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As Chinese shows both satellite- and verb-framed properties (Slobin, 2004; Talmy, 2012, 2016), it provides a unique lens through which to observe the extent of first-language (L1) typological influence in second language (L2) acquisition of motion expressions. This study has dual purposes. First, it extends Wu's (2016) investigation on motion expressions produced by 80 L1 satellite-framed English learners of L2 Chinese to include newly collected data produced by L1 verb-framed speakers, a sample comprised of 41 L1 Japanese learners of Chinese and 40 Japanese native speakers. Second, it synthesizes the data from both studies and comprehensively examines factors that have been proposed to affect development of L2 thinking-for-speaking (TFS) patterns. The results show that development of L2 TFS is best predicted by learners' L1 type, but the effect is mitigated by L2 proficiency. While the L1 English learners outperform L1 Japanese learners in their development of target-like L2 Chinese TFS, learners with limited L2 proficiency in both groups tend to adopt verb-framed strategies to express only the core path information of a motion event and leave out the manner details. Analysis of L1 Japanese learners' oral narratives in L1 Japanese and L2 Chinese also shows that reverse L2-to-L1 transfer is less likely to happen when learning a typologically closer L2 that requires minimal restructuring of their L1 TFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been noted that Chinese shows both satellite- and verb-framed properties (Beavers, Levin, & Tham, ; Slobin, ), a fact that offers the opportunity to explore the typological influence of learners' dominant language because they can choose either option to describe the same motion events and be grammatically correct. This study comprehensively examined the impact of factors including the dominant language's thinking for speaking (TFS) (Slobin, , , ), as well as proficiency and degree of socialization with the target language. It examined oral narratives produced by 80 learners of Chinese representing two proficiency levels (low vs. high) and two linguistic backgrounds (heritage language vs. foreign language), as compared to two baseline groups of 40 Chinese native speakers (NSs) and 40 English NSs. Analysis of the motion verbs and motion constructions showed a limited role of the dominant TFS. While the more proficient learners were more capable of producing task-relevant motion expressions regardless of their language background, only advanced heritage learners demonstrated target-like TFS. Comparison of heritage and foreign language learners at the same proficiency level suggests that degree of language socialization plays a crucial role in facilitating development of TFS in the target language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the rate constants for the formation of calcium ion complexes of poly(amino carboxylate) ligands. Effect of the introduction of a second chelator to the deprotonation of the species; Measurement of the fluorescence intensity of the initially-formed calcium complex; Characteristic of the reaction of the protonated ligands.

Reports on the use of excitation spectroscopy of the 7Fo-->5Do transition of europium (Eu3+) to detect and characterize a kinetic intermediate in the formation of a complex between Eu3+ and the macrocylic ligand (1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-9,17,-dioxo-1,4,7,10,13,16 -hexaazacyclooctadec ane) or dtpa-dien system. Complex characterization; Stability constant.

Presents preliminary spectroscopic observations of intermediates in the formation of Eu3+ complexes with dota- and dtpa-based macrocyclic ligands. Determination of the number of Eu3+-coordinated water molecules; Determination of the equilibrium formation constant of the intermediate (EuHxL); Degree of protonation.

Describes a highly-sensitive direct spectroscopic method for the measurement of stability constants of europium ion complexes of multidentate ligands. Competition of two ligands, one of known and one of unknown stability constant for its Eu3+ complex; Laser excitation at a particular wavelength; Determination of relative conditional stability constants.

Surface sediment samples were collected at 13 sites from Liuye Lake and its adjacent waters. Heavy metals in samples were extracted by a total digestion technique and then the concentrations of Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and As were measured by using ICP-MS. Spatial distribution, source and ecologic risk assessment of heavy metals in the sediments were investigated based on concentrations determined. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb were 62.3, 40.6, 32.8, 223, 16.9, 0.74 and 31.5 mg kg−1, respectively, which are higher than background concentrations. The enrichment factors further indicated that the heavy metals in sediments reached to the level of deficiency to minor contamination. Toxicity assessment based on the SQGs suggested that these heavy metals might pose a detrimental effect on benthic organisms. The average toxic units of heavy metals declined as the following order Ni > As > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > Cu, indicating toxic effect was dependent on both their concentrations and relative toxicity. The risk index values of heavy metals ranged from 40 to 200 and the heavy metals at the sites of S3-S13 even reached to the grade of moderate risk. The results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, principle component analysis and dual hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that the distribution of Cr, Cu and Pb was related to discharge of wastewater. Besides, wastewater of nickel plating plate and fertilizer might be the sources of Ni and Zn, respectively. In addition, atmospheric deposition was regarded as the main source of As and the source of Cd might be related with industrial wastewater. Hence, it is advised that further management and pollution control should be implemented for the seven heavy metals in Liuye Lake and its adjacent waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A seven-year-old boy presented with a slight fever of several days duration five months after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute B-lineage lymphoblastic leukaemia. Pseudo-Chédiak-Higashi inclusions in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia Inclusions such as these, designated pseudo-Chédiak-Higashi inclusions, have been reported in acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, mixed phenotype acute leukaemia and acute B-lineage lymphoblastic leukaemia. [Extracted from the article]

Background & Aims: Nucleotides with add‐on interferon treatment (NUC‐IFN) provide significantly higher rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to investigate the sustainability of HBsAg loss and the prevention of clinical relapse. Methods: Patients with CHB who achieved HBsAg loss and HBV DNA levels <20 IU/ml after IFN or NUC‐IFN therapy were enrolled and followed up for 96 weeks. The primary outcome was HBsAg negativity without viremia at week 96. Secondary outcomes included virological or clinical relapse and predictors of relapse. Results: 420 patients were included in intention‐to‐treat analysis with 290 and 130 in the IFN and NUC‐IFN groups respectively. At week 96, the intention‐to‐treat analysis revealed similar outcomes between groups, including HBsAg seroreversion (24.83% vs. 23.08%, P =.70), viremia (16.90% vs 13.08%, P =.32) and clinical relapse (11.38% vs 10.00%, P =.68); the per‐protocol analyses also showed HBsAg seroreversion, viremia and clinical relapse in IFN group (15.50%, 6.59% and 0.39%) did not differ from those in NUC‐IFN group (15.25%, 4.24% and 0.85%, P >.05). These outcomes were similar between patients who received entecavir and those who received telbivudine/lamivudine/adefovir before the combination therapy. In NUC‐IFN‐treated patients, fibrosis regression was observed at week 96. Baseline HBsAb negativity was independent predictors of HBsAg sero‐reversion and recurrence of viremia in IFN treated group. Conclusion: NUC‐IFN and IFN therapies are equally effective in achieving sustained functional cure and fibrosis regression. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT02336399). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver necroinflammation is the indicator for treating patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. However, there is no suitable non‐invasive index for diagnosing liver necroinflammation. This study aimed to create a non‐invasive index to predict liver necroinflammation in patients who lack clear‐cut clinical inflammation parameters. Patients who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative and underwent liver histological diagnosis, had a normal or minimally increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were enrolled. Liver necroinflammation was defined as histological active index ≥4. A logistic regression model (LRM) was established based on the parameters independently associated with liver necroinflammation. Of all 550 patients, 36.73% had necroinflammation. In patients with an abnormal ALT level, the rate of necroinflammation was 52.49%. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ALT level for predicting necroinflammation was 0.655 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.609‐0.702), and that of the HBV DNA level ≥2000 IU/mL combined with an abnormal ALT level was 0.618. By using the LRM, the AUC improved to 0.769 (95% CI, 0.723‐0.815) with a Youden index of 0.519 and diagnostic accuracy of 75.3%. The cutoff value ≥0.7 in the LRM had a specificity of 97.4% and positive predictive value of 85.0% for predicting necroinflammation. By using the cutoff value <0.15 in the LRM, the presence of necroinflammation could be excluded with a negative predictive value of 90.8%. This study indicated that the LRM can be used to effectively diagnose liver necroinflammation in HBeAg‐negative patients with CHB who have normal or minimally elevated ALT levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is considered a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the durability of HBsAg loss after stopping treatment remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the sustained functional cure achieved by interferon therapy in hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)‐negative CHB patients. In this prospective study, 176 HBeAg‐negative CHB patients with functional cure were enrolled for 12 weeks of cessation treatment, and treatment information and baseline data were collected. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) biomarkers and clinical biochemical indicators were evaluated every 3 months; liver imaging examinations were performed every 3‐6 months during the 48‐week follow‐up. The sustained functional cure was evaluated. After the 48‐week follow‐up, the sustained functional cure rate was 86.63%. The cumulative rates of HBsAg reversion and HBV DNA reversion were 12.79% and 2.33%, respectively. Consolidation treatment ≥ 12 weeks after HBsAg loss achieved a significantly higher rate of sustained functional cure and significantly lower rate of HBsAg reversion than consolidation treatment < 12 weeks (76.19% vs 90.00%, P = 0.022 and 23.81% vs 9.23%, P = 0.014, respectively). Patients with hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) had higher rate of sustained functional cure than patients achieving HBsAg loss but without HBsAb (89.86% vs 73.53%, P = 0.012). Consolidation treatment ≥ 12 weeks (odds ratio [OR] 16.478; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.135‐127.151; P = 0.007) and high HBsAb levels (OR 8.312; 95% CI, 1.824‐37.881; P = 0.006) were independent predictors of sustained functional cure. Results suggested that 12 weeks of consolidation therapy after HBsAg clearance and elevated HBsAb levels help to improve functional cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are crucial for control of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. In this study, we evaluated the frequencies of pDCs and expression of functional molecules on pDCs in patients treated with PEG-IFN-α-2a or entecavir (ETV) and investigated changes during treatment. The mean fluorescence intensity of CD86 (CD86MFI) on the surface of pDCs and frequencies of pDCs and CD86+ pDCs in peripheral blood were measured. Compared with baseline, CD86+ pDC% and CD86MFI increased obviously after PEG-IFN-α-2a treatment for 12 and 24 weeks. For patients treated with ETV, only pDC% increased observably after treatment weeks 12 and 24 (P < 0.001) compared with baseline. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decline was significantly associated with elevated CD86+ pDC% (r = 0.348, P = 0.015) during PEG-IFN-α-2a treatment. In the HBsAg response group, CD86+ pDC% and CD86MFI (P < 0.001) increased observably after PEG-IFN-α-2a therapy, whereas only CD86MFI had a statistically significant difference after therapy compared with baseline (12 weeks versus 0 weeks, P = 0.022; 24 weeks versus 0 weeks, P = 0.015) in the HBsAg nonresponse group. CD86+ pDC% between the 2 groups had statistically significant differences at baseline (P = 0.001) and at the treatment time points of 12 and 24 weeks (P < 0.001), respectively. For patients receiving ETV therapy, pDC% increased observably, but CD86+ pDC% decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the HBV DNA nonresponse group during early treatment with ETV. In CHB patients, HBsAg response in PEG-IFN-α-2a therapy correlated with the increase of CD86+ pDC% and HBV DNA nonresponse in ETV treatment correlated with the decrease of CD86+ pDC%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]