bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the content typicality and construct of Persian language proficiency test (PLPT) for non-Persian speakers: a corpus-informed study
Authors: BijanKhan Mahmood , ShayesteFar Parvaneh , Mohebbi Hassan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDrawing on a growing body of research on the interface between corpus linguistics and second/foreign language testing and assessment, we adopted Peykare, a large-scale, annotated, Persian written language resource to evaluate the content (i.e., coverage and typicality) and construct validity of a Persian language proficiency test developed for certification of proficiency in Persian as a foreign language (PFL) of non-native speakers. Designed at the Research Center for Intelligent Signal Processing (RCISP), Peykare contains 35,058 text files over five linguistic varieties and 24 different registers of contemporary Persian. This study addresses how corpora, as rich database resources, can practically be applied to test validation purposes and insightfully inform the test life cycle. The results of content validity phase revealed evidence supporting content representativeness, relevance, and typicality of the test. The linkage between the corpus-extracted criterial features or parameters and those covered by the test was not, however, strongly evidenced by items measuring ezafeh constructions, homographs/homophones, PRO (proposition), and POST (postposition). The analysis of content typicality indicated chunks that did not closely conform to the corpus typical output. The construct validity phase, assessing the test hypothesized factor structure (i.e., hierarchical, unitary, correlated, and uncorrelated models) in two randomly split samples of PFL learners from Asian and European countries (N=121), showed that the correlated model fit the data best in both samples. The results supported the presence of distinctive factors of receptive skills, providing empirical evidence for score interpretations of the corpus-based test.
Effect of chitooligosaccharide on the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 main protease
Authors: Wang Qian , Song Yuanyuan , Kim Mungu , Hahn Sei Kwang , Jiang Ge 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
The main protease (Mpro) is a crucial target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Chitooligosaccharide (CS) has broad-spectrum antiviral activity and can effectively inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV. Here, based on the high homology between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, this study explores the effect and mechanism of CS with various molecular weights on the activity of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.

Methods
We used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), UV–Vis, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and computational simulation to investigate the molecular interaction and the interaction mechanism between CS and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.

Results
Four kinds of CS with different molecular weights significantly inhibited the activity of Mpro by combining the hydrogen bonding and the salt bridge interaction to form a stable complex. Glu166 appeared to be the key amino acid. Among them, chitosan showed the highest inhibition effect on Mpro enzyme activity and the greatest impact on the spatial structure of protein. Chitosan would be one of the most potential anti-viral compounds.

Conclusion
This study provides the theoretical basis to develop targeted Mpro inhibitors for the screening and application of anti-novel coronavirus drugs.
Basic amino acid-mediated cationic amphiphilic surfaces for antimicrobial pH monitoring sensor with wound healing effects
Authors: Lee Dong Uk , Kim Se-Chang , Choi Dong Yun , Jung Won-Kyo , Moon Myung Jun 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
The wound healing process is a complex cascade of physiological events, which are vulnerable to both our body status and external factors and whose impairment could lead to chronic wounds or wound healing impediments. Conventional wound healing materials are widely used in clinical management, however, they do not usually prevent wounds from being infected by bacteria or viruses. Therefore, simultaneous wound status monitoring and prevention of microbial infection are required to promote healing in clinical wound management.

Methods

Basic amino acid-modified surfaces were fabricated in a water-based process via a peptide coupling reaction. Specimens were analyzed and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle, and molecular electrostatic potential via Gaussian 09. Antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition tests were conducted on
Escherichia coli
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
. Biocompatibility was determined through cytotoxicity tests on human epithelial keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. Wound healing efficacy was confirmed by mouse wound healing and cell staining tests. Workability of the pH sensor on basic amino acid-modified surfaces was evaluated on normal human skin and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
suspension, and in vivo conditions.

Results

Basic amino acids (lysine and arginine) have pH-dependent zwitterionic functional groups. The basic amino acid-modified surfaces had antifouling and antimicrobial properties similar to those of cationic antimicrobial peptides because zwitterionic functional groups have intrinsic cationic amphiphilic characteristics. Compared with untreated polyimide and modified anionic acid (leucine), basic amino acid-modified polyimide surfaces displayed excellent bactericidal, antifouling (reduction ~ 99.6%) and biofilm inhibition performance. The basic amino acid-modified polyimide surfaces also exhibited wound healing efficacy and excellent biocompatibility, confirmed by cytotoxicity and ICR mouse wound healing tests. The basic amino acid-modified surface-based pH monitoring sensor was workable (sensitivity 20 mV pH
−1
) under various pH and bacterial contamination conditions.

Conclusion
Here, we developed a biocompatible and pH-monitorable wound healing dressing with antimicrobial activity via basic amino acid-mediated surface modification, creating cationic amphiphilic surfaces. Basic amino acid-modified polyimide is promising for monitoring wounds, protecting them from microbial infection, and promoting their healing. Our findings are expected to contribute to wound management and could be expanded to various wearable healthcare devices for clinical, biomedical, and healthcare applications.
Take patients seriously when they say financial incentives help with adherence
Authors: Hodson Nathan , Majid Madiha , Vlaev Ivo , Singh Swaran Preet 
Published: February 2023

SummarySmall financial incentives have been proven effective at promoting healthy behaviours across medicine, including in psychiatry. There are a range of philosophical and practical objections to financial incentives. Drawing on the existing literature, specifically attempts to use financial incentives to promote antipsychotic adherence, we propose a ‘patient-centred’ view of evaluating financial incentive regimes. We argue that there is evidence that mental health patients like financial incentives, considering them fair and respectful. The enthusiasm of mental health patients for financial incentives lends support to their use, although it does not invalidate all objections against them.
First report of PhALLCON: A phase 3 study comparing ponatinib (pon) vs imatinib (im) in newly diagnosed patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL).
Authors: Jabbour Elias , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Aldoss Ibrahim , Montesinos Pau , Leonard Jessica Taft , Gomez-Almaguer David , Baer Maria R. , Gambacorti-Passerini Carlo , McCloskey James , Minami Yosuke , Papayannidis Cristina , Geraldo Rocha Vanderson , Rousselot Philippe , Vachhani Pankit , Wang Eunice S. , Wang Bingxia , Hennessy Meliessa , Vorog Alexander , Patel Niti , Ribera Josep-Maria 
Published: February 2023

398868 Background: The standard of care in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed (dx) Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with chemotherapy (chemo) or steroids. Treated with 1st- or 2nd-generation TKIs, pts eventually progress due to emergence of resistance. Multiple studies have reported promising minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (neg) rates and survival outcomes with pon in combination with chemo or chemo-free regimens. PhALLCON (NCT03589326), the first randomized study comparing TKIs in pts with Ph+ALL, evaluates pon vs im in combination with reduced-intensity chemo. Methods: This phase 3 open-label trial randomized adult newly dx Ph+ALL pts 2:1 to receive pon (30 mg once daily [QD]) or im (600 mg QD) with reduced-intensity chemo through end of induction (EOI; Cycles 1–3), consolidation (Cycles 4–9), and post-consolidation (Cycles 10–20). After Cycle 20, pts received single-agent pon or im until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The composite primary endpoint was MRD-neg ( BCR:: ABL1 ≤0.01% ) complete remission (CR) for 4 weeks at EOI. Event-free survival (EFS: any cause death, failure to achieve CR by EOI, relapse from CR) was a key secondary endpoint. Results: 245 pts were randomized to pon (n=164) or im (n=81); median age was 54 y (37% ≥60 y). At data cutoff (Aug 2022), 78 pts (pon vs im: 42% vs 12%) were on study treatment; the top 3 reasons for discontinuation were hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (31% vs 37%), adverse events (12% vs 12%), and lack of efficacy (7% vs 26%). Median follow-up was 20 mo vs 18 mo (pon vs im). The primary endpoint was met (Table) by significantly higher MRD-neg CR rate for pon vs im (34.4% vs 16.7%; p=0.0021). Survival data were not mature; however, the median EFS was reached in im and not in pon, with a trend toward improvement (HR=0.652, 95% CI 0.385–1.104). Time to treatment failure reported an improvement as well (HR=0.455). The treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) rates (any grade [Gr] and Gr3/4/5) were comparable between treatment arms. Arterial occlusive events (AOEs) were infrequent and similar between the arms (Table). Conclusions: Pon was superior to im in combination with reduced-intensity chemo in pts with newly dx Ph+ALL, with a significantly higher MRD-neg CR rate at the EOI. Pon was associated with deeper and more durable responses, with a trend toward improved EFS and comparable safety vs im. Clinical trial information: NCT03589326 . [Table: see text]
Incremental Health Care Costs of Anxiety and Depression Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Cancer
Authors: Birch Kelly , Chung Sukyung , Zion Sean R. , MacEwan Joanna P. , Malecki Michael J. 
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:Mental health comorbidities are commonplace among patients with cancer and have been associated with adverse health outcomes and elevated health care costs. Given the rapidly evolving cancer care landscape, an updated understanding of the prevalence and costs of mental health conditions among patients with cancer is needed. This study assessed the incremental costs of anxiety and depression among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer.METHODS:This retrospective cohort study used the SEER-Medicare database. Patients diagnosed with melanoma, breast, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer between July 2013 and December 2017 were followed for at least 12 months and up to 36 months after cancer diagnosis. Patients were categorized on the basis of anxiety/depression (AD) diagnosis: (1) predating cancer, (2) onset after cancer, or (3) no AD. Multivariable regression was used to estimate differences in all-cause incremental costs (before v after cancer) between the three groups.RESULTS:Of 230,626 patients, 10% had AD before their cancer diagnosis and 22% were diagnosed after cancer. In the first year after cancer diagnosis, average monthly health care costs were $5,750 in US dollars (USD) for patients with newly onset, $5,208 (USD) for patients with preexisting, and $3,919 (USD) for patients without a diagnosis of AD. The incremental cost of cancer was the greatest among patients with newly onset AD—$1,458 (USD) per month greater than those with no AD. Similar patterns were observed across cancer types and stages.CONCLUSION:One in three Medicare beneficiaries with cancer in this study had a diagnosis of anxiety or depression. Newly onset AD is associated with an increase in health care costs of $17,496 (USD) per year. Screening and management of mental health conditions for patients with cancer should be part of coordinated oncology care.
Mortality Not Increased in Patients With Nonfunctional Adrenal Adenomas: A Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Kjellbom Albin , Lindgren Ola , Danielsson Malin , Olsen Henrik , Löndahl Magnus 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Context
Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is associated with increased mortality in patients with adrenal incidentalomas, but little is known regarding the potential risk associated with nonfunctional adrenal adenomas (NFAA), which constitute the majority of adrenal incidentalomas.

Objective
Compare mortality risk in patients with NFAA, and different levels of MACS, to matched controls.

Method
This was a retrospective matched cohort study. All patients referred to 2 endocrine centers in southern Sweden because of an adrenal incidentaloma between 2005 and 2015 were enrolled. Controls (3:1) matched for sex, age, and residency were included. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Outcome data were obtained from the Cause of Death Register. Patients were grouped according to cortisol level post 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (cortisolDST) (&lt;50 (NFAA), 50-82, 83-137, and ≥138 nmol/L).

Results
1154 patients and 3462 matched controls were included. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 210 patients and 505 controls died. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality between patients with NFAA and their controls (HR 1.13 [0.87-1.46]) whereas mortality was increased compared to controls in patients with cortisolDST 83-137 (HR 1.99 [1.38-2.88]) and ≥138 nmol/L (HR 4.09 [2.41-6.93]). Likewise, the mortality risk was increased in patients younger than 65 years with cortisolDST 50-82 nmol/L compared with controls (HR 2.33 [1.30-4.17]).

Conclusion
NFAA does not seem to pose a clinically relevant risk for increased mortality in patients with adrenal incidentalomas while patients with MACS, and especially younger patients and those with cortisolDST ≥83 nmol/L, have significantly increased mortality risk compared with matched controls.
C-Reactive protein as a biomarker affecting neurorehabilitation outcomes in post-stroke patients: state of knowledge and global trends in research
Authors: Borowicz Wojciech , Szczepańska Marta , Rosińczuk Joanna 
Published: February 2023

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a commonly determined biomarker of inflammation and may reflect the progression of a vascular disease. CRP values within 12 to 24 hours of stroke symptom onset are an independent predictor of adverse functional outcome in terms of the level of motor recovery in the first year of follow-up. Objective: This study aims to provide a complementary analysis of the scientific literature and critically review studies on the use of CRP as a potential biomarker associated with stroke and affecting the achievement of neurorehabilitation progress in post-stroke patients. Methods: This critical review of the literature was prepared based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) original research, (2) studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus and PEDro databases, (3) full-text articles in English, (4) papers published in 2012 – 2022, and (5) papers addressing the use of PCR assay as a biomarker of rehabilitation effectiveness. Results: Based on a review of PubMed, Scopus and PEDro databases, 47, 56 and 9 papers, respectively, were selected based on precisely selected keywords and included in full for further full text review. In this review, the most important scientific rationale was included in response to the aim of this paper. Summary: Recognition of the role of inflammatory and immunological factors in the development of atherosclerosis and the occurrence of ischaemic stroke provides scope for the search for new methods of stroke risk assessment and the development of new methods to prevent stroke. Further empirical validation and unequivocal demonstration of the levels of CRP as a potential marker that affects the health status of a post-stroke patient are needed to ensure the greatest possible level of motor recovery and ability to function independently in terms of all activities of daily living.
Smart Predict-then-Optimize for Two-Stage Linear Programs with Side Information
Authors: Estes Alexander S. , Richard Jean-Philippe P. 
Published: February 2023

We study two-stage linear programs with uncertainty in the right-hand side in which the uncertain parameters of the problem are correlated with a variable called the side information, which is observed before an action is made. We propose an approach in which a linear regression model is used to provide a point prediction for the uncertain parameters of the problem. We use an approach called smart predict-then-optimize. Rather than minimizing a typical loss function for regression, such as squared error, we approximately minimize the objective value of the resulting solutions to the optimization problem. We conduct computational tests that compare our method with other approaches for optimization problems with side information. The results indicate that our method can provide better objective values in situations where the true model is reasonably close to a linear model. Although the procedure we propose requires a longer time for fitting than existing methods, it requires less time to produce a decision for each given observation of the side information. Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoo.2023.0088 .
Improving Convenience or Saving Face? An Empirical Analysis of the Use of Facial Recognition Payment Technology in Retail
Authors: Gao Jia , Rong Ying , Tian Xin , Yao Yuliang 
Published: February 2023

Facial recognition payment technology (FR) has the potential to disrupt the offline retailing industry by automating the payment process. However, some firms that adopted FR payment technology have experienced only moderate success, and many customers have expressed frustration using FR payment technology. By utilizing data sets from three retail chains, we find that customers are less likely to use FR payment technology during self-checkouts when more customers are in line behind them, waiting and watching (the social presence effect), and when more preceding customers use the other payment technology (the herding effect). These findings imply that (1) the design of FR technology can be improved to alleviate the social presence effect (such as adding a privacy screen filter or beautify the appearance of the consumer’s image), and (2) monetary incentives may be used to attract more users by leveraging the herding effect.
Improving mechanical properties of optical thin films by ion assisted deposition
Authors: Gao Yang , Cheng Weiming , Zhou Pengfei , Zhuang Songlin 
Published: February 2023

Several optical coatings were produced by ion assisted deposition (IAD) and their mechanical properties were investigated using four different methods. The experimental results are summarized here:
(1) Eleven kinds of film were produced by IAD; they are a seventeen-layer dielectric interference filter of ZnS/MgF2; an antireflection coating of MgF2 on a plastic substrate, some oxide films such as ZrO2, TiO2, and SiO2; some metallic films such as Ag, Al, and Cu; some metal bandpass films for energy efficiency.
(2) Compared with those deposited by PVD, all the films by IAD with proper parameters have better mechanical properties, with increased abrasion and corrosion resistance, as well as improved adhesion and security.
(3) SEM photographs showed that IAD had effectively reduced the affected width of scratches on the film surface. This means that the mechanical properties and hardness of the films have been improved.
(4) With the IAD technique, we can obtain firm and fine films on plastic substrate without heating and it is difficult to obtain them by the PVD technique.
(5) The XRD, TEM, and TPDS analyses showed that the reason for improving mechanical properties by IAD is that bombardment particles can increase collecting density, improve microstructure, and facilitate crystallization of coating; and for some films, bombardment with different ions has different effects on the properties of films.
Reaction dynamics of the OH–Ar complex
Authors: Lester Marsha I. 
Published: February 2023

Recent experiments performed in this laboratory have provided a detailed picture of the intermolecular potential between the open-shell hydroxyl radical and an argon atom. The interaction potentials between Ar (1S0) and OH in the ground

X

2

II

3
2

and excited A 2Σ+ electronic states have been probed through spectroscopic measurements and half-collision studies of the weakly bound OH-Arvan der Waals (vdW) complex. Vibrational excitation of the OH subunit induces dissociation of the complex, providing a means to examine the dynamics taking place on these potential energy surfaces. Our results show striking differences, in both the potentials and dynamics, between the ground and excited electronic states. The rate of dissociation is at least five orders of magnitude slower in the ground electronic state than in the excited state. The dissociation dynamics for OH-Ar complexes correlating with changes with initial vdW state selection. The product rotational distribution reflects the bending wave function of the complex, while the rate of dissociation depends on the number of quanta of excitation in the vdW stretching coordinate. The rate becomes faster as the excitation in the vdW stretch is decreased.
Origin and shape of the Ar2 excimer band at 128 nm excited in a supersonic jet
Authors: Kiik M. J. , Dube P. , Stoicheff B. P. 
Published: February 2023

The Ar2 excimer band at 128 nm has generally been thought to arise from excimers in the closely spaced

A

3

Σ
u
+

(

1
u

)

and

B

1

Σ
u
+

(

0
u
+

)

states. We have investigated this designation spectroscopically by irradiating the dc discharge plasma of Ar2 after supersonic expansion with the beam of a tunable titanium–sapphire laser to probe the 3p54s manifold of atomic Ar and simultaneously monitoring the effects on atomic transitions as well as on the 128 nm band of Ar2. Intensity increases and decreases of up to 5% were measured in the 128 nm band, depending on the wavelength of the incident radiation. The analysis of these results indicates that under the present discharge conditions, the 128 nm band is primarily due to excimers in the

A

3

Σ
u
+

(

1
u

)

state, formed from atoms in the 4s[3/2]2 level. It is also shown that the observed FWHM bandwidth of 8.7 nm can be explained by significant vibrational cooling of the excimer after expansion, with ≈80% population in the v = 0 level. Thus, when the laser was tuned to probe an absorption band of Ar2 at 985 nm, and a decrease in intensity of the 128 nm band was recorded having the shape and bandwidth of the 128 nm band, this was proof that the 985 nm band originates from the

A

3

Σ
u
+

(

1
u

)

(

v
=
0

)

state.