can refer to an inherent quality of a text, the types of tasks used in language classrooms, or the subjective way in which learners engage with the materials presented to them. This entry focuses primarily on authentic materials, defined as spoken and/or written language samples that were created for some real‐world purpose other than language learning. A brief historical overview of the use of authentic materials is provided, followed by possible advantages of incorporating such materials into language curricula. Critiques and pedagogical challenges are also discussed.
History of Language‐Teaching Methods
Authors: Hilgendorf Suzanne K.
Published: December 2020

The earliest European written accounts of language‐teaching methods are from the 5th century AD, referring specifically to Latin. For centuries the language of the Romans was the primary foreign code throughout much of Europe, functioning as the language of scholarship, trade, and government. The founding of universities in the latter Middle Ages led to developing the grammar translation method, based on the centuries‐long tradition of reading Latin and Greek learned texts. In the 15th century, Europeans began shifting from Latin to using the continent's modern languages more widely. By the 19th century, the direct method was developed, modeled on first language acquisition and addressing the greater need for speaking skills in, for example, French, German, and English. In the early 20th century, research largely in educational psychology led to developing the audio‐lingual method in the 1940s. Believing language use was an issue of stimulus and response, teaching methods emphasized repetition and dialogue memorization. A decade later, Chomsky's landmark research on cognitive aspects of language acquisition recognized that children do not acquire an inventory of linguistic stimuli and responses. Instead, deep processing in the brain enables them to generate sentences they have never heard before. This led to modernizing the direct method by incorporating cognitive dimensions of language learning. Since the 1970s, language has been further recognized as a social phenomenon that inherently entails expressing, interpreting, and negotiating meaning. To foster such competence, the current approach of communicative language teaching emphasizes having learners do meaningful activities involving the exchange of new information.
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Authors: Véronique Georges Daniel
Published: December 2020

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie provides an excellent illustration of the institutionalization of a global linguistic space and of the creation of a transnational agency. This entry provides information on the 84‐state organization as well as on its historical background and growth, the development of its policies, and its significance as a transnational linguistic and social agency.
Washback in Language Assessment
Authors: Green Anthony
Published: December 2020

“Washback” (alternatively “backwash”) is a term used in education to describe the influence, whether beneficial or damaging, of an assessment on the teaching and learning that precedes and prepares for that assessment. Over the past 30 years, washback, often conceived as one instance of “impact” or the range of effects that assessment may have on society more generally, has become established as a popular topic for applied linguistics research. Studies have covered a variety of contexts from national and international tests administered to millions of test takers to the classroom assessment practices of individual teachers. Researchers have employed a range of methods, including small‐scale observational studies and much more extensive questionnaire surveys, often making use of mixed methods to access different perspectives on the issues. These have revealed washback to be a complex phenomenon, closely associated with and affected by established practices, beliefs, and attitudes. Although test developers increasingly recognize the importance of washback and impact in evaluating assessment use, it remains to be fully integrated into standard validation practice.
Lower limit of iron quantification using dual‐energy CT — a phantom study
Authors: Jiang Xia , Hintenlang David E. , White Richard D.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) has been proposed for quantification of hepatic iron concentration (IC). However, the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) has not been established, limiting the clinical adoption of this technology. In this study, we aim to (a) establish the LLOQ using phantoms and (b) investigate the effects of patient size, dose level, energy combination, and reconstruction method.

Methods

Three phantom sizes and eight vials of ferric nitrate solution with IC ranging from 0 to 10 mg/ml were used. DECT scans were performed at 80/140 and 100/140Sn kVp, and using five different levels of CT dose index (CTDI). An image‐domain three‐material‐decomposition algorithm was used to calculate the IC. The LLOQ was determined based on the coefficient of variation from repeated measurements.

Results

The measured IC correlated strongly with the true IC in the small and medium phantoms (R2 of linear regression > 0.99) and moderately in the large phantom (0.8 < R2<0.9). The LLOQ improved with increased CTDI. At 30 mGy, the LLOQ was found to be 0.50/1.73/6.25 mg/ml in the small/medium/large phantoms, respectively. 80/140Sn kVp resulted in superior LLOQ for all phantom sizes compared to 100/140Sn kVp, primarily due to the difference in their iron enhancement ratios (1.94 and 1.55, respectively). Iterative reconstruction was found to further improve the LLOQ (by ~ 11%), whereas reconstruction kernel smoothness had negligible effect. The LLOQ of iron was significantly higher than that of iodine due to its lack of a useful k‐edge and lower enhancement ratio.

Conclusion

Iron quantification at clinically important levels was achieved in a small‐ and a medium‐sized phantom using DECT, but proved challenging in a large phantom. Wide spectral separation and accurate calibration were found to be critical to the success of the technology.
Wearable Biosensors for Body Computing
Authors: Lin Yuanjing , Bariya Mallika , Javey Ali
Published: December 2020

The challenges of growing and aging populations combined with limited clinical resources have created huge demand for wearable and portable healthcare devices. Research advances in wearable biosensors have made it easier to achieve reliable noninvasive monitoring of health and body status. In this review, recent progress in the development of body computing systems for personalized healthcare is presented, with key considerations and case studies. Critical form factors for wearable sensors, their materials, structures, power sources, modes of data communication, and the types of information they can extract from the body are summarized. Statistically meaningful data analysis considerations, including using cohort and longitudinal correlation studies, are reviewed to understand how raw sensor signals can provide actionable information on the state of the body. This informs discussions on how collected sensor data can be used for personalized and even preventative care, such as by guiding closed‐loop medical interventions. Finally, outstanding challenges for making wearable sensor systems reliable, practical, and ubiquitous are considered in order to disrupt traditional medical paradigms with personalized and precision care.
Boosting Zn2+ and NH4+ Storage in Aqueous Media via In‐Situ Electrochemical Induced VS2/VOx Heterostructures
Authors: Yu Dongxu , Wei Zhixuan , Zhang Xinyuan , Zeng Yi , Wang Chunzhong , Chen Gang , Shen Ze Xiang , Du Fei
Published: December 2020

Aqueous‐ion batteries have received much attention owing to the merits of high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Among potential cathode candidates, transition metal sulfides drew little attention since they suffer from low capacity, low working potential, and fast capacity fading. Here, advantage is taken of the chemical instability of VS2 in aqueous electrolyte to in situ fabricate a heterostructural VS2/VOx material. Benefiting from the internal electric field at heterointerfaces, high conductivity of vanadium sulfide and high chemical stability of vanadium oxides, heterostructural VS2/VOx delivers an enhanced working potential by 0.25 V, superior rate capability with specific capacity of 156 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1, and long‐term stability over 3000 cycles as Zn2+ storage electrode. In addition, heterostructural VS2/VOx is employed as the cathode for aqueous NH4+ ion storage with high reversible capacity over 150 mA h g−1 and long lifespan over 1000 cycles, surpassing the state‐of‐the‐art materials. VS2/VOx is proved to demonstrate a (de)intercalation process for Zn2+ storage, while a conversion reaction accompanied by insertion is responsible for nonmetal NH4+. The strong insight obtained in this study sheds light on a new methodology of exploring the potential of transition metal sulfides‐based cathode materials for aqueous ion batteries.
A Monochloro Copper Phthalocyanine Memristor with High‐Temperature Resilience for Electronic Synapse Applications
Authors: Zhou Jia , Li Wen , Chen Ye , Lin Yen‐Hung , Yi Mingdong , Li Jiayu , Qian Yangzhou , Guo Yun , Cao Keyang , Xie Linghai , Ling Haifeng , Ren Zhongjie , Xu Jiangping , Zhu Jintao , Yan Shouke , Huang Wei
Published: December 2020

Memristors are considered to be one of the most promising device concepts for neuromorphic computing, in particular thanks to their highly tunable resistive states. To realize neuromorphic computing architectures, the assembly of large memristive crossbar arrays is necessary, but is often accompanied by severe heat dispassion. Organic materials can be tailored with on‐demand electronic properties in the context of neuromorphic applications. However, such materials are more susceptible to heat, and detrimental effects such as thermally induced degradation directly lead to failure of device operation. Here, an organic memristive synapse formed of monochloro copper phthalocyanine, which remains operational and capable of memristive switching at temperatures as high as 300 °C in ambient air without any encapsulation, is demonstrated. The change in the electrical conductance is found to be a result of ion movement, closely resembling what takes place in biological neurons. Furthermore, the high viability of this approach is showcased by demonstrating flexible memristors with stable switching behaviors after repeated mechanical bending as well as organic synapses capable of emulating a trainable and reconfigurable memristor array for image information processing. The results set a precedent for thermally resilient organic synapses to impact organic neuromorphic devices in progressing their practicality.
Fine‐Tuning Au@Pd Nanocrystals for Maximum Plasmon‐Enhanced Catalysis
Authors: Yong Zijun , Shi Qianqian , Fu Runfang , Cheng Wenlong
Published: December 2020

Core–shell nanocrystals with plasmonic metals as cores and catalytic metals as shells, have recently received considerable attention due to their enhanced catalytic properties under visible light irradiation. However, it remains illusive how sizes/shapes of cores and shells influence catalytic efficiency. Here, using Au@Pd nanocrystals as a model system, key parameters including Au core size/shape and Pd shell thickness are scrutinized to systematically examine how they influence reaction rate. The comparison is based on normalizing Pd amount, which is important from economics standpoint. The results show that the reaction rate decreases with the increase in shell thickness. With the fixed shell thickness, the maximum reaction rate occurs in the smallest core. Among four different core shapes (nanocube, nanorod, nanohexagon, and nanostar), Au@Pd nanorods display the highest reaction rate and the highest plasmonic enhancement factor. These findings may provide a rational route to screen desired plasmonic nanocatalyst with a balanced consideration of efficiency and economics.
Capillary Stamping of Functional Materials: Parallel Additive Substrate Patterning without Ink Depletion
Authors: Runge Mercedes , Hübner Hanna , Grimm Alexander , Manoharan Gririraj , Wieczorek René , Philippi Michael , Harneit Wolfgang , Meyer Carola , Enke Dirk , Gallei Markus , Steinhart Martin
Published: December 2020

Patterned substrates for optics, electronics, sensing, lab‐on‐chip technologies, bioanalytics, clinical diagnostics as well as translational and personalized medicine are typically prepared by additive substrate manufacturing including ballistic printing and microcontact printing. However, ballistic printing (e.g., ink jet and aerosol jet printing, laser‐induced forward transfer) involves serial pixel‐by‐pixel ink deposition. Parallel additive patterning by microcontact printing is performed with solid elastomeric stamps suffering from ink depletion after a few stamp‐substrate contacts. The throughput limitations of additive state‐of‐the art patterning thus arising may be overcome by capillary stamping –parallel additive substrate patterning without ink depletion by mesoporous silica stamps, which enable ink supply through the mesopores anytime during stamping. Thus, either arrays of substrate‐bound nanoparticles or colloidal nanodispersions of detached nanoparticles are accessible. Three types of model inks are processed: 1) drug solutions, 2) solutions containing metallopolymers and block copolymers as well as 3) nanodiamond suspensions representing colloidal nanoparticle inks. Thus, aqueous colloidal nanodispersions of stamped drug nanoparticles, regularly arranged ceramic nanoparticles by post‐stamping pyrolysis of stamped metallopolymeric precursor nanoparticles and regularly arranged nanodiamond nanoaggregates are obtained. Capillary stamping may overcome the throughput limitations of state‐of‐the‐art additive substrate manufacturing while a broad range of different inks can be processed.
Nanoscale Thickness Control of Nanoporous Films Derived from Directionally Photopolymerized Mesophases
Authors: Imran Omar Q. , Kim Na Kyung , Bodkin Lauren N. , Dwulet Gregory E. , Feng Xunda , Kawabata Kohsuke , Elimelech Menachem , Gin Douglas L. , Osuji Chinedum O.
Published: December 2020

The preparation of thin films of nanostructured functional materials is a critical step in a diverse array of applications ranging from photonics to separation science. New thin‐film fabrication methods are sought to harness the emerging potential of self‐assembled nanostructured materials as next‐generation membranes. Here, the authors show that nanometer‐scale control over the thickness of self‐assembled mesophases can be enacted by directional photopolymerization in the presence of highly photo‐attenuating molecular species. Metrology reveals average film growth rates below ten nanometers per second, indicating that high‐resolution fabrication is possible with this approach. The trends in experimental data are reproduced well in numerical simulations of mean‐field frontal photopolymerization modeled in a highly photo‐attenuating and photo‐bleaching medium. These simulation results connect the experimentally observed nanometer‐scale control of film growth to the strong photo‐attenuating nature of the mesophase, which originates from its high‐aromatic‐ring content. Water permeability measurements conducted on the fabricated thin films show the expected linear scaling of permeability with film thickness. Film permeabilities compare favorably with current state‐of‐the‐art nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, suggesting that the current approach may be utilized to prepare new nanoporous membranes for such applications.
Dielectric Metasurface from Solution‐Phase Epitaxy of ZnO Nanorods for Subtractive Color Filter Application
Authors: Liu Hongjun , Quan Dunhang , Li Ke , Zheng Yini , Lou Fei , Liu Song , Liu Yanjun , Srivastava Abhishek Kumar , Li Guixin , Qiu Chengfeng , Liu Zhaojun , Cheng Xing
Published: December 2020

In recent years, metasurfaces have received considerable attention owing to their versatile range of applications. However, in the case of metal‐oxide‐based dielectric metasurfaces, the difficulty and cost of a conventional top‐down nano‐fabrication process largely hinder their applications. In this work, a fabrication method is proposed for dielectric metasurfaces based on the solution‐phase epitaxy of ZnO nanorods. Using this method, precise control of the size and position of the synthesized ZnO nanostructures is achieved. Furthermore, a functional subtractive color filter is also designed and fabricated using this approach. The diameters of the synthesized ZnO nanorods range from 180 to 320 nm, and the subtractive color filter exhibits a wide color tuning ability from yellow to magenta to cyan. Such solution‐based bottom‐up fabrication of ZnO nanorods eliminates the need for dry etching, and demonstrates the potential to grow high‐aspect‐ratio ZnO nanostructures for efficient dielectric metasurfaces.
Enhanced Light–Matter Interaction in 10B Monoisotopic Boron Nitride Infrared Nanoresonators
Authors: Autore Marta , Dolado Irene , Li Peining , Esteban Ruben , Alfaro‐Mozaz Francisco Javier , Atxabal Ainhoa , Liu Song , Edgar James H. , Vélez Saül , Casanova Fèlix , Hueso Luis E. , Aizpurua Javier , Hillenbrand Rainer
Published: December 2020

Phonon‐polaritons, mixed excitations of light coupled to lattice vibrations (phonons), are emerging as a powerful platform for nanophotonic applications. This is because of their ability to concentrate light into extreme sub‐wavelength scales and because of their longer phonon lifetimes compared to their plasmonic counterparts. In this work, the infrared properties of phonon‐polaritonic nanoresonators made of monoisotopic 10B hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) are explored, a material with increased phonon‐polariton lifetimes compared to naturally abundant h‐BN due to reduced photon scattering from randomly distributed isotopes. An average relative improvement of 50% of the quality factor of monoisotopic h‐BN nanoresonators is obtained with respect to nanoresonators made of naturally abundant h‐BN, allowing for the sensing of nanometric‐thick films of molecules through both surface‐enhanced absorption spectroscopy and refractive index sensing. Further, even strong coupling between molecular vibrations and the phonon‐polariton resonance in monoisotopic h‐BN ribbons can be achieved.
A Modular Fluorescent Probe for Viscosity and Polarity Sensing in DNA Hybrid Mesostructures
Authors: Ludwanowski Simon , Samanta Avik , Loescher Sebastian , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Walther Andreas
Published: December 2020

There exists a critical need in biomedical molecular imaging and diagnostics for molecular sensors that report on slight changes to their local microenvironment with high spatial fidelity. Herein, a modular fluorescent probe, termed StyPy, is rationally designed which features i) an enormous and tunable Stokes shift based on twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) processes with no overlap, a broad emission in the far‐red/near‐infrared (NIR) region of light and extraordinary quantum yields of fluorescence, ii) a modular applicability via facile para‐fluoro‐thiol reaction (PFTR), and iii) a polarity‐ and viscosity‐dependent emission. This renders StyPy as a particularly promising molecular sensor. Based on the thorough characterization on the molecular level, StyPy reports on the viscosity change in all‐DNA microspheres and indicates the hydrophilic and hydrophobic compartments of hybrid DNA‐based mesostructures consisting of latex beads embedded in DNA microspheres. Moreover, the enormous Stokes shift of StyPy enables one to detect multiple fluorophores, while using only a single laser line for excitation in DNA protocells. The authors anticipate that the presented results for multiplexing information are of direct importance for advanced imaging in complex soft matter and biological systems.
Elderly musculoskeletal disease burden in Karachi, Pakistan: Associations and implications for developing countries
Authors: Sabzwari Saniya , Fatmi Zafar , Khan Adeel Ahmed
Published: December 2020

Objective

The global rise in the older population has increased the rates of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, conditions that impact mobility and functionality. There is limited data on musculoskeletal disease in older populations residing in developing countries.

Methods

A community‐based study using multistage cluster random sampling of older individuals was conducted in Karachi. Predefined criteria were used for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Gait assessment was performed.

Results

More than half of the participants were females and 53% reported illiteracy. Around 30% had osteoporosis and two‐thirds had osteoarthritis. Multivariate analysis showed associations of female sex, Pashtun ethnicity, illiteracy, and hypertension with the combined variable of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of osteoarthritis was higher than in other regional studies. Presence of both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis increased the risk of certain geriatric syndromes. High rates of musculoskeletal morbidity are seen in the elderly in Pakistan. Measures at a health‐system level are required for better outcomes in older adults.
Effects of blend composition on the morphologies and physical properties of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene blends
Authors: Seo Jae Sik , Jeon Ho Tak , Han Tae Hee
Published: December 2020

The morphologies and physical properties of twin‐screw‐extruded polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (PC/ABS) blends with various blend ratios are studied. The needle‐like co‐continuous phase in PC‐rich blends changes to the sea‐island phase for blend ratios of more than 50 wt% ABS. While pure PC exhibits an almost‐Newtonian flow behavior, PC/ABS blends exhibit the interesting rheological transition. The viscosities of the ABS‐rich blends at low shear rates are almost equal to those of the pure ABS polymer. The yield stress for the PC/ABS blend ratio of 3:7 is the highest in composition. At the frequency of 10 rad/s, the PC‐rich blends exhibit highly viscous properties, whereas the ABS‐rich blends present highly elastic properties as the temperature increases. Moreover, the ABS polymer in the PC/ABS polymer blend induces significant change at the fracture surface of PC, transitioning from brittle to ductile nature.
Optimization and modeling of the performance of polydimethylsiloxane for pervaporation of ethanol−water mixture
Authors: Zentou Hamid , Abidin Zurina Zainal , Yunus Robiah , Biak Dayang Radiah Awang , Issa Mohammed Abdullah
Published: December 2020

Response surface methodology was used to optimize the performance of pervaporation of ethanol aqueous solution using polydimethylsiloxane hollow‐fiber membrane. The effects of four operating conditions, that is, the feed temperature (30–50°C), the feed flow rate (10–50 L/h), ethanol concentration (5–20 wt%), and the vacuum pressure (10–50 KPa) on the membrane selectivity and the total flux of permeation were investigated with response surface methodology. The results showed that a quadratic model was suggested for both selectivity and total flux showing a high accuracy with R2 = 0.9999 and 0.9995, respectively. The developed models indicated a significant effect of the four studied factors on both selectivity and total flux with some significant interactions between these factors. The optimum selectivity was 15.56, achieved for a feed temperature of 30°C, feed flow rate of 10 L/h, ethanol concentration of 15 wt%, and a permeate pressure of 10.74 KPa whereas the optimum total flux was 1833.66 g/m2.h was observed for at a feed temperature of 50°C, a feed flow rate of 50 L/h, ethanol concentration of 15 wt%, and a permeate pressure of 49.38 KPa.
CRISPR/Cas12a‐mediated CHO genome engineering can be effectively integrated at multiple stages of the cell line generation process for bioproduction
Authors: Schweickert Patrick G. , Wang Ning , Sandefur Stephanie L. , Lloyd Michael E. , Konieczny Stephen F. , Frye Christopher. C. , Cheng Zhuo
Published: December 2020

Most biopharmaceuticals produced today are generated using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, therefore significant attention is focused on methods to improve CHO cell productivity and product quality. The discovery of gene‐editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, offers new opportunities to improve CHO cell bioproduction through cell line engineering. Recently an additional CRISPR‐associated protein, Cas12a (Cpf1), was shown to be effective for gene editing in eukaryotic cells, including CHO. In this study, we demonstrate the successful application of CRISPR/Cas12a for the generation of clonally derived CHO knockout (KO) cell lines with improved product quality attributes. While we found Cas12a efficiency to be highly dependent on the targeting RNA used, we were able to generate CHO KO cell lines using small screens of only 96–320 clonally derived cell lines. Additionally, we present a novel bulk culture analysis approach that can be used to quickly assess CRISPR RNA efficiency and determine ideal screen sizes for generating genetic KO cell lines. Most critically, we find that Cas12a can be directly integrated into the cell line generation process through cotransfection with no negative impact on titer or screen size. Overall, our results show CRISPR/Cas12a to be an efficient and effective CHO genome editing tool.
Determination of the risk propagation path of cascading faults in chemical material networks based on complex networks
Authors: Wang Zheng , Hu Yiyi , Dong Ran , Jia Xiaoping , Wang Fang
Published: December 2020

In a chemical material network, a small fault is easy to spread and cause serious consequences, which is the embodiment of a complex network cascading fault. In order to ensure the safety and stability of chemical production, it is necessary to study the cascading fault propagation of a chemical material network. Firstly, the chemical material network model is constructed, and the SR algorithm is used to identify the important nodes in the network, which is the basis for selecting attack nodes. Secondly, the fault propagation strength is defined by the fault propagation probability and material hazard degree. The fault propagation probability is calculated by constructing the load cascading fault model of nodes. Based on the rough set theory and analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the index weights of flammability and explosiveness, toxicity, and corrosiveness are calculated to get the material hazard degree. Finally, based on the fault propagation strength, the risk propagation path of cascading fault is obtained by the ant colony algorithm. The case analysis shows that the proposed method can find the risk propagation path of cascading faults in material networks in the chemical production process, which provides certain basis for cascading fault prevention, selection of key monitoring variables, and risk assessment.
Predicting 90 day acute heart failure readmission and death using machine learning‐supported decision analysis
Authors: Sarijaloo FarnazBabaie , Park Jaeyoung , Zhong Xiang , Wokhlu Anita
Published: December 2020

Readmission or death soon after heart failure (HF) admission is a significant problem. Traditional analyses for predicting such events often fail to consider the gamut of characteristics that may contribute– tending to focus on 30‐day outcomes even though the window of increased vulnerability may last up to 90 days. Risk assessments incorporating machine learning (ML) methods may be better suited than traditional statistical analyses alone to sort through multitude of data in the electronic health record (EHR) and identify patients at higher risk.

Hypothesis

ML‐based decision analysis may better identify patients at increased risk for 90‐day acute HF readmission or death after incident HF admission.

Methods and Results

Among 3189 patients who underwent index HF hospitalization, 15.2% experienced primary or acute HF readmission and 11.5% died within 90 days. For risk assessment models, 98 variables were considered across nine data categories. ML techniques were used to help select variables for a final logistic regression (LR) model. The final model's AUC was 0.760 (95% CI 0.752 to 0.767), with sensitivity of 83%. This proved superior to an LR model alone [AUC 0.744 (95% CI 0.732 to 0.755)]. Eighteen variables were identified as risk factors including dilated inferior vena cava, elevated blood pressure, elevated BUN, reduced albumin, abnormal sodium or bicarbonate, and NT pro‐BNP elevation. A risk prediction ML‐based model developed from comprehensive characteristics within the EHR can efficiently identify patients at elevated risk of 90‐day acute HF readmission or death for whom closer follow‐up or further interventions may be considered.
Young adult cancer caregivers' exposure to cancer misinformation on social media
Authors: Warner Echo L. , Waters Austin R. , Cloyes Kristin G. , Ellington Lee , Kirchhoff Anne C.
Published: December 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to describe young adult cancer caregivers' exposure to cancer misinformation on social media.

Methods

Eligible participants were 18 to 39 years old, used social media weekly, and cared for an adult patient with cancer diagnosed 6 months to 5 years before (N = 21). Recruitment occurred from August 2017 to June 2018 in person at oncology clinics and online. Semistructured telephone interviews were recorded and analyzed with grounded theory methods through 2 rounds of coding (κ = 0.88).

Results

Caregivers were on average 29.1 years old, female (76.2%), non‐Hispanic White (90.5%), college educated (57.1%), and caring for a spouse/partner (47.6%). Caregivers were exposed to a variety of cancer misinformation topics; some felt uncertain in their caregiving ability when confronted with cancer misinformation. Caregivers crosschecked online sources and consulted trusted individuals (eg, family, friends, and health care providers) to determine the quality of cancer‐related information and manage cancer misinformation.

Conclusions

Cancer misinformation on social media may influence caregiving behaviors and decision making. Whether caregivers correctly and consistently identify cancer misinformation on social media is unknown. Supporting digital literacy to mitigate cancer misinformation on social media may improve young cancer caregivers' access to credible cancer information.

Lay Summary

Cancer misinformation on social media affects young adult cancer caregivers' perceptions of their social support network.

Caregivers differ in how they evaluate cancer information for quality and in how this information influences their health behaviors and caregiving decisions.
Practical model with strong interpretability and predictability: An explanatory model for individuals' destination prediction considering personal and crowd travel behavior
Authors: Zhao Juanjuan , Ye Jiexia , Xu Minxian , Xu Chengzhong
Published: December 2020

Real‐time individuals' destination prediction is of great significance for real‐time user tracking, service recommendation and other related applications. Traditional technology mainly used statistical methods based on the travel patterns mined from personal history travel data. However, it is not clear how to predict the destinations of individuals with only limited personal historical data. In this paper, taking the public transportation metro systems as example, we design a practical method called practical model with strong interpretability and predictability to predict each passenger's destination. Our main novelties are two aspects: (1) We propose to predict individuals' destination by combining personal and crowd behavior under certain context. (2) An explanatory model combining discrete choice model and neural network model is proposed to predict individuals' stochastic trip's destination, which can be applied to other transportation analysis scenarios about individuals' choice behavior such as travel mode choice or route choice. We validate our method based on extensive experiments, using smart card data collected by automatic fare collection system and weather data in Shenzhen, China. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach can achieve better performance than other baselines in terms of prediction accuracy.
Photocatalytic Oxidative [2+2] Cycloelimination Reactions with Flavinium Salts: Mechanistic Study and Influence of the Catalyst Structure
Authors: Hartman Tomáš , Reisnerová Martina , Chudoba Josef , Svobodová Eva , Archipowa Nataliya , Kutta Roger Jan , Cibulka Radek
Published: December 2020

Flavinium salts are frequently used in organocatalysis but their application in photoredox catalysis has not been systematically investigated to date. We synthesized a series of 5‐ethyl‐1,3‐dimethylalloxazinium salts with different substituents in the positions 7 and 8 and investigated their application in light‐dependent oxidative cycloelimination of cyclobutanes. Detailed mechanistic investigations with a coumarin dimer as a model substrate reveal that the reaction preferentially occurs via the triplet‐born radical pair after electron transfer from the substrate to the triplet state of an alloxazinium salt. The very photostable 7,8‐dimethoxy derivative is a superior catalyst with a sufficiently high oxidation power (E*=2.26 V) allowing the conversion of various cyclobutanes (with Eox up to 2.05 V) in high yields. Even compounds such as all‐trans dimethyl 3,4‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)cyclobutane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate can be converted, whose opening requires a high activation energy due to a missing pre‐activation caused by bulky adjacent substituents in cis‐position.
Variability analysis of resistive ternary content addressable memories
Authors: Bahloul Mohamed A. , Fouda Mohammed E. , Barraj Imen , Masmoudi Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Resistive ternary content addressable memories (Re‐TCAMs) are considered a potential platform for in‐memory associative processing. Re‐TCAM permits the store and process of the data in the same physical area, allowing in‐memory computing. Given the unique properties of the non‐volatile memristive device, Re‐TCAM is capable of low search energy, large‐scale storage, and massively parallel processing. However, like any other semiconductor, memristor as a nanodevice suffers from fabrication process imperfections that provoke a significant variance in their high (RH) and low (RL) resistance states. These variations might lead to the malfunction of the Re‐TCAM array and affect its performance and reliability. This paper proposes a simplified mathematical formulation of the memristor state variability for 2T2M bit‐cell‐based Re‐TCAM array. We present a comprehensive statistical design, considering different circuit parameters and variance effects, such as tolerance of memristance variation, the memristor ratio (
), transistor technology, and memory width. The impact of these parameters on the performance is formulated as the probability of error is extensively studied, and a closed‐form expression for the optimal threshold voltage is derived. The utility of the presented investigation is illustrated using a design example with real device parameters.
Severe SARS‐CoV‐2 patients develop a higher specific T‐cell response
Authors: Demaret Julie , Lefèvre Guillaume , Vuotto Fanny , Trauet Jacques , Duhamel Alain , Labreuche Julien , Varlet Pauline , Dendooven Arnaud , Stabler Sarah , Gachet Benoit , Bauer Jules , Prevost Brigitte , Bocket Laurence , Alidjinou Enagnon Kazali , Lambert Marc , Yelnik Cécile , Meresse Bertrand , Dubuquoy Laurent , Launay David , Dubucquoi Sylvain , Montaigne David , Woitrain Eloise , Maggiotto François , Bou Saleh Mohamed , Top Isabelle , Elsermans Vincent , Jeanpierre Emmanuelle , Dupont Annabelle , Susen Sophie , Brousseau Thierry , Poissy Julien , Faure Karine , Labalette Myriam ,   the Lille Covid Research Network (LICORNE)
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Assessment of the adaptive immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is crucial for studying long‐term immunity and vaccine strategies. We quantified IFNγ‐secreting T cells reactive against the main viral SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens using a standardised enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (ELISpot).

Methods

Overlapping peptide pools built from the sequences of M, N and S viral proteins and a mix (MNS) were used as antigens. Using IFNγ T‐CoV‐Spot assay, we assessed T‐cell and antibody responses in mild, moderate and severe SARS‐CoV‐2 patients and in control samples collected before the outbreak.

Results

Specific T cells were assessed in 60 consecutive patients (mild, n = 26; moderate, n = 10; and severe patients, n = 24) during their follow‐up (median time from symptom onset [interquartile range]: 36 days [28;53]). T cells against M, N and S peptide pools were detected in n = 60 (100%), n = 56 (93.3%), n = 55 patients (91.7%), respectively. Using the MNS mix, IFNγ T‐CoV‐Spot assay showed a specificity of 96.7% (95% CI, 88.5–99.6%) and a specificity of 90.3% (75.2–98.0%). The frequency of reactive T cells observed with M, S and MNS mix pools correlated with severity and with levels of anti‐S1 and anti‐RBD serum antibodies.

Conclusion

IFNγ T‐CoV‐Spot assay is a reliable method to explore specific T cells in large cohorts of patients. This test may become a useful tool to assess the long‐lived memory T‐cell response after vaccination. Our study demonstrates that SARS‐CoV‐2 patients developing a severe disease achieve a higher adaptive immune response.
Comprehensive phenotyping of endothelial cells using flow cytometry 2: Human
Authors: Grant Dillon , Wanner Nicholas , Frimel Matthew , Erzurum Serpil , Asosingh Kewal
Published: December 2020

In vascular research, clinical samples and samples from animal models are often used together to foster translation of preclinical findings to humans. General concepts of endothelia and murine‐specific endothelial phenotypes were discussed in part 1 of this two part series. Here, in part 2, we present a comprehensive overview of human‐specific endothelial phenotypes. Pan‐endothelial cell markers, organ specific endothelial antigens, and flow cytometric immunophenotyping of blood‐borne endothelial cells are reviewed.
Macrocyclic sulfone derivatives: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro biological evaluation and molecular docking
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Latif Abdul , Ammara  , Ali Akbar , Ribeiro Alany Ingrid , Farooq Umar , Ullah Farhat , Khan Ajmal , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed , Ahmad Manzoor , Ali Mumtaz
Published: December 2020

An artificial series of macrocycles based on 4,4′‐sulfonyldiphenol intermediate was synthesized using a multistep procedure involving oxidation of bisphenol sulfide, etherification of phenolic hydroxyl groups, and final ring closure with different diamines. Different chemical species having aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic characters were incorporated into macrocyclic frameworks in the final step of ring closure. This simple and easily executable synthetic strategy was applied to synthesize 15 macrocycles (5a‐o) in excellent yields. Characterization of the synthesized products was achieved through well‐known modern spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR, and Mass. Macrocycles 5m and 5n were found to show significant AChE inhibition with IC50 values of 76.9 ± 0.24 and 71.2 ± 0.77 μM, respectively. Macrocycle 5n was also found to be an active inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC50 score of 55.3 ± 0.54 μM. Among others, macrocycle 5l cyclized with o‐phenylenediamine demonstrated moderate inhibition with IC50 value of 81.1 ± 0.54 μM. Increasing interest in studying interactions of macrocycles with different enzymatic targets compelled us to design and synthesize sulfone‐based macrocycles that might prove as highly potent class of biologically active compounds.
Increased spontaneous CCL2 (MCP‐1) and CCL5 (RANTES) secretion in vitro in LADA compared to type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes: Action LADA 14
Authors: Ooms Mark , Strom Alexander , Strassburger Klaus , Menart Barbara , Leslie Richard D. , Schloot Nanette C.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Immune‐mediated type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adulthood and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) share similar pathological mechanisms but differ clinically in disease progression. The aim of this study was to acquire insights into spontaneous and stimulated chemokine secretion of immune cells in different diabetes types.

Materials and Methods

We investigated in vitro spontaneous, mitogen (PI) and antigen (HSP60, p277, pGAD, pIA2) stimulated chemokine secretion of leucocytes from patients with T1D (n = 32), LADA (n = 22), type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 49), and glucose‐tolerant individuals (n = 13). Chemokine concentration in supernatants was measured for CCL2 (MCP‐1), CXCL10 (IP10) and CCL5 (RANTES) using a multiplex bead array assay.

Results

Spontaneous secretion of CCL2 and CCL5 were higher in LADA compared to T1D and T2D (all p < 0.05) while CXCL10 was similar in the groups. Mitogen‐stimulated secretion of CCL2 in LADA was lower compared to T1D and T2D (all p < 0.05) while CXCL10 and CCL5 were similar in all groups. Upon stimulation with pIA2 the secretion of CCL2 in LADA was lower compared to T2D (p < 0.05). Spontaneous CXCL10 secretion in LADA was positively associated with body mass index (r2 = 0.35; p = 0.0035) and C‐peptide (r2 = 0.30; p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Chemokine secretion is altered between different diabetes types. Increased spontaneous secretion of CCL2 and CCL5 and decreased secretion of CCL2, upon stimulation with PI and pIA2, in LADA compared to T1D and T2D could reflect altered immune responsiveness in LADA patients in association with their slower clinical progression compared to insulin dependence.
Performance evaluation of handheld Raman spectroscopy for cocaine detection in forensic case samples
Authors: Kranenburg Ruben F. , Verduin Joshka , de Ridder Renee , Weesepoel Yannick , Alewijn Martin , Heerschop Marcel , Keizers Peter H.J. , van Esch Annette , van Asten Arian C.
Published: December 2020

Handheld Raman spectroscopy is an emerging technique for rapid on‐site detection of drugs of abuse. Most devices are developed for on‐scene operation with a user interface that only shows whether cocaine has been detected. Extensive validation studies are unavailable, and so are typically the insight in raw spectral data and the identification criteria. This work evaluates the performance of a commercial handheld Raman spectrometer for cocaine detection based on (i) its performance on 0–100 wt% binary cocaine mixtures, (ii) retrospective comparison of 3,168 case samples from 2015 to 2020 analyzed by both gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Raman, (iii) assessment of spectral selectivity, and (iv) comparison of the instrument's on‐screen results with combined partial least square regression (PLS‐R) and discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) models. The limit of detection was dependent on sample composition and varied between 10 wt% and 40 wt% cocaine. Because the average cocaine content in street samples is well above this limit, a 97.5% true positive rate was observed in case samples. No cocaine false positives were reported, although 12.5% of the negative samples were initially reported as inconclusive by the built‐in software. The spectral assessment showed high selectivity for Raman peaks at 1,712 (cocaine base) and 1,716 cm−1 (cocaine HCl). Combined PLS‐R and PLS‐DA models using these features confirmed and further improved instrument performance. This study scientifically assessed the performance of a commercial Raman spectrometer, providing useful insight on its applicability for both presumptive detection and legally valid evidence of cocaine presence for law enforcement.
Parallel evolution of direct development in frogs ‐ Skin and thyroid gland development in African Squeaker Frogs (Anura: Arthroleptidae: Arthroleptis)
Authors: Naumann Benjamin , Schweiger Susan , Hammel Jörg U. , Müller Hendrik
Published: December 2020

Background

Cases of parallel evolution offer the possibility to identify adaptive traits and to uncover developmental constraints on the evolutionary trajectories of these traits. The independent evolution of direct development from the ancestral biphasic life history in frogs is such a case of parallel evolution. In frogs, aquatic larvae (tadpoles) differ profoundly from their adult forms and exhibit a stunning diversity regarding their habitats, morphology and feeding behaviors. The transition from the tadpole to the adult is a climactic, thyroid hormone (TH)‐dependent process of profound and fast morphological rearrangement called metamorphosis. One of the organ systems that experiences the most comprehensive metamorphic rearrangements is the skin. Direct‐developing frogs lack a free‐swimming tadpole and hatch from terrestrial eggs as fully formed froglets. In the few species examined, development is characterized by the condensed and transient formation of some tadpole‐specific features and the early formation of adult‐specific features during a “cryptic” metamorphosis.

Results

We show that skin in direct‐developing African squeaker frogs (Arthroleptis) is also repatterned from a tadpole‐like to an adult‐like histology during a cryptic metamorphosis. This repatterning correlates with histological thyroid gland maturation. A comparison with data from the Puerto Rican coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui) reveals that the evolution of direct development in these frogs is associated with a comparable heterochronic shift of thyroid gland maturation.

Conclusion

This suggests that the development of many adult features is still dependent on, and possibly constrained by, the ancestral dependency on thyroid hormone signaling.
Try these virtual orientation strategies to set students up for success
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: December 2020

Five weeks doesn't seem like much time to pull together a brand new virtual orientation — but Dani Rollins and Logan Adams made it happen.
Pandemic magnifies pre‐COVID‐19 U.S. higher education challenges
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: December 2020

For the past several months, the higher education community in the United States has been dealing with the impact and upheaval caused by the pandemic. But prior to the outbreak of the virus, higher education faced challenges that seem to be accelerating due to the impacts of COVID‐19.
Leaders pay it forward
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: December 2020

“Paying it forward” is not a new concept. It's probably as old as time. But in the past few years, the phrase has gained popularity. The meaning is simple. Paying it forward is to return a kindness to someone else rather than the original benefactor, and thus expand its reach.